Hong Kong: Central authorities support leveraged

To press ahead with the implementation work to tackle the aggravating situation of the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong, Chief Executive Carrie Lam today assigned different directors of bureaus to take forward various areas of work with the Mainland.

Mrs Lam today held an internal high-level meeting to follow up on the consensus and achievements from the second Mainland-Hong Kong thematic meeting on the COVID-19 epidemic jointly hosted by Chief Secretary John Lee and Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Deputy Director Huang Liuquan.

She appointed the convenors from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for five task forces to co-ordinate with the representatives of the relevant ministries and commissions of the central authorities.

Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan will be responsible for the task force of epidemiologists, co-ordinating the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority and local experts to liaise with Mainland experts to assist Hong Kong in conducting pathological investigations and analyses.

Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang will be responsible for the task force of enhancing the capability of nucleic acid testing, including the co-ordination of community testing facilities and ancillary work in Hong Kong.

Secretary for Development Michael Wong will be responsible for the task force of co-ordinating and working with the corresponding Mainland authorities to construct community isolation and treatment facilities, including the identification of suitable locations in Hong Kong for providing such facilities.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau will be responsible for the task force of ensuring medical supplies, including the co-ordination of the delivery, in an orderly manner, of such anti-epidemic supplies from the Mainland as rapid antigen test kits in large quantities, beds, furniture for isolation and treatment facilities, masks and protective gear to Hong Kong, and the distribution of them to the relevant departments, organisations and residents.

Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan will be responsible for the task force of ensuring other supplies from the Mainland, including the co-ordination of the detailed logistical arrangements for the supply of fresh food, vegetables and daily necessities to Hong Kong.

Chief Secretary John Lee will be responsible for co-ordinating the task forces in drawing up and taking forward concrete measures, reporting to the Chief Executive thereon and holding thematic meetings with the Mainland authorities as and when required.

Mrs Lam emphasised that the central authorities have all along been providing their strongest support for the Hong Kong SAR and she expressed her sincere gratitude to them.

She said since the onset of the fifth wave of the epidemic, the central authorities have conveyed to her on various occasions their care for the Hong Kong people and their full support for the city's anti-epidemic efforts.

The Chief Executive stressed that the Hong Kong SAR Government will spare no effort to implement the strategy of preventing the importation of cases and the spread of the virus in the community in pursuit of dynamic zero infection.

It will leverage the central authorities' guidance based on their experience in fighting the epidemic, as well as their manpower and resource support, to further boost Hong Kong's capability of early identification, early isolation and early treatment of the infected.

With the full support to Hong Kong by the central authorities together with the Governments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen through the task forces, she believed the measures will curb the epidemic.

Mrs Lam said the Government will start working through the task force with the Mainland as soon as possible to enhance Hong Kong's capabilities of testing and isolation facilities by all means.

Meanwhile, it will implement measures to alleviate the anxieties of those members of the public waiting at home for isolation, including the distribution of information kits, setting up of a designated enquiry hotline and providing online diagnostic services.

The Food & Health Bureau and the Hospital Authority will map out and announce details as soon as possible.

Mrs Lam reaffirmed that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to increase vaccination venues, recruit more medical staff to administer vaccination for residents of elderly homes, lower the minimum age for receiving the Sinovac vaccine to three years old and implement the vaccine pass initiative with a view to achieving a vaccination rate of over 90% to strengthen Hong Kong's immune barrier against the epidemic.

She called on members of the public to stay confident and continue to comply with the anti-epidemic measures, go out less, maintain good personal hygiene and take preventive measures to guard against the virus.

This story has been published on: 2022-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Unexpectedly strong snow showers in the Baltimore area posed a challenge for Monday mornings commute, meteorologists said.

According to the National Weather Service, a snow shower was heading south across central Maryland at about 7:24 a.m.

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In some areas, snow coated the ground and reduced visibility as low as one mile.

Be prepared for sudden changes in visibility when traveling along with snow covered and slippery surfaces, read a special weather statement from the National Weather Service. Interstates 95 and 97, and US 50 will be impacted, along with the Baltimore metro area and parts of the Washington metro area.

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Meteorologists expected some lingering snow showers Monday morning, but the strength of the snow bands came as a bit of a surprise, said Chesnea Skeen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The weather service hadnt issued any winter weather advisories for the area Monday morning.

Its sort of like whenever you get a rain squall moving through. Its very sudden, intense rainfall that reduces visibility, she said.

The snow is likely to leave the area by late morning or early afternoon, she said.

Carroll County opted to close schools for the day. Several counties in Southern Maryland and Western Maryland were operating under two-hour delays, as were schools in the Hereford Zone of Baltimore County.

In a tweet, Baltimore County Public Schools warned that: Due to unexpected snow showers currently moving through Baltimore County, buses may be late arriving to pick up students this morning. Parents were advised to call 443-809-4321 for more information.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday accused the Congress of "neglecting northeastern states" and said Manipur has seen a lot of development in the last five years. Addressing an election rally in poll-bound Manipur, Singh said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has changed the "face" and "fortune" of the northeastern states. He said Manipur today is known for its development and not violence. "Congress neglected the northeastern states for decades. It reflects their anti-development and anti-northeast mindset. A lot has changed in Manipur in the last five years (of BJP-led government rule). Today Manipur is known for its development and not violence. 'Confidence of development' is clearly visible here," Rajnath Singh said. "Insurgency has been a major problem in the North-Eastern region but durable peace is visible ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come to power. Incidents of violence are at the lowest today. Ever since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, both the 'face' and 'fortune' of north-eastern states has been changing rapidly and drastically," he added. Hailing Chief Minister N Biren Singh government, he said since BJP came to power in Manipur, the state witnessed rapid development. "During the Modi government, road, rail and air connectivity in the region has improved. No one has been able to level allegations of corruption against any minister of the BJP at the Centre. We want to root out corruption by bringing change to the system. The entire northeast including Manipur can be developed as a tourist hub. The BJP-led governments are working towards this end," he said. The elections in Manipur will be held on February 28 and March 5. Votes will be counted on March 10. (ANI)
The country''s central drug authority is expected to give final approval to Corbevax, which is a two-dose vaccine, soon.

The SEC has recommended the EUA only after reviewing the safety and immunogenicity data of the clinical study of Corbevax in children and adolescents.

The expected cost of the vaccine is Rs 145 excluding taxes, official sources told ANI.

The Corbevax will be the second vaccine after Covaxin which has received EUA for those below 18 years of age. The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company will be submitting data soon for clinical trials done on children aged below 12 years, sources said.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday informed that over 1.5 crore adolescents in the age group 15-18 years, across the nation are now fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus infection.

According to the sources, the central government has placed an order for Corbevax. The order has been placed for five crore doses.

The government of India has placed an order for 30 crore Corbevax doses on August 21 last year.

The Hyderabad-based company is expected to deliver the doses this month.

The HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking has issued the supply order of Corbevax to Biological E.

The pharmaceutical company Biological E has also received permission for heterologous booster dose trials. (ANI)
Telangana Information Technology Minister KT Rama Rao has come forward to support two meritorious students, who were struggling to pursue their MBBS course due to their financial limitations. The two students are Avunuri Akhila and Spandana. "Minister @KTRTRS met two meritorious MBBS students Akhila & Spandana in Hyderabad & provided financial assistance to pursue their course. The two students had earlier reached out to Minister via Twitter," the official Twitter handle of Telangana IT, Industries and Municipal Administration Minister said. Avunuri Akhila's father Prabhakar is a farmer and her mother is a homemaker. Akhila completed her Intermediate with an aggregate of 97.7 per cent and was selected for MBBS course in Mallareddy College for Women, Suraram. After Rao learnt about Avunuri Akhila's situation through Twitter, he promised to provide her support in completing her education. The minister on Monday met Akhila in Hyderabad and enquired about her hardship. He provided financial assistance for her college fee and also assured her that he would support her in completing the course. The minister also financially helped Spandana, a student from Bhadradri Kothagudem District. She secured 95.2 per cent in her intermediate. Spandana got admission in TRR Medical College, Patancheru, for MBBS Course under A-Category. Her parents are daily wage workers and hail from a very poor financial background. Knowing the plight of the student, Rao promised to further support Spandana in completing her MBBS course. The minister encouraged the students and wished them well for their studies. Both Akhila and Spandana expressed happiness over receiving help from the minister and said that they will complete their courses and give back to society. This was not the first time that Rao came forward to help students coming from financially weaker sections. Earlier, he has helped several students to pursue Engineering, Medicine and other professional courses. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday urged the people of Assam to use khadi garments as much as possible and make it more popular. As per an official statement from Chief Minister's Office, he distributed khadi shirts and stoles among the Grade-IV employees of the State Government at a function held at Chief Minister's Conference Hall, Janata Bhawan. Distributing the khadi garments, he also urged Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board to study the modalities of other States like Gujarat to make khadi more viable and profitable. Sarma called to make a separate brand of khadi produced in the State like products such as honey. Notably, the Chief Minister during his tenure as the Finance Minister, announced the program of distribution of khadi garments to government employees in his 2017-18 Budget speech. During the event, the Chief Minister also said that the remaining Grade-IV employees of the State Government will also be covered in the next phase of the programme. "Khadi can play a key role in building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Happy to fulfil a promise I made in 2017-18 Budget speech as I distributed khadi shirts and endi stoles among Grade-IV staff of State Govt. Remaining Grade-IV staff will be covered in next phase," Sarma tweeted. In another tweet, he said, "Urge everyone to use khadi garments as much as possible & popularise it. Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board shall study modalities of other States like Gujarat to make khadi more profitable. Colleague Minister for Handloom, Textile & Sericulture @UGBrahma was also present." Minister for Handloom, Textile and Sericulture UG Brahama, Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Board Dr Kamala Kalita, Chairman of ARTFED Nathuram Bodo, Vice Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Board Haren Deuri, Additional Chief Secretary Bijayendra were also present in the programme. (ANI)
Syama S Prabha and Manu Karthika affirmed their love for each other and got married as per traditional rituals in the presence of family and friends.

The wedding venue was all decked up, the relatives and others were jubilant and blessed the couple on their wedding day.

The groom Manu, a native of Thrissur, is working in an IT firm in Techno Park and Thiruvananthapuram native Syama is employed at the transgender cell under the Kerala Social Justice Department.

Syama and Manu, both plan to approach the High Court to get their marriage registered as one between transgender individuals under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

"We are just finishing the paper to approach Kerala High court. After this, we will fo the High Court with all legal documents," Manu told media persons at the wedding ceremony.

On entering the wedlock, the couple expressed contentment and thanked everyone for their support.

"We are so happy that our family and friends are here with us. This is the most precious moment for us because we waited so long for this day," Manu said. (ANI)
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said that there is "no other alternative to Taliban in Afghanistan," so the "only option the world has right now is to engage with the Taliban for things to move forward." In an exclusive interview with Fareed Fareed Zakaria for CNN, talking about Pakistan's diplomatic relations with the new Taliban government in Afghanistan, he said that sooner or later, the Taliban will have to be recognised by the world as it is about the well-being and future of about 40 million Afghans. "Afghanistan is on the verge of experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis," PM Imran Khan said. "Considering the circumstances, is there any other alternative to the Taliban in Afghanistan? No, there isn't." 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. "Forty million people in Afghanistan are in dire straits because of the ongoing situation in the country," said Khan, adding that the people of the US should understand that disliking the Taliban government is one thing but thinking about the welfare of the Afghans is another as they are facing "extreme difficulties." Supporting the Taliban, Khan questioned how would it be beneficial for the people of Afghanistan if the Taliban government is overthrown. "Therefore, the only alternative we have is to work with the Taliban government [for the sake of the Afghans] because turning the Taliban away would only lead to chaos in the country," PM Imran Khan reiterated. It has been nearly six months after the Taliban recaptured power in Afghanistan but they have not been recognized by any country yet. Taliban, who are desperate to seek international recognition, and have time and again been reminded that respect for women and human rights, establishing inclusive government, not allowing Afghanistan to become a safe haven of terrorism are the preconditions for the recognition set by the international community. Regarding Afghan refugees in Pakistan, Khan said that Pakistan already has three million Afghan refugees so the country does not have the capacity to accept more. With more and more Afghan civilians attempting to cross borders into neighbouring countries to escape the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan has warned that it cannot bear the burden of hosting more Afghan refugees. He also urged the world community to release the frozen assets of Afghanistan and engage with the Taliban administration and provide humanitarian assistance to prevent an "economic collapse" of the country. "The Afghan people are being severely affected by the non-recognition of the Taliban government and the freezing of their banking system," Khan said. US President Joe Biden on Friday decided to split USD 7 billion of the frozen Afghan assets to fund humanitarian relief in Afghanistan and compensate victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. He went on to say that the US "war on terror" backfired and increased the number of terrorists worldwide, adding that because of the war, there had been extensive casualties in Pakistan as more than 80,000 Pakistani citizens lost their lives during the war. "Pakistan had to bear the brunt of the war in Afghanistan by witnessing numerous suicide attacks," he said. "The US must reconsider its policy on carrying out drone attacks." However, Pakistan has been criticized globally particularly by the US that it has been playing a double game, supporting the Taliban, while showing America that it is helping them in the fight against terrorism. Meanwhile, the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the 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. 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. Also, 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 lack of quorum in the parliament session led to the failure to elect a new Iraqi president within the constitutional period of 30 days, which requires Salih "to continue his duties until the election of a new president to replace him," said a court statement.

The Iraqi parliament had set February 7 as a date for its second session to elect a new president from among 25 candidates, but the session was not held because of a lack of quorum amid the political disputes among parliamentary blocs.

On February 8, the parliament reopened the nomination for the post of president for three days, noting the constitutional period of 30 days from the first session for electing a new president had expired.

On January 9, the Iraqi parliament held its first session, in which the lawmakers elected the speaker and his two deputies. According to the Iraqi constitution, a new Iraqi president should be elected from candidates by a two-thirds majority of the parliament.

Once elected, the new president will ask the largest parliamentary alliance to name a prime minister-designate to form a government within 30 days.

On October 10, 2021, Iraq held the fifth parliamentary election, where Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Sadrist Movement emerged as the biggest winner with 73 out of the 329 seats. (ANI/Xinhua)
The Israeli police reported riots in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood on Sunday, saying on Twitter that dozens of police officers were working on restoring order. Several people were arrested.

The Palestine Red Crescent said that 31 people, including three medics, one journalist and two foreign nationals, were injured in clashes with police in Sheikh Jarrah on Sunday.

At the end of January, France, Germany, Italy and Spain expressed concerns over the Israeli decision to construct new houses in East Jerusalem and demolish buildings in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, and called on Israel to reconsider the move.

In the spring of last year, a major conflict erupted over an Israeli court's decision to evict several Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, which prompted a major confrontation on Israel's border with the Gaza Strip. (ANI/Sputnik)
As February 13 marked the UN's World Radio Day, Afghanistan is anguished as 86 radio stations have halted operations over the past six months since the Taliban took control of the nation. Media watchdog organizations reported that financial and political issues are the main reasons for the collapse of the Afghan media, reported Tolo News. The recent political change in Afghanistan following the fall of the republican government has severely affected the Afghan media's radio sector. Radio Jahan is one of the dozens of radios that has halted operations since last August, reported Tolo News. "Radio Jahan has halted broadcasting for more than six months due to severe economic challenges," said Mosawar Rasikh, head of Radio Jahan. "Around 70 per cent of radio stations are closed in the country. The reasons are economic challenges and broadcasting programs--in the current situation. On the other hand, the government insists on collecting taxes from radio stations," said Shafiullah Azizi, head of the Zamzama radio stations. Based on the statistics, over 300 different kinds of media organizations have been closed since the Taliban swept into power in August, reported Tolo News. "Our findings show that if the international community doesn't provide financial support to the media, many of these radio stations will be closed within the next six months--this shows a collapse of the media in the country," said Hojatullah Mujadidi, head of the Afghan Independent Journalist Association. Although the media instrument has technologically developed in a variety of ways, radio still remains one of the main sources of information for people in some countries, reported Tolo News. "We have a lot of memories from the radio. There was a time when restrictions were imposed on listening to the radio. When we were listening to the radio, we would task one individual to keep a lookout; we were listening to it in secret," said Mangal, a resident of Wardak. "It was a long time ago. I was a toddler. A radio device was brought into our village. When I was listening to the broadcast, I was thinking there are people inside the radio device," said Abdul Salim, a resident of Wardak. Radio in Afghanistan began in the era of the former Afghan King Amanullah Khan in 1926. The first radio station was named Radio Kabul and broadcast in Kabul. (ANI)
Paktika provincial education department on Sunday confirmed that there have been no high school graduates in the past 20 years from the region. According to the education department, there were no high school graduations in the past 20 years in five districts of Worombai, Tarwi, Dila Khoshamand, Naka and Barmal in the southeastern province of Paktika, reported Tolo News. The education system was not properly active due to security tensions. "Our focus is currently on the areas that lack absolute access to this right (education), we try to provide them their rights in a proper way," said the head of the Paktika education department. Tribal elders said that due to lack of high schools and the poor education system thousands of youth are deprived of education. According to the students of these districts, the families who are in a good economic condition send their children to the provincial capital city, Sharana, to continue their schools but those families struggling with severe economic conditions are unable to send their children to the capital for continuing education, reported Tolo News. "No school has been constructed in our district. Our youth migrated to other countries," said Zahid, a student in Barmal district. "There was no school in Khoshamand district during the former government's time," said Mohammad Daud, a student in Khoshamand district. The tribal elders called on the Taliban to construct schools and provide educational opportunities for the residents of these districts, reported Tolo News. "We don't have any high school graduates in far areas and some districts of Paktika. We call on the Talibam officials to construct schools for us," said Abdul Rahim, a tribal elder in Khoshamand. Paktika is along the Durand Line in the southeast of Afghanistan. The education health sectors of Paktika have not properly developed over the past 20 years, in which billions of dollars were provided by the international community as part of the humanitarian support to Afghanistan, reported Tolo News. (ANI)
The Turkish government, under autocratic President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been suppressing press freedom in the country and has been exercising almost complete control of the Turkish mass media for many years, but recently it has embarked on an attempt to control what foreign media report about developments in Turkey. Last week, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK), which is Turkey's broadcasting watchdog, has given a 72-hour deadline for the Turkish services of the international news outlets of Voice of America (VOA), German Deutsche Welle (DW), and Euronewsto apply for a license. The deadline was accompanied by the threat that if they failed to comply and obtain the online broadcasting licenses, they would be banned. The regulator has the right to go to court, at the expiration of the deadline, and close down the websites, which feature also video news. Bridget Serchak, a Voice of America spokesperson for the US state-owned broadcaster, said: "VOA believes any governmental efforts to silence news outlets is a violation of press freedom, a core value of all democratic societies." In another statement, the Voice of America declared that it would do its best to ensure that its audience in Turkey "has free and open access to the Internet if its Turkish service is blocked by the Turkish government." So far, the reaction of the other two international media outlets has not been disclosed. Commenting on the decision, Journalist Ilhan Tasci, of the opposition Republican party, who is also a member of the RTUK, said: "This decision means that for the first time international broadcasters have become the target of the media watchdog on in addition to regional channels. It constitutes in all respects a direct interference with the freedom of the press." It should be noted that according to a regulation published in July 2019 "media service providers and internet transmission platform operators that wish to provide radio or audiovisual services on the internet are required to obtain a license or authorization from the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTSC) according to the type of service they provide. Since the new regulation went into effect, various streaming platforms including Netflix and Amazon Prime have applied for and received licenses. However, this is the first time that the RTUK used this authority for the three international news websites. Erdogan has used RTUK as a tool of increasing censorship as the broadcasting watchdog frequently imposes punitive sanctions on independent television and radio stations and websites which are critical of the Turkish government. Indicative of the repression of any criticism of Erdogan in the media is the arrest last month of Sedef Kabas, a well-known journalist for citing a proverb during a political discussion on opposition TV channel Tele 1 and repeated on Twitter, which was seen as a swipe at Turkey's President. The prosecutor also asked Kabas to be charged with insulting Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Transportation Minister Adil Karaismailoglu, for a combined jail term of 11 years. As a Human Rights Watch report published in October 2020 points out: "Turkey's press freedom crisis is worsening amid growing state capture of media, the lack of independence of regulatory institutions, and a new social media law designed to clamp down on the remaining spaces for free comment...Social media platforms, as well as online news sites, are among the last bastions for critical journalism in Turkey following the state-led takeover of mainstream media." In October 2020, a Turkish court decision declared one of the most prominent journalists in Turkey, Can Dundar, former editor of Cumhuriyet, a fugitive and confiscated his assets. Dundar was arrested in November 2015 after his newspaper published footage showing the State Intelligence MIT sending weapons to Syrian Islamist fighters. Since June 2016, he is living in exile in Germany. The Radio and Television Supreme Council has imposed arbitrary fines and temporary suspensions of broadcasting of several media outlets such as Halk TV, Tele 1 TV, and Fox TV, which include content critical of the government. In February 2018, a Turkish court sentenced journalists Mehmet Altan, his brother Ahmet Altan and Nazli Illicak to life imprisonment after finding them guilty of "involvement in the 2016 coup attempt." Women journalists in Turkey are in a particularly vulnerable position. The Coalition For Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) in its report titled: "Press Freedom Status for Women Journalists" says: "Turkey is one of the most dangerous countries with cases of legal harassment and intimidation by the state." The report sheds light on a total of 77 cases of violations against women journalists worldwide, in which Turkey leads as the country with the most frequent cases of legal harassment. 36 of the 77 cases in total that include murders, abduction, detentions, and physical assaults were reported in Turkey, followed by Pakistan with nine cases. Scores of journalists remain behind bars in Turkey or are continuously harassed and face a trial because they criticize, even mildly, the Government or President Erdogan's one-man rule. Many journalists and people working in the media are in pretrial detention or serving sentences for terrorism offences because of their journalistic work. The state is using the judiciary over which it has increased control to send to jail its critics on bogus charges, without compelling evidence of criminal activity. It also misuses the regulatory bodies, like the RTUK and the Press Advertising Authority (BIK), to punish and financially cripple independent media. One can easily see the repression of freedom of thought in Turkey from the fact that in 2021, just like the previous year, Turkey ranked first among the 47 Council of Europe (CoE) member states in the number of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights concerning violations of freedom of expression. (ANI)
Last week at the 14th Global Space and Technology Convention 2022 held in Singapore, the Singapore government announced that it is committing SGD 150 million (USD 110 million) to the space technology industry through research and development (R&D) funding. The programme will be hemmed by the Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn), the government office which oversees the country's space industry, and the National Research Foundation. OSTIn was created in 2013 to support Singaporean companies in developing internationally competitive capabilities in the space-tech industry. The investment seeks to enhance space-related capabilities applicable to key industrial sectors for Singapore such as aviation, maritime and sustainability by using such technology to enrich daily life. For example, in improving technology used for everyday applications such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) that are crucial to ride-hailing services and parcel delivery tracking. It is also envisaged that the scheme will help maintain Singapore's position as a research and technology hub in emerging technologies and as an emerging hub for capital, talent and intellectual property. The first grant call which taps into this fund was already made in 2021 and is for disruptive technologies for small satellites and satellite data exploitation and Artificial Intelligence. The submitted projects are currently being assessed. A second open grant call will be launched in the second half of this year and will cover areas such asin-space manufacturing and on-orbit servicing and assembly. As part of its space strategy, Singapore is focused on building international partnership in order to continue nurturing local space-tech firms. These partnerships help the nation's space-tech firms expand into more mature space industries abroad and tap more robust international experience. Last Wednesday, February 9, OSTIn renewed a space-tech cooperation agreement with the French Space Agency first signed in 2015. It also signed an agreement with the European Space Agency last October to collaborate on space-tech applications and services in telecommunications and related fields. Among the projects that are benefiting from Singapore space programme is a joint effort by Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, ST Engineering, as well as domestic space startups Aliena and Lighthaus Photonics. The project aims to build a microsatellite, which will fly at low earth orbit and will carry the first Singapore-designed space camera. ST Engineering, which launched the first Singapore-made commercial earth observation satellite in 2015, is now a market leader that supplies satellite communications systems to global customers such as Verizon, the U.S. telecommunications giant. Singapore's space sector continues to grow rapidly and now has 50 companies employing more than 1,800 professionals. The international space industry is forecast to reach USD1 trillion in value by 2040. Separately, Singapore Space and Technology Limited (SSTL), the organiser of the convention, is setting up a commercial fund -- said to be Asia's first dedicated commercial fund for startups venturing into space research. The commercial fund will be open to all space startups and the startups in SSTL's Space Accelerator Programme. Started in 2020, the accelerator programme provides support such as mentorships and fundraising assistance for space startups here and abroad. It now supports 37 companies from 17 countries such as Japan, Singapore and India. SSTL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the convention to form a trade corridor with the United Kingdom. This will facilitate the partnering of Singapore and UK space start-ups for resources like investment, expertise and even to trial their products in those markets. Speaking as the keynote speaker at the convention, Mr Gan Kim Yong, Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry (MTI) said that MTI is continuously "forging partnerships with other space-faring nations and building a talent pipeline for the space sector." He added, "We are also constantly looking for like-minded partners internationally, so we can learn from each other and grow together." In the area of space-tech, India is without a doubt more advanced than Singapore. India's initial foray into space started with the setting up of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962. This was followed by the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation, or ISRO, in 1969. To date, based on "Make-In-India" website, India has launched a total of 109 spacecraft missions, 77 launch missions, 10 student satellites, 2 re-entry missions and 319 foreign satellites. The Indian space industry was valued at USD7 billion in 2019 and targets to reach USD50 billion by 2024. One of its most notable accomplishments is the inter-planetary mission, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), which in September 2019 successfully completed 5 years in the orbit of Mars. It would therefore be unsurprising if, in the near future, India participates in one way or another in Singapore's space-tech development programme, given the close ties between the two countries. (ANI)
"The Afghan delegation will meet with representatives of Gulf countries, representatives of EU, the union of Islamic scholars, and Doha-based diplomatic missions," Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reported The Khaama Press.

After the Oslo talks, this is the second time that the Taliban officials are meeting with European representatives.

The visits and meetings with global organizations come as no country has yet recognized the interim government of the Taliban.

It has been nearly six months after the Taliban recaptured power in Afghanistan but they have not been recognized by any country yet.

Taliban, who are desperate to seek international recognition, and have time and again been reminded that respect for women and human rights, establishing inclusive government, not allowing Afghanistan to become a safe haven of terrorism are the preconditions for the recognition set by the international community. (ANI)
The protest was carried out to condemn the assassination attempt on PTM leader Manzoor Ahmed Pashteen. Pashtuns also demanded the release of PTM leader Ali Wazir and an end to the persecution of Pashtuns by the Pakistani Army, said Pakistani Journalist Taha Siddiqui.

They carried banners carrying anti-Pakistan messages-- Pakistan is responsible for terrorism in the world, Pakistan is a state sponsor of terrorism.

Earlier, a similar protest was carried out where the Pashtun activists demonstrated in front of the Pakistani Consulate in Frankfurt on February 11.

The Frankfurt protest was carried out under the leadership of Aqeel Ahmad. Mohd Zareef and Sultani were other prominent leaders who were present in the demonstration and addressed the gathering.

Demonstrators were carrying banners and placards. They were shouting slogans against Pakistan-- Pakistan: Stop killing Pashtuns, Pakistan is killing, The world is watching, Pakistan: A terrorist state, Pakistan: stop Pashtun genocide, Pakistan: stop terrorist attacks on Pashtuns.

PTM leader Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen's was attacked on February 2 in Pakistan's restive province Balochistan. The PTM accuses the Pakistan military of conducting the attack.

It accuses Islamabad of employing brute high handedness to stifle their voice for rights. They even accused authorities of arbitrarily arresting PTM activists and leaders.

Pashtuns, an ethnic minority blames Pakistan for marginalising them for years. They say they have not been accorded their rights. And their demand for the same has been brutally suppressed. (ANI)
Over 100 members of the Tibetan diaspora in France including Thupten Gyastso, Member of Parliament of the Tibetan Government in Exile, protested raising the Tibetan flag and demanding freedom of Tibet from Chinese occupation.

The protesters also displayed the treaty which was signed during the Shimla convention in 1913- 1914 concerning the status of Tibet negotiated by then representatives of the Republic of China, Tibet, and the United Kingdom.

Later, the protesters danced to traditional Tibetan songs, with many passers-by joining in.

On February 13, 1913, the 13th Dalai Lama announced Tibetan independence in the declaration of the "Proclamation of Independence" and since then Tibetans mark February 13 as an important day to educate people on the significance of Tibet's history.

Tibet is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party government based in Beijing with local decision-making power concentrated in the hands of Chinese party officials. Tibet was a sovereign state before China's invasion in 1950 when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered Northern Tibet. (ANI)
Japan is evacuating almost all of its embassy staff from Ukraine and is calling on Japanese nationals in the country to leave immediately, local media reported. The Japanese Embassy in Kiev on Sunday said that most of its staff will leave Ukraine as tensions have been rapidly mounting over a possible Russian invasion following Moscow's military buildup near the border, Kyodo News reported. On Friday, Japanese nationals in Ukraine were advised to leave the country immediately and informed in an email sent by the embassy that its function will be further limited from Monday since "only a few" personnel will remain in the country, said the Japanese news agency. Meanwhile, several countries have begun withdrawing troops from Ukraine and urging citizens to leave the country as soon as possible. Washington has moved some US forces out of Ukraine and ordered the evacuation of most of its embassy staff on Saturday as fears mount that a Russian invasion of the country could potentially take place in the next few days. (ANI)
This is the first time that a Taliban delegation visits London after they took control of Afghanistan in mid-August last year.

Ebad's visit comes a day after the Taliban's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Motaqi left Kabul for Doha and is supposed to meet with Doha-based European diplomats, Khaama Press reported.

The visits and meetings with global organizations come as no country has yet recognized the interim government of the Taliban.

It has been nearly six months after the Taliban recaptured power in Afghanistan but they have not been recognized by any country yet.

Taliban, who are desperate to seek international recognition, and have time and again been reminded that respect for women and human rights, establishing inclusive government, not allowing Afghanistan to become a safe haven of terrorism are the preconditions for the recognition set by the international community. (ANI)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Monday before heading to Moscow to talk with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin. This trip will be focused on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the Russian aggression. Scholz called on Russia to de-escalate from Ukraine and said that Ukraine faces a "very, very serious threat,", reported New York Post. "It is our job to ensure that we prevent a war in Europe, in that we send a clear message to Russia that any military aggression would have consequences that would be very high for Russia and its prospects, and that we are united with our allies," Scholz said. Furthermore, he added, "Military aggression against Ukraine that endangers its territorial integrity and sovereignty will result in hard reactions and sanctions that we have carefully prepared and that we can put into effect immediately, together with our allies in Europe and NATO", reported NY Post. Last week on Monday, President Biden met with Scholz and declared that the US and Germany are working in "lockstep" to counter Russian aggression towards Ukraine. Scholz, who was on his first trip to the White House since taking over from longtime German leader Angela Merkel, said that their countries were the "closest allies and working intensely together." "This is necessary for doing the steps that we have to do to for instance fighting against Russian aggression against Ukraine," he said. In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an "invasion." Moscow has denied these accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory. (ANI)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Sunday called on Russia to hold a meeting within the next 48 hours to discuss Moscow's military buildup along its borders. Taking to Twitter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba said Russia failed to respond to Kiev's request under the Vienna Document. "Consequently, we take the next step. We request a meeting with Russia and all participating states within 48 hours to discuss its reinforcement & redeployment along our border & in temporarily occupied Crimea," he said. In another tweet, Kuleba added, "If Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must fulfill its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all." In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an "invasion." Moscow has denied these accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Moscow has also said that Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory, Sputnik reported. (ANI)
Condemning the August 15, 2021 invasion of Afghanistan by the Pakistani ISI-sponsored "terrorist group Taliban", the demonstrators called for sanctions on Pakistan to protect the world from its active sponsoring of terrorists.

The demonstrators also called upon the Biden administration and the global community to protect the human rights and rights of Afghan women.

Demonstrators were carrying placards and slogans against Pakistan. The slogans read -- Free Afghanistan from Invasion of terrorist groups -- Taliban are terrorists sponsored by Pakistan ISI.

The protest was led by Khalida Nawabi of the organization Unheard Afghan Voices and many activists joined the demonstrations braving the inclement weather and snow.

They were joined by other Afghan activists from the Afghan Diaspora. The activists also demanded the immediate release of women protesters held by the Taliban.

The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, causing the US-backed government to step down and the regime faces the challenge of getting recognition from the global community. (ANI)
"Held productive discussions with FM @teddyboylocsin of Philippines. We are entering a new phase in our partnership which will further the mutuality of national security and development aspirations. Our conversations covered a range of issues dealing with both," Jaishankar wrote in a tweet.

"Expect to take forward a shared agenda through sustained engagement. Thank you @teddyboylocsin for a warm welcome and generous hospitality," Jaishankar tweeted.

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to the Philippines from February 13 to 15. Jaishankar was welcomed by Locsin upon his arrival at the Foreign Ministry for talks.

Jaishankar arrived here from Australia where he attended the fourth Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting in Melbourne. (ANI)
Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to the Philippines from February 13 to 15. Jaishankar was welcomed by Locsin upon his arrival at the Foreign Ministry for talks.

"Secretary @teddyboylocsin welcomes Indian External Minister Subrahmanyan Jaishankar upon his arrival at the DFA as part of his working visit to the Philippines. This is Minister @DrSJaishankar's first visit to Manila," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines tweeted.

"Secretary @teddyboylocsin and Minister @DrSJaishankar are expected to discuss the current robust ties between Philippines and India as well as future directions of bilateral relations," DFA Philippines wrote in a subsequent tweet.

DFA Philippines's tweet further said that the two officials will discuss health and security, as well as other regional and global matters of mutual interest, especially as countries continue to engage post-COVID.

Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs in a release said that the two ministers will review developments in bilateral relations since the meeting of the joint commission on bilateral cooperation that they co-chaired in virtual format in November 2020.

Regional and international issues of mutual interest would also be discussed, MEA said.

Jaishankar arrived here from Australia where he attended the fourth Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting in Melbourne. (ANI)
Talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), Ministry of External Affairs Minister spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla met visiting Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman Rear Admiral Saif Nasser Al Rahbi. Both referred to the long history of India-Oman maritime cooperation."

Earlier, on February 1, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Oman's Defence Ministry's Secretary-General Dr Mohammed Bin Nasser Bin Ali Al-Zaabi and decided to identify new avenues and examine areas of mutual interest to enhance the defence industry cooperation.

According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, Oman's Defence Ministry's Secretary-General briefed Rajnath Singh about the 11th India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee Meeting (JMCC) on bilateral defence cooperation which was held yesterday in New Delhi.

The JMCC meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Secretary-General at the Ministry of Defence, Oman.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress made in military-to-military engagements, including joint exercises, industry cooperation and various ongoing infrastructure projects, according to the release. (ANI)
With Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan gearing up for travel to Russia, a Pakistani geopolitical analyst has pointed out that the visit did not come at a suitable time. Analyst and Balochistan politician Jan Achakzai said the most prominent aspect of this visit is that Russia did not invite, rather an invitation was sought. "And more so in an environment where Putin has already called PM Modi to express gratitude for India's support to Russia in the UN Security Council -- a temporary position India has because the diplomatic consensus in Islamabad had voted for Delhi to be so," Achakzai wrote in the Pakistani newspaper The News International. Achakzai noted that Russia didn't seek Pakistan's support, nor did the US stop Pakistan from going to Moscow. "Is it Pakistan's irrelevance or a clear reading of the US that we will come back from Russia empty-handed and will beg for financial concessions from Washington in forums like IMF, FATF, etc, from a position of further weakness?" he asked. According to Achakzai, Russia is not going to give Pakistan anything because Moscow losing India for the sake of Islamabad's support is not an option. "Pakistan's support comes at the cost of frequent requests for aid and loans." Last week, reports emerged that Imran Khan is likely to visit Russia this month for what would be the first such trip by a Pakistani prime minister in 23 years. During this visit, Imran Khan will be accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers from his cabinet. In March 1999, then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was the country's last premier to visit Russia. This comes after reports emerged last month that Moscow and Islamabad are in talks to finalise a plan for Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit this year. The Pakistani media reports had said Putin's visit was under discussion for the last two years but could not materialise because of several reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Moscow also wants that there must be "big-ticket projects" or other initiatives that the Russian president would announce when he finally undertakes the trip to Pakistan. (ANI)
At least 85 people have been arrested for lynching a mentally deranged man in a village of Khanewal district in Pakistan's Punjab province for alleged blasphemy, according to local media. The News International quoting provincial police reported that arrest and identification were underway on Sunday with the help of video footage. A mob stoned a middle-aged man to death in a village of Khanewal district on Saturday. The event occurred in Jungle Dera village when hundreds of locals gathered after Maghrib prayers following reports that a man had torn and set fire some pages of the Quran. The villagers hung the suspect with a tree and then hit him with bricks till he died. No one was willing to listen to him when he claimed innocence, reported Dawn. According to an eyewitness, a police team arrived in the village long before the stoning and caught the culprit, but the crowd seized him from the hands of the SHO's custody. IGP Rao Sardar Ali Khan was asked to provide a report by the Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar. The killing comes at a time when in a similar event in Sialkot last December, a Sri Lankan engineer was killed by manufacturing workers for blasphemy, reported the newspaper. Notably, Pakistan reported a total of 1,415 cases of blasphemy in the country since 1947, a think tank, Centre for Research and Security Studies, said. According to the think tank report, a total of 18 women and 71 men were extra-judicially killed over blasphemy from 1947 to 2021. However, as per the think tank, the actual number of cases is believed to be higher as not all cases are reported. "The actual number is believed to be higher because not all blasphemy cases get reported in the press," the report said, adding more than 70 per cent of the accused were reported from Punjab. (ANI)
La Paz [Bolivia], February 14 (ANI/Sputnik): Four people died and 22 others were injured after an intercity bus lost control on a road and skidded off into a river in the southern Bolivian department of Chuquisaca, local media reported. According to the Razon newspaper, the incident occurred on Sunday morning when the vehicle driving at presumably excessive speed fell nearly 330 feet down a slope into the river. The bus driver reportedly fled the scene and has been declared wanted. The police have apprehended the bus assistant and handed him over to the prosecutor's office. (ANI/Sputnik)
PIA's chief executive officer (CEO) Arshad Malik drew attention to recent news reports that Pakistan had extended domestic rights to a foreign carrier as part of an initiative to attract foreign direct investment, the Dawn newspaper reported.

In a letter to Imran Khan, Malik said that such a decision would be harmful to the ailing domestic aviation industry and have repercussions for the country in the long term.

Arshad Malik said, a national airline had thrashed out a deal with a foreign carrier, Air Arabia, under which the latter would be able to operate flights in Pakistan.

According to the CEO, the foreign company would thereby capture the local market and circumvent the country's aviation policy under which Air Arabia was denied further rights to operate in Pakistan.

The PIA CEO said the chief executives of all domestic carriers were keen to discuss the issue with him at a joint briefing. (ANI)
The Beijing Winter Olympics was a fine opportunity for the world to express its opprobrium at China's brutal crackdown on its Uyghur population, Muslims who are the inhabitants of the western Chinese province of Xinjiang. Apart from a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics, to which only a handful of countries signed up, international criticism has been muted over China's incarceration of Muslims since 2017. This is precisely how China wants it, as it uses the Olympics to mask human rights atrocities being perpetrated in places like Xinjiang and Tibet. Beijing even attempted to deflect criticism in a token move of including an Uyghur, Dinigeer Yilamujiang, as a torchbearer at the Olympic opening ceremony. Ironically, a different Uyghur torchbearer from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence. Adil Abdurehim, a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), was jailed for "watching counter-revolutionary videos". He is just one of perhaps a million Muslims locked away in concentration camps in Xinjiang. Some sources even say that up to 1.8 million have passed through these camps to date. China is prosecuting a vociferous campaign of disinformation and propaganda about Xinjiang. Using international social media platforms, it denies anything untoward and frequently employs "useful idiots", Westerners who are persuaded or paid to say that everything is rosy in Xinjiang. Unfortunately, many outside China believe the CCP's cover story, refusing to credit the government with the terrible atrocities being perpetrated in Xinjiang. Just as in Nazi Germany, the bigger the lie and the more frequently it is repeated, the easier it is for people to believe. Adolf Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf that "in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility...in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie ... It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation..." Lessons from Nazi Germany are equally being applied in communist China, where the CCP does everything to obfuscate the truth. When word first broke about Uyghurs being rounded up in 2017, China denied it vehemently. In August 2018, for example, when the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed concern at Uyghur detentions, CCP senior official Hu Lianhe flatly denied that such camps existed, something later echoed by Xinjiang governor Shohrat Zakir. However, when this blatant lie could no longer be maintained because of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, China altered its story to say the state was "re-educating" the Muslim population in vocational re-education centers. This is the story that China continues to tout, despite terrifying testimonies of those who have graduated from the concentration camp system. Inmates are held incommunicado in rigidly run camps, their families having no idea where they are. Nor is there any due legal process specifying their charges and the length of their sentences. Secret government documents disclosed that Zhu Hailun, Deputy Party Secretary of Xinjiang, mandated that the re-education camps be run like high-security prisons, with strict discipline, punishment, no "abnormal deaths" and no escapes. In them, inmates are forced to recant their faith and pledge loyalty to the CCP. Before meals, they chant, "Thank the party! Thank the motherland!" The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) documented the existence of more than 380 suspected detention facilities in Xinjiang in 2020, 40 per cent more than earlier thought. Furthermore, China has created a pervasive surveillance regime in Xinjiang that is one of the most Orwellian in the world. Official budget figures showed no increase in vocational training whatsoever or increase in criminal convictions by courts in Xinjiang. Rather, German researcher Adrian Zenz discovered budgets that "...reflect patterns of spending consistent with the construction and operation of highly secure political re-education camps designed to imprison hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs with minimal due process". In 2017, security-related construction rose 213% and by nearly CNY20 billion. Furthermore, spending on vocational training decreased in Xinjiang as camp construction snowballed, revealing the lie that China was establishing vocational training centers. Spending on prisons also doubled from 2016 to 2017. Xinjiang's policing budget nearly doubled in 2017 compared to a year earlier - most of the increases going to social stability management, detention center management, and "other public/domestic security expenditures". These camps were funded not from vocational training budgets, but from Xinjiang's policing, re-education, and domestic security budgets. Zenz concluded that "Xinjiang's re-education campaign seems to be managed by the Ministry of Justice, administered by the public security agencies, and funded largely out of the budgets of these same authorities". These camps are nothing more than institutions of political indoctrination and intimidation. In fact, this "vocational training" is little different from China's former re-education through labor system, which it abolished in 2013 because the government deemed it inappropriate for a modern society governed by the rule of law. Obviously, the CCP thinks it is still necessary in Xinjiang. Some Muslims have been forced to eat pork, drink alcohol, and throw out their religious garb. Men cannot have long ("irregular") beards. Religious education, fasting during Ramadan, and prayers are either restricted or banned. Arabic text is expunged from public buildings, and mosques are being demolished on the pretext that the public needs to be protected from dilapidated structures. China has banned parents from giving their children Islamic-themed names. Some are forced to marry Han Chinese, and there is forced sterilization for some women. Birth rates in Xinjiang dropped by a third in 2018 compared to 2017, with the rate far higher for just the Muslim portion of the region's population. Additionally, Uyghurs living abroad are forced to return home due to threats against family members. State documents reveal 533,000 people in Xinjiang were formally prosecuted between 2017 and 2020, a rate six times higher than the national average. Official data shows around 500,000 children have been assigned to residential boarding schools and, since 2017, the state has hired more than 90,000 new Chinese-speaking teachers. Sending children to Mandarin-speaking boarding schools far from home is yet another way of divorcing Uyghur children from their roots. Furthermore, China mobilized more than a million Han Chinese to live in Uyghur homes. Pretending to be "big brothers and sisters" to reluctant hosts, they indoctrinate and spy. Behavior such as greeting a neighbor in Arabic, possessing a Quran, or praying on a Friday is recorded in their notebooks or online forms and can lead to imprisonment. The first wave of 200,000 "relatives" was conscripted in 2014 to "Visit the People, Benefit the People, and Bring Together the Hearts of the People". There was a second wave of 110,000 civil servants in 2016 under the "United as One Family" campaign. A third wave continued in 2017, placing more than a million civilians in villages for weeklong homestays. The aim is to turn Muslim belief into secularism, with the government inserting itself into the most sacred corners of family life. As one Han Chinese "big brother" explained, "These Uyghurs are being treated like drug addicts who are going through rehab." This reflects China's contention that they must be "cured" of their Islamic ideology. Many Han think they are doing their part for a better China, not realizing they are tearing apart the fabric of Uyghur society. Social, cultural, and religious cleansing is doubtlessly occurring in Xinjiang. Indeed, on 19 January 2021, the US State Department declared the CCP was committing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. There has been no recorded terrorist incident since at least 2016, but China still claims it is "deradicalizing" extremist Muslims bent on terror against the Chinese state. It routinely warns against the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, which it regards as a terrorist organization. Another development after internment camps is widespread forced labor, with inmates either working for free or at minimal wages. Local governments receive funds to build factories in or near camps, plus they receive a USD260 subsidy for each inmate employed. ASPI estimated that at least 80,000 Uyghurs were relocated from Xinjiang under forced-labor conditions from 2017-19. Some factories they were working at included suppliers to brands like Amazon, Apple, Nike, and Samsung. Beijing describes the vocational training centers as "transformation through education". In Nazi Germany, they used the slogan "work sets you free". Who is behind this chilling Xinjiang pogrom? Official announcements like to emphasize that these are "local legislative procedures", but this is probably to insert some distance back to the central government and absolve it of any backlash. Chen Quanguo became party secretary for Xinjiang on 29 August 2016. He is widely credited as being the mastermind of the internment program. However, mass internments began just nine months after Chen assumed the reins, so it was certainly a premeditated plan. Some analysts have surmised that the groundwork was laid at the Two Sessions in March 2016. On 1 April 2017, Beijing introduced the Xinjiang De-Extremification Regulation, which was revised in October 2018 to include so-called vocational skills education and training centers. Importantly, this law legalized the internment campaign and gave the camps retroactive justification, at least in Chinese law. Given that the law took two years to draft, its development must have begun in early 2015. This regulation was overseen by high-ranking members of the Politburo Standing Committee, including Li Zhanshu and Wang Yang, the third and fourth highest members of this committee headed by Xi Jinping. This illustrates that China's leadership, to the very highest levels, was instrumental in framing, approving, and supporting Chen's harsh campaign in Xinjiang. Officials stressed that the regulation "constitutes implementation of the central government's policy decisions and deployments, especially to implement the important instructions and requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping". This is highly significant, underscoring that Xi approved the process and that his inner circle is undeniably implicated in the atrocities being committed in Xinjiang. Indeed, Xi is the most culpable for he laid the foundation for this pogrom. In April 2014 he demanded an all-out "struggle against terrorism, infiltration and separatism" that would show "absolutely no mercy". He described Islamic extremism as a virus, whose eradication would require "a period of painful interventionary treatment". Xi got what he requested, for he said on 26 September 2020 that "practice has proven that the party's strategy for governing Xinjiang in the new era is completely correct" and that "the sense of gain, happiness, and security among the people of all ethnic groups has continued to increase". In August 2019, some Chinese officials claimed that up to 90 per cent of Uyghurs had been released and returned to society. However, there is scant evidence to support these claims. An Australian National University report released in late 2021, entitled "Xinjiang Year Zero", noted: "While the most visible manifestations of state violence in Xinjiang might be receding from public sight, the situation is far from returning to the status quo ante ... Uyghurs who have emerged from the camps are often not returned to their former positions in society. In fact, many who have been transferred from the camps are still absent from their families, in factories far from home. Still, others have been given formal prison sentences and will not be released any time soon. The system appears to be shifting from internment without due process and criminal sentencing, to proletarianization and criminal prosecution and mass imprisonment of former detainees." Thus, the CCP campaign to eliminate and replace aspects of Muslim social life has not receded. The Office of Strategic Services, the American forerunner to the CIA, recorded in its profile on Hitler: "His primary rules were: never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede that there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never accept blame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong; people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one, and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it." This verdict is just as valid for China and its leader Xi. In China's omniscient oppression, the CCP permits only submission. (ANI)
Pajhwok Afghan News quoting Hamayoon Safi, head of the nutrition department at the Kunduz Civil Hospital said that they had admitted 438 malnourished children this year.

Earlier, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Afghanistan has warned that one million Afghan children could die from severe acute malnutrition if "urgent actions" are not taken.

"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)
Slamming US' plans to open its embassy in the Solomon Islands, Chinese media have said that this increase in engagement in Pacific island countries is due to "deep strategic anxiety" of Washington. The US had closed its embassy in the Soloman Islands in 1993. In 2019, the Solomon Islands cut its diplomatic ties with Taiwan and established relations with China. An editorial published in the Chinese state media outlet said the US was void of steady interest in Pacific island countries, and it will only look down and notice the region whenever there is a strategic need. According to the article, the US intends to return to the Pacific region, without concerning itself with what the island countries really need. "The US Embassy in the Solomon Islands has been closed for 29 years. The position of US ambassador to Fiji is still vacant. This time, it is the Embassy's charge d'affaires who welcomed Blinken's 'historical visit. Blinken is the first US secretary of state to visit Fiji in 37 years. If it wasn't for the deep strategic anxiety, Washington would not think of Pacific island countries for another 37 years," the Global Times editorial read. Drawing comparisons with China, the state media outlet said, "Unlike the fact that the US secretary of state took 37 years to think of Fiji, more than 20 Chinese officials at the level of foreign minister or higher have visited the country since 1985. Today, China is the second-largest trading partner of Pacific island countries." Last week, the US government had announced its intention to open an embassy in the Solomon Islands as part of its policy to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking in the South Pacific nation of Fiji on Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated US' intent to open the embassy to deepen its "cooperation with Pacific Island partners." In a document titled the "Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States", the US, last week, laid out its diplomatic policy for the Indo-Pacific region. It includes plans to open new embassies and consulates in Southeast Asia and Pacific island nations. Blinken said these steps are only the beginning, and the US will continue to advance its "engagement and investments in the Indo-Pacific." (ANI)
Ukrainian envoy to the UK Vadym Prystaiko has said that his words concerning the possibility of turning down the country's membership in NATO were misunderstood. Earlier today, Prystaiko had said that Kiev may abandon its desire to join NATO to avoid war. Issuing a clarification on Prystaiko's remarks, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that these words were taken out of context. Prystaiko said that he was glad to have a chance to clarify his position concerning the question which had created misunderstanding, Russian news agency Sputnik reported. The Ukrainian ambassador said he told a UK broadcaster that Ukraine is not a NATO member country right now and is ready for many concessions to avoid the war. On Sunday, Ukraine's foreign minister called on Russia to hold a meeting within the next 48 hours to discuss Moscow's military buildup along its borders. Taking to Twitter, Dmytro Kuleba said Russia failed to respond to our request under the Vienna Document. "Consequently, we take the next step. We request a meeting with Russia and all participating states within 48 hours to discuss its reinforcement & redeployment along our border & in temporarily occupied Crimea," he said. In another tweet, Kuleba added, "If Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must fulfil its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all." US President Joe Biden spoke with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday. Biden reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in preparation for an invasion. Moscow has denied these accusations, stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory. (ANI)
The visit aims to consolidate bilateral relations with the Indian Navy, as also to explore new avenues for defence cooperation with India.

The CRNO commenced his visit by paying homage at National War Memorial on February 14.

The CRNO was received by Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, at the majestic South Block Lawns and accorded a 50 Men Guard of Honour. Both the Naval Principals held discussions to explore avenues to further enhance cooperation between the Navies.

The CRNO would also be visiting the Indian Navy's Western Naval Command at Mumbai, wherein he would be interacting with the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, and visit ships at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

The first visit of the incumbent CRNO to India reverberates the growing cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman, which includes operational interactions, training, and exchange of Subject Matter Experts. Both Navies have been participating in the biennial maritime exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr' since 1993.

This exercise was last conducted in 2020, off Goa and the next edition is scheduled later this year. INS Sudarshini visited Muscat in December 2021 and had embarked RNO Sea Riders for sea experience. (ANI)
Two medical students -- Nimirta Chandani, a final-year BDS student of the Bibi Aseefa Dental College was found dead in her hostel room in September 2019 and Nosheen Kazmi, a fourth-year MBBS student of the Chandka Medical College (CMC), allegedly committed by hanging herself from the ceiling fan of her hostel room in November last year, Dawn reported on Monday.

According to the family members, the students were blackmailed to the extent that they ended their lives.

Protesters on Sunday raised slogans against the SMBBMU vice chancellor for failing to protect students from harassment and blackmailing. They also condemned the Larkana police for not having arrested the suspects in both cases.

Dawn reported that the protesters, led by activists of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Jeay Sindh Student Federation and some civil society organisations, marched through various roads and then assembled outside the SMBBMU Vice Chancellor's secretariat to hold a sit-in.

They alleged that the SMBBMU administration was hiding the truth, and demanded the removal of the Vice-Chancellor. They also called for an in-depth investigation into both cases to unmask other culprits.

Separate demonstrations were held by activists of the Jeay Sindh Mahaz (JSM), Jeay Sindh Students Federation (JSSF) and Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) outside the local press club. (ANI)
Hundreds of workers of PTM led by its chief Manzoor Pashteen staged a sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly building on Sunday evening, according to Dawn newspaper.

The publication reported that the rally started from Sohrab Goth at around 3.30 pm and after passing through its designated routes reached the Saddar area.

PTM leader Hidayatullah criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party for subjecting them to "cruelty" by booking and arresting PTM leaders in false cases. He said when Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan's leaders and workers were released, why the PTM leaders including MNA Wazir were not being released.

Pashtuns, an ethnic minority blames Pakistan for marginalising them for years. They say they have not been accorded their rights. And their demand for the same has been brutally suppressed. (ANI)
This incident of mob violence comes as Punjab has seen a surge in mob lynching in the past two months.

The latest incident took place in the city of Faisalabad on Sunday. However, the provincial police rescued the accused person and shifted him to an undisclosed location, the Dawn newspaper reported.

On Sunday, a mob carrying hard objects including clubs and bricks surrounded the house of the accused and attacked him.

Reportedly, the local police rescued the man and shifted him to an undisclosed location. They have also transported other family members of the man to another area for safety reasons.

Additionally, the police said they were trying to engage religious leaders of all sects to ensure peace.

"We received an emergency call at 15 at about 5.30 pm on Sunday that a Shia scholar had defiled the Holy Quran," Faisalabad SSP Operations Mubashar Maikan told Dawn newspaper.

"The person seems to be abnormal," he said. (ANI)
Vilnius [Lithuania], February 14 (ANI/Sputnik): A NATO reinforcement unit from Germany is arriving in Lithuania on Monday. Besides, additional military forces are expected in the Baltic country later this week, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "German reinforcement to the NATO enhances Forward Presence in Lithuania on Monday. The Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany responds to the increasing aggression of the Russian military activity by Ukraine's borders and the deteriorating security situation in the Baltics by deploying additional military capabilities to Lithuania this week," the Ministry said in a statement. Germany will deploy additional military personnel to the NATO unit stationed in the central Lithuanian town of Rukla. About 1,200 soldiers of the alliance are currently serving in the combat group led by Germany, the statement read. Tensions around Ukraine have escalated in recent months as Kiev and the West have accused Russia of intending to attack its neighbour, citing a troop buildup at the common border, claims that Moscow has repeatedly dismissed, pointing to NATO's military activities in Eastern Europe as a threat to Russia's security. (ANI/Sputnik)
The finance ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) on Monday said they are ready to collectively impose severe sanctions on Russia in the event of a military invasion by Russian troops into the territory of Ukraine. "We are prepared to collectively impose economic and financial sanctions which will have massive and immediate consequences on the Russian economy," the bloc comprised of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States said in a statement. "We are united in our resolve to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as economic and financial stability of Ukraine. The G7, together with international financial institutions and in particular the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through its 2020 Stand-by Arrangement, are providing significant financial support to Ukraine," the statement added. The G7 foreign ministers said their immediate priority is to support efforts to de-escalate the situation, but stressed that "any particular further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine will be met with a swift, coordinated and forceful response." They also pledged the support of the seven richest economies in the world to the Ukrainian economy. In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in preparation for an invasion. Moscow has denied these accusations, stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory. (ANI)
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Sunday announced that all staff at the embassy in Kyiv had been told to leave.

"Given the deteriorating security situation caused by the build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine's border, the Government has directed the departure of staff at the Australian Embassy in Kyiv and temporarily suspended operations at our Embassy in Kyiv," she said in a statement.

Payne said operations at the embassy were shuttered and moved to a temporary office in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine. "We continue to advise Australians to leave Ukraine immediately by commercial means. Security conditions could change at short notice," she added.

The minister further explained that Russian military action in Ukraine will severely limit their ability to provide consular assistance to Australians.

This evacuation comes as western concerns are mounting that Russia may carry out an invasion of Ukraine.

In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in preparation for an invasion.

Moscow has denied these accusations, stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders.

Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory. (ANI)
Expressing concerns over the constant harassment of female students at Sindh's universities, rights activists have staged a protest criticising Pakistan's provincial government for its failure to stop these kind of incidents. The News International reported that a large number of civil society and women's rights activists took part in the demonstration on Sunday. Sindh Women Development Minister Syeda Shehla Raza, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's Senator Khalida Ateeb and MNA Kishwer Zehra also attended the protest to show solidarity with the victims of gender-based violence at the province's academic institutions. Quoting the speakers at the protest, The News International reported that the civil society and women's rights groups view sexual harassment at educational institutions with great concern, adding that the recent case of Parveen Rind, a nursing house officer at the Peoples Medical University Nawabshah, is reminiscent of the atrocities committed against Noshin Shah, Nimrata Kumari and Naila Rind. Furthermore, they said that the literacy rate is already low in the country, but it is even lower for girls, adding that after rising harassment cases, the civil society is afraid that girls who have access to education can also be forced to stay at home. "Because of it, the country will lag far behind in the race for development," civil society groups said in a joint statement cited by The News International. The speakers demanded that the provincial government find those responsible for sexual harassment at higher educational institutions and punish them severely. The incident comes amid the annual report of State of Human Rights in Pakistan released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) for the year 2020 that has set alarm bells ringing over the plight of women in the country. (ANI)
Four Afghanistan women activists, who were detained by the Taliban regime and later released after a long period of uncertainty, are under pressure not to publicize the details about their detention, their relatives have told local media. The UN Mission in Afghanistan on Sunday had welcomed the release of the four women activists, who went missing last month. "After a long period of uncertainty about their whereabouts and safety, the four 'disappeared' Afghan women activists, as well as their relatives who also went missing, have all been released by the de facto authorities. UNAMA calls for the rights of every Afghan to be respected," the UN Mission in Afghanistan tweeted. The relatives of the freed activists said that the women activists are not prepared to share the details of their detention with the media due to pressure, the TOLO news reported. "It was good news. We heard after weeks that the girls who were in the Taliban's custody were set free. This gives hope to the women that the Taliban may fulfil their promises regarding women," said Nazdana, a member of Zanan Junbish Adalat Khwahi. Masouma, a relative of the female activists, said "the release of our colleagues comes as the Taliban has repeatedly denied their detention". "This situation we are going through should end." Earlier, there was global outrage over the fate of missing Afghan women activists who were participating in protests to demand fundamental rights for women from the Taliban. According to media reports, the Taliban continue to threaten and harass women activists to intimidate them. Even as the Taliban tries to persuade the world to recognize it and financially support its government, the regime has embarked on a violent crackdown on dissent. (ANI)
They raised anti-Taliban slogans and supported the Resistance Front, Amaj News reported.

A Taliban delegation visited Geneva last week, where it held talks with representatives of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and non-governmental organizations.

"The FDFA confirms that the Taliban is in Geneva at the invitation of a non-governmental organization that seeks to improve the observance of humanitarian norms and principles," FDFA spokeswoman Elisa Raggi said, as quoted by Sputnik News Agency.

The Taliban held talks with members of non-governmental organizations and high-ranking officials of the FDFA.

The meetings focused on the issues of humanitarian access to Afghan populations in need, protection of humanitarian organizations, and respect for human rights, including the rights of women and minorities in the country.

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)
PTM demonstrators called for the release of Pashtun like Ali Wazir, Hanif Pashteen, Uwais Abdal, and Idris Khattak, who are illegally detained by Pakistan.

Demonstrators shouted the slogans during the demonstration and criticized the Pakistan government for its repressive attitude towards Pashtuns. They raised slogans like "stop Pashtuns genocide", "Pakistan is killing the world is watching" and "Pakistan is a terrorist state."

Pashtuns, an ethnic minority blame Pakistan for marginalizing them for years. They say they have not been accorded their rights. And their demand for the same has been brutally suppressed.

On Sunday, PTM activists in Belgium staged a protest at Schuman circle in front of the European Commission against an attack on PTM central leaders like Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen and coordinator of PTM South Pashkhwa Noor Bacha.

PTM has also held a similar protest in front of the Pakistani Consulate in Frankfurt Germany on February 11 where they condemned Pakistan for its activities against Pashtuns.

The series of protests against Pakistan by Afghans on Sunday reached Brussels in Europe.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Pakistan's rulers, army, and intelligence mean ISI (Pakistan's spy agency). What is the reason for the last four decades of military intervention and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan?" questioned one of the protestors. (ANI)
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has rejected any link with Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda, stating that the group has no "global agenda" and its target is only Pakistan. In a statement on February 12, TTP Pakistan spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani has reminded the United States of Pakistan's double game and asked America not to bankroll Islamabad, instead of supporting the rights of the oppressed tribes. "America says that it will work out along with Pakistan against the TTP but, they're trying to pressurize us, but we will not get affected. It seems that the US has forgotten its past journey and double game of Islamabad," the spokesperson said in the statement (roughly translated from Urdu). "I urge the US to support TTP for the rights of the oppressed people, in spite of Tyrant Pakistan," the spokesperson of the banned group in Pakistan said further. Last year, the United Nations had warned that terrorist organisations - Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda- are posing a growing threat in much of Africa. According to the UN report, Al Qaeda is present in at least 15 Afghan provinces and operates "under Taliban protection from Kandahar, Helmand and Nimruz Provinces." In a CNN interview, Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen had said the group had made a commitment "not to allow any individual or group or entity to use ... Afghanistan against the United States, its allies and other countries" and said terrorists will have "no place" in an Afghanistan under Taliban rule. There's also concern that ISIS has a solid foothold in Afghanistan, with one member state reporting it currently has between 500 and 1,500 fighters. The Imran Khan government for a long time had been urging the Taliban to take action against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan or deny them space to operate out of Afghan soil. Even Islamabad was engaged in talks with the TTP through the Afghan Taliban. However, Islamabad maintained that those talks broke down due to the harsh demands of the TTP in recent times. After the breakdown of the talks, TTP had resumed its violent activities against Pakistan. Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had said that talks with the banned TTP couldn't move forward despite the Afghanistan Taliban help. In recent times, the Pakistani Taliban has carried out multiple attacks in Pakistan. A ceasefire between Pakistan's government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) announced on October 1 has fallen apart in days as fears rise about the al Qaeda-linked group's true agenda, according to International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS). (ANI)
Russia's top diplomat has advised President Vladimir Putin to continue talks with the West on the country's security demands amid tensions over Ukraine, according to media report on Monday. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's suggested that Moscow should maintain a dialogue with Washington and its NATO allies even though they have rejected Russia's main requests - that the military alliance won't allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members and will roll back its forces from Eastern Europe, reported Al Jazeera. This comes amid renewed efforts aimed at defusing the crisis, as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Meanwhile, the finance ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) today said they are ready to collectively impose severe sanctions on Russia in the event of a military invasion by Russian troops into the territory of Ukraine. "We are prepared to collectively impose economic and financial sanctions which will have massive and immediate consequences on the Russian economy," the bloc comprised of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States said in a statement. "We are united in our resolve to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as economic and financial stability of Ukraine. The G7, together with international financial institutions and in particular the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through its 2020 Stand-by Arrangement, are providing significant financial support to Ukraine," the statement added. In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in preparation for an invasion. Moscow has denied these accusations, stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory. (ANI)
India on Monday paid homage to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, perpetrated by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Delivering India's national statement at the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, Rajesh Parihar, First Secretary, India's Permanent Mission to UN said: "At the outset, I would like to recall that three years ago exactly today 40 brave Indian security personnel were martyred in a dastardly terrorist attack in Pulwama, India, carried out by Jaish E Mohammad. I pay my homage to their sacrifice." He said that India has been at the receiving end of terror acts, including cross-border terrorism, for the past several decades. He added that the country has also been at the forefront of our collective global fight against terrorism, advocating and practicing a "zero tolerance" policy towards terrorism. "We remain fully committed to implementing Security Council and General Assembly resolutions to strengthen the United Nations counterterrorism efforts," Parihar said. A suicide bomber had rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus. The convoy had 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar in India. Days after the attack, the Indian Air Force on February 26, 2019 carried out multiple aerialstrikes at JeM terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot, killing a "large number" of terrorists and destroying their infrastructure. Highlighting the terrorist threat posed by State-sponsored terrorism in the South Asia region, India said that many countries in the South Asia region have been victims of State-sponsored terrorism in the last 5 decades. "The UN-designated terrorist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Harkat-ul-Mujahidin, and Jaish-e-Mohammad, as well as their aliases and proxies continue to operate in the region targeting civilians, security forces, places of worship, soft targets and critical infrastructure," Rajesh Parihar said. India also noted that the world had witnessed the horrors of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, the 2016 Pathankot terror attack, and the 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack. "We all know from where the perpetrators of these attacks came from," he said without naming Pakistan. "It is regretful that the victims of these dastardly attacks are yet to get justice, and the perpetrators, facilitators and financiers of these attacks continue to walk free, still enjoying State support and hospitality. This epicentre of terrorism nurtures terrorist entities with links to more than 150 UN-designated entities and individuals, and its leaders often extol terrorists as "martyrs," he said. "We have consistently witnessed terror attacks on ethnic, sectarian and religious minorities, including Christians, Hindus and Sikhs. The growth of extremist ideology in our neighbouring state is bolstered by their patronage of radical outfits. The mainstreaming of radicalism and communal ideology by the State has also provided a fertile environment for the growth of terror infrastructure in the region," the Indian Rajesh Parihar further said. Meanwhile, India is fully committed to bringing the perpetrators of the terror attacks on its soil to justice. " "We hope that Counter-Terrorism Committee, its Executive Directorate - CTED, and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team will pay close attention to the terrorist threat emerging from Al-Qaida, particularly, their affiliates, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed as well as the atrocities of terrorist groups against religious minorities," Parihar said. Furthermore, India has taken several border security measures aimed at stemming terrorist travel. It has updated and modernized its immigration records and passports and implemented a tighter immigration control through centralized systems like Immigration Visa Foreigner Registration Tracking (IVFRT), to facilitate legitimate travellers and strengthen security. Parihar noted that External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar had proposed an 8-point "Action Plan" in his clarion call for the international community to combat the menace of terrorism effectively and comprehensively. (ANI)
Nepal's Opposition CPN- UML (Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist) has decided to oppose the impeachment motion registered against Chief Justice, claiming it to as a pretext to postpone upcoming elections. Bishal Bhattarai, Chief Whip of the Opposition which owns majority in federal parliament, referring to statements made by Chairman KP Sharma Oli said, "The incumbent period and intention behind it are based on issues to create instability in court and to postpone elections." "All these have come with ill intentions which should be defended which can start from the street, the judiciary itself, legal sectors, it should be defeated," he said The impeachment motion which has been registered in the parliament secretariat on Sunday morning by ruling lawmakers has signatures of only 98 members of the parliament, falling short of a majority needed for its approval. The ruling coalition would need to garner support from the opposition as well to pass it from parliament which is expected to go on for weeks. There are a total of 271 members (including the house speaker) in parliament. Opposition CPN- UML has the highest 98 lawmakers followed by Nepali Congress with 63, Maoist Center with 48, CPN- Socialist with 23, JSP with 21 and LSP with 13 seats. The Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), which is part of the ruling coalition has expressed its surprise over the impeachment motion filed by the ruling coalition and claimed it was tabled without consultation. Further, adding to the suspense, the party on Monday decided to reveal their stance at the time of voting. Provided the mathematics in the parliament, the House Speaker cannot exercise electoral power while four lawmakers from the ruling alliance have been relieved from their duty which cuts short 5 votes of the ruling coalition. It needs at least two-thirds of 181 votes to ratify the impeachment motion. It is turning out to be a Herculean task for the ruling alliance as it still will fall short of 12 votes despite the parties on board the government voting in favour of the impeachment. This leaves the alliance to look out for defection from opposition lawmakers to pass on the motion. The latest move to impeach the Chief Justice of the Himalayan Nation comes in wake of continued protests against CJ Rana by fellow lawyers and justices from Apex Court calling to "bar CJ Rana from entering office" organizing a sit-in-protest at the gate of the Supreme Court. Nepal Bar Association, the umbrella organization of lawyers across Nepal has been agitating demanding the resignation of the Chief Justice, accusing him of seeking a political share in the cabinet, and encouraging corruption in the judiciary. Advocates and Justices at Supreme Court had started protest against CJ Rana from the end of October last year alleging the head of Nepal's Apex Court of misappropriation. CJ Rana has been blamed for making attempts to take political and personal incentives while delivering verdicts. The agitating advocates and justices also have accused Chief Justice Rana of "bench shopping" meaning hearings were held for purpose of making a favourable decision for one of the parties. There are also allegations that the court has failed to do any work of reform. Overall, there are allegations of anomalies, irregularities and corruption in the judiciary. With Chief Justice suspended for at least four months, agitating lawyers now are changing modalities of their protest which has crossed 100 days and is counting on. "The impeachment motion which has been registered now, the ball now has landed on the court of political parties. It is reliant on them, how they would succeed whether it is ruling or opposition parties. Nepal Bar Association in the letters of accusation had mentioned ranges of issues, as some are addressed modalities of protest would now be changed," Rakshya Bashyal, Vice President of Nepal Bar Association told ANI. The lawyers and advocates who have come down against the Chief Justice for the first time in Nepali legal history claim that the latest round of agitation would ward off the ill-practices that remains in the judicial system. "This step should have opted quite earlier, the decision to impeach the Chief Justice came late but it comes as one of the milestone moves by lawmakers which would save the nation and judicial system. Those who are confused or thinking to vote against the motion are requested to stand in support to save the nation, pass the impeachment and improve the judicial system," Krishna Bhandari, one of the senior-most advocates of Nepal told ANI. Previously, Chief Justice Rana had been criticised for attending a meeting of the Constitutional Council held after the issuance of an ordinance by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. An ordinance issued then had reduced the requirement of opposition leader and house speaker in the meeting reducing the majority required to make the appointments. Chief Justice had also landed in controversy after his brother-in-law Gajendra Bahadur Hamal was appointed as a non-parliamentary minister to confirm the allegation that he was seeking a share. Chief Justice Rana has maintained that he will not resign and that he was ready to face impeachment by parliament which is the constitutional process to remove the chief justice. At Monday's parliamentary committee meeting, the opposition also witnessed the collection of signatures of lawmakers on blank papers. The latest move of opposition has triggered the possibility of counter impeachment motion against four sitting justices of the Apex Court or the House Speaker. Questioned about it, the Chief Whip of the party denied the possibility of immediate tabling of impeachment motion but cautioned that it could be used in future depending on the situation. "They (Ruling alliance) unanimously postponed the parliamentary meeting for Wednesday, which also prompted us to call our lawmakers to gather at Kathmandu, we have collected signatures of them and it would be used at time of need after the high-level mechanism decides to use it," the Chief Whip, Bishal Bhattarai said. The agitating lawyers on the other hand have raised alarm to the opposition not to take any such steps which might further degrade the situation. "Opposition party also bears some responsibilities, that's why I don't expect they would move forward to impeach remaining justices. It won't be justifiable to file impeachment on the basis of verdicts that were previously delivered. If they do so or any of the political parties follow steps, I already have mentioned, the ball is in their court, responsibilities for all the consequences should be borne by them. Nepal Bar Association cannot impeach anyone, all it can do is make strategies and would continue our protest on the basis of it," said Rakshya Bashyal, vice president, Nepal Bar Association, Kathmandu. On Monday, five lawmakers from the opposition refused to sign on blank sheets. The party presented six various sheets of paper to lawmakers to put their signatures. Those absconding from signing on the papers include Bhim Rawal, Ghanshyam Bhusal, Deepak Prakash Bhatt, Pabitra Niraula Kharel and Jhapat Rawal. (ANI)
The meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Male.

During the meeting, Maldives State Minister welcomed Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar to the Maldives and reviewed the recent developments in India-Maldives relations particularly in the field of Defence and Security cooperation.

Khaleel also highlighted the continuous contribution by the Government of India towards enhancing the capacity and readiness of the Maldives National Defence Force.

The State Minister and Defence Secretary reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two countries, particularly to ensure peace and security in the Indian Ocean region.

The State Minister was accompanied at the meeting by Foreign Secretary, Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives.

On Sunday, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar called on Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Didi. He had thanked her for her support in strengthening defence relations between the two countries.

During the meeting held at the Ministry of Defence in Male, discussions focused on the immense and expanding India-Maldives defence cooperation in the past three years. (ANI)
Hundreds of people from the Biharis community in Pakistan have been witnessing difficulties as they are not being issued with computerized national identity cards (CNICs), local media reported on Monday. A protest was organized on Sunday by the Muhibban-e-Pakistan Foundation (MPF) outside the Karachi Press Club to highlight the longstanding issue of the Bihari community, according to The News International. MBF chief Mumtaz Ansari was attended by leaders of various political parties who demanded that the government stop the exploitation of the Biharis living in Pakistan and issue CNICs to them on an immediate basis so that they can have access to education, health care, and other basic facilities. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz District Malir President Feroz Khan said the Bihari community had been facing multiple problems, the most glaring of which was them not being able to get CNICs that resulted in denial of job opportunities and other usual perks of being a Pakistani national, The News International. "For instance, they can't open bank accounts, buy cars or get them registered or buy any property," he lamented. Other political leaders, including Dr. Shakeel of the Pakistan Tehreek -e-Insaf, Inzar Medical, and Imran Bihari, said the Bihari community was also deprived of basic amenities and jobs. They said that there were hundreds of thousands of Biharis living in Karachi but they were not counted in the census due to not having CNICs. (ANI)
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

Zelensky in an address to his nation posted on Facebook, "We are told that February 16 will be the day of the attack," according to a Facebook translation.

He wrote that Ukraine will hold a Day of Unity on Wednesday. He said the relevant decree has already been signed.

Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border. The troop build-up had raised concerns among the US and NATO allies that Russia is planning a military incursion.

However, Russia has continually denied having any such plans.

Officials from Ukraine, Russia and NATO nations have engaged in diplomatic discussions for weeks with hopes of easing the tensions in the region, but the conversations did not bear any breakthroughs.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and said that "swift and severe costs" would follow if Russia invaded Ukraine.

Biden administration officials have also warned that Ukraine could be invaded "any day now." (ANI)
A Taliban delegation led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday began talks with representatives of the Gulf states in Doha. "A high-level Afghan delegation led by Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in the capital of Qatar (Doha) and will discuss a range of issues with the envoys of the Gulf countries on Monday," said Zia Ahmad Takal, the deputy spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, reported Tolo News. The delegation arrived in Qatar on Sunday. According to the ministry, the delegation of the caretaker government is scheduled to hold talks with representatives of the European Union, the Union of Religious Scholars, and diplomatic missions operating from Qatar on behalf of Kabul. "The recent visit of the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate to Doha is in fact a follow-up to the continuation of diplomatic relations with foreign countries, which will provide the grounds for international recognition," said Nasir Ahmad Haidari, a political analyst. It has been nearly six months after the Taliban recaptured power in Afghanistan but they have not been recognized by any country yet. Taliban, who are desperate to seek international recognition, and have time and again been reminded that respect for women and human rights, establishing inclusive government, not allowing Afghanistan to become a safe haven of terrorism are the preconditions for the recognition set by the international community. "This is a very important trip for solving the political challenges in Afghanistan," said Wali Mohammad Sarwari, a university lecturer, reported Tolo News. Qatar is one of the countries that, according to political analysts, wants to play a mediating role between the current government of Afghanistan and the world, in an effort that is more focused on bilateral interaction. "One of the demands of the Taliban is to ask Qatar to mediate once again between the Taliban and the US to free the frozen money of Afghanistan," said Sayed Javad Sajjadi, a political analyst. 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)
High Commissioner of India to Kenya, Dr Virander Paul on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga had expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. Commenting on a query on KTN News on Ayurveda in the context of the private visit of Odinga to India and India-Kenya cooperation in the healthcare sector, Paul said, "PM Modi and Raila have been friends for a long time. They have known each other for many years. The PM of India and former PM of Kenya had a courtesy meeting today. What we know is that they did express their commitment to further improvement of relations between the two countries." PM Modi had expressed his happiness at being able to meet Odinga after almost three and half years. Prime Minister recollected his multiple interactions with Odinga since 2008 in both India and Kenya, as well as the latter's support to the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in 2009 and 2012. The two leaders also discussed other issues of mutual interest. The Prime Minister expressed his commitment to further strengthening India-Kenya relations. PM Modi also conveyed his best wishes to Odinga for his good health and future endeavours. "Delighted to receive my friend H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya. I fondly recollect my past interactions with him in India and Kenya. India and Kenya enjoy strong bilateral relations and we welcome further strengthening of our ties," tweeted PM Modi on Tuesday. Ex-Kenyan PM was on a visit to India for his daughter's eye treatment. "Odinga did mention the substantial improvement in the eye condition of his daughter. Thanks to the Ayurvedic treatment in India," said the Indian High Commissioner. His daughter regained her eyesight after undergoing treatment at Kerala's Ayurvedic hospital. Odinga further discussed with PM Modi the opening of a branch of the same hospital in Kenya to provide better treatment to his country's people. He also thanked Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Kerala for restoring his daughter's eyesight. Odinga's daughter Rosemary was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2017. She had undergone surgery in Nairobi. But in the post-operative period, Rosemary complained of severe loss of eyesight. "In his interview to ANI, he also mentioned that he discussed with PM Modi about bringing that kind of treatment -- Ayurvedic treatment to Kenya. There should be a better use of indigenous locally available plants here in Kenya in the healthcare system here," said Paul. The Indian High Commissioner also discussed cooperation between India and Kenya that traditionally have been very strong. "It has been long-standing cooperation, including during COVID-19 pandemic. India was perhaps the first country to supply COVID vaccines to Kenya," he said. "We are very satisfied that India played a role in initiating the vaccination drive in Kenya. We have also participated in the training of Kenyan specialists in COVID-19 and also we have shared details of a digital platform, developed in India, is called Cowin for management of large scale COVID vaccination and campaigns," he added. (ANI)
Two adults and three juveniles are facing charges after allegedly fleeing from police around midnight Friday following a reported high-speed chase along Ohio 2 in Ottawa County.

PORT CLINTON  Two adults and three juveniles are facing charges after allegedly fleeing from police around midnight Friday following a high-speed chase along Ohio 2 in Ottawa County.

Antwuan Dawson, 18, and Deaishia Gray, 19, both of Southfield, Michigan, were arrested Friday and booked at the Ottawa County Detention Facility after the incident.

Dawson has been charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, fleeing or eluding officers, a third-degree felony, receiving stolen property, a fourth degree felony, driving in violation of a license restriction, a first-degree misdemeanor, and speeding, a minor misdemeanor, according to Ottawa County Municipal Court records.

Gray has been charged with one count of obstructing official business, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Three juvenile females, each 16, who were reportedly passengers in the vehicle driven by Dawson, were released to their respective parents, however, with charges pending.

More: Cleveland woman arrested after high speed chase in Port Clinton

According to the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office, the incident began when a deputy passed a vehicle heading east on Ohio 2 near North Stange Road in Benton Township just before midnight late Thursday, with radar measuring the vehicle speed at 103 mph.

The deputy reportedly began to pursue the vehicle east on Ohio 2 for about 15 miles until it was stopped by spike strips near Ohio 163 just west of Port Clinton.

Deputies stated all five of the occupants in the vehicle then fled on foot. Dawson and Gray were reportedly found with the aid of a police K-9 unit, allegedly hiding in a pickup in a nearby neighborhood. They were arrested at gunpoint.

Dawson was found to be in possession of an AK47-type firearm and high-capacity magazine at the time of the arrest, according to the report.

With the assistance of the Erie Township Fire Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrols Aviation Unit, deputies soon found the three juveniles, who were taken into custody before being released to their parents.

This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Two adults, three juveniles flee following high-speed chase on Ohio 2
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married on May 19, 2018.

Among their romantic gestures, Markle's veil used fabric from a dress she wore on their first date.

Markle also wrote a bestselling children's book inspired by Prince Harry and Archie's relationship.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle held hands during their first public appearance together in September 2017.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2017. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

Markle accompanied Harry to the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, where they were seen holding hands, whispering to each other, and smiling.

They grinned at each other when they announced their engagement in November 2017.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in November 2017. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Their actual engagement had happened privately a few weeks before at their cottage while they were roasting a chicken.

"She didn't even let me finish, she said, 'Can I say yes, can I say yes?' and then were was hugs and I had the ring in my finger and I was like, 'Can I  can I give you the ring?' She goes  'Oh yes, the ring!'" Harry told the BBC.

On their first royal outing as an engaged couple in December 2017, Prince Harry put his arm around Markle as they greeted well-wishers.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nottingham Contemporary. Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The couple visited a World Aids Day charity fair at Nottingham Contemporary.

Later that day, Markle put her hand over Prince Harry's.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Nottingham Academy. ANDY STENNING/AFP via Getty Images

They stopped inside Nottingham Academy to visit with students and teachers involved in the Full Effect charity program combatting youth violence.

They posed for intimate engagement photos in December 2017.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in December 2017. Alexi Lubomirski via Getty

Fashion photographer Alexi Lubomirski took their engagement photos at Frogmore House in Windsor.

"It was an incredible honour to be asked to document this wonderful event, but also a great privilege to be invited to share and be a witness to this young couple's love for one another," he told The Telegraph. "I cannot help but smile when I look at the photos that we took of them, such was their happiness together."

Fiancees aren't usually invited to spend Christmas with the royal family, but Prince Harry asked Queen Elizabeth to make an exception.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with the royal family on Christmas in 2017. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The royal family spends every Christmas at the Queen's private estate, Sandringham House, in Norfolk. Fiancees don't usually join the festivities  in 2010, the newly engaged Kate Middleton wasn't allowed to attend. But Prince Harry reportedly asked the Queen to make an exception for Markle, and they walked arm in arm with the rest of the royal family on Christmas Day.

They showed more public displays of affection on a visit to Scotland in February 2018.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Scotland. ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images

The engaged couple put their arms around each other as they walked through Edinburgh Castle.

Markle's wedding veil contained her something blue  a piece of fabric from the dress she wore on their first date.

Meghan Markle's wedding veil. Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In a clip from "Queen of the World," a documentary about Queen Elizabeth, Markle revealed that the piece of blue fabric had been her "something blue" on her wedding day in May 2018.

Her 16-foot, silk tulle veil also featured a trim of hand-embroidered flowers each representing one of the 53 counties in Britain's Commonwealth, as well as a California Poppy, which is the official flower of her home state California.

When Markle reached the altar, Prince Harry told her she looked amazing and bit his lip, making everyone weak in the knees.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their wedding. Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/Getty Images

People couldn't get over the way Harry said "You look amazing" and bit his lip while gazing lovingly into Markle's eyes during their wedding ceremony.

Their first kiss as a married couple made the world swoon.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle share a kiss at the royal wedding. WPA Pool/Getty

Lip-reader Tina Lannin, director and founder of 121 Captions, told the BBC that Markle asked Prince Harry, "Do we kiss?" as they left St. George's Chapel after their ceremony. He replied, "Yeah," then leaned in.

A few months later, they locked lips again at a charity polo match.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss at a polo match in July 2018. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The couple kissed at the trophy presentation of a charity polo match at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. The public display of affection was something Kate Middleton and Prince William rarely do because of his position as heir to the throne.

Prince Harry appeared to help Markle with some royal protocol at Trooping the Colour in June 2018.

The royal family at Trooping the Colour in June 2018. Anwar Hussein/ WireImage/ Getty Images

Instagram user harry_meghan_updates posted a video that appeared to show Markle asking "Do it?" as the Queen arrived, and Prince Harry appearing to respond "Yes" to let her know it was time to curtsy.

Royal protocol requires all members of the royal family to curtsy to the Queen upon seeing her as well as any other members of the royal family that rank above them  for the first time that day as a sign of respect.

Markle used a pet name for Harry while meeting the cast of Hamilton in August 2018, and they couldn't get over how adorable it was.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with the cast of "Hamilton" in August 2018. Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Markle and Harry attended a "Hamilton" charity performance in London and posed for photos with the cast. Markle turned to Harry and appeared to say, "Can you see, my love?"

The pair traveled to Australia in October 2018, where they shared an umbrella in a rainstorm.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Australia in October 2018. PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images

Prince Harry and Markle visited Dubbo, a drought-stricken region of Australia, but brought a rare rainstorm with them.

Prince Harry lent Markle his coat on a stroll through Rotorua, New Zealand.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Rotorua, New Zealand, in October 2018. Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

Markle wore a black puffer Norrona coat while walking through Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua, New Zealand. It looked identical to the one her husband wore when the couple walked through Abel Tasman National Park in Wellington, New Zealand, two days before.

Markle and Prince Harry greeted fans with their arms around each other on a walkabout in Birkenhead in January 2019.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in January 2019. Neil Mockford/GC Images

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Hamilton Square to unveil a plaque for a new sculpture honoring poet and soldier Wilfred Owen as well as pay a visit to several local charities.

Markle leaned into Prince Harry while visiting Morocco in February 2019.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Morocco. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

Markle and Prince Harry visited a secondary school in Asni to meet with students and teachers.

After Markle gave birth to Archie in May 2019, Prince Harry gushed to reporters about how much he loved his wife in his first interview as a father.

Prince Harry in his first interview after the birth of his son. Steve Parsons / POOL / AFP/ Getty Images

"I haven't been at many births," he joked. "This is definitely my first birth. It was amazing, absolutely incredible, and, as I said, I'm so incredibly proud of my wife. As every father and parent will ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to-die-for, so I'm just over the moon."

He added: "It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension."

Two days later, Markle joined Prince Harry for an official photo-call with their newborn son.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hold their newborn son. Reuters

The beaming parents introduced their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world at St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle.

They were all smiles when they brought Archie on a trip to Cape Town, South Africa, in September 2019.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Archie in September 2019. Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Markle brought Archie to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe at the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.

On that same trip, Prince Harry fixed Markle's hair when it got stuck in her collar.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2019. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It wasn't the first time Prince Harry was filmed covertly fixing Markle's hair on a royal engagement  he smoothed down her hair from the wind during her charity cookbook launch in 2018.

Photographer Samir Hussein captured this "one in a million" shot of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry smiling at each other under a shared umbrella in March 2020.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in March 2020. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

The couple attended the Endeavour Fund Awards in March  their first joint public appearance after announcing that they would be stepping back from royal duties and giving up their official royal titles. Hussein's photo of the couple smiling together in a dramatically lit rainstorm quickly became an iconic symbol of their new chapter.

"It was pouring down with rain, which can be very tricky when shooting flash photography and also meant Harry and Meghan would be under an umbrella, which usually means it's hard to get clean photos of the couple," Hussein shared a statement with British GQ magazine. "Little did I know these elements would come together so spectacularly to produce a timeless image of the couple."

At one of their last royal appearances before stepping back from their official duties, Prince Harry's suit lining matched Markle's green dress perfectly.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in March 2020. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

Prince Harry's green suit jacket lining was customized to match Markle's Emilia Wickstead dress for the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in March 2020  one of their last royal appearances.

In their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, the couple held hands as they shared their reasons for stepping back from the royal family.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sit down with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions

Harry said that Markle saved him in helping him leave the royal family, "without question," but Markle felt that Harry saved them all.

"I mean, I think that's lovely. I would disagree," she said. "I think he saved all of us, right? He ultimately called it and was like, 'We've got to find a way for us, for Archie. And you made a decision that ... certainly saved my life and saved all of us. But, you know, you need to want to be saved."

Markle wrote a children's book inspired by Prince Harry and Archie's relationship.

A page from "The Bench." Penguin Random House

"The Bench" is about the connection between father and son as seen through a mother's eyes, inspired by Prince Harry's relationship with Archie. Released in June, it became a New York Times bestseller.

"'The Bench' started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father's Day, the month after Archie was born," Markle was quoted as saying in the press release. "That poem became this story," she added.

In an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres" show in November, Markle revealed that she and Harry snuck out to a Halloween party before their relationship was public.

Meghan Markle on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

In her first major television appearance since her interview with Winfrey, Markle told DeGeneres that she and Harry went to a Halloween party before their relationship was public, using the holiday to cover their true identities.

"He came to see me in Toronto," she said, adding that Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie and her now-husband Jack Brooksbank accompanied the Duke of Sussex on his visit.

"The four of us snuck out in Halloween costumes to just have one fun night on the town before it was out in the world that we were a couple," Markle told DeGeneres.

Markle told DeGeneres that no one at the party knew she and the royals were in attendance.

"It was a post-apocalypse theme, so we had all of this very bizarre costuming on," Markle said of the party through laughter. "We were able to just sort of have one, final, fun night out."

Read the original article on Insider
Editor's note: This article was originally published on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.



GREAT NECK, NY  Four New York City-area Starbucks stores, including one on Long Island, are planning to unionize.

On Thursday, employees from locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Great Neck filed petitions with the National Labor Relations Board to organize with Workers United  an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union. They are hoping to hold a unionization vote on March 3.

They join more than 50 other Starbucks locations across the country that have sought to unionize in the past few months. Two locations in Buffalo have already established unions, according to The New York Times.

In letters to Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson, workers at the NYC-area company locations discussed the struggles to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic, work conditions, and the years of deteriorating trust between the corporation and its workers, according to the Times.

"We realize, like our fellow partners across the nation, a union is the way to build back that trust and create a true partnership," a letter signed by employees at a store in Brooklyn said. "We want transparency and accountability, and unionizing gives us the power to make sure our presence is felt."

Joselyn Chuquillanqui, who works at Starbucks in Great Neck, called out the company for exploiting her and chastising other baristas whenever they raised concerns about work conditions during the pandemic.

"I have been with Starbucks for almost seven years. I have worked at three stores across two districts with nine different store managers. The problems at Starbucks are not about one particular store or manager but from the way this corporation as a whole is structured," Chuquillanqui said in a statement.

"They call us 'partners' and create an image that they care about us and that we have a voice and can speak about our concerns," she continued. "But every time I have raised a concern I have been ignored or vilified. I am tired of being exploited and I am tired of other baristas being chastised when they care about their own safety or about the safety of their families and community. These problems are not new, but they have gotten worse with COVID-19."

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Chuquillanqui also said that Starbucks employees are not cogs in machines, but people who "deserve to get a say in our work."

A Starbucks spokesperson said the company had no comment on the latest petitions, other than to say that "our leaders have previously stated that we respect our partners' rights to organize and will bargain in good faith," according to The New York Post.



This comes as Starbucks fired seven employees who were trying to unionize a Memphis, Tennessee, location this week. The coffee chain claimed that the workers had violated company policies.

This isn't the first time company employees have been fired for trying to form a union. Back in 2019, Starbucks fired two workers seeking to unionize a store in Philadelphia.

This article originally appeared on the Great Neck Patch
The Daily Beast

(Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)The only way Russias war in Ukraine ends is with Russian President Vladimir Putin dead, Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraines top military spy, said Monday.Leaving him a way to retreat is one of the strategies, but it is almost unrealistic, Budanov said when asked if Putin could end this war alive. He is a war criminal for the whole world. This is his end, he drove himself into a dead end.Don't worry, Ukraine will win, Budanov said, speaking during an intervie
Former Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai called a White House order freeing $3.5 billion in Afghan assets for America's 9/11 families "an atrocity against the Afghan people." Hussein Malla/Associated Press

On Friday, Biden signed an executive order to unlock $7 billion of Afghanistan's central bank funds.

The sum is to be used as compensation for families of 9/11 victims, and as aid to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's former president has condemned the US' plans, saying the money belongs to the Afghan people and should be returned.

Afghanistan's former president Hamid Karzai urged the US to reverse its decision to use $3.5 billion in seized Afghan assets to settle claims for the families of victims of the 9/11 terror attacks, saying the money belongs to the Afghan people.

"The people of Afghanistan share the pain of the American people, share the pain of the families and loved ones of those who died, who lost their lives in the tragedy of September 11," Karzai said at a press conference on Sunday, the Associated Press reported.

"We commiserate with them [but] Afghan people are as much victims as those families who lost their lives," he said.

Karzai added that withholding the money from Afghanistan's people was "unjust and unfair" and called the move "an atrocity," per the AP.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday to unlock $7 billion of Afghanistan's central bank funds, which had been frozen in New York's Federal Reserve since the Taliban's takeover of the nation in August.

The White House is looking to send half that sum to humanitarian aid groups in Afghanistan via a trust, while the other half is to remain in the US so it can be legally pursued by relatives of 9/11 victims, according to The New York Times.

Karzai asked the US courts to "return the Afghan money back to the Afghan people," the AP reported. He said the entire sum should be returned to Afghanistan's central bank, adding that the funds for humanitarian aid shouldn't have to go through international organizations.

"You give us our own money so that it can be spent for those foreigners who come here, to pay their salaries, to give it to [non-governmental organizations]," Karzai said, per the AP.

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The former president emphasized that the money didn't belong to any government, including his own or that of his successor, former president Ashraf Ghani.

For months, the Taliban have attempted to access the frozen funds, warning that Afghanistan's economy is on the brink of collapse and that Afghan banks have run out of physical currency.

In January, the United Nations launched an appeal to raise $5 billion for humanitarian relief in Afghanistan  its largest-ever request for a single country. According to the UN's humanitarian agencies, half of the population in Afghanistan faces potential famine, while over nine million people have lost their homes. Millions of children in the country have also been left without access to education.

Biden's executive order has been met with anger from Afghans and has raised concerns among some NGOs. Protestors gathered in the Afghan capital of Kabul over the weekend to condemn the decision, accusing the US of being cruel and stealing from their country, the AP reported.

"Directing $3.5 billion to humanitarian assistance for Afghans may sound generous, but it should be remembered that the entire $7 billion already legally belonged to the Afghan people," John Sifton, Asia Advocacy Director for the Human Rights Watch, wrote on Friday.

"And yet, even if the US gave it to a humanitarian trust fund, current restrictions on Afghanistan's banking sector make it virtually impossible to send or spend the money inside the country," Sifton continued.

Read the original article on Insider
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and President Joe Biden. Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Win McNamee/Getty Images

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out President Joe Biden's inaction on student-debt cancellation.

She said the administration's hesitancy to pursue it "has demoralized a very critical voting block."

Democrats have urged Biden to forgive $50,000 in student debt for every federal borrower.

In a new interview with The New Yorker, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the Biden administration's inaction on broad student-debt relief.

The New York Democrat said that student-loan cancellation was "one of the single most impactful things" President Joe Biden could do, with wide-reaching effects.

"It's entirely within his power," Ocasio-Cortez said. "This really isn't a conversation about providing relief to a small, niche group of people. It's very much a keystone action politically. I think it's a keystone action economically as well."

She added that Biden's reluctance to issue broad student-debt forgiveness might cost him politically.

"I can't underscore how much the hesitancy of the Biden Administration to pursue student-loan cancellation has demoralized a very critical voting block that the President, the House, and the Senate need in order to have any chance at preserving any of our majority," the lawmaker told The New Yorker.

Roughly 45 million Americans owe $1.7 trillion in student debt. At the end of 2020, student debt represented the second-largest area of consumer debt in the United States, following mortgages.

On the 2020 campaign trail, Biden pledged to support cancellation of at least $10,000 in student debt per federal borrower. Since taking office, his administration has called on Congress to draft the measure into a bill for him to sign into law.

Ocasio-Cortez and several other Democrats have argued that Biden can act on his executive authority to address student debt. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, two leading advocates of student-debt cancellation, have routinely called on Biden to use his power to forgive $50,000 for every federal borrower.

Biden has questioned his legal ability to take such sweeping action, and he directed the Education Department last April to provide him with a memo examining the issue. Documents obtained by the Debt Collective, the nation's first debtors' union, found that the agency completed the memo that month, but the White House has not released it.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Alyssa Scott marked Valentine's Day with an emotional post about her late son, Zen, who passed away in December at 5-months-old.

The model, 28, welcomed Zen on July 23, 2021 with Nick Cannon, 41.

"I can imagine us the night before Valentines Day filling out cards to hand to your classmates. All signed with your handwriting.. I know it would say: love, Zen. Every letter written with your tiny little hand," the model captioned a carousel of photos and video featuring Zen in a fuzzy bear onesie covered in lipstick kiss prints.

Related: Nick Cannons condom vending machine sparks baby mama drama with the moms of his kids

The model, 28, welcomed Zen on July 23, 2021 with Nick Cannon, 41. In August, he was diagnosed with glioma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.

Cannon said chemotherapy for Zen was a treatment option that was discussed for Zen.

We were having quality-of-life conversations, he told People in December. We could have had that existence where he wouldve had to live in the hospital, hooked up to machines, for the rest of the time. From someone whos had to deal with chemotherapy before, I know that pain. To see that happen to a 2-month-old, I didnt want that. I didnt want him to suffer.

Shortly after Zens passing, Cannon praised Scott for her strength.

I often think about your voice. The sound of you saying I love you mom Words I will never hear, But still feel to this day. I know you love me, Zen. You are everywhere, Scott continued in her caption. I see you in everything beautiful. When I hear a baby giggle, when I see children playing. You are there. If I had one wish it would be to hold you. I know everything around me would stand still. It would be just you and me.

Scott wrote that her last words to her son were, Im here, I love you.

That will ring true until the end of time, she wrote. Im here and I love you baby. Im just missing you extra today. My son. You are all of my dreams realized.

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Cannon has recently been on the receiving end of critical commentary after announcing the impending arrival of his eighth child with model Bre Tiesi less than two months after the loss of Zen.

He apologized on a recent episode of "The Nick Cannon Show."

It was a lot going on, I didnt know how to explain it, I didnt know what to say, so I was probably talking too fast, and I misspoke, Cannon said on his show earlier this month. I know I can do better when dealing with delicate and sensitive discussions.

The soon-to-be dad of eight shares twin boys, Zion and Zillion, born in June 2021, with DJ Abby De La Rosa. He has son, Golden, 4, and daughter, Powerful Queen, 1, with Brittany Bell and is also dad to twins, Monroe and Moroccan, 10, with ex-wife Mariah Carey.

Im like a seahorse, he joked to Power 106 Los Angeles in July 2021, while talking to rap duo JT and Yung Miami. Im having these kids on purpose. I dont have no accident!

Related:
The acrid smell of tear gas and charred debris lingered in the vandalised streets of Athens yesterday as clearing operations began and shopkeepers counted their losses after Sunday's five hours of rioting.

Cash dispensers were damaged, traffic lights near the parliament building were out of order and debris remained strewn on the streets, as the city took stock of the damage caused in clashes between the police and rioters protesting against the additional austerity measures approved by Greek politicians on Sunday night.

They agreed to push through the cuts to secure a much-needed 130bn bailout ahead of an upcoming  and, without the aid, unaffordable  bond repayment in March. Eurozone finance ministers are scheduled to meet tomorrow and announce the terms of the new deal. The bloc's economic heavyweight Germany, however, remained cautious even after the vote.

"Now we need to wait and see what comes after the legislation," the German Economy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Philipp Rosler, said on television. "We have taken one step in the right direction but we are still far from the goal."

But before that, on Sunday night, more than 40 shops were vandalised, half were looted while marble was smashed and ripped out of building facades to use as projectiles against the authorities. A blaze also swept through the ancient Stadiou street as protesters torched stores.

"It was God," said Andreas Triandafillidis, as he attempted to explain how his 90-year-old clothes shop survived the blaze that wrecked neighbouring stores and the cinema nearby. He'll have to pay some 3,000 (2,500) for the smashed marble. Experience tells him insurance companies are unlikely to cover the cost. They reimbursed only a fifth of the damage he sustained two years ago during a protest that saw the bank next door burn down, killing four people.

Three fire engines remained on the opposite side of the block of Mr Triandafillidis's shop as firemen struggled to put out a blaze that had raged for nearly 12 hours, according to the authorities on site. "This building is close to collapse" said a fireman.

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Stunned pedestrians crowded the surrounding streets, while some took pictures of the blackened structures that until Sunday night included a glassware store and a cinema. An association of film lovers planned to stage a vigil yesterday evening in honour of the damaged cinema, which had survived the country's Nazi occupation.

The shoe shop of Panayotis Karaiskos, on the popular Ermou shopping street, was also caught in the mayhem. "We are all counting our losses; at least they didn't burn my shop," the resigned shopkeeper said.

Mr Karaiskos was forced to replace his window display after it was shattered during the protests. "I have to pay around 2,000 to 3,000 to have it replaced ... that's until they break it again."

The head of the Greek Commerce Confederation, Vassilis Korkidis lambasted the state's inability to protect the property. "The city looks bombarded," he said. "Many of the stores are so damaged they will be forced to shut and fire their staff."

Among ordinary people, signs of exasperation over Greece's lagging reforms are increasingly palpable. As politicians from Athens prepared to meet European leaders and lenders, most Greeks continued to question the benefits of the fresh round of austerity measures.

"None of the money from the bailout will go to Greece's survival. The help is to repay the lenders and the markets," said Anastasia Kotsopoulou, a psychologist and the mother of three children. "This money isn't for Greece's survival."
University at Buffalo Theatre and Dance Announces 2022 Spring Season

BUFFALO, N.Y.  Join the University at Buffalo Department of Theatre and Dance for a unique spring season of dance and drama. Nationally recognized directors and choreographers will work with esteemed faculty and emerging student talent to produce innovative original productions which both entertain and explore the human condition. The spring 2022 season represents a return to live, in-person performances at the departments home in the UB Center for the Arts, on UBs North Campus, as well as selected performances at the UB Katharine Cornell Theatre.

ZODIAQUE DANCE COMPANY Zodiaque, UBs pre-professional dance company and one of the longest lasting university groups in the country, will be back on the UB Center for the Arts Drama Theatre stage, highlighting the rich versatility and creativity of UB Dance. The 47th spring program of Zodiaque includes jazz, tap, modern, afro-fusion and contemporary dance works. The show is under the co-direction of Kerry Ring, clinical associate professor, and Michael Deeb Weaver, clinical assistant professor. Choreographers include Ring, Deeb Weaver, and dance faculty members Jenna Del Monte Zavrel, and Thomas Ralabate. Guest choreographers include Buffalo artist Megan Rakeepile and alumni Richard Ashworth and Julie LaMancuso. The show is punctuated by the contributions of professional guest choreographer Takehiro Take Ueyama, from the Take Dance Company. Live Performances:

March 11 - 12, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

March 12  13, 2022 at 2 p.m.

UB Center for the Arts

Drama Theatre

$20 Adults | $10 Students/Seniors

Tickets

CHOREOLAB Now, in its third season, ChoreoLab is a performance and choreographic research laboratory for faculty, graduate and undergraduate dance students and guest artists. Dedicated to fostering a diverse, creative environment to explore movement, ChoreoLab embraces contemporary trends, while supporting dancers and investigate the role of dance within society and culture. Under the leadership of Jenna Del Monte Zavrel, artistic director and clinical assistant professor, ChoreoLabs spring program will include thirty-three undergraduate and graduate student performers. Ariel Nereson, director of graduate dance, is creating a work to be performed by the entire MFA Dance cohort along with three undergraduate dancers, and additional collaborators from other disciplines, including MA theatre candidate Kaylie Horowitz and English PhD student Dana Venerable. Guest artists Paul Ocampo and Chien-Ying Wang of the OcampoWang Dance Company are creating a new contemporary piece for ChoreoLab during their spring 2022 residency. Hailing from Taiwan and the Philippines respectively, the pair have been making dances together since 2001. Their works have been presented in their home countries as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, China, Indonesia and the United States. Ocampo and Wong are noted for their world-embracing approach to culture. Student choreographers include Ruby Abraham, Anna Caison Boyd, Lyssie Hartzog, Melanie Kaisen and Theo. Alongside Zodiaque Dance Company, ChoreoLab provides versatile choreographic and performance opportunities for UB students that reflect the current dance landscape. Live Performances:

April 1 - 2, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

April 3, 2022 at 2 p.m.

UB Center for the Arts

Drama Theatre

$20 Adults | $10 Students/Seniors

Tickets

MFA DANCE THESIS The annual MFA Dance Thesis Concert will feature the premier of new works by MFA Dance candidates Jacqueline Cherry and Meg Kirchhoff, with performance by MFA dancers Anna Caison Boyd, Abby Cass, Natasha McCandless and Samantha Schmeer, and undergraduate dancers Gabi Marshall, Kelly Quinn, Celia Ramos and Hayley Timberlake. The faculty advisor is Ariel Nereson, assistant professor and director of graduate dance. The production showcases the culmination of Cherry and Kirchhoffs creative research from their Thesis project, a requirement for the conferral of the degree Master of Fine Arts. The concert features collaborations with media artists and the student performers. Cherrys work is a collection of thought-provoking pieces that reflect her points of view on various concepts and experiences culminating from studies in Black Feminist Thought, Sociology, Embodiment and Somatic practices. Kirchhoffs piece, which explores the physicality of responsiveness, attention and intra-activity, is supported by a Public Humanities Grant and features live music performed and composed by UB PhD candidate Thomas Little. The Master of Fine Arts in Dance is the equivalent of the PhD in a scholarly discipline and represents the synthesis of years of study and the honing of artistic sensibilities. The MFA Dance Thesis Concert is an opportunity to see new works by the next generation of doers, makers and thinkers in the field. UB Dance is built on the belief that dance is a fundamental expression of humanity with the ability to inform, reflect upon, lead, and transform local and global change in the 21st century. With close faculty mentorship and numerous opportunities to create and present work, MFA Dance students engage in advanced practical, theoretical, and critical inquiry while honing their abilities as artists, dance makers, educators, innovators, and leaders. Students create a research path that fits their interests, culminating in an MFA creative thesis project and the MFA Thesis Concert. April 8 - 9, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

UB Center for the Arts

Drama Theatre

$20 Adults | $10 Students/Seniors

Tickets

More information on the UB Dance MFA and to apply

TWELFTH NIGHT "Twelfth Night" is the story of a woman who finds herself in a world where she doesnt belong, and features characters freshly grieving the loss of cherished loved ones. We recognize ourselves in the characters, whose plights are familiar and with whom we can easily empathize. Despite the themes of loss and grief, "Twelfth Night" doesnt linger in sorrow but rather presents a world full of hope and merriment  a zany comic romp through mistaken identity, the thrill of falling in love, and the discovery of lost things found once more. The show is directed by Danielle Rosvally, clinical assistant professor. Shakespeares audiences also needed comfort. "Twelfth Night" was first performed in early 1602 and was likely written in 1600-1601. The play makes several references to plague, death, and disease, almost certainly an acknowledgment of the Bubonic plague which ravaged England in the late sixteenth/early seventeenth centuries. In 1603, it killed one fifth of Londoners. Playhouses in London were closed when weekly deaths exceeded 50 persons, including eighteen months in 1582-83, eleven months in 1593, and thirteen months in 1603-04. Between 1603 and 1613, it closed the theatre in London for a total of 78 months, or 70% of the time. Shakespeares audiences were well aware of communicable disease and the lethal potential of mass gatherings. However, the spring 2022 production of the show is inspired by the joy of returning to the theatre together to make art once more. The comedy of "Twelfth Night" links us to the audiences of that moment. The comfort and joy that can be gleaned is as relevant now as it was to early modern Londoners as we celebrate ourselves, our past and each other. The production will remix Shakespeares language with classic popular music as a nostalgic ode to the sounds of joy that, we hope, will lift the audiences spirits. Live Performances:

April 21 - 23, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

April 23 - 24, 2022 at 2 p.m.

UB CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Black Box Theatre

$20 Adults | $10 Students/Seniors

Tickets

THEATRE STUDIO ENSEMBLE: VINEGAR TOM "Vinegar Tom" was written in 1976 by British playwright Caryl Churchill, who collaborated with the feminist theatre company Monstrous Regiment after meeting some of its members at a pro-choice protest in the 1970s. Their hope was to create a play about the difficulties of womens lives in 17th century England and how women who didnt live by the mores of the time or were perceived as difficult would often be branded as witches. It was also intended as an allegory for womens lives in the 20th century. The music was composed by Helen Glavin, co-founder of Monstrous Regiment, and the show was created collaboratively over several months before its debut on Oct. 12, 1976 at the Humberside Theatre in Hull, England. The protagonist is Alice, a woman in her twenties living in a small village with her mother Joan. The pair are accused of witchcraft after an argument with their neighbors Jack and Margery. The neighbors have struggled economically and there are issues surrounding their sex life. Fearing that God is against them, Jack and Margery choose to believe that their misfortunes are the result of Joan's witchcraft, and act with malice. It is later implied that Joan's cat Vinegar Tom may have been responsible. Accusing others of witchcraft in order to shift blame towards nonconforming women, including the single, old, poor, shrewd or accomplished, was not uncommon in 17th century England, and so became a narrative theme of the time. It was another means to disempower women. "Vinegar Tom" is directed by Guest Artist Kelli Bocock-Natale. Live Performances:

April 29 - 30, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

UB Katharine Cornell Theatre

$5 All Seats

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VIOLET Violet is a musical about a young woman on a quest to right the wrongs of her past. Based on The Ugliest Pilgrim, by Doris Betts, the award-winning production travels from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to Tulsa Oklahoma in 1964. The music is by Tony Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori, known for many successful shows, including: Caroline, Or Change, Fun Home, Shrek the Musical, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Book and lyrics are by Brian Crawley. Violet features a vibrant range of American roots and gospel music that depict the journeys of the soul, including the show-stopping inspirational song Let It Sing. Violet is directed and choreographed by award-winning Guest Artist Terry Berliner. Her work has been seen on and Off Broadway, in regional theatres and universities across the country. Twenty-five years after the original production of Violet at Off Broadways Playwrights Horizons-where Ms. Berliner served as assistant director-she is thrilled to create a whole new production for UB students and audience, inspired by her knowledge of the past, while shining a bright, glorious light on our collective future. The cast and designers are students from the Department of Theatre and Dance. Musical direction is by Alison dAmato, clinical assistant professor and director of Music Theatre. The guest dramaturg for the production is Buffalo-based author and artist-filmmaker Annette Daniels Taylor, whose storytelling practice reminds audiences of forgotten histories. UB Theatre and Dances 2021-2022 season sponsors are Fox Run at Orchard Park and Lake Shore Savings Bank. We are grateful for their continued support. Live Performances:

May 5 - 7, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

May 7  8, 2022 at 2 p.m.

UB Center for the Arts

Drama Theatre

$20 Adults | $10 Students/Seniors

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Media Contact Information
SYDNEY (Reuters) - The Australian government has apologised to three women who worked for the country's most powerful court, awarding them an undisclosed settlement after they were found to have been sexually harassed by a High Court justice.

The settlement was reached almost two years after a review conducted for the court found six female staff had been sexually harassed by Dyson Heydon, who served on the High Court of Australia for a decade until 2013.

Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said in a statement on Monday the government recognised the bravery of the three women in telling their stories.

"We have listened to them and we apologise," she said.

"The Australian government takes sexual harassment seriously  harassment is unacceptable in any context."

Lawyers acting for Heydon have previously told local media he denied any allegations of predatory behaviour or unlawful acts and "if any conduct of his has caused offence, that result was inadvertent and unintended, and he apologises for any offence caused".

The 2020 statement by Heydon's lawyers noted the inquiry was conducted by a public servant and not a judge. The law firm, Speed and Stracey, didn't respond to a request for comment on Monday.

The Morrison government, which faces an election by May, has been criticised for its handling of a series of sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination cases, and opened parliament last week with an apology to staff who had suffered abuse there.

Two prominent campaigners for sexual abuse victims, former Australian of the year Grace Tame and former political staffer Brittany Higgins, who alleges she was raped in a ministerial office by another staffer, the next day said in speeches that action was needed more than words.

The three women who received the government payout worked as judges associates at the High Court, and first complained about their treatment in 2019, prompting an investigation.

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The women's lawyer, Josh Bornstein, said a non-disclosure agreement prevented discussion of the compensation amount paid by the government, but the women were relieved to finalise the claims and happy with the settlements reached.

"They have asked me to convey their strong conviction that women should not feel ashamed to pursue financial settlements in sexual harassment cases because sexual harassment will only start to recede when there is a clear recognition that it has a substantial cost to organisations and individuals who are implicated," he said in a statement.

Heydon was also an author of legal texts, including some published by Thomson Reuters, the parent company of Reuters. In 2020, the company said it was reviewing its relationship with Heydon in light of the findings.

Thomson Reuters did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham: Editing by Neil Fullick)
Baltimores Board of Estimates approved a $160,000 settlement Wednesday for a former city police officer who claimed in a lawsuit that he was retaliated against after pointing out problems with the departments marine unit.

Officer Jeffry E. Taylor, who had worked with the Baltimore Police Departments marine unit, reported that the unit was wasting resources and money and putting officers safety and city property at risk during an unnecessary salvage operation.

Taylor objected because the boat being salvaged wasnt moored or anchored illegally, so he notified a superior outside his chain of command. He alleged in a suit filed in U.S. District Court in December 2018 that he was accused of being a rat for expressing his concerns and wrongly removed from the unit.

In July 2019, City Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming found that the unit misspent more than $30,000 in 2016 to salvage a damaged boat in the Inner Harbor.

Appearing before the Board of Estimates Wednesday, city attorney Ebony Thompson said the inspector general found there was no retaliation against Taylor. A public synopsis of the inspector generals investigation does not mention a retaliation complaint, nor such a finding.

While there was no retaliation, Thompson said, the inspector general did confirm the removal of the boat was unsafe and a waste of city funds. If a fact finder were to determine Taylors First Amendment rights were violated, the city could be liable for Taylors legal costs, which already total $400,000, Thompson said.

Of course that would be tremendously more if we took this to trial, she said. While we are confident in terms of the reports that never showed retaliation, the risk of us having the fee provisions if the fact finder were to find that is great.

Taylor, who had been assigned to the marine unit since 2015, alleged that the units supervising officer, Sgt. Kurt Roepcke, ordered officers to salvage a boat identified as the Danger Zone after a resident at the Tidewater Village Apartments complained about the boat being an eyesore. The complaint alleged that the resident was an acquaintance of then-Col. Melissa Hyatt, who has since been appointed the chief of Baltimore County Police. She was not named as a defendant.

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Taylor told Roepcke that the department shouldnt get involved in a salvage operation and suggested they call a salvage company to remove the boat, the complaint said.

Despite Taylors concerns, the complaint said, the unit continued with the salvage, which ultimately damaged the boat by impaling it on a piling, causing oil, gas, and/or other dangerous liquids to contaminate the Baltimore harbor.

Cumming wrote in her report that the boat was completely destroyed, reduced to a pile of wood and fiberglass by the end of the marine units operation.

The board voted unanimously Wednesday in favor of the settlement, however Council President Nick Mosby, one of five members of the board, said the settlement highlighted an inequity between a second settlement approved Wednesday.

In that settlement, Baltimore agreed to pay $53,000 to Christian Austin, whose finger was partially amputated in 2017 when Austin was a 6-year-old participant in a city recreation program. Austin incurred nearly $12,000 in medical bills and still has limited use of the finger.

Still, Taylor is receiving three-times as much as Austin, Mosby said.

Just wondering, when do we decide to fight something like this as opposed to handing over $160,000, and how does that look as it relates to some of the other settlements weve seen with maybe clientele thats from a different socioeconomic status and maybe dont have access to certain lawyers? Mosby asked. I do consistently see an equity issue in the way we handle these settlements.

City Solicitor Jim Shea said he agreed with Mosby, and said legal requirements to pay attorney fees create an imbalance. Shea said he was willing to investigate the issue.

Baltimore Sun reporter Jessica Anderson contributed to this article.
Bel-Air may share creative DNA with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but the dramatic reboot of Will Smith's '90s sitcom is taking its inspiration from the present, not the past. The first three episodes  which are currently streaming on Peacock  feature plot threads that touch on up-to-the-minute issues within America's Black communities, including code-switching, cultural appropriation on social media and the class divide between the haves and have-nots.

One of Bel-Air's boldest pieces of social commentary, though, involves how the show was cast rather than any specific storyline. Speaking with Yahoo Entertainment, executive producer Rasheed Newson  who serves as showrunner alongside T.J. Brady  describes how the show's creative team sought to confront Hollywood's colorism problem that's previously plagued movies like Jon M. Chu's adaptation of In the Heights and such TV shows as HBO Max's Gossip Girl revival.

"We're putting a show together about a Black family," Newson explains, referring to the extended Banks clan, who welcome their West Philadelphia born-and-raised relative Will (Jabari Banks) into their lavish Bel-Air home after he runs afoul of a couple of guys who were up to no good. "These parents have to look like they, they made these children. So we had to have a very honest discussion about what complexion are Viv and Phil, and how does that manifest itself into the kids? And we chose that we're gonna have a family with a darker complexion." (Watch our interview above.)

The cast of Bel-Air; showrunner Rasheed Newson tells Yahoo Entertainment that the creative team decided to feature a Black family with a darker complexion. (Photo by: Kwaku Alston/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

The prevalence of lighter-skinned minority representation in film and television has been much discussed in the press and on social media. In fact, even before Bel-Air's debut, Twitter noted positively how the modern-day Banks family differs from their '90s counterparts.

The fact that Bel-Air has an all chocolate cast  not just dark skinned aunt Viv  Your Future Favorite Director  (@Queen_Dhat_Baby) January 12, 2022

That Bel-Air trailer is looking real good. I love that the Banks family are all dark-skinned Black people. I love the modernness of the show. I might have to get Peacock in order to watch this. pic.twitter.com/Yn0HckF2Qd  Shayla  (@shayborninmay) January 10, 2022

the bel-air reboot is majority dark skinned people, no mad bitter people can ruin this for me cause i really use to pray for times like this pic.twitter.com/8dTurjjczc  ma city (@blkmaaze) September 14, 2021

Still, those colorism conversations have been slower to happen within the industry itself. And Newson indicates that it was initially a touchy subject inside the Bel-Air offices as well. "It was one of those issues that, at first, people wanted to talk around," he remembers. "But it was like, 'Guys, if this is going to make sense, we need to confront this and we need to make a decision.'"

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Naturally, Bel-Air creator Morgan Cooper  who directed the viral 2019 short film that caught Smith's eye and inspired the series  played a key role in making that decision. "It's important for us to really interrogate some of the past biases that we've seen onscreen," he notes. "Saying like, 'This shade of Black is better than this shade just because this shade is lighter.' We're here to throw all of that nonsense out the window and say Black is beautiful, period. We don't just talk the talk, we walked the walk."

Once the creative team collectively chose to populate the Banks family with dark-skinned actors, that served as their North Star in the casting process. Adrian Holmes and Cassandra Freeman ultimately landed the roles of Philip and Vivian Banks, while Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones and Akira Akbar play their three children  Carlton, Hilary and Ashley, respectively. "It made it a very interesting way to cast because you were almost holding back to see everybody and then go, 'OK, who makes a family here?'" Newson says. "But I think it turned out very well."

Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks and Adrian Holmes as Phillip Banks in Bel-Air. (Photo by: Adam Rose/Peacock)

For their part, Holmes and Freeman are proud to be the patriarch and matriarch of a TV family that's challenging Hollywood casting conventions. "It's beautiful to see a dark-skinned Black family onscreen that's affluent, successful and thriving," Holmes says. "We want to tell a story that people can watch and say, 'Oh, that's like my family.' We're showing that it's a full spectrum of the Black experience. We need to tell more positive Black stories, and they have to be done truthfully. In order for that to happen, we have to make them ourselves... and this is an example of that."

Freeman adds that the issue of colorism will be addressed within the world of Bel-Air as well as on future episodes. "There's a whole discussion in the show about what it means to be Black and not be Black or to be white and not be white. It's important to have a nice spectrum of different sides of who we are... and it's truthful. It's not fantasy  it's just real."

Jabari Banks as Will Smith in Bel-Air. (Photo: Peacock)

Cooper says that reality sure felt an awful lot like fantasy when the real Smith's representatives called him less than a day after his Bel-Air short went viral. "I thought they were about to serve me paperwork to sue my ass," he says, laughing. Instead, they arranged a meeting with the Fresh Prince himself in Miami where Cooper pitched him turning the trailer into on a one-hour drama. "We shook hands, decided to get into business together and make it happen  and we did."

Finding the right actors to play the Banks family wasn't the creative team's only casting challenge: An even bigger task was finding the new Will Smith. Enter West Philly native, Jabari Banks, who impressed the showrunners in his first audition. But Newson admits that he still had some reservations. "I will go on record as saying that I was a little nervous, because he did not have any professional experience. He was in theater school, and I thought, "Are we going to put this show on the shoulders of someone with no credits?"

Banks says he was aware throughout the audition process that his lack of screen credits might be a dealbreaker. But he always saw the endgame in his mind's eye. "I always knew it was me," he says humbly. "I just had to lock in and believe that if there's something you want, if you ask for it the universe is going to bring it your way. That's something that I always told myself before I booked this role, and I always felt I was ready in that moment."

Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks and Banks as Will in Bel-Air. (Photo: Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

While the original Fresh Prince doesn't make a cameo appearance in Bel-Air (at least... not yet), the cast and crew says that Smith provided plenty of creative input and lent his spirit to the production. "He has his hands in every aspect of the show," says Sholotan. "He's approving scripts, and his company has put a lot of support behind us." Cooper agrees, adding that the King Richard star was always "one text away" whenever they needed him. "He's so full of wisdom and is so selfless with that wisdom. He's seen it all in this business and has [climbed] every mountaintop you can possibly imagine."

It goes without saying that Smith formed a particularly close bond with the actor who picked up the Fresh Prince crown. "He's taught me a lot," Banks confirms. "He's been telling me that it's gonna be a lot of ups and a lot of downs [in my career] and through it all to just stay grounded. I'm just so thankful to know him  he's one of of a kind, he truly is."

Watch Banks's first in-person meeting with Smith below:

And if Smith ever does have time in his busy schedule to swing by the Banks mansion, his protege already has a role in mind for him. "It'd be interesting to see him as my dad," Banks suggests. We can't wait to see that tale from Bel-Air.

Bel-Air is currently streaming on Peacock.

 Video produced by Jen Kucsak and edited by John Santo
President Biden speaks from the White House





President Biden is using the fourth anniversary of the fatal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., to press Congress to enact measures aimed at reducing gun violence in the U.S.

Biden said in a statement on Monday that Congress "must do much more" in its effort to combat violent crime in the country, including requiring background checks on gun sales, prohibiting assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and removing legal immunity for gun manufacturers.

The president also said he has asked Congress to approve a budget that allocates $5 billion more "for proven strategies we know reduce violent crime" and requested more funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals.

"We can never bring back those we've lost. But we can come together to fulfill the first responsibility of our government and our democracy: to keep each other safe," Biden wrote. "For Parkland, for all those we've lost, and for all those left behind, it is time to uphold that solemn obligation."

Fourteen students and three educators died in the shooting at the Florida high school on Feb. 14, 2018.

Nikolas Cruz, who was a 19-year-old student at the school at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to all charges related to the shooting in October.

The incident, which was the deadliest high school shooting in the country, sparked the March for Our Lives movement, a youth-led push for ending gun violence.

The issue, however, has stalled in Congress.

Democrats looked to enact gun control legislation last year after a fatal school shooting in Michigan in November, an effort that was ultimately stopped by Senate Republicans.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in December blocked a request to proceed to legislation the House passed in March to expand background checks, again stopping Democrats from moving forward on the issue.

Biden on Monday said his administration "stands with those working to end this epidemic of gun violence." He said he has proposed a plan to reduce gun crime by stopping the spread of ghost guns and increasing scrutiny of gun dealers that breach laws. He also said his administration's plan includes "issuing model extreme risk protection order legislation for states, and promoting safe firearm storage, among other efforts."

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The president also said the country mourns with families in Parkland "whose lives were upended in an instant; who had to bury a piece of their soul deep in the earth."

"We pray too for those still grappling with wounds both visible and invisible. And, as we remember those lost in Parkland, we also stand with Americans in every corner of our country who have lost loved ones to gun violence or had their lives forever altered by a shooting, in tragedies that made headlines and in ones that did not," he added.

At least 136 incidents involving guns being fired on school grounds were reported between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, The Associated Press noted, citing a tally from nonprofit organization Everytown for Gun Safety.

Updated at 8:59 a.m.
Cielito Vivas is a Philadelphia-born-and-raised photographer with, as she puts it, a name most people can't pronounce (it's /sh'leetow/). This past Christmas season, she photographed the Chocolate Ballerina Company (CBC), which put on an all-Black performance of The Nutcracker, a historic first in Philadelphia. The company's founder and artistic director, Chanel Holland, was a dancer herself, and her experience in the dance world led her to strike out on her own.

I walked into an institution where I had been accepted as a member of the corps de ballet," Holland said in a 2019 interview with Philadelphia Dance. "I guess because of the way I was dressed  my swag personality  they thought I was lost and looked at me like I was in the wrong place. I showed them my acceptance letter, took off my Adidas pants, and put on my pointe shoes. I was the only Black girl. And it didnt matter to them, but it mattered to me. I walked out of that rehearsal and cried. Holland founded her company in 2017 to offer free lessons, leotards, and rehearsals to empower and support young ballet dancers in Philadelphia.

While ballet has seen more prominent dancers of color in recent years, having a group of talented Black ballerinas take on a dance as historically white as The Nutcracker is still a groundbreaking feat. Holland's The Nutcracker...Dipped in Chocolate performed a sold-out show this past Christmas. The CBC will continue holding lessons and planning future performances.

The organization not only supports young artists and dancers, but it encourages and inspires the community through dance. Vivas was there for the rehearsals and the performance to capture the grace and the beauty of the experience.

How did you find the Chocolate Ballerina Company?

Im from Philadelphia, and I learned about the Chocolate Ballerina Company from social media and the local news showcasing The NutcrackerDipped in Chocolate. Once I heard about it, my sister and I grabbed tickets for us and our mom. As I learned more about the dance company and what they were doing for the community, I knew I had to find a way and share their story. Their goal is to help break down some of the common barriers to entry into ballet. I wanted to support their organization by attending their show and then reached out to the founders, Chanel Holland and Jean E. Pierre, to see if I could showcase the company.

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What was the experience like photographing them?

Watching Chanel direct, Jean helping out behind the scenes, teachers uplifting the children, and parents volunteering backstage to help things run smoothly was amazing to watch. So many children and adults of all ages were working together to put on a performance that would ultimately be a big moment for Philly. I knew how important it was to see all the brown ballet shoes and tights since there once was a time when only pink shoes and white tights were available. The experience was inspiring.

What do you hope people will take from this work?

I hope this creates buzz for the Chocolate Ballerina Company. What Chanel Holland does for the community and the city of Philadelphia is monumental. I really admire people who give back, especially ones associated with the arts. Its so important. I hope that this work allows others to learn about the dance company and helps them find ways to contribute.

What was the audience like, and what was the performance like?

The show presented a Tchaikovsky and Balanchine holiday classic with a twist. Classic technique mixed with music from Brazil, Egypt, and West Africa along with stilt dancing, gymnastics, and acrobatics. The energy in the audience fed off of the performances. The mix of skill level made the show interesting and gave a different perspective. The more advanced dancers were incredible to watch. You could really tell how passionate they were about dancing. For the younger and first-time dancers, it was intriguing to watch their bravery. I was a pretty shy kid and remembered how intimidating it was to be in front of a large group of people. The two shows were sold out. The theater held 400-plus people!

What did you like about this project? What do you want to do more of?

I liked the energy that the Chocolate Ballerina Company brought out of me. It recharged me as a creative and a Philly native. It was great to be home and was motivating to watch. I hope to do more work that interacts with communities where I can use my camera as a tool to help share their story.

As a photographer, what are your goals for 2022?

I made my 2022 word of the year momentum. My main goal is to keep going. I want to be able to tell the important stories that exist in communities everywhere that educate, inform, and inspire for how we need to think about being in this world now. Photography is not only my main form of income, but it is also how I see the world and interact with others. I hope to keep them all intertwined without burning out.

Photography has also helped me stay connected to loved ones Ive lost. I lost my father nearly a decade ago. Im currently working on a personal project that he inspired. The photo series connects first-generation Americans with their immigrant parents through cooking. This year, Id love to find more subjects to feature and simply to keep going.
Russia tests its truck-mounted 122mm multiple rocket launcher in the Murmansk - EPN/Newscom / Avalon

Boris Johnson has urged Vladimir Putin to step back from the brink as he insisted there was still a window of opportunity to avoid war in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister will speak to world leaders from Monday and travel to countries in Europe later this week, as he seeks to unite Western allies against the threat of Russian invasion.

On Sunday, Downing Street said the UK believes Moscow could invade Ukraine at any moment, as commercial airlines began cancelling flights and neighbouring Poland warned of an impending refugee crisis.

It comes as Ukraine's ambassador to the UK said the country could consider dropping its ambition to join Nato to avoid war.

Vadym Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5 that the country, which he said was being threatened and blackmailed, would consider "serious concessions" including removing the goal of joining the Nato alliance from the Ukrainian constitution.

Whitehall sources said the UK was determined to play a leading role in shaping the Wests reaction to Mr Putins aggression, amid concern that Britain was too absent after Moscows illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Downing Street reiterated Britains fears that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would have disastrous consequences for both parties.

A Number 10 spokesman added: There is still a window of opportunity for de-escalation and diplomacy, and the Prime Minister will continue to work tirelessly alongside our allies to get Russia to step back from the brink.

Mr Johnson will focus on engagement with the Nordic and Baltic nations, with whom Britain has strong defence links. He is now receiving daily briefings from security chiefs on the growing mass of Russian forces around the periphery of Ukraine.

Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, is meanwhile launching daily war councils, with input from intelligence chiefs and senior diplomats from Britains embassies in Kyiv and Moscow.

She will also travel to Europe this week and plans to give a keynote speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, addressing the Ukraine security crisis broader implications for global security.

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A Foreign Office source said: Britain has helped lead international work on the crisis and Liz sees that as hugely important. We were too absent during Crimea in 2014, which she sees as a mistake that we cant repeat and arent repeating.

The UK is putting the final touches to a new package of sanctions on Russian strategic interests, which will be ready to be levied at short notice if Moscow advances an attack.

Russian diplomats laughed off such warnings, however. "Excuse my language, but we don't give a s about all their sanctions," Viktor Tatarintsev, Russia's ambassador to Sweden, said in an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. He argued that the more the West pushes Russia, the stronger the Russian response will be.

It came amid signs of division among Nato allies, as Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, suggested there was a "whiff of Munich in the air" about current diplomatic efforts - referring to the appeasement of Nazi Germany that failed to prevent the Second World War.

The remarks were interpreted by some as a barb at Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, who have faced criticism in recent weeks for adopting a conciliatory approach towards Russia.

Mr Wallace faced a rebuke for the remarks from Mr Prystaiko, who said it was not the best time for us to offend our partners in the world, reminding them of this act which actually [did not bring] peace but the opposite, it brought war".

The diplomat added that panic is spreading in peoples minds, as well the financial markets, causing harm to Ukraines economy.

A source close to the Defence Secretary insisted his comments were intended to mean that if Mr Putin strikes come what may, then all the diplomacy would have been a straw man, rather than being aimed at any European allies.

Mr Wallace also disclosed that the worsening situation in Ukraine had prompted him to return from a family holiday overseas. Dominic Raab, the former foreign secretary, faced criticism for holidaying on the beach while Kabul fell to the Taliban last summer.

The Defence Secretary, who has warned that a Russian attack is highly likely, will head to Brussels for a two-day meeting with his Nato counterparts on Wednesday.

The UK has not abandoned hope that Moscow will de-escalate its military presence on Ukraines borders. Over the weekend, the Russian Embassy in London cited remarks by Sergey Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, tweeting:

FM #Lavrov: After Russian troops finish drills and return to barracks, West will declare 'diplomatic victory' by having 'secured' Russian 'de-escalation'. Predictable scenario and cheap domestic political points. pic.twitter.com/S58RcmsetA  Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) February 12, 2022

A senior UK Government source suggested the comments could be interpreted as an attempt by the Kremlin to roll the pitch for a climbdown from a full-blown invasion.

Another Cabinet minister highlighted Anglo-American divisions with Germany over a Russian gas pipe to the continent. We have very strong, different views to some of our allies around Nord Stream [2], Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, told Times Radio on Sunday. London and Washington have pushed for a more robust line on blocking the pipeline if Russia presses ahead with an invasion.

On Monday, Mr Scholz will launch a last-ditch effort to pull Russia back from the brink of war as he heads to Kyiv for talks with the president of Ukraine, and then on to Moscow to meet Mr Putin on Tuesday.

However Mr Scholz was embroiled in a diplomatic spat with Ukraine before he had even set foot in the country.

Earlier on Sunday, Ukraine's ambassador to Berlin lashed out at German "hypocrisy" over its refusal to provide so-called lethal aid, such as weapons and jets to help fight against Russia.

Andrij Melnyk furiously accused Germany of double standards in response to a German newspaper report which suggested that Berlin was indirectly providing goods with potential military use to Russia, at the same time as withholding arms to Ukraine:

German Hypocrisy

NO weapons for Ukraines self-defence against Russian military invasion

BUT

 366 million  (!) exports of dual-use goods to Russia in 2020 alone which can be destined to boost weapons production (Nr. 4 on export list). Irrespective of EU santions https://t.co/LsxfSw7wUI  Andrij Melnyk (@MelnykAndrij) February 13, 2022

He was reacting to a report in Die Welt newspaper on Sunday, which revealed that German authorities granted close to 700 licences for so-called dual use exports to Russia in 2020.

In his strongest intervention yet on the risk of war, Mr Scholz said that the Russia-Ukraine crisis posed a "very, very serious threat to peace in Europe.

He added: "Ukraine can be certain that well show necessary solidarity, just as we have done in the past.

According to German reports, Mr Scholz may offer Ukraine significant financial aid when he meets Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, in Kyiv.

In a call with Mr Zelensky, Joe Biden also "made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine".

On Sunday, Mr Zelensky invited Mr Biden to visit Ukraine "in the coming days". However, US officials told CNN that was "extremely unlikely".

Earlier, Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, said he could not confirm reports that Russia may invade as soon as Wednesday. "We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin - a major military action could begin - by Russia in Ukraine any day now, he said. That includes this coming week before the end of the Olympics.

Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, holds a weapon during a basic combat training for Ukrainian civilians

The US, Germany and the Netherlands have announced plans to move some diplomatic functions from Kyiv, in central Ukraine, to Lviv, which is around 500km to the west. Australia and Canada said they would move their embassies out of Kyiv entirely, amid fears of an assault on the capital.

European leaders are meanwhile planning to draft Britain back into the fold of major foreign policy discussions after Brexit, by asking the UK to lead a new security organisation aimed at tackling future geopolitical challenges. Germany, the Netherlands and Poland are drawing up proposals for a European Security Council.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has issued two decrees to drive gold prospecting with a focus on the Amazon rainforest, according to the texts published Monday in the official gazette.

The Program to Support Development of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining created by one decree aims to strengthen policies and stimulate best practices, according to the text. The Amazon will be the priority region for the development of works, it says.

The other alters existing laws and regulations, for example requiring the nation's mining regulator to establish simplified criteria for the analysis of permit requests for prospecting.

The measures spurred outrage from environmental and Indigenous rights groups, which warned they would exacerbate the illegal destruction of the world's largest tropical rainforest and pollution of its waterways with mercury, used to separate gold.

They run opposite to what the federal government should be doing, Larissa Rodrigues, portfolio manager for an environmental think tank Choices Institute, said by phone. There is enormous illegality circulating in the chain that is measurable. The government should be concerned about controlling that chain and not giving more stimulus to it.

Bolsonaro has been an outspoken champion of mining the Amazon since his presidential campaign in 2018, promising to unearth the rainforest's vast mineral wealth. In doing so, he garnered vast support from prospectors. He is widely expected to run for reelection in October.

Nongovernment organizations have been sounding the alarm about how both the president's comments and the reduction of environmental oversight during his term have emboldened illegal miners and spurred a gold rush, wreaking vast damage where they work.

But Bolsonaro, the son of a prospector himself, has been unmoved. He characterizes prospecting as one of the few alternatives available to people living in a vast, poor region with few opportunities.

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Prospecting represents elevated potential for the generation of wealth and income for a population of hundreds of thousands of people, according to a statement from the secretary general of the presidency.

An Associated Press investigation last month found that illegal landing strips and unauthorized airplanes have helped prospectors carry out tons of gold mined on Indigenous lands. The gold ends up in the hands of brokers, some of whom are under investigation by authorities for receiving gold from illegal mining  facilitated by a widespread lack of traceability. The gold is refined in Sao Paulo before becoming part of the global supply chain.

Rodrigues' Choices Institute released a study last week that found 229 tons of gold with indications of illegality were sold from 2015 to 2020, or roughly half of national production  most of which originated in the Amazon. The study was based on the analysis of more than 40,000 sale records and satellite images of production sites.

Rodrigues added that the simplification of the mining regulator's permit process could usher in a wave of new requests or clearing of the agency's backlog of requests, causing complete lack of control.

One of the decrees creates a multiagency commission charged with developing policies to foment what it terms artisanal mining, and which it says will be sustainable.

However, most gold prospecting in the Amazon is far from artisanal, employing generators and heavy machinery for digging trenches and dredging rivers.

Beto Marubo, an Indigenous leader in the Javari Valley, a remote region of Brazil bordering Peru, said on Twitter that the decree represents another incentive for the destruction of the rivers, the forests, the life in our communities.
CALIFORNIA  A new working paper argued last month that stay-home orders or "lockdowns" during the COVID-19 pandemic did little to save lives.

The analysis, written by economists, argued that such orders imposed "enormous economic and social costs." The paper reawakened a long running lockdown debate after it was shared by Johns Hopkins University last month.

The study is not yet peer reviewed has drawn backlash from the medical community.



A handful of conservative-leaning media outlets reported on the study, while most mainstream media did not.

Patch asked readers to share their opinions about the study in a recent non-scientific survey and respondents were pretty evenly split on whether stay-home orders helped save lives.

READ ALSO: CA Study Finds COVID-19 Lockdowns Ineffective: Experts Weigh In

We asked readers: Do you think "lockdown" or California's stay-at-home orders, mask rules and business closures helped save lives during the height of the pandemic?

45.9 percent said "no"

47.8 percent said "yes"

6.3 percent said "not sure"

The survey  which drew more than 1,600 voters and appeared in questionnaire form this week on Patch  is meant not to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.



In the early days of the pandemic and before COVID-19 vaccines were available, businesses across the Golden State were forced to close their doors to stop the spread.

We asked readers: Do you think the state should have allowed businesses to stay open before there were vaccines available?

28.7 percent said "no"

58.5 percent said "yes"

12.9 percent said "not sure"

The study, titled "A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Lockdowns on COVID-19 Mortality," was authored by Steve Hanke, a professor at Johns Hopkins and director of the Troubled Currencies Project at the Cato Institute; Jonas Herby, a special adviser at the Center for Political Studies in Copenhagen; and Lars Jonung, a Lund University economist.

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The three economists aimed to determine whether lockdowns reduced deaths caused by COVID-19. Lockdowns in the study were defined as a combination of stay-at-home orders, social distancing and mask-wearing.



But experts have criticized the authors for the methods they used to weigh in on a public health issue.

"Shame on these authors to try and pass something on as scientific research when it is a polemic about their personal political views,"Dr. John Swartzberg, a professor of vaccinology and infectious disease at the University of California, Berkeley told Patch. "It's hard enough to advance our knowledge about this pandemic and how to manage it. Screed like this serves only to confuse our understanding and stall progress."



Alternatively, Dr. Timothy Brewer, a professor of infectious disease at the University of California, Los Angeles told Patch: "There is no reason to discount it because it was done by economists, just as there is no reason to rank studies  as the authors do  based on whether they were done by social scientists (mainly economists) or not."

We asked readers: Would you question the validity of their research?

50.2 percent said "yes"

34.9 percent said "no"

14.9 percent said "not sure"

Both Brewer and Swartzberg pointed out that the researchers excluded other studies and data that showed lockdowns did slow the rapid spread of COVID-19 and prevent deaths.

"Overall it is not a bad study, but much data gets excluded by their inclusion criteria," Brewer said.

The authors used a systematic search and screening procedure to identify 18,590 studies, but only 24 studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis, the researchers said.

"That is not so unusual, but does raise the question of what the non-included information" said, Brewer said. "The study only looks at effects on COVID-19 deaths, not COVID-19 case numbers, hospitalizations or other potentially important outcomes."

We asked readers to share additional thoughts on the study:

This is both a medical and economic issue. Not to include data from medical research creates doubt in my mind about the validity of this information and the agenda of the authors.



Mandates are not ethical. Imposing executive orders without legislative approval for long durations is authoritarian and no place in a true democracy.

I think the Omicron wave is a good indicator of the potential damage the earlier waves would have caused had societal disruptions not been placed.

Economists cannot have a valued opinion on a public health issue.



The lockdowns caused more chaos and havoc to our economy which created higher suicide rates. Also hundreds if not thousands of families went hungry.



May have helped, however at the same time, destroyed businesses and the economy at the same time. And now this vaccine which isn't a vaccine it is a shot being forced. It should be a choice. This is differant then other. It hasn't had enough research done yet.

Masking and personal distancing could have been implemented to prevent business from closing. I dont give a lot of weight to this working paper from a medical perspective, but agree full closure for months hurt businesses. Even now, many still wear masks when going out to prevent illness, so we probably couldve done this all along. Hindsight doesnt help the past, but we can use this knowledge going forward.



Now that we have vaccines, I feel it should be more open. Give people options.



The lockdowns were destructive to people's lives, finances, and well-being. Thousands of businesses have closed forever due to them. And the people who still swear by the lockdowns are in complete denial.



The authors are economists not medical experts.



Disgusting attempt to pass off [expletive] as science.

I do not believe we can make this determination. COVID is still new. Maybe not shutter for so long - protocols were needed until we knew more. In-Person learning should have returned quicker. However we did the right thing for our Seniors and those more at risk.



[Lockdowns were] necessary. Nobody knew what to do at that time.



This article originally appeared on the San Diego Patch
By David Randall

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Seven state government employee pension funds including CalPERS, the largest U.S. pension plan, took stakes in electric vehicle startup Rivian Automotive Inc in the quarter that ended Dec. 31, according to securities filings released Monday.

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System were among the seven as well as pension funds for Utah, Colorado, North Carolina and Wisconsin, according to data from fund tracker WhaleWisdom.

CalPERS, which has approximately $492 billion under management, bought slightly more than 305,000 shares in the company, while the $191 billion Teacher Retirement System of Texas fund took a position of about 33,000 shares in the company.

The moves illustrate a greater appetite for risk among U.S. pension funds as they continue to face funding gaps despite U.S. equity market gains since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Overall, the average pension plan's funded ratio - a measure of assets compared with liabilities - remains below 75%, according to sovereign investor specialist Global SWF.

Shares of Rivian popped nearly 10% on Monday after the disclosure last week that several prominent investors including billionaire George Soros and hedge fund Tiger Global added shares in the company last quarter.

As of Friday's close, shares of Rivian were down 43% for the year to date. At their Monday afternoon trading price near $64.75, shares of the company remain 64% below the high of $179.46 on Nov. 16, less than a week after the company raised $12 billion in the largest stock debut of 2021.

The filings, known as 13-fs, are backward looking and do not disclose whether a firm has sold or added to its position since the end of December.

(Reporting by David Randall; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Campus News

One World Cafe cuisine receives rave reviews at Tasting Tuesday

Speech and hearing science student Mirina Rosen gives this dish her enthusiastic approval!

Looks like it's worthy of a social media post!

The dishes are drawing quite the crowd!

Also available was feta lamb and beef kabobs, topped with a spicy chili sauce.

This past Tuesday's sample was falafel topped with a dill sauce and tumeric rice.

Executive Chef Neal Plazio (left) and Kari Foster are ready to share the deliciousness.

Samples of new menu items will be available every Tuesday through the end of March.

By JAY REY

One World Cafe is quickly becoming a favorite spot on campus for seating and meeting at all hours of the day, but you might want to be around on Tuesday afternoons.

Thats when Campus Dining & Shops has Tasting Tuesdays, offering free samples of some of the international dishes that will be on the menu when food service begins at the new international eatery in the spring.

Those attending the first tasting on Feb. 8 sampled falafel with dill sauce and feta lamb and beef kabab with spicy chili sauce, both with turmeric rice.

Delicious, said sophomore Gisselle Campoverde. I really like it.

I also liked it, said sophomore Eileen Luna. The rice is really good.

Construction at One World wrapped up in January and UB opened the seating area for use when students returned for the spring semester. Its already become a popular hub for students to gather and study.

Luna and Campoverde described the new building as amazing and sophisticated, a place that will help alleviate congestion at the Student Union.

Jack Marso and Alex Berger showed up to enjoy the samples, as well, but getting together at One World has become a daily routine for the two freshmen.

I like it, Berger said. Theres a lot more seats. Its wide open. Its just a nice place to hang out.

Food service will begin at One World later in the spring, when two of the five food stations are scheduled to open: Kali Orexi, serving foods from Middle Eastern countries, Turkey and Greece, and Tikka Table, offering fare from the different regions of India.

In the meantime, Tasting Tuesdays will continue, starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays in February and early March, said Eric Blackledge, executive director of Campus Dining & Shops.

The chefs did a good job  very well received from the moment they started sampling. Everyone is enjoying it, Blackledge said.

Whats next week? he asked Executive Chef Neal Plazio.

Butter chicken, Plazio said.

Campus Dining & Shops also will host Touring Thursdays this month, when small groups of up to 15 people will get a behind-the-scenes-tour of One World Cafe. No reservations are needed. Those interested can meet at the One World fireplace at 1:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. on Thursdays.
Feb. 14JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  A former Philadelphia man shot in the Hornerstown section of Johnstown early Saturday died from multiple gunshot wounds, investigators said.

The Cambria County Coroner's Office has ruled the death of Terrell Green, 41, a homicide.

Green was transported to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center by 7th Ward Ambulance after responders found him in Hornerstown. He was pronounced dead of his injuries at 3:48 a.m., Cambria County Coroner Jeffrey Lees said.

Green was a Philadelphia resident until moving to the Johnstown area about a year ago, according to Lees and Cambria County District Attorney Gregory Neugebauer, who issued a joint release to media on Saturday.

Investigators have not indicated what prompted the shooting, but, "based on the information we currently have, it is not believed that this was a random incident," Neugebauer told The Tribune-Democrat.

He said Johnstown police detectives are "aggressively investigating" the homicide.

Neugebauer said the police department has been in constant contact with his office since the shooting was reported on the 900 block of Ash Street, but additional details cannot be released as of Sunday evening due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

No charges have been filed as of Sunday evening.

"Anyone with information regarding this matter may make an anonymous tip by contacting JPD by texting 'JPD' to 847411," Neugebauer said.

Online tips can also be submitted at cityofjohnstownpa.net/tip411-submit-a-tip, or by calling the Cambria County non-emergency number at 814- 472-2100, investigators said.

According to Lees, Green's death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy by ForensicDx in Windber.

All three of the city's confirmed shootings in 2022 have occurred in the Hornerstown neighborhood.

One was a New Year's Day homicide that claimed the life of a 19-year-old Ferndale-area woman.

Jaydin Sanderson was found dead inside her Chevrolet sedan early that morning, police said. Investigators are still investigating the case.

On Monday, a man in his 50s was struck by gunfire near the intersection of Bedford and Horner streets and taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, but refused treatment and left the hospital, police have said.
(Reuters) -The Canadian province of Ontario said it will speed up its plan to remove proof-of-vaccination requirements and lift pandemic-related capacity limits for many businesses while the western province of Alberta ended its mask requirements for school children on Monday.

The moves, which the provinces' premiers attributed to a waning Omicron wave, comes as protesters opposed to pandemic measures closed three border crossings with the United States and paralyzed parts of Ottawa for three weeks.

Ontario, Canada's most populous province, said coronavirus infections peaked last month and new hospitalizations have been declining week over week, signalling that the worst of the Omicron variant-driven COVID-19 wave was over.

The province had eased some capacity limits on Jan. 31 and had previously planned to remove COVID-related curbs in gradual phases on Feb. 21 and March 14.

It will now lift the so-called vaccine passports system on March 1 and remove capacity limits, including on restaurants and bars, on Thursday. Businesses may still choose to continue to require such proof, the province said, and masks will continue to be required.

"Given how well Ontario has done in the Omicron wave we are able to fast-track our reopening plan," Premier Doug Ford said.

The province will also start allowing sporting events and concert venues to fill 50% of seating capacity.

In Alberta, students will no be longer required to wear masks in schools as of Monday. Last week, the province also ended its vaccine passport system and removed some capacity limits for small venues.

"The threat of COVID-19 to public health no longer outweighs the hugely damaging impact of health restrictions on our society, on people's mental health, on their emotional wellbeing, on our broader social health," Premier Jason Kenney said on Feb. 8.

"So now is the time to begin learning to live with COVID."

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Bengaluru and Steve Scherer in Ottawa; Editing by Amran Abocar and Bernadette Baum)
An Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer directs a truck through congestion as anti-vaccine mandate protesters demonstrate on Highway 15 near the Pacific Highway Border Crossing on the US-Canada border in Surrey, British Columbia on February 12, 2022. (Photo by JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images

Canadian police say they arrested 11 protesters with weapons and ammunition on Monday.

The individuals arrested were said to "have a willingness to use force against the police."

Police also seized body armor, a machete, and high-capacity magazines during a search.

A Canadian police department on Monday said officers arrested 11 protesters who had "a willingness to use force against the police" during ongoing anti-vaccine mandate demonstrations.

Alberta province's Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or RCMP, said in a statement on Twitter that it became aware of a "small organized group" within a protest at Coutts, a small village along Canada's border with Montana.

"The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade," The RCMP said, adding there was an immediate investigation to determine "extent of the threat."

During a Monday morning search on trailers associated with the group, RCMP said it arrested the group and found a collection of weapons.

RCMP said it seized 13 long guns, an undisclosed number of handguns, body armor, a machete, ammunition, and high-capacity magazines.

"The Alberta RCMP will resume efforts to end the illegal blockade which has prevented access to the Coutts border," the agency said.

Canada's "Freedom Convoy" trucker protests have caused major disruption across the country, causing gridlock in the capital city of Ottawa and shutting down or disrupting key US border crossings.

A major bridge connecting the US and Canada reopened on Sunday, however, after Canadian police arrested protesters and towed a handful of vehicles blocking the crossing, Insider previously reported.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Chinese lunar sample return mission Change-5 is recovered in Inner Mongolia in December, 2020. (AFP via Getty Images)

Planetary scientists may soon have a better yardstick for measuring the evolution of the Moon, following a new study that fills in gaps in the record of meteor impacts on the Moon.

A team of Chinese scientists used data from Change-5 lander, Chinas first lunar sample return mission, to fill in gaps in the lunar geologic record and update the chronological models scientists use to study the Moons evolution that previously relied on Apollo and other 1970s era sample missions. The study was published Monday in a letter in the journal Nature Astronomy.

While the new models do not dramatically change scientists understanding of the Moon, they will help researchers to more precisely date lunar events. And because the impact chronology of the Moon has been extrapolated to other bodies in the Solar System, these results have important implications for the chronology and impact history of the inner Solar System, the study authors write in the letter.

Existing lunar chronology models, such as the Neukem model, show a steep, exponential decrease in the rate of impacts resulting in craters of 1 kilometre in diameter on the Moon prior to 3 billion years ago, and a nearly steady rate of such impacts after that time.

But with the new Change-5 data, the researchers model shows a slightly higher rate of impacts from around 3.1 To 3.9 billion years ago. The new model and older models are nearly identical from 3.1-billion-years ago until today, and the biggest differences are no greater than 1.2 billion years. Overall, it suggests older ages for most impacts than previously believed, without changing the overall picture of the Moons history.

The updated model confirms the general pattern of the Neukum model and improves the dating precision, particularly in the period of the gap in lunar samples, said Kaichang Di, a scientist focusing on remote sensing and mapping at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and lead author of the letter.

Existing models of lunar impact chronology are primarily based on the samples taken by Nasas Apollo missions and the Luna missions of the former Soviet Union. Change-5, which landed on the Moon on 1 December, 2020, and returned samples to Earth on 16 December, 2020, was the first sample return mission to the Moon since Luna 24 in 1976.

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Although immensely helpful to lunar scientists, the Apollo and Luna samples did not contain any material dating from about 1 billion to 3 billion years ago, leaving a gap of almost half the Moons history in the lunar chronology models.

Chang'e-5 landed in the Moons Northern Oceanus Procellarum, an area of the Moon characterized by younger volcanic activity and thus rocks and regolith dating to around 2 billion years ago, right in the temporal gap in Apollo and Luna samples. Using a drill and scooping mechanism, Change-5 collected almost two kilograms of material to return to Earth for analysis at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The new findings will not cause a paradigm shift but are more akin to developing a more precise ruler for measuring the dates of episodes in the Moons evolution, and that of other planetary bodies.

As the chronology models of other rocky bodies were extended from the lunar chronology model by consideration of the differences in their impacting rate, impact velocity, gravity, etc, Dr. Kaichang said, The updated lunar chronology model, if extended to other bodies using the same principles previously used, will result in the same effect as for the Moon  i.e., same pattern but slightly older ages.

China will launch another sample return mission to the Moon, Change-6, sometime in 2024, and is currently exploring the far side of the Moon with the Yutu-2 rover. The Chinese lunar exploration program ultimately calls for the construction of a permanent research station at the Moons South pole sometime in the 2030s.
A Columbus man that federal agents call a major drug distributor in Georgia and Alabama has pleaded guilty to a criminal charge stemming from a law enforcement operation that seized over $1 million in drugs in 2020.

Brandon Juwan Jones, 37, faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine after pleading guilty to possessing methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Clay Land set Jones sentencing for May 10 at the federal building downtown.

Court documents alleged multiple U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sources in 2019 identified Jones as a major methamphetamine distributor in the Columbus area.

In the months that followed, agents tracked Jones and had undercover officers buy drugs from him, before law enforcement agencies executed multiple search warrants on various properties associated with Jones in January 2020.

Working with local sheriffs investigators, authorities on Jan. 28, 2020, seized methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, cash, and multiple firearms and ammunition, they said. During a news conference two days later, they said they initially had charged Jones with two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine and one count of trafficking in heroin.

Charged with Jones in 2020 was a second suspect, Santiago Rosales, who was indicted a year ago for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Authorities said Rosales currently is on the loose, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

In announcing Jones guilty plea on Monday, authorities said he admitted the drugs were his, and told officers he knew his arrest was imminent, having been tipped that he was under investigation.

According to the facts cited in Jones plea agreement, authorities in 2020 searched Jones east Columbus home on Mitchell Ridge Drive and found the convicted felon had a rifle and two handguns under his bed and $10,400 cash in two dresser drawers. In a GMC Yukon parked outside, officers found almost four kilograms of meth and 12 ounces of heroin, the document said.

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Agents arrested Jones at a downtown Veterans Parkway motel, where they seized 32 grams of meth, 58 grams of marijuana and $5,143 in cash in his room, plus 36 grams of meth in a rented Dodge Ram truck parked outside, the plea agreement said.

Jones previous felony convictions included trafficking methamphetamine, selling methamphetamine, having a firearm during a crime, receiving stolen property and bribing a government officer.

Besides the DEA, the agencies involved included the Muscogee County Sheriffs Office and the Harris County Sheriffs Office in Georgia, and the Lee County Sheriffs Office in Alabama.
Rep. Kurt Schrader, a Democrat from Oregon. Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call

56 members of Congress have violated the STOCK Act with late or missing disclosures.

Schrader's late disclosures come as lawmakers debate whether to ban lawmakers from trading stocks.

Congressional leaders from both parties say they're open to a stock-trade ban, but obstacles remain.

Amid a pitched debate on Capitol Hill whether to ban lawmakers from trading stocks, another member of Congress  Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader of Oregon  has improperly disclosed corporate stock trades in violation of a federal conflicts-of-interest law.

Combined, Schrader sold up to $30,000 worth of shares in Charter Communications Inc. and insurance giant AON PLC on December 9 and December 14, respectively. But he didn't disclose the sales, as required by the STOCK Act, until early February  days after a 45-day deadline for doing so, according to an Insider review of congressional financial records.

A late stock trade disclosure filed in 2022 by Rep. Kurt Schrader, a Democrat of Oregon, with the Clerk of the House. US House of Representatives

Schrader joins 55 other members of Congress and at least 182 senior aides who have in recent months violated the federal Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012, having failed to disclose stock transactions or other personal financial information within federally mandated deadlines, according to Insider's "Conflicted Congress" investigation.

Insider's "Conflicted Congress" project also found dozens of examples of members of Congress holding stock in companies that clash with their public responsibilities or stated orthodoxies or sat on committees that directly oversee the activities of companies in which they hold shares.

Schrader's office acknowledged the tardy disclosure, although spokesperson Molly Prescott said the congressman does not have "any direct involvement in investment decisions as it relates to the purchase or sale of stocks." Prescott said a "financial advisory practice" independently makes stock trade decisions on Schrader's behalf, but would not provide the practice's name.

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Federal records indicate that Schrader is one of Congress' more active traders, having purchased or sold dozens of individual stocks during the past year, including those of Apple Inc., Home Depot, Microsoft Corp., defense contractor Northrop Grumman, and Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group.

"The congressman is not consulted in advance, nor does he make any suggestions or recommendations on any stock transactions," Prescott said. "The congressman receives a report at the start of each month informing him of any transactions that took place in the previous month."

Congressional records indicate that Schrader has not formed what's known as a "qualified blind trust." The Senate Select Committee on Ethics describes this independently managed, publicly disclosed financial arrangement as Congress' "most comprehensive approach" to "eliminate conflicts of interests and the appearance of them."

Schrader's stock ban stance unclear

Now in his 7th term, Schrader sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Communications and Technology Subcommittee, which has broad jurisdiction over electronic communications. He also sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health.

The congressman's office declined to answer questions about whether his investments in Charter Communications, a diversified communications company, and AON PLC, which provides health insurance products, pose a conflict of interest with his committee responsibilities.

Prescott likewise would not comment on whether Schrader supports or opposes banning all federal lawmakers, and potentially their immediate family members, from trading stocks  an idea that's attracted significant bipartisan support in recent weeks.

"Congressman Schrader strongly believes that bad actors who engage in insider trading must be held to account," Prescott said. "There are existing laws to prevent this illegal, unethical behavior, and he believes Congress must do a better job at enforcing them. His stance on this matter is clear  no one is above the law."

A stock trade disclosure filed in 2021 by Rep. Kurt Schrader, a Democrat of Oregon, with the Clerk of the House. US House of Representatives

A stock trade disclosure filed in 2022 by Rep. Kurt Schrader, a Democrat of Oregon, with the Clerk of the House. US House of Representatives

For Schrader, his recent stock disclosures are sometimes handwritten and, on two occasions, incorrect or incomplete. One disclosure did not list a dollar value for a sale of Union Pacific Corp. stock on January 20, 2021. Another disclosure listed the date of a mutual fund purchase as "January 35, 2022." The congressman's most recent annual financial disclosure was also completed by hand and, at times, barely legible.

Members of Congress face a $200 fine for failing to disclose their stock trades on time, but the Committee on House Ethics does not assess a fine for first-time STOCK Act disclosure provision violators if they're late by 30 days or fewer. Schrader's late stock disclosures fell within this "grace period," meaning he will avoid a fine.

"The penalty is very, very tiny and can be waved, and nobody is going to say that the penalties here are deterrents," said Jessica Tillipman, assistant dean for government procurement law studies at The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC. "If you have millions of dollars of stock trades, you don't care about a $200 penalty."

Schrader's situation is yet another example of a much broader congressional ethics problem that lawmakers themselves are now unable to downplay or ignore, said Tillipman, who on Monday endorsed banning federal lawmakers and their spouses from trading stocks.

"I don't always have strong hope for Congress, especially when it comes to regulating their own behavior," Tillipman told Insider. "But there's a growing consensus that this kind of activity is improper, and the more attention it gets, the more likely it is that something happens."

As for Schrader himself, he's let his constituents down, said Jamie McLeod-Skinner, who's challenging the congressman in Orgeon's Democratic primary on May 17 and who supports a ban on lawmakers trading individual stocks.

"Being in Congress demands exceptional accountability," McLeod-Skinner said. "We have a real opportunity to say, yes, there is a standard for service, and he is someone who has gotten in the way of that."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Proponents of further pressure and an aggressive stance towards Irans government are continuing to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill even as the Biden administration looks to be leaving them behind in favour of the policies pursued by the previous Democratic administration.

On Friday dozens of lawmakers in both major parties attended an event hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an international group of Iranian dissidents who fiercely oppose Irans government and in particular its current president, Ebrahim Raisi, for his alleged participation in human rights abuses and massacres.

At the event, the members of Congress (a group largely made up of Republicans as well as centrist or conservative Democrats) affirmed their support for Irans people while denouncing the Iranian government. Meanwhile, the events keynote speaker Maryam Rajavi used her address to call on the assembled lawmakers of both parties to push the US government away from the path currently being taken by the Biden administration that appears to be leading the US and Iran back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.

Democrats in attendance included Reps Zoe Lofgren, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Brad Sherman, the latter of whom serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its relevant subcommittee on the Middle East. They listened as Ms Rajavi denounced a decade [of] useless negotiations with the regime which she argued led to the opportunity to advance its nuclear project.

She would go on to push for a much stronger position than the Biden administration is taking towards Iran; a policy of nuclear site inspections anytime and anywhere and a commitment to the UN sanctions lifted as part of the 2015 deal, then reimposed by the US after the Trump administration withdrew from the agreement.

A failure to do so will only lead to more conflict, carnage, and insecurity in the region, she warned.

Democrats who issued statements at or following the event largely affirmed their endorsements for a House resolution that expressed support for Irans people and calls on the US to prevent the malign activities of the Iranian regimes diplomatic missions, but stayed away from sharing reservations about the Biden administrations approach towards Iran.

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Today we commemorate the anniversary of the 1979 revolution for freedom in Iran. We say no to shahs single-party dictatorship, no to mullahs theocracy, and yes to democracy and a republican form of government, said Rep Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois.

He added: I am proud to be a cosponsor of House Resolution 118 to express support for the Iranian peoples desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic of Iran. And I support the resolutions condemnation of violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian government.

Other members of the party who have attended events held by the same group in the past have been less hesitant to share their advice on the matter. Former Congressman Eliot Engel, who chaired the Foreign Affairs panel, told The Independent last year that he was pushing the president to reach a new deal, a better deal, one that brings Iran closer to democracy rather than return to the one negotiated under his former boss, Barack Obama.

Biden administration officials told the New York Times in late January that the administration was on the verge of reaching an agreement to revitalise the 2015 nuclear deal, a development that would be a significant blow to Iran hawks who saw their policies championed by the Trump administration and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and have argued that economic pressure including international sanctions can weaken Irans regime to the point of total collapse.

Under the terms currently being discussed by senior diplomats from both countries, we can see a path to a deal if those decisions are made and if they are made quickly, a State Department official told the Times last month.
At the age of 21, Richard Columbia's worldview changed with a tug on his pant leg.

"In that split second, I switched from being this cultural anthropologist, where everything was fine, to all the sudden understanding that there are social injustices that can't be allowed," he said.

Columbia, now 62, has spent 41 years exploring countries and studying cultures to support humanitarian efforts. His first project as an active medical anthropologist abroad brought critical vitamins to children in central Nepal. His most recent ended right as the COVID-19 pandemic kicked off, prompting him to set off from Bangladesh to Kinnelon, the town he calls "the heart of the family."

The father of two, like many, has had his career arc disrupted by the pandemic. Before being grounded by the virus, he visited more than 65 countries. Most of his work involves research, monitoring, evaluation and learning to assess the efficacy of humanitarian projects. His first experience was a project to prevent blindness due to vitamin deficiencies in Nepal. Columbia said he signed up for the project just a month after that tug on his leg.

Richard Columbia, who resides in Kinnelon, has traveled the world as an anthropologist working on humanitarian efforts. He visited Indonesia in 2014, where he was photographed.

The tug on his leg came from a boy, probably about 10 years old, Columbia said. He approached from behind as Columbia soaked up the atmosphere at a temple in Katmandu during a brief trip meant to orient Columbia and a dozen other American students in their new setting. The boy was belly down on a dolly, Columbia said. He had his arms and legs bent in splits and could barely lift his head. The boy had been purposely disfigured.

"I had never seen such horror. It was beyond my imagination," Columbia said. "I was just like, you got to be freaking joking. There's no way that this type of injustice should be happening."

Since that day, Columbia said, he has tempered his feelings on cultural relativity and led a life trying to better the quality of life for people in underdeveloped nations.

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Recently, he applied for and gained a seat on the board of directors at ShelterBox, a charity that provides disaster relief in the form of mobile shelters and related living essentials.

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Kerri Murray, the president of ShelterBox USA, said Columbia was just what the charity needed. With vast experience working with well-funded humanitarian organizations such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Columbia could be vital to a charity seeking to expand its reach to meet a growing need.

"He just has that unique combination of skills and the will and drive to serve," Murray said. "He deeply cares about the people we serve."

A photo from Kinnelon's Richard Columbia shows a river crossing during a humanitarian effort in Nepal in 1982.

Columbia said his career started with a curiosity about disparate cultures, which took him to Nepal 41 years ago. There, he and a team filed a three-page report that convinced officials to fund a project.

"It was giving voice to people who didn't have a voice but also getting to spend time with people and learning how they do things," Columbia said. "And that was it  that launched a career."

Early in his career, he said, he found purportedly altruistic humanitarian efforts forcing their own cultural norms on people. Finding ways to address issues from a native perspective is key, he said. While working for USAID, Columbia evaluated the impact of projects and made recommendations on how to improve them. He has amassed years of experience helping exactly the people ShelterBox is attempting to serve: internally displaced people fleeing natural disasters or military conflict.

He was in Nicaragua in the 1980s, the first time he worked with internally displaced people.

"It introduced me to a whole new set of issues that people face," he said. He met people who went from a normal way of life to not knowing where they could go to receive basic health care, work or even sleep. Later, in Liberia, he helped restore collapsed systems of health, education and agriculture in the wake of the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

Richard Columbia of Kinnelon in 2013 photographed annual flooding in Thailand during a humanitarian effort to provide disaster relief.

Columbia, who holds a doctorate from Rutgers, has worked all over Asia but has yet to reach Mongolia. He said one of his goals is to get there, where a nomadic way of life complicates the delivery of health care. Columbia said he is also interested in helping Caribbean nations increasingly subject to environmental, political and gender issues. ShelterBox has a foothold in Haiti, creating a possibility for Columbia if and when the charity expands to other nations in the region.

"The mission is rock-solid," he said of ShelterBox. "The kits they provide are so important to people who are displaced internally, and they needed someone in development. I felt that was spot-on in terms of what I could offer."

ShelterBox provides basic shelters, the tools needed to erect them and other supplies. With his connections at USAID, the United Nations Population Fund and other nonprofit organizations, Columbia is aiming to capture new funding sources for the charity.

Columbia's role on the board is unpaid and part time. Still, he said, he feels impelled to use his expertise to help an organization that can benefit people with quick access to an easily deployable necessity for survival. Thus far, the charity has been restricted by resources, Murray said, and Columbia's experience and contacts could prove crucial.

Kinnelon's Richard Columbia (far right) is pictured at a resettlement camp near Esteli, Nicaragua in 1985.

Columbia is currently working from his home in Kinnelon, using his knowledge about international development to help companies hone their environmental, social and corporate governance plans. He said he will continue with ShelterBox. However, he also wants to return to his role as an evaluator for USAID-funded projects overseas.

"Kinnelon will always be home," he said, "though I've been blessed to find something I not only love, but that I'm evidently good at."

David Zimmer is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Kinnelon NJ man on board of ShelterBox to provide disaster relief
DOWNERS GROVE, IL  Two weeks before Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker lifts a statewide mask mandate for residents, students and staff in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 got a reprieve from face-coverings in the classroom starting on Monday.

The districts school board approved a measure making masks optional last week which made Monday the first time that students did not have to keep their mouths and noses covered while at school. The board approved the changes to the districts mitigation plan, which also includes unvaccinated teachers no longer being forced to be tested for COVID-19 on a daily basis.

Students who are considered close contacts to someone who has previously tested positive for COVID-19 no longer have to remain at home, according to the policy change approved by the board.

In a memo sent to District 58 families after the decision last week, students and staff were reminded to respect the decision of the board. Despite the change affecting students and staff, visitors inside district building will still be required to wear masks, the district said.

Students are also required to wear masks while on the school bus, which is mandated by federal guidelines, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

The district said it will continue to provide free KN-95 masks to anyone who requests one. District officials said that they will follow the progress of the court proceedings involving masks in school. A Temporary Restraining Order of Pritzkers mask mandate has already been appealed and motions have been filed to stay the TRO have been filed, the district said in the memo.

If necessary, district officials said that they may need to reinstate the mask mandate at school buildings. Pritzker said last week that while he is lifting the statewide mask mandate starting Feb. 28, schools were not included in that change. The governor said he will likely lift the mask mandate for public schools within weeks.

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The guidance also recommends a layered approach to removing mitigations, which is what District 58 will do, the memo said. District 58s instructional spacing will remain at three feet, and lunch and recess will be handled in the same way as they are today. In addition, staff will maintain six feet of distancing in instructional spaces to the greatest extent possible.

Finally, District 58 asks all families and staff to please respect one anothers mask choices and to treat each other with kindness. District 58 teaches its students to be kind and respectfully requests everyone to lead by example.

This article originally appeared on the Downers Grove Patch
Buffalo, WY (82834)

Today

Windy with a mix of clouds and sun in the morning becoming cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High 56F. SSE winds shifting to N at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Rain. Low 41F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Higher wind gusts possible.
After years of behind-the-scenes activity in the Gaza Strip, Egypt is going public.

Since mediating a cease-fire between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group, Egypt has sent crews to clear rubble and is promising to build vast new apartment complexes. Egyptian flags and billboards praising President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi have sprung up across the Palestinian territory.

It is a new look for the Egyptians, who have spent years working quietly to encourage Israel-Hamas truce talks and reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions.

The shift could help prevent  or at least delay  another round of violence. By presenting itself as a Mideast peacemaker, Egypt could also blunt efforts by the Biden administration and some U.S. lawmakers to hold the country accountable for human rights abuses.

The 11-day Gaza war last May allowed Egypt to once again market itself as an indispensable security partner for Israel in the region  which it is  which in turn makes it an indispensable security partner for the U.S., said Hafsa Halawa, an expert on Egypt at the Middle East Institute, a Washington think tank.

Gaza is a reminder to everybody, effectively, that you cant really do anything without Egypt, she said.

The expanded aid, along with its control over Rafah  the only Gaza border crossing that bypasses Israel  gives Egypt leverage over Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has ruled Gaza since driving out forces loyal to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in 2007.

Egypt joined Israel in imposing a crippling blockade on the territory after the Hamas takeover, but both countries have recently taken steps to ease the restrictions, tacitly acknowledging that Hamas rule is here to stay.

After negotiating the informal cease-fire that ended the Gaza war, Egypt pledged $500 million to rebuild the territory and sent work crews to remove rubble.

While it remains unclear how much of that money has been delivered, Egypt is now subsidizing the construction of three towns that are to house some 300,000 residents, according to Naji Sarhan, the deputy director of the Hamas-run Housing Ministry. Work is also under way to upgrade Gaza's main coastal road. Sarhan said the projects will take a year and a half to complete.

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We hope there will be large bundles of projects in the near future, especially the towers that were destroyed in the war, he said.

Israel leveled four high-rises during the fighting, saying they housed Hamas military infrastructure. It has not publicly released evidence backing up the claims, which Hamas denies. The construction materials will be shipped through Rafah.

Alaa al-Arraj, of the Palestinian contractors union, said nine Palestinian companies will take part in the Egyptian projects, which would generate some 16,000 much-needed jobs in the impoverished territory.

The Egyptian presence is palpable. Nearly every week, Egyptian delegations visit Gaza to inspect the work. They have also opened an office at a Gaza City hotel for permanent technical representatives.

Egyptian flags and banners of Egyptian companies flutter atop bulldozers, trucks and utility poles. Dozens of Egyptian workers have arrived, sleeping at a makeshift hostel in a Gaza City school.

Five days a week, Egyptian trucks filled with construction materials flow into Gaza through the Rafah crossing  a visible contrast to the intermittent shipments arriving through an Israeli-controlled crossing.

Suhail Saqqa, a Gaza contractor involved in the reconstruction, said the steady flow of Egyptian materials is critical.

The goods are not restricted by Israeli crossings, and this makes them momentous, Saqqa said.

The projects are part of a broader realignment after years in which Gaza was caught in a tug-of-war among Arab states following the upheaval of the 2011 Arab Spring protests.

A short-lived elected Islamist government in Egypt was closely allied with the Gulf country of Qatar and sympathetic to Hamas. It eased the blockade and brokered the end of a brief Gaza war in 2012. But the following year it was overthrown by the Egyptian military.

The Egyptian leader, el-Sissi, who led the overthrow, initially adopted a hard-line stance against Hamas, ordering the destruction of a vast network of smuggling tunnels that had sustained Gaza's economy.

Qatar, which supports Islamist groups across the region, meanwhile stepped in to provide humanitarian aid, including cash-filled suitcases shipped to Gaza with Israel's permission.

The rivalry escalated, with Cairo joining the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in blockading Qatar from 2017 until a year ago. But relations have improved, and Egypt and Qatar are now cooperating to deliver aid that helps the Hamas government pay its civil servants.

The growing Egyptian role gives Cairo a powerful tool to enforce Hamas' compliance with the truce. It can close Rafah whenever it wants, making it nearly impossible for anyone to travel into or out of Gaza, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians.

Egypt can suffocate Gaza in a moment if its demands are not met, said Maged Mandour, an Egyptian political analyst.

That might be enough to prevent another outbreak of hostilities in the near term. But it doesn't address the underlying conflict that has fueled four wars between Israel and Hamas and countless skirmishes over the last 15 years.

Israel and most Western countries consider Hamas a terrorist organization because of its refusal to accept Israel's existence and its long history of deadly attacks.

Israel has enforced a policy of separation between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza, which flank Israel and under an internationally endorsed proposal would one day be part of a Palestinian state.

Israel's current government has ruled out any major peace initiatives  even with Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank  but it has taken steps to improve living conditions, including issuing some 10,000 permits for Gazans to work inside Israel.

Relations between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah party plunged to a new low last year after he called off the first elections in more than 15 years. Repeated attempts at reconciliation  many brokered by Egypt  have failed.

But for Egypt and Israel, and for a U.S. administration focused on larger crises elsewhere  preserving the status quo in Gaza might be enough.

Egypt wants understandings or even pressure on Hamas so the situation won't explode, said Talal Oukal, a Gaza-based political analyst.

___

Akram reported from Hamilton, Canada. Associated Press writer Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
EXCLUSIVE: The Environmental Protection Agencys first Black man to serve as administrator attempts to deliver on promise of a lead-free America. Former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver has a message for the powers that be.

While political pundits read the tea leaves to predict who will be the first Black woman nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Joe Biden, another historic Biden pick, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan, is raising expectations among agency staff and advocates across the country in his attempt to deliver on the promise of a lead-free America.

All the while, local leaders in Flint, Michigan hope to someday become a blueprint for environmental justice  not just a cautionary tale.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan speaks in the Brady Briefing Room during the daily White House briefing on May 12, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Its not lost on this agency and these employees that were making history, Administrator Regan told theGrio. Im the first Black man ever to lead this agency. Im the first person to graduate from a historically Black college leading this agency. I have a different perspective than all of the leaders that have come before me and I think that my staff has embraced that its a breath of fresh air. The staff here are passionate about the environment and public health.

The EPA administrator went on to say, They joined public service because they want to make a difference. And they recognize that just like the judicial system, just like policing, just like education there are injustices in the environmental arena as well and they want to right many of those wrongs and theyre looking for a strong leader to help them figure it out. And thats exactly what Im doing.

In an effort to right a wrong, most notably in places like Flint, where a 2014 water contamination of lead became a national headline, federal funding from President Bidens Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are being deployed to deliver a lead-free future to the next generation.

We released the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, said Vice President Kamala Harris, during remarks in Milwaukee on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last month. The goal is to remove and replace all lead pipes over the next 10 years. It will invest $15 billion nationally in this effort. And here in Wisconsin, as has been said, $48 million will be dedicated in the year 2022.

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To put a finer point on the fierce urgency of this investment, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI, 4th District) told theGrio about its potential impact on the lives of children and families in her home state.

Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisc., speaks during a press conference with House Democrats on the Export-Import Bank in the Capitol on Thursday, June 4, 2015. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Our lead crisis is an epidemic of inequity, disproportionately impacting children of color in Milwaukee and throughout our nation. There is no safe level of lead in children. Every child exposed to this poison is a tragedy for our community, said Congresswoman Moore.

That exposure has lifelong consequences and creates an immeasurable cost to our society. I dont want another generation of kids in Milwaukee to grow up with lead in their water or their homes.

Vice President Harris also appeared to be optimistic about the potential for this initiative to make a material difference in the lives of children and adults across the country.

Our children are going to school where they are potentially drinking lead-infused, poisonous water out of water fountains, she said. It means that our children are sleeping in bedrooms that are coated with lead paint[and] at least half of children under the age of six in America are exposed to lead or are at risk. This is a profound issue.

Vice President Harris went on to say, And as for adults, exposure to lead can result in increased blood pressure and a decreased kidney function. In our children, irreparable damage to the body and the brain.

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks after visiting a vaccine mobilization event at the Phillis Wheatley Community Center in Greenville, South Carolina on June 14, 2021. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

While the bipartisan infrastructure law roadshow featuring EPA Administrator Reagan continues, he acknowledged that the learning tour on a range of issues under his purview has been a constant source of insights and inspirations since his confirmation.

Ive spent time with 50 mayors in the last ten months. Ive visited over 18 states. Ive been to three countries outside of the United States. Ive learned a heck of a lot because Im talking to real people about real problems, Administrator Regan told theGrio. I bring that back and immediately infuse that into policy and regulations, so that our agency has more of an impact.

But there is perhaps no greater opportunity for impact than restoring the faith of Flint residents than by turning the continuing Flint Water Crisis into the Flint Environmental Justice Blueprint. This may be the litmus test by which the Biden-Harris Administrations Build Back Better framework agenda is fairly judged given the historic first at the EPA and historic infrastructure investment.

No city should ever have to deal with the conditions that Flint dealt with in terms of lead service lines. Right now Ben Harbor, Michigan is facing some similar issues, said the administrator.

Underscoring some of the challenges made more visible by Flint, Regan said, I was visiting Jackson, Mississippi during the Journey to Justice Tour. I was supposed to spend time with some children at an elementary school but that visit was canceled 30 minutes in because the water pressure to that school was too low for the children to occupy that building.

He added, I had just toured a wastewater treatment facility and by the time I left, they had to shut it down partially and had to submit a boil water advisory because the water wasnt fit to drink. The Mayor of Jackson Mississippi and I both know thats unacceptable.

While some Flint residents are still waiting to be made whole by the Environmental Protection Agency, this acknowledgement by the EPA administrator is welcomed but actions speak louder than words, according to some local advocates.

Weve been protesting about this settlement that we know is unfair and unjust. Flint was lied to by people that we were supposed to be able to trust and that were supposed to have our backs. There are good reasons why we dont trust, said Former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver.

Flint, Mich. Mayor Karen Weaver testifies during the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee hearing on The Flint Water Crisis: Lessons for Protecting Americas Children on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

The former mayor confirmed exclusively with theGrio that shes actively considering another run for mayor to finish what she started.

When I left office we were a year ahead in the pipe replacement program. The pipes program replacement program has not been completed. Theres still people who havent gotten those new pipes, said Weaver.

She explained why the work of replacing the lead contaminated infrastructure in Flint is unfinished.

Even if you got those new pipes in front of your house, our in-home plumbing was damaged. Faucets, fixtures, appliances and those kinds of things are damaged. So when youve got old appliances and fixtures and you have water coming through that, you still dont have access to clean water, said Weaver.

This is something that should happen at no cost to the people because the people didnt create this situation. We didnt create this problem. This problem was put upon us by the government.

In November 2021, a federal judge approved a partial settlement of $626.25 million to compensate as many as 85,000 residents for the problems caused by the water crisis.

But even with the money headed toward Flint residents, the health and safety issues related to the water crisis persist in the majority-Black community. Many residents exposed to lead in their tap water developed illness like Legionnaires disease, miscarriages, behavioral problems in children and male infertility.

I never thought Id know so much about water and water quality standards. I never thought Id know so much about infrastructure, pipes, and what you need to do when a community has been emotionally and mentally traumatized, added Weaver.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver at General Motors Co. Flint Assembly on June 12, 2019 in Flint, Michigan. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

We need health care for people that follows them. If they leave Michigan they should still have healthcare because they were impacted. This crisis was done to us. We didnt create this crisis. This was a failure of government and the federal government played a role and they ought to have a role in helping to make the people of Flint whole.

As NBC News reported, 80% of the settlement funds will be distributed to Flint residents who were 6 or younger at the time of initial exposure of the lead contaminated water. Two percent of the funds will be distributed to special education services in Genesee County, which encompasses Flint, 18% will fund property damage and 1% will go toward businesses who suffered financial deprivation due to the water crisis.

Still, in what feels like a David and Goliath battle to repair the breach in trust and downgrade in humanity, Former Mayor Weaver said she remains hopeful.

What gives me hope is that with all of these bad things happening around the country, the spotlight has been shined on social justice. It has been shining on what environmental justice looks like and environmental racism, said Weaver.

I dont know if theres ever been a bigger spotlight on the thing that Black people have had challenges with and I think this is such a wonderful opportunity to make some things happen. This money is coming through and its an opportunity for the playing field to be leveled. We dont want equality, we want equity.

Meanwhile, EPA Administrator Regan has placed some big bets that should make a difference addressing some of the most glaring challenges in places like Milwaukee, Flint, and Jackson, while institutionalizing a commitment to centering racial equity in the existing and emerging work of the EPA.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan stands near the Marathon Petroleum Refinery as he conducts a television interview, while touring neighborhoods that abut the refinery, in Reserve, La., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

We are going to develop a robust Environmental Justice and Equity Office. Weve always done environmental justice work within a sub-office, now we are working towards establishing an office equal to all that focuses specifically on civil rights and environmental justice, to be sure that its infused in every single thing that we do, said Regan.

For the first time in history were going to have, hopefully if we get Congressional approval, someone who is Senate-confirmed leading that office with a healthy budget and healthy oversight. Thats going to be a game-changer for EPA in years two and three.

The Administrator went on to say, Over the next year, youre going to see an infusion of capital in cities all across this country with these historic investments that are not only going to begin to repair our broken water systems and replace lead service lines, but youre going to see a heck of a lot of Black and Brown people go to work. We need to see these jobs in our communities correlating with these environmental benefits that weve been touting.

Between Weaver and Regan, the bar has been set high but the stakes for Black America couldnt be higher. If the Biden-Harris Administration succeeds, they would be carving out an enviable legacy that historic firsts before them have been unable to fully deliver on to the people of Flint.

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The post EPAs Michael Regan is fighting for environmental justice, but Flint crisis looms as cautionary tale appeared first on TheGrio.
By Robin Emmott

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union should consider sanctions on Bosnia's autonomous Serb Republic (RS) and also withhold financial support if the Balkan country's crisis continues to worsen, according to an internal EU document seen by Reuters.

Bosnia has been going through its worst political crisis since the end of the Balkan wars of the 1990s, with Bosnian Serbs challenging state institutions as part of their longtime bid to secede and eventually join neighbouring Serbia.

The internal document prepared by the EU's foreign service for EU foreign ministers said that travel bans and asset freezes on RS officials should be considered if Bosnian Serb politicians continued to seek to seize powers from the central state.

Lawmakers in the RS voted on Feb. 10 to form a separate body to choose judges and prosecutors, effectively pulling the region out of the state's top judicial institution as part of a separatist agenda.

The EU document also said sanctions could be widened to "other activities that represent a threat to the state", although they should remain as a last resort.

"The EU could decide to use its financial assistance as leverage," the document said, nothing that the EU had some 1.5 billion euros ($1.69 billion) invested in, and funds provided to, Bosnia.

The document gives EU foreign ministers options when they meet to discuss Bosnia at a scheduled meeting on Feb. 21.

Germany has already called for sanctions on Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, but Hungary has argued that such measures would be counterproductive as the EU seeks to bring Bosnia and five other Balkan countries into the bloc.

The United States on Jan. 5 imposed fresh sanctions on Dodik. The U.S. Treasury Department accused Dodik, already subject to U.S. sanctions under a different authority, of corruption and threatening the stability and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

($1 = 0.8852 euros)

(Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security on Monday warned law enforcement, military and others charged with overseeing critical U.S. infrastructure to be prepared for potential Russian cyberattacks in conjunction with a possible invasion of Ukraine.

During a Monday afternoon conference call, the nations top cybersecurity officials briefed state and local government agencies and cybersecurity personnel, warning them to look out for signs of Russian activity on their networks. The federal officials also urged those on the call to dramatically lower their threshold for reporting suspicious activity.

A Russian invasion of Ukraine could begin at any time, the officials said, and the military action is also likely to be accompanied by cyberattacks targeting Ukrainian and possibly also U.S. networks. Officials underscored that the U.S. believes Russias invasion of Ukraine is likely to begin with aerial bombings and missile attacks and in conjunction with cyber operations.

Two people who were on the call told Yahoo News that they were alarmed by how many people on the call appeared not to know the process for reporting suspicious cyberactivity.

This is the most basic thing: How and to who do you report suspicious activity on your network? one person said. That people don't know what to do at this point is just a real failure.

Officials said they are currently seeing an uptick in Russian scanning of U.S. law enforcement networks and urged a heightened state of vigilance.

While there are not currently any specific, credible threats to the United States, we are mindful of the potential for Russia to consider escalating its destabilizing actions in ways that may impact others outside of Ukraine, a DHS spokesperson told Yahoo News. DHS has been engaging in an outreach campaign to ensure that public and private sector partners are aware of evolving cybersecurity risks and taking steps to increase their cybersecurity preparedness.

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The cyber component of the Russian offensive is likely to begin just before an aerial bombing or missile attacks and would be likely to continue throughout the conflict.

The U.S. has been working with Ukraine to harden its infrastructure networks from likely Russian cyberattacks and will continue to do so as it braces for an all-out assault, one official said.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Feb. 7. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuters)

FBI and DHS cyber officials urged participants on Mondays call to patch all systems and urged them to report anything unusual, no matter how small. Their goal is to be able to detect the smallest of tremors inside U.S. networks that might indicate Russian activity, they said. This will help DHS and the FBI to identify the impacted networks and assist in a response. The officials leading the call also stressed the need for government and other cybersecurity personnel to have a plan in place in the event their network is targeted or compromised.

Several intelligence bulletins were sent out ahead of the call, including one dated Jan. 23 from DHSs Office of Intelligence and Analysis titled Warning of Potential for Cyber Attacks Targeting the United States in the Event of a Russian Invasion of Ukraine.

We assess that Russia would consider initiating a cyberattack against the Homeland if it perceived a US or NATO response to a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine threatened its long-term national security, the bulletin states. Russia maintains a range of offensive cyber tools that it could employ against US networks  from low-level denials-of-service to destructive attacks targeting critical infrastructure. However, we assess that Russia's threshold for conducting disruptive or destructive cyberattacks in the Homeland probably remains very high and we have not observed Moscow directly employ these types of cyberattacks against US critical infrastructure  notwithstanding cyber espionage and potential prepositioning operations in the past.

The bulletin also warns that the specifics of the cyberthreat may change.

"The evolving nature of the current military escalation on Ukraine's border and ongoing dialogue between Moscow and Washington could influence Russia's actions, including options for targeting the United States," it states.

During Mondays call, officials said the U.S. is currently seeing an uptick in Russian disinformation and misinformation about Ukraine. The FBI and DHS sent out an intelligence bulletin on the increase in disinformation. They also sent participants on the call other intelligence bulletins and advisories and technical indicators associated with previous successful Russian cyberattacks against U.S. networks.
By Guy Faulconbridge

LONDON (Reuters) - Russian mercenaries with ties to Moscow's spies have increased their presence in Ukraine in recent weeks, stoking fears among some NATO members that Russia could try to engineer a pretext for an invasion, three senior Western security sources said.

They said their concerns had strengthened in recent weeks that a Russian incursion into Ukraine could be preceded by an information war, and cyber attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure such as electricity and gas networks.

Russia could also use the mercenaries to sow discord and paralyse Ukraine through targeted assassinations and the use of specialised weaponry, the sources said.

The United States warned again on Sunday that Russia could stage a "false flag" operation inside Ukraine to justify an invasion.

"It is likely that Russian mercenaries, under the direction of the Russian state, will be involved in any hostilities in Ukraine, potentially including a pretext for an invasion," said one Western security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Western security sources said mercenaries were deploying from Russian private military companies (PMCs) with close ties to the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, and the GRU military intelligence agency.

Among those deployed in recent weeks was a former GRU officer who also worked in the Wagner mercenary group. The former officer has gone to Donetsk, one of two regions in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014, the sources said.

Reuters was unable to ascertain what the former officer, whose identity was not provided, had been tasked with doing. Reuters was also unable to reach the Wagner Group for comment.

The Kremlin told Reuters on Monday that Russia was not strengthening its presence on Ukrainian territory and that Russian troops had never been present there and were not now.

The Russian Defence Ministry declined to comment when asked in writing on Friday about the Western allegations.

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The Russian mercenary groups have supplied weapons, experienced special operations personnel and military training to pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, the sources said.

The sources also told Reuters that some operatives of the Wagner mercenary group have been embedded on the Ukrainian border after training at a GRU base near the southern Russian city of Krasnodar.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the information about the activities of Russian mercenaries in eastern Ukraine.

Other Russian mercenary groups linked to the FSB and GRU have also increased their activities in Ukraine since the start of the year, the sources said.

Reuters could not reach the mercenary groups in Ukraine for comment.

'HYBRID WAR

The United States has expressed fears that Russia could use mercenaries, special operations forces and other grey-zone warfare techniques to delegitimize Kyiv ahead of invasion, several U.S. officials told Reuters.

The Pentagon referred Reuters to remarks by Pentagon spokesman John Kirby who said earlier this month that Russia was seeking to fabricate a pretext for an invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Wagner and other private groups neither represent the Russian state nor are paid by it, though he says they have a right to operate provided they do not break Russian law.

The European Union imposed sanctions on Wagner last year, accusing it of fuelling violence, looting natural resources and destabilising countries around the world.

Russia denies it plans to annex another part of Ukraine and Putin says the West is sowing hysteria in a crude attempt to lure Russia into war after ignoring the Kremlin's concerns about NATO enlargement after the Cold War.

(Additional reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Jon Boyle)
(Reuters) - After closing all his stores, veteran fashion designer Tadashi Shoji said he has been able to keep his business afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the success of e-commerce and custom sales.

The Los Angeles, California-based brand released its digital runway show online on Saturday during New York Fashion Week.

Keeping costs low, the video was filmed in the company's cafeteria with creative lighting and editing.

"Logistically it's very hard, but it's very fortunate for us because of COVID our e-com is increasing tremendously. That's helping me to survive in this COVID time," Shoji said.

"If we didn't have this strong e-com infrastructure for us I think, I think our business went down," he said.

Shoji said this season was inspired by "boundless expression" and has added different silhouettes to his normal body-con repertoire.

Menswear was the inspiration for many looks with stretch velvet, shimmer and slits providing femininity.

The designer's signature draped tulle, lace and hand beading made the collection look familiar to his long-time fans.

New York Fashion Week will end on Feb. 16 with over 150 designers having presented their collections live or online.

(Reporting by Alicia Powell; editing by Diane Craft)
Two transgender Tennessee students who sued the state over public school bathroom access in federal court will drop the suit as they and their families move out of state.

In August, The Human Rights Campaign Foundation challenged a new law that allows public school students and staff members to reject sharing bathrooms and locker rooms with their transgender peers. It was filed on behalf of two Wilson County students via their parents.

The complaint called the law discriminatory and asked the federal court to block its enforcement and order Tennessee officials to enforce laws accommodating transgender students' needs.

Supporters of the law, including Tennessee legislators, said it lays out a "clear path forward" for school officials confused over how to handle school bathroom access.

The complaint named Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who signed the law in May, and Attorney General Herbert Slatery as defendants, as well as the Wilson County Board of Education and Jeff Luttrell, director of Wilson County Schools.

The two students, Alex, then 14, and Ariel, then 6, were identified by their initials in the suit but identified in statements from the Human Rights Campaign. Alex was set to attend a high school in Wilson County in the fall.

Lawsuit: Human Rights Campaign files federal lawsuit challenging Tennessee's school transgender bathroom law

Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign, speaks at a news conference last year in Nashville.

Parents of both children have repeatedly attempted to contact lawmakers during the legislative session, but their calls were "rebuffed and ignored," the lawsuit says.

Tennessee's school transgender bathroom law

The law, sponsored by Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, and Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, requires public schools to accommodate students unwilling or unable to access multi-occupancy bathrooms, locker rooms, shower rooms and sleeping quarters for any reason.

Students would have to submit a written request for the accommodations, and they would have the ability to sue schools for not providing enough accommodations.

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The students are allowed to sue if they ask for accommodations but later "encounter a person of the opposite sex in a multi-occupancy restroom," single-sex changing rooms or sleeping quarters. The term "sex" is defined as sex at birth instead of gender identity.

Alex moved out of state in September, according to court documents, and was removed from the suit at that time as he was no longer attending school in Wilson County.

In a declaration to the court, his mother said she and her husband began discussing leaving the state as soon as the law was signed in May 2021 on a "near-daily" basis.

"We want to keep our family intact, so moving to a different state seemed like the only option," she wrote in August.

School became stressful to Alex, according to the suit. He avoided drinking liquid and using restrooms at school at all, and would dash home after getting off the school bus to relieve himself, the complaint says.

The legal challenge rested on the claim the policies violate Title IX. In June, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed that the Title IX policy protects students from discrimination based on their gender identity.

Last week, Ariel's family also told the court they intend to move to out of state after the end of the current school year.

The decision to move was made "in light of recently enacted and proposed legislation in Tennessee affecting transgender rights, and in order to pursue a career opportunity for Plaintiffs mother," court documents filed Wednesday show.

Filings since last summer indicate Ariel was still struggling to be allowed to use the bathroom of her choice while at school.

U.S. District Judge Eli J. Richardson on Thursday approved a stay on the case that would cancel a planned trial but delayed dismissing the case until after Ariel has completed the school year.

A request for comment sent to an attorney for Ariel's family was not immediately returned.

Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school transgender bathroom law lawsuit to be dismissed
People gather outside Jubilee Hall at Fisk University in April.

Fisk University resumed normal operations on Tuesday after it closed Monday following a bomb threat, spokesperson Jens Frederiksen said.

A series threats were called in around 9 a.m. Monday saying there would be a bomb or explosion on campus. Students received alerts shortly afterward instructing them to shelter in place. The alerts were delivered via texts, emails and phone calls, according to Frederiksen.

Campus police and the Metro Nashville Police Department swept key buildings as the campus locked down.

"They found nothing, thankfully," Frederiksen said Monday.

The university announced it would be closed for the rest of the day in an Instagram post around 11:30 a.m. The post said that faculty, staff and students who do not live on campus should leave. Residential students were asked to remain in their residence halls, with the exception of leaving to get food.

Dining facilities stayed open, the post said.

"In addition, campus security will increase the number of uniformed officers in and around campus residential and dining facilities," the post read. "Stay safe Fiskites."

Frederiksen said the lockdown was lifted as of Tuesday morning.

"We remain hopeful that this was an isolated incident," he said in a text message.

Fisk recently increased its security efforts in light of an increasing number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation have received similar threats in recent weeks, Frederiksen said. Those threats have focused largely on HBCUs in the South.

Fisk is one of seven HBCUs in Tennessee. Howard University, an HBCU in in Washington, DC, also reported a threat Monday.

"We've got to take everything incredibly seriously," Frederiksen said.

'A different type of silence'

Kemani Iwu, who said he is a senior at Fisk, had just begun class Monday when he started to get text messages from friends and classmates about what was happening.

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"I started to panic and made sure I had everything before I left the building to go to the library for shelter," he said in a direct message on Twitter. "Obviously its always quiet in the library, but it was a different type of silence. A silence of uncertainty and fearful wonder."

Iwu said the experience was likely traumatic for many in the Fisk community.

"You see crazy things on the news all the time and we tend to think it that it wont happen to us," Iwu said.

Fisk University Kemani Iwu took a screen shot of the alert he received Monday morning that instructed students to shelter in place.

'WE WILL REMAIN STRONG': Southern HBCUs react to spate of bomb threats

The scope of the recent threats has sent shock waves through the HBCU community. The threats appeared to ramp up around the start of Black History Month, which began Feb. 1.

Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, received a threat saying a bomb would detonate at noon on Feb. 1. The school was was given the all-clear after police swept the campus that day.

"There is a level of ignorance and hatred that is tied to this racial awakening that is going on in our country," said Roderick Smothers, who is the president of Philander Smith College. "Education is a way to overcome those challenges."

Frederiksen said he hopes those at Fisk will lean on each other in the days to come and that school leaders can give the community space to talk about what happened.

"It's an incredibly upsetting situation during a time that has obviously been challenging for students of all ages, including Fisk students," he said. "The past couple of years have hardly been business as usual."

Largely Southern HBCUs targeted

The majority of the HBCUs targeted are located in the South, including: Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans, La); Arkansas Baptist College (Little Rock, Ark.); Shorter College (North Little Rock, Ark.); Spelman College (Atlanta, Ga.); Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, Ga.); Alcorn State University (Lorman, Miss.); Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, Miss.); Jackson State University (Jackson, Miss.); Rust College (Holly Springs, Miss.); and Tougaloo College (near Jackson, Miss.).

Other universities targeted were Howard University (Washington D.C.); Morgan State University (Baltimore, Md.); Kentucky State University (Frankfort, Ky.); Edward Waters University (Jacksonville, Fla.); and Coppin State University (Baltimore, Md.).

"This is the start of Black History Month," Tiffani Perry, chief of staff for Rust College, said earlier this month. "While we don't know if the two are related in any way, it's just unfortunate that the education of African Americans continues to be a threat to some people in this country. But we will remain strong and steadfast as we always do in the face of adversity, and continue on the business of educating the future leaders of tomorrow."

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED: Bomb threats made to more than a dozen HBCUs over 2 days

Both the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced investigations into the threats. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the threats as hate crimes, the agency said in a statement.

The FBI is leading the investigation due to the interstate nature of the threats. Earlier this month, the FBI called the investigation the "highest priority for the bureau" and said the threats are being investigated as hate crimes by more than 20 bureaus across the country.

Reporters Andrew J. Yawn, Todd A. Price and Maria Clark contributed to this story.

Find reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Fisk University reopens after bomb threat; no explosives found
NEW YORK (AP)  Jabari Banks knew he was close to getting the starring role of Will in  Bel-Air, the dramatic take of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," but his confidence started to wane when he was asked to do one more Zoom audition with show director Morgan Cooper.

Im like, I dont know what he wants to see, but Im gonna give him everything I got, recalled the 23-year-old in a recent interview. I was like, Im gonna put everything into this audition.

Banks found a quiet place  a friend's closet  and logged in, only to see a very familiar face staring back at him, Will Smith.

I didnt think it was real," Banks said. He's like, I want to congratulate you. You got the part of Will in Bel-Air.'"

And then in true Smith exuberance, the superstar directed Banks to invite those with him to join the Zoom. He was like, Where is everybody? Go get them,' said Banks. So a lot of my friends met Will."

And that's how Banks became the (new) prince of Bel-Air. The series is streaming on Peacock with a new episode on Thursdays.

Cooper says searching for the actor to play the new Will was not an easy task, and that he was looking for a unicorn."

"Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of auditions poured in. We needed a guy who had the swagger, the charisma, but also the pure acting chops, who uses his eyes," he said. "Jabari Banks is such a star and he shines so bright.

The parallels between Smith and Banks seem tailor-made for Hollywood. Like Smith, Banks is from west Philadelphia. He's also a musician working on his own EP, which he says is a mix of R&B, hip-hop and alternative genres, and plans to release it later this year. He also loves fashion and The Fresh Prince was a trend-setting show.

Banks says he's taking this huge opportunity one day at a time, and cites an anecdote from Smith's autobiography, Will, about his father assigning him and his brother to build a wall brick by brick.

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Ive been following that motto and going about my day to day like that," he said.

Bel-Air was conceived by Cooper, a filmmaker in Kansas City who taught himself to shoot film on a camera bought at Best Buy. He grew up loving The Fresh Prince" and believed the premise of the show could still work today  but also reflect the times.

If you remove the laugh track from the sitcom and really look at the scenario from a birds eye view, the story really lends itself to drama. A young Black men from west Philadelphia gets into a scuffle and is forced to relocate across the country. What does that look like in modern day life? It lends itself to some really interesting dramatic moments that are rooted in very real conversations."

Cooper famously made a trailer for this idea using local actors and uploaded it to YouTube. Not even 24 hours later, Smith's production company, Westbrook, reached out for a meeting. Two weeks later, Cooper flew to Miami to meet Smith where he was filming Bad Boys for Life." Things took off, and the first three episodes dropped Sunday after the Super Bowl. The show has been given a two-season order.

In Bel-Air, a 16-year-old high school basketball star named Will is playing at a local court when he gets into a scuffle with a gang. The situation escalates quickly, and Will is arrested. Once he's released, his mother takes him directly to the airport to catch a flight to Los Angeles. She's sending him to stay with his aunt and uncle and their children, where it's safer. He'll enroll in school there until things calm down.

In real life, Banks found himself at a crossroads his junior year of high school. He loved basketball but low grades made him ineligible to play.

Banks' mom told him, You have to find something to do after school, so he joined a theater group. That's where he says he fell in love with performing.

The acting newcomer says he's looking forward to meeting more Black artists who can help him navigate showbiz.

I'd love to work with LaKeith Stanfield. Big fan of him. Huge fan of Denzel (Washington.). Daniel Kaluuya, I'd love to work with him and Sterling K. Brown. Damson Idris. These are all artists that I look up to."




George Washington University has apologized for its failure to notify students, faculty and staff of a data analytics pilot program that monitored their locations.

Though the data was not individualized, interim President Mark Wrighton, who started at the university last month, sent a letter to the campus community on Friday regarding the project.

He said the program used data from Cisco Wi-Fi points at the university's campuses "to determine density and use of buildings by students, faculty, and staff in the aggregate in order to assess how this could help inform the Safety and Facilities team's operational priorities."

Wrighton added the technology could have tracked individualized data and locations but that it was not used to do that during the project, which began last fall and concluded in December.

"I want to be clear that even though the technical capacity may exist to track individuals across our campus, such a capacity was not utilized nor contemplated in this pilot and no individualized data tracking or movement across our campus was ever shared," he wrote.

"Regrettably, however, the university neglected to inform members of our community in advance of commencing this analytical project," he added.

He said that using such data "raises important privacy considerations and potential breaches of expected ethical norms in higher education."

University spokeswoman Crystal Nosal said in an email to The Washington Post that any data collected as part of the project that had not already been destroyed would be soon.

In an interview on Saturday, Nosal did not say who approved the project and whether that person was still at the university, the Post added.

The Hill has reached out to George Washington University for comment.
By Andrius Sytas

KAUNAS AIRPORT, Lithuania (Reuters) -A German military aircraft carrying troop reinforcements landed in Lithuania on Monday, the first of several planned NATO deployments amid fears in the region about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The A400M airplane carried around 70 soldiers of what is expected to grow to a 360-strong German deployment, which comes on top of existing NATO forces in the region, a spokesperson for the alliance's enhanced forward presence battlegroup said.

The new deployments include reconnaissance and artillery troops and medics from units throughout Germany, as well as around 100 howitzer and other vehicles, with arrivals expected to continue throughout this week.

"It's a strong signal that Germany is willing and capable of reinforcing the battlegroup immediately as needed," Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Andrae, German commander of the NATO troops in Lithuania, told reporters.

"I am really happy to have the guys with me, and be ready for everything which (could) come up," Andrae added. The added soldiers will stay as long as they are needed, he said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was due to arrive in Kyiv on Monday to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a bid to show solidarity and help avert war. On Tuesday, Scholz will fly to Moscow to see Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Since 2017, NATO has deployed battlegroups in Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as well as Poland, all sharing borders with Russia, in response to Moscow annexing the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.

Totalling 5,000 soldiers, the battlegroups are led by Germany, Canada, Britain and the United States.

Britain is also preparing to reinforce the British-led NATO battlegroup in Estonia, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last week.

German soldiers comprise about half of the 1,100-strong battlegroup already present in Lithuania, which includes troops from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway.

"Germany's decision to send more troops to Lithuania is an important and timely decision, which shows NATO's solidarity, unity and commitment to collective defense," said Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, writing by Terje Solsvik and Andrius Sytas, editing by Gwladys Fouche, Mark Heinrich and Toby Chopra)
A Goldman Sachs banker helped siphon more than $1 billion from a Malaysian development fund, diverting the cash used to fund lavish parties, chartered private jets, yachts and six-carat diamond rings, Brooklyn prosecutors said Monday.

Roger Ng, 49, a former Goldman Sachs employee, allegedly conspired with colleague Tim Leissner and Malaysian socialite Jho Low in whats been called by Ngs own attorneys the largest heist in the history of the world. The trio convinced the New York-based bank to raise billions in cash in 2012 for 1MDB, a Malaysian fund meant to help the countrys economy, prosecutors said.

But Ng and the two other men secretly bribed high-level officials in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates to steal more than $1 billion from the fund for their own use, prosecutors say. Some of the pilfered cash was even used to fund the Wolf of Wall Street starring Leonardo DiCaprio, according to the feds.

Ng saw an opportunity to use his position at Goldman to get rich through cheating, said federal prosecutor Brent Wible in his opening remarks in Brooklyn Federal Court.

Ng allegedly received $35 million in kickbacks deposited in offshore accounts as the deal between Goldman Sachs and 1MDB was finalized in 2012. Meanwhile, Ng enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle with Low, the mastermind of the scam who is still on the run from the law, prosecutors say.

With his illicit proceeds, Ng bought high-end real estate and expensive artwork, as well as a six-carat diamond ring for his wife, prosecutors said.

Low, a young Malaysian social climber, threw massive blowout parties with Hollywood stars in Las Vegas, flew on chartered jets and had meetings with Ng on his private yacht off the coast of France in the Mediterranean Sea, prosecutors claim. Lows access to the Malaysian government was key to Ng and Leissners looting of the fund, prosecutors said.

But Ngs lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, argued that Leissner and Low were the real criminals, and that there was no evidence showing Ng stole from the fund, paid bribes or laundered money.

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He argued the millions of dollars deposited in off-shore accounts were linked to a failed business venture run by his Ngs wife involving a Chinese vineyard.

The prosecutions star witness, Leissner, was a bigamist who forged divorce documents to prove to one of his wives that he was not married to anyone else, Agnifilo said.

Agnifilo said that while the crime was massive, the U.S. government was giving a pass to Leissner while going after an innocent man.

Theres a gulf between them a mile wide, Agnifilo said.

Leissner pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and other charges in the case. Goldman Sachs pleaded guilty as well as part of an agreement with the feds and returned $2.9 billion in ill-gotten gains.

Ngs trial could last up to six weeks.
TALLAHASSEE  The Florida House would strip $200 million from a dozen counties, including Palm Beach County, where school boards defied Gov. Ron DeSantis by requiring students and staff to wear masks  another punishing strike in a clash that consumed much of last fall.

The move came from state Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, the House education budget-writer.

Fine played a central role in promoting claims last fall by parents of a Brevard County student with Down Syndrome who said their child was abused by teachers when a mask was tied to her face.

Rep. Randy Fine looks to steer $200 million away from 12 counties that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis by issuing mask mandates for schools.

The claim coursed through conservative media, was seized on by a DeSantis spokeswoman, and the girls father repeated the story on Fox News Tucker Carlson Show. Law enforcement investigators later dismissed the case  concluding it was built around staged photos and false statements.

Now, with Floridas school mask fight receding into history and as states including New York, Connecticut and California, scale back far stricter policies, Fine on Wednesday fired another shot.

The $200 million is taken from the states biggest, urban counties where COVID-19 cases were high and school mask-wearing required at least for several months last year. The money would be scattered to other counties that didnt challenge DeSantis.

Palm Beach County's School Superintendent Mike Burke took issue with the estimated $28 million ithe district could lose.

Palm Beach County School District Superintendent Mike Burke

"Representative Fine's proposal to claw back $28 million in funding for the upcoming school year is unfounded, unprecedented, and unjust," he said in a statement Friday. "With Florida perennially ranked in the bottom decile of education funding per student across the United States, any dollars lost to such a punitive proposal would negatively impact the ability of our schools to meet the needs of our students."

He pointed out that Palm Beach County schools made facial coverings optional for students on Nov. 19 so the district would be in compliance with legislation signed the same day by DeSantis. Once the Florida legislature removed any ability for school districts to mandate masks, it lifted that requirement.

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Since all Florida districts would see overall increases in the $105.3 billion state budget advanced Wednesday by the House Appropriations Committee, the mask penalty wont be that harmful, Fine said.

It is intended to reward the 55 school districts, the overwhelming majority of which followed our state law and respected the rights of parents over the past year, Fine said of what he called the Putting Parents First Adjustment Deduct.

The Senate doesnt include the policy in its $108.6 billion state budget proposal. The budgets were approved by committees Wednesday in the House and Senate, but its unclear whether Fines idea will survive work between the two sides on reaching a consensus spending plan for 2022-23 before the Legislatures scheduled March 11 finish.

Richard Corcoran, Florida Education Commissioner and former Speaker of the Florida House, responds to questions asked by the Florida State Presidential Search Committee on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

Move echoes student mask wars of last summer

DeSantis last summer issued an executive order allowing only parents to decide whether their children would wear masks in schools. Rules enacted later by the Education Department and Health Department affirmed this parent-based standard and led to the withholding of pay from school board members in eight of the districts that continued to require masks.

The Biden administration also got into the clash, backing defiant school districts. In December, paychecks withheld from school board members were returned by the Florida Education Department.

The ban on school mask mandates was finally cemented into state law in November, during a special legislative session. The measure signed by DeSantis prohibits vaccine and mask requirements in schools.

The counties penalized under Fines Putting Parents First proposal, along with Palm Beach County, are Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Leon, Orange, Sarasota and Volusia.

In Miami-Dade, the largest county affected, schools would lose almost $72 million; Indian River, the smallest, is tapped for $1.3 million. Palm Beach County stands to lose $28 million, according to a House document. Fine included in the House budget a line that the deduction will not reduce funding for any direct educational service or resource that impacts the education of kindergarten through grade 12 students.

Instead, he said the money will be taken from state funds directed toward administrators making more than $100,000 annually. These are bureaucrats, not people in the classrooms, Fine said, in response to questions from Democrats.

Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, pointed out that plenty of staff in the Republican-led Legislature earn more than the $100,000 threshold targeted.

And Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, also asked Fine if he was simply looking to punish districts that offended him.

We have the power of paper ... but we also have the power of the purse, Fine said, adding that its about holding people accountable.

John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. Palm Beach Post reporter Sonja Isger contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: School districts which defied DeSantis on masks may lose state funding
President Joe Biden. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Sen. Roger Marshall said he wants Biden to take a cognitive test because he is concerned for his health.

Republicans have questioned Biden's cognitive abilities since before he was elected in 2020.

Biden's doctor said after his physical in November he was "healthy," "vigorous," and fit for office.

Republican Sen. Roger Marshall expressed interest in having the president take an annual cognitive test, citing concern for President Joe Biden's health.

"I think we're all concerned for President Biden's mental health," Marshall, a physician and the junior senator from Kansas, said Sunday during an interview on Fox News. He said he feels there has been a "deterioration" in Biden's "mental capacity" over the past year.

"Maybe we need to be proactive and ask once a year, much like we ask our president to get a physical, something from his doctor, that he also takes some type of mental test," Marshall said.

He added that it could be something he will look into with Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, both Republicans.

"I think we're all very concerned about his health and it is a national security issue," Marshall said.

Republicans have questioned Biden's physical and mental health since before he was elected in 2020. As recently as Tuesday, 38 Republicans sent a letter to the president requesting he take a cognitive test.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Marshall's comments or the letter.

Biden, who turned 79 in November, is the oldest person ever to be elected president. After his annual physical exam in November, his doctor said he was "'healthy," "vigorous," and "fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency," according to the summary report.

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The exam included blood, physical, gastrointestinal, dental, vision, and neurological examinations, among other screenings.

The summary report also said an "extremely detailed neurological exam was reassuring," and that there were "no findings that would be consistent with any cerebellar or other neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or ascending lateral sclerosis."

Politico reported last year that concerns about Biden's mental fitness are most common among pro-Trump Republicans, but that some in the GOP disagree. GOP Sen. Shelley Moore Capito told the outlet the president was "sharp as a tack" in meetings she had with him. GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy, who is also a medical doctor, said Biden "listened very attentively and appropriately" in a meeting.

Public concern for Biden's mental health has also swayed, though it is most prominent among Republican voters. In November, new polling suggested public perception of Biden's mental fitness had declined from a year prior, Insider's Jake Lahut reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(WLKY)

A gunman tried to assassinate Louisville mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg by walking into his office and opening fire on him, police say.

The attacker took several shots at the Democratic candidate at his office in the Kentucky city on Monday morning, but authorities say that no one was hurt in the incident.

Police Chief Erika Shields say they believe Mr Greenberg, whose clothes were hit by one round, was the target of the shooting.

We consider ourselves very fortunate today, Chief Shields said as she confirmed one person had been taken into custody and that they are believed to have acted alone.

Were going to keep an open mind and proceed with an abundance of caution, Chief Shields added.

My team and I are fortunately all safe. We are all with LMPD now. I will provide an update as soon as possible. Thank you for the outpouring of support.  Craig Greenberg (@RunWithCraig) February 14, 2022

Mr Greenberg took to Twitter to ensure people that he had been unharmed in the shocking incident.

My team and I are fortunately all safe. We are all with LMPD now. I will provide an update as soon as possible. Thank you for the outpouring of support, he tweeted.

He has previously said that public safety in the city will be his top priority if elected later this year and has called for the funding of a community-oriented police force.

David Nicholson, a Democrat also running, said he had now taken extra security precautions.

I was immediately notified of the shooting by LMPD, and I have since spoken with Mr. Greenberg, Mr Nicholson said.

While our campaign received no prior threats or indication of danger, my campaign has taken the necessary precautions to protect my family, campaign team and my self.

Bill Dieruf, a Republican candidate for Louisville mayor, condemned the shooting.

Our prayers go out to Democratic mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg and his family and staff, he said in a statement.

The shooting incident at his office today cannot be condoned. Trust that an incident such as this must not deter candidates from seeking the very best for this community.
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NFTs are unique, one-of-a-kind crypto assets that enable collectors to authenticate, own and trade original authenticated versions of special digital goods using blockchain technology. Photo: Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty

Britain's tax authority has seized non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for the first time ever amid growing concern that a boom in digital art is opening new doors for fraudsters to hide money.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) seized three NFTs as part of a probe into an attempt to defraud the taxman of 1.4m ($1.9m).

The authority also arrested three people in the alleged VAT repayment fraud.

The suspects, who cannot be named, were using "sophisticated methods" to hide themselves, including stolen identities, pre-paid mobiles, false Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and invoices, and pretending to be a legitimate business, according to HMRC.

"We constantly adapt to new technology to ensure we keep pace with how criminals and evaders look to conceal their assets," said Nick Sharp, HMRC's deputy director of economic crime.

The action served as a "warning to anyone who thinks they can use crypto assets to hide money", Sharp added.

HMRC said it secured a court order for the three seized NFTs and 5,000 in other crypto assets while an investigation continues into the suspected fraud involving 250 alleged fake firms.

Read more: NFTs: The birth of a $27bn marketplace

The NFT market has become popular in recent years, drawing in a number of wealthy consumers since they emerged in around 2014.

The craze for NFTs saw the market reach $27bn (19.bn) in 2021, as people across the world continued to shift to digital collectibles during the pandemic.

NFTs are unique, one-of-a-kind crypto assets that enable collectors to authenticate, own and trade original authenticated versions of special digital goods using blockchain technology.

They can be anything digital from drawings to videos or GIFs, but they can also be applied to a physical item such as coins or a stamp.

In economics, a fungible asset is something with units that can be readily interchanged, in the same way money can. You are able to swap a 10 note for two 5 notes and it will have the same value.

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When a NFT is bought, the person purchasing receives a certificate secured in blockchain technology, which makes them the owner of that specific digital asset. Specifically, NFTs are typically held on the Ethereum (ETH-USD) blockchain, but other blockchains support them too.

This cannot be replicated or substituted, and it can only have one official owner at any given time. NFTs are transparent and no one is able to modify the record of ownership or copy/paste a new NFT into existence.

Watch: What are SPACs?
The man who was killed by Dearborn police after a suspicious fire at a mosque has been identified as 37-year-old Ahmed Taqi, a Wayne County official said Sunday.

Taqi was fatally shot after an exchange of gunfire between him and Dearborn police officers, said Dearborn officials.

"The cause of death is a gunshot wound to the neck," Wayne County spokeswoman Tiffani Jackson told the Free Press.

Related: Police: Officers fatally shoot man after Dearborn mosque arson

Early Saturday morning about 1 a.m., Dearborn police who were on patrol spotted a fire at the Al-Huda Islamic Association, a mosque on Warren Avenue near the border with Detroit. They encountered Taqi, who was armed, police said.

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said Taqi was "responsible for the fire."

A person was shot and killed by Dearborn Police early on Feb. 12, 2022, by Dearborn Police at the Al-Huda Islamic Association on West Warren in Dearborn. The police saw a fire there and the suspected arsonist fired at them. Police returned fire killing the suspect.

"As they surveyed the scene, the individual shot at the officers," Hammoud said in a statement Saturday.

Police said officers then chased him in a pursuit that ended in Detroit.

Taqi "fired at the officers again, which prompted return fire that fatally struck him," Hammoud said.

It's unclear what motivated Taqi.

Hammoud said that the person who set the fire "may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time."

Detroit Police and Michigan State Police are handling the investigation. MSP did not immediately comment Sunday on the incident. Detroit Police also did not comment.

Photo taken at 2:33 am at Al-Huda Islamic Association, a mosque in Dearborn on Warren Avenue after a fire.

Also on Sunday, a Muslim group condemned the fire at the mosque and praised the police response.

"We are deeply saddened to hear about yesterday morning's attack against one of our mosques, in which many of us - including myself - worship," Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who has spoken before at the mosque, said in a statement. "We commend the swift response of the Dearborn police in responding to what could have resulted in more damage to the mosque and potential violence in the vicinity of a house of worship."

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A person was shot and killed by Dearborn Police early on Feb. 12, 2022, by Dearborn Police at the Al-Huda Islamic Association on West Warren in Dearborn. The police saw a fire there and the suspected arsonist fired at them. Police returned fire killing the suspect.

Other groups, including the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and Michigan chapter of the Jewish civil rights group ADL, have also condemned the fire at the mosque.

Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or Twitter @nwarikoo

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Identity of man killed by Dearborn police after mosque fire is IDed
By Hyunjoo Jin

San Francisco (Reuters) -Intel Corp's Mobileye unit plans to build and deploy self-driving electric shuttle vehicles with its partners in the United States in 2024, in a bid to scale up its automated driving systems beyond taxis and delivery vehicles, executives told Reuters.

Mobileye, Benteler EV Systems and Beep will launch the on-demand driverless shuttles, which will feature 12 to 14 seats and no steering wheel or pedal.

The shuttles will be operated in "contained geo-fenced areas" where speed limits are 35 miles an hour or less, Hinrich Woebcken, advisory board member for Beep, a mobility service provider, said.

They expect to have a couple of hundred of the vehicles on U.S. roads in the first year of their deployment, with a goal to boost the number to between 10,000 and 15,000 globally, the executives said.

Mobileye plans to deploy robotaxis in Israel and Germany by the end of this year pending regulatory approval. It is also working with Silicon Valley startup Udelv to put automated electric delivery vehicles into service in the United States by 2023.

Mobileye will prove to U.S. federal and state regulators that its self-driving system would be safer than a human driver, said Johann Jungwirth, vice president of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) at Mobileye.

"On a technology perspective, we feel very, very bullish and very strongly that the technology is actually close to being ready," he said.

The executives said shuttles will help save on driver costs and address driver shortages, as well as addressing urban problems such as emissions and congestion.

"We see the interesting opportunities and growth of this autonomous mover, autonomous shuttle market. So we see it as a blue ocean," Marco Kollmeier, managing director of Benteler EV Systems GmbH, said.

Benteler EV Systems, part of German automotive parts group Benteler International AG, will build the shuttles that meet automotive industry and safety standards for public roads.

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Leslie Adler and David Holmes)




The Bureau of Indian Affairs on Monday announced a series of reforms to its correctional program after a four-year period that saw 16 inmate deaths.

Reforms announced to the Bureau's Office of Justice Services (OJS) include geographically positioning the bureau's Internal Affairs investigators in locations that allow quicker responses, as well as monthly briefings to the OJS director on investigations of in-custody deaths. It would further update any existing law enforcement and detention handbooks to reflect new policies.

"We will not shy away from acknowledging the past and taking ownership of the path to improve conditions in our facilities," Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland said in a statement. "The reforms we are announcing today represent a new chapter for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as we move toward organizational culture change."

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary, has announced several initiatives aimed at improving tribal relations and addressing historical wrongs. Last September, she announced an investigation in conjunction with tribal leaders into the legacy of federal boarding schools, where generations of indigenous children were forced to cut their hair and renounce their language and culture.

However, the initiatives also come amid controversy over the announcement last week that Darren Cruzan, the former assistant director of Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, will be hired as a private contractor to review in-custody deaths. Cruzan would be charged with investigating a number of deaths that occurred during his own tenure at the Interior Department, according to an NPR investigation.

"Regardless of the assurances of a clean selection process for Mr. Cruzan, the appearance of conflict and favoritism cannot be ignored," House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-Az.) said in a statement Thursday. "The investigation into deaths that occurred in BIA detention centers demands a fully independent investigation. Tribal citizens' lives must be protected and we need answers as to why they weren't in this case."
By Dan Williams

MANAMA (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett arrived in Bahrain's capital Manama on Monday in the highest-level visit since the countries established relations under a 2020 U.S.-sponsored deal based in part on shared worries about Iran.

Bennett will meet with Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, his office said.

"The leaders will discuss additional ways to strengthen bilateral ties ... especially the advancement of diplomatic and economic issues, with an emphasis on technology and innovation," it said in a statement.

The two-day trip to Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's Gulf headquarters, comes amid heightened tensions after missile attacks on the neighbouring United Arab Emirates by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. Israel also normalised ties with the UAE in 2020.

Speaking to reporters before take-off, Bennett said he hoped the visit would be a "message of goodwill ... and a shared stance against common threats".

Israel has stepped up cooperation with the Gulf states. Manama hosted Israel's defence minister on Feb. 2 and has said an Israeli military officer will be posted in Bahrain as part of an international coalition.

The outreach by Bahrain's Sunni Muslim monarch has been criticised by an opposition led by the Shi'ite majority. The country has seen protests in solidarity with the Palestinians.

There were brief protests in several Shi'ite villages ahead of Bennett's visit, activists told Reuters. Footage and photos posted on Bahrain's dissolved opposition group al-Wefaq's social media accounts showed dozens of protesters marching, chanting slogans and holding up Bahraini flags.

Israel has offered to cooperate with its new Gulf partners on air defence, but has not specified whether this might include selling the short-range rocket interceptor Iron Dome.

Such sales in the past have been subjected to questions of whether the systems would be secure and not be shared with Israel's enemies. There has also been concern it would pose a commercial challenge to U.S. defence exports.

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But a U.S. official saw no problem in Washington were Israel to go ahead with Iron Dome sales in the Gulf.

"There's a lot of interest in Iron Dome" in the region, said the official, who could not be identified by name.

(Additional reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Alison Williams)
Ivan Reitman dies, aged 75 (AP)

Celebrated Canadian filmmaker Ivan Reitman has died, his family said in a statement on Monday. He was 75.

Reitman, who will be remembered for his work in classic Hollywood comedies like National Lampoons Animal House (1978) and Ghostbusters (1984), died peacefully in his sleep, his family told the Associated Press.

Reitman was residing in Montecito, California when he died.

Signed by his three children Jason, Catherine, and Caroline, the Reitman familys joint statement read: Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life.

We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world, they said.

While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.

More details to follow.
Angela Weiss/Getty

Ivan Reitman, the filmmaking and producing powerhouse behind such irreverent cultural touchstones as Ghostbusters and Animal House, has died, his family said Sunday. He was 75.

Reitman died peacefully in his sleep at his home in California on Saturday night, according to a joint statement given by his family to the Associated Press. No cause of death was specified.

Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life, said Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman, and Caroline Reitman, the directors three adult children.

We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world, the family added. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.

Having cut his teeth by producing then-fledgling horror auteur David Cronenbergs early work, Reitman burst onto the scene first as the producer of the madcap 1978 frat comedy National Lampoons Animal House.

The following year, Reitman took the first step in what would go on to be one of his most celebrated artistic partnerships, directing an unknown Bill Murray in summer camp flick Meatballs.

Ghostbusters Director Ivan Reitman on Killing Bill Murray in the Ghostbusters III That Wasnt

From there, it was just a hop, skip, and a jump into the comedic stuff of legend. As a director, Reitman hit a number of cinematic home runs throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including 1981s Stripes (another Murray team-up), 1988s Twins, 1990s Kindergarten Cop, and 1994s Junior.

But it was with 1984s Ghostbusters that Reitman was able to cement his status as a Hollywood giant. The critically acclaimed blockbuster has pulled in a $242 million domestic lifetime gross and spawned a series of sequels, including last years Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

Directed by his son, Jason, Afterlife served as a kind of spiritual torch-passing. Reitman served as producer to his sons vision, and was reportedly moved to tears while watching a cut of the film.

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My father hasnt been leaving the house much because of COVID, Jason told Empire magazine in January last year. But he took a test, put on a mask and drove down to the Sony lot to watch the movie with the studio. And after, he cried, and he said, Im so proud to be your father. And it was one of the great moments of my life.

Born in Czechoslovakia in 1946, Reitman was the child of an Auschwitz survivor and an underground resistance fighter. The family immigrated to Toronto to escape communist oppression when he was 4 years old.

I remember flashes of scenes, Reitman told the AP of the journey in 1979. Later they told me about how they gave me a couple of sleeping pills so I wouldnt make any noise. I was so knocked out that I slept with my eyes open. My parents were afraid I was dead.

Nearly six decades later, Reitman would be made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions as a director and producer, and for his promotion of the Canadian film and television industries.

As a producer, Reitman hit a hot streak with the Beethoven film series, about the cuddly Saint Bernard, and 1996s Space Jam.

In 2016, Reitman told The Daily Beast in an interview that he still considered Ghostbusters to be the strongest of his Murray quartet, calling it the purest and most complex.

In Ghostbusters, the story was the alpha, Reitman said. It was important and you couldnt just make up whatever was in your head. Attention had to be paid, and attention had to be paid to the storytelling.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Marylands mask mandate for workers and visitors in state buildings will be lifted next week, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Monday.

Effective Feb. 22, masking would become optional inside places like Motor Vehicle Administration locations and other state buildings. Some localities in Maryland, such as Baltimore City, still have indoor masking mandates.

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Masks will be strongly recommended in state buildings for those who are unvaccinated against COVID-19, Hogans office said in a news release.

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Later Monday, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. announced that masks would no longer be required in county buildings starting Feb. 28, and mandated coronavirus testing for unvaccinated county employees would come to a halt.

[ How are Maryland COVID cases, vaccinations and other metrics trending? Here are the latest numbers. [GRAPHICS] ]

The state announced Jan. 3 that it would resume requiring mask-wearing inside its buildings, as the omicron variant of COVID-19 surged. Back then, the seven-day average positivity rate was higher than ever before, climbing toward 30%.

Monday, the rate was 3.77%, and 751 people were battling their COVID-19 infections in Maryland hospitals. In January, as many as 3,462 people were hospitalized with coronavirus at once.

Given the dramatic declines in our health metrics, we are now able to take another step toward normalcy in state operations, Hogan said in Mondays news release. In addition, we continue to offer paid leave for state employees to get their booster shots, which provide critical protection against the virus and its variants.

The General Assemblys presiding officers said Monday they plan to continue requiring masks in the State House legislative chambers, as well as in offices and committee rooms in the Annapolis complex.

State officials did not immediately answer questions about whether congregate facilities such as state correctional institutions were included in the governors directive.

In a statement Monday, Patrick Moran, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Maryland Council 3, opposed Hogans decision. AFSCME is the largest state workers union in Maryland.

Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. >

Governor Hogan continues to lead Maryland based on polls and not public health, Moran wrote. Maryland still has over 750 people hospitalized and people dying every day  including two AFSCME Council 3 members in the last two weeks.

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The governors decision endangers front-line state workers, Moran wrote  especially those in congregate care facilities with no opportunity to social distance.

Just like the Federal Government mandates people wear seatbelts, even if some people dont like them, the Governor should continue to require masking in State facilities, Moran wrote.

Last week, Hogan asked the State Board of Education to lift a mask requirement for Maryland schools.

The board has said COVID-19 transmission must be moderate or lower for counties to consider voiding the mandate, or there must be an 80% vaccination rate in schools or their surrounding communities.

Currently, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that COVID-19 transmission in all Maryland counties is considered high or substantial.

Baltimore Sun reporter Pamela Wood contributed to this article.
The Rutherford County Judicial Center in Murfreesboro, where Judge James Turner sentenced Michael D. Lewis to 20 years in prison for four felony counts of statutory rape. Lewis was the director for religious education at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Murfreesboro, where he committed the abuse.

A Rutherford County judge sentenced Michael D. Lewis to 20 years in prison Monday after Lewis pleaded guilty to felony charges in the sexual abuse of a girl at a Catholic parish in Murfreesboro.

Lewis pleaded to four counts of statutory rape, Class C felonies, all related to events that occurred between 2014 to 2016 when Lewis was the director for religious education at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church.

"The power that you once held in my life is gone. Never again will I be the little girl who was too afraid to stand up for herself. Never again will I be powerless and had no control over what she was being forced to do," Lewis's victim directly said to him in a victim statement during a hearing before Rutherford County Judge James Turner.

"Everything that I went through at your hands taught me that am stronger than I ever thought possible...You silenced my refusals and you took my voice, until now," the woman said.

Lewis' sentencing marks the end of an 18-month criminal proceeding. There is an ongoing civil lawsuit in Davidson County against Saint Rose and the Diocese of Nashville for allegedly failing to act on reports of Lewis' abuse.

The victim in the Rutherford County case is the plaintiff in the Davidson County lawsuit.

Criminal case

A grand jury indicted Lewis in June 2020 on 10 counts of statutory rape and four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure.

Lewis was Saint Rose's director of religious education, meaning he was a diocesan employee, from November 2011 to April 2016. He oversaw Sunday school and sacramental preparation, including training parish youth for altar serving.

Lewis' abuse began when the victim was 13 years old. The then-girl chose him as her mentor in advance of her Confirmation, said Sharon Reddick, a prosecutor with the Rutherford County District Attorney's office during Monday morning's hearing.

Later, she became a student coordinator for religious education and altar serving at Saint Rose, working closely with Lewis, according to the Davidson County lawsuit. The abuse allegedly occurred on church property, at Lewis's house, and in parking lots, Reddick said Monday.

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"While someone who was supposed to be a father figure and teach me about my faith, instead groomed and later assaulted me countless times, teaching me little about faith and far more about fear, power and control," the victim, now 21, said during Monday's hearing. The Tennessean generally does not name victims of sexual abuse.

Rutherford County indictment: Former Murfreesboro Sunday school director indicted on rape, sexual battery charges

Davidson County lawsuit: New lawsuit alleges Catholic diocese was negligent in addressing abuse at Murfreesboro parish

The victim reported the abuse to police in January 2020. Then, law enforcement assisted the victim with a controlled phone call and Facebook messages, in which Lewis acknowledged his abuse, Reddick said.

A jury trial was scheduled to begin Monday, but Lewis and his attorneys reached a plea deal last week.

"The sentencing of this rapist is due to the courage of a young victim who reported to the police," Susan Vance, a representative of the Tennessee chapter of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said in a statement. "SNAP of Tennessee stands with her in this fight for justice."

In a statement about Lewis's sentencing, diocese spokesperson Rick Musacchio said, "We encourage anyone who suspects that abuse is taking place to report it to civil authorities. We cooperate with any investigations that they may deem necessary and support the legal process responding to those reports."

Davidson County lawsuit update

The Davidson County complaint alleges Saint Rose and the diocese failed to properly vet Lewis and his previous employment history at a Tennessee Ridge parish, and then did not act on information and concerns expressed about Lewis's behavior at Saint Rose.

Specifically, the complaint states the church and diocese should have launched internal investigations and notified the police after a parish employee found text messages between Lewis and the victim, and after a parishioner sent a letter to former Bishop David Choby.

Since September, Saint Rose and the diocese have responded to the complaint by asking the judge to strike certain language in the complaint and order the plaintiff to file an amended version.

Saint Rose called for the removal of 64 paragraphs in the complaint that the parish called "redundant, immaterial, impertinent, and/or scandalous matters," according to a parish memorandum. The diocese said in a separate memorandum it backs Saint Rose's removal requests, and requested a few more paragraphs be removed.

The diocese called some statements in the lawsuit "egregious and improper assertions ... to attempt to impugn the integrity of the Diocese in the eye of the public and potential jurors, have no real bearing on the case, prejudice the movant, and even have criminal overtones."

Musacchio added in his statement Monday about the lawsuit that "statements in a lawsuit filed with the court only reflect the point of view presented by the plaintiffs attorneys. Attorneys for the Diocese of Nashville and for Saint Rose Parish will vigorously defend the allegations set forth in the lawsuit and respond in the proper legal forum."

Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean. Reach him at ladams@tennessean.com or on Twitter @liamsadams.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Former Murfreesboro Catholic parish employees gets 20 years for abuse
A look at the shareholders of Aspen Group (ASX:APZ) can tell us which group is most powerful. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones. Warren Buffett said that he likes "a business with enduring competitive advantages that is run by able and owner-oriented people." So it's nice to see some insider ownership, because it may suggest that management is owner-oriented.

Aspen Group is a smaller company with a market capitalization of AU$222m, so it may still be flying under the radar of many institutional investors. In the chart below, we can see that institutions own shares in the company. We can zoom in on the different ownership groups, to learn more about Aspen Group.

See our latest analysis for Aspen Group

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Aspen Group?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Aspen Group. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Aspen Group's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

It would appear that 14% of Aspen Group shares are controlled by hedge funds. That catches my attention because hedge funds sometimes try to influence management, or bring about changes that will create near term value for shareholders. Brahman Capital Management Pte. Ltd. is currently the largest shareholder, with 14% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 7.4% and 6.8%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. Furthermore, CEO John Carter is the owner of 0.8% of the company's shares.

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We did some more digging and found that 7 of the top shareholders account for roughly 50% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There is some analyst coverage of the stock, but it could still become more well known, with time.

Insider Ownership Of Aspen Group

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Aspen Group. Insiders own AU$26m worth of shares in the AU$222m company. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 21% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Aspen Group. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Private Company Ownership

Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 10%, of the company's shares. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 4 warning signs with Aspen Group (at least 1 which is concerning) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
By Josh Smith and Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea will begin giving out fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines this month and supply millions of additional home test kits to ease shortages amid a surge in Omicron infections, authorities confirmed on Monday.

The surge has pushed daily cases to records, but widespread vaccination, with first booster shots received by more than 57 percent of the population of 52 million, has helped limit deaths and serious infections.

High-risk groups will be the first to get the fourth dose, in effect a second booster shot, Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol told a COVID-19 response meeting.

"We're planning to provide fourth shots to those who live in nursing homes and care facilities and others with declined immunisation, in light of a recent increase of infections among people aged 60 or older," he said.

At least 44.22 million people, or 86.2 percent of the population, are considered fully vaccinated. Sunday's 54,619 new cases took the tally of infections to 1,405,246, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

The country's death toll rose by 21 to 7,102.

Recipients of the fourth shot will include some 500,000 people aged 18 or older who live or work at care centres, and 1.3 million others who immunocompromised, KDCA director Jeong Eun-kyeong told a separate briefing.

People outside these groups would not yet be advised to receive additional vaccination.

As the Omicron variant of coronavirus became dominant last month, the government began to restrict free polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to those in high risk groups.

Others must first take rapid antigen tests using kits sold at stores, or offered free by public health centres.

On Sunday, authorities imposed a three-week rationing period on test kits for home use, by limiting online sales as well as pharmacy purchases to five to a person at a single location.

However, the total number available to buy will not be curbed, authorities said, as they believe stocks to be adequate in the absence of major hoarding.

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Kwon said about 30 million additional self-test kits will be supplied nationwide this month to dispel concerns about shortages. The government has said it plans to provide 190 million self-test kits for March, more than twice the supply in February.

The National Assembly passed a bill on Monday to allow COVID-19 patients to cast their ballot in the March 9 presidential election.

The amendment to the Public Official Election Act came as officials explore how to prevent potential COVID-related disruptions while ensuring everyone's right to vote.

The existing rules effectively ban people diagnosed with a contagious disease after the March 4-5 early voting period due to mandatory isolation policy.

(Reporting by Josh Smith and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Tom Hogue)
SINGAPORE  On Thursday, 10 February, Fendi celebrates its revamped flagship boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, welcoming Friends of Fendi and the media.

Beautifully refreshed with a 641 sqm extension, the top floor of the two-level boutique evokes an understated luxury and is dedicated to women. You will find bags, ready-to-wear, accessories, and shoes. Take a walk down the staircase, and you will find yourself in the men's and kids' sections. The boutique uses iconic Italian Arabescato Vagli marble flooring reminiscent of Roman architecture  referencing the Maisons Roman heritage.

Amidst the celebration, Yahoo Life SEA had the pleasure of chatting with actor Lawrence Wong at the lovely Fendi Mens area about his sartorial preferences, fashion risks and styling tips.

Our editorial team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission. Prices were correct at the time of publication.

On Fendis celebration

Fendi is not just a fashion label to Wong. The actor lauded how the brand managed to stay relevant with the current generation while staying true to its heritage.

Its truly an honour and a joy to be here. I have worked with the brand for many years and they have been very supportive of me. This brand has a history. Even though they evolved with the current generation, they have never lost touch with their roots. When you see certain pieces, you know they are Fendi, he shared.

Have fun with fashion

When asked about the fashion risks he has taken to date, Wong cited that he had too many and encouraged us to have fun with fashion.

Fashion is about having fun even when you have doubts about it  give it a try and see how you can make it work. Dont take it too seriously. This is what I learned from my years in my career. Find ways to make it work and you will be surprised, he said.

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Must-haves and go-tos

Wong believes the timeless staple in a mans wardrobe are white shirts, white T-shirts and black pants.

The fit and the material are very important, Wong stressed. Not all white T-shirts are made the same, and he admits that finding the right white T-shirt can be challenging. He shared that the trick to completing the look is the shoes as shoes can take you anywhere. He believes that everyone should preferably have one type of shoes for any occasion.

Styling tips for men

You would think that the clothes horse would look good in anything stylists put on him. On the contrary, the actor claimed that he has been able to make his skinny frame work for two reasons. Firstly, have fun with fashion. Secondly, it is to Know your body proportions. No matter the trends, if the item doesnt suit your body proportions, it wont work." A great tip he shared is to, "Alter your clothes to fit your body proportions. Once you get your body proportions right, you will look good in anything.

Just have fun, be bold. Try new things.Lawrence Wong

What luxury fashion represents

To Wong, luxury fashion goes beyond the trends: Luxury fashion is about the history, the whole image behind the brand. It has to relate to the current generation, it has to evolve, but not forgetting the history they have been amassing throughout the years. That defines luxury fashion to me.

Fendi is at #B1 - 22 To 25, The Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands, Singapore and Level 2 and 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Shop Fendi online on MyTheresa.
Feb. 14NORTH ANDOVER  The odds are long against any bill getting passed by the state Legislature.

"There are a lot of bills filed each session, anywhere from 6 to 8 thousand bills, so it requires a lot of advocacy to help bills percolate to the top," said State Representative Tram Nguyen.

She was addressing a forum in January where advocacy was both practiced and discussed by The Climate Justice Group from the North Parish Church in North Andover.

Nguyen and State Representative Christina Minicucci were both at the event, which was held via Zoom and was attended by more than 80 people from North Andover, Lawrence, Boxford, Andover and other communities. Most, but not all of those in the audience were members of the Climate Justice Group.

"Since our group formed in 2015, we have been advocating for environmental and climate justice bills before the Massachusetts legislature," said Karen Martin, chair of the group. "We know that government must play a part in addressing the climate crisis, and the injustice it worsens."

They invited Nguyen and Minicucci so that the representatives could share their thoughts on four bills that are currently in the legislature, and give the group advice on how to advocate effectively on their behalf.

"We were hoping you would be able to talk about why you support the bills, why they might be important, and particularly, how constituent advocacy can help in getting them passed," Martin said.

Bills must be filed within a month after a new sessions starts, in the January of every odd year, Nguyen said, after which they are assigned to different committees for review.

"Committees have about a year to hold hearings on all the bills assigned to them, which may sound like a lot of time to you, but given the volume of bills, we have to divvy it up and give each bill the appropriate hearing," Nguyen said.

At the point when the forum was held, there were only a few days left before a legislative deadline, February 2, when bills are either reported out of committee, sent for further study, or rejected altogether.

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"Now is a chance for you to look at these bills that are being reported out favorably and then try to push them over the finish line, since now we are coming up to the end of the legislative session on July 31," Nguyen said.

That is the deadline for sending bills that have been approved by the senate and house to the governor, for his signature or veto.

"So what you can do in the next six months is try to talk with committee members, work with us to push these things through," Nguyen said.

Each of the four bills promoted by the Climate Justice Group were discussed by a separate speaker, to inform others in attendance, so they could add their voices to the chorus of advocates. The bills included the Air Quality Bill, which was explained by Carolyn Bonier, who said she supported it partly for personal reasons.

"I live in Lawrence," Bonier said. "My home is one of about 150 in a 1970s development. My home is one quarter of a mile from Route 495. Especially on muggy, summer days, the air is heavy with the smell of exhaust fumes."

But Bonier also showed that she was familiar with details of the bill's provisions, and how these would help to achieve its goal of creating cleaner air.

The bill would "expand outdoor monitoring for black carbon, ultra-fine particulate matter, and criteria pollutants in pollution hot spots," Bonier said. If passed, the bill would also "require installation of air filters in existing, eligible buildings" within 200 meters of a congested roadway.

Bonier also liked the fact that the Air Quality Bill, along with eliminating mold in homes, would require upgrades on vents when new gas stoves are installed.

"All of the houses in my development were built with gas stoves without outdoor vents," she said. "Research shows that the pollution inside of a house with an unvented gas stove can be far worse than the pollution outdoors. In Lawrence, we've got it inside and outside in terms of pollution problems."

The other bills included the Building Justice with Jobs Act, which seeks to retrofit 1 million homes by 2030 to use electric heating sources, while creating thousands of new jobs.

"Heating homes in Massachusetts accounts for 27 percent of the state's carbon emissions, and the bill would reduce this by 50 percent by 2030," said Nancy Sarro of North Andover, the bill's advocate at the forum.

Lynn Langton of North Andover spoke in favor of the 100 Percent Clean Act, which would ensure that energy sources for electricity, heating and transportation in the state are clean and renewable.

Dianne Plantamura, who grew up in Lawrence and lives in Groveland, spoke on behalf of the Siting Reform Bill, which seeks to make the process of choosing locations for new power plants more just.

"All too often, polluting power plants, electrical substations and gas compressor stations are concentrated in communities where minority and low income populations and limited English proficient speakers live," she said.

In explaining her support for all these bills, Minicucci pointed to the personal impact of air pollution on her asthma. She said she also likes the way the four bills share concerns, not only with fighting pollution and creating jobs, but on not overburdening poor and minority communities.

"A lot of times, especially when you're looking at siting, you notice that many of these (power) facilities are located in North Andover, but they're located right on the Merrimack River, and they're located as far as possible from where people in North Andover are living and as close as possible to those three environmental justice communities" in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen, she said.

After the forum, everyone who attended was sent fact sheets with information about the bills, and email addresses of legislators on the committees where they are being studied.

By the time February 2 had passed, only one of the four bills, the Building Justice with Jobs Act, had received a favorable report out of committee. But that doesn't mean the other three are necessarily finished, since bills can be referred for further study, or taken up again in future legislatures.

So there is still plenty for the Climate Justice Group to work on, and Nguyen told the forum that the best way to advocate is for someone to explain to legislators why he or she cares about an issue.

"Don't be intimidated by the process," she said. "We just want to hear from you. We want to hear a bunch of reasons, like you just gave right now, why you support these bills. You don't need to be experts on them, that's the job of the committee, to do that research. So we just want to hear that you support this."
A Grand Rapids man who was shot by police in early 2021 pleaded guilty several felonies Friday, according to court records.

Tristan Stavedahl, 20, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of a firearm during a felony, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and possession of methamphetamine as part of a plea agreement with the Livingston County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss one count of carrying a concealed weapon, reduced a manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine charge, and dismissed a carrying a concealed weapon charge.

He is scheduled to appear in front of Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Geddis on March 3 for sentencing.

Christopher Nally, Stavedahl's attorney, declined to comment Monday.

A Michigan State Police trooper shot Stavedahl April 13, 2021, after Livingston County Sheriff's deputies responded to a traffic crash involving a stolen vehicle at Milett and Layton roads, an MSP officer said in a previous court hearing.

Officers located Stavedahl in a field along Milett Road, near a construction area, according to the officer.

The officer testified Stavedahl had methamphetamine on him at the time of his arrest and additional drugs were found hidden in his "groin area" at the hospital.

Another stolen vehicle was located at the scene; both vehicles were unoccupied, police said.

In Audust 2021, Stavedahl was found competent to stand trial by the Center For Forensic Psychiatry.

Contact Kayla Daugherty at 517-552-2848 or kdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KayDaugherty92.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Man pleads guilty to drug, firearm charges related to police shooting
With the Roe v. Wade court decision that legalized abortion in peril, top women lawmakers in Maryland are pushing to guarantee rights to the procedure in the states constitution.

We will do everything we can to make sure womens reproductive health care is always protected in Maryland, said House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne A. Jones.

Central to her effort is a bill that, if passed by state lawmakers, would give Maryland voters the chance to vote in November to enshrine the right to choose an abortion in the state constitution. Maryland law already guarantees the legality of the procedure.

Other bills sponsored by Jones and her team would allow more medical professionals to perform abortion procedures and prescribe abortion drugs, including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and medical assistants. The legislation also would expand training opportunities for medical professionals, require private insurance to cover abortions at no out-of-pocket cost and require Medicaid to cover abortions.

Abortion is health care and health care is a human right. And access to abortion care is clearly a civil right, said Karen Nelson, CEO of Planned Parenthood Maryland.

Efforts to limit access to abortion have repeatedly failed in Maryland, especially with a 2-to-1 Democratic majority in the General Assembly. But supporters of abortion access say Maryland is feeling the strain from the anti-abortion movement, including protests outside clinics and threats to providers.

Abortion providers say theyre seeing more patients coming to Maryland from other states that have instituted severe restrictions on abortions, including Texas. Roe v. Wade was a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1973 that legalized abortion throughout the United States.

Del. Shane Pendergrass, who chairs a key health committee in the House of Delegates, is confident the bills will pass.

I think we believe we have the votes to pass this, said Pendergrass, a Howard County Democrat.

The bills will have a public hearing in the House Health and Government Operations Committee next week. Should they pass both the House and the Senate by the time the General Assembly adjourns in April, the constitutional question would go to voters on Novembers ballot.

This article will be updated.
A teacher at a private girls school in Baltimore has been arrested and charged with sexual solicitation of a minor.

Maryland State Police said Saturday that Mark Planamente, 38, of Parkville, has also been charged with displaying obscene material to a minor.

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At the time of his arrest Friday night, Planamente was a teacher at Sisters Academy of Baltimore, a middle school for girls with Catholic roots but independent of the Archdiocese of Baltimores schools.

The school website lists him as a social studies teacher. State police said the school is cooperating with the investigation.

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Police said he previously taught in Baltimore County Public Schools and at The Catholic High School of Baltimore.

The investigation began Friday when Maryland State Police say they received a report of an alleged inappropriate online relationship between a juvenile female and her former teacher.

Officers obtained a search warrant and arrested Planamente late Friday night.
By David Lawder and Dave Graham

WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -U.S. imports of new Mexican avocado harvests will stay suspended for "as long as necessary" to ensure the safety of U.S. inspectors who were threatened verbally in Mexico's western Michoacan state, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Monday.

The halt of export inspections on Feb. 11 by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) marks another source of trade tension between Washington and Mexico City.

All U.S.-bound avocado crops must be inspected for safety, and those approved before Feb. 11 could still be exported, the agency said.

USDA said the suspension was ordered "following a security incident (verbal threat) involving our employees. The suspension will remain in place for as long as necessary to ensure the appropriate actions are taken, to secure the safety of APHIS personnel working in Mexico."

The details of the incident were not immediately clear. Michoacan, Mexico's top avocado producing state and the only one certified to export to the United States, has long had security issues linked to problems with drug gangs.

'POLITICAL ATTITUDE'

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday authorities are looking at the U.S. decision and suggested there may be political motivations behind the suspension.

Speaking at a regular government news conference, Lopez Obrador said the matter may have been influenced by groups with something to gain from the suspension, without elaborating.

"The truth is, there's always an economic, a commercial interest behind it," he said. "Or there's a political attitude."

The Biden administration has recently brought a number of complaints about Mexican enforcement of labor rights and environmental standards under the updated U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade. The United States also voiced concerns about government regulations in its telecoms and energy sectors.

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Lopez Obrador pointed to a recent decision by U.S. trade officials to seek talks with Mexico over its environmental obligations under a North American trade agreement, including protection of the critically endangered vaquita porpoise.

But he said Mexican relations with the U.S. government were "very good."

(Reporting by Dave Graham; Editing by Jan Harvey and Aurora Ellis)




Another eight U.S. F-15 fighter jets landed in Poland on Monday, according to the Polish defense minister, a move that comes as tensions over Russian military buildup outside Ukraine have reached a boiling point.

"More American F-15 fighters landed today at the base in Lask," Mariusz Baszczak wrote on Twitter alongside photos of the American aircraft. "Eight aircraft will join those that came to Poland last week."

U.S. European Command didn't immediately respond to a request for comment as to where the F-15s were flown from.

The extra jets will join an unspecified number of F-15s the U.S. military last week moved to Poland from the 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, U.K. The jets are meant to work alongside Polish and Danish F-16 aircraft already working on an air policing mission under NATO.

NATO has been scrambling to bolster its defenses as Russia has amassed roughly 130,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, sparking fears that the Kremlin may launch a military offensive into the ex-Soviet country.

Moscow is now believed to have 100 battalion tactical groups near its border with Ukraine, with more on the way. The number of groups is up from 83 last week.

In response, the U.S. is deploying or repositioning 6,000 troops to Poland, Romania and Germany, 4,700 of which are being sent to Poland.

U.S. officials have continued to issue dire warnings on the situation, with Pentagon press secretary John Kirby telling "Fox News Sunday" that the "time component" for diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine "seems to be shrinking," a revelation that he said "gives us all cause for concern."
A Maryland-based naval nuclear engineer accused of trying to pass information about nuclear-powered submarines to a foreign government pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to communicate restricted data.

Jonathan Toebbe of Annapolis, Maryland, was formally indicted by a grand jury in October on one count of "conspiracy to communicate restricted data" and two counts of "communication of restricted data."

A plea deal requests he be sentenced to 12.5 years to 17.5 years in prison. Under the plea deal, Toebbe will assist federal officials with locating all classified information and restricted data owned by him and he may not have contact with any foreign governments.

Toebbe's outreach to a foreign government, which has not been named in court documents, began in April 2020, when he sent a package containing Navy documents and instructions about how to contact him, according to the criminal complaint.

Diana and Jonathan Toebbe / Credit: Instagram

"I believe this information will be of great value to your nation," he wrote, according to the complaint. "This is not a hoax."

Months later, Toebbe allegedly began corresponding with someone he believed to be an agent of another country, but who was actually an undercover FBI agent. The FBI has not disclosed how it obtained the package.

Toebbe, cautious that the contact was not who they said they were, declined to meet in person, saying it would be "very risky for me." He asked the contact to place a sign on the property of the country's embassy in Washington, D.C., to prove their credentials. Toebbe said he would look for the signal over Memorial Day weekend.

"The signal will be inside our main building from Saturday morning until Sunday evening Memorial Day weekend," the FBI wrote to Toebbe in May 2021. The FBI conducted an operation "that involved placing a signal at a location associated with" the unnamed country, according to the complaint.

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Court documents claimed the Navy engineer agreed to sell restricted data to the undercover agent for tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency.

Toebbe was arrested in October after a series of "dead drops"  a method of tradecraft that involves hiding information at a secret location without two people directly meeting  in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to the complaint. In one of the dead drops, he placed a memory card inside half a peanut butter sandwich, the government alleged in court filings last year. At other dead drops, Toebbe concealed memory cards inside a sealed Band-Aid wrapper and a chewing gum package.

The memory cards contained restricted data about nuclear submarine designs, according to the criminal complaint.

Toebbe mentioned to the individual he thought was a foreign agent that he and his wife might need help fleeing the country.

Toebbe also had the assistance of his wife, Diana, who prosecutors alleged acted as a lookout for her husband when he made some of the dead drops.

Diana Toebbe pleaded not guilty to the charges levied against her and remains jailed pending trial.

Following her indictment in October, Diana Toebbe has taken a more aggressive legal approach than her husband, fighting pretrial detention and hiring a team of attorneys to make her case. But using more than two dozen exhibits  including multiple video and photo presentations that purportedly showed the Toebbes in the act of leaving the secret information for a source  the government successfully convinced a West Virginia judge to hold her in jail.

In all, Diana Toebbe is accused of participating in three out of the four dead drops, but her legal team continues to declare her innocence, explaining in multiple filings with the court that even "Mr. Toebbe has stated that his wife is innocent."

"Mrs. Toebbe is now an unemployed school teacher and a mother of two teenage children, with no means of support," her attorney wrote last month, "She has professed her innocence as to the serious charges she faces, which charges carry no presumption in favor of detention, but remains incarcerated pretrial despite overwhelming evidence that she is neither a danger to the community or a flight risk."

Paulina Smolinski contributed reporting.

U.S.-Canada border crossing reopens after protests forced dayslong closure

U.S. and NATO allies try to deter Russia from invading Ukraine

Concerns surrounding voting rights laws and racial disparities
GIRL BOSS: OTB Foundations ongoing commitment to support young entrepreneurial women is being channeled into a new project in tandem with Milan-based Bocconi University.

The not-for-profit organization established by OTB founder Renzo Rosso in 2008 is earmarking a first investment of 280,000 euros to cover the tuition for young female students capping off their academic education with two-year courses at the university.

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The degree courses in which candidates who have already graduated from three-year courses elsewhere can enroll include economics and management of government and international organizations; politics and policy analysis; international management, and management.

According to the foundation, the program hopes to contribute to solving the lack of female representation in C-suite roles across industries and institutions by helping to shape the next generation of female leaders.

Data provided by the Italian government shows that only 2 percent of public companies chief executive officers are women, while according to the National Institute for Statistics ISTAT, less than 20 percent of executive roles in the public administration offices are covered by women.

The foundations commitment in supporting women paired with my experience as a female manager in male-dominated environments and data about gender gap, led to this project with which we hope to involve other players in the business field and institutions, said Arianna Alessi, vice president of OTB Foundation.

Our country lags behind when it comes to valuing female work so its crucial to spread a more sensitive gender-inclusive culture. Promoting female empowerment for us means establishing a woman-sized world nurturing talents via education, added Alessia.

The first courses will kick off next September, with candidates invited to submit their applications by March 17. Alessi noted that the first students enrolled in the program will be asked to mentor and support other women for future installments.

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Investing in education represents an investment in our future, and doing so by granting the university enrollment of young women is twice as valuable, commented Gianmario Verona, dean of the Bocconi University. Concretely promoting gender equality, as is the case with this initiative, will have positive effects on the economy and society as a whole, he said.

The charity arm of the OTB group has supported about 250 international projects focused on social development with an impact on the lives of 250,000 people.

Among the most recent initiatives, the organization managed to fly some women out of Afghanistan and into Italy as part of the Pink Shuttle program as the Taliban partys takeover in the country was escalating, while earlier last year, it launched the second round of its Brave Actions for a Better World charity, donating 200,000 euros to fund projects launched by Italian nonprofits aimed at fighting poverty, supporting employment and aiding access to health care and education.

OTB is the parent company of brands including Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, Jil Sander and Viktor & Rolf.

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By Mubasher Bukhari

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Pakistani appeals court on Monday acquitted the brother of social media star Qandeel Baloch of her murder, a 2016 killing that sparked national outrage and changes in laws covering so-called "honour killings".

Muhammad Waseem appealed against his 2019 murder conviction and life sentence. A court in the central city of Multan struck down the conviction after major witnesses retracted their testimony, defence lawyer Sardar Mehboob said without elaborating. A government prosecutor confirmed the acquittal.

His mother had also submitted a statement in the court that she had pardoned him, he added. It was not clear whether the court considered the mother's statement in its decision.

The main amendment in laws dealing with "honour killings" in the conservative Muslim country was that no one could be set free based solely on a pardon by a family member.

Waseem had admitted in a 2016 media conference organised by police that he strangled his 26-year-old sister due to her social media activities.

Baloch had posted Facebook posts in which she spoke of trying to change "the typical orthodox mindset" of people in Pakistan. She faced frequent abuse and death threats but continued to post pictures and videos seen as provocative.

She had built a modelling career on the back of her social media fame, but drew ire from many Pakistanis.

Her killing sent shockwaves across Pakistan and triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, spurring the government to tighten laws dealing with men who would kill a close relative in the name of family honour.

Hundreds of women are killed each year in Pakistan by family members over perceived offences to honour, including elopement, fraternization with men outside marriage or other infractions against conservative Muslim values on female modesty.

(Writing by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
MULTAN, Pakistan (AP)  A Pakistani man sentenced to life in prison in 2019 for strangling his sister, a model on social media, was acquitted of murder Monday after his parents pardoned him under Islamic law, an attorney for the man's family said.

Waseem Azeem was arrested in 2016 after he confessed to killing Qandeel Baloch, 26, for posting what he called shameful pictures on Facebook. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison but his parents had sought his release, said Sardar Mahboob, a lawyer who represents Azeem and his family.

Islamic law in Pakistan allows a murder victims family to pardon a convicted killer.

Balochs murder at the time drew nationwide condemnation, but critics suspected Azeem could walk out of prison after his conviction if his parents forgave him.

Mahboob said Azeem could be freed as early as this week after the completion of paperwork.

The siblings' mother, Anwar Bibi, welcomed the court order. I am happy over the acquittal of my son, but we are still sad for our daughter's loss," she said.

She told reporters that her slain daughter cannot come back but I am thankful to the court, which ordered the release of my son at our request."

Baloch was found strangled in her home near the city of Multan in Punjab province. She was killed after she posted racy pictures on Facebook of herself with a Muslim cleric, Mufti Abdul Qawi, who was later arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder.

The cleric was later freed as police said they could not establish a link to the murder.

Nearly 1,000 Pakistani women are murdered by close relatives each year in so-called honor killings for violating conservative norms on love and marriage. Such killings are considered murder. But Islamic law in Pakistan allows a murder victims family to pardon the killer, which often allows those convicted of honor killings to escape punishment.
When nurse Julia Buffo was told by her Montana hospital that she had to be vaccinated against COVID-19, she responded by filling out paperwork declaring that the shots run afoul of her religious beliefs.

She cited various Old and New Testament verses including a passage from Revelations that vaccine opponents often quote to liken the shots to the Mark of the Beast. She told her managers that God is the ultimate guardian of health and that accepting the vaccine would make her complicit with evil.

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FILE - In this June 7, 2021, photo, demonstrators at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital in Baytown, Texas, wave at cars that honk at them to support their protest against a policy that says hospital employees must get vaccinated against COVID-19 or lose their jobs. Religious exemptions are increasingly becoming a workaround for hospital and nursing home staff who want to keep their jobs in the face of federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates that are going into effect nationwide this week. (Yi-Chin Lee/AP)

Religious exemptions like the one Buffo obtained are increasingly becoming a workaround for unvaccinated hospital and nursing home workers who want to keep their jobs in the face of federal mandates that are going into effect nationwide this week.

In some institutions, religious exemptions are being invoked by staff and approved by managers in large numbers. Its a tricky issue for hospital administrators, who are struggling to maintain adequate staff levels and are often reticent to question the legitimacy of the requests.

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Were not going to have a Spanish inquisition with Torquemada deciding if your religious exemption is granted or not by the Grand Inquisitor, said Dr. Randy Tobler, CEO of Scotland County Hospital in Missouri, where about 25% of the 145 employees remain unvaccinated and 30 of them have been granted exemptions.

Tobler, who is vaccinated, said some employees threatened to quit if they were required to get the shot.

For people that want to judge what were doing in rural America, Id love them to come and walk in our shoes for a little while, just come and sit in the desk and try to staff the place, Tobler said.

At Cody Regional Health in Wyoming, about 200 of the 620 staffers have asked for religious exemptions and most have been granted. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte pledged his support last week to defending Montanans against discrimination based on their vaccination status in an open letter to medical workers and urged the unvaccinated to consider seeking exemptions. And West Virginia lawmakers have advanced a proposal with health care workers in mind that would let those who quit because their exemption was denied collect unemployment.

As of Monday health care workers in 24 states  all but three of which went for then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election  will be required to have received their first vaccine dose or an exemption. The mandate already took effect late last month in jurisdictions that didnt challenge the requirement in court, although enforcement actions wont begin immediately.

It affects a wide swath of the industry, covering doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, hospital volunteers, nursing homes, home-health agencies and other providers that participate in the federal Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Beyond the federal mandate, some hospitals and cities have imposed their own requirements. One of the most sweeping is in New York City, where public workers faced termination if they werent vaccinated by Friday. The military branches have their own vaccine mandates, but commanders have been loath to grant religious exemptions.

While reasons given for seeking exemptions vary, the vaccines remote link to fetuses aborted decades ago is often cited  lab-grown cell lines descended from those fetuses were used in testing and manufacturing processes. The vaccines do not contain fetal cells, however, and workers generally are seeking the exemptions without the backing of major denominations and prominent religious leaders.

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But as the health care mandate takes effect, hospital leaders acknowledge that they see the exemptions as a way to retain staff at a time when resources are already stretched thin.

Our position has been we would we want we want everyone vaccinated, said Brock Slabach, chief operations officer for the National Rural Health Association. But we also think that access to care is incredibly important.

Similar stories abound across the country.

At the 25-bed Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, in the southwestern part of the state, about 20% of the 320 employees have not been vaccinated. About 35 applied for exemptions, and others are still deciding what to do. The hospital has rejected some requests that relied on specious religious reasoning.

If its a complete, like, essay on the science behind why this shouldnt be allowed, or a complete essay on why a certain political party or political figure is an idiot, which weve seen, we dont go with that because thats not religious at all, hospital president and CEO Troy Buntz said. We do push back on those, but I dont know if other people are even reading the exemptions as much as they probably should be.

In Mississippi, some hospitals have nearly all their employees vaccinated while others are closer to the 50% to 70% range, according to Richard Roberson, the state hospital associations general counsel. Since the mandate was announced, he has received dozens of calls inquiring about how the exemptions work.

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I dont know how many there will be, but were in the heart of the Bible belt. And so that is something that is very near and dear to everyones heart, Roberson said.

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And at the 14-bed Holton Community Hospital in rural northeastern Kansas, 28 out of 193 employees have gotten religious exemptions and one got a medical exemption. The mandate helped nudge the staff vaccination rate from around 75% to nearly 87%, but some younger nurses remain hesitant because of disproven concerns that the vaccine could hurt their fertility, CEO Carrie Saia said.

Saia questioned vaccine resistance among medical workers since they see every day that those in their care with the most severe COVID-19 consequences are overwhelmingly unvaccinated. But unfortunately, with the COVID 19 pandemic, everything has gotten so political or polarized, she said.

Buffo, the Montana nurse, said she was in a state of terror when the mandate was announced, fearing that it might threaten her career. She asked herself how much she was willing to sacrifice for her values, she added, and turning to the Bible strengthened her resolve to resist what she called the insidious evil behind the vaccine campaign.

But Marcella Dahl, a primary care clinic nurse in Sidney, Montana, said she feels like some people are abusing the exemptions and its alarming that some religious leaders are encouraging the practice.

Half of the people saying this dont even go to church, Dahl said. I think it puts everybody at risk.

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Faith-based opposition to immunizations in the country historically has been limited to just a relatively few small denominations such as the End Time Ministries and the Church of the First Born. But during the pandemic, some more mainstream preachers have spoken out against the vaccines from the pulpit.

Thats new, and thats a problem, said Dr. Chris Beyrer, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. If you are not going to be vaccinated and youre going to be caring for the frail, the elderly, you should get out of health care.
LIMA (Reuters) - A Peruvian community on Monday said it would not block the key mining road used by MMG's Las Bambas copper mine, according to meeting minutes seen by Reuters, which should allow the firm to resume normal operations.

Las Bambas, a massive Chinese-owned mine that supplies 2% of global copper, was operating at a reduced capacity last week and faced the possibility of suspending all operations by Feb. 20 due to a road blockade.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The blockade was begun on Jan. 27 by members of the Ccapacmarca district. They agreed to a truce on Sunday, but their protest was immediately followed by a threat from the neighboring Coporaque district to block the road themselves.

At a meeting with government representatives on Monday, however, leaders from Coporaque agreed not to block the road for the time being, according to the meeting minutes. A new meeting has been scheduled for Thursday.

Both Ccapacmarca and Coporaque want Las Bambas to increase financial contributions to their communities.

To transport its copper, Las Bambas uses a dirt road that traverses dozens of impoverished communities in the Peruvian Andes. The road has become a flashpoint of protests since Las Bambas opened in 2016, with protesters blocking the route for over 400 days since then.

Peru is the world's No. 2 copper producer and Las Bambas accounts for 1% of the Andean nation's gross domestic product.

(Reporting by Marcelo Rochabrun, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Feb. 13Law enforcement agencies across the region and state sometimes seize and keep cash and property without criminally charging or convicting the people they take it from.

Local police agencies and federal authorities have taken possession of large sums of cash discovered during traffic stops and encounters with travelers at the Dayton International Airport.

The city of Dayton has received more than $1.2 million in the past five years from both state and federal forfeitures, including ones related to criminal convictions.

Asset seizures and forfeitures are a crime deterrent and a powerful tool to take down drug trafficking and criminal networks, say police officials and prosecutors.

"Generally speaking, DPD seizes assets that are believed to be the fruits of drug trafficking or used to facilitate the crime of drug trafficking," said Dayton Police Department Maj. Paul Saunders. "The courts have a litany of rules that are applied to each case to determine whether assets will be forfeited."

Ohio reformed its forfeiture laws years ago. But some defense attorneys, public defenders and civil rights groups say state and federal forfeiture laws still make it too easy for police to confiscate and keep money and property, even if there's scant evidence it is tied to serious criminal activity.

They say many people have trouble getting their property back, even if they are innocent or had it wrongfully taken.

"Forfeiture actions disproportionately affect poor people," said Jacob Seidl, assistant public defender with the Office of the Montgomery County Public Defender. "The property at issue is oftentimes automobiles and small amounts of money. Property that has immense value to those who have limited resources."

Owensby case

Last fall, Clifford Owensby filed a legal petition in Montgomery County Commons Pleas Court demanding the Dayton Police Department return $22,450 in cash that officers seized from his vehicle.

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Owensby, who police controversially yanked from his car during a traffic stop in September, alleged that officers unlawfully searched his vehicle and seized his money without valid probable cause.

Dayton police said they stopped Owensby's car because they saw him leave a suspected drug house and the window tint on his vehicle was too dark, which is a traffic violation.

Owensby ultimately was convicted of minor misdemeanor counts of illegal window tint and failing to properly secure a child, and he was fined.

Police also discovered a black plastic bag on the car's floorboard containing $22,450 in cash. A drug-sniffing police canine indicated the money had been in the presence of narcotics, officers alleged.

Owensby told the Dayton Daily News the money was his life savings. Police said Owensby told officers he was carrying the cash because he is a real estate investor and was looking to buy property.

Owensby's petition claims officers did not have the authority to take his money, and it could not be legally seized or forfeited under Ohio Revised Code.

"That property found to be in the possession of the motorist whose vehicle is being searched (whether rightly or wrongly so) cannot be seized by an officer merely because it became visible to the officer conducting the search," the petition says. "To be sure, it must appear to be contraband or evidence that can be related to a crime. If it were otherwise, the officer could cart off anything in the vehicle, despite the rights of the motorist he is bound to respect."

In court documents, the city and police department denied many allegations in Owensby's petition and argued he is not entitled to the requested property and asked the court to dismiss the case.

A spokesperson for the police department said, "The money is still going through the court process so we cannot comment on it."

When do officers take money?

But Dayton police officials said officers typically seize assets when they have good reason to believe the property is the proceeds of drug crimes or supports drug trafficking.

Officers take and hold money during arrests and submit eligible property for forfeiture through state or federal courts, and the process can take months or even years.

"The final disposition of seized assets is determined by the courts," Saunders said.

Since 2017, the Dayton Police Department's state law enforcement trust fund has been awarded more than $449,000 in forfeited funds from state courts, department data show. The police department's federal justice fund received more than $798,000 from forfeited funds from federal court..

Many property forfeiture awards follow criminal cases that result in conviction.

The primary purpose of Ohio's forfeiture laws is to "provide economic disincentives and remedies to deter and offset the economic effect of offenses," said Louis Tobin, executive director of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, citing Ohio Revised Code.

What is Ohio law?

Ohio's civil asset forfeiture laws changed in 2017, after House Bill 387 passed by wide margins in the Ohio House and Senate.

Under previous state law, Ohioans did not have to be convicted or even charged with a crime for the government to take their property through civil forfeiture, according to the Institute for Justice, a national, public interest law firm.

The 2017 law requires authorities to obtain a criminal conviction or its equivalent against property owners before cash or property worth less than $15,000 can be forfeited.

Authorities in Ohio can still seek civil forfeiture of property worth $15,000 or more without a criminal conviction.

The 2017 law also shifted the burden of proof from the property owner onto the state and lowered the standard of proof for forfeiture in civil court, the Institute for Justice states.

State law allows people who believe their property was unlawfully seized to file a court motion stating their interest in the property, why the seizure was unlawful and request the property's return, said Greg Flannagan, spokesperson for the Montgomery County prosecutor.

But though the burden is supposed to fall on prosecutors in civil forfeiture cases, that burden is much lower than in criminal cases, said Seidl, the assistant public defender.

Many civil forfeiture cases result in default judgments, Seidl said, because the defending party fails to plead or otherwise defend against the case, which automatically results in forfeiture.

This happens regularly, he said, likely because people either don't have money for an attorney or do not understand how to appear in a legal case on their own behalf. Unlike in a criminal cases, citizens in civil cases are not given a free attorney if they are indigent, he said, and must hire an attorney or navigate the legal system on their own.

"Going to court takes time," Seidl said. "Forfeiture not only deprives a property owner of the use of their property, it means expending more resources: taking time off of work, finding child care, and putting aside one's life to try to get your property back."

Federal law and local cases

Under federal law, authorities can seek criminal, civil and administrative forfeiture, which are meant to deprive criminals of the proceeds of their crimes and recover funds to both deter crime and compensate victims, says the U.S. Department of Justice.

Civil judicial forfeiture does not require a criminal conviction, though the government must prove the property was linked to criminal activity.

In September 2020, the DEA Dayton resident office and the Dayton Police Department received information about a suspicious flight itinerary of a female passenger, according to a complaint for forfeiture in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

The woman, who once lived in Brookville, bought a one-way ticket a day before departure traveling from Dayton to San Francisco, the complaint states.

The complaint describes Dayton as a "known destination area for illegal drugs" and San Francisco as a "known source area" for illicit narcotics.

DEA task force officers said they approached the woman at the airport, and she agreed to be interviewed.

The officers summoned Dayton Police Detective Jeremy Stewart and his police canine Weston, who is trained to detect the odors of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and other illegal drugs.

Weston gave a positive alert on the woman's carry-on bags and checked suitcase, the complaint states.

Officers said they found more than $12,000 in cash in a Gucci backpack, duffle bag and her suitcase, which they say also had three vacuum-sealed plastic bags that smelled of marijuana.

U.S. Assistant Attorney Deborah Grimes filed a civil complaint for forfeiture that says the DEA task force officers had probable cause to seize the cash from the woman as proceeds from drug-related activities.

The woman filed a claim with the DEA to get her money back. In it she said the cash was her life savings, and she was carrying the money because she wanted to invest in a start-up family business.

"I lawfully earned and saved all of the defendants (the cash) listed above over the course of my lifetime," she wrote in a claim.

The judge in December ruled in favor of the state's request for forfeiture.

The woman has not been charged with any crime, according to publicly available records.

Prosecutors: Forfeitures disrupting crime

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio has a district forfeiture unit focused on "seizing ill-gotten gains."

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio seized assets worth more than $9 million in fiscal year 2016.

"Asset forfeiture has the power to disrupt or dismantle criminal organizations that would continue to function if we only convicted and incarcerated specific individuals," the U.S. Attorney's office said when the unit was announced.

Some civil rights groups have questioned, challenged or condemned warrantless canine free-air sniffs, claiming they are an invasion of privacy and are unreliable.

Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist with the ACLU of Ohio, said defense attorneys and others for a long time have argued that a positive alert from a police canine sniff should not constitute probable cause.

He said that's because most currency people carry around has trace amounts of illegal drugs.

Some studies suggest most U.S. currency have some drug residue, like cocaine.

More local examples

Last year, a couple in Bainbridge filed a lawsuit against Dayton's law department claiming Dayton police did not return about $10,000 the husband found in the woods.

The husband, a roofer, said he was searching for mushrooms near a job site on Riverview Avenue in May 2017 when he found a bag containing the cash. The man said he met with a Dayton police officer who said he could keep the money if no one ever claimed it.

The lawsuit alleged police held onto the cash, and city officials never answered the couple's requests to have the money returned. The lawsuit was dismissed last spring after the city agreed to return the money.

The money had not been claimed by anyone, but for some reason the city would not return it to the couple, even though they acquired absolute title to it because it was abandoned, said Bradley Anderson, the couple's attorney with Rion, Rion & Rion.

"We had some worries that the cash might 'disappear' or be otherwise appropriated by the city in some way, but it appears to all have been retained in the property room and turned over to our clients when we settled the lawsuit," he said.

In May 2020, a Miami Twp. police officer stopped a car with no license plate that allegedly was weaving on Interstate 75.

After allegedly smelling marijuana, the officer detained the two occupants and during a search of the vehicle found a grocery bag containing stacks of cash, and another bag in the trunk containing cash wrapped in rubber bands, according to the complaint for forfeiture, filed by assistant U.S. Attorney Grimes.

The woman claimed the money  later determined to be more than $124,000  came from a workplace lawsuit she won, as well as from casino winnings and her earnings as an Uber driver.

Police located a partially smoked marijuana cigarette in the car, but decided not to cite the driver or passenger, the complaint states.

Officers seized the money as drug proceeds, and a police canine indicated the money had the odor of illegal narcotics, the complaint states.

The woman hired an attorney, who filed an answer stating there is no probable cause that would allow the government to permanently take the money. The case is ongoing.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  The Inter American Press Association called on Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Monday to halt a days-long series of verbal attacks on a Mexican journalist.

The press freedom group said Monday the presidents attacks on TV, radio and print columnist Carlos Loret de Mola are harmful amid an unprecedented upswing in killings of journalists in Mexico. Five reporters or photographers have been murdered in the space of a month.

Lopez Obrador started Friday, publishing a chart showing how much Loret allegedly earns. The president showed the chart again on Monday at his daily news briefing, and called Loret de Mola and others who publish critical articles thugs, mercenaries, sellouts.

The IAPA called on the president to immediately suspend the aggressions and insults, because such attacks from the top of power encourage violence against the press.

Lopez Obrador has had a notoriously adversarial relationship with the press during his first three years in office, and largely limits questions at his daily news briefing to sympathetic social media sites.

But on Friday, the president chose to go on one of his longest complaints yet  a full half hour at his daily news briefing  against journalists who have criticized him. How many of them are against me? The majority! the president thundered.

He has focused his anger on Loret de Mola, who was one of the journalists who revealed that Lopez Obradors adult son had lived in a luxury home in Houston, Texas, owned by an executive of a company that got contracts from Mexicos state-owned oil company.

Lopez Obrador has demanded Loret de Mola reveal how much he earns, and then produced a chart of his earnings, though he did not say where the information came from. Loret de Mola said the figures wee false.

Only public servants in Mexico are required to reveal their income, and the possibility that Lopez Obrador used confidential tax agency information to attack Loret de Mola raised fears of government agencies being used to persecute journalists.

Story continues

But on Monday, Lopez Obrador went further, essentially suggesting that all journalists should be considered government employees, at least on a concessionary basis.

No, all of these news media have to do with the public sphere, all of them are public-interest entities, concessions awarded by the government, the president said in explaining why he could reveal private salaries.

Loret de Mola works for a private newspaper, a radio chain and some international publications.

He responded to the president's attack on Twitter, writing Whats this! Using tax information to persecute a journalist. Loret de Mola said the president had false information, noting the president claimed he earned about a third of his income in 2021 from a television network where he hasnt been employed since 2019.

Carlos Jornet, chair of the IAPAs Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, wrote that, The case of Loret Mola is an example of the vindictive stance of the president, who used confidential tax information to attack the journalist."

The escalation of personal attacks on media and journalists who question his administration and disseminate information is an invitation to exercise more violence and is contrary to the tolerance that should prevail in a democracy," Jornet wrote.
Intriguing history is everywhere you look in Bucks County. Recently, I came across the story of Dr. Charles Huffnagle, who led an extraordinary life. What visitors experienced at his New Hope mansion was unforgettable.

Charlie was born in Philadelphia in 1808 to wealthy merchant John Huffnagle and wife Sarah. He was one of four brothers, all well-educated and successful. At 18, Charlie graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a medical degree.

His older brother William, a noted civil engineer, supervised construction of the Delaware Canal. Deciding to move to New Hope, William built a two-story fieldstone mansion for the Huffnagle family on 200 acres overlooking Aquetong Creek and across from a silk mill a mile west of town on Stoney Hill Road. William called the estate Spring Dale.

This 175-year-old sign on Stoney Hill Road directed the public to the Huffnagle mansion every Tuesday in the 1850s.

Charlie, who would one day live there, sailed for India as a ships surgeon after graduation. In Calcutta, he provided medical care to English troops, joined a banking firm and became an agent for the East India Company. His success led to being appointed American consul general for British India.

He traveled widely including Malaysia and the Middle East. Along the way he acquired rare curios and fine art. He enjoyed big game hunts and once bagged 25 tigers, five rhinoceros, 17 boars and four buffalo  all shot from the back of his favorite elephant Howdah.

More from Carl LaVO: A Falls Township farm was once an asparagus capital of the country. What happened?

Crooked Billet: What you should know about the 'horrific' Revolutionary War battle

Be a tourist in Bucks County: 7 reasons to plan a trip to Bucks County's Cuttaloosa Valley in 2022

One of Charlies goals was procuring an Egyptian mummy. He found it in one of the great pyramids of Saccara. With hired help, he forged his way deep into the necropolis to an unexplored chamber. There he discovered a large stone sarcophagus surmounted by a heavy marble slab.

The great pyramid of Saccara is where Dr. Huffnagle retrieved a mummy for his home in New Hope.

Using gunpowder and pry bars, the men opened the grave to reveal the preserved corpse of a high priests daughter at the time of the Biblical Moses, circa 1400 BC.

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Upon opening the encasement, according to one history, the tissues of the body from contact with the atmosphere, immediately crumbled to dust, leaving a portion of the skeleton in a good state of preservation... Owing to the doctors great desire to obtain such a specimen, it was necessary for him to hazard his life in removing it from the pyramid. The Sulton had previously issued a decree making it a capital offence for any person to remove such treasures from his domain. The doctor, however, succeeded under cover of the night (although chased by Arabs) in removing it.

The Sultan eventually gave Charlie permission to export the mummy. Which brings us back to the Huffnagle mansion in New Hope.

After collecting so many artifacts, Charlie needed display space. In 1847, brother William sold him Spring Dale. Charlie expanded the house to 10,000 square feet, adding a library for 5,000 books and a conservatory for exotic plants and flowers.

Historical marker references the ruins of a former silk mill opposite the Huffnagle mansion.

An exterior fountain spouted a plume 25 feet high above a fish-filled basin. Every Tuesday the doctor invited the public to experience his vision of an Indian palace. Tours included the grounds where he kept a menagerie of imported animals including 15 humped-back cattle sacred in India, an Arabian horse valued then at $10,000, Syrian goats, Arabian sheep and Chinese swine.

Crowds came to gawk. There was nothing like it in New York or New England. The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia possessed very little from foreign lands, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington had only recently opened.

A Spring Dale visitor noted, One is amazed and delighted at the brilliant scene meeting ones gaze. The drawing room and library were to me full of interest; an Oriental atmosphere appears to pervade the latter, heightened in effect by luxurious divans covered with the skins of Bengal tigers, and by an air of voluptuous languor resting over every object whether it be the weapons of Eastern warfare, the idolatrous evidence of a barbarous race, the disentombed mummy, the gorgeous gold and silver decoration of Asiatic magnificence, or the time-honored armor of the days of crusades and chivalry.

Towering ruins of a former silk mill is a portion of a redeveloped home inside the mill.

Another visitor described the reception room ...filled with cases of Indian curios. I recall a series of wooden figures or manikins representing different phases of native Indian life, and Asiatic birds with their bright plumage and specimens of their eggs, cases of butterflies and moths of unusual brilliancy, animals and reptiles among which was a cobra and its flat head and darting tongue.

In his career, Charlie flitted back and forth to India. In 1857, he came home for three years due to illness, then decided to return. He died in transit in London at age 52. He was buried in the family cemetery at Spring Dale. His collection was auctioned off with the mummy ending up at the Academy in Philadelphia.

The Huffnagle mansion is privately owned today. The Springdale Historic District of New Hope grew up around it.

***

Sources include Springdale, the Huffnagle Home, by John A. Anderson published by the Bucks County Historical Society in 1917; a discussion of Springdale under Rosenthal in Place Names in Bucks County History, published in 1942; and additional assistance by the archives team of Judy, Pam, Russell and Wendy at the Solebury Historical Society. Thanks folks!

Carl LaVO can be reached at carllavo0@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Historic New Hope home was once a slice of India in Bucks County
Accused serial killer Robert Hayes talks with his attorney Chris Anderson, Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, as his trial begins before Judge Raul Zambrano at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

A retired police detective testified during an accused Daytona Beach serial killer's trial Monday about the similarities in the cases and later sparred with a defense attorney over a substance on one woman's feet.

The trial began last week in a trio of murder cases that had grown cold until a DNA hit in 2016 eventually led to the arrest of Robert Hayes, 39, who was living in Palm Beach County at the time.

Hayes has been indicted on three counts of first-degree murder with a firearm in Volusia County. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, and a conviction on any one of those counts would expose Hayes to a possible death sentence.

Trial underway: Trial begins for Robert Hayes, accused of killing 3 women in Daytona Beach 16 years ago

Previous coverage: Accused Daytona Beach serial killer appears by Zoom from jail due to COVID concerns

Daytona serial killer case: Judge rules Palm Beach murder is admissible, but not entirely

Hayes is also charged with first-degree murder in the 2016 killing of a woman in Palm Beach County. Prosecutors there also are seeking the death penalty.

Hayes is on trial before a jury of 16 people, including four alternates, in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

The three victims in Daytona Beach were:

Laquetta Gunther, 45, whose nude body was found on Christmas Day 2005 wedged between two buildings on Beach Street. She was face down in the garbage-strewn alley. She had been shot in the back of the head.

Julie Green, 35, whose nude body was found on Jan. 14, 2006, on the edge of a construction zone at what is now the Bayberry Lakes subdivision off LPGA Boulevard. She had been shot in the back of the head.

Iwana Patton, 35, whose nude body was found on Feb. 24, 2006, near Mason and Williamson avenues. At the time, it was a wooded, undeveloped area, but now it is an entrance to the Daytona Beach Police Department's headquarters. She had been shot in the face.

Story continues

On Monday, Hayes sat next to his attorneys and conferred with them occasionally. The rest of the time, he sat, sometimes with a hand to his chin or mouth, as he listened to testimony.

Accused serial killer Robert Hayes with his attorney Chris Anderson, Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, as his trial gets under way before Judge Raul Zambrano at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

Former lead detective takes the stand

Retired Daytona Beach Police Detective Tammy Pera Marcum, who became the lead detective in the case, testified about the similarities in the murders of the three women who had all been engaged in prostitution.

Under questioning by Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak, who, along with Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis, is prosecuting Hayes, Marcum testified that there was a link between DNA found on Gunther and the DNA found on Patton.

There was a ballistic link to Green's killing, Marcum said.

"The shell casing that was located at the Green crime scene also was connected ballistically through the shell casing that was at Ms. Pattons crime scene, Marcum testified.

Defense attorney Francis Shea, who, along with Chris Anderson, is representing Hayes, questioned Marcum about a tire impression that police found at the scene of the Green homicide.

Under questioning by Shea, Marcum said the tire impression was on a single-lane dirt roadway next to where Greens body was found.

In response to questions, Marcum said that she, along with other police officers, went to DeLand U-Pull It, an automobile junkyard, to follow up on a tip.

She said she did not recall what the tip was.

Marcum said her purpose at DeLand U-Pull It was to interview the owner and get a DNA swab from him.

She said she believed police took a tire from the junkyard, but she was not present when it was collected.

That tire matched the tire impression found at the scene where Greens body was found, according to testimony.

Marcum said the owner was a person of interest earlier in the investigation. After she interviewed him and took his DNA, Marcum said he was cleared and was no longer a person of interest.

What was on the bottom of Green's feet?

Shea also asked her whether there was dirt or grease on the ground at the junkyard.

They were working on vehicles and there were, yes the ground had, Marcum said.

Had what?" Shea asked.

Had oil or dirt, Marcum said.

Later, Shea questioned Marcum about a substance found on the bottom of Greens feet.

How would you describe that material? Shea asked.

It appears to be dirt, Marcum said.

"Could it also appear to be grease? Shea asked.

I did not test that. I could not give an answer for something that has not been lab tested. At this point, all it appears to be is just dirt, Marcum said.

Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis holds a document up to a camera for Leroy Vaughn, who found the body of victim Laquetta Gunther, as Vaughn testifies over a Zoom link, during accused serial killer Robert Hayes' trial, Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, before Judge Raul Zambrano at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

A few moments later, Shea asked her about grease again.

But you did observe the grease on the bottom of her feet at the original time of her homicide back in January, Shea asked.

Urbanak rose from his seat.

Objection, thats a mischaracterization of the witness testimony, Urbanak said.

She can answer it, if she can, Zambrano said. Go ahead and answer the question.

It appeared to be dirt, Marcum testified.

"So you did not collect, I think youve testified, any of the grease that was located at the U-Pull It location? Shea asked.

No sir, Marcum replied.

The trial continues Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Trial continues for Robert Hayes, accused Daytona Beach serial killer
With the Roe v. Wade court decision that legalized abortion in peril, top women lawmakers in Maryland are pushing to guarantee rights to the procedure in the states constitution.

We will do everything we can to make sure womens reproductive health care is always protected in Maryland, said House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne A. Jones.

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Central to her effort is a bill that, if passed by state lawmakers, would give Maryland voters the chance to vote in November to enshrine the right to choose an abortion in the state constitution. Maryland law already guarantees the legality of the procedure, but a constitutional amendment would be much more difficult to overturn.

The proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee each individuals fundamental right to reproductive liberty including to prevent, continue, or end their pregnancy.

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Im confident that voters will send the message loud and clear that this is a fundamental issue of liberty that cannot and should not be chipped away or bargained for, Jones said during a video news conference Monday.

The U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion throughout the United States. Several cases, including ones from Mississippi and Texas, now pending before the court and its 6-3 conservative majority pose what abortion advocates call an existential threat to the precedent set by Roe v. Wade.

Other bills sponsored by Jones and her team would expand training opportunities for medical professionals, require private insurance to cover abortions at no out-of-pocket cost and require Medicaid to cover abortions.

Each year, funding for abortions for Medicaid patients is part of the state budget, subject to debate in the General Assembly and attempts to strip the money out, said Del. Ariana Kelly, a Montgomery County Democrat.

This should not be up for debate every year, Kelly said.

The proposed legislation also would allow more medical professionals to perform abortion procedures and prescribe abortion drugs, including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and medical assistants. The goal, supporters said, is to expand the number of medical providers who offer abortion care.

About 70% of Marylands counties, mostly in rural areas, lack any abortion services, according to the nonprofit Guttmacher Institute, which advocates for abortion access.

Abortion access shouldnt be based on your ZIP code, said Dr. Kyle Bukowski, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood Maryland.

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There were about 29,800 abortions in Maryland in 2017, according to Guttmacher. Typically about 50 to 60% are performed using medication, while the rest involve medical procedures, according to Bukowski.

Bukowski said theres ample evidence that clinicians such as nurse practitioners can be safely trained to perform abortions, as they already perform other reproductive procedures such as inserting IUDs.

Abortion is health care and health care is a human right. And access to abortion care is clearly a civil right, said Karen Nelson, CEO of Planned Parenthood Maryland.

Efforts to limit access to abortion have failed repeatedly in Maryland, especially with a 2-to-1 Democratic majority in the General Assembly. But supporters of abortion access say Maryland is feeling the strain from the anti-abortion movement, including protests outside clinics and threats to providers.

Abortion providers say theyre seeing more patients coming to Maryland from other states that have instituted severe restrictions on abortions, including Texas.

Del. Shane Pendergrass, who chairs a key health committee in the House of Delegates, is confident the abortion access bills will pass.

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I think we believe we have the votes to pass this, said Pendergrass, a Howard County Democrat.

Maryland Democrats had considered putting the right to an abortion in the state constitution before, but it never took off. In late 2018, then-House Speaker Michael E. Busch wanted to make the constitutional amendment one of his central priorities for the 2019 legislative session.

But Buschs effort was scuttled for a variety of factors, including lack of interest from abortion-rights groups fighting expensive legal battles elsewhere and opposition from then-Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., who wanted to wait another year. Busch died in 2019 and Jones, his successor, expressed support for the amendment but did not put it forward in 2020 or 2021.

Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. >

Over those years, an increasing number of states have enacted restrictive laws on abortion and the U.S. Supreme Court has shifted to a conservative majority.

The Supreme Court is likely to continue to erode a womans right to control her reproductive health care, Pendergrass said. These bills need to pass this year to protect access to abortion in Maryland.

Republicans dont sense such a dire threat to abortion in Maryland, said Del. Haven Shoemaker, the second-ranking Republican in the House.

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He noted that the right to an abortion has been settled law since 1992, when voters overwhelmingly approved a state law adopting the Roe v. Wade protections in Maryland.

Shoemaker thinks putting abortion on the ballot again is more about galvanizing Democratic voters to turn out in large numbers in November.

No matter what the Supreme Court of the United States does with Roe, the worst thing that can happen from a pro-choice perspective is that the high courts going to say that abortion should be left to the states to decide, said Shoemaker, a Carroll County Republican who identifies as a pro-life lawmaker. So we certainly dont need to codify this in the constitution. Its just unnecessary pandering.

The bills will have a public hearing next week in the House Health and Government Operations Committee. Should they pass both the House and the Senate by the time the General Assembly adjourns in April, the constitutional question would go to voters on Novembers ballot.
It is a 'grim' outlook for renters who face retirement with little pension and no home without the help from the bank of mum and dad. Photo: Getty

UK renters face a looming pension problem and risk sleepwalking into a retirement crisis, a new report says.

According to Hargreaves Lansdown's Savings and Resilience Barometer, tenants are much less likely than homeowners to be on track to have a moderate income in retirement.

Figures show 56.4% of Gen Z homeowners were on track to receive a moderate income in retirement compared to 15.5% of renters.

This trend was repeated across all age groups, with 57.9% of Millennial homeowners on track in comparison to 17.1% of renters and 52.2% of Generation X homeowners on track compared to 17% of renters.

The gap in the Baby Boomer age group was less severe, with 35.6% of homeowners due a moderate income in retirement compared to 13.3% of renters.

"Renters have a huge looming pension problems and risk sleepwalking into a retirement crisis," said HL's senior pensions and retirement analyst, Helen Morrisey.

"Across all generational groups, renters trail their home-owning peers when it comes to being on track to achieve a moderate retirement income."

Chart: Hargreaves Lansdown

Morrisey offered an explanation for the barometers findings: "One potential explanation is that those who manage to become homeowners are better at planning their money in the first place so are more likely to make retirement provision."

"However, it could also be that the cost of saving for a deposit leaves no room to save for anything else or it deters people from even trying in the first place," she added.

Morrisey also said that it is a "grim" outlook for those who face retirement with little pension and no home without the help from the bank of mum and dad.

Recent research from Savills showed parents helped almost half of all first-time home purchases in 2021.

The barometer also found that couples were more likely to be on track for a moderate income in retirement than those who are single, both as homeowners and renters.

Over half (56.9%) of homeowning couples and 17.8% of renting couples were found to be on track for a moderate income in retirement, compared to 49.4% of homeowning singles and 15.2% of renting singles.

Story continues

"Even those who rent with their partner are significantly less likely to be on course with their pension planning than those couples who own their own home," Morrisey said.

Read more: Cost of living crisis: Women hit harder by rents than men

It comes after a separate report showed women in the UK were the hardest hit by the cost of living squeeze as soaring inflation grips the nation.

According to data from SpareRoom women are most likely to feel the pinch with increased energy bills and looming national insurance tax hike.

The flatshare site said over 85% of women are spending 30% or more of their income on rent, compared to 75% of men, highlighting the affordability gap between men and women.

Traditionally, people spending over 30% of their household income on rent are deemed to be "rent burdened", while those who spend more than 50% are considered "severely rent burdened".

Watch: When should I start paying into a pension?
Hey, people of Riverhead! It's me, Diane Witek, your host of the Riverhead Daily.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 29, low: 17.

Here are the top five stories in Riverhead today:

Monday marked the third time in a week that students at Riverhead High School were transported to the hospital due to two overdoses  one student was taken for observation after eating an edible. According to Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps Assistant Chief James Alfano, the ambulance was called to the high school before 11 a.m. for a student who was difficulty breathing and was feeling dizzy. (Riverhead Patch) Riverhead administrators outlined the first phase of the 2022-23 budget at Tuesdays Board of Education meeting and discussed plans to spend over $1.1 million from a repair reserve for various infrastructure projects. (Subscription: Riverhead News Review) Riverhead pets are waiting to be adopted: Macchi, Pipsqueak, Fiddler and more. This week the lineup includes beautiful, bright-eyed cats, three bunnies and a couple of good looking dogs - must see! If you aren't sure if you have time to take care of a pet year round, many shelters also offer opportunities to foster pets until they are placed in appropriate homes. (Riverhead Patch) Check out the latest Riverhead area job openings. The employment rate has climbed recently, but don't be discouraged. There are plenty of job listings, from customer service to warehousing, all you need do is apply. Good luck on your interview! (Riverhead Patch) The Riverhead Police Department is requesting the publics help in locating Autumn Tucker, age 14, who is missing from Little Flower Childrens Service in Wading River, the Riverhead Local reported. On Saturday at approximately 5:40 p.m. Autumn Tucker left the facility on her own and without permission. She left in an unknown direction with an unknown destination, police said. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Autumn Tucker is asked to contact the Riverhead Police Department at (631)727-4500. (RiverheadLOCAL)

Today in Riverhead:

Story continues

Parenting Style: Your Style Makes a Difference. (5 a.m.)

2022 Long Island Vegetable Grower Meeting . (5 a.m.)

Preschooler Talk - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. (7:30 a.m.)

Happy House Plants - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. (2 p.m.)

From my notebook:

NY Marine Rescue Center: "Our 5K Run for the Ridley is taking place on Saturday, May 7 in Riverhead, NY. Help contribute to saving this critically endangered species by reserving your spot in the upcoming race today! Visit our website for more information." (Facebook) (Website)

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County: "Planning for aging is essential for our overall wellbeing. Join us for this free virtual workshop. Please register in advance." #CCESuffolk, #HealthyAging." (Facebook)

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 Diane Witek

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This article originally appeared on the Riverhead Patch
A number of Samsung storage gadgets are on sale right now, making it a good time to pick up an extra portable drive to keep in your bag, a microSD card for your tablet or console or even an SSD for your new PS5. Notably, Samsung's T7 portable SSD in 1TB is back down to its Black Friday price of $110, which is 35 percent less than usual. Also discounted are the Samsung 980 Pro SSD in 2TB, which is $150 off and down to $280, and the 128GB Pro Plus microSD card, which is nearly half off and down to $21.

Buy Samsung T7 SSD (1TB) at Amazon - $110 Buy Samsung 980 Pro SSD (2TB) at Amazon - $280 Buy Samsung Pro Plus microSD card (128GB) at Amazon - $21

The T7 is one of our favorite portable drives thanks to its fast speeds and pocket-friendly design. It supports reads speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s, and it has ePCM technology and Dynamic Thermal Guard to control heat levels. It doesn't have a built-in fingerprint reader like the T7 Touch does, but otherwise its shock-resistant aluminum unibody is the same. It also works with a number of different devices thanks to the USB-C to C and USB-C to A cables that come with it, and its companion PC, Mac and Android apps.

If you're looking for a PlayStation 5-compatible SSD to store your game collection, Samsung's 2TB 980 Pro is a solid option. You can pick up the drive by itself for $280, which is an all-time-low price, or you can spring for the SSD with a heatsink (which you'll need to use it with the PS5) for $20 extra. It earned a spot on our list of preferred PS5 drives thanks to its reliability and and fast read and write speeds.

Those with Nintendo Switches should consider the 128GB Samsung Pro Plus microSD card, which is 48 percent off and down to only $21. If you plan on keeping your games library with you at all times, you'll need a microSD card to expand the paltry amount of onboard storage that the Switch comes with. This Samsung card comes with a USB adapter and supports sequential read speeds up to 160 MB/s and sequential write speeds up to 120 MB/s.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Exterior of Tom Green County Courthouse

SAN ANGELO  More than two years have passed since Kristian Rose's mother found her son fatally shot inside the small apartment behind her house, one of the four charged in his death will serve jail-time.

"He couldn't breathe. He couldn't sit up. It crushed my soul," Sandra Rose said, who told the courtroom she watched her son take his last breaths as she cradled him in her arms, unable to save him.

About 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14, Brian Ray Garcia III attended a plea hearing via Zoom through the 51st District Court. Garcia, along with three others, are charged with in the 2019 shooting death of Kristian Rose.

Others are reading: Brandon Lawson made a 911 call nine years ago, then went missing. His remains may have been found.

Brian Garcia

Garcia is also charged with burglary of a habitation, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession with intent to deliver cocaine. The burglary on April 18, 2019, included a codefendant and scaring a witness in the homicide case.

While awaiting court in the Tom Green County Detention Center in 2021, Garcia was charged with assaulting an officer. This led to a lockdown of the jail on Sept. 16, 2021.

In exchange for Garcia's pleas of guilt to murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession with intent to deliver cocaine less than 4 grams, and assault of a peace officer, the state prosecution recommended:

50 years in jail for murder, no probation and a restitution of $5,795.48.

25 years in jail for the cocaine charge, no probation and a restitution of $180. The burglary charge would be dismissed.

10 years in jail in the assault case, no probation and refuse the theft of property charge from 2017.

9 years in jail for possession of a firearm by a felon.

Dismissal of aggravated robbery charge from 2018.

Refusal of a 2017 theft charge.

These charges would run concurrently.

Honorable Judge Barbara Walther accepted the state's recommendation and sentenced Garcia to those terms.

What we know about the death of Kristian Rose

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In the predawn hours of April 2, 2019, Sandra Rose woke up to a loud noise. She rushed outside to investigate and found a man holding a gun near her son's apartment behind her home.

The gunman told her to stop as another person left Rose's apartment, then they fled in a 2013 Kia Optima. She entered the apartment and found her son, dead.

In less than a month, four arrests were made in the case. San Angelo men Brian Garcia, 21, and Jacob Martinez were arrested April 19. Joshua Jaquez, 22, of Iraan, was arrested May 1. Alexis Jackson, of San Angelo, was arrested May 2.

From left: Brian Garcia, Alexis Jackson, Joshua Jaquez, Jacob Martinez

Others are reading: San Angelo man arrested after child reports sexual abuse

Jackson and Jaquez gave differing testimonies as to the events leading to the deadly night. Both agreed the four started discussing who they could steal from while they were at a residence in the 400 block of Angelo Boulevard.

Jaquez said Jackson offered up Rose, due to an earlier altercation between her and Rose, which involved a gun.

"Jackson said ... (Rose) should not have pointed the gun at her," Jaquez told police. He also said Jackson set the "whole thing up" and shot Rose, according to court documents.

Jackson told officers she didn't know they would kill Rose and that she stayed in the car.

Kristian Rose's mother: 'I died with him.'

Sandra Rose spoke through sobs as she recounted holding her baby as he gave his last breath in her statement to the court Monday, Feb. 14.

"I died with him," she said. "I am a mother who couldn't help her baby. He begged and pleaded me to help him. Watching him take his last breath is excruciating. I still get up at 3 a.m. and hear him."

While it has been years since that heartbreaking morning, Sandra told the court how she still wants to call him during happy hour at Sonic or during a family barbecue.

"My house isn't the same," she cried. "The light is out. I don't know who I am without my baby."

She ended her statement by thanking the court for justice.

Masks, gloves and zip-ties found in vehicle of men who threatened witnesses

In 2019, one of several witnesses told officers if he helped in their investigation, his life would be in danger. Others said Garcia and Martinez threatened them.

The witness, who was not present during the shooting, started receiving threats over Facebook Messenger and was told Garcia wanted to speak to him.

Soon after, Garcia and Martinez tried to visit him by breaking into his apartment on April 18, 2019. Moments after a detective left his apartment, he heard loud banging on the door and saw Garcia and Martinez with weapons, records state.

They attempted to break through the door and window before fleeing in the Kia. Police arrived and detained the two, finding a stolen handgun and a shotgun, masks, gloves and zip-ties in the vehicle.

What happens next in the Kristin Rose case?

Jackson, who previously tried to get a bond reduction weeks away from giving birth in 2019, has a court date tentatively scheduled for March. She remained in Tom Green County Detention Center in lieu of a $2,500 bond as of 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11.

A jury trial has been tentatively set for late March in Jaquez's case. He was released from Tom Green County Detention Center in July 2019 on a $500,000 bond.

Martinez has a court date tentatively scheduled for April. He remained in Tom Green County Detention Center in lieu of a $1,067,500 bond as of 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11.

Others are reading: San Angelo man arrested after threatening to kill woman

Case coverage timeline:

Sept. 16, 2021: Tom Green County Detention Center under partial lockdown after officer assaulted

March 5, 2020: San Angelo man accused of killing Kristian Rose denied bond reduction

Dec. 18, 2019: Pregnant San Angelo woman charged with murder denied bond reduction

May 3, 2019: Woman 'set the whole thing up' and shot Rose, according to one of four arrested in killing

May 2, 2019: Fourth suspect arrested in Kristian Rose's killing

April 22, 2019: Two arrested in burglary and murder in San Angelo threatened several others not to talk

April 19, 2019: BREAKING: Two arrested in connection with Kristian Rose murder in San Angelo

April 4, 2019: San Angelo on fourth homicide of 2019 after police say man was killed

April 2, 2019: UPDATE: San Angelo police name deceased man in home on E. 39th Street

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: San Angelo man sentenced in 2019 shooting death of Kristian Rose
By Andreas Rinke and Natalia Zinets

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday his country would continue to seek membership of the NATO transatlantic military alliance despite pressure to cede that aspiration to avoid war with Russia.

Ukraine's envoy to Britain had suggested Kyiv may reconsider its NATO bid but later backtracked while acknowledging concessions could be on offer amid Western warnings of a potentially imminent Russian invasion.

The Kremlin, which has more than 100,000 soldiers massed on Ukraine's border, denies planning to invade the former Soviet state, but says it could take unspecified "military-technical" action unless demands are met.

Those include promises from NATO never to admit Ukraine and to withdraw forces from Eastern Europe.

"Today, many journalists and many leaders are hinting a little to Ukraine that it is possible not to take risks, not to constantly raise the issue of future membership in the alliance, because these risks are associated with the reaction of the Russian Federation," said Zelenskiy at a joint news conference with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv.

"I believe that we should move along the path we have chosen."

Scholz said it was strange Russia should raise this issue anyhow given it was not immediately on the agenda.

'BY YOUR SIDE'

He told reporters he saw "no reasonable justification" for Russia's border buildup, and that Moscow should accept offers to discuss European security.

Scholz's trip was part of a flurry of diplomacy to de-escalate the crisis through dialogue and the threat of sanctions. On Tuesday, Scholz will fly to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The chancellor has ratcheted up engagement in the Ukraine crisis over the past week after critics accused him of lack of leadership and mixed signals in one of Europe's worst security crises in decades.

"Germany stands right by your side," he said on Monday, underscoring that the country was Ukraine's biggest financial backer and announcing a new credit of 150 million euros ($170 million).

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Ukrainian officials have publicly criticized Germany for refusing to sell weapons to Kyiv - Berlin argues it cannot due to its bloody 20th century history - and over reluctance to pull the plug on a controversial Russian-German gas pipeline project.

Ukraine as well as Western allies argue the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is built but not yet operational, would enable Russia to cut Ukraine out of Europe's energy supply and make it more vulnerable to Russian invasion.

In recent weeks, Scholz has toughened his rhetoric on the cost to Russia of any new attack on Ukraine. But he has not vowed to end Nord Stream 2 or linked it to potential sanctions.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Natalia Zinets and Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv, Additional Reporting by Maria Sheahan and Riham Alkousaa in Berlin, Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Andrew Cawthorne)
By Elvira Pollina

MILAN (Reuters) -Telecom Italia (TIM) directors discussed on Monday an overhaul of Italy's biggest telecoms group, as newly appointed Chief Executive Pietro Labriola draws up an alternative to a takeover bid by U.S. fund KKR.

TIM must find a way to shore up its business after a string of profit warnings last year due to lower-than-expected revenue from a deal with DAZN to show soccer matches in Italy and stiff competition at home which puts pressure on margins.

TIM's board on Monday discussed Labriola's standalone plan in response to KKR's 10.8 billion euro ($12.2 billion) approach, which the group's top shareholder, French media company Vivendi, has said is too low.

In a statement after the meeting TIM said the board acknowledged the CEO was pressing ahead with assessing potential strategic options for the group, including splitting its vertically integrated business.

The statement made no reference to KKR's proposal.

To set a benchmark to evaluate the bid, TIM is considering splitting its domestic business between an infrastructure entity and a services arm, to unlock value and facilitate a long-mooted merger of its fixed assets with those of state-backed rival Open Fiber.

Such a move would meet the favour of Italian state lender CDP, which controls Open Fiber and is TIM's second-largest investor with a 10% stake. CDP last month backed Labriola's appointment, which was sponsored by Vivendi.

Sources have previously said TIM is unlikely to take any firm stance on the KKR proposal before March 2, when the company's board is expected to approve the in-house revamp.

TIM on Monday also confirmed former Brazilian unit executive Adrian Calaza would take over the role of chief financial officer starting March 1.

New York-based KKR approached the telecoms operator in November, conditioning its offer to backing from TIM's management and Italy's government.

Under Labriola's plan, a so-called NetCo would include all of TIM's fibre and copper network infrastructure and submarine cable unit Sparkle, sources have said. The network company would assume a significant part of TIM's net debt and most of the group's 42,500 domestic staff.

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The service company would focus on a large portfolio of products, from connectivity to cloud, and would include TIM's Brazilian operations, the same sources said.

In a letter to Italian PM Mario Draghi on Monday, the country's leading unions emphasised their opposition to a TIM break up, saying a full-blown separation of the network business would put thousands of jobs at risk.

"As far as we are concerned, this remains a wrong option," the unions said.

($1 = 0.8843 euros)

(Reporting by Elvira Pollina; Editing by Alexander Smith and Grant McCool)
Years of speculation about Maryland Gov. Larry Hogans political future were hardly put to bed when the term-limited Republican announced that he wouldnt run for U.S. Senate.

It is not even the beginning of the end of the chatter  locally and nationally  about Hogans future plans. Rumors about potential presidential ambitions have floated around Hogan for nearly his entire time in office, and he flirted with running in the 2020 campaign. And so, with the next presidential election still two years away, its probably not even the end of the beginning.

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Hogan himself has done nothing to tamp down speculation and has clearly held the door open for launching a campaign. But the governor has also done little to tip his hand about his considerations.

In January of 2023, Ill have plenty of time to think about what the future holds, Hogan said last week while announcing he wont challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen. I think the worlds going to be a different place a year from now.

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So The Baltimore Sun consulted with several political experts to mull over just what gearing up for a presidential run might look like, what it takes to build a viable campaign and whether there are any telltale signs that Hogan is positioning himself for higher office.

Brand yourself nationally

Hogan may be a household name in Maryland, but mounting a national campaign and racking up victories in political primaries in farther-flung states like Nevada or South Carolina requires a level of fame well beyond statewide prominence. Politicians plotting a push for the presidency  including governors like Hogan looking to jump to the national stage  often invest years building up their profile elsewhere in the country.

Hogan has already made some of the classic moves, noted Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Center for Politics at Goucher College. Hogan published a political memoir in 2020 and is a regular guest on the Sunday network talk shows. In 2019 he launched his own national advocacy group, An America United, and the next year became the co-chair of the bipartisan No Labels national political advocacy group, which promotes what it bills as centrist policy solutions.

Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, right, and then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, discussed on NBC's "Meet the Press" how Maryland and New York were responding to the coronavirus. (Meet the Press/NBC News/Meet the Press/NBC News)

In an odd way, former President Donald Trumps tenure in the White House proved good for Hogan in terms of raising his profile, said J. Miles Coleman, a political analyst and editor at the University of Virginias Center for Politics. Hogans willingness to throw barbs at the president made him a favorite guest on some national television programs and a leading voice of dissent within the party.

So while Trumps takeover of the GOP certainly pushed politicos like Hogan to the margins, Coleman said, Hogan also has more name recognition now across the country than before Trump.

Hit the campaign trail

Even though Hogan wont be on the ballot this year, expect the governor to hit the campaign trail hard  and not only in Maryland, where hes expected to campaign for Republican Kelly Schulz, his former commerce secretary  but nationally.

Hogan has already pledged to crisscross the country to support like-minded Republicans, especially those whove also been regular critics of Trump. That kind of political barnstorming gives politicians like Hogan the chance to stump outside their states, appeal to voters and solidify relationships with fellow Republicans elsewhere, analyst Coleman noted.

Then-Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey made his way into the Maryland State House in Annapolis ahead of the arrival of Larry Hogan, then governor-elect, before Hogan's 2015 inauguration. (DYLAN SLAGLESTAFF PHOTO, Baltimore Sun Media Group)

Thats one way to kind of get some goodwill in the Republican Party, said Coleman, suggesting Hogan might stump for Republicans trying to knock off Democratic governors in key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin. If a lot of candidates he campaigns for end up winning  which could well be the case because its looking like a good Republican year  that could well be a good springboard for him: I helped all these Republicans win, lets beat Biden now.

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Coleman noted that former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie used a similar strategy  stumping for Republican candidates across the country in 2014, including Hogan in Maryland  to try to launch his 2016 bid for the nomination.

Build the donor network; work the party machinery

Racking up the airline miles in this years midterms wouldnt just give Hogan a chance to appeal to voters outside Maryland, said Julia Azari, a political science professor at Marquette University who studies presidential campaigns. Itd also give him a great chance to meet with Republican donors and build up his network within the national GOP.

Those relationships, Azari said, could be invaluable when it comes time to line up endorsements and raise the millions upon millions of dollars needed to fund a presidential campaign.

And truckloads of cash wont be useful only for buying TV airtime and hiring staff, Azari said. For a candidate like Hogan  seen as on the outs with the Trump-dominated national party  posting big fundraising hauls could demonstrate youre a viable candidate and grab the attention of the media and party elites.

Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina?

All of those steps might help boost Hogans stature in the national Republican Party  but none commit him to actually launching a campaign for president. Those chits and contacts could be handy for any number of other moves post-governorship.

But if Hogan starts regularly jetting off to New Hampshire and Iowa, youll know hes at least dipping his toes into presidential waters. Both states are traditional proving grounds for candidates because they host the first contests of the cycle and thus the first real tests of a candidates appeal to voters.

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Hogan caused a stir at the Politics & Eggs event in New Hampshire in 2019. A flurry of future appearances in either state suggests a politician trying to warm up to key party voters  and signal to the political press he or she wants to be a contender. An out-of-state governor gobbling up fried Twinkies at an Iowa county fair, Coleman said, would be a pretty telltale sign theyve got serious presidential ambitions.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan visited The New Hampshire Institute of Politics on the campus of St. Anselm University in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2019. (Katye Martens Brier / Baltimore Sun)

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Some have questioned whether the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary remain important to winning the nomination. But Azari said that if youre not as prominent or a well-known candidate  a Larry Hogan, say, instead of a Donald Trump  then you might as well try that old strategy because, although we dont know if Iowa and New Hampshire are going to be that significant, we do know theyre going to be early.

Both states are also traditionally swarmed with political reporters and so, with all the big newspapers and plenty of cameras around, a strong showing in the polls there could shower a candidate with attention and shape the national media narrative.

Hogan is going to have his work cut out for him, Coleman said, but if he can make a strong showing in New Hampshire to start the primary season, I could see that boding well for him.

Timeline

The clearest signal of all will be if  or when  Hogan creates a so-called exploratory committee to bankroll a nascent presidential bid. But dont expect an announcement like that for many months.

The early jockeying will likely heat up once the November elections are over and party leaders can start reading the tea leaves  as well as claiming credit or casting blame for the results. Some candidates could start declaring their candidacy before the end of the year, all three experts said, although many Republicans may want to bide their time until Trump makes his own intentions known.

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Last cycle, some Democrats started declaring in January 2019  more than a year before the first primary  and I would expect to see some candidates making serious declarations then, Azari said.

An official move from Hogan likely wont come until a bit later. Marylands next governor will be sworn in Jan. 18, 2023, and Hogan has made clear he wont decide whether to launch a campaign while still in office.
INGLEWOOD, Calif.  As unseasonably high temperatures soared well into the 80s in the middle of February, fans pouring into the Sofi Stadium welcomed the heat and sunny weather.

Earlier in the week, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Los Angeles County through Sunday evening, warning of an increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

Highs in the mid- to upper 80s are expected through much of Sunday as some 70,000 people pack into the arena, which opened in 2020 and is hosting its first Super Bowl.

Outside, a manmade lake surrounding the stadium became a popular rest point for fans wanting a little shade and quiet before they headed for their seats.

Los Angeles natives John and Jacky Rocha knew it would be hot on Sunday and were still surprised when they arrived.

"We expected it, but having to stand in line for 30 minutes just to buy merchandise is definitely a game changer," John Rocha said.

His wife, Jacky Rocha, said its the kind of weather where you want to enjoy a beer in the shade and drink lots of water in between.

A few feet away, Bengals fans Quentin and Linda Short smiled into the sun. The couple flew in earlier in the week from Fort Lauderdale and looked forward to even warmer temperatures than Florida. Quentin, a Cincinnati native, said he was in sixth grade the last time his hometown team made it into the Super Bowl and was not going to miss his chance to see them in person this year.

This is our winter, Quentin Short said of the warm temperatures, wearing shorts, sunglasses and sipping on a beer.

His wife, Jacky Short, added: It feels amazing with no humidity. We live for days like this.

Heat-related medical emergencies are top of mind for first responders. At one of first aid tents surrounding the arena, a medic who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to reporters said he and his colleagues are trying to keep everyone hydrated throughout the day. Free water and ice will be available at the first aid tents but the majority of people here were walking around with beers and cocktails.

"Drinking on a hot day like this isn't ideal, but it's the Super Bowl after all," he said. "Hopefully people will stay safe today."
The homeless suspect accused of following a woman into her Lower East Side building then stabbing her to death inside her apartment was charged Monday with murder, police said.

Its still not clear why Assamad Nash allegedly killed 35-year-old Christina Yuna Lee but police sources said detectives do not believe she was targeted because she was Asian.

The victim, despite fighting back against Nash, 25, was killed early Sunday. Her cries for help prompted frantic 911 calls from neighbors about an attack unfolding her apartment on Chrystie St. near Grand St.

When police got there the blood-soaked suspect tried to get away via a fire escape, then retreated back into the apartment, where he barricaded himself until police broke down the door and arrested him.

Sources said the suspect had cuts on his upper body although it was not yet clear if he stabbed himself or if Lee stabbed him during their life-and-death struggle. The victim was killed with a knife from her own kitchen, the sources said.

Nash is charged with burglary in addition to murder.

Sources said he has a New Jersey record, including for robbery and burglary, going back at least 10 years.

He has eight prior arrests in New York City, mostly for low-level subway offenses.

Outraged residents and community leaders gathered outside Lees apartment building, where the unsuspecting victim was followed and stalked before her death. There, the crowd chanted, Enough is enough, a cry of frustration over the the violence that has gripped the city, from street corners to subway platforms.

Though cops did not charge Nash with a hate crime, some residents and community leaders said it should not be ruled out as a motive.

I am outraged at a city with a mental health system which is broken again and again and again, said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. We are seeing violence directed at the Asian American community disproportionally, undeniably driven by bigotry, by xenophobia, by racism.

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If this guy has been in the system that many times, then someone should be checking him because they had to know that the man had a mental illness, said Kathryn Freed, 75, a former state Supreme Court justice, who served on the city council and lives blocks from where Lee was killed.

Were using the criminal justice system to deal with mental health- its our fallback, our default position. So many people who are in jail now should not be in jail. They should be in a mental institution that can deal with their problems. Its not helping them, leaving them on the street or leaving them to deal with problems that they cant deal with, that theyre not capable of dealing with, and at the same time its putting society at risk.

Lee was remembered by her friends and co-workers for her kindness and creativity. Splice, an online digital platform where she worked as a creative producer, called her a beautiful friend and colleague.

Over the weekend our beloved Christina Lee was senselessly murdered in her home, a company representative said in a social media post. Our hearts are broken. Always dedicated to making beautiful and inclusive artwork , Christina is irreplaceable. As we start to process this tragedy, we ask that you remember Christina Lee as the magical person she was, always filled with joy. We wish peace upon her family in their grief.

Lees marketing work included designs and videos for retail, fashion, fitness, media, art and music. She studied at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she earned a bachelors degree in art history.
When the woman started crying in the ultrasound room, Joe Nelson tried to comfort her, as he has comforted dozens of other patients who are too far along to get an abortion in Texas.

She was a single mother with two kids at home, experiencing a rare pregnancy condition that had left her too nauseous to work, said Nelson, a doctor at Whole Woman's Health, an abortion clinic in Austin. The woman was over the legal limit established by Texas's restrictive new law, Nelson said, but just barely. A few days earlier, he could have performed the abortion.

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Then she said something that made Nelson's heart sink: "I called two weeks ago."

This was the first available appointment.

When Senate Bill 8 took effect in September, banning abortions in Texas at six weeks of pregnancy and empowering private citizens to enforce the law, abortion providers expected patient traffic to plummet. Knowing that less than 20 percent of abortions in the state took place before the six-week mark, some clinics adjusted accordingly, and chose not to replace the large group of staff members who left their jobs in the fall for reasons related to the new law. The impact of S.B. 8 was immediate: The number of abortions performed in Texas fell by half.

Video: Abortion rights activists demonstrate outside the Supreme Court

But then something surprising happened. As news of the law spread, patients eager to receive treatment before the six-week deadline started calling clinics earlier in their pregnancies, sometimes even before a positive pregnancy test. The influx maxed out capacity at clinics that had started operating with what Nelson called a "skeleton crew." Patients started waiting as long as two weeks for an appointment, doctors said, a delay that has disqualified many who otherwise would have been able to access abortion.

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People seeking abortions in Texas were already up against an extremely tight deadline with the new six-week limit imposed by S.B. 8. Once they miss their period - if their menstrual cycle is regular, and they're tracking it carefully - they have less than two weeks to schedule an appointment, come in for an initial consultation, and come back, at least 24 hours later, as required by law, to get their abortion.

Now, the appointment backlog means the window for abortion care has narrowed even further.

"If there is a two-week waiting period, you would have had to schedule your abortion before you missed your period," Nelson said. "How can we possibly expect patients to do that?"

With new six-week abortion bans surfacing in at least 14 state legislatures, ahead of a key Supreme Court decision that could overturn or significantly weaken Roe v. Wade, GOP leaders continue to argue that a six-week window leaves patients with enough time to access abortion. But the situation on the ground in Texas suggests a different reality, where overstretched clinics are unable to meet the need, and even patients who detect their pregnancies early are cut off from abortion care.

"They will time out and be too far along," said Kathy Kleinfeld, the director of Houston Women's Reproductive Services, an abortion clinic in Houston.

Recently, she said, she has seen a marked uptick in patients traveling more than three hours from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Even with five abortion clinics in that area, Kleinfeld said her patients have cited wait times as long as three weeks.

"They simply do not have two or three weeks to wait," she said.

Some Texas providers have recognized the problem and are already working to correct it.

Amy Hagstrom Miller, chief executive of Whole Woman's Health, one of the largest abortion providers in Texas, said she became aware of the delays at her clinics in January. To try to fix the problem, she said, she has recently hired several new staff members across her Texas clinics. Clinics are already seeing shorter wait times because of the new hires, she said.

Still, she said, the decision to go on a hiring spree amid S.B. 8 was a risk.

"I don't have the income to support it right now," said Hagstrom Miller, whose business has suffered considerable financial losses since S.B. 8 took effect.

The six-week ban sparked an "exodus," with doctors and staff leaving Texas abortion clinics even before the law took effect, said Hagstrom Miller. Nine of her network's 17 doctors in the state stopped performing abortions under the new law, and several other key staff members quit, with many fearing the costly lawsuits almost anyone could now file against them.

Hagstrom Miller decided not to rehire for the vacant positions, she said. Unsure of what the Texas abortion landscape might look like in the future, she said, she was wary of having to hire people, and then lay them off.

Patient demand for abortions has been hard to predict. Blair Cushing, a doctor who works in McAllen, where patients are waiting up to two weeks to be seen, said she was surprised to see so many people coming into the clinic before their fourth week of pregnancy, before an ultrasound can detect a fetus, and too early to get an abortion. Some patients come in even before they have a positive pregnancy test, she said, worried their birth control might have failed.

"It seems ridiculous but that's how scared people are," Cushing said.

Staff members at crisis pregnancy centers, organizations that are largely faith-based and antiabortion, have noticed the same trend. Advertising free or discounted ultrasounds, these centers have attracted large numbers of people seeking abortions since S.B. 8 took effect, with patients desperate to determine whether they're under the six-week limit.

At the Pregnancy Center of the Coastal Bend in Corpus Christi, Tex., about half of patients identified by the center as "at risk" for choosing abortion are now coming in before the fetus is visible on the ultrasound, said executive director Jana Pinson.

In her eight years working there, Pinson said, the pregnancy center has never seen so many patients this early in their pregnancies.

While Pinson is thrilled that S.B. 8 has prevented so many abortions in Texas, she worries that people are having a "knee-jerk reaction" to the new law, scheduling ultrasounds and abortion appointments before they've had time to really consider their decision. She said she wishes people would "slow down" and wait to see how the baby is forming in their uterus.

"But instead they're going in at four weeks," she said.

At Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, a network with five abortion clinics across the state, staff members are only scheduling a few days of appointments at a time, to get patients in as soon as possible, said spokeswoman Autumn Keiser. This is only feasible, she added, because Planned Parenthood has so many health centers across the state: If they don't have room at the clinic closest to the patient, they send the patient to another location. Occasionally they'll send patients to other clinics as well, she said.

Keiser said Planned Parenthood may not always be able to find another location with available appointments nearby. In January, she said, some Planned Parenthood clinics were forced to close temporarily for coronavirus-related reasons. Those closures may have forced patients to drive across the state, she said, or even leave Texas.

Texas patients who can afford to travel out of state will also face delays. Schedules are backed up in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Colorado, as clinics struggle to absorb the surge of patients traveling from Texas. Patients are waiting two weeks for an appointment in Oklahoma, where abortion is legal up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, said Zachary Gingrich-Gaylord, a spokesperson for Trust Women, a network of abortion clinics in Oklahoma and Kansas. Wait times are up to four weeks in Louisiana, which also has a 22-week limit, said Kleinfeld, who regularly checks in with clinics in neighboring states to assess how she should advise her patients.

At Whole Women's Health in Austin, Nelson said he used to work alongside eight or nine other staff members, including sonographers, patient advocates and medical assistants. These days, he said, he is often in the clinic with only two or three other employees.

"Everyone is working with a skeleton crew at this point," he said. "We're all having to do more than we're used to doing. It slows everything down.

Half of the staff members at his clinic left when S.B. 8 took effect - and since then, he added, it's "only gotten worse."

Abortion clinics are experiencing the same staff shortages as the larger health-care industry, Hagstrom Miller said, for many of the same reasons. The pandemic has led people to quit their jobs, and the omicron variant prompted a wave of unexpected absences, she said.

Some reasons behind the staff shortages are specific to abortion clinics. If the Supreme Court decides to overturn Roe v. Wade this summer, Texas would immediately ban all abortions with a "trigger law" that's already on the books. In that scenario, Nelson said, many clinics would be forced to close - and staff members are worried about job security.

"When the future of abortion is so uncertain that you don't know if you're going to be operating in a week or two, who's going to want to stay in that job?" Nelson said.

"Nobody."

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(Reuters) - Three members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces are under investigation for allegedly supporting the protests against COVID-19 restrictions in Ottawa, the Department of National Defence said on Sunday.

Commander Major-General Steve Boivin said in statement that an investigation was launched after senior leadership was made aware on Feb. 1 that one member was possibly involved. On Feb. 10, another investigation was initiated to look into the involvement of two other members.

"The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) does not condone its members supporting and/or actively taking part in causes that jeopardize the apolitical imperative associated with their functions," he said.

The department did not detail how the three unidentified members were involved in the demonstrations. The "Freedom Convoy" protests, started in the national capital Ottawa by Canadian truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers, entered its 17th day on Sunday.

The members were already in the process of being released from the Canadian Armed Forces.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
RICHMOND, Ind.  The trial of a Richmond man accused of stabbing another man to death began Monday with jury selection.

Chad Aaron Farmer, 44, is charged with murder. He is accused of killing Audie Corn on Feb. 7, 2019, inside an East Main Street residence.

Opening statements in the Superior Court 1 trial are scheduled for first thing Tuesday morning, according to Prosecutor Mike Shipman. He expects the trial to take the entire week.

Crime: Richmond man appears in court on sexual misconduct charges

The standard sentence for a murder conviction is 55 years, with a sentencing range of 45 to 65 years as established by the Indiana legislature. Farmer has remained jailed without bond since his arrest the day Corn died at Reid Health after being stabbed twice.

Richmond Police Department third-shift officers responded about 3:10 a.m. Feb. 7, 2019, to the apartment building at 1320 E. Main St., according to the affidavit of probable cause. They found Corn lying just inside a second-floor apartment's door.

Corn and Farmer had been taken in by a friend and were living in the apartment with the friend's family, the affidavit said. The men had been drinking rum and vodka that night.

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At one point, Farmer began loudly playing music in his room, according to the affidavit. He was asked to lower the volume, and did so temporarily. When he turned the volume back up, he and Corn fought, with Farmer sustaining two black eyes and a cut to the head.

Chad F. Farmer

ICYMI: Indiana appeals court upholds heroin dealer's prison sentence

The friend broke up the fight, and Farmer and Corn shook hands, with Farmer returning to his room, the affidavit said. Later, he grabbed a folding knife off his room's phone table and found Corn sitting on a kitchen chair.

Farmer told investigators he went straight to Corn and stabbed him, then returned to his room and put the knife back on the phone table, according to the affidavit. Investigators found the knife there when they were called to the scene.

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"I only did this because he beat me up an hour ago," Farmer told investigators, the affidavit said.

He added that he didn't mean to kill Corn, but was trying to teach him not to beat people up.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Trial begins for Richmond man accused of stabbing man to death
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters during a news conference on Parliament Hill on Friday in Ottawa, Ontario. Photo by DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images

Canadian truckers have been protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates since late last month.

On Saturday, police began clearing out protests blocking a crucial bridge on the US-Canada border.

On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared a national emergency.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared a national emergency over ongoing trucker protests, allowing the nation's government to temporarily override civil rights.

"The scope of these measures will be time-limited, geographically targeted, as well as reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address," Trudeau said at a news conference on Monday.

The far-reaching Emergencies Act gives the Canadian government the ability to prohibit public assembly, restrict travel, and force businesses  such as towing companies  to act, with compensation.

Trudeau said Canada's 1988 "Emergencies Act will be used to strengthen and support law enforcement agencies at all levels across the country."

Canada's anti-vaccine mandate "Freedom Convoy" trucker protests have caused major gridlock and disruption across the country.

Aron Solomon, the chief legal analyst for Esquire Digital in Montreal, told Insider that this is the first time the Emergencies Act was used. The act replaced the War Measures Act, which had previously been invoked during the 1970 October Crisis, when a separatist group in Quebec kidnapped the British trade commissioner James Richard Cross and said they'd kill him if the government did not release 23 prisoners affiliated with the group, the CBC reported.

Solomon said the Emergencies Act replaced the War Measures Act so it could align with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which came in 1982.

Solomon said the Freedom Convoy, a group of Canadian truckers who began protesting cross-border COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Ottawa on January 29, has essentially "shut the city down."

"It's been extremely disruptive to local residents," he said, adding that videos have shown demonstrators handcuffing apartment buildings so residents can't come out and that protesters have been caught with weapons.

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Diane Deans, the chair of Ottawa's police board, said the protests turned into a "nationwide insurrection," and a state of emergency was put into place in Ottawa.

On Saturday, police began clearing out protesters who had been blocking a bridge on the US-Canada border for the previous few days.

Trudeau's use of the Emergencies Act "essentially gives the government a lot more power that you just can't get away with in a democracy like Canada," Solomon said.

"The federal government now has powers to do things such as cancel insurance for any of these trucks if they don't go home. Cancel their license plates and registration. Freeze corporate accounts, as well," Solomon said.

Solomon said this measure could either help or harm Trudeau and his party. He said the Ottawa police, as well as the federal government, have been criticized by Canadians for not doing enough to curb the demonstrations, which have affected Canada's economy with a key border crossing blocked.

He said this response might show that the federal government is taking a forceful approach against the disruption, but it could also give the image that Canada is a "police state" or fuel criticism and more protests against government overreach.

"It's true that some of these big rigs that might be worth millions of dollars are actually going to go home because they don't wanna lose the truck. But that doesn't mean that more people won't join the protest," Solomon said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Donald Trump. Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock

Longtime Republican bigwig and former hedge fund CEO Dave McCormick once seemed to be at least Never-Trump adjacent, though perhaps not fully Never-Trump.

A few weeks after the Jan. 6 insurrection, for example, he suggested it was time for his party to find its way back from the violent depths to which it had descended. "You have to start with the recognition that what we saw at the Capitol was just horrific and will be a dark chapter in American history," McCormick said in comments recently unearthed by The Bulwark, "and something  hopefully will wake us all up to the need for being able to bring our disagreements together and find unity and agreement." Former President Donald Trump, he said, had "a lot of responsibility" for the nation's divisions.

McCormick is now running for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. On Sunday, he aired a "Let's Go Brandon" ad during the Super Bowl.

So much for unity and agreement.

Granted, McCormick isn't the first politician  of either party  to talk of unity and civility while spending money on negative ads. And he's far from the only establishment Republican to have once decried the insurrection only to try to get cozy with the party's insurrection-friendly base.

His ad arrived at an interesting time, though, when America's political media and a few Republicans are once again searching desperately for new signs that Trump might at last be faltering politically. On Sunday, The New York Times examined how Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and former President George W. Bush have pushed for old-school establishment Republicans  folks like Govs. Doug Ducey of Arizona, Larry Hogan of Maryland, and Chris Sununu of New Hampshire  to run for the Senate and block Trumpier candidates. Similarly, The Washington Post detailed how Trump-backed candidates are lagging their GOP rivals in fundraising and polling numbers, and noted that the former president isn't nearly as visible as he once was. It's suddenly pretty easy to find talk about Trump's weaknesses and what they might mean.

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"People aren't necessarily seeing his messaging as much," an unidentified Republican told the Post. "They just say he's not on Twitter; they don't really know what he's doing." Maybe, just maybe, there's a chance to throw a bucket of water on the Wicked Witch.

There's a wishful thinking quality to all of this. Poll after poll, after all, shows that Trump is still the frontrunner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, and it's not particularly close. And if Trump's Senate picks aren't doing terribly well right now, neither are McConnell's: Hogan and Sununu have already declared they won't run, and Ducey will probably do the same despite favorable polling. It's possible Trump no longer possesses the political strength he once did, but he's still the most formidable force within the Republican Party.

Even if Trump is stumbling, however, it might not matter all that much. McCormick's Super Bowl ad is one more piece of evidence that Trumpism is here to stay.

That's a bit of a surprise, because Trumpism has always seemed so wrapped up in the person of Trump himself, centered on his particular obsessions, grievances, and short attention span. In 2017, Jane Coaston wrote at National Review that "there is no such thing as Trumpism" because Trump's agenda was so devoid of actual content. Trump's statements "were largely reflections of whatever he thought would be popular at the precise moment he made them," she observed, which made "Trumpism" a cobbled-together act of projection by his fans and hangers-on.

But that's not quite right, at least not anymore.

Trumpism, it turns out, is less a set of ideas about the common good and more a set of tactics for attaining power from the right. There are several elements: A little bit of cruelty, a bunch of "flooding the zone" with lies and misinformation, and  perhaps most importantly  a ton of showmanship. Shows of utter loyalty to Trump himself are also critical, obviously. These are old methods, but the former president put a fresh and potent spin to create something new with them. In the absence of an actual governing agenda, GOP candidates can still ape his style. That's Trumpism.

And this is what Trumpism without Trump looks like: It's Dave McCormick, pitching himself to Pennsylvania Republicans with a vulgar euphemism. It's Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) embracing a "don't say gay" law for his state's public schools. It's Fox host Tucker Carlson emerging as a possible presidential candidate only because he's so fantastic at being angry on TV. It's GOP candidates falsely crying fraud every time they lose an election. It's mean and loud and crass and has only a passing acquaintance with the truth  and it gets good ratings.

Trump himself could leave the scene tomorrow, and all these things would still be true. Maybe the former president is finally losing his touch with GOP voters, but probably not. It doesn't really matter. Trumpism is doing just fine.

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The British military says it believes the Russian military is now significantly weaker after suffering losses in its war on Ukraine. The British Defense Ministry made the comment Tuesday in its daily statement on Twitter regarding the war. It also said Russia's recovery would be exacerbated by sanctions. The ministry cited failures both in strategic planning and operational execution for Russia's inability to dominate Ukraine. Meanwhile, satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show nearly 50 Russian military helicopters at a base close to the Ukrainian border. And in Rome, Pope Francis told an Italian newspaper that he offered to travel to Moscow to meet the Russian president about three weeks into the invasion, but has not received a response. more >>
Then-President Donald Trump using a cellphone during a meeting at the White House State Dining Room. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Trump frequently used his close aide Dan Scavino's phone to make calls, CNN reported.

The news comes as Scavino is battling the Jan. 6 commission's bid to obtain his phone records.

Trump was averse to making calls using official White House lines, CNN reported.

Former President Donald Trump habitually used the cellphone of his close aide Dan Scavino to make calls, CNN reported, meaning many of them were not officially recorded.

In the Sunday report, CNN detailed the unorthodox ways Trump made calls while in office, with sources claiming that Trump would frequently use the cellphones of aides to make calls to supporters or family members.

Among the phones in most frequent use was that by Deputy White House Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, whose office was in "shouting distance" of Trump's in the Oval Office, CNN reported.

One source told CNN they witnessed Scavino "routinely" handing his cellphone to Trump, and described Scavino as the "key to pretty much everything" given his proximity to the former president.

Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Scavino's attorney declined to comment.

Trump leaves the Capitol's House Chamber after addressing a joint session of Congress, February 28, 2017, with Dan Scavino behind him. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call

The report comes as Scavino battles attempts by the House commission investigating the Capitol riot to obtain his phone records.

One of the commission's key focuses is phone calls that Trump made as the Capitol was attacked. The commission has detected gaps in official White House call records during the period of time commission members believe Trump had made calls.

The commission in January issued a subpoena for Scavino's phone records, and he launched a lawsuit against Verizon to prevent it from handing over the records. The lawsuit, which is still in its early phase, means the commission has not yet obtained the records from Scavino's phone.

Trump's haphazard style while in office was said to extend to his treatment of documents, with reports saying he regularly tore up papers or sought to dispose of them down the toilet.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(This February 14 story corrects typographical error in the seventh graph and removes the reference to the precise location of the apparent suicide)

By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. federal judges were the target of more than 4,500 threats and other inappropriate communications last year, the head of the U.S. Marshals Service said on Monday, adding that his office is concerned about the rise of domestic extremism in America.

"The increase in our judicial ... threat investigations and inappropriate comments have been going up quite frankly for a couple of years," Ronald Davis, director of the U.S. Marshals Service, told journalists in a conference call. He said the threat risk is "growing exponentially."

Federal law enforcement officials have sounded alarm bells about a growing tide of threats posed by white supremacists and anti-government activists, many of whom have touted former Republican President Donald Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.

Earlier this year, Attorney General Merrick Garland launched a task force aimed at combating threats targeting state election workers and volunteers, an effort that so far has led to two criminal cases.

Garland has also instructed the FBI to work with local officials to monitor an increase in threats to school boards, which have faced an onslaught of criticism over issues ranging from mask mandates to the teaching of critical race theory.

The threats to judges were varied and in some cases came from disgruntled defendants, Davis said.

In one example, a self-described anti-feminist attorney in 2020 shot and killed the son of federal judge Esther Salas at her home in New Jersey. In the attack, Roy Den Hollander also wounded Salas's husband. Hollander was later found dead in an apparent suicide in upstate New York.

The U.S. Marshals Service is tasked with protecting courts across the country's 94 federal district courts, in addition to transporting prisoners and helping to locate fugitives.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Leslie Adler)
LONDON  Twelve weeks into his new job as the Royal Navys First Sea Lord, Adm. Sir Ben Key has laid out his vision of what capabilities Britains future maritime force will need, touting new technology development as key for making the fleet more lethal.

Key used a visit to the Babcock shipyard at Rosyth, Scotland, currently assembling the first of at least five Type 31 general-purpose frigates for the Royal Navy, to describe where he sees the sea service going by 2035.

More lethality, hypersonic weapons, blending unmanned and manned aircraft working from the same flight deck, a renaissance in commando operations, and regaining advantage below the waves  all those mission got a name check by Key.

We are setting ourselves a challenge to become a global leader in hypersonic weapons. A future where well become more adaptive in how we use our platforms, high-end war fighting, command and control  highly lethal, highly reassuring and highly adaptable, he told an audience of industry executives and Royal Navy officers during a visit to the yard Feb 11.

Pointing out the major recapitalization of the Russian fleet in recent times, Key acknowledged there may be some catching-up to do with Moscows growing submarine threat.

Its a future where we will regain and retain operational advantage in the underwater domain, he said.

Nick Childs, the senior fellow for naval forces and maritime security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank in London, said Keys remarks underscore the fact there is a huge change program under way in the Royal Navy, including in terms of much-needed new platforms.

Aside from the Type 31 program led by Babcock at Rosyth, a few miles away on the river Clyde BAE Systems is building the first three of eight planned Type 26 anti-submarine frigates.

A Type 32 frigate fleet is also in the early stages of design. At the moment, the fielding time and number of warships planned is unclear.

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The British also have begun looking at design options of a Type 83 destroyer expected to start replacing the Type 45 destroyer in the last 2030s.

Key acknowledges that it is going to be a challenge delivering on these and the multiple other important capability enhancements that are being promised, said Childs.

The changes and growth come at a time when maritime power is very much back in fashion.

I do genuinely believe were experiencing a once-in-a-generation moment where the maritime reasserts itself in a position of geopolitical conscience, Childs said.

Opponents seem to think so, too. Britains naval chief flagged growing Russian and Chinese naval strength as causes for concern, and he also added non-state actors as a growing threat due to their increasing access to rapid and freely available technology.

We need to acknowledge some hard truths. We have to recognize that if were not careful, we will lose our operational advantage, Key warned.

He also warned the scale of the challenge would be too much to handle for Britain alone.

Were not going to do it hull for hull, and were not going to do it person to person. But we are going to do with allies. We are going to do it by combining the latest technology. We are going to do it by thinking differently, he said.

One of the areas the British need to fix is the lack of offensive capabilities on a surface fleet which has had to rely on aging Harpoon missiles or helicopter-borne weapons for its surface-to-surface punch.

That appears to be changing. More lethality now appears to be the order of the day.

Key said the Royal Navy needs to be less wedded to defensive systems and much bolder with the transition to effective offensive systems.

Childs reckons at the heart of this is a broadly acknowledged issue that the balance between defensive and offensive systems in the Royal Navy needs to be addressed, to put the strike fully back into RN capabilities, particularly in terms of advanced stand-off weapons.

A major part of this conundrum is not just what level of capability to aspire to, but how quickly and how widely can it be introduced, said Childs.

Said Key: To quote my predecessor as First Sea Lord and now chief of Defence Staff, the answer for increasing lethality, is not more people or more cash.

Instead, he argued, gaining an advantage is about up-skilling, its about changing the way we think about how we move from traditional means to untraditional, new and innovative methods of achieving the effects we want.

But, whatever the chief of the Defence Staff, Adm Sir Tony Radakin, says about money not being the answer to greater lethality, the changes will come at a price.

The British defense budget has seen a big hike recently, but resources remain stretched across the military.

Key said to achieve the capability upgrades required the Navy will have to be willing to dispose of old equipment earlier, and adjusting our programs to make room for new technology in the fields of hypersonics and directed energy, for example.

Thats a process demonstrated in last years integrated review of defense, security and foreign policy where two Type 23 frigates were retired early.
By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Ukraine is open to a Vatican mediation of its conflict with Russia and wants Pope Francis to visit as soon as possible, even in the current situation, Kyiv's new ambassador to the Holy See said on Monday.

Speaking to Reuters in a telephone interview from Kyiv, Andriy Yurash, said the Vatican was considering its response to invitations from both political and Catholic Church officials in Ukraine for a visit.

Yurash, 53, noted that last April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told an Italian newspaper that the Vatican would be an ideal place for negotiating an end to the war in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, which began in 2014.

Yurash repeated Kyiv's openness to a Vatican mediation, amid an international standoff over Russia's deployment of more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine. It denies planning an invasion but many Western countries expect one and have told their citizens to leave.

"As I understand it, the Vatican would be ready and happy to create this possibility for meeting leaders from both sides," said Yurash, the former head of the Department on Religious Affairs and Nationalities at Ukraine's Ministry of Culture.

"Ukraine is completely in favour of (using) this very influential, very spiritual place for a meeting. If Russia confirms its will to sit at the table, immediately Ukraine will respond in a positive way," he said.

The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In recent decades, the Vatican has been involved in mediations between factions in South Sudan, between Chile and Argentina over a territorial dispute and also mediated a rapprochement between Cuba and the United States.

Ukraine is predominately Orthodox Christian but about 10% of the population belong to the Eastern Catholic Church, whose followers use Byzantine religious rites but are in allegiance with Rome.

In 2018 the Ukrainian Orthodox Church split into two, with one declaring independence from the Russian Orthodox Church and the other keeping ties to Moscow.

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The newly appointed ambassador, who is due to arrive in Italy this month, repeated a standing invitation made by Ukraine's political Catholic leaders for the pope to visit.

"All world leaders are visiting Ukraine," he said. "(A papal visit) will have a very great impact for the development of the situation."

"Ukraine would be very happy to see the pope even now because we are absolutely sure that we are controlling our borders. We are controlling the situation inside the country and we will be ready to protect everyone," he said.

Moscow is pressing for guarantees from the United States and NATO that include blocking Ukraine's entry into NATO, refraining from missile deployments near Russia's borders and scaling back NATO's military infrastructure in Europe to 1997 levels.

Washington regards many of the proposals as non-starters but has pushed the Kremlin to discuss them jointly with Washington and its European allies.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella, Editing by William Maclean)
Watch: Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, says she wants to defend her home amid threat of invasion

A Ukrainian far-right organisation has begun training children and pensioners in military combat as Russia pushes Europe to the brink of conflict over fears of an invasion.

With about 130,000 Russian troops gathering on the Ukrainian border, far-right group Right Sector have held open training sessions for anyone who wished to attend.

They have been teaching ordinary citizens how to load and fire a gun, with their students including young children and elderly people.

Among them, in the city of Mariupol, was 79-year-old Valentyna Konstantynovska, who was filmed clutching an AK-47 in a training session.

The great-grandmother said she is ready to defend my home if Russia does decide to invade.

Read more: Boris Johnson warns Russia is on the 'edge of precipice' over Ukrainian invasion

She told local media: "I am ready to shoot. If something happens I will defend my home, my city, my children.

I will do this because I think Im ready for it. I dont want to lose my country, my city.

A boy in Kiev, Ukraine, practices loading a gun as far-right group Right Sector trains civilians in miltary exercises. (PA)

Ukraine's nationalists hold a military training sessions for civilians in Kiev. (PA)

Images in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev show a nation fearful on the brink of a war, with many thinking they may need to defend their country against a potential invasion.

Some drills were carried out with fake guns, while hand to hand combat sessions were held.

Tensions are growing by the day on the border, and UK nationals within Ukraine being urged to flee before the situation makes it impossible.

Read more: Europe must 'prepare for the worst' on fears of Russian invasion, says Nato

Russian president Vladimir Putin has stationed his soldiers along the border, as well as thousands more in the Black Sea, as he considers Russia's next step.

On Monday, British defence minister James Heappey said the continent of Europe is closer to war than it has been for the past 70 years and warned an attack could happen with "no notice".

A woman practices with a gun during a training session. (PA)

The UK has sent 1,000 additional troops to Poland to stand ready in the even of any crisis unfolding on the Ukrainian border. (PA)

He said: Russia has concentrated artillery missile systems and combat air in the area.

Story continues

"And, perhaps more ominously, although it grabs less headlines, all of the combat enablers, the logistics, the fuel, the medical supplies, the bridging assets, are all also now in place.

So, the reason that the travel advice changed on Friday and the urgency of the messaging since is that the attack could effectively now happen with no notice.

The UK has sent 1,000 additional troops to Poland to stand ready in the event of any crisis.

Fake guns were used for some of the drills. (Getty)

A paramilitary gives a demonstration on how to load a weapon. (Getty)

Meanwhile, Ukraines ambassador to the UK also backtracked on a suggestion the country could consider dropping its ambition to join Nato to avoid war.

Vadym Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday night that the country, which he said was being threatened and blackmailed, would consider serious concessions including removing the goal of joining the Nato alliance from the Ukrainian constitution.

But on Monday he told BBC Breakfast: We are not a member of Nato right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in our conversations with Russia.

But it has nothing to do with Nato, which is enshrined in the constitution.

Ukraines ambassador to the UK backtracked on a suggestion the country could consider dropping its ambition to join Nato to avoid war. (Getty)

Moscow had suggested that Ukraine abandoning its Nato ambitions would address one of its main concerns. (Getty)

Moscow had suggested that Ukraine abandoning its Nato ambitions would address one of its main concerns.

Despite concerns about the potential futility of diplomacy  expressed by UK defence secretary Ben Wallace in his suggestion there was a whiff of Munich in the air from some in the West  Ukraine and Nato allies continued to seek a resolution through talks.
Memento International has closed major sales on Ursula Meiers Berlin contender The Line, and Boy from Heaven by Tarik Saleh, the Swedish-Egyptian helmer of The Nile Hilton Incident.

A religious and political thriller, Boy From Heaven is set in Cairo at a Koranic school following the collapse of a grand imam which marks the start of a ruthless battle for influence.

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The movie is headlined by Tawfeek Barhom and Fares Fares, who previously starred in The Nile Hilton Incident. Salehs Stockholm-based outfit Atmo is producing the movie with Memento.

Memento International has sold the film to Benelux (Cineart), Spain (La Aventura), Italy (Movies Inspired), Greece (Cinobo), Hungary (Vertigo) and Middle East (Falcon). Other territories in negotiation. Memento Distribution will release in France.

The company has also sold The Line, Ursula Meiers drama which is in main competition at the Berlin Film Festival, to a raft of territories, including Germany (Piffl Medien), Austria (Panda), ex-Yugoslavia (MCF Megacom Film) and Sweden (Triart).

Other territories are in negotiation. The movie will be released in Switzerland by Filmcoopi, in France by Diaphana and in Benelux by Cineart.

The Line has received a warm critical welcome at the Berlinale where it world premiered in competition. The mother-daughter drama stars Stephanie Blanchoud and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. Varietys review described the movie as a volatile yet sensitive portrait of a woman ordered to keep her distance from her family.

Were really happy about the market response! There is still an appetite from distributors to acquire great auteur-driven films, said Memento Internationals Alexandre Moreau. Working with important talents such as Ursula Meier and Tarik Saleh makes us believe in cinema more than ever, added the exec.

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Memento Internationals EFM lineup also includes Tropic of Violence by Manuel Schapira and The Night of the 12th by Dominik Moll which is in post-production.

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The Air Force has spent the past four years making a concerted push to ready its planes for war. Its gained almost no ground.

On average, seven out of every 10 planes were available as needed for combat missions, training or other routine operations last year, according to fiscal 2021 data the service provided to Air Force Times on Nov. 23.

Mission-capable rates, the main readiness metric across nearly 40 of the services major aircraft, remained essentially stagnant, from 72.7% in 2020 to 71.5% in 2021. Its a meager bump from 2018, when it sank just below 70%  its lowest point in nearly a decade.

That status quo threatens the Air Forces reliability not only in a crisis but also in its daily routine. It means the service is spending taxpayer dollars on inefficient maintenance practices and fleets  some of which are more than 50 years old  and that the services standoff with lawmakers, who typically reject plans to ditch outdated planes, will continue into fiscal 2023.

The Air Force takes a more optimistic view. Col. James Hartle, the services associate logistics director, said the force is getting close to where it needs to be on mission-capable rates, pointing to the intense two-week Afghanistan evacuation in August as evidence the people and planes can respond in a crisis.

We are almost satisfied with the mission-capability rates, Hartle told Air Force Times on Jan. 20. Weve got areas to improve, places that we can increase and opportunities to get those numbers up, but it takes a little bit of time.

Source: U.S. Air Force

But in an extended conflict against a major adversary, rates in the low 70% range arent going to be enough, said Heritage Foundation defense expert and former fighter pilot John Venable.

Think about running a war against Russia or China, where youve got to generate all of your aircraft in order to make that happen, Venable said. That math does not bode well.

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Which aircraft are mission-ready  which are unprepared?

The Air Forces progress has been piecemeal at best.

Twenty-nine of about three dozen Air Force fleets  from the C-130H Hercules transport planes to the E-3 target-tracking jets  saw their mission-capable rates fall last year. Another eight logged positive change; one had none at all.

Seven airframes had fewer than 60% of their aircraft ready to go at any given moment, with the B-1B Lancer bombers, F-22A Raptor fighter jets and CV-22B Osprey special operation airlifters at the bottom of the list.

In 2020, 41% of B-1s were in a condition to respond when called upon  the lowest mission-capable rate in the Air Force, thanks to a slew of engine problems that took them out of commission last year.

Tech. Sgt. Justin St Thomas inspects the liner of an F-16 jet engine for cracks, bulges and blemishes at the Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz. Mission-capable rates for F-16s dropped by more than 2 percentage points last year. (Senior Master Sgt. Charles Givens/Air National Guard)

Twelve airframes logged mission-capable rates between 60% and 70%, including most of the fighter fleets, and 13 platforms clocked in between 70% and 80%. Six airframes had rates of 80% or higher, led by the MQ-9 Reaper and surveillance drones.

Ninety percent of the remotely piloted Reaper attack drones were mission-ready, the highest rate in the Air Force.

RC-135W Rivet Joints had the worst year with a nearly 15 percentage-point drop in its mission-capable rate; the T-1 Jayhawk trainer had the best year, as the last of 39 planes damaged in a 2016 hailstorm returned to service and spurred an almost 6 percentage-point uptick.

Yet, a pattern of two steps forward, one step back has some experts wondering if and when the Air Force will get a handle on its readiness issues, should a longer-term conflict arise  such as, say, a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

How did the Air Force get here?

Several factors have brought the Air Force to this point, said retired Air Force Gen. Hawk Carlisle, president of the National Defense Industrial Association and former head of Air Combat Command.

One of the biggest problems: The Air Force has old iron.

The services aircraft now average 29 years old; about half the inventory dates back to the 1980s or earlier. Some planes  like the B-52 Stratofortress, T-38 Talon and KC-135 Stratotanker  have hit their fifth or sixth decade of service. Attempts to replace geriatric fleets with new technology have been slow moving.

When planes get old, Carlisle said, they inevitably need more maintenance  whether on a day-to-day basis or as part of more intensive overhauls that extend an aircrafts life span but take up more time in depots.

Service-life extension work has become a costly issue for command-and-control as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance planes, the oldest of which date back to the early 1960s. Those airframes perform highly specialized missions, like intercepting communications signals. And with fleets of a few dozen jets at most, going down for maintenance can put the Air Force in a bind.

That calculation could get more challenging as the service prepares to retire some of those assets, like the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, which is used to track ground targets from above. Four of 16 JSTARS are headed for the Boneyard this year after long-running pushback from the planes supporters on Capitol Hill. Their destination in Arizona is where the Air Force stores thousands of retired military planes, keeping aircraft safe so that parts can be harvested.

Offices across the Air Force will work together to limit the harm that downsizing an already small fleet could do to aircraft availability and institutional knowledge, said Air Combat Command spokesperson Capt. Lauren Gao.

The Air Force hopes to lessen the financial load of keeping the creakiest planes aloft, but perennially struggles to win congressional approval to retire outdated airframes. Lawmakers usual resistance thawed somewhat with the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act, which granted most of the Air Forces requests to downsize certain fleets, but congressional appropriators still need to sign off on the plan.

Last year, the Air Force retired 17 of its most battered B-1Bs so mechanics can concentrate on keeping the remaining 45 Lancers flying. That drawdown, plus an emergency pause in operations to replace potentially faulty fuel tank components, has made more than half of the bombers combat-capable again.

About four in 10 B-1s are available for use, meeting the bar set by Air Force Global Strike Command, said spokesperson Jennifer Greene.

The fleet has continued to improve in mission capability since that effort and post-divestiture, she said. By divesting the most structurally challenged aircraft, the Air Force avoided more than $630 [million] in expensive repairs.

Two B-1B Lancers assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, fly in formation above the Gulf of Mexico on Feb. 7, 2021. The Air Force last year retired 17 of the oldest and most worn-out B-1s, which were flown extensively in the Middle East over the past two decades, to allow maintainers to concentrate on fixing the healthier B-1s. (Senior Airman Ryan Grossklag/Air Force)

Getting the congressional go-ahead to ditch certain planes has led the service to consider how it can shuffle airmen to support older fleets on the way out and newer planes that are arriving. In the B-1s case, the Air Force said it was able to shrink the Lancer fleet without deactivating any squadrons. Instead, it divided existing bombers among B-1 bases to maintain a robust workforce at each in preparation for the planes successor, the stealthy B-21 Raider.

While it remains to be seen if the Air Force will reap the wide-ranging benefits of divestment its promised, Hartle said the ripple effects are starting.

The first impact that were seeing  is really a lot about the maintenance manpower, as we align some of that [workforce]  to those weapon systems that we are retiring, and then moving [the jobs]  to the new weapon systems that we have or some of those other weapon systems that will be part of our future, he said.

The service is also on track to sunset nearly three dozen KC-10 and KC-135 tankers in the next two years and upgrade the EC-130H Compass Call with a newer jet. Recent budgets tried to retire or end production of several other airframes, including the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, MQ-9 Reaper, U-2 Dragon Lady, RQ-4 Global Hawk and C-130H Hercules.

Budget problems, such as repeated continuing resolutions, havent helped matters, Carlisle said. The stopgap funding measures block federal agencies from spending more than they received in the previous fiscal year.

The current CR that expires Feb. 18, for example, has meant theres less money to go around to fix both an earlier model of the RQ-4 reconnaissance drone  which Congress wouldnt let the Air Force retire  and a newer version that is accumulating wear and tear.

That fleet saw a nearly 10-point drop in its mission-capability rate over the past two years.

We are still operating with identical budget restrictions that contributed to the MC-rate drop, and had to utilize some funding allocated to Block 40 aircraft in order to maintain Block 30 aircraft, Gao said. Retiring the Block 30 RQ-4s, however, will allow ACC to fully allocate all of the Block 40s funding to greatly improve the overall health of the RQ-4 Block 40 fleet.

Making maintenance headway

Air Force officials tout several steps theyve recently taken to boost readiness, from introducing virtual reality and 3D printing in the depots to relying on artificial intelligence for more insight. Perhaps no aspect has garnered as much attention as the need to shore up maintenance, whether by getting fixes in place faster, repairing parts before they fail or trying new training approaches.

One initiative is giving bases the resources to handle repairs they couldnt previously do. For example, B-2 Spirit bombers needed to visit the major maintenance depot in Oklahoma when their hydraulic systems needed work because the B-2 hubs at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, werent able to fix it locally. Hydraulic components give the stealth aircraft the lift it needs to glide through the sky.

Barksdale prepared to take on that responsibility in the past year, and its personnel fixed nine hydraulic actuators on site instead of rerouting bombers 300 miles away to Oklahoma. It avoided spending $2.7 million in unnecessary purchases as well, Hartle said.

The repair node integration effort has cut average repair times from about 41 days to 13 days so far, Hartle added.

Airmen assigned to the 911th Maintenance Group conduct an engine depreservation run on a C-17 Globemaster III at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pa., on Jan. 21, 2022. The work burned off excess oil used to help preserve the aircraft engines as they spent an extended period of time inside a hangar while receiving an aircraft wash, refurbishment and fuel-cell maintenance. (Joshua J. Seybert/Air Force)

Were at 3,000 different parts across the  platforms and looking at trying to repair as much as we can through that effort, he said, estimating cost savings of over $100 million. We would like to get to about 30,000 parts.

Another project is adapting routine upkeep to better account for an aircrafts mission needs.

The Air Forces largest plane undergoes a thorough 60-day inspection, known as a home station check, every two years. Active duty C-5 units redesigned the inspection around airlift operations and training requirements, freeing up time for nearly 30 more sorties per year for the jets at Travis AFB, California, and an extra 15 flying days for the team at Dover AFB, Delaware, Hartle said.

Officials want to expand the effort to include the KC-46 Pegasus tanker, the B-1 and B-52 bombers, and the forthcoming B-21.

A third effort focuses on working out the kinks that are slowing down an aircrafts turnaround time. About two dozen projects have hammered out solutions on platforms from the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System plane to the F-35A Lightning II.

One iteration with the KC-135s cut the number of aircraft undergoing maintenance by 70% and freed up the equivalent of 1,500 flying days, Hartle said. Another with the E-3 boosted its sortie effectiveness by 73% and aircrew training by 81%.

In the long run, the Air Force wants to have contractor liaisons on call to work through those constraints, which can take up to six months. Its just a matter of the capacity, Hartle said.

Pulling out of Americas nearly 20-year war in Afghanistan last year has been a boon to some airframes, too. Now that Air Force Special Operations Commands MC-130Hs are no longer deployed in the harsh environments of Southwest Asia, its easier for maintainers to conduct repairs and stock spare parts at home, according to AFSOC weapons systems chief Lt. Col. Michael Fields.

Itll take more work to turn around AFSOCs CV-22 Osprey, however, after its mission-capable rate dropped from about 54% to 51%. Excessive vibrations caused by its unique tilt-rotor design have taken a toll on the airframe, landing it in the shop to address chafing wires and other problems more often, Fields said.

Bell Textron and Boeing are working on improvements to the Ospreys massive nacelles, the wind turbines that propel it in multiple directions, and they are installing new wiring to get them back into service, he said.

Taking a BLADE to the problem

Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics have taken center stage in experiments to keep spare parts in stock. Existing shortages are exacerbated by pandemic-era supply chain snarls, and there are more complications among decades-old aircraft for which parts are no longer manufactured at all.

Thats been a particularly pressing problem at Air Mobility Command, which is grappling with the exorbitant costs of refurbishing planes dating back to the 1950s. Often, an original manufacturer has closed and the military needs to find another to make components  or 3D print its own.

Each plane has a different set of hard-to-find parts, and they include everything from engine components to pumps and actuators, said Lt. Col. Tiffany Feet, chief of mobility aircraft in the commands logistics, engineering and force protection division. There are thousands of parts on these planes, and quite a few of them can bring the plane out of operation, she said.

Still, she downplayed the related decline in readiness rates, calling it nominal.

Supply chain woes made worse by COVID-19s impact on the industrial base were partly responsible for mission-capable rate drops among the F-15, F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighters, plus the T-6 and T-38 trainer aircraft.

An F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 187th Fighter Wing stages in Mobile, Ala., on November 3, 2021, during Southern Lightning Strike, an exercise throughout the southeastern United States. Supply chain problems, partly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, hurt spare parts availability for the F-16 and other aircraft last year, and contributed to mission-capable rate drops. (Tech. Sgt. William Blankenship/Air Force)

The coronavirus similarly cramped progress toward overhauling T-38 engines and stockpiling spares for the T-6.

In his offices annual report in January, the Pentagons chief weapons tester said F-35 availability rates plateaued in 2021 and started slumping toward the end of the year. The year had started off strong as more new F-35s were delivered and efforts to increase spare parts availability yielded success, the report by the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation Office said.

But after June 2021, spare parts started to dry up, dealing a blow to F-35 readiness, the report said. Most notably, a serious shortage of fully functional F135 engines  felt most acutely in the Air Forces F-35A fleet  and a lack of depot capacity worsened the fighters availability.

COVID-19 drove home the lesson that the Air Force needs to better predict its future, Hartle said. That led to the creation of a database known as BLADE, which is run on a Pentagon-wide artificial intelligence platform.

BLADE is compiling information on how parts move through the supply chain, if theyll arrive before a jet is in dire need and how the Air Force should invest in those logistics, Hartle said. Its meant to alleviate future binds that industry backlogs may create for national defense.

BLADE goes hand in hand with conditions-based maintenance, or CBM+, an initiative that began in 2019 and has since spread to more than a dozen types of aircraft. The project was inspired by the commercial airline industrys practice of proactively using sensors and algorithms to forecast when plane parts are about to fail  rather than reactively replacing broken parts.

We dont want those unexpected breaks, Feet said. We want to build that reliability into our flying operations.

Bringing it all together

The Air Force plans to pull the data from its myriad initiatives into a new birds-eye view of fleet availability, dubbed the ready aircraft metric.

We are working to provide our maintainers and our logisticians a tool that, based on a certain period of time [and] the scheduled maintenance tasks that are going to be required over that time, they can actually predict their fleet readiness, Hartle said.

It presents a more forward-looking approach to military aviation compared to mission-capable rates, which airmen criticize as a lagging metric that rewards keeping planes on the ground instead of giving them the chance to degrade in the air.

The Air Staff at Air Force headquarters is partnering with nearly all of the services major commands on a pilot program to decide which data is most helpful and how to present it. If it goes well, the service plans to scale the idea across the entire inventory over the next few years.

It will give our operators, our maintainers, our planners in how we present forces  key information as we look forward, Hartle said.

He also expects the situation to improve as green maintainers gain experience in their craft and fill jobs where units are lacking. Renewed interest in civilian contractors can help.

In October 2020, the Air Forces training enterprise opened a new center to teach civilians how to sustain the services three main flight school planes. Nearly 150 people graduated from the Texas-based center in its first year and will take over open positions as workers retire.

Views from the Hill

If the Air Force is going to fix this problem, it cant stop at dumping old airframes, said Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He argues the military is overdue for a radical reimagining of what its combatant commanders  particularly U.S. Central Command  can ask of the Air Force.

The Pentagons Global Posture Review offered an opportunity to shrink commanders demands, but punted on CENTCOM  arguably the worst offender in terms of continuing to ask for [air] forces, Harrison said. It seems like no one has told CENTCOM that theyre not the priority anymore.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will take another crack at the issue as well.

A spokesperson for Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committees readiness and management support subcommittee, said the lawmaker plans to look through readiness reports from the first three months of FY22 to see where the most pressing issues lie.

Kaine is also focused on passing a full-year defense appropriations bill to provide more certainty for readiness for the Air Force and all branches of the military, Ilse Zuniga added in the Jan. 26 email to Air Force Times.

Congressional hearings may uncover new details about how the Air Force is progressing toward a more reliable, four-phase cycle of training, maintenance and deployment; whether funneling more than $2 billion in the past four years to update its maintenance depots has helped; and if it can successfully adopt the analysis and networking technologies that have powered commercial industry for years, among other issues.

Previous defense policy laws have directed the Pentagon to draw up infrastructure and depot improvement blueprints. But proposing a 25-year plan is not the answer, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., head of the House Armed Services Committees readiness subpanel, said in October.

This committee perceives the problem, and we damn well intend to solve it, so get ready, he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday invoked emergency powers to disband the truckers and other demonstrators who have clogged streets in the Canadian capital of Ottawa and blocked border crossings elsewhere to protest COVID-19 restrictions.

In invoking Canadas Emergencies Act, which gives the federal government broad powers to restore order, Trudeau ruled out using the military and said the action would be limited in time and targeted to the trouble spots.

"It is no longer a lawful protest at a disagreement over government policy. It is now an illegal occupation. It's time for people to go home," said Trudeau, whose government has been criticized for being slow and not forceful enough in responding to the crisis.

In addition to threatening to tow away the truckers' rigs, the government outlined plans to freeze their personal and corporate bank accounts and to suspend the insurance on their vehicles.

Consider yourselves warned. Send your rigs home, said Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who doubles as the finance minister and added that the government would target crowd-funding sites that are being used to support the illegal blockades.

In a related development earlier Monday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it arrested 11 people at the blockaded border crossing at Coutts, Alberta, opposite Montana, after learning of a cache of guns and ammunition.

Police said a small group within the protest was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade. Authorities seized long guns, handguns, body armor and a large quantity of ammunition.

The protest in Ottawa, now in its third week, has spurred on similar movements in other parts of the country that have blockaded various U.S.-Canadian border crossings. Most prominent among them was the critical Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, which was under a nearly week-long siege that disrupted auto production in both countries.

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That trucker-led "Freedom Convoy" was finally disbanded over the weekend after a judge on Friday ordered the blockade. About a dozen protesters who defied the order were arrested Sunday when the last vehicles blocking the bridge were towed away.

"Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end," said Drew Dilkens, the mayor of Windsor.

Authorities in protest-weary Ontario said the province will lift its COVID-19 proof-of-vaccination requirements in two weeks. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the decision was not a result of the protests, but rather because it is safe to do so.

Also in the news:

New York City fired 1,430 workers who failed to comply with its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, the mayors office said Monday. The total represents less than 1% of the 370,000-person city workforce.

California will delay until Feb. 28 a decision on whether to lift mask mandates in schools.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a $101 million supplemental budget to boost coronavirus testing across the state, provide masks in a variety of settings and allocate additional funding for a COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave program.

Duchess Camilla has tested positive for COVID-19, the palace confirmed, just four days after her husband, Prince Charles, tested positive for the virus a second time.

Walmart will no longer require fully vaccinated workers to wear masks while working in stores unless mandated by local or state rules.

Today's numbers: The U.S. has recorded more than 77.9 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 922,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Global totals: More than 413 million cases and over 5.8 million deaths. More than 213.8 million Americans  64.4%  are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What we're reading: What's it like to be stuck in COVID isolation during the Olympics? Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor explains how quarantine was her biggest foe in the games.

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.

'Not a mask in sight here': Celebrities, fans ditch face coverings at Super Bowl

California's mask mandate for indoor public settings will be lifted Wednesday. Several celebrities jumped the gun and ditched them Sunday at the Super Bowl.

The likes of NBA icons LeBron James and Magic Johnson and showbiz figures Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Jay-Z, Charlize Theron, Sean Penn, Chris Tucker and Matt Damon were among the well-known figures seen on camera without a mask at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area, where everyone age 2 and older was supposed to wear a mask when not eating or drinking.

Luminaries were far from the only ones eschewing the facial coverings. Even though KN95 masks were handed out to fans attending the NFL's championship game, bare faces could be easily spotted throughout the crowd.

But celebrities naturally draw the most attention  and outrage in these instances. Social media was replete with comments about their lack of compliance with the rules, including this one from a Twitter user:

"My students all have to wear masks all day tomorrow, inside and outside of their classrooms because we are in LA County. Same place as the Super Bowl. But not a mask in sight here.''

Hong Kong vaccinating children as young as 3 years

Hong Kong will begin vaccinating children as young as 3 years old to combat a record surge of infections, authorities said Monday. The decision came days after the death of a 4-year old who tested positive there. In the U.S., the minimum age for vaccination is 5.

Hong Kong confirmed a record 2,071 new coronavirus cases Monday, the most in a single day since the pandemic began. That number could more than double Tuesday as another 4,500 people tested preliminary-positive.

The citys medical and quarantine capacity has been overloaded, forcing hospitals to reserve isolation wards for children, the elderly, and patients with serious symptoms, the Hong Kong Free Press reported.

Hong Kong has adopted mainland Chinas zero tolerance approach that requires quarantines, mask mandates, case tracing and lockdowns of buildings, neighborhoods and entire cities when a few cases are detected.

Plenty of religious vaccine exemptions at rural hospitals struggling with staffing

At rural hospitals struggling with a staffing shortage, administrators are grappling with vaccine opposition in the face of a new requirement.

Federal COVID vaccination mandates go into effect nationwide this week for hospital and nursing home workers, some of whom are turning to religious exemptions to avoid getting the shots, and receiving a large number of approvals.

At Cody Regional Health in Wyoming, about 200 of the 620 staffers have asked for religious exemptions and most have been granted. At Scotland County Hospital in Missouri, about 25% of the 145 employees remain unvaccinated and 30 of them have received exemptions.

Were not going to have a Spanish inquisition with Torquemada deciding if your religious exemption is granted or not by the Grand Inquisitor, said Dr. Randy Tobler, CEO of Scotland County Hospital. For people that want to judge what were doing in rural America, Id love them to come and walk in our shoes for a little while, just come and sit in the desk and try to staff the place.

Missouri woman makes it back after a month on life support

A Missouri woman has survived a 108-day odyssey with the coronavirus that included two rounds of double pneumonia, four instances of her lungs collapsing, a bleeding ulcer, septic shock, hemorrhagic shock, an induced coma and 34 days on a life-support machine.

When Janie Pendergraft went into acute respiratory failure, conventional medical intervention had already been exhausted. At 65, she was at the top of the age range for a comeback from life support, but because she was otherwise healthy her medical team hoped for a good outcome. Today, she is quick to praise her care at Mercy Springfield, her familys support, the cards and prayers of friends.

I dont know why I was spared, she said. Theres always hope.

 Linda Leicht

New Jersey police union fails to block vaccine mandate

Gov. Phil Murphy's requirement that workers in high-risk settings get the COVID-19 vaccine  and a booster shot, when they're eligible  survived a legal challenge Friday when a state appellate court dismissed a bid by New Jersey's largest police union to block the mandate.

In a 34-page opinion, a panel of three judges brushed aside the New Jersey Policemen's Benevolent Association's claim that Murphy overstepped his bounds when he declared last month that certain workers in crowded, high-risk environments such as hospitals and prisons  including about 11,000 county and state corrections officers  must get vaccinated or risk losing their jobs.

The executive order "represents a rational and measured response to our present circumstances," the judges wrote, adding that they found no merit in any of the PBA's arguments.

Across the country, police unions from Chicago to Seattle have pushed back against coronavirus vaccine mandates. The New Jersey ruling follows a nationwide pattern of police unions losing their bids to block vaccine mandates, including in some of the country's most populous areas such as Los Angeles and New York state.

 Steve Janoski, NorthJersey.com

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Canadian leader Justin Trudeau invokes emergency powers: COVID updates
This image released by Netflix shows Jesse Plemons, left, and Kirsten Dunst in a scene from "The Power of the Dog." (Kirsty Griffin/AP)

Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes are finalizing details to host this years Academy Awards, multiple sources told Variety.

The three comic forces appear to be the only emcees in the mix for the March awards show, despite several scenarios that telecast creatives have been weighing. Producer Will Packer has been in meetings for weeks trying to find the right recipe for Hollywoods biggest night.

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Scenarios that Girls Trip filmmaker Packer had been toying with included a three-act structure, which would showcase a different pair of emcees every hour. A laundry list of top talent has met with Packer over the past weeks, including Mad Men star Jon Hamm who exited talks over the weekend, according to two additional sources.

ABC, which airs the annual show, declined to comment on the matter. The hosts will be formally announced on Good Morning America on Tuesday. Reps for Sykes, Schumer and Hall did not immediately offer comment. On Sunday, Schumer posted a lengthy Instagram slideshow with some of her biggest career highlights, with the ominous caption Big fun news comin.

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Packer has been tasked with bringing excitement back to the festivities and increasing viewership, which is part of the reason that the Oscars are looking to tap performers with some sizzle to keep viewers engaged after going host-less for two consecutive years. In Sykes, Hall and Schumer, Packer has selected an all-female team with broad appeal and comedic chops.

Schumer has received 12 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning in 2015 for outstanding variety sketch series for her hit Comedy Central show Inside Amy Schumer. This past year, Schumer had a role in A24s The Humans, the adaptation of Stephen Karams play, which he also directed. In 2022, Schumer will star in the 10 episode Hulu series Life & Beth.

Hall has appeared in the Scary Movie film series and The Best Man, Little and The Hate U Give. She also starred in Girls Trip, which Packer produced. Shes been enjoying a considerable resurgence since her indie Support the Girls was released in 2018. She bookended the Sundance Film Festival this year with performances in Master and Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul.

Sykes has starred on TV in The New Adventures of Old Christine, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Black-ish. She has also appeared in such films as Down to Earth, Rio and Bad Moms. She has 14 Emmy nominations and one win.
Statements offered Monday in Moscow, Kyiv and Washington over the situation in eastern Europe offered glimpses of the same conflict through different lenses, underscoring the uncertainty swirling around whether Russia's troop buildup on Ukraine's border will turn into a retreat or an attack.

Just a day after a U.S. official said an invasion of Ukraine could come "any day"  with some intelligence specifically citing Wednesday  Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he'd urged President Vladimir Putin to stick with diplomacy in a Monday meeting. The talks cant go on indefinitely, but I would suggest to continue and expand them at this stage, Lavrov said.

Hours later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed his nation, calling on Ukrainians to show their strength on Feb. 16. An accompanying proclamation called for a Day of Unity, complete with flags. Zelenskyy echoed his regular calls for downplaying the "panic" of the West over a potential invasion.

Almost immediately, a U.S. State Department official downplayed Zelenskyy's comments, noting they weren't reflective of intelligence given to Ukraine by the U.S or its allies.

The flurry of statements came amid diplomacy and action.

In case of invasion: Biden threatens devastating sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine. Here's what that might look like.

The State Department announcement that the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine would be temporarily moved out of Kyiv ahead of a feared Russian invasion. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the embassy would be relocated from the Ukrainian capital to Lviv in the western part of the country, near the border with Poland.

And on a last-ditch trip, Germany's chancellor said there are no sensible reasons for the buildup of more than 130,000 Russian troops on Ukraine's borders to the north, south and east, and he urged more dialogue. Britain's prime minister said Europe is on the edge of a precipice"  but added, there is still time for President Putin to step back.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with Russian Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, in Moscow on Feb. 14, 2022. Moscow wants guarantees from the West that NATO won't allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members, and that the alliance will halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe, the demands flatly rejected by the West. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) ORG XMIT: XAZ147

Zelenskyy calls for Ukrainian Day of Unity

State Department spokesman Ned Price downplayed comments Monday made by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that suggested Wednesday could be the day when Russia invades Ukraine.

In a speech posted on social media, Zelenskyy sought to drum up national unity amid the threats of a Russian invasion, saying that others are trying to spread panic among the Ukraine people.

We are being told that February 16 will be the day of the attack, Zelenskyy said. We will make it the day of unity."

A statement from an aide to Zelenskyy noted the president's statements weren't sarcastic, noting the situation was being treated "quite seriously." The aide said the president rather referred to so-called "leaks" or rumors widespread in media and social networks about the most probable date of Russian aggression.

Price said the comments dont reflect information relayed by the U.S. to Ukraine and other allies.

We are not saying that President Putin has made a final decision, Price said. We have not communicated otherwise to our partners. We believe diplomacy continues to be viable. We believe that there still remains a window to resolve this through dialogue and diplomacy.

However, Price said the U.S. has "not seen any real sign of de-escalation by Russia President Vladimir Putin.

White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the White House heard Zelenskyys statement but could not speak to whether it was intended as irony. She also declined to address what she called intelligence matters.

As we said before, we are in the window when an invasion could begin at any time, she said. It remains unclear which path Russia will choose to take.

 Joey Garrison, Kim Hjelmgaard, Karina Zaiets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures during joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz following the talks at The Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 14, 2022. Scholz visited Ukraine as part of a flurry of Western diplomacy aimed at heading off a feared Russian invasion that some warn could be just days away.

More: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's actor president, prepares for his greatest role yet

Defense secretary heads to Europe

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin leaves Tuesday for meetings with military and government leaders in Belgium, Poland and Lithuania, to discuss the Russian buildup of troops in Ukraine, the Pentagon announced Monday.

Austin will meet with defense ministers of U.S. allies, along with NATO leadership, in Belgium "to discuss Russias military buildup in and around Ukraine, reiterate the U.S. commitment to Article 5, and continue the Alliances progress on deterrence and defense while ensuring the Alliance is prepared to face tomorrows challenges."

Article 5 is NATOs mutual defense clause. An attack on one NATO country is considered an attack on every member of the alliance.

He will then travel to Poland, meeting with President Andrzej Duda and the nation's defense minister. Poland shares a border with Ukraine. Austin will also meet with troops from the U.S. and Poland at Powidz Air Base.

Austin will then head to Lithuania to meet with President Gitanas Nauseda, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte and Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas, along with defense ministers of neighboring Estonia and Latvia.

 Katie Wadington, Maureen Groppe

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley (R) hold a news briefing at the Pentagon on January 28, 2022 in Arlington, Virginia.

U.S. to temporarily move embassy in Ukraine out of Kyiv

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday called the relocation of the U.S. Embassy prudent in light of a dramatic buildup of Russian troops along Ukraines eastern border, but he stressed that the move would not undermine U.S. commitment or support to Ukraine.

The embassy will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government, coordinating diplomatic engagement in Ukraine, Blinken said in a statement. The U.S. is continuing diplomatic efforts to deescalate the crisis, he said.

We look forward to returning our staff to the embassy as soon as conditions permit, he said.

The United States said last week that it would evacuate the embassy in Kyiv as Western intelligence officials warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is increasingly imminent.

On Saturday, the U.S. ordered non-emergency staff at the embassy to leave Kyiv. The State Department had earlier ordered families of U.S. embassy staffers in Kyiv to leave, but had left it to the discretion of nonessential personnel if they wanted to depart.

 Michael Collins

Lavrov urges Putin to keep talking

At a Monday session with Putin, Lavrov argued that Moscow should hold more talks with the U.S. and its allies despite their refusal to consider Russia's main security demands.

Moscow, which denies it has any plans to invade Ukraine, wants Western guarantees that NATO wont allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members. It also wants the alliance to halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe, demands flatly rejected by the West.

The talks cant go on indefinitely, but I would suggest to continue and expand them at this stage, Lavrov said, noting that Washington has offered to conduct dialogue on limits for missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures. Lavrov said possibilities for talks are far from being exhausted."

His comments, at an appearance orchestrated for TV cameras, seemed designed to send a message to the world about Putins own position: namely, that hopes for a diplomatic solution arent yet dead.

Putin noted the West could try to draw Russia into endless talks without conclusive results and questioned whether there is still a chance to reach agreement on Moscow's key demands. Lavrov replied that his ministry wouldn't allow the U.S. and its allies to stonewall Russia's main requests.

Russia-Ukraine explained: Inside the crisis as US, allies await next move

Scholz, Zelenskyy talk in Kyiv

Their meeting came as Germanys chancellor began a trip to Kyiv and Moscow for a last-ditch attempt to head off a feared Russian invasion of Ukraine that some warn could be only days away.

During what could be a crucial week for Europe's security, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine before heading to Moscow for talks with Putin on a high-stakes diplomatic foray.

After meeting Zelenskyy, Scholz urged Russia to show signs of de-escalation, and reiterated unspecified threats to Russia's financial standing if it invades.

More: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's actor president, prepares for his greatest role yet

There are no sensible reasons for such a military deployment," Scholz said. No one should doubt the determination and preparedness of the EU, NATO, Germany and the United States" in case of an military offensive.

Zelenskyy said, "It is in Ukraine that the future of the European security architecture  of which our state is a part  is being decided today.

Scholz will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives at the airport in Berlin on Feb 14, 2022 . Scholz is visiting Ukraine on Monday and Russia on Tuesday this week in an effort to help defuse escalating tensions between the countries.

NATO troops, weapons get set

NATO countries have been building up forces in eastern Europe. Germany's military said the first of 350 extra troops it is sending to bolster NATO forces in Lithuania were dispatched Monday. Lithuania moved diplomats families and some nonessential diplomatic workers out of Ukraine after the U.S. and others pulled most of their staff from embassies in Kyiv.

Its a big mistake that some embassies moved to western Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. Its their decision, but western Ukraine doesnt exist. Its united Ukraine. If something happens, God forbids, it (escalation) will be everywhere.

The U.S. and its NATO allies have repeatedly warned Russia will pay a high price for any invasion  but they have sometimes struggled to present a united front. Scholz's government, particularly, has been criticized for refusing to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine or spell out which sanctions it supports, raising questions about Berlins resolve. No new specifics emerged from his visit to Kyiv.

More: Better trained, better equipped: What you should know about Russia and Ukraine's militaries

So far, NATO's warnings appear to have had little effect: Russia has only bolstered troops and weapons in the region and launched massive drills in its ally Belarus, which also neighbors Ukraine. The West fears that the drills, which run through Sunday, could be used by Moscow as a cover for an invasion from the north.

Russia has repeatedly brushed off the concerns, saying it has the right to deploy forces on its territory.

More: What is a false flag? US says Russia may use the tactic to justify Ukraine invasion

Pedestrians walk along a street in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 14, 2022. More NATO troops headed to Eastern Europe and some nations worked to move their citizens and diplomats out of Ukraine on Monday, as Germany's chancellor made a last-ditch attempt to head off a feared Russian invasion that some warn could be just days away.

Is NATO without Ukraine a possibility?

One possible off ramp emerged this week: Ukraines ambassador to the U.K., Vadym Prystaiko, pointed at a possibility of Ukraine shelving its NATO bid  an objective that is written into its constitution  if it would avert war with Russia.

We might  especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it, Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5.

On Monday, Prystaiko appeared to back away from that, saying that to avoid war we are ready for many concessions ... but it has nothing to do with NATO, which is enshrined in the constitution.

More: Biden vows to end Nord Stream 2 amid efforts to head off Ukraine crisis

Asked about the comment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would welcome such a move but noted its quick repudiation by Ukraine's Foreign Ministry.

Some lawmakers called for Prystaiko's dismissal  but the fact the idea was raised at all suggests it is being discussed behind closed doors.

A Ukrainian serviceman adjusts his glasses at a frontline position, outside Popasna, Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, on Feb. 14, 2022.

Contributing: Matt Brown, Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY; Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine: Zelenskyy calls for unity, Lavrov urges diplomacy to Putin




U.S. officials have officially upped their estimate of Russian military forces at the Ukraine border from 100,000 to 130,000.

A U.S. official provided the update on condition of anonymity, per the The Associated Press.

The White House and Pentagon have been using the 100,000 estimate for weeks, but have warned that Russia is mounting additional troops and equipment on the border.

Intelligence obtained by the U.S. says that Russia is eyeing Wednesday as the target date for an invasion, according to the AP.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has played down U.S. officials' warnings, questioning the U.S. initial warnings that Russia could invade his country as soon as midweek.

"We understand all the risks, we understand that there are risks," Zelensky said on Saturday. "If you, or anyone else, has additional information regarding a 100% Russian invasion starting on the 16th, please forward that information to us."

Zelensky also said that the country's civilian and military leaders have been preparing defenses as the country receives weapons and other material from the U.S. and other NATO members.

President Biden spoke with Zelensky for about an hour on Sunday, with the Ukrainian leader insisting the country is under "safe and reliable protection" against a possible attack by Russian forces, the AP reported.

The Biden administration said both leaders agreed to keep pushing for both deterrence and diplomacy in an attempt to stave off a Russian attack.

The U.S. is sending 3,000 additional soldiers to Eastern Europe, with some 1,700 arriving in Poland this past week. The Army is also shifting 1,000 soldiers from Germany to Romania, which shares a border with Ukraine.
Timing is everything for Vladimir Putin when he faces down rival leaders (REUTERS)

The Biden administration hopes its threat of severe economic consequences deters Russia from invading Ukraine  an event Americans officials say could be imminent.

In response, the US said it may ban the export of microchips and other technologies to critical sectors like artificial intelligence and aerospace and freeze the personal assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin, among other sanctions. Meanwhile, the Senate is preparing its own mother of all sanctions  such as against Russian banks and government debt  that could take effect even if Putin ultimately stands down from a military confrontation.

The US and its allies have been stressing  as seen in President Joe Bidens February 7, 2022, meeting with the German chancellor  that they are united on the consequences for Russia should it invade. But Russia has something that may undercut that solidarity: a network of European countries, Germany in particular, dependent on it for energy exports, especially natural gas. That may make them reluctant to go along with severe US sanctions.

This dependence didnt happen overnight. And as Ive learned while working on a book on US economic warfare against the USSR during the Cold War, this issue has tended to divide America and its allies  in part because of how Russia has exploited the ambiguity of its intentions.

The US has long speculated about Russian willingness to use trade to tie the hands of other countries  a concern dating back to the early days of the Cold War.

For example, in the late 1950s and 1960s, as the USSR and the US were competing for postwar hegemony, each side tried to influence countries not formally aligned with either superpower. Some American analysts warned of a Soviet economic offensive. This included Soviet efforts to use favorable trade deals and other economic assistance to Warsaw Pact countries and neutral targets like Finland, the United Arab Republic and India in a manner that created sustained dependence on Moscow, possibly enabling future Kremlin coercion.

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Other analysts disagreed and thought Soviet trade was largely motivated by economics. So did American allies  especially Britain  which resisted American calls to restrict strategic trade with the Soviet Bloc and other efforts to curb their Soviet trade prospects.

These different perspectives demonstrate the ambiguity of Soviet intentions. Given the Cold War rivalry and the USSRs status as a centralized, state-run economy, Moscows motives were not clear.

As the Soviet Union began developing oil and gas pipelines to Europe, European energy dependence on Russia became a particular concern in Washington.

In the 1960s, Western Europe only imported 6% of its oil from the Soviet bloc. But a new planned oil pipeline  running all the way from the Russian far east, through several European countries including Ukraine and Poland, and terminating in Germany  suggested the Soviets hoped to change that. The prospect of greater dependence, as well as other strategic concerns, raised alarm bells in Washington.

In 1963, the Kennedy administration attempted to stall construction of the Druzhba, or Friendship, Oil Pipeline by pushing an embargo on wide-diameter pipe to Soviet-aligned countries. Knowing it could not stop the project alone, it pressured allies  especially West Germany, a major pipe exporter  to join.

While Britain refused, West Germany reluctantly agreed, permitting a partial NATO embargo. Nonetheless, the pipeline was completed a year later with only minor delays.

About two decades later, the Reagan administration faced a similar dilemma.

In 1981, the Soviet Union was building a natural gas pipeline from Siberia to Western Europe. Seeing it as another threat, the Reagan administration tried to persuade European allies such as France and Germany to join its embargo of not only pipeline equipment for the project but financing too. They refused, and the US responded with sanctions intended to prevent European companies from providing money or equipment to the project.

The gambit sparked an intra-Western crisis, sowing division between the US and Europe, and resulting in a sanctions retreat just a few months later. The pipeline was completed in 1984.

The consequences of energy dependence on Russia began to manifest itself after the Soviet collapse in 1991 and the rise of Vladimir Putin a decade later. Unlike his Soviet predecessors, who refrained from shutting off energy exports, Putin has shown a willingness to conflate economic and geopolitical objectives in Russian energy policy, applying timely pressure on neighbors that he justifies in market terms.

In the mid-2000s, for example, Ukraine was still receiving the same heavily subsidized gas shipments from Russia as it did when it was part of the Soviet Union a few years earlier. The Orange Revolution near the end of 2004 led to the ouster of a pro-Kremlin leader, replacing him with one who sought closer ties with the West. A year later, Gazprom demanded Ukraine pay full market rates for its gas. When Ukraine refused, Russia restricted the flow of gas through the pipelines  leaving only enough to fulfill its contracts to countries in Western Europe. To many observers, the move seemed aimed at destabilizing the pro-Western government in Kyiv. It was also later used as the basis for claims that Ukraine was an unreliable gas transit country, which helped build support for a new pipeline named Nord Stream that directly channeled gas from Russia to Germany.

That pipeline opened up in 2011 and resulted in the annual loss to Ukraine of $720 million in transit fees. Nord Stream also significantly increased German energy dependence on Russia, which by 2020 was supplying an estimated 50% to 75% of its natural gas, up from 35% in 2015. Natural gas is used not only to power industry but also for heating and to generate electricity in Germany.

That pipeline is now responsible for a third of all Russian gas exports to Europe. As a result, Russian gas exports to Europe reached a record level in 2021  despite US efforts to ramp up exports of liquefied natural gas to Europe.

Europe got a glimpse of the potential consequences of this dependence in December 2021, when Russia reduced its gas exports to Europe as the crisis involving Ukraine was heating up. Although Russia was still technically meeting its contracts, it stopped selling additional gas as it had in the past. The next month, the International Energy Agency accused Russia of destabilizing European energy security.

Russia has reportedly amassed about 130,000 troops on its border with Ukraine  surrounding the country on three sides. While Putins intentions remain unclear, the US is leading efforts to deter a potential invasion by showing that its Western allies are on board with devastating sanctions  including Bidens promise to thwart a new $11 billion pipeline running from Russia to Germany known as Nord Stream 2.

But Europes  and specifically Germanys  already significant dependence on Russia for energy make them vulnerable given Russias history of threatening to cut off gas supplies to its neighbors, and sometimes following through. This could potentially undermine the Wests ability to execute a coordinated sanctions campaign.

For example, an energy crisis in winter could be a disaster for Germany, and fear of it may weaken German willingness to act against Russia. A recent example of potential German softness toward Russia can be seen in German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs failure to endorse stopping the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as a potential sanction for an invasion.

Russias use of trade and energy to create dependencies has given it a strong hand  one that the US and its European allies have limited options to counter.

Ryan Haddad is a Research Affiliate at the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets at the University of Maryland

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article
Robert Califf testifies before a Senate committee.





An intense confirmation battle over Robert Califf, President Biden's nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is poised to come to a head this week.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) filed cloture on the nomination, paving the way for a vote.

Schumer's decision comes amid an intense behind-the-scenes effort by the White House to shore up Califf's nomination as conservatives try to galvanize a handful of expected Democratic "no" votes and sink his confirmation.

Califf was confirmed for the position in 2016 in an 89-4 vote but is facing a significantly tighter margin the second time around after his nomination was advanced by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee 13-8.

Califf picked up only four GOP senators during the committee vote: Sens. Richard Burr (N.C.), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Mitt Romney (Utah). Romney, in particular, has come under pressure by outside groups to switch his vote.

He's also expected to face at least a handful of Democratic defections.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who similarly opposed his nomination in 2016, penned an op-ed late last week with Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) urging the White House to withdraw the nomination.

"The current FDA commissioner nominee, Dr. Robert Califf, has significant ties to the pharmaceutical industry, and his leadership of the FDA would take us backward, not forward. His nomination is an insult to the many families and individuals who have had their lives changed forever as a result of addiction," they wrote.

In addition to Manchin, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) are expected to oppose Califf's nomination. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) is absent after suffering a stroke, and other Democratic senators remain on the fence.

White House officials and senators in both parties have predicted that he ultimately gets confirmed, albeit by a closer vote than his 2016 confirmation.

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In an effort to help shore up support, Califf has been meeting with senators. A White House official told The Hill earlier this month that he had met with 33 senators at the time and was scheduled to meet with at least 14 more.

Califf has been picking up Democratic votes, including Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (Ore.).

"The FDA has an indispensable role in protecting the health and safety of Americans. Americans are counting on the FDA to address serious health issues, from tobacco and e-cigarette use to the ongoing opioid and fentanyl crisis. I am prepared to support Dr. Califf's nomination so that he can shift the FDA into high gear to take action on these challenges, and I will be watching closely to ensure that happens," Wyden said in a statement.

Postal reform

Schumer has hoped to hold an initial vote on taking up a House-passed postal reform bill on Monday evening.

The House passed the postal reform bill last week, with Schumer quickly moving to tee up the bill in the Senate.

But the House subsequently unanimously passed a fix for a clerical error to the bill on Friday, before leaving town for two weeks. That now needs to be adopted by the Senate but could face snags.

Democrats are hoping to make the clerical fix on Monday, but Schumer's spokesperson warned that Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) could block that from happening. Because Schumer would try to adopt the fix by unanimous consent, any one senator could object and block him.

"As it has been reported, the House of Representatives made a minor clerical error when it sent the bipartisan Postal Service Reform bill to the Senate. House Republicans worked with House Democrats to pass a technical correction by Unanimous Consent on Friday. Now, Senator Rick Scott is threatening to block the same fix by Unanimous Consent on Monday in the Senate," a spokesperson for Schumer said in a statement.

"It is time for Senate Republicans practice what they preach and rein in reckless Rick Scott's political games so we can pass bipartisan legislation," the spokesperson added.

The bill, if it becomes law, would overhaul the United States Postal Service.

It eliminates a requirement that the Postal Service prepay future retirement health benefits and allows the Postal Service to provide non-postal services as part of an agreement with state and local governments. It also requires that the Postal Service make deliveries six days of the week.

Jan. 6 hearing

With the House out of town this week, the House Administration Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday with Capitol Police Inspector General Michael Bolton to review his four final "flash reports" about the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Bolton as part of his reports has identified areas of improvement and made recommendations to the department. The U.S. Capitol Police Board previously said that more than 90 of the 103 recommendations issued by the Office of the Inspector General within the Capitol Police were being addressed or were already implemented.

"Over the past year, the United States Capitol Police Inspector General's series of flash reports has revealed alarming information about the severity of the threat to the U.S. Capitol on January 6 and institutional shortcomings within the Department at that time," said House Administration Committee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said.
WISCONSIN  A handful of Wisconsin companies were among a top 500 list of large employers likely to be recommended by their workers compiled by Forbes.

With 10.9 million job openings and an unemployment rate of 4 percent nationwide, the business magazine was set to find out how Americans' standards for work have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The business magazine worked with market research firm Statista to survey 60,000 Americans working for business with at least 1,000 employees.

Here are the Wisconsin businesses highly ranked recommended by their workers.

University of Wisconsin - Madison (education)

Kwik Trip (retail and wholesale)

Schneider National (transportation and logistics)

Northwestern Mutual (insurance)

Snap-on (electronics)

Amcor (engineering and manufacturing)

Rockwell Automation (electronics)

American Family Insurance (insurance)

Epic (information technology)

Forbes Top 10 big employers in the country are:

The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (health care, social) Georgia-based Southern Company (utilities) NASA in the District of Columbia (aerospace, defense) Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York (health care, social) South Carolina-based Michelin Group (automotive, automotive suppliers) Ohio-based Sherwin-Williams (engineering, manufacturing) Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic (health care, social) Arizona-based Carvana (retail, wholesale) University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (health care, social) Texas-based MD Anderson Cancer Center (health care, social)

Virginia-based Huntington Ingalls Industries, the largest military shipbuilding company, moved to No. 11 on the list from No. 387, the largest gain of any of the large companies.

Not surprisingly given COVID-19 restrictions, the largest drops were in the restaurant industry, with only 11 companies earning spots on the 2022 large employers list. California-based In-N-Out Burger was the only one to land among the top 200, coming in No. 23.

We bend over backwards to try to do as many things behind the scenes to continue business as usual, the franchise owner and president, Lynsi Snyder, told Forbes in November 2020. It obviously has not looked like business as usual with masks and nearly empty dining rooms.

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U.S. employers are struggling to fill 10.9 million job openings in an environment of 4 percent unemployment.

Whether working from home or the office, Americans priorities have changed, Forbes said, noting that what makes a top employer has changed, too.

Paul McDonald, a senior executive director at Robert Half and a Forbes contributor, said employees are in control at this point because theres such a plethora of openings.

With the number of job openings today and the choices that good candidates have, you have to move swiftly but diligently, he told Forbes. A lot of organizations have realized that, through all the retention efforts and through all the resignations, theyve had to re-recruit their current staff.

Forbes said many of the large employers on the list are wrestling with redefining their corporate culture with a largely remote or hybrid workforce where some employees report to the office and others work from home.

In the pre-pandemic era, Genentech, a California-based drug and biotechnology company that ranked 14th on the list, offered on-site benefits such as made-to-order sushi, day care and Friday night parties. Now, the company holds virtual office hours with executives and gives employees two hours of protected time when they can take a break or work uninterrupted on projects.

This article originally appeared on the Milwaukee Patch
Demonstrators gathered Monday morning to mourn and protest anti-Asian hate crimes following the brutal killing of a 35-year-old Korean American woman in her apartment on Sunday.

"I felt I needed to show up for the demonstration today and stand with others who are tired of living in fear," said Justine Browning, a 34-year-old PhD student and professor who joined the crowd of about 250 protesters in Manhattan on Monday. "To be alongside the Asian community and raise our voices until the citys leaders cannot ignore them anymore."

Police identified the victim as Christina Yuna Lee, who was stabbed to death by a stranger who followed her into her sixth-floor walk-up apartment in New York City's Chinatown neighborhood. Surveillance footage obtained by the New York Post shows the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Assamad Nash, stealthily following Lee as she walks down the hallway and out of the camera's view.

Other tenants in the building reportedly heard Lee screaming for help and called the police.

Officers responded to the 911 call at 111 Chrystie Street at 4:23 a.m. on Sunday, Sgt. Edward Riley told BuzzFeed News. Officers could not immediately enter the apartment because someone had barricaded themselves inside and locked the door. They eventually forced their way into the apartment and found Lee dead in the bathroom.

Nash attempted to escape out of a back window, but police arrested him inside the apartment, officials said. Nash, who had a history of misdemeanor charges, was charged with murder and burglary.

Police did not comment on whether they will consider the attack to be a hate crime.

Yi Andy Chen, director of Coalition of Asian Americans for Civil Rights and one of the organizers of the protest on Monday, told BuzzFeed News he has already "lost count" of how many similar demonstrations he's gone to the last two years. His mother was a victim of a hate crime in February 2020, when she went out for groceries and someone pushed her onto the sidewalk, causing an injury that needed 12 stitches.

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Lee's killing comes just a month after another Asian American woman, Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, was killed when she was pushed in front of a Times Square subway train. Go's death was not considered a hate crime.

"Since Alyssa Gos death and the attack on Bew Jirajariyawetch, many are more inclined to take cabs for protection," Browning said. "Thats exactly what Christina did and she was still not safe."

Attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) rose by 361% between 2020 and 2021, according to the New York Police Department.

"This is the definition of horrific," New York Mayor Eric Adams said in a tweet Sunday about Lee's stabbing. "We stand with our Asian community today."

Chen said it's essential to report any incident of anti-Asian harassment or violence. Sometimes people don't report these incidents because of a language barrier or because they fear their attacker will come back, he said. But it's "our job," he said, to speak up about threats to bring the situation into focus and help the AAPI community get the necessary support they need.

"There seems to be a rush to not label these events as hate crimes, even before investigations are completed," Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the Asian American Federation told BuzzFeed News. "This shapes the media narrative and affects how these crimes are reported, talked about, how much attention is paid to our vulnerable communities, and discourages people from reporting crimes when they are not being taken seriously."

The foundation is calling on New York City to invest $30 million in emergency mental health support services  resources to address the fact that most anti-Asian attackers suffer from mental illness and that the AAPI community is "suffering from trauma after bearing witness to attack after attack," Yoo said.

Asian women are especially vulnerable to harassment and attacks because of the stereotype they are "timid and docile," and therefore "easy targets," Sung Yeon Choimorrow, executive director of National Asian Pacific American Womens Forum, said.

Whether it was a hate crime or not, the reality is, for Asian Americans, especially Asian American women, our anxiety goes up every time we see an incident like this. Regardless of what the correlation is, we see ourselves every time a story like this comes out," Choimorrow added.

.. it is time for our city and our state to address these issues. It is time to acknowledge that we exist and that the mental health crisis that is leading to an uptick in violent assaults is a problem and support our community for a change. AM Yu-Line Niou @yuhline said. 10:49 PM - 13 Feb 2022

Other AAPI advocates reacted with solidarity and frustration.

"This tragic and frightening incident underscores the danger that is ever present to AAPI women in public spaces: the threat of being harassed or attacked on the basis of our race and our gender," the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum said in a statement.

"If we continue down a path that fails to recognize the patterns of these problems, we will not be able to coexist in a city that we all feel safe in," Julie Won, a member of the New York City Council, said in a tweet.

RIP our beautiful friend and colleague Christina Lee 05:51 PM - 14 Feb 2022

Lee was a graduate of Rutgers University and a digital producer at Splice, an online digital music platform. She produced digital content for brands including Google, Cole Haan, and ALDO, according to her website.

"Christina was an irreplaceable presence," her colleague Kenneth Takanami said in a statement about losing Lee. "Heartbroken or devastated doesnt begin to cover it."

Lee started working at Splice around the time of the deadly Atlanta spa shootings, where most of the victims were Asian women, Takanami said.

"After the Atlanta attacks, we and the other Asians at Splice formed a channel to support one another. The thought of folks we didnt know being senselessly murdered struck us all deeply," he wrote. "The last and most recent message in this channel was Christina wishing us all a happy Lunar New Year."

Her employer said in a statement that Lee was "dedicated to making beautiful and inclusive artwork."

"As we start to process this tragedy, we ask that you remember Christina Lee as the magical person she was, always filled with joy," the statement said.

New Yorkers, especially women, are used to being on high alert, Browning said. But the mood at Monday's protests was filled with "an added layer of devastation," she said. Many community members discussed how they were now scared to leave their apartments.

"The question many were asking today was 'Who will be next?'" she said. "You could see local shop workers, parents, grandparents, concerned residents, and activists looking around at one another, questioning who among the community will meet such a grim fate next. There is urgency in this fight."

More on this
Face masks will come off in Amherst County Public Schools for those who wish Feb. 22, but some supporting the measure are not happy and believe it should be done immediately.

The Amherst County School Board last month voted to make masks optional as of Feb. 22 on the condition that masks would again be required if COVID-19 cases reached a certain metric, and that metric would be decided at the boards Feb. 10 meeting. But on Feb. 10, the board instead voted 4-3 to amend the previous decision and remove the condition altogether.

The amendment was approved with Chair Abby Thompson, Vice Chair Chris Terry and board members John Grieser and Priscilla Liggon in favor.

Board members Ginger Burg, Eric Orasi and Dawn Justice, who favor making Glenn Youngkins Executive Order 2 making face masks optional in schools effective immediately, voted against the amendment. A substitute motion from Burg to make Executive Order 2 immediate failed 3-4 with her, Justice and Orasi in favor.

Grieser, who motioned for the amendment, said the Feb. 22 date gives staff time prepare for adjusting a mitigation strategy many in the division and the community want to remain.

It will be here before you know it, Grieser said, adding of removing the metric: I think its in the spirit of compromise.

I say we get back in the spirit of giving parents their rights back, Burg said, which drew applause from the crowd in attendance.

The board took public comments during the emotional meeting with a steady flow of parents and county residents decrying the optional face mask measure not taking effect immediately. Thompson at several points asked the audience to remain respectful and refrain from comments and outbursts during the meeting as the board tried to reach what she called a tough decision.

We have had public comments and weve heard everything youve had to say, Thompson told those in attendance. I would appreciate some cooperation so we can hear one another. We have a school system to run.

A motion from Justice to end the measuring of quarantining students exposed to COVID-19 failed 3-4 with herself, Orasi and Burg in support.

The quarantine has been so detrimental to children and their education, Burg said. Their learning standards keep dropping and dropping. We need to keep them in school. We cant keep quarantining these kids and sending them home every other day.

The board also voted to implement test to stay, a Virginia Department of Health program that allows students who are in close contact to someone positive with COVID-19 to remain in the classroom rather than quarantine at home if that student takes a COVID rapid test and is negative.

Terry said his reason for supporting the test to stay measure is he had a case in his family where someone had the virus and wouldnt have known it without the test and would have exposed others without being aware of it.

When does that stop? Justice said while amending the motion. If were going to do something like that, I think we need to have an end date we stand by.

Justices motion for an April 22 end date for the test to stay program passed unanimously.

Some attending the meeting held signs with comments such as Let them breathe and Unmask our kids!

Will Tyler, whose daughter attends Amherst Middle School, publicly asked for resignations of those board members who chose not to make Youngkins Executive Order 2 effective immediately.

The bottom line is you cant claim to be objective because this is a political mandate, Tyler said. I ask for your resignations not just because I disagree with you, but because through your statements, actions and votes on Jan. 27 you made it clear your first priority is politics and not the children. You made it political, not the parents here, for masks or against masks. That was on you.

Tyler said the board created your own conditional mask mandate and it should put children first.

Teresa Ray, a county resident, said children shouldnt be told to wear masks for an entire school day.

Mask should be a parents choice, not yours, Ray said.

Justin Leary, who has three children in the school system, said students have enough to worry about without face masks.

Look at how this is damaging our children, Leary told the board. We all have pro-choice to do what we feel is right. We live in America. And Im always going to make the right decision for me and my children. I dont feel its right you made that decision for me. Its totally wrong.

Madison Heights resident Jeff Porter said it is important for citizens to have a choice.

All mandates take away that choice, Porter said. That is unforgivable in a country like ours.

Sunnie Stonelake, who has children in the school system, told the board a predetermined metric should not even be considered.

Its my choice to send my kid to a school with a mask or not, Stonelake said. My kids absolutely love being in school but they dont want to go.

Stonelake said she has never seen her daughter so frustrated than with the face mask rule.

We have to live with COVID being here. Our children need to live a normal life. Its been two years, Stonelake said. Were really messing with our kids heads.

The Superintendents Advisory Committee, a group of educators in the division, weighed in on the issue in a Feb. 10 letter. While a majority of the committee feels universal masking in schools in preferable, it recommends that a metric provided by Superintendent Rob Arnold and his staff be observed and adhered to for the safety and health of division staff and students.

Amherst Countys children and teenagers are learning more from our behavior and conduct than they are through policies and mandates, the committees Feb. 10 letter said. It is imperative that we move through this time united by what is moral, ethical, and good, not pushed apart by egos or opinions. We have much more in common than what separates us.

The committee wrote educators already are strained and some teachers are too sick to teach, causing hardships in the classrooms.

Jeopardizing the health of the adults or students in school buildings is the same thing as jeopardizing their education. It is vital that we engage in a stalwart effort to keep teachers and students in school, to provide education and stability. This means masking, if not universally, then using a metric designated by [Arnold and administrative staff].

Orasi said its good to see parents participating and urged them to remember everyone is in the education process together.

Were going to get through it, Orasi said of stresses from the pandemic. The board has come to some difficult decisions Its going to fade away. Its going to be over soon. Weve made the right choices in the [November 2021] elections so things are going to turn around.

Justice agreed.

This will pass, she said to the crowd. COVID will be a season. In this season, we need to bear with one another in love. Everyone wants to do whats right. Please be patient.

Burg also thanked the resident for expressing their views.

Some of us heard what you had to say, said Burg. I wish all of us would have listened and implemented it, but hopefully next time we will get some changes.

Grieser said he knows the board is doing its best to reach a compromise during a difficult time.

Terry added many in the community would be upset no matter what decision is made on face coverings.

We have to navigate the waters for all of our students and were trying to do that the best we can, Thompson said. We are in agreement that the parents need to have those choices. Were just trying to make sure we can get our school system where we need to be and we remain operational.

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As European automakers bow to the politicians and seek to rid themselves of carbon dioxide (CO2) spewing internal combustion engines (ICE), at least in their home markets, Mazda is doing its best to retain much of its traditional engineering while addressing the need for electrification and seeking more exotic solutions with the help of maybe hydrogen and biofuel.

Mazda, with maybe a nudge from its partner the mighty Toyota which is also following a grudging embrace of battery electric vehicles (BEV) or a perceptive wait-and-see how the cookie-crumbles, according to your opinion, detailed its future product plans at an event in Glasgow, Scotland to launch a facelifted CX-5 SUV.

Mazda said it wants to plow its own furrow and build up its electric car portfolio but without trashing its ICE engineering prowess built up over many years. Nevertheless,

We are about to embark on a fundamental shift in our product portfolio, said Mazda UK managing director Jeremy Thomson.

The European Union has set tough CO2 emission rules which insist most new cars built by 2030 are BEV. Britain has already banned the sale of new ICE sedans and SUVs by 2030. These vigorous attempts to force electric cars on Europeans are coming under pressure as eye-wateringly big increases in domestic energy prices aggravate voters. But theres no concrete sign yet the plans could be reversed. Green lobby groups like Brussls-based Transport & Environment want the CO2 rules to be tightened further.

Meanwhile, Mazda plans to have 25% of its global product line as full BEV compared with VWs 70% target in Europe by 2030. Mazda says ICE will still power most of its cars by 2030, but all models will have some form of electrification. Mazda plans more hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and all-electric cars, but it also wants to improve ICE engineering in a slow but sure transition to all-electric. It wants ICE vehicles to contribute to the drive for CO2 reduction. Mazda also sees a role for hydrogen, renewable fuels, and next-generation bio-diesel. ...continue reading
A single-engine plane that had been experiencing mechanical troubles in its flight from Indiana to Lincoln made an emergency crash landing in a field northeast of the city Thursday evening.

Richard Phelps, the 44-year-old pilot of the 2019 Cirrus aircraft, told the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office that the plane first began showing signs of engine trouble near Plattsmouth, but the problems seemed to smooth out after reducing altitude.

Sheriff Terry Wagner said the engine issues flared up again as Phelps and a 60-year-old passenger, both Indiana men, neared Lincoln around 8:30 p.m.

"He didn't think he could make it to the Lincoln Airport," Wagner said.

The pilot circled away from the city's populated areas and dumped fuel after identifying a field near North 112th Street and Havelock Avenue, where he made the emergency landing, according to the sheriff's office.

No one was injured in the incident, which summoned to the field the sheriff's office, the Nebraska State Patrol, Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Waverly Fire and Rescue, Southeast Fire and Rescue and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department hazmat team.

Wagner said the plane was equipped with a parachute designed to aid in crash landings. He said the plane was damaged in the incident but remained in one piece.

Phelps originally planned to land in Lincoln before continuing on to Utah, Wagner said.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley
A key lawmaker called it quits Friday on efforts to deliver property tax relief by revamping the state school aid formula.

Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, the Legislature's Education Committee chairwoman, put her bill (LB890) on hold in the face of stiff opposition from senators who argued that the measure would disproportionately benefit large schools and would amount to a property tax increase for rural property owners.

The proposal would have increased state aid to schools by $728 million a year, thus reducing the need for property taxes. About 60% of property taxes go to pay for schools.

"We have a proposal that works for all Nebraskans and all taxpayers," Walz said, arguing that the only way to fix the property tax problem is by increasing state support of education.

But opponents called the proposal "completely unacceptable" because it would take $548 million out of a tax credit program and repurpose that money for school aid.

The so-called LB1107 credit program provides income tax credits for property taxes paid. For this year, the credits will offset about 25% of school taxes.

Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson said taxpayers in 125 school districts would end up as net losers under Walz's plan. Those are people who get more back from LB1107 tax credits than they would save through the projected school property tax reductions.

"To stand here on the floor and say every taxpayer gets helped is a blatant lie," he said.

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion objected to the uneven effects on school property tax levies.

Omaha Public Schools, for example, would see its levy drop by 41 cents, down from the current levy of $1.0143. But Elgin Public Schools, in Antelope County, would see only a 2-cent drop, down from its $.3295 levy.

He also said the bill needed a mechanism to ensure that additional state dollars would translate into property tax cuts. His proposal that would have created such a mechanism stalled earlier this week in the face of a filibuster.

The school aid revamp plan was developed over several months by Walz, working with Columbus Public Schools Superintendent Troy Loeffelholz and the districts finance director, Chip Kay.

The plan won support from large, medium and small school districts, plus officials from the states main education groups, even as they acknowledged some remaining issues. But OPS Superintendent Cheryl Logan opposed it, as did leading agricultural groups.

Walz introduced the school funding pieces of the plan as LB890, while Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha introduced the tax-related pieces in LB891. His bill remains stuck in the Revenue Committee.

Along with repurposing the tax credit money, the plan would have earmarked a half-cent of sales tax revenue for education. The earmarked money would have gone into a trust fund.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, questioned how the state would afford that half-cent, especially if lawmakers want to eliminate income taxes on Social Security benefits or cut corporate and individual tax rates this year.

Some senators decried the legislative stalemate over school funding and property taxes.

Sen. Mark Kolterman of Seward said the plan responded to past complaints that schools were not offering solutions to bring down property taxes. He suggested tabling the bill for a week to negotiate a compromise, particularly on the funding issue.

"We've got a golden opportunity, with our school districts engaged, to get something done," he said.

In the end, Walz said it became clear that opponents were unwilling to compromise. She said she plans to refocus on education issues, such as getting more teachers into classrooms, rather than continue to work on a plan to address property taxes.

Under the plan, all school districts would have received a certain amount of money for each student, called education stabilization base aid. If the plan had been in place this year, total base aid would have been $352 million, and per-student payments would have been almost $1,100.

The second part of the plan would have boosted the share of income tax revenue going to school districts, to 20% of income taxes paid by district residents, up from 2.23% now. For the current year, that would mean a $403 million shift from state coffers to school districts.

The plan also would have allowed more schools to qualify for state equalization aid, which is intended to fill in the gap between what schools need to educate students and the amount of money they receive from property taxes and other sources.

Currently, 87 of the states 244 school districts qualify for equalization aid. Under the new plan, 148 districts would have qualified this year.
In the wonderfully amusing short film Sleepy Steve, the man of the title steps out of bed and makes his way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Except nothing about this process looks quite real because its filmed in stop-motion animation  that slightly hiccupy form of animation that uses tangible props and puppets. The hilarious twist in Sleepy Steve is that our hero is played not by an inanimate object but an actual person in the form of actor Thomas Kelly.

A conveyor belt takes him from bed to bathroom sink, where mechanical arms unfold from the medicine cabinet and begin the grooming process  shaving, tooth brushing, the works. It is ridiculous and funny, but more to the point, with its combination of stop-motion and human being, it looks unlike pretty much anything else in pop culture at the moment.

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The process is called pixelation and the filmmaker is Meghann Artes, who is based in Chicago and is a professor at DePaul Universitys School of Cinematic Arts. Pixelation is animating humans like you would inanimate objects, she explained, so it is stop-motion, they just have a fancy name for it. Most people dont even know about it.

Artes, who is both writer and director, has yet another short film called Speed Dating, wherein a young woman (Baize Buzan) heads to a bar for a speed dating blitz.

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But first, we see her getting ready at home. The camera sweeps over the Chicago cityscape (a model, complete with rumbling L and Chicago-style brick flats) and into her room, where we see a magazine opened to an article titled Tips for Finding the Love of Your Life! with Give speed dating a shot circled in red pen. The books on her shelf have titles such as Love in a Small Town, Love in the Big City and Jinxsy McSingleton: A Memoir.

When she finally makes it to the bar, she is met by a roomful of undesirable options. One is a creepy mouth-breather who eats her umbrella whole. Another has pet mice accompanying him. Another seems like an Adonis until his phone rings  and an entire office setup (keyboard included) unfolds from his suit, mid-date.

Sleepy Steve and Speed Dating can be streamed for free at www.meghannartes.com and the wordless aesthetics of both bring to mind the whimsy and candy-colored suburbia of Edward Scissorhands or Audreys Somewhere Thats Green fantasy in Little Shop of Horrors.

I started in live action and then went to UCLA and got my grad degree in animation, so I have a foot in both worlds, Artes said. I like to create these worlds where its like, Oh, I could live in this but somethings not quite right. Im using humans as my puppets, and theyre acting and emoting, but theyre breaking it down, frame by frame. So its not going to be perfect and thats what creates the magic and the whimsy. Its my hallmark, I guess  I animate humans.

It is a painstaking process, typical of stop-motion. The unfurling conveyor belt scene in Sleepy Steve requires that the actor actually step off the off the conveyor belt, then we have an animator come in and move it a quarter of an inch forward, then (Thomas) has to step back and find his exact mark that he had before and we have to line him up. So its back and forth, back and forth. Its a little bit challenging on the actors part, but it really is stop-motion. Its like what they do in Coraline or the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special.

Sleepy Steve is a little over four minutes in running time but took about five days to shoot. Everythings slowed down, said Artes. I dont know if I would call it a peaceful set, but its like, OK, everybody take a breath, this shots going to take a couple hours. And Ive been very fortunate to work with some amazing Chicago actors who have never done this before but they know their bodies and we just figure out how to do the shot.

The planning stage is even longer. Artes typically takes about a year to map out a short film.

So basically I make the movie twice. I make it with storyboard and I add in sound and movement and all that, so its actually a movie that I could show you. And I do all of that because once we get the actors on set and we get the crew there, I have to have everything planned out. Its a lot of math. Thats how would you do any stop-motion film, because you never want to animate extra because its such a laborious process.

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Pixelation gives her films an almost a handmade look, as distinct from CGI. When I learned CGI I thought, I want to work at Pixar. And then I realized no, I dont  thats just what youre supposed to say when you go to animation school because thats the pinnacle. But I want to create my own look and my own feel. I want the camera and the lights. I want that tactile feeling.

This month shes been shooting a new short film, but instead of pixelation she is separating out the live-action and stop-motion portions.

Far more conceptual and abstract in terms of narrative, it begins with a Busby Berkeley-esque dance number (live-action) starring humans wearing colored T-shirts who eventually jump through a hole and come out the other side transformed into colored balls. Thats where the stop-motion animation takes over as the balls make their way through a Rube Goldberg-like contraption.

My husband and I had been trying to have kids and werent having the best of luck, so we turned to science and all that, Artes said. So this is really just my interpretation of what goes into making a human being. With everything thats happening in the world, the underlying theme is that you realize we all come from the same place and were made of the same stuff, so there you go.

Artes has such a clear and distinctive approach as a filmmaker, you wonder what she might conceive if she had the financial backing to make a feature-length film or a TV series.

It is something that is in the back of my mind, she said. Its all about budget. And its such a laborious process to make these films, it takes a while for things to happen in preproduction. Not all indie film investors are OK with that. But someone would be smart to fund a large-scale project with Artes.

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Either way, she said she plans to remain based in Chicago. Oh yeah, Im not going anywhere. Ive lived in Los Angeles and Ive lived in New York City, but once I found Chicago, that was it.

nmetz@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @Nina_Metz

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Child rights activists, university professors, journalists and civil society advocates have set up lately a coalition dedicated to the protection of the rights of children violated by the Polisario armed militia in Tindouf Camps under the watch of Algerian authorities.

The new body was formed on the occasion of the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, celebrated on February 12. Its members pledge to defend the fundamental rights of children living in the Tindouf camps against all forms of violence, exploitation and oppression, particularly military recruitment.

Mohamed Ennahili, coordinator of this coalition, said the advocacy group will expose the serious violations suffered by Moroccan children in the camps of Tindouf, especially their forced military enlisting.

The place of the child is within his family and at school, he said, affirming that children should not be used in any military conflict.

For his part, law expert Badr Zaher said the move is in line with the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Geneva Conventions relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts, the African Charter on the Rights & Welfare of the Child

The new body will work in partnership with national and international actors against all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse of children in the camps of Tindouf. It will also build a database and publish reports focusing on the disturbing situation of these children abused on Algerian soil

According to experts, recruiting and using children as soldiers is prohibited under international humanitarian law and is defined as a war crime by the International Criminal Court.

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.
Tunisian President Kais Saied Sunday officially dissolved the High Judicial Council; the countrys judicial independent body that he accuses of being in league with some politicians and refusal to rule over some corruption and assassination cases in the country.

He signed the decree for the move in the presence of Prime Minister Najla Bouden and Justice Minister Leila Jaffe, reports say.

Saied early this month hinted at his plans to dissolve the council and replace it with a temporary body until new appointments of its members.

He who keeps quiet before injustice, becomes accomplice, that is the reason why the High Judicial Council has been dissolved and will be replaced by a temporary council, in view of ending impunity, Saied told the ministers.

He added: A fair trial, before a fair justice, is a sacred duty and is one of the legitimate rights of Tunisians.

The plans to dissolve the body is viewed by critics of the president as a way to control the justice system.

Saied has been under the scrutiny ever since July 25 when he froze the activities of the parliament, suspended the immunity of lawmakers and seized the executive power, in a move he said meant to restore the country believes is controlled by corrupt people.

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet last week took aim at Saieds decision to dissolve the council, arguing that it is a clear violation of the countrys obligations under international human rights law.

Much remains to be done to bring justice sector legislation, procedures and practices in line with applicable international standards  but this has been a big step in the wrong direction, Ms. Bachelet said in a statement released by her office, OHCHR.

Established in 2016, the High Judicial Council was hailed as a major advance in the consolidation of the rule of law, separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary in Tunisia.
A federal judge has denied a defense motion seeking to move U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's case from California to Nebraska.

His trial now is set to start March 15.

Attorneys for the longtime congressman are expected to argue at trial that the investigation was a "political witch hunt."

A grand jury in Los Angeles indicted him in October on allegations he lied to federal agents investigating an illegal campaign contribution at a 2016 fundraiser in California.

Fortenberry has pleaded not guilty to two counts of making false statements to federal agents and one count of seeking to conceal the source of $30,000 in conduit political contributions.

His trial initially had been set to start Tuesday, but last month, jury trials were suspended in the Los Angeles area, where the case is being tried, because of COVID-19. They resume next week.

At a hearing Friday, defense attorney John Littrell made it clear Fortenberry's attorneys wanted a trial as soon as possible, but also argued that the case should be moved to federal court in Nebraska.

At the hearing, Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. seemed unconvinced that it ultimately would result in a quicker trial, given that a new judge would have to get up to speed on all the motions he's already heard.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Har called it "forum shopping."

Blumenfeld already has rejected a number of other defense challenges to the charges, including an effort to get the indictment dismissed because it wasn't filed in Nebraska or Washington, D.C., where the statements were made, and to disqualify one of the prosecuting attorneys.

But he has yet to rule on a flurry that followed.

The case stems from an investigation that started in 2015 and focused on a Nigerian billionaire, Gilbert Chagoury, who financially supported prominent members of both political parties.

Chagoury is said to have directed the donations to Fortenberry because of a shared interest in protecting Christians from persecution in the Middle East.

But it is illegal for foreigners to donate to U.S. political campaigns.

Attorneys are set to meet with the judge again later this week.
Former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, once vilified by Donald Trump as a "druggie" and "joke" unworthy of wearing the pinstripes, is now a key part of an investment group seeking to buy the rights to the ex-president's marquee Washington, D.C., hotel, people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

A-Rod's involvement in the $375 million deal, which could close within weeks, would make the athlete-turned-entrepreneur an unlikely financial savior for Trump, allowing him to recoup millions he invested and perhaps even emerge with a profit from his money-losing hotel.

"This is just more proof that the only thing that matters to Trump is money," said Trump biographer Michael D'Antonio. "If A-Rod can bail out Trump and get him out of a sticky situation and help him turn a profit, he's going to take that deal. He'd take it from Hillary Clinton."

While published reports late last year identified the buyer as Miami-based CGI Merchant Group, the rights to lease the 263-room property near the White House are actually being purchased by a fund led by CGI that includes Rodriguez as a general partner, two people familiar with the deal told the AP.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the deal, declined to detail Rodriguez's stake other than to say he is a key investor. Read the full story here:

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Condon reported from New York. News researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report.
One teacher was sent to the hospital after a fight at King Science & Technology Magnet Center in Omaha on Friday.

A large fight occurred about 2 p.m. at the school, located at 3720 Florence Blvd., said Officer Phil Anson, a spokesman for the Omaha Police Department. The fight resulted in a teacher being assaulted and then transported to the Nebraska Medical Center with unknown injuries.

In an email sent to King Science parents, Principal Jane Laughlin said the fight occurred in a hallway, and several police officers responded to the middle school. A school resource officer sprayed mace while responding to the fight, and students were checked out by health professionals.

Please be assured that the safety of students and staff is our top priority, Laughlin said in the email.

Anson said numerous students will be cited on suspicion of either assault or disorderly conduct for being involved in the fight.

Earlier on Friday, another fight was reported about 11:30 a.m. at Benson High School, 5120 Maple St.

The fight involved eight students, and officers called to the scene were able to break it up, Anson said.

According to an email sent to Benson High School parents by district officials, the Benson High School resource officer also sprayed mace into the group of students to break up the fight at that school.

After the fight started, school administrators, school security officers and our school resource officer immediately began working to deescalate the situation, according to the email.

After multiple verbal warnings, the (security resource officer) administered mace to get the student altercation to stop, the email states. As a precaution, EMTs and the school nurse were called to look over any students who may have been maced.

School officials said in both emails that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken regarding the fights at Benson High and King Science.

Both incidents are under investigation.
Conservative legal luminary and former D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals judge Michael Luttig. Photo: US Senate

Lovers of democracy already owe a debt of gratitude to conservative legal luminary Michael Luttig. The more we learn about the events of January 6, 2021, the more it appears Luttig was the decisive source of advice for then-Vice-President Mike Pence that convinced him to reject Donald Trumps pleas that he overturn the 2020 election results while presiding over a joint session of Congress. Pences last-minute statement even quoted Luttig, who said the vice-presidents role in the process was limited to counting, not judging, electoral votes.

Now Luttig, a former D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals judge, has offered another service in the cause of preventing a 2024 election coup. In a New York Times op-ed published Monday, he gave a states-rights rationale for reforming the Electoral Count Act of 1887 despite Donald Trumps loud if incoherent objections. Luttig writes:

Republicans are proponents of limited federal government. They oppose aggregation of power in Washington and want it dispersed to the states. It should be anathema to them that Congress has the power to overturn the will of the American people in an election that, by constitutional prescription, is administered by the states, not Washington. If the Democrats are willing to divest themselves of the power to decide the presidency that the 49th Congress wrongly assumed 135 years ago, then it would be the height of political hypocrisy for the Republicans to refuse to divest theirs.

As you may recall, Trump lawyer John Eastman, in his infamous memo, argued strenuously to Pence that the ECA was unconstitutional on grounds that it abridged the lordly powers allegedly assigned to the veep by the 12th Amendment. Luttig, for whom Eastman once clerked, rejected that argument (as do virtually all legal scholars) decisively in his advice to Pence. But Luttig does believe the provisions of the ECA giving Congress a relatively easy and unrestricted right to reject state-certified electors is an unconstitutional abrogation of the Article I power of the states to regulate elections. He explains:

Nothing in the Constitution empowers Congress to decide the validity of the electoral slates submitted by the states. In fact, the Constitution gives Congress no role whatsoever in choosing the president, save in the circumstance where no presidential candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes cast.

Luttig does acknowledge that there can be ambiguity in determining which electors states have properly certified, but instead of the vice-president or Congress being given key roles in resolving such disputes, he argues that the courts are better positioned to police the process while respecting constitutional boundaries:

Congress should formally give the federal courts, up to and including the Supreme Court, the power to resolve disputes over state electors and to ensure compliance with the established procedures for selecting presidential electors  and require the judiciarys expeditious resolution of these disputes. Congress should then require itself to count the votes of electors that the federal courts have determined to be properly certified under state law.

The former judge also reminds Republicans that Democrats are just as capable of abusing the ECA if the GOP, under pressure from Trump, refuses to go along with the reforms he recommends. And he suggests that by repairing evident breaches in the system for confirming electoral votes Republicans may save themselves a world of grief down the road since Mr. Trump is once again counting on a sympathetic and malleable Congress and willing states to use the Electoral Count Act to his advantage. Ignoring Trumps unintelligible ramblings about ECA reform will be a lot easier than resisting a clear and open Trump demand in 2024 and 2025 for an election coup.

Such is Luttigs prestige on the right that Greg Sargent observes: This should be a seminal moment in the debate over the ECA. Well see. His opinion certainly (if barely) worked magic with Mike Pence on January 6, 2021. Perhaps the right question to ask is whether Trumps power over his party has actually grown stronger since then.
Afghani banknotes seen at a currency exchange in early February in Kabul. Photo: Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

On Friday, President Joe Biden unveiled his plan for distributing the approximately $7 billion in Afghan central-bank funds located in the U.S., money his administration froze after American forces withdrew from Afghanistan and the country fell back into the hands of the Taliban last summer. The Biden administrations controversial proposal would split the funds in half, with $3.5 billion allocated for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, and the rest going to the families of 9/11 victims.

The $7 billion, along with about $2 billion in Afghan central-bank holdings in other countries, have been in limbo since the U.S. drawdown and Taliban takeover. As no country formally recognizes the Taliban as a legitimate government, these funds have remained frozen, while hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid have been suspended. Cutting off Afghanistan from this money has also catalyzed the countrys economic collapse under Taliban rule. Most Afghans are now facing food shortages, with the U.N. estimating that 23 million are at risk of severe hunger this winter and 9 million at risk of famine. The humanitarian crisis has led to calls from Taliban leaders and sympathetic foreign governments, including China and Russia, for the U.S. to unlock the frozen assets in their entirety.

The 9/11 families claim to the money stems from a lawsuit they filed not long after the September 11 attacks against a variety of parties they held responsible for their relatives deaths, including Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban. A court eventually found the defendants liable by default and awarded the plaintiffs around $7 billion in damages in 2012, but the judgment was seen as symbolic, since there was no way to collect on it. But after the Taliban returned to power and Afghanistans assets were frozen in U.S. banks, lawyers for the families argued that the funds should be used to pay that judgment. For the past few months, the lawyers and the Biden administration have been negotiating over access to the money. The 9/11 families have asserted a legal right to the entire $7 billion, and the final distribution of the funds awaits the resolution of ongoing litigation. Actually getting the money to its intended recipients, whomever they are ultimately determined to be, will take several more months.

compensating 9/11-victim families by starving Afghan families is a pretty simple distillation of twenty years of policy here https://t.co/jWREx5KE1E  Tim Murphy (@timothypmurphy) February 11, 2022

The Taliban, of course, is furious at the Biden administrations decision, but Afghan citizens and Afghan American advocates have also denounced the plan as theft. This money, they argue, belongs not to the Taliban but rather to the Afghan people, who should not be punished for crimes they did not commit by having their sovereign assets seized and their economy crippled. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai argued in a Sunday press conference that Afghan people are as much victims as those who lost loved ones on 9/11, and that seizing the funds in the name of 9/11 families is unjust and unfair and an atrocity against Afghan people.

Some progressive lawmakers in the U.S. have called on the administration to unfreeze the funds, as well, in order to prevent the spiraling humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan from getting worse.

Internally displaced Afghans are seen in a camp in Balkh, Afghanistan, on November 13, 2021. After the Taliban takeover, most aid organizations left the country, forcing those who had fled the conflict to take shelter in the camps to struggle to live on their own. The situation in the camps has deteriorated, and assistance for basic needs is almost never provided. According to the families in the camp, almost no aid had been provided by any aid organization in recent months. Photo: Sayed Khodaiberdi Sadat/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

There has always been next to no chance that the Biden administration would simply release the funds into the Talibans hands. The U.S. and its allies have insisted that the militant group should not get any money until it makes credible commitments to form a more inclusive government, guarantee womens and minorities human rights, allow girls to attend schools, and sever all ties with terrorist organizations. The Taliban does not appear sincerely interested in doing any of these things.

Meanwhile, Biden is in no position, domestically, to invite attack lines about him giving a $7 billion gift to the Taliban  which would be the inevitable political consequence of him unfreezing the funds unconditionally, even if it were the right move from a humanitarian perspective. Speaking with the Washington Post last week, a Biden administration official insisted that the funds would be closely monitored, saying: It is not going to the Taliban; it is going to be used for the benefit of the Afghan people. But providing any assistance to Afghanistan will be logistically difficult and politically hazardous no matter what pains the administration takes to keep it from going directly to the Taliban.

As to how, exactly, the U.S. will be able to ensure that funds benefit the Afghan people without benefitting the Taliban, the administration hasnt made that clear, and in reality, it may be impossible. This reflects a fundamental tension in the worlds of development economics and humanitarian aid that defies easy resolution. The countries where people have the greatest need for aid are often the same countries that are governed by the very worst people in the world. They are either failed states whose territory is under tenuous and contested control by various militias and warlords, or deeply corrupt authoritarian regimes in which the Swiss bank accounts of the political and military elite take precedence over the needs of the people.

Donor countries and global financial institutions know that any money that enters these countries is likely to be siphoned off to fund illegal and often destabilizing activities. Unfortunately, money is fungible, and no matter how strictly donors earmark aid for food and medicine, its not particularly hard to convert into guns, bombs, drugs, Manhattan real estate, or other illicit goods. Even in-kind donations can be diverted and sold for cash on the black market. This leaves the people of these countries doubly screwed over: first by their rulers for running their country into the ground, and then again by foreign powers and donors that cant or wont help them because theres no way to do so without somehow funding tyranny or terrorism.

The Gaza Strip is a prime example of this tragic dynamic: There, Hamas performs all the essential functions of government, from organizing trash collection to paying civil servants salaries. Yet Hamas is also both a brutally repressive fundamentalist regime and a violent terrorist organization. Most governments dont agree with its aim of destroying Israel, so they dont want to give Hamas any resources. The Israeli-Egyptian blockade that strangles the flow of goods across Gazas borders is in principle meant to deny Hamas the means to build rockets  but it also denies Gazans food, medicine, electricity, clean water, and the opportunity to become economically self-sufficient. Is weakening Hamas, which is not going away despite decades of efforts to undermine it, worth all that suffering? Wherever you stand on that question, its not a tradeoff anyone can simply avoid.

So donors look for ways to circumvent the bad regimes and help people more directly. A vast network of U.N. agencies and NGOs works tirelessly to deliver aid to desperate people without enriching the kakistocracy that made them so desperate in the first place, but even when these organizations are not themselves corrupt or ineffectual, they too have to face the facts on the ground. Just try getting anything done in parts of central Africa, for instance, without paying protection money to one militia or another; its a great way to get yourself killed.

Afghan mothers, seeking care for their often malnourished babies, line up outside a hospital in Kabul on January 16. Photo: Sayed Khodaiberdi Sadat/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

It is eminently reasonable to want to keep these billions out of the hands of the Taliban, but withholding cash from the entire country ensures that millions of Afghans will remain impoverished, starving, and aid-dependent. Turning $7 billion of central-bank reserves into $3.5 billion in humanitarian assistance means Afghanistan will end up with less than half of what it originally had  perhaps far less. How much of that $3.5 billion will be lost to overhead, petty corruption, and waste? It is far more expensive and less productive for an NGO to buy wheat from Iowa, ship it to Kabul, and dole bread out of the back of an aid truck than for Afghan farmers to obtain credit for seed grain from their own central bank. And Human Rights Watch has meanwhile pointed out that even if the U.S. gave [the money] to a humanitarian trust fund, current restrictions on Afghanistans banking sector make it virtually impossible to send or spend the money inside the country.

It is worth bearing in mind that the Taliban could go a long way toward ameliorating this crisis if they would moderate their fanaticism enough to meet the conditions the U.S. and other Western powers have set for unfreezing assets and lifting sanctions. Yet considering how unlikely they are to do so, the Biden administration needs to decide how willing it is to exacerbate Afghanistans economic and humanitarian crisis to punish the Taliban. Dont hold your breath, though, for an honest public conversation about that.
Kevin Turk (left), and other THD co-founders Kris Petro, 33 of Southport and Kellen Manley, 30 of Kalamazoo, Mich. with Tom Hanks in what is probably the best moment of their lives.

It is universally acknowledged that Tom Hanks is the eighth wonder of the world. On April 2, Chicagoans will gather at Lincoln Hall to express their gratitude for his existence at the 13th annual International Tom Hanks Day. No, this is not a drill.

Thirteen years ago, Kevin Turk, 33 of Uptown, and a group of his buddies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo banded together over Dr. Pepper and rum to watch their collection of Hanks movies.

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"It kind of started unbeknownst to us," Turk said. "We started this way before Netflix, so I don't know if we just had a lot of Tom Hanks movies or what. We weren't even massive Tom Hanks fans. ... It was just a fun thing to do."

Tom Hanks Day spiraled from there (because literally nobody on Earth dislikes Tom Hanks). They even made t-shirts that spread like wildfire around WMU.

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"On campus it turned into just a backyard kegger where we hung out all day," Turk said of the first few years of celebrating.

Two Tom Hanks Day-goers at last years' Chicago event.

Tom Hanks assistant caught wind of the event and sent them a package of Hanks goods and lots of cans of Dr. Pepper. Instead of pocketing the riches like lesser beings would (myself included), Turk and his friends decided to auction most of the goods off and donate the proceeds to Lifeline Energy, a Hanks-supported charity that provides solar-powered and wind-up media players and radios for classrooms in Africa.

"I feel like we're doing the right thing and doing something that's legit," Turk said.

After their first charitable donation, Hanks himself became aware of the holiday and now sends them gifts to auction, such as his own typewriter (from which die-hard Hanks fans can use to type Hanks letters only one degree of separation away from Hanks' hands, obviously).

After graduating from WMU in 2006, Turk moved to the Windy City and brought Tom Hanks Day with him, giving us hope that Tom Hanks' Chicago connections can go beyond his Northwestern alum turned mediocre rapper son. Now, entering its teen years, Tom Hanks Day has come a long way from being just another college darty ("day party," duh). For the second year in a row, the Chicago Hanks party will take place at Lincoln Hall, one of Turk's favorite local venues.

A shot from a Tom Hanks Day promotional video outside of Lincoln Hall.

"Last year, we had 500 people show up, pay a door fee and just hang out," Turk said. "We're gonna stay [at Lincoln Hall] as long as we can."

As the holiday has grown, so have their donations and their collection of auctionable Hanks goods. This year, THD revelers can take their chance at winning autographed beer cans from their New Belgium Brewing sponsor, "Wilsoooooooooon!" volleyballs and more Hanks-inspired prizes.

Even though Hanks appreciation is universal, International Tom Hanks Day may not yet be completely global. Its website lists only the main Chicago event and satellite events in Michigan, Ohio and Alabama this year, though there have been events in Australia in the past.

Like most of us, Turk actually prefers the goofier Hanks films, such as "Toy Story" or "The Money Pit," mostly because you don't actually have to sit and focus on the movie.

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"Even if you just catch one or two scenes, you can still think, 'Oh, that was fun,'" Turk said.

His favorite Tom Hanks movie, though, will forever be "Forrest Gump." And yes, he recognizes how cliche that is. But his love for the movie goes beyond just the "box of chocolates" quote.

"I used to put that movie on every night in college and fall asleep to it," Turk said. "My roommate would come in at four in the morning and yell at me to turn it off."

But, to be clear, that's not where Tom Hanks Day comes from. The day celebrates Hanks himself, not just the characters he's portrayed.

"People keep asking us when we're going to do a Gary Sinise Day or a Mr. T Day," Turk said, referencing two other actors from his beloved 'Forrest Gump.' "And that's just not the point."

You can take part in the festivities Saturday, April 2, at Lincoln Hall. The event starts at noon. The entry fee is a $10 donation to Lifeline Energy. And yes, there will be drink specials.

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@shelbielbostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com
Haha? Photo: D Jacovides-Pool/SIPA/Shutterstock

In a relatable moment for anyone who has struggled with tone, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, a former professional comedian, had to clarify that he was kidding when he claimed a Russian invasion was coming on February 16.

Ukraine's Zelensky in FB post, per NBC: "We are told that Feb. 16 will be the day of the attack. We will make it the Day of Unity. The relevant decree has already been signed. On this day, we will hang national flags, wear blue and yellow ribbons and show the world our unity."  Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) February 14, 2022

Zelenskys comments, made in a video posted to Facebook, briefly sent markets tumbling  after which his team scrambled to clean them up.

A senior Ukrainian official has denied that President Zelensky was being literal when he said in an address to the nation that he'd been told a Russian attack would begin on February 16th. Mykhailo Podoliak, a Presidential adviser, that Zelensky was being ironic.  Vaughn Sterling (@vplus) February 14, 2022

As the U.S. and European allies continue to issue increasingly dire warnings about Russias intentions, Zelensky has notably downplayed the threat, even chiding the Biden administration for hyping up the possibility of an invasion. His joking remarks seemed to be making light of all the doomsaying; a spokesperson told NBC News that the president referred to a date that was spread by the media. According to the outlet, observers said Zelensky appeared to have been sarcastic to those who watched his video. So he can blame the media for getting this one wrong, too.

Part of the problem is that many indications actually do point to imminent violence. Though Russias foreign minister endorsed the idea of more diplomatic talks on Monday, the countrys military continues to mass troops and sophisticated weaponry around Ukraines borders. On Monday afternoon, the U.S. announced it would temporarily close its Kyiv Embassy and move diplomats to the western city of Lviv  a move Zelensky had said would be a mistake. U.S. officials have identified Wednesday the 16th as a possible day Putin could strike, making Zelenskys faux warning about that date even less clear. Maybe he should stick to the classics, like Take Crimea, please.
ANTWERP, Belgium and PARIS, February 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aqemia, the next-gen pharmatech company leveraging artificial intelligence and quantum-inspired physics announces it has entered into a pilot study agreement with Janssen.

Through the agreement Aqemias unique technology to predict the potency of small molecules for a given target based on physics-based calculations will be applied to selected Janssen datasets.

The agreement aims at building a common understanding of the performance of Aqemias technology and how best to apply it in drug discovery projects on different types of target proteins and diseases. It includes an upfront payment from Janssen.

Maximilien Levesque, CEO and co-founder of Aqemia, commented, "We are very happy to start working with Janssens teams to apply our unique technology to drug discovery projects". He added, "This is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate the scalability and repeatability of Aqemias recent successes in drug discovery projects."

About Aqemia

Aqemia is a next-gen pharmatech company generating one of the world's fastest-growing drug discovery pipeline. Our mission is to design fast innovative drug candidates for dozens of critical diseases. Our differentiation lies in our unique quantum and statistical mechanics algorithms fueling a generative artificial intelligence to design novel drug candidates. The disruptive speed and accuracy of our technological platform enables us to scale drug discovery projects just like tech projects.

For more information visit us on www.aqemia.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220214005042/en/

Contacts

Aqemia contacts:

Maximilien Levesque: maximilien.levesque@aqemia.com

Emmanuelle Martiano: emmanuelle.martiano@aqemia.com
Auburn City Schools announced Sunday night that the mask requirement has been lifted starting this week.

The ACS Board of Education stated at the last meeting on Feb. 8 that the total positive cases would need to drop below 37 by the end of the week, and from its Sunday report the total number was 28 cases.

Students and faculty members will no longer be required to wear masks indoors, but individuals will still need to wear a mask on school buses as established by the Department of Transportation.

The ACS made the announcement on Facebook, which elicited comments from expressing excitement and relief.

Glad the numbers are low enough to stop the mask mandate, one comment said. Thank you for watching out for our children and Grandchildren. I pray the numbers stay down!!!

Whoo hoo! There will be thousands of happy kids tonight/tomorrow! Thank you ACS! another said.

During the monthly board of education meetings since December, many ACS parents expressed disapproval of the mask requirement.

The district decided to reinstate the mask requirement in January after the first week back from Christmas break because of a reported 493 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

During the public communication portion of the meetings, several parents stated they wanted to be able to choose if their child should wear a mask or not, and that they were concerned about the mental health of their children.

Starting this week, parents can make that choice.

ACS continues to ask those who show signs of illness to stay home and seek medical attention.

The weekly COVD-19 updates will continue, and ACS will post the data collected from Monday to Friday on social media and on the ACS website on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.

Opelika City Schools also reinstated the mask requirement after returning from Christmas break, but lifted the mandate after two weeks. Since Jan. 28, wearing masks has been optional, and Becky Brown, public relations director for OCS, said its cases have significantly decreased.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, OCS had a total of 24 COVID-19 cases last week.

The data published by the ADPH on Fridays represents a seven day reporting period from Wednesday to Tuesday.

Lee County Schools never reinstated a mask requirement after returning from Christmas break, and masks continue to be optional.

According to the ADPH, Lee County Schools had a total of 50 positive cases last week.
Washington, PA (15301)

Today

Rain showers this morning with numerous thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 76F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Two Construction Workers Fall to Their Deaths from 40th Floor of Tel Aviv Building

East Jerusalem residents fall from mechanical platform in Bavli neighborhood; watchdog demands government take action on worker safety.

Two men fell to their deaths on Wednesday from the 40th floor of an apartment building under construction in Tel Aviv. The two men were named as East Jerusalem residents Ghazi Abu Sbeitan and Ahmad Ziyad al-Sayyad. The two, in their 30s, were working at the site of a luxury apartment complex on Harav Nissim Street in the Bavli neighborhood.

According to an article, the circumstances surrounding the fall were not immediately clear, but it appeared the accident occurred when a mechanical platform on the side of the building collapsed. This was the third time in recent years that construction workers had been killed when mechanical scaffolding platforms collapsed. Two men died at a site in the central city of Rosh Haayin in 2018, and a worker was killed in a similar incident at a site in Tel Aviv last year.

There have been no prosecutions in relation to any of those deaths. Deaths of construction workers in the Middle East are a frequent occurrence, largely because of poorly enforced safety codes. Hadas Tagri, head of the Group Against Construction and Industrial Accidents, said that ministers needed to take action and legislate to ensure worker safety.

For many months we have been warning the economy minister [Orna Barbivai] and her deputy Yair Golan about the precarious safety situation of the workers, at construction sites and in general, detailing a series of steps that must be taken to promote their safety, Tagri said.

We have repeatedly urged the minister for reform to expand responsibility for safety at construction sites, to promote the establishment of a national safety authority, and to present goals and a detailed work plan to promote workers safety in 2022, before more workers are harmed, she added.

According to a tally, seven construction workers have been killed this year in workplace incidents.
The energy sector is the best-performing of all the 11 U.S. market sectors in the current year, boasting a 26.9% YTD return vs. -7.2% by the S&P 500.

Just as the push toward $100/bbl oil seemed to be losing steam, reports on Friday that the United States believes Russia's Vladimir Putin could invade Ukraine "any day now" have lifted crude to as high as $95/bbl for an eighth straight weekly advance. Brent crude (CO1:COM) for April delivery closed +3.3% at $94.44/bbl, the highest finish for a front-month contract since September 2014, while March WTI (Cl1:COM) crude settled +3.6% at $93.10/bbl, also the best level September 2014.

"The oil market was waiting for a major catalyst to justify a move above $100, and it seems the Ukraine situation just took a turn for the worse," Oanda's Ed Moya has told Bloomberg. Moya says any crude supply disruptions could send oil prices another 10% higher.

Oil prices have also been drifting upwards after the International Energy Agency warned that OPEC+ was struggling to meet production quotas, as the alliance produced 900K bbl/day below target in January. The "OPEC 10," countries within OPEC but excluding Venezuela, Libya and Iran, were budgeted to increase production by 254kb/d in January, with the remainder of the 400kb/d quota allocated to Russia and others. Official results released on Thursday indicate that OPEC 10 had increased production only 135kb/d, and now sits a full 748kb/d below self-imposed quota levels.

Also, in a break from recent history, there doesn't appear to be a strong supply response to rising prices and declining inventories. When Chevron (NYSE:CVX) reported Q4 results two weeks ago, the company guided the street to flat YoY production in 2022. Exxon (NYSE:XOM) did the same, as did BP (NYSE:BP) and ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP). Bakken producer Whiting (NYSE:WLL) announced they plan to increase capex 55% in 2022 and acquire assets to generate only ~3% production growth. Driller Nabors (NYSE:NBR) reported earnings Tuesday and indicated they don't expect to add any rigs outside the US in Q1.

On the bear side of things, diplomats from Iran and world powers have reconvened in Vienna to seek a deal reviving the 2015 nuclear accord, with a fully-fledged return by Iran to the oil markets potentially pushing them into a surplus.

But, overall, the bullish thesis remains intact, with many analysts predicting that oil prices will remain elevated for years as demand continues outstripping supply. In a report provided to clients on Feb. 10, analysts at BCA Research said they believe prices will rise over the next decade thanks to government action that curbs fossil-fuel production as well as "climate activism at the board level at major energy suppliers and in the courtroom."

The energy sector is the best-performing of all the 11 U.S. market sectors in the current year, boasting a 26.9% YTD return vs. -7.2% by the S&P 500. The Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLE) has jumped 60% over the past 12 months.

But here's the interesting part: despite the huge rally, energy stocks are some of the cheapest in the market today.

Indeed, energy stocks are currently trading at just 12.3 times earnings estimates--the cheapest S&P 500 sector, and by a comfortable margin. That's less than half the S&P 500's P/E ratio of 25.2.

The BCA analysts favor long-term exposure to oil through ETFs. Here we list the top 5 Wall Street energy picks based on stocks favored by at least 80% of analysts polled by FactSet. You will notice that all five are based on Canada's famous oil Patch--and for good reason. Canada stands out with its expansion of fossil-fuel production, its oil and gas stocks are cheap, and many feature low breakeven points, thus offering a good measure of downside protection if the oil markets head south.

#1. Birchcliff Energy Ltd.

Market Cap: $1.4B

YTD Returns: 27.4%

Implied Upside Potential: 48%

Based in Calgary, Birchcliff Energy Ltd. (OTCPK:BIREF) is an intermediate oil and natural gas company that acquires, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, light oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids in Western Canada.

The company holds interests in the Montney/Doig resource play, as well as other assets located in the Peace River Arch area of Alberta. As of December 31, 2020, Birchliff had interests in various gas plants, oil batteries, compressors, facilities, and infrastructure; and 198,553.7 net acres of undeveloped land, as well as proved plus probable reserves of 1,040.5 million barrels of oil equivalent.

In its latest earnings report, Birchliff said it generated record annual adjusted funds flow of $539.7 million, or $2.03 per basic common share, an increase of 192% and 194%, respectively, from 2020. Cash flow from operating activities was $515.4 million, a 174% increase from 2020.

#2. Tourmaline Oil Corp.

Market Cap: $12.1B

YTD Returns: 13.3%

Implied Upside Potential: 39%

Another Calgary-based producer, Tourmaline Oil Corp. (OTCPK:TRMLF) acquires, explores for, develops, and produces oil and natural gas properties in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. It holds interests in properties located in the Alberta Deep Basin, Northeast British Columbia Montney, and the Peace River High Triassic oil complex.

Tourmaline shares have sprinted to their highest in more than seven years after announcing an 11% quarterly dividend increase and a special dividend of C$1.25/share. The quarterly dividend was also raised to $0.20/share from $0.18/share in Q1, with the company saying it anticipates paying further special dividends in 2022.

#3. Parex Resources Inc.

Market Cap: $2.6B

YTD Returns: 26.7%

Implied Upside Potential: 37%

Parex Resources Inc. (OTCPK:PARXF) engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and natural gas in Colombia. The company holds interests in onshore exploration and production blocks totaling approximately 2,323,941 gross acres. As of December 31, 2020, it had proved plus probable reserves of 194,491 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Parex Resources has announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange has approved the Company commencing a normal course issuer bid that will see Parex purchase up to a maximum of 11,820,533 common shares of the Company.

The Bid will commence on January 4, 2022, and will terminate on January 3, 2023 or such earlier time as the Bid is completed or terminated at the option of Parex. As of the close of business on December 22, 2021, Parex had 120,555,447 common shares issued and outstanding and a public float of 118,205,330.

#4. ARC Resources Ltd

Market Cap: $8.1B

YTD Returns: 28.5%

Implied Upside Potential: 34%

ARC Resources Ltd. (OTCPK:AETUF) explores, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in Canada. The company holds interests in the Montney properties located in northeast British Columbia and northern Alberta; and Pembina Cardium properties in central Alberta. As of December 31, 2020, it had proved plus probable reserves of 929 million barrels of oil equivalent.

ARC Resources has been rallying after reporting better than expected Q4 earnings and saying it will allocate surplus funds generated in 2022 to shareholder returns and debt reduction.Q4 revenues quadrupled Y/Y to C$1.88B from C$405.9M; Q4 net income skyrocketed to C$678M, or C$0.96/share, from C$121M, or C$0.34/share, in the year-earlier quarter.

The company also revealed that it nearly doubled its reserves volumes and tripled its reserves value during the year through high-value liquids additions from the business combination and strong organic additions across the portfolio.

#5. Whitecap Resources Inc.

Market Cap: $4.6B

YTD Returns: 23.6%

Implied Upside Potential: 30%

Whitecap Resources Inc. (OTCPK:SPGYF) is a Calgary-based oil and gas company that acquires and develops petroleum and natural gas properties in Canada. Its principal properties are located in West Central Alberta, Northwest Alberta and British Columbia, Southeast Saskatchewan, West Central Saskatchewan, and Southwest Saskatchewan.

As of February 24, 2021, WhiteCap Resources had a total proved plus probable reserves of 507,287 thousand barrels of oil equivalent. However, the company has just provided a year-end reserve update ahead of market open on Monday, showing a 53% increase in proved developed producing (PDP) reserves.

The company says it replaced 372% of production during the year, and controls 7.3 years of reserves on a PDP basis and 17.6 years on a "proved plus probable" basis. Reserve increases came on the back of several strategic acquisitions in 2021, including three transactions announced in Alberta and Saskatchewan in December of last year.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com



More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
OPEC+ producers need to pump more oil to close the widening gap between nameplate production quotas and actual output, the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, said on Monday.

The laggards in the OPEC+ oil output targets should look to produce more to balance the tight market, Birol said at the Egypt Petroleum Show in Cairo today, as quoted by Reuters.

If OPEC+ continues to fail in delivering its oil production targets amid rising demand and inventories at multi-year lows, oil prices will remain under upward pressure and are set for more volatility, the IEA said in its monthly report.

If the persistent gap between OPEC+ output and its target levels continues, supply tensions will rise, increasing the likelihood of more volatility and upward pressure on prices. But these risks, which have broad economic implications, could be reduced if producers in the Middle East with spare capacity were to compensate for those running out, the IEA said in its Oil Market Report for February.

If OPEC+ cuts are fully unwound, the bloc could increase output by 4.3 mb/d. Of course, that would come at the expense of effective spare capacity, which could fall to 2.5 mb/d by the end of the year and end up held almost entirely by Saudi Arabia and, to a lesser extent, the UAE, the agency said.

The gap between OPEC+ output and its target levels surged to as much as 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) in January, according to IEA estimates.

The chronic underperformance of OPEC+ and geopolitical tensions have pushed oil prices to more than a seven-year high, with Brent hitting $95 per barrel early on Monday amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine that could lead to disruption of oil supplies.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
For nearly 15 years, the two-story building at 2449 N. Lincoln Ave. served as the epicenter of an underground musical, social and cultural movement that spread across the globe. Now, nearly three decades after Wax Trax! Records moved out, the daughter of one of the shops co-founders is leading a charge to designate the storefront an official historic Chicago landmark.

The designation will ensure that the building will not be demolished or the exterior altered.

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Wax Trax! was instrumental in putting Chicago on the map for a certain type of music, says Julia Nash, who was 9 years old when her late father, Jim Nash, opened the business with his partner, Dannie Flesher. The store itself was an underground cultural mecca for people from all over the city, statewide and internationally to discover new music (like) punk and electronic. At the time they were frowned-upon genres, but they became very important in music culture.

Julia Nash has started a petition to gather signatures in support of the landmark status as part of an application with the Chicago Landmarks Commission; official designation is made by City Council vote.

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Exterior of the building at 2449 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago on Feb. 11, 2022. The storefront, covered in white porcelain brick, was once Wax Trax! Records. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

When Wax Trax! opened its doors in 1978 in a building that once housed a funeral parlor, there was nothing like it in the city  or country. A record label of the same name, started by Jim Nash and Flesher in 1980, remains synonymous with industrial music by the likes of Front 242 and KMFDM. The store carried a vast range of genres  dance, soul, R&B, heavy metal, electronic, rockabilly, hardcore, glam, avant-garde and more  and thousands of titles that couldnt be found anywhere else. Offbeat, independent, bootleg and import vinyl LPs filled the bins. Huge posters, custom displays, television sets playing videos and a baby-blue neon sign contributed to the creative atmosphere and palpable energy.

So did the people working behind the counter. Offering expert guidance and engaging conversation, Jim Nash, Flesher and their staff, largely comprised of deejays and musicians, tipped off customers to cutting-edge artists and must-hear albums that existed on the fringe. Wax Trax! Records was a destination long before the term evolved into a marketing concept.

The influential store  neighbor to the landmarked Biograph Theater  also functioned as more than a retail shop. For many customers, particularly those who felt like outsiders at home or outcasts at school, it stood as both a social nexus and safe space.

Exterior details of the building at 2449 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. A petition has been started to support it becoming a landmark. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Everyone who looked and felt different was welcome, says Julia Nash, who notes it wasnt unusual to see someone with a tall mohawk browsing alongside a business man in a three-piece suit. When you walked through the doors, there was acceptance. No one was judged. Everyone was supported and loved.

That welcoming environment left a lasting impression on her. The de facto gatekeeper of the Wax Trax! legacy and director of the 2018 documentary Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records decided to relocate to Chicago in 1987 from Kansas when she was 18 after she found her true self in the store.

Metro and Smartbar owner Joe Shanahans connection to the shop runs just as deep. Having heard that Jim Nash and Flesher were moving to Chicago from Denver, where the original Wax Trax! store was located, the young music devotee showed up at 2449 N. Lincoln Ave. to help them prepare to open in 1978. Shanahan and a roommate pitched in by painting walls and record bins. So began a relationship that altered Shanahans life  and, by extension, those of countless concertgoers.

Without Wax Trax!, theres no Metro, no Smartbar, says Shanahan. Jim and Dannie single-handedly changed my perception. They came to town with a record store idea that became this community clubhouse. They were forging an independent spirit really early on. And they had the best taste in music.

Shanahan fondly recalls making Saturday morning pilgrimages to the store, where Jim Nash and Flesher would tell him what records he needed, and why. Handing over to Wax Trax! Records a healthy portion of the tip money he earned at his bartending job, Shanahan built the record collection he used to start Smartbar. Once he opened Metro and Smartbar, Shanahan invited the stores clerks to spin records and stopped by the Lincoln Avenue shop to see if he had what he deems the Wax Trax! seal of quality approval for his shows: a record and/or poster of the concert headliner displayed in the window.

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In addition to helping promote shows, Jim Nash and Flesher produced them. As what Shanahan calls ringleaders of the misfits, they played instrumental roles in bringing relatively unknown artists  English goth pioneers Bauhaus and Australian post-punks the Birthday Party included  to the city for their Chicago debut. Tickets were sold at the store, whose exterior structure looks much the same today as it did decades ago. Wax Trax! filed for bankruptcy in 1992 and the store left Lincoln Avenue soon after, hanging on for a few more years in Bucktown. Jim Nash died in 1995.

Julia Nash adores the beautiful white porcelain brick on the facade. She fears that if left unprotected, the building  currently home to a oral surgery practice  could be subject to redevelopment or other gentrification whims.

Julia Nashs focus remains on honoring her father and his partner by having the city recognize their accomplishments. In many ways, Wax Trax! can be seen as an equivalent to Chess Records, whose former location at 2120 S. Michigan Ave. enjoys landmarked status. Like that of the iconic Chicago blues label and recording studio, the Wax Trax! legacy continues to resonate beyond borders and across generations.

Wax Trax! played such an important role in music, says Julia Nash, whose online petition had garnered more than 4,400 signatures by early Monday. She has until March 1 to submit the requisite paperwork. And though she will need to wait to learn if the building gets landmark protection and a plaque detailing the significance of Wax Trax!, shes overjoyed by the outpouring of support and personal nature of the signees comments.

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I read every single one of them. Wax Trax! defined who people were and made them choose a path in life. All of it started inside that building.

Julia Nashs Wax Trax! Records petition can be found at www.ipetitions.com.
Iran has projected higher oil export revenues for its new financial year based on the draft budget for the 12 months to March 2023.

Bloomberg reports, citing Iranian agency Tasnim, that the draft includes oil export revenues that are a third higher than those in a previous budget draft. The value of the exports is seen at around $115 billion.

Iran's oil exports are already on the rise, the latest figures have shown, despite continued U.S. sanctions.

According to data from cargo tracking companies, Iran has been exporting some 1 million bpd lately, which is the highest export rate since 2019. In December, according to Petro-Logistics data, Iran exported more than 1 million bpd of crude. The January average, however, has been lower at 700,000 bpd.

"We wouldn't expect to see 1 million bpd consistently until there is a change in the political landscape," the chief executive of the consultancy, Daniel Gerber, told Reuters.

Most of the Iranian crude barrels are, as before, going to China, despite the sanctions. Iranian oil imports are particularly attractive for a consumer as large as China as Tehran is selling the commodity at a discount because of the sanctions.

The "international community, including China, has been conducting normal cooperation with Iran under the global legal framework, which are both reasonable and legitimate. They deserve respect and safeguard," the Chinese Foreign Ministry told Reuters.

Meanwhile, Iran is negotiating its nuclear policies with the United States in a bid to remove sanctions. A senior Iranian official said earlier today progress had become harder because the U.S. and Western European negotiators only "pretended" to suggest initiatives to move the talks forward.

"The work of Iranian negotiators towards progress is becoming more difficult every moment ... while Western parties 'pretend' to come up with initiatives to avoid their commitments," Ali Shamkani, secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, said in a tweet quoted by Reuters.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The Saudi government has transferred a 4-percent stake in Aramco to the Kingdom's Public Investment Fund to boost its credit rating standing and financial position, Crown Prince Mohammed said, as quoted by Reuters.

The Financial Times recalls that the transfer comes a week after the Public Investment Fund received its first credit rating from Fitch and Moody's ahead of the issuance of new debt to finance the Kingdom's diversification drive.

Fitch issued an A rating for the PIF with a stable outlook, and Moody's gave it a rating of A1 ahead of the issuance of a green bond and the extension of some $15 billion in bank debt, the FT reported earlier.

The share injection is part of efforts to boost the Public Investment Fund's assets under management from $500 billion to over $1 trillion by the end of 2025. The transferred stake is worth some $80 billion.

Aramco, however, made it clear it was no party to the deal, according to the Reuters report.

"The company is not a party to the transfer and did not enter into any agreements or pay or receive any proceeds from that transfer," the oil giant said.

The Public Investment Fund plans to spend more than $266 billion (1 trillion riyals) on domestic projects by 2025, the FT reported, which would constitute a quarter of its assets under management by the same year.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, media reported that Aramco had plans to list additional shares, to the tune of $50 billion, on the local stock exchange Tadawul. Aramco debuted in Tadawul in December 2019 in what became the biggest listing in history.

Aramco plans more share offerings to the public in coming years, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in early 2021. The prince, however, did not give any details either about the timing of the new share sales or on which markets those sales could take place.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Tom Dennison, who along with his powerful political machine ran Omaha on patronage and favors from 1900 to 1933, died 88 years ago today of injuries from an auto accident near San Diego.

For the first third of the 20th century, the Dennison machine provided jobs to immigrants, arranged city hall privileges for businesses, and protected wide-open bootlegging, prostitution and gambling. By 1910, Omaha had an estimated 100 brothels and 2,500 prostitutes.

Dennison never held public office. "Cowboy" Jim Dahlman was mayor during most of the Dennison years. But Dennison's men were on the police force and usually controlled city government.

Dennison's hold on Omaha finally broke in 1932. A federal grand jury indicted Dennison and 58 of his underlings on charges of conspiracy to violate Prohibition. It was a long trial and the newspapers were filled with it. Ultimately the jury failed to reach a verdict, and the prosecution decided against a retrial. But the trial took a toll on the health of Dennison, then 74, and reform forces began organizing for the next election.

Dennison went to California to recover his health and never returned, except to visit. He had never named a successor, fearing loss of power. The reform slate won the 1933 city elections. Omaha's era of boss rule was over.

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Warm and dry conditions remain in the forecast this week for the Omaha area as prospects for precipitation via a winter storm continue to go south.

Right now, it looks like well probably miss out on that (storm), meteorologist Brett Albright of the National Weather Service in Valley said Sunday. Overall, the system is trending south. We had about a 30% chance of some snow or precipitation, and thats down to not very likely.

High temperatures in Omaha are expected to be back up into the low to mid-40s on Monday, Albright said, before leaping into the upper 50s on Tuesday. That could mean the return of fire danger, although the relative humidity is expected to be high enough that red flag warnings are not anticipated.

A red flag warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. Red flag warnings were issued last week through much of Nebraska, which continues to be plagued by drought.

Omaha has had only three days this winter with at least an inch of snow, and all three were in the first two weeks of January, according to the National Weather Service. Those three days generated 7 inches of snow, accounting for all but 0.8 of an inch of snow the city has received this winter.

A cold front is expected to drop into the area by Wednesday morning.

Wednesday, well see another push of cold air that will hang around about 48 hours, Albright said. (High) temperatures should be in the low 30s (both days).

Thursday morning will be chilly, with lows forecast in the teens.

Another warmup is forecast for Friday through Sunday, Albright said. Highs on Friday are expected to be in the low 50s and then continue to rise with a high of 60 possible on Sunday.

Starting Friday and through the weekend, weve got a pretty solid warmup on the way, Albright said. There is a potential for 60 degrees and above on Sunday.

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BRUNSWICK, Ga.  A jury with three Black members was sworn in Monday for the federal hate crimes trial of the white men previously convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery, whose killing prosecutors will argue was motivated by racism.

U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood and attorneys in the case discussed the racial makeup of the jury after its members were narrowed Monday morning from a pool of 36 to a main jury of 12, plus four alternates.

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FILE - This combo of booking photos provided by the Glynn County, Ga., Detention Center, shows from left, Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. Legal experts say federal hate crimes charges in the 2020 chase and killing of Ahmaud Arbery could prove more difficult to prosecute than the fall murder trial that ended in convictions of three white men. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in U.S. District Court in Brunswick, Georgia.(Glynn County Detention Center via AP, File) (AP)

The trial was scheduled to begin Monday afternoon with prosecutors and attorneys for the three defendants giving their opening statements.

Eight whites, three Blacks and one Hispanic juror sit on the main panel, according to the breakdown given by the judge and attorneys in court. The alternate jurors consist of three whites and one Pacific Islander.

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Arberys father, Marcus Arbery, told reporters outside the courthouse in the port city of Brunswick that he was very pleased.

The diversity of having three Black jurors is encouraging and its significant, said Barbara Arnwine, an attorney supporting Arberys family.

Father and son Greg and Travis McMichael armed themselves and chased 25-year-old Arbery in a pickup truck after spotting him running in their neighborhood on Feb. 23, 2020. A neighbor, William Roddie Bryan, joined the pursuit in his own truck and recorded cellphone video of Travis McMichael blasting Arbery with a shotgun.

No arrests were made in the case until the video leaked online two months later.

This is the second time Brunswick has hosted a trial in Arberys killing. A judge last month sentenced the McMichaels and Bryan to life in prison after they were convicted last fall of murder in Glynn County Superior Court.

The same three men were charged separately in federal court on hate crime charges, which allege that they violated Arberys civil rights and targeted him because he was Black. The McMichaels and Bryan have all pleaded not guilty in the federal case.

The judge said she expects the hate crimes trial to last between seven and 12 days.

The judge and attorneys spent last week questioning more than 160 potential jurors about the Black mans killing and their views on racism in America. They were pulled from an area covering 43 counties in eastern and southern Georgia.

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The judge ended up deeming 64 of them qualified to serve. Nearly two-thirds were dismissed for having strong opinions about the case after watching portions of the state murder trial or news reports about it.

A random drawing further narrowed that number to 36 potential jurors before the final jury was selected Monday.

The search for an impartial jury in federal court came just a week after attorneys announced the McMichaels planned to plead guilty in the federal case in a deal with prosecutors that quickly fell apart. The judge noted only one or two potential jurors said they were aware of that.

In the state murder case, the racial makeup of the disproportionately white jury drew objections from prosecutors and complaints from Arberys family. The state judge allowed the panel to be seated after defense lawyers stated nonracial reasons for striking most Black jurors from the pool.

During the murder trial, defense attorneys argued the defendants were justified in chasing Arbery because they suspected he had committed crimes in their neighborhood. Travis McMichael testified that he opened fire in self-defense after Arbery attacked him with fists and grabbed for his shotgun.
As the world shifts away from fossil fuels, Nebraska and Iowa utilities are among those preparing for the possible use of nuclear power to supplement renewable energy.

New technology is being tested that proponents say could make nuclear power plants safer, more flexible and more affordable than traditional nuclear plants. Additionally, state and federal governments are reworking regulations and incentives to encourage the revival of nuclear power.

However, critics say the new technology is unproven and presents fresh risks of cost overruns, nuclear accidents and opportunistic terrorist actions.

Utilities increasingly see transitioning away from fossil fuels as necessary to remain competitive on costs, stay ahead of regulations and address global warming.

Its an important thing to do from a business perspective, said Tom Kent, president and chief executive officer at Nebraska Public Power District. NPPD operates the only active nuclear plant in Nebraska and Iowa. Carbon has business risks as we look to the future.

Given this imperative, a seismic shift toward renewable energy is under way. Over the last 10 years, more than half of the new electric power added to the grid came from wind or solar, according to the Edison Electric Institute.

Looming ahead is the question of how to generate electricity during lulls in wind and solar energy. Conventional power plants do that now.

An 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. The momentum behind nuclear power could lead to the first expansion of nuclear reactor construction in the U.S. in more than three decades.

Nebraska is among the states engaged on the issue.

I think youll see nuclear  assuming the next generation of nuclear proves affordable, Kent said. In terms of future resources, the economics of building new nuclear is part of what we would look at.

Kent said he anticipates that nuclear will prove itself  or not  within the next 10 years.

Last year, Nebraskas major utilities and some of their industry partners hosted a forum on advanced nuclear energy to familiarize Nebraskans and others nationally with the push for smaller, more nimble nuclear reactors.

Additionally, the Nebraska Legislature last year unanimously approved legislation that would allow nuclear power to qualify for renewable energy incentives. Legislative Bill 84 allows a renewable energy firm that uses nuclear energy to seek incentives under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act.

State Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard, who sponsored the bill, said his goal is to encourage companies to pilot new nuclear technology in Nebraska. He said new nuclear plants could be used to replace coal plants or supplement renewables. He said they would provide an economic boost with good-paying jobs and reliable energy, especially in rural areas where more access to power is needed.

Like NPPD, officials at the Omaha Public Power District are looking at nuclear as an option for supplemental power.

All of the resources weve considered have different attributes, said Brad Underwood, senior director of system transformation. Nuclear is one were very interested in. We will continue to monitor its advancement and changes in cost.

Other regional utilities evaluating nuclear include Iowas MidAmerican Energy, a subsidiary of Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

In a recent filing, MidAmerican said it plans to invest $3.9 billion in accelerating its drive toward carbon neutral generation. While much of that will go toward expanding its wind and solar power by about 30%, it also includes studying new technologies like nuclear. The utility does not expect the project, dubbed Wind Prime, to lead to an increase in rates.

According to MidAmerican, the advantages of these small modular reactors compared to traditional reactors include requiring less space, costing less to build and providing greater flexibility in where they can be built and how much electricity they generate.

Representatives of OPPD, NPPD and MidAmerican say that nuclear is just one supplemental option being studied.

Other options include biofuel generation, capturing and storing the carbon from coal or natural gas plants, or finding a way to store excess renewable energy  such as batteries, hydrogen or even reservoirs  so that electricity is available when the wind dies down or the suns not out. Hydrogen uses a chemical reaction to store energy that can be converted to electricity. Pumped storage hydropower is another option, and it involves moving water between reservoirs of different elevations (pumping it to the higher elevation during times of excess renewable energy and then releasing the water to generate electricity during times of low renewable energy).

Each utilitys final decision will be based on the viability of the technology, they said.

Since 2004, MidAmerican has spent a total of $14 billion on wind energy, and last year MidAmericans Iowa customers got 88% of their electricity from renewable energy, said Geoff Greenwood, spokesman.

By 2025, MidAmerican will generate enough renewable energy to meet 111% of its Iowa customers needs. (The utility serves multiple states so its overall fuel mix is: 65% carbon free (mostly wind) and 35% fossil fuel (coal and natural gas).

OPPD, in its newly released Integrated Resource Plan, said it will need to add 1,800 megawatts of wind and solar over the next eight years, with more to be installed in later years. OPPD generates enough renewable energy to meet 38% of its customers needs and most of that comes from wind. It sells power to other utilities, so its overall fuel mix is nearly 70% fossil fuels and slightly more than 30% renewable energy.

NPPDs plans will be more clearly laid out next year when it releases its Integrated Resource Plan. NPPD generates enough carbon-free energy to supply 65% of its customers needs, with most of that coming from nuclear. It, too, sells electricity on the market, so its overall generation is 45% carbon free and 55% fossil fuels.

The push for renewables has become more urgent for both environmental and economic reasons.

In August, the International Panel on Climate Change noted that climate change is intensifying, and some of its trends have become irreversible. The head of the United Nations described the report as a code red for humanity....the evidence is irrefutable.

As the consequences of climate change become more onerous, theres a general expectation that regulations will ramp up pressure on utilities. Power plants cost hundreds of millions of dollars so utilities that dont plan ahead could be in financial peril if climate shocks force society to make abrupt changes.

Fossil fuels still generate about 60% of the nations electricity, while nuclear power and renewables provide about 20% each, according to the Energy Information Agency.

If Nebraska or Iowa utilities want to build a nuclear plant using new technology, they wouldnt have far to look for an example.

In Kemmerer, Wyoming, in the southwest part of the state, companies related to Bill Gates and Buffett are piloting a plant. The Natrium reactor is being built by TerraPower, a company spearheaded by Gates, and PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

MidAmerican, as a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, will be able to monitor the project through its participation on an advisory committee, Greenwood said.

All three utilities say its too early to talk about where they might build a nuclear plant.

Furthermore, if Nebraskas largest utilities decide to pursue nuclear, theyll have the advantage of experience, executives say. NPPD operates Cooper Nuclear Station at Brownville, and OPPD operated Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station until 2016.

OPPD closed Fort Calhoun due to its high cost. The plant, about half the size of Cooper, was the smallest in the U.S. and economies of scale worked against it, the utility says.

Kent said NPPD plans to operate Cooper until its license expires in 2034.

After that, NPPD could seek a license extension to keep Cooper running.

I see that as a good path forward, Kent said. But our board hasnt made any decision; well be working on this over the next few years.

The license renewal process is lengthy and can be costly, and NPPD will have to demonstrate that its plant, which went online in 1974, can be safely operated 60 to 70 years later.

Lincoln Electric System hopes to be at net zero carbon by 2040. NPPD and OPPD are targeting 2050 for net zero. Net zero doesnt mean a utility eliminates all fossil fuels. It just means that the utility intends to negate any remaining carbon emissions by the year theyve targeted.

How a utility will do that depends upon emerging technologies.

The environmental community is united on the urgency of climate change but divided over the issue of nuclear energy.

David Corbin, chairman of the Missouri Valley Sierra Clubs energy committee, pointed to the costs and dangers associated with nuclear power.

Corbin said nuclear power costs two to three times more per megawatt than solar or wind, and it creates deadly waste with no permanent storage solution.

Additionally, Corbin pointed to last weeks report by the Inspector General of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that found that counterfeit, fraudulent or suspect parts were being used in some of the nations nuclear plants.

High level nuclear waste from Nebraskas nuclear power plants is stored about 20 miles north of Omaha at the shuttered Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station and about 70 mile south of Omaha at the Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville. If small reactors are built in rural Nebraska, then resulting nuclear waste may likewise be stored at those scattered sites.

The Biden administration views nuclear as a essential to reaching net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050.

The $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package approved by Congress last year will allocate about $2.5 billion for advanced reactor demonstration projects and $6 billion to help existing nuclear plants, such as Cooper, stay open.

Closure of nuclear plants is a concern. Fort Calhoun in Nebraska and the Duane Arnold Nuclear Station in Iowa are two of 12 commercial reactors that have ceased operations. The U.S. has 93 aging, active reactors.

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the administration wants to see the U.S. break free of reliance on fossil fuels. That means nuclear, that means hydropower, that means geothermal, that means obviously wind on and offshore, that means solar.

We want it all, Granholm said.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.

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A Cass County deputy fatally shot a 34-year-old Alvo, Nebraska, man Sunday night after his father called 911 to report that he had been assaulted by his son.

Andrew Stratton died at his fathers home near 238th Street and Alvo Road after being shot multiple times by the deputy.

The Nebraska State Patrol, which is investigating the incident but also had a trooper respond to assist with the situation, did not provide the name of the deputy. Capt. Dave Lamprecht of the Cass County Sheriffs Office also declined to give the name of the deputy.

About 11 p.m. Sunday, Cass County deputies went to the one-story home after Strattons father left the home and called 911, saying he had been hit in the head by Stratton.

During negotiations, when deputies thought Stratton was in the basement and possibly armed, a deputy fired his gun multiple times, the patrol said. Cody Thomas, a spokesman for the patrol, said he was unaware of the exact number of shots fired by the deputy.

A State Patrol trooper had arrived at the home moments before and heard gunshots from outside the home. The trooper and deputies rushed inside the home and gave CPR to Stratton, but he did not survive.

Authorities found a bow and arrow and a long knife near Stratton, Thomas said.

State law requires that a grand jury hearing be held to review the in-custody death. The Nebraska State Patrol special investigations team is reviewing the incident.

When he was 22 years old, Stratton pleaded guilty to a felony charge of terroristic threats and was sentenced in 2010 to 20 to 30 months in prison. In exchange for the plea, charges of weapon use and resisting arrest using a deadly weapon were dropped by prosecutors.

At one point during the case, he had been deemed not competent for trial and was sent to the Lincoln Regional Center for treatment.

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A judge will not transfer Rep. Jeff Fortenberrys trial to Nebraska, noting that a fundraiser that was the genesis of the criminal case against the nine-term congressman took place in California.

So shall the trial, U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. ruled Monday.

The judge set Fortenberrys trial to begin March 15 in Los Angeles. Attorneys have guessed it will take about four days.

Fortenberry, of Lincoln, stands accused of three felonies  seeking to conceal the existence of conduit contributions that originated from a Paris-based Nigerian billionaire and two counts of lying to federal agents about the source of those funds. The funds were channeled through a California fundraiser for Fortenberry.

Fortenberry wants a trial quickly, his attorneys say, so he can clear his name before this years election. Fortenberry faces a Republican challenger, State Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk, in the May 10 primary for the 1st Congressional District. The winner of that will take on the Democratic winner, among a field that so far includes State Sen. Patty Pansing-Brooks and Jazari Kual, both of Lincoln.

Chad Kolton, a spokesman for Fortenberrys campaign, repeated the defenses contention that the case was a setup.

It is vital to get this injustice corrected at the earliest possible opportunity and when California suspended jury trials the motion to change venue became necessary to do that. With California courts now reopening, the judges ruling is consistent with our top priority to have a jury hear this case and clear Jeff Fortenberrys name as soon as possible.

Federal prosecutors suggested that Fortenberrys attorneys wanted the transfer because they were forum shopping  trying to find a more favorable judge and jurors by moving the case to Nebraska.

On Friday, lead attorney John Littrell took the brunt of Judge Blumenfelds incredulousness when he suggested that the judge should keep the case if he was going to dismiss it but transfer the case if he was not.

Maybe give me a serious answer, Judge Blumenfeld admonished Littrell.

That is a serious response, Littrell said. I can tell the court is offended by that.

Im not offended; Im surprised, Blumenfeld said. It seems so blatantly self-serving.

Blumenfeld ruled Monday that moving the trial would not serve the interests of justice. Not only did the alleged crime take place in California, Blumenfeld said he was in a better position to try the case quickly because he has heard all the motions and arguments.

Fortenberry had suggested that it would be easier for witness travel if the trial was in Omaha. But the judge ruled that, weighing everything, the location of the witnesses was a wash.

Whether trial is held in Los Angeles or Nebraska, a total of 10 witnesses will need to travel, Blumenfeld wrote. This assumes, however, that defendant likely will call the six witnesses located outside Los Angeles. But he has not provided sufficient information to allow the court to assess the likelihood of him calling those witnesses.

A further hearing on pretrial motions is expected later this week.

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HARTINGTON, Neb.  Soybean growers are optimistic about the future of biodiesel.

A move toward cleaner energy sources bodes well for renewable sources, and soybeans are a vital component.

Biodiesel goes in a lot of things, said Ed Lammers, who was the United Soybean Boards oil target coordinator in 2021. Anything we can do to lessen our demand from overseas oil production and convert it to biodiesel is good for the whole nation.

Particularly promising is SAF, or sustainable aviation fuel, something that is gaining favor. Even oil producer British Petroleum touts its benefits.

SAF gives an impressive reduction of up to 80% in carbon emissions over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to traditional jet fuel it replaces, depending on the sustainable feedstock used, production method and supply chain to the airport, the company said on its website.

Shell and other oil companies are also getting on the bandwagon. One barrier is cost, as SAF is more expensive than petroleum-based aviation fuel. The benefits to the environment and health are proven.

Were finding out through studies that there is a large health benefit to using biodiesel, said Lammers, who farms near Hartington in northeast Nebraska. You can go to 50% blends and reduce carbon 60% to 70%. That has a huge health advantage.

A 2021 study in which the National Biodiesel Board partnered with Trinity Consultants found that use of B100 could save lives and increase productivity. The study, which looked at 13 communities in the U.S., said cleaner fuels could dramatically reduce instances of cancer and asthma while also cutting down on sick days for employees.

So-called renewable diesel may hold even more promise. It has the same chemical formulation as petroleum-based diesel, according to John Jansen, USBs vice president of strategic partnerships.

Its a one-for-one replacement, Jansen said. Its a lot easier to track. You can make pretty dramatic improvements in greenhouse gas reduction.

Renewable diesel cannot be used as aviation fuel, however.

Another promising product is PoreShield, a soy-based concrete sealant that protects bridges, roadways and other surfaces from the effects of freezing rain and snow. The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law by President Biden last year could be a boon for soybean-based products such as PoreShield.

The infrastructure bill is quite broad, Lammers said. Anything we can do to lessen our demand from overseas oil production and convert it to biodiesel  a more sustainable, environmentally friendly and renewable resource  is good for the whole nation. Were hopeful theyll use this surface treatment that is a great replacement for petroleum-based products.

Jansen also believes the push for soy-based products will drive the industry over the next several years.

Theres no doubt that there is a desire by this administration to ramp up these renewables, he said. Youre mitigating 74% of greenhouse gas emissions for every gallon of petroleum you replace.

Demand for biodiesel is driving expansion of processing. Nine new integrated crusher-refiners are under construction, which will add 15% to North American crush and refining by 2024, according to Jansen.

Were moving as fast as the infrastructure can support it, he said. Were running 93% of processors ability to produce soybean oil to meet renewable standards.

Lammers agrees.

Were going to have a few bottlenecks in the production, but were going to get there, he said.

Analysts expect U.S. farmers to expand soybean acres by 5% at the expense of corn this year. Though much of that increase will likely come because of high fertilizer prices, new uses of beans are also driving increased supply.

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Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx was elected in 2016 as a reform candidate, knocking out incumbent Anita Alvarez after harshly criticizing the way she handled charges in 17-year-old Laquan McDonalds fatal shooting by on-duty Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

One major change could make sure police are truly being held accountable, Foxx said on the campaign trail: Special prosecutors  not Cook County assistant states attorneys  should decide whether to bring criminal charges against officers allegedly involved in such crimes.

There is an inherent conflict of interest because of the intimate relationship between the prosecutors office and the police, and to suggest that doesnt exist is disingenuous, Foxx said at a campaign forum in January 2016.

Van Dyke has since been tried, convicted, sentenced and, as of last week, released from prison. But one of Foxxs most prominent campaign promises has not come to pass.

Cook County prosecutors in her administration have never sought the appointment of a special prosecutor in a police shooting case. And in at least two instances, Cook County prosecutors have said they opposed bringing in outside attorneys to reinvestigate police shootings, saying their office had already reviewed the cases and determined charges were not appropriate.

While Van Dykes case was handled by a special prosecutor, that decision was made before Foxx took office. A group of activists petitioned to take the case out of Alvarezs hands, and after Alvarez lost the Democratic primary to Foxx, she withdrew her opposition to their effort. Then-Kane County States Attorney Joseph McMahon was appointed to prosecute Van Dyke in Alvarezs stead.

Ultimately, the barriers to getting special prosecutors in each police shooting case were logistical, rather than philosophical, Foxx told the Tribune. And procedures involving charging decisions in those cases have evolved in Cook County since the Alvarez administration, due to structural changes within Foxxs office as well as changes in Illinois law.

When Foxx began her tenure, if prosecutors wanted a special prosecutor, they would have to petition a judge in each individual case and allege a legal conflict of interest; it would be up to the judge to decide whether the conflict existed and a special prosecutor could be appointed.

In appointing a special prosecutor, a judge must determine if other public prosecuting agencies are willing and able to act as special prosecutor before turning to private attorneys.

In an interview, Foxx told the Tribune that she envisioned the state attorney generals office handling the charging decisions and potential prosecution of police-involved shootings, which is the practice in some other jurisdictions. But then-Attorney General Lisa Madigans administration said they did not have the resources to do so, Foxx said. After current Attorney General Kwame Raoul took office in 2019, his office said something similar, according to Foxx.

Annie Thompson, a spokesperson for Raouls office, said she could not confirm which conversations may have taken place, but said that their office gets referrals on a variety of matters  not just police shootings  when claims are made about a states attorneys possible conflict of interest.

Whether a true conflict of interest exists should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the mere fact that a states attorneys office has worked on matters with a police department does not mean an actual conflict exists (for instance, we work with the Chicago Police Department as well), Thompson wrote in an email to the Tribune. Our decision to take up a matter referred by a states attorney involves evaluating our capacity to handle the matter and determining whether an actual conflict of interest exists.

A judge could also seek to appoint a prosecutor from another county, but those prosecutors tend to be reluctant to engage in a police-involved shooting in another jurisdiction, Foxx said. These are incredibly difficult cases, complex cases.

Another option would be appointing private attorneys on the taxpayer dime, and finding attorneys with the expertise to handle those complex investigations might be difficult, Foxx said.

Its not enough to say all right, to ensure you that we are not in cahoots with police, we can let someone else do it, we still need a thorough investigation with lawyers who are trained in doing these types of investigations, she said. And right now we still dont have a system in place that would give that confidence. We would still be waiting for someone to pick it up.

Foxx said her office has been communicating with state legislators and Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office in hopes of coming up with a statewide solution to ensuring that independent agencies examine cases of police violence. That could potentially include putting together a panel of qualified private attorneys who could be tapped as special prosecutors in those cases, she said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Pritzkers office said the governor is open to all policy ideas to make the justice system work more fairly and ensure that all Illinoisans can believe in the system.

Our office has had preliminary conversations with the states attorney over the past several years, but we would require many more stakeholder conversations before settling on a recommended approach, Jordan Abudayyeh wrote.

Meanwhile, internal policy changes and state law has changed the way Cook County prosecutors handle charging decisions in police shootings.

Since a new state law took effect in 2018, when the Cook County states attorneys office declines to charge an officer in a shooting, the Illinois Office of the States Attorney Appellate Prosecutor takes a second look at the case to determine if they believe charges are necessary.

If you dont trust what Im doing, theres another body that can look at that work, Foxx said, noting that her office pushed for the change in state law.

And in 2019, the team of attorneys who prosecute police misconduct was moved out of the normal chain of command in the special prosecutions bureau. Instead, the law enforcement accountability division reports directly to the first assistant states attorney, who is Foxxs second-in-command. That way, prosecutors who rely on police to make their cases are more separate from the prosecutors deciding whether to bring charges against officers. LEAD is tasked with reviewing all claims of officer misconduct, not just shootings or fatalities.

A prosecutor from the accountability division is on call 24 hours a day to be notified of police shootings, and typically within 72 hours of an incident, prosecutors meet with COPA and representatives of other investigative agencies for a debriefing, said Assistant States Attorney Lynn McCarthy, who heads up LEAD.

Foxx acknowledged that the unit needs more staffers; as of this month, there were seven attorneys.

They also have brought in outside experts on use of force to consult on whether charges might be appropriate, Foxx said.

The LEAD website posts lengthy memos detailing why prosecutors declined to charge in a police-involved fatal shooting. Most of the cases also include the second look decision from the states attorney appellate prosecutors office, explaining why that agency agreed that charges were not appropriate. While some 40 memos are available online, the list is out of date; the most recent police shooting for which a memo is posted occurred in 2019.

Cook County prosecutors have brought some charges against police in on- and off-duty shootings in recent years; within the first few months of Foxxs administration, Chicago police Officer Lowell Houser was charged with murder in a fatal off-duty shooting and Amtrak police Officer LaRoyce Tankson faced murder charges in an on-duty fatal shooting. Houser was later found guilty of second-degree murder; Tankson was acquitted.

More recently, Chicago police Officer Melvina Bogard was charged last summer for an on-duty February 2020 shooting at the Grand Avenue Red Line station. Video of the lengthy and public struggle on the platform went viral; Bogard is awaiting trial on felony charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct.

And after nearly a year, the office has not yet announced a charging decision in perhaps the highest-profile police shooting since Laquan McDonalds: The death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo last March.

Prosecutors declined to comment about specific cases, but noted that charging decisions in police shootings can take time in part because so many agencies are involved in the investigation, including the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the Illinois State Police for forensic work, and the Chicago Police Department. The review also includes input from families of the individuals involved in the shooting, according to a statement from the office.

Its a lengthy process because of how thorough it is in working with multiple agencies, McCarthy said. It involves a lot of time to make sure we have all the materials from various agencies.  Because of the seriousness, obviously were going to be as thorough as possible.

If Illinois were to take charging decisions out of the hands of local prosecutors altogether, they would be following in the footsteps of other jurisdictions around the country.

In New Jersey, all fatal police shootings are investigated by the state attorney generals office. That office also must bring the results of each investigation to a grand jury, which will decide whether charges are appropriate.

The New York attorney generals office also handles investigations and prosecutions of fatal police shootings in that state. As of last year, California law requires the state Department of Justice, not local prosecutors, to investigate and make prosecuting decisions after police fatally shoot an unarmed citizen.

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The Chief Executive Officer of Royal Vina Foods, Davina Sheila Mensah has emerged as the Entrepreneur of the Year at the just-ended fourth edition of the Youth Excellence Awards (YEA) held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.



The prestigious award was in recognition of her dedication and commitment in building the local production industry as well as being a highly respected advocate for best practices in consuming made in Ghana brands.



Expressing her delights after receiving the awards on her Instagram handle, Davina Mensah said, she is very grateful to God and the entire Royal Vina team for such wonderful work done over the year.



According to her, the team has performed wonderfully well since the introduction of the made in Ghana prod into the Ghanaian market.



"Congratulations to the entire team of the Royal Vina Foods and our cherished customers. We won by God's grace", she said.



Davina Sheila Mensah took the opportunity to entreat everyone to keep consuming made in Ghana products and services in order to build a strong and resilient economy for a better future.



" I will like to entreat everyone to keep eating made in Ghana foods for a better economy".



The Youth Excellence Awards (YEA), is an awards scheme that seeks to honour and celebrate outstanding youth in Africa who goes through thick and thin to create a positive impact on society in their various field of work.



In attendance were prominent Ghanaian celebrities and public figures in the likes of Bola Ray, who was honoured for his hard work, the French Ambassador, Her Excellency Anne Sophie-AVE who also grabbed the Ambassador Of The Year Award.



Davina Sheila Mensah earlier this year won the Entrepreneur of the Year and Royal Vina Foods emerged as the Discovery Local Brand of the Year at the Global Business and Entrepreneurship Summit and Awards (GBESA 2021).



Royal Vina food is a food entity that deals in the production of Ghana brown rice, Ghana white rice, Pure honey, brown sugar and coconut oil.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Cumulative direct investments into the country through the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) under the management of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) have topped $4 billion as of the end of 2020, data has shown.



The figure, from the GFZA, translates to an average annual investment in the region of US$160 million from domestic and foreign sources since the establishment of the GFZA in 1995, a move that formed part of measures aimed at promoting the manufacturing and export base of the country.



The investment value has so far yielded a total production value in excess of US$21 billion over the period, from value-addition in sectors such as agro-food processing, floriculture, petrochemicals, textile manufacturing, metal fabrication, and ethnic beauty products, amongst others.



Additionally, a look at the total value of exports since inception currently stands at US$27 billion, with the past five years averaging US$1.5 billion in exports from the Zones. During the period under consideration, some 30,000 direct jobs have been created, with an additional 25,000 indirect jobs, the data suggests.



Equitably Ghanaian-focused



Dispelling the notion that the GFZA was overly focused on foreign investors, its Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Michael A. Oquaye Jnr. stated in a wide-ranging interview with the B&FT that the prevailing regulatory regime ensures fairness and equity for domestic and foreign investors, alike.



He added that recent checks by his outfit revealed that 65 percent of actively licensed Free Zones companies had Ghanaian interest, with 31 percent of the said companies being wholly Ghanaian-owned and another 34 percent, joint ventures between Ghanaians investors and their foreign partners. We have done a very good job over the years in attracting indigenous investment in the operations of the Zone and it is our priority to intensify this drive even further, he remarked.



Sensitization



Key to deepening the participation of domestic players, Ambassador Oquaye said, there is the progressive increase in knowledge about the numerous opportunities presented by the Ghana Free Zones Authority. He stated. It is our goal to further enhance local participation, and this will be evident as the year pans out, he said, pointing to several domestic engagements, including imminent roadshows and its planned 2022 Investment Week program scheduled for June.



The average investor in some jurisdictions is fully aware of and takes advantage of special economic arrangements, sadly, it is not so where we are, our awareness is not very pervasive with the business community although growing by the year. We need to be aggressive in our quest to change that narrative. We want to meet as many associations and business groupings as possible and we believe that before the end of the year, people would have a better understanding of the free zones concept and how they can partake in it, he explained.



Ambassador Oquaye noted that special emphasis will be given to businesses willing to invest in the Authoritys priority areas which include, Agro  food processing, Textile/ Apparel Manufacturing, Floriculture, Metal Fabrication, JewelryProduction, Seafood Processing Pharmaceuticals, Light Industry.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A woman was stabbed to death inside her lower Manhattan apartment by a man who followed her from the street into her building, authorities said.

Christina Yuna Lee, 35, was found fatally wounded in her bathtub at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police said. The suspected killer was taken into custody after he at first tried to flee down a fire escape and then barricaded himself inside the apartment, a police spokesperson said.

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People hold signs and pictures of Christina Yuna Lee during a rally in the Chinatown section of New York, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Lee was stabbed to death inside her lower Manhattan apartment by a man who followed her from the street into her building, authorities said. (Seth Wenig/AP)

Police announced Monday that Assamad Nash, 25, was arrested on charges of murder and burglary. It wasnt clear if he had an attorney who could comment on the charges.

Officials including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams denounced Lees killing as the latest in a string of unprovoked attacks on people of Asian descent.

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I join New Yorkers standing together in support of our AAPI friends & neighbors, Hochul said on Twitter.

Police have not classified Lees death as a hate crime, but Adams said the police are investigating and added, we stand with our Asian community today.

People hold signs and pictures of Christina Yuna Lee during a rally in the Chinatown section of New York, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Lee was stabbed to death inside her lower Manhattan apartment by a man who followed her from the street into her building, authorities said. (Seth Wenig/AP)

Lee worked as a senior creative producer at Splice, an online platform for digital music. She was a graduate of Rutgers University and had previously worked for companies including Marriott and the shoe retailer Toms, according to her LinkedIn page.

Over the weekend, our beloved Christina Lee was senselessly murdered in her home, Splice officials said in a statement posted on Twitter. Our hearts are broken. Always dedicated to making beautiful and inclusive artwork, Christina is irreplaceable. As we start to process this tragedy, we ask that you remember Christina Lee as the magical person she was, always filled with joy. We wish peace upon her family in their grief.

Surveillance video obtained by the New York Post shows a man following Lee into her building on Chrystie Street in Chinatown.

The buildings landlord told the Post that cameras posted on every floor showed the man followed Lee all the way up the stairs to her sixth floor apartment. A neighbor heard screaming and called 911, police said.

The killing happened weeks after another woman of Asian descent, Michelle Alyssa Go, was killed by a man who pushed her in front of an oncoming subway train at the Times Square station.

Police have not classified Lees death as a hate crime, but Adams said the police are investigating and added, we stand with our Asian community today.
The National Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammi Awuku took over the reins of the National Lottery Authority as Director General barely a year ago but he's already leaving an impressive indelible mark at the Authority that deserves commendation.



Sammi Awuku, upon resuming office, has made significant changes in the NLA streamlining the lottery sector of the economy and providing better opportunities for NLA customers.



The Director General, as part of his goals to improve the operations of the NLA, has first instilled a major discipline in the staff of the Authority which is making them comply with the working time.



As a result, he as the Director General, is always the first to go work, hence encouraging the workers to be early to work as well.



Aside the fact that now NLA employees are punctual and efficient as they start work on time, Mr. Awuku has also resolved all internal disputes that existed, particularly the political divisions, so as to stimulate unity and hard work among them.



Mr. Awuku made all these known in an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's flagship programme ''Kokrokoo''.



''I'm excited that everybody is aligned when it comes to this vision and now we see ourselves as one body. Everybody is in a hurry to go to work the next morning and it hasn't been by a miracle. We work towards it. Traditionally, it is difficult to change but when progress demands change, there must be change and I think the working attitude of the people, I say as for the politics, you can't stop them but from the 8am - 5pm, you can't engage in that...What I'm happy is that now we don't mix the politics with our revenue'', he said.



Under his leadership too, the NLA has touched thousands of lives through its good causes.



''From Christmas, that's from December to end of January, through this our good causes and spreading cheer, we've touched over 15000 lives'', he revealed.



Not to sound like he's blowing his own trumpet although he deserves the praises, Mr. Awuku also disclosed the efforts he and the management of the NLA have made to settle a conflict between their service provider, KGL Technology Limited and them.



He elucidated; ''KGL was supposed to plug into our backend but in the NLA's agreement, the NLA owned online monitoring platform. NLA did not give KGL that online monitoring platform for them to plug in. So, we did it to ourselves, I admit. [2] They were supposed to transfer knowledge in terms of ICT...whatever KGL has doesn't belong to them. It's for the NLA. Yes, Yes, we own the infrastructure. They (KGL) are only our service provider, so they have to also train our people.



''So, I asked our people whether they sent a proposal to them. Was there a training programme you laid before them that they didn't do? And they responded that no. I also made KGL aware that with the substantive that we're walking through currently, I cannot accept the 30 million this year, so, they will have to come dressing properly.''



With these facts established, Sammi Awuku could be said to be one of the effective Director Generals of the National Lottery Authority as he continues to show exemplary leadership.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Sammi Awuku, the National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party, says the next delegates elections of the party will be the end of his term.



In a one-on-one interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo", Mr. Awuku disclosed he will no longer contest for a party position.



He however hinted he aims for a higher political position, although refusing to offer detailed information on his next journey.



''What I know is that I won't be on the ballot when the NPP goes for elections to elect national officers but I will go home'', he responded.



Nonetheless, grapevine has it that Sammi Awuku, who is currently the Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), desires to be a Member of Parliament.



Listen to his full interview below:





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu says government will no longer withdraw and re-lay the challenged Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy) Bill as earlier communicated.



He also rubbished claims that NPP leadership in parliament has confirmed the withdrawal of the controversial E-levy.



Since the Finance Minister proposed a 1.75% charge on all electronic transactions in the 2022 budget to increase revenue, there have been stiff opposition from a section of Ghanaians including the Minority in Parliament.



Opposers have cited concerns about the impact of the levy on ordinary Ghanaians.



Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu told NEAT FMs morning show, Ghana Montie that - the government is rather opting to amend the E-Levy rather than withdraw it totally given the magnitude of the work done by the committee.



We have not said anywhere that the government through the finance minister has withdrawn the E-levy, he told host Kwesi Aboagye



Adding that, we are looking at reamending the bill.



Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, was expected in Parliament last Friday to withdraw the Bill and reintroduce a revised version for the houses consideration next Tuesday, February 15. But that did not happen.



Per the Finance Ministry estimates, the controversial E-Levy is estimated to rake in some 6.9 billion annually.



This, according to the Ministry, will increase the countrys tax-to-GDP from 13% to a targeted 16% or more.









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.

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" " Can a heart-shaped box of chocolates come through when Cupid's arrow misses the mark? Thinkstock

Esther Howland, the woman who produced the first commercial American valentines in the 1840s, sold a then mind-boggling $5,000 in cards during her first year of business. The valentine industry in the United States has been booming ever since. Today, over 1 billion valentine cards are sent in this country each year -- second in number only to Christmas cards, according to the Greeting Card Association. (The happy day is also celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia.)

Around 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to cards, there are millions of boxes of chocolates and bouquets of roses purchased (mostly by men) for the February 14 holiday.

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The origins of Valentine's Day are shrouded in mystery. According to University of Notre Dame Professor Lawrence Cunningham, scholars have two main theories to explain how February 14 became synonymous with romance:

Roman Feast of Lupercalia - This ancient pagan fertility celebration, which honored Juno, queen of the Roman gods and goddesses and goddess of women and marriage, was held on February 14, the day before the feast began. During festival time, women would write love letters, also known as billets , and leave them in a large urn. The men of Rome would then draw a note from the urn and ardently pursue the woman who wrote the message they had chosen. (Apparently, the custom of lottery drawings to select valentines continued into the 18th century, coming to an end when people decided they'd rather choose -- sight seen! -- their valentines.)

The Birds and the Bees? - In the Middle Ages, people began to send love letters on Valentine's Day. Medieval Europeans believed that birds began to mate on February 14.

There's also some controversy regarding Saint Valentine, for whom the famous day is named. Archaeologists, who unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to St. Valentine, are not sure if there was one Valentine or more. Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred on February 14 -- at least two of those in Italy during the 3rd century. The most popular candidate for St. Valentine was a 3rd century Roman priest who practiced Christianity and performed secret marriages against direct orders from Emperor Claudius II, who believed single soldiers were more likely to join his army. Legend has it that Valentine sent a friend (the jailer's daughter) a note signed "From Your Valentine" before he was executed on February 14 in 270 A.D. (That phrase is still used prominently on today's cards!)

Early Christians were happier with the idea of a holiday honoring the saint of romantic causes than with one recognizing a pagan festival. In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius named February 14 in honor of St. Valentine as the patron saint of lovers. In 1969, Pope Paul VI dropped it from the calendar. However, the blend of Roman festival and Christian martyrdom had caught on, and Valentine's Day was here to stay.
Experimental setup with laser-cooled rubidium atoms, which process the quantum data in visible light (left). Experimental setup of the laser beam, which programs quantum operations carried out in light trapped inside the atoms (right). Credit: University of Warsaw

Several years ago, physicists from the Centre for Quantum Optical Technologies and the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw designed and built the first quantum memory in Poland, which was further developed into a quantum processor.

"Our processor is based on a cloud of cold atoms. They can efficiently store and process information from light," describes Dr. Michal Parniak, leader of the Quantum-Optical Devices Laboratory.

In an article recently published in Nature Communications, Ph.D. students Mateusz Mazelanik and Adam Leszczynski, with Dr. Michal Parniak show that the device can solve real-world problems, which can't be worked out with standard processors; it can be used as part of a superresolution spectrometer.

"We squeeze out as much information as we can from individual photons, so the measurement becomes very efficient," comments first author Mateusz Mazelanik.

The light that comes to us from different objects holds plenty of information, such as the matter from which these objects are made out of. This information is visible in the light spectrum (you can see the spectrum when light is dispersed in a prism).

The paper's first author (left) - Mateusz Mazelanik - and the manager of the Quantum Optical Devices Laboratory - Dr Michal Parniak - next to the quantum-memory-based processor for light. Credit: University of Warsaw

Light that reaches us from a distant star tells us about the elements that the star is made out of (this is how we know what stars in other galaxies are made out of). When we pass light through a solution or a substance, we're able to determine what it's composed of, i.e. whether it contains toxins. The science of collecting and analyzing this type of information is known as spectroscopy (also known as spectrometry). This scientific field is used by biologists, physicists, astronomers, chemists and medical doctors on a daily basis.

But there's a significant limitation in spectroscopy, known as the Rayleigh limit, which states that the information from light can't be obtained with infinite precision. Some of the signals of the spectrum, known as spectral lines, can be so similar that traditional optical spectrometers can't differentiate between them.

"Our device and algorithm allow us to not only gather information from light more efficiently, but it could also improve "cramming" information into light," says Dr. Parniak. He notes that this idea could be used in telecommunications as well, where more efficient data storage and processing in light is becoming essential.

Although there have been efforts to circumvent the limits of spectroscopy, the researchers of the University of Warsaw demonstrated how to do this in a completely unconventional waywith the use of solutions from quantum information science. Because where classical physics can't cope, quantum physics sometimes offers a whole spectrum of possibilities.

Physicists of the University of Warsaw have built a device that can achieve a high resolution in spectroscopy (15 kHz, or forty parts per trillion) by using a small amount of light from a particular object. "Our spectrometer beats the classical limit using 20 times less photons than the hypothetical traditional spectrometer," says Mateusz Mazelanik, "But this is a remarkable achievement because a classical device with a similar resolution doesn't actually exist."

The processor, which was built at the University of Warsaw, uses a cloud of several billion cooled rubidium atoms placed in a vacuum field, in order to carry out calculations (the atoms are visible to the naked eyein the photographa red dot in the violet glass chamber on the left side of the device).

If the atoms are placed in a magnetic field and illuminated with a laser, they can be controlled to perform particular logic operations, such as process information on the spectrum of light that they are illuminated with.

Quantum effects are used in the calculations, so calculations in the "cold atomic cloud" don't substitute conventional binary calculations, but add a new level of quality.

"We came up with the idea of how a quantum processor could be used to solve particular problems in spectroscopy," says Dr. Michal Parniak. And he emphasizes that, up until this point, finding practical applications for quantum processors and designing devices like these with unique solutions in mind wasn't at all obvious.

More information: Mateusz Mazelanik et al, Optical-domain spectral super-resolution via a quantum-memory-based time-frequency processor, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Mateusz Mazelanik et al, Optical-domain spectral super-resolution via a quantum-memory-based time-frequency processor,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28066-5
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Something was just not right.

High up in a tree in the dark of night in Gloucester County's South Harrison Township, an American bald eagle had been flapping its wings for hours, with no sign of taking flight.

Alerted to the great creature's obvious distress, county animal control officers sought the help of local fire companies. They came with ladder trucks, aiming to capture the bird. Any healthy eagle, even an injured one, would have soared away. But not this fellow, tethered, it seemed, by some invisible trouble.

So he was gathered up and taken to Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, a Delaware avian rehabilitation center that treats many eagles. What Tri-State caregivers found was disheartening, but not surprising.

The eagle's strange behavior that night in December wasn't due to a damaged wing or other injury. The eagle had lead poisoning.

"We see it all the time," said Lisa Smith, Tri-State executive director. "It's very sad, and it's frustrating because it's preventable."

Wildlife rehabilitation leaders like Smith, as well as animal biologists and other experts, say bald eaglesuntil recently an endangered specieshave been getting sick and even dying after ingesting lead from the remains of other animals shot with lead bullets. It's similar to the neurological damage suffered by children who consume lead-based paint and other lead sources.

But now there is new evidence that lead poisoning isn't just harming individual animals: It is cutting into the hard-won gains that have been made to save this symbol of American strength and freedom.

A team of researchers from Cornell University has found that the population rebound of our National Birda conservation success story decades in the makingis being stunted by lead poisoning from gunshot ammunition.

Published in the Journal of Wildlife Management, the Cornell study states that lead ingestion by bald eagles has reduced their population growth on average each year by more than 6% for male birds and about 4% for females. That was for the nearly 30 years viewed by the study. The researchers used computer modeling along with real-life data from seven Northeastern states, including New Jersey.

But the study, although it addresses hunting practices, isn't anti-hunting, say its authors.

"Hopefully this report will add information that compels hunters, as conservationists, to think about their ammunition choices," said Krysten L. Schuler, senior study author and assistant research professor in Cornell's department of public and ecosystem health.

"There are non-lead alternatives out there for ammunition, which would not poison eagles and other scavengers that might feed on parts left behind by hunters," said Schuler, herself a hunter who uses copper ammunition rather than lead. "It's an outreach and education campaign for people who hunt to know this effect is real, and they can make changes to the ammunition they use that will really help out eagles and other animals."

The Cornell researchers said bald eagles and other animals that scavenge for food often ingest lead by feeding on the remains left behind when hunters field dress their game. Biologists say very small amounts of lead are enough to cause an eagle significant harm, even death. In other instances, eagles may get poisoned when they feed on so-called nuisance animals like groundhogs or raccoons shot by homeowners with lead ammunition.

Some hunters, skeptical about lead's overall population impact, say alternative ammunition is more costly and can be hard to access. But Schuler said there are options.

"There are other things hunters can do," she said. "They can remove those organs and not leave them out in the field if they're shooting with lead. It's not an all-or-nothing deal."

There's no doubt that the American bald eagle has made a robust return. Thanks in part to the banning of the pesticide DDT in 1972, this once-endangered species has made gradual but dramatic strides.

Between 2009 and 2021 alone, their numbers quadrupled to more than 316,000 birds, according to federal figures.

Many factors can threaten eagles' survival, the greatest being habitat loss and disturbance by humans, according to the most recent New Jersey Bald Eagle Project report. Other causes of eagle deaths noted in the report were electrocution from power lines, getting hit by cars or trains, fights with other eagles, disease, as well as toxins like lead.

An eagle with severe lead poisoning is a terrible sight, say wildlife rehabilitators. The birds go into seizures. Some can't keep their heads up. They may lose other bodily coordination and control. They may not be able to fly, let alone hunt. These birds may die or have to be euthanized.

But even lower levels of lead can be the underlying factor in an eagle injury or even death.

"Every eagle that comes into a rehab center gets tested for lead. A lot of them are going to have that sublethal level [of lead]. But they're impaired; lead is a neurotoxin," said Kathy Clark, supervising biologist with New Jersey's Endangered and Non-Game Species Program. "To be impaired for a wild animal is really going to lessen their survival."

Clark said her department is currently analyzing more than 100 eagle liver samples collected over about 15 years for lead, rodenticides and toxins. When that study is completed this year, she said, they may have a better idea of the extent of exposure to these hazardous substances.

People who run programs that care for injured or ailing eagles say they already know lead is behind many of the problems they see.

"We're seeing eagles come in with all kinds of problems, but almost all of them come in with an unhealthy level of lead, even if the issue they were rescued for didn't appear to be lead," said Peggy Sue Hentz, founder of Red Creek Wildlife Center in Schuylkill Haven. "It goes back to the fact that the eagles were in a diminished condition.

"You have the toxic effect of the lead, and you have a bird in a weakened condition unable to take care of itself like it should," Hentz said. "It ends up being singled out by healthy eagles that attack it, or it ends up scavenging on roadways and getting hit by cars."

That was basically the story behind a badly injured female bald eagle brought to Red Creek early last year. Instead of nesting as a healthy female eagle would have been doing that time of year, this bird was hopping around on the ground of a farmer's field in Turbotville, unable to fly.

When she was brought to Red Creek, an examination revealed badly torn ligaments in one of her wings, punctures all over her body, likely from a fight with another eagle, and a moderate-to-severe blood lead level.

Sometimes, blood poisoning is the only thing to blame for a bird's impaired state. That was the case with the male bald eagle from South Harrison that Tri-State was able to treat in December and release back to the wild.

But sometimes, said Tri-State director Smith, the neurological damage done by the lead is just too great. The birds are put down.

"When it's really high, we learn over time when they can recover, and when they can't," Smith said. "It's hard, but if they're suffering, we need to relieve that suffering."

Many hunters, aware of the damage lead can do, have changed their ammunition practices and have encouraged others to do the same. The website HuntingWithNonLead.org, for example, is the creation of hunters and wildlife biologists. Lead ammunition restrictions in some states have also come about with hunter support.

The authors of the Cornell study are hoping their findings about lead's impact on eagles' comeback will strike a chord.

"It's not about trying to take anyone's guns away," said Schuler. "We wanted sound science on what this was doing to populations. Hunters are the original conservationists. From the research we've done, a lot of hunters aren't really aware of this issue."

Mark Catalano is a county coordinator with Wildlife in Need, a Pennsylvania nonprofit that captures and delivers injured and orphaned animals to wildlife rehabilitators. He has seen the effects of lead on bald eagles.

"When it comes to lead poisoning, it's a horrible way for a bird to die," he said. "You see this majestic bird that can't even take care of itself."

That's why the happy endings are so memorable, like the female eagle with the badly injured wing that the Red Creek Wildlife Center nursed back to health last year.

It took two months of care and two courses of medication that cost more than $1,000 donated by animal lovers to remove the lead from her blood. But finally last March, Catalano took the eagle back to the same field she was rescued from.

"It was a perfect release," Catalano said.

Once he opened its carrying case, the eagle jumped out, took a quick look around, and then the big bird was off.

"It was like, 'I know exactly where I am and where I'm going,'" Catalano said. "It was an awesome feeling."

Explore further Bald eagle rebound stunted by poisoning from lead ammunition

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Ergot disease on the studied red fescue plants. Ergot is common on rye and some other cereals. It is toxic to humans and spoils the yields. However, it can be a beneficial protector for the plant. Credit: Benjamin Fuchs

Scientists from University of Turku observed that ergot, a common plant disease on rye, defended its host plant chemically against grass feeding insects. The ergot disease in grains spoils the yield and causes seed loss to the plant. Based on this, it is classified as harmful from the human perspective. A new study states that the ergot appears to be a beneficial protector for its host plant capable of even increasing plant fitness.

On an experimental field at the University of Turku Subarctic research station Kevo, the research team studied fungal symbionts of grasses and their effects on plant biotic threats such as herbivorous aphids and ergot disease.

In the study, scientists used a widely distributed grass species, red fescue, and its fungal endophyte in the genus Epichloe. Fungal endophytes are fungi living entirely or part of their life cycle inside their host plants. This symbiotic relationship is commonly described as defensive mutualism which is characterized by plants providing nutrients to the fungus in exchange for protection against herbivory.

"Epichloe fungi are largely depending on their host plant for reproduction via the plant seeds. The fungal hyphae grows inside the plant up into the developing seeds, where it is spread to the developing new plant individuals. An endophyte like this would not survive without its host plant, which is why the plant wellbeing is in the interest of the symbiotic fungus," explains doctoral candidate Miika Laihonen.

Endophyte symbiosis increased the ergot infections of plant seedsbut the plant might benefit

Hyphae of Epichloe fungus growing inside the tissues of grass seed. These fungi grow inside the plant and cannot be detected externally. Credit: Miika Laihonen

The team observed whether the fungal endophyte affected the occurrence of herbivorous insects and fungal ergot infections in the study plants. The ergot fungus causes the ergot disease in grasses, including cereals. Thereby, the plant loses few of its seeds to the disease. The ergot-contaminated grain is toxic to humans and the ergot fungus is an unwelcomed guest on farmlands.

The researchers found that pest insect occurrence was not directly affected by the fungal endophyte but the ergot was more commonly detected on the plants with a fungal endophyte. Further analyses revealed that aphids rarely colonized plants infected by the ergot fungus. Thus, the endophyte indirectly repelled aphid herbivores by promoting ergot symbiosis. This was supported by the chemical analysis of the plants.

"Our first impression was that the fungal endophyte was harmful for the plant as it increased the probability of the plant getting infected by the ergot fungus. When we realized that the aphids avoided the ergot, we saw the results in a new light. Possibly the benefits of the ergot outweight the harms," Laihonen says.

This is not the only time the ergot was found to repel animals in nature. An earlier study found that grazing sheep were avoiding feeding the inflorescences from plants that were infected by ergot. Thus, hosting the ergot fungus provides protection for the majority of viable plant seeds and may ultimately be a fitness advantage for the plant and the associated Epichloe endophyte.

"As humans, we have a natural tendency to judge the organisms from our own point of view. However, by doing so, we can miss a bigger picture. We classify the ergot fungus as a harmful plant pathogen because that is what it is for us. For the plant though, it can be a savior: by occupying very few seeds, the ergot can safeguard the rest of the next plant generation," explains Laihonen.

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More information: Miika Laihonen et al, Epichloe Endophyte-Promoted Seed Pathogen Increases Host Grass Resistance Against Insect Herbivory, Frontiers in Microbiology (2022). Journal information: Frontiers in Microbiology Miika Laihonen et al, Epichloe Endophyte-Promoted Seed Pathogen Increases Host Grass Resistance Against Insect Herbivory,(2022). DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.786619
Justin Pritchard, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and holder of the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Entrepreneurial Professorship, holds up a mock genetic sample. This sample, less than a tenth of an ounce (1-2 milliliters) in volume, represents the size of the "compressed" genetic librarycompared to a conventional library measuring about 3 ounces (80 milliliters). Credit: elby Hochreither/Penn State

In image compression, a large file that could be cumbersome to store or share loses a small amount of visual information. This "lossiness" largely preserves the image while vastly reducing its file sizeand serves as the inspiration for a new research direction in genomics, according to Justin Pritchard, assistant professor of biomedical engineering.

Pritchard and a Penn State-led team of interdisciplinary researchers developed a methodology for "compressing" extensive genetic data libraries to more manageable sizes. They published their findings in Nature Communications on Feb. 2.

"This idea of compression dramatically reduces the scale of the experiments, opening up possibilities for new experiments," said Pritchard, who also holds the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Entrepreneurial Professorship. "This can unlock biological mysteries, such as why different genes and drugs work differently together, and it allows us to unravel very complicated biology using simpler experiments."

The researchers referred to genome-scale CRISPR experiments containing data on thousands of gene effects tested in different human cell types. The effect when the gene is turned off can vary between cell types, so a large number of cells is often needed to understand the interplay between genes and phenotypes.

To predict the larger genome-scale effects from the smaller "compressed" CRISPR library, the team used a custom algorithm rooted in a common machine learning technique known as random forests. This method incorporates data provided by the researchers into a series of randomly generated decision trees that collectively produce predictions about the relationship between gene inactivation and cell growth. The model was trained on the majority of the dataleaving one data subset outand then initially validated by testing its capacity to predict data for the omitted subset. This accuracy extended to datasets that were generated in different labs using different experimental conditions and CRISPR libraries.

This performance was possible using only a small percentageabout 1%of the original library's information. Finally, the Penn State group performed new experiments in which they physically built these "lossy compression libraries" using synthetic biology techniques and validated the predictions in new experiments.

"A genome-scale experiment probes 18,000 genes," Pritchard said. "Using machine learning, we tunably compressed the scale of the experiment to as few as 200 genes. Despite the loss of some data in the compression, we found that a subset of 200 genes could provide surprisingly good information on the full 18,000 genes."

The technique also opens opportunities for other research, according to Pritchard. It showed transferability, meaning it could make accurate predictions matching information from entirely different datasets despite only being trained on the CRISPR data. The capacity to reduce the number of genes also enables more research on cells that can be difficult or impossible to aggregate in large amounts, such as cells within a living organism.

"We're excited about the future of this research," Pritchard said. "We can alter the composition of these lossy compression sets in real time, for different experimental questions and conditions in areas from cancer biology to biopharmaceuticals, using newer machine learning techniques. The method also helps us improve basic science by answering questions about how the genome works and encodes information on cell growth."

Boyang Zhao, Edward P. O'Brien, Luke Gilbert, Scott Leighow and Yiyun Rao from Penn State contributed to this work. Zhao contributed as first author and is also affiliated with Quantalarity Research Group in Houston. Gilbert is affiliated with the University of California San Francisco and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Francisco.

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More information: Boyang Zhao et al, A pan-CRISPR analysis of mammalian cell specificity identifies ultra-compact sgRNA subsets for genome-scale experiments, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Boyang Zhao et al, A pan-CRISPR analysis of mammalian cell specificity identifies ultra-compact sgRNA subsets for genome-scale experiments,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28045-w
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

We have all seen crystals, whether a simple grain of salt or sugar, or an elaborate and beautiful amethyst. These crystals are made of atoms or molecules repeating in a symmetrical three-dimensional pattern called a lattice, in which atoms occupy specific points in space. By forming a periodic lattice, carbon atoms in a diamond, for example, break the symmetry of the space they sit in. Physicists call this "breaking symmetry."

Scientists have recently discovered that a similar effect can be witnessed in time. Symmetry breaking, as the name suggests, can arise only where some sort of symmetry exists. In the time domain, a cyclically changing force or energy source naturally produces a temporal pattern.

Breaking of the symmetry occurs when a system driven by such a force faces a deja vu moment, but not with the same period as that of the force. 'Time crystals' have in the past decade been pursued as a new phase of matter, and more recently observed under elaborate experimental conditions in isolated systems. These experiments require extremely low temperatures or other rigorous conditions to minimize undesired external influences, called noise.

In order for scientists to learn more about time crystals and employ their potential in technology, they need to find ways to produce time crystalline states and keep them stable outside the laboratory.

Cutting-edge research led by UC Riverside and published this week in Nature Communications has now observed time crystals in a system that is not isolated from its ambient environment. This major achievement brings scientists one step closer to developing time crystals for use in real-world applications.

"When your experimental system has energy exchange with its surroundings, dissipation and noise work hand-in-hand to destroy the temporal order," said lead author Hossein Taheri, an assistant research professor of electrical and computer engineering in UC Riverside's Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering. "In our photonic platform, the system strikes a balance between gain and loss to create and preserve time crystals."

The all-optical time crystal is realized using a disk-shaped magnesium fluoride glass resonator one millimeter in diameter. When bombarded by two laser beams, the researchers observed subharmonic spikes, or frequency tones between the two laser beams, that indicated breaking of temporal symmetry and creation of time crystals.

The UCR-led team utilized a technique called self-injection locking of the two lasers to the resonator to achieve robustness against environmental effects. Signatures of the temporally repeating state of this system can readily be measured in the frequency domain. The proposed platform therefore simplifies the study of this new phase of matter.

Without the need for a low temperature, the system can be moved outside a complex lab for field applications. One such application could be highly accurate measurements of time. Because frequency and time are mathematical inverses of each other, accuracy in measuring frequency enables accurate time measurement.

"We hope that this photonic system can be utilized in compact and lightweight radiofrequency sources with superior stability as well as in precision timekeeping," said Taheri.

The open-access Nature Communications paper is titled "All-optical dissipative discrete time crystals." Taheri was joined in the research by Andrey B. Matsko at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Lute Maleki at OEwaves Inc. in Pasadena, Calif., and Krzysztof Sacha at Jagiellonian University in Poland.

Explore further The first experimental realization of a dissipative time crystal

More information: Hossein Taheri et al, All-optical dissipative discrete time crystals, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Hossein Taheri et al, All-optical dissipative discrete time crystals,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28462-x
Left to right: A white-backed vulture, a hooded vulture and a thick-billed raven in Ethiopia. Credit: Evan Buechley

In the yards behind the slaughterhousesalso called abattoirsof Ethiopia, an ecological shift is unfolding that has echoes of similar crises all over the world. Species with a clear and effective ecological role are in serious decline, and the less-specialized but more aggressive species that have moved in to take their place are not only less effective, but are harmful to their ecosystem which, in this case, includes humans.

This is a story about vultures, feral dogs, rabiesand piles of rotting animal carcasses. Buckle up. But in the end, it's about the power of conservation to keep ecosystems, even urban ecosystems, in balance, benefitting the people who live there.

"Carrion consumption by vultures is declining, and increasing by most other scavengers, but that increase is not sufficient enough to make up for the loss of vultures." says Evan Buechley, a University of Utah graduate now with The Peregrine Fund, "So there's a gap there. And what happens with that gap is a bit of an unanswered question, but that's where the problem lies."

The study is published in the Journal of Wildlife Management and is funded by the National Science Foundation, the University of Utah, HawkWatch International, The Peregrine Fund and the National Geographic Society.

Vultures are awesome

Worldwide, vultures are perfectly equipped to take care of the unpleasant remnants of death. Rotting carcasses can become hotbeds of disease, overrun by bacteria and insects. But vultures are an efficient clean-up crew. By eating carrion, they remove the carcasses and pass them through a highly acidic digestive system that wipes out disease-causing agents. And a diversity of vultures is bettersome species are specialized to tear away hides and skin while others, coming in last, literally gulp down the bones.

But vultures have been in trouble in recent decades. They're susceptible to poisons in the carrion they eat, whether that's lead ammunition, the drug diclofenac, or poisons used against predatory animals. And with vultures producing relatively few chicks and taking a relatively long time to mature, it's harder for them to recover from population declines.

Cagan Sekercioglu, associate professor in the University of Utah School of Biological Sciences, showed that vultures were the most threatened group of birds (called an ecological guild, when the group uses the same or related resources) in 2004 when he conducted the first known ecological analysis of all bird species while in graduate school.

In 2012, Sekercioglu accepted Buechley as his first Ph.D. student at the U. Buechley brought extensive experience working with vultures and condors. He and Sekercioglu began a project tracking Egyptian vultures in eastern Turkey and the Horn of Africa.

"Evan led this project brilliantly and expanded it to the other vulture species of Ethiopia and the Horn," Sekercioglu says. "Despite the many challenges, he also decided to study the scavenger communities of the Addis Ababa abattoirs, to quantify the causes and consequences of vulture declines in the region."

In 2016, Sekercioglu and Buechley re-analyzed the ecology of all bird species. "We realized that vultures not only have the fewest species of any avian ecological guild, making them irreplaceable, but since that first analysis in 2004, they had gone downhill faster than any other group," Sekercioglu says.

Yes, there are other scavenger species that can take vultures' place at the carrion table. But the loss of vultures, as we'll see, can lead to human costs.

Abattoirs' feathered "employees"

At the abattoirs of Ethiopia, vultures are welcome partners. After butchering animals in clean conditions, the workers move the remnants of the carcasseshooves, organs and bones, for example, to separate compounds. It's a . . . unique sensory experience, Buechley says.

"It can be pretty stinky and pretty gross, by any objective measure."

So abattoirs are grateful for the scavengers, including critically endangered white-backed, Ruppell's and hooded vultures, that eagerly clean up the pile.

Study co-author Alazar Daka Ruffo, from Addis Ababa University, has interviewed abattoir staff members to see how they feel about the vultures.

"Some abattoir staff say half-jokingly, but not fully, that they see the vultures as employees of the abattoir," says Buechley, reporting Ruffo's findings. "They're serving an important function. There's intentionality behind the system."

Other winged scavengers frequent the disposal piles, including crows, ravens, ibises and marabou storks. Four-legged visitors include packs of feral dogs.

"It's an urban ecology situation where you have the human food supply meeting and really directly interacting with the wildlife food supply of scavengers," Buechley adds. "It's just a really complicated, kind of gross but fascinating system."

With a research team including Rebecca Bishop, Tara Christensen and Sekercioglu from the U's School of Biological Sciences, Buechley set out to quantify the amount of carrion consumed by scavengers at six abattoirs in Ethiopia over five years, from 2014 to 2019.

A critically endangered hooded vulture. Credit: Evan Buechley

Decline in vultures and rise in rabies

The team noted the types and abundance of scavengers that visited the abattoir buffets, and used this to extrapolate how much they ate. At first, vultures were eating more than half of the carrion in the disposal piles. White-backed, Ruppell's and hooded vultures together ate an average of around 550 pounds (250 kg) of carrion a day.

But by the end of the five-year study, the number of Ruppell's and white-backed vultures visiting the abattoir disposal yards decreased by 73%. Hooded vulture visits decreased by 15%. Over the same time, feral dog detections more than doubled.

"Although we can't say for sure if the decline represents a population crash or if the vultures are being displaced by dogs and moving away from the abattoirs, either way this is really concerning," says Megan Murgatroyd, Interim Director of International Programs for HawkWatch International.

"We know that the vultures are declining and we know that the feral dogs are increasing, but we don't know exactly why," Buechley says, adding that abattoir practices are also changing and that further studies will be needed to draw a cause-and-effect relationship.

Regardless, the vultures can ill afford the loss of abattoirs as a food supply. Ruppell's, white-backed and hooded vultures are listed as critically endangered. "That's the highest threat category before going extinct or extinct in the wild," Buechley says.

The population of Ruppell's vultures has declined by over 90% over the past three generations (approximately 40 years). White-backed and hooded vultures are doing a little betterbut not by much. They're estimated to have declined by 81% and 83%, respectively, over three generations.

"So it does seem that their disappearance from abattoirs is likely linked to a population crash," says Murgatroyd. "Vultures need all the help they can get right now, and having to compete with growing dog populations is only making things worse."

Other scavengers on the rise, including dogs, ibises and corvids (crows and ravens) couldn't pick up the slack at the abattoirs. By 2019, scavengers were consuming nearly 43,000 pounds (around 20,000 kg) less carrion per year than they were in 2014, back when vultures were more abundant and dogs more scarce.

A chilling consequence of the rise of dogs may be a rise of rabies rates in humans. In the late 1990s, vulture populations in India and Pakistan crashed. Feral dog populations increased to take advantage of the uneaten carrion.

"They're also disease vectors," Buechley says, "and they interact really closely with people. And there's been a link drawn between a big spike in feral dog populations and rabies in India."

Is the same thing likely to happen in Ethiopia? Scientists haven't yet drawn a link between vulture loss and rabies rise in that country. But Ethiopia already bears a heavy rabies burden with around 3,000 deaths from the disease per year.

"Unlike a lot of diseases which impact the elderly, rabies disproportionately affects young children, which are the most likely to be bit by rabid dogs," Buechley says.

Fencing dogs out

The researchers provide a straightforward recommendation to help the situation: Use fences to keep the dogs out. And many abattoirs already have fences in place.

"But a pack of feral dogs is really persistent," Buechley says. "It's hard to keep hungry animals away from lots of food."

The dogs can fight and dig their way through many fences, and maintaining or fortifying them may cut into the abattoirs' profit margins.

"It's a matter of weighing how important it is to keep the fences maintained," Buechley says. "Improvement of these fences could really have a lot of benefits." Those include potentially reducing the numbers of feral dogs, which reproduce quickly and whose population keeps pace with the available food supply. That in turn could help control rabies in humans and diseases in other animals, such as the critically endangered Ethiopian wolf, which are carried by the feral dogs.

And, counterintuitively, fencing out the abundant dogs could increase the rates of carrion consumption. Without the dogs around to scare off other scavengers, vultures could return in larger numbers to more quickly and efficiently clean up the disposal piles.

"That could lead to less smell, less groundwater contamination, fewer insects like flies that can breed on the carcasses," Buechley says. "There's a lot of potential benefits of investing in repairing the fences around abattoirs, which are found throughout Africa and elsewhere worldwide. We encourage abattoirs, local governments and international organizations to consider this when looking for solutions to waste disposal, human health and scavenger conservation."

The results of the study show that the loss of specialist species from an ecosystem can't always be compensated for by other species.

"The overarching point is that vultures are super important," Buechley says. "If they decline, we expect there to be pretty profound ecological consequences and there may be increases in human disease burden. And so we should appreciate vultures and invest in their conservation."

More information: Evan R. Buechley et al, Declines in scavenging by endangered vultures in the Horn of Africa, The Journal of Wildlife Management (2022). Journal information: Journal of Wildlife Management Evan R. Buechley et al, Declines in scavenging by endangered vultures in the Horn of Africa,(2022). DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22194
CHICAGO  The state attorney generals office has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to impose a sentence in a case where a western Illinois judge threw out the sexual assault conviction of an 18-year-old man.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a mandamus complaint and a motion for supervisory order Thursday asking the states highest court to order Judge Robert K. Adrian to sentence Drew S. Clinton in accordance with state law.

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Adrian presided over a three-day bench trial in which Clinton was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at a graduation party in Quincy in May. After originally finding Clinton guilty on one count of criminal sexual assault in October, Adrian threw out the conviction last month when Clinton appeared for sentencing, saying there had been plenty of punishment and that he wouldnt impose the mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison.

The case sparked wide outrage.

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Raoul said that the mandatory sentencing range set by the Illinois General Assembly for felony criminal sexual assault is four to 15 years in prison.

In addition to the insensitivity to the victim in this case, the judges decision to vacate the conviction and call the 148 days Clinton served in county jail plenty of punishment, demonstrates an abuse of power, Raoul said a statement.

Last month, Adrian was reassigned to small claims, legal matters and probate documents instead of presiding over the criminal docket.
Australia has experienced and recovered from many disasters in the past. But rather than wait for the next one, nows the time for communities to build pre-disaster resilience. Credit: Shutterstock

Many Australians who have survived a disaster feel more confident their communities are prepared for the next one. But a third of those living in disaster prone areas don't feel at all prepared for a disaster, or confident in their ability to recover well.

These are just some of the findings from the national Fire to Flourish survey run by Monash University, which asked more than 3,500 Australians about their perceptions of preparedness and resilience to disasters.

Our research suggests one of the greatest assets following a disaster is the people who experience them. But this asset is hugely underutilized.

Climate projections indicate disasters are going to increase in frequency and severity. But rather than waiting for disaster to strike, there's an opportunity to be working directly with communities now to build pre-disaster resilience.

'Post-traumatic growth'

The Fire to Flourish National Survey surveyed an even split of men and women, and an even division across age ranges and socioeconomic positions.

The biggest difference in perceptions of preparedness and resilience came down to prior experience of disaster.

We found evidence of "post-traumatic growth," where people experience positive change after adverse events.

Experiencing a disaster in the past greatly influenced how prepared and confident people felt about the future. While disaster survivors are often depicted as victims, this is not how they see themselves.

Disaster survivors:

reported higher confidence that their communities were prepared for the next disaster (71% of disaster survivors compared with 51% of those who have never experienced one).

reported higher confidence in their household preparedness (68% versus 43% of those who hadn't experienced disaster).

shared information with their communities about local problems and initiatives more regularly (61% versus 49%).

knew local people who were equipped to step up and lead recovery efforts if they needed to (62% versus 49%).

When asked about future disasters, 67% of survivors said they would cope "well" or "very well" if they experienced a disaster event in the next year. Only 48% of those who had never experienced disaster felt the same way.

Challenging experiences can become a source of strength

When people and communities experience extreme adversity they often develop new skills and capabilities. That makes it more likely they will have a resilient response to their next challenge.

People often perceive an increase in community cohesion after disaster, peaking dramatically in the immediate aftermath.

Even ten years after a disaster, both women and men surveyed recalled higher levels of community cohesion than before the event.

However, not everyone reported similar levels of preparedness or resilience.

Particularly concerning is that one third of respondents living in high disaster prone areas don't feel at all prepared for a disaster, or confident in their ability to recover well. Nearly half of survey respondents said they wouldn't cope well, or at all, if they experienced a disaster event in the next year.

Nearly half of survey respondents said they wouldnt cope well, or at all, if they experienced a natural disaster event in the next year. Credit: Shutterstock

Having a say in your own community's disaster planning

These results shine a light on the need for tailored investment to build community-level disaster resilience.

Disaster-affected communities form the backbone of any disaster response. But survivors are often underutilized in shaping plans for their community's longer-term resilience and preparedness efforts.

In other words, they may be left out of the long term planning. Nearly half of all people surveyed in our study don't believe they have the agency to improve theircommunity. Only a minority believes their community tries new ways of dealing with crises, or that their community has the opportunity to be actively involved in the planning its own future.

Community resilience will increase if disaster survivors are supported to contribute their strengths and unique lived experiences to lead recovery investments tailored to local priorities and place.

Recent research demonstrates the health and economic harms from disasters in Australia are ameliorated if pre-disaster levels of social cohesion and support are high. These foundations need to be supported.

Communities cannot afford to wait for disaster to strike before they start preparing. Yet many communities are not confident they have the support and resources needed to recover from a crisis.

Learning from and supporting other communities

More focus is needed from government, councils and communities themselves on increasing the disaster preparedness of those likely to face a disaster. Building cross-sectoral connections is key.

Another strategy is to strengthen networks between Australia's communities so we can better support and learn from each other in community-led resilience building.

This means creating opportunities for disaster survivors to share experiences, knowledge and skills to help their own community recover and contribute to the preparedness efforts of Australian communities more broadly.

The survey findings will inform Fire to Flourish's ongoing program of work, finding new ways to support communities to lead their own local initiatives to strengthen disaster recovery and resilience.

As the survey showed, people living in disaster-affected communities have crucial knowledge and skills, which should be central to any planning and decision-making on disaster responses and preparation.

Explore further A new measure of disaster resilience for Australian communities

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
These maps illustrate shifts in smuggling operations over time to different African ports. Each solid dot represents an ivory seizure in that country. Blue lines indicate that two seizures are connected by genetic matches among tusks, physical evidence or both. Initially, savannah elephant ivory shipments were smuggled through Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi, but shifted to Kenya in 2010-2012 and Uganda in 2013-2015. Next, operations shifted to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola in 2016-2019. Forest elephant ivory shipments shifted from Togo in 2013-2014 to Nigeria in 2016-2019, and showed connections to seizures in Central Africa. Credit: Wasser et al. 2022, Nature Human Behaviour

A team led by scientists at the University of Washington and special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has used genetic testing of ivory shipments seized by law enforcement to uncover the international criminal networks behind ivory trafficking out of Africa. The genetic connections across shipments that they've uncovered exposes an even higher degree of organization among ivory smuggling networks than previously known.

The paper, published Feb. 14 in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, incorporates results from DNA testing of more than 4,000 African elephant tusks from 49 different ivory seizures made in 12 African nations over a 17-year period.

Exposing the connections among separate ivory seizuresmade at African and Asian ports sometimes thousands of miles apartwill likely boost evidence against the criminals arrested for elephant poaching and ivory smuggling, and strengthen prosecutions of the responsible transnational criminal organizations, according to lead author Samuel Wasser, a UW professor of biology and director of the Center for Environmental Forensic Science, whose group developed the genetic tools behind this work.

"These methods are showing us that a handful of networks are behind a majority of smuggled ivory, and that the connections between these networks are deeper than even our previous research showed," said Wasser.

Illegal ivory tradealong with habitat loss, climate change and other factorshas decimated the two elephant species in Africa. Although ivory seizures by authorities come from elephants that have already been slaughtered, the tusks can provide valuable information by illuminating the poaching, shipment activities and connectivity of traffickers.

Tusks from an ivory seizure in 2015 in Singapore after they have been sorted into pairs by the process developed by Wasser and his team. Credit: Center for Environmental Forensic Science/University of Washington

Previous work by Wasser and his collaboratorspublished in 2018 in the journal Science Advancesidentified tusks from the same elephant that were separated and smuggled in different shipments prior to being seized by law enforcement. Finding both tusks from the same individual linked those seizures to the same trafficking networks. Those efforts indicated that, from 2011 to 2014, cartels tended to smuggle ivory out of three African ports: Mombasa, Kenya; Entebbe, Uganda; and Lome, Togo.

In this new endeavor, Wasser and his colleagues expanded their DNA analysis and testing regimen to also identify tusks of elephants that were close relativesparents and offspring, full siblings and half-siblings. Adding close relatives expands the scope of the effort, Wasser said.

"If you're trying to match one tusk to its pair, you have a low chance of a match. But identifying close relatives is going to be a much more common event, and can link more ivory seizures to the same smuggling networks," said Wasser.

Tusks from an ivory seizure in 2017 in Hong Kong. Credit: WildAid

The team tested this expanded protocol on 4,320 tusksfrom both forest elephants, Loxodonta cyclotis, and savannah elephants, Loxodonta africanafrom 49 separate large shipments totaling 111 metric tons of ivory, all seized from 2002 to 2019. Results showed that a majority of these shipments could be linked based on matching tusks either from the same individual or from close relatives.

"Identifying close relatives indicates that poachers are likely going back to the same populations repeatedlyyear after yearand tusks are then acquired and smuggled out of Africa on container ships by the same criminal network," said Wasser. "This criminal strategy makes it much harder for authorities to track and seize these shipments because of the immense pressure they are under to move large volumes of containers quickly through ports," said Wasser.

The genetic data show that a handful of interconnected smuggling networks are likely behind most large ivory shipments, most often exported from ports in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. By expanding the analysis to identify tusks from close relatives, the team could also link seizures from a dozen countries in Central and West Africa, stretching from Ivory Coast on the Atlantic Ocean to Mozambique on the Indian Ocean.

Wasser (left) and his team sort tusks from a seizure in Singapore in 2015 and use saws to cut away ivory samples for subsequent DNA extraction and genetic analysis. Credit: Kate Brooks

African elephants examine a bone from a fellow elephant. Credit: Karl Ammann

Wasser (left) and his team sample ivory from tusks in Malaysia in 2014. Credit: Malaysia Department of National Parks

The larger analysis also can track how smuggling networks shifted their operations to different ports over time: from Tanzania in the early 2000s; then to Kenya and Uganda; and, most recently, to Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In West Africa, a temporal shift occurred from Togo to Nigeria.

"By linking individual seizures, we're laying out whole smuggling networks that are trying to get these tusks off the continent," said Wasser.

The criminals behind one ivory seizure would have been prosecuted solely for that seizure. But the genetic evidence by Wasser and his team could strengthen investigations and prosecutions by linking responsible transnational criminal organizations to multiple seizuresleading to more severe penalties.

Tusks from a seizure in Malaysia in 2012. Credit: Malaysia Department of National Parks

Co-authors are Charles Wolock, a UW doctoral student in biostatistics; John Brown III with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; UW biology research scientists Mary Kuhner, Yves Hoareau, Eunjin Jeon and Zofia Kaliszewska; Kin-Lan Han, a former UW researcher who is currently a geneticist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Chris Morris with SeeJ-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya; Ryan Horwitz, who was at the University of Michigan and is now a UW research scientist; Anna Wong and Charlene J. Fernandez with the National Parks Board of Singapore; and Moses Otiende with the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Explore further DNA tests of illegal ivory link multiple ivory shipments to same dealers

More information: Samuel Wasser, Elephant genotypes reveal the size and connectivity of transnational ivory traffickers, Nature Human Behaviour (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41562-021-01267-6 Journal information: Nature Human Behaviour Samuel Wasser, Elephant genotypes reveal the size and connectivity of transnational ivory traffickers,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01267-6
Engineers working with NASAs Perseverance Mars rover set up this test area at JPL to practice drilling into crumbly rocks using a duplicate of the rovers rock-coring drill. Perseverances first sample collapsed into powder rather than remaining intact, prompting a test campaign. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

When NASA's Perseverance Mars rover tried to collect its first rock core sample last August, the outcome presented a puzzle for the mission team: The rover's sample tube came up empty. But why?

Not long after, Perseverance successfully gathered a sample the size of a piece of chalk from a different rock. The team concluded that the first rock they had chosen was so crumbly that the rover's percussive drill likely pulverized it.

But engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, which manages the mission, want to understand why that first sample, nicknamed "Roubion," turned to dust. The mission's scientists and engineers had run extensive test campaigns on dozens of rock types prior to launch, but they hadn't seen any react exactly like Roubion. So a new test campaign was startedone that would include a field trip, a duplicate of Perseverance's drill, and JPL's unique Extraterrestrial Materials Simulation Lab.

Remembering Roubion

Re-creating the unique physical properties of Roubion would be key to the test campaign.

"Of the rocks we've seen, Roubion had the most evidence of interaction with water," said Ken Farley of Caltech, Perseverance's project scientist. "That's why it fell apart."

Get the latest on the rest of NASAs Mars fleet with the Mars Report. The new installment focuses on the Red Planets recent dust storm. Watch how the agencys orbiters supported the InSight lander as its power plunged during the January event. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Rocks altered by water can be more susceptible to falling apart; they're also highly valuable to Perseverance's scientists. Water is one of the keys to lifeat least on Earthwhich is why Perseverance is exploring Jezero Crater. Billions of years ago, Jezero contained a river-fed lake, making it an ideal spot to look for signs of ancient microscopic life now. Perseverance is collecting samples that future missions could bring back to Earth to be studied in labs with powerful equipment too large to be sent to Mars.

Field trip

To find Roubion stand-ins, a handful of rover team members was granted permission to hunt rocks in the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, a two-hour drive from JPL. The team was searching for rocks that filled a geological sweet spot: Weathered enough to be Roubion-like, but not so fragile that they would fall apart at the slightest touch. They eventually selected a half-dozen rocks.

"It was very physical work," said JPL's Louise Jandura, chief engineer for sampling and caching, who has been leading the test campaign. "We were chipping away with rock hammers and crowbars. A couple rocks were big enough that it took all five of us holding on to a stretched-out canvas to get it into the bed of our truck."

Next step: Testing at JPL. One of the places where that happens is the Extraterrestrial Materials Simulation Lab, a kind of service center that prepares materials for testing elsewhere at JPL.

An aerial drone captured this view of members of NASAs Perseverance Mars rover team in the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve in Southern California as they searched for crumbly rocks for a test campaign. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

A rock superstore

The low-slung building sits on a hillside above the Mars Yard. Barrels out front contain reddish dust called Mojave Mars Simulant, a special recipe for recreating the messy conditions rovers travel in. Piles of rockssome peppered with drill holesare strewn about a forbidding industrial saw near the entrance. In back stands a concrete bunker with rock bins labeled with names that sound like Mad Libs for geologists: Old Dutch Pumice, China Ranch Gypsum, Bishop Tuff.

"I like to say we do artisanal selection and preparation of materials," said Sarah Yearicks, a mechanical engineer who leads the lab. "Testing them is part manufacturing and part mad science."

Yearicks is one of the people who picked out the rocks at the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve excursion. For the testing on Roubion-like rocks, Yearicks's team worked with a construction-grade drillnot a coring drillalong with other tools, while Jandura's team used a "flight-like" duplicate of Perseverance's drill.The teams passed the rock samples back and forth, testing them in different ways.

Put to the test

Jandura's team ran their flight-like drill a few millimeters at a time, stopping to check that a core was still forming; if it had crumbled, they'd look at variables that might be the cause. For instance, the engineers tweaked the drill's rate of percussion and the weight placed on its bit. They also tried drilling into the rock horizontally instead of vertically, in case the build-up of debris was a factor.

This drill is a duplicate of the one aboard NASAs Perseverance Mars rover. It was used in a test campaign to learn how crumbly rocks respond to the drill. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

For every adjustment they made, it seemed, a new wrinkle would emerge. One was that fragile samples can still resist the percussive drill. When Jandura's team reduced the force of percussion to avoid powderizing the sample, the drill bit couldn't penetrate the surface. But choosing a spot that holds up to stronger percussion means choosing one that likely interacted less with water.

Perseverance has so far captured six samples from highly weathered, water-altered rocks, and the team knows it's capable of many more. But their experience with Roubion has prepared them for some of the extremes Mars will throw at Perseverance in the future. If they find more rocks like Roubion, the Extraterrestrial Materials Simulation Lab will be ready with its menagerie of Mars-worthy materials.

More information: For more about Perseverance: mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/ and nasa.gov/perseverance
Sighting of a wild bee (Xylocopa violacea) during feeding. Credit: Sofia Mangili

Beekeeping is booming in Swiss cities. But the uncontrolled increase in honeybees is putting increasing pressure on wild pollinators, threatening urban biodiversity, concludes a new study by the Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL. The results suggest that beekeeping in cities requires better regulation.

The new study aimed to assess the sustainability of urban beekeeping in Switzerland. For this purpose, the two WSL researchers Joan Casanelles Abella and Marco Moretti created a computational model comparing the existing number of hives in fourteen Swiss cities with the available flowering environment between the years 20122018. They found that the amount of beekeeping sites nearly tripled in that time, from 3,139 to 9,370. The model weighs the honeybees' demand for green space against their actual availability. For the majority of the cities the model indicated a negative balance, suggesting that there is an insufficient supply of floral resources to satisfy the demands of the honeybees. "The key message from our results is that urban green spaces can't keep up with the existing density of hives," Casanelles Abella says. The researchers' findings confirm a similar trend observed in other European cities such as Paris, Berlin or London.

According to a scientific study from Great Britain, 7.5 beehives per km2 of green space is a suitable limit for a sustainable beehive density. In Switzerland, however, only rural areas comply with this value, whereas in cities the hive distribution is much more dense and frequently exceeds the limit. Even when the researchers simulated an increase in urban green space with a model calculation, there was no significant improvement. "Increasing green spaces by 75 percent is very unrealistic anyway, but it shows that in truth there are simply not enough resources," Casanelles Abella says.

Competition with wild pollinators

In addition, honeybees are not the only pollinating insects in cities. "When you overcharge a system beyond its carrying capacity, you automatically exhaust all its resources. In turn, this causes the other organisms that depend on the same resources to suffer," Casanelles Abella says. Thus, the food shortage affects all insects that feed on the same flowering plants as the managed honeybees, including wild bees. Of the approximately 600 wild bee species in Switzerland, roughly 45 percent are considered endangered. Cities can harbor a surprisingly large diversity of wild bees species, 164 in the case of Zurich, a recent WSL study showed.

At this point, the exact extent of the negative effects of beekeeping on biodiversity is difficult to assess. Urban beekeeping adds to the already decreasing wild bee diversity, with bees suffering from the combined actions of all ongoing global stressors. These include climate change as well as the lack of flower resources and pests. "We're in a phase where biodiversity is steadily declining and nature is already facing major challenges."

Honeybees are livestock, too

According to Casanelles Abella, there is primarily a lack of information and control. "People often perceive honeybees as wild animals because they live and move freely. In reality, however, they are kept and bred just like other livestock. And as for these, humans must provide an adequate food supply for honeybees."

Traditionally, beekeeping is a form of agriculture, but in cities, the breeding of honeybees has increasingly become a recreational activity. The vast majority of people who are keeping honeybees are individuals who want to contribute to a natural environment. It is relatively easy to get started withrecreational beekeeping; the only legal requirement is the registration of the new bee colony. A training is merely a recommendation.

There are no regulations regarding where and how far apart the hives should be placed. "We need to come up with a clever strategy to control the density of beehives, just like you do with other livestock, without negatively affecting people's good will,"Casanelles Abella says. Possible approaches, according to him, would be to introduce legally required minimum distances between bee colonies, define areas in the city of high value for wild bees, as well as better monitoring of the available floral resources. This could for example be accomplished by using biodiversity maps.

Additionally, the public needs to be better educated about the adverse effects of beekeeping, so that urban biodiversity is not thrown out of balance. Cities contain important habitats and, if managed sustainably, can contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation.

Explore further What urban nature really means for insect biodiversity

More information: Joan Casanelles-Abella et al, Challenging the sustainability of urban beekeeping using evidence from Swiss cities, npj Urban Sustainability (2022). Joan Casanelles-Abella et al, Challenging the sustainability of urban beekeeping using evidence from Swiss cities,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s42949-021-00046-6

Provided by Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL
Reunion of a young man with his mother after 35 years of separation. Credit: Pro-Busqueda

El Salvador, like other Central American countries, has suffered repression and human rights violations ever since colonial times. Indeed, social injustice in the country persisted and was a major trigger of the 1980-1992 armed conflict.

During the war, there was a large number of unidentified victims and missing persons, both adults and children, with some of the latter being illegally given up for adoption. Despite great progress after the Peace Accords to put an end to the war in 1992, the country still faces crime and violence on a daily basis, threatening the development of the Salvadoran people. This unstable situation has caused the number of migrants to other countries to mushroom, especially Salvadorans who risk their lives to cross the border between Mexico and the United States. However, until now El Salvador did not have a complete forensic database that would allow assessing the genetic correspondence between the remains of a missing person and their relatives.

Now a team of researchers from the Genomics Service at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE), a joint center of the CSIC and UPF, has developed a genetic database of 400 Salvadoran individuals that will constitute a most powerful tool to more accurately identify the remains of missing persons in El Salvador and along the migrant route. The research has been published in the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics.

The research team, led by Ferran Casals, previously head of the Genomics Service at UPF, and by Francesc Calafell, principal investigator at the IBE, has worked with the team led by Patricia Vasquez of Asociacion Pro-Busqueda, which manages a database of genetic profiles of relatives who continue to search for their children who disappeared during the armed conflict, and of young people already found by Pro-Busqueda.

As Eduardo Garcia, executive director of Pro-Busqueda, states, "Our association has managed to solve more than 400 cases of children who were given up for adoption in a context of violence. One of our goals is to promote the study of genetics in our country to identify missing persons and thanks to projects like this one we are achieving it. We start to see results and improvements in justice and democracy, which encourage us and are very necessary."

"It has been an innovative project, in which we have developed pioneering applications of the most advanced nucleic acid sequencing technologies in forensic genetics. In addition, exchanges and collaboration with researchers from El Salvador have been hugely stimulating and enriching for all concerned," Casals adds.

Reunion of a young man with his mother after 35 years of separation. Credit: Pro-Busqueda

The first genetic database of the Salvadoran people

Until now, no such genetic database existed for the populations of Central American countries. The new database has made it possible to characterize the diversity of the population of El Salvador in order to better identify missing persons. "When two samples coincide, one of a missing person and one of a potential family member of theirs, the database helps us to assess the probability that those people are related, comparing them with the rest of the population of El Salvador," Calafell details. "In other words, finding matches in a genetic variant that is very rare in that population will be weightier evidence than finding a match in a very common variant."

The tool developed has proved to be very powerful and robust. "Thanks to the good resolution of the genomic markers sequenced, and thanks to the large number of sequences of individuals accumulated, the database has allowed us to go a little further and not just identify parents and children, but also more distant relations," adds Calafell, also a professor with the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences at UPF.

The new database opens the door to being able to identify people who have disappeared in other situations, such as migrants who have died trying to reach the US (and what percentage is Salvadoran), data today unknown. However, the new tool can be used for any application of forensic genetics, such as identifying human remains in criminal cases or in situations where the recovered DNA is highly degraded.

A long-term project

In 2016, the Reds association learned about a pioneering forensic genetics study to identify the remains of a mass grave from the Spanish Civil War, led by Ferran Casals and Francesc Calafell. This saw the start of collaboration with Reds and the Asociacion Pro-Busqueda to carry out this project. During these years they have enjoyed the support of the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation (ACCD) and the UPF Solidaria program.

The funding has allowed analyzing the samples and creating the database, as well as training stays for researchers from the University of El Salvador at the Genomics Service at UPF. Within the framework of these collaborations, a basic online Forensic Genetics course directed by Ferran Casals has also been produced and is available on the website of the UPF genomics service.

Explore further Selfies of missing persons before they disappear used for future forensic dental identification

More information: Ferran Casals et al, A forensic population database in El Salvador: 58 STRs and 94 SNPs, Forensic Science International: Genetics (2021). Ferran Casals et al, A forensic population database in El Salvador: 58 STRs and 94 SNPs,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102646

Provided by Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The world's largest source of fresh water, the Great Lakes, provides drinking water to more than 40 million people in the U.S. and Canada. In the first study of its kind, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering have demonstrated that tributary rivers feeding Lake Michigan play an important role in bringing the human-made group of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Great Lakes system.

Christy Remucal with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and postdoctoral co-investigator Sarah Balgooyen quantified 10 PFAS chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), in the water and sediment of 41 tributaries to Green Bay of Lake Michigan.

The study is published in the Feb. 10, 2022, edition of the ACS ES&T Water Journal.

"Tributary PFAS loading to the Great Lakes is poorly understood," Remucal said. "The role of sediments as a PFAS source or sink is also largely unknown. Our study is bringing some much-needed answers to not only the people who live around the bay of Green Bay, but also to all of the Great Lakes communities because it's an interconnected water system. These findings could also be extrapolated to understand the conditions surrounding thousands of other tributaries that flow into the five lakes."

PFAAs are found in common household items like cookware, cleaning agents and fabric treated with repellants, as well as in firefighting foams. In the study area, the Fox, Menominee and Peshtigo rivers contribute two-thirds of the total tributary PFAA loading to Green Bay despite their relatively low concentrations and despite the current regulatory focus on sites with high PFAA concentrations. The sources of the chemicals in the study tributaries are likely linked to a firefighting foam manufacturer, other industrial activity and airports, which use firefighting foam on runways.

In addition to the tributary discharge, the work showed that tributary sediments can contribute to PFAA via a releasing process known as desorption. Contaminated riverbed sediments may act as a PFAA source even if water concentrations are reduced by pollution mitigation.

"Understandably, there is a heightened interest in the levels of PFAS in drinking water. PFAS have been linked to a number of ill human health effects, including cancer," Balgooyen said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my research. It certainly leads to a clearer understanding and, hopefully, can provide some guidance on contamination cleanup."

The research will also inform the Wisconsin PFAS Action Council, of which Remucal is a member as the University of Wisconsin System representative. She is joined by representatives from 17 state agencies. The group has identified eight PFAS priority themes, including one on sampling and one on research and knowledge.

Explore further How can Illinois address the problem of PFAS pollution?

More information: Sarah Balgooyen et al, Tributary Loading and Sediment Desorption as Sources of PFAS to Receiving Waters, ACS ES&T Water (2022). Sarah Balgooyen et al, Tributary Loading and Sediment Desorption as Sources of PFAS to Receiving Waters,(2022). DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.1c00348
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Honeybees are common pollinators, but wild bees, including bumble bees, and other insects such as hoverflies, beetles and butterflies, are also needed for pollination and are important in many different ways. With simple measures, we can help these insects thrive so they can contribute to a diversity of wild flowers, crops and rich nature experiences.

Oilseed rape, apples, strawberries and field beans are some examples of important crops that are dependent on, or benefit from, pollination by insects and other animals. It is to a large extent honeybees that contribute to this in agriculture. However, wild bees and other pollinators are also important for agriculture and the whole ecosystem.

"There is a great interest in pollinators, but knowledge about them is not as widespread," says Henrik Smith, professor of animal ecology and coordinator of BECC, a research environment at Lund University, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate change.

What do pollinators do?

Pollinators contribute not only by pollinating flowering crops in fields and in fruit orchards, but also by pollinating wild fruits and berries, and flowering plants in general. It is one of many, mainly invisible, ecosystem services in the form of natural ecological processes contributed by animals and plants, and one of significance to human environment and wellbeing.

"The crops provide us with great economic benefit, while a diversity of wild plants contributes to different functions in ecosystems. They also provide us with unique experiences," explains Henrik Smith.

Well-functioning ecosystems are also crucial in the fight against climate change and the preservation of biodiversity.

"We would miss these values if they ceased to exist. However, it is difficult and sometimes impossible to put a monitetary value on them. There is also an ethical consideration, i.e. a moral obligation to preserve biodiversity for future generations."

Importance of species richness

Different kinds of plants provide resources in the form of food and shelter for a diversity of different insects and other animalsThis increases opportunities to manage environmental changes such as climate change. The reason for this being that when a particular species is disadvantaged, another species can entirely or partially compensate for this.

It is therefore crucial to preserve the diversity of pollinators, both for their own sake and for the plants they pollinate, given that they are mutually dependent. As it is difficult or impossible to predict which pollinators may survive in a future climate or which pollinators will be needed to pollinate future crops, it is important to preserve a diversity of pollinator.

Henrik Smith emphasizes how serious the situation is:

"Different species contribute to pollination in different ways. However, they also have different habitat requirements. A loss of wild pollinators in particular is today seen as an increasing threat to the diversity of wild plants."

Other methods and behaviors

Modern efficient agriculture has reduced the access of pollinators to floral resources, both in the form of natural grasslands and out in the fields in the form of weeds. The management of many environments, such as well mown lawns or well-maintained road verges, also reduces the access of pollinators to floral resources.

Researchers in biodiversity and conservation science are working closely with the County Administrative Board and the Swedish Board of Agriculture to contribute their knowledge to new conservation programs and to the development of new policies and guidelines. This includes new methods for the management of urban green areas and ways to integrate nature conservation into agricultural production.

"Urban environments can be important for threatened species, particularly in Skane's exploited landscape. Urban nature is also an issue of fairness; people who have fewer opportunities to travel to nature areas are able to experience nature in their immediate surroundings."

When species and environments are under threat, some nature areas must be completely protected. In other cases, it is about including consideration for biodiversity in more sustainable production systems and conscious actions. Semi-natural pastures support pollinators, but one dilemma is that these pastures are dependent on grazing animals, which contribute to climate change.

"It is possible to at the same time reduce climate impact with the conservation of semi-natural pastures," says Henrik Smith. "We have more than just two cards to play; it is possible to reduce our consumption of animal products and ensure that what we consume is sustainably produced."

Conscious sustainable decisions

For Henrik Smith, who became interested in animals and nature at an early age, it was clear that he would dedicate himself to the preservation of biodiversity. He believes it is important that young people today are given the chance to discover how exciting and fun biology can beto know more about different organisms and species, but also how they are connected in nature. He says:

"Our experience of nature is dependent on our knowledge of it. If I recognize different plants or bird calls, I am able to understand and interpret nature in a richer way."

More knowledge and increased awareness can be a significant part of the solution. It is therefore important to collaborate closely with interested stakeholders and those who can have an influence.

"What we buy has an impact. Supermarket chains can contribute by including effects on biodiversity as a condition in their procurement process."

Many people are committed to influencing their immediate surroundings to support wild pollinators and to collect data about them. One way to contribute to an increase in biodiversity in your own neighborhood is to create habitats for wild bees, e.g. by drilling holes in bits of wood or old logs, which can become homes for them.

"When the ecosystem services are made more visible, we also become aware of their value. It can help us to take more conscious and sustainable decisions. This applies to us as individuals, but also to politicians, public authorities, municipalities and organizations," concludes Henrik Smith.

Explore further Pollinators contribute to flowering plant diversity
Figure 1. Phytohormone pools affected by GBH, phosphate fertilizer and their combination in three crop species. Phytohormones, their precursors and metabolites; compounds that were analyzed in this study are indicated with abbreviations after the compound name. Additional compounds (without abbreviations) were added to show common pathway intermediates and to show biosynthetic origins of phytohormones. Chorismate derives from the shikimate pathway which includes the target site of glyphosate. By blocking the EPSPS enzyme, an essential biosynthetic step is corrupted, which is often shown to cause decreased biosynthesis of metabolites synthesized downstream of the shikimate pathway. Centrally placed hexahedron highlights the possible interactions between hormones also known as hormone crosstalk. Symbols (arrows and stops) besides and below metabolites (left side = oat, right = potato, and below = strawberry) indicate the effect of treatment (blue = phosphate, yellow = GBH, blue + yellow = phosphate + GBH) on each plant species corresponding to significances shown in Figure 2 (N = 40). Credit: DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.787958

A new study finds that glyphosate residues in soil affect phytohormones in aboveground plant parts. Academy of Finland funded postdoctoral researcher Dr. Benjamin Fuchs investigates the effects of herbicide residues in soil on plant physiology and chemical ecology of plant-insect interactions.

Glyphosate-based herbicides are commonly used to kill weeds before crops are sown on agricultural field. It was assumed that glyphosate degrades quickly in the soil with none to negligible effects on the crop plants. However, herbicide residues are increasingly found in soils with agricultural history, globally, while at the same time soil health and plant resilience decreases.

The researchers conducted an experiment where they tested the effects of soil-borne glyphosate-based herbicides on plant hormonephytohormonelevels of three important crop species, oat, potato and strawberry. Plant hormones are small molecules with essential signaling function in the plant, regulating in particular plant growth, flowering, senescence and responses to stressors such as drought, damage or pathogen infection. Furthermore, plant hormones are involved in fine-tuning the plant responses to feeding by herbivores, in particular the production of compounds, which help the plants to repel herbivores in order to minimize the damage.

Glyphosate inhibits a specific enzyme in the shikimate pathway, which is needed for the biosynthesis of essential aromatic amino acids in plants. The analyses of plant samples for a variety of phytohormonesin collaboration with researcher from the Czech Academy of Sciencerevealed that oat plants growing in soil, which contained minimal concentrations of glyphosate residues, showed decreased levels of phytohormones deriving from either one of those aromatic amino acids targeted by glyphosate. Surprisingly, this co-occurred with lower plant damage by herbivores, indicating an increase in plant resistance traits.

These results, published in Frontiers in Plant Science, demonstrate the hidden impact of ubiquitous agrochemical residues on phytohormones and plant-herbivore interactions. At the scale of agricultural fields, these effects may affect insect biodiversity pattern and affect insect biodiversity in agricultural environments, as highlighted by Dr. Fuchs and colleagues in an opinion article, published in Trends in Plant Science.

In contrast to oat, potato plants responded to herbicide residues in soil by elevating stress-related phytohormones and an increased plant growth, while strawberry plants were largely not responding to herbicide residues in soil, which shows how plant species-specific the responses to glyphosate residues in soil can be.

This study is a first indicator that herbicide residues in soil can interfere with biochemical plant processes, which determine the plants responses to their biotic and abiotic environment.

"At the scale of large farmlands, these changes can determine not only the plants relation to herbivores, but further might change the relation to beneficial insects such as predatory or pollinating insects, which is likely to affect essential ecosystem services," says Dr. Benjamin Fuchs.

Explore further Glyphosate may affect human gut microbiota
Jackie Liang working in a Toronto nail salon. Credit: Giovana Ramos and Praven Yoganathan

A recent University of Toronto study, in collaboration with Parkdale Queen West Community Heath Center and the Healthy Nail Salons Network, shows that nail technicians in discount salons are exposed to several chemicals widely used as plasticizers and flame retardants.

The study, to be published Feb. 14 in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, found that exposure to some hazardous chemicals was higher among nail technicians than among electronic waste workers.

"We were very surprised to find exposures for some chemicals up to 30 times higher among nail salon workers relative to exposures in homes, and up to 10 times higher than in e-waste handling facilities," said Miriam Diamond, co-author and professor at the University of Toronto's Department of Earth Sciences.

The study reported higher exposures of several phthalate plasticizers, which was expected given the use of these chemicals in personal care products. One phthalate plasticizer, DEHP, which is not allowed for use in cosmetics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, was found at low levels. "The finding of low exposure to the plasticizer DEHP is importantit shows the current regulations for this compound are working," Diamond said.

However, what was unexpected was the finding of some high levels of flame retardants that are not known to be used in personal care products.

Several of the chemicals studied have some restrictions on their use (or restrictions are proposed) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. However, most of these chemicals are not explicitly regulated in Ontario workplaces. The specific source of these chemicals in nail salons was not determined in this study.

These chemicals have been associated with adverse health effects including neurological and reproductive effects, with some evidence that in utero exposure may be important.

"Nail technicians have been raising concerns about the impact of their work on their bodies, including worries about reproductive, respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal health for many years now," said Victoria Arrandale, co-author and assistant professor at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

Despite these concerns, nail technicians enjoy the artistry and personal care that their work entails.

"This research shows us that our federal government needs to pay attention to making the products that are used in nail salons safer, for both customers and nail technicians."," said Van Tran, nail technician and Nail Salon Outreach Worker at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Center.

This study points to the need to consider the wide range of workplace settings when regulating chemical use in Canada. Study authors urge government and product manufacturers to make safer personal care products and safer spaces for workers and customers in the personal services sector.

The study was a joint effort of researchers at the University of Toronto, Occupational Cancer Research Center, Center for Research Expertise in Occupational Disease, and the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Center. The aim of the study was to better understand workplace hazards in discount nail salons.

Explore further Nail polishes with 'n-free' labels are not necessarily free of toxic compounds
The Philippine Sea plate is subducting in a north-westerly direction beneath the Amurian plate. Red dots represent the GNSS stations used in the analysis. The red line is a horizontal projection of the analyzed area. The large blue circle indicates the general location where Bungo Channel L-SSE occurred. Credit: Seshimo, Y., Yoshioka, S. Spatiotemporal slip distributions associated with the 20182019 Bungo Channel long-term slow slip event inverted from GNSS data. Credit: Sci Rep 12, 343 (2022).

Within the next 30 years, a highly destructive Nankai Trough megathrust earthquake is predicted to hit southwest Japan. Understanding long-term slow slip events (L-SSE) that occur along the plate interface between the subducting Philippine Sea plate and overriding Amurian plate under the Bungo Channel is essential for pinpointing when such an earthquake will happen. To this end, Kobe University's Professor YOSHIOKA Shoichi (Research Center for Urban Safety and Security) and SESHIMO Yukinari (1st year Masters student, Department of Planetology, Graduate School of Science) analyzed the 2018-2019 Bungo Channel L-SSE using longitudinal GNSS data provided by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.

They revealed that even though the 2018-2019 event was shorter than past L-SSEs in this region, it was also bigger in terms of slippage amount and slip velocity, as well as seismic moment and moment magnitude. This and their other findings provide further insight into the behavior of L-SSEs in the Bungo Channel.

These results were publicized in the online journal Scientific Reports on January 10, 2022 at 10 am GMT.

Main points

Illuminating slow slip distribution in the Bungo Channel is important for understanding the causal mechanism behind a Nankai Trough megathrust earthquake, which has been predicted to occur in the near future.

This research group illuminated the spatiotemporal distribution of the slow slip event that occurred in 2018-2019

Despite taking place over the shortest time period, the 2018-2019 event was the highest recorded so far in terms of slippage amount and slip velocity, as well as seismic moment and moment magnitude compared to past slow slip events in the Bungo Channel.

The 2018-2019 event resembled the 2002-2004 slow slip in terms of starting location, slip distribution and the order in which sub-events occurred.

The continuous analysis results for every 0.1 year= 36.5 day period. The arrows denote the direction and amount of slippage for the overriding plate against the subducting plate at the plate interface. The color contours indicate the amount of slippage with intervals of 1cm. Gray indicates the areas for which the dependability of the analysis results is low. Credit: Seshimo, Y., Yoshioka, S. Spatiotemporal slip distributions associated with the 20182019 Bungo Channel long-term slow slip event inverted from GNSS data. Credit: Sci Rep 12, 343 (2022).

Research background

In the Bungo Channel, which is located between Shikoku and Kyushu in southwest Japan, the Philippine Sea plate is subducting in a north-westerly direction beneath the Amurian plate. Every 6 or so years, long-term slow slip events (L-SSE) repeatedly occur along the plate interface beneath this region. Each of these L-SSEs last between several months to a couple of years.

Studies conducted up until now have analyzed the slip distributions of L-SSEs that occurred in the following periods: 1996-1998, 2002-2004, and 2009-2011. It has been indicated that there is a possible relationship between these events and the occurrence of a Nankai Trough megathrust earthquake.

Illuminating the slip distributions of L-SSE in the Bungo Channel is considered vital for understanding how such a megathrust earthquake occurs. Therefore, Kobe University researchers decided to conduct a new analysis of the L-SSE that happened during the 2018-2019 period.

Research methodology and findings

Using longitudinal GNSS data, the researchers calculated the spatiotemporal distribution of the Bungo Channel L-SSE that occurred in 2018-2019. From the results, they understood that this event could be divided into 2 sub-events; the 1st sub-event spanning March to July 2018 (0.1 of a year = 36.5 days) and occurring under the southwest side of the Bungo Channel, and the 2nd sub-event that occurred from August 2018 to April 2019 directly beneath the central part of the Channel.

Yellow: 1996-1998 L-SSE, Blue: 2002-2004 L-SSE, Green: 2009-2011 L-SSE, Red: The 2018-2019 L-SSE uncovered by this study. The graph shows the temporal development of each L-SSE's seismic moments and moment magnitude. The pink dotted lines indicate the periods during which the 2018-2019 L-SSE's two sub-events occurred. Credit: Seshimo, Y., Yoshioka, S. Spatiotemporal slip distributions associated with the 20182019 Bungo Channel long-term slow slip event inverted from GNSS data. Credit: Sci Rep 12, 343 (2022).

The 2018-2019 L-SSE, at one year in duration, lasted for the shortest length of time compared to past Bungo Channel L-SSEs that have been analyzed. Despite this, the 2018-2019 L-SSE was the biggest event in terms of slippage amount and slip velocity, as well as seismic moment and moment magnitude. Furthermore, the researchers also discovered that the 2018-2019 L-SSE was similar to the 2002-2004 L-SSE in terms of starting location, slip distribution and the order in which sub-events occurred. In the past, there have been intervals of approx. 6 years between the occurrence of each L-SSE, however the 2018-2019 L-SSE took place around 8 years after the previous event, which was in 2009-2011.

Blue (2002-2004) and red lines (2018-2019) show the 5cm contour intervals between the two L-SSEs. (a) is the spatial distribution of the slippage amount for the 1st sub-event, (b) is the 2nd sub-event. (c) shows the overall spatial distribution of slippage for both L-SSEs. Credit: Seshimo, Y., Yoshioka, S. Spatiotemporal slip distributions associated with the 20182019 Bungo Channel long-term slow slip event inverted from GNSS data. Credit: Sci Rep 12, 343 (2022).

Further Research

The Bungo Channel L-SSEs have taken place at the downdip of the plate interface adjacent to the hypocenter of the Nankai Trough megathrust earthquake, which is estimated to occur with a 70~80% probability in the next 30 years. Monitoring the spatiotemporal changes in the behavior of these kinds of slow earthquake is vital for enabling seismologists to detect the early signs of a megathrust earthquake. These observations have revealed spatiotemporal changes in the slip distribution of the 2018-2019 Bungo Channel L-SSE, highlighting the great importance of comparing recent L-SSE with past events. Next, the researchers will monitor the slippage and adhesion where the plates intersect beneath the Bungo Channel. By furthering their analysis, they hope to illuminate the mechanisms by which earthquakes occur and to enable the early detection of the coming Nankai Trough megathrust earthquake.

Explore further Slow-motion interplate slip detected in the Nankai Trough near Japan

More information: Yukinari Seshimo et al, Spatiotemporal slip distributions associated with the 20182019 Bungo Channel long-term slow slip event inverted from GNSS data, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Yukinari Seshimo et al, Spatiotemporal slip distributions associated with the 20182019 Bungo Channel long-term slow slip event inverted from GNSS data,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03982-6
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvins quest for the Republican nomination for governor was formally backed Monday by Ken Griffin, setting the stage for a potential battle of the billionaires if Irvin wins the June 28 primary and the right to face Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November.

Griffin, the states wealthiest person and founder and CEO of the Citadel investment firm, gave Irvins campaign $20 million  the first of what is expected to be several big donations to counter Pritzker, a businessman and heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune.

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J.B. Pritzker puts politics first and refuses to address the crime that is tearing apart our state, cities and families. I firmly believe Richard Irvin has the character and leadership needed to again make Illinois a place where people can feel safe to live, raise a family and pursue their dreams, Griffin, worth $26.1 billion according to Forbes, said in a statement.

Richard Irvin is self-made, and his life story epitomizes the American Dream, Griffin said of the first Black mayor of the states second largest city. I have tremendous respect for all that he has accomplished.

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Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin along the city's riverfront on Feb. 3, 2022. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

In a statement, Irvin said, I appreciate Mr. Griffins support and the thousands of other donors who have joined our campaign in the first few weeks.

Griffins support for Irvin was no surprise. Griffin had vowed to go all in against Pritzker, and his allies assembled a slate of GOP candidates for statewide office, headed by Irvin, to gain his financial backing.

But for the battle of the billionaires to truly take place, Irvin must win a five-way race for the Republican nomination in the June 28 primary, which despite Griffins money is far from a sure thing in a party heavily influenced by former President Donald Trump.

The GOP field also includes state Sen. Darren Bailey of Xenia, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf of Waterloo, Bull Valley businessman Gary Rabine and cryptocurrency venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan of Petersburg.

In a statement, Rabine called Irvin a fake-Republican-governor-candidate who is bought and paid for, while also noting that the Aurora mayor cast Democratic primary ballots in 2014, 2016 and 2020.

His winning the support of Republican rank-and-file voters will be an uphill climb, Rabine said.

Griffin and Pritzker, worth $3.6 billion according to Forbes, have long been at odds.

In the 2018 governors race, Griffin gave Pritzkers predecessor, one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, $22.5 million for his losing reelection effort, while Pritzker spent more than $171 million of his own money on his campaign. Griffin gave Rauner $13.5 million in the Republicans successful 2014 campaign.

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More recently, in last Novembers election, Griffin spent $53.75 million to fight Pritzkers signature agenda item, a proposed constitutional amendment rejected by voters to change the state from a flat-rate income tax to a graduated-rate levy. Pritzker spent $58 million to encourage its passage. The measure was soundly rejected by voters.

Pritzker has already poured $125.5 million of his own money into his reelection campaign, including a $90 million deposit in January.

In a statement, the Pritzker campaign sought to tie Griffin to Rauners tenure as governor, when an ideological battle between the Republican governors anti-union stance and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly led to two years without a full state operating budget.

Ken Griffin would conveniently like us all to forget he bankrolled the very governor that decimated the social services that prevent violence, caused our colleges and universities to nearly lose accreditation and devastated our states finances in previously unseen ways, said Pritzker spokeswoman Natalie Edelstein.

Kens chosen candidate is entirely unserious about addressing the issues facing Illinois and spent 15 years profiting off of the defense of violent criminals, she said. The wounds left by Bruce Rauners incompetence are still fresh and Illinoisans see Irvins candidacy for exactly what it is: another empty suit for Ken Griffin to drag our state backwards.

On Saturday, just two days before the announcement of Griffins $20 million donation, the Irvin campaign sent out a fundraising email to supporters imploring them to contribute at least $5 to counter Pritzkers ability to fund his own campaign.

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Republicans dont stand a chance against someone who can afford to put $90 million dollars of his own money into financing his campaign  unless we have YOU, the Irvin email said.

Prior to that email, industrialist Craig Duchossois had already upped his previous $250,000 donation to Irvin, bringing his total contributions to the Aurora mayor to $1 million. Irvin also has raised another $560,000 since opening his campaign with $1.2 million following his candidacy announcement on Jan. 17.

Griffins formal backing of Irvin was announced Monday in an op-ed interview of the wealthy investor by David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association, that appeared in the Chicago Tribunes editorial pages.

In the BGAs 2020 nonprofit disclosure form, the most recent available, Griffin gave the group $100,000.

In an email, Greising, a former Tribune columnist, said Griffins lifetime contributions to the BGA total $375,000. He also noted Pritzker was a past donor, and that Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, is a previous donor and past BGA board member.

Going back to my time at the Tribune  when my columns sometimes would irritate board members and major advertisers  I have reported and written without allowing any non-journalistic influences to affect my work, Greising wrote.

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rap30@chicagotribune.com
LASP graduate students Bennet Schwab (left) and Robert Sewell pose with the DAXSS flight unit. Credit: CU/LASP

The Miniature X-Ray Solar Spectrometer 3, or MinXSS-3, successfully launched on the InspireSat-1 small satellite at 7:29 p.m. EST on Feb. 13, 2022. Also known as the Dual Aperture X-ray Solar Spectrometer, or DAXSS, it is the third of three NASA-funded MinXSS CubeSats. It will spend up to a year in low-Earth orbit studying X-rays coming from flares on the sun.

The sun sometimes releases flares, which are energetic bursts of light and particles triggered by the release of magnetic energy on the sun that travel across the solar system. X-rays emitted by the sun during intense flares can interfere with GPS, radio, and other communications signals when they reach Earth. MinXSS will study the energetics of these flares in wavelengths known as soft X-rays, which are particularly impactful on Earth's ionospherean electrified upper layer of the atmosphere where communications signals travel.

Prior to the MinXSS CubeSats, spectral measurements of the soft X-rays from the sun had rarely been studied. MinXSS-3's observations, which can record even very weak solar flares, will help scientists better understand the physics behind solar flares as well as how such events heat up material in the sun's hot outer atmosphere called the coronaa longstanding question for solar scientists.

The MinXSS development program was funded by the NASA Science Mission Directorate CubeSat Initiative Program and implemented by the University of Colorado Boulder under the leadership of Principal Investigator Tom Woods. MinXSS-3 was launched on the Indian Space Research Organization's Polar Space Launch Vehicle C.
Telenomus remus provides good opportunities for the establishment of an augmentative biological control program, reinforcing sustainable production of major crops such as maize in affected countries. Credit: G. Goergen, IITA

A new CABI-led review has highlighted mass rearing techniques, estimated costs of mass production and release strategies for the natural enemy Telenomus remus that suggests it could be effective in the fight against the devastating fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in affected countries.

The study, published in CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, states how T. Remus has already been used against fall armyworm in the Americas for many years and is even effective against other species of the genus Spodopteraall of which blight the crops of millions of smallholder farmers including the staple crop maize.

Fall armyworm is a significant pest of over 100 crops but favors maize. The recent CABI paper "Towards estimating the economic cost of invasive alien species to African crop and livestock production," for example, estimates that in Africa the pest causes annual yield losses of around USD $9.4 billion.

Currently, in maize, the pest is predominantly controlled by pesticides or transgenic events. However, the use of biological control agents is considered the most sustainable and preferred method of control, providing high effectiveness. Among the various natural enemies reported for FAW, the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus has gained most interest.

Lead researcher Dr. Yelitza Colmenarez, Center Director at CABI's center in Brazil, said, "There is no ready-to-use package available to advise farmers in using T. remus against fall armyworm and related pests. Further studies are urgently needed to precisely determine optimal release rates, release times and frequencies, number of release points, the best stage and device for releases and other aspects such as how large the fields should be to achieve efficient pest control."

"However, high egg parasitism rates together with long-term evidence from Venezuela suggest that T. remus has indeed high potential to successfully suppress fall armyworm and related pests.

Maize infested by fall armyworm. Credit: CABI

"If biological control of FAW and related pests with T. remus should become a viable option, release rates may need to be more closely to rates used in the 1990s in Venezuela, i.e. rates of about 5,00010,000 wasps per ha and season, unless major breakthroughs with cheaper mass production of the parasitoid are achieved."

The review also suggests that releases for individual smallholder farmers owning little land may be inefficient, but on the other hand that regional approaches could work very well.

The scientists believe thatsimilar to other biological control agents in field cropsthe use of T. remus will best be done as a part of an Integrated Pest Management program, avoiding broad spectrum insecticides in release fields. Both quality control of the mass reared parasitoid and an optimized, cost-efficient release strategy is crucial to a successful pest management, they say.

Dr. Colmenarez added, "Due to the recent invasion of fall armyworm in Africa, Asia, and Australia, T. remus provides good opportunities for the establishment of an augmentative biological control program, reinforcing sustainable production of major crops such as maize in affected countries."

"When considering the use of biological control agents, it is always necessary to include an assessment of possible risks for non-target effects, particularly for exotic species. In most of those countries where T. remus may be considered for release in the future, the parasitoid has been found to be present, e.g. China, India, Australia and several African countries, so cannot be considered exotic there."

"However, in regions where T. remus is not known from, its status should be carefully evaluated and appropriate risk assessment procedures followed. Altogether, T. remus releases may be having high prospects for contributing to FAW management in newly invaded areas though still challenges exist that would require further research."

Explore further Scientists confirm first report of egg parasitoid in Africa to fight fall armyworm

More information: Yelitza Coromoto Colmenarez et al, The use of Telenomus remus (Nixon, 1937) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in the management of Spodoptera spp.: potential, challenges and major benefits, CABI Agriculture and Bioscience (2022). Yelitza Coromoto Colmenarez et al, The use of Telenomus remus (Nixon, 1937) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in the management of Spodoptera spp.: potential, challenges and major benefits,(2022). DOI: 10.1186/s43170-021-00071-6

Provided by CABI
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A global analysis has found that kids whose schools closed to stop the spread of various waves of the coronavirus lost educational progress and are at increased risk of dropping out of school. As a result, the study says, they will earn less money from work over their lifetimes than they would have if schools had remained open.

Educational researchers like me know these students will feel the effects of pandemic-related school closures for many years to come. Here are four other ways the closings have affected students' well-being for the long term.

1. Academic progress

At the end of the 20202021 school year, most students were about four to five months behind where they should have been in math and reading, according to a July 2021 report by McKinsey and Co., a global management consulting firm.

When the researchers looked at the data from fall 2021, though, they found students attending majority-white schools are catching up. But students from historically disadvantaged backgroundsincluding those attending majority-Black or low-income schoolsare falling further behind. As a result, students attending majority-Black schools are now estimated to be a full year behind those attending majority-white schools.

Differences also can vary by grade level. High schools have been closed more total days than elementary schools. According to a recent news report, 2021 graduation rates dipped across the country, and some education leaders fear future graduating classes may be hit even harder. Schools have scrambled to provide options such as credit recovery to boost graduation rates, leaving concerns about the quality of learning.

College and university leaders have been preparing for first-year students with less knowledge, weaker study habits and more difficulty concentrating than new college arrivals in past years.

2. Social-emotional development

Even early in the pandemic, school closings were harming students' social and emotional well-being, according to a review of 36 studies across 11 countries including the U.S. By summer 2021, teachers and administrators in the U.S. said students felt more emotional distress, disengagement, depression, anxiety and loneliness than in previous years.

When schools resumed in fall 2021, large numbers of children in the U.S. had lost a primary caregiver over the previous year to COVID-19. A colleague and I raised concerns about the anxiety and grief those students would likely feel.

In addition, 28% of all parents of children in grades K-12 are "very concerned" or "extremely concerned" about their child's mental health and social and emotional well-being. That's down from a high of 35% in spring 2021, but is still 7 percentage points higher than before the pandemic. Parents of Black and Hispanic students are 5 percentage points more likely to be worried than parents of white students.

Schools and organizations have focused resources on supporting students' social, emotional and mental health. The U.S. Department of Education, for example, recommends, based on research, that teachers integrate lessons around compassion and courage into classroom activities, and that schools establish wellness teams to help students.

States have said they plan to address these needs with federal funds meant to help schools respond to the pandemic. In Connecticut, for example, school districts will hire additional mental health support staff, offer social-emotional programs and partner with local agencies to increase access to supports.

3. Behavioral habits

The return to in-person learning has been accompanied by school leaders' reports of increasing student misbehavior and threats of violence. These increases were more likely to be reported in larger districts and where most students had engaged in remote or hybrid learningrather than in-person instructionduring the prior school year.

Viral social media "challenges"like memes on TikTok suggesting students "smack a staff member" or skip school on a particular daycertainly aren't helping educators provide safe and supportive environments.

Parents' distress is also affecting their children. Students whose parents are depressed, anxious, lonely and exhausted are more likely to misbehave in schooland that connection grew stronger during lockdown periods when schools were closed.

Meanwhile, news reports show students are missing more school than they were before the pandemic, with more kids out for more than 15 days of a school year. Given links between chronic absenteeism and increased high school dropout rates, researchers warn this increase in missed school could lead between 1.7 million and 3.3 million students in eighth through 12th grade to not graduate on time.

4. Physical health

Adults have suffered hair loss, sore eyes, irritable bowels and skin flare-ups as a result of the pandemic. One study found that Chinese preschool children whose schools closed during the pandemic were shorter than preschoolers in previous years, though the researchers did not observe noteworthy differences in weight change.

Schools can be a primary place for children to access physical activity and healthy food. Amid school closures, researchers are exploring the effects of losing out on these benefits. During lockdowns in Italy, children with obesity engaged in less physical activity, slept and used screens more and increased their consumption of potato chips and sugary drinks.

In the U.S., 1 in 4 families with school-age children don't have reliable access to food. Abrupt school closures cut off more than 30 million children from free and reduced-price lunches and breakfasts delivered at school.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees school food programs, provided waivers to let schools provide meals in ways that fit their students' needs. In Connecticut, for example, researchers found that letting families know about wider availability and pickup sites for to-go school meals boosted the number of students who received food during the pandemic.

Time will tell if the costs of school closings will be worth the benefits. These early indicators show that decisions are not as simple as reducing the physical health risks of COVID-19. A full assessment would consider the effects across all aspects of child well-being, including how diverse populations are affected.

Connection, collaboration and positive interaction are fundamental to healthy childhood growth and development. Working together, schools, families and communities can assess and address every child's needs to reduce the lasting effects of school closings.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Urelio Errone

Blacklists are one of the most common policy measures to limit biological invasions. They identify small groups of highly impactful invasive alien species: species introduced outside their native range that threaten biodiversity. By doing so, they inform key decision-makers, who then impose limitations or bans on their trade and introduction, or set requirements about specific actions to manage already established populations.

While they have been found to be effective at preventing and managing new biological invasions, we don't know if blacklists actually raise public awareness of invasive alien species. In principle, they could do so, as they might attain a certain echo in the media and provide the general public with notorious examples of invasive alien species.

In 2016, the European Union published the List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern, which contains species that are banned from import, trade, and release in Europe. It had a certain echo in the media, and having come at a time where Internet searches are so pervasive that they can be used to measure public attention, the Union List made a good case study for exploring blacklist impact on public awareness.

A research study, coordinated by Jacopo Cerri from the University of Primorska, Slovenia, and Sandro Bertolino from the University of Turin, Italy, explored if the publication of the Union List increased visits of the Italian Wikipedia pages about invasive alien mammals, many of which were included in the list. Wikipedia is the largest online encyclopedia and a major source of information for motivated Internet users who go beyond search engines such as Google. As a comparison, the researchers used visits to Wikipedia pages about native mammals in Italy, and adopted a causal impact analysis to quantify differences.

The study found no effect of the publication of the Union lists over visits to Italian Wikipedia pages of invasive alien mammals, compared to pages about native mammals. After 2016, there were single peaks of visits to pages of some of the species, probably caused by viral videos and news about large-scale control initiatives or mass escapes from captivity. In one instance, peaks in visits aligned with news about the coypuat the time, several national media outlets ran stories addressing the concerns of public administrations regarding the rodent's impact on the stability of river banks. Similarly, a peak observed between late 2018 and February 2019 was likely caused by news about the release of 4,000 minks from a fur factory in Northern Italy, which attracted considerable attention in the national and regional media.

These attention peaks, however, did not last in time and don't reflect a systematic change in public awareness about invasive alien species.

"Overall, our findings indicate that blacklists, despite having the potential to raise public awareness towards biological invasions, might fail to do so in practice," the researchers conclude.

"Agencies who want to achieve this goal should rather develop tailored communication campaigns, or leverage on sensational news published in the media."

Explore further Tracking species invasions with digital biodiversity data

More information: Jacopo Cerri et al, Blacklists do not necessarily make people curious about invasive alien species. A case study with Bayesian structural time series and Wikipedia searches about invasive mammals in Italy, NeoBiota (2022). Journal information: NeoBiota Jacopo Cerri et al, Blacklists do not necessarily make people curious about invasive alien species. A case study with Bayesian structural time series and Wikipedia searches about invasive mammals in Italy,(2022). DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.71.69422
Collage of plant species that are range-restricted to Europe but threatened in at least one country, with some of them being globally threatened. Credit: Vlaev, Dimiter in Peev, D. et al. (eds) (2015): Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Vol. 1. Plants and Fungi. MoEW & BAS, Sofia

Seven to nine percent of all vascular plant species occurring in Europe are threatened. This is the result of a study led by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and Leipzig University. The researchers combined Red Lists of endangered plant species in Europe with data on their global distribution. The study has been published in the journal Plants, People, Planet. It helps assess the overall level of threat to plant species and thus supports the basis of international nature conservation activities.

How certain is the continued survival of animal and plant species? How high is the risk that they might become extinct? The answers are collated in regional, national and global threat assessments known as "red lists." Legislators and nature conservation organizations make decisions about specific conservation activities based on these lists. The problem is, however, that although there are many national red lists available, they are often not being integrated into the global Red List of Threatened Species by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Despite being the most comprehensive global list available, the global red list still lacks threat assessments for almost 90 percent of all known plant speciesa substantial assessment gap.

An international research team has now addressed this assessment gap for European vascular plants, encompassing most plants except mosses, algae and lichens. It established that 7 to 9 percent of European vascular plant flora is globally endangered. This is because these species occur solely in parts of Europe and are endangered in every region where they occur. 7 to 9 percent corresponds to about 1,800 of the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 known European vascular plant species. Of these 1,800 species, 83 percent are not yet listed on the IUCN global Red List.

The results are based on a novel integration of data streams on the global geographic distribution of vascular plant species and national red lists from 37 European countries spanning a period from 1999 to 2020. The researchers noted that national red lists typically include only half of all plants occurring in a given country, and therefore, the team's findings are conservative estimates.

The IUCN list for the major vertebrate groups has been completed decades ago. "But this is not the case for plants," says Hanna Holz, a biology MSc student at the University of Halle and first author of the study. "Such data gaps can be disastrous because they lead to uncertainties in priority setting in international conservation policy," says Holz. "Our findings help update and expand the most important instrument in international conservation policy."

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) set itself the goal of compiling a comprehensive list of endangered plant species by 2020 but did not achieve this aim. Senior author of the study, Dr. Ingmar Staude, says, "Through a comprehensive synthesis of existing national Red Lists with global distribution data, national efforts can be incorporated relatively easily into global risk assessments of plants and, hopefully, accelerate these efforts." Staude was a doctoral researcher at iDiv and the University of Halle and is now a senior scientist at Leipzig University.

More information: Hanna Holz et al, Assessing extinction risk across the geographic ranges of plant species in Europe, PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET (2022). Hanna Holz et al, Assessing extinction risk across the geographic ranges of plant species in Europe,(2022). DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10251

Provided by German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research
Schematic illustration of the (double) helix formation mechanism. (A) Formula of the OS-1 and (B) the folding patterns of the foldamers. H-bonds (dashed lines) and electrostatic repulsions (red arrows) result in a bent conformation, and intramolecular stacking gives rise to a helix. (C) Side and top views of the crystal structures of the antiparallel double helix consisting of a pyridine-fluoroquinoline heptamer. Credit: Science Advances, 10.1126/sciadv.abj9752

Quantum plasmonics is the study of quantum properties of light and its interaction with matter at the nanoscale. While intriguing, they are difficult to regulate on account of the lack of proper surface spaces to reversibly actuate sub-1 nanometer gaps. In the field of extreme nanophotonics, researchers have shown how nanogap plasmons can support reliable field enhancements to provide unique opportunities to access a single molecule for strong coupling, and a single atom for quantum catalysis. In a new report now published on Science Advances, Chi Zhang and a team of scientists in physics, science and technology in Wuhan, China, showed that supramolecular systems made of oligoamide sequences can reversibly switch gap plasmons of gold nanoparticles between classical and quantum tunneling regions through supramolecular interactions. The outcomes showed detailed plasmon shift near the quantum tunneling limit to fit well with classical and quantum-corrected models. The team noted how plasmonic hot electronic tunneling in quantum tunneling regions increased conductance in the nanogaps to form a promising prototype of optical tunable, quantum plasmonic nanodevices across the classical and quantum regimes.

Forming oligoamide sequences

Due to its wide range of applications in nano-optics, materials science, and energy harvesting, plasmonics has thrived in vibrant and interdisciplinary fields for decades. Since many of the superior plasmonic properties are related to their large electric field confinement and small mode volume, quantum physicists can engineer plasmonic nanogaps as a hot topic in nanoplasmonics. The nanogap plasmon is very sensitive to the gap distance and can form a nanoscale 'plasmonic ruler' for nano-actuation, molecular sensing, and determine the chemistry and thickness of extremely thin films with resolutions extending to the sub-picometer range. However, it is still challenging to reversibly switch nanogaps across the quantum tunneling limit (a quantum mechanical phenomenon, where a wavefunction can propagate through a potential barrier) relative to classical and quantum mechanical models, due to the absence of a switching system. As a result, many fabrication methods aiming to form quantum mechanical effects for plasmons in nanogap structures are based on nanotechnology. Supramolecular systems at the sub-nanometer scale can provide unique opportunities to access the quantum limit. To facilitate squeezing into the quantum plasmonic regime, Zhang et al. designed an artificial system to switch across sub-nanometer gaps across the quantum tunneling limit. In this work, they used oligoamide foldamers; a set of supramolecular systems engineered to fit around the nanometer-range, to facilitate quantum plasmonic transitions for quantum optoelectronic devices.

Solvent-induced reversible tuning of Au NPoM plasmons. (A) Scheme of the Au NPoM with OS double helices SAM in the nanogap and reversible tuning mechanism. (B to D) Statistics of the DF scattering spectra of Au NPoMs after incubating in different solvents: (B) CHCl 3 , (C) MeOH, and (D) CHCl 3 . The spectra are collected over 15 randomly selected NPs and averaged. (E) Change of the plasmon peak position after incubating in different solvents. (F) DF scattering spectra of the same particle after incubating in CHCl 3 , MeOH, and CHCl 3 again. (G) Change of plasmon resonance with MeOH content (red dots) and simulation based on circuit model (black dashed line). Credit: Science Advances, 10.1126/sciadv.abj9752

The team chemically engineered repeating units of oligoamide sequences to fit the structures just below the quantum limit. Placing them in plasmonic nanogaps enormously benefitted reversible switching between classical and quantum plasmonic regions, to help shed light on quantum plasmonic transitions and show important implications for quantum devices. During the experiments, Zhang et al. first synthesized an oligoamide sequence-1 (OS-1) bearing a thiol group at its pyridine terminus and then made a self-assembled monolayer of double-helix OS-1 on gold films by drop-casting gold nanoparticles on top of gold-sulfide bonds. They then tuned the gap size by changing their conformations after sandwiching antiparallel double helices between gold nanoparticles and the mirror. The scientists characterized the gold nanoparticles on mirror (NPoMs) with dark-field scattering spectroscopy. The results indicated solvent-driven motion therefore they changed the polarity of solvents by adjusting the constituent ratio of methanol and dichloromethane as predicted by SPARTAN software. Zhang et al. also noted the equilibrium of single and double helices of oligoamide sequences to depend on the temperature therefore the process could be reversed by cooling. The team reproduced the thermal-induced plasmon switch for a few cycles; the gold NPoM (nanoparticles on mirror) plasmonic ruler provided a simple mechanism to monitor the assembly and disassembly of double helices at sub-angstrom resolution via scattering spectroscopy.

Temperature-induced reversible tuning of Au NPoM plasmons. (A) Scheme of the temperature-induced switching of single and double helices. (B) DF images of the Au NPoMs after incubation with CHCl 3 at 25 and 60C for 1 hour. Insets are the schemes of the corresponding configuration of the OS assemblies in the nanogaps. (C) Scattering spectra of the same particle after incubating in chloroform for 1 hour at 25, 60, and then back to 25C. (D) Calculated change of plasmon resonance with gap size. Insets indicate the change of OS-1 in the nanogap from 1.4 to 0.7 nm after heating at 60C. Credit: Science Advances, 10.1126/sciadv.abj9752

Simulations and optimized experiments

To further reduce the gap size below the quantum tunneling limit, Zhang et al. chose the shorter oligoamide sequence-2 (OS-2) with only two fluoroquinoline units as the spacer self-assembled monolayer. The resulting OS-2 formed a single helical strand with a height of 1.0 nm, to switch right across the quantum tunneling limit. By increasing the ratio of methanol and dichloromethane, Zhang et al. noted red shifts of plasmon resonance as a result of contracting double helices. The team next simulated the correlation of the methanol content and double-helix size via SPARTAN software, which they used as the gap size of the corresponding plasmon peak. The real gap size could be smaller than the simulated value. The plasmon peaks agreed with the quantum-corrected model to indicate a quantum tunneling limit of about 0.6 nmconsistent with previous reports.

Quantum tunneling

During the experiments, they conducted hot electron tunneling via laser excitation to contribute to the conductance of nanogaps. Zhang et al. noted a blue shift of the coupled plasmons upon laser irradiation, which switched back by turning the laser off. They used a continuous wave laser with low power, where temperature rise in the nanogap was only 0.2 degrees Celsius, without effecting molecular conformations. The team robustly reproduced the switching for many cycles by switching the laser on and off to rule out the possibility of the nanogap bridging effect induced by laser irradiation. For control experiments, Zhang et al. used a single-strand OS-1 in a contrast sample as the gap medium, and did not observe photoswitching of plasmons. They then calculated the conductivity increase of the nanogaps that contributed to hot electron transfer relative to the number of hot electrons produced by laser excitation in the presence of OS-2 molecules. During calculations, the team considered electric charge and mobility of hot electrons in the OS-2 molecules, where total conductance increased from hot electrons for approximate quantum conductance. The outcome agreed well with experiments to represent spectral characterization of quantum conductance states, with great implications for quantum optoelectronic devices.

Tuning the coupled plasmons of Au NPoMs across the classical and quantum regimes. (A) Formula of OS-2 and its configuration of single and double helices. (B) Scattering spectra of Au NPoM after incubating in different solvents for 1 hour. The solvents are a mixture of MeOH and CH 2 Cl 2 with MeOH ratio increasing from 0 to 100%. (C) Scattering spectra of the same particle after incubation at 25 and 60C for 1 hour. (D) Change of plasmon resonance with gap size. Red dots are from the experimental, and black lines are from calculation based on quantum-corrected (QC). (E) Change of plasmon scattering peak with CW laser (641 nm, 10 W) on and off for many cycles. Inset scheme illustrates the light-induced hot electron tunneling mechanism, which changes the conductance of the nanogap. (F) Shift of plasmon peak with 5 cycles of laser on and off. Credit: Science Advances, 10.1126/sciadv.abj9752

In this way, Chi Zhang and colleagues engineered oligoamide sequences (OS) based on supramolecular systems with a series of repeating building blocks to accommodate different gap sizes for different ranges of plasmonic switching. The supramolecular system functions as a nanoactuator at plasmonic nanogaps for spring-like nano-actuation of gold nanoparticles on mirror (NPoM), with potential applications for nanomachines. The plasmonic system can be used as a sensor for temperature or solvents, based on the shift of plasmon resonances. The setup is applicable as a precise plasmonic ruler to monitor the changing oligoamide sequence conformation by measuring scattering spectra of each individual gold nanoparticle to form a fundamental instrument/tool in supramolecular chemistry.

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More information: Chi Zhang et al, Switching plasmonic nanogaps between classical and quantum regimes with supramolecular interactions, Science Advances (2022). Chi Zhang et al, Switching plasmonic nanogaps between classical and quantum regimes with supramolecular interactions,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj9752 Jeffrey N. Anker et al, Biosensing with plasmonic nanosensors, Nature Materials (2008). DOI: 10.1038/nmat2162 Journal information: Science Advances , Nature Materials

 2022 Science X Network
Figure 1. Rogue wave recorded on Nov 17, 2020. Vertical dashed lines indicate the wave group containing the rogue wave. (a) Surface elevation . (b) Spectrogram of surface elevation using the Morlet wavelet. Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05671-4

A pair of researchers at the University of Victoria, have confirmed the observation of a record breaking "rogue wave" off the coast of Vancouver Island two years ago. In their paper published in the journal Scientific Reports, Johannes Gemmrich and Leah Cicon describe data they analyzed from a buoy anchored off Vancouver Island.

Rogue waves are a type of wave with a crest disproportionately higher than the waves around it. Though sometimes confused with tsunamis, rogue waves are quite different. They are thought to be generated by winds, whereas tsunamis are generally created by geologic events such as earthquakes. Also, rogue waves reach their heights out at sea, whereas the size of a tsunami is generally not seen until it encounters land. In this new effort, the research pair studied data from one of the buoys stationed off the coast of Canada near Vancouver Island. Such buoys alert ships to unusual sea conditions. The rogue wave under study had first been observed shortly after it occurred, back in November 2020. In this new effort, the researchers took a closer look at the data sent from the buoy to confirm the initial findings.

They found that the buoy had measured a wave that was 17.6 meters high, while the waves around it were averaging just 6 meters high. Records for such waves are represented as the proportion of the difference in height between the rogue wave and those around it. The proportion in this instance set a new record for largest ever observed.

Ocean scientists are still trying to figure out how rogue waves get their start, how they grow so large, and how long they are able to maintain their height. Understanding them is important because rogue waves tend to surprise crew aboard ships, which means they typically do not have time to take such actions as changing the heading of a ship to steer directly into the wave. Without such information, a large rogue wave can capsize a ship, putting its crew in serious danger.

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More information: Johannes Gemmrich et al, Generation mechanism and prediction of an observed extreme rogue wave, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Johannes Gemmrich et al, Generation mechanism and prediction of an observed extreme rogue wave,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05671-4

 2022 Science X Network
The San Lorenzo River in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park flows in a deep channel well below its historical floodplain. Credit: Will Chapman

The entrance road to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park crosses the San Lorenzo River and winds through a broad flat meadow. To Noah Finnegan, a geomorphologist who studies rivers, something about this landscape doesn't look quite right.

"The river is really deep below the floodplain. That meadow at the entrance is the historical floodplain, and most natural rivers flood out of their channel every one to two years, but the San Lorenzo never floods in Henry Cowell," said Finnegan, a professor of Earth and planetary sciences at UC Santa Cruz.

It was clear to Finnegan and his students that at some point in the past, the San Lorenzo River cut down into its channel and abandoned the floodplain. So they set out to determine when that happened and why. Their findings, published in December in the journal Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, connect this dramatic change in the river's behavior to logging practices in the Santa Cruz Mountains in the 1800s.

The researchers determined that the river is about 2 to 4 meters (6.5 to 13 feet) below where it would be if it were in equilibrium with the floodplain. Records from the U.S. Geological Survey's streamflow gauge in Felton show that the river has risen over its banks only twice since 1987in February 1998 and February 2017and neither event involved widespread flooding in this area.

Researchers stand on the abandoned floodplain on the left, with the San Lorenzo River on the right. The level area in the center of the photo may be a new floodplain being formed. Credit: University of California - Santa Cruz

To understand when the deepening of the channel occurred, the researchers used radiocarbon dating.

"We were able to find charcoal in the floodplain sediments that could tell us when the material was deposited," said William Chapman, a UCSC graduate student who led the study. "The latest dates we got from radiocarbon dating were between 200 and 400 years ago, so the river was still connected to its floodplain in the 1600s and probably into the 1800s."

Clearcut logging was widespread in the Santa Cruz Mountains in the 1800s and early 1900s, bringing dramatic changes to the landscape. One common effect of logging is to increase erosion rates in the watershed by removing vegetation that holds soil in place, causing rivers and streams to become choked with excess sediments and silt. But this would raise the bed of the river rather than cutting a deeper channel.

Many common practices employed during the early days of logging, however, would lead to a deeper channel. Rivers were often used to transport logs, so the channel would be scoured by logs dragged along the bottom and the streambed would be cleared of any debris or logjams that might have slowed the flow of water. Loggers sometimes built "splash dams" to hold back water and then let it go all at once to move logs downstream.

When the San Lorenzo River cut a deep channel, it left many hanging tributaries like this one, where water now drops several feet down to the main channel. Credit: University of California - Santa Cruz

A key factor in a river's behavior is the balance between its "transport capacity"how much sediment the river can carry during high flowsand the supply of sediment entering it from the surrounding landscape. If the sediment supply exceeds the transport capacity, the river will deposit sediments and elevate its bed. But if the transport capacity exceeds the sediment supply, the river will begin to cut down into its bed, deepening the channel in a process called "incision."

"We don't know for sure what logging practices were used in the Felton area, but anything that simplifies the channel, like skidding logs through the channel or pulling out logjams, leads to the river transporting sediment more efficiently," Finnegan said. "When you change the hydraulics to move sediment more efficiently, the river will start to dig down, mining its own bed."

A 2015 study of another watershed in the Santa Cruz Mountains north of Santa Cruz reported similar findings. Deep incision of Pescadero and Butano Creeks was attributed to well-documented historical logging practices, including log skidding in the channels and splash damming.

The abandonment of the floodplain has ecological consequences for species that use floodplain habitats, including salmon and steelhead. Now that the river has cut such a deep channel, however, there's not much that can be done to restore it to the old floodplain. The river seems to be stable now, and in some places it appears to be forming a new floodplain below the old one.

Researchers took sediment cores from the historical floodplain of the San Lorenzo River for radiocarbon dating. Credit: University of California - Santa Cruz

"The river is where it wants to be now," Chapman said. "You can't reverse the incision of the river, but at that lower level it will erode the older banks to create a new equilibrium floodplain that could offer habitat for floodplain species."

Finnegan said he has learned a lot about the history of the San Lorenzo Valley while studying the geomorphology of the river. He learned, for example, about a flume that was built to transport logs and a large gunpowder mill that operated on the banks of the river in the Paradise Park area, traces of which can still be seen.

"What's interesting to me is the intersection of history and archaeology and Earth science," he said. "We have a tendency to take for granted how things look in the natural world, but there are huge legacy effects of land use decisions made decades and centuries ago that still affect rivers today. The forests have grown back, so it's hard to appreciate how extensively this area was logged and the impacts that had."

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More information: William A. L. Chapman et al, River floodplain abandonment and channel deepening coincide with the onset of clearcut logging in a coastal California redwood forest, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms (2021). William A. L. Chapman et al, River floodplain abandonment and channel deepening coincide with the onset of clearcut logging in a coastal California redwood forest,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/esp.5299
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A key technical challenge in creating new sulfur-based medicines has been overcome by scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), leading to the prospect of many new therapeutic 'weapons' in the fight against disease and illness.

Every successful drug has a part of it that physically fits into the exact biochemical pathway it is trying to disrupt. This part of the drug is known as a 'pharmacophore' and generating new ones is a key goal in drug discovery.

Sulfur-based pharmacophores are highly versatile and seen as very promising to drug developers but are rare due to the challenges of synthesizing them.

Now, scientists at NTU Singapore have designed a method to generate sulfur pharmacophores using a catalyst specially developed by the scientists themselves, known as pentanidium.

Their method could be used to synthesize a broad range of new pharmacophores that could be paired with different types of molecules to form new drugs.

They also showed that the new sulfur pharmacophores could be used to modify and repurpose existing drugs, potentially leading to new therapies. Their work is published in the top peer-reviewed scientific journal Nature today.

Professor Tan Choon Hong, Chair of School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and lead author of the study, said that "the process of drug discovery is akin to finding the right key to a lockit involves testing drug candidates with different pharmacophores until a certain combination proves to be effective in modulating a biological pathway. We essentially developed a method that could allow us to make many different types of sulfur-based pharmacophores that are compatible with different drug compounds. This is a valuable addition to the toolkit of drug discovery programs."

This research is in line with the NTU2025 five-year strategic plan, which aims to focus on health and society as one of the six clusters with the potential for significant intellectual and societal impact.

Synthesis of pharmacophores

Pharmacophores are the key part of a drug that gives the drug its function. More than half the drugs used today are chiral, meaning that they can exist in either a left- or right-handed form that are mirror images of each other.

While identical in chemical makeup, the different arrangement of its atoms means one form can behave very differently from the other: one may help to alter the course of a disease, while the other could be inactive, or even toxic.

Being able to synthesize a pharmacophore in the desired single form is a crucial goal in the design and development of drugs to eliminate possible side effects.

Medicinal chemists are interested in the use of sulfur-based compounds as pharmacophores, but synthesizing them into the single left- or right-handed form is challenging and current methods typically focus on making only one type of pharmacophore.

By contrast, the NTU scientists say that their method gives rise to a series of sulfur-based pharmacophores with enough variation to make the drug discovery process more efficient and fruitful.

Their sulfur pharmacophores are developed through a process called asymmetric synthesis, a chemical reaction that results in just a single form, rather than a mixture of both forms being produced.

The process starts with adding a sulfur compound to an acyl chloride (a derivative of carboxylic acid) and a thiolate (a class of organic chemical compounds similar to the alcohols but containing a sulfur atom in place of the oxygen atom). This reaction is catalyzed by pentanidium, a catalyst developed by the NTU scientists which was shown in an earlier studyto induce asymmetric synthesis.

To demonstrate that their approach is a valuable addition to the drug discovery toolkit, the NTU scientists tested their synthesis method on Celecoxib, a drug approved for arthritis. This resulted in a few different pharmacophores that could be used to develop similar drugs.

Prof Tan said that their "approach not only allows us to make variations of pharmacophores to speed up drug discovery but also allows us to pair a pharmacophore with an existing drug and see how it alters the drug's function. This is exciting to the medicinal chemist because you can now improve on existing drugs or develop new therapies without having to start from scratch."

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More information: Choon-Hong Tan, Synthesis of chiral sulfinate esters by asymmetric condensation, Nature (2022). Journal information: Nature Choon-Hong Tan, Synthesis of chiral sulfinate esters by asymmetric condensation,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04524-4
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Buying chocolates as a sign of love, getting the best deals on Black Friday and putting on a spooky costume for Halloween. In recent years, these holidays and traditions have taken off in the Netherlands, even though they originated on the other side of the ocean. Why are we so excited about American holidays?

"These holidays and traditions catch on because there is a certain fascination with the United States," explains professor by special appointment Giles Scott-Smith. He sees that this interest in the country plays a role both at an academic level as well as in the rest of society. "America is still quite glamorous to us. If you go to America, you're really visiting someplace important. Perhaps that glorification is slowly changing, but it's still apparent in Dutch media and television, for example."

Century-long relationships

Our fascination for America goes back a long way, because the Netherlands and America share quite a history. "It goes all the way back to the War of Independence. From that point onwards, there have always been commercial ties. Many investments have been made over the years. Initially mainly by the Netherlands in America, but in the last few decades also the other way around."

This age-old business relationship encourages the adoption of American holidays and traditions. "Companies want America to be the biggest in the commercial market. That means that if something is successful in America, it's often exported to other countries," says Scott-Smith. "Music is a good example, think of jazz or hip hop. There's a constant flow from the United States to the Western world. Of course, there are also new popular musical styles in the rest of the worldthink K-pop, for examplebut America is still the major driving force."

But it also happens more naturally, for example with holidays like Black Friday. "Black Friday is really nothing more than a commercial move. It's just like Valentine's Day now, which was originally a Christian day to honor holy martyrs. Americans are good at focusing on the happy moments, but the commercial aspect is never far away. You show someone you love them by buying them something. The American economy is based on consumption." He adds, however: "Of course, for us it's just an excuse to party. Nobody will pass up on a good party," jokes Scott-Smith.

Land of extremes

He also observed another reason behind the captivating effect of the United States. "It's a country of extremes," according to Scott-Smith. "Take Trump, for example: many people find him strange. It's extremely fascinating that someone like Donald Trump could become president. Some people have a fear that if something happens in America, the same will happen here in five years' time. In the cultural sense, the United States is a bit ahead."

The fact that they are a little ahead has two sides: positive and negative. On the positive side, we have the export of music and films from Hollywood, for example. On the other hand, he says, there are the rifts that have arisen in American society. "If you don't watch out, it could lead to terrible events. We haven't reached that point yet, but we are also slowly seeing rifts in politics and society here with the protests against COVID-19 measures, for example. The United States is a bit of a double-edged sword for us: It's a very fascinating country, but it also shows a future we'd rather not see happen."

Explore further Many Americans don't see sports as promoting love of country
The 1000 block of North Wood Street in Chicago's East Village historic district on Feb. 8, 2022. A decision could be reached in the coming months in a long-running lawsuit that links Chicago landmark districts to racial segregation and a lack of affordable housing (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

A decision could be reached in the coming months in a long-running lawsuit that links Chicago landmark districts to racial segregation and a lack of affordable housing.

The city of Chicago in late January requested a judge rule in its favor on the lawsuit, in which two Chicago residents challenged the creation of historic districts in Lincoln Park and West Town, saying the city had no legitimate reason to apply the designation to their communities.

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The residents also said in their suit that the districts harm them, their neighborhoods and the city, including through the perpetuation and exacerbation of racial and economic segregation ... and the deprivation of reasonably affordable housing for minorities, single persons, the elderly, persons with disabilities, renters, single parents, and other vulnerable groups.

The lawsuit highlights the tension between housing advocates and historic preservationists. Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, said historic districts can protect the built environment, provide stability and serve as neighborhood anchors.

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Homes on West Arlington Place in the Arlington-Deming historic district of the Lincoln Park neighborhood on Feb. 9, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

I think that landmark districts, a lot of times, are really the core of Chicago, he said. And when you think of neighborhoods and the popularity of neighborhoods, you almost think of them as really being based on a beautiful district of buildings, and often a landmark district.

But the lawsuit argues that the ability to create more housing in high-demand neighborhoods like the challenged district in Lincoln Park would reduce home purchase and rent prices, leading to more housing opportunities. The historic district blocked the potential to build those additional units, which perpetuate(s) racial, social and economic segregation and discrimination.

Lauren Buitta, who manages the lawsuit on behalf of one of the residents who filed it, Albert Hanna, who died in 2020, said landmarking and historic preservation wield a significant amount of power over how communities develop.

Al saw racial segregation in the city of Chicago as one of the most detrimental realities of the citys health, Buitta said. He fully believed that denser areas with more opportunity for affordable housing throughout the city would yield a healthier, more vibrant city.

A judges decision on the request from the city of Chicago, which is the only remaining defendant in the case, could address the fate of the two landmark districts, or send the case to trial.

The 1000 block of North Wood Street in the East Village historic district. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

The suit was first filed against the city and related agencies and officials in 2006 by Hanna, a former mortgage banker who lived in the Arlington-Deming District in Lincoln Park, and Carol Mrowka, who owns a home in the East Village District in West Town.

Hanna and Mrowka initially challenged both Chicagos landmarks ordinance as a whole and the creation of the two historic districts where they lived. The challenge to the landmarks ordinance was closely watched by preservationists around the country and was believed to hold significance for efforts to save historic buildings nationwide.

The case has wound its way through the courts, and eventually the challenge to the overall ordinance was rebuffed. The remaining parts of the case challenge the creation of the Arlington-Deming District, given final approval in 2007, and the 2006 landmarking of the East Village District.

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In the years since the lawsuit was filed, affordable housing and segregation have taken on renewed focus in Chicago. A proposed landmark district in Pilsen failed in 2020, after months of resistance from residents worried the rules to protect historic buildings would make it expensive and difficult for them to perform repairs on their homes.

A detail of a home on West Deming Place in the Arlington-Deming historic district. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is also investigating the longtime tradition of aldermanic prerogative and affordable housing, after activists and lawyers filed a complaint in 2018 alleging that allowing aldermen de facto veto power over most development proposals in their wards promotes housing discrimination by keeping low-income minorities from moving into affluent white neighborhoods.

In an updated version of their lawsuit filed in 2010, Hanna and Mrowka said the city had no basis to apply the landmark designation to their neighborhoods, and the creation of the two districts not only delegitimizes valid historic preservation efforts, but is the product of deception and misinformation.

They said the districts thwarted environmental efforts, fair housing policies, handicap accessibility and efforts to boost tax revenue.

The practice challenged herein, landmarking significant (swaths) of the Citys most desirable communities, is the Citys latest tool in its continuing efforts to unjustifiably control development in the Citys most attractive neighborhoods, so as to preclude the development of reasonably affordable housing, particularly rental housing, they said in the lawsuit.

A spokeswoman for the citys Law Department declined to comment. In recent court filings, the citys attorneys disputed Hanna and Mrowkas claims that the city violated their rights and had no basis to designate their communities landmark districts.

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They cited a former assistant historic preservation commissioner who was once named in the case, who testified that the city believed that preserving important and distinctive neighborhoods that have historic architectural and cultural character was important to make Chicago and its neighborhoods unique. He also testified about the changing character of the (East Village District) neighborhood and high amount of demolition and construction that was happening at the time the city considered designation, according to the filing.

An attorney for Hannas estate and Mrowka declined to comment.

Buitta said land-use policies, like zoning and landmarking, are one of the key ways the city maintains what she termed status quo. She hopes the lawsuit demonstrates the power of those policies in maintaining racial segregation, she said.

Through Als perspective, landmarking is the most dangerous because it has the guise of historic preservation, she said. As Al would say, he wasnt against historic preservation, he was against the abuse of historic preservation to keep out poor families and families of color.

But Miller, of Preservation Chicago, described landmark districts as a way of making neighborhoods desirable and protecting homeowners from large-scale, cookie-cutter developments in their neighborhoods that can send land values shooting up, displacing residents, he said.

Homes on West Deming Place in the Arlington-Deming historic district of the Lincoln Park neighborhood on Feb. 8, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Development of larger buildings can also overwhelm nearby houses or two- and three-flats, affecting residents quality of life, he said.

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We have a responsibility to protect these buildings, he said. Chicago is known as an architectural capital of North America and the nation, and I think we really have to take that seriously. Were seeing so much redevelopment and destruction that its really harming that legacy.

Buitta said she hopes historic preservationists see the lawsuit as an opportunity to rethink landmarking.

I would hope that historic preservationists could see this as an opportunity to revisit the language of their respective ordinances through an equity lens, given were having this broader national conversation around equity.

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Huge data platforms such as Facebook and YouTube are having a corrosive effect on politics in the U.S. and Europe. Proposed laws would require them to open their data to researchers, and that could yield insights into the hidden systems that enable and promote disinformation. Credit: Neil Freese/UC Berkeley

Facebook, YouTube, Twitterin the space of barely a decade, these massive data platforms and others have transformed society. But each is like a black box: While they are blamed for undermining public health and eroding democracy, and while their profits mount to tens of billions of dollars every year, their innermost operations are largely hidden from view.

Now, however, lawmakers in the U.S. and Europe are advancing measures that would give researchers new rights to access and analyze data from these powerful platforms. That could be an essential step for understanding how they help to spread misinformation and disinformation that imperil the nation's well-being, says technology scholar Brandie Nonnecke, director of the CITRIS Policy Lab at UC Berkeley.

In an analysis published today (Feb. 11) in the journal Science, Nonnecke and co-author Camille Carlton detail the political measures that would force Facebook and other platforms to open access onto the oceans of data they collect from billions of users. While the fate of the legislation is uncertain, Nonnecke said, the stakes are historic.

"These platforms are taking on an increasingly influential role in our social, economic and political interactionswith very little oversight," Nonnecke said in an interview. "This is problematic. In the U.S., we saw after the election how platforms were used to manipulate public opinion and influence voting behavior.

"So, yes," she added, "these bills are necessary to protect democracyabsolutely."

Nonnecke is an influential scholar on information and communication technology, artificial intelligence and internet governanceand how all of these intersect with the public good. Her research has been published in top academic journals and widely featured in the news media, and she has consulted with policymakers in the U.S. and around the world.

Carlton is the communications manager at the Center for Humane Technology.

Ignoring risks in pursuit of profits

The proposed laws come at a time when criticism of the 21st century media titans is escalating across the political spectrum.

Investigations and news reports have detailed how a range of domestic and foreign actors used social media aggressively in an effort to manipulate the U.S. presidential elections in 2016 and 2020.

Then, last October, whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former data scientist at Facebook, testified in Congress that company leaders know their products sow political division and put children at risk, but have continued the practices because they're massively profitable.

The workings of such influence rest on the use of advanced technology to manipulate readers and viewers. But a core concern, Nonnecke said, is how companies such as Facebook and YouTube (which is owned by Google) use "recommender systems" that assess users' interests and steer them to content that's provocativebut not necessarily reliable.

These systems "prioritize the sensational over the sensible because people engage with that type of content," she explained. "We are hard-wired to rubberneck and focus on shocking content, and they know that it keeps eyes on screens."

But how exactly do the companies work those processes?

"We have some idea, but much more research is needed," Nonnecke said. "For example, as a researcher, it's quite hard for me to see the virality of a misinformation and disinformation campaign."

Some data on traffic and targeting is available by other legal means. "While some researchers have been able to peer into a platform's recommender system through careful experiments and analysis, it's difficult work," she added. "It's difficult for us to see how the recommender system has pushed forward a given narrative, or helped to make disinformation or misinformation go viral, and especially who's behind it.

"As researchers, we've been asking for more access to platform data for years, knowing that, in order for us to understand the effects these platforms have on our society, we need to have access to that data."

Using law to pry open the black box

The digital media giants haven't blocked all data access. Nonnecke stressed that some platforms have made sustained efforts to build cooperative relationships with independent researchers. But the companies have at times released incomplete data, and much information remains off-limits.

Various legislative efforts have been mounted to regulate the media platforms, thus far with little success. The proposed laws in Europe and the U.S. would take great strides to make the companies more transparent, requiring them to work with researchers who want to probe their inner workings.

In 2011, Facebooks still-new data center in the high-desert town of Prineville, Oregon, covered 150,000 square feet. The complex has grown massively since then to handle the data generated by Facebooks global communities. By the end of 2023, Facebook will have 11 data centers there, covering more than 4.5 million square feet, at a cost of $2 billion. Credit: Tom Raftery/Wikimedia Commons

"There needs to be accountability," Nonnecke said, "and accountability comes from transparency. It comes from allowing researchers to access the data  in the spirit of establishing appropriate oversight and guidance by law."

The proposed laws, she said, could be "transformative."

Europe: The European Commission has already approved a "Code of Practice on Disinformation" to support researchers' access to data. Now, the Digital Services Actpassed by the European Parliament and under review by member countrieswould require the biggest online platforms to become active partners in the fight against disinformation.

They would be required to assess systemic social, economic and political risks that arise from their systems, then implement strategies to limit the risks. Their assessments and related data would be open to audit by government bodies and researchers.

Specifically, the proposed law would require large platforms to provide access to data related to the risks posed by their operations; that reflect the working and accuracy of algorithms that shape content recommendations; and that show the processes of moderating content and handling complaints.

The European bill appears to be on a trajectory to becoming law, Nonnecke said.

U.S.: Nonnecke and Carlton write that a bill introduced in Congress in Decemberwith bipartisan supportis "the most comprehensive" ever proposed in the U.S. to require large platforms to make their data available for research and oversight.

Known as the "Platform Accountability and Transparency Act," the measure sets a formal process by which the National Science Foundation (NSF) would evaluate proposed research that requires platform data. When projects are approved, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would work with the platforms to manage release of data to NSF-approved researchers.

The FTC also would have the authority to require the platforms to disclose data and other information that would help researchers, journalists and others to assess how the platforms might be harming society.

Controlling 'the real, tangible, visible harms'

Both the European and U.S. measures seek to protect the identities of individual users, and both give companies mechanisms to protect some data related to trade secrets.

But Nonnecke flagged several possible shortcomings. A particular concern, she said, is that access might be limited to research institutions that have advanced infrastructure for managing the data or cybersecurity requirements. That could be a barrier to smaller or less affluent institutions, she said, and thereby undermine the essential need for diversity among researchers.

Second, for data to be of high value for scientific inquiry, platforms should include metadata and other contextual information, such as how data were cleaned, transformed or modified before being handed off to researchers. "This better ensures that the data and research insights will be of higher quality and accuracy," Nonnecke said.

How Facebook, YouTube and other large platforms will react to these measures remains to be seen. They could welcome the laws for providing a rational process and clear procedures, Nonnecke said.

Or they might resist.

"By and large, the companies want to protect themselves, and they want to protect shareholder value," she explained. "So, they don't want to make transparent to the world the skeletons in their closet."

Nonnecke sees some similarity with efforts to regulate tobacco use in the 1950s and '60s.

When confronted with scientific evidence that smoking causes cancer, Big Tobacco at first "denied, denied, denied," she said. "Finally, Congress said, "No, the research is clear. We are putting these restrictions on you for the public's health and well-being.'"

And yet, assessing the impact of big data platforms across society is more difficult, she said. "How do I do that with a platform that's hard to evaluate? When I don't understand its inner workings, and I don't know how people are interacting with it?

"It's clear that the effects are not the same as causing cancer," she said, "but there are real, tangible, visible harms that platforms cause.  We see them, and we need more research to understand what's happening and how to minimize the harms."

Explore further Australia wants Facebook to seek parental consent for kids

More information: Brandie Nonnecke et al, EU and US legislation seek to open up digital platform data, Science (2022). Journal information: Science Brandie Nonnecke et al, EU and US legislation seek to open up digital platform data,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abl8537
The research team studied a total of 36 bees, including the two new species. Credit: Senckenberg

Together with an international team, Senckenberg scientist Dr. Monica M. Solorzano Kraemer studied stingless bees from East Africa that were encased in tree resin and copal. In their study, published in the journal The Holocene, the researchers describe two new species and explains that they most likely became extinct prior to their discovery. The coastal forests where the bees were found are among the most threatened areas worldwide.

The forests of East Africa and the coastal forest of Madagascar are among the most threatened ecosystems in the world. More than 90 percent of the forest land there has been clearcut; in 2020 alone, 241 kilohectares of trees were lost in Madagascar. "Yet, these areas are still considered 'biodiversity hotspots,'" explains Dr. Monica M. Solorzano Kraemer of the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum in Frankfurt, and she continues, "However, their biodiversity was incomparably higher in the pastas we have learned from insect inclusions in fossilized resins, among other things."

Together with a team from Spain (Universitat de Barcelona and Instituto Geologico y Minero de Espana-CSIC), the U.S. (University of Kansas), and Germany (Helmholtz-Zentrum HereonDESY), Solorzano Kraemer examined several of these tree resins (so-called "defaunation resins") and copals. Inside the resins, the researchers found inclusions of stingless bees (Meliponini)the youngest dating from 2015, the oldest from about 3,000 years ago. Among the 36 specimens studied, the researchers identified three species already known to science as well as two previously undescribed speciesAxestotrigona kitingae sp. nov. and Hypotrigona kleineri sp. nov..

The species Hypotrigona kleineri sp. nov. became extinct before it was described. Credit: Senckenberg

"Today, East Africa and Eastern Madagascar are highly fragmented landscapes. We therefore assume that the newly discovered species are already extinct at this time," says Solorzano Kraemer, and she explains: "Meliponini species are very sensitive to environmental changes, as these social, colony-dwelling bees depend on pollen, nectar and resin from the surrounding flora. For this reason, as well as extensive anthropogenic habitat changes over the past 150 years throughout East Africa, it seems unlikely that these species are still surviving."

In their study, the researchers refer to a "hidden loss" of biodiversity: the extinction of species before they could be discovered and described in their natural environment. "Until now, science has been focused primarily on inclusions in amber. However, resin and copals preserve organisms in comparably good condition, making them important tools for tracking changes in faunal assemblages. They reveal to us what the insect world looked like before the beginning of the Anthropocene, the human-influenced age, and should therefore definitely receive greater attention," adds Solorzano Kraemer in conclusion.

Explore further Madagascar copals turn out to be resin

More information: Monica M Solorzano-Kraemer et al, Stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Holocene copal and Defaunation resin from Eastern Africa indicate Recent biodiversity change, The Holocene (2022). Monica M Solorzano-Kraemer et al, Stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Holocene copal and Defaunation resin from Eastern Africa indicate Recent biodiversity change,(2022). DOI: 10.1177/09596836221074035
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP  Since he was a young child, TeJean Florestal has been interested in electronics and playing video games.

When he became aware in eighth grade that the Atlantic County Institute of Technology offered an Academy of Information Technology program he decided to apply, was accepted, and entered the program in September 2020. During his freshman year he learned how to create apps.

His career program choice was obviously a prudent one as TeJean, currently a sophomore, has been announced by Congressman Jeff Van Drew as the winner of the 2021 Congressional App Challenge for the 2nd District of New Jersey.

The App Challenge asks local middle and high school students to submit a developed application (app). The apps are judged based on impact, structure, function, technical capability of coding, and innovation. It is credited as being the most prestigious prize in student computer science.

TeJeans winning project is Mr. Homework-Helper. The app helps users calculate equations and convert Metric and Imperial units. It can convert temperature, time, length, mass and volume. It is specifically designed with students as the target audience to aid them in their schoolwork. This app speeds up the task of converting mathematical units, which is useful not only to students, but also professionals. TeJean coded Mr. Homework-Helper using JavaScript.

Once I created the app, I sent the code to my fellow students for them to use, he said.

I am very impressed with all of the app submissions this year and the ideas and innovation that went into their creation, Van Drew said. It is apparent through TeJeans app that a lot of time and effort was put into creating a tool for students to assist them with their schoolwork. Congratulations TeJean on receiving this prestigious award; I look forward to seeing you succeed in your future endeavors.

School officials were pleased to see TeJean earn the honor.

TeJean is a great kid who has a passion in computer science and is always willing to learn about any new technology, Principal Joseph Potkay said. His award is a prime example of how ACITs career and technical programs allow its students to showcase their talents. Our computer science program curriculum and our teachers are continually striving to ensure that the students of ACIT are prepared in the field they chose to study.

Paul Ellenberg is TeJeans information technology instructor. He has taught at the school since 2007.

Our sophomore class members enter this competition each year, Ellenberg said. They begin the three-week project near the start of the school year based on the knowledge they gathered as freshmen and then build on it. I am often amazed at what they come up with.

TeJean is a great student who generally comes up with his own way of doing things that work surprisingly well. And that is meant as a compliment. He was the only one of the 21 students who developed the app on his own, not as a member of a team.

Te Jean was excited to find out he won the award.

Im very grateful and my family is very happy for me, he said.

He lives in Atlantic City with his mother, Natasha, and sister, Madilynn. His goal is to go to college and work in the information technology field, likely developing apps. He already has plans for his next one.

I plan to develop Homework-Helper II to help students with reading and other subjects, he said.

The 2021 Congressional App Challenge ended on Nov. 1, yielding 2,101 fully functioning apps. A total of 7,174 students registering for this years competition. In all, 340 members of Congress hosted Congressional App Challenges in their districts across 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C.

Each participating member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during the annual #HouseOfCode festival.

This years event will take place in Washington D.C. April 20-22. TeJean plans to attend and to demonstrate his app to Van Drew.

Im a bit nervous because I am not an extraverted person, he said. But I am excited for the opportunity.
American public libraries have seen physical attendance decline for a decade  but with the advent of new digital ways to access books and other materials, libraries are more active than ever before.

WordsRated, a research organization that analyzes books, literature, publishing and reading, published a report Wednesday analyzing the state of American public libraries. Nick Rizzo, the WordsRated research director, said the report was compiled over three months and involved the analysis of data from 17,500 libraries across the country. Its analysis focuses on a period before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, from 1992 to 2019.

The report found that visits to libraries in the United States declined about 21.2% between 2009 and 2019 and that there were 19.2% fewer books being borrowed in 2019 than in 2013. The fall in attendance came after a 17-year increase in visits, rising 34.5% between 1992 and 2009. Per-capita visits to libraries likewise fell over a five-year period, dropping 14.8% between 2014 and 2019. The decrease in attendance was mirrored by a fall in books being physically checked out of libraries.

There were about 4.5 visits per capita in New Jersey in 2019, giving it the 19th highest rate of attendance of the 50 states, according to additional data sent to The Press. Visits per New Jersey library were good for about 93,205, making for the 10th lowest rate in the country. Its 4.8 libraries per 100,000 people, meanwhile, made for the 14th lowest rate. New Jersey libraries collectively had over 25.0 million books, 13.3 million e-books and 10.9 million audiobooks, ranking ninth, 13th and 10th highest in the country respectively.

The declining interest in physically visiting libraries belies the growth in overall library activity. Total library collection size increased by 113.3% from 1992 to 2019, largely on the strength of a growing digital collection, which more than tripled in size between 2014 and 2019. Physical collections fell during the same time period by about 8.2%.

A majority of materials available in American libraries are now digital, according to the report, eclipsing 54.7% of the total collection in 2019. By contrast, total collections were over 97% physical in 2010 and over 99% physical in 2003.

The shift to digital was paired with an overall increase in use of the library collection. The rate of collection-use per registered borrower has increased to over 16.8 library items per user in 2019, which is up over 10.7% from 2014. When people do use items from library it does tend to still mostly be physical, with physical use making up over 62.6% of the total.

Collection use per capita in New Jersey was about 5.9, ranking 38th among the 50 states, although it had recently grown. Over 89.2% of library materials borrowed from New Jersey libraries were physical, making for the eighth highest physical-use rate in the country.

The average cost of operating libraries in the United States steadily grew, to $765,715 in 2019, amounting to a more than 17% increase over the cost in 2014 and having tripled since 1992. The costs are mostly administrative, with about 89.1% attributable to staff and related expenses and a little over a tenth attributable to library collections.

While government funding of libraries has fallen, they are still running a collective surplus of over $17 billion thanks to fines and fees as well as donations and grants. New Jersey libraries had the seventh highest total funding in the country at over $509.7 million, although they had recently showed relatively weak funding growth.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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The Davenport Community School District board is scheduled to take action Monday on a proposal to award staff bonuses from federal COVID-19 relief funds.

The payments would be broken into three installments, with the amount to be distributed based on the number of hours the employees work, according to the report on the plan that was included in Mondays board agenda. The total cost would be nearly $4.7 million.

District staff presented the report at the boards Feb. 7 committee of the whole meeting. The goal is to encourage employees to stay with the district.

Other districts, including the Bettendorf Community School District, are also offering incentives, according to the report.

If the proposal is approved, the money would be drawn from federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Those funds have been distributed to districts in a series of three grants during the pandemic: ESSER I, II and III.

The incentive program would be funded with a portion of the districts ESSER II money.

There are two categories of employee defined in the proposal: those working more than 30 hours a week and those working fewer than 30 hours a week.

The employees covered would include teachers, paraeducators, administrators, custodians, secretaries and maintenance workers.

The districts administrative cabinet would be excluded.

Those employees working more than 30 hours would receive a total of $2,000 divided between the three installments, while those working less than that would get $1,500.

If the proposal is approved, the incentives would be paid out over the next year, according to the agenda.

The proposal includes additional money to cover the taxes that would be deducted from the payments to prevent the bonuses from being reduced, according to the committee of the whole discussion.

The Davenport schools have received a total of more than $74.3 million in federal COVID-19 relief, the bulk of it from the ESSER distributions, according to the district. Its ESSER III allotment was more than $48.3 million and was the largest of its distributions.

The school board is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday and the proceeding will be streamed via the districts YouTube page.

The agenda, including the report on the incentive program, is available online through the districts website.

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Aurora Mayor Richard Irvins quest for the Republican nomination for governor was formally backed Monday by Ken Griffin, setting the stage for a potential battle of the billionaires if Irvin wins the June 28 primary and the right to face Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November.

Griffin, the states wealthiest person and founder and CEO of the Citadel investment firm, gave Irvins campaign $20 million  the first of what is expected to be several big donations to counter Pritzker, a businessman and heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune.

J. B. Pritzker puts politics first and refuses to address the crime that is tearing apart our state, cities and families. I firmly believe Richard Irvin has the character and leadership needed to again make Illinois a place where people can feel safe to live, raise a family and pursue their dreams, Griffin, worth $26.1 billion according to Forbes, said in a statement.

Richard Irvin is self-made, and his life story epitomizes the American dream, Griffin said of the first Black mayor of the states second largest city. I have tremendous respect for all that he has accomplished.

In a statement, Irvin said, I appreciate Mr. Griffins support and the thousands of other donors who have joined our campaign in the first few weeks.

Griffins support for Irvin was no surprise. Griffin had vowed to go all in against Pritzker, and his allies assembled a slate of GOP candidates for statewide office, headed by Irvin, to gain his financial backing.

But for the battle of the billionaires to truly take place, Irvin must win a five-way race for the Republican nomination in the June 28 primary, which despite Griffins money is far from a sure thing in a party heavily influenced by former President Donald Trump.

The GOP field also includes state Sen. Darren Bailey of Xenia, former state Sen. Paul Schimpf of Waterloo, Bull Valley businessman Gary Rabine and cryptocurrency venture capitalist Jesse Sullivan of Petersburg.

Griffin and Pritzker, worth $3.6 billion according to Forbes, have long been at odds.

In the 2018 governors race, Griffin gave Pritzkers predecessor, one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, $22.5 million for his losing reelection effort, while Pritzker, who spent more than $171 million of his own money. Griffin gave Rauner $13.5 million in the Republicans successful 2014 campaign.

More recently, in last Novembers election, Griffin spent $53.75 million to fight Pritzkers signature agenda item, a proposed constitutional amendment rejected by voters to change the state from a flat-rate income tax to a graduated-rate levy. Pritzker spent $58 million to encourage its passage. The measure was soundly rejected by voters.

Pritzker has already poured $125.5 million of his own money into his reelection campaign, including a $90 million deposit in January.

In a statement, the Pritzker campaign sought to tie Griffin to Rauners tenure as governor, when an ideological battle between the Republican governors anti-union stance and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly led to two years without a full state operating budget.

Ken Griffin would conveniently like us all to forget he bankrolled the very governor that decimated the social services that prevent violence, caused our colleges and universities to nearly lose accreditation and devastated our states finances in previously unseen ways, said Pritzker spokeswoman Natalie Edelstein.

Kens chosen candidate is entirely unserious about addressing the issues facing Illinois and spent fifteen years profiting off of the defense of violent criminals, she said. The wounds left by Bruce Rauners incompetence are still fresh and Illinoisans see Irvins candidacy for exactly what it is: another empty suit for Ken Griffin to drag our state backwards.

Griffins formal backing of Irvin was announced Monday in an op-ed interview of the wealthy investor by David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association that appeared in the Chicago Tribunes editorial pages.

In the BGAs 2020 nonprofit disclosure form, the most recent available, Griffin gave the group $100,000.

In an email, Greising, a former Tribune columnist, said Griffins lifetime contributions to the BGA total $375,000. He also noted Pritzker was a past donor, and that Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, is a previous donor and past BGA board member.

Going back to my time at the Tribune  when my columns sometimes would irritate board members and major advertisers  I have reported and written without allowing any non-journalistic influences to affect my work, Greising wrote.

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At least two brief twisters reportedly touched down as part of a storm system that rolled across northeastern Illinois. WLS-TV reports that one EF-0 tornado snapped tree branches and uprooted some trees as it traveled about two miles on the ground before 5 p.m. Saturday west of Chicago in Oak Brook. The second EF-0 tornado was confirmed about 5:50 p.m. Saturday in Candlewick Lake in northern Boone County, northwest of Chicago. The Oak Brook tornado damaged part of a roof. Peak winds upwards of 75 mph were reported. The National Weather Service says it had a maximum width of about 60 yards. No injuries have been reported from either tornado.
The city of Rock Island has named Miles Brainard as the new community and economic development director.

Brainard has served as interim community and economic development director since September, taking over when Nathan Parch resigned after less than five months on the job.

The department oversees inspections, planning, and community development and economic development. Brainard was hired by the city as an urban planner in 2017 and two years later was promoted to planning and redevelopment administrator.

"Miles has been a great asset to the city of Rock Island," Interim City Manager John Gripp said. "His dedication and commitment to the community shine through in his work. I look forward to Miles leading our community economic and development department team."

Before joining the city, Brainard worked as a planner for the Mid-Iowa Development Association (MIDAS) Council of Governments in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Brainard graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in community and regional planning.

During his brief tenure as interim director, Brainard worked with Moline and East Moline on the development of a potential regional land bank, continued the community needs assessment in the west end of the city and sold off surplus city-owned vacant lots.

In his new role, he will help oversee the citys planning commission, arts commission, beautification commission, preservation commission and the board of zoning appeals; serve as the staff representative on the Rock Island Downtown steering committee; serve as a member of the Heartland Sustainability Network and the American Planning Association; and serve on River Actions RiverWay steering committee.

Brainard said he "looks forward to continuing to work with the team of experts that make up the department team and supporting them as they work to create a better future for the city of Rock Island."

"I am very humbled that city leadership trusts me with this responsibility and excited to continue working with a great team to make Rock Island stronger," Brainard said.

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A former Montana governor who once served as the chair of the Republican National Committee has sent a letter to the RNC's current chair, urging the committee to withdraw its recent censure of two GOP members for their roles in investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection on the nations Capitol.

Marc Racicot, in a Feb. 9 letter to RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, which begins with It is a sad day, indeed, criticizes the resolution censuring Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. The letter was published Sunday in The Billings Gazette and The Montana Standard.

I urge the pursuit of this remedy with the understanding that were human, that politics is a competitive enterprise and that sometimes we make mistakes, he wrote. But I also believe in such a situation the final measure of our charter is whether we have the insight and courage to humbly and honestly correct them.

The RNC on Feb. 4 censured Cheney and Kinzinger for participating on the House committee investigating the violent Jan. 6 insurrection and assailed the panel for leading a persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse, the Associated Press reported.

McDaniel has said the legitimate political discourse wording in the censure was not referring to the violent attack on the Capitol, but had to do with other actions taken by the House committee. She said the media has distorted the action, adding the "committee predictably has now vastly exceeded its original purpose and morphed into something else entirely, investigating Republicans who had nothing to do with Jan. 6 for the apparent offense of being Republican."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has criticized the RNC censures as well.

 the issue is whether or not the RNC should be sort of be singling out members of our party who may have different views than the majority, he said. Thats not the job of the RNC.

A fellow Montana Republican disagreed with Racicot, saying the action by the RNC was warranted.

GOP Rep. Matt Rosendale, Montana's lone member of the House, said Monday he supported the censure.

"When Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger accepted committee assignments from Nancy Pelosi to be a part of the partisan Jan. 6 Committee witch hunt due to their personal vendettas against President Trump, it was evident that not only were they out-of-touch with the Republican base -- but that they were actively seeking to do harm to the Republican Party, and our members," he said in an email. "A formal censure of Cheney and Kinzinger from the Republican Party was absolutely warranted."

He said he "led the charge" last year to remove Cheney as chair of the Republican Conference because instead of advocating for conservative priorities, "she used her position as a bully pulpit against President Trump."

"It's clear that Cheney and Kinzinger continue to do so to this day and that they are reporting to Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat Party-we cannot allow folks on the other team to join our huddle," Rosendale said.

"I'm glad they were censured and believe they should be removed from the House Republican Conference," he said.

Racicot, who served as Montanas governor from 1993 to 2001 and RNC chair from 2002-2003, said in his missive to McDaniel that he hesitated at first from writing the letter.

At the same time, my heart tells me that, as a citizen, a former elected state official and former Chair of the Republican National Committee, I must do what I can to take care of protect our democracy and way of life, he wrote.

Racicot said he expects RNC members will regret passing the resolution.

I believe you, and members of the Committee, have substantially underestimated the Great Middle of America and whats happening with all of those good and decent people from sea to shining sea, he wrote, adding they are made up of people from all parties organizing with a higher goal of standards of decency, integrity, honor and faithfulness to the best interests of the Republic.

Racicot says the RNCs search for power for its own sake and winning at any cost has prompted it to sacrifice the partys soul.

Regrettably, it appears, you have hitched your wagon to the wrong star, he wrote.

Racicot asks how can the House inquiry to purse the truth be so threatening?

How is it that faithfulness to ones country and fellow citizens be so precipitously and eagerly sacrificed in exchange for political victory, or the pursuit of power, or both? he asks.

Racicot said the elephant in the room is the 2020 presidential election and former President Donald Trumps effort to overturn the results.

Although it is ever so neat and tidy to blame the defeat of the former president on the existence of decisive and widespread fraud, there is not even a scintilla of evidence, anywhere, to support such piffle, Racicot wrote.

He said Trump did not lose because of fraud.

The truth is quite the opposite, Racicot wrote.

The defeat of the former president is explained by the fact that legions of responsible citizens, part of that Great Middle of America, voted the way they did because they embraced the very fidelity to their country and its Constitution that the RNC claims to embrace in its Party Platform.

Racicots comments follow two Montana events, a Dec. 8 speech to the Montana Taxpayers Association and a Jan. 26 virtual town hall held by the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, in which he warned of divisiveness in the country.

Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.

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Cuban visual artist Alfredo Chong, a 73-year-old Chinese descendant who admires China's traditional cultural values and national identity, is celebrating the Year of the Tiger with new paintings and artworks.

He has recently finished a 1.80-meter-high Terracotta Warrior sculpture exhibited at Havana's Confucius Institute as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in the Caribbean nation.

Under the title "Cuban Terracotta Warrior," the paper mache sculpture pays homage to the bravery and strength of the Chinese people throughout the history.

He spends three or four hours a day at home, in the Havana district of Arroyo Naranjo, depicting the huge diversity of Chinese culture through calligraphy and Chinese paintings.

"Animals have a huge symbolism for Chinese zodiac and culture. I have portrayed rats, snakes, tigers and goats in my artworks," he said.

Over the past few years, Chong's sculptures have been installed in public places across the city, including cultural centers, stores and the House of Chinese Arts and Traditions.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he can only display his artworks at his home's big terrace surrounded by orchids, ornamental plants and fruit trees.

Chong, who has never visited China, told Xinhua that his new sculpture could encourage future generations of Cubans to learn more about China's history.

"This Terracotta warrior will continue defending the principles and values of the Chinese culture and people. From the bottom of my heart, I have travelled to China several times," he added.
Your business benefits from working with a community bank with local roots. Building a relationship with someone dependable is crucial in this fast-paced, changing world. Blue Ridge Bank in Virginia Beach, Virginia, wants to be your bank of choice.

We are part of your community. We go to church with you. We go to the gym with you. We know what is going on in our area, and were responsive when you need us, said Molly Crawford, Blue Ridge Banks vice president of the treasury management office.

A wide range of customizable financial services

Large national banks offer one-size-fits-all products, often with little to no flexibility for small businesses. When you have questions, you might speak with someone in another time zone or relay your issues to a team member unfamiliar with your particular situation. Navigating a network of banks spread across the nation can require dedicated time and patience on your part. Your business needs you to be managing your clients  not managing your bank.

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Blue Ridge Bank wants to be more than just your business services bank. Managing your back office is time consuming. Whether youre just starting or youve been in business for a while, the bank has additional business services to help guide you to achieve future goals. Whether you need financing or growth funds to grow your business, you can turn to the Blue Ridge Bank staff for guidance helping you to make the best business decisions for your situation and industry.

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This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or financial advice. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this paid post belong solely to Blue Ridge Bank and do not represent the views of Brand Ave. Studios or its parent company.
The developer of a proposed 83-mile natural gas pipeline across five central Virginia counties is putting the plan on hold following a ruling by a federal regulatory commission.

The federal ruling announcement is good news for opponents of the proposed pipeline, whove been outspoken from the beginning about the negative environmental impacts.

Beth Minear, an outreach coordinator for Chickahominy Pipeline, LLC, emailed government officials in Hanover County on Sunday to say the company was putting the project on pause due to a ruling Friday by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission related to the fate of a power plant for which pipeline was being built.

Chickahominy Pipeline would transport natural gas from Louisa County through Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Charles City counties to that yet-to-be built natural gas power plant, Chickahominy Power. That plant would burn the gas to create electricity that would be sold into a large market of several states.

Both the pipeline and power plant are subsidiaries of a Northern Virginia-based energy firm called Balico LLC.

The federal commission upheld a decision by PJM, a regional transmission organization in multiple states, to remove Chickahominy Power from its permit queue for failing to meet milestones for the plants completion. The ruling says the developer was notified in November that it failed to satisfy part of its agreement with PJM that involved substantial site work completion, and when the developer didnt fix the problem, PJM canceled the agreement in December.

Chickahominy has demonstrated no diligence or meaningful progress on the Chickahominy Project since entering the queue in October 2016, the ruling said. While PJM has the discretion to reasonably extend project milestones in some circumstances, those circumstances do not exist here.

Given that ruling, Minear wrote Sunday, the pipeline will suspend its plans while the developers decide whether to keep moving forward with the power plant.

She said by email that PJMs description of events was misleading and driven largely by a bias toward removing fossil fuel projects from the queue.

Additionally, Minear noted that an in-person open house scheduled for Feb. 21 at Hanovers Montpelier Center for Arts & Education has been canceled.Before Sundays news, Minear said by email that Chickahominy Pipeline had received survey permissions from landowners representing more than 54 miles of the proposed route, or just over 60%.

That meant landowners agreed to allow the company on their land, but had not yet agreed to use of their land.

In all, nearly 400 parcels across the five counties would potentially be impacted, with Louisa having the most  180  followed by Hanover with 167.

The recent federal ruling follows a December ruling by the Virginia State Corporation Commission, which rejected a request by the developer to build the pipeline without approval from the SCC.

I hope that our SCC and legislators look hard at the monstrous amount of time and money wasted when Virginia entertains desperate, ill-founded merchant proposals to expand fossil fuel infrastructure, said Lynn Peace Wilson, one of the leading activists in opposition to the pipeline proposal. This should never happen again.

The Charlottesville-based Southern Environmental Law Center lauded the decision.

We will continue to partner with local residents to ensure that the proposed pipeline does not bring harm to the hundreds of private properties it would have to clear, trench, and blast across to complete its 83-mile route, said Greg Buppert, a senior attorney with the organization. We are glad to see Chickahominy Power, LLC suspending this unnecessary and harmful project.

Further, from an environmental standpoint, it never made sense to invest in so-called natural gas at a time when Virginia has committed to a clean, zero-carbon energy grid, much less to construct what would have been one of the largest gas plants in the state, Buppert said.

Hanover Board of Supervisors Chair Angela Kelly-Wiecek said Monday that the ruling is quite significant, and that she agreed that the pipeline project and the power plant it was connected to had no viable path forward.

Kelly-Wiecek and Hanovers board  and its county administrator, John Budesky  have publicly voiced their frustrations for months that Chickahominy was not being responsive or forthcoming in providing information about the pipeline or how it would affect people.

We will continue to watch these developments  we want to be in a spot where we are advocating for our residents, Kelly-Wiecek said. Still, I would think this would be a great relief to those who have lost a lot of sleep over this project.

Patrick Wilson pwilson@timesdispatch.com; (804) 649-6061; Twitter: @patrickmwilson Follow Patrick Wilson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
A bill blocking school boards from mandating masks in schools has reached Gov. Glenn Youngkins desk, a major win for a governor who campaigned on promises to dial back COVID-19 mandates even as the pandemic continues.

Senate Bill 739 cleared the GOP-controlled House along party lines Monday in a 52-48 vote, days after clearing the Democrat-controlled Senate with support from three Democrats.

The bill would ban localities from requiring students to wear masks, and from punishing students whose parents opt to send their child to school without a mask.

The bill could take effect in less than a week. House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, personally handed the legislation to Youngkin on Monday afternoon. The governor said he now intends to tack on an emergency clause under which the law would take effect upon his signature.

Such a clause  treated like any other amendment proposed by a governor  would need just a simple majority vote in each chamber to take effect, according to the clerks for the House and the Senate.

The legislation is the latest development in a heated debate nationwide over masking requirements in schools as the COVID pandemic continues  a debate that has split Virginia localities.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend masks in schools, some public health experts have thrown into question how effective face coverings are at preventing the spread of COVID in schools. (Studies show medical-grade masks remain effective in large-group settings among the general population.)

Conservatives argue that absent data showing overwhelming benefits in schools, it should be up to parents to decide if their child should wear one, asserting that masking is emotionally taxing on some children. Republicans say their legislation reflects the broader will of the public as the nation enters the third year of the pandemic.

School shutdowns and masking seem prudent responses to an unknown threat. But much has changed since then, said Del. Amanda Batten, R-James City. Most Virginians and Americans, and certainly all of us in this body, have resumed many of our normal activities. Based on our comfort level, we choose whether or not to wear masks.

Yet our children here in Virginia remain masked in schools. Their words are muffled and theyre unable to see the faces of their classmates and their teachers.

Democrats unsuccessfully proposed several amendments to the masking legislation, including one that would nullify the law in the summer of 2023.

On the floor, they argued that the law would prevent localities from adapting their rules to a changing pandemic. The omicron variant, which is responsible for the ongoing surge in cases in the U.S., was unknown just a few months ago.

Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, who proposed the amendment in the Senate to ban local mask mandates, said Youngkin could use his emergency powers as necessary if circumstances change.

We should be thinking about, what are we doing to ensure as many kids are in school learning to the best of their ability? said Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico. I would hope we would add some flexibility in here so that if the worst case scenario happens, and I hope it doesnt, we are able to keep kids in school.

Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said: We are saying that no matter what is happening, we are taking away this local authority. Regardless of how you feel about masks, or how you feel about COVID, or this current political situation, you are permanently putting this into the code that we are taking this authority away from the localities.
An excavators claw no one in local history circles saw coming leveled a house that records say was once the home of Henrietta Lacks, the Roanoke-born woman described as the mother of modern medicine.

In a freakish stroke of bad timing, a local historian discovered the home standing vacant on a Hurt Park street, but city officials werent told of its significance in time to call off the demolition.

Code enforcement officials did not know Lacks had lived in the American Foursquare house on Norfolk Avenue, which had become unsafe, said Dan Webb, codes compliance administrator.

Nor did the owner.

An excavator tore down the dwelling at 1102 Norfolk Ave. S.W., which was at least 95 years old, about four months before the start of the pandemic, The Roanoke Times found.

Nelson Harris, an author of history books, pastor and former mayor, said he found the home  never before associated with Lacks  by discovering her fathers name in local residential records. Harris said he might have mentioned it to a few friends in passing, other history nerds like myself.

Just looked like an old home in need of some attention, he said.

Webb said his office placarded the front door with a bright yellow sign that read, THIS STRUCTURE IN UNSAFE in about March 2018.

Below it officials tacked a copy of a letter to the owner, titled NOTICE OF UNSAFE STRUCTURE, he said.

Harris said he saw no such warning notice when he was there, nor did he see any sign that Roanoke had condemned the home.

One week after Harris first stopped by the house in September 2019, the city issued a building permit for its demolition, according to city records. Demolition followed in November.

The previously unknown episode involving the house has jolted members of a local campaign organizing memorial tributes to Lacks.

It blows my mind that it was there up until a few years ago, said Vice Mayor Trish White-Boyd, who was informed of the existence of the house and about its demolition in a Roanoke Times interview last month.

Lacks lived in Roanoke from birth in 1920 to 1924, spending most of her short life elsewhere. At age 31, while living in Maryland, she entered the hospital of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore for treatment of cervical cancer, during which time doctors removed some of her cancerous cells.

The first immortal cell line for medical research, valued by scientists worldwide to this day, was created with the cells from Lacks body. Due to their ability to divide endlessly in the laboratory, they provided an unparalleled platform for research, supported such breakthroughs as the development of the polio vaccine and made billions for industry. Lacks died that year.

It would have taken about $75,000 to save the house, an owners representative said. A recently announced fundraiser to place a statue of Lacks in downtown  where part of a plaza across from city hall was renamed in her honor last year  raised $18,000 in about the first month of its existence toward a goal of collecting $140,000.

The house did not stand in a local or national historic district; by law its demolition was assumed to have no negative impact on historical values, Webb said. Had an historic designation for that neighborhood been in place, a historic review would have occurred beforehand. However, such a review would have focused on historical significance from only an architectural standpoint. It would not have gotten into the historical importance of those who lived there, Webb said.

Given the city staffs adherence to the rules, Webb said it would be up to the city council or city administration to grapple with whether the loss of Lacks former home requires any particular response from the city.

Maybe, in the future, we should look a little bit further into some of these houses that we have to demolish, Webb said.

Roanoke historian and school system employee Jordan Bell, who played no role in finding the house, insisted that Roanoke must embrace its history.

Whenever I hear about something being torn down I cringe, Bell said. Thats exactly the reason right there.

Donald Shovely, associate minister at Jerusalem Baptist Church, said he knew nothing about Lacks having lived at the address, which is next door to the church. As was the case with Webb, Shovely knew who Henrietta Lacks was, however. But at no time in Shovelys 64 years of attending Jerusalem Baptist did anybody mention Lacks lived that close as a child.

Had the community known of Lacks tie to the home, Shovely asserted, the owner could have collected enough money to save it. The property owner, members of the Ferrell family, could have gotten the money free probably, Shovely said.

But no one knew.

For at least 10 years, historians and some local residents have known Lacks was born in the vicinity of Norfolk Avenue and 12th Street Southwest and that that house had been knocked down decades earlier. That came out in and after a 2010 book that broke the story of Lacks, her connection to Roanoke, the groundbreaking research performed with her HeLa cells and ethical issues raised by their use without her prior consent.

With publication of the book, Roanoke learned in one breath that a city native had standing in the global scientific community but that her birth home no longer remained. In fact, another home almost as important was standing, according to city directories and real estate records.

In her book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, author Rebecca Skloot didnt mention a second family home a short distance away.

Harriss discovery of the second family dwelling added little to Lacks overall life story, as she would have lived there only about a year or so before her parents moved her to another city in 1924. But for a city wishing to memorialize her place in local history, the second house represented a new point of local interest with appreciable qualities that the first residence, now part of Perry Park, could not.

Harris decided he would mention the find to state officials responsible for approving historical markers. Now pending before state officials, a marker request Harris filed could receive approval later this year, he said.

Lacks was born Loretta Pleasant in Roanoke on Aug. 1, 1920, Skloot learned from her birth certificate. The Roanoke city directory by publisher Hill Directory Co. in Richmond said John Pleasants, the name provided for Henriettas father with an s on the end, lived at 28 12th St. SW in 1920. This Hurt Park address, assumed to be where Loretta Pleasant was born, was demolished in about 1970.

City directories of the era listed residences only by head of household. A person with a different name owned the 12th Street house, suggesting that the Pleasants rented.

However, it was surely a family home, as shown by the 1920 census, which said eight children lived there even before little Loretta came along in late summer, according to Harris. The family size information agrees with information living family members.

The recently demolished home sat about 350 feet to the southeast, also in Hurt Park.

John Pleasants bought 1102 Norfolk Ave. S.W. in 1919 and posted it as collateral in April 1922 to support a $3,000 loan from the Peoples Perpetual Loan and Building Association, according to records recorded in Roanoke Circuit Court. A 1936 Roanoke Times article described the association as a local home-building enterprise that loaned money to home builders.

By 1923 the Norfolk Avenue address had a dwelling on it and the Pleasants family lived there, according to that years city directory. The home where Lacks was believed to have been born, 28 12th St., was occupied by William Green, the city directory for 1923 said, suggesting the Pleasants had left.

Real estate records dont give the purpose of the loan and its not possible to say for sure it was taken out to build the house. City records also say the recently demolished house was built in 1905, long before the Pleasants family lived in the neighborhood. In addition, while the city directory called the head of household Pleasants, the family called him Pleasant.

The city directory listed his wife as Eliza, which matches family-provided information.

One more point of confusion is that the directories of the 1920s listed 1102 Norfolk Ave. as 1100 Norfolk Ave. No one interviewed for this story knew the reason.

Henrietta Lacks family members say her mom died in 1924 in connection with giving birth at home, according to published accounts. Her death prompted her husband, who city directories said worked as a railroad brakeman, to relocate his youngest children to the homes family members elsewhere. Lacks went to Clover near South Boston in Halifax County and is buried in that area. John Pleasants continued to appear in the annual city directory as the occupant of 1102 Norfolk Ave. through 1929.

Along the way, Lorettas first name became Henrietta. Family members have told historians they dont recall the reason. Her last name changed in marriage.

After Pleasants owned it, the Norfolk Avenue home changed hands in 1930, 1947, 1955, 1962, 1964, 1985 and 2009. Records identify the current owner as Mary Jean Ferrell and James Henry Ferrell, et al. Angelia Sanders of Roanoke, who identified Mary Jean Ferrell as her aunt, said in a recent interview that her aunt has never heard of Lacks. Nor had Sanders heard of her.

Peeling exterior paint, rotted wood siding and decayed porch columns had brought the home to the citys attention. It needed a new roof, reconstruction of overhang extensions and chimney repair. The tax assessors office valued the home at $10,500 and the land, about one-sixth of an acre, about the same.

In March 2018, code enforcement officials sent Ferrell a Notice of Unsafe Structure  a copy of which was obtained by the Roanoke Times  in which the city condemned the house and ordered that no one could live there. It would have been at least 95 years old at the time and, Sanders said, vacant for about 20 years.

Knock it down or correct all violations, the citys letter told Ferrell. State law empowers municipalities to eliminate public nuisances, which include dangerous buildings, in their boundaries. Ferrell and other family members figured they needed $70,000 to $80,000, her niece said.

Ferrell was trying to save the house. We worked with her for a good while, said Webb, the codes compliance administrator.

Funds did not materialize. Nineteen and a half months after the notice was first issued to Ferrell, the four-bedroom house fell.

This was a fairly straightforward demolition. The house was unsafe and in imminent danger of collapse, Webb said.

In early January, Harris went out to check again on 1102 Norfolk Ave.  his first time out there since 2019. The lot was vacant.

I thought, what? What?, Harris said. I literally drove around the block saying, I know this house is here, I know this house is here. Then, no, its not. 

It is kind of sad that the two homes in which the family lived are no longer around, given her legacy and the fact that now as a city were trying to do something to recognize and honor that. But it is what it is at this point, Harris said.

Tax officials have yet to subtract the value of the house from the assessed value of Ferrells property. Such an action would reduce the total value of the land-only parcel to $9,800.
Several myths about charter schools are being shared as part of an apparent attempt to defeat Gov. Glenn Youngkins proposed legislation to expand charter schools.

Before it is suggested otherwise, I support public schools, including traditional public schools, magnet schools (e.g., Franklin Military Academy), Governors schools (e.g., Maggie Walker), and charter schools.

So, what are charter schools? Charter schools are public schools that are independent of a school district. In exchange for having additional school-level autonomy, they must have their schools charter renewed every five years to remain open. Charter schools have the autonomy and freedom to make decisions that make the most sense for the students they serve, the teachers they employ and the communities in which they are situated.

For many, charter schools are a new concept. In these pages and elsewhere, charter school opponents have made several arguments. Among these is the notion charter schools will lead to increased levels of segregation. I find this claim to be rather puzzling given that per Virginia Department of Education data, the public school that most closely mirrors Richmonds racial and ethnic diversity  Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts  is a charter school.

Others have suggested charter schools are profit-seeking, but in fact, most charter schools are nonprofit entities. The claim that charter schools drain funds from existing public schools is equally dubious. This allegation stems from the fact that schools are funded based on the number of students they enroll. If a student leaves school A and instead goes to school B, the money associated with funding that student follows the child to the next school.

If people believe this and are consistent in their thinking, they will need to levy the same argument against public schools in Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties. How many people work in Richmond but choose to live outside of the city because they prefer the suburban schools for their children? Are these families defunding Richmond Public Schools? The answer is no; these parents are engaging in a subtle form of school choice  but one that is not available to everyone.

It is important to recognize that school choice always has existed for families with enough wealth and income. Parents with the means to do so can purchase homes attached to schools they prefer or afford private school tuition. It is only families who lack the means to do so that are excluded from these options. Charter schools are one way to level the playing field and allow all families options for their children.

Ive spent most of my life as a resident of Virginia. I grew up in Newport News, and earned degrees from Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth University. Today, I am a professor at Auburn University and chair of the Alabama Public Charter School Commission. The commission oversees most of our states charter schools, and decides which charter school applications to approve and renew.

In Alabama, charter schools have been around for five years and some interesting things are happening. The state has opened schools that are offering racially diverse educational options where they previously did not exist.

The states longest operating charter school is in Mobile, and it re-engages students who either have dropped out of school or almost are mathematically there. Another is one of the only LGBTQ-affirming schools in the United States; another has a STEM-based curriculum; and this fall, we are set to open an aerospace and aviation-themed charter school, offering pre-apprenticeship programs through a partnership with Delta Airlines.

Charter schools are filling needs left unmet by traditional public schools and they have been a positive development in Alabama. This is evidenced by the fact that more than 1,000 families currently are on a charter school waitlist.

The pandemic has demonstrated that one-size-fits-all education does not serve all students equally. Research I conducted during the pandemic demonstrated that charter school leaders were able to be more nimble and pivot more quickly than traditional public schools to get devices, internet hot spots and meals in the hands of their students. They were able to do so because school leaders knew their students and their specific needs better than a school districts central office ever could.

All families deserve to have public school options for their children. Lawmakers in Richmond should support charter school legislation that expands educational opportunity for Virginias students.
In the wake of the Civil War that ended two years previously, Virginia was still under military rule in 1867. Elections that year were scheduled for Oct. 22. Voter rolls that survived provide more than a few interesting insights.

One such illumination was provided by documents that listed voters for two classifications of eligible males in each of the four magisterial districts of Roanoke County and its counterparts around the state. The shorter of the lists for Roanoke Countys 4th District poll book was organized alphabetically by surname. Under the letter o there were only four surnames all the same: Oliver.

The last of the four Olivers on the digital list available to modern readers was spelled Julus Oliver, probably because an unknown transcriber misread the elegantly florid cursive of the original 19th century roster maker. Deciphering handwriting is one of the more tedious tasks of the researcher using primary historical documents; blessed be those who even try.

That being said, there is no mistaking that the name on that 1867 short list was Julius Oliver. There was also no mistaking the list Oliver was on as it was labeled by hand at the top of the roster: Poll Book of Colored Voters in Roanoke Co. Va.

That Julius Oliver was on that list is of interest here because the progression of Oliver and his family from slavery to freedom and ultimately generational prosperity is a topic covered by previous columns.

That Mr. Oliver was a voter in 1867 is notable because that was the first year Blacks were eligible to vote in Virginia. The poll list included those who had voted. Those who did so demonstrated both their personal initiative and apparent eagerness to assume the privileges and responsibilities of previously denied citizenship.

We point this out by way of an introduction to the vast trove of books, maps, and documents available to anybody with an interest in history who has access to a computer and the internet. A bounty of useful material is available to anybody with a public library card. The card and the information to which it can lead is free.

If youre interested enough, you could immerse yourself in the research aids available to any of us and not be heard from again for quite some time.

For the purposes of this dispatch, well use the example of the Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem and Botetourt libraries that are all accessible through a cardholder from any of the other three. Furthermore, there also are links to libraries at state college and universities as well as the Library of Virginia and the Library of Congress and National Archives.

The local public libraries have different resources and features among them so the researcher must do some initial footwork to locate what they want. Again, the digital door to one of the libraries opens the doors of all the rest.

Digital access how-tos are readily available. Botetourt has a nice feature called Library Academy that includes instructionals for a variety of digital research tools for such categories as genealogy and general research databases such as EBSCO and Explora.

Other tutorials covers access to the Digital Public Library of America with material from an array of institutions including the Smithsonian, National Archives, New York Public Library and many others. Another section of the tutorials covers finding hidden gems and other information in the United States census.

Two Library of Virginia links are particularly useful for students of the history of this state. Those links are the Document Bank of Virginia and Digitool: Digital Collections of the state library. The searchable document banks collections are listed A-Z as well as by topic, for example military service; African American resources; photographs; and maps and architecture

Then there is the Virginia Room of the Roanoke Library, which has digital as well as print resources concentrating on this region and continuing throughout the state.

Remember, anybody with a library card and time can take advantage of all this and more both online and in-person. Librarians at any branch are expert tour guides and assistants.

Was it clear that all of this comes for free?

Which is not to say, these riches are available at no personal cost. Just like Julius Oliver when he cast that first ballot, effort and a sense of purpose are indispensable.

If youve been wondering about something, call Whats on Your Mind? at 777-6476 or send an email to whatsonyourmind@roanoke.com. Dont forget to provide your full name (and its proper spelling if by phone) and hometown.
RICHMOND  A bill blocking school boards from mandating masks in schools has reached Gov. Glenn Youngkins desk, a major win for a governor who campaigned on promises to dial back COVID-19 mandates even as the pandemic continues.

Senate Bill 739 cleared the GOP-controlled House along party lines Monday in a 52-48 vote, days after clearing the Democrat-controlled Senate with support from three Democrats.

The bill would ban localities from requiring students to wear masks, and from punishing students whose parents opt to send their child to school without a mask.

The bill could take effect in less than a week. House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, personally handed the legislation to Youngkin on Monday afternoon. The governor said he now intends to tack on an emergency clause under which the law would take effect upon his signature.

Such a clause  treated like any other amendment proposed by a governor  would need just a simple majority vote in each chamber to take effect, according to the clerks for the House and the Senate.

The legislation is the latest development in a heated debate nationwide over masking requirements in schools as the COVID pandemic continues  a debate that has split Virginia localities.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend masks in schools, some public health experts have thrown into question how effective face coverings are at preventing the spread of COVID in schools. (Studies show medical-grade masks remain effective in large-group settings among the general population.)

Conservatives argue that absent data showing overwhelming benefits in schools, it should be up to parents to decide if their child should wear one, asserting that masking is emotionally taxing on some children. Republicans say their legislation reflects the broader will of the public as the nation enters the third year of the pandemic.

School shutdowns and masking seem prudent responses to an unknown threat. But much has changed since then, said Del. Amanda Batten, R-James City. Most Virginians and Americans, and certainly all of us in this body, have resumed many of our normal activities. Based on our comfort level, we choose whether or not to wear masks.

Yet our children here in Virginia remain masked in schools. Their words are muffled and theyre unable to see the faces of their classmates and their teachers.

Democrats unsuccessfully proposed several amendments to the masking legislation, including one that would nullify the law in the summer of 2023.

On the floor, they argued that the law would prevent localities from adapting their rules to a changing pandemic. The omicron variant, which is responsible for the ongoing surge in cases in the U.S., was unknown just a few months ago.

Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, who proposed the amendment in the Senate to ban local mask mandates, said Youngkin could use his emergency powers as necessary if circumstances change.

We should be thinking about, what are we doing to ensure as many kids are in school learning to the best of their ability? said Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico. I would hope we would add some flexibility in here so that if the worst case scenario happens, and I hope it doesnt, we are able to keep kids in school.

Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said: We are saying that no matter what is happening, we are taking away this local authority. Regardless of how you feel about masks, or how you feel about COVID, or this current political situation, you are permanently putting this into the code that we are taking this authority away from the localities.
BRISTOL  Just over 130 Ballad Health System employees remained in jeopardy of losing their jobs late last week due to a federal vaccination deadline, a significantly smaller number than a few days ago.

The deadline for Ballad workers to comply with the vaccine mandate was Friday.

That number was closer to 1,000 on Jan. 31 when system officials met with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in Abingdon to discuss the gravity of an understaffed rural health system overrun with COVID-19 patients while at the precipice of having to fire large numbers of workers due to the mandate imposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

As of this morning, we had 133 people who had either not provided documentation of getting a [COVID-19] vaccine outside of our system or have not gotten a vaccine yet, or not provided an exemption from the vaccine. Were down considerably from just a few days ago, Ballad Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton said Friday afternoon.

We have our vaccine clinic open in the Johnson City Mall until 6 p.m. today, so we are encouraging those few people that are left to get the vaccine today, and we continue to be hopeful well be close to getting everyone vaccinated or providing the exemption, Deaton said.

Almost 95% of Ballads 12,500 employees are now accounted for, with more than 10,000 now fully vaccinated and just over 1,500 approved for an exemption for either medical or religious reasons. Others are partially vaccinated, Deaton said.

The 133-employee figure represents about 1% of the systems workforce.

Some workers have resigned due to the mandate, but it isnt a large number, Deaton said.

Ballads rate of vaccination is considerably higher than this region, where less than half of all residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Tennessee and Virginia Departments of Health.

Ballad had preferred allowing workers to choose whether to be vaccinated or not, but the November mandate issued by CMS requires that all U.S. hospitals receiving funds from either federal insurance program must have its employees and associated personnel vaccinated against COVID-19. About 80% of Ballads insurance revenue comes from the two federal programs.

Considerable effort has gone into working with employees, he said.

Weve worked hard. Weve met with people. Weve tried to explain the importance of it. I think with the lawsuits that have been out there, there has been some confusion. The Supreme Court stepped in. I think it was confusing whether the mandate would stay intact or not. I think people decided to go ahead and get it done, Deaton said.

System leaders will review the remainder of workers Monday.

Well take the weekend, for those few that are left. Well make sure we havent missed any documentation for them and then determine what the number is, Deaton said. As a leadership team, well meet together to decide the next step. We have not decided how that process is going to work yet. We wanted to see where we landed before making the final decision on the process.

Weve taken our time to do this the right way, talk to people and educate them. I think its paid off for us to do that, Deaton said.

The original federal deadline was Jan. 4, but the issue was challenged in two federal courts before the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the mandate to stand while the cases continued. However, other federal vaccination mandates were halted.

Last Friday an amended complaint was filed in the courts by 16 states  including Virginia and Tennessee  again challenging the CMS mandate. The lawsuit notes that the delta variant  which was part of the original federal justification  has now subsided and replaced by the less deadly omicron variant. It also points out that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the president of the United States, had warned people whove received the vaccine and booster are likely to still get infected by the omicron variant.

The complaint also argues understaffed hospitals are being forced to recall asymptomatic COVID-positive employees to help care for patients while prohibiting unvaccinated employees from working with those same patients  something Ballad is still doing.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares addressed the disproportionate impact on rural areas in announcing his offices decision to join the litigation.

Health care workers and staff, who have bravely served on the front lines of the pandemic, should not have to choose between losing their jobs and getting the vaccine, Miyares said in the statement. Our hospital systems are desperate for nurses and other health care workers  we should not punish those willing to serve and take other common-sense precautions, like regular testing. This mandate would disproportionately affect our rural communities and hospitals, which are already overworked and understaffed.

Deaton said there is little time for that action to impact the current situation.

There is a narrow window because the second shot deadline is March 11. Its a pretty short time frame, Deaton said.

On Friday Ballad had 398 COVID-positive inpatients  down from a single-day record 454 earlier this week. The health systems crisis staffing protocols remained in place with 356 team members at home due to being COVID-positive or awaiting test results.
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, president pro tempore of the Senate, said Friday that she received a text message from Gov. Glenn Youngkin congratulating her for a speech marking Black History Month.

The only problem, Lucas said, was that Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, another Black legislator, delivered the speech.

Lucas took at jab at Youngkin over the mix up in a tweet that by Saturday afternoon had been liked more than 12,000 times.

I want to thank [the governor] for his text message this week, congratulating me on my excellent speech on Black History Month. I appreciate the effort, but that speech was actually given by [Sen. Locke], she wrote, adding side-by-side photos of the legislators.

Study the photos and you will get this soon!

In a statement provided by his office, Youngkin confirmed the mix up and said he quickly apologized to Lucas.

I had the floor speeches on while doing too many things at once earlier this week. I made a mistake and I apologized to Senator Lucas right away, Youngkin said.

Lockes speech delivered Tuesday on the floor of the Virginia Senate focused on the persistence of Black Americans through threats and violence, including the bomb threats received by historically Black colleges and universities around the country.

We work despite efforts to take us back and silence our voices. We do so for all of the named and unnamed African Americans that work to make this a more perfect union, Locke said.

We will dig in our heels and go on and get to work.

Youngkins error attracted jokes on social media and anecdotes about Black people facing such actions often.

I wish I could say this was rare, said former Del. Lashrecse Aird.

Rep. Don McEachin, D-4th, responded to Lucas tweet, saying simply not ready.

Arne Duncan, who served as U.S. education secretary under President Barack Obama, tweeted: Maybe a few courses in [Critical Race Theory] might be beneficial to [the governor.]
The President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez received, Friday in Havana, Hicham Elaloui, who handed him his credentials as Moroccos ambassador to Cuba. During this audience, which took place in the presence of the Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, the Cuban President instructed the Moroccan diplomat to convey his distinguished greetings to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and expressed his wishes for further progress and prosperity to Morocco and to the Moroccan people. President Bermudez reiterated, in this regard, Cubas desire to strengthen its economic and commercial relations with the Kingdom, adding that the two countries have ushered a new phase of cooperation in various areas. For his part, Mr. Elaloui highlighted Moroccos desire to promote cooperation with Cuba to cover all economic, social and cultural sectors, stressing the importance of taking advantage of mutual experiences in several areas of strategic development to serve the interests of both countries. Moroccan-Cuban relations have witnessed a sustained dynamic that seeks to establish solid bases for fruitful cooperation in various fields in order to achieve the ambitions of the two countries and the two peoples.
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Saudia Arabia's flag carrier SAUDIA Airlines has signed a deal with China's Huawei on digital transformation, including launching a service application on the tech giant's AppGallary platform.

The deal, signed with Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, allows the Saudi flag carrier to become part of Huawei's holistic ecosystem for users in the Middle East and Africa and beyond.

With this deal, travellers will now be able to book their flights between Saudi Arabia and their chosen destination on Huawei's smart devices.

SAUDIA CEO Ibrahim Koshy said the agreement further enhances capabilities to develop and deliver exceptional digital products.

Bill Yu, device CEO of Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, said the deal is yet another example of the growing success of Huawei Mobile Services and AppGallery.
" " Renaissance mathematicians were the first to come up with the idea of imaginary numbers. imagestockdesign/shutterstock

In Dan Brown's mega-bestselling 2003 mystery thriller "The Da Vinci Code," there's a bit of repartee in the book between the book's hero, Robert Langdon, and cryptographer Sophie Neveu, in which she expresses skepticism about value "of religious believers living by faiths that include miraculous occurrences. It appears their reality is false," she sneers.

Langdon laughs, and says that those beliefs are no more bogus "than that of a mathematical cryptographer who believes in the imaginary number 'i' because it helps her break codes."

For those of us who aren't mathematically inclined, Langdon's joke was a bit puzzling. What in the heck is he talking about when he says that a number is imaginary? How could that be?

As it turns out, though, an imaginary number  basically, a number that, when squared, results in a negative number  really is a thing in mathematics, first discovered back in the 1400s and 1500s as a way to solve certain bedeviling equations. While initially thought of as sort of a parlor trick, in the centuries since, they've come to be viewed as a tool for conceptualizing the world in complex ways, and today are useful in fields ranging from electrical engineering to quantum mechanics.

"We invented imaginary numbers for some of the same reasons that we invented negative numbers," explains Cristopher Moore. He's a physicist at the Santa Fe Institute, an independent research institution in New Mexico, and co-author, with Stephan Mertens, of the 2011 book "The Nature of Computation."

"Start with ordinary arithmetic," Moore continues. "What is two minus seven? If you've never heard of negative numbers, that doesn't make sense. There's no answer. You can't have negative five apples, right? But think of it this way. You could owe me five apples, or five dollars. Once people started doing accounting and bookkeeping, we needed that concept." Similarly, today we're all familiar with the idea that if we write big checks to pay for things, but don't have enough money to cover them, we could have a negative balance in our bank accounts.

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Creative Thinking Goes a Long Way

Another way to look at negative numbers  and this will come in handy later  is to think of walking around in a city neighborhood, Moore says. If you make a wrong turn and in the opposite direction from our destination  say, five blocks south, when you should have gone north  you could think of it as walking five negative blocks to the north.

"By inventing negative numbers, it expands your mathematical universe, and enables you to talk about things that were difficult before," Moore says.

Imaginary numbers and complex numbers  that is, numbers that include an imaginary component  are another example of this sort of creative thinking. As Moore explains it: "If I ask you, what is the square root of nine, that's easy, right? The answer is three  though it also could be negative three," since multiplying two negatives results in a positive.

But what is the square root of negative one? Is there a number, when multiplied by itself, that gives you in negative one? "At one level, there is no such number," Moore says.

But Renaissance mathematicians came up with a clever way around that problem. "Before we invented negative numbers there was no such number that was two minus seven," Moore continues. "So maybe we should invent a number that is square root of negative one. Let's give it a name. i."

Once they came up with the concept of an imaginary number, mathematicians discovered that they could do some really cool stuff with it. Remember that multiplying a positive by a negative number equals a negative, but multiplying two negatives by one another equals a positive. But what happens when you start multiplying i times seven, and then times i again? Because i times i is negative one, the answer is negative seven. But if you multiply seven times i times i times i times i, suddenly you get positive seven. "They cancel each other out," Moore notes.

Now think about that. You took an imaginary number, plugged it into an equation multiple times, and ended up with an actual number that you commonly use in the real world.

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Imaginary Numbers Are Points on a Plane

It wasn't until few hundred years later, in the early 1800s, that mathematicians discovered another way of understanding imaginary numbers, by thinking of them as points on a plane, explains Mark Levi. He's a professor and head of the mathematics department at Penn State University and author of the 2012 book "Why Cats Land on Their Feet: And 76 Other Physical Paradoxes and Puzzles."

When we think of numbers as points on a line, and then add a second dimension, "the points on that plane are the imaginary numbers," he says.

Envision a number line. When you think of a negative number, its 180 degrees away from the positive numbers on the line. "When you multiply two negative numbers, you add their angles, 180 degrees plus 180 degrees, and you get 360 degrees. That's why it's positive," Levi explains.

" " The Y axis is helpful when you're thinking about imaginary numbers since you can't put the square root of -1 on the X axis. zizou7/shutterstock

But you can't put the square root of negative one anywhere on the X axis. It just doesn't work. However, if you create a Y axis that's perpendicular to the X, you now have a place to put it.

And while imaginary numbers seem like just a bunch of mathematical razzle-dazzle, they're actually very useful for certain important calculations in the modern technological world, such as calculating the flow of air over an airplane wing, or figuring out the drain in energy from resistance combined with oscillation in an electrical system. And the fictional Robert Langdon wasn't pulling our legs when he mentioned that they're also used in cryptography.

Complex numbers with imaginary components also are useful in theoretical physics, explains Rolando Somma, a physicist who works in quantum computing algorithms at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

"Due to their relation with trigonometric functions, they are useful for describing, for example, periodic functions," Somma says via email. "These arise as solutions to the wave equations, so we use complex numbers to describe various waves, such an electromagnetic wave. Thus, as in math, complex calculus in physics is an extremely useful tool for simplifying calculations."

Complex numbers also have a role in quantum mechanics, a theory that describes the behavior of nature at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles.

"In quantum mechanics 'i' appears explicitly in Schrodinger's equation," Somma explains. "Thus, complex numbers appear to have a more fundamental role in quantum mechanics rather than just serving as a useful calculational tool."

"The state of a quantum system is described by its wave function," he continues. "As a solution to Schrodinger's equation, this wave function is a superposition of certain states, and the numbers appearing in the superposition are complex. Interference phenomena in quantum physics, for example, can be easily described using complex numbers."

Now That's Interesting Imaginary numbers also are mentioned in Thomas Pynchon's 2012 novel "Against the Day."
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Aerial view of Ortigas skyline, in Metro Manila, the Philippines. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image taken by a drone on Novermber 11, 2020). (Photo: Herman Lumanog/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

By Siegfrid Alegado

The Philippines next president faces widening budget and current account gaps, presenting a need to balance fiscal and monetary policy, JPMorgan Chase Bank said.

The twin deficits are expected as the next government will likely pursue an expansionary fiscal policy, while external balances decline amid an economic recovery, JPMorgan economist Nur Raisah Rasid wrote in a note released to the media on Friday. The Southeast Asian nation will elect a new president on May 9.

While fiscal policy will likely remain dominant, in our view, the central bank will likely tolerate growth-induced peso weakness up to a point, beyond which it could challenge monetary policy accommodation, Nur Raisah said.

The twin deficits could underscore the currencys susceptibility to capital outflows and volatility, particularly when major central banks push through with interest-rate increases.

Without revenue-enhancing measures, the fiscal situation likely will remain challenging, she said. Improving tax compliance and reducing tax administration costs could quicken fiscal consolidation in the near-term, she said, forecasting the debt-to-GDP ratio to rise to 62.3% this year.

 2022 Bloomberg L.P.
In the lush upcountry of Kauai, above the foothills of Kapaa, Lydgate Farms is proudly carrying on the legacy of Hawaiian small-scale sustainable farming. Rich in botanicals, fruits, honey and cacao, the property is a bountiful oasis  and the source of some of the best chocolate in the world.

Owned by siblings Will and Emily Lydgate, fifth-generation Hawaiian farmers, the namesake farm offers unique opportunities to experience cacao, chocolates primary ingredient, firsthand. Visitors can learn about the cacao-growing process and sample raw cacao, scooped from freshly cracked pods, as part of the reservation-only branch-to-bar farm tour and multi-course chocolate-tasting. For those who are happy to get their hands dirty, Lydgate offers volunteers an opportunity help harvest cacao pods.

Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that supports a commercial cacao agriculture industry, and farms like Lydgate are paving the way for a new generation of environmentally focused and socioeconomically conscientious chocolate makers. Eschewing the questionable labor and farming operations on which the cacao industry was built, Lydgate Farms champions equitable and ethical cacao production.

Land and family: an intertwined history

Will and Emilys great-great-grandfather, William Ludgate (the spelling was later changed to Lydgate), arrived in the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1865 and settled on the Big Island. An innovative farmer, Ludgate used cover crops to enrich the soil and flumes (narrow channels of water) to transport the cane on his farm. His son, J.M. Lydgate, who was a child when the family emigrated, learned to speak fluent Hawaiian and became a trained botanist and an ardent protector of the islands. In the 1890s, J.M. settled on Kauai. One of the most popular spots in Kauai, Lydgate Beach Park, memorializes his conservation work.

Will Lydgate recalls his introduction to cacao in the late 1990s when he and his father decided to try planting cacao trees. Neither of us knew how to grow and process the chocolate, he chuckles. But the family bought some rough land in 1998 and developed it into Steelgrass Farm. Soon after, they planted their first cacao trees and celebrated an inaugural harvest in 2008. Lydgate changed the farms name to match his familys in 2017.

From learning-by-doing to twice receiving best-in-world recognition at the Cocoa of Excellence Awards in Paris, France, the farm exemplifies successful American cacao production. While Lydgate admits to feeling like a bit of an underdog among the award winners, he hardly sees that as a disadvantage.

Were like the Jamaican bobsled team of chocolate, he remarks. Everyone else takes it so seriously, and were very fun. We like to host volunteer harvest parties. People come and scoop out the cacao pods and stay for chocolate and cacao nectar popsicles after. Sometimes we light up the barbecue, too, and bust out the guitars and upright bass and sing songs.

Today Lydgate Farms spans about 47 acres and is a draw for pollinators, especially honey bees. The propertys extensive assortment of flora includes vanilla vines, more than 2,600 cacao trees and over 100 different kinds of fruit and flowering trees, palm and bamboo. The farms plants are part of an historic and complex Hawaiian ecosystem, one the Lydgate family is committed to protecting.

Practicing Malama Aina through regenerative agriculture

Lydgates mission is to change the way people think about chocolate. We want to be that chocolate grower. The one thats your absolute favorite  who also shows you that chocolate does grow on trees. And that chocolate doesnt have to come with some of the downsides of the post-colonial, industrial agricultural supply chain, he says.

Harkening back to his ancestors commitment to the local environment, preservation of the islands land and resources remains a driving force on the farm. The Hawaiian phrase Malama Aina captures this ideology. Translating roughly to caring for the land, so it can sustain future generations, Lydgate is doing just that by embracing regenerative agriculture.

Sugarcane and pineapple were Hawaiis primary commodity crops throughout most of the 20th century. However, rising labor costs and the growth of mechanization elsewhere in the world ended their reign, but not before taking a toll on the soil.

Now we use organic fertilizers and regenerative practices to grow sustainable cacao trees. We mulch, compost and utilize cover crops, Lydgate explains. Employing an agroforestry system that incorporates interplanting (which makes the most of the land by planting fast-growing crops between slower-growing ones) and helps Lydgate naturally put more organic matter into the farms soil.

The evolving chocolate industry: Leading change from within

By emphasizing sustainable cacao production, socioeconomic cognizance and product education, Lydgate Farms is carving out a place in an evolving global chocolate industry. We may be one of the smallest producers of chocolate in the world, but because we're here in the United States, we also have the ear of the American public  and a whole visitor industry that we can help teach, Lydgate points out.

As co-owner of the biggest cacao farm on Kauai, Lydgate aims to spread his mission of building a renewed, eco-friendly and viable agricultural industry for Hawaii. By teaching American and global consumers how chocolate is made, we can help cacao farmers in poorer parts of the world, he notes. We're all people and we need to try and care for one another. I really believe that if we help build that ripple effect and put our good word where it does the most, it will spread across the globe.

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In America, we often overdo things when preparing food. This can sometimes block out those intrinsic qualities, says Hawaiian chef Brandon Baptiste. Thats the thing I like most about working with chocolate: You really get a sense of all the complex, inherent flavors.

Based in Kapaa, a little town nestled along the base of Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) in Kauai, Hawaii, Baptiste co-owns local eatery Wailua Drive In  formerly Saimin Dojo, which was featured on Guy Fieris Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. He also co-runs Wailua Shave Ice, a wildly popular business that started as a food truck in 2015 and now has a brick-and-mortar shop in Kapaa Town as well as outposts in Portland, Oregon, and San Diego, California.

Born in nearby Wailua, Baptiste grew up working in restaurants, but didnt fall in love with cooking until he stepped in to help when a kitchen worker called in sick. I was hooked! he shares. His passion for food led him to study at the Culinary Institute of America.

After honing his skills at a variety of mainland restaurants, including Per Se in New York City, Baptiste returned to his native Hawaii. Ive always loved learning about food  its details and culture. Recently it's become even more important to me to use all these things to help grow my community and its economy, he says of his return to the islands. As for local products, he says, These are some of the best foods and ingredients Ive ever worked with.

A special love for chocolate

Among Baptistes favorite pantry items are minimally processed products  like bean-to-bar Hawaiian chocolate. Im a fan of dark, single-origin chocolate, he says, likening a 70% cacao dark chocolate to a good wine.

You can get the same chocolate, with myriad flavor profiles, he points out. Baptiste is speaking of terroir, a particular regions environment, including climate and terrain, which can directly influence the taste of whats grown there.

I particularly like the ones from this area, where the cacao beans are grown, he adds, referring to the islands locally-made chocolates.

Chocolates versatility is one of my favorite things about cooking with it, Baptiste says. Here he shares three easy make-at-home recipes that you can enjoy anytime youre craving a chocolate indulgence.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Smoothie Cacao nibs give this smoothie an extra boost of chocolatey goodness (without the added sugar).

Hawaiian Hot Chocolate Macadamia milk mixes with dark chocolate in this cup youll want to cozy up to.

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SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa -- A Minnesota man accused of shooting the mother of his two children outside her workplace has been formally charged with murder.

Dickinson County Attorney Amy Zenor and Assistant Iowa Attorney General Susan Krisko on Monday filed a trial information charging Christian Goyne-Yarns with first-degree murder. His arraignment was scheduled for March 7 in Dickinson County District Court.

The charging document gave no details of the case, instead quoting Iowa code saying that Goyne-Yarns "... did having malice aforethought, willfully, deliberately and with premeditation kill Shelby Woizeschke ..."

If found guilty, Goyne-Yarns would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

According to police and court documents, Woizeschke, was shot at least twice in the parking lot at GrapeTree Medical Staffing in Milford shortly after 8 a.m. Feb. 3. She was flown to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, where she died on Feb. 6.

Woizeschke called 911 after being shot and identified Goyne-Yarns as the person who shot her. He was arrested about an hour and a half after the shooting, court documents said.

Goyne-Yarns, 25, of Jackson, Minnesota, remains in the Dickinson County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Woizeschke, 24, of Spencer, Iowa, had two sons, ages 5 and 3, from a previous relationship with Goyne-Yarns.

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You are here: Business

Chinese smartphone brands Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo were among the top five global smartphone brands in terms of shipments last year, according to a report by the technology market research firm Canalys.



Xiaomi grabbed the third spot, with its shipment in 2021 surging 28 percent year on year to 191.2 million units.

It was followed by Oppo with 145.1 million units, up 22 percent year on year, while Vivo was placed fifth with a shipment of 129.9 million units in 2021.

Samsung topped the list with shipments of nearly 275 million smartphones last year, while Apple grabbed the second spot with 230 million units.

Mobile phone vendors shipped 1.35 billion units of smartphones globally, expanding 7 percent year on year, close to the 1.37 billion units for the year 2019, Canalys data showed.
SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man has pleaded guilty of selling methamphetamine out of a Morningside restaurant.

William Thompson, 62, entered his plea Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. A sentencing date has yet to be set.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Thompson and others who worked at the Madonna Rose Cafe sold approximately 10 pounds of meth from 2019 through June 8. On four occasions in April and May, Thompson, the cafe's co-owner, sold meth out of the cafe to people who were cooperating with law enforcement. In June, authorities executed a search warrant at the cafe building at 4006 Morningside Ave. and seized approximately 1 pound of meth from Thompson.

According to a post on the cafe's Facebook page, Thompson has not been affiliated with the restaurant for some time, and the cafe is under new management and has new partners and staff.
SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty of holding his child and the child's mother at gunpoint in a motel and threatening to kill them.

Alden Miera, 35, entered his plea Monday in Woodbury County District Court to charges of domestic abuse assault and child endangerment, both aggravated misdemeanors, and false imprisonment, a serious misdemeanor.

According to court documents, Miera lured the woman and their juvenile child to a room at the Elmdale Motel, 2200 U.S. Highway 75 N., on March 12 and then held them against their will, pointing a firearm at them both and threatening to kill them while a woman who was with stood outside the room as a lookout and also helped keep the woman and juvenile inside the room.

Miera eventually left the room, and the woman called police, who arrived at the motel. Miera did not return.

Miera faces charges for failing to appear for trial in an unrelated case and for violating his probation from two previous convictions.

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SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City woman pleaded guilty Monday to driving three gunmen to and from a Morningside home, where they fired numerous shots into the house, killing an 18-year-old girl.

According to terms of a plea agreement, she'll receive a seven-year prison term.

Liliana Gutierrez, 21, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of accessory after the fact, an aggravated misdemeanor reduced from an initial felony charge of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and two felony counts of reckless use of a firearm.

Gutierrez admitted to driving Christopher Morales, Carlos Morales and Anthony Bauer on Jan. 1, 2021, to a house at 2637 Walker St., where dozens of people had gathered for a New Year's Eve party. The three men, one of whom Gutierrez was dating, exited the vehicle and fired at least 27 shots into the house, killing Mia Kritis and hurting three others.

The three shooters then ran back to the vehicle, got in, and Gutierrez drove away.

Gutierrez admitted that she knew the three, Bauer specifically, were going to commit a felony and, after the shooting, helped Bauer avoid arrest.

"I helped Anthony Bauer commit a felony," Gutierrez said during her plea hearing.

Gutierrez also said she aided and abetted the three shooters' firing of the weapons recklessly by driving them to the party. Police have said there is no evidence that Gutierrez fired any shots.

District Judge Roger Sailer approved Gutierrez' guilty pleas and the plea agreement, in which a third count of reckless use of a firearm will be dismissed.

Sailer scheduled sentencing for April 11 in Woodbury County District Court. Gutierrez remains free on bond.

Gutierrez is the last of the four people charged in the case to enter a plea agreement, plead guilty and avoid trial and potential longer prison sentences.

Christopher Morales admitted to firing the shots that killed Kritis and wounded the others. His brother, Carlos Morales, and Bauer admitted to aiding and abetting and also firing shots.

All three were charged with first-degree murder, three counts of reckless use of a firearm and one count of going armed with intent.

Each one pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder -- allowing them to avoid a mandatory lifetime prison sentence without parole if found guilty at trial -- and the three reckless use of a firearm charges.

Christopher Morales, 20, was sentenced to 55 years in prison, and Bauer, 19, received a 50-year prison sentence. Both must serve the mandatory minimum of 35 years before they're eligible for parole.

Carlos Morales, 19, was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Because he was a juvenile at the time of the shooting, he must serve only 15 years before he's eligible for parole.

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LE MARS, Iowa -- Fire officials say a fire that broke out underneath a city-owned bridge in Le Mars on Saturday was accidental in nature and likely caused by an individual cooking food.

At 10:20 p.m. the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department was called to a fire under the 24th Street S.W. bridge, which extends business Highway 75 in Le Mars to the Highway 75 bypass.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered fire under the east end of the bridge and fire coming up through the bridge east expansion joint area, the department said in a statement released Monday. The fire spread from debris under the bridge to a rubber membrane in the expansion joint area.

Firefighters extinguished the fire under the bridge and put out the rubber membrane gutter that extends across all four lanes of the bridge. Due to the fire's extreme heat, the bridge was closed to traffic until it had a chance to cool down and an inspection of the bridge's structural integrity could be completed, according to the statement.

Firefighters were on scene for approximately 1  hours and used just under 2,000 gallons of water to extinguish the fire in the debris and rubber membrane.

"The cause for the fire was determined to be accidental with the most probable cause being a fire that spread from an individual under the bridge attempting to cook some food and the fire got out of control and spread to nearby combustibles," the statement said.

Engineers inspected the bridge Monday and determined that damage was limited to the bridge's non-critical components. The bridge was slated to reopen at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

The bridge will have to be closed again at some point in the future to repair the non-critical items, such as the rubber rain gutter, and to complete some repair of cosmetic issues, according to the statement.

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SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City Council will be asked Monday to approve a resolution adopting plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the SUX Aviation Center Project.

In July, the council entered into a lease and development agreement with Oracle Aviation, LLC for the construction, lease and operation of a new hangar facility at Sioux Gateway Airport. The facility will be the home of the Oracle Aviation Center, which includes a flight academy established in partnership with Morningside University, as well as additional aviation-related operations.

According to city documents, the building will be roughly 35,000 square feet and will include two hangars located on either side of a two-level, 10,000-square-foot unfinished office facility. Site improvements will include a new parking lot, taxiway, apron, landscaping and related amenities.

The city engineers estimate of probable construction cost for the work is nearly $8.9 million. The project, which currently has an available balance of $9.7 million, is primarily funded using general obligation bonds. A $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration will also assist with the cost of construction.

In August, the council approved a work order with RS&H for design and inspection services for the hangar building and related site improvements in an amount not to exceed $462,159. RS&H has now completed plans and specifications for the SUX Aviation Center Project, according to the documents.

The project is expected to go out for bid on Wednesday, with bids being received on March 15. It has an anticipated completion date of March 1, 2023.

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Here's your COVID-19 news for today, Feb. 14, 2022.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers Monday to quell the protests by truck drivers and others who have paralyzed Ottawa and blocked border crossings in anger over the countrys COVID-19 restrictions.

In invoking Canada's Emergencies Act, which gives the federal government broad powers to restore order, Trudeau ruled out using the military.

His government instead threatened to tow away vehicles to keep essential services running; freeze truckers' personal and corporate bank accounts; and take further action to strike at their livelihoods and the sources of their financial support.

When nurse Julia Buffo was told by her Montana hospital that she had to be vaccinated against COVID-19, she responded by filling out paperwork declaring that the shots run afoul of her religious beliefs.

She cited various Old and New Testament verses including a passage from Revelation that vaccine opponents often quote to liken the shots to the Mark of the Beast. She told her managers that God is the ultimate guardian of health and that accepting the vaccine would make her complicit with evil.

Religious exemptions like the one Buffo obtained are increasingly becoming a workaround for unvaccinated hospital and nursing home workers who want to keep their jobs in the face of federal mandates that are going into effect nationwide this week.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated a half dozen new places "very high" risk for travel on Monday, including South Korea and French Polynesia.

The six new additions to the "very high" risk Level 4 category are a far-flung bunch: Azerbaijan on the Caspian Sea; Belarus, located in a presently very tense spot bordering Russia and Ukraine; Comoros, an archipelago off Africa's east coast; French Polynesia in the South Pacific; Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a French archipelago south of Canada's Newfoundland; and South Korea.

Level 4, the CDC's highest risk level, has now swelled to almost 140 places, illustrating the rapid surge of the Omicron variant around the world. In early January, there were around 80 destinations listed there.

More COVID-19 news here:
You are here: Business

China's fund market took a hit in January, with the distribution number and shares witnessing a decline amid market corrections, according to financial information provider Wind.

Last month, a total of 148 funds were established, down 39.59 percent from December, while the shares of funds issued came in at 118.82 billion, down by 60.87 percent compared with that of December.

The average distributed shares of each fund was 803 million, the lowest since January 2021, showed Wind data.

Chinese stocks closed lower on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.66 percent to close at 3,462.95 points. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.55 percent lower at 13,224.38 points.
A 34-year-old man is dead after Cass County Sheriff's deputies responding to a report of an assault shot and killed him in his father's home near Alvo, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Andrew Stratton was believed to be in the basement of the house at 23418 Alvo Road when deputies responded late Sunday night after Stratton's father reported the 34-year-old had struck him in the head amid an altercation, according to a State Patrol news release.

Authorities believed Stratton was "possibly armed," according to the patrol.

Before troopers responded to the incident shortly after 11 p.m., sheriff's deputies had already entered the residence and begun negations with Stratton, according to the news release.

The patrol said a trooper arrived at the home to the sound of gunshots coming from inside before the trooper rushed inside and joined deputies in attempting life-saving measures on Stratton.

Andrew Stratton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators found a bow and arrow and long knife in the house, according to the patrol. It's unclear if Stratton was armed with either weapon when he was shot.

The patrol's Special Investigations Team is investigating the incident. Those findings will eventually be reviewed by a grand jury, as required by Nebraska statute.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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A federal judge has denied a defense motion seeking to move U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's case from California to Nebraska.

His trial now is set to start March 15.

Attorneys for the longtime congressman are expected to argue at trial that the investigation was a "political witch hunt."

Chad Kolton, a spokesman for Fortenberry, said: This case was a set-up from the beginning and never should have been brought. It is vital to get this injustice corrected at the earliest possible opportunity."

He said when California suspended jury trials the motion to change venue to Nebraska became necessary.

"With California courts now re-opening, the judges ruling is consistent with our top priority to have a jury hear this case and clear Jeff Fortenberrys name as soon as possible, he said.

A grand jury in Los Angeles indicted the Nebraska congressman in October on allegations he lied to federal agents investigating an illegal campaign contribution at a 2016 fundraiser in California.

Fortenberry has pleaded not guilty to two counts of making false statements to federal agents and one count of seeking to conceal the source of $30,000 in conduit political contributions.

His trial initially had been set to start Tuesday, but last month, jury trials were suspended in the Los Angeles area, where the case is being tried, because of COVID-19. They resume next week.

At a hearing Friday, defense attorney John Littrell made it clear Fortenberry's attorneys wanted a trial as soon as possible, but also argued that the case should be moved to federal court in Nebraska.

At the hearing, Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. seemed unconvinced that it ultimately would result in a quicker trial, given that a new judge would have to get up to speed on all the motions he's already heard.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Har called it "forum shopping."

In his order, which was posted to the court's online record system Monday, Blumenfeld said, though the docket in the District of Nebraska is less congested than in the Central District of California, it is difficult to imagine a Nebraska court would be able to handle all outstanding issues and bring the case before a jury in two weeks.

"Given the existing uncertainties, the court cannot say that defendant would receive a trial significantly sooner if the case were sent to Nebraska," the judge wrote.

Blumenfeld previously rejected a number of other defense challenges to the charges, including an effort to get the indictment dismissed because it wasn't filed in Nebraska or Washington, D.C., where the statements were made, and to disqualify one of the prosecuting attorneys.

But he has yet to rule on a flurry of motions that followed.

The case stems from an investigation that started in 2015 and focused on a Nigerian billionaire, Gilbert Chagoury, who financially supported prominent members of both political parties.

Chagoury is said to have directed the donations to Fortenberry because of a shared interest in protecting Christians from persecution in the Middle East.

But it is illegal for foreigners to donate to U.S. political campaigns.

Attorneys are set to meet with the judge again later this week.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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In an increasingly competitive environment, an Omaha senator wants to give Nebraskas governor a new incentive to lure and retain businesses  a pot of money to use at his or her discretion.

State Sen. Brett Lindstrom introduced Legislative Bill 729, which would create a fund within the Department of Economic Development that could be used for economic or infrastructure development that would help land a high-impact business project or facility or to keep a business already located in the state. A high-impact business is one that is expected to create a net benefit to the state, through jobs and investments, compared with the cost of the incentive.

Assuming a project meets the necessary requirements, including thresholds for jobs and salaries, the governor would have the discretion to award the funding.

This is just another little extra thing that the governor can put on the table and say lets do the deal, Lindstrom told the Legislatures Revenue Committee last week.

Asked whether he would support the bill, a spokesperson for Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said the governor had no comment on the proposal. Ricketts is in his final year in office due to term limits.

LB 729 would create the fund  it wouldnt allocate any money into it. State dollars put into the fund would be at the discretion of the Legislature. Lindstrom also didnt put a cap on the amount of money the governor could award for individual projects.

Lindstrom, a two-term lawmaker who is also a Republican candidate for governor, said he was inspired by a similar program created in Oklahoma in 2011. Since then the program has awarded about $14 million to seven companies, according to Lindstrom. That resulted in the creation of 3,500 jobs and $3.4 billion in investments by those companies.

Most of those incentives went toward construction. For example, it awarded $3 million to General Electric for construction of a new facility in Oklahoma City. It also awarded $1.5 million to Macys for employee training.

While one of the investments led to the creation of jobs earning a salary bellow the average annual pay in the state, a 2018 report by a commission created to evaluate the program concluded it had a net positive return on investment for Oklahoma.

A 2018 study that looked at a similar program in Arkansas was less conclusive.

The study, published in Review of Regional Studies, found no evidence that the Arkansas program increased employment or business establishment in counties with a project that received subsidies.

Business incentive programs are not new in Nebraska. For more than a decade the state had the Nebraska Advantage Act, which provided tax credits and exemptions to companies that reached employment and investment thresholds.

Lawmakers eventually questioned the effectiveness of the program. In 2018, a committee of lawmakers called for ending the program a year earlier than its original expiration date in 2020.

That was replaced by the ImagiNE Act, which provides various tax credits based on the number of jobs created, the wages for those jobs, the type of business, the amount of investment and the location of the business. The ImagiNE Act faced a tumultuous journey and at one point was used as a bargaining chip by rural senators seeking property tax relief. It was ultimately folded into a compromise bill passed in 2021.

Jennifer Creager with the Greater Omaha Chamber told the Revenue Committee this past week that there were discussions about creating a discretionary fund similar to Lindstroms proposal around the time the ImagiNE Act was drafted. However, given that governors have not historically requested the fund and concerns over transparency, it was taken off the table early in the process of crafting the act.

Creager, who also testified on behalf of the Lincoln and state chambers and Nebraska Bankers Association, spoke in support of Lindstroms bill, adding that it could allow the state to be more nimble when responding to economic development opportunities.

Lindstrom said that is the goal.

To me there is one extra step that other states have that we dont and thats a governors closing fund, he said, referencing a shortened version of the funds name.

Its ultimately something to make us competitive.

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In Minneapolis this month, there was another videoa video of a young Black man, 22-year-old Amir Locke, being killed by police. Its only 10 seconds long, and its really sad.

Jeremiah Ellison, he had to watch it. When I watched the video for the first time, it was worse than I thought it would be. I mean  hes a kid, said Ellison, whos a City Council member in Minneapolis, representing Ward 5, just a few blocks away from where the shooting took place.

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It was early on a Wednesday morning when police officers stormed the apartment where Amir Locke was staying. They charged up to a couch, kicked it, and then opened fire. If you pause the bodycam footage, you can just see that Amir Lockewho was not wanted for anythinghad a gun in his hands. During previous shootings, Ellison would have been texting with the mayor and constituents and getting information, but that didnt happen this time. It was incredibly different, he said. The political landscape in Minneapolis is really weird right now.

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This weird political landscape is part of the reason I wanted to talk to Jeremiah Ellison. He was elected, in part, to address police violence. After George Floyds murder, he pushed for aggressive reform, things like replacing the police department with a department of public safety. But voters have rejected these kinds of ideas so far. Ellison himself nearly got voted out of office back in November.

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And now here he is, watching another video that is impossible to explain. If George Floyd wasnt inherently a turning point for our city, then every single change is going to have to be as brutally hard fought as anything else know, he said.

On Mondays episode of What Next, I spoke with Ellison about what his next move is, after yet another police killing in Minneapolis. Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Mary Harris: For Jeremiah Ellison, the shooting of Amir Locke gives him an awful sense of deja vu. He was elected after the police shooting of a Black man named Jamar Clark. And when George Floyd was murdered, he really dug in on police reform. You may remember this moment from after Floyds death, when a bunch of City Council members got up at a rally and announced theyd defund the police. It seemed like major reform was about to happena veto-proof majority of the had City Council signed on to all this. Jeremiah said he was committed to dismantling the police.

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But none of that happened. The citys charter hemmed them in. So back in November, reformers tried another tackasking the citizens of Minneapolis themselves to vote on converting the police department into a department of public safety. But that initiative failed, too. The thing is, Jeremiah Ellison doesnt see it that way.

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Jeremiah Ellison: Look, 45 percent of voters in Minneapolis walked into the voting booth and decided that they no longer wanted the Minneapolis Police Department to be a part of their day-to-day lives. Thats not an insignificant number of people, and thats not an insignificant declaration to make with your vote.

At the same time the city voted against remaking the police department, they did something else: They voted in favor of increasing the mayors power, making him the chief executive of the city. Now all city agencies work the way the police department doeswithout direct oversight from council members.

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The Minneapolis City Council has never had any legislative authority over the police department.

You tried to change that as early as 2019.

We tried to change it in 2019. We tried to change it in 2020. And then we finally got it on the ballot in 2021 and it lost. One of the reasons that we wanted to do that is because the council has a built-in transparent platform to pass policy. We have to give notice of introduction, then we have to do it in a formal reading and referral to its proper committee. Then, we have to draft the policy and put it out for public review and take public comment. Then we have to have a public hearing, sometimes two public hearings.

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How does the policymaking for the police work now instead?

The mayor and the chief draft the policy. No vetting, no public hearing. And you could have one mayor and one chief with their set of policies, and you could have a new mayor and a new chief just toss those policies aside. It is completely a behind-closed-doors process, and it is completely subject to the whims and impulses of whoever the current chief and mayor happen to be.

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And with Amir Lockes death, you can see the problems with that because Mayor Jacob Frey campaigned as having banned no-knock warrants. But it appears that whatever policy existed wasnt strong enough to prevent what happened.

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Sometimes, in Minneapolis, we get into this habit of outsmarting ourselves. We want to do something, but we dont really want to do it. And so we play a bit of a semantic game so that weve technically done a thing that we havent really earnestly done. And Im not saying that thats anyones intention here, but I feel like its ultimately what happened.

There was probably some concern about banning no-knock warrants in earnest. But it was a popular reform that the mayor wanted to campaign on. And so the policy ends up being this thing that is maybe technically what he wanted but not exactly what he wanted to do.

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Thats some of the problems when you dont have a transparent process. Look, there are members of the public who are going to catch on to any sort of semantic games that youre trying to play. Theyre going to call you out for loopholes that you didnt really take into account. Ive experienced that even with some of the renters rights that Ive tried to pass. And ultimately, it strengthens your policy.

The pushback on what youre saying, which is Open everything up to public comment, is that itll be a mess. Everyones going to be there picking at this thing. Well never have a policy. Itll take a long time. Its not efficient.

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The only department in the city of Minneapolis that functions this way, with this nontransparent policy creation model, is the Minneapolis Police Department. And its also the only department that has a long notable list of failures.

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We think that its efficiency and we need speed when it comes to creating this policy. And yet speed and efficiency with a lack of transparency have consistently created chaos in our city when it comes to policing. So maybe we could just try the opposite.

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Before being elected to City Council, Jeremiah Ellison was an artist. He did these big, public murals. But he was always political. He was born into politics. His dad is Keith Ellison, the former Minnesota congressman who is now attorney general for the state. It was after the shooting of a young Black man named Jamar Clark that Jeremiah Ellison started thinking about going into politics himself. This was back in 2015.

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The reason I ended up running is that Jamar Clark was somebody who was from north Minneapolis. His older sister used to braid my younger sisters hair. Its a tightknit community. I didnt personally know Jamar, but you instantly start finding out that youve got all these connections. And he was killed four, five blocks from where I grew up. So I was out on the streets and I had a lot of my neighbors saying, We need different representation here on the north side.

I read that during everything that happened around Jamar Clarks death, you ended up at a City Council meeting where you stood up, you kept your back to the lectern as you spoke, and you said, Politicians will shake your hand and kiss your baby and slit your throat at the same time. Your dads a politician, and now you are.

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There are thousands of people holding elected office at any given time. I dont think that was a statement on every single person holding elected office period. It was a statement on how people placate instead of trying to solve a problem and that thats the issue. People become maybe obsessed with holding their office more than doing the work of their office, and thats a problem.

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Now that you hold this office, have you ever had those moments, where youre like, I need to just say the nice words here?

Ive never done that, but Im painfully awaremaybe overly awareof the various reasons that electeds dont say bold things, dont make bold moves, dont hold strong on their stances on what they believe. Im painfully aware that no one is immune to that.

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In the last election, I was in a tight election. I was saying things about public safety that I still believe are true and that I think time will just further prove are trueabout policing in America, about the way that we have chosen, very ineffectively, to keep people safe in our country. Saying some very unpopular things about how we should expand that system beyond the police-only model that we have.

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And a lot of my colleagues lost their elections, and I almost lost mine. The calculus that I made is that if I had to lose an election standing up for what I believe in and asserting what I know to be true, then I could live with that forever. But that if I had to soften the truth or tell people what they wanted to hear, regardless of whether it was true, in order to win that would be the very kind of activity that would make me no longer fit to hold the position.

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Some would say your job is to do what the people want, though.

Theres a balance there. If what the people want is based on a well-financed, fairly sophisticated smear campaign, and you know that part of what theyre asking you to do is not the right thing, then you owe it to them to do the political education, to have the hard conversation. And you might not win them over in that moment, and you might not win their vote in that moment.

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But there was also this ideological divide in your own district. There has been a lawsuit filed by eight Minneapolis residents, people who live in the district you representthey wanted to make sure that the police were fully staffed, which is something thats part of the city charter. And so they went to court and said, You need to not defund the police because it says right here were supposed to have this many people working the streets, and they won.

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These people arent just random community actors. These folks are part of a political class. They get billed in this way that makes them seem just apolitical and concerned.

But I do think that there is a divideand I come to this as a New Yorkerbetween older city residents and younger ones, where theres a conception that police keep you safe and they are there to keep you safe. Maybe they do bad things, but if theyre gone, things might get worse. And in a city like Minneapolis, I think there might be a feeling that what happened when police officers left was that crime got worse. Do you not see that as a generational thing?

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Yes and no. Especially here in Minneapolis, Black residents in particular, Im seeing that generational divide. But we tend to think of things as two-sided, but its almost always at least three-sided, which is to say that the vast majority of Black people in Minneapolis who can vote dont vote at all. They have lost so much faith in the systems ability to manage any of these problems.

And so to me, to place so much emphasis on the people who are in it and disagreeing to the point that you dont even see the people who are on the outside of the conversation and they dont even know what were really talking about, thats a really big missed opportunity.

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Two years in to the push to defund the police, I wonder if youre more or less optimistic about the kind of changes you want to make.

Is there a neither option? Im not a pessimist at all. I think things are possible. I think impossible things are possible. But to say that Im hopeful feels like an overstatement. I would say that Im convinced that with the proper amount of thought and the proper amount of due diligence, I can get things done. And if I cant reach that threshold, then I cant get those things done.

Did you think it would be this hard?

I knew that politics was something that I was always going to be maybe naturally disinterested in. I saw my dad in Congress, and I remember being 16 and being like, Man, this sucks. Like, having people spray-paint the side of our house because hes the first Muslim congressman sucks.

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I knew that the work was going to be important. I didnt think that we would be at the center of debating the future of policing in America. I dont think I anticipated that part of the job, and I certainly didnt anticipate the amount of police killings weve had or the pandemic.

What does all of this mean about what you do now, because it seems to me like youre in a really tough spot? You just had an election where a bunch of the more progressive members of the council lost their jobs. More power was given to the mayor, not less. Youve had this awful police shooting, which has revealed that some of the policies that people may have assumed were in place are weaker than they should be or than maybe even they were intended to be. So what do you do now?

When I heard the news of Amir Lockes killing, there was a part of menot the part of me that Im the most proud ofthat was like, Hey, people just voted for me to not have a voice in these conversations. So Im going to keep working on tenants rights, and Im going to keep working on rent control, and Im going to keep working on these other policies. I just fought for two years to have some legislative authority in this realm and the people said no, and Ive got to respect that. And I was going to  obviously attend rallies and do that kind of thing, but I wasnt really going to make too much of my opinion known.

Because it felt like my opinion had just been rejected in November. And then I watched the video and it was just the cruelest reminder that I dont get to take a break from this conversation. Even if Im frustrated with election results or whatever, Ive got to find a way to assert my voice in this conversation.

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The fully-automated vaccine cold storage facility provided by China's biopharmaceutical company Sinovac will be "a qualitative leap" in Egypt's vaccine preservation technique, said chief of an Egyptian vaccine producer in a recent interview with Xinhua.

In an agreement signed in January, Sinovac will establish and equip a cooling facility at a new factory complex of Egypt's Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) in 6th of October city of Giza province near Egypt's capital Cairo.

"The advantages of the new refrigeration facility is that it is fully-automated and run by high-tech electronic control systems without human intervention," VACSERA's Chairperson Heba Wali told Xinhua.

"The facility is also equipped with automatic loading and unloading docks, so the stored products are automatically loaded and unloaded without any human intervention, which will be a qualitative leap in our cooling systems for vaccine preservation," she pointed out.

Wali noted that the facility will be built on an area of 3,200 square meters, with a storage capacity of 150 million doses of the final product, adding that it is planned to be completed and ready for operation by June 2022.

Sinovac will be responsible for the interior finishing and equipment of the new cold storage facility while the Egyptian side will be responsible for providing the land, the concrete structure of the building and the necessary licenses, according to the chairperson.

The agreement to establish the cold storage facility came within the framework signed between Sinovac and VACSERA in April 2021. In the framework, the two sides will jointly produce Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines at VACSERA's factory in Agouza, Giza, with a final product carrying the names of both companies.

The two sides celebrated in August last year the production of the first one million doses of Sinovac-VACSERA vaccines.

Wali said VACSERA is about to conclude an agreement with Sinovac regarding the full transfer of vaccine manufacturing technology.

"Our production capacity is 320,000 doses per day, and since August 2021 we have produced 30 million doses, most of which have been used in the country's COVID-19 vaccination program," Wali pointed out.

"We currently have raw material to manufacture 15 million doses and their production is planned to be completed in March," she added.

VACSERA currently preserves its vaccines in a cooling facility at its company in Agouza, which is adequate but manually run with 100-percent human intervention.

With its full automation and large capacity, the new cold storage facility to be provided by Sinovac will serve VACSERA's future plans to become a regional center for vaccine production, storage and export in Africa.

She referred to an initiative by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that targets to locally produce 60 percent of the continent's needs of vaccines by 2040.

Established over 100 years ago, state-owned VACSERA is one of the oldest manufacturers of vaccines and sera in Africa and the Middle East.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Egypt and China have been cooperating closely in fighting the pandemic through exchanging medical aid and expertise as well as jointly producing its vaccines.

Wali hailed cooperation with the Chinese side as "very positive."

"We started discussions with Sinovac in June 2020 and we found great cooperation from the Chinese side in transferring manufacturing technology to us," VACSERA chief told Xinhua.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
An online rumor that the National Immigration Administration is issuing and renewing passports for private travel was denied by the administration on Saturday.

It said it will continue to maintain a strict entry and exit policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic overseas.

The rumor that immigration authorities in some regions had resumed the issuance and renewal of passports for private purposes, including overseas travel, spread rapidly on social media platforms last week, prompting some people to make inquiries to the administration.

It refuted the rumor in a statement, saying the pandemic situation abroad remains grim and there are major security risks in cross-border travel. It said people should not leave China unless such travel is urgent or necessary.

For those who really need to go abroad for study, work or business, the immigration authorities will issue passports and other exit and entry documents after verification, it said.

The administration will announce any changes to immigration policy promptly on its website or social media account, and people can also call its 12367 service hotline, it said.

Liu Haitao, head of the administration's department of frontier inspection and management, told a news conference in December the administration would not allow people to leave the country for nonessential or nonemergency reasons.

In August, Liu told another news conference the administration had adopted a stricter approach to the issuance of exit and entry documents, including ordinary passports, to protect people's health and safety and prevent cross-border transmission of COVID-19.
This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy.

Canada has not been the dull paragon of peace, order, and good government it is widely known for ever since a Freedom Convoy rolled into Ottawa and paralyzed the capital city on Jan. 27.

The protest against pandemic restrictions spread to border blockages at the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, shutting down auto plants on both sides of the border that rely on just-in-time cross-border delivery. Some western border sites between Manitoba and North Dakota and between Alberta and Montana have also been shut down. Canada has received a somewhat humiliating offer of assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As of Sunday, police had cleared access to the Ambassador Bridge with arrests, and the mayor of Ottawa may have reached an agreement with the occupiers to retreat from residential areas.

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But the question remains: How did things ever get this bad?

Putting the Freedom occupation in context requires understanding Canadas past overreactions to national security crises, its failure to take the risk of far-right violent extremism seriously, its failure to modernize laws dealing with protests, and its divided and often dysfunctional system of policing.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been unwilling to follow in the footsteps of his father, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who invoked martial law and called in the troops in October 1970 in response to two kidnappings by a terrorist group committed to Quebec separatism.

There is good reason for this. The October Crisis still haunts Canada. It is possible to draw a straight line from it to the enactment of the 1982 Charter of Rights as a constitutional bill of rights and the transfer of the intelligence mandate from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to the civilian Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

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Ever since, CSIS has been stingy with sharing intelligence with the police, in part because of fears that intelligence might have to be disclosed under Canadas broad disclosure rules created by the courts under the 1982 Charter of Rights. One example of that: police in Canada had to rely on intelligence from the FBI in the recent Jeffrey Delisle and Cameron Ortis espionage cases, because CSIS did not share similar intelligence with them.

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The ghost of the October Crisis has been re-enforced by other instances of overreactions to protest, even after the reforms of the 1980s. These include the 1990 stand-off between the military/police and Mohawk protesters in Oka, Quebec, in which security forces used tear gas and grenades and a police officer was killed in the resulting confusion and gunfire, and by the police killing of Indigenous protester Dudley George in 1995, for which a police officer was subsequently convicted.

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The law that allowed Trudeau senior to send in the troops in 1970 has been replaced with an Emergencies Act that the government has not used during the pandemic, due to near universal provincial opposition, and which is believed to be inadequate to deal with the present protest crisis. This as well as reluctance of the Conservative Ontario government to ask for military assistance also explains why the military has not yet been asked, under the National Defence Act, to assist with the Ottawa occupation, even though some military assistance may eventually be necessary, if only to assist with towing away large trucks that have blocked downtown streets.

Although it is an overgeneralization to think all of the protesters are far right extremists, the protests are influenced by elements of the transnational far right. There is also some evidence that far right actors in the United States and elsewhere are seizing on the dynamics of the Canadian protests to amplify a global far-right message.

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Canada has been slow to recognize violent far right extremism despite incidents of far right terrorism including a 2014 shooting rampage in which a man who wanted to overthrow the government killed three RCMP officers; a 2017 killing of five men at a Quebec City mosque by a man motivated by Donald Trump, David Duke, and anti-Muslim sentiment; a 2020 attempt by a military reservist to confront Prime Minister Justice Trudeau, who the reservist feared was imposing a communist dictatorship in Canada; and a 2021 killing of four members of a Muslim family by a man wearing swastika.

Canadas programs for countering violent extremism are under-developed and adversely affected by federalism. Attempts have been made to deprive the convoy of funding, first through GoFundMe and then through GiveSendGo, but without obvious success. GiveSendGo announced it would ignore a court order to stop distributing funds sent to protesters, stating: Know this! Canada has absolutely ZERO jurisdiction over how we manage our funds here at GiveSendGo.

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The Canadian Criminal Code contains archaic provisions criminalizing sedition, unlawful drilling, and riots, complete with provisions for literally reading the riot act. In late 2021, in the face of pandemic-related protests that interfered with access to public services, the Canadian Parliament acted but in a typical piecemeal and partial way by creating new offences with respect to blockades of hospitals and harassment of medical health workers.

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Modern criminal regulation of protests as in the UK would have required the leaders of the protest to give advance notice to the police and provided offences if they failed to give notice or did not abide by conditions or restrictions placed on the protest. This could have made clear that the blocking of streets and borders as well as access to Parliament would have been prohibited and enforced. It also could have given the police the power to arrest and charge if protesters engaged in threats, harassment and displays of racial or religious hatred. Such restrictions would almost certainly have been challenged under Canadas constitutional bill of rights but could be justified as a reasonable and proportionate limit on rights. But the Canadian Parliament, especially one in which the Liberal government does not have a majority, has only addressed blockades and protests against health care workers. More comprehensive legislation to deal with protests would have been controversial, but perhaps less so after the damage done by the Freedom Convoy.

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Unlike New Zealand, which quickly arrested over 120 protesters at their legislature inspired by the Canadian convoy, or the French police, which responded to attempts by a convoy to enter Paris with 7,000 police, Canada, like the United States, has a fragmented and localized police structure. This complicates demands by the Biden administration that Canada use federal powers to resolve this situation at our joint border. The RCMP acting as federal police only has jurisdiction over actual federal property. It is the local police that is responsible for the public street (now occupied by trucks, tents, and even a hot tub) that runs in front of the Parliament building and the main highway in Windsor leading to the Ambassador Bridge. Such arrangements should now be reconsidered.

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The Ottawa police seem unprepared for the occupation, even though there was advance notice of the truckers convoy, which started in western Canada. The Ottawa Police Service Board had a major events policy in place that contemplated advance planning both by the police and the Board. It has policies on Indigenous protests and labour disputes but not specific policies on protecting Parliament. There is no public evidence of what, if any plan, was prepared for the convoy of truckers.

This is not the first time that fragmented policing has created a national security risk. A terrorist motivated by Daesh was able to enter Parliament on Oct. 22, 2014, after killing a soldier guarding the Ottawa war memorial. A heavily redacted after-action report indicated that the policing of Parliament was a mess, with responsibilities divided  often in unclear ways  across both House of Commons and Senate police, the federal RCMP, and local police.

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As the convoy protestors drove past Parliament, it became clear that those issues of policing responsibility have not been resolved. The Ottawa police has since the early days of the protest requested 1,800 more officers from the RCMP and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). There has been a lack of clarity about how many officers have actually been provided. The provincial minister in charge of the OPP has been reluctant to participate in discussions, and some of the 5,550 officers in the OPP have been diverted to enforce an injunction against the Ambassador Bridge blockade in Windsor. Meanwhile protesters have dug in in the face of Parliament.

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The Ottawa convoy protest was not predestined to drag on for as long as it has, and its seeming intractability is the result of, among other things, specific policing decisions. The Toronto police, for example, performed better than the Ottawa police in preventing blockades by large trucks. One factor may have been its response to criticisms that its police board did not adequately plan for the 2010 G20 demonstrations that resulted in over 1000 arrests.

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The consequences of fragmented policing can also be seen in other provinces responses to trucker protests. The border blockades in western Canada were policed by the RCMP, but acting as local policing under contracts with provincial governments. Matters seemed to have been left to the RCMP without clear or transparent guidance from either responsible provincial or federal ministers. This may reflect an overbroad understanding of police independence from government direction as extending to all operational matters that seemed to be embraced at the federal level. It may also reflect some sympathy for the protests by the Conservative governments of Manitoba and Alberta. The Alberta government has refused to declare an emergency. Only one charge has been laid under its Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, enacted in response to anti-pipeline and Indigenous protest, raising concerns about inequities given heavy handed policing of Indigenous protests. At the same time, Premier Jason Kenney has given protesters what they want by announcing an end to most pandemic measures.

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The Conservative government of Ontario, facing an election this June, has taken a different approach, declaring a provincial emergency and creating offences of blocking critical infrastructure tied to license suspensions. This may have helped clear the Ambassador Bridge, but its effects on the Ottawa occupation remain unclear.

The failure to respond to the Ottawa blockade also raises concerns about the equal application of the rule of law. Participants in the trucker convoys are conservative, primarily male, and almost entirely white. Protestors representing marginalized groups have experienced less deference from police. In November 2020 the Ottawa police arrested and charged with mischief 12 people who blocked an intersection in downtown Ottawa in protest of the acquittal of a white police officer for killing a Black man. The charges were eventually withdrawn as not in the public interest but Canada has engaged, and continues to engage, in massive and militarized police enforcement against Indigenous protests and occupations.

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News is now circulating that the federal government may soon invoke the Emergencies Act. But this would not solve the problem of undergovernance of the Ottawa police or of the OPP or the RCMP in its contract policing role that has plagued the response to the occupation. Section 20 of that Act provides that the declaration of an emergency does not take away the powers that municipalities and provinces have over their police forces, including over the RCMP when it provides local contract policing. Even the extraordinary use of emergency powers would not under law deputize or give the federal government power over the local or provincial police. Things are different if a province requests the federal government to send in the troops. If a province requests that the military be called in in aid of civil power, the federal Minister of Defence would govern the use of troops in consultation with the provincial Attorney General.

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The use of aid of civil powers or emergency powers would represent the ultimate failure of policing and especially police governance. A mandatory federal inquiry would follow the use of the Emergencies Act, and a mandatory provincial inquiry would follow the use of the military in aid of civil power to produce a report for the federal government about why the police alone could not handle the riot or disturbance. Undoubtedly such inquiries would, like so many before them, point out the need for proper proactive governance of the police including with respect to the policies that should guide police operations. One of Canadas many security challenges is that both governments and police have found it convenient to accept inflated claims of police independence over all operational matters and simplistic and inaccurate views that governments can never direct the police.

Many in Canada, and especially Ottawa, have been left with a sense that their governments are missing in action. Governments and the police have lost control of the escalating blockades, bringing economic harms and international embarrassment to Canada. To be sure, such occupations are difficult for democracies to confront. But it is also governments responsibility to do so, and the failures of policing policy outlined above have created opportunities for bad-faith actors to exploit, at a time when far-right extremism is on the rise in Canada and globally. Canada will have to re-evaluate its laws regulating protests and its approaches to far-right extremism and policing once these very troubling occupations have ended.

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On Feb. 1, a militia-backed anti-government group in Northern California won a recall vote that will effectively give it control over Shasta Countys local government. The official being recalled was Leonard Moty, a Republican who had once been police chief and has served as supervisor since 2008. If the early results hold, which have the recall winning with 56 percent of the vote, the sponsors will have scored a victory against the already conservative countys insufficiently insurrectionist status quo. One of the groups in this saga, Recall Shasta, has received at least half a million dollars in funding from a disgruntled multimillionaire with a personal vendetta against Shasta Countys local government. But the most notable aspect of the effort is how self-conscious it was: Leaders of the recall effort went out of their way to bill their initiative as a model for what other far-right groups across the country can do. Their goal was not just to win, but to evangelize. Members have even been producing a docuseries about the effort aptly named The Red, White, and Blueprint. That bizarre events in an out-of-the-way place like Shasta County could constitute a template for national movement-building would at one point have seemed far-fetched. No longerit worked. And its working in many other places, too, in school boards and town halls across the country. Observers think the Shasta County election might indeed become a template of sorts for whats to come.

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Its hard to say how exactly this all started for the city of Redding and its environs. Back in October 2020, a far-right supervisor, Les Baugh, proposed that the county withdraw from Californias color-coded tier system designed to manage the pandemic. The proposal didnt passone official pointed out that it was illegal, and other supervisors worried that the state might retaliate by withholding funds. To future members of the recall effort, this moment would be held up as a massive failinga lack of courage by the board of supervisors.

Or maybe it started even further back, in 2014, when the aforementioned multimillionaire battled and settled with Shasta County because he bristled at the permits required to work on his land. He characterized local government as an assault on his liberty and has sincefrom his home in Connecticutbeen financially supporting far-right extremist groups and the 2020 election of one of the current extremist supervisors, all leading up to the recall.

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Or perhaps it began with the failed 2021 effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, which energized factions in Shasta County eager to force some governmental turnover, even if their targets were all Republicans. (Sixty-nine percent of Shasta County voted in favor of recalling Newsom.)

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But one clear escalation was in January of 2021, when two of the five county supervisors, Les Baugh and Patrick Jones, opened the chambers to the public in violation of the countys own ordinance banning in-person meetings because of the pandemic. The other three supervisors voted to censure them for this in February. In March, Baugh proposed yet again that Shasta County reject the state COVID-19 tier system. And again the proposal failed. By April, the recall effort against the other three supervisors was well underway.

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This has been an intraright battle from the start. The county never had anything approaching a lockdown, and in September, when Shasta County had the highest COVID case rate in the state, the board voted 41 in favor of a resolution opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for government and private business, but without including a letter to Newsom. Even that wasnt good enough: Activists and Patrick Jones, the single no vote, were unhappy that the board voted not to also send a letter to Newsom opposing state vaccine mandates. (The letter nearly passed, but there were arguments over whether a paragraph acknowledging the states authority should be included or cut.) For these and other crimes, particularly having met through Zoom rather than in person during certain periods of the pandemic and when the supervisors were receiving threats, one of Recall Shastas leaders tried to issue a citizens arrest of all five supervisors in October during a board meeting. All of you must remain at this location until the citizen arrest process is completed with a peace officer, Richard Gallardo told the supervisors. He was allotted his full three minutes before law enforcement escorted him out.

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Now Leonard Moty, the long-serving Republican supervisor and former police chief whom Recall Shasta folks have variously and without basis branded as a socialist, pedophile, taker of bribes, and corrupt collaborator with Dominion Voting Systems, may be out of his job. If the agitators are successful in electing a far-right replacementand both candidates leading the vote more or less fit the billthe question then becomes, what policy outcomes do they want, if any?

Its uncleardespite buzzwords like medical freedom and a proposal to eliminate the Department of Resource Management (the agency the multimillionaire holds responsible for trying to police him) and the Health and Human Services Agency. Theres petulance at work, a refusal to acknowledge the limitations of the law, and anger over children wearing masks coexists with a deep investment in conspiracies about everything from voter fraud to shadowy alliances with marijuana growers to pedophilia. This is of a piece with the way that a growing percentage of the right is more interested in saying no as loudly as possible without worrying much about whether theres anything to say yes to. The most interesting parts of the campaigna political movement and a PR effort rolled into onehave been its funding and a docuseries chronicling its recall drive.

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First, the money. The disgruntled multimillionaire is Reverge Anselmo, a man who has dabbled in movies and vineyards. He left Shasta County in a huff after he was asked to comply with local ordinances. Since then hes been working to transform the board of supervisors. He donated $100,000 to far-right candidate Patrick Jones, the supervisor who would go on to lead the recall effort. Thought to be the largest individual donation to a local campaign in the history of the county, Anselmos donation catapulted Jones to victory and prompted the county to pass a lawwhich had never before been necessarylimiting campaign donations.

Despite the enormous single-source investment, Jones has described his election as a grassroots phenomenon: Whats happening in Shasta County is not unlike what we see happening in many other counties now and in other states. People are taking an interest in their local government, he told the local paper, the Record Searchlight.

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In leading the charge on recalling his colleagues, Jones has rewarded Anselmos investment. Recall Shasta didnt gather enough signatures to hold recalls for two of the supervisors, Mary Rickert and Joe Chimenti, but Moty may be enough: Now that Jones has been elected, Motys removal and replacement would sway the composition of the board 32 in favor of the Recall Shasta organizers.

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Anselmo made his own agenda clear in an appearance in the Red, White, and Blueprint docuseries: Would I come back? he says of possibly returning to Shasta County. If youre successful with Patrick Jones, recall three supervisors, and eliminate the whole resources management division which has no resources, yeah, if you did that, Id go back.

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To be clear, the docuseries is startlingly silly, and its unclear how its funded (because it is billed as a media company, it does not have to disclose). It works hard to make the goings-on at the chamber seem like the epic battle for freedom the movement needs it to be. Dramatic overhead shots precede clips of people yelling at the supervisors in the chamber, all scored with suspenseful music and throbbing violins. Interlaced between those scenes is footage of men riding horses in a sort of cowboy fantasy about the American frontier and talking heads featuring disgruntled activistsschoolteachers or health care workers or business owners or militia members sympathetic to the recall or angry about masks and vaccines. The protagonist as well as co-founder of the docuseries is Carlos Zapata, a veteran, bar and restaurant owner, and member of the Cottonwood militia. After a local comedian and BLM activist named Nathan Pinkney posted satirical videos mocking the docuseries, Zapata and two friends confronted Pinkney behind the restaurant where he worked. Zapata threw a drink at him and his friend hit Pinkney in the face. Zapata and his friends were charged. The trial that followed became a recruitment ground of sorts for him; he did his best to present himself as a victim of persecution and showed up to court more than once with an escort of Proud Boys.

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Zapata, who has characterized himself as Shasta Countys savior, has been crucial to escalating the recall efforts rhetoric and strategies. In August, he had said at a supervisor meeting: I went to war for this country. Ive seen the ugliest, dirtiest part of humanity. Ive been in combat, and I never want to go back again, but Im telling you what, I will to save this country. If it has to be against our own citizens, it will happen, and theres a million people like me, and you wont stop us.

That effort to create an environment of intimidation has paid off. He has verbally attacked a journalist during a meeting of the board of supervisors for being the only person in this room wearing a mask over her coward face, calling her one of the people who wants to poison our children, who want to poison our society. He has threatened to collect intelligence on anyone who dared to report businesses defying health orders: We have people on the streets, we know where you live, we know who your family is, we know your dogs name . we are not going to make you feel very comfortable in our community.

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Zapatas rise has largely set the tone for the movement wracking Shasta County. His Facebook posts include memes and comments like Unless youre actually willing to do violence, do not claim to be 2A. He told Alex Jones, We have been pushed to a point of violence. You dont vote your way out of socialism. Once it takes root, the only way to eradicate it is to fight with arms, to have a violent, violent confrontation, have blood in the streets.

This, ultimately, is how money and propaganda can foment real violencewhether out of a personal vendetta about land use permits, or anti-vaccination sentiment, or cowboy fantasies in need of an adversary.

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The citizens who show up to yell at the board of supervisors claim that onerous constraints are impinging on their freedoms. It doesnt seem to matter much thataside from briefly shutting down one businessofficials in Shasta County did not enforce social distancing or vaccine mandates with particular strictness. Per the target of the recall, Leonard Moty: We were one of the most open counties during the height of the pandemic.

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It doesnt matter. On Jan. 5, 2021, supervisors Jones and Baugh broke into the chamber to open it up to a protesting crowd. A threatening speech by one of the incensed speakers went locally viral: You have made bullets expensive, but lucky for you, ropes are reusable.

Over the past year, the recall advocates have become mini-celebrities in town and in the far-right movement, a celebrity that is burnished the further that their threatening speeches travel, adding to the propagandistic chorus. Shasta by most measures is a small community, but its members are not talking to one another as if they are neighbors; they are talking to one another as if they are on a national stage. And as much as they are given the attention theyve sought, it should be with an awareness of their deliberate and well-funded methods.

They won, and their victories are growing. Supervisor Joe Chimenti may have survived the recall effort, but he has said he will not run again. A county public health officer had police patrolling her home because of threats she received over perceived COVID restrictions. On Monday, the head of the countys Health and Human Services Agency announced his retirement. Rather benignly, he said, I think some of the upheaval in the political environment just made the job less enjoyable. One comment in response on the Recall Shasta Facebook page read: Sounds to me like theyre running away, but the truth is out in plain sight and they will be accused for their crimes against humanity.
The Supreme Court struck yet another blow against voting rights last week when it let Alabama use racially gerrymandered maps in the 2022 midterms. By a 54 vote, the ultraconservative justices halted a lower court order that had struck down Alabamas redistricting plan. The states new plan radically dilutes the votes of racial minorities, denying them political power in violation of the Voting Rights Act.

A three-judge district court had ordered Alabama to create a new map in a 225-page decision, but the Supreme Court froze this injunction on the shadow docket without offering any explanation. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, however, wrote an alarming concurrence defending the courts action, claiming that Alabamas election is too close at hand to justify intervention. (The primary is more than three months away.) Kavanaugh also responded to Justice Elena Kagans scorching dissent, which accused the majority of once again altering the law through its shadow docket.

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On this weeks Amicus, Mark Joseph Stern joined Dahlia Lithwick to break down the decisionand its disturbing implicationsfor the Slate Plus bonus segment. In this excerpt, they discuss the ultraconservative majoritys abandonment of doctrine and precedent in favor of slipshod, unreasoned orders that reek of partisan expediency. Their conversion has been edited for length.

Dahlia Lithwick: Im thinking of maybe 10 years ago, when folks like Dean Erwin Chemerinsky used to critique Justice Antonin Scalias opinion writingwhich was at the time 95 percent well-reasoned, principled, doctrinal writing. And then he would just throw in his AM radio lines. Even before tweets were invented, Scalia was doing some of that Real Housewives skirmishing.

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It seems as though that has snowballed so quickly so that now its more like, Were not even bothering with the sober doctrine. Were just tweeting. I think one thing thats really striking in this Voting Rights Act case is that the district court panel actually did the work. They actually did 225 pages of applying the facts to the law. And these shadow docket decisions just toss all that away. All those findings of fact are gone. The justices can toss it away and say nothing. Or they can toss it away and take a shot at Elena Kagan.

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Mark Joseph Stern: Obviously the real victims of this order are the Black citizens in Alabama whove had their political strength radically diluted by this blatantly illegal map. But I do also have some sympathy for these three judges who issued that 225-page decisiontwo of whom were nominated by Donald Trump and who probably dont have a lot of love for the Voting Rights Act, but who recognized that they were legally bound to apply it. And they did so quite honestly and rigorously. And all of their important work just gets set aside or lit on fire by five justices with no explanation.

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So while its really distressing for the real-world victims of these decisions, its also distressing for the dwindling number of real judges in the federal judiciary who are still doing the work like this hasnt become a political farcewho are still doing their best to apply the law, to apply precedent, to consider the facts and to come to a conclusion that is eminently reasonable and defensible.

I mean, the district court might just as well have issued a one-page order with a doodle of Brett Kavanaughs face on it, for all that the Supreme Court cared, because they just tossed it aside with no explanation. So yeah, it sucks for Black people. It sucks for democracy. And it also sucks for the few remaining judges who believe that there is something separating law and politics, and that by actually doing law, they will get at least an iota of respect from the Supreme Court majority.

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Lithwick: I want to ask you one more question about this. This seems to raise laws of physics rather than jurisprudence, but lets try anyway. One of the things you noted in your piece when this order came down was the use of the Purcell principle, this idea if theres an election anywhere in the future, courts can never do anything to fiddle with electoral systems. And Im struck that, on the shadow docket, its always too soon, but its also always too late. Its always an emergency, but were not actually doing anything. The courtunder the guise of not getting involved in thingsis now involved in everything. But we have Brett Kavanaugh insisting, Were not doing anything! I dont understand you, freaked-out Elena Kagan. Were doing nothing here. I think its sort of a lame sixth grade magician trick to keep saying, If I distort the exigencies of time and space and action and inaction, then people wont see what Im doing.

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Stern: Its like the theory of relativity after four bong hits. Its a very bizarre concept of legal physics. And I think what helps cut through all of the bullshit here is the way that our friend and colleague Steve Vladeck frames it, which is dont just look at what the justices say. Look at what the actual outcome is, and whether the court is substantively altering the law or making new law through the shadow docket.

The shadow docket is a bunch of different things all tossed in the same bucket. Sometimes the court intervenes and we say thats bad. Sometimes the court doesnt intervene and we say thats bad. And the bad faith actors of the world, like Brett Kavanaugh, will seize on that and say youre being hypocritical, you dont have a problem with the shadow docket, you just have a problem with us and our decisions.

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I think thats obviously incorrect. The two worst shadow docket decisions before this Voting Rights Act case were Tandon v. Newsom, where the court radically altered the free exercise clause, and then the S.B. 8 case, where the court allowed Texas abortion ban to take effect. In the first case, the court did intervene and radically changed the law. In the second case, the court didnt intervene and radically change the law. The important thing is that the court ended up fundamentally altering the law and decades of precedent, and did so in a fundamentally unreasoned, slapdash, nonsensical way that does not withstand any kind of scrutiny. And the court wont even tell us if these interventions count as precedent.

So I agree with you that its very frustrating to get gaslighted by Brett Kavanaugh all the time. I think its worse if youre Elena Kagan. And its probably even worse if youre a poor lower court judge laboring under the delusion that the Supreme Court is not politicized.
The House select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, made headlines last week after a resolution from the Republican National Committee formally censured Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for serving on a body that was probing what the RNC newly deemed legitimate political discourse. One of the surprise aftereffects of the censure was that it exposed a rift between the RNC and Republican leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and former Vice President Mike Pence, who opted to condemn the violence and destruction at the Capitol that day, even as it further antagonized Donald Trump and his staunchest supporters.

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In an interview on this weeks Amicus podcast, I asked Rep. Adam Schiff, who serves on the Jan. 6 committee and was lead impeachment manager for the first Trump impeachment, whether he believes that the GOPs blind devotion to the Big Lie about the stolen 2020 election had crossed some invisible line from merely expedient fabrication into something that some members of the GOP understand to be an exigent threat to democracy itself.

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Schiff told me that the GOPs commitment to the Big Lie was comparable to the partys messaging around the pandemic and vaccines. The Republican Party, and Donald Trump, created its own monster that not even Donald Trump can control anymore, he said. And when Trump takes to the stump and says people should get vaccinated, he gets booed by his own people, Donald Trump booed by his own base. In much the same way, Schiff added, with respect to this big lie, they have pushed this snowball down the hill, and it has gathered so much momentum that it is taking on an irresistible force of its own.

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One of the reasons the Big Lie becomes harder and harder to sustain, Schiff said, is that on Jan. 6, you had Republican members of Congress challenge the electors from their own states, claim that the ballots which elected Joe Biden were fraudulent, when they were elected on the same ballot. As Schiff put it, I do think that some of these Republicans, like Mitch McConnell, recognize that this monster may consume them too, that if theyre going to go along with the big lie, then that big lie could be used against them in their own election.

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Given the fact that this is a problem for GOP leadership, and not for a base that is wedded to the original Trumpist messaging around both vaccines and stolen elections, I asked Schiff whether, after a Mueller report and two impeachment efforts, it made any sense to participate in yet another investigation that was neither fish nor fowlnot quite law, not quite politics. The investigation is unlikely to change the minds of many stalwart believers that Joe Biden did not legitimately win the 2020 election. Multiple lawsuits have already proved otherwise. This isnt a criminal process, and it doesnt necessarily bring legal consequences, so is it just a first draft of history?

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His answer harked back to the first impeachment, when, he said, I would tell my fellow managers that we were speaking to the four and the 40 millionthe four Republican senators we thought might have an open mind and the 40 million Americans that we estimated also had an open mind. Schiff added that while a great many Americans have a very closed mind when it comes to Jan. 6, because the way we get our information is so balkanized,

there still are tens of millions of people who dont live, eat, and breathe politics. Theyre just trying to get by and provide for their family. And they are hearing these conflicting narratives about Jan. 6. Theyre hearing its legitimate political discourse, but then theyre seeing images on TV of police being beaten and battered. And theyre trying to reconcile, how could they possibly be saying this is legitimate political discourse? And its important that we speak to those people. So I view that as a very important component of the public hearings that we are going to begin, I think in a matter of weeks or months. I view those hearings as speaking to the American people and sharing the facts were learning in the investigation. I view the report as a document for history, and I view our responsibility, as the recommendations that come out of that, to try to take steps to prevent anything like this from happening again. And so, I think youre right, we are kind of at the intersection of history and justice, and I would add accountability. Justice has predominantly been the role of the Justice Department. But were hopeful that our accountability can also lead to justice.

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In the years since the four-and-40-million formula, its possible if not likely that there are even more Trump enthusiasts than there were, who are willing to believe whatever he says, no matter what the evidence may reflect. But Schiff sees something else at play. The four Republican senators may be five or six, simply because the transactional value of the Big Lie is a growing threat to their own seats, and to fundamental ideas about the rule of law and a peaceful transfer of power. And we may be creeping up on more than 40 million Americans who have a sense that something truly existential happened on Jan. 6, something that is more tangible than an ambiguous telephone call to Ukraine. If that calculus is correct, this Jan. 6 committee isnt just drafting an account for the history books, so much as producing a closing argument in the case Adam Schiff opened years ago.

To hear the entire interview, listen below, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.
This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy.

The Biden administration has concluded that a new Russian military offensive against Ukraine is much more likely, as one senior official put it, than a diplomatic resolution and could come within days. The United States and Europe could seek to forestall this through preemptive surrender, giving Putin control over Ukraine and a measure of security control over Moscows former empire in Europe. This is what the Kremlin is demanding, and achieving it through intimidation may be what Putin seeks now. But can the United States and Europe prevent an escalation of Putins war against Ukraine without consigning tens of millions of Europeans to Kremlin control or leaving them vulnerable to future Kremlin intimidation?

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The United States seeks to prevent Russias full-scale war against Ukraine without surrendering the objectives for which it fought World War II and the Cold War: a united Europe, no longer subjected to tyrannical rule or aggression. U.S. tactics in this case are based on a two-track approach: developing the sticks of arms to Ukraine, troops to NATOs Eastern flank countries, and potential sanctions; and applying the carrots of diplomacy, including arms control and other solid risk-reduction measures. Both tracks have advanced: the United States and NATO have put offers on the table; and arms are flowing to Ukraine, American troops are on the move (not to Ukraine, but to NATOs Eastern tier of countries), and a powerful set of sanctions and other economic tools are at advanced stages of preparation. All this is supported by Allied unity as good as existed during the Cold War (German hesitation and French style notwithstanding).

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It hasnt been enough. The Biden administration has hoped that the sticks would convince Putin to take the diplomatic path. Thats not happening. In a long meeting on Feb. 10 with French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin put on his familiar bored boy slouch, alternating, according to French sources, with long monologues of grievance. (Those grievances are misplaced: to paraphrase Frances WWI leader Georges Clemenceau, whatever the causes of the current crisis, Ukraine did not attack Russia.) In a meeting the next day with British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov seemed more interested in trolling, probably because he has no mandate for serious diplomacy.

President Joe Bidens Feb. 12 call with Putin doesnt seem to have gone much better, according to the White House statement and some initial press backgrounding; neither did Macrons call with Putin earlier the same day.

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Whats the best U.S. and European play at this stage?

The United States can advance the sticks. It should accelerate arms shipments to Ukraine while it still can. If Putin decides to launch a WWII-style major military offensive against Ukraine, Ukrainian airports may not be operable for long. If there are more anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems to send to the Ukrainian military, or other equipment to support a prolonged Ukrainian resistance to possible Russian occupation, the U.S. and other allies should get them there now. The United States and NATO countries could also accelerate efforts to strengthen NATOs force posture on its Eastern flank, either on a national basis or, if NATO members can agree now, by activating the NATO Response Force or other NATO-hatted forces.

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There are good reasons not to start imposing heavy new sanctions yet; these should be launched together for maximum impact and not, as the United States and Europe did in 2014, rolled out piecemeal, slowly up an escalatory ladder. The Biden administration has already done a good job making clear that strong sanctions  financial sector and personal sanctions against Putin and his kleptocratic circle  are ready, as are powerful export-control measures. It needs to intensify this work, advising U.S., European, and Asian banks and business that the U.S. is serious and will not tolerate sanctions or export-control evasion. It needs as well to keep working to identify additional sources of oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) to compensate as much as possible for expected Kremlin cutoffs as a weapon against Europe and the United States, which buys a lot of Russian oil.

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Despite the sullen Kremlin attitude so far, there may be more room to advance the diplomatic track. This could have two features. While the United States (and the U.K.) have leaned forward in warning Putin of the consequences if he launches a full-scale war, Germany especially could say more and should do so now. In public statements during his visit to Washington this past week, Chancellor Olaf Scholz seemed muted. The new German government is wrestling with significant internal divisions, with some Social Democrats (the Chancellors party and the leading one in the German coalition) still reluctant to call out Moscows aggression publicly. But this is an emergency. Putin would notice a strong, not nuanced, message from the German chancellor now, warning that should Russia launch a major war in Europe, Germany will no longer play a role of East-West mediator or set its sights on new versions of Ostpolitik, but will regard Putins government as a threat to peace in Europe and act accordingly. The German government needs to weigh whatever domestic backlash there may be to such a statement and the consequences of a major land war in Europe that now looms as a real possibility. Macron, having tried his best in Moscow, could make a similar statement.

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At the same time, the U.S. could supplement its serious arms control and other security proposals by offering to wrap them in a larger diplomatic package, perhaps offering a major conference to update Europes security order, if Putin stands down from his threatened major war. It wouldnt be hard to outline a way ahead: 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, a framework initially dismissed as giving the Soviet Union legitimacy in its control of Europe East of the Iron Curtain but now seen as an early step toward the dismantling of the Soviet Empire and Soviet Union itself. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul has suggested such an approach. The United States (or France or Germany) could propose starting talks once Russia stands down from war, with an aim to update European security via an agreement and a major summit in Helsinki in 2025. Finland is planning a conference that year. The offer would have to make clear that a Helsinki 2.0 would build on, not supplant, the principles and documents that ended the Cold War, including human rights, national sovereignty, and the right of all countries to determine their own security alliances.

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Such an approach has risks, such as giving the Kremlin a platform to try to overturn the post-Cold War order that Moscow had already accepted. But launching a Helsinki 2.0 process would put the United States and Europe on even higher ground. And it seems a better option than simply batting back Kremlin demands for a permanent end to Ukraines aspirations to join NATO, a move that Moscow would (rightly) interpret as consigning Ukraine to its control. In addition to its substantive potential, a major diplomatic offer like a Helsinki 2.0 would have the advantage of helping rally the Europeans around a strong position should Putin refuse it.

A cautionary note: the Biden administration and many observers have described the current crisis in binary terms of a major war or diplomatic off ramp. But Putin has many options, including a neither-war-nor-peace approach that imposes sustained pressure on Ukraine, hoping to destroy its economy and undermine its resistance to Kremlin control by means other than all-out war with its consequences and risks. Instead of a full invasion, Putin could order the overt occupation of that part of Eastern Ukraine that Russia already controls, or he could seize and annex Ukraines Serpent Island in the Western Black Sea, enabling Russia to cut off Ukrainian access to international waters, or some other aggression designed to keep up the pressure without necessarily triggering the Western sanctions likely to damage the Russian economy.

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The United States should not allow Putin to retain the initiative. If he launches smaller aggressions in the expectation of frustrating a strong Western response, the United States  joined by Europe and the U.K. if possible, but proceeding regardless  should hit Russia hard with sanctions and make clear in advance that such is its intention.

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Its an ugly moment. Putin either intends to launch a major war of conquest, a la WWII, or use the threat of war to subjugate Ukraine. Like Soviet leaders and other 20th century aggressors, Putin has the dictators tactical advantages of greater freedom of action. Democracies, even with all our current faults and awful domestic challenges, have the strategic advantage of freedom and the stronger economy and political resilience that come from it. But that doesnt make the present dangers and tough choices any easier.

More From Just Security:

Election in Indias Largest State Accelerates Anti-Muslim Hate Speech and Violence

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This story was produced in partnership with the Garrison Project, an independent, nonpartisan organization addressing the crisis of mass incarceration and policing.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams Blueprint to End Gun Violence received an extraordinary amount of attention from the media and politicians, culminating in a visit from President Joe Biden on Feb. 3 to discuss the mayors strategies to combat gun crime in the city.

Just a few days after Adams released his high-profile plan, Philadelphia Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. published a report titled 100 Shooting Review Committee Report. The report received far less attention and was covered only by the local Philadelphia press. Thats a shame. The reports authors examined more than 2,000 shootings. What they found is that gun violence is much more complicated than Adams blueprint suggests, arguing that a better way to focus on gun violence is to target the violence more than the guns.

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Its a critical distinction. During Bidens visit to New York City, Adams called for a 9/11-type response to gun violence. The thrust of his planbesides exhorting the state legislature to roll back recent reforms on bail and discoveryis to aggressively go after guns by increasing detection efforts at state entry points, expanding funding for the New York Police Departments Gun Violence Suppression Division, working more closely with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to trace guns, and investing in new surveillance technology to detect illegal firearms. Most consequentially, Adams promises to revive the NYPDs undercover anti-crime unitsdisbanded in 2020 amid concerns about unconstitutional stops and excessive violenceand rechristen them Neighborhood Safety Teams, deploying 400 to 500 officers on the streets to focus on gun removals.

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The Philadelphia reportwritten by a wide range of sometimes contentious stakeholders, including the Philadelphia Police Department, the district attorneys office under reformer Larry Krasner, the Department of Public Health, and the Defender Association of Philadelphiasuggests that such interdiction is likely futile. The authors provided analyses and policy recommendations for a city suffering from a record 559 homicides in 2021. While the proposals from the Philadelphia police broadly track with the Adams plan, the recommendations from the other stakeholders, including the citys district attorney, caution strongly against an approach that centers on gun interdiction.

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While Adams believes that we can stop the flow of guns, Krasner simply does not, writing that focusing so many resources on removing guns from the street while a constant supply of new guns is available is unlikely to stop gun violence. Krasners skepticism is based on Pennsylvania gun data from 1999 to 2019, which indicates that on the average day, 1,600 guns were sold in the state, with more than 200 sold each day in Philadelphia and the four neighboring counties. These figures are based on legal, traceable in-state gun sales, which thus excludes many legal sales, any out-of-state sales, and all illegal sales. Out of all these gunsmany of which, of course, were not used illegallythe Philadelphia police only seized an average of 12 guns per day. Given the surge in gun purchases nationwide in 2020, Krasners concern about a constant supply of firearms is likely all the greater in 2022.

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Krasner also worries that gun enforcement wont actually solve gun violence; he notes that many in law enforcement support gun possession cases as a way to fight gun violence in spite of little research supporting the approach. (The Adams proposal is silent about any sort of empirical support here.) But his assertion is at least partially backed up by data. As of December 2021, Philadelphia had hundreds of open fatal (460) and nonfatal (650) shooting cases. But over the same time period, illegal gun possession cases more than tripled, increasing from 628 to over 2,200. Krasner concludes that the current intense focus on illegal gun possession without a license is having no effect on the gun violence crisis and distracts from successfully investigating shootings. To be clear, the report on which Krasner relies claims that there is no evidence that gun interdiction efforts reduce or increase gun violencewe are generally blind on the issue. But Krasner notes that whether shootings are higher or lower, the number of shooting arrests remains flat, suggesting that police capacity is relatively fixed. So, absent significant investment in hiring more police, more targeting of guns will mean less focus on other crimes.

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Krasner proposes that, instead of focusing on gun possession cases, we should target violence more directly. For starters, gun violence reduction efforts would be better served by improving the clearance rate for shooting cases, better protecting witnesses, and improving the rate at which police officers, witnesses, and victims appear at shooting trials. Krasner is on particularly firm ground on low clearance rates in shootings. In recent years, four out of five non-fatal shootings in Philadelphia went unsolved, Krasner writes, Out of 11,306 shootings in Philadelphia since 2015, 8,918 did not result in arrest.  As 2021 draws to a close, there have been arrests made in only 17 percent of non-fatal shootings and 28 percent of fatal shootings that occurred this year. Low clearance rates are not unique to Philadelphia: In 2020, the NYPD cleared only about 30 percent of nonfatal shootings, and other cities have historically been even worse (for Chicago, it is from 5 to 11 percent).

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In the report, Krasner foregrounds the social costs of enforcement that Adams plan does not necessarily deny but treats much more casually. In his pitch for the newly named Neighborhood Safety Teams, for example, Adams says the NYPD will rely on additional training, supervision, analytics, and risk monitoring to ensure these enhanced teams work with communities. Adams gives no indication of what these policies would be, or why we should expect them to improve more than past efforts along these lines. There is reason to be wary that these sorts of rebrandings and restructurings will result in meaningful cultural and behavioral changes. In 2015, for example, then New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a neighborhood policing plan meant to improve relationships between officers and residents after years of Mayor Michael Bloombergs stop and frisk and the killing of Eric Garner by anti-crime unit officer Daniel Pantaleo. But at least one member of City Council raised concerns that the transfer of former anti-crime unit officers into the new neighborhood policing teams undermined those teams effectiveness.

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There are additional costs to weigh, too. Krasner notes how misenforcementincluding racial disparities in stops (80 percent of people arrested for illegal gun possession in Philadelphia are Black) and the loss of faith in the system that happens when cases get dismissed because officers failed to appear at trialundermines public safety. Focusing so many resources on removing guns from the street while a constant supply of new guns is available is unlikely to stop gun violence, he writes, but it does erode trust and the perceived legitimacy of the system. He makes this point most forcefully in the section resisting the use of actuarial models to identify people likely to be illegally possessing guns. Krasner cautions that any sort of model will be built around the limited, biased data that comes from the low percentage of shooting cases that produce arrests (about 20 percent for nonlethal shootings and 30 percent for lethal ones). Ultimately, these flawed models encourage police to cast broad nets that will end up locking up thousands of people just to prevent dozens of future shootings, imposing significant human and socialand moralcosts that could overwhelm the benefits of such detention.

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Adams is silent about any of the social costs of broad-based sweeps when calling for the need to adopt surveillance software or the Neighborhood Safety Teams. But the New York City Center for Court Innovations August 2020 report on gun violence is not. The report examines why young men in the city carry firearms and states that a key finding is that current public safety efforts, where law enforcement is the primary response to violent crime, exacerbate young peoples sense of urban siege. This heightened perception of threat encourages them to carry weapons out of a sense that the police do not do a good job preventing violence and that they may need to protect themselves against police violence.

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Furthermore, there is evidence right in Adams own city about the efficacy of substantially less punitive responses to gun possession. While the Adams plan calls on the state to make it easier to send 16- and 17-year-olds caught with guns to prisona change state lawmakers have already said they will refuse to makeBrooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez runs a diversion program aimed at people ages 13 to 22 who are facing things like gun charges. The program, called Youth and Congregations in Partnership, appears to be fairly successful. By linking defendants with social workers and schooling, the program appears to both reduce reoffending and improve other life outcomes that address the deeper root causes of violence.

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Its important to note that Adams plan does include programs that seek non-police-centric ways to reduce gun violence, such as summer youth employment, which has strong empirical support. Again, unlike more punitive approaches to crime, these programs have significant benefits beyond crime reduction. And like the Philadelphia report, Adams pledges to expand hospital-based violence intervention programs. But these approaches are clearly not at the center of Adams vision for reducing gun violence.

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Both the Philadelphia report and the CCI report suggest a better path forward. The sections of the Philadelphia report not written by the policeand especially those written by the Department of Public Health and the Defender Associationemphasize that the way to reduce gun violence is by confronting the deeper, structural causes of violence. Both reports emphasize support for programs such as housing support, protection against eviction, and drug treatment. Targeting these causes can take time, and gun violence is an immediate concern. But much of the data provided by the Philadelphia report, alongside the findings of the CCI study, caution that a broad-brush effort to stop the flow of guns may accomplish little on its own terms, and may even exacerbate some of the underlying causes of violence.
If you keep up with TikTok trends, youve probably come across a Shein haul. A woman, usually young, often white, showcases the massive amount of cheap clothing she got from the Chinese online retailer Shein.

Sheins clothes are incredibly affordable. And if youre in their core demographicyoung womenits almost impossible to escape Sheins marketing. If you imagine a Venn diagram of social media, fashion, and software, SHEIN is right in the middle. Its approach to business is in many ways more similar to Amazons than it is to other fast-fashion brands, and this approach might soon change the way Americans shop for all kinds of products, not just clothes.

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On Sundays episode of What Next: TBD, I spoke with Louise Matsakis, who spent six months investigating Sheins explosive popularity for the tech news site Rest of World. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Lizzie OLeary: I think if people are familiar with fast fashion, its because of Zara or H&M or maybe Topshop. How is Shein different?



Louise Matsakis: There are a couple of ways that theyre different. Theres the obvious stuff: They dont have physical stores in malls, theyre not hiring thousands of retail workers around the world, and theyre not driven by runway trends. The normal model that I think were all familiar with is Zara will go to fashion week in Milan or New York and theyll see whats trending on the runways, and then theyll come up with a season based on those trends. Shein is not driven by any of that. Instead, theyre listening to what people are looking at on social media, and its all data-driven.

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Another thing that makes Shein really different is that they have thousands of suppliers in China. Whereas Zara might work with a couple of trusted factories, Shein has this vast network that it can tap into, and they connect all those suppliers together in an app.

On their website, you can buy suggested outfits, put together a specific look, or see whats trending. Then you can click over into the Gals section and see Shein clothes not on models, but on real people sharing what they wore and how they styled it. How is the website experience related to the brands approach to marketing?

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A lot of fashion companies, their entire ethos is about exclusivity. I think about the Telfar bag, for example, which is one of the hottest bags in the fashion world right now and its purposefully scarce. Its really hard to get a Telfar bag, whereas Shein is like, No, we want you to be able to get whatever you want. And theyve done a lot of things to cultivate that image. One of the biggest ones that comes to mind is Shein has one of the most extensive plus-size lines on the internet right now. Theyre capturing this consumer base that a lot of other fashion companies are ignoring. Theyre basically saying, We just want to fill every niche possible.

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I mean, it just sounds like a tech company.

It is a tech company. So this is how Shein works: Every day, they add anywhere from five to 10,000 different items on their site, and then they wait. And they see how customers respond. Lizzie, if you and I decide that we love the camo print leggings that were released today and a bunch of our friends buy them too, Shein will look at that data and say, OK, were now going to ramp up production of the camo print leggings. And what theyll do is that theyll tell their suppliers to up the ante.

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They usually start with these really small orders, as few as like a hundred pieces, and then they ramp up production, in contrast to Zara, which says: Were going to take a risk and were going to send 10,000 dresses to stores. And if they dont sell, were going to mark them down.

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Shein feels, to a lot of people, like it came out of nowhere. And yet suddenly, this company is valued at a rumored $47 billion. Where did it come from?

We kept hearing from people, Oh, my God, Ive never heard of this company, and it came out of nowhere, and thats definitely true in some ways. Theyre really targeting a very specific demographic. But I also think this element of surprise is a result of the fact that often, the tech industry sees the interests of young girls as frivolous or not very interesting. Often, young women and their concerns and their consumer habits and what theyre thinking about are very divorced from the tech industry, which is very male-dominated. But also, the company is very, very secretive, so I want to give those people some credit. Its not like Shein was putting out press releases left and right or trying to talk to people in the tech world.

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It was founded a few years ago in China by this entrepreneur named Christhats his American name, and hes very secretive. Around the last two years, Shein really exploded in popularity, and I think there are a couple of reasons for that. But the No. 1 reason, of course, is the pandemic.

Pandemic restrictions meant that Sheins competitors, like Zara and H&M, had to close many physical stores. Whatever advantage they mightve had from foot traffic vanished. Shoppers spent their money online and shared their Shein hauls on social media, creating even more buzz. Last year, Shein sales rose to a staggering $10 billion.

Its easyand I do it all the timeto compare Shein to Zara, but in a lot of ways its actually much more like Amazon. Like Amazon, what Shein has done is they have cultivated relationships with thousands of factories across China. Starting in the early 2010s, Amazon did that too. Its often the case that youre not actually buying from Amazon, youre buying from one of these third-party sellers, many of whom are based in China. But recently, a lot of consumers started complaining about fake reviews, and Amazons reputation started to tumble. In response, Amazon kicked off all of these third-party sellers. In other words, the relationship between Amazon and Chinese factories and Chinese manufacturers started to sour.

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And at the same time, Shein was on the rise. They were able to come in and say, Hey, you guys already know how to cater to American consumers because youve been doing it on Amazon for a while. Come work with us. Amazon taught American consumers to buy from these Chinese companies with maybe strange names or jumbles of letters on Amazon, and I think that that made a lot of Shein customers feel more comfortable.

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I dont feel like I can have a conversation with you about fast fashion without asking about pay and labor conditions. What do we know about how Shein works with these suppliers?

This is a really important question, and something that comes up from Shein customers all the time. For every Shein haul video, theres a video from a sustainable fashion influencer who is telling all the reasons why you shouldnt shop there, and one of them is often concerns about labor conditions. There have been reports that Shein is working with suppliers who dont necessarily have the best labor conditions, but I think its also important to note that the fashion industry in general is known for having poor labor conditions. And just because youre buying from a more expensive brand doesnt mean that it was made by someone who was being treated fairly.

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The scale of what you are describing is staggering. And when you combine that with the very low prices, it can feel almost shockingly wasteful. I wonder if this business model pushes consumers to something that is even more of a throwaway than previous generations of fast fashion?

That is something that Ive thought a lot about and is really concerning. Even if you do really like the crop top that you got from Shein two years ago, is it going to make it in the wash again? What incentive do you have to take care of that garment when it costs maybe a little bit more than a latte, if not the same price? And all of the incentives that companies like Shein have are to encourage you to buy more and more.

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I think a point that you have made very clearly, both in our conversation and in your reporting, is that Westerners, and particularly the tech industry, underestimate the desires and the market power of young women. And I still think that some people might listen to this conversation and say, Why should I care? Why should I care about what a bunch of 20-year-olds are ordering online? What would you say to that?

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Whether or not you like it, for the rest of your life that demographic is going to be influencing what you wear and where you buy those clothes. It is such an important consumer demographic that is going to change the market. Its changing the internet. Its changing consumption habits already. So even if youre not part of that demographic, teens shopping on Shein are going to have ripple effects for the clothes that you buy.

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So how this model works, how this kind of consuming works, that could be something that people who have never heard of Shein are doing a year from now, five years from now?

Absolutely, and it also is going to have impacts on labor conditions. Its going to have impacts on the environment. One other thing I keep thinking about, too, is that its not just that the desires of young women are seen as frivolous or not interesting, but its also that theyre often seen as one-dimensional. So you would see these tech guys be like, Oh, young women love Shein and they dont care about the software model. They dont care about the impact on the environment. They dont necessarily care about the labor standards. But what we found is that often, the same girls who are posting a haul video or talking about how excited they about the outfit that they got on Sheinmaybe in the same video, eventhey will talk about how they feel ambivalent about the future of this sort of model.

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What do you think happens when you combine social media and its sometimes-addictive nature with something like fast fashion?

Im interested about what happens when a design that was basically created by an algorithm ends up influencing trends. What does it mean for the future of fashion if it is data-driven like this and everyone is spending all this time in an app that is trying to respond to their interests? It brings up a lot of the same questions that weve been asking the last few years about the Facebook algorithm or the YouTube recommendation algorithm. Does it lead to more purchases? Does it change the types of clothes that people are interested in wearing? I think those are still open questions.

Listen to the complete episode below:

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Animal-to-human transplantation is having a moment. In January, a man in Baltimore made history when he received a heart transplant from a genetically modified pigand the heart actually worked. Just a few months before, surgeons in New York attached a pig kidney to a brain-dead persons blood vessels and kept it alive for three days, and a surgical team in Alabama successfully transplanted a pig kidney into the abdomen of a brain-dead man.

These achievements take us closer than ever to a future that transplant surgeons have been working toward for centuries: one where there are no more organ shortagesjust a limitless supply of human-compatible animal parts ready for installation. Xenotransplantation, as scientists call it, has always made some people squeamish, but the idea has persisted through the agesand many failed attemptsbecause of its potential to save lives. People would rather be alive than dead, basically, David Hamilton, a retired transplant surgeon and author of A History of Organ Transplantation, told me. Organ donors are constantly in short supply; more than 106,000 Americans are on the national wait list, and 17 of them die waiting each day.

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Though it seems like something out of science fiction, people have flirted with the idea of human-animal transplants since antiquity, say scholars. Ancient Egyptians had the Sphinx, a human-lion-falcon mashup akin to mythical Greco-Roman centaurs and fauns. Dedalus legendarily played surgeon when he attempted to attach wings to himself and his doomed son Icarus. Inserting a pig organ into a human has the same end goal: to improve and augment human life.

Recorded attempts at xenotransplantation begin with Jean-Baptiste Denis, a physician to the 17th-century French king Louis XIV who dabbled in animal-human blood transfusions to improve health. Animal blood, Denis wrote, is less full of impurities than that of men because debauchery and irregularity in eating and drinking are not so common in them as in us. After a couple of dog-dog and dog-calf test runs, he made several attempts to transfuse lamb blood into human patients. Obviously, that didnt end super well because of allergic reactions, and the blood wasnt very compatible, transplant surgeon Sham Dholakia, chief medical officer of CareDx, a transplant diagnostics company, told me.

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Scientists didnt begin to understand the immune system until the last quarter of the 19th century. Until then, European physicians regularly transplanted skin from animals to cover ulcers and burns. Frogs were popular because of their thin skin, but occasionally rabbits, chihuahuas, and even chickens were used. Surgeons tried any animal that was around, said Hamilton. Monkey skin looked attractive and might have lasted for weeks. Regardless of the animal, these grafts never became permanent. The skin is one of the most immunogenic tissues, Mohamed Ezzalarab, a research associate professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburghs Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, told me.

Most likely they were rejected after a few days.

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The bodys protestations didnt deter the infamous France-based surgeon Serge Voronoff from carrying out his monkey gland experiments in the 1920s, which consisted of implanting slices of chimpanzee or baboon testicles into their human counterparts. Doing so, he wrote, would lead to all-around rejuvenationsexual and otherwisebecause the sex gland stimulated not only amorous passion but also cerebral activity and muscular regeneration. He believed that using primate organs led to better results but wasnt sure why; perhaps, he wrote, it was because apes had a more robust physical constitution and didnt suffer from human ailments like alcoholism and arthritis. Though scientific reporting on these experiments was scarce, the surgeries were a sensation. They even inspired an American named John Brinkley, who in the 1930s offered similar surgeries using goat testicles that he claimed gave his patients an astonishing sexual vigor. (Brinkley was sued for wrongful death multiple times and in 2016 inspired a documentary titled Nuts!)

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Scientists continued dabbling in xenotransplantation through the early 20th century, but it didnt evolve into a credible science until the French surgeon Alexis Carrel came up with a way to stitch together blood vessels. The technique earned him the 1912 Nobel Prize and ushered the era of transplantation in generalagnostic of species.

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With the successful transplant of a kidney from a boy to his twin in 1954, it became clear that human-to-human transplants had enormous potential. So why not animals? Once ordinary human kidneys were possible, it became worth trying again, said Hamilton.

In the 1960s, the Tulane University surgeon Keith Reemstma tried again by transplanting chimpanzee kidneys into six people with kidney failure. Organ shortages were already a problem in the U.S., and dialysis was not yet available. As this impasse was developing, we decided to explore the use of nonhuman sources for clinical renal transplantation, Reemstma wrote. Most of his patients died within a few weeks, but one woman survived nine months after the surgery, surprising many in the field. Thomas Starzl, a pioneering transplant surgeon who worked on baboons, called her survival the one real beacon of hope.

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Surgeons kept chipping away at xenotransplantation, but they didnt have long-term success. The issue the faced is the same one that plagues the field today: The body rejects foreign organs, especially those of an animal. Immune-suppressing drugs like cyclosporin and tacrolimus revolutionized immunosuppression for human-to-human transplants in the 1980s, said Dholakia, but they couldnt quite convince the body to accept animal organs. And so the research turned toward the animals themselves.

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Primates were the donor animal of choice for xenotransplantation as late as 1984, when an infant known as Baby Fae famously received a baboon heart. Chimps and monkeys, the logic went, were similar in size and closely related to humans, so their organs stood the best chance at being tolerated. But primates also take up to nine years to grow to the right size, theyre relatively rare and difficult to breed, and present the obvious ethical quandary of sacrificing close relatives for human gain. While at first Baby Faes heart transplant started to beat spontaneously, her condition deteriorated after two weeks and she died a few days later. So people started looking at pigs, says Ezzelarab. They are everywhere. People eat pigs more than they eat monkeys  so ethically the public would not feel so bad about using pigs. One litter of pigs can produce up to 20 piglets, each of which, in six months, can provide a heart, two lungs, two kidneys, a liver, a pancreas, and intestines. One pig can help eight patients, said Ezzelarab. Surprisingly, some leaders within Judaism and Islam, which prohibit pork consumption, have been open to pig xenotransplantation. Saving life is a trump card, Hamilton said.

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But as similar as pigs are to humans, there are still challenges. In the 1990s, scientists found that transplanting a pig organ into a human sets off an angry immune response that largely targets alpha-gal, a sugar molecule found in pigs. After attempts to block or filter it fell short, scientists set out to get rid of it altogether using genetic engineering techniques ushered in by Dolly the sheep. Years of research produced alpha-gal knockout pigs, which dont express the sugar. These pigs have been used in every experimental xenotransplantation attempt this century, including the recent achievements in Baltimore, New York, and Alabama, said Ezzelarab. In December 2020, the Food and Drug Administration approved GalSafe pigs, a line of alpha-gal knockout pigs developed by the regenerative medicine company Revivicor, for consumption and therapeutic use.

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So far, there havent been any updates on the patient who received the pig heart at the University of Maryland in January. Hamilton is hopeful that the silence is a good thing. Weve been waiting for this for 20 years. Its been going so slowly that people just forget about it, he said. I knew it was going to come someday.

But even if the patient survives, it wont mean that pig-to-human organ transplants will become common practice anytime soon. We need to know much more about the safety and impact of the procedure. Researchers are still trying to understand the difference between the immune reaction to pig versus human hosts, and it may be that molecules beyond alpha-gal will need to be mitigated in pigs, with different gene combinations for different patients, said Ezzelarab. The medical community will have to decide on the best way to design clinical trials to prove that the procedure is safe, which will be key in gaining the publics acceptance. Theres a lot of enthusiasm but also a lot of questions, said Dholakia.

Already, farms dedicated to growing pigs for human transplantation are being set up, and companies specializing in xenotransplantation are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The question isnt if, but when, though Ezzelarab urges caution because hes concerned that missteps could push the field backward. You dont want to fly too close to the sun unless youre really sure you can protect yourself, he said. Use something other than wax.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
New strategy document to lay out path for appropriate and attractive growth.

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Being a sustainable city means more than just having a positive approach to the environment  it needs to be economically sustainable too. Its growth must be appropriate and it needs to be attractive to both its residents and visitors. In this respect, Bratislava has a lot of room for improvement according to those in charge of guiding its path to greater sustainability.

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The Slovak Spectator spoke with Jan Mazur, director of the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava (MIB), the municipal organisation creating the concept behind the citys development, about what characteristics pre-dispose Bratislava to sustainability, its ideal transport, how data can improve quality of life in the cityand what kind of tourists it should look to attract.

What does the term sustainable city mean with regard to Bratislava?

Sustainability can be understood in several ways. People mostly associate the term with environmental sustainability. But, of course, it is also about economic and social sustainability. Related to this is keeping the city competitive. I see this as crucial for Bratislava and Slovakia as a whole due to the brain drain. It is questionable how attractive Bratislava is for other inhabitants of Slovakia in comparison with Brno and Prague in the Czech Republic, or Vienna. From the point of view of its sustainability, it is important that Bratislava grows appropriately and is attractive.

To what extent is Bratislava currently sustainable?
Those denouncing the defence cooperation agreement brought their wild antics inside parliament.

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Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. The DCA passes, and threats follow. No more measures after Omicron? Elite police officers still facing charges. Slovakia is less religious, census shows. A noted diplomat passed away.

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Deal passed despite intimidation

The parliamentary vote on the defence deal with the US was always going to be an ugly affair. That much had been clear in the weeks running up to the vote, once the entire opposition had jumped on the propaganda bandwagon to oppose it.

But what eventually occurred in the Slovak parliament last week exceeded even the worst expectations and left even seasoned observers of Slovakias sometimes idiosyncratic politics shaking their heads in disbelief. It is not as though, in the past, parliament hasnt sometimes resembled an amateur dramatics performance, or perhaps or an after-school detention class  and it is worth noting that the leader of the largest coalition party, Igor Matovic, has frequently been at the centre of such happenings.

But this time around, it was exactly what it looked like: a lowbrow variety show directed by a former IT teacher who is (still) the face of the far right in Slovakia. This improbable impresario, Marian Kotleba, is currently waiting for the Supreme Court to decide his appeal against a conviction and prison sentence on extremism charges, handed down last year. As Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad tried to deliver an address to MPs ahead of the vote, Kotlebas LSNS MPs yelled and blew whistles, and blocked the speakers desk. Kotleba himself leaned over Nad and tried to grab his script. When two SaS MPs unfurled a Ukrainian flag in front of the speakers desk in solidarity with Ukraine, an LSNS MP threw water over them and over the Ukrainian flag, which they then snatched away  an act for which Slovak diplomats have formally apologised to Ukraine.
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Afghanistan's former president Hamid Karzai on Sunday urged the U.S. administration to return his country's assets.

"Holding Afghanistan's money on any name is unfair and unjust. That money belongs to the people of Afghanistan ... I am calling on President Joe Biden to return the money to the people of Afghanistan," Karzai told a press conference.

The United States, following its forces' exit from Afghanistan in August 2021, has frozen more than 9 billion U.S. dollars of assets of Afghanistan's central bank. The move is widely seen as the major factor leading to the current economic crisis in the war-torn Asian country.

U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday which seeks to split 7 billion U.S. dollars out of the Afghan assets between funding humanitarian aid for cash-strapped Afghanistan and creating a trust fund with 3.5 billion U.S. dollars to compensate the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Karzai said the Afghan people share the grief of the American people have suffered due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, yet no Afghan was involved in the attack and therefore Biden has to reconsider his decision.

Criticizing Biden's decision as unjust, Karzai stressed that all Afghans including members of the present Taliban-led caretaker government take a united stand to get the Afghan money back to their country.
Slovenske Elektrarne warns that the tax might send them to bankruptcy, and employers call for negotiations.

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The government is planning a brand new tax that should be imposed on an excessive profit from the sale of electricity generated by a nuclear source.

The tax rate is expected to be as high as 50 percent, and will be applied on a single company. The proposal was already approved by the cabinet at its February 9 session, and will now be discussed in the parliament. The coalition would like to adopt it in a fast-track proceeding.

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Even though the government has not confirmed it, the Index economic magazine suggested that the income from the new tax may serve as one source of state aid for schools, hospitals and nursing homes struggling with surging energy prices. The state will allocate 50 million to help them this year, and it is expected that the aid might amount to hundreds of millions of euros in the coming years.

Not everybody is happy with the proposal. Slovenske Elektrarne (SE), the main energy generator in Slovakia, which is the only one in the country operating nuclear facilities, has even warned of bankruptcy if the tax is adopted. Not even the representatives of employers support the tax, claiming that these steps might destabilise the energy sector and shake the trust of investors.

What is the tax about?

The tax should amount to 50 percent, and should be paid from excess profit, i.e. the sum defined as the difference between the average electricity prices on stock exchange and the costs of the taxed company on the electricity production.
New Covid rules to come into force. Boosters for teenagers launched. Date for new Kuciak murder trial set.

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Good evening. The Monday, February 14, 2022 edition of Today in Slovakia is ready with the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

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MPs face attacks after supporting the US defence deal

Robert Fico (in the middle) and Lubos Blaha (on the right) in front of the parliament. (Source: TASR)

Opposition parties Smer and far-right Peoples Party Our Slovakia (LSNS), plus the members of far-right Republika and their supporters have launched a massive campaign against 79 MPs who voted for the Defence Cooperation Agreement in parliament on February 9.

Lubos Blaha of Smer, Milan Mazurek of Republika, and Tomas Taraba, who left the LSNS caucus, have shared information about the appearances and names of MPs along with the village or town they live in. They claim that these MPs are traitors of the nation.

At the same time, people in anonymous groups on social networks have shared the MPs addresses. One of the groups has an image of a gallows as a profile picture.

The opposition denies that any violence in this regard could be the result of such goading.

Why should I feel co-responsible? If there is a crime against a person, I will denounce it, Blaha said.

He explained that he wants to bring visibility to the MPs of the coalition who remain unknown for a large group of people. He added that OLaNO also organised protests in front of Bonaparte where Smers chair Robert Fico used to live.

Police evaluated violence as a possible threat, and several people were even assigned police protection. They are also patrolling the houses of MPs and searching through video footage for people who left the messages at their gates, the Sme daily reported.

For a deeper insight into current affairs, check out our Last Week in Slovakia piece published earlier today. You can sign up for the newsletter here.

Coronavirus and vaccination news

Vaccination of teenagers (Source: TASR/AP)

8,552 people were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 15,645 PCR tests performed on February 13. The number of people in hospitals is 2,165 , and 10 more deaths were reported on Sunday. The vaccination rate is at 51.16 percent , 2,814,075 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here.

out of 15,645 PCR tests performed on February 13. The number of , and were reported on Sunday. The vaccination rate is at , 2,814,075 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. Several changes to anti-pandemic measures will come into force tomorrow . This includes the basic entry regime for all shops, meaning that anyone can enter regardless of their vaccination or recovery status; the services are still divided into essential and non-essential ones. There are also changes to the OP+ regime definition.

. This includes the basic entry regime for all shops, meaning that anyone can enter regardless of their vaccination or recovery status; the services are still divided into essential and non-essential ones. There are also changes to the OP+ regime definition. The administration of boosters to children aged 12-17 years was launched on Monday. The child will be entitled for the shot three months after administering the last one; the application needs to be signed by their legal representative onsite. Registration is not required, but is recommended.

was launched on Monday. The child will be entitled for the shot three months after administering the last one; the application needs to be signed by their legal representative onsite. Registration is not required, but is recommended. It will be possible to register for the Novavax coronavirus vaccine via the Korona.gov.sk website from February 15 , the Health Ministry confirmed. Slovakia has contracted 600,000 doses.

via the Korona.gov.sk website , the Health Ministry confirmed. Slovakia has contracted 600,000 doses. Slovakia delivered humanitarian aid in the form of 30,000 antigen tests worth more than 125,000 to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday.

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Picture of the day

The protest of hauliers has been blocking traffic on Roznavska Street in Bratislava, the police have warned, asking drivers to be careful and patient. The hauliers are asking for an immediate temporary reduction of the excise tax on fuel by 30 percent for six months; the reduction of the road tax by 30 percent; the excise tax refund from fuel at 38 if more than 1,000 litres are tanked; and the immediate reduction of the toll by 30 percent for six months. The hauliers plan to block the traffic for four to five days and if their demands are not met, they plan to block border crossings.

Feature story for today

Being a sustainable city means more than just having a positive approach to the environment  it needs to be economically sustainable, too. Its growth must be appropriate and needs to be attractive to both its residents and visitors. In this respect, Bratislava has a lot of room for improvement according to those in charge of guiding its path to greater sustainability.

The Slovak Spectator spoke with Jan Mazur, director of the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava (MIB), the municipal organisation creating the concept behind the citys development, about what characteristics pre-dispose Bratislava to sustainability, its ideal transport, how data can improve the quality of life in the city, and what kind of tourists it should seek to attract.

Partyslava is obsolete, Bratislava needs a fresh touristic model Read more

In other news

The Specialised Criminal Court merged the case on the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova with the case on the preparation of the murders of then prosecutors Maros Zilinka (now general prosecutor), Daniel Lipsic (now special prosecutor) and Peter Sufliarsky. The main trial with Marian Kocner and other defendants will start on February 28 , and proceedings are also set to take place on March 28-30 .

, and proceedings are also set to take place on . The Spartan military plane flew to Kyiv to lift employees of the Slovak Embassy in Ukraine and their family members, said Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO). The Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the evacuation of the families of Slovak diplomats in Kyiv on Saturday.

to lift employees of the Slovak Embassy in Ukraine and their family members, said Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO). The Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the evacuation of the families of Slovak diplomats in Kyiv on Saturday. The most trusted cabinet minister is Environment Minister Jan Budaj (OLaNO), followed by PM Eduard Heger (OLaNO) and Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO). On the contrary, Finance Minister Igor Matovic (OLaNO) enjoys the lowest trust among the cabinet members, as stems from a recent poll carried out by the Focus agency for the private broadcaster TV Markiza.

followed by PM Eduard Heger (OLaNO) and Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO). On the contrary, Finance Minister Igor Matovic (OLaNO) enjoys the lowest trust among the cabinet members, as stems from a recent poll carried out by the Focus agency for the private broadcaster TV Markiza. Opposition MPs from Smer, Hlas and several non-affiliated deputies submitted a proposal to oust Interior Minister Roman Mikulec (OLaNO) . The reason, according to Smer, is that Mikulec stood at the helm of an organised group of charged investigators of the National Criminal Agency (NAKA), whose aim allegedly was to put the opposition into prison.

. The reason, according to Smer, is that Mikulec stood at the helm of an organised group of charged investigators of the National Criminal Agency (NAKA), whose aim allegedly was to put the opposition into prison. The inflation rate in Slovakia increased by 8.4 percent year-on-year in January, with the annual increase in consumer prices being the highest since July 2004. Compared to December 2021, consumer prices went up by 2.7 percent, according to the Statistics Office. The sharp rise in consumer prices was mainly due to the increase in regulated prices in the network industries, food and non-alcoholic beverages, imputed rent for housing, alcoholic beverages, transport services, outpatient services and insurance.

with the annual increase in consumer prices being the highest since July 2004. Compared to December 2021, consumer prices according to the Statistics Office. The sharp rise in consumer prices was mainly due to the increase in regulated prices in the network industries, food and non-alcoholic beverages, imputed rent for housing, alcoholic beverages, transport services, outpatient services and insurance. The reconstruction of the Prievoz/Nivy level crossing in Bratislava has been completed after three years . The last section from the R7 express dual-carriageway and Slovnaftska Street to Pristavna Street was put into operation during the weekend.

. The last section from the R7 express dual-carriageway and Slovnaftska Street to Pristavna Street was put into operation during the weekend. To protest against the draft Construction Act, the light on selected monuments across Slovakia will be turned off and black flags will be raised . Preservationists and activists want to protest against a proposed change that would turn the monuments board to construction offices.

. Preservationists and activists want to protest against a proposed change that would turn the monuments board to construction offices. On the occasion of Valentines Day, the Slovak Academy of Sciences published the stories of married couples working for the institution. They looked at how their marriage is working, how it all started and whether they discuss work during breakfast or Sunday lunch.

More on Spectator.sk:

A turning point in the refurbishment of the dilapidated main station in Bratislava Read more

The trust of Slovaks in EU membership the lowest in the club Read more

Government wants to solve high energy prices with a new tax. Not everybody is happy Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
https://sputniknews.com/20220213/german-foreign-minister-stresses-importance-of-continuing-osce-work-in-ukraine-1093003721.html

German Foreign Minister Stresses Importance of Continuing OSCE Work in Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Stresses Importance of Continuing OSCE Work in Ukraine

BERLIN (Sputnik) - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) special monitoring mission (SMM) in Ukraine has a major role in... 13.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-13T23:40+0000

2022-02-13T23:40+0000

2022-02-13T23:38+0000

osce

germany

ukraine

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"Now more than ever, the OSCEs Special Monitoring Mission OSCE_SMM in Ukraine plays a key role in de-escalation efforts and as the eyes and ears of the international community. We must ensure that it can carry out its full mandate without interruption," Baerbock said on Twitter on Sunday.Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed concern on Sunday over the reported decision of a number of countries, including the US and the UK, to withdraw their OSCE monitors from Ukraine. Zakharova called on the OSCE to prevent attempts of manipulating the mission.OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid said on Sunday that the SMM will continue to fulfill its mandate in Ukraine.Denis Pushilin, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in Ukraine's southeast said on Saturday that US representatives in the OSCE SMM had already "packed their bags," and were ready to leave at any moment. He emphasized that their departure would mean that a Western-sponsored Ukrainian provocation is being plotted.On Saturday, the US State Department said that the United States was relocating some of its diplomatic personnel from the Ukrainian capital to the city of Lviv amid security concerns. Both Canada and Australia said they were suspending embassy operations in Kiev and opening temporary offices in Lviv amid the escalation of the Ukraine crisis.In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an "invasion." Moscow has denied these accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/austin-heads-to-europe-to-meet-allied-defense-chiefs-over-russias-buildup-1093033504.html

Austin Heads to Europe to Meet Allied Defense Chiefs Over Russia's 'Buildup'

Austin Heads to Europe to Meet Allied Defense Chiefs Over Russia's 'Buildup'

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will depart on a trip to Europe on February 15 to meet with allied defense ministers over Russia's... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T20:09+0000

2022-02-14T20:09+0000

2022-02-14T20:09+0000

lloyd austin

poland

ukraine

us pentagon

us

lithuania

estonia

latvia

troops

russia

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"[Austin will] meet with senior military and government leaders in Belgium, Poland and Lithuania. In Brussels, he'll meet with Allied defense ministers across NATO leadership in the defense ministerials to discuss Russia's military buildup in and around Ukraine. He will also reiterate United States commitment to our allies made in Article Five, continue the Alliance's progress on deterrence and defense while ensuring the alliance is prepared to face tomorrow's challenges," Kirby told a briefing.He will also get a chance to meet with US troops and observe the conditions of American rotational presence in the country.The secretary will also travel to Lithuania to meet with its leadership and reaffirm commitment to working together on strengthening the Lithuanian armed forces and "continuing to stand shoulder to shoulder against threats and adversaries."Separately, Austin will meet jointly with his counterparts from Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia together.

https://sputniknews.com/20220214/lavrov-russia-partially-unsatisfied-with-us-response-to-security-proposals-1093021882.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/belgian-truckers-gather-to-protest-against-covid-policies-in-brussels-1093024425.html

Belgian Truckers Gather to Protest Against COVID Policies in Brussels

Belgian Truckers Gather to Protest Against COVID Policies in Brussels

The Belgian lorry drivers are inspired by the protests in Canada, where, a "freedom convoy" made it to the national news, as truckers blocked several major... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

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2022-02-14T14:00+0000

2022-02-14T14:00+0000

protest

belgium

brussels

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Sputnik is live from Brussels, as European truckers hold a demonstration against coronavirus regulations, despite Mayor Philippe Close previously saying "freedom convoy" vehicles would be barred from entering the city.Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More!

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European truckers protest in Brussels against coronavirus policies despite ban European truckers protest in Brussels against coronavirus policies despite ban 2022-02-14T14:00+0000 true PT98M27S

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/bojo-to-talk-to-allies-amid-russian-invasion-claims-to-bring-moscow-back-from-the-brink-1093009944.html

BoJo to Talk to Allies Amid Russian 'Invasion' Claims to Bring Moscow 'Back From the Brink'

BoJo to Talk to Allies Amid Russian 'Invasion' Claims to Bring Moscow 'Back From the Brink'

Moscow has repeatedly rejected allegations by the West that it plans to invade Ukraine as unfounded, stressing they are being used as a pretext to justify... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T06:48+0000

2022-02-14T06:48+0000

2022-02-14T07:06+0000

uk

russia

vladimir putin

boris johnson

allies

world leaders

talks

ukraine

tensions

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A Downing Street spokesperson has announced that Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to sit down for further talks with world leaders amid allegations about Russia's planned "invasion" of Ukraine.The spokesperson said in a statement that the PM will travel around the continent towards the end of this week, but they kept mum on which world leaders Johnson was hoping to talk to or where he will go. There were previous reports, though, that he is set to engage with Nordic and Baltic countries.The statement said that "the crisis on Ukraine's border has reached a critical juncture" and that "all the information" the UK government has "suggests Russia could be planning an invasion of Ukraine at any moment", something that Number 10 argued "would have disastrous consequences for both Ukraine and Russia".Earlier this month, Western media outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, cited unnamed US officials as claiming that Moscow "could invade Ukraine within days" and stating that the latter may cause 50,000 civilian deaths in the country. Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy was quick to respond by tweeting that "madness and scaremongering continues".The remarks came after Johnson discussed the situation around Ukraine in a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier this month, with the two agreeing that interaction with Russia is necessary."The leaders agreed on the importance of dialogue with Russia. They resolved to use all diplomatic channels available to bring an end to the current tensions", a Downing Street spokesperson said at the time.In a separate development earlier this month, Johnson held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss tensions in Ukraine and Moscow's proposals on security guarantees. Downing Street said in a statement at the time that during the telephone conversation, Putin and Johnson agreed that an aggravation of the situation in Ukraine was not in anyone's interest and that a "peaceful resolution" of the tensions was desirable.Western media outlets have been speculating that the purported Russian "invasion" of Ukraine could take place either on 15 or 16 February, with Politico earlier reporting that US President Joe Biden told allies that Russia may invade Ukraine on 16 February.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, for his part, underlined that the "propaganda campaign" about "Russian aggression" against Ukraine has provocative purposes, and encourages "the authorities in Kiev to sabotage the Minsk agreements and pernicious attempts to resolve the 'Donbass problems' by force". The statement was made amid evacuations by the US and its allies of embassy staff from Ukraine as tensions in the region persist.Russia on Saturday said that it had recalled some of its diplomatic staff from Ukraine "to ensure the safety of our [Russian] diplomats in Ukraine, as well as their protection from possible provocations by the Kiev regime or from third countries", according to Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.The prime minister's forthcoming negotiations with his international counterparts also come as he faces a no-confidence vote over a number of alleged COVID lockdown-breaking parties held at Downing Street in 2020 and 2021 and still being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.Johnson on Friday received a legal questionnaire from the police which could see him being fined if he is found to have broken the law. The document is due to be returned to law enforcement within the next seven days.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/climate-change-threatens-to-further-damage-already-fragile-antarctic-ecosystem-new-study-shows-1093033637.html

Climate Change Threatens to Further Damage Already Fragile Antarctic Ecosystem, New Study Shows

Climate Change Threatens to Further Damage Already Fragile Antarctic Ecosystem, New Study Shows

Two of Antarcticas native flowering plants are spreading rapidly due to warmer temperatures caused by climate change. These changes may begin on a small... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T20:27+0000

2022-02-14T20:27+0000

2022-02-14T20:27+0000

climate change

antarctic

antarctica

ecosystem

study

science

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In a new study conducted by professor Nicoletta Cannone and her team from the University of Insubria in Como, Italy, researchers warn the increasing growth of Antarctic hairgrass (Deschampsia antarctica) and Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis) could upend the fragile ecosystem of the Antarctic.The rapid spread of these two plants will change the areas soil acidity, bacteria, and fungi in the soil, as well as how organic matter decomposes.Cannone and her team have been studying the two native flowers across Signy Island from 2009 to 2019, leading to their discovery of the first recorded plant growth change in the southern Antarctic.According to the study, the hairgrass plant grew five times faster between 2009 and 2018 than between 1960 and 2009. And pearlwort grew at a speed of almost ten times more. This rapid change will cause a major effect on all components of terrestrial ecosystems, said Connone.While climate change is the primary culprit for the expansive growth of these two plants, the study explains that the declining population of the fur seal may have also played a role in aiding the speeding growth of these plants.Despite cooling in the continents summer temperature in 2012, at which the temperature was only slightly below 0C, that brief period of cold did not influence the vegetation community dynamics on the island, according to the study. A strong summer warming resumed on Signy Island thereafter, with research showing strong and consistent warming over a recent 7 year period of 0.9C.Scientists have already noted in a previous study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), that the combination of the increase in fishing, tourism and warming weather could contribute to the introduction of invasive species.The increasing warmth of Antarcticas temperature could create a habitable living space for nonnative species. Scientists warn that when invasive species are introduced to a region it could cause irreversible loss of wildlife, and with an environment as fragile as Antarcticas, the possibility of irreparable damage to their ecosystem is a given.

https://sputniknews.com/20211214/antarctic-ice-shelf-holding-the-doomsday-glacier-could-shatter-within-five-years-scientists-warn-1091518952.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-marvel-drops-second-trailer-1093017778.html

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: Marvel Drops Second Trailer

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: Marvel Drops Second Trailer

Doctor Stephen Strange continues his adventures facing new enemies and old friends. 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

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2022-02-14T12:13+0000

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Benedict Cumberbatch puts in a stellar performance in his second film about the genius surgeon possessed of magical superpowers, and fans of the comic books created by the great and recently deceased Stan Lee viewed the trailer, released on 14 February, with the keenest anticipation. According to the film's synopsis, "the door to a multiverse full of mystery and madness is opening. Now that Iron Man and Captain America have left the stage after their fierce battle in Avengers 4: Endgame," Doctor Strange is the central figure among the superheroes. But the last time he used magic it had the most dramatic effect so he is now turning to to Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Sorcerer Supreme, Wong (played by Benedict Wong) to help fix the universe. Fans of the comic book have also had their interest piqued by a mystery voice that crops up in the trailer: aficionados say that the timbre is very much that of Charles Xavier/Professor X, as played in the X-Men films by British veteran Shakespearian actor, Patrick Stewart, and the public are quivering with excitement at the thought of seeing him appear in the forthcoming movie. ''Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'' will be released on 5 May.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/finland-could-provide-financial-aid-to-ukraine-arms-exports-more-complicated-pm-says-1093008408.html

Finland Could Provide Financial Aid to Ukraine, Arms Exports 'More Complicated', PM Says

Finland Could Provide Financial Aid to Ukraine, Arms Exports 'More Complicated', PM Says

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has voiced a readiness to join western sanctions against Russia, which US and European politicians baselessly accused of... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T06:10+0000

2022-02-14T06:10+0000

2022-02-14T06:10+0000

russia-nato row on european security

finland

scandinavia

nato

ukraine

russia

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Finland could provide financial aid to Ukraine if it is attacked, the country's Prime Minister Sanna Marin has said. The moment came in her monthly press conference from her official residence arranged by national broadcaster Yle.She also said that the situation concerning arms exports was "more complicated".In January, The Wall Street Journal reported that Germany had been blocking Estonia from providing Ukraine with artillery that Berlin initially sold Finland in the 1990s and was later sold to Estonia.Speaking about the West's allegations of Russia's "imminent invasion" of Ukraine, Marin said that while there is no military threat against Finland, there is "no place for any kind of thinking based on spheres of influence in Europe".Finland Prepared to Support Sanctions Despite Economic BlowbackMarin additionally said that Finland is ready to support US-backed EU sanctions against Russia, calling them "well-coordinated" measures. Without going into detail, the prime minister said that the sanctions will be both economic and personal.Marin stressed that the West now stands better prepared than in 2014, when it hit Russia with sanctions following Crimea's reunification with Russia.Nevertheless, Marin said that possible sanctions on Russia would have a significant impact on the Finnish economy as well, because it was "clear" that Moscow would respond to such measures with counter-sanctions. According to the prime minister, Finland's trade relations with Russia and the effect of likely counter-sanctions have been discussed with the EU, which has acknowledged the nation's special position as Russia's neighbour. Marin even ventured that the responsibility for avoiding sanctions lies with Russia, which can still resolve the situation around Ukraine peacefully.NATO Application 'Unlikely'Asked about Finland joining NATO sometime in the future, Marin replied that there are currently no discussions on applying for membership.Marin stressed that while it is not fully out of the question that Finland could apply during her legislative term, she said it was "unlikely".The centre-left coalition led by Marin's Social Democrats is poised to be in power until 2023. The opposition liberal-conservative National Coalition Party, which has been leading opinion polls and won recent municipal and regional elections, has traditionally been more pro-NATO.Nevertheless, Marin emphasised that the decision cannot be influenced by external forces.Fears of Provocation in NATO-Russia Standoff Over UkraineWestern and NATO officials and the media began ratcheting up the narrative about Russia's alleged "invasion" plans last autumn, regularly citing the "massing" of Russian troops near the border. Russia has dismissed that it has any plans to invade its neighbour, calling on Kiev to implement the Minsk agreements on Ukrainian peace. Moscow even suggested that the West's allegations may be aimed at justifying the further buildup of NATO troops near Russia's borders.Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov dismissed the West's "invasion" claims and fired back at Washington over "artificially inflating hysteria", while Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that the US may be looking for a provocation to spark a conflict in the region.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/german-press-urges-chancellor-scholz-to-negotiate-dw-license-with-putin-ahead-of-his-visit-to-1093024063.html

German Press Urges Chancellor Scholz to Negotiate DW License With Putin Ahead of His Visit to Moscow

German Press Urges Chancellor Scholz to Negotiate DW License With Putin Ahead of His Visit to Moscow

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The German Federation of Journalists (DJV) on Monday called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to negotiate an immediate lifting of... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T13:38+0000

2022-02-14T13:38+0000

2022-02-14T13:38+0000

germany

deutsche welle

rt

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In the beginning of February, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Moscow was closing the DW bureau in Moscow, annulling the accreditation of its employees, and terminating DW satellite and other broadcasts after German media regulator MABB officially banned the airing of RT DE in Germany on 1 February. A ministry official told Sputnik that if Germany were to revisit its position on RT DE, Moscow would respond in kind.The Russian and German leaders will meet on Tuesday.RT DE received a broadcasting license in Serbia, which gives it the right to broadcast in most EU countries, including Germany. Nonetheless, German media regulator MABB said that RT DE was officially banned in Germany because it lacked the necessary permission for broadcasting.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday congratulated Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his re-election as president of the Federal Republic of Germany.



In a congratulatory message, Xi pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Germany relations, and stands ready to work with Steinmeier to enrich the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership and take bilateral relations to a new level.
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/germany-reportedly-plans-to-lift-coronavirus-restrictions-by-20-march-1093016059.html

Germany Reportedly Plans to Lift Coronavirus Restrictions By 20 March

Germany Reportedly Plans to Lift Coronavirus Restrictions By 20 March

Germany tightened coronavirus restrictions at the start of January, while reports suggested the authorities are considering introducing a vaccine mandate to... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T09:40+0000

2022-02-14T09:40+0000

2022-02-14T10:19+0000

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covid-19

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AFP reported on Monday that Germany is planning to cancel COVID restrictions this March, citing an official draft plan.According to Bild, the authorities are planning that extensive restrictions on social, cultural, and economic life be gradually lifted by the designated date.The country had been facing mass demonstrations with tens of thousands of citizens hitting the streets, demanding anti-pandemic restrictions be lifted. Demonstrations were held in Hamburg and Magdeburg, while in Thuringia both officers and protesters were injured amid the clashes.

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germany, covid-19, restriction measures
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/history-of-british-hypocrisy-over-eu-expansion-1093025385.html

History of British Hypocrisy Over EU Expansion

History of British Hypocrisy Over EU Expansion

The British government agonised over how to stop the flood of asylum seekers from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the run-up to their accession... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T16:00+0000

2022-02-14T16:00+0000

2022-02-14T16:00+0000

uk

european union

brexit

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Barely had the New Labour administration under Tony Blair come into office in May 1997 when they faced a serious immigration crisis that cost half a billion pounds and created a significant foreign policy dilemma vis-a-vis the newly fangled democracies of Central and Eastern Europe, whom London, in the words of Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, wanted to anchor as quickly as possible into Europe".In October 1997, Home Secretary Jack Straw urged Robin Cook to introduce a permanent visa regime on the Czech and Slovak Republics, citing unacceptable numbers of asylum seekers coming from those countries to the United Kingdom. While asylum seekers from other parts of the world risked their lives being smuggled into the UK under perilous conditions, East Europeans took advantage of visa-free entry to the UK to claim asylum and, as the British Home Office warned, abuse the social benefits system to the tune of 450 million a year.The Foreign Office rejected the request for the imposition of visas on Czechs and Slovaks, arguing that would run contrary to Londons EU enlargement policy, especially when the Czechs were already one foot in NATO. But the domestic problems caused by the influx of what Jack Straw called unfounded asylum applicants was, in his words, so huge that he pleaded for at least a temporary visa regime, introduced urgently.Straw even offered to redeploy immigration officers from British ports of entry to British Embassies in Prague and Bratislava:Reacting to Foreign Office suggestions that there might not be enough space to accommodate extra visa officers at the embassies, Straw pointed to Canadian know-how of having a Portacabin [moveable container used for temporary accommodation of staff] ready with equipment that they moved around their embassies as the need arose.Asylum Seeker CarouselDiplomatic sensitivities were not confined to relations with the prospective EU member states. Many asylum seekers arrived in Britain via France, as they do now, and London had  and still has - difficulty agreeing with the French on how to deal with the situation. The Dublin Convention, an EU law setting out which country is responsible for looking at an individual's asylum application, stipulates that this is usually the country where the asylum seeker first arrives in the EU. However, the "frontline" EU countries were never happy about it.A number of asylum seekers, particularly those who were detained on arrival, decided to withdraw their asylum applications and make a voluntary departure from the UK. But, wrote Jack Straw:Straw was worried about the "requests from other Member States to accept back some of the Czechs and Slovaks who have returned to France". Such a "merry-go-round" was hardly enjoyed by the asylum seekers themselves. But who were they, and why did they flee the "new democracies" of Central and Eastern Europe that were on the cusp of being admitted to the EU "club of free nations"?Persecuted MinoritiesIn the run-up to the EU Accession Conference in March 1998, Home Secretary Jack Straw asked Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to:Jack Straw suggested possible greater linkage to the accession of Slovakia to the EU.It didn't work, as Robin Cook informed Jack Straw in July 1998, well after his meeting with the Czech and Slovak foreign ministers at the EU Accession Conference:Cook said London continued to remind both governments of the link between their handling of problems with minorities and their prospects of EU membership. Apparently, it was a weak link. In the end, a visa regime had to be imposed on Slovakia, but it did not impress other EU candidates. One year on, in June 1999, Home Secretary Jack Straw took stock of the asylum seekers problem:Ironically, the very CEE countries that supported the Western punishment of Serbia over the treatment of Kosovars were themselves guilty of mistreating their own ethnic minorities.Jack Straw urged Tony Blair to agree to contingency plans for imposing visas not just on the Czech Republic, but on Poland, "and possibly Croatia and Lithuania", citing evidence of people smuggling and racketeering in those countries.The Foreign Office was "resolutely opposed to any additional visa requirements", arguing "we just cannot do this to the two countries nearest accession. One of Blairs foreign policy advisers, Michael Tatham, opined that there would certainly be a sharp reaction if we were to impose visas on Poland and the Czech Republic".The CEE governments in their replies to Londons complaints blamed the problem on Britains attractiveness to benefits seekers, not on the discrimination of Roma and other ethnic minorities in their own countries. Czech President and celebrated human rights champion Vaclav Havel invited Tony Blair to "reflect together on the problem of Roma discrimination and Czech asylum-seekers", and for the states of the European Union "to feel their share of responsibility".Havels Prime Minister Milos Zeman went even further by reminding Blair of what was at stake: a 1.5 billion contract with British Aerospace to supply the Czech Republic with fighter aircraft. He was seconded by Chief Executive of British Aerospace John Weston, who warned Tony Blair:Apparently to maximise the impact of his warning, Weston reminded Tony Blair of the latters own lobbying of the deal. He attached a copy of Tony Blairs letter to Milos Zeman:From Asylum Seekers to Benefit Cheats Coincidentally or not, the British government changed tack on asylum seekers from Central Europe. As Foreign Secretary Robin Cook described the applicants to Tony Blair:The Home Office claimed that the influx of asylum seekers had led to a housing crisis in London and other major cities that had to provide accommodation to immigrants at the expense of the local homeless.As a result, almost all applications for asylum in the UK from CEE countries were rejected - despite the guidelines of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that the discrimination on ethnic grounds faced by the Roma may be such that they might well be able to substantiate claims to refugee status under the 1951 Convention.The Home Office report made no bones about the treatment of asylum seekers from Central and Eastern Europe:The Czech Republic  over 1,000 asylum seekers in 1998, over 1,500 in the first half of 1999. On initial consideration, all applications for asylum were refused and the vast majority of the negative decisions were upheld on appeal. Most applications were from the Roma community.Poland  3,000 asylum seekers from Poland in 1998. All applications were refused. The great majority was from the Roma community.Croatia  the great majority of applicants were ethnic Serbs, 90% refused.Discrimination against the Serbian community in Croatia, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook added, was widely documented, as was the Croatian governments deliberately slow progress on the return of ethnic Serb refugees. Since Croatia at the time was off the radar screen in terms of NATO or EU membership, imposing a visa regime on the country was a done deal. But Poland was a different kettle of fish, as Foreign Secretary Robin Cook told Tony Blair:The Polish lobby here would be vociferous and would attract much support. The Poles would be much more likely than the Czechs to retaliate.Go Home or ElseSo instead of tackling the issue of ethnic discrimination in CEE countries by linking their accession to NATO and EU with progress on human rights, the Foreign Office suggested speeding up the deportation of asylum seekers. Robin Cook wrote:Claimants from countries like the Czech Republic, who are invariably rejected on appeal, should be processed on a "fast track". The sooner they are turned down and deported, the more others will get the message and go elsewhere. We will stage a vigorous information campaign among potential asylum seekers, on the basis of Home Office guidance.14 years later, with the immigration crisis showing no signs of abating, another "vigorous" Home Office campaign turned nasty, with the slogan "Go Home or Face Arrest" widely criticised for being too reminiscent of racist graffiti common in the 1970s.The free movement of people, a fundamental tenet of the European Union, proved too much for the British economic and political system.The xenophobic card played a major role in the Brexit referendum and its outcome. Having "anchored" Central and Eastern Europe firmly in the EU for geopolitical purposes, HMS Britain has raised its own anchor and left port.

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Nikolai Gorshkov

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/idiotic-rabble-australians-roast-liberal-mp-for-taking-horse-de-wormer-to-treat-covid-infections-1093018645.html

'Idiotic Rabble': Australians Roast Liberal MP for Taking Horse De-Wormer to Treat COVID Infections

'Idiotic Rabble': Australians Roast Liberal MP for Taking Horse De-Wormer to Treat COVID Infections

Inspired by Canada's Freedom Convoy, thousands of Australians are staging protests in Canberra against vaccine mandates as Omicron continues to spread. The... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T14:44+0000

2022-02-14T14:44+0000

2022-02-14T14:44+0000

australia

liberal party

canberra

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Unvaccinated Liberal MP Russell Broadbent encountered severe backlash from citizens for promoting horse de-wormer ivermectin against COVID-19 infection. Attending parliament on Monday, the three-time MP made the revelation in an attempt to extend his support for the anti-vaccine mandate protesters camping in Canberra to assert their "freedom and choice"."I had access to ivermectin, which [my wife and I] both immediately went on as soon as I tested positive", he said. Ivermectin is not approved for use against COVID-19 in Australia or other developed countries.Broadbent also declared his support to protesters against COVID vaccine mandates.The Liberal Party MP said he wasn't worried about his COVID-19 diagnosis because he had taken ample doses of vitamins D, C, and B1, and other supplements to boost immunity."I am not vaccinated, and I won't be vaccinated because my view was to be vaccinated was just as high as the risk that I was taking to get the virus itself", Broadbent said.Netizens have criticised the senior MP for taking an anti-vaccine stance and using parliament to promote a de-wormer when his government is facing criticism over Omicron wave mismanagement.Last September, Australias drug regulator banned medical practitioners from prescribing the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin to treat COVID-19 after detecting a 10-fold jump in the import of the medicine after several doctors prescribed oral ivermectin with other drugs to treat the infection. According to regulations, physicians, dermatologists, and gastroenterologists are allowed to prescribe the medicine in some specific circumstances.Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison reprimanded his fellow party member who opposed mandatory vaccination, saying unvaccinated people were more likely to experience severe illness and die. Morrison's approval rating dipped to a two-year low in the latest opinion poll, generating speculation of a leadership change for the Liberals ahead of June's elections.There were 47 COVID deaths announced across Australia on Sunday, as some states are warning of tightening COVID-19 rules to curb the spread, which is devastating old-age care homes as well.Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced reopening of its borders to tourists from 21 February, ending some of the worlds strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions.

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australia, liberal party, canberra, covid-19, protests, drug, scott morrison
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/indian-elections-high-stakes-for-bjp-as-polling-in-three-states-underway-1093009222.html

Indian Elections: High Stakes for BJP as Polling in Three States Underway

Indian Elections: High Stakes for BJP as Polling in Three States Underway

Election in three Indian states, currently governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are being seen as a litmus test for the Narendra Modi-led federal... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T08:02+0000

2022-02-14T08:02+0000

2022-02-14T08:02+0000

india

india

uttarakhand

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goa

election

elections

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More than 30 million voters on Monday are set to elect a new government in the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Goa, while in Uttar Pradesh votes are being cast in the second phase of elections there.Since early morning large numbers of voters have reportedly started queuing up outside polling stations to exercise their vote.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter urging voters of all three states to cast their ballots and "strengthen the festival of democracy".All of the nation's important political parties  the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)  and leaders such as Narendra Modi, federal Home Minister Amit Shah, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Delhi State Chief and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, and other key politicians have actively campaigned in these states.In the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, voting is being held for 70 assembly seats in over 13 districts. As many as 632 candidates, including 152 independents, are in the fray.The Election Commission of India shared a photograph of a 100-year-old man who came to vote early Monday morning.A total of 301 candidates will contest 40 assembly seats in the coastal state Goa, according to the Indian news agency Press Trust of India. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) that governs West Bengal is also contesting polls for first time in this state.Polling in both states will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in a single phase.Polling for 55 constituencies in nine Uttar Pradesh districts is being held between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Indian Time). Most of these districts have been strongholds of the current opposition party Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav, a former state chief.The results of all the state assembly elections will be declared on 10 March.The Uttar Pradesh polls are perhaps the most keenly contested and politically significant as the state has the largest number of parliamentary seats and is also the country's most populous state."First Vote and Then Breakfast", wrote one social media user when posting a photo of a queue at a polling station. Elections in other parts of the state will be held on 20, 23, 27 February, and 3 and 7 March.Heavy security arrangements have been made in all three states to maintain law and order during the polling.

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india, india, uttarakhand, uttar pradesh, goa, election, elections
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/kanye-west-and-julia-fox-call-it-quits-1093034986.html

Kanye West and Julia Fox Call It Quits

Kanye West and Julia Fox Call It Quits

Sources close to the rapper and fashion designer reportedly said he's focused on his family and his music. West is going to be dropping his album "Donda 2" on... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T21:29+0000

2022-02-14T21:29+0000

2022-02-15T04:30+0000

kanye west

kim kardashian

music

popular culture

viral

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The whirlwind romance has come to an end, after two months of dating West and Julia Fox have decided to end things.A rep for the Italian-American actress and model confirmed to TMZ that "Julia and Kanye remain good friends and collaborators but they are no longer together". Fox's head remained high as she denied reports of her crying."And for the record the only time I cried in 2022 was on Feb 6th on my dead BFF bday", she added.The last time the two were pictured together was in celebration of Fox's birthday on 2 February. The birthday bash was thrown for Fox, 32, at Lucien in New York City. West gifted Fox jewelry, and doled out "Baby Birkin" bags to her and her friends, a purse which costs about $9,500.00 a pop.But high-end gifts given to her by West aren't the only mementos she's walking away from the fling with. In the since-deleted post to her Instagram story, Fox acknowledges her "come up" in fame as a result of the short relationship.On 21 January, she said on an episode of the podcast Forbidden Fruits, "People are like 'Oh, you're only in it for the fame, you're in it for the clout, you're in it for the money', honey, I've dated billionaires my entire adult life, let's keep it real".The news of the former couple's split came a day after West spent his Super Bowl Sunday attacking Kid Cudi on Instagram. West claimed he cut Cudi from his "Donda 2" album in connection with the fellow rapper's friendship with Pete Davidson, Kim Kardashian's new BF.Cudi responded to West's Instagram attack, saying, "Too bad I don't wanna be on ur album you f*kin dinosaur hahaha. Everyone knows I've been the best thing about ur albums since i met u. ima pray for you brother".Apparently, West's feelings for his ex-wife and the mother of his children, Kim Kardashian, haven't gone anywhere just yet. The rapper took to Instagram on Valentine's Day, "I DON'T HAVE BEEF WITH KIM I LOVE MY FAMILY SO STOP THAT NARRATIVE IM NOT GIVING UP ON MY FAMILY", he wrote in the caption of a paparazzi photo of Kardashian and Davidson. "I BOUGHT THIS COAT FOR KIM BEFORE SNL I THOUGHT IT WAS PARTICULARLY SPECIAL I HAVE FAITH THAT WE'LL BE BACK TOGETHER".

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/lavrov-russia-partially-unsatisfied-with-us-response-to-security-proposals-1093021882.html

Putin Conceptually Approves Russia Foreign Ministry's Responses on Security Guarantees With US, NATO

Putin Conceptually Approves Russia Foreign Ministry's Responses on Security Guarantees With US, NATO

Russia put forth its proposals on regional security at the end of last year amid growing tensions around Ukraine. The West, which claims that Russia is... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T12:40+0000

2022-02-14T12:40+0000

2022-02-14T14:56+0000

russia

us

russia-nato row on european security

nato

security

sergei lavrov

vladimir putin

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved in principle the 10-page written draft response by the Foreign Ministry on security guarantees with the US and NATO. Discussing the West's responses to Moscow's security proposals with Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia prepared its written response to the US and NATO and suggested that Moscow continue talks with the West on security guarantees.Lavrov noted that both the US and NATO are ready to start serious talks on some of the security guarantees mentioned in the Russian proposals.The foreign minister further said that despite the US and NATO's negative response to Russia's key security proposals, their reaction to the secondary issues mentioned in them was more "constructive in its nature". He suggested to the president that this section of the response contained proposals for certain measures that might allow the countries to achieve greater military transparency, reduce the risks of war and increase mutual trust.Kremlin Dissatisfied With US, NATO Response to Key Issues in Moscow's Security ProposalsLavrov also stated that Moscow is "unsatisfied" with the response that it received to its security proposals from the US. The foreign minister assured Putin that Russia will try to obtain responses to the questions from the security proposals that remained unanswered. Lavrov specifically mentioned a special message that he had sent to colleagues in the West, in which he pointed at the need to uphold the principle of indivisible security.The minister summed up the received response as showing NATO and the EU's attempts to determine the development vector of the entire continent in accordance with their own desires. Lavrov pointed out that the agreement signed by the members of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) strictly forbids any country or groups of states from "dominating" the OSCE.Lavrov also said that the Russian Foreign Ministry and colleagues from other ministries have studied the received responses and drew certain conclusions based on them.Tensions Around UkraineMoscow sent its security proposals to the US and NATO amid growing tensions sparked by the West's allegations that Russia is planning an "invasion" of Ukraine. The West cited alleged movements by Russian troops towards the border with Ukraine as a source for their concerns.The Kremlin rejected their allegations and stressed that it has the right to move the nation's troops within its own territory as it deems fit. Moscow also pointed at the growing number of NATO troops moving ever closer to the country's borders, including via the inclusion of new Eastern European nations in the alliance.The security proposals, designed by Moscow as a framework to reduce tensions and ensure security and stability in the region, included two key proposals: for NATO not to permit Ukraine to join and to withdraw its forces to the bloc's 1997 borders. The proposals also included a number of secondary issues  such as signing new arms control accords and limiting the scale of military drills on each others' borders.Both the US and NATO strongly rejected Moscow's key proposals insisting on Ukraine's right to choose its alliances, including the North Atlantic bloc. They, however, supported some of the secondary ideas proposing that the Kremlin start a dialogue on arms control and issues concerning the scale of war games.

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russia, us, nato, security, sergei lavrov, vladimir putin
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/nearly-dozen-injured-in-random-stabbing-spree-in-albuquerque-police-say-1093004410.html

Nearly Dozen Injured in Random Stabbing Spree in Albuquerque, Police Say

Nearly Dozen Injured in Random Stabbing Spree in Albuquerque, Police Say

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - At least eleven people were injured in a stabbing incident in Albuquerque, the largest city in the US state of New Mexico, local police... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T01:56+0000

2022-02-14T01:56+0000

2022-02-14T01:55+0000

new mexico

albuquerque

stabbing

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"Officers are investigating 7 possible scenes - stretching from Downtown to Central and Wyoming - with reports of 11 stabbing victims. All victims are in stable condition. The lone suspect is in custody," the Albuquerque Police Department said on Twitter on Sunday.The Albuquerque Journal reported on Sunday citing police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos that at least two people were in critical condition following the stabbing spree."They [the attacks] appear to be random, someone was involved with an accident here on Central, a person just came up and said they were stabbed. There doesnt seem to be any rhyme or reason at this point," Gilbert Gallegos said, as quoted by the local KRQE channel on Sunday.KRQE said citing officials that the suspect was on a BMX bike and had a large knife at the time of the arrest. The suspect was arrested without incident.

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new mexico, albuquerque, stabbing
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/no-secrecy-about-this-sudan-junta-leader-burhan-admits-security-cooperation-with-israel-1093036990.html

No Secrecy About This: Sudan Junta Leader Burhan Admits Security Cooperation With Israel

No Secrecy About This: Sudan Junta Leader Burhan Admits Security Cooperation With Israel

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two allies of the ousted Sudanese military dictatorship, have long favored stability in Khartoum for political and... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T23:04+0000

2022-02-14T23:04+0000

2022-02-14T23:04+0000

sudan

israel

abdel fattah abdelrahman burhan

africa

military coup

cooperation

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Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the military junta that seized power in Sudan last October, said on Saturday that his government has been cooperating with Israel.Burhan told Sudanese state-owned television in his first interview since the October 25 coup that officials from Israel and Sudan have regularly exchanged visits to cooperate on security and intelligence matters.Indeed, reports have emerged in Israeli media about such visits, with the most recent being on Wednesday when Reuters reported that a Sudanese envoy was in Israel. Israels Kann News reported late last month during an Israeli visit to Khartoum that because of the visits, the general impression [in Sudan] is that Israel supports the military and the coup they carried out.In fact, Burhan first met with then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Entebbe, Uganda, at the residence of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in February 2020, and agreed to gradually normalize relations, a senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel at the time. Before the end of the year, the Sudanese government signed the Abraham Accords recognizing Israels existence as the UAE had done a few months prior. At the time, Burhan chaired the Sovereign Council collective executive that headed Sudans transition government, under which Abdalla Hamdok served as prime minister.On the day of the coup, Israeli daily paper Israel Hayom reported, citing an unnamed Israeli official, that Jerusalem was unhappy with American condemnations of the militarys overthrow of Hamdok and abolition of the Sovereign Council.In light of the fact that the military is the stronger force in the country, and since Burhan is its commander in chief, the events of Monday night increase the likelihood of stability in Sudan, which has critical importance in the region, and it increases the chances of stronger ties with the US, the West, and Israel in particular, the official added.Sudan had once been a redoubtable opponent of Israel, including hosting the 1967 Arab League summit in Khartoum, at which the Arab powers pledged to abide by Three Nos in their disposition toward Israel: no negotiations, no recognition, and no peace, in the aftermath of Israels vast land seizures during the Six-Day War.After the revolution that forced Bashir from power in April 2019, Washington gave the new government more explicit support, removing it from sanctions lists and condemning attempts by the military, which is composed largely of Bashirs old officer corps, to usurp civilian power or crush the democratic mass movement that brought Bashir down.Since the October coup, Sudanese have been back in the streets with massive demonstrations, calling on the military to yield power to a legitimate civilian and democratic government, but Burhans government has not hesitated to use deadly force against them. According to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, 81 people have been killed by the military in demonstrations since October, with two people being killed in a protest on Monday. Sudanese police also said 102 of their officers were also injured in the demonstrations.*Al-Qaeda: a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.

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africa

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sudan, israel, abdel fattah abdelrahman burhan, africa, military coup, cooperation
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/nsa-jake-sullivan-reportedly-asks-us-congress-to-offer-1-billion-loan-guarantees-to-ukraine-1093027361.html

NSA Jake Sullivan Reportedly Asks US Congress to Offer $1 Billion Loan Guarantees to Ukraine

NSA Jake Sullivan Reportedly Asks US Congress to Offer $1 Billion Loan Guarantees to Ukraine

The national security adviser reportedly explained that the loan guarantees were needed to soothe concerns about the allegedly possible Russian "invasion" of... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T15:22+0000

2022-02-14T15:22+0000

2022-02-14T16:10+0000

us

ukraine

jake sullivan

russia

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US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan asked Congress to consider offering $1 billion loan guarantees to Ukraine in the light of allegations about a possible invasion by Russia, Fox News has reported citing anonymous sources. Moscow has repeatedly denied these allegations over the past months.He reportedly justified the measure by the need to "calm market concerns" about a possible war erupting in Ukraine.Fox News earlier said that Sullivan will be briefing congressional leaders and members of key House and Senate committees on the latest developments concerning Ukraine and the allegedly possible "Russian invasion".Sullivan has previously claimed that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen within weeks, if not days. However, the national security adviser also admitted on 13 February that the US "cannot predict the precise day or time" the alleged attack will start. He and the US Department of State have called on Americans in Ukraine to leave the country, and Washington has reportedly reduced its diplomatic mission there to 22 people.Tensions Worsen Over Ukraine Amid West's 'Invasion' HysteriaUS President Joe Biden vowed during a recent phone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the US and its allies will act "swiftly and decisively" if Russia invades his country. However, Washington noted on several occasions that it will not send troops to help Ukraine in such a scenario. Sullivan confirmed this position on 13 February saying that "Biden is not intending to send in American forces to fight Russia in that war".The White House and its European allies are discussing sanctions options against Russia should it invade Ukraine  something the Kremlin said it will never do. Sanctions reportedly include the "nuclear option" at some point of cutting Russia off from the SWIFT banking system, but it is said that this has been scrapped.Despite US politicians continuing to hype the possibility of an alleged invasion, Ukraine authorities repeatedly disagreed with their assessments over the past weeks, calling on western allies to tone down the hysteria. Moscow repeatedly requested the same of the US and other NATO members, rejecting allegations that they were planning to attack Ukraine.The Kremlin pointed out that it has the right to move its troops as it pleases within its own territory. Moscow further highlighted the traditionally high NATO military presence right outside Russia's borders and came up with proposals on regional security and stability. Though the US and NATO rejected the key proposals, such as NATO's non-expansion, they agreed to discuss other ideas, such as arms control or reducing the scale of military drills.

ukraine

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us, ukraine, jake sullivan, russia
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/one-person-dead-40-more-injured-after-two-trains-collide-near-munich-germany-1093031950.html

One Person Dead, 40 More Injured After Two Trains Collide Near Munich, Germany

One Person Dead, 40 More Injured After Two Trains Collide Near Munich, Germany

The two trains crashed into each other at around 16:40 CET (15:40 GMT). The reasons for the incident are as yet unclear. 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T17:46+0000

2022-02-14T17:46+0000

2022-02-14T18:15+0000

europe

germany

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Two S-Bahn trains have collided near Schaftlarn, Munich in Germany leaving at least one person dead and around 40 more injured. A train driver is also reportedly trapped in the wreckage. The force of the impact derailed at least one of the trains, Bild has reported, citing witnesses.The trains were travelling along a single track with one of them going to Munich and the other to Wolfratshausen in Bavaria. The reason for the collision remains unknown as police continue their investigation.The affected train track remains closed for the time being as police investigate the site.A similar incident nearly happened on the same line in August 2021. Two trains moving along the S7 line nearly ran into each other around four kilometres away from Icking Station. The trains stopped around 150 metres from each other due to both of them managing to brake in time thanks to low speed.

germany

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europe, germany
 Flash

The United Nations mission in Sudan concluded on Sunday the first stage of consultations with Sudanese parties to end the political crisis in the country.

The UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) would soon produce a summary document that highlights major areas of consensus among Sudanese political forces on contentious matters on the transition to civilian rule, the mission said in a statement.

Volker Perthes, head of the UNITAMS, described the consultation process as "valuable" as it allows the mission to hear a range of perspectives and proposals from the Sudanese people.

On Jan. 10, the UNITAMS launched an intra-Sudanese political process to end the country's political crisis and Perthes has been in consultations with Sudanese political parties and civil forces in the country.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis since Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, chairman of Sudan's transitional Sovereign Council, declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government.
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/poll-almost-half-of-canadians-say-trudeau-not-up-to-job-amid-trucker-protests-1093029259.html

Poll: Almost Half of Canadians Say Trudeau 'Not Up to Job' Amid Trucker Protests

Poll: Almost Half of Canadians Say Trudeau 'Not Up to Job' Amid Trucker Protests

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Almost half of Canadians believe that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not up to the job as trucker protests continue, according to a... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T16:24+0000

2022-02-14T16:24+0000

2022-02-14T16:24+0000

canada

justin trudeau

protest

covid-19

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The findings show that 48% of Canadians think Trudeau has demonstrated that he is "not up to the job" of serving as prime minister, while 35% disagree with the statement, and 18% did not give an definitive answer.Only 16% say they want to vote for him because of how he has tackled situation as compared to 63% who feel the opposite, and 21% who have no opinion.The poll also revealed that 53% of Canadians think Trudeau looks weak, and 44% believe he has "inflamed the situation."Just one in six, or 17%, of Canadians believe that Trudeau has done his utmost to calm things down, with 29% thinking that he has acted as a prime minister should in the face of the protest, according to the poll.In January, a mass protest consisting of truckers, farmers and other citizens began in Canada. The so-called Freedom Convoy protesters descended on the capital Ottawa to demand the government scrap COVID-19 vaccine mandates.The protest spread then to other provinces, with truckers blocking several US-Canada border crossings, including the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. The bridge was cleared of protesters on Sunday.

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canada, justin trudeau, protest, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/they-wont-cheat-us-again-media-adviser-to-irans-nuclear-team-discusses-deal-prospects-in-vienna-1093006180.html

'They Won't Cheat Us Again': Media Adviser to Iran's Nuclear Team Discusses Deal Prospects in Vienna

'They Won't Cheat Us Again': Media Adviser to Iran's Nuclear Team Discusses Deal Prospects in Vienna

As the talks to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal continue in Vienna, the Islamic Republic insists that the West should remove the harsh economic sanctions... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T05:55+0000

2022-02-14T05:55+0000

2022-02-14T05:55+0000

iran

joint comprehensive plan of action (jcpoa)

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Indirect talks between the United States and Iran regarding the latter's nuclear programme, which kicked off last week, continue in the Austrian capital of Vienna.The goal is to ink a deal similar to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that the US withdrew from in 2018 and which presupposed the lifting of western sanctions against Iran in exchange for supervision of its nuclear programme.In the US, some have already voiced optimism at this latest round of talks, saying a deal is just around the corner.Is a Deal Likely?Professor Mohammad Marandi, a media adviser to the Iranian nuclear negotiations team, says it is too early to jump to conclusions."There is a significant possibility that there will be an agreement...as we see some movement from the US and Europe. But there is also a chance there won't. Everything will depend on Washington and on whether they really want it".Most of the friction is caused by the inability to agree on the removal of the western sanctions imposed to force Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions.Those sanctions, which encompass everything from international trade and insurance to banking, energy, and nuclear industries have taken a toll on the nation's economy and its people.Between 2011 and 2015, Iran's economy contracted by 20 percent, with unemployment rising to about 20 percent as well.America's so-called "maximum pressure" has only become stronger over the years. Under the Trump administration, the US imposed more than 960 sanctions on Iran, resulting in 33 percent of Iranians living below the poverty line by the end of 2019.When President Biden took office, the belief was that the pressure would subside or cease, but Marandi says the current administration has continued to pursue the policy enacted by its predecessor. And not only that, but after more than a year in office the new occupants of the White House have not done much to come to terms with the Islamic Republic.They Won't Cheat UsIran is not only insisting on the removal of sanctions. Tehran wants to have assurances and guarantees that Washington will not back out on the deal, break the rules, or leave the agreement like in 2018.And what they also want to see is a "proper verification process" meaning that sanctions are removed, something that, according to Marandi, was missing from the 2015 deal."In 2015, we made sure to implement the deal. It was [President Barack] Obama, who didn't. Behind closed doors, he told the Treasury and various firms not to work with us. In 2018, they violated the agreement again by leaving it, while we were loyal. So, what Iran is saying now is that you can't cheat us again".In the West, politicians and experts have a different take. Over the years, Iran has been blamed for continuing to enrich its uranium towards impermissible levels.They have also been eyeing with concern Iran's ballistic missile programme, and the general fear is that Tehran's nuclear ambitions stem from a desire to acquire a bomb, allegations that the Islamic Republic has repeatedly denied.Yet, the West is far from being the only player that has felt unease at the talks in Vienna. Israel and the Gulf States have been following the developments in the Austrian capital too, but Marandi says a nuclear deal, if one is eventually reached, should not concern them."Neighbouring countries are influenced by US policies. They are in the American camp, and America doesn't care about human dignity. All they care about is their dominance and interests. If it wasn't for Washington, relations with our neighbours would have been better but we still want to build bridges".

iran

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Elizabeth Blade

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https://sputniknews.com/20220214/to-the-moon-and-back-raf-deputy-chief-reportedly-suspended-after-flashing-his-bottom-1093015304.html

To the Moon and Back: RAF Deputy Chief Reportedly Suspended After Flashing His Bottom

To the Moon and Back: RAF Deputy Chief Reportedly Suspended After Flashing His Bottom

Andrew Turner joined the Royal Air Forces in 1985 and quickly rose through ranks. In 2003, he was made OBE in recognition of service in the Iraq War.

2022-02-14T09:28+0000

2022-02-14T09:28+0000

2022-02-14T09:28+0000

uk

society

uk royal air force

nudity

neighbor

air marshals

indecent exposure

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Deputy Chief of the Royal Air Force Andrew Turner has been suspended after flashing his bottom at his neighbours, UK media outlets have reported. According to The Sun, Simon Herbert, 54, his partner Lesley Stevens, and her 18-year-old daughter were "shocked and disgusted" by the incident and filed a complaint against the serviceman, who was tipped to become the next RAF chief.The newspaper writes citing an anonymous source that the air marshal was standing naked on his own property and "bared his backside at Simon [Herbert]". Mr Herbert said he was initially concerned about his neighbour's well-being, but then confronted him about the incident, the Daily Mail writes.Simon Herbert also told the outlet that he and his family has felt uncomfortable using their hot tub since the incident and stressed that there had been further disagreements with Andrew Turner and his wife Catherine.According to the British media, the alleged flashing incident occurred in August. The Sun writes that the officer was suspended following an investigation two weeks ago. A message to all RAF commanders said that Andrew Turner stepped down "due to a personal matter", the newspaper writes, citing an anonymous source.There has been no official statement from the Royal Air Force and Turner has not written about the issue or his suspension on social media. The Sun also writes that the officer was served a community resolution, which required a written apology to his neighbours. However, Simon Herbert and his family have accused Mr Turner of "ducking responsibility". They claim the letter they received from the decorated pilot, who participated in more than two dozen RAF missions, including in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Iraq, contained no apology, but rather a squiggly monogram, the Daily Mail writes. According to The Sun, the letter had only one line.A solicitor for the air marshal has dismissed the allegations against his client as inaccurate and vexatious. He emphasised that none of the claims had been prosecuted despite the allegations being "the subject of a lengthy police investigation and review by CPS [Crown Prosecution Service]".

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Max Gorbachev

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uk, society, uk royal air force, nudity, neighbor, air marshals, indecent exposure
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/trudeau-says-canadas-federal-govt-invoking-emergencies-act-to-address-protest-blockades-1093035905.html

Trudeau Says Canada's Federal Gov't Invoking Emergencies Act to Address Protest Blockades

Trudeau Says Canada's Federal Gov't Invoking Emergencies Act to Address Protest Blockades

The "freedom convoy" protests by a group of truckers and their sympathizers who were protesting Ottawa's COVID-19 mitigation policies managed to block traffic... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T21:42+0000

2022-02-14T21:42+0000

2022-02-15T01:13+0000

canada

protest

emergency powers

justin trudeau

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday he would invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time in the country's history, giving his cabinet special powers to address a national crisis. The act is being invoked because of protests that have blocked border crossings to the United States.By doing so, Trudeau will be able to impose restrictions on public assembly and travel and provide federal support for local and provincial police forces, according to Reuters. Other powers the government gains under the declaration include deciding what are essential services and regulating the distribution of essential goods. However, it also includes a provision for compensating those who receive financial harm due to government measures taken under the act. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the government is still confined by the protections offered by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Constitution's bill of rights.The governors of at least four Canadian provinces have publicly opposed Trudeau's plans to invoke the Emergencies Act, including Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Some said the act should only be applied to jurisdictions that request it.The War Measures Act was invoked three times before being discarded: during each of the World Wars, as well as in 1970 by the present prime minister's father, Pierre Trudeau, when the Front de liberation du Quebec (FLQ) kidnapped the provincial Deputy Premier Pierre Laporte and British diplomat James Cross - a situation known as the October Crisis. During the events of 1970-1, Canadian troops were deployed to keep order in Quebec, where an independence movement had gained major sway among Francophones and deployed terrorist tactics against the government.Truckers Oppose Vaccine MandatesFor weeks, groups have protested vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 mitigation measures proposed by Trudeau's government, including a 17-day encampment in the national capital of Ottawa by hundreds of big-rig truck drivers. Most recently, a group of truckers shut down the Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor, Ontario, with the US city of Detroit, Michigan, and serves as a vital trade artery between the two countries. The protests have attracted widespread support from right-wing figures such as US Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and former US President Donald Trump, who are opposed to government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions, including vaccination, masking, and quarantine requirements intended to interrupt and slow the spread of COVID-19.Ironically, the truckers' protest, which has claimed to speak for all truck drivers, has been publicly opposed by the Teamsters Unions in both Canada and the United States."The so-called 'freedom convoy' and the despicable display of hate lead by the political Right and shamefully encouraged by elected conservative politicians does not reflect the values of Teamsters Canada, nor the vast majority of our members, and in fact has served to delegitimize the real concerns of most truck drivers today," the union said.

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canada, protest, emergency powers, justin trudeau
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/uk-junior-defence-minister-warns-against-giving-ukraine-nato-protection-1093018495.html

UK Junior Defence Minister Warns Against Giving Ukraine NATO Protection

UK Junior Defence Minister Warns Against Giving Ukraine NATO Protection

While insisting NATO was a purely defensive military alliance and was not trying to expand to Russia's borders, the British armed forces minister conceded that... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T13:54+0000

2022-02-14T13:54+0000

2022-02-14T13:54+0000

uk

ukraine

britain

great britain

ben wallace

liz truss

sergey shoigu

sergei lavrov

nato

minsk accords

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A British junior defence minister has warned that granting NATO protection to Ukraine would justify Russian fears of Western aggression and could "fracture" the military alliance.Writing in The Sunday Times, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said the West should not "play to the narrative" Russian President Vladimir Putin "peddles to the Russian public that NATO is expansionist and set on threatening Russia".The alliance was founded just after the Second World War by Britain, France, the US, and other Western countries to oppose the Soviet Union, their wartime ally against Nazism. But since the nominal end of the Cold War it has expanded steadily eastwards to include ex-Warsaw Pact members  even the former Soviet republics of the Baltic States  on Russia's borders."Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, NATO has deployed beyond its borders to Afghanistan in response to an attack on the United States; played a role in counterinsurgency and counterpiracy missions in sub-Saharan Africa, Iraq, and the Indian Ocean; and played an important part in stabilising the Balkans after the break up of the former Yugoslavia", Heappey wrote  somewhat undermining his claim that "NATO does not attack others".Heappey's article came as Ukraine's Ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko suggested that Kiev might drop its application for NATO membership  comments which he promptly backtracked on.Ukraine has built up troop deployments near the self-proclaimed people's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in the east, launching aggressive drone incursions into what the breakaway governments fear is preparation for a new offensive in breach of the Minsk accords. Heappey also acknowledged that the risk of war between the nuclear powers made Western military intervention in Ukraine unthinkable."We must be crystal clear how volatile the Euro-Atlantic security situation is right now", he stressed. "Clarity in our message is essential so that we minimise the risk of miscalculation and escalation".Heappey's comments stand in contrast to the sabre-rattling by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on her trip to Moscow last Thursday to meet her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.Truss repeated US claims  which Moscow has dismissed as propaganda  that the Russian Army has amassed "over 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border". Meanwhile, Downing Street has insisted that Ukraine has a "right" to join NATO.Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Heappey's boss, sounded fewer bellicose notes than Truss' war-trumpet when he met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday. Wallace paid his respects at a monument to fallen Soviet soldiers of the Second World War and said that as a former serving officer himself, he did not wish to see more troops sent to their deaths.

https://sputniknews.com/20220214/kremlin-ukraines-rejection-of-idea-of-joining-nato-would-be-step-to-stabilise-1093019508.html

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uk, ukraine, britain, great britain, ben wallace, liz truss, sergey shoigu, sergei lavrov, nato, minsk accords, donbas conflict, lugansk people's republic, donetsk people's republic
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/us-getting-ready-to-withdraw-all-of-its-personnel-from-kiev-within-24-48-hours---reports-1093004260.html

US Getting Ready to Withdraw All of Its Personnel From Kiev Within 24-48 Hours - Reports

US Getting Ready to Withdraw All of Its Personnel From Kiev Within 24-48 Hours - Reports

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States is planning to pull out all the remaining American personnel from Kiev within the next one to two days, CBS reports. 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T00:28+0000

2022-02-14T00:28+0000

2022-02-14T00:26+0000

nato

us

withdrawal

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On Saturday, the US State Department said that the United States was relocating some of its diplomatic personnel from the Ukrainian capital to the city of Lviv amid security concerns. US citizens are being urged to leave Ukraine as soon as possible and Poland has agreed to help Americans depart Ukraine by simplifying the entry procedures, according to the US Embassy in Ukraine.CBS reported on Sunday that the administration of US President Joe Biden "is preparing to withdraw all US personnel from Kyiv within the next 24-48 hours."US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a press conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday, that the departure of most of the American staff at the US embassy in Kiev was ordered because the "risk of Russian military action is high enough and the threat is imminent enough that this is the prudent thing to do." Blinken said that a core US diplomatic team would remain in Ukraine to continue working there with Ukrainian colleagues.In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an "invasion." Moscow has denied these accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory.

https://sputniknews.com/20220212/hysteric-fit-western-medias-russian-invasion-claims-coordinated-by-washington---zakharova-1092975653.html

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nato, us, withdrawal
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/us-says-committed-to-de-escalation-with-russia-but-scales-up-efforts-to-deter-moscow-1093034191.html

US Says Committed to De-Escalation With Russia, But Scales Up Efforts to Deter Moscow

US Says Committed to De-Escalation With Russia, But Scales Up Efforts to Deter Moscow

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States remains committed to keeping the path of de-escalation with Russia over Ukraine open, but at the same time intensifies... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T20:42+0000

2022-02-14T20:42+0000

2022-02-14T22:58+0000

diplomacy

ned price

us

russia

us state department

ukraine

nato

security guarantees

russia-nato row on european security

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"We are intensifying our efforts to deter Russia and to impose costs should Moscow decide to go ahead with military action," Price said in a press briefing. "We remain committed to keeping the prospect of de-escalation through diplomacy alive. We will remain committed to doing that for as long as we can. But Russia must de-escalate and engage in genuine dialogue and diplomacy.""We have taken note of his comments," Price told a briefing. "What we have not taken note is any indication of de-escalation. We have not seen any tangible, any real sign of de-escalation."We hope to engage in good-faith dialogue and diplomacy, but in order for it to be good faith, of course, that will require the Russians to respond in kind in order for this to bear fruit," Price said. It will also have to take place in the context of de-escalation.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday the concept of indivisible security is different from what the West is trying to present. The US and NATO are ready to enter into serious negotiations with Russia on some proposals on security guarantees, the minister added.Following a phone conversation between the presidents of Russia and the United States on Saturday, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told reporters that Russia would soon bring its response to the US and NATO on security guarantees.

https://sputniknews.com/20220212/lavrov-tells-blinken-propaganda-about-russian-aggression-against-ukraine-has-provocative-purposes-1092963955.html

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diplomacy, ned price, us, russia, us state department, ukraine, nato, security guarantees
https://sputniknews.com/20220214/watch-critically-endangered-white-bellied-heron-spotted-perching-in-indias-kamlang-tiger-reserve-1093020052.html

Watch Critically Endangered White-Bellied Heron Spotted Perching in India's Kamlang Tiger Reserve

Watch Critically Endangered White-Bellied Heron Spotted Perching in India's Kamlang Tiger Reserve

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, herons (Ardea insignis) are found in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in Bhutan... 14.02.2022, Sputnik International

2022-02-14T12:42+0000

2022-02-14T12:42+0000

2022-02-14T13:10+0000

india

india

wildlife

wildlife

wildlife

viral videos

viral video

viral video

viral video

international union for conservation of nature

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A critically endangered white-bellied heron has been spotted in the Kamlang Tiger Reserve in the Lohit district of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.A video shared by the official Twitter account of Kamlang Tiger Reserve on 12 February shows the heron perched on a rock as the camera zooms in. After a while, the bird flies away into the wilderness.The white-bellied heron is mainly dark grey with a contrasting white throat, belly and vent, white-streaked scapulars, fore neck and upper breast. Both females and males have two lace-like white plumes on the back of their neck.As per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), herons are categorised as critically endangered owing to their extremely small and rapidly declining population. Their population is estimated to have declined further due to the loss and degradation of lowland forests and wetlands.

india

arunachal pradesh

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Focusing on the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and promoting the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future, the 2021 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Conference opened in central China's Hubei province on December 12, 2021.

The two-day conference hosted a series of online and offline activities, including a forum, an exhibition of innovation cooperation outcomes, and an innovation and entrepreneurship salon for African young talents. A total of 15 scientific and technological cooperation projects with multiple African countries were inked during the opening ceremony of the conference.

In the exhibition area of the conference, the booth of China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCC) caught the eyes of many visitors.

"Many African friends come to us to take photos because of the famous bridge in Africa we show here," said Xu Jinlong, Director of the Technical Quality Department of the CCCC Second Highway Survey, Design and Research Institute.

Shown at the booth is a huge picture of the Maputo Bay Bridge in Maputo, Mozambique, the longest twin-tower suspension bridge in Africa. Designed by CCCC, the bridge facilitates traffic across the Maputo Bay and is of great significance to the economic integration of southern Mozambique with Maputo as its core.

National-level support

In September 2018, at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the opening of a China-Africa innovation cooperation center to promote youth innovation and entrepreneurship.

In May 2020, as an important measure to support Hubei's post-epidemic revitalization, China's Ministry of Science and Technology approved the province to lead the construction of this national platform, leading to the establishment of the Hubei Science and Technology Innovation Conference at the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Center.

Data from the conference show that by 2020, there are more than 10,000 Chinese-funded enterprises throughout the African continent, 90 percent of which are private enterprises. Nearly half of the Chinese enterprises in Africa have brought new products or services to the local market and more than one-third of them have introduced new technologies. Innovation is becoming a new highlight of China-Africa cooperation.

According to Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin, China has signed intergovernmental agreements on science and technology cooperation with a number of African countries.

In the past 10 years, China and Africa have supported more than 130 bilateral joint research projects. The Talented Young Scientist Program organized by China's Ministry of Science and Technology has supported more than 300 young African scientists to carry out scientific research in China. China's technical training courses for developing countries have supported nearly 2,000 technical personnel and government officials from 47 African countries to receive training in China.

Provincial-level boost

Hubei's cooperation with Africa started early and covers a wide range of fields with fruitful outcomes.

In 2013, the China-Africa Joint Research Center was officially established, becoming the first scientific research and talent training institution built by China in Africa; the China-Mozambique Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center built by Hubei enterprises is the first agricultural technology demonstration center established by China in Africa; and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, the first modern electrified railway in Africa, is built by China Railway 11 Bureau Group Co. Ltd. based in Hubei.

"The friendship between Hubei and African countries has a long history and has grown stronger with time. Exchange and cooperation have expanded to medical care, trade, agriculture, infrastructure, environmental preservation, science and technology and many other fields. A large number of Hubei-made products have brought real benefits to African people," said Ying Yong, Secretary of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee.

He said that the province has huge innovation capability and potential. It is improving the science and technology innovation policies, and strengthening key technologies, which creates more opportunities for China-Africa innovation cooperation. "Holding the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Conference in Hubei is of great significance to promoting China-Africa cooperation and building a high-level China-Africa community of shared future," added Ying.

In recent years, especially after the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit, Hubei has further aligned its advantages with the development needs of China-Africa relations, and has been at the forefront of local cooperation with African countries in areas such as science and technology innovation.

In February 2019, Hubei and Kenya jointly established the Hubei-Kenya innovation cooperation platform, and in May of the same year, the province received young African scientists and technicians in China to participate in the China InnoTour for African Young Scientists.

"As a large central province, Hubei has been committed to participating in pragmatic cooperation in various fields with Africa. Hubei is one of the provinces with the highest number of African students in China. In addition to education, engineering contracting and agriculture are traditional areas of Hubei's cooperation with Africa," said Zhou Yuxiao, Ambassador for Affairs of FOCAC of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The various activities organized by the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Conference further consolidate the consensus on China-Africa innovation cooperation through discussion and exchanges and clarify the focus of China-Africa innovation cooperation, Zhou added.

Long-term mechanism

Ahmat M. Issa from Chad was delighted to see his photo in the exhibition of the conference. He is a beneficiary of the international youth innovation and entrepreneurship program launched by China's Zhongguancun Belt and Road Industrial Promotion Association in March 2017.

"When I was just preparing to come to China in 2011, many of my classmates felt that my choice was no better than theirs to go to Europe and the U.S., but it turned out that I made the best choice," Issa said. Later, thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, many Chinese enterprises brought advanced technology to Africa, benefiting both Chinese and African people.

"Zhongguancun is known as the 'Silicon Valley' of China. The program empowers international youth innovation and entrepreneurship by leveraging China's strengths in innovation and technology, helping young people from all over the world to get internships, incubating startups, and inspiring young people to be innovative and entrepreneurial," said Zhang Xiaodong, Director of the association.

According to Zhang, since its launch in Beijing in 2017, tens of thousands of international youth have participated in these activities. The program has a vision of having more than 10,000 international youth play a real role in the Belt and Road cooperation and exchange in the future and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future.
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Washington/Kiev, Feb 14 (IANS) During a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Kiev's "sovereignty and territorial integrity" in response to Russias military build-up on the eastern European nation's borders, according to the White House.



The White House said that during the call on Sunday, Biden made clear that "the US would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine".



The two leaders further agreed on the "importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence" over Russia's military move.



On his part, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine understands all current risks and is ready for "any developments", Xinhua news agency quoted a statement issued by his press service as saying.



He thanked Washington for support, saying it contributes to strengthening the capabilities of the Ukrainian army.



Zelensky invited Biden to visit Ukraine "in the coming days", saying that such a trip is crucial to stabilising the situation.



The Ukrainian leader also stressed the importance of providing effective security guarantees for Kiev.



"We are ready to discuss them in different formats," he stressed.



Since November, Kiev and some Western countries have accused Russia of assembling heavy troops near the Ukrainian border with a possible intention of "invasion".



Russia denied the accusation, saying that it has the right to mobilize troops within its borders to defend its territory as the NATO's activities constitute a threat to Moscow's border security.



In recent days, the US and some other countries have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine, citing increased threats of military action.



The US has been releasing intelligence which it claims is proof that Russia is prepared to mount a military aggression against Ukraine any time now, but Moscow has accused Washington of "hysteria" over tensions near Kiev.
Floyd County Supervisors last week authorized one-time payments averaging around $3,000 to specified county employees as hazard pay related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similar payments were made to sheriffs department deputies and staff, emergency medical service workers, sanitation workers and transfer station employees earlier in the pandemic using funds from the federal CARES program and the new payments are specified for court, clerks and others working with the public come from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Floyd County has received half of its expected $3 million in ARPA funds and is expected to receive the other half later this summer, County Administrator Linda Millsaps told the board Feb. 8.

Supervisors unanimously approved appropriating $40,500 for the latest set of payments at a rate of $2 an hour for periods that will average out to 1,500 hours.

This is a bonus, said Courthouse Supervisor Jerry Boothe and will be in addition to regular salary payments each county employees during what were determined as hazardous hours on the job.

I can support $2 an hour said Linda DeVito Kuchenbuch of Little River. Our people faced dangers in their jobs for this county.

I would be somewhat hesitant to $2 an hour said Indian Valley Supervisor Kalinda Bechtold. A lot of people did lose their jobs during COVID and had no compensation. Our employees did receive compensation.

Supervisor Chairman Joe Turman of Burks Fork said he was glad to see the county provide extra compensation during the pandemic, especially for the sheriffs department, EMS and the transfer station.

Its a risk, Turman, a retired deputy, added.

Locust Grove Supervisor Levi Cox said the clerk of Floyd Countys combined courts came before the board and asked for additional money and help for protection while pointing out the hazards their staff faced.

Last year, the Floyd County Treasurers Office closed for more than a week staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

Boothe noted that the hazardous duty payments were going to staff and not department heads. Sheriff Brian Craig, Boothe added, was adamant that the payments go to his deputies and staff, and not to him.

The motion passed 5-0.

In another use of ARPA funds, the board approved $12,048 to pay for cleanup and replacement of filters in the heating and air-conditioning system of the Countys Innovation Center after lax maintenance allowed mold and other problems.

Millsaps said the county is looking for a new maintenance person to handle such functions.

DeVito Kuchenbuch asked Millsaps to look into using some of the ARPA funds to help upgrade and fix some problems in the county administration building and other structures. The administrator said she would get some quotes on the costs and needs.

Boothe agreed that the ARPA funds should be used.

We can do this without cost to our taxpayers, he added.

In other matters before the board:

Millsaps told the Board that the Virginia Department of Transpiration may start requiring the county to maintain crosswalks and other items but that they may be able to apply for funding under a program that would provide the funds. She told the board to expect a recommendation to apply for the program by as early as the next meeting. Boothe recommended that VDOT put it in writing.

After a prolonged discussion over a pending request to give a name to a private road with three or more structures, but where one property owner has not responded to letters to approval while two others have approved, the Supervisors approved giving the road name of Victory Court to the area.

The board meeting included a closed-door executive session on real estate matters, but no action was taken on any items discussed.

The next board meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. the county administration building on Oxford Street.
Happy Valentine's Day gifts for husband: Make your partner's day special by gifting him tech gadgets that he can play with or use. Check out GoPro, Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, and more.

Happy Valentine's Day gifts for husband: Valentine's Day 2022, the day of love is here and couples are already celebrating. The day is all about making each other feel special and important. From flowers, chocolates to cards to start with, there are thousands of other gifts, large and small, that are being gifted today with the express purpose of making that special person in your life feel happy. The cute smile on the face of your husband when they see their gifts is all that this is about.. So, if you are running late and are looking to buy a special gift, here are some of the best tech ideas that you can choose from for your husband to make him feel special. You can redefine the meaning of romance with these technology-driven ideas.

These gadget gifts will not only help you enjoy Valentine's day more, they will go a long way in making the day memorable. Check out the Happy Valentine's Day gifts for husband below:

Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here. Also read:

1. Echo Dot 3rd Gen: If your better half loves listening to songs, then a smart speaker can be a gift worth considering. Echo Dot can be operated by voice, Alexa can speak both English and Hindi. The features of the speaker include hands-free music control, use it to make your home smart, versatile usage, among others. It can be purchased from the ecommerce website Amazon.

2. GoPro HERO10: It is a waterproof action camera with front LCD and touch rear screens. If you and your partner love adventures and travelling or even love clicking pictures, it can be one of the best things to gift. You can get the GoPro on Amazon.

3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: With the increasing health concerns it has become very important to keep a tract of your health and monitor it properly. A smartwatch can help you in the same. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 can monitor your health by enhanced running analysis, sleep tracking, blood oxygen, home workout programs, among others. The watch is available for purchase on Amazon.

4. Jugaadify portable cordless mini desktop vacuum desk dust cleaner: Amid this work from home scenario it is very important to keep your keyboard and laptop clean. Jugaadify Portable Cordless Mini Desktop Vacuum Desk Dust Cleaner can help you in doing the same. It can pick up crumbs, paper scraps, cat hair, grit on window sills. It is suitable for home, office and cars while it is Ideal for desktop, car seats and computer keyboard. You can get this product on Amazon.

5. JBL Live Pro+: The TWS, adaptive noise cancellation earbuds can also be a good choice for gifting to your husband. It can provide up to 28 hours of battery life. Its earbuds sound and features can be easily personalized with the JBL Headphones App. It also offers 6-mic technology, Google fast pair technology and much more. You can get the earbuds on the ecommerce website Amazon.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

In his message, Xi noted that both China and Mexico are countries with time-honored civilizations and history, and the friendly exchanges between their people date back to ancient times.

Since China and Mexico established diplomatic ties half a century ago, especially since they forged a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, bilateral relations have been developing on a fast track, said Xi, adding that the two countries enjoy ever deepening political mutual trust and enhanced friendly exchanges and cooperation in various areas.

The Chinese president also said that in the face of the once-in-a-century pandemic, China and Mexico have stood together and extended a helping hand to each other, setting a good example of international solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.

The tree of Chinese-Mexican friendship has flourished and borne bountiful fruits, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, Xi added.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Mexico relations, and stands ready to work with Lopez Obrador to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to join hands, build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future.

Xi added that he is willing to work with the Mexican leader to advance traditional friendship, deepen win-win cooperation, stimulate common development, and continuously enrich the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership so that the two peoples can forever be good friends who trust each other as well as good partners that share prosperity.

Lopez Obrador said that over the past 50 years, Mexico and China have forged together an unbreakable friendship, and carried out extensive exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy, education and other areas, as exemplified by the two countries' joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mexican side sincerely appreciates and will always remember the two countries' mutual help and support during the anti-pandemic fight, he said.

The Mexico-China comprehensive strategic partnership has been advancing with the times and growing ever stronger, and has continuously benefited the people of the two countries, he said, noting that both countries have also joined hands to address challenges at regional and multilateral levels.

He also said he firmly believes that bilateral relations will maintain steady and sustained development, and show new vitality.
According to Genesis in the Bible, Adam and Eve realized they were naked and covered themselves. Credit: Cleveland Museum of Art via Wikimedia

Many people think of privacy as a modern invention, an anomaly made possible by the rise of urbanization. If that were the case, then acquiescing to the current erosion of privacy might not be particularly alarming.

As calls for Congress to protect privacy increase, it's important to understand its nature. In a policy brief in Science, we and our colleague Jeff Hancock suggest that understanding the nature of privacy calls for a better understanding of its origins.

Research evidence refutes the notion that privacy is a recent invention. While privacy rights or values may be modern notions, examples of privacy norms and privacy-seeking behaviors abound across cultures throughout human history and across geography.

As privacy researchers who study information systems and behavioral research and public policy, we believe that accounting for the potential evolutionary roots of privacy concerns can help explain why people struggle with privacy today. It may also help inform the development of technologies and policies that can better align the digital world with the human sense of privacy.

The misty origins of privacy

Humans have sought and attempted to manage privacy since the dawn of civilization. People from ancient Greece to ancient China were concerned with the boundaries of public and private life. The male head of the household, or pater familias, in ancient Roman families would have his slaves move their cots to some remote corner of the house when he wanted to spend the evening alone.

Attention to privacy is also found in preindustrial societies. For example, the Mehinacu tribe in South America lived in communal accommodations but built private houses miles away for members to achieve some seclusion.

Evidence of a drive toward privacy can even be found in the holy texts of ancient monotheistic religions: the Quran's instructions against spying on one another, the Talmud's advice not to place windows overlooking neighbors' windows, and the biblical story of Adam and Eve covering their nakedness after eating the forbidden fruit.

The drive for privacy appears to be simultaneously culturally specific and culturally universal. Norms and behaviors change across peoples and times, but all cultures seem to manifest a drive for it. Scholars in the past century who studied the history of privacy provide an explanation for this: Privacy concerns may have evolutionary roots.

By this account, the need for privacy evolved from physical needs for protection, security and self-interest. The ability to sense the presence of others and choose exposure or seclusion provides an evolutionary advantage: a "sense" of privacy.

Humans' sense of privacy helps them regulate the boundaries of public and private with efficient, instinctual mastery. You notice when a stranger is walking too close behind you. You typically abandon the topic of conversation when a distant acquaintance approaches while you are engaged in an intimate discussion with a friend.

People do not have an intuitive understanding of website and software privacy policies and settings. Credit: Scar8840/Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

Privacy blind spots

An evolutionary theory of privacy helps explain the hurdles people face in protecting personal information online, even when they claim to care about privacy. Human senses and the new digital reality are mismatched. Online, our senses fail us. You do not see Facebook tracking your activity in order to profile and influence you. You do not hear law enforcement taking your picture to identify you.

Humans might have evolved to use their senses to alert them to privacy risks, but those same senses put humans at a disadvantage when they try to identify privacy risks in the online world. Online sensory cues are lacking, and worse, dark patternsmalicious website design elementstrick those senses into perceiving a risky situation as safe.

This may explain why privacy notice and consent mechanismsso popular with tech companies and for a long time among policymakersfail to address the problem of privacy. They place the burden for understanding privacy risks on consumers, with notices and settings that are often ineffectual or gamed by platforms and tech companies.

These mechanisms fail because people react to privacy invasions viscerally, using their senses more than their cognition.

Protecting privacy in the digital age

An evolutionary account of privacy shows that if society is determined to protect people's ability to manage the boundaries of public and private in the modern age, privacy protection needs to be embedded in the very fabric of digital systems. When the evolving technology of cars made them so fast that drivers' reaction times became unreliable tools for avoiding accidents and collisions, policymakers stepped in to drive technological responses such as seat belts and, later, airbags.

Ensuring online privacy also requires a coordinated combination of technology and policy interventions. Baseline safeguards of data protection, such as those in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data, can be achieved with the right technologies.

Examples include data analysis techniques that preserve anonymity, such as the ones enabled by differential privacy, privacy enhancing technologies such as user-friendly encrypted email services and anonymous browsing, and personalized intelligent privacy assistants, which learn users' privacy preferences.

These technologies have the potential to preserve privacy without hurting modern society's reliance on collecting and analyzing data. And since the incentives of industry players to exploit the data economy are unlikely to disappear, we believe that regulatory interventions that support the development and deployment of these technologies will be necessary.

Explore further Coronavirus pandemic could serve as a catalyst to build better digital identity systems

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: University of Western Ontario

Nearly 10 years ago, local mushroom farmer Murray Good approached engineering professor Mehrdad R. Kermani with a challenge. Could Kermani and his team develop an autonomous mushroom harvesting robot to address the labor shortage Good and mushroom farmers around the world were facing?

Kermani, a world leader in the field of safe human-robot interactions, knew this was a challenging problem that could take time. With patience, perseverance and the help of his graduate students, he developed the prototype for what is now the first commercialized robotic harvesting system of its kind.

"When we first started the project, we had no specific data or approaches to reference," Kermani said. "We basically started from scratch."

Kermani succeeded where several research institutes and private companies worldwide failed, designing a robot that could pick mushrooms at a speed and quality comparable to or beyond human harvesters. He also took an innovative approach, developing a system that seamlessly integrates into the existing infrastructure of mushroom farms across North America.

Beyond addressing the agricultural industry's manual labor shortage, Kermani's efforts also help answer the demand for sustainable agriculture, with an aim to end hunger and achieve food security, a challenge identified in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Credit: University of Western Ontario

Getting a grip

Tasking robots with human actions isn't easy, with "grasping" as one of the more challenging motions to perfect. Humans, Kermani explained, grasp objects every day with little thought. In the case of picking mushrooms, they can look at a mushroom, determine if it is ripe, and grasp it with just the right amount of force.

"If you go to a mushroom farm, the first thing you notice is that mushrooms are very dense and there is quite a lot of them growing in the beds," Kermani said. "Humans have the dexterity to easily grasp the mushroom. From time to time, they may change their maneuver in order to pick it properly. It's not always the same movement. Sometimes they bend it, sometimes they twist it and sometimes it's a combination of both. It really depends on how they feel that mushroom.

"When you translate that into code for a machine, it's not a very intuitive thing," Kermani said.

His first prototype allowed him to experiment and perfect the picking mechanism, achieving a "soft touch," that avoided spoiling the easily-bruised mushroomsan aspect other researchers hadn't achieved with previous suction cup models.

Kermani's second challenge was "teaching" the robot to recognize when a mushroom was ready to be picked. He designed a vision component to scan the mushroom by size; one of the key determinants of ripeness.

Credit: University of Western Ontario

"Mushrooms grow very fast," he said. "In 24 hours, they double their size, which means once they're ripe, you have to pick them. If you pick them too early, you don't get the yield. If you pick them late, it doesn't last on the shelf. It's not like an apple or orange; you have a very limited window of time."

With the capability to work 24-hour shifts, Kermani's robotic system can scan a mushroom and, if it is not ripe, make note to return at just the right moment a few hours later.

The core areas of focus took about four and a half years to develop to the point where Kermani and his team could begin testing the system on Good's farm.

"This was a gradual process," Kermani said, crediting Good for his role as a "forward-thinking industry partner who embraced technology and provided crucial, continual feedback throughout the process."

Commercial success

Based on the success of Kermani's research projects, Good founded Mycionics in 2014, with the knowledge transferred for commercialization in 2018. Last summer, the company attracted supercluster funding from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) to deploy and demonstrate the harvesting system.

To see research and knowledge transferred into an application that solves an important global challenge is "a very good feeling," Kermani said. "We know there's a shortage of labor, (and with an increasing global) population, we need to produce more food, and keep it at a sustainable price."

Kermanis project evolved over time, starting with a simple gripper and progressing to a complete system that included a properly designed robotic hand, vision system and a mechanism for moving around the growing beds. Credit: University of Western Ontario

Next step: Plant propagation

Kermani is now applying the process he honed for harvesting mushrooms to plant propagation, working with a partner in LaSalle, Ont.

The company grows millions of seedlings for vegetables, which must be attached to wooden stakes before being shipped out to nurseries. Kermani is hoping to automate the process, but seedlings, like mushrooms, come with their own challenges. The vision system must consider the overlap of leaves, and the robotic mechanism must consider the tenderness of the stem and branches.

"These are not easy things to do," he said, but he's fueled by his previous success.

"There's a sense of relief after so many years of working and knowing you can have an impact," he said. "Once you start to see the transition between knowledge and practice, you get hooked."

Explore further Researchers develop prototype of robotic device to pick, trim button mushrooms
MIT researchers have developed a solar-powered desalination system that is more efficient and less expensive than previous methods. In this schematic, a confined water layer above the floating thermal insulation enables the simultaneous thermal localization and salt rejection. Credit: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

An estimated two-thirds of humanity is affected by shortages of water, and many such areas in the developing world also face a lack of dependable electricity. Widespread research efforts have thus focused on ways to desalinate seawater or brackish water using just solar heat. Many such efforts have run into problems with fouling of equipment caused by salt buildup, however, which often adds complexity and expense.

Now, a team of researchers at MIT and in China has come up with a solution to the problem of salt accumulationand in the process developed a desalination system that is both more efficient and less expensive than previous solar desalination methods. The process could also be used to treat contaminated wastewater or to generate steam for sterilizing medical instruments, all without requiring any power source other than sunlight itself.

The findings are described today in the journal Nature Communications, in a paper by MIT graduate student Lenan Zhang, postdoc Xiangyu Li, professor of mechanical engineering Evelyn Wang, and four others.

"There have been a lot of demonstrations of really high-performing, salt-rejecting, solar-based evaporation designs of various devices," Wang says. "The challenge has been the salt fouling issue, that people haven't really addressed. So, we see these very attractive performance numbers, but they're often limited because of longevity. Over time, things will foul."

Many attempts at solar desalination systems rely on some kind of wick to draw the saline water through the device, but these wicks are vulnerable to salt accumulation and relatively difficult to clean. The team focused on developing a wick-free system instead. The result is a layered system, with dark material at the top to absorb the sun's heat, then a thin layer of water above a perforated layer of material, sitting atop a deep reservoir of the salty water such as a tank or a pond. After careful calculations and experiments, the researchers determined the optimal size for the holes drilled through the perforated material, which in their tests was made of polyurethane. At 2.5 millimeters across, these holes can be easily made using commonly available waterjets.

The holes are large enough to allow for a natural convective circulation between the warmer upper layer of water and the colder reservoir below. That circulation naturally draws the salt from the thin layer above down into the much larger body of water below, where it becomes well-diluted and no longer a problem. "It allows us to achieve high performance and yet also prevent this salt accumulation," says Wang, who is the Ford Professor of Engineering and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Li says that the advantages of this system are "both the high performance and the reliable operation, especially under extreme conditions, where we can actually work with near-saturation saline water. And that means it's also very useful for wastewater treatment."

He adds that much work on such solar-powered desalination has focused on novel materials. "But in our case, we use really low-cost, almost household materials." The key was analyzing and understanding the convective flow that drives this entirely passive system, he says. "People say you always need new materials, expensive ones, or complicated structures or wicking structures to do that. And this is, I believe, the first one that does this without wicking structures."

This gif shows fluid flow visualized by food dye. The left-side shows the slow transport of colored de-ionized water from the top to the bottom bulk water. The right-side shows the fast transport of colored saline water from the top to the bottom bulk water driven by the natural convection effect. Credit: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This new approach "provides a promising and efficient path for desalination of high salinity solutions, and could be a game changer in solar water desalination," says Hadi Ghasemi, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Houston, who was not associated with this work. "Further work is required for assessment of this concept in large settings and in long runs," he adds.

Just as hot air rises and cold air falls, Zhang explains, natural convection drives the desalination process in this device. In the confined water layer near the top, "the evaporation happens at the very top interface. Because of the salt, the density of water at the very top interface is higher, and the bottom water has lower density. So, this is an original driving force for this natural convection because the higher density at the top drives the salty liquid to go down." The water evaporated from the top of the system can then be collected on a condensing surface, providing pure fresh water.

The rejection of salt to the water below could also cause heat to be lost in the process, so preventing that required careful engineering, including making the perforated layer out of highly insulating material to keep the heat concentrated above. The solar heating at the top is accomplished through a simple layer of black paint.

So far, the team has proven the concept using small benchtop devices, so the next step will be starting to scale up to devices that could have practical applications. Based on their calculations, a system with just 1 square meter (about a square yard) of collecting area should be sufficient to provide a family's daily needs for drinking water, they say. Zhang says they calculated that the necessary materials for a 1-square-meter device would cost only about $4.

Their test apparatus operated for a week with no signs of any salt accumulation, Li says. And the device is remarkably stable. "Even if we apply some extreme perturbation, like waves on the seawater or the lake," where such a device could be installed as a floating platform, "it can return to its original equilibrium position very fast," he says.

The necessary work to translate this lab-scale proof of concept into workable commercial devices, and to improve the overall water production rate, should be possible within a few years, Zhang says. The first applications are likely to be providing safe water in remote off-grid locations, or for disaster relief after hurricanes, earthquakes, or other disruptions of normal water supplies.

Zhang adds that "if we can concentrate the sunlight a little bit, we could use this passive device to generate high-temperature steam to do medical sterilization" for off-grid rural areas.

"I think a real opportunity is the developing world," Wang says. "I think that is where there's most probable impact near-term, because of the simplicity of the design." But, she adds, "if we really want to get it out there, we also need to work with the end users, to really be able to adopt the way we design it so that they're willing to use it."

"This is a new strategy toward solving the salt accumulation problem in solar evaporation," says Peng Wang, a professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, who was not associated with this research. "This elegant design will inspire new innovations in the design of advanced solar evaporators. The strategy is very promising due to its high energy efficiency, operation durability, and low cost, which contributes to low-cost and passive water desalination to produce fresh water from various source water with high salinity, e.g., seawater, brine, or brackish groundwater."

Explore further Solar-powered desalination unit shows great promise

More information: Lenan Zhang et al, Highly efficient and salt rejecting solar evaporation via a wick-free confined water layer, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Lenan Zhang et al, Highly efficient and salt rejecting solar evaporation via a wick-free confined water layer,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28457-8

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
Former Sen. David Perdue and his wife Bonnie didnt have to wait long in line Monday to cast their ballots for the May 24 primary, which will determine who will receive the Republican nomination for the race to serve as Georgias next governor.


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LOS ANGELES  To make sure her 3-year-old daughter survived the night on her ventilator, Amber Suarez stayed awake for four hours, then woke up her husband to watch Mia for another four hours as the girl dozed.

It had already been months since the family lost a nurse who assisted them during the day, which meant Suarez had been caring for her disabled daughter since the morning, juggling the needs of Mia and her twin sister, Savannah. She feeds her through a gastrostomy tube, administers breathing treatments, and suctions out fluid from the tube that helps her breathe.

Mia is also supposed to have a nurse at her side by night, but Suarez said the night nurse hadn't shown up that Friday. The next night, another nurse missed her scheduled shift, forcing her and her husband to stay up again, Suarez said.

"I'm just so desperate for a break. Just a breather so I can do simple things like cook breakfast, go to the bathroom, shower," said Suarez, a mother of three in Palmdale, Calif. "I can't leave her alone. She likes to pull out her trach"  the breathing tube surgically inserted into her windpipe. "I'm just trying to keep my daughter alive."

Families have long struggled to get nursing care at home for medically fragile children. Even after doctors have deemed home care necessary to keep their kids healthy and safe, many have been unable to secure enough nurses to fill their allocated hours.

Parents and advocates say that, despite efforts to tackle the problem before the pandemic, it has persisted with the arrival of COVID-19. Home health agencies say it has been harder to hang on to nurses when other businesses are recruiting them to handle new demands tied to the coronavirus, including administering tests and vaccines.

"COVID didn't create a problem that wasn't there," said Jennifer McLelland, a member of the advocacy group Little Lobbyists. "COVID just made everything worse."

A decade ago, McLelland had so much trouble lining up home nursing for her then-infant son that it took three months before he could be released from the hospital and go home to Fresno County.

The family ended up moving from a rural town to the Fresno suburbs to have a better shot at finding nurses for her son, who has a rare genetic condition and has a feeding tube and a tracheostomy. At night, they need to keep reconnecting his ventilator when the 10-year-old rolls over and disconnects the machine in his sleep.

If no nurse is there, "we really just don't get any sleep," McLelland said. And "when parents are exhausted, when they're not getting nights of sleep, the risk of getting things wrong is death."

Years before the pandemic, the California Department of Health Care Services found in one study that 29% of home nursing hours authorized through a Medi-Cal program for children were not being filled. Another analysis, funded by the home health agency Maxim Healthcare Services, found that the majority of California home health agencies surveyed could only provide a quarter  or less  of the nursing hours approved for their Medi-Cal patients.

Four years ago, attorneys with Disability Rights California and other groups took the state to court, arguing that systemic failures to arrange for home nurses put children at serious risk of injury, hospitalization and institutionalization. The lawsuit centered on children and teens who are authorized to get home nursing through Medi-Cal.

Attorneys ultimately secured a settlement requiring case managers to assist families with getting nurses. Before the pandemic arrived, the state also used money from a cigarette tax to increase its rates for home nursing for children under Medi-Cal, amid complaints from agencies that the rates had been too low to recruit and retain nurses.

Home care for kids, which relies heavily on public funding, "has traditionally lagged behind the other opportunities that nurses have," said Michael Davidov, president of American United Home Care. Davidov said the Medi-Cal rate increase had helped four years ago, but now "COVID has turbocharged the disparity."

The gaps in nursing care have made it impossible for many parents to work regular hours and strained families already frazzled by the enduring pandemic. Suarez grows frustrated whenever a nurse fails to show up, but fears that if she lets one go, it will be impossible to find another one.
Already slowed by winter weather and a courts reversal of two vital permits, construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline has hit another hiatus.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said this week it will not act on Mountain Valleys pending application to cross streams and wetlands now that a federal appeals court has struck down another agencys conclusion that the pipeline would not jeopardize endangered species in its path.

Our evaluation will require review of a valid BO, or biological opinion, from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Col. Jayson Putnam of the Army Corps wrote in a letter Wednesday to an attorney for pipeline opponents.

On Feb. 3, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated an opinion from the federal Fish and Wildlife Service, ruling that the agency had not adequately considered how construction of the 303-mile long natural gas pipeline would impact endangered species in its path.

After receiving the letter from Putnam, attorney Derek Teaney of Appalachian Mountain Advocates on Friday withdrew a request to the Fourth Circuit to stay the stream-crossing permitting process, which had been made before the Feb. 3 ruling.

With the Corps assurance that it will not move forward for now, there is no longer a showing of irreparable harm to the environment that would have required a stay, Teaney wrote in court documents.

The latest development means that Mountain Valley is nowhere close to obtaining three sets of federal permits it needs to complete the $6.2 billion project.

The recent letter from the Corps means MVP cant be granted an all access pass to our waterways before the pipelines effects on endangered fish are carefully studied, Caroline Hansley, a senior organizer with the Sierra Club, said in a statement Friday.

In rejecting the biological opinion, the Fourth Circuit cited concerns about the fate of two endangered species  the Roanoke logperch and the candy darter  that feed along river bottoms that are in danger of being coated by sediment washed by rainfall from pipeline construction sites.

Mountain Valley has been cited nearly 400 times with violating state regulations meant to limit erosion and sedimentation.

For the past four years, the company been granted permits from federal agencies, only to have them reversed on appeals filed by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups.

Mountain Valleys most recent plan was to have the pipeline done by this summer. Natalie Cox, a spokeswoman for the joint venture of five energy companies building the pipeline, said Friday that an update on the timing will likely come Feb. 22. when Equitrans Midstream, the lead partner, is scheduled to discuss its financial earnings in a conference call.

EQT Corp., a driller of the natural gas that will be transported by the pipeline from northern West Virginia to an existing line in Pittsylvania County, said Thursday that it tentatively expects Mountain Valley to be in service by mid-2023.

During a conference call Thursday to discuss EQTs fourth-quarter earnings, company officials said the projection is a placeholder until more definitive word comes from Mountain Valley.

Original plans had called for the buried pipeline to be finished by the end of 2018.

As it has in years past, Mountain Valley suspended work for the winter. Erosion and sediment control maintenance is currently the primary activity on the pipelines 125-foot wide right-of-way, which passes through Southwest Virginia north of Blacksburg and southwest of Roanoke.

Although all but about 20 miles of the pipe is now in the ground, Mountain Valley has been unable to cross below streams and wetlands or work in the Jefferson National Forest.

In those areas, the 42-inch steel pipe has set above the ground for years, suspended on wooden platforms that are called cribbings.

One of the cribbings deteriorated to the point that a section of the pipe slipped off and slid about 40 feet down a snow-covered slope, according to an inspection report filed Friday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Jan. 19 incident happened in a section of national forest in Montgomery County, not far from where the pipeline crests Brush Mountain.

No one was injured and there was no apparent environmental harm, the report stated.

The pipe remains on national forest land and will be removed when weather conditions improve, Cox wrote in an email. She said the pipes have been stored along the right-of-way since 2018, but have yet to be buried as legal battles continue.

Situations such as this stress the importance of completing construction and placing MVP in-service, which is best for permanent, long-term environmental protection, she wrote in her email.

Earlier this week, questions about Mountain Valley came up during a meeting of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which was interviewing nominees for positions in the Department of Interior.

Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia who chairs the committee, expressed frustrations about the the most recent permit denials.

It has run into court case after court case after court case, Manchin said in a recording posted to the committees website. This product needs to get to market.

The senator, whose state includes the first 200-some miles of the 303-mile pipeline, asked nominee Laura Daniel-Davis how quickly problems identified by the Fourth Circuit will be corrected to allow a new permit for the pipeline to cross through the Jefferson National Forest.

We are working closely with the Solicitors Office, Forest Service, and Fish and Wildlife service [to address the issue], said Daniel-Davis, who is being considered for assistant secretary of the interior for land and minerals management.

During EQTs conference call Thursday, company officials remained bullish on the project despite repeated setbacks.

Shortages of natural gas in New England and elsewhere show that there is a need for the fossil fuel that EQT has been extracting from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, according to Toby Rice, president and CEO of the company.

We really are looking forward to getting that pipeline project completed, Rice told financial analysts during the call.

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Spain's National Police Agency, the Policia Nacional, said last week it dismantled an unnamed cybercriminal organization and arrested eight individuals in connection with a series of SIM swapping attacks that were carried out with the goal of financial fraud.

The suspects of the crime ring masqueraded as trustworthy representatives of banks and other organizations and used traditional phishing and smishing techniques to obtain personal information and bank data of victims before draining money from their accounts.

"They usurped the identity of their victims through the falsification of official documents and tricked employees of telephone stores into getting the duplicate of SIM cards, cards where they received security confirmation messages from banks that allowed them to empty their victims' accounts," the authorities said.

Seven of the arrests were made in Barcelona and one in Seville. As many as 12 bank accounts were frozen as part of the illicit operation. The first known instance of fraud attributed to the gang is said to have occurred in March 2021.

SIM swapping, also known as SIM hijacking, is a malicious technique wherein criminal actors target mobile carriers to gain access to victims' bank accounts, virtual currency accounts, and other sensitive information. The SIM swap is often facilitated through social engineering, insider threat, or phishing techniques.

The scheme involves an attacker impersonating a victim and tricking the mobile carrier into switching the victim's mobile number to a SIM card under their control. Alternatively, this can also be achieved by bribing an employee of the mobile carrier or tricking the employees into downloading malware used to break into systems and conduct the SIM swaps.

Once the phone numbers are ported, threat actors leverage the "identity" to perform account resets, bypass SMS-based two-factor authentication protections, and seize control of the target's online accounts.

A spike in SIM swapping fraud

Over the years, SIM swapping has evolved into an increasingly prevalent form of cybercrime, causing theft to the tune of millions of dollars from victims' cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts. In November 2021, U.S. prosecutors indicted a U.K. national for orchestrating a SIM-swapping attack to siphon $784,000 worth of cryptocurrency.

Then in December 2021, a sixth member associated with an international hacking group known as The Community was sentenced in connection with a multimillion-dollar SIM swapping conspiracy.

The arrests come as the U.S Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that from January to December 2021, it received 1,611 SIM-swapping complaints that resulted in adjusted losses of more than $68 million. In comparison, the agency received 320 complaints related to SIM-swapping incidents from 2018 to 2020, with adjusted losses of about $12 million.
Stuhr Museums Wings Over the Platte 2022 exhibition, which opened Friday evening with an artists reception, continues through April 3.

The 118 works using various media celebrate sandhill cranes and their yearly migration to central Nebraska.

The exhibitions featured artist, Jude Martindale of Lincoln, has 38 works on display, which she completed over a five-year period.

One work by Martindale shows a crane in life-size proportions, with a six-foot wing span on a six-foot-wide canvas.

Martindale said painting cranes is a source of joy.

The end result is to spread the joy and the love of these wonderful birds, to educate people so they can see how beautiful they are, she said. Nebraska is the only state that does not hunt cranes, and I think thats so amazing.

Some of Martindales works have reflective aluminum, and bronze and gold paints.

When you look at them out there and theyre flying high in the sky, you can see those colors, she said.

Another work depicts a crane in a technicolor collage with glitter and reflective elements that inspires a sense of their movement.

They dance. Thats one of the most important messages I wanted to get across, she said. Thats how they communicate and thats how they find their mates and form their bonds, and they teach their little ones to dance.

It is Martindales fifth year participating in the competitive exhibition.

Its a great place to show among other artists who are so talented and have so much to share, too, she said.

Museum Director Chris Hochstetler called the 2022 exhibition their strongest in years.

Its certainly the strongest since Ive been here, and this is my third, he said.

Hochstetler attributes this to the quality of the artistry on display this year.

Its the depth of it, the emotion. When you walk through, you really get a feeling that the pieces youre seeing are really good art, he said. I think its a show anybody would want to see.

The exhibition is a celebration of who we are, Hochstetler said.

The cranes have been flying through here on this same migratory path, give or take a few miles, for over 10,000 years. Thats pretty incredible, he said.

It inspires a sense of history, as well.

I wonder what the first settlers thought of the cranes when they encountered them, or way before that, the first people who lived here, what their relationship was to the cranes, he said. This show is just an extension of that history, as seen through artists eyes.

Hochstetler, an artist himself, has a work on display, as well, a watercolor titled, Crystal Blue Persuasion.

Jeremy Daniels, a Hastings-based artist, showed his bronze sculpture depicting a horned owl, titled On Full Alert.

If youve ever seen one, theyre kind of mystic, the way they turn their head and look at you. You wonder what theyre thinking, he said.

Daniels has been involved in the exhibition before, starting as a judge about 20 years ago.

As an artist, he enjoys depicting Nebraska landscapes with haystacks, which he calls a lost art.

For the 2022 show, he also has an acrylic on canvas, titled Settling In.

Grand Island artist Ken Bassett had two oil paintings on display: Evening Mood and Cosmic Reflection.

With Daniels, Bassett is one of the founders of Hastings Gallery on Lincoln Avenue.

Bassett has been participating in the annual Stuhr exhibition for nearly 25 years, he said.

Living in a town with a beautiful museum like this, I just hate to not participate, he said. And I enjoy doing what I do and having people see it.

Bassett enjoys depicting the cranes in his art as rural Nebraska has a special place in his heart.

I havent seen the cranes in the last few years, he said. I always think, I live right by them and I dont do that. But I like the cranes and the area were in. The cranes happen to be a bonus that a lot of places dont have.

For more information about Stuhr Museum events, visit stuhrmuseum.org.

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Rep. Don Bacon rebutted claims that the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot was legitimate political discourse, saying on Friday that violent protest is never legitimate.

His remarks, made during a legislative update with reporters, came a week after the Republican National Committee censured Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, the two Republicans serving on the Democratic-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot.

The RNC resolution accused the committee of leading a persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse  words that drew outrage from Democrats and firm pushback from several GOP senators. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized the resolution, saying the RNC should not single out members of the party who hold different views from the majority.

Bacon, a three-term Republican congressman whose House district includes Omaha, agreed.

I believe that the RNC comment was unwise, Bacon said. We should be a big-tent party. The statement surely suggested that what happened on Jan. 6 was legitimate discourse, and its not. Violence and violent protest is never legitimate.

Bacons sentiments echo those of some Republican senators who have said the RNC resolution creates further division within the party. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said the RNC has said that it wants the party to be unified, but that was not a unifying action. Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama said the GOP should be a big tent.

(The resolution) makes us look backwards, Bacon said. The merits are wrong, and its not sound politics, either.

Bacon, a retired brigadier general, also spoke on the rapidly evolving tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The Biden administration on Friday escalated its dire warnings about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying it could take place within days.

Our intelligence folks have briefed us, and they are pretty convinced Russia has made the decision to invade, Bacon said. We could see the largest ground war in Europe since World War II. As a person who studied war for most of my life, Im very concerned of what the future could be here.

The U.S. will not send troops to Ukraine for any purpose, including to evacuate Americans who remain in the country, President Joe Biden said. In a Thursday interview with NBC News, Biden urged U.S. citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately and said there is no scenario in which he would send troops to help Americans escape the country because of the potential for conflict.

Bacon agrees that troops should not be sent to fight the Russians if they invade, but he is not opposed to bringing in an airlift to evacuate U.S. citizens if the military decided that it was appropriate.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraines Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing Crimea, then backing a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed over 14,000 people.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.
Red-Handed is a book written by Peter Schweizer who discloses a number of cozy connections between very high government office-holders in Washington, D.C., and very high government officials and business leaders in China. Its a timely book in light of so many trouble spots around the world attracting a lot of attention from our leaders in Washington.

The book begins with this quote by President Xi Jinping in January 2021: The world is undergoing great changes unseen in a century, but time and momentum are on our side. This is where our force and vigor reside, and it is also where our determination and confidence reside.

This week a lot of the world has turned its attention to the International Olympic Games hosted by China. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already met with President Xi no doubt to discuss whats going on in the world and how their respective nations might respond. Each president has been flexing his own militarys muscles toward neighboring states.

Schweizer noted that well before the Soviet Union was formed, Russias leaders had plans for taking over the world. Vladimir Lenin said, They [capitalists] will furnish credits which will serve us for the support of the Communist Party in their countries and, by supplying us materials and technical equipment which we lack, will restore our military industry necessary for our future attacks against our suppliers. To put it in other words, they will work on the preparation of their own suicide.

Are Russia and China joining forces? More importantly, how many of our leaders in Washington are enjoying richly rewarding covert relationships with China, Russia, or Ukraine for that matter?

Remember when Americans suffered through more than four years of the Russian hoax? The political establishment and corporate media tried to prove President Donald Trump was a Russian spy or had other connections with President Putin. They were proven wrong! Why would they continually push that Russia hoax for more than four years?

What if Washingtons political establishment and corporate media along with Americas moneyed elite have been raking in riches from China for many years behind the curtains? Surely, if they knew of illicit connections between and among the ruling elite of China and America, they would not cover it up, would they?

Schweizer wrote, Throughout American history, there have been concerns about powerful American leaders aligning themselves with our foreign adversaries. Nothing comes close in magnitude to the problem of the buying off of these elites. It represents the most dire national security threat our country faces today.

Then he quotes what Professor Walter Russell Mead wrote in one of his regular op-eds in the Wall Street Journal: Americas greatest risk isnt the vulnerability of its voting machines to foreign hackers or the susceptibility of party apparatchiks to phishing scams. It is the erosion of ethical standards in the American political and business establishments that most exposes the U.S. to the kind of foreign interference against which [George] Washington warned.

Americans are beginning to see and react to the erosion of ethical standards in the American political and business establishments. Many have lost faith in media that regurgitate political narratives attacking Americans as well as America herself. Presidents Xi and Putin must be laughing out loud at those following their anti-American narrative.

Daniel L. Gardner is a syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville, Miss. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

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(TBTCO) - Thi truong chung khoan Viet Nam co ban van giu nhip on inh trong quy au nam nay, tuy nhien, thi truong chiu ap luc ieu chinh kha manh ke tu cuoi thang 3 en nay do tac ong tu cac yeu to ngoai bien va cac vu viec sai pham mang tinh on le cua mot so ca nhan, to chuc. Theo cac chuyen gia, nhung tac ong en tam ly ngan han cua nha au tu la kho tranh khoi, nhung ay la co hoi e huong dong tien i ung huong, giup thi truong gan uc, khoi trong e phat trien ben vung.
BEIRUT  Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who has withdrawn from politics and settled in the United Arab Emirates, went on Monday to Downtown Beirut where he commemorated, in silence, the 17th anniversary of the assassination of his father, former Premier Rafik Hariri, who was killed by a truck bomb in the capital on Feb. 14, 2005.

Heres what we know:

 The leader of the Future Movement did not deliver any speech Monday. He paid his respects at father's gravesite by reciting the Fatiha in the presence of his aunt, MP Bahia Hariri, and members of the family, amid a crowd of supporters. A tense atmosphere was palpable at times, with a large police presence at the site.

 Hariri had arrived in Beirut on Sunday morning for the commemoration. Following his arrival, he chaired a meeting of his parliamentary group, during which he once again confirmed his withdrawal from politics and his boycott of upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for May 15.

 Several officials and political figures also came to Downtown on Monday to pay tribute to the memory of Rafik Hariri. Among those who attended were Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, Druze leader Walid Joumblatt and his son, MP Taymour Joumblatt, and former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who laid wreaths on the graves of Rafik Hariri and his companions.

 A crowd of supporters of Saad Hariri was also present at Martyrs Square, opposite the esplanade of the Mohammad al-Amin mosque, where Rafik Hariri and his companions are buried. Many of those in attendance had arrived in convoys of supporters from outside the capital. According to our correspondent in North Lebanon, one such convoy came from Akkar and was led by MP Walid Baarini. The presence of these crowds today proves that the assassination of Rafik Hariri continues to have an impact, Baarini said.

 In Saida, in the south, five buses carried a crowd of pro-Hariri activists, our correspondent in the area reported.

 However, according to our correspondent in the Bekaa, there was little evidence of the commemoration of the assassination in the central Bekaa and Baalbeck. Only a few small gatherings were reported in some localities, including Taanayel and Marj.

 Rafik Hariri was killed alongside with 21 others in a massive truck bombing in Beirut on Feb. 14, 2005. His assassination sparked the Cedar Revolution, a popular movement that forced Syria to withdraw all its troops from Lebanon in April of that year. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon, set up by the United Nations to try those responsible for the attack, sentenced Salim Ayyasg, an alleged Hezbollah member, in absentia.
Wyomings economy took a $2 billion roller coaster ride in 2021. The $1 billion deficit the state expected at the start of the year became a $1.4 billion surplus as energy demand came roaring back and federal relief poured in.

As the states finances changed, so did voters preferences, according to a survey developed by University of Wyoming researchers and conducted online in January by SDR Consulting.

In 2021, a similar survey found that 42.4% of Wyoming residents age 18 and older supported leaving key budgetary determinants  like property and sales taxes and K-12 education funding  unchanged. This year, 53.9% said the same.

Economics professor Rob Godby and marketing professor Mark Peterson modeled the surveys after earlier research, which they analyzed in a peer-reviewed study published in 2020. They estimated voters relative policy preferences by simulating the give-and-take of the budgetary process.

We frame the basic issue that Wyoming faces in as neutral a way as we can, Godby said. And we try to provide enough detail without overwhelming people and making this an incredibly complex problem for them to figure out.

The 2022 survey told participants that the state currently has a budget surplus because of higher energy prices and the influx of federal funds, which can be used to cover expenses typically paid for with state revenues. The survey also told them that the state has a preexisting structural deficit, and that the deficit will most likely continue after stimulus has passed.

To evaluate residents priorities, the survey presented them with random combinations of changes to five policies  property and sales taxes, K-12 education funding, state agency budgets, Medicaid expansion and fuel tax  in sets of three, and asked them to pick the combination they most preferred. The survey then asked how much the respondent would support the policy theyd selected.

Sometimes citizens think that theyre shut out of the budget process, not only because theyre not involved or asked about it, but also because it seems really complicated, and that you need a lot of understanding to kind of make these choices, Godby said. But when budgetary debates are reduced to their core concepts, he said, people are very capable of making these decisions, and theyre very confident in their answers.

The survey found that respondents were most sensitive to changes in property and sales taxes and funding for K-12 education. They were least sensitive to changes to the states rainy day fund  essentially its savings account  which is estimated to be at about $970 million.

Participants were told that the rainy day fund would gain $70 million if property and sales taxes rose 5%, and would lose $70 million if taxes dropped 5%. But, it turned out, people didnt want their taxes to go up or down: Raising taxes reduced support by 10.3%, while lowering taxes reduced support by 7.1%.

Though the survey didnt ask for explanations, Godby thinks respondents opposition to lowering taxes might be due to the long-term trade-off of doing so.

Theyre not willing to tax themselves more yet to deal with the fact that we might have a structural deficit, he said. But they dont seem to be wanting to put the surplus in their own pocket right now, possibly because they recognize, in the future, that means therell be less funds to deal with the structural deficit when it reemerges.

Survey participants were told that a 5% decrease in K-12 funding would add $75 million to the rainy day fund, while a 5% increase would cause the money in the fund to drop by the same amount. People didnt want K-12 funding to change, either: Lowering its allocation reduced support by 9.1%, and raising it by reduced support by 2.4%.

Over the sample, which is demographically representative of the state, the message here is, leave K-12 funding alone, Godby said.

The survey found that decreasing state agencies budgets by 5% would raise support by 2.2%, but that support for a 5% increase dropped by 4.9%.

It also asked about two topical policy issues that lawmakers will discuss at the upcoming legislative session: fuel taxes and Medicaid expansion.

House Bill 14 would increase the fuel tax by 15 cents, boosting Department of Transportation funding by approximately $60 million. The survey found that a 15-cent increase would reduce support for the fuel tax by 3.7%, while a hypothetical 15-cent drop would increase support for the fuel tax by 1.1%.

Unlike the other policy issues, Medicaid didnt come with a trade-off. Respondents were told that expanding it fully would add an estimated $34 million to the rainy day fund. And 100% expansion, from zero, raised support by 4.4%.

Overall support grew to 60% when property and sales taxes and K-12 education funding stayed the same, agency budgets and the fuel tax went up and Medicaid was expanded. It shrank to 21.2% when taxes and agency budgets went up, K-12 education funding went down and Medicaid stayed the same.

The first scenario added an estimated $164 million to the general fund. The second added $15 million.

We dont know why theyre making these decisions, but these are the preferences indicated from the survey, Godby said.

He can only speculate about individual reasoning. The trend, however, is clear.

Early in 2021, last year, we were looking at big deficits, Godby said. People were not happy. The status quo only got 42% support last year. This year, being in a surplus, people would be okay with leaving things alone. That would get majority support.

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When an interim legislative committee set out this summer to understand why Wyoming locks up more kids per capita than other states, lawmakers quickly realized the data needed to answer that question was unavailable. As a result the Joint Judiciary Committee sponsored House Bill 37  juvenile justice data reporting for introduction in the upcoming budget session that begins today.

The proposed legislation charges the Department of Family Services with standardizing juvenile justice data collection. Throughout the interim session, it became clear that there were some disparate data systems, said Lindsey Schilling, senior administrator for social services, the DFS division responsible for juvenile justice. Several different entities had different parts of the information that would be needed to make good policy decisions. So this was a bill that the committee came up with to try and look at finding a solution to the disconnected and disparate data collection efforts.

The data is disparate because the system is disparate. Instead of sending all juvenile cases to juvenile court, county attorneys have discretion  a policy known as single point of entry  and each county takes a slightly different approach. Some funnel juvenile cases to municipal and circuit court, some rely on juvenile court and others routinely use all three. There are also counties with diversion programs designed to keep juvenile offenders out of court all together.

Without a means of tracking juvenile justice from county to county, its hard to gauge whether current practices yield positive outcomes for young people and public safety. Wyoming doesnt know recidivism rates or high school graduation rates for juvenile offenders, or how often they reoffend as adults.

The bill doesnt fill all the holes, advocates say, and theres concern about compliance. But stakeholders call it a good start.

Gotta start somewhere

Wyoming doesnt have mechanisms for tracking all the ways the justice system entangles children, but DFS has some data on juvenile court.

When a juvenile court judge decides a child has broken the law, the judge can sanction the child. DFS then oversees the judges orders, be it counseling, community service, incarceration or probation.

The juvenile court cases DFS tracks, however, are just a sliver of the overall children who come in contact with the justice system. DFS hasnt been required to collect data from municipal and circuit courts, or locally run diversion and probation programs. If passed into law, HB 37 will start to change that.

The desire is just to understand the system, whos coming into the system, how theyre getting there, Schilling said. How many are then moving on to correctional systems? How many are being diverted to local programs? There just generally wasnt a way to even kind of understand the system as it currently exists today.

Its a good place to start, Schilling said, but the draft still leaves out municipal courts. For some counties, that would omit a significant amount of juvenile justice data. In Sweetwater County, for example, nearly half the juvenile cases went to the municipal courts in Rock Springs and Green River between 2015 and 2019, according to documents provided by Damon DeBernardi, the former Sweetwater County deputy attorney and current chair of the governors State Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice.

The difficulty in collecting data from municipal courts is jurisdiction, Schilling said. District and circuit courts are funded and overseen by the state, whereas municipal courts are the purview of cities and towns.

I think conversations will have to continue on how to roll in all of the activity that happens in the municipal court, says Schilling. What I think this does is establish the foundation and kind of backbone and I dont have any doubt that the committee and advocacy groups will continue to build on what we can set up and start under this particular piece of legislation.

Theres also the issue of compliance. The draft bill saddles DFS with assuring participation by state agencies and governmental entities required to provide data, but its not clear what happens if they dont. What I didnt see in the draft was sort of the consequences or penalties for non-compliance, Schilling said.

Dropping the ball

History indicates theres good reason to be concerned about compliance. As the Joint Judiciary Committee discovered, 20 years ago Wyoming lawmakers passed similar legislation requiring the Division of Criminal Investigation to coordinate with the courts to gather juvenile justice data and to report to the legislature on an annual basis. But that never happened.

Everyone, on all three branches of government, are responsible for this failure, judiciary Co-chair Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, told the committee in September. For 20 years we were supposed to have been reported to about this data, and we never asked for the report, never received the report obviously and didnt review the report. So we dropped the ball as legislators. The judicial branch never turned over any of the data and the executive branch never asked for it to be collected. So an epic failure on all of our parts for which we all share responsibility.

Questions about whether Wyomings juvenile justice policies lead to positive outcomes for children also have implications for the state budget. The proposed 2023-24 budget allocates $26 million to operate the Boys and Girls schools. On top of that, DFS pays private entities who handle an array of programs for juvenile offenders, from residential treatment to transportation to counseling. In 2020, that cost DFS over $7 million.

Should we be spending our money differently, and more effectively and more efficiently? Nethercott asked the committee. I think its fair to say that none of us know the answer to that question, but we are committed to finding it, and so thats the goal of the data.

Advocates say Wyoming has a long history of dropping the ball on juvenile justice reform.

Juvenile justice is one of the things we talk about, but talk about and do nothing, or do a very piecemeal type of thing, Beth Evans said. She was the chair of the State Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice in 2011 when the Joint Judiciary Committee also took up juvenile justice as an interim topic.

Wyoming had one of the highest juvenile incarceration rates in the nation at that time too, and Evans went to the committee meeting in Worland to send a message to lawmakers.

When I went to that meeting, I pulled in an old red wagon, with every study I could find that had been done about Wyoming, and in Wyoming, and the red wagon was full, Evans said.

There were reports in that wagon dating back to 1969.

You want another study? Evans said she asked the committee. What are we going to do? Just put it on top of this pile?

Study after study pointed to how a lack of data allowed for ineffective practices to prevail in certain communities, Evans said. If youre picked up for a minor in possession in Lusk, youre treated differently than Casper, and youre treated differently than Rock Springs. A lot depends on the county attorney.

But several county attorneys told the committee they opposed changes to juvenile justice, according to minutes from the meeting.

Evans said prosecutors were resistant to the state telling them what to do.

Precursor to an overhaul

John Worrall remembers that red wagon. He had a private law practice in Worland at the time and recalled attending the 2011 Joint Judiciary Committee meeting just to listen. Fast forward to 2022, and Worrall is now the Washakie County Attorney and president of the Wyoming County & Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

My association supports this bill, Worrall said. Hes heard concern from some county attorneys about having to fill out more forms, but that doesnt worry Worrall. Im thinking that it isnt going to really hinder me in doing my job. Worrall said he hopes data collection is the precursor to a major overhaul.

To be totally frank, theres a lot of things that are wrong with our juvenile justice system in this state, and its partly a function of the fact that were quite a small state and mostly rural, Worrall said. With a small population spread across a large area, it can be hard for every community to provide programming for troubled youth, but Worrall says data could identify areas most in need.

Im talking about serious information collection, and efforts to devise plans for these kids to keep them away from the kind of things that get them in trouble, he said. On Worralls list is increased access to mental health care and substance use treatment for young people in rural communities.

How do you get people to understand that we need to spend some money to hopefully better treat the youth and get better outcomes from them? Worrall asked. So we dont have them all at the Boys School or the Girls School, or juvenile detention centers in Casper and Gillette.

Local oversight

Figuring out how to keep juveniles out of those facilities, and in their communities, is what advocates hope more data will enable Wyoming to do. Right now the only way to measure progress is to rely on data provided by the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. For nearly two decades, the results of the U.S. Census of Juveniles in Residential Placements indicated that Wyoming places juvenile offenders involuntarily in facilities at higher rates than the rest of the nation.

The federal data also shows that juvenile offenders are locked up for probation violations at a rate well above the national average, and higher than neighboring states and other states with small populations.

During the interim, state officials and stakeholders raised concern about accuracy of the federal figures. Last June, DFS Director Korin Schmidt told the committee federal data inflated Wyomings incarceration rate.

So when we talk about things like incarceration rates . . . those rates for us also include children who have been abused or neglected, that maybe need a higher level of care, they need to place it in a residential treatment center, Schmidt said. Judges can also place children in facilities for foster care or for psychiatric treatment, and Schmidt told the committee shes concerned those children are miscounted as juvenile offenders.

The rate of juvenile offenders in out-of-home placements is based on a voluntary one-day count administered by the U.S. Census Bureau usually on the third Wednesday in October every odd year. The form asks participating facilities for the total number of people under 21 assigned beds in the facility, and for the total number in the facility SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE they were CHARGED WITH OR COURT-ADJUDICATED FOR AN OFFENSE, (emphasis from the form).

The survey includes detailed instructions and defines the terms used in the survey questions. Given how specific the form is, its unclear how foster care or psychiatric admissions might be mistakenly included, but Chris Moll, president of the Wyoming Youth Services Association, said theres confusion about who to fill the form out for. WYSA, which represents private group homes and residential treatment centers across the state, supports the juvenile justice data reporting bill. We need some consistency, Moll said.

The federal data could be an overcount or an undercount, but its hard to say for certain because the list of participating facilities is not made public.

In addition to private and state-run facilities, there are also four county-run juvenile detention centers. When contacted directly, only two of the four told WyoFile they filled out the survey.

Moll is hopeful Wyomings juvenile justice data reporting bill will garner more participation than the federal survey. Theres a lot of counties that see anything with OJJDP on it and they want nothing to do with it, he said, adding that for some it feels like its government overreach.

The proposed legislation would take effect July 2024, giving DFS time to promulgate rules and get a new datasystem online. Schilling from DFS says shes optimistic about participation in part because new technologies make data entry easier.

The bill is an important step, Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, said, but shes unsure DFS is the right agency for the job.

Its not a perfect solution but we dont have any data right now, so some data is better than none, she said. Provenza is concerned that because DFS oversees juvenile probation and the Boys and Girls schools, theres a conflict of interest in asking the agency to police itself.

Who tattles on themselves? she asked. The bill as it stands doesnt guarantee oversight, she added.

Worrall, the county attorney, says one interim wasnt enough to fully address the challenge. Unless we get into this juvenile justice question with both feet, and commit not only the time to study it properly and to do what needs to be done, he said, it could result in one more study in the wagon but no change.

If we ever really want to accomplish some dramatic change in what goes on in our juvenile justice system, we just have to give over to the idea that were going to do it and were going to spend what it takes to get it right, because were talking about one of our most precious resources for everybody and thats our children, Worrall said.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.

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One bill would ban abortion pills in the state, one would ban "selective" abortions based on the fetus' disability or other characteristics and the other would enact a total ban in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned.
Rep. Dan Zwonitzer was served with a lawsuit Monday in the Capitol rotunda in connection to allegations that have been swirling since January that he does not live in the Cheyenne district he represents.

The suit came a day before the House of Representatives was set to consider the matter.

At a GOP State Central Committee meeting last month, Carbon County GOP chairman Joey Correnti raised concerns that Zwonitzer may no longer reside in the district he was elected to represent. If that is indeed the case, it creates a vacancy for Zwonitzers seat, per statute.

Zwonitzer, a Republican, represents House District 43, which encompasses the southeastern portion of Cheyenne and neighborhoods to the south of the city.

Three Republican precinct committee people that Zwonitzer represents are now suing him for his addresses. Zwonitzer told the Star-Tribune that they did not reach out to him for that information before filing the suit.

I have no doubt about my legitimacy serving as Representative for House District 43, he said in a later statement. This is an unfortunate distraction when the Wyoming Legislature has a lot of work ahead. I trust my colleagues to review the information and make an informed decision. I look forward to moving past this political spectacle.

Speaker of the House Eric Barlow asked lawmakers to let him know by 5 p.m. Monday whether they were planning to bring a motion concerning Zwonitzer. The motion could come in a few different forms. An existing committee could handle the matter, or a panel specifically tasked with the residency issue could be formed. The entire House could also vote on the matter.

Barlow is not recommending the House convene a committee, but that does have fairly recent precedent.

In 2011, a Republican challenger, Matt Greene, unseated a Democrat in Albany County, former Rep. Seth Carson, but Carson challenged the legitimacy of Greenes election because the challenger had been serving overseas in the months leading up to the election.

According to the Wyoming Constitution, a state legislator must have lived in their district for at least one year prior to serving. At the time, Greene owned a storage unit in the district, but was in the U.S. Military, which state statute says does not nullify someones residency. Ultimately, Greene was seated.

That decision was determined by convening a committee to investigate, which then made a recommendation to the entire House.

It adds so much work, said Tim Stubson, a former lawmaker and a member of the investigative committee tasked with handling the Greene residence matter. And that occurred during a general session, as opposed to the budget session that began Monday. Budget sessions are shorter and require lawmakers to pass a two-year budget for the state.

When addressing the Greene issue in 2011, the committee would work before the session convened for the day, during the lunch recess and after lawmakers left for the day.

Accusations from his own party

Zwontizers residency allegations and the eventual lawsuit took a circuitous path. After Correnti raised concerns that he said people had brought to him, GOP chairman Frank Eathorne sent a letter and some residency materials to Secretary of State Ed Buchanan. Buchanan then forwarded all the materials to the entire House of Representatives, as determining eligibility to hold office is under the Legislatures purview.

Our legal counsel through the attorney general and per the Constitution said that [the Legislature] was the proper place to send it, Buchanan said.

In Zwonitzers letter to the Speaker and in conversations with the Star-Tribune, he explained that he sold a longtime home in his district at the beginning of 2021 and moved his in-district residency to a rental apartment. He conceded that he spends significant time outside his district at a farm on the east side of town.

I am well within the law to maintain multiple properties and divide my time as I see fit in order to manage responsibilities and duties of my daily life, he wrote to the Speaker.

Zwontizer is not the only lawmaker who spends significant time outside his district. Other lawmakers are known to have properties outside of their district and even overseas. There is no statutory requirement on how much time a lawmaker must spend at their district property.

For example, Sen. Stephen Pappas, R-Cheyenne, has gone to Greece seven times in the past five months for periods of roughly 10 days, and he plans to go back in March. He is by no means alone in spending days at a time outside of his district.

Would that constitute being away from my district for too long? I certainly dont think so, Pappas said. Im very in touch with my community. I was born and raised here. If I choose to spend time outside of my district, I dont think anybody should question me. What are we living in? A totalitarian state? If thats the case, we better change statute on where you spend your time.

Some suspect politics are at play, and that the residency allegations from his own party stem from the fact that Zwonitzer is considered a moderate.

This probably came from somebody thats a little bit overzealous, who doesnt really like Zwonitzer, Pappas said. Zwonitzer tends to be a fairly moderate Republican, and the state party is going more and more to the right and they want to see more and more conservatives in the spots.

Correnti denies that the issue has to do with politics.

In this case, I saw enough legitimate documentation to give me legitimate concern, Correnti said. If they had brought me documentation on other legislators, you probably would have seen it, too.

Correnti and the state party are also concerned that as chairman of the redistricting committee, Zwontizer was drawing maps to include his farm in what would become the new House District 43, which Zwonitzer represents.

Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, another redistricting committee member, partially shut those allegations down at a recent meeting, pointing out that the drawing of Cheyennes districts are based on zip codes.

By Tuesday, there will be a clear path forward on this matter, Barlow said. The House would need a majority to convene a committee to investigate.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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CHEYENNE  A hearing panel convened by the Wyoming State Bar found Laramie County District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove in violation of multiple rules of professional conduct that govern attorneys in the state.

Thursday evening, the panel said that it found Manlove in violation of Rule 1.1, duty of competence; Rule 1.3, duty of diligence; Rule 3.3(a), duty of candor to the tribunal; Rule 3.4, duty to follow rules of the tribunal; Rule 8.1(a), material false statements in a disciplinary proceeding; and Rule 8.4(d), which says, It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.

The decision was read by hearing panel chair Christopher Hawks about four hours after he and the panel broke to deliberate. Hawks, an attorney based in Jackson, is one of three panel members chosen from the Bars full Board of Professional Responsibility, the hearing body for attorney discipline in Wyoming.

Formal charges filed by the Office of Bar Counsel last year with the Wyoming State Bar allege that Manlove mishandled the prosecution of cases in Laramie County and inappropriately dismissed certain cases, and that she created a hostile work environment for employees of the district attorneys office.

In his closing argument Thursday, Special Bar Counsel Weston W. Reeves called the evidence in the case overwhelming. He said it was so extensive that only a conspiracy  between all of Laramie Countys judges, the Office of Bar Counsel and several former employees  could answer it.

Reeves said Manlove believes the BPR process is corrupt because the board denied access to an extensive amount of communications related to the judges, and did not allow seven-hour depositions for each of the seven judges. The denial was reasonable, and discovery has limits, he said.

Reeves also questioned Manloves testimony related to Special Bar Counsels accusation that she had encouraged the unauthorized practice of law. When it came to the suggestion that law enforcement prosecute some of their misdemeanor cases, that practice had been stopped in previous years for good reason, he said: A law enforcement officer couldnt both prosecute a case and also testify in it.

The Special Bar Counsel commented on Manloves explanation about the limitations of the BEAST system, a database used to store the results of law enforcement investigations. Although she said she was wholly reliant on law enforcement to provide her evidence, she could have simply checked for the evidence in the BEAST database, or reached out to law enforcement for more information, Reeves said.

Everything is an attack, he said. Everything is somebody elses fault.

Reeves also referred to testimony from Laramie County District Judge Catherine Rogers and the deposition of District Judge Thomas Campbell, in which the judges said in various ways that work wasnt getting done by the district attorneys office.

Manloves attorney Stephen Melchior highlighted in his closing statement the unprecedented nature of the formal charges and hearing. He said he was confident that no one in the room, or across the state, had witnessed such an instance where the Wyoming State Bar and judges have been involved in a report that would have the effect of removing a public official from their elected office.

This whole ordeal was the result of destructive gossip, he said. The judges letter to Bar Counsel Mark Gifford, which expressed concern that Manlove could fulfill the duties of her office based on what they said were failures in personnel and caseload management, might look bad on its face.

But the allegations brought by the judges seem to lead back to just one employee, Melchior said: Caitlin Harper, Manloves former deputy district attorney.

After Harper went to the judges, attempts werent made to try and find out Manloves side of the story, he said. Instead, an intervention was held on Dec. 5, 2020, at Manloves home with a former governor and a family friend. When Harper later reported things hadnt improved in the office, the judges decided to file their letter on Dec. 21 of the same year.

This was followed by a fully developed petition on Dec. 22, in which Gifford asked the Wyoming Supreme Court to immediately suspend Manloves bar license, Melchior said.

After the court denied the petition, the Bar Counsel was on an absolute crusade to find anything it could on Manlove. It was an attempt to throw as much as it could at the wall and see what stuck, he said.

Melchior said it is clear Manlove intended to suggest in a letter explaining budget cut impacts that law enforcement agencies attorneys may have to prosecute cases  not individual officers.

He also objected to the word conspiracy used by Reeves, saying the word  along with the description of it as a coordinated effort  was an attempt by Reeves to neatly package the defenses arguments.

At its core, Melchior said, this case is a separation of powers issue: The judicial branch does not have the power to police the executive branch, which Manloves office belongs to, and voters have the right to choose their elected officials.

Its foundational to what we stand for as a nation, Melchior said.

There is no question Manlove didnt do everything perfectly as a manager, he said. But attorneys all over the state are watching for the outcome of these proceedings, wondering what happens if the Bar Counsel is able to tell them how to manage their offices.

The facts in this case may have warranted meetings with the states human resources department, and Manlove may have admitted back in 2019 to a discovery violation  but she doesnt need to be disbarred, and she doesnt need to be taken out of office with a suspension, Melchior said.

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NIDCO (the National Infrastructure Development Company) says it has not initiated any tender or award of contract process with regard to the Toco Port.

In a news release, the company said the issuance of any letters of award or contracts relating to the Toco Port project is fraudulent and not authorised by Nidco.
An increase in measles cases in January and February 2022 is a worrying sign of a heightened risk for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and could trigger larger outbreaks, particularly of measles affecting millions of children in 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF have warned.

Pandemic-related disruptions, increasing inequalities in access to vaccines, and the diversion of resources from routine immunisation are leaving too many children without protection against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
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ON THE SCENE: Police on the scene at bpTTs compound at Point Galeota, where a Venezuelan vessel was detained by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. A release from the Coast Guard stated there was an exchange of gunfire as officers attempted to intercept the vessel. An infant was killed in the shootout.
Many people are struggling during this Covid-19 pandemic as prices increase, while many are 
Defense contractor Raytheon Technologies Corp. has set aside $290 million to cover potential expenses of a federal criminal investigation into cost irregularities on past Pentagon contracts.

The Department of Justice investigation involves Raytheons former Integrated Defense Systems business, which, at the time, was based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. That business is now part of the Tucson-based Raytheon Missiles & Defense unit under the 2020 merger with United Technologies.

The probe involves multiyear contracts and includes potential civil defective pricing claims for three contracts entered into between 2011 and 2013, according to Raytheon filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Under federal law, defective pricing occurs when a contractor fails to disclose more current, complete or accurate cost and pricing data to the government, resulting in a significant increase to the contract price.

As part of the same investigation, the company disclosed that it had received a second criminal subpoena from the DOJ in March 2021, relating to a different contract entered into in 2017.

Raytheon is cooperating fully with the DOJ and believes it has defenses to potential claims, but it has reserved $290 million to cover the risk of liability for damages, interest and possible penalties, the company said in its 10-K annual report issued Friday.

Raytheon spokesman Chris Johnson said the company would not comment on the investigation.

The company also is facing several shareholder lawsuits, citing the pending federal investigation and alleging executives failed to disclose material information about its internal accounting controls.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg News reported last week that three unnamed senior executives had left Raytheon Missiles & Defense amid the federal probe, citing an internal Raytheon email.

Contact senior reporter David Wichner at dwichner@tucson.com or 520-573-4181. On Twitter: @dwichner. On Facebook: Facebook.com/DailyStarBiz

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*This story has been corrected to reflect that the total tax revenue collected by the City of Tucson reflects revenue generated from sales from the adult-use recreational program and medical program. The Daily Star regrets the error.

The city of Tucson brought in almost $2.4 million in tax revenue between both adult-use recreational and medical programs since July 2021 and is projected to take in nearly $4 million before the fiscal year is through, according to the city manager.

Its a little less than expected, said City Manager Michael Ortega. We had expected by the end of June to have about $8 million. So that should be closer to $4 million at this point.

That $8 million was a sort of a guess going into the first year of recreational marijuana sales, according to Ortega. The estimate was based on just running numbers as best we could, but having no previous revenue to compare it to, he said.

Still, Ortega noted the citys fiscal year ends June 30, so the city still has some time to make up the difference. Plus, the Arizona state treasurer, who is responsible for dispersing tax revenues, doesnt send them out in a linear manner.

In other words, additional allocations could be higher than previous ones. And now the city has a more accurate gauge on what it can project, revenue wise, from recreational pot in the future, Ortega said.

There is some data to suggest future allocations this fiscal year could be higher, too.

According to cannabis data tracking firm Headsets latest report on overall sales (both medical and recreational programs), Arizonans spent nearly 78% more on marijuana in December 2021 than in January 2021 when recreational sales began, $175 million up from $110 million.

One caveat is that some of the tax dollars tied to marijuana sales go directly to the state for reapportionment. Those are from the state excise tax, which sits at 16% and is exclusive to adult-use recreational purchases.

Other tax dollars, collected as part of state and local sales taxes, which in Tucson total 8.1%, come directly back to the community. Those taxes are levied on both recreational and medical marijuana purchases.

Tucson has a dozen active recreational and medical marijuana dispensaries. There are about 125 operating dispensaries throughout the state.

Dollars collected from the excise tax are required by statute, established when voters passed Prop. 207 making adult-use recreational marijuana legal in 2020, to go into the pension fund for public safety.

These arent dollars going toward gear or toward M-16s, said Samuel Richard, executive director of the Arizona Dispensary Association. Thats going to fund the local jurisdictions pension liabilities.

Those revenue dollars also keep money in the citys general fund.

If those dollars were not allocated from the Prop. 207 revenues, then they would have to come directly out of the general fund, Ortega confirmed.

Although the city finds itself behind on estimated tax revenues, the state overall is seeing a green rush in its first year of adult-use legalization.

The same Headset report estimates the state saw nearly $2 billion in sales between both medical and recreational marijuana programs last year.

Edward Celaya is a breaking news and marijuana reporter. He has been on both beats since May 2021.

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RNC 'discourse'

claim an insult

Re: the Feb. 6 article "Trump's 2020 election claims."

In this letter the writer wrote, "Saying 'pigs fly' doesn't make it so."

To which I'd like to add, that it is similarly a lie to say that the Jan. 6, 2021, violent insurrection and assault on the Capitol and on the U.S. Constitution as incited by the ex-president, was "Ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse," as the Republican National Committee tried to claim.

Furthermore, in the light of the widely broadcast photographic documentation, this absurd claim is an insult to the intelligence of every seeing American voter. It was made by a weak-kneed political party, which lacks the guts to tell the truth, as they surely would if they cared at all about the future of democracy in our country.

Jon Sebba

Northwest side

Race theory

a red herring

As Winston Churchill said, Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. To most of us, this is a frightening thought. But to the Arizona Republican legislators, it is just what they want  to repeat history. This is obvious from their legislative bills to prohibit critical race theory from being taught in the public schools. What better way to perpetuate racism and antisemitism than to keep young people ignorant of what bigotry can lead to in a society. I believe that for them, returning to the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, taking away voting rights from minorities, restricting admission to certain schools, country clubs and neighborhoods for certain racial or religious groups is favorable. White supremacy will reign; history will repeat itself. Republicans seem to want to make sure the next generation cannot learn from history, because it wont be taught. If Arizonans and Americans dont vote these people out, the state  and country  is in danger of regressing into the dark ages.

Sandy Katz

Foothills

Calif. investors

drive up prices

Re: the Feb. 8 article "State AG says AZ can 'engage in war' against cartels, smugglers."

Very interesting opinion  but the wrong border. The real threat to Arizona is at the western border, where rich California people and companies are buying up rental properties in Arizona and then raising rents outrageously.

Thad Appelman

Northwest side

Value of freedom

eludes leaders

When will our leaders get it? Liberty for this nation, ever since its founding, has always been interpreted as maximum freedom of the individual and limits upon imposed mandates.

Since the very start of this pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci, government and big business have failed to recognize the importance of that freedom. Blundering, they imposed mandates rather than relying upon persuasion.

At 88 I can look back at Dr. Jonas Salk and the polio vaccine. I don't recall any mandates for people to get the polio vaccine  and virtually everyone lined up voluntarily.

Stop all mandates and simply educate the public about the risks. We proud Americans will voluntarily do the right thing, as we always have!

Charles Josephson

Midtown

Tough subjects

require smarts

Re: the Feb. 10 letter "COVID exposed our weaknesses."

The responsibility of lawmakers to exercise excellent judgment in regard to avoiding politicizing issues of advanced subjects was wisely addressed by the letter writer. In regard to safely guiding the public as the evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic is receding. Responsible guidance must be applicable to the entire population. This includes protection of the most vulnerable.

Those of us who have served our nation in uniform are aware of the vulnerability to mass casualty events that can arise from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. In each of these areas, technology and our understanding of human biology has increased markedly in recent decades. Corresponding international agreements continue to require international updating.

Those in office need to respect the best guidance in science and technology. Meanwhile, as the pandemic recedes, we need to respect the health of one another.

John Hughes

Northeast side

Don't reelect

nutty legislators

Re: the Feb. 10 letter "Clowns occupy the AZ Capitol."

Yes, now I get it. The "Party of Lincoln," the "Party of Reagan" is dead and gone. RNC now stands for "Republican Nut Cases." And yes, if Arizona is to survive, we must vote them all out.

Thad Appelman

Northwest side

Voucher stance

racially charged

Re: the Feb. 10 article "School-voucher backers aim high."

The disingenuous and, I believe, racist remarks by pastor Drew Anderson advocating school vouchers have me seeing red. I think comparing public schools to slave owners "that don't want to let those Black bodies go because there's money attached to those Black bodies" is as racist as it comes. Also, regarding accountability in the use of public funding of vouchers, he proclaimed the only thing that counts is that students are graduating and getting to attend college. Any lawmaker putting credence in that statement should immediately vote to eliminate all public school requirements and state achievement testing.

John Wemlinger, Ed.D.

Nogales

Gowan provably

lacks scruples

Re: the Feb. 8 article "Bill would greatly limit early voting."

Dear Sen. Gowan:

Thank you for your concern regarding me possibly making a hasty voting decision without the benefit of new, last-minute information as we approach Nov. 8. Your concern, however, is misguided as I am more focused on the bills you've recently introduced and your past record. Particularly, the findings of the Attorney General's Office following its investigation of your 2016 ethical lapses involving use of a government car and expense reimbursement requests. In the AG's words, they found "a lot of questionable, even I would say unethical behavior" in your actions. Gaming and manipulating any system, especially vote by mail, is a bad idea.

Sheldon Clark

Vail

Press Sinema

on Build Back

Re: the Feb. 6 article "Affordable housing needs Sinema's vote."

Thanks so much for the editorial calling on Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to vote to pass Build Back Better (BBB). Not only will it help with affordable housing, it battles poverty by extending the child tax credit. Both of these initiatives along with other parts of BBB will increase equity in America at a time when the gap between the haves and the have-nots is widening. Sinemas support is more likely to happen when she hears from constituents. A call, email or letter can make a difference. Not sure what to say? Send her this article and say you agree. This moment in our history offers a rare opportunity to battle hunger and homelessness, and it needs your voice!

Willie Dickerson

Northwest side

Americans are

self-medicating

Re: the Feb. 9 article "Closing the border to killer drugs"

As a retired school administrator who has dealt with fallout from drug use and overdoses in my community, nothing would please me more than to completely stop the flow of fentanyl and methamphetamine into our country. Considering the complexity of our schizophrenic trade policies with China, the 1,954-mile-length U.S.-Mexico border and what it takes to police its incredibly rugged terrain, we must address more than the supply side of this equation. Until we have a comprehensive approach to poverty, health care, and prison reform, Americans will continue to self-medicate and feed their addictions with whatever is easily accessible. The demand will continue to exist, no matter what penalties are applied. And while we mourn those 100,000 lives lost to the illicit drugs cited by Mr. Ambrose, we should also bear in mind the 95,000 lost each year to alcohol; and another 480,000 to tobacco, both legal drugs leading to lifelong addictions.

Jennifer Prileson

Foothills

Sinema plays

a losing game

Consulting her crystal ball, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema sees a future where repealing the filibuster would have dire consequences for the Democratic Party. What she is failing to see is that her future as a senator is jeopardized by her position regarding the filibuster.

Republicans are in the process of reducing or removing the popular voting methods of Democrats. They are also gerrymandering districts to create lopsided opportunities for Republican candidates. Removing the filibuster so that a voting rights act could be passed would thwart those actions.

With fewer Democratic voters able to vote, coupled with Democratic voters who will no longer vote for her because of her recalcitrance regarding the filibuster, how will she be reelected? No matter how much Republicans praise her actions, they won't vote for a Democratic candidate. She had better polish her crystal ball because she obviously isn't seeing what it is clearly foretelling. Ignoring what is transpiring was Martha's strategy, too.

Rick Cohn

West side

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Valentines Day, which is traditionally one of the busiest days for restaurants, this year happens to fall on a Monday, traditionally a day when many fine dining establishments are closed.

But just as true love always triumphs in the end of romantic comedies, a number of area restaurants are determined to help the course of romance along, by offering special menus and promotions designed for two.

Most of the establishments listed below will be serving on Monday, Feb. 14  including those that are traditionally closed on the first day of the work week. Others have started early, with Valentines Day specials that can be enjoyed in advance of the holiday itself.

As is the case with dining out on any holiday, reservations are recommended to ensure scoring a table for you and your Valentine.

Prossimo Ristorante

1550 E. 15th St. 918-271-5096, prossimoristorante.com

Prossimo will serve a special Valentines Day dinner for two that will feature an Italian twist on shrimp cocktail, Tuscan kale soup, house-made pasta with white truffles, and a choice of pan-roasted duck breast, grilled rib-eye steak or seared Chilean sea bass for an entree. Dessert is a strawberry mascarpone and chocolate tart. Cost is $160 for two; suggested wine pairings for each dish is $120.

Polo Grill

2038 Utica Square

The Polo Grill is offering a special series of wine dinners each Sunday in February, in recognition of Black History Month, that feature products from Black-owned wineries, as well as recipes inspired by local African-American cooks. It also will be open regular hours on Valentines Day, serving its regular menu, which is more than worthy of special occasions.

Prospect Local Bar & Kitchen

121 S. Elgin Ave., in Hotel Indigo

Get an early start on Valentines Day with Prospect Local Bar & Kitchens Surf & Turf special, available 5 to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Feb. 11-12. The menu includes a charcuterie board for two; choice of Caesar salad or butternut squash soup; and a grilled beef tenderloin topped with garlic-herb butter with a shrimp-and-scallop Alfredo; potato gnocchi, baby broccoli and carrots. A strawberry honey custard with lemon curd and white chocolate mousse serves as dessert. Cost is $39 per person. The Hotel Indigo is also offering special Valentines Day room packages  for more information, call 918-779-4445.

Lowood Modern Woodfire

817 E. Third St.

Lowood will have its regular menu available for Valentines Day, as well as a special tasting menu featuring such items as Georges Bank diver scallops over parsnip puree, mushroom risotto, gnocchi, and woodfire plancha lamb chops. A vegetarian, gluten-free menu, which can be made vegan upon request, is also available.

Oren

3509 S. Peoria Ave.

Oren will serve a special four-course Valentines menu Feb. 12 and Feb. 14. Diners can select from a trio of starters, including Kumomoto oysters; second courses that range from a lamb tart to chantrelle mushroom risotto; a quartet of main dishes such as roasted duck breast and Snake River wagyu strip loin steak; and desserts. Each course has vegetarian options.

Margarets German Restaurant

5107 S. Sheridan Road

Margarets has a new owner, Angella Elwell, who has taken over this Tulsa landmark from Margaret Rzepczynski, and it will help mark the transition with a special Valentines Day meal, with service beginning at 6 p.m. The menu features a charcuterie board for starters, followed by tomato soup with sour cream and chives; a salad of romaine lettuce, English cucumber, grape tomatoes, goat cheese, rye croutons and a wild honey vinaigrette. Main course is a choice of balsamic-glazed chicken breast with green beans and toasted garlic jasmine rice, or a roasted pork tenderloin with a cherry and red wine reduction, fingerling potatoes and green beans. Dessert is bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Cost is $60 per person, and reservations will be accepted through Saturday, Feb. 12.

Roka Bar & Asian Flavors

1616 S. Utica Ave.

Roka will be starting its Valentines Day celebrations early, as it will begin serving a special Valentines Day dinner for two on Thursday, Feb. 10, through Monday, Feb. 14. A couple can select from a quartet of appetizers, including lettuce wraps and potstickers, then choose from 10 entrees ranging from Firecracker Tofu and Pad Thai to Mongolian Barbecue and Rice Paper Salmon. Banana cream pie and bread pudding are dessert options. Cost is $45.

In the Raw

Various locations

Tulsas three In the Raw locations will be offering several special dishes for Valentines Day, such as the beef tenderloin crostini, a maple miso salmon with blistered tomato linguini, dessert bao buns and a candy-floss topped cocktail called the Empress of Love. But each location will also have Asian fusion recipes and cocktail preparations that are uniquely their own, such as the XO Roll at the Brookside restaurant, the Tai Sashimi at On the Hill, and the Bleeding Heart Roll at Vu.

Boston Deli

6231 E. 61st St.

The Boston Deli will serve a Valentines Day a la carte menu featuring several dishes prepared on the restaurants signature Hasty Bake charcoal ovens, such as the grilled coffee-spiced beef medallions, the Hasty Bake half-chicken with fire-roasted zucchini and squash, or the grilled vegetable stack. Starters include baked stuffed mushroom what-nots, a Caesar salad with grilled Romaine lettuce and smoked tomato bisque.

Tuccis Italian Restaurant

1344 E. 15th St.

If a romantic trip to New Yorks Little Italy is out of the question, then consider sharing Valentines Day at Tulsas own Little Italy outpost, Tuccis. Tuccis is usually closed on Mondays but will be open regular hours, 5 to 9:30 p.m., serving up classic Italian-American pasta dishes, entree-sized salads, and pizzas made to be shared by two.

White Lion Pub

6927 S. Canton Ave.

918-491-6533

The White Lion Pub will get Valentines Day off to an early start with a suitably romantic dinner special on Saturday, Feb. 12. The menu is a Caesar salad; choice of beef Wellington, chicken en croute or crab cakes for the entree; roasted potatoes and vegetables; and strawberries and cream for dessert, with a complimentary glass of champagne. Cost is $34.99 per person.

Andolinis

Multiple locations

This year, give your Valentine a piece of your heart  heart-shaped pizza, that is. Andolinis is shaping its crusts into heart shapes that can be adorned with the toppings of ones choice, available for dining in or taking home. Heart-shaped pizzas are available through Feb. 14.

New York Bagel Cafe

3723 S. Peoria Ave.; 6805 S. Yale Ave.

The New York Bagel Cafes  which until recently were known

as the Old School Bagel Cafes  are working to make Valentines Day a bit sweeter, offering two special creations: Red, White & Pink bagels, and Red, White & Pink M&M cookies. Bagels are $1.79 individually, and $18.69 for a dozen, while the cookies are $14.50 for a half dozen. The Red, White & Pink creations are available now through Feb. 14.

Stutts House of Bar-B-Q

2021 E. Apache St.

918-428-2355

One of north Tulsas finest sources of barbecue will offer two special menus for what it bills as Valentines Dinner Under the Stars, available from 5 to 10 p.m. Choices include a rib-eye steak dinner with two side dishes for $25, or a barbecue plate with three meats and two sides, for $15.99. Those who order and pay in advance will be entered in a drawing for a Super Bowl Valentines basket.

I Dont Care Bar & Grill

11015 E. 590 Road, Catoosa

The I Dont Care Bar & Grill is showing it does care about romance by offering its Valentines Day specials Friday through Monday, Feb. 11-14. The ala carte menu includes a Mexican-style shrimp cocktail, an 8-oz. rib-eye steak for two, full and half slabs of barbecue ribs, chocolate cake or turtle cheesecake for dessert.

STG Gelateria

1601 E. 15th St.; 217 S. Main St., Broken Arrow

STG Gelateria has taken one of the iconic Valentines Day treats  chocolate-covered strawberries  and turned it into a frozen confection it has titled Loverboy, a strawberry gelato drizzled with chocolate and studded with pieces of real strawberry.

Sweet Tooth Candy and Gift Co.

3541 S. Harvard Ave.

This long-lived Tulsa shop is the perfect headquarters to find the perfect sweet for ones sweet. One of the popular treats from the Christmas season, cake pop truffles, has been revived for Valentines Day, available individually or in packs of four and 16. Also available are chocolate-covered

Tipsy Truck Delivery

For those wanting to celebrate Valentine's Day, Tulsa's Tipsy Truck Delivery is here to rescue one's romantic evening.

Tipsy Truck will deliver selections of wines, local beers, chocolates, pastries, as well as a selection of baskets of treats for all ages to one's home. Delivery areas include all of Tulsa, as well as Bixby, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Glenpool, Jenks, Owasso. Sand Springs and Sapulpa.

Because Tipsy Truck Delivery works with local small businesses, it is best to order early to insure the items you want will be in stock.

V-Day means 'vegan' for Cinnaholic

Cinnaholic, the plant-based bakery chain with a Tulsa location at 7380 S. Olympia Ave., is offering special Valentine's Day-themed treats, including chocolate-covered strawberries, the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Roll, and Sweet Heart Boxes which include two chocolate-covered strawberries, two brownies, two cookies, and two rolls.

Premium chocolate-covered strawberry options include topping such as nuts, coconut, chocolate chips. sprinkles, crumbled Oreo cookies and more.

All Cinnaholic products are 100 percent vegan, and are free of eggs, dairy and cholesterol.

The special Valentine's Day offerings will be available Monday, Feb. 14, during regular hours. cinnaholictulsa.com.

Gypsy Coffee House

109 S. Seventh St., Jenks

The Gypsy Coffee House in Jenks will be open regular hours on Valentines Day with a variety of food and drink specials, including a Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Latte (a mocha latte topped with strawberry-vanilla foam), available hot or cold.

Rose Rock Microcreamery

427 S. Boston Ave.; 115 N. Main St., Broken Arrow

Rose Rock will offer a special Brownie Sundae for two on Valentines Day, made with ones choice of the shops unique range of small-batch ice cream flavors for $7. A special flavor for Valentines Day is Raspberry Chocolate.

The Melting Pot

300 Riverwalk Terrace, Jenks

The Melting Pot has a special prix fixe couples menu for Valentines Day, featuring five courses that include shrimp cocktail, a bacon-and-brie cheese fondue, salad, choice of entree and chocolate fondue for dessert. A box of chocolates to take home completes the experience. Cost is $150, and the menu will be available Feb. 12-14.

Bonefish Grill

4651 W. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow.

Bonefish Grill is bringing together land and sea for Valentines Day with a surf-and-turf creation that tops a 7-oz. filet mignon with scallops and shrimp in a garlic sauce. Its $32.90, and available for dine-in, takeaway and delivery through Feb. 16.

Carrabbas Italian Grill

11021 E. 71st St.

Enjoy a four-course dinner for two, made up of items from the chain restaurants regular menu, including Chicken Bryan and Salmon Saporito, for $60. Offer available Feb. 10-14. Liven up the evening with a strawberry rose margarita.

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Tom Gilbert Chief Photographer I joined the Tulsa World in 1988 after graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma. I lived in Saudi Arabia before graduating from Broken Arrow High School. I'm married to Karen Gilbert and have three grown children. Phone: 918-581-8349 Follow Tom Gilbert 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

The Nook Brewing Co.'s Alex and Larry Foster have brewed a Doppelbock called Terminal Velocity and it is What the Ale's beer of the week.

The German-style beer comes in at 8% ABV. The doppelbock style is higher in alcohol than a bock, hence the name doppel or double.

"It's a lager so it's very clean and crisp, but it has a lot of really deep malt character to it. We've converted a lot of light beer-only drinkers with this beer because it doesn't have a lot of roastyness. It doesn't have some of that stuff that turns people off at dark beers," said Alex Foster, brewmaster of The Nook Brewing Co.

"When we brew this beer, we actually pull some of the mash out and simmer it in the boil kettle for 20 to 30 minutes to really caramelize some of those sugars, to get some really caramel and toffee flavors in there and then we bring it back over the grain and, and rinse it through. So we get some complex malt combinations there. So it comes out really nice."

"It's a high ABV lager so the fermentation time is between 30 and 45 days and we hold it in the tanks for at least a month and a half post-fermentation to make sure it's nice and clean. So it ties up a tank for at least three months," Alex said.

"The final product comes out really nice. We're proud of this beer. It's our favorite that we have on tap right now."

When Alex was a homebrewer, as almost all brewers are, he won gold medal for this recipe and felt it was good enough to produce on a larger scale. The beer is available at The Nook's taproom in Broken Arrow, 909 S 12th St. and Keo Broken Arrow, 845 E Kenosha St. and the Main Street Tavern, 200 S Main St.

The Nook also took home the tasters choice award for commercial breweries during the Tulsa Craft Beer Invitational last Sept.

The Nook Brewing Co. has been open a little over a year and dealt with the pandemic from the start. When opening a new brewery, typically, there are numerous beer festivals to attend and get the word out that you are open and get your beer out into the public.

"We opened just a little over a year ago. We had a great anniversary celebration on December 11th. We've had a very successful first year, much better than what we had anticipated. I think due to the COVID thing, a lot of the festivals were canceled. Luckily over this last year, they started having a few festivals and we've been able to participate in quite a few to get the name of our company out there and get a little bit of recognition," said Larry Foster.

The Nook will be pouring their beer at SPASH! at the Oklahoma Aquarium on Feb. 26 and ShamRock the Rose in downtown Broken Arrow on March 12. They also offer bingo every Wednesday nights and trivia every Thursday nights and food trucks most Friday and Saturdays and have live music every Saturday.

Past Beers of the Week:

Tom Gilbert 918-581-8349 tom.gilbert@tulsaworld.com

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Roundabout rodeo: Initially delayed due to supply chain issues and weather, work is scheduled to begin Monday on an overhead transmission line at 36th Street and Hudson Avenue.

Slated to be completed by Friday, the project will close the intersections traffic circle, which is near Zarrow International School. The schools northern parking lot entrance will also be blocked.

The traffic circle will be closed a second time before the end of the month to finish out the project.

State title: With 191 eligible seniors in 2021, Union High School has been named a state champion by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the number of graduates qualifying for the Oklahomas Promise Scholarship.

To be eligible for Oklahomas Promise, students must apply during the eighth, ninth, 10th or 11th grade, and their familys annual income must not exceed $60,000 when they apply. A students family income also must not exceed $100,000 each year the student is enrolled in college. Oklahomas Promise pays the amount of regular tuition at public institutions and a portion of tuition at private institutions.

To receive the scholarship upon high school graduation, students must achieve a minimum 2.50 GPA in 17 core courses that prepare them for college and an overall GPA of 2.50 or better for all courses in grades nine through 12. Oklahomas Promise graduates also must attend class regularly and refrain from drug and alcohol abuse and delinquent acts.

Other state champions include Boise City, Carnegie, Frederick, Dove Science Academys Oklahoma City campus, Broken Bow and Santa Fe South.

Enrollment extension: Tulsa Public Schools has extended its enrollment window for the 2022-2023 school year through Wednesday.

Vaccine clinic: Central Middle and High School will host a vaccination clinic on Tuesday from 4-6 p.m.

Meal service: With Tulsa Public Schools not in session Feb. 21-25, the district will have one weeks worth of free snacks and suppers available for any child aged 18 and under on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the former Grimes Elementary School.

Grant money: Officials with the Public Service Company of Oklahoma announced Friday that the companys charitable arm, AEP Foundation, is awarding a $50,000 grant to Broken Arrow Public Schools Vanguard Academy.

The grant money will pay for equipment and tools to be used in the schools science, technology, engineering and mathematics classes.

COVID-19 by the numbers: Several local school districts released updated COVID-19 case counts on Friday.

Tulsa Public Schools reported one positive case among its employees and 18 among students. Booker T. Washington had the highest number of cases with six.

Bartlesville Public Schools reported one positive case among its employees and nine among its students. The district has an additional 40 students in quarantine due to close contact exposure.

Berryhill Public Schools reported three cases among its students and staff. The district does not differentiate between students and staff in its site-level reporting.

Bixby Public Schools reported 38 cases among its staff and students, including seven at North Elementary School.

Broken Arrow Public Schools reported 51 cases among its students and eight among its employees. The district does not differentiate among campuses in its public facing reporting.

Glenpool Public Schools reported zero cases among its staff and students.

Jenks Public Schools reported two cases among its employees and 18 among its students. Nine student cases and one staff case were at the districts Central Campus, which houses the Freshman Academy, Jenks High School and alternative education center.

Owasso Public Schools reported five cases among its students and three among its staff. OPS does not differentiate among sites in its public-facing reporting.

Collinsville, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Skiatook and Union did not publish updated case counts by the close of business Friday.

School board calendar: The boards of education for Berryhill, Catoosa, Collinsville, Glenpool, Jenks, Mounds, Owasso, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Sperry and Union are scheduled to meet on Monday.

A board of education meeting for Epic One-On-One and Epic Blended previously scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled.

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Truckers to Make a Stand on the Hill: What to Expect When You Step Foot Into Washington D.C. NEWS PROVIDED BY

Right Wire Report

Feb. 14, 2022



OPINION, Feb. 14, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Alexander Reyes, Right Wire Report, submits the following and is available for comment: As the battle for freedom between Truckers and officials marches on for our neighbors in Canada, Truckers in the United States are creating their own convoy to head to our nation's capital to peacefully redress their government. This convoy will include many of who are also ready to stand against the mandates. What this means for corrupted politicians is an attempt to use their power to silence the majority by any means necessary, which we are already seeing done to our freedom-loving neighbors in the North. Therefore, it would be wise to have a look at the many scare tactics the swamp will try to use in an attempt to divide The Truckers in March.



Attempting an arrest will be the first tactic for anyone the authorities see as vulnerable, the reason why this scare tactic is successful is that no one expects to be arrested in a peaceful protest. With this upcoming convoy, it is guaranteed the police will betray the constitution despite the protestor's support for them. Thus, having a buddy system big enough for police officers to not prey upon individuals will be a smart move when entering the capital. Make certain to know all weapon laws for the jurisdiction as well.



The next tactic is the removal of resources, this means creating a shortage of fuel or food for anyone who will be in D.C. next month. This tactic is already being used in Canada, with reports of police officers confiscating gasoline from fellow truckers along with arresting anyone who helped fuel the trucks. In the case of food, Mayor Muriel Bowser may encourage nearby restaurants to close when the convoy arrives. Which will not only lead to a lack of food in the area but also a lack of bathrooms as well. For that reason, either plan to stash excess food and gas or find Trucker-friendly places that will allow you to hold out for the next couple of days or even weeks in advance.



Lastly, be aware of the tyrant's favorite tactic, the manipulation of media. Without a doubt, this convoy will be portrayed as another government takeover when in reality it is mothers, fathers, husbands, and wives unable to provide for their families due to the strict mandates causing irreparable economic damage. This won't matter for our nation's elite, who will continue to portray the convoy in a negative light to distract from their corruption. I strongly encourage that you either rehearse what you will want to say or don't engage at all. That way you don't give any form of ammunition for the mainstream media to continue their deception, or allow crazy left-wing agitators to recognize you. When, and it is not an if, a saboteur appears waving white supremacy symbols, immediately separate from that individual and publicly announce that the person is not part of the convoy and does not represent the movement.



Remember that this may be the last stand before the United States falls to an unrecognizable dystopic vision, and never forget that there are more of us than there are of them. Wage the battle with honor, civility, dignity, and remain lawful. Stepping into the swamp will alert these corrupted officials, who will make their greatest attempt yet to target, smear, and intimidate those who oppose them. As long as we are united and prepared, we will be on our way to writing history on how we regained our freedoms once again. SOURCE Right Wire Report



CONTACT: 571-375-9901



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The U.S. Constitution says that Congress is solely empowered to declare war. Though not perfect, Congress expresses the voice of the people. It is the branch of government entrusted to enact laws to be carried out by the president and those serving in the executive branch.

If the current administration believes events in the remote provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk threaten the security of the United States or that war with Russia in these distant Ukrainian lands is essential for our national interests, the president should ask Congress for a declaration of war and not let State Department and Pentagon bureaucrats manipulate the country into another winless war.

Let Congress openly consider the evidence and debate the value of military action. Rule out top secret intelligence because it is hearsay which by its own nature is inherently unreliable and subject to manipulation and corruption.

Before some crisis prompts the use of force, the people's representatives are the ones to decide whether the loss of life and treasure merits engagement.

Since World War II, Congress has been remiss in exercising this authority and instead has given presidents of both parties blank checks to wage war resulting in the rudderless disasters of Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria.

If U.S. Reps. Kevin Hern and Frank Lucas and Sen. James Lankford believe in the Constitution, they will demand evidence and debate on a declaration of war before authorizing any military action in the Ukraine.

Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to tulsaworld.com/opinion/submitletter.

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Over one million students, from preschoolers to sixth graders, in Ho Chi Minh City returned to school on Monday for in-person studies after attending virtual classes for around nine months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After a week of preparation, all schools concerned received students back on Monday morning based on their parents consent, the municipal Department of Education and Training said.

More than 80 percent of elementary students' parents and nearly 70 percent of preschoolers' parents have registered for their children to take in-person studies, the department said.

Students whose parents do not want their kids to return to school will continue attending online classes.

A preschooler is welcomed by her teacher at Kindergarten 10 in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: My Dung / Tuoi Tre

Students from grades seventh to 12th had returned to school a week before.

All students have been given specific instructions on all epidemic prevention measures, and have undergone necessary procedures, including mask wearing, body temperature checks, and hand sanitizing upon entering their schools.

Their return took place as the city has basically kept the pandemic at bay and reopened the economy in the strategy of living safely with the coronavirus since October 1 last year while further boosting vaccination.

My daughter is very excited about going to school," a woman told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Elementary School in Binh Thanh District.

"This morning, she got up early looking forward to meeting her teacher and classmates.

This image shows first graders being welcomed back to Bau Sen Elementary School in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhu Hung / Tuoi Tre

She said she had instructed her daughter, a first grader, in epidemic prevention measures and hoped the little girl would receive further instructions from her teachers.

Every time we go out, my mom asks me to wear a face mask so I will do the same when going to school, the girl told reporters.

Duong Anh Duc, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration, came to the school to check its compliance with COVID-19 prevention and control requirements.

Teachers should closely coordinate with parents in ensuring safety for all students at school as well as at home, Duc said.

Parents should be advised to promptly report any abnormal health signs in their children to teachers for a timely response, he added.

A mother takes her child to Le Duc Tho Elementary School in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Thinh / Tuoi Tre

Some elementary schools began to open semi-boarding classes for students on Monday while others will do the same in a week, the department said.

Ho Chi Minh City, which houses about nine million people, recently launched its spring vaccination campaign, slated for January 29 to the end of February, aimed at giving a second shot to people from 12 to 17 years old and widening the third-jab coverage for people aged 18 and older.

The central government last year issued a resolution on the purchase of 21.9 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine intended for children from five to under 12 years old.

A student is seen having her hands disinfected before entering her classroom at Le Duc Tho Primary School in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Thinh / Tuoi Tre

The city has recently seen its daily COVID-19 cases and fatalities fall sharply, to 182 and three on Sunday, from 701 and 19 a month ago, according to data released by the Ministry of Health.

However, Vietnam's economic hub has taken the brunt of the pandemic since it first hit the Southeast Asian nation in early 2020, with 517,485 and 19,918 deaths.

This image shows a teacher guiding students on how to properly wear a face mask at Le Duc Tho Elementary School in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Thinh / Tuoi Tre

This photo shows Duong Anh Duc, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, examining a temporary COVID-19 quarantine room at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Elementary School in Binh Thanh District on February 14, 2022. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

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In Flying Solo this week on Foreign Correspondent Jake Sturmer looks at the rise of Japanese choosing to stay single, and the darker side of Japanese society.

Around the world more and more people are opting for the single life but in Japan, loneliness has become an epidemic.

Marriage and childbirth rates are falling, as more and more young Japanese choose to stay single and childless. Relationships are too difficult, they say.

In the countrys last Fertility Survey, figures showed that a quarter of women in their 30s were single, and half of those werent interested in having a relationship.

Many Japanese adults arent even having sex. Its estimated around 10% of people in their 30s are still virgins.

By 2040, its estimated nearly half of Japans population will be single.

Correspondent Jake Sturmer has reported from the ABCs Tokyo bureau for 4 years and nothing has confounded him more than this social crisis.

As he prepares to return to Australia, Jake sets out on a final journey to discover the forces driving this Solo Society.

He meets 29-year-old Sayaka, who works in the fashion industry. Sayaka is happily single, and not interested in getting married.

Im under a lot of (social) pressure but I dont mind, she says. Theres nothing I cant do without a man at the moment.

Instead, the objects of her affection are her dogs  Kogemaru, Unimaru, Rinmaru and Riko  whom she loves to spoil.

Naoya, a 32-year-old creative director for an advertising company, isnt in a rush to get married either. He often feels lonely but hanging out with friends cheers him up.

Its fun drinking with my friends like this and Im able to fill in the loneliness, Naoya tells Jake in a cosy bar in downtown Tokyo.

Jake also explores a darker side of Japanese society, meeting a man who has opted out in an extreme way, hiding in his bedroom and avoiding society altogether. Hes whats called a hikikomori, someone who withdrawn socially.

In Japan there are more than a million hikikomori. Jake meets the mother of one whos become an activist, campaigning for Japanese society to be more tolerant of those who dont fit the mould.

People believe they need to change the people whove withdrawn but I think its exactly the opposite. I think the society should change, she says.

Jake spends time with Masatomi, a cleaner whose job is to clear out the homes of those who die alone. Each year, tens of thousands of Japanese end their lives alone, their bodies often found after neighbours detect an odour. Masatomi is calling for Japanese people to sit up and take notice.

Its something that could happen to anybody including myself. I strongly feel that we need to have connections with other people. I feel outrage, why dont they see whats going on?

Reporter: Jake Sturmer

Producer: Deborah Richards

Japan Producer: Yumi Asada

8pm Thursday on ABC.
Tyler, TX (75702)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 79F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
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Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



ASMALLWORLD supports MAG of Life in creating the first The Ritz-Carlton Residences in the United Arab Emirates Zurich, 14.02.2022 - ASMALLWORLD AG client MAG of Life has signed a deal with Marriott International to bring the first The Ritz-Carlton Residences to the United Arab Emirates, as part of their KETURAH Resort. ASMALLWORLD has been advising MAG of Life on this project for over a year and has played a vital role in brokering this deal with Marriott. The initial sales period for mansions and residences will start on February 15th, 2022, and ASMALLWORLD will be overseeing the sale of all residential units with an estimated market value of over USD 500M for the initial sales period to generate commissions of several million USD over the coming years. ASMALLWORLD client MAG of Life, the Wellness Real Estate division of the Dubai-based MAG Group, one of the largest real estate developers in the Middle East, signed an agreement with Marriott International to bring the first The Ritz-Carlton Residences to the United Arab Emirates. The Residences will be located within MAG's KETURAH Resort, which will be built according to the highest wellness and luxury standards for its future residents. Next to The Residences, the resort will also feature a signature hotel, a private members club, an immersive wellness centre, Michelin-star chef restaurants and a retail promenade. In accordance with KETURAH's focus on holistic wellbeing, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside, will integrate Delos' world-leading, evidence-based wellness innovations, helping to provide a healthier environment to homeowners by creating an immersive wellness luxury lifestyle in Dubai. Located on the Dubai Creek and facing Dubai's wildlife sanctuary Ras Al Khor, all residences will have extensive views of the creek while offering easy access to the Dubai International Financial Centre, as well as Dubai's International Airport (DXB). "Through this partnership, we are confident that The Ritz-Carlton Residences Dubai Creekside will be a unique project, not witnessed in the region before. The new project will upscale luxury living, with a much more holistic view, and we want to integrate the idea of living luxuriously while maintaining our residents' wellbeing through this new project"," commented MAG of Life Owner, Talal AlGaddah. Significant revenue potential for ASMALLWORLD ASMALLWORLD has been advising MAG of Life for over a year and has played a pivotal role in identifying strategic collaborators for the KETURAH Resort, including The Residences. Going forward, ASMALLWORLD will assume the role of sales coordinator for the project and oversee the sale of all residential units with an estimated market value of over USD 500M for the initial sales period. The company expects to generate a sales commission of several million USD over the coming years. The initial sales period for The Ritz-Carlton Residences will start on February 15th, 2022, with the following units going on sale: - 8-bedroom mansions with direct views of Dubai's one-of-a-kind nature sanctuary and one of three architectural themes: Earth, Sky, Water. - 2-3 bedroom residences, integrating the latest quality standards of The Ritz-Carlton "We are extremely excited to start the sales process for this unique luxury resort. With The Ritz-Carlton Residences we have found the perfect collaboration for our clients and hope that we can bring many happy homeowners to the first Ritz-Carlton Residences in the U.A.E.," commented ASMALLWORLD CEO Jan Luescher. "We are delighted to work with MAG of Life to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to the historic and cultural Dubai Creek area," said Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. "There remains a strong demand for luxury living in the UAE and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside will be a great addition to this lifestyle development with its sophisticated style, luxurious finishes and the brand's legendary service." For more information about The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside and the KETURAH Resort, please visit the official sales centre in the DIFC or The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, Creekside website at www.theresidencesdubaicreek.com. This press release and further information can be found at www.asmallworldag.com.

About MAG of Life FZ-LLC MAG of Life is the Wellness Real Estate division of MAG Group and the driving force behind the KETURAH Resort. With current project estimates of over US$ 1 billion, the company focuses on developing and delivering high-quality projects that provide long-term benefits to both investors and customers. MAG of Life spearheads the MAG Group's drive to the forefront of the real estate industry, thanks to projects imbued with the company's philosophy of innovation and continuous improvement. About Delos WELL Living Delos is a wellness real estate and technology company with a mission to advance health and well-being through science-based solutions that improve where people live, work, learn and play. With nearly 10 years of research, Delos and its subsidiaries offer an array of evidence-based technologies and solutions for residential, commercial, educational and hospitality spaces. Delos is the founder of the WELL Building Standard(TM) (WELL), the world's largest certification platform for healthy buildings that support and advance human health and wellness. WELL is administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delos. In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, Delos founded the Well Living Lab, the first scientific laboratory exclusively dedicated to researching the real-world impact of the indoor environment on human health and well-being. Delos' advisory board is comprised of leading professionals across real estate, government policy, medicine and sustainability. Learn more at www.delos.com. Disclaimer The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside are not owned, developed, or sold by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. or its affiliates ("Ritz-Carlton"). MAG of Life FZ-LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton trademarks under a license from Ritz-Carlton, which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statements or representations made herein. The ASMALLWORLD Group ASMALLWORLD is the world's leading travel & lifestyle community, focusing on experiences: the modern-day definition of luxury. Centred around the ASMALLWORLD social network, the company operates a digital travel & lifestyle ecosystem which enables and inspires members to travel better, experience more and make new connections. Members of the ASMALLWORLD social network connect through its app and website, where they can meet other members, engage in online discussions, receive travel and lifestyle inspiration, and enjoy a wealth of travel privileges. Members also meet in person at over 1'000 global ASMALLWORLD events every year, ranging from casual get-togethers in major cities around the world, access to exclusive launches, shows, galas, soirees, exhibitions, major global sporting events, and larger flagship weekend experiences hosted in iconic destinations such as Saint-Tropez and Gstaad. Other businesses of the ASMALLWORLD travel & lifestyle ecosystem include: ASMALLWORLD Collection, a high-end online hotel booking engine focused on the world's most admired hotels, offering the unique "ASMALLWORLD Preferred Rate" which allows customer to enjoy exclusive travel benefits at no extra cost ASMALLWORLD Private, a high-end travel agency offering personalised travel curation service ASW Hospitality, a hotel management company that operates and manages the iconic North Island resort in the Seychelles First Class & More, a subscription-based smart luxury travel service that allows members to enjoy luxury travel at insider prices The World's Finest Clubs, the world's leading nightlife concierge offers its members VIP access to the most exclusive nightlife venues around the world For more information, please visit: www.asmallworldag.com www.asw.com www.asmallworldcollection.com www.asmallworldprivate.com www.first-class-and-more.de www.first-class-and-more.com www.finestclubs.com www.asmallworldhospitality.com www.north-island.com Contact: ASMALLWORLD AG

Jan V. Luescher, CEO

Seidengasse 20

8001 Zurich

Switzerland

info@asmallworldag.com

End of ad hoc announcement
The University of North Georgia (UNG) will host the premiere of "They Volunteered for This: Merrill's Marauders" at 7 p.m. March 3 at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Tim Gray, award-winning filmmaker and founder of the World War II Foundation, created the documentary, which traces the epic journey of a top-secret, commando unit of soldiers who fought in Burma under the legendary Gen. Frank D. Merrill in 1944. Retired longtime NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw, who wrote "The Greatest Generation," narrates the documentary.

"A special light infantry force designed for deep penetration raids in enemy territory, the Marauders reached the very limits of human endurance," retired Lt. Col. Keith Antonia, a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame, former commander at Camp Frank D. Merrill, and associate vice president for military programs at UNG, said. "The Marauders were the epitome of American soldiers in World War II."

UNG students, faculty and staff may make reservations through UNG Connect to watch the documentary in the Health and Natural Sciences building auditorium. Other community members may make reservations to see the documentary in UNG's Dining Hall Banquet Room or the Library Technology Centers Special Collections Room. Seating is limited in each venue and reservations are required through UNG Connect.

"As one of only six senior military colleges in the nation and the Military College of Georgia, and because of UNG's strong relationship with Camp Frank D. Merrill, we are honored to host the premiere of this important documentary at UNG," President Bonita Jacobs said.

Camp Frank D. Merrill, home of the Army's 5th Ranger Training Battalion, is located about 12 miles from UNG's Dahlonega Campus. UNG's Corps of Cadets sometimes uses the camp for its trainings.

"We are looking forward to holding the world premiere of this important film at UNG. We are also excited to have a few of the original Merrill's Marauders with us during the viewing," Gray said. "There are just a handful of the original 3,000 men still living. It will be an honor to host them."
CEDAR FALLS -- Nearly 2000 first-graders locally and regionally will connect Wednesday with the University of Northern Iowa College of Education. It is part of its 16th African American Read-In celebrating the literary works of African American authors and illustrators during Black History Month.

The National African American Read-In engages more than one million readers annually, is again being offered virtually. With the remote connection, students from a record 15 school districts will join in.

Classroom teachers will connect via Zoom links to a morning or afternoon program.

In the afternoon, Spivey Gilchrist will share a live reading of her book, Honey I Love  with first-graders watching and listening in Union, Jesup, Independence, Dike-New Hartford, Waverly-Shell Rock, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Oelwein (Sacred Heart), North Butler, Janesville, Denver and Dunkerton schools.

Students will receive a free copy of The Great Migration or Honey I Love, both illustrated by Gilchrist. Books were provided by Green State Credit Union and Veridian Credit Union.

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WATERLOO  In unprecedented times and with the added strain of COVID-19, The Courier this year is celebrating nurses who put others first and have made a significant impact in their community and on their patients.

Ten honorees will be featured in a special section and online in honor of National Nurses Week on Sunday, May 8. Honorees are selected by a local panel of judges. Nominations are open to the public beginning Tuesday through March 14.

Nominate an outstanding nurses by visiting this link on wcfcourier.com  go.wcfcourier.com/nurses2022.

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WATERLOO  A contract for the new Waterloo Community Schools superintendent will be approved Monday by the Board of Education.

The board meets at 5 p.m. in the Education Service Center. 1516 Washington St.

Officials announced Jan. 31 that Jared Smith had accepted the offer to become Waterloo Schools next superintendent. He was chosen four days earlier by the board following a closed session after a day of interviews with four finalist.

Smith, 39, grew up in Waterloo and was formerly an assistant principal at East High School. He has led the South Tama County Community Schools since 2018 and worked in school administrator roles for a decade before that.

Details of the contract were not included in board documents and are expected to be revealed at the meeting. Early in the process of looking for a new superintendent, search firm Grundmeyer Leader Services recommended the position should have an annual salary of $205,000-$225,000, depending on experience.

Smiths contract will be effective July 1, when Superintendent Jane Lindaman retires.

In other business, the board will consider approving:

Memorandums of understanding with SuccessLink for school-based mental health services and coordination of Success Street services during 2022-23. Waterloo Schools would pay a maximum cost of $420,000 for the mental health services and $68,000 for Success Street coordination.

A contract between East High School and SciPlay Games, a developer of digital games on mobile and web platforms, to promote the Trojans eSports team. In addition, the board will accept a $17,000 sponsorship grant for the team from the company.

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WATERLOO -- Black Hawk County Public Health is offering free well water testing in Black Hawk County through Grants to Counties funding. This funding, made possible by Iowa Department of Public Health, provides free water tests for residents who need to confirm the safety of their drinking water.

The free water test checks water for contamination from due to coliform bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, and manganese. Private wells are not included in the Safe Drinking Water Act, resulting in a lack of federal regulations for the quality and routine testing of private well water. Therefore, it is a homeowners responsibility ensure the safety of their water.

Homeowners should test their private wells every 1-2 years. Grant funding covers water testing, as well as reimbursement for well or cistern plugging and well reconstruction, while funds are available.

Homeowners with private wells are encouraged to contact Black Hawk County Public Health to schedule an appointment for your free water test. Call 319-291-2413 or email publichealth@blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov to schedule your test.

Grant funds are available through June 1, 2022.

For more information about the Grants to Counties funding go to the Health Department website at https://www.bhcpublichealth.org/services/grants-to-counties.

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WATERLOO  In response to seemingly hate-fueled vandalism at the Al-Noor Islamic Community Center of Waterloo-Cedar Falls in December, Ahmed Abouzid, the mosques imam, invited people Saturday evening to the center to unify and learn more about Islam.

A few dozen people of all ages  Muslims and non-Muslims  came out to Get to Know Your Neighbors, hear from Abouzid and enjoy food and fellowship with people they might not normally see in their day-to-day lives.

You have your religion, I have my religion. Guys, lets live in peace, he said in closing. Lets spread harmony together. Life is short, and lets end the fighting because of religion. Just respect their religion ... and respect each other and each others cultures.

This meeting is just the start, Abouzid emphasized afterwards. We should do more and more with people and their communities. Lets invite everybody to come see our place and to visit with us and learn more about us.

But its not a one-way street. He encourages Muslims to visit other religious institutions like churches and synagogues.

The next event may center around Ramadan, from April 2 to May 2, and invite people to fast to gain a new life experience.

While Abouzid did most of the talking Saturday, he said at a future event others would be encouraged to share their feelings.

His presentation came between two opportunities for prayer at the beginning and end of a relaxing evening. In addition, he offered people the chance to tour the mosque, which is more than just a religious sanctuary.

Imam of vandalized mosque a model of leadership On Dec. 28, the Al-Noor mosque in Waterloo was vandalized (Jan. 4 Courier article by Amie Ri

Abouzid talked for 45 minutes, basically presenting an entry-level course on Islam, discussing everything from the role of the mosque, imam, and praying to the religious garments they wear, even sharing verses of the Quran.

The room where Abouzid spoke was packed with people who came out for various reasons.

Im here to support the Muslims and show them that the community is behind them, said Ken Pfiffner of Waterloo. The promises of fellowship, new people and experiences were appealing to him as well.

Ruth Walker of Cedar Falls said shes met a number of Muslims over the years and is always looking to learn something new.

Were all human at the end of the day, and we need to know where were all coming from, she said.

Liz Collins, an eight-year member of the mosque, said the event is necessary for the people who may not understand the religion because of what they read in the news or social media.

It was a different crowd, and she noted work still needs to be done to reach people who may be part of the problem.

The people who usually come are the good ones, she said. The people that should be here are likely not here.

To reach those people will take more information and more neighborhood events, she said.

Were no different than you. We go about the same business, like raising our kids, she said.

Bryan Mueller of Waterloo was genuinely curious about what hed learn Saturday evening. One question he had going into the event was whether Islam has different denominations like the Christian faith with its Baptists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, etc.

I like to listen to other views, he said, and wanted to learn about why they think what they think.

The entire event can be viewed at: https://fb.watch/b8cW_8wIXW/

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CEDAR FALLS  The legacy of the Simcox family of barbers has not been fully written yet.

The name is associated with a barbershop full of good conversation, generations of talent, and expertise in the flattop haircut, but it closed its doors in the summer of 2011.

A decade later, on Dec. 17, the business made its illustrious return to the Cedar Valley landscape.

Its about the heritage and tradition, said Deb Simcox, owner of Simcox & Co., and a third-generation Simcox barber. This business goes back all the way to the 40s. My family grew up in barbershops, and thats where home is for us.

Simcox had purchased a screen printing business, which she later sold. She found herself working at another barbershop up until the week before starting this new chapter at 1525 W. First St. in Cedar Falls.

Simcox said the print shop lacked the human interaction she enjoys while cutting hair. And she realized after 18 months the other barbershop wasnt the right fit.

Simcox & Co. took over the space once occupied by AMFstudio, next to Subway. The walk-in, family-friendly shop is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon.

Simcox has been cutting hair professionally for 31 years. Shes joined by her son, Tom Irvin, a fourth-generation barber who also co-owns the business.

A fifth generation soon will become part of the family legacy, which dates back to Deb Simcoxs great uncles, Albert, better known as Sim, and Clair, who opened their familys first barbershop in 1942 on South Street in Waterloo.

The shop offered the flattop, a cut where the hair is cropped short so that it bristles up into a flat surface. It was given to many military men before they headed off to World War II.

Where it all began

After Simcoxs great uncles opened up the South Street location, her father, Jack, and his brother, Terry, later joined them at the well-respected and well-run shop in the late 1950s. That first location, Simcox Barbershop, closed decades ago.

The family founded another barbershop at 6703 University Ave. in Cedar Falls in 1960, when nothing but cornfields and gravel roads surrounded it. Its location is where Burger King stands today.

Former downtown auto dealership receives historic designation, will be remodeled by JSA A former car dealership along Franklin Street will now be eligible for remodeling tax credits after notching a local historic designation.

After Terry left the family business and future business partner, Dean Fink, jumped aboard in 1972, it became Simcox and Fink. Deb Simcox started working there in 1990. It eventually moved to Main Street in 1996, where it stood behind a McDonalds until 2011.

At the time of its closing, Deb was a part-owner, and her father was long retired.

Mementos

Some semblance of that history is evident inside the new location on First Street.

Original chairs from the 1960s University Avenue location are there, as well as a Simcox and Fink neon sign. A wooden barber shop sign crafted by Simcoxs grandmother for the University Avenue spot is there. And a classic red, white and blue barber pole from the Main Street shop is another coveted memento mounted on the wall.

Jack and Deb tell stories of cutting hair and having a blast talking with the customers, many of whom they got to know young and later found themselves cutting the hair of their kids and grandkids.

Customers trusted not just how they handled their hair, but could confide secrets with them, almost like a therapist.

To me, you got to know how to cut hair, but you also got to know how to talk to people too, said Jack Simcox, 84, wholl poke his head inside the shop every once and a while.

Im proud of the new shop. The name is not mine or Debs. Its all of our names. And its good legacy to have, he added.

Simcox said at least 50 original customers came aboard when they got word her family was opening up the new shop.

I absolutely love our customers. You see a lot of the same faces because they recognize our name, Simcox said. You catch up with people and talk about the last 10 years of their lives.

She thanked some customers who played a role in bringing the plumbing, electric and flooring at the new shop up to code.

Tom Irvin found himself attracted to the family business after deciding a job dealing with concrete was not for him. The light-hearted atmosphere is something you dont get at a barbershop run by people who dont grow up knowing each.

One of his earliest attempts with clippers was giving his eighth-grade classmate, Drew, a mohawk.

His mom was very mad, and I dont think I touched someones hair for seven years until I went to barber school, he said.

Jack has another grandson, Ely Sohn, who is finishing up his education at the Salon Professional Academy and hopes to become part of the family legacy at the beginning of next year.

Its in my blood, Sohn, 21, said. He recalls having his hair cut at a young age by his grandpa and being impressed with how much he communicates with the client even if he doesnt know them.

While not related by blood, manager Michael Estrada also comes from a family of barbers. He arrived at Simcox & Co. from the San Francisco Bay area, following his wife, a Fairbank native, to Iowa.

He described the authenticity of the people who have a genuine love for being around each other, their customers and the craft.

You talk with clients and tend to know more about them than sometimes they know about themselves, he said.

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WATERLOO -- Getting maximum return for fertilizer dollars is the focus of a soil fertility meeting hosted by ISU Extension at the Black Hawk County Extension Office.

"Maximizing Return on Investment" will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 25. The meeting will address the profitable management of soil fertility in Iowa, as conditions continue to change with increased fertilizer input costs and a rising demand for nutrients from higher-yielding crops.

The workshop will be offered in person and there will be one virtual option offered as well.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration is $40, and includes publications, copies of presentations and any refreshments. CCA credits will be available (2.5 NM & 1 SW). To register contact the Black Hawk County Extension Office at 319-234-6811 or email sheilaw@iastate.edu. Fees for in-person workshops may be paid in advance or the day of the program.

A virtual statewide option will be offered in a four-part series from 8 to 9 a.m. Feb. 22-25. Registration is $40. To register, contact the Kossuth County Extension Office at 515-295-2469 or https://go.iastate.edu/DJLJVN to register online.

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State Farm is celebrating its 100th anniversary by building Neighborhood Assist bigger with more submissions, more grants and spreading good to more communities.

This year, the program will award 100 (previously 40) $25,000 grants to nonprofit organizations to help fund neighborhood improvement projects. Additionally, number of cause submissions have been doubled to 4,000.

Anyone 18 and older can submit projects starting at noon Wednesday, Feb. 16, at www.neighborhoodassist.com. A submission guide is already available on the website, for those who would like to prepare submissions now. Only the first 4,000 submissions will be accepted. The State Farm Review Committee will then select the Top 200 finalists.

The public will decide which 100 of the finalists will receive grants during a voting period from April 27 to May 6. Voters will be able to vote 10 times a day, every day at the Neighborhood Assist website.

The causes with the most votes will win. Ultimately, half of the 200 finalists will each receive a $25,000 grant. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 7.

Since Neighborhood Assist began in 2012, more than 380 causes have received a total of $10 million to enact change in their communities.

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Im sure young people today think of 2020-2021 as defining national chaos for the United States. For me, it was 1968.

1968 was an eventful year in my life, loaded with important events, dramatic life changes, and terrible national tragedies. I graduated from college that year, was married, bought a convertible, reported to my first professional job, and the Army drafted me.

There was violence at the 1968 Democrat National Convention in Chicago, the bloody Tet Offensive was launched by the North Vietnamese army and the Viet Cong. And almost 17,000 U.S. lives were lost in Vietnam that year. It was springtime of 1968 when both Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were murdered.

King would have been 93 on Jan. 15. Something was different this year as complex 2022-type emotions mixed with growing commentary surrounding Kings birthday commemoration.

It was King who made us see how Jim Crow voting restrictions, the KKK, segregated lunch counters and other racist practices were wrong. One thing thats different, however, is the mention of Kings name in the current discussion assigning Jim Crow status to the political election reform debate. To equate Jim Crow issues with voter ID requirements, reasonable limits on early voting, and safeguards on mail-in balloting seems foolish.

Its absurd to claim that the horrors King faced and fought against in 1963 are anything like the present situation. His dream was about people like me getting out of the way of personal achievement for all races. His dream was about minimizing differences, the opposite of todays identity politics.

Kings leadership success came from an ability to communicate his social justice goals with all races. He had enemies, and couldnt convince all white citizens to support him, but most respected his methods, and there was a measure of popular sympathy for his message.

I lived through the years of King. Yet, leftists have frequently, directly, and personally, scolded me for daring to claim appreciation for King. Contrary to what some radicals now claim, we white folk didnt consider his message modest or limited, thereby easy to support. Rather, Kings words were profound and transformational.

King was frustrated by things he hadnt accomplished, and he expressed those feelings repeatedly. But he understood he wouldnt soon vanquish his rabid, racist, segregationist foes. Anyone who read his last book, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? knows social justice was clearly his goal and vision for the future. He clearly repeated his dissatisfaction as well as his hopeful vision.

In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, he described the necessary tension for resolving the tough issues. He scolded us lukewarm white supporters, and told us how we disappointed him. His later writings and comments expressed an impatience and frustration with people like me, but he also bemoaned the more impatient radical elements of his time that seemed to be distancing themselves from him.

Right up until his death he intensely felt those disappointments, and people like me must take considerable blame for that. But the day before his death he reassured us by saying that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars, and he proclaimed that he had seen the promised land.

I remember King speaking eloquently in a way that could motivate his minority constituency as well as help white America understand his methods and goals. He had messages for black and white, but had the unique ability to send his message, in the right way, to whatever audience he was facing at that moment.

King pushed for big changes, but he never supported warfare between whites and blacks. Im confident he wouldnt support the lawlessness of 2020-2021. He proclaimed we should be dissatisfied until no one would shout white power or black power and people would shout out Gods power and human power.

To associate Kings name with identity politics of today is an affront to all he stood for. And to weaponize his legacy in support of irresponsibly rolling back election integrity is to denigrate that legacy. Identity politics wouldnt be his choice because it foments division. He chose de-emphasizing race, which defuses those same emotions.

Redefining Kings legacy will only diminish him.

Steve Bakke is a Courier subscriber living in Fort Myers, Fla. He is a retired CPA and commercial finance executive.

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Hello, (This article is an old article that will give you an idea about how things in Ukraine have changed. Things are much better in Ukraine Kyle)



While Svetlana and I checked out Kiev, Ukraine this last visa trip. Svet and I took a walk like we always do. We walk for about an hour and a half and always take the same route. That we we can see the changes that are happening.

About half way through the walk Svet turned to me and said the people are sad! They look like us Russians do, but they feel and act sad, unlike Russians.

What Svet means is: Ukraine people are a much more expressive people than Russians to strangers. They are more inclined to smile and to show facial expressions to strangers. This is something that Svet has noticed in our trips to Ukraine that the people act different than in Russia.

Ukraine until this trip, has always been happy even when they did not have any gas for heat this winter when I was there.

I saw it the first trip that we took. Ukrainians are what I call more of an extrovert society  Russia is more of an introvert society.

This time Svet and I both saw a huge change in the Ukrainians, They are sad and show it on their faces. Everywhere we went there was large crowds of men standing in groups. They seem to have nothing to do and act lost.

I use to be able to ride the metro in Kiev and not be the only person looking around to see what everyone is doing. Now this time the metro ride was very similar to Moscow Metro ride. Everyone was quiet.

We always eat at the greatest pizza place in the world near the hotel and you could see it on the people eating there. Sad faces that made me feel sad also. (I do not know the name of it just that it is the greatest pizza and cheapest that I ever had. Yummy!)

This was interesting to me because Kiev is or was the same as Moscow in levels of happiness. It was just that people in Kiev expressed it more readily than people in Moscow. Now that the smiles are gone in Kiev it seems and feels unhappy.

Moscow, Russia looks unhappy, but does not feel unhappy.

Kiev, Ukraine use to look and feel happy, but now it looks and feels sad

Make any sense? 

Windows to Russia!
I have become forever sent away from any desire to accept what my country is doing. If we open our eyes and even look around one time, seriously, one simple time, a moment, even a second of time will allow anyone with a hint of compassion left in their soul, to see how terrible our country (USA) has become, was, is and strives to be

Ukraine is nothing but simply a way for America to restart the cold war. You have to understand that it is all about money and your life, soul and feelings are nothing but ways for the rich to get richer. You are a tool in the box of death

I said years ago that the Cold War was not over and got called every name but a white boy!

http://windowstorussia.com/are-we-stirring-up-a-second-cold-war.html

I will not say much today about this, because the only thing that I can really say is, I told you so!, about twenty times on this website

My America and her lust for blood (I was in several of them personally,) is listed below and seriously people: Nothing on the list had to be the way we handled it, for most of the bombings are political games by the U.S. and we accept it all with no questions asked, or asked only by a very few

Date Country Details 2014 

present Iraq and Syria Said to be against ISIS with alleged be-headings as the primary casus belli 2011 

present Somalia Ongoing drone strikes 2011 Libya Early US attacks under UNSC 1973 were followed by NATO attacks leading to regime change and death of Ghadaffi. 2004 

present Yemen Ongoing drone strikes, allegedly targeting terror suspects 2004 

present Pakistan Ongoing drone strikes, allegedly targeting militants 2003 

2011 Iraq Regime change against Saddam Hussein, an ally who had gone rogue. By all accounts, US Ambassador in Baghdad, April Glaspie, gave Saddam the green light to invade Kuwait in August 1990. She was totally silent on everything until her retirement in 2002 and has not spoken since. 2001 

present Afghanistan Regime change under the guise of trying to catch Osama Bin Laden. 1999 Yugoslavia  Serbia Allegedly to stop an ethnic cleansing that had begun or might begin. Targeted television stations and bombed the Chinese Embassy. 1998 Afghanistan Cruise missiles on Osama Bin Ladens compounds. 1998 Sudan Cruise missile attack on an antibiotic factory wrongly alleged to be producing WMD. 1998 Iran The US wants regime change in Iran. 1995 Bosnia Serbian forces bombed. Depleted Uranium shells used. 1992-

1994 Somalia Known to the West chiefly for Black Hawk Down 1991 Kuwait See bombing of Iraq, below. Some of the attack took place within Kuwait, leaving quantities of Depleted Uranium, and causing much subsequent concern about cancers. 1991 Iraq Bombing for 40 days and nights devastated the ancient and modern capital city of one of the most advanced nations in the Middle East. 177 million pounds of bombs fell in the most concentrated aerial onslaught in the history of the world. Genuine multi-national effort and seen by most as a good war. 1989 

1990 Panama December 1989, a large tenement barrio in Panama City wiped out, 15,000 people left homeless. Casualties disputed. 1989 Libya Attempt to kill Ghaddafi, Tripoli bombed. 1987 

1988 Iran The US wants regime change in Iran. 1979 

1990 Nicaragua Ronald Reagans freedom fighters. Sandinistas overthrow Somoza dictatorship in 1978, CIA arms the Contras (ie Somozas vicious National Guard and other supporters of the dictator). US was condemned for terrorism by the World Court in 1986. All-out war, aimed at destroying all social and economic programs of the government, burning down schools and medical clinics, raping, torturing, mining harbors, bombing and strafing. 1981 

1992 El Salvador Officially, the U.S. military presence in El Salvador was limited to an advisory capacity. About 20 Americans were killed or wounded in helicopter and plane crashes while flying reconnaissance or other missions over combat areas, and considerable evidence surfaced of a U.S. role in the ground fighting as well. The war came to an official end in 1992; 75,000 civilian deaths at a cost of six billion dollars. Meaningful social change still largely thwarted by 1999. A handful of the wealthy still owned the country, the poor remained as ever, and dissidents still suffered from death squads. 1986 Libya One of more than 50 attempts to assassinate foreign leaders. 1983 

1984 Grenada Operation Urgent Fury, termed by the UN General Assembly termed it a flagrant violation of international law. 1982 

1984 Lebanon Shelled villages from warship. Brave we are! 1969 

1970 Cambodia More bombs than the whole of WW2. 1961 

1973 Vietnam South Vietnam devastated. 1964 

1973 Laos The bomb graveyard. More bombs than Cambodia. 1965 Peru Bombing of Peru and assistance to counter-insurgency operations 1965 

1966 Dominican Republic We like submission. 1964 Guatemala Not enough submission. 1964 Belgian Congo We learned to like killing little countries. 1961 Cuba Bay of Pigs, a failed invasion, US-sponsored. 1960 Guatemala Must have submission. 1959 

1960 Cuba 40 years of terrorist attacks, bombings, full-scale military invasion, sanctions, embargoes, isolation, assassinations. 1958 Indonesia Large scale killings 1954 Guatemala A CIA-organized coup (Operation PBSUCCESS) overthrows the democratically-elected and progressive government of Jacobo Arbenz, initiating 35 or 40 years of death-squads, torture, disappearances, mass executions, and unimaginable cruelty (peaking 1967-69) totaling well over 100,000 victims  one of the most inhuman chapters of the 20th century. Arbenz had nationalized the U.S. firm, United Fruit Company. The Russians had so little interest in the country that it didnt even maintain diplomatic relations. Bombers based in Nicaragua. 200,000 people are eventually dead in a 36 year long Guatemalan Civil War. 1950 

1953 China Mistake for future love and hugs. Payback is hell. 1950 

1953 Korea At least 20% and perhaps up to 1/3rd of the population killed in order to prevent re-unification. 1945 

1946 China Mistake for future love and hugs. Payback is hell.

Now we have started the Cold War all over again. I guess some of us missed those days so much, that we rekindled a terrible era of our lives and now we can all dance in the streets again, or better yet, hide under our school desks as we retrain our kids to deal with Nuclear attacks at home,school and while we play outside

Have a nice day

Post by Kyle Keeton

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If you're putting something into the world, make it something different, says fine jewelry designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey who, from her studio in Corte Madera, is crafting modern gems that tickle our fancy for decorative nostalgia in a way we haven't quite seen before.

Inspired by the symbolism of stonesforest-jade malachite is a guardian for travelers while apple-green chrysoprase encourages forgiveness, for exampleGodfrey's eponymous collection sparkles with pieces that feel powerful. It's no wonder then that so many modern power women are wearing them: Among Harwell Godfrey's client-fans are Kamala Harris, Cynthia Erivo, Thandie Newton, and Ayesha Curry.

One could think about donning Harwell Godfrey jewelry like putting on a little bit of armor. Made of precious metals and (often rare) gems sourced from around the world, her pieces are a refreshing departure from the dainty jewelry that's been popular in the last decade. The line is a bold mishmash of the designer's favorite inspirations: the colorful abstract works of Swedish artist and mystical medium Hilma af Klint; the Egyptian revival of the 1920s; the rock and roll decadence of the 1970s. Take for example her Stardust button star earrings, which at once resemble heirlooms of ancient history and glamorous diamond disco balls. This eclectic, femme-with-an-edge aesthetic is reflective of LHG's personal style: Although a lover of glitz, she is most at home in jeans and a T-shirt...with the jewelry piled on.

Lauren Harwell Godfrey's jewelry designs reflect her own personal style: a little bit of glitz, balanced by casual, California cool. (Christopher Stark)

The designer often wears her own rainbow bead necklacea playful piece that seems reminiscent of a happy childhood but made all grownup with a mix of agate, jasper, jade, mother of pearl, onyx, and moreor one of her bewitching Hexed pendants engraved with archetypes such as The Lover and The Visionary. I believe in not sticking things in the security box and never touching themit's all about wearing your things, she says.

Like her birthstone the garnet, which most people assume is always a deep red but actually comes in a variety of hues (like mandarin, which is said to bring success, enthusiasm, happiness, and power), Godfrey is multifaceted. A graduate of USF with a degree in advertising design and art direction, she spent the first 15 years of her career working in advertising in a straightforward but passionless progression to creative director. Not that she didn't learn a thing or two: "There's a little project manager that lives inside of me and gets all my work done, she says laughing, crediting her days in advertising for the foundational business skills that would later help her launch her brand.

But first there was a stint in the food world including enrollment in the San Francisco Cooking School and even a plant-based cooking blog. During that time, she became passionate about fighting food insecurity. This cause has found an important donor in Harwell Godfrey, which is perhaps best known for its Charity Hearts pendants dedicated to the causes LHG champions, including World Central Kitchen and the NAACP, which receive 100 percent of the profit on the pendants' sales, to date totaling donations over $200,000.



Harwell Godfrey's Charity Hearts pendents have raised over $200,000 for organizations including Every Mother Counts, Human Rights Campaign, and Futures Without Violence. (Courtesy of @harwellgodfrey)

One day I was like, I dont feel like making food today, I feel like making something else, remembers LHG who, following an instinct, got her start in jewelry by hand-crafting sculptural necklaces out of leather. Then people started buying them. Designing jewelry became her way of testing recipes of texture, playing with a mise en place of metals and stones to create something magical. But making everything by hand was incredibly time consuming, so when she launched Harwell Godfrey in February 2017, she decided to outsource production so she could focus solely on design.



In her new atelier in Corte Madera, where she does custom consults, creates bespoke pieces, and holds occasional trunk shows, her many global and local influences shine. SF's Noz Design helped style the space, filling it with the objects Godfrey loves, like Moroccan textiles and African masks, while local decorative painter Caroline Lizarraga painted the walls a celestial purple with gilded geometric accents. It is both otherworldly yet totally grounded (just like her jewelry) and decidedly West Coast in its casual confidence.

A California native, LHG is a former competitive equestrian and a lover of the outdoors. The natural beauty of her home state has always been a major inspiration for her designs, especially in her two most recent collections. Stardust, which evokes the constellations via diamonds, was designed during her time living in Sonoma: "Its just so beautiful and the skies are very starry there; I was very inspired by that. Her Valley of the Moon collection, meanwhile, is full of intricate crescent medallions and was inspired by the birth of her son following the supermoon of November 2016.

As her friend and collaborator April Gargiulo (founder of Vintner's Daughter) puts it, Harwell Godfrey pieces are beautiful talismans for the wearer, imbued with a kind of healing energy. And healing is important to Godfrey, who approaches her designs as a way of finding the answers to the universe.

I think there's something in being creative thats discovering my connection to the universe, she ponders, but then laughs. I dont want to take this so seriously, though! [Jewelry] is a way of elevating the self, you know, of getting to feel a bit extra.



No doubt LHG is feeling a bit extra these days. She was recently invited to become a member of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), a high honor in the fashion world. She was also highlighted in Sotheby's exhibition of Black jewelry designers, Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance.

Looking ahead, shes excited for whats to come in her industry. Despite being historically exclusionary, the world of jewelry is becoming much more diverse and sustainably minded.

// Find Harwell Godfrey jewels atlocal retailers including Hero Shop (Larkspur), Metier (Hayes Valley), and McMullen (Oakland), or schedule an appointment to visit the atelier by emailing hello@harwellgodfrey.com; harwellgodfrey.com.
Walmart drops mask mandate for vaccinated employees. A Walmart employee here wears a mask as he works in Burbank, California, July 15, 2020.
After the reopening of a crucial U.S.-Canadian bridge, Ontario plans to lift its vaccine passport requirements
Metals from coal ash could be used in components for renewable-energy batteries, cell phones and electric vehicles, among other technologies.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump face significant opposition within their parties to running again in 2024, according to a new CNN Poll.


Presentation for RIU Explorers Conference

Perth, Feb 14, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - OzAurum Resources Ltd ( ASX:OZM ) is pleased to advise that the Company is presenting at the RIU Explorers Conference being held in Fremantle, WA on 15 to 17 February 2022.OzAurum Managing Director and CEO, Andrew Pumphrey, will be delivering the presentation at the conference on Wednesday, 16 February 2022.To view the presentation, please visit:About OzAurum Resources Limited

OzAurum Resources Ltd (ASX:OZM) is a Western Australian gold explorer with two advanced gold projects located 130 km north east of Kalgoorlie. The Company's main objective is to make a significant gold discovery that can be brought to production.


First Shipment of Gold Concentrates and Logistics Confirmed

Perth, Feb 15, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Wiluna Mining Corporation Limited ( ASX:WMC ) ( FRA:NZ3 ) ( OTCMKTS:WMXCF ) is pleased to announce that the first shipment of gold concentrate has been confirmed and that logistics protocols with Qube Bulk have been established for the on-going shipment of gold in concentrate to both of WMC's off-take partners Polymetal International P.L.C and Trafigura Pte.Wiluna and PMLT Holdings of Limassol Cyprus (a subsidiary of Polymetal International P.L.C) have signed the Notification of Gold Concentrate Delivery Shipments Notice for the first 500 wet tonnes. 14 bags each weighing approximately 2 wet tonnes are being loaded into each of 20 containers and delivered by Qube Logistics to the Port of Fremantle to meet the ship departing on or about 23rd February. Shipping is on a FOB basis and payment for the first shipment occurs within a week of the ship sailing.The concentrate is bagged at Wiluna and stockpiled (Figure 1*) before being loaded into 20 shipping containers and transported by road train (Figures 2 and 3*) and then by rail to the Port of Fremantle where they are loaded on the ship.The initial containers will be shipped to Vladivostok in Russia. Currently, 12 of the 20 containers have been loaded with concentrate and are on route to Perth from Wiluna.The Concentrator has been performing well, operating at or above nameplate throughput capacity, and to date over 1,100 bags of concentrate, or approximately 2,150 wet tonnes have been produced and bagged.Now that this initial delivery and shipment has been confirmed the company plans to ship the concentrate out at a regular frequency, gradually increasing the size of each shipment.Milan Jerkovic, Wiluna Mining's Executive Chair commented:"The first shipment represents a significant milestone for the Company. The concentrator is performing extremely well and the ramp-up to commercial production is on plan to be at steady-state later this calendar year. We look forward to regular shipments which will greatly increase our revenue and assist in financing the expansion of Wiluna to becoming a top 10 ASX listed gold producer in the next few years".*To view photographs, please visit:About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd

Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMC) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential.
A man is in custody in connection with a stabbing spree Sunday that started in Downtown, stretched across the city, and left 11 people injured.

No one was killed but at least two people were in critical condition after the attacks, according to an Albuquerque police spokesman.

Gilbert Gallegos, a police spokesman, said that around 11 a.m. a person was stabbed outside of Sister Bar on Central in Downtown, which was apparently the first in the series of stabbings, most of which took place along Central. All told, police said they are investigating seven scenes where people were stabbed in what appear to be random attacks. One of the scenes was a homeless encampment.

There doesnt seem to be any rhyme or reason, Gallegos said during a press conference Sunday evening.

Police took the man into custody near Lomas and Wyoming after a stabbing. The man had a knife near him at the time he was arrested, Gallegos said. Authorities have not released his name or said what charges he may face.

Gallegos said the victims injuries ranged from superficial wounds to more serious injuries. Several people were taken to four different hospitals, he said.

Rob, who didnt want to give his last name, said he was held up by the suspect near Wyoming and Central, shortly before the man was taken into custody. Rob said the suspect was riding a bicycle.

He was talking crazy, he was angry about something, said Rob, who wasnt hurt. As soon as he dropped the bike he pulled his blade out.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

In the five years it took to process a rape kit, key evidence was lost that could have led to the conviction of an Albuquerque man on sex crime charges, a lawsuit alleges.

The Albuquerque Police Department lost a blood sample that could have shown that the 18-year-old victim was drugged before she was raped in 2015, the suit said.

The woman is suing the city of Albuquerque and an APD detective who investigated the case, alleging that APD treats violent rapes against women as lower-priority cases than other violent crimes, it said.

Theres a reason that most women dont report rape, and part of that reason is because of the lack of care we take in prosecuting these cases, said Laura Schauer Ives, an Albuquerque attorney who filed the suit on behalf of the unidentified victim.

When women come forward and disclose something like this, they do so on the hope that people will be held accountable and that it wont happen to anybody else in the future, Schauer Ives said.

Rape examinations are intrusive and traumatic, and to have all that treated like it doesnt matter much is cruel, she said.

The 2nd Judicial District Court lawsuit was filed Feb. 1 and alleges that the woman was raped by a former Sunday school teacher she had met years earlier and who reached out to her in February 2015.

Shortly before the rape, the attacker gave the high school senior vodka that contained a sedative so powerful that she could barely walk or speak and had to be hospitalized for vomiting and seizures, the suit said.

The woman underwent an extensive rape examination the following day and the evidence joined thousands of untested rape kits in New Mexico.

In 2016, New Mexico had the nations highest per capita backlog of untested rape kits, the suit said. APDs forensic lab accounted for 72% of the states 5,000 untested kits.

The woman also permitted a nurse to draw her blood to determine whether she had been drugged, the suit said.

Five years later, she learned that the state had finally tested her rape kit.

Jonathan Abrell, 37, was indicted in January 2020 on three counts of criminal sexual penetration and one count of giving alcohol to a minor, according to 2nd Judicial District Court records.

Abrells attorney, Todd Hotchkiss, said his client denied then and denies now the allegations in the complaint that he drugged and raped the woman.

At Abrells arraignment in February 2020, the woman learned that APD had lost her blood sample.

Without the sample, prosecutors determined that the rape would be too difficult to prove, because Abrell would likely claim that (the woman) consented to having sex with him, the suit said.

In April 2020, Abrell reached a plea agreement in which the sex crimes against him were dismissed, the agreement shows.

Abrell admitted to giving alcohol to a minor and was sentenced to 18 months of unsupervised probation. A judge ordered a dismissal of charges against him on Nov. 18.

The suit alleges that APD failed to require the testing of rape kits from December 2010 to November 2019. The delay led to the loss of the blood sample.

The loss or destruction of the sample was due in part to APDs policies regarding rape evidence kits that allowed for improper tracking of the evidence while the kits remained in storage for years, the suit alleges.

The woman was personally injured as a result, it said. The suit also alleges that APDs failure to properly investigate rapes amounts to sex discrimination in violation of her constitutional rights. It seeks unspecified damages.
MORE PLACES TO CHARGE COMING: Last week the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy announced nearly $5 billion to build out a national electric vehicle charging network.

And $38.4 million of that is headed to New Mexico over the next five years.

Clearly there are miles to go. While New Mexico is already in the Top 10 states in the country based on pending/ready EV corridor miles  seventh with 2,128.19  that doesnt get you far in the fifth-largest state in the nation. (The other states in order are California with 6,176.89 miles, then Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Montana, Nevada and after New Mexico, New York, Florida and Pennsylvania.)

The money can be used for projects directly related to the charging of an electric vehicle and support EV charging infrastructure, according to a USDOT news release.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news release of her own that electric vehicles are a key part of reducing emissions in the transportation sector  the funding allocated today will help ensure New Mexicans can charge up in convenient locations. Reliable infrastructure is important for expanding EV use, and we will ensure efficient and equitable deployment across New Mexico.

New Mexicos designated alternative fuel corridors are along Interstate 25, Interstate 10, U.S. 70 and U.S. 285. The states Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan is expected in April and must be submitted by Aug. 1; funds will be made available no later than Sept. 30.

BRINGING BACK THE SINGING ROADWAY? With just a few days left in the 2022 Legislature, times slipping away to pass Senate Memorial 11, introduced by Sen. Gregg Schmedes, R-Tijeras. The memorial asks the state Department of Transportation to consider restoration of the Route 66 Musical Highway.

Installed in 2014 by the National Geographic Channel in 1,300 feet of the eastbound lanes of what is now N.M. 333, part of the old U.S. 66 through Tijeras Canyon, the highway played America the Beautiful if your tires hit the rumble strips at 45 mph.

At least it did.

The proposed legislation points out the singing roadway, one of just six in the world, has fallen into great disrepair, with a section covered over with asphalt, leaving only a small section of the musical highway working properly. It says if restored, the musical highway would have the potential for being a great asset for New Mexico tourism and the enjoyment of residents alike.

It also gets folks to drive the speed limit to make the song play.

There is no appropriation in SM 11; cost of repairs is estimated in the fiscal impact report at $750,000, with annual maintenance around $25,000 a year.

HANDICAPPED PLACARDS DELAYED: JB says in a SpeakUp! lets hope that the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division hasnt been paying the vendor who was supposed to create the handicapped placards for the last five or six months but didnt. With our luck, theyre someones cousin, and they probably got a bonus.

Actually, no cousin or bonus. Blame the inability to get the heavy plastic the placards are made of.

Charlie Moore of the state Taxation and Revenue Department, which oversees MVD, says at the risk of perpetuating a cliche, its a supply-chain issue. Our supplier has had an issue obtaining the stock usually used for the placards, and were working with them on an alternative. So, for the time being, people should continue to use the paper temporary placards weve issued to them.

YELLOW LAW ANOTHER REASON FOR TRAFFIC OUTLAWS: John Kolessar, whos a retired traffic manager with experience in three cities and two states  including Albuquerque  explains New Mexico is one of very few states that allow anyone entering the intersection on yellow a pass even if the light turns red immediately after entering. Most states issue tickets if the driver is anywhere in the intersection when the light turns red.

And he says this has a serious impact on driver behavior. In all the other states, drivers seeing a yellow light get on the brake and come to a stop before the light turns red. In New Mexico because of the enforcement interpretation, drivers seeing a yellow light here get on the gas. This driver behavior is responsible for a huge number of accidents, millions in property damage, many serious personal injuries and fatalities.

Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109.
MEXICO CITY  Mexico has acknowledged that the U.S. government has suspended all imports of Mexican avocados after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threat.

The surprise suspension was confirmed late Saturday on the eve of the Super Bowl, the biggest sales opportunity of the year for Mexican avocado growers  though it would not affect game-day consumption since those avocados had already been shipped.

Avocado exports are the latest victim of the drug cartel turf battles and extortion of avocado growers in the western state of Michoacan, the only state in Mexico fully authorized to export to the U.S. market.

The U.S. government suspended all imports of Mexican avocados until further notice after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threatening message, Mexicos Agriculture Department said in a statement.

U.S. health authorities  made the decision after one of their officials, who was carrying out inspections in Uruapan, Michoacan, received a threatening message on his official cellphone, the department wrote.

The import ban came on the day that the Mexican avocado growers and packers association unveiled its Super Bowl ad for this year. Mexican exporters have taken out the pricey ads for almost a decade in a bid to associate guacamole as a Super Bowl tradition.

This years ad shows Julius Caesar and a rough bunch of gladiator fans outside what appears to be the Colosseum, soothing their apparently violent differences by enjoying guacamole and avocados.

The association did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ban, which hits an industry with almost $3 billion in annual exports. However, avocados for this years Super Bowl had already been exported in the weeks before the event.

Because the United States also grows avocados, U.S. inspectors work in Mexico to ensure exported avocados dont carry diseases that could hurt U.S. crops.

It was only in 1997 that the U.S. lifted a ban on Mexican avocados that had been in place since 1914 to prevent a range of weevils, scabs and pests from entering U.S. orchards.

The inspectors work for the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services.

It is not the first time that the violence in Michoacan  where the Jalisco cartel is fighting turf wars against a collection of local gangs known as the United Cartels  has threatened avocados, the states most lucrative crop.

After a previous incident in 2019, the USDA had warned about the possible consequences of attacking or threatening U.S. inspectors.

In August 2019, a U.S. Department of Agriculture team of inspectors was directly threatened in Ziracuaretiro, a town just west of Uruapan. While the agency didnt specify what happened, local authorities say a gang robbed the truck the inspectors were traveling in at gunpoint.

The USDA wrote in a letter at the time that, For future situations that result in a security breach, or demonstrate an imminent physical threat to the well-being of APHIS personnel, we will immediately suspend program activities.

Many avocado growers in Michoacan say drug gangs threaten them or their family members with kidnapping or death unless they pay protection money, sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars per acre.

On Sept. 30, 2020, a Mexican employee of APHIS was killed near the northern border city of Tijuana.

Mexican prosecutors said Edgar Flores Santos was killed by drug traffickers who may have mistaken him for a policeman and a suspect was arrested. The U.S. State Department said investigations concluded this unfortunate incident was a case of Mr. Flores being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The avocado ban was just the latest threat to Mexicos export trade stemming from the governments inability to rein in illegal activities.

On Thursday, the U.S. Trade Representatives Office filed an environmental complaint against Mexico for failing to stop illegal fishing to protect the critically endangered vaquita marina, the worlds smallest porpoise.

The office said it had asked for environment consultations with Mexico, the first such case it has filed under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade pact. Consultations are the first step in the dispute resolution process under the trade agreement, which entered into force in 2020.
Ivan Reitman, the influential filmmaker and producer behind beloved comedies from Animal House to Ghostbusters, has died. He was 75.

Reitman died peacefully in his sleep Saturday night at his home in Montecito, California, his family told The Associated Press.

Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life, children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement. We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.

Known for big, bawdy comedies that caught the spirit of their time, Reitmans big break came with the raucous, college fraternity sendup National Lampoons Animal House, which he produced. He directed Bill Murray in his first starring role in Meatballs and then again in Stripes, but his most significant success came with 1984s Ghostbusters.

Not only did the irreverent supernatural comedy starring Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis gross nearly $300 million worldwide, it earned two Oscar nominations, spawned a veritable franchise, including spinoffs, television shows and a new movie, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, that opened this last year, which his son filmmaker Jason Reitman directed.

Among other notable films he directed are Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Dave, Junior and Six Days, Seven Nights. He also produced Beethoven, Old School and EuroTrip, and many others, including several for his son, filmmaker Jason Reitman.

He was born in Komarno, Czechoslovakia, in 1946 where his father owned the countrys biggest vinegar factory. When the communists began imprisoning capitalists after the war, the Reitmans decided to escape, when Ivan Reitman was only 4. They traveled in the nailed-down hold of a barge headed for Vienna.

The Reitmans joined a relative in Toronto, where Ivan displayed his showbiz inclinations: starting a puppet theater, entertaining at summer camps, playing coffee houses with a folk music group. He studied music and drama at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
TUCSON, Ariz.  A Tucson man is facing up to 22 years in prison after being convicted of the 2019 killing of his wife.

A Pima County Superior Court jury on Friday found 45-year-old Kenneth Russell Nelson guilty of second-degree murder.

He was accused of first-degree murder, but jurors decided on a lesser charge.

Prosecutors said Nelson could get a prison term of between 10 and 22 years when hes sentenced on April 4.

Cyndie Nelson was found dead at the familys home in May 2019.

Prosecutors said the womans throat was slashed with a pocket knife and she was stabbed numerous times.

Tucson TV station KOLD reported that according to trial testimony, Cyndie Nelson had asked her husband for a divorce before her death and planned to take the couples baby and move into a hotel.
PHOENIX  SWAT officers used ballistic shields as they rescued a baby girl during a standoff with a gunman who earlier shot and wounded five patrol officers, including four while they moved to take the baby to safety, Phoenix police said.

Initial accounts of the incident Friday that left the gunman and a woman believed to be his ex-girlfriend dead and the baby unharmed hadnt explained how police rescued the baby after the first attempt was thwarted.

All of the five wounded officers were expected to survive, police said. Four additional officers had minor injuries after being struck by shrapnel or ricocheting bullets, police said.

In a statement released late Friday, police also said that after he shot one officer, the gunman tried unsuccessfully to drive out of the garage of the home where he later barricaded himself and was found dead inside hours later.

The getaway attempt was thwarted because a parked patrol car blocked his vehicle, the police statement said. When he was unsuccessful, he went back into the house.

Police on Friday identified the dead suspect as 36-year-old Morris Richard Jones III,

Federal court records showed Jones had a criminal history dating back to at least 2007, including convictions in Oklahoma for using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and possessing a firearm after a felony conviction and in Arizona for conspiring to transport, for profit, people who were in the country illegally.

The woman who died at a hospital after being found critically wounded in the home after the standoff ended has been identified as Shatifah Lobley, 29 of Phoenix, and family members told police that the baby was a 1-month-old child of Lobley and Jones, police spokesman Sgt. Andy Williams said Saturday.

Lobley was shot before police arrived at the scene, Williams said.

Still unknown was whether Jones killed himself or died from shots fired by police.

Police went to the home in response to a 911 call reporting the shooting of a woman.

The first officer was ambushed and shot as he approached the door but was able to back away and find cover, the statement said.

The second officer to arrive fired at Jones, who went back into the home, the statement said.

During the ensuing barricade situation, a man whose identity hasnt been released stepped out of the front door, put a baby down and then surrendered to police, police said.

Officers then approached the front door to rescue the baby but Jones shot at them, wounding four with bullets as four others were struck by ricochets or shrapnel, police said.

After members of the police departments Special Assignment Unit arrived at the scene, those officers used shields to reach the child, the statement said. Jones also fired shots at the SAU officers during the barricade.

A baby is safe today because of our Phoenix police officers, Mayor Kate Gallego said at a news conference near the scene.

The statement said police tried unsuccessfully to get Jones to leave the house. After using a camera to look inside and seeing that Jones wasnt moving, police entered and found him dead, the statement said.

The statement didnt describe the camera but a city councilwoman said a Glendale police drone assisted Phoenix police during the incident.

Detectives believe the man who carried the baby out of the home and Lobley were siblings, Williams said Saturday.

Williams said three of the wounded officers remained hospitalized Saturday.

During the incident, neighbors took shelter from the gunfire.

Austin Michael, who had been working on a car he recently bought, told the Arizona Republic he took shelter in his pickup camper after seeing a police vehicle go by and then hearing gunfire before seeing more police vehicles and news vehicles arrive.

Michael said he saw an officer being loaded into an ambulance and TV crews take cover as bullets went over their heads. That was so close, thats when everything got extremely serious and it was not a joke anymore, he said.

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Associated Press writers Jacques Billeaud, Jonathan J. Cooper and Terry Tang in Phoenix contributed to this report.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  A woman accused of killing her 11-year-old stepson has changed her plea to not guilty by reason of insanity and said through attorneys shes considering waiving her jury trial over fairness concerns.

In a status hearing Friday, District Judge Gregory Werner granted Letecia Stauchs request to change her not guilty plea in the death of Gannon Stauch to not guilty by reason of insanity, The Gazette reported.

Defense attorney Josh Tolini said the request was made because an expert who had reviewed some of the evidence in Stauchs case indicated a high likelihood of psychosis, which may qualify as an insanity defense.

He added the request wasnt made to delay the trial, but because it was the best possible defense for Stauch.

Prosecuting attorneys didnt object to the plea change.

Per Colorado law for insanity pleas, the judge ordered Stauch to undergo a sanity evaluation at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, where shell be held until it is completed.

Tolini said Stauch was also considering waiving the jury trial over concerns that due to her cases massive amount of pre-trial publicity, she will not be able to find a fair jury pool.

Werner left that ruling to a later date, with prosecutors and defense attorneys agreeing they could make a better determination as they received further information on Stauchs mental health.

Werner kept the late March trial date in place with a review hearing set for March 17.

Prosecutors in September presented alleged evidence linking Stauch to the January 2020 murder, including that investigators found Gannons blood on Stauchs shoe, found her DNA on a gun linked to his death and learned that she traveled to the Florida Panhandle shortly after he disappeared. The childs remains were found there in March 2020, authorities said.

Defense attorneys sought to create doubt that Stauch committed the murder by suggesting someone else could have entered the home around the time Gannon died, and sought to link home security data with the unknown DNA on the gun investigators found.

Besides first-degree murder, Stauch is charged with child abuse resulting in death, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence.
SAN ANTONIO  A federal judge on Friday night handed Texas elections overhaul a partial defeat days ahead of 2022s first primary over rules that criminalize encouraging voters to get a ballot by mail.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in San Antonio is limited but orders Texas not to enforce that narrow part of the law against Harris County, which in 2020 sought to send more than 2 million voters mail-in ballot applications during the pandemic in the states largest Democratic stronghold.

Texas was expected to appeal the decision, which comes just days before early voting begins for the the first-in-the-nation primary on March 1.

Texas has some of the nations most restrictive rules surrounding vote-by-mail, generally making it only available to voters who are at least 65 years old or have an illness or disability. Under the new law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in September, an elections official who solicits mail-in ballot applications from voters could face felony charges punishable by six months in jail.

The lawsuit was filed by officials in Harris County who have described feeling hamstrung to help Houston voters navigate the new law. The ruling also applies to the Austin area, where opponents joined the suit.

Public officials should be able to recommend that option for folks who are eligible to vote by mail, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said. He criticized the new Texas law as keeping these voters in the dark and discouraging them from voting by mail.

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new Texas law also bans 24-hour polling places, drive-thru voting and empowers partisan poll watchers.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.  An arrest warrant has been issued for a man suspected of shooting and injuring a police officer with the Yavapai-Apache Nation.

A criminal complaint made public Friday charges Valentin Rodriguez, 39, with assaulting two tribal officers and discharging a firearm in a violent crime. The FBI continued its search for Rodriguez who fled from the shooting Wednesday night on foot.

Sgt. Preston Brogdon, a five-year veteran of the tribal police force, was shot in the abdomen as he and another Yavapai-Apache officer responded to a call about shots fired in a housing area near the Verde River.

Brogdon was in critical but stable condition Friday when he underwent major surgery, tribal officials said.

Your prayers have been heard and were witnessed this afternoon, said Yavapai-Apache Nation police Chief Nathan Huibregtse. Todays surgery was a critical step towards recovery.

Brogdons wife, Bailey, said Friday that shes been overwhelmed by the support for her husband and family.

Preston is very strong, she said in a statement released by the sheriffs office. He is physically strong, and he has a sort of stubbornness I think he got from being a Marine. So, I know he will make it through this.

The FBI and the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office are overseeing the investigation.

A witness reported hearing gunshots Wednesday night and later told police she thought she heard officers telling a man to drop his gun, and he responded by saying something about being left alone, according to the criminal complaint. The witness said the man walked away from a vehicle then fired at Brogdon and another officer before running off, the complaint states.

Officers found a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition near the vehicle, according to court documents.

Rodriguezs daughter, who wasnt identified in the court documents, said she was talking to her father on the phone Wednesday night, and he told her he saw two officers with guns before she heard multiple gunshots.

A search of Rodriguezs home turned up other firearms and ammunition, despite his unsuccessful attempt to restore his right to possess firearms after a felony weapons conviction in 2005, FBI Special Agent John Garcia wrote in an affidavit.

Rodriguez is charged with two counts of assaulting a federal officer and two counts of discharging a firearm in a violent crime. The federal charges were possible because Brogdon and his fellow officer have what are called special law enforcement certifications with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs that allow them to investigate federal crimes on the tribes reservation.

Meanwhile, the sheriffs office was coordinating a campaign to raise money for Brogdons family to help cover medical expenses, child care and other bills, said sheriffs office spokeswoman Laura Bauer.

Brogdon is the father of four young children.

The Brogdons are dealing with enough right now, so if we as a community can take at least this one thing off their plate, we want to do that for them, Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes said in a statement.

Yavapai Apache Nation Chairman Jon Huey said Friday that the tribe is heartbroken about the shooting but grateful for the support and prayers from law enforcement agencies and others across Arizona.

Yavapai Silent Witness and the FBI are offering a combined reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to an arrest
FORT WORTH, Texas  An 18-year-old student was indicted Friday on attempted murder and aggravated assault charges for an Oct. 6 shooting at a Dallas-area high school that wounded two students and a teacher.

The Tarrant County grand jurys indictment also accuses Timothy George Simpkins of unlawfully carrying a weapon in a prohibited place at Timberview High School, which is in Arlington but belongs to the school district in neighboring Mansfield.

Police say Simpkins opened fire in a classroom after a fight with a 15-year-old student who was among those wounded.

Simpkins family said he had been bullied and robbed twice at school. Simpkins attorney, Lesa Pamplin, declined to comment on the indictment.
WASHINGTON  A federal judge on Friday blocked the Biden administrations attempt to put greater emphasis on potential damage from greenhouse gas emissions when creating rules for polluting industries.

U.S. District Judge James Cain of the Western District of Louisiana sided with Republican attorneys general from energy producing states who said the administrations action to raise the cost estimate of carbon emissions threatened to drive up energy costs while decreasing state revenues from energy production.

The judge issued an injunction that bars the Biden administration from using the higher cost estimate, which puts a dollar value on damages caused by every additional ton of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.

President Joe Biden on his first day in office restored the climate cost estimate to about $51 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions after the Trump administration had reduced the figure to about $7 or less per ton. Former President Donald Trumps estimate included only damages felt in the U.S. versus the global damages captured in higher estimates that were previously used under the Obama administration.

The estimate would be used to shape future rules for oil and gas drilling, automobiles, and other industries. Using a higher cost estimate would help justify reductions in planet-warming emissions, by making the benefits more likely to outweigh the expenses of complying with new rules.

Known as the social cost of carbon, the damage figure uses economic models to capture impacts from rising sea levels, recurring droughts and other consequences of climate change. The $51 estimate was first established in 2016 and used to justify major rules such as the Clean Power Plan  former President Barack Obamas signature effort to address climate change by tightening emissions standards from coal-fired power plants  and separate rules imposing tougher vehicle emission standards.

The Supreme Court blocked the Clean Power Plan before it ever took effect, and a more lenient rule imposed by the Trump administration was later thrown out by a federal appeals court.

The carbon cost estimate had not yet been used very much under Biden, but is being considered in a pending environmental review of oil and gas lease sales in western states.

In Fridays ruling, Cain wrote that using the climate damage figure in oil and gas lease reviews would artificially increase the cost estimates of lease sales and cause direct harm to energy producing states.

Economist Michael Greenstone, who helped establish the social cost of carbon while working in the Obama administration, said if the ruling stands, it would signal the U.S. is again unwilling to confront climate change.

The social cost of carbon guides the stringency of climate policy, said the University of Chicago professor. Setting it to near-zero Trump administration levels effectively removes all the teeth from climate regulations.

Republican attorneys general led by Louisianas Jeff Landry said the Biden administrations revival of the higher estimate was illegal and exceeded its authority by basing the figure on global considerations. The other states whose officials sued are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Landrys office issued a statement calling Cains ruling a major win for nearly every aspect of Louisianas economy and culture.

Bidens executive order was an attempt by the government to take over and tax the people based on winners and losers chosen by the government, the statement said.

The White House referred questions to the Justice Department, which declined to comment.

Federal officials began developing climate damage cost estimates more than a decade ago after environmentalists successfully sued the government for not taking greenhouse gas emissions into account when setting vehicle mileage standards, said Max Sarinsky, a professor at the New York University School of Law.

Not fully accounting for carbon damages would skew any cost-benefit analysis of a proposed rule in favor of industry, he said, adding that the social cost of carbon had been instrumental in allowing agencies to accurately judge how their rules affect the climate.

Without a proper valuation of climate impact, it would complicate agencies good faith efforts to make reasoned conclusions, Sarinsky said.

A federal judge in Missouri last year had sided with the administration in a similar challenge from another group of Republican states. In that case, the judge said the Republicans lacked standing to bring their lawsuit because they had yet to suffer any harm under Bidens order.

Fridays ruling by Cain, a Trump appointee, follows a ruling by another Louisiana judge last summer that struck down a separate Biden attempt to address greenhouse gas emissions by suspending new oil and gas leases on federal lands and water. The judge in that case, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, is also a Trump appointee.

In a sign of the shifting politics on the issue, a federal judge in Washington rejected a lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico conducted largely in response to Doughtys ruling.

U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras, an Obama appointee, threw out the lease sale, saying the administration did not adequately take into account its effect on greenhouse gas emissions.

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Brown reported from Billings, Montana, and McGill from New Orleans.
WASHINGTON  Some airlines canceled flights to the Ukrainian capital and troops there unloaded fresh shipments of weapons from NATO members Sunday, as its president sought to project confidence in the face of U.S. warnings of possible invasion within days by a growing number of Russian forces.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to President Joe Biden for about an hour, insisting that Ukrainians had the country under safe and reliable protection against feared attack by a far stronger Russian military, aides said afterward. The White House said both agreed to keep pushing both deterrence and diplomacy to try to stave off a feared Russian military offensive.

The Biden administration has become increasingly outspoken about its concerns that Russia will stage an incident in the coming days that would create a false pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. and European intelligence findings in recent days have sparked worries that Russia may try to target a scheduled Ukrainian military exercise slated for Tuesday in eastern Ukraine to launch such a false-flag operation, according to two people familiar with the matter. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about it.

American intelligence officials believe targeting the military exercise is just one of multiple options that Russia has weighed as a possibility for a false-flag operation. The White House has underscored that they do not know with certainty if President Vladimir Putin has made a final determination to launch an invasion.

Moscows forces are massing on Ukraines north, east and south in what the Kremlin insists are military exercises.

A U.S. official updated the Biden administrations estimate for how many Russian forces are now staged near Ukraines borders to more than 130,000, up from the more than 100,000 the U.S. has cited publicly in previous weeks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administrations conclusions.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly played down the U.S. warnings, questioning the increasingly strident statements from U.S. officials in recent days that Russia could be planning to invade as soon as midweek.

We understand all the risks, we understand that there are risks, he said in a broadcast Saturday. If you, or anyone else, has additional information regarding a 100% Russian invasion starting on the 16th, please forward that information to us.

But while Zelenskyy has urged against panic that he fears could undermine Ukraines economy, he and his civilian and military leaders also are preparing defenses, soliciting and receiving a flow of arms from the U.S. and other NATO members.

A military cargo aircraft carrying U.S.-made Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition from NATO member Lithuania landed Sunday, bolstering the countrys defenses against any attack by air.

Zelenskyy wore military olive drab at a drill with tanks and helicopters near Ukraines border with Russian-annexed Crimea this weekend. In the nearby city of Kalanchak, some expressed disbelief that Putin would really send his troops rolling into the country.

I dont believe Russia will attack us, said resident Boris Cherepenko. I have friends in Sakhalin, in Krasnodar, he said, naming Russian regions. I dont believe it.

In Kyiv, others expressed uncertainty whether any Russian move would be economic, military, or happen at all. One woman, Alona Buznitskaya, speaking on a central street of the capital bearing a few signs declaring, I love Ukraine, said she was calm.

You should always be ready for everything, and then you will have nothing to be afraid of, she said.

The U.S. largely has not made public the evidence it says is underlying its most specific warnings on possible Russian planning or timing.

Were not going to give Russia the opportunity to conduct a surprise here, to spring something on Ukraine or the world, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, told CNN on Sunday, about the U.S. warnings.

We are going to make sure that we are laying out for the world what we see as transparently and plainly as we possibly can, he said.

The Russians have deployed missile, air, naval and special operations forces, as well as supplies to sustain an invasion. This week, Russia moved six amphibious assault ships into the Black Sea, augmenting its capability to land on the coast.

Putin denies any intention of attacking Ukraine. Russia is demanding that the West keep former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons near its border and to roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe  demands flatly rejected by the West.

Biden and Putin spoke for more than an hour Saturday, but the White House offered no suggestion that the call diminished the threat of an imminent war in Europe.

Reflecting the Wests concerns, Dutch airline KLM has canceled flights to Ukraine until further notice, the company said. The Ukrainian charter airline SkyUp said Sunday its flight from Madeira, Portugal, to Kyiv was diverted to the Moldovan capital.

And Ukraines air traffic safety agency Ukraerorukh issued a statement declaring the airspace over the Black Sea to be a zone of potential danger and recommended that planes avoid flying over the sea Feb. 14-19.

The Putin-Biden conversation, following a call between Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the day, came at a critical moment for what has become the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. U.S. officials believe they have mere days to prevent an invasion and enormous bloodshed in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will fly to Kyiv on Monday to meet with Zelenskyy and Moscow on Tuesday to meet with Putin.

While the U.S. and NATO have made clear they do not intend to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia, any invasion and resulting punishing sanctions promised by the U.S. and other countries could reverberate far beyond the former Soviet republic, affecting energy supplies, global markets and the power balance in Europe.

The United States was pulling most of its staff from the embassy in Kyiv and urged all American citizens to leave Ukraine immediately. Britain joined other European nations in telling its citizens to leave.

Biden has bolstered the U.S. military presence in Europe as reassurance to allies on NATOs eastern flank. The 3,000 additional soldiers ordered to Poland come on top of 1,700 who are on their way there. The U.S. Army also is shifting 1,000 soldiers from Germany to Romania, which like Poland shares a border with Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraines Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula 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 halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.

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Heintz reported from Moscow. Nomaan Merchant in Washington, Yuras Karmanau and Nebi Qena in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Oleksandr Stashevsky in Kalanchak, Ukraine, contributed.
BOSTON  President Joe Biden couldnt have been more blunt about the risks of cyberattacks spinning out of control. If we end up in a war, a real shooting war with a major power, its going to be as a consequence of a cyber breach of great consequence, he told his intelligence brain trust in July.

Now tensions are soaring over Ukraine with Western officials warning about the danger of Russia launching damaging cyberattacks against Ukraines NATO allies. While no one is suggesting that could lead to a full-blown war between nuclear-armed rivals, the risk of escalation is serious.

The danger is in the uncertainty about what crosses a digital red line. Cyberattacks, including those that cripple critical infrastructure with ransomware, have been on the rise for years and often go unpunished. Its unclear how grave a malicious cyber operation by a state actor would have to be to cross the threshold to an act of war.

The rules are fuzzy, said Max Smeets, director of the European Cyber Conflict Research Initiative. Its not clear what is allowed, what isnt allowed.

The United States and other NATO members have threatened crippling sanctions against Russia if it sends troops into Ukraine. Less clear is whether such sanctions, whose secondary effects could also hurt Europe, would be imposed if Russia were to seriously damage Ukrainian critical infrastructure  power, telecommunications, finance, railways  with cyberattacks in lieu of invading.

And if the West were to respond harshly to Russian aggression, Moscow could retaliate against NATO nations in cyberspace with an intensity and on a scale previously unseen. A major cyberattack on U.S. targets would almost certainly unleash a muscular response. But what of lesser cyberattacks? Or if Russian President Vladimir Putin restricted them to a NATO member in Europe?

Under Article 5 of the organizations treaty, an attack on any of its 30 members is considered an attack on all. But unclear is what it would take to unleash full-scale cyber retaliation. Or how bad an attack would have to be to trigger retaliation from NATOs most potent cyber military forces, led by the U.S. and Britain.

Cyberspace is exceptionally unruly. No arms control treaties exist to put guard rails on state-backed hacking, which is often shielded by plausible deniability as its often difficult to quickly attribute cyberattacks and intelligence-gathering intrusions. The technology is cheap and criminals can act as proxies, further muddying attribution. Freelancers and hacktivists compound the problem.

In 2015, the major powers and others agreed on a set of 11 voluntary norms of international cyber behavior at the United Nations. But they are routinely ignored. Russia helped craft them only to knock Ukraines power grid offline that winter and set in motion its hack-and-leak operation to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Hacking is now a core component of great power conflict. In 2016, NATO formally designated cyberspace a domain of conflict, alongside land, sea and air.

Nowhere has the militarization of cyberspace been more clear than in Putins bid to return Ukraine to Moscows orbit.

To Serhii Demediuk, the No. 2 official on Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, a noisy cyberattack last month was part of a full-scale Russian operation directed at destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, aimed at exploding our Euro-Atlantic integration and seizing power.

The attack damaged servers at the State Emergency Service and at the Motor Transport Insurance Bureau with a malicious wiper cloaked as ransomware. The damage proved minimal, but a message posted simultaneously on dozens of defaced government websites said: Be afraid and expect the worst.

Such attacks are apt to continue as Putin tries to degrade and delegitimize trust in Ukrainian institutions, the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said in a blog on Russian military cyber wreckage in the former Soviet republic: Winter attacks on the power grid in 2015 and 2016 were followed by NotPetya, which exacted more than $10 billion in damage globally.

Michele Markoff, the U.S. State Departments deputy coordinator for cyber issues, thinks muscular diplomacy is the only way to end such immoral, unethical and destabilizing behavior.

But how? Unlike nuclear arms, cyberweapons cant easily be quantified, verified and limited in treaties. Nor are violators apt to be held accountable in the United Nations, not with Russia and China wielding veto power on its Security Council.

Weve wallowed kind of in a quagmire for years now on making transgressors accountable, said Duncan Hollis, a Temple Law professor and former State Department legal adviser.

Members endorsed in May an update to the 2015 U.N. norm s that further delineates what should be out of bounds: including hospitals, energy, water and sanitation, education and financial services. That has hardly deterred Russian-speaking ransomware crooks, who are at the very least tolerated by the Kremlin. Nor have U.S. indictments of Russian and Chinese state hackers and the blacklisting of tech companies accused of aiding them helped much.

Under a new policy NATO adopted last year after U.S lobbying, an accumulation of lower-level cyberattacks  far below, say, blacking out the U.S. East Coast  could be enough to trigger Article 5. But NATO is vague on what a tipping point might be.

NATOs doctrinal shift followed a pair of seismic cyberespionage shocks  the highly targeted 2020 SolarWinds supply chain hack by Russia that badly rattled Washington and the reckless March 2021 Microsoft Exchange hack attributed to Chinese state security that set off a criminal hacking free-for-all.

A cluster of wholesale data pilfering in the mid-2010s attributed to China  from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, United Airlines, Marriott hotels and the health insurer Anthem  inflicted a deep national security wound. And U.S. officials have worried for more than a decade about rivals  Russia especially  quietly pre-positioning enough malware in U.S. critical infrastructure including the energy sector to cause considerable chaos in an armed conflict.

In response, U.S. Cyber Command developed a strategy in 2018 it calls persistent engagement to counter rivals who operate continuously below the threshold of armed conflict to weaken institutions and gain strategic advantages.

The aim: deny foes the chance to breach U.S. systems by operating across the interconnected battlespace, globally, as close as possible to adversaries, Cybercom commander Gen. Paul Nakasone wrote.

That has sometimes meant penetrating not just adversaries networks but also those of allies  without asking permission, said Smeets, the European cyber conflict analyst.

Disinformation campaigns have also muddied the definition of a cyber threat. No longer do they merely encompass malware like NotPetya or the the Stuxnet virus that wrecked Iranian nuclear centrifuges, an operation widely attributed to the U.S. and Israel and discovered in 2010.

During the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, Cybercom temporarily knocked offline a key Russian disinformation mill.

Most major powers have the equivalent of a U.S. Cyber Command for both offense and defense.

Also active are terrorists, criminals working as state proxies, begrudged freelancers and hacktivists like the Cyber Partisans of Belarus.

Hollis compares the current messy cyber moment to the early 19th century when U.S. and European navies were so small they often relied on privateers  we know them now as pirates for high-seas dirty work.

The U.S. and other NATO partners are, meantime, helping Ukraine stand up a separate cyber military unit, said Demediuk, the Ukrainian security official. Since Russia seized Crimea in 2014, NATO has closely and systematically coordinating cyber actions with Ukraine, including joint missions, he said.

In November, Ukraine exposed an eight-year espionage operation by agents of Russias FSB in Crimea involving more than 5,000 attempted hacks. The main goal: to gain control over critical infrastructure, including power plants, heating and water supply systems, Ukraines state news agency said.

This month, Microsoft said the operation, dubbed Armageddon, persists with attempts to penetrate Ukraines military, judiciary and law enforcement. Microsoft detected no damage, but that doesnt mean Russian cyber operators havent gained undetected footholds.

Thats where hackers hide until they are ready to pounce.

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Associated Press writer Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.
BRUNSWICK, Ga.  The three white men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery had histories of making racist comments or using slurs in text messages that stunned their friends and colleagues, a federal prosecutor told jurors Monday as the trio stood trial on hate crime charges in the 25-year-old Black mans death.

During opening statements in the case, defense attorneys admitted their clients had each expressed offensive and indefensible opinions about Black people. But they insisted the trios pursuit of Arbery as he ran in their neighborhood was prompted by honest, though erroneous, suspicion that he had committed crimes  not by his race.

Im not going to ask you to like Travis McMichael, Amy Lee Copeland, the defense attorney for the man who fatally shot Arbery, told the jury. Im not going to ask you to decide that he had done nothing wrong. But Im going to ask you to return a verdict of not guilty to this indictment.

McMichael and his father, Greg McMichael, armed themselves and chased Arbery in a pickup truck after he ran past their coastal Georgia home on Feb. 23, 2020. A neighbor, William Roddie Bryan, joined the pursuit in his own truck and recorded cellphone video of Travis McMichael blasting Arbery with a shotgun. Arrests came only after the video leaked online two months later.

All three were convicted of murder and a judge sentenced them to life in prison last month.

Now the McMichaels and Bryan are on trial again, this time in U.S. District Court, where federal prosecutors have charged them with hate crimes that allege they violated Arberys civil rights and targeted him because he was Black.

Security cameras inside a nearby home under construction had recorded video of Arbery wandering inside, but never taking anything, several times in the months before his death. White people had also been seen entering the home, which had no doors or windows. Yet the McMichaels assumed Arbery must be a criminal and kept a lookout for him, prosecutor Bobbi Bernstein told the jury.

If Ahmaud Arbery had been white, hed have gone for a jog, checked out a cool house that was under construction and been home in time for Sunday dinner, Bernstein said. Instead, he ended up running for his life.

Bernstein said prosecutors will show evidence of comments by the McMichaels and Bryan that reveal a mindset that led them to suspect an innocent Black man of wrongdoing.

Travis McMichael, she said, once texted a friend saying he loved his job because zero n-rs work with me. Commenting on an online video of a Black man lighting a firecracker stuffed in his nose, he messaged a friend saying: Itd be cooler if it blew the fing n-rs head off, Bernstein said. The friend was taken aback by how angry McMichael sounded, she said.

One allegation never mentioned in the prosecutors opening statement was that Bryan told investigators he heard Travis McMichael utter a racial slur after shooting Arbery. The comment was widely reported after Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Richard Dial testified to it during a June 2020 pretrial hearing in the state murder case. Travis McMichaels attorneys denied he said it, and state prosecutors never brought up the comment during the murder trial.

As for Greg McMichael, Bernstein said a former colleague of his will testify that McMichael responded angrily in a conversation about the 2015 death of civil rights activist Julian Bond, saying: Those Blacks are all nothing but trouble.

And just days before Arbery was shot, Bernstein said, Bryan had become upset after learning that his daughter was dating a Black man. She said Bryan commented that his daughter has her nr now.

A jury of eight white people, three Black people and one Hispanic person was sworn in to hear the case Monday morning along with four alternate jurors. Judge Lisa Godbey Wood and the attorneys disclosed the panels racial makeup in court.

Attorneys for the McMichaels and Bryan acknowledged that their clients had made racially offensive remarks. But they urged jurors to decide the hate crimes case based on facts rather than the raw emotions such words may stir.

Ive heard the N-word more today than Ive heard it in the past three or four years, and we havent even heard any evidence yet, Bryans attorney, Pete Theodocion, told the jury.

Greg McMichaels attorney, A.J. Balbo, said his client initiated the pursuit of Arbery not because Arbery was Black, but because McMichael recognized him from security videos as the man who had kept entering a neighbors unfinished house.

Greg didnt know the name, but he recognized the face, Balbo said. There was no mistaking who has just run by him.

Theodocion said that Bryan joined the chase assuming Arbery had done something wrong because he saw Arbery run past his house with the McMichaels in pursuit, yelling for Arbery to stop.

Copeland, Travis McMichaels attorney, said evidence will show he was in shock after shooting Arbery at close range as Arbery threw punches and grabbed for the gun.

Youre not going to hear any evidence that he was pumping his fists, that he was gleeful, Copeland said.

The judge said she expects the hate crimes trial to last between seven and 12 days.

In contrast to the federal trial, the jury in the state murder trial of the three defendants last fall was disproportionately white, drawing objections from prosecutors and complaints from Arberys family. The state judge allowed the panel to be seated after defense lawyers stated nonracial reasons for striking most Black jurors from the pool.

Arberys father, Marcus Arbery, told reporters outside the courthouse in the port city of Brunswick that he was very pleased with the federal jury.
DENVER  A Colorado official who repeats former President Donald Trumps lies about the 2020 presidential contest and is under investigation for alleged election security breaches announced Monday she is running to be her states top elections officer.

Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, whom a judge suspended from overseeing last years election in her western Colorado county, announced her bid for Colorado Secretary of State on Trump adviser Steve Bannons podcast Monday morning.

Peters, a Republican, has echoed Trumps false theories about the 2020 election, and a grand jury and federal authorities are investigating how she allegedly allowed an unauthorized person to view her countys election software.

Colorado deserves a Secretary of State who will stand up to the Biden administration that wants to run our country in the ground with nationalized elections, Peters said in her announcement.

Peters was arrested last week for allegedly resisting arrest by local police who were investigating her for an alleged illegal recording of a subordinates court hearing on her iPad. She faces misdemeanor charges of obstructing justice.

Peters joins three other candidates who have declared their plans to run in the GOP primary. The winner is expected to face Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold, whose office helped spur the investigations of Peters.

In a statement after Peters announced her candidacy, Griswold said: Tina Peters is unfit to be Secretary of State and a danger to Colorado elections.

Peters is one of a wide number who question whether President Joe Bidens won the 2020 election and want to become top election officials in U.S. states.

Colorado is a Democratic-leaning state, with the party controlling all branches of state government, though Peters county stretching to the Utah border is reliably conservative.

Republican election deniers are also running to become Secretaries of State in the major swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and in many other states. The candidates include an Arizona state lawmaker who was at the Jan. 6 rally and a Georgia congressman recruited by Trump, but Peters may have the most colorful past.

She first came to national attention when she spoke in August 2021 at a conference hosted by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, one of the most prominent election deniers in the country.

Peters claimed to show evidence that county voting machines were hacked, even though they were never connected to the internet. She went into hiding for weeks after her participation drew national attention.

Griswold got a judge to bar Peters from running the 2021 election in her county and has asked a judge for a similar injunction against Peters involvement in this years elections.

After that, state and federal investigations were launched into how the election software Peters used for her country got into the hands of a consultant. Screenshots of that software quickly appeared on right-wing conspiracy web sites.

One of Peters deputies was suspended for allegedly helping commit the breach and faces charges of burglary and cybercrimes for sneaking back into the office after her suspension.

It was Peters alleged illegal recording of that deputys court appearance that led to the fracas at a bagel shop last week in the small Colorado city of Grand Junction and her brief arrest.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.  One body has been found in the search for a plane with eight passengers that crashed Sunday, east of Drum Inlet on the Outer Banks, the U.S. Coast Guard reports.

Searchers do not believe there were any survivors, according to a news conference video posted by Fox 8.

The identity of the person who was found has not been released. The body was discovered Feb. 13, officials said.

A search is underway for the other seven passengers and plane, which is described as a Pilatus PC-12 single-engine passenger aircraft. There are three debris field associated with the crash  some as far as 15 miles offshore  but the fuselage has not been found, officials said at the news conference.

The eight people may have included four teens returning from a hunting trip, station WCTI reported.

Its believed some of the teens may have been students in the Carteret County Public Schools, and the district issued a statement Monday.

We are incredibly saddened and join with the Down East and Eastern North Carolina community as we await official word on the airplane crash off the coast of Drum Inlet, district officials said in an email to McClatchy News.

Crisis teams are on school campuses to support students, staff and families.

An air traffic controller at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on the North Carolina coast first reported observing an aircraft behaving erratically on radar and then disappeared from the radar screen, officials said.

The plane departed from Hyde County and was bound for Beaufort, N.C., when it fell off radar, officials said.

A statement posted by the East Carolina Community Emergency Response Team reported the plane fell off radar round 2 p.m. just east of Beaufort, N.C. The four teens aboard had been at a youth hunt in Hyde County and (were) heading back to Stacy when something caused their plane to divert, the post said.

The crash site would put the plane in the Atlantic Ocean beyond the Outer Banks, which is an area of colliding north-south currents. Drum Inlet is a passage through Cape Lookout National Seashore, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Core Sound.

Boats from multiple agencies and a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter are being used in the ongoing search, officials said.

The National Park Service and Carteret County Sheriffs Office are also participating in the search, officials said.

National Park Service officials reported Monday that no crash debris had turned up on the beaches of Cape Lookout National Seashore.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a 2 p.m. tweet on Feb. 14 that it is investigating the crash and a search continues for the plane.

N.C. Ducks Unlimited called the crash a heartbreaking day in the waterfowling community.



2022 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A legislative package moving quickly in the state Senate focuses on law enforcement retention, training and hiring practices  rather than stiffer criminal penalties  as lawmakers take aim at New Mexicos high rate of violent crime.

The measure would also add three judges and make grants available for strengthening the supervision of criminal defendants who are released while they await trial.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, said the legislation is just a start given the constraints of a 30-day session and complexity of the criminal justice system.

He unveiled the proposal, Senate Bill 231, during a joint meeting Monday of the Senate Finance and Judiciary committees.

The proposal cleared the judiciary panel without opposition after about two hours of debate and testimony.

This is not a big bold change where big bold change is needed, Cervantes said, but it does some important things.

Lawmakers also heard from the chief justice of the state Supreme Court, Michael E. Vigil, who said the judiciary plans its own changes intended to streamline court hearings for defendants and ensure law enforcement is alerted immediately if someone cuts off an ankle monitor anywhere in the state or enters a prohibited zone.

The crime bill backed by Cervantes incorporates ideas from some bills passed by the state House and adds new ones as well.

Lawmakers are also considering a handful of proposals to stiffen criminal penalties, but they arent included in the legislation backed by Cervantes.

In fact, his committee on Monday stripped enhanced penalties from a House-approved bill targeting second-degree murder, reflecting the Senates skepticism that stiffer penalties deter crime.

The crime package assembled by Cervantes and contained in Senate Bill 231 includes:

 Retention bonuses of 5% for law enforcement officers every five years they stay on the job through 20 years of service.

 Splitting the Law Enforcement Academy Board into two panels, one focusing on training and the other on officer misconduct.

 Establishing a statewide database on officers use of force, termination and civil judgments related to their work. Law enforcement agencies would be required to consult the database when making hiring decisions.

 Expanding the scope of what state crime reduction grants can be used for.

 Adding a District Court judge in the Albuquerque area and two others elsewhere in the state.

 Establishing a statewide violence intervention program modeled on a pilot program in Albuquerque. It would call for intervening with victims of violence who are likely to retaliate with their own violence.

Critical information

Senate Bill 231 would work in conjunction with the main budget legislation, House Bill 2, which includes raises of almost 16% for State Police officers and increased funding for pretrial services.

Its got to be a balanced approach that we deal with crime, Senate Finance Committee Chairman George Munoz, D-Gallup, said.

The final version of Cervantes bill may also require the judiciarys pretrial services division to share location data with law enforcement upon request for criminal investigations.

Albuquerque police say they need quick access to location data when a defendant who has been released with an ankle monitor is suspected of a crime.

Its critical to get the information immediately, Damon Martinez, a public safety policy adviser for the city of Albuquerque and a former U.S. attorney, told senators.

A proposal requiring the sharing of data, Senate Bill 225, passed the Judiciary Committee without objection Monday, and senators indicated it may be rolled into the broader crime legislation crafted by Cervantes.

The House is considering similar legislation, in a revised version of House Bill 5.

The Cervantes bill could move quickly. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, advancing quickly in the final days of the session.

The legislative session ends at noon Thursday.

Vigil, the Supreme Court justice, said the judiciary is planning changes intended to strengthen the monitoring of pretrial defendants statewide. Ankle monitors are watched around the clock in Albuquerque but the courts intend to expand 24-7 monitoring statewide.

He also said the court plans to consider rule changes that would consolidate pretrial detention hearings and preliminary hearings to determine probable cause so the same resources dont have to be coming in twice.

Penalties

A handful of proposals to stiffen criminal penalties have cleared the state House, but senators are showing skepticism.

In Mondays hearings, for example, the Senate Judiciary Committee eliminated stiffer penalties from legislation passed by the House for second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

The panel, however, left intact the part of the bill that would eliminate the six-year statute of limitations on second-degree murder, a change intended to give prosecutors more time to bring charges in those cases.

Republican senators opposed removing the stiffer penalties but supported moving the bill forward despite the amendments.

It sure isnt what I was quite hoping for, Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca, R-Belen, said.

The proposal, House Bill 79, heads next to the full Senate for consideration. If approved there, it would go back to the House for consideration of the Senate changes to the bill.
PHOENIX  A gunman who shot and wounded five Phoenix police patrol officers and injured four others last week died by suicide, authorities said Monday.

An autopsy done by the Maricopa County Medical Examiners Office states that 36-year-old Morris Richard Jones III died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Police had gone to a home Friday in the pre-dawn hours in response to a 911 call reporting a woman had been shot.

Investigators said the incident apparently started as a domestic dispute between Jones and his ex-girlfriend, 29-year-old Shatifah Lobley of Phoenix.

Police believe Lobley was shot before Jones confrontation with police and she died after being taken to a hospital.

The couples 1-month-old girl was unharmed.

Five officers were shot and wounded and four others were injured by ricochet or shrapnel.

Only one officer remains hospitalized as of Monday.

The first officer, who was shot multiple times, thats the officer that remains in the hospital and that one will likely be an extended recovery time, said Sgt. Ann Justus, a police spokeswoman.

She said the other injured officers are either at varying levels of recovery or expected to return to work soon.
SANTA FE  Legislation to empower the Attorney Generals Office to investigate and prosecute cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women passed the Senate on an 34-0 vote Monday.

The proposal, Senate Bill 12, is aimed at easing jurisdictional complications and applying extra resources to help solve the cases.

It creates a specialist position within the office to focus on the work.

The bill is jointly sponsored by Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Gallup, and Senate Majority Whip Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque.

It heads next to the House.

Lawmakers on Monday also sent to the governor a proposal to establish an annual event dedicated to helping the families of missing persons in New Mexico.

Senate Bill 13 would bring government agencies together to help families file missing-person reports, submit DNA records and meet with investigators.
WENN/Instagram/Avalon Celebrity

The Duke of Sussex and the daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson were photographed attending the annual big game, while Harry's wife Meghan Markle was nowhere to be seen.

Feb 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Prince Harry had someone special to spend with while attending his first Super Bowl. The Duke of Sussex was photographed attending the big game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Sunday, February 13 with his cousin, Princess Eugenie.

During the face-off between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, the royal family members opted for black blazers and black face masks. Unlike most people, the pair didn't wear any attribute that could hint at what team they're rooting for though Eugenie wore a blue cap which color is identical to the Rams. Harry's wife Meghan Markle, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen.

Harry, who moved to California with Meghan and son Archie in 2020, has been known for big fan of sports. However, this year's Super Bowl marks the first for the royal, who founded The Invictus Games which is an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans.

As for Eugenie, the younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson flew to California from her home in Windsor, England where she lives with husband Jack Brooksbank and their 12-month-old son, August.

Harry and Eugenie have long been close. Back in June, Eugenie wrote a heartfelt message to the proud parents after they welcomed their second child Lilibet. "Congratulations dear cousins... we couldn't be happier for you all," the princess shared on her Instagram Story under a black-and-white photo of the couple.

Meghan also said to Oprah Winfrey in a bombshell interview last March that she knew Eugenie even before dating the Duke of Sussex. "Eugenie and I had known each other before I had known Harry, so that was comfortable," Meghan shared at the time. "We're friends with them as a couple."
WENN/Eyeworks Production Celebrity

Fat Joe's opinion on the podcast host backfires quickly as the MC, who is of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, also had a fair share of backlash over his past use of the racial slur.

Feb 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Fat Joe is the latest celebrity to weigh in on Joe Rogan's N-word controversy. While some others jumped into Rogan's defense, the "All the Way Up" rapper was among those who criticized the podcaster for using the racial slur repeatedly on his "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast.

"This guy Joe Rogan, he's a piece of s**t. Joe Rogan is a piece of s**t," the New York musician said in a video on Chigs Smoot's YouTube channel. "Shoutout to everyone that's better than me and taking their music off of Spotify, I'm not."

He went on to share, "Because all my people people know [I'll] do charity, [I] will open a business in the hood and give out jobs, [I] will give computers to the school, but [I] got to get to [my] bag. [I] ain't crazy."

"I'm not taking my music off Spotify but, Spotify is made up of black music, whether it's R&B, whether it's rap, trap, reggaeton, all that fall in there. Because our music is on that platform, and they make their money from black people, do you think it should be allowed for a guy to be talking racist s**t on their platform?" Fat Joe added.

His opinion, however, backfired as the MC, who is of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, also had a fair share of backlash over his past use of the racial slur. "Not the pot calling the kettle black," one person tweeted. Another user added, "He's a latina who says the n word tho????"

Of the backlash, Fat Joe previously said in a 2019 interview on 92.3's "The Real" with DJ Hed and Bootleg Kev that "people who want to look at things with racist eyes [and] a racist view" were the ones who were upset with his use of the word.

He added that he treats "Black people and Latinos the same way, 100 percent. I treat them all the same way." Fat Joe questioned at the time, "My thing is, when you say 'You're Latino. Why you using the N-word?,' are you calling me racist for using it. Like, do you think I'm racist for using it? The way the N-word offends me is when someone says it in a racial way [and] we feel like somebody's trying to call us a n***a. So, now you looking at me with racist eyes when all I do is for my culture, my people?"

As for Rogan, he apologized in an Instagram video for his offensive language. "It looks f**king horrible. Even to me," the UFC color commentator admitted. "I know that to most people, there is no context where a white person is ever allowed to say that word, never mind publicly on a podcast. And I agree with that now, I haven't said it in years."

"It's not my word to use. I am well aware of that now, but for years I used it in that manner," he added. "I never used it to be racist because I'm not racist." He continued to say that he hopes that his mistakes can be a "teachable moment" for others because he "never thought it would ever be taken out of context and put in a video like that."

Of referring to a black neighborhood as "Planet of the Apes," Rogan divulged, "I was trying to make the story entertaining, and I said we got out and it was like we were in Africa. It's like we were in 'Planet of the Apes'."
WENN/Avalon Celebrity

The 'Daredevil' alum and the New Jersey lawmaker are allegedly no longer dating after almost three years together and nearly two years since they started living together.

Feb 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Rosario Dawson and Cory Booker see no happy ending in their romantic relationship. The actress and the senator have reportedly called it quits on their romance after almost three years together.

It's unclear when exactly they split and what led to the decision, but a source allegedly close to the former couple tells PEOPLE that the "Zombieland: Double Tap" star and the U.S. senator from New Jersey are no longer dating. The source goes on assuring that they remain good friends.

Rosario and Cory first crossed paths at a political fundraiser for a mutual friend in summer 2018. They reconnected months later and began dating in 2019. In March 2019, the 42-year-old actress confirmed her relationship with the lawmaker as she called him a "wonderful human being."

A year later, they pair started living together with Rosario moving into her then-beau's pad in Newark. "I haven't seen him since February. He is by himself, going between Newark and DC," she said of their long-distance relationship at the time.

"I'm actually in the process of moving, by the way. I'm going to New Jersey. I'm moving to Newark," she went on spilling. "It's time. We were thinking about moving in together anyway, but especially during all of this, it's been really intense." She additionally gushed, "I'm excited."

Neither Rosario nor Cory has confirmed the split reports. They were last seen making a public appearance together as a couple in January 2021 during President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Rosario and Cory share no children together, but she has a daughter, whom she adopted at age 12 in 2014. When revealing that her daughter is called Isabella, she said on Parents magazine's "We Are Family" podcast, "It's so interesting. When I adopted her, I didn't put her name out. It wasn't like I did a press release or anything, and I don't know where it came from, but somebody decided that her name was Lola and then everyone just kept running with it."
WENN/Adriana M. Barraza Celebrity

The 'Saturday Night Live' star and co-head writer jokingly states that he will accept the Yeezy designer's offer if the emcee gives him $90,000 per year and 4 weeks vacation.

Feb 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Michael Che proved that he is such a loyal friend of Pete Davidson. After Kanye West offered him to double his "Saturday Night Live" salary so he can stop working with Pete, Michael turned down the rapper's offer in a funny way.

On Sunday, February 13, the 44-year-old emcee shared a photo of himself holding a dated sign that read, "MY ACCOUNT IS NOT HACKED." He then doubled down on his statement in the caption, "MY ACCOUNT IS NOT HACKED I WILL BE AT SUNDAY SERVICE AT NOON AND WILL ME TAKING NORTH AND SAINT TO THE SUPERBOWL SHORTLY AFTER."

Kanye, who has been slamming Pete on Instagram for dating his estranged wife, Kim Kardashian, then penned, "@chethinks I'LL DOUBLE WHATEVER THEY PAYING YOU JUST SO YOU DONT HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT PAWN EVER AGAIN BIG LOVE."

Catching wind of the post, Michael wrote, "Sorry Ye, but I would never betray my friends." The New York native then quipped that he wouldn't leave "for anything less than TRIPLE salary."

"That's right, $90k per year! Full medical, full dental, 4 weeks vacay, corner office, plus, a pair of red October size 12," the stand-up comedian continued joking. "And you gotta make some beats for my band 'The Slap Butts.' "

"And you gotta tell me what you're gonna wear to work the night before so we can look like twins!" Michael went on noting. "You do that for me, I'll ramo that whole building!"

Kanye has been ranting against Pete for the past few days. He even cut Kid Cudi from "Donda 2" due to his friendship with the funnyman, prompting the pair to trade shots over each other publicly. The Yeezy designer also dragged Hillary Clinton, Ariana Grande and the late Mac Miller when slamming "The King of Staten Island" actor.

Prior to that, Kanye shared an edited "Captain America: Civil War" poster. In his team, there were photos of Drake, Julia Fox, Travis Scott (II) and Future. In Pete's part, meanwhile, there were pictures of Kim, Kid Cudi, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift. He captioned the snap, "THE INTERNET HAS STILL NOT FOUND A DECENT PICTURE OF SKETE."
Company launches a new brand MovieMax and logo for cinema exhibition operations of the Company

The Company is looking to hive off our Non-Core Business: to become an asset-light Company. The Company plans to monetize the Hotel Asset in Goa, Eternity Mall in Nagpur and Commercial Properties in Kanakia Boomerang owned by the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company for growth of cinema exhibition business and reduce debt.

Also, the Board has appointed Mr. Ashish Kanakia as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company.

Our Current Footprint is as follows:

Total No. of Screens 75

Total No. of Seats 16,500+

Cities Present 14

Commenting on the same, Mr. Rasesh Kanakia, Chairman, said We are delighted to announce the launch of a new brand MovieMax for cinema exhibition operations of the Company. We have already tied up with 75 screens PAN India with over 16,500 seats. We see a clear opportunity and space for an organized PAN India player who can provide a quality experience to consumers with the capability to win developers confidence. Over the next few months, we will continue to acquire additional screens PAN India and create a strong consumer-oriented brand in this segment.

The Company is also planning to hive off our Non-Core Business and become an asset-light Company. The Company intends to monetize various assets owned by the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company for growth of cinema exhibition business and reduce debt. We expect ~Rs. 350 to Rs. 450 crores through monetization of these assets.
Rahi, India's leading global enterprise solutions provider has announced a strategic partnership with Xtreme Media, a pioneer in active LED Displays and Digital Signage innovations and solutions. Headquartered in Mumbai, India, Xtreme Media Pvt. Ltd. is the largest active LED display solutions provider in India accounting for 30% of the market. They have over 25 years of expertise and have executed major installations in some of the country's most prominent establishments, including State Bank of India, Landmark Group, Tata Trent, Inox Movies and many more. Xtreme Media has installed 700+ LED display installations in India.

Indias Digital Signage Market is expected to grow at a 15.1% CAGR between 2019 and 2025, from $328.79 million in 2016 to $906.65 million by the end of 2022. A strengthened public infrastructure is leading to the awareness of digital signage in the country. Businesses are investing in digital signage and active LED solutions to promote their products and services, which will drive growth in this segment.

Rahi is one of the largest system integrators in the IT & Audio-video space having a strong global footprint across various industries. Partnering with Rahi, we look forward to redefining the display solutions business not just in India but across the globe, said Sanket Rambhia (Director, Xtreme Media)

The demand for digital signage has skyrocketed and businesses are coming up with innovative ways to reach the masses in the post-pandemic period. Digital signage has been hailed as one of the fastest-growing AV solutions according to AVIXAs 2020 AV Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis (IOTA) and overall growth of 38% will be seen by 2025. Within the digital signage market, the LED displays category is expected to grow by 50% by 2025.

Xtreme Media is a pioneer in providing end-to-end active LED solutions with a strong service arm. Their chip-level repair capability and 7-year warranty helps us pitch quality solutions to our clients. We are excited to collaborate with them and offer our customers access to enterprise-grade video wall and display solutions via Rahi, said Sushil Goyal, Managing Director at Rahi.

As users are continuously looking for vibrant indoor and outdoor video wall solutions for branding and promotion, with Xtreme Medias extensive display solutions customers can create impact and elevate consumer experience, added Sushil Goyal.

Rahi, founded in 2012 by Tarun Raisoni and Sushil Goyal, is known for its global IT systems integration with 40+ offices worldwide and 100+ vendor-neutral partners.
After its stunning foray into the digital news domain in 2020, Indias largest television news network, TV9, is taking a massive leap into the future. Expanding the horizons of the medium, the multi-lingual national media giant is launching News9 Plus, an English video news magazine in an OTT format that has no peers in the world yet.

The digital descendent of News9 - the Networks erstwhile popular English news channel out of Bengaluru  News9 Plus is slated for a beta launch this month and a full-scale take off late March. It will be the worlds first pureplay subscription-driven, on-demand news product. It will showcase news, narratives, and debates with the depth and gravitas of news magazines and the production qualities and story-telling techniques of OTT platforms.

Barun Das, CEO, TV9 Network, explains the thinking behind this bold new initiative: "Historically, the Indian news genre has undermined itself with a huge self-created handicap. It has never leveraged India's core strength - its large consumer base. Newspapers have always subsidised the reader and TV news channels are mostly free to air. Hence, we have lived with tremendous pressure on ad revenue. On the other hand, consumers have just about started paying for digital news. However, this propensity to pay for digital news will depend on how effectively digital news platforms can serve the consumer what they want, when they want.

"The English news television space has shrunk dramatically over the past few years in viewership and revenue. So, it seemed obvious to us that this English-speaking audience - often the early adapters - are waiting for an OTT news service. To my mind, linear news television will make way for OTT news service in the near future. Hindi and regional language markets may continue in the current linear TV mode for some more time, but it is certainly time for a cutting-edge OTT news offering in English which marries the best UI/UX that technology can offer with incisive, in depth, intelligent and engaging content. News9 Plus will strive to be that exact amalgam.

News is no more about breaking it as it happens every nano-second on social media. It must now adapt to the new, exacting content standards which the GenFlix, or Generation Netflix, has become accustomed to. News9 Plus will fill the void created by the diminishing footprint of news magazines in the digital era. And it will do it in the only medium the digital native cares about: video.

But Barun also sounded a note of caution for the news industry: "We are proud to be the first OTT news service, not only in India but possibly in the world. I sincerely hope that when the OTT news service pans out in India, it will not repeat the blunders of the past in creating its own death trap by setting off subscription price wars and rendering the business unviable. I am certain this new model will be an SVOD (subscription-based video on demand) model and advertising revenue, if any, will make only a minuscule contribution."

News9 Plus will break the screen clutter that news channels have forced on their viewers. It will break away from the 24-hour live news commentary. Rather, a sizeable number of special videos that stand the test of time and cater to diverse audience preferences will define its market standing.

To begin with, News9 Plus will host a variety of rail tracks that will cater to the news of the day for the purpose of providing context to the extensive programming that will define the app. It will showcase editorially rich, long shelf-life content that has relevance beyond the immediate.

According to BV Rao, Group Editor, TV9 Network, News9 Plus is all about the Network meeting the future even as it is unfolding. At TV9 Network, it is clear to us where the discerning English news viewer is going and why. The GenFlix English news viewers are not running away from news. They are running away from the cacophony that television news has come to represent. Exposed as they are to the best of the best global content on OTT, these discerning news viewers do not relate to the 'you bite me, I bite you' journalism that has struck deep roots on television. GenFlix has no appetite for such content. So, the future news business battles will have to be fought in the OTT environment. For us, that future is now. And we call it News9 Plus."

Subscribers will find unique series, seasons, and episodes on News9 Plus, just like OTT platforms offer. But the differentiator here will be the editorial nuance and the rigour of journalism that makes the content factually grounded, credibly narrated and engagingly produced. News9 Plus hopes to create an experience that audiences spoilt for a plethora of non-news choices in the OTT era would choose to watch.
Federal Department of Finance

Bern, 14.02.2022 - Switzerland and Singapore are joining forces to organise an international fintech conference. The first Point Zero Forum will take place in Zurich from 21 to 23 June 2022. The Forum aims to act as a platform for global leaders from the public and private financial and economic sectors to drive innovation in digital technology. The Forum will be opened by Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Heng Swee Keat. Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, leaders of the Swiss financial and fintech sector, as well as high-level representatives from the industry will also participate in the Forum.

The State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) and Elevandi, an organisation set up by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), are jointly organising the first Point Zero Forum, which will take place in Zurich from 21 to 23 June 2022.

"As one of the world's leading and innovative financial centres, Switzerland is ideally placed to host this event, which will bring international financial market and supervisory authorities together with new players from the world of fintech", said Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer. He continued: "Switzerland has long maintained a close financial dialogue with Singapore."

Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), emphasised: "The SNB and MAS work closely together in the fintech sector and both are heavily involved in the BIS Innovation Hub with the Swiss and Singapore centres. The ability to create and implement technological innovation is an important success and stability factor for the financial sectors in Singapore and Switzerland."

Heng Swee Keat, Singapores Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, said: "Digital technology has tremendous potential to change the world for the better, especially through finance. To unlock this potential, we must find new ways to collaborate, and partner one another to tackle key global challenges and ride the new wave of opportunities. Singapore and Switzerland have worked together to organise the inaugural Point Zero Forum, bringing together global technologists, financial institutions and regulators. Through this Forum, we can add to the global FinTech momentum and strengthen the global movement for innovation and change."

The event serves as a platform for global leaders from the public and private sector to engage in an intense exchange of ideas and knowledge, and in order to drive fintech and Web3 in the digital economy. More information can be found on the new website.

Address for enquiries

SIF Communications

Tel. +41 58 462 46 16, info@sif.admin.ch

Publisher

Federal Department of Finance

https://www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/home.html



State Secretariat for International Financial Matters

http://www.sif.admin.ch




Alton, IL (62002)

Today

Showers likely along with a possible rumble of thunder this morning, then cloudy skies this afternoon. High near 65F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.
The system is completely overwhelmed, he said. Schools are doing their best, but more and more children are missing out on the specialist provision they need. The percentage of pupils with an EHCP in mainstream schools increased from 48.7 per cent in 2019-20, to 50.4 per cent last year.

Headteacher Rachael Booth said they are bursting at the seams Its not the local authoritys fault, its the whole system.

Special school heads say their classrooms are bursting at the seams, but government does not collect data to monitor how the sector is coping with rising demand for places. The number of pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) has risen from 237,000 in 2015-16 (2.8 per cent of all pupils) to 326,000 this year (3.7 per cent). 

One piece from this past week revealed that no one in charge even knows what the figures for special needs mean.

Two stories from Schools Week in the U.K. would have me shaking in my boots if I ran the Department of Education over there.

Kalmath Falls, OR : 18 percent of students are considered as having special needs.

By Anne Dachel I added some really apocalyptic stories from this past week. I cant say that strongly enough. No one ever ventures to ask what the long-term affect on society will be from the relentless increases in the autism rate among 8 year olds or the astonishing special education figures told to us as asides in news reports. Ive compiled these figures over the last five years.

Publicly available national data on the Get Information About Schools website (GIAS) suggests 330 out of 806 special schools had more students on their rolls last year than their capacity. Five per cent (38 schools) had more than 40 pupils extra....

The DfE spokesperson added they are working with councils to better understand demand for SEND provision as we consider how we can best support the sector going forwards.

Government has committed 2.6 billion [$3.5B] of capacity funding for new school places for children with SEND over the next three years.

The other Schools Week story referred to things as collapsing.

The devastating toll of failing mental health support systems on families and schools is revealed in a four-month investigation by Schools Week.



Meanwhile, increases in the number of pupils with additional needs has left special schools bursting at the seams, with youngsters left in unequipped mainstream schools.

Helen Hayes, Labours shadow childrens minister, was shocked by the findings, but said the governments mental health strategy totally lacks ambition.

There are professionals working all over the country as hard as they can to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people, but they are within a system that simply isnt working and in many places it is falling over. Schools say they desperately need more counsellors and psychologists for students but dont have the money and instead are left to plug the gap themselves.

Parents have said their children are being left to rot as neurodevelopmental differences or mental health struggles are not spotted early enough, with children ending up in A&E departments.

Theresa Mays 2018 Green Paper on transforming children and young peoples mental health committed 300 million [$407M] to an overhaul of support services. This included mental health support teams to a quarter of the country by 2023, a figure ramped up to 35 per cent by next year. But MPs have said this ambition is too low, with schools saying they will not resolve huge waiting lists for other services.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government was expanding and transforming NHS services backed by an extra 2.3 billion [$3.1B] per year by 2024, to allow hundreds of thousands more children to access support.

Also included on Loss of Brain Trust are the usual stories about increasing demand and building ever more special schools across the U.K. and Ireland.

What should pique the interest of Americans, especially those parents with developmentally disabled children was an op ed piece from the Seattle Times.

In this the writer slammed the state legislature for decades of neglect when it comes to residents with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITES.

Gov. Jay Inslee recognizes the problem and has a solution. In his proposed budget, the governor has prioritized funding to forecast how many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are requesting services from the Department of Social and Health Services, and how many people are eligible and need community and residential services.

State legislators must embrace this long-overdue change for Washingtonians with developmental disabilities by amending Senate Bill 5268 to include full forecasting for all home- and community-based waivers under the Developmental Disabilities Administration and pass the bill this session.

The problem is legislators refuse to include adults with developmental disabilities in critical budget forecasts that establish entitlement spending. These forecasts help set funding levels for vital services for everything from public education and Medicaid to child care and long-term care services for seniors in the community. 

In other words no one is prepared for the tsunami of disabled people who will eventually be dependent on the state for their support and care.

Adults with developmental disabilities have been excluded from budget forecasts for so long we do not even know how many people need services now or in the future, and how much they need.

Nearly 80% of adults with developmental disabilities live with their parents for most of their lifetimes.

So what happens when parents are no longer able to care for their disabled adult children?

And if this is the situation in Washington State, is it also the case across the U.S.?



Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism.
People participate in the Walk for Love initiative in Windhoek, Namibia, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Tourism and hospitality operators in Namibia this weekend joined other African countries in the first-ever 'Walk for Love' initiative held to propel the growth of the sector hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walk for Love, a Pan-African project run in 23 countries, was initiated to create a network pool of operators in the tourism and hospitality sector, said its coordinator Joseph Kafunda.

"The 'Walk for Love' initiative brings together operators in the tourism and hospitality industry to sit down and re-build relations in powering up business after the devastating effects of COVID-19 in the last two years. Tourism is about networking," Kafunda said Sunday.

In Namibia, the event was held in Windhoek, the nation's capital, and the coastal town of Swakopmund.

Helena Amadhila, the coordinator for the Windhoek edition of the 'Walk for Love', said that the participants, although cautiously optimistic about high-quality growth, maximized on the platform to re-strategize.

Namibia, whose travel and tourism sector had been hit the hardest by the outbreak of the COVID-19 since 2020, witnessed a positive trend in international tourists' arrivals in 2021. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the tourist arrival trends from January to December 2021 indicated an upward increase of 37.81 percent compared to 2020 figures.

Local tour operators are optimistic about the initiative, hoping that the sector will re-emerge and yield steady growth through new customer-centric approaches.

"I participated in the walk to connect with other operators in the country and beyond. We engaged and shared information and tips on improving customer service and giving our clients a better experience," said Johannes Hamutenya, a local tour guide based in Namibia.

Kafunda, the coordinator, is confident that the initiative provided operators with tremendous opportunities to widen their influence across borders.

"This is a Pan-African project run in 23 countries. This meant that, through social media and other platforms, people from 23 countries and beyond are connecting as one for a common goal relating to tourism. People in Nigeria will know who the people in Namibia are, and it is the synergy of connection that we hope to show out of this," Kafunda said. 

People participate in the Walk for Love initiative in Windhoek, Namibia, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)
Soybean growers are optimistic about the future of biodiesel.

A move toward cleaner energy sources bodes well for renewable sources, and soybeans are a vital component.

Biodiesel goes in a lot of things, said Ed Lammers, who was the United Soybean Boards oil target coordinator in 2021. Anything we can do to lessen our demand from overseas oil production and convert it to biodiesel is good for the whole nation.

Particularly promising is SAF, or sustainable aviation fuel. Even oil producer British Petroleum touts its benefits.

SAF gives an impressive reduction of up to 80% in carbon emissions over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to traditional jet fuel it replaces, depending on the sustainable feedstock used, production method and supply chain to the airport, the company said on its website.

Shell and other oil companies are also getting on the bandwagon. One barrier is cost, as SAF is more expensive than petroleum-based aviation fuel. The benefits to the environment and health are proven.

Were finding out through studies that there is a large health benefit to using biodiesel, said Lammers, who farms near Hartington in northeast Nebraska. You can go to 50% blends and reduce carbon 60% to 70%. That has a huge health advantage.

A 2021 study in which the National Biodiesel Board partnered with Trinity Consultants found that use of B100 could save lives and increase productivity. The study, which looked at 13 communities in the U.S., said cleaner fuels could dramatically reduce instances of cancer and asthma while also cutting down on sick days for employees.

So-called renewable diesel may hold even more promise. It has the same chemical formulation as petroleum-based diesel, according to John Jansen, USBs vice president of strategic partnerships.

Its a one-for-one replacement, Jansen said. Its a lot easier to track. You can make pretty dramatic improvements in greenhouse gas reduction.

Renewable diesel cannot be used as aviation fuel, however.

Another promising product is Pore-Shield, a soy-based concrete sealant that protects bridges, roadways and other surfaces from the effects of freezing rain and snow. The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law by President Biden last year could be a boon for such soybean-based products.

The infrastructure bill is quite broad, Lammers said. Anything we can do to lessen our demand from overseas oil production and convert it to biodiesel  a more sustainable, environmentally friendly and renewable resource  is good for the whole nation. Were hopeful theyll use this surface treatment that is a great replacement for petroleum-based products.

Jansen also believes the push for soy-based products will drive the industry over the next several years.

Theres no doubt that there is a desire by this administration to ramp up these renewables, he said. Youre mitigating 74% of greenhouse gas emissions for every gallon of petroleum you replace.

Demand for biodiesel is driving expansion of processing. Nine new integrated crusher-refiners are under construction, which will add 15% to North American crush and refining by 2024, Jansen said.

Were moving as fast as the infrastructure can support it, he said. Were running 93% of processors ability to produce soybean oil to meet renewable standards.

Lammers agrees.

Were going to have a few bottlenecks in the production, but were going to get there, he said.

Analysts expect U.S. farmers to expand soybean acres by 5% at the expense of corn this year. Though much of that increase will likely come because of high fertilizer prices, new uses of beans are also driving increased supply.

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Whats the history behind this beloved breakfast item? Can you actually make them at home? And what are some cant-miss shops across the country? Trust us, our donut issue delivers.
Its the tale of two soybean crushing facilities, each vying for an early start building a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in northeastern Nebraska, just 70 miles apart.

Newly formed company Norfolk Crush LLC announced Feb. 3 it is developing a $375 million soybean crushing plant in Madison County, Nebraska, near Norfolk.

It followed a Jan. 28 announcement from Omaha-based cooperative Ag Processing Inc. (AGP) that it will build a soybean processing plant near David City, Nebraska.

Vast interest is coming from farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses about the announcements.

The Norfolk facility would be able to crush 38.5 million bushels of soybeans annually, or 110,000 bushels a day, when it becomes operational in 2024. Company officials say the plant will create 50 jobs. On site, they will be able to unload trucks at 60,000 bushels per hour, saving farmers and truckers time when they deliver.

AGPs build is said to be able to process over 50 million bushels of soybeans per year.

Soybean processing facility coming to David City in 2025 AGP  or Ag Processing Inc.  is planning to build a new soybean processing plant near David

The competitive spirit of having two similar facilities, is being welcomed by Norfolk Crush.

Theyre a strong, well-managed company thatll put together a nice project there, and I think both projects will have success in the broader market. Im excited for all the soybean producers, and its a great thing, said Nick Bowdish, managing member of Norfolk Crush.

Jeremy Wilhelm of Frontier Cooperative, a member-owner of AGP based in Lincoln, Nebraska, is also embracing having two soybean crush facilities in the region.

Its a good thing for farmers, he said. More demand for their product, and a great thing for local, rural communities.

AGP operates under a similar situation in Council Bluffs, Iowa, he said, and he doesnt think that having two relatively close plants would be a problem.

In the proposed area, you either ship the soybeans on a train or truck them a long distance, so thatll reduce that freight significantly for local producers and cooperatives like us, Wilhelm said.

The owner of a Norfolk area feedyard said the announcements are huge news and not only will it benefit local farmers selling soybeans and livestock producers feeding soybean meal, but will also benefit the entire local economy.

To me  its not a competition between them, said Stephen Sunderman, who operates Sunderman Feedlot and serves as chairman of the Norfolk Economic Development Council. Theres going to be a large increase in demand for soybean oil from the biofuel industry that theres going to be a much larger need for soybean crush plants in the area. Adding further value to the crops we produce is how well compound the return of our farm economy, and continue to produce opportunities for economic growth and success.

The Norfolk plant will produce soybean meal, oil and hulls. Oil will be sold to many segments, from the food industry to the biodiesel industry, and the plant will make crude degummed soybean oil as well.

Norfolk Crush will produce 847,000 tons of soybean meal per year for livestock feed markets, 450 million pounds of crude soybean oil and 77,000 tons of pelleted soybean hulls.

The company is also building a soybean crush plant in Alta, Iowa, about 2  hours from Norfolk, called Platinum Crush.

A Nebraska marketing official, who didnt want to publicly comment, said there could be issues with supporting two processing plants. They will use all but 3 to 4 million bushels of the soybeans produced in Nebraska, indicating the potential need for bushels to come from other states.

Supporters see a big benefit in value-added agriculture.

Bowdish compared it to the growth in value that corn saw as ethanol developed. Soy-based biodiesel, opens the door to provide for even more fuel needs, for airlines and jet fuel, he said.

The Norfolk plant is waiting for approval from both the Norfolk City Council and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning doesnt anticipate any problems.

I think its good for everyone, he said. Norfolk is agriculture-based, and this new addition, as a value-added ag venture will be a benefit both to the local Norfolk economy and area farmers by providing a new market for their products.

The proposed site in Norfolk is between North First Street and Victory Road, north of the Northeast Industrial Highway. Groundbreaking on the 480-acre site is slated for this spring, and the plant should be operational in 2024.

David Citys AGP plant plans to begin operating in 2025.

Reporter Amy Hadachek is a two-time Emmy Award winning meteorologist and a storm chaser who earned her NWA and AMS Broadcast Meteorology Seals of Approval. She and her husband live on a diversified farm in Kansas. Reach her at amy.hadachek@midwestmessenger.com.

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I don't think there's ever been a time in the history of the cattle industry with a greater need for unity, Dr. Gary Sides said. Modern ag in a cancel culture.

The first casualty of cancel culture is the truth, said Sides, a beef and feedlot nutritionist with Zoetis.

He focused on the nutritional benefits beef has to offer and how those have a tendency to get brushed aside in favor of whatever happens to be politically correct.

Sides was keynote speaker kicking off a three-hour event titled The Need for Unity in the Cattle Industry at the Black Hills Stock Show Feb 1.

He was followed the panel discussion Discussing the effects of Washington, D.C., on our Family Farms and Ranches, featuring panelists Mark Haugen, former editor for Tri-State Neighbor and West River director for Sen. John Thune, Jim Selchert from Sen. Mike Rounds Rapid City office and Katie Murray, West River director for Rep. Dusty Johnson

The morning was rounded out with a town hall discussion with representatives from three cattle advocacy groups: Justin Tupper, vice president of the U.S. Cattlemens Association. Larry Stomprud, former president of the South Dakota Cattlemens Association and current member of National Cattlemens Beef Association, and Karina Jones, field director for R-CALF USA.

Both groups answered questions on topics ranging from current bills in Congress, country of origin labeling, meat packer profits, legislative goals and more.

Neither group took questions from attendees, but answered a series of questions provided to the panelists ahead of time.

The legislative panel discussion covered a variety of topics including President Bidens Build Back Better bill, Johnsons Cattle Contract Library Act and the American Beef Labeling Act of 2021.

I'm not aware of one Republican in the House or one Republican in the Senate that supports this initiative, Haugan said of the Presidents bill, which has the potential to raise capital gains to 39.6%. It's an attack on small family owned businesses and in South Dakota 90% of our farms and ranches are family owned.

The delegation was in agreement over that, as well as on the Cattle Contract Library Act, which would require packers to report terms of alternative marketing agreements between packers and producers giving ranchers more market data.

There was only a slight disagreement when it came to the American Beef Labeling Act of 2021. While they agreed that labels are important, Selchert said Rounds wants to make sure labeling is not confusing for the consumer.

He used an illustration of a pair of slacks he owns. The materials are made in the United States, but they were assembled in Mexico. They still get to bear the Made in America, label. So while Rounds supports the bill, he wants to be sure the beef that is labeled as a product of America truly was raised, butchered and processed in the U.S.

In his closing statement, Selchert summarized the ultimate reason for the need for unity within the beef industry: Our hearts are all in the right place, and we need to talk and we need to remember that our kids go to the same schools, we go to the same churches, we live in the same communities, and we don't necessarily agree on how to address it. But we know we're being attacked. And 35 years in the military has taught me that if we're not together when we get attacked, we're in trouble.

While the three legislative representatives generally agreed on issues affecting the cattle industry, there was a bit more disagreement among the advocacy groups, particularly regarding the Beef Checkoff reform and Senate Bill 949.

The Beef Checkoff reform is a part of the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2021. The bill prohibits boards established to carry out a checkoff program or a USDA order issued under a checkoff program from entering into a contract or agreement to carry out program activities with a party that engages in activities to influence any government policy or action that relates to agriculture, according to Congress.gov.

Selchert and Tupper acknowledged that while the Beef Checkoff isnt perfect, eliminating it isnt necessary, which is what Selchert believes is the end goal.

Let's be clear that detractors of the checkoff do not want to reform it. They want to dismantle it, he said.

He added, The Beef Checkoff is the strongest tool cattle producers have to defend their industry from environmental activists to fake meat companies.

Tupper said the checkoff could benefit from modernization and being made more streamlined.

Does the checkoff have problems? Without question. Do we think we need to take it all away? That's not necessarily what we believe, he said.

Unlike her peers, Jones is in favor of the reform. Since the checkoff was put in place, beef consumption has dropped 20 pounds per capita. 1985, cattle producers were receiving 57%of the consumer dollar, today its about 37%. There were 110 million cows, today 93.5 million.

Were losing our cowherd, producers, percentage of the consumer dollar and per capita consumption of beef, she said.

Of the three organizations taking part in the town hall discussion, R-CALF was the only one that does not accept funds from the Beef Checkoff.

Senate Bill 949 also saw divisions between the advocacy groups. The bill would require a minimum of 50% of a covered packer's weekly volume of livestock slaughter be purchased through spot market sales from nonaffiliated producers.

Stomprud stated that the bill is one of NCBAs highest priorities and admits that the issue is very complex.

Cow calf operators, stockers and feeders all deserve good price discovery to ensure fair prices, he said. He went on to explain how NCBA has continued to fight for fair pricing.

Weve successfully advocated Rep Johnsons cattle contract bill, new USDA reports that provide more insight to formula transactions and reauthorization to mandatory livestock reporting. Weve worked to secure $1 billion to expand packing capacity. That seems to be the biggest bottleneck right now for not seeing good prices for our fat cattle, he said.

Tupper also spoke in favor of the bill and pointed out that some opponents have said that the bill isnt enough or that it establishes regionalization. However, Tupper said he believes in the need for compromise.

There's no such thing in Congress as a silver bullet bill to fix all the problems we have in the cattle industry. It's been broken over a lot of years. It's going to take a lot of time to fix. But if we don't take the reins and get something passed, we've lost, he said.

R-CALF is one of those groups that doesnt believe Senate Bill 949 goes far enough. Jones said her organization would like a minimum standard of conduct that all 24 of the big four plants have to live by.

The bill, as its currently written, would exclude nine of the big 24 plants, including five JBS plants, Jones said. She added that if the bill is passed, It would historically damage what we are working for in R-CALF.

While there were many disagreements, there were two things all three groups were all in total agreement on.

The first was supporting the suspension of Brazilian beef imports. The second was that there has never been a greater need for unity within the cattle industry than there is right now.

To view a recording of the keynote speaker, panel discussion or town hall discussion, visit https://youragnetwork.com/.

Melisa Goss, Associate Editor for the Tri-State Neighbor, is a South Dakota farm girl whose love of travel has allowed her to see ags vital impact around the world, from Americas heartland to the rice paddies of Southeast Asia and many places in between. She makes her home in Sioux Falls with her husband, daughter and miniature schnauzer. You can reach her at mgoss@lee.net.

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It may not come as a big surprise, but Scottsdale is home to more short-term rentals than th
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Permit-less gun bill moving through General Assembly

ATLANTA  After years of unsuccessful efforts, gun rights advocates have never been closer to convincing the General Assembly to pass legislation letting Georgians carry concealed firearms without a permit.

To build a safer, stronger Georgia, we must ensure every Georgian feels safe and secure in their communities, Gov. Brian Kemp said during his State of the State address last month. I believe that starts with fully recognizing the constitutional rights granted to law-abiding Georgians in our founding documents, and I look forward to supporting constitutional carry legislation this session.

The constitutional carry bill, sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte, cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee along party lines, with six Republican senators supporting it and three Democrats opposed. Its next stop will be the Senate Rules Committee, which is expected to send it to the floor of the chamber for a vote of the full Senate.

Our organization is grateful for Sen. Anavitarte and his unapologetic support of the Second Amendment, Jerry Henry, executive director of the Georgia gun rights group GA2A, said in a statement issued after the committee vote. We are one step closer to restoring the constitutional rights afforded to every law-abiding citizen in Georgia.

Legislative Democrats oppose Senate Bill 319 not only as an individual proposal but as part of a broader election-year push by Republicans to pass a laundry list of bills aimed at appealing to GOP base voters.

In the case of the gun bill, Democrats say allowing Georgians to carry guns without a permit would increase violent crime. In 2020, at least 5,000 Georgians were denied a firearms permit because of a criminal history, a track record that would have gone undiscovered had no permit application been required.

Why would we want to make it easier for those criminals to carry firearms? Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta, asked during the Judiciary Committee meeting.

Republicans counter that requiring permits to carry guns only affects law-abiding Georgians because criminals dont bother to apply for permits.

The folks who are burdened by this process are those who are obeying the law, Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, said.

Anavitarte, R-Dallas, said Senate Bill 319 would not change the laws governing who can carry firearms in Georgia or where they can bring them. It only pertains to the permitting process, he said.

Anavitarte said 21 states have adopted constitutional carry laws, including Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, statistically among the states safest from violent crime.

In most [states with constitutional carry], crime has decreased or remained flat, he said. The bill puts law-abiding gun owners on an even playing field with criminals.

But opponents argue that kind of Wild West mentality where everyone is packing a weapon is not popular with law enforcement agencies.

Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant expressed concern about the proliferation of guns on the streets of Georgias capital city last month after a 6-month-old baby was shot.

Guns intensify violent encounters ... upping the stakes and worsening the outcome, Parent said.

But gun rights advocates say the right to privacy from government intrusion is at stake.

This is about freedom, Aaron Dorr of Georgia Gun Owners told members of the Judiciary Committee. Its about [gun owners] not having to put their name in a database and be tracked by the government.
TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A top Iranian security official said on Monday that the success of the Vienna talks on the restoration of a 2015 nuclear deal depends on the U.S. political determination.

Nuclear negotiations in Vienna have reached a stage where "the outcome can be announced without guesswork," Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani tweeted.

The U.S. political decision on whether to accept the requirements conducive to the conclusion of "a credible and lasting deal" based on the principles in the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he noted.

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, which prompted the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments one year later and advance its halted nuclear programs.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, namely Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany, to revive the landmark deal.

The United States, which has been indirectly involved in the Vienna negotiations, has said it has until the end of February to resuscitate the 2015 nuclear pact, or the United States will launch "aggressive efforts" against Iran. 
Over the past year, the Biden administration has achieved an ignominious consistency of scandal and incompetence.

There are not one but two concurrent scandals involving the now-former director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Biden's top science adviser Eric Lander.

The first scandal is related to conflict of interest. Politico.com. reported that Lander had significant investments in one of the vaccine makers while he actively promoted COVID-19 vaccination in his official capacity.

Under the White Houses ethics agreement signed by Lander, he had 90 days to sell off his stocks after his appointment on May 28, 2021. During these 90 days, Lander had agreed he would not participate personally and substantially in any particular matter that to my knowledge has a direct and predictable effect on the financial interests of the entity until I have divested it unless I first obtain a written waiver... or qualify for a regulatory exemption.

Last February, in response to Axios' question about the potential conflict of interest the White House claimed that Lander is recused from particular matters related to any stocks he holds pending divestiture, including any such matters related to COVID vaccines'

The OSTP also dismissed questions regarding conflict of interest raised by Politico, claiming that The law is clear -- and conversations and opinion pieces telling people they should get vaccinated during a global pandemic are not even close to an ethics concern

However, Lander retained stocks of BioNTech SE worth $500,000 to $1 million until Aug. 5, while he promoted COVID-19 vaccines. BioNTech SE, the German biotechnology company and Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine partner.

Lander wrote the following Boston Globe in June 2021:

We need to keep up the pressure to truly defeat the pandemic by ensuring that everyone is vaccinated. You can do your part by respectfully reaching out to people you know who havent yet been vaccinated.

The Globe recently added a disclaimer about Lander's stock holdings.

On Aug. 4, a day before he sold the stock, Lander wrote the following in Washington Post where he promoted investing in a 'new infrastructure to combat future pandemics':

Coronavirus vaccines can end the current pandemic if enough people choose to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting vaccinated.

The Post hasnt added any disclaimer thus far.

On the day of the sale of his stock, 69 days after his appointment, BioNTech had reached $404.92 per share. This was BioNTechs second-highest stock price ever and a rise of more than $50 from two days before.

A fundamental principle of ethics while trading in the stock market is that investments are made on information available in the public domain.

Benefiting financially due to access to restricted information or a role in government where you promote a policy is both unethical and illegal.

The laws and guidelines will not always cover every potential scenario regarding conflicts of interest. Hence, it is up to the individual, his superiors, and compliance bodies to prevent any ethics violations.

The Biden administration, having been fervent proponents of the vaccine, should know that such news adds to the considerable vaccine skepticism and hesitancy.

A public servant must exhibit very high standards of ethics, this is what makes Landers conflict of interest, even more problematic. Much like the mandates he was promoting, Lander should have been mandated to sell his BioNTech stock, or else his government employment should have been kept on hold.

Lander's second scandal relates to his unethical conduct in office.

Politico reported In an office of roughly 140 people, 14 current and former OSTP staffers who worked under Lander this past year shared similar descriptions of a toxic work environment where they say Lander frequently bullied, cut off and dismissed subordinates. Nine of those current and former OSTP staffers said Lander yelled and sometimes made people feel humiliated in front of their peers.

Such was the toxicity created by Lander that the accusers requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.

An internal White House investigation found credible evidence that proved the accusers' claims.

Early, last Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that senior personnel had rebuked Lander for his conduct and had informed him that corrective actions were needed which would be monitored. Lander was allowed to remain in his role.

But later that evening, Psaki said Biden had accepted Landers resignation with gratitude for his work at OTSP on the pandemic, the Cancer Moonshot, climate change, and other key priorities.

Lander, in his resignation letter, said, I am devastated that I caused hurt to past and present colleagues by the way in which I have spoken to them.

The White House said Biden did not request Landers resignation.

It has to be remembered that Biden has issued a stern warning to his appointees on his inauguration day that he will fire them on the spot' if they disrespected their colleagues

The fact that the toxic office environment was allowed for almost eight months raises questions about ethics. The people at the OTSP must have already been under great stress owing to the pandemic. The inhuman Lander added to their woes with his bullying and humiliation.

Once again, the Democrats display their hypocrisy when they claim to stand for the afflicted and the powerless.

Lander was always a controversial figure, causing a delay in his confirmation by months.

There were concerns about Landers multiple meetings with the late Jeffrey Epstein and the disgraced financier who was charged with sex trafficking and pedophilia. Lander had called Epstein an abhorrent individual during his confirmation.

Back in 2016, Lander was accused of conflict of interest when he wrote a column downplaying the contributions of Nobel Prize-winning biochemists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna in a gene-editing technology called CRISPR. Lander didnt disclose an ongoing patent dispute regarding CRISPR between Broad Institute, founded by Lander, and the University of California where the Nobel laureates worked.

A man such as Lander with a record of questionable behavior should never have been confirmed. It once again raises serious questions regarding the process of vetting and confirmation.

Why didnt the Republicans either block Landers confirmation or raise objections when he was confirmed?

His role had probably dictated the various COVID-19 related restrictions and mandates that made the lives of citizens very harder.

Beyond Lander, the question remains: what other conflicts of interest exist in Washington that citizens will never know of?

A study by the Campaign Legal Center showed that lawmakers traded in stocks hundreds of times throughout the coronavirus pandemic, investing in sectors relevant due to the COVID-19 and disposed stocks from sectors harmed by the pandemic.

We have seen conflicts of interest among those advocating for war with Russia.

No wonder it is called a swamp, and it has to be drained soon!

Image: JustGrimes
For two years, Western governments have embraced COVID-1984 totalitarianism, and now a group of minutemen truckers is having its say. It is a recurring theme throughout history that the fight for freedom doesn't really begin until the light of its flame is nearly extinguished. Then something almost magical happens: the human need for liberty ignites and starts spreading out of control. Everywhere around us today, Big Tech and Big Government are building monuments to a future of technocratic authoritarianism they envision as inevitable, yet whispers calling for freedom are turning into shouts.

Is freedom on the march? Freedom is always on the march when it looks almost licked. What started as gross government overreach may well end up as an army of truckers bulldozing over a police state that once seemed certain.

When honking, of all things, is outlawed for the government's protection, then those with power are getting nervous. Pushing the "Great Rest" upon the world is backfiring. Instead of subjugating people to the will of the global "elite," COVID-1984 may be remembered for subjugating the "elite" to the will of the people. I know this much: our Founding Fathers would all be driving trucks today, and they would have relished the opportunity to declare their independence while blasting their horns from the high perch of big rigs!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

It doesn't matter how sophisticated, wealthy, adored, articulate, or celebrated someone is; in a free society, there can be no ruling class holding perpetual power over everyone else. When political dynasties and nepotism become common; when political offices are treated as having bestowed titles of nobility; or when oligarchs write all the laws, then kings and queens have returned to power. When the aristocratic agents of government claim for themselves the authority to determine what rights the people may enjoy, then the people have become slaves to a system that claims to work on their behalf while doing the opposite.

Unalienable rights cannot be taken from a person. They are absolute and non-negotiable. The government is not entitled to produce a "really good" reason or excuse for abridging a person's liberty. Governments depriving citizens of their individual rights under the pretext of an emergency is akin to thieves depriving citizens of their property under the pretext of taxation (so much for the IRS's legitimacy). Most importantly, our rights and freedoms do not arise from bureaucratic decrees or the musings of politicians. They belong to us alone and never go away. They exist separate from any laws or institutions or forms of government created by man. They existed before America's independence; they existed whether it was the Articles of Confederation or the U.S. Constitution binding the states together; they exist today despite a century of Supreme Court jurisprudence reimagining the Constitution as a "living, breathing document"; they exist regardless of whether the Department of Justice criminalizes "hate speech" or whether the White House censors points of view as "misinformation"; and they will exist long after the United States of America recedes into the pages of history.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ...

Societies that value innovation and self-determination cherish individual freedom. Societies that value orthodoxy and compliance cherish government force. Free will cannot exist in a system that first requires government permission. Free speech cannot exist in a system with thought police posing as "fact-checkers." Liberty cannot exist in a system drowned in tens of thousands of criminal statutes and laws. Consent cannot exist in a system of medical mandates and threats.

When governments exceed their enumerated authorities, their power is unjust. When they act in direct opposition to their constitutional duties, their power is unjust. When they intimidate and punish citizens for exercising their free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and every other natural and unalienable right that can never be abridged or abrogated through the impertinence of impermanent government, their power is unjust. Tyrants cannot gain the consent of the people simply because tyranny, by its nature, abhors and persecutes dissent.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government ...

Politicians will not talk about freedom today. They talk exclusively about "democracy." Why? Because nothing they impose on people today could be mistaken for protecting freedom. From vaccine mandates and digital passports to emergency orders and mass censorship, the medical police state they have created is communist in nature, arbitrary in practice, and tyrannical in spirit. When democracy is not held in check by constitutional guarantees for individual rights, democracy is just as prone as any other system to welcome tyranny. Freedom cannot exist in a democracy if the only people allowed a voice are tyrants.

Ask yourself whether you would rather live under a benevolent dictatorship headed by Thomas Jefferson or a democracy composed of nothing but Stalins, Hitlers, Mussolinis, and Maos. Democracy, no matter how "precious" government agents proclaim it to be, means nothing if it cannot protect the people from the people's government. This understanding of human freedom propelled American independence. It's the same understanding of freedom that fuels the truckers today.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Any government that attempts to reestablish rights and liberties as gifts bestowed by those with power is a menace. Any government that pretends rights and liberties survive only in times of peace is certain to keep society in an imaginary but permanent state of emergency and war. Any government that promises future freedoms in exchange for temporary obedience is certain to provide temporary freedom in exchange for total obedience in perpetuity. Any government that promises safety and security, yet will not promise to protect individual rights, is a government that leaves everyone less safe, less secure, and less free.

It is time for Western governments to step back behind the lines they've crossed before they discover one day soon that there is no one left behind them to do their bidding. Today we have "the honks heard around the world," but what will tomorrow bring as governments outlaw honks, cover their ears, and learn nothing?

Freedom always finds a way. For those eager to be on the wrong side of it, well, best to look both ways before crossing the street. The spirit of 1776 is back in the air these days. And freedom convoys have a tendency to spring up where those shutting them down expect them least.

Image via Pxhere.
As reported by Fox News: Ottawa mayor Jim Watson and the Freedom Convoy truckers have reached an agreement to move trucks from residential neighborhoods.

Here you can find the true nature of the Freedom Convoy movement. The truckers shut it all down, reduced the mayor to begging through backchannel negotiations for them to move. They have agreed in the name of businesses staying afloat and relief for the average citizen. Where were these businesses and citizens to stand with the truckers whose livelihoods were taken from them for not submitting to the Wuhan plague jabs? Nothing makes them do this, other than their own moral compasses  something many of these businesses and people obviously do not have.

The Freedom Convoy Board agree with your request to reduce pressure on the residents and businesses in the City of Ottawa. We have made a plan to consolidate our protest efforts around Parliament Hill. We will be working hard over the next 24 hours to get buy in from the truckers. We hope to start repositioning our trucks on Monday.

If ever there was a modern-day movement that truly represents the people and all that we collectively agree is good and just, the Freedom Convoys are that thing.

Image: Rise Of The Dots!
Lao, Singaporean FMs to pay official visits to Cambodia

Foreign Ministers of Laos and Singapore, Saleumxay Kommasith and Vivian Balakrishnan, will pay official visits to Cambodia and attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Phnom Penh from February 15  17 at the invitation of their Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn.













Foreign Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith (Photo: VNA)

According to a press release issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on February 13, during his visit, Lao Foreign Minister Kommasith will meet with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and hold talks with Sokhonn on many aspects in the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, as well as in international and regional issues of common concern.



Kommasits official visit to Cambodia is hoped to further deepen and lift the fine cooperation and traditional relationship between Laos and Cambodia to a new height, for their common benefits.



Meanwhile, Singaporean Foreign Minister Balakrishnan will also meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, and hold official talks with his Cambodian counterpart Sokhonn on bilateral cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, tourism, education and health, and regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern.



The Singapore official will also have separate meetings with other Cambodian officials: Economy and Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth, Environment Minister Say Samal, and Chairman of the National Assembly Commission on Education, Youth, Sports, Cult and Religious Affairs, Culture and Tourism Hun Many.
TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that the exchange of prisoners with the United States is being discussed at the nuclear talks in Vienna, official news agency IRNA reported.

"But it seems that the United States is waiting for the outcome of the talks in Vienna to make its decision on it," Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly press conference, according to IRNA.

Iran has not tied the issue to the outcome of the nuclear negotiations, he said, adding a prisoner swap was raised as a priority in parallel with other topics in Vienna months ago.

The prisoner swap issue can be resolved through independent and separate ways, the Iranian spokesman noted. 
Out of the blue, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez launched a Twitter attack on Senator Ted Cruz. As you will see, the gist of the attack is that she thinks Senator Cruz can't dance the way the cool kids do. The cool kids naturally include her, dancing in a Twitter video, with the person in the foreground of African American descent, and behind her AOC in one of her expensive designer outfits, moving rhythmically to music.

Ted Cruz could never pic.twitter.com/lGAO45uuy2  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 13, 2022

Perhaps this is supposed to be a dig at Cruz as an intellectual nerd, someone who was studying while the hip BIPOC crowd was out clubbing. Remember that after graduating from Boston University, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (at the time using the name Sandy Cortez) put her erudition to work as a bartender at a Manhattan club. Methinks Sandy, who loves to pontificate on practically any subject, has a slight inferiority complex to the senator who was praised by one of his Harvard Law School professors as his most brilliant student, and who regularly dazzles with his intellect.

Replies from Cruz-supporters picked up on her previous claim that her critics just want to date her and threw it back in her face:

Hey @tedcruz, @AOC wants to date you.  Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) February 13, 2022

Are you flirting with @tedcruz  Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 13, 2022

But Senator Cruz took a different approach, and with two words put her in her place.

Update: Notice that the two African Americans visible in the video are masked, while AOC and another Caucasian are not. Remember the Met Gala, where Ocasio-Cortez wore her "tax the rich" dress? The servants were masked, and the wealthy guests were not. Can you say "light skin privilege"?



Photo credit: Twitter video screen grab (cropped).

Hat tip: The Right Scoop.
For those who, like me, value freedom, the valiant protest in which the Canadian truckers are engaged is inspiring. We've also been thrilled to see the thousands of Canadians who turned out to support the truckers. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's response (running away, name-calling, huge threats) is beginning to disgust people across the political spectrum. Polls show, however, that even though a bare majority of Canadians dislike mandates, most of them are still inert.

In the conservative blogosphere, writers have made no secret of how much Trudeau repulses them. Douglas Murray sums up the feelings of lots of people when he writes (behind a Telegraph paywall):

As time goes on it becomes clear that Trudeau really is the worst leader in the democratic world. His principal qualifications for the role were that he had been a primary school teacher and that his father had been prime minister before him. Other than that, he simply promised to do things differently, to be more empathetic, to emote more, to be more feminine and more understanding. [snip] Unfortunately, if you do not happen to agree with the silken-haired premier, he will have zero time for you. In recent months, as the rest of the world has adapted to Covid, Trudeau seems to have boxed himself into a corner on the matter. In an effort to persuade the population to get vaccinated, Trudeau did everything he could to defame those who disagreed with him. This extended to him dismissing anyone hesitant about taking the vaccine as being (guess what?) racist, mysogynistic [sic] and more. Trudeau had no evidence for any of this, but this is the modern way of excommunicating any person or group of people. Say that they are racist, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobes and you have successfully un-personed such people.

John Nolte, another conservative, compares Trudeau to George Wallace:

By any measure, Trudeau's vaccine mandates are indefensible. Trudeau's dehumanizing rhetoric against the unvaccinated (or those who support the vaccine and oppose mandates) is monstrous. Trudeau's willingness to practice open segregation against people over personal medical choices is tyrannical. What Democrat Gov. George Wallace was to the civil rights movement, Justin Trudeau is to the Freedom Convoy. Trudeau is the villain fighting an unjust cause. Trudeau is the fascist willing to destroy innocent people's livelihoods to enforce immoral laws. Trudeau is the gangster ready to commit violence rather than admit he is wrong.

Well, sure. That's what we'd expect conservatives to say. What's interesting, though, is that this dripping disdain is beginning to come from people on the left, too.

Matt Taibbi has compared Trudeau to Romanian tyrant Nicolae Ceausescu. This isn't because Trudeau is the despot Ceausescu was (yet). It's because Trudeau, like Ceausescu, is so immured in his sense of tyrannical rightness that he is unable to see that the people have turned against him. (Although maybe Trudeau's right. More on that in a minute.)



Image: Justin Trudeau, North American tyrant (edited). YouTube screen grab.

And Bill Maher, of all people, compared Trudeau to Hitler for an insightful reason: Trudeau, going beyond just otherizing unvaccinated people by calling them racist and misogynistic, said, "They take up space and, with that, we have to make a choice  in terms of a leader in a country  do we tolerate these people?"

Maher was offended. "No, they're not. Tolerate these? Now you do sound like Hitler."

Yes, Trudeau is bad. But it's sadly possible the Canadian people just don't care. David Solway, a Canadian, points out something ugly:

The problem is that fully two-thirds of the electorate rejects or is indifferent to the trucker revolt against unscrupulous and demagogic power. According to an Angus Reid poll, 54% of Canadians would like to see the COVID-19 mandates lifted, yet they are not interested in standing up for the Freedom Convoy that carries their banner. The trucker unions jealous of their perquisites and the bought-and-paid-for national press have also sided with the wielders of tyrannical authority. [snip] A supine and compliant majority population, even more than a corrupt and imperious governing elite, will determine whether the nation survives or not. The truckers are battling not only a prime minister who admires Communist China and Castroite Cuba, or a banausic troglodyte like Ontario premier Doug Ford, but a majority citizenry that cares little for democratic freedoms and wishes only to get on with things as they were, fully vaccinated and content to go about masked and docile like a Costco herd of narcotized zombies.

No matter the insults one levels at Trudeau, it appears that the Canadian people got the leader they deserve. I pity those who seek liberty there just as, here in America, I pity those Americans stuck with Biden.
One of the main problems with overly stringent laws is that only some people will follow them, while others will ignore or even exploit them. The result, all too often, is that law-abiding citizens will be put at a disadvantage vis-a-vis lawbreakers.

Overly restrictive gun laws offer a prime example: only those who already play by the rules will obey such restrictions, whereas criminal elements will naturally ignore them. The result is that those who merely seek to defend themselves may end up being disarmed, whereas those targeting them will be armed.

Unsurprisingly, this topsy-turvy phenomenon is also evident in the "brave new world" ushered in by COVID-19. Not only, as a John Hopkins study recently revealed, have "ill-founded" and draconian lockdowns had "devastating effects" on economies and societies, but in some cases, they have even empowered murderers and disempowered their victims.

This comes out clearly in a recent report from Nigeria titled, "Militia Failed to Obey Covid-19 Lockdown, Killed 24 Christians Observing Government Orders." According to this report, a group of Islamic terrorists "wielding AK-47s and machetes ... killed twenty-four people, who were observing COVID-19 lockdown orders"  and, as such, were sitting ducks.

The [lockdown] order was issued by the state government. However, this group of Fulani militants failed to abide by the order and managed to pass through military stations on their way to the Kaura village. The attack, which took place in a Christian village, lasted about thirty minutes. Such stories can be heard repeatedly in the surrounding villages ... and hundreds of others across Nigeria's fertile Middle Belt.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a community leader explained how, along with lockdown rules, gun bans are also leading to the exposure and subsequent massacre of Christians:

The government and security agencies have failed us. We don't know where to go, we don't know who to believe in. It is the constitutional responsibility of government to protect lives and property, but this government has failed us woefully. People are asking why the government allows herdsmen to move about freely with guns to kill people? Since the government has failed in tackling these killers, we should be allowed to also carry arms like them.

Finally, and perhaps unsurprisingly, "[t]he community leader said the militants claimed more lives than the pandemic in his village. 'We can't farm or go to school. The Fulani militants will attack you. We are suffering.'"

To be sure, this is just one of many examples of how COVID measures have been used to discriminate against or persecute Christians throughout the Muslim world.

At any rate, here, then, is one more example that, when it comes to protecting a people's welfare  which is what gun laws and COVID lockdowns are supposed to be all about  it's probably best to let the people themselves decide on what course of action to follow.

Raymond Ibrahim, author of Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen Centuries of War between Islam and the West, is a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center, a Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum, and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Gatestone Institute.

Image: Diariocritico de Venezuela.
Just a few short years ago, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) was beloved by progressives and considered "courageous" by the left because she came out as bisexual. She was, in fact, the first openly bisexual member of the United States Senate, a trailblazer, a living, breathing, shagging combination of Neil Armstrong, Jackie Robinson, and Rosa Parks, one of the finest people ever to tread the Earth.

Yet, despite her genital inclusiveness, progressives now consider Sinema a horrible person because she's sticking to her guns, refusing to change her political beliefs, and doing what she thinks is best for the country, not what is best or easiest for her. Her thus far steadfast refusal to attack the filibuster and Electoral College, coupled with her hesitancy to vote to spend the United States into oblivion, has caused activists to chase her into bathrooms, and the usual suspects in her party and the mainstream media  and here I'm being redundant  to endlessly chastise her.

This is just example 7,892,458 of Democrats' and progressives' rank hypocrisy.

Example 7,892,459 is the fact that Dems and progressives not only gave a pass to BLM and Antifa rioters in their four-month-long assault on America's cities in 2020 but actively encouraged them in their burning and looting. Too bad that dozens of innocent people were killed in that orgy of violence mostly peaceful protest, but one has to break a few eggs to make an omelet, right? The hypocrisy comes in when one compares how these rioters were treated with the treatment of those who strolled through the Capitol on Jan. 6. Some of these folks are still incarcerated, some without being charged. Impossible in this country with our Bill of Rights and equal justice under the law? Nope. Not anymore, it's not. Not in Biden's America.

And there's more. Those on the left believe that the Canadian truckers are bad, too. How dare they peacefully assemble against Trudeau's tyranny? If your leaders demand that you inject something into your body  repeatedly  in order to be allowed to work, then you just shut up and do it! "Workers of the world unite" is so yesterday!

We all know that George Floyd's death at the hands of the Minneapolis police was the single worst thing that has ever happened in the history of the world. But why was the equally unarmed Ashli Babbitt's death at the hands of the Capitol Police no big deal, possibly even richly deserved? And now it turns out that Capitol Hill's finest may have also pepper-sprayed, trampled, and/or beaten Rosanne Boyland to death. But, you know...meh.

If you literally just switched the intentions and identities of these groups, "progressives" and the media would have switched their take on their actions. If MAGA- hat-wearing Trump-supporters had burned and looted America's cities in 2020 and BLM and Antifa had breached the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, Democrats and their media sycophants would have called for the harshest possible penalties to be levied against the former while praising the latter for their "necessary" message and the courage of their convictions. If the Canadian truckers were protesting alleged racial disparity instead of vaccine mandates, the same media that treated them like pariahs would have fallen head-over-heels in love with them. "A couple of blocked bridges and a somewhat clogged capital city are a small price to pay for advancing the cause of freedom," they would have crowed. If Rosanne Boyland, a Black woman, had died at the hands of a Minneapolis policeman after trying to pass off counterfeit bills or stealing merchandise while high on drugs, and George Floyd had been murdered while attempting to enter the Capitol building in a misguided effort to support Trump, the media would have endlessly extolled Boyland's virtues and branded Floyd a violent insurrectionist whose demise was warranted. And they would have done so while noting that the brave Capitol Police were just doing their job, unlike the bloodthirsty officer in Minneapolis.

As I have previously noted, calling current events "preposterous" just doesn't cut it anymore.

Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License.
One of the most incongruous things about leftists is that, even as they decry both colonialism and "neo-colonialism," it is they who believe that it's America's responsibility to meddle in every upset around the world  provided, of course, that doing so provides no benefit to America. The latest to articulate this worldview, albeit in the most ignorant way, is Bill Kristol, an erstwhile "conservative," who has now emerged as a full-blooded progressive.

George Washington, the first and, arguably, greatest American president, famously warned in his Farewell Address against getting involved in Europe's politics and disputes:

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connexion as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

Americans heeded those words for over a century, venturing beyond our shores for wars only in the belief (rightly held or not) that these wars conferred a direct benefit on America. That all changed in 1917.

When World War One began, Americans were grateful to be an ocean away from the fray. By 1916, that desire to avoid the European war was why President Woodrow Wilson, a progressive, successfully campaigned for re-election with the slogan "He Kept Us Out of War." However, for a multitude of reasons too complex to discuss here, as the war progressed, American sentiment swung strongly to the British.



Image: American troops heading to battle in WWI. Public domain.

In 1917, the British produced the Zimmermann Telegram, which informed Americans that, if they entered the war, Germany would have a military alliance with Mexico. The pro-war faction became too strong for Wilson to resist, so he went before Congress to make the case for America joining the war.

In fact, America didn't have a case for going to war. If it stayed out of the war (and stopped using backdoor means to fund Britain), Germany would stay out of Mexico. Wilson, therefore, made up the idea that America had a moral obligation selflessly to make the world safe for democracy:

The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them.

And so America, for the next 100 years, became the world's democracy policeman, fighting Germans, communists, Islamists, and more. (Incidentally, we didn't volunteer to fight the Nazis. Two days after Pearl Harbor, Hitler declared war on us. And of course, the Nazis were an ultimate evil that needed to be destroyed.)

Under Obama, we went in the other direction, getting involved in wars when there was no benefit at all to us, and abruptly pulling out of relatively peaceful regions in ways that created dangerous vacuums that extremists filled. The goal wasn't to make the world safe for democracy, but to make it safe from America.

Trump was just a lovely interlude during which America minded her own business and acted for her own benefit.

With Trump out of the White House, Biden has wasted no time in trying to get us involved in a European fight that Europe does not support, that Ukraine (our ostensible ally) does not support, and that the American people do not support. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, in one sentence, pitted Washington's doctrine against Wilson's:

Our founding fathers did not intend for America to be the police force of the world.  Rep. Madison Cawthorn (@RepCawthorn) February 13, 2022

And Bill Kristol, now officially a Democrat, tried to rebut this by referring to the Barbary War:

The shores of Tripoli would like a word. https://t.co/mYQzVGdhbl  Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) February 13, 2022

Other equally dimwitted chimed in:

It's probably necessary to explain to @RepCawthorn, our home schooled college 1st year flunk out, that "the shores of Tripoli" is a reference to the First Barbary War in 1805, truly during out Founding Fathers.  Nicholas Lefevre (@nlefevre) February 13, 2022

What these two leftist geniuses don't seem to know is that the Barbary War of 1805 was not a foreign entanglement or a Wilsonian exercise; it was a targeted strike to destroy North African pirates who were raiding American ships and enslaving their sailors or holding them for ransom. That is, it was fought for reasons Washington and the other Founders would support.

At some point, we must decide as a nation whether we're following Washington or Wilson in our foreign policy. Currently, I vote for the former.
The city of Tyre in southern Lebanon is one of the oldest cities in the world. Originally founded by settlers from the nearby city of Sidon in the 3rd millennium BCE, Tyre became politically independent when Egyptian influence in Phoenicia declined, and later it surpassed even Sidon to become the most important Phoenician trade center and seaport having commercial ties with all parts of the Mediterranean world.

The city is situated on a small bulbous peninsula that juts out from the Lebanese coast for nearly two kilometers. But it wasnt always like this. Tyre was originally an island with half a kilometer of open water separating it from the mainland. The island was formidably defended with high walls surrounded on all sides that was 45 meters tall at places. Tyre was considered impregnable, having withstood several sieges in the past, including a 13-year siege by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.

Satellite view of the city of Tyre.

In January 332 BCE, Alexander arrived in Phoenicia, having defeated Darius III at the battle of Issus in November 333 BCE. All Phoenician cities, with the exception of the island of Tyre, surrendered to Alexanders army without a battle. Alexander was aware of Tyre's supposed impregnability, and he knew that city would be hard to conquer without a naval fleet, which he did not have. But subjugating Tyre was important for Alexander, because it was the Persians last harbor in the region.

Alexander decided to use trickery to gain entry. He told the Tyrians that he wanted to make a sacrifice at the ancient temple of the Tyrian god Melqart, whom the Greeks identified with their own god Heracles. But the Tyrians were no fools and they refused to admit Alexander, suggesting that the Macedonian make his sacrifice to Heracles in the temple on the mainland. Alexander then tried to negotiate but the Tyrians executed his messengers and threw their bodies into the sea.

Alexander flew into a rage and became determined to capture Tyre. He ordered the construction of a large causeway (or mole), across the narrow channel towards Tyre, using rubble from demolished buildings on the mainland. The water was shallow, about two meters deep, and work progressed rapidly. But as the mole approached the island, the water became deeper and the seas heavy, and the Tyrians constantly harassed the builders by firing projectiles from the ramparts of the citadel.

The Siege of Tyre. Illustration by Duncan B. Campbell

To defend the mole, Alexander constructed two siege towers, 50 meters high, from timber and covered them with rawhides to protect against enemy fire arrows. Like most of Alexanders siege towers, these were moving artillery platforms, with catapults on the top. He positioned the towers at the end of the causeway, and from the top Alexanders army were able to return fire. The Tyrians responded by building a fireship. They took an old vessel, loaded it up with pitch, sulphur, and various other combustibles, hung cauldrons of oil from the mast, and set it on fire. Then they ran the burning ship aground the mole, engulfing the two siege towers in flames. Other Tyrian vessels fired missiles at Macedonian builders driving off anyone who tried to put out the fires.

The destruction of the siege towers and parts of the causeway was a huge setback for Alexander, but the young king was determined to rebuild the causeway. He started at once on a second, wider mole that could hold more towers, but on the back of his mind he knew that the siege could only succeed when attacked with a fleet.

The Siege of Tyre. Illustration by Frank Martini

So Alexander set off for Sidon to fetch his own ships. He raided up and down the coast collecting Phoenician vessels and crews which have previously served with the Persians. Two Phoenician kings, Gerostratus of Aradus and Enylus of Byblos, willfully joined Alexander, perhaps guessing which way the fortunes of war would go. In addition, the Kings of Cyprus sent another 120 vessels to join him. Soon Alexander had a formidable fleet numbering over 250 vessels.

When Alexander arrived with his superior fleet, the Tyrians blocked their ports and barricaded themselves inside. With the ships keeping guard, Alexander resumed building the mole. The Tyrians tried to prevent Alexanders fleet from approaching too close to the city walls by creating obstacles in the sea with large number of stones hurled over the city walls. Alexander ordered the rocks hoisted out of the water with ropes so that a path could be cleared. The Tyrians then sent divers to cut the anchor ropes of the besieging ships. Alexander responded by replacing ropes with iron chains.

Eventually, the mole was extended all the way to the city allowing Alexander to bring his siege engines and battering rams to pound the walls with. A weak spot in the wall was found in the southern end where Alexanders army managed to crack open a hole. Once his troops forced their way into the city, they easily overtook the garrison, and quickly captured the city. The Macedonian army massacred Tyres population, and only those who took shelter in the temple of Melqart were pardoned. Some 6,000 men were killed in action and another 2,000 Tyrians were crucified on the beach. The rest of the population, some 30,000 people, consisting mostly of civilians were sold to slavery. Alexanders men themselves suffered little casualties, with only about 400 killed.

The construction of the mole completely changed the geography of the coast. For centuries after the siege, the mole became an obstacle to sea currents causing sediments to deposit on either side of the mole, and an isthmus began to take shape. By the time Tyre became part of the Byzantium Empire in the late 4th century, the city was no longer an island, but well connected to the mainland by a wide peninsula. Today, this sandy peninsula is about half a kilometer wide and is heavily urbanized with hundreds of apartment blocks. Tyres southern harbor gradually filled with silt and has long since disappeared but the northern harbor is still used and is filled with fishing boats and pleasure craft.

Aerial view of Tyre. Photographer unknown.

References:

# Marc G. De Santis, Alexander the Great and the Siege of Tyre, Warfare History Network

# Grant, Alexander's Siege of Tyre, 332 BCE, Ancient History Encyclopedia

# Yaacov Nir, The city of Tyre, Lebanon and its semiartificial tombolo, 3.0.CO;2-4">3.0.CO;2-4">3.0.CO;2-4">Wiley Online Library

# Wikipedia
(Image source from: Greatandhra.com)

KCR's new Political Front targets BJP:- Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has been keen on floating a third front in the country as an alternate for BJP and Congress. KCR has been targeting BJP after the duo deferred on the farmers' issue and paddy procurement. Protests were staged across Telangana and KCR, KTR participated in the protests. KCR during his recent press interaction said that he is ready with the third front to oust BJP in the country. "I will set up a national party for India to get rid of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the next general elections," told KCR. He said that BJP must be rooted out of the country and the change should come from the people. "I will play a major role and force in the third front" confirmed KCR.

"I had a telephonic conversation with West Bengal Chief Mamata Banerjee and I was invited to visit Bengal. She is willing to come here. I also will fly to Mumbai to meet the Maharashtra Chief Minister. Several other leaders from other states are in touch with me over the third front. We are in plans of an anti-BJP coalition" told KCR. There are talks that KCR is in rethinking mode about inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inauguration of Yadadri which is scheduled to take place next month. The budget of Telangana is said to be Rs 2.10 lakh crores. Telangana Rastra Samithi Working President and the IT Minister of Telangana, KTR called the cadres of the party to celebrate the birthday of CM KCR for three days. He asked the party followers and supporters to distribute food across the villages on February 15th. KCR will celebrate his birthday on February 17th.
TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday an agreement in the ongoing talks in Vienna on the restoration of a 2015 nuclear deal is waiting for the other side's political decisions, according to official news agency IRNA.

There is no "dead end" in Vienna, Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly press conference, noting that the delegations are interacting.

When the time comes for negotiating serious issues, the talks become difficult, Khatibzadeh added, admitting the negotiations are nevertheless facing some slowness and foot-dragging.

He added he has talked with Iran's top negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani about the trend reflected by the Vienna talks on Monday, noting that developments in the Austrian capital have unfolded in a way that a number of important key issues remained, which are tough to decide about.

Therefore, all parties are following up on the developments with sensitivity, Khatibzadeh said.

An agreement in the Austrian capital is awaiting the other side's political decisions, he said, adding that "we are waiting to receive the response to our initiatives and proposals."

The more the United States and the E3 group of France, Britain and Germany demonstrate determination, "the shorter our distance becomes from reaching an agreement," Khatibzadeh said.

In similar comments on Monday, a top Iranian security official said on Monday that the success of the Vienna talks on the restoration of a 2015 nuclear deal depends on the U.S. political determination.

Nuclear negotiations in Vienna have reached a stage where "the outcome can be announced without guesswork," Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani tweeted.

The U.S. political decision on whether to accept the requirements conducive to the conclusion of "a credible and lasting deal" is based on the principles in the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he noted.

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, which prompted the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments one year later and advance its halted nuclear programs.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, namely Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, to revive the landmark deal. 
North Andover, MA (01845)

Today

Light rain this morning. Breaks of sun this afternoon. High 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Google makes use of AI-generated automated replies on most of its compatible apps. The latest app to receive the smart reply suggestions feature is the Google Voice Android application.

Smart replies are convenient in many ways, and they show up above the Type a message field. It will, of course, appear in relevant conversations you are having. So, they may not load up in all existing threads.

You can use these smart replies to complete your sentences without the need to type those extra few words. The smart reply suggestions feature is generally helpful when you arent sure about the grammar in your sentences.

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A total of three smart suggestions will be shown in pill-shaped boxes. You can tap on the appropriate suggestion and complete your sentence.

Do note that these smart suggestions only appear for outgoing messages. After you have replied, these suggestion boxes will quickly disappear.

However, there is one important thing to keep in mind when using the smart reply suggestions feature. Once you tap on a suggestion, the reply will be forwarded immediately, rather than placing the text in your reply and giving you the opportunity for additional edits.

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The Smart Replies feature was spotted in the Google Voice Android app version 2022.01.24

Similar behavior of smart replies is evident on the Google Messages app as well. In Gmail, though, you have the option to edit the text after selecting the smart reply in your outgoing message.

The smart reply suggestions feature in Google Voice works fine. You can perform one or two tweaks before you can manually send the message.

As noted by 9to5Google, the smart reply suggestions feature for Google Voice is available on the Android app version 2022.01.24. The feature isnt live for iOS or the web app. It could be beneficial for users if it arrived on the web version.

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Moreover, you can now use the paid enterprise service to make calls from European Google Voice numbers to mobile and landline numbers. This feature is supported in many European countries at the cost of a Google Voice license.

If you are interested in this, then you should know that this feature is already in effect starting Tuesday, February 8. Previously, these calls were applied to domestic and international call rates.

This new change would allow customers to save money on staying connected with friends and family members across Europe. You can check the entire rate list of Google Voice across the globe using this website.
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A couple of businesses in Pell City, along with the St. Clair County Extension Office, offered a helping hand recently to a Vietnam Era veteran. Pictured, from left, are Kevin Flournoy with Pell City Heating & Cooling, St. Clair County Commission Chairman Paul Manning and St. Clair County Extension Veterans Outreach Coordinator Curtis Pippin. Not pictured are Army Veteran Edward Lambert along with Chris Thompson and Andrea Smith with The Home Depot, who were both instrumental in the success of this effort to assist a local Veteran.
(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 14 - A 68-year-old Italian hiker from Ivrea missing since Sunday has been found dead on the Colma di Mombarone peak near Biella in northern Italy.

He was found in the area of his last phone GPS tracing.

He is thought to have fallen into a gully from a mountain path.

An autopsy has been ordered.

The man is the second victim in the Italian Alps in 48 hours.

On Sunday a 68-year-old man from near Turin was found dead on Mont Colmet, in Val d'Aosta. (ANSA).


ISTANBUL - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that Turkey was aiming to take the "necessary steps to strengthen our relations" with the UAE.

He was speaking to journalists at Istanbul's Ataturk airport prior to leaving for Abu Dhabi.

He and a delegation of ministers will be visiting the UAE for two days, during which Erdogan will be meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan (MBZ).

He also noted that he would be visiting the Turkish pavilion at the Dubai Expo and that a number of agreements will be signed in several sectors including defense, transportation, healthcare, agriculture, media, and education.

The Turkish president added that he intended to increase trade relations and that at the moment Turkish exports to the UAE total 5.5 billion dollars while the "economic balance of trade is 8 billion".

The visit marks a detente between Ankara and Abu Dhabi after almost 10 years of complicated relations due to various reasons including diverging positions on the conflicts in Syria and Libya and due to Turkey's support for Qatar in 2017, when several Gulf countries including the UAE isolated Doha.

Beginning last year, Erdogan sought reconciliation with Abu Dhabi and in November MBZ paid an official visit to Ankara in the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since 2012.

During the meeting, the UAE signed investment agreements with Turkey worth about 10 billion dollars.
Another night of violence in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah Mass funeral in Jenin for young man killed by soldiers

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, FEB 14 - Israeli police have been deployed to various areas in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah after a night of clashes between Palestinian and Jewish residents.



According to sources cited by the news agency Maan, 31 Palestinians were injured and 11 others were arrested by the police.



The Israeli far-right MP Itamar Ben Gvir was also slightly injured and two Jewish activists were arrested.



Tensions in the neighbourhood grew worse two days ago, with the setting on fire of the home of a Jewish activist and the injuring of a young Jewish man.



A Palestinian family may also be evicted soon from their home in Sheikh Jarrah, where they have lived for decades.



Jordan on Monday condemned the behaviour of the Israeli authorities, while in Gaza Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have threatened retaliation.



Meanwhile, in the West Bank city of Jenin, a funeral was held for a young Palestinian killed in a firefight on Sunday night with Israeli soldiers.



"Millions of martyrs marching on Jerusalem", chanted the crowd, waving Fatah flags. (ANSAmed).




TAIPEI, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan planned to ease its COVID-19 quarantine policy from next month, given that the local epidemic is stable and under control, the island's disease-monitoring agency said Monday.

It planned to reduce the quarantine period to 10 days from the current 14 days before mid-March. It added the entry restriction for business travelers will also be loosened in the future.

Taiwan reported 54 new COVID-19 cases Monday, including four locally-transmitted infections and 50 imported ones.

One of the new local cases was reported in Miaoli County, while the other three were reported in Kaohsiung City.

To date, Taiwan has reported 19,621 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 15,323 were local infections. 
BEIRUT - Beirut and all of Lebanon were observing a day of national mourning on Monday to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the killing of the prime minister at that time, Rafiq Hariri.

Hariri was killed in 2005 in an explosion for which members of the Lebanese Shiite armed and political movement Hezbollah have been declared guilty in absentia.

Hariri's son and political heir, Saad, who recently withdrew from Lebanese political life, returned to Beirut from his residence in the UAE to lead the commemoration in the UAE in the central Martyrs Square, where there is a mausoleum dedicated to his father.

A ceremony was held in Martyrs Square.

Meanwhile, across the entire country, schools, banks, and public institutions are closed for national mourning.

In a meeting held on Sunday in Beirut with members of his party, Mustaqbal, Saad Hariri denied rumors about pressure from Saudi Arabia to withdraw from political life and not run for parliamentary elections in May.

On this subject, according to Beirut media, Hariri reiterated that he does not intend to run for office and that any member of his party is free to stand as a candidate for the next elections - without, however, making use of the party name or his own.
Ex-Israeli PM Netanyahu's trial postponed for a week Checks on use of spyware by police

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, FEB 14 - A trial against former Israeli PM Benyamin Netanyahu, who has been accused of corruption, fraud, and abuse of power, has been postponed by a week.



The decision was made by three judges from a Jerusalem district court in charge of the case.



The judges said that the postponement was necessary to await the results of checks that began the previous month - after the publication in the Calcalist newspaper of revelations that allege that the police made use of the Pegasus spyware from the NSO company without any judicial permission.



Calcalist has said that the cellphones of some key witnesses in one of the cases discussed as part of the Netanyahu trial - on his relations with the Bezek telecommunications company - had also been attacked.



The judges added that they had been told that these checks would end by Feb. 16. (ANSAmed).




Expo Dubai: ready to coop with UAE on organic says Lener Italy is organic superpower, we must build on this

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 14 - Italy is ready to cooperate with the United Arab Emirates on organic food, Italian ambassador to the UAE Nicola Lener told the Innovation Talk "The future of the Italian food system between innovation, safety and sustainability", organized at the Italian pavilion on Sunday.



"Italy is a superpower in organic food and we are also in sustainable food, with less than half the CO2 emissions in food production compared to our main European partners," said the official.



He said the Emirates "have equipped themselves with a good security strategy focused on logistics, sustainability, and efficiency and there is a lot to to in increasing organic production".



Within this framework, Lener said, "Italian firms, research centres and universities want to cooperate towards this goal.



"Food is a powerful vehicle in our bilateral relations".



Lener stressed that "we must build on this". (ANSA).




Less than 6% of population in Syria vaccinated Only 10% have received first dose

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, FEB 14 - Less than 6% of the Syrian population has completed their vaccination cycle and only 10% have received their first dose, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).



OCHA publishes data from areas under government control as well as those under Russian and Iranian control.



In zones under Turkish influence in the northwestern part of the country, 287,000 people have received their first dose (about 7%), while only 146,500 have completed the vaccination cycle.



The UN has said that 4.4 million people living in the northwestern part of Syria have urgent humanitarian needs.



Two weeks ago, the Italian government announced that it had donated about 4 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID vaccine through the international COVAX platform.



(ANSAmed).




AGRIGENTO - A boat carrying 24 migrants has been intercepted half a mile from the coast of Lampedusa at Cala Pulcino.

While a Financial Police patrol boat was escorting it towards the coast, the boat - possibly due to an unexpected veering off - the boat ended up crashing into rocks near the lighthouse and getting stuck.

Rescuers proved unable to liberate the boat but took the migrants to land where Lampedusa personnel provided assistance.

All those on the boat were rescued, including two women and a child who were among the 24 people on the boat.

The group was taken to the hotspot at the Imbriacola hotspot, which currently hosts 210 refugees.
Ocean Viking conducts another rescue, 247 migrants onboard Fifth in recent days, 19 on boat in Libyan SAR area

(ANSAmed) - ROME, FEB 14 - Another 19 people fleeing Libya including two women and three unaccompanied minors have been rescued by the Ocean Viking, a migrant rescue ship from the NGO Sos Mediterranee operating in the central Mediterranean.



After a rescue operation in the early morning Monday, the fifth in recent days, there are now 247 people onboard.



The NGO tweeted that the migrants had been on a small vessel that was being tossed about by waves over a meter high.



(ANSAmed).




ROME - The Venice Carnival started off with a bang at the weekend despite being scaled back over COVID-19.

In the first two days of the four-day event, over 100,000 tourist presences were registered in the lagoon city including 55,000 on Sunday alone.

More than 18,000 more visitors thronged to the city from other towns in the Veneto region on Sunday.

There were around 25,000 foreign visitors, most of whom spent the night in Venice.

The biggest contingent were the French (23.58%), followed by the British (12.97%), Spanish (12.89%), and Germans (7.24%).

The theme of this year's Carnival is "Remember the Future", and the extravaganza kicked off with a son-et-lumiere show on the Grand Canal called "Venezia lux futura".

The event will reach its climax on Tuesday, Mardi Gras.
ROME - "We continue to monitor Libya's domestic situation and we urge all those involved to act with the maximum level of transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness," said Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio in relation to a meeting at the foreign ministry with Qatar's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh al-Thani.

"We both agree on the shared intentions of the countries most involved in stabilisation to support a Libya-led process, facilitated by the UN, for stabilisation of the country making it possible to realize Libyans' democratic aspirations while holding firm on the outlook for elections," the minister added.
Turkey-Greece: meeting for dialogue on Aegean 22/2 in Athens Polemics in recent days over 'militarised' islands

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, FEB 14 - Another meeting of delegations from Turkey and Greece will be held on February 22 to develop a mechanism for dialogue on disputes concerning some Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.



Reports were in the Turkish daily Hurriyet, which quoted diplomatic sources and noted that guiding the Turkish delegation would be Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal, while representing Greece will be retired ambassador Pavlos Apostolidis.



The previous meeting had been held in Istanbul in January 2021 after a five-year pause due to tensions between Turkey and Greece in the eastern Mediterranean on energy resources off Cyprus.



Cyprus is divided into two parts, with Turkish control of the northern section recognized only by Ankara.



The mechanism for dialogue on the disputed status of some Greek islands in the Aegean only a few miles from the Turkish coast was inaugurated in the early 2000s. However, despite 63 exploratory meetings, problems remain. In recent days, Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had criticized a visit by Greek deputy defence minister Nikolas Hardalias on the disputed islands.



"These islands have been ceded to Greece on the condition that they be demilitarised. However, Greece has violated this condition since the 1960s," Cavusoglu said during a televised interview with state-owned TRT.



The Turkish minister's statements were called "counterproductive" by the spokesman for the EU's external affairs Peter Stano. (ANSAmed).




Turkish president urges closer ties with UAE On trip to Abu Dhabi

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, FEB 14 - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that Turkey was aiming to take the "necessary steps to strengthen our relations" with the UAE.



He was speaking to journalists at Istanbul's Ataturk airport prior to leaving for Abu Dhabi.



He and a delegation of ministers will be visiting the UAE for two days, during which Erdogan will be meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan (MBZ).



He also noted that he would be visiting the Turkish pavilion at the Dubai Expo and that a number of agreements will be signed in several sectors including defense, transportation, healthcare, agriculture, media, and education.



The Turkish president added that he intended to increase trade relations and that at the moment Turkish exports to the UAE total 5.5 billion dollars while the "economic balance of trade is 8 billion".



The visit marks a detente between Ankara and Abu Dhabi after almost 10 years of complicated relations due to various reasons including diverging positions on the conflicts in Syria and Libya and due to Turkey's support for Qatar in 2017, when several Gulf countries including the UAE isolated Doha.



Beginning last year, Erdogan sought reconciliation with Abu Dhabi and in November MBZ paid an official visit to Ankara in the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since 2012.



During the meeting, the UAE signed investment agreements with Turkey worth about 10 billion dollars. (ANSAmed).




BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson Monday voiced firm opposition against the Taiwan-related content in a so-called "U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy" report recently released by the U.S. administration.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said relevant content has gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, violated the one-China principle and basic norms governing international relations, and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Noting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Ma said Taiwan's future can only and must be jointly decided by all Chinese people, adding that Taiwan's future and interests lie in national reunification.

The spokesperson urged the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques and stop playing with fire on Taiwan-related issues.

The Democratic Progressive Party authority's attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" by colluding with external forces and acting as a pawn in the United States' anti-China scheme will only fail, Ma said. 
Team GB track and field star Lorraine Ugen says she has created her own sportswear brand in a bid to break the stigma around being an unsigned athlete and inspire others to grow and succeed in their sport without sponsorship.

Unsigned is a self-funded brand Ugen plans to launch within the next month as the 30-year-old long jumper and occasional sprinter was not picked up by a sponsor, despite competing at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Ugen, who grew up in Greenwich, south London, hopes the brand can celebrate unsigned athletes as well as fund her own training and competition costs.

Lorraine Ugen says she wants to break the stigma around being an unsigned athlete with her self-funded sportswear brand (Olu Olamigoke/PA)

I wanted to start Unsigned not just for me, Ugen told the PA news agency.

I want it to be able to grow enough that I can help, thats why I call it Unsigned  I want it to be a statement.

I want people to be less embarrassed and less shy about it  theres a lot of athletes that are not signed, were here (and) were available.

Ugen explained that sponsorships are a key source of income for athletes.

Most of us in track and field, how we make our money and how we support ourselves comes from getting sponsorships, she said.

I think during the pandemic, a lot of people got dropped from their kit sponsors, theres been a large shift.

Ugen was inspired to launch Unsigned when she was dropped by her kit sponsor in 2020 (John Neopolitian/PA)

Theres a lot of athletes that start GoFundMe accounts in order to support themselves.

When people see you compete on TV, they automatically assume that youre making millions  I met some people in the field that have to have part-time jobs because theyre not making enough money to be able to do just track and field.

Burdened with an injury, Ugen herself was dropped by sportswear brand Spyder in 2020, which she said encouraged her to build her own brand.

I had the idea (of Unsigned) beforehand, but when I got dropped, I was like, youre going to have to take the initiative now and do what youve got to do, she said.

I didnt want to set up a GoFundMe account, I wanted to do something that was a bit different.

Instead of just sending me money on GoFundMe, which goes toward nothing, at least if Im giving you a product, you can help me to generate income and at the same time, youre getting something in return.

Unsigned will showcase a whole line of sportswear, including tracksuits, training sets, shoes and jumpers.

A TikTok Ugen created and posted to her Twitter saw the athlete sew and model one of the brands uniforms, which prompted over 5,000 likes on the platform.

Ive even learned little lessons along the way, when that video went viral of me sewing that uniform together  it was too large, things like that, she said.

Ugens long-term hope for the brand, which will ship to the UK and US, is that she can help unsigned athletes more as it starts to grow.

I want to do this on a larger scale because theres so many talented athletes that are not signed, she said.

Its something that I want to be able to pour back into track and field, to give it more marketability and make the fans and supporters feel like theyre involved in helping someone to grow and succeed in their sport.

As an unsigned and unsponsored athlete this year I decided to create my own uniform and brand as a way to support myself. Its not perfect but Im working on it! Its a statement. Follow on IG @unsignedsport pic.twitter.com/ZrdITlIXc0  Lorraine Ugen (@loralski) February 6, 2022

Right now, Im buying lower quantities of stuff  Im just putting a line out and Im selling that line to whoever wants to buy and help me support and then I will reinvest it into the company.

Ugen added that she wanted to raise awareness of unsigned athletes.

Youre still worthy, you still have a community, she said.

I want it to be loud and I want people to talk about it.
The UK and Scottish governments have agreed there will be two green freeports north of the border.

The deal between the two governments comes as Boris Johnson is expected to visit Scotland on Monday.

Freeports  special economic zones offering tax breaks and lower tariffs for businesses  are being promoted by the UK Government as part of its levelling up agenda.

A bidding process for the freeports will open in spring this year and it is hoped the new sites will open in spring 2023.

Freeports offer tax relief to businesses (Steve Parsons/PA)

Last year the Scottish Government said UK ministers risked undermining devolution if they set up the freeports in Scotland or Wales without the backing of devolved governments.

Ministers in Edinburgh later said they would pursue an alternative model called green ports, but under the new deal they will be known as green freeports.

The Prime Minister said: Freeports will help to accelerate our plan to level up communities across the whole of the United Kingdom.

They have the power to be truly transformational by creating jobs and investment opportunities to enable people to reach their potential, and I am delighted that people across Scotland will reap the benefits that will come from having two new green freeports.

Kate Forbes welcomed the agreement (Jeff J Mitchell)

Scotlands Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes, said: I am pleased we have been able to reach an agreement on a joint approach that recognises the distinct needs of Scotland and enshrines the Scottish Governments commitment to achieving net zero and embedding fair work practices through public investment.

Scotland has a rich history of innovative manufacturers and so, as we look to grasp the many opportunities of achieving net zero, the establishment of green freeports will help us create new green jobs, deliver a just transition and support our economic transformation.

The UK Government has committed funding of 52 million to the project and bidders will have to pledge to reach net zero by 2045.

Ministers from both governments will have a say in the assessment and selection process for the bids.

The Scottish Government and the Treasury will use their tax powers, including rates relief, to support the freeports.

Under the UK Governments model, freeports are centred around at least one air, rail or sea port, but can extend up to 45km beyond.

The Scottish Government said the term green freeport reflected its distinctive net-zero aspirations.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: This is a truly exciting moment for Scotland, and I am delighted we will be working together with the Scottish Government to set up two new green freeports.

Green freeports help inject billions into the local economy, while levelling up by creating jobs for local people, and opportunities for people all over the UK to flourish.

By collaborating using opportunities like green freeports we can work to level up the whole of the UK and bring benefits and opportunities to communities that need it most.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr, the shadow cabinet secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport in Holyrood, described the announcement as wonderful news which will help unlock the economic potential of our ports and kickstart our recovery from the pandemic.

Months of SNP dithering and delays had cast doubt over whether these projects would ever get the go-ahead, he said.

But Im pleased that the SNP Government have finally got behind the scheme and worked with the UK Government to deliver this golden opportunity for Scotland.

Ian Murray, Labours shadow Scottish secretary, said regions in England had a head start because the two governments disagreed over the name.

Its vital that the Scottish and UK governments put their differences aside, and we must ensure that workers rights are protected within the zones, creating high-quality jobs and not undercutting others, he said.

The Prime Minister is expected to start the week with a visit to a manufacturing site in Scotland before heading to an oncology centre in north-west England.
The Metropolitan Police Federation has declared it has no faith in London Mayor Sadiq Khan after the very public ousting of Dame Cressida Dick as commissioner.

The body representing more than 31,000 rank-and-file police officers claimed comments made by Mr Khan have undermined the professional, dedicated and incredibly difficult work of tens of thousands of hard-working and brave police officers from across the capital.

It comes after Dame Cressida dramatically quit from the role on Thursday night when Mr Khan made clear he had no confidence in her plans to reform the service.

Accusing politicians of using policing and the career of the countrys most senior police leader to deflect from their own failings, Ken Marsh, chairman of the body, said: This is not a move we take lightly.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he no longer had confidence in Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick (Victoria Jones/PA)

We have let the mayors office know in no uncertain terms how our brave and diligent colleagues deserve better.

The atmosphere amongst Metropolitan Police officers is horrendous  its rock bottom.

Officers in London feel saddened and angry that the commissioner Cressida Dick has been pushed out in the way she has.

She was reforming. She was changing. The culture is changing.

We are deeply disappointed with the actions of the mayor.

The Federation will continue to speak up for these courageous colleagues. They are being forgotten about by our elected mayor. Enough is enough. Officers have no faith in Sadiq Khan, he added.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson paid tribute to Dame Cressidas remarkable career.

Asked for his view on Mr Khans role in forcing her out, and for confirmation that  as a Prime Minister under investigation by the police  he would play no part in choosing her successor, Mr Johnson said: I think the best thing I can say about Cressida Dick is that I think over many, many years  Ive known her for many years  she has played a remarkable role as the first female head of the Metropolitan Police.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Dame Cressida had a remarkable career (Daniel Leal/PA)

I thank her for all her service. It goes back a long time.

I wouldnt want any other issues to cloud what I think, overall, is very considerable record of public service.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman confirmed Mr Johnson has no role in the appointment of the next Met commissioner.

It is understood it could take several months to find and appoint Dame Cressidas successor but the recruitment process is expected to be completed by the summer.

During which time, it is anticipated Scotland Yard may have concluded its probe into allegations of lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street.

Last week Home Secretary Priti Patel warned the new Met chief must be prepared to tackle the policing culture which has left the countrys biggest force reeling from a series of scandals.

Dame Cressidas departure  just months after Ms Patel agreed a two-year extension to her contract  followed a barrage of criticism about the force, including over its handling of the case of Sarah Everard who was murdered by a serving Met officer.

The force has also been criticised for being slow to investigate the reports of parties in Downing Street and Whitehall in breach of Covid restrictions.

The final straw, however, was a report by the police watchdog which exposed violently racist, misogynist and homophobic messages exchanged by officers based at Charing Cross police station.

Mr Marsh said the Metropolitan Police Federation was sickened by incidents that have hit the headlines over recent months, but that they were not reflective of an entire workforce.

He added: Weve got to put some context on what we are talking about. The incidents that have taken place are horrific. We do not want these individuals in the job.

But the federation will continue to speak up for our good officers. We totally accept that we have to deliver for the public and work to improve confidence, but if you havent got your workforce with you then you are not going to achieve what youre setting out to achieve.

A spokeswoman for the Mayor of London said: It is the mayors job to stand up for Londoners and hold the police to account on their behalf, as well as to support the police in bearing down on crime.

With trust in the police among Londoners shattered following a series of devastating scandals exposing evidence of racism, misogyny, homophobia, harassment and discrimination in the Met, it was the mayors view that a change of leadership was the only way to address this crisis in trust.

The mayor has always made clear that there are thousands of incredibly brave and decent police officers at the Met, who we owe a huge debt of gratitude. But the series of scandals seen in recent years has tarnished the reputation of the police, which is so crucial to policing by consent.

Downplaying the scale of the change required is only going to hinder, not help, the vital process of restoring Londoners trust in the Met.
Ukraines ambassador to the UK has rowed back from an apparent suggestion that the country could consider dropping its ambition to join Nato to avoid war with Russia.

Vadym Prystaiko said the constitutional commitment to joining Nato remained, having previously indicated the country would consider making serious concessions to avoid the risk of an invasion by Vladimir Putins forces.

Mr Prystaiko said that while Ukraine was open to negotiations with Russia, the issue of its ambitions to join the alliance was not on the table.

On Sunday night on BBC 5 Live he was asked whether Ukraine would contemplate dropping its aim of joining Nato.

"We are trying to find the best way out." Ukraine's ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko has told @StephenNolan his country might agree not to join @NATO if it would avert war with Russia. It would mean the country abandoning a goal written into its constitution.   BBC Radio 5 Live (@bbc5live) February 13, 2022

He said: We might, especially if threatened like that, blackmailed like that and pushed to it.

The comments raised eyebrows in Kyiv and Downing Street and on Monday morning the diplomat returned to the broadcast studios to clarify his position.

We are not a member of Nato right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in our conversations with Russia, he told BBC Breakfast.

But it has nothing to do with Nato, which is enshrined in the constitution.

Stressing that the commitment to joining Nato had not shifted, he pointed out that Ukraine would not be a member of the alliance by Wednesday  reportedly highlighted by US intelligence agencies as a potential day for an invasion.

Its not happening before Wednesday so we have to find the solution right now, we have to find the friends who will stay with us, he said.

We also have to work with Russia, which we are doing from now on, its not just the West working for us  we are having negotiations with the Russians ourselves.

But it has nothing to do with Nato, we are talking about eastern Ukraine, we are talking about Crimea, not about Nato.
Boris Johnson has insisted he is working very hard with Tory colleagues north of the border  despite the leader of the Scottish Conservatives calling for him to quit.

Douglas Ross has told the Prime Minister that Downing Street lockdown parties mean his position is no longer tenable  with Scottish Tory MSPs publicly backing Mr Rosss stance.

Mr Johnson, who visited Scotland on Monday, had no meeting scheduled with Mr Ross.

Instead, he said he was working very hard with my colleagues in Scotland on our joint agenda of uniting and levelling up and delivering for the people of the whole UK.

Freeports attract investment and new business, support regeneration, create jobs and level up opportunity across the whole United Kingdom.https://t.co/0feBSpfWun pic.twitter.com/rQFodTV81U  UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) February 14, 2022

The Prime Minister visited Rosyth as a deal was announced between the Scottish and UK Governments which will lead to the creation of two green freeports north of the border.

Freeports, which are special economic zones offering tax breaks and lower tariffs for businesses, are being promoted by the UK Government as part of its levelling up agenda.

And Mr Johnson said: I think were very proud collectively of what the UK Government has done at all levels to get us through Covid very effectively, so that we now have the fastest growing economy in the G7 last year and this year.

Plus, were working together on great projects, which were able to do now such as the the freeports and such as investment in Rosyth.

Mr Johnson insisted he was not allowed to reveal the location of the two freeports, but said they could genuinely drive huge numbers of jobs.

However, SNP Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, said the Prime Minister was deeply unpopular with Scots, insisting his visit should be part of a farewell tour.

Mr Blackford told Sky News: This is Prime Minister who is not going to meet his own Scottish Conservative leader, even the Scottish Conservatives want Boris Johnson to go.

I hope this is his farewell tour, he is a man who is deeply unpopular up here.

More than 75% of Scots think he should resign and I think people right up and down these islands recognise that this is a Prime Minister who no longer has moral authority.

While there is speculation that Chancellor Rishi Sunak could be a potential successor to the Prime Minister, Mr Blackford argued it was more important for Scots to be given a choice on independence.

He insisted: Its not a choice about Boris Johnson or Rishi Sunak or anybody else, its about the choice of the people of Scotland to choose their own future.

But Scotland Office minister, Iain Stewart, argued by promoting freeports Mr Johnson was getting on with the job.

Levelling up means having access to good healthcare, good education, skilled work and reliable transport no matter where you live. Were getting on with the job, delivering on our mission to unite and level up the whole United Kingdom.https://t.co/WCIr3d6MIz  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 13, 2022

Mr Stewart, the MP for Milton Keyes South, told BBC Radio Scotlands Good Morning Scotland programme: I think what the Prime Minister is doing is showing we are getting on with the job, we are setting out a comprehensive and bold vision of what we want the UK and Scottish economy to be.

Were investing massively, whether its in freeports, whether its in the levelling up agenda.

Pressed on why no meeting has been scheduled with Mr Ross, Mr Stewart defended the Prime Minister, saying the two leaders are regularly in contact.

The minister added: When I go up and visit around Scotland, sometimes I meet with my MSP colleagues, sometimes I dont.
When 29-year old Julia Beliak and her husband started looking for a home in upstate New York in October, 2020, they knew there would be competition, but certainly didnt expect there would be 14 offers in three days on a four bedroom, two-bath property that had been abandoned  and neglected  for years.

The layout was cramped and dysfunctional, the bathrooms were unusable, the vinyl floors needed to be ripped out and replaced, and the garage was on the verge of collapsing. The house needed a gut renovation, said Beliak, who figured with a little TLC, the home could still be beautiful.

I had a vision, said Beliak, who with her husband shelled out $50,000 over asking to win the bidding war and allocated another $100,000 for renovations. And my vision was to make this our dream house.

Instead, it turned into a nightmare. After closing on the home in March, 2021, Beliak has hired and fired nine contractors and dealt with "every imaginable disaster," including fraud, extortion, overcharging, and harassment. The house was even made uninhabitable through unsafe work, she added.

Some of the walls and beams were removed that should not have been," she said. "The electrical outlets were done so poorly that we were afraid to use them, and the stovetops didnt work for several months after the installation.

Homeowners are running into all kinds of problems with contractors who are in demand. (Photo: Getty Creative)

Welcome to the world of contractor hell.

This is an industry thats long been known for its unsavory, unethical characters, said Jody Costello, a home renovation planning and consumer fraud expert. Its a risky industry.

These risks are escalating, said Jack Gillis, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America.

The insatiable demand by consumers to fix up their homes after being locked up for two years is outstripping supply," he said. "This has exasperated the situation, and with this comes abuse.

This abuse comes in many forms, said Costello, from falsely claiming to be licensed, insured, or bonded to demanding large payments upfront to attempting to perform services without a written contract to requesting payment in cash and more.

Many homeowners, desperate to get the work done quickly, are skipping the vetting process. Some are being drawn in by lowball offers. Others are simply hiring the first contractor who returns their calls. This often results in shoddy, unfinished work, which tops the list of consumer complaints made to state and local agencies, said Gillis.

People are too trusting and thats what often gets them into trouble, Costello said.

Many homeowners, desperate to get the work done quickly, are skipping the vetting process when hiring contractors. (Photo: Getty Creative)

Just ask 40-year-old Robert Puharich.

I got burned twice on trust, he said.

Now $150,000 over his initial budget, Puharich is relying on his third contractor to clean up the mess the previous two made renovating his 1,800-square foot home in Maple Ridge, British Columbia in Canada.

Everything was done incorrectly  framing, pipes, insulation, and I made the mistake of giving the initial guy $25,000 upfront which he used to buy a new truck, he said.

New homeowners who have never owned a home are the most vulnerable, and theyre everywhere, said 52-year-old Deborah Spence of Pottsdown, Pennsylvania. But Ive been in the industry for seven years as a real estate broker and property manager, and Ive had the wool pulled over my eyes, too.

In fact, shes about to spend $40,000 redoing three small projects.

Theres a take it or leave it attitude," she said, and if you complain about something like wires that were installed incorrectly and how thats creating unsafe electrical conditions, they get huffy or disappear altogether.

YF Plus

Personal Finance Journalist Vera Gibbons is a former staff writer for SmartMoney magazine and a former correspondent for Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Vera, who spent over a decade as an on air Financial Analyst for MSNBC, currently serves as co-host of the weekly nonpolitical news podcast she founded, NoPo. She lives in Palm Beach, Florida.

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Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, said Monday that he will support Sarah Bloom Raskin, President Joe Bidens pick for the Federal Reserves vice chair for supervision job.

As a moderate Democrat in a Senate split 50-50 between parties, Testers support points to a strong likelihood that the full Senate will confirm Raskin as a top regulator over the banking industry.

Raskin is a former Fed governor (confirmed by the Senate in 2010) who also served at the U.S. Treasury during the Obama administration.

It is my expectation that she will be confirmed by the full Senate, Tester told Yahoo Finance on Monday.

His approval comes days after he aired concerns over Raskins involvement in clearing a regulatory hurdle for Reserve Trust, a fintech company that Raskin worked with as a board member from 2017 to 2019.

In 2016 the fintech company failed to obtain a master account for the company from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. In 2018, that decision was reviewed and the Kansas City Fed granted Reserve Trust an account, which allows access to the Feds payment systems and enables the firm to transact with other firms using central bank money.

In Raskins confirmation hearing earlier in the month, Republicans raised questions over whether or not she had leveraged her connections at the Fed to get the master account. The Kansas City Fed clarified that the master account was granted after Reserve Trust altered its business model and the Colorado Division of Banking reinterpreted a state law relevant to the matter.

Tester told Yahoo Finance he had looked into the matter.

I dont think theres a lot there, Tester said. I think its the way business is usually done or always done in regard to the Fed and private businesses and boards.

Next steps

Tester and his colleagues on the Senate Banking Committee will be voting on Raskins nomination on Tuesday afternoon, alongside nominations for four other Fed spots (Jerome Powell for a second term as Fed chair, Lael Brainard for Fed vice chair, and Lisa Cook and Philip Jefferson for Fed governors).

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 03: Sarah Bloom Raskin, nominee to be vice chairman for supervision and a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, speaks before a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on February 3, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ken Cedeno-Pool/Getty Images)

The Montana Democrat said he will support all five nominees, but hopes his colleagues will particularly follow him in supporting Raskin.

I think ultimately theyll come to the same conclusion I did, that she is fit to be on the Fed and will do a good job, Tester said. And thats why Im going to support her, hopefully they do too.

If the nominees clear the committee Tuesday afternoon, the final step to confirmation would be a full Senate vote to be scheduled after the fact.

Brian Cheung is a reporter covering the Fed, economics, and banking for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter @bcheungz.

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BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday called on all relevant parties to remain rational and avoid actions that would escalate tensions and impact the crisis in Ukraine.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily press briefing that China is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine, and the Chinese embassy and consulates in the country are operating as usual.

Wang said the Chinese embassy in Ukraine has issued a consular notice asking Chinese citizens to closely monitor the situation on the ground, and stating that it will provide consular protection.

Noting that China's position on Ukraine is consistent, clear and unchanged, Wang said that to solve the Ukrainian issue, it is necessary to return to the starting point of the Minsk-2 agreement, which is endorsed by the U.N. Security Council.

"All parties should push for a comprehensive settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and relevant issues through dialogue and negotiation," the spokesperson said. 
Boris Johnson has warned an invasion of Ukraine could take place within 48 hours as he urged Vladimir Putin to step back from the edge of a precipice.

The Prime Minister said serious preparations were being made for a Russian invasion, with around 130,000 troops massed on the borders of Ukraine.

In a message to European allies, Mr Johnson said the world needed to demonstrate the political and economic cost an invasion would have on Russia, including by ending reliance on its gas.

On a visit to Rosyth shipyard in Scotland, he said: This is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation, we are on the edge of a precipice but there is still time for President Putin to step back.

He called for more dialogue and urged Russia to avoid a disastrous invasion.

Reports based on US intelligence assessments have suggested an invasion could be launched as soon as Wednesday.

The Prime Minister said: The signs, as youve heard from (US) President (Joe) Biden that theyre at least planning for something that could take place as early as in the next 48 hours.

That is extremely concerning.

The Prime Minister said the world needs to learn the lesson of 2014 when not enough was done to move away from Russian gas and oil following the Russian action in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.

What I think all European countries need to do now is get Nord Stream out of the bloodstream, he said.

Yank out that hypodermic drip feed of Russian hydrocarbons that is keeping so many European economies going.

We need to find alternative sources of energy and we need to get ready to impose some very, very severe economic consequences on Russia.

The Nord Stream pipeline and Nord Stream 2  which is yet to begin operations  supply gas directly from Russia to Germany.

The pipelines are a source of tension among Western allies drawing up sanctions against Russia, with Mr Biden insisting Nord Stream 2 would not go ahead if Mr Putin invaded Ukraine although Germany has so far been reluctant to spell out what measures it would take.

Mr Johnson will receive a security briefing from the UKs intelligence chiefs later on Monday and has cut short a planned visit to northern England to chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Tuesday.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was chairing a Cobra meeting on Monday to discuss the consular response after Britons were urged to leave Ukraine.

Armed forces minister James Heappey said Britons in the country should not wait for tensions to escalate further before fleeing.

We are now advising against all travel to Ukraine. British nationals in Ukraine should leave now by commercial means.  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) February 11, 2022

This is a warning because minutes after Putin gives the order, missiles and bombs could be landing on Ukrainian cities, and that means British citizens should leave now whilst they have the opportunities to do so, he told Sky News.

Meanwhile Ukraines ambassador to the UK backtracked on a suggestion the country could consider dropping its ambition to join Nato to avoid war.

Vadym Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday night that the country, which he said was being threatened and blackmailed, would consider serious concessions including removing the goal of joining the Nato alliance from the Ukrainian constitution.

But on Monday he told BBC Breakfast: We are not a member of Nato right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in our conversations with Russia.

But it has nothing to do with Nato, which is enshrined in the constitution.

Moscow had suggested that Ukraine abandoning its Nato ambitions would address one of its main concerns.

Despite concerns about the potential futility of diplomacy  expressed by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace in his suggestion there was a whiff of Munich in the air from some in the West  Ukraine and Nato allies continued to seek a resolution through talks.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson inspects the hull of HMS Venturer during a visit to Rosyth Dockyard near Edinburgh (Jeff J Mitchell/PA)

Mr Johnson said he expected to speak to Mr Biden very soon, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was in Ukraine before heading to Moscow for talks with Mr Putin.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Parliament  which is not sitting this week  should be recalled if Russia invades Ukraine.

He also called for tougher sanctions in response to the Russian aggression.

I will say this: Russia wants to see our allies divided, it wants to see division in the United Kingdom, and we are not going to divide and, therefore, we support the Government in what its doing.

We support our allies and the sovereignty of Ukraine but, yes, those sanctions should go further.
The threat of a Russian military invasion of Ukraine continued to hang over Europe on Monday, as President Biden discussed possible responses with the British prime minister, and Washington lawmakers dug their teeth into intelligence assessments.

Jake Sullivan, the presidents national security adviser, gave Senate leadership a classified late-afternoon briefing on the crisis, according to staffers.

The Kremlin, meanwhile, indicated an openness to continued diplomatic talks with the West. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the dialogue was far from being exhausted.

But the reality in Eastern Europe was concerning. Dozens of Russian military vessels threatened in the Black Sea near the Ukrainian coast, and estimates put the number of Russian troops deployed near Ukraines borders above 130,000.

Urgent warnings echoing out of Washington and London have suggested that Russias president, Vladimir Putin, may order an invasion within the week, perhaps on Wednesday.

We are in the window when an invasion could begin at any time, Karine Jean-Pierre, deputy White House press secretary, said in a news briefing. It remains unclear which path Russia will choose to take.

The path for diplomacy remains available if Russia chooses to engage again constructively, Jean-Pierre added. But we are clear-eyed about the prospects on the ground, and are ready to impose severe costs on Russia in coordination with our allies and partners.

Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, declared Wednesday will be a national day of unity in his country. Zelensky, a comedian by trade and optimist by disposition, has sought to downplay the threat from his countrys east.

Our country today is as strong as ever. It is not the first threat the strong Ukrainian people have faced, Zelensky said in a Monday address to his nation, according to The Associated Press. Were calm. Were strong. Were together. A great nation.

Still, with the murky and volatile situation unfolding, the U.S. has pulled staff from its embassy in Kyiv and urged U.S. citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Monday that the U.S. was continuing our intensive diplomatic efforts to deescalate the crisis.

The path for diplomacy remains available if Russia chooses to engage in good faith, Blinken said in the statement. We look forward to returning our staff to the Embassy as soon as conditions permit.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan





White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan (Manuel Balce Ceneta/)

Over the weekend, the U.S. said that it was deploying 3,000 troops to Europe. But Biden has suggested that U.S. soldiers will not be dispatched to rescue Americans in Ukraine if Russia advances into the country.

Were dealing with one of the largest armies in the world, Biden told NBC News last week, describing Russias military. Things could go crazy quickly.

The White House said in a statement that Biden spoke Monday with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, and that the pair reviewed ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts.

The West is expected to institute crippling sanctions on Russias economy should Putin choose to invade Ukraine, a nation of 44 million people that sits in what was once the Soviet Union.

In a tweet, Johnson threatened Monday that Putin would be making a disastrous mistake by invading.

We are on an edge of a precipice, but there is still time for President Putin to step back, Johnson said in the post.

In a subsequent post, Johnson added that he and Biden both see a crucial window to advance talks with the Kremlin. But he emphasized that the stakes were highs.

Further incursion into Ukraine, Johnson tweeted, will result in far-reaching damage for Russia and the world.
AUSTIN, Texas  Four years ago in the U.S. Senate race, Beto ORourke was the darling of the Texas Democratic Party, energizing progressives across the country by positioning himself as a moderate pragmatist with a vision to turn Texas from a deep red state into a purple hue. After serving six years representing the El Paso region in the U.S. House, ORourke had earned a reputation for being a charismatic and gifted orator.

He lost that race to Sen. Ted Cruz, by less than 3 percentage points. He then set his ambitions higher, running for the presidency in 2020, but failed to catch fire in the crowded field of Democrats.

Now ORourke is running again  this time against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott  hoping to drum up the same excitement that made him a household name four years ago.

My lesson learned from 18, from 20 and from being a Texan is that you gotta be there and meet people where they are, ORourke told Yahoo News last week at the Austin stop of his 20-city campaign tour ahead of next months primary. And thats the only way to run. Its certainly the only way that were gonna win.

Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke speaks at a campaign rally in Austin, Texas, on Dec. 4, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The stakes are much different than when ORourke last ran to represent Texas. Indeed, an almost entirely new slate of political flash points have replaced the anti-Trump Democratic fervor of 2018.

In a case now before the Supreme Court, Texas has been at the forefront of a policymaking movement to restrict abortion access. The state has worked to ban local governments from implementing COVID-19 mandates. Texas has made it harder for many communities to vote. And a new law makes it harder for schools to address race.

ORourkes critics are likely to paint him as a liberal who went too far left for Texas during his failed presidential bid. But he believes he can win by ignoring the national fray and staying grounded in the Lone Star State.

Weve gotta make sure that this election is about Texas and the people of Texas and not about Donald Trump or Joe Biden, or really anybody else, ORourke said. This is ours to decide, and what weve seen, and its been pretty clear, is that on any of the issues that matter to us, no one from outside of Texas is riding to our rescue.

ORourke waves to his supporters at a December rally in Austin. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

He has an uphill battle in his quest for the Austin statehouse. Bidens middling approval ratings provide a much more ominous environment for Democrats than in 2018, when Trumps unpopularity boosted the partys fortunes.

And though Texass demographics are shifting and Abbott has charted his state on a sharp rightward course, the governor has largely avoided becoming a personal lightning rod for controversy. (Abbott did not respond to requests for comment.) Rumored to have presidential ambitions of his own, Abbott has further proved to be a prolific fundraiser; in January his campaign announced a massive $65 million war chest. Meanwhile, ORourkes team announced it had raised a solid $7.2 million since kicking off its campaign in November of last year.

Polling also gives Abbott a clear advantage at this stage of the race. The latest survey, released by the Dallas Morning News in late January, showed the governor with an 11-point lead over ORourke. Notably, both candidates polled at about 40 percent among Hispanic voters, a critical constituency that ORourke will have to make inroads with to have a shot at unseating Abbott. In his unsuccessful race against Cruz four years ago, ORourke garnered an estimated 64 percent of Hispanic voters.

In his past two gubernatorial races, Abbott has won between 40% and 45% of the Latino vote, and he is well on track to repeat this pattern in 2022, with our data projecting him to win somewhere between 40% and 45% again, Mark Jones, a political science fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy in Austin, wrote in an email to Yahoo News.

Gov. Greg Abbott at a rally in Conroe, Texas, on Jan. 29. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Given Abbotts strong support among white Texans, as long as Abbott can continue to win at least 35% to 40% of the Latino vote, Abbott and the GOP should be able to continue their statewide winning streak that dates back to 1996, Jones wrote.

But ORourke is banking on his ability to motivate Texas Democrats outraged by the hard right turn of the state under Abbott and the GOP Legislature.

At rallies across the state, ORourke has noted Texass rollback of initiatives meant to make it easier to vote. Amid Trumps false claims that the 2020 election was rigged, Texas has joined other Republican-controlled states in setting new rules for mail ballots, early voting, drive-through voting, poll watchers and more. The changes disproportionately affect voters of color.

Democracy is under attack, ORourke said at his rally last Tuesday in Waco. You see it nowhere more so than in the state of Texas. He continued: It is insulting to all of us, knowing how many Texans have been willing to risk and in some cases have lost their lives, to defend and expand this democracy from just these kinds of attacks.

O'Rourke in San Antonio in November 2021. (Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)

ORourke has also pointed to Texass new abortion law, which is controversial even among some anti-abortion activists for its unique enforcement mechanism. The law, which effectively outlaws abortion after six weeks, uses lawsuits by private citizens to subject abortion providers to large financial penalties.

We have a governor right now, who in addition to these crazy fringe policies of anyone being able to carry a loaded gun without a background check  has refused to trust women, ORourke said, also referencing a bill Abbott signed that allows Texans to carry handguns without a license.

Republicans are also likely to mention guns in the Texas gubernatorial race. During his 2020 presidential campaign, ORourke became an outspoken advocate of gun control, famously quipping during a debate, Hell, yes, were going to take your AR-15. Republicans are likely going to highlight the provocative comment, which was made after a gunman targeting Latinos slaughtered 23 people in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

People at a temporary memorial honoring victims of a 2019 shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, that left 23 people dead in a racist attack targeting Latinos. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Looking to not alienate even more voters, ORourke has since walked those comments back, saying last week that hes not interested in taking anything from anyone.

In a more detailed explanation, he told Yahoo News that there is middle ground in protecting the Second Amendment and public safety.

Just like every Texan, I understand that we can both defend the Second Amendment and do a far better job of protecting the lives of those in our communities, ORourke said. Like most Texans, I grew up with guns. I grew up with not just learning how to fire and use them, but the responsibility that comes with owning them. I think thats true for most of us in Texas. So lets find the common ground on things like universal background checks or safe storage laws. These are things that not only Democrats but Republicans support as well, gun owners and non-gun-owners alike. I think thats the way forward.

Weapons on display at a gun show near Dallas in January. (Lin Li/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Another conservative mobilization effort across the state involves the shunning of school curriculum thats been defined as critical race theory, or the idea that race is a social construct embedded in legal systems and policies. Abbott signed a law late last year to restrict the topic  and others  in public education. Under Senate Bill 3, a teacher may not be compelled to discuss a ... widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs.

An NBC News analysis found that parents have requested at least 50 books to be removed from public schools that deal with race, sexuality or gender, citing the critical race theory law, which GOP leaders in the state have championed as a way to discuss history in an objective manner. But ORourke sees the law as a way to duck painful truths about the former slave state.

We should know the full story of Texas and the full story of the United States of America, he said. Not only our founding ideals and principles, but the way that those ideals and principles were often violated by the people who wrote them, or the fact that so much of the wealth and opportunity in this state was actually created by people who had no choice in the deal whatsoever.  If we dont, then were trafficking in myths and things that just are not true.

The Democrat is also hammering Abbott on an issue far from the nations culture wars: Texass privatized energy grid, which suffered a crippling failure in February 2021 during a storm. State officials say 246 people died across 77 counties. At a campaign rally in Austin, ORourke honored the lives lost.

Tonight we remember those of us who weve lost over the last year, especially when the temperatures dropped, the wind chill was devastating and the lights wouldnt turn on, he said. The water stopped flowing because the pipes had frozen. But its everyone else out there who knows that we can do better.

Karla Perez and Esperanza Gonzalez in their Houston apartment during a power outage in February 2021. (Go Nakamura/Getty Images)

Abbott has touted 14 new laws he has signed since last year to better the power grid, but fell short of winterizing the grid, which would keep power plants operating in the coldest of conditions.

The Texas power grid is more reliable and resilient than it has ever been, and we are continuing to actively respond to the impact of this winter storm, Abbott said in a statement earlier this month.

But ORourke clearly views the incident as a failure of the Abbott administration.

And then heres the punch line, although its not funny, ORourke said at his Waco rally. No matter the warnings before February of 2021, no matter the devastation, the loss of life and the loss of wealth across this great state, the governor has still refused to require those gas company CEOs to weatherize their part of the grid.

About 500 Texans in total showed up to attend ORourkes rallies between Waco and Austin last week, a far cry from the thousands who turned out when he held a dueling rally outside a Trump rally in his hometown of El Paso in early 2019.

ORourke supporters cheer as the Democratic presidential hopeful speaks at a campaign rally in El Paso, Texas, in March 2019. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Yahoo News spoke to a number of supporters, who were driven by scattershot issues.

Texas is the future of the country, and we need to be honest about that and give ourselves a decent chance to turn Texas blue, Waco resident Brian Maynard said.

I like the way he takes care of Texas and takes care of Texans, added Sandy Burleson of Waco.

The biggest issue to me is voting rights, said Julie Love of Austin. If we cant vote, nothing else matters. Democracy is gone.

But for ORourke to win, something will have to change in the fundamental dynamics of the race. And at least some experts are skeptical that he will be able to accomplish that shift under what is expected to be a tough midterm election for Democrats.

There is not much that can be done to make a great change, Eric McDaniel, a professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin, told Yahoo News. [ORourke] needs to pounce on Gov. Abbotts missteps and hope it is enough to demobilize the governors supporters while energizing his base.

The Republican Party, according to McDaniel, has been making all the right strategic moves in the state, while Democrats have faltered.

Right now, Republicans are well mobilized and Democrats are not, he said.

Abbott at a news conference last year in Austin. (Montinique Monroe/Getty Images)

Jones of Rice University agreed.

At this point, barring either a massive misstep by Abbott or massive rebound in Bidens approval ratings among Texans, the best Beto can hope for in November is a dignified loss where he keeps Abbotts margin of victory in the high single digits and avoids the type of double-digit defeat that could represent an at least temporary death knell for his political career, Jones said.

Despite the odds, ORourke is confident in his vision for Texas and believes it will be enough for voters to elect him as governor in November.

[This is] for the future of this state, he said. Were gonna come together, and were gonna do what it takes to make sure that we get Texas on the right track.

_____

Cover thumbnail photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Sergio Flores/Getty Images, Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images
This image provided by Polaris shows, from left, Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, SpaceX employees Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis and Scott Poteet, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. The billionaire who flew on his own SpaceX flight last year is headed back up, aiming for an even higher orbit. Isaacman announced Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 that he will make another private spaceflight launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Plans call for Isaacman and the three others, including two SpaceX engineers, to blast off aboard a Falcon rocket no earlier than November on a five-day trip. (John Kraus/Polaris via AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  The billionaire who launched on his own SpaceX flight last year is headed back up, aiming for an even higher orbit and the chance to take part in a spacewalk.

Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman announced Monday that he will make another private spaceflight launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, alongside two SpaceX engineers and a former Air Force fighter pilot.

It's the first of three planned flights to try out new tech  including still-in-the-works spacewalking suits  culminating in the first flight with people of SpaceX's new Starship, which is intended for moon and Mars travel.

Isaacman paid undisclosed millions for last September's three-day spaceflight for himself and three others, the first space tourism flight for Elon Musk's SpaceX. On Monday, Isaacman told reporters that he and the company are sharing costs for the upcoming flight, but declined to elaborate.

Plans call for the four to blast off aboard a Falcon rocket no earlier than November. They will circle Earth for up to five days, higher than any previous Dragon capsule or NASA shuttle  the September flight reached more than 360 miles high (585 kilometers), far higher than the International Space Station.

Isaacman would not specify how high his next capsule would reach, but said it would be around the altitude of NASA's two-astronaut Gemini flights in the mid-1960s. Gemini 11 holds the record for the highest astronaut mission outside of the Apollo moonshots: 853 miles (1,373 kilometers).

For the spacewalk, the entire Dragon capsule will be depressurized just as the Gemini capsules were, with each crew member in pressurized suits. Isaacman declined to say who or how many would venture, tethered, outside the capsule.

If we are to have a more permanent presence on the moon and some day build a colony on Mars, we have a lot to learn, including better suit designs," he said.

They'll also use Starlink internet satellites launched by SpaceX to test communication from orbit.

Last week, Musk showed off the Starship, the tallest and most powerful rocket built. He's awaiting clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration before launching it empty from Texas on its first orbital test flight. The FAA said Monday it won't finish its environmental review of the Boca Chica launch and landing site, at the southern tip of Texas, until the end of March.

Isaacman indicated that he'd like to be aboard the second spaceflight in this program named after the triple-star system Polaris  another Dragon mission  and on the first Starship crew as well.

Lets get Polaris Dawn right and then well think about the next mission, he said.

Isaacman hand-picked his three passengers, each of whom helped carry out his September flight: SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, whose husband was chosen by NASA in December as an astronaut; and Scott Poteet, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. Poteet also worked for Isaacman's Shift4 Payments company and Draken International, a high-performance aircraft company that Isaacman co-founded.

SpaceX plans multiple Starship flights before using the sleek, steel, bullet-shaped rocketship to land NASA astronauts on the moon by around 2025.

___

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.
The father of one of the 17 people killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., was arrested in Washington, D.C., after illegally climbing a construction crane near the White House on Monday, the fourth anniversary of the massacre.

A spokeswoman for the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department said it received a call at about 5:40 a.m. reporting two people on the 150-foot crane on 15th Street NW, which is adjacent to the White House. A police tactical unit and negotiators were dispatched to the scene.

One person was immediately taken into custody shortly after officers arrived. Two others who were on the crane were taken into custody after climbing down. They were later identified as Emm Augusta-Smith Talarico of Washington, D.C.; Alexander Sherwood Lundberg of St. Louis Park, Minn.; and Manuel Felipe Oliver of Coral Springs, Fla. They were each charged with unlawful entry and destruction of property.

Manuel Oliver  whose son, Joaquin Guac Oliver, was killed in the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting  was photographed being led away from the area in handcuffs.

Manuel Oliver yells to reporters while being detained by police in Washington, D.C., on Monday. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Before his arrest, Oliver tweeted a video from atop the crane complaining that President Biden denied his requests for a meeting late last year.

The whole world will listen to Joaquin today. He has a very important message, Manuel Oliver said. I asked for a meeting with Joe Biden a month ago  never got that meeting.

In December, Oliver spent about two weeks protesting outside the gates of the White House in the hopes of sitting down for a discussion with Biden.

Instead, he was granted a meeting with presidential advisers, including Cedric Richmond and Susan Rice, to discuss gun violence.

I expressed my frustration with the administrations limited focus on this critical issue, Oliver said after the meeting, and communicated my expectation  and the expectations of survivors across the country  that the administration will step up its commitment in year two and outline a clear plan of action at next years State of the Union.

The White House, he added, understands the urgency of addressing this crisis and the need for the president to become more involved.

Oliver's wife, Patricia Padauy-Oliver, also tweeted a video while her husband was on the crane.

"Joaquin Is talking to you and America today: do everything and anything in your power to reduce gun deaths," she wrote on Twitter.

A banner calling on government officials to prioritize gun violence prevention is suspended from a construction crane near the White House on Monday. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier Monday, Biden released a lengthy statement marking the fourth anniversary of the killings.

"On this difficult day, we mourn with the Parkland families whose lives were upended in an instant; who had to bury a piece of their soul deep in the earth," he said. "We pray too for those still grappling with wounds both visible and invisible. And, as we remember those lost in Parkland, we also stand with Americans in every corner of our country who have lost loved ones to gun violence or had their lives forever altered by a shooting, in tragedies that made headlines and in ones that did not.

Biden said the administration stands with those working to end this epidemic of gun violence, pointing to his recent plan to curb the proliferation of ghost guns and his request that Congress pass legislation requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers.

We can never bring back those weve lost, the president added. But we can come together to fulfill the first responsibility of our government and our democracy: to keep each other safe. For Parkland, for all those weve lost, and for all those left behind, it is time to uphold that solemn obligation.
The very career experience that makes Supreme Court candidate Judge J. Michelle Childs attractive to both Democrats and Republicans may now be complicating her potential nomination, as some labor and progressive groups warn the White House that her appointment would break President Joe Biden's promise to be "the most pro-union president" in history.

Childs, backed by influential South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn and the only candidate named by the White House as in the running to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, spent eight years practicing labor and employment law at a prestigious South Carolina firm, Nexsen Pruet. Some of her clients included employers accused of race and gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace.

PHOTO: Judge J. Michelle Childs of the United States District Court, District of South Carolina is seen in an undated photo. (Courtesy U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina via Reuters, FILE)

"Her record shows that she wins for employers, and I think that's problematic in this moment," said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, billed as the nation's largest grassroots-funded progressive group allied with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt..

"If we have any doubt about where [the nominee] stands on labor rights or the power of corporations verses labor in our economy right now, we should not put them forward and we would actively oppose them," he said.

The firm's website claims "one of the largest and most experienced" labor and employment law practices in the Carolinas, touting "litigation skills to aggressively pursue any matter through trial when it is in the best interests of the employers we represent."

Earlier this month, a top lawyer for the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union with roughly 700,000 members, publicly called Child's former employer an "anti-union law firm," adding "that's not what we need."

PHOTO: Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution (ABC News)

While Childs did help defend corporate clients, she also represented employees in claims of mistreatment by their employers, her former Nexsen Pruet colleagues told ABC News. Several described her has a fair-minded and well-respected litigator. In 2000, she was named a partner at the firm -- the first Black woman to become partner at a South Carolina law firm in a legal industry long dominated by white men.

"I would not characterize her work as anti-union or anti-employee," said Nexsen Pruet managing partner Leighton Lord, who joined the firm a year after Childs and worked alongside her for many years.

"She worked on a dozen or so employee matters," Lord said, referencing her work on behalf of employees suing their corporate employers. "Of the lawyers that came up in our firm, she's probably one of the ones that worked more on the employee side than any of our other employment lawyers. So she's very balanced in how she practiced in the private sector."

PHOTO: Leighton Lord, managing partner of Nexsen Pruet (ABC News)

Childs participated in 25 employment cases -- in 23 of them defending an employer accused of alleged discrimination on the basis of race or sex, according to the American Prospect, a liberal publication which reviewed state court records during her tenure.

In one case, in the late 1990s, Childs represented a beachwear retailer sued by two former employees for alleged near-daily sexual assault at work. A federal jury sided with the plaintiffs, awarding compensatory and punitive damages, a decision upheld on appeal.

Her former colleagues say that court records do not reflect the many instances in which Childs achieved settlements for employees against their employers outside of court. Lord noted a 1999 case in which Childs represented a Mack Truck worker alleging wrongful termination, and she secured a "great" settlement without going to trial.

While some critics have accused Childs of working against unionization drives, Nexsen Pruet says it has never conducted any such campaigns and only has a single lawyer on staff specializing in union issues -- one who joined four years after Childs left the firm.

PHOTO: House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., addresses reporters during a news conference to unveil the Joseph H. Rainey Room at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 3, 2022. (Greg Nash/AP, FILE)

"Diversity is more than just race and gender, it's experience," Lord said. "Her time at Nexsen Pruet gave her private practice experience representing employees, representing companies -- it gave her a unique understanding of how the practice of law actually works."

Childs has won the endorsement of some labor groups, including the South Carolina chapter of the AFL-CIO, whose president, Charles Brave, Jr., said in a letter to Biden earlier this month that Childs would "represent all of us well."

After leaving Nexsen Pruet in 2000, Childs went on to oversee workplace safety regulations as an appointed deputy director at the state Department of Labor. From 2002 to 2006, she served as a workers' comp judge on a state commission adjudicating benefits for injured or disabled employees.

"Everybody feels heard when they come into the doors of her courtroom," said Meliah Bowers Jefferson, a former clerk for Childs on the federal bench.

PHOTO: Ketanji Brown Jackson, nominated to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on pending judicial nominations on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 28, 2021. (Tom Williams/AP, FILE)

Geevarhese said other candidates on Biden's short list, including U.S. Appeals Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger, do not raise the same level of concern as Childs. He stopped short of endorsing a particular nominee.

"If Sen. Lindsey Graham [R-S.C.] is vouching for Michelle Childs, it should give Democrats pause," he said.

Graham said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" that he believes Childs would "get the most Republican votes" of any candidate on Biden's short list. "She would be somebody, I think, that could bring the Senate together and probably get more than 60 votes," he said.

The White House has not directly responded to the criticism of Childs but made clear she is still under consideration. The president "is actively seeking the recommendations of members of both parties as he prepares to make an historic choice and fulfill one of the most important duties of the presidency," said White House spokesperson Andrew Bates.

Jefferson, who remains close with Childs, said the judge is likely unfazed by the controversy.

"While she may have been known at the beginning of her career as someone who had this expertise in employment law, certainly while she was on the state court bench the breadth of her experience expanded," Jefferson said. "Her approach in every case, at least from my perspective, was that it is decided on its own merits."

ABC News' Ben Gittleson contributed to this report.

Labor issues complicate Judge J. Michelle Childs' Supreme Court candidacy originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
For months, scientists, public health officials, politicians and the general public have debated whether prior SARS-CoV-2 infection  touted as natural immunity  offers protection against COVID-19 that is comparable to vaccines.

The answer to that debate is complicated, but studies show the best way to protect yourself against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is to get vaccinated and then boosted. An infection on top of that, while not desirable, offers even more protection.

Recent evidence suggests that natural COVID-19 protection depends on many factors, including when the infection happened, the variant involved, whether someone has been boosted or not, and the overall strength of their immune system.

The question about natural versus vaccination immunity is an important one, Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, told Yahoo News. The CDC showed that up to the Delta surge, no doubt, natural immunity is likely as protective or more protective even than your two-dose vaccines, she added.

Gandhi was referring to a study published two weeks ago in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. It is the same study that GOP lawmakers pointed to this week when introducing the Natural Immunity Transparency Act, arguing that the CDC data demonstrated natural immunity was 3-4 times as effective in preventing COVID-19 compared with vaccination.

But this claim needs more context. The CDC study analyzed COVID-19 cases in California and New York in 2021, which together only account for about 18 percent of the U.S. population. The data was collected from May 30 to Nov. 20, 2021, a period before and during the Delta wave. The study showed that prior to Delta, which became predominant in late June and July 2021, case rates were lowest for people who were vaccinated and not previously infected with COVID-19. But by early October, when Delta was dominant, the picture changed. Case rates then were substantially lower among both unvaccinated and vaccinated people with previous infections, suggesting that natural immunity during this period was superior to vaccines.

However, it is important to note that the CDC research was conducted during a time when vaccine-induced immunity was waning for many people and before the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Additionally, most U.S. adults were not yet eligible to receive booster shots, which are seen as offering the best protection against Omicron.

In general, studies conducted pre-Omicron do support the concept that infection-induced immunity and vaccine-induced immunity are pretty similar in terms of protection. However, Gandhi said there are many reasons vaccines are preferred. Notably, vaccines are free, safe and quick, while getting COVID-19 carries substantial risks, including long COVID, hospitalization and death. Its just safer, Gandhi said.

She also said natural immunity can vary substantially from person to person, depending on many factors like age, the overall strength of the persons immune system, how severe the COVID case was and the variant that infected them.

What happens with natural infection is that if you have a mild infection, you may not mount the strong cellular immune response that you need to fight it in the future, Gandhi said. On the other hand, vaccines were subject to rigorous trials and found to elicit a high immune response. Most experts agree that a vaccine is a more quantifiable, predictable and reliable way to protect the population.

Another downside to relying on natural immunity is that Omicron has replaced Delta as the dominant variant, and Omicron is both more transmissible and more capable of evading immune protection triggered by both vaccines and previous infections.

Shane Crotty, a virologist and professor at La Jolla Institute for Immunology, told Yahoo News that the Omicron variant changed everything. Omicron is looking so different from the other variants that just infection alone might not be giving you great antibodies against the other variants because it looks so different, he said. It is still unclear how much immunity one can expect to come out of an Omicron infection, including how long that protection lasts and whether it will apply to future variants.

Based on the epidemiological data available, Crotty said, those who are likely to be the most protected against both infection and hospitalization at the moment are people who have had a breakthrough infection. This means, individuals who have had an infection and then a vaccine, or vice versa.

Data by tons of labs shows that those people make really broad neutralizing antibodies, the professor said. Their antibodies recognize every possible variant and even distant viral species, but they also make really high levels of those antibodies, he added.

People in this category  both infection and vaccination  have what has become to be known as hybrid immunity or super immunity. According to a CDC study, those who get fully vaccinated after recovering from COVID-19 have twice the protection of those who do not get vaccinated after their recovery.

Experts warn, however, this doesnt mean people should purposefully try to infect themselves with the coronavirus to achieve greater protection against COVID-19, since there are serious health risks involved.

People who are boosted also have an especially high level of protection against Omicron. Its pretty amazing three doses of the same vaccine, which is just against the ancestral strain. Your immune system is so clever. Its seeing that old version of the spike protein basically, and the first two times it sees it, it makes neutralizing antibodies against the ancestral strain and a couple of variants, but not Omicron, but just seeing that same vaccine the third time, and now you make neutralizing antibodies against Omicron, Crotty explained.

Underscoring the value of a third dose, recent studies by the CDC have shown a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine significantly reduces a persons chance of hospitalization from the Omicron variant. One of the CDC reports, which looked at 259 hospitals and 383 emergency departments from late August through early January, found that a third dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine was 90 percent effective at preventing hospitalization and 82 percent effective at preventing emergency department and urgent care visits.

However, despite the evidence supporting the efficacy of a third dose, many Americans have been hesitant to receive their booster shots. Gandhi says this is unfortunate because boosters could be the ticket back to normal, and those who are unboosted or unvaccinated are more vulnerable to Omicron and future variants that could emerge. What we need to get through this time is immunity ... so even if youve been actually infected, I really would recommend at least one dose of a vaccine, Gandhi said.
Ukrainians attend a rally in central Kyiv on Saturday. (Efrem Lukatsky / Associated Press)

Warning of dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces on Ukraines border, the U.S. on Monday announced it was closing its embassy in the capital city of Kyiv out of fear for the safety of its diplomats.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he'd been told that Russia would invade on Wednesday, a quip his office later said was meant sarcastically, reflecting what some in Kyiv think is a breathlessness on the part of members of the Biden administration who have warned of an imminent Russian attack.

Washington and most European capitals, as evidence of a looming invasion, point to Moscow's amassing of more than 130,000 troops on its border with Ukraine and in its ally, Belarus, which sits on Ukraine's northern border, just a two-hour drive from Kyiv. There is disagreement, however, on how soon such an action might take place.

The White House and State Department reiterated the U.S. contention that Russia has shown no evidence of de-escalating, as NATO members are demanding.

"What we are seeing on the ground with our own eyes [indicates] it could begin at any time," State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

As a consequence, the State Department, which had already begun withdrawing personnel from the besieged former Soviet republic, said it was "relocating" all embassy functions to Lviv, a city hundreds of miles west of Kyiv near the border with Poland.

"I have ordered these measures for one reason  the safety of our staff  and we strongly urge any remaining U.S. citizens in Ukraine to leave the country immediately," said Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.

He said the embassy in Lviv would "remain engaged with the Ukrainian government" including intense efforts to de-escalate the crisis, despite the distance from Ukraine's seat of government.

Price said the top U.S. diplomat in the country, Kristina Kvien, was already in Lviv, along with a "vast majority" of the reduced core staff remaining in the country. In Kyiv, there were reports of departing officials destroying computers and the building going dark.

U.S. officials have forecast an invasion that would be "multi-pronged" and overwhelming, including cybersabotage that would shut down much of the country's institutions and power grids, followed by airstrikes and overland troop movement.

That has raised questions about whether the move to Lviv really made diplomats safer or was meant as a face-saving gesture to show the U.S. had not completely abandoned the country. Price rejected that explanation, saying it was "a matter of geography." The move to the west puts the Americans farther from Russian troops and would allow escape through NATO member Poland.

"The threat is very real," Price said. Closing the embassy "does not signal any diminution on our part for the territorial integrity and sovereignty ... of Ukraine, quite the contrary."

The orders for U.S. citizens to leave Ukraine have rankled Ukrainian officials who fear panic will ensue. The Biden administration, for its part, is keen to avoid anything similar to the disastrous evacuation of Afghanistan last year, when hundreds of Americans who declined to leave on their own accord were stranded, at least temporarily, after U.S. forces withdrew to end two decades of war.

Despite its massive troop deployment, Russia has denied plans it intends to attack. On Monday, Moscow signaled it was open to continued talks with Western governments about its security demands. Many of those demands, including one that seeks to bar Ukraine from joining NATO, have been rejected by the U.S. and its European allies.

President Biden spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, and the U.S. has engaged in multiple rounds of diplomacy to try to defuse the crisis. Blinken spoke Monday for the second time in three days with his Ukrainian counterpart, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

"Our commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. We also continue our sincere efforts to reach a diplomatic solution, and we remain engaged with the Russian government following President Bidens call with President Putin and my discussion with Foreign Minister Lavrov," Blinken said in a statement. "The path for diplomacy remains available if Russia chooses to engage in good faith. We look forward to returning our staff to the embassy as soon as conditions permit."

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III is heading to Europe on Tuesday to meet with U.S. allies in Belgium, Poland and Lithuania and discuss Russia's military buildup, according to the Pentagon.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it is entirely possible that [Putin] can move with little to no warning, but that Washington doesn't believe the Russian president has made a decision. Kirby reiterated Bidens message that an invasion would be met with swift and severe economic and diplomatic consequences.

European leaders were also busy Monday trying to prevent war. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Ukraine with Zelenskybefore heading to Moscow for talks with Putin.

There are no sensible reasons for such a military deployment," Scholz said, in urging Russia to de-escalate. No one should doubt the determination and preparedness of the EU, NATO, Germany and the United States."

At the White House, officials continued to urge Putin to "engage constructively" while working with European countries to ensure energy supplies, including natural gas markets, and to mitigate price shocks  all of which could suffer if the West imposes tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

All tools are on the table, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said.

U.S. lawmakers, meanwhile, emerged grim-faced from closed-door briefings with White House national security officials.

"Time is running out for diplomacy," Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told reporters.

Times staff writers Anumita Kaur and Noah Bierman in Washington contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Boris Johnson will not meet the leader of the Scottish Conservatives as he travels north to promote his levelling up agenda.

The Prime Minister is in Scotland on Monday, to announce an agreement with the Scottish Government on the plan to create new green freeports.

But with Douglas Ross, the leader of the Scottish Tories, among those in the party who have called for Mr Johnson to quit after lockdown parties in Downing Street, there will be no meeting between him and the Prime Minister.

And SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the visit north should be Mr Johnsons farewell tour.

Mr Blackford told Sky News: This is Prime Minister who is not going to meet his own Scottish Conservative leader, even the Scottish Conservatives want Boris Johnson to go.

I hope this is his farewell tour, he is a man who is deeply unpopular up here.

More than 75% of Scots think he should resign and I think people right up and down these islands recognise that this is a Prime Minister who no longer has moral authority.

While there is speculation that Chancellor Rishi Sunak could be a potential successor to the Prime Minister, Mr Blackford argued it was more important for Scots to be given a choice on independence.

He insisted: Its not a choice about Boris Johnson or Rishi Sunak or anybody else, its about the choice of the people of Scotland to choose their own future.

But Scotland Office minister Iain Stewart argued by promoting freeports Mr Johnson was getting on with the job.

Levelling up means having access to good healthcare, good education, skilled work and reliable transport no matter where you live. Were getting on with the job, delivering on our mission to unite and level up the whole United Kingdom.https://t.co/WCIr3d6MIz  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 13, 2022

Mr Stewart, the MP for Milton Keyes South, told BBC Radio Scotlands Good Morning Scotland programme: I think what the Prime Minister is doing is showing we are getting on with the job, we are setting out a comprehensive and bold vision of what we want the UK and Scottish economy to be.

Were investing massively, whether its in freeports, whether its in the levelling up agenda.

Pressed on why no meeting has been scheduled with Mr Ross, Mr Stewart defended the Prime Minister, saying the two leaders are regularly in contact.

The minister added: When I go up and visit around Scotland, sometimes I meet with my MSP colleagues, sometimes I dont.
LUSAKA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Monday launched an oral cholera vaccination campaign in Lusaka, the country's capital, as part of efforts towards the elimination of the waterborne disease in the country.

The campaign launched targets to vaccinate 1,038,000 eligible people from one year and above in the Zambian capital and follows vaccination campaigns conducted in seven of the 11 cholera-prone districts in the country.

Sylvia Masebo, the Minister of Health said the overall objective of the campaign was to vaccinate about 85 percent of people in the 11 cholera-prone districts in the country.

In remarks delivered during the launch of the campaign in Kanyama, a sprawling shanty compound prone to cholera outbreaks, the Zambian minister said the country has established a multisectoral cholera elimination plan to eliminate the disease by 2025 against the global target of 2030.

The country, she said, has so far received 5.8 million doses of the vaccines required for the campaign and was confident that the target will be met.

According to her, Zambia has had 30 cholera outbreaks since 1977 which have left devastating effects including deaths.

She said the government was committed to ensuring the provision of access to clean water and sanitation in efforts aimed at eliminating the disease.

Coumba Mar Gadio, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, commended Zambia for its ambitious program of eliminating cholera by 2025 against the global target.

She said the UN stands ready to support the country in its endeavor, adding that eliminating the disease will require concerted efforts of all partners.

According to her, cholera was one of the major health threats in developing countries and commended the leadership shown by Zambia in fighting the disease. 
Former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, once vilified by Donald Trump as a druggie and joke unworthy of wearing the pinstripes, is now a key part of an investment group seeking to buy the rights to the ex-presidents marquee Washington, D.C., hotel, people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

A-Rods involvement in the $375 million deal, which could close within weeks, would make the athlete-turned-entrepreneur an unlikely financial savior for Trump, allowing him to recoup millions he invested and perhaps even emerge with a profit from his money-losing hotel.

This is just more proof that the only thing that matters to Trump is money," said Trump biographer Michael DAntonio. If A-Rod can bail out Trump and get him out of a sticky situation and help him turn a profit, hes going to take that deal. Hed take it from Hillary Clinton.

While published reports late last year identified the buyer as Miami-based CGI Merchant Group, the rights to lease the 263-room property near the White House are actually being purchased by a fund led by CGI that includes Rodriguez as a general partner, two people familiar with the deal told the AP. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the deal, declined to detail Rodriguezs stake other than to say he is a key investor.

One of the sources identified the fund as the $650 million Hospitality Opportunity Fund that CGI, Rodriguez and New York real estate financier Adi Chugh set up in late 2020 to buy hotels with plunging valuations due to coronavirus shutdowns and rebrand them as a collection of socially conscious and eco-friendly properties.

But the Trump International Hotel in Washington may not be such a bargain. If the deal is finalized at the currently offered price of $375 million, much higher than experts expected, it could allow Trump to emerge with a profit after losing tens of millions of dollars on the hotel even as it became a magnet for lobbyists, diplomats and GOP supporters.

Taking in $375 million would more than make up for the $200 million Trumps company put into renovating the historic, federally-owned Old Post Office building into a luxury hotel after signing a lease with the General Services Administration in 2012, as well as the $70 million that a congressional oversight committee says the hotel lost during Trumps four years in office.

Real estate experts say a more realistic price in the current Washington market would be $1 million per room, or about $260 million. But hotel brokers, consultants and other experts AP contacted say determining a fair value for this particular property is exceedingly difficult, in part because it's a lease being sold. Also, the only name over the door since it opened more than five years ago has been Trumps and there is no telling how many guests might come in once those divisive five letters are removed.

Rodriguez, reached through his spokesman Monday, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the Trump Organization. CGI and Surya Capital, the hospitality funds third partner run by Indian-born investor Chugh, declined to comment. The GSA, which must approve any transfer of the lease, also did not respond to a request for comment.

Word of Rodriguezs involvement in the Trump hotel deal brings together two infamously polarizing figures and has cast a renewed spotlight on their often-tempestuous relationship.

Trump, a longtime Yankees fan, said in a 2012 radio interview that he was never a fan of Rodriguezs  either as a player or person  citing an unspecified bad experience he had with A-Rod when he lived in Trumps Park Avenue building.

Trump has also tweeted about A-Rod dozens of times, mostly in a span from 2011 to 2013 prior to Major League Baseball suspending Rodriguez for the entire 2014 season for use and possession of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone and human growth hormone, and attempting to obstruct MLBs investigation.

The @Yankees should immediately stop paying A-Rod  he signed his contract without telling them he was a druggie, @realDonaldTrump said on Opening Day 2013.

Druggie A-Rod has disgraced the blessed @Yankees organization, lied to the fans & embarrassed NYC. He does not deserve to wear the pinstripes, Trump said in another tweet.

But in recent years, there seemed to be a cooling off. Trump praised A-Rod when the two appeared together at a charity reception at his Bronx golf course in 2015. And Trump reportedly called the 14-time All-Star in the early days of the pandemic in 2020 for advice on how to handle the coronavirus.

That didnt stop Rodriguez and his then-fiancee Jennifer Lopez from appearing in an online campaign ad for Joe Biden just weeks before the 2020 presidential election, urging Hispanic voters to turn out for the Democrat.

A-Rods prior political activity included donations to Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Republican Mitt Romney in 2012, a gift Trump felt compelled to tweet about at the time: I started to get very worried about Mitts chances when I heard that A-Rod donated to his campaign. Everything A-Rod touches turns bad.

Since the 46-year-old Rodriguezs playing days ended in 2016, he has focused heavily on investing, including being part of a $1.5 billion deal last year to buy the NBAs Minnesota Timberwolves. Rodriguez also owns numerous office, retail and residential properties, and stakes in dozens of businesses, including online groceries, private plane sharing, a beer brand, and gym and yoga chains.

Rodriguez was an enthusiastic supporter of the $650 million Hospitality Opportunity Fund when it launched in December 2020 with plans to buy more than 20 hotels, praising lead investor CGI for its socially conscious approach to investing that focuses on helping communities it calls home.

CGIs chief executive, Jamaican-born Raoul Thomas, has donated heavily to Democratic politicians and is turning to an increasingly popular marketing strategy that promises to combat social injustices and a warming planet. The website for CGI, owner of mostly office and retail buildings in the Miami area, trumpets what it calls conscious certified properties that help local groups working on social, health and environmental issues and are committed to cutting their carbon footprint.

So far, the fund has purchased and renovated two hotels under the Gabriel name in the Miami area and a third on the campus of Morris Brown College in Atlanta, a deal that included $30 million from CGI for the historically Black school to develop a hotel and hospitality training program.

If the Trump hotel purchase follows that pattern, a property that once was packed with GOP politicians rallying behind a president who ridiculed woke liberal culture and once called global warming a Chinese hoax would find itself pledging 1% of room revenue to local charities, buying from local businesses and using eco-friendly products.

Said Trump biographer DAntonio: The idea of someone taking over this citadel to right-wing heedless excess and turning it into a haven for the socially and environmentally conscious is delicious.

___

Condon reported from New York. News researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report.
Vladimir Putin could launch an invasion of Ukraine almost immediately, the UK believes as diplomatic efforts continued to avert a war in eastern Europe.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Monday an invasion could take place within 48 hours as he urged Russias president to step back from the edge of a precipice.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who chaired a meeting of the Governments Cobra emergency committee, urged Britons to leave Ukraine by commercial routes while they still could because of the risk of an imminent Russian invasion.

Russia has accused the UK and US of a propaganda campaign and insisted it was ready to continue talks.

The Prime Minister was receiving a briefing on the latest intelligence from the UKs spy chiefs and cut short a planned visit to northern England to lead a Cobra meeting on Tuesday.

On a visit to Rosyth shipyard in Scotland, he said: This is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation, we are on the edge of a precipice but there is still time for President Putin to step back.

He called for more dialogue and urged Russia to avoid a disastrous invasion.

Today I chaired a COBR meeting on the serious Russian threat to Ukraine. Latest information suggests Russia could invade at any moment and we urge the Kremlin to deescalate. Our focus is on prioritising the safety and security of British nationals in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/umzgiMwHpg  Liz Truss (@trussliz) February 14, 2022

Reports based on US intelligence assessments have suggested an invasion could be launched as soon as Wednesday.

The Prime Minister said: The signs, as youve heard from (US) President (Joe) Biden that theyre at least planning for something that could take place as early as in the next 48 hours.

That is extremely concerning.

In a message to European allies, Mr Johnson said the world needed to demonstrate the political and economic cost an invasion would have on Russia, including by ending reliance on its gas.

(PA Graphics)

The Prime Minister said the world needs to learn the lesson of 2014 when not enough was done to move away from Russian gas and oil following the Russian action in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.

What I think all European countries need to do now is get Nord Stream out of the bloodstream, he said.

Yank out that hypodermic drip feed of Russian hydrocarbons that is keeping so many European economies going.

The Nord Stream pipeline and Nord Stream 2  which is yet to begin operations  supply gas directly from Russia to Germany.

The pipelines are a source of tension among Western allies drawing up sanctions against Russia, with Mr Biden insisting Nord Stream 2 would be blocked if Mr Putin invaded Ukraine. Germany has so far been reluctant to spell out exactly what measures it would take.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Russian oligarchs would be targeted with severe sanctions if Russia invaded Ukraine (PA)

Ms Truss insisted Germany and the US had been very clear that Nord Stream 2 would not go ahead in the event of a Russian incursion on Ukraine.

Britons were told to leave Ukraine on Friday and ministers stepped up their warnings to those still in the country.

We are fully aware that there could be a Russian invasion almost immediately, Ms Truss said.

Armed forces minister James Heappey said Britons in the country should not wait for tensions to escalate further before fleeing.

This is a warning because minutes after Putin gives the order, missiles and bombs could be landing on Ukrainian cities, and that means British citizens should leave now whilst they have the opportunities to do so, he told Sky News.

Meanwhile, Ukraines ambassador to the UK backtracked on a suggestion the country could consider dropping its constitutional ambition to join Nato to avoid war.

Vadym Prystaiko told BBC Breakfast: We are not a member of Nato right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in our conversations with Russia.

But it has nothing to do with Nato, which is enshrined in the constitution.

Boris Johnson is shown a vessel undergoing refit for the Ukrainian Navy during a visit to Rosyth Dockyard near Edinburgh (Jeff J Mitchell/PA)

Moscow had suggested that Ukraine abandoning its Nato ambitions would address one of its main concerns.

Despite concerns about the potential futility of diplomacy  expressed by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace in his suggestion there was a whiff of Munich in the air from some in the West  Ukraine and Nato allies continued to seek a resolution through talks.

Mr Johnson said he expected to speak to Mr Biden very soon, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was in Ukraine before heading to Moscow for talks with Mr Putin.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov advised Mr Putin to continue talks with the West.

He said the possibilities for talks are far from being exhausted but he acknowledged they cant go on indefinitely.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Parliament  which is not sitting this week  should be recalled if Russia invades Ukraine.

He also called for tougher sanctions in response to the Russian aggression.

I will say this: Russia wants to see our allies divided, it wants to see division in the United Kingdom, and we are not going to divide and, therefore, we support the Government in what its doing.

We support our allies and the sovereignty of Ukraine but, yes, those sanctions should go further.
Ukraines ambassador to the UK has said the country could consider dropping its ambition to join Nato to avoid war with Russia.

Vadym Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5 that the country would, due to threats and blackmail, consider serious concessions including removing the goal of joining the Nato alliance from the Ukrainian constitution.

It comes as armed forces minister James Heappey warned against extending Natos collective security to a non-member and Boris Johnson is due to join last-ditch diplomatic efforts in Europe.

Mr Heappey said the deterrence of Russia needed to go beyond economic sanctions, but that Natos defensive operations were very different from offering its collective security to a non-member especially with the very real possibility that the alliance fractures as a result.

Writing in The Times, Mr Heappey said: Nato has always been a defensive alliance that sovereign nations have chosen to join for their collective security. Nato does not attack others.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Nato has deployed beyond its borders to Afghanistan in response to an attack on the United States; played a role in counterinsurgency and counterpiracy missions in sub- Saharan Africa, Iraq and the Indian Ocean; and played an important part in stabilising the Balkans after the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.

I would argue, however, that these are all very different from offering the collective security of the alliance to a non-member especially with the very real possibility that the alliance fractures as a result. It would also be exactly the pretext Putin needs to claim that hes responding to western aggression on his borders.

As Ukraine is not a Nato member and allies in the defence alliance have said they would not join fighting in Ukraine but have bolstered forces in neighbouring nations and are threatening widespread sanctions.

Downing Street conceded Moscow could be planning to invade at any moment but the Prime Minister will hold talks with world leaders before a trip to Europe during this weeks window of opportunity for de-escalation.

The UK and other Nato allies have urged their citizens to flee Ukraine and some airlines have cancelled flights to Kyiv amid growing concerns that the estimated 130,000 Russian troops amassed on the border could be poised to attack.
Podcast: "The struggle is to get to dead even."
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia Rustam Badasyan welcomed the delegation led by Head of the Revenue Service of Georgia Levan Kakava at the Bagratashen customs checkpoint. Mr. Kakava arrived in Armenia on a working visit, the SRC said in a press release.

Rustam Badasyan and Levan Kakava toured the checkpoint, got acquainted with the proper organization of the border-crossing process and the service conditions.

The officials also discussed topics of mutual interest. They stated that the current legal-contractual relations between the two countries in tax and customs administration allow to actively cooperate in bilateral and international platforms.

The sides also highlighted the importance of the preliminary exchange process of electronic data relating to international transfers of transportation means and goods between Armenia and Georgia, praising the fact that the system is expected to launch in coming weeks.

A number of other directions of the bilateral cooperation were also discussed. The sides expressed readiness to activate the practical steps to implement the agreements reached.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee thanked people for her party's 'thumping win' in the civic polls

Locals stand in front of a polling station after two political parties clashed during ongoing municipal elections, at Salt Lake, in Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Monday was ahead in all the four municipal corporations in West Bengal where polls were held on February 12, as per data available on the State Election Commission's website.

In Bidhannagar, the TMC won 24 of the 41 seats and was ahead in 10, while the Congress won in one ward, according to the SEC website at 11 am.

The ruling party clinched 10 of the 47 seats in Siliguri and was leading in three wards, and both the BJP and the CPI(M) have won two seats each.

In Chandannagar, the TMC bagged 12 out of 32 seats and was ahead in nine, while the CPI(M) won in one ward.

The TMC pocketed 28 of 106 seats in Asansol and was leading in seven wards, the data showed, adding, the BJP emerged triumphant in three wards and the CPI(M) in two.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee thanked people for her party's thumping win in the civic polls, calling it a victory of the masses.
After the second phase on Monday, almost one-fourth of seats in the state -- 113 out of 403 -- will have voted

New Delhi: Moving with a strong security pitch, the BJP is all set to wade into the second phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.

Leading the attack on the Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that after the first round of voting in Uttar Pradesh, their dynasts are sleepless and unable to dream anymore. He added that the BJP government has the antidote for rioters and the mafia. The voting on February 14 is for 55 Assembly seats spanning the nine districts of Amroha, Bareilly, Bijnor, Badaun, Moradabad, Rampur, Saharanpur, Sambhal and Shahjahanpur in western Uttar Pradesh. This is traditionally a region where the Samajwadi Party has done well. In the last Assembly election, the SP got 27 seats. It was then in an alliance with Congress.

A buoyant Samajwadi chief, Akhilesh Yadav, claimed that the wipeout of the BJP has already begun after the first phase of voting. The SP-RLD combine is hoping that the farmers protests against the three repealed farm laws will find resonance in these districts. Four ministers in the Yogi Adityanath Cabinet -- Mahesh Chandra Gupta, Gulab Devi, Suresh Khanna and Baldev Singh Aulakh -- will test their luck this time. Senior SP leader Azam Khan, who is now in jail, is contesting from Rampur.

Congress has fielded Nawab Kazim Ali Khan against Azam Khan. Supriya Aaron of the Samajwadi Party from Bareilly Cantonment, Keerat Singh Gurjar from Gangoh and BJPs Devendra Nagpal from Naugawan seat are in the fray.

Muslim voters have a decisive say in 25 seats while Dalit voters hold the key to some 20-odd Assembly seats in this phase. Saharanpur, Moradabad, Sambhal, Bijnor and Rampur are Muslim strongholds while nine constituencies are reserved for the Scheduled Castes. The SP-RLD is banking considerably on the consolidation of Muslim and Dalit votes, embellished with Jat and Yadav votes. The trouble for the alliance maybe if the Muslim vote is split between the Congress, BSP and the new contender, AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi. Insiders claim that after the anti-CAA protests, the Muslim votes will consolidate behind the strongest Opposition candidates -- that is the SP-RLD alliance. The alliance partners are heavily banking on this.

AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is leading the Congress campaign, has released three manifestos of the party in the state catering to all sections of society. Apart from this, she has also undertaken several door-to-door campaigns, roadshows and rallies.

However, Congress got a shock when its declared candidate, Ms Supriya Aaron, shifted to the Samajwadi Party in Bareilly. BSP supremo Mayawati has also declared 40 per cent Muslim candidates in this phase as the BSP also wants to have the Muslim vote coming its way, but its lacklustre campaign, compared to that of the BJP and the SP-RLD, may not help it to gather much support.

After the second phase on Monday, almost one-fourth of seats in the state -- 113 out of 403 -- will have voted. There will be five other phases left, and the counting will take place on March 10.
The hijab issue has again brought what India is doing to its minorities to the notice of the world

Yet another issue of the fundamental rights of individuals as opposed to the rights of the State has reached the Supreme Court. As is almost routine in our times, it concerns the minorities. It is a question of whether Article 25 (right to freedom of religion) allows the government some room to prohibit the wearing of a headscarf. The article reads: Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion.

The straightforward reading of this is that individual rights must be given primacy. The young women say that covering their head is a religious practice for them and the Constitution guarantees them this as a Fundamental Right.

But the State, as it has always done, insists that it has the greater say in what individuals can and cannot do. One only hopes that the judiciary sees otherwise, but the record has not been good about this, and more often than not the justice system backs the State. For this reason, Indians have freedoms on paper that they cannot really exercise in reality. Even the Fundamental Rights, which are supposed to enjoy a high degree of freedom from encroachment by the State, are undermined regularly. For instance, Indians have the right to freedom of expression but the State has multiple laws which criminalise free speech. There is no real freedom of peaceful assembly or freedom of association and both have been criminalised as well.

Constitutionally, the freedom of occupation and practising any profession exists but when butchers moved court against cow slaughter laws, the Supreme Court admitted it had to take religious sentiments into consideration and curtailed their rights.

Again, Christians asked for and were given the right to propagate their religion (the subcontinents Muslims do not proselytise, but Christians do). But this right was taken away from them through various laws and today propagation is a crime.

The hijab issue has again brought what India is doing to its minorities to the notice of the world. The United States ambassador at large for international religious freedom tweeted on Friday that: Religious freedom includes the ability to choose ones religious attire. The Indian state of Karnataka should not determine permissibility of religious clothing. Hijab bans in schools violate religious freedom and stigmatise and marginalise women and girls.

One hopes that this wise counsel is taken, but it is unlikely to be. The judiciary wants to determine whether the hijab is essential religious practice or not. It has previously told Indian Muslims, as part of the Ayodhya hearings, that mosques are not essential to their religion.

There is a political and social angle as well to the current matter, other than the religious one. I do not claim to speak for the young women but they are being bullied as part of a systematic campaign against Muslims in India. They are being blocked from praying at sites allocated to them by the government, are being blocked from cooking meat or sent to jail for selling bangles. The laws that have been passed against them on the issue of citizenship and in Jammu and Kashmir are all also recent. It is likely that the young women are standing up for more than just their own rights. They are standing up for their faith and their community and that is why that one young woman stood up to that ugly mob in those famous visuals that should shame all Indians, but will not.

So the question then is: if this is the motivation they are coming from, if they are asked to give up their scarves and hijab, what happens next. Already, the indication is clear. On Friday, CNN had a headline which said: Hijab protests spread in India as girls refuse to be told what not to wear. The women will continue to come wearing a headscarf and the State will then have to decide whether or not it wants to use force on them and whether it is sensible to deny them education and entry into examination halls.

It is not difficult to predict this and we have seen what happens when large numbers of citizens stand up to the laws that they think are unjust. The government has had to back down as it did in the matter of both the citizenship laws (which were passed but have not been implemented) and the farm laws, which were withdrawn. In both the instances, the courts were not sympathetic to the protesters, but that did not matter.

One suspects that something similar will happen here, and it is hard to see any other outcome except one in which the State again folds and lets the young women exercise their freedom.

I hope that this happens without friction and without a standoff. The best thing we can pray for is that the courts give a quick judgment in favour of fundamental rights so that the government can worry about other things than what it will not let young women wear.
We not only spit everywhere, we piss everywhere, we shit wherever and dump our garbage anywhere

Visiting the Banaras Hindu University on February 4, 1916, Mahatma Gandhi in his address said: I visited the Vishvanath temple last evening. If a stranger dropped from above on to this great temple, would he not be justified in condemning us? Is it right that the lanes of our sacred temples should be as dirty as they are? If even our temples are not models of cleanliness, what can our self-government be? We do not know elementary laws of cleanliness. We spit everywhere. The result is indescribable filth.

In the hundred and six years since then, things have only worsened. We not only spit everywhere, we piss everywhere, we shit wherever and dump our garbage anywhere. India is easily the most dirty, unhygienic and filthy country in the world. Picking up from here, our Prime Minister had rightly launched the Swachh Bharat campaign in 2014 to clean up India.

He had announced an ambitious campaign to build home toilets for 12 million urban households, 25 million public toilets, and 30 million community toilets. In all, over 300 million will be helped with solid waste management practices and this is to be achieved by 2019 and will cost the nation Rs 62,009 crores. This is not a sum that we cannot afford. Has India become a cleaner, healthier and more hygienic nation, less offensive to sight and smell? I dont think so, and the Swachh Bharat campaign too has largely ended up as a failure.

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Narendra Modi must be lauded for flagging this as a major priority. But more than intentions, he must now look at ways to implement his plans. His ambitions were huge eight years ago.

He also hoped to build 100 smart cities with 24x7 drinking water, zero garbage disposal and total solid waste management with full-scale drainage and sewage systems.

The BJPs manifesto did promise a hundred new cities. And rightly so, because new cities are imperative, as by 2050 India will almost double its present urban population by adding another 450 million. It is this urbanisation that will also be its major driver of economic growth. But we have not even begun it on paper.

The Andhra Pradesh government had estimated that a new capital will cost it Rs 1,00,000 crores. Projecting that, a hundred new cities with an average of a million people each will cost us Rs 100-120 lakh crores over the next 25-35 years. Its a huge sum, but the begging, borrowing and scrimping has to start now.

But even if we find the money, where is the public administration to do it?

We now have a highly centralised system that is more suitable to the task of governing India than serving India. The structure of our public administration, with its preponderance at the national and state capitals, and with a tiny fraction left to interface with citizens at the local level, and even these not being answerable to citizens is at the root of our inability to transform this country.

When India became independent, Jawaharlal Nehru advocated disbanding the civil service inherited from the British Raj and he wanted a new system of public administration that will not just preserve order to facilitate extraction, but will drive change and equitable development. Sardar Patel, however, was against such a radical transformation of the government, and preferred India to be administered by an elite civil service such as the ICS.

This led to the creation of the IAS and the IPS as the main instruments of administration. But the system remained as before, a system to maintain control rather than transform. The consequences of this are still apparent.

The three levels of government together employ about 185 lakh persons. The Central government employs 34 lakhs, all the state governments put together employ another 72.18 lakhs, quasi-government agencies account for a further 58.14 lakhs, and at the local government level, a tier with the most interface with ordinary citizens, we have only 20.53 lakh employees. This simply means that we have five persons ordering us about, for every one supposedly serving us. What this translates into is that if you build toilets, you wont have enough people to clean them. Ditto for sewage systems. As it is, garbage pickup is selective, tardy and the signs of failure can be seen in all our cities and villages.

Its not that an attempt was not made to change this centralised system. In 1952, the government launched the Community Development Programme hoping to transform rural India with the participation of the people. This programme was formulated to provide an administrative framework through which the government would reach down to the district, tehsil/taluka and village levels.

All the districts of the country were divided into Development Blocks; and a Block Development Officer (BDO) was put in charge of each block. Below the BDO were appointed the workers called Village Level Workers (VLW), who were to initiate change in the villages.

Thousands of BDOs and VLWs were trained for the job of delivering an array of government programmes and to take the government down to the villages. But this highly ambitious and idealistic restructure of government didnt exactly gel with the existing control mechanism of governance.

Before long, the two structures meshed and we were back to the old tried and tested system of government meant to rule India and not transform India.

The Prime Minister, however, has done well by impressing on people the need to keep their surroundings clean. While people must not litter and dispose them at conveniently appointed places, the job of lifting the garbage from there for disposal is that of the appropriate governmental tier. While people are expected not to defecate everywhere, the responsibility of providing sanitation is that of the State. Building toilets at public places and institutions and impressing on people to use them is laudable, but keeping them working and clean is the job of the State.

The condition of most public conveniences, including those at the Central Secretariat in New Delhi, will tell you that the government is not working.

In the time left for him, the Prime Minister should turn his focus on why the government fails to deliver services in India. Only then can he create a Swachh Bharat and a New India.
Moscow's forces are massing on Ukraine's north, east and south in what the Kremlin insists are military exercises

An instructor shows a woman how to use a Kalashnikov assault rifle, as members of a Ukrainian far-right group train, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (AP/Efrem Lukatsky)

Washington: Some airlines cancelled flights to the Ukrainian capital and troops there unloaded fresh shipments of weapons from NATO members Sunday, as its president sought to project confidence in the face of US warnings of possible invasion within days by a growing number of Russian forces.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to President Joe Biden for about an hour, insisting that Ukrainians had the country under safe and reliable protection against feared attack by a far stronger Russian military, aides said afterward.

The White House said both agreed to keep pushing both deterrence and diplomacy to try to stave off a feared Russian military offensive.

The Biden administration has become increasingly outspoken about its concerns that Russia will stage an incident in the coming days that would create a false pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.

US and European intelligence findings in recent days have sparked worries that Russia may try to target a scheduled Ukrainian military exercise slated for Tuesday in eastern Ukraine to launch such a false-flag operation, according to two people familiar with the matter.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about it.

American intelligence officials believe targeting the military exercise is just one of multiple options that Russia has weighed as a possibility for a false-flag operation. The White House has underscored that they do not know with certainty if President Vladimir Putin has made a final determination to launch an invasion.

Moscow's forces are massing on Ukraine's north, east and south in what the Kremlin insists are military exercises.

A US official updated the Biden administration's estimate for how many Russian forces are now staged near Ukraine's borders to more than 130,000, up from the more than 100,000 the US has cited publicly in previous weeks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration's conclusions.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly played down the US warnings, questioning the increasingly strident statements from US officials in recent days that Russia could be planning to invade as soon as midweek.

We understand all the risks, we understand that there are risks, he said in a broadcast Saturday. If you, or anyone else, has additional information regarding a 100% Russian invasion starting on the 16th, please forward that information to us.

But while Zelenskyy has urged against panic that he fears could undermine Ukraine's economy, he and his civilian and military leaders also are preparing defenses, soliciting and receiving a flow of arms from the US and other NATO members.

A military cargo aircraft carrying US-made Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition from NATO member Lithuania landed Sunday, bolstering the country's defenses against any attack by air.

Zelenskyy wore military olive drab at a drill with tanks and helicopters near Ukraine's border with Russian-annexed Crimea this weekend. In the nearby city of Kalanchak, some expressed disbelief that Putin would really send his troops rolling into the country.

I don't believe Russia will attack us," said resident Boris Cherepenko. I have friends in Sakhalin, in Krasnodar, he said, naming Russian regions. "I don't believe it.

In Kyiv, others expressed uncertainty whether any Russian move would be economic, military, or happen at all. One woman, Alona Buznitskaya, speaking on a central street of the capital bearing a few signs declaring, I love Ukraine, said she was calm.

"You should always be ready for everything, and then you will have nothing to be afraid of, she said.

The U.S. largely has not made public the evidence it says is underlying its most specific warnings on possible Russian planning or timing.

We're not going to give Russia the opportunity to conduct a surprise here, to spring something on Ukraine or the world, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, told CNN on Sunday, about the U.S. warnings.

We are going to make sure that we are laying out for the world what we see as transparently and plainly as we possibly can, he said.

The Russians have deployed missile, air, naval and special operations forces, as well as supplies to sustain an invasion. This week, Russia moved six amphibious assault ships into the Black Sea, augmenting its capability to land on the coast.

Putin denies any intention of attacking Ukraine. Russia is demanding that the West keep former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons near its border and to roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe  demands flatly rejected by the West.

Biden and Putin spoke for more than an hour Saturday, but the White House offered no suggestion that the call diminished the threat of an imminent war in Europe.

Reflecting the West's concerns, Dutch airline KLM has canceled flights to Ukraine until further notice, the company said. The Ukrainian charter airline SkyUp said Sunday its flight from Madeira, Portugal, to Kyiv was diverted to the Moldovan capital.

And Ukraine's air traffic safety agency Ukraerorukh issued a statement declaring the airspace over the Black Sea to be a zone of potential danger and recommended that planes avoid flying over the sea Feb. 14-19.

The Putin-Biden conversation, following a call between Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the day, came at a critical moment for what has become the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. U.S. officials believe they have mere days to prevent an invasion and enormous bloodshed in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will fly to Kyiv on Monday and Moscow on Tuesday to meet with the presidents in those capitals.

While the U.S. and NATO have made clear they do not intend to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia, any invasion and resulting punishing sanctions promised by the U.S. and other countries could reverberate far beyond the former Soviet republic, affecting energy supplies, global markets and the power balance in Europe.

The United States was pulling most of its staff from the embassy in Kyiv and urged all American citizens to leave Ukraine immediately. Britain joined other European nations in telling its citizens to leave.

Biden has bolstered the U.S. military presence in Europe as reassurance to allies on NATO's eastern flank. The 3,000 additional soldiers ordered to Poland come on top of 1,700 who are on their way there. The U.S. Army also is shifting 1,000 soldiers from Germany to Romania, which like Poland shares a border with Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine's Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula 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 halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.
MOGADISHU, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Four civilians were killed after an auto-rickshaw they were travelling in ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) in Middle Shabelle of central Somalia on Monday.

State-owned Radio Mogadishu reported that the landmine planted by suspended al-Shabab militants exploded near Hansholey village in Jowhar district.

The local police said the deceased were all men who are camel traders.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest incident in Somalia but al-Shabab militants usually stage such attacks in the country. 
by Silvina Premat

A memorandum of understanding is signed during Argentine President Alberto Fernandezs visit to China. His predecessor Macri kept Chinas plans at bay in favour of relations with the United States. On paper, China plans to invest US$ 24 billion. Mexico, Brazil and Colombia are next Chinas list.

Buenos Aires (AsiaNews)  Argentina formally joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the first large economy in Latin America to sign up to the iconic investment plan proposed by Xi Jinpings government.

A few days ago, during a tour of Russia and China by President Alberto Fernandez, which caused a great political stir inside and outside the country, the Argentine government signed a memorandum of understanding.

While negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to refinance Argentinas external debt remain strained, and tensions between the United States and Russia grow, Fernandez proposed to Vladimir Putin that Argentina become Russia's gateway to Latin America, bemoaning Argentinas great dependence on the IMF and on the United States."

The diplomatic fallout from these remarks have been somewhat overshadowed by Argentinas decision to join BRI, which began when China in 2017 invited then-Argentine President Mauricio Macri to the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The following year, during the G20 meeting in Buenos Aires, Xi Jinping formally proposed accession to the BRI.

"In those years, the Macri government, because it prioritised ties with the United States, argued that joining the BRI was not necessary, because the 'comprehensive strategic partnership' agreed between the two countries in 2014 included the development of connectivity and the infrastructure works, said Jorge Malena speaking to AsiaNews. Malena heads the postgraduate programme on China at the Catholic University of Argentina[*] and heads the working group on China at the Argentine Council on International Relations[].

As usual, China rewards adherence to its megaproject with greater outlays of money. In Argentina, investments would be worth US$ 24 billion for 16 projects developed by China to build highways, railways, ports, hydroelectric dams, power plants, housing and healthcare facilities. One project that stands out, because of its technology and largescale loans, is the construction of a nuclear power plant.

The biggest criticism of Chinese investment plans is the financial dependence they generated in other countries and the failure to employ local workers.

In Argentinas case, opinions vary. While several analysts point to the risk of falling into the clutches of the Asian giant, others are more optimistic and have their reasons. Malena, is one of the latter.

As I understand from reliable sources in the Foreign Ministry, Argentina did not sign up to the original text presented by the Chinese counterpart, but a version was signed with a series of changes that allude to the need to employ local workers and Argentine inputs, technology transfer, respect for the environment, etc., the scholar said.

Out of the 145 countries that have joined the Silk Road so far, Argentina is the 19th in Latin America and the Caribbean. The others are: Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay, Venezuela, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Cuba, Panama, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Argentina is expected to boost Chinas position in negotiations with other countries in Latin America like Mexico, Brazil and Colombia to persuade them to do the same.

[*] Universidad Catolica Argentina

[] Consejo Argentino de Relaciones Internacionales
by Nikos Tzoitis

Bartholomew calls on all parties to follow the path of dialogue to achieve peace, stability and justice in his homily in the presence of Ukrainian diplomats. The use of force causes only "war, violence, sorrow and death". Like Pope Francis, he says war is madness. He urges the Church to commit to the path of peace.

Istanbul (AsiaNews)  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew yesterday called on all parties to follow the path of dialogue to achieve peace, stability and justice in Ukraine.

The archbishop of Constantinople made his appeal in his homily during the Mass he celebrated yesterday in the presence of various consular officials in Istanbul, including those from the Ukraine.

Bartholomew called on all religious leaders, politicians and people of good will to avoid rhetorical statements. The use of force is not the answer and can only cause "war and violence, sorrow and death.

Action must be taken to avoid harm to the people of the Ukrainian and beyond. A war in Europe could turn into a third world war.

At this time in the Church calendar, which according to Christian tradition anticipates Easter celebrations, Christians should pray with fervour and heart to maintain peace.

His Holiness stressed that we must strongly oppose the possibility of a new war in Europe, resulting from the escalation of violent rhetoric and militarization of the borders between Russia and Ukraine, [and which] should be unequivocally opposed. We call for enduring peace, stability and justice in the region.

Peace is a matter of choice and must be shared by all the forces engaged in this extremely complex and sensitive geopolitical context. The duty of us all is to pray for and actively contribute to a peaceful resolution of conflict situations and to the unconditional respect and protection of human rights and dignity. Human conflict may very well be inevitable in this fallen and broken world; but war and violence are certainly to be opposed with every fiber of our being.

The ecumenical patriarch noted that the ancient Greeks attached great importance to peace. Citing Benjamin Franklin, he also said, there never was a good war or a bad peace.

War can appear sweet only to those who have not experienced it. Indeed, if we allow our hearts and minds to freely express themselves, without any fear or passion, they will certainly not speak in favor of war, but they will unequivocally praise peace.

We firmly believe that there is no solution possible to preserve and guarantee peace outside the path of dialogue, which abolishes the conditions that lead to violence and war.

Peace comes from mutual respect and cooperation. Amid growing uncertainty with regard to human affairs, the word of the Church has to be a clear message of reconciliation and peace, of love and justice, of brotherhood and solidarity.

"We call upon all parties involved to pursue this path of dialogue and respect for international law, in order to bring an end to the conflict and allow all Ukrainians to live in harmony. Arms are not the solution. On the contrary, they can only promise war and violence, sorrow and death.

Bartholomew also mentioned "our beloved brother" Pope Francis who recently said, Let us not forget, war is madness.

All Church ministers, all representatives of religious traditions, all those in position of authority, all people of good will, each one of us, should call for a peaceful resolution of this dangerous escalation of words and means that weight heavily and ominously upon the head of the Ukrainian people.

For Bartholomew, Silence and indifference are not an option. There is no peace without constant vigilance. Therefore, we are all sentenced to peace, which means, destined to the permanent struggle for its establishment and defense.
Soldiers torched more than a thousand rural homes. More and more people are being displaced every week. A high-level government delegation is expected in Islamabad to buy weapons from Pakistan.

Yangon (AsiaNews)  Despite the harsh military crackdown, the people of Myanmar continue to oppose the junta that overthrew the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021.

Recently, residents of four villages in the Sagaing region, where more than a thousand homes were torched by the military, marched together against what they called the fascist army.

Since the start of the conflict, government troops have attacked the countrys rural areas out of revenge for reprisals by local anti-government ethnic militias.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports that satellite imagery shows the destruction inflicted on number of villages in Pale township, where protesters come from.

In once village, an aerial photo shows the golden dome of a Buddhist stupa surrounded by the burnt-out remains of houses. Still, Only the village can be burned down, not the spirit! chanted some of villagers.

A video showing the protest was posted on a Facebook account that used to carry local news before the start of the civil war and now documents protests and attacks against government forces.

Meanwhile, the governments scorched earth policy reached Mingin township, in the north of Sagaing region, where at least four people were killed by a pro-junta militia called Pyu Saw Htee, which is now preventing aid from reaching the few remaining civilians.

Between late January and early February, about 1,500 houses were razed to the ground in the villages of Bin, Mauktet and Moktha, forcing about 10,000 people to flee Mingin, this according to eyewitnesses who spoke to RFA.

Local sources say that the number of refugees is rising by the tens of thousands every week across the country.

According to The Economic Times, a Mumbai-based paper, Myanmars ruling junta now plans to buy weapons from Pakistan. To this end, a government delegation will soon travel to Islamabad to inspect a cargo before it is shipped.

In September, a delegation from the Pakistani Ministry of Defence travelled Myanmar. The visit was not announced anywhere and discussions remained secret, but several sources claim that it was made in connection with a possible sale of weapons to Myanmar.

In December, when government forces attacked Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, about 60,000 residents fled, taking refuge mainly in nearby Taungoo and Taunggyi.

Faced with this situation, the Fondazione PIME set up an emergency fund, S145 Emergenza Myanmar, to support initiatives by local churches, many of which were founded by PIME missionaries before the expulsion of foreign missionaries in 1966.

The goal is to provide immediate help to thousands of people, boosting the relief network set up by the dioceses of Taungoo and Taunggyi.

Many local religious groups have responded to the emergency, showing the most beautiful face of Myanmar, that of a people who, despite the suffering that has marked its history, choose the path of solidarity.

Aid will be sent to them, starting with basic needs, like shelter, food, and a school for children deprived of an education for the past two years because of the pandemic and the war.

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)
Today's headlines: India bans 54 more Chinese apps. Japanese beer giant abandons Myanmar. Internet under regime control in Cambodia. Palestinian man dies after clashes with Israeli soldiers. Kyrgyz farmers risk being left landless.

TAIWAN

Techcet reports that tensions between Ukraine and Russia threaten Taiwan's microchip industry: Taipei is the world's leading producer of the precious technological components. The risk is that a conflict between Moscow and Kiev will block the export of palladium, neon and C4F6 from the two countries, which are essential for chip production.

CHINA-INDIA

Delhi banned 54 Chinese web applications for national security reasons. In June 2021, the ban had affected 59 Chinese-made apps, including the popular TikTok and WeChat. Since the border tensions with Beijing in May 2020, the Indian government has so far banned 329 Chinese apps.

JAPAN-MYANMAR

Japanese multinational beer company Kirin has decided to withdraw from the Burmese market. The Japanese company had started practices to reduce its presence in Myanmar immediately after the military coup on February 1, 2021.

CAMBODIA

The Cambodian government put the internet under control by channelling all web traffic to a single point of entry. Modelled on Beijing's virtual "Great Wall", the system adopted by Phnom Penh will allow Hun Sen's regime to further silence opposition and dissent.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

Israeli security forces killed a Palestinian yesterday during clashes in the occupied territories of the West Bank. This was revealed today by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The military were beginning to demolish the home of a Palestinian accused of killing an Israeli citizen.

RUSSIA-GREECE

Metropolitan Grigorios (Papatomas), titular of Peristerios in western Macedonia of the Greek Orthodox Church, proposed to deprive the Moscow Patriarchate of its autocephaly for five years because of its schism with the Patriarchate of Alexandria for the African Churches, and to reduce the Russian exarch for Africa, Leonid (Gorbacev), to a lay state.

KYRGYZSTAN

Kyrgyz peasants risked being left without land because of a new government decision, according to which large agricultural cooperatives would receive several plots of land for rent. Small farmers will be left with only the crumbs, and many will be forced to emigrate.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

It began in 2015, after Russia's annexation of the peninsula. The Islamic organisation Khizb ut-Takhrir was targeted. One of its representatives, Zekirja Muratov, sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for terrorism. Moscow wants to assert its undisputed sovereignty.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The military court of the Russian Southern Department has sentenced 64-year-old representative of the Crimean Tatar movement, Zekirja Muratov, to 11 and a half years in a maximum security prison, as announced by the Krymskaya Solidarnost association. The repression of Muslim Tatars in Crimea over the Khizb ut-Takhrir affair began in 2015, after Russia annexed the peninsula. It is an organisation that was allowed by Ukraine, while the Russians consider IT "terrorist'.

Several international associations, including the Russian Memorial, insist that people arrested in Russia on this charge are in fact political prisoners, and to date there are 89 in prison in Crimea. In 2021 alone there were 170 arrests of Crimeans, most of whom were demonstrators at peaceful demonstrations.

Muratov is a Ukrainian citizen, a Muslim of Tatar ethnicity, who was given a Russian passport after the annexation, but does not want to recognise Moscow's power over the historical territory of the Tatars and many other peoples. Its association Khizb ut-Takhrir professes to be Islamic, and engages in politics with the aim of "uniting Muslims of all countries in an Islamic caliphate", but rejects war and terrorist methods to achieve this goal. Russia had declared its terrorist nature as early as 2003, well before annexing Crimea.

Muratov's defenders believe that the arrests and convictions in this case are religiously motivated, putting Crimean Tatars on the same footing as many other Russian citizens persecuted for belonging to radical Islam or other unwelcome religions. International law, the lawyers remind us, prohibits the imposition of the invading state's legislation in occupied territories. Muratov himself believes that he is being unfairly prosecuted as a dissident and volunteer in humanitarian actions, who used to go to the trial sessions of his compatriots who were judged without recognising the norms of international law.

Russia officially denies cases of persecution of Crimean citizens on ethnic or religious grounds, and even accuses foreigners and especially the US of "interfering in Crimean social and religious affairs" to support the uprisings against the Russian authorities. The case of Khizb ut-Takhrir is not the only one in Crimea, according to an investigative technique that targets individuals or small groups of people before openly accusing organisations. In this way, the courts attract less attention and people's social defence is weakened.

Muratov had been arrested in 2020, following a provocative action by the Russian internal security services (FSB), showing footage of forbidden terrorist meetings that were in fact simply friendly gatherings. The Moscow authorities asked him to cooperate with the investigation on pain of imprisonment.

The Tatar activist refused the agreement and ended up in prison on serious charges. His daughter Lenara Mutalypova said she had been surprised from the start by the accusations and repression against her father, who she said had never thought of inciting anyone to violent action: "He is a musician by profession, he studied clarinet at the conservatory, then worked as a taxi driver, and loved to communicate with many people without any subversive purpose".

Muratov is also a Class III invalid, having suffered frostbite on his feet during his military service in the Soviet army, and in the cold he is forced to limp severely, in addition to a number of other ailments he has to deal with. During his detention in Rostov-on-Don prison he became infected with Covid-19 and spent 46 days in the infirmary ward, from which he emerged with hypertonic decompensation.

His story is an example of the difference in mentality between Russians and Ukrainians: the latter have always tolerated the Tatars, with whom they sought alliances in the past against the Russian and Polish 'masters'. The Russians, on the other hand, persecute them to assert their undisputed sovereignty, having been subjugated by the Tatar-Mongolian hordes for two centuries.

The Crimea is a land of contradictions and historical memories for the Eastern Slav peoples and the other lands bordering the Black Sea, which are now called to a new test in the face of the possible conflict that brings into play all the legacies and prospects of Europe's eastern borders.
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Mr. Phillip Nathaniel Ware aged 62, passed away on Wednesday April 6, 2022 in Dallas, Texas . He was born to Mr. Frederick Brink Ware and Ms. Irene Duffner on Sunday, November 15, 1959 in Kansas City, Kansas. Phillip N. Ware will leave his loved ones with unforgettable memories and loving st
ICE

Spied testing with series-production bodywork in sub-zero weather conditions, the slick-looking electric vehicle is dubbed a mid-size car by Jose Munoz, the president and chief executive officer at Hyundai Motor America. More than 4.8 meters long, the concept is longer than a Tesla Model 3 even though its styling may lead you into believing the opposite.Fitted with Continental WinterContact rubber boots and bi-tone wheels that read Nexen on them for some reason or another, the prototype further shows a glimpse of the production-ready LED headlamps. The driver isnt really satisfied by the carparazzis presence, flipping the bird in one of the pics.The prototype further boasts a sensor for the adaptive cruise control in the lowermost part of the front bumper, an automatic emergency braking camera located right in front of the rearview mirror, and a sharkfin-style antenna that doesnt really complement the very smooth exterior design.Like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 is rocking the E-GMP vehicle architecture that dates back to the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show. This all-electric platform will be further employed in the Ioniq 7, a D-segment crossover with three seating rows and a similar footprint to the-only Palisade.Confirmed to enter production in 2022, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is coming to U.S. dealers for the 2023 model year. If the South Korean automaker somehow manages to keep its MSRP lower than the Model 3, theres no denying that Tesla will have to revisit its short-lived $35,000 Model 3.Taking the Ioniq 5 as the yardstick, the more aerodynamic Ioniq 6 may improve on the crossovers EPA-estimated ranges of 220 and 303 miles (354 and 488 kilometers). Currently priced from $43,650 excluding destination charge and the $7,500 federal tax credit for going electric, the Ioniq 5 has one critical niggle in the guise of no rear wiper. Given that the Ioniq 6 is a sedan, the lack of a rear wiper isnt really a dealbreaker.A second prototype with different wheels has been spotted by the spy photographers and subsequently added to the photo gallery.
But the dust has finally settled from the week's long shutdown at the hands of Canadian trucker protestors. Furious at new global health crisis-related masks and vaccine mandates imposed by Canadian parliamentary authorities made some Canadian truckers scream about their civil liberties. Now, the damage can be put into numbers.For those who may not be aware, a slew of different American and Japanese automakers use Southern Ontario as a means of accessing the American market, but with manufacturing at a competitive price thanks to Canadian labor. Ford, GM , Stellantis, Honda, Toyota, and others have a permanent presence in the Canadian province.30% of $600 billion in annual two-way trade between the U.S. and Canada passes through the bridge in any given year. That said, even a temporary bridge shut down the likes of which we've seen over the last month or so was bound to be devastating not only for Canadian-American manufacturing but the entirety of the North American automotive sector. Owing to factories across the province sitting idle, waiting to be let into the United States.As for the exact number of profits lost between all of the various manufacturers who call the area home? Well, it will be some time before the long-term ramifications of the Canadian trucker protest. But one short-term estimate pegs the total losses during the protests to be somewhere around $850 million across the industry.This is due to lost profits stemming from the protests' partial shutdown of many Ontario production facilities. A time when factories and their workers sat idle, waiting for the go-ahead to get back to work. All the while, automakers across the spectrum began hemorrhaging money at an alarming rate.It took hoards of police cars, armored trucks, and other personnel to get the remaining protestors to leave their post on the entrance to the American side of the Ambassador bridge. Had these measures not taken place, it's likely losses would have crept into the $1 billion range.
KHARTOUM, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of Sudan's ruling Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Monday announced the appointment of Gen. Yassin Ibrahim Yassin as the country's acting defense minister, the council said in a statement.

Yassin had previously served as minister of defense in the government of former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, which was dissolved on Oct. 25, 2021.

On Jan. 20, Al-Burhan appointed a caretaker government of 15 ministers.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after Al-Burhan, who is also the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government.

Since then, opposition groups have been staging regular mass protests in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and other cities to demand civilian rule. 
Weve seen several attempts to produce synthetic fuels using the carbon dioxide captured from the air . Porsche and Audi were among the brands that went the furthest on this road, with the former even considering opening an eFuel plant in Chile. But the main problem is converting carbon dioxide into fuel is a very energy-consuming process. The efficiency is also low, which questions the viability of synthetic fuels.Thanks to a breakthrough catalyst developed by chemical engineers at Stanford University, this will dramatically change soon. The technology turns waste CO2 and hydrogen into chains of methane, propane, and even butane, all of them usable as a fuel source. The process is nothing new, but the scale and efficiency that this discovery can achieve is a game-changer.We can create gasoline, basically, says Matteo Cargnello, a chemical engineer at Stanford University . To capture as much carbon as possible, you want the longest chain hydrocarbons. Chains with eight to 12 carbon atoms would be the ideal.The current technologies can achieve this but need extremely high temperatures and pressure that make the whole process quite expensive. Cargnello and his team found out that using a ruthenium catalyst covered with a special organic polymer would maximize the reactivity of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The efficiency ramped up 1,000-fold in the case of four-carbon-long chains of butane.Although turning carbon dioxide into fuel sounds like a promising possibility, the goal is getting to longer carbon chains that are more stable than the gaseous fuels. This includes gasoline , but also non-fuels like olefins used to make plastic. This way the carbon will remain trapped for a long time, paving the way for a significant reduction in the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Renault is trying its best to navigate these tumultuous times. The company has presented a major strategy last year called Renaulution, which arranged the Renault, Alpine, Dacia, and Lada brands in a new order. The French carmaker has prioritized profit with Dacia and Lada, evolution with Renault and cult with Alpine. The effect of this major overhaul is starting to show in Europe, but results are still weak. Renault hasnt fully recovered yet and the continuation of chip crisis and supply chain issues have still reigned. This will be cleared up in a couple of days when Renault will post its full financial results for last years activity.On top of all these challenges, former CEO Carlos Ghosn, once a revered leader, now comes with refreshed criticism. He talked to Le Parisien and said Renault just shows mediocre results and its new business orientation is only about twiddling. Hes also unhappy about how the French automaker transformed today into a shadow of its former self.When asked about Renaulution, Ghosn said that the strategy had to be followed by real action. In his opinion this didnt happen. But things take time. Dacia, for example, enters a new phase from 2023, while Alpine is on set to become a global symbol again. Together with Mitsubishi and Nissan, Renault will introduce more EVs under the 2030 Alliance.Carlos Ghosn is also begrudged by the fact that hes being blamed for Renaults current difficulties. The new CEO, Luca de Meo, has repeatedly said that Ghosns strategy of increasing large sales has proved to be unwise.Living now in Lebanon, the former Renault CEO says hes saddened by the fall of the French carmaker. Hes yet to stand trial for breaking various financial laws. He still believes Nissan and Japanese authorities are on a witch hunt because he wanted to merge the two auto brands.
Ladies and gents, today is a special day, one meant to be celebrated with long walks, extravagant dinners, countless flowers, and, well, you know the rest. However, if you and your better half are avid cyclists or want to be, today is the perfect day to ride a tandem bike.However, nobody wants to ride around on a hunk of aluminum or steel, not today. Today, if you're going to say "I love you" with material objects, then you should settle for nothing less than a carbon fiber behemoth that starts off priced at $19,995 (17,682 at current exchange rates). There are no extra ones and zeros; this is a $20K machine. Evolve , as it's been dubbed, is a tandem bike built by a crew specializing in nothing else, Santana Tandem. This crew from La Verne, California, has been around since 1976, but they initially started with a different name, Santana Cycles. However, that history rivals Trek's, so expect to see some magic.According to Santana, Evolve is "the world's first production monocoque carbon tandem." That alone makes it worthy of the title "flagship," and Santana feels the same way. But there is a bit more to this story than meets the eye.First of all, the reason you'll rarely find a tandem bike completed from carbon fiber is that very few manufacturers deem it worthy of creating one for such a "niche" market. Let's face it, how many people have you seen riding tandem around town?Because Santana doesn't own their own proprietary blend of carbon fiber, they had to open a partnership with a carbon manufacturing crew. Who better for the job than Criterion Composites?If Criterion sounds unfamiliar, it's because this rather tightknit group specializes in nothing more than analyzing, designing, and manufacturing composite materials. They seem to do it all from bicycle frames to forks, race car components, drone components, and prosthetic limbs.Now, as difficult as building a tandem bike out of carbon may be, there are reasons why it should be done, and one of those reasons is the ability to manipulate stiffness and weight to your liking. Well, Santana's liking, but they're on top of their game.Overall, Evolve is based on Santana's Reveal frame design. This is where some proprietary action comes in as Santana is one of the few crews that decided to do tandem bikes differently. And in doing so are now held in high regard because of their machine.Other than this, absolutely nothing more is said about the machine. Oh, it features a carbon fork, as if there was any doubt. There is no mention of the sort of drivetrain that may be found, but honestly, if you're going to spend $20K on a bike, you might as well drop another $2K or so and grab something nice.Maybe a SRAM AXS wireless drivetrain. Why not? It's only Valentine's Day once a year, and a bike like this should last you a lifetime if maintained and ridden properly . However, looking closely at the images in the gallery, we can see the word Dura-Ace, and Shimano is responsible for that lineup.There is something I would like to point out, however. Looking at the images in the gallery, the rear crankset and cassette are linked via a chain; nothing wrong with that. However, the forward crankset is connected to the rear one via a timing belt, similar to Gates Cardon Drive. If it is Gates, it's unclear.One other trick that Santana hides up their bikes' sleeves is the ability to be transformed into a ride suitable for bikepacking. A couple of mounts can be found on the seat tubes, and each handlebar set can be equipped with cargo bags. The same holds true for the top tubes too.Since the manufacturer makes no mention of how much this machine weighs, we had to do a bit of hunting, and according to Road Bike Action Magazine, Evolve comes in with a weight of just 27.56 lbs (12.5 kg).Frankly speaking, it's not every day you buy a tandem bike , so if you're going to, you might as well spend as much as you would on a new car. After all, are you trying to make a statement or what?
The start-up company headquartered in Oslo decided to work with AKKA Technologies to help keep the company lean and asset-light. The idea is to tap into the experience of a team that is accustomed to developing quality vehicles, along the ability to get them ready for production as fast as possible.As Jakob Kirsebom Lanto, the CFO and Member of the Board of Fresco, noted, developing any physical product is "a lot more taxing" than a fully digital one. Things get even trickier with an electric vehicle, which is why the company decided to team up with an international firm instead of attempting to handle things on its own.Signing the deal with AKKA Technologies is described by Fresco Motors as being a large step for them, both as a company, and for the development of their future electric vehicles. From what we understand, the Norwegian company will only make electric vehicles, so it would be superfluous to mention that every time, but we will leave it at that for now.As we noted above, Fresco Motors unveiled images of its first model, the Fresco XL, earlier this month . The vehicle is described as an electric POD, and it is shaped accordingly.However, since this is just a design concept for now, its production version might be different, as many elements might require implementation that has the possibility of changing the look and shape of the resulting product.The first product specifications announced for the Fresco XL involve a 1,000-kilometer (620 miles) range for a full battery charge, which is ambitious, and the vehicle also has all-wheel-drive and can seat eight people.So yes, you could say this might be a tall order for a start-up company to develop, but doable if you have an experienced consulting firm at hand.
If youre a long-time Android Auto user, you probably remember that the original version of the app came with a dedicated weather widget right on the home screen.When Google rolled out a new Android Auto experience in mid-2019, the widget was removed, but the company later added a weather icon in the status bar to show the current temperature.Since then, however, the experience with this little feature has been very inconsistent, to say the least.While many people complained the icon didnt even show up for them, others reported various problems. And this week, some people who used the Celsius units noticed that the weather indicator suddenly started showing the current temperature using Fahrenheit.As we reported earlier this week, the problem doesnt seem to be specific to Android Auto, as it also happens on other Google platforms , such as WearOS. However, nobody knows exactly the reason for the unit change, especially as Celsius continues to be the enabled setting in the Google app.The good news is that Google rapidly noticed all the reports on this glitch, and a member of the Android Auto team recently confirmed that an investigation has already started.And while this indeed confirms the search giant is aware of this mysterious problem, its hard to tell precisely when a fix could land. If anything, the investigation is still in the early days, so it could take a while until Google itself figures out why the whole thing happens.In the meantime, theres not much you can do to restore the weather indicator to Celsius. The switch seems to be powered by a server-side change, so Google itself is the one that needs to determine what happens and how to bring things back to normal.
SUV

Who wouldve thought that a company born from the pure need for off-road exploration and adventure would end up becoming a champion of love? Well, it happened. Not today, not yesterday, not even this year, but all the way back in 2015. You (and everyone else for that matter) may have forgotten. But we didnt!The world was simpler back then and easier to understand. We were connected, but there wasnt any real danger lying around. We managed differently on a daily basis and our worries were nothing to compare with what were living globally today. Maybe thats why Land Rover thought it would be a good idea to use Valentines Day as an excuse for doing something incredible.Were not talking about building houses for poor couples or eradicating some nasty disease somewhere in the world. Land Rover managed to celebrate love in such an ingenious way that we remembered this stunt briefly in a call on Monday and awed collectively in silence for a couple of seconds. So, here we are: its Valentines Day, people are reminding themselves why they love each other, theyre going to dinner, watching a movie or taking a spontaneous vacation, and were trying to shine a contemporary light on something that briefly happened seven years ago.I like to remind myself from time to time the words of Jeremy Clarkson when I think about selling my own 18-year-old car (a blue Skoda Fabia). Bear with me here for a bit, it will make sense. Cars To some, theyre just transport. An alternative () to walking. But you, you understand! Cars are far more than this. They are our history. They mark the moments by which we define decades. Cars are some of the most intoxicating, most beautiful things ever forged by mankind. They represent the glory of technology, the essence of freedom and have been the weapons in some of our most gripping sporting battles. () They hold us up as heroes. (), the former Top Gear host said in Forza Motorsport 5.While I wholeheartedly agree, this makes me wonder if we all think this about our cars. I mostly dont. But there are moments. There comes a time when youre one with the machine, even though under the hood you find just a 1.4-liter engine. It is yours. You belong to it. Theres a bond, one which will not be broken easily. Thats why I think Land Rover managed to do something in 2015 that remained under the radar for a long time. It was for us to rediscover that love can renew itself with a little bit of effort and help. Land Rover published a story about four lads and their first true (car) love  a 1957 Series 1, you guessed it, Land Rover. They took the vehicle on a number of adventures and created memories that can last a lifetime. But time never stops. Adulthood came and, with it, a lot of responsibilities. The now very used realgot to see its end of life in a barn with no real use in sight. Repairs were out of the question. Having families now, they decided to sell their Land Rover and move on with their lives.What they didnt ever expect to happen was to have the chance to meet again with their former travel companion.Land Rover secretly bought the car and planned on returning it to its former glory. That they did  and they achieved it exceptionally well. The restoration team even replicated the stickers and brought the vehicle back from the brink. Before giving it back, Land Rover tested it thoroughly. They verified its capabilities and they were intact.What makes this whole thing even crazier is that the British carmaker didnt just announce the guys they will receive their car back. They put up a nation-wide ad that showed that same vehicle the boys used for their adventures. As they watch they found out that the wife of one of the blokes has the keys and - wait - its the real deal, its happening! Theyre met with the vehicle and start driving in what can only be described as pure excitement.The British automaker managed to give the greatest Valentines Day gift ever. Theres nothing that comes close to this now. But, who knows what the future holds!
EV

There are certainly enough motives for anyone to think this vehicle has promise. Even if were talking about people that have just a mild interest in cars, this Rivian is something that fires up the desire to explore. You want to know whats all the fuss about. The starting price ($67,500 USD, $90,000 CAD) is certainly one thing to remember.Being tied with Amazons Jeff Bezos and George Soros now too, and after impressive U.S. reviews, this R1T is starting to slowly gather as much fandom as Tesla did with its Model S, 3, X and Y! Sadly, the Cybertruck is nowhere to be found yet.The talented and hard-working boys at Throttle House got their hands on the Rivian R1T pickup truck and put it to work. They think the Rivian model has a great color, it looks brilliant because its different, but point out the weight is just bonkers: 7000 lbs (3,1 tons)! When asked about the battery package, company representatives said they dont want to focus on that. We honestly understand them. This pickup truck is on hell of a ride, and it proves thatpickup travelling or exploring dont have to be worrisome.One of the hosts, James, even goes further with his opinion about the car and says the R1T is the product of a marriage between a Subaru and Polestar. So, this answers our question: this EV pickup truck is not a love child, but a legitimate heir to two very different worlds.Thomas immediately agrees with him and says this made-up marriage is a good one because it unites under one roof core philosophies that most people love.Both guys think the infotainment is somewhat similar to Teslas system, which, again, marks a win for the R1T. The only problem is  no CarPlay or Android Auto. Moreover, the reverse cameras are of poor quality.The Rivian R1T is definitely the hot stuff now and the company must deliver more vehicles to its customers. Waiting too long might leave the door open for the likes of Chevy Silverado or even GMC Hummer with its crab walk capability. Until further developments, as James said in the video down below, we agree too that the R1T is a match made in Heaven for luxury and electric vehicles.
Electric Vehicle

With so many groups working together for the same goal, it has become painfully obvious that high automation (Level 4 and above) is very hard to implement in passenger cars that are used on a daily basis. But there are branches of the transportation industry, especially those that deal with the movement of people and goods on predetermined routes, that can (and probably will) go autonomous far quicker than passenger cars.There are a number of projects in the works for these first- and last-mile markets and the newest one was announced on Valentines Day by BentelerSystems, Beep and Mobileye . The three companies joined forces for the development of purpose-built, fully electric, autonomous movers that could be deployed on North American roads as soon as 2024.Aimed at the multi-passenger micro-transit industry, the vehicle will be built by Benteler and will use the Mobileye Drive autonomous system, which will make it Level 4 autonomous. Beep will aid with deployment and operations systems, technology and services. At the time of writing, no other technical details about the actual vehicle are known.Multipassenger micro-transit needs are ever-increasing in our cities and towns globally and must be addressed in order to reduce road congestion, protect the environment and provide safe, reliable mobility for all to access, explained Hinrich Woebcken, advisory board member for Beep.Bringing to market an affordable, automotive-grade, electric, autonomous mover is a solution that will transform mobility as we know it today.The trio of companies doesnt say when real-world trials of the new vehicle will begin.
ECU

Launched in the fall of 1969 for the 1970 model year, the Challenger was Dodges entry into the popular pony car segment. In R/T trim, equipped with the optional 426 ci. (7.0 L) Elephant, it transformed into a formidable muscle car that became a cult hero in the decades that followed.While many enthusiasts have spent a lot of time and money to restore one to its original state, others have chosen to take the restomod route and infuse some modern blood into this legendary model.One such case is Robert Zahabi, the proud owner of the Australian shop Rides by Kam . Known all across the world for their insane builds which center around American muscle cars, his team wanted to take their restomoding skills to a whole different level and their weapon of choice became a 1970 Challenger Rather than just throwing a modern Mopar crate engine under its hood and complementing that with a few body mods, the crew embarked on one of the most ambitious projects ever attempted.It all started in 2016, a few days after Zahabi managed to sell a heavily modified 1970s Nova at a Barrett-Jackson auction. Already planning the shops next build, he found a clean Challenger, bought it, and shipped it to Australia.Once it arrived at Rides by Kams garage, the car was completely stripped down and rebuilt around a bespoke Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis which featured a double A-arm front suspension based on C6 Corvette, a fully independent layout at the rear, as well as a NASCAR-spec steering rack.As Zahabi states in a February 2020 interview for Street Machine magazine , the goal was to completely transform the car using as many custom-fabricated parts as possible and refrain from using off-the-shelf, aftermarket upgrades.Following this philosophy, the team spent the next few years working on the car which was eventually nicknamed Havoc. The vast majority of the body panels were built from scratch, and the bulk of the work went into redesigning the front end. Thats because it was destined to accommodate one of the most outrageous HEMI engines ever mounted into a road-legal ride.Assembled by Stanton Racing Engines (the folks who built Mopars NASCAR engines at the time) in Nicholasville, Kentucky, the 572-ci (9.4 liters) all-aluminum big-block came with upgraded bores, race-spec valves, cylinder heads, a huge 120-mm (4.72 inches) throttle body, or colossal 2,200cc injectors. Force-fed air by a crank-driven F3 ProCharger centrifugal supercharger, it sent dynos into a frenzy by easily achieving around 2,500 hp. All that power is sent to the 15-inch-wide rear wheels through a custom Magnum T56 six-speed manual and a Roadster Shop 9-inch (228.6 mm) differential.Since Zahabi and his team wanted the Charger to be as insane as possible, but also drivable on public roads , the engine was equipped with a Link G4tuned by Jakes Performance, enabling it to gobble up regular pump gas. In addition, the brakes had to cope with the insane output, so Baer six-piston calipers were mounted behind the wheels, each hugging large 15-inch (381 mm) drilled and slotted rotors.While the engine is by far the most outstanding feature of this insane build, the interior is easily the second. Designed and fabricated from scratch by the Australian shop, it can be described as a masterful blend between brushed steel and diamond-stitched leather.The retro-inspired, twin-hump dashboard was outfitted with a Dakota Digital instrument cluster, and an iPad incorporated into the center console was converted into a modern infotainment system. The bucket seats borrowed from a VF Holden Commodore were fully upholstered in brown leather, a material that was also used on sections of the door panels, steering wheel, or headliner. There was room for a backseat, since the enormous wheel wells and differential a lot of space, but the pipe-like driveshaft tunnel which remained exposed is a joy to behold.Finished in a PPG Charley Hutton Slanted Brown paint and sitting on American Legend Blackhawk 20-inch wheels, the Havoc Challenger was ready for the roads after around 10,000 hours of hard work. It toured many of the worlds most famous auto shows where it blew peoples minds and racked up numerous awards.Thanks to technological advancements and the abundance of talent, restomods pop up frequently nowadays. Most of them are both eye-catching and capable of four-digit output figures, but few are as profoundly impressive as this Aussie-built masterpiece. You can learn more about it in the video below posted on YouTube by AutopiaLA.
Weve talked before about the many different ways in which the maritime industry is working on reducing carbon emissions. One of them is to replace boat delivery from shore to vessels at sea with drone delivery . As one of the largest and busiest ports in the world, Singapore is a great place to test this innovative process. This is why ST Engineering, Skyports, and the Sumitomo Corporation have decided to launch a consortium that will provide this type of unmanned aircraft (UA) services.The partners have announced a nine-month pilot program for maritime UA deliveries , with the goal of eventually establishing an extended delivery network based on drones that can carry payloads of up to 10 kg (22 lbs). ST Engineering will be providing its DroNet solution, a versatile platform that can be tailored to various types of applications.The DroNet includes cutting-edge technology such as obstacle detection and avoidance, GPS-less navigation, real-time data analytics, and precision landing. It also boasts a robust structure and is able to cover large distances. Additionally, its manufacturer was the first in Singapore to obtain approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights.Throughout the pilot program, Skyports (a top infrastructure provider for air taxi and cargo drone operations) will be the one conducting the BVLOS flight operations. Last but not least, the Sumitomo Corporation will add its own vessel fleet, as well as support for finding other customers in the industry for these UA deliveries.Using drones instead of boats for delivering essentials to vessels at sea is not only better for the environment, but would also significantly reduce delivery time. The result would be sustainable, cost-effective maritime logistics. In the meantime, ST Engineering will also be showcasing the DroNet at the 2022 Singapore Air Show from February 15 to 18.
RABAT, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's navy coast guards have rescued 120 illegal migrants during the weekend in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, the Moroccan military said.

The illegal immigrants, mostly sub-Saharans, including 21 women and 2 children, were on board several boats.

They received first aid on board, before being transported to the nearest ports of the North African country and handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for the usual procedures, it said.

Morocco has long been a transit country for African immigrants seeking to reach Europe. 
According to Sina Finance , the Liaoning province did not take long to take down the page in which it mentioned the Dadong district in Shenyang was preparing for Tesla investments. We had not found the original publication when we searched for it to write the article about the rumor, which may mean that the province had already erased it by that time. Tesla may have contacted Liaoning before making the public statement about that.The point now is that Tesla did not deny the intention to open a second plant in China. The companys most recent numbers show that it could use more production capacity, but the investments at Giga Shanghai may be enough to handle the demand.Tesla is said to have a production capacity of 450,000 in its Chinese factory, but January sales suggest it is way higher than that. If the company sold 60,000 per month, capacity would now be around 720,000 units annually. If Giga Shanghai reaches a capacity of 1.5 million units per year  as the investments are said to target  that would be double the current output.That said, it would only make sense to invest in a second factory if new products were to be made in China or if the Giga Shanghai expansion was not enough to deal with the demand. At this point, none of the alternatives seem to be valid unless Tesla is planning to export its cars to more markets or to get close to BYD in NEV (new energy vehicle) sales. While Tesla sold 59,845 vehicles in January 2022, BYD sold 93,101 units.
kWh

The Chinese media started talking about this when the Chinese province of Liaoning released a weekly report called Five Grasps. In it, Liaoning disclosed that the Dadong district in Shenyang, the provinces capital, was preparing to lay the foundation for the implementation of major new energy vehicle projects such as Tesla.That plan is part of the fifth grasp mentioned in the report, which includes adhering to urban renewal as a major opportunity to attract investment. It is not clear if Tesla is in an investment that the Dadong district already attracted or one that it plans to ensure. Despite that, websites such as IT Home did not waste time to make the rumor public, revealing the entire text included in the Five Grasps.Coincidence or not, Elon Musk said at the Q4 2021 earnings call that the company would announce new factories by the years end. It may be the case that a new factory in China is in the plans. Other rumors could give this one more substance.One of them said that Tesla bought enough Blade Batteries with BYD to manufacture 204,000 new EVs per year in China. The Chinese blogger who posted about that even knew the model of the batteries that were purchased: C112F. A while after writing about that, he erased the post, which gives us the impression that he was forced to do so either to protect his sources or because BYD or Tesla may have threatened to sue him.More recently, Beijing also revealed that Teslas design center in China will be established in Chinas capital. It will also receive the Phase 1 factory of WeLion, NIOs semi solid-state battery supplier. The Chinese automaker promised it would have its 150-battery pack with these cells in 2022.The pieces of this puzzle still do not make much sense when put together. The rumors may also be just a way for Tesla to come up with better news in the midst of all the bad publicity it got from the DFEH lawsuit against systemic racism in its Fremont factory.
Waze, in particular, has become a must-have weapon for the arsenal of every modern driver, as it helps them get around the heavy traffic in their regions and therefore provides assistance to reach a certain destination faster.But on the other hand, Waze itself keeps acting up on CarPlay every now and then, and most recently, the app has started freezing or failing to close properly when disconnecting the mobile device.Users on reddit confirm that in many cases, Waze no longer updates the map until they manually unlock their iPhones. In theory, this may not be a Waze problem, as iOS itself could suspend the apps process when running in the background and therefore block it from retrieving the location in real-time.Similar problems have also been encountered in the past, but just when Waze seemed to work properly, the latest iOS update landed with more such struggles.Someone explains that Waze also keeps running in the background after the iPhone is disconnected from the head unit and CarPlay shuts down. The blue oval indicator in the top left corner on the iPhone stays on, suggesting Waze is still running and tracking the users location.The experience with navigation apps has been very inconsistent since the release of iOS 15 in the fall of 2021. Google Maps , too, encountered various problems, but the app has received several updates lately, and everything feels a lot more polished right now.In other words, if a fix for all these Waze problems doesnt land in a timely manner, then users can very well switch to Google Maps, as the app now apparently feels at home on the latest version of iOS. Just make sure your device is fully up-to-date, and the latest versions of iOS and Google Maps are installed.
All gasoline products will go up by PHP 1.20 increase while diesel will get a PHP 1.05 price increase. Also included is kerosene which is set to add PHP 0.65 to its price.

Thats right, gas companies will once again be increasing prices across all fuel products on February 15, 2022. This will be the seventh consecutive week that companies have had to hike pump prices.

Running low on gasoline or diesel? Better fuel up now as there will be another round of price hikes tomorrow.

Companies such as Caltex, Cleanfuel, Shell, Seaoil, and Petrogazz have already released advisories regarding the price hike set for tomorrow. Other gas companies have yet to release advisories but expect them to make price adjustments starting tomorrow. While most will immediately increase their pump prices as early as 6:01 AM tomorrow, Cleanfuel will only hike its prices starting at 4:01 PM.

Ever since the start of 2022, the price of diesel has shot up to PHP 7.95 while gasoline is currently at PHP 5.70 per liter. Kerosene, on the other hand, is currently at PHP 7.20 per liter. With the price increase set for tomorrow, year-to-date pump prices for diesel and gasoline will be at PHP 9.00 and PHP 6.90 per liter, respectively. As for kerosene, it will be at PHP 7.85 per liter.

The continued price increase of oil products is caused by the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Based on news reports, Russia has denied any plans to invade Ukraine despite the country continuing to increase the number of troops near the Ukrainian border.

The tensions between the two nations have already caught the attention of Western nations, including members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Among those is the USA which has already addressed support for Ukraine should Russia attempt to invade the country.

With Ukraine serving as an important hub for gas and oil, higher tension between Russia and NATO forces has the potential to further increase the price of fuel in the coming weeks.
BEIJING, CHINA - A woman rides her bike passed a BMW painted with the national flag of China on it in the street on July 8, 2021 in Beijing, China. (Photo : Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

The BMW-Brilliance Auto Group Joint Venture in China will have the German automaker taking a controlling share after finally securing the necessary license from the Beijing government. On Friday, February 11, BMW announced that it would pay $4.2 billion (3.7 billion at current exchange rates) to take a controlling share at BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd., per CarScoops.

The massive deal would increase BMW's share in the Chinese joint venture from 50 to 75 percent, giving the German firm the controlling stake in the company. The deal will provide BMW more control over its car business in China, which allows it to produce and sell vehicles in the largest automotive market in the world.

The move was a long time coming for BMW, which first announced plans to increase its stake with Brilliance Auto Group in 2018. That was the year China decided that it would start relaxing rules pertaining to ownership rules in its car industry.

China relaxes foreign ownership rules in the auto industry

The Asian powerhouse announced at the time that it would remove foreign ownership caps for automakers making fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2018, for those building commercial vehicles in 2020, as well as for the broader car market by 2022. Volkswagen was the first to take advantage of this new rule, grabbing a majority share of its joint venture, JAC Volkswagen, back in 2020.

Other companies have followed suit, including BMW, with the German brand saying that the deal would have a one-off positive effect amounting to 7-8 billion euros on the financial results of its car business, according to CGTN. The move will also boost free cash flow by about 5 billion euros, with the company now having majority control of BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd.

BMW Chief Financial Officer Nicolas Peter was delighted with the deal, saying, "Our extended joint venture contract lays the foundation for further mutual growth and progressive development." Peter added that the agreement "paves the way for balanced development in the three main regions of the world."

Related Article: Mercedes-Benz Beats 2021 Profit Forecast: German Automaker Benefits With Surge in EV Sales

BMW expects Chinese sales to grow in 2022

Reuters reported that BMW was the first carmaker to announce that it would take control of its main Chinese joint venture, founded back in 2003 and is currently in place until 2040. BMW has high hopes for its company in China, with the German firm expecting sales in the country to grow further in 2022.

Peter pointed out the outstanding sales of BMW and Mini last year in China, recording 846,237 deliveries of their vehicles for an impressive 9 percent growth. The BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture provided the bulk of those deliveries, producing 700,000 vehicles in 2021.

BMW is currently expanding its plant in the Dadong District in Shenyang to increase production. The company is also constructing a new facility alongside an existing plant in Tiexi, a factory that will build not only internal combustion engine cars but also fully-electric models and hybrids.

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The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan displays its charging capabilities in Los Angeles, California on November 29, 2018 at Automobility LA, formerly the LA Auto Show Press and Trade Days. (Photo : FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Chrysler parent company Stellantis has recalled nearly 20,000 Pacifica Hybrids in the United States, urging owners to park their minivans outdoors because they can catch fire even when not being used, per Auto Revolution. The affected vehicles have been considered a fire risk after an investigation showed 12 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids bursting into flames even though they were parked and turned off at the time of the incident.

Eight of those 12 minivans were connected to chargers when the vehicles caught fire. That left Stellantis, which owns Chrysler, Ram, Fiat, Dodge, and Jeep, no other choice but to recall the Pacifica Hybrid minivans in question. Among the vehicles affected by the voluntary recall are 19,808 units of the plug-in hybrid 2017 and 2018 model year Pacificas.

Stellantis said that it is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem. The company also insists that no other Pacifica models are affected by this issue. The cause of the fires is still unknown, with Stellantis saying that it is still working to confirm the reason behind it.

Stellantis still working to confirm the cause of the fires

The company issued a news release, saying, "Stellantis is working to confirm the cause of the fires. The remedy, when developed, will be provided free of charge, and affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service."

According to the Detroit Free Press, with the cause of the fires still a mystery at this point, Stellantis is advising Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid owners to refrain from recharging their vehicles. The company also told the owners to park their affected vehicles away from structures and other cars to avoid damaging them in case another fire strikes.

Stellantis made it clear to owners that they could keep operating their Pacifica Hybrids using the internal combustion engine. The breakdown of the recall shows 16,741 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids being affected in the United States, another 2,317 in Canada, and 750 outside North America.

Related Article: Cheapest Benz No More: Mercedes-Benz Will Remove A-class Sedan From Its U.S. Lineup After 2022

Stellantis joins other automakers with fire risk issues in vehicles

A reporter asked Stellantis spokesman Eric Mayne whether the fire danger issue has any connection to a June 2020 recall of certain Pacifica Hybrid minivans. Mayne refused to answer that question and instead directed the reporter back to the news release. That recall two years ago involved a fire risk related to an electrical connection in the Pacifica Hybrid minivans.

Autoblog wrote that Stellantis is not the only automaker dealing with fire concerns at the moment. Hyundai and its sister brand, Kia, issued recalls covering nearly 485,000 vehicles this week. The South Korean carmakers also told owners to park outside and away from homes because of a fire danger. In recent years, both car brands have struggled with fire issues in their vehicles' engines.

General Motors also has recalled more than 140,000 units of its embattled Chevy Bolt, with the issue related to potential fires and defective batteries.

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Russia may be on the cusp of invading Ukraine, but it's the Taliban's advance on Kabul shaping much of the U.S. response.

Why it matters: After being branded incompetent and seeing their popularity ratings plummet after the Afghanistan debacle, President Biden and his team have decided to overshare information, coordinate closely and publicly with allies and tell Americans to leave the embattled country  now.

"There will not be a military evacuation in the event of an invasion," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

It was one of the clearest delineations from Afghanistan, where the administration worked furiously to evacuate tens of thousands with an airlift from Hamid Karzai International Airport.

The big picture: Biden's approach to Ukraine has been defined by a daily blizzard of meetings and calls among top U.S. officials and European counterparts.

Almost all are accompanied by formulaic readouts emphasizing allied support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity  leaving no divisions or doubts for Russia to exploit.

The president  an avowed multilateralist  was criticized for not doing enough to coordinate with allies during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Another lesson learned was heeding warnings about the potential for a country to be overrun.

An Army report about Afghanistan obtained last week by The Washington Post said "senior White House and State Department officials failed to grasp the Talibans steady advance on Afghanistans capital."

The end result was a situation "placing American troops ordered to carry out the withdrawal in greater danger."

Sullivan said Sunday the U.S. government is being so blunt in its warnings to U.S. citizens because a Russian attack is expected to be brutal.

"Innocent civilians could get caught in the crossfire or get trapped in places that they could not move from," he said.

"That is why we are being so clear and direct to American citizens that while commercial transport options are still available, they should take advantage of them."

Go deeper: It's not just Afghanistan shaping the administration's response.

It's also the handling of Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine, which involved many of the same people while they worked for the Obama administration, as Axios reported last week.

During that assault, Russian President Vladimir Putin duped onlookers by dressing up Russian soldiers in plain uniforms and sending his "little green men" into Crimea while the West was paralyzed with confusion.

The Biden administration has responded this time with preemptive intelligence announcements.

"Fundamentally, our view is that we're not going to give Russia the opportunity to conduct a surprise here to spring something on Ukraine or the world," Sullivan said.

"We are going to make sure that we are laying out for the world what we say as transparently and plainly as we possibly can, and share that information as widely as we can."

Yes, but: Ukrainian officials have expressed some frustrations about what they see as U.S. alarmism, saying it's caused unnecessary panic and damaged Ukraine's economy.
Israel's decision to call for its nationals to leave Ukraine immediately was based on an updated intelligence report shared by the U.S. on Friday evening, five Israeli officials with direct knowledge of the issue tell Axios.

Why it matters: Israel has strong relationships with both Russia and Ukraine and for weeks avoided taking any significant steps that could upset either partner. Israeli officials say they didnt want to automatically follow everything the U.S. did or said, but the latest intelligence changed the equation.

Behind the scenes: Last Friday morning, officials at the Israeli Foreign Ministry were discussing initial steps to respond to the threat of a Russian invasion.

The main dilemma was whether to issue a travel warning, at the highest level of urgency, calling on the 10,000 to 15,000 Israeli nationals in Ukraine to leave. Like many of his colleagues in Jerusalem, Israeli ambassador to Kyiv Michael Brodsky assessed at the time that the situation didn't warrant such an extreme step.

The decision published Friday afternoon was that the families of Israeli diplomats in Ukraine should evacuate, and Israeli citizens should consider leaving.

Several hours later, the U.S. sent Israel and several other key allies, mainly in NATO, an updated intelligence report.

The bottom line of the report was that there was a high probability of a Russian invasion of Ukraine in less than a week.

The Israeli officials say it was unclear how much of the assessment was based on hard information and how much was based on analysis of the events on the ground  or influenced by lingering trauma from the botched Afghanistan exit.

Either way, the Israeli position changed almost immediately. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett convened a high-level consultation about the situation on Saturday at noon.

The fact that Bennett, an observant Jew, did this during Shabbat underscores the sense of urgency.

In a preparatory meeting at the Foreign Ministry, the Israeli ambassador in Kyiv was far more adamant than a day prior, saying "we need to get the Israelis out of here," according to an Israeli official.

When Bennett convened the meeting, he asked the Foreign Ministry officials present why they hadn't published a travel warning calling on Israelis to evacuate.

The officials replied that Israel's position was particularly sensitive because of its close ties with Russia, Ukraine and the U.S., and thus the world would be watching its next move.

Bennett said that such diplomatic considerations were now irrelevant with all signs pointing to an imminent Russian invasion, and that the goal must be to evacuate as many Israeli citizens as possible before then. The prime minister raised the prospect that Israel could have to pay a heavy price to get its citizens out after any invasion, according to the Israeli officials.

The Foreign Ministry didnt want it to look like we were all out against Russia, but on Saturday morning the penny dropped," a senior Israeli official told me. The decision was to issue the highest-urgency travel warning once the phone call between President Biden and President Putin had concluded.

In the meantime, Israeli officials spoke to their counterparts at the White House and State Department.

One senior Israeli official tells me the message from the U.S. side was that an invasion would likely begin on Wednesday but could also take place before then.

U.S. officials have said repeatedly that an invasion could happen any day but haven't confirmed reports that Wednesday is the likely target date.

The latest: After the travel warning went out on Saturday evening, Israel sent several diplomats to Kyiv to help with the evacuation process.
Israeli defense officials visited the United Arab Emirates last week to discuss possible defense and intelligence assistance following recent Houthi attacks targeting the Gulf country, two Israeli officials tell me.

Why it matters: The unprecedented missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels have rattled the UAE and led it to look for ways to bolster its defenses against future strikes.

Israel and the UAE had a back-channel defense and intelligence relationship for more than two decades that only became more public after the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020.

Driving the news: The Houthis have launched at least three recent attacks targeting the UAE, which is a member of the Saudi-led coalition that has waged an aerial campaign against the Iran-backed rebels in Yemen since 2015.

The first Houthi attack killed three people in Abu Dhabi and wounded six others. The second was intercepted by U.S. and Emirati air defenses.

The third came on Sunday, just hours after Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Abu Dhabi for his first-ever official visit to the UAE. The missile was intercepted by Emirati and U.S. air defenses, and Herzog continued his visit as planned.

A Houthi military spokesperson this week threatened to continue the attacks on the Gulf country, linking them to the ties between the UAE and Israel.

The big picture: Following the first attack, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) in a letter that Israel was ready to provide intelligence and defense assistance.

In Abu Dhabi last week, Israeli officials met with Emirati military officials, who said the Gulf country needed assistance with its missile defense and counter-drone technology, according to Israeli officials

The officials tell me one critical field that was discussed was detection and early warning.

Emirati officials declined to comment.

Emirati ambassador to Washington Yousef Al Otaiba and ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Monday that the Biden administration and other world powers should deploy sanctions against the Houthis to pressure them to agree to a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke to MBZ yesterday and stressed that Washington will continue to provide early warning intelligence and collaborate on air defense, the Pentagon said.

Austin told MBZ the U.S. will send the Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Cole to the UAE and will deploy F-18 and F-22 fighter jets in the UAE.

Whats next: Israel's Ministry of Defense and national security agencies are expected to discuss the Emirati requests in the coming days, Israeli officials tell me.
SYDNEY, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Valentine's Day is full of roses, chocolates, declarations of love, and an increasing number of online scams, according to Australia's consumer watchdog.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) Scamwatch program reported on Monday a 44-percent increase of scam incidents in 2021, warning Australians to be wary of scams operated around the guise of dating and romance.

Over 2021, 56 million Australian dollars (about 40 million U.S. dollars) were reported to have been lost in romance-related scams. However, the ACCC said this is likely just the tip of the iceberg, and the real figure may be close to 10 times more.

"It's important to look out for friends or family members who are using online dating apps and talk about how to spot romance scams," said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard in a statement.

Cybersecurity expert and senior lecturer in criminology at Monash University Lennon Chang told Xinhua that he was not surprised at the increasing number of reports of online fraud.

"There is interesting data showing that physical crime actually decreased ... but cybercrime, especially online fraud, is definitely on the increase ... (it is) definitely related to the COVID situation."

The report also highlighted the fact that older generations, people over 55, accounted for close to half of all losses in romance scams, with women being more vulnerable than men.

Chang said it was important that public messaging reached the people who were most prone to being targeted by the instigators of cyber-crime, such as people without strong social support networks or who speak English as a second language.

"One good thing is that we see the Australian government is starting to use different languages to promote awareness, which is a good thing."

He also noted that the Australian government would need to join forces with different countries in order to target cybercrime as instigators often work from overseas.

He said that it was important that the stigma around the victims of online scams was cast away so that people were prepared to seek help when they felt uncomfortable online.

"During a festival like Valentine's, I think people should be more vigilant and don't be afraid to tell people if they fall victim to a scam," warned Chang. 
Known U.S.-based sources of misleading information have driven a majority of Facebook and Twitter posts about the Canadian COVID-19 vaccine mandate protest, per German Marshall Fund data shared exclusively with Axios.

Driving the news: Ottawa's "Freedom Convoy" has ballooned into a disruptive political protest against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and inspired support among right-wing and anti-vaccine mandate groups in the U.S.

Canadian police said Sunday they arrested protesters to break up the convoy, clearing them from the U.S.-Canada border crossing.

Why it matters: Trending stories about the protest appear to be driven by a small number of voices as top-performing accounts with huge followings are using the protest to drive engagement and inflame emotions with another hot-button issue.

"They can flood the zone  making something news and distorting what appears to be popular," said Karen Kornbluh, senior fellow and director of the Digital Innovation and Democracy Initiative at the German Marshall Fund.

What they're saying: "The three pages receiving the most interactions on [convoy protest] posts  Ben Shapiro, Newsmax and Breitbart -are American," Kornbluh said. Other pages with the most action on convoy-related posts include Fox News, Dan Bongino and Franklin Graham.

"These major online voices with their bullhorns determine what the algorithm promotes because the algorithm senses it is engaging," she said.

Using a platforms design to orchestrate anti-government action mirrors how the "Stop the Steal" groups worked around the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, with a few users quickly racking up massive followings, Kornbluh said.

By the numbers: Per German Marshall Fund data, from Jan. 22, when the protests began, to Feb. 12, there were 14,667 posts on Facebook pages about the Canadian protests, getting 19.3 million interactions (including likes, comments and shares).

For context: The Beijing Olympics had 20.9 million interactions in that same time period.

On Twitter, from Feb. 3 to Feb. 13, tweets about the protests from have been favorited at least 4.1 million times and retweeted at least 1.1 million times.

million times and retweeted at least 1.1 million times. Pro-convoy videos on YouTube have racked up 47 million views, with Fox News' YouTube page getting 29.6 million views on related videos.

The big picture: New research published in the Atlantic finds that most public activity on Facebook comes from a "tiny, hyperactive group of abusive users."

Since user engagement remains the most important factor in Facebook's weighting of content recommendations, the researchers write, the most abusive users will wield the most influence over the online conversation.

"Overall, we observed 52 million users active on these U.S. pages and public groups, less than a quarter of Facebooks claimed user base in the country," the researchers write. "Among this publicly active minority of users, the top 1 percent of accounts were responsible for 35 percent of all observed interactions; the top 3 percent were responsible for 52 percent. Many users, it seems, rarely, if ever, interact with public groups or pages."

Meanwhile, Foreign meddling is further confusing the narrative around the trucker protest.
Lois Henry is the CEO and editor of SJV Water, a nonprofit, independent online news publication dedicated to covering water issues in the San Joaquin Valley. She can be reached at lois.henry@sjvwater.org. The website is sjvwater.org.
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You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @idesai98 on Twitter.
Newly-established enterprises surge in January

In the first month of 2022, Vietnam saw a surge in both the number of newly-established enterprises and registered capital compared to the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).













Garment goods are made by workers of Apparel Far Eastern Vietnam Co in Binh Duong Province.

The latest GSO report showed that the whole country saw 13,000 new enterprises established in January, with registered capital of over VN192.3 trillion (US$8.47 billion), up 16 per cent in the number of enterprises and 23 per cent in registered capital month-on-month. Compared to the same period last year, these figures are 29 per cent and 24 per cent higher, respectively.



The number of businesses returning to operation also surged in all areas. This signal shows the efforts of the business community despite the pandemic, the GSO said.



Specifically, 19,100 companies returned to operation across the whole country in January, up 353 per cent compared to December 2021 and up 194 per cent over the same period last year. This brought the number of newly established and re-operating enterprises in the first month of this year total up to 32,100, surging 94 per cent year-on-year.



The average registered capital of a newly established enterprise also increased by 5.8 per cent year-on-year to reach VN14.8 billion, the report said.



If including VN343.8 trillion of additional capital registered by 5,600 operating enterprises, the total amount of additional capital registered in January was more than VN536.1 trillion, an increase of 36 per cent over the same period last year, it noted.



Head of GSO Nguyen Thi Huong said this was a positive result, continuing the momentum from the end of 2021. Last year, the continuous and effective support of the Government and functional agencies laid the foundation for the business's recovery.



In the latest move, the State recently issued Resolution No 02/NQ-CP on major tasks and solutions to improve the business environment and heighten national competitiveness in 2022.



Meanwhile, a resolution on fiscal and monetary policy to support the socio-economic recovery and development programme with a scale of VN350 trillion was passed at the first extraordinary session of the 15th National Assembly in January to meet the urgent requirements of the country, businesses and local people.



Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong said that the authorities were making all-out efforts to support businesses' recovery since the beginning of this year. Hopefully, these efforts would create the right conditions for businesses to operate effectively in 2022.



The ministry has just issued Decision No 44/Q-BKHT to rapidly increase the number of newly-established enterprises, reduce the rate of enterprises dissolved or having operation halted while cutting off input and informal costs for businesses.



Top priority will be given to researching and reviewing the list of investment and conditional business lines and then removing barriers to investment and business activities due to overlapping and contradictory legal regulations.



In 2022, the Ministry of Finance will enhance administrative reform, especially procedures directly related to people, businesses and State agencies while focusing on simplifying business conditions.



Nguyen Minh Thao, head of the Research Department on Business Environment and Competitiveness, said there was room for authorities to speed up administrative reform to better support businesses.



Thao also emphasised the importance of promptly detecting and removing overlaps and contradictions in regulations that might affect the establishment of enterprises.



Good signals for fast recovery



Pham Xuan Hong, chairman of Saigon Garment 3 Joint Stock Company, said although last year there was a time when many garment businesses in the south experienced production interrupted and they had to shift some orders to factories in the north, they could still fulfil orders.



Thanks to its flexible adaptability, Vietnamese textile and garment companies were highly appreciated by foreign partners and continued to sign new orders as soon as they resumed their production activities, said Hong who is also chairman of the HCM City Textile and Garment-Embroidery Association.



Pham Van Viet, chairman of Viet Thang Jean Co, said his company had orders until the end of the second quarter and was focusing on expanding its production to increase exports. If the current productivity was maintained, his company's growth this year would be 15 per cent higher than in 2021.



After the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, most businesses in the south have returned to work.



According to the Tra Vinh Economic Zone (EZ) Management Board, by February 8, the majority of enterprises in two zones - inh An and Long uc - restarted their production, with a total of 15,600 workers returning to work.



In Binh Duong Province, about 81 per cent of businesses were operating by February 8 with the number of employees returned to work reaching 72 per cent.


DHAKA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- People in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka thronged parks and green spaces to celebrate Pohela Falgun, the first day of spring and of the Bengali month Falgun, along with the Valentine's Day.

Amid vibrant bursts of color, a troupe of artists danced and splashed each other with powder colored red and yellow at one of the major celebration venues -- the University of Dhaka campus on Monday morning.

Capital residents also flocked to the venue for celebrations.

Young couples were seen celebrating their relationship and marking their togetherness with the blazing red and yellow colors -- the representative colors of the festivals.

They gave their beloved ones candy, flowers and chocolates, among others, as gifts.

Elsewhere in Bangladesh, people also performed chorus and folk dance and music, and recited poems in the open air to celebrate the festivals in compliance with the government's health guidelines over COVID-19.

As always, women and girls in Dhaka were seen in "bashonti" (yellow or orange) colored sarees and wearing floral ornaments, while boys wore colorful panjabis to welcome the arrival of spring coinciding with the Valentine's Day.

The celebrations made business brisk for florists, and hawkers set up their mobile stalls in many places in the national capital to sell flowers at skyrocketing prices. 
Researchers in Riverside and Maryland may have come up with a breakthrough in the fight against a pest-borne bacterial disease threatening to 
A man tried to run over two men with his vehicle in the downtown area before rolling over and crashing into a ditch in south Laredo, according to Laredo police.

Edgar Arturo Soto Vega, 27, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The case dates back to Nov. 27. At about 5:36 a.m., police responded to a report of a vehicle that had rolled over in the 4500 block of U.S. 83 South and had possibly committed an auto-pedestrian incident in downtown Laredo. First officers on the scene observed a black Lincoln MKS inside a ditch.

Authorities identified the driver as Soto Vega. He stated that he fell asleep at the wheel and veered toward the ditch. But two men told police that the same Lincoln with the same driver had tried to run them over when they were exiting Medusas Discoteque in downtown Laredo, states the arrest affidavit.

An argument ensued between Soto Vega and the two men. Soto Vega then allegedly told the men, Te voy a machucar (Im going to run you over). Soto Vega did hit one man with the back-left part of the bumper when he reversed. Meanwhile, the other man was dragged for about a block when he tried to stop the vehicle, the affidavit states.

However, Soto Vega stated that the two men were the ones who had physically assaulted him. He added he was not aware of hitting anyone, according to court documents.

crodriguez@lmtonline.com
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.
As part of a statewide effort to more closely regulate elections, Jefferson County is getting new voting machines.

The Jefferson County Commissioners Court last week approved the purchase.

This is in accordance with a September 2021 amendment made to the Texas Election Code, which stipulates that a paper audit trail is required and that only auditable voting machines are an acceptable way to vote. In recent elections, the voting machines have been totally electronic.

The county was awarded a Reimbursement for Auditable Voting Machines grant from the Texas Secretary of State for $3.2 million if the equipment is in place by Nov. 8. If the deadline is not met, the maximum reimbursement will be roughly $1.6 million.

The county is aiming to get the full reimbursement.

We were one of only a handful of counties that was selected to receive this grant because of our outdated systems, Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said, noting that Hardin County has already been using auditable voting machines before the code changed.

We dont want 50%. So, were going to try to have them in place for the November elections.

The Secretary of States office has only approved two auditable voting machines  one made by Hart and one made by ES&S

What I envision is that we will have both approved vendors come in for a workshop and well let them make a presentation before the court makes a decision on which system to buy, Branick said.

Well probably ask several people  department heads, election administrators, voter registrars and members of the general public, probably  to take a look at the machine to see what they think; see, its pros and cons.

The commissioners likely will vote after hearing public comment.

Branick said he estimates that the workshop will occur in May, with the final decision coming after the May 7 election, but according to County Clerk Laurie Leister, the vendors can get the machines to county employees within a few weeks so they can begin training.

The judge does not know at this time exactly how many machines will be installed in Jefferson County, but he estimates the county will purchase a little more than 300.

Approximately 39 voting locations with an average of eight machines is a rough guesstimate, he said.

rachel.kersey@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/ontheREKord
The largest school district in San Antonio is ending the temporary face mask mandate that has been in place since January. On Thursday, February 10, Northside Independent School District sent out a letter to parents about the lift of its face mask mandate.

In the letter sent to MySA, NISD is moving to "strongly encourage" the use of face masks by all students, staff and visitors while indoor and on school buses starting Monday, February 14.

"The removal of the temporary mandate is based on improving metrics in both the city and county as well as in our schools," NISD stated in the letter. "Metrics that were specifically monitored include the percentage of positive tests, cases per 100,000 residents, positive cases reported directly to our schools, number of individuals in self-isolation or quarantine, and student and staff attendance rates. All of these metrics have steadily improved over the two weeks."

Texas school districts have been in a legal battle with Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton over the face mask mandate subject. Abbott issued an executive order prohibiting school districts and local government entities from mandating masks.

Many school districts, including NISD, have sued the state by claiming it lacks the authority to prevent districts from adopting mask mandates. San Antonio ISD is one of the local districts that has kept its mask mandate in place while its lawsuit makes it way into court. In December, San Antonio ISD reinstated its face mask policy after pausing its policy on December 1 after the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals restored Abbott's mandate banning face mask mandate.

Northside ISD stated it will keep its COVID-19 protocols in place and include the number of confirmed cases on its website. The district added it will provide weekly website reporting and frequent sanitizing.

"Thank you for your support of our efforts to keep our schools open for in-person learning," NISD stated. "We will continue to monitor metrics closely and continue to make decisions in the best interests of students and staff."

The district lists 143 active COVID-19 cases among the campus staff, 32 for non-campus staff and 564 among students for the week of January 31 through February 6.
Stricter voting rules enacted by Republican lawmakers last year continue to foil Texans trying to vote by mail in the upcoming primary, with hundreds of completed ballots being initially rejected for not meeting the states new identification requirements.

The bulk of mail-in ballots have yet to arrive at elections offices, but local officials are already reporting that a significant number are coming in without the newly required ID information. As of Wednesday, election officials in Harris County alone had flagged 1,360 mail-in ballots to be sent back to voters  40% of the mail-in ballots returned up to that point  because they lacked an ID number.

Under the states new rules, officials cannot accept ballots without the ID information on the return envelopes containing the ballot and must mail them back if theres enough time for the voter to send back a corrected envelope.

Well see how many we get back, said Isabel Longoria, the Harris County elections administrator. Thats our big question mark right now: Are voters going to go through the extra step to correct it?

The new ID requirements are the earliest rule changes to kick in under the law that Republican lawmakers enacted last year to further tighten voting procedures in the state. The law, known as SB 1, ratchets up the states already strict rules for voting by mail by requiring absentee voters to include a state identification number like a drivers license number, or  if they dont have a drivers license  a partial Social Security number, both when requesting a mail-in ballot and when returning a completed ballot.

Those numbers must match information in a voters record for ballot requests to be accepted and votes to be counted.

The new ID rules have already prompted hundreds of rejected ballot requests, often because voters did not provide any ID numbers at all. But even counties that saw few request rejections are now grappling with high rates of faulty ballots.

That includes Hays County, where about 30% of the voters who had already returned their mail-in ballots had not filled out the ID requirement. Those are early figures, as ballots are only starting to trickle in, so Jennifer Anderson, the countys elections administrator, is hoping voter outreach efforts will help curb more errors.

We usually have a very low rejection rate so its not something we want to see in Hays County, Anderson said.

Other suburban counties are seeing similar rates. Election officials in Williamson County said about 30% of completed ballots were missing ID numbers.

The ID requirements forced a redesign of the carrier envelopes used to return mail-in ballots, allowing them to be sealed in a way that protects a voters sensitive information while traveling through the mail. The ID field was placed under the envelope flap. But based on early figures, local election officials this week said they feared voters were missing it altogether.

The voting law allows for a correction process, but local election officials and voters are facing a time crunch.

Defective ballots must be sent back to voters if they arrive early enough to be sent back and corrected. If officials determine theres not enough time, they must notify the voter by phone or email. Voters must then visit the elections office in person to correct the issue, or use the states new online ballot tracker to verify the missing information.

Those determinations are made by panels of election workers responsible for qualifying mail-in ballots. The Texas secretary of states office, which oversees elections, has advised counties to convene those panels as early as possible to give voters the maximum amount of time to make a correction.

Obviously the main concern, I think, with most election officials is that people that receive ballots by mail may not have the ability to come to the clerks office, said Heather Hawthorne, the county clerk of Chambers County.

The smaller county east of Houston hasnt seen ID issues in extremely high numbers, but Hawthorne knows the importance of giving absentee voters enough time to safeguard their votes.

In Texas, only a sliver of the electorate is allowed to vote by mail, but absentee voting is often used by people for whom voting in person can be a challenge, including Texans with disabilities.

Only voters who are 65 or older automatically qualify for a mail-in ballot. Otherwise, voters must qualify under a limited set of reasons, including absence from the county during the election period or a disability or illness that would keep them from voting in person without needing help or that makes a trip to the polls risky to their health.

But the deluge of mail-in ballots wont come in until closer to deadline. Voters have until election day  March 1 for the primary  to return their ballots.

Officials in larger counties are staffing up ahead of the rush  and a possible spike in defective ballots under the new rules.

Harris County, home to Houston, has doubled the number of workers managing its voter call center, and its scrambling to add more workers to its mail ballot team. It has increased the size of the panel of election workers who are qualifying mail-in ballots by 30%, and Longoria expects theyll have to work double the number of days when the crush of ballots comes in.

As of Tuesday, Harris County had received only about 10% of the more than 27,000 mail-in ballots it had sent out to voters who requested them. (That number is expected to grow further because voters can request mail-in ballots up until Feb. 18.)

El Paso Countys elections administrator Lisa Wise said the county is almost doubling the size of its review panel, which may have to add hours or days to its working schedule. The county had not yet started processing completed mail-in ballots as of Wednesday.

Elections workers were still working through hundreds of applications for mail-in ballots that were missing ID numbers.

Disclosure: The Texas Secretary of State has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
February 14th is a day marked by exchanges of flowers, candies, intimate words, andof courselove. You may already know that our contemporary Valentines Day stems from the legend of St. Valentine, but probably dont know the whole story behind this holiday of lovers.

The story of Valentines Day is, like most holidays, a mixture of various faiths, traditions, and legends. There is evidence that, while the holidays name is derived from a Catholic saint, Valentines Day may actually find its origins in the pagan holiday of Lupercalia.

Celebrated on February 15th, Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival which had young men running naked in the streets, laughing as they drunkenly struck passersby with leather cords.

This celebration began with an animal sacrifice, conducted by men who marked their foreheads with the bloody knives they used to slay the animals. Afterward the blood was ceremonially wiped from the knives with wool dipped in milk. The ritual required that the men then laugh and smile.

After this, the Luperci would cut cords from the hides of the slain animals and run about, striking any woman they passed with the cords. A strike from the cord was thought to make a woman fertile, so women would gather in droves for this blessing.

"Pope Gelasius I outlawed Lupercalia, converting it into the Catholic celebration of St. Valentines feast day..."

Later in the day, a matchmaking lottery would be held, which involved slips of paper placed into a container. These papers had names of women written upon them, and men would draw these names, traditionally becoming sexual partners with the woman they drew for the rest of the year.

Those same ancient Romans executed two Christians, both of whom bore the name of Valentine, on February 14th in the 3rd century A.D. Their martyrdom laid the foundations for the repurposing of Lupercalias central themes.

In 494 CE, Pope Gelasius I outlawed Lupercalia, converting it into the Catholic celebration of St. Valentines feast day in honor of those slain Christians. At this point, it still resembled its pagan rootsthe ritualism had been excised by the Catholic Church, but the idea behind the celebration remained the samelove and fertility.

The modern practices of Valentines Day bears the marks of the legend of Saint Valentine. According to this legend, Saint Valentine of Rome was imprisoned for performing wedding ceremonies for certain groups who were forbidden to marry, and for ministering to Christians, who were being persecuted by the Roman Empire at the time. According to legend, St. Valentine healed the daughter of the jailer and, before his execution, wrote her a letter signed, Your Valentine.

But the man we truly have to thank for Valentines Day as a romantic holiday is the famed writer, Geoffrey Chaucer, the 14th century author of The Canterbury Tales. It was he that established the link between St. Valentine and the idea of romance.

Chaucer wrote Parlement of Foules in 1382, which was penned to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of Kind Richard II. In this poem lies the bridge between the saint and the idea of love.

For this was on seynt Volantynys day

Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.

These lines, which describes February 14th as the day birds come to choose their mates, likely hearkens back to the themes of Lupercalia, but branded with the name of the Catholic saint whose feast replaced the pagan holiday. Finally, all the dots connected, and Valentines Day was born, immensely popularized by Chaucers beloved work.

"In 1847, Esther A. Howland began the first mass-production run of valentine cards."

It wouldnt be until the early 1700s that the traditions of Valentines Day would spread to America, when the exchanging of hand-made valentines caught hold. In 1847, Esther A. Howland began the first mass-production run of valentine cards. These werent the flat pieces of paper we know todaythey were elaborate works of art, festooned with ribbons, pictures, and lace.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the exchange of simple cards and notes was expanded to include other familiar gifts, such as chocolate, roses, and jewelry, effectively commercializing the holiday. Today, Valentines Day remains an incredibly popular, with sales on Valentines Day reaching topping 19 billion dollars in 2016 alone, resulting in a holiday that some lament has become more about spending than loving.

But Valentines Day isnt confined to the United States and Europe. Lets take a look at a few traditions that exist outside of the West.

In China, the holiday is called the Qixi Festival, which is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, and commemorates the day on which the Cowherd star and the Weaver Maid star are said to meet in passing.

In India, Valentines Day, as it is in the West, began to rise in popularity in 1992 due to the spread of commercial television, radio programs, and love letter competitions, but is harshly criticized by a large segment of the population due to its associations with colonialism.

Japans Valentines customs are quite uniquewomen traditionally give chocolates to men, although the romantic traditions traditionally associated with Valentines are reserved for Christmas Eve.

In Saudi Arabia, the religious police have banned the sale of all Valentines Day items, even going so far as confiscating red items from shops because the day is considered a Christian holiday. There is a black market for roses and wrapping paper, and more than 140 Muslims have been arrested for attempting to celebrate. But celebrate they do.

No matter what part of the world youre from, no matter from what culture, class, or nation, you know what love is. Youve experience it, been broken by it, been re-forged and renewed by it. And so it isnt any wonder that Valentines Day, or a form of it, is celebrated all over the globelove is universal.

So when February rolls around, dont forget to show a little love to your sweetheart. You dont have to buy expensive things or write Shakespearean sonnets. Lovethe heart of Valentines Daydoesnt need those things.

As the Beatles once sang, all you need is love.

Wesley Baines is a graduate student at Regent University's School of Divinity, and a freelance writer working in the fields of spirituality, self-help, and religion. He is also a former editor at Beliefnet.com. You can catch more of his work at www.wesleybaines.com.
SYDNEY, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Australia's two worst-hit states New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria on Monday recorded their lowest numbers of daily COVID-19 cases in the year.

NSW reported 14 deaths and 6,184 new infections, marking a further drop on the record low 6,686 reported on Sunday, although the hospitalizations rose slightly to 1,649.

The neighboring state Victoria also recorded its lowest daily cases for the year with 7,104 new infections and two deaths. There are currently 465 people in the hospital with the virus, down from the peak of more than 1,000 patients at the hospital at the end of January.

As the country's worst-hit state during the current outbreak, NSW's daily COVID-19 cases peaked at 92,264 on Jan. 13 after the New Year and Christmas holidays and fluctuated around 10,000 cases at the beginning of February.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Sunday that the state is going through a "transition" and the hospitalizations and ICU presentations are certainly heading in the right direction.

Due to the declines, the state of Victoria lifted its "Code Brown" emergency alert on Monday, allowing elective surgery to return to 50 percent capacity of the normal level at private hospitals in Melbourne and up to 75 percent in regional Victoria.

The Code Brown Plan declaration came into effect last month, as the hospital system got overwhelmed by the Omicron wave and suffered from staff shortages due to isolation requirements. 
A passenger train crosses a bridge as it travels from Jakarta to Bandung near Padalarang, West Java, in Indonesia Aug. 25, 2015.

Chinas flagship high-speed rail project in Indonesia is expected to become profitable 40 years after completion  not 20 as earlier projected  partly because plans to shift the capital to Borneo could sharply reduce the number of riders, a consortium building it said Monday.

Moving the seat of government away from Jakarta would nearly halve the projected number of passengers using the railway connecting Jakarta to Bandung in West Java because many government employees are expected to relocate to the new capital, said a spokesman for the project. As it is, construction of the railway, which has been dogged by criticism and delays from the start, has gone U.S. $2 billion over budget and swollen to $8 billion.

One way for the company to reach profitability faster would be by optimizing other revenue streams, said Rahadian Ratry, who represents PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), a joint venture of Indonesian and Chinese consortiums building the railway.

For profitability, we will not only rely on farebox revenue, Rahadian told BenarNews, referring to revenue from people who pay the fares.

There are also other non-farebox components that can be optimized, he said, citing commercialization of space at stations as a potential source of revenue.

If other avenues are not explored its very difficult to follow the earlier feasibility study where the assumption of a return on investment will occur within 20 years [of construction], Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, president director of PT KCIC, told a parliamentary hearing on Feb. 7, according to the Reuters news agency.

Last month, Indonesias parliament passed a law to move the national capital from traffic-clogged and crowded Jakarta to a forested region in Kalimantan, the Indonesian section of Borneo Island, as President Joko Jokowi Widodo had first announced in 2019.

The National Development Planning Agency projected that by 2045, the new capital Nusantara would have a population of 1.9 million  about 10 times the areas current number. The population of surrounding East Kalimantan province is expected to grow to 11 million, from 3.7 million today, according to the agency.

A large chunk of that future population would be government employees who are expected to move to the new capital from Jakarta and its surrounding areas. Many of these people who would have used a portion of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway would have no use for it once they move to Nusantara.

A recent study conducted by the Center for Engineering Services at the University of Indonesia has projected the demand for the railway at 31,215 passenger trips per day  around half the companys initial estimate of 61,157 made in 2017  spokesman Rahadian said.

The new study also said that one-way ticket costs should be set at 150,000-350,000 rupiah ($10.48-$24.4) for the rail line to be commercially viable in 40 years.

The 89-mile (143.2 km) Jakarta-Bandung rail line is expected to slash travel time between the Indonesian capital and Bandung to 40 minutes from three hours, officials said. Jokowi said last month that the project was about 80 percent finished and expected to be operational next June.

The project is part of Beijings estimated $1 trillion-plus Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure program to build a network of railways, ports and bridges across 70 countries.

Another financial burden

Djoko Setijowarno, an expert at the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), said it was not unusual for a transportation project to take a long time to turn a profit.

In fact, railways built during the Dutch era were only profitable 100 years later, Djoko told BenarNews.

My prediction is it will only be profitable in 70 years.

But Eko Listiyanto, an economist at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), said the long road to profitability should not be used an excuse for government subsidies.

If that happens, it will become another financial burden for the government, he said.

Eko said that the government should have taken into account business viability before deciding to inject the project with more money from state coffers.

In October, President Jokowi decided to allow the government to share the cost of the railway project, contradicting an earlier pledge and decree in 2015 that prohibited the use of state funds for it. A presidential spokesman said Jokowis directive would allow the project to be completed.

A month after, the finance minister told a parliamentary panel that the government had decided to inject 4.3 trillion rupiah ($299 million) to the project. Critics had expressed concern that the move could deplete state coffers and lead Indonesia into a debt trap.

Meanwhile, The Jakarta Post reported last week that more capital needed to be injected into the project to deal with the cost increases, but such a request was pending an audit from the Development Finance Comptroller.

Separately, the consortium building the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail has appointed the China Railway Design Corporation (CRDC) and international auditing firm KPMG International to update the projects feasibility by taking into account the changes over the last five years. The post reported.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) takes part in a joint press meet with Fijis acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in Nadi, Fiji, Feb.12, 2022.

When the top U.S. diplomat visited the Indo-Pacific last week, the White House unveiled a new strategy that vowed to use all instruments of power to anchor the United States in the region and counter what it called Chinas pursuit of a sphere of influence.

Coming when the worlds eyes were on the standoff with Russia over its troop build-up on the border with Ukraine, the message was clear  that the United States views the Indo-Pacific as its foreign policy priority.

In Melbourne, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Friday with counterparts from Australia, India, and Japan  collectively known as the Quad. Then at the weekend, he travelled to Fiji, signaling U.S. intent to engage more with the Pacific islands. Moving on to Hawaii, he sat with allies South Korea and Japan.

As he did so, the Biden administration published a 19-page strategy document for the region that includes an action plan for the next 12-24 months. The strategy, released Friday, vows to bolster Indo-Pacific security, drawing on all instruments of power to deter aggression and to counter coercion, mostly from China.

The PRC (Peoples Republic of China) is combining its economic, diplomatic, military, and technological might as it pursues a sphere of influence in the Indo-Pacific and seeks to become the worlds most influential power, the paper said.

The PRCs coercion and aggression spans the globe, but it is most acute in the Indo-Pacific, it said.

Previous U.S. administrations, notably Barack Obamas, have also unveiled ambitious Asia-Pacific strategies promising increased diplomatic and security engagement, rooted in U.S. long-standing alliances and partnerships. But the Biden administrations game-plan for the region takes shape with U.S.-China tensions at a higher point than in the past.

One Chinese analyst questioned whether the U.S. had the resources to back up the newly-announced strategy.

Some define strategy as the intelligent allocation of resources to achieve desired objectives, said Andy Mok, senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization in Beijing.

While the U.S.s recently released Indo-Pacific strategy lists some clearly defined goals, its not clear that the resources available are sufficient to achieve these goals, he said.

Beijing has yet to react officially to the new strategy. It has long criticized Washington for what China sees as the deeply-entrenched Cold War mentality and ideological bias of the US side.

The U.S. Navy destroyer USS John S. McCain patrols in the South China Sea, Jan. 22, 2017. [U.S. Navy via Reuters]

Focus on alliances and partnerships

The new strategy prioritizes Washingtons long-standing treaty alliances with Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand. It also calls for stronger relationships with India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands.

The U.S. will pursue an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, and will build support for rules-based approaches to the maritime domain, including in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. It also plans to expand the U.S. Coast Guard presence and cooperation in Southeast and South Asia and the Pacific Islands, and provide maritime security assistance.

Another focus is Taiwan. The U.S. vows to work with partners inside and outside of the region to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, including by supporting Taiwans self-defense capabilities.

China will no doubt react strongly to this as Taiwans status and the islands relationship with the U.S. have always been one of the core disagreements between Beijing and Washington.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province but most of the Taiwanese see themselves as citizens of an independent, self-governed country.

Expand diplomatic presence

The new strategy was reflected in the optics of Blinkens regional tour, which started with the meeting in Melbourne Friday with foreign ministers from the Quad, a quadrilateral strategic partnership linking the U.S., Australia, India and Japan.

The new Indo-Pacific strategy emphasizes strengthening the Quad and delivering on its commitments, as well as supporting Indias continued rise and regional leadership.

Additionally, the strategy says the Biden administration is committed to meaningfully expand U.S. diplomatic presence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

That jibes with Blinkens announcement at talks with Pacific island leaders in Fiji that the U.S. plans to open an embassy in the Solomon Islands. The U.S. Embassy there was closed in 1993. Blinkens was the first visit to Fiji by a U.S. secretary of state since 1985.

The purpose of the visit is to reconnect with the Pacific and to head off Chinas advances in the region, said Jonathan Pryke, director of Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, an Australian think-tank.

But Pryke wrote in an article he co-authored on the think-tanks blog, The Interpreter, that while Pacific countries are democracies, Pacific leaders do not automatically see China as a strategic threat. They dont want be asked to choose between the United States or China, he said, adding that Blinkens visit should only be the start.

About Blinkens visit, a Chinese Foreign Ministrys spokesperson pointedly noted that, more than 20 Chinese leaders and senior officials above the foreign minister level have visited Fiji since 1985.

The development of relations between China and Pacific island countries is open, transparent, inclusive, and not targeted at any third party, Zhao Lijian said.
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VIENTIANE, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Lao health official on Monday called for strict observance of COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Buaphan Khamphaphongphan, deputy director-general of the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology under the Lao Ministry of Health, said it is essential for everyone to strictly comply with the COVID-19 measures, and vaccination is strongly advised to reduce the infection rate and bring the virus spread under control.

Laos' National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control has also advised medical workers across the country to be on alert for the Omicron variant after three Lao nationals tested positive for the virus upon their return from Thailand.

The three Omicron cases were detected when health authorities conducted a random check of 25 samples collected at hospitals in the Lao capital Vientiane and provinces of Champasak, Savannakhet, Bolikhamxay, Xieng Khuang and Bokeo. The other 22 samples tested positive for the Delta variant of COVID-19.

As of Monday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Laos reached 139,244, with 597 deaths.

Laos reported its first two confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 24, 2020. 
PITTSFIELD  After yet another pandemic-induced pause, jury trials are set to resume in Berkshire Superior Court this week.

And on Monday, jury selection in the first trial of the new year is expected to begin. During the pandemic, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has hit pause, then play, on trials several different times, and the most recent jury trial suspension lifts Monday.

That means that barring any potential last-minute plea agreement reached between the defense and prosecution, 12 jurors and additional alternates on Monday will be empaneled to hear the case of Jamel Nicholson, who faces weapons charges in connection with a 2018 traffic stop in Cheshire.

District Attorney Andrea Harrington is scheduled to be in court arguing for the prosecution, and Shawn Allyn is Nicholsons defense lawyer.

Nicholson was in the front passengers seat of a vehicle that was parked at the Bedard Brothers dealership after business hours on Feb. 28, 2018, prosecutors said.

State police investigated the car, which contained three other people in addition to Nicholson, and allegedly found a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber firearm under Nicholsons seat, according to a proposed statement of facts filed by Harrington.

Nicholson has pleaded not guilty to two counts of carrying a loaded firearm without a license, one count of possessing ammunition without a Firearms Identification Card and committing a firearms violation with one prior drug or violent crime.

He was recommitted to pretrial custody in December, when his bail was revoked after he was charged with alleged possession of a Class B drug with intent to distribute.

The trial, if it moves ahead as planned, would be among only a handful of Superior Court jury trials to happen since the pandemic began.

The first trial for two of the four defendants implicated in the October Mountain shooting of Nick Carnevale, Kevin Nieves and Daquan Douglas, ended in a mistrial, and the second go-around experienced a months-long delay over the defenses concerns about a witness.

The only criminal trial to be completed in Berkshire Superior Court since has been the stabbing case of Anthony Chambers, who last fall was cleared by a jury of accusations he stabbed a man in Adams.

There is another trial scheduled to move ahead in the event that Nicholsons doesnt proceed as planned. The backup case is that of defendant Jeffrey Jette, who is accused of wielding a dangerous weapon during an assault.
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WINDSOR  It took less than two months, from filing to approval, for an outdoor cannabis farm to secure a special permit in Windsor.

The towns Zoning Board of Appeals awarded that permit late last month to Mountaintop Cannabis Cultivators LLC. The venture has reached terms for a host community agreement with the Select Board, according to the town clerk, and now will file an application with the state Cannabis Control Commission.

The farm seeks state approval for the largest cultivation footprint allowed  up to 100,000 square feet of plants  on the southwest side of property owned by Nathan Wagner at 1335 Savoy Road, also known as Route 8A, about a mile south of the Savoy line.

The property sits on high ground north of sections of the expansive Eugene D. Moran Wildlife Management Area and a tract of Windsor State Forest. Travelers along Route 8A get intermittent views of Mount Greylock.

Wagners partners in the venture are Christopher Greendale, Michael Kenyon and Tiffany Landry, according to a filing with the secretary of states office.

In its Jan. 27 decision, the Windsor ZBA found that the farm conformed to the towns bylaws and would not be detrimental to the rural neighborhood, cause traffic problems, or harm local water supplies.

The boards written decision says it extensively considered possible odor issues from the farm. The nearest inhabited building is more than 800 feet away.

Rather than require special steps by the farm to reduce possible odors, the ZBA said Mountaintop Cannabis can use a surrounding forest as a buffer. But, the panel said that if the smell of cannabis has a negative effect on properties in the area, it reserves the right to require Mountaintop to take steps to reduce odor before the next growing season.

Town Clerk Madeline Scully said the farms proponents have worked with the Conservation Commission to satisfy that panels requirements related to the project. The farm filed a notice of intent with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on Dec. 1 regarding a nearby wetlands area.

Wagner said in a December interview that the farm would use 10 of his propertys 31 acres. He estimated that $1.6 million would be invested in the project, with $500,000 going toward construction of an 18-by-36-foot greenhouse and other features, including work areas, a security system and fencing.

In a Jan. 31 meeting, the Select Board reached terms with Mountaintop Cannabis that call for it to pay a 3 percent community impact fee for two years based on what Wagner estimated would be gross annual revenue of $6 million to $14 million. The impact fee would fall to 1 percent for the next three years, unless the town can demonstrate that it should remain at 3 percent, according to the boards minutes.

Adam Barnosky, the farms lawyer, said it also would pay $5,000 to the community, make a $1,500 donation to a local nonprofit and give local residents preference in hiring.
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.
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.
BOSTON  Massachusetts will steer an additional $101 million toward its COVID-19 response, under a spending bill Gov. Charlie Baker signed over the weekend that also shifts the statewide primary election date to Sept. 6.

Baker on Saturday approved all of the spending on COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave, rapid tests, high-quality masks and vaccine access that lawmakers included in the supplemental budget. He vetoed two outside policy sections and returned another two, including an attempt by the Legislature to codify a vaccine equity plan, with amendments.

The new law calls for $76 million in direct state spending aimed at boosting access to masks, COVID-19 vaccines and rapid tests, particularly for schools, congregate care facilities and homeless shelters. It also allots an addtional $25 million in available federal money to the states COVID emergency paid sick leave program.

Baker struck down two outside sections that, he said, together would have required the state Department of Public Health to issue and post guidance on mask usage and testing, quarantining, and isolation periods related to COVID-19 within 30 days.

The state will send $500 payments to 500,000 workers across Massachusetts in March through a premium pay program About 500,000 low-income workers across Massachusetts will get a $500 payment next month as the state government rolls out the first phase of its premium pay program, the first of its kind in the nation.

The department already works to publish up-to-date guidance, Baker said, arguing that the additional language in the bill would serve no purpose if signed into law.

One section Baker returned to lawmakers with an amendment called for the secretary of health and human services to craft and implement a COVID-19 vaccination equity plan with a goal of eliminating disparities in vaccination rates within 120 days.

Bakers amendment strikes the 120-day target, a change that, he said, would reflect the continuing challenge faced by nearly every country in the world and every state in the country of achieving total vaccine equity.

The Republican governor defended his administrations work to make vaccines available and accessible across Massachusetts, recounting steps the administration took, such as prioritizing 20 hard-hit cities and towns, in which 12 have rates of residents with one vaccine dose above the national average, according to Baker, and steering additional money to community organizations.

Our administration is committed to continuing our efforts to reduce disparities in vaccination rates in Massachusetts, Baker wrote. But the challenge of eliminating disparities in vaccination rates altogether is a project that will require us all to work beyond the 120 day deadline envisioned by the language of this section.

Baker added that he plans to comply with other language in the bill requiring the administration to file a vaccination equity plan within 30 days and regular progress reports every 60 days.

The other amendment Baker offered deals with public employees who come out of retirement to resume working for their former employer. Lawmakers proposed extending a pandemic-era waiver on earnings and hours caps for those workers through the rest of the year, and Baker instead suggested linking the extension to the public health emergency so it is tied to a specific time period where a heightened response may be necessary.

Lawmakers can choose to override Bakers vetoes with a two-thirds vote in either chamber, where Democrats hold supermajorities.

In addition to his vetoes and amendments, Baker wrote that he disapprove(s) language requiring masks, testing and vaccines to be made available by Feb. 28. He called it simply unrealistic to expect to hit those deadlines in 2 weeks.

The midyear spending bill also officially sets the statewide primary election for Sept. 6, two weeks earlier than the default date under existing state law. Changing the primary date has evolved into a biennial tradition in Massachusetts, and Secretary of State William Galvin had warned that the original Sept. 20 date for this cycle would not provide him enough time to make ballots ready for military and overseas voters.

Galvin announced Sunday that nomination papers would become available to candidates starting at 10 a.m. Monday, a day ahead of the codified deadline he faces.

Depending on the office sought, candidates must collect between 150 to 10,000 signatures from registered voters.

Those running for district and county offices have until May 3 to submit signatures to local registrars for certification, then until May 31 to submit certified signatures to Galvins Elections Division. Party candidates seeking statewide office or Congress must file signatures locally by May 10 and with Galvin by June 7, while nonparty statewide and congressional candidates have until Aug. 2 to provide signatures to local officials and until Aug. 30 to hand them to the secretarys office.

The new law also extends several coronavirus pandemic-era policies  they include remote open meeting law flexibility, remote notarization authorization, flexibility for municipalities to lower town meeting quorums and allowance of remote reverse mortgage counseling  until July 15.

Assisted living facilities could waive certain staffing and training requirements until that date. The bill also temporarily would revive, through the end of February, liability protection measures for health care workers in situations where patient care might have been impacted by COVID-19.

Other sections would revive an early education and care review commission and give it a March 1 deadline, and extend the deadline for a state seal and motto commission to finish its work from July 31 to Dec. 31.

The legislation also includes language regarding overpayments made by the state unemployment insurance system during the pandemic upheaval. It would require the Department of Unemployment Assistance to submit a detailed report by March 1 estimating how many people received overpayments and how much the department paid in excess.

Under the law, the Department of Unemployment Assistance also could reconsider determinations or redeterminations that resulted in overpayments one year after the date of the original decision. The department would need to launch a $1 million public awareness campaign to inform recipients of overpaid benefits that they have more time to appeal their cases.

The Massachusetts Medical Society applauded Bakers signature of the supplemental budget, praising in particular the focus on health equity throughout the law.

Citing the pivotal role of education in childrens mental, physical and emotional development, the Medical Society has long advocated for safe in-person learning, and we are incredibly pleased that funding is allocated for high-quality masks for school children and increased access to COVID-19 testing, especially in early education and childcare settings, said Mass. Medical Society President Dr. Carole Allen.

The Massachusetts Medical Society is grateful for the inclusion of liability protections that protect providers and patients alike when care is rendered under unusual and extreme circumstances. These protections are crucial as physicians and health care teams remain resolute in their commitment to help our patients safely through the pandemic to what we all hope will be healthier times.

Baker still has not acted on two other local land bills affecting Savoy and Northampton, or on legislation allowing emergency medical personnel to treat and transport police dogs injured in the line of duty (S 2573).

The governor said last week that he intends to approve that bill, referred to by supporters as Neros Law, and convene a formal signing ceremony.
TOKYO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 patients recovering at home in Japan has topped 500,000 for the first time amid the recent surging infections due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant and continuous strain on the health care system across the country, the health ministry said Monday.

The number of people recuperating from COVID-19 at home stood at 543,045 as of last Wednesday, up 100,000 compared to a week earlier, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Authorities have been asking those with mild symptoms to stay at home for recuperation as high pressure on the medical system fuels concerns that hospitals may run out of beds for COVID-19 patients while Japan's booster shot program is still at an early stage.

The country logged 60,142 new infection cases on Monday, with Tokyo confirming 10,334 new cases.

The western prefecture of Osaka reported 7,997 new cases on Monday, down from 9,008 a week ago.

Amid the sixth wave of infections in the country, the occupancy rate of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients was above 50 percent as of last Wednesday in 20 prefectures across Japan including Tokyo, with Osaka topping the list with 81 percent of beds in use.

Osaka's occupancy rate of hospital beds secured for serious COVID-19 patients stood at 36.3 percent as of Sunday, which is close to the 40-percent threshold for the prefecture to request a state of emergency declaration.

Shigeru Omi, the Japanese government's top COVID-19 adviser, has said that the speed of the infection expansion across the country is slowing down but the number of new COVID-19 cases may stay high or decline only mildly. 
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 59F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 41F. ESE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Before becoming a grant manager and analyst for the state Housing Development Authority, Veronica Depotty counseled homebuyers herself.

I had a young couple who were in their 20s and had some very small children under the ages of 10, Depotty said. They were living in a single-wide mobile home where you could see sunlight through the walls and ceiling, and they were trying to stay warm in the Newaygo County winters.

They said they wanted to buy a house. I had taken them under my wing. They werent quite mortgage-ready. They were more of a long-term client, but we kept working with them, working on their credit, working on their budget.

And, we celebrated. They bought a beautiful three-bedroom home on three acres and were able to live like they wanted to, she said.

Since 2017, Depotty has helped the housing authority manage grants and oversee 35 counseling agencies throughout the state.

Through the authoritys housing education program, those agencies give advice for pre-purchasing and renting homes, foreclosure, disaster relief and homelessness. They also educate people on their homebuying readiness and financial capabilities, like developing spending plans, improving credit and understanding consumer protection laws.

Sometimes education can be a misnomer because people worry that they arent smart enough, and thats certainly not the case, Depotty said. Its all about empowerment.

Each county, she said, has at least one local agency advising residents.

Last year, the authority served over 7,000 people, according to Depotty.

Officials announced this month that the authority will receive over $1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for 24 of its partner agencies.

The authority can use the grant to assist about 3,500 more people this year, Depotty said. Among its 35 HUD-approved agencies, serving just under 10,000 people this year would be an absolute conservative guess.

Southwest Solutions in Detroit is a HUD-approved partner of the authority. Helping people with the pre-purchasing process has been a common task, according to Alex Makohn, a manager for its homeownership assistance team.

Once clients are ready, Makohn said they can connect with lenders through the agency.

We are able to make a warm handoff to people weve worked with for years, so our clients feel like they can trust that person theyre going to, she said.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Makohn said, an increasing number of clients wanted pre-purchasing services. She attributed the spike to the amount of free time people suddenly had.

But as housing markets tightened, the need for pre-purchasing services slowed, according to Makohn, and a new demand emerged: foreclosure services.

During the third quarter of 2021, Michigan foreclosure filings were up 65% from the years second quarter, and up 143% from the third quarter of 2020, according to data obtained by Michigan Radio.

Makohn said her team handles a lot of cases in Detroit that involve property tax foreclosure.

Although the agency receives funding from both the housing authority and HUD, its not one of the 24 that will directly receive a share of the $1 million grant.

All that matters, Makohn said, is that the money helps the community.

We all think of funding coming into communities, she said. Whether its at our organization or another organization, at the end of the day, were all providing services to the community. The more funds that come to Detroit, regardless of which organization that they go to, the work is still being done, and more residents are being supported.

Sue Ortiz, chief program officer of Habitat for Humanity, another partner with the housing authority, said the authoritys support will help it do more with foreclosures, evictions and home ownership.

Habitat for Humanity is headquartered in Lansing. There are 49 affiliates, and those in Genesee, Oakland and Washtenaw counties are also HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, according to Ortiz.

In addition to counseling, Habitat for Humanity repairs homes. The organization announced in January that Habitat for Humanity will receive a $2 million HUD grant to complete repairs for 160 low-income families, increasing the organizations home repair program by 50% in the state.

People are so grateful to be in the home they wish to be in, Ortiz said. So many times, we hear from people that they never thought they could do it.
BIG RAPIDS  Officers with the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety responded to the following calls Feb. 10-13

All calls may not be reported.

Thursday, Feb. 10

Police responded to a call of suspicious activity in the 400 block of South Third Avenue. Small amount of unknown white powder was found in one of the bathrooms at the shelter. Testing showed it was not a controlled substance.

A traffic stop at State and Pine led to vehicle owner being cited for improper plate and allowing uninsured vehicle to be driven.

Friday, Feb. 11

A radio was reported stolen from an unlocked delivery truck in the 1200 block of Perry Avenue. Video watched no one visible around the truck and no radio information was available from the manager.

A female had called 911 several times over the last few days but did not say anything to dispatchers. Contact was made with female who stated she wanted to tell on people but did not provide any other information. Advised not to call 911 unless she had an emergency to report.

A traffic stop at State and West led to driver being cited for no insurance and arrested for a felony warrant for possession of meth out of Mason County, Curries towed vehicle.

Police responded to a call for fraud in the 1200 block of Perry Street. A subject who purchased a phone Feb. 3, was later found to have used a fraudulent ID out of Illinois. Same subjects using different IDs were caught doing same thing at Fremont store. Still under investigation, for possible criminal activity.

A traffic stop resulted in 23-year-old Hersey female being lodged on outstanding warrants for methamphetamine out of Osceola County.

Officers were called to a disorderly in the 500 block of South State Street. A 30-year-old female was lodged for a probation violation due to intoxication.

Officers were dispatched to a 911 hang up on Country Way. Upon arrival, officers were informed that a 19-year-old Chicago male had hidden a pistol in the apartment. The male is on parole out of Illinois. After a consent search of the apartment, a 9mm pistol was located under a mattress. The 9mm pistol is possibly a kit put together from an 80% gun. No serial number was found on the pistol. The male was lodged on several charges included felon in possession of a firearm. The Illinois parole board was notified and they placed a hold.

Policed responded to a report of suspicious activity in the 600 block North State Street. A male was fired from a store due to his erratic behavior. After he was let go, he sent the complainant a long text saying he was going to ruin their name. Complainant did not want police to contact the male; she only wanted it noted at this time as well as have the exterior of her residence checked.

After two 911 hang ups from a residence in the 1100 block of Catherine, officers arrived on scene to hear a loud thump and yelling. A woman could be heard yelling in the residence. Entry was made for exigent circumstances as officers believes a domestic was currently occurring. Both the male and female refused to speak with officers, saying nothing happened.

Officers were dispatched to a fight in the 100 block of South Michigan. After speaking with individuals involved, two individuals issued citations for fighting in public.

Police responded to a noise complaint in the 100 block South Michigan. A male from Grand Rapids was playing his guitar outside the bar for tips. He was advised of the city ordinances for noise. He had a valid busker/music license.

A juvenile left his house in the 1000 block of Fuller Avenue after an argument with his mother. He was last known to be at an apartment outside of the city. He was located at Michigan and Maple walking home. Due to the temperature, he was given a ride home.

Police responded to a call in the 1800 block of Milton. The complainant called because she moved her jewelry and when she went back it was missing. Officers found it laying on her bed.

Saturday, Feb. 12

A traffic stop at Linden and South State streets for expired plate led to driver being cited for no insurance. Curries impounded vehicle.

Evart police arrested male for an original felony assault warrant. BRDPS met with Evart police at dispatch and lodged the male.

Officers were dispatched to a possible fight in front of the residence in the 100 block Locust. The fight was broken up upon arrival. People at the house was spoken to about the parking violations that have occurred the last few evenings from parties at the house.

Sunday, Feb. 13

Police responded to a call of disorderly behavior in the 700 block South State Street. A male became upset after he was carded for cigars and no one else in line was.

Officers assisted EMS with a suicidal patient in the 1800 block of Milton Avenue. Patient was transported to hospital by EMS.

Officers responded to a suicidal male in the 800 block Water Tower Road and transported him to the hospital for a voluntary mental evaluation.

Police conducted a possession of meth/warrant arrest at North State and West Bridge. A check of a suspicious vehicle led to female being arrested on 3 outstanding misdemeanor warrants. Female also had a small bag of morphine pills and a syringe which contained meth.
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com It was good to see the Wall Street Journal editorialize today that the only way to stop ISIS committing mass murder in the future is to confront them at their source in Syria, Iraq and now Libya. Talking Points said that again last night. It has been a major theme of this program for years. Unfortunately most Western leaders are afraid to do that, pointing to the debacle in Iraq and the tremendous problems in Afghanistan as a reason to avoid meaningful confrontation with Islamic killers. But if we do not attack the savages, the world will continue to absorb violent terror incidents. They will never stop. Enter Hillary Clinton, who may become president. Today at Stanford University she spoke about the ISIS threat: HILLARY CLINTON: "On 9/11, NATO treated an attack against one as an attack against all. On September 12th, headlines across Europe, most notably in Le Monde, proclaimed 'We Are All Americans.' ((EDIT)) Now it's our turn to stand with Europe." But what does that mean, stand with Europe? We analyzed Mrs. Clinton's speech today and can find no concrete action she is proposing to defeat the ISIS savages. Instead she used her platform today to attack Republicans: HILLARY CLINTON: "It would also be a serious mistake to begin carpet bombing populated areas into oblivion. Proposing that doesn't make you sound tough, it makes you sound like you're in over your head. Slogans aren't a strategy." On that Hillary Clinton and I agree, but again, what is her strategy to stop the terror killings plaguing the world? What is it? If Talking Points hears about alliances one more time, cardiac arrest may follow. Let's stop the BS, people are dying, innocent people. ISIS is like the black plague marching through Europe, killing at random. There is a report today that 400 terrorists have been dispatched by ISIS to cause damage in Europe. The solution to defeating Islamic terrorism lies in brute force, not dumb suggestions that the Kurds handle things ... that kind of blather. America needs a strong leader who will sit down with the smartest military people and map out a clear fighting plan. Then NATO needs to declare war on the ISIS group. Then every Muslim nation needs to be asked to pledge troops to help NATO fight ISIS. No more dithering, no more sloganeering. Because, and mark my words, a weapon of mass destruction will be used by the ISIS savages. It is just a matter of time. And that's the memo.
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

While the grievance industry concentrates on police officers shooting black citizens, the real war is criminals shooting Americans -- many of whom are innocent bystanders.

In Baltimore, May was the most violent month in more than 40 years -- 43 homicides.

And non-fatal shooting incidents  up 60% this year.

Also the Associated Press reporting arrests in Baltimore down 56% in May.

That means some Baltimore police are standing down.

In Chicago, 47 Americans killed in May alone.

So far this year homicides are up 13%, 169 people already violently killed in the Windy City.

The vast majority of these murders committed by blacks on other blacks.

The carnage in Chicago has been going on for years with no end in sight.

Here in New York City, the uber-liberal mayor Bill de Blasio ordered his police officers to end the stop-frisk program designed to get guns off the street.

The result: murders up 15%, non-fatal shootings up close to 8%.

In addition, the New York City infrastructure has collapsed.

Cops are angry with de Blasio for not supporting them, therefore low-level offenses such as double parking, aggressive begging and other so-called quality of life offenses are not being enforced.

The streets of the city are clogged beyond belief, which means more air pollution and more frustration for anyone trying to get anywhere.

There is no question things are going south in NYC under Mayor de Blasio.

It should be noted that in Baltimore, Chicago and New York City, Democrats run the show and their permissive attitudes toward public policy are the primary reason violence is up, social order down.

Unless the nation somehow begins to understand that strict policing is necessary to protect lives, this violent trend will continue.

That being said, there is a report in the Washington Post today that says police shootings are on the rise.

So far this year 385 people have been killed by police -- half white, half minority.

More than 80% of those shot were carrying weapons of some kind.

So you can see that the violent climate emerging in the USA is generating violence.

Big time.

And that's the memo.
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Here's the headline: The CNBC moderators tried to bait the candidates. It was obvious. JOHN HARWOOD, CNBC ANCHOR (to Trump): Let's be honest. (LAUGHTER) Is this a comic book version of a presidential campaign? ((EDIT)) REBECCA QUICK, CNBC ANCHOR (to Rubio): Just last year, you liquidated a $68,000 retirement fund. That's something that cost you thousands of dollars in taxes and penalties. In terms of all of that, it raises the question whether you have the maturity and wisdom to lead this $17 trillion economy. What do you say? ((EDIT)) CARL QUINTANILLA, CNBC ANCHOR (to Carson): Last year, a marketing study called the warehouse retailer the number one gay-friendly brand in America, partly because of its domestic partner benefits. Why would you serve on a company whose policies seem to run counter to your views on homosexuality? Now you can get away with that kind of stuff once in a while, but not if you make it the dominant theme. As for the candidates, nobody screwed up. Donald Trump was largely silent. Ben Carson was his usual polite self, sticking to his traditional point of view. Marco Rubio was fiery and glib. He was hammered by a liberal newspaper in his state for missing votes in the Senate. Here's how he handled that: SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL): In 2004 John Kerry ran for president, missing 60% to 70% of his votes. I dont recall the Sun-Sentinel calling for his resignation. In fact the Sun-Sentinel endorsed him. In 2008 Barack Obama missed 60 or 70 percent of his votes. And the same newspaper endorsed him, again. So this is another example of the double standard that exists between the mainstream media and the conservative movement. Good for Rubio. Jeb Bush was a policy wonk, as was John Kasich. Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee and Rand Paul were populists. Carly Fiorina handled herself well and actually made fun of herself: CARLY FIORINA, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well gee, after the last debate I was told I didnt smile enough(smiles) (crowd cheers/applause). Finally, Ted Cruz was the most conservative of the crew, his usual position. The most surprising development was the lack of air time for Trump. Tomorrow on the Factor we will ask him about that. And that's the memo.
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Much has been said about the feckless nature of the Republican leadership as the primary reason why Mr. Trump is this close to the GOP nomination. That's an element, but not the decisive factor. A broad disenchantment with the direction of America has fueled the Trump campaign. And that can be laid right on the progressive doorstep. With his sweep yesterday, Trump simply needs only to win Indiana next Tuesday to secure the nomination. That will not be easy and he will still need delegates, but it's essentially over if he takes the Hoosier State. There are four main themes that Donald Trump is exploiting. First, illegal immigration. Many powerful progressives like Bernie Sanders and the New York Times are open borders people. They want a European Union situation where anyone can pretty much go where they want. To the far-left, borders are obsolete and anti-poor. Many Americans are horrified by that stance and have watched with anger as U.S. immigration law has been disrespected and even mocked. Trump promises to end all that. Second, economic anxiety. Most Americans know someone who has gotten hammered in the marketplace. Most Americans do not have much money in the bank. Do the math. Trump says he will punish concerns that steal American jobs and are unfair on the trade front. Economic justice is appealing to both the right and the left this primary season, and both Trump and Sanders have capitalized. Third, U.S. weakness. Americans are appalled over the continuing atrocities coming out of the Muslim world. Yes, it is Islamic extremists who drive this, but in country after country horror is on display. President Obama's policy of containment and refusal to define the Islamic jihad as a true danger to the USA has lit a fuse of deep resentment in many American precincts. Trump is not at all sympathetic to the Muslim world. Thus, he has captured the resentment over our perceived weakness. Finally, political betrayal. It is widely perceived that progressive Americans are on the march and traditional folks on the decline. The question where did my country go? captures that. Trump portrays himself as an avenger - a man fed up with political correctness and the social fascism that often brings. His outspoken attacks galvanize Americans who are bitterly disenchanted by a society that puts grievance above achievement, permissiveness above order. After nearly eight years of the most liberal president in U.S. history, millions of voters have had enough of a social system that directly denigrates their values and caters to non-working individuals. They want someone to blow that system to hell. That's why Trump is winning. He pinpointed festering disenchantment long before anyone else. And that's the memo.
The company will take the franchise route to scale up operations and clinic count India-wide

Delhi-based health-tech startup My Family First intends to open 500 Digitally Enabled Smart Health (DESH) clinics in rural areas across the country in the next two years to connect patients in remote villages and towns with medical specialists in the metro cites. The company has already opened 30 DESH clinics across Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Madya Pradesh through the franchising route.

The DESH Clinics comprise Indias first integrated telehealth service. These use digital technology and IoT-based devices to directly connect doctors in cities with patients in the rural hinterland, solving the problem of scarcity of qualified doctors in villages and semi-urban regions.

The DESH Clinics are physical-digital hybrid clinics with the required physical infrastructure and support systems, combined with smart, connected diagnostic devices and an app to support video / audio consultation with doctors who may be located hundreds of miles away.

Ajay Sharma, Co-founder and COO, DESH Clinics, We are on an aggressive growth path and have chosen the franchise model for rapid expansion. We would be opening 500 DESH clinics by the end of 2023 at the rate of 15-20 new clinics each month. Anyone with qualifications in pharmacy, medical lab technology, GNM, ANM, and trained health workers can own and run a DESH clinic with an investment of only Rs 2 lakhs. We have also launched a starter pack for new entrepreneurs. Anyone having a suitable space for consultation and a smartphone can start DESH Sahyogi clinics with an investment of only Rs 5,000."
Many South Africans battle to understand the financial terminology used in the traditional employee benefits industry, according to research conducted by Momentum Corporate.

Qhawekazi Mdikane, chief marketing officer at Momentum Corporate

The different types of annuities that can be purchased at retirement,



Why preserving retirement savings when changing jobs is important,



The differences between pension, provident, retirement annuity and preservation funds, and



The trustees who manage retirement funds.

Through its Digital Benefits Statement research, Momentum Corporate found that financial literacy surrounding benefits is still unequal across income and age groups.The research, which sampled a wide range of South African employees from 2018 to 2021, found that younger generations of employees struggle with their limited exposure to financial terms. On average, the research found a 19% decrease in financial term familiarity between 2018 and 2021, indicating an increasing need to help people understand their financial environment and make better financial decisions on their journey to success.Momentums research found that people who have access to employee benefits, often feel confused and intimidated by the complex concepts and language in the annual communications and statements they receive from their employer and employee benefits provider.The top five most misunderstood employee benefit terms include Pensionable Salary (48%), Trustee (48%), Normal Retirement Date (47%), Underwriting (39%) and the Risk Benefit Salary (35%).To help bridge this gap, Momentum Corporate has launched its website, www.employeebenefitsexplained.co.za , that explains these benefits in a way that is easy for anyone to understand.Chief marketing officer at Momentum Corporate, Qhawekazi Mdikane, says, As an industry, we have to start prioritising the experiences of employees so they can understand, appreciate and engage with their finances in a more meaningful way. When employees feel more empowered and in control of their financial destiny, they tend to be more engaged and productive in the workplace.Mdikane adds that employers should actively encourage their employees to use the resources on the website regardless of their employee benefits provider. It is a resource available to anyone and everyone.The website addresses this industry-wide challenge by explaining employee benefits in plain language. Over 50 important areas are covered, including topics like:Mdikane believes this new platform finally simplifies something that should never have been so complicated in the first place. In addition, the valuable information is available in an accessible digital format: There is a burning need for more digitally-led financial literacy interventions. We live in a digital world. We expect up-to-date, real-time information to be available when we need it, in a format that is easily accessible and understandable. In this day and age, that means accessing information through your phone as many working South Africans dont have access to a laptop.Further development phases will include adding more terms, informative multimedia content, and an interactive functionality where users can post comments, like and share content, and ask experts questions they may have. Mdikane concludes, This is just the beginning of our drive to empower employees to understand their employee benefits. This website provides a good foundation but we are excited for whats to come as to help more South African employees get further ahead on their journeys to success.For more information, visit: employeebenefitsexplained.co.za
NICOSIA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus and France completed a joint air defense exercise on Monday, which aimed at testing the capability of the eastern Mediterranean island's air defense systems, the Cypriot Defense Ministry said in a press release.

It said that as part of the exercise, code-named "Talos 2022," French Rafale planes carried out simulated attack sorties over parts of Cyprus.

"The exercise involved the entry of a formation of fighter aircraft at low altitude ... The main purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the response of the air defense system and to train the personnel of the National Guard in realistic conditions," the press release said.

The exercise was performed on the occasion of the presence of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

The aircraft carrier has taken part in several exercises with Cypriot air and air defense forces as part of a bilateral defense cooperation agreement between Cyprus and France.

The exercise, said the press release, "sends a very positive signal about the willingness of both countries for cooperation in order to strengthen even more the bilateral ties in the domain of security and defense." 
Proudly South African has hailed the fact that for the third consecutive year, President Cyril Ramaphosa made localisation a significant part of his State of the Nation address.

Source: Getty

Import reduction

Proudly South African is a government initiative that seeks to influence local procurement in the public and private sectors, to increase local production and to influence consumers to buy local in order to stimulate job creation.In 2019, Proudly SA appealed to the president to fly the flag by wearing local during his speech, a challenge he accepted. He described his suit, shirt and tie and that he had indeed chosen his wardrobe from local clothing manufacturers. On Thursday, 10 February he once more endorsed local by sporting a suit from Foschini and shoes made by members of the National Union of Leather & Allied Workers.The Foschini Group is a member of the Proudly SA buy local movement and a company of which we are immensely proud. They have reduced their imports to only 28% of their stock, sourcing 72% of their product locally (including suits fit for a president) and aim to produce 30 million pieces of clothing locally in the next four years, said Proudly SA CEO, Eustace Mashimbye.Shoe manufacturing is something we have in the past struggled with in this country, but is now a sector in which companies such as those mentioned by the President, namely Bolton Footwear in Cape Town and Dick Whittington out of Pietermaritzburg, are leading the way in quality, he added.In 2009 South Africans collectively bought 260 million pairs of shoes, of which we produced only 18 million locally. Between April 2017 and March 2018, we imported R3.3bn worth of shoes. Thanks to ongoing DTIC-led industry efforts to save the sector, 2009s 18 million pairs produced rose in 2017 to 75 million with an ambitious target of 100 million pairs over the next few years."Lets not end our localisation conversation now that the SONA speech has been delivered and discussed. Dont let the President be the only citizen to make a concerted effort to wear local. Every single one of us as consumers, can eat, drink, wear, drive, consume and use everyday items that are made locally," Proudly SA said.
The City of Cape Town has signed a financing agreement of R77m with German Development Bank, KfW, to support the implementation of its Water Strategy. The funding will be used in the appointment of expert services to help with institutional restructuring, resource management, water demand management and sustainable wastewater management.

KfW Development Bank sector coordinator for infrastructure and water Jessica De Bruin, Silke Stadtmann, Tanja Werheit, Cllr Zahid Badroodien, citys director for commercial services Siyabulela Bashe and Michael Webster

Safe access to water and sanitation;



Wise water use;



Sufficient, reliable water from diverse sources;



Shared benefits from regional water resources;



Becoming a water sensitive city.

The strategy includes five commitments:"The grand focus areas will additionally enable the city to achieve an internal vision to become the first African city to be a leading water provider of the world and in doing so, provide safe access to quality water and sanitation services, ensure water resilience and create a shared water future for all," said Zahid Badroodien, mayoral committee member for water and sanitation.Achievement of this will be measured by being admitted as a member of the Leading Utilities of the World within the next three years, which would make the city the first African utility to achieve this."Since July 2020, the City of Cape Town has conducted an internal consultative process to detail the scope of eight transversal programmes for KfW support. The programmes are designed to provide a set of practical, implementable and costed initiatives to embed the water strategy into the city, and fully achieve the water strategy commitments and achieve Leading Utility of the World status," said Badroodien.Some of the key programmes that this funding will be used for are water demand management, sewer spills reduction and waste water treatment, etc.
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Every year more than 400,000 children and young people (below the age of 20) around the world are diagnosed with cancer.

Bringing healthcare to the people

Early detection is the key to surviving cancer

Private versus State care

South Africa's public hospitals

Sadly, survival rates depend on geographical location, with an 80% survival rate in most high-income countries, compared to rates as low as 20% in low and middle-Income countries.Unfortunately, despite being defined by the World Bank as a high to middle-income country, South Africa mirrors poor survival outcomes.We reside in a divided landscape, with access to First World standard of healthcare and treatment reserved for those who can afford private medical care. Sadly, the vast majority of our population faces socio-economic and geographical barriers to accessing life-saving treatment, explains Dr Johann Riedemann a clinical and radiation oncologist with a special interest in childhood cancers.Dr Riedemann is part of a national network of more than 150 private oncologists who, under the Icon Oncology banner, are championing better access to quality cancer treatment for all South Africans. One of the ways in which they are achieving this is to invest in state-of-the-art technology which can be used to treat cancer.In radiation oncology, specialist machines called linear accelerators (Linacs) are used to precision-target tumours, destroy cancer cells and limit unwanted toxicity to normal cells. Icon Oncology recently installed a new Linac at the Cape Gate Oncology Unit where Dr Riedemann and his colleagues from Cancercare work to treat cancer patients. These patients include children who previously had to travel great distances to receive treatment in Cape Town.Removing this geographical barrier is a blessing to both parent and child amidst the challenge of cancer.Dr Riedemann explains that early detection and treatment of childhood cancers are important. If detected early, many children can be treated successfully. Research shows that the sooner a child is diagnosed, the better the outcome for the patient. Parents can equip themselves with knowing the warning signs of childhood cancers and when to consult a doctor if these symptoms persist, says Dr Riedemann.Cancer in children is not common, but it is important to have your child checked by a doctor if they have unusual signs or symptoms that persist. These include:* An unusual lump or swelling* Unexplained paleness and loss of energy; associated failure to thrive* Easy bruising or bleeding* An ongoing pain in one area of the body; especially when present or worse at night* Limping without a history of injury or trauma* Unexplained fever or illness that does not go away* Frequent headaches, often with vomiting* Any worsening of visual, cognitive and/or hearing abnormalities* Unexplained weight loss  fits in with failure to thriveKnow when to visit a medical doctor. If you're in the private sector, the first step would be to visit a General Practitioner (GP) or family doctor. If you are concerned about any persistent symptoms, or if your child is not responding to over-the-counter medication, make an appointment with your GP. Children are not mini-adults and if your GP finds reason for concern, they will refer you to a paediatrician.Visit a paediatrician (a medical practitioner specialising in children and their diseases). Paediatricians are trained to identify cancer symptoms in children and will arrange for tests and scans to diagnose a potential cancer.They will also reach out to other specialists who will become part of your childs care team in case of a cancer diagnosis.In oncology, multi-disciplinary teams work together to diagnose and treat our cancer patients. This means that your child will have a team of highly specialised doctors and supporting practitioners who will design a treatment plan that is tailored to the particular cancer and your child, explains Dr Riedemann.If you do not have medical aid, do not ignore persistent symptoms and make sure you visit your closest Department of Health clinic or, if you can afford it, a general practitioner in your area. Come prepared with a list of the symptoms which concern you, point these out to the healthcare practitioner who examines your child.Ask for a referral to a specialist at your closest provincial hospital and make an appointment to see them.Most tertiary provincial hospitals will have paediatric and oncology specialists who can diagnose and treat childhood cancers.Many private specialists work in multi-disciplinary teams with their government and academic colleagues at State or university hospitals. For example, Dr Riedemann has partnered with the Paediatric Oncology Department at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town. We meet regularly to discuss childhood cancer cases and to ensure we share knowledge and keep up-to-date with the latest developments in our field.South Africa boasts the highest level of care in public hospitals in Africa. We have centres of excellence like the Red Cross War Memorial Childrens Hospital in Cape Town, which is regarded as Africas leading centre for postgraduate specialist paediatric and surgical training. Children from all nine provinces are referred here by provincial clinics and hospitals, says Dr Riedemann who was previously a member of this units paediatric brain-tumour consortium.There are also other resources and organisations that help parents of children with cancer. This includes arranging access to treatment, practical support such as transport and accommodation as well as emotional or psycho-spiritual support including counselling and psychosocial services. These are: Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC); Little Fighters Cancer Trust and Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
Damon Galgut's 2021 Booker Prize-winning novel, The Promise, has been included in the shortlist for the Rathbones Folio Prize.

Image supplied: Damon Galgut

Assembly, Natasha Brown

Men Who Feed Pigeons, Selima Hill

Albert and the Whale, Philip Hoare

Small Things Like These, Claire Keegan

My Phantoms, Gwendoline Riley

China Room, Sunjeev Sahota

The Magician, Colm Toibin

The prize, based in Ireland, was established in 2014 and is open to any book  fiction, nonfiction, or poetry  published in the United Kingdom. The winner receives 30,000 and will be announced on 23 March.The other books on the shortlist include:The 2022 Judges are the writers Tessa Hadley, Rachel Long, and William Atkins.Galgut's South African publisher, Fourie Botha, says, South African readers supported this brilliant book even before it won the Booker. After winning the prize, The Promise became the best-selling book in the country. Its shortlisting for the Folio Prize is further testament to its prominence. It's heartening to see great local sales for literary fiction.The Promise is the story of a family, but also of a country, over forty years. In four parts, each one centred on a family funeral in a different decade, the family fights over a piece of land outside Pretoria. In the background, a different president is in power, and a different spirit hangs over the country. At the core of this mesmerising and at times darkly humorous novel is a deathbed promise by a mother that was never kept  a promise overheard by her young daughter Amor.Hailed in the press as one of the world's finest writers, Galgut published his first novel at seventeen and since then his work has been translated into sixteen languages. Two films were made of his book The Quarry. Locally, his previous novel, Arctic Summer, was awarded the Sunday Times Fiction Prize.
As a PR professional, I've worked with many community media across the country in the last 20-odd years. In these years, I've worked on several big projects that include MTN8, the MTN South African Music Awards (SAMAs), the SAICA Thuthuka project, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, to name but a few.

Community media plays a crucial role

Over the years, all these projects have had big budgets when it comes to the execution of marketing and communication campaigns. Yes, I admit that these budgets have now been affected by the economic impact of Covid-19 on most businesses.While doing PR for these projects, we relied heavily on community media and big mainstream media to generate coverage. As much as we receive coverage from mainstream media, we found that the ratio of interviews, stories published or even media attendance at our events was never equal. We received most of our publicity from community media, and therefore I feel that these media houses need to be supported in the form of advertising as much as the mainstream media.Because community media play such a crucial role in getting the word out there for campaigns run by most businesses in the country, it is also essential to understand that they are also a business. Like any other media house, they have operating costs that include paying rent for the premises they use, salaries or stipends, stationary and any additional costs involved in running either a newspaper or a community radio station.As PR people, every time we needed favours for coverage  we would go to our community media contacts to help us out, and they would always be happy to oblige. This is because most of them are looking for great content, but most importantly, they valued our relationships with them.However, I always felt bad asking for favours when I knew that every time we ran these big campaigns, they were almost an afterthought when it came to allocating advertising or media buying budgets. I understand that the priority for most businesses is reach  the more people you can reach at one go, the better.This is precisely why in most cases; much of the advertising budget would go to the big mainstream media such as SABC TV or radio as well as the big newspaper houses; because they can give organisations large numbers when it comes to readership/ listenership. Because community media play a crucial role in getting the news out there  I feel strongly that they also need to be supported for the role they play.I always made an example to media buying houses that if a campaign has about R1,3m in advertising budget  why couldnt they spend the R1m with the big mainstream media because I know that their advertising rates are much higher; but then split the R300,000 among smaller community media. For a community media house, even R50,000 makes a difference to their monthly advertising targets  every little cent counts. I am amazed by the resilience of most of my community media contacts, especially those that own their print or online newspapers and local radio stations.Some have been running for more than 15-years; most of them have been covering my stories since and have managed to survive despite all the challenges that they face, including Covid. They have over the years become my role models and are the ones that motivated me to start my own business, but most importantly, gave me the courage to persevere for the last decade.These are community heroes that should be celebrated and supported because they are also role models to students studying journalism or any courses in the communication or media space. Most radio presenters doing very well in big mainstream radio stations were groomed by community media  this alone says a lot about the contribution they make in this space.Because I feel so passionate about the empowerment of the local or community media industry, I would like to plead with large organisations in government and private sector and their media buying agencies to please support community media. They play a crucial role in telling stories of most organisations and teaching people in various communities about the countrys issues affecting their lives on a daily basis.
Faye Mfikwe, chief marketing officer, First National Bank

The brand must originally have been created in South Africa and be owned by an enterprise listed on JSE or a credible stock exchange.



For private brands originated in South Africa, their complete financial statements must be available in the public domain.

In the current times of working smarter not harder, brand managers constantly have their feelers out for better ways to win consumers hearts, minds, and wallets . Its a fine balance because in a stretched economy, value is more than a price point. It also encompasses trust and convenience.Thats why brand value today requires a rehash to ensure emotional value for money. Because its not necessarily the cheapest product that is selected. This is a clear marketing win for those who have put in the time and effort over the years to make a mental mark, as its easier to reinforce an existing association by reminding consumers of what they already know than it is to start building a new one.Time and again, the global Kantar BrandZ data has proven those brands that continue to invest in building a strong brand are the ones that grow faster. First National Bank is winning at this in South Africa, with its repeat performance as top brand in the fourth Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable South African Brands ranking, based both on strong investments in digital innovation pre-2020 and in showing strong consumer understanding in the face of the pandemic.With a brand value of $2.7bn, in a year that saw extreme volatility in banking and financial services globally, First National Bank also stood out most for functionality in 2021, for creating a good range of well-designed products and services.Meeting the basic needs of consumers is summarised by two attributes: offering a good range of well-designed products or services and innovating as necessary to meet changing expectations. While most of the global leading brands perform well in these areas, Amazon and Samsung are especially distinctive for in retail and consumer tech, based on overall brand functionality strength.Switching focus to South Africas most valuable brands, Faye Mfikwe, chief marketing officer, First National Bank, commented on their stellar functionality at the Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable South African launch: When we continually strive to deliver against our purpose, which is underpinned by a promise of help, this recognition talks to how the market and our customers perceive us to have shown up as a brand through the difficult times that customers have had to navigate. Were stepping into a data-driven, platform-based future that enables peer-to-peer capabilities, scaling this up to allow customers and businesses to interact directly on our digital platform with limited middle-men intervention.This platform strategy allows customers to engage via assisted interfaces like points of presence, call centres and relationship bankers or unassisted interfaces like mobile banking through USSD, online banking, the app, ATMs, and ADTs. Regardless of the interface, the platform used in all interactions is the same.At the crux of this is the banks use of technology to enhance the delivery of relevant financial solutions that minimise the angst associated with traditional banking, covering everything from banking-from-home solutions, such as in-app payment and cashless transactions, along with safer banking channels and meaningful value through the award-winning eBucks rewards programme.Given the current economic climate and consumer context, FNB has also strived to help ease the financial burden by cutting basic banking costs and implementing cashflow relief measures, as well as waivers of fees and restructuring loans.To help start-up businesses and sole proprietors, the FNB First Business Zero account carries no monthly account fees, free electronic transfers, free payment notifications and Cash@Till withdrawals, unlimited free POS card swipes, inter-operable QR code for accepting payments and a linked Savings Pocket to ring-fence savings and earn interest.The FNB Banking App is at the centre of this platform strategy. With 4.2m active users on the app as of June 2021, this richer functionality is expected to attract more eyeballs and interactions. A key highlight of the app includes a virtual card, with more than 500,000 activated to date and approximately R1bn in spending value.Theres also the navMoney financial GPS, which offers its 2.1m users a snapshot of their net worth and helps them track spend and view credit scores; navHome, which has paid out approximately R26.8bn in loans since inception, with 970 current listings and estate agent functionality; nav Car, which lets you list a vehicle in minutes with an instant value estimate, having renewed and delivered over 70,000 license discs and helped customers pay over 200,000 fines on-the-go; and the new nav Care solution, where customers can donate cash or eBucks to good causes in less than 60 seconds.Then theres the tutorial-packed Fundaba business education app, launched in 2019 to provide free interactive entrepreneurial e-learning via videos, podcasts, quizzes, templates, and tools to set up businesses for success. All delivered through a trusted digital platform, this showcases how the FNB brand has redefined functionality to include compassion, empathy, and innovation.But banks are by some distance the most valuable category in the Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable South African Brands ranking, comprising 28.6% of its total value. South African banks have been notably supportive of consumers during the pandemic. The largest brand in the banking category, FNB has been showing a softer side with its #Changeables campaign, which encourages South Africans to make changes to secure a better financial future:This ties in with the fact that South Africans want to live in a more sustainable world, and they want brands to help them consume in a socially and environmentally responsible way thats affordable. Brands therefore need to look for ways to profit with purpose, creating products and services that dont merely fill functional needs, but do so in a way that preserves the planet for future generations. Because the four fundamental areas of brand building that drive consumer demand in the digital-first era are experience, function, convenience, and exposure.Mfikwe explains: We develop and deliver solutions from the viewpoint of the customer, not just the product. Its underpinned by our core purpose of being a helpful brand  we help our customers achieve their desired outcomes by helping them to help themselves, helping them to manage their money and navigate life.At FNB, brand-building is therefore a deliberate and concerted effort, anchored on the core purpose of help: We understand that a strong brand is an investment in terms of how it can contribute to the bottom line. Our brand-building initiatives are an investment in that having a strong and relevant brand in the market helps us to resonate with customers and generate greater shareholder returns, while also providing resilience during downturns in the market and quicker return to growth when things improve. This has been very prevalent over the last two years, with the pandemic and other market constraints.To ensure that we are able deliver on this promise over the long-term, our brand-building initiatives require consistency and agility considering the ever-changing climate in which we operate. The way our customers and employees have understood our brand to be during market shifts, is the same way our brand needs to deliver against expectations. Learn more from South Africas most valuable brands, with a focus on how to build strong brands and engineer for growth in 2022 and beyond. Also reflect on SAs most valuable brands from 2018 to date and what the top brands have been up to in the last year.Bonus lesson: Download our comprehensive guide to brand equity and growth.Kantar BrandZ is the global currency when assessing brand value, quantifying the contribution of brands to business financial performance. Kantars annual global and local brand valuation rankings combine rigorously analysed financial data, with extensive brand equity research. Since 1998, BrandZ has shared brand-building insights with business leaders based on interviews with 4 million consumers, for 18,000 brands in 51 markets, including opinions from 31,335 South African consumers on 660 brands in 47 categories. The ability of any brand to power business growth relies on how it is perceived by customers.Grounded in consumer opinion, Kantar BrandZ analysis enables businesses to identify their brands strength in the market and provides clear strategic guidance on how to boost value for the long-term. The eligibility criteria are:
Can you believe, the year just started and already we are halfway through February.

Time really does fly and by the time we check, we will be celebrating Christmas and wishing each other a Happy New Year, again.

For about three years now, I have stopped doing New Year's resolutions and instead replaced it with a Gratitude List. Every month I write down daily things that I give God thanks for, as simple as waking up, to the big achievements. I started this because I realised that I was a complainer and did not want to continue that trajectory in my life.

Each year I look back at the list and give God thanks for the year gone. I invite you all to do the same as life can just pass by without us ever remembering the accomplishments, small mercies, obstacles, and those things we thought impossible, which we eventually overcame.

One tradition I have kept however, is seeking the Lord regarding my year ahead, to direct my focus on what is important. Yes, I have goals I want to achieve, and yes, I keep dreaming. But above all I know God knows my future, and I want to know from Him what posture I should take in the year ahead.

Keep Pressing

In the year past many of us would have started new journeys, new careers, new academic pursuits. While many of us in reflection would realise, we are still searching, still in the process of accomplishing some goals, still trying to sort ourselves out. I currently fall in the latter category and for a while felt despondent.

God however, in the book of Luke chapter 18 verses 1 - 8, sought to encourage me as I sought Him for the year to come.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, Grant me justice against my adversary.For some time, he refused. But finally, he said to himself, Even though I dont fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she wont eventually come and attack me!And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you; he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

This passage of scripture was a great reminder and inspiration for me, and I am hoping it will be the same for you who are reading. It came at a period, where I was thinking about all the things I have been praying about (some for years) yet had not seen any change.

I was in a mode of questioning, Whats the point?

Why continue to pray about this thing when nothing seems to be changing?

Longsuffering God

The woman who kept going to the judge must have known that he was neither God fearing nor cared what people thought. Yet she kept going back. The judge described her actions as bothering and considered her persistence dangerous and out of fear of being attacked - granted her justice.

Oh, how righteously different is our God!

It is so comforting to know that the God we pray to, the God we have communion with, the God that shares our burdens is faithful.

The book of Numbers chapter 14 verse 18 says, The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

Our God, unlike this judge, is not bothered by our persistence in prayer, he is not fearful of our constant surrender and request in His presence. On the contrary, He desires it. He wants to constantly hear from us and to daily meet with us and commune with us in our times of prayer.

He says, And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you; he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

Faint Not!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As I have been encouraged, I encourage you, do not stop praying. Stay at His feet, continue to visit your secret place and continue to make your request known unto God. He has instructed that if we ask, we shall receive, if we knock, the door will be open, if we seek, we will find.

And we know that the Lord is not slack on his promises, and so we can approach His throne with confidence knowing that He hears and understands every care, every weight, every anxiety, and He will not turn His face from us.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Luke 18:1

My prayer for the people of God in this season is for strength. Strength to continue in prayer regardless of not yet seeing them fulfilled and for inner renewal; to continue daily to seek His face and be transformed as we meet with our Creator.

Faint not, keep praying.
Another Sunday, and Bidens national security adviser is at it again making the rounds on the big network news shows, warning the Russian invasion will invade Ukraine any day now  at this point a familiar refrain weve heard for multiple weeks running

We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day now  that includes this coming week, before the end of the Olympics, Jake Sullivan told CNNs Jake Tapper.

This latest round of breathless White House proclamations and predictions of the Russians are coming! began in earnest Friday afternoon when the administration told reporters that Putin has made the decision to launch a large military offensive.

US officials anticipate a horrific, bloody campaign that begins with two days or aerial bombardment and electronic warfare, followed by an invasion, with the possible goal of regime change.  Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) February 11, 2022

Multiple countries have now followed Washingtons lead in drawing down embassy and diplomatic staff from Ukraine to get people out of harms way  with the latest over the weekend being Australia. This is what the alarmism and panic emanating from the White House has wrought

The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has ordered the evacuation of the Australian embassy in Kyiv, warning the situation in Ukraine has reached a dangerous stage. Australias foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, says the government has directed the departure of embassy staff to a temporary office in Lviv, with the buildup of Russian troops on the border. The situation is deteriorating and is reaching a very dangerous stage, Morrison said on Sunday.

This is the latest in a growing list of countries withdrawing embassy personnel including Israel, the UK, the Netherlands, Latvia, Japan and South Korea.

But the all-important and central question thats not being asked is once again: whats the view from Kiev? What is the Ukrainian governments reaction to the latest White House statements on the crisis? How about the President of Ukraine himself?

#BREAKING Ukraine leader Zelensky says warnings of Russian invasion 'provoking panic', demands to see firm proof pic.twitter.com/ZoBndyL3BU  AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 12, 2022

Kiev is not too happy, and is demanding proof from US intelligence backing the new dire allegations that Russia is poised to go in:

There has been too much information about a full-scale war with Russia  even specific dates have been announced. We understand there are risks. If you have any additional information regarding the 100 percent guaranteed invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 16 February, please give it to us, Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Saturday.

Naturally, Ukraines leaders are trying to calm the panic which Washington pronouncements and the Western media echo chamber have created

Zelensky said he did not believe in the danger of a full-scale war at the moment. I have to speak to the public with real information at hand. We receive information from many sources. We also have an intelligence service. I dont think that its any worse than the intelligence services of other countries, he noted.

Warnings of Russian invasion stoking 'panic' says Ukrainian President: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that warnings of an imminent Russian attack on his country were stoking "panic" and demands to see firm proof of a planned invasion. pic.twitter.com/cEuwEUrLpA  worldnews24u (@worldnews24u) February 13, 2022

And a fresh report from NBC News taken from the streets of Kiev suggests that many common Ukrainian citizens, too, can see through the hype:

Now, as the West warns a fresh attack is a distinct possibility as soon as next week, many in Kyiv arent convinced. I dont believe that Russia is going to invade Kyiv. The situation is wound up from both sides, Oleksandr Bovtach, 55, told NBC News. The West and Putin are playing each others nerves. Although some are wary of an invasion, few are preparing for that possibility.

And notably a number of longtime Russia observers and mainstream journalists living on the ground in the region are beginning to have serious doubts

I admit. I have not seen The Intelligence. But there's never been a time when my understanding of Russia  my 15 years of reporting on Russia and Ukraine  has been so at odds with what the U.S. government says about Russia and Ukraine. I hope I'm right, and they're wrong.  Simon Shuster (@shustry) February 11, 2022

As one foreign policy analyst observed Saturday, the situation ironically remains that Everyone is predicting war between Russia and Ukraine except Russia and Ukraine.

Biden and Zelensky are expected to hold a phone call Sunday, where its likely the Ukrainian leader will ask for Biden for firm evidence backing the latest White House alarmist claims. This will likely be a repeat of the last call they held: Biden and Zelensky last spoke last month and it did not go well, a senior Ukrainian official told CNN at the time, amid disagreements over the risk levels of a Russian attack.
Good-government organizations and voters filed the lawsuit in 2017, claiming that the absence of paper ballots compromises the election. This comes amidst the efforts of the Biden administration urging the court not to allow the release of a secret report on the Dominion Voting Machines.

A so-called computer glitch in the voting machines flipping votes during the 2020 US Elections has caused a major controversy. The source and ownership of the voting machines used in the elections has become an urgent issue because of real fears that hackers, whether foreign or domestic, might tamper with the mechanics of the voting system.

According to the witness affidavit of a high ranking military officer the Smartmatic Voting machines were specifically designed to steal US elections in a way that the system could change the vote of each voter without being detected in order to steal US Elections.

Now, high ranking officials from a federal cybersecurity organization in the United States are requesting a judge not to disclose a study analysing Dominion Voting Systems equipment in Georgia at this time, claiming that doing so could aid hackers attempting to undermine election security.

J. Alex Halderman, director of the University of Michigan Center for Computer Security and Society, subsequently gave an unredacted copy of the report to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

According to the government, the paper highlights potential vulnerabilities in Dominion ImageCast X ballot marking devices, or electronic voting systems.

Whereas CISA promotes pubic disclosure of any flaws and related mitigation procedures with electoral equipment, permitting the report to be released now increases the risk that malicious actors may be able to exploit any vulnerabilities and threaten election security, according to government attorneys in a Feb. 10 filing (read the document below) in the matter.

Good-government organizations and voters filed the lawsuit in 2017, claiming that the absence of paper ballots compromises the election process.

CISA requested U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg, an Obama nominee in charge of the case, to deny efforts to publish a redacted copy of Haldermans findings for the time being.

Before the report is provided, CISA authorities want to evaluate the data in it and assist Dominion in resolving the flaws highlighted. They stated that they would not be prepared to specify a completion date.

Totenberg must balance the request with the intentions of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican and one of the defendants, who urged for the immediate publication in late January.

In a statement issued by Raffenspergers office, John Poulos, Dominions CEO and president, said Haldermans investigation lacked a holistic approach, adding that Dominion supports all efforts to bring real facts and evidence forward to defend the integrity of our machines and the credibility of Georgias elections.

Plaintiffs, such as the Coalition for Good Governance, are also in favour of the reports publication, according to David Cross, one amongst their lawyers.

Before a copy was submitted to CISA, the plaintiffs stated in a filing that the agency should receive a duplicate and commence the examination procedure, but also that the assessment should not be should not unreasonably delay the public disclosure of the report, which must be promptly disclosed to Georgia state and county election officials, and filed on the public docket, so that public officials can secure the upcoming May primary elections.

They urged Totenberg to compel them to submit a redacted copy of the report on the docket by March 4 so that it could be read by the public.

Read the full court filing below:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning to invoke the "Emergencies Act" in a bid to shut down nationwide peaceful protests against covid mandates.

Protesters built a professional stage today at the corner of Wellington and Metcalfe where they are now having a concert. This is after Ontario Premier Doug Ford introduced tougher fines and possible jail times for protesters behind blockades. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/XFS3baAkNF  Stephanie Taylor (@StephTaylorCP) February 12, 2022

JUST IN - Canada's PM Trudeau to invoke never-before-used federal emergency powers in response to nationwide protests, CBC reports.  Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 14, 2022



From Trudeau plans to invoke Emergencies Act in response to protests: sources:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has told his caucus he plans on invoking the never-before-used Emergencies Act to give the federal government extra powers to handle the protests across the country, according to sources.



Those sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said the prime minister will inform the premiers of his decision this morning.



The Emergencies Act, which replaced the War Measures Act in the 1980s, defines a national emergency as a temporary "urgent and critical situation" that "seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians and is of such proportions or nature as to exceed the capacity or authority of a province to deal with it."



It gives powers to the prime minister to respond to four different types of emergency scenarios: public welfare (natural disasters, disease), public order (civil unrest), international emergencies and war emergencies.



The act grants cabinet the ability to "take special temporary measures that may not be appropriate in normal times" to cope with an emergency and the resulting fallout during an "urgent and critical situation."



It gives the government extraordinary  but time limited  powers. The act is still contingent on Parliament's approval and subject to the protections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.



Jack Lindsay, an associate professor in the applied disaster and emergency studies department at Brandon University in Manitoba, said one of the first steps is for the government to show that the state of affairs constitutes an emergency.



"They're gonna have to basically prove that first hurdle, that it is a national emergency," he said.



"He's basically going to be arguing that these truckers are basically creating a threat to the security of Canada."



Under the act, the government is prohibited from taking control of police forces, said Lindsay.



"They do have the grounds to regulate and prohibit public assembly and travel and then regulate or prohibit the use of specific properties," he said.



"I suppose they could put out regulations about where semi-trailers are allowed to park overnight, for example. They can designate protected places like the Ambassador's Bridge or something."



The government can also order or direct any person to render services with compensation, said Lindsay, which could in theory be used to tow trucks blocking streets downtown.



In a meeting with the Liberal caucus on Monday morning, Trudeau said there were no plans to deploy the military, according to the sources.

He wants to force tow truck operators to tow these protesters' trucks against their will.



Doug Ford is ramping up the threats as well:





Doug Ford: "If you choose to use your vehicle to create chaos, you will lose that vehicle and your licence" pic.twitter.com/KWSfPIWhJD  The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 14, 2022



The RCMP "sabotaged" three excavators parked on private land by having their "wires cut," their "filters removed" and "spray foam" put up their fuel lines.







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You know that feeling when youre riding a fancy brand-new rollercoaster and youre literally being smashed and banged around from side to side and never know what to expect next? Well, as cheesy as it sounds, I can think of no better analogy to describe my college experience  a rollercoast
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I have embarked on a series of conversations about Brandeis Jewish identity with various groups across the university. My goal in having these discussions is to lead our community toward a better understanding of our history and to reaffirm the principles underlying our trailblazing founding: a commitment to academic rigor; the welcoming of all academically qualified students regardless of background, religion, or beliefs; and the honoring of our commitments to the American Jewish community, which established the university in 1948.

From the start, Brandeis was animated by a set of values rooted in Jewish history and experience, including a reverence for learning, critical thinking that requires reflection and expects self-criticism, and a commitment to repairing the world through ones talents and actions. Over the past seven decades, these values have become universal across most of higher education. It is now Brandeis challenge to once again set the example for higher education in how to be an open and inclusive institution of excellence for higher learning.

Like many universities, nonprofits, and corporations, Brandeis is committed to achieving greater institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This typically includes addressing and countering the many forms of hate and injustice still perpetrated in our society against African Americans, Latinx people, Asians and Asian Americans, Native Americans, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

To succeed now and into the future, Brandeis must be clear in its messaging about where Jews fit into this work. There are many examples of how efforts to advance inclusion elsewhere have excluded Jews and, worse, have assigned to them identities based on stereotypes rooted in demeaning antisemitic tropes that originated millennia ago.

Ironically, in those cases where DEI programs at universities exclude Jews, there is an undermining of attributes they seek to advance: diversity and inclusion across a universitys entire community and a celebration of diversity within the communitys groups.

Jews are hardly a monolithic group, despite how they are viewed on many university campuses. There is remarkable diversity within the Jewish world, beginning with the secular-religious continuum; the multiple visions of Zionism, each with distinct historical and philosophical legacies; and the extraordinary cultural diversity among the Ashkenazi (Jews predominantly from Eastern Europe), Sephardi (Jews who were banished from Spain in the 15th century), Mizrahi (Jews from North Africa, the Levant, Iran, and Yemen  most expelled after 1948), and other Jews of color (mostly from Ethiopia). In addition, there is the cohort of Jews by choice  individuals who have converted to Judaism  who represent a distinct and growing voice among the Jewish people.

To recognize Jews more deliberately in DEI work would also help counter the increasing prevalence of antisemitism on many university campuses. The increase in the number of antisemitic acts in general, and on campuses in particular, was affirmed in the recent Pew Research Center study Jewish Americans in 2020. Though some will claim that antisemitism is not as evident or problematic on the Brandeis campus as it is elsewhere and therefore should take a back seat to fighting other forms of hate, we must remind ourselves that we are educating our students for a lifetime, not solely for their four-year experience in Waltham. They need to be prepared for life beyond Brandeis, when they are likely to encounter nuanced and sometimes not-so-nuanced forms of Jew-hate.

Including Brandeis history and the universitys relationship to the American Jewish community in our new students orientation and in our faculty and staff onboarding process would help explain aspects of the university that often confuse newcomers and work against our goals of inclusivity. Not being aware of this history has left many on campus feeling disconnected and unable to tap into all that a Brandeis education offers. Jews themselves would benefit from understanding the institutions history and being part of a broadened approach to DEI. The dominant Ashkenormative understanding of the meaning of Jewish continues to evolve  becoming more inclusive in the United States and Israel, and right here at Brandeis in our Near Eastern and Judaic studies curriculum  yet many American Jews remain unaware of this change.

These conversations about Brandeis relationship to its Jewish founding pose critical questions about the universitys identity with which we must grapple as a community. I invite you to share your reactions and ideas with me. As we look ahead to the universitys future, I will continue to rely on alumni and friends like you to wrestle with difficult and complex issues.

Best regards,

Ronald D. Liebowitz

rdlreply@brandeis.edu
The latest developments on ongoing protests against COVID-19 restrictions and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government, in Ottawa and various locations across Canada. All times Eastern:

The latest developments on ongoing protests against COVID-19 restrictions and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government, in Ottawa and various locations across Canada. All times Eastern:

11:30 p.m.

An organizer with the Ottawa convoy says plans to relocate trucks tomorrow will, in fact, go ahead.

Tamara Lich tweeted the note hours after denying any deal and vowing to stay downtown until federal vaccine mandates are eliminated.

The mayor's office said earlier that Freedom Convoy organizers had agreed to the city's demands to confine their protest activities to an area around Parliament Hill in exchange for a meeting with Jim Watson.

The mayor said trucks had to be out of residential areas by noon Monday in order for the meeting to go ahead.

---

10 p.m.

Organizers of the convoy protest in Ottawa are telling demonstrators to stay put despite a missive from the mayor's office suggesting they'd agreed to leave residential areas by noon Monday.

Jim Watson's office said this afternoon that Freedom Convoy organizers agreed to the city's demands to confine their protest activities to an area around Parliament Hill in exchange for a meeting with the mayor.

It released a letter it said was from convoy board president Tamara Lich, indicating protesters would comply and begin moving to their new locations on Monday.

But on Twitter, Lich now says there's "no deal" and prominent protester Pat King claims, without providing evidence, that the letter originated with counter-protesters.

---

6:25 p.m.

Police say a blockade of a border crossing in southern Manitoba has grown.

RCMP estimated last week there were 50 semi-trailers, farm vehicles and passenger vehicles that had blocked off access to the border, expect for emergency vehicles and livestock trucks.

Today, they say there about 75 vehicles, although they note the number fluctuates as protesters arrive and depart.

Police say all four lanes of Highway 75 at Provincial Road 200 north of the border remain blocked.

They say emergency vehicles, including police vehicles, as well as some agriculture transports continue to have access through the blockade, but otherwise no traffic is flowing in the area.

Police are advising motorists to expect substantial delays, noting officers are also reporting blizzard conditions.

---

6:20 p.m.

RCMP say police disabled three excavators they believe were on their way to a truck blockade that's shut down the U.S. border crossing at Coutts, Alta.

Cpl. Troy Savinkoff says police intercepted the heavy equipment on the highway north of the protest, and he says officers told them to turn back.

He says they did, but the excavators then parked on the side of the road and police suspected they planned to continue on to the protest.

Savinkoff says he doesn't know what police did to disable the vehicles.

He says police issued dozens of tickets yesterday to vehicles involved in the protest, most of which he says were issued under the province's Traffic Safety Act and other laws relating to road safety.

The Canada Border Services Agency said Saturday that services at the busy crossing were suspended, and Savinkoff said the status was the same on Sunday.

---

5:40 p.m.

Four people have been arrested for mischief at the protest against COVID-19 mandates near the Pacific Highway Border Crossing in Surrey, B.C.

The highway remains blocked off by police on 176 Street and its feeder routes, but RCMP say some of the vehicles and protesters who stayed on the street overnight have now packed up and left the area.

Though the RCMP say in a release that the "border crossing remains closed," the Canadian Border Services Agency has confirmed it is still open, but suggests travellers use a different crossing if possible.

---

5:35 p.m.

Two outgoing members of the special forces are facing a military investigation over their alleged involvement in the protest in Ottawa.

Maj.-Gen. Steve Boivin, commander of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, says the first case came to the attention of senior leaders on Feb. 1, and another case on Feb. 10.

In each case, Boivin says the member is in the process of being released from the Canadian Armed Forces.

He says disciplinary investigations have started for both.

A third soldier is also subject to allegations, but Boivin says that person is not a member of the special forces.

Boivin's statement says if the allegations are accurate, the soldiers' actions are wrong and go against the military's values and ethics.

---

5:10 p.m.

More arrests have been made in connection to the days-long protest near the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont.

Windsor Police Chief Pamela Mizuno says officers have made between 25 and 30 arrests, seized five vehicles today and towed seven vehicles yesterday.

Mizuno says the police service's focus is to reopen roadways, but officers are trying to do so in a "safe and sustainable" way.

She says police are still working on their operational plans, but their main goals are to restore traffic flow in the area and reopen the bridge.

Mizuno says there will be criminal consequences for those who interfere with or interrupt traffic flow in the area by the bridge.

---

3:45 p.m.

The mayor of Ottawa says the city has struck a deal with protesters who have jammed downtown streets for more than two weeks that will see them move out of residential areas in the next 24 hours.

Jim Watson's office says Freedom Convoy organizers have agreed to the city's demands to confine their protest activities to an area around Parliament Hill.

A letter to convoy board president Tamara Lich says Watson will agree to meet with demonstrators if trucks and other vehicles taking part in the ongoing protests are out of residential neighbourhoods by noon on Monday.

A response from Lich indicates protesters will comply and begin moving to their new locations on Monday.

The letter says organizers will spend the next 24 hours "working hard ... to get buy-in from the truckers" who flooded the capital to voice their opposition to public health measures put in place to combat COVID-19.

Watson's letter to protesters says residents are "exhausted" and "on edge" due to the demonstrations and warns that some businesses teetering on the brink of permanent closure because of the disruptions.

---

2:50 p.m.

Surrey RCMP says drivers should expect traffic congestion as the main route to the Pacific Highway crossing over the Canada-U.S. border remains closed.

Police say there is no access to 176 Street from 8th Avenue, 0 Avenue is blocked at 184 Street to westbound traffic and 172 Street is blocked at 8th Avenue to southbound traffic.

They're advising drivers and pedestrians to avoid the area and use other border crossings, but say officers are working with residents to keep the neighbourhood near the border accessible for local traffic only.

---

2:30 p.m.

Police are starting to march down Tecumseh Road in Windsor in an attempt to move protesters out of the area near the Ambassador Bridge.

Protesters are confronting police, shouting the words Shame on you! and honking from their vehicles.

Police have made some arrests, though there was no immediate word on how many people were taken into custody.

Some are also singing O Canada.

Police officers on foot and in cruisers are still blocking access to Huron Church Road, where a stretch of the roadway was the site of a protest that shuttered the U.S.-Canada border crossing for nearly a week.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has indicatd the border will reopen to traffic when police and border officials decide it's safe to do so.

---

12:45 p.m.

The main route to the Pacific Highway border crossing in Surrey, B.C., remains closed following Saturday's protest against COVID-19 mandates.

Saturday's demonstration saw some vehicles break through RCMP barricades and begin driving the wrong way down the road.

Highway cameras showed a line of RCMP vehicles blocking the highway near the border today, though protesters appear to have dispersed for now.

The Canadian Border Services Agency says the Pacific Highway port of entry remains open, but travellers are being advised there may be delays due to blockades in the area.

It is encouraging people to use other border crossings if possible.

---

12 p.m.

Police in Fredericton say they dealt with a few minor offences as the protest near the provincial legislature moved into a third day, though things were largely uneventful.

Public Information Officer Alycia Bartlett issued a statement this morning saying police made one arrest for breach of the peace and issued a by-law ticket for fireworks.

She says police also intervened with a personal drone flying around the protest site yesterday.

At 10:30 pm local time last night, Transport Canada issued a notice for a 4.8-kilometre radius around the area, restricting personal, remotely piloted aircraft from flying around the protest site.

---

11:20 a.m.

The mayor of Windsor says the blockade that shuttered the Ambassador Bridge border crossing for nearly a week is over.

Drew Dilkens issued a statement saying the crossing that links Windsor and Detroit will reopen as soon as it's safe to do so, noting police and border agencies will be tasked with making that call.

Police cleared several protesters from the site earlier in the morning.

They say they arrested nearly a dozen people and laid several charges, mostly on counts of mischief.

Dilkens offered thanks to law enforcement officials for their help in ending what he described as a "national economic crisis" caused by the border closure.

---

9:40 a.m.

Police are telling people gathered in a gas station parking lot near the intersection of Huron Church Road and Tecumseh Road to leave or they will be arrested and ticketed for trespassing.

The intersection is currently blocked off by several officers, two armoured vehicles, a transit bus and City of Windsor vehicles as police respond to the so-called freedom convoy protest near the Ambassador Bridge border crossing between Canada and the U.S.

This comes after police made some arrests in relation to the protest, though details were not immediately available.

Police are telling the public to avoid the area.

---

8:30 a.m.

Windsor police say enforcement actions are underway once again at the site of an ongoing protest against COVID-19 public health measures at the Ambassador Bridge, where traffic between Canada and the U.S. has been halted for days.

There is a heavy police presence on Huron Church Road, near the entrance to the bridge.

Police are not letting anyone else near the stretch of the road where the protest was taking place.

They say vehicles are being towed.

A drone is rapidly flying above and honking horns can be heard in the distance.

Police have started marching down Huron Church Road away from the protest site, with two armoured vehicles and some other vehicles behind them.

---

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2022
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Former U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the Biden administration over its handling of North Korea, at an event in South Korea that included as a guest speaker former Vice-President Mike Pence.

FILE - Then U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the North Korean side of the border at the village of Panmunjom in Demilitarized Zone, on June 30, 2019. Former President Trump has criticized the Biden administration over its handling of North Korea, insisting that the country's spree of missile tests in recent weeks wouldnt have happened if he was still in office. Trump spoke in a recorded video message that was screened on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at a church forum. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Former U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the Biden administration over its handling of North Korea, at an event in South Korea that included as a guest speaker former Vice-President Mike Pence.

Several former leaders and top officials participated virtually or in-person at the weekend event in Seoul jointly sponsored by the Cambodian government and the Universal Peace Federation, an organization linked to the South Korea-based Unification Church, a religious group known for its mass weddings and global business and media interests.

Pence, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon were among those who attended the event and spoke in person.

Trump appeared in a recorded video message that was screened on Sunday at the forum.

He alleged that a recent return to escalation that has seen North Korean leader Kim Jong Un launch missile tests would never have happened if I were president.

He also urged North Korea not to undertake any actions that could endanger what he described as the unique opportunity that we worked so hard to create together over the past four years.

The North resumed tests of shorter-range weapons threatening U.S. ally South Korea while Trump was in office in 2019. The year before, Kim had unilaterally suspended the testing of nuclear explosives and intercontinental-range ballistic missiles.

Trump met Kim three times during his presidency. Their diplomacy never recovered from the collapse of their second meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for a major release of U.S.-led sanctions in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

North Korea kicked off 2020 with ramped-up testing activity, conducting seven rounds of missile launches in January alone.

Experts say the North could increase weapons demonstrations after its ally China finishes hosting the Winter Olympics in Beijing, as it attempts to move the needle with the Biden administration, which has offered open-ended talks but shown no willingness to budge on sanctions.

During his speech at the weekend gathering, Pence said deepening relations between China and Russia are posing increasing threats to their democratic neighbors, according to the forum organizers. He also called for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the statement read.

While in Seoul, Pence met with South Korean conservative presidential candidate, Yoon Suk Yeol, as well as foreign policy advisers to the rival ruling party of Lee Jae-myung. The U.S. politician exchanged views on North Korea, according to campaign officials with from both camps.
Harrisonburg, VA (22807)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 80F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The golden rule of casinos is that the house always wins. But when a multibillion-dollar cash bid, like Blackstones offer, comes along - it isnt just major backers like James Packer who clean up.

It starts with Crown chief executive Steven McCann. The new cleanskin CEO was almost reduced to tears at last years Victorias royal commission into Crown Melbourne. Just five weeks into the job he was grilled over how he was going to overhaul Crown, which was widely considered no longer fit to hold its Melbourne and Sydney casino licences.

But McCann, the former boss of property giant Lendlease, ensured there were suitable safeguards to protect him if a takeover occurred when he signed on for the challenging and high-risk role in June last year.

Crown Resorts CEO Steve McCann giving evidence to Victorias royal commission into the casino giant on July 6, 2021.

The financial engineering means the one-off grant of 400,000 performance rights McCann received over shares worth $5.24 million will automatically vest if the Blackstone offer is successful.
Novak Djokovic has said he is willing to sacrifice more trophies, even at Wimbledon and the French Open, if tournament organisers insist he be vaccinated against COVID-19 to compete.

Speaking to the BBC after he was deported from Australia last month, Djokovic said had already accepted that his decision to not be vaccinated meant he might have to forgo competing at Melbourne Park.

Novak Djokovic looks at his documents after landing in Belgrade in January. Credit:AP

When asked if he was willing to forgo taking part in Wimbledon and the French Open, he said: Yes, that is the price that Im willing to pay, he said.

I was never against vaccination, he said, adding that he did not want the jab because of his careful management of everything that goes into his body as an elite athlete.

Read the full article from Latika Bourke here.
Former footballer Jarryd Hayne has had his convictions for sexually assaulting a woman quashed on appeal and will face a retrial.

Hayne, 33, was convicted last year of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent after he was found guilty of assaulting a woman, then aged 26, with his hands and mouth in September 2018 in an incident which left her bleeding from the genitals.

Jarryd Hayne pictured outside court last year. Credit:Louise Kennerley

A jury returned the verdicts in a second trial, after the first ended with a hung jury. Hayne was jailed for five years and nine months, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.

On Monday, the Court of Criminal Appeal ordered that the convictions be quashed and Hayne face a retrial. He is due to make an application for bail in the District Court on Tuesday.
A helicopter pilot fighting bushfires in Tasmanias north has died after the aircraft he was flying crashed in a paddock on Monday afternoon.

Police and emergency services were called to Pipers Brook, in the states north-east, about 3.20pm following reports of an aircraft crash near Lebrina.

The pilot, a 41-year-old man from northern Tasmania and the single occupant of the helicopter, was critically injured and died at the scene.

He had been subcontracted to assist ground crews by water bombing hotspots on the fires edge along Pipers Brook Road.
Children who first come in contact with child safety at the age of 10 could be in the criminal justice system all their lives, former police commissioner Bob Atkinson has told a parliamentary committee as it considers a bill to raise the criminal age.

A committee has heard further debate over the bill to raise the criminal age from 10 to 14 in Queensland, introduced by Greens MP Michael Berkman.

Bob Atkinson believes it was important to consider the challenges 10-year-old children face when coming from a dysfunctional family.

Mr Atkinson, who is also the co-chair of the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council, was one of many who contributed to the Report on Youth Justice in 2018 in an effort to keep children out of court and custody.

About 35 per cent of children whose matters were finalised in the Queensland Childrens Court in 2016 and 2017 were aged 10 to 14. This was the highest proportion of all Australian jurisdictions.
A woman has been found dead, covered in blood and with wounds on her arms on Valentines Day afternoon at a Queensland resort, as her partner fronted court over her death.

Police declared a crime scene at a resort on Mahogany Drive in Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast after 46-year-old Vanessa Godfrey, from Burpengary, north of Brisbane, was found dead.

About 3.35pm, a staff member of the resort attended the room and found her body, police allege.

Ms Godfrey has been remembered online as a beautiful person.
Ten new cases of COVID-19 have been detected at Doubleview Primary School in Perths northern suburbs.

Parents initially received notification on Friday that there had been one positive case, but since then cases have been confirmed in Year 1/2, Year 2 and Year 5 classrooms.

A COVID cluster has been identified at Doubleview Primary School. Credit:Department of Education

The positive cases attended school during their infectious period between February 9 and 11.

We are working closely with WA Health to identify and contact staff and students who were in close contact with the case, parents have been told.
Unions and Rio Tinto disagree about how well miners put in seven-day isolation for COVID-19 are being cared for and a plastic box of goodies is at the centre of the argument.

Workers at Rio Tintos West Angelas iron ore mine in WAs Pilbara who must isolate for seven days will receive a care pack that includes, among other things, a kettle, tea bags, packet noodles and a sheet of exercises.

While the unions regarded the pack as inadequate Rio Tinto said it was just a small part of the care it provided workers in isolation.

Miners who test positive to COVID-19 and their close contacts must isolate on site for seven days. Credit:WMMA

AWU WA Branch Secretary Brad Gandy said the packages were a joke.
The public servant who was investigated by police over the $30 million Leppington Triangle purchase has accused the Auditor-General of unreasonable conduct and misleading Parliament over the audit of the controversial land deal.

The audit report released in September 2020 found the federal government had paid $30 million in mid-2018 for land near the Western Sydney airport that was valued at $3 million a year later.

Auditor-General Grant Hehir. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Part of the deal was an agreement to rent the 12 hectares back to the previous owners  the Leppington Pastoral Company owned by billionaire brothers Tony and Ron Perich  which led to the second valuation being done.

Auditor-General Grant Hehir took the highly unusual step of referring the matter to police, telling a parliamentary committee he was concerned the Commonwealth may have been defrauded.
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Japanese man threatens to shoot down Vietnam aircraft without motive
The battle of the independents in Health Minister Greg Hunts electorate has descended into chaos, with a new Voices Of candidate endorsed in Flinders, setting up a contest over Climate 200 campaign funding.

Dr Sarah Russell, preselected by Voices of Mornington Peninsula on Sunday after its original candidate pulled out and a rival opted to run on her own, described the situation as a clusterf--- but said she wanted to serve locals.

Dr Sarah Russell is running as the Voices candidate in Flinders but is unsure if she will have Climate 200 fund backing.

I want Voices of Mornington Peninsula to be its own thing, the aged care researcher and climate activist said.

I feel like were all becoming a bit of a brand. The things that matter in the Peninsula are not like in Goldstein. There are pockets of social disadvantage here that often get forgotten.
The Queensland government is finalising plans for the construction of 10 luxury cabins  complete with flushing toilets  in sensitive forest overlooking a perched lake in the Cooloola area.

The bid to swap tents for tiny houses in Great Sandy National Park follows high-level talks about the need for Queensland to provide tourists with something new.

The type of cabin proposed by the company CABN for Lake Poona. Credit:Facebook CABN.

But the choice of Lake Poona for the project has horrified conservation groups and privately angered senior Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service officers.

It has also reignited the debate over the role of the private sector in national parks as the government pushes ahead with its Great Walks ecotourism expansion strategy.
House hunters looking to enter the Sydney property market now need more than $320,000 just to afford the deposit for the citys median house price.

With houses in the Harbour City selling for a median of just above $1.6 million last quarter, on Domain figures, the standard 20 per cent deposit has skyrocketed to a sizeable sum that would secure buyers a house outright in other parts of the country.

Its cheaper to buy a house in Cootamundra, in regional NSW, than it is to save a deposit for a Sydney home. Credit:Flemings Cootamundra

While the six-figure sum wont stretch as far as it used to  with prices booming across much of the country  it could still cover the median house price in parts of other capital cities and regional markets.

Heres what a Sydney house deposit can get you across the country:
Hong Kong: Hong Kong is being overwhelmed by an onslaught of COVID-19 infections, its leader says, as the health crisis threatens to overwhelm hospitals and upend its COVID zero strategy.

Hong Kong and mainland China are among the few places in the world still aiming to suppress every COVID-19 outbreak, but the Omicron variant has proven tough to control and is piling pressure on a stretched healthcare system.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Credit:AP

Daily infections have multiplied 13 times over the past two weeks, from about 100 cases at the start of February to at least 1530 COVID-19 cases on Monday, broadcaster TVB said, sending authorities scrambling to control the deepening outbreak.

As the caseload soared, Hong Kongs leader Carrie Lam issued a statement on Monday saying her administration would co-ordinate with Chinese officials to tackle the aggravating situation, although deaths in the Chinese controlled global financial hub remain far less than similar-sized cities since the pandemic erupted two years ago.
Berlin: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is flying to Ukraine and Russia this week in an effort to help defuse escalating tensions as Western intelligence officials warn that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is increasingly imminent.

Scholz has not explicitly said what kind of consequences or sanctions Russia would have to face if it invades Ukraine, but it is clear that the future of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline that seeks to bring Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine, is at stake.

The controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline runs under the Baltic Sea and circumvents the need to pipe about a third of Russias gas exports to Europe through Ukraine and pay transit fees. Credit:AP

US President Joe Biden threatened last week that the pipeline would be blocked in the case of an invasion. Standing next to Scholz in the White House, last week Biden pledged if Russian tanks roll into Ukraine, there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2.

The 1230-kilometre-long natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, running from Russia to Germanys Baltic coast, will double the capacity of an earlier Nord Stream pipeline to 110 billion cubic meters of gas a year and sidesteps Ukraine and Poland, which would lose transit fees.
London: Londoners have been urged to hop over to Heathrow and board a flight to Australia as Tourism Australia and the federal government launch a campaign to woo back holidaying Britons.

But new data, provided exclusively to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, suggests that travellers from Britain are in no hurry to visit Bondi or trek the Great Ocean Road: survey respondents ranked Australia last among the destinations they planned to visit, behind North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

Tourism Australias new campaign lights up Piccadilly in Central London, February 14, 2022. Credit:David Parry

Australia is set to reopen its borders to tourists on February 21 for the first time since they were closed in early 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ahead of the reopening, Tourism Australia has taken out advertising space on the giant digital billboard on Piccadilly Circus in central London. The ad features a kangaroo standing on a golden-sand beach at Crowdy Bay National Park in NSW alongside the slogan Come and say Gday.
I dont think we would say that Putin has motivations that have dramatically changed over the decades of his rule, Klain said. Putin is doing things that will preserve his power, extend his rule, make his rule more secure, and will enrich himself and the oligarchs that help him to maintain his power. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping met at closer range in Beijing just before the start at the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics. Credit:AP And it will not help that goal, Klain argues, if the Russian people see Ukraine, a former Soviet Republic with a largely Slavic people and deep historical and cultural ties to the motherland, flourish as a functioning Western-style democracy. There is no doubting the Russian autocrats propensity for aggression; he attacked the former Soviet republic of Georgia in 2008, defeating the Georgians in just five days, and continues to occupy areas of the country.

In 2014, Putin ordered the Russian invasion and annexation of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea while launching the proxy war in the countrys eastern provinces that has so far cost 14,500 lives, including those of the 38 Australians killed in the first year of the conflict when a civilian aircraft  flight MH17  was shot down by a Russian-supplied missile. Loading Further afield, the ongoing Russian military intervention in Syrias bloody civil war saved the regime of strongman Bashar al-Assad while periodic shows of force have seen Russian ships on exercises with ASEAN nations navies in south-east Asian waters late last year and long-range bombers appear in the skies around Britain as recently as Wednesday. Klain argues that the official justification from Putins Kremlin for the latest act of intimidation  that Russia is threatened by a potential eastern expansion of the US-led NATO alliance with Ukraine as a member  is a smokescreen.

The threat of the new invasion  is not about what Putin and the Kremlin had said, that its the spectre of NATO and the West encroaching and threatening Russia. NATO has no desire to invade Russia, NATO is not threatening Russia. Its the other way around. Klain points out that Russias war against Ukraine in the east of the country began only after its pro-Kremlin president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in 2014 by a pro-Western pro-democratic Revolution of Dignity. [Putin] started all of this when Ukrainians declared quite loudly that they saw a path to prosperity by becoming Western and democratic and no longer being so firmly in Moscows orbit. Thats at the core of what this is about. But Klain warns that a Putin-ordered all-out assault on Ukraine would not yield the political benefits he has reaped in the past from pushing his smaller neighbours around.

There is no second Crimea. The kind of massive boost in public opinion that Putin got after capturing Crimea, that is not going to happen again, Klain said. But Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, which has been reporting closely on the crisis since December, suggests that Putin might reach into the bag of tricks he has developed over the years to keep his adversaries guessing. Loading Russian military aggression short of a full-scale invasion, even including an extensive air campaign ... gives Putin the initiative and creates uncertainty about how Putin will ultimately resolve the crisis, the Institute wrote this week.

Putin has used this approach to great effect in Syria and elsewhere. It opens room for much debate and disagreement about responses among the United States, its European allies and Ukraine. Professor Michael Wesley of the University of Melbourne, one of Australias leading foreign policy analysts, also believes Putins recent behaviour should be viewed through the lens of Russian domestic politics and the leaders standing among his own people. Professor Wesley believes Putins build-up of forces around Ukraine is motivated in part by a desire to put Russia  and himself  centre stage of the global conversation, which has been dominated in recent years by China and President Xi. I think theres a strong perception within Russia that Putin is returning Russia to the centre of world power politics, and we saw that quite powerfully when he became involved in the Syrian civil war, Professor Wesley said.

There was a sense in Russia that were back at the big table were calling the shots. Marko Pavlyshyn, emeritus professor of Ukrainian Studies at Monash University, says Russians have been unhappy with Putins handling of the pandemic. Russian officials have been accused of drastically downplaying the human toll of the coronavirus. Credit:AP Loading More than 625,000 Russians have died of COVID, a figure that is considered to be an underestimate, and the cost of living has soared. And while opposition figure Alexander Navalny remains in prison, authorities have been busy in the past year quelling protests by his supporters and other dissenters.
Thiel has started articulating his thinking publicly, recently headlining at least six conservative and libertarian gatherings where he criticised the Chinese Communist Party and big tech companies and questioned climate science. He has taken issue with what he calls the extreme dogmatism within establishment institutions, which he said had sent the country backward. Peter Thiel, a supporter of Donald Trump, has a deep interest in challenging conventional thinking. Credit:Evan Vucci At an October dinner at Stanford University for the Federalist Society, he spoke about the deranged society that a completely deranged government had created, according to a recording of the event obtained by The New York Times. The United States was on the verge of a momentous correction, he said. My somewhat apocalyptic, somewhat hopeful thought is that we are finally at a point where things are breaking, Thiel said. Thiel, 54, has not publicly said what he believes about the 2020 election. But in Trump, he sees a vessel to push through his ideological goals, three people close to the investor said. The two men met recently in New York and at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Thiel also funded an app company run by John McEntee, one of Trumps closest aides, two people with knowledge of the deal said.

Unlike traditional Republican donors who have focused on their partys winning control of Congress and the White House, Thiel has set his sights on reshaping the Republican agenda with his brand of anti-establishment contrarianism, said Steve Bannon, Trumps former chief strategist. I dont think its just about flipping the Senate, said Bannon, who has known Thiel since 2016. I think Peter wants to change the direction of the country. I will take QAnon and Pizzagate conspiracy theories any day over a Ministry of Truth. Peter Thiel Thiels giving is expected to make up just a small fraction of the hundreds of millions of dollars that are likely to flow through campaigns this cycle. But the amounts he is pouring into individual races and the early nature of his primary donations have put him on the radar of Republican hopefuls. In the past, many courted the billionaire Koch brothers or Sheldon Adelson, the late casino magnate. This year, they have clamoured for invitations to Thiels Los Angeles and Miami Beach homes, or debated how to at least get on the phone with him, political strategists said.

Thiel personally vets the candidates he gives to, said three Republican strategists, who declined to be named for fear of retaliation. In addition to Harriet Hageman, the challenger to Cheney, he is backing Joe Kent and Loren Culp, both of whom are running against House Republicans in Washington state who voted to impeach Trump. He also gave to a political action committee associated with Senator Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican, who is not up for reelection this year. Thiel has attracted the most attention for two $10 million donations to Senate candidates Blake Masters in Arizona and J.D. Vance in Ohio. Like Thiel, the men are tech investors with pedigrees from elite universities who cast themselves as antagonists to the establishment. They have also worked for the billionaire and been financially dependent on him. Masters, the chief operating officer of Thiel Capital, the investors family office, has promised to leave that job before Arizonas August primary. Thiel, who declined to comment for this article, announced last week that he would leave the board of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, which conservatives have accused of censorship. One reason for the change: He plans to focus more on politics. A Moneymans Evolution Born in West Germany and raised in South Africa and the San Francisco Bay Area, Thiel showed his provocative side at Stanford in the late 1980s. Classmates recalled Thiel, who studied philosophy and law, describing South Africas apartheid as a sound economic system. (A spokesperson for Thiel has denied that he supported apartheid.)

Thiel also helped found The Stanford Review, a conservative campus paper that sought to provide alternative views to what he deemed left-wing orthodoxy. In 1995, he co-wrote a book, The Diversity Myth, arguing that the extreme focus on racism had caused greater societal tension and acrimony. Rape, he and his co-author, David Sacks, wrote, sometimes included seductions that are later regretted. (Thiel has apologised for the book.) In 1998, Thiel helped create what would become the digital payments company PayPal. He became Facebooks first outside investor in 2004 and established the venture capital firm Founders Fund a year later. Forbes puts his fortune at $US2.6 billion. As a venture capitalist, Thiel branded himself as a contrarian. He published philosophical essays, often dark musings on politics, technology, Christianity and globalization. In one 2009 piece, Thiel, who called himself a libertarian, wrote that he had come to no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible, arguing that American politics would always be hostile to free-market ideals, and that politics was about interfering with other peoples lives without their consent. Since then, he has hosted and attended events with white nationalists and alt-right figures.

His political giving evolved with those views. He donated lavishly to Ron Pauls 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns before turning to candidates who were more extreme than the Republican establishment. In 2013, Curtis Yarvin, an entrepreneur who has voiced racist beliefs and said democracy was a destructive system of government, emailed Thiel. Yarvin wrote that Cruz, then a newly elected senator, needs to purge every single traitor from the Republican Party. In the email, which The Times obtained, Yarvin argued that it didnt matter if those candidates lost general elections or cost the party control in Congress. Thiel, who had donated to Cruzs 2012 campaign, replied, Its relatively safe to support Cruz (for me) because he threatens the Republican establishment. Thiel used his money to fund other causes. In 2016, he was revealed as the secret funder of a lawsuit that targeted Gawker Media, which had reported he was gay. Gawker declared bankruptcy, partly from the costs of fighting the lawsuit. Loading

In July 2016, Thiel appeared at the Republican National Convention to proclaim that he was proud to be a gay Republican supporting Trump. He later donated $1.25 million to the candidate. After Trump won, Thiel was named to the president-elects executive transition team. At a meeting with tech leaders at Trump Tower in Manhattan in December 2016, Trump told Thiel, Youre a very special guy. A month later, Thiel, a naturalised American, was revealed to have also obtained citizenship in New Zealand. That prompted a furor, especially after Trump had urged people to pledge total allegiance to the United States. During Trumps presidency, Thiel became frustrated with the administration. There are all these ways that things have fallen short, he told The Times in 2018. In 2020, he stayed on the sidelines. His only notable federal election donation was to Kris Kobach, a Trump ally and former secretary of state of Kansas known for his hard-line views on immigration. (Kobach lost his primary bid for the Senate.)

Thiels personal priorities also changed. In 2016, he announced that he was moving from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The next year, he married a longtime boyfriend, Matt Danzeisen; they have two children. Thiel reduced his business commitments and started pondering leaving Metas board, which he had joined in 2005, two of the people with knowledge of his thinking said. At an October event held by a conservative tech group in Miami, he alluded to his frustration with Facebook, which was increasingly removing certain kinds of speech and had barred Trump. I will take QAnon and Pizzagate conspiracy theories any day over a Ministry of Truth, he said. A Meta spokesperson said the company valued and had benefited from Thiels contributions. Thiel reappeared in political circles. In August, he bought a $US13 million mansion in Washington from Wilbur Ross, Trumps commerce secretary. In October, he spoke at the event for the Federalist Society at Stanford and at the National Conservatism Conference.

Thiel rebuilt his relationship with Trump. Since the 2020 election, they have met at least three times in New York and at Mar-a-Lago, sometimes with Masters or Vance. And Thiel invested in McEntees company, which is building a dating app for conservatives called the RightStuff. Thiels political giving ramped up last spring with his $US10 million checks to PACs supporting Vance and Masters. The sums were his biggest and the largest ever one-time contributions to a PAC backing a single candidate, according to OpenSecrets. Like Trump in 2016, Vance and Masters lack experience in politics. Vance, the venture capitalist who wrote the best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, met Thiel a decade ago when the billionaire delivered a lecture at Yale Law School, where Vance was a student. Vance later worked at Mithril Capital, one of Thiels investment funds, before opening his own fund in Ohio, Narya Capital, in which Thiel is an investor. Vance took home more than $US400,000 in salary from Narya in 2020 and the first half of 2021, according to financial disclosures. Masters met Thiel when he was a Stanford law student in 2012 and the investor taught a class on startups. The two later co-wrote a bestselling business book, Zero to One. In 2020, Masters reported more than $US1.1 million in salary from Thiel Capital and book royalties.

Vance, Masters and their campaigns did not respond to requests for comment. Both candidates have repeated the Trumpian lie of election fraud, with Masters stating in a November campaign ad, I think Trump won in 2020. They have also made Thiel a selling point in their campaigns. In November, Vance wrote on Twitter that anyone who donated $10,800 to his campaign could attend a small group dinner with him and Thiel. Masters offered the same opportunity for a meal with Thiel and raised $US550,000 by selling nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, of Zero to One digital art that would give holders access to parties with me and Peter. Loading Thiels backing has prompted other tech investors to support the two candidates. Sacks, the co-author of The Diversity Myth and now an investor, hosted a fundraiser for Vance. Joe Lonsdale, a venture capitalist, held one for Masters.

Thiel has also made smaller donations to Trump loyalists, including in September to Hageman and Patrick Witt, a former Trump administration official running for a House seat in Georgia. His backing may not be enough. In Ohio, Vance trails in polling, partly hampered by a previous denunciation of Trump. In Arizona, Masters is competing in a crowded field. Some Republicans worry that Thiel is arming candidates who are too extreme with financial firepower, fuelling what could be politically detrimental primary races. You have to nominate candidates who can win in the fall and not just damage everyone on the way, said Scott Reed, a longtime Republican strategist. Loading
Bryan, OH (43506)

Today

Rain this morning with thunderstorms by evening. High 63F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
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FMCG firm Adani Wilmar, which got listed last week, on Monday reported 66% jump in consolidated net profit at Rs 211 crore for the quarter ending December 31, 2021. It reported net profit of Rs 127 crore in the year-ago period.

The company's consolidated revenue from operations rose 40% to Rs 14,379 crore as compared to Rs 10,229 crore in Q3FY21.

is a 50:50 joint venture company between Ahmedabad-based and Singapore's Wilmar group.

At 1330 hours on Monday, the company's scrip on BSE was trading 2% higher at Rs 389.30.

Angshu Mallick, Managing Director and CEO, Limited said: We have been able to continue our business performance in line with what we have been able to showcase in the recent past. As we go forward our focus will be to grow our food business so that it can contribute reasonably well in our overall basket."

The company has a diversified product portfolio offering most of the primary kitchen essentials including edible oil, wheat flour, rice, pulses, besan and sugar with market leading positions across products. AWLs flagship brand 'Fortune' reaches 90 million households, indicating that 1 out of every 3 household consumes a Fortune product, the company said.

Fortune is also the largest selling edible oil brand in India. AWL has 22 plants in India that are located across 10 states, comprising 10 crushing units and 19 refineries.





has raised Rs 3,600 crore through its Initial Public Offer (IPO), which hit the capital market on January 27 and closed on January 31.

The IPO was subscribed more than 17 times. Retail investors subscribed 3.92 times their part of allotted shares.

The proceeds of the public issue will be used to fund capital expenditure, reduce debt and for acquisitions as the company seeks to become India's biggest food and FMCG company.
Over $12.7 million belonging to the (AAI) have been seized again  this time on orders of a court in Switzerland.

A Swiss court has passed an order to seize the amount held by the International Air Transport Association on behalf of AAI on an application by Deutsche Telekom, a minority shareholder in Devas Multimedia.

Three Mauritius-based shareholders of Devas Multimedia had secured the seizure of AAI and Air Indias dues from a Canadian court in November and December. Subsequently in January, the Superior Court of Quebec in Canada set aside the seizure of AAI dues and limited the seizure of dues to 50 per cent.

But before the funds could be released and remitted by IATA to AAI, an order was passed in a Swiss court to attach the dues. The dues consist of route navigation charges collected by IATA from foreign airlines on behalf of AAI.

For quashing of the seizure order in Switzerland, AAI is following the legal course as provided under Swiss laws, including the diplomatic channel, AAI said in its response. The matter is still sub judice, it added.

 (DT) is lawfully pursuing enforcement of a recognized international arbitration award against India based on the Germany - India investment protection agreement. As these are ongoing proceedings, we do not wish to comment further, a company spokesperson said.

The development comes even as the Supreme Court of India last month upheld the winding up of Devas Multimedia. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman later described the Antrix-Devas deal as a fraud against the country.

We will now take this SC order, and make sure that justice is served on international fora, Sitharaman had said a day after the apex court judgment.

In January 2005 Devas Multimedia entered into a 12-year agreement with Antrix Corporation. The agreement provided that Antrix would lease 70 MHz of electromagnetic spectrum to Devas for providing broadband wireless services within India. Between 2008 and 2009 DT invested $97.2 million in Devas Multimedia for a 19.62 per cent stake in the company. In 2011 the government scrapped the contract on security grounds.

Subsequently, Devas and its Mauritian and German shareholders filed arbitration claims against the Indian government.

In May 2020 the permanent court of arbitration in Geneva ruled in Deutsche Telekoms favour, awardingit a compensation of $135 million for cancellation of the Devas contract. Last April it filed a petition in a district court in the US seeking confirmation of compensation awarded to it.
Ilker Ayci, former chairman of Turkish Airlines, will lead as its chief executive officer and managing director.

The airlines board met on Monday to confirm the appointment, which will be subject to regulatory approvals. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran was a special invitee at the meeting.

Ayci took over as the chairman of Turkish Airlines in 2015 and under his watch the airline has become a mega carrier connecting 328 destinations in 128 countries with a fleet of 373 aircraft.

In 2014 it flew to 261 destinations in 108 countries with a fleet of 261 aircraft. The airlines transition to a new hub in Istanbul, wide body aircraft orders and growth of cargo business also happened in his tenure.

Born in Istanbul in 1971, Ayci studied political science, public administration and international relations. He began his career in 1994 and was an advisor to Recep Tayip Erdogan Turkeys current president and then mayor of Istanbul. He then served in the insurance sector and in 2011 became the president of Turkeys national investment promotion agency.

In a statement, N Chandrasekaran, said, Ilker is an aviation industry leader who led Turkish Airlines to its current success during his tenure there.

Working closely with my colleagues at and the leadership of the Tata Group, we will utilize the strong heritage of to make it one of the best airlines in the world with a uniquely superior flying experience that reflects Indian warmth and hospitality, Ayci said in a statement.

On social media, the Tata groups decision generated mixed responses including those pointing to Aycis closeness to Erdogan and Turkeys pro-Pakistan stand at different forums.

Industry experts however welcomed the move. Aycis appointment is a positive development. It indicates that the Tatas are looking not just at a turnaround but at growth. Turkish Airlines has become a successful long haul airline in the face of stiff competition from West Asian airlines. It also has a successful cargo and MRO business. As its chairman Ayci would have had a 360 degree view of the entire aviation ecosystem and that would be his biggest strength, said Rohit Tomar, managing partner of Caladrius Aero Consulting.
In a fresh twist to the long-drawn share dispute between SpiceJet's Ajay Singh and the airline's former promoter Kalanithi Maran, Maran and his KAL Airways rejected a new settlement offer by in on Monday.

Maninder Singh, a senior advocate from Karanjawala & Co, who appeared on behalf of KAL Airways said that as per the arbitral award, will have to pay them Rs 920 crore and the settlement offer proposed by the airline is not acceptable for his client. The court, after hearing the submissions, listed the matter for arguments on March 2. Last week, the had asked Maran and KAL Airways to consider the offer by .

SpiceJet had said in a statement that it 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 had claimed that of the principal amount of Rs 578 crore awarded in arbitration, it had already paid Rs 308 crore in cash and deposited a bank guarantee of Rs 270 crore.

According to Karanjawala & Co, "The offer proposed by Spicejet was that the airline is willing to give Rs 300 crore towards a full and final settlement of the dispute and the matter finally gets settled with no further litigation, or; Out of the Bank Guarantee of Rs 270 crore deposited with High Court, Spicejet will give Rs 100 crore for now "

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 for 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. In July 2016, the high court (HC) asked Maran and Singh to set up an arbitration tribunal.

The arbitration tribunal consisting of three retired judges from the SC - Arijit Pasayat, Hemant Laxman Gokhale, and K S P Radhakrishnan - had rejected the damages claim of Maran and KAL Airways against SpiceJet in 2018. In 2020, the HC asked the airline to submit Rs 243 crore to Maran on the issue and the airline got a stay from the SC in November 2020. Maran went before the apex court to lift the stay on a Delhi HC order.

In January, the Madras HC 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 SC now.
Rebel Foods, the worlds largest internet restaurant company, is scaling up operations of building and running virtual restaurant brands in India and globally, with rising adoption of its services amid the (Covid-19) pandemic.

Mumbai-based Rebel Foods, and Indias master franchise for US fast-food giant, Wendys, have reached a new milestone with opening 28 new locations in 9 new Indian cities. Enabling the expansion of the brand in India with its cloud kitchen model, Wendys is now available across 16 cities and delivers in 75 locations across the country. Accelerating this growth further, Rebel Foods will further develop and operate approximately 200 Internet Restaurants in the next two years.

Rebel Foods' forte lies in scaling a well-known brand and providing culinary excellence with the Rebel Operating System. Through our network, we have been able to rapidly scale the brand across the country at far lower levels of capital, a localized menu keeping in mind customer preferences has added more value, said Ankur Sharma, co-founder, Rebel Foods. Our customers are constantly reaching out to us to bring Wendy's in their cities and we will continue to expand across the length and breadth of the country, for India to have a bite of Wendys.

One of the most ambitious associations for the brand, Rebel Foods, opened its first Wendys cloud kitchen in New Delhi in December 2020 and currently runs 75 Internet Restaurants across India. The 16 cities where the brand is now present through the Rebel networks are Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Lucknow, Noida, and Chandigarh. The other locations include Amritsar, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Panchkula and Zirakpur. Wendys has been able to reach new locations and customers in India in a short span on the Rebel ecosystem and its abilities to scale brands quickly and easily on the Rebel Operating System.

Apart from delivery being a secular trend, and the ability to ensure a consistent, quality customer experience, we think what the pandemic has added is an element of safety, said Sharma. And this is where technology plays a huge part. Our operating system helps touch all these three touch points and hence, the growth weve witnessed with Wendys recently.

Wendys is available in the sixteen cities through platforms such as EatSure App, EatSure web, and .

Globally, we are expanding and opening (cloud kitchens) in new locations in Indonesia, in UAE and hopefully another couple of international (markets) during the course of this year, said Sharma. We are also penetrating deeper into the existing markets.

Founded in 2011, Rebel Foods is parent to brands such as Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Ovenstory Pizza, Mandarin Oak, The Good Bowl, SLAY Coffee, Sweet Truth, Wendys and more. With over 450 kitchens across 70 cities, Rebel Foods has developed their full-stack technology - Rebel OS - through which multiple brands are launched and scaled up in a very short period. Through the Rebel Launcher, powered by Rebel OS, the company has launched over 25 brands. Rebel Foods currently operates over 45 brands across 10 countries - India, Indonesia and United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah). The other countries include the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.

Hopefully we will be able to get another couple of international brands in our portfolio very soon, said Sharma. There are a lot of conversations which are happening and there is a lot of interest in this kind of model.

The capital for such expansion is also coming from last years funding in October, where Rebel Foods became the countrys 31st unicorn after it raised $175 million in a Series F round led by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar with participation from existing investors Coatue and Evolvence. This round catapulted the company to a unicorn status with a valuation of $1.4 billion, up from about $800 million in 2020.

Globally, Rebel Foods competes with Taster in France, Keatz in Germany, co-founder Travis Kalanicks start-up City Storage Systems and London-based Karma Kitchen.

Food delivery firms themselves such as DoorDash, Eats, Deliveroo, and had also entered the cloud kitchen space.

In India, it also competes with Foods, the food business arm of the SoftBank-backed ride-hailing firm Ola, which has expanded to a network of technology-enabled kitchens. had expanded its network of cloud kitchens to serve more customers. The firm also recently announced expansion plans of its quick commerce service- Dash. In the next six months, Ola Dash aims to expand its dark store network to 500 dark stores spread across 20 cities, making it the largest dark store network in India. The term dark store refers to a retail outlet or distribution centre that caters exclusively for online shopping.

The idea is not to differentiate ourselves from anybody at all. Till the time we are serving the customer-first missions and doing it in the right manner, I think we are doing our job, said Sharma. We believe that our operating system has to be super robust, with not only software technology, but also hardware technology to make the lives of our employees simpler and ensure great safety, hygiene and consistency of the food across the board. That's what we are focusing on.

Analysts said that key internet economies, namely e-tail, eHealth, FoodTech, Online Mobility, and Billpay and Recharge experienced a downward spiral during Covid, but re-emerged much stronger and shocked us with commendable post-Covid recovery. An expanding and maturing user base that is increasingly satisfied with internet services has further propelled the growth of internet-based businesses.

Indias journey to a $1 trillion consumer internet economy has been a unique story of multiple internet sectors such as e-tailing, e-health, foodtech, online mobility, and quick commerce, coming together to create a strong foundation for a consumption-led economy, said Anil Kumar, CEO and founder of consulting firm RedSeer, at a recently conducted event by the firm, Ground Zero 6.0. The ongoing journey from digital-first to digital forward was a result of multiple internet sectors having shown strong momentum post-Covid.

It has been estimated that Indias internet economy is surging ahead with over 50 per cent year-over-year growth in 2021, and is poised to be a staggering $1 trillion economy by 2030, according to a new report by RedSeer.

This healthy expansion is being fueled by a rapidly increasing internet penetration rate, high-speed internet access, and increased online shopping and digital content consumption.
In its first quarterly after listing on stock exchanges, Limited (AWL) has registered a net profit of Rs 211 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021. A joint venture between Adani Group of India and Wilmar Group of Singapore, AWL's consolidated revenues for the quarter stood at Rs 14,379 crore in the financial year 2021-22.

According to the edible oil and foods major, the net profit was up by 66 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) while revenues rose by 41 per cent QoQ amid its growing food business.

"We have been able to continue our business performance in line with what we have been able to showcase in the recent past. As we go forward our focus will be to grow our food business so that it can contribute reasonably well in our overall basket," Angshu Mallick, Managing Director and CEO, Limited said.

During the quarter, AWL achieved an overall sales volume of 1.26 million metric tonnes (mmt) of which food as well as fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) vertical achieved volumes of 0.17 mmt in Q3 of FY'22, even as the company added five new Fortune Mart stores.

The third quarter saw AWL commissioned an additional Oleochemical (Oleo) plant with a capacity of 400 tonnes per day (tpd) at Mundra, thereby doubling the total capacity to 800 tpd, making it the largest single location Oleo plant in India.

With the strategy to grow its food basket, AWL also commissioned a 150 tpd Chana Besan (gram flour) plant in Nagpur and a 50 tpd soya nuggets plant in Haldia. Moreover, as part of its growing foothold across South-East Asia, AWL acquired Bangladesh Edible Oil Limited (BEOL), by taking 100 per cent stake in Pte Ltd (AWPTE), a holding company of BEOL.

AWL scrip, which got listed at Rs 221 per share on BSE on February 8, closed at Rs 376.40 per share on Monday, down by 1.21 per cent or Rs 4.60 apiece.
As marketing director in Maruti Suzuki (then called Maruti Udyog) in the early 1980s, I wrote to Rahul Bajaj, requesting him to intervene and get an out of turn allotment of coveted Bajaj scooters for our workers because the product had a long waiting-list. Bajaj promptly responded but the answer was an emphatic no, saying sorry, we cannot give any priority to Maruti. To me that was the quintessential  transparent, outspoken, and not ready to bend the rules. He was a true nationalist who believed in the make in India story.

He might have been the most vocal member of the so-called Bombay Club in 1993, but in retrospect, what he was saying was right. Then we were all pushing for reforms, fast-tracking decisions, etc. but probably I was a little wrong. What Rahul was asking for was a level playing field for domestic industry so that it did not have its hands tied while competing with global players. He was not against competition. And that is the essence also of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India. Rahul was also talking of removing hurdles for domestic industry.

Our first interactions were in meetings at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). We also went together to countries such as the US, the UK, and Russia. The first time I went to Davos was with him and soon we became close friends. He would call me and my wife for dinner at his house in Pune, where you were served the best Marwari food (I am a vegetarian and so was he. That was another reason for our hitting it off). Our relationship strengthened because he was close to Naresh Chandra, who was my batchmate in the Indian Administrative Service, and the three of us would meet at the Taj Palace, where he would always stay in a suite when he was in Delhi. However, with Covid-19 breaking out, our physical meetings stopped because he seldom moved out of Pune.

During the battle between the government and Suzuki on control, he supported our stand, but also asked why the Japanese should have so much in India and why domestic could not build things themselves.

He kept away from giving stakes in his company to foreign players. So he did not move quickly to get four-stroke technology for two wheelers, which was more fuel-efficient (which only Honda had but it wanted equity and Bajaj refused though it had a technical collaboration, signed in 1986, with Kawasaki for two-stroke engines). But that provided the Munjals of Hero, which tied up with Honda with equity participation, an opportunity to overtake Bajaj in terms of volumes. But it was not a matter of having the right or wrong strategy for Rahul; it was a matter of belief.

But while he might have lost the top position in terms of market share, if you look at the financial ratios and profitability Bajaj has always been the best in the business. And that is not a small achievement for Rahul.

He had public differences with his son Rajiv also. The differences were on Rajivs strategy to stop the production of scooters and shift to mobikes. Perhaps Rahul was right. Mobikes were a craze but the market is going back to scooters and it is ideal to have a mix of both scooters and mobikes.



RC Bhargava is chairman,Maruti Suzuki.

As told to Surajeet Das Gupta
The government will sell 5 per cent of its stake in (LIC). is set to enter the satellite broadband business. More on those stories in top headlines this mornig.



LIC files IPO papers with Sebi



The government will sell 5 per cent of its stake in (LIC), through an initial public offering (IPO), of which 100 per cent is offer for sale. LIC filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Sunday, thus setting the wheels in motion for the countrys largest-ever IPO.

The market regulator, according to sources, is expected to give its nod for the LIC IPO in three weeks. The Union government has often reiterated that the public issue of LIC will happen within the current financial year (FY22). Read more



may drop age limit for Tata Trusts nominees





Tata Sons, the holding company of the salt-to-software group, is likely to remove the age limit for Tata Trusts nominees on its board, it is learnt. Till now, a Trusts nominee had to retire from the board at 70 years of age, though theres never a fixed tenure for that position unlike in the case of an independent director.

The latest change implies permanent seats to the nominee directors on board unless recalled by Tata Trusts, sources said. A trustee or a nominee cannot be on the board of any other company. Read more



RIL preps for satellite broadband entry

The satellite broadband business is heating up. A few weeks ago, ended months of speculation when Jio Satellite Communications, a Reliance Jio subsidiary, applied to the Department of Telecom (DoT) for a global mobile personal communication by satellite (GMCS) licence.

The move will see Reliance locking horns with its chief rivals in the telecom sweepstakes  Sunil Mittal-backed OneWeb, which was the first to apply for the same licence and is awaiting a go-ahead. For the uninitiated, like the Unified Access Service Licence (UASL), which allows telcos to offer access for a range of terrestrial telecom services, GMCS offers satellite access services to customers. The only difference is that while UASL is given city- or circle-wise GMCS is given for pan-India operations. Read more



PSLV-C52 lifts off with satellites





ISRO's PSLV C-52, carrying earth observation satellite EOS-04 along with two co-passenger pay loads lifted off from the spaceport here early on Monday.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C52) blasted off at 05:59 am from the first launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, at the end of a 25-hour countdown, marking the space agency's first mission launch in 2022. Read more



IPL 2022 contests on cards after auctions

Imagine the fiery Jofra Archer serving up chin music to batsmen from one end, followed by searing yorkers from Jasprit Bumrah from the other. A new ball pair as lethal as one can dream of is not a figment of imagination for the formidable franchise, Mumbai Indians (MI), that has added more arrows to its quiver for the latest edition of the (IPL). Read more
Indian conglomerate on Monday said it has signed a pact with electronics manufacturing services giant to form a joint venture (JV) for manufacturing semiconductors in India.

is the first company to make the announcement to invest in manufacturing after the government announced a Rs 76,000-crore programme to boost electronic chip and display ecosystem in the country.

This is also the second attempt of to enter the space after its earlier plans to set up a display unit with about Rs 60,000 crore investment could not take off.

"According to the MoU (memorandum of understanding) signed between the two companies, Vedanta will hold the majority equity in the JV, while will be the minority shareholder," the statement said.

It added that will be the chairman of the joint venture.

The targeted project plans to invest in manufacturing semiconductors.

"It will provide a significant boost to domestic manufacturing of electronics in India. Discussions are currently ongoing with a few state governments to finalise the location of the plant," the statement said.

The collaboration between Vedanta and follows the government's recent policy announcement for electronics manufacturing and PLI scheme for incentivising organisations to contribute towards the development of this sector.

"This will be the first joint venture in the electronics manufacturing space after the announcement of the policy," the statement 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.)
Health and wellness start-up Cult.fit has picked up a majority stake in F2 Fun & India, thereby becoming the master franchise partner for Golds in India. The did not disclose the value of the deal.

In December, food delivery company Zomato invested $100 million in Cult.fit, as part of a Series F fundraise of $150 million, making the health start-up a unicorn with a valuation of around $1.5 billion. Zomato has a 6.4 per cent stake in the company after the deal.

Cult.fit said its endeavour is to continue scaling its business nationally, across non-metro cities and towns, as well as house brands like Golds into its network to further propel their growth in the coming years.

According to the company, Golds is the second largest player in in India with more than 140 outlets in over 90 cities. As part of this strategic partnership, Cult.fit will be investing in scaling the revenue of existing Golds Gym centres through top-of-the-line marketing efforts, and facilitating centre expansion via franchisees in the coming years. Cult.fit will also be enabling all the Golds Gym centres with its industry leading centre-tech suite and customer app.

Cult.fit will also look to expand the Golds Gym brand across key geographies such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan. This investment will additionally help augment Cults single access pass  cultpass  further making access to its premium services easier and affordable, said the company.

Naresh Krishnaswamy, growth and marketing head, Cult.fit, said, Golds Gyms significant experience and sizeable footprint via multiple franchise partnerships paired with our deep-tech expertise and process innovation creates a winning formula for our customers and potential franchise partners.

Together, we aim to build immense value into the fitness ecosystem generating top-notch tech advancement, great business opportunities, and better returns for our partners in the long run, he added.

Nikhil Kakkar, chief operating officer, Golds Gym, said,  We have a mission to touch 200 clubs in 24 months. Over the last 19 years, we have been privileged to work with the best partners in the fitness industry to successfully build the Golds Gym brand in India.

Cult.fit is a health and fitness platform by Cure.fit Healthcare Pvt Ltd and is headquartered in Bangalore, India. Founded in 2016 by Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori, Cult.fit caters to living a healthy life through its critical dimensions  physical fitness & wellness.
Cadlia Healthcare Ltd on Monday said group firm (USA) Inc has received final approval from the US health regulator to market its generic version of Roflumilast tablets in the strength of 500 mcg indicated to reduce the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.

Zydus, being one of the first applicants for Roflumilast Tablets, 500 mcg, is eligible for 180 days of shared generic drug exclusivity, Cadlia Healthcare said in a regulatory filing.

The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has also given a tentative approval for Roflumilast tablets, 250 mcg, the company added.

The drug will be manufactured at the group's formulation manufacturing facility at the SEZ, Ahmedabad.

Roflumilast tablets are indicated as a treatment to reduce the risk of COPD exacerbations in patients with severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations, it added.

The group now has 327 approvals and has so far filed over 400 abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) since the commencement of the filing process in FY 2003-04.

(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.)
Assam government will withdraw all COVID-19 restrictions in the state from February 15, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday.

Detailed notification in this regard will be issued on Monday.

The curb that will be lifted include mandatory COVID-19 testing facilities at airports, railway stations and hospitals.

Besides, night curfew will also stand withdrawn.

"GoA shall withdraw all COVID-19 compulsory testing facilities at airports, rly stations and hospitals wef Feb 15. Also, all restrictions incl night curfew, social-religious gatherings including other curbs shall stand withdrawn. Detailed notification on Feb 14," Sarma tweeted.

Assam's fresh COVID-19 cases continued to drop with 79 people testing positive for the infection on Sunday.

The positivity percentage is 0.83 per cent. Four people succumbed to death on Sunday due to the infection. The recovery rate in the state is at 98.56 per cent.

(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 banned 54 Chinese apps in a new order citing security concerns, according to the Economic Times, in the latest instance of tensions between the two neighbours locked in a protracted border dispute hurting business dealings.

The ministry of electronics and IT banned the apps for allegedly transferring data of Indians to servers in China and other foreign countries. The apps belong to large China tech firms such as Tencent, and NetEase, that are re-branded versions of apps already banned by India in 2020, said the newspaper.

The ministry has asked Google Playstore and other electronic stores to take off these apps. India has since June 2020 banned some 224 Chinese bans for security reasons, pulling down popular services like TikTok, and UC News.

"Many of the apps from the stable of and have changed hands to hide ownership, an unnamed government official was quoted saying in the newspapers report.





News agency PTI adds Indias latest ban included Sweet Selfie HD, Beauty Camera, Music Player, Music Plus, Volume Booster, Video Players Media all formats, Viva Video Editor, Nice Video Baidu, AppLock and Astracraft.

The crackdown came in the backdrop of India's ongoing stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh with China.
The on Monday directed Rail Corporation (DMRC) to give details of funds in its bank account and fixed deposits as of date in connection with a Reliance Infrastructure subsidiary's plea for the execution of an arbitral award of over Rs 4,600 crore against it.

Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, who was hearing the execution petition by Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL), also directed the corporation to share its balance sheet concerning the year 2021 as well.

The court also asked the parties to file their written submissions and listed the matter for further hearing on February 17.

An arbitral tribunal in its May 2017 award had ruled in favour of DAMEPL, which had pulled out from running the Airport Express metro line over safety issues, and accepted its claim that the running of operations on the line was not viable due to structural defects in the viaduct through which the train would run.

Senior advocate Parag P Tripathi, appearing for DMRC, said that there was a genuine dispute with respect to the payable amount as according to them, after the earlier payment of Rs 1,000 crore, only Rs 3305 crore was remaining as opposed to DAMEPL's claim of Rs 6305 crore.

The senior lawyer said that the amount lying in DMRC's account was earmarked for several projects and other purposes and was not its own money which can be given away under the law.

In its affidavit filed earlier this month, said that it has around Rs 1,478 crore as funds and around Rs 2668 crore and Rs 1561 crore as project funds and other funds, respectively.

This Rs 2670 crore which is for development of phase III and phase IV and Rs 1561 crore which is for development of metro in Patna, Maharashtra, etc are not monies which belong to me or over which I have disposing power, the senior lawyer said.

Tripathi emphasized that has 14,000 employees and it was running on a monthly net loss of around Rs 100 crore.

He also stated that metro assets cannot be attached under Section 89 of The Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002.

Senior advocate Rakesh Kumar Khanna, appearing for DAMEPL, claimed that the corporation was hiding its correct financial position from the court and that thousands of crores of rupees were lying in its fixed deposits, term deposits, and as equity in the share market, etc.

They have the money. The centre is 50 per cent shareholder and a company can't pay liability of Rs 6300 crore? he questioned.

On January 24, the Supreme Court had asked DMRC and DAMEPL to request the high court to hear the dispute relating to the execution of the arbitral award, saying that any further delay is detrimental to the interest of both the parties.

Last year, DMRC had told the court that since the corporation was facing a financial crunch, undertaking a sudden liability would impact public interest and authorities were therefore working out a solution.

It had said that it would deposit Rs 1,000 crore in favour of DAMEPL in an escrow account and suggested taking over the debt of the Reliance Infrastructure subsidiary to the extent of the award money, saying that it would be a better position to negotiate with the lender banks.

The offer was however turned down by DAMEPL and the court had observed that if the decree-holder did not want to accept the proposal, it could not be forced to do so.

The High Court had earlier also pulled up DAMEPL for playing hide and seek with the court and holding out-of-court communications with DMRC to settle the dispute relating to the execution of the over Rs 4,600 crore arbitral award passed against the PSU.

The award pertained to a concession agreement between the two entities, which was signed on August 25, 2008.

Under the agreement, DMRC was to carry out the civil works, excluding at the depot, and the balance, including the project system works, were to be executed by DAMEPL, a joint venture of Rinfra and a Spanish construction company -- Construcciones Y Auxiliar De Ferrocarriles -- with a shareholding of 95 and five per cent respectively.

(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.)
Indias Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar criticized Chinas economic coercion of in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, saying progress and prosperity over the past 80 years was the result of a trading system governed by rules and not politically influenced.

Trade ties with China, Australias largest trading partner, had nosedived since early 2020 when Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government called an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus. Beijing retaliated with trade restrictions, including high tariffs on Australian barley and wine and slowing coal shipments.

When asked by the paper whether Beijings actions toward Canberra constituted economic coercion, Jaishankar said, You know that bit  if it looks like a duck and it walks like a duck.

The Chinese government has denied using trade coercion against and other countries, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian insisting on Feb. 8 that China always follows WTO rules.

Jaishankar traveled to Melbourne, Australia, in the past week for a meeting of the Quad, a regional partnership made up of India, Japan, and the U.S. intended to help democracies coordinate their response to the rise of China.

Jaishankar said the had all agreed that politics should not be conducted by coercion at any time.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the to take a tougher stance toward the Chinese Communist Partys growing antagonism in the region at the meeting on Friday, but added he didnt consider war with Beijing inevitable. Jaishankar said the clash between India and China on their shared border had been discussed at the meeting.

The discussions came as Australias Trade Minister Dan Tehan headed to India for meetings with his counterpart on a free trade agreement between the two countries. Jaishankar said in the interview with the paper that there should be a much larger quantum of trade and investment between Australia and India.

He said the pandemic had shown that in some cases trade had become too overly concentrated in a small number of partners.
The on Monday issued notice to respondents on a plea filed by Tamil Nadu, challenging the order of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court transferring probe into the girl suicide case to .

The SC also said that investigation will continue as per Madras High Court's order.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M. Trivedi asked respondents including the victim father to file a reply in the matter.

The Court also asked Govt not to make it a prestige issue, hand over all the documents related to the case to the and the probe agency needs to also probe the allegations of forced conversion.

The apex court said that it might not be appropriate for it to interject in the investigation of .

government has filed an appeal in challenging order of Madurai bench of the Madras High Court transferring probe into the girl suicide case to CBI.

Recently the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered that the probe into the girl suicide matter will be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The order came on the plea filed by the girl father.

The case pertains to a 17-year old girl from a poor background, who studied in a Christian Missionary School in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district and was allegedly being forced to convert to Christianity by her school. Allegations of torture after her refusal to convert were also raised by the girl. According to Police, the victim had consumed poisonous material on January 9 and had succumbed ten days later.

(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.)
Taking exception to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's comments that he would like to know the truth about surgical strikes, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday asked if Pakistan's own actions of declaring a no-fly zone in their own air space for more than six months after Balakot were not proof enough.

"I strongly condemn the irresponsible statement of CM against the Indian armed forces. The fact that this came in on the eve of the anniversary of the shows the insensitivity, irresponsibility, ignorance and that is unbecoming of a Chief Minister," Reddy tweeted.

He was responding to media reports that Rao, during a press conference on Sunday, questioned the surgical strike by the Indian Army.

"Isn't the valour of Abhinandan Varthaman proof enough?



"Isn't Pakistan's own actions of declaring a no-fly zone in their own air space for more than 6 months after Balakot proof enough?," the Union Tourism Minister asked.

If these are not enough, then can seek proof from Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said.

By asking proof of the surgical strikes, KCR, as Rao is also known, now joined the bandwagon of the "Tukde Tukde gang and urban naxals" to cast aspersions on the armed forces, he said.

Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the government is a democratic right, but insulting the nation's patriotic armed forces is not, Reddy said.

Observing that the Indian armed forces are fighting valiantly against enemies across the border on multiple fronts, he said Colonel Santosh Babu, a Telugu "bidda" (son of Telugu soil), gave up his life last year to protect the country's citizens.

"I request CM to not insult those who attained sadgati in protecting our great country," he said.

Lending support to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who demanded proof on the surgical strike, KCR on Sunday said half of the country, including himself, wants to know 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.)
The Monday directed the Centre to examine whether the rules framed by various states under Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) are in conformity and subserve the interest of home buyers.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant gave three months to the Centre to examine if there are any deviations in the rules framed by the states to the rules framed by the Centre in 2016 and to place the report by first week of May, 2022.

The bench appointed advocate Devashish Bharuka as amicus curiae in the plea by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay seeking implementation of builder-buyer agreement to safeguard the interest of home buyers and requested him to assist the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to examine the rules framed by the states.

The top court noted that the central government shared the draft 'agreement for sale' in 2016 after the enactment of with all the states and Union Territories and currently West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and some noth-eastern states are yet to notify the rules.

At the present stage, it is necessary for the court to be apprised whether the rules which have been framed by the states contain the essential norms which have been adopted by the Union government under the rules of 2016 and whether there is any deviation, which would not sub serve the interest of buyers, the bench said.

It added, We direct that this exercise be carried out at central level by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs which shall scrutinize the states' rules and place a report before this court on whether they comply with the sub-stratum of the rules, which have been framed by the Union Government. We also request advocate Devashish Bharuka to assist this court as amicus curiae. Bharuka shall also assist in carrying out this exercise.

It said this exercise shall be completed by the first week of May this year.

At the outset, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, said the rules have been framed by the central government and many states have notified them with some changes keeping in mind the local conditions.

The bench agreed that there may be some local conditions which need to be taken care of by the states but most of the rules should be in compliance with the Centre's draft rules of 2016.

The bench asked Bhati if the Centre has examined whether the rules which have been framed by the states are in conformity with the rules the Centre has framed. Bhati said that they have compared the rules framed by major States where construction activity is more and they have done in the case of Maharashtra and Haryana.

She said that the Union of India will do that exercise of examining all the State rules and apprise the court about the same.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for Upadhayay said that the concerns still remain despite Centre's 2016 rules and that is why this writ petition was filed. She said that the Union of India says that it is the responsibility of state governments to frame rules and they ignore sections 41 and 42 of which have been reproduced in the October 4, last year order of the court.

On January 17, the top court had emphasised the need for a model builder-buyer agreement to safeguard the interest of middle-class home buyers and asked the Centre to consider framing uniform rules under the provisions of .

The top court had said that it wants that instead of leaving it to the States, the Centre makes the model builder-buyer agreement and model agent-buyer agreement which shall be applicable for the whole of the country.

It had said that the whole purpose of the present PIL is that there should be a model builder-buyer agreement which will be formulated by the central advisory council so that there is some uniformity in the basic terms and conditions and the flat buyers are not exploited.

The Centre in its affidavit said, "There is a robust regulatory mechanism and a draft 'agreement for sale' has already been prescribed under the provisions of RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority), which seeks to balance the rights and interest of home buyers and promoters in an accountable and transparent manner".

It has said that according to section 84 of RERA, the appropriate government that is the state government save in the instances involving its application in the territory of union territories has to notify rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.

The affidavit has said that RERA mandates for registration of projects before advertising, marketing, booking, selling and the law ensures the timely delivery of real estate projects and the entire fund flow is also subject to strict monitoring by the regulator to avoid diversion of funds, which will also secure the interest of home buyers.

On October 4 last year, the top court had said it was important for the country to have a model builder-buyer agreement in the real estate sector for consumer protection because developers try to put numerous clauses in it, which common people may not be aware of.

Upadhyay had said that there should be a model agreement prepared by the Centre as some states have it and some don't, and there is no uniformity in those agreements.

The PIL has sought direction to the Centre to frame model pacts for builders and agent buyers to protect customers and bring transparency in the realty sector in line with the RERA Act, 2016.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Home Minister on Monday urged the people of and to vote in record numbers to ensure the prosperous future of their states.

The Home Minister appealed to the voters of Uttar Pradesh, in the ongoing second phase of polling, to elect a government that will ensure a safe and secure future of the state.

"I appeal to all the voters in the second phase of polls, especially youth and women, to vote in large numbers. Your one vote will decide the bright and secure future of the state. So vote yourself and also inspire others to cast there as well," Shah tweeted.

In another tweet, he appealed to the voters of to elect a government that does not practice appeasement politics and indulge in corruption.

"Only a government which does not get indulged in corruption and appeasement politics can take forward the development, pride and honour of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand," he tweeted.

"I appeal to all the voters of to vote and become a partner in the development and progress of the state," reads the tweet.

Voting began today in Uttarakhand and in parts of going to polls in the second phase.

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is the incumbent government in both states.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As and are voting for their Assemblies in a single phase on Monday, Vadra has appealed to people to vote.

"To all my Goan friends today; choose development, choose a politics that puts you first, choose the freedom to be you: choose Goa!", she tweeted.

"Dear people, Mountain climate, tradition and love is the strength of Uttarakhand, today is the day to pick the bright future and self respect, exercise your vote as this is most powerful weapon."

Voting for the Assembly began on Monday morning, wherein over 82 lakh voters in 70 Assembly constituencies will decide the political fate of 632 candidates which include over 150 independents.

Voters can exercise their franchise till 6 p.m.

Meanwhile a total of 11,697 booths have been set up for voting, out of these, 776 booths are critical and 1050 booths are vulnerable in Uttarakhand.

In as many as 11,56,464 voters are eligible to cast ballot in the February 14 polls spread over 1,600 polling stations.

According to Chief Electoral Officer Kunal, 20,000 security personnel have been posted in to maintain law and order during the day-long polling exercise.

--IANS

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In the absence of the former state Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing an uphill task in to retain power as Congress tries to regain lost ground and the new entrants of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress making the polls a multi-corner contest. Parrikar was credited to have been the architect of the rise of the in .

Notably, this is the first electoral fray for the without Parrikar. However, Utpal Parrikar, his son, is seeking to carry the legacy of his father in the Panaji Assembly constituency as an Independent candidate. After the refused to give him the ticket

represented the Panaji Assembly seat. He had resigned from the BJP after Utpal Parrikar was denied a ticket from the Panaji Assembly constituency.

The Panaji Assembly seat has its own importance in the electoral politics of the state. Former Union Minister for Defence Manohar Parrikar, who had represented Panaji, had been a three-term Chief Minister of the state.

BJP which corresponds to senior leader is contesting against his son and has fielded Congress party turncoat Atanasio "Babush" Monserrate from the Panaji seat. Monserrate had joined the BJP along with nine other MLAs in 2019 from Congress.

Goa witnessed intense electioneering by top leaders of the various political parties. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram along with the AICC in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao canvassed in Goa, seeking votes for works carried out by the Congress-led governments in the past, slamming political rivals for hampering the welfare of the people in the state.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar also posted a video message for voters in Goa. He recalled works done by the Congress-led government in the past in the state.

Similarly, several candidates of the BJP, Congress and TMC along with other political parties posted video messages, highlighting the developmental works carried out by them in their respective constituencies.

In particular, BJP is contesting Goa polls on all the 40 assembly seats for the first time and fielded Chief Minister Pramod Sawant from the Sanquelim seat against Congress' Dharamesh Saglani.

Meanwhile, AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also promised cash assistance for every woman above the age of 18 years and other benefits for many communities if his party came to power in the state.

Shiv Sena who is also contesting the Goa polls, highlighting the model of good governance in Maharashtra and pitching for its replication in all other states.

Goa Assembly has a strength of 40 members out of which the BJP currently has 17 legislators and enjoys the support of MLAs from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), and three independents. The GFP and MGP each have three MLAs, and Congress, on the other hand, has 15 MLAs in the house.

The intense poll campaigning by all the political parties for 40 Assembly seats in Goa concluded on Saturday evening.

The counting of votes in poll-bound Goa 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.)
on Monday registered a very high voter turnout of 78.94 per cent in polling for the 40 Assembly seats which passed off peacefully with no untoward incident reported from any part of the state which witnessed a multi-cornered contest, officials said. They said this was preliminary voter turnout and the final figure may cross 80 per cent as electoral fate of 301 candidates were locked in EVMs which will be opened on March 10 for counting. To check the spread of COVID-19, voters were provided hand gloves at polling stations.

Addressing a press conference here, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Kunal said the highest voting was registered in the Sankhalim constituency in North at 89.61 per cent, while the lowest voter turnout was 70.20 per cent at Benaulim in South . Chief Minister is the candidate from Sankhalim. The poll officer said the overall voter turnout stood at 78.94 per cent. "This is a tentative percentage of voting, while the exact data would be available later. The voting percentage may cross 80 per cent after adding votes polled through ballot papers," CEO Kunal said. Over 11 lakh people were eligible to cast their votes. They include 9,590 persons with disabilities, 2,997 aged over 80 years, 41 sex workers and nine transgenders. The Vasco constituency had the highest number of 35,139 voters, while the Mormugao seat had the lowest number of voters at 19,958, he said. Kunal said "13,150 postal ballots were issued and a total of 12,546 people voted through postal ballots." He said polling was held at 1,722 booths, of which 105 were manned by only women personnel (also called 'pink booths') and eight by differently abled persons. The CEO said 80 candidates had criminal antecedents, which were published in the media before the voting as per a Supreme Court mandate. A senior police official said the election was conducted in a peaceful manner and no serious complaint of any malpractice was received. He said three FIRs related to different incidents were registered during the day. In one of the incidents, the car of a person, who is related to a political leader, was set on fire at Bicholim, while at Sanvordem a person was found with cash, the police official said. He said the total cash seizure was Rs 6.06 crore during the period of code of conduct which came into force in early January. Besides, liquor worth Rs 3.57 crore was also seized during the period, the official added. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Sawant claimed the will win more than 22 seats in the 40-member Assembly and said he will continue to hold the top post if his party forms the next government in the coastal state. After casting his vote at a booth in Sankhalim, Sawant said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him in the morning over the phone and conveyed his best wishes for the Assembly polls. The prime minister called me over phone at around 7 am to convey his best wishes to me and all workers for the polling day, and gave his blessings, Sawant told PTI. Asked whether he would remain the chief minister if the BJP wins, Sawant said there should be on doubt about it in the wake of announcements made (in this regard) by Modi and party president J P Nadda. It is obvious that I would be the chief minister as the present election is being fought under my leadership, he said.

Governor P S Sridharan Pillai was among the early voters. He cast his vote at a booth in the Taleigao Assembly constituency in North Goa district. Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Arlekar, who hails from Goa, and his wife cast their votes in Vasco. "I have come here from Himachal Pradesh specially to cast my vote. Voting is a fundamental right. I appeal to people to come out in large numbers to vote. There should be cent per cent voting," Arlekar said. Besides the Congress and the BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the MGP, the Shiv Sena, the NCP, the Revolutionary Goans, the Goencho Swabhimaan Party and the Jai Mahabharat Party, among others, were also in the poll fray besides 68 independent candidates. The Congress and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) forged an alliance, while the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC tied-up with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). The Congress fielded 37 candidates and its ally GFP three, while the BJP contested on all 40 seats. The prominent candidates included Sawant (BJP), Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat (Congress), former CMs Churchill Alemao (TMC), Ravi Naik (BJP), Laxmikant Parsekar (independent), former deputy CMs Vijai Sardesai (GFP) and Sudin Dhavalikar (MGP), late CM Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar and AAP's CM face Amit Paleker. Prime Minister Modi, BJP president J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah campaigned in the last one month for the saffron party. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigned for the party in the coastal state.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Home Minister on Monday launched a blistering attack on chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying his "goons" encroached on land belonging to the poor in five years, while the government used bulldozers and freed land worth over Rs 2,000 crore.

Addressing an election rally in support of BJP's ally Apna Dal (S) candidate in Mauranipur, Shah said, "In five years, Akhilesh's goons occupied government and poor people's land, but Yogi Adityanth got land worth Rs 2,000 crore freed by using bulldozers."



"He (Akhilesh) provided different posts to 45 members of his family in the five years, while Prime Minister Modi sent 45 schemes to your houses," he said.

Highlighting the work done by the Prime Minister for the Bundelkhand region, the Home Minister said, "We have decided that we will do all-round development of Bundelkhand. For this, Modi ji has brought Defense Corridor in Bundelkhand. Earlier people used to collect pellets in Bundelkhand but now under the leadership of Modi ji, the work of making shells will be done here and they (shells) will be used to deal with Pakistan."



On water scarcity problem in the region, Shah said "Modi and Yogi" have well understood the water crisis of Bundelkhand and took initiative to solve it.

"Five exhibition centres are about to come up in and one of them will come up in Bundelkhand and a mega leather park will come up in Kanpur. This will provide employment to the Dalits associated with the leather business. The BJP government has thought of building two IT parks in Bundelkhand," he said.

Shah said that in Uttar Pradesh, the governments of SP-BSP -'bua and babua' (Akhilesh and Mayawati) worked to destroy the economy, but the BJP worked to bring the economy of the state to number second spot from seventh place in the country.

He said that in the next five years, will be at number one position in terms of economy.

He said the voters here have to decide whether they want the party of for the development of the country or a party that develops its own family adding that 'pariwarwadi' (dynastic) parties cannot do betterment of the state.

Shah said, "In the Congress, there was Jawaharlal Nehru, after him Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and...Can they do good to you?"



The former BJP president alleged that in Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav put his son (Akhilesh Yadav) in the chair and the entire state was ruined," he said, asking people whether factories used to be opened earlier; was there 24-hours power supply; was there a toilet in every poor's house; was there a plan for every household tap for drinking water.

Shah said the only work done by in the five years of the SP rule in was that he got land belonging to the poor encroached on by goons and mafia.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
president Sonia Gandhi, former chief and are among the 30 star campaigners for the assembly elections, according to the list released by the party on Monday.

The two-phased assembly election in will be held on February 28 and March 5.

Though is also the party's star campaigner for other states, where polls are being held, neither she nor former prime minister Manmohan Singh have actively campaigned anywhere so far.

The list of star campaigners also include names of former chief minister O Ibobi Singh, former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, youth leader Kanhaiya Kumar, party's minority department chief Imran Pratapgarhi and Mahila chief Metta D'Souza.

Apart from Ramesh, who is overseeing assembly polls in the state, in charge for Manipur Bhakta Charan Das and a host of local leaders are also part of the list.

The Congress along with five other 'like-minded' parties launched the Manipur Progressive Secular Alliance last week to take on the ruling BJP in the upcoming assembly polls.

Besides the Congress, the other parties in the alliance are CPI, CPM, RSP, JD (S) and Forward Bloc. An 18-point common agenda was also finalised.

(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.)
Polling began across 70 Assembly constituencies in at 8 am on Monday.

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to retain power in the hill state while Congress is hoping for a comeback. Both the Congress and the have battled political instability in the state in the last two decades after it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000 during former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure.

The BJP's task is a twin -- beat the anti-incumbency and also the electoral trend of the incumbent government voted out in the state. Uttarakhand, incidentally, has seen 11 Chief Ministers in the last two decades.

As per the set norms, the campaigning for the elections in these states ended on Saturday (February 12) at 6 pm.

The has pitted fielded 11 cabinet Ministers and the state unit president Madan Kaushik. Incumbent Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is contesting for the third time from the Khatima Assembly seat and is facing Congress nominee Bhuwan Chandra Kapri.

Losing the last three elections on a streak, Congress veteran Harish Rawat is now contesting from a new assembly seat this time. He is in the electoral contest from Lalkuwa.

The new entrant into politics, Aam Aadmi Party has fielded candidates on all 70 Assembly seats, with its Chief Ministerial face being Ajay Kothiyal.

Voting also began in Goa and parts of Uttar Pradesh going to elections in the second phase on Monday at 7 am. 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.)
In the run-up to the February 20 Assembly elections in Punjab, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's chopper was not allowed to take off from Chandigarh on Monday owing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's movement in the state.

Channi was to join his party leader Rahul Gandhi's rally in Hoshiarpur.

Modi was scheduled to campaign in Jalandhar, his first visit to the state after a major breach in his security in Punjab last month.

Officials said Channi's chopper was not permitted to take off from Chandigarh owing to imposition of a 'no-fly zone'.

Reacting to the development, Channi said, "I am a Chief Minister, not a terrorist."

At the public rally in Jalandhar, Modi questioned the security arrangements of the Channi-led state government.

"I wanted to pay obeisance at Devi Talab Mandir (in Jalandhar) but the police administration asked me to go back by helicopter. This is the state of affairs of the Punjab government," Modi said.

A day earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah took a swipe at Channi at an election rally in Ludhiana, saying how could he protect Punjab when he couldn't provide security to the Prime Minister of the country.

Punjab will go to the polls in a single phase on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress leader on Monday cautioned people against going for any "experiment" in the Punjab assembly polls, saying that maintaining peace was most important for the state and only his party was capable of it.

Addressing a poll rally here, Gandhi asserted that his party understands Punjab very well and can take the state forward.

The Congress leader also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unemployment, saying he does not talk about it and black money in his election speeches.

Gandhi also attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his statement on the drug menace in Punjab, and asked him why he did not speak on the subject when his party's previous alliance partner was in power in the state.

Gandhi also promised that the drug problem would be wiped out from Punjab if his party returns to power.

Gandhi said Punjab is a "sensitive" state, and it is only the Congress which knows how to protect peace in the state.

"Punjab's peace is the most important thing. Remember, this is not a laboratory. It is not a place to carry out an experiment.

"You understand the Congress party. It can take everyone along and maintain peace. We have experience in doing so. This is not the time to experiment, said Gandhi, while seeking a clear mandate to bring his party to power in the state again.

Taking on the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, Gandhi said it does not understand Punjab and cannot take care of the state.

"They cannot take care of Punjab and they do not know how to do it. Only the Congress can take care of Punjab. The Congress can maintain peace in Punjab.

"We deeply understand Punjab. We know that the most important thing for Punjab is peace, brotherhood and unity and for this, the Congress party can do anything, he said.

Deriding the AAP over its claims of setting up mohalla clinics, Gandhi said everyone saw the state of affairs during the second wave of COVID-19 in Delhi.

"If they (AAP) changed Delhi's picture, why would Congress workers have to provide oxygen cylinders to people during the second wave of Covid. The AAP government in Delhi completely failed during Covid," he said.

Gandhi targeted the Centre over the demonetisation and goods and services tax, alleging that only two-three billionaires benefited from it.

Stating that Congress party's chief ministerial face Charanjit Singh Channi understands poverty well, Gandhi said Channi will lead a government of poor people, farmers, small traders and small and medium businesses, not of 'arabpatis' (billionaires).

"We have before us. This is not an ordinary election. You have to elect a new government, said Gandhi. Hitting out at the Centre, he said, "In the country today, unemployment is rising in every state."



He said at the time of demonetization, the Modi government had said it was a fight against black money.

"He (PM) used to say 2 crore jobs will be given to the youth, said Gandhi and asked the gathering whether they got it. Why doesn't Narendra Modi not talk about employment and why does he not speak about black money in his speeches," he asked.

The Congress leader recalled how the SAD and the BJP had made fun of him when he had raised the drug problem issue in Punjab.

Gandhi also recalled how the BJP had mocked him when he had cautioned how adversely Covid would impact India.

"They said is lying in Punjab, said Gandhi.

"When I raised this (drugs) issue, then it was your friends who were in power," Gandhi told the Union Home Minister adding, "at that time, you were protecting them and did not utter even a word."



Gandhi said, "I kept telling them (Centre) to start preparing to deal with Covid, but they did not listen.

Gandhi said the people have been told a "lie" on Covid deaths and the actually number of fatalities is five to seven times more than what has been officially announced.

Apparently referring to the registration of NDPS case against Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Gandhi said, "We will continue to take action and wipe out drugs from Punjab, said Gandhi.

Gandhi further said, "Our government is not of two or three billionaires. If our government was of two to three billionaires, then in Punjab, the Congress party would not have stood against farm laws.

"Our government is pro-farmer which is why we stood with farmers and tried to stop these agri laws in Parliament.

He lauded Punjab farmers for agitating against the farm laws and said, "Had you not forced the repeal of these laws, then not only Punjab but farmers around India would have suffered losses".

He also said the Congress government even gave compensation to the families of farmers who died during the agitation.

"I had earlier said that Narendra Modi will have to withdraw these farm laws because I know the strength of farmers. What I say is with careful thought, said Gandhi.

Gandhi also listed various decisions, including reducing electricity tariff and fuel prices, taken by the Channi-led government, providing benefitting to people worth Rs 3,200 crore.

Referring to Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu's statement during the rally promising to wipe out monopolies in cable and transport, Gandhi promised to break these monopolies if Congress returns to power.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister on Monday appealed to the voters in Uttar Pradesh, and to cast their ballots in the Assembly in the three states to "strengthen the festival of democracy".

Taking to Twitter, he said: "Polling will be held across Uttarakhand, and in parts of . I call upon all those who are eligible to vote today to do so in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy."

Also in a series of tweets, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: "I urge our sisters and brothers of Goa, to vote in large numbers. Only a stable, decisive and corruption-free government can ensure the development of the state. So come out and vote for a prosperous .

"I appeal to all the voters of the second phase in Uttar Pradesh, especially the youth and mothers, to vote in maximum numbers. Your one vote will decide the bright and secure future of the state. So vote yourself and inspire others to vote as well.

"Only a government free from corruption and appeasement can take forward the development, pride and honor of Devbhoomi . Therefore, I appeal to all the voters of that by voting, you should become a partner in the development and progress of the state. Voting first, refreshments later."

BJP chief J.P. Nadda urged the voters in "to participate in the festival of democracy in maximum numbers. Your every vote is very important to build tomorrow and speed up the development of the state along with your bright future".

"Today, on the occasion of voting in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, I request to the people here that they must exercise their franchise today to strengthen democracy and form a government dedicated to the welfare of every person. Your every vote is very important to keep the state moving forward on the path of development.

"The citizens of Goa have contributed immensely in strengthening democracy. Here there is a need for a strong and stable government working for the development of the state and welfare of all. All of you are requested to exercise your franchise today and ensure your contribution in giving a stable government to Goa."

In the second phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh, nearly 2.02 crore voters will decide the fate of 586 contestants in nine districts -- Saharanpur, Bijnore, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur -- that comprises 55 Assembly constituencies.

As many as 301 candidates are in the fray in the single-phase in Goa for the 40 Assembly seats.

In Uttarakhand, more than 81 lakh voters in 70 assembly constituencies will decide the political fate of 632 candidates which include over 150 independents.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sandeep Bakhshi, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of ICICI Bank, is the Business Standard of the Year 2020-21 for turning around the private sector lender and changing the perception about it during his tenure of the past three and a half years.

Bakhshi took charge in October 2018 amid a controversy around his predecessor, who had to step down over corporate governance issues. Since then, he has not just unhinged the bank from the controversy but also delivered growth on almost all parameters.

The second-largest private sector lender in the country is well-capitalised.

The unanimous decision was taken by a high-profile jury of five, chaired by former Reserve Bank of India deputy governor S S Mundra. Other members were Keki Mistry, vice-chairman and CEO of Housing Development Corporation; Anil Singhvi, chairman of Ican Investment Advisors; P S Jayakumar, former MD and CEO of Bank of Baroda who is also non-executive chairman of VBHC Value Homes and Northern ARC Capital; and A Balasubramanian, MD and CEO of Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC.

For the second year in succession, the jury met through videoconference to finalise the winner  a departure from the past because of the pandemic.

The criteria used for selecting the contenders were the following: i) with an asset size of Rs 50,000 crore and above as of March 2021, and ii) 10 per cent or more growth in profits prior to provisioning in the past one-, two- and three-year periods. Only 10 qualified, and that was further brought down to seven.

The jury discussed the financials of the seven banks, and narrowed down its choice to three after reckoning on their quantitative aspects. Discussions were on matters such as governance, recent events, HR practices, the regulatory stance, innovative practices, and technology prowess. Finally, the choice was between two .

While the institutions under both the leaders in the final round had registered strong performance, what clinched the decision in favour of Bakhshi was turning around the bank after inheriting a difficult legacy.

He inherited a difficult legacy but steadied the ship over the course of the last few years with a mature leadership as against the other contender who took over a stable organisation during the year. The bank showed an improving trend on most of the parameters over the past three years. This is against almost a status quo in the other case, Mundra said, while congratulating Bakhshi.

Bakhshi is credited with reviving the organisational morale also and bringing in a collaborative management leadership, the jury members concurred.

The has been with ICICI Group since 1986 and handled assignments across the group in ICICI Ltd, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, ICICI Bank, and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. After steering the bank out of a difficult phase, Bakhshi has received an extension till October next year.

For 2020-21, reported a net profit of Rs 16,193 crore against Rs 7,931 crore during the previous financial year.

Its loan portfolio grew 13.7 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7.34 trillion while deposits went up by 21 per cent year-on-year to Rs 9.33 trillion. As on March 31, 2021, the banks gross non-performing assets fell to Rs 41,373 crore, which were 4.96 per cent of gross advances, from Rs 41,409 crore, or 5.53 per cent of gross advances of the previous year.
During a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, US President reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Kiev's "sovereignty and territorial integrity" in response to Russias military build-up on the eastern European nation's borders, according to the White House.

The White House said that during the call on Sunday, Biden made clear that "the US would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine".

The two leaders further agreed on the "importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence" over Russia's military move.

On his part, Zelensky stressed that understands all current risks and is ready for "any developments", Xinhua news agency quoted a statement issued by his press service as saying.

He thanked Washington for support, saying it contributes to strengthening the capabilities of the Ukrainian army.

Zelensky invited Biden to visit "in the coming days", saying that such a trip is crucial to stabilising the situation.

The Ukrainian leader also stressed the importance of providing effective security guarantees for Kiev.

"We are ready to discuss them in different formats," he stressed.

Since November, Kiev and some Western countries have accused of assembling heavy troops near the Ukrainian border with a possible intention of "invasion".

denied the accusation, saying that it has the right to mobilize troops within its borders to defend its territory as the NATO's activities constitute a threat to Moscow's border security.

In recent days, the US and some other countries have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine, citing increased threats of military action.

The US has been releasing intelligence which it claims is proof that is prepared to mount a military aggression against any time now, but Moscow has accused Washington of "hysteria" over tensions near Kiev.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua called for to expand production at a meeting on spring farm output held in Shandong province, Xinhua reported on Sunday.

Hu also emphasized stabilising planted grains acreage and strengthening farmland protection, reiterating policies previously laid out by central leadership, Xinhua said.

China's top policymakers called for ensuring grain production and oilseed expansion in the new year, at the annual central rural work conference at the end of 2021.

Hu did not give details on how to expand acreage.

The agriculture ministry last month promoted the intercropping of soybeans with corn as one way to boost output of the oilseed.

would also cultivate land specifically for soybeans and raise yield of the crop, to produce about 23 million tonnes of soybeans a year by end-2025, up 40% from current levels, the ministry said in a five-year plan for agriculture.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the same meeting in Shandong urged good field management and pest disease prevention to strive for another bumper harvest of summer grain, mostly of wheat, Xinhua reported.

China's winter wheat crop was in relatively poor condition at the moment, Li said at the meeting.

Rains have delayed wheat planting in some regions in China, which could delay crop development, while excess moisture could bring more crop disease, the government has said.

(Reporting by Martin Quin Pollard and Hallie Gu; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Chinese military has begun combat-oriented testing and assessment of its weapon systems following President Xi Jinping's order to perform in the real battle conditions, the official media here reported on Monday.

Xi, 68, who heads the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) the overall high command of the two million-strong People's Liberation Army (PLA), recently signed an order promulgating a set of regulations on the testing and assessment of military equipment, which stressed efficient, combat-oriented tests under the development trend of "informatisation and intelligentisation" throughout the equipment's entire life spans.

The regulations raised higher requirements for weapons and equipment to be used by the PLA and will contribute to boosting the troops' combat capabilities, official media reported.

The new regulations come at a time when is facing a drastic change in global security structures and is forced to enhance preparedness for possible military conflicts, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the state-run Global Times.

In order to have weapons and equipment to play their intended roles in real combat, they must go through tests and assessments in realistic, diverse and complex battlefield environments, Song said.

The new regulations are of significance in that they are expected to set higher standards and requirements for weapons and equipment to be used by the PLA, so the weapons and equipment can further boost the troops' combat capabilities and win wars, Song said.

Xi, who is also General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, has been placing more emphasis on the combat readiness of the PLA ever since he came to power in 2012, last month issued a new mobilisation order for the training of armed forces which warrants them to focus on developing elite forces capable of winning wars and fearing neither death nor hardships.

In his order, Xi said the armed forces must closely follow the evolution of technology, warfare and rivals, redouble their efforts to better combine training with combat operations, and strengthen systematic training and the use of technologies to develop an elite force that is capable of fighting and winning wars.

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Although Covid cases are seeing a decline in the US, it is too soon to end restrictions like mask mandates, President has said.

A number of states have dropped mask mandates or set plans in motion to lift mask rules in schools in coming weeks.

But Biden stated that lifting indoor mask mandates was "probably premature", but acknowledged that making that decision is a "tough call", New York Times reported.

The President also suggested that rising rates of childhood vaccination, as well as the potential authorisation of vaccines for even younger children, could allow schools to end their own mask mandates.

"Every day that goes by, children are more protected," Biden said, adding that "the more protection they have, probably you're going to see less and less requirement to have the masks."

US cases are falling fast, down to about 1,74,000 daily, a two-thirds drop over two weeks, according to a New York Times database. But hospitalisations, at about 95,000, and deaths, at more than 2,400 daily, remain very high.

A recent CBS poll found that a majority of Americans still support mask mandates, including in schools, but that many are exhausted and frustrated by a pandemic that is grinding into its third year.

In schools, public health experts agree that mask requirements should not last forever, but differ on whether the time has come to remove them.

"I love how people talk about personal freedom. If your exercising personal freedom puts someone else in jeopardy, their health in jeopardy, I don't consider that being very dealing with freedom," Biden was quoted as saying on an NBC interview.

The UK is also planning to lift Covid restrictions as Omicron has peaked in the country. But experts have warned to remain cautious.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to end all domestic rules, including the requirement to self-isolate if you are infected with the virus from February 24.

According to Arnaud Fontanet, a senior epidemiologist at France's Pasteur Institute, measures such as mask wearing, home working and quarantine remained vital in order to slow the number of infections and keep hospital admissions down, the Guardian reported.

"Allowing the virus a free run would be a fundamental error," he was quoted as saying.

"Quite small changes in behaviour can really influence the dynamic. Reducing contacts now by just 20 per cent -- a bit of home working, wearing masks in indoor public spaces -- will halve the number of hospital admissions in a fortnight; we know this."

Meanwhile, Sweden, Denmark and Norway have all lifted Covid restrictions as they look to reclassify the virus as a disease that does not pose a threat to society.

But, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated "it's premature for any country either to surrender or to declare victory".

He said most regions of the world were experiencing a "very worrying increase in deaths" due to Covid, due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

--IANS

rvt/dpb

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Former US President has criticised the Biden administration over its handling of North Korea, at an event in that included as a guest speaker former Vice-President .

Several former leaders and top officials participated virtually or in-person at the weekend event in Seoul jointly sponsored by the Cambodian government and the Universal Peace Federation, an organisation linked to the South Korea-based Unification Church, a religious group known for its mass weddings and global business and media interests.

Pence, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon were among those who attended the event and spoke in person.

Trump appeared in a recorded video message that was screened on Sunday at the forum.

He alleged that a recent return to escalation that has seen North Korean leader Kim Jong Un launch missile tests would never have happened if I were president.

He also urged North Korea not to undertake any actions that could endanger what he described as the unique opportunity that we worked so hard to create together over the past four years.

The North resumed tests of shorter-range weapons threatening US ally while Trump was in office in 2019.

The year before, Kim had unilaterally suspended the testing of nuclear explosives and intercontinental-range ballistic missiles.

Trump met Kim three times during his presidency.

Their diplomacy never recovered from the collapse of their second meeting in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for a major release of US-led sanctions in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

North Korea kicked off 2020 with ramped-up testing activity, conducting seven rounds of missile launches in January alone.

Experts say the North could increase weapons demonstrations after its ally China finishes hosting the Winter Olympics in Beijing, as it attempts to move the needle with the Biden administration, which has offered open-ended talks but shown no willingness to budge on sanctions.

During his speech at the weekend gathering, Pence said deepening relations between China and Russia are posing increasing threats to their democratic neighbours, according to the forum organisers.

He also called for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the statement read.

While in Seoul, Pence met with South Korean conservative presidential candidate, Yoon Suk Yeol, as well as foreign policy advisers to the rival ruling party of Lee Jae-myung.

The US politician exchanged views on North Korea, according to campaign officials with from both camps.

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Indonesia's monthly trade surplus is expected to plummet 80% to $190 million in January after the world's top coal exporter clamped down on shipments last month, and as imports gained momentum, a Reuters poll showed on Monday.

Authorities on Jan. 1 announced an unexpected suspension of all coal exports due to critically low inventory of the fuel at domestic power plants. Shipments were allowed to resume gradually from Jan. 10, but the ban remains in place for miners who do not comply with domestic sales requirements.

The resource-rich country has recorded a trade surplus every month since May, 2020, benefitting from an upward trend in commodity prices as countries lift COVID-19 restrictions.

Thermal coal is Indonesia's top export.

Fifteen economists surveyed in the poll gave a wide range of forecasts for the January trade balance: from a $1.14 billion deficit to a $1.3 billion surplus.

The median was a $190 million surplus, Indonesia's lowest in 21 months. It was also a fraction of December's surplus of $1 billion and the average monthly trade surplus of $3.9 billion over the past six months.

The poll predicted January export growth slowing to 33.86% on a yearly basis, from 35.30% a month earlier. Meanwhile, imports were seen posting a 51.38% rise, compared with December's 47.93% yearly increase.

Bank Mandiri, whose own expectation was roughly in line with the poll's median, wrote in a note the ban was estimated to have reduced export gains by around $1 billion.

Indonesia's surplus in merchandise trade is expected to shrink this year, with domestic demand rising as Southeast Asia'a largest recovers from the pandemic, and with commodity prices seen normalising towards the end of the year, Bank Mandiri g added.

(Polling by Vivek Mishra and Tushar Goenka; Additional reporting by Fransiska Nangoy; Writing by Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by g Kanupriya Kapoor)

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A $27-billion deal between France's and Iraq, that Baghdad hoped would reverse the exit of oil majors from the country, has stalled amid disputes over terms and risks being scrapped by the country's new government.

has struggled to attract major fresh investments into its energy industry since signing a flurry of post U.S.-invasion deals over a decade ago. The Iraqi government has cut oil output targets repeatedly as oil that signed those initial deals leave due to poor returns from revenue sharing agreements.

agreed last year to invest in four oil, gas and renewables projects in the southern Basra region over 25 years. The deal, signed by Iraq's oil ministry in September 2021 followed a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron.

The ministry, however, did not have agreement on the deal's financial details with all the government departments that needed to approve it, three Iraqi oil ministry and industry sources involved or familiar with the negotiations told Reuters, and it has been mired in disputes ever since.

Following a parliamentary election, the deal now needs approval from a new Iraqi cabinet, including new oil and finance ministers, who won't be in place until at least the end of March.

Iraq's oil ministry told Reuters it expects the TotalEnergies deal to complete from then.

TotalEnergies said it was progressing towards closing the deal but added, "The agreements remain subject to conditions to be met and lifted by both sides."

The terms, which have not been made public or previously reported, have raised concerns from Iraqi politicians, and according to sources close to the deal are unprecedented for .

A group of Shi'ite lawmakers wrote to the oil ministry in January demanding details of the deal and asking why it was signed without competition and transparency, according to a copy of the letter seen by Reuters.

Parliament could force the oil ministry to review or scrap the deal.

Waiting for $10 bn

Under the draft terms, is relying on getting $10 billion of initial investment to fund the wider project via oil sales from the Ratawi oilfield, one of four projects in the broader agreement, according to the sources.

The Ratawi field is already pumping 85,000 barrels of oil per day and rather than Total receiving its share, the revenue is going into government coffers.

Total is due to get 40% of the revenues from Ratawi's oil sales, Iraqi oil sources involved in negotiations told Reuters.

That dwarfs the more usual 10-15% that investors would have received from past projects through Iraq's technical service contracts, which reimbursed foreign for capital and production costs and paid a fixed remuneration fee in crude.

The higher the revenue-sharing proportion, the quicker and less risky the payback for investor.

Iraq's oil ministry officials argue the country needs to be competitive with other energy producing countries to lure big investors like Total.



"We need to offer more incentives," a senior oil ministry official said.

Total also has concerns about the deal. The French company has rejected having Iraq's National Oil Company (INOC) as its partner in the project, which is also delaying closing the deal, according to the two sources.

INOC is Iraq's reconstituted national oil firm, created to emulate firms such as the huge Saudi Aramco, but its legal status has yet to be fully cleared by Iraq's new government and parliament, presenting a risk for Total.

Iraq's oil production capacity has grown from 3 million to around 5 million bpd in recent years, but the departure of oil majors such as Mobil and Shell from a number of projects due to poor returns means future growth is uncertain.

Developments have also slowed due to growing investor focus on environmental, social and governance criteria. at one time had targeted becoming a rival to top global producer Saudi Arabia with output of 12 million bpd or over a tenth of global demand.

Besides Ratawi, the deal with Total consists of a 1 GW solar power plant, a 600 million cubic feet a day gas processing facility, and a $3 billion sea water supply project key to boosting Iraq's southern oil production.

The latter has also been hit by delays as Iraq's oil ministry decided in August last year that it wanted constructors to pay for the project, reversing a previous decision to shortlist which would do it using state funds. It is still collecting bids for financing, sources say.

(Reporting by Rowena Edwards and Dmitry Zhdannikov in London, the Baghdad newsroom, and Aref Mohammed in Basra;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)

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is evacuating almost all of its embassy staff from and is calling on Japanese nationals in the country to leave immediately, local media reported.

The Japanese Embassy in Kiev on Sunday said that most of its staff will leave as tensions have been rapidly mounting over a possible Russian invasion following Moscow's military buildup near the border, Kyodo News reported.

On Friday, Japanese nationals in were advised to leave the country immediately and informed in an email sent by the embassy that its function will be further limited from Monday since "only a few" personnel will remain in the country, said the Japanese news agency.

Meanwhile, several countries have begun withdrawing troops from Ukraine and urging citizens to leave the country as soon as possible.

Washington has moved some US forces out of Ukraine and ordered the evacuation of most of its embassy staff on Saturday as fears mount that a Russian invasion of the country could potentially take place in the next few days.

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More airlines are likely to avoid Ukraine's amid insurance issues and a decision by leading European carriers to stop overflights after a U.S. warning that Russia could invade at any time, a flight operations advisory firm said on Monday.

Dutch airline KLM said it would halt flights to and through the country's airspace, while Germany's Lufthansa said it was considering a suspension.

British Airways (BA) flights between London and Asia on Monday appeared to be avoiding the airspace, according to Reuters monitoring of flight tracking service FlightRadar24.

A BA pilot on Sunday said on Twitter that there was a longer flight time for freighter service from London to Bangkok because of "current geo-politics". BA did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

"My guess would be that will become unavailable pretty soon if what we've seen over the weekend crystallises into a couple of more carriers actually pulling the pin," said Mark Zee, founder of flight operations advisory firm OPSGROUP.

"I don't think it will be government advice that's doing it so much as it will be insurance-based unavailability or carriers looking at other carriers. So if you have KLM, Lufthansa and British Airways, for example, deciding not to overfly at all, we're almost back into an MH17 scenario," he said.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing all 298 people on board, two-thirds of them Dutch citizens. Some airlines were already avoiding the after earlier shoot-downs of military aircraft.

Zee said that the avoidance of Ukraine's would have the biggest routing impact on airlines from neighbouring countries but that it was not expected to add much to the cost of long-haul flights.

Ukrainian carrier SkyUp said it had to divert a flight from Portugal to Ukraine on Saturday after the plane's owner barred it from entering Ukrainian airspace.

News agency Interfax Ukraine said Ukrainian insurance companies had received a notification from reinsurers that airlines were not covered for war risks.

Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmygal on Sunday said the government had allocated 16.6 billion hryvnia ($591.98 million) to ensure flight safety for insurance and leasing companies to guarantee the continuation of flights through its airspace.



(Reporting by Jamie Freed in Sydney. Editing by Gerry Doyle)

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By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil eased on Monday, after earlier hitting its highest in more than seven years, as hinted at possible concessions to that could alleviate tensions between the two countries that Western governments say are on the brink of war.

Brent crude was down 81 cents, or 0.9%, at $93.63 a barrel by 1259 GMT, off an ealier peak of $96.16, the highest since October 2014.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 83 cents, or 0.9%, to $92.27 a barrel, after hitting $94.94, the loftiest since September 2014.

"Market participants are concerned that a conflict between and the could disrupt supply," said Giovanni Staunovo, commodity analyst at UBS.

He said the is sensitive to any news of potential supply disruptions as oil inventories are low and producers' spare capacity is expected to fall further.

Comments from the about an imminent attack by on have rattled global financial . [MKTS/GLOB]

Russia could invade Ukraine at any time and might create a surprise pretext for an attack, the said on Sunday.

However, later cooled as Ukrainian Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko said Ukraine was prepared to make some concessions to Russia.

"If Russia invades Ukraine, crude oil and natural gas prices can be expected to surge significantly. In this case, Brent would probably exceed $100 per barrel," said Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch.

Supplies have been stretched as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, have struggled to deliver monthly pledges to increase output by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) until March.

"Oil prices are once again coming under tremendous upward pressure as OPEC+ missed its output targets by a high 900,000 barrels in January," said Pratibha Thaker, the Economist Intelligence Unit's editorial director for Middle East and Africa.

The Energy Agency's (IEA) chief Fatih Birol on Monday urged OPEC+ to close the gap between its words and its actions.

Investors are also watching talks between the and Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

The Iranian foreign minister said on Monday Iran was "in a hurry" to reach a swift agreement with world powers in nuclear talks in Vienna, provided its national interests are protected.

"A nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran could release 1.3 million barrels of supply, but this will not be sufficient to ease the supply constraints," said Thaker.

(Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in Lonodn and Florence Tan in Singapore; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell, Kim Coghill, Michael Urquhart, Jan Harvey and Barbara Lewis)

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Four years after 17 students were gunned down at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, President says his administration stands with the advocates working to end gun violence and urges the nation to uphold the solemn obligation to keep each other safe."



Out of the heartbreak of Parkland a new generation of Americans all across the country marched for our lives and towards a better, safer America for us all, Biden said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press ahead of Monday's anniversary of the deadly shooting.

Together, this extraordinary movement is making sure that the voices of victims and survivors and responsible gun owners are louder than the voices of gun manufacturers and the National Rifle Association," Biden said.

Since the Parkland shooting, gun violence at schools has only risen. There were at least 136 instances of gunfire on school grounds between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, according to a tally last week by the gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety.

Biden has acted to crack down on ghost guns, homemade firearms that lack serial numbers used to trace them and that are often purchased without a background check. He has worked to tighten regulations on pistol-stabilizing braces like the one used in a Boulder, Colorado, shooting that left 10 people dead. He's also encouraged cities to use their COVID-19 relief dollars to help manage gun violence.

But these efforts fall far short of major change.

In his first year in office, Biden's efforts to pass legislation to tighten gun laws haven't left the drawing board. He also was forced to pull his nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

There are limits to what the president can do when there is no appetite in Congress to pass gun legislation. The strongest effort in recent years failed, even after 20 children and six adults were killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Parkland happened six years later.

Biden said he's asked members of Congress to provide funding to help reduce violent crime and said they must pass legislation requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers.

We can never bring back those we've lost, Biden said. But we can come together to fulfill the first responsibility of our government and our democracy: to keep each other safe. For Parkland, for all those we've lost, and for all those left behind, it is time to uphold that solemn obligation."



The U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center studied school attacks nationwide from 2006-18 and reported that most attackers were bullied and that warning signs were there. Most important, the researchers said, about 94 per cent talked about their attacks and what they intended to do in some way, whether orally or electronically, and 75 per cent were detected because they talked about their plots. About 36 per cent were thwarted within two days of their intended attacks.

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Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday urged all Israelis to leave "as quickly as possible," ahead of a possible escalation with .

"I call on Israelis in Ukraine: Return home," Bennett said at the weekly cabinet meeting.

"Do not take unnecessary risks. Do not wait for a situation in which you will very much want to return but will be unable to do so. Be responsible for your lives and leave as quickly as possible," Bennett was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

"Like the rest of the world, we hope that the tension will end without escalation," he said. "However, our primary obligation is to look after our Israeli citizens," he added.

was ramping up on Sunday its efforts to help Israelis leave the east European country. Israeli flight carriers increased Israel-bound flights from to accommodate people wishing to depart.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement that 32 flights are planned for the upcoming week. "I call Israeli citizens to get on these flights," he added.

Over the weekend, started to evacuate Israeli diplomats and embassy employees from Kiev. It also issued a travel warning and called on Israeli nationals to leave the country.

--IANS

int/shs

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Russia's top diplomat advised President on Monday to continue talks with the West on Russian security demands amid tensions over .

The statement by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appeared to signal the Kremlin's intention to stay on a diplomatic path even though the US has warned that Moscow could invade at any moment.

Speaking at the start of a meeting with Putin, Lavrov suggested that Moscow should maintain a dialogue with the U.S. and its allies even though they have rejected Russia's main security demands.

Moscow wants guarantees from the West that NATO won't allow and other former Soviet countries to join as members, and that the alliance will halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe.

Lavrov noted that even though the U.S. and its allies have flatly rejected those demands, Washington has offered to conduct dialogue on limits for missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures.

Putin has yet to formulate Russia's formal response to those proposals.

Asked by Putin if it made sense to continue diplomatic efforts, Lavrov responded that possibilities for talks are far from being exhausted, and he proposed to continue the negotiations.

The talks can't go on idefinitely, but I would suggest to continue and expand them at this stage, Lavrov said.

Their meeting came as Germany's chancellor began a trip to Kyiv and Moscow for a last-ditch attempt to head off a feared Russian invasion of Ukraine that some warn could be only days away.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine on Monday and plans to continue on to Moscow for talks with Putin. Moscow denies it has any plans to invade but has massed well over 130,000 troops near Ukraine and, in the U.S. view, has built up enough firepower to launch an attack on short notice.

We are experiencing a very, very serious threat to peace in Europe, Scholz tweeted from Kyiv, adding that Germany wanted to see "signals of de-escalation" from Moscow.

With concerns rising that war could be imminent, German's military said the first of some 350 extra troops it is sending to bolster NATO forces in Lithuania were en route Monday. Six howitzer guns were also being loaded onto trucks for transport to the alliance's eastern flank.

With the world already on high alert, U.K. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said a Russian attack could effectively now happen with no notice. That follows a warning from U.S. officials that an invasion could come this week leading to a flurry of diplomacy but also deterrence measures.

Meanwhile, Lithuania moved diplomats' families and some nonessential diplomatic workers out of Ukraine; the U.S. is already pulling most of its staff from the embassy in Kyiv. And the Greek Foreign Ministry joined several Western nations in urging its citizens to leave the country.

The moves were the latest preparations for a possible war. On Sunday, some airlines canceled flights to Kyiv and troops there unloaded fresh shipments of weapons from NATO members. Ukraine's air traffic safety agency declared the airspace over the Black Sea to be a zone of potential danger because of Russian naval drills and recommended that planes avoid flying over the sea Feb. 14-19.

The U.S. and its NATO allies have repeatedly warned that will pay a high price for any invasion but they have sometimes struggled to present a united front. Scholz's government, in particular, has been criticized for refusing to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine or to spell out which sanctions it would support against Russia, raising questions about Berlin's resolve to stand up to Moscow.

So far, NATO's warnings appear to have had little effect: has only beefed up troops and weapons in the region and launched massive drills in its ally Belarus, which also neighbors Ukraine. The West fears that the drills, which will run through Sunday, could be used by Moscow as a cover for an invasion from the north.

has repeatedly brushed off Ukrainian and Western concerns about the military buildup, saying it has the right to deploy forces wherever needed on its territory.

Some observers expect Moscow to eventually accept a compromise that would help avoid hostilities and allow all sides to save face. While NATO refuses to shut the door to Ukraine, the alliance also has no intention of embracing it or any other ex-Soviet nation anytime soon. Some experts have floated ideas such as a moratorium on NATO expansion or a neutral status for Ukraine to defuse the tensions.

Ukraine's ambassador to the U.K., Vadym Prystaiko, seemed to suggest just such a middle path, telling the BBC on Sunday that the country could abandon its goal of joining NATO an objective that is written into its constitution if it would avert war with Russia.

We might especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it, Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5.

On Monday, however, Prystaiko appeared to back away from that, saying that to avoid war we are ready for many concessions ... but it has nothing to do with NATO, which is enshrined in the constitution.

Asked about Prystaiko's comment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would welcome such a move but noted the quick repudation of it by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

Ukrainian parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk also emphasized that there was no talk about revising the constitutional provision that refers to NATO membership, and some lawmakers called for Prystaiko's dismissal.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Sunday that Kyiv requested a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the next 48 hours to discuss the Russian deployments near the country's borders.

Poland, which currently chairs the OSCE, said the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday but it is unlikely to defuse tensions.

With the region on edge, the Russian Defense Ministry summoned the U.S. Embassy's military attache on Saturday to protest what it said was a U.S. submarine in Russian waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The Russian military said the submarine initially ignored orders to leave, but left after the navy used unspecified appropriate means. The U.S. has denied that its ship ever entered Russian waters.

Asked by lawmakers Monday if the military could strike foreign warships that enter Russian waters, deputy chief of the Russian military's General Staff Stanislav Gadzhimagomedov said the military stands ready for it, but added that such decisions are only made on the highest level.

High-level diplomacy has also continued but with little results so far. In an hourlong Saturday call with Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden said that invading Ukraine would cause widespread human suffering and that the West was committed to ending the crisis but equally prepared for other scenarios, the White House said.

Biden also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for about an hour Sunday, agreeing to keep pushing both deterrence and diplomacy to try to stave off a Russian offensive.

As he has before, Zelenskyy sought to play down the idea that a conflict was imminent, noting that Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine are safe and under reliable protection.

His office's readout of the call also quoted him suggesting that a quick Biden visit would help deescalate the situation a possibility was not mentioned in the White House summary of the call.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine's Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula 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 halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.

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plans to evacuate its citizens from within a couple of days in an additional operation amid growing fears of a Russian invasion, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

A total of 281 Korean nationals, including diplomatic staff, are staying in as of Monday, and about 100 plan to leave the nation by Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency quoted the Ministry as saying.

"The government is urging Korean nationals to leave as soon as possible via available flights or land routes as a Level 4 travel advisory was issued in all parts of Ukraine on Sunday," it said.

About 60 nationals have left the country since February 11, the Ministry said, after the US ratcheted up warnings against a possible Russian invasion in days.

Most airlines are normally operating flights from Ukraine, and the Korean Embassy plans to operate shuttle buses between the capital Kiev and Lviv, near the Poland border, until Friday, to support citizens' departure, it said.

--IANS

ksk/

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could drop its bid to join to avoid war with Russia, the BBC quoted the country's ambassador to Britain as saying, in what would amount to a major concession to Moscow in response to the build-up of Russian troops on its borders.

Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko told the BBC was willing to be "flexible" over its goal to join the Atlantic military alliance, a move Russian President Vladimir Putin has said would be a trigger for war.

"We might - especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it," Prystaiko was quoted as saying when asked if Kyiv could change its position on membership.

is not a member but has a promise dating from 2008 that it will eventually be given the opportunity to join, a step that would bring the U.S.-led alliance to Russia's border.

Putin says Ukraine's growing ties with the alliance could make it a launch pad for NATO missiles targeted at . He says needs to lay down "red lines" to prevent that.

has moved more than 100,000 troops and heavy weapons to within striking distance of Ukraine in recent weeks, prompting the United States and its NATO allies to warn that an invasion could be imminent.

Moscow denies it is planning an attack, calling the military manoeuvres exercises, but is has issued written demands that NATO forgo any further expansion eastwards including Ukraine.

NATO members have rejected the demand.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday and agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to try to resolve the crisis, the White House said.

(Reporting by Stephen Coates)

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The Centre has chosen to weaken the regulatory oversight of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) over the initial public offering of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) by not appointing the regulators chief, said the Peoples Commission on Public Sector and Public Services.

In a letter to Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, the commission, which has academicians, former bureaucrats, economists, among others as members, said the Ministry of Finance allowed to carry its regulatory functions over the insurance business, without having a regularly appointed Chairman, as mandated under Section 4 of the IRDA Act.

The previous chairman S C Khuntia retired on May 6, 2021 and the finance ministry had been planning an IPO of LIC well before the chiefs post fell vacant, but did not appoint a successor even after eight months, the commission said.

The IPO in this case apparently seeks to dilute public control over the enormous wealth of the household savings in the country and progressively transfer it to a handful of elite domestic and foreign investors. This is a matter of serious public concern. The fact that a headless will now be considering the draft IPO proposal for the disinvestment of the LIC erodes the credibility of the exercise, the commission said in its letter.

The Ministry of Finance did not respond to a request seeking comment. On Sunday, the LIC filed the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) stating that the government will sell its 5 per cent shares through the offer. The embedded value of the insurer has been estimated at Rs 5.39 trillion, and its market valuation would be known after consultations with investors.

If there would have been a fully constituted insurance regulator, as mandated by law, it would have, in all likelihood, turned down the draft IPO proposal that deprives the policyholders of what is legitimately due to them and which violates the principles of natural justice from their point of view, it said. The letter urged the cabinet secretary to advise the Union Cabinet not to take further action on LIC disinvestment till such time the Ministry of Finance appoints a competent person of integrity to head the IRDAI, with adequate time at to examine the complexities of the proposed IPO and its far reaching implications for the millions of the policyholders.

The commission has stated that policyholders have predominantly contributed to the growth of the LIC since its inception, and almost the entire proportion of the equity base of the LIC, except the limited capitalisation contributed by the government, should notionally be deemed to have been contributed by the policyholders.

At best, the sovereign guarantee provided by the government to the LIC's policyholders may be notionally valued and reckoned as a part of the equity capital,'' it said.

If this isnt reflected appropriately in the equity capital base of the LIC, it would result in private investors gaining undue control over the affairs of the LIC, to the detriment of the interests of the policyholders, the majority of whom are small ticket investors, and have invested their hard earned household savings in the LIC.

The proposal to allow both domestic and foreign investors to buy LIC's equity will set in motion such an unfair process that deprives the policyholders of their legitimate share in LIC's equity base and, over the years, alter the character and the objectives of the LIC as the country's largest provider of social security cover.

The commission has also reached out to SEBI stating that the IPO will alter the existing arrangement where policyholders are entitled to 95 per cent of LICs profits. Listing of LIC will counter the insurer's role as a part of the welfare state as provided in the Directive Principles of the Constitution.
Shares of FSN E-Commerce Ventures, the parent company of beauty e-tailer Nykaa, hit an all-time low of Rs 1,536, down nearly 7 per cent on the BSE in Mondays intra-day trade. It has fallen below its previous low of Rs 1,571.30 touched on January 27, 2022. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 1.8 per cent at 57,138 points at 10:53 am.

The stock of the cosmetics-to-fashion retailer has slipped 19 per cent in the past one week after the company reported a weak set of numbers for the October-December quarter (Q3FY22).

With the past one week's decline, the stock price of has slumped 40 per cent from its record high of Rs 2,574 touched on November 26, 2021. The company had issued shares at a price of Rs 1,125 per share in its initial public offer (IPO). The stock had made a market debut on November 10, 2021.

on February 9, 2022 reported a 59 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in its Q3 net profit at Rs 29 crore, hit by a jump in expenses and subdued demand for personal care and fashion products. Earnings before interest tax and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin contracted 697 bps at 6.3 per cent from 13.2 per cent in Q3FY21. On a sequential basis, EBITDA margin improved 302 bps from 3.3 per cent in Q2FY22.

Revenue from operations of the company grew 36 per cent YoY at Rs 1,098 crore. It said growth in beauty business accelerated in a relatively normalized Covid environment, with a strong revival in the cosmetics category. Nykaa's gross merchandise value (GMV) grew 49 per cent YoY driven by 32 per cent and 137 per cent YoY growth in beauty and personal care (BPC) and Fashion segments, respectively.

Marketing and Advertisement Expense was 14.0 per cent of revenue from operations in Q3FY22 as against 7.5 per cent in Q3FY21 due to continued focus on building brand awareness and higher acquisition of new customers, the company said.
By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil eased on Monday from its highest in more than seven years as hinted at possible concessions to that could alleviate tensions between the two countries that Western governments say are on the brink of war.

was down 60 cents, or 0.6%, at $93.84 a barrel by 1440 GMT after touching its highest since October 2014 at $96.16.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 47 cents, or 0.5%, to $92.63 after hitting $94.94, the loftiest since September 2014.

"Market participants are concerned that a conflict between and could disrupt supply," said UBS commodities analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

He said the oil market is sensitive to any of potential supply disruptions because oil inventories are low and producers' spare capacity is expected to fall further.

Comments from the United States about an imminent attack by on have rattled global financial . [MKTS/GLOB]

Russia could invade Ukraine at any time and might create a surprise pretext for an attack, the United States said on Sunday. Moscow denies that it plans to invade and has accused the West of hysteria.

However, later cooled as Ukrainian Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko said Ukraine was prepared to make some concessions to Russia.

"If Russia invades Ukraine, crude oil and natural gas prices can be expected to surge significantly. In this case, Brent would probably exceed $100 per barrel," said Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch.

Supplies have been stretched as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, have struggled to deliver monthly pledges to increase output by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) until March.

"Oil prices are once again coming under tremendous upward pressure as OPEC+ missed its output targets by a high 900,000 barrels in January," said Pratibha Thaker, the Economist Intelligence Unit's editorial director for the Middle East and Africa.

International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol on Monday urged OPEC+ to close the gap between its words and its actions.

Investors are also watching talks between the United States and Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

The Iranian foreign minister on Monday said that Iran was "in a hurry" to reach a swift agreement with world powers in nuclear talks in Vienna, provided its national interests are protected.

"A nuclear deal between the United States and Iran could release 1.3 million barrels of supply, but this will not be sufficient to ease the supply constraints," said Thaker.

(Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in Lonodn and Florence Tan in SingaporeEditing by Barbara Lewis and David Goodman)

(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.)
regulator on Monday cancelled the registration of four stock brokers and 11 depository participants, including Karvy and Anugrah Stock & Broking.

Irrespective of the cancellation of registration certificate, the respective entities will continue to be liable for anything done as depository participant or stock broker and will continue to be responsible for payment of outstanding fees and dues and interest if any, due to .

The directions will come into force with immediate effect, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in two separate orders.

said the registration of four stock brokers -- KSBL Securities, Conard Securities, Anee Securities and Credential Stock Brokers -- have been cancelled upon expulsion from the stock exchanges.

The exchanges have informed Sebi that brokers were expelled from their membership by them and the same has been communicated to them, the order mentioned.

The four entities have ceased to satisfy the conditions of registration stipulated under broker regulation, Sebi said.

Apart from Karvy and Anugrah Stock & Broking, the entities whose registration has been cancelled as depository participants are -- Wellindia Securities, BRH Wealth Kreators, Fairwealth Securities, Vrise Securities, MK Chandan Broking (RTG Share Broking), KSBL Securities, Vineet Securities, Anee Securities, Sumpoorna Portfolio.

The registration of depository participants was cancelled after depositories informed Sebi that the agreements between the depositories and 11 entities were terminated by them and the same has been communicated to them.

"Therefore, I note that the noticees are no longer participants of any depositories. Thus, the noticees have ceased to satisfy the conditions of registration stipulated in the... DP Regulations, 2018," Sebi Whole-Time Member Ananta Barua said.

The main purpose of cancellation of certificate of registration, as depository participant or stock broker of the entities is to prevent the misuse of their certificate of registration with Sebi on unaware investors.

It further said the entities will continue to be liable for any action initiated or to be initiated as if their certificate of registration has not been cancelled and this order does not absolve them from any violation of the securities laws committed by the noticees as registered depository participants/stock brokers.

"The noticees shall ensure to arrange for maintenance and preservation of records and other documents required to be maintained under the relevant regulations; redressal of investor grievances; transfer of records, funds or securities of its clients; continuity of service to its clients; and necessary actions with respect to the defaults or pending action, if any," Sebi said.

Through a separate, Sebi has imposed a penalty of Rs 2 lakh on Bhushan Steel Ltd (presently known as Tata Steel BSL Ltd) for disclosure lapses.

Bhushan Steel did not make requisite disclosures as stipulated under the LODR (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) norms, Sebi noted.

In 2018, Tata Steel acquired Bhushan Steel through the insolvency resolution process.

Separately, the regulator has levied a fine of Rs 6 lakh on Jyoti Structures Ltd for flouting LODR rules.

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The key benchmark indices are likely to start trade on a bearish note amid a global sell-off on the back of heightened Russia-Ukraine crisis and fears of a steeper rate hike by the US Federal Reserve. As of 08:00 AM, the SGX Nifty futures quoted at 17,115, indicating a gap-down of nearly 250 points at the opening bell for the Nifty 50 index. Meanwhile, here are the top for trade on Monday.

Earnings Watch: Adani Wilmar, BGR Energy, Coal India, Coffee Day, Dish Tv, Dredging Corporation, Eicher Motors, Electrosteel Castings, Gayatri Projects, Grasim, Hikal, Hindustan Oil Exploration, Ind-Swift, IPCA Labs, ITDC, JB Chemicals, McLeod Russel, Medplus Health Services, MTNL, Nagarjuna Fertilizers, Natco Pharma, Omax Auto, PC Jeweller, PTC India, Railtel Corporation, Rajesh Exports, Sakthi Sugar, Softsol India, Spandana Sphoorty, SpiceJet, Tide Water and Zuari Global are some of the companies to announce December quarter results today.

Auto stocks: As many as 20 applicants have been shortlisted under the Champion OEM Incentive Scheme of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for India's automotive sector, including companies like Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, and TVS Motor. READ MORE



Hero MotoCorp: The largest two-wheeler maker will have multiple tie ups and partnerships with companies so that it can take advantage of an established system. The company plans to launch its first EV product in March which is likely to be an electric scooter. READ MORE



The companys Q3 net soared 81.3 per cent YoY to Rs 243.25 crore in the quarter ended December 2021 as against Rs 134.15 crore in the year ago period. Total income increased by 32.2 per cent YoY to Rs 3,656.08 crore from Rs 2,765.35 crore.

Nazara Technologies: The company reported a marginal 1.5 per cent growth in Q3 net at Rs 19.50 crore for the quarter ended December 2021 when compared with Rs 19.20 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Total income grew 42.5 per cent YoY to Rs 185.80 crore.

DB Realty: The company reported a net loss of Rs 36.34 crore in Q3FY22 as against a net profit of Rs 98.59 crore in Q3FY21. Total income declined 35.5 per cent YoY to Rs 14.63 crore from Rs 22.69 crore.

Jaiprakash Associates: The companys consolidated Q3 net loss widened in the quarter ended December 2021 to Rs 348.34 crore when compared with a loss of Rs 302.06 crore in the quarter ended December 2020. Total income, however, surged 32.7 per cent YoY to Rs 1,923.69 crore in Q3.

Atul Auto: The company posted a net loss of Rs 8.52 crore in Q3FY22 as against a net profit of Rs 1.06 crore in Q3FY21. Total income was down 7.6 per cent YoY at Rs 94.43 crore.

Orchid Pharma: The company informed BSE, that its board has approved incorporation of a wholly-owned subsidiary, a capital expenditure of Rs 50 crore for the manufacturing facility at the Alathur plant and sale of the companys property at Roorkee in Uttarakhand.

Further the company in Q3FY22 narrowed its loss to Rs 10.57 crore when compared with a loss of Rs 44.72 crore in Q3FY21. Total income jumped 56.7 per cent to Rs 163.74 crore.

NHPC: The state-owned hydropower giant reported a nearly 7.5 per cent YoY dip in its consolidated net profit at Rs 888.76 crore in Q3Fy22, mainly due to lower revenues. Total income declined 9.1 per cent YoY to Rs 2,373.72 crore. READ MORE



Institute: The company has inked a deal to acquire Eqova Healthcare, a company with long-term exclusive rights to aid development and provide medical services to an upcoming 400-bed hospital. READ MORE



YES Bank: The private sector bank is plans for an early redemption of tier II bonds of about Rs 1,763 crore. This is part of its plan to retire high-cost instruments before close of the current financial year (FY22). READ MORE



Voltas: The company reported 24.9 per cent YoY decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 96.56 crore for December quarter 2021-22 on account of muted demand and impact of the third wave of the pandemic on trade and consumer sentiments. Revenue was down 10 per cent YoY at Rs 1,793.59 crore. READ MORE



Ashok Leyland: The flagship company of the Hinduja Group posted a net profit of Rs 6 crore for Q3FY22 as against a net loss of Rs 19 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Total income increased 15 per cent YoY to Rs 5,535 crore. READ MORE



IL&FS: According to a PTI report, the groups board of the crisis-hit company has stated in its affidavit filed before the NCLAT that it plans to resolve debt of Rs 55,000 crore by March 2022.

Sobha: The real estate company saw its net profit rise 57 per cent YoY to Rs 33 crore in the December quarter (Q3), compared to the year-ago period. However, its revenue dipped 2 per cent YoY to Rs 668 crore. READ MORE



Oil India: The state-owned company reported 37 per cent YoY jump in third quarter net profit to Rs 1,244.90 crore in October-December 2021, as it benefitted from a rise in international oil prices. Total income soared 88 per cent YoY to Rs 4,705.20 crore. READ MORE



Brookfield REIT: The companys net profit dropped 12 per cent YoY to Rs 60 crore in the December quarter (Q3), compared to the preceding quarter. The realty majors revenue slid 8 per cent YoY to Rs 195 crore. The REIT announced a planned distribution of Rs 150 crore (Rs 5.00 per unit) this quarter, with 34 per cent of distributions tax free for unit holders. READ MORE



Stocks in F&O ban: BHEL, Punjab National Bank (PNB), SAIL and Tata Power are the four stocks in the F&O ban period on Monday.
Shares of recently listed companies came under heavy selling pressure with food delivery company Zomato, cosmetics-to-fashion retailer Nykaa, fintech major Paytm, and 12 other stocks hitting their respective all-time lows on the BSE in Monday's intra-day trade.

Data Patterns (India), Star Health and Allied Insurance Company, Vijaya Diagnostic Centre, CarTrade Tech, Dodla Dairy, Glenmark Life Sciences, Nuvoco Vistas Corporation, RailTel Corporation of India, and Suryoday Small Finance Bank, meanwhile, tanked up to 6 per cent and hit their record lows in intra-day trade as well.

At 12:55 pm, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 2 per cent or 1,276 points at 56,876 on the back of rising geopolitical tension between Russia and Ukraine. This geopolitical tension is leading to a sharp rise in crude oil prices which is another headwind for the Indian equity .

The S&P BSE IPO index, which slipped 3.4 per cent to 10,539 level in intra-day trade today, has corrected 23 per cent from its record high level of 13,747 touched on November 25, 2021. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex is down nearly 9 per cent from its all-time high level of 62,245 hit on October 19, 2021.

Among individual stocks, shares of food delivery company dropped 8 per cent to Rs 82, falling 13 per cent in the past two trading days after the company reported sequentially flat revenue growth at Rs 1,112 crore for October-December quarter (Q3FY22). On year-on-year (YoY) basis, the revenue growth was 78 per cent.

The market price of the company has more-than-halved and is down 51 per cent from its record high level of Rs 169.10 hit on November 16, 2021. The stock is quoting close to its initial public offer (IPO) price of Rs 76 per share.

In Q3FY22, the company's revenue from operations grew by around 9 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), while the customer delivery charges de-grew by 22 per cent. This was driven by Rs 7.5 per order reduction in customer delivery charges in Q3FY22 as compared to Q2FY22, said.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Ebitda) loss reduced to Rs 270 crore in Q3FY22 as compared to Rs 310 crore in the previous quarter (Q2FY22) driven by rationalizing spends across various businesses and functions.

The company believes that the weak QoQ growth in gross order value (GOV) was primarily due to reduction in customer delivery charges, in addition to a soft impact of post-covid reopening (including some shift from delivery to dining out). Average order value (AOV; which includes customer delivery charges) shrunk by around 3 per cent QoQ, mostly on account of reduction in customer delivery charges.

Shares of One97 Communications, the parent company of digital payments major Paytm, on the other hand, was down 4 per cent to Rs 872 in intra-day trade today. In the past six trading days, they have slipped 8 per cent after the company's net loss widened 45 per cent YoY to Rs 778 crore in Q3FY22. Revenue during the quarter grew 89 per cent YoY and 34 per cent QoQ at Rs 1,456 crore.

The company said revenue growth was driven by growth in merchant payments through MDR bearing instruments, new device subscriptions and loan disbursements. The QoQ growth was driven by the higher festive season demand, particularly in their online and offline merchant business.

In the past one month, the stock price of has slipped 22 per cent, whereas it has declined 59 per cent against the issue price of Rs 2,150. The company had made its market debut on November 18, 2021. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 1,961.05 on November 18, but has failed to touch its issue price post listing.

Further, shares of FSN E-Commerce Ventures, the parent company of beauty e-tailer Nykaa, hit an all-time low of Rs 1,493, sliding 9 per cent in the intra-day trade. It has fallen below its previous low of Rs 1,571.30 touched on January 27, 2022. The stock has slipped 20 per cent in the past one week after the company reported a weak set of numbers for Q3FY22.

With the past week's decline, the stock price of has slumped 42 per cent from its record high of Rs 2,574 touched on November 26, 2021. The company had issued shares at a price of Rs 1,125 per share in its initial public offer (IPO). The stock had made a market debut on November 10, 2021.

on February 9, 2022 reported a 59 per cent YoY decline in its Q3 net profit at Rs 29 crore, hit by a jump in expenses and subdued demand for personal care and fashion products. Ebitda margin contracted 697 bps at 6.3 per cent from 13.2 per cent in Q3FY21. On a sequential basis, Ebitda margin improved 302 bps from 3.3 per cent in Q2FY22. Revenue from operations of the company grew 36 per cent YoY at Rs 1,098 crore. It said growth in beauty business accelerated in a relatively normalized Covid environment, with a strong revival in the cosmetics category.
Finance minister Nirmala addressed the Directors of the Central Board of Reserve Bank of India on Monday. The Hon'ble Finance Minister in her address outlined the thinking behind the Union Budget 2022-23 and the priorities of the Government. Complimenting the Finance Minister on the Budget, the Board members made various suggestions for consideration of the Government. The Board in its meeting reviewed the current economic situation, global and domestic challenges. Sitharaman said the central bank and the government are on board regarding digital currencies. She said the discussions with the RBI regarding the CBDC were going on prior to the Budget announcement, and they are continuing. It was the 593rd meeting of the Central Board of Directors of Reserve Bank of India held at New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor.

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Sobha reported 60% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 33.2 crore on a 1% decline in total income to Rs 688.8 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21.

On the segmental front, Real Estate revenue was Rs 446.6 crore (down 4% YoY), Contractual & Manufacturing revenue was Rs 221.6 crore (up 1% YoY) and other income was Rs 20.6 crore (up 2.3x YoY) during the quarter.

EBIDTA was down 1% to Rs 135.9 crore in Q3 FY22 from Rs 159.8 crore in Q3 FY21. EBIDTA margin was 20% in Q3 FY22 as against 19% in Q3 FY21.

Debt Equity stood at 1.07 as on 31 December 2021 as compared to 1.13 as on 30 September 2021. JC Sharma, vice chairman and managing director, SOBHA, said, " Sabha has reported another good quarter and achieved sustained sales volume and sale value with improved price realization. Bengaluru, which is our primary market has shown outstanding sales performance during the quarter.

Gurugram, Pune and GIFT CITY have also performed well during the quarter and as a result for nine months they have already crossed sales volumes achieved during FY 20-21. The Kerala region sales performance was subdued due to sustained covid restrictions and impact of flood. We expect performance to improve in the coming quarters."

"During the quarter, cash flows remained healthy which has resulted in highest ever cash inflow achievement .This has helped the company to reduce debt by Rs 1.23 billion. Our average cost of borrowing has further come down to 8.65% as on 31 December 2021," he added.

Sobha is primarily focused on residential and contractual projects. Its residential projects include presidential apartments, villas, row houses, super luxury & luxury apartments, plotted developments and aspirational homes.

The scrip fell 1.80% to currently trade at Rs 835.70 on the BSE.

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The Assembly session which will commence from Monday, is expected to witness a high voltage drama as the ruling BJP government and opposition Congress are locking horns on controversial issues such as the anti-conversion bill, Mekedatu project and the row.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot is scheduled to address the joint session on Monday.

The BJP is all set to table the controversial anti-conversion bill in the Legislative Council this session. It was passed in the Assembly during the winter session held in Belagavi Suvarna Soudha.

The bill is expected to create furore as the Congress is all set to oppose it, and the BJP is expected to get it passed in the Council, even as the latter is short of majority by one seat.

The Congress is also set to attack the state government on its inability to commence the work of Mekedatu project, opposed by the neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

It had taken out a massive padayatra amid the third Covid-19 wave urging immediate commencement of the project, but stopped after intervention of the court.

The raging row is also going to be one of the major points of confrontation between the ruling party and the Congress as well as the JD(S). Though the case is in court, both the houses of the Assembly are going to witness high drama over the issue.

The Bitcoin scandal, which has gone to the backburner, is also likely to be raked up as allegations have been made against top BJP leaders of the state.

The contractors association charge of 40 per cent commission on all projects by the ruling BJP disposal, Mahadayi drinking water project and delay in providing compensation to families of Covid victims will be discussed to put the ruling BJP in a fix.

Hariprasad.B.K., considered to be member of Congress President Sonia Gandhi's close circle, will begin his stint as the Leader of Opposition. The Congress has more expectations from Hariprasad who is known for his poignant anti-Hindutva comments and stands.

On the other hand, sources from the BJP claimed that the party is all set to confront Opposition aggressively, especially, on row and Anti-conversion bills.

--IANS

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Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday said that Assam Chief Minister should apologize to Congress MP over his remark questioning his parentage.

"I've no relation with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, not even his party. He is an MP, who has a family history. Assam Chief Minister should apologize for his comment," the Chief Minister said while addressing a press conference.

On Saturday, Rao had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda to sack the Assam Chief Minister for his comments on .

"PM Modi ji, is this the 'sanskaar' (etiquettes) or our Hindu ritual to question an MP about the identity of his father. This was done by your BJP Chief Minister. My head hangs in shame and my eyes are in tears after I heard this. This is not a good thing for the country," he had said.

"How can the Chief Minister of Assam talk like this? There is a limit to holding on to patience," Rao added.

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After the Indian government banned Tencent's Xriver, Garena's Free Fire, NetEase's Onmyoji Arena and Astracraft along with 50 more Chinese apps in a fresh strike, on Monday said it has temporarily blocked the access of the notified apps on Play Store.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has formally issued a notification banning the operations of 54 Chinese apps in India, as several of such apps from the stable of Chinese companies like Tencent and Alibaba, changed hands to hide ownership.

"On receipt of the interim order passed under Section 69A of the IT Act, following established process, we have notified the affected developers and have temporarily blocked access to the apps that remained available on the Play Store in India," India said in a statement.

has also pulled down several of these apps, including Garena Free Fire, from its App Store.

The IT Ministry identified applications such as Sweet Selfie HD, Beauty Camera - Selfie Camera, Equaliser & Bass Booster etc which are cloned or refurbished versions of apps already banned by India in 2020.

The other banned apps are Music Plus - MP3 Player, equaliser Pro - Volume Booster & Bass Booster, Video Player Media All Format, Music Player - Equaliser & MP3, Volume Booster - Loud Speaker & Sound Booster, CamCard for SalesForce Ent, Isoland 2: Ashes of Time Lite, Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade, APUS Security HD (Pad Version), Parallel Space Lite 32 Support, Viva Video Editor - Snack Video Maker with Music, Nice video baidu, AppLock, Astracraft and more.

The latest move could be a fallout of the current standoff between India and China locked in a protracted border dispute.

This is the first lot of apps to be banned by the government this year after a total of 270 apps were banned since 2020.

The Singapore-based Sea owns "Garena's Free Fire" that has been pulled from Play Store and Apple's App Store in India. The battle royale game has millions of users in India.

Garena Free Fire from Garena emerged as the most downloaded mobile game worldwide for December 2021 with close to 24 million installs, which represented a 28.2 per cent increase from December 2020.

The countries with the most installs of the app during this period were India at approximately 26 per cent of its total downloads and Brazil at 12 per cent, according to Sensor Tower.

These apps are being hosted out of countries like Hong Kong or Singapore but the data is ultimately going to servers in Chinese destinations.

The MeitY had banned 59 Chinese apps in June 2020 referring to them as being 'prejudicial' to India's sovereignty, integrity and national security. The list included the popular smartphone app TikTok, Helo, WeChat, Kwai, Clash of Kings, Alibaba's UC Browser and UC News, Likee, Bigo Live, Shein, Club Factory, and Cam Scanner, besides others.

--IANS

na/vd

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New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI/PNN): The advertising industry has its share of global and local award shows, where the best work is showcased, celebrated and awarded.

The Maza Nahi Aaya (MNA) Awards, however, is the first of its kind which celebrates advertising that has been deliberately badly made.

"The idea was to have some fun with advertising. Every single one of us in the advertising industry spends hours making an ad look perfect - the logo has to be on the top right, the picture needs to be beautifully shot, the copy has to be just right. And because of this, over some time, advertising has become formatted," said Bodhisatwa Dasgupta, founder of The Voice Company, a content and advertising agency and the brainchild behind these awards.

"I wanted to create a platform where the shackles were taken off, and creators could just have fun and make a mess of things. And at the end of it all, be rewarded for it," added Dasgupta.

The panel of judges include stalwarts from the industry - Tista Sen (Regional Creative Director, Wunderman Thompson, South Asia), Debarpita Banerjee (CEO, FCB India), Prathap Suthan (Chief Creative Officer, Bang In The Middle), Karan Amin (Founder, 010), Karl Gomes (Chief Fanatic, Fanatic), Samriddh Dasgupta (Chief Marketing Officer, Heads Up For Tails), Prerna Mehra (Chief Creative and Head of Design, MullenLowe, MENA), and Neha Tulsian (Founder and Creative Director, NH1 Design).

The format of the awards is simple. There are three briefs available on the platform (https://mnaawards.com). A creator has to simply pick one brief, or all three, download the media kit that contains the logo file, and start creating. Once the creator is ready to submit, they have to pay a small entry fee and submit the ad, which will then go through rounds of judging by the best in the business.

The briefs range from an invisible face mask, a surprise food delivery app, and a company that makes completely useless things. With briefs like these, says Dasgupta, the scope for creating really fun and whacky advertising is incredibly wide.

Creators can click on the platform to start uploading their ads in static or GIF format.

More specifications are there on the Rules tab of the website.

The last date for entry submission is March 25, 2022.

This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)

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New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI/PNN): CapiticoPRG is a Delhi-based education consulting firm that now has an exclusive alliance with the International American University (IAU), based in Los Angeles, USA, to honor Doctorate Awards to Indian candidates.

This initiative is led by its CEO Parul Goel, who is a woman with many talents. She has lived and led different businesses in various countries for the last three decades and has significant experience in the education business in India and abroad, which has helped her to further this agenda of CapiticoPRG.

As a strategic alliance partner with IAU, CapiticoPRG will ensure to recommend, promote and honor IAU honorary Doctorate Awards to experience and qualified professionals. As quoted by Mrs Goel, "We are delighted and honored to collaborate with IAU and look forward to building long-lasting brand value among the target audience".

Ryan Doan has been the CEO of International American University since 2005. He has done an MBA from Capella University, Minneapolis and MN & BA in psychology from UC Irvine. IAU ensures a concentrated faculty body, specialized curriculum, and faculty interaction. IAU's faculties are business professionals who have made an impact on developing organizations to go from 'good' to 'great'. Honorary awards are subject to approval by the Honorary Selection Committee. In making its recommendations for the honorary awards and in considering the people to be honored, it will focus primarily on people of academic prominence in the fields of research and scholarship of particular interest to the University, apart from the prominent achievers in the field of Business and Management Excellence.

As stated by Doan - "We are excited about the alliance and are looking forward to working with CapiticoPRG, a premier organisation for education solutions. The CEO's wide experience and the company's footprint in different regions would certainly support us to establish a name and creditability in the Asian market."

The primary vision of this alliance will be to award the IAU Honorary Doctorate to dignitaries and deserving Indians with expertise in the following segments:

People of academic prominence in the broad fields of research and scholarship of particular interest to the University;

Entrepreneurs and others distinguished in business and industry;

Those who have contributed with distinction to the University; such people might also fall into one or more categories (i) to (iii) above.

The awards that will be honored are:

# Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Hon. PhD)

# Honorary Doctor of Business Administration (Hon. DBA)

# Honorary Master of Business Administration (Hon. MBA)

# Honorary Professorship (Hon P.)

CapiticoPRG inviting nominations for doctorate, Formal Convocation to be organized as Covid Norms relaxed

This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)

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New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI): Japan, India's fifth-largest investor, has contributed over USD 36.2 billion in cumulative investments since 2000, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry informed on Monday.

The Ministry said that the key sectors of Japan's investment are automobiles, Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM), Medical Devices, Consumer goods, Textiles, Food processing, and Chemicals.

Currently, there are 114 Japanese companies across the JITs. The Neemrana and Sri City industrial townships host a majority of the Japanese companies. Companies such as Daikin, Isuzu, Kobelco, Yamaha Music, Hitachi Automotive etc. are the marque Japanese investors which have set up manufacturing in these townships, the ministry said in a press release.

A Joint Meeting was held between India (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)) and Japan (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)) for the annual review of progress under Japanese Industrial Townships (JITs) in India.

"DPIIT and the States presented the developed land and infrastructure readily available for Japanese investors in these townships. Japanese companies were invited for field visits to the JITs to attract investments," they said while adding that the DPIIT reviewed the status of Japan Industrial Townships (JITs) with METI, in a virtual platform in view of the COVID-19 situation.

The Embassy of Japan in India and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) also participated from the Japanese side. From the Indian side Officers from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Embassy of India in Tokyo and representatives of State Governments and Invest India Participated in the meeting

It may be noted that Japan Industrial Townships (JITs) were set up pursuant to the "Action Agenda for the India-Japan Investment and Trade Promotion and Asia-Pacific Economic Integration" signed between METI, Government of Japan and DPIIT, Government of India in April 2015 to take steps to develop "Japan Industrial Townships" in India especially in the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) regions in order to facilitate Japanese investment to India.

"Japan is the only country that has dedicated country-focused industrial townships across India. These Japanese Industrial Townships (JITs) offer facilities such as special Japan desks for translation and facilitation support, world-class infrastructure facilities, plug and play facilities, residential clusters, and special incentives for Japanese companies. There are ready to move in facilities and fully developed land available for allotment in these townships," the Ministry said in its release.

During the meeting, as per the Ministry, it was highlighted that the Government of India has announced various schemes to attract investments and improve the ease of doing business in India.

"The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme announced for 14 sectors received numerous applications. Japanese companies have also applied for these PLI schemes and have received approval. The National Single Window System - an initiative by the Government was also showcased to the Japanese side. This one-stop digital platform -currently has 20 Central Ministries and 14 states/UTs that have been onboarded. The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) encapsulates infrastructure development across key sectors (such as energy, railways, roads, irrigation etc.) in India with investments of USD 1.4 trillion planned between 2019 and 2025," the release informed.

The Ministry further added that the emerging sectors that are new opportunities to attract Japanese investments into the JITs and India were highlighted along with showcasing the opportunities for investments in the Information and Communications Technologies, Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles, Drones, Robotics and Textiles sectors were showcased.

Japan side highlighted the importance of India and Japan's partnership that will further expand through the "Memorandum of Cooperation on India - Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership" and the ongoing Supply Chain Resilience Initiative. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI/PNN): LawSikho, headquartered in New Delhi, is a leading ed-tech start-up that specialises in preparing lawyers and law students across developing nations for international remote jobs.

LawSikho has broken previous placement records in the month of January by providing jobs, freelance work and internships to over 400 learners in a period of 1 month.

A variety of factors have led to the record-breaking success of LawSikho's placement efforts. The legal sector is seeing a rapid recovery from the slowdown caused by the pandemic, and there is a great deal of demand for trained legal talent. Also, more businesses are formalising in India thanks to the growth of UPI and e-commerce, leading to an entirely new clientele emerging for professionals like lawyers, accountants and company secretaries.

Additionally, there is a great deal of demand for Indian lawyers and paralegals in countries like the USA, Canada, UAE and Australia. There is a similar demand in Europe also, although language barriers can play a spoilsport in those countries.

120 learners bagged freelance opportunities from 38 startups and 2 international law firms. They got an opportunity to work on general contract drafting and review, investment documents such as SAFE, term sheets, privacy policy etc. Some of them were also engaged in legal blogging, academic writing, and other tasks.

65 law students who are yet to learn sufficient legal skills launched their freelance journey by working on projects such as legal transcription, translation, content writing and virtual assistantship roles.

21 lawyers and compliance professionals have received jobs in law firms, MNCs, and other organisations, including Gartner, Persistent System Limited, AARC Partners, Peritum Partners, LegalEase Solutions LLC, etc. 2 of these were international jobs from The Cowlitz Law Group, Washington and Helvetia Human Performance Group, Geneva. The student who bagged the opportunity from Helvetia in Geneva also bagged the biggest annual package at $24,000.

2 students received assessment internships at WadiaGhandy & Co. and Lexygen Law. 102 more students received paid internships in India, the UK, USA, Australia and other countries in law firms and other organisations. 98 law students accepted unpaid internships, which may lead to paid opportunities/ jobs soon.

Since 2021, in light of the shifting job market and the rise of the gig economy, LawSikho has been training learners to take advantage of international remote freelance work. The LawSikho team has helped many lawyers to transition into international remote freelance work through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and People Per Hour.

"We have really stepped up our efforts on generating international opportunities for our learners. In February, we are beginning extensive marketing campaigns targeting law firms and remote startups in the USA. We hope to double our placement numbers by May. However, the next big challenge for us is how fast we can upskill more students to take advantage of these incredible opportunities.", said Ramanuj Mukherjee, CEO and Co-Founder at LawSikho.

"With the help of the LawSikho team, I was able to consult an e-commerce company based in Kenya", said Advocate Surekha Gajakos from Mumbai.

This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)

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New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI/ATK): Unified Brainz celebrated the 3rd anniversary of its international magazine brand - Passion Vista with most eminent Indians in its anniversary edition "The Most Admired Global Indians 2021" which was launched virtually on 25th January 2022.

The spectacular event witnessed not only powerful personalities but also leading visioners from different walks of life who craft, curate and conceptualize all the industries across the globe.

A visionary entreprenuer, Manoj Chawla graced the event with his presence and celebrated the victory. Manoj has achieved so much more in life than what meets the eye. He is a charming figure who constantly motivates and drives thousands of young minds to do greater goods in life. This man's story is something that we all should be aware of. From his early childhood itself, Manoj used to take part in many business conversations within his family. He was always fascinated by deep thinking, technology, and holistic solutions. He firmly believes that these core values have always encouraged him to run the extra mile.

Manoj holds a degree in economics and engineering science from Trinity College. Manoj is someone who believes in people. He admires the power of working together for a goal and being fully invested in everything that is done. When your team sees you committed, they follow.

He firmly believes that the other "secret sauce" is a simplification. Clarity about the goals and then a systematic approach to implementation makes anything possible. Creating a tribe depends on mutual respect, trust and a shared vision. Only someone with true dedication and zeal can have such a crisp & clear perspective of life.

For Manoj, entrepreneurship is at the heart of change. He takes a holistic approach to things and this joined-up thinking approach allows him to develop new ideas and ways of doing unique things. Manoj has been part of numerous leading-edge technological advancements. He started the SAP practice for one of the leading consultancies. He developed one of the first and largest Data Warehouse solution which was one of the largest IP applications used to implement a real-time solution that managed thousands of projects worth billions and revolutionized Programme Management by delivering FIRE (flexible interactive reporting environment) in 6 weeks.

"I have learned that clarity of your objective allows you to focus on the essential. Too often we lose sight and can't separate the wood from the trees. Often, we need to go back to basics and need to take things out and simplify rather than add complexity."

He invented a unique solution for rolling out low-cost affordable internet. He architected and enabled e-hr in large corporates; He developed one of the first online estate agents, food ordering and delivery apps etc. Manoj sees the opportunities that technology offers to improve the world and loves to bring them to life.

When asked how he deals with work pressure, Manoj replied with insightful enthusiasm. "At the moment I am most excited by the imminent launch of a product that will revolutionize remote video conferencing and online training. I have written my first two books: a complete system to help us prioritize our goals, personal happiness and get ahead in life." He further said "When work is so rewarding, satisfying, and flexible, it becomes leisure. Any new encounter is a new opportunity to grow and develop."

Manoj says that he has two big passions: seeing his ideas come to life and helping others. Being a positive influence in other people's lives energizes and inspires him to do more. Building authentic relationships and choosing to trust in others and to see them for who they are is central to his business philosophy. He knows that trust is the lifeblood of every relationship, business or personal.

Manoj Chawla has some delightful advice for our young audience. It is to know yourself, your true values and goals. Once you know these, everything will fall into place. They will instantly help you understand how to prioritize your tasks. and look after yourself - which is essential to attaining your goals and personal happiness.

"We must all be careful that the hole we are digging looking for gold isn't our grave. Love life. Love fun. Love others. But most importantly, love and look after yourself."

To know about Manoj, check (https://www.passionvista.com) or to nominate for upcoming projects email us at info@passionvista.com

This story is provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/ATK)

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Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 14 (ANI/NewsVoir): TTDigitals, an upcoming digital marketing company in Pune announce the launch of their new dynamic (https://ttdigitals.com) website which is focused on creation of digital marketing ecosystem wherein company would be publishing informative digital marketing content with the informative blogs and content and even starting affordable online workshop series to train students on various online marketing concepts.

TTDigitals is a digital marketing agency based in Pune, provides businesses with cost-effective digital marketing and web development solutions. It is built with total transparency in terms of expenditures on various operations and ROI created. TTDigitals is a company that supports small and medium-sized enterprises with digital marketing consultation and services at affordable rates. In today's time, it is considered among the top digital marketing companies in Pune.

Since its inception in October 2016, the company has worked with prominent industry giants in the field of education including University of Pune, MIT School of Distance Education, MIT Institute of design, Ideal Institute of Biology, Hyderabad Institute of Technology & Management (HITAM), Chiranjeev Studios and many more. The company thrives because there is a huge market gap in services as observed by the founder.

Hrishikesh Deshmukh observed a disconnect between digital marketing organisations and their clients during his time at Wheelstreet. The digital marketing firm they hired charged an outrageous fee and provided only a fraction of clarity regarding the SEO efforts. This experience inspired him to start his own business to give value to his customers. As a result, TTDigitals was born.

Recently, TTDigital has started offering digital marketing courses in Pune. TTDigital has established its in-house digital marketing courses and training programs to aid and support marketing hopefuls in this regard. They are saviours to all those students looking for digital marketing courses in Pune. Additionally, It has initiated the process of consulting leads in order to deliver end-to-end marketing services to any customer.

The marketing firm will provide services where a lot of attention, time, and effort is required to know the sales goals and how to create the ideal customer profile, having worked with several excellent B2B organisations. This plan will also implement a lead-generating strategy that uses consistent and relevant messages across all digital marketing platforms.

The agency offers a range of services to choose from between website design, social media optimization, management and marketing, keyword analysis, competitive analysis, brand engagement, and other online marketing services. The organisation focuses on offering one-of-a-kind, straightforward digital marketing services based on years of market expertise. Since its inception in 2016, the firm has worked with over 200 customers of different scales and has managed marketing budgets of close to 15 crores.

TTDigital, a top web design company in Pune has dealt with projects from hotels, hospitals, restaurants, real estate, and other small businesses; their core strength and emphasis is on performance advertising of educational institutes and providing excellent leads for the said institutions.

One of the reasons TTDigitals is a top digital marketing company in Pune, India is because of its dedicated workforce. The firm, which began in 2016 with only one founding member, has grown to include more than 15 people.

The agency excels in the field of website design and development. It has produced over 100 fully functional and optimised websites to date. Its team of skilled website designers, digital marketers, and content creators collaborate closely with you to provide solutions that are certain to deliver results. The organisation has worked with a diverse range of clientele throughout the years. It has aided several businesses in multiplying their revenue by four to five times.

TTDigitals can offer designing or revamping a website to ensure that it is functional. The website designers adopt the wireframe model to website design. The site is exceptionally user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and lead-friendly while still providing a high degree of efficiency.

The organisation adheres to a practice-based teaching technique, with the primary goal of providing high-quality education and training to those ready to take on the digital world and expand their enterprises. As a result, students will examine the most successful and distinctive instances of digital marketing and website creation to learn from the pros.

For more information, please visit: (https://ttdigitals.com).

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

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FILE - Elephant tusks are stacked in one of around a dozen pyres of ivory, in Nairobi National Park, Kenya on April 28, 2016. According to a report released on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, scientists found that most large ivory seizures between 2002 and 2019 contained tusks from repeated poaching of the same elephant populations. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
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Photo: The Canadian Press

Police say a blockade of a border crossing in southern Manitoba has grown.

RCMP estimated last week there were 50 semi-trailers, farm vehicles and passenger vehicles that had blocked off access to the border, expect for emergency vehicles and livestock trucks.

Today, they say there about 75 vehicles, although they note the number fluctuates as protesters arrive and depart.

Police say all four lanes of Highway 75 at Provincial Road 200 north of the border remain blocked.

They say emergency vehicles, including police vehicles, as well as some agriculture transports continue to have access through the blockade, but otherwise no traffic is flowing in the area.

Police are advising motorists to expect substantial delays, noting officers are also reporting blizzard conditions.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A Pakistani man sentenced to life in prison in 2019 for strangling his sister, a model on social media, was acquitted of murder Monday after his parents pardoned him under Islamic law, an attorney for the man's family said.

Waseem Azeem was arrested in 2016 after he confessed to killing Qandeel Baloch, 26, for posting what he called shameful pictures on Facebook. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison but his parents had sought his release, said Sardar Mahboob, a lawyer who represents Azeem and his family.

Islamic law in Pakistan allows a murder victims family to pardon a convicted killer.

Balochs murder at the time drew nationwide condemnation, but critics suspected Azeem could walk out of prison after his conviction if his parents forgave him.

Mahboob said Azeem could be freed as early as this week after the completion of paperwork.

The siblings' mother, Anwar Bibi, welcomed the court order. I am happy over the acquittal of my son, but we are still sad for our daughter's loss," she said.

She told reporters that her slain daughter cannot come back but I am thankful to the court, which ordered the release of my son at our request."

Baloch was found strangled in her home near the city of Multan in Punjab province. She was killed after she posted racy pictures on Facebook of herself with a Muslim cleric, Mufti Abdul Qawi, who was later arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder.

The cleric was later freed as police said they could not establish a link to the murder.

Nearly 1,000 Pakistani women are murdered by close relatives each year in so-called honor killings for violating conservative norms on love and marriage. Such killings are considered murder. But Islamic law in Pakistan allows a murder victims family to pardon the killer, which often allows those convicted of honor killings to escape punishment.
China to further open services sector

08:09, February 14, 2022 By LIU ZHIHUA ( China Daily

Consumers step out after shopping at the 18th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Sept 13. (Photo by Peng Huan/For China Daily)

Nation's commitments under RCEP will drive transformation and upgrades

As liberalization of trade in services and openness in the services sector are often at the core of high-level international economic and trade rules, China is expected to further open up the sector to the rest of the world to achieve its goal of basically establishing a new system for higher-level opening up of the economy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), industry experts said.

The nation's openness commitments in the services sector under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, which has taken effect in 11 of its members, will usher in a new era of liberalization in China's services industry to uplift quality development of its services industry and bolster the nation's overall expansion in high-level opening-up, they said.

Signed by 15 Asia-Pacific countries, composed of the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their five major trading partners, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, the RCEP agreement forms the world's largest free trade area that accounts for about one-third of global gross domestic product and population.

Removing tariff and non-tariff barriers, the treaty mandates that member countries fully open at least 65 percent of their services sector and ensure transparency of regulations, said a report by Ernst&Young Global Ltd.

It has already come into force in China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and six ASEAN member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It will become effective in Malaysia on March 18.

"China will definitely fully honor its RCEP commitments to open the market up and strengthen cooperation with other member economies," said Wang Tuo, an associate researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation's Institute of International Trade in Services.

"As the nation continues to expand high-level opening-up, it will deepen reforms and pursue greater institutional opening-up, including aligning domestic regulations, management and standards with high-level international ones. Free trade agreement commitments are part of such efforts," Wang said.

Under the deal, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia have adopted a negative list approach for services liberalization immediately. With a negative list approach, market access is open to foreign services suppliers unless exceptions have been applied.

Other members have adopted a positive list approach to the scheduling of specific services commitments and have promised to transit to a negative list approach within six years after the agreement enters into force.

China's Ministry of Commerce said the nation's services sector openness commitments under the RCEP are of the highest level among all the free trade agreements it has signed.

Huo Jianguo, vice-chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, said the opening-up of the services sector is a key task for China to expand high-level opening-up because openness in the sector, especially in digital trade, is widely considered as an important new growth point worldwide.

The MOC said China's actual use of foreign investment in 2021 surged by 14.9 percent year-on-year to about 1.15 trillion yuan ($180.72 billion), of which the services sector accounted for 906 billion yuan, or around 79 percent of the total.

Corporate data platform Tianyancha said China has about 45 million companies in the services industry, among which about 70 percent were founded within the last five years.

The annual growth rate of newly registered services-related enterprises remained above 15 percent since 2016, while the growth rate of newly registered foreign-funded services enterprises remained above 5.8 percent during the same period.

China's application for joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which represents some of the highest levels of market openness, especially in the services sector, is another major move by China to pursue high-level opening-up, Huo said.

Wang with CAITEC said opening-up in the services sector has become a major focus of China's efforts to expand high-level opening-up. For instance, the negative list for foreign investment has been downsized, especially in the telecommunications and financial sectors, he said.

"Already a major pillar for the national economy, the services sector has ample room for further transformation and upgrades," Wang said. "The fast-growing digital economy, together with the improvement of digital infrastructure, has provided a solid base for technology-driven development and output growth in the services sector, as well as for the expansion of international cooperation in services trade."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Du Mingming)
Photo: BANG Showbiz. All rights reserved.

Camilla, Britain's Duchess of Cornwall, has tested positive for COVID-19.



The 74-year-old royal has been diagnosed with the virus, just days after her husband Prince Charles tested positive for COVID for a second time.



A Clarence House spokesman said: "Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating. We continue to follow government guidelines."



Charles, 73, tested positive for COVID on Thursday and Camilla subsequently said she was "luckily" negative, after performing a number of engagements on that same day.



Speaking about her COVID testing regime, the Duchess recently said: "I've taken it so many times."



Charles was forced into self-isolation last week and Clarence House expressed regret that his diagnosis meant he would be unable to attend an engagement in Winchester.



The statement explained: "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."



Charles - who is next in line to the British throne - previously contracted the illness in March 2020. He only suffered from mild symptoms, but he and his wife both had to isolate at Balmoral, in accordance with UK government guidelines at the time.



Meanwhile, the royal couple urged Brits to get their COVID-19 vaccination last year.



Their message of encouragement marked the anniversary of the first jab in Britain.



A statement from Charles and Camilla read: "We can only urge you to look at the evidence in our intensive care wards.



"People who are unvaccinated are at least 10 times more likely to be hospitalized or die than those who have had two vaccine doses."
Photo: The Canadian Press

A jury has been seated in the federal hate crimes trial of three white men who were convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery.

Twelve jurors and four alternates were selected Monday from a pool of 64 people who were judged qualified to serve as impartial jurors after a week of questioning about the Black mans killing and their views on racism in America.

Now that the jury has been seated, the trial is set to get underway.

This is the second time the port city of Brunswick, on the Georgia coast south of Savannah, has hosted a trial in Arberys killing, after the same three men were sentenced in state court to life in prison for murder.

Father and son Greg and Travis McMichael armed themselves and chased the 25-year-old Arbery in a pickup truck after spotting him running in their neighborhood on Feb. 23, 2020. A neighbor, William Roddie Bryan, joined the pursuit in his own truck and recorded cellphone video of Travis McMichael blasting Arbery with a shotgun.

No arrests were made in the case until the video leaked online two months later.

A judge last month sentenced the McMichaels and Bryan to life in prison for their murder convictions. But they still face a federal trial on hate crime charges, which allege that they violated Arbery's civil rights and targeted him because he was Black.

All three men have pleaded not guilty in the federal case. The judge said she expects the hate crimes trial to last between seven and 12 days.

The judge and attorneys worked last week to interview more than 160 potential jurors pulled from 43 counties across southern and eastern Georgia. Nearly two-thirds were dismissed for having strong opinions about the case after watching portions of the state murder trial or news reports about it.

Some of the 64 jury pool members returning to the courthouse Monday said they knew little about the case. They include a man, identified in court only as juror No. 421, who on Friday told the judge: "The only thing I really know is that its a high-profile case and there might be a video related to it.

Others were able to persuade the judge they could set aside what they know and hear the federal trial based solely on the evidence presented in court. One of them, a woman identified as juror No. 422, said she had negative feelings about the McMichaels and Bryan because they didn't seem to show remorse in the state trial, but insisted she could still be fair.

The search for an impartial jury in federal court came just a week after attorneys announced the McMichaels planned to plead guilty in the federal case in a deal with prosecutors that quickly fell apart. The judge noted only one or two potential jurors said they were aware of that.

In the state murder trial, defense attorneys argued the defendants were justified in chasing Arbery because they suspected he had committed crimes in their neighborhood. Travis McMichael testified that he opened fire in self-defense after Arbery attacked him with fists and grabbed for his shotgun.
Re. Russ Millers letter He doesnt support the truckers (Castanet, Feb. 11)

I am in agreement with this letter. (I saw) a couple of truckers state to media that they will go to jail if that is what it takes to get what they want. They have not lost any freedoms (but would) if incarcerated. Trust me, I worked for corrections for 28 years.

My support as a triple-vaccinated senior will always be for the truckers respecting our country, our healthcare system and staff, citizens, police, acts and laws. (It's a) tough job and they are awesome.

My heart breaks for those families that have lost loved ones to Covid, approximately 40,000 in Canada. Just the numbers passing in B.C. this past week are high almost every day. The ultimate loss of freedom is hospitalization and death.

This is not over & I am glad our province is more cautious with restrictions.

Mary Lou Siemens, Kelowna
The (truck) blockades are not about vaccines and human rights, they are a reaction to governments that no longer listen to the people.

We have become an authoritarian society with an electoral system that over the years has allowed our political leaders to transform Canada into a virtual dictatorship, constantly violating the rights and freedoms of the people, including our human right to have democratic governments.

(Prime Minister Justin) Trudeaus preoccupation with immigration and diversity is a natural catalyst to promote the anti-immigration, anti-refugee sentiments, as he insists on opening the borders for 420,000 people this year alone, at a time unemployment is at record-high levels.

He inherited and embraced (former prime minister Stephen) Harpers political power-structure, and very quickly became another benevolent dictator, spending hundreds of billions of dollars, fighting COVID, without research and consultation, while telling people the affairs of our government is none of our business.

Fixed election days are no longer fixed, election promises are designed to get the vote, not to serve the people, and national disasters are being used as opportunities to spend a lot of our money, while calculating how it could translate into more votes.

Our prime minister and B.C. Premier John Horgan have amply demonstrated that, thanks to an uninformed and misinformed electorate, and their strategy is working.

They each defied the laws of the land, and won an election spending our money to get our vote.

Trudeaus reluctant response to illegal blockades of any kind anywhere in Canada, including the recent truckers convoys and blockades, should be no surprise.

He is beginning to recognize the prospects of a civil uprising, much like the one south of our border.

That is also the real reason why he wants our guns, not because drug-dealing gangsters have turned our cities into public shooting galleries.

Trudeaus defiant and corrupt actions and contempt for the people, is turning hard-working, tax-paying Canadians into criminals.

A multi-member proportional ballot would change that dramatically, but Harper and (then) Trudeau defied millions of Canadians, denying us that ballot.

Andy Thomsen
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Police in Albuquerque arrested a man suspected of stabbing 11 people as he rode a bicycle around the city over the weekend, leaving two victims critically injured, authorities said.

He was identified as 42-year-old Tobias Gutierrez and booked into jail overnight on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, police in New Mexico's largest city said in a statement Monday.

The stabbings appeared to have been committed at random and most happened along Central Avenue, one of the city's main thoroughfares, said police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos.

One of the crime scenes included a homeless encampment and another was near a smoke shop where the suspect asked a victim for money and yelled obscenities before he started swinging a knife, according to a criminal complaint.

Gallegos said the stabbings appeared to be random.

"There doesnt seem to be any rhyme or reason" to the attacks, he said.

There was no immediate information on whether Gutierrez had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.

New Mexico court records show Gutierrez had been charged over the years with burglary, drug possession and driving while intoxicated.

In 2014, he failed to appear in court for driving on a revoked license, records show. He responded to the court with a handwritten note saying that he was in federal custody in another county and that he was making an effort to better himself while incarcerated.

The first stabbing report came in Sunday at about 11:15 a.m. Officers responded to a scene downtown and found a man suffering a laceration to his hand.

Then a few miles east, outside the smoke shop near the University of New Mexico, police received a call about a person who was stabbed in the arm by a man on a bike armed with a large knife.

Another stabbing happened in front of an apartment building, and a man was also stabbed nearby in the neck in another incident, police said.

Police said another call involved a suspect trying to stab customers at a convenience store. Officers arrived and found two victims with neck wounds. Additional calls came in about two more stabbings.

The victims were taken to different hospitals and while two suffered critical injuries, all of those hospitalized were in stable condition, police said. Some were treated for their injuries and released.
Photo: CTV News

RCMP arrested 11 people near the main United States border crossing in southern Alberta on Monday after becoming aware of a cache of firearms and ammunition.

RCMP Supt. Roberta McKale said the arrests were made in a pre-dawn raid on three trailers in the Coutts area, where a blockade was set up more than two weeks ago to protest a vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers and other pandemic restrictions. She said officers seized 13 long guns, handguns, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and body armour.

Police had learned of the threat days earlier, she said.

"This was a complex, layered investigation," McKale said.

"There certainly was a group that came in after the initial (protest) group arrived within days and this action began. It came to a point where for the safety of the members and for the safety of the public we certainly had to act and act quickly."

Names and other information identifying the 11 people arrested were not released. McKale could not confirm whether they were Canadian citizens.

On Sunday night, a semi-truck and a farm tractor from the blockade worked in tandem to try to ram a police cruiser. The officer was able to avoid the collision and the suspects fled into a crowd of protesters.

"We were able to identify one of the males that was driving one of the vehicles," said McKale. "We know who that person is and we will release information upon that person's arrest." Police are investigating possible charges of conspiracy to commit murder, she said.

And on Monday, a protester in a vehicle burst through a police checkpoint and almost hit an officer on the road.

Premier Jason Kenney said the arrests and the potential for escalating violence were disturbing and should be a wake-up call to protesters at Coutts.

"It should send a message to all of the other folks who were not aware of that (militant) cell," he said at an unrelated news conference in Calgary. "(It's) time to go home. Right now."

Kenney said Mounties have told him they will begin to clear the blockade now that the raid is complete.

"The ongoing blockade of our borders and our highways at Coutts will no longer be tolerated."

He noted Mounties said last week they were having trouble finding tow operators willing to remove vehicles from the site.

"Some of the sympathizers and protesters have made threats  I understand sometimes violent threats  to tow-truck and other heavy equipment operators not to co-operate with the police," said Kenney.

"But we have managed to overcome that challenge.

"The government of Alberta has worked hard over the past few days to procure all of the necessary heavy equipment and contractors to operate it."

The Coutts blockade is one of a number of protest demonstrations in Canadian cities and border points that have stalled trade, stranded travellers and disrupted lives of area residents, particularly in Ottawa.

Irfan Sabir, justice critic for Alberta's NDP Opposition, said Kenney has failed to take decisive action to end the blockade, and has tolerated the attendance of fellow United Conservative caucus member Grant Hunter at the protest.

"The UCP's failure threatens jobs and disrupts families. Now we have found out that it also poses a serious threat to the safety of Albertans," said Sabir.

"The UCP has refused to go to court to seek an injunction to disperse the blockade, and refused to exercise its authority over commercial vehicle licences."
Did anyone expect anything more from these misguided and dangerous individuals?

These are the same people who spent their days harassing front line health workers at our hospitals and even lowered themselves into haranguing kids trying to attend school. So why would the desecration of iconic statues in Ottawa be any different, I personally dont think we have even yet seen the bottom to their faux outrage and nonsensical contentions.

Let there be no mistake or illusion, no portion of our society has done less, demanded more and cost us so much.

Our economic and social recovery was shamefully hampered, earnings diminished, healthcare facilities stressed, health procedures halted and agreed upon facts of reality have been erased. This was not because of Covid but because of how a minor portion of our society took the self-deluded way. Wholesale human sacrifice is worn with a badge of honour, to as they say, Own the Libs.

The very fabric of our collective understanding is standing in shreds. Will we ever trust each other again to collectively agree on a realistic path forward? We can only hope.

And all this because politics entered into the conversation of scientific healthcare. History, as it has done in the past, will not treat these selfish cultists well or shield them from its condemnation.

But what galls me the most is their self-proclaimed titles. They are the farthest thing from what they claim to be. They are not heroes. Frontline doctors and nurses are. And when these selfish individuals (protesters) are struck by Covid, these harassed nurses and doctors fight like hell to keep them alive.

I would be telling them to go find the shopping mall doctor they were listening that got them there seeking critical care (in the first place).

No single part of our society could be more misinformed than the anti-vaxxerswell maybe the flat-earthers, and unfunny enough there is an intersection between the groups. Nothing of what they say stands the test of true science. Nonthing.

They are definitely not patriots, or as some t-shirts say part of the Tyranny Response Team. They are the very definition of tyranny by a minority. The true patriots are the ones who understood what was asked of them and had the sense of duty to perform, and knowing what was for the greater good of Canada.

They adhered to protocols and suspended their life in hope things would not be as bad it was sometimes suspected. Those patriots, the majority of us, kept our part of the bargain.

Last August, here in Kelowna, we found out what happens when everyone is not all in. Out-of-control infections and hospitalizations brought ours, and economies everywhere, to their knees.

So do not quickly forget what this part of our society has cost us.

They are not heroes, patriots or even individuals. They are a cult. A very loud whinny cult that has yet to pull their weight and they are literally killing us with their so called freedom.

George Philp
Photo: Contributed

Lambda Cabaret, a Prince George, B.C. nightclub, remained open for business over the weekend, in defiance of an order to close from Northern Health.

A video from its Facebook page showed revellers dancing in a crowd, some appearing to consume alcohol from brightly-coloured buckets with straws. None wore masks.

Videos from other sources showing a crowd were also provided to The Prince George Citizen.

Northern Health issued an order last week for Lambda to close after the nightspot opened the previous weekend. Just prior to the holiday season, liquor-only premises were ordered to remain closed for the time being.

Lambda's liquor licence has also been reportedly pulled. The Citizen is seeking confirmation from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Outside the premise on Saturday night, a throng of protesters had gathered across the street in support of the Freedom Convoy 2022 movement against vaccine mandates.

Most waved Canadian flags while, with the help of a microphone and loud speaker, one of the protesters spoke against the mandates and governments' approach to dealing with the pandemic in general.

Parked in front was a pickup truck with a banner in the box depicting a transport truck and the words "Fighting for a freedom that never should have been taken away" and "We support Freedom Convoy 2022."

A smaller group, including the man with the loudspeaker, had gathered on Friday night.

Through an MP3 player, he played an interview with provincial health officer Bonnie Henry in which she said masks are ineffective. Henry has said as much when the pandemic first took hold but has since changed her position.

He also claimed that the pandemic has had no effect on the rate of deaths. Health officials have said measures taken have not only prevented deaths from COVID but have also brought down the rate of death from the flu, helping to lower the so-called statistical rate of death from what it could have been.

RCMP and Northern Health appear to be taking a passive approach to dealing with the situation.

According to a posting on Lambda's Facebook page, an RCMP officer and what appeared to be two people from Northern Health showed up outside the nightclub, "which remained open for the third weekend in a row in defiance of public health orders."

One of the patrons recorded the visit while one of the assumed Northern Health officials made a recording of their own. The three then walked away for a brief discussion and then dispersed with the RCMP officer remaining behind and stationed in his cruiser for the rest of the night.

Prince George RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said police will get involved if it becomes a public safety issue.

"Everything regarding violation of the public health order is going through Northern Health," Cooper said.
Three years in the past on this day, Jammu and Kashmir saw one of the most dangerous attacks on security forces leading to the death of 40 CRPF jawans. The martyrdom of the bravehearts didnt go in vain as the nation avenged it by bombing several terror camps.

On 14th February, 2019, a fleet of 78 vehicles carrying over 2,500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar was travelling on NH 44.

At Lethpora which is close to Awantipora, at around 3:15 pm, a bus carrying security personnel was rammed by a car carrying explosives. It caused a blast that killed 40 CRPF personnel of the 76th Battalion on the spot and injured many.

Terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. They also put out a video of the assailant Adil Ahmad Dar, a 22-year-old from Kakapora.

After the attack, India reversed Pakistan's most favoured nation status while the customs duty on all Pakistani goods imported to India was raised to 200 pc.

The Indian government urged the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) to put Pakistan on the blacklist. On February 17, the J&K administration revoked security provisions for separatist leaders.

The Indian Air Force bombarded JeM training camps killing a large number of terrorists, reportedly between 300 to 350.

On 27th February, Pakistan Air Force carried out an airstrike into Jammu and Kashmir in retaliation. Both Pakistan and India agreed that no damage was caused by Pakistan's airstrike.

However, During an ensuing unrest between Indian and Pakistani jets, an Indian MiG-21 was shot down over Pakistan and its pilot Wing Commander Abhinanadan Varthaman was captured. He was released on 1st March.

Also Read: PM Modi pays homage to personnel killed in Pulwama attack
A Massachusetts man who allegedly kicked and injured multiple police officers during a fracas at a Newington bar Sunday was arrested, police said.

Luis O. Santos, of Springfield, is charged with interfering with officers; two counts of assault on a public safety officer, second-degree breach of peace and second-degree threatening, police said.

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The incident occurred at The Bar and Grill at 512 Cedar St., after the department received a report that a man was threatening customers and claimed to have a gun, police said.

Officer found Santos, who was allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with customers who were attempting to restrain him, police said in a statement. Officers intervened and Santos ignored officers commands engaging officers in a physical altercation.

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Police said Santos allegedly resisted and kicked officers resulting in injuries to multiple officers.

Santos did not have a firearm during the incident, police said.

Santos was held in lieu of $75,000 bail and was due in Superior Court in New Britain on Monday, police said.
San Miguel Cement may double capacity at Davao plant

14 February 2022

San Miguel Corp (SMC) said its affiliate Southern Concrete Industries Corp may look to double the manufacturing capacity of its new Davao cement plant.

Southern Concrete Industries Corp, formerly Oro Cemento Industries Corp, is considering doubling its manufacturing capacity to 100m bags per year, it said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

SMC president and CEO, Ramon Ang, earlier said the increase in manufacturing capacity of Southern Concrete "will reduce the dependence and reliance on imported cement and at the same time, support infrastructure development in the Mindanao region."

The unit is also preparing an expansion plan for the construction of an additional grinding plant, SMC said.

In January the company announced that the Fiscal Incentives Review Board has approved tax incentives for its PHP10bn (US$195.1m) cement manufacturing project in Davao Del Sur.

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Chino, CA (91710)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 76F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 54F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Police were patrolling on Portland Street due to it being deemed a focus location because of gun-related violence in that area. As the officer pulled onto Portland Street, he saw multiple black males on the sidewalk area leading to a residence. Three or four of the men jumped into a white 1999 Toyota 4Runner and quickly sped away. The vehicle made a right turn from Portland Street to Willow Street, and as it did, the driver spun his tires and accelerated to 48 mph in a 30 mph zone. The officer decided to go ahead with a traffic stop. Before he initiated his emergency equipment, the vehicle pulled to the left side of the road to park. A passenger stepped out of the vehicle and saw the police sitting behind them. The passenger dropped a black object on the ground. Police were unable to see exactly what it was, but he reached down to grab it and jumped back in the vehicle. The vehicle then traveled on Willow Street, Roanoke Avenue and Orchard Knob, making its way south. The vehicle would circle the 1600 block of Willow Street and Orchard Knob before cutting down an alleyway to South Beech Street. Due to muddy conditions, the vehicle lost control and struck a block building. The police vehicle was blocked in the alleyway and all three men ran southeast away from police. It was later discovered that the Toyota 4Runner was stolen from the owner around 5 that morning. Police will review in-car footage and try to obtain information about the men. The owner is aware that her vehicle is at A-1 Towing and will be released after Auto Crimes attempts to obtain fingerprints.

* * *

Security from Walmart, 490 Greenway View Dr., told police a woman was on their property and they needed her to vacate the premises. Police arrived and told her to leave, which she did.

* * *

A disorder between neighbors was reported on Harrison Pike. After police spoke with them, they both agreed to solve the property line issue between themselves. The two men had some issues in the past and they both decided to put a stop to the altercations that they were having with each other.

* * *

A disorder was reported at 3600 Brainerd Road. Police spoke with a witness who wished to remain anonymous. The witness said they saw two women in a verbal altercation in the parking lot. The witness said one of the women busted the window out of the vehicle. Police spoke with the two women and both were detained by police. They told police they didn't have much money to their name and are stressing over bills. They said this issue caused a verbal altercation between them. Police saw no signs of a physical altercation, but did see one woman was bleeding from her hand. She denied EMS and said it was from busting the window on her own vehicle. Both women calmed down and were released from the scene.

* * *

A man called police from Cube Smart, 5952 Brainerd Road, and said that sometime in the past 10 days, asphalt sealer somehow got on the front of his trailer from top to bottom. He said he did not know if this was accidental or what. He said Cube Smart will be checking the video footage, but will not know anything until tomorrow. He said there is an asphalt truck parked nearby, but he cannot say that it came from that vehicle. He does not have a repair estimate.

* * *

The security guard and the staff at the Greyhound Bus Station, 740 East 12th St., told police a man was on their property who had been arrested two days ago and that he had been banned from the building as well. Police spoke with the man and identified him. He told them that he is traveling to Atlanta to see his kids and that he missed his bus because he was arrested for disorderly conduct. The man also said that he did not know he was trespassed from the property, and he thought there is a form he needs to sign in order to be trespassed. He said he left the property as soon as the security guard told him to leave because he did not want to cause any trouble. Police told him that the best thing he could do was to leave the immediate area and take a bus from a different transport company. The man acknowledged the situation, apologized and left the area without incident.

* * *

A man called police from the PSC lobby, 6702 Northside Dr., and said that there was an AT&T account on his credit record for service in the amount of $1,355.58. He said this is not his account. He said his information was used to open the account and needs a report to clear this up.

* * *



An anonymous caller reported the occupants in a room at the Quality Inn, 7013 Shallowford Road, were in a verbal disorder and wanted police to check on them. Police spoke to the woman who was renting the room. She said she a got into a verbal argument with a guy by the name of Dee. She did not know his last name. Police attempted to speak with Dee, but he was very adamant that everything was fine and he did not want to and would not speak with police. The woman said she just wanted to get her things and leave, which she did without incident.

* * *

A man told police that he returned to his vehicle after shopping at The Tap House & Empyreal Brewing Company, 3800 Elmo Ave., and observed a dent in the rear passenger side of his vehicle. He said he believed someone hit his vehicle while it was parked. The man did not want a crash report.

* * *

A man on East Brainerd Road told police someone stole his bike. He said he had no suspect information. He said the tag on the bike was an old tag. The bike is white with red rims. Officers entered the bike into NCIC.

* * *

An employee of Dayton Boulevard Self-Storage, 6051 Dayton Blvd., told police he saw two men try to steal an RV trailer from his lot. He said he was awakened by the loud muffler on the truck, and he saw two white males trying to hook up to a Jayco RV trailer. He said they were unable to do so since he had a lock on the hitch, and when he approached them, they drove off. He said he followed them for several blocks, but he lost them off of Gadd Road. He said the men were driving an F150, older (approximately early 1990s), all white and the top brake light (above the cab) was always illuminated. He said he thought these men were familiar with the area, based on how they drove and which turns they chose. He said nothing was actually taken and nothing was damaged. He said he would follow up if he had any further information.

* * *



A stolen vehicle was recovered on Brained Road. Police have no suspect information. The vehicle was removed from NCIC. The owner was notified and retrieved his belongings. A stolen

firearm was recovered from the rear passenger door and a phone from the driver's floor board.

* * *

An employee of A-1 Mobile Maintenance told police that his mobile service responded to the Mapco, 201 Browns Ferry, to repair a radiator on a semi truck. The service call to come out was $345, which was paid by the driver. He said when the work was completed, the balance owed for the repair job was $399.29, which he said the driver refused to pay and left the area in his repaired truck. Police spoke with the driver, who said he contacted the service and the lady on the phone told him the service call was approximately $104 per hour after the first 30 minutes. He said he paid $345 and the repairman got in his truck and left. The driver further said there was absolutely no mention of any additional money owed and no repair bill or further estimates were given to him prior to the service man leaving. The driver said he did speak with a man who had called him the following day regarding the incident. It was confirmed that the employee did contact the driver regarding the balance owed for the repairs, at which time the driver insisted there was no money owed, no further bills presented, no signed documentation, other than the $345 paid up front, and stated it was a lesson learned. There is no further information available and officers have not seen any documents or bills pertaining to the incident signed by both parties.

* * *

A disorder was reported on Hooker Road. Police spoke with a man who said a woman, known to him as "Tara," was at his residence banging on his door. He said he believed the woman was there trying to locate her boyfriend, who no longer stays there. The man said this has been an

ongoing problem with "Tara" and he does not want her to return or be on his property. "Tara" was no longer on scene when police arrived. The man described "Tara" as a black female in her mid-20s, who was wearing a gray sweatshirt. Officers checked the area, but were unable to locate "Tara" to inform her she would be trespassed from the property or to positively identify her.
Boynton Lions Club of Ringgold honored their lady Lions with a special 35th Anniversary Commemorative Pin for womens service as Lions in our International Association (1987-2022).

The Lions of the world are stronger because of the special talent and passion that women bring to our movement, said Lion Randall Franks.

The club meets on the Second Tuesday of each month at Boynton United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 4246 Boynton Dr. in Ringgold, at 6:30 p.m. New members and interested guests are welcome.
Lee Universitys Center for Responsible Citizenship will host its 6th Annual Symposium on Civic Virtue and Thought on Friday and Saturday.

The theme of this years symposium is Persons and Place: Wendell Berry and the Weight of Love, which will explore the importance of human connection and locality through Wendell Berrys writings. This intercollegiate symposium brings together students, faculty, and alumni from Lee and several regional colleges for a two-day conversation on how ties to family and community can offer direction to the modern world.

The symposium will include discussion seminars and a keynote by David Kern. Mr. Kern is the owner of Goldberry Books in Concord, N.C., and the director of Goldberry Studios, which produces several popular literary podcasts, including Close Reads and The Daily Poem. He has also served as multimedia director for the CiRCE Institute, which provides training and resources in classical education throughout North America. Discussion seminars will cover Mr. Berrys novel Hannah Coulter, along with several of his poems and essays.

Mr. Kerns keynote lecture is free and open to the public and will take place Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Lee Universitys Johnson Lecture Hall, in the Humanities Building, Room 104.

The CRC promotes interdisciplinary conversation on the elements of a flourishing political community. In a time fraught with conflict and confusion about Christian engagement in the world, it hopes to highlight the need for moral and civic virtue as the foundation for political life.



The Persons and Place Symposium is just one of the many opportunities the CRC is offering this semester. For more information, please contact crc@leeuniversity.edu.
Over the weekend in Gatlinburg, 10 upper school student-musicians from McCallie and GPS attended the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association Clinic.

The clinic auditions are extremely competitive, so much so that only a handful of students are chosen out of hundreds of musicians.

Students are asked to play scales, two prepared pieces, and sight-read a piece they have never seen or played before.

The list of McCallie/GPS musicians is as follows:

Kohen Kilburn '24 - 9/10 String Orchestra - Violin

Nishanth Basava '25- 9/10 String Orchestra - Violin

Soree Kim (GPS) - 11/12 - Full Orchestra - Violin

Harry Carter '24 - 9/10 Red Band - Horn

Abigail Carpenter (GPS) - 9/10 Red Band - Clarinet

Simon Kitts '22 - 11/12 Red Band - Clarinet

Ricky Wang-Polendo '23 - 11/12 Red Band - Tuba

Owen Taggart '23 - 11/12 Red Band - Tenor Saxophone

Connor Parks '23 - 11/12 Blue Band - Trombone

Byron Zou '22 - 11/12 Blue Band - Percussion

The ensemble performed at the clinic on Saturday evening following 11 hours of rehearsals.

In addition, McCallie had three students participate in the All-East Jazz Clinic at Walker Valley High School.

Byron Zou '22 - Blue Band - Drum Set

Owen Taggart '23 - Red Band - Tenor Saxophone

Will Danks '24 - White Band - Trumpet
American TV actor Randall Franks, "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night," commemorates his participation 33 years ago in Hulk Hogan's film "No Holds Barred, which debuted at #2 behind Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Mr. Franks presented a special memorabilia donation to Paul Lee at the Turnbuckle Bar & Grill in Ringgold for display, including photos from that set with Tiny Lister, Hogan, In the Heat of the Night, as well as publicity stills.

I spent 10 days playing a wealthy wrestling enthusiast in one of my earliest film experiences, it was a great opportunity to meet many key people who would later open other doors for me, said Mr. Franks.

The wrestling-themed restaurant is owned by wrestling celebrity Paul Lee, who is marking 40 years in the sport working with the WCW, USWA, AWF and WWA federations. He holds 35 titles for single and tag team wrestling. He hosts wrestling events regularly at his Circus Tent Arena, also in Ringgold.

For more information about Mr. Franks, visit www.RandallFranks.com.
Manchester  In 2019, Manchester planning and economic development director Gary Anderson referred to a pretty hot industrial market now in the region and certainly in Manchester.

Any space thats available, were seeing interest in development or expansion, Anderson said at the time.

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The market is still super hot, Anderson said Monday in response to questions about a proposed commercial distribution building on Parker Street.

We are seeing lots of demand for distribution centers  transportation/warehousing, he said. This is one of those and we recently approved another thats very similar. Im hearing they are building these on spec (without a signed tenant) because they are so confident in the market.

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1055 Crossroads LLC is seeking approval from the planning and zoning commission to build a 42,785-square-foot commercial distribution building on a vacant 4-acre lot at 700 Parker St. The company hawks the property on its website as close to I-84 with surplus parking available to lease.

News @3 Daily Catch up on the days top headlines sent directly to your inbox weekdays at 3 p.m >

After a revaluation last year, industrial real estate values in Manchester increased 13.46%. The town already is home to the 2 million-square-foot Winstanley Logistics Center, where tenants include Amazon and Stop & Shop parent Ahold Delhaize. In neighboring East Hartford, a Massachusetts developer is proposing to build a warehouse and two manufacturing centers at Rentschler Field.

An artist's rendering of a proposed warehouse and manufacturing site at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

In landing warehouse-based businesses, Connecticut has been capitalizing on access to the populous Northeast  within 500 miles of 30% of the U.S. population, state economic development officials have said. The state also is benefiting from Interstates 84, 91 and 95 and flat land available for huge warehouses.

Amazon, in particular, has been building a massive presence in the state, including a $200 million facility in Windsor. In January, Naugatuck and Waterbury officials announced that a 150-acre industrial park straddling the town line could draw Amazon, adding to the states growing network of hubs that are key to online shopping and next-day delivery.

Across the nation, mitigation of rising transportation costs will continue to drive industrial demand for the foreseeable future, leading to continued rental rate growth, strong leasing volume and low vacancies, according to real estate broker CBRE.

The Silverman Group, based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is the real estate developer behind the pending Manchester application. In 2019, the company purchased 700 Parker St., along with several other industrial properties in town for about $13 million.

The company portfolio  silvermangroup.net/portfolio  shows the wide extent of its holdings in Manchester. A company representative could not be reached.

Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com
Newks Eatery is ready to start serving its chef-inspired takes on trending favorites to the Chattanooga community once again on Wednesday.

Located at 2380 Lifestyle Way, the new restaurant will kick off its grand reopening celebration with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce at 10:30 a.m. The first 50 guests in line at Newks will receive a free slice of cake.

Were thrilled to make our highly anticipated return to Chattanooga, said Newks President Mike Clock. Weve received an overwhelmingly positive response from our other Tennessee locations, so were confident that Newks will quickly become the go-to destination for fresher-than-fresh flavors and house-made meals in Chattanooga. We cant wait to celebrate our return to the community with new and existing fans on Wednesday.

Newks will serve the Chattanooga community with "high-quality, feel-good comfort food  such as fresh and made-to-order salads, sandwiches, soups, pizzas and signature cakes  served with authentic hospitality."

Newks Chattanooga restaurant is open every day from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. To learn more about Newks, visit newks.com.
A Trion, Ga., man faces up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty in a child sex case.

Eric Daniel Lewis is to be sentenced on April 7 by Judge Charles Atchley.

Prosecutor said in March 2021 Lewis contacted a person on Facebook believing they were a minor male. In fact, the online minor was an undercover FBI agent.

The two began online chats. Lewis was told that the minor was 14, though the age of 16 had been listed in an online profile.

Prosecutors said, "The conversation quickly turned to a sexual nature and the defendant immediately made it clear that he was interested in meeting the minor to engage in illicit sexual contact."

It was arranged that Lewis and the minor would meet in a park in Chattanooga. Lewis drove from his home in North Georgia on May 6, 2021, to meet the minor at the park.

Lewis, who was 37 at the time of his arrest, left after he saw he was about to be approached. Later that day agents went to his work place. Lewis admitted one of his reasons for going to Chattanooga was to have sexual contact with the minor.
A new program for University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students in recovery or treatment for substance use is quickly gaining traction.The Mocs Recovery Program, a collaboration between the Counseling Center and the Center for Wellbeing, is a supportive environment of like-minded individuals who wish to maintain a sense of wellbeing while at UTC.The initiative is led by two new members of the UTC campus community.On Jan. 3, Cassandra Riddle joined the Center for Wellbeing as collegiate recovery program coordinator/substance misuse educator.Two weeks later, the Counseling Center added Jami Hargrove as its new substance use disorder treatment specialist.Keilan Rickard, director of the Counseling Center, worked with Center for Wellbeing Director Megan McKnight to create the recovery program for University students.When I first came to UTC in 2020, a College Recovery Program was on my list of things that I wanted to accomplish in my role, Mr.Rickard said.He created a similar program during his previous career stop at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.When we think about substances on college campuses, a big piece of what we want to do is on the prevention end of things. Mr. Rickard said. And the other component is for folks who have already addressed their substance use problems and are living in recovery. We want to have support for them.We know that, during the pandemic, substance use rates increased. We dont know if thats because of boredom or because people have more access to substances, but we do know there has been an increase, so we want to tackle the problem.Mr. Rickard said funding for the Mocs Recovery Program comes from Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars.He credited Chris Smith, director of the UTC School of Nursing and the Universitys chief health affairs officer, and Yancy Freeman, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs, for their advocacy of the new program.Weve been able to make things happen quickly because of the support from Dr. Smith and Dr. Freeman, Mr. Rickard said. We know from research at other universities that having a space for students to gather is crucial for these programs to really be impactful, and Dr. Smith and Dr. Freeman have been able to help us find space where Jami and Cassandra can be co-located in the University Center.Ms. Hargrove, who received a masters degree in social work from UT Knoxville in 2018, has spent the last four years working with older males in recovery. She said she was drawn to UTC to work with younger adults.Its been really cool working with college students, Ms. Hargrove said. Ive been surprised at just how receptive they are, and how I feel theyre in that stage of their life where the world hasnt gotten to them.Based in the Counseling Center, Ms. Hargrove will work more clinically with students who are either actively struggling with substance use or looking for more therapeutic support around recovery.Even though Im not in recovery and havent had those particular struggles, part of what being a therapist is all about is being able to relate to peoples struggles and being empathetic about their struggles, even if you havent been there yourself, Ms. Hargrove said. Im providing just a little bit more intensive treatment piece, whereas Cassandra and the Center for Wellbeing are more of the education and community outreach piece. Together, I think we go hand-in-hand.Ms. Riddle brings a different perspective. She has been an international opera singer, a rock climber, a teacher and a gym owner. She is currently a UTC graduate student pursuing a masters degree in clinical mental health. She also knows about recovery firsthand from an alcohol misuse problem.Years ago, I, too, went into recovery, she said. This has been a journey of my own pursuit to understand me, how I fit in the world, and now how best to serve. Thats where Im at right now.I decided to go back to school and mental health counseling just because Ive had a thread of trying to understand humanity and how I work, the way I work, trying to understand it.Ms. Riddle said her journey of self-discovery led to the world of counseling, an essential component of her own wellness.Part of what I do is education, and I speak to groups about substance misuse and share my own story and facilitate a conversation, she said. The eagerness to learn and develop and grow in the field of clinical mental health counseling is all related. I have a lot of experience from my own recovery, and thats pretty powerful.Students interested in connecting with a counselor around substance use and/or recovery should call the Counseling Center at 423-425-4438.For support resources, reach out to Ms. Riddle at cassandra-riddle@utc.edu.
When we thought we couldnt love Dolly Parton anymore, she decided to pay for the tuition and books of her Dollywood employees who want to pursue higher education. Herschend Enterprises, the operating partner behind Partons Dollywood, her theme park, announced the news.

Dolly Parton | David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Herschend Enterprises and Parton will cover all tuition costs for Dollywood employees who want a higher education

Many companies pay for their employees higher education. Now, Dollywood is the latest to join the group. Herschend Enterprises, which operates Partons Dollywood, Dollywoods Splash Country, Dolly Partons Stampede, Dollywoods DreamMore Resort, Dollywood Cabins, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, announced the news recently.

Starting Feb. 24, the company will pay 100% of tuition, fees, and books for any Dollywood employee who wants a higher education. It doesnt matter if youre seasonal, part-time, or full-time. The perk will be offered through its pilot program, GROW U.

Hosts will be able to enroll starting on their first day of work in diploma, degree and certificate programs offered through 30 learning partners and in subjects such as business administration and leadership, culinary, finance, technology, and marketing, Vanity Fair writes.

The company will also provide partial funding, up to $5,250/year, for 150 additional programs in fields like hospitality, engineering, human resources, and art design.

RELATED: Dolly Parton Has Known Keanu Reeves Since He Was Young: He Was the Most Beautiful Little Boy You Ever Looked At

The Dollywood Foundation wants to give its employees the chance to learn more

The Dollywood Foundations ultimate goal is to give its employees the tools they need to succeed in life. Their motto is to learn more after all.

The president of The Dollywood Company, Eugene Naughton, told Tennessees WATE, We know when our hosts are happy and feel cared for that they are going to pass that along to our guests. The creation of the program allows another avenue for us to care for our hosts.

He added, One of The Dollywood Foundations key tenets is to learn more. This program is created with that very tenet in mind. We want our hosts to develop themselves through advanced learning to fulfill the foundations other tenets: care more, dream more, and be more.

When our hosts strive to grow themselves, it makes our business and our community a truly better place.

Paying for 3,000 employees tuition isnt Partons only philanthropic endeavor. She gives various local groups in Tennessee $1 million a year in donations through her Dollywood Foundation. Her Imagination Library partners with local communities to give children free, high-quality books every month.

During the fight for the coronavirus vaccine, Parton also gave $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help fund the development of the Moderna vaccine.

RELATED: Dolly Parton Wants to Age Like Betty White but Hopes She Doesnt Live That Long

What do employees say about working at Dollywood?

Maybe free tuition will improve Dollywoods overall workplace ratings. According to Indeed, past and present employees have ranked work-life balance, pay and benefits, job security and advancement, and other categories mostly in between three and four stars.

Some employees like that Dollywood appreciates and supports them, but the pay could be better. Meanwhile, Fox reports that Dollywood appears on the Top Workplaces 2022 list and the list of Americas Best Midsize Employers for the second year in a row.

Still, it seems Parton likes to look after her own and will do anything to make her staff happy. By allowing her employees to learn more, she may too, and improve even more.

RELATED: Remember When Dolly Parton Wore Her Playboy Outfit for Carl Deans Birthday Last Year? Heres How They Spent the Day
Now available on Disneys streaming platform Disney+, Encanto features original songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Although We Dont Talk About Bruno is a fan-favorite track from the animated film, this is not the song that earned Encanto and Miranda an Academy Award nomination.

Encanto features several original songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda attends Disney Studios premiere of Encanto at El Capitan Theatre | Frazer Harrison/WireImage

Set in the Colombian countryside, Disneys 2021 release, Encanto, tells the story of the Madrigal family. A glowing candle blessed each family member with a superpower to share with their village. Well, all except for Mirabel.

Miranda wrote eight songs for Encanto, each track detailing the adventures of the magical Madrigal family. Voice actor Stephanie Beatriz performed as the loveable Mirabel. She sang on tracks Waiting on a Miracle, The Family Madrigal, as well as We Dont Talk About Bruno.

However, some Encanto hits were not performed by the voice actors. That includes Colombia, Mi Encanto, sung by Carlos Vives. Performed by Sebastian Yatra, Dos Orugutias proved to be an essential storytelling moment for Miranda, detailing the adventure of Abuela and Abuelo with its lyrics.

Dos Orugutias from Disneys Encanto earned an Academy Award nomination

According to Mirandas wife, this is one of the best songs ever written by Miranda. This was also the Encanto song that earned an Academy Award nomination. Dos Orugutias is nominated for an Oscar in the Best Original Song category.

Other tracks that received recognition in this category include Be Alive by Beyonce Knowles-Carter for King Richard and No Time to Die by Billie Eilish.

Additionally, Encanto earned Academy Award nominations in the Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score categories. Songwriter Miranda previously earned an Oscar nomination for his work with Disneys animated film Moana. That was How Far Ill Go, co-written by the Broadway star.

Additionally, this song earned the Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song and the Critics Choice Movie Award nomination for Best Song. On the music streaming platform Spotify, this song earned millions of plays from fans.

We Dont Talk About Bruno is a fan-favorite original song from Disneys Encanto

In terms of fan-favorite tracks, the gossip song We Dont Talk About Bruno takes the cake. The characters described their estranged relationship with the mysterious Bruno in Mirandas original track.

The main reason We Dont Talk About Bruno didnt receive a nomination is because Disney did not submit this track for an Academy Award nomination. Without a way for the Academy to vote for this track, the only song from Encanto eligible to snag an award is Dos Orugutias.

We Dont Talk About Bruno is still a beloved song by many fans, surpassing the popularity of Frozens Let It Go on the United States music charts. In terms of Spotify streams, this song is the most popular, earning over 135 million plays since its premiere.

RELATED: A Song From Disneys Encanto References Let It Go From Frozen for an Obvious Reason
Tonight Show legend Johnny Carson spent 30 years behind the iconic desk with his co-host, Ed McMahon, by his side. And sometimes, McMahon was also with him when they werent working  like a time they encountered a drunken bruiser in a nightclub. How did that encounter end with new enemies for the iconic pair?

Ed McMahon and Johnny Carson | Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank

Johnny Carson felt like people wanted something from him in public

Carson explained what some had perceived as aloofness from him to author, Alex Haley, for an interview published in Playboy in 1967. According to the host, he wasnt really what most would call a people person, despite a seemingly extroverted late-night personality. Part of it was shyness, he said, explaining hed always felt a little bit awkward in social settings.

However, there was another factor that seemingly made Carson a bit of a loner; a lot of people in the public behaved as if they were entitled to something from him when he felt he only owed a good performance. So, he said strangers would often bother him when he was hoping not to be.

Everybody I meet in public seems to want to audition for me, the icon said. If I ask a guy what time it is, hell sing it to me. Everywhere I turn, theres somebodys niece who plays the kazoo or does ballet with skin diving flippers.

Carson also shared with Haley he wanted to be able to travel with his children without collecting a trail of people. And it seems he sometimes wanted to go out with McMahon without doing that, either.

Johnny Carson was ready to rip into a drunken bruiser with Ed McMahon but knew people would talk

As another example of a time Carson was bothered when he didnt want to be, he described a situation when he and McMahon, ran into a drunken bruiser while trying to catch an act at a nightclub. He said, We had barely sat down when some drunken bruiser comes over and hauls me up by the arm.

Carson was ready to rip into him and didnt care how big he was, but he told himself to stop and avoid the potential trouble. I could see the headlines if I did, he shared. The unidentified subject took him by the arm and led him to his table where he had friends waiting.

Thats when Carson let the person know he wasnt inclined to say hello. I told him I was sorry, I was very busy, he said. I had to get up early.

He said the individual was insulted because hed promised friends Carson would say hello. But the host had his own needs to take care of. Well, I walked away; Ed and I had to leave  and Id made some enemies, he concluded. You cant win. So you stay away from public situations.

Johnny Carson didnt feel success changed him, just what people wanted from him

What is your favorite Johnny Carson moment? See how his time on television created a beloved American tradition on a new episode of the #StoryOfLateNight, tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT pic.twitter.com/YC15qGrXG4  CNN (@CNN) May 10, 2021

After Carson explained his views on mingling with people in the public to Haley, the author asked if his attitude had developed or changed since becoming famous. In other words, has success spoiled Johnny Carson? the superstar host asked, then answered, No, I dont think so.

I dont think its you that changes with success  its the people around you who change. Because of your new status, they change in relation to you, he shared.

As an example, Carson said he found it hard to go home to Nebraska. He felt the attitude of people back home was, I guess youre so big we bore you now, but noted theyd be furious if he actually agreed with them. However, he said, But if I said I was enjoying myself, theyd say I was being condescending.

So, he felt it was a bit of a rock and a hard place situation and said he developed a tendency to pull back from it all. For many years of his life, including between his Tonight Show retirement and death in 2005, he mostly kept to himself within a trusted circle.

RELATED: Dolly Parton and Johnny Carson: Shed Watch His Tonight Show Before Grocery Shopping
Malia White from Below Deck Mediterranean feels at home surrounded by sharks. She doesnt view them as the menacing monster from Jaws, but instead as beautiful creatures shes studied with awe and fascination for years.

White recently went diving with great hammerhead sharks in Bimini and discussed the experience with Showbiz Cheat Sheet. I love sharks, she said. I love diving with them. I love swimming with them. I am a huge shark advocate.

The adventure in Bimini isnt her first shark dive, but one that was on her bucket list for a while. Great hammerhead sharks can grow to 20 feet long and weigh up to 991 pounds.

Thats one of the dives Ive always wanted to do in Bimini because theyre so famous for it, she said. I dove with bull sharks before. I did that in Fiji and I dove with schooling hammerheads. But I hadnt dived with great hammerheads before, so that was amazing.

Malia White | Photo courtesy of Malia White

Malias love of sharks began early in life

Her fascination with sharks began during a family trip to Hawaii. I started scuba diving when I was like 10 or 11, she recounted. I remember during one of our first trips to Hawaii, we saw a tiger shark and it was just so thrilling and scary, all at the same time. And then, from there, just diving and being around them and seeing them, theyre beautiful creatures.

I mean, dont get me wrong, when Im surfing, I dont want to see them [laughs]. But when Im diving, Im OK, she added.

White, who filmed her recent dive was seen in the open ocean observing the animals. Sharks exhibit some behaviors that you can tell if theyre angry or theyre feeding or theyre hunting, she shared. So you look out for those [behaviors]. And obviously, there are smarter times to be in the water and not smart times to be in the water with them. But I like diving with them, and I feel pretty safe.

Hammerhead shark dive | Photo courtesy of Malia White

The Below Deck Med bosun observed the great hammerheads for about an hour

She dove with the great hammerheads for about an hour. Because its so shallow, you can just sit there and watch these sharks come through, she recalled. Had I not gotten cold, we probably would have just stayed down longer. But it was amazing.

While she understands some people have a general fear of sharks, she likens a dive to going on safari and having respect for the creatures from afar. I think that theyre misunderstood, she said about sharks. Everyones terrified of sharks, but theyre actually just beautiful. Theyre so cool to watch in action and, theyre an apex predator.

Hammerhead shark dive | Photo courtesy of Malia White

Just like if you go on safari, everyone wants to see the lions, she remarked. When you go diving, you want to see the sharks. They captivate you and they demand your presence. And you suddenly feel very small and they are definitely the boss here.

She took her boyfriend Jake on the dive for his birthday

Her boyfriend Jake Baker was her partner on the great hammerhead dive. I was with Jake. It was for his birthday and I just kind of [told him], Were jumping into the water with a bunch of sharks!' the Below Deck Med star laughed.

Thankfully Baker is into diving with sharks too and it wasnt his first shark dive. White took him on a previous shark dive to see bull sharks. Oh wow, I keep taking him on shark dives [laughs]. I took him on a bull shark dive before but nothing like this, she said.

White also commented on her Instagram video about how the dive crew is seen holding large sticks. A lot of people asked about the sticks. Theyre not actually for the sharks, but because theres a really strong current, its to help you [stay in place], she said. And luckily, the day I was there the current wasnt very strong. So its not actually to send the sharks off. Its a little PVC pipe.

White also loved Bimini. And like Bimini, the whole island, thats my new favorite place ever, she said. Its so chill. The only reason people go there is to like dive with sharks or to go fishing, and it was so cool.

RELATED: Below Deck Mediterraneans Malia White Describes the Scary Scooter Crash  Luckily I Was Wearing a Helmet (Exclusive)
The Chuck Lorre CBS show Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3 threw fans a curveball in the 50th episode, Your Beans Are Flatlining. Abishola (Folake Olowofoyeku) revealed she planned on attending medical school in Baltimore, 500 miles away from Bob (Billy Gardell) in Detroit. Fans wanted to know what happened next. However, despite February holding Valentines Day, Bob Hearts Abishola only has one new episode planned for the month. Luckily, CBS revealed new titles and details of the next chapters in the Bob and Abishola love story.

Billy Gardell and Folake Olowofoyeku as Bob and Abishola | Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images

CBS revealed Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3, Episode 13 title and synopsis

Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3, Episode 13 synopsis seems to take a very different direction from where Bob and Abishola left off. After Bob Hearts Abishola Season 2, the show took a lot of twists and turns. When Dele went to Nigeria, fans worried Travis Wolfe Jr. was leaving Bob Hearts Abishola.

The couple married, Dottie (Christine Ebersole) revealed she could stand after her stroke. However, another big change might hit Bob and Abishola. CBS announced the title of Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3, Episode 13 as One Man, No Baby.

When word gets out that Bob and Abishola might be trying to have a baby, the expectations from family, friends, and employees start to take a toll on the couple, the synopsis reads on Futon Critic.

With the newly renewed Bob Hearts Abishola Season 4, it seems like the couple is already set up to deal with a lot. CBS scheduled the episode to air on February 28, 2022.

CBS revealed Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3, Episode 14 title, but no synopsis

The Chuck Lorre show revealed the title of Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3, Episode 14, but no synopsis just yet. According to Futon Critic, the episode title is Every Subpoena is a Tiny Hug.

The title alone sounds like another shock is on its way for fans. If the title hints at one of the characters receiving a subpoena, or a court summons, there could be some legal trouble ahead, though.

There have been *so* many great moments this season. Which has been your favorite? #BobHeartsAbishola pic.twitter.com/ukhZbghkZu  BobAbishola (@BobAbisholaCBS) February 2, 2022

Could it be related to Abisholas husband, Tayo (Dayo Ade), and their custody of Dele? Could Douglas (Matt Jones) or Christina (Maribeth Monroe) have witnessed something?

CBS scheduled Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3, Episode 14, Every Subpoena is a Tiny Hug, for March 7, 2022.

The Chuck Lorre show has a rerun scheduled for March 14

While fans have a look at new Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3 titles and a synopsis, CBS has not given any information on further episodes.

Luckily, fans worrying if Bob Hearts Abishola was canceled, CBS renewed the show along with Ghosts, The Neighborhood, and more.

Just when we thought our s couldn't be any more full #BobHeartsAbishola has officially been renewed for Season 4! pic.twitter.com/WZx9aYlGKz  BobAbishola (@BobAbisholaCBS) January 24, 2022

On March 14, 2022, the Chuck Lorre show will air an unannounced rerun. By then, there could be more details about Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3 Episode 15 and beyond.

Fans can catch Bob Hearts Abishola Monday nights at 8:30 pm EST or stream it on Paramout+.

RELATED: Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3: Morenikes Sexuality, or Lesbianity, Addressed by Gina Yashere, We Wanted to Make It Real
Outer Banks fans have been waiting for news about the filming of season 3 since it was confirmed in December 2021. Now, we finally know a bit more about the filming schedule for the Netflix series. Heres what we know about how long the cast of Outer Banks plans to shoot the new season, plus some fan speculation about the release of season 3.

Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, and Madison Bailey | Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Outer Banks director shares post about season 3 filming right now

On Feb. 13, 2022, director Valerie Weiss shared a photo of the Outer Banks cast and crew to Instagram with the caption: Big love to my @obx family as they begin shooting Season 3 tomorrow!!!! See yall soon.

Many fans knew filming would begin sometime in February 2022, so Weiss announcement was met with very little surprise. But now that fans know filming has started, all they want to know is when it will conclude because that puts them one step closer to the release of season 3.

Outer Banks will likely wrap filming the new season in August 2022

Whats On Netflix previously estimated that Outer Banks Season 3 would wrap filming on Aug. 19, 2022. With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic still at play, there could be some delays in filming like there were with season 2. But for now, thats the estimated filming schedule.

BREAKING NEWS FROM THE POGUES pic.twitter.com/efe5GwUXyU  obxnetflix (@obxnetflix) December 7, 2021

Some fans on Reddit think Netflix might drop the new season in August, believing the filming schedule to be incorrect. It could easily come out in mid to late August, they said in a comment, presuming filming will wrap in May or June. At publication, an exact filming schedule has not been confirmed.

Outer Banks cast spotted traveling to shoot

Fans of the Netflix series have been quick to point out the cast of Outer Banks sharing travel posts on their social media. Several fan accounts have shared collages of the cast in Barbados for filming.

Chase Stokes was spotted in an airport with a fan (via Instagram). Another fan shared a video with the actor and the caption: JOHN B IS BACK! Chase Stokes in Barbados as a production member of OBX3.

Elizabeth Mitchell, who plays Carla Limbrey in the series, has also checked in to Barbados on social media. Here we go again, she wrote in an Instagram Stories post. Jetlagged. Oh so grateful. Headed to the beach.

Jonathan Daviss dad also shared photos with the cast of Outer Banks on Instagram. I take the best selfies!!!! he captioned a photo with his son, Stokes, and much of the other cast members at a pizzeria on Feb. 13, 2022. Pizza and Paradise.

Confirmed details for Outer Banks season 3

While we know very little about the plot or release date of Outer Banks Season 3, we do know who fans can expect to return. Per Deadline, series regulars including Stokes and Madelyn Cline will return in new episodes of Outer Banks.

The adventure continues.



OBX is coming back for a Season 3. Featuring our faves, Carlacia Grant, Jonathan Daviss, and Madison Bailey! #PogueLife pic.twitter.com/28Jfcq87eU  Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) December 7, 2021

Other returning Outer Banks cast members include Daviss, Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow, Austin North, Drew Starkey, and Charles Esten. Carlacia Grant will also return as Cleo, as will Mitchell reprising her role of Limbrey.

Catch up on the first two seasons of Outer Banks, which are streaming now on Netflix. Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for the latest updates about season 3.

RELATED: Outer Banks: Will Chase Stokes and Madelyn Clines Relationship Status Impact Season 3?
After leaving the classic rock band Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne made a stunning solo debut with Blizzard of Ozz, which includes the single Mr. Crowley. The song is about a controversial historical figure. During an interview, Osbourne discussed why he wrote the song and the misconceptions it inspired.

Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath | Ian Dickson/Redferns

Ozzy Osbournes Mr. Crowley is about occultist Aleister Crowley

These days, witchcraft is perhaps more accepted than ever. In places such as Salem, Massachusetts, and New Orleans, Louisiana, witchcraft supply stores are relatively common. In the early 20th century, it was far more demonized in many parts of the world.

Aleister Crowley is one of the most famous historical ceremonial magicians. Drawing on earlier forms of witchcraft and spirituality, he founded a religion called Thelema. Crowley broke many taboos of early 20th-century Great Britain by criticizing Christianity, sleeping with many men and women, and engaging in occult rituals. He claimed to have been in contact with a supernatural entity called Aiwass, who dictated a religious text to him called The Book of the Law.

Aleister Crowley | Hulton Archive/Getty Images

RELATED: Ozzy Osbourne Wasnt Welcome in San Antonio for Years After Pissing on Alamo

Why Ozzy Osbourne wrote a song about Aleister Crowley

Crowley is the subject of Osbournes single Mr. Crowley. During a 2002 interview with Rolling Stone, Osbourne discussed why he penned the song. I never did this black-magic stuff, he revealed. The reason I did Mr. Crowley on my first solo album was that everybody was talking about Aleister Crowley. Jimmy Page bought his house, and one of my roadies worked with one of his roadies.

Crowley piqued Osbournes interest. I thought, Mr. Crowley, who are you? Where are you from?' he recalled. But people would hear the song and go, Hes definitely into witchcraft.'

Osbourne noted the members of Black Sabbath were not interested in magic. We couldnt conjure up a fart, he said. Wed get invitations to play witches conventions and black masses in Highgate Cemetery. I honestly thought it was a joke. We were the last hippie band  we were into peace.

RELATED: Ozzy Osbourne Is Grateful Sharon Osbourne Did Not Leave Him After His 2016 Affair but Sharon Alleges Ozzy Cheated Six Times

The way the world reacted to Mr. Crowley

Despite its interesting historical connections, Mr. Crowley did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The songs parent album, Blizzard of Ozz, was a much bigger hit. It peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200, staying on the chart for 107 weeks. None of Osbournes other albums lasted as long on the chart.

On the other hand, Mr. Crowley was a minor hit in the United Kingdom. According to The Official Charts Company, the song peaked at No. 46 in the U.K. and stayed on the chart for three weeks. Meanwhile, Blizzard of Ozz hit No. 7 there and remained on the chart for eight weeks. Crowley was controversial in his day but that didnt stop him from inspiring a classic heavy metal song.

RELATED: Ozzy Osbourne Hoped 1 Black Sabbath Album Would Get People to Forget About The Osbournes
What Connecticut cities are resuming their St. Patrick's Day parades this year, after two years of no parades due to the coronavirus pandemic.

St. Patricks Day parades were the first cancellations of the coronavirus pandemic, called off just as the lockdown began in 2020. Most were canceled again in 2021, as the delta variant began its surge. This year is a big comeback for the states St. Patricks Day parades.

Events are planned in Norwich, Hartford, Norwalk, New London, New Haven, Bridgeport, Milford, Essex, Greenwich and Mystic.

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[ Saturdays Greater Hartford St. Patricks Day Parade, others postponed ]

Eileen Moore, chairwoman of the Greater Hartford St. Patricks Day Parade, said traditionally the parade is often the first day people are getting out and gathering outside after a cold, bleak, snowy winter, a sign that spring and newness was on the horizon.

Moore added that this year that symbolism is even more important.

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It points to a new level of brightness. We are two years into this COVID cycle. Two years ago, nobody knew was happening. Last spring, vaccines were happening. We all felt the end of COVID was in sight. Weve had setbacks with the variants, but even with these, now people are thinking that if you are vaccinated and boosted, getting it isnt as terrible as initially it was, god bless us all, she said.

Bernadette Smyth LaFrance, executive chairman of the board of directors of the Greater New Haven St. Patricks Day Parade Committee, said the parade is a symbol of hope, strength and community.

After past two years of this pandemic, moreso than ever this parade has greater meaning. We have suffered great losses but as a community we came together, Smyth LaFrance said. We gave each other hope and strength and faith in the power of community.

Heres a lineup of this years parades. Check the websites for COVID protocols and road closures.

Norwich

The Downtown Norwich St. Patricks Day Parade and Festival will be March 6, stepping off at 1 p.m. It will end at 2 p.m. with live music offered at downtown venues.

The grand marshal is Angela Adams. The event is presented by the Downtown Norwich Historic District. facebook.com/GoNorwichCT.

Hartford

The 50th Annual Greater Hartford St. Patricks Day Parade, presented by the Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee, originally scheduled for March 12 at 11 a.m., will be postponed a week until March 19, officials said Thursday.

The parade has representatives from Cromwell, East Hartford, Glastonbury, Hartford, Newington, South Windsor, West Hartford and Wethersfield. The grand marshal is Liz Saunders, the general chairwoman of the committee.

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The parade begins at Capitol Avenue by the State Capitol, takes a left on Main Street, then a left on Asylum Street, then a left on Ford Street, and ends by the Memorial Arch.

The parade will be broadcast live on CW 20 beginning at 11:30 a.m. irishamericanparade.com

Norwalk

The Norwalk Police Emerald Society announced in a news release Thursday that the 2022 Norwalk St. Patricks Day Parade will also be postponed from March 12 to March 19 at 11 a.m.

The parade begins at Veterans Park, proceeds up Washington Street onto North Main Street and ends at Pine Street.

A ceremony, under the tent at ONeills Pub at 93 North Main St., will follow the parade. facebook.com/NorwalkPoliceEmeraldSociety.

Milford

The 30th Milford St. Patricks Day Parade will be March 12 at 1 p.m. It will step off at Parsons Complex on West Main Street, turn right onto River Street, then turn right onto Broad Street, to the town Green.

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The grand marshals are John and Heather Profetto, who were chosen in 2020 and didnt get the chance that year. milfordirish.org.

New London

The Downtown New London Association announced on its website that the New London St. Patricks Day Parade will be March 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. downtownnewlondonassociation.com

New Haven

The Greater New Haven St. Patricks Day Parade Committee has announced on Monday that the 2022 parade will take place on March 13 at 1:30 p.m.

The parade route begins at Derby and Chapel streets, down Chapel, making a left onto Church Street and ending at Elm Street on the Green, where a fun zone will be set up for families. The parade will be broadcast live on News 8 and WTNH.com from 2 to 4 p.m. stpatricksdayparade.org.

Bridgeport

The Greater Bridgeport Saint Patricks Day Parade will take place on March 17 from noon to 1 p.m., it was announced on Facebook.

The procession will begin at Harbor Yard, continue up Broad Street to Fairfield Avenue and return to Harbor Yard via Main Street. facebook.com/St.PatricksParadeBridgeport

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Essex

Essex Go Bragh, the annual Irish parade in Essex, will be March 19 at 10 a.m., stepping off at Essex Town Hall, it was announced on Facebook.

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The grand marshal is Bob Russo, who also was appointed grand marshal at the canceled 2020 and 2021 parades. facebook.com/essexctgobragh

Greenwich

The Greenwich Hibernian Association will present its 46th annual parade on March 20 at 2 p.m.

The route starts at Greenwich Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road, heads up Field Point Road, takes a right at Greenwich Library onto Putnam Avenue, then takes a right on Greenwich Avenue, ending at Railroad Avenue. greenwichhibernians.org/parade

Mystic

The 17th annual Mystic Irish Parade will be March 27 from 1 to 3 p.m., it was announced on its website.

The grand marshal is Alexis Ann, editor and publisher of The Resident.

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The route begins at the south parking lot of Mystic Seaport, makes a left onto Greenmanville Road, a right onto Willow Street, a left onto Broadway, a right onto East Main Street, across the bridge, left on Water Street, and ends at the Groton Police sub station near Mystic Museum of Art. mysticirishparade.org.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
Actor Luke Kirby recently revealed that the events that led to comedian Lenny Bruces untimely death will begin to unfold on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4.

Lenny was a groundbreaking comedian during the era in which the fictional series was set. He died in 1966 from a morphine overdose. He was 40 years old.

Hes been featured as a love interest in the series for the main character, Miriam Midge Maisel. But thus far, his notoriety for breaking down barriers in his standup has been mainly featured on the show.

But as the series moves into the 1960s, Kirby said writers felt it was important to reflect further on the comedians personal life. And delve into why Lenny died.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel writers felt it was their duty to explore what led to Lenny Bruces death

Kirby, who plays Lenny in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel said hes engaged with where the writers will take the real-life character. We felt a bit of a kind of duty to sort of start touching on the aspects of Lenny Bruces life that kind of led up to his dying young, he told US Weekly. Were sort of bringing Lenny Bruce a little bit down to Earth this season and kind of exploring that a little bit.

Rachel Brosnahan and Luke Kirby | Noam Galai/GC Images

Lennys last interaction with Midge in Florida left her (and likely the audience) breathless, wondering if they would get together. Kirby said hed love to see the characters have a romance and how the storyline will continue once Lenny dies. I dont know how Midge will feel [when Lenny dies], he said. Hopefully shell be really broken up about it and then hopefully she will do the healthy thing and move on and make herself happy.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel actors also drove Lenny Bruces return

In the meantime, Kirby is pulling for Lenny and Midge. Im always a sucker for people going for it, he said. You know, whats the point of saying goodbye? Were all gonna have to say goodbye eventually [so] spend the night together.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel creator Amy Sherman-Palladino said Lenny Bruce wasnt supposed to be featured as much as he is. But the chemistry between the actors is what drove Lennys constant return. We didnt intend for Lenny Bruce to necessarily continue as much as he had, but Luke and Rachel [Brosnahan] were so good together that it was nice to weave it in and out, she said at a Smithsonian Associates event via The Washington Post.

She added, Especially in times when either Midge was down, or she needed a little bucking up or she needed help.

Lenny Bruce represents validation for Midges comedy

Beyond a romantic connection, Sherman-Palladino said Lenny is critical to Midges journey as a comedian. I want her to have that validation from someone who is the best of the best, she said. And added, It was also very important that this man, who in reality was the guy pushing comedy into the next phase of comedy  that he looked at her like an equal, like a comrade, like a pal, like a drinking buddy.

I wanted a muse in a sense  somebody who is approaching comedy the way Midge was going to start approaching comedy, Sherman-Palladino said. A guy who was talking about life and who would just go onstage and talk off the cuff about what hes thinking about or what hes dealt with or what hes dealing with.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4 will premiere on Amazon Prime on Friday, February 18.

RELATED: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4 Release Date Is Finally Here but Fans Might Be Bummed
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.

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 weeds 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.
A cube-shaped 3D-printed TiO2 aerogel loaded with gold nanorods is so light, thanks to a sponge-like nanoporous structure, that the flower of an orchid does not bend. At the same time, the materials are extremely stable.

A research team from Universitat Hamburg and DESY has developed a new method to 3D print colloidal nanomaterials in the form of a so-called aerogel. This class of material is characterized by exceptional high porosity and opens versatile applications in catalysis, energy storage or sensor technology. In the journal Advanced Functional Materials, the researchers report how 3D printing was made possible by a refined treatment during the process.

Aerogels are macroscopic solids formed by a sponge-like, three-dimensional nanoparticle network and consist almost entirely of air-filled nanopores. The material has an exceptionally high surface area and can be endowed with different functional properties depending on the composition of the nanoscopic network. This characteristic makes aerogels very promising for thermal insulation but also for applications where chemical reactions need to be carried out on the nanoparticles surface, such as in catalysis, energy storage or sensing.

"So far liquid dispersions of nanoparticles could only be processed into a solid aerogel via a casting process," says Matthias Rebber, first author of the study, which was also supported by the Cluster of Excellence "CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter" and the NANOHYBRID research training group at Universitat Hamburg. The disadvantage of the casting process is that the gel cannot be reliably removed from the mold, leading to high scrap rates in production and enabling only simple geometries.

In 3D printing, this mold is no longer needed. The researchers used gel-like inks based on TiO2 nanoparticles and pushed them through the fine printing needles of a 3D printer with the aid of a syringe pump. "A major challenge was to maintain the filigree nanoparticle network throughout the whole process," explains Dorota Koziej, a professor at the Center for Hybrid Nanostructures (CHyN) at Universitat Hamburg and a researcher in the Cluster of Excellence. When performed in ambient air, the thin filaments already dried within a few seconds which caused the nanoporous network to collapse. The researchers therefore looked for a new approach to process TiO2-nanoparticle based aerogels via 3D printing. As a results, they designed a liquid bath that serves as a medium for the gel-like ink during 3D printing and prevents the nanoporous network from being damaged by drying in air. In addition, the liquid contains a gelling agent that hardens the very soft ink after printing and allows to print complex geometries.

These complex geometries are the key advantage of 3D printing over already established casting processes. "A hierarchical architecture that encompasses all length scales on the nano-, micro-, and macroscopic level is crucial to extract the maximum efficiency from the aerogel in its subsequent application," says Dorota Koziej. To demonstrate this, the researchers additionally loaded the TiO2 aerogel with gold nanorods. This material can efficiently convert light into heat through plasmonic excitation, which could be exploited to accelerate catalytic reactions. "With our 3D printing method, we can selectively control the interaction of the aerogel with light and, for example, enhance the penetration depth into the material by a factor of four compared to unstructured materials," adds Matthias Rebber.

This experiment primarily served the researchers as a feasibility study and proved that functional properties such as photothermal heating of the gold nanorods can be structured by 3D printing. The next step is to extend the concept to other material combinations. "Nanomaterials are known for their extraordinary electrical, optical or even magnetic properties. We can intentionally adjust these characteristics during the chemical synthesis and thus adapt the nanomaterial to the application as a catalyst, battery or sensor," says Dorota Koziej. Finding useful and applicable combinations is a goal for future work in the research project. Matthias Rebber is confident that this will succeed. "The beauty of our printing process is the modular principle in the ink formulation. We use the TiO2 nanoparticles as a basic framework and can already load this network with a wide range of nanomaterials. Due to the nanoporous backbone, we obtain a material that is not only lightweight and stable, but in addition, depending on the combination of materials, can also have different functional properties." Besides TiO2 the aerogel backbone can in principle be made from any colloidal nanoparticle. "If we manage to transfer this concept to other classes of materials, there will be no limits to the creativity and subsequent application of our printing process."
Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home. Elnora J Rock of Chickasha, OK, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the age of 85. She was born Dece
A recent conversation between New York Times columnist David Brooks and American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Leon Kass piqued my interest as I listened to these menBrooks in his 60s, Kass in his 80sshare concerns for the college students they teach. (Brooks was a student of Kass at the University of Chicago in the 1980s.)

These students, they agreed, were singularly preoccupied with career questions: What work would prove satisfying? How would they find their professional calling? They showed far less interest in competencies needed for lifes most important relationships. They didnt ask what it took to sustain committed marriages or a healthy family life.

I wondered: Was this conversation another iteration of kids these days? Or do Brooks and Kass have their finger on a more pressing cultural problemour glaring contemporary neglect of relational formation?

The conversation made me reconsider what kind of relational formation my children have received. My five childrentwo college students and three teenagershave learned to navigate life (and leftovers) in a crowd. Theyve grown up in a church pew, understanding Christian faith as team sport. But perhaps we have mistakenly assumed that the skills and even appetite for relationships have required less formal education.

Weve tried teaching our children to honor God, to love the church, to obey the Scriptures, to serve the least, to work hard, to stay curious, to be honest. But how much have we taught themexplicitly and systematicallyabout suffering interruptions, about sacrificing time for others, about staying patient and hopeful in misunderstanding and offense? What curriculum have we engaged for forming relationships across differences?

Belonging isnt like breathing. There is nothing automatic about it, especially given the changing conditions of modern life. The skills for relationships cant simply be caught today. Habits of belonging must be taught.

In many ways, Christians are advantaged in terms of relational formation. Given the corporate images of Christian identity in the Biblethe vine, the household, the family, the temple, the bodywe know belonging isnt an optional part of human life. We must be vitally connected to other people and mutually dependent. The Christian life is a together life. God is a God who sets the solitary in families; he husbands the widow and fathers the orphan. Who need be alone in the kingdom of God?

The skills for relationships cant simply be caught today. Habits of belonging must be taught.

Christians (and Jews) also have an entire genre of the Bible dedicated to teaching us about the practical affairs of everyday life, including human relationships. Our books of wisdom literature, especially the Book of Proverbs, instruct us in the virtues necessary for living well with others: discretion, self-control, humility, generosity, honesty, slowness to anger. Wisdom literature assumes that the mode of human life is inherently socialand that skills are required for navigating the complexities of human relationships.

Ancient Israel, explains Ellen Davis in Getting Involved with God, had little interest in abstract knowledge. They didnt invest, as their Egyptian and Mesopotamian counterparts, in fields like astronomy, architecture, engineering, medicine, and the fine arts.

Israel was not interested in any form of knowledge that is abstracted from the concrete problem of how we may live in kindness and fidelity with our neighbors, live humbly and faithfully in the presence of God, Davis writes. Wisdom literature is a practical curriculum on how to be a life partner, a parent, a friend, a neighbor. We love God as we love others well.

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But despite these advantages we enjoy as Gods people, kids these days are facing new realities, such as socializing within a world of social media and pandemic restrictions. Loneliness was a public health crisis before March 2020, and though born-again Christians were faring better a year into the pandemic, many of us have continued to substitute virtual connection for physical togetherness.

Its safe to assume that all of us have grown less relationally capable over the last couple of years. As one friend recently lamented to me, its harder these days to invest energy in our relationships, which feel more effortful than they did two years ago. Our relational skills are rusty, and they will need to be deliberately re-oiled.

Aside from pandemic conditions, much of our built environment doesnt naturally support relational connection. Im not simply thinking of suburban neighborhoods, minivans disappearing behind garage doors. Trends in college housing, as a more pertinent example, show an increasing demand for student privacy. Students want to choose how and when they socialize, writes Peter Aranyi of the global design firm Clark Nexsen. Mimicking their experience of the socially mediated world, students count on opting in and out of relational connection at will.

Social media is easily blamed for our relational ineptitude, but its also true that social media peddles a lot of relationship advice. I remember when I used to be a people-pleaser, one popular therapist and New York Times best-selling author admits on Instagram. She posts a list of concessions she used to make in her relationships, such as Not speak up for myself or Pretend to agree with people.

It represented the insistence I see in social spaces on self-trust, self-care, self-expression, and self-affirmation more than the wisdom of greater love has no one than this: to lay down ones life for ones friends (John 15:13).

We often lament the conditions of a technological society, that were losing the capacity for face-to-face communication in a digital environment. But there may be something more subtly dangerous about our digital world, in that weve come to expect easy, effortless goods.

Relationships are not easy or effortless. They involve burdens. Having friends, being a good neighbor, choosing to marry, raising children: To sign up for any of these relational commitments ensures we can no longer protect our lives from interruption and contingency.

To belong isnt simply to benefit from human connection. Its to take responsibility for it. Its even to suffer for it.

Kids these days need this realismand they need older generations to talk about why its worthwhile to interrupt the carefully constructed self-project for enduring relationships.

For a college student, belonging might mean sharing a dorm room rather than opting for a single. For a young professional, belonging might suggest geographical stability rather than mobility for the purpose of career advancement. For older adults, belonging might urge us toward invisible seasons of caregiving, for children or an aging parent. For each of us, belonging requires all kinds of ordinary virtues: admitting fault, swallowing grievance, risking honesty, staying put.

If anything seems true these days, conflict is endemic, and we need practical skills for the love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Cor. 13:7).

As families, as churches, we must understand habits of belonging require as much formationwhich is to say education and practiceas any other aspect of our lives. As the nature of wisdom suggests, this will be a lifelong enterprise.

Jen Pollock Michel is a writer, podcast host, and speaker based in Toronto. Shes the author of four books and is working on a fifth: In Good Time: 8 Habits for Reimagining Productivity, Resisting Hurry, and Practicing Peace (Baker Books, 2022).
Billy Graham was a born salesman, and he knew it. In the summer of 1936, after graduating from high school, he crisscrossed South Carolina selling Fuller brushes door to door. By the end, he had posted the best record in the state. The experience taught him a lesson he never forgot: If you have the best product in the world, then herald it with fervent conviction and the best marketing tools at hand.

This background informs the story Uta A. Balbier tells in her new book, Altar Call in Europe: Billy Graham, Mass Evangelism, and the Cold-War West. Balbier, a senior professor of history at Oxford University, offers sparkling prose, razor-edged analysis, careful research in English and German primary sources, and the critical empathy of a self-identified Christian scholar. The result is one of the most important books about Graham published in the past few decades.

Balbiers main argument is simple: Graham integrated evangelical Christianity with modernity in fresh and vibrant ways. He powerfully furthered what she calls the seismographic shift in the religious landscape from a culture of obligation and duty to a culture of consumption and choice. In the words of one journalist she quotes, That old time religion has gone as modern as an atomic bomb.

Altar Call in Europe focuses on Grahams landmark crusades in London (1954), Berlin (also 1954), and New York City (1957) while glancing at crusades in other places. Balbier elaborates her thesis by examining five ropes that bound American, British, and German lives together in the 1950s, despite substantial cultural differences: Cold War fears, rampant consumerism, crusade experiences, Grahams charisma, and the life-changing ...

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As Christians in America seek to think carefully and faithfully about racial issues in the culture and in their churches, good historical understanding must be a part of that process. Such understanding should include the reality of slavery, not just as a hypothetical institution but as a lived experience of image-bearers of God.

When I teach classes about slavery, I emphasize the existence of several large conspiracies against slavery, plots that give the lie to the myth of happy and contented slaves. The largest uprising, carried out in Virginia, was led by Nat Turner in 1831.

A decade prior, Denmark Vesey, a free African American in Charleston, South Carolina, laid the groundwork for his own slave revolt. This year marks the bicentennial of his eventual execution. Vesey first appears in the historical record as an enslaved teenager in Bermuda, although its possible he was born in West Africa, kidnapped, and brought to the Caribbean. A failed sale led the ships captain, Joseph Vesey, to bring the young man to Charleston. Vesey developed a trade in carpentry, and in 1799 he won a major lottery, allowing him to purchase his freedom.

Vesey could have continued plying his profession peacefully, but he rankled under the injustice of slavery, a burden he still felt as several of his children remained enslaved. He was also inspired by the American Revolutions promise of equality, rooted in a divine creation of all. So he began plotting an uprising, enacted mostly by enslaved men, to set fire to Charleston, kill as many whites as resisted, and escape to Haiti.

When recruitment reached too far, however, the conspiracy was discovered. Vesey and the other plotters were arrested. After trials, they were executed in ...

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New Haven  Gladys Mwilelo was a teenager when Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services helped as her family emigrated to Connecticut from the Democratic Republic of Congo eight years ago.

This year, Mwilelo spoke  for the third time  at the Run for Refugees, the key fundraising and awareness event for Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, which returned Sunday after a pandemic hiatus.

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Its a remembrance of who I am and how far I have come Mwilelo said from the starting platform.

Gladys Mwilelo and her family fled violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mwilelo spoke to runners Sunday at the start of the 15th Annual Run for Refugees 5K in New Haven. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

Two thousand people  runners, speakers, spectators, IRIS staff and volunteers  had been expected at the event, held on the streets around Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven. The Sunday morning snowfall did not appear to dissuade many registrants from turning up.

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The Run for Refugees is equal parts awareness raiser and fundraiser, said Ann OBrien, IRISs director of community engagement.

Its our only major fundraiser. We dont do a gala or a tournament, she said. This is our thing. Some people dont even know about IRIS but love the idea of the race and the mission of immigration.

Will McDonough of New Canaan crosses the finish line to win the 15th Annual Run for Refugees 5K in New Haven on Sunday. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

IRIS opened a new satellite office in Hartford this past fall, a rented space at Trinity Episcopal Church that OBrien said is already outgrowing its initial staffing of three caseworkers.

Besides the offices in New Haven and Hartford, which help find affordable housing and help set up families with schooling, jobs and other assistance, IRIS has groups throughout the state that co-sponsor families in their communities. A number of recent immigrants are able to live in areas where previous groups of immigrants from Afghanistan have already settled, including Hartford.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., walks with New Haven resident and Peruvian immigrant Gabriela Campos at the 15th Annual Run for Refugees 5K in New Haven on Sunday. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

One of the main IRIS awareness initiatives this year, OBrien said, is getting the American public reengaged to push legislators to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.

We brought hundred of thousands of people here, but we didnt provide them with a path to citizenship. In the next two years, they will have to apply for asylum and might not get it, OBrien said. What if they dont? They cant go back to the Taliban. Everybody needs to reach out to their congressmen. Local legislators are supportive, but time is ticking for these people.

Cindy Dunn, a community co-sponsor from Newtown who works with IRIS through the Interfaith Partnership For Refugee Resettlement, and Maman Cooper, a refugee herself whose family came to the U.S. 17 years ago after fleeing Liberia for the Ivory Coast, were among the many IRIS staffers and supporters at the Run for Refugees Sunday.

Volunteers Sylvia Jessen-Cohn, left, and Kate Van Tassel create a sign supporting refugee runners before the start of the 15th Annual Run for Refugees 5K in New Haven on Sunday. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

I absolutely love working for IRIS, said Cooper, who began working with IRIS as an ambassador, helping clients acclimate to schools and communities, and now works at the new Hartford office. It brings me so much joy. I came here as a child and got to see how welcoming they are.

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Whats off the hook this year, Dunn said, is how many people are coming forward now, offering apartments for low cost or sometimes for free, and donating clothing and furniture.

Local political leaders were among those speaking from a platform at the start of the race Sunday. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he has attended the race every year it has been run.

Will McDonough of New Canaan, left, won the 5K in 16 minutes, 35 seconds with Andrew Ntim of New Haven, right, second, 4 seconds behind. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

It has never been more important or powerful than now, when we have been working so hard for Afghan refugees to come here. I talked to the president about it this week. IRIS welcomed 370 Afghan refugees this year. It is a model for the whole country, Blumenthal said. This is the Run for Refugees. We should all be working and running for refugees. See all these people in the snow on a Sunday morning!

Blumenthal has run in the race in the past but did not this year. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker did run, and was among the first few dozen finishers, though hed proclaimed on the speakers platform that I ate pancakes for breakfast, which may not have been a good idea.

Elicker added that New Haven is a place that welcomes everyone, no matter where youre from.

Laura Pierce of Woodbridge was the first woman to cross the finish line in the 15th Annual Run for Refugees 5K in New Haven on Sunday. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, proclaimed, Immigrants and refugees, you are not alone and discussed my work with IRIS to petition the State Department to get refugees out of Afghanistan. There is no greater cause.

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Mwilelo attended Wilbur Cross High School, where the 5K run begins and ends. She went on to study strategic communications and journalism at Central Connecticut State University and now works for IRIS coordinating its online after-school program for grades 3 through 8.

No one decides to become a refugee, Mwilelo said. It could happen to anyone. We all have to keep that in my mind. We come together to help each other. I focus on the mission of helping. I know what its like to be them.

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On the platform, Mwilelo read a poetic statement that likened fleeing her homeland to becoming a runner.

Runners start the 15th Annual Run for Refugees 5K in New Haven on Sunday. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

IRIS Executive Director Chris George said that this is the first time in 15 years where we have a light snowfall, but nothing will keep you from showing up.

Runners and dogs start the 15th Annual Run for Refugees 5K in New Haven on Sunday. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

Nearly 1,400 runners, and several dogs, participated in the race. Some were regular runners who found the 5K fit their schedule of races this month, while others combined the running with some activism.

OBrien said that while some IRIS clients take part in the actual race, there was not as big a push on the clients to come as in the past, due to the crush of IRIS activities from the fall, as well as COVID-19 concerns.

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The last time the race was run, in January 2020, there were 3,200 participants and 1,500 spectators, OBrien said. Last year there was a virtual race fundraiser online.

The winner of Sundays race was Will McDonough of Guilford, who ran the 5K course in 16 minutes and 35 seconds. Andrew Ntim of New Haven came in 4 seconds behind McDonough. Laura Pierce of Woodbridge was the first woman to cross the finish line.

Runners start the 15th Annual Run for Refugees 5K in New Haven on Sunday. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

Christopher Arnott can be reached at carnott@courant.com.
As recently as five years ago, I was the worlds top-selling New Age author. At the time, I enjoyed a phenomenally lucrative lifestyle. I lived on a 50-acre ranch in Hawaii. My publisher treated me like a rock star, flying me and my husband first class to give sold-out workshops across the globe. We would stay in penthouse suites at swanky hotels and rub elbows with celebrities.

Yet despite this worldly success, I was hardly at peace. For all my New Age seeking, there were answers I could never find.

The Devils deception

I grew up in the false church of Christian Science, although my mom always said that we were Christians. I was taught to ignore the negative parts of the Bible, such as the fall of humanity and the crucifixion of Jesus. To the extent that we studied Scripture, we only cherry-picked verses or read them out of context. So I was ripe for the Devils deception.

I went to Chapman University in California, where I earned degrees in psychology and became a professional therapist. From there, I found a literary agent and started writing self-help books for major publishers. This brought invitations to speak at conferences and appear on radio and television, where I preached the gospel of self-help.

When a New Age publisher offered to turn my psychology dissertation into a self-help book, I agreed. With this publisher, I began writing other psychology books that incorporated my Christian Science beliefs. Their popularity landed me a gig as a speaker with a group of New Age teachers and vendors who traveled to convention centers around North America.

During breaks from speaking, I would walk around the convention floors and visit the various New Age booths. I was intrigued by the healing crystals and other exotic wares they displayed, as well as the healing techniques they promoted, which involved sound, energy, massage, and yoga. From these vendors, I learned more about New Age beliefs and practices.

Soon enough, I was teaching these New Age methods at my workshops and incorporating them in my books. Meanwhile, I immersed myself in yoga, Eastern meditation, chakra cleansing, astrology, divination, and other New Age practices. New Agers often view Christianity as having dogmatic rules, but they have their own rigid standards about what an enlightened person must and mustnt do.

During my 20 years as a New Age teacher, I toured with other best-selling authors. We would promote techniques like vision boards and positive affirmations, believing and teaching that your words create your reality. Many of us twisted Jesus words to suggest that God would give you whatever you asked for. And all the while, we held up our wealth and fame as evidence that our principles were true and effective.

Yet despite this worldly success, we were unrepentant sinners with lives marred by divorces and addictions. Having sold-out workshops, standing ovations, adoring fans, and celebrity friends gave us swollen egos. I remember believing my every thought was a message or a sign from God or his angels.

All the while, I convinced myself I was actually a Christian, albeit an open-minded Christian who was superior to all those narrow-minded followers who only believed in Jesus. For me, Jesus functioned as a spirit guide who, like a magic genie, helped me make my wishes come true. I was a student of world religions, and I even had a necklace with symbols of all the major faiths. I believed all paths led to heaven and all religions were worshiping the same God.

Of course, neither I nor any of the other New Age teachers ever pointed to the real Jesus Christ. We certainly never told anyone to read their Bibles. Instead, we encouraged people to pursue their selfish desires, making them more covetous and materialistic.

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Godly sorrow

As someone with an intense curiosity about world religions, I frequently listened to Christian radio, as well as stations specializing in Buddhism, Hinduism, shamanism, Celtic goddess worship, and several other types of spirituality. Hungry for answers, I searched far and wide.

In January 2015, I was driving along a Hawaiian road while listening to the Scottish-born pastor Alistair Begg on the Christian Satellite Network. Begg was giving an expository sermon called Itching Ears. It was about 2 Timothy 4, where the apostle Paul writes that in the end times, people will want their itching ears tickled by false teachers who offer false hope (v. 3). I could tell he was describing people just like me.

God used Beggs sermon to convict me for the first time in my life. His words pierced my stony heart, and I felt ashamed of my false teachings. When I got home, I told my husband, Michael, that I wanted to start attending a real Christian church. He readily agreed.

After a lifetime of involvement in Christian Science and New Age practices, it took time to clear away the cobwebs of false belief. I realized that I did not trust God to provide for my needs. So instead of prayer and trust in the Lord, I continued relying on divination cards, astrology, psychic readings, horoscopes, and crystals.

Reading the entire Bible changed everything. When I got to Deuteronomy 18:1012, I encountered a list of sinful activities that included several I was practicing, such as divination, interpreting signs and omens, and mediumship. This passage says that people using these methods are detestable, an abomination to God.

I was broken, deeply shamed, and humbled by these words. I dropped to my knees in shame and sorrow. Im so sorry, God! I kept wailing in repentance. I didnt know! On that very day I gave my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The decision had far-reaching consequences. My husband and I left our fancy Hawaii home. My New Age publisher ended our professional partnership. And New Agers treated me as an object of scorn and scandal after I began publicly renouncing my old beliefs. They sent me hate mail daily, accusing me of betrayal. I also experienced spiritual warfare for the first time, which drew me even closer to God.

To better learn how to rightly divide Gods Word, I completed a masters degree in biblical and theological studies at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. It was amazing to see how God gave me the ability to understand the gospel after a lifetime of believing in a twisted, contorted view of Scripture.

Having to admit that I was wrong to the entire worldmy books were published in 38 languageshas been deeply humbling. Even so, I needed that humility to better learn how to lean upon God. I still feel guilty knowing that people continue to use and sell my old products, even though I have begged them to stop. But these situations offer opportunities to share the gospel. I pray continually that God will use my witness to point New Agers to Jesus.

After seeking but never finding peace in New Age, I have finally found it in Christ. Despite the storms in my life, my hope and trust in the Lord holds me steady.

Doreen Virtue is the author of Deceived No More: How Jesus Led Me out of the New Age and into His Word.

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Evangelicals petition constitution committee

Evangelicals joined Catholics, Jews, and Muslims petitioning legislators to include the protection of the free exercise of religion in Chiles new constitution, which will replace the constitution established under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. In the fall presidential election, evangelicals mostly supported conservative Jose Antonio Kast, an opponent of the proposed constitution. The winner of the election, former student protest leader Gabriel Boric, reached out to evangelicals during the campaignbut not always successfully. He was widely mocked for telling one interviewer he had been turning to the Bible for wisdom, reading the Gospel of St. Paul.

Evangelical appointed to Supreme Court

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro delivered on a promise to appoint a terribly evangelical justice to the Supreme Court. Andre Mendonca, formerly an attorney general, was approved by a 4732 senate vote after testifying for nine hours. Describing himself as genuinely evangelical, Mendonca assured legislators he would follow the constitution. The constitution is and must be the foundation to any decision by a supreme court justice, he said. As to myself, I say: in my life, the Bible, and at the supreme court, the constitution. Mendonca can sit on the court for 33 years.

Missionary hostages free

Seventeen Anabaptist missionaries returned safely to the US after months of prayer and international negotiation with Haitian kidnappers. The group, which included five children, was taken hostage in October. The gang demanded $1 million each in ransom. Two were released in November ...

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Many religious people report vivid or otherwise memorable religious experiences, which they regard as compelling reasons to believe. But why assume God is actually at the other end of the experience? Harold A. Netland, a professor of philosophy of religion and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, explores this question in his new book Religious Experience and the Knowledge of God: The Evidential Force of Divine Encounters. Travis Dickinson, professor of philosophy at Dallas Baptist University, spoke with Netland about religious experience and how divine encounters may justify our Christian beliefs.

You are a unique scholar because of your work in both philosophy and intercultural and religious studies. You also have a unique background. How do these things motivate and inform the book?

I grew up in Japan, where my parents were missionaries. So I had that cross-cultural experience early on. I eventually ended up doing doctoral studies at Claremont Graduate University with a scholar named John Hick, who by that time had completely rejected historic orthodox Christianity for pluralism. For Hick, justification of our religious convictions is based upon our experiences.

Then I spent 10 years as a missionary in Japan and became increasingly interested in Buddhism and its experiential component. And finally, as I spoke with fellow Christians, I came to see the significant role that personal experience plays in their commitments. There are important philosophical issues involved in basing our commitments on religious experiences, although not many evangelicals have been addressing these issues.

What makes an experience a religious experience?

My first two chapters try to unpack that question, because the concept ...

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Ive never seen so many headlines about death.

Over the past two pandemic years, newspaper obituary sections grew fat with tributes, and my online feedskeyed up to search for terms like pastor and ministerwere filled with local news stories about churches who lost their leaders during the pandemic.

The death tolls were reaching now are the worst-case scenarios we couldnt even imagine when COVID-19 first hit. As the United States commemorated 800,000 dead in late 2021, The Atlantic writer Clint Smith called it a number so enormous that we risk becoming numb to its implications.

Theres a sense of resignation in the way people, even fellow Christians, speak of the COVID-19 dead. Depending on their positions on vaccination, they may suggest that the unvaccinated put themselves at risk, or, on the other side, that it simply must have been their time to die.

On Ash Wednesday, Christians traditionally repeat a line aimed to remind each other of our mortality, that we will all die and to dust we shall return. We hardly need the reminder in the midst of a pandemic that has taken more than 5.7 million lives around the world.

It would be hard for that level of loss to not shift our conception of death, or move it further in the direction it was already headed.

We have seen a creeping fatalism toward the critically ill. The medically vulnerable have too often been reduced to their COVID-19 risk factors and comorbidities, as if such conditions justify another life lost.

Governments around the world are moving toward policies to sanction euthanasia. In Australia and the UK, politicians are lobbying to legalize assisted dying, and Switzerland ...

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Vanessa Franklin lost her mother, her father, and her husband in a 12-month span. But the grief of their deaths paled in comparison to parting with her three teenage daughters in the same year, 2008, when she went to prison for fraud.

Being separated from them was worse, said Franklin, who served four years in Oklahoma.

She couldnt imagine a deeper hurt until a few years later, when her daughter, Ashley Garrison, was sentenced while pregnant. The 20-year-old went into labor the day she checked into prison.

Garrison had a boy and named him William. She held him for an hour before she was forced to relinquish custody to his fathers family.

Babies can barely see when theyre born, but studies show that newborns still know their mothersthey recognize her voice, her smell, even the smell of her breast milk. Christians celebrate this as the design of a God who forms babies in their mothers womb.

For Garrison, that meant her baby knew who she was but never saw her face.

Shes not the same, Franklin said. She never recovered.

In Oklahoma, where they live, roughly 151 of every 100,000 women are behind bars. Thats twice the national average.

Franklin, released from prison in 2012, now serves as the national director of field operations for the Christian ministry Prison Fellowship, working on behalf of a growing number of women and families like her own.

In 2019, there were 231,000 women and girls behind bars in the United States, a 775 percent increase since 1980. Most are serving time for nonviolent convictions, things like drug charges or theft. More than 60 percent were mothers to children under 18 at the time of sentencing. So as Americas mass ...

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The statue of Robert E. Lee cast a racist shadow over Richmond, Virginia, for 131 years. But today it is gone.

The federal government sent a truck and a removal crew to Monument Avenue one misty day in September. The bronze likeness of the man who betrayed his country to lead the fight for a new nation that was heralded at the time as the first in the history of the world based on the belief that the negro is not equal to the white man was sawn into pieces. The pieces were hoisted off the marble pedestal. And carted away.

For Katie St. Germain, it felt a bit anticlimactic. She watched from her computer at work.

As a lifelong Virginian, she remembered seeing the statute and other Confederate monuments as a child from the backseat of her moms car, headed to ballet lessons. She didnt know what they meant. She slowly learned as she got older that Richmondher citywas proud of its heritage as the former capital of a four-year experiment in white supremacy.

When St. Germain graduated high school, a lot of her friends got a class ring adorned with the Confederate battle flag. A lot of her family had those rings too. But she decided she didnt want one. She wasnt proud of the Confederacy. As a white evangelical Christian, she thought it was wrong.

So St. Germain was glad to see the statue coming down. But it still felt incomplete.

Im not a big liturgy person, but I think we have to have a liturgy, said St. Germain, who attends a nondenominational church called The Chapel. I read Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Both of those authors talk about the importance of lament. It is a biblical response, to lament. ...

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AOC's socialism vs Christian capitalism

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said in a recent interview that capitalism is irredeemably evil:

So to me, capitalism at its core, what we're talking about when we talk about that, is the absolute pursuit of profit at all human, environmental, and social cost. That is what we're really discussing. The New York Democrat also said that a very small group of actual capitalists, which she described as wealthy individuals who have such vast amounts of money that they do not need to work to make a living, control America's industries, energy sources and labor. "They can control massive markets that they dictate and can capture governments, Ocasio-Cortez said. And they can essentially have power over the many. And to me that is not a redeemable system for us to be able to participate in for the prosperity and peace for the vast majority of people." Townhall.com

AOC is engaging in the favorite past time of socialists, redefining terms so that their argument automatically wins a debate. Its a trivial pursuit that even the most ignorant can enjoy. But readers should ask themselves, if capitalism is pure evil, why have so many Christian theologians embraced it for centuries?

The term "capitalism was first used by French socialist Louis Blanc in 1850 referring to the system of exclusive ownership of means of production by private individuals. Before that, the system was known as laissez-faire, short for laissez-nous faire, French for leave us alone! French businessmen shouted it to Jean-Baptiste Colbert, comptroller general of finance under King Louis XIV of France. Colbert had implemented massive government controls of commerce in France in the 17th century to counter the economic dominance of the free market Dutch Republic. Instead of improving commerce and living standards, Colberts reforms crushed them. When asked what more he could do for businesses, the owners replied, Leave us alone!

At the same time, Adam Smith called laissez faire the system of natural liberty, referring to the Dutch Republic as the best example. But the Protestant Dutch didnt invent the system. They got it a century before from the Catholic theologians at the University of Salamanca, Spain, who distilled the principles from the Bible and natural law.

From its instantiation in the Dutch Republic until the 20th century, this system of natural liberty, laissez faire, or capitalism was Christian economics for most Protestant theologians. The best-selling economics textbook in 19th century U.S. by the Baptist pastor and head of Brown University, Francis Wayland, promoted capitalism as Christian economics. If it were as evil as AOC claims, why would the best theologians promote it for 300 years?

The answer is simple: AOC is wrong, as she is about most things. So what are the principles of capitalism? Essentially, they are the rights to life, liberty and property made famous by Thomas Jeffersons phrase in the Declaration of Independence, though Jefferson changed property to happiness. The right to life is the positive statement of the Biblical command Thou shalt not murder. The right to property is the positive of Thou shalt not steal. The right to liberty comes from the prohibitions of forced slavery and the right to freedom of conscience because God does not value coerced belief.

Those rights require free markets because property means the owner controls the buying and selling of it, and limited government, because the state cannot violate the rights of its citizens. Also, citizens are equal before the government because governments are ministers of God (Romans 13) and all people stand before God as equals.

So how did AOC come up with such a vile definition of capitalism? She took the hallucinations of the drunkard and atheist Karl Marx to their logical conclusion, even though Marx credited capitalism for having raised the standards of living of Western Europe to the highest levels in history during his day. Marx was so lazy he allowed one child to starve to death rather than him get a job and feed the child. That is the man AOC and Democrats hold up as savior of mankind in place of Christ.

AOC got one thing right in her interview. She complained that wealthy people capture governments and so have too much political power. Thats true, but its a feature of socialism, not capitalism. The U.S. hasnt been capitalist for about a century. You see, socialists thought they could control businesses by giving the state the power to regulate them. But businessmen understood that politicians exist for one reason  to sell their power to the highest bidder. So, businessmen complied and bought them. In exchange, politicians installed bureaucrats favorable to big business in regulatory agencies, thereby capturing the regulatory agency.

Regulatory Capture typically refers to a phenomenon that occurs when a regulatory agency that is created to act in the public interest, instead advances the commercial or political concerns of special interest groups that dominate an industry or sector the agency is charged with regulating, From the CFA Institute

AOC lives in the world of Isaiah who wrote, Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isa. 5:20). Capitalism is as far from the evil AOC complains about as light is from darkness. Socialism is the nighttime she calls day and the cause of most of the problems she blames capitalism for.
GiveSendGo hacked, donors leaked amid fundraiser for Canadian trucker convoy protest

The Christian crowdfunding site GiveSendGo has been hacked and temporarily disabled after it facilitated the raising of nearly $9 million for the convoy of Canadian truckers who have been protesting vaccine mandates.

The Delaware-based organization, which hosted a crowdfunding effort for the Canadian truckers after crowdfunding site GoFundMe took down their initial fundraiser at the urging of the Canadian government, was disabled Sunday night. Visitors were redirected to the domain GiveSendGone[.]wtf.

The site had raised over $8.7 million in one week after the GoFundMe effort was taken down.

Hackers posted on GiveSendGo a scene from the Disney film Frozen as a backdrop along with a statement blasting the website and the protest movement known as the "Freedom Convoy," according to The Daily Dot's Mikael Thalen.

BREAKING: GiveSendGo, the crowdfunding website used by the Freedom Convoy, is now redirecting to the domain GiveSendGone[.]wtf.



A video from the Disney film Frozen now appears alongside a manifesto condemning the website and the Freedom Convoy. pic.twitter.com/3TLAwfvZ3w  Mikael Thalen (@MikaelThalen) February 14, 2022

The statement alleged that those who had contributed to the fundraiser were the same ones who had helped fund the January 6 insurrection in the U.S. and had helped fund an insurrection in Ottawa.

On behalf of sane people worldwide who wish to continue living in a democracy, I am now telling you that GiveSendGo itself is frozen, the statement continued.

As of Monday, the GiveSendGo website yields a blank white page that reads, Application under maintenance we will be back very soon. Similarly, a 404 error message appears on the GiveSendGo Adopt a Trucker fundraising page.

GiveSendGos list of donors, approximately 92,000 of them, was also leaked and shared online.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an order last week halting access to funds that had been raised on the crowdfunding site.

The crowdfunding site tweeted Saturday: The funds from the Freedom Convoy are not frozen contrary to what you might be hearing on the news. GiveSendGo is working with many different campaign organizers to find the most effective legal ways to continue funds flowing.

The site stated on Feb. 10 in response to previous Canadian court efforts to halt the funds that the Canadian government has absolutely ZERO jurisdiction over how we manage our funds here and that all the donations flow directly to the recipients of those campaigns, not least of which is The Freedom Convoy campaign.

The sites hacking and the judicial moves against the company came amid Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus convening with government officials to discuss how to deal with ongoing protests. The protests began in late January when thousands of truckers traversed across the country and descended on Ottawa, Canadas capital city.

Many truckers had previously stated that they would not leave until the countrys COVID-19 mandates are dropped or Trudeau resigns. The convoy in Canada has garnered worldwide attention, and similar convoys have been seen in Australia and throughout Europe.

Trudeau is expected to invoke the Emergencies Act to give the government additional powers, according to the CBC. Thus far, there are no plans to deploy the military.

Truckers have also protested at a number of border crossings, notably in Coutts, Alberta, and at the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Ontario and the U.S. state of Michigan. The Ambassador Bridge carries approximately 30% of the annual trade between Michigan and Canada.

According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, its estimated that around 10,000 commercial trucks and $325 million in goods cross the bridge every day. The bridge was fully reopened Sunday night after seven days of blockade.

Just before midnight Sunday, the Detroit International Bridge Company announced that the Ambassador Bridge was now fully open allowing the free flow of commerce between the Canada and US economies once again.

Due to the nationwide outcry, in the past week, some Canadian provinces have announced that they will set plans in motion to drop some or all of their COVID restrictions, among them Alberta, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island.
Jack Graham preaches Valentine's Day message on loving God above all, avoiding seductions of world

Just ahead of Valentines Day, Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church Plano, Texas, told his congregation how to become a Romans 12 kind of Christian and warned against conforming to the world.

In a Feb. 13 sermon titled Divine Direction, Graham told hundreds of churchgoers that when Christians do not surrender to God, their minds will not be transformed by God. Instead of letting Gods light shine through them, they cover Jesus, who is inside of them.

The world wants to seduce us, to squeeze us. Rather than becoming more and more like Jesus, we become more and more like the world, especially when we crawl off the altar, the 71-year-old pastor and former Southern Baptist Convention president said.

We are living off the altar as a sacrifice, and were on our own. Thats when the world begins to seduce us and squeeze us and cover our light. So, He says dont do that. Stop. Its an imperative.  Stop being conformed to this world right now. And instead be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Graham added.

When Christians allow worldly things to influence them and make compromises, they are no longer a Christ-like example, according to the pastor.

You are to be identified as a Christ-follower; a Christian because Christ is living in you. But, what happens is when we start conforming to the world and get into the worlds masquerade party, then it covers Christ, he explained.

You make compromises with your Christian faith. You cover who you really are.  Youre not showing Christ. Youre not lit up like Jesus around your friends or your coworkers, he stressed.

Earlier in the sermon, Graham referred to Valentines Day as a celebration of love. He said that to be transformed by Christ, Christians should put Jesus first in their lives.

The love of our life is Jesus.  We love our husbands and our wives more because we love Jesus most, Graham contended. Christ is first, and therefore those who are in our lives; we can love them well and love them better.

This is that lasting and living sacrifice. It is a logical sacrifice. In that, it is our reasonable service, he added.

Graham emphasized that Christians should remember to follow Jesus and not be conformed to the world but be transformed by God.

God has promised time and time again in the Bible that He will lead us. We are not left alone to figure it out by ourselves. God has a plan. God has a purpose even before you were born. These children, these babies; before they were born, God had a purpose and a plan for their lives.  God has a plan for every life and that includes your life, he preached.

And as a believer and follower of Jesus, He has promised to lead you throughout the days of your life. And in making those decisions, Gods guidance is promised, he said.

Carrying out the will of God is the only proper way to live, Graham said. He said Gods will should be sought by every Christian when making life decisions.

Your best life, your only life that is truly successful is a life given to following the Lord.  Your decisions determine your direction and your direction ultimately determines your destiny in life, Graham said.

And Im talking about the big decisions that we make: where we go to school, who we marry, and if we have children, job, career, calling  all of these things.  God has a plan and He will let you know. God is not hiding His will from you. He wants you to know His will even more than you want to know it, he added.

Being obedient to the word of God starts in a Christians mind, according to Graham, adding: Its the way you think and when you are presented to the Lord fully and completely.

And your mind is now transformed and youre not allowing the world to cover up [Jesus], the pastor said. You can see clearly the path.

Satan, who is the god of the world, Graham said, is anti-God and anti-Christ. The devil and those under his dominion want to lead Christians astray.

The world wants to con you. The world wants to confuse you. The world wants to conform you and the world wants to cover you, the Reignite author said. When you cover up your face, you cant shine. Dont let the world cover you up, con you, confuse you or conform you to fit into its own patterns and ways and principles and philosophies and values. The world has a view. This age has a worldview, and its not God.

Christians will make mistakes, but Graham said having a mind transformed by Christ allows Christians to remember repentance, Gods forgiveness and mercy.

When we fail, when we fall, when we stumble, we get back up and we keep going because our minds have been changed. We dont think the way we used to, he declared. We now make choices between right and wrong and what is good and what is best between truth and lies. We know the path that is to be taken or not taken because now our mind is renewed.
Thousands of baptisms conducted by Phoenix priest deemed invalid by Catholic Church

Thousands of Catholics baptized into the faith by the Rev. Andres Arango, the former priest of St. Gregory Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona, will now have to redo their baptisms after Arango was found to have used an incorrect formula to carry out the sacrament.

Arango, who voluntarily resigned from the church earlier this month, also served at parishes in Brazil and San Diego, California, in a career spanning more than 20 years, The New York Times reported. Officials investigating the invalid baptism formula believe thousands of people were improperly baptized by Arango over the years.

In the Catholic Church, people are baptized once, as infants, and not rebaptized as adults. However, children, teenagers and adults who convert to Catholicism also receive baptism, often performed during Easter vigils (see examples here and here).

Fr. Arango's formula for baptism first became a cause for concern last year when he was heard saying during one ceremony: We baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

According to the Vatican, during baptisms, priests are expected to say the words I baptize, instead of We baptize in order for the baptism to be valid.

Thomas J. Olmsted, the bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, explained in a recent statement published on the churchs website why it was unacceptable for Arango to say We baptize.

It is with sincere pastoral concern that I inform the faithful that baptisms performed by Reverend Andres Arango, a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix, are invalid. This determination was made after careful study by diocesan officials and through consultation with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, Olmsted said.

Specifically, it was reported to me that Fr. Andres used the formula, WE baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The key phrase in question is the use of We baptize in place of I baptize, he explained. The issue with using We is that it is not the community that baptizes a person, rather, it is Christ, and Him alone, who presides at all of the sacraments, and so it is Christ Jesus who baptizes.

Olmsted said he did not believe that Arangos error was intentional and asked congregants who were baptized by him with the incorrect formula to reach out to the church so they can help.

I do not believe Fr. Andres had any intentions to harm the faithful or deprive them of the grace of baptism and the sacraments. On behalf of our local Church, I too am sincerely sorry that this error has resulted in disruption to the sacramental lives of a number of the faithful," Olmsted added. "This is why I pledge to take every step necessary to remedy the situation for everyone impacted. If you believe your own reception of baptism may be connected to Fr. Andres Arangos ministry, please call your parish for more information about how to proceed. I also encourage you to visit, dphx.org/valid-baptism for more information.

In a statement also shared by the church, Arango said he was saddened to learn that he performed invalid baptisms throughout his ministry by regularly using an incorrect formula.

I deeply regret my error and how this has affected numerous people in your parish and elsewhere. With the help of the Holy Spirit and in communion with the Diocese of Phoenix I will dedicate my energy and full-time ministry to help remedy this and heal those affected, he said. I would like to take this opportunity to thank God for having given me the opportunity to serve your community. You have all enriched my life beyond measure. It has been a blessing and an honor to have served and worked alongside people that I consider my dear friends and family.

In a message published in their newsletter on Jan. 30, the community at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Phoenix also thanked Arango for his service.

Wed like to thank you for your dedication to your vocation, but also for your dedication to the community. You have helped give Saint Gregory a new face. During your time here you have shared meals, given spiritual guidance, lifted our parish, taken our youth twice to World Youth Day, opened opportunities to several trips to Holy Land; all while being very attentive to our community and our formation, the church said. The impact that you have made on our students, parishioners, and staff will stay forever in our hearts.
As we watch current events unfold in Central Europe, NATO is working just as it was designed in 1949. That might surprise you. But as the adage goes, NATO was formed to keep the Americans in, the Russians out and the Germans down.

Created as a Cold War structure to help confront Soviet aggression, NATO was also seen as one piece in the post-World War II global architecture aimed at avoiding another world war. In cooperation with organizations such as the IMF and World Bank and more, these structures helped solidify an American view of the global community that remains fundamental to global politics today.

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But when the Soviet Union crumbled in the early 1990s, many analysts predicted the demise of NATO as well. What would NATO do without its central anti-Soviet mission? Rather quickly, though, NATO found missions in Bosnia and elsewhere, accepted new members mostly from the former Soviet bloc and became the de facto political-military companion to the European Union. In particular, the admission of former Soviet bloc countries into NATO membership directly hedged against a Russian resurgence on the European landscape.

Now here we are in 2022 with Russia at least superficially revitalized under Putin and working to flex his military muscle in and around Ukraine. In working to reestablish a Russian sphere of influence in central and Eastern Europe, Putin can do little about the countries that joined NATO over the past 25 years. But he can position his soldiers, tanks and other equipment around Ukraine and poke and prod to see what resolve exists within NATO about confronting renewed Russian expansionist interests.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russian Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Moscow wants guarantees from the West that NATO won't allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members, and that the alliance will halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe, the demands flatly rejected by the West. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) (Alexei Nikolsky/AP)

So far, under President Joe Biden, weve seen the keep the Americans in pillar of NATO hold firm. From 2017 to 2020, we saw the mixed American signals from the Trump administration where the former president cultivated his bromance with Putin, while most of his other advisers followed more traditionally hawkish views toward Russian intentions and action. Over the past year, the Biden team in collaboration with its NATO allies has been relatively coordinated in their willingness to stand firm against Putins coercive intentions over Ukraine.

A Ukrainian serviceman washes a t-shirt at a frontline position, outside Popasna, Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov advised President Vladimir Putin on Monday to keep talking with the West on Moscow's security demands, a signal from the Kremlin that it intends to continue diplomatic efforts amid U.S. warnings of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (VADIM GHIRDA/AP)

Opinion Weekly Perspective on the week's biggest stories from the Courant's Opinion page >

One tricky part, however, in maintaining NATO solidarity, is the various trade relationships that exist between Russia and some NATO allies. Most notably among those relationships is Russian natural gas supplies to Germany and several other crucial allies.

Ironically, this type of potential leverage is exactly why President Ronald Reagan opposed the building of the gas pipeline from the then-Soviet Union to Western Europe in the 1980s. Reagan feared that this type of supply leverage for a crucial raw material could be used in exactly this type of circumstance. This also is why the Biden team has been so quick in recent weeks to reassure Europeans of the potential for American gas supplies in the months ahead.

Its also worth noting, however, that the third pillar of keep the Germans down has changed to keep the Germans prosperous and actively involved in decision-making. Similar to the emergence of right-wing forces in the United States and many other countries, Germany has had to grapple with both its tragic history and its ongoing share of troubling internal political forces.

That said, Germany remains the largest economy in the European Union, is a major global financial player and for decades has been a force for political moderation and stability throughout Europe and around the world. German leadership in many forums, in collaboration with the United States, is and will continue to be crucial to the ongoing stability of NATO and the resolution of the Ukraine conflict and more.

So while NATO indeed is operating the way it was designed to operate, that doesnt mean that it will succeed in deterring Russian designs in Ukraine and beyond. But it is a solid foundation for what remains of American global leadership now and for some years to come.

The biggest question mark, however, is what role China might play in helping to ease any sanctions against Russia. The prospect of a Chinese-Russian alliance of the moment isnt something anyone in Washington or European capitals wishes to see. While both are major global players, both also have quite narrowly nationalistic views of their appropriate role in the world. How those nationalistic tendencies play out in the longer term will likely determine whether NATO continues its relevance even further into the future and whether its successful design persists.

Mark A. Boyer is a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor at UConn. He is author of International Cooperation and Public Goods and co-author of Defensive Internationalism.
Bigger crime than Watergate: Trump issues statement on Durham report on Clinton campaign spying

Former President Donald Trump said special counsel John Durhams court filing provides indisputable evidence that Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign spied on his campaign and presidency to develop a completely fabricated connection to Russia, which is a bigger scandal than Watergate.

This is a scandal far greater in scope and magnitude than Watergate and those who were involved in and knew about this spying operation should be subject to criminal prosecution, Trump said in a statement, referring to the scandal that forced President Richard Nixon to resign in 1974.

The statement comes after Durhams team alleged that a Democrat-aligned tech executive was paid to spy on Trumps residences and the White House while he was president.

In a stronger period of time in our country, this crime would have been punishable by death. In addition, reparations should be paid to those in our country who have been damaged by this, the former president added.

Durhams motion is about potential conflicts of interest related to the representation of former Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann, who has been charged with making a false statement to the FBI that he was not working on behalf of Clinton at the time.

According to the filing, lawyers for the Clinton campaign allegedly paid the technology executive to infiltrate servers that belonged to the Trump Tower and the White House to establish an inference and narrative to tie Trump with the Russian government, The Epoch Times reported.

Sussmann assembled and conveyed the allegations to the FBI on behalf of at least two specific clients, including (i) a technology executive (Tech Executive-1) at a U.S.-based Internet company (Internet Company1), and (ii) the Clinton Campaign, the filing reads.

Sussmanns billing records reflect that he repeatedly billed the Clinton Campaign for his work on the Russian Bank-1 allegations and that the technology executive met and communicate with Mark Elias, a lawyer and operative who has filed numerous election-related lawsuits on behalf of the Democrats, said the Times.

In 2017, Sussmann came out with an updated set of allegations about Trumps Russian connection to another government agency, the filing said, according to Fox News.

Sussmann alleged at the time that Trump and/or his associates were using supposedly rare, Russian-made wireless phones in the vicinity of the White House and other locations, based on suspicious DNS lookups by Russian-affiliated IP addresses.

Durham said in the filing his office found no support for these allegations.

Kash Patel, former chief investigator of the Trump-Russia probe for the House Intelligence Committee under then-Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., told Fox News that the filing provides definitive evidence that the Clinton campaign put together a criminal enterprise to fabricate a connection between President Trump and Russia.
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.
Lee Strobel's 'The Case for Heaven' hitting big screen in doc featuring Francis Chan, Luis Palau (trailer)

Lee Strobels bestselling book The Case for Heaven is hitting the big screen in a documentary in which the apologist explores the evidence for the afterlife alongside notable Christian leaders including Francis Chan, John Burke, Luis Palau and more.

The documentary, titled The Case for Heaven, hits theaters this April for three nights only from Monday, April 4, through Wednesday, April 6, at 7 p.m. local time. The film is from Fathom Events and Sandoval Studios and is directed by Mani Sandoval.

In the film, Strobel explores the case for the afterlife and answers some of the most pressing questions about Heaven. The documentary also features interviews with some of todays most respected Christian leaders who share biblical insights on the afterlife to challenge, encourage and inspire viewers.

The pandemic has a lot of people pondering what happens after people close their eyes for the last time in this world, said Strobel in a statement shared with The Christian Post. This film provides compelling evidence from both inside and outside the Bible to show that we will, indeed, continue to live on.

Heaven, for billions of people around the world, is an awe-inspiring place only fully known once youre there, said director Mani Sandoval. In this film, I believe audiences will experience our most ambitious attempt to sonically, emotionally and cinematically touch Heaven  even if its just for a second.

The forthcoming documentary is based on Strobels 2021 book, The Case for Heaven: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for Life After Death. In his book, the former atheist uses research on near-death experiences, philosophy and religion to deliver a compelling presentation on the afterlife.

Strobels own near-death experience almost a decade ago prompted him to write a book about life after death for this book.

My wife found me unconscious. I was taken by ambulance to a hospital. I opened my eyes to an emergency room and the doctor said, youre one step away from a coma, two steps away from dying. And then I fell unconscious again, Strobel, who also authored The Case for Christ, told CP about his close brush with death.

I had a condition called hyponatremia, which is a drop in blood sodium level. For a while there, I hovered between life and death until doctors saved me. That was kind of a wake-up call for me. Its a very clarifying experience to be hovering over that border between life and death. And thats kind of the seed that ultimately resulted in this book because, as a Christian, I believe if I died, I would go to Heaven to be with God, but I also have a skeptical nature, he said.

A recent study from Pew Research Center found that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults say they believe in Heaven. However, roughly six-in-10 American adults (62%) say they believe in Hell  a topic Strobel doesnt shy away from.

Well, if Heaven is real, it implies that Hell is real too, Strobel said. The same kind of evidence points in both directions. I thought it was important to explore that topic. Theres a lot of aberrant teachings about Hell these days that are increasing in popularity in many churches, so I wanted to deal with those.

Watch the trailer for The Case for Heaven below.
Christians protest Satanic Temples 3-day SatanCon in Arizona city that rejected group's invocation

Christians gathered, prayed and read scriptures outside an Arizona hotel that hosted a three-day event by The Satanic Temple called SatanCon that included such sessions as Raising Children in a Satanic Household and Abortion as a (Religious) Right.

The Catholic demonstrators prayed, read from the Bible, held signs, banners, rosaries, crosses and images of the Virgin Mary outside the Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale, the site of the Satanic Temples event, which concludes Sunday, Fox 10 reported.

Were out here to let the satanists know that theres no place for evil in Arizona, a protester was quoted as saying. And were here to combat that. And were here to say that Jesus is Lord.

Phoenix Catholic Bishop Thomas Olmsted had said in a statement that Catholics should refrain from participating in any public demonstration or protest against the satanic event.

The faithful should instead unite in spiritual warfare through prayer, fasting and participation in the Sacraments, the statement read. These are the most effective spiritual weapons against Satans futile attempt at sowing division and confusion in our midst.

SatanCon included sessions on Devils Food, Darwin vs. The Lord of Lies, Raising Children in a Satanic Household, and After School Satan Club, among others.

In 2018, The Satanic Temple lost a lawsuit against Scottsdale over its decision not to allow the group to give an invocation at one of the city council meetings two years earlier.

The Scottsdale City Council had given its approval to allow the satanic group to give a less than three-minute invocation at the beginning of one of its meetings in 2016, but later withdrew the offer after facing public backlash. The council said The Satanic Temple was not based in Scottsdale, but Tucson instead, CBN News reported at the time.

In a statement about the event, The Satanic Temples co-founder and spokesperson Lucien Greaves said, In addition to creating a community for our members, SatanCon serves as an expression of our good will toward the city of Scottsdale, despite the perplexing and unfortunate ruling against us which defied precedent and common sense.

Greaves added, In the course of litigation, Scottsdale officials desperately made clear that they are, in fact, accepting and inclusive regarding satanists. We heard you, Scottsdale, and we accepted that as an invitation to turn Scottsdale into the Happy Satanic Fun Capital of the World.

The statement said SatanCon would have talks and presentations on the groups efforts to protect members reproductive rights, fight psychiatric abuse, protect children from abuse in schools, promote addiction recovery, and build support for TSTs after-school club.

In 2016, The Satanic Temple launched a nationwide After School Satan Club to counter Christian student organizations in public schools.

The groups creation came in response to the Christian Good News Club that was meeting at public schools throughout the nation.

Greaves told The Christian Post at the time that the Christian clubs presence at public schools created the need for a counter-balance in the extracurricular options.

Moises Esteves, vice president of USA Ministries for Child Evangelism Fellowship, told CP at the time that he believed the Satan club was yet another atheist PR stunt that has no staying power.

The After-School Satan Club is simply another attention-seeking atheist club. The choice of mascot reveals that its leaders simply hate God, and are trying to provoke or spook parents and schools, said Esteves. Like those before it, this club will fizzle out, because parents don't view their children as pawns for a blend of political activism, religious critique and performance art by angry atheists.
From prison cells to Ph.D.: Advocates push to restore college access in prison

What started as selling drugs as a teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, led to a pattern of more serious poor decisions for Stanley Andrisse as he grew up.

By his mid-20s, he found himself convicted of three felony drug trafficking charges with a prosecutor calling for 20 years to life in prison. The sharp words said by the prosecutor that day in 2006 stuck with Andrisse.

As he began a 10-year prison sentence, he contemplated the label he was given by the attorney. Could he really be a career criminal with little hope of leaving the criminal lifestyle?

Looking back on his life choices as a teenager and young adult, he was led at the time to believe that the prosecutor was right.

For much of my early incarceration, I saw myself as a bad person, Andrisse told The Christian Post in a recent interview. I saw myself as this career criminal. I saw myself as being someone who was hopeless. Once I got out, I thought the only thing that was really left for me to do was to continue doing what I had been doing.

But thanks to encouragement from a mentor and his pursuit of higher education, Andrisse turned his life around.

Today, Andrisse is living proof of the abundance of talent and intelligence living within people imprisoned in correctional facilities across the United States. And if given the opportunity and access to postsecondary education, they are capable of reaching extraordinary heights many never thought possible.

What we seek to do is really change that narrative around what that potential is [for people in prison], he said.

Years removed from his imprisonment, Andrisse is an endocrinologist scientist and assistant professor at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., where he is researching Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.

He also holds a visiting professorship at Georgetown University Medical Center and previously held an adjunct position at Johns Hopkins Medicine  a far cry from the career criminal label that had been pressed on him over 13 years ago.

Additionally, Andrisse serves on the frontlines of the growing bipartisan push to restore access to federal postsecondary education grants for people serving behind bars. He also mentors 100 formerly and currently incarcerated people each year as the executive director of a nonprofit called From Prison Cells to PhD (P2P).

P2P is one of many organizations advocating on Capitol Hill for a measure to restore incarcerated students eligibility to receive Pell Grants.

Pell Grants are a federal subsidy provided to low-income students to help them pay for college and other forms of postsecondary education. The grants are provided to all eligible students who apply.

But after tough-on-crime legislation passed in 1994, students in prisons have been barred from receiving Pell Grants. Since then, most college education programs in prisons have vanished.

Restoring Pell Grants to prisons, Andrisse argues, would provide more access to vocational classes as well as college and university degree programs. In due time, proponents contend, improving access to education in prisons will only reduce the nations troubling recidivism rate.

Nationally, 43.3 percent to 51.8 percent of formerly incarcerated individuals will recidivate within three years of leaving prison, Andrisse explained. Education has been correlated with a drastic reduction in recidivism rates.

What does the data say?

A research report from the independent national research and policy organization Vera Institute of Justice, published last January, states that most people in prison in the U.S. are not receiving postsecondary education despite the fact that 64 percent are academically eligible.

The report explains that 58 percent of people who are incarcerated in the U.S. do not complete any education program at all while in prison. Citing 2014 data, the report suggests that only 9 percent completed a postsecondary program during their prison time.

Part of the problem is that access to postsecondary education in prison is extremely limited.

Most existing programs are funded through the federal Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative, which serves a maximum of 12,000 incarcerated students nationwide annually through partnerships with over 60 higher education institutions.

The Vera Institute report estimates that if the ban on Pell in prisons is lifted, about 463,000 incarcerated people would be eligible to receive Pell Grants.

According to a 2014 RAND Corporation report, the odds of recidivating are anywhere from 36 percent to 43 percent less likely for those who take part in correctional education programs than for those who do not.

The RAND report also found that the odds of finding post-release employment for those who participated in a correctional education program was 13 percent to 48 percent higher than for those who did not.

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George Papadopoulos Pleaded Guilty to Lying, Not Russian Collusion

Much is being made of the fact that Donald Trump's campaign volunteer George Papadopoulos has been sentenced to two weeks in jail, a year of supervised release, 200 hours of community service and fined $9,500. Democrats gleefully point to his guilty plea as evidence of Russian collusion, along with the guilty plea of Trump's former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn. Both men pleaded guilty to lying about their alleged connections to Russians. But they did not plead guilty to any crime showing collusion (not to mention collusion by itself isn't even a crime).

Papadopoulos was a member of the foreign policy advisory panel to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. His problems started on April 26, 2016 during a breakfast meeting at a London hotel. Maltese academic Joseph Mifsud allegedly told him there that the Russians had thousands of Hillary Clinton's emails.

Papadopoulos vaguely relayed this to Australian diplomat Alexander Downer during a meeting on May 10, 2016 in London, merely telling him that Russia had "political dirt" on Clinton. It is not known who Downer was working for. Downer gavethis information directly to the Obama administration. That prompted the FBI to launch Crossfire Hurricane, its counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign, in July 2016.

Papadopoulos did not mention the emails in follow-up emails to the Trump campaign. Papadopoulos toldCNN's Jake Tapper during a recent interview that he does not recall telling the Trump campaign about the Russians' claim of information on Hillary Clinton. Papadopoulos was receptive to information related to Russia because he was hoping to help set up a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Next, a source for the Trump dossier, Sergei Millian, contacted him on July 22, 2016 over LinkedIn. Millian is a Belarusian-American businessman who runs the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce. They met several times during the campaign. Papadopolous said during his interview with Tapper that Millian toldhim he was "working for Trump real estate projects, he was promoting real estate endeavors of Trump." Millian presented a "shady business proposal" to him which entailed working as a PR consultant for an energy firm in Russia. He would receive $30,000 per month. The only qualifier was he had to be working for Trump at the same time. Papadopoulos wisely rejected the suspicious offer.

At the same time, Millian was unwittingly turning over information to British spy Christopher Steele that would end up in Steele's dossier about Trump. He claimed that the Trump campaign was working with Russians to release the hacked DNC emails. He also claimed that the Russian government was blackmailing Trump with photos of him with prostitutes in a Russian hotel.

Glenn Simpson, the founder of the opposition research firm that hired Steele, doubts Millian's credibility. He referredto him as a "big talker." Papadopoulos told Tapper that he thought Millian was working for someone, but he didn't know who.

The Obama administration sent an FBI informant, academic Stefan Halper, to infiltrate the Trump campaign in order to find ties to Russia. Halper targeted Papadopoulos and another Trump adviser, Carter Page.

On September 2, 2016, Halper offered to fly Papadopoulos to London and pay him $3,000 to write an academic paper on energy issues in Cyprus, Turkey and Israel, which was his area of expertise. Papadopoulos thought Halper was merely a Cambridge professor. The two had drinks in London and Papadopoulos said Halper started aggressively questioning him about involvement with the Russians hacking the DNC emails. Papadopoulos denied knowing anything about it.

Ultimately, Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI, namely about the timing and scope of his contact with with Mifsud. Mueller's team claimed that he lied about when his contacts with Mifsud started. Papadopoulos said they started before he was an adviser on the Trump campaign. Technically, he was correct. They started after he learned he would becoming an adviser, but before the position actually started.

Mifsud told the FBI that he knew nothing about the stolen emails, that he didn't say anything to Papadopoulos and that he wasn't a Russian operative. However, Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee describe him as "Russian-linked." His ties are mainlyto Western governments and institutions, evidence he may be working with Western intelligence. The DNC reportsthat he may now be missing or dead. They have been unable to find him in order to serve him in a lawsuit against the Trump campaign, Wikileaks and Russia over interference in the 2016 election.

Papadopoulos wasmerely a "28-year-old fourth-tier Trump adviser," as Kimberly Strassel from The Wall Street Journaldescribes him. If there was Russian collusion going on, it would not have been delegated to him. But prosecutors were able to scare him into thinking a jury could convict him of serious crimes. This is despite the fact he never facilitated any action that resulted in the Russians influencing the election. He merely talked to a few people who mayhave had ties to Russia.

The Mueller team  of which 13 out of 17 are registered Democrats  knows what they're doing. Anyone connected to Trump who has anyties to Russia is a target, because it's easy to call it collusion and make Trump look bad. Who are they going to go after next?
I have sinned: Gambling nun gets year in jail for $835K theft from school

An 80-year-old Catholic nun who stole $835,000 from the school where she served as principal and used the money for gambling, said she had sinned and would now try to follow more closely in Christs footsteps as she was sentenced to a year in federal prison.

Mary Margaret Kreuper, who was principal at St. James Catholic School in the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, California, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who also ordered her to pay $825,338 in restitution, U.S. Attorneys Office of Central District of California announced.

Court documents say she diverted school funds into the St. James Convent Account and the St. James Savings Account and then used the funds to pay for expenses that the order would not have approved, much less paid for, including large gambling expenses incurred at casinos and certain credit card charges.

Announcing her sentencing, the judge said he struggled with weighing legal punishment against pleas for forgiveness from Catholic families whose children were taught at the school, the BBC reported, adding that she told the judge she was profoundly sorry and would spend the rest of her life trying to follow more closely in Christs footsteps.

I have sinned, Ive broken the law and I have no excuses, Kreuper said via teleconference, according to CBS News. My actions were in violation of my vows, my commandments, the law and, above all, the sacred trust that so many had placed in me. I was wrong and Im profoundly sorry for the pain and suffering Ive caused so many people.

The nun pleaded guilty last July to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.

The nun  who was principal for 28 years and also responsible for the money the school received to pay for tuition and fees, as well as for charitable donations  embezzled money from the elementary school between 2008 and 2018.

These funds were intended to further the students education, not fund (Kreupers) lifestyle, prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum. In their letters (to the court), several students and parents commented on how the school was lacking in resources.  Another parent discussed (in a letter to the court) how (Kreuper) said there was no money for an awning at school and no money for field trips.
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.
Enfield, Connecticut: From Jonathan Edwards to oral sex

The headline was absolutely shocking in and of itself: My son didn't even know what oral was! Parents slam Connecticut school district for asking eighth-graders to share their sexual desires in the form of pizza toppings in bizarre assignment. But what also got my attention when I read the rest of the story was the location of this school: Enfield, Connecticut.

It was in Enfield on July 8, 1741, that Jonathan Edwards, Americas most famous 18th century philosopher and theologian, preached his most famous sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.

This was in the days of the First Great Awakening, and God had been stirring the New England area out of its worldliness, apathy, and unbelief. But the town of Enfield remained untouched.

Yet that morning, as Edwards read his sermon, word for word, the fear of God fell. The congregants began to see themselves as hopelessly lost, dangling by a thread over the jumping fires of hell. (It was a vivid sermon!)

Soon there was so much screaming, crying out, and fainting that Edwards had to order them to be quiet so that his message could be heard. People began unconsciously to cling to their pews and grasp hold of the pillars of the church so as not to slip into hell. And many were radically converted.

Contrast that with Enfield today, where 8th graders (13-years-old on average) were asked: to share their sexual desires in the form of pizza toppings.

They were told, Now that you know this metaphor for sex, lets explore your preferences! (This was in a health class.)

They were told to Draw and color your favorite type of pizza. Then they were asked, What's your favorite style of pizza? Your favorite toppings? What are your pizza no-nos? Now mirror these preferences in relation to sex!

Specifically, Here are some examples: Likes: Cheese = Kissing. Dislikes: Olives = Giving Oral.

These were 13-year-olds!

I know that many teens are sexually active, but really now, how many of them are having full intercourse or oral sex? And even if some of them were that active, how on earth could such a lesson be imposed on others? Or what is it doing in school at all?

In response to parents who had exposed the lesson, Enfield Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Drezek said at a school board meeting, 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. 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.

He agreed that the content in the assignment was inappropriate, and insisted that there was no hidden agenda.

And he added, There was no secret cabal to indoctrinate kids on something. 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. No one feels worse that it happened and the person that did it.

But all of this begs one big question. Even if this was a big mistake and there was nothing intentional about it, let alone the lesson being part of a hidden agenda, why on earth did the teacher go ahead with the class? Why not say, Something is terribly wrong here!

What if the lesson called for students to take off their clothes? Or to experiment by touching one another? Or to refer to each other using profane and sexually perverse words? Would the teacher go ahead with the class?

Then why did this teacher go ahead with this morally inexcusable lesson? If this person felt terrible about it, why do it?

A disturbing answer is that, while the lesson was deemed inappropriate, it was not that far removed from other health lessons taught in the school. Was that the case?

I cant answer that from this distance, but I can say that it would not surprise me in the least. And that brings me back to the Superintendents comments.

He claimed that, There was no secret cabal to indoctrinate kids on something. That could well be true.

But the fact is that there has been a very open, out-and-proud cabal of educators for decades seeking to do this very thing: indoctrinate our kids.

Im talking about sexual libertarians and LGBT educators and activists. Their agenda has been documented for many years now, with countless examples across our country every year. (See here and here and here for examples from the last 5 years.) And it is only against that backdrop that this health lesson made its way into this school in Enfield.

After all, even it was not intended for those school children, it was most certainly intended for other school children.

Jonathan Edwards must be turning over in his grave.
Ask any founder about their top three business priorities, and I guarantee one of them will be hiring the right people. And yet, despite the importance we give it (and money we spend on it  an average of $4,129 per job in the United States), it seems that we still struggle to get recruiting right, evidenced by high turnover rates and general frustration on both sides of the process.

On top of that, recent research shows that hiring is particularly critical for startups and smaller companies  but theyre the ones that are vulnerable to hiring challenges, especially during economic downturns. High-quality candidates tend to prefer the security of larger, more established firms and are even willing to make compromises for the perceived safety. As the researchers observed, people were broadening other search criteria to include lower-paid roles, part-time jobs, and jobs in different locations and industries.

If youre just starting out or looking to scale, entrepreneurs cannot afford to give short shrift to their hiring process. Here, a few expert-backed strategies for hiring top-quality talent for your company.

Related: 8 Bulletproof Ways of Turning a Startup Into a Thriving Business

1. Hire as you grow

As CEO of my company Jotform for nearly 16 years and counting, one of the most common questions I get from early-stage founders is: When do I make my first hire?

The answer: when youre on the verge of scaling your company  even if it doesnt necessarily feel like the right time to hire. Heres why.

For early-stage founders, its tempting to want to handle everything yourself. But when youre ready to grow, its critical to bring on new people, and in particular, a product team. As Deepika Yerragunta, head of platform products at PepsiCo, writes, at that point, your company needs you. It's not you and your co-founder and a handful of customers anymore. There are things that need to be taken care of  sales, marketing, customer support, employee issues  payroll, finances etc, fundraising to be taken care of. Hiring good people will free you up to focus on the things you need to take your company to the next level.

And another maxim that has worked for me: Hire only when you have a full years salary for the new hire in the bank. That will keep your burn rate low and ensure your company has the bandwidth to take on a new hire for the long term.

2. Ditch traditional interviews

Though Ive had my own company for over a decade and a half, I still remember interviewing for other peoples companies as if it were yesterday: the sweaty palms; the tense environment; the feeling like I failed to communicate just how much I had to offer. Studies consistently show that those (stressful) traditional interviews dont effectively predict a candidates success in the role.

Thats why I love the idea of ditching traditional interviews, for the most part, and finding creative ways to get to really know job candidates. For example, serial entrepreneur and investor Dinesh Moorjani reports inviting candidates to participate in 48-hour hack-a-thons with his team. The events provided a way to observe and assess candidates ability to work with others in the frenzied environment they would normally encounter as part of a Hatch team, explains the Rock Center Startup Guide.

Or, you might invite a candidate to a more informal social event with members of their prospective team. The key is getting to know candidates and what they bring to the table. As Nick Weaver, CEO and co-founder of home networking company Eero, told Time magazine, I think in the recruitment process, a lot of people are pretty transactional. And if you really take the time to get to know people, you have a materially different outcome.

Investing the time to really connect with job candidates will pay off later.

Related: 8 Practical Tips for Successfully Launching Your Startup

3. Dont overlook "imperfect" candidates

Working in a startup requires a certain level of flexibility that isnt valued as much in larger, more traditional companies. For that reason, a seemingly perfect hire  the candidate with a resume that checks all of the boxes  might not be a fit for your organization.

Consider the example of Quincy Apparel. The founders lacked apparel industry experience, so they hired a few veterans, assuming they could successfully take on multiple roles. The outcome was the opposite. Harvard Business Review explains that, accustomed to the high levels of specialization in mature apparel companies, Quincys employees werent flexible about tackling tasks outside their areas of expertise. This was one of the factors in its eventual downfall.

On the other hand, a candidate who seems imperfect on paper might have the traits your company needs to thrive, such as flexibility, resilience, ambition and stamina.

Related: Why Everyone Should Work for a Startup at Least Once

4. Always be on the lookout

Some entrepreneurs make the mistake of only focusing on meeting new candidates when a new position opens up in their organization. But experts say you should be on the lookout for potential hires at all times.

Nowadays, top talent tends to be sought out by companies, rather than vice versa. According to Lara Hodgson, co-founder, president and CEO at Now Corp, a B2B payments company, Almost everyone weve hired, we went out and found them. They didnt find us.

Connecting with those candidates, many of whom are not active job seekers, requires a relentless commitment to meeting potential hires, and adding them to your mental rolodex for openings down the road. So be on the lookout wherever you are: networking events, lectures and even at the local coffee shop.

5. Track the outcomes

You might be surprised to discover that most companies fail to track the outcomes of their hires  only about a third of U.S. companies report monitoring whether their hiring practices lead to good employees. As Peter Capelli writes for Harvard Business Review, Imagine if the CEO asked how an advertising campaign had gone, and the response was We have a good idea how long it took to roll out and what it cost, but we havent looked to see whether were selling more. Almost unthinkable.

Its no wonder the process is so frustrating for employers and jobseekers alike if we fail to check whats working and how we might do it better. To improve your hiring system, keep track of the outcomes of your new hires. Measure things like: where your candidates came from (applications through job boards, recruiters, internal hires, etc.); how long employees stay; and employee performance.

That way youll have a clearer picture of which sources tend to produce the best new hires.

Final thoughts

Hiring might be challenging, but its not a mystery. Implementing a few solid practices, such as tracking results, mixing up the interview process and having an eye out for potential hires at all times, will ensure that your company is recruiting the best possible talent for your growing team.

Related: Want to Build a Great Business? Find the Right People.

Copyright 2022 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
During an hours-long debate about masks in school, Connecticut residents sit on the floor at the state Capitol as they watch a monitor telecast debate in the state Senate chamber. A vote in the Senate is expected on a bill to switch the authority on the mask mandate to local school boards. Only the first floor of the Capitol is open to the general public due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

HARTFORD  After clashing for five hours, the state Senate voted Monday to extend Gov. Ned Lamonts mask mandate in schools and other executive orders that had been scheduled to expire Tuesday.

Democrats who control the chamber said the mask mandate will now expire Feb. 28  and local school boards will have the authority going forward on masks.

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The measure passed 21-14 on mostly party lines with Democratic Sen. Cathy Osten of Sprague breaking with her party and voting with Republicans against the bill.

Lawmakers also approved a separate resolution to extend the public health and civil preparedness emergencies for the state until June 30, which guarantees more than $30 million per month in additional benefits for food stamps for needy families. Legislators did not, however, extend the special powers that Lamont has had for nearly two years.

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Connecticut State Senators Rob Sampson (R) and Cathy Osten (D) speak inside the Senate chamber, where lawmakers debated a mask mandate and extending Connecticut's public health and civil preparedness emergencies until June 30. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

It does not grant the governor any powers, said Sen. Matt Lesser, a Middletown Democrat who led the debate. We are reclaiming the legislatures authority. ... We all want the pandemic to end. We are all exhausted.

The Democratic-controlled Senate also rejected an amendment Monday that would have allowed parents  rather than school boards or the governor  to make the final decision on whether individual students wear masks in school.

The amendment was rejected 21-13 on strict party lines before the later vote on the full bill.

Sen. Rob Sampson, a conservative from Wolcott, offered the amendment that would have provided the choice for children in schools and day care centers, effective immediately.

I think this is the only path forward, he told colleagues on the Senate floor. It is the right thing to do. ... Ultimately, it allows parents to make that final choice.

But Lesser said the switch would mark a vast change in a stunningly irresponsible amendment that would cause chaos in the schools. Sampson, though, countered that it would not be a problem because schools have operated for years without masks.

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Some kids will come to school with masks, and some will not," Sampson said, adding that he does not see potential disruptions in the schools. I think this is a no-brainer amendment. ... Its the parents choice or the governments choice. Thats whats at stake."

Sampson and other Republicans were also concerned about freedom and the rule of law.

Sampson said he keeps hearing words like let" and allow" that should not be used in the debate. It is so frustrating to hear our government officials saying they are allowing such a behavior," he said.

All of these mandates and two years of a speculative definition of what an emergency is, Sampson said. We have the rule of law  not the rule of man or the rule of a king. It applies to everyone the same.

People are not stupid. Let that sink in for a second. The people we represent are not stupid,' Sampson said. They will put the masks on themselves. We dont have to tell them that. If there was a virus that was so dangerous that we needed to put masks on children ... I dont think they should be in school at all.

Sen. Saud Anwar, a South Windsor Democrat who is also a physician, said that state officials have been correct to follow highly qualified medical personnel who have spent their entire careers on infectious diseases. He noted that more than 10,000 patients have died in Connecticut since the pandemic started spreading nearly two years ago.

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Lets stay the course. We are so close to victory,' Anwar said. It really is not over. We said it was over a few months ago. Its not over. ... The disease is not as severe.

Unfortunately, he said, the debate has included disinformation and distortions that masks are ineffective.

Lets stop dividing people, please? We are better than this, Anwar said.

Senate majority leader Bob Duff of Norwalk said disinformation became common nearly two years ago when opponents said COVID was just like the flu  like a cold. Nationwide, nearly 1 million people have died over the past two years.

During the House debate last week on the floor for more than one hour, Rep. Doug Dubitsky of Chaplin said that masks are unsafe and ineffective.

Thats a ridiculous comment, Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney of New Haven told Capitol reporters Monday. Many children are succeeding very well in schools with masks.

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During the debate, Looney said that only 13 executive orders remained in effect from about 300 that Lamont had originally issued. As executive orders, they will cease to exist  but will be enacted into law.

Were doing exactly what so many have clamored for  having the legislature step in and take action, Looney said.

Sen. Will Haskell, a Westport Democrat, said the future COVID decisions will be made by the local officials in the same way that they decide whether to close schools on a snow day. He noted that the roads might be icy in his hometown of Westport but not in other areas of the state. The governor does not have the authority to close all schools statewide on a snow day, and the local officials should be able to decide on masks, he said.

Connecticut State Sen. Tony Hwang of Fairfield speaks on the Senate floor before votes on extending a mask mandate, along with Connecticut's public health and civil preparedness emergencies until June 30. Photograph by Mark Mirko | mmirko@courant.com (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

Sen. Tony Hwang, a Fairfield Republican who opposes the school mask mandate, talked about his experiences as a child under an authoritarian government.

My parents escaped from communist China as teenagers and escaped to Taiwan," Hwang said, describing the power of government. That was all we knew. We were in constant fear. ... The danger and the fear that is reinforced, that allows the government to be the protector, was constant. We realized this was the only way. It wasnt until we came to the United States and recognized that we do have a choice."

Hwang added, Until we came to this country, we didnt know anything different. ... When I say the word indoctrination, unless you lived it ... it literally impacts every aspect of your life."

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While 360 people signed up to speak last week during a public hearing about masks, fewer than 100 actually spoke before the six-hour hearing ended, legislators said. Democrats said those who could not speak were allowed to submit written testimony.

Despite believing in science, Hwang said he opposes the mandate.

I believe in the vaccine. I believe in the boosters, Hwang said. We have moved forward with new medical science. ... But the cure that the state is mandating is more dangerous than the virus. How can we dismiss the social and emotional impact of an entire generation of students?

Senators also debated over the public health and civil preparedness emergencies that are related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The emergencies had been previously declared by Lamont, but his extraordinary powers are expiring Tuesday. As a result, the legislature is assuming the authority over the emergencies.

A critical point for Democrats is that Connecticut cannot afford to lose $32.6 million per month in additional federal funding for food stamps for 214,000 struggling households with an extra $95 per month for those currently receiving the maximum benefit. The resolution also includes $20 million more from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA. That money is needed for housing so that homeless people are not packed into close quarters and bunk beds in small shelters, where the virus could be transmitted more easily, officials said.

We have not been in a state of emergency for a long, long time,' Sampson said. A lot of the hysteria is being created by the government saying were in a state of emergency.'

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Senate Republican leader Kevin Kelly of Stratford said that New York Wisconsin, Kansas, Utah, and Oklahoma all ended their statewide emergency declarations and still received the maximum amount of food stamp benefits.

Looney, however, said the legislature was exerting its own authority during an ongoing crisis' as the pandemic continues, adding, We should not do anything that could potentially jeopardize that flow of funds.'

Besides masks, the Senate also approved multiple other provisions Monday in a single bill.

The orders that will be extended include requiring visitors to nursing homes to be vaccinated or taking a COVID test before being allowed into the home. The provision, known as executive order 14F, will be extended to March 15, while other short-term provisions will last until April 15. None of the provisions are being permanently written into state law, proving flexibility for the legislature that can change, depending on the severity of the pandemic.

The bill also allows the state housing department and other departments to provide housing for people who are at high risk of contracting the virus, such as homeless people who want to avoid being crammed into shelters in bunk beds in close quarters. The House voted separately on a resolution to obtain millions of dollars from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA, to pay for the temporary housing for the homeless.

The debate, which started at about 11:35 a.m., continued until the final vote after 6:20 p.m. Monday.

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Legislators dropped a potential provision that would have waived the long-running rule that school districts must have 180 days of instruction per year. That would have given additional flexibility this year for school districts to include COVID-relief days to be included in the 180 total. If the schools were closed for up to five days due to COVID reasons, those days could have been included. But the idea was dropped by the House because lawmakers said there was no consensus on the controversial issue. The measure was not included in the Senate bill.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
While the Houston real estate market continues to boom amid low interest rates and aggressive competition for single-family homes, the cost of renting in the Bayou City has likewise tracked along a sharp, upward trajectory.

According to a new data analysis done by ABC 13, the average cost of rent in and around Houston has increased by more than 20 percent over the past seven years, with 10 percent of said hike coming in just the last year.

The study states that the average Houston renter in 2021 paid an average of $1,515 per month for living accomodationsa 23 percent jump from 2014, when the average rent payment clocked in around $1,230. While the figures are stark, other cities in the study were found to have seen even more drastic upsurges in rent payment averages.

Among the greatest upticks found by ABC 13 was in Phoenix, Arizona, where average rent payments rose from $1,002 per month in 2014 to an eye-watering $1,885 in 2021an 88 percent hike in seven years. The average monthly rent in Los Angeles was found to have gone up from $1,886 in 2014 to $2,644 in 2021, good for a 42 percent increase.

The Houston Apartments Association (HAA) introduced new executive committee members in January, including treasurer/secretary Stephanie Graves, a Klein Resident who handles third-party management and owns several apartment properties in the Houston area. In a January interview with the Houston Chronicle's Paul Wedding, Graves claimed some short-term rates for rental homes had actually dipped slightly in response to more people looking to purchase homes, leaving apartments open.

"We want to keep our housing affordable, and so apartments are much more affordable than they have been," Graves told Wedding. "We're seeing a decrease in rents, which is good for the consumer. In general, occupancies are a little lower, rents are a little lower, all good indicators for the consumer."

HAA's new president John Boriack said the association's goals for 2022 include educating members on rent relief programs and pushing for the quick distribution of relief money to renters who need it most.

"There's such a lack of affordable housing," Boriack told Wedding in January. "We've got to preserve that option [rent relief] and keep as many out there as possible."
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(Bloomberg) -- TikTok Inc. has signed a lease for more than 125,000 square feet of office space in Texass capital city, according to the Austin Business Journal.

The video platform, owned by ByteDance Ltd., will occupy the top six floors at 300 Colorado St. in downtown, the newspaper reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. The company had 96 online job listings for Austin as of Feb. 11, the report said.
You might say Texas A&M International Universitys (TAMIU) Dusty Promise Program, its long-standing commitment to help low-income students, has been dusted off and polished to further expand its value for more students. Dusty is the name of the Universitys beloved mascot, the Dustdevil.

TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz said the expansion widens the Universitys ability to help more students and their families.

In the past, our Dusty Promise focused on helping students whose family income was below $30,000. We pledged to provide enough scholarships and grants to pay tuition and mandatory fees for all eligible students. Todays Dusty Promise has been dramatically expanded to families whose income is up to $100,000, enabling us to assist a greater number of students and their familiesand so, our Dusty Promise is made even stronger, Dr. Arenaz said.

He outlined eligible and qualified students as:

Texas residents with an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less. First Time Freshman or new Transfer Student admitted by March 15. Financial Aid application (FAFSA or TASFA) submitted by March 15.

Full criteria for eligibility and additional details, including an online FAQ, are available at go.tamiu.edu/promise

Arenaz said the Dusty Promise expansion furthers the Universitys legacy and mission to help Bachelors degree-seeking students attain their degree, and the enhanced quality of life that follows.

With this dramatically expanded opportunity, were widening our commitment to a broader range of students and their families and the help they need to secure their higher education dreams and the brighter futures this will make possible.

For over 50 years, TAMIUs mission has been focused on making higher education accessible, affordable, and excellent. I encourage students and their families to explore the Dusty Promise. The Dusty Promise is a promise made and a promise we are proud to keep, Arenaz concluded.

TAMIU Admissions applications for Fall 2022 are available at www.goapplytexas.org

To find out more about the expanded Dusty Promise, visit the Office of Financial Aid in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center 214, email financialaid@tamiu.edu, click on https://www.tamiu.edu/financialaid/index.shtml or call 956.326.2225.
Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke continues to aggressively take Gov. Greg Abbott to task for his handling of last years winter storm that knocked out power for millions and killed at least 246 Texans. ORourke kicked off the first day of early voting for the primary election Monday with a new ad attacking the Republican leader, saying Texans are paying higher utility bills as a result of the power grid failure.

O'Rourke also calls out Abbott for accepting campaign donations from utility companies that made huge profits from the lack of electricity during the 2021 winter freeze. The former Texas Congressman specifically pointed to a $1 million donation from Energy Transfer executive chairman Kelcy Warren.

Why did Greg Abbott not fix the grid? ORourke says in the ad, released on the one-year anniversary of the winter storm. They paid him not to fix the grid. Instead of asking you to pay $20 to $50 more per month for your utility bills, were going to get that money back from the profit makers and the highway robbers and send it back to you so that we can always keep the lights on.

ORourke also recently launched his statewide Keeping the Lights On" tour focused on honoring lives lost during the winter storm and outlining his plans for fixing the state grid.

Meanwhile, Abbott's campaign has been programming ads against his Democratic challenger even before O'Rourke officially confirmed his 2022 gubernatorial run, branding him wrong for Texas, overhis stance on border security and support of the Green New Deal, among other issues.

In a recent ad, Abbott's campaign calls O'Rourke a liar for walking back on statements he made in 2019 about gun control.

During his statewide Celebration of Texas tour, Abbott has pointed to a series of laws he has passed since last year making improvements to the states power grid. The governor says the grid was able to handle the latest bout of winter storms because of these winterizing efforts.

Abbott faces seven Republican challengers in the March 1 primary while ORourke is running against four Democratic opponents. Results from a poll released Monday, conducted by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, showed ORourke and Abbott as leading contenders in their respective parties.
Once again, the contentious question of new development in the southern reaches of Schertz dominated the citys Feb. 8 City Council meeting, and, again, efforts to forestall potential new projects failed  twice.

Two proposals to amend the citys comprehensive future land-use plan were approved by the council in separate unanimous votes, potentially opening the way for a new estate-type housing neighborhood and a 300-unit workforce housing apartment complex in the area.

The first was a request by Raymond Tarin of Moy Tarin Ramirez Engineers to amend the master plan designation of 44 acres near the intersection of Schaefer Road and FM 1518 from mixed-use neighborhood to single-family residential use.

Tarin told the council that townhouses, apartments, retail, restaurant and office space could be built on what is now primarily farm and ranch land, under its current designation. With the requested amendment in place, he said an unnamed developer he represents is planning to build homes ranging around $500,000 each on 116 large lots.

This is a less-dense use than what is currently allowed on the property, Tarin said.

Twenty notices were sent to local residents regarding the proposed change and the six responses returned were all negative with several citing concerns of an increase in area traffic.

Wayne Ashabraner, vice president of land acquisitions for San Antonios Endura Advisory Group, said his firm is involved in the property negotiations.

He added that right now, the way this property is zoned, if this developer were to drop this contract, I would have it back under contract within seven days and be able to go in there and build a substantial number of apartment complexes. The developer is being very conscientious of what he is proposing for this land.

But Assistant City Manager Brian James explained that the property under question is actually in the citys extraterritorial jurisdiction, not in the Schertz city limits and thus is not zoned at all. Annexation of the land could be assumed to occur under a current development agreement, he added, but if council chooses not to annex, we dont have any land-use controls whatsoever in terms of whats built on that property.

On its first reading, the council unanimously approved the amendment to the land-use plan, but the project, if it moves forward, still requires permits and zoning approvals before construction can actually begin.

The other requested amendment was for a 15-acre tract on FM 1518 south of Lower Sequin Road and northeast of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, but outside both the bases flight lines and the maximum noise range for federally approved housing.

Currently, under the citys master plan, the land is reserved for estate neighborhoods: residential development on lots a minimum of half of an acre each and half the land maintained as open space. The owner, the family of Councilman Michael Dahle, was asking for a change to a mixed-use neighborhood center designation.

Dahle, citing a conflict of interest, left the council chambers during the discussion and vote.

This change would open the door to the construction of 300 apartment units in eight three-story buildings to be designated as affordable workforce housing. Jason Arechiga, senior vice president of development for the NRP Group, told the council his firm has built and managed more than 25,000 similar units in Texas. This proposed project is two- to four-bedroom units with child care facilities and amenities intended for families, he added.

With federal support, the units would be reserved for families making 50 percent to 70 percent of the area median annual income of approximately $80,000, he said, pointing to Schertz teachers, police officers, municipal workers, Amazon staff, and their families as potential tenants. Arechiga added that his firm was currently working with the Schertz Housing Authority to partner on the project.

If approved, Arechiga said, the project would begin late next year and would take 22 months to construct. Addressing the question of increased traffic congestion, he noted that completion would be after the $45 million expansion of FM1518 by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Public responses to approving the amendment were generally negative with residents citing more traffic, increased attendance loads for local schools, and the potential impact of new and louder training aircraft coming to nearby Randolph on the proposed apartments.

Aubrie Dahle, a property owner family member, said the land is now used to graze cattle. She suggested there was also an open prejudice against renters and that people assumed any renter would be of low income and probably a member of a minority race. There is a widespread belief that persons who rent housing are necessarily less desirable than persons who own their own homes, she said. This is, of course, absurd.

I dont think the residents of this community have a clue how truly expensive it is to live in this city, said Len Weinand, chairman of the board of the Schertz Housing Authority, adding he appreciates the services provided by city municipal workers and employees of local businesses. But those people have a damn hard time living here. People who support us should be able to live here.

Weinand pledged to work with NRP Group in finding and maintaining suitable tenants for the proposed project.

Ashabraner pointed out that Schertz has invested millions to open the southern portion of the city to development, including its portion to pay for the widening of FM 1518, a new $9 million fire station, a new $12 million sewer treatment facility, $5 million for water line improvements and $3 million for a new water tower in the immediate area. You have been planning for this growth, he said.

Councilwoman Jill Whittaker agreed. There was obviously a vision, long before I came onto the council, that southern Schertz was going to be developed, she said, and it makes sense because there is a demand, so we have an opportunity and we have the land available.

If you look around the community, we have very few optionsvirtually nonefor affordable housing, added Councilman Mark Davis. Schertz is a growing community, he noted, and amenities like fine dining and higher-end retail require employees to work at them, and those employees cant afford to live in the city.

Nobody is stepping up in South Schertz to buy 150 or 300 acres to open up a farm, he added. It would be great to have all of that open space down there, but nobodys doing it. And at the end of the day, property owners have the right to explore options.

The vote on its first reading to approve the amendment was five to none. Scott had left the meeting and Dahle was not present.

In other actions, City Council voted to nominate Sysco Central Texas, a global food distribution firm, as a candidate for the Texas Enterprise Zone Program, a state sales and use tax refund tool designed to encourage private investment and job creation.

Sysco employs 450 at its 635,000-square-foot facility at 1260 Schwab Road. The company is planning a 100,000-square-foot expansion, estimated to cost $12.6 million, which could create 40 new jobs with an average annual salary of $70,000, according to Adrian Perez, executive director of the Schertz Economic Development Corp.

But to qualify for the state sales tax rebate, the company needed to be nominated by a government entity as an official enterprise project. With the unanimous approval by City Council, the Sysco application now can be reviewed and scored by the State of Texas Economic Development Corp. A possible announcement on the Sysco proposal is expected within 90 days.
There were no Karankawa people at the busy intersection in the Galleria area, just protestors concerned for the environment and the trampled history of an indigenous tribe once believed to be extinct. As traffic whizzed by the meetup on January 22, the crowd of climate activists burned sage, waved brightly-colored signs and chanted phrases like Open your eyes and decolonize, capitalism has taught you lies to the loud thump-thump of a tribal drum.

Among them was 17-year-old Lucia Urreta, an activist from the Houston chapter of global youth-led climate group Earth Uprising. Projecting voices through a blaring megaphone, they and other local climate groups are calling for the cancellation of a project expanding an oil export terminal in Corpus Christi Bay, owned by Canadian petrochemical pipeline company Enbridge, over a nearby Karankawa settlement.

Urreta said they felt called to hold the protest in solidarity with the Karankawa after learning about a similar protest against the expansion happening simultaneously more than 162 miles away in Austin.

If theres this desecration happening and these are the people whose land Im on, then why should I stay silent if I know about this? Urreta said. Just knowing that these people have these deep roots going to this land and their expression of culture was going to be destroyed by this company for profit its just so wrong.

Ariana Garcia

Leading the Austin action that took place outside of a branch of Bank of America, an alleged major funder of the project, was 27-year-old Chiara Sunshine Beaumont. Over 400 people joined her, she says.

Beaumont and other Karankawa descendants today call themselves the Karankawa Kadla, meaning mixed Karankawa.

She considers herself lucky to have always known about her ancestry and grew up learning about her people through her mother.

Ive always known I was indigenous to this land, said Beaumont, who works as a full-time outdoor guide for Miraval Resorts in Austin. My mother made it a very important topic in our lives that this was our home. We are Tejanos and that we were here forever. We didnt cross any border. The border crossed us.

The Karankawas homelands were concentrated along Texas Gulf Coast from Galveston Bay to Corpus Christi Bay. Most history claims that the Karankawa, which were made up of several groups that shared a common language and culture, died off in the late 19th century as a result of attacks from other tribes, disease, and conflicts with European-Americans.

To this day, historical markers remain at former Karankawa campsites claiming the natives virtually disappeared from Texas. Some historians say they were cannibals while others described them as the lowest grade of native society, which makes correcting the historical record and saving their ancestral land even more pressing for descendants like Beaumont.

However, the Karankawa Kadla lack legal recognition from state and federal governments, preventing them from fully protecting their tribal lands and property from development. Legal acknowledgement for indigenous groups is regulated by agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs Branch of Acknowledge and Research, which requires, among other criteria, tribes requesting recognition to have existed as a distinct community since 1900.

Meeting such a requirement is impossible for the Karankawa Kadla. In Texas, there are only three tribes that are recognized by both state and federal governments.

Beaumont says the undeveloped land of the Karankawa contains some of the only evidence that they ever existed: thousands of ancestral artifacts from her tribe, including arrowheads, pottery, tools and jewelry. Beaumonts people have gathered there for the last 2,000 years and members still visit for prayer and reflection.

Ariana Garcia

An archeological investigation at the site 15 years ago revealed it had enough artifacts to make it eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. For these reasons, it is recommended that it be avoided by any future construction activities that would negatively impact the site, stated recommendations in a 2006 report by state archeologist Robert Ricklis.

The Texas Historical Commission acknowledged this in a 2006 letter sent to the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, which owned the land and the former Ingleside Naval Base on it. The government gave the property to the port authority after the naval base relocated to San Diego.

In 2008, the port authority requested a data recovery to gather all possible artifacts at the site. The TRC Environmental Corporation recovered 40,000 Karankawa artifacts, including more than 400 arrowheads, but a fraction still remains.

After the data recovery was completed in 2010, the TRC Environmental Corporation told the port authority the land had been cleared for construction, after which the port sold the former naval base to Occidental Petroleum.

In 2018, Moda Midstream acquired the property and three years later the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a permit to allow Moda Midstream to expand an oil terminal near the site. The Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend, the Karankawa Kadla, and local environmentalists sued the Army Corps for failing to address environmental and community concerns after it approved the permit.

In October, Enbridge, acquired the terminal. The company is known for its project replacing Line 3, a 1,097-mile crude oil pipeline extending from Edmonton, Alberta in Canada to Superior, Wisconsin, which received fierce opposition among environmental groups and Native American tribes.

However, Michael Barnes, a spokesperson for Enbridge, in an emailed statement denied any potential environmental impacts from the expansion project, which is expected to start construction in August.

In regards to a relocation or reconsideration of the permitted expansion and the adequacy of the environmental review it was subject to, the current status of this issue reveals that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has found no significant environmental impacts, the statement said, adding that Enbridge continues to welcome the opportunity to meet with community members to discuss their concerns.

Ariana Garcia

We are committed to engaging with all stakeholders, including the Karankawa people, in an open and thoughtful dialogue, the statement continued. Since the acquisition of the Ingleside facilities, we are working to ensure that our culture of engagement with Indigenous People is applied to our operations and projects at Ingleside in accordance with our Indigenous Peoples Policy which can be found on our website.

However, Beaumont says she has not spoken to any representatives from Enbridge.

This is something we want to protect," Beaumont said. "Its a tangible piece of history that not even non-indigenous folks have that they can go to and pick up a piece of pottery that their ancestors made 2,000 years ago. Because Texas history claims that we are extinct and that we were all killed off, to literally show somebody a piece of pottery and hold it to this day is so powerful. To take that away is indigenous erasure.

Beaumont said she hopes for the project to stop in its entirety in order to fully preserve the artifacts.I am most terrified of having our history completely erased when its already been such an uphill battle trying to correct incorrect history thats been put out about us, Beaumont said.

Ariana Garcia

While the Karankawa Kadla have been fighting the expansion for several years, its only recently that more people like Urreta have joined them, Beaumont said. Urreta, a first generation Texan whose family immigrated from Colombia, also sympathized with Beaumont's efforts to protect her cultures rich history.

I think that kind of unity of people who have these ties to the land that have lasted forever a lot of Texans are immigrants and children of immigrants seeing that kind of unity for a common cause no matter where our roots, I think thats one of the biggest messages, that were all united in this, Urreta said. No one is really going at this alone."

Along with protecting the Karankawas sacred land, Urreta and others are also concerned with potential environmental impacts the expansion could have on local wildlife. They are encroaching not only on environmental ecosystems but theyre also encroaching on ancient culture and peoples rights to religion, Urreta said. They are encroaching on peoples right to have a place where they know their dead is buried in peace. They are nor welcome to desecrate such an important site.

Ariana Garcia

History won't be kind to Enbridge if the expansion proceeds, Urreta adds. If they continue with this project, they are going to be known as grave diggers," they said. "They are going to be known as ecosystem ruiners. They should learn from history and that right now especially a lot of young people are more conscious of the environment and we are going to be the ones writing the history books.

The Karankawa Kadla are planning to organize another future call to action in Corpus Christi, likely in April, Beaumont said. For now, she plans to continue to spread awareness about the project online in hopes for the movement to continue to grow.

Protesting isnt something Beaumont enjoys, and it has taken an emotional and spiritual toll on her. Despite this, she perseveres in the role she says must be filled to help her people best.

I have to fight for my people because I refuse to sit idly by while colonizers continue to suppress indigneous voices, lifestyle and culture, she says. I refuse to do nothing about the erasure of our presence and history. It is a role I do not want to fill, but must.

Beaumont says shes not alone. Indigneous people everywhere are stepping up to protect their culture and history.

It is painful and hard, Beaumont said. I personally do not dream of taking to the streets and crying in front of an onlooking crowd. And I do not like fighting these giants. I doubt anyone does. It is a tragedy that we must at all."
Xi's reply letter carries friendship across Pacific, says U.S. foundation

Xinhua) 08:12, February 14, 2022

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- "This is international friendship in action," Adam Foster, chairman of the Helen Foster Snow Foundation, said recently after receiving a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"It is wonderful to see that President Xi acknowledges the special role people like Helen Foster Snow have played in the relationship of our two countries," Foster said in written responses to media outlets, including Xinhua. "The Helen Foster Snow Foundation and its important work has also received tremendous support from people across the United States and China."

CONTRIBUTOR TO CHINA'S REVOLUTION, CONSTRUCTION

Foster is a great-nephew of Helen Foster Snow, a Utah-born, late author and journalist known for her writings on the Communist Party of China (CPC) before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. She was once married to Edgar Snow, the first Western journalist to interview late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, and writer of the classic "Red Star Over China," which gives a rare and detailed account of the Chinese revolution in the 1930s.

Edgar and Helen Snow actively promoted the Chinese Gong He (Gung Ho) movement of industrial cooperatives, and played an important role in establishing the Shandan Peili School in China's Gansu Province, Xi wrote in the reply letter to Foster sent in late January.

Helen encouraged her friend Rewi Alley, a renowned social activist who helped build friendly relations between China and New Zealand, to establish the Peili School that helped underprivileged youths obtain an education, Foster said, adding Helen also traveled with Edgar throughout Southeast Asia, raising funds "for this important effort to be successful."

The year 2021 marked the 90th anniversary of Helen's arrival in China. Foster stressed that the letter from the foundation and the Foster family to Xi "was to thank the Chinese people for the way in which they have honored Helen's work during this past year, and in previous years as well."

"As a Foundation, we looked at our accomplishments over the last four years and decided it was important to emphasize the spirit of international friendship which Helen Foster Snow embodied," he said. "It was extremely important to Helen that people on both sides of the Pacific understand each other, despite our differences."

INFLUENTIAL LIFE, GREAT LEGACY

When Helen returned to the United States in the 1940s, she moved to the town of Madison in Connecticut. She spent the next 60 years of her life continuing the relationships she had developed in China, and wrote more than 60 books and manuscripts.

The Foster family were among some of the first visitors to China after the normalization of China-U.S. relations. Helen made two trips to China in the 1970s, and also received many Chinese visitors to her home in Connecticut, where she passed away in 1997.

Because of Helen's influence, many of her nieces and nephews traveled to China to continue these relationships, according to Foster. "Several of my cousins have spent time living in China to learn more about the culture, language, and people," he said. "The Foster family in the U.S. consider Helen's life and work as a precious legacy that will forever connect our family to the people of China."

The Chinese people, Xi said in the reply letter, bear in mind the contributions made by international friends, including the Snows, to China's revolution and construction, as well as their sincere friendship with the CPC and the Chinese people, adding that he highly appreciates the positive contributions made by the Helen Foster Snow family to the development of China-U.S. relations over the years.

Foster made it his "life's mission" to learn everything he could about Helen's life after returning to the United States from a trip to various sites of Helen and Edgar Snow's past in northwestern China's Shaanxi Province, where there are many old revolutionary base areas, including the caves of Yan'an, the cradle of the Chinese revolution.

"I visited her collection of 11,000 photographs and 60 books and manuscripts at the library at Brigham Young University. I read her book Inside Red China about her visit to the caves of Yan'an, and Red Star Over China written by Edgar Snow," Foster recalled. "These books by two American journalists had a profound effect on me and helped me, as an American, to better understand the Chinese people."

PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES MATTER

The Helen Foster Snow Foundation, a Utah-based non-profit organization, aims to preserve, promote and continue Helen's legacy of building bridges of understanding between China and the rest of the world, and hopes that by continuing her legacy, the U.S.-China relationship will become one of increased mutual respect and cooperation.

"We feel the best way to honor Helen is to continue the work she was engaged in, adapted to current conditions," Foster said, while putting an emphasis on people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

"I feel it's essential for both countries to learn more about each other, and people-to-people exchanges are a real benefit to each side," he explained. "These grass-roots efforts play a stabilizing role when the two countries may have disagreements in other areas."

The exchange of letters between Xi and Foster came before the arrival of the Chinese New Year, one of the most important festivals in China, which many in the United States, including members of the Foster family, also celebrate.

"My wife and I feel it's important to have our kids understand different cultures and countries, and with Helen's connection to China, our family enjoys learning about Chinese holidays together," said Foster, who also mentioned there are over 18,000 K-12 students learning Mandarin across Utah.

"I'm sure Helen would be thrilled if she were able to see these Utah kids speaking Mandarin and learning about the culture and traditions of the Chinese people that were so close to her heart," he added.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Du Mingming)
Rankings reflect sales for the week ending Saturday, Feb. 5, which were reported on a confidential basis by vendors offering a wide range of general interest titles. Picture Book rankings include hardcover sales only. Series rankings include all print and e-book sales.

Every week, thousands of diverse selling locations report their actual sales on hundreds of thousands of individual titles. The panel of reporting retailers is comprehensive and reflects sales in stores of all sizes and demographics across the United States. An asterisk (*) indicates that a books sales were barely distinguishable from those of the book above. A (b) indicates that some bookstores reported receiving bulk orders.

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The New York Times Best Sellers are compiled and archived by The Best-Seller Lists Desk of The New York Times News Department, and are separate from the Culture, Advertising and Business sides of The New York Times Co. More information on rankings and methodology: www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/methodology.

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PICTURE

1. LITTLE BLUE TRUCKS VALENTINE, by Alice Schertle. Illustrated by Jill McElmurry. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) Little Blue Truck delivers Valentines Day cards to all his farm animal friends. (Ages 4 and up)

2. LOVE FROM THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, by Eric Carle. (Grosset & Dunlap) A ravenous insect returns with its appetite intact. (Ages 3 to 5)

3. LOVE FROM THE CRAYONS, by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. (Penguin Workshop) The Crayons show the colors of love. (Ages 5 to 8)

4. CHANGE SINGS, by Amanda Gorman. Illustrated by Loren Long. (Viking) A childrens anthem for change. (Ages 4 to 8)

5. IN MY HEART, by Jo Witek. Illustrated by Christine Roussey. (Abrams Appleseed) An exploration of feelings. (Ages 2 to 4)

6. THE ABCS OF BLACK HISTORY, by Rio Cortez. Illustrated by Lauren Semmer. (Workman) An informative ode to Black history. (Ages 5 and up)

7. STACEYS EXTRAORDINARY WORDS, by Stacey Abrams. Illustrated by Kitt Thomas. (Balzer and Bray) Stacey is entered into a spelling bee by her teacher. (Ages 4 to 8)

8. I AM GOLDEN, by Eva Chen. Illustrated by Sophie Diao. (Feiwel & Friends) Mei celebrates her Chinese American ancestry. (Ages 4 to 6)

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9. THE 1619 PROJECT: BORN ON THE WATER, by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson. Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith. (Kokila) A young Black girl traces her ancestry for a school assignment. (Ages 7 to 10)

10. JUST HELP!, by Sonia Sotomayor. Illustrated by Angela Dominguez. (Philomel) Sonia and her friends help to make the world a better place. (Ages 4 to 8)

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MIDDLE GRADE HARDCOVER

1. LITTLE LEADERS, by Vashti Harrison. (Little, Brown) The biographies of 40 African American women who made a difference. (Ages 8 to 12)

2. LITTLE LEGENDS: EXCEPTIONAL MEN IN BLACK HISTORY, by Vashti Harrison with Kwesi Johnson. (Little, Brown) Biographies of trailblazing Black men. (Ages 8 to 12)

3. WONDER, by R.J. Palacio. (Knopf) A boy with a facial deformity starts school. (Ages 8 to 12)

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4. REFUGEE, by Alan Gratz. (Scholastic) Three children in three different conflicts look for safe haven. (Ages 9 to 12)

5. DAUGHTER OF THE DEEP, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion) Ana Dakkar faces the weekend trials at the Harding-Pencroft Academy. (Ages 9 to 12)

6. WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER, by Tae Keller. (Random House) Lily makes a deal with a magical tiger to heal her ailing grandmother. (Ages 8 to 12)

7. BLACK BOY JOY, edited by Kwame Mbalia. (Delacorte) Seventeen stories that celebrate the joys of Black boyhood. (Ages 8 to 12)

8. OUT OF MY HEART, by Sharon M. Draper. (Atheneum) In this sequel to Out of My Mind, Melody goes to summer camp. (Ages 10 and up)

9. THE LAST CUENTISTA, by Donna Barba Higuera. (Levine Querido) Petra is one of the last people who have memories of the planet Earth. (Ages 10 to 14)

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10. STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME, by Jason Reynolds. Illustrated by Raul the Third. (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy) As a coping mechanism for his frets, a young boy creates a superhero alter ego. (Ages 7 to 12)

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YOUNG ADULT HARDCOVER

1. I MUST BETRAY YOU, by Ruta Sepetys. (Philomel) In 1989, Cristian Florescu is an informant for the secret police in communist Romania. (Ages 12 to 17)

2. ANATOMY, by Dana Schwartz. (Wednesday) Hazel and Jack work together to solve a mystery in 19th-century Edinburgh. (Ages 13 to 18)

3. THIS WOVEN KINGDOM, by Tahereh Mafi. (HarperCollins) A tale inspired by the Persian epic poem the Shahnameh. (Ages 13 and up)

4. ONE OF US IS LYING, by Karen M. McManus. (Delacorte) For five students, a detour into detention ends in murder. (Ages 14 and up)

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5. THE HATE U GIVE, by Angie Thomas. (Balzer and Bray) A 16-year-old girl sees a police officer kill her friend. (Ages 14 and up)

6. THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS, by Chloe Gong. (Margaret K. McElderry) A re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai. (Ages 14 to 18)

7. STAMPED, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. (Little, Brown) An exploration of racism and anti-racism in America. (Ages 13 to 17)

8. ALL BOYS ARENT BLUE, by George M. Johnson. (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) George M. Johnson recalls feeling like an outsider among other children, growing up Black and gay. (Ages 14 to 18)

9. THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. (Little, Brown) Avery and the four Hawthorne grandsons have a new family puzzle to solve. (Ages 12 to 18)

10. YOUVE REACHED SAM, by Dustin Thao. (Wednesday) After the death of her boyfriend, Sam, Julie can still reach him via cellphone. (Ages 12 to 18)

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SERIES

1. CRAVE, by Tracy Wolff. (Entangled Teen) Grace attends Katmere Academy among supernatural beings. (Ages 14 to 18)

2. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Amulet) The travails and challenges of adolescence. (Ages 9 to 12)

3. HARRY POTTER, by J.K. Rowling. (Scholastic) A wizard hones his conjuring skills in the service of fighting evil. (Ages 10 and up)

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

4. A GOOD GIRLS GUIDE TO MURDER, by Holly Jackson. (Delacorte) Pippa Fitz-Amobi solves murderous crimes. (Ages 14 and up)

5. THRONE OF GLASS, by Sarah J. Maas. (Bloomsbury) Celaena must battle evil forces threatening her realm. (Ages 14 and up)

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6. PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion) A boy battles mythological monsters. (Ages 9 to 12)

7. PRINCESS IN BLACK, by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. (Candlewick) Magnolia summons her superhero secret identity when the kingdom needs her help. (Ages 5 to 8)

8. WINGS OF FIRE, by Tui T. Sutherland. (Scholastic) Only the five dragonets of destiny can unite the seven warring dragon tribes. (Ages 9 to 12)

9. CITY SPIES, by James Ponti. (Aladdin) Five kids from across the globe are recruited as spies for British secret intelligence. (Ages 8 to 12)

10. THE TWILIGHT SAGA, by Stephenie Meyer. (Little, Brown) Vampires and werewolves and their intrigues in high school. (Ages 12 and up)
The March 1 Republican and Democratic primaries are fast approaching with early voting already underway in Texas. Early voting will run until Friday, Feb. 25. Here's everything you need to know about casting a ballot, including how to comply with recent changes under the state's new election law and how to find out if you're registered.

When is the election?

Election Day is Tuesday, March 1.

What's on the ballot?

Voters will be deciding on party nominees to face off in the general election on Nov. 8. There are seven statewide races on the ballots this year including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and railroad commissioner.

In Harris County, county judge, county commissioners, county treasurer, and district clerk are also among races included on the ballot. You can view sample ballots for Harris County on Harris Votes website.

How do I know if I'm registered to vote?

You can verify your registration status on the Texas Secretary of State website.

How do I vote by mail?

The deadline to apply to vote by mail is Friday, Feb. 18. To vote by mail, you must fill out an application and turn it into your county elections office. You can download a printable application here.

In Harris County, thousands of voters have had their mail-in ballots applications rejected for failing to meet new identification requirements under Senate Bill 1. Mail-in ballot applicants must provide their driver's license number or Social Security number, and this identifying figure must match the information listed on their voter registration file.

In order to prevent issues under the strict rules, local election officials have advised voters to put both a drivers' license number and the last four figits of your Social Security number on your application.

Where can I vote?

Registered voters can cast their ballot at any of the 90 polling locations across Harris County, which can be found here. Most polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT.

What do I need to vote?

Voters need to provide an approved form of ID, which includes a Texas Driver's License or U.S. passport.
Florida, US (34429)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Chance of a shower or two during the evening, followed by partly cloudy skies overnight. Thunder possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
Dry Dock No. 1 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth has hosted plenty of history over the past two centuries.

It was where the Confederates turned the USS Merrimack into the CSS Virginia during the Civil War. Its now the oldest operational dry dock in the United States.

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As it turns out, it was the site of controversy before it was even completed.

The use of enslaved workers who were paid a small sum to build it in the early 19th century created labor tensions, a mix of classism, racism and evolving social conventions that clashed in whats known as the Norfolk Dry Dock Affair.

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An upcoming Black History Month presentation in Portsmouth, Urban Slavery and the Construction of Drydock #1 at the Gosport Shipyard, delves into that history.

We usually talk about the engineering history of the dock, said Diane Cripps, curator of history for the Portsmouth history museums. But it also brings up something that people dont think about when they think about slavery: slaves in a city setting. It brings that human element that we havent addressed before.

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Linda Upham-Bornstein, Plymouth State University history professor who's delivering an upcoming Black History Month presentation on enslaved workers at the Gosport Shipyard. (Portsmouth history museums)

In the 1820s, U.S. officials recognized they needed a better way to service the naval fleet.

With no dry docks at the time, ships had to be heaved onto their sides, while floating or in mud, to get at their hulls, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Congress appropriated funds for new dry docks at Boston Harbor and then-Norfolk County  narrow basins that could be flooded and drained during shipbuilding and maintenance.

A Massachusetts native, President John Quincy Adams appointed a Boston engineer, Loammi Baldwin, to oversee both projects, according to a 2007 journal article by Linda Upham-Bornstein, a Plymouth State University history professor whos giving the Portsmouth presentation.

Construction began in 1827 but didnt pick up speed for a couple of years  by which point President Andrew Jackson had been elected, riding a wave of populist sentiment.

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Suddenly, Baldwin was under immense pressure as a Northerner appointed by a Northern elite president, Upham-Bornstein said.

In order to defend his oversight of the Norfolk project, which was taking him a little longer, he had to keep his costs at a minimum.

Baldwin hired a local man, Henry Singleton, to help negotiate with slaveowners for laborers. A system of slave hiring had emerged in the region not long before.

Agricultural operations were collapsing because of overworking of the soil and changing technology that reduced the number of workers.

But slaveowners saw they could still make money off the enslaved and started leasing them. Baldwin hired them to do much of the essential work building the dry dock.

The construction was arduous and labor-intensive, Upham-Bornstein wrote in the journal article. It involved driving piles into the river bottom, building a dam to hold back tides and constructing the interior chamber, which was 86 feet wide, 30 feet deep and 288 feet long.

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Most work consisted of cutting and hewing granite blocks, which Baldwin had shipped from a quarry in the Northeast.

Baldwin employed 33 Black hammerers and 11 white ones. The white workers were paid between $1.50 and $2 per day. Enslaved black workers were paid 72 cents  most of which went to their masters. They were allowed to keep 10 cents, according to Upham-Bornsteins research.

People did not look at the human factor of slaves, she said. You can see that its more sterile in their analysis at the time. Both the slaveowners and politicians are looking at this as a business decision rather than a race and class decision.

On the Massachusetts project, Baldwin employed convict workers to the same end. He then hired Samuel Johnson, the former overseer of Massachusetts prisons stone-cutting department, to train slaves in Virginia.

The practice of hiring and paying the slaves soon stirred controversy  but not for racial reasons alone.

The cheaper source of labor thrust skilled slaves into competition with white artisans who were looking for work but paid more, Upham-Bornstein said.

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The willingness of hired slaves (and free blacks) to work longer hours for less money, `combined with a temperament regarded by employers as more obedient and docile than whites, further undermined the economic position of white mechanics, she wrote.

By 1830, non-slaveholding white workers became increasingly hostile.

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Their first attempt to do something about the situation came in January 1830.

In a petition to the Secretary of the Navy, 10 white stonemasons who were residents of Portsmouth claimed they had family responsibilities and needed work theyd been denied on the Gosport Shipyard dry dock project. They requested an investigation into the hiring of slaves.

We view it as a most grievous imposition, detrimental to the labouring interest of the community, and subversive to every principle of equality, they wrote.

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Baldwin defended the practice, saying we can dismiss them whenever we are dissatisfied with them, and they may be taken away whenever their masters please.

He argued the Black workers labor was more cost-effective and that slaves did not complain as much as the white workers.

The fact is, that the thirty negroes who are hammering stones have not lost a single hour from fatigue or lame hands or wrists, he said. This man of family, this white man . . . has given out on the second day. Which is the most competent?

Adding to the tensions was Baldwins clear contempt for Southerners over his Bostonian counterparts, Upham-Bornstein said.

The white workers petition was not indulged, and in April they submitted another, arguing that the character of slave labor was hostile to them.

Hoping to appeal to President Jacksons racially selective egalitarianism, Upham-Bornstein said, the petitioners wrote slave labor had excluded them from employment and made places for others, not our equals, because they are not white men, or free men.

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After more investigation, the petitioners were again rejected. A third complaint the following summer also went nowhere.

The only event that did halt slave labor at the shipyard  albeit briefly  was the Nat Turner rebellion in August 1831.

A few dozen miles to the west of Portsmouth in Southampton County, Turner led enslaved men on a rebellion that killed more than 50 people.

The episode sent shockwaves through slaveowners who feared they would be killed in their sleep, Upham-Bornstein said. Slave hiring slowed for a while, but eventually picked back up.

Theres little known about the slaves who played such a critical role in the dry dock affair. They dont get a say in the historical record.

But some insight can be found in the autobiography of George Teamoh, who was born enslaved in Hampton Roads in 1818.

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He recalls being in the service of a man working on the dry dock as a machinist. Teamoh also said that he worked for a time as a laborer during the docks construction.

Vast numbers of slaves . . . have been worked, lashed and bruised by the United States government (at the Navy Yard), he wrote. Justice and time points with significant finger to the first stratum of imbedded rock there deposited (at the dry dock) by the unrewarded labor of the slave. I have wrought upon these works in common with my fellow bondsmen, receiving the same scanty ration as dealt out by the commissary.

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Learning about a construction controversy two centuries ago may seem like old news, Upham-Bornstein said, but it can help understand the same tensions that persist in various forms.

You can understand the cultural climates that informed or shaped certain things, she said. Its a response to what is perceived as a threat to the hegemony of the white race.

Cripps said the citys Naval Shipyard Museum has long had an exhibit on the dry docks construction as an engineering behemoth. Until now, though, officials havent really explored the role of slaves in that.

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Its a government project that had to meet budgets and deadlines  theres so much familiar about it to people who may work in that field today, Cripps said. But theres so much more historical depth in thinking about how it happened.

Upham-Bornstein said she hopes to research the topic more and spark further discussion.

Its one of those awkward things to talk about, she said. I think we havent really resolved the tensions.

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If you go

When: 1:30-3 p.m. Feb. 19

Where: Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Annex, 420 High St., Portsmouth

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Details: Free. Visit portsvaevents.com; 757-393-8312
Canada has set an even higher bar, as it will look to welcome 451,000 new immigrants by 2024. In a statement to CIC News, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser explained the rationale for the new levels plan.

Canada increases target to 432,000 immigrants in 2022 under Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 Canada has set an even higher bar, as it will look to welcome 451,000 new immigrants by 2024. In a statement to CIC News, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser explained the rationale for the new levels plan.

Canada increases target to 432,000 immigrants in 2022 under Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 Canada has set an even higher bar, as it will look to welcome 451,000 new immigrants by 2024. In a statement to CIC News, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser explained the rationale for the new levels plan.

Canada increases target to 432,000 immigrants in 2022 under Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 Canada has set an even higher bar, as it will look to welcome 451,000 new immigrants by 2024. In a statement to CIC News, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser explained the rationale for the new levels plan. Kareem El-Assal Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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The Canadian government has just announced its Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024.

Canada is increasing its immigration targets yet again. It will look to welcome almost 432,000 new immigrants this year instead of its initial plan to welcome 411,000 newcomers.

The announcement came today at approximately 3:35 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

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Over the coming three years, Canada will target the following number of new immigrant landings:

2022: 431,645 permanent residents

2023: 447,055 permanent residents

2024: 451,000 permanent residents

In a statement to CIC News, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser explained This levels plan is a balance of needs for our country and our international obligations. It focuses on attracting skilled workers who will contribute to Canadas economy and tackle the labour shortage, while recognizing the importance of family reunification, and helping the worlds most vulnerable populations through refugee resettlement. Our focus remains on supporting our economic resurgence through increased retention of newcomers in regions with real economic, labour and demographic challenges. Im proud of what Canada has achieved thus far, and I want wait to see how newcomers will continue to make Canada a top destination of choice.

In 2022, some 56 per cent of new immigrants will arrive under economic class pathways such as Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the Temporary to Permanent Residence (TR2PR) stream that was available in 2021.

The PNP will be the main admissions program for economic class immigrants with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) looking to land 83,500 newcomers via the PNP in 2022. IRCC has cut Express Entry admissions in half for this year but aims to return to normal Express Entry admissions levels by 2024 when it targets the arrival of 111,500 Express Entry immigrants then.

The levels plan seems to suggest that IRCC is temporarily reducing Express Entry admissions so it can accommodate admissions under the TR2PR program. IRCC is looking to land 40,000 immigrants in 2022 and the final 32,000 immigrants by 2023 under the TR2PR stream.

In the meantime, Express Entry draws are continuing on a biweekly basis and IRCC is processing Express Entry applications.

In addition, most of Canadas provinces and territories operate the PNP and PNP invitations have been ongoing since the start of the pandemic.

The family class will comprise 24 per cent of admissions targets in 2022, with 80,000 set to arrive under the Spouses, Partners, and Children Program, and 25,000 set to arrive under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). IRCC has increased its PGP admissions target slightly, by 1,500 additional spots, compared with its previous plan.

The remaining 20 per cent of immigrants will arrive under refugee and humanitarian programs. This is an increase of about 5 percentage points compared to Canadas last immigration levels plan, and it is likely a function of Canada looking to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees over the coming years. The higher refugee and humanitarian intake will result in economic and family class immigration comprising a smaller share than usual, however both those classes will account for a higher share of Canadas newcomers in 2023 and 2024, as Canada looks to reduce its refugee and humanitarian intake once it completes its Afghan resettlement operation.

Immigration Class 2022 2023 2024 Economic 241,850 253,000 267,750 Family 105,000 109,500 113,000 Refugee 76,545 74,055 62,500 Humanitarian 8,250 10,500 7,750 Total 431,645 447,055 451,000

Todays announcement was the first Immigration Levels Plan since October 2020.

Canadas main immigration law, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), states the Canadian government must announce its immigration plan by November 1 each year when Parliament is sitting. However, a levels plan announcement did not take place last year due to the Canadian government holding an election in September.

The levels plan guides Canadas immigration system. It outlines the number of immigrants Canada will look to welcome under its various federal, provincial, and territorial programs. IRCC and the provinces and territories then adjust their operations based on the plan to ensure they are able to attract, settle, integrate, and retain the targeted levels of newcomers set to arrive.

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Up until 2015, Canada welcomed about 250,000 immigrants per year. In 2016, it announced a new baseline target of 300,000 newcomers annually. Prior to the pandemic, the target was set to about 340,000 immigrants per year but immigration fell to below 200,000 in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The Canadian government then made the surprise announcement in October 2020 it would look to welcome over 400,000 immigrants annually moving forward to help support its post-COVID economic recovery. This represents the highest targets in Canadian history.

Last year Canada broke its newcomer record by landing 405,000 new permanent residents, mostly by transitioning those within the country to permanent residence. Prior to the pandemic, most new immigrants arrived to Canada from abroad.

In 2021, 62 per cent of new immigrants arrived under economic class pathways such as Express Entry, the PNP, and Quebecs streams.

Some 20 per cent were welcomed last year under the family class through the Spouses, Partners, and Children Program and the Parents and Grandparents Program.

A total of 15 per cent were welcomed in 2021 under refugee and humanitarian programs.

The remaining amount were categorized under All Other Immigration.

Canada targets high levels of newcomers to support its economy and fiscal standing. Due to its aging population and low birth rate, Canada needs higher levels of immigration to support its population, labour force, and economic growth, as well as to have enough workers to pay the taxes necessary to support important social services such as health care and education. Canada also pursues social immigration objectives including reuniting families, providing humanitarian assistance, and strengthening its Francophone heritage.

Immigration has arguably taken on greater economic importance during the pandemic. Governments across Canada are running fiscal deficits due to increased spending amid the pandemic and weaker economic activity. In addition, employers across Canada are facing labour shortages due to Canadas aging population, major changes to the economy during COVID, and fewer immigrants arriving from overseas.

Need Help with Canadian Work Permits? Contact Cohen Immigration Law for a Free Consultation

Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 to be announced by November 1st, 2022

Barring the very unlikely scenario Canada holds an election for the second year in a row, the Canadian government will be legally required to table its second Immigration Levels Plan of the year by Tuesday November 1st, 2022 at the latest. This plan will replace the one announced today.

As noted, the 2021 announcement did not take place due to the September federal election.

The Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 will be the normally scheduled announcement.

Need Help with Canadian Work Permits? Contact Cohen Immigration Law for a Free Consultation

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Project Veritas, the right-wing website that often publishes surreptitiously recorded and selectively edited videos to embarrass liberals and mainstream media outlets, continued a battle against the New York Times this weekend by posting edited video of two depositions from a lawsuit the Times is engaged in against Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and candidate for vice president in 2008.

Palin alleges that the Times libeled her in a 2017 editorial that inaccurately linked her to the 2011 shooting in Tucson, Arizona, that wounded US representative Gabby Giffords and killed six people. In the videos posted by Project Veritas two former members of the Times editorial board answered questions about the editorial process. The videos were sliced and diced, a lawyer for the Times in the Palin trial said. The Times legal team argued that the evidence, which was not admitted at trial, could interfere with jury deliberations.

Separately, last week, a New York State appeals court stayed an order that had kept the Times from publishing certain material about Project Veritas. First Amendment advocates and a group of sixty-three media organizations that joined a legal brief on behalf of the Times had decried the unusual order as an unconstitutional example of prior restraint, a form of censorship before the fact.

Prohibiting a news organization from publishing information of public interest is clearly unconstitutional, said Bruce Brown, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which filed the amicus brief. It was unconstitutional on day one, and its unconstitutional on day eighty-five, and were glad to see it lifted.

Justice Charles Wood, a Westchester County trial court judge, had signed the order against the Times on November 18. It blocked the paper from publishing attorney-client privileged materials from Project Veritassomething the paper would normally be within its right to do, so long as it hadnt actively stolen them.

In their arguments against the order, lawyers for the Times warned that it could set a dangerous precedent. In the future, they wrote in a filing, any individual or organization wanting to limit unfavorable news coverage could simply file a libel suit over an earlier story and then use discovery orders to censor or prevent future reporting.

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A four-judge panel agreed to the stay last Wednesday, February 9, until a formal appeal is heard on or before March 11. But the appellate court did not agree to vacate the order permanently, noted Libby Locke, an attorney for Project Veritas, who said she was confident that the court would ultimately side with her client.

A spokesperson for the Times, Danielle Rhoades-Ha, said she was pleased with the decision. The use of prior restraint to prohibit newsgathering and block the publication of newsworthy journalism is unconstitutional, said Rhoades-Ha. No libel plaintiffs should be permitted to use their litigation as a tool to silence press coverage about them.

The background to the case is here.

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Caleb Pershan is a CJR fellow.
At a court hearing in Virginia Beach last fall, the bride arrived wearing a shirt with Wifey for Lifey printed on it.

It was likely the first time Theresa Stoner had seen her new husband, Richard, in person since the nuptials a few months earlier.

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Thats because Richard Stoner has been behind bars for the past 3 years, charged with killing a young mother and her 7-year-old son in a hired hit in 2004. The case had remained cold until 2018, when Virginia Beach police arrested Stoner and the womans ex-husband, whom they believe hired him.

The Stoners wedding was held in April 2021, via a tablet in Richard Stoners cell at the Virginia Beach jail, according to a spokeswoman for the facility. Inmates can use the devices to make face-to-face calls with family and friends for a fee. The Stoners ceremony, however, wasnt sanctioned or vetted by the sheriffs office, spokeswoman Toni Guagenti said.

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Afterward, Theresa Stoner posted a picture of a wedding cake on Facebook. On top, was a silhouette of a man and a woman standing back-to-back with assault rifles raised in their arms and the phrase Mr. & Mrs. Theresa Stoner didnt respond to a message from The Pilot asking for more information.

The tablet wedding is about as intimate as jail and prison nuptials have been since the pandemic began and in-person visits were canceled.

Since then, marriage ceremonies in Virginias 40 prisons have had to be done over the phone or by video, said Benjamin Jarvela, deputy director of communications for the Virginia Department of Corrections.

Before, inmates and their future spouses could get married and exchange rings in person, and even invite up to four guests, according to Virginia Department of Corrections policies for inmate marriages.

Food and drinks, however, were limited to whatever was available in the visiting room vending machines and brides were required to keep their wedding attire modest. Only disposable cameras still sealed in their packaging could be brought inside to capture the moment.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1987 that inmates have a constitutional right to marry, but it didnt say how the ceremonies had to be handled. Rules can vary from state to state and its often up to the head of the facility.

There have been many famous inmate weddings, with serial killer Ted Bundy and brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez, who gunned down their wealthy parents in 1989, among the better known prison grooms. Lyle Menendez has tied the knot twice since he began serving a sentence of life without parole. His first marriage lasted less than four years, but his second, in 1999, is still going.

Lee Boyd Malvo, the sniper who killed 10 people in the Washington region in October 2002, may have been the last inmate to be married in person in a Virginia prison. His wedding was in early March 2020 at Red Onion State Prison in Wise County, just weeks before in-person visits were cut off because of the pandemic.

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Its not known how many inmates have been married in Virginias prisons over the years because the state department of corrections doesnt track them, Jarvela said. Officials at local jails say theyre rare.

Allen Sokolik said hes presided over several in his 23 years serving as a marriage commissioner in Virginia Beach. They used to be done in the attorney/inmate meeting rooms, with the inmate on one side of a glass partition and the bride on the other. Later, they were required to do them by video in the jails visiting room, he said, and then they stopped all together.

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I cant tell you when was the last time that I did one, Sokolik said.

So, why would someone want to marry a person serving a lengthy sentence? For some, it could be about obtaining access to the prisoners medical information and other records only available to family members. Some others may suffer from hybristophilia, defined by the American Psychological Association as a sexual interest in and attraction to those who commit crimes.

Rev. Byron Sichert, a Southern Baptist minister in Henrico County, said hes presided over possibly hundreds of inmate weddings in Virginia and Maryland during his nearly 40 years as a pastor. Inmate weddings make up for about a third to half of the marriage ceremonies he does each year, Sichert guessed. He even has a website to promote his prison wedding services.

We treat them like any other wedding, Sichert said.

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Since the pandemic began, most of the inmate ceremonies hes presided over have been over the phone. Sometimes theyre done on a two-way call, with the Sichert and the bride together and the inmate in a prison counselors office. Sometimes theyre done by a three-way call with the bride, inmate and Sichert all in different locations.

The girls are really not happy, with having to get married by phone, Sichert said, referring to the intended brides. Ill be glad when things are back to normal.

Jane Harper, 757-222-5097, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
A week ago, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, met with Emmanuel Macron, his French counterpart, at the Kremlin, where they sat at either end of a comically long table. It was the face-to-face that launched a thousand memes, as well as a flurry of news-analysis pieces. (Putins massive table: powerplay or paranoia?) The Kremlin later said that the long table had been necessary because Macron refused a Russian covid test. Reuters reported, citing two sources in Macrons entourage, that the French president hadnt wanted Putin to get hold of his DNA, but French officials insisted that scheduling constraints were the real issue. Other reporters were skeptical of the DNA story, too: I dont think that that was true at all, Eleanor Beardsley, NPRs Paris correspondent, told Kyle Pope, CJRs editor and publisher, on our podcast, The Kicker. An official told Beardsley over WhatsApp that they werent worried that they were going to put a black bag over his head and put a chip in him, Beardsley said.

The table furor was a specific example of a much broader recent mediaand diplomatictrend: using visual clues to parse Putins thinking as Russia amasses troops and military equipment on the border with Ukraine. This is not easy in general, nor in this specific sense. On Thursday, Putin sat much closer to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, a Russian ally; contrasted with the Macron meeting, this looked like a blatant metaphor for diplomatic favor, but Putin has also kept his physical distance from leaders with whom Russia is on relatively good terms, and is known to be very wary of covid. (Journalists attending his end-of-year press conference in December were required to show three negative PCR tests.) After a period of public silence since then, Putin has participated in a couple of pressers, including next to Macron, without ever giving too much away as to his intentions. Sergey Lavrov, Putins foreign minister, has done pressers too, and used them as an opportunity for posturing. Last week, he openly quarreled with Liz Truss, his British counterpart, before abruptly walking away from the podium.

Listen: Eleanor Beardsley on Putin and Biden summoning the Cold War

Reporters and analysts have also looked for clues as to Putins thinking in Russian state media. This, too, is a tricky task. According to an analysis of Web content by Semantic Visions, a Prague-based data firm, hostile Russian-media coverage of Ukraine spiked last year before declining again as 2021 turned to 2022; writing in early January, Bloombergs Marc Champion described that trendwhich appeared to mirror what had happened prior to a partial Russian troop drawdown near the Ukrainian border last springas a potential positive glimmer, but cautioned that media coverage is just one indicator, and that its not clear to what extent the sources scraped by Semantic Visions reflected Putins thinking. A couple of weeks later, Andrei Kolesnikov, an analyst at the Carnegie Moscow Center, told Reuters that any pause in bellicose state-TV coverage should not be seen as reassuring. Editors, he said, can switch back to hard propaganda of war any second and to explaining why its needed.

A follow-up analysis by Semantic Visions found that as January progressed, hostile coverage ramped up again, albeit targeted more at the US and nato than Ukraine. The tenor of this coverage lent itself, again, to the interpretation that Putin was not preparing the Russian people for an imminent invasion; around the same time, Alexey Kovalev, an editor at the independent Russian news site Meduza, wrote that compared with 2014, when Putin went ahead with an invasion of Crimea, recent media rhetoric had been notably more subdued. There has, however, been no little anti-Ukraine propaganda. And again, things can change very quickly.

State-media coverage has often cast Russia as a victim, blaming US and nato aggression for the rise in tensions and accusing Western powers of inventing a half mythological Russian threat. Kremlin-aligned outlets have belittled Western politicians, including Truss, whose photo op in a fur hat (a none-too-subtle nod to Margaret Thatcher) was mocked by an official newspaper on the grounds that it wasnt that cold out. Pro-Kremlin pundits have also criticized Western media coverage of rising tensions as anti-Russian hysteria, including a recent Bloomberg headline (published in error) claiming that Russia had just invaded Ukraine, and NBCs coverage of the Ukrainian delegation during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. At least one state TV channel brought up the heated recent exchange during which Matthew Lee, an Associated Press reporter, pressed Ned Price, a US State Department spokesperson, for evidence to back up his claim that Russia may soon fabricate a propaganda video as a pretext to invade. State TV has also shown clips of Tucker Carlsons show on Fox, during which he has expressed skepticism of US support for Ukraine.

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Beyond state media, reporters are still closely monitoring US claims about Russian troop movements as well as other intelligence findingssuch as the propaganda videoconcerning Putins possible plans. Troop deployments can often be verified independently using commercial satellite imagery. As Ive written before in this newsletter, other claims have been murkier, with US officials arguing that providing evidence to back them up could compromise intelligence sources. This terrain has continued to be very fraught. On Friday, Nick Schifrin, a defense correspondent for PBS NewsHour, reported, citing official sources, that the US believes Putin has now decided to invade Ukraine, with numerous other outlets reporting (also per official sources) that this coming Wednesday could be Invasion Day. Some of the same officials, however, conceded that setting an apparent date could be part of a Russian disinformation effortand Jake Sullivan, President Bidens national security adviser, told reporters that while an invasion could happen at any time, it is not the US view that Putin has already made a decision. Appearing on a pair of Sunday shows yesterday, Sullivan made similar noises, saying that he was not going to handicap what will happen.

As Ive also written before, US and other Western officials have been engaged in a preemptive information war against Russia; as Julian E. Barnes and Helene Cooper, of the New York Times, noted over the weekend, after decades of getting schooled by Putin on this front, the US is trying to beat the master at his own game, publishing intelligence assessments more quickly and aggressively than at any time since the Cuban missile crisis. This strategy demands heightened journalistic scrutiny not only because it is just thata strategy, in furtherance of US interestsbut because it isnt clear what level of insight US officials actually have into Putins intentions. As Shaun Walker, who covers Eastern and Central Europe for The Guardian, put it on Friday, either there will be an invasion and well realise the US was right. Or there wont be but in 20/50 years well find out the CIA had insane intel capability in Moscow and really averted a war. Or its the most crazily irresponsible messaging imaginable. Feels 33/33/33 to me.

Amid the long tables, tall state-media tales, and American intel, the only person who really knows what Putin is thinking is Putin himself; he has always been inscrutable, but hes especially so right now, and the stakes are especially high. It all adds up to a disorienting situation for reporters. Some of the coverage Ive consumed so far has laid out what we know and dont, and the dynamics underpinning it all, as clearly as possible, but much of it feels awash in a choppy sea of conflicting claims andas Beardsley and Pope discussed on The Kicker last weekCold Warera vibes. Just that room and that table were so cold and so huge, Beardsley said, of Putins audience with Macron last week. I mean, it was another century.

Below, more on Russia:



Other notable stories:

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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Criminals netted $1.3 billion in ransom payments from hacking victims in the past two years, reflecting a massive surge in cyber-crime that has prompted a global effort to stop it, according to a new report from Chainalysis Inc.

The cryptocurrency-tracking firm said in an analysis published Thursday it observed a huge increase in ransom payments: $602 million in payments in 2021 and $692 million in 2020. The 2021 figure is expected to increase and surpass 2020 as additional information becomes available, according to the report

By comparison, Chainalysis detected $152 million in payments in 2019 and $39 million in 2018.

Hacking victims often dont disclose that they have experienced a breach or that they have paid a ransom in cryptocurrency to unlock their systems. The secrecy is one reason, experts say, that criminal groups often based in Russia and Eastern Europe continue to target businesses in the U.S.

The average payment totaled more than $118,000 in 2021, an increase from $88,000 in 2020 and $25,000 in 2019, the report said.

The U.S., the UK and Australia issued a joint alert Wednesday warning of an increased global threat from ransomware. Hackers have adopted advanced techniques, such as professionalized business models and sharing data about potential victims, officials said.

The Biden administration has rolled out a series of initiatives to bolster cyber defenses, both in government and in the private sector, after a series of devastating hacks last year, including ransomware attacks against the fuel transporter Colonial Pipeline Co. and the IT services firm Kaseya Ltd.

In October, the White House hosted representatives from 30 countries in an attempt to find ways to slow the number of breaches. Law enforcement agencies, meanwhile, have sought to deter hackers by arresting alleged ransomware operators throughout Europe.

Chainalysis researchers tracked payments in recent years in part by analyzing cryptocurrency wallets associated with suspected ransomware groups, including the gangs known as Conti, DarkSide and Evil Corp.

The Conti ransomware strain generated the most revenue in 2021, researchers said. Believed to be based in Russia, Conti reaped at least $180 million from victims, according to the report. Conti is one of numerous groups that uses the ransomware-as-a-service business model, where affiliates can purchase ransomware, use it to extort money and provide Conti with a share of the ransom.

The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued an alert about Conti in September, noting more than 400 attacks, including intrusions that had impacted law enforcement and medical agencies.

DarkSide, the group behind the Colonial Pipeline attack, extorted the second-largest amount of money from victims last year, according to Chainalysis report. Colonial Pipeline said it paid $4.4 million to DarkSide. In June, the Department of Justice announced that it had retrieved $2.3 million of that amount.

The FBI has previously said that U.S. victims reported $29.1 million in ransomware losses in 2,474 complaints in 2020.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
DENVER (AP)  Decembers Marshall fire spared the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, an expanse of grasslands between Superior and Arvada that, had winds shifted, could have provided 6,200 acres of additional drought-stricken fuel to the destructive blaze.

What if a fire like the one that burned down more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County on Dec. 30 had turned suddenly south and raced across the refuge, where for 40 years triggers for nuclear warheads were assembled as part of the countrys Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union?

That was the topic of discussion Feb. 7 at a Rocky Flats Stewardship Council meeting, where elected officials from communities surrounding the refuge came together to talk about the potential hazards  including the release of deadly plutonium from the soil into the air  that could arise from an event like the Marshall fire on refuge land.

Rocky (Flats) has burned before, Rocky will burn again in the future, the councils executive director, Dave Abelson, said. Those are just facts. You cant stop wildfire, as we all know.

In fact, the refuge has experienced a dozen fires since 2000, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ranging in size from less than an acre in 2020 to 852 acres in 2006.

Fire is not uncommon, said Dave Lucas, refuge manager for Rocky Flats. We basically have one wildfire every year. That is a reality.

For those who believe the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, which opened to the public in 2018, isnt safe due to residual contamination from Cold War bomb-making activity, the Marshall fire was a jolting wake-up call that more needs to be done at the site to protect people in the face of a natural disaster.

This is really inappropriate to have people on the site, long-time Rocky Flats activist Lynn Segal said during the meeting Monday. I mean this came close.

But Andy Keim, site manager for Rocky Flats with the U.S. Department of Energy, said wildfire danger modeling completed when the nuclear weapons plant was razed and cleaned up more than a decade ago shows little need for concern.

Keims agency oversees the 1,300-acre central operable unit at the refuge, where the plant was located and which remains a Superfund site that is off-limits to the public.

The remaining infrastructure  buildings, slabs and basements  and subsurface soils with residual radiological contamination are buried beneath at least 3 feet of clean soil, Keim told the stewardship council. And a wildfire poses no real potential threat to these buried materials because the soil acts as a physical barrier separating material from the ground surface where the fire is, plus limiting heat transfer.

Unlike forest fires, he said grassland fires typically move quickly and burn cool. A risk assessment done on fire danger at Rocky Flats concluded that residual surface soil contamination did not pose a significant risk, he said.

And also, modeled firefighter exposures to smoke indicated that radiological hazards of a grassfire at Rocky Flats are negligible, Keim said.

But Giselle Herzfeld with the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center in Boulder said there is every reason to worry about fire at the refuge.

If there were a fire at Rocky Flats, it is very likely that the radioactive contamination would become airborne and put those living nearby and downwind at risk of inhaling airborne plutonium particles and other radionuclides, she said. This risk is heightened by particularly high winds at the site.

She noted that winds on the day of the Marshall fire reached speeds of 115 mph at Rocky Flats.

If a plutonium particle is inhaled, that particle is likely to remain in a persons lungs permanently, Herzfeld said. In that time it will constantly bombard surrounding cells with radiation, putting that person at risk of developing a lung tumor.

Rocky Flats generated headlines in 2019 when an elevated sample of plutonium was found on refuge property near Indiana Street. But so far that sample has proven to be an outlier, with dozens of other soil samples taken on the refuge showing plutonium levels well within government-defined acceptable risk thresholds for the substance.

But Boulder County Commissioner Claire Levy strongly urged refuge officials to conduct air monitoring after a fire to ensure that no contaminants had been released into the air.

Models are models _ sometimes real-life conditions show otherwise, she said. After a fire, what would be done to not just assure the public but actually determine whether the air and ash are safe?

Arvada City Councilman Randy Moorman expressed similar concerns.

Every fire is different and so I feel like monitoring several fires in the past isnt going to tell us what future fires are going to do and what thats going to be like, he said. I think especially from the public interest perspective we really need to have monitoring happening after every fire because thats the greatest concern _ what is happening in our air after that fire?

Fire has been contentious before at Rocky Flats. In 2015, public outcry over a proposed prescribed burn at Rocky Flats _ and concerns about air contamination _ led to it being scrapped. Lucas said there hasnt been a prescribed burn at the site since 2000 and none are planned.

Lucas said the refuge is serviced by several fire protection districts and departments, including Mountain View, Coal Creek and Arvada Fire. But a couple of immediate measures would be taken in response to the Marshall fire.

Fish and Wildlife personnel will bump up mowing the southern boundary of Rocky Flats, where the refuge abuts hundreds of houses in Arvadas Candelas neighborhood, to twice a year from once annually. The buffer would be about 40 feet wide, Lucas said.

And the agency would stage one of its Type 6 wildland fire engines, known as a brush truck, year round at Rocky Flats rather than just during summer months.

This area has changed _ you have 684 homes that line the southern boundary that didnt exist a handful of years ago, so planning has changed, Lucas said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Former Economic Development Director Warren Harris, right, arrives at Virginia Beach Circuit Court with his attorney Jeffrey Swartz on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. (Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot)

Virginia Beachs longtime former economic development director got a suspended jail sentence Monday after admitting to embezzling nearly $80,000 during the 11 years he served in the position.

Warren Harris walked out of a Virginia Beach courtroom without having to serve a day in jail. The 65-year-old posted bond immediately after he was charged in 2018 and has remained free while the case was pending.

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Harris, however, will be required to repay the $79,479 he inappropriately charged taxpayers on a city credit card. Among the expenses he charged was a 2018 trip to Spain for the annual Running of the Bulls festival.

Harris expressed remorse for his actions and lapses of judgment before the sentence was issued by Circuit Judge Steven Frucci. Sitting behind him in the courtroom were his family and several supporters, including former Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms.

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I certainly want to apologize to the citizens of Virginia Beach, to city officials and to my family, Harris told the judge. I know that Im better than this and I feel the burden of letting people down.

Because Harris has no prior criminal record, state sentencing guidelines suggested he get nothing more than probation. Commonwealths Attorney Colin Stolle called the guidelines completely inappropriate and asked Frucci to give Harris jail time.

It was a betrayal, Stolle said. It was a betrayal to the city, it was a betrayal to his supervisors, and more importantly, a betrayal to the citizens of Virginia Beach.

Stolle said Harris created false financial statements to justify trips to places like Dubai, Panama, California and Florida and ordered employees to create the statements in some cases, all so that he could knock things off his bucket list.

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Frucci said that while the betrayal of trust was great, he didnt think jail time was appropriate considering Harris clean record and strong support from friends and family. Dozens of letters were sent to the court in support of him.

The crimes are serious and the loss is substantial to the City of Virginia Beach, the judge said to Harris. But youve got support that is the strongest Ive probably ever seen.

Harris served as the citys economic development director from 2007 to 2018 and worked for the City of Chesapeake before that. He was fired amid an investigation of his credit card use and pleaded guilty last year to four counts of felony embezzlement by a public officer.

[ Former Virginia Beach Economic Development director indicted on 14 embezzlement charges ]

As the head of the department, Harris was allowed to approve his own expenses. The city changed that policy after his resignation.

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The investigation  conducted by Virginia Beach police, prosecutors and the FBI  also revealed that Harris had made passive threats to employees about the consequences of reporting him to the city auditor. After another city employee was fired for embezzlement, Harris reportedly told employees during a recorded staff meeting that snitches get stitches.

Among Harris illegal expenditures was $39,500 to place ads in the NCAA Final Four program, Washington Nationals Yearbook and for the MLB All-Star Game. He got more than a dozen complimentary tickets to MLB and NCAA Final Four games in return.

Jane Harper, 757-222-5097, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
(JTA) - As world powers work to defuse the military buildup between Ukraine and Russia, Vlodymyr Zeev Vaksman, a Jewish father in Odessa, is focusing on a personal arms race.

I put off making any big purchases. I want to buy weapons, Vaksman, the 40-year-old chair of Odessas Tiferet Masorti community, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Monday.

Vaksman, who works as a tour guide, is typical of many young Ukrainian Jews: Attached to their country, theyre hesitant to abandon it when its threatened. But, mindful of how quickly it can descend into violence, sometimes along sectarian lines, they also are unwilling to leave their familys safety to the authorities and chance.

Everyone is worried, Vaksman told JTA about his circle of Jewish friends. Some want to resist and join the defense units. Some want to leave.

Russia has been amassing troops on the Ukrainian border since November, leading many to fear that the country could be headed for a bloodier version of what happened when Russia invaded in 2014 and seized Crimea.

Like the United States, Israel is exhorting its citizens who are in Ukraine  there are as many as 15,000 of them  to vacate the country. On Tuesday, the Israeli airline Arkia is scheduled to dispatch one of its passenger planes on an emergency flight to Kharkiv, an eastern Ukrainian city. It will leave empty and return with any Israeli interested in returning.

Meanwhile, the Jewish Agency is reportedly making contingency plans to evacuate Jews who wish to leave in the event that tensions erupt into a full-blown war. Ukraine has about 43,300 people who self-identify as Jews and about 200,000 eligible to immigrate to Israel under its Law of Return for Jews and their relatives, according to a 2020 demographic study of European Jewry.

A prominent Israeli rabbi is using the crisis to convince Ukrainian Jews to make aliyah, or immigrate to Israel. But on the ground, most Ukrainian Jews appear to be approaching the situation pragmatically, not ideologically.

It would be good for anyone who so desires to leave Uman for a vacation until it is safe, Rabbi Yaakov Djan, who is also an Israeli, wrote to Jews in the city where a predominantly Israeli Jewish population has grown up around the burial place of Nachman of Bratslav, an 18th-century Hasidic rabbi. But he added that anyone who does not wish to leave should not feel pressured to do so.

Among those on vacation in Israel right now are the wife and daughters of Chaim Chazin, a real-estate professional who was born in Israel and has been living for several years in Uman with his wife, Liat, and their seven children. They left two weeks ago for a family event and decided to extend their stay in Israel just to be on the safe side until the situation stabilizes, Chazin said.

Chazin himself says he is confident in the leadership of Ukraines Jewish president, Vlodymyr Zelensky, and believes that the current tensions are overblown.

Theres fuel in the fuel stations, food in the markets, toilet paper and medicine in the stores, Chazin told JTA. The only ones freaking out are people who are following the conflict from outside Ukraine.

He said he thought Djans letter was intended to encourage tourists who have come to Uman as pilgrims to Nachmans grave to head home. We dont want them becoming the communitys problem in case of complications. Very few of us are leaving, Chazin said.

Instead, he said, the local community is planning around concerns that, in the case of a Russian invasion, all the law enforcement will be rushed to the border and well be left exposed to robbers or whoever.

Chazin said local Jewish leaders were working with Uman authorities on a plan to set up some sort of armed guard, maybe with an AK-47 or two. We have some graduates of combat units of the Israel Defense Forces with us.

In Kharkiv, an industrial city situated a mere 10 miles from the Russian border, the likelihood of an invasion is only now beginning to trickle down, according to Miriam Moskovitz, an emissary of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement who has lived in Kharkiv with her husband, Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz, since 1990.

Theres been some general talk about how to prepare but now were really sitting down with plans about where people will go in times of danger, in terms of which buildings to put them in and what to do with the synagogue, Moskovitz, a mother of 12 originally from Australia, told JTA. Were not afraid but were definitely sensing the tension right now.

As with other Jewish communities, the one in Kharkiv, where about 20,000 Jews live, is focusing on making sure the elderly population and other vulnerable groups remain safe if traveling local roads becomes dangerous, she added.

As tensions rise, the Moskovitzs find comfort in the fact that even through the escalation, hundreds of worshipers come each day to the Kharkiv Choral Synagogue  a red-brick complex with a dome that resembles the condensed Jerusalem models of sculptor Frank Meisler.

We do what we can, what we came here to do: We hold up Jewish life and make it happen no matter what, she said.

As for Vaksman, hes not eager to move to Israel, where he says he cannot afford to live. (It is not uncommon for Jewish Ukrainians who have moved to Israel to return because of the cost of living.) But hes keeping the option open.

In addition to working to procure guns, he said, he has prepared money, documents for the children and even the cats to board a rescue flight if they need to.

--

The post In Ukraine, young Jews are torn between fighting for their country  and leaving for another appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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Penn State welcomed the TEDxPSU Endeavor event at 1 p.m. Sunday in Schwab Auditorium with a diverse group of speakers from the Penn State community.

To spark new ideas and flourish conversations, the annual Penn State student-organized conference brought 11 speakers from different backgrounds to discuss their endeavors.

This event consisted of two sessions divided by an intermission.

Michael Middlebrooks  an invertebrate zoologist at the University of Tampa  kicked off the first session with his passion for sea slugs and mollusks.

Middlebrooks mentioned he's passionate about slugs due to how fantastically weird they are.

Students like Rachel Rubin had pretty high expectations for the TED talk.

I came here really excited for the sea slug speech. I really loved that one and the pictures that were shown, Rubin (senior-digital and print journalism) said.

Followed by Tarina Ahuja, a sophomore at Harvard College, talked about her first experience with empathy.

On Aug. 5, I walked into my parents' room, and I saw the look of odd numbness on their faces, Ahuja said. The TV screen was playing in the background, and I saw images of six Sikh men and women under the headline 'White nationalist open fires in Sikh Gurdwara.'"

Ahuja also introduced the audience to the concept of "active empathy," explained as understanding as fuel for acting in support of someone else.

This emotionally driven lecture gave insight on how to use empathy as the main tool to turn pain into power.

Aaryan Oberoi said the lecture by Ahuja stood out to him, and he was inspired to stop for a moment and think about what really mattered.

She spoke about how active empathy is important. It definitely made me stop and think and realize things about my surroundings and how to be a better person, Oberoi (junior-engineering science) said.

Comedy also had a role in some of the speakers' lectures, like Jason Griffith's, who started his lecture by recalling when he thought Spotify was a band.

Griffith continued to mention the importance of the app in his life as an English teacher. He said the album "DAMN." by Kendrick Lamar inspired him to expand the way he taught English.

Griffith, assistant professor of literacies and English language at Penn State, talked about the importance of rethinking the way we read.

Texts are limited; we need to think beyond a single text, Griffith said.

Saptarshi Das, an associate professor of engineering science and mechanics, talked about sustainable building sensors with the help of diagrams and graphs.

Das ended his presentation with a single quote: Nature is smart and beautiful.

Oberoi said this one was his favorite lectures due to how much he learned from it.

My favorite lecture was the one by Dr. Saptarshi Das," Oberoi said. "It was really exciting to hear him talk about the energy crisis and how we would be dealing with it using biomimetic equipment."

The last speaker from the first session was student Abbie La Porta, who gave an emotional and delicate talk about struggling with anorexia.

La Porta (junior-agricultural engineering) narrated vividly her experience eating a peach cobbler when she started treatment for her eating disorder.

It was like fighting with your own brain, La Porta said.

La Porta also talked about the importance of supportive people around her and how she thought her eating disorder was a feature that defined her.

She ended the lecture by asking the audience a question she had been asked by supportive people in her life: How can you not think you are great?

After the conclusion of session one, there was a brief 20-minute intermission.

To start the second part of the TEDxPSU event, entrepreneur Patrick Frank talked about how technology can form and alter relationships.

The Internet is not the enemy, it's an ally, Frank said.

Throughout his lecture, Frank talked about his personal experiences growing up without technology and mentioned a new ability society has  the ability to know people before meeting them.

Student Janiyah Davis (junior-criminology and psychology)  received by cheering and applause  described her experiences with superwoman syndrome and imposter syndrome by asking herself the question: Who are you if not what you do for other people?

Murali Haran, head of the Department of Statistics at Penn State, gave a talk about the role chance has in every outcome.

Data never speaks by itself, it needs interpreters, Haran said.

He concluded by stating the importance of chance in everyday life and in challenging events like climate change and infectious diseases.

Lucy Udell said she was surprised by how much she enjoyed Harans talk.

I really liked the statistics talk. It sort of gave a new perspective on how to frame information and how to think about information, Udell (senior-secondary education social studies and education) said.

Nora Van Horn (senior-philosophy, Chinese, and global and international studies) talked about sexual violence and how data has revealed that nothing has changed.

She ended by mentioning how the world can become a safer and more equitable place.

Michael Mitole concluded the event by talking about his passion for ambition.

Mitole (junior-finance) quoted his favorite books, like "The Great Gatsby," and provided examples from the "Tower of Babel" to the "Operation Varsity Blues" admission scandal in 2019 to describe ambition in different contexts.

The tale of ambition is as old as time itself, Mitole said.

Oberoi said this lecture stood out to him due to Mitoles use of words and his citing of poems.

The diversity of thought present in the TEDxPSU Endeavor is what made students like Rubin enjoy this three-hour annual event.

It's so hard to pick a favorite, and the variety was really great. It provides different perspectives and attracts different audience members," Rubin said. "Ive learned stuff, and now I have even more questions.

MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE

Penn State Berkey Creamery serves up new breakfast-inspired coffee flavors When it comes to creativity and flavor concoctions, the Penn State Berkey Creamery has conti
Republican Tina Peters, the Mesa county clerk under criminal investigation by federal and state authorities for alleged voting system security breaches, said Monday she's challenging Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold's bid for a second term as Colorado's top election official.

Peters, who claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, said in a written statement that she's running to restore public trust in elections and vowed to "put people over the political theater and prioritize them over politics."

Calling Peters "unfit" to be secretary of state, Griswold said in a statement that Peters has embraced "dangerous extremism" and called her candidacy "a danger to Colorado elections."

Griswold noted that Peters shared the stage last week with someone she described as an "extreme election denier" who told the crowd that Griswold deserves to be hanged.

"Colorado deserves a Secretary of State who will stand up to the Biden administration that wants to run our country in the ground with nationalized elections," Peters said.

"That is why today I am announcing I am running for Colorado Secretary of State to restore trust and put an end to government overreach in our election process. Weaponizing our elections and targeting political opponents has no place in Colorado. We need to get back to honoring our Colorado Constitution, honoring our state legislature to craft laws through a representative government by, of, and for the people."

Added Peters: "As your next Colorado Secretary of State, I will strengthen checks and balances by following the Colorado Constitution and restoring public trust. I will put an end to reckless 'emergency' rulings, government overreach, and corruption in the office of Secretary of State. I work for the people of Colorado, not special interest because every day we put Colorado first and dont quit, we win!

Three Republicans are already running for secretary of state in a primary, include former Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Pam Anderson and first-time candidates David Winney and Mike O'Donnell.

Griswold, an attorney, unseated Republican Wayne Williams in 2018 by an 8-point margin. She's the first Democrat to win election as secretary of state since 1960 and the first Democratic woman ever to hold the office.

Peters announced her candidacy Monday morning on Steve Bannon's War Room, a video podcast hosted by Peters supporter and former top Trump aide Steve Bannon.

Saying he was "glad to have you on not handcuffed normally like you are," Bannon quipped: "They made a mistake, they should [have] never unshackled you because now you're off the chain."

Peters was arrested last week in Grand Junction on misdemeanor charges of obstructing a peace officer and obstructing government operations after authorities attempted to seize a tablet computer from her under a search warrant in a case involving allegations she recorded a court hearing contrary to a judge's prohibition. Peters turned herself in to authorities and bonded out on Thursday.

The charges aren't related to ongoing investigations, including one opened last month by a local grand jury, into allegations Peters helped facilitate a data breach of the county's election equipment.

In her statement on Monday, Griswold listed some of the investigations and allegations facing Peters since last summer, when Griswold's office ordered Mesa County to replace its voting equipment after secure system passwords showed up in a video posted to right-wing websites.

Said Griswold: "Peters compromised voting equipment to try to prove conspiracies, costing Mesa County taxpayers nearly one million dollars. She works with election deniers, spreads lies about elections, was removed from overseeing the 2021 Mesa County election, and is under criminal investigation by a grand jury. Colorado needs a Secretary of State who will uphold the will of the people; not one who embraces conspiracies and risks Coloradans' right to vote.

Griswold is suing to prevent Peters, who is serving her first term as county clerk, from overseeing the 2022 election. Last October, in response to an earlier lawsuit filed by Griswold, a Mesa County District Court judge ruled that Peters had breached her duties by allowing a security vulnerability to be introduced into the countys voting system equipment and blocked her from having a role in administering the November election.

Peters maintains her innocence, arguing that she was taking necessary steps to preserve election records. She called the new lawsuit retaliation for her refusal to comply with a "gag order" Griswold asked her to sign.

In August, days after the system password were discovered online, exact digital copies of the county's election system hard drive were posted to popular file-sharing sites after Griswold's staff discovered that 24-hour video surveillance of the election equipment had been turned off by someone on Peters's staff.

Shortly after the data breach was discovered, Peters appeared in South Dakota at a symposium sponsored by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a prominent supporter of false claims that the 2020 election was rigged against Trump.

Mesa County officials hired Williams, a member of the Colorado Springs City Council, to oversee the county's elections last fall with Griswold's support.

Peters is also facing investigations by the state's independent ethics commission and Griswold's campaign finance office into complaints that Peters violated a constitutional gift ban by accepting travel expenses from Lindell. A separate ethics complaint alleges Peters has been raising money for a legal defense fund that doesn't comply with state ethics law.

Peters has rejected the allegations and her attorney has denied she violated ethics requirements.

Colorado Democratic Party chair Morgan Carroll ripped Peters's candidacy and criticized state Republicans in a text message to Colorado Politics.

"Recently, the Colorado GOP has a bad habit of propping up their most corrupt and unqualified candidates. Tina Peters is no exception," Carroll said. "Fueling election conspiracy theories only energizes the GOP base, and it does nothing to help Coloradans."

A spokesman for the Colorado Republican Party didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Editor's note: This developing story has been updated.

Following election security 'breaches,' Griswold limits access to voting equipment, copying of hard drives The Secretary of State's Office on Thursday adopted temporary election rules, including limiting access by elected officials to rooms with vot

No threat to the Douglas County's election system, Griswold probe concludes Douglas County's top election official did not have access to voting equipment and individuals with authorized access did not create any hard 
A bill that seeks to prevent the doxxing of health care workers and other employees passed the Colorado House of Representatives Monday, advancing to the state Senate for consideration.

If enacted, House Bill 1041 would add health care workers  as well as code enforcement officers, child representatives and animal control officers  to the list of people who can request to have their personal information removed from government websites after they receive threats to their safety. Personal information includes home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.

No one should feel unsafe when theyre just doing their job, but weve seen a significant increase in atrocious threats to health care workers and their families, said bill sponsor Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. This bill would protect our essential workers from doxxing by allowing them to remove their name and address from public databases.

This comes as 31% of hospital nurses in September 2021 reported experiencing an increase in workplace violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey by National Nurses United.

The bill would not prohibit access to records by county officials or certain other individuals if the access is related to a real estate matter.

The bill passed through the House with bipartisan support on Monday, with 52 representatives voting yes, 10 voting no and three excused. All 10 of the bills opponents are Republicans, including Rep. Tim Geitner of Falcon who has a personal connection to the bill.

Last year, UCHealth adopted a requirement that transplant candidates be vaccinated against COVID-19. In opposition to the policy, Geitner posted a photo on his social media accounts of a letter explaining the policy to a transplant patient. The photo included the name and contact information of Katherine Hamann, UCHealths kidney transplant coordinator, who had no hand in the policy change.

Hamann said she instantly became the victim of a cyber mob after Geitner's post, receiving hundreds of phone calls, emails and social media posts from people angry about her employers decision. Some of these included detailed and graphic death threats against Hamann and her family, she said.

Even today, I fear that online vigilantes will find my information, such as my home address, Hamann said, advocating in support of the bill during a House committee meeting. I not only fear for myself but for my friends and family.

Geitner did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding why he voted against the bill. Some of the bills other opponents  such as Rep. Ron Hanks, R-Canon City  have previously denounced the bill because they argue privacy protection should be afforded to everyone equally.
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
New Delhi: The Government of India will ban 54 more Chinese apps that pose a threat to India's security, informed sources on Monday.

"Government of India to ban 54 Chinese apps that pose a threat to India's security," sources said.

The 54 Chinese apps include Beauty Camera: Sweet Selfie HD, Beauty Camera - Selfie Camera, Equalizer & Bass Booster, CamCard for SalesForce Ent, Isoland 2: Ashes of Time Lite, Viva Video Editor, Tencent Xriver, Onmyoji Chess, Onmyoji Arena, AppLock, Dual Space Lite.

Full List of 54 Chinese Apps.

Earlier in June last year, India banned 59 Chinese mobile applications including the widely-used social media platforms such as TikTok, WeChat, and Helo keeping in view the threat to the nation's sovereignty and security.

The majority of the apps banned in the June 29 order were red-flagged by intelligence agencies over concerns that they were collecting user data and possibly also sending them "outside".

This action came after 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese soldiers were killed during violent clashes in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh amid border tensions with China.

Later in September, the Government of India further blocked 118 Chinese mobile apps stating that they are "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state and public order".

However, China opposed India's decision to continue the ban on Chinese mobile apps and said the action is in violation of the World Trade Organisation's non-discriminatory principles.
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02/14/2022

Photo (c) d3sign - Getty Images If you had guacamole at your Super Bowl party, you had it just in time. Mexico's Agriculture Ministry announced in a statement that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (APHIS-USDA) has paused avocado inspection activities in Michoacan and is stopping all imports until further notice.

CNN reports that the action was taken after a U.S. official received a threatening call on his official cell phone while carrying out his inspection duties in Michoacan.

APHIS-USDA has opened an investigation to assess the threat and determine the necessary measures to guarantee the physical integrity of all of its personnel working in Michoacan. Mexicos Ministry of Agriculture stated that a meeting is being held between APHIS personnel, representatives of the Association of Producers and Packers-Exporters of Avocado of Mexico (APEAM), and the local and state police to address the issue.

Cartels partly control avocado production

Avocados are highly popular in the U.S., and Michoacans avocado production plays a big role in America's consumption.

In the last six weeks, avocado producers from Michoacan have exported more than 135 thousand tons of avocados to the United States alone. Michoacan is the epicenter of the green gold rush in Mexico thanks to its altitude, climate, and soil.

However, avocado production, much like illegal drugs coming from Mexico, is partly controlled by cartels. START  the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism  reports that the success of the avocado economy has resulted in an explosion of cartels that are exploiting avocado producers and extorting a share of their profits.

Expect the cost of avocados to keep growing

Heading into Super Bowl weekend, a 48-count box of Mexican avocados crossing through south Texas were $50 to $54, up from about $26 to $30 the same time a year ago.

While the import stoppage from Mexico will certainly increase prices, high demand -- particularly among millennials -- is also causing avocado costs to rise.

Rising number of buyers for healthy food products either for clinical reasons or for practicing healthy lifestyle are impelling market growth of avocado, reports MarketWatch. This awareness is required to drive much more interest for the superfood, which will shape the business going ahead.
02/14/2022

Photo (c) Wachirawit Jenlohakit - Getty Images COVID-19 tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 77,740,239 (77,707,694)

Total U.S. deaths: 919,694 (919,260)

Total global cases: 412,262,713 (409,654,864)

Total global deaths: 5,818,207 (5,811,876)

FDA approves new antibody treatment

Doctors have a newly approved treatment against the coronavirus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for a new monoclonal antibody for the treatment of COVID-19 that is reportedly effective in treating the Omicron variant.

The treatment  bebtelovimab  is approved for mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients who are at least 12 years old. Bebtelovimab is not authorized for patients who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 or who require oxygen therapy.

"Today's action makes available another monoclonal antibody that shows activity against omicron, at a time when we are seeking to further increase supply," said Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "This authorization is an important step in meeting the need for more tools to treat patients as new variants of the virus continue to emerge."

U.S. approaching end of pandemic, Fauci says

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), has always been the voice of caution, urging Americans not to let down their guard against the coronavirus. So it is worth noting when he sounds optimistic.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Fauci said the U.S. could be reaching the end of a full-blown pandemic. He notes that cases have fallen dramatically in recent weeks and that many states have begun to loosen restrictions.

"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," Fauci told the publication. "There will also be more people making their own decisions on how they want to deal with the virus."

Doctor fears pandemic has permanently set back cancer screening

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many other types of medical issues were put on the back burner, including cancer screenings. Now, a California doctor worries we are about to see negative repercussions.

Steve Serrao, chief of gastroenterology at a hospital in Moreno Valley, California, told Vox that he fears the delayed diagnoses of various cancers and other chronic, life-threatening illnesses could result in its own epidemic.

Our next surge will be advanced chronic disease, Serrao said in an interview with the website. Thats going to be the next surge of patients who overwhelm our system. I dont think our systems are ready.

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In a later documentary titled Celluloid Crime Of The Century, Craven and his crew recount how intense shooting was, and if you like watching a bunch of middle-aged white guys gleefully recall the day they made a 23-year-old girl genuinely believe she was going to get raped and murdered, you're in for a treat. You probably don't deserve one, though.

According to Craven himself, Sandra Peabody, who played one of the two teenage victims, was legitimately terrified throughout the whole shoot. She started getting suspicious when Craven, who didn't bother getting permits to shoot on his locations, would have the crew climb fences to get to set and hide every time they heard a car coming. Throw in a script that started more like hardcore torture porn than a horror movie, and Peabody had pretty good cause to start suspecting that maybe she'd been roped into a snuff film.

Hallmark Releasing "Well, the checks are still clearing, so I'm gonna see where this goes."

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Her fears were only solidified by her two male co-stars, David Hess and Marc Sheffler, who both decided to "method act" being sadistic pieces of shit (which it seems came naturally to them). Hess would later brag about how he playfully threatened Peabody with actual rape. When asked about that scarring scene, he said, "I started to pull her pants down, and grab her tits and everything. And I looked up at Wes at one point and said, 'Can I?' And then she really freaked."

Peabody got so scared that Craven had to take her aside and convince her they weren't doing a porno. Which is hard when one of your actors is in fact a porn star (who later would say that this movie was the sleaziest thing he'd ever been in).

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When Peabody and Sheffler had another scene, this time near a cliffside, Sheffler insisted that Peabody wasn't "getting it." So in order to properly motivate his co-star, he grabbed her, held her over the edge of the cliff, and told her, "If you don't get this fucking scene right now, I'm going to drop you. I'm gonna fucking drop you right now. Wes will shoot it and Vic will shoot and we'll have a different scene because you'll be fucking mangled. You better fucking get this." Sheffler then signaled to Craven, and they filmed the scene.

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Because of this "method acting" / genuine abuse, Craven almost wasn't able to finish the movie. One day, toward the end of filming, he woke up to find that Peabody had made a break for it in the middle of the night. She had started to fear for her life. Eventually, they managed to catch up to her and convince her that they weren't going to kill her, because chasing someone down to tell them you're not going to viciously murder them is always a good play.

Aaron Short is a freelancer from Edinburgh who has also contributed to Listverse, WhatCulture, Watch Mojo, and Toptenz. You can see some of Aaron's other articles here, or click here to follow him on Twitter.

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The 25 paintings revolving around the army have been completed while those pertaining to the cultural segment would be taken up soon, the students said.  DC Image

Hyderabad: Around 25 wall mural paintings, portraying the valour and sacrifices of the Indian Army, including during Kargil, 1947 and 1971 wars, have been painted on the boundary walls of AOC centre near the swimming pool by 30 students from the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFA).

The paintings are divided into two segments, said the students. One depicts brave officers and iconic shots of the wars. The second segment, also featuring 25 works, is about the culture and heritage of Telangana State and Andhra Pradesh.

The army-related paintings were directed by army personnel while the cultural paintings are the original creative ideas of students.

The varsitys assistant professor and project head Venkateshwarlu J. said, We were approached by the Army. They gave us photographs of officers that were to be painted. This is in preparation for an army conference, which is being hosted by the AOC centre next month.

Anisha, a student, said that all third-year students have taken part in this project.

It is a great practical exposure for all of us. Being a part of this project has provided us with the best possible learning opportunities. We have missed so much during the pandemic and it is very exciting to work with my batch-mates, she said.

We started our work on February 1 and we are chasing a February 19 deadline to complete the murals. There were also small camps to help paint under the sun, said another student.

The 25 paintings revolving around the army have been completed while those pertaining to the cultural segment would be taken up soon, they said.
When Reitman was a music major at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, he ended up taking over the schools film club. It was there that he produced his first feature film; 1969s The Columbus of Sex, a 16-mm experiment in soft-core pornography directed by fellow student John Hofsess and based on the 19th century erotic novel My Secret Life. Reportedly, it illustrated various sexual techniques, preferences and positions in a documentary style with a dose of comedy.

The film was an experimental dual-screen take on the book, the kind of nudity-filled art-house project youd probably expect to be made by college students in 1969. You know who didnt love nudity-filled art-house projects in 1969? Cops. The movie played only once for a test screening of students before, during a second showing, the police raided the theatre, seizing projection equipment and arresting the filmmakers, including Reitman who was manning the projector. They were charged with obscenity and, after a lengthy, much-publicized trial, eventually fined $300  or roughly twenty American dollars.

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The Columbus of Sex became the first and only Canadian feature film to be banned by the Ontario Board of Censors before it was eventually sold to an American producer who re-edited the film and distributed it as a more traditional softcore erotica picture. Despite the ordeal, Reitman continued to tackle taboo subject matter in film, directing Foxy Lady and Cannibal Girls in the early 70s, both of which featured future Nissan pitchman Eugene Levy  who also happened to be one of the cinematographers of The Columbus of Sex.

Even after Cannibal Girls was taken hostage by the investors, a debt-ridden Reitman hopped a plane to Cannes where he was able to sell the film. So if it wasnt for a schlocky cannibal comedy and an arty porno, theres a very good chance that your childhood would have had featured far fewer laughs.

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What is malware?

Malware, short for malicious software, is a blanket term for viruses, worms, trojans and other harmful computer programs attackers use to wreak destruction and gain access to sensitive information.

The key point is that malware is identified as such based on its intended malicious use, not a particular technique or technology. This means that the question of, say, what the difference is between malware and a virus misses the point a bit: a virus is a type of malware, so all viruses are malware (but not every piece of malware is a virus).

How does malware spread and get on your device?

You've probably heard the words virus, trojan, and worm used interchangeably. In fact, the terms describe three different kinds of malware, which are distinguished from each other by the process by which they reproduce and spread.

A worm is a standalone piece of malicious software that reproduces itself and spreads from computer to computer. Worms' creators build in knowledge of operating system vulnerabilities, and a worm program seeks these out on computers that it can reach from wherever it's running and makes copies of itself on those insecure machines. Some of the very first worms were designed to copy themselves to floppy disks and other removable media, then copy themselves again when that disk was inserted into a new computer, but today most worms scan for vulnerable computers connected to their host via a corporate network or the internet.

A virus is a piece of computer code that inserts itself within the code of another standalone program, then forces that program to take malicious action and spread itself. The infected program propagates itself in some of the same ways that a worm does, by searching for vulnerabilities on other computers it can reach via the internet or a local network. But the virus code is lurking inside programs that look legitimate, so there are other vectors by which it could it spread: if a hacker can infect an application at the source, an application that includes virus code could be available for download from open source repositories, app stores, or even the software maker's own servers.

A trojan is a program that cannot activate itself but masquerades as something the user wants and tricks them into opening it via social engineering techniques. Often trojans arrive as email attachments with names like "salary.xls" or "resume.doc", with the malicious code lurking as a Microsoft Office macro. Once it's running, one of its first jobs is to propagate itself, so it might hijack your email client and send out more copies of itself to potential victims.

Malware can also be installed on a computer "manually" by the attackers themselves, either by gaining physical access to the computer or using privilege escalation to gain remote administrator access.

Why do people create malware?

Once malware is executing on your computer, it can do a number of things, ranging from simply making it unusable to taking control out of your hands and putting your remote attacker in charge. Malware can also send back information about sensitive data to its creators. While some hackers might create malware as an intellectual exercise or for the thrill of destruction, most cybercriminals are motivated by straightforward financial gain. They could be looking for banking passwords or access to secrets they can sell or exploit, or they also could be looking to gain control of your computer and use it as a launching pad for a DDoS attack.

Malware can also be part of a politically motivated attack. Hactivists might use malware in their campaigns against companies or governments, and state-sponsored hackers create malware as well. In fact, two high-profile malware waves were almost certainly started by national intelligence services: Stuxnet was created by the U.S. and Israel to sabotage Iran's nuclear program, while NotPetya may have begun as a Russian cyberattack on Ukrainian computers that quickly spread beyond its intended targets (including back into Russia).

What are the types of malware attacks?

There are a wide range of potential attack techniques that malware can use to achieve its goals.

Spyware is defined by Webroot Cybersecurity as "malware used for the purpose of secretly gathering data on an unsuspecting user." In essence, it spies on your behavior as you use your computer, and on the data you send and receive, usually with the purpose of sending that information to a third party. A keylogger is a specific kind of spyware that records all the keystrokes a user makesgreat for stealing passwords.

A rootkit is, as described by TechTarget, "a program or, more often, a collection of software tools that gives a threat actor remote access to and control over a computer or other system." It gets its name because it's a kit of tools that (generally illicitly) gain root access (administrator-level control, in Unix terms) over the target system, and use that power to hide their presence.

Adware is malware that forces your browser to redirect to web advertisements, which often themselves seek to download further, even more malicious software. As The New York Times notes, adware often piggybacks onto tempting "free" programs like games or browser extensions.

Ransomware is a flavor of malware that encrypts your hard drive's files and demands a payment, usually in Bitcoin, in exchange for the decryption key. Several high-profile malware outbreaks of the last few years, such as Petya, are ransomware. Without the decryption key, it's mathematically impossible for victims to regain access to their files. So-called scareware is a sort of shadow version of ransomware; it claims to have taken control of your computer and demands a ransom, but actually is just using tricks like browser redirect loops to make it seem as if it's done more damage than it really has, and unlike ransomware can be relatively easily disabled.

is a sort of shadow version of ransomware; it claims to have taken control of your computer and demands a ransom, but actually is just using tricks like browser redirect loops to make it seem as if it's done more damage than it really has, and unlike ransomware can be relatively easily disabled. Cryptojacking is another way attackers can force you to supply them with Bitcoinonly it works without you necessarily knowing. The crypto mining malware infects your computer and uses your CPU cycles to mine Bitcoin for your attacker's profit. The mining software may run in the background on your operating system or even as JavaScript in a browser window.

Malvertising is the use of legitimate ads or ad networks to covertly deliver malware to unsuspecting users computers. For example, a cybercriminal might pay to place an ad on a legitimate website. When a user clicks on the ad, code in the ad either redirects them to a malicious website or installs malware on their computer. In some cases, the malware embedded in an ad might execute automatically without any action from the user, a technique referred to as a drive-by download.

Any specific piece of malware has both a means of infection and a behavioral category. So, for instance, WannaCry is a ransomware worm. And a particular piece of malware might have different forms with different attack vectors: for instance, the Emotet banking malware has been spotted in the wild as both a trojan and a worm.

A look at the Center for Internet Security's top 10 malware offenders for December of 2021 gives you a good sense of the types of malware out there. By far the most common infection vector is via spam email, which tricks users into activating the malware, trojan-style. WannaCry and Emotet are the most prevalent malware on the list, but many others, including NanoCore and Gh0st, are what's called Remote Access Trojans or RATsessentially, rootkits that propagate like Trojans. Cryptocurrency malware like CoinMiner rounds out the list.

Malware examples

We've already discussed some of the current malware threats looming large today. But there is a long, storied history of malware, dating back to infected floppy disks swapped by Apple II hobbyists in the 1980s and the Morris Worm spreading across Unix machines in 1988. Some of the other high-profile malware attacks have included:

ILOVEYOU , a worm that spread like wildfire in 2000 and did more than $15 billion in damage

, a worm that spread like wildfire in 2000 and did more than $15 billion in damage SQL Slammer , which ground internet traffic to a halt within minutes of its first rapid spread in 2003

, which ground internet traffic to a halt within minutes of its first rapid spread in 2003 Conficker , a worm that exploited unpatched flaws in Windows and leveraged a variety of attack vectors  from injecting malicious code to phishing emails  to ultimately crack passwords and hijack Windows devices into a botnet.

, a worm that exploited unpatched flaws in Windows and leveraged a variety of attack vectors  from injecting malicious code to phishing emails  to ultimately crack passwords and hijack Windows devices into a botnet. Zeus , a late '00s keylogger Trojan that targeted banking information

, a late '00s keylogger Trojan that targeted banking information CryptoLocker , the first widespread ransomware attack, whose code keeps getting repurposed in similar malware projects

, the first widespread ransomware attack, whose code keeps getting repurposed in similar malware projects Stuxnet, an extremely sophisticated worm that infected computers worldwide but only did real damage in one place: the Iranian nuclear facility at Natanz, where it destroyed uranium-enriching centrifuges, the mission it was built for by U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies

How can I avoid a malware attack?

With spam and phishing email being the primary vector by which malware infects computers, the best way to prevent malware is make sure your email systems are locked down tightand your users know how to spot danger. We recommend a combination of carefully checking attached documents and restricting potentially dangerous user behavioras well as just familiarizing your users with common phishing scams so that their common sense can kick in.

When it comes to more technical preventative measures, there are a number of steps you can take, including keeping all your systems patched and updated, keeping an inventory of hardware so you know what you need to protect, and performing continuous vulnerability assessments on your infrastructure. When it comes to ransomware attacks in particular, one way to be prepared is to always make backups of your files, ensuring that you'll never need to pay a ransom to get them back if your hard drive is encrypted.

Malware protection

Antivirus software is the most widely known product in the category of malware protection products; despite "virus" being in the name, most offerings take on all forms of malware. While high-end security pros dismiss it as obsolete, it's still the backbone of basic anti-malware defense. Today's best antivirus software is from vendors including F-Secure, Kaspersky Lab, Seqrite, Symantec, and Trend Micro.

When it comes to more advanced corporate networks, endpoint security offerings provide defense in depth against malware. They provide not only the signature-based malware detection that you expect from antivirus, but anti-spyware, personal firewall, application control and other styles of host intrusion prevention. CSO offers advice on how to choose an endpoint security offering, and gives an outline of the top vendors, which include BitFinder, Malwarebytes, and Sophos.

How do I know if I've been infected with malware?

It's fully possibleand perhaps even likelythat your system will be infected by malware at some point despite your best efforts. How can you tell for sure? Security expert Roger Grimes has a great guide on telltale signs you've been hacked, which can range from a sudden decline in your computer's performance to unexpected movements of your mouse pointer. He's also written a deep dive into how to diagnose your PC for potential malware that you might find helpful.

When you get to the level of corporate IT, there are also more advanced visibility tools you can use to see what's going on in your networks and detect malware infections. Most forms of malware use the network to either spread or send information back to their controllers, so network traffic contains signals of malware infection that you might otherwise miss; there are a wide range of network monitoring tools out there, with prices ranging from a few dollars to a few thousand. There are also SIEM tools, which evolved from log management programs; these tools analyze logs from various computers and appliances across your infrastructure looking for signs of problems, including malware infection. SIEM vendors range from industry stalwarts like IBM and HP Enterprise to smaller specialists like Splunk and Alien Vault.

Malware removal

How to remove malware once you're infected is in fact the million dollar question. Malware removal is a tricky business, and the method can vary depending on the type you're dealing with. CSO has information on how to remove or otherwise recover from rootkits, ransomware, and cryptojacking. We also have a guide to auditing your Windows registry to figure out how to move forward.

If you're looking for tools for cleansing your system, Tech Radar has a good roundup of free offerings, which contains some familiar names from the antivirus world along with newcomers like Malwarebytes.
Cybersecurity pro Alana Scott was building her skills and her career in the conventional manner: by attending conferences and looking to network.

But she and several colleagues found that they experienced a kind of awkwardness when we tried to find our place in that space.

As she explains: It was not an active, What are you doing here? It was more like they just didnt see you. It was more like no one was engaging with you. No one was saying, How are you? Nice to see you.

Such experiences, Scott says, couldand, indeed havediscouraged people of color from taking part in industry meetings and professional associations, which in turn could impact career growth and future opportunities.

Its a definite roadblock, she says.

Scott, however, wasnt deterred. Instead, she was inspired to team up with newfound cybersecurity colleague Michaela Barnett, who in 2018 had launched a new group for Black cybersecurity workers.

Blacks in Cybersecurity Alana Scott, Director of Operations, Blacks in Cybersecurity

They, along with other early members, saw the group as an informal way to advance Black representation in the profession. We noticed we had to get more people of color at these events, Scott says.

The group quickly grew, with Barnett soon forming it into an official organization, Blacks in Cybersecurity (BIC), which now holds a full range of educational and networking initiatives.

BIC is a community that turned itself into a group, then an organization, and then a conference, says Barnett, BIC founder and CEO. Its a spinning wheel of resources.

We want to get more Black people in cybersecurity

True to its early objective, BIC coalesced around a straightforward and succinct mission: to encourage the participation of the Black community in cybersecurity.

Barnett, Scott, and others say BIC fills a need in a profession where representation continues to lag the general population and has been at times less-than-inviting to people of color.

Indeed, research confirms that Black people remain underrepresented in the cybersecurity profession. A 2018 report by Frost & Sullivan based on the (ISC) Global Information Security Workforce Study finds that in the U.S. 13% of the countrys population is Black, but only 9% of the cybersecurity workforce is Black.

Figures from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics paint an even starker picture, reporting that just 3% of infosec analysts in the United States are Black.

At the same time, Black cybersecurity professionals often encounter a negative work environment. The (ISC) study reported that 32% of cybersecurity professionals of color said they had experienced discrimination in the workplace.

Barnett, who graduated from Delaware State University in 2017 with a bachelors degree in computer science, started BIC to help counteract the impact of the underrepresentation of Blacks in the profession.

Blacks in Cybersecurity Michaela Barnett, CEO, Blacks in Cybersecurity

Like Scott, she had attended a cybersecurity conference early in her careerin fact, just months after her graduation and found it difficult to connect with other attendees.

It wasnt that easy to talk with people who didnt think you could understand [cybersecurity], she remembers.

But she quickly met up with other Black cybersecurity professionals to attend conferences together and to discuss their experiences. The camaraderie inspired her to think bigger. She started arranging professional get-togethers in the Washington, D.C., area, often using the Meetup app to draw in new people.

Building the community

Interest and attendance for the get-togethers grew, Barnett says, and in 2018 she and several others organized a mini-conference that drew some 30 participants to a Maryland public library meeting room for discussions on various cybersecurity topics.

BIC built up its offerings from there, over the months and years, as more Black cybersecurity professionals joined the group. BIC added more events as well as red team and blue team development programs, mentorship programs, a cybersecurity literacy and development program, a speaker development program, and other initiatives aimed at helping members advance their cybersecurity skills and careers.

Garrison Best, who works as a cybersecurity consultant, started with BIC in its early days, back before it even had a name, when it was just a group connecting at area restaurants through Meetup.

Best, who describes himself as gregarious, says he was drawn to the group for its social aspects, the networking opportunities, and its professional focus. He says he also liked the fact that it was a community of Black cybersecurity professionals who could relate to each others shared experiences in the field.

Best notes that at the time he joined BIC he worked at company where he was one of only three people of color in a group of 40. He says BIC gives him and other members the opportunity to advance their own careers while encouraging others to enter the profession.

Encouraging the participation of the Black community in cybersecurity, thats our main goal. We want to get more Black people in cybersecurity, he says. Weve had some pushback, [with some people saying] that this isnt needed, that it could be counterintuitive, and that there were already professional cybersecurity groups. But its not that were trying to have a separate cybersecurity world; rather were trying to make Black people more involved in the profession and up the numbers. Thats why were here, to improve those [diversity] numbers.

Professional and personal payoff

BIC member Christen Madison says he has finds value in being part of the community. Madison, who works in system infrastructure projects, says he is also a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and Blacks in Technology but likes that BIC focuses on cybersecurity, a focus that has allowed him to take part in activities that strengthen him professionally.

Blacks in Cybersecurity Christen Madison, BIC member

Its a lot easier for me to find the training I need, he says.

As such, Madison has participated in classes and red team exercises as well as forums. He points to one forum discussion, where another member sought input on how to limit risk by blocking administrative rights during nonbusiness hours while also allowing emergency administrator access if needed. Others gave their input, allowing the member to craft a policy that he then took back to his company.

Madison says the interaction helped not only that one member score a win at his company but helped everyone in the chat better understand the intersection of security, policy, risk, and execution. That then helped them all perform better in their jobs.

You can talk about defense, threat vectors, policies, and procedures, you can talk about frameworks, Madison says. So now if my boss asks me something, I know exactly what to say to him because Ive already had this conversation.

Madison acknowledges that such interactions happen in other professional cybersecurity organizations, but he says BIC also allows him and other members to discuss issues related to being a person of color.

He recounts one incident where one of his staffers, who was Hispanic, was stopped by security. When Madison asked why, he was told that the worker doesnt look like he belongs here.

Madison says he has had similar experiences, noting that someone once told him that you dont look like someone who would do this kind of work.

Madison has weathered those interactions but says other workers may not be able to move past them and could ultimately, as a result, decide to leave a job or the profession.

BIC, he adds, can help prevent that.

It helps when you see someone who looks like you, who has your background, and can ask them, How did you respond to this? That helps.

Current and future contributions

Under Barnetts leadership, BIC has grown from those early days of informal meetings to a collection of conferences, courses, mentorship programs, a speaker series, study groups and summits as well as a signature capture the flag cybersecurity game. BIC leaders note that the range of initiatives are designed to appeal to and support individuals wherever they are in their cybersecurity career, even if theyre only interested in the field as a hobby.

BIC participants speak of the organization as a community and a family thats focused on empowering Black professionals, raising awareness of opportunities in the cybersecurity profession, highlighting Black contributions to the field, and increasing the representation of Blacks in cybersecurity through education and support.

Best says those elements attracted him to the organization and has kept him interested. I saw that I could be part of something that brings everyone together to learn and network. And I thought: If we do this in DC, what if we could do this on a bigger scale? Thats what made me stay involved and stay a part of it.

BIC has had a village at DEF CON, the well-known hacker conference held annually in Las Vegas; it will have a village again at the 2022 conference this August.

It has an ambassador program that gives interested individuals contacts around the United States as well as in Canada, Europe, and Africa.

Corporate sponsors, along with partnerships and donations, help fund scholarships and vouchers that are awarded to individuals who need help covering costs of courses, certifications, and conference fees.

BIC does not charge membership fees or fees for its programs; its annual BIC WinterCon, held in February to coincide with Black History Month, is the only event for which the organization charges participants.

According to BIC leaders, the organization has about 5,000 members and program participants around the globe, with most based in the United States.

Barnett continues to serve as its CEO, a volunteer nonpaid postas are all the positions within the BIC leadership team. Scott is director of operations, and Best is director of communications. They also hold full-time jobs in the cybersecurity field.
The aim of the prison department is not only to train them but to ensure that the training helps them in making a livelihood once they are released. (Photo by arrangement)

Mangaluru: If everything goes as per plan, Mangaluru Prison will shortly have an outlet to sell the items prepared by the jail inmates.

Following good response from the prison inmates to the skill development program, the Mangaluru Prison officials have decided to write to their higher ups to grant permission to open an outlet outside the prison.

The inmates have started making artificial garlands, growing saplings, and wooden materials.

The District Prison at Mangaluru houses undertrials. Of the 200 plus undertrials, 40 of them have expressed interest in getting themselves involved in skill development works.

The aim of the prison department is not only to train them but to ensure that the training helps them in making a livelihood once they are released.

The inmates have shown interest in learning such skills. In just one days training provided by Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) the inmates have made about 103 artificial garlands in about 15 days, Prison superintendent B T Obaleshappa said.

K Narendra Shenoy from Lamin Frame Gallery gives training on making wooden handicraft items. The handicraft items are easy to make as the inmates just need to arrange them. Retired assistant horticulture officer Jagannath provides training on growing saplings. Apart from saplings of flowering plants, focus is given to growing arecanut sapling as they have good demand in the region.

We teach them how to select arecanut for sapling and how to grow them. Once they are released they can do it independently. Instead of wasting time, they would not only be engaged in some constructive work but also learn for their future, Obaleshappa said.

We will also write to our department for permission to open an outlet near the prison entrance so that the products made in the prison can be sold there. This will be a source of income for the inmates also, he added.
Ever since her daughter, 25-year-old Emily Todd, was killed three years ago, Jennifer Lawlor said shes endured unimaginable grief, that is at times immobilizing.

Todds ex-boyfriend was charged with her murder in December 2018 for allegedly shooting Todd near a Bridgeport boat dock, according to court records. Hes since pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Whats compounded Lawlors pain, she said, was learning that even if her daughters ex-boyfriend is convicted for the murder he will never receive a life sentence.

Thats because, under Connecticut law, only convictions in certain types of murder cases can lead to a life sentence in prison without possibility of parole. The facts around Todds death dont fit the bill.

Now, Lawlor is leading an effort to change state law to make convictions for all domestic violence murders automatically eligible for life sentences, as they are in other parts of the country, and the push has garnered support among some local lawmakers.

Lawlor said she doesnt want other families to experience what she has. She feels as though she, and others who loved Todd, are the ones who will serve a life sentence of sorts, mourning their loss for the rest of their days.

What someone does, when they kill someone, is permanent, Lawlor said. My daughter had at least 60 years left of life, so why wouldnt the person who killed her have at least that in prison?

Under Connecticuts murder with special circumstances law, a person convicted of a capital A felony murder is given a mandatory minimum prison sentence of life without possibility of release under eight certain circumstances.

Those scenarios are if the victim was: a member of law enforcement; under 16 years old; killed during a sexual assault; or kidnapped and killed; or if the person convicted: killed two or more people simultaneously; was hired to commit the murder; was previously convicted of murder; or was serving a life prison sentence.

Convictions for class A felony murders not covered by the special circumstances statute can lead to sentences ranging from 25 years to 60 years in prison, depending on how the case is prosecuted and what a judge accepts as appropriate. Such sentences also do not allow for parole unless the convicted individual was under 18 years old when they committed the crime.

Lawlor and Michele Voight, co-founders of the Victims of Violent Crime advocacy group, are asking legislators to consider revising the law to add domestic violence murders to the list of special circumstances scenarios.

Their effort is part of a broader campaign the duo has led advocating for a reduction in gun violence and seek to lobby legislators to consider victims rights and victims trauma when they craft criminal justice reforms.

Voight and Lawlor said the current law puts greater value on some lives rather than others. Missing from consideration are domestic violence murders, they said.

For me as a mother, to think that age or career should make a difference and that somebodys life is less value in some capacity, its discriminatory, its cruel, Lawlor said.

Connecticut averages 14 intimate partner homicides every year, thats resulted in about 300 such killings over the past two decades.

The issue of domestic violence and what Connecticut should do to better address it has gained lawmakers attention in recent weeks following an investigation by Hearst Connecticut Media that exposed numerous shortcomings.

Lawlor and Voight are looking to tap into that momentum. They said theyve reached out to a slew of legislators on the Judiciary Committee in hopes of their proposal being heard during the upcoming session. Theyve found supporters in the legislature.

These crimes often take place after years of abuse, said State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, a member of the judiciary committee. Adding intimate partner, family, and domestic violence murder to those murder crimes deemed a Class A felony is the right thing to do. It seems an oversight that it hasn't been included already.

The specific language Lawlor and Voight want to see added in its current form reads: murder of a person while committing family violence / domestic violence and the death occurs under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life.

The language is adopted from current law in Minnesota, which considers murder in the first degree to be punishable by life imprisonment if the death was caused while committing domestic abuse, when the perpetrator has engaged in past pattern of domestic abuse upon the victim or upon another family or household member and the death occurs under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life.

Voight said that domestic violence murders are in a special category because typically leading up to a homicide theres already been a pattern of abuse taking place, unseen and unaccounted for through the criminal justic system.

Domestic violence murder fits in with the other types of aggravated circumstances, Voight said. They deserve some special penalty. They are the most heinous of crimes, and we need to give women protection and some acknowledgement that it carries importance, just as much as the life of a police officer.

State Rep. Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, said he has supported the measure in the past.

I know local families who have been impacted by the death of a loved one due to domestic violence," Rep. Harding said. "It is imperative that we in the legislature do everything in our capacity to prevent domestic violence and protect the victims of such acts. This is an important step in addressing this critical issue."

Along with Minnesota, other states have laws on the books similar to what is being proposed for Connecticut.

Washington considers domestic violence and intimate partner killings aggravated first degree murder which carry a minimum life sentence without parole.

North Carolina has a similar law, which was enacted in 2017 in response to the murder of Britny Puryear by her boyfriend Logan McClean, who was sentenced to 32 years in prison.

Before that law change, most domestic violence homicides in North Carolina wound up as second-degree murder cases because the crime was committed during an argument and it was difficult to prove premeditation, according to reporting by local news WRAL-TV in North Carolina.

But the 2017 revision, called Britnys law in honor of Puryear, has allowed prosecutors in North Carolina to use prior domestic violence and stalking convictions as evidence of premeditation, allowing them to pursue first-degree murder charges in domestic abuse cases.

States including Illinois, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania and Kentucky consider murder that occurs when theres a protection order for domestic violence in place to be first degree murder that carries the same minimum sentencing.

A recent Hearst Connecticut Media investigation into intimate partner homicide found that protective orders in Connecticut are frequently violated. The series highlighted several cases in recent years where protective orders were violated at the time of death, including a murder-suicide in West Haven in 2021 and a Bridgeport murder in late 2020.

In 2018, Mateus Nascimento-Dacosta had been arrested multiple times for violating a protective order before he killed 21-year-old Alyssa Guerrero. Guerreros family wanted to see him serve life in prison, the News Times reported.

But, through a plea deal, he avoided a life sentence and was sentenced to 29 years in prison -- 20 for pleading guilty to the manslaughter charge and nine for pleading guilty to violating a protective order.

Lawlor said cases like Guerreros exemplify ways in which the impact on victims, including surviving family members, arent taken into consideration enough by the justice system.

Recent research on co-victims of homicide -- people who have lost a loved one to homicide -- details that co-victims can face a range of psychological issues including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and prolonged complex grief, according to the Center for Victim Research.

That emotional trauma can resurface when the people convicted are up for parole as family members attend hearings and prepare victim impact statements, and when a person is eventually released, according to the center.

I dont ever want to have to tell him (my son) that the person who killed his sister will walk free, Lawlor said. It makes me nauseous. This (law) could cure some of the privilege that some get when they go to sentencing, and my ability to put all this worry on a shelf rather than have it consume my days, it would be a lot easier.

In the case of Todd, Lawlor has fought against plea deals offered, including one that came from Brandon Roberts, the ex-boyfriend who stands accused of Todds murder.

In January 2020, Roberts offered to plead guilty in exchange for a 45 year sentence in prison.

At that hearing, Judge Joan Alexander rejected that offer but also said she did not think Todds familys request for life without parole was appropriate either.

Roberts current plea in the case is not guilty and he is awaiting trial. His lawyer has filed a notice in court saying he intends to cite mental disease or defect and/or extreme emotional disturbance as part of his defense, records show.

The further along I get in our process for criminal justice, the more it debilitates me to have so much uncertainty and to feel like the life of my daughter is being handled like a business deal or a card game, Lawlor said.
An effort to provide a five-day waiver on the 180-day school-year requirement  intended to help districts that canceled classes due to COVID-related staffing shortages and to garner Democratic votes for continuing a limited set of COVID orders first issued by Gov. Ned Lamont  failed largely over opposition from the governors administration.

The waiver was one of the notable changes lawmakers proposed for the 11 orders that Lamont requested be continued. But it was struck from the final bill the House passed late Thursday by a vote of 86-62, with nine Democrats voting with Republicans.

It was something that I felt was important to some colleagues, House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said Friday. But it shows what adult legislators do. You dont vote no because you dont get everything you want.

Ritter had fervently defended the proposal following 11th-hour opposition from the state Department of Education ahead of the House vote. The state education department argued students have already lost enough time in the classroom.

The department is deeply concerned about any proposal that would deprive students of the learning opportunities to which they are entitled; such a proposal is not in the best educational interests of our students and is simply not equitable, Eric Scoville, spokesperson for the department, said in a written statement.

Ritter said the proposal could come up as an individual bill later in the session, which ends May 4.

The reaction is not that people arent willing to entertain it. The feeling is to see how many districts want to avail themselves of it and see where we are in April, Ritter said.

Local school boards wouldve had the option to decide if they want to waive up to five days, and it would not have been mandated.

The waiver was supported by school officials who welcomed the added flexibility as they figure out how to make up lost days due to COVID. The change wouldve only applied to the 2021-22 school year.

Districts, historically, sometimes make up days during April vacation. They try not to have school too late in June because many of their buildings are not air conditioned and its not a productive learning environment, said Patrice McCarthy, deputy director and general counsel for the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, which was in favor of the waiver.

The concern for most school officials now is how to handle masks in schools since that decision is expected to be up to them starting at the end of this month, McCarthy said.

Were hopeful as we move to perhaps not having masks in school that we dont have more closures in the coming weeks, she added.

Ansonia Public Schools were among the hardest hit by staffing shortages during the omicron surge, canceling classes for almost a full week of school.

I didnt say we have four days and were going to Turks and Caicos, Superintendent Joseph DiBacco said in an interview Friday. We got hit disproportionately hard.

DiBacco, who said he asked lawmakers for the waiver, said it was a tough decision. He said he didnt want kids to have less time in the classroom, but hes also worried about their mental health given how taxing the pandemic has been on them, and wanted them to have time to spend with their families before summer programs and other activities start.

The last day of school was supposed to be June 6, but is now June 14 given the four missed days due COVID staffing shortages and two snow days, he said.

Connecticut law allows districts to request permission from the state Board of Education to shorten the school year due to an unavoidable emergency.

Ritter said the thinking is to allow impacted districts like Ansonia to try that avenue first and then come back to the legislature to reintroduce the waiver proposal, if needed.

The feeling was it was too broad when maybe only very few districts actually need it, Ritter said

But DiBacco said its highly unlikely such a request would be granted by the state.

I wouldnt waste my time, he said. Theres never going to be a time when the state Department of Education says kids can go to school less and were OK with that. I would love to know the pass rate on that waiver process.

According to data from the state department of education, the average length of a closure in Connecticut was less than two days, and the last day of school for most districts ranges from May 26 to June 21.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
MADISON  Three town property-related questions will be decided by Madison voters on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

The first, appropriating $15.9 million to renovate the Academy School into a community center; second, appropriating $89.2 million for the proposed School Renewal Plan; and third, sale of the town property located at Island Avenue to OLM Prep for $2.3 million. The town has prepared detailed information on all three proposals at madisonct.org.

Polling sites for both Madison districts will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. District 1 residents vote at Polson Middle School, 302 Green Hill Road. District 2 votes at Brown Intermediate School, 980 Durham Road. Voters should wear masks at the polling locations.

Students will attend school virtually that day.

For more information on the voting process, call the town clerks office at 203-245-5672, or the Registrar of Voters at 203-245-5671. For information on absentee ballots, call the town clerks office at 203-245-5672. A video on the town website (madisonct.org/vote) walks residents through every step of the absentee process.
The first work the Yale Art Gallery and the Yale Center for British Art have ever acquired jointly is a larger than life portrait by Kehinde Wiley, best known outside the art world for his 2018 portrait of former President Barack Obama.

It goes on display Feb. 25, the top draw in a gallery exhibit of 50 works acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, though, Wileys subject is not a president, but of an artist almost as famous as himself.

She is Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, a young British artist short-listed for the Turner Prize who paints fictional portraits of Black people. In Wileys portrait, she is 10-feet tall, depicted as a to-the-manor-born hunter as she cradles a musket while five freshly killed hares lie at her feet.

 Kehinde Wiley/ Courtesy of Sean Kelly, New York

Keely Orgeman, the gallerys associate curator for modern and contemporary art who wrote the proposal to acquire the painting, said she first encountered it in 2019 when it was on temporary display at the Center for British Art in conjunction with an exhibit of Yiadom-Boakyes own work.

I walked over to see the Lynette exhibit and then I walked upstairs to see Wileys portrait of her. It really made a powerful statement, Orgeman said. She is posed with this confident gaze, which is the type you see in grand manner portraits (from the 1700s), but in which Black sitters and certainly not. Black women are featured as main actors, if they appear at all.

Wileys signature work involves substituting Black figures for white figures in historical oil paintings. Wiley said in a previous interview that even when he was at the Yale School of Art he had been drawn into the language and history of power and that Lynettes portrait takes its cues directly from the tradition of British hunting portraits.

Zach Gibson/Getty Images

Orgeman, however, said that with the Lynette portrait Wiley reversed his usual practice of erasing the background of the original portrait while keeping his sitter in the same pose as the original. This time he kept the background and is said to have painted Yiadom-Boakye in the clothes she showed up wearing: boots, a plaid skirt and tunic jacket.

The full title of the painting, done in 2017, is Portrait of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Jacob Morland of Capplethwaite. The original Jacob Morland, painted in 1763 by the British artist George Romney, is in the Tate Museum in London and is very different from Wileys Lynette.

Romneys Jacob is the very embodiment of privilege, a young gentleman in high white stockings, blue britches, brocade coat and tricorn hat. He has a hound at his feet and appears only poised to hunt. Of the two, as Orgeman points out, Lynette is by far the more powerful figure.

The Lynette portrait is part of a so-called Trickster series Wiley did featuring other artists including Kerry James Marshall and Carrie Mae Weems. The portrait is also the first Wiley painting owned by Yale. Orgeman said its price, paid by gift from several sources, cannot be disclosed.

The 50 works in the primary acquisitions are wide ranging, in century and genre. But Orgeman cited two others with special Yale connections. One is Time to Save, a still life by Audrey Flack, a pioneering photorealist who studied with Josef Albers and who remains active.

The other is Solitary Boat in Red and Blue, an oil painting by Ficre Ghebreyesus, who also studied at Yale, but rarely showed his paintings during his lifetime. In the New Haven area he was best known as an owner of Caffe Adulis and the husband of the poet Elizabeth Alexander. He died in 2012 at age 50.

The exhibit will run through June, for more information, visit artgallery.yale.edu.
Contributed / Getty

HARTFORD  Police said they are investigating the non-fatal shooting of a man in his 50s who arrived at a hospital for treatment Sunday morning.

Police said they responded to Hartford Hospital around 9 a.m. on Sunday on a report of a gunshot victim who had arrived for treatment.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  A teenager was treated for a non-life-threatening injury after a shooting at the P.T. Barnum apartments on Friday, according to police officials.

Around 4 p.m. Friday, officers responded to a local hospital for a teen with a gunshot wound to the foot.
Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  A victim of a weekend shooting in the city has been uncooperative with investigators, according to police.

Officers responded to the 200 block of Harriett Street around 8 p.m. Sunday after a ShotSpotter gunfire activation in the area.
A youth identified as Vinayaka from Vaniyambadi of Tamil Nadu was injured when he tried to catch hold of a rushing bull. A few others were also injured. They were rushed to local hospitals for treatment.  Representational image/PTI

TIRUPATI: Tension prevailed at Karlagatta village in Santhipuram mandal of Chittoor district on Sunday as villagers raised a chorus of protest against police intervention to thwart the traditional bull-taming sport  an inferior version of Tamil Nadus Jallikattu.

Defying orders, the villagers of Karlagatta organised the bull-taming sport. It began around 6.30am when a large number of people from the bordering villages of Chittoor and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka converged at the village.

However, a youth identified as Vinayaka from Vaniyambadi of Tamil Nadu was injured when he tried to catch hold of a rushing bull. A few others were also injured. They were rushed to local hospitals for treatment.

A baseless rumour spread that a Tamil Nadu-based youth was killed by a rushing bull. It went viral on social media. The Kuppam rural police rushed to the hospital and made enquiries. They confirmed that the injured youth was responding to treatment in a hospital. Thereafter, cops went to the village and halted the bull-taming sport.

There was no permission for such a show, Kuppam rural CI Suryamohan Rao said.

The police had allowed the holding of the banned sport in the last few years. Police intervention to halt it this time drew protests from the villagers. There was a heated argument between the villagers and the police and a mild cane-charge followed. The police are contemplating registration of cases against the organisers.
When Abound Credit Union first opened its doors in 1950 in Radcliff, Kentucky, its member base could fit in the confines of a small conference room. Back then, the credit unions main goal was to deliver deeply personalized service to its members in-branch.

Fast forward 72 years and Abound is now Kentuckys largest credit union with nearly $2 billion in assets, 18 locations and over 100,000 members across central and southern Kentucky. Though its mission to deliver outstanding member service remains, much has changed about its members preferences  namely, for simpler and more efficient online banking services.
Im not going to talk about COVID in this article. Im tired, real tired, with the phrase these turbulent times that seems to find itself in the first sentence of damn near every article Ive read over the past couple of years. Im not going to bore you with stories of our struggles to maintain staffing or comply with flippity-floppity guidance and regulations  from everybody! Nope! Not going to talk about it.

Instead of all that, I want to talk about something positive. I want to tell you why Frontwave Credit Union has been a member of the Defense Credit Union Council for more than 54 years  and why we find value in what DCUC provides. On the top of that list is what I believe to be DCUCs primary purpose: ADVOCACY.

It was around 16 years ago when the Marine Corps informed us that they were going to start charging Fair Market Value for our leases on the four Southern California Marine Corps installations we serve. At that time, we had three branches and over 30 ATMs on those installations, so this was no small chunk of change.

To help member credit unions continue to provide the best possible service to those who serve, DCUC partnered with NAFCU and leveraged the strength of their vast membership to pursue remedies to the Fair Market Value issue. Their diligence and persistence eventually garnered Department of Defense support for in-kind consideration and, ultimately, the no-cost land lease policy we have today. Frontwave could not have done that alone. Few, if any of us, could have done that alone. We truly are, stronger together.
Dalton, GA (30720)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
A library is, by definition, a collection of materials which people can refer to and borrow. The University of Oregons libraries, however, are much more than this. Across the UOs six library locations, there is something for everyone. In fact, Im willing to bet there are several things for most people.

Lets start with the Knight Library. Located on campus western edge, this is the flagship location of the UO library network. Knight Library has four floors and is chalk full of resources to help students, faculty, staff, community members and public patrons investigate any number of subjects. This main location houses the bulk of the UO Librarys physical collection. There are thousands of books, and that is just one realm of items in the collection. There are also CDs, DVDs, vinyl LPs, government documents, maps, microforms, music and newspapers, to name just a few of the many categories Knight Library contains.

I often find myself on the second floor, browsing the popular reading collection or looking through recent magazine issues. Recently, Ive also been eyeing the librarys physical music collection, which conveniently includes much of Joni Mitchell and Neil Youngs respective catalogs.

The brick and mortar collections are just the beginning of what the UO Libraries grant access to. There is also the Interlibrary Loan system, which allows UO students to check out books hosted at other schools, the Endnote Web citation manager and the librarian curated Research Guides, which are especially useful for specific classwork. There are thousands of resources available through the libraries here at UO, even while those resources exist online or at other sites.

The Knight Library is the meat and potatoes of the collection, though the other library locations are not to be overlooked. The Design Library, with its entrance on the second floor of Lawrence Hall, is nothing short of a serene oasis of information on all things art and architecture. I enjoy sitting in the Design Librarys periodical room, just off the main space.

The John E. Jaqua Law Library, in the law school building on Agate Street, is the hidden gem of the Eugene campus libraries. It is significantly quieter than the other locations and has a very East-Coast-academic feel. On the first floor of the Law Library, the second floor of the building, there are long tables flanked by Aeron chairs  the ergonomically divine corporate world standard. There are also absolutely voluptuous leather armchairs along the perimeter of the space, which are just plain incredible. Or, if you want to work while standing, the rows of low shelves of law volumes on the north end of the work nicely, as theyre at a good height to rest your laptop on.

In regards to STEM-specific libraries, there are the Mathematics Library and the Price Science Commons and Research Library. The former is on the second floor of Fenton Hall, and the latter is beneath Willamette, Klamath, Cascade and Onyx Halls. It might be helpful to note the Math Library offers homework help both in person and on Zoom  hours can be found on the UO Libraries website. The Science Library also has the DeArmond MakerSpace, which the UO Libraries website describes as a DIY space for use by University of Oregon students, staff and faculty from any department. There are a few steps  an orientation and safety procedure  one must complete before being able to access the numerous state-of-the-art tools, including a laser cutter, laser scanners, 3D printers and routers, among many others.

The sixth location is the Portland Library and Learning Commons in the historical White Stag Block building on Couch Street. Even though this location is two hours north, it can be quite convenient for UO students who need to get some work done while in Portland for the weekend, for instance. After all, with a system of libraries this beneficent, the learning truly never stops.
The party workers would visit orphanage homes, hospitals and distribute fruits, on February 16 and participate in blood donation camps at all constituency headquarters. (Twitter)

HYDERABAD: Underlining the service of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao in achieving Telangana and taking it forward towards development, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) working president and information technology minister K. T. Rama Rao called upon the party cadres to celebrate the formers birthday for three days from Tuesday.

Rama Rao asked the activists to do social service at their respective places during the three-day celebrations. He asked them to distribute food among those who were in need at all villages in the state, on the first day of the celebration to be held on February 15.

The party workers would visit orphanage homes, hospitals and distribute fruits, on February 16 and participate in blood donation camps at all constituency headquarters.

On February 17, the party activists would offer all religious prayers and celebrate the Chief Minister's birthday celebrations, he said.
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Britain now faces what might be the most difficult moment of the pandemic. The question is not if it is too soon to lift Covid restrictions but whether we have already left it too late to counter all the catastrophic effects of successive lockdowns.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is absolutely right to declare an end to scaremongering and pointless precautions.

Now the Government has to stand firm against the inevitable protests from those who prefer life under lockdown, in particular the medical scientists with a vested interest in perpetuating the fear.

They are pointing to other countries such as Australia and New Zealand where draconian restrictions are still in force. We have to maintain the courage of our convictions.

Time will prove us right, just as it has when we look back at the dictatorial stance taken by some European countries at the height of Covid. In Portugal, for instance, people were offered 100 euro bribes to inform on their neighbours if they suspected lockdown breaches.

We were able, most of the time, to hang on to our sense of proportion and so we achieved a rather British sort of polite lockdown, not police lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak look at a CT Scanner as they visit the Kent Oncology Centre in Maidstone

Our success in casting off restrictions raised the question this weekend of whether we arrived here by luck or good judgment. In my view it is the latter  the refusal of the Government to take heed of doom-laden predictions from scientists about Omicron proved the right path.

Make no mistake, though: Shutting down the hospitality sector and ordering people to work from home were far less significant in defeating the virus than our outstanding vaccination programme.

It is the triumphant success of the vaccines, implemented with an efficiency that was seen in few other countries worldwide, that puts us in such a strong position to lead the way and reopen for business.

My chief regret is that the scaremongering was so heavy-handed. In Sweden, which sensibly held back from repeated lockdowns, fewer people were so frightened that they stopped seeking medical treatment for other conditions.

As a result, while attendance at Swedish accident and emergency departments fell by 31 per cent, in the UK the decrease was almost double that, at 57 per cent.

As an oncology specialist, I am gravely worried by the steep reduction in cancer diagnoses during the past two years. Latest studies suggest there are an estimated 84,000 people in Britain who have cancer and dont know it, because they havent reported their symptoms.

Some will be staying away from GPs and hospitals, reasoning wrongly that they are safer at home. Others might have tried to book appointments and failed, because the healthcare system is so clogged up.

Waiting lists for all treatments are now longer than at any time in the history of the NHS. Official figures suggest 6million people are in the queue, or about one in nine adults. I fear the real figure is even higher, and could be as many as 10million, because so many people are afraid to report even the most serious symptoms  such as signs of a heart attack.

Because of this, we could be entering the most lethal phase of the pandemic, despite the fact that the virus itself is waning. Two years of fear are beginning to impose a terrible toll.

The best way to save lives now is to break free from all restrictions and spread the news that Covid is largely over thanks in great part to that stupendous success of the vaccine programme.

In February 2021, about one infection in 100 proved fatal. A year later, that figure is 20 times lower, at one in 2,000. There are fewer than 400 people intubated in intensive care, and 91 per cent of the most vulnerable cohort, the over-60s, have been triple jabbed with the vaccine.

Despite this, many scientists are calling for a continuation of Covid restrictions, stoking the furnace of fear that has raged for two years.

Its plain to see how frightened many people still are, because of the number still wearing masks in the street and in cars.

The Government needs instead to focus on repairing the damage. The Institute for Fiscal Studies states that pupils in Britain face losing an average of 40,000 in earnings over their lifetimes  a total of 350billion.

Those losses, I suspect, will hit the youngest and oldest worst, the ones who were just learning to read and the ones who were due to sit exams. But they will also be unfairly spread across social classes.

Children from wealthier homes, who had access to good internet and calm environments for study, will have fared much better than poorer ones in overcrowded, noisy conditions.

We all lived through the same storm, but some of us were in spacious, comfortable boats with plenty of provisions and others were in cramped, little rowing boats.

Now that were getting back on to dry land, any further restrictions would be an unforgivable betrayal of those children.

Theres a tough future facing all of us. We have to get on with it, and ignore the siren voices holding us back.

Karol Sikora is a consultant oncologist and professor of medicine at the University of Buckingham Medical School
Winston Churchill once compared Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin to intruders in a five-star hotel.

Hitler, he said, stormed up to the top floor and kicked down the door to the most expensive suite.

The Soviet dictator took a different tack: he strolled along the corridor trying every door handle. When one door opened, he slipped inside to see what he could steal.

If that analogy is applied to Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is right now hammering his fist on the hotel reception desk with an ugly entourage in tow.

He's telling anyone who will listen that he made his reservation years ago and is demanding the room keys.

It's no good trying to throw him out, because even if he can be made to leave today, he will be back next week or next month. And we know that he is not afraid to use violence.

It is not too late to avert an invasion, to save both Ukraine's independence and the Russian president's face  while not endangering our national interests

Attack

So with the drumbeat of war growing ever louder and Boris Johnson, President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz engaged in a whirlwind of last-ditch efforts to 'bring Russia back from the brink', can anything be done to defuse the situation?

I believe it can. It is not too late to avert an invasion, to save both Ukraine's independence and the Russian president's face  while not endangering our national interests.

The way out is narrow but possible  and we will have to make some concessions.

First, let's look at the grim alternative. The Russian president could order his troops into Ukraine at any moment on several pretexts.

He might pretend some Russian troops massed on the border were acting in self-defence after coming under attack.

The way out is narrow but possible  and we will have to make some concessions. Pictured: Ukrainian President President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meet in Kyiv today

He could claim that he needs to defend Russian speakers in the disputed Donbas region of Ukraine, a minority population who feel increasingly threatened by the rise of Ukrainian nationalism.

Or he could insist that Russia's national security depends on maintaining Ukraine as a buffer zone  and that means sending his forces in to keep Nato tanks and missiles out.

All these rationales for aggression might be lies but are at least plausible enough to give Putin the excuse he wants  if he's prepared to start a war.

And with more than 130,000 troops already deployed, Russian forces could be in Kiev within 48 hours.

But that would come at a huge cost. The West will immediately impose crippling sanctions and Russia will retaliate, for example by withholding grain, as well as gas, and forcing up food and fuel prices even further in the West. Both sides will rearm, the Cold War will intensify. Everyone will be worse off.

First, let's look at the grim alternative. The Russian president could order his troops into Ukraine at any moment on several pretexts

The West has made mistakes, both in the way we have treated Putin's demands and by our willingness to ignore atrocious corruption among Ukraine's oligarchs.

What we have failed to understand is that Russia sees Ukraine not as a separate sovereign state, but as a 'brother nation', bound by blood and history.

Last summer, Putin published an essay insisting that neither Ukraine nor another neighbour, Belarus, should be regarded as foreign countries. The implication is that he sees them as extensions of Russia.

That explains the demand that is top of Moscow's list: an assurance that Ukraine will not be admitted to Nato  which comes with an added complication. Russia has now started to make noises about American anti-ballistic missile bases in Poland and Romania, two countries that are already part of Nato.

To the Americans, these bases are non-negotiable, because of the threat of an attack by Iran. If Tehran launches an intercontinental attack on the U.S., their missiles would probably fly over Romania. Nato's defences are therefore crucial to U.S. security.

The West has made mistakes, both in the way we have treated Putin's demands and by our willingness to ignore atrocious corruption among Ukraine's oligarchs. Pictured: Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu

But Moscow sees it differently. U.S. missiles from these bases might easily rotate towards their direction.

That presents the West with an opportunity. Surely the solution for Nato negotiators is to offer some concessions  perhaps agreeing not to deploy certain missiles in Eastern Europe as part of a binding treaty that requires Russia to commit to guarantees, such as removing some of its own missiles from western Russia.

There is a precedent for this. In 1962, the Soviet Union pushed the world to the edge of war by installing nuclear missiles in Cuba, just a hundred miles from the Florida coastline.

President John F. Kennedy faced down Soviet premier, Nikita Khrushchev, who withdrew his rockets from Cuba after some outdated American ones were removed from U.S. bases in Turkey.

It was a small concession in the scale of things and JFK maintained peace by downplaying the extent of Moscow's humiliation. He told his aides: 'Don't gloat.'

We have to follow that lead. Putin is an aging president who has ruled over Russia since 1999. He has one eye constantly on his legacy. He does not want to be seen as the man who gave up all claims to Ukraine  or who abandoned the Russian speakers there to their fate.

Putin is an aging president who has ruled over Russia since 1999. He has one eye constantly on his legacy. He does not want to be seen as the man who gave up all claims to Ukraine  or who abandoned the Russian speakers there to their fate

Scars

We also have to recognise the anxieties of ordinary Russians. Of course, Nato has no intentions of provoking war with Russia  but both the 19th and 20th centuries saw full-scale European invasions through Ukraine, aimed at Moscow. Both Napoleon in 1812 and Hitler in 1941 failed, but the wars left deep scars in the national psyche.

Our Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has complained that, in our dealings with Moscow, there was a 'whiff of Munich in the air'  by which he referred to the appeasement of World War II. He should know better than to indulge in such rhetoric with Russia.

A peaceful solution might also require Kiev to agree to local self-government in the Donbas region. It will be a bitter pill to swallow, but it might satisfy Russia while leaving Ukraine legally intact and give a beleaguered nation a chance to rebuild its economy.

Because economic issues are fundamentally what matter to ordinary Ukrainians. It is impossible to overstate how wretched, criminal and lawless the Ukrainian economy has become. The only countries which have done as badly are Congo, Yemen and Somalia.

Our Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (pictured) has complained that, in our dealings with Moscow, there was a 'whiff of Munich in the air'  by which he referred to the appeasement of World War II. He should know better than to indulge in such rhetoric with Russia

Corrupt

So much money has been sucked out of the system by successive presidents, cronies and mafia bosses that living standards have flatlined since 1990. In Ukraine, the oligarchs almost literally steal food from the mouths of children.

When Boris Johnson was in Ukraine two weeks ago, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded with our Prime Minister to crack down on stolen Ukrainian funds flowing through London.

That is something we could do to win back trust from people there. Many are asking whether they could be any worse off under Putin's rule.

Shortly before the pandemic, I was at a conference in Crimea where I spoke to teachers whose schools were in towns annexed from Ukraine to Russia. I asked them what the biggest change was. 'We now get paid on time,' they said.

The West has to recognise how wrong we were to shore up Ukraine's successive shaky and corrupt governments at the expense of its people.

At the same time, we have to pander to Putin's ego and let him claim some sort of victory, without betraying Ukraine's essential rights.

That is not appeasement. It's grown-up diplomacy  and right now the only way forward without bloodshed.

The alternative is almost too awful to contemplate.
After years of being fobbed off and lied to, at long last I  and so many others  might finally get the answers we've been denied for decades.

I am one of those betrayed and scapegoated subpostmasters due to give evidence at the long-awaited Post Office inquiry. Yet I'm dreading having to go through my ordeal all over again.

As much as my lawyer might remind me I'm not attending as a criminal, and that my conviction for fraud and false accounting has been overturned, the trauma I carry means I'm still serving a lifetime sentence.

Seema Misra at home in Guildford, Surrey. She writes: 'I'm dreading having to go through my ordeal all over again'

Going back as a witness reminds me of when I walked into my trial at Guildford Crown Court in November 2010  and wasn't allowed out of the same door. Instead I was sent straight to prison.

I was found guilty of theft and false accounting after 74,609 disappeared from the post office accounts in West Byfleet, Surrey, where I was a subpostmistress.

Pregnant, terrified and with a ten-year-old son at home, I was led off in handcuffs and served four of my 15 month sentence. I gave birth two months after my release.

In the eyes of the law I remained a criminal until my conviction was finally overturned at London's High Court last April, by which time my husband Davinder and I had lost our livelihood and had our second home confiscated to pay off the money we had allegedly stolen.

I'd been called a thief by strangers on the street and Davinder attacked because he was my husband.

Forced to move to escape the harassment and unable to work thanks to my 'criminal' record, I was too ashamed to even tell my son's friends' parents my surname, in case they Googled me and discovered my conviction.

I was housebound with anxiety, my family financially crippled. And all this time, the executives who helped cover up the wrongdoing against me and hundreds of others were left to enjoy big salaries and enviable lifestyles.

So yes, I'm angry.

After all this time, nobody has been held accountable.

In the 17 years since this nightmare started, I have received just one bland, copied-and-pasted letter of apology, last May, from Post Office chairman Tim Parker.

Those responsible for this catastrophic miscarriage of justice have always worried more about saving their skins than saying sorry.

Ms Misra, who was jailed for a conviction of theft in 2010, celebrating with her husband Davinder outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London

Not that an apology will redress the wrongs against us.

Those in power need to explain exactly what they knew, and when  and why they withheld the truth for so long, destroying so many lives in doing so.

That's what this inquiry is about. The executives and officials and their legal advisors who turned a blind eye or facilitated this horrific cover-up should be behind bars, like I was.

Of course, this inquiry won't end in prosecutions, but the judge can recommend the authorities investigate  and I hope he does.

Not that I believe the Post Office won't try to delay or confuse the facts again. Even before my 2010 trial, the Post Office had discussed a potential 'bug' in its software  but didn't make their memo available to my solicitor.

When it was revealed in 2019 that software bugs, errors and defects did exist, it emerged key evidence had been withheld and documents shredded.

Trying to drag information out of them has been draining, damaging and financially devastating. Subpostmasters have taken their lives as a result of the smears against them.

So as well as uncovering the truth, this is about finally giving those who lost their livelihoods compensation.

While I welcome a statutory inquiry with the power to call witnesses, it should be expanded to cover the issue of compensation. It should also make sure senior employees of Fujitsu, who developed the faulty software, are called to the inquiry.

Only when I know everything will I be able to put the past behind me. I want to enjoy life again, but until this inquiry gives me the answers I and many others are entitled to, that will be impossible.
South Africa: SA, WHO discuss vaccine production

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the oversight visit by the World Health Organisation as an opportunity to profile the depth of intellectual and technological capacity on the African continent, and the integrity with which, intellectual property is being leveraged to enable vaccine production on the continent.

The President met with World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus,in Cape Town on Friday, to discuss progress in making Africa self-sufficient in the production of COVID-19 vaccines and related treatments.

Dr Ghebreyesus and the Belgian Minister of Development Cooperation Meryame Kitir visited the country on a two-day visit to various vaccine-related sites around Cape Town, hosted by the Department of Science and Innovation, the Department of Health and other partners.

The two-day visit served to showcase South Africas capacity and infrastructure in the development of vaccines for current and potentially new strains of COVID-19, and to highlight how manufacturing in South Africa is a critical contribution to the continents response to COVID-19.

The Director-General paid a visit to President Ramaphosa at the Presidents official residence at Genadendal to engage him in his capacity as the African Union (AU) COVID-19 Champion.

Dr Tedros commended South Africas capability in this regard and welcomed President Ramaphosas continued commitment, as AU COVID-19 Champion, to vaccine equity at the global level, and to securing vaccines for Africa as the continent with the least access to this form of protection, the Presidency said.

The visit by Dr Tedros and Kitir is focused on the mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub and ongoing vaccination initiatives, including the mRNA Hub at Afrigen, genomic sequencing at the Biomedical Research Institute and the fill and finish facility at Biovac.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Ukrainian, U.S. presidents discuss security situation over phone

Xinhua) 08:16, February 14, 2022

Combo photo of U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Xinhua)

Zelensky invited Biden to visit Ukraine "in the coming days."

KIEV, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden held a telephone conversation on Sunday to discuss the security situation around Ukraine, Zelensky's press service said.

Zelensky and Biden have exchanged information and discussed ways of de-escalation, said a statement on the Ukrainian presidential website.

The parties also discussed the issue of increasing Ukraine's financial and energy stability amid the crisis.

Zelensky stressed that Kiev understands all current risks and is ready for "any developments."

The Ukrainian leader thanked Washington for support, saying it contributes to strengthening the capabilities of the Ukrainian army.

Zelensky invited Biden to visit Ukraine "in the coming days," saying that such a visit is crucial to stabilizing the situation.

Zelensky also stressed the importance of providing effective security guarantees for Kiev.

"We are ready to discuss them in different formats," he stressed.

According to a statement by the White House, Biden made clear in the phone conversation that the United States would "respond swiftly and decisively, together with its allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine."

The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to "pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders," the statement added.

Since November, Kiev and some Western countries have accused Russia of assembling heavy troops near the Ukrainian border with a possible intention of "invasion."

Russia denied the accusation, saying that Russia has the right to mobilize troops within its borders to defend its territory as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's activities constitute a threat to Russia's border security.

In recent days, the United States and some other countries have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine, citing increased threats of military action.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Du Mingming)
New Delhi: Taking on the incumbent BJP, the Congress is all set to fight it out in a very close contest in the poll-bound states of Uttarakhand and Goa. Both the states vote in a single phase on Monday. The high-octane campaigns in the two states have poised the match evenly. Regional parties are also trying to make inroads in these states that have traditionally been ruled by the two parties. The Trinamul Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party had an aggressive campaign strategy in Goa. The TMC in Goa managed to pull several candidates from other parties to itself while the AAP is on the poll plank of a corruption-free government. In Uttarakhand, the AAP has been campaigning for the past few months and has attracted leaders from other parties too. AAP chief ministerial candidate Ajay Kothiyal is contesting from Gangotri.

The 70-member Assembly in Uttarakhand has seen a liberal interchange of leaders between the Congress and the BJP. BJP government ministers Harak Singh Rawat and his family and Yashpal Arya and his son are now in the Congress. The Congress former state unit chief Kishore Upadhyay and Mahila Congress state chief Sarita Arya are now in the BJP. In the 70-member Assembly, 36 is the majority mark. There are 22 seats in the Garhwal region, 20 in Kumaon and 28 in the plains, or Maidan. In the 2017 Assembly election, the BJP won 57 seats and the Congress 11. It was the highest number of seats any party won after the states formation.

The key seats include Khatima, Lalkuan, Srinagar, Gangotri, Lansdowne, and Kotdwar. BJPs chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, is standing from Khatima, while Congress Harish Rawat is contesting from Lalkuan. The three repealed farm laws will also be a major factor in the plains as the protests against these laws also took place in this region. In a bid to buttress his commitment to the state, chief minister Pushkar Dhami has announced his plans to implement a uniform civil code if voted to power, to which the Congress has said that he needs sound legal advice. The Congress has promised that if it wins, four lakh youths will get jobs, a gas cylinder will cost less than Rs 500 and five lakh poor households will get Rs 40,000 per year. The election campaign saw high-profile visits from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. Since its inception in 2001, the state has not yet repeated the party in power in any election.

The 40-member Goa Assembly is seeing a multi-cornered contest. The Trinamul Congress and the AAP are also trying their luck in Goa. In the last five years alone, 27 out of 40 state legislators in Goa have switched parties. Party-hopping after the results is a serious concern of the central leaderships of all parties. The main issues in this election include the restart of mining, jobs and boosting tourism. At least six Assembly seats have been affected directly and indirectly by the ban on mining in the state, and the issue may decide the fate of many candidates. CM Pramod Sawants constituency, too, is affected by the issue. The BJP has pledged that it will restart mining within six months of coming to power.

The Congress and the AAP have also promised sustainable mining. The Christian votes in the state have been a challenge for the BJP, especially in the Salcete belt that has eight constituencies and a Christian population of almost 40 per cent. However, the BJP is also giving tickets to influential Christians who have joined the BJP from the Congress. The BJP has given tickets to 12 Christian candidates.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched a scathing attack on the Congress saying that 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 because the Congress did not do anything for 15 years. This claim had been strongly countered by the Congress. Since the Assembly has only 40 members and the winning margins are narrow, almost 10 parties have fielded their candidates, including the MGP, GVP and UGDP. These smaller parties, along with the Independent candidates, will also hold sway in government formation. The result in both states will be announced on March 10.
They were the rock and roll designer denim shorts with purposefully frayed edges that Australians - and celebrities - couldn't get enough of.

One Teaspoon's CEO Liz Roberts was as shocked as everyone else when her 'Bandits' denim received rockstar status a decade ago and allowed the brand to showcase the best of Aussie fashion on a world stage.

'We had already had enormous success here in Australia across our fashion categories, but the take up of the denim started in the US,' Liz told FEMAIL from her home base in Manly.

'The US girl really resonated with the roots of the brand which were firmly sprung from a fun-loving beach culture, a brand born in Sydney's Northern Beaches.

'We had already had enormous success here in Australia across our fashion categories, but the take up of the denim started in the US,' Liz (pictured) told FEMAIL from her home base in Manly

Every celebrity wanted a pair of One Teaspoon denim shorts (pictured: Beyonce, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber)

'But it was more than that, in the sense that the clothing we created emanated from our lives.

'It reflected that transition from the beach to the bar, to parties, to festivals but to business meetings as well. And we needed apparel that would work and transition across those environments.'

Like many brands One Teaspoon's genesis in 2000 came about as a solution to a problem: there just wasn't denim or fashion around that Liz was drawn to already on the market.

'So in essence it wasn't conceptual, it was pragmatic, One Teaspoon solved a problem,' she said.

It would go on to become the go-to denim for celebrities like Beyonce, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Elle McPherson and Sophie Monk, which Liz feels 'incredibly fortunate about' all these years later (Kim Kardashian in One Teaspoon)

'And over time, that solution became entwined with what would become the One Teaspoon ethos - it was rebellion, it was sexy, it was nostalgic, it was definitely fun and wholeheartedly rock 'n' roll.'

It would go on to become the go-to denim for celebrities like Beyonce, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Elle McPherson and Sophie Monk, which Liz feels 'incredibly fortunate about' all these years later.

But she also gets a kick out walking down the Manly Corso and seeing a young woman wearing a pair of Bandits or glancing across a cafe in Sydney and noticing one of her jumpsuits gliding past.

What are Liz's favourite pieces? I personally love the Shabbies, our drawcord waist denim jeans that fit like sweatpants. They're one of our best-selling styles and even more so since Covid - people are really embracing comfort while still wanting to look pulled together - it's about both feeling and looking good. The Saints, our heritage fit slouchy low & distressed boyfriend jeans are another I wear on rotation, perfect to style with a blazer for the office while still feeling relaxed. I'm also a huge fan of our denim-look canvas jumpsuits - the Prophecy jumpsuit for me is in heavy rotation - with long sleeves and a button up collar it's business casual - but you can show a bit of leg at the same time. Because they're breathable & lightweight they're particularly great to throw on during the humid summer months. Advertisement

'We craft our clothing to be worn by empowered women throughout the world, it doesn't matter what's in their bank account, or if they're in Soho or Sydney,' Liz said (Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid pictured)

'We craft our clothing to be worn by empowered women throughout the world, it doesn't matter what's in their bank account, or if they're in Soho or Sydney,' she said.

Over the last two years of the pandemic fashion brands have struggled to keep their businesses afloat, and One Teaspoon has taken home some learnings just the same.

'We're enormously privileged to have the loyal base of customers and fans - we try to reward that loyalty with our Bower VIP club online for example,' Liz said.

'A sign of any healthy business is retention but more so it's an acknowledgment that we're on the right track, that we're doing the right things, that our fanbase continue to support us.'

Last year Liz launches OTS - or One Teaspoon Sport - which although it had been percolating behind the scenes for some time, was accepted by the community at large with enormous gratitude.

'OTS is a natural step in the development of One Teaspoon and it allows us to play in spaces that, while a natural fit for the brand, we wouldn't traditionally have operated in,' Liz said

'OTS is a natural step in the development of One Teaspoon and it allows us to play in spaces that, while a natural fit for the brand, we wouldn't traditionally have operated in,' Liz said.

'So the uptake of OTS has provided us with the opportunity to really take a long look at the enormous possibilities for the brand, and for the almost endless possibilities that we can create and pursue.

'It's sometimes daunting but nevertheless we forge ahead, and we're lucky to have such a strong brand and ethos and an incredible team to ensure the future is as rosy as we want it to be. The next capsule launches in-stores and online in May - so stay tuned!'
An Australian university student has poked fun at how 'easy' the American college system is in comparison to her home town after visiting the country on exchange.

A TikTok user that goes by 'hrikensjsehduje' on the social media app shared a video on Saturday with the simple title of 'Australians going on university exchange and it's the same level of difficulty as Year 8'.

In the video the woman is wearing a sweatshirt and has gaming headphones over her ears. She stares off to the side of the camera and flits her eyes from left to right.

While there was very little context about when she went on her exchange there were plenty of commenters who agreed with the sentiment of her video.

A TikTok user that goes by 'hrikensjsehduje' on the application shared a video on Saturday with the simple title of 'Australians going on university exchange and it's the same level of difficulty as Year 8'

'No I literally got like 98 per cent in all my classes in the US and I had like a 70 average in Australia,' one woman replied.

'It's so true and the fact that they have 'extra credit'... If you fail in Australia there's no extra credit,' said another.

Extra credit typically involves allowing a student to make up for a weak performance in a test or assessment by doing another project, which will ultimately improve their score.

Poll Are American universities 'easier' than those in Australia? Yes No Are American universities 'easier' than those in Australia? Yes 433 votes

No 47 votes Now share your opinion





A third added: 'I remember a uni lecturer telling the American students not to be upset if they don't get above an 85 as it's very different in Australia'.

'In my third year business class I had to make a fact sheet on a country and present the facts to the class with pictures, population and language spoken,' the original poster said, to point out how 'simple' she found it.

'In a first year uni class I learnt what a metaphor was,' she added.

While there is no direct comparison between the two countries there were plenty of commenters who scoffed at the idea that Australia's education system was something to be proud of.

'It's not like Australian schooling is that impressive though. We are far below many countries,' one woman explained.
Television presenter Shelly Horton has shared why her husband gifts her a bouquet of Valentine's Day roses before the big day.

To satisfy her 'overinflated ego', Shelly's husband Darren Robinson always gives her a dozen red roses before February 14 to be to the first one on social media to post about the romantic day.

The 48-year-old from the Gold Coast adores the annual tradition and shared a series of images on Instagram.

Aussie televisions presenter Shelly Horton (pictured, right) has shared why her husband Darren Robinson gives her Valentine's Day roses the day before

To satisfy her 'overinflated ego', Darren always gives her a dozen red roses before February 14 to be to the first one on social media to post about the romantic day

'Our Valentine's Day tradition!' she wrote, adding: 'My hubby always gives me a dozen red roses on the day BEFORE Valentine's Day.

'He knows I like to be first on social media so he feeds my outrageous competitiveness and overinflated ego. And I love it!'

One photo show Darren smiling in the background behind the roses and another depicts a closer look at the gorgeous florals.

Shelly is an Australian journalist, television presenter and MC host.

'He knows I like to be first on social media so he feeds my outrageous competitiveness and overinflated ego. And I love it!' Shelly wrote on Instagram

Shelly is an Australian journalist, television presenter and MC host

Others online adored the idea and said the roses looked 'very beautiful' before sharing what they received for Valentine's Day.

'Your husband is a star!' one woman wrote, another added: 'I went on a hot air balloon ride this morning. So magical. The flowers are beautiful.'

A third added: 'I want to see both of you biting on a rose doing the tango!'

Another woman said she and her husband give Valentine's Day gifts on the 15th to save money.

'We go one the other way. All the acknowledgment on the 14th. Always on the 15th for flowers.when they are cheaper!' she said.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will launch a royal charm offensive in the Caribbean next month in a bid to shore up support for the monarchy in the region.

William, 39, and Kate, 40, will tour the Bahamas, Jamaica and Belize as they move to prevent further nations from removing the Queen , 95, as head of state and become a republic.

The visit - the couple's first major joint overseas tour since before the pandemic - also coincides with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit the Caribbean next month in a royal charm offensive to shore up support for the monarchy in the year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Pictured, the couple in London in December

The couple will spend roughly 12 days in the region and their engagements will have an environmental focus, according to the Daily Telegraph.

It comes after representatives for the Cambridges were spotted in Belize on the paradise island of Ambergris Caye in what locals said was an 'advance party' preparing for a Royal tour in the spring.

The Duke of Cambridge served in Belize, in Central America, with the Welsh Guards.

A source on the island told the Mail On Sunday: 'Their people were very secretive and kept saying this had to be kept very quiet, but on a small island like Ambergris Caye it's impossible to keep anything quiet for very long.

'They were talking about a four-day visit to Belize in March as part of a longer trip to this part of the world. They said William and Kate might visit the Caye and also go to mainland Belize. It's all anyone here is talking about. We are so excited.'

Other stops reportedly include Coral Vita in the Bahamas, a coral farm focused on reef restoration that was last year named one of the five 1 million winners of the Dukes inaugural Earthshot Prize.

William, 39, and Kate, 40, will tour the Bahamas, Jamaica and Belize. Pictured, in the Solomon Islands in 2012

A visit from two of the most glamorous Royals would shore up crucial support for the Monarchy in the region.

In November, Prince Charles visited Barbados for a ceremony to mark its historic decision to remove the Queen as head of state.

Other Commonwealth countries in the region, including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Dominica, already have their own heads of state.

Last year, John Briceno, the Prime Minister of Belize, did not rule out his nation following suit, saying: 'We need to find what fits Belize best.'

The last high-profile Royal visit to Belize - as well as the Bahamas and Jamaica - was made by Prince Harry in 2012 to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

He attended a street party, sampled the local rum and opened a road renamed in his grandmother's honour.

The last high-profile Royal visit to Belize - as well as the Bahamas and Jamaica - was made by Prince Harry in 2012 to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Pictured, Harry in the Bahamas

The Queen is pictured in Belize in 1985. A visit from two of the most glamorous Royals would shore up crucial support for the Monarchy in the region

A decade on, with Harry and Prince Andrew having stepped back from Royal responsibilities, there are far fewer members of the family able to carry out official duties on behalf of the 95-year-old Queen.

'This leaves more work for the Cambridges, and Charles and Camilla,' said a Palace insider.

'You can't underestimate the importance of a visit by Charles, because the heir to the throne will always outrank other senior Royals, but at the same time you can't deny that the Cambridges have a certain stardust.'

A source in Belize said: 'When Barbados declared independence there was a lot of talk in Belize about us going the same way. But we love the Queen.

In November, Prince Charles visited Barbados (above) for a ceremony to mark its historic decision to remove the Queen as head of state

'We have photographs of her in every government building and there is a great deal of affection for her as a person, even if some of the younger generation are leaning away from the Monarchy. William and Kate coming to visit us would be a huge triumph.'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are returning to overseas travel after being largely grounded due to Covid-19. Prince William visited Dubai last week and Kate is jetting off to Copenhagen next week.

Kensington Palace declined to comment to the Daily Telegraph. MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.
A tricky Valentine's Day picture quiz challenging puzzlers to identify classic love songs is sure to put even the biggest music buff to the test.

The say-what-you-see puzzle was created by gift provider Watches2U to celebrate the most romantic day of the year, and includes well-known love songs from popular artists.

The current record to beat is one minute - so, how quickly can you name all 15 songs?

Scroll down for answers

A tricky Valentine's Day picture quiz challenging puzzlers to identify classic love songs is sure to put even the biggest music buff to the test

Some clues are more literal than others, for example a woman greeting someone by waving, or a picture of a certain colour.

Commenting on the brainteaser, Chief Operating Officer Faisal Bhatti said: 'Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your loved ones.

'Sometimes we can take the ones we love for granted, but Valentine's gives us the chance to really make them feel special.'

'That's why we're currently offering an extra 10 per cent off our watches so that you can treat the one you love to something special this Valentine's Day. '

Did YOU manage to spot all the songs? Check your answers here Endless Love - Diana Ross Angels - Robbie Williams Hello - Lionel Richie Think Twice - Celine Dion At Last - Etta James A Million Love Songs - Take That Aint No Sunshine - Bill Withers Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson Cant Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli Kiss From a Rose - Seal Yellow - Coldplay Halo - Beyonce Cant Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley Hero - Mariah Carey Marry You - Bruno Mars Advertisement

Another Valentine's Day themed brainteaser challenging puzzlers to spot a single heart is sure 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.

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

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.

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

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.
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This sweet collection of pictures of love hearts found in nature proves that love really is all around this Valentine's Day.

Budding and professional photographers have captured hearts they've spotted in nature, from a dream-like cloud to the nose of a Dalmatian puppy.

In Bushmills, County Antrim, Jack, Emily and Harry McAuley are marking the second birthday of Be My Valentine, a Jersey calf who was born on Valentine's Day in 2020 with a love heart on its forehead.

Meanwhile, in Hawaii, C.J Kale has also snapped the incredible moment molten lava formed a perfect heart shape as it exploded out of a volcano in Hawaii.

This sweet collection of pictures of love hearts found in nature proves that love really is all around this Valentine's Day. Pictured: Two-year-old Rorschach's owners, from Brisbane, fell in love with the unique marking on the puppy's face

In Bushmills, County Antrim, Jack, Emily and Harry McAuley are marking the second birthday of Be My Valentine, a Jersey calf who was born on Valentine's Day in 2020 with a love heart on its forehead.

Love birds! A duo of swans were caught canoodling and forming a heart shape with their long necks at sunset in Northwich, Cheshire

At less than a week old, the little ewe has captured the hearts of farmer Chloe Athay and her family in Somerset, after being born with the unique black heart emblazoned on her white fleece

This impressive snap was taken by the Kalapana coast of the Big Island of Hawaii the lava flows through lava tubes until it reaches the sea. It then pours into the sea like a fast-moving river of molten rock. The gas and gravity push the lava forward which sometimes causes momentary shapes to form in the lava rivers. This heart lasted less than one second

Canadian wildlife photographer Nancie Wight captured a snap of this waterbuck with a heart-shaped nose looking straight into her camera by a Kenyan lake

The Kameiwa Cave in the Chiba prefecture of Japan wows visitors twice a year when light floods through creating a heart-like vision after it is reflected in the water

In Wiltshire, you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful and aptly named Heart Orchard, located near Huish Hill Earthwork in Oare

Bob Riach snapped this impressive image of a love heart that had been formed in the sky by the Red Arrows. Bob spotted the planes as they trained over their RAF squadrons in Lincolnshire

Love bite? These apples were specially shaped into hearts and squares by the Chinese company Fruit Mould Co to mark the special day

Ingo Gerlach spotted a group of cheetahs spotted in the Masai Mara, Kenya. The cheetahs were spreading the love as they joined their tails to create a love heart shape

Lava you! Don Hurzeler captured this striking heart made of lava in the continuing lava flow of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii while it was still bright and hot

This beautiful photo show mother nature at her most romantic as a volcano in Iceland erupts and creates a heart-shaped cloud of red smoke in the night skies above. The moment was captured by hobby photographer Brice Petit when he was hiking in Iceland

A photographer caught some close-ups of the deadly cobra during a four week trip to India. Nature photographer, Roger Brendhagen, 52, from Oslo, Norway, says he took the photographs to capture the beauty of the beast and so that people can learn something about snakes

These apples would be the perfect Valentines snack as they have been moulded into heart shapes by the Chinese company, Fruit Mould Co

Thailand-based photographer Yam Mo snapped the moment a blue whale blew a rainbow-coloured heart from its blowhole as the water catches the light perfectly

Teddy the Chihuahua, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, has an adorable heart-shaped birthmark within his fur on his back. He couldn't be any cuter

Paul Brown captured an image of this Koi Carp at Shizuoka Zoo in Japan, which has a heart-shaped mark on its mouth. This is very appropriate as the Koi are often regarded as symbols of love in Japan

A fitting cloud for the most romantic city in the world! Thibaut Buccellato captured this sweet picture of a heart-shaped cloud in the city of love, Paris
Princess Yoko of Japan has been hospitalised with pneumonia after testing positive for Covid-19.

The royal, 38, who is the younger daughter of the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Princess Nobuko, complained of a sore throat early last week before testing positive for the virus on Tuesday.

Her late father, who died in 2012, was the first cousin of Emperor Akihito, and although she doesn't have royal duties, she carries out charitable work and appears with the wider family at official events.

According to Town&Country, the royal was given treatment at the Imperial Palace before being transferred to the University of Tokyo Hospital.

It is unknown if the Princess had had her Covid-19 vaccinations. The Imperial Household Agency previously stated it would work with local government and the health ministry to get vaccines, saying: 'We will follow the government's policy and conduct vaccinations for them based on their wishes.'

The news comes as a spate of royals across the world tested positive for the virus, including Prince Charles, Queen Margrethe of Denmark and King Felipe of Spain.

Princess Yoko of Japan, 38, has been hospitalised with pneumonia after testing positive for Covid-19

In her first and only public appearance of this year, the demure Yoko took part in the annual Shinnen Shukuga-no Gi in Tokyo, a reception where the most senior members of the Imperial household ring in the new year in front of illustrious guests (pictured far right)

Princess Yoko's case marks the first in the Japanese royal family.

The 38-year-old has kept a relatively low profile in recent years and serves as the head of Tokyo-based social welfare corporation Yuai Jujikai.

Meanwhile she is also the honorary president of Japan Universal Sound Design Association, a nonprofit organization that helps people with hearing loss.

She last appeared in public for the royal family's traditional New Year's ceremony in Tokyo in January.

The royal, who is the younger daughter of the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, complained of a sore throat last week before testing positive for the virus on Tuesday (pictured far right, with Prince Hitachi, Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Princess Kako of Akishino, Princess Hanako of Hitachi, in 2020)

On New Year's Day, the demure Yoko took part in the annual Shinnen Shukuga-no Gi in Tokyo, a reception where the most senior members of the Imperial household ring in the new year in front of illustrious guests.

Attendees included Naruhito's brother, the Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino, best known as Prince Akishino, his wife Princess Kiko and their daughter and Kako, 27. Their other daughter, Mako, 30, quit royal life last year when she married her commoner university sweetheart, forcing her to renounce her title and duties.

While it is not known if Princess Yoko had received her vaccine, it was announced last year that seven other members of the royal household had been jabbed.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko received Covid-19 vaccinations last June, alongside Prince Hitachi, 85, his wife Princess Hanako, 80, Princess Nobuko, 66, and Princess Hisako, 67.

Meanwhile Emperor Naruhito received his first COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Akasaka Imperial Residence in Tokyos Minato Ward last July, the Imperial Household Agency announced at the time.

It comes days after Buckingham Palace refused to confirm whether the Queen, 95, had tested positive or negative for Covid after it was revealed that she met Prince Charles just two days before he tested positive for the virus.

Palace sources insisted that she was not displaying symptoms, however these usually show a few days after close contact with a Covid positive person- and usually first on tests.

The 38-year-old has kept a relatively low profile in recent years and serves as the head of Tokyo-based social welfare corporation Yuai Jujikai (pictured in 2019)

Current government guidelines say you have to isolate for five days after contact with a Covid positive person, with symptoms typically appearing three to five days after contact.

However, 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.

The news comes as a spate of royals across the world tested positive for the virus, including Prince Charles, Queen Margrethe of Denmark and King Felipe of Spain

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.

Meanwhile the Queen of Denmark and the king of Spain have also both tested positive for the coronavirus.

Denmark's Queen Margrethe, 81, has mild COVID-19 symptoms and has isolated herself in the Copenhagen palace where she lives, the palace said.

Denmark's Queen Margrethe (pictured), 81, has mild COVID-19 symptoms and has isolated herself in the Copenhagen palace where she lives, the palace said last week

Vaccinated Margrethe tested positive for the virus on Tuesday evening and cancelled a planned vacation in Norway that was set to begin Wednesday, the royal household said.

Like Margrethe, Spain's King Felipe VI was vaccinated against the coronavirus. The 54-year-old monarch was tested for the virus after he developed 'mild symptoms' of COVID-19, his royal house said.

Meanwhile, the Spanish royal household said King Felipe's 'overall health' was fine and he will remain in isolation for seven days, following national health protocols.

Like Margrethe, Spain's King Felipe VI (pictured) was vaccinated against the coronavirus. The 54-year-old monarch was tested for the virus after he developed 'mild symptoms' of COVID-19, his royal house said
Burst into rant calling broadcaster 'manipulative' after he questioned his beliefs

Gionet, who was at the Capitol Riots, appeared on Theroux's latest documentary

A far-right live streamer launched a furious rant at Louis Theroux for being 'anti-white', after the journalist asked if he ever questions his actions.

Alt-right media personality Tim Gionet from Florida, uses the pseudonym Baked Alaska to live-stream himself pranking passers-by while playing racist or offensive music, with his audience funding him through donations.

Gionet, who livestreamed footage of himself among other Donald Trump supporters inside the Capitol during riots last year, appeared on the journalist's latest BBC2 series, Forbidden America, which aired last night.

After receiving a comment calling non-white and homosexual people 'subhuman', he told Theroux, 51, that while he doesn't agree with all of his viewers' opinions, he enjoys hearing 'uncensored' views.

Later, when Theroux questioned him on the consequences of his actions, the media personality burst into a furious rant calling the journalist an 'anti-Christian, lying, piece of s***'.

Alt-right media personality Tim Gionet, who uses the pseudonym Baked Alaska to live-stream, bust into a furious rant during an appearance on Louis Theroux's latest BBC2 series, Forbidden America

Alt-right media personality Tim Gionet from Florida, uses the pseudonym Baked Alaska to live-stream himself pranking passers-by while playing racist or offensive music

After receiving a comment calling non-white and homosexual people 'subhuman', he told Theroux, 51, that while he doesn't agree with all of his comments, he enjoys hearing 'uncensored' views

Theroux's latest series explores extreme voices in the US - with the first episode investigating inflammatory figures of the American far right.

He met Gionet in Tampa, Florida, where he demonstrated what a standard live stream looks like, beginning the broadcast by saying: 'Shout out to my right-wing nuts, we're going to have some fun later tonight'.

Despite being banned from YouTube, the vlogger explained that he 'makes new channels all the time' and earns money by filming himself provoking passers-by.

He is spurred on by viewers to play racist or provocative music over a speaker and was seen playing Erika by Herms Niel, a 1930s German marching song.

Despite being banned from YouTube, the vlogger explained that he 'makes new channels all the time' and makes money by filming himself provoking passersby

The journalist met Gionet in Tampa, Florida, where he demonstrated what a standard live stream looks like, beginning the broadcast by saying: 'Shout out to my right-wing nuts, we're going to have some fun later tonight'

The social media personality denied knowing whether the music had any Nazi connotations, instead describing it as 'just a nice German song.'

However he did acknowledge that his viewers enjoy offensive and racist material, saying: 'It's comedy. It's edgy humour, they play whatever they can to make us uncomfortable'.

The journalist quizzed Gionet on his audience, branding them an 'online community of hard right trolls', insisting that a huge part of what he had witnessed was extreme racial content.

'Not everyone is right-wing though?' Louis questioned him, suggesting the majority of his viewers were.

As the vlogger began to defend his audience by claiming not each viewer belongs to the far-right he received a comment from a viewer calling non-white and homosexual people 'subhuman'.

'The fact it's so horrible, does it ever make you think maybe you're doing something wrong?' asked Theroux.

As the night continued the live streamer continued to provoke passersby and receive racist messages from viewers, soon turning his attention on Louis. Pictured, an offensive comment made about Theroux during the livestream

Gionet replied: 'Not really. We're living in a world where you can't hear any of this language. It's all extremely censored, it's all so taboo and so forbidden that some of the stuff I don't like to hear. But for the most part, a lot of it is refreshing'.

As the night continued the live streamer continued to provoke passersby and receive racist messages from viewers, soon turning his attention on Louis.

He told his audience that the journalist had been 'manipulating' him by claiming he wanted to talk about live streaming, but actually wanted to address the issue of race.

The journalist then decided to challenge Gionet about his beliefs by quoting a 2019 video in which he expressed concerns about contributing to toxic far-right internet culture.

Theroux challenged Gionet about his beliefs by quoting a 2019 video in which he expressed concerns about contributing to toxic far-right internet culture

As Theroux continued to question him about the potential consequences of his actions, the vlogger burst into a furious rant, claiming: 'Here you go with the manipulating again'

'I thought you were interested in live streaming; you're just interested in your bullsh*t little agenda', said Gionet in response.

As Theroux continued to question him about the potential consequences of his actions, the vlogger burst into a furious rant, claiming: 'Here you go with the manipulating again.

'You say "Oh it's not a hit piece, I want to know about streaming". You don't give a f*** about streaming. You went straight to trying to label me as white nationalists and all this dumb sh*t, everyone can see through your f*****g gay agenda.

'You're a piece of sh**t dude. I gave you a chance. You're anti-Christian you're anti-white, you're a lying piece of s***'. That's all you do, I tried to give you a chance but you're not a real human being. Why don't you apologise for your f****g ancestors from thousands of years ago because you're white, Louis.

'You're white, why don't you apologise for who you are? Apparently we should feel guilty for being white. We can't have a majority of white people because we'd have a great country with low crime, god forbid that.'

Theroux then questioned Gionet on his comments, pointing out that promoting a sense of white racial loyalty means by definition that he is a white nationalist.

After vehemently denying that he is a white nationalist, Gionet asked the journalist what he thought of him, to which Theroux replied: 'I think you're a talented broadcaster and live streamer.

'But parts of what you do I find deeply poisonous and I think it's anti-semitic, racist and that's what I think.'

'I'm not a white nationalist, he responded. 'You have to get that out of your head. Don't believe the lies.'

Louis Theroux's Forbidden America: Extreme and Online is available on BBC iPlayer
From designer bags to red carpet appearances, budding social climbers are well versed in the sort of status symbols they need to acquire if they want to make a name for themselves in the real world. But how about the metaverse?

Tatler journalist Harriet Kean went on a deep dive to discover exactly what it takes to establish yourself as a social power player in this ever-changing virtual space, from digital designer fashion to a computer generated BFF.

The 'metaverse' is a set of virtual spaces where you can game, work and communicate with other people who aren't in the same physical space as you.

There is not one single platform or product that people use, rather it is a term that applies to a group of digital spaces, activities and transactions that are very much in development.

Tatler's Lady Metaverse. Artwork: George Jasper Stone; 3D Scanning Director: Fred Hair; CAD Designer: Dovydas Pocius; 3D scanning and digitisation: Form Capture

Its proponents compare it to the early days of the world wide web: the broad ideas of what could be achieved were discussed and champions, but it took decades for the full intricacies of the internet to be fully realised.

Yet despite its nascent stage, the metaverse is big news. Celebrities, fashion designers and video game companies have all bought into this vision for our shared virtual future.

Leading the charge are companies like Facebook, now called Meta, which explains the metaverse as a digital space where 'You'll be able to hang out with friends, work, play, learn, shop, create and more.

'It's not necessarily about spending more time online  it's about making the time you do spend online more meaningful.

'Just like the internet, the metaverse exists whether Facebook is there or not. And it won't be built overnight. Many of these products will only be fully realised in the next 10-15 years.'

BUILDING AN AVATAR

An avatar, an icon or figure representing a particular person in a video game, internet forum, or other digital space, is the first way in which people can signal their wealth in the metaverse. Ones like the one above are extremely valuable and sell for millions

An avatar, a broad term that applies to any icon or figure representing a particular person in a video game, internet forum, or other digital space, is the first way in which people can signal their wealth in the metaverse.

Rare avatars can cost millions of pounds and Paris Hilton, Jay-Z and Serena Williams are among the stars who've splashed out on their pricey digital alter-egos.

Kean opted for one based on her own appearance, which was created by scanning and digitalising her body to create a likeness. This was then finessed by a 3D digital artist who highlighted individual features.

The result is a personalised avatar that looks something like a character in a PlayStation or X Box game.

But it is actually 2D, seemingly low-tech avatars which are the most valuable and exclusive in the metaverse.

CryptoPunk is a series of 10,000 individual avatars that have a cartoonish, pixilated appearance.

'If someone has a CryptoPunk as their Twitter handle, I instantly know they're worth a lot,' said Cosmo Lindsay, grandson of Lady Amabel Lindsay. It is comparable to owning a priceless work of art 'or a Rolex or a Lamborghini,' according to Cosmo.

They have sold for as much as 391million, according to Tatler.

DESIGNER CLOTHES

Only some types of avatar can be dressed, but this gives users yet another opportunity to flaunt their wealth. Designers are making purely digital pieces which can be bought and worn in the metaverse. 'Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton have all released digital clothing,' notes Kean. Above, a Google x DressX digital clothing collaboration released last year

Only some types of avatar can be dressed, but this gives users yet another opportunity to flaunt their wealth.

Lady M is 'dressed' in a two-piece by Chanel which is 'scanned' from real life and made into digital fashion for her to wear.

Designers are also making purely digital pieces which can be bought and worn in the metaverse. 'Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton have all released digital clothing,' notes Kean.

'People are spending thousands  sometimes even millions  on virtual couture to hang in their virtual wardrobes (Dolce & Gabbana's digital collection went for nearly 4.2 million at Venice's Alta Moda show in September).'

Digital fashion has been around for over five years, but it's only in the last couple of years that it has really taken off.

In 2019, a translucent computer-generated dress made by 'digital couture' house The Fabricant sold at auction for 7,800, after Canadian tech executive Richard Ma bought it for his wife.

Other companies like Tribute Brand and DressX, which partnered with Google on a range, offer a huge range of digital garments for prices ranging from 20 to 200.

Nike and Gucci are just two of the big name brands that have jumped on the bandwagon.

Some brands and fashion designers claim this is an eco-friendly alternative to the throwaway fashion driven by a social media culture where outfits are worn once and never repeated.

DIGITAL INFLUENCERS AND EVENTS

Metaverse events are populated by avatars belonging to avatars of real-life movers and shakers, as well as influencers who only exist in the digital sphere. Arguably the most famous is Lil Miquela, pictured, who has 3million Instagram followers

This week, the first ever Metaverse Fashion Week is taking place. Last September, the Meta Gala was held at the same time as the Met Gala.

The March issue of Tatler, featuring Emma Roberts, is on sale now

The events are populated by avatars belonging to avatars of real-life movers and shakers, as well as influencers who only exist in the digital sphere.

Arguably the most famous is Lil Miquela, who has 3million Instagram followers.

The social media influencer's on-trend clothes and Princess Leia-style buns have become a familiar sight on social media feeds and the pages of magazines.

As well as being known for her devotion to causes such as abortion rights and Black Lives Matter, which have earned her a place in Time Magazine's list of 25 most influential people on the internet, she's also worked with brands such as Prada and Chanel, which pay good money to have their products adorn her perfect, lithe body.

She can potentially earn up to 6,500 per post on Instagram.

She was created in 2016 by a secretive LA-based company called Brud, which is now estimated to be raking in millions from brands that will pay for its growing range of glamorous avatars to promote their products.

The March issue of Tatler, featuring Emma Roberts, is on sale now
Spending Valentine's Day alone after losing a loved one can be hard - which is why a North Carolina woman is dedicating her Valentine's Day to delivering hundreds of flowers to widows.

Ashley Manning, a florist from Charlotte, won't be celebrating the day of love by having a romantic date night with her husband, but will instead be offering comfort to those who no longer have a husband with whom to celebrate.

With the help of 300 volunteers and thousands of donations, the mother-of-four plans to deliver more than 400 bouquets to women who will be without their significant other today to make the holiday just a bit sweeter.

Ashley Manning, a florist from Charlotte, North Carolina, is spending her Valentine's Day sending hundreds of flowers to widows

For the second year in a row, she has dedicated the holiday to delivering flowers to those who have tragically lost their spouses

With the help of 300 volunteers, Ashley plans to deliver more than 400 flowers to those who will be without their significant other on Monday. Some of the volunteers are pictured

Ashley started her 'Valentines Day Widow Outreach' last year. At first, her goal was to deliver around 25 bouquets, but she ended up raising $6,000 and delivering 121

'This is a really beautiful way to celebrate love on this day to the people in our community,' she told Fox News.

'I think that [widows] are a population thats sometimes forgotten.'

Ashley, who owns a local flower shop called Pretty Things by A.E. Manning, started her 'Valentines Day Widow Outreach' last year.

She shared her idea on Instagram and it instantly became a hit. She told Good Morning America that she received hundreds of dollars in donations and the names of dozens of women who had been nominated by others to receive flowers, all in a matter of hours.

At first, her goal was to deliver around 25 bouquets, but she ended up raising $6,000 and delivering 121 in total - and this year her goal has tripled.

Ashley has estimated that she's spent $14,000 on flowers alone, with each arrangement having between 30 and 35 stems.

She was able to cover the costs through donations, fundraiser events, and help from local businesses - and now, she has raised over $22,000 for this year's drive.

With each bouquet of flowers, she also plans to include a gift bag, which has a small bottle of alcohol and some treats.

Ashley has estimated that she's spending $14,000 on flowers alone, with each arrangement having between 30 and 35 stems

She was able to cover the costs through donations, fundraiser events, and help from local businesses, and now, she has raised over $22,000 for this year's drive

With each bouquet of flowers, she also plans to include a gift bag which has a small bottle of alcohol and some treats

Last year, Ashley brought her kids (pictured) with her to deliver the flowers, and one special moment with a widowed neighbor who broke down in tears was an important lesson for them

'I really do think its important that people know that something like this is just such a bigger effort than one person,' Ashley said.

'I couldnt do it myself. And every $5 donation and every $1,000 donation means a lot.'

She also gushed on Instagram, 'Tens of thousands of flowers purchased with the help of hundreds of generous donors.

Ashley said: 'Thats kind of the most memorable moment for me, was the kids seeing what it meant to that lady.' Her kids are pictured helping out last year

'A community of small businesses each contributing to a greater cause. A day of volunteers - young and old working together to bring joy to women who have lost their spouse.

'Together we will ensure that they feel love on Valentines Day and know that they will never be forgotten.'

Last year, Ashley brought her kids with her to deliver some of the flowers, and one special moment with a widowed neighbor will be something she never forgets.

"[The neighbor] said, "This is just so nice, it just makes me want to cry,"' Ashley recalled. 'And she started to cry and then my 10-year-old son started to cry.

'We stood there and talked to her and she told us that her husband had been gone for so long.

'And she said, "When theyre gone for so long, you forget to be sad on days like this because you forget what it was like to even get things on Valentines Day."'

Ashley, who is a former pharmaceutical sales rep, said her eight-year-old daughter told her she felt 'really good' after the heartwarming interaction and asked her, 'Is this why we do things like this?'

She explained: 'As a parent, that is something that you cant teach - its something that they have to feel on their own.

'Thats kind of the most memorable moment for me, was the kids seeing what it meant to that lady.

'Its our job to show our kids how to be human. And if we all were just a little bit more selfless and thought a little more about other people, I think this would be a whole different world.'

'A day of volunteers - young and old working together to bring joy to women who have lost their spouse,' Ashley (pictured with one of the widows) gushed on Instagram

Since Ashley's touching idea took off, she has made plans to start an official nonprofit organization and wants to inspire others to launch similar programs

Jordan Meggs, whose husband, Daniel, died of colon cancer in 2020, recalled feeling 'so surprised' by Ashley's 'sweet' gesture after receiving a bouquet from her last year.

'I wasnt expecting it, and I was shocked and so surprised by such a sweet thing,' she told GMA.

'Before, I never thought of what widows are doing on Valentines Day, but its just in Ashley to think of others all the time. Its just who she is.'

This year, Jordan is now helping Ashley deliver flowers to other widows, including her mother-in-law, whose husband died unexpectedly last year.

'Shell be totally shocked, and Im sure itll make her happy and make her smile,' Jordan said.

'Like my husband, my mother-in-law loves Valentines Day. She instilled that in my husband, and thats why he made it so special for me throughout the years.'

Since Ashley's touching idea took off, she has made plans to start an official nonprofit organization and wants to inspire others to launch similar programs.

'This is something that just gave me so much joy last year that if I had the energy to do anything, it would be to grow this,' she said.

'I think that its important that we listen to those soft little nudges. Im a Christian and I know that theyre from the Holy Spirit.

'And to see this turn into something like this is just definitely, I think, the Lord letting me know that were doing the right thing.'
The Union Government is compensating AP in many other ways and giving financial assistance on an unprecedented scale, he said. (ANI)

KAKINADA: Rajya Sabha member GVL Narasimha Rao has made it clear that Special Category Status is relevant only to Andhra Pradesh and hence it was deleted from the agenda for the tripartite meeting of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and the Centre on pending matters of bifurcation.

He told the media in Rajamahendravaram on Sunday that there was no intention to first include it on the agenda and then remove it.

It has been deleted as it is not a joint issue between AP and Telangana. Had it remained on the agenda, new complications could have cropped up. Therefore, it was dropped, he said. Narasimha Rao said it was not correct to blow the issue out of proportion.

Special Category Status is no longer in vogue now. The Union Government is compensating AP in many other ways and giving financial assistance on an unprecedented scale, he said.

No other state is getting revenue-deficit funds from the central government. The Centre is paying more attention to developing AP, but the state government not been able to make use of these positives.

He said the Union Government is giving a Rs 22,223 crore subsidy in the name of ration and a Rs 30,000 crore subsidy for the PM Awas Yojana scheme etc. The Centre would develop 8,285km of NH at a cost of Rs 35,000 crore.

However, the state government is not able to pay its share for many of these schemes. The Centre sanctioned the Kotipalli-Narsapur Railway Line with a budget allocation of Rs 2,120 crore and the state government has to pay Rs 220 crore. Of this, so far, the state government could pay only Rs 2 crore, Rao said.

He said that the Union Government sanctioned Rs 3,200 crore for the drinking water scheme. Unless the state government pays its share before March 31, the funds may be diverted to other states.

Rao said the Union Government has earmarked 1 lakh crore of funds as a loan to the state government to complete the several projects, and this is given without any interest. The state government should clear the loan over a period of 50 years.

He said while the YSRC MPs wrote only letters, the BJP MPs, particularly he, often raised the state issues with the central ministers on matters of development of the state.
A cat who went blind after a string of neglect left her living on the streets has found online fame on TikTok.

Moet, an eight-year-old Persian cat, had her eyeballs removed as a kitten after living on the streets of Oman without food, water and a safe place to sleep, which led to the deterioration of her vision.

She was found in a dirty cage and just a litter box to lie on.

She was rescued by a local charity before being adopted just weeks after, by Emily Shotter, 51, from Nottingham, in 2015, who had only popped in to get food supplies for her other cat.

But since being welcomed into a loving home, Moet has found worldwide fame, with her other videos showing her being stroked and leaving gifts for owner Emily, viewed millions of times.

Moet, an eight-year-old Persian cat, pictured, had her eyeballs removed as a kitten after living on the streets of Oman without food, water and a safe place to sleep, which led to the deterioration of her vision

But since being welcomed into a loving home with Emily Shotter, 51, Moet has found worldwide fame, with her other videos showing her being stroked and leaving gifts for owner Emily, viewed millions of times

After sharing clips of Moet on TikTok, the moggy went viral thanks to her trademark squeaky meow.

In her most recent video, the pet is seen walking about the flat at 3am while softly wailing.

With Moet routinely waking her up in the middle of the night, Emily decided to film the white furry moggy earlier this week before uploading it online with the Titanic film soundtrack.

The clip was viewed 17 million times and racked up 2.9 million likes.

The eight-year-old cat was adopted just weeks after, by Emily Shotter, 51, from Nottingham, in 2015, who had only popped in to get food supplies for her other cat

After sharing clips of Moet on TikTok, the moggy went viral thanks to her trademark squeaky meow and cute quirks like lying in her mother's fruit bowl

One user commented: 'This is the cutest thing in the whole world.'

'Omg I'm sobbing. This baby is beautiful. I'd give her my eyes in a heartbeat,' said another viewer.

'I'm not emotionally stable for this,' said one person.

Another viewer added: 'Omg I would never put this kitty down...I got emotional just watching.'

Someone else said: 'My heart it's BROKEN I wish I could give my eyes to your baby so bad. I am actually crying mine out rn so you can have them ok? ILY [I love you]'.

Pictured catching her prey even without sight on her side, Moet has gone on to find internet stardom with 636,000 followers on TikTok

In her most recent video, the pet is seen walking about the flat at 3am while softly wailing. With Moet routinely waking her up in the middle of the night, Emily decided to film the white furry moggy earlier this week before uploading it online with the Titanic film soundtrack

Moet has gone on to find internet stardom with 636,000 followers on TikTok.

Owner Emily explained that she had been looking for a companion for her other cat who she had also rescued, when she met Persian kitty Moet.

'I was very hesitant at first, but they persuaded me to "just come and see her",' she explained.

'It surprised me how confidently she was walking around the room at the vets.

Owner Emily explained that when she went into the local charity to pick up some supplies, but happened to have been looking for a companion for her other cat who she had also rescued, when she met Persian kitty Moet

Emily, 51, said it 'surprised' her how confidently Moet was walking around the room at the vets

'I had no idea what to expect from a blind cat but thought they'd be unable to navigate their surroundings and be withdrawn and subdued. How wrong I was!

'When I went over to her she purred like crazy and when I stroked her, she rolled over for belly-rubs. I was sold.'

Since owning Moet, who lives with three other rescue cats, Emily claims there isn't much difference to owning a blind cat, and has called on others to open their eyes to adoption.

The eight-year-old pet also has an online store which donates 100% of the profits to Omani Paws, who work to help rescue animals, as there is no animal welfare legislation in Oman, no government funding or support.

The owner from Nottingham said: 'I had no idea what to expect from a blind cat but thought they'd be unable to navigate their surroundings and be withdrawn and subdued. How wrong I was!'

Moet is said to get bored easily as she can't see so requires lots of playing and 'environmental enrichment' in order to keep her entertained

Emily added: 'Moet is a very sweet girl but I guess because she can't see, she gets bored easily, so lots of playing and environmental enrichment is important.

'She wakes me up very early and then sleeps for several hours during the day, but she lets me know when she's hungry or bored.

'Moet also definitely has a sassy side. But it's amazing how easy they can be to care for and what wonderful loving family members they become.

'It also teaches you a lot about how amazing they are and about being selfless in caring for a 'differently abled' animal.

Moet also has an online store which donates 100% of the profits to Omani Paws who work to help rescue animals, as there is no animal welfare legislation in Oman

'Moet's voice on social media is important to us. Not only to show how amazing blind cats are, in the hope that more get adopted, but also to show the plight of animals in Oman and to help other animals in need.'

Emily is now working with animal rescue charity to help raise funds.

She said: 'I volunteer at Omani Paws, who work to help rescue animals.

'But with no animal welfare legislation in Oman and no government funding or support, it's very difficult.

'So Moet's online store donates 100% of profits to the group and I also do what I can to donate items to sell or raise funds.'
She's most known in the US as the creator of the iconic bathing suit dress but PatBO designer Patricia Bonaldi's talents extend far beyond resort wear.

'In Brazil I'm known for my embroidery and couture, she told the Daily Mail backstage at New York Fashion Week. 'But I've been waiting to show that side of myself here.'

Fortunately for PatBO fanatics, the time in now! For her fall/winter 22 collection Patricia took inspiration from her original couture evening wear designs.

Her latest offerings pay homage to both the craftsmanship and the over-the-top early aughts styles.

PatBO's opening look consisted of a jaw-dropping sheer tulle bodysuit encrusted with hand-sewn crystals (that took more than three weeks to create) styled with an oversized velvet wrap coat

'In Brazil I'm known for my embroidery and couture, she told the Daily Mail backstage at New York Fashion Week. 'But I've been waiting to show that side of myself here'

Patricia Bonaldi's latest offerings pay homage to both the craftsmanship and the over-the-top early aughts styles

Familiar PatBO shapes were given sexier (if you can believe it!) updates this season with dropped-waists and low-slung skirts

Patricia's second ever runway show in New York was held in the marble-lined atrium of New Yorks historic Surrogates Court.

The historic building sits at the northwest corner of Chambers and Centre Streets in the Civic Center of Manhattan in New York City.

Completed in 1907, it was designed in the Beaux Arts style, a dominant type of architecture in the United States between the late 19th century and early 20th century, influenced by classical and opulent Roman and Greek decorative elements.

Her second ever runway show in New York was held in the marble-lined atrium of New Yorks historic Surrogates Court.

The collection is a celebration of craftsmanship honoring the talented artisans from Bonaldis hometown of Uberlandia, Brazil, that are responsible for all the embroidery work

'I want women to feel like they are putting on a piece of jewelry when they wear this collection,' says Bonaldi.

'I want women to feel like they are putting on a piece of jewelry when they wear this collection,' says Bonaldi.

'Time is the most precious thing in life so, to me, being able to wear something that was made by hand and took considerable time to make is a beautiful experience'

The show started off with a bang.

The opening look consisted of a jaw-dropping sheer tulle bodysuit encrusted with hand-sewn crystals (that took more than three weeks to create) styled with an oversized velvet wrap coat .

Insanely intricate beadwork by talented artisans from Bonaldis hometown of Uberlandia, Brazil, is the overarching theme of the collection and can be seen throughout - clustered on gowns, dangling from puffer coats, or in the form of fringe.

'I want women to feel like they are putting on a piece of jewelry when they wear this collection,' says Bonaldi.

'Time is the most precious thing in life so, to me, being able to wear something that was made by hand and took considerable time to make is a beautiful experience.'

While the collection was inspired by her past, it is also an evolution for the brand here in the United States

In addition to heavily beaded gowns, bejeweled parkas and embellished bomber jackets had the room buzzing with excitement

While the collection was inspired by her past, it is also an evolution for the brand here in the United States.

Familiar PatBO shapes were given sexier (if you can believe it!) updates this season with dropped-waists and low-slung skirts.

In addition to heavily beaded gowns, unexpected bejeweled parkas and embellished bomber jackets had the room buzzing with excitement.

For the first time, PatBO debuted hair accessories  hand-beaded headbands, pearl-embellished bobby pins, and printed silk scarves.

All handmade in Bonaldis hometown in Brazil and produced in partnership with TRESemme.
Many people will gift champagne and chocolate to loved ones today as a sweet gift to celebrate Valentine's.

But the combination of the two treats should never be paired together, a leading sommelier has warned.

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, Sandia Chang, Sommelier, founder of online fine winery the Bubbleshop and co-founder of two Michelin-starred Kitchen Table in London explained that the bitterness of chocolate 'confuses' the acidity of champagne meaning you lose the flavour of both.

Instead she suggests pairing fizz with oysters or truffle popcorn, and if you want to give your loved one chocolate go for a sweeter fortified wine instead.

Many people will gift champagne and chocolate to loved ones today as a sweet gift to celebrate Valentine's. But the combination of the two treats should never be paired together, a leading sommelier has warned (stock image)

'I find that the bitterness in chocolate really confuses the taste of wine and especially champagne, which has a higher acidity,' she explained.

'A better pairing for Valentine's Day would be champagne and oysters because the minerality in the oysters matches really well with the chalky notes of champagne.

'If you're opting for lobster or seafood then a fuller bodied champagne, such as Olivier Horiot, 5 Sens, Extra Brut, is the perfect accompaniment.

The best aphrodisiac dishes and pairings for Valentine's Chanel Owen, Sommelier at London's Michelin starred Pied a Terre said: 'Salt reacts much better with wine [than sugar]- the combination of flavours are very acute. 'It diminishes floral and fruity elements and an oaked white like Pouilly Fume or aged Sancerre doubles down on the creaminess of seafood and other salty dishes so pair these with caviar, oysters, olives or hard cheeses. 'Curries and spice are a known aphrodisiac. 'Spice inflames the texture, acidity and tanning in the wines whether its coming from ginger, aromatics or harsher flavours so avoid dry wines and opt for aromatic grapes like Beaujolais, GSM South Australian blends or Fruity styles of Pinot Noir such as Californian.' Advertisement

Sandia added that oysters are great for Valentine's Day because they're an 'aphrodisiac' and the 'perfect champagne accompaniment'.

If you're instead opting for have steak for Valentine's Day dinner, Sandia suggests 'Rose champagne rather than a classic glass of red'.

'Skin macerated rose champagne has a great amount of structure and tannins as well as being a bit lighter and more refreshing than red wine,' she explained.

And if you want to stick to chocolate for your Valentine's fare opt for a sweet wine to go with it.

'I tend to go for richer sweet wines such as Recioto della Valpolicella or a fortified wine such as a madiera,' Sandia explained.

'White chocolate, however, actually goes well with champagne. I would pair white chocolate with a full bodied, oaky style champagne.

'Or pair champagne with something simple such as truffle popcorn, crisps, charcuterie and cheese.

'I don't think there is any other gift pairings that are totally wrong.

'But things that you wouldn't expect to go with champagne are junk food dishes like pizza and fried chicken.

'A romantic night can be as simple as sharing a bottle of Champagne and a pizza'.
The former head of the Food and Drug Administration has said he fears that Pfizer's decision to delay its FDA application to vaccinate children aged under five may confuse and alienate parents.

Scott Gottlieb, who has also called on the CDC to relax its national indoor mask guidelines, appeared on CNBC's Squawk Box on Monday.

Gottlieb, who ran the FDA from 2017 to 2019, was speaking after the federal agency revealed on Friday that the application for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be used in children aged six months to four years old had been delayed.

He said that while it is 'appropriate for the FDA to be very cautious when you're dealing with a young child', that going 'back and forth' can make people lose interest.

'I do worry though, when you have a process that has seemed to deviate over the course of time, as this one has and also the boosters have, is that people lose interest,' he said on Monday.

The former head of the Food and Drug Administration has said he fears that Pfizer's decision to delay its FDA application to vaccinate children aged under five may confuse and alienate parents

Scott Gottlieb, who has also called on the CDC to relax its national indoor mask guidelines, appeared on CNBC's Squawk Box on Monday

'If you look at the boosters, the way the federal government came out at first and said 'No we don't need boosters under any circumstances,' and then within three months, it was effectively pleading with people to 'Go out and get boosters,' - it's very hard to make that pivot.'

'It's very hard to ask consumers to make that kind of pivot. When you go back and forth on these things, people tend to get confused or lose interest and I fear that could happen in this case.'

Pfizer submitted the emergency use authorization application on February 1. It included data from the first two doses of the three-dose vaccine set to be used in younger children. A FDA advisory committee panel meeting to discuss the merits of the approval was scheduled for February 15.

Data for a third shot was supposed to come in later, and the New York City based company planned to apply for authorization for the third shot at another time.

The FDA said Friday it was notified by Pfizer that the company had new data regarding the shot that was worthy of being included in the decision making process.

Pfizer has delayed its application for its COVID-19 vaccine to be used in children aged six months to 5 years old (file photo)

As a result, the February 15 meeting has been pushed back to an unknown date.

Meanwhile, Gottlieb has also called on the CDC to change its national guidance on masks, which he believes is too broad.

He said that the CDC had attempted to set a 'national standard', but that didn't match the diverse rates of infection across the US.

He is calling on the agency to allow communities to make their own mask recommendations based on the local infection rates.

'That's probably where they should have been all along,' he said on Face the Nation. 'I think they're going to make that adaptation because there clearly are parts of the country where prevalence is low enough now and heading in a positive direction that they can start lifting this mitigation.'

States have begun to lift their mandates across the US, including the governors of Democratic blue states such as Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon. Others, like New York, have lifted their indoor mask mandates but have insisted on keeping them in schools for now.

The CDC is working to review and potentially update its mask guidance but currently, it still recommends wearing masks in areas with 'high' or 'substantial' Covid-19 infection rates, about 99% of US counties.

The US will be the only country in the world to vaccinate children as young as six months, if Pfizer goes ahead with its application and it is approved by the FDA.

Unlike the two-dose shot used for people aged five and older, Pfizer's shot for children aged six months to five years old is three shots.

The jab is significantly smaller as well, only three micrograms, compared to a ten microgram shot for children five to 12 and a 30 microgram shot for people 12 and up.

Pfizer initially only planned to have the two smaller doses for young children, though plans had to be changed in December after children aged three and four showed little antibody response to the first two, smaller, shots.

The FDA reportedly asked Pfizer to submit its application at the start of the month, citing a rise in pediatric Covid cases during the Omicron surge.

Trials for the third shot were not yet completed yet, though, so the first application only included the first two jabs - with a third to come later.

'Given the recent omicron surge and the notable increase in hospitalizations in the youngest children to their highest levels during the pandemic so far, we felt it was our responsibility as a public health agency to act with urgency and consider all available options, including requesting that the company provide us with initial data on two doses from its ongoing study,' the agency wrote in a statement.

'The goal was to understand if two doses would provide sufficient protection to move forward with authorizing the use of the vaccine in this age group.'

Not all experts agree the shot is necessary, though.

Dr Cody Meissner, the chief of pediatrics at Tufts Children's Hospital in Boston and a member of the VRBPAC, doubted whether the vaccine is needed for group which already suffers such low risk of hospitalization or death from Covid.

'I think we're rethinking the way we looked at this question, because even though people are appropriately vaccinated they are still able to become infected and transmit the virus to susceptible people around them,' Meissner told DailyMail.com on February 1.

'So this is a little bit different than many other infectious diseases such as measles, or mumps, or rubella. If you're protected from infection with the vaccine, then you're not going to transmit it to other people.'

'But that's not the same setting with [this virus].'

He noted that deaths among young children from Covid have remained very low. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young children make up less than 0.1 percent of Covid deaths in America.

A new time for the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) meeting has not yet been scheduled.

A statement from the FDA said that new data from Pfizer's emergency use authorization request, as well as the agency's preliminary assessment, that 'we believe additional information regarding the ongoing evaluation of a third dose should be considered as part of our decision-making for potential authorization.'
Half the population will experience it, yet as millions of women across the UK know all too well, the menopause is often regarded even by doctors as something they must endure  with many struggling to get treatment.

Up to 80 per cent of women suffer with symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats, studies suggest, while a quarter endure anxiety, 'brain fog' and memory problems that impact all areas of their lives.

Yet there is a treatment that can help: hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

It could soon be something women can buy in their local pharmacy, with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency announcing a plan to declassify a form of HRT (a topical oestrogen cream) so it can be sold over the counter in pharmacies.

Gina, also known as Vagifem, is currently available only on prescription.

It's a small step, and a final decision hasn't yet been made, but it's been welcomed by campaigners who believe HRT should be more easily available to the estimated 13 million women in the UK in the perimenopause (the lead up to the menopause) or who are post-menopausal.

Half the population will experience it, yet as millions of women across the UK know all too well, the menopause is often regarded even by doctors as something they must endure. (Stock image)

In another step to make it easier for women to access HRT, the Government announced last October it would reduce prescription charges for HRT in England so women would pay a one-off annual charge. In some parts of the UK only one in ten menopausal women takes HRT.

Of course, not all women need  or want  HRT, but those who do need consistent advice and access to it. The difficulty is that some healthcare workers may lack the confidence to know when and how to prescribe it, partly because of uncertainty about its overall safety thanks to previous scares.

Others simply don't have the training needed to make informed decisions, says Dr Heather Currie, a gynaecologist and former chair of the British Menopause Society (BMS). A recent report found that 41 per cent of UK medical schools don't have menopause training on the curriculum. A survey of 5,000 women revealed 18 per cent had visited their doctor more than six times before getting help.

And yet there are also many women who are not convinced that HRT is a reliable and safe option for them.

For while National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, published in 2015, states that HRT is 'a highly effective treatment for menopausal symptoms', only one million women in the UK take it.

Women are still turning away from HRT because of mixed messages about its safety (see panel, right), explains Tim Hillard, a consultant gynaecologist based at Poole Hospital, who sits on the BMS board.

Studies have since shown that health concerns were exaggerated. Dr Hillard adds: 'The main message is that for most women, HRT is a reliable and safe treatment for menopause symptoms, with many other potential health benefits. It's always a balance of benefits and risks when choosing a treatment.'

Q: WHEN WILL THE MENOPAUSE HIT AND SHOULD I TAKE HRT?

A: The menopause marks the end of a woman's fertile life when periods stop. Typically around the age of 51, the ovaries stop producing oestrogen  as well as progesterone and testosterone  and no longer release an egg every month.

These hormones have a protective effect on the heart and bones  as well as the skin and other tissues. (The 'menopause' refers to the time 12 months after a woman's last period, although many use the term to refer to the transition to that point, which can last up to ten years.)

'The menopause is a time when the ovaries stop producing sex hormones and the ageing process accelerates,' explains Dr Ali Kubba, a senior consultant in gynaecology at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, and vice-president of the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health.

The menopause marks the end of a woman's fertile life when periods stop. (Stock image)

'This matters because oestrogen affects every part of your body.'

Around eight in ten women experience symptoms that can include hot flushes, vaginal dryness, bone loss, a reduction in sex drive, anxiety and depression, and around a third of women have 'very severe' symptoms which can last for months or years, adds Mike Bowen, a consultant gynaecologist based in South Wales and Harley Street.

HRT replaces the body's declining hormones to ease these symptoms. It is usually a combination of oestrogen and progesterone taken as a daily tablet but can also be taken as patches, gels, sprays, pessaries and implants.

For those women who no longer have a womb, only oestrogen is needed because progesterone protects the lining of the womb from thickening and potentially becoming cancerous.

Q: HOW DO I KNOW IT'S THE MENOPAUSE?

A: The menopause is usually preceded by several years when periods become more erratic and may become heavier or lighter. This time is called the perimenopause.

Tell-tale symptoms such as hot flushes that occur during this time are probably caused by declining hormone levels but may also be linked with other health problems which can be confusing.

'In some cases, the only way to be sure that it is the menopause and not something else is to take a hormone blood test,' says Mr Bowen.

Q: CAN I BE TESTED FOR THE MENOPAUSE?

A: There is a blood test that can help to identify menopause by measuring levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the main type of oestrogen (there are three forms) called estradiol  your FSH levels will be higher and estradiol lower in menopause.

'If you're under 40 or have other medical conditions, you may be asked to have blood tests to check your hormone levels,' says Kathy Abernethy, director of menopause at health consultancy firm Peppy Health and former chair of the British Menopause Society.

There is a blood test that can help to identify menopause by measuring levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the main type of oestrogen (there are three forms) called estradiol. (Stock image)

However, for most women over 45 with symptoms, blood tests won't be needed, according to the NHS  speeding up getting access to HRT. Most often, you will get a prescription of a form of HRT to try for at least three months, when it will be reassessed.

You should not be offered the FSH test if you are taking a contraceptive containing oestrogen and progestogen or high-dose progestogen because that changes your natural FSH levels.

However, women who go privately may be offered blood tests to check levels of different hormones for tailoring treatment.

Some clinics offer so-called 'compounded bioidentical HRT' which is not regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), 'but claims to be more tailored to individual need', says Ms Abernethy.

'They usually ask for blood tests to determine hormone levels to create your prescription.'

Q: WHERE CAN I GET HRT?

A: HRT is available only on prescription from a doctor and is available from the NHS and private providers.

This could change if the MHRA decides to declassify Gina, a topical oestrogen cream that helps relieve vaginal dryness  it could then be sold over the counter. There is currently a consultation open to all doctors and pharmacists to decide whether to take this step.

'It is not a good idea to buy HRT on the internet since you should take it under supervision from a medical professional as it can have side-effects,' says Sid Dajani, a pharmacist in Bishopstoke, near Southampton. 'In some cases, it may even be fake.'

'You should also be assessed by a medical professional to find the best type of HRT for your needs.'

Q: WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO TAKE HRT?

A: The conventional approach is that for women who are healthy, a normal weight and do not have other risk factors, tablets containing progesterone and oestrogen are the most convenient and effective way to take HRT.

However, for women who are overweight or obese, or for those who smoke or drink alcohol above recommended levels, it is considered better to take oestrogen as a cream, gel or spray.

This is because the oestrogen goes directly into the bloodstream, rather than passing through the gut and the liver where it can have a wide systemic effect.

Tablets containing progesterone and oestrogen are the most convenient and effective way to take HRT. (Stock image)

Mr Bowen says: 'Anything taken by mouth in a tablet form that passes through the liver may potentially increase the risk of developing blood clots, so women at greater risk may decide to use patches or gels instead, which deliver the hormone through the skin.'

For this reason women without risk factors and their doctors are increasingly choosing these forms of HRT rather than taking it orally, says Dr Heather Currie, a gynaecologist and former chair of the British Menopause Society.

Oestrogen is available in gel, patch, cream and spray forms or as a vaginal pessary.

Progesterone  which is always taken with oestrogen  can be taken as a pessary, implant or a tablet.

Testosterone, which is prescribed to some women for low libido, should always be taken in a very low dose as a gel. As Kathy Abernethy explains: 'NICE says you can prescribe it as an adjunct to women when normal HRT is not enough.'

Q: WILL IT AFFECT MY OTHER MEDICATION?

A: Different types of medication may make HRT less effective, and in a few cases can be dangerous.

'Modafinil, for example, which reduces extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea  periods of stopped breathing during the night  may interfere with oestrogen levels so shouldn't be prescribed alongside HRT tablets,' explains Sid Dajani.

Different types of medication may make HRT less effective, and in a few cases can be dangerous. (Stock image)

'St John's Wort, a herbal food supplement, may cause your body to process oestrogen or contraceptives more quickly and make HRT less effective,' he adds.

And HRT may interfere with raloxifene (brand name Evista, among others), which is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and those taking steroids.

Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

A: If you get HRT on the NHS, you will need to pay for your prescription, which is 9.35.

Private consultations for HRT can cost 200 or more, plus private prescription charges which may be 70 or more a month. (Stock image)

However, it may involve two prescriptions if your HRT contains both progesterone and oestrogen, but this should change soon as the Government has pledged that all women taking HRT will need to pay only one prescription charge per year.

Private consultations for HRT can cost 200 or more, plus private prescription charges which may be 70 or more a month.

Q: I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS; SHOULD I TAKE HRT AS A PREVENTATIVE?

A: Apart from tackling menopause symptoms, HRT has been linked to positive health benefits, including stronger bones  reducing the risk of osteoporosis and improving bone density. Studies show that oestrogen promotes the activity of osteoblasts, the cells that produce bone. When oestrogen levels drop during menopause, the osteoblasts aren't able to effectively produce bone.

HRT can also protect against heart disease, particularly among women who start taking it take under the age of 60.

The large California Teachers Study, which followed 71,237 women in the U.S. from 1995 to 2004, found that women on combined HRT were 16 per cent less likely to die from heart disease than women who didn't use HRT. Those who were aged 60 and younger while taking combined HRT had a 62 per cent risk reduction compared with non-users of a similar age.

Q: WHAT ARE THE SIDEEFFECTS OF HRT?

A: HRT hormones can cause fluid retention, bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, headaches, low mood and vaginal bleeding, which are usually temporary but can last months.

HRT has been linked with a very slightly higher risk of breast cancer  but only while you are taking it. (Stock image)

HRT has been linked with a very slightly higher risk of breast cancer  but only while you are taking it and this should be balanced against the benefits.

Many women believe taking HRT will make them put on weight, but Mr Bowen says weight gain is not linked to HRT. 'In fact, it may help minimise the shift from gynoid [typically female] to android [typically male] fat distribution.'

Q: HOW LONG CAN I TAKE HRT?

A: Many women can successfully remain on HRT until well into their 80s, as long as the benefits outweigh the risks, says Dr Jayanta Chatterjee, a consultant gynaecologist at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

'The prevailing view now is that women should be offered HRT if they have troubling symptoms and should be treated as individuals with unique needs. They should not be forced to stop because of arbitrary cut-off points.'

Mr Bowen points out that most women stop having symptoms of menopause between two and five years after their periods stop, and many choose to stop HRT at that point. 'There is an extremely small chance of developing breast cancer during this time [which drops when you stop HRT]. After five years of taking it, that risk increases to an extra six women per thousand cancer cases.

'Evidence shows there's no increased risk of blood clots from HRT patches or gel however long you use them, but taking tablets can increase your risk  though this risk is still small.'

Five years is also the length of time when women get the maximum benefit with very low risk. 'If you take HRT for five years, you get the benefit of reduced symptoms plus better skin quality and stronger bones,' says Mr Bowen.

Q: IF I STOP HRT, WILL MY SYMPTOMS RETURN?

A: Gradually decreasing your dose is usually recommended, rather than stopping suddenly.

'We used to think the average duration of menopause symptoms was three to five years but now we think it's more like seven years,' says Dr Currie.

'You may find your menopausal symptoms come back after you stop HRT, but these should pass within a few months when the body adjusts to the new lower levels of circulating hormones.'

Pharmacist Sid Dajani says: 'If, however, your symptoms worsen and persist, you should get in touch with your medical professional, since you may need to go back on HRT again.'
Addiction is a word we generally associate with illegal drugs, gambling, smoking or alcohol. But some people believe they're addicted to something that's entirely legal and central to how we socialise and survive: they're addicted to food.

Far from being simply 'greedy' or 'loving food', these people say they have an addiction as strong as any gambler, alcoholic or chain-smoker.

Their need to eat takes over their life, isolating them from loved ones, causing job losses, estrangement and physical and mental harm.

While some will become addicted to unhealthy foods such as cream cakes, chocolate or pizza and gain a lot of weight as a result, that's not always the case.

Lauren Webb, 33, a healer from Cornwall, was always slim and healthy before her 'addiction'  which initially involved fruit and veg.

Lauren Webb (pictured), 33, a healer from Cornwall, said sometimes she would stand at the fridge for hours

'My addiction didn't even start with 'bad' foods,' she says.

'I was working in private equity in my 20s in a stressful job and had been doing yoga to de-stress.

'After one session I opened my eyes and just craved food like I'd never done before. I went out and bought a ton of food and didn't stop eating all day.' At that point her food addiction involved raw vegetables, fruit and vegan foods.

'I believed I was being healthy because I wasn't eating junk or chocolate, but I was still thinking about food all the time,' she says.

Lauren says sometimes she'd stand at the fridge eating for hours and would black out from overeating before waking up on the floor.

'This would happen regularly,' she says. (Blacking out after eating, or postprandial hypotension, occurs when food is emptied too rapidly from the stomach, and can lead to drowsiness and fainting. It usually occurs in diabetes and those aged over 70 but can happen during bouts of extreme overeating.)

Lauren adds: 'I couldn't eat just one apple, it had to be seven. I couldn't stop thinking about it and when I would next eat.'

Those affected by food addiction typically describe finding it difficult to watch others leave food uneaten on their plates  one woman we spoke to said she'd even eat other people's leftovers.

Over several weeks Lauren moved from raw foods to vegan ice cream, which she ate throughout the day.

'I then dated someone who ate processed food and got into that too, and gained about 40 lb over a few months because I was still eating so much,' she says.

'It made me think about food constantly, then feel bad. It was an endless cycle.'

Many food 'addicts' will obsess over recipes and meals, and even snacks may be planned days in advance.

It was only when Lauren went on a yoga retreat and met a recovering alcoholic that she realised what was going wrong.

'This lady said she recognised the same addictive traits in me  only with food,' she says.

'It was then that I realised I wasn't just an overeater, I had a food addiction, just like any other addiction.'

Some people believe they're addicted to something that's entirely legal and central to how we socialise and survive: they're addicted to food. (Stock image)

Yet food addiction is a controversial diagnosis, and not one widely recognised  unlike alcohol addiction, for instance, it's not in the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases.

'Addiction' is probably the wrong word, says Jane Ogden, a professor of health psychology at the University of Surrey.

'The classical term of addiction means that you develop tolerance to something and you get withdrawal when you don't have it any longer,' she explains.

'But it also suggests that there are some kind of brain and biological responses to the substance and that is the level at which the addiction happens.'

She says although there is a 'strong psychological component' to drug, alcohol or nicotine addiction, 'with food, it is far more psychological than it is biological'.

'So it's probably not what I would call classically an addiction but people have definitely built an unhealthy relationship with food. Perhaps we should call it a dependency.'

But Dr Jen Unwin, a clinical psychologist in Southport, argues an addiction to food is as real as with alcohol or nicotine. However, unlike alcohol or drugs, food is something we all need, making it harder to see it as an addiction, she argues.

Dr Unwin says that most of those affected seem to crave sugar, grains (including flour) and ultra-processed foods such as pizza and doughnuts. 'But everyone is different,' she says. 'For example, I cannot moderate my intake of nuts, so I have to avoid them.'

How our brains react to certain foods is key to understanding food addiction, says Dr Unwin, because we're hardwired for survival.

In evolutionary terms, finding high-calorie foods such as nuts and sweet foods meant a better chance of survival and triggers a spike in dopamine, the brain chemical linked with pleasure and motivation.

So we are motivated to find and eat them again. 'Back in prehistoric times, it would make real sense to overeat foods such as nuts because we'd need to put weight on to survive,' she says.

'The trouble is, we only have to stroll to the corner shop, but we are still overwhelmed with the triggers and smells of reward, such as the smell of the bakery.'

After dopamine, explains Dr Unwin, we then get a serotonin hit from food  a boost in the happy hormone.

'After a big meal or a nice piece of cake, your insulin levels [needed to mop up the sugar from your bloodstream] go up and this makes tryptophan  an amino acid  spill more easily across the blood-brain barrier, causing an increase in serotonin,' says Dr Unwin.

But as well as evolutionary factors, habit and comfort play big roles in food addiction. 'For some people food is an emotional comfort and that can become embedded,' says Dr Unwin.

Professor Ogden confirms this, saying: 'We plug food into lots of different components in our lives  so, when you have afternoon tea you have a muffin, when you're feeling sad you have some cake, when you want to celebrate you go out for dinner.

'Even when you're watching TV you eat crisps. It plugs into your day in a way that becomes a habit and then you attach emotions to it.' Meanwhile, Lauren has used a combination of yoga and mindfulness to help her  and uses what she's gone through to heal others.

'I'd start the day with the terror of knowing food would dominate my thoughts but I learned to meditate and tell myself I didn't have to eat as much,' she says. 'Just like with any other addiction, you have to want to change.'

She now does not think about food as much and has lost some of the 40 lb she gained. But she says: 'The worry is always there  will it come back?'

Professor Ogden says: 'If you believe you are dependent on food, keeping a food diary can help. Writing down what you have eaten and where every day can help you identify the triggers.

'Try and remove those emotional triggers by finding something else that can be a substitute  going for a walk, talking to a friend, taking up an absorbing hobby and getting through that 'peak' of need.

'Then remind yourself you came through the peak and be really proud of yourself for doing so.'

Tooth truths

Tweaks to dental hygiene that can make a difference. This week: don't use mouthwash after brushing your teeth

It might sound counter-intuitive, but it is best to avoid mouthwash after cleaning your teeth.

Around two thirds of us rinse our mouths with water following brushing, according to surveys.

However, this will wash away any residual fluoride-based toothpaste, which strengthens the tooth enamel.

It might sound counter-intuitive, but it is best to avoid mouthwash after cleaning your teeth. (Stock image)

Fluoride also reduces the acid on your teeth (produced when bacteria feed on the food you eat).

'Never rinse after brushing,' says Lance Knight, a dentist based in central Manchester.

Similarly, he adds that it's better not to use mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth, because it will also wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste. Rinse after meals instead.

Domino diseases: Health conditions with surprising connections

This week: Arthritis and migraine

People who suffer from the joint pain of arthritis may be at greater risk of migraines too.

Arthritis and migraines may appear to have little in common, but research in the Journal of Clinical Medicine last year, based on more than 2,500 people, revealed arthritis sufferers  both those with wear-and-tear osteoarthritis and autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis  have an 83 per cent higher risk of migraines, and that women with arthritis were 2.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with migraine.

The researchers, from the University of Barcelona and other centres, suggest that 'some consequences of arthritis are also triggers for migraines, including sleep disturbances, stress and distress, and neck pain'.

Other possible explanations include exercise  which is recommended for arthritis sufferers but can trigger migraines; and inflammation  known to play a role in both conditions (around the joint in the knee and in the arteries in migraine).

Both conditions have also been linked with an imbalance of gut bacteria.
Shares sank into the red today as the tense situation between Russia and Ukraine continued, and last week's US inflation pain persisted.

The FTSE 100 ended the day down 1.7 per cent at 7,531.6, with banks and financial stocks weighing heavily on the index.

The FTSE 250 fell 2 per cent to 21,617.89, as travel, leisure and consumer stocks took the biggest hit.

The FTSE 100 (featured in the charts above) took a hit today along with other global stock markets but remains up over the past six months

Concerns over the situation in Ukraine and the potential for the US, UK and major European powers to be dragged into conflict if an invasion occurred have added to the fears of investors who are already jittery due to high inflation - with US inflation coming in at 7.5 per cent last week.

Meanwhile, oil prices have soared above $96 a barrel, the highest since 2014, and petrol prices hit a new record high, reaching 148.02p a litre on average.

In company news, London-listed chemicals firm Johnson Matthey has commenced the second tranche of a 200million share buyback scheme, having completed the first 100million of purchases on 28 January.

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Fraud trial: Former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng

The trial of former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, 49, who denies conspiring to launder billions from a Malaysian state investment fund, has started in New York.

It was delayed due to Covid and comes after Goldman was fined 2.2billion by regulators in 2020, accused of turning the 1MDB fund 'into a piggy bank for corrupt public officials and cronies'.

US officials allege 3billion was looted from the fund, set up by the Malaysian state, and used to buy property, art and to finance Martin Scorsese's film Wolf of Wall Street.

Goldman earned almost 500million from its work  which it has returned.

Ng lawyer Marc Agnifilo said: 'Roger Ng waived extradition to voluntarily come to this country because he is innocent. He looks forward to his trial and returning home.'
Ministers have been urged to use the half-term break to ramp up Covid jabs for teenagers and keep schools open amid a fall in demand.

As families head off on week-long breaks new figures show that demand for first doses of Covid vaccines are at their lowest level since September.

Labour called for action saying that 320,000 children were out of school for Covid-related reasons last week, and almost a quarter of schools were missing three out of every 20 teachers.

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'.

Stephen Morgan, the shadow schools minister, said: 'The virus will change and adapt, and we must learn to live with it. That means acting now to protect our schools from further waves of Covid chaos.

'Ministers must use the half term to boost vaccination rates to keep children learning in school with their friends.

'This government mustn't wait until there's another crisis to secure our children's education.'

There was also a call for better use of money as official figures show a continuing wide disparity in jab rollout for those aged 12 to 15.

The highest jab rollout is in relatively affluent parts of the south including West Berkshire, Wokingham and Hampshire.

But the rate falls dramatically in poorer areas, with the lowest rates among London boroughs and Northern cities including Liverpool and Manchester.

Below you can see the vaccination rate for your local education authority area.

Stephen Morgan, the shadow schools minister, said: 'The virus will change and adapt, and we must learn to live with it. That means acting now to protect our schools from further waves of Covid chaos.

Rules on students wearing masks in classrooms were lifted last month after being reintroduced as a precaution as the Omicron variant hit the UK.

But the move by Boris Johnson saw more than 100 head teachers write to parents warning that children must continue wearing face coverings in classrooms.

Union bosses stoked the fires of revolt after accusing the PM of flouting his 'duty of care' to teachers over the new guidance on masks.

This week the PM dramatically announced his intention to axe all virus restrictions in England by the end of the month.

The current self-isolation rules expire on March 24, but the Tory leader told MPs at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday 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.

Mr Johnson 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.

No 10 has suggested that the isolation rules will be replaced by some sort of guidance.
A shoplifter wearing a neon-orange jacket got violent after being caught red-handed, punching a Manhattan Duane Reade worker and pushing her to the ground before fleeing as violent crimes and robberies continue to spike citywide.

The incident, pictures of which were obtained from the store's surveillance camera, took place on Friday morning at the pharmacy on Broadway and West 111th Street in Morningside Heights.

The female employee witnessed the man brazenly place items from the store's freezer into a large striped handbag that brought to the store, police said.

The worker told cops he punched and verbally attacked her after she asked him to put the items back.

The worker, who suffered only minor injures, refused medical attention at the scene.

An employee witnessed the man, pictured, as he stole items from the store's freezer and placed them into a large striped bag he had entered the store with

The shoplifter, pictured above at the Duane Reade pharmacy on Broadway and West 111th Street in Morningside Heights on Friday morning, during the violent incident against a worker

No arrests have been made as of Sunday night, however authorities have released photos of the man, pictured, taken from the day of the incident in an effort to locate and arrest him

The shoplifter was last seen wearing a neon orange jacket, a large side bag, and a mustard color head covering

No arrests have been made as of Sunday night, however, authorities have released photos of the man taken from the day of the incident.

The shoplifter was last seen wearing a neon orange jacket, a large side bag, and a mustard color head covering.

Crime in the city has continued to spike, with overall crime having increased 41.65 percent, robbery up nearly 35 percent, and violent felonies up 13.3 percent through February 6 from the same time last year.

Meanwhile, nearly every police precinct in New York City has reported spikes in crime this year - including five in which the rate has doubled, new data from the New York Police Department shows.

'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.

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

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

An off-duty officer was shot Sunday in West Harlem's 26th precinct - one of the police designated areas that has seen crime more than double this year

'Only the squirrels are safe,' another anonymous cop joked to The Post. '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.

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.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is trying to cobble up a united front against the BJP, said on Monday that she had spoken with her counterparts in Tamil Nadu and Telangana, and together they were trying to "protect the country's federal structure from getting bulldozed".

The TMC supremo, who had visited Uttar Pradesh last week to campaign for Samajwadi Party (SP), contended the chief minister of that state was not a "yogi (monk) but a bhogi (worldly person)".

She said that her camp decided against contesting elections in UP in the "larger interest" of the nation.

"The TMC did not field any candidate in UP as I did not want Akhilesh Yadav (SP chief) to get weak in any seat. In the first phase, I am hoping Akhilesh's party will win 37 of 57 seats," she told a news channel.

Hitting out at her UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath, Banerjee claimed, "Women are burnt alive and peasants get murdered in that state. The CM there is not a 'yogi' but a 'bhogi'. If India has to be saved, UP will have to be saved first."

Banerjee said she would be visiting UP again on March 3 to hold a rally in Varanasi.

The feisty TMC boss also lashed out at the Congress stating that no regional outfit shared cordial relations with the grand old party.

"It's the duty of those who claim themselves to be secular to bring everyone on one platform. I had asked the Congress and the CPI(M) to join hands... If they do not listen, there is nothing that I can do.

"The Congress can go its way, we will go ours," she maintained.

Banerjee stressed that it was time to free the country from "seeds of hatred and atrocities".

She said that India was "veering towards a presidential form of government, with its Constitution getting demolished".

"I have spoken with Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin and her Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao, and we are trying to protect the country's federal structure," the TMC chief said.

The Bengal CM insisted that her party would also do well in Goa elections.

"Every household in Goa is now aware of the TMC. We will perform well there. This is just the beginning," she said.

Referring to TMC's triumph in Bengal's four municipal corporations, where elections were held on February 12, Banerjee thanked people for casting their votes in favour of her party.
An old photo of Grace Tame sitting on a couch with a large bong has resurfaced - just as the Australian of the Year was criticised by the Prime Minister's wife for having poor manners.

In the 2014 Instagram picture, a 19-year-old Ms Tame is seen sitting on a lounge with a friend, smiling with her eyes closed as she plays on her phone.

The 2021 Australian of the Year appears to be holding a bong - a water pipe used for smoking cannabis - upright with her left foot.

Ms Tame accompanied the post with a green plant symbol. She's sitting next to a man who's rolling a cigarette - with the green substance spread out on a vinyl record.

The image from Ms Tame's youth was seized upon by her critics on Monday who found it buried in her Instagram feed.

'Australian of the year?' one person posted next to the eight-year-old picture.

In the Instagram photo from 2014, the 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame appears to be holding a bong upright with her left foot

Ms Tame delivered an explosive speech at the National Press Club last week

The post was swiftly deleted by Tame, now 27, on Monday morning after questions from Daily Mail Australia about the image.

It is not suggested that Ms Tame used the bong - only that it was sat on the couch in front of her in the picture.

The Tasmanian activist and sexual abuse survivor has been consistently been in the news headlines over the past week, after completing her term as Australian of the Year and delivering a rousing speech at the National Press Club.

On 60 Minutes on Sunday night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's wife Jenny offered her opinion on Ms Tame's now famous 'side eye' when greeting them at a morning tea at The Lodge before Australia Day.

Ms Tame, 27, was seen giving Mr Morrison a less than friendly handshake with a scowl on her face before throwing him an icy sideways glance.

'I just found a little bit disappointing, because we were welcoming her in our home,' Mrs Morrison said.

'I just wish the focus had been on all the incredible people coming in.

'I respect people that want to change things, stand up for their beliefs, and are strong, but I still think there are manners and respect.'

On 60 Minutes on Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's wife Jenny (left) offered her opinion on Ms Tame's now famous 'side eye' when greeting them at a morning tea at The Lodge before Australia Day

She was asked whether she wanted her daughters to look up to outspoken advocates such as Ms Tame.

'I want my daughters to grow up to be fierce, strong, independent, amazing people. And I think they can still do that and show kindness to other people and be polite and have manners,' Mrs Morrison replied.

Ms Tame has been one of the prime minister's most vocal critics, claiming he his government has done little to address the safety of women.

At an appearance at the National Press Club last week with Brittany Higgins, who alleged she was raped inside Parliament House, Ms Tame claimed she had been called by a person from a government-funded organisation to refrain from making negative comments about Mr Morrison.

'I received a threatening phone call from a senior member of a government funded organisation, asking for my word that I wouldn't say anything damning about the Prime Minister on the evening of the next Australian of the Year Awards,' she said after warning the audience 'brace yourselves'.

'''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 planet? And then I heard the words ''with an election coming soon''...'

During her speech at the Press Club, Ms Tame claimed she had been called by a person from a government-funded organisation to refrain from making negative comments about Mr Morrison

'And it crystallised a fear - a fear for himself and no-one else, a fear he might lose his position or, more to the point, his power.'

She said the call reminded her of threats from her 58-year-old maths teacher who raped her when she was 15.

Ms Tame was later urged to make public the source of the call but to date, has not done so.

'It is up to Ms Tame whether she would like the matter taken further and I absolutely respect that,' Families Minister Anne Ruston, who attended the speech, later told ABC Radio.

'If she does, of course we will be happy to make sure we get to the bottom of the issue.

'Obviously, Ms Tame is the one who's in control of what we do with this piece of information from here,' she said.
Charlise Mutten's biological father has cancelled a $100,000 fundraiser for a memorial and monument to his allegedly murdered daughter after being slammed online.

Scott Hensby was blasted for not having the permission of Charlise's maternal relatives, the Muttens, to launch the fund.

By Sunday night, the fund had raised only $3120 and it was shut down amid criticism from Facebook users who claimed to have knowledge of the wishes of the family of Charlise's mother, Kallista Mutten.

When the fund was shut down around 10pm on Sunday, Facebook users posted 'Good news!' and 'That is good. Let all the family grieve in peace. No one is perfect, lessons are learnt.

'Thank you Scott for doing what is right, by removing the gofundme.

Another Facebook user said the problem was Mr Hensby had changed the fund's target totals, first 'asking for $100k, then a few hours later changed it to $75k, then today $50k'.

Charlise Mutten's father Scott Hensby has shut down the gofundme page two days after launching it to raise money for a public memorial and a monument to his daughter

Mr Hensby proposed a monument to the nine-year-old which would contain her ashes but he was cruelly trolled online by people claiming he didn't have permission of the Mutten family

Scott Hensby was criticised online after he started a gofundme page to raise money for a monument to be built to hold his daughter's ashes and for a public memorial in her honour

The Facebook poster claimed 'both families were against what he was doing and he didnt have their consent like he made out he did' and that Mr Hensby had said 'council had given him land for a monument' and that it would be built on 'private land'.

One Facebook poster falsely claimed Charlise was now being used as 'a money spinner' and that 'society' had 'failed' Charlise.

Mr Hensby's original proposal to celebrate the life of Charlise, who was allegedly murdered in January and her remains then put in a barrel, was for 'a beautiful public service'.

He proposed a large public monument containing her ashes be built and said part of the money would be used for 'excellent legal representation' in a 'wrongful death suit coming in the future'.

Launched on Friday afternoon, he wrote on gofundme.com, 'I am Charlise Mutten's biological father, Scott Hensby. This is the official GoFundMe page for Charlise Mutten. There is no other page.

'The support given within Australia and from around the world has been massive, and rightly so.

'This is a vile tragedy which has been followed by millions of people, all hoping Charlise would be found alive and well only to be crushed by the news of her body being discovered.'

But the grieving dad was attacked online and then members of the Hensby and the Mutten families appeared to have an argument on Facebook.

A childhood friend of Scott Hensby, Sydney gym owner Wayne Earl, posted this image two days after Charlise's body was found inside a barrel near the Colo River

Charlise Mutten was on holiday with her mother Kallista Mutten (above) when police allege she was murdered by Kallista's boyfriend, Justin Stein

Scott Hensby took down the gofundme page after he was trolled online and the fundraiser only managed to attract $3120 out of an original target of $100,000

Mr Hensby has previously been attacked on social media, prompting his friend, Sydney gym owner Wayne Earl, to post a photo of him giving the grieving father a hug two days after Charlise's body was found inside a barrel near the Colo River.

Mr Earl agreed agreed then that some of the comments posted on Mr Hensby's Facebook page were appalling but said 'that's social media'.

Charlise's cousin Mellese Hensby, who has posted on Facebook about the nine-year-old mistakenly criticised a member of the Mutten family.

In defence of Charlise, whose image Mellese believed was being used by a stranger, she made a remark, but has since explained she didn't know the family connection with another cousin, Ryder Mutten.

Beau Mutten and his partner Melissa Sakiri had started a gofundme.com fundraiser for their two-year-old son Ryder, who has a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Ryder has endured multiple tumours from neuroblastoma and had been undergoing treatment in Western Australia.

Daily Mail Australia interviewed Ms Sakiri about living her 'worst nightmare' since her son's diagnosis before Christmas, and the chemotherapy he was undergoing.

Mellese Hensby posted the story on Faceook, saying she was upset photos of their cousin Charlise were being used in a story about Ryder Mutten's illness.

'I'm beyond upset and so angry!' she wrote, but says she later realised that Ryder was also Charlise's cousin.

Charlise Mutten's biological father wanted a public monument containing the nine-year-old's ashes to be built at Tweed Heads or Coolanagatta but was forced to cancel the gofundme page

Justin Stein (above), the boyfriend of Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten , has been charged with her alleged murder and will face Penrith Local Court on March 18

A Facebook user then chastised Mellese on a Charlise Mutten discussion page, saying she shouldn't 'attack the other side of the family'.

She described her as 'a cousin who hasnt seen Charlise in 6 years'.

The father of two-year-old Ryder, Beau Mutten then posted a picture of a candle and begged 'Can we all stop and remember what this page is for, RIP beautiful Charlise till we meet again'.

The Facebook page's administrator then stepped in to say that Mellese had since expressed her 'regret over involvement in an article about CM little cousin having cancer'.

'She has on multiple occasions apologised for this. Please lets all move on from this now,' the administrator wrote.

After cancelling the gofundme page, Scott Hensby wrote 'all monies will be refunded'.

When he launched the page last Friday, Mr Hensby said he had received several offers of donations to fund Charlise's funeral, but that 'the funeral costs for the entirely private cremation service are covered'.

It is unclear whether Charlise's cremation and funeral service has already taken place.

Justin Stein, the boyfriend of Charlise's mother Kallista Mutten , has been charged with her alleged murder and has been remanded in custody to appear in Penrith Local Court on March 18.
A professor at the University of North Texas is suing the school after it took action against him for publishing a series of articles rejecting the idea that music theory is a product of white supremacy.

The lawsuit alleges that the University of North Texas violated Timothy Jackson's First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by removing him from the academic journal he co-established after he wrote and shared a series of works that students and faculty found to be 'racist.'

The university punished Jackson, 64, after he organized a symposium that raised a variety of opinions on a speech by Hunter College of the City University of New York professor Philip Ewell, called 'Music Theory's White Racial Frame.'

In his speech, and in his work published after the speech, Ewell argued that music theory is 'White' and raised how he feels uncomfortable as a black man that most music theory professors at higher-educational institutions.

Ewell also condemned Galician-born Austrian and Jewish music theorist, Heinrich Schenker - whose writings have had a profound influence on subsequent musical analysis - as 'an ardent racist and German nationalist' and claimed that 'our white racial frame seeks to shield Schenker from unwanted criticism.'

Schenker, who died in 1935, suffered persecution at the hands of the Nazis, with Ewell's insistence that he was racist sparking fury.

Timothy Jackson, a music professor at the University of North Texas, has filed a lawsuit against the school for infringing on his First Amendment right to free speech after it removed him from a publication he founded

Professor Philip Ewell has complained that music theory is 'white' and that there isn't enough diversity within the field of music theory

The University of North Texas' action stems from an incident in November 2019 in which Philip Ewell, a professor at Hunter College of the City University of New York delivered a speech entitled 'Music Theory's White Racial Frame' at the Society for Music Theory

After Ewell's essay was published, Jackson sought to organize a symposium with the Journal of Schenkerian Studies that he co-founded at UNT and called on members of the Society for Music to come up with responses to the essay.

Those responses were published in July 2020 and raised different opinions, both in favor and disapproving Ewell's speech.

Jackson's letter was tailored against Ewell's paper on several talking points. It also defended Schenker as a victim of antisemitism by raising the argument that the composer had been oppressed for being Jewish while living in Nazi Germany.

Jackson also rejected claims that music theory field is racist and offered to explain that African American women and men don't typically 'grow up in homes where classical music is profoundly valued, and therefore they lack the necessary background.'

After the symposium was made known to the greater public, supporters of Ewell began putting pressure on UNT, calling on the school to fire Jackson, as well as at least 18 faculty members and several grad students.

Jackson's lawsuit alleges that the university issued a statement, saying that it opened a formal investigation into the professor's journal and UNT Press.

Jackson was then informed by UNT Provost Jennifer Cowley to come up with a new plan on how to address a report from an ad hoc panel outlining problems with his actions. However, a week prior to the deadline he was given, he found out that he had been removed from the journal and that the university would half any funding going towards his work and the Center for Schenkerian Studies.

Heinrich Schenker was a music theorist, music critic, teacher, pianist, and composer. He is best known for his approach to musical analysis, now usually called Schenkerian analysis. Schenker's views on race have come under scrutiny and criticism in the wake of international protests against racism in 2020

Jackson wrote a letter in response to Ewell's accusations on Schenker, defending the 20th century music composer as he described him as a victim of antisemitism from the Nazis during World War Two

In the lawsuit, Jackson is asking the school to publicly state that it had infringed his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. He submitted a request, asking for the Board of Regents to not be able to take action against him, and a request for damages.

'Timothy Jackson's goals have been consistent from the beginning, and that is to express academic freedom without fear of retaliation from those who disagree,' Michael Thad Allen, Jackson's lead attorney, told Campus Reform.

'UNT has failed to protect these rights and has allowed this situation to progress, forcing Jackson to file this suit.'

In a statement, the University of North Texas said that federal court is 'not the place' for 'baseless allegations.'

'The defendants have formally notified the court of appeals that we are appealing the district court's decision to deny our motion to dismiss,' a spokesperson for the school said. 'Dr. Jackson's faculty colleagues have not harmed him in any way, and federal court is not the place to try the plaintiff's baseless allegations against them. Further, neither the Board of Regents nor the university have taken any adverse action against Dr. Jackson.'

The statement concluded with, 'We will raise these points to the federal appeals court. Meanwhile, we have filed a motion asking the trial judge to stop all activity in the district court until the parties receive a ruling on the appeal.'
It's happened to the best of us  you wake up on Valentine's Day and realise you've forgotten to buy your partner a card.

But fear not. This year, at least, you can blame it on your mood brought on by the pandemic.

Researchers have found feeling sad or stressed can make us less likely to remember to carry out everyday tasks.

A team at the University of Aberdeen asked volunteers to report their mood while simultaneously having to remember to send messages at certain times in the day (File image)

Results revealed that as participants' mood changed from more negative to more positive, they were more likely to remember the task (File image)

A team at the University of Aberdeen asked volunteers to report their mood while simultaneously having to remember to send messages at certain times in the day.

Results revealed that as participants' mood changed from more negative to more positive, they were more likely to remember the task.

The study, published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology, is the first to show how mood can have an effect on memory in 'real-world' settings.

Dr Francesco Pupillo, who co-led the study, said: 'This is another piece of the puzzle that shows the potential of positive mood for helping us remember and complete tasks.

'And, yes, perhaps if you have forgotten a special day, or Valentine's Day  you can maybe get away with it by blaming the pandemic blues.'

Co-author Dr Katharina Schnitzspahn added: 'Leaving the office in a happy mood on Valentine's Day should make it easier for us to remember buying those flowers on the way home.'
Below is the key part of the legal filing made by Special Counsel John Durham on Friday February 11 that led to the firestorm of claims that Hillary Clinton and her campaign spied on Donald Trump. The documents were part of the case against Michael Sussman, a Clinton campaign lawyer charged with lying to a federal agent over work on links between Trump and Russia.

The defendant (Michael Sussman) is charged in a one-count indictment with making a materially false statement to the FBI, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001 (the 'Indictment').

As set forth in the Indictment, on Sept. 19, 2016  less than two months before the 2016 U.S. Presidential election  the defendant, a lawyer at a large international law firm ('Law Firm-1') that was then serving as counsel to the Clinton Campaign, met with the FBI General Counsel (James Baker) at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The defendant provided the FBI General Counsel with purported data and 'white papers' that allegedly demonstrated a covert communications channel between the Trump Organization and a Russia-based bank ('Russian Bank-1').

The Indictment alleges that the defendant lied in that meeting, falsely stating to the General Counsel that he was not providing the allegations to the FBI on behalf of any client. In fact, the defendant had assembled and conveyed the allegations to the FBI on behalf of at least two specific clients, including (i) a technology executive ('Tech Executive-1 - identified as Rodney Jeffe) at a U.S.-based Internet company ('Internet Company1'), and (ii) the Clinton Campaign. 3.

The defendant's billing records reflect that the defendant repeatedly billed the Clinton Campaign for his work on the Russian Bank-1 allegations. In compiling and disseminating these allegations, the defendant and Tech Executive-1 also had met and communicated with another law partner at Law Firm-1 who was then serving as General Counsel to the Clinton Campaign ('Campaign Lawyer-1').

The Indictment also alleges that, beginning in approximately July 2016, Tech Executive-1 had worked with the defendant, a U.S. investigative firm retained by Law Firm-1 on behalf of the Clinton Campaign, numerous cyber researchers, and employees at multiple Internet companies to assemble the purported data and white papers. In connection with these efforts, Tech Executive-1 exploited his access to non-public and/or proprietary Internet data. Tech Executive-1 also enlisted the assistance of researchers at a U.S.-based university who were receiving and analyzing large amounts of Internet data in connection with a pending federal government cybersecurity research contract.

Tech Executive-1 tasked these researchers to mine Internet data to establish 'an inference' and 'narrative' tying then-candidate Trump to Russia. In doing so, Tech Executive-1 indicated that he was seeking to please certain 'VIPs,' referring to individuals at Law Firm-1 and the Clinton Campaign. 5.

The Government's evidence at trial will also establish that among the Internet data Tech Executive-1 and his associates exploited was domain name system ('DNS') Internet traffic pertaining to (i) a particular healthcare provider, (ii) Trump Tower, (iii) Donald Trump's Central Park West apartment building, and (iv) the Executive Office of the President of the United States ('EOP').

(Tech Executive-1's employer, Internet Company-1, had come to access and maintain dedicated servers for the EOP as part of a sensitive arrangement whereby it provided DNS resolution services to the EOP. Tech Executive-1 and his associates exploited this arrangement by mining the EOP's DNS traffic and other data for the purpose of gathering derogatory information about Donald Trump.) 6.

The Indictment further details that on February 9, 2017, the defendant provided an updated set of allegations  including the Russian Bank-1 data and additional allegations relating to Trump  to a second agency of the U.S. government ('Agency-2').

The Government's evidence at trial will establish that these additional allegations relied, in part, on the purported DNS traffic that Tech Executive-1 and others had assembled pertaining to Trump Tower, Donald Trump's New York City apartment building, the EOP, and the aforementioned healthcare provider.

In his meeting with Agency-2, the defendant provided data which he claimed reflected purportedly suspicious DNS lookups by these entities of internet protocol ('IP') addresses affiliated with a Russian mobile phone provider ('Russian Phone Provider-1').

The defendant further claimed that these lookups demonstrated that Trump and/or his associates were using supposedly rare, Russian-made wireless phones in the vicinity of the White House and other locations. The Special Counsel's Office has identified no support for these allegations.

Indeed, more complete DNS data that the Special Counsel's Office obtained from a company that assisted Tech Executive-1 in assembling these allegations reflects that such DNS lookups were far from rare in the United States. For example, the more complete data that Tech Executive-1 and his associates gathered  but did not provide to Agency-2  reflected that between approximately 2014 and 2017, there were a total of more than 3 million lookups of Russian Phone-Provider-1 IP addresses that originated with U.S.-based IP addresses.

Fewer than 1,000 of these lookups originated with IP addresses affiliated with Trump Tower. In addition, the more complete data assembled by Tech Executive-1 and his associates reflected that DNS lookups involving the EOP and Russian Phone Provider-1 began at least as early 2014 (i.e., during the Obama administration and years before Trump took office)  another fact which the allegations omitted. 7. In his meeting with Agency-2 employees, the defendant also made a substantially similar false statement as he had made to the FBI General Counsel. In particular, the defendant asserted that he was not representing a particular client in conveying the above allegations.

In truth and in fact, the defendant was representing Tech Executive-1  a fact the defendant subsequently acknowledged under oath in December 2017 testimony before Congress (without identifying the client by name).
The son of a postmaster who killed himself after he was wrongly accused of stealing said he '100 per cent' blames the Post Office for his father's suicide.

Martin Griffiths, who died aged 58, had run his branch in Cheshire for 14 years before shortfalls appeared in 2009. He was 'hounded' over 100,000 of 'missing' money while suffering from depression  and his son Matthew, 37, said this is why Mr Griffiths, threw himself in front of a bus in 2013.

He told the BBC's File on 4: 'I 100 per cent completely blame the Post Office.'

The public inquiry into the issue will begin in London this morning. The Post Office said it is 'doing all [it] can' to address the scandal for the victims.

Martin Griffiths (pictured), who died aged 58, had run his branch in Cheshire for 14 years before shortfalls appeared in 2009

The postmaster was one of over 3,000 victims wrongly accused of taking money from their own tills, when a glitch in the computer system, called Horizon, was actually to blame.

Some served jail sentences, others were left financially destitute and at least four are believed to have taken their own lives.

Horizon, which was used by the Post Office for tasks such as transactions, accounting and stocktaking, was first introduced in 1999 and problems started appearing shortly afterwards.

Sub-postmasters complained about bugs in the system after it reported unexplained shortfalls, some of which amounted to many thousands of pounds.

But Post Office bosses ignored the warnings, systematically persecuted its own staff and then spent tens of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money defending its assertion the Horizon system was 'robust'.

Following a series of damning judgments bosses finally capitulated in December 2019. The cost to the taxpayer of the scandal in legal fees and compensation is now expected to swell to 1billion.

Martin Griffiths bought his post office in 1995 and unexplained shortfalls in his branch accounts started appearing in 2009.

They quickly blew a huge hole in his life savings as he ploughed more and more into the system to balance the books  but it was to no avail.

Between January 2012 and October 2013 a 57,000 black hole appeared in his accounts without explanation, forcing Mr Griffiths to turn to his parents. In total the family paid more than 100,000 to the Post Office.

Sub-postmasters complained about bugs in the system after it reported unexplained shortfalls, some of which amounted to many thousands of pounds (stock image)

To make matters worse, two armed robbers wearing balaclavas attacked his branch in May 2013, smashing his hand with a crowbar and stealing 54,000 from the safe.

The Post Office showed little sympathy, sacking him two months later on the basis that he had failed to manage his accounts or the branch's security properly. They even said he was culpable for some of the stolen cash.

The news sent him into a spiral of depression. In September, at the age of 58, he stepped in front of a bus, leaving a note apologising to his family and telling them he loved them.

Matthew Griffiths told BBC File on Four: 'The Post Office was constantly chasing my dad and hounded him for money. He became a shadow of his former self. He just had no sort of passion to do anything. I couldn't even recognise him by the end.

'He drove to work on this normal route, pulled over into a layby and waited for a bus to come past and stepped out in front of it.'

Mr Griffiths was placed into an induced coma for three weeks before the doctors recommended turning off the life support machine.

This weekend Post Office bosses pledged that all postmasters claiming under its compensation scheme will receive offers by the end of the year (stock image)

An inquest held in September 2013 found Martin intentionally took his own life.

Two years later Martin's widow, Gina, was pressured into signing a gagging clause in return for an undisclosed settlement.

She was given just a few hours to read a report on her late husband's case and consider a cash offer. She agreed, leading to claims she was silenced.

The Post Office said: 'We are in no doubt of the human cost of the Horizon scandal and are doing all we can to fairly address this for victims.'

Over 70 postmasters have seen their convictions overturned, and a third of the 2,300 applicants to a compensation scheme have received offers of cash.

This weekend Post Office bosses pledged that all postmasters claiming under its compensation scheme will receive offers by the end of the year.

Around 900 of the 2300 applicants have been made an offer, the post office confirmed.

File on 4: A First Class Scandal is broadcast tomorrow at 8pm on BBC Radio 4.

Postal victims' payout offers by December

All victims of the Post Office's IT scandal will receive compensation offers by the end of the year, bosses have pledged.

Chief executive Nick Read said that 'good progress' was being made with the scheme, which hands payouts to postmasters wrongly convicted in the Horizon fiasco. Around 900 of the 2,300 applicants have been made an offer, the Post Office confirmed.

The Government has been forced to fund the compensation bill as the Post Office's sole shareholder  with the total expected to run past 1billion.

Hundreds of postmasters were bankrupted, jailed or driven to suicide after being wrongly accused of stealing from their tills between 1999 and 2015.

Chief executive Nick Read (pictured) said that 'good progress' was being made with the scheme, which hands payouts to postmasters wrongly convicted in the Horizon fiasco

In fact the money that seemed to be 'missing' was as a result of glitches in the company's computer system.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Read also said the Post Office was 'historically too insular and too remote' which let down 'too many of its postmasters'.

Referring to the public inquiry into the IT scandal, which starts today, he added that testimonies from affected postmasters would make for 'uncomfortable listening' for the Post Office.

He continued: 'For the postmasters concerned, giving this evidence will be hard. They have already endured much. There will be difficult memories to raise... But we need to hear it.'
Rape victims face a postcode lottery where the chances of their case being shelved are almost twice as likely as the trial going ahead in some courts.

The backlog of trials has more than doubled in two years, with some victims left suicidal as they face waits of up to five years or more for justice.

Campaigners fear attackers are being left free to claim new victims as analysis by the Criminal Bar Association revealed some courts are delaying more sex offence trials than are going ahead.

The Midlands has emerged as the worst region in the country with 56 per cent of trials failing to start on their scheduled date  the national average is 44 per cent.

Ministry of Justice data shows there were 24 per cent more trials delayed between July and September 2021, with 211 ineffective and date vacated trials compared to 169 cases which concluded.

As a result, the backlog of sex offences trials in the Midlands has more than doubled in the last two years to 1,282 in the latest quarter (July to September) compared to 634 in the same period in 2019.

Rape victims face a postcode lottery where the chances of their case being shelved are almost twice as likely as the trial going ahead in some courts. The backlog of trials has more than doubled in two years, with some victims left suicidal as they face waits of up to five years or more for justice (stock image)

That is more than the current backlog of 944 sex cases in London and 268 in Wales put together. Nationally, there were over 6,400 outstanding sexual offence trials across England and Wales as of 30 September 2021.

Lincoln Crown Court is one of the worst affected, with 13 cases being delayed in the latest quarter period compared to just seven which concluded.

At Nottingham Crown Court, one of the largest in the region, more than half of trials were delayed last year and just nine cases went ahead. More than three times as many (32) were shelved in the first three months of 2021.

Birmingham Crown Court saw 41 sex trials conclude in 2021, compared to 86 cases being put back.

The problem is often a lack of specialist rape and sexual assault prosecutors, while diminishing legal aid pay means lawyers are often not willing to travel. There are also shortages of judges and defence lawyers following large numbers leaving the Bar during the Covid pandemic.

In one recent case, a rape victim attacked when she was under ten years old said the delays to her case had left her suicidal. She reported it in 2017 but her case is scheduled to go to trial later this month. After it was delayed three times, the court was told the complainant says she wants to withdraw as the stress is too much and she is suicidal.

Jo Sidhu QC, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: Five years or more for a rape complainant to see a trial conclude is rapidly becoming the norm not the exception... in a system starved of criminal barristers not just to defend but also to prosecute and provide the judges needed to tackle record backlogs and delays.

In another disturbing case, two alleged rapists have had their trials adjourned four times while on bail.

Jo Sidhu QC, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: Five years or more for a rape complainant to see a trial conclude is rapidly becoming the norm not the exception... in a system starved of criminal barristers not just to defend but also to prosecute and provide the judges needed to tackle record backlogs and delays.

The Ministry of Justice said yesterday a 1billion investment will boost court capacity and accelerate post-Covid recovery. A spokesman added: The pandemic has created unprecedented issues for the criminal justice system.
With 93 per cent of Australians aged 12 and over having had two vaccine doses, whether or not to have a booster shot has become a new battle ground.

So far, just 45.7 per cent have had a third shot, despite many more being eligible, and it is causing disputes between the federal and state governments and academics.

Professor Robert Booy, an infectious diseases expert, said on Friday that he 'wouldn't mandate a third dose any more than the aged care workers and healthcare workers. That is enough.'

A couple are pictured having a drink on the seashore of St Kilda beach in Melbourne. Vaccination rules for venues vary from state to state

But though he was not advocating a mandate, he still thinks getting a booster shot is a wise thing to do.

'I think vaccines sell themselves. I got my third dose because I wanted to protect myself and my family,' Prof Booy told Channel Nine's breakfast program.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government also only supported compulsory vaccines for people working in high risk situations and for vulnerable people.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) has said states, not the federal government, are to blame for vaccine mandates

Speaking about anti-vaccination protesters in Canberra, Mr Morrison said the states are to blame, not the federal government.

'I want to be very clear when it comes to the issue of vaccine mandates, the Commonwealth government have only ever supported mandates that relate to aged care workers, disability workers and those that are working in high-risk situations in health system,' he said.

'My government has only ever supported mandates that have been recommended right across the country by the medical expert panel and our chief medical officers.

'All other mandates that relate to vaccines have been imposed unilaterally by state governments.'

But the situation also differs from state to state.

In NSW, most premises are now open to everyone, regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated or not.

A woman receives a vaccination at a Cohealth pop-up vaccination clinic at the State Library Victoria, in Melbourne, on December 20, 2021. The rules about vaccination mandates vary from state to state

A woman holds a phone displaying a valid Australian digital Covid-19 certificate on October 14, 2021 in Sydney. But people in NSW no longer need to show evidence they are are fully vaccinated at most premises

People no longer need to show evidence they are are fully vaccinated at most premises.

But if you attend an indoor music concert with more than 1,000 people or work in industries such as an airport or transport, you still need to prove you have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine or a medical exemption.

VICTORIAN WORKERS MANDATED TO GET A THIRD VACCINATION Under new Pandemic Orders that came into effect on 12 January 2022, workers in key sectors who are already required to be up to date with their vaccination status with two doses, must get their third dose before being permitted to work on site.

This applies to healthcare, aged care, disability, emergency services, correctional facilities, quarantine accommodation and food processing and distribution workers (excluding retail).

Workplaces must sight and record proof of vaccination. This does not apply to workers who have a valid medical exemption. Source: Victorian Government Advertisement

In Victoria, to enter a venue such as a bar or restaurant, you must either prove you have two doses of a Covid vaccine, or have a valid medical exemption issued by an authorised medical practitioner.

But the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has warned the definition of being 'fully vaccinated' against Covid will soon change to mean three doses.

His government had already mandated workers in several industries to get boosters.

'I think we're close to a change in policy that will simply reflect the fact that in order to be fully protected you need three doses, not two plus an optional extra,' Mr Andrews said.

In Queensland, the state regulation says 'A person must give their contact information, proof of Covid-19 vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication by using the Check In Qld app or another measure of record keeping before entering a business establishment in which vaccination is requirement of entry.'

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk recently announced that the time between second doses and being eligible for a booster was changing to three months instead of four.

'We know how vital the booster shot is,' she said. 'It gives that extra immunity.

'Shortening the period between second doses and the booster will give more people more protection.'

Prof Booy wrote last week that 'Omicron sealed the deal,' about getting a booster shot.

'It confirmed the need for an immune top-up. Some of Omicrons many mutations allow it to escape, at least partially, the protection built on natural or vaccine-induced antibodies.

Professor Robert Booy, an infectious diseases expert, said he 'wouldn't mandate a third dose any more than the aged care workers and healthcare workers'

'A booster does not only reduce severe Omicron disease by 85-95 per cent, it can also substantially prevent milder infections and transmissions, at least in the weeks after vaccine receipt,' Prof Booy wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
A human bone which is believed to be around 5,000-years-old has been discovered along the River Thames.

Graphic designer Simon Hunt was rowing along the river in London one morning when he noticed the 'very old' human femur, or upper leg bone, lying on the riverbed.

Tests carried out on the remains revealed the bone dated back to the end of the Stone Age and had come from a person who lived in the late British Neolithic period between 3516 and 3365 BC.

On the day of the discovery, Mr Hunt described how he gathered the human bone and wrapped it in a plastic bag before continuing along the river with it to show his wife at home.

Graphic designer Simon Hunt was rowing along the River Thames in London when he saw the human femur, or upper leg bone, lying on the riverbed

Mr Hunt gathered the human bone and wrapped it in a plastic bag before continuing along the river

He soon reported the find to police and gave them the directions to the area that he had discovered the bone.

However the rising tide meant that the spot was underwater by the time officers got there.

After the discovery, police sent the bone to the lab for testing before allowing Mr Hunt to collect the bone months later.

Mr Hunt told the BBC: 'It looked very old, but part of me was thinking what if it isn't?

'I have no idea what a bone would look like if it had only been in the water for two years, so what if it was something more sinister?'

Following months of tests Mr Hunt was surprised to discover the bone dated back to the end of the Stone Age - making it older than both Stonehenge and Egypt's Pyramids of Giza.

He was also told the bone belonged to a person - who archaeologists estimated to be around 5ft 7in tall - who lived during the Neolithic period in Britain.

The graphic designer now hopes to send the human bone to the Museum of London in Barbican.

He added: 'I want to be respectful because this was a person.'

In 2019, mudlarking expert Lara Maiklem had been walking along the Thames Estuary when she stumbled across a human skull believed to have belonged to a convict onboard a prison ship around 200 years ago.

She removed the skull and marked the spot using GPS before informing the police, the Museum of London and the local finds liaison officer.

The skull which carbon dating concluded was about 200-years-old, was due to be analysed by forensics experts in Australia but due to the Covid-19 pandemic could not be transported.

The graphic designer now hopes to send the human bone to the Museum of London in Barbican

However the prisoner's skull, who has been named 'Fred' by Ms Maiklem, will now be analysed by the University of Leicester's Professor Turi King - who is also leading a project analysing Richard III's DNA.

Ms Maiklem said the bones are believed to have belonged to a convict who became ill on a prison ship, otherwise known as prison hulks, and whose body was thrown overboard into the riverside mud.

The washed up skull was accompanied nearby by leg and arm bones.

Prison hulks were decommissioned warships which became popular in Britain during the 18th and 19th century to house those convicted of both serious and minor crimes.

The vessels were stripped of their masts, rigging and sails and were used by the government to address overcrowding in jails.

They were moored up along the Thames and Medway estuaries, as well as at Portsmouth, Bermuda and Gibraltar where prisoners were put to work in the dockyards.

They often held criminals awaiting transportation to penal colonies in Australia.

In 1798, the hulks held more than 1,400 out of about 1,900 people waiting for transportation to Australia.
Foreign social media companies would be banned from censoring Australians under a new bill proposed by a Liberal-National MP.

George Christensen, the retiring member for Dawson in Queensland, wants to stop Big Tech companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Google from removing profiles or deleting posts or videos which do not break the law.

Introducing his private member's bill in Parliament on Monday morning, Mr Christensen said Big Tech companies have significant control over political discussion in Australia and can threaten free speech.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, left, smiles next to his wife Priscilla Chan

'These platforms now form the public square, they form the place where ideas are debated, where discussion ensues, we now have big tech companies controlling that space,' he said.

Mr Christensen said he was concerned by how Facebook and Twitter deactivated former US President Donald Trump's profiles after the Capitol Hill riots in Washington DC in 2020 and described Big Tech as 'notoriously censorious of political discourse.'

He quoted early Twitter investor Fred Wilson who said de-platforming President Trump was a 'slippery slope,' adding 'he who kills the king becomes the king'.

Nationals member for Dawson George Christensen introduces the Social Media (Protecting Australians from Censorship) Bill 2022 in the House of Representatives on Monday

The MP also raised fears about foreign interference in Australian democracy, using the example of Chinese social media site WeChat deleting a post by Scott Morrison about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan in December 2020.

'We had a foreign social media service, ostensibly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, silencing the Prime Minister of this country in his own country.

'If that does not ring alarm bells I do not know what does,' Mr Christensen said.

'Foreign social media companies are interfering in the political discourse in this country.'

He also railed against Facebook for suspending United Australia Party MP Craig Kelly after controversial posts about Covid vaccines and alternative treatments.

The Dawson MP said he wanted to let free speech 'run unabated except for of course illegal speech or defamatory content.'

Scott Morrison is on Chinese social media site WeChat - but his posts are censored

His bill would prevent tech giants from de-platforming or censoring (including fact-checking) lawful content by Members of Parliament, election candidates, registered political parties, journalists and media organisations within Australia.

It would also 'protect the little guy' by preventing censorship of 'lawful philosophical (including political) discourse'.

If the bill became law, the Australian Communications and Media Authority could fine social media companies $1.1million for breaking it.

However, private member's bills are very rarely successful. Debate on Mr Christensen's bill has been adjourned until the next sitting of Parliament.
An instructor shows a woman how to use a Kalashnikov assault rifle, as members of a Ukrainian far-right group train, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (AP/Efrem Lukatsky)

Washington: Some airlines cancelled flights to the Ukrainian capital and troops there unloaded fresh shipments of weapons from NATO members Sunday, as its president sought to project confidence in the face of US warnings of possible invasion within days by a growing number of Russian forces.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to President Joe Biden for about an hour, insisting that Ukrainians had the country under safe and reliable protection against feared attack by a far stronger Russian military, aides said afterward.

The White House said both agreed to keep pushing both deterrence and diplomacy to try to stave off a feared Russian military offensive.

The Biden administration has become increasingly outspoken about its concerns that Russia will stage an incident in the coming days that would create a false pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.

US and European intelligence findings in recent days have sparked worries that Russia may try to target a scheduled Ukrainian military exercise slated for Tuesday in eastern Ukraine to launch such a false-flag operation, according to two people familiar with the matter.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about it.

American intelligence officials believe targeting the military exercise is just one of multiple options that Russia has weighed as a possibility for a false-flag operation. The White House has underscored that they do not know with certainty if President Vladimir Putin has made a final determination to launch an invasion.

Moscow's forces are massing on Ukraine's north, east and south in what the Kremlin insists are military exercises.

A US official updated the Biden administration's estimate for how many Russian forces are now staged near Ukraine's borders to more than 130,000, up from the more than 100,000 the US has cited publicly in previous weeks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration's conclusions.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly played down the US warnings, questioning the increasingly strident statements from US officials in recent days that Russia could be planning to invade as soon as midweek.

We understand all the risks, we understand that there are risks, he said in a broadcast Saturday. If you, or anyone else, has additional information regarding a 100% Russian invasion starting on the 16th, please forward that information to us.

But while Zelenskyy has urged against panic that he fears could undermine Ukraine's economy, he and his civilian and military leaders also are preparing defenses, soliciting and receiving a flow of arms from the US and other NATO members.

A military cargo aircraft carrying US-made Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition from NATO member Lithuania landed Sunday, bolstering the country's defenses against any attack by air.

Zelenskyy wore military olive drab at a drill with tanks and helicopters near Ukraine's border with Russian-annexed Crimea this weekend. In the nearby city of Kalanchak, some expressed disbelief that Putin would really send his troops rolling into the country.

I don't believe Russia will attack us," said resident Boris Cherepenko. I have friends in Sakhalin, in Krasnodar, he said, naming Russian regions. "I don't believe it.

In Kyiv, others expressed uncertainty whether any Russian move would be economic, military, or happen at all. One woman, Alona Buznitskaya, speaking on a central street of the capital bearing a few signs declaring, I love Ukraine, said she was calm.

"You should always be ready for everything, and then you will have nothing to be afraid of, she said.

The U.S. largely has not made public the evidence it says is underlying its most specific warnings on possible Russian planning or timing.

We're not going to give Russia the opportunity to conduct a surprise here, to spring something on Ukraine or the world, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, told CNN on Sunday, about the U.S. warnings.

We are going to make sure that we are laying out for the world what we see as transparently and plainly as we possibly can, he said.

The Russians have deployed missile, air, naval and special operations forces, as well as supplies to sustain an invasion. This week, Russia moved six amphibious assault ships into the Black Sea, augmenting its capability to land on the coast.

Putin denies any intention of attacking Ukraine. Russia is demanding that the West keep former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons near its border and to roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe  demands flatly rejected by the West.

Biden and Putin spoke for more than an hour Saturday, but the White House offered no suggestion that the call diminished the threat of an imminent war in Europe.

Reflecting the West's concerns, Dutch airline KLM has canceled flights to Ukraine until further notice, the company said. The Ukrainian charter airline SkyUp said Sunday its flight from Madeira, Portugal, to Kyiv was diverted to the Moldovan capital.

And Ukraine's air traffic safety agency Ukraerorukh issued a statement declaring the airspace over the Black Sea to be a zone of potential danger and recommended that planes avoid flying over the sea Feb. 14-19.

The Putin-Biden conversation, following a call between Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the day, came at a critical moment for what has become the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. U.S. officials believe they have mere days to prevent an invasion and enormous bloodshed in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will fly to Kyiv on Monday and Moscow on Tuesday to meet with the presidents in those capitals.

While the U.S. and NATO have made clear they do not intend to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia, any invasion and resulting punishing sanctions promised by the U.S. and other countries could reverberate far beyond the former Soviet republic, affecting energy supplies, global markets and the power balance in Europe.

The United States was pulling most of its staff from the embassy in Kyiv and urged all American citizens to leave Ukraine immediately. Britain joined other European nations in telling its citizens to leave.

Biden has bolstered the U.S. military presence in Europe as reassurance to allies on NATO's eastern flank. The 3,000 additional soldiers ordered to Poland come on top of 1,700 who are on their way there. The U.S. Army also is shifting 1,000 soldiers from Germany to Romania, which like Poland shares a border with Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine's Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula 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 halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.
Police have launched an investigation into online death threats against Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's false claim that he failed to prosecute paedophile Jimmy Savile.

Documents, including a batch of messages from users of the Telegram app who appear to be identifiable, were sent to Scotland Yard by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) on Friday.

They reportedly include calls for Sir Keir, who along with shadow foreign secretary David Lammy were confronted by a mob in Whitehall last week shouting 'paedophile protector', to be executed.

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 Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid distanced themselves from the comment.

Police have launched an investigation into online death threats against Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's false claim that he failed to prosecute paedophile Jimmy Savile

On Monday, Sir Keir and Mr Lammy, who were walking back from the Ministry of Defence after a briefing on the situation in Ukraine, had to be escorted away from the demonstrators by police

Scotland Yard later said two arrests were made after Sir Keir was escorted to safety

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'On Friday 11 February, police received a third party report relating to allegations of malicious communications made against a serving Member of Parliament. An investigation is ongoing.'

No arrests have yet been made

A Labour source said: 'Of course extremists of all stripes don't like Keir - he spent years helping to put them and their ilk in prison and keep Britain's streets safe from them.'

The material from the CCDH, shown to The Observer, includes responses to footage of last week's incident posted by English Defence League founder Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - better known under his pseudonym Tommy Robinson - and conspiracy theory group Resistance GB.

Last week, in a slur which caused widespread criticism and calls for him to apologise, Mr Johnson accused his rival of failing to prosecute Savile while he was director of public prosecutions.

On Monday, Sir Keir and Mr Lammy, who were walking back from the Ministry of Defence after a briefing on the situation in Ukraine, had to be escorted away from the demonstrators by police.

Although Sir Keir was head of the Crown Prosecution Service in 2009 when a decision was taken not to prosecute Savile, he had no personal involvement in the deliberations.

In an interview with The Times this week, Sir Keir said he had never been called a 'paedophile protector' before.

Sir Keir was joined by Labour's shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who appeared to help police shield his boss from the protesters

A man was arrested by the police after being involved in an attempt to mob Keir Starmer at New Scotland Yard

He added: '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 they'll 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.'

Mr Johnson tweeted on Monday evening that the 'behaviour directed' at the Labour leader was 'absolutely disgraceful', but critics have said the PM's jibe against Starmer was completely unfounded and have blamed the remark for anti-Covid restriction demonstrators targeting Sir Keir outside Parliament

Mr Johnson tweeted on Monday evening that the 'behaviour directed' at the Labour leader was 'absolutely disgraceful'.

Critics have said the PM's jibe is completely unfounded and have blamed the remark for anti-Covid restriction demonstrators targeting Sir Keir outside Parliament.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid, speaking on a visit to east London on Tuesday, said the images of the opposition leader being bundled into a police car to be escorted away from protesters were 'completely disgraceful'.

But the Cabinet minister, who has previously distanced himself from the PM's Savile comments, said 'the people that are to blame are the protesters themselves' rather than Mr Johnson.

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 following the incident.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy were confronted by an anti-vax mob on Monday

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'.
Twenty MPs let out a London property while also claiming over 400,000 taxpayers' cash for second homes or hotel expenses.

Some charge almost 34,000 of public money to live as tenants in the capital while also raking in cash from leasing out their own properties in the city.

Former defence secretary Dr Liam Fox lets his flat  a short distance from Westminster  while also claiming over 23,000 to rent a separate London home.

Twenty MPs let out a London property while also claiming over 400,000 taxpayers' cash for second homes or hotel expenses

The landlord politicians were last night accused of 'misusing public money' by using a 'loophole' in parliamentary expenses rules introduced after the 2009 scandal.

MPs are now barred from claiming mortgage interest repayments on a property they own in the capital to stop them profiting on rising home prices at taxpayers' expense.

But they are able to claim rental costs for homes in the capital even if they own a property in the city.

Fourteen MPs let a property in the capital for more than 10,000 a year and use the expenses to pay rent on a different home in the city.

Ex-attorney general Geoffrey Cox claimed 22,800 in accommodation expenses for the 2020/1 year despite having joint ownership of a residential property in London which is let for more than 10,000 a year.

Former defence secretary Dr Liam Fox (pictured) lets his flat  a short distance from Westminster  while also claiming over 23,000 to rent a separate London home

Tory Damian Collins had the highest claim for a London landlord MP also renting a home in the capital, at 33,880 during the same period.

MPs are granted different maximum accommodation allowances based on their number of dependants.

Sarah Dines, MP for the Derbyshire Dales, lets out a house in London, plus other properties outside the capital, while also claiming 6,137 in hotels in London.

Sir Alistair Graham, a former chairman of the committee on standards in public life, said: 'It's quite wrong to let out a flat and claim other flat or hotel expenses out of public funds.

'They should know it's a misuse of public money.'

He said the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which sets the rules, could 'stop it overnight'.

But former minister and Tory MP Sir Desmond Swayne, who claimed 5,709 in hotels to stay in London despite letting a flat and house in the capital, accused the Mail of being 'daft' for highlighting the issue because the expenses were legitimately available to all MPs.

Ex-attorney general Geoffrey Cox (pictured) claimed 22,800 in accommodation expenses for the 2020/1 year despite having joint ownership of a residential property in London which is let for more than 10,000 a year

Before the expenses scandal, all MPs except those in inner London could charge mortgage interest on second homes in the capital.

The new system prevented this  but they were instead able to claim rent for a London property, which was often more expensive.

So unless MPs stayed in the London homes they already owned or were already buying, the effect was in many cases a bigger cost to the public purse.

Some MPs claimed they were forced into the situation because, when the Ipsa rules came in, they were in negative equity and so could not afford to sell their London properties and had to rent them out.

Ex-transport minister Sir Robert Goodwill claimed 19,257 for rent while also letting the London property he lived in before the rule change.

He said: 'I am not sure I would call this a loophole as the decision to move out was forced on me by Ipsa changing the rules.'

A spokesman for Miss Dines said: 'Any expense claims made have been in line with the Ipsa rules.' Dr Fox, Mr Collins and Sir Geoffrey did not respond to requests for comment.
The Novavax vaccine has finally been made available in Australia and is being rolled out at general practices, community pharmacies and state clinics across the country.

Health minister Greg Hunt on Monday announced the protein-based formula - which authorities hope may finally persuade some of the remaining vaccine-hesitant to get the jab - will begin being distributed this week.

'Despite high vaccination rates in Australia, there has been a demand for a protein-based formula,' Hunt explained. 'For some people, the arrival of Novavax will be the extra push they need to get their first jab and kick start their protection against COVID-19.'

Australians can make a booking to get the Novavax vaccine via the Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.

Medical laboratory scientist, Anielia Sobel (pictured), tests serology samples from the Novavax phase 3 Covid-19 clinical vaccine trial. Novavax will be available in Australia this week

Australia ordered 50 million doses of the Novavax vaccine, which is preferred by many because it is the first traditional protein-based vaccine, whereas the likes of Pfizer and Moderna use the more novel mRNA technology.

Australians aged 18 and above will be given two doses of Novavax three weeks apart.

The vaccine will not yet be available as a booster shot or for those under the age of 18.

On December 21 the World Health Organisation (WHO) said data on the safety and efficacy on the use of Novavax in pregnant women was not yet available.

The Minister for Health Greg Hunt (pictured) has announced a start date of February 21 for the Novavax vaccine in Australia

'WHO recommends the use of the Covid-19 vaccine in pregnant women when the benefits of vaccination to the pregnant woman outweigh the potential risks,' it said.

Epidemiologist Catherine Bennett told Daily Mail Australia Novavax was more of a 'conventional' approach to vaccines as the receiver was being injected with a protein.

'The viral protein segment that they're using as a trigger for the immune system is produced in a laboratory,' she said.

'Whereas with the other vaccines, it's actually getting our cells to produce the protein and then your immune system sees it and reacts to it.

Novavax (pictured) is more of a 'conventional' approach to vaccines as the receiver is injected with a protein

'(Novavax) is doing that bit of work up front, before it's injected.'

Ms Bennett said because the protein was produced in a lab, researchers had to work hard to ensure there was no contamination.

'So what goes into you is a bit more complex because it includes a protein,' she added.

'You still have then the production of antibodies (with Novavax).'

A woman (pictured) is seen receiving a Covid-19 vaccination. Novavax is the latest vaccine to be made available in Australia

Novavax differs from mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna but all have similar side effects after a person is jabbed.

These include soreness around the site of injection, fatigue, headaches and muscle aches.

The vaccine, which is the fifth to be approved in Australia, is able to be stored in a normal fridge for up to three months, unlike other doses which must be kept at very low temperatures.

The vaccine has been proven to have 90 per cent efficacy rate against mild, moderate and severe disease, WHO said.
A vet has been struck off after performing unnecessary hip surgery on dogs for financial gain.

Dr Marthinus Ryk Botes, an orthopaedic specialist, operated on three animals without consulting their owners about other treatments.

A cocker spaniel, a Staffordshire bull terrier and a West Highland terrier and akita cross were all subjected to the needless total hip replacement procedures in 2016 and 2017.

A vet has been struck off after performing unnecessary hip surgery on dogs for financial gain (stock photo used)

Dr Botes, who was a senior partner at the Medivet practice in Grays, Kent, also recommended the operation for a fourth dog.

He was found culpable of seven charges by a disciplinary panel last month and has been struck off the veterinary register.

The panel at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons said the operations were a 'source of financial gain'.

It concluded that Dr Botes's failings were 'wide-ranging' and breached 'the basic and fundamental requirements of a veterinary surgeon'.

Dr Botes qualified from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, in 1990 and he joined the Medivet practice in 2013.

He was suspended for six months in 2008 for serious professional misconduct when a Yorkshire terrier died after he left the injured dog alone in a surgery overnight.

A cocker spaniel (not pictured), a Staffordshire bull terrier and a West Highland terrier and akita cross were all subjected to the needless total hip replacement procedures

'The committee took into account that the total hip replacements in question were a source of financial gain, that Dr Botes' conduct was repeated over a considerable period of time and that he was in an increased position of trust and responsibility because of perceived expertise in small animal orthopaedics and its education,' the panel said in its decision.

They also said there was a risk of repetition of Dr Botes's behaviour.

Dr Botes had also been suspended in the late 1990s in South Africa after disciplinary proceedings.

He is renowned for his pioneering work in small animal surgeries and led a team that opened a centre of excellence in orthopaedics in 2019.

In an account published by the VetRecord Careers website in 2018, Dr Botes said he felt like a 'failure' early on in his career and said: 'When you're inexperienced, bad habits can creep into your work'.

He also admitted to practising hip replacements on cadavers using woodwork tools from a local DIY store.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of the first wealthy Iron Age community in the North West of England  after unearthing their 2,000-year-old rubbish.

Until now the region was considered a black hole for later prehistoric human life, with no significant settlements.

But this month a team of archaeologists excavating a farmers field beside the River Dee in Poulton, near Chester, announced they had made an accidental discovery which will change the map of Iron Age Britain forever.

The group were looking for the remains of a medieval abbey when they uncovered the remnants of at least ten Celtic roundhouses.

Although the buildings are long gone, the deep ditches that surrounded them survived.

They were used by residents for the disposal of their daily rubbish and  thanks to the neutral clay soil  have been immaculately preserved.

A decorated antler toggle was found at Poulton near Chester as archaeologists discovered evidence of the first Iron Age community in the north west of England

Dr Kevin Cootes, senior researcher at Liverpool John Moores University, said they had found a dazzling time capsule of over 5,000 artefacts.

Analysis of the remains has provided the first detailed record of the lives, deaths, and ritual practices of an affluent trading community, whose inhabitants used the adjacent River Dee to trade goods, including large quantities of prized salt from the Cheshire plain, he said.

Among the artefacts were vast numbers of broken pottery used to transport the salt and preserve meat and food, pieces of moulds and stone anvils, which demonstrated that residents were smelting copper and iron, plus the bones of domestic animals and deer, which were hunted for food.

The archaeologists also discovered fragments of skulls and other human bones. Exactly why these ended up in the ordinary refuse is a mystery, but archaeologists believe it demonstrates that treatment of the dead back then was very different to today.

The most significant find, however, was of a roundhouse which, Dr Cootes said, appeared to be the home of the affluent community leader or tribal chief.

Over 2,500 finds came from this single structure alone, including items which had been ritually deposited as a statement of affluence, he added.

A beautifully decorated toggle made from Red Deer antler and a valuable axe-like farming implement, called an adze, were deposited near the entrance. Next to these items lay the remains of a dog, with a second buried in the centre of the building. The intentional sacrifice of such valuable animals would have been seen as a significant offering in exchange for the prosperity of the house.

Dr Cootes said the discovery at Poulton was a once in a thousand careers find which would illuminate pre-history in north west England.

Very little was known of high status Iron Age communities in the north west of England until now, he added. Such settlements have been discovered in southern England, east of the Pennines and in Scotland, but this area was considered a black hole by some archaeologists, that is why it is hugely significant.

We can tell from what we found that this community was very affluent, from trading along the river. Poulton is a well preserved time capsule of thousands of years of life. It is not even a once in a lifetime find, it is a once in a thousand careers find. It is absolutely fascinating and a privilege to be involved with.
New Zealand band Dragon has slammed Scott Morrison for playing their hit song April Sun in Cuba on the ukulele during a media run prior to the federal election.

The prime minister and his family sat down with 60 Minutes for a behind-the-scenes exclusive interview with host Karl Stefanovic that aired on Sunday.

At one point, Mr Morrison pulled out the instrument to serenade the journalist, his wife, and two daughters, at the dining table with his ukulele rendition of 1977 classic.

But the performance has drawn ire from the song's creators, who issued a scathing statement on Monday labelling the sing-a-long a political move.

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The Australian prime minister has come under fire after pulling out his ukulele during an exclusive interview with 60 Minutes (pictured)

Dragon (pictured) has responded to Scott Morrison's performance of their hit song April Sun in Cuba in a scathing statement

'Like many times before, Dragon is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons,' the statement begins.

'This time it's the Prime Minister of Australia's interpretation of April Sun in Cuba, written by two New Zealanders (Paul Hewson, Marc Hunter, both since passed), living in Australia about a long-ago diplomatic fracas on the other side of the world.

'It is a cynical move for a politician to co-opt music in an attempt to humanise themselves come election time.'

The rock band then made a brutal swipe at the prime minister's notorious holiday to Hawaii during the nation's Black Summer bushfires in 2019-2020.

The family were forced cut their trip short with Mr Morrison copping heavy public backlash upon on his return home for leaving while the nation was in the grips of one of its most catastrophic bushfire seasons.

'Maybe if his trip to Hawaii had not been cut short, he could have learnt the lyrics to the rest of the chorus: 'take me where the April Sun, Gonna treat me so right, so right, so right,' Dragon said.

In a double blow, the musicians also shared a satirical video of the prime minister's original performance on their Instagram, edited to show Mr Morrison playing as bushfires rage behind him.

The rock band labelled the performance a 'political move' before taking a dig at his infamous trip to Hawaii while Australia was grappling with catastrophic bushfires

Jenny Morrison now regrets the family vacation to Hawaii during the Black Summer bushfires (pictured, the couple together at a cafe in Hawaii as outrage brewed back home)

The remake left their fans amused, with dozens posting laughing emojis in the comments.

Mr Morrison raised eyebrows after he whipped out his miniature guitar - the national instrument of Hawaii - during the pre-election interview.

Australians quickly flocked to social media point out his choice of instrument was a poorly-timed reminder of the ill-fated trip.

'Did nobody on the team see Scott pick up the ukulele, go national instrument of Hawaii, and make a dive for it before cameras rolled?' one man wrote.

'Morrison made people angry when he p***ed off to Hawaii while the country burned, and then tries to play ukulele, an instrument synonymous with Hawaii, to win people over,' another added.

The family also addressed the saga during the Channel Nine program, with Jenny Morrison apologising and expressing regret over 'disappointing' the Australian public.

'I am more than sorry if we disappointed,' she told 60 Minutes' Karl Stefanovic on Sunday night.

'We did disappoint. Did we make the right decision? I thought I was making the right decision for my kids. I obviously was wrong. Yes, we were over there seeing it and we were like... we really need to get home.

'So...I wish that had never happened. But I can't change it.'
Primary school staff on the Isle of Wight warned a six-year-old boy's parents that he might be deemed 'transphobic' if he were to question another pupil wearing a dress.

Sally and Nigel Rowe, whose sons attended a Church of England school, say they received a letter from the headteacher and chair of governors which declared pupils could be seen as transphobic if they showed 'an inability to believe a transgender person is actually a ''real'' female or male.'

They claim the letter also added that refusing to use a transgender pupil's adopted name or gender appropriate pronouns would be considered 'transphobic behaviour'.

The Rowes pulled their children out of school in 2016 and 2017 after one of their sons came home confused that a boy in his class had begun inconsistently wearing a dress and identifying as a girl.

The couple, who now home-school both their children on the Isle of Wight, have objected to the guidance being given at their children's former school and called for a judicial review of the Department for Education's decision to provide guidelines on the issue to state schools.

They were granted permission for a judicial challenge and a hearing will take place later this year.

Pictured: Nigel and Sally Rowe have instructed a legal team to challenge their sons' school's transgender policies

Nigel and Sally Rowe have objected to the guidance being given at their two sons' Church of England school

The Rowes told The Times that the letter they received from the school was 'cold' and did not attempt to address their concerns.

Mr Rowe said: 'One of the main issues we struggled with in relation to the letter was that it said that if our six-year-old son did not recognise the other boy as a little girl or a little boy, then he would be deemed transphobic. And our son had to use the correct pronouns.

'I don't think that a six-year-old has the cognisant ability to work that out, especially if the child is gender fluid. And the letter also said that we as parents would be deemed to be transphobic if we didn't accept that position.'

A DfE spokesman said: 'We recognise that issues relating to gender identity can be complex and sensitive. Schools are best placed to work with parents, pupils and public services to decide what is best for individual children and what is best for all others in the school.'

The judicial review later this year will examine the DfE's promotion of Cornwall Schools Transgender Guidance, which aims to support transgender pupils.

These guidelines - which the couple say must be replaced with something that 'protects children from partisan materials that lead them down a road of irreversible harm'  state that transgender pupils 'should be able to wear the uniform of their true gender'.

The guidelines add: 'Provided the child is dressing in an appropriate manner for the school regulations, feels safe and supported and the clothes they are wearing are appropriate for them, there should not be an issue.

'Where children are free to choose clothing, making a transition from M2F (male to female) or F2M (female to male) may be harder as the change in clothing may be more obvious.'

The Rowes first publicly objected to the guidance in 2017 when they removed their second son from the school.

They believe it is wrong that young children have to confront the complex issue of transgenderism, and took action after their six-year-old son came home 'confused as to why a boy was now a girl'.

His brother, eight, was withdrawn in 2016 over a similar incident.

Mr and Mrs Rowe accused the school of failing to respect their right to bring up their children in accordance with their religious values.

Mr and Mrs Rowe accused the school of failing to respect their right to bring up their children in accordance with their religious values

Nigel and Sally Rowe, who live on the Isle of Wight, first publicly objected to the guidance in 2017

They said parents have not been consulted about the school's policies to tackle transphobic behaviour, introduced to comply with the 2010 Equality Act.

According to the Times, the couple said that when they raised the issue, the school gave them the choice of 'either affirming transgenderism, which they believe is harmful, or being labelled as transphobic'.

Mr Rowe said: 'This is not just about boys wearing dresses. This case is about an ideology that is now embedded in schools, local authorities, and Church of England leadership, and is causing serious long-term harm to thousands of children.

'We believe it is wrong to encourage very young children to embrace transgenderism. Boys are boys and girls are girls. Gender dysphoria is something we as Christians need to address with love and compassion, but not in the sphere of a primary school environment.

'We took this action with heavy hearts, but having seen how this issue has escalated, we feel vindicated and believe the government must be challenged.

'The Cornwall Guidelines must be scrapped and replaced with a policy that protects children from partisan materials that lead them down a road of irreversible harm.'

A spokesperson for the Department for Education, who are defending the claim, said: 'We recognise that issues relating to gender identity can be complex and sensitive.

'Schools are best placed to work with parents, pupils and public services to decide what is best for individual children and what is best for all others in the school.'
A teenage soldier who was visiting his family while on leave from the Army was found dead on a railway track near his home.

Private Thamir Mbarushimana, 18, was found dead on railway tracks in his hometown of Wythenshawe, south Manchester, last Sunday.

He was based at the Infantry Training Centre at the British Army's Catterick Garrison near Richmond, North Yorkshire.

It is understood Pte Mbarushimana had only been in training there for weeks and was visiting his family at home in Wythenshawe at the time of his death.

Pte Mbarushimana was one of two men from the base to die on the same day.

In a separate incident, police were called to Catterick Garrison at 5am on February 6 after receiving reports of the 'sudden death' of a 33-year-old man.

Private Thamir Mbarushimana, 18, was found dead on railway tracks in his hometown of Wythenshawe, south Manchester

Pte Mbarushimana was one of two men from Catterick Garrison to die on the same day

Police and paramedics were called to a stretch of railway line near Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, at 4.17pm following reports of a casualty on the tracks'.

Sadly, Pte Mbarushimana was pronounced dead at the scene.

Trains between Stockport and Altrincham were cancelled for around three hours following the incident.

A British Transport Police spokesman said Pte Mbarushimana's death was not being treated as suspicious and files were being prepared for a coroner.

Pte Mbarushimana was a former pupil at Manchester Health Academy in Baguley.

His grieving family said he was proud of his accomplishments in becoming a soldier - a pride they shared.

In a statement, Pte Mbarushimana's family said: 'We thank all those who are providing love, support and understanding for our family at this time.

'Thamir was a wonderful man who we will all sorely miss. He was caring, generous and loving.

'He touched the lives of many and will forever remain in our memories.

'Thamir was proud of his accomplishments in becoming a soldier in the Army and we shared in this pride as a family.

'We would like to thank the British Army for their support over the last week.

'We request that our family are left to grieve in privacy and will not be commenting any further at this time.'

Catterick Garrison is the largest Army base in Britain and home to more than 13,000 personnel.

Friends are rallying round Pte Mbarushimana's family and a GoFundMe appeal has been launched.

It describes Pte Mbarushimana as an 'aspiring soldier who didn't get to live out his potential in the Army' - and said he had a 'heart of gold'.

Police and paramedics were called to a stretch of railway line near Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, at 4.17pm following reports of a casualty on the tracks'

Catterick Garrison is home to several Army units, including the 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment and the Royal Lancers

The organisers wrote: 'We would be thankful for any donations. Thamir has been such a good soul to everyone and he had a heart of gold.

'We're doing this for all his family and friends to give him the best send off, which he truly deserves. RIP Thamir - until we meet again.'

An Army spokesperson said: 'It is with great sadness that we can confirm the death of Private Thamir Mbarushimana in Manchester on February 6.

'Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.'

An inquest into Pte Mbarushimana's death will be held on a date yet to be fixed.

To donate to the fundraiser, visit: https://gofund.me/e754b6ec

For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

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Trade Minister Dan Tehan has warned Australia would enact strong economic sanctions against Russia should it invade Ukraine.

As tensions in the region heighten, Australian diplomatic staff have been evacuated from the Ukrainian embassy in Kyiv.

It comes after the US warned a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be imminent.

Mr Tehan said he hoped the situation in Ukraine would resolve peacefully, but measures would be enacted should Russia invade.

'It is highly likely there would be very strong sanctions against Russia and we'll have to play our part in that regard,' he told Sky News.

'We want a de-escalation, but if (invasion) happens, then you'll be looking at sanctions and we'll be a part of that.'

Mr Tehan said an invasion would also likely lead to an increase in oil and gas prices and put pressure on international markets.

Trade Minister Dan Tehan (pictured) has warned Australia would enact strong economic sanctions against Russia should it invade Ukraine

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the situation in Ukraine had reached a 'dangerous juncture'.

'It's a very dangerous situation and the reverberations will be felt far and wide if, in fact, the Russians do invade,' Mr Frydenberg told the Nine Network.

'You don't amass more than 100,000 troops on a border to check out the views or have a picnic.'

Australian diplomatic staff have been directed to a temporary office in Lviv, in western Ukraine.

Acting deputy secretary national security and international policy Rod Brazier told Senate Estimates the final five remaining staff members had arrived in Lviv, in Ukraine's west, on Sunday.

'(Sunday) morning as a result of the threat to peace and stability in the region the Australian embassy in Kiev was temporarily closed,' he said.

'The embassy has set up a facility for operations. This is a temporary move that will be kept under review considering the security situation.'

Australians have been evacuated from the Ukrainian embassy in Kyiv amid intel a Russian invasion is imminent. Pictured: A Russian tank during armed forces exercises last week

Pro-Russian militants ride a T-34 Soviet-made tank (pictured) during a military parade in Luhansk, Ukraine

Mr Brazier said 147 Australian citizens, permanent residents and dependants remained in Ukraine.

The federal government has been warning Australians in Ukraine to leave immediately in light of the situation.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the government directed staff to leave the embassy in Kiev as soon as possible.

'Given the deteriorating security situation caused by the build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine's border, the government has directed the departure of staff at the Australian Embassy in Kiev and temporarily suspended operations at our embassy,' Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Sunday.

Former US ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer said there had been a 'startling build-up' of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border.

'Washington has made a decision to assume the worst and then try and do everything it can to deter and dissuade the Kremlin from making a decision that would be a tragedy for Ukraine, but also a tragedy for Russia,' he told ABC radio.

US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held crisis talks on Ukraine on Sunday.

Russia was warned during the meeting there would be 'swift and severe costs' should an invasion happen.

Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne (pictured) said the government had directed staff to leave the embassy in Kiev, Ukraine

The heightened situation follows intelligence that suggested Russia is to launch an attack on Ukraine as early as Wednesday.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned Russia's threats of invading Ukraine as 'utterly unacceptable'.

'I want to send a very clear message on behalf of Australia  a liberal democracy who believes in freedom and the sovereignty of states, not just in Europe but in our own region as well  that the autocratic, unilateral actions of Russia to be threatening and bullying Ukraine is something that is completely and utterly unacceptable,' he said.

'The situation, as you are all hearing as well, is deteriorating and reaching a very dangerous stage.'

Mr Morrison a day earlier described the situation as 'very serious' and told Australian citizens living in the eastern European country they could get caught up in fighting.

This could included a deadly 'aerial bombardment of Kiev' - should Russian President Vladimir Putin give the go-ahead to his 130,000 troops massed near Ukraine's borders.

Australians have been urged by Scott Morrison to leave Ukraine immediately over fears of an imminent invasion by Russian forces that Washington spy chiefs warned could be ordered in a matter of days

'We respect their decisions, but our advice to them is very clear  this is a very dangerous situation and for your own safety you should seek to make your way out of Ukraine,' he said.

'It will be a very volatile situation if there is conflict there. We hope and pray will not occur.'

Mr Morrison added it was a 'very urgent and serious situation'.

'We hope for peace, but in the event of conflict, we want to ensure that Australians have had the opportunity to remove themselves from Ukraine to a place of safety  and we have been saying they consistently now for many, many weeks,' he said.

The government had previously warned Australians in Ukraine should leave immediately as conditions could change at short notice.

'Russian military action in Ukraine will severely limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australians,' Ms Payne said.

Map of Ukraine and its borders with Russia and Belarus, military targets and possible invasion options (pictured)

Russian and Belarusian troops taking part in a military exercise in Belarus on February 11, 2022

'Australia continues to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We remain in close contact with our Five Eyes (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and US) and other like-minded partners on the ground.'

Videos purportedly showing atomic canons being moved towards Ukraine sparked fears Mr Putin may be sending nuclear-armed military hardware within striking distance of major cities.

The video - showing huge 2S7 Pion guns - was captured in Vesela Lopan, Bolgorod in Western Russia and just 10 miles from the Ukrainian border, according to The Sun.

Known as the 'Soviet atomic cannon', the devastating weapon is one of the most powerful artillery cannons ever built.

It can carry up to four 203mm nuclear shells, which have the potential to annihilate large areas.

In a chilling press conference earlier this week, Mr Putin warned that if Ukraine joined NATO, the risk of nuclear war would increase.

Russia demanded the alliance completely rules out Ukraine ever joining.

Ukrainian soldiers (picturedI) near the border with Crimea, as Russia also amasses troops

Ukrainian servicemen (pictured) take part in drills held in the settlement of Kalanchak near the border with Crimea

Labor leader Anthony Albanese called for Russia to withdraw from the region.

'Russia should back off,' he told Sky News.

'The threats and intimidation that's occurring to a sovereign state like the Ukraine are entirely inappropriate in 2022, and we respect Ukraine sovereignty and that should be respected by all including by Russia.'

Australians who need consular assistance regarding Ukraine can call the Australian government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 or +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia.

Thousands of British and American citizens were also urged to leave Ukraine as tensions escalate, after western analysts raised the alarm that Vladimir Putin was about to send in his forces.

The European Union told non-essential staff from its diplomatic mission in Ukraine that they should leave the country, but stopped short of issuing a full evacuation order.

The heightened US rhetoric followed new intelligence that suggested Russia is to launch an attack on Ukraine on Wednesday - according to German newspaper Der Speigel.

Information received by the Secret Service, CIA and other intelligence services uncovered detailed plans and went as far as to outline routes that will likely be taken by individual Russian units and the roles they might play.

A person walks during a snowfall by a WWII memorial, in Sievierodonetsk, the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine on Saturday, February 12, 2022

On Friday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington believed Russia could invade any day and issued a warning to Americans in the country: Get out immediately because the US will not be coming back to rescue anyone.

'We encourage all American citizens who remain in Ukraine to depart immediately,' Mr Sullivan said.

'We want to be crystal clear on this point. Any American in Ukraine should leave as soon as possible and in any event in the next 24 to 48 hours.

'The risk is now high enough and the threat is now immediate enough that this is what prudence demands.

'If you stay you are assuming risk, with no guarantee that there will be any other opportunity to leave and there is no prospect of a US military evacuation in the event of a Russian invasion.'
Independent MP Zali Steggall

An independent MP passionate about stopping climate change and improving integrity in politics received a $100,000 cheque from a former multimillionaire coal investor's family trust to help her campaign.

Zali Steggall, the MP for Warringah on Sydney's northern beaches, was given the money in March 2019 by the Kinghorn Family Trust, headed by tycoon John Kinghorn.

It was the biggest single donation she received in her successful campaign to oust former Liberal Prime Minister and climate change sceptic Tony Abbott, reported Nine Newspapers.

Mr Kinghorn, 80, is the founder of RAMS home loans and previously the director of Cascade Coal and Felix Resources, which was sold to a Chinese company for $3.5billion in 2009.

Ms Steggall did not declare the cash at the time because she received eight individual 'pledges' from Kinghorn family members for $12,500 each, below the declaration threshold of $13,800.

But the Australian Electoral Commission deemed the payment to be one donation and ordered her to disclose it.

'Notwithstanding the donation consisted of eight individual pledges, one cheque of $100,000 was given to Warringah Independent Ltd from The Kinghorn Family Trust,' it said after a review.

'Under the Electoral Act, the details of individual receipts exceeding the threshold must be disclosed in the annual disclosure return.'

Tycoon John Kinghorn pictured in 2012

In a statement on her Twitter account on Monday, Ms Steggall denied she had 'failed to declare' the donation, as Nine Newspapers wrote in its headline.

She said she had disclosed the money in November 2019 but changed her return after the AEC review in January 2021.

'I received eight individual pledges from a large family living in my electorate. The AEC later considered it to be one single donation, so the return was amended in 2021 to reflect that,' she said.

'The money donated was at all times disclosed.'

Ms Steggall said there was nothing wrong with accepting money from former fossil fuel investors.

'If you ruled out taking donations from anyone who has invested in coal at one time or another, you pretty well rule out everyone as most people have, through their superannuation,' she said.

'What is important is for people to now turn away from fossil fuel investment and support Australia's transition to clean energy and support MPs with solutions.'
Ben Fordham has called on politicians not to ignore those protesting against vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions and not to write them off as a fringe element.

An estimated 10,000 protesters marched to Parliament House in Canberra on Saturday to protest against Covid rules.

The demonstrators streamed through Canberra over the weekend to assemble across several huge lawns at Parliament House, joining those who had been camped there over recent weeks.

Ben Fordham says it's time for Australians to get on with their lives and move on from Covid restrictions

While some in the crowd were pushing conspiracy theories and fringe political views, Fordham said many had legitimate gripes about the continuation of mandates and restrictions when the pandemic was quickly ebbing away.

The number of active Covid cases in Australia on Monday was 171,835 - the lowest since New Year's Day and 79 per cent below the number at the peak of the Omicron wave in mid-January.

'There were plenty of fruitcakes out in force,' Fordham said. 'But its not fair to characterise all of these people as lunatics.'

'After two years of lockdowns and restrictions, people have had enough!

'They're sick of government shifting the goal posts and they resent the fact that they have been separated from their loved ones.

Anti-vaccine mandate protestors dance at Exhibition Park in Canberra on February 12, 2022

'At some point, we have to break free of COVID-19,' Fordham explained.

'Yes, there are the usual morons  but lets not pretend that they make up the whole crowd. There are many more people who just want their lives back,' Fordham explained.

'The truth is the longer we live in this Covid coma, the more people will sign up. You can't ignore a crowd that big.

'It's time to get on with our lives.'

Pauline Hanson joined the protesters on Saturday, who appeared to represent many different causes and carried a wide array of anti-authority signs, messages and flags.

Pauline Hanson (pictured beside police officers) joined thousands of anti-vaccine mandate protestors rallying outside Parliament House

Protestors in the crowd that gathered in Canberra had a diverse range of views but were united under a banner of 'freedom' from vaccine mandates

It is the second week anti-vaccine protestors have staged protests in the capital city.

Among the crowd were men who appeared to be former Australian soldiers, tradies, truckers, motorcyclists, evangelical religious groups, a smattering of Indigenous protestors and some MPs.

A large crowd marched on Australia's main government buildings in Canberra as 'freedom' protestors called on leaders to end vaccine mandates

Many families (pictured) were at the anti-vaccine mandate protests in Canberra on Saturday

Many flew alternative Australian flags including the Eureka stockade flag, considered a general symbol of rebellion against authority, the Aboriginal flag and the red maritime ensign.

The red ensign has been adopted during anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine protests by the so-called 'sovereign citizen' movement, a group who believe many government laws are illegitimate and an overreach of authority.

Protestors organised using social media but arrived in person in their thousands in the nation's capital

Up to 10,000 demonstrators, united in their opposition to compulsory vaccination, streamed through Canberra to assemble across several huge lawns at Parliament house

'We've been controlled by the politicians ... I'm here as an Australian fighting for my rights and my freedoms,' Ms Hanson told 7News.

She had earlier taken to Facebook to urge protestors to join the rally.

'I hope you're all behind this Convoy to Canberra,' she wrote.

'Convoy to Canberra has arrived. Say 'hi' if you're here and see me.'

It is nearly the second week anti-vaccine protestors have staged rallies in the capital city as part of the 'Convoy to Canberra (pictured, a protestor raises a child in the air during Saturday's demonstration)

Many flew alternative Australian flags including the Eureka stockade flag, considered a general symbol of rebellion against authority, the Aboriginal flag and the red ensign

Speaking in Sydney, Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged protestors to behave in a respectful manner.

'I want to be very clear when it comes to the issue of vaccine mandates, the Commonwealth government have only ever supported mandates that relate to aged care workers, disability workers and those that are working in high-risk situations in health system,' he said.

'My government has only ever supported mandates that have been recommended right across the country by the medical expert panel and our chief medical officers.

'All other mandates that relate to vaccines have been imposed unilaterally by state governments.'

It is the second week anti-vaccine protestors have staged rallies in Australia's capital as part of the 'Convoy to Canberra' (pictured, protestors at Parliament House)

Speaking in Sydney, Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged protestors to carry out the rally in a respectful manner (pictured, anti-vaccine mandate protestors in Canberra)

MP Craig Kelly, who is leader of the United Australia Party, tweeted in support of the protests.

'Tens of thousands of Freedom Fighters in Canberra saying no to human rights abuses,' he wrote.

Great Australia party founder Rod Culleton was also at the march.

Anti-vaccine protestors on the back of a ute at the rally in front of Parliament House on Saturday
A Sydney radio presenter has defended Prime Minister Scott Morrison's wife Jenny after she was criticised for comments she made about Grace Tame.

Radio 2GB's Ben Fordham said Mrs Morrison 'was iced by Grace Tame'.

Speaking on the 60 Minutes program on Sunday night, Mrs Morrison said the 2021 Australian of the Year should have shown 'manners and respect' when she visited the Prime Minister's Canberra residence, The Lodge.

Jenny and Scott Morrison (pictured) appeared on Channel 9's 60 Minutes show on Sunday night

Ms Tame, who has been critical of the government's handling of sexual assault matters, infamously refused to return the smile of Mr Morrison at the event on January 25.

On 60 Minutes, Mrs Morrison said 'I just found it a little bit disappointing, because we were welcoming her in our home.

'I just wish the focus had been on all the incredible people coming in. I respect people that want to change things, stand up for their beliefs, and are strong, but I still think there are manners and respect.'

Mrs Morrison added that she wants her daughters to 'grow up to be fierce, strong, independent, amazing people' but she thinks 'they can still do that and show kindness to other people and be polite and have manners'.

Her comments prompted a backlash in some quarters, with Women's Agenda contributing editor Georgie Dent tweeting that 'Grace Tame does not lack manners.

'She rejected the deeply ingrained and toxic expectation on women to smile even when they're deeply uncomfortable and she acted with integrity.

Poll Is Jenny Morrison right to say Grace Tame should've been polite to the PM? Yes, Tame was so disrespectful No, Tame can do whatever she wants Is Jenny Morrison right to say Grace Tame should've been polite to the PM? Yes, Tame was so disrespectful 976 votes

No, Tame can do whatever she wants 358 votes Now share your opinion





'I will be delighted if my daughters have one 100th of Grace Tames dignity.'

Former Liberal MP Julia Banks said people are disappointed in the Prime Minister, not in Ms Tame.

'I know Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins. I know and have worked with Scott. I know a lot of people who work[ed] with him.

'To Jenny (who Ive met briefly)  I say "with manners & being polite" - everyone I know is disappointed in him.'

The defence of Ms Tame then led to a counter backlash from others in the media.

Fordham weighed in on the Today show on Monday morning, saying he backed Mrs Morrison.

'I can completely understand where Jenny Morrison's coming from. I mean, I never quite understood what Jenny Morrison had done to upset or offend Grace Tame,' he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (left) and 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame (right) during a morning tea for state and territory recipients in the 2022 Australian of the Year awards at The Lodge in Canberra, Tuesday, January 25, 2022

'I completely understand where Scott Morrison has been wrong-footed on the issue continually, from the Brittany Higgins matter to Grace Tame and everything else, but the person I felt sorry for the most in this encounter was the Prime Minister's wife because, let's face it, she was iced by Grace Tame.

'Jenny Morrison's never done anything on this issue. She's an innocent party in all of this.'

Mrs Morrison broke her silence about the moment the Australian of the Year Ms Tame met with her and her husband during an interview with 60 Minutes that aired on Sunday night.

Radio 2GB presenter Ben Fordham (pictured) has defended Scott Morrison's wife Jenny after comments she made about Grace Tame

After the morning tea at The Lodge, Ms Tame defended her right not to smile at the Prime Minister.

'The survival of abuse culture is dependent on submissive smiles and self-defeating surrenders. It is dependent on hypocrisy,' she said in a statement on Twitter.

'My past is only relevant to the extent that I have seen  in fact I have worn  the consequences of civility for the sake of civility.

'What I did wasn't an act of martyrdom in the gender culture war.

'It's true that many women are sick of being told to smile, often by men, for the benefit of men.

'But it's not just women who are conditioned to smile and conform to the visibly rotting status quo. It's all of us.'
Influential filmmaker Ivan Reitman, who directed beloved comedies Animal House and Ghostbusters has died 'unexpectedly' at age 75.

His family said Reitman died peacefully in his sleep Saturday night at his Montecito, California home.

'Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,' his children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement.

'We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.'

It is unclear if Reitman had been suffering any illnesses prior to his death.

Known for big, bawdy comedies that caught the spirit of their time, the director-producer's most significant success came with his 1984 film Ghostbusters which grossed nearly $300million worldwide.

The supernatural comedy - starring Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis - earned two Oscar nominations and spawned a veritable franchise that included television shows and a new movie, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which was directed by his son, Jason, and opened last year.

He was also the co-owner of The Montecito Picture Company which is responsible for the production of dozens of films.

Influential filmmaker Ivan Reitman (pictured in 2011), who directed beloved comedies Animal House and Ghostbusters has died 'unexpectedly' at age 75

His family said Reitman died peacefully in his sleep Saturday night at his Montecito, California home (pictured)

The Hollywood Walk of Fame Star holder and Lifetime Achievement Award winner got his big break at age 34 when he produced the raucous, college fraternity sendup National Lampoon's Animal House.

He then went on to direct many notable films, including hits that starred award-winning actors Arnold Schwarzenegger, who also served as the governor of California, and Bill Murray.

Reitman directed Murray in 1979 in his first starring role in Meatballs and then again in Stripes, a 1981 American war comedy.

Among other notable films he directed are Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Dave, Junior and 1998's Six Days, Seven Nights. He also produced Beethoven, Old School, EuroTrip and many others, including several for his son.

Reitman got his big break at age 34 when he produced the raucous, college fraternity sendup National Lampoon's Animal House. He is pictured in left 1978, the year the comedy was released. His most most significant success came with his 1984 film Ghostbusters (right) which grossed nearly $300million worldwide

The supernatural comedy - starring Ernie Hudson, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd (pictured left to right) - earned two Oscar nominations and spawned a veritable franchise

Last year, Reitman (right) worked alongside his son, Jason Reitman (left), on a new spin-off movie for the Ghostbuster franchise titled Ghostbusters: Afterlife

The influential filmmaker's death was a hard hit to the cinematic community, with many of his fans and former colleagues offering their condolences Sunday night.

Paul Feig, who director of the 2016 Ghostbusters remake said it was a 'honor working so closely with Ivan' and 'such a learning experience.'

He outlined how Reitman was a 'generous' and supportive man that has made a lasting impact on his career.

'Im in absolute shock. I had the honor of working so closely with Ivan and it was always such a learning experience. He directed some of my favorite comedies of all time. All of us in comedy owe him so very much. Thank you for everything, Ivan. Truly,' Feig wrote on Twitter.

'One of the most special moments to me was after our last test screening of Ghostbusters:ATC after we did some reshoots and our scores went through the roof. Ivan met me out in the lobby and said Im so happy for you I feel like crying. Thats the kind of generous man he was.'

He added: 'Sending so much love to the great @JasonReitman for the loss of his amazing father Ivan. Jason and Ivan have always been so supportive of me throughout my career and Ill never be able to truly repay them both. This is such a sad day.'

The influential filmmaker's death was a hard hit to the cinematic community, with many of his fans and former colleagues offering their condolences Sunday night

Harold and Kumar writer-director Jon Hurwitz gave a shout-out to Reitman's 'legacy of classics, in a tweet naming several of his well-known titles.

Comedian, actor and writer Sam Brown said he was 'deeply saddened' by Reitman's passing hailed him a 'legend,' saying: 'Trevor Zach and I had the pleasure of writing with him on a project and it was such an honor. With no hyperbole the man was a legend. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the people who worked with him everyday.'

W. Earl Brown, who appeared in Reitman's sports drama Draft Day, attributed his desire to pursue a movie career to the filmmaker.

Guy Branum, who appeared in Reitmans romcom No Strings Attached, said Reitman was responsible for the creation of several of his 'favorite movies'.

'I got to be in a movie because Ivan Reitman saw me on TV and thought I was funny,' Branum tweeted. 'He was impossibly kind, astoundingly funny, and made so many of my favorite movies. Im so sorry for his familys loss.'

Producer and director Ivan Reitman, center, is honored with a star on the the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on the Hollywood Boulevard, on May 5, 1997 (Pictured left to right: Actors Natasha Kinski, Billy Crystal, and Robin Williams)

Director Ivan Reitman accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Big Screen Achievement Awards at CinemaCon 2014 on March 27, 2014 in Las Vegas

Reitman (center), his wife actress Genevieve Robert (left) and actress Kate McKinnon are pictured at the 2016 premiere of Ghostbusters

Reitman was born in Komarmo, Czechoslovakia, in 1946 where his father owned the country's biggest vinegar factory. When the communists began imprisoning capitalists after the war, the Reitmans decided to escape, when he was only four. They traveled in the nailed-down hold of a barge headed for Vienna.

'I remember flashes of scenes,' Reitman he recalled in a 1979 interview.

'Later they told me about how they gave me a couple of sleeping pills so I wouldn't make any noise. I was so knocked out that I slept with my eyes open. My parents were afraid I was dead.'

The Reitmans joined a relative in Toronto, where the filmmaker displayed his show biz inclinations: starting a puppet theater, entertaining at summer camps, playing coffee houses with a folk music group. He studied music and drama at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and began making movie shorts.

With friends and $12,000, Reitman made a nine-day movie, Cannibal Girls, which American International agreed to release. He produced on a $500 budget a weekly TV revue, Greed, with Dan Aykroyd, and became associated with the Lampoon group in its off-Broadway revue that featured John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Murray. That soon led to Animal House.

Among other notable films he directed are Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Dave (pictured), Junior and 1998's Six Days, Seven Nights. He also produced Beethoven, Old School, EuroTrip and many others, including several for his son

Actress Uma Thurman and director Ivan Reitman attend the 20th Century Fox premiere of My Super Ex-Girlfriend in July 2006. Reitman directed the film

Director Ivan Reitman, actress Karen Allen, actor Bruce McGill and guests attend the premiere party for Animal House on July 27, 1978 in New York City

van Reitman, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray pictured in 1984 while working on Ghostbusters

By the time 1990's Kindergarten Cop came around, Reitman had established himself as the most successful comedy director in history. Though not even being the father of three children could have prepared him for the arduous task of directing 30 children between the ages of four and seven in the Schwarzenegger comedy.

Reitman slowed down as a director after Six Days, Seven Nights - only four films would follow: Evolution, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, No Strings Attached and 2014's Draft Day.

However, he continued producing and, with Ghostbusters: Afterlife, even found himself on the press circuit with his son, Jason, providing emotional moments for both with the passing of the baton.

When asked late last year why the 1984 film continued to fascinate, Reitman said that it was hard to define.

'I always had a sort of sincere approach to the comedy,' he said. 'I took it seriously even though, it was a horror movie and a comedy, I felt you had to sort of deal with it in a kind of realistic and honest way.'
Three female lawyers who accused former High Court judge Dyson Heydon of sexual harassment have reached a secret settlement with the Federal government.

Employment law firm Maurice Blackburn Lawyers revealed the settlement for the three women, Rachael Patterson Collins, Chelsea Tabart and Alex Eggerking.

It's believed the compensation amounts could total more than a million dollars.

The settlement includes the women signing non-disclosure agreements enduring the pay-outs will remain secret.

Former High Court judge Dyson Heydon was the subject of compensation claims by three lawyers. Two of them were his associates

'Exceedingly proud, chuffed and stoked to announce the historic settlement of compensation claims for three women whose allegations of sexual harassment against former High Court judge Dyson Heydon were upheld by an independent investigation,' lawyer John Bornstein of Maurice Blackburn said on Monday.

Mr Bornstein said the three women had been unable to pursue legal careers because of their experiences.

Two of the women were former associates of Mr Heydon during his time on the bench.

A confidential settlement has been reached thought to total about $1million for Chelsea Tabart, Rachael Patterson Collins and Alex Eggerking

Justice Heydon had previously denied the allegations through his lawyers.

He had previously described his actions as 'inadvertent and unintended'.

This allegedly included repeatedly trying to kiss Ms Collins and telling her she was beautiful.

Ms Collins subsequently abandoned her desire to become a barrister.

Another former associate, Chelsea Tabart, told the Sydney Morning Herald Mr Heydon had put his hand on her knee after taking her to a private room at a club.

She later left law saying that she did feel safe 'from powerful men like Mr Heydon even if I reported them'.

High Court of Australia Chief Justice Susan Kiefel was forced to issue a statement in 2020 in which she said the Court was 'ashamed' harassment could happen there

In 2020 the investigation into Mr Heydon prompted the High Court's Chief Justice, Susan Kiefel to issue a statement in which she said the women's accounts were to be believed and that, 'We are ashamed that this could have happened at the High Court of Australia.

'The findings are of extreme concern to me, my fellow justices, our chief executive and the staff of the court,' she said.

The High Court's investigation revealed six former associates had been subject to harassment, five of whom had worked with the former judge.

'[The women] have asked me to convey their strong conviction that women should not feel ashamed to pursue financial settlements in sexual harassment cases because sexual harassment will only start to recede when there is a clear recognition that it has a substantial cost to organisations and individuals who are implicated,' Mr Bornstein said in a statement.
Aboriginal senator Lidia Thorpe has blasted Scott Morrison after he asked for forgiveness on the anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generations.

During a speech to Parliament on Monday - 14 years after former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered the historic apology - Mr Morrison said forgiving was harder than apologising.

'Sorry is not the hardest word to say, the hardest is I forgive you,' he said, repeating a line from an address he gave 14 years ago.

Aboriginal senator Lidia Thorpe (pictured being sworn in) has blasted Scott Morrison after he asked for forgiveness on the anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generations

Senator Thorpe criticised the Prime Minister on Twitter

Senator Thorpe, who is a member of The Greens, said the Prime Minister had shown 'outright disrespect' to the Aboriginal children who were removed from their families.

'This is outright disrespect to all those affected by Stolen Generations in this country,' she wrote on Twitter.

'How dare you ask for forgiveness when you still perpetrate racist policies and systems that continue to steal our babies. That is not an apology.'

The First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, a group of Aboriginal leaders, also slammed the speech, releasing an official response containing only the four words: 'Get in the bin.'

Senator Thorpe, a vocal Indigenous rights campaigner, has represented Victoria in the senate since June 2020.

In November she was kicked out of Parliament after she took off her jacker in the middle of a debate and shouted: 'Black lives don't matter in Beetaloo' while protesting new gas projects in the Northern Territory.

In 2008, Mr Rudd gave a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly to the Stolen Generations, who had been impacted by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.

Mr Morrison said each anniversary was an opportunity for Australia to remind itself of times past and lessons learned.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison before he delivers a speech recognising the anniversary of the apology to the stolen generation in the House of Representatives

He said progress was being made in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and the government was taking action to right past wrongs.

'Out of great tragedy and loss there can be hope,' he said.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese reaffirmed Labor's commitment to implement all recommendations from the Uluru Statement of the Heart.

This includes a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous voice to parliament which Labor would hold a referendum for if elected.

The Coalition proposes to legislate a voice to Government instead.

'Speeches which do not lead to action are a hollow, bitter undertaking,' Mr Albanese said.

'But now we should feel within our own hearts the insistent rhythm of Uluru's three generous requests: Voice, truth, treaty. Labor is committed to all three.'

Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt told parliament powerful words must be followed by practical action, and said the government's nearly $400million wellbeing redress scheme was an important commitment.

Through the scheme, survivors of the Stolen Generations will have access to free legal advice and counselling, as well as other financial and wellbeing support.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Prime Minister's office for comment.

With AAP
Western Australia has hit another Covid-19 case record with the state reporting 75 new cases of the virus on Monday.

The state - which is sealed off from the rest of Australia - now has more than 500 active cases of the virus.

62 new cases were community transmission whereas 13 were related to travel into the state.

Premier Mark McGowan warned at the weekend that further restrictions are coming to the sealed-off state

The previous infection tally record was broken on Sunday when the state recorded 68 new infections.

Premier Mark McGowan warned at the weekend that the state's residents will face further restrictions.

'We haven't actually made a decision on when (further restrictions) will come in, but at some point in time they will come in,' Mr McGowan said.

Mr McGowan has warned he will tighten rules as Omicron cases rise throughout the state

More to follow
Being in the same household as someone who has Covid-19 presents a far higher risk of infection than a passing encounter with someone who has it.

But sometimes even the person sleeping beside someone who is infected doesn't catch Covid, and it could come down to your genes.

Why some people get Covid and others don't is being investigated by infectious disease specialists across the world in the hope that it will help with future treatment of the virus.

They have even been given a name, the never Covid cohort.

Sometimes even the person sleeping beside someone who is infected doesn't catch Covid. Pictured is a stock photo of a man comforting his sick partner

But before anyone assumes they are part of that cohort, Melbourne-based epidemiology Professor Catherine Bennett urges caution.

'It's a great unknown. There could be a few things going on,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'One is that the person might get the infection but test negative on a rapid antigen test and not be symptomatic, so not know (they have it).

'It's also possible they might have had it previously and not known and then when their partner gets it they test themselves and test negative.

'They might not have had strong enough symptoms to realise that they had (it before) and which then offers them protection when their partner (or someone in their household) became ill.'

Professor Bennett said it could also come down to a person's genes. 'There are people who just have a better immune response than some others.'

Being vaccinated and having had a booster shot also play a big role in whether or not you will catch Covid from someone else in your own household.

'If you're vaccinated, we know some people produce more antibodies than others and it might just be having those high neutralising antibodies is what helps.

Getting vaccinated and boosted (pictured) is the best way to avoid getting Covid-19

'But if you had a prior infection, it gives you an extra benefit in that when you get a vaccine and you haven't had an infection, it's in your system but it's not in your mucosal lining (a membrane that lines various cavities in the body),' Professor Bennett said.

'But once you've had an infection, you actually get that early immune response, that primed immune response in the very tissue areas that the virus establishes its infection in ... nose and throat tissues.'

Professor Bennett said science does no fully understand what primes each person's immune system. 'Some of us have had very close exposure and are not infectious, some of us are infectious and don't know it, some have had a prior infection and do know it.

'But even within all of that, we're all a bit different. Some just have the right immune response early enough that when they're exposed from (within their household), they start an immune response to stop the infection and that immune response itself then keeps them safe through the duration of that exposure period.'

Epidemiology Professor Catherine Bennett (pictured) said people should be cautious of the results of RATs if a person tests negative after someone else in their household tests positive

She stressed that getting a booster shot of a Covid vaccine is very important. 'Once you've had the booster, no matter what your prior (vaccine) course was, you have better protection.

'That's 70 per cent protection in the first short while. It might wane a bit over time but after three or four months you've still got 50 per cent protection,' she said.

The professor said people should also be cautious of the results of RATs if a person tests negative after someone else in their household tests positive.

'People have to be aware that they could still have a false negative on a rapid antigen test so that's why it's important to isolate along with the case because there is still a possibility that you're in that third that is really positive without symptoms and doesn't test positive on a RAT.'
President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a call on Sunday that the U.S. would respond 'swiftly and decisively' if Russia moves forward with an invasion on Ukraine.

U.S. officials warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen as early as this week  and likely before the end of the Beijing Olympics.

The call on Sunday came after Russian Ambassador to Sweden Viktor Tatarintsev said in an interview this weekend that Russian President Vladimir Putin 'doesn't give a s**t' about the risk of Western sanctions should he invade Ukraine.

He also said, 'the more the West pushes Russia, the stronger the Russian response will be'.

The potential invasion force prompted the US and the UK, along with other European nations, to warn their own citizens to leave the country while they still can.

'President Biden made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine,' according to a White House readout of Sunday's call with Zelensky.

'The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders,' the readout stated.

The call to Zelensky came after Biden spoke to Putin on Saturday in what Defense Department spokesman John Kirby told Fox News was 'certainly not a sign that things are moving in the right direction.'

Kirby said Saturday's call between Biden and Putin proved tensions are not improving in Eastern Europe as he warns 'major military action could happen any day now.'

'It's certainly not a sign that Mr. Putin has any intention to de-escalate the tensions,' Kirby continued. 'And it's certainly not a sign that he is recommitting himself to a diplomatic path forward. So, it doesn't give us any cause for optimism.'

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said he is still hopeful for a diplomatic path from Russia, but he reiterated Kirby's warnings on CNN Sunday morning.

'An invasion could begin  a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day now, that includes this coming week before the end of the Olympics,' Sullivan told State of the Union host Jake Tapper.

A member of Ukraine's National Guard, demonstrates a shooting position during a basic combat training for civilians in eastern Ukraine on Sunday as officials warn that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is increasingly imminent

Servicemen of Ukrainian Military Forces move US made FIM-92 Stinger missiles as Western fears grow that Russia is about to invade the ex-Soviet state

President Biden told told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a call on Sunday that the U.S. would respond 'swiftly and decisively' if Russia moves forward with an invasion on Ukraine

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Biden spoke on Sunday

Biden spoke to Putin on Saturday in what Defense Department spokesman John Kirby told Fox News was 'certainly not a sign that things are moving in the right direction'

The shift in rhetoric away from diplomacy comes as Tatarintsev, Russia's ambassador to Sweden said this weekend that Putin 'doesn't give a s**t' about the risk of Western sanctions should he invade Ukraine.

In an outspoken interview Saturday, Tatarintsev told the country's Aftonbladet newspaper that 'the more the West pushes Russia, the stronger the Russian response will be'.

'Excuse my language, but we don't give a s**t about all their sanctions'.

'We have already had so many sanctions and in that sense they've had a positive effect on our economy and agriculture.

'New sanctions are nothing positive but not as bad as the West makes it sound', he added.

Sanctions being considered could target both Russian businesses and individuals in a range of significant sectors, such as the chemical, defense, extractives, ICT and financial services industries.

However, Tatarintsev accused the West of not understanding the Russian mentality.

'The more the West pushes Russia, the stronger the Russian response will be,' he said.

Tatarintsev insisted Moscow was trying to avoid a war. 'That is our political leadership's most sincere wish. The last thing people in Russia want is war,' he claimed.

'We are more self-sufficient and have been able to increase our exports. We have no Italian or Swiss cheeses, but we've learned to make just as good Russian cheeses using Italian and Swiss recipes', he said.

His comments came as dramatic photos today showed U.S. staff members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which has monitored the eight-year conflict in Ukraine's separatist east, packing up and leaving the rebel-held city of Donetsk.

They were fleeing as Britain's Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said a Russian invasion could be 'imminent' and Germany warned that tensions between Russia and Ukraine have reached a 'critical' point.

There are an estimated 130,000 Russian troops and heavy firepower amassed along Ukraine's border.

The potential invasion force prompted the US and the UK, along with other European nations, to warn their own citizens to leave the country while they still can.

Although many of the 6,000 Britons in Ukraine have already fled, some are stranded in the country as they wait for passports to be issued for their newborn babies.

Mr Lewis told Sky's Trevor Phillips On Sunday: 'We have to be realistic about Russia having 100,000 troops now roughly on the border that an imminent incursion by Russia is entirely possible.'

He was echoing warnings by Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who said last night that millions of refugees could flee Ukraine if an invasion takes place and warned Vladimir Putin could strike 'at any time'.

Speaking in an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Wallace added that there is a 'whiff of Munich in the air' - an apparent reference to the 1938 agreement that allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland in the hope that it would prevent the outbreak of war.

Just a year later, the Second World War began when Hitler invaded Poland, with Britain's Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's efforts to preserve peace left in tatters.

Russian armored vehicles move at the Gozhsky training ground near the border with Ukraine on Saturday during Russia-Belarus military drills in Belarus. Russia has massed troops near the Ukraine border but denies invasion plans

A Russian helicopter fires during during joint exercises of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus at the Gozhsky firing range in the Grodno region, near the Ukrainian border on Saturday

Uragan rocket launchers are fired during joint Russian-Belarusian military drills on Saturday, as tensions escalate

U.S. troops of the 82nd Airborne Division recently deployed to Poland set up camp at a military airport in Mielec, southeastern Poland, on Saturday. Meanwhile the Pentagon is withdrawing 160 military trainers from Ukraine

The Pentagon deployed another 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to Eastern Europe on Saturday. About 1,700 troops were deployed last week

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned Sunday of 'severe consequences' should Russia invades Ukraine, claiming an assault on 'Kyiv' is an assault on democracy as a whole

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued on Sunday a stark warning to Russia by claiming an attack on Ukraine would equate an assault on democracy as a whole and insisted Putin knows 'war is not an answer'.

'The fact is that we think that an assault on Ukraine is an assault on democracy,' Pelosi told ABC This Week host George Stephanopoulos. 'We understand that the loss of life, the damage, the collateral damage to civilians, to military and the rest are severe.'

'If he decides to invade, the mothers in Russia don't like their children going into what he's had to experience that  forgive the expression  bodybags from the moms before. So he has to know that war is not an answer,' she added.

'There's very severe consequences to his aggression, and we are united in using them,' the California Democrat threatened.

Russia has amassed about 120,000 soldiers at its border with Ukraine. The Russian troops have been engaging in weapons tests near the border as a show of strength

A satellite image made available by Maxar Technologies shows alleged new Russian deployments at Slavne, Crimea, earlier this week. More than 550 troop tents and hundreds of vehicles have arrived at the Oktyabrskoye airfield north of Simferopol

A satellite image shows a close-up of troops and equipment at Oktyabrskoye air base, Crimea

Even more U.S. Military aid arrived in Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv on Sunday to help bolster defenses in Ukraine without actually deploying troops there.

GOP Senator Lindsey Graham that he wants to see Putin 'punished now' as Congress works toward a bill to issue sanctions on Russia  even as many claim this isn't enough and warn military involvement is inevitable at this point.

'What do you make of this overall strategy we're seeing from the administration?' Sephanopoulos asked Graham on his Sunday program. 'Do you think that maybe has been effective in pushing Putin back?'

'I don't know. That's a really good question,' the South Carolina senator admitted. 'I don't want to ring an alarm bell as much as take action. They're telling us the invasion is imminent. But they're not telling Putin with clarity what happens if you invade.'

Although Russia has yet to announce any plans for an invasion, intelligence officials said it could come at anytime now while journalists warn it may come Wednesday

On Sunday, a German government source warned that tensions between Russia and Ukraine have reached a 'critical' point.

They were speaking on the eve of Chancellor Scholz's departure for Kyiv and then Moscow.

'Our concerns have grown... we asses the situation as very critical, very dangerous', the source told members of the press, as fears grow that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is imminent.

What is Vladimir Putin's personal wealth and could sanctions affect him? Vladimir Putin is notoriously secretive about his private life and personal wealth. In 2017, it was reported that he could have a personal wealth of as much as $200billion. The figure was mentioned by US financier and fierce critic Bill Browder, who claimed that Putin had siphoned off public funds into 'Swiss bank accounts'. One of the most quoted guesses of Putin's personal wealth, made by political analyst Stanslav Belkovsky in 2007, put it at $40billion. If the lower figure is more accurate, it would still make him one of the world's richest men. Belkovsky later upped his estimate to $70billion. A sign of wealth for Putin is his 73.2 million pleasure craft, named Graceful. In December 2020, it was suggested by a Russian newspaper that a vast palace that sprung up near Moscow could have been owned by Putin himself. And in documents dubbed the Panama Papers that were released last year, Mr Putin was linked to secret assets in Monaco. However, in April 2015, Putin declared a 2014 income of just $119,000, listing ownership of two apartments and a share in a car parking garage. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned last month that an enhanced sanctions regime would allow Britain to target any 'strategic interest' of the Russian state. It meant that Mr Putin's wealthy supporters, many of whom have bases in London, were in the firing line to be hit financially. 'Any company of interest to the Kremlin and the regime in Russia would be able to be targeted,' Miss Truss told Sky News. 'So there will be nowhere to hide for Putin's oligarchs, for Russian companies involved in propping up the state.' Advertisement

Photos today showed staff at the OSCE withdrawing by car from the city of Donetsk, which has been held by Russian-backed rebels since 2014.

The staff were pictured carrying suitcases and wearing rucksacks as they climbed into white SUVs emblazoned with the OSCE logo.

They were leaving after the US and the UK warned their citizens to get out of the country.

Today, Russia said it was concerned by the decision of the OSCE to relocate some of its monitors.

The OSCE 'informed the participating states of the decision by 'a number of countries' to relocate their national staff of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine 'due to deteriorating security conditions'', foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

'These decisions cannot but cause our serious concern.'

The OSCE has served as the world's eyes and ears for the eight-year conflict across Ukraine's Russian-backed separatist east that has claimed more than 14,000 lives.

Zakharova said the OSCE move further inflamed tensions over Ukraine, adding that the monitoring mission could be used as a 'tool' to stage a possible provocation.

'We call on the OSCE leadership to resolutely stop attempts to manipulate the mission and prevent the organization from being drawn into dirty political games,' Zakharova added.

On Friday, the Foreign Office updated its advice to tell UK nationals to 'leave now while commercial means are still available' amid mounting concerns they could get caught up in fighting - including a deadly 'aerial bombardment of Kiev'.

However, some defiant Britons have insisted that they will stay in the country, even as airlines start to stop flights and diplomats leave. Lecturer Charlie Gilkeson is one of those staying put.

The 68-year-old Yorkshireman told the Mail on Sunday that he feels it would be wiser to remain, even as he finds himself in a 'possible war'.

He is staying in a flat he is renovating with his wife, whom he met in Russia. His children have urged him to come to the UK. 'I think it is safer here,' he said.

Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Lewis told the BBC's Sunday Morning programme that the West must realise Russia could 'move very quick' despite diplomatic efforts to prevent an invasion of Ukraine.

But he also defended diplomatic action so far, saying it had probably already delayed a strike into Ukraine from Moscow forces.

Discussing Mr Wallace's comparison with appeasement in the late 1930s, Mr Lewis said: 'If you look back to that period of time there was a lot of diplomatic engagement, there was an optimism at the time actually that there may be a diplomatic way through.

'That eventually turned out not to be the case. It turned out that wasn't the intent or aim of Adolf Hitler at the time.

'What he's [Mr Wallace] drawing comparison with is we hope that the conversation that he's had that the Foreign Secretary and others... has a positive outcome and Russia does work through and find a diplomatic peaceful way out of this.

'But he's expressing that concern that we've got to also understand the reality that while they're having these diplomatic conversations Russia has continued to move troops, we've got about 130,000 troops on the borders, and therefore we've got to be cognisant of the reality they could move very quick.'

Speaking later on Sky's Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme, Mr Lewis said: 'We will bring in more sanctions, that is what one of the repercussions will be... we already have some sanctions against Russia already.

'We have already taken the power in last week or so with the statutory instrument in Parliament to allow the UK to put more sanctions in place.

'I spent most of last week in the United states... what is very clear is that the United States are absolutely unified in this approach to ensure that we do not see an incursion and that if Russia does take that kind of activity then there will be repercussions. '

Mr Lewis was speaking after Mr Wallace's warning that there could be 'millions' of refugees if Russia does choose to invade Ukraine.

He said that the potential for 'millions of displaced people - refugees - pouring from one European country to another hasn't been seen since the war and could potentially have a massive impact.'

His comments echoed previous warnings by Ukraine's defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, who said that a 'major war' could lead to the 'sudden appearance of between three and five million Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion'.

Mr Wallace said that Moscow could 'launch an offensive at any time', with an estimated 130,000 Russian troops and heavy firepower amassed along Ukraine's border.

'It may be that he [Putin] just switches off his tanks and we all go home but there is a whiff of Munich in the air from some in the West,' he added.

A source explained that Mr Wallace was concerned that if Putin strikes 'come what may, then all the diplomacy would have been a straw man'.

US officials have discussed receiving intelligence that Russia is considering Wednesday as a target date to strike, but it was unclear how definitive the intelligence was.

But Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky sought to downplay the threat, saying: 'The best friend of our enemies is panic in our country. And all this information is just provoking panic and can't help us.'

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the White House of stoking 'hysteria'.

Poland is among the countries that are preparing to absorb an influx of people fleeing conflict if it does break out.

Writing on the website of the think tank the Atlantic Council in December last year about a potential refugee crisis, Mr Reznikov said: 'A major war in Ukraine would plunge the whole of Europe into crisis.

'The sudden appearance of between three and five million Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion would be just one of many major concerns facing European society.

'For example, the EU relies heavily on food imports including grain. A major war would seriously disrupt and possibly prevent entirely many imports from both Ukraine and Russia, creating a whole range of food security problems for the entire continent.'

Poland is one nation neighboring Ukraine that is preparing for an influx of refugees.

Speaking earlier this month, the country's deputy interior minister, Maciej Wasik, told Polish radio: 'We have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and [we have] been taking steps so as to be prepared for a wave of up to a million people.'

Armed Forces minister James Heappey warned Russia is in a position to be able to attack 'very, very quickly', with an estimated 130,000 troops on Ukraine's border

The alleged invasion plans, reported by German newspaper Der Spiegel, are said to detail specific routes that might be taken by individual Russian units and were analyzed by the Secret Service, the CIA and the Pentagon before being handed over to President Joe Biden's government.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held an emergency call with Russian diplomat Sergei Lavrov to discuss the crisis yesterday, after the 'extremely detailed' plans stoked fears of war in eastern Europe.

He warned his Russian counterpart that further aggression from Moscow would be met with a 'resolute, massive and united transatlantic response'.

Mr Blinken had said that the crisis had reached a 'pivotal moment', adding that there continues to be 'very troubling signs of Russian escalation', including new forces arriving close to Ukraine's borders.

But speaking during a live broadcast yesterday, Mr Zelensky told the US: 'If you have 100 percent-certain information about a Russian invasion of Ukraine, please share it with us'.

He added that he realized 'such risks do exist' and that his country remains ready to take any measure necessary and 'from any border.'
An American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to DC was diverted to Kansas City on Sunday afternoon due to an 'unruly passenger' who tried to break into the cockpit and then attempted to open an exit door.

The passenger, who has yet to be identified, was restrained by flight attendants and other passengers. He was arrested and taken into custody after the Flight 1775's landing.

Mouaz Moustafa, a DC resident, was aboard the flight and said that he had seen a flight attendant yelling at another member of the crew, telling them to turn the lights on before the plane had suddenly started descending, Moustafa said.

More passengers rushed to the front of the plane to help hold the passenger down, according to Moustafa. The passenger was allegedly trying to break into the cockpit and open the exit door, before a flight attendant used a coffee pot to strike the man over the head in an attempt to subdue him.

Photos taken by Moustafa show the man being restrained on the floor, with a video he shot depicting FBI investigators chatting to passengers after the nuisance flier had been removed.

Karen Alston, who was sitting in plane's 17th row, said that she had been watching a movie when the lights above her head suddenly turned on, and she saw a number of passengers rushing towards the front of the plane.

'When people started standing up, I knew something was wrong,' she told the Daily Beast.

Fellow passenger, Jake Smith, said he was starting to make his way to the lavatory when he saw a flight attendant 'running full speed down the aisle.'

American Airlines Flight 1775 had to make an emergency landing into Kansas City before the FBI arrested a witnesses who was attempting to break into the cockpit and trying to open an exit door

Passengers managed to hold the 'unruly passenger' and a flight attendant used a coffee pot to hit him as the plane was getting closer to landing in Kansas City, Missouri

After the incident, American Airlines released a statement referring to the incident onboard Flight 1775, announcing that the plane had landed safely in Kansas City.

'American Airlines flight 1775 with service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Washington, D.C. (DCA) diverted to Kansas City (MCI) due to an unruly passenger,' the statement, sent to Dailymail.com, said.

'The flight landed safely at MCI at 2:28 p.m. local time, and law enforcement was requested to meet the flight on arrival,' it added. 'We're grateful to our crew members, who are consistently dedicated to the safety and care of our customers and who handled the circumstances with the utmost skill and professionalism.'

Kansas City Aviation Department spokesperson Joe McBride said that there was a 'passenger interfering with the flight crew,' adding the incident is now being handled by the FBI.

Mouaz Moustafa, a DC resident, was onboard the flight during the incident and said that he had observed flight attendants communicating with each other before taking down the passenger

Moustafa shared regular updates on social media and said the plane felt like it was free falling when the passenger tried to break into the cockpit

The FBI confirmed the incident in a statement, adding the troubled passenger had been taken into custody.

'The flight was diverted due to an unruly passenger interfering with the flight crew,' the FBI's statement said. 'The individual has been taken into custody. No further information is available at this time.'

After the flight had landed, local authorities and the FBI came onboard, Moustafa said. Passengers were then being booked onto another flight.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, 2021 saw 5,981 reports of unruly passenger behavior across all U.S. airlines logged by the agency as of December 31. Of those, 4,290 - around 72 percent - were incidents on whether to wear a mask.
An iconic soap bar which has been a staple in Australian bathrooms for more than a century has been quietly discontinued, but desperate fans can still snatch up a bar for an eye-watering $95 online.

The Solvol soap bar began disappearing from store shelves almost two years ago when its production ended in Australia.

Dubbed as the soap for work-stained hands, the bar has been used by generations of tradies, farmers and households since 1915 to get rid of grease, oil and grime.

US-based WD-40 Company has confirmed on its website that 'regrettably the much-loved Solvol soap bar is no longer available due to manufacturing challenges.'

The iconic Solvol soap bar has been discontinued after 105 years (pictured, a vintage ad)

The classic brand is still available in a liquid scrub and promises to deliver the same deep cleaning power of the classic bar.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted WD-40 Company for further comment.

Soap stockpilers have started to cash on the product's demise by selling bars on eBay for as little as $95 for a single bar and up to $340 for a pack of 20.

The recently established Bring back the Solvol soap bar Facebook page has grown to 372 members who share their fond memories of the much-loved bar.

Clients from Sydney-based disability service provider Civic Industries packaged and distributed Solvol soap bars for a decade before its partnership with WD-40 Company ended in 2020.

The bar has been used by generations of Australian tradies, farmers and households since 1915

In late 2020, WD-40 Company Australian general manager Nick Roberts addressed why the much-loved soap bar was becoming harder to find in a video posted online.

He announced the iconic bar would no longer be manufactured and sold in Australia 'due to production circumstances beyond our control.'

'After 105 years, we're hugely disappointed and saddened by this news and we know customers are too,' Mr Roberts said.

'Production of the bar itself has been long been carried out by specialist soap manufacturers in Sydney in Sydney.

Production of the iconic Solvol soap bar ended in Australia in 2020 and has been discontinued

'Due to its highly unique formula, these manufacturers have always found the product to be very harsh on their equipment.

'This eventually made them to decide to stop manufacturing the Solvol bar altogether.'

Mr Roberts said the company tried to find an alternative manufacturer but couldn't find an 'acceptable' replacement supplier to continue making the bar.
A homeless man is facing aggravated assault charges after he slashed the throat of a Utah woman who opened her home to him so he could shower.

Eric Jones, 30, allegedly assaulted the unidentified woman last Sunday at her Salt Lake City apartment in what police say appears to be a 'random attack'.

When police arrived to her apartment, the victim - whose identity is being withheld due to a request for privacy - was 'bleeding heavily'.

She was taken to an area hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery, according to a police press release. Doctors have since downgraded her to stable condition.

Jones was arrested early Friday morning approximately two miles from the scene of the attack. He was taken to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and booked on one count of aggravated assault.

Eric Jones, 30, is facing aggravated assault charges after he slashed the throat of a Utah woman who invited him into her Salt Lake City apartment so he could take a shower

Jones was taken to he Salt Lake County Metro Jail (pictured) and booked on one count of aggravated assault. His bond is set at $10,000

Salt Lake City officers responded to 850 West Temple Street just before 5pm on Sunday, February 6 for reports of a woman bleeding.

Preliminary investigation revealed the woman had welcomed Jones who she described as 'being homeless,' into her residence to take a shower.

It remains unclear if Jones knew the victim prior to the incident.

Salt Lake City detective Michelle Mechling told Fox 13 the suspect, later identified as Jones, attacked the woman and fled the scene.

Officers administered first aid to the victim at her home until paramedics were able to transport her to the hospital.

In wake of the incident, Mechling warned residents: 'It goes along with  know who youre letting into your house and dont let people you dont know into your house.'

According to inmate records, Jones currently remains in jail. His bond is set at $10,000.
Why nuclear submarines?

Nuclear submarines are powered by nuclear reactors which produce heat that creates high-pressured steam to spin turbines and power the boat's propeller.

They can run for about 20 years before needing to refuel, meaning food supplies are the only limit on time at sea.

The boats are also very quiet, making it harder for enemies to detect them and can travel at top speed - about 40kmh - for longer than diesel-powered subs.

The first nuclear submarines were put to sea by the United States in the 1950s. They are now also in use by Russia, France, the United Kingdom, China, and India.

A senior US defence official told reporters in Washington DC: 'This will give Australia the capability for their submarines to basically deploy for a longer period, they're quieter, they're much more capable.

'They will allow us to sustain and to improve deterrence across the Indo-Pacific.'

Zack Cooper, a senior fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, said nuclear submarines would hugely boost Australia's military capability.

'They are going to be much, much more capable in the large, expansive ocean that is Australia has to deal with,' he told the ABC.

Will Australia have nuclear weapons?

Scott Morrison made it clear that the nuclear-power submarines will not have nuclear missiles on board.

Australia has never produced nuclear weapons and signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 1973 which prevents non-nuclear states which don't already have them from developing nuclear weapons.

Mr Morrison also said the Australia has no plans to build nuclear power stations which are widely used around the world.

'But let me be clear, Australia is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons or establish a civil nuclear capability,' he said.

'And we will continue to meet all our nuclear non-proliferation obligations.'

Are they safe?

The nuclear reactors are shielded from the rest of the submarine in a separate section to protect the crew from dangerous radiation.

The US has an excellent safety record with its nuclear-powered fleet although early Russian subs suffered a few accidents which caused 20 servicemen to die from radiation exposure between 1960 and 1985.

At the end of their 20-year lifetimes, the contaminated parts of nuclear reactors need to be disposed deep underground in special waste storage cells.

Anti-nuclear campaigners say any leaks of radioactive waste could lead to an environmental disaster.

Greens leader Adam Bandt called the submarines 'floating Chernobyls' in reference to the 1986 nuclear power plant explosion in the Soviet Union.

Why now?

Australia needs to replace its six ageing Collins-class submarines.

In 2016 it signed a deal with French Company Naval Group to build 12 diesel-electric attack subs - but the parties were in dispute over the amount of building that would be done in Australia.

That deal has now been torn up in favour of nuclear powered subs aided by the US and UK who will provide the technology to Australia.

The West is becoming increasingly concerned about the growing assertiveness of China in the Indo-Pacific region where it has made huge territorial claims in the South and East China seas, clashed with Indian troops and repeatedly flown planes over Taiwan.

Mr Morrison wants Australia to have serious defence capability to deter China from encroaching in the Pacific and long-range nuclear submarines are just the ticket.

China has vastly built up its military in the past few years and now possesses six Shang-class nuclear powered attack submarines, equipped with torpedoes and cruise missiles.
The Met Police will re-examine if Caroline Flack was treated differently because of her fame - with her mother saying she is 'sad and very angry' at the force.

Caroline Flack's mother has demanded an explanation over why the star was charged with assaulting her boyfriend - with the Met Police told to re-examine whether she was treated differently because of her fame.

Flack, 40, killed herself at her London home on February 15, 2020 just one day after she found out the Crown Prosecution Service was pursuing a court case against her.

Now, her mother Christine Flack has revealed she remains 'sad and very angry' at the way police treated her daughter in the weeks leading up to her death.

She believes that Flack was treated differently because of her celebrity status and questioned why she was charged by the Met instead of cautioned, which the CPS had initially recommended.

Christine also revealed that she asked the police how often people are charged for the same offence as her daughter, but was told they didn't have the data.

She said: 'I've asked how many times does this happen? How many times do people get charged for that offence? They say there's no data.'

The IOPC agreed that her complaint was not fully addressed and has now instructed the Met Police to reinvestigate if she was treated differently because of who she was.

Christine Flack has revealed she remains ' sad and very angry' at the way police treated her daughter in the weeks leading up to her death

She believes that Flack was treated differently because of her celebrity status and questioned why she was charged by the Met instead of cautioned

Her mother told the BBC: 'I just want those answers to make me feel better and to make me know that I've done the right thing by Caroline.'

Christine first complained to the Met a month after her daughter's death and asked the force to investigate the procedures it followed when it arrested and charged her.

She said she was concerned about how the Met appealed against the CPS advice to give her a caution.

The IOPC investigated and has found that one element of the complaint was not 'fully addressed' by the Met.

It has directed the force to reinvestigate whether Flack would have been treated differently had she not been famous.

Christine said: 'It leaves us really sad and really angry because we want to know why they charged her. I just want the truth out there. I know it won't bring her back but I've got to do it for her.'

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: 'The investigation by the MPS Directorate of Professional Standards into the complaints made by a close relative of Caroline Flack was completed in March 2021.

'Following a full and transparent examination of all the facts, DPS found that the service was acceptable and no misconduct was identified for any officer. This report was shared with the complainant, who requested a review of the findings by the IOPC.

'Following a review, the IOPC agreed with the MPS that service was acceptable in relation to seven areas of the complaints relating to the response and handling of the incident by the MPS.

The IOPC has directed the Met to reinvestigate whether Flack would have been treated differently had she not been famous

'The IOPC has directed the MPS to reinvestigate one element of the complaints, this relates to the process involved in appealing the CPS decision to caution Ms Flack. We will re-examine this element of the investigative process.

'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Caroline's family at this very difficult time.'

An IOPC spokesperson said: 'The complainant submitted two reviews to the Independent Office for Police Conduct requesting we consider the way the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) handled their complaints about the force response to an alleged assault involving Caroline Flack in December 2019.

'As a result, we directed the MPS to reinvestigate the process involved in coming to its decision to appeal the CPS decision to caution Ms Flack. The original CPS decision was overturned and a criminal charge followed.

'We did not uphold the seven other complaints about the response and handling of the incident by the MPS.'

In the days after her death Flack's management team described her as 'vulnerable' and criticised the CPS for pushing ahead with the case despite her boyfriend Lewis Burton saying he did not want to press charges.

He had said she hit him with a lamp at her former home in Islington in December and as part of her bail conditions the pair were banned from contacting each other.

But he later spoke out in defence of Flack, saying she has become the subject of a 'witch hunt' following her arrest.

A member of Flack's management team said the CPS should 'look at themselves' and how they pursued a trial 'without merit' which resulted in 'significant distress to Caroline'.

The saga surrounding her court case saw her 'step down' from hosting Love Island.

Friends of the presenter, who was paid a 1.2million salary for Love Island, said she had been terrified of her impending court date. 'She was on her own. She couldn't take it anymore. Her family are devastated,' one friend told The Mirror.

Another added: 'Caroline couldn't bear the thought of going through the court case. She felt her career would never recover from this - and she felt humiliated in front of the world. In the end she just couldn't see a way out. She didn't know how to fix herself.'

Flack's friends were said to be furious that the CPS pursued the presenter's prosecution despite Burton making it clear he did not want the case to go to trial as there had been no serious injury.

Her management criticised the CPS in a statement. Francis Ridley, of Money Talent Management, said: 'We are devastated at the loss of our client and friend Caroline Flack.

'The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed the CPS version of events.

'The CPS should look at themselves today and how they pursued a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest. And ultimately resulted in significant distress to Caroline. Our thoughts are with Caroline's family at this time.

'An immensely talented young woman who was at the top of her game professionally and loved by television viewers across the country. In recent months Caroline had been under huge pressure because of an ongoing case and potential trial which has been well reported.'

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
An unvaccinated Liberal MP has revealed he treated a recent Covid infection with a drug spruiked by conspiracy theorists.

Russell Broadbent, the Victorian federal member for Monash, used his time in parliament on Monday to confirm his infection with the virus in late January after a recent 'major health' scare.

He has refused to get vaccinated as he believes the jab carries the same health risks of Covid itself.

Mr Broadbent then said he and his wife immediately treated their infections with controversial horse antiparasitic drug ivermectin, which has been weaponised by anti-vaxxers and alt-right commentators including Joe Rogan.

It has been banned in Australia, the US and several other countries from being used as a Covid treatment.

Mr Broadbent then said he and his wife immediately treated their infections with controversial horse antiparasitic drug ivermectin

'On the 21st of January this year I tested positive to Covid. I was worried about that because my health advice the last six months has had me on vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc and B1 and other supplements to improve my immune system,' he told Parliament.

'I was in trepidation about going home to tell my wife I had tested positive. I had access to ivermectin which we both immediately went on.'

Popularity for the drug skyrocketed last year after it was promoted by people including Rogan, prompting bodies like America's FDA and Australia's TGA to discourage people against using it to treat Covid.

TGA on the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19 'Ivermectin is not approved for use in COVID-19 in Australia or in other developed countries, and its use by the general public for COVID-19 is currently strongly discouraged by the National COVID Clinical Evidence Taskforce, the World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Administration,' the statement said. 'The doses of ivermectin that are being advocated for use in unreliable social media posts and other sources for COVID-19 are significantly higher than those approved, and found safe, for scabies or parasite treatment. 'These higher doses can be associated with serious adverse effects, including severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness, neurological effects such as dizziness, seizures and coma.' Advertisement

The TGA placed restrictions on who could access oral ivermectin, with GPs only able to approve scripts under approved conditions that include scabies and other parasitic infections.

They said in a statement in September they 'strongly discouraged' the use of ivermectin to treat Covid.

Mr Broadbent instead said he believes he 'did the right thing' despite admitting he had health concerns after contracting the virus.

'I had some symptoms, had a rough time for three or four days. I am not vaccinated and I won't be vaccinated because my view was the risk to get vaccinated is just as high as the risk to get the virus itself,' he said.

'I made a decision on my behalf, I made a decision I wanted to continue in this house.'

Mr Broadbent said despite a recent health scare he still believed he was safer not being vaccinated against Covid and compared himself to people protesting vaccine and mask mandates around the world.

'I'd just been through a fairly major health condition recently so I was vulnerable,' the member for Monash said.

'I believed I'd done the right thing and I made the choice to protect my body the way I wanted to protect it.

'The same way all those demonstrators out there were talking about choice and freedom and not having imposed upon them by politicians the things that they do.'

Mr Broadbent said despite a recent health scare he still believed he was safer not being vaccinated against Covid

Popularity for the drug skyrocketed last year after it was promoted by people including Rogan, prompting bodies like America's FDA and Australia's TGA to discourage people against using it to treat Covid

Mr Morrison has been forced to comment on Liberal MPs spreading misinformation about vaccinations as Queensland backbencher George Christensen said last month parents should not get their children jabbed before going back to school.

'If you are not vaccinated against the virus, you are more likely to experience severe illness and die,' Mr Morrison said in a statement in January.

'Getting vaccinated saves lives.'

A spokesperson for Mr Morrison said Australians should look to health experts for medical advice rather than politicians.

'As the experts have advised, getting vaccinated is the best protection against COVID-19, and the best treatments are those approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration,' the spokeswoman said.

'The TGA is one of the world's best safety regulators. The TGA has a robust regulatory framework and assessment process that ensures Australians can be confident that the vaccines and treatments they receive are safe and perform as intended.'
Police today shot dead a man who threatened them with a 12-inch blade inscribed with an 'anti-police slogan' at the Gare du Nord train station in Paris.

Two officers were patrolling the station's main platform around 7am when a man carrying a 12in blade threatened them, France's interior minister said.

Both officers drew their guns and then fired several shots each at the man, killing him.

Neither of the officers was hurt, and no injuries have been reported among members of the public.

The man was known to police, La Depeche reports, without saying what he was known for.

Police have not said what they believe the man's motive was, but say terrorism does not appear to be the cause.

The man's knife had was inscribed with an anti-police slogan, BFTMV reports, though it was not immediately clear what the phrase said.

'This morning around 7am, a police patrol was threatened by an individual armed with a knife in public transport in the Ile-de-France region,' Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin tweeted around 7.40am local time.

'The police used their weapons, thus removing any danger for themselves and for commuters.'
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Russian state TV today began a fresh propaganda push, claiming Ukrainian nationalists are about to massacre Russians in the country's east in what observers fear may be the final step in justifying an invasion.

Dmitry Kiselyov, a prominent state propagandist often known as 'Putin's mouthpiece', used his Sunday news show to peddle unsubstantiated claims that Ukraine has 'tortured and savagely killed' thousands of civilians in the Donbass region.

In a segment entitled 'they are preparing to kill', he also featured an interview with a separatist fighter in the region warning that Ukrainian nationalists have threatened to 'kill and butcher you all, and hang your children on wires'.

The tactic mirrors Russian propaganda spread ahead of the last invasion of Ukraine, in 2014, which was used by the Kremlin to justify military action on the basis of 'protecting' ethnic Russians living in the country.

There are now thought to be 148,000 Russian troops massed on the borders - backed by thousands of tanks and artillery pieces - with Washington warning an invasion may come as soon as Wednesday.

Diplomatic efforts to head off a war are continuing, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz flying to Kiev today and Moscow tomorrow in an attempt to reassure the former and deter the latter. He is expected to offer more financial assistance to Ukraine and to demand Russia 'immediately deescalate' its troop build-up on the border.

Talks have so-far met with little success as Moscow demands Ukraine is banned from joining NATO, and the alliance refuses. Ukraine's ambassador to the UK appeared to suggest that Kiev's stance could be softened, which Russia pounced on as a positive step, before he was forced to walk back his remarks.

Amid one of the most serious standoffs between East and West since the Cold War, a Russian military chief warned the navy stands ready to fire on any foreign vessels entering the country's territorial waters.

Elsewhere today...

Ukraine's ambassador to the UK suggested Kiev could be 'flexible' in its demands to join NATO if it avoids a war, but was quickly forced to walk back his remark

Boris Johnson was preparing for a whistle-stop diplomatic tour of Europe in a last-minute effort to avoid a conflict and reassure NATO allies

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has come under fire for his soft-touch stance to Russia, will travel to Kiev today and then go to Moscow for talks aimed at avoiding war

The Kremlin said it will not be attending a European security summit called by Ukraine today to discuss the troop build-up on its border and 'unusual military activity' in Belarus

James Heappey, UK secretary for the Armed Forces, warned Europe is closer to war than it has been 'for 70 years' and that bombs would drop on Ukraine 'within minutes' of any order to attack

G7 finance ministers said that military aggression by Russia against Ukraine would trigger 'economic and financial sanctions which will have massive and immediate consequences on the Russian economy'

A Russian tank fires its main cannon during military drills taking place in the Leningrad region, near the Baltic Sea, on Sunday as Moscow continues sabre-rattling amid fears Putin plans to invade Ukraine

Two Russian T-72 tanks take part in training drills in the Leningrad region of Russia on Sunday, amid warnings an invasion of Ukraine could come as soon as Wednesday

A Russian tank takes part in drills in the Leningrad region, as Moscow continues to menace Ukraine with military exercises

Ukrainian troops take part in tank training in the Kharkiv region, close to the border with Russia, last week

Russian attack submarine Rostov-on-Don is pictured sailing into the Black Sea via the Bosphorus strait, with Turkey's Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Mosque pictured in the background

148,000 Russian troops backed by thousands of tanks, artillery pieces, missile launchers and attack helicopters have now massed on Ukraine's border amid fears and invasion will take place this week

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is pictured arriving in Kiev today for talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, before heading to Moscow amid a fresh round of diplomacy

Scholz (left) sits down for talks with Ukraine's President Zelensky (right) in Kiev today - where he is expected to offer more financial support to the country as it faces down a Russian attack

Ambassador rows back suggestion thatUkraine could be 'flexible' on joining NATO Ukraine's ambassador to the UK has rowed back from an apparent suggestion that the country could consider dropping its ambition to join Nato to avoid war with Russia. Vadym Prystaiko said the constitutional commitment to joining Nato remained, having previously indicated the country would consider making 'serious concessions' to avoid the risk of an invasion by Vladimir Putin's forces. Mr Prystaiko said that while Ukraine was open to negotiations with Russia, the issue of its ambitions to join the alliance was not on the table. On Sunday night on BBC 5 Live he was asked whether Ukraine would contemplate dropping its aim of joining Nato. He said: 'We might, especially if threatened like that, blackmailed like that and pushed to it.' The comments raised eyebrows in Kyiv and Downing Street and on Monday morning the diplomat returned to the broadcast studios to clarify his position. 'We are not a member of Nato right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in our conversations with Russia,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'But it has nothing to do with Nato, which is enshrined in the constitution.' Stressing that the commitment to joining Nato had not shifted, he pointed out that Ukraine would not be a member of the alliance by Wednesday - reportedly highlighted by US intelligence agencies as a potential day for an invasion. 'It's not happening before Wednesday so we have to find the solution right now, we have to find the friends who will stay with us,' he said. 'We also have to work with Russia, which we are doing from now on, it's not just the West working for us - we are having negotiations with the Russians ourselves. 'But it has nothing to do with Nato, we are talking about eastern Ukraine, we are talking about Crimea, not about Nato.' Advertisement

Stanislav Gadzhimagomedov issued the threat Monday, two days after Moscow complained that an American submarine had entered its waters near the Kuril Islands in the far eastern Pacific.

The Kremlin said the submarine repeatedly ignored warnings to leave before turning around after 'appropriate measures' were used.

Gadzhimagomedov was asked whether Russia's navy stands ready to fire upon such vessels and said that it does, though the call would need to be made 'at the highest level.'

Russia has latched on to those warnings to accuse the US and ally Britain of issuing their own propaganda aimed at 'illegally inciting war in Ukraine'.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday: 'What we are currently witnessing is pure war propaganda.

'Aggressive rhetoric is providing cover for arms deliveries to Ukraine, the deployment of military instructors there, the holding of Nato military exercises near Russia's borders, and the creation by Western states of offensive combined-arms infrastructure.'

She claimed: 'What the US and Britain are now doing is classical war propaganda.'

Such activities were banned by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966, she said.

The Covenant was passed at the height of the Cold War with the aim 'not only of protecting human rights, but of leading humanity away from the abyss towards which the military rhetoric of Nato countries had pushed it in those years', she said.

'The Soviet Union (and later Russia) and dozens of other states across the whole world, understanding the extreme danger which war propaganda may constitute, voluntarily reject this threatening practice.

'But neither Washington nor London deprives itself of the opportunity to hold a match to a haystack

'The US and UK have taken from their back pockets a tool which they've been keeping safe for a good half-century.

'And now they are waving it around like a truncheon, sustaining this managed hysteria through the CNN and Bloomberg media holdings and the British tabloids, influencing public opinion in their countries.'

Russia has consistently denied having any plans to attack, but continues to move additional hardware into border zones and has kept up with sabre-rattling military drills that appear aimed at intimidating its neighbour.

On Sunday, images revealed that Putin has moved attack helicopters to the border - a significant step as aerial power was one of the last capabilities his forces were lacking in the event an invasion does go ahead.

The Russian military also released new images and videos of tank drills taking place in the Leningrad region, near the Baltic Sea.

Military equipment was also captured on the move in Kursk, Belgorod, and Voronezh regions as well as in Liptsek and Saratov in social media posts.

Russian and Belarusian Su-30SMs also staged joint patrols over Belarus.

A fresh round of diplomatic talks between European leaders aimed at heading off an attack are also taking place this week, though there appears little room for progress.

Putin is continuing to demand that Ukraine be banned from ever joining NATO and that it withdraw forces from ex-Soviet states - something the alliance has categorically ruled out.

Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, takes part in a training session organised by members of Ukraine's national guard for civilians in Mariupol - a Black Sea port city that is close to the frontlines with Russia

A child is taught how to load and unload bullets from an AK-47 magazine during a training sessions for civilians organised by Ukraine's national guard in the city of Mariupol

A member of Ukraine's Special Forces Unit Azov, part of the National Guard, shows a woman how to aim an AK-47 rifle while laying down during a training session in the city of Mariupol

A woman aims an AK-47 rifle during training organised by Ukraine's national guard units in the city of Mariupol, close to the frontlines with Russia

Russian troops of the Northern Fleet Marine Corps fire an Igla anti-aircraft rocket launcher during training exercises in Murmansk, located in the far north, on February 10

America and NATO have instead outlined a number of other areas - including arms control treaties - where they are willing to negotiate, though these were dismissed by the Kremlin as secondary concerns.

Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, had suggested early Monday that the country could be 'flexible' over its goal of joining NATO if it meant avoiding a bloody conflict.

But his remark was quickly shot down by Sergii Nykyforov - spokesman for President Volodymyr Zelensky - who said joining the alliance remains the government's 'absolute priority'.

'This course is not only reflected in the Constitution, but is also the full consent of the authorities and society,' Mr Nykyforov told Reuters.

'Mr. Ambassador used the word 'flexibility'. I think it's worth giving him the opportunity to explain what exactly he had in mind'.

Boris Johnson is preparing for a whistle-stop tour of Europe this week as he leads efforts to avert a conflict and to reassure other western allies in eastern Europe that they will not be at risk if Putin attacks.

While the Prime Minister's itinerary has not been made clear, it is thought he will head to Nordic and Baltic countries.

Though the Baltics are located hundreds of miles from Ukraine, the leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have long feared that Putin may also attack them in an effort to bring them back under his control.

Any invasion of Ukraine would heighten those fears further, and almost certainly lead to calls for NATO to send more military hardware to the region.

All three nations are members of the alliance and as-such are protected by the mutual defence pledge which states that an attack on any one member will be considered an attack on all.

Elsewhere German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has come under fire for his soft-touch stance towards Russia, headed to Kiev today before a meeting in Moscow aimed at heading off war.

Scholz is expected to discuss offering more financial support to Ukraine to help in the event of an invasion, sources said, but is not expected to offer military aid.

That is despite Germany deploying some 70 troops to Lithuania today, which is part of a ramp-up of forces in the region - which is close to Russia.

The German chancellor's visits will thus be closely watched for a signs he is deviating from the message delivered by Washington and other NATO allies.

Moscow's reaction to his visit will also be scrutinised after the Kremlin used similar visits by other foreign leaders to heap scorn and humiliation on them.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pictured at his desk on Sunday, as his government continues to insist that it sees no signs of an imminent Russian invasion despite warnings from the US

Ukrainian troops inspect a shipment of American-made Humvee trucks shipped from Lithuania as part of military aid deliveries to help in any conflict with Russia

An American Osprey aircraft is pictured landing at Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in Poland, close to the border with Ukraine

An American C-17A military transport plane is pictured at Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in Poland, as the US sends reinforcements to its NATO ally amid fears Russia could be about to attack Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers live-fire a Javelin anti-tank missile sent to them by America in order to deter an attack by Russia

Liz Truss visited Moscow last week where she met with Foreign Secretary Sergei Lavrov, who likened talking with her to speaking with a 'deaf person' during a joint press conference afterwards.

Lavrov accused her of failing to mention bilateral relations during the summit, and sources say she was fed several 'gotcha' questions designed to show up a lack of geographical knowledge during the 'embarrassing' summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron also visited Moscow last week, and came away enthused about guarantees he claimed to have secured from Putin.

Elysee officials even went so far as to suggest that Macron had managed to get Putin to agree to end military drills near the border, before the Kremlin rubbished the claim.

Since then, tens of thousands of new troops along with warships and attack helicopters have been moved into the region, with drills taking place virtually every day.

Defence minister James Heappey said the build-up of Russian forces on the border means that Vladimir Putin can give an order and missiles and bombs would be hitting targets within 'minutes'.

In a round of interviews as tension ramps up, Mr Heappey insisted it was still possible to avoid a flashpoint but 'we are closer than we've been on this continent' to war 'for 70 years'.

The grim assessment came as Boris Johnson prepares to launch a fresh diplomatic blitz with a whistle-stop tour of Europe, warning that situation is at 'a critical juncture'.

Meanwhile, Tories have urged the West to stand firm comparing the standoff with Moscow to the Cuban Missile Crisis - amid calls for Russian banks to be frozen out of financial markets.

Britain yesterday pledged 'further economic support to Ukraine' as more than 130,000 Russian troops stood massed at its borders.

German mobile Howitzers arrive in Lithuania as the country tries to reassure NATO allies in the face of Russian aggression

German troops are pictured arriving in Lithuania today as part of a new NATO deployment, amid the standoff with Russia

German mobile howitzer artillery are pictured in Lithuania, where they have been deployed as part of NATO commitments

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is pictured boarding a plane out of Germany has he visits Kiev and then Moscow in an attempt to head off the risk of war in eastern Europe

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will attend a meeting with his Nato counterparts in Brussels this week to prepare the security alliance's response to any attack on Ukrainian sovereignty.

Oil prices climbed to fresh seven-year highs amid concerns that sanctions would disrupt exports from Russia, a major oil producer, in an already tight market.

The dollar hit a two-week high as investors sought a safe haven. Russian and Ukrainian bond pieces fell sharply.

Sanctions could rebound on Western powers, which rely heavily on Russia for energy supplies, notably gas, as well as other raw materials.

European banks in particular fear that Russia could be excluded from the SWIFT global payment system, which would prevent the repayment of Russian debts.

U.S. aircraft maker Boeing Co buys much of its titanium for airframes from Russia's VSMPO-AVISMA - but said it was confident that other suppliers would enable it to work through any supply chain disruption.

Scholz may receive a cool reception in Kyiv, which has long resented the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 project - a pipeline that will allow Russia to circumvent Ukraine for its gas exports to Germany - and has bristled at Germany's refusal to join other NATO partners in selling it weapons.

The Kremlin said it expected Putin's talks with Scholz on Tuesday to address Ukraine, security guarantees for Russia, and Nord Stream 2, which is awaiting European Union approval.

U.S. President Joe Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that an invasion could begin 'any day now', but U.S. officials said they could not confirm reports that U.S. intelligence indicated it would start on Wednesday.

Sullivan said the United States would also 'defend every inch of NATO territory ... and Russia, we think, fully understands that message'.

Biden told Putin in a phone call on Saturday that any attack would harm and isolate Moscow.

As tensions continue to build, airlines have started cancelling flights to Ukraine with others saying that are 'closely' following the situation there.

Dutch carrier KLM has cancelled all flights to and from the country, while Germany's Lufthansa said flights will continue for now but are being kept under review.

The Netherlands is particularly sensitive to the risks of flights over potential war zones after the shoot-down of MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

The Malaysia Airlines flight was heading from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was hit by a surface-to-air missile fired by Russian-backed separatists who mistook it for a Ukrainian aircraft.

All 298 people on board were killed, two thirds of whom were Dutch.
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A 79-year-old great-grandmother who took part in civilian combat training in Ukraine was today flooded with praise as the country braced itself for invasion from Russia.

Valentyna Konstantynovska was taught how to use an AK-47 assault rifle by the country's national guard in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, yesterday.

She was shown how to use the gun by the Special Forces Unit Azov  who have previously faced accusations from Western journalists that they are a neo-Nazi group  in a training exercise for civilians.

It is one of several drills that have been carried out across the country to build up a rag-tag army ahead of the 'imminent' invasion by Russian troops.

Ukrainians described Ms Konstantynovska as a 'hero' for taking part in the drills, which have also seen children as young as four put through their paces.

Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, holds a weapon during basic combat training for civilians, organised by the Special Forces Unit Azov, of Ukraine's National Guard, in Mariupol, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, yesterday

Ukrainians described Ms Konstantynovska as a 'hero' for taking part in the drills, which have also seen children as young as four put through their paces

She was taught how to use an AK-47 assault rifle by the the country's national guard in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, yesterday

Speaking during the exercise, she told an NBCNews reporter: 'Your mother would do it too.'

She told local media: 'I am ready to shoot if something happens. I will defend my home, my city, my children.

'I will do this because I think Im ready for it. I don't want to lose my country, my city.

Ms Konstantynovska added: I underwent this training but I probably won't be a very valid soldier because my body doesn't serve me that much anymore.

'And the weapon is too heavy for me.'

Neighbours described her as 'the example of Ukrainian' after she was pictured aiming down the sight of the gun while prone.

Ukrainian Elena Mirko wrote on social media: 'I know her, she was our neighbour, she lived in the next house, she is a beautiful woman, the example of Ukrainian.'

Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, told local media: 'I am ready to shoot if something happens. I will defend my home, my city, my children'

Neighbours described her as 'the example of Ukrainian' after she was pictured aiming down the sight of the gun while prone

Ms Konstantynovska says she 'want to lose my country, my city'. Pictured: The great-grandmother's Facebook account

And political analyst Ariana Gic said: 'This woman is my hero.'

Ms Konstantynovska is not the only Ukrainian woman aiming to defend her country this week, with the country's deadliest female sniper Olena Bilozerska, 42, telling MailOnline she would be at the front lines again within hours to face the Russians.

She is credited with at least 10 confirmed kills in the trenches of Donbas and is part of the Ukrainian Marine Corps.

Mrs Bilozerska said she has no qualms about any of the men she has killed or wounded in battle.

When the enemy crawls towards our position to kill me, does he think if I have a husband, parents, or kids? she said.

Olena Bilozerska, 42, is credited with at least 10 confirmed kills in the trenches of Donbas

Of course not. And I don't bother myself with stupid things either. That stuff is for books and movies.

In real life, anyone who thinks along those lines in battle is already as good as dead.

The sniper, from Kyiv, is something of a celebrity in Ukraine, having written a best-selling book called Diary of an Illegal Soldier, referring to the fact that for the first few years of her service, volunteers like her were not technically allowed to fight on the front lines, but that law was changed in 2016.

She was well-known even before the war as her oppositional journalism found her under threat of imprisonment by the old hardline regime of Viktor Yanukovych, deposed in the 2014 Maidan Revolution.

And mother-of-three Mariana Zhaglo, 52, is also aiming to protect her country.

'As a mother I do not want my children to inherit Ukraine's problems, or have these threats passed on to them. It is better that I deal with this now,' Mariana said.

'If it comes to it then we will fight for Kiev; we will fight to protect our city. If there is a need for the shooting to start, then I'll start shooting,' the mother continued, as she showed off her newly-bought Zbroyar Z-15 rifle in her flat in the Ukrainian capital.

She went on to explain that the Zbroyar Z-15 is a hunting rifle, but that she has no intentions of hunting.

'I have never hunted in my life. I bought this carbine after listening to some soldiers discussing the best rifle to get,' Mariana told The Times.

The marketing researcher is just one of thousands of Ukrainians who recently joined the nation's Territorial Defence Forces (TDF)  a voluntary section of the army which has seen its numbers swell amid rising tensions on the Russian border.

Mariana Zhaglo is far from a typical Ukrainian soldier, but the 52-year-old marketing researcher has said she is willing to do whatever it takes to defend her country. 'As a mother I do not want my children to inherit Ukraine's problems, or have these threats passed on to them. It is better that I deal with this now,' Mariana said as she showed off her newly-bought Zbroyar Z-15 rifle in her flat in the Ukrainian capital

The Kiev branch of the TDF ran a training exercise in January in the snow covered forests outside the capital, while scores of civilians across the country  many of them young  have signed up to similar training programs to receive basic combat skills.

In the event of a potential invasion by Russia, these youngsters will be part of the country's civil resistance that will carry on the fight against Russian soldiers if Ukraine's 255,000-strong regular army is overwhelmed.

Mariana told The Times that many Ukrainians have learned to live with the threat of a potential invasion ever since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and said it is not unusual for Russia to intermittently increase troop deployments near the border.

But she remained resolute in her intention to remain in the capital and fight in the event of an invasion.
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Two Tunisian Tik-Tok influencers are facing outrage in their home country for 'glamourising' the illegal migrant trade by sharing videos of their illegal boat crossings and posting images of their spending sprees in Europe.

Chaima Ben Mahmoude, 21, uploaded a video showing her waving as she made the crossing from Tunisia to Italy  that costs more than 1,000  with her fiance in a boat crowded with migrants.

In the footage, she smiles alongside 23 other migrants while dancing to rap music on the seemingly carefree trip across the Mediterranean.

The Central Mediterranean is the deadliest migration route in the world, with more than 17,000 deaths and disappearances recorded since 2014. Thousands of refugees are forced to take the treacherous route in order to escape war and poverty.

Miss Ben Mahmoude  who has nearly 140,000 followers on Tik-Tok  claimed she was 'forced' to make the 117-mile (188km) trip because she was only making 90 a month from hairdressing back in Tunisia.

A month earlier, Sabee al Saidi, 18, posted a similar picture of herself wearing bright-pink lipstick as she leant from the side of a rickety wooden boat during the journey.

They both landed in Lampedusa, Italy, and then traveled around European cities, taking selfies next to the Eiffel tower and riding in BMWs, which were seen by local media and AP before the pictures were taken down.

The two women have sparked controversy with their posts at the time of their crossings in November and December  with Tunisians back home criticising them for 'normalising' a journey that leaves thousands dead each year.

Miss al Saidi posted a second video in November after the backlash insisting she had to leave Tunisia because of 'difficult social conditions', adding she did not encourage others to copy her.

And now the dangerous crossings have been criticised by experts around the world for giving an unrealistic impression of life in Europe to desperate migrants.

Chaima Ben Mahmoude, 21, posted a video in December last year showing her waving as she made the crossing from Tunisia to Italy with her fiance in a boat crowded with migrants

In the footage, she smiles alongside a dozen other migrants while dancing to rap music on the seemingly carefree trip across the Mediterranean

Miss Ben Mahmoude  who has nearly 140,000 followers on Tik-Tok  claimed she was 'forced' to make the 117-mile (188km) trip because she was only making 90 a month from hairdressing back in Tunisia

Tunisians call the dangerous crossing a 'harka', which references the figurative 'burning' of borders and the destruction of personal documents before undertaking the perilous crossing

A month earlier, Sabee al Saidi, 18, posted a similar picture of herself wearing bright-pink lipstick as she leant from the side of a rickety wooden boat during the journey

Both influencers made the crossing from the coastal town of Sfax in Tunisia to the Italian Island Lampedusa, where they had to quarantine before travelling around the rest of Europe

When did the two Tunisian Tik-Tok influencers make their Mediterranean crossings? November 2021: Sabee al Saidi, 18, makes the dangerous trip from the coastal city of Sfax, Tunisia, to the Italian island Lampedusa. Later that month: After sharing videos of her journey and shopping spree in Europe, Miss al Saidi was criticised heavily in Tunisia. The teenager shared another video insisting she was not encouraging others to make the trip and saying she had to leave Tunisia for personal reasons. December 16, 2021: Chaima Ben Mahmoude, 21, makes the same 117-mile (188km) trip, sharing a video of her journey to her nearly 140,000 Tik-Tok followers. February 14, 2021: Miss Ben Mahmoude faces wider criticism for sharing the video and insists she made the crossing in search of a better life. Advertisement

As she underwent two weeks' Covid quarantine at a detention center in Italy, Miss Ben Mahmoude said she understood the risks of the journey, which she made in December.

But financial difficulties and her inability to get a visa had 'forced' her to do the 'harka'  the term used in Tunisia for the crossing.

The word is a reference to the figurative 'burning' of borders and the destruction of personal documents before undertaking the perilous crossing.

'I didn't find anything for myself in Tunisia,' she said in the interview conducted through Zoom.

'I have a diploma in hairdressing and I couldn't get any work in this field. When I did, the monthly salary was really hopeless  around 90 ($120).

'You cannot do anything with that. You can just use public transport and buy your lunch  that's it.'

Miss Ben Mahmoude, who like Miss al Saidi grew up in a lower middle-class family in the coastal Tunisian city of Sfax, said all it took was a call to a friend of a friend.

She paid 1,150 ($1,560) for a place in the boat alongside 23 others.

Despite her smiles in the posts, she said the journey was terrifying. She described a moment when the boat rocked violently.

'I was so scared, I saw death right in front of me,' she said.

'The fear was extraordinary, the sea was really agitated and there were lots of high waves.

'In the boat, we said a prayer and prepared ourselves for death. When they told us we had arrived in Italian waters, we couldnt believe it.'

Still, Miss Ben Mahmoude says she was prepared to risk death for the chance at a better life.

'I have lots of friends who did the harka and they found opportunities in Europe. They put hope in my heart that there is work, that there is a lot of money,' she said. 'I want to change my life like they did.'

Ben Mahmoude said she understood the risks of the journey, which she made in December. Despite her smiles in the posts, she said the journey was terrifying

Her fiance shared a video about his crossing to his more than 640,000 Tik-Tok followers after the journey as well. He posted a montage of different European cities including what appears to be Paris (right)

In the weeks since Miss Ben Mahmoude and al Saidi (pictured) made it to Europe, they have documented their shopping sprees, rides in BMWs and picture-perfect lattes

Although both women secured sponsorships in Tunisia that paid them for their social media endorsements of beauty products and local businesses, it's unclear if they are making money from their posts in Italy and France. Pictured: Miss al Saidi, 18, poses for a picture in Italy

Wael Garnaoui, a psychologist researching the harka, says this hope is largely based on 'the migration lie,' a phenomenon that he says has been intensified by social media.

According to Mr Garnaoui, people see others go to Europe and observe their apparent success. They think that once in Europe, they can easily get papers, work and money.

The reality is often very different: 2020 data from the European Commission showed that the unemployment rate for inhabitants from outside the EU was nearly 14 per cent, compared to about 6 per cent for the native-born population.

He said: 'So they go to the Eiffel Tower and take a selfie in a Lacoste T-shirt, take photos of expensive cars.

More than 500,000 Afghan migrants are heading for Europe More than half a million Afghan migrants have crossed the border since the fall of Kabul last year and are heading for Europe and the Channel coast, intelligence experts have warned Ministers. Priti Patel last week held an emergency summit with her counterparts in the international Five Eyes intelligence alliance to discuss how to track the exodus. The Home Secretary is also seeking to toughen the UK's response to migrants who cross the Channel, with Border Force teams moving between hotels in Britain to round up migrants and move them to holding centres on military bases. The Five Eyes group  comprising the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand  combines the resources of MI6, GCHQ, the CIA and the other nations' domestic intelligence agencies, and can be traced back to the informal meetings between American and UK code-breakers during the Second World War. The 500,000 migrants displaced by political turmoil arising from the Taliban takeover and a famine in Afghanistan this winter is in addition to the 2.6 million existing Afghan refugees around the world. Of those, around 2.2 million are in Iran and Pakistan with a further 3.5 million people displaced within Afghanistan itself. One area of concern is the potential weaponisation of Afghan refugees by Belarus, which is said to actively 'importing' migrants and encouraging them to cross into the EU via Poland and Lithuania. 'The Afghan situation is going to cause serious problems over the coming months if we do not get a grip now,' said a Government source. 'A big part of the problem is the Schengen open borders system which allows them to pass freely across the EU until they reach Calais. 'MI6 and GCHQ are at the forefront of international efforts to keep on top of it.' The United Nations last year said a worst-case scenario was that 500,000 refugees could flee Afghanistan following the US-led withdrawal from the country. Around 12,000 Afghan refugees are currently living in UK hotels, with permanent homes so far found for more than 4,000. Advertisement

'They tell their family back home that everything is going well,' Garnaoui said.

'If they say the opposite, everyone will mock them. They will point to other people and say: "If they did it, why can't you?"

'There is so much social pressure,' he said.

In the weeks since Miss Ben Mahmoude and al Saidi made it to Europe, they documented their shopping sprees, rides in BMWs and picture-perfect lattes.

A photo of al Saidi riding an electric scooter in the historic French village of Le Puy-Notre-Dame got nearly 6,000 likes, while one of Miss Ben Mahmoude beneath the Eiffel tower had 8,000.

The photos and videos of their crossings garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and shares.

Although both women secured sponsorships in Tunisia that paid them for their social media endorsements of beauty products and local businesses, it's unclear if they are making money from their posts in Italy and France.

But their posts do have influence in Tunisia, experts say.

According to the Missing Migrants Project, 2,048 people went missing in the Mediterranean in 2021, with 23,000 missing since 2014.

Experts warn that Miss al Saidi and Miss Ben Mahmoude  social media influencers in Tunisia, with nearly 2million followers on TikTok and Instagram between them  could inspire others to make the dangerous crossing.

'Social media is putting out a vision of Europe that is not accurate,' said Matt Herbert, research manager at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

In the past, he said, the driver for migration was 'the diaspora coming home for the summer. People would see their cousins wearing new, expensive clothes and aspire to be like that.'

'With social media, its much more in your face and more accessible to everybody,' Herbert said.

Tunisia is one of the main departure points for migrants setting off from North Africa to Europe, with thousands of Tunisians joining those making the journey from elsewhere in Africa and the Middle East each year.

While Tunisia was once a popular tourist destination with a burgeoning middle class, as the country's economy deteriorated  with an 18 per cent unemployment rate exacerbated by the impact of Covid  migration attempts have soared.

In 2021, authorities intercepted more than 23,000 migrants trying to leave Tunisian shores. This number is starkly higher than in 2019, when around 5,000 people were intercepted, and dwarfs numbers recorded over the last decade.

A report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime pins the surge on rising unemployment and pessimism about Tunisian leaders' ability to improve the situation.

Last July, following nationwide anti-government protests, President Kais Saied suspended parliament and took on sweeping powers, raising fears of democratic backsliding.

The clandestine intrigue once surrounding the harka has faded in recent years as more people have migrated, and it is widely discussed on social media, in music and on TV.

While Miss Ben Mahmoude's and Miss al Saidi's posts sparked criticism, many also came to their defense, a reflection of how some see the harka as their only option to escape a country in crisis amid growing frustration over European Union visa restrictions.

France recently slashed visas given to Tunisians by 30 per cent  and to Algerians and Moroccans by half  accusing the countries of failing to cooperate over the return of their nationals who were in the country illegally.

'Shame on her? More like, its a shame for us!' posted one TikToker in response to criticism of Miss al Saidis video. 'She managed to make it to Italy, while we're all stuck here in Tunisia.'

Pictured: Migrants wait to be rescued off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy, on January 24. Seven migrants have died and some 280 have been rescued by the Italian Coast Guard

The Central Mediterranean is the deadliest migration route in the world, with more than 17,000 deaths and disappearances recorded since 2014 .Pictured: Migrants and refugees sailing adrift on an overcrowded wooden boat, are assisted by aid workers of the Spanish NGO Aita Mary in the Mediterranean Sea, about 114 miles(183 kms.) from Libya coast on Friday Jan. 28, 2022

Posts like theirs 'demystify' a journey that might otherwise be too terrifying to undertake, said Herbert of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

'One of the bars to migration is the fear of stepping out on the journey. It's scary.

'What these videos do, especially the videos of men and women at sea describing their journey, it confronts their fear with a visual reality that people can replace it with,' he said. 'It lowers the mental bar to leaving.'

Miss Ben Mahmoude insists she is not trying to encourage others to do the harka.

'I posted those videos because I always document my life on Instagram. Whether it's at my house, when I'm out, when I'm at a cafe,' she said. 'For me it was totally normal to publish stuff when I was doing the harka.'

For many, however, the harka has spelled only tragedy.

Chamseddine Marzouk, a volunteer for the Red Crescent in Zarzis, a coastal Tunisian town, has been burying the bodies of those trying to reach Europe for years.

By building a makeshift cemetery, Mr Marzouk wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of migration.

Then last summer Mr Marzouk woke to find a letter from his wife saying that after multiple failed attempts to get visas, she and their grandchildren had left by boat for Europe.

'Forgive me, Im going to Italy. I have no other solution but the sea,' read the note.

'I found myself living the same situation that Id been fighting for years,' Marzouk said.

If an accident happened, 'I could be burying my family without knowing whose bodies they were. I was in shock for two nights, and felt such relief when they called and told me they had arrived.'
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Boris Johnson today warned there might be less than 48 hours to prevent Russia invading Ukraine as he urged Vladimir Putin to 'step back from the precipice'.

The PM insisted he is ramping up diplomatic efforts to defuse the 'very dangerous' crisis, as he is expected to speak to Joe Biden tonight and visit Europe later in the week.

On a visit to Scotland, Mr Johnson said the 'evidence is pretty clear' that Moscow is preparing an invasion - with claims it could happen on Wednesday. But he stressed it is not too late for Mr Putin to change his mind to avoid 'disaster', as he called for Western powers to impose 'very severe' sanctions.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will chair a Cobra meeting this afternoon to discuss how to help British citizens in Ukraine, before the premier convenes a full session of the emergency committee tomorrow.

Mr Johnson pointed to massed Russian troops on the Ukrainian border and 'all sorts of other signs that show that there are serious preparations' for invasion.

'This is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation, we are on the edge of a precipice but there is still time for President (Vladimir) Putin to step back,' he said.

Tories have urged the West to stand firm, comparing the standoff with Moscow to the Cuban Missile Crisis - amid calls for Russian banks to be completely frozen out of financial markets.

But the PM took a thinly-veiled swipe today at countries such as Germany, seen as reluctant to agree harsh repercussions against Russia because they rely on its gas supplies. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in Kyiv today and will go to Moscow tomorrow.

On a visit to Scotland, Mr Johnson insisted 'the world needs to learn the lesson of 2014' when not enough was done to move away from Russian gas and oil following the Russian activity in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.

'What I think all European countries need to do now is get Nord Stream out of the bloodstream,' he said. 'Yank out that that hypodermic drip feed of Russian hydrocarbons that is keeping so many European economies going.

'We need to find alternative sources of energy  and get ready to impose some very, very severe economic consequences on Russia.'

As the atmosphere grows more febrile, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK set off a firestorm by appearing to suggest his country could drop its pledge to join NATO if it means avoiding a war with Russia.

Vadym Prystaiko, a veteran diplomat who once served as Ukraine's foreign minister, was asked by the BBC last night whether Kiev might consider dropping the pledge - and responded 'we might'.

But he hurried to clarify the remark this morning, saying his comments had been 'misunderstood' and that the commitment to join NATO remains enshrined in Ukraine's constitution.

Britain has pledged 'further economic support to Ukraine' as more than 130,000 Russian troops stood massed at its borders.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will attend a meeting with his Nato counterparts in Brussels this week to prepare the security alliance's response to any attack on Ukrainian sovereignty.

US intelligence briefed by the Pentagon reportedly points to a detailed plan in which Moscow will launch a barrage of missile and bomb attacks this Wednesday followed by a full-blown ground invasion.

As the crisis continues to bubble up:

Mr Johnson is expected to have a call with Joe Biden later and has not ruled out going to Moscow himself;

Downing Street has suggested Parliament will be recalled from half-term recess if Russia invades Ukraine;

Commercial airlines halted flights to Ukraine or divert them from flying over its airspace, sparking fears civilians will soon be stranded;

A bullish Russian ambassador insisted Mr Putin 'doesn't give a s***' about the threat of Western economic sanctions;

Moscow further ratcheted up tensions as more than 30 Russian ships started naval training exercises near the Crimean peninsula;

Ukraine call for a meeting with Russia and other members of a key European security group over the escalating tensions on its border;

The Pentagon warned 'things were not moving in the right direction' after a call between President Joe Biden and Mr Putin failed to yield a breakthrough.

Boris Johnson (left in Scotland today) has warned that the crisis in Eastern Europe is at 'a critical juncture'. Intelligence suggests Vladimir Putin's (pictured right) troops are planning to cross the border 'at any moment', possibly as soon as Wednesday

Defence minister James Heappey said the build-up of Russian forces on the border means that Vladimir Putin can attack with 'no notice'

Senior assault squad: Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, joins civilian weapons training with Ukraine troops in Mariupol yesterday

The Russian Navy's Rostov-on-Don submarine sails towards the Black Sea yesterday, armed with cruise missiles

Ukraine's nationalists under the 'territorial defense' hold a military and other training for civilians in preparation for any possible hitches amid an escalation of tensions in Kiev, Ukraine yesterday

Tensions NOT 'moving in the right direction' after call between Joe Biden and Putin The Pentagon last night warned that an hour-long phone call between President Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin failed to yield a breakthrough as he warned 'major military action could happen any day now.' Defense Department Spokesman John Kirby told Fox News that the leaders' call on Saturday was 'certainly not a sign that things are moving in the right direction.' 'It's certainly not a sign that Mr. Putin has any intention to de-escalate the tensions,' he continued. 'And it's certainly not a sign that he is recommitting himself to a diplomatic path forward. So, it doesn't give us any cause for optimism.' On Sunday, President Biden held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, vowing that the US and allies would 'respond swiftly and decisively' in the event of any further Russian incursion. But Mr Zelensky has sought to play down the threat over the weekend, saying: 'The best friend of our enemies is panic in our country. And all this information is just provoking panic and can't help us.' The White House said Biden 'reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' It added: 'President Biden made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. 'The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders.' Advertisement

Earlier, Defence minister James Heappey said the build-up of Russian forces on the border means that Vladimir Putin can give an order and missiles and bombs would be hitting targets within 'minutes'.

In a round of interviews as tension ramps up, Mr Heappey insisted it was still possible to avoid a flashpoint but 'we are closer than we've been on this continent' to war 'for 70 years'.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging calm on claims about the timing of an invasion, telling the US: 'If you, or anyone else, has additional information regarding a 100 per cent Russian invasion starting on [February] 16, please forward that information to us.'

He spoke at length yesterday with US President Joe Biden, who promised Washington would respond 'swiftly and decisively' to any further aggression from Moscow.

After the hour-long call, Kiev demanded better weapons and more money from the West to stave off the Kremlin threat.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister remains focused on calming the crisis and is receiving daily intelligence briefings on the increasing build-up of Russian forces.

No 10 did not set out where he plans to travel later this week, but it is understood Mr Johnson is keen to engage with Nordic and Baltic countries.

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'The crisis on Ukraine's border has reached a critical juncture. All the information we have suggests Russia could be a planning an invasion of Ukraine at any moment.

'This would have disastrous consequences for both Ukraine and Russia. There is still a window of opportunity for de-escalation and diplomacy, and the Prime Minister will continue to work tirelessly alongside our allies to get Russia to step back from the brink.'

Armed Forces Minister Mr Heappey told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'There's 130,000 Russian troops around the borders of Ukraine, thousands more on amphibious shipping in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea.

'All of the combat enablers are in place and my fear is that if all of this was just about a show to win leverage in diplomacy that doesn't require the logistics, the fuel, the medical supplies, the bridging assets, the unglamorous stuff that actually makes an invasion force credible, but doesn't attract headlines. Yet all of that is now in place too.

'That's why there's real urgency to the diplomatic negotiations that continue.

'That is why this is a very serious time for the whole world, really, to come together and to send a message to Russia that this is behaviour that will not be accepted and that we stand behind Ukraine, and that the financial sanctions if he were to cross the border would be absolutely profound.'

Mr Heappey told Sky News that all British nationals should be leaving Ukraine now 'whilst there are the commercial means to do so and whilst the motorways are available for them to drive out over the border'.

'This isn't a warning about something that could happen in three months' time, this isn't a warning that will be followed by further warnings because greater imminence has been reached,' he said.

'This is a warning because minutes after Putin gives the order, missiles and bombs could be landing on Ukrainian cities, and that means British citizens should leave now whilst they have the opportunities to do so.'

What sanctions have been mooted by the West against Russia? The options being floated by Western nations for responding to an invasion of Ukraine are more dramatic than in 2014 after the annexation of the Crimea. Those targeted people directly involved in destabilising Ukraine, as well as businesses that worked in the area. But the EU and the US have raised the prospect of starving Russia of foreign capital, blocking exports of military technologies. Sanctions on the Russia-Germany Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline have also been mooted. The UK has talked up sanctioning Russian individuals and companies that are close to the Kremlin. The US is considering sanctioning major Russian banks and has suggested Russia could be banned from the international Swift payment messaging system. Advertisement

Tory MP and former soldier Tobias Ellwood, who has called for a division of Nato troops to be stationed inside Ukraine, said the standoff was 'our Cuban missile crisis'.

The Commons defence committee chair told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour that Western countries had been 'asleep' and failed to recognise the threat from Russia.

'We need to wake up to our responsibilities, to defend the international rules-based order,' he said.

'I don't doubt the scale of where things are ratcheting. This is our Cuban missile crisis, but right now it's us that is blinking and not Putin.'

But fellow Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake said the focus should be on developing harsher sanctions.

'The strategy in my view, as most people accept, should be around sanctions but very severe sanctions and ones they will take seriously,' he said.

'I don't think it's quite as simple as if we put really tough sanctions in place in terms of their financial markets. Completely blocking Russian banks from financial markets would be catastrophic for Russia. It's not something that China can simply step in and solve.

'Literally people would not be able to get money out of ATM's in Russia. That would be very, very significant action we could take. If we're clear about that now, I think the chances of an invasion would be reduced.'

European diplomacy efforts will see German chancellor Olaf Scholz arrive in Kiev today and move onto Moscow tomorrow.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby yesterday said he cannot confirm reports that US intelligence points to Russia planning an invasion this Wednesday.

But the White House's national security adviser gave a chilling description of what such an attack might entail.

Jake Sullivan told CNN: 'If there is a military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it's likely to begin with a significant barrage of missiles and bomb attacks.

'Those are never as precise as any army would like them to be so innocent civilians could be killed regardless of their nationality.

'It would then be followed by an onslaught of a ground force moving across the Ukrainian frontier, again where innocent civilians could get caught in the crossfire.'

He added that an attack could begin 'any day now  that includes this coming week'.

Having flown back from talks in Moscow in the early hours of Saturday, Mr Wallace yesterday cut short a family holiday due to what he said was the 'worsening situation in Ukraine', after he had been spotted in an unnamed European resort.

He was criticised yesterday for likening Western diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing a Russian invasion to appeasement towards Adolf Hitler after he said that there is a 'whiff of Munich in the air'.

Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, retorted on BBC Radio 4: 'It's not the best time for us to offend our partners in the world, reminding them of this act which actually not bought peace but the opposite, it bought war.'

Ukraine soldiers test fire anti-tank missile systems JAVELIN recently provided by the US army in defence aid, in undisclosed location, pictured yesterday

German chancellor to fly to Ukraine and Russia to try to defuse tensions amid invasion fears German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is flying to Ukraine and Russia this week in an effort to help defuse escalating tensions as Western intelligence officials warn that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is increasingly imminent and Germany has called on its citizens to leave Ukraine as quickly as possible. Ahead of his first visits as Chancellor to Kyiv on Monday and Moscow on Tuesday for meetings with the Ukrainian and Russian presidents, Mr Scholz renewed his warning to Russia, as well as his advocacy of continuing diplomacy in multiple formats. 'It is our job to ensure that we prevent a war in Europe, in that we send a clear message to Russia that any military aggression would have consequences that would be very high for Russia and its prospects, and that we are united with our allies,' he told the German parliament's upper house on Friday. 'But at the same time that also includes using all opportunities for talks and further development.' Russia has concentrated more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border and launched a series of military manoeuvres in the region, but says it has no plans to invade the nation. Moscow wants guarantees from the West that Nato will not allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members, and for the alliance to halt weapon deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe. The US and Nato have flatly rejected these demands. Mr Scholz has repeatedly said that Moscow would pay a 'high price' in the event of an attack, but his government's refusal to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine or to spell out which sanctions it would support against Russia have drawn criticism abroad and at home and raised questions about Berlin's resolve in standing up to Russia. Germany's reluctant position is partly rooted in its history of aggression during the 20th century when the country's own militarisation in Europe during two World Wars led many post-war German leaders to view any military response as a very last resort. Despite this historic burden, experts say it is of utmost importance now that Mr Scholz stresses Germany is in sync with its European and American allies, especially when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement

Russia's ambassador to Sweden Viktor Tatarintsev said President Putin 'doesn't give a s*** about western sanctions', adding: 'The more the West pushes Russia, the stronger the response will be.

'We are more self-sufficient and have been able to increase our exports. We have no Italian or Swiss cheeses, but we've learned to make just as good Russian cheeses using Italian and Swiss recipes.'

There were fears that Britons in Ukraine, who were told to leave on Friday by the Foreign Office, could soon find themselves stranded as commercial airlines began cancelling or re-routing flights.

Dutch airline KLM yesterday cancelled all flights to Kiev while Ukrainian carrier SkyUp was forced to divert a flight to Moldova after the company which owned the plane refused to let it enter Ukrainian airspace.

It is feared that a host of other airlines will also start suspending flights from today, with German carrier Lufthansa among those saying it is considering the move.

On Friday the Foreign Office issued new guidance telling British citizens to leave the country while they still can.

They will be left stranded - and will need military mercy flights - if commercial airlines decide en masse this week that they will cease flights to and from Ukraine.

Meanwhile Ukraine advised airlines to avoid flying over the open waters of the Black Sea from today to Saturday due to Russian naval exercises taking place there.

The fears follow the 2014 shooting down of jetliner MH17 as it flew over territory held by Russia-backed rebels in Ukraine.

All 298 people aboard died in the disaster, including 198 Dutch citizens, while Russia was widely condemned as being responsible.

Photos yesterday showed dozens of people waiting to board a plane at Kiev's airport as hundreds of others waited to check-in.

They are leaving after the US and the UK, along with other European nations, warned their citizens to get out of the country while they still can.

Russia has boosted its already huge force on Ukrainian borders by moving a large number of attack helicopters to forward positions, according to social media videos.

This includes a massing in Belgorod region, only 19 miles from the border with Ukraine, at the same site as in 2014 when Moscow intervened in the Donbas and annexed Crimea.

Sobering videos show Ka-52 Alligators, Mi-8s and Mi-24 military attack helicopters on the move in multiple locations in western Russia.

They were seen in the regions of Belgorod, Nizhny Novgorod region, Tver, Ulyanovsk and Yaroslavl amid suspicions they are being moved to the potential war zone close to Ukraine.

More were filmed in Dobrush, close to the border with Ukraine in the Gomel region of Belarus where vast military exercises are underway.

Ukraine last night called for a meeting with Russia and members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) within 48 hours to discuss Russia's military build-up near Ukraine and inside annexed Crimea.

Vladimir Putin 'doesn't give a s**t' about the risk of Western sanctions if it were to invade Ukraine, Russia's ambassador to Sweden (right) said as US staff began withdrawing from eastern Ukraine amid warnings of an 'imminent' invasion

A member of the Ukrainian State Border Guard standing watch at the border crossing between Ukraine and Belarus on Sunday

Airlines today began suspending flights to Ukraine and the country's government reportedly banned entry to Russian citizens over fears of an invasion and the threat of hit squads and saboteurs trying to enter the country. Pictured: Passengers are seen boarding a plane out of Ukraine on Sunday after foreign nations including the UK and the US warned their citizens to get out while they can

Lithuania's military aid including Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, delivered as part of the security support package for Ukraine, is unloaded from a C-17 Globemaster III plane at Boryspil International Airport

Dutch carrier KLM announced it was stopping flights to and from the country until further notice, amid sensitivity in the Netherlands to potential danger in Ukrainian airspace following the 2014 shooting down of jetliner MH17 as it flew over territory held by Russia-backed rebels. All 298 people aboard died in the disaster, including 198 Dutch citizens. Pictured: The aftermath of the disaster

Insurers suspend flight cover leaving Brits stranded There are fears that some 6,000 Britons living in Ukraine, who were told to leave on Friday by the Foreign Office, could soon find themselves stranded. Dutch airline KLM yesterday cancelled all flights to Kiev and others could follow suit. Germany's Lufthansa also said on Sunday it was considering suspending flights. Insurance giant Lloyds of London is reportedly set to suspend cover for flights passing through the country's airspace as fears of an imminent Russian invasion grow, according to Ukrainian publication Ukrainska Pravda. Ukraine advised airlines to avoid flying over the Black Sea from today to Saturday due to Russian naval exercises. Advertisement

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Moscow had not responded after Kyiv invoked a part of the Vienna Document, a set of security agreements, to demand Moscow explain its military activities.

'Consequently, we take the next step. We request a meeting with Russia and all participating states within 48 hours to discuss its reinforcement & redeployment along our border & in temporarily occupied Crimea,' Kuleba tweeted.

'If Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must fulfill its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all,' he said.

A key juncture in western diplomatic efforts this week is German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Moscow meeting with Mr Putin on Tuesday.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is also expected to visit the continent during the diplomatic push.

The crucial phase in trying to cool Russian aggression comes at a difficult time for Mr Johnson domestically, with critics saying he is distracted by the police investigation centred on Downing Street.

The Prime Minister this week must answer a legal questionnaire sent to him by officers investigating allegations of lockdown-breaching parties, which could ultimately see him being fined if he is found to have broken the law.

That outcome would inevitably lead to even more widespread calls for his resignation, and Tories pressuring for a vote of no confidence which could unseat Mr Johnson as Prime Minister.

Moscow denies it is planning an invasion and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the White House of stoking 'hysteria' but US intelligence suggests the Kremlin could fabricate a 'false flag' pretext to attack.

Western leaders have threatened Moscow with a damaging package of sanctions in the event of a further incursion into Ukrainian soil.

Ukraine is not a Nato member and allies in the defence alliance have said they would not join fighting in Ukraine but have bolstered forces in neighbouring nations and are threatening widespread sanctions.

Last night, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko told the BBC that Ukraine might consider abandoning its goal of NATO membership to avert war.

IAN BIRRELL: Eighty years ago, Stalin brutally expelled 200,000 Crimean Tatars. Today, with Putin's troops massing, their descendants say this time they will fight to the death

As the military forces of a modern Russian dictator menacingly encircle Ukraine, they stir chilling memories from the past of his predecessors such as Joseph Stalin in this scruffy little town of 12,000 people that sits near a new border with Crimea.

For it is filled with exiled families who know from bitter experience the brutal reality of Kremlin rule after suffering repeated waves of ethnic cleansing over the past century  first under the Soviet Communists, then recently under Vladimir Putin.

Typical is a taxi driver called Ildar. His grandmother was deported to the Urals almost a century ago, then his father put in a cattle wagon by Stalin's goons and sent to central Asia on a 20-day rail journey that only one in five people survived.

It was only with the collapse of the Soviet Union that, along with about 250,000 other Tatars, Ildar returned to Crimea. But then they watched in horror as Putin followed in Stalin's footsteps with his illegal seizure of Crimea eight years ago.

Ildar joined protests against Moscow's annexation but was forced to flee with his wife and two children, abandoning his home and business to escape over the newly-imposed border.

Today, he lives among 5,000 Crimean Tatars in the town of Novooleksiivka  so close in geography yet so far for him in reality from Russian-controlled Crimea.

He fears fresh confrontation with Moscow amid talk of another invasion. 'We have nowhere left to run so we'll have to fight,' says Ildar. 'Russia is a terrorist country ruled by people who don't value human life.'

Herded like animals: Deported Tatars forced on to cattle wagons in 1944

Far from home: Adile Medzhitova's family in the 1950s

As we sit in a cafe, he tells me his family's story: His wealthy grandmother targeted by the Communists when they collectivised farms; his uncle dying on that horrific train journey after Crimea's Tatars were rounded up on Stalin's orders; and his father's shock when the survivors were dumped in empty fields in Uzbekistan.

Yet this terrible tale is far from unique in this town  and given the tragic history of the Crimean Tatar people, treated with such cruelty by Russia's rulers over three centuries, it is no wonder they look with alarm at the actions of Putin, the latest Kremlin empire-builder.

These people were among leading opponents of Putin's theft of Crimea, the chunk of land that dangles below Ukraine where Florence Nightingale worked in the 1850s when Britain fought the Russian Empire for control of the Ottoman Empire.

Crimea has long held significance as a naval base  and Putin's invasion in 2014 has led to the harassment, detention, disappearance and killing of Tatars who opposed his actions.

Novooleksiivka  the only place in Ukraine with a school teaching lessons in Crimean Tatar  lies in a coastal region some analysts suspect Putin is targeting to strengthen his grip on the peninsula and key strategic stretches of sea.

The testimony of Adile Medzhitova, 75, drives home the deep fears of this Muslim minority  subjected to waves of ethnic cleansing that date back to the initial Russian annexation in 1783 of their independent state under Catherine the Great.

Adile's father, a teacher, fought as a partisan against the Germans when the Nazis invaded Ukraine during the Second World War, marrying her mother after his first wife was thrown into a well and young son killed in retaliation for his activities.

Yet after Russia repelled Hitler, Stalin deported 200,000 Crimean Tatars to Central Asia over a few days in May 1944, claiming they were Nazi collaborators  even all those serving in the Red Army or who had joined the resistance.

'The soldiers came early one morning. They were called 'traitors' and 'collaborators'  even those like my father, heroes fighting against Germany,' says Adile.

Some Tatars did back the Nazis in hope of kicking out the hated Communists  yet many more fought against them. Some historians think Stalin's motivation was not revenge but part of his plan to start a fight with Turkey to reclaim land lost in the First World War, which led him to fear that Tatars  as Turkic people of Islamic faith  might side with Turkey.

Families were given as little as 15 minutes to pack and permitted to take few belongings, if any, in one of the 20th century's most savage acts of ethnic cleansing. It was declared a genocide by Kiev's parliament seven years ago.

The majority of deportees were women, children and old people  with many suffering hunger, thirst, cold, overcrowding and diseases that spread rapidly in the packed cattle trucks. Stalin's soldiers were reported to have killed those unable to walk  and then refused to bury them.

Ildar, the taxi driver, says he was 12 when his father told him about the events to explain why they had come to be living in Uzbekistan. 'The soldiers came at night and ordered them into cattle wagons, 100 at a time,' he recalls.

'Only about 20 people reached the destination alive. The journey lasted 20 days. They were given one barrel of water and some fish, then they did not stop nor get any other food.' It is estimated almost half the deportees died en route or in the first year of exile.

Adile's parents found themselves 1,200 miles from home in a forest  yet were fortunate to escape the fate of two of her uncles, sent to Siberia as intellectuals and never seen again.

'My mother always cried telling me about it,' she said. 'It looked like a concentration camp with long wooden barracks. Soldiers with dogs threw hay on the floor and told them to make it into their beds.'

The couple's first child, like many Tatar babies born in such barren conditions, died in infancy. Adile arrived three years after deportation  her birthplace listed in official documents as 'the tenth kilometre' since there was no existing town.

Then her father suffered a horrendous head injury while cutting timber that left him with mental difficulties. Later, after the family were allowed to move to Uzbekistan, he worked in a cotton factory. 'My father was an educated man but he had to do manual labour. The local population did not want us there  we all dreamed of returning to Crimea.'

Adile remembers one day in 1953 when people were made to gather in a stadium to mourn Stalin's death. 'Everyone was crying  it was only later we learned the original order to deport us had been signed by Stalin,' she said.

A decade later Adile helped her father, along with other exiled Crimean Tatars, collect signatures for a letter to the Soviet leadership begging to return to their homeland. 'Everyone was very afraid of the KGB because if they caught us, we could go to prison.'

As a result, in 1968 the local KGB gave the family 24 hours to leave the area  but they remained barred from Crimea, unable to work without the correct documents and ending up sleeping rough at rail stations.

Her father died in 1986 after working as a guard on a collective farm, writing Tatar poetry and pining for his Crimean homeland. The year after his death, a small group of Tatar activists staged a series of protests in Moscow's Red Square, demanding an end to their exile.

Among them was Edem, then 30, who told me they held banners emblazoned with slogans such as 'Return Crimea to Crimean Tatars' while confronted by passers-by shouting that they were 'traitors to the Soviet Union'.

Despite this being the time of Mikhail Gorbachev's 'perestroika' reforms, the KGB tried to break up the protests; some demonstrators were sent to psychiatric hospitals. 'They'd drag us off, fly us out of Moscow, patrol the streets with dogs,' said Edem.

Yet the numbers swelled and copycat protests took off, leading to the pledge of a meeting with Soviet president Andrei Gromyko.

Over the following decade, hundreds of thousands of Tatars flocked back to Crimea  among them Edem, a car mechanic, and his two brothers. 'It felt so good, like a homecoming,' he says.

Yet those returning home faced hostility. 'People had been brainwashed by Russian propaganda and didn't realise our ancestors had been on Crimean land since the beginning.'

Then this man who once faced down the KGB starts to weep gently as he tells me he cannot visit the graves of his brothers in Crimea and speaks of his fear that Russian troops might soon be seen on the streets of Novooleksiivka.

Edem says: 'If the Russians keep pushing forward into Ukraine, I would have no choice but to take a gun in my hands. We cannot allow them to take more of our lands.'

And so the agony of the Crimean Tatars continues  their lives disrupted and devastated by Russia's repeated atrocities against them.

For her part, Adile Medzhitova, says that despite Putin's war-mongering, she does not bear a grudge towards Russian people. 'It's not their fault they live under a bad government. I've seen how they have miserable lives. For them, it is still like Soviet times  you can't speak freely there.'

Speaking in her three-room whitewashed house where she raised two daughters with her late husband, she tells me she is scared Russia might seize her adopted home town. 'I am afraid to say my worst fears out loud. It would be so terrible that I can't even talk about it.'

Such fears seem justified. Russian security forces last week carried out fresh searches of Tatar homes in several parts of Crimea, which led to four people being detained for suspected terrorism.

The deportation of the Crimean Tatars on May 18th, 1944

Habibula Lumanov, a father of six who runs a cafe in Novooleksiivka, knows many who stayed in Crimea and were put in prison, so felt unable to return even for his mother's funeral.

'They don't need a reason in Russia to put a person in prison,' he said. 'Anyone who disagrees with them can be called a terrorist  they come to your home and say they found weapons, drugs or forbidden documents.'

The 52-year-old says that when Russian troops invaded Crimea the Tatars wanted to fight back but were not supplied with weapons by Ukrainian forces. 'Now we've discussed it a lot  if anything happens we'll send our families to a safe place but we'll stay to fight.'

His own father was deported to Uzbekistan before finally returning to Crimea. Now he says: 'My oldest daughter is 17 and I fear she must go through the cycle again.'

Usein Tohlu, the town's imam, is equally forthright. 'We'd all like to see Putin in a coffin,' he says. 'The Russian state is evil. It is the enemy of Tatar people.'

He joined volunteers in Novooleksiivka assisting 30,000 Tatars who fled Crimea after annexation. Their leaders still demand that the Russian-held peninsular is reunified with Ukraine  which has triggered retaliation including a ban on their representative assembly as an 'extremist' body.

Like so many other Crimean Tatars whose families have been benighted pawns of Moscow strongmen down the years, thousands more now find themselves trapped on the frontline of a geo-political struggle. This time it is one that pits Putin against the West.

Additional reporting by Kate Baklitskaya
A sex predator made a young child watch as two dogs licked his penis before encouraging her to do the same.

The elderly man, aged in his 70s, from Adelaide's north pleaded guilty to persistent sexual exploitation of a child and to committing bestiality over a 10-year period involving his 'surrogate granddaughter'.

He was sentenced to more than 10 years behind bars for the crimes at Adelaide District Court earlier this month.

The court heard the elderly man and his wife were close friends with the parents of the victim and their close relationship saw them become unofficial family members, acting as surrogate grandparents.

A man made a young child watch as two dogs licked his penis before encouraging her to do the same, a South Australian court (pictured) has heard

The little girl and her brother stayed at the home of the predator several nights during school holidays over a 10-year period.

She was just four-years-old when the abuse started, with the man in his 70s waiting until his wife would leave for work before getting undressed and into bed with the child.

He would remain in bed with her for over an hour until her brother would wake up.

On at least two occasions the man made his dogs lick his genitals with the girl watching, before saying 'you should do the same'.

His crimes came to light after the young girl, who lives interstate, told her teacher of the abuse. It was then reported to her parents and the police where the abuse stopped.

Judge Julie McIntyre said the girl has suffered 'significant trauma' as a result of the abuse.

'She told you this was disgusting, but you persisted,' Judge McIntyre said during the defendant's sentencing, according to reports by News Corp.

'Indeed, your victim continually told you to stop all of your behaviour, but you did not.

'You coerced her both physically and psychologically. You made her feel like this was normal behaviour that happened to everyone.'

She defended the family in the situation, saying there was no way for them to have been aware of his atrocities.

'Her family feel that it is their fault that this has happened. It is not. The fault is yours alone,' the judge said.

'I accept that you are sorry about what you did but  I find it difficult to accept that you fully appreciate the harm that you have done to your victim, her family and indeed your own family.'

He was granted a sentencing discount as a result of early guilty pleas and handed a non-parole period of six years and three months.

Judge McIntyre also imposed an AVO with conditions including him being unable to contact the girl or coming within 100metres of her.
Grace Tame has taken a subtle swipe at Scott Morrison hours after an old photo of her pictured next to a bong resurfaced and went viral online.

The sexual abuse survivor and former Australian of the Year is back in the headlines, a day after she came under fire from Prime Minister's wife for not showing 'respect or manners' after being welcomed into their home.

Critics delved into Ms Tame's Instagram feed on Monday and unearthed a photo from 2014 of her as a 19-year-old sitting on a couch with a large bong, a water pipe used for smoking cannabis - next to her foot.

She quickly deleted the photo and has been inundated with public support as the photo quickly went viral.

Ms Tame hasn't responded to the emergence of the picture, but on Monday night replied to a supporter who sarcastically pondered if she'd s**t herself at McDonald's after a rugby league grand final in 1997.

Grace Tame issued a brutal swipe at Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday night

2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame has spoken out hours after an old photo resurfaced of her pictured next to a bong

'Quite possibly, I wouldve been 2 years old. I s**t myself a lot back then,' Ms Tame quipped.

The Twitter author was referring to the long-standing rumour a heartbroken Mr Morrison soiled himself at Engadine McDonald's in Sydney's south after his beloved Cronulla Sharks lost the Super League final 26-8 against the Brisbane Broncos.

The Sharks had never won a premiership in their 30-year history at the time.

Mr Morrison publicly addressed the persistent rumour two years ago while making a speech at the 2019 Midwinter Ball in Canberra.

'What really happened at the Engadine McDonalds in 1997?' he said to the crowd as they erupted in laughter, eagerly awaiting his next remark.

'It will remain the mystery of the ages.'

He has since told Kyle and Jackie O on their morning radio show that the rumour isn't true.

The dig was in response to rumours Mr Morrison s**t himself at Engadine McDonalds (pictured) after the Cronulla Sharks lost the 1997 Super League grand final

Scott Morrison (pictured) is a well-known Cronulla Sharks tragic - with an urban legend persisting about his actions after one particular Grand Final

The strange urban legend began 12 months earlier after Mr Morrison became prime minister following a messy Liberal Party leadership spill in 2018.

The rumour soon spread far and wide, with data on Google trends showing a sustained spike in searches for the term 'Engadine Maccas'.

Ms Tame's dig at the Prime Minister garnered 7,000 likes and hundreds of comments within an hour of of being tweeted.

'Thanks for the belly laugh... you're a dead-set legend,' one fan wrote.

Another added:' I wish I had your quickness of the best replies. But even if I don't, I have learned so much from you about not letting people get away with things... and saying what needs to be said. Thank you for being far more a leader than any of our current pretend leaders.'

Comedians, musicians, politicians and other prolific Australians have rallied around Ms Tame after the old photo of her pictured next to a bong went viral online.

Hours earlier, Grace Tame (right) came under fire from Scott Morrison's wife over her frosty exchange with the Prime Minister (left) at an Australian of the Year function at The Lodge

In the 2014 Instagram photo, a 19-year-old Ms Tame is seen sitting on a lounge with a friend, smiling with her eyes closed as she plays on her phone.

The 2021 Australian of the Year appears to be holding a bong - a water pipe used for smoking cannabis - upright with her left foot.

Ms Tame accompanied the post with a green plant symbol. She's sitting next to a man who's rolling a cigarette - with the green substance spread out on a vinyl record.

The image from Ms Tame's youth was seized upon by her critics on Monday who found it buried in her Instagram feed.

'Australian of the year?' one person posted next to the eight-year-old picture.

The post was swiftly deleted by Tame, now 27, on Monday morning after questions from Daily Mail Australia about the image.

Ms Tame delivered an explosive speech at the National Press Club last week (pictured)

It is not suggested that Ms Tame used the bong - only that it was sat on the couch in front of her in the picture.

The Tasmanian activist and sexual abuse survivor has been consistently been in the news headlines over the past week, after completing her term as Australian of the Year and delivering a rousing speech at the National Press Club.

On 60 Minutes on Sunday night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's wife Jenny offered her opinion on Ms Tame's now famous 'side eye' when greeting them at a morning tea at The Lodge at an Australian Day function last month.

Ms Tame was seen giving Mr Morrison a less than friendly handshake with a scowl on her face before throwing him an icy sideways glance.

'I just found a little bit disappointing, because we were welcoming her in our home,' Mrs Morrison said.

'I just wish the focus had been on all the incredible people coming in.

'I respect people that want to change things, stand up for their beliefs, and are strong, but I still think there are manners and respect.'

On 60 Minutes on Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's wife Jenny (left) offered her opinion on Ms Tame's now famous 'side eye' when greeting them at a morning tea at The Lodge before Australia Day

She was asked whether she wanted her daughters to look up to outspoken advocates such as Ms Tame.

'I want my daughters to grow up to be fierce, strong, independent, amazing people. And I think they can still do that and show kindness to other people and be polite and have manners,' Mrs Morrison replied.

Her husband has been on the receiving end of much criticism over the past year from Ms Tame, who was awarded the Australian of the Year title in 2021 for her campaigning efforts on behalf of victims of sexual abuse.

Ms Tame later defended her behaviour at the function, which had been a morning tea for the incoming Australian of the Year nominees.

'The survival of abuse culture is dependent on submissive smiles and self-defeating surrenders,' she tweeted.

'It is dependent on hypocrisy. My past is only relevant to the extent that I have seen  in fact I have worn  the consequences of civility for the sake of civility.'

The Prime Minister also later addressed the awkward encounter.

'When Jenny and I invite someone to our home, we greet them with a smile and they're always welcome, and that day was actually about all the finalists we came to celebrate,' Mr Morrison later said.

'I haven't raised any issues about (the incident) - all I'm saying is we were there that day to celebrate those who had done an incredible job for our country.'

At an appearance at the National Press Club last week with Brittany Higgins, who alleged she was raped inside Parliament House, Ms Tame claimed she had been called by a person from a government-funded organisation to refrain from making negative comments about Mr Morrison.

'I received a threatening phone call from a senior member of a government funded organisation, asking for my word that I wouldn't say anything damning about the Prime Minister on the evening of the next Australian of the Year Awards,' she said after warning the audience 'brace yourselves'.

'''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 planet? And then I heard the words ''with an election coming soon''...'

During her speech at the Press Club, Ms Tame claimed she had been called by a person from a government-funded organisation to refrain from making negative comments about Mr Morrison

'And it crystallised a fear - a fear for himself and no-one else, a fear he might lose his position or, more to the point, his power.'

She said the call reminded her of threats from her 58-year-old maths teacher who raped her when she was 15.

Ms Tame was later urged to make public the source of the call but to date, has not done so.

'It is up to Ms Tame whether she would like the matter taken further and I absolutely respect that,' Families Minister Anne Ruston, who attended the speech, later told ABC Radio.

'If she does, of course we will be happy to make sure we get to the bottom of the issue.

'Obviously, Ms Tame is the one who's in control of what we do with this piece of information from here,' she said.
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An announcement on opening the Covid vaccine rollout to children aged five to 11 has been delayed for the second time in a week.

Britain's vaccine watchdog is said to have delivered its recommendation to ministers earlier this month, with Downing Street still reviewing the advice.

It is understood that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has green-lit the move but wants it to be presented as a 'non-urgent' offer because young children are at such a low risk from Covid.

A JCVI source told MailOnline that opening the jabs to the age group will appease 'parents who are desperate to have the choice', but added that nobody on the committee was 'particularly vocal' about wanting to jab young children.

Only 20 per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds have been double-vaccinated in England and little over half have received one jab  raising questions about whether there is public demand for jabbing even younger children.

An announcement on five to 11-year-olds was due last Friday but it was pushed back to today, and delayed again over the weekend  this time until February 21.

It is unclear what exactly is causing the hold up, but in the past ministers have expressed frustration at the JCVI's caution over jabbing children.

The group initially dragged its heels on recommending jabs to 12 to 15-year-olds in September, citing a lack of safety data and concerns about side-effects.

In the end ministers had to circumvent the JCVI, and relied on Professor Chris Whitty to approve the jabs on the basis they would prevent further disruption to schooling.

Britain's vaccine watchdog has made up its mind to allow vaccination of 5 to 11-year-olds, reports say, but Downing Street is still reviewing the verdict (stock image)

Only 20 per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds (shown in purple, bottom) have been double-vaccinated in England since the rollout was expanded to them in November. But they must wait 12 weeks between doses

Little over half of children in the age group have had one dose

It is unclear whether the toned down language of the JCVI's recommendation for five to 11-year-olds is behind the impasse.

There is also a suggestion that the Government wants to announce the roll out as part of its plan to 'live with' Covid like the flu  which is set to be unveiled when Parliament returns from recess on February 21.

A Government source told MailOnline the spate of scandals within No10 over the past week as well as the imminent war on the Ukrainian border may have led to the JCVI announcement 'slipping down the pecking order'.

Most of Europe has already vaccinated five to 11-year-olds against the virus, after opening up its drives in December amid the rampant spread of the Omicron variant.

What are the risks of Covid and vaccines to five-year-olds? Covid Most children only experience mild symptoms after being infected with Covid. Just one in 300,000 children who test positive for Covid die, according to UK Government data. And the risk of being hospitalised and getting admitted to ICU is similarly low. But the risk is higher to children with serious underlying conditions. The JCVI has yet to release its updated guidance on vaccinating children aged 11 and under. But its latest advice on recommending first jabs to over-12s suggested one Pfizer dose only prevents 131 hospital admissions per million 12-15-year-olds. And second doses only prevent nine hospital admissions for every million dished out to the age group. The figures are likely to be less for five- to eleven-year-old, who are less vulnerable to the virus. Vaccines Myocarditis  an ultrarare form of heart inflammation  is the main side effect of the Pfizer vaccine that concerns experts. Data shows the risk is slightly higher in adolescents than adults, particularly in boys. The JCVI has not released data on how many cases are expected in children aged five to 11 but studies show children in younger age groups are less at risk than teenagers. It found myocarditis cases in between 2.6 to 17.7 million first vaccine doses in children aged 12 to 15. And the condition was found in between 20.9 to 42.2 children in the age group per million second doses dished out. Advertisement

Clinically vulnerable five to 11-year-olds were recommended two doses Pfizer jab in late December, although they were offered smaller doses than adults.

JCVI chiefs now appear to have signed off on inoculating healthy children of the same age, according to reports over the weekend.

They say it may help to protect against a 'potential future wave' of Covid infections.

But the offer will be presented as 'non-urgent' because of the low risk Covid poses to the age group.

Healthy children face a vanishingly low risk of severe illness from the virus, with only six healthy children dying of the virus in England's first year of the pandemic.

And two doses of a jab offer as little as 10 per cent protection against catching the antibody-resistant Omicron variant, UK data suggests.

Some scientists have questioned the need to vaccinate children when so many have already had Covid.

The Office of National Statistics estimates nearly three-quarters of youngsters aged 8 to 11 had Covid antibodies as of January 10.

A Department of Health spokesman said: 'No decisions have been made by ministers on the universal offer of a Covid vaccine to all five to 11-year-olds.

'We are committed to reviewing the JCVIs advice as part of wider decision-making ahead of the publication of our long-term strategy for living with Covid.'

JCVI is normally turned around and presented to the public in a matter of days, and usually only requires logistical planning.

It is seen by ministers before publication, but is normally only viewed by the Department of Health rather than Number 10 according to the Guardian.

Germany, Spain and Greece are among several European nations already vaccinating five to 11-year-olds, who have been able to get the jabs for more than two months now.

The JCVI has previously come under pressure for being slow to recommend Covid vaccines for children.

It finally gave a view on vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds in September, but said it could not recommend the jabs because the benefits were 'too small'.

Professor Chris Whitty and the UK's other three chief medical officers eventually approved the move.

But this was months behind other European nations, with countries such as Italy having started jabbing the age group in June.

There are currently no plans to offer Covid jabs to under-fives in the UK.

Health authorities in the US were considering the move, but plans are now on ice until next month as regulators wait for more data from Pfizer.

Vaccinating young children still makes many scientists uneasy due to the tiny risk the virus poses to them.

There are also concerns over the rare side effect myocarditis  or inflammation of the heart  which is thought to be more common among teenage boys.

Experts say in rare cases the condition is detected, however, that it is mostly mild and clears up on its own.

When the inflammation was spotted, it was appearing at a rate of about one in 10,000 young people given vaccines in the US and Israel.

But rates have been much lower in the UK, seen in just one in every 50,000 vaccine doses in people aged 18 to 29.

Experts have theorised the UK's lower rate is because it dished out jabs at least 12 weeks apart compared to the month gap in other countries which may not give the immune system enough time to recover.

Boris Johnson is planning to scrap the last few Covid curbs  including self-isolation  when he announces plans for the country to live with Covid on February 21.

The measure was initially due to lapse on March 24, but the Prime Minister says this will be brought forward by a month if the data continues to head in the right direction.
Pictured: Dr Hakeem Lateef has been struck off after paying a bank worker to falsify his CV so he could get a new job in finance

An NHS doctor's 27 year career in medicine was in ruins today after he was struck off for faking his CV so he could get a new job in finance after being suspended from practising.

Dr Hakeem Lateef, 54, was quizzed by police after he tried to get a job in regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering just six weeks after he was suspended from medicine for lying about his involvement in a head on car crash.

During an elaborate scam, Lateef paid a bank worker 400 to attend a one day Co-op banking course on due diligence work then gave him a further 100 to 'edit' his CV and include referees.

Later the doctor - who has worked in orthopaedics and trauma, ENT, general surgery and urology at hospitals across the UK - posted his new CV to a recruitment agency falsely claiming he had worked as a compliance analyst for a string of financial organisations including the National Bank of Egypt and the Nationwide banks.

Police were called in when a special Co-op investigator carrying out an internal probe found two copies of Lateef's CV on the computer hard drive of the man who had helped him - one showing the doctor's medical experience and the second with the faked entries.

No criminal action was taken against Lateef for the offence of attempting to obtain a pecuniary advantage by deception but he was referred to the General Medical Council.

The doctor, who qualified in 1995, denied wrongdoing and claimed his PC had been 'hacked'.

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal service, in Manchester, Lateef, from Toxteth, Liverpool, who has most recently been working in drug and alcohol detox services was found guilty of serious professional misconduct and dishonesty.

The hearing was told how in March 2018, Lateef had been suspended by the MPTS when he mislead the General Medical Council about the details of a dangerous driving conviction in 2016.

Dr Lateef worked at a number of hospitals during his career including Withybush in Wales

A tribunal found he understated the injuries of a woman involved in the crash, lied on a means form when he was sentenced and told the GMC that he had his licence revoked for speeding and as a result he was suspended for six months with the tribunal noting it was an 'isolated incident'.

The following month, the doctor paid a bank worker known as Mr A 400 to attend a one-day banking compliance course titled, 'Intensive and practical Know Your Customer, Customer Due Diligence training'.

The following day Lateef emailed a copy of his CV and asked Mr A to 'write' or 'edit' it, adding: 'Thank you for wonderful lectures of yesterday. I understand someone can help us with referees. Please assist me in this area'.

He also paid him a further 100 for his services.

Later, Lateef emailed his faked CV to Bristol-based recruitment agency Emponics which specialises in the finance industry, falsely bragging of his work in regulatory compliance and tackling money laundering.

He also fraudulently claimed to have worked for two years for the London-based specialist international bank FBN which facilitates trade between Africa and Europe. The new CV made no reference to Lateef's medical qualifications or experience.

Lateef was later interviewed by Greater Manchester Police and accepted attending the course and paying for his original CV to be edited.

But he denied submitting the updated CV to Emponics and suggested that his computer may have been hacked.

During the interview Lateef admitted to have never worked in the financial sector. He said he had asked Mr A to 'tidy up' his CV only to be 'shocked and flabbergasted' when he received the updated version.

Lateef claimed he confronted Mr A saying: 'Why did you leave my CV and produce something else? I'm not going to use this kind of CV not for ever'.

A tribunal found that Dr Lateef (pictured) should be struck off pending a period of appeal

He got the response: 'They won't employ you if you don't show work experience in these areas.'

Dr Lateef told officers: 'I just binned the updated CV because I thought this is ridiculous.

'I didn't do anything with it. I definitely deleted it and put it in the trash'.

He then claimed his computer had been hacked by a female friend who sent the CV to the recruitment agency.

But finding him guilty of misconduct, tribunal chairman Tim Bradbury said Lateef's account was 'inconceivable'.

He added: 'The Tribunal did not consider it credible that someone unknown had hacked Dr Lateef's email account and submitted a job application on his behalf without his knowledge.

'Even if Dr Lateef had not sent the emails himself, correspondence from Emponics would have been sent to his email account, to which Dr Lateef had access. It was therefore unlikely that Dr Lateef would not have noticed the incoming emails.

'The Tribunal noted the request for help with referees and did not understand why Dr Lateef would have thought Mr A would have been able to assist when Mr A and those that he worked with knew nothing about Dr Lateef beyond that contained in the original CV.

'There is no evidence that he went any further in pursuing employment in the financial sector.

'However, thereafter, he maintained an untruthful account and at no stage did he seek to withdraw the application nor inform others as to the falsity of the CV that he had submitted.

'The Tribunal determined that, in light of his knowledge at the time at which the updated CV was sent, his actions in so doing were self-evidently dishonest by the standards of ordinary decent people.'

Mr Bradbury added: 'The Tribunal acknowledged that at the time of the events, Dr Lateef was facing extremely challenging personal circumstances. However, a factor of these circumstances related to his suspension following the finding of dishonesty by a previous tribunal.

'He acted in a deliberately dishonest way in order to secure employment he would not otherwise have obtained, and his conduct was properly characterised as fraud. He has demonstrated that his integrity could not be relied upon.

'Wholly fictitious information was provided within the CV which had been prepared for the purpose of obtaining a responsible position in a bank, namely regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering and an employment for which Dr Lateef was completely unqualified.

'He has not shown any understanding or insight into the seriousness of the findings that have been made against him.'

In a statement to the hearing Lateef - who worked at Withybush Hospital in Pembrokshire, University Hospital in Cardiff, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and Peterborough and Stamford Hospital NHS Trust, between 2006 and 2017 - said: 'I ensure that what is entrusted to me is kept in trust.

'I have not broken the trust reposed in me by my clients and other staff. I have also made sure that nobody has access to my email address and other sensitive and work-related documents.

'Since the incident, I have always been checking and making sure that the courses I attend are accredited by well known bodies and organisations with integrity and reputation. I also make sure that I do not send my CV to any unverified entities that lack integrity and probity.'
Dame Cressida Dick could stay in charge of Scotland Yard until after the controversial Partygate inquiry is complete - with a decision due as early as today.

The Commissioner dramatically quit last week after London Mayor Sadiq Khan withdrew his support.

But haggling has been going on behind the scenes over her departure day and the terms of a pay-off.

Her ultimate leaving date could be as far as two months away, meaning she will be at the helm when decisions are made on whether to fine Boris Johnson and a host of other Downing Street staff for lockdown-busting 'parties'.

The PM is believed to have attended six events under investigation, and confirmed on Friday that he has received a legal questionnaire from the Met.

There are claims he has drafted in a lawyer to write his response and will argue that the gatherings were 'part of working life' in No10 during the frenzied Covid response.

Negotiations between Dame Cressida and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's office over her departure are likely to be finalised soon, after he abruptly triggered her resignation last week

Boris Johnson (pictured last week) is believed to have attended six events under investigation, and confirmed on Friday that he has received a legal questionnaire from the Met

Tories are increasingly alarmed that the Partygate inquiry will drag on to April, perilously close to crucial local elections the following month.

But a permanent Scotland Yard commissioner is unlikely to be in place before the summer, after a lengthy appointment process.

'We hope there will be a decision on Monday regarding the timescale of Cressida's departure, or certainly early in the week,' a Whitehall source said.

It is understood matters yet to be resolved include the size of Dame Cressida's payoff for leaving the job with more than two years left on her contract  a sum that could be more than 500,000  on top of her pension of around 160,000 a year.

Now Priti's favourite eyes top job Priti Patel's favourite candidate for the Metropolitan Police top job could be back in the running as she considers her next moves after a cancer battle, it is understood. Dame Lynne Owens is widely regarded as a shoo-in for the commissioner role if she decides to throw her hat into the ring. The former director general of the National Crime Agency retired last September after being diagnosed with breast cancer. But last night friends said she was 'out the other side' and has 'started to think about what's next'. She is widely respected in the Home Office, where there was deep regret that her health had ruled her out from taking over the Met last year. The incumbent commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick, was given a two-year contract extension in September despite a series of scandals  largely because of the lack of obvious successors. Advertisement

'A new commissioner probably won't be actually at their desk until the summer. This is not a quick process,' the source added. An interim commissioner is likely to be appointed in the meantime.

It comes as Mr Khan indicated he would veto any candidate he felt was unsuitable.

He said he would only back a new commissioner who he felt had a proper grasp of the 'cultural problems' at the Met.

'As we start this important process, I make this commitment to Londoners  I will not support the appointment of a new commissioner unless they can clearly demonstrate that they understand the scale of the cultural problems within the Met and the urgency with which they must be addressed,' Mr Khan wrote in The Observer newspaper.

'In short, they need to get it, and they need to have a proper and robust plan to deal with it.'

But the Metropolitan Police Federation said it has 'no faith' in London Mayor Mr Khan.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Federation, said the atmosphere among officers was 'rock bottom'.

He said: 'This is not a move we take lightly.

'We have let the Mayor's office know in no uncertain terms how our brave and diligent colleagues deserve better.

'The atmosphere amongst Metropolitan Police officers is horrendous  it's rock bottom. Officers in London feel saddened and angry that the Commissioner Cressida Dick has been pushed out in the way she has. She was reforming. She was changing. The culture is changing. We are deeply disappointed with the actions of the Mayor.

'The hard work of our colleagues  and public trust in our colleagues  is being undermined by politicians. And by the Mayor of London in particular. The continuing scaremongering, sniping and sweeping statements are causing disaffection with the public not the thousands and thousands of hard-working officers who are out there keeping people safe.'

He added: 'The Federation will continue to speak up for these courageous colleagues. They are being forgotten about by our elected Mayor. Enough is enough. Officers have no faith in Sadiq Khan.'

Government sources said the Home Office was keen to work with Mr Khan to appoint the best candidate as soon as possible.

'The Home Secretary is required by the legislation to take the Mayor's views into account, and she will,' a source said.

'The view is that we simply want the best cop in this job.'

Rules changes in 2014 allow ministers to appoint a foreign police officer to the commissioner role and the job will be advertised internationally, with the Home Office expected to approach the embassies of the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia within days.

However, the most likely scenario is that the new commissioner will be British, sources have said.

Those who receive Partygate questionnaires from the police are given seven days to respond.

There are reports Mr Johnson will use call logs and his diary to show how he was at three leaving parties for only a brief period of time before carrying on with work.

And a source told The Times: 'Saying goodbye to staff is part of working life.'

The Metropolitan Police has begun sending forms to up to 50 people believed to have attended gatherings in Whitehall during lockdown, including the Prime Minister and reportedly his wife Carrie Johnson.

The move means Mr Johnson will have to provide a credible reason as to why he was at events held during coronavirus restrictions or face a fine.

Mr Johnson is believed to have attended as many as six of the parties being investigating by the Metropolitan Police.

One such party was allegedly organised by friends of Carrie Johnson in the official Downing Street residence on November 13, 2020 - although she has denied the claims.
Sir Keir Starmer has blamed Boris Johnson for death threats he received after the PM's claim that he failed to prosecute paedophile Jimmy Savile.

Scotland Yard are investigating the threats after documents, including a batch of messages from users of the Telegram app who appear to be identifiable, were sent to them by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) on Friday.

They reportedly include calls for Sir Keir, who along with shadow foreign secretary David Lammy was confronted by a mob in Whitehall last week shouting 'paedophile protector', to be executed.

Asked if he has received such threats in the wake of Mr Johnson's comments, Sir Keir said 'yes', adding that the PM 'knew exactly what he was doing'.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: 'It's very important for me to say that what the Prime Minister said was wrong, it was very wrong. He knew exactly what he was doing.

'There has been a right-wing conspiracy theory for some time that's a complete fabrication.

'He fed into that, and that has caused difficulty, but my preference, if I may, is not to talk about that because, as I say, I have got young children and I don't particularly want them to hear too much of what may or may not be said about me.'

He added later: 'The Prime Minister knew what he was doing when he introduced that slur the other day, but this is not about me.

'There are threats to too many politicians, particularly women, actually, we've all got a duty to bring that level down and return to the politics where we have strong debate, strong arguments, but it's rational. It's honest and it's done with integrity.'

Police have launched an investigation into online death threats against Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (pictured today in Sunderland) after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's false claim that he failed to prosecute paedophile Jimmy Savile

On Monday, Sir Keir and Mr Lammy, who were walking back from the Ministry of Defence after a briefing on the situation in Ukraine, had to be escorted away from the demonstrators by police

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

In a slur which caused widespread criticism and calls for him to apologise, Mr Johnson accused his rival of failing to prosecute Savile while he was director of public prosecutions

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 Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid distanced themselves from the comment.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'On Friday 11 February, police received a third party report relating to allegations of malicious communications made against a serving Member of Parliament. An investigation is ongoing.'

No arrests have yet been made.

A Labour source said: 'Of course extremists of all stripes don't like Keir - he spent years helping to put them and their ilk in prison and keep Britain's streets safe from them.'

The material from the CCDH, shown to The Observer, includes responses to footage of last week's incident posted by English Defence League founder Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - better known under his pseudonym Tommy Robinson - and conspiracy theory group Resistance GB.

Sir Keir was joined by Labour's shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who appeared to help police shield his boss from the protesters

In a slur which caused widespread criticism and calls for him to apologise, Mr Johnson accused his rival of failing to prosecute Savile while he was director of public prosecutions.

On Monday, Sir Keir and Mr Lammy, who were walking back from the Ministry of Defence after a briefing on the situation in Ukraine, had to be escorted away from the demonstrators by police.

Although Sir Keir was head of the Crown Prosecution Service in 2009 when a decision was taken not to prosecute Savile, he had no personal involvement in the deliberations.

In an interview with The Times this week, Sir Keir said he had never been called a 'paedophile protector' before.

He added: '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 they'll 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.

'It's not about me, it's the way we conduct our politics. I don't want to see us go down the route that this potentially takes us.'

Mr Johnson tweeted on Monday evening that the 'behaviour directed' at the Labour leader was 'absolutely disgraceful'.

A man was arrested by the police after being involved in an attempt to mob Keir Starmer at New Scotland Yard

Scotland Yard later said two arrests were made after Sir Keir was escorted to safety

Critics have said the PM's jibe is completely unfounded and have blamed the remark for anti-Covid restriction demonstrators targeting Sir Keir outside Parliament.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid, speaking on a visit to east London on Tuesday, said the images of the opposition leader being bundled into a police car to be escorted away from protesters were 'completely disgraceful'.

But the Cabinet minister, who has previously distanced himself from the PM's Savile comments, said 'the people that are to blame are the protesters themselves' rather than Mr Johnson.

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 following the incident.

Downing Street, though, has continually dismissed calls for an apology or retraction, insisting Mr Johnson was referring to Mr Starmer's 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 they're in'.
A mother, her partner and a teenager are set to stand trial today accused of murdering a five-year-old boy.

Logan Mwangi's body was found dumped on the bank of the River Ogmore near his home village of Sarn, Bridgend County, Wales, in July last year.

Logan's mother, Angharad Williamson, 30, her partner, John Cole, 39, are charged with killing the youngster between July 28 and August 1.

A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also accused of Logan's murder.

All three are also accused of perverting the course of justice, including moving Logan's body to an area of the river near Pandy Park, removing his clothing, washing blood-stained bed linen, and making a false missing person report to police.

Logan Mwangi (pictured) was found dead on the bank of the River Ogmore near his home village of Sarn, Bridgend County, in July last year

Logan's mother, Angharad Williamson, 30, her partner, John Cole, 39, are charged with killing the youngster between July 28 and August 1

Williamson and the youth have pleaded not guilty to both offences, while Cole has denied murder but admitted perverting the course of justice.

Cole and Williamson have been remanded in custody since they were charged, and the youth is in the care of the local authority.

Williamson reported Logan missing at around 5.45am on July 31, telling police another person had taken him.

Logan was found by officers on the riverbank on July 31 and taken to the town's Princess of Wales Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

Logan was found by officers on the riverbank on July 31 and taken to the town's Princess of Wales Hospital, where he was confirmed dead. Pictured: Police at the scene

He is said to have suffered a number of injuries before his death, including a torn liver, internal injury to the back of his head and a broken collarbone.

The jury will be chosen and sworn in over the first two days of the trial, which is expected to last around six weeks, at Cardiff Crown Court.

In the second week of trial, the jury is to be taken on a site visit to the locations where Logan and items of his clothing were found.

Prosecutor Caroline Rees QC said: 'This is a case that will cross one half term in Wales next week and there's an outside risk of this trial going into to Easter.'

Cole is represented by leading barrister David Elias QC, Williamson by Peter Rouch QC and the youth by John Hipkin QC.

Logan - also known as Logan Williamson - had been reported missing before his body was discovered just 400 metres from his home in the Ogmore River in Bridgend, South Wales, on July 31.
Special forces veteran Luke Evans has launched an appeal for the safe return of his seven-week old puppy, who was stolen from his doggy daycare farm in the early hours of Monday morning.

The father-of-three set up the farm on NSW's Central Coast three years ago with his wife Sam following 11 years of service in the navy to help him recover from PTSD.

The farm not only offers daycare for pets but also rehabilitates and finds new homes for rescue dogs.

The seven-week old microchipped rescue pup was taken in the early hours of Monday morning from Doggy Daycare Farm Trips in Wyong, NSW

The dogs, who were all secure in the house at the time of the theft, began barking during the night and again at around 4am, alerting the couple that something was wrong.

The navy veteran got up to let the dogs out to use the toilet, and after taking a look around didn't notice anything amiss.

It wasn't until the next morning that they discovered one of their beautiful blue-eyed Australian Shepherd-husky cross litter pups was missing.

The puppy was taken from a separate room where the litter was been kept isolated from the other dogs whilst they slept, which they do for the puppy litter's safety.

The Special Forces veteran (pictured) set up the farm to help him recover from PTSD

Luke Evans, his wife Sam and their two kids (pictured) are desperately appealing for whoever took the puppy to bring him back

Since the puppy litter came in they have been inundated with requests for adoption, so much so that interest in the other rescue dogs has all but dried up.

'This little male pup that has been taken is just 7 weeks old, incredibly cute, two bright blue eyes and perfect Blue Merle and White markings,' the family wrote online.

'The little one is microchipped and the number has been reported as stolen.

'We sincerely hope that someone might make the right decision to hand him in somewhere. Or perhaps someone might recognise him and let the police know.

'We are heartbroken. Numb. Terribly deflated. So many emotions right now. Disappointed. Disbelief. Concerned. Upset. Angry. Lost.'

The 37-year-old suspects that the thief had been watching his daycare's YouTube channel, where he regularly updates and shares footage of their dogs' living conditions and routines, to help them plan their heist.

Following the theft the farm is beefing up security, installing cameras and alarms.

The 37-year-old father of three served in the navy for 11 years before setting up Doggy Day Care Farm Trips
Police are hunting for a man accused of the attempted rape of a woman inside her Manhattan apartment building on Friday.

The NYPD said the suspect attacked the 23-year-old woman at around 5am on February 11 in the lobby of her East Village apartment building.

The suspect sexually assaulted the woman in the building near Saint Marks Place and then stole her purse, including her wallet, a credit card and a camera, police said.

Police have released images of the suspect in an appeal for information to help find the woman's attacker.

Police have released images of the suspect in an appeal for information to help find the woman's attacker

The man was wearing a distinctive yellow and black checkered shirt, black shoes, black pants and a gray and black jacket over the shirt

Video of the suspect shows a man of average build with short black hair.

The man was wearing a distinctive yellow and black checkered shirt, black shoes, black pants and a gray and black jacket over the shirt.

The victim was treated at an area hospital for swollen lip and facial lacerations but is currently in a stable condition.

The incident comes on the same day that police confirmed details of a fatal stabbing in another Manhattan apartment building.

Assamad Nash, 25, was arrested for the Sunday morning murder of Christina Yuna Lee

Terrifying footage showed the man police say is him creep into the building behind Lee after she got out of a cab.

Crime in New York City has continued to spike, with overall crime having increased 41.65 percent, robbery up nearly 35 percent, and violent felonies up 13.3 percent through February 6 from the same time last year.

Meanwhile, nearly every police precinct in New York City has reported spikes in crime this year - including five in which the rate has doubled, new data from the New York Police Department shows.

The man was caught on several security cameras around the time of the attack on Friday

The attack comes as crime across New York City increases across 72 of the 77 boroughs

'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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
A model who says she was left completely bald after her hair got 'impossibly tangled' during a treatment which led to her developing alopecia is suing a top hair clinic for 100,000.

April Alexander, 30, went to the Belgravia Centre near Pimlico, central London in April 2016 after suffering partial hair loss.

But while having treatment on her scalp, her hair became hopelessly tangled 'to the point of being entirely matted together', court documents claim.

Two therapists battled to untangle it, but only made things worse, resulting in some of her hair being 'ripped out', it is claimed.

The freelance model, who has appeared in Vogue magazine and specialises in hairstyling shoots, says she had to shave off the matted hair and the trauma caused her to develop a form of 'alopecia universalis', which leads to complete baldness.

She is now suing the clinic - which bills itself as 'Europe's largest and most renowned hair loss centre' - for up to 100,000.

The Belgravia Centre denies negligence, claiming that her hair only became tangled because she had plaited it into weaves beneath the wig she was wearing.

April Alexander, 30, went to the Belgravia Centre near Pimlico, central London in April 2016 after suffering partial hair loss

According to court documents, Miss Alexander, of Brockley, south London, was advised to go to a clinic by her GP after noticing she was losing some hair in early 2016

According to court documents, Miss Alexander, of Brockley, south London, was advised to go to a clinic by her GP after noticing she was losing some hair in early 2016.

She was treated with oils, moisturisers and shampooing, but claims that the 'vigorous rubbing motion' used to work in the treatment was 'wholly unsuitable to her Afro-Caribbean hair type'.

'The pulling and tugging at her hair was very painful and Miss Alexander became extremely distressed,' her lawyers allege.

'She was at the clinic for six hours in total and became so distressed that a relative had to collect her to take her home.

'Before leaving the clinic she was offered some money to pay for her usual hairdresser to shave off all her hair as it had become impossible to detangle it.'

Suing the Pimlico-based clinic, she claims its hair specialist misdiagnosed her condition and adopted the wrong approach to treatment.

Staff had then 'persisted with futile and inappropriate attempts to detangle her hair which were doomed to failure and bound to cause pain and distress'.

Miss Alexander says she already had patchy hair loss, but it would have cleared up within 12 months with the correct treatment.

The Belgravia Centre denies negligence, claiming that her hair only became tangled because she had plaited it into weaves beneath the wig she was wearing

She is now suing the clinic - which bills itself as 'Europe's largest and most renowned hair loss centre' - for up to 100,000

However, the distress and trauma of her ordeal triggered 'alopecia universalis' - total hair loss.

'As a model she took particular pride in her appearance and her natural Afro hair was one of her distinctive features,' her lawyers say.

In a hearing at Central London County Court, Judge Alan Saggerson said Miss Alexander is still a 'hairdressers' model,' but she claims that the treatment's 'effects both in physical and psychological terms have not yet completely resolved.'

The Belgravia Centre dispute Miss Alexander's account of what happened, insisting the model opted for a 'non clinical' scalp therapy after declining the treatment specifically prescribed for her.

They say the scalp conditioning she chose was only designed to clean her remaining hair - not to correct her hair loss - and her hair became tangled as she had plaited it into weaves beneath the wig she wore.

Nor did they offer her cash to have her hair shaved, they say, claiming the centre offered her cash as a gesture of goodwill so she could get her hair cut.

The case recently reached court as lawyers debated how best to budget mounting court costs - with a four-day trial still some way off.
A bizarre propaganda poster depicting Winston Churchill as an octopus after he ordered the destruction of the French fleet in World War Two is tipped to fetch up to 5,000 at auction.

The poster was produced in 1941 by the Nazi-supporting Vichy Regime in France after the successful invasion of the country by German forces in May and June 1940.

It shows Churchill, who had succeeded Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister in May 1940, as a grotesque octopus, complete with tentacles and a cigar clamped between his teeth.

The tentacles, which are wrapped around Britain, Africa and parts of the Middle East, are seen bloodied in notable areas of conflict between the UK, Germany and Vichy France in 1940.

Its French caption translates as: 'Be ReassuredHis Amputations are Proceeding Methodically'  an apparent nod to the perceived failures of the British war effort.

The most notable area of conflict highlighted by the poster is the British destruction of the French naval fleet at Mers El Kebir, off the coast of Algeria, in July 1940.

Churchill famously ordered the attack to prevent the ships falling under German control after the disastrous Allied defeat in the Battle of France. It led to the loss of 1,300 French sailors.

A bloodied tentacle also highlights Norway, a reference to the disastrous Allied attempt to defend the country as it tried to resist German invasion.

The failure of the campaign ultimately resulted in Chamberlain's resignation.

The poster is being sold tomorrow by a private collector via Sworders auctioneers in Stansted Mountfitchet, Cambridge. It is tipped to sell for between 4,000 and 5,000.

A bizarre propaganda poster depicting Winston Churchill as an octopus to highlight alleged British failures in the first year of the Second World War is tipped to fetch up to 5,000 at auction

The most notable area of conflict highlighted by the poster is the British destruction of the French navy fleet (pictured) at Mers El Kebir, off the coast of Algeria, in July 1940

After the fall of France in 1940, a government-in-exile  known as Free France  was led by General Charles de Gaulle from London.

In France, the authoritarian Vichy regime  headed up by Marshal Phillippe Petain  collaborated with the occupying German forces.

Whilst Petain pledged that the French fleet would not fall into German hands, he refused to send the ships beyond Germany's reach.

It prompted Churchill to issue an ultimatum that if the ships were not moved, they would be destroyed.

He was worried that the ships would boost the strength of a potential German invasion force targeting Britain.

When Vichy France failed to step into line, Churchill ordered the attack at Mers El Kebir, which came just a month after Allied forces had been forced to evacuate from Dunkirk.

The poster shows Churchill (pictured), who had succeeded Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister in May 1940, as a grotesque octopus, complete with tentacles and a cigar clamped between his teeth

The massacre of French sailors caused a diplomatic crisis and prompted the French regime to launch a retaliatory bombing of Gibraltar.

In the Norway campaign referenced in the poster, Allied forces tried and failed to resist the country's invasion by Nazi Germany.

More than 6,600 Allied personnel  of whom more than 4,000 were British  were killed and there were also heavy naval losses.

The failure of the campaign led to Chamberlain's resignation in May 1940, leading to the rise of Churchill as his successor.

However, the poster also shows further areas of conflict between Britain, Vichy France and Germany.

One severed tentacle points to Dakar in French West Africa, which is now Senegal.

Churchill ordered the destruction of the French fleet (pictured) off the coast of Algeria after the Vichy France regime, headed up by Marshal Phillippe Petain, refused to sail the ships out of Germany's reach

In the Norway campaign referenced in the poster, Allied forces tried and failed to resist the country's invasion by Nazi Germany. Pictured: A British troop carrier leaves for Norway

More than 6,600 Allied personnel  of whom more than 4,000 were British  were killed and there were also heavy naval losses. Pictured: A British destroyer at the mercy of shells

There, in what was known as the Battle of Dakar, British, Free French and Australian troops tried and failed to seize the Vichy French port of the same name.

It had been hoped that the success of the operation would allow Free French forces led by de Gaulle to seize control of Dakar.

Instead, the Allies failed to take the port and it remained in Vichy hands.

Other areas referenced in the poster is the British invasion of Vichy French Syria and Lebanon in June 1941. Vichy defeat led to the takeover of Syria and Lebanon by Free France.

Speaking of the poster, Sworders auctioneer Mark Wilkinson told MailOnline: 'It is such an incredible image, so vibrant as well.

One severed tentacle points to Dakar in French West Africa, which is now Senegal. There, in what was known as the Battle of Dakar, British, Free French and Australian troops tried and failed to seize the Vichy French port of the same name. Pictured: HMS Ark Royal with a flight of Fairey Swordfish during the battle

'The history of the piece is really interesting. Because of the time it was printed, there obviously aren't many of them out there.

'The French Vichy regime, a puppet state within France, produced this negative Churchill poster.

'It is rare, the value comes a lot to do with the graphics. It is so striking. Anything to do with Churchill is wanted. It's a big scale poster as well. When you see it, if you get a ruler out it is a pretty striking thing.

'I would imagine it was used on billboards. That's where the rarity comes from. It's in extremely good condition,' he added.
An 11-year-old boy received a Valentine's Day book of sex tips for his birthday from Moonpig.

Rob Holley, 39, thought a bespoke card and a set of glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs would be the perfect gift for his nephew's 11th birthday.

But Ann Summers' Karma Sutra cards arrived in the post, much to the confusion of Mr Holley's nephew.

The 11-year-old boy was instead sent a Top Trumps-style sex positions game by Ann Summers game

Mr Holley thought a bespoke card and a set of glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs would be the perfect present for his nephew

Rob Holley, 39, ordered a birthday present for his nephew, who was turning 11

Mr Holley, the head of content at Eurovision, from Camberwell, London, said: 'As a 10-year-old he loved his bespoke Pokemon card.

'But [he] was a little confused when he unwrapped the gift to find these.'

The card game, which is similar to Top Trumps, shows black and white sketches of sex positions.

It ranks them by 'Staying Power', 'Flexibility', 'Stamina', 'Daring' and 'Pleasure'.

They come as part of Ann Summers' Lover Gift Set, now sold out on Moonpig.

Moonpig's description says it is: 'Everything you and your lover need for a romantic Valentine's Day, and beyond.'

The 'Glow in the Dark Mould & Paint Dinosaur' kit, which Mr Holley thought he had bought, can be used to make a dino fridge magnet or badge.

Moonpig has apologised, and promised to look into it.

Moonpig has apologised, and promised to look into it after Mr Holley took to Twitter

Twitter user James said: 'Someone's going to have a surprising Valentine's.'

Lauren Gilbert replied 'I think you mean an amazing Valentine's, James.'

Another - called Chris - said 'Good luck doing that position without getting severe cramp.'

Roisin O'Connor said: 'Sorry for your nephew.

'But laughing so much right now howwwww.'

Harriet commented: 'Yikes.

'Love the Dino gift though, nicely chosen Rob.

'Pity Moonpig let you down so spectacularly.

'Hope your nephew is ok and his parents aren't having to field too many awkward questions.'

Moonpig told Mr Holley: 'Sorry about this Rob.

'Please drop us a [direct message] with your full name, email address so we can look into it.'

A Moonpig spokeswoman told the MailOnline: 'We are in direct contact with the customer to try and rectify the issue as soon as possible.

'We're aware that a small number of customers have received the wrong order and we are in direct contact with them to put things right as quickly as possible.

'We take pride in delighting our customers and we're sorry to have let them down on this important day.'
Ukraine's ambassador to the UK set off a firestorm today by appearing to suggest his country could drop its pledge to join NATO if it means avoiding a war with Russia.

Vadym Prystaiko, a veteran diplomat who once served as Ukraine's foreign minister, was asked by the BBC on Sunday night whether Kiev might consider dropping the pledge - and responded 'we might'.

But he rushed back on Monday morning to clarify the remark, saying his comments had been 'misunderstood' and that the commitment to join NATO remains enshrined in Ukraine's constitution.

Ukraine's ambassador to the UK appeared to suggest Ukraine could drop its ambition to join NATO, before being forced to walk his remarks back

President Volodymyr Zelensky's spokesman then reiterated that the constitution will not be changed.

But that did not stop Moscow from pouncing on the remark, saying that dropping the NATO pledge would go 'a long way' to satisfying Putin's security demands.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said that he doesn't view Prystaiko's comments as an official change of policy by Ukraine - but that it would 'definitely' be a step in the right direction if they were to adopt the policy.

The wrangling began on on Sunday night when a BBC 5 Live interviewer asked Prystaiko whether Ukraine would contemplate dropping its NATO pledge.

He replied: 'We might, especially if threatened like that, blackmailed like that and pushed to it.'

But as the remark began making headlines early Monday, he was brought back to clarify his position - saying he had been 'misunderstood'.

'We are not a member of NATO right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in our conversations with Russia,' he told BBC Breakfast.

'But it has nothing to do with NATO, which is enshrined in the constitution.'

Stressing that the commitment to joining NATO had not shifted, he pointed out that Ukraine would not be a member of the alliance by Wednesday - reportedly highlighted by US intelligence agencies as a potential day for an invasion.

Russia has massed some 148,000 troops on Ukraine's border amid fears Putin could invade after failing to get security guarantees via diplomacy

'It's not happening before Wednesday so we have to find the solution right now, we have to find the friends who will stay with us,' he said.

'We also have to work with Russia, which we are doing from now on, it's not just the West working for us - we are having negotiations with the Russians ourselves.

'But it has nothing to do with NATO, we are talking about eastern Ukraine, we are talking about Crimea, not about NATO.'

Putin has been demanding that Ukraine be banned from ever joining NATO and that the alliance withdraw forces from all post-Soviet states.

While he continues to deny plans to invade, he has massed some 148,000 troops on the border - sparking fears he may try to achieve his goals by force.

Washington is convinced an attack could come as soon as Wednesday, though Kiev has been keen to play down that assessment.
Belgian cops this morning braced for Covid-19 Freedom Convoy chaos as a 500-strong line of cars and hundreds of protesters descended on the capital Brussels after causing gridlock in Paris.

Police officers imposed road restrictions around the headquarters of the European Union and intercepted dozens of cars during the morning rush hour in a bid to keep protests in check.

Officers narrowed some highways and imposed go-slow traffic to keep control of what they feared could otherwise turn into a choking demonstration similar to ones carried out by truckers in Canada.

Demonstrators arrived in Brussels from France, where Paris police fired tear gas on Saturday against a handful of demonstrators on the Champs-Elysees Avenue who defied a police order by taking part in a vehicle protest.

By mid-morning more than 60 vehicles had gathered at in a convention near the centre of Brussels, with many more expected to arrive through the afternoon and evening.

The so-called Freedom Convoy movement started in Canada in mid-January when truckers blocked roads in the capital Ottawa to protest the government's Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

Belgian cops this morning braced for Covid-19 Freedom Convoy chaos as a 500-strong line of cars and hundreds of protesters descended on the capital Brussels after causing gridlock in Paris

A protester at the 'Freedom Convoy' in Brussels today holds a flag with a yellow jacket, similar to ones used in the Gilet Jaunes in France, adorned with the slogan 'Liberte'

Police officers imposed road restrictions around the headquarters of the European Union and intercepted dozens of cars during the morning rush hour in a bid to keep protests in check as they descended in Brussels today

Truckers arrived in Brussels today as part of the so-called Freedom Convoy sweeping through Europe following similar demonstrations in Canada over ongoing Covid-19 regulations

Protesters with a bus adorned with the slogan 'stop Covid pass' arrive in Brussels today as part of the Freedom Convoy demonstration against pandemic rules

Demonstrators arrived in Brussels from France, where Paris police fired tear gas on Saturday against a handful of demonstrators on the Champs-Elysees Avenue (pictured on Saturday) who defied a police order by taking part in a vehicle protest

The so-called Freedom Convoy movement started in Canada in mid-January when truckers blocked roads in the capital Ottawa to protest the government's Covid-19 vaccine mandates (pictured, in Strasbourg, eastern France)

Early indications did not show a groundswell of support for the action in Brussels, but police took extensive precautions in and around European Union headquarters in the city's centre.

And French media reports indicated that hundreds more trucks and cars could be en route to Brussels in the coming hours after leaving Paris after the weekend.

Those that had already arrived came emblazoned with 'freedom' and 'stop Covid pass' as well as French and Belgian flags.

High-visibility vests, used during France's gilet jaune protests, were littered throughout the protests, including flying from the back of a tarp-covered trailer.

A sign on the back read in French: 'Fight for you freedom.'

A handful of protesters gathered outside the European Union buildings in the centre of Brussels, with others planning on meeting near Parc du Cinquantenaire, according to the group's social media channels.

Demonstrators protest against Covid-19 restrictions as part of 'European Freedom Convoy 2022' in Brussels today

People participate in the 'Freedom Convoy', in Brussels today, despite the city's mayor outlawing the demonstrations

Demonstrators gather near EU institutions headquarters as part of the Freedom Convoy protesting against ongoing Covid restrictions

Police officers imposed road restrictions around the headquarters of the European Union and intercepted dozens of cars during the morning rush hour in a bid to keep protests in check

Belgian cops this morning braced for Covid-19 Freedom Convoy chaos as a 500-strong line of cars and hundreds of protesters descended on the capital Brussels after causing gridlock in Paris

A woman shouts through a megaphone during protests against ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in Brussels today

Demonstrators gathered outside European Union buildings in the centre of Brussels today as the so-called Freedom Convoy protest arrived in Brussels from France

Belgian cops this morning braced for Covid-19 Freedom Convoy chaos as a 500-strong line of cars and hundreds of protesters descended on the capital Brussels after causing gridlock in Paris

Police officers imposed road restrictions around the headquarters of the European Union and intercepted dozens of cars during the morning rush hour in a bid to keep protests in check

Demonstrators protest against Covid-19 restrictions as part of 'European Freedom Convoy 2022' in Brussels today

A threatened blockade of Paris failed to materialise over the weekend, despite days of online organising efforts.

The convoy began in cities across the country including Bayonne, Perpignan, Lyon, Lille, Strasbourg and Nice, and started trickling into towns outside Paris late Friday evening.

Police sources estimate almost 2,000 vehicles will descend on the city.

They include many anti-Covid vaccination activists, but also people protesting against fast-rising energy prices that they say are making it impossible for low-income families to make ends meet.

French President Emmanuel Macron was forced to call for calm as the protestors gained further momentum, with one Facebook group attributed to the 'Convoi de la Liberte' reaching more than 350,000 followers as of Friday evening.

In the Netherlands, dozens of trucks and other vehicles  ranging from tractors to a car towing a camping van  arrived in The Hague for a similar virus-related protest on Saturday, blocking an entrance to the historic Dutch parliamentary complex.

Groups of protesters had started gathering near roads in the French capital on Friday night as the arrival of multiple 'Freedom Convoys' was expected from all across the country

The 'Convoi de la Liberte' or Freedom Convoy has been inspired by similar efforts by hauliers protesting in Canada. Pictured: A woman smiles as she waves a flag on Friday, February 11

Hundreds of protestors wave French flags as they move through Chartres in Northern France on Friday evening
PC Graeme Gale has been sacked for assaulting a 14-year-old boy during a heated exchange outside a shop where he says the teenager was being antisocial

A hero police officer who once saved a woman's life has been fired for grappling with an abusive teen who spat near him during the pandemic.

PC Graeme Gale, 43, was out shopping with his wife while on sick leave with depression when the teenager spat on the ground after a heated exchange with the officer who said the boy was being antisocial with his group of friends.

He snapped after being 'disrespected' by the 14-year-old and pulled him off a wall he had been sitting on, it was said.

The teenager, whom PC Gale did not know was autistic, suffered sore ribs and scratches to the back of the neck during the scuffle in the market town of Richmond, North Yorkshire, on July 14 last year.

A misconduct hearing was told the North Yorkshire officer was off duty at the time and was also on sick leave due to stress.

He had an 18 and a half year unblemished career with the force both as a serving police officer and Police and Community Support Officer.

The hearing was told he had taken part in multiple schemes which had had a significant impact on rural crime and helped keep young people out of trouble.

He had also received a Royal Humane Society Award for risking his own life to stop a young woman jumping off a bridge over the A1.

The hearing was told that in March last year, the woman was on the wrong side of the railings and without regard to his own safety 'he reached over to grab the young woman as she was about to jump'.

But PC Gale's downfall came while out shopping with his wife at the Premier corner shop in Richmond, where he lives.

The teenager and his friends were hanging around outside the store being 'loud and offensive', the hearing was told.

There was an altercation between the 14-year-old boy and the officer as he entered the store at around 6.15pm.

As PC Gale left, the boy was seen on CCTV spitting on the ground as he walked past.

The panel heard PC Gale was shopping with his wife when he crossed paths with the group of teens who were being 'loud and offensive' outside the Premier shop in Richmond (pictured)

PC Gale grabbed the youth around the neck and forced him to the ground.

The teenager quickly regained his feet and there was a struggle before the officer, who had drunk four pints of beer earlier in the afternoon, released him.

The teenager's friend then called the police control room to say his friend had been assaulted.

The boy, who was given a hospital check up, later told police officers he was also 'scared' by what had happened.

That same month, the officer was notified he had been recognised by the Royal Humane Society for his life-saving efforts months earlier.

PC Gale admitted common assault at Teesside Magistrates Court and was given a 12 month community order on December 17 along with 85 costs and a 95 surcharge.

Det Ch insp Jo Brooksbank, for the force, told the disciplinary panel: 'His view is officers are never off duty.

'He said he was subject to considerable provocation. He always had the option to simply walk away. He chose not to.'

At Teesside Magistrates Court, the officer admitted assault and was given a community order

The panel heard the teenager was vulnerable because he was autistic.

'That may not have been apparent at the time but his age would be,' she added.

Police Federation Rep Rob Bowles said: 'He thoroughly accepts he reacted poorly to an incident which lasted only a few minutes.

'He was subject to provocation and this was highlighted by the District Judge who gave him a more lenient sentence.

'She also refused compensation and she added "spitting during the pandemic was simply inexcusable".'

The officer did not accept the level of injuries that the teenager claimed to have suffered.

North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lisa Winward, who chaired the hearing, said: 'This was a serious incident involving a sustained assault on someone vulnerable.'

She added there was 'a real risk of more serious injury being caused' and 'the only appropriate outcome is dismissal without notice'.

PC Gale was also placed in a barring register, preventing him getting any job similar to police work.

He admitted gross misconduct but his representative had pleaded for him to be let off with a final warning due to his unblemished career.
Katie Price has avoided jail for the second time in weeks after striking a last-minute deal to pay off her debts.

The 43-year-old was scheduled to explain to a High Court judge her attempts to pay back 2.3million she owed after being declared bankrupt in 2019.

But the former model - who dodged a potential jail term last month after 7,300 fines she owed for driving offences were paid - today had her bankruptcy hearing postponed for a second time after agreeing an 11th-hour deal to pay back the money.

She will pay a 'small contribution' to reduce the amount owed to creditors and has agreed to a new regular payment plan.

The reality star risked being sent to prison for contempt of court if she failed to appear at the hearing - which was due to be held remotely - without notifying the judge.

It comes as the former glamour model today slashed the cost of her Only Fans content by 50 per cent.

Fans had to pay 11-per-month to see her pictures when she joined the site last month. But she has now halved the price in an attempt to encourage more subscribers.

The 43-year-old was scheduled to explain to a High Court judge her attempts to pay back her 2.3million debt after being declared bankrupt in 2019

The former glamour model was handed a 16-week suspended sentence and two-year driving ban for flipping her uninsured BMW X5 into a hedge while disqualified and under the influence. Pictured, Price arriving at Crawley Magistrates' Court in West Sussex in December 2021

Ahead of her hearing today, Price's bankruptcy trustees were said to have compiled a dossier of TV, magazine and newspaper deals to be presented at the Insolvency Court in London.

Despite owing millions Price has seemingly enjoyed a luxury lifestyle with frequent exotic holidays, including a visit to Las Vegas with boyfriend Carl Woods.

Trustees also want to find out details of how much she has been paid for her TV work, including the latest on Channel 4 where she attempts to renovate her 2million country mansion.

The new show follows Price as she tries to repair the house  dubbed mucky mansion - which has been in disarray after various mishaps, including fly tipping, floods and a fire.

The model had agreed to pay creditors 12,000 a month through an individual voluntary arrangement.

But it is understood she has failed to keep up with the payments.

An earlier hearing in November was cancelled at Price's request and the latest court date was put back until April.

A spokesman for the Insolvency Court said the hearing would not take place before April after the judge agreed to a postponement following a request submitted to the court.

The hearing was listed under the former topless model's real name Katrina Amy Alexandra Alexis Price.

Insolvency experts Hudson Weir, who are acting for those owed money, refused to comment.

She risked being sent to prison for contempt of court if she failed to appear at the High Court (pictured) hearing - which was due to be held remotely - without notifying the judge. However it is now claimed that the star has struck a 'last-minute' deal to pay back the money

A source at the insolvency company said they were ready to appear in court today.

The ex-glamour model, who once had a fortune of 45million, has lurched from one crisis to another in recent years.

In December she was given a 16-month prison sentence suspended for a year after pleading guilty to drink driving.

Magistrates said they were unable to send her to prison as she had completed a stay at The Priory having agreed to attend the rehab centre on her first court appearance.

Price had flipped her BMW X5 while driving to see a friend near her Sussex home. It was her ninth driving offence.

She dodged a potential jail term last month after 7,300 fines she owed for driving offences were paid.

Price had been listed to appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court in January over non-payment of 7,358 in fines dating back two years.

However, last month court staff confirmed the fines had been paid and Price was no longer expected in court.

She had been issued with a court summons after magistrates heard she had failed to pay back a single penny of her fines.

The threat of prison still hangs over the mum of five as last month she breached a restraining order taken out against her by her ex-husband Kieran Hayler's fiancee.

Price sent a series of vile texts to Michelle Penticost in breach of a restraining order.

She had been handed a five-year restraining order forbidding her from contacting Ms Penticost directly or indirectly in 2019 after hurling a 'tirade of abuse' at her,. She could now face up to five years in prison if she is charged and found guilty.

This year Channel 4 confirmed the release of Price's new documentary 'Mucky Mansion'

Ahead of her hearing today, Price's (pictured with her mother and sister in an Instagram post today) bankruptcy trustees were said to have compiled a dossier of TV, magazine and newspaper deals to be presented at the Insolvency Court in London

Drink-driving campaigners said they were 'gobsmacked' by the 'unbelievable' sentence, but the judge said Price would avoid going to jail because she completed a stint at celebrity rehab clinic The Priory and had stayed out of trouble.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain after her sentencing, the mother-of-five said she was 'dealing with it'.

She said: 'The events were really traumatic. It's been traumatic after, so I'm not ready to talk about it yet.

'But what I will say is that I went to the Priory and I've made the decision finally to see a therapist every week, forever, to deal with the traumatic events that led me to getting into that car.

'I'm very good at hiding things but when I'm ready to talk about it then I will come on to talk. There's reasons why I got in that car and my mental state but when I'm ready I will.

'I feel ashamed about it all. There are reasons that I am still dealing with now. It's a new year but I'm still dealing with it, people shouldn't judge people, there's always reasons for things.'
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday shared a phone call with US President Joe Biden to discuss Ukraine after warning earlier today there could be less than 48 hours to prevent an invasion.

The allied leaders agreed that hope is not lost and said they would try to push for a diplomatic solution to avoid war in eastern Europe, in a call which lasted around 40 minutes..

A Downing Street spokesperson said of the call: 'The Prime Minister and President Biden agreed there remained a crucial window for diplomacy and for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine.

'The leaders emphasised that any further incursion into Ukraine would result in a protracted crisis for Russia, with far reaching damage for both Russia and the world.

'They agreed that western allies must remain united in the face of Russian threats, including imposing a significant package of sanctions should Russian aggression escalate. They also reiterated the need for European countries to reduce their dependence on Russian gas, a move which, more than any other, would strike at the heart of Russia's strategic interests.'

It comes after Mr Johnson had earlier compared European states to 'addicts' and called on them to end their reliance on Russian gas imports.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said yesterday evening that the US is relocating its remaining embassy staff in Ukraine from Kyiv to the western city of Lviv, citing the 'dramatic acceleration in the build-up of Russian forces'.

'The embassy will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government,' Blinken said in a statement, before adding 'but we strongly urge any remaining US citizens in Ukraine to leave the country immediately.'

The State Department has also ordered the destruction of networking equipment and computer workstations at their Kyiv Embassy in case it ends up in Russian hands, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The PM is set to embark on another trip to Europe later this week as diplomatic efforts ramp up to defuse the standoff with Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been in Kyiv today and will go to Moscow tomorrow.

The UK, EU and US have set out brutal options for sanctions including starving Russia of foreign capital, holding up the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and targeting banks and oligarchs close to the Kremlin.

But there is not yet a clear package agreed across Nato allies, with Germany among the countries seen as dragging their heels. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace revealed his frustration at the weekend by warning there was a 'whiff of Munich in the air' - a reference to the appeasement of Hitler.

Mr Johnson took a thinly-veiled swipe yesterday insisting that 'the world needs to learn the lesson of 2014' when not enough was done to move away from Russian gas and oil following the Russian activity in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.

'What I think all European countries need to do now is get Nord Stream out of the bloodstream,' he said on a visit to Scotland. 'Yank out that that hypodermic drip feed of Russian hydrocarbons that is keeping so many European economies going.

'We need to find alternative sources of energy  and get ready to impose some very, very severe economic consequences on Russia.'

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky turned up the heat on Germany Monday afternoon, saying after talks with Mr Scholz - who again dodged on whether the pipeline could be mothballed - that everyone should 'clearly understand' that Nord Stream 2 is a 'geopolitical weapon' for Russia.

In a rousing televised address to the nation yesterday, Zelensky said: 'We are confident, but not self-confident. We understand all the risks every day. We are constantly monitoring the situation, calculating various scenarios, preparing decent responses to all possible aggressive actions.

'We clearly know where someone else's army is near our borders, its number, its locations, equipment and plans. We have something to oppose. We have a wonderful army.'

Zelensky also declared Wednesday - the day US officials warn might mark the start of a feared Russian invasion of the ex-Soviet state - national 'unity day'.

'[The media] tell us that February 16 will be the day of the invasion. We will make this into Unity Day. I have signed the corresponding decree,' Zelensky said.

According to the document, the head of state gave the order to raise the national flag of Ukraine on houses and official buildings in all settlements and perform the national anthem of Ukraine at 10am. The decree will also see Ukraine's armed forces receive more financial support.

The Kremlin meanwhile declared that it is ready to keep talking with the West about security grievances that led to the current crisis, offering hope that Russia might not invade Ukraine within days as Western officials increasingly fear.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with Putin that Moscow should hold more talks with the US and its allies despite their refusal to consider the main Russian demands.

Lavrov said the talks 'can't go on indefinitely, but I would suggest to continue and expand them at this stage.'

He noted that Washington has offered to discuss limits for missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures.

Asked by Putin if it made sense to continue diplomatic efforts, Lavrov responded that possibilities for talks 'are far from being exhausted' and he proposed to continue the negotiations.

However, as much as 60 per cent of Russia's available land forces is now massed on Ukraine's borders poised to attack, according to Western intelligence agencies, with Russian warships also in the Black Sea.

On another day of international chaos on Ukraine:

The PM's spokesman said there would be no 'preview' of the sanctions planned by the West as it 'cannot be beneficial to our aims';

Downing Street has suggested Parliament will be recalled from half-term recess if Russia invades Ukraine;

Commercial airlines halted flights to Ukraine or divert them from flying over its airspace, sparking fears civilians will soon be stranded;

A bullish Russian ambassador insisted Mr Putin 'doesn't give a s***' about the threat of Western economic sanctions;

Moscow further ratcheted up tensions as more than 30 Russian ships started naval training exercises near the Crimean peninsula;

Ukraine call for a meeting with Russia and other members of a key European security group over the escalating tensions on its border;

The Pentagon warned 'things were not moving in the right direction' after a call between President Joe Biden and Mr Putin failed to yield a breakthrough.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) yesterday shared a phone call with US President Joe Biden (L) to discuss Ukraine after warning earlier today there could be less than 48 hours to prevent an invasion. The allied leaders agreed that hope is not lost and said they would try to push for a diplomatic solution to avoid war in eastern Europe, in a call which lasted around 40 minutes according to ITV's political editor Robert Peston.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with Putin (pictured) that Moscow should hold more talks with the US and its allies despite their refusal to consider the main Russian demands. Lavrov said the talks 'can't go on indefinitely, but I would suggest to continue and expand them at this stage.' He noted that Washington has offered to discuss limits for missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures

As much as 60 per cent of Russia's available land forces is now massed on Ukraine's borders poised to attack, according to Western intelligence agencies, with Russian warships also in the Black Sea (pictured: Main Battle Tanks of Russian Army take part in a military drill near St. Petersburg, Russia on February 14, 2022)

The Kremlin has declared that it is ready to keep talking with the West about security grievances that led to the current crisis, offering hope that Russia might not invade Ukraine within days as Western officials increasingly fear. However, Russia continues to carry out large scale combat operations and military drills in several regions (tank drills pictured today in St Petersburg)

Birtain's Armed Forces Minister Mr Heappey told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'There's 130,000 Russian troops around the borders of Ukraine, thousands more on amphibious shipping in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea'

Image released by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday Feb 14, 2022 shows Ukrainian solders in combat training in undisclosed location

A Ukrainian serviceman washes a t-shirt at a frontline position, outside Popasna, Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared Wednesday - the day US officials warn might mark the start of a feared Russian invasion of the ex-Soviet state - national 'unity day'. 'They tell us that February 16 will be the day of the invasion. We will make this into Unity Day. I have signed the corresponding decree,' Zelensky said. According to the document , the head of state gave the order to raise the national flag of Ukraine on houses and official buildings in all settlements and perform the national anthem of Ukraine at 10am. The decree will also see Ukraine's armed forces receive more financial support.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) was yesterday in Kyiv meeting Zelensky, and will go to Moscow today

What sanctions have been mooted by the West against Russia? The options being floated by Western nations for responding to an invasion of Ukraine are more dramatic than in 2014 after the annexation of the Crimea. Those targeted people directly involved in destabilising Ukraine, as well as businesses that worked in the area. But the EU and the US have raised the prospect of starving Russia of foreign capital, blocking exports of military technologies. Sanctions on the Russia-Germany Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline have also been mooted. The UK has talked up sanctioning Russian individuals and companies that are close to the Kremlin. The US is considering sanctioning major Russian banks and has suggested Russia could be banned from the international Swift payment messaging system. Advertisement

Conservative MPs are urging Mr Johnson to take a harder line as the best way to prevent the situation spiralling out of control.

Backbencher Kevin Hollinrake dismissed suggestions that China could merely step in to protect Russia from potential restrictions on banks - which could even bar them from the 'Swift' international payments messaging system. He said if the West was determined 'literally people would not be able to get money out of ATMs in Russia'.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he would also like to see a 'real' threat of tougher sanctions.

Speaking in Sunderland, he said: 'I would like to see tougher sanctions. I'd like that threat to be very real because let's see this for what it is. It's Russian aggression.

'So, I would say to the Government go further on sanctions.'

However, Russia's ambassador to Sweden Viktor Tatarintsev said Mr Putin 'doesn't give a s*** about western sanctions', adding: 'The more the West pushes Russia, the stronger the response will be.

As the atmosphere grows more febrile, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK set off a firestorm by appearing to suggest his country could drop its pledge to join NATO if it means avoiding a war with Russia.

Vadym Prystaiko, a veteran diplomat who once served as Ukraine's foreign minister, was asked by the BBC last night whether Kyiv might consider dropping the pledge - and responded 'we might'.

But he hurried to clarify the remark yesterday morning, saying his comments had been 'misunderstood' and that the commitment to join NATO remains enshrined in Ukraine's constitution.

Defence minister James Heappey said that the build-up of Russian forces on the border means Mr Putin can give an order and missiles and bombs would be hitting targets within 'minutes'.

In a round of interviews as tension ramps up, Mr Heappey insisted it was still possible to avoid a flashpoint but 'we are closer than we've been on this continent' to war 'for 70 years'.

Britain on Sunday pledged 'further economic support to Ukraine' as more than 130,000 Russian troops stood massed at its borders.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will attend a meeting with his Nato counterparts in Brussels this week to prepare the security alliance's response to any attack on Ukrainian sovereignty.

US intelligence briefed by the Pentagon reportedly points to a detailed plan in which Moscow will launch a barrage of missile and bomb attacks this Wednesday followed by a full-blown ground invasion.

Mr Johnson said the 'evidence is pretty clear' that Moscow is preparing an invasion - with claims it could happen on Wednesday. But he stressed it is not too late for Mr Putin to change his mind to avoid 'disaster', as he called for Western powers to impose 'very severe' sanctions.

Ms Truss chaired a Cobra meeting Monday afternoon to discuss how to help British citizens in Ukraine, and the premier is convening a full session of the emergency committee tomorrow.

Mr Johnson pointed to massed Russian troops on the Ukrainian border and 'all sorts of other signs that show that there are serious preparations' for invasion.

'This is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation, we are on the edge of a precipice but there is still time for President (Vladimir) Putin to step back,' he said.

No10 said there is 'no sign' Russia will 'back down' amid the crisis on the Ukrainian border.

Japan meanwhile became the latest country to say it may impose sanctions on Russia should an invasion take place.

'First and foremost, Japan is strongly seeking a resolution through diplomatic dialogue,' Hayashi told a regular news conference in the early hours of the morning.

'But if Russian invasion takes place, Japan will take appropriate steps including possible sanctions, in response to what has actually happened, and in coordination with the G7 and international community.'

How Europe relies on Russian gas The UK has long been calling for Europe to reduce its reliance on Russian gas. Britain gets less than 5 per cent of its supplies from Moscow's output, thanks to North Sea production and other sources. But in Germany and Italy the figures is nearly half, while in France it is a quarter. That means they are potentially far more exposed to retribution from the Kremlin for sanctions. There have been fears that the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline between Russia and Germany will entrench the dependence, and weaken Ukraine's position by allowing its territory to be bypassed. That would make it easier for Vladimir Putin to deprive them of supplies. Russia has completed building the pipeline, which runs under the Baltic Sea, but German regulators are yet to approve its use. Advertisement

The PM's official spokesman said: 'It's certainly true that we have seen no sign so far that Russia will back down. There are more than 130,000 Russian troops on the border with the Ukraine and we are gravely concerned.

'But we will continue to explore every possible avenue to talk Russia back from this path.'

Asked if the Commons will be recalled if an invasion happens, the PM's spokesman said: 'While I wouldn't get into a hypothetical, obviously we would discuss that with the Speaker  and in that situation you would expect that the Prime Minister would want Parliament to be updated and for it to have its say.'

Ms Truss said she still hoped for a diplomatic solution, telling reporters: 'That is why the Prime Minister and I are travelling around Europe this week, that is why we are working to persuade the Russians to remove their troops from the border, because a war would be disastrous.'

But she added: 'We are very clear that Russia is the aggressor in this situation. They have 100,000 troops lined up on the Ukrainian borders.

'They need to de-escalate because it will be a cost to Russia if they invade Ukraine, both in terms of the cost of a long-running war, but also the sanctions that we would impose, which would be severe, and would target oligarchs and it would target companies across Russia.'

Ms Truss claimed Germany had been 'clear' that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would not go ahead if Russia invaded, although Mr Scholz has not seemed so in public.

Mr Biden has said the Russia-Germany pipeline would be stopped.

Ms Truss told reporters: 'The Germans, and indeed the Americans, have been very clear that Nord Stream 2 would not go ahead in the event of a Russian incursion on Ukraine.

'The Prime Minister is right, we do need to reduce dependence on Russian gas in Europe and find alternative sources.'

Tory MP and former soldier Tobias Ellwood, who has called for a division of Nato troops to be stationed inside Ukraine, said the standoff was 'our Cuban missile crisis'.

The Commons defence committee chair said Western countries had been 'asleep' and failed to recognise the threat from Russia.

'We need to wake up to our responsibilities, to defend the international rules-based order,' he said.

'I don't doubt the scale of where things are ratcheting. This is our Cuban missile crisis, but right now it's us that is blinking and not Putin.'

The UK imports less than 5 per cent of its gas from Russia, but many other European countries are far more reliant

After chairing a Cobra meeting yesterday, Liz Truss said the government believes Russia could invade 'at any moment

Matt Oresman, partner at global law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, cautioned that there would be 'costs' to the punitive response against Russia

Defence minister James Heappey said the build-up of Russian forces on the border means that Vladimir Putin can attack with 'no notice'

Senior assault squad: Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, joins civilian weapons training with Ukraine troops in Mariupol yesterday

The Russian Navy's Rostov-on-Don submarine sails towards the Black Sea on Sunday, armed with cruise missiles

Ukraine's nationalists under the 'territorial defense' hold a military and other training for civilians in preparation for any possible hitches amid an escalation of tensions in Kyiv, Ukraine

Tensions NOT 'moving in the right direction' after call between Joe Biden and Putin The Pentagon last night warned that an hour-long phone call between President Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin failed to yield a breakthrough as he warned 'major military action could happen any day now.' Defense Department Spokesman John Kirby told Fox News that the leaders' call on Saturday was 'certainly not a sign that things are moving in the right direction.' 'It's certainly not a sign that Mr. Putin has any intention to de-escalate the tensions,' he continued. 'And it's certainly not a sign that he is recommitting himself to a diplomatic path forward. So, it doesn't give us any cause for optimism.' On Sunday, President Biden held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, vowing that the US and allies would 'respond swiftly and decisively' in the event of any further Russian incursion. But Mr Zelensky has sought to play down the threat over the weekend, saying: 'The best friend of our enemies is panic in our country. And all this information is just provoking panic and can't help us.' The White House said Biden 'reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' It added: 'President Biden made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. 'The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders.' Advertisement

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging calm on claims about the timing of an invasion, telling the US: 'If you, or anyone else, has additional information regarding a 100 per cent Russian invasion starting on [February] 16, please forward that information to us.'

He spoke at length on Sunday with US President Joe Biden, who promised Washington would respond 'swiftly and decisively' to any further aggression from Moscow.

After the hour-long call, Kyiv demanded better weapons and more money from the West to stave off the Kremlin threat.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister remains focused on calming the crisis and is receiving daily intelligence briefings on the increasing build-up of Russian forces.

No 10 did not set out where he plans to travel later this week, but it is understood Mr Johnson is keen to engage with Nordic and Baltic countries.

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'The crisis on Ukraine's border has reached a critical juncture. All the information we have suggests Russia could be a planning an invasion of Ukraine at any moment.

'This would have disastrous consequences for both Ukraine and Russia. There is still a window of opportunity for de-escalation and diplomacy, and the Prime Minister will continue to work tirelessly alongside our allies to get Russia to step back from the brink.'

Armed Forces Minister Mr Heappey told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'There's 130,000 Russian troops around the borders of Ukraine, thousands more on amphibious shipping in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea.

'All of the combat enablers are in place and my fear is that if all of this was just about a show to win leverage in diplomacy that doesn't require the logistics, the fuel, the medical supplies, the bridging assets, the unglamorous stuff that actually makes an invasion force credible, but doesn't attract headlines. Yet all of that is now in place too.

'That's why there's real urgency to the diplomatic negotiations that continue.

'That is why this is a very serious time for the whole world, really, to come together and to send a message to Russia that this is behaviour that will not be accepted and that we stand behind Ukraine, and that the financial sanctions if he were to cross the border would be absolutely profound.'

Mr Heappey told Sky News that all British nationals should be leaving Ukraine now 'whilst there are the commercial means to do so and whilst the motorways are available for them to drive out over the border'.

'This isn't a warning about something that could happen in three months' time, this isn't a warning that will be followed by further warnings because greater imminence has been reached,' he said.

'This is a warning because minutes after Putin gives the order, missiles and bombs could be landing on Ukrainian cities, and that means British citizens should leave now whilst they have the opportunities to do so.'

Putin critic Alexei Navalny goes on trial facing 10-year sentence as world's attention is diverted by looming war in Ukraine Russian dissident Alexei Navalny today goes on trial for embezzlement charges in what critics of Putin believe is a hearing specially scheduled to coincide with the furore surrounding Ukraine. Navalny, 45, faces a special hearing inside a prison in Pokrov near Moscow where he is currently serving a two-and-a-half year sentence on fraud charges widely thought to be unfounded. If he is ultimately found guilty of embezzlement, Putin's most prolific political opponent could be jailed until 2032. Now supporters of Navalny are claiming the 'open' trial, which will see the dissident take the stand in prison, was deliberately organised at a time when most media attention is focused on the escalating tensions around Ukraine. Maria Pevchikh, one of Navalny's closest supporters and head of the investigative unit of the Anti-Corruption Foundation he created in 2011, also speculated on Twitter that a long-term sentence may give rise to another attempt on his life. 'We should hope it's just the trial they are disguising and distracting us from, not something worse. Which, again, is not that crazy to expect,' Pevchikh wrote. 'Putin did order to kill Navalny once and managed to get away with it. The line has been crossed. Nothing stops Putin from doing it again.' The fraud case which first landed Navalny in prison began in December 2020, while the 45-year-old was recovering in Germany after narrowly surviving a nerve agent poisoning likely orchestrated by Russian agents. Navalny, 45, faces a special hearing inside a prison in Pokrov near Moscow later today (Navalny is pictured here in February 2021) Advertisement

European diplomacy efforts saw German chancellor Olaf Scholz arrive in Kyiv yesterday, before heading for Moscow today.

France's foreign minister said Monday that everything was in place for Russian forces to invade quickly in Ukraine, adding that Europe was ready to impose massive sanctions if it happened.

'If the question is, are there elements in place so that there is a major offensive by Russian forces in Ukraine, then yes it's true. It's possible and quickly,' Jean-Yves Le Drian told France 5 TV.

He said the assessment was shared by Paris and its allies, although he said nothing indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made that decision.

'It's blowing hot and cold,' he said, suggesting that Russia was leaving the door open for dialogue.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Sunday he cannot confirm reports that US intelligence points to Russia planning an invasion this Wednesday.

But the White House's national security adviser gave a chilling description of what such an attack might entail.

Jake Sullivan told CNN: 'If there is a military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it's likely to begin with a significant barrage of missiles and bomb attacks.

'Those are never as precise as any army would like them to be so innocent civilians could be killed regardless of their nationality.

'It would then be followed by an onslaught of a ground force moving across the Ukrainian frontier, again where innocent civilians could get caught in the crossfire.'

He added that an attack could begin 'any day now  that includes this coming week'.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement yesterday the decision to move US diplomats from Kyiv to the Western city of Lviv was taken out of concern for the safety of embassy staff.

Most embassy staff have already been ordered to depart Ukraine and US citizens have been advised to leave the country.

'My team and I constantly review the security situation to determine when prudence dictates a change in posture,' Blinken said, adding that Washington would continue working for a diplomatic solution to the tensions.

Embassy operations are being temporarily moved to Lviv - roughly 50 miles from Ukraine's western border with Poland - but the embassy will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government in Kyiv, Blinken said.

Having flown back from talks in Moscow in the early hours of Saturday, Mr Wallace on Sunday cut short a family holiday due to what he said was the 'worsening situation in Ukraine', after he had been spotted in an unnamed European resort.

He was criticised for likening Western diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing a Russian invasion to appeasement towards Adolf Hitler after he said that there is a 'whiff of Munich in the air'.

Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, retorted on BBC Radio 4: 'It's not the best time for us to offend our partners in the world, reminding them of this act which actually not bought peace but the opposite, it bought war.'

Ukraine soldiers test fire anti-tank missile systems JAVELIN recently provided by the US army in defence aid, in undisclosed location, pictured yesterday

Ukraine's London ambassador sets off a firestorm by saying Kyiv could DROP demand for NATO membership to avoid war and is forced to frantically backtrack Ukraine's ambassador to the UK set off a firestorm today by appearing to suggest his country could drop its pledge to join NATO if it means avoiding a war with Russia. Vadym Prystaiko, a veteran diplomat who once served as Ukraine's foreign minister, was asked by the BBC on Sunday night whether Kyiv might consider dropping the pledge - and responded 'we might'. But he rushed back on Monday morning to clarify the remark, saying his comments had been 'misunderstood' and that the commitment to join NATO remains enshrined in Ukraine's constitution. President Volodymyr Zelensky's spokesman then reiterated that the constitution will not be changed. But that did not stop Moscow from pouncing on the remark, saying that dropping the NATO pledge would go 'a long way' to satisfying Putin's security demands. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said that he doesn't view Prystaiko's comments as an official change of policy by Ukraine - but that it would 'definitely' be a step in the right direction if they were to adopt the policy. The wrangling began on on Sunday night when a BBC 5 Live interviewer asked Prystaiko whether Ukraine would contemplate dropping its NATO pledge. He replied: 'We might, especially if threatened like that, blackmailed like that and pushed to it.' But as the remark began making headlines early Monday, he was brought back to clarify his position - saying he had been 'misunderstood'. 'We are not a member of NATO right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in our conversations with Russia,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'But it has nothing to do with NATO, which is enshrined in the constitution.' Stressing that the commitment to joining NATO had not shifted, he pointed out that Ukraine would not be a member of the alliance by Wednesday - reportedly highlighted by US intelligence agencies as a potential day for an invasion. Advertisement

'We are more self-sufficient and have been able to increase our exports. We have no Italian or Swiss cheeses, but we've learned to make just as good Russian cheeses using Italian and Swiss recipes.'

Matt Oresman, partner at global law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, cautioned that there would be 'costs' to the punitive response against Russia.

'The impact of taking Russia off of Swift is massive. The sanctions being contemplated already deal with sanctioning Russia's largest banks and making it nearly impossible for Russia to do dollar euro and pound denominated transactions with the word,' he told Sky News.

'Cutting it off of Swift will really bring it out of the financial service infrastructure that has existed.'

Mr Oresman said that trade with Russia would become 'nearly impossible', but one of the biggest 'negative consequences' for European businesses would be 'how Russian companies can repay or service their debts to European banks'.

It would also be likely to push Russia further into the 'orbit of China' and mean that it is 'in many regards under Chinese control'.

There were fears that Britons in Ukraine, who were told to leave on Friday by the Foreign Office, could soon find themselves stranded as commercial airlines began cancelling or re-routing flights.

Dutch airline KLM on Sunday cancelled all flights to Kyiv while Ukrainian carrier SkyUp was forced to divert a flight to Moldova after the company which owned the plane refused to let it enter Ukrainian airspace.

It is feared that a host of other airlines will also start suspending flights from today, with German carrier Lufthansa among those saying it is considering the move.

On Friday the Foreign Office issued new guidance telling British citizens to leave the country while they still can.

They will be left stranded - and will need military mercy flights - if commercial airlines decide en masse this week that they will cease flights to and from Ukraine.

Meanwhile Ukraine advised airlines to avoid flying over the open waters of the Black Sea from today to Saturday due to Russian naval exercises taking place there.

The fears follow the 2014 shooting down of jetliner MH17 as it flew over territory held by Russia-backed rebels in Ukraine.

All 298 people aboard died in the disaster, including 198 Dutch citizens, while Russia was widely condemned as being responsible.

Photos yesterday showed dozens of people waiting to board a plane at Kyiv's airport as hundreds of others waited to check-in.

They are leaving after the US and the UK, along with other European nations, warned their citizens to get out of the country while they still can.

Russia has boosted its already huge force on Ukrainian borders by moving a large number of attack helicopters to forward positions, according to social media videos.

This includes a massing in Belgorod region, only 19 miles from the border with Ukraine, at the same site as in 2014 when Moscow intervened in the Donbas and annexed Crimea.

Sobering videos show Ka-52 Alligators, Mi-8s and Mi-24 military attack helicopters on the move in multiple locations in western Russia.

They were seen in the regions of Belgorod, Nizhny Novgorod region, Tver, Ulyanovsk and Yaroslavl amid suspicions they are being moved to the potential war zone close to Ukraine.

More were filmed in Dobrush, close to the border with Ukraine in the Gomel region of Belarus where vast military exercises are underway.

Ukraine last night called for a meeting with Russia and members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) within 48 hours to discuss Russia's military build-up near Ukraine and inside annexed Crimea.

Vladimir Putin 'doesn't give a s**t' about the risk of Western sanctions if it were to invade Ukraine, Russia's ambassador to Sweden (right) said as US staff began withdrawing from eastern Ukraine amid warnings of an 'imminent' invasion

Lithuania's military aid including Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, delivered as part of the security support package for Ukraine, is unloaded from a C-17 Globemaster III plane at Boryspil International Airport

Dutch carrier KLM announced it was stopping flights to and from the country until further notice, amid sensitivity in the Netherlands to potential danger in Ukrainian airspace following the 2014 shooting down of jetliner MH17 as it flew over territory held by Russia-backed rebels. All 298 people aboard died in the disaster, including 198 Dutch citizens. Pictured: The aftermath of the disaster

Insurers suspend flight cover leaving Brits stranded There are fears that some 6,000 Britons living in Ukraine, who were told to leave on Friday by the Foreign Office, could soon find themselves stranded. Dutch airline KLM yesterday cancelled all flights to Kyiv and others could follow suit. Germany's Lufthansa also said on Sunday it was considering suspending flights. Insurance giant Lloyds of London is reportedly set to suspend cover for flights passing through the country's airspace as fears of an imminent Russian invasion grow, according to Ukrainian publication Ukrainska Pravda. Ukraine advised airlines to avoid flying over the Black Sea from today to Saturday due to Russian naval exercises. Advertisement

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Moscow had not responded after Kyiv invoked a part of the Vienna Document, a set of security agreements, to demand Moscow explain its military activities.

'Consequently, we take the next step. We request a meeting with Russia and all participating states within 48 hours to discuss its reinforcement & redeployment along our border & in temporarily occupied Crimea,' Kuleba tweeted.

'If Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must fulfil its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all,' he said.

A key juncture in western diplomatic efforts this week is German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Moscow meeting with Mr Putin on Tuesday.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is also expected to visit the continent during the diplomatic push.

The crucial phase in trying to cool Russian aggression comes at a difficult time for Mr Johnson domestically, with critics saying he is distracted by the police investigation centred on Downing Street.

The Prime Minister this week must answer a legal questionnaire sent to him by officers investigating allegations of lockdown-breaching parties, which could ultimately see him being fined if he is found to have broken the law.

That outcome would inevitably lead to even more widespread calls for his resignation, and Tories pressuring for a vote of no confidence which could unseat Mr Johnson as Prime Minister.

Moscow denies it is planning an invasion and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the White House of stoking 'hysteria' but US intelligence suggests the Kremlin could fabricate a 'false flag' pretext to attack.

Western leaders have threatened Moscow with a damaging package of sanctions in the event of a further incursion into Ukrainian soil.

Ukraine is not a Nato member and allies in the defence alliance have said they would not join fighting in Ukraine but have bolstered forces in neighbouring nations and are threatening widespread sanctions.

Last night, Ukraine's ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko told the BBC that Ukraine might consider abandoning its goal of NATO membership to avert war.

IAN BIRRELL: Eighty years ago, Stalin brutally expelled 200,000 Crimean Tatars. Today, with Putin's troops massing, their descendants say this time they will fight to the death

As the military forces of a modern Russian dictator menacingly encircle Ukraine, they stir chilling memories from the past of his predecessors such as Joseph Stalin in this scruffy little town of 12,000 people that sits near a new border with Crimea.

For it is filled with exiled families who know from bitter experience the brutal reality of Kremlin rule after suffering repeated waves of ethnic cleansing over the past century  first under the Soviet Communists, then recently under Vladimir Putin.

Typical is a taxi driver called Ildar. His grandmother was deported to the Urals almost a century ago, then his father put in a cattle wagon by Stalin's goons and sent to central Asia on a 20-day rail journey that only one in five people survived.

It was only with the collapse of the Soviet Union that, along with about 250,000 other Tatars, Ildar returned to Crimea. But then they watched in horror as Putin followed in Stalin's footsteps with his illegal seizure of Crimea eight years ago.

Ildar joined protests against Moscow's annexation but was forced to flee with his wife and two children, abandoning his home and business to escape over the newly-imposed border.

Today, he lives among 5,000 Crimean Tatars in the town of Novooleksiivka  so close in geography yet so far for him in reality from Russian-controlled Crimea.

He fears fresh confrontation with Moscow amid talk of another invasion. 'We have nowhere left to run so we'll have to fight,' says Ildar. 'Russia is a terrorist country ruled by people who don't value human life.'

Herded like animals: Deported Tatars forced on to cattle wagons in 1944

Far from home: Adile Medzhitova's family in the 1950s

As we sit in a cafe, he tells me his family's story: His wealthy grandmother targeted by the Communists when they collectivised farms; his uncle dying on that horrific train journey after Crimea's Tatars were rounded up on Stalin's orders; and his father's shock when the survivors were dumped in empty fields in Uzbekistan.

Yet this terrible tale is far from unique in this town  and given the tragic history of the Crimean Tatar people, treated with such cruelty by Russia's rulers over three centuries, it is no wonder they look with alarm at the actions of Putin, the latest Kremlin empire-builder.

These people were among leading opponents of Putin's theft of Crimea, the chunk of land that dangles below Ukraine where Florence Nightingale worked in the 1850s when Britain fought the Russian Empire for control of the Ottoman Empire.

Crimea has long held significance as a naval base  and Putin's invasion in 2014 has led to the harassment, detention, disappearance and killing of Tatars who opposed his actions.

Novooleksiivka  the only place in Ukraine with a school teaching lessons in Crimean Tatar  lies in a coastal region some analysts suspect Putin is targeting to strengthen his grip on the peninsula and key strategic stretches of sea.

The testimony of Adile Medzhitova, 75, drives home the deep fears of this Muslim minority  subjected to waves of ethnic cleansing that date back to the initial Russian annexation in 1783 of their independent state under Catherine the Great.

Adile's father, a teacher, fought as a partisan against the Germans when the Nazis invaded Ukraine during the Second World War, marrying her mother after his first wife was thrown into a well and young son killed in retaliation for his activities.

Yet after Russia repelled Hitler, Stalin deported 200,000 Crimean Tatars to Central Asia over a few days in May 1944, claiming they were Nazi collaborators  even all those serving in the Red Army or who had joined the resistance.

'The soldiers came early one morning. They were called 'traitors' and 'collaborators'  even those like my father, heroes fighting against Germany,' says Adile.

Some Tatars did back the Nazis in hope of kicking out the hated Communists  yet many more fought against them. Some historians think Stalin's motivation was not revenge but part of his plan to start a fight with Turkey to reclaim land lost in the First World War, which led him to fear that Tatars  as Turkic people of Islamic faith  might side with Turkey.

Families were given as little as 15 minutes to pack and permitted to take few belongings, if any, in one of the 20th century's most savage acts of ethnic cleansing. It was declared a genocide by Kyiv's parliament seven years ago.

The majority of deportees were women, children and old people  with many suffering hunger, thirst, cold, overcrowding and diseases that spread rapidly in the packed cattle trucks. Stalin's soldiers were reported to have killed those unable to walk  and then refused to bury them.

Ildar, the taxi driver, says he was 12 when his father told him about the events to explain why they had come to be living in Uzbekistan. 'The soldiers came at night and ordered them into cattle wagons, 100 at a time,' he recalls.

'Only about 20 people reached the destination alive. The journey lasted 20 days. They were given one barrel of water and some fish, then they did not stop nor get any other food.' It is estimated almost half the deportees died en route or in the first year of exile.

Adile's parents found themselves 1,200 miles from home in a forest  yet were fortunate to escape the fate of two of her uncles, sent to Siberia as intellectuals and never seen again.

'My mother always cried telling me about it,' she said. 'It looked like a concentration camp with long wooden barracks. Soldiers with dogs threw hay on the floor and told them to make it into their beds.'

The couple's first child, like many Tatar babies born in such barren conditions, died in infancy. Adile arrived three years after deportation  her birthplace listed in official documents as 'the tenth kilometre' since there was no existing town.

Then her father suffered a horrendous head injury while cutting timber that left him with mental difficulties. Later, after the family were allowed to move to Uzbekistan, he worked in a cotton factory. 'My father was an educated man but he had to do manual labour. The local population did not want us there  we all dreamed of returning to Crimea.'

Adile remembers one day in 1953 when people were made to gather in a stadium to mourn Stalin's death. 'Everyone was crying  it was only later we learned the original order to deport us had been signed by Stalin,' she said.

A decade later Adile helped her father, along with other exiled Crimean Tatars, collect signatures for a letter to the Soviet leadership begging to return to their homeland. 'Everyone was very afraid of the KGB because if they caught us, we could go to prison.'

As a result, in 1968 the local KGB gave the family 24 hours to leave the area  but they remained barred from Crimea, unable to work without the correct documents and ending up sleeping rough at rail stations.

Her father died in 1986 after working as a guard on a collective farm, writing Tatar poetry and pining for his Crimean homeland. The year after his death, a small group of Tatar activists staged a series of protests in Moscow's Red Square, demanding an end to their exile.

Among them was Edem, then 30, who told me they held banners emblazoned with slogans such as 'Return Crimea to Crimean Tatars' while confronted by passers-by shouting that they were 'traitors to the Soviet Union'.

Despite this being the time of Mikhail Gorbachev's 'perestroika' reforms, the KGB tried to break up the protests; some demonstrators were sent to psychiatric hospitals. 'They'd drag us off, fly us out of Moscow, patrol the streets with dogs,' said Edem.

Yet the numbers swelled and copycat protests took off, leading to the pledge of a meeting with Soviet president Andrei Gromyko.

Over the following decade, hundreds of thousands of Tatars flocked back to Crimea  among them Edem, a car mechanic, and his two brothers. 'It felt so good, like a homecoming,' he says.

Yet those returning home faced hostility. 'People had been brainwashed by Russian propaganda and didn't realise our ancestors had been on Crimean land since the beginning.'

Then this man who once faced down the KGB starts to weep gently as he tells me he cannot visit the graves of his brothers in Crimea and speaks of his fear that Russian troops might soon be seen on the streets of Novooleksiivka.

Edem says: 'If the Russians keep pushing forward into Ukraine, I would have no choice but to take a gun in my hands. We cannot allow them to take more of our lands.'

And so the agony of the Crimean Tatars continues  their lives disrupted and devastated by Russia's repeated atrocities against them.

For her part, Adile Medzhitova, says that despite Putin's war-mongering, she does not bear a grudge towards Russian people. 'It's not their fault they live under a bad government. I've seen how they have miserable lives. For them, it is still like Soviet times  you can't speak freely there.'

Speaking in her three-room whitewashed house where she raised two daughters with her late husband, she tells me she is scared Russia might seize her adopted home town. 'I am afraid to say my worst fears out loud. It would be so terrible that I can't even talk about it.'

Such fears seem justified. Russian security forces last week carried out fresh searches of Tatar homes in several parts of Crimea, which led to four people being detained for suspected terrorism.

The deportation of the Crimean Tatars on May 18th, 1944

Habibula Lumanov, a father of six who runs a cafe in Novooleksiivka, knows many who stayed in Crimea and were put in prison, so felt unable to return even for his mother's funeral.

'They don't need a reason in Russia to put a person in prison,' he said. 'Anyone who disagrees with them can be called a terrorist  they come to your home and say they found weapons, drugs or forbidden documents.'

The 52-year-old says that when Russian troops invaded Crimea the Tatars wanted to fight back but were not supplied with weapons by Ukrainian forces. 'Now we've discussed it a lot  if anything happens we'll send our families to a safe place but we'll stay to fight.'

His own father was deported to Uzbekistan before finally returning to Crimea. Now he says: 'My oldest daughter is 17 and I fear she must go through the cycle again.'

Usein Tohlu, the town's imam, is equally forthright. 'We'd all like to see Putin in a coffin,' he says. 'The Russian state is evil. It is the enemy of Tatar people.'

He joined volunteers in Novooleksiivka assisting 30,000 Tatars who fled Crimea after annexation. Their leaders still demand that the Russian-held peninsular is reunified with Ukraine  which has triggered retaliation including a ban on their representative assembly as an 'extremist' body.

Like so many other Crimean Tatars whose families have been benighted pawns of Moscow strongmen down the years, thousands more now find themselves trapped on the frontline of a geo-political struggle. This time it is one that pits Putin against the West.

Additional reporting by Kate Baklitskaya

'I'm scared for my wife...the ball is in Putin's court': Britons with spouses stuck in Ukraine fear for their loved ones' safety as Russian invasion looms Gary Smith with his wife Helen. His wife has no plans to leave, given a visitor's visa could take weeks to secure Britons with spouses in Ukraine have spoken of their worry for loved ones' safety and told of feeling 'frustrated' at being unable to see them as the threat of a Russian invasion looms. British people in the country are being urged to leave immediately following updated advice from the Foreign Office on Friday evening, which said to 'leave now while commercial means are still available'. Gary Smith, 53, from Newcastle, met his wife Helen, 55, in 2012 and has regularly flown to and from Ukraine to visit her, but now faces an anxious wait for their reunion. Helen is Russian but has lived in Ukraine for more than 30 years, and now works there as a university lecturer. Speaking to PA agency, Mr Smith said: 'I'm here and she's there, and I can't do anything about it. 'That's the frustrating part - the ball is in Putin's court. I'm more worried than her, I said to her: 'I'm worried for your safety.'' Mr Smith added that he is simple left 'praying' as his wife has no plans to leave, given a visitor's visa could take weeks to secure. 'She's got a life there now, her life is in Kharkiv,' Mr Smith explained. 'I'm just praying to the big man,' he said of the prospect of war. 'If the Russians do invade - God forbid they do - it'll be a long time before I see Helen.' Jez Myers, 44, a business consultant who has split his time between Manchester and Kyiv since 2018, cannot return to the country as planned to see his Ukrainian partner. They will now have to face Valentine's Day apart, and Mr Myers has told of his concern at the lack of clarity for the future. Jez Myers, 44, a business consultant who has split his time between Manchester and Kyiv since 2018, cannot return to the country as planned to see his Ukrainian partner He said: 'I was due to fly back tomorrow morning... but it would be naive at best to not follow the FCDO's advice. 'I'm worried and I'm worried for her safety. 'We're now spending Valentine's Day apart, and she's having to make decisions around contingencies...Does she go to Lviv, where it's going to be very busy, but possibly a bit safer? Does she fly out to Poland?' 'There's just a lack of clear information.' 'For a Brit, you should leave the country - and if you have a Ukrainian partner, they should apply for a visa. 'But my partner, she's faced with this situation (and thinking): 'Well this is my country, this is my home. Do I stay and fight?'' Mr Myers stressed that for many Ukrainian spouses, there is more to think about beyond fleeing the country. He added: 'She's going, 'if I leave the country, I'm leaving behind my mum, my dad, my brother, my grandmother'. 'There's absolutely that helplessness felt by Ukrainians.' Advertisement

The race to Kiev: Plans presented by Kremlin military chiefs show how 130,000 Russian forces will bid to topple Ukraine government in 'multi-axis' invasion from Belarus and Crimea before swarming in from the east

Russian troops could set off on a 'race to Kiev' to topple Ukrainian government

Western officials fear Putin's soldiers will push to install a pro-Russian regime

More Russian troops, possibly an extra 20,000, are being added to the invasion force which is currently 130,000-strong

ByDefence And Security Editor For The Daily Mail

Russian troops will set off on a 'race to Kiev' to topple the Ukrainian government, according to plans presented by Kremlin military chiefs.

Tens of thousands of Putin's soldiers will push south into Ukraine to target the capital and install a pro-Russian regime, Western officials fear.

There will also be a 'multi-axis' invasion by Russian forces. Troops will enter the country from Belarus and Crimea before converging in eastern Ukraine.

Their mission will be to align themselves to prevent Ukrainian forces in the east of the country heading back to defend Kiev.

With speed of movement being critical to Russia's strategy, lighter vehicles and weapons systems have apparently been selected for the ground offensive.

More Russian troops, possibly an extra 20,000, are being added to the invasion force which is currently 130,000-strong.

Russian troops will set off on a 'race to Kiev' to topple the Ukrainian government, according to plans presented by Kremlin military chiefs. Tens of thousands of Putin's soldiers will push south into Ukraine to target the capital and install a pro-Russian regime, Western officials fear. There will also be a 'multi-axis' invasion by Russian forces. Troops will enter the country from Belarus and Crimea before converging in eastern Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, Russia February 14, 2022

A source said: 'The build-up of soldiers and equipment is unprecedented and very alarming. This is a force built for the purpose of an invasion. It is estimated a further 14 Russian brigades are heading for the Ukrainian border.

'The logistics are also in place, the medical back-up as well as air and naval assets. We have seen the build-up of Russian vessels in the Atlantic, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Holidays have also been cancelled for many Russian units.

'In total you are looking at 60 per cent of Russia's overall combat power being engaged in this operation.

'The land threat has also been made more potent by the disposition of their attacking forces. Russia has basically traded mass for speed knowing they must get to Kiev as quickly as possible.

'They must also rapidly get other units to eastern Ukraine to form a barrier stopping Ukrainian units pushing back west to save the capital city.'

According to sources, detailed invasion plans will be presented imminently to President Putin, who has still yet to make a final decision on the invasion.

Putin is expected to meet his defence minister Sergey Shoygu and the head of Russia's secret services Alexander Bortnikov before committing to war.

That's because the UK, the US and the EU will launch a blitzkrieg on Russia's banking system and financial services industry if Russia invades.

Kiev is lightly defended because most Ukrainian troops have been stationed in the east fighting Russian separatists since 2014.

The Ukrainian capital is only 150 miles via the E95 highway from Belarus's southern border  a journey Russian tanks could make in six hours.

A source added: 'Once they get to Kiev the Russians are reluctant to send their troops into situations where they could be fighting street by street. Such a close quarter battle would likely lead to heavy casualties, both military and civilian. The Russians don't want to get bogged down.

T-72B3 Main Battle Tanks of Russian Army take part in a military drill in St. Petersburg, Russia on February 14, 2022

In this photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, soldiers practice at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills in Belarus

'They're hoping for a 'bloodless coup', to oust the democratically elected government and put their people in without much of a struggle.

'They are probably underestimating the willingness of the Ukrainians to fight for their country, they are not just going to roll over. So it could get very bloody.'

While the state-controlled media claims the crisis is Nato's fault, there is little or no appetite within Russia for conflict with their neighbour.

'Russians see Ukrainians as being like themselves, many Russians also have Ukrainian relatives. There is little opposition to a possible war because of the Kremlin's control of the media.

'This could change quickly if a lot of people are killed,' a source said. 'An actual invasion would also prove expensive for Russia financially and politically as it would suffer heavy economic sanctions and become a pariah state.'
A heartbroken widow is pleading for help to find her wedding dress - after she accidentally donated it to charity.

Josie Smith, 60, meant to take a bag of pillows to the Oxfam charity bank at Sainsbury's.

But instead the widow from North Wales took her 1,000 floor-length gown.

She wore the dress at her dream white wedding in Paphos, Cyprus, to say 'I do' to her fiance Leon Smith.

But sadly four years ago, Mr Smith, 56, died of brain cancer.

Josie Smith, 60, tied the knot to her fiance Leon Smith at her dream white wedding in Paphos in Cyprus

The blushing bride wore a 1,000 floor-length gown as she was joined by family to say 'I do' to her beloved partner

Josie, of Rhyl, North Wales, has now been dealt another blow after she accidentally took her wedding dress to a charity clothing bank

Mrs Smith, who was married ten years ago, said it was only weeks later that she decided to look in the remaining bag to discover the pillows were still there.

She said: 'I'd been decluttering in January after New Year. I had two bags which were very similar.'

She contacted Oxfam who said it had been collected and could now be anywhere in the UK.

She added: 'It is devastating to lose it.

'The dress could have been recycled or it might have been sold on. I don't have any way to find out where it is.'

Alterations were made to the dress that Josie Smith wore at her wedding to Leon Smith including a halter neck with a thick ribbon and a corset-style back

Mrs Smith, who is a homeless prevention senior support project worker for the Wallich charity, had bought her brand new wedding dress online.

She says it is a Josephine-type design - which she partly chose because that's her name.

Alterations were made to the dress including a halter neck with a thick ribbon and a corset-style back.

Her daughter Sandra Sutton issued a plea online to help her mum following the wedding dress blunder.

She said: 'A few weeks ago she thought that the bag contained pillows but she had accidentally pulled the wrong bag from under her bed and had taken the one containing her wedding dress.

'My mums contacted Oxfam who have told her it could be anywhere in the U.K. and that they couldn't help further. The dress is of huge sentimental value. Sadly we lost my step dad from brain cancer a few years ago and this is one of the few things she's got left.

'Understandably she is heartbroken. Please please let the power of social media reunite the dress with my mum. We are willing to pay a reward if we can reunite the dress with my mum. Please contact myself or Josie Salt with any information thank you.'

Lorna Fallon, Oxfam Director of Retail, said: 'We'll work with our clothes bank collectors to do our best to track it down.'
Prince Andrew's lawyers have asked his accuser Virginia Roberts to produce the original version of the notorious photograph showing the pair together at Ghislaine Maxwell's London home, amid claims that it is a fake.

A US lawyer working for the Duke of York has arranged for a photographic expert to study the original if they can access it, according to the I newspaper.

Andrew Brettler, an attorney working for the Queen's son on the case, hopes the expert will cast doubt on the photograph's authenticity.

Ms Roberts - who now goes by her married name of Giuffre - spoke of the photo's whereabouts in 2016, saying then that it could be in moving boxes at her in-laws' home in Sydney, Australia, full of 'nerf guns, kids' toys, photos,' she has said.

She claims the picture - that shows a smiling 41-year-old Prince Andrew with his arm around her waist when she was 17, and Maxwell standing behind the pair in a doorway - was taken the same night the Duke allegedly sexually assaulted her the first time.

Prince Andrew and his legal team are contesting a civil case in New York launched by Ms Giuffre last August, in which she alleges Andrew assaulted her three times.

He has vehemently denied the allegations since they were first made public.

Prince Andrew's lawyers have reportedly asked his accuser Virginia Roberts to give them the original version of the infamous photograph (pictured) allegedly showing the pair together at Ghislaine Maxwell's London home, amid claims that it is a fake

The Duke of York's legal team has tried repeatedly to get the case thrown out before it reaches a courtroom, but have so far failed.

In the meantime, Andrew's position within the British royal family has deteriorated. He stepped down from royal duties in 2019, and returned his patronages and military titles earlier this year as the case reaching court became more likely.

The image, first released to the media in 2011, has gone on to become synonymous with the Duke, the accusations, his ongoing legal battle and questions over his relationship with the late billionaire paedophile Jefferey Epstein.

Ms Roberts claims she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell. The latter is facing up to 40 years in prison after she was convicted of a string of sex offences in New York, although she has filed a request for a retrial.

The photo was reportedly taken in March 2001 at Maxwell's London apartment, and has been reproduced countless times around the world after Ms Roberts - known now as Ms Giuffre after her marriage - shared it with The Mail on Sunday.

Gaining access to the image has been an ambition of Andrew's lawyers ever since, but they are yet to provide any evidence themselves that it is not genuine.

Pictured: Prince Andrew is seen driving through Windsor, England with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson earlier this month

Pictured: Virginia Roberts Giuffre speaks during a press conference outside a Manhattan court in New York, Aug. 27, 2019

Prince Andrew's road to court Ms Roberts is suing Prince Andrew in New York over claims she was trafficked by paedophile financier Epstein and forced to have sex with the prince on three occasions when she was 17. Andrew vehemently denies the claims. It emerged this month that the Duke of York is set to Ms Roberts' lawyers in London on March 10, where he will testify under oath according, to sources close to the royal. 'We agreed to voluntarily produce the Duke for a deposition on March 10. Despite repeated requests, Ms. Giuffre (Roberts) still hasn't committed to a date or location for her deposition,' a source close to the Duke said on February 5. The Prince is being prepared by his UK-based legal team as he readies himself to face a grilling over the span of two days by David Boies, 80, one of America's most renowned and feared attorneys, and Sigrid McCawley. Andrew, who was stripped of all his military titles and royal peerages last month after the case was confirmed as going to trial, will be questioned about three alleged assaults in 2001. Andrew's claim that he never met Ms Roberts comes despite a now-infamous photograph seemingly showing them joined at the hip - which the royal says may have been faked. He has asked for an original copy of the photo but Ms Roberts' team has failed to deliver it so far. Ms Roberts lawyer, David Boies, has previously said: 'Virginia has said for years that her role in facilitating other young women's involvement is something that she has always regretted. 'But that fact doesn't have anything to do with the truth of her allegations [against Prince Andrew].' The duke has submitted 11 reasons why the case should be dismissed, including that Ms Giuffre's claims are 'barred by the doctrine of consent' and by 'her own wrongful conduct'. But his attempts have so-far been dismissed by judges, meaning he now needs to formally answer the accusations against him. Andrew has made eight admissions, limited to information already public, such as that he is a UK citizen and resides at Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate. He admits his walk with Epstein in Central Park in 2010 and staying at the paedophile's Manhattan mansion on the same trip, both caught on camera. But in his rebuttal of Miss Roberts' complaint, Andrew denies he ever sexually abused her and refuses to 'admit or deny' her assertions that she was a victim of Epstein. He even denies being a 'close friend' of Epstein's girlfriend Maxwell, despite photographic evidence of their relationship over the years. Andrew's legal team also reject Miss Roberts' accusation that he has refused to co-operate with US authorities in their investigation of Epstein and his co-conspirators, despite officials claiming he has done just that. Andrew makes clear he continues to dispute Miss Roberts is resident in the state of Colorado, which allows her to bring the case in the US. Now a 38-year-old mother-of-three, she lives in Perth, Australia, and it is understood Andrew's legal team still intend to pursue this in a bid to get the case thrown out. Advertisement

However, earlier this month interest in the theory was renewed when Lady Victoria Hervey - a British socialite and ex-girlfriend of Prince Andrew's - sensationally repeated claims that the infamous photo was indeed faked.

The 44-year-old socialite and former 'It Girl', who is the daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol, doubled down on a claim she made earlier by identifying the set of images she says were used to create the doctored photo.

Harvey claimed the image has been pieced together using a photo taken at Naomi Campbell's birthday party on board a yacht in St Tropez in May 2001, in which Virginia can be seen wearing the same white tank top with colourful patterned jeans.

What's more - like Andrew's lawyers - Harvey does not have a copy of the exact photo from St Tropez which she claims was used to fake the Prince Andrew image, and it has never been seen publicly. However, she did share a bizarre painted reproduction of the alleged image to Instagram earlier this week.

Lady Victoria added to her baffling claims by saying that an 'Irish guy' who was dating one of Epstein's victims in 2001 and also attended the boat party was used as a 'body double' for Prince Andrew in the 'fake' image.

In an exclusive interview, Lady Victoria told FEMAIL she has spoken to several victims of Jeffrey Epstein, who said they believe the image was edited by Virginia and Maria Farmer, another victim who worked as an 'artist-in-residence' for Epstein.

Andrew's lawyers will hope that by getting their hands on the original, the photograph expert will be able to say conclusively if it is real or not.

There are various tell-tale signs to establish a photo's authenticity.

According to the American Scientist: 'If lines connecting corresponding points in a scene and its reflection do not converge on a common intersection in the image plane, the image may be a fake.'

A simpler way would be to find whether the photograph has a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), which sometimes will be printed with a photograph.

Ms Giuffre has previously said that she is not certain where the original copy of the photograph is. When she was deposed by lawyers for Maxwell, she said it was 'not in my possession right now,' according to the New Zealand Herald.

She said she suspects the photo is 'probably in some storage boxes' at her in-laws' home in Sydney, Australia, that were left there when she and her husband moved.

'I mean, there's seven boxes full of Nerf guns, my kids' toys, photos. I don't know what other documents would be in there,' she said at the time.

She also said that she had previously handed the photo over to the FBI who conducted an investigation into Maxwell and Epstein.

When contacted by, DailyMail.com the FBI declined to comment on whether it had seen the photograph, or on whether there was an active investigation on-going into Prince Andrew.

However, in January, the Daily Beast cited a 'source in Virginia Giuffre's camp' saying that 'they did not know whether Giuffre still has the original of the photo, or whether the original photograph even still existed.'

In November 2019, Andrew was asked about the photograph in a disastrous interview on BBC's Newsnight program.

Asked whether the photograph could have been faked, he said public displays of affection are 'not something he would do' but refused to reveal whether he thought the image was doctored.

He said: 'Oh it's definitely me, I mean that's a picture of me. I don't believe it's a picture of me in London because when I go out in London I wear a suit and a tie.

'That's what I would describe as my travelling clothes if I'm going to go overseas. There's plenty of photographs of me dressed in that sort of kit but not there.'

Lady Victoria claimed the image of Virginia was taken at the birthday boat party. The image has never been seen publicly but another of Epstein's victims has allegedly painted an image of what the original photograph would have looked like (pictured)

The 44-year-old socialite and former 'It Girl', who is the daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol, repeated claims made by the Duke in his disastrous Newsnight interview that the image may have been doctored

News of Andrew's legal bid comes as his youngest daughter Princess Eugenie made a trip to Los Angeles to see her cousin Prince Harry, where the pair watched the Super Bowl together on Sunday night (pictured)

Prince Andrew spoke about his links to Jeffrey Epstein in an interview with BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis in November 2019

The Prince called it a 'photograph of a photograph of a photograph', casting doubt over its veracity.

Sources close to Andrew have previously said there are questions over the veracity of the photo, amid claims the hand round his accuser's waist does 'not look right.'

In the interview, the Duke of York said: 'I'm terribly sorry but if I, as a member of the royal family, and I have a photograph taken and I take very, very few photographs, I am not one to, as it were, hug and public displays of affection are not something that I do.

'So that's the best explanation I can give you and I'm afraid to say that I don't believe that photograph was taken in the way that has been suggested.'

He added that the photograph appeared as though it had been taken upstairs in Ghislaine Maxwell's house, and said that was somewhere he never went - in another questioning remark about the image.

'Listen, I don't remember, I don't remember that photograph ever being taken,' he said. 'I don't remember going upstairs in the house because that photograph was taken upstairs.'

And referring to his hand in the photograph, he said: 'From the investigations that we've done, you can't prove whether or not that photograph is faked or not because it is a photograph of a photograph of a photograph.

'So it's very difficult to be able to prove it but I don't remember that photograph ever being taken.'

The version of the image that has been reproduced multiple times and shared the world over - a photograph of the photograph - was taken in 2011 by a New Zealand-based photograph, Michael Thomas.

Speaking to New Zealand Herald this week, Mr Thomas said he has no doubts over its authenticity.

'I have always believed it was real,' Mr Tomas said. 'As I have said before it was just an ordinary photo you would have got from a chemist in the days of negatives. Surely if it was fake every media outlet in the world would be getting sued for using it. The fact that isn't happening, to me says everything.'

Speaking in 2019 about the picture, he said: 'It wasn't like she pulled the photo of Prince Andrew out, it was just in among the rest of them. They were just typical teenage snaps. There's no way that photo is fake.'

News of Andrew's legal bid comes as his youngest daughter Princess Eugenie made a trip to Los Angeles to see her cousin Prince Harry, where the pair watched the Super Bowl together on Sunday night.
Couples have flocked to a medieval church to be blessed by a priest with an ancient shard of bone purported to be from the FINGER of St Valentine himself.

The fragment of bone is being displayed inside a 10cm reliquary placed on the altar at St John the Baptist in Coventry city centre for Valentine's Day.

The relic is believed to have been at the church for more than 180 years and even survived The Blitz when Coventry faced heavy German air raids in 1940.

The treasured item is usually kept locked away in a safe but has been brought out to celebrate the feast of St Valentine.

Loved-up couples visited the church over the weekend to be blessed by Father Dexter Bracey, the Rector of St John's, with the unusual relic.

One visitor said: 'I know some people might find it a bit bizarre but we don't have many mysterious ancient relics in Coventry so we find it really fascinating.

Loved up couples have been flocking to a church in Coventry to be blessed with a relic believed to belong to St Valentine. Pictured: Father Dexter Bracey pictured with the relic

There are three references to Saint Valentine in early martyrologies, according to the Catholic Encyclopaedia with two of them being linked to Rome while the other was martyred in Africa

St Valentine: A Roman priest, a bishop or another man entirely? According to the Catholic Encyclopaedia, there are at least three Saint Valentines mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of February 14. One is described as a priest in Rome, another is described as the Bishop of Interamna (now modern day Terni in Italy) and, according to the entry, these two seem both to have suffered in the second half of the third century in Rome. It notes that the third Saint Valentine suffered in Africa and little else is known. The popular story is that a priest who was martyred during the reign of Claudius Gothicus in the mid third centry. The priest was imprisoned for marrying couples in secret and defiance of the emperor. It was believed at the time that unmarried soldiers fought better. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner. However, when Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor, he was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stones but when that failed to kill him, he was beheaded. Advertisement

'It might be slightly macabre rather than romantic but to be blessed in the presence of St Valentine himself can only be a good thing, right?'

The story of how a piece of the 3rd Century Roman saint ended up in Coventry is typical of the church, which is renowned for a past shrouded in mystery.

In the early 1830s a catacomb in Rome said to contain St Valentine was excavated and the tiny basilica of Santa's Maris in Cosmedin in Rome now houses his skull.

In 1838 the Roman Curia ordered the sending out of various body parts in packages to Roman Catholic churches all over the world.

Relics became symbols of prestige for churches and cities, and St John's Church was a well-established and influential place of worship.

It was founded in 1344 following the death of Edward II by his widow Queen Isabella, and continued to have royal patronage.

At that time Coventry did not have a Roman Catholic church and St John's appeared to be an active church, but within the strict discipline of the Church of England.

Mike Polanyk, visitor liaison and communications officer, said: 'Sadly existing records during the 19th century are scant - they were either burnt in a fire in 1861 or lost in the Great Flood of 1900.

'We do know the 1906 renovation and subsequent additions to the fabric of St John's reflected the influence of the Oxford movement and a 'high church' worship under rector Fr Robinson at the church - both before and during the First World War, so the relic could have been transferred to the church then.

'When the War Memorial Window was being constructed in 1921, we know of an instruction that says ' the window is in keeping with the sacred artefacts on display there*.but it doesn't say what.'

Pictured: The relic is kept in a 10cm reliquary and is usually kept locked away in a safe

There was no firm mention of the relic in the church records until the 1930s when acclaimed architect Sir Ninian Comper redesigned the south-facing Saint John's Chapel.

Mr Polanyk added: 'He also gave the chapel an Oxford movement feel as well as a fetching tabernacle for the relic, which gained the admiration of Sir John Betjeman.

'Comper wanted a suitable resting place for the artefact, being impressed by the wax seal affixed to it with a stamp of authenticity.

'I find it interesting the relic and tabernacle survived the first Blitz in 1940, despite the damage to the rest of the chapel.'
Thousands of foreign-born criminals convicted of serious crimes could be kicked out of Australia sooner under tougher proposed laws set to be reintroduced to federal parliament this week.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has launched a renewed push to shut down a legal loophole that has allowed sex offenders, violent thugs, armed robbers, drug dealers and other criminals from overseas to stay if they've been sentenced to less than two years behind bars.

The proposed crackdown aims to beef up the character test under section 501 of the Migration Act which has been used to cancel or refuse the visas of more than 10,000 foreign criminals since 2014.

The proposed legislative changes will allow the federal government to fast-track the deportation of serious offenders at twice the pace.

Foreigners who are convicted of serious crimes in Australia could be kicked out of the country sooner under tougher laws proposed by the federal government (pictured a Kiwi previously being deported from Australia)

Currently non citizens have their visas automatically cancelled if they are sentenced to at least two years in jail - but attempts to deport criminals with shorter sentences can lead to lengthy and costly legal battles.

The proposed laws will move the 'character' test onto more objective grounds and make it harder for foreign criminals to extend their stay in Australia by going through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, The Australian reported.

Labor, the Greens and several independents blocked similar legislation in the Senate in October, amid fears 'low-level' offenders who have lives and children in Australia would be kicked out, including those who committed crimes decades ago and have since turned their lives around.

Shadow immigration minister Kristina Keneally wrote to minister Alex Hawke at the time claiming the proposed laws were designed to capture 'trivial' offences.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured with wife Jenny) is determined to shut down a legal loophole that has allowed convicted criminals to remain in Australia

Mr Morrison has pleaded for support from the other side of the chamber in 'kicking criminals out of Australia'.

'The safety of Australians across the country relies on Labor standing up to the Greens, and giving our border force the powers they need to deport foreign criminals,' he told parliament during Question Time on Monday.

'Any suggestions that the sorts of crimes being committed are 'trivial' are ridiculous  these are very serious crimes committed by foreign criminals who do not belong in Australia.

'The message to Labor is clear: get on board today, say no to the Greens and help the parliament pass these important laws  Australia's national interest demands it

Backed by the Police Federation of Australia and victims of crime, the government hopes the new laws will stop judges from slashing the sentences of foreign criminals to help them avoid being deported.

It will also be able to kick out a raft of criminals who previously escaped deportation.

These would include Mauritian stalker Jean Marie Amoorthum who in 2014 was jailed for eight months for trying to force a 22-year-old woman into his car at knifepoint after following her to her boyfriend's house in Melbourne.

The visas of more than 10,000 foreign criminals have been cancelled or refused since 2014 (pictured, a criminal previously being deported)

According to a tribunal hearing, he held the knife near her throat and said words to the effect of 'be quiet or I will cut you', or 'I will slice you' before her boyfriend emerged from inside and shouted at him and he drove off.

The Government refused Amoorthum's visa but in March 2019 the Administrative Appeals Tribunal said he did not fail the character test and allowed him to stay in Australia.

The new law would also apply to a British man and an Indian man who assaulted women and two illegal immigrants who were allowed to settle in Australia despite serious crimes.
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What are NFTs? What is a NFT? A Non-Fungible Token (NFT) is a unique digital token encrypted with an artist's signature which verifies its ownership and authenticity and is permanently attached to the piece. What do they look like? Most NFTs include some kind digital artwork, such as photos, videos, GIFs, and music. Theoretically, anything digital could be turned into a NFT. Where do you buy them? At the moment, NFTs are most commonly sold in so-called 'drops', timed online sales by blockchain-backed marketplaces like Nifty Gateway, Opensea and Rarible. Why would I want to own one? There's an array of reasons why someone may want to buy a NFT. For some, the reason may be emotional value, because NFTs are seen as collectors items. For others, they are seen as an investment opportunity. When were NFTs created? Writer and podcaster Andrew Steinwold traced the origins of NFTs back to 2012, with the creation of the Colored Coins cryptocurrency. But NFTs didn't move into the mainstream until five years later, when the blockchain game CryptoKitties began selling virtual cats in 2017. Advertisement

HMRC has seized 'Non-Fungible Tokens' for the first time during an investigation into a 'sophisticated' 1.4million VAT fraud case.

Three people have been arrested as part of the probe into three digital artwork NFTs linked to 250 fake companies.

NFTs, the latest craze in the world of cryptocurrency, are defined as 'unique digital certificates, registered in a blockchain, that are used to record ownership of an asset such as an artwork or a collectible.'

Unlike cash or gold, both fungible objects that can be easily exchanged for another object or money at the same value, an NFT is non-fungible and cannot be exchanged in the same way.

More simply, they can be seen as certificates of ownership for virtual and physical assets, with each having its own unique digital signature.

An NFT acts as an artist's signature on the digital artwork, verifying its ownership and authenticity and is permanently attached to the piece.

These collectable units of data, which first emerged in 2014, can be sold for large sums of money and can represent anything in the digital world.

Where Bitcoin is seen as a digital answer to currency, NFTs are said to be the digital answer for collectables, though there are doubts over its long term viability.

HMRC says the suspects in the fraud case allegedly used 'sophisticated methods' to hide their identities, including using bogus and stolen identities, incorrect addresses and false invoices.

The tax authority has secured a court order to seize crypto assets worth around 5,000 and three digital artwork NFTs that have not yet been valued.

Nick Sharp, deputy director economic crime, said the seizure should 'serve as a warning' to those hoping to use crypto to hide money.

He added: 'We constantly adapt to new technology to ensure we keep pace with how criminals and evaders look to conceal their assets.'

The suspects used used 'sophisticated methods' to hide their identities, including using bogus and stolen identities, incorrect addresses and false invoices. Pictured: A woman looks at a NFT by Ryoji Ikeda titled 'A Single Number That Has 10,000,086 Digits'

NFTs have become the latest craze in the world of cryptocurrency, with many celebrities hopping on the bandwagon

HMRC says it has become the first UK law enforcement to seize an NFT following the fraud probe

It comes as Chelsea legend John Terry was forced to remove the Premier League trophy from his non-fungible token (NFT) after the iconic piece of silverware was used in digital assets promoted by the former England captain.

Terry, who now works as a consultant at Chelsea at an academy level, has been promoting cartoons of baby apes on his Twitter page, which includes illustrated images of the different trophies he has won throughout his career.

However, one of the titles that surrounds the cartoon ape was the Premier League trophy, which is protected by its trademark.

Use of its image requires a licensing agreement with the Premier League if it is used in any commercial venture.

In March last year, meanwhile, a digital collage by American artist Beeple sold for a record $69.3 million at Christie's, fetching more money than physical works by many better-known artists.

Terry had been promoting NFTs on his Twitter page, which included cartoons of baby apes alongside illustrated versions of the Premier League trophy, which is protected by a trademark

NFT, short for non-fungible token, is defined by Collins as 'a unique digital certificate, registered in a blockchain, that is used to record ownership of an asset such as an artwork or a collectible.' In March, a digital collage by artist Beeple sold for a record $69.3 million at Christie's (pictured)

Everydays: The First 5,000 Days' became the most expensive ever NFT.

It is a collage of 5,000 individual images, which were made one-per-day over more than thirteen years, and was billed by the auction house as 'a unique work in the history of digital art'.

The heirs of Pablo Picasso, the famed 20th-century Spanish artist, are also understood to be vaulting into 21st-century commence and joining the NFT craze by selling 1,010 digital art pieces of one of his previously unseen ceramic bowls.

NFTs can only be purchased via specific platforms, such as OpenSea and Foundation, and are to be bought using cryptocurrency.

The two biggest and most popular cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin and Ethereum, although there are more than 5,000 different varieties in circulation.
Sub Lieutenant Scott Ewing, pictured, arriving at Bulford Military court, has been convicted of voyeurism after secretly filming a sexual encounter with a female colleague and sharing it with his friends on Snapchat

A Royal Navy officer has been convicted of secretly filming himself having sex with an 'attractive' female officer and uploading it to Snapchat to brag to colleagues who claimed she was 'out of his league'.

Sub Lieutenant Scott Ewing told a court martial he used his phone to record the video as he was 'proving to the guys that something happened... I was fluffing my feathers' and that it made him 'feel like a lad' at the time.

The 11 second clip showed SLt Ewing turning to smile at the camera and making an 'ok' sign with his fingers while he had sex with her as she faced away from him.

The female officer told the court she was horrified to learn he had 'massively breached [her] trust' by filming her without consent and posting it to the all male group on the social media app.

SLt Ewing, who was based at the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), commonly known as Dartmouth, claimed that during sex he told her 'the lads have got to see this' and she gave him the go ahead by replying 'do whatever you need'.

But his version of events was rejected by the board at Bulford Military Court, Wilts, and he was convicted of voyeurism.

SLt Ewing had told the two day trial that when he first met the female officer he immediately found her attractive and 'took a fancy to her'.

The pair later exchanged 'flirtatious' messages and partially naked pictures on Facebook in the weeks leading up to the incident.

They then met at a bar near Dartmouth, in Devon, which is the naval academy of the United Kingdom and was attended by Prince Charles, Prince Philip and Prince William.

SLt Ewing told the court she had previously implied they would have sex the next time they met so it was 'pretty clear what she meant' when she asked him if they should go to his room.

On the walk there, he said he mentioned several times 'I can't believe this, the lads aren't going to believe this'.

During sex, he claimed he said 'the lads have got to see this' and the female officer turned to him and said 'do whatever you need'.

Bulford Military Court heard the pair had agreed to consensual sex but that the female officer had no idea that she was being filmed by Ewing who would later share it online as proof that he had had sex with her after friends joked she was out of his league and that he had no chance

He said: 'I took that to mean 'show them'... I got the impression that was consent.

'I then turned the camera round to my face, pulled a facial expression, stuck my tongue out, smiling, then made a gesture with my hand like 'sweet, ok'.

'It was proving to the guys that something happened... I was fluffing my feathers, showing off. Looking back it seems silly and immature but in that moment I just wanted to prove a point.

'I was trying to come across as a lad, look what I did, and I got that response from them. [They said] fair play, he did it, well done.

'At the time it made me feel like a lad. It made me feel cool, made me feel like I did something that the others thought was admirable.'

He told the court his friends in the Snapchat group had previously made jokes about him being a 'catfish' - someone perceived to be better looking online than in person - and had said he had 'no chance' with the female officer because she was 'out of his league'.

Lieutenant Commander Peter Barker, prosecuting, said: 'The reason you make that gesture with your hands instead of saying anything is because you didn't want her to know.

'She was facing away with her head down, you are doing everything you can to make sure she doesn't know what's going on.

Scott Ewing was convicted of voyeurism at Bulford Military Court and will be sentenced later

'She says there was absolutely no consent. It was a spur of the moment, immature prank that went wrong.'

Asked how she would have reacted if there was any mention of the sex being recorded or shared, the female officer told the court: 'I never saw him holding a phone. He never mentioned recording having sex.

'I would have got myself out of there as quickly as possible. That would not have been acceptable. That was never part of the deal.

'Had there been a suggestion I would like to have thought I would probably have got quite angry and got myself out of the situation.

'[If there was mention of it being shared] Even more so I would have found that unacceptable.'

After they had sex, she said she got dressed and went to leave and at that point she saw him pick up his phone but didn't think it suspicious at the time.

She said: 'I said to him, 'you aren't going to tell anybody about this, are you?' and he just laughed or smirked I think.

'At the time, I had nothing to be shocked or appalled about.'

When a friend called her about two and a half weeks later, telling her there was a video of her, the female officer said she spoke to one of the other men in the Snapchat group who had seen it.

She said: 'He assured me that my face wasn't in it, which was a relief because I was worried about that.

'I didn't want to speak with [SLt Ewing] because I didn't trust him. He had massively breached my trust.

'When I found out, I was absolutely shocked.'

SLt Ewing, now of HMS Collingwood in Fareham, Hants, will be sentenced at a later date.
A drug cartel in Mexico is forcing new members into cannibalism and started sharing videos of gang members feasting on the hearts of their enemies.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel took sickening footage of one of its members eating a rivals' heart straight from his mutilated chest in Zacatecas state last month.

The CJNG gang has become one of the most dominant cartels in the country and operates in at least 35 states across Mexico and Puerto Rico.

It is led by by Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes and has started to incorporate cannibalism as part of its methods of intimidation.

The shocking public displays of aggression are used to threaten rival groups and show dominance, as part of an arsenal of techniques which include demonstrating new weapons and military technologies owned by the group.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel took sickening footage of one of its members eating a rivals' heart straight from his mutilated chest in Zacatecas state last month. Pictured: Two members of the group

Cannibalism became part of the Jalisco initiation in around 2015, with new recruits forced to eat raw human heart at the cartel's 'terror schools'. Pictured: A CJNG devours a heart in 2020

Disturbing images too graphic to publish show the gang member crouching over the body of the rival gangster from the Sinaloa cartel  formerly led by El Chapo.

The victim has had his arms tied and his chest appears to have been torn open.

The CJNG member tears bites out of the man's heart before pretending to offer the lifeless figure a taste.

In the background, part of another dead body can be seen with the shadow of another Jalisco member hacking away at it.

Dr Robert Bunker, a security analyst and expert on Mexican cartels, said the violent display was used to threaten the rival gang.

The CJNG gang has become one of the most dominant cartels in the country and operates in at least 35 states across Mexico and Puerto Rico

The shocking public displays of aggression are used to threaten rival groups and show dominance, as part of an arsenal of techniques which include demonstrating new weapons and military technologies owned by the group (pictured)

Mexican cartels now use IEDs as well as bomb-dropping drones In the war raging between drug cartels in western Mexico, gangs have begun using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on roads to disable army vehicles. The self-defense movement in the town of Tepalcatepec, in western Michoacan state, said improvised land mines severely damaged an army armored car late last week. A spokesman for the movement, which is battling the Jalisco cartel, supplied photos showing a disabled army light armored vehicle on a road with damage he said was caused by such a mine. The spokesman, who refused to reveal his name for fear of reprisals, said the explosion happened last Saturday in the town of Taixtan, near Tepalcatepec, where locals have been battling Jalisco gunmen for months. The warring gangs already frequently use homemade armored cars and drones modified to drop small bombs. But it would be the first time IEDs have been successfully used by cartels in Mexico. The Mexican Army did not respond to a request for specific comment on the IEDs. But the Defense Department did say army patrols were attacked in the area Saturday four times with explosives, homemade armored cars and gunfire that wounded 10 soldiers. The department did not specify what type of explosives were involved. Advertisement

He told the Daily Beast: 'Given its warning to other Mayo Zambada gunmen, the video has clearly been produced for PSYOPS purposes by the CJNG unit involved in the incident who then uploaded it to social media.'

Cannibalism became part of the Jalisco initiation in around 2015, with new recruits forced to eat raw human heart at the cartel's 'terror schools'.

Speaking at the time, Alfredo Castillo, Michoacan's federal security commissioner, denied cannibalism was widespread.

But he admitted there were various testimonies indicating heart-eating was part of a macabre initiation Moreno used to root out moles or test his men's loyalty.

'The ritual ranged from dismembering people they intended to kill to sometimes serving up the heart,' Castillo said.

He did not elaborate on who provided the testimony and did not specify when and where the alleged initiation rituals took place.

CJNG recruits are taught combat techniques and how to use small arms at the camps, set up at secret locations across Zacatecas.

And within three to four months they are usually forced to eat human flesh as part of the training.

They are taught how to severe fingers and toes  the cartel's favoured torture technique for interrogating rival gangs.

Later through the training, they are made to eat the dismembered digits and if they pass that test, the recruits are moved on to larger body parts.

A former CJNG member told the Daily Beast: 'They are given a choice of one of those pieces to eat in front of the boss.

'You have to do it without reacting or vomiting or you are beaten. If you didnt want to [eat human flesh] they wouldnt let you leave, they had you there.'

The harrowing training also involved forcing recuits to sleep next to dead bodies at night to desensitise them.

Recruits who break cartel rules  such as not revealing the terror school location  are brutally murdered in front of other prospective cartel members.

The vicious initiations instill a twisted sense of loyalty to the cartel, experts say, by breaking down recruits' sense of identity.
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Jennifer Sey, 52, has repeatedly spoken out against school shut-downs and mask mandates since the start of the pandemic

Jennifer Sey, former USA gymnast and the brand president of Levi's has revealed she has been fired for repeatedly speaking out against draconian COVID restrictions in schools, and turned down $1million in severance pay that she was offered on the condition she wouldn't publicly share why she had been ousted.

Sey, 52, has repeatedly spoken out against school shut-downs and mask mandates since the start of the pandemic.

On Monday, she revealed in Bari Weiss's Substack channel Common Sense that she has left Levi's - where she has worked for more than 20 years - because of its woke obsession.

Last March, she moved her four kids from California to Denver so that they could attend classes in person and have a 'normal childhood'.

But she has now revealed that in the background, Levi's staff were pressuring her not to share her views on the subject because they offended the company's liberal preferences.

She stopped speaking out in November, after being told she was on track to become the next CEO, but says she told last month it was 'untenable' for her to stay because outside detractors put pressure on the company to fire her.

'In the last month, the CEO told me that it was untenable for me to stay. I was offered a $1 million severance package, but I knew Id have to sign a nondisclosure agreement about why Id been pushed out,' Sey wrote.

She turned the money down and yesterday finalized her departure from the company, she said.

'The money would be very nice. But I just cant do it. Sorry, Levis.

'I never set out to be a contrarian. I dont like to fight. I love Levis and its place in the American heritage as a purveyor of sturdy pants for hardworking, daring people who moved West and dreamed of gold buried in the dirt.

'But the corporation doesnt believe in that now.

'Its trapped trying to please the moband silencing any dissent within the organization. In this it is like so many other American companies: held hostage by intolerant ideologues who do not believe in genuine inclusion or diversity.

Sey (center) is shown in 1986 when she traveled to Moscow to compete for America in the Goodwill Games. She said she was proud to wear her Levi's jeans, which represented the freedom of America, in the Soviet Union but that now, the company has abandoned those values

When the pandemic hit, Sey was immediately vocal in her criticism of school closures. In March last year, she moved from California to Denver so her youngest kids could go to kindergarten

Sey has four kids from two marriages. She says she was branded 'racist' by her Levi's colleagues - even though two of her sons are black - for her views on school lockdowns

Sey and her husband Daniel have been vocal about school closures, vaccinating kids and forcing them to wear masks since the start of the pandemic

'Ill always wear my old 501s. But today Im trading in my job at Levis. In return, I get to keep my voice.'

Sey says Levi's CEO Charles Bergh told her it was 'untenable' for her to stay

Sey says she was branded 'racist' and was told she was not an 'ally' to the black community.

'After all these years, the company I love has lost sight of the values that made people everywhere want to wear Levis.

'Early on in the pandemic, I publicly questioned whether schools had to be shut down.

'This didnt seem at all controversial to me. I feltand still dothat the draconian policies would cause the most harm to those least at risk, and the burden would fall heaviest on disadvantaged kids in public schools, who need the safety and routine of school the most.

'In the summer of 2020, I finally got the call.

'You know when you speak, you speak on behalf of the company, our head of corporate communications told me, urging me to pipe down.

'I responded: My title is not in my Twitter bio.

'Im speaking as a public school mom of four kids.

'But the calls kept coming. From legal. From HR. From a board member.

'And finally, from my boss, the CEO of the company,' she wrote in the letter on Monday.

Sey said while her colleagues were allowed to publicly attack Trump, she was admonished for going on FOX news to talk about school closures.

'I refused to stop talking. I kept calling out hypocritical and unproven policies, I met with the mayors office, and eventually uprooted my entire life in CaliforniaId lived there for over 30 yearsand so that my kindergartner could finally experience real school.

Sey's profile is still on the Levi's company website. The company has not yet commented on her departure or her claims

'National media picked up on our story , and I was asked to go on Laura Ingrahams show on Fox News. That appearance was the last straw.'

Sey said she was being primed to take over but was told by the company CEO Charles V. Bergh, she must stop talking about mandates if she wanted to assume the role.

'In the fall of 2021, during a dinner with the CEO, I was told that I was on track to become the next CEO of Levis the stock price had doubled under my leadership, and revenue had returned to pre-pandemic levels.

'The only thing standing in my way, he said, was me. All I had to do was stop talking about the school thing.'

Sey stopped speaking out, but was continuously attacked on social media by people calling for her head.

'Every day, a dossier of my tweets and all of my online interactions were sent to the CEO by the head of corporate communications.

'At one meeting of the executive leadership team, the CEO made an off-hand remark that I was acting like Donald Trump. I felt embarrassed, and turned my camera off to collect myself,' she wrote.

In a statement, a spokesman for Levi's told DailyMail.com: 'Today, Levi Strauss & Co. announced management changes affecting our executive leadership team. Seth Ellison, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer will assume responsibility as the Levis brand president on an interim basis in addition to his commercial duties, replacing Jen Sey, who resigned from the company.'

Sey lives in Denver with her husband and their four kids in a $3.8million home.
The 'clean-living' half-sister of writer and commentator Toby Young died after a sudden unexplained headache but may have survived with 'proper care', her mother has told an inquest today.

Gaia Young, 25, was taken to hospital having fallen severely ill after going out for a bike ride and meeting friends on July 17, it was said.

She was rushed from her home in Islington, north London, to University College London Hospital (UCLH) by ambulance with acute vomiting but was declared brain dead four days later.

Doctors said Ms Young, whose father was the late social entrepreneur and Labour peer Michael Young, was 'confused' and falling asleep when she was seen at University College Hospital.

They were initially concerned that Ms Young could be intoxicated but an inquest at St Pancras Coroner's Court on Monday was told she did not drink excessively or take recreational drugs.

Heat stroke and dehydration were also suspected but no underlying cause for the healthy 25-year-old's rapid deterioration was found, leaving her family and friends searching for answers, the inquest heard.

Ms Young, who worked as a product specialist and artist, deteriorated so quickly she was moved onto intensive care and put on a ventilator just 16 hours after being admitted, but did not regain consciousness.

The Bristol history graduate had no underlying health conditions and her death was treated as unexplained at the time as a post-mortem was inconclusive. She also tested negative for Covid in hospital.

UCLH launched a review after her devastated family demanded answers as to how her condition deteriorated so quickly.

Her mother Lady Dorit Young, 63, claimed at St Pancras Coroner's Court today that her daughter was misdiagnosed, and that doctors 'misread signs' as her condition got worse.

Gaia Young, 25, was the daughter of late Labour peer Lord Michael Young and Toby's half-sister

Lady Young also claimed Covid restrictions at the time meant she could not get into the hospital to tell doctors her daughter had not taken drugs, delaying the correct treatment given as it was assumed she may be having a reaction to medication or recreational substances.

A pathologist told the hearing Ms Young died due to swelling in the brain, but did not know the cause of this, despite thorough autopsy and post-mortem being carried out.

It was found that a cerebral oedema - or swelling in the brain - caused intercranial pressure that led to tonsillar herniation - where brain tissue is pushed downward, known as 'coning' - that caused her death.

Experts probing Ms Young's death said water and fluids given to her when she arrived at hospital to treat what doctors thought was dehydration could have affected her sodium levels and exacerbated her symptoms.

Although investigators said her sodium levels did not necessarily lead to the hypernatremia, it could have cause her rapid deterioration in condition, the inquest heard.

Instead of treating the hypernatremia that is extremely rare is young patients, doctors prescribed anti-viral medication as Ms Young's symptoms were more commonly linked to an infection.

Today Lady Young told the hearing: 'She was misdiagnosed, signs were misread.'

In a statement written by Lady Young and read out by Coroner Mary Hassell, she added: 'Gaia was a much-lived young woman who was taken to hospital and effectively died 16 hours later.

'She was very protective of me and as her only living parent, she didn't want to worry me [when she was in hospital]. She was my beloved child.

'I believe with proper care she would not have died. I believe she was denied the chance to live. How can a previously healthy young woman die in hospital, but no one knows why?

'The last time I saw my daughter alive was in the ambulance when she left our home at 10.45pm.

'She had a severe headache and had vomited, she was very seriously ill. Her mental state was confused but she remained conscious.

'I think Gaia would have been very scared, embarrassed and self-conscious in hospital. Gaia would not take drugs. She was into her health and professional development.'

Lady Young also complained doctors did not get in contact with her and so assumed her daughter's symptoms were caused by drugs as she arrived late on a Saturday night.

She added: 'I was not kept informed. If anyone had asked me I would have told them that she would not have been using recreational intoxication.

Ms Young, 25, said she had felt ill on July 21 last year and believed she had got heatstroke

'I went to the hospital but Covid restrictions prevented me from passing. A call came at 12.47pm to say she had already effectively died. I was told the decision was made for not further intervention.

'I was asked by the hospital can you tell me if Gaia was taking drugs, I was so shocked I was unable to understand anything.

'I asked for a face-to-face meeting with the nurses who cared for her because I know if I could talk to them and find out anything about those 16 hours about how Gaia was it might give me some peace.'

Lady Young also claimed she had taken advice from a prominent German neurologist suggesting her daughter being placed in the foetal position for lumbar puncture could have put added pressure and caused the 'coning'.

After arriving at hospital Ms Young, an artist, told medics 'I made a mistake' but was unable to give a detailed account of her day in her drowsy state, it was said.

Dr Zoe Veary, who saw Ms Young after she reached A&E, said she thought the patient may be intoxicated 'because of her age and her history of being with friends'.

Medics later assessed the risk as less likely while they explored a range of diagnostic possibilities, the inquest heard.

Ms Young appeared 'dehydrated and agitated' and was seen rolling on the bed and holding her abdomen, Dr Veary said.

The doctor said in a statement: 'When I asked if she had been drinking she said 'not enough'.

'She often made the comment 'I made a mistake'.'

Ms Young was given fluid resuscitation but her condition worsened and she eventually stopped breathing properly the following afternoon, the inquest heard.

She suffered respiratory arrest at around 3.15pm, which meant a procedure to diagnose her condition - known as a lumbar puncture - could not be completed, doctors said.

There was no 'neurological recovery' following the deterioration during the procedure and Ms Young later died on July 21, it was said.

Doctors believe she suffered a generalised cerebral edema - a life-threatening condition which leads to fluid developing in the brain, causing it to swell.

But the underlying cause of the cerebral edema, which medics said developed rapidly, remains unknown.

Dr Thomas Samuels, who was involved in the lumbar puncture, acknowledged that 'communication during the course of the day would ideally have been better' with Ms Young's mother.

But he said he believed the right medical decisions were made in response to Ms Young's condition based on her symptoms.

'I recognise that communication during the course of the day would ideally have been better than it was,' he said.

He added: 'I wouldn't have done anything differently.'

Dr Christian Hasford, who saw Ms Young on a ward before the procedure, said he felt the cause of Ms Young's condition could be related to toxins or inflammation, but 'did not feel this was intoxication by alcohol or a conventional recreational drug'.

Gaia was the half-sister of writer and commentator Toby Young and died aged just 25

Professor Michael Sheaff, a pathologist, said an autopsy showed the occurrence of a generalised cerebral edema was highly likely but added no clear medical cause of death could be found as the underlying cause of the condition had not been identified.

The hospital admitted a CT scan of Ms Young's head should have been carried out when she arrived to spot the hypernatremia and avoid giving her fluids for dehydration.

When a CT scan was carried out the intercranial pressure on her brain was not picked up by the first radiologist and so a second lumbar puncture was attempted after Ms Young became too distressed from a severe headache to continue.

Daniel Wallace, who carried out the investigation in to the case for UCH along with another doctor, said Ms Young's slight frame and low body mass could have also been one of many contributing factors in her death.

He added that there were steps the medics could have taken that might have saved Ms Young, but the investigation did not prove conclusive as it was such a rare case.

David Brook, representing Lady Young, applied for a seven day adjournment to get experts in neurology to try and find out the underlying cause of Ms Young's death.

But the Coroner rejected this application and instead gave a narrative conclusion, adding it was about 'a missed chance' by medics when Ms Young first arrived at hospital.

The cause of death was given as hypernatremia, intercranial pressure and a cerebral oedema.

Ms Hassell said although Ms Young died from swelling in the brain, it was not clear if this was caused by the low sodium levels.

She found that had the hypernatremia been spotted, Ms Young could have been treated better and may have survived.

She added: 'I have been asked to find a conclusion of natural causes, but I don't think that would do justice to the evidence I have heard.

'Gaia Young died from a cerebral oedema, the cause of this remains unclear.

'It's possible that the cause of the cerebral oedema was hypernatremia. If the cause was hypernatremia, better management would have afforded her a better chance of survival. But I don't have the evidence to say this definitively, I don't think evidence of this exists.

'A CT scan was not conducted as it should have been at admission to hospital on late July 17.

'It's unclear what a CT scan would show, there were signs of raised intercranial pressure but this was not noted [by the examining radiologist].

'If the earlier CT scan had been conducted and had shown raised intercranial pressure or the later scan had been observed correctly, this would have changed the management [of her care]. Gaia Young would not have had a lumbar puncture attempted.

'Had intercranial pressure been noted it would have resulted in the 'head up' nursing position, admission to the ICU and potential intubation that would have afforded her a better chance of survival.

'I'm sorry for such a loss of such a young woman so suddenly and so shockingly.'

Over the last two years of her life Ms Young had been researching her family tree for a book about her father - who died in 2002 when Gaia was only five years old. She was the youngsters of his six children.

Ms Young's family said she at the time of her death was just as passionate about social justice as her father and - after travelling across California by public transport with her mother - became incensed at the political inaction over rampant homelessness in Los Angeles's notorious Skid Row.

On her return to the UK, she began donating to the Skid Row Running Club in secret until after her death her mother found a letter from the chairman of the charity thanking Ms Young for her generosity.

She also volunteered helping vulnerable neighbours during lockdown and donated nine inches of her hair three days before her death to The Little Princess Trust to make wigs for cancer patients.

A UCLH spokesperson said: 'Our heartfelt condolences go to Gaia's family and friends at this sad and difficult time.

'We are sorry Gaia's mother was not kept updated as she should have been during her daughter's care and we recognise the distress this has caused.

'The coroner could not say that different care could have prevented Gaia's death but we acknowledge some things could have been done better. We are developing new clinical guidance and training in response to the learning from our investigation.

'We have invited Gaia's mother to meet with us to discuss our findings and offer our support'.
Trump era Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe says Joe Biden and Barack Obama knew Hillary Clinton's campaign was trying to 'hack' into Trump's servers to try and find links to the Kremlin.

Ratcliffe said former CIA Director John Brennan told Obama, the then-president, and Vice President at the time Biden in 2016 about allegations Clinton was trying to fabricate Trump's links to Russia to distract from the scandal over her deleted emails.

The former DNI also told Fox News Digital on Monday there is 'enough evidence' to indict 'multiple people' in Special Counsel John Durham's probe into the origins of the Russia investigation into ex-President Doanld Trump.

It follows Durham's bombshell claims in legal filings over the weekend that Clinton's campaign paid a firm to target servers in Trump Tower to create a fake scandal while he was still in office.

Clinton allegedly approved in the 2016 election 'a plan concerning U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and Russian hackers hampering U.S. elections as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private email server,' according to a CIA Counterintelligence Operational Lead (CIOL) first revealed when a heavily-redacted version became declassified in October 2020.

The September 2016 memo was forwarded from the CIA to the FBI to the attention of then-FBI Director James Comey and then-Deputy Assistant Director of Counterintelligence Peter Strzok - the 'FBI lover' who had a relationship with Lisa Page.

Trump sent a short statement Monday morning with feelings of vindication after Durham's filing revealed Clinton's plot to link him to Russia.

'I was proven right about the spying, and I will be proven right about 2020!' he wrote, insisting his claims of fraud and meddling in the 2020 presidential election will also be confirmed.

'What did John Brennan tell President Obama in the Oval Office in 2016?' Fox News' Bill Hemmer asked Ratcliffe during an interview Monday.

'Well, I can talk about this because this part has been declassified,' he prefaced. 'He briefed President Obama and Vice President Biden and other members of the national security team about this specific intelligence that John Durham now has about a Hillary Clinton plan to falsely accuse and vilify Donald Trump with a scandal, and the discussion around that and whether or not it was good intelligence.'

'And so everything that happened after that is one of the reasons that John Durham is investigating,' Ratcliffe added.

'Those are the issues that John Durham is looking at and I think there will be many more,' he said. 'I would expect there to be quite a few more indictments because of that. There wasn't a proper predicate to begin that investigation and John Durham has said that publicly already.'

DailyMail.com reached out to an Obama spokesperson regarding the alleged briefing but did not get a response.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about the Ratcliffe claims during Monday's briefing and referred reporters to the Justice Department for all questions related to the Durham report.

Former DNI John Ratcliffe told Fox News in a Monday interview that former President Barack Obama and then-VP Joe Biden were briefed by then-CIA Director John Brennan in 2016 about allegations Hillary Clinton was trying to fabricate links between Trump to Russia

Ratcliffe told Special Counsel John Durham there is 'enough evidence' to indict 'multiple people' connected to the origins of the Trump-Russia probe. He pointed to a declassified memo from September 2016 that Clinton approved a plan looking into Trump colluding with Russian hackers to 'distract the public from her use of a private email server'

As developments in the case ensued Monday, Clinton posted an image of her young self with husband and former President Bill Clinton with the caption: 'Happy Valentine's Day!'

Brennan was questioned by Special Counsel John Durham's team for eight hours in August 2020 as part of the ongoing investigation, specifically focusing on whether the former CIA director pushed for a more blunt assessment of Russia's motivations

Ratcliffe told Durham, sources told Fox News, that the indictments could be connected to Clinton's lawyers and Trump's servers to try and fabricate ties to his campaign and the Kremlin in order to distract from her own email scandal.

Durham's indictment made no specific claims of servers being 'infiltrated', but rather that DNS data from Trump Tower and Whitehouse servers was exploited in an attempt to document a link between Trump and Russian banks.

How the liberal media outlets that relentlessly pushed 'Russian collusion' smear have totally ignored Durham's revelation that Hillary SPIED on Trump The mainstream media is under fire again for ignoring the bombshell claims Hillary Clinton's campaign spied on Donald Trump while he was President - while they show no hesitation in heavy coverage of the discredited Steele dossier and allegations he was colluding with Russia, DailyMail.com found no links or references to the latest revelations by Special Counsel John Durham in his probe into the origins of the Russia investigation on the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS. The story has even been picked up by global news organizations, including The Times of London, but has seen little in comparison to the wall-to-wall coverage of the so-called 'dirty dossier' that turned out to be Democrat-funded opposition research used as a basis for the FBI to surveil Trump campaign aide Carter Page. The authenticity of the Steele dossier crumbled when Russian-born analyst Igor Y. Danchenko was arrested and indicted in November for lying about his contact with a Bill and Hillary Clinton crony, who supplied some of the information. Even on Monday, days after the alleged scandal broke, CNN's top story on its digital site was about pro-Trump lawyer John Eastman handing nearly 8,000 documents over to the House committee investigating the Capitol riot. At the time of Danchenko's arrest, it appeared that the same outlets giving the dossier oxygen before it could be further verified were poised to re-examine their coverage. However since the weekend they have also been silent about Durham's findings. A 2020 interview Trump sat for with CBS News host Lesley Stahl resurfaced amid the fallout, in which the veteran journalist dismissed claims that political opponents spied on Trump's campaign. His son Eric Trump called on Stahl to apologize. Trump himself previously called the heated October 2020 interview a 'vicious attempted takeout.' Trump jumped on the lack of stories published in outlets over the weekend, said it is proof the media is corrupt and claimed 'all hell would break loose' if Republicans faced the same accusations. Advertisement

A source familiar with the matter told Fox that Ratcliffe has privately raised concerns regarding the CIOL directing its memo specifically to Comey and Strzok.

Ratcliffe met with Durham more than once and shared his assessment that multiple people can be charged with a crime in the events that ultimately led to Trump's first impeachment, in which he was acquitted by the Senate.

Before becoming Trump's director of National Intelligence, Ratcliffe served as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas and after that was a congressman for Texas' 4th congressional district.

A growing chorus of Democrats believe Clinton should be questioned by Durham for her alleged role in the Russian secret server scandal in a poll conducted before the bombshell revelations that her team spied on Trump's campaign.

In a poll last month, 66 percent of Democrats wanted Clinton questioned, a whopping 22 percentage points higher than how many in her party demanded a probe last October, according to TechnoMetrica Institute of Policy and Politics (TIPP) research.

The amount of Republicans demanding answers is also swelling, rising to 91 percent in January from 80 percent last October. Among the independent crowd, those wanting the former secretary of state probed rose to 74 percent from 65 percent.

Both polls were completed before Special Counsel John Durham last week released a bombshell report that claimed Clinton's campaign team tried to spy on former president Trump's computer servers in a failed attempt to tie him to Russia.

Clinton, 74, is being accused of hiring a tech term to 'mine data' from servers at Trump Tower and the White House during the 2016 campaign.

The New Jersey-based polling company surveyed 1,308 Americans.

According to a recently-released filing from Durham, the aim was to try and smear Trump by linking him to Russia. Clinton's campaign repeatedly accused Trump of using a secret server to communicate with Russians, although the claim has never been proven.

Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr to serve as the Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice in October 2020, while Trump was president.

He continues to investigate a case that is sure to anger supporters of the 45th president.

Tweets from the 2016 presidential campaign resurfaced Sunday and show how Clinton promoted unproven reports that Trump conspired with the Russians.

While running for the nation's highest office, Clinton pushed the narrative that Trump was secretly communicating with Russians via the country's Alfa Bank.

'Computer scientists have apparently uncovered a covert server linking the Trump Organization to a Russian-based bank,' she tweeted on October 31, 2016 while sharing a statement from her then-special policy advisor Jake Sullivan  who is now Biden's National Security adviser.

'This secret hotline may be the key to unlocking the mystery of Trump's ties to Russia,' the statement said. 'It certainly seems the Trump Organization felt it had something to hide, given that it apparently took steps to conceal the link when it was discovered by journalists.'

In another tweet, published the same day, Clinton said: 'It's time for Trump to answer serious questions about his ties to Russia'.

She also promoted a Slate article that questioned whether Trump was really using a secret server to communicate with allies abroad.

Clinton included in her tweet a box that reiterated claims that such a server existed, and that it was being used to 'communicate privately with a Putin-tied Russian bank called Alfa Bank.'

From Bill Barr's confirmation hearing to indictments and the crumbling of the Steele dossier: The timeline of Durham's investigation leading up to bombshell Hillary claims May 17, 2017  Then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appoints Robert Mueller as special counsel. Among other things, Mueller is directed to investigate 'any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with' Trump's presidential campaign. January 15, 2019  Bill Barr first alluded to what would become the Durham investigation in his Senate confirmation hearing. He promised then-Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham he would examine the FBI's counterintelligence investigation against Donald Trump. On March 22, 2019  Mueller closed his special investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and submitted his final report to Barr. March 24, 2019  Attorney General Barr issued his summary of the report. March 25, 2019  Barr met with then-Connecticut Attorney General John Durham. Justice Department records show the two had 18 more meetings and three calls that year. April 10, 2019  Barr testified before a Senate Appropriations panel where he announced a review on 'the genesis and the conduct of intelligence activities directed at the Trump campaign during 2016.' April 12, 2019  A top Barr aide spoke with DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz to explain what appeared to be the start of Durham's probe. May 13, 2019  It became public that Barr tapped Durham to probe issues related to the origins of the FBI's Trump-Russia investigation. May 23, 2019  Trump said Barr asked him to direct intelligence officials to cooperate with the probe into surveillance during the 2016 election.' Trump authorized Barr to declassify and downgrade information related to the probe. July 25, 2019  Trump held his infamous phone call with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, revealing Trump may have referred to the Durham probe when he asked Kyiv for help and insisted Zelensky speak with Barr and Rudy Giuliani. October 19, 2019  Two articles came out indicating Durham interviewed two dozen FBI officials. October 24, 2019  The New York Times broke the news that the Durham inquiry was now a criminal investigation. December 2019  Durham was revealed to be examining the role of the Obama-era CIA director John Brennan in how the intelligence community assessed Russia's 2016 election interference. April 2020  Durham's probe proceeded despite the pandemic. April 10, 2020  Barr said Durham's 'primary focus... is looking to bring to justice people who are engaged in abuses if he can show that they were criminal violations.' April 24, 2020  Probe shifted to looking at leaks within the Trump administration that prompted chaos in his early years. May 18, 2020  Barr said during a press conference that neither Obama nor Biden was the focus of Durham's criminal probe. September 2021  Durham issued new set of subpoenas, including to a law firm with close ties to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign. September 17, 2021  Cybersecurity lawyer Michael Sussmann pleaded not guilty in federal court. He was indicted for lying to the FBI in a 2016 meeting where he shared information related to ties between the Trump Organization and Russia's Alfa Bank. He said he wasn't working for a client but was hired by Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. November 2021  Durham charged Russian-born analyst Igor Danchenko with lying to the FBI in fabricating a sources for the Steele dossier. He pleaded not guilty to five counts of making false statements to a federal agent. February 11, 2022  Durham filing reveals Clinton paid tp have Trump Tower and White House servers hacked to 'fabricate' ties between Trump and Russia. February 2022  Trump-era Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe reveals Durham thinks there is 'enough evidence' to indict 'several more people.' He also said Obama and Biden were briefed on the Clinton revelations in 2016. Advertisement

The number of Democrats who want 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton questioned by Special Counsel John Durham over the Russia secret server scandal has jumped in recent months

'When a reporter asked about it, they shut it down,' the tweet said. 'One week later, they created a different server with a different name for the same purpose.

Special Counsel John Durham

Durham's motion filed on Friday looked at potential conflicts of interest with regard to former Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann, who has been charged with making a false statement to a federal agent. Sussmann has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The former chief investigator of the Trump-Russia probe for the House Intelligence Committee, Kash Patel, said Friday's filing 'definitively showed the Hillary Clinton campaign directly funded and ordered its lawyers at Perkins Coie to orchestrate a criminal enterprise to fabricate a connection between President Trump and Russia,' Fox News reported.

'Per Durham, this arrangement was put in motion in July of 2016, meaning the Hillary Clinton campaign and her lawyers masterminded the most intricate and coordinated conspiracy against Trump when he was both a candidate and later president of the United States while simultaneously perpetuating the bogus Steele Dossier hoax,' Patel told Fox.

Trump in a statement Sunday likened the alleged spying to the infamous Watergate scandal, which brought down Richard Nixon.

'What Hillary Clinton and the Radical Left Democrats did with respect to spying on a President of the United States, even while in office, is a far bigger crime than Watergate,' Trump said.

'It will be interesting to see how it was covered by the media and what Mitch McConnell and the RINOs will be doing about it. This is an insult to the Republican Party, but a far greater insult to our Nation.'

Trump on Saturday unleashed a furious broadside claiming that Team Clinton's behavior would once have merited execution, after Durham made a court filing explaining the alleged 'hack'.

He said: 'In a stronger period of time in our country, this crime would have been punishable by death. In addition, reparations should be paid to those in our country who have been damaged by this.'

'Computer scientists have apparently uncovered a covert server linking the Trump Organization to a Russian-based bank,' she tweeted on October 31, 2016 while sharing a statement from her then-special policy advisor Jake Sullivan

In another tweet, Clinton said: 'It's time for Trump to answer serious questions about his ties to Russia'

Donald Trump said Sunday that the revelation is a bigger scandal and crime than Watergate, which saw the eventual resignation of then-President Richard Nixon
A blaze has killed seven including two children following a 'massive explosion' in a town in southern France.

Police today launched an arson inquiry after the fire broke out in the early hours of this morning in the historic Mediterranean coastal town of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque, near Perpignan.

The blast was heard at about 1:30am on the ground floor of a building, and it led to a fire that spread to nearby properties.

A blaze on the bottom floor of a building in Saint Laurent de la Salaque, southern France, has killed seven including two children following a 'massive explosion' overnight on Sunday

Mr Cavaille also said that an unidentified man aged 27 had been seen jumping out a window of the building, and he was severely injured (pictured, rescue teams reach the upper windows of the building in a bid to find missing residents)

The blast was heard at about 1:30am on the ground floor of a building, (pictured) and it led to a fire that spread to nearby properties

The severity of the incident led to Frances Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, (pictured) travelled to Saint-Laurent de la Salaque, where he gave his 'full support' to emergency services

Local prosecutor Jean-David Cavaille reported seven confirmed dead by early Monday afternoon, including the children, with none of the victims so far identified.

A preliminary enquiry for arson causing death has been opened, said Mr Cavaille, who said the initial explosion was thought to have happened in a ground floor sandwich shop.

Mr Cavaille also said that an unidentified man aged 27 had been seen jumping out a window of the building, and he was severely injured.

Others who suffered wounds were being treated in hospital in Perpignan on Monday, said Mr Cavaille.

He added that teams of firefighters and gendarmes had cordoned off the scene, and were looking for other survivors.

Police today launched an arson inquiry after the fire broke out in the early hours of this morning in the historic Mediterranean coastal town as rescue teams continued to search for missing residents (pictured)

Local prosecutor Jean-David Cavaille said that teams of firefighters and gendarmes had cordoned off the scene, and were looking for other survivors

The blast was heard at about 1:30am on the ground floor of a building, and it led to a fire that spread to nearby properties (pictured, burnt out buildings on the street in Saint Laurent de la Salaque)

The severity of the incident led to Frances Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, travelled to Saint-Laurent.

Mr Darmanin said in a statement on Twitter that he sent his 'thoughts to the victims and their loved ones' as he put his 'full support' behind rescue and emergency services.

French politician Olivier Dussopt said: 'Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. The state is on their side.'

A local police spokesman said: As well as the shop, around 11 flats were affected by the blast, and a number of floors collapsed.

Gas cylinders were found near the building where the blast happened, and it needs to be established if these were used to start the explosion.

The spokesman said that a psychological aid unit had been set up to support relatives and neighbors evacuated in the middle of the night.

Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, said the spokesman. We will mobilise to help them as best we can in these most tragic circumstances.

Local prosecutor Jean-David Cavaille reported seven confirmed dead by early Monday afternoon, including the children, with none of the victims so far identified (pictured, rescue teams search the rubble for missing residents)
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Sir Ringo Starr has published dozens of heart-warming, candid photos of the Beatles that helped him get through the coronavirus lockdowns.

The legendary drummer, now aged 81, compiled the rarely-seen images of himself with John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison as part of an uplifting project.

He sourced and researched the photos, many of which were taken by fans, and secured permission to publish them.

The behind-the-scenes images chart the very beginning of the Fab Four, through to the height of Beatlemania, touring America and then the tensions that culminated in the world's biggest band splitting up.

They have been put together in the book 'Lifted: Fab Images and Memories in My Life With The Beatles From Across the Universe' that is due to be released today.

A limited number of 1,000 have been signed by Sir Ringo and cost 365 ($495) each.

Sir Ringo Starr has published dozens of heart-warming, candid photos of the Beatles that helped him get through the coronavirus lockdowns. Pictured: George Harrison, Sir Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Sir Ringo in Washington DC at the height of their success as the Beatles in the 1960s

The legendary drummer compiled the rarely-seen images of himself with John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison as part of an uplifting project to help him get through the coronavirus lockdown. Pictured: Sir Paul, Harrison, Lennon and Sir Ringo are seen during their Magical Mystery Tour

Sir Ringo sourced and researched the photos himself. Above left: Sir Ringo smokes a cigarette in one of the images that features in his new book. Right: A recent image of the star that also features in the book

Thousands of regular copies have also been printed and are available at 45 ($59.95) each.

Proceeds from the sales will go to Sir Ringo's charity the Lotus Foundation, which aims to help people struggling with homelessness, illness and domestic abuse.

Sir Ringo said: 'These fantastic images came back to me in recent years from across the universe and have somehow helped me get back to seeing my life with The Fab Four through fresh eyes.

'A lot of the photos in the book I saw on my phone and on my computer and lifted them because they brought back so many fabulous memories.

'We've all been through a pretty tough time for a lot of people who've been locked down, and this book has really lifted my spirits and took me back to where I once belonged in a whole new way.

'And in the end, that's why this new book is called Lifted.'

Some of the stand-out images include one of the fledgling band smartly dressed and sat in a cafe sipping tea with record producer George Martin.

Sir Ringo writes: 'Later we were drinking other stuff, smoking other stuff. But from the beginning, it was always teatime for the Beatles.

Some of the stand-out images include one of the fledgling band smartly dressed and sat in a cafe sipping tea with record producer George Martin (right)

The behind-the-scenes images chart the very beginning of the Fab Four, through to the height of Beatlemania, touring America and then the tensions that culminated in the world's biggest band splitting up

The Beatles near the end of their time together as a band. Sir Ringo said: 'These fantastic images came back to me in recent years from across the universe and have somehow helped me get back to seeing my life with The Fab Four through fresh eyes'

The Beatles are seen 'somewhere near Woodstock' shortly before they split up. The fab four finally parted ways in 1970 after a decade performing together

Sir Paul and Harrison are seen in the studio with famous producer George Martin (centre) In the studio with George Martin

Sir Ringo compiled the book while he spent lockdown at his mansion in Beverly Hills, LA. It has been published by LA-based Julien's Auctions' publishing division. Above: The band members pose for photograph together

'Looking back today, I love this photo and everybody in it - John, Paul, George, Ringo and Sir George, too.

'The four of us were at the beginning of a great adventure - maybe the greatest adventure ever.'

There is a black and white picture showing them crammed into the back of a car while being driven to their next gig.

Sir Ringo said: 'I think people today would be surprised to know that The Beatles only ever had one car to take us around.

'No social distancing for the four of us back then. No big entourage.

'We were always in the same car. The Beatles knew how to share, and that's how you really get to know each other.'

Another photo depicts the Fab Four chilling out on a sofa in a hotel room with manager Brian Epstein.

John Lennon is seen strumming a guitar, George Harrison studies a document while Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo appear deep in thought.

Another photo depicts the Fab Four chilling out on a sofa in a hotel room with manager Brian Epstein (third from left). John Lennon is seen strumming a guitar, George Harrison studies a document while Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo appear deep in thought

Ringo Starr behind the drums with The Beatles. The group are the bestselling band of all time and are loved across the world

The band filming promo videos for their songs at Twickenham Film Studios in 1965. That year, they embarked on a tour of the US

The Beatles with American star Little Richard during a show at the New Tower Ballroom in New Brighton, Wallasey, Merseyside, in October 1962

The Beatles are seen rehearsing in one of the images in Sir Ringo's new book. The group's albums included Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

John Lennon walking on the street during his time with The Beatles in the 1960s. He was shot dead in New York in December 1980 by Mark Chapman

Paul McCartney and John Lennon are seen recording a song. The pair were the primary songwriters for the band

Sir Ringo said: 'The group that stays together plays together. Later in the Seventies and Eighties, lots of us rock stars would isolate in our own suites or castles.

'But as you can see here, way back during the life of Brian Epstein, there was still a lot of togetherness which could be quite fabulous if a tad messy.'

Sir Ringo compiled the book while he spent lockdown at his mansion in Beverly Hills, LA.

It has been published by LA-based Julien's Auctions' publishing division.

Martin Nolan, executive director of Juliens, said: 'These are incredibly rare photographs that were taken by various people during the early years of the Beatles.

'Ringo put a storyline to them based on how he viewed them.

'What comes across is that even though they were incredibly famous in many of them, you can see they were still four, regular young men from Liverpool just having great fun.

'It is a happy trip down memory lane and it was great for Ringo to write about his memories. It was therapeutic and cathartic for him and it occupied him and gave him something to focus on during covid.

'I think people are going to love this book. There is a real feel-good factor about it.'

Copies of the book are available to buy through the Julien's Auctions website.
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On the fourth anniversary of the Parkland high school massacre on Monday, President Joe Biden urged Congress to take action on gun control while a father of one of the victims was arrested for hanging a banner criticizing the administration from a crane near the White House.

'My Administration stands with those working to end this epidemic of gun violence,' Biden said in a statement on Monday.

He called on lawmakers to pass a budget with his request 'that provides an additional half billion dollars for proven strategies we know reduce violent crime  accountable community policing and community violence intervention.

Fourteen students and three staff members at were killed during the February 14, 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School - the deadliest high school shooting in the nation.

Manuel Oliver, the father of 17-year-old Joaquin 'Guac' Oliver, who was killed during the shooting, protested a lack of action from the Biden administration.

Oliver was arrested on Monday after he unfurled a sign from a crane just a few blocks away from the White House.

'45K people died from gun violence on your watch!' the sign says, featuring a photo of Joaquin Oliver and directing people to a website with statistics on gun violence during the Biden administration.

'The whole world will listen to Joaquin today,' Oliver said in a video he posted on Twitter. He noted he's requested a meeting with Biden.

Manuel Oliver displays a banner calling on government officials to prioritize gun violence prevention from a construction crane near the White House ; Oliver's son Joaquin Oliver was killed in the Parkland School shooting

Manuel Oliver (2nd from right) is escorted by DC Metro police after being arrested for hanging a banner from a construction crane near the White House

Manuel Oliver climbed a crane near the White House to display his son's image

Manuel Oliver is led away by Washington D.C. police. 'The whole world will listen to Joaquin today,' Oliver said in a video he posted on Twitter. He noted he's requested a meeting with Biden.

Since the Parkland shooting, gun violence at schools has risen.

There were at least 136 instances of gunfire on school grounds between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, according to a tally last week by the gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety.

The figure is nearly four times the average for that period since Everytown began tracking gunfire on school grounds in 2013.

Biden has acted to crack down on 'ghost guns,' homemade firearms that lack serial numbers used to trace them and that are often purchased without a background check.

He has worked to tighten regulations on pistol-stabilizing braces like the one used in a Boulder, Colorado, shooting that left 10 people dead. He's also encouraged cities to use their COVID-19 relief dollars to help manage gun violence.

But these efforts fall far short of major change.

In his first year in office, Biden's efforts to pass legislation to tighten gun laws haven't left the drawing board. He also was forced to pull his nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

There are limits to what the president can do when there is no appetite in Congress to pass gun legislation. The strongest effort in recent years failed, even after 20 children and six adults were killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Parkland happened six years later.

David Hogg, a survivor of the Parkland shooting, also was critical of Biden's efforts.

'I'm disappointed. Frankly, if I could say one thing to the President, it's that we need you to go out and act right now before the next Parkland happens. There are things you can do right now to help prevent it that you have not done,' he said on CNN's New Day on Monday.

Oliver climbs down the crane after unfurling the banner with a message to Biden on Monday to mark the anniversary of his son's death in the Parkland massacre

D.C. police shut down the block surrounding the crane as the men climbed down before they were arrested at the bottom

Oliver displays the banner on the crane towering over DC as the Biden's flew home from a weekend in Camp David

Monday marks the fourth anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., where 17 people were killed

President Joe Biden urged Congress to take action on gun control in a statement marking the anniversary. He is pictured arriving back at the White House with Jill on Monday after a weekend at Camp David

"I'm disappointed. Frankly, if I could say one thing to the President, it's that we need you to go out and act right now before the next Parkland happens. There are things you can do right now to help prevent it that you have not done." @davidhogg111 pic.twitter.com/wkof92yAvf  New Day (@NewDay) February 14, 2022

The Parkland shooting remains the deadliest high school shooting in history - above parents wait outside the school four years ago

Biden said he's asked members of Congress to provide funding to help reduce violent crime and said they must pass legislation requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers.

'We can never bring back those we've lost,' Biden said. 'But we can come together to fulfill the first responsibility of our government and our democracy: to keep each other safe. For Parkland, for all those we've lost, and for all those left behind, it is time to uphold that solemn obligation.'

A trial to determine the fate of the Parkland shooter, who pleaded guilty, is scheduled for April. A jury will determine whether he gets the death penalty or life in prison.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida ordered the state's government buildings, parks and other facilities to fly their flags at half-staff on Monday to mark the anniversary.

'The sacrifices of these heroes, as well as the brave actions of first responders, will never be forgotten,' DeSantis said Friday in a statement.

The U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center studied school attacks nationwide from 2006-18 and reported that most attackers were bullied and that warning signs were there.

Most important, the researchers said, about 94% talked about their attacks and what they intended to do in some way, whether orally or electronically, and 75% were detected because they talked about their plots. About 36% were thwarted within two days of their intended attacks.
Dr. Deborah Birx, a defector of the Trump administration who worked on the coronavirus response, is now set to publish a tell-all memoir of her time as the Covid-19 task force coordinator.

Birx, 65, promises to 'expose' former President Trump's mistakes in 'Silent Invasion: The Untold Story of The Trump Administration, COVID-19, and Preventing the Next Pandemic Before Its Too Late.' The book will be published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins, on April 26.

'I wrote `Silent Invasion' to document the full extent of what I witnessed as I tried to save lives during this devastating time,' Birx said in a statement. 'In the book, I expose the true cost of mistakes that were made at all levels of the federal government, but I also clarify the things that went right yet remained largely unseen - the insights and innovations that saved American lives in this pandemic and are essential to preparing for the next.'

When the pandemic begun, Birx together with Dr Anthony Fauci were two of President Trump's most visible advisers, regularly speaking alongside one another.

As the White House Coronavirus response coordinator, Birx was present at the April 2020 press conference during which the president suggested people should inject themselves with disinfectant as a possible COVID treatment.

Close-up video of Birx's reaction went viral online, with many social media users setting her reactions to music from comedy shows.

Birx smirked briefly and looked down as dejection set in.

The health expert drew criticism for not speaking up more publicly to contradict Trump's claims that drinking bleach could kill the virus.

'Frankly, I didnt know how to handle that episode,' Birx told ABC television in March 2021. 'I still think about it every day.'

But by the summer of 2020, things began to unravel having fallen out of favor with Trump, who initially considered her 'classy' and 'a lady,' according to White House sources.

In August the president replaced her with Dr Scott Atlas, a radiologist who had no epidemiological experience, but whom Trump had seen speak on Fox News.

During one news conference, Birx had praised Trump saying he had been 'so attentive to the scientific literature and the details and the data' and that his 'ability to analyze and integrate data' came from 'his long history in business.'

But Birx's outlook went from bad to worse at the year continued to progress.

In August, Trump called Birx 'pathetic' when she warned Americans that the pandemic is 'extraordinarily widespread' in the US.

Birx is pictured above during a viral reaction to Trump's comments that injecting disinfectant might cure coronavirus

Birx, 65, promises to 'expose' former President Trump's mistakes in 'Silent Invasion: The Untold Story of The Trump Administration, COVID-19, and Preventing the Next Pandemic Before Its Too Late'

Birx then took her message to states and localities, reportedly trying to counteract Atlas' public messaging on masks and social distancing.

Birx came to the White House coronavirus task force with a sterling reputation.

A public servant since the Reagan administration, Birx has served as a US Army physician and a globally recognized AIDS researcher.

She was pulled away from her ambassadorial post as the US global AIDS coordinator to help the task force in late February 2020.

She stayed in Trump's good graces far longer than Dr Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, who frequently contradicted Trump.

But Birx also drew criticism when she traveled to Delaware over Thanksgiving in 2020 even as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended against holiday travel.

She was accompanied by her husband Paige Reffe, one of her daughters, son-in-law and two grandchildren for the Black Friday trip, though she had warned Americans to 'be vigilant' and limit celebrations to 'your immediate household.'

Birx insisted the roughly 50 hour trip to Fenwick Island was to deal with the winterization of the property before a potential sale, and added that she did not celebrate Thanksgiving there.

Birx in October told congressional investigators that the 2020 election provided a 'distraction' to the Trump team from the Covid response, which she estimated cost the U.S. some 130,000 lives.

The election year 'just took people's time away from and distracted them away from the pandemic in my personal opinion,' Birx said.

'I believe if we had fully implemented the mask mandates, the reduction in indoor dining, the getting friends and family to understand the risk of gathering in private homes, and we had increased testing, that we probably could have decreased fatalities into the 30-percent-less to 40-percent-less range,' she concluded.

Birx has also testified about her battles with her successor, Dr. Atlas.

'I could see the consequences of what was occurring out across the United States and the severity of the virus among the most ill, and my concern about those who were potentially less ill,' Birx told the congressional panel. 'And inside the White House is a person that is basically wanting community spread to increase.'
A 79-year-old retired Florida police captain accused of killing a father of one during an argument over texting at a movie theater finally went on trial after eight years of delays.

In 2014, Curtis Reeves, allegedly shot Chad Oulson during a screening of Lone Survivor in a Wesley Chapel movie theater outside Tampa.

The two had reportedly been arguing over Oulson texting before Reeves, then 71, fatally shot him.

Oulson's wife, who was injured as well in the shooting, has since revealed he was texting their daughter's babysitter at the time he was shot.

On Monday, opening statements finally began after Reeves pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery. The ex-cop has claimed self-defense.

Retired Florida cop Curtis Reeves appears in court Tuesday after years of delays in killing of father of one at Florida movie theater

Curtis Reeves, seen in court during jury selection last week, shot dead Chad Oulson in a Wesley Chapel movie theater outside Tampa in 2014

Chad Oulson was with his wife, Nicole, and texting his young daughter's baby-sitter before he was killed after argument with Reeves

Last week, jury selection for the trial took place over the course of four days, before ending Thursday after six jurors and four alternates were chosen to hear the case, according to Stephen Thompson, a spokesperson for Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit Court.

The incident sparked widespread debate over Florida's controversial 'stand your ground' law, which Reeves had adopted in his argument for self-defense.

However, that claim was denied by a judge - forcing it to go to trial - after saying that the law did not apply in this case following two weeks of pretrial testimony in 2017.

Aftermath: This photo released by the attorney's office shows Curtis Reeves handcuffed in the movie theater where he shot Chad Oulson in 2014

Armed: Reeves entered the theater with this gun, which he then used to shoot Oulson

Refused bail: Reeves, seen here at a February 5, 2014, bond hearing, was ordered to remain in prison until his trial. He was later freed on $150,000 bail

Reeves was initially held without bond after the January 2014 shooting, but was freed on a $150,000 bond several months later in July, with conditions in place that he only leave his home to attend church, court, grocery stores or medical appointments due to his age.

The trial has experienced a series of delays over the years, much of which has been attributed to pre-trial hearings, various motions, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the court system.

But an attorney for Oulson's wife, who was injured in the shooting but survived, called the delays 'embarrassing.'

'The eight year delay is, in my opinion, embarrassing and only benefited Curtis Reeves as it allowed him to contribute to be at home with his loved ones and spend time with his family,' TJ Grimaldi said in a statement, 'all while Ms. Oulson was stuck waiting for delay after delay to be resolved.'

Transcripts of jailhouse phone calls between Reeves and his family released in 2014 revealed the retired Florida police captain was confident of his acquittal.

Other evidence that was made public by the Pinellas-Pasco attorneys office, including photographs taken from inside the Wesley Chapel movie theater where Reeves shot dead Oulson and injured his wife over a text messaging dispute shed light on the case.

He is accused of gunning down husband and father Oulson and injuring his wife after the two men became involved in an argument over Oulson text messaging on his cell phone during previews for Lone Survivor at Grove Cobb 16 theater.

'When all the facts come out, we all should be in good shape,' Reeves told his family on January 16 - three days after the shooting, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

In the recordings released by the Pasco-Pinellas State Attorney's Office, he tells his wife Vivian and his son and daughter to sell his motorbike or kayak if they are in need of money.

Sarah Haines tried to point out that the Nazis considered themselves the superior race over Jews, but Goldberg did not take her point on-board

'You all need to know that you're all the love of my life. And if it need be, y'all plan on me not being there so you plan whatever you have to do to make your life easy, okay,' he said.

'My life will be easy if your all's is. Plan the future and don't spend all the money on me.'

Photographs from the movie theater after the shooting show Curtis Reeves in handcuffs sitting in a theater seat, scattered popcorn, a dropped cell phone and a spent casing from the bullet that killed father-of-one Oulson.

They also show Nicole Oulson's badly injured hand after she was shot trying to deflect the bullet that killed her husband.

Video from the scene appears to show Oulson snatching Reeves' popcorn off his lap and throwing it at him. Reeves responds instantaneously with a single, fatal gunshot.

Reeves has claimed he shot the unarmed Oulson in self-defense because he feared for his life.
A heroin user who has admitted murdering three people during a 'campaign of crime' is now on trial accused of raping one of the victims, who was five months pregnant at the time.

Jurors have been told that Anthony Russell previously pleaded guilty to the murders of 58-year-old Julie Williams and her son, David Williams, 32, at separate flats in Coventry on October 25 and October 21 2020 respectively.

The court heard both Mr Williams and his mother had dozens of injuries after being violently murdered in two separate incidents.

Russell has also pleaded guilty to later murdering 31-year-old Nicole McGregor, who was found in woodland near Leamington Spa on October 29 the same year.

But Russell, 39, went on trial at Warwick Crown Court on Monday, accused of raping Ms McGregor before killing her, just hours after she proudly showed him a picture of her baby scan.

Russell, from Coventry, had earlier killed Mr Williams, strangling him with a lanyard, and leaving the body under his bed where it was only found by police five days later, covered in 87 injuries.

Anthony Russell, 38, of Riley Square, Coventry, has pleaded guilty to a shocking triple murder

Pictured: Nichola McGregor, also known as Nicole, pictured with twin brother Adam, who paid a heartbreaking tribute to his sister on social media shortly after her death in October 2020

Jurors heard Nicole (pictured) was five months pregnant when she was raped and murdered

Meanwhile, Mr Williams' mother was found face down in her flat, having died from a bleed on the brain.

Russell had strangled and beaten her in a 'violent and sustained attack' in which she was hit five times over the head and neck, prosecutors said.

She had 113 separate injuries.

Zoe Johnson QC, opening the case, told jurors that between October 21 and his arrest on October 30, Russell had 'embarked on a campaign of crime' then lied in 'callous and calculating fashion' to cover up his offences.

'He murdered three people, raped one of his victims before killing her, seriously attacked another, leaving him with life-changing injuries, and robbed another two people,' she added.

She said: 'The defendant has pleaded guilty to the murders of David Williams, Julie Williams and Nicole McGregor, who was five months pregnant at the time.

The body of David Williams (pictured left), 32, was discovered 24 hours after his mother Julie Williams (pictured right) was found dead in her flat in Coventry

Pictured: Julie Williams and her son David who between them had more than 150 injuries after being killed by Anthony Russell in two separate violent attacks in Coventry, a court heard

Pictured: CCTV image of Anthony Russell, 39, from Coventry, who has admitted three murders

'He has also pleaded guilty to attacking and robbing Roy Lavens and to robbing Brian Warr and Nicole Crisp.

'The defendant does not admit raping Nicole McGregor, just moments before he strangled her.'

Mr Williams was murdered on October 21 after going to Russell's flat, where they were 'probably taking drugs together', said the Crown's QC.

Russell afterwards 'confessed' to various people he had killed a man in the days following, alleging it was because he had believed the victim 'had sex with his girlfriend'.

Julie Williams was murdered in her flat on the night of October 24 going into October 25.

Jurors were told it is likely Russell 'duped' his way into her home, by claiming to know something about the then disappearance of her son.

In between the killings, he robbed Mr Warr of 30.

A map shows how the hunt for Anthony Russell (pictured inset on CCTV) played out as three victims were killed in the Midlands

The hunt came after the body of Mrs Williams, 58, was discovered at her flat at Emily Smith House, Riley Square. Pictured: Police at the scene

Fleeing Coventry, Russell then robbed 71-year-old Ms Crisp of 200 in nearby Kenilworth, Warwickshire, before arriving in Leamington Spa on October 26.

In the river-side town, Russell approached a couple; Christopher White and Nicole McGregor, who begged in Leamington.

The three made an agreement to buy drugs, later smoking them together.

Ms Johnson said: 'Nicole told the defendant she and Christopher were expecting a baby.

'She proudly showed the defendant a pregnancy scan that she had on her telephone.

'The defendant congratulated them both.'

Having left Mr White to go to their usual begging spots, CCTV later showed Russell 'walking alongside' Ms McGregor.

Mr Williams, who was last seen on October 20 and reported missing on Saturday evening, was found dead at a nearby flat, also in Riley Square

Russell is said to have 'lured' Ms McGregor to nearly Newbold Comyn park 'not for sex, but more likely for drugs' before allegedly raping and then killing her.

Russell, having killed Ms McGregor, slept rough that night but then went and found Mr White the next morning and told him a series of 'elaborate' lies about the woman's whereabouts.

It was on October 28, when a friend showed Mr White an image of a man wanted for the Williams killings in Coventry, he recognised it as Russell and 'in shock' went to the police.

A search team later found her body down a steep path, covered in scratches, 'in dense underground', likely after being dragged there in a bid to conceal the crime.

She died as a result of neck compression caused by ligature strangulation, with the post-mortem discovering she had been carrying a five-month-old foetus.

Ms Johnson said: 'The prosecution suggest the state of Nicole's body gives the lie to the defendant's claim that Nicole McGregor consented to sex.'

Nichola's twin, Adam McGregor, wrote: 'Words can't even express how I'm feeling at the minute. For the first time in my life I'm afraid of being alone more than ever. Fly high high darling twin. RIP twinnie look and watch over us all. Until we meet again'

Russell then attacked and robbed Mr Lavens, carjacking his Ford C-Max in an escape bid.

On October 30, police spotted the red Ford parked in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, about 50 miles from Leamington.

Russell was found 'lying across the back seats' of the car and arrested at 4.17am.

He denies rape and the trial continues.

Speaking after her death, the twin brother of victim Nicole paid a heartbreaking tribute to his sister.

Adam McGregor, wrote: 'Words can't even express how I'm feeling at the minute. For the first time in my life I'm afraid of being alone more than ever. Fly high high darling twin. RIP twinnie look and watch over us all. Until we meet again.'
A subpostmaster wrongly accused of false accounting has tearfully told an inquiry he 'contemplated suicide' after being left with a bill of 17,000 due to flaws within the Post Office system.

Between 2000 and 2014, more than 700 subpostmasters and subpostmistresses (SPMs) faced false claims of theft, fraud and false accounting due to a flaw in the computer system Horizon, installed and maintained by Fujitsu.

Some of these individuals were bankrupted, jailed or driven to suicide following the wrongful accusations.

The inquiry will examine whether the Post Office knew about the faults in the IT system and will also ask how staff took the blame.

In December 2019, a High Court judge ruled Horizons system contained a number of 'bugs, errors and defects' and there was a 'material risk' that shortfalls in Post Office branch accounts were caused by the system.

Baljit Sethi, 69, and his wife Anjana, 67, who have three children together, 'lost everything' after a system fault affected them, an inquiry in central London heard on Monday.

The couple said they had the 'best time' of their lives running a branch near Romford, in Essex, from 1983, as they were popular in the local community.

Mr Sethi, the first witness to give evidence, told the inquiry: 'We didn't take a single penny from the Post Office our entire life.'

Baljit Sethi with his wife Anjana from Essex, is one of the former postmasters wrongly convicted of theft

What was the Horizon computer system and how did it go wrong? Between 1999 and 2015, hundreds of postmasters were sacked or prosecuted after money appeared to go missing from their branch accounts (file image) Horizon, an IT system developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu, was rolled out by the Post Office from 1999. The system was used for tasks such as transactions, accounting and stocktaking. However, subpostmasters complained about defects after it reported shortfalls - some of which amounted to thousands of pounds. Some subpostmasters attempted to plug the gap with their own money, even remortgaging their homes, in an attempt to correct an error. Between 1999 and 2015, hundreds of subpostmasters were sacked or prosecuted due to the glitches. The ex-workers blamed flaws in the IT system, Horizon, but the Post Office denied there was a problem. In case after case the Post Office bullied postmasters into pleading guilty to crimes they knew they had not committed. Many others who were not convicted were hounded out of their jobs or forced to pay back thousands of pounds of 'missing' money. The Post Office spent 32million to deny any fault in their IT system, before capitulating. However, the postmasters and postmistresses said the scandal ruined their lives as they had to cope with the impact of a conviction and imprisonment, some while they had been pregnant or had young children. Marriages broke down, and courts have heard how some families believe the stress led to health conditions, addiction and premature deaths. Advertisement

The inquiry heard that in 2001, Mr Sethi took on another branch in Brentwood, Essex, which after one year showed a hole in the accounts of 17,000, which the couple were asked to cover out of their own pocket.

Mr Sethi, who was never charged, told the inquiry he tried to communicate with the head office in Chelmsford, Essex, after noticing a problem with the system.

He broke down in tears as he went on to say: 'I was the only man who ran the Post Office seven days a week.

'I used to open it at 8am and shut at 8pm. I was the only Post Office in the country running all seven days.'

Mr Sethi, whose contract was terminated because of the shortfall, said: 'I knew there was something wrong with the system but no-one wanted to know that.'

Asked about his life afterwards, Mr Sethi said: 'We lost everything we ever had after 20-25 years and this was all thanks to the Post Office.

'I was down and out, I contemplated suicide, but I thought no, that's the easy way out, what about my family and my children?'

Mr Sethi described working late shifts as a security guard on minimum wage to help fund a quality education and lifestyle for his children.

He went on to say: 'People in our community believed we had been robbing from the Post Office.

'It all had a bad impact on us psychologically, financially and reputation-wise.'

Noel Thomas, 74, worked as a postman from 1965 and became a subpostmaster in 1994, taking over from his wife, with whom he had run a post office branch since 1979.

He was jailed for nine months in November 2006 after pleading guilty to one count of false accounting, on the basis that he accepted there was a shortfall of 48,450 which he was contractually obliged to make good, but did not know how it had come about.

He told the inquiry of his 'hell' behind bars, including the 'indignity' of showering in front of a prison warden and only being allowed out of his cell for food.

Mr Thomas was in tears as he said: 'I felt awful because I didn't expect it, I'd never been a criminal in my life.'

After his sentence his sleep was 'terrible' because of his fear of confined spaces, he said.

He also lost his position as a councillor and was declared bankrupt in 2008, the inquiry was told.

Mr Thomas called for the inquiry to achieve 'justice' for the others wrongly accused.

Mr Sethi (second from left), pictured alongside his wife Anjana and two of their three children, Adeep (left) and Amit (right) said he contemplated suicide after having his contract with the Post Office terminated

The inquiry also heard from Josephine Hamilton, who was given a one-year supervision order in 2008 after being wrongly convicted of false accounting.

Ms Hamilton, a former sub postmistress from South Warnborough, in Hampshire, was accused of stealing 36,000 from her branch.

The inquiry heard that she was forced to remortgage her house and borrow money from friends, and that people in her village donated money to help.

She told reporters on Monday she wants 'some people to face the consequences for what they've done'.

Ms Hamilton told the inquiry: 'I'm so angry. I'm so angry about the group that they're (Post Office) refusing to compensate.'

Dozens of SPMs have had criminal convictions overturned, and an inquiry into the scandal has been launched.

The inquiry, which is expected to run for the rest of this year, will look into whether the Post Office knew about faults in the IT system and will also ask how staff were made to take the blame.

Jason Beer QC, counsel to the inquiry, said the ordeal of those affected could be concluded as 'the worst miscarriage of justice in recent British legal history'.

The inquiry also heard from Josephine Hamilton, who was given a one-year supervision order in 2008 after being wrongly convicted of false accounting

He went on to say: 'Lives were ruined, families were torn apart, families were made homeless and destitute.

'Reputations were destroyed, not least because the crimes which the men and women were convicted all involved acting dishonestly.

'People who were important, respected and integral part of the local communities that they served were in some cases shunned.

'A number of men and women sadly died before the state publicly recognised that they were wrongly convicted.'

Inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams, opening the hearing, said: 'I cannot emphasise too strongly, what is of course obvious, namely that these hearings would not be taking place at all were it not for the witnesses to who have agreed to give up their valuable time and publicly relive what must be very distressing memories and events.'

Before the inquiry got underway on Monday, chief executive Nick Read said all victims of the Post Office's IT scandal will receive compensation offers by the end of the year.

He said that 'good progress' was being made with the scheme, which hands payouts to postmasters wrongly convicted in the Horizon fiasco.

Noel Thomas, 74, worked as a postman from 1965 and became a subpostmaster in 1994, taking over from his wife, with whom he had run a post office branch since 1979

Around 900 of the 2,300 applicants have been made an offer, the Post Office confirmed.

The Government has been forced to fund the compensation bill as the Post Office's sole shareholder  with the total expected to run past 1billion.

The inquiry, which got underway today, will also look at whether staff at software firm Fujitsu, which developed the Horizon software to complete tasks such as transactions, accounting and stocktaking, knew the system had flaws when data from the software was used in court to convict sub-postmasters.

A judge will hear evidence on why sub-postmasters and postmistresses were singled out and whether they have been justly compensated.

The son of a postmaster who killed himself after he was wrongly accused of stealing said he '100 per cent' blames the Post Office for his father's suicide.

Martin Griffiths, who died aged 58, had run his branch in Cheshire for 14 years before shortfalls appeared in 2009.

He was 'hounded' over 100,000 of 'missing' money while suffering from depression  and his son Matthew, 37, said this is why Mr Griffiths, threw himself in front of a bus in 2013.

He told the BBC's File on 4: 'I 100 per cent completely blame the Post Office.'

The public inquiry into the issue will began in London this morning. The Post Office said it is 'doing all [it] can' to address the scandal for the victims.

Martin Griffiths (pictured), who died aged 58, had run his branch in Cheshire for 14 years before shortfalls appeared in 2009. He was 'hounded' over 100,000 of 'missing' money while suffering from depression  and his son Matthew, 37, said this is why Mr Griffiths, threw himself in front of a bus in 2013

Mr Griffiths was one of over 3,000 victims wrongly accused of taking money from their own tills, when a glitch in the computer system, called Horizon, was actually to blame.

Some served jail sentences, others were left financially destitute and at least four are believed to have taken their own lives.

Horizon, which was used by the Post Office for tasks such as transactions, accounting and stocktaking, was first introduced in 1999 and problems started appearing shortly afterwards.

Sub-postmasters complained about bugs in the system after it reported unexplained shortfalls, some of which amounted to many thousands of pounds.

But Post Office bosses ignored the warnings, systematically persecuted its own staff and then spent tens of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money defending its assertion the Horizon system was 'robust'.

Before the inquiry got underway on Monday, chief executive Nick Read said all victims of the Post Office's IT scandal will receive compensation offers by the end of the year. He said that 'good progress' was being made with the scheme, which hands payouts to postmasters wrongly convicted in the Horizon fiasco

Following a series of damning judgments bosses finally capitulated in December 2019. The cost to the taxpayer of the scandal in legal fees and compensation is now expected to swell to 1billion.

The Post Office said: 'We are in no doubt of the human cost of the Horizon scandal and are doing all we can to fairly address this for victims.'

Over 70 postmasters have seen their convictions overturned, and a third of the 2,300 applicants to a compensation scheme have received offers of cash.

This weekend Post Office bosses pledged that all postmasters claiming under its compensation scheme will receive offers by the end of the year.

Around 900 of the 2,300 applicants have been made an offer, the post office confirmed.
A PE teacher who was accused of 'sleeping with an 18-year-old pupil' in a Premier Inn hotel room after 'downing shots and dancing inappropriately' with him at a school prom has been struck off the teaching register.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) decided to remove Melissa Tweedie from the teaching register today following an investigation into her behaviour.

Miss Tweedie, who is now 27, allegedly slept with the 18-year-old pupil after the leavers night at SWG3 in Glasgow in June 2017.

The GTCS did not find this allegation proven on the weight of evidence presented to the panel but issued Miss Tweedie with a removal order after finding her conduct fell significantly short of the standard expected of a registered teacher.

The five-day hearing heard Miss Tweedie, a former teacher at Gleniffer High School in Paisley, Renfrewshire, was spotted dancing inappropriately with pupils and taking shots with them at the bar at the event.

She was then spotted on a bed with an 18-year-old pupil who told the teaching regulator this week that the pair had sex after he drank wine, gin, shots and beer.

Melissa Tweedie (pictured above), 22 at the time, has been struck off the teaching register after a panel found her conduct fell significantly short of the standard expected of a registered teacher

The 27-year-old, who now works as a yoga teacher in Dubai, was said to have danced inappropriately with pupils from Gleniffer High School in Paisley, Scotland

Miss Tweedie denied sleeping with the teen and told the schools headteacher that she was at home when he phoned her from the hotel foyer trying to find her.

However, she later admitted to investigators that she woke up in bed with the pupil but denied having sex with him, and later claimed her drink may have been spiked.

Miss Tweedie, now working as a yoga teacher in Dubai, also made claims that she only went to the hotel because she was concerned about pupils taking drugs.

Speaking on behalf of the panel, Arthur Stewart said: 'It is the view of the panel that the teacher has fallen significantly short of the standards and therefore is unfit to teach.

'As Miss Tweedie has been found unfit to teach, the panel must direct that Miss Tweedies name be removed from the General Teaching Council from Scotlands register.'

The Presenting Officer, Gary Burton, recommended that the panel impose the maximum of two years before she can reapply.

It was found that Miss Tweedie kissed Pupil A at the Premier Inn hotel.

It was also proven that she stated words to the effect of 'Can we for a minute act like Im not a teacher' to a pupil(s) and when alone on a bed with Pupil A.

Colleagues said the former PE teacher was 'shimmying up and down' the pupil, known only as Pupil A, at the event before allegedly being found in bed with them

Additionally, it was also proven that when Pupil E entered the room, Miss Tweedie stated to Pupil E words to the effect of 'technically I havent touched him yet'.

Presenting Officer Burton continued: 'Miss Tweedie ought to have been aware of her responsibilities under CoPAC at the time she kissed the pupil.

'There has been limited remorse from the teacher, Ms Bell said that by the stage she interviewed her there had been some remorse regarding an error of judgement.

'She [Miss Tweedie] said that she did not feel that her behaviour at the prom was inappropriate, which the panel have found proved.

'There has been no evidence of remediation and given the lack of insight, remorse or evidence of remediation I submit that the risk of repetition is significant if she was permitted to return to the profession.'

He finished his submission by saying: 'I submit that her actions have clearly fallen significantly short of standards expected with a registered teacher and by acting in the way that she did her actions are fundamentally incompatible with that of a registered teacher.'

Former headteacher David Nicholls said he received a call at around 2am on prom night from an 'alarmed' pupil who said Miss Tweedie was in the hotel.

A statement from Ms Tweedie at the time read: 'I saw what appeared to be a bag of cocaine waved in my face, it was highly alarming and that is why I did not go home with my flatmate'

Police Scotland were alerted to the incident at the time and found that no criminality had taken place (Ms Tweedie pictured)

The now-retired headteacher said he drove to a Premier Inn in Glasgow to track down Miss Tweedie, who was 22 at the time, but was not allowed past the foyer.

He said he finally managed to reach Miss Tweedie on the phone who told him she was at home.

However, the following day Mr Nicholls said the pupil, who was in the hotel room, said he had slept with Miss Tweedie.

The pupil, known only as Pupil A, said: 'We kissed, no one initiated it.

'We went downstairs and had sex in my room.

'She stayed the night and we both left at eight.

'I feel really sorry for Miss Tweedie, I had already handed in my leavers form.

'In my eyes it wasnt a student event.'

Aileen Sangster, deputy headteacher of Gleniffer High School, said: 'Melissa was dancing inappropriately with Pupil A shimmying up and down his back.

'I noticed Miss Tweedie due to the outfit she was wearing.

'It was inappropriate, I put this down to inexperience.

'After the meal she had a drink in her hand every time I saw her.'

A statement from Miss Tweedie at the time read: 'I saw what appeared to be a bag of cocaine waved in my face, it was highly alarming and that is why I did not go home with my flatmate.

'I should have walked back to tell the other staff and I should have called the police.

'Pupils were saying "Miss, come upstairs for a drink, itll only be one".

'I was given one glass of Echo Falls white wine by a girl.

'The next part that is clear is jolting up in the bed, I cant see any face in my memory but I woke up and said "what are you doing here?'

Ms Tweedie was alleged to have partied with pupils at SWG3 nightclub (file photo above) in Glasgow in June 2017 before going to the nearby Premier Inn hotel

Education manager for Renfrewshire Council Susan Bell told the GTCS: 'She (Miss Tweedie) had come to the conclusion that her drink had been spiked and that she would not have engaged in sexual intercourse as it was her time of the month.

'She didnt feel she had been inappropriate at the prom, others didnt agree but my understanding was that she felt she had been behaving appropriately.

'When she mentioned the drugs it was totally out of left field, nobody else had mentioned that, I was knocked sideways and had to think on my feet how to move.

'I thought it sounded ludicrous and I had to consider all the facts and that is what I was doing.'

Police Scotland were alerted to the incident at the time and found that no criminality had taken place.
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The world's oldest surviving map of the sky and a 'talismanic' chalk drum have gone on display as part of a major new exhibition.

The 3,600-year-old Nebra Sky Disc and the 5,000-year-old Burton Agnes chalk drum are just two of 430 objects and artefacts that are visible to the public from Thursday at the British Museum in London.

They are part of the World of Stonehenge exhibition, which runs until July and tells the story of the famous Neolithic stone circle in Wiltshire.

Stunning photos taken today show the 12-inch sky disc in all its glory. It is inlaid with gold symbols that are believed to represent the moon, sun, solstices and stars, and was unearthed by looters in Germany in 1999.

The chalk drum, which bears intricate circular etchings, was found alongside the ancient burial of three children near the village of Burton Agnes in East Yorkshire.

Other artefacts on display include two gold hats and an ancient wooden monument called 'Seahenge' which dates back 4,000 years.

The world's oldest surviving map of the sky and a 'talismanic' chalk drum have gone on display as part of a major new exhibition. Pictured: The 3,600-year-old Nebra Sky Disc, which is now available to view at the British Museum

The 5,000-year-old Burton Agnes chalk drum is one of 430 objects and artefacts that are visible to the public from Thursday at the British Museum in London. They are part of the World of Stonehenge exhibition, which runs until July and tells the story of the famous Neolithic stone circle in Wiltshire

Seahenge was nicknamed the Stonehenge of the Sea after it re-emerged on a Norfolk beach in 1998. It consists of a large upturned tree stump surrounded by 54 wooden posts

The World of Stonehenge exhibition tells the story of the 3,500-year-old Neolithic stone circle in Wiltshire (pictured above)

According to the British Museum, nearly two-thirds of the objects going on display in the exhibition will be loans, with artefacts coming from 35 lenders across the UK, the Republic of Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Switzerland.

The majority of the items have never been seen in the UK before.

The Nebra Sky Disc was found near the town of Nebra in Saxony-Anhalt, in the east of Germany, by looters Mario Renner and Henry Westphal.

The pair were treasure hunting without a license and ended up destroying parts of the archaeological site, as well as damaging the disc with their spade.

They sold the disc alongside bronze swords, hatchets, a chisel an bracelet fragments that they found with it to a dealer in Cologne for 31,000 Deutsche Mark (around 10,000).

The pair were arrested in the bar of the Hilton Hotel in Basel, Switzerland, after trying to sell the sky disc to the German state archaeologist for 700,000 DM (217,391).

Experts believe the sky disc was used as a calculator to help its Bronze Age owners predict the best times for sowing and harvesting in the spring and autumn.

This interpretation is supported by the presence of a cluster of seven stars, the Pleiades, which appear next to a full or new moon at these times.

The Burton Agnes drum is decorated with symbols that are believed to represent the sun, is only the fourth surviving example of its kind and is the most intricately decorated.

The headgear going on display includes the Schifferstadt gold hat (front) from Germany and the Avanton gold cone (back) from France

Seahenge's oak posts, some up to nine ft tall, form a 21ft-diameter circle around the upturned oak, creating a giant tree-like spectacle. A narrow entrance-way was built aligning to the rising midsummer sun and it is speculated the monument was used for ritual purposes

A member of staff observes a gold cape dating from 1600-1900 BC from Mold, Flintshire, Wales, during the press preview for the new The World of Stonehenge exhibition at London's British Museum

According to the British Museum, nearly two-thirds of the objects going on display in the exhibition will be loans, with artefacts coming from 35 lenders across the UK, the Republic of Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Switzerland. Pictured: A member of staff uses a brush whilst stood behind a standing stone carved in 2500 BC from Capo di Ponte, Italy

Animal bones in the form of a necklace found on Salisbury Plain, 2,100-1,900 BC. The World of Stonehenge exhibition runs until July

It was found buried above the head of the eldest child and is believed to have been placed in the grave during the first construction phase of Stonehenge - when the monument's bluestones were being moved from west Wales to Salisbury Plain.

It contains symbols similar to those found on pottery at the dwelling site of the builders who created Stonehenge, at Bulford, and could cast light on how communities lived at the time.

The British Museum already has three barrel-shaped cylinders made of solid chalk, dubbed the Folkton drums after their discovery in North Yorkshire in 1889.

Dr Neil Wilkin, curator of The World of Stonehenge at the British Museum, said: 'This is a truly remarkable discovery, and is the most important piece of prehistoric art to be found in Britain in the last 100 years.

'This drum is likely to have represented the circle of life, renewal and regeneration.

'Children are the future, and represent the next generation, so burying them with a chalk drum as a talisman may well have been seen as a way to protect the future of the community.'

Alice Beasley, who first uncovered the drum as project archaeologist at Allen Archaeology, said: 'Discovering the chalk drum was a thrilling and humbling experience. Seeing the love and effort put into burying the individuals over 5000 years ago was truly moving

'The children are highly unlikely to have been child sacrifices, as have been seen in the remains of some pagan societies.

Seahenge was nicknamed the Stonehenge of the Sea after it re-emerged on a Norfolk beach in 1998.

It consists of a large upturned tree stump surrounded by 54 wooden posts.

The oak posts, some up to nine ft tall, form a 21ft-diameter circle around the upturned oak, creating a giant tree-like spectacle.

A narrow entrance-way was built aligning to the rising midsummer sun and it is speculated the monument was used for ritual purposes.

Dr Jennifer Wexler, project curator of the World Of Stonehenge at the British Museum, said: 'If Stonehenge is one of the world's most remarkable surviving ancient stone circles, then Seahenge is the equivalent in timber.

The looters  who were treasure hunting without a license  destroyed parts of the archaeological site and damaged the disc with their spade. Pictured: the iconography of the Nebra Sun Disc. Some of the interpretations are uncertain. According to expert analysis, the disc was constructed in four stages, which saw some of the stars moved around the disc

A member of staff poses next to a gold broach from Shropshire, England which dates back to 1,000 BC. It is one of 430 objects that are now on display

Examples of tools carved by Neolithic Britons are seen on display at the British Museum on Monday, after the opening of the World of Stonehenge exhibition

A human skull showing healed blunt force trauma on the forehead. The skull is one of several examples of ancient human bones that are on display in the new exhibition

Wooden carvings dating back to 1,200 BC that were found in Yorkshire. Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum, said: 'To understand the purpose of the great stone monument constructed on Salisbury Plain, it is essential to consider its contemporary world and the culture of its builders. We are delighted to be able to do this in this unprecedented exhibition'

'But as it was only rediscovered in 1998, it is still relatively unknown.

'We know about some aspects of the monument, including that it was constructed in the spring and summer of 2049 BC, from mighty oaks.

'But there's much that still eludes us, including exactly what it was used for.

'Perhaps the central upturned trunk was used in funerary rituals to support a dead body. Perhaps entering the circular shrine brought worshippers closer to the otherworld.

'By displaying Seahenge in this exhibition we hope to bring it to a wider audience, and it provides an unparalleled opportunity to time-travel back to the moment when circles of stone and timber were at the heart of people's beliefs.'

The headgear going on display includes the Schifferstadt gold hat from Germany and the Avanton gold cone from France.

The World of Stonehenge exhibition also features examples of ancient goldwork, such as the above gold bangles on display today

A photograph taken on February 14, 2022 shows a gold necklace from, Gleninsheen, County of Clare, Republic of Ireland

It is the first time that either have been seen in Britain.

They are decorated with elaborate solar motifs that reflect the religious importance of the sun during this era.

The Schifferstadt hat, which was found in the German town of the same name in 1835, dates back to between 1400 and 1300 BC, whilst the Avanton cone  discovered near Avanton, Poitiers in 1844 - dates to between 1000 and 900 BC.

Only two other examples of these hats are known to have survived.

They served as headgear during ceremonies or rituals, and experts theorised that the original wearers may have believed that they gave them divine or otherworldly status.

Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum, said: 'To understand the purpose of the great stone monument constructed on Salisbury Plain, it is essential to consider its contemporary world and the culture of its builders.

'We are delighted to be able to do this in this unprecedented exhibition.

'Over 430 exceptional objects are being brought together, objects which are the last and only testament of sophisticated and ingenious people, and we are grateful to all of the lenders who have made it possible.'
Dozens of parents and children held a protest outside their suburban Chicago Catholic school after the principal of was placed on leave for announcing that masks would be optional for children and teachers.

Doc Mathius announced he was dropping the mask mandate at Queen of Martyrs Catholic School in Evergreen Park, Chicago last week - in defiance of the Archdiocese of Chicago who have mandated masks across its schools.

The Archdiocese responded quickly by placing the popular principal on disciplinary leave.

Mathius told WGN that he knew he was likley to be suspended or fired for taking a stand against masks but it was a sacrifice he was willing to make.

'I expected to be terminated,' he said. 'I expected extreme pushback, so I was not surprised.'

The decision has outraged local parents who are demanding Mathius be reinstated.

Doc Mathius was placed on disciplinary leave after announced he was dropping the mask mandate at his school

The decision has outraged local parents who are demanding Mathius be reinstated

Dozens of parents braved the slush and snow on Sunday to protest outside the school, waving banners that said 'We Love Doc' and American flags as they rallied in support

Parents described him as 'a man of integrity, of leadership' and slammed the Archdiocese for their decision

Even little ones helped wave their signs and banners as the community demanded the return of their teacher

Dozens of parents braved the slush and snow on Sunday to protest outside the school, waving banners that said 'We Love Doc' and American flags as they rallied in support.

Parents described him as 'a man of integrity, of leadership' and slammed the Archdiocese for their decision.

'It's ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous,' parent John Murzyn told WGN.

'Doc Mathius would take a bullet for anyone. He has the kids' best interests at heart in mind. I'm not so sure the archbishop does.

'I'm hoping the Archdiocese reconsiders this move because in my opinion, it wasn't a good one by them.'

One parent, Andrew Tourville, told NBC Chicago that it meant 'so much to us' that Mathius had 'stood up for our children.'

Mathius made the announcement for students and teachers at Queen of Martyrs Catholic School in Evergreen Park, Chicago last week - in defiance of the Archdiocese of Chicago who have mandated masks across its schools

Mathius said that his heart was breaking to be separated from the school and his students but that he felt ' it was worth doing

'When he took that stand, and he was immediately put on disciplinary leave for doing so,' he added . 'A lot of these children are showing signs of depression, and they're not able to fully communicate with their teachers and...with each other,' the parent continued.

Mathius said that his heart was breaking to be separated from the school and his students but that he felt ' it was worth doing.'

'I had nothing to gain by this, only to lose,' Mathius said. 'Principals come and go. That parish and school has stood there a long time and I want nothing but the best for it.'

The Archdiocese declined to comment when reached by both NBC and WGN.

Chicago schools have been allowed to choose whether or not to keep their mandates after a judge filed a restraining order earlier this month against Illinois' Governor J.B. Pritzker's executive order mandating masks in schools until March 6. The state of Illinois is appealing.

Meanwhile, officials in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon have now announced plans to lift their mandates as they seek a return to 'normalcy.'

Others, like New York, have lifted their indoor mask mandates but have insisted on keeping them in schools for now.

Private $57,000-a-year NYC school is forced into U-turn on its mask-optional policy after being warned they were in 'violation' of Gov. Hochul's mandate for kids in classrooms

A private NYC school reversed their decision to make masks optional, after state health officials warned they were in violation of Governor Kathy Hochul's mandate.

The $57,000-a-year Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn had announced on Thursday that students would be allowed to chose whether or not to wear a mask.

But just one day later, it emailed students' parents saying that the school had been forced to change their optional mask policy because it did not follow state or city mandates.

Parents were asked to ensure that their children were sent to school wearing a mask on Monday.

The optional masking policy had been originally announced amid a decline of cases in NYC and at the school as well as Hochul's decision to end the statewide indoor mask mandate. The policy continued to apply for schoolchildren.

An official from the New York State Health Department had also communicated with the school over the concerns in the former change in policy.

'We worked with the school and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the school agreed to delay its plan to no longer require masks until such a policy is permitted,' spokesperson Jill Montag said. 'We are glad they decided to do the right thing.'

New York private academy Poly Prep Country Day School has reversed their decision to apply a mask-optional order after being slammed by health officials

New York Governor Kathy Hochul lifted the statewide indoor mask mandate for indoor businesses on Wednesday but still required schoolchildren to wear them

In response to the policy removal, families expressed disappointment in the decision.

'I think it's absolutely ridiculous,' one of the mothers told the New York Post. 'The administration had universal support to do what they did.

'Parents are tired of this. We should have some say, the school should have some say, she added.

'To be honest I could see this coming,' another parent added. 'They werent going to let this happen. Simple as that.'

Despite the negative reception, Hochul has said she plans to review future decisions for the mask mandate in March.

'We know some of our youngest learners may be disappointed or confused regarding this change in plans,' school health director Sarah Zuercher wrote in the email.

'When speaking with your children, we recommend discussing the need to be flexible in life.'

'We look forward to a return to normalcy as soon as is permissible,' she added in the email.

School health director Sarah Zuercher said that students will have to begin wearing masks again on Monday

Zuercher had sent a previous email to parents regarding the previous decision to make the mask mandate optional on Thursday.

'In the past few weeks we have seen sharp declines in COVID cases at Poly and in NYC,' the email, which was posted online, reads. 'In addition, we have had minimal in-school transmission of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

'In light of these sharp declines in case counts, and our most up-to-date evidence, wearing masks will be optional beginning on February 14 for all students and employees.'

In its decision to lift the school's mask mandate, officials at Poly Prep said there have been no COVID-related hospitalizations or serious cases at the school, and that all documented cases have been 'mild to asymptomatic,' according to the Post.

As Zuercher explained to the school's newspaper, the Polygon: 'We've seen a very sharp decline in COVID cases here at school and in the community.

'As we look at the layers of our COVID safety strategy, we don't need to keep all the layers as we always have as COVID cases go down.

'While [masking] can be very effective, with Omicron being highly contagious, we think it's one of the less effective mitigation strategies when you look at everything we're doing - testing, vaccination, boosters [and] air filtration.'

She added that studies have shown that for children, masks 'might inhibit language acquisition, social and emotional development [and] their ability to read facial cues.'

'We will support each individual's choice,' Zuercher said, 'and will follow up immediately if our mask-optional policy must change.'

On Wednesday, Hochul announced the end of the state's indoor mask mandate, although 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.

She said in her announcement 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,' Hochul said, adding: 'Counties, cities and businesses can still choose to require masks.'

The state's mask mandate for students, however, will remain in effect state-wide.

'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.

She 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.

In the meantime, 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.

A #MandateFreedom rally was organized by the People's Coalition for New York on Friday to protest mask mandates

On Friday, the state of New York reported 4,873,548 cases and 66, 276 deaths.

The statewide positivity rate is now 4.92 percent with 98,520,534 tests administered.

In terms of vaccination status, 37,211,046 doses have been administered with 74.36 percent of the state population fully jabbed.

For the US, 77,428,574 cases have been confirmed with 915,434 deaths recorded.

Additionally, 545,981,537 doses have been administered with 65.06 percent fully vaccinated.

Officials in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon have now announced plans to lift their mandates as they seek a return to 'normalcy.'

But when one man attended a school board meeting in upstate New York on Tuesday he was forcibly dragged out of the room by a security guard.

Dave Calus told Kimberly's Revolution he proceeded to the board room where the Webster School Board meeting was taking place, but 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 then walked down to the main board room and was once again instructed to wear a mask.

Parents and children gathered at the Westchester County courthouse to protest masks in classrooms

'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 a security guard who demanded he put the mask on.

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'.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also said 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.
The brother who strangled a Pakistani social media star dubbed the country's 'Kim Kardashian' to death in an honour killing was today freed following just six years behind bars after he was pardoned by his mother.

Qandeel Baloch, 26, became famous for her suggestive and defiant posts which flew in the face of the nation's deeply patriarchal mores before her death in 2016.

Her brother Muhammad Waseem was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison for strangling her, brazenly telling the press he had no remorse for the slaying because her behaviour was 'intolerable'.

He appealed against the 2019 murder verdict and life sentence and today a court in the central city of Multan struck down the conviction after major witnesses retracted their testimony.

Waseem's mother Anwar Mai had also submitted a statement in the court that she had pardoned him, his lawyer Sardar Mehboob said, though it was not clear whether the court considered the mother's statement in its decision.

Muhammad Waseem, the brother who strangled a Pakistani social media star dubbed the country's 'Kim Kardashian' to death in an honour killing was today freed following just six years behind bars after he was pardoned by his mother

Qandeel Baloch, 26, became famous for her suggestive and defiant posts which flew in the face of the nation's deeply patriarchal mores before her death in 2016

Baloch's brother Waseem was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison for strangling her, brazenly telling the press he had no remorse for the slaying because her behaviour was 'intolerable'

Waseem's mother Anwar Mai (left) had also submitted a statement in the court that she had pardoned him, his lawyer Sardar Mehboob said, though it was not clear whether the court considered the mother's statement in its decision

Mehboob said Waseem 'has been fully acquitted' by a court in the eastern city of Multan today, without giving further details.

The court order has yet to be made public but a government prosecutor confirmed the acquittal.

The case became the most high profile 'honour killing' of recent years - where women are dealt lethal punishment by male relatives for purportedly bringing 'shame' to the reputation of a family.

Under a recent Pakistani law change, perpetrators are no longer able to seek forgiveness from the victim's family - sometimes their own family - and to have their sentences commuted.

However, whether or not a murder is defined as a crime of honour is left to the judge's discretion, meaning killers can theoretically claim a different motive and still be pardoned.

Waseem had admitted in a 2016 media conference organised by police that he strangled his 26-year-old sister due to her social media activities.



A selfie of Baloch with the Muslim cleric Mufti Qavi taken a month before her murder resulted in the religious leader being sacked

In Baloch's (pictured) case, her parents initially insisted their son would be given no absolution. But they later changed their minds and said they wanted him to be forgiven

In Baloch's case, her parents initially insisted their son would be given no absolution. But they later changed their minds and said they wanted him to be forgiven.

A lawyer for the siblings' mother said she had given 'her consent' to pardon him, according to her lawyer Safdar Shah.

He is expected to be released later this week.

'Waseem may now walk free while Qandeel was condemned for stepping outside the bounds of what is deemed 'acceptable' behaviour for women in Pakistan,' biographer Sanam Maher told AFP.

'After today's verdict, we may ask, who killed her?' she added.

Baloch had posted Facebook posts in which she spoke of trying to change 'the typical orthodox mindset' of people in Pakistan.

She faced frequent abuse and death threats but continued to post pictures and videos seen as provocative.

She had built a modelling career on the back of her social media fame, but drew ire from many Pakistanis.

Her killing sent shockwaves across Pakistan and triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, spurring the government to tighten laws dealing with men who would kill a close relative in the name of family honour.

Three months after Baloch's murder Pakistan's parliament passed new legislation mandating life imprisonment for honour killings.

Hundreds of women are killed each year in Pakistan by family members over perceived offences to honour, including elopement, fraternization with men outside marriage or other infractions against conservative Muslim values on female modesty.

Baloch attracted criticism and threats but was perceived by many, including young people, as breaking new ground
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One's a maverick leader with an instantly recognisable hairdo - loved by some, reviled by others, with a taste for the finer things in life and weakness for women... and the other is Boris Johnson.

And it seems comparisons between the UK Prime Minister and North Korean despot Kim Jong-un don't stop there, as these rather alarming photo matchers show.

The Prime Minister today paid a visit to Rosyth shipyard in Scotland, and donned one of his familiar high visibility jackets.

It was another heavily stage-managed photo opportunity with an army of apparatchiks that serves the same purpose whether you are a dynastic Communist dictator or the elected leader of the United Kingdom.

Kim, in his role as Supreme Leader of the so-called Hermit Kingdom, is fond of 'field guidance' visits in which he is typically shown walking around a construction site, field or factory while issuing diktats to obliging lackeys.

Boris may not enjoy the same level of obedience from his aides, but is never-the-less partial to site visits of his own and is regularly photographed in factories and field giving his own form of 'guidance' to workers.

Over the years that has led to some strikingly similar pictures emerging, as this MailOnline analysis shows...

Military men: Boris dons a high-vis jacket for a visit to a Naval shipyard in Scotland today (left), while Kim Jong-un dons a leather jacket for a visit to a North Korean munitions factory (right)

Fat of the land: Supreme Leader Boris Johnson (left) inspects a potato during a visit to a Northern Irish factory in 2019 while Kim Jong-un (right) pulls a similar pose at a food storage facility in North Korea in 2018

Boys' toys: Boris is shown the inside of an F-35 Lightning cockpit during a tour of the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in May last year (left) while Kim sits in the cockpit of a Russian fighter in North Korea in 2014 (right)

Look out! The UK Prime Minister looks through binoculars while riding the Isle of Wight ferry in 2019 (left) while North Korea's Young General uses binoculars to oversee a military drill the same year

Horsing around: Boris rides a horse around London's Olympic Park with gold medal winner Nick Skelton in 2013 (left) while Kim gallops up the side of Mount Paektu in North Korean propaganda (right)

Action men: The UK's Dear Leader holds an AK-47 while training Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Iraq in 2015 (left) while North Korea's Dear Leader inspects a similar rifle somewhere in his country in 2012 (right)

Off the rails: Boris is pictured behind the controls of a London Overground train in 2009 (left) while Kim is seen waving from the window of his armoured train in 2018 (right)

Pie in the sky: Boris rides the newly-opened Emirates cable car in south London in 2012 (left) while Kim rides a similar cable car with South Korea's president Moon Jae-in in 2018 (right)

Rally the troops: Boris delivers a speech to UK troops on NATO deployment to the Baltics (left) for Christmas 2019, while Kim is pictured speaking to North Korean tanker crews in 2017 (right)

Something fishy: Boris Johns-un reviews the day's catch and offers field guidance at a Scottish fishery (left), while Kim Jong-un offers similar field guidance at a military fishery somewhere in North Korea (right)

Steady as she goes? Boris Johnson shows off the latest in UK forklift technology on a visit to a plant nursery in Essex in 2019 (left), while Kim Jong-un shows off the latest in North Korean tractor technology in 2017 (right)

Half baked: Extolling the virtues of UK self-reliance, Boris Johnson visits a biscuit factory during the Brexit referendum campaign in 2016 (left). Kim Jong-un make similar claims at a North Korean food factory in 2014 (right)

What are you driving at? Workers at a Northern Irish factory producing double-decker London buses receive field guidance from Boris (left) while Kim also gives field guidance on the construction of North Korean buses (right)

Boris Johnson during a visit to Sam Cole Foods fish processing factory in Lowestoft, Suffolk in 2020, left, and Kim Jong-Un inspecting a newly renovated catfish farm in 2015, right

Boris Johnson takes a plane the day before the EU Referendum in 2016, left, Kim Jong Un gives field guidance to the construction of the Mirae Scientists Street at his plane, right
Special Counsel John Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr to serve as the Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice in October 2020, while Trump was president

The mainstream media is under fire again for ignoring the bombshell claims Hillary Clinton's campaign spied on Donald Trump while he was President - while they show no hesitation in heavy coverage of the discredited Steele dossier and allegations he was colluding with Russia,

DailyMail.com found no links or references to the latest revelations by Special Counsel John Durham in his probe into the origins of the Russia investigation on the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS.

The story has even been picked up global news organizations, including The Times of London, but has seen little in comparison to the wall-to-wall coverage of the so-called 'dirty dossier' that turned out to be Democrat-funded opposition research used as a basis for the FBI to surveil Trump campaign aide Carter Page.

The authenticity of the Steele dossier crumbled when Russian-born analyst Igor Y. Danchenko was arrested and indicted in November for lying about his contact with a Bill and Hillary Clinton crony, who supplied some of the information.

Even on Monday, days after the alleged scandal broke, CNN's top story on its digital site was about pro-Trump lawyer John Eastman handing nearly 8,000 documents over to the House committee investigating the Capitol riot.

At the time of Danchenko's arrest, it appeared that the same outlets giving the dossier oxygen before it could be further verified were poised to re-examine their coverage. However since the weekend they have also been silent about Durham's findings.

A 2020 interview Trump sat for with CBS News host Lesley Stahl resurfaced amid the fallout, in which the veteran journalist dismissed claims that political opponents spied on Trump's campaign.

His son Eric Trump called on Stahl to apologize. Trump himself previously called the heated October 2020 interview a 'vicious attempted takeout.'

Trump jumped on the lack of stories published in outlets over the weekend, said it is proof the media is corrupt and claimed 'all hell would break loose' if Republicans faced the same accusations.

No mention of Durham can be seen in screenshots of CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times and Washington Post that were posted on Twitter by Rep. Steve Scalise on Sunday. DailyMail.com found no links or references to the latest revelations by Special Counsel John Durham in his probe into the origins of the Russia investigation on the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS

He added that the lack of coverage on the matter on more liberal-leaning networks was a 'scandal' itself, in contrast with the steady stream of pundits and Republican officials weighing in on right-wing outlets.

'Can you imagine that, what should be the biggest story of our time, bigger than Watergate, is getting absolutely no mention, ZERO, in the New York Times, Washington Post, ABC Fake News, NBC Fake News, CBS Fake News, ratings-dead CNN, and MSDNC,' Trump said through his Save America PAC.

'This in itself is a scandal, the fact that a story so big, so powerful, and so important for the future of our Nation is getting zero coverage from LameStream, is being talked about all over the world.

Just like they wouldnt talk about the many Biden corruption scandals prior to the Election, (or for that matter now!), they wont talk about this, which is potentially even bigger. It shows how totally corrupt and shameless the media is.'

The Democrat-funded opposition research that suggested Trump was in the Kremlin's pocket was found to have been used as the basis for the FBI to surveil ex-Trump campaign aide Carter Page, before key claims in it were debunked and one of its key sources, a Russian analyst named Igor Danchenko, was charged with lying to that same agency.

Meanwhile, conservative pundits and current and former Republican officials have come down on the Clinton team, some even agreeing with Trump's accusation that the Democrat's actions amounted to 'treason.'

Former Deputy National Security Adviser K.T. McFarland said the reason mainstream media outlets were ignoring the story was because they were complicit in conjuring a false narrative around the Trump administration, which she was part of for four months in 2017.

Former President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that he could be subjected to the electric chair if allegations were made against him that he spied on Hillary Clinton

He called out the mainstream media's double standard over their lack of coverage of the allegations, suggesting that was a crime in itself

The key passage of the Durham filing that led to the accusations against Clinton and her campaign Below is the key part of the legal filing made by Special Counsel John Durham on Friday February 11 that led to the firestorm of claims that Hillary Clinton and her campaign spied on Donald Trump. The documents were part of the case against Michael Sussman, a Clinton campaign lawyer charged with lying to a federal agent over work on links between Trump and Russia. The defendant (Michael Sussman) is charged in a one-count indictment with making a materially false statement to the FBI, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001 (the 'Indictment'). As set forth in the Indictment, on Sept. 19, 2016  less than two months before the 2016 U.S. Presidential election  the defendant, a lawyer at a large international law firm ('Law Firm-1') that was then serving as counsel to the Clinton Campaign, met with the FBI General Counsel (James Baker) at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The defendant provided the FBI General Counsel with purported data and 'white papers' that allegedly demonstrated a covert communications channel between the Trump Organization and a Russia-based bank ('Russian Bank-1'). The Indictment alleges that the defendant lied in that meeting, falsely stating to the General Counsel that he was not providing the allegations to the FBI on behalf of any client. In fact, the defendant had assembled and conveyed the allegations to the FBI on behalf of at least two specific clients, including (i) a technology executive ('Tech Executive-1 - identified as Rodney Jeffe) at a U.S.-based Internet company ('Internet Company1'), and (ii) the Clinton Campaign. 3. The defendant's billing records reflect that the defendant repeatedly billed the Clinton Campaign for his work on the Russian Bank-1 allegations. In compiling and disseminating these allegations, the defendant and Tech Executive-1 also had met and communicated with another law partner at Law Firm-1 who was then serving as General Counsel to the Clinton Campaign ('Campaign Lawyer-1'). The Indictment also alleges that, beginning in approximately July 2016, Tech Executive-1 had worked with the defendant, a U.S. investigative firm retained by Law Firm-1 on behalf of the Clinton Campaign, numerous cyber researchers, and employees at multiple Internet companies to assemble the purported data and white papers. In connection with these efforts, Tech Executive-1 exploited his access to non-public and/or proprietary Internet data. Tech Executive-1 also enlisted the assistance of researchers at a U.S.-based university who were receiving and analyzing large amounts of Internet data in connection with a pending federal government cybersecurity research contract. Tech Executive-1 tasked these researchers to mine Internet data to establish 'an inference' and 'narrative' tying then-candidate Trump to Russia. In doing so, Tech Executive-1 indicated that he was seeking to please certain 'VIPs,' referring to individuals at Law Firm-1 and the Clinton Campaign. 5. The Government's evidence at trial will also establish that among the Internet data Tech Executive-1 and his associates exploited was domain name system ('DNS') Internet traffic pertaining to (i) a particular healthcare provider, (ii) Trump Tower, (iii) Donald Trump's Central Park West apartment building, and (iv) the Executive Office of the President of the United States ('EOP'). (Tech Executive-1's employer, Internet Company-1, had come to access and maintain dedicated servers for the EOP as part of a sensitive arrangement whereby it provided DNS resolution services to the EOP. Tech Executive-1 and his associates exploited this arrangement by mining the EOP's DNS traffic and other data for the purpose of gathering derogatory information about Donald Trump.) 6. The Indictment further details that on February 9, 2017, the defendant provided an updated set of allegations  including the Russian Bank-1 data and additional allegations relating to Trump  to a second agency of the U.S. government ('Agency-2'). The Government's evidence at trial will establish that these additional allegations relied, in part, on the purported DNS traffic that Tech Executive-1 and others had assembled pertaining to Trump Tower, Donald Trump's New York City apartment building, the EOP, and the aforementioned healthcare provider. In his meeting with Agency-2, the defendant provided data which he claimed reflected purportedly suspicious DNS lookups by these entities of internet protocol ('IP') addresses affiliated with a Russian mobile phone provider ('Russian Phone Provider-1'). The defendant further claimed that these lookups demonstrated that Trump and/or his associates were using supposedly rare, Russian-made wireless phones in the vicinity of the White House and other locations. The Special Counsel's Office has identified no support for these allegations. Indeed, more complete DNS data that the Special Counsel's Office obtained from a company that assisted Tech Executive-1 in assembling these allegations reflects that such DNS lookups were far from rare in the United States. For example, the more complete data that Tech Executive-1 and his associates gathered  but did not provide to Agency-2  reflected that between approximately 2014 and 2017, there were a total of more than 3 million lookups of Russian Phone-Provider-1 IP addresses that originated with U.S.-based IP addresses. Fewer than 1,000 of these lookups originated with IP addresses affiliated with Trump Tower. In addition, the more complete data assembled by Tech Executive-1 and his associates reflected that DNS lookups involving the EOP and Russian Phone Provider-1 began at least as early 2014 (i.e., during the Obama administration and years before Trump took office)  another fact which the allegations omitted. 7. In his meeting with Agency-2 employees, the defendant also made a substantially similar false statement as he had made to the FBI General Counsel. In particular, the defendant asserted that he was not representing a particular client in conveying the above allegations. In truth and in fact, the defendant was representing Tech Executive-1  a fact the defendant subsequently acknowledged under oath in December 2017 testimony before Congress (without identifying the client by name). Advertisement

After leaving the National Security Council McFarland was briefly considered for the US ambassador post in Singapore.

However her nomination was derailed in the Senate after she was ensnared in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. McFarland had previously told senators that she was not aware of communications between ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and Russia, though Mueller's probe later uncovered a 2016 email discussing a meeting between Flynn and a Kremlin official.

She told Fox & Friends on Monday that the media's coverage of the matter 'destroyed' her career and suggested they would try to do the same to Trump.

'All the other media was in on the con, they were all in on it. They were the ones that did Russia, Russia, Russia,' McFarland said.

'I mean, they destroyed my career, my reputation, cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees with the Mueller investigation. So the media, they don't want to touch this because they're complicit in it. They don't want to have to be called before a grand jury and have to say where they got the fake story and why they continue to peddle it.'

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan suggested on Fox program America's Newsroom that Democrats and the media were working together to gin up a narrative.

He compared it to reports from late last year that the National School Boards Association worked in tandem with the Biden White House and Justice Department (DOJ) in a letter to the Attorney General comparing parents protesting Critical Race Theory and COVID-19 mandates to 'domestic terrorists.'

'They were creating the very news they were then tweeting about and trying to get the media to write about. Frankly, it's is no different, it's the template that the left uses, the Democrats use,' Jordan said Monday morning.

'It's the same thing that happened four months ago when we found out the Department of Education went out and solicited the letter from the National School Boards Association so they could to what they wanted to do, namely, spy on parents. And the same thing happened here.'

Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise shared a compilation of online news front pages on Twitter Sunday, pointing out that none of them -- CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post and MSNBC -- made any mention of Durham's findings.

'Yesterday it was revealed that the Clinton Campaign paid a tech company to infiltrate Trump Tower/White House servers and drum up the now-debunked phony Russian collusion hoax that the media ran with,' Scalise wrote.

'Now that same media is silent on this massive scandal. They're complicit.'

It comes after many of the same news outlets were accused of ignoring a study showing that COVID-19 lockdowns only reduced the virus mortality rate by 0.2 percent.

A review by three respected economists from Johns Hopkins University, Lund University in Sweden and the Danish think-tank the Center for Political Studies, found that restrictions imposed in the spring of 2020 - including stay-at-home orders, masks mandates and social distancing - only reduced COVID mortality by 0.2 percent.

The study, published in the Studies in Applied Economics January 2022 edition, that lockdowns caused 'enormous economic and social costs' and concluded that they were 'ill-founded and should be rejected as a pandemic policy instrument' going forward.

A study done by economists at Johns Hopkins found that lockdowns - including stay-at-home orders and school closures - only lowered COVID deaths by 0.2 percent overall

But the study was largely ignored by mainstream American media outlets, with just DailyMail.com, the Wall Street Journal, Fortune and the Washington Times publicizing it.

The study was nowhere to be found on the New York Times, Washington Post and ABC News websites, and while some regional NBC and CBS affiliates reported on the story, the national networks did not.

Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe told Durham he had 'enough evidence' to indict 'multiple people,' Fox reported on Monday.

Durham's filings revealed how Clinton's election campaign paid money to a tech firm to 'mine data' from servers that were at Trump Tower, and later the White House.

Durham's indictment made no specific claims of servers being 'infiltrated', but rather that DNS data from Trump Tower and Whitehouse servers was exploited in an attempt to document a link between Trump and Russian banks.

According to a filing from Special Counsel John Durham, the aim was to try and smear Trump by linking him to Russia, which had been accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.

Durham's court filing alleges that Clinton's campaign paid a tech firm to 'mine data' at Trump Tower and White House servers in a bid to establish a link between Trump and Russia

Durham's motion that was filed on Friday looked a potential conflicts of interest with regards to former Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussman, who has been charged with making a false statement to a federal agent. Sussman has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The former chief investigator of the Trump-Russia probe for the House Intelligence Committee under Republican Devin Nunes, Kash Patel, said Friday's filing 'definitively showed the Hillary Clinton campaign directly funded and ordered its lawyers at Perkins Coie to orchestrate a criminal enterprise to fabricate a connection between President Trump and Russia,' reports Fox News.

'Per Durham, this arrangement was put in motion in July of 2016, meaning the Hillary Clinton campaign and her lawyers masterminded the most intricate and coordinated conspiracy against Trump when he was both a candidate and later President of the United States while simultaneously perpetuating the bogus Steele Dossier hoax,' Patel told Fox.

The indictment against Sussman details how two months prior to the presidential election, in September 2016, he explained to FBI General Counsel James Baker he was not working 'for any client' when presented papers allegedly outlining a 'covert communications channel' between Trump's Organization and Alfa Bank, the largest of the private banks in Russia which has ties to the Kremlin.

Democratic lawyer Michael Sussman was indicted for allegedly lying to FBI general counsel James Baker over whether he was advising Hillary Clinton.

In Durham's filing on Friday, he revealed how Sussman 'had assembled and conveyed the allegations to the FBI on behalf of at least two specific clients, including a technology executive (Tech Executive 1), named as Rodney Joffe, at a U.S.-based internet company (Internet Company 1) and the Clinton campaign.'

It also states how Sussman and the Tech Executive (Joffe) met to speak with another lawyer working as General Counsel to the Clinton campaign, who Fox identify as Marc Elias from Perkins Coie law firm.

The filing also reveals how Josse worked with Sussman at the instruction of the Clinton campaign to 'assemble the purported data and white papers' - essentially to gather information that would tie Trump to Russia.

Trump reacted to the bombshell news with a stunning suggestion that Clinton should be executed over the allegations.

He released a statement on Saturday evening that began by mis-identifying the special counsel as 'Robert' rather than 'John.'

'The latest pleading from Special Counsel Robert Durham provides indisputable evidence that my campaign and presidency were spied on by operatives paid by the Hillary Clinton Campaign in an effort to develop a completely fabricated connection to Russia,' Trump said through his Save America PAC.

He added, 'In a stronger period of time in our country, this crime would have been punishable by death.'

Republican Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan agreed with Trump during an appearance on Fox & Friends Sunday morning.

'We've never seen anything like this in history,' Jordan said.

'So President Trump's statement yesterday, I think is right on target. This is truly unprecedented, truly something that has never happened in the history of our great country.'
Boris Johnsons new aide sent a letter to a constituent accusing the Prime Minister of undermining Britains standing on the world stage  but insists she did so by mistake.

Conservative MP Joy Morrissey was promoted to become the Prime Ministers Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) in last weeks mini-reshuffle.

The Daily Mail revealed on Saturday how the American-born politician starred as an actress in low budget films before she entered the Commons.

One role included a racy bedroom scene in which her male co-star instructs her to ride me like a donkey.

Now she is at the centre of an embarrassing row over a letter she sent to a constituent denouncing her new boss for breaking his promises by reducing the foreign aid budget.

Conservative MP Joy Morrissey was promoted to become the Prime Ministers Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) in last weeks mini-reshuffle

The American-born former actress starred in low-budget films on the other side of the Atlantic before she was elected as an MP in Buckinghamshire. One role included a racy bedroom scene in which her male co-star instructs her to ride me like a donkey

Joy Morrissey appeared as the female lead in the 90-minute movie titled Geek Mythology under the stage name Joy Boden in 2009

Writing on Commons-headed notepaper to a voter in her Beaconsfield constituency, she argued the cut was a drop in the ocean compared to the Governments borrowing, but would have a massive impact on the worlds poorest.

Mrs Morrissey made the outspoken intervention even though she was a ministerial aide at the Foreign Office  the department responsible for implementing the cuts  when they were pushed through.

In an astonishing twist, when contacted by the Daily Mail Mrs Morrisseys office initially suggested the letter  which includes her signature  was a fake.

She now accepts it was genuine, but argues it does not represent her views. The MP says a template letter arguing against the cut had been used by mistake.

In the correspondence, Mrs Morrissey criticised the timing of the foreign aid cuts as the UK held the presidency of the G7 last year.

I think cutting back on our commitments now, as President of the G7, whilst other G7 nations such as France and Germany increase theirs, sends completely the wrong message, she wrote in the letter sent in October.

The pandemic, which risks erasing decades of global progress, makes it more essential than ever for the UK to step up, not back.

Mrs Morrissey described Britains work on international development as a source of immense pride and pointed out that she had been elected in 2019 on a Conservative election manifesto to proudly maintain the commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of gross national income on overseas aid.

As such, I was very disheartened when I learned last November of the Governments intention to renege upon this commitment, albeit temporarily, she wrote.

Especially so, given that only a few months earlier, in June, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the UKs commitment to the target when the merger between the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was announced.

Making clear her opposition, Mrs Morrissey continued: I appreciate the trying economic situation the UK finds itself in domestically, because of the pandemic, and why the Government and many across the House feel that this necessitates cutting back on our development commitments overseas - but I do not agree.

The amount saved by cutting aid spending to 0.5 per cent of gross national income is a mere drop in ocean compared with what the Government is currently borrowing, and will do little to alleviate the current domestic economic crisis.

She added: Indeed, the cut will make little difference to those of us lucky enough to reside in the UK, but it will have a massive impact on the worlds most vulnerable people - be it the millions of children at risk of famine or women without access to contraception - for whom the UKs aid efforts were hitherto a source of great hope, and who now stand to lose out.

The role of Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) is the first rung on the ministerial ladder. The unpaid bag carriers are the eyes and ears of their ministers in the Commons.

At the Budget last October, Rishi Sunak said cuts to the foreign aid budget would remain in place for at least another three years.

A spokesman for Mrs Morrissey said: The letter in question was regrettably sent to said constituent in error.

Joy fully supports the Governments foreign policy and its cut in the foreign aid budget.

The spokesman added: Like many MPs offices Joys office has experienced extremely high volumes of constituency correspondence recently and whilst unfortunate, mistakes like this do happen.

There is no question that Joy completely supports the Governments policy agenda.
China's new military equipment experiment regulations eye combat capability boost

By Liu Xuanzun (Global Times) 08:22, February 14, 2022

A fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command taxies on the runway to the takeoff point prior to an air combat flight training exercise on January 17, 2022. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wu Gaoming)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently signed an order promulgating a set of regulations on the testing and assessment of military equipment, which stressed efficient, combat-oriented tests under the development trend of informatization and intelligentization throughout the equipment's entire life spans.

The regulations raised higher requirements for weapons and equipment to be used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and will contribute to boosting the troops' combat capabilities, analysts said on Sunday.

Consisting of 56 articles in 11 chapters and having taken effect on Thursday, the regulations stipulate the basic tasks, contents and management mechanisms of military equipment testing and assessment under new circumstances, and serve as the fundamental rule of relevant work, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday.

The new regulations come at a time when China is facing a drastic change in global security structures and is forced to enhance preparedness for possible military conflicts, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Sunday.

In order to have weapons and equipment to play their intended roles in real combat, they must go through tests and assessments in realistic, diverse and complex battlefield environments, Song said.

The new regulations are of significance in that they are expected to set higher standards and requirements for weapons and equipment to be used by the PLA, so the weapons and equipment can further boost the troops' combat capabilities and win wars, Song said.

Eyeing realistic combat-oriented test requirements of equipment, the regulations adjusted work procedures for experiment and assessment, as the work flow now consists of capability testing, status appraisal, combat testing, design finalization and in-service assessments throughout the entire life spans of the equipment, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Saturday.

This means that new military equipment will go through tough, scientific and combat-oriented testing not only before they are commissioned, but also during their service, analysts pointed out, noting that more problems and room for improvements can only be found during actual use.

Keeping a foothold on the development trend of informatization and intelligentization, the regulations improved the work pattern of testing and assessment so it will become combat-oriented, flexible and efficient, according to the CCTV report.

Experts said the new regulations focus not only on mechanization aspects of military equipment, but also informatization and intelligentization aspects, which are trends of modern warfare.

This is not the first set of regulations on military equipment Xi signed recently.

For example, in January 2021, Xi signed an order to release revised regulations on military equipment, defining the basic tasks, contents and management mechanisms for military equipment work under the new situation and system. In November 2021, Xi signed a new set of regulations on military equipment procurement focusing on war preparedness and combat capabilities.

During a military conference on weaponry and equipment-related work in October 2021 in Beijing, Xi urged efforts to break new ground in the development of the country's military weaponry and equipment, and contribute to the realization of the goals set for the centennial of the PLA in 2027.

China aims to basically complete the modernization of national defense and armed forces by 2035 and fully transform the PLA into a world-class military by the middle of the century, Xinhua reported.

China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and its military equipment development also follows that policy, analysts said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
A diplomat was found hanged in a forest after suffering extreme stress working on the Harry Dunn case then the Government's Covid taskforce, an inquest heard today.

Former ambassador to Nepal Richard Morris, 52, toiled long hours, helping co-ordinate briefings to ministers at a time when the UK was battling the fierce first wave of coronavirus.

He was drafted onto that team just after having led a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office team involved in the high profile Harry Dunn case, the teenage motorcyclist killed in a crash outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northants.

On Monday, his widow fought back tears as she told an inquest he had been 'totally unprotected' from the demands of the Covid taskforce.

Alison Morris said 'I think it felt to him like he was being told to man up and be more resilient'.

She said her husband feared there was not enough time to process information and she had to tell him 'he was not responsible for Covid-19'.

As a result he was 'desperate' to keep on top of what was going on, working every day with 'no real time off', she said.

Mr Morris was last seen running near his home in Hampshire on May 6, 2020, and his body was found three months later.

An inquest into his death resumed on Monday in Winchester.

Addressing the coroner, Ms Morris said her husband was a 'quiet extrovert' who 'thrived on interactions with others'.

Richard Morris, 52, was asked to help with the Government's Covid taskforce during pandemic

Alison Morris widow of Richard Morris told the inquest he felt stressed and under pressure

His tearful widow Alison said he was 'totally unprotected' from the taskforce's demands

'He was genuinely interested in people. His kindness and compassion shone through even when there was a language barrier.'

After several years living in Nepal, the couple returned to the UK, where Mr Morris worked for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London for several months ahead of their expected posting to Fiji.

Ms Morris said: 'Richard was proud to work for the FCDO and enjoyed his work.

'He found it varied, stimulating and compelling.'

The inquest heard that Mr Morris found the return to working in London difficult.

He was assigned to the case of Harry Dunn, the 19-year-old killed when a car crashed into his motorbike outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire which sparked a diplomatic incident.

Mr Morris was later asked to assist with the Government's Covid-19 taskforce, helping to co-ordinate briefings for ministers.

This was at a time when Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in intensive care and news about coronavirus was changing every day.

Hampshire Constabulary's Detective Inspector Matthew Gillooly outside the inquest today

Inquest heard that Mr Morris had 'no time off' and had become stressed and overworked

Mr Morris was last seen running near his home in Hampshire on May 6, 2020, and his body was found three months later

'It was the most stressful job he had ever done', Ms Morris told the inquest.

'He was extremely stressed.

'I don't know when the night sweats started but I told Richard he should see a doctor. He said that he was just stressed. The bed would be completely drenched.'

She said Mr Morris felt there was not enough time for him to ensure all information provided was accurate.

'On top of that, the potential fallout from any error he might make was likely to be very public.

'If any information error got past him the Government or the Civil Service would be torn apart,' she said.

On May 6 2020, Mr Morris went for a run near his home - something he often did to relieve stress - but did not return.

The inquest heard that police were called and extensive searches were carried out.

Months later, on August 31, his body was discovered in Alice Holt Forest.

Dominic Raab broke the news to Foreign Office staff that Richard Morris had died and described him as an 'outstanding diplomat' who 'served his country with distinction', his inquest heard.

Raab, then Foreign Secretary, sent an internal memo to Foreign Office staff after Mr Morris' body was found on August 31, 2020.

Winchester Coroner's Court, Hants, heard the Deputy Prime Minister led the tributes to him.

Raab said: 'We've had the tragic news that they have found the body of our much-liked colleague Richard Morris.

'I am deeply saddened by his death and my heart goes out to his wife and his three children.

'Many of you will feel this personally.

'He served his country with distinction as an outstanding diplomat who embodied the best of Her Majesty's government.

'He was an immensely well-liked colleague and he will be hugely missed.'

Peter Jones, COO of the Foreign Office at the time, said many colleagues paid tribute to Mr Morris, describing him as a 'true diplomat' and 'the very best of us'.

Mr Jones, now retired, said: 'We are blessed to have many dedicated and nice people but on both counts Richard really stood out.'

The inquest continues.

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
The Met Police Federation today declared it has 'no faith' in London Mayor Sadiq Khan after his 'very public ousting' of Dame Cressida Dick - as it warned morale among officers had hit 'rock bottom'.

The body representing more than 31,000 rank-and-file police officers claimed made Mr Khan's actions have 'undermined the professional, dedicated and incredibly difficult work of tens of thousands of hard-working and brave police officers from across the capital'.

It came after scandal-hit Dame Cressida dramatically quit as commissioner on Thursday night after the mayor made clear he had no confidence in her plans to reform the service.

Today, Met Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh accused Sadiq Khan (pictured, with Cressida Dick) of 'using policing and the career of the country's most senior police leader to deflect from their own failings'

Accusing politicians of using 'policing and the career of the country's most senior police leader to deflect from their own failings', the organisation's chairman, Ken Marsh, said: 'This is not a move we take lightly.

'We have let the mayor's office know in no uncertain terms how our brave and diligent colleagues deserve better.

'The atmosphere amongst Metropolitan Police officers is horrendous - it's rock bottom.

'Officers in London feel saddened and angry that the commissioner Cressida Dick has been pushed out in the way she has.

'She was reforming. She was changing. The culture is changing. We are deeply disappointed with the actions of the mayor.'

'The Federation will continue to speak up for these courageous colleagues. They are being forgotten about by our elected mayor. Enough is enough. Officers have no faith in Sadiq Khan,' he added.

Last week Home Secretary Priti Patel warned the new Met chief must be prepared to tackle the 'policing culture' which has left the country's biggest force reeling from a series of scandals.

Mr Khan addressed the issue in the Observer, where he wrote: 'It has become crystal-clear that there are deep cultural issues within the Met.

'It's my job as mayor to hold the police to account on behalf of Londoners, so it was my duty to act decisively as soon as I concluded that the only way we were going to start seeing the level of change urgently required was with new leadership right at the top of the Met.'

Dame Cressida's departure - just months after Ms Patel agreed a two-year extension to her contract - followed a barrage of criticism about the force, including over its handling of the case of Sarah Everard who was murdered by a serving Met officer.

A string of other scandals during her tenure ranged from the disastrous Operation Midland into fake VIP sex abuse claims to the jailing of two officers for taking pictures of the corpses of two murdered sisters.

The Met has also been criticised for being slow to investigate the reports of parties in Downing Street and Whitehall in breach of Covid restrictions.

The final straw, however, was a report by the police watchdog which exposed violently racist, misogynist and homophobic messages exchanged by officers based at Charing Cross police station.

Mr Marsh said the Metropolitan Police Federation was 'sickened' by incidents that have hit the headlines over recent months, but that they were 'not reflective of an entire workforce'.

'The atmosphere amongst Metropolitan Police officers is horrendous - it's rock bottom,' said Mr Marsh (pictured)

He added: 'We've got to put some context on what we are talking about. The incidents that have taken place are horrific. We do not want these individuals in the job.

'But the federation will continue to speak up for our good officers. We totally accept that we have to deliver for the public and work to improve confidence, but if you haven't got your workforce with you then you are not going to achieve what you're setting out to achieve.'

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson paid tribute to Dame Cressida's 'remarkable' career.

Asked for his view on Mr Khan's role in forcing her out, and for confirmation that - as a Prime Minister under investigation by the police - he would play no part in choosing her successor, Mr Johnson said: 'I think the best thing I can say about Cressida Dick is that I think over many, many years - I've known her for many years - she has played a remarkable role as the first female head of the Metropolitan Police.

'I thank her for all her service. It goes back a long time.

'I wouldn't want any other issues to cloud what I think, overall, is very considerable record of public service.'

A spokeswoman for the Mayor of London said: "It is the mayor's job to stand up for Londoners and hold the police to account on their behalf, as well as to support the police in bearing down on crime.

"With trust in the police among Londoners shattered following a series of devastating scandals exposing evidence of racism, misogyny, homophobia, harassment and discrimination in the Met, it was the mayor's view that a change of leadership was the only way to address this crisis in trust.

"The mayor has always made clear that there are thousands of incredibly brave and decent police officers at the Met, who we owe a huge debt of gratitude. But the series of scandals seen in recent years has tarnished the reputation of the police, which is so crucial to policing by consent.

Now Priti's favourite eyes top job Priti Patel's favourite candidate for the Metropolitan Police top job could be back in the running as she considers her next moves after a cancer battle, it is understood. Dame Lynne Owens is widely regarded as a shoo-in for the commissioner role if she decides to throw her hat into the ring. The former director general of the National Crime Agency retired last September after being diagnosed with breast cancer. But last night friends said she was 'out the other side' and has 'started to think about what's next'. She is widely respected in the Home Office, where there was deep regret that her health had ruled her out from taking over the Met last year. The incumbent commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick, was given a two-year contract extension in September despite a series of scandals  largely because of the lack of obvious successors. Advertisement

"Downplaying the scale of the change required is only going to hinder, not help, the vital process of restoring Londoners' trust in the Met."

It came as reports suggested Dame Cressida could stay in charge of Scotland Yard until after the controversial Partygate inquiry is complete - with a decision due as early as today.

Haggling has been going on behind the scenes over her departure day and the terms of a pay-off.

Her ultimate leaving date could be as far as two months away, meaning she will be at the helm when decisions are made on whether to fine Boris Johnson and a host of other Downing Street staff for lockdown-busting 'parties'.

The PM is believed to have attended six events under investigation, and confirmed on Friday that he has received a legal questionnaire from the Met.

There are claims he has drafted in a lawyer to write his response and will argue that the gatherings were 'part of working life' in No10 during the frenzied Covid response.

Tories are increasingly alarmed that the Partygate inquiry will drag on to April, perilously close to crucial local elections the following month.

But a permanent Scotland Yard commissioner is unlikely to be in place before the summer, after a lengthy appointment process.

'We hope there will be a decision on Monday regarding the timescale of Cressida's departure, or certainly early in the week,' a Whitehall source said.

It is understood matters yet to be resolved include the size of Dame Cressida's payoff for leaving the job with more than two years left on her contract  a sum that could be more than 500,000  on top of her pension of around 160,000 a year.

'A new commissioner probably won't be actually at their desk until the summer. This is not a quick process,' the source added. An interim commissioner is likely to be appointed in the meantime.

It comes as Mr Khan indicated he would veto any candidate he felt was unsuitable.

He said he would only back a new commissioner who he felt had a proper grasp of the 'cultural problems' at the Met.

'As we start this important process, I make this commitment to Londoners  I will not support the appointment of a new commissioner unless they can clearly demonstrate that they understand the scale of the cultural problems within the Met and the urgency with which they must be addressed,' Mr Khan wrote in The Observer newspaper.

'In short, they need to get it, and they need to have a proper and robust plan to deal with it.'

Government sources said the Home Office was keen to work with Mr Khan to appoint the best candidate as soon as possible.

'The Home Secretary is required by the legislation to take the Mayor's views into account, and she will,' a source said.

'The view is that we simply want the best cop in this job.'

Rules changes in 2014 allow ministers to appoint a foreign police officer to the commissioner role and the job will be advertised internationally, with the Home Office expected to approach the embassies of the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia within days.

However, the most likely scenario is that the new commissioner will be British, sources have said.

Those who receive Partygate questionnaires from the police are given seven days to respond.

There are reports Mr Johnson will use call logs and his diary to show how he was at three leaving parties for only a brief period of time before carrying on with work.

And a source told The Times: 'Saying goodbye to staff is part of working life.'

The Metropolitan Police has begun sending forms to up to 50 people believed to have attended gatherings in Whitehall during lockdown, including the Prime Minister and reportedly his wife Carrie Johnson.

The move means Mr Johnson will have to provide a credible reason as to why he was at events held during coronavirus restrictions or face a fine.

Mr Johnson is believed to have attended as many as six of the parties being investigating by the Metropolitan Police.

One such party was allegedly organised by friends of Carrie Johnson in the official Downing Street residence on November 13, 2020 - although she has denied the claims.
A Catholic priest voluntarily resigned from an Arizona church after the Vatican ruled that he botched thousands of baptisms by using incorrect phrasing for 25 years.

Father Andres Arango left his post at the St. Gregory Catholic Church in Phoenix this month after disclosing that he used an 'incorrect formula' that invalidated the baptisms. He has previously worked in churches in Brazil and San Diego.

Rather than saying 'I baptize you' - which invokes the power of God - as required by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Arango said 'we baptize you' - which refers to the community.

Using the wrong phrasing invalidated all the baptisms Arango has performed since being ordained in 1995 through June 2021. And as a result, this could also invalidate ensuing confirmations and Eucharists. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix said that it was possible that some marriages could be affected, but did not expand on how.

He'll now work full-time offering spiritual guidance to Catholics whose baptisms were ruled invalid so that he can baptize them again.

The church said the number of invalid baptisms runs into the thousands, but did not clarify to DailyMail.com exactly how many Arango performed.

The Vatican issued a doctoral note in 2020, clarifying that Baptisms conferred with the formula 'We baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son of the Holy Spirit,' were invalid.

Church leaders at The Roman Catholic Diocese investigated its faith leaders after the note was issued, and last month found that Father Arango had incorrectly performed the baptisms. It included baptisms at his previous parishes in Brazil and San Diego.

Arango is pictured performing a baptism on October 1, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Father Arango left his post at the St. Gregory Catholic Church in Phoenix this month after disclosing that he used an 'incorrect formula' that invalidated the baptisms. He has previously worked in churches in Brazil and San Diego.

In a letter announcing his resignation, Father Arango apologized to those his mistake has affected, and asked the community for 'prayers, forgiveness, and understanding'

Following the Vatican's note of clarification, other priests working in Catholic diocese across the United States realized they had also been improperly baptized by priests.

For instance, shortly after becoming an ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in 2020, Father Zachery Boazman reviewed a video of his 1992 baptism and realized the wrong wording had been used.

He was re-ordained following the discovery, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City said.

Arango joined St. Gregory church in 2017 and previously worked at other Arizona places of worship, including the St Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert and the St. Jerome Catholic Church in Phoenix.

He previously worked as a pastor in Brazil, and is the former director of the San Diego State University Newman Center.

Father Andres Arango left his post at the St. Gregory Catholic Church in Phoenix this month after disclosing that he used an 'incorrect formula' that invalidated baptisms he's performed in the past 25 years. He has previously worked in churches in Brazil and San Diego

In a letter announcing his resignation, Father Arango apologized to those his mistake has affected, and asked the community for 'prayers, forgiveness, and understanding.'

'It saddens me to learn that I have performed invalid baptisms throughout my ministry as a priest by regularly using an incorrect formula,' Arango said. 'I deeply regret my error and how this has affected numerous people in your parish and elsewhere.

'With the help of the Holy Spirit and in communion with the Diocese of Phoenix I will dedicate my energy and full time ministry to help remedy this and heal those affected.'

Arango remains a priest in good standing, and the situation has not disqualified him from his vocation and ministry, the Diocese said.

Baptism, considered important in the Catholic community for salvation, is the first of three sacraments of initiation.

Arango joined St. Gregory Catholic Church (pictured) in 2017 and previously worked at other Arizona places of worship, including the St Anne Roman Catholic Parish in Gilbert and the St. Jerome Catholic Church in Phoenix

Diocese of Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted (pictured) said he did not believe Arango sought out to intentionally harm or deceive parishioners

Those whose baptisms were invalid might have to repeat the second and third sacraments - confirmation and Eucharist - after receiving a second, valid baptism.

It's not clear how the situation could impact marriages, but the Diocese said that it could.

'Maybe!' it said in a statement. 'Unfortunately, there is no single clear answer. There are a number of variables when it comes to valid marriages, and the Tribunal is here to help.'

Diocese of Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said he did not believe Arango sought out to intentionally harm or deceive parishioners.

'On behalf of our local Church, I too am sincerely sorry that this error has resulted in disruption to the sacramental lives of a number of the faithful,' Olmsted said in a statement.

'This is why I pledge to take every step necessary to remedy the situation for everyone impacted.'

An online petition is calling for Arango to remain at the church.

'Catholics are taught that God forgives, is all loving, and shows compassion to everyone,' the petition says. 'It is important that the Phoenix Diocese emphasizes these virtues and shows its faithful what it truly means to be Catholic.'
A West End theatre photographer who was at the time 43 or 44 sexually assaulted an aspiring 22-year-old actress and left her feeling 'sick' at a 400 photoshoot funded by her mother, a court heard.

Pascal Molliere, 55, from Havant in Hampshire, has denied four counts of sexual assault during an hour-long photoshoot at a warehouse in Fulham, west London, in July 2010 where he allegedly stroked and kissed the woman intimately after suggesting to take 'fashion or sexy shots'.

The alleged victim, 22 at the time, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had recently moved to London to break into the acting industry, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Pascal Molliere (pictured), 54, from Havant in Hampshire, has denied four counts of sexual assault during an hour-long photoshoot at a warehouse in Fulham, west London in 2010

Tyrone Silcott, prosecuting, said the she was encouraged to remove clothing as the shoot went on, and 'pose for more and more revealing shots'.

He said: 'When she spoke to the photographer, he suggested that as well as doing headshots she might want to do some "fashion or sexy shots" and told her to bring a variety of outfits.'

Mr Silcott then said the photographer allegedly stroked and kissed the woman in intimate areas and kissed her forcefully on the mouth as she left the studio.

He added: '[The victim] will tell you that did not consent to this activity.

'She wanted to update her publicity photographs and booked a photoshoot with a professional photographer for what she thought originally was going to be for headshots.'

The woman reported the assault nine years after it was alleged to take place, between 1 July and 31 July 2010.

She had borrowed money from her mother for the shoot, which took place at Cooper House on Fulham Broadway.

The aspiring actress first got in touch with Molliere through a website called 'StarNow' and wanted headshots done by the professional photographer.

Mr Silcott said: 'She borrowed the money from her mother for her because it was a dream to get into acting and this is one of the ways you do it, by promoting yourself through headshots.'

The young woman accepted Molliere's offer to take some fashion shots as she was interested in getting work as a model, jurors heard.

She brought along some lingerie as she thought it 'might be nice to have some photographs taken for her and her then partner', Mr Silcott added.

He said that when the alleged victim arrived at the studio, Molliere appeared to be 'polite and professional' and locked the door 'for her privacy' as they entered the room where the photography would take place.

She said the workspace was 'dark' and 'did not seem like a studio'.

Mr Silcott then said the photographer (pictured) allegedly stroked and kissed the woman in intimate areas and kissed her forcefully on the mouth as she left the studio

Mr Silcott continued that after the headshots, which took 10 or 15 minutes to shoot, the photographer's behaviour became 'inappropriate'.

The young woman said Molliere took photos of her lingerie, which she agreed to, but began to get 'a bit close' and 'more touchy'.

He asked her to undress further and directed her to remove her bra straps and cover her breasts with her arms.

Molliere had touched the inside of her thighs and touched her in intimate areas, Mr Silcott said.

He then kissed her there, in what the woman described as 'a deep kiss...not internal but it was the kind of kiss you would only have from a loving partner, not from a guy who you've met only minutes ago'.

She added the experience 'uncomfortable' and made her 'upset'.

Mr Silcott said the woman was thinking: 'Just get this over with and you'll be out of here.'

After the shoot, Molliere asked her if she could come to his house to take another photoshoot with other women.

She said he kissed her with 'a full on kiss on the mouth as she was leaving she described this as 'not how you would kiss a girl goodbye that you've met for half an hour, who's half your age'.

The kiss 'made her feel sick' and when she left she 'burst into tears', the prosecutor said.

The alleged victim's boyfriend at the time phoned Molliere when he heard what happened and asked him to delete all the images and refund the money or the incident would be reported to police.

The money was refunded and the sexual assault was not reported until 17 January 2019.

In late 2021, images from the photoshoot were found on the hard drive of a Toshiba laptop found at Molliere's address, suggesting that he did not destroy them, as promised.

The young woman said Molliere (pictured) took photos of her lingerie, which she agreed to, but began to get 'a bit close' and 'more touchy'

There are photographs of the victim in various stages of undress, images of her completely naked and close up shots of her private parts.

Jurors were told, over the years, she shared what happened with some close friends and close partners, explaining that 'she was ashamed that she had not said "no" or stood up for herself'.

She did not report it because she didn't think that the police would believe her or that they could do anything about it, added Mr Silcott.

He said: 'It was not until after the MeToo movement when [she] noted or realised that it was more regular for women to speak out about sexual abuse that they suffered as a result of trying to make it in the industry and being exploited and being taken advantage of. And that's when she came forward.'

She contacted police to report what happened nine years after the incident, then attended an interview on 12 February 2019.

Molliere was interviewed by police under caution on May 8 2019, and provided a prepared statement.

He said in the statement: 'I totally deny these allegations.

'I remember receiving a call from a male regarding his fiancee about a photoshoot I had done.

'He was very aggressive and threatening, he demanded a refund which I provided.

'I do not recall all the details of that particular photoshoot; however, I know that any photos and poses that took place were entirely with her consent and I behaved professionally at all times.

Molliere denies three counts of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration

'The studio I worked in had CCTV, in the studio and throughout the building, and the studio was not locked.

'There were screened areas and toilets where clients could change with privacy.'

Molliere accepts he conducted a photoshoot with her in July 2010 but denies any sexual activity including touching and kissing her vagina or kissing her on the mouth.

He denies three counts of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration.

The photographer appeared in court with grey hair, wearing a navy blue suit and a light coloured shirt.

Earlier this week the photographer, who has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the BBC appeared via video link at Westminster Magistrates' Court wearing a blue shirt and yellow patterned tie.

Jurors will hear from Mollieres defence lawyer, Esther Schutzer-Weissmann, in the coming days.

The trial continues.
Two years on since the pure evil that is Covid-19 arrived, leaked most probably from a Chinese lab, in the UK at least there feels reason to hope that divisive corona politics are starting to fizzle out.

It's possible to leave the house without a mask; the pubs are packed; even friends and relatives who were terrified just a few months ago are, quite frankly, over the scaremongering broadcast media, modellers and scientific advisers still trying to control our lives.

But, most fundamentally, in England at least, society is not divided into two tiers.

Boris Johnson's short-lived and unworkable experiment with ghastly vaccine mandates for care home workers and NHS staff has been wisely ditched.

While there are still clear divisions between a hard-core of lockdown/mask fanatics and sane folk who are desperate for the old normal, there is a chance for Brits to emerge from the dark days of this pandemic as one.

That's not an opportunity being given to the citizens of America, Canada, New Zealand and France  so-called liberal democracies buckling under the hatefulness of vaccine division advanced by their leaders.

Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron, Jacinda Ardern in particular have been exposed as the real Covid extremists, tearing their societies apart with divisive mandates and draconian restrictions no longer backed up by scientific evidence.

It's hard to believe the need to say it in 2022, but any leader who truly believes segregation is a way to advance society needs their head read.

That's why the inspirational Freedom Convoys that first won many millions of hearts in Canada are now spreading across the globe, despite the best efforts of Biden and Trudeau to demonise them as 'swastika-waving' far-right extremists.

At the forefront of this hypocrisy are Canada's Trudeau (pictured) and New Zealand's Ardern, Prime Ministers whose 'Be Kind' mantras are being exposed as meaningless drivel

Protesters and supporters blockading Ambassador Bridge on February 10

We're not buying the bulls*** from these international leaders who try to convince us it is these folk  many of whom have lost their jobs because they believe in bodily autonomy  who are the ones trying to divide us.

While swathes of the mainstream media, taking cues from their revered prime ministers and presidents, may try and dismiss the various Freedom Convoys as the domain of racist and violent conspiracy theorists, that's not what we're seeing with our own eyes on the various live streams provided by the honest folk on the ground.

At the forefront of this hypocrisy are Canada's Trudeau and New Zealand's Ardern, Prime Ministers whose 'Be Kind' mantras are being exposed as meaningless drivel.

It's this pair of lefties who are the nasty ones, doing all they can to drive a wedge through their once harmonious and quiet societies, where most people don't like making a fuss.

The rhetoric from both has been downright nasty  and it's worth taking a closer look at how their own words have fuelled unnecessary discord.

Trudeau, who fled Ottawa and claimed he had Covid rather than enter any form of dialogue with the Convoy, was first out the gates.

In an extraordinary intervention that helped encourage the formation of the Freedom Convoy, he made sweeping statements about Canadians who had chosen, for whatever reason, not to be vaccinated.

In an incendiary TV interview, Trudeau said: 'They don't believe in science/progress and are very often misogynistic and racist. It's a very small group of people, but that doesn't shy away from the fact that they take up some space.'

That's right, Mr Blackface himself, a Prime Minister who seemed to spend his entire adolescence smearing dark paint over his smug mug, had the cheek to brand those who turned down a jab as being discriminatory.

But he wasn't done there. Trudeau went on: 'This leads us, as a leader and as a country, to make a choice: Do we tolerate these people? Over 80 per cent of the population of Quebec have done their duty by getting the shot. They are obviously not the issue in this situation.'

Do we 'tolerate these people'? These people! It's hard to believe a virus fast becoming endemic with a sky-high survival rate would take us to such a divisive place. Especially given Omicron has made it abundantly obvious that even being triple jabbed doesn't stop transmission.

So what is this really about? Well, for one, the 'tolerant' left simply will not tolerate anyone with views different to their own.

'When people see that we are in lockdowns or serious public health restrictions right now because of the risk posed to all of us by unvaccinated people, people get angry,' Trudeau threatened.

Since then, the weak PM  who eventually crept out of hiding  has done all he can to smear the Freedom Convoy, when the vast majority of the protests are peaceful and, at most times, purely joyful.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after announcing the country will move to red traffic light settings during a press conference at the Beehive in Parliament on January 23, 2022 in Wellington, New Zealand

'People of Ottawa don't deserve to be harassed in their own neighbourhoods, don't deserve to be confronted with the inherent violence of a swastika flying on a street corner, or a confederate flag, or the insults and jeers just because they're wearing a mask. That's not who Canadians are,' he raged, disingenuously focussing on reports of bad behaviour by a tiny proportion of the protesters.

When demonising the Convoy for causing disruption to day-to-day life, it's impossible not to laugh at the barefaced hypocrisy of it all, given Trudeau has been responsible for some of the world's toughest lockdowns, which rendered it impossible to run many businesses for months on end or live a normal life in Canada.

Ardern, who once assured her Kiwi population that she would never countenance mandates for Covid vaccination, has since become the wicked face of such a policy approach, even if she does it with that incessant toothy grin.

Last October she was asked by a journalist from the New Zealand Herald: 'You've basically said, and you probably don't see it like this, but two different classes of people if you're vaccinated or unvaccinated. If you're vaccinated you have all these rights.'

Ardern replied sinisterly while nodding: 'That is what it is. Yup, yup.'

She's been true to her word.

Ardern's vaccine mandates have seen teachers, midwives, nurses and many others lose their jobs, while seeing 13-year-olds whose parents choose not to jab them banned from school balls and from playing competitive sport.

This week a peaceful Kiwi Freedom Convoy set up shop on the lawn outside the New Zealand Parliament buildings in Wellington, with children in attendance and singing, dancing and the performance of powerful hakas by the Maori contingent in attendance.

Just like in Ottawa, most protestors are clear they are pro-choice when it comes to the vaccine and simply want the removal of mandates, then they will happily leave.

But Ardern has refused a dialogue and instead gone on a Trudeau-style media tour to disingenuously brand the Convoy a far-right mob of anti-vaxxers 'imported' from the US.

'I've seen Trump flags on the forecourt, I've seen Canadian flags on the forecourt,' she said.

Ardern added later: 'I very clearly have a view on the protesters and the way that they've conducted their protest, because it has moved beyond sharing a view to intimidation and harassment of the people around central Wellington. That cannot be tolerated.'

Trucks drive down the road towards the Ambassador Bridge border crossing in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on February 14, 2022

Both Trudeau and Ardern were staunch supporters of the imported Black Lives Matter movement, which was responsible for far more violent riots, especially across the US.

Of course, Canada and New Zealand should have taken the warning from Europe, where countries as diverse as the Netherlands, France and Austria have become hotbeds of discontent as a result of mandates and mandatory jab policies.

Macron has been the most arrogant in his defence of such division, admitting of the unvaccinated: 'I really want to p*** them off.'

He added chillingly: 'We have to tell them you will no longer be able to go to the restaurant. You will no longer be able to go for a coffee. You will no longer be able to go to the theatre. You will no longer be able to go to the cinema. We will continue to do this, to the end. This is the strategy.'

Such a strategy comes at a cost: Despite the policy, Covid rates soared far higher than the UK throughout late winter and social cohesion has been smashed.

The long-term consequences of pursuing a strategy of division can only be grim.

Of course, we have already seen that in the US, where Sleepy Joe has presided over lazily draconian policies and the causal denigration of Republican states where freedom has resulted in better health outcomes.

Nevertheless, his grumpy attacks on the unvaccinated have continued ad nauseum for months.

He said last October: 'My message to unvaccinated Americans is this: What more is there to wait for? What more do you need to see? We've been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us, so please, do the right thing.'

The words 'Freedom Convoy 2022' are visible on a truck that is part of a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

And Biden later added: 'This is not about freedom, or personal choice, it's about protecting yourself and those around you, people you work with, people you care about the people you love.'

Not surprisingly, the President has missed the fundamental point: People get vaccinated to protect themselves.

You only have to look to Israel, one of the world's most vaccinated countries, to see that transmission remains rife, even among the quadruple vaccinated.

What none of these leaders has been prepared to do is address genuine concerns that many of the protestors have about the vaccination, especially in regards to heart conditions like myocarditis in children, whose chances of becoming seriously ill from Covid is minuscule.

It's also a complete misnomer to dismiss the protestors as anti-vaxx rather than anti-mandate. I am personally vaccinated; I made the choice after carefully weighing up my own health profile with the risks and thinking of how difficult my life would become if I made another choice, given I need to travel.

But further boosters no longer make sense for me, especially given I have had Covid twice (the Wuhan strain in March 2020 and Omicron in December 2021). In fact, much of the science suggests further jabs could do more harm than good. Hence, I have been and remain anti-mandates.

It's always intrigued me that the leaders prepared to throw out the principle of bodily autonomy are always on the pro-choice side of the abortion debate. How do they marry up those positions?

Surely, the only way to emerge from this pandemic with any respect for each other is to understand and learn from each other's choices when it comes to what medical procedures we undergo and what we put into our own bodies.

As the UK government proves, it's never too late to stare down the crazed health officials and mandate fanatics and say: ENOUGH!

Boris did just that before Christmas, ignoring fanciful suggestions from his discredited scientists of 6,000 deaths a day; making that bold call is probably the only reason he has survived the Partygate scandal thus far.

Trudeau, Ardern, Biden and Macron have done very little other than employ the politics of fear since the start of the pandemic  and now they're going to have to deal with the consequences.

That includes the presence of Freedom Convoys for many weeks and possibly even months  because their participants have been unfairly cast out of society.

I'd be stunned if voters decide to stick with these hate-filled leaders when they realise the devastation of the societal division they have wrought.

The world will be better off when they're out of power.
The owner of a Scottish mansion dubbed 'Castle McGlasto' after furious neighbours complained about rowdy parties has lost a fight to keep letting the property on Airbnb.

Police had been called nearly 30 times to deal with reports of anti-social behaviour at Invergare Castle near Helensburgh, Argyll, amid claims guests climbed turrets of the 13-bedroom Baronial home-turned-party pad, lobbed bottles of Buckfast and sang sectarian songs.

Graham Gardner, a dentist who bought the B-listed castle for 170,000 and spent 800,000 refurbishing it, had been banned by Argyll and Bute Council from renting out the 1,200-a-night property.

The council claimed he had breached planning rules and ordered a halt to letting.

Mr Gardner lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government in a bid to reverse the council ruling.

But a ruling has backed the council decision and ordered Mr Gardner to stop leasing the property on a short term basis.

However, Mr Gardner will be allowed to offer the property for private rent.

Police had been called nearly 30 times to deal with reports of anti-social behaviour at Invergare Castle near Helensburgh, Argyll

Graham Gardner, a dentist who bought the B-listed castle for 170,000 and spent 800,000 refurbishing it, had been banned by Argyll and Bute Council from renting out the 1,200-a-night property

The council claimed he had breached planning rules and ordered a halt to letting

Mr Gardner had earlier vowed to clampdown on troublemakers, insisting: 'Guests are warned to respect our neighbours and keep noise down.

'We are aware that the council have noise monitoring equipment in our neighbour's property and this has not registered any noise from our property.

'We will continue to monitor our guests' activities and maintain a peaceful environment for everyone.'

A statement on his behalf insisted he had not breached planning laws and claimed the enforcement notice was 'excessive'.

The property's listing on Airbnb states that guests cannot have 'loud music after 10pm' and 'no external/third party speaker systems'.

An earlier meeting of Rhu and Shandon Community Council had heard inspector Roddy MacNeill of Police Scotland detail their involvement at the house.

Mr Gardner lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government in a bid to reverse the council ruling

Mr Gardner had earlier vowed to clampdown on troublemakers, insisting: 'Guests are warned to respect our neighbours and keep noise down'

'We are aware that the council have noise monitoring equipment in our neighbour's property and this has not registered any noise from our property,' Mr Gardner said

He said: 'In total there have been 28 incident reports recorded, so it is regular, but some of them will be multiple calls.

'We go and we deal with what is in front of us.

'There is a chance that we will take the sound-making equipment out of the property, but what complicates it is that it's different people each time, so we would need to test the water with it. It

'It's a unique situation but it's very much on our radar.'

The community council added: 'Rhu is a conservation village. People choose to live here because it is quiet and peaceful.

'The use of Invergare for Airbnb holidays/short term commercial lets/residential lets - whatever the owners wish to call them - have shattered that.'

Argyll and Bute Council's enforcement notice stated: 'Having regard to the scale and proposed nature and pattern of the proposed use in conjunction with the proximity of dwelling houses within a uniformly residential area, the proposal would be severely detrimental to the residential amenities of residents.'

Government reporter Rob Huntley said: 'I find that the short-term nature of lettings at the property must inevitably result in more frequent coming and going associated with turnover of occupation.

Plans of the ground floor layout of Invergare Castle near Helensburgh, Argyll

The first floor layout shows some of the 13 bedrooms on offer in the castle

The basement boasts three superking bedrooms, a kitchen and a wine cellar

'This, and the accommodation of groups of up to 24 individuals on the appellants' evidence, gives rise to a significant number of traffic movements, as referred to by those making representations in response to this appeal.

'These factors together lead me to conclude that the nature of the occupation of Invergare has, since 2019, been materially different from what would be expected from use as a house by a single household, with or without visitors in the normal course of occupation.'

He added: 'However, I am able to modify the notice so as to make clear that letting of the property by means of a private residential tenancy would not be a breach of its terms.'

Invergare was a 19th Century mansion at the centre of a murder mystery that scandalised Victorian society.

The mansion was home to Madeleine Smith, who went on trial 150 years ago for murder following the death of her secret lover after he drank cocoa laced with arsenic.

Smith was alleged to have given the deadly drink to middle-aged clerk Pierre Emile L'Angelier.

The case gripped Scotland and resulted in the country's first ever not proven verdict.

Smith fled to America, where she married three times and died aged 92.
Late-night host Trevor Noah has been picked to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner and media pundits predict that most of the jabs will be made at Donald Trump rather than the White House's current occupant.

For years a comedian has poked fun at political leaders and journalists alike at the Correspondents' dinner with prior star hosts including Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers.

Trump skipped the event for three years in a row, dodging a stream of jokes made at his expense.

Trump said in 2019 that he was skipping the dinner to hold a rally instead because it is 'so boring and so negative.'

The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) said that the dinner offered offer 'the first opportunity since 2016 for the press and the president to share a few laughs for a good cause.'

Proceeds from the event support the White House press corps' work, scholarships for aspiring journalists and awards for those in the profession.

Biden and First Lady Jill are sure to be content with the choice of host - Noah's autobiography 'Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood' is one of only two pieces of required reading in an introductory English course taught by the first lady last year.

Noah, the host of 'The Daily Show' on Comedy Central, will host the April 30 dinner in Washington, becoming the first comedian to headline the event since Michelle Wolf in 2018.

Noah is also set to host the Grammys on April 3.

Noah, the host of 'The Daily Show' on Comedy Central, will host the April 30 dinner in Washington, becoming the first comedian to headline the event since Michelle Wolf in 2018

Wolf mercilessly mocked Trump administration officials in 2018, proving even too polarizing for the White House Correspondents' Assocation, who then in 2019 picked historian Ron Chernow to host the event. The dinner was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to coronavirus.

'Trevor Noah to perform as featured performer at the WH Correspondents Dinner. The most predictable comic on TV will make almost zero jokes about Biden, plenty about Trump. In a related story, The Daily Show can't even draw 500,000 viewers these days, and gets trounced by Gutfeld,' The Hill columnist Joe Concha wrote on Twitter.

'Trevor Noah, who made repeated jokes about the Marikana massacre, will be the speaker for the White House Correspondents Dinner because the White House Correspondents Association is okay with laughing at the mass murder of the working class,' radio host Erick Erickson tweeted.

Thirty-four miners were killed by the South African Police Service in 2012 in what is known as the Marikana massacre.

Trump skipped the White House Correspondents' Dinner for three years in a row, dodging a stream of jokes made at his expense

Biden and First Lady Jill are sure to be content with the choice of host

'Everyone knows what should have been done people on the radio, people on the news- 'You know these bloody police. These bloody police have gotten out of hand they're busy shooting people. why didn't they use rubber bullets why didnt they use rubber bullets and tear gas?' Cause those things don't work anymore. They used it the whole week and they couldn't control people so they had to come with ammunition because those guys had weapons. Plus tear gas is a waste of time. Which strike has ever ended because of tear gas,' Noah said in a clip from an old standup bit that made rounds on Twitter.

'BREAKING: Trevor Noah will present the White House correspondents' dinner, which is expected to be the first once since 2016 with the president present  Trump refused to go because he was terrified of being mocked. RT IF YOU'RE THRILLED TO HAVE A PRESIDENT WITH THICK SKIN AGAIN!' progressive group Occupy Democrats wrote on Twitter.

Noah has frequently poked fun at Trump during his own show, even after the former president left office.

Last week the comedian eviscerated the former president after a report came out that Trump clogged White House toilets by flushing official documents. Noah called it 'most Trump thing that he possibly could have done.'

'It's so funny how in every scandal involving Trump and documents, none of them involve him reading them,' Noah cracked on Thursday.

'And by the way, I will say this, I know it's easy for us to go to, 'Trump was trying to obstruct justice! That's what this was.' But you do remember, at the start of the pandemic, there was a shortage of what? And I don't know about you guys, but when there's no toilet paper, state documents start to look mighty tempting.'
Labour's youth wing has come under fire for accusing Sir Keir Starmer of backing 'Nato aggression' over the Ukraine crisis.

Young Labour took to their Twitter account today to criticise the Labour leader for his vocal support for Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) as over 130,000 Russian troops amass on the border with Ukraine ahead of a potential invasion in the coming days.

The group claimed that 'Nato aggression' was a threat to world safety despite reports that Russia are looking to use a 'false-flag' attack to justify an invasion of its neighbour.

The group has been singled out heavy criticism by centrist sections of the party and accused them of parroting Russian narratives intending to justify a landgrab in Ukraine.

Sir Keir Starmer's party's youth wing criticised him after his full-throated support for Nato last week

The youth wing is chaired by left-wing activist Jess Barnard and the group have voted in favour of a UK withdrawal from Nato in the past

The youth wing, chaired by left-wing activist Jess Barnard, said: 'While we accept difference in policy positions to the current leadership of our party, we are especially concerned in this instance to see Keir Starmer pushing not only for further engagement with NATO, but celebrating it while attacking Stop The War and other pro-peace activists.

'NATOs acts of aggression both historical and present are a threat to all of our safety. Young Labour's delegates from across our membership and affiliates voted that we should withdraw from NATO and pursue an international policy based on peace, adopting this as official policy.

'Stoking up tension, macho posturing & trying to 'out do' the Tories on hawkish foreign policy will only lead to further devastation, loss of life and displacement of people across the world.

'We offer solidarity with those organising against this, including members of Stop the War.

Some pointed out that it was Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee who led the UK into Nato in 1949 as one of the organisation's founding members and that this rejection of the alliance was against his legacy.

Former special adviser to Boris Johnson Gabriel Milland tweeted that the members responsible should: 'Maybe join a party with a different set of values and history then?'

National Secretary of Jewish Labour Adam Langleben wrote sarcastically: I'm certain Putin is up for this. No doubt in my mind. Man of peace.'

Twitter users took issue with the claims that Nato were aggressors in the Ukraine crisis, slamming them for their lack of concern for potential Ukrainian victims of a Russian invasion.

One wrote: 'Young Labour have more solidarity with The Stop Some Wars Coalition than they do with Ukrainian victims of Russian imperialism.'

A person who claimed to be a Labour member said: 'Young Labour are a total embarrassment to the Party.'

Sir Keir used media appearances in recent days to try and paint Labour as the 'party of Nato' and has heavily criticised former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for 'siding with Britain's enemies'.

Sir Keir also 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 - of which Mr Corbyn is deputy leader.

Sir Keir Starmer declined to comment on the criticism.

Jess Barnard and Young Labour have been approached to comment.

'Labour has too often been on the wrong side of international issues. Young Labour calls on the leadership to stop backing NATO aggression, call wholeheartedly for peace, commit to constructive engagement with activists and deliver international policy around peace and cooperation.'

Sir Keir added: 'Nobody wants war. At first glance, some on the left may be sympathetic to those siren voices who condemn Nato.

The left-wing youth section of Labour posted the anti-Nato thread in response to Sir Keir's vocal support of the alliance

'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.

The UK, EU and US have set out brutal options for sanctions including starving Russia of foreign capital, holding up the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and targeting banks and oligarchs close to the Kremlin.

But there is not yet a clear package agreed across Nato allies, with Germany among the countries seen as dragging their heels.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace revealed his frustration at the weekend by warning there was a 'whiff of Munich in the air' - a reference to the appeasement of Hitler.

Mr Johnson took a thinly-veiled swipe today insisting that 'the world needs to learn the lesson of 2014' when not enough was done to move away from Russian gas and oil following the Russian activity in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea.

'What I think all European countries need to do now is get Nord Stream out of the bloodstream,' he said on a visit to Scotland. 'Yank out that that hypodermic drip feed of Russian hydrocarbons that is keeping so many European economies going.

'We need to find alternative sources of energy  and get ready to impose some very, very severe economic consequences on Russia.'

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned up the heat on Germany this afternoon, saying after talks with Mr Scholz - who again dodged on whether the pipeline could be mothballed - that everyone should 'clearly understand' that Nord Stream 2 is a 'geopolitical weapon' for Russia.
The UK's top-paid public sector diversity chief is a Network Rail employee who earns up to 164,999 a year and previously shared an article accusing Boris Johnson of 'white privilege'.

Loraine Martins, the railway company's director of diversity and inclusion, is responsible for ensuring the network is more 'open, diverse and inclusive'.

Data released by the government shows Ms Martins is paid a minimum of 160,000 which can rise to a maximum of 164,999, meaning she could earn more than the Prime Minister whose yearly earning is capped at almost 162,000.

Loraine Martins, the railway company's director of diversity and inclusion, is responsible for ensuring the network is more 'open, diverse and inclusive'

In 2018, she used her Twitter account to share a comment piece from the Guardian which accused Boris Johnson, then foreign secretary, of 'white privilege'.

And in April 2021, she retweeted a post from television presenter Adil Ray who accused the government of 'corruption', according to the publication Guido Fawkes, although the retweet has since been removed.

According to the Women at Work online summit, Ms Martins' role includes overseeing 'a centre of expertise which supports Network Rails ambition to be a more open, diverse and inclusive business'.

In 2018, she used her Twitter account to share a comment piece from the Guardian which accused Boris Johnson (pictured), then foreign secretary, of 'white privilege'

In April 2021, she retweeted a post from television presenter Adil Ray who accused the government of 'corruption', according to Guido Fawkes, although the retweet has since been removed

Before joining Network Rail, Ms Martins led a team on 'equality and inclusion and employment and skills' during the construction of the Olympic Park ahead of the London Olympic Games in 2012.

For that work, she was awarded an MBE and then last year she was made an OBE 'for her work to improve diversity throughout Network Rail and her voluntary work with the National Mentoring Scheme'.
Liz Truss today shrugged off her mauling from Russian attack dog Sergei Lavrov during talks in Moscow, saying he had not liked what she told him.

The Foreign Secretary insisted she had achieved her aim of delivering a message to Vladimir Putin's administration about the threat to invade Ukraine.

The comments came after Ms Truss chaired a Cobra meeting this afternoon to consider how to help British citizens still in the country amid rising tensions.

Notorious bruiser Mr Lavrov used a press conference after the meeting last week to lay into Ms Truss, swiping that they had a 'conversation between deaf and dumb' and she was unprepared for the talks.

There were also claims that he tried to humiliate her in the private session by asking if the UK disputed the sovereignty of specific towns.

When Ms Truss said they were Ukrainian territory the British ambassador reportedly had to step in to clarify they were in Russia.



Liz Truss today shrugged off her mauling from Russian attack dog Sergei Lavrov during talks in Moscow, saying he had not liked what she told him

There were claims Mr Lavrov (left) tried to humiliate her in the private session by asking if the UK disputed the sovereignty of specific towns - that turned out to be in Russia

The Foreign Secretary (left) insisted she had achieved her aim of delivering a message to Vladimir Putin's administration about the threat to invade Ukraine

Ms Truss said today that 'of course, the Russians didn't like what I had to say' but she had put Britain's point of view.

She told reporters at the Foreign Office: 'I went to Russia to deliver a very clear message, which is that it's Russia who is the aggressor, they have 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and if they stage an incursion into Ukraine, that would have a damaging effect on the Russian people and the Russian government.

'Of course, the Russians didn't like what I had to say but I say it nevertheless.

'And I want them to desist and I want them to be aware that there will be severe costs of an invasion.'

Downing Street insisted that a breakthrough had not been expected at the talks and 'no-one was under any illusions about what can be achieved in a single meeting'.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'It's an important opportunity to present our understanding of the situation and to hear directly from the Russians on their position as well.

'We will continue always to explore all opportunities to take a diplomatic path and we stand ready to have further discussions with our Russian counterparts at all levels in the interest of de-escalating this crisis.

'I think no-one was under any illusions about what can be achieved in a single meeting.

'But it's crucial that we take all these opportunities and continue to put forward this message about how further aggression will be responded to, so Russia can be in no doubt about our position and (the) position of our Nato allies.'

Notorious bruiser Mr Lavrov used a press conference after the meeting last week to lay into Ms Truss, swiping that they had a 'conversation between deaf and dumb'
A homeless serial criminal accused of murdering an ad creative after following her into her apartment knifed the woman 40 times with one of her own knives - and had a sexual motive for doing so, a court heard.

Assamad Nash was charged with sexually-motivated burglary by prosecutors Monday, as it was revealed his victim Christina Yuan Lee was found topless in the bathtub of her Chinatown apartment Sunday.

The charge suggests a possible motive for the brutal murder, which shocked NYC and raised fresh questions about New York state's bail reforms, after it was revealed Nash was a serial criminal on bail for robbery when he allegedly killed.

A Manhattan Criminal Court judge approved the district attorney's request to remand 25-year-old Assamad Nash, who was charged with murdering Lee, 35, and stabbing her more than 40 times inside her bathtub after following her into her building as she got out of a cab in the early hours of Sunday.

He was found bloodied under Lee's bed with a wound on to his torso and cuts to his hands and shoulder, prosecutors said. A yellow-handled knife was then found behind a dresser in the victim's bedroom.

'I didn't kill nobody,' Nash said while being led to his arraignment on Monday.

Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran said Nash attempted to mislead police from breaking into Lee's apartment by imitating a woman's voice.

'We don't need the police here  go away,' Nash told police, according to Yoran, as he set up a blockade inside the apartment before NYPD's Emergency Service Unit busted the door down, half an hour later.

Nash was remanded in custody after the hearing, and is undergoing psychiatric evaluation at Bellevue hospital

Once inside, police found Lee dead in her bathroom, naked from the waist up.

Nash has three additional open criminal cases - one for assaulting a Brooklyn man, 63-year-old David Elliot, in a subway station.

He has been arrested multiple times for assault, possession of drugs and harassment over the last two years. He was due back in court for the Elliot case next month and is currently being held in Bellevue hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

Elliot, who works at Rutgers University, told The New York Post he was shocked the 'clearly' mentally ill Nash was free to roam the streets after attacking him at Grand Central Station.

'I was watching the news at 5 o'clock, and I seen them taking him out of the apartment and I said, 'That's the guy that f***ing hit me!'' Elliot said.

'He shouldn't have been out on the streets  hell no.'

Assamad Nash, 25, is seen on Monday appearing before a judge charged with the murder in the early hours of Sunday of Christina Yuna Lee, 35

The homeless 25-year-old has a lengthy rap sheet and was out on bail for punching a subway passenger in the face in September

Nash is alleged to have seen Lee getting out of an Uber and followed her into her building, where he barged into her apartment behind her, grabbed a knife from her kitchen, and stabbed her to death in her bathroom

Elliot said he was swiping a friend into the subway when Nash approached him and told him not to do that. Elliot ignored him, and Nash punched him in the face.

'He came out of nowhere and just hit me,' Elliot told the paper.

'I used to box. I had four stitches from that punch. I feel he had something in his hand, like, between his knuckles, because for as many years as I boxed, you don't get split like that.'

Elliot chased Nash out of the station, and called police when he saw him darting between cars. He later identified him as his attacker.

Elliot said he feels terrible for Lee and her family.

'Lock these guys up and keep them there. This guy clearly has a lot of mental issues,' he said.

'We should just make sure he stays in jail.'

Residents near the victim's building in Chinatown held a rally on Monday to decry violence against the Asian community.

Lee, 35, was coming home Sunday morning about 4:30 from a night out at a club when Nash spotted her getting out of an Uber, her landlord Brian Chin said.

Security video captured Nash creeping into the building behind Lee, who didn't notice her stalker had slipped in before the front door had closed behind her.

Nash kept back as the digital producer climbed the six flights to her apartment, Chin said, climbing up one floor below as she went.

He rushed her as she unlocked her apartment door and entered her apartment, police said.

Assamad Nash, 25, is charged with murder of Christina Yuna Lee, who was stabbed to death in her 6th floor apartment. Security video shows Nash, a career criminal, following her into the building and rushing her as she unlocked her apartment door

Nash, 25, has been arrested seven times since 2017 and currently has three open cases in the Manhattan Criminal Court

Nash is driven away by police after being arraigned for murder of Christina Yuna Lee

The career criminal has three additional open cases, including one for assaulting a man in a subway station

Neighbors were awakened Sunday morning to Lee's blood-curdling screams of 'Please, help me. Call 911.'

Star Fitz, 21, who lives down the hall said she immediately called police, who were patrolling nearby and arrived instantly.

By then Nash had barricaded himself in the apartment with the fatally wounded Lee, who lay bleeding to death in the bathtub.

Police were forced to saw their way into the unit.

According to reports, it took police 90 minutes to finally enter the apartment.

They found Nash hiding under the bed, the New York Post reported.

Nash was due in court on March 3 for the attack on Elliot.

According to ABC7, he has been arrested at least seven times since 2015, most recently on January 6, 2022.

Christina Yuna Lee, 35, was stabbed to death in her New York City apartment 'by homeless serial criminal'

Chinatown residents hold photo of Christina Yuna Lee, who was stabbed to death in her apartment on Sunday, during vigil on Monday

Body of Christina Yuna Lee is wheeled out after she was stabbed to death in her apartment

Chilling footage shows the murderer, named as Nash, follow Christina Yuna Lee through the hallway of her Chinatown apartment building

Yuna was found knifed in her bathtub, and couldn't be saved, with Nash also said to have been discovered hiding under his alleged victims' bed

According to court records accessed by DailyMail.com, Nash has been arrested four times in the last year alone.

His rap sheet included misdemeanor charges of assault, intentional damage to property, harassment, resisting arrest, both attempted and successful escape from police officers and selling a fare card.

Three of these cases remain open, and he has appeared in court on numerous occasions.

He was set to appear again before a judge on March 9 on the assault, harassment and intentional damage to property charges.

'This all could have been avoided,' Lee's landlord, Brian Chin, told reporters Sunday night.

'This guy should never have been out of the street. And it's DA Alvin Bragg playing politics with people's lives and the Asian community has been hurt.

'To have a DA who has won those horrific crimes right on his doorstep. And he doesn't even bother to show up. It's disgraceful.'

Nash is pictured being arrested following Sunday's stabbing at victim Christina Yuna Lee's apartment

Assamad Nash's lengthy criminal history Transportation fraud and drug charge Nash was arrested last September 23 for using an unlimited subway fair card to admit other riders through the turnstile for a fee. An arresting officer allegedly found synthetic cannabinoid in his pocket. He was charged with the unauthorized sale of certain transportation services, and possession of synthetic phenethylamines and synthetic cannabinoids. He was released on his own recognizance. Assault Nash was arrested last September 28 for punching a man with a closed fist, 'causing redness and swelling' to the victim's right eye and 'substantial pain'. He was charged with two counts of third-degree assault, one count of second-degree aggravated harassment, attempted assault, and harassment. He was released on his own recognizance. Criminal mischief Nash was arrested January 6 following a string of 27 MetroCard Vending Machine vandalisms between December 9 and December 31. He attempted to escape while being arrested and was charged with 27 counts of criminal mischief, one count of attempted escape, escape in the third degree, and resisting arrest. He was given supervised release. Advertisement

It is unclear if Nash knew Lee, but according to New York Daily News, investigators recovered surveillance video that shows the suspect following Lee into her building after she was dropped off by a cab.

'He followed her up all six flights. And she never even knew that he was there,' Chin said.

'She walked up six flights of stairs and this man mercilessly stalked her. This was not a crime of mental illness or anything.

'He stayed one floor below and watched her go up those stairs. And then he moved methodically one flight up at a time. He was absolutely in full control.'

The prior allegations against Nash include the attack on Elliot - but that alleged assault was deemed insufficiently serious to hold him in custody pending trial, thanks to New York's bail reform laws aimed at lowering the state's jail population.

'Our elected officials need to do something much different,' Chin said.

'My grandparents are Chinese immigrants that came here trying to build themselves up,' he added.

'We built up this community and it's just getting torn down so fast by one district attorney. It's heart wrenching.'

Chin said Nash should have been in jail and blamed the policies of Bragg, who has faced harsh criticism for his soft-on-crime approach during his first month in office.

'This is just so horrific on so many levels,' Chin said.

'She did not do anything wrong. She did not deserve this.

'If this guy got away, I can't even imagine what would happen,' he added.

Chinatown residents say that the neighborhood is on edge after the brutal random killing.

They held a rally Monday afternoon calling on politicians to do something about the homelessness and mental health crisis plaguing the city.

'This is yet another Asian woman killed in her apartment,' Chinatown activist Jackie Wong said.

'She did nothing wrong. The only mistake she made was moving to New York to make the city her home.

'We know the Lee family lost a loved one, and we share their pain.'

Wong said that they do not yet know whether the attack was racially motivated.

'I don't want to jump to the conclusion that Christina is also a victim of hate crime because it's still pending, the investigation,' Wong said.

'But this is another Asian-American who was brutally attacked and what's worse is that she was killed in her own apartment. It just shatters our community.'

Another activist, Mary Wang, told CBS News: 'How many more people have to die before they change the policy, before they do something?'

Chinatown community organizers held a rally on Monday after the murder of Christina Yuna Lee to raise awareness to the open-air drug use, mental illness, homelessness and Anti-Asian violence that have plagued the neighborhood

Lee's apartment at 111 Chrystie Street is a block over from the Bowery, which is known for its cluster of food pantries and homeless shelters.

To highlight the trouble in the community, community organizers handing out maps showing the locations of five homeless shelters in the neighborhood with three more planned to be added to the area.

'Now all of a sudden on top of those five shelters they are dumping three more,' Chinatown activist Jackie Wong said at the rally.

'We're like enough is really enough. That's why we we are having problems.'

Across the street from her building Sara Roosevelt Park, has been a hot bed of street crime, homelessness and open-air drug use.

K. Webster, the president of the Sara Roosevelt Park Coalition, said that the homeless have been around the neighborhood for decades, but there has been an influx of mentally ill homeless that have created a new danger in the neighborhood.

'We have homeless people who help,' she said.

'We have homeless people who stopped a rape. We have homeless people who have who found the guy who assaulted a woman, who helped the police find the culprit.

'So we have had homeless people and that is one category and then we have people who are mentally ill. You can't have mentally ill people running around the streets.'

Chin told reporters that building has cameras on every floor, and that his family had installed steel doors on all the apartments.

'We have such tight security in this building we have steel doors,' Chin said. 'It took a swat team over 10 minutes to gain access. These doors are designed to keep monsters out.'

But the suspect still found his way in.

'She got out of a cab right here and he followed her,' Chin said.

'He grabbed the front door just before it closed. He followed her all the way up, hanging back, staying one floor behind her all the way up to the sixth floor. Then, he waited until her door was just about closed and he went in.'

Chin described Lee as a 'wonderful human being' whose 'smile lit up the room.'

'She came to the city for the lure of New York, you know, like the Big Apple, the big city, you know, boundless opportunities,' he said.

Protester attends rally decrying violence against Asians after murder in Chinatown

According to Lee's website and LinkedIn page, she's a New York-based creative producer dealing in national-scale marketing content for select names like Google, Twix, Equinox, TOMS, Cole Haan and ALDO.

'So much blood. My wife said I should call someone to clean all the blood but I'm going to clean it up myself. It's the least I can do for that poor girl,' the building's owner said.

'She's from New Jersey, been here less than a year,' Chin told The Post. 'Such a sweet girl.

Another neighbor, Zyana Salazar, 27, told DailyMail.com: 'I just feel like he shouldn't been out.

'He was been let out with no bail.

'You know, this is why that happened.'

New York Governor Kathy Hochul tweeted that she was in mourning.

'We have seen far too many acts of violence against AAPI New Yorkers in recent months. We must make sure every community is safe in our state.

'I join New Yorkers standing together in support of our AAPI friends & neighbors.'

New York Mayor Eric Adams similarly condemned the murder.

'I and New Yorkers across the city mourn for the innocent woman murdered in her home last night in Chinatown and stand with our Asian brothers and sisters today,' Adams said in a statement on Sunday.

'The NYPD is investigating this horrific incident, and I thank them for apprehending the suspect. While the suspect who committed this heinous act is now in custody, the conditions that created him remain. The mission of this administration is clear: We won't let this violence go unchecked.'

Crime in the city has continued to spike, with overall crime having increased 41.65 percent, robbery up nearly 35 percent, and violent felonies up 13.3 percent through February 6 from the same time last year.

Meanwhile, nearly every police precinct in New York City has reported spikes in crime this year - including five in which the rate has doubled, new data from the New York Police Department shows.

'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.'
The New York Times Editorial Board has taken a stance in support of Canadian truckers' right to protest, saying that peaceful demonstrations are a vital part of democracy.

The Freedom Convoy protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which have brought Ottawa for a standstill for more than two weeks, have sharply divided opinion in the US.

Conservatives have tended to cheer on the demonstrators, while many liberal pundits have issued calls for a swift and harsh crackdown on the protests by any means necessary.

The left-leaning Times Editorial Board broke ranks, however, and said that the demonstration in Ottawa 'ranks as a nuisance' and ought to be tolerated in the name of free speech.

'Allowing nonviolent, even if disruptive, protest is an important tool for maintaining social cohesion in a polarized society,' the board's opinion piece stated.

The New York Times Editorial Board took Justin Trudeau to task, saying that truckers in Canada have a right to protest as he considers invoking emergency powers

A demonstrator holding a Canadian flag walks in front of vehicles as truckers and their supporters block downtown streets of Ottawa on Monday

Freedom Convoy demonstrators are seen outside Canada's Parliament on Sunday

'We disagree with the protesters' cause, but they have a right to be noisy and even disruptive,' the board wrote.

'Protests are a necessary form of expression in a democratic society, particularly for those whose opinions do not command broad popular support,' the essay continued.

'Governments have a responsibility to prevent violence by protesters, but they must be willing to accept some degree of disruption by those seeking to be heard.'

The essay compared the current Freedom Convoy protests to the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020, saying that in both cases, public officials had to balance public safety concerns with the right to free expression.

'Entertaining the use of force to disperse or contain legal protests is wrong,' the editorial board wrote.

The essay noted that in November 2020, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed support for farmers in India who blockaded major highways to New Delhi in protest over new laws to remove price floors on crops.

Farmers blocked highways to New Delhi for more than a year in protests over new laws. Trudeau said in November 2020 that he supported the protests

The New York Times Editorial Board has taken a stance in support of Canadian truckers' right to protest, saying that peaceful demonstrations are a vital part of democracy

'Canada will always be there to defend the right of peaceful protest,' Trudeau said at the time of the protests in India, which continued for a year.

Now, Trudeau is reportedly planning on invoking Canada's Emergencies Act, which grants powers that have been used only once before in peacetime, to initiate a federal crackdown on Freedom Convoy demonstrators.

Trudeau in a rare Monday meeting with his Liberal Caucus said he planned to invoke the act, but denied having any plans to deploy the military, sources familiar with the matter told the CBC.

Through protesters have been cleared from the key Ambassador Bridge, where about 30 protesters were arrested on Sunday, large demonstrations continue to paralyze the streets of Ottawa and protesters are blockading several border crossings in western Canada.

Protesters have been cleared from the key Ambassador Bridge, where about 30 protesters were arrested on Sunday

The 1988 Emergencies Act allows the federal government to override the provinces and authorize special temporary measures to ensure security during national emergencies anywhere in the country.

The legislation, previously known as the War Measures Act, has been used only three times in Canadian history: during the two world wars and in 1970 by Trudeau's father, the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, after militant Quebec separatists kidnapped a British diplomat and a provincial Cabinet minister.

As tensions boiled over, Ontario's premier announced Monday that the province will lift its COVID-19 proof-of-vaccination requirements in two weeks -- but claimed it was not because of the protests over the mandate, but because 'it is safe to do so.'
If you see Robson, call 999 quoting the reference of incident 202 of February 13

A convicted sex offender who police labelled 'extremely dangerous' walked out of an open prison where he was moved after five parole hearings.

Paul Robson, 56, fled HMP North Sea Camp, an open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire, shortly before 7am on Sunday Morning.

Robson was given two life sentences in August 2000 after he broke into a 23-year-old woman's house in Oxford through a cat flap and sexually assaulted her while holding a knife to her throat.

Newcastle-born Robson was given two life sentences at Oxford Crown Court in 2000 after he broke into a 23-year-old woman's house in Oxford through a cat flap, tied her up, put a pillowcase over her head and brutally assaulting her while holding a knife to her throat.

Paul Robson, 56, (pictured) was jailed in 2000 and given two life sentences after he broke into a 23-year-old woman's house through a cat flap and brutally assaulted her while holding a knife to her throat

Robson, pictured as a younger man, was sentenced to a minimum of nine years but has spent 20 years behind bars and only moved to an open prison in February 2021 after five parole hearings

He was sentenced to a minimum of nine years but has spent 20 years behind bars and only moved to an open prison in February 2021 after five parole hearings.

Robson has a history of sexually-motivated attacks, including assaults on women and girls as young as eight years old.

Police in charge of the manhunt said Robson risked causing 'significant harm' to the public and warned people not to approach him. They added he could be 'anywhere in the country'.

Robson was serving a life sentence for attempted rape and indecent assault.

Lincolnshire Police described him as a white male with a bald head, a long goatee beard and of slim build.

He may be wearing a black long-sleeved Berghaus top, a grey 'French' t-shirt, dark bottoms, a dark coloured woollen beanie and a light-grey donkey-style jacket with orange on the shoulder area.

HMP North Sea Camp is a category D men's open prison that holds a large proportion of sex offenders and those serving indeterminate sentences.

East Area Commander Chief Superintendent Kate Anderson (pictured) said: 'He poses a real risk to the public and we are doing everything in our power to find and arrest him'

Convict support and advice network the Prison Guide described Category D Prisons as 'like the heaven of prisons'.

The Government said: 'These prisons have minimal security and allow eligible prisoners to spend most of their day away from the prison on licence to carry out work, education or for other resettlement purposes.

'Open prisons only house prisoners that have been risk-assessed and deemed suitable for open conditions.'

Yet an inspector's report published in June last year said 70 per cent of prisoners were assessed as 'presenting a high risk of harm to others' and more than half were convicted of sex offences.

Paul Robson's history of attacks on women and children 1988: Robson was jailed for 42 months for assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Lancaster. He was in his early twenties at the time. 1990: After an early release, Robson abducted and assaulted an eight-year-old girl in Morecambe, for which he was jailed for eight years. 1995: Robson served just five years. While living in a hostel in Carlisle, Cumbria, he approached two nine-year-old girls on the street. The girls fled and he received a conditional discharge from magistrates after he admitted resisting a police officer and breaching the peace. Later in 1995 he attacked a 31-year-old woman in Reading, Berkshire, and was jailed for five years in 1996. 2000: Robson broke into a 23-year-old woman's house in Oxford through a cat flap and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint. He received two life sentences and was described by the judge as a 'menace to females'. Advertisement

A spokesman for the Parole Board said: 'The Parole Board refused the release of Paul Robson but recommended a move to an open conditions prison following an oral hearing in February 2021.

'This was a recommendation only and the Secretary of State for Justice considers the advice before making the final decision on whether a prisoner is suitable for open conditions.

'We will only make a recommendation for open conditions if a Parole Board panel is satisfied that the risk to the public has reduced sufficiently to be manageable in an open prison.

'A move to open conditions involves testing the prisoner's readiness for any potential return into the community in future. Prisoners moved to open conditions can be returned to closed conditions if there is concern about their behaviour.'

It came after the Conservative MP for Boston and Skegness, Matt Warman, called Robson's escape 'a failure of the system'.

He said: 'Any absconding from North Sea Camp is deeply worrying for local people, and it's a sign of a failure within the system that should be making sure only those suitable for open prisons are placed there.

'This is a matter I've raised repeatedly with the MoJ and others, and while it's welcome that numbers have fallen from previous levels, there is clearly more work to do.'

Police warned although Robson escaped near Boston, he could be 'anywhere in the country'. They asked people to call 999 but not to approach Robson if they see him

This morning Robson escaped from HMP North Sea Camp (pictured), an open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire, shortly before 7am

Lord Frost said he supported Mr Warman '100 per cent' and called on the Ministry of Justice to explain the situation.

He added: 'One has to ask why Paul Robson was in a Cat D open prison with "minimal security" in the first place.'

He said it was 'hard to understand' how the Parole Board had deemed Robson a lesser risk to the public when the police yesterday called him 'extremely dangerous'.

Police Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox said: 'This man is serving a life sentence and is extremely dangerous.

'I believe he poses a real risk of causing significant harm to members of the community.

'Whilst he absconded from a prison in Lincolnshire, by now he may be anywhere in the country'.

Lord Frost called on the Ministry of Justice to explain the situation and questioned why Robson was even in an open prison, which has been described as the 'heaven of all prisons'

East Area Commander Chief Superintendent Kate Anderson said: 'Our officers continue their work to locate and apprehend Paul Robson.

'We understand this news has caused some concern, not just for our local communities here in Lincolnshire, but across the country.

'We're still working through lines of enquiry and are working with partner agencies to find Robson.

'We are still appealing for members of the public to contact us if they have any information on this man's whereabouts by calling 999.

'If you do see him, please do not try to approach him, or try to apprehend him yourself.

'He poses a real risk to the public and we are doing everything in our power to find and arrest him.'

A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'The prison together with the police are working urgently to recapture the offender.'

If you see Robson, call 999 quoting the reference of incident 202 of February 13.
Jimmy Carr is set to leave his controversial 'Holocaust travellers joke' out of his live comedy show in Cambridge on Wednesday and the council has said it will light up the venue in the colours of the Romani flag.

In a widely-shared clip from his Netflix show His Dark Material, Mr Carr joked about the horror of the Holocaust and 'six million Jewish lives being lost'.

As a punchline, the 49-year-old then made a disparaging remark about the deaths of thousands of gypsies at the hands of the Nazis.

'But they never mention the thousands of gypsies that were killed by the Nazis. No one ever wants to talk about that, because no one ever wants to talk about the positives,' Carr quipped to a laughing audience.

The audience had reacted with hoots of laughter to the clip of Mr Carr from 'His Dark Material' which was widely shared online.

Mr Carr then explained why he thought it was a 'good joke', saying that it was 'f**king funny', 'edgy as all hell' and because it had an 'educational quality'.

But the joke has caused widespread backlash elsewhere and prompted a debate about racism and free speech.

Jimmy Carr (pictured) is set to leave his controversial 'Holocaust travellers joke' out of his live comedy show at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on Wednesday

His management is said to have 'assured' Cambridge city councillors that no material from the show will feature at the gig at the Corn Exchange.

Cllr Anna Smith said: 'I share the outrage felt by so many in Cambridge and beyond, regarding these unacceptable remarks. Genocide is not a subject for mockery.

'As a council, we are committed to working with and supporting marginalized communities, including our Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.'

Cambridge City Council said that it will light up the outside of the Corn Exchange in the colours of the Romani flag - red, green and blue - ahead of Carr's show.

It also announced plans to hand out leaflets to punters about historic and current racism to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.

David Baddiel, 57, (pictured) was among swathes of other people to slam Mr Carr over the gag

Anti-racism activists say they will protest outside the Cambridge venue on Wednesday evening.

Cambridge Stand Up To Racism wrote on Facebook: 'We need to inform him [Carr] that his vile racist jokes are not welcome in Cambridge.

'Our GRT communities are being battered by our government and we can't allow this further outrage to go by unmarked.'

David Baddiel, 57, was among swathes of other people to slam Mr Carr over the gag.

Mr Baddiel said: 'You can obviously tell a Holocaust joke that is cruel and inhumane and mean-spirited and racist.

'Or you can tell one that targets the oppressors, or draws attention to the fundamental evil of it, or shines and light on the humanity of the victims.

'It's not the subject matter of the joke that counts, it's the specifics of the individual joke. Clearly, Jimmy Carr's was the former.'

The council said it will light up the outside of the venue in the colours of the Romani flag- red, green and blue- ahead of Carr's show. Pictured: The Cambridge Corn Exchange

Elsewhere, alongside Mr Baddiel, Irish traveller and bare-knuckle boxer Paddy Doherty condemned Mr Carr's joke.

He said the 'disgusting' gag was an insult to the 1.5 million gypsies killed in death camps.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty has called for police to probe Carr's joke about gypsies killed in the Holocaust

He told the Sunday Mirror: 'He should be investigated by the police.

'That wasn't a joke. He's talking about mass murder being a positive  would he be allowed to say this about black people killed by the Ku Klux Klan?

'There's a level you don't go to. More than a million of my people were killed.'

The joke was condemned by Labour MPs including Labour's Nadia Whittome and David Lammy who described it as 'despicable'.

And Conservative MP and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries told BBC News that the gag was 'abhorrent'.

It is estimated that between 200,000 and 500,000 Roma and Sinti people were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust.

The joke also sparked outrage from various traveller charities and anti-hate groups after the clip was shared on social media.

In a tweet referencing the joke, The Traveller Movement - a charity supporting the traveller community in the UK, said: 'This is truly disturbing and goes way beyond humour. We need all your support in calling this out #StopTravellerHate @StopFundingHate.'

The charity launched a petition to Netflix calling for the 'removal of the segments of His Dark Material which celebrates the Romani genocide'.

Conservative MP and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries (pictured) told BBC News that the gag was 'abhorrent'

Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, Chief Executive of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, added: 'We are absolutely appalled at Jimmy Carr's comment about persecution suffered by Roma and Sinti people under Nazi oppression, and horrified that gales of laughter followed his remarks.

'Hundreds of thousands of Roma and Sinti people suffered prejudice, slave labour, sterilisation and mass murder simply because of their identity  these are not experiences for mockery.

'The widespread ignorance of this recent history needs to be addressed and we urge everyone to learn more about the past and the experiences of Roma people today.

'Roma and Sinti people still face dreadful prejudice as this incident shows. Please show your support by learning more, challenging hateful comments like these, and following accounts such as Roma Support Group, The Traveller Movement, and Friends, Families and Travellers.'

Mr Carr's management team were contacted for comment.
Sen. Bernie Sanders again endorsed fellow progressive Jessica Cisneros in her bid to take out incumbent Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar.

'Jessica knows that real change comes from the bottom on up, not the top on down,' Sanders said in a statement Monday. 'She will fight for the working class in Congress and together we will build a movement to transform this nation so that it works for all our people.'

Cisneros, a 28-year-old immigration attorney, is hoping to unseat Cuellar, a moderate Democrat who opposes abortion rights, in the March 1 Texas primary for the 28th Congressional district.

She had already received endorsements from 'squad' members, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman and Ayanna Pressley, as well as from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Katie Porter and former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis.

At a Saturday campaign rally for Cisneros and Greg Casar, another Texas Democratic primary candidate, Ocasio-Cortez said, 'Texas turning blue is inevitable.'

Sen. Bernie Sanders again endorsed fellow progressive Jessica Cisneros in her bid to take out incumbent Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar

Democrtic incumbent Rep. Henry Cuellar (left) is facing a challenge again from progressive Democratic candidate Jessica Cisneros (right) for Texas' 18th Congressional district

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez had already backed Jessica Cisneros in the race, along with two other 'squad' members and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. She campaigned for Cisneros in San Antonio on Saturday

'It will happen, the only is when,' the New York Democrat said.

Republicans have insisted that the ongoing border crisis will keep the large border state red.

Sanders supported Cisneros in her 2020 bid against Cuellar as well, where she came within 3,000 votes of ousting the moderate Democratic congressman, who was first elected in 2004.

He timed his endorsement Monday with the start of early voting in the primary race.

Cisneros not only had Sanders' endorsement, but the Vermont progressive was at the top of the ticket - and still a viable presidential candidate during Texas' Super Tuesday primary.

That dynamic, according to one of Cuellar's top allies, is how Cisneros got within spitting-distance of the longtime lawmaker in 2020.

'The only thing she had going for her was Bernie,' Colin Strother, a longtime Cuellar aide, told the Texas Observer in November.

This time around, Strother said, Cueller will win 'by a country mile.'

In mid-January, however, the FBI searched Cuellar's home and campaign headquarters in Laredo, Texas.

It remains unclear what the FBI was looking for, except that agents were 'conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity,' but Cuellar said the investigation 'will show that there was no wrongdoing on my part,' according to CNN.

'Let me be clear: I'm running for re-election and I intend to win,' Cuellar also said in a video message produced shortly after the searches.

The Cuellar-Cisneros primary could also serve as a test case on how much abortion rights are motivating voters going into the 2022 midterms.

The Observer pointed out that during the 2020 primary, Cuellar attacked Cisneros for being pro-choice.

But with Texas implementing one of the strictist abortion laws in the country, banning the procedure after just six weeks, Cisneros' position may be more palatable to Democratic primary voters.

Even with Republican-led redistricting, the 28th remains favorable to Democrats and is not expected to be a GOP pick-up, as the Republicans look poised to take back control of the House.
Protesters fighting the name change of historic pub the Black Bitch have vowed to boycott owner Greene King's pubs and beers - claiming it could cost jobs in the town.

The 17th century boozer, in Linlithgow, West Lothian, is being renamed The Willow Tree by the brewery over fears the historic name has racist connotations.

Furious locals staged a protest outside the pub yesterday and are outraged a petition signed by 12,000 people to keep the name has been ignored.

The pub was originally named after the local myth which told of a black greyhound who swam to an island in Linlithgow Loch to keep her stranded owner alive.

Alistair Old, spokesperson for the action group said they will boycott the brewery after it 'refused to withdraw their assertion that the pub's name is offensive'.

Protesters in Linlithgow, West Lothian, have vowed to boycott Greene King's beers and pubs over its plan to rename 17th century inn The Black Bitch to The Willow Tree

According to local lore, 'The Black Bitch' dates back to the 17th century and was named after a black, female greyhound (pictured above) that forms part of the town's crest

He said: 'The fact that this company has totally ignored the 12,000 signature petition is further proof that this company came here with one thing in mind, the removal of the Black Bitch sign at all costs.

'And there are costs, the damage to trade in the town for shops like Walkers carpets with their Black Bitch whisky glasses, the Wee Mindin and Lilypond crafts with their range of Black Bitch jewellery and quaiches.

'These are just a small example of the many businesses in the town affected by this corporate bully's actions in calling our Black Bitch offensive.

'Potentially jobs and livelihoods could be affected in the longer term.

'Greene King were bombarded with letters telling them there was no reason to change the name and that a name change would most probably lead to a boycott of their pubs in Linlithgow.

Its new name commemorates a tree which was planted in 1832 to commemorate the Reform bill, which introduced wide-ranging changes to the election laws of Scotland and gave more people the ability to vote

'Their dogged determination to ignore the people of Linlithgow now means their former customers will vote with their feet and avoid their pubs and beers.

'This is not something we do lightly, we know this could harm the trade of the tenant leaseholder in the short term.

'But Greene King's refusal to withdraw their assertion that the pub's name is offensive and their determination to change the name, leaves those whose views are being ignored with no other option but to show their displeasure by boycotting Greene Kings pubs and beers.'

The Black Bitch name had referenced a local legend of a black, female greyhound that features on the town's heraldic crest after it brought food to its starving owner who was imprisoned on an island on Linlithgow Loch

A Greene King spokesperson said: 'We respect the proud history of Linlithgow and listened to community feedback about our original choice of name, which is why we're now renaming our pub to The Willow Tree to mark another important piece of local heritage.

'It has never been our intention to cause any upset but we cannot ignore that we've heard from many people, including people living in the town, who don't feel comfortable with the existing name written on the front of a pub, even when the context is known.'
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Russian mercenaries with ties to Moscow's spies have increased their presence in Ukraine in recent weeks, stoking fears among some NATO members that Putin could try to engineer a pretext for an invasion, three senior Western security sources said.

They said their concerns had strengthened in recent weeks that a Russian incursion into Ukraine could be preceded by an information war and cyber attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure such as electricity and gas networks.

Russia could also use the mercenaries to sow discord and paralyse Ukraine through targeted assassinations and the use of specialised weaponry, the sources said.

Civilians attend a military exercise for territorial defense amid the tension on the border with Russia, in Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Ukraine on Sunday

The United States warned again on Sunday that Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured today) could stage a 'false flag' operation inside Ukraine to justify an invasion

A Ukrainian serviceman adjusts his glasses at a frontline position, outside Popasna, Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine on Monday

The United States warned again on Sunday that Russia could stage a 'false flag' operation inside Ukraine to justify an invasion.

'It is likely that Russian mercenaries, under the direction of the Russian state, will be involved in any hostilities in Ukraine, potentially including a pretext for an invasion,' said one Western security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

It came after the entire Ukraine National Police force was placed on 'combat alert' tonight amid fresh fears that Russian mercenaries run by Moscow were planning a 'false flag' pretext for an invasion.

Senior assault squad: Valentyna Konstantynovska, 79, joins civilian weapons training with Ukraine troops in Mariupol yesterday

Ukraine's nationalists under the 'territorial defense' hold a military and other training for civilians in preparation for any possible hitches amid an escalation of tensions in Kiev, Ukraine yesterday

Senior western security sources said they suspect the first stage of a Russian incursion would be a 'hybrid war' of disinformation, cyber attacks and sabotage of Ukraine's critical infrastructure such as electricity and gas networks.

Meanwhile, chief of the Ukraine's police, Ihor Klymenko, announced the heightened alert status for his 120,000 officers  initially until February 19 - saying: 'The strengthened police regime is not an additional reason for panic. It is about protection and full readiness.'

Russia could use the renegade fighters with links to their Kremlin spymasters to sow discord and paralyse Ukraine through targeted assassinations and the use of specialised weaponry, sources told Reuters.

The Russian Navy's Rostov-on-Don submarine sails towards the Black Sea yesterday, armed with cruise missiles

Ukraine soldiers test fire anti-tank missile systems JAVELIN recently provided by the US army in defence aid, in undisclosed location, pictured yesterday

Lithuania's military aid including Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, delivered as part of the security support package for Ukraine, is unloaded from a C-17 Globemaster III plane at Boryspil International Airport

Tensions NOT 'moving in the right direction' after call between Joe Biden and Putin The Pentagon last night warned that an hour-long phone call between President Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin failed to yield a breakthrough as he warned 'major military action could happen any day now.' Defense Department Spokesman John Kirby told Fox News that the leaders' call on Saturday was 'certainly not a sign that things are moving in the right direction.' 'It's certainly not a sign that Mr. Putin has any intention to de-escalate the tensions,' he continued. 'And it's certainly not a sign that he is recommitting himself to a diplomatic path forward. So, it doesn't give us any cause for optimism.' On Sunday, President Biden held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, vowing that the US and allies would 'respond swiftly and decisively' in the event of any further Russian incursion. But Mr Zelensky has sought to play down the threat over the weekend, saying: 'The best friend of our enemies is panic in our country. And all this information is just provoking panic and can't help us.' The White House said Biden 'reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' It added: 'President Biden made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. 'The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders.' Advertisement

The Western security sources said mercenaries were deploying from Russian PMCs with close ties to the FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, and the GRU military intelligence agency.

Among those deployed in recent weeks was a former GRU officer who also worked in the Wagner mercenary group. The former officer has gone to Donetsk, one of two regions in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014, the sources said.

The Kremlin claimed that Russia was not strengthening its presence on Ukrainian territory and that Russian troops had never been present there and were not now.

The Russian Defence Ministry declined to comment when asked in writing on Friday about the Western allegations.

The Russian mercenary groups have supplied weapons, experienced special operations personnel and military training to pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine.

Some some operatives of the Wagner mercenary group have been embedded on the Ukrainian border after training at a GRU base near the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, according to the sources.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the information about the activities of Russian mercenaries in eastern Ukraine.

Other Russian mercenary groups linked to the FSB and GRU have also increased their activities in Ukraine since the start of the year, the sources said.

Reuters could not reach the mercenary groups in Ukraine for comment.

The United States has expressed fears that Russia could use mercenaries, special operations forces and other grey-zone warfare techniques to delegitimize Kyiv ahead of invasion, according to US officials.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said earlier this month that Russia was seeking to fabricate a pretext for an invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Wagner and other private groups neither represent the Russian state nor are paid by it, though he says they have a right to operate provided they do not break Russian law.

The EU imposed sanctions on Wagner last year, accusing it of fuelling violence, looting natural resources and destabilising countries around the world.

Russia denies it plans to annex another part of Ukraine and Putin says the West is sowing hysteria in a crude attempt to lure Russia into war after ignoring the Kremlin's concerns about NATO enlargement after the Cold War.
John Eastman, an attorney at the heart of Donald Trump's quest to overturn the 2020 election, has handed over 8,000 pages of emails to the House select committee investigating January 6, according to a Monday court filing.

The former law professor is also trying to use executive privilege to shield more than 10,000 documents, after failing to block a subpoena for 94,000 pages of emails.

Eastman had appeared alongside Rudy Giuliani at Trump's Stop The Steal rally shortly before the Capitol riot, where Giuliani infamously called for a 'trial by combat' over the election.

He was subpoenaed by the House panel late last year for having a key role in devising the ex-president's legal strategy that claimed former Vice President Mike Pence had the authority to singularly overturn President Joe Biden's electoral victory.

The formal request for nearly 100,000 pages of online correspondence was sent to Chapman University, where Eastman used to work. He was also asked to come for a deposition himself.

Eastman had unsuccessfully sued to block the documents' release citing attorney-client privilege. Instead, U.S. District Court Judge James Carter ordered Eastman to review 1,500 pages a day in order to itemize his privilege claims late last month.

He still has roughly 48,000 pages left to sort.

Eastman (pictured in 2013) failed to block nearly 100,000 documents from a House Capitol riot committee subpoena. A judge instead ordered him in late January to itemize his privilege claims and sort what he can hand over to the committee, at a rate of 1,500 pages per day

Of those he's reviewed so far, Eastman handed nearly 8,000 pages over to lawmakers on the committee.

An additional 27,000 were irrelevant to the investigation and automatically withheld, such as distribution list emails soliciting campaign donations and various newsletters.

Eastman and House investigators are appearing in court Monday afternoon to deliver an update to the judge presiding over the case.

Lawmakers are reportedly specifically looking for emails and documents that link Eastman to Trump or his failed 2020 bid.

On Friday House investigators complained that Eastman was slow-walking the process and only provided vague phrases to describe items in the 11,000 he's so far kept privileged, such as 'legal arguments' or 'proposal to consider' according to Politico.

House Counsel Doug Letter complained that the former law professor's excuses for keeping documents hidden was over-broad.

'The Select Committees urgent need for resolution of the privilege issues is heightened by the fact that Plaintiff has broadly claimed privileges over a vast swath of documents--many of which appear to be critical to the Select Committees investigation,' Letter said.

Eastman appeared alongside Rudy Giuliani at Trump's January 6 Stop The Steal rally immediately before the Capitol riot

Trump supporters marched on the US Capitol after multiple rally speakers used inflammatory rhetoric, Giuliani even calling for a 'trial by combat'

Eastman's attorney suggested the House was trying to rush its investigation for political reasons -- noting the critical Congressional races happening in less than nine months.

'To the extent the congressional defendants claimed urgent need for resolution of the privilege issues is motivated by the looming 2022 midterm election, this is not a valid reason to alter this Courts January 26 order,' the lawyer claimed.

The pro-Trump professor's theories for how Pence could have overturned the election, specifically in seven battleground states, were eponymously named the 'Eastman memos.'

Trump reportedly soured on Pence when the former vice president rejected the memos' argument by refusing to go along with the strategy, shortly before he was due to preside over a joint session of Congress to certify Biden's victory.

Eastman was also allegedly one of Trump's 'top lieutenants' present at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC from the evening of January 5 through the morning of January 6.

House investigators are curious to hear from Eastman about that as well.

The Willard Intercontinental Hotel (pictured) was allegedly a 'command center' for members of Trump's orbit the night before the Capitol riot where they discussed ways to upend Joe Biden's 2020 victory on the basis of 'election fraud'

The group, also led by Steve Bannon and former strategic adviser Boris Epshteyn, established a 'command center' out of the Willard where they reportedly fielded calls from Trump and discussed ways to steal the election hours before his supporters stormed the US Capitol.

Trump adviser Jason Miller and former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, a top deputy of Giuliani's, were also reportedly in attendance.

Trump spokeswoman Liz Harrington previously told DailyMail.com that the report, first published in The Guardian, 'is totally false.'

On the evening of January 5 Trump reportedly made separate calls to his legal and non-legal aides to discuss avenues to stop the next day's vote certification and delay the process until Congress received a new slate of electors.

The report claims the calls were separate on Giuliani's insistence it would maintain attorney-client privilege. It also cites 'multiple sources' without going into further detail on whether they were even present.

The calls, which would directly link the former president to his associates' efforts to overturn a democratic election, reportedly took place a day after Eastman unveiled a his memo.
Brian Laundrie's body was 'scavenged' and eaten by wild animals after the fugitive shot himself in the head before it was discovered in a Florida swamp following a six-week-long manhunt, an autopsy report revealed Monday.

When officials finally found Gabby Petito's killer, almost all that remained were 'apparent skeletal human remains that were scattered on top of the dirt ground in plain sight.'

'On October 20, 2021 at approximately 0820 hours, search groups found a backpack and shoes that were identified as belonging to Brian Laundrie,' according to the highly-anticipated report, released months after the 23-year-old's body was found in the expansive Carlton Reserve.

In the report, released by The Sarasota Medical Examiners office, investigators observed that Laundrie's 'personal belongings' - which included a notebook in which Laundrie confessed to killing his fiance as they traveling the country in a van - 'were surrounded by apparent skeletal human remains that were scattered on top of the dirt ground in plain sight.'

The 47-page document then notes that Laundrie had been subjected to 'moderately extensive carnivore activity evidenced by multiple gouging and gnawing marks' on his corpse.

'These areas are consistent with carnivores and/or omnivores including canines such as feral dogs and coyotes along with rodents and raccoons,' the autopsy said.

In the report, investigators observed Laundrie's 'personal belongings' - which included a notebook in which Laundrie confessed to killing girlfriend Gabby Petito - 'were surrounded by apparent skeletal human remains that were scattered on top of the dirt ground in plain sight'

The forty-seven page document, released Monday by The Sarasota Medical Examiners office, noted that Laundrie had been subjected to 'moderately extensive carnivore activity evidenced by multiple gouging and gnawing marks' on his corpse

Aside from the notebook, several other items were recovered from a 'drybag' near Laundrie's remains, which found near his parents North Port home, including a wooden box containing the journal as well as several photos.

Both 'the skeletal remains and personal effects were in plain sight and scattered upon the dirt ground,' it said.

According to the report, one of the snaps was a shot of Laundrie. It is not clear what the other photos showed.

The report confirmed that Laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, as police frantically searched for the man as the primary 'person of interest' in the disappearance of 22-year-old Petito.

The report confirmed that Laundrie died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, as police frantically searched for the man as the primary 'person of interest' in the disappearance of Petito, 22, who had been traveling across the country with Laundrie when she disappeared

Authorities also recovered 'the vast majority of [Laundrie's] skeleton,' aside from a few bones from his teeth and his face upon the discovery of the remains, the filing continues, adding that a toxicology report showed no sign of drug use before his death.

The bombshell document further revealed that authorities recovered a pair of green shorts, shoes, a ring, a backpack and a handgun from what was left of the savaged remains, which was partly concealed by 'overgrown vegetation,' the document said.

Near Laundrie's corpse, at an adjacent 'secondary' scene, authorities recovered animal skeletal remains that suggested the self-professed killer had been hunting before his death.

Lawmen also found a incomplete, handwritten note at the 'secondary' site, but did not detail its contents, as well as a 'MOAB Coffee Roasters' hat belonging to Laundrie, that advertised the same Utah coffee shop were pulled over by police for a domestic incident on 12 August - approximately two weeks before Petito was killed.

Brian Laundrie took responsibility for killing Gabby Petito in the notebook that was found near his remains, the report reveals. Petito last spoke to her parents in August, and her remains were found in September. Laundrie's remains were found in North Port, Florida two week in October - a month after he disappeared. The young couple had been on a cross-country van trip but it turned sour and in August, just a few weeks before she died

The search for Petito began after Laundrie had returned to his parent's Florida home from their trip without her on September 1.

On September 11, Gabby's family reported her missing and two days later, her boyfriend Brian Laundrie vanished from his parents' home.

The young couple had been on a cross-country van trip but it turned sour and in August, just a few weeks before she died.

Chris and Roberta Laundrie, Laundrie's parents, have been widely condemned for not talking with Petito's family or turning their son in to police when he returned home from his trip, especially after she was reported missing.

He left their home on September 13, two days after her family on Long Island reported her disappearance.

Petito's family criticized the Laundries for not helping them. Her remains were soon uncovered in a Wyoming campground on September 19.

Before Petito's disappearance, she and Laundrie were pulled over by Utah police officer in Moab after visiting the 'MOAB Coffee Roasters' on August 12, 2021, who had been responding to a call from a witness who saw the couple involved in a domestic fight.

Last week, an independent investigator has said that the officers who pulled them over should have been suspended for not citing Petito following the violent encounter where she admitted to being the aggressor.

Officers Eric Pratt and Daniel Robbins had pulled the couple over after they responded to a call from a witness who saw the couple involved in a domestic fight.

Bodycam footage showed a visibly shaken Petito admitting to being the aggressor in the public argument. During the conversation, Pratt had noted that Petito should have been arrested for her actions as stated in the Utah state law.

The cops who pulled Petito and Laundrie in Moab, Utah were also recommended for probation for not pressing charges in the incident

An independent investigator revealed that Gabby Petito should have been cited for being the aggressor in a domestic dispute with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie (pictured left). Moab City PD Eric Pratt (right) is seen speaking with Laundrie

The couple, however, managed to dispute the allegations and the officers let them go following a 75-minute conversation on the promise that they spend the night away from one another.

After the bodycam footage emerged, the Price City Police Department launched its own independent investigation and said Wednesday that the officers should have pressed charges in the incident.

'I believe the officers responded to a domestic violence call and had probable cause an act of domestic violence had been committed,' Price Police Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe.

'This should have meant an arrest was made, either by citation or custody.'

Despite evidence pointing towards Petito as the aggressor, Ratcliffe noted that she had probably been the victim of violence in the relationship.

As a result of the investigation, Ratcliffe recommended that Pratt and Robbins be put on probation for how they handled the incident.

He also concluded that he couldn't be certain that the officers could have changed the outcome of Petito's fate if they acted accordingly.

'Would Gabby be alive today if this case was handled differently?,' the report said, according to CNN. That is an impossible question to answer despite it being the answer many people want to know.

'Nobody knows and nobody will ever know the answer to that question.'
A Kentucky candidate for mayor who is Jewish was shot at while in his campaign office in Louisville on Monday but escaped unscathed in an apparent assassination attempt.

Democrat Craig Greenberg's clothing were grazed by a bullet in the shooting by the unidentified gunman at 10:15 am, Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Erika Shields.

'It does appear... that one individual in particular was targeted, and that is one of our mayoral candidates, Craig Greenberg,' Shields said at the Monday morning press conference.

A suspect that fit a description provided by Greenberg or his staff was located just outside the building by responding officers, police said.

Shields said that his identity would be withheld until charges are filed and that, as of yet, no possible motive for the shooting has been identified.

'Mr. Greenberg is Jewish, so there's that, we don't know if it's tied to the candidate, it's political, we don't know if we're dealing with someone with mental issues or who is venomous,' she said.

Craig Greenberg (second from left) and members of his staff are pictured outside their campaign office after they were evacuated by police

Louisville mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg escaped unscathed after a bullet grazed his clothing when someone shot at him Monday

Greenberg, wearing a green sweater, and other staffers are pictured among police outside their office after the shooting this morning

Pictured is Story Avenue after the shooting - police closed down the street until around 12.45pm

Greenberg and his staff were evacuated from their campaign office at the 1200 block of Story Avenue, pictured, before officers found a suspect fitting their description and took him into custody

A round fired by the shooter hit Democrat Craig Greenberg's clothing, the Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Erika Shields (pictured), but no one in the building was injured. The department responded to multiple 911 calls about an 'active aggressor' around 10.15 am on Monday

Matt Goldberg, the director of community relations for the Jewish Federation of Louisville, told the Courier Journal that Greenberg is an 'active member' of the Jewish community, and that he and others are 'certainly all waiting to find out what this person's motivations are.'

'You don't expect to see anything like that in Louisville or anywhere, but to see it for someone you know is very, very frightening,' he told the local outlet.

'We're thinking about his family of course and his friends and the people on his campaign. We're all saying a little for them.'

Goldberg said that there wasn't 'anything specifically' that the Jewish community was doing 'until we hear from the LMPD or any of the investigators.' However, he said, the community is 'always taking precautions at all of our Jewish institutions as a generalized precaution.'

Greenberg, who is Jewish, is pictured with his family as he makes his first run for mayor

'We have no reason at this time to believe the shooter was acting anything but alone,' Shields said at the conference.

She said that Greenberg and his staff were escorted out of the Butchertown Market office at the 1200 block of Story Avenue by police after the attack. The road was closed until 12.45 pm as police gathered evidence.

Officials with the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau and the Federal Bureau of investigation will assist LMPD officers in their investigation, Shields said.

The mayoral candidate issued a statement about the incident around 11.45am.

'My team and I are fortunately all safe,' Greenberg wrote. 'We are all with LMPD now. I will provide an update as soon as possible. Thank you for the outpouring of support.'

Greenberg, 46, an attorney and developer whose past work includes the 21c Museum Hotel on Louisville's West Main Street, is running for political office for the first time.

The attack on Monday led other officials to react on social media.

'This is unacceptable,' tweeted Rev. Tim Findley Jr., another Democrat running for mayor.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg and his staff following the shooting incident at his campaign office earlier today,' wrote the Louisville GOP on Facebook.

'Were thankful no one was seriously injured and we unequivocally condemn such senseless acts of violence.'

'This is unacceptable,' tweeted Rev. Tim Findley Jr., another Democrat running for mayor
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Texas is suing Facebook parent company Meta Platforms Inc and seeking billions of dollars in civil penalties, according to a lawsuit filed Monday, claiming that the social media giant's use of facial-recognition technology was in violation of the state's privacy protections.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who filed the lawsuit in state District Court in Marshall, said the company's capture of facial geometry in photographs that users uploaded between 2010 and 2021 resulted in 'tens of millions of violations' of Texas law, according to the Wall Street Journal.

'Facebook has been secretly harvesting Texans' most personal information - photos and videos - for its own corporate profit,' Mr. Paxton said.

'Texas law has prohibited such harvesting without informed consent for over 20 years. While ordinary Texans have been using Facebook to innocently share photos of loved ones with friends and family, we now know that Facebook has been brazenly ignoring Texas law for the last decade.'

The lawsuit is the latest crisis faced by the troubled tech giant, which has seen its stock price crater since announcing it lost users last year for the first time in the company's history.

It also changed its corporate name to Meta last year after series of scandals sparked by a whistleblower complaint that the company puts profits over people.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the media as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott campaigns at the DPS headquarters on January 27, 2022, in Weslaco, Texas

Jeff Wieland,, right, Facebook director of accessibility, watches as engineer Matt King, who is blind, demonstrates facial recognition technology via a teleconference at Facebook HQ

Meanwhile, Meta said in a statement that the claims against Facebook 'are without merit and we will defend ourselves vigorously.'

The parent company added that Facebook users were always allowed the chance to consent to such services before shutting down its facial recognition software.

In 2015, the social media giant had previously settled a separate lawsuit in Illinois for $640 million regarding its facial-recognition technology.

That lawsuit, which was filed under Illinois's biometric privacy law, is similar to the terms filed under Texas law, with both laws requiring individuals' consent before their biometric identifiers can be captured.

Facebook had attempted to have the class-action lawsuit dismissed, however those efforts were unsuccessful, leading to a settlement in the case in 2020.

In the Illinois class-action case, Facebooks lawyers said state law didn't apply to its process for identifying users in photos, and added that it had also given users the ability to opt out of the feature.

The much larger size of the civil penalties being sought after in the newly filed Texas lawsuit could have serious implications on big tech companies in the face of privacy laws.

Texas sent its civil subpoena to Meta, where it sought information about the facial-recognition software, only after learning of Facebook's settlement of the Illinois class-action case.

Meanwhile, Facebook announced it was ending its facial recognition system in November 2021.

Engineer Matt King, who is blind, demonstrates the social media network's facial recognition technology

Facebook's Meta logo sign is seen at the company headquarters in Menlo Park, California, on, October 28, 2021

After the companys announcement in early November, Texas officials demanded that relevant data be preserved as the state continued to investigate.

'These procedural protections are particularly crucial in our digital world because technology now permits the wholesale collection and storage of an individual's unique biometric identifiersidentifiers that cannot be changed if compromised or misused,' US District Judge James Donato wrote in the class-action case.

'When an online service simply disregards the Illinois procedures, as Facebook is alleged to have done, the right of the individual to maintain her biometric privacy vanishes into thin air.'

The Texas suit also accuses Facebook of obtaining patents for systems 'where consumers wandering in stores or standing at checkout counters have their faces scanned and matched with their social-networking profiles.'

The Texas attorney general's office has since demanded that Meta not delete any of the face template information for Texas residents, past or present, despite the social media network saying such information was not material and could be deleted.
Eight people, including four teenagers, who were on a duck hunting trip were killed in a small plane crash on Sunday off the North Carolina coast.

One body has been recovered from the area and there's 'no indication any of the people onboard survived the crash,' the Carteret County Sheriff confirmed Monday afternoon.

Recovery efforts continued after the Pilatus PC-12 airplane went down four miles east of Drum Inlet. Before it disappeared, the single-engine aircraft was spotted on radar 'behaving erratically,' the US Coast Guard said.

Among its occupants was a group of high school friends and entrepreneur Hunter Parks.

On the day before the crash, Parks hosted a wildfowl hunting expedition on his Lake Mattamuskeet-area property for veterans and youth in keeping with an annual tradition.

He was joined by his girlfriend Stephanie Fulcher, her son Kole McInnis, and three of his teenaged friends.

The teens are believed to be students at East Carteret High School in North Carolina

Fulcher (left) and Parks (right) began dating several years ago, and both shared a passion for the outdoors

Shortly before the plane began its return trip home Sunday, Fulcher posted this photo of the teens indulging in McDonalds meals, still wearing their hunting gear

The single-engine passenger plane went down off the coast of Drum Inlet, North Carolina and has not yet been recovered

Shortly before the plane took off, Fulcher shared photos on Facebook of the teens settled onto the aircraft, munching on McDonalds meals and gazing tiredly toward the camera as they prepared to return to their Down East homes.

Fulcher captioned the snaps she shared Sunday by writing: 'Blessed to have a successful Youth/Veteran duck hunt again this year!'

Tom Harrison, who is friends and business partners with Parks, described him as an accomplished fisherman and the longtime managing partner of Mattamuskeet Ventures.

'Whatever he did, he poured himself into it,' Harrison told DailyMail.com. 'He was extremely kind and generous and wanted everybody to be happy. He was a problem solver, an intermediary, and just a great partner, a great friend, and a great guy.'

Parks hosted an annual duck hunting retreat on his property Saturday, as he did every year for children and veterans.

'It's a way of giving back to veterans and a way of preserving our heritage with young men and being positive role models, and getting them outside and disconnecting them from electronics,' he said. 'Giving them an experience out in nature.'

Four teens were among those killed when a plane crashed off the North Carolina coast on Sunday. Friends and relatives have identified them as (from left) Jake Taylor, Kole McInnis, Dailey Shepherd, and Noah Styron

North Carolina businessman Hunter Parks (left) and his girlfriend Stephanie Fulcher (center) were among the other passengers. They're pictured with her son Kole McKinnis (right)

McKinnis was travelling with his mother and mom's boyfriend, who hosted the expedition

The teens are believed to be students at East Carteret High School. They've been identified by friends and family as Kole McInnis, Jake Taylor, Dailey Shepherd, and Noah Styron.

Carteret County Public Schools spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson said the district was still awaiting word from the US Coast Guard before releasing information.

'We are incredibly saddened and join with the Down East and Eastern North Carolina community as we await official word on the airplane crash off the coast of Drum Inlet, North Carolina,' said a statement from the district. 'Crisis teams are on school campuses to support students, staff and families.'

The pilot and an eighth passenger on the plane have not yet been identified.

Union Point Church Pastor Aaron Golden, who lives in a neighboring county, lead the community in mourning through a Facebook post.

'I know all Down East is in mourning,' Golden said. 'Down East is such a tightknit community it has such a deep heritage and all of those on that plane yesterday really represented that for the Down East community.'

Coast Guard boats, as well as an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter military aircrew, launched a search of the area Sunday to find the single-engine aircraft and on Monday added a Coast Guard C-130 fixed-wing aircraft to assist efforts.

Although it can be challenging to recover downed aircrafts in bodies of water, a spokesman said he's optimistic crews will be able to locate the missing plane.

'It can be very difficult, but we're well equipped to provide adequate search efforts, especially since we have so many partner agencies working with is,' spokesman Edward Wargo told DailyMail.com. 'This is something the Coast Guard trains for, and we've experienced this before.'
Former President Donald Trump condemned the Biden administration for its handling of North Korea on Sunday, during an address to church-led conference in South Korea, claiming the pariah state would not have launched missile tests if he were still in power.

Instead he claimed his strategy of 'peace through strength' delivered unprecedented progress.

His pre-recorded remarks were delivered to an event in Seoul organized by the Unification Church, a Christian group known for its mass weddings and global business interests.

Other members of his administration attended in person including his Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo - both seen as possible 2024 candidates.

Trump said that his face-to-face meetings with Kim Jong-un brought results, including the return of hostages and the remains of hostages.

'Over the past several months, we have seen a concerning return to escalation, including a number of missile tests,' he said.

'Chairman Kim does not respect or trust the leaders of the United States.

'Well, everyone knows that this would never have happened if I were president.'

Former President Donald Trump condemned the Biden administration for its handling of North Korea on Sunday, during a speech to Korean church-led event

Trump blasted his successor's foreign policy and the 'incompetence' of President Joe Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan, and told his audience not to mistake 'the weakness of our current leaders in the United States for the weakness of the United States of America.'

Trump met three times with the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un

He also urged North Korea to do anything to endanger what he said was a 'unique opportunity' to make progress in the four years under his presidency.

'As I have said many times, I strongly believe the best path for North Korea lies down the path of greater cooperation, integration and economic development,' he said.

'But for that to happen, there can be no threat of nuclear weapons just can't work. denuclearization is not the greatest risk for North Korea. Denuclearization is the greatest opportunity.'

Kim's regime resumed tests of shorter range missiles in 2019, while Trump was in office - a year after unilaterally halting tests of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Trump met Kim in Singapore in 2018, becoming the first sitting president to meet with a North Korean ruler.

They met two more times, but progress stalled after their second meeting when the U.S. rejected North Korean demands for the lifting of sanctions in return for a partial halt to its nuclear program.

This year, North Korea has stepped up its launches - oftentimes of already tested and proven technologies.

At least six ballistic missiles were launched in four tests in January alone.

'Do not mistake the weakness of our current leaders in the United States for the weakness of the United States of America,' said Trump.

'They are not the same. That would be a terrible mistake.'

Trump (left) met Kim in the DMZ separating North Korea from South Korea in June 2019 - their third in-person meeting. Trump has told confidants he has remained in touch with Kim

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman's upcoming book Confidence Man

And he urged the audience not to underestimate the U.S. based on President Biden's foreign policy.

'Career politicians come and go but Americans are the same strong, proud and confident people we have always been,' he said.

'We are the fiercest and most loyal of all friends.

'The incompetence we have witnessed in the Afghan withdrawal and the way it was handled, and other places may have weakened the poll numbers of certain current politicians but it has only strengthened this spines of the American people.'

Last week, excerpts from a new book revealed that Trump has told confidants that he still talks to Kim.

Journalist Maggie Haberman said Kim was the only foreign leader that Trump had said he remained in touch with.

'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 told CNN about her forthcoming book 'Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America.'

During his speech at the weekend gathering, Pence said deepening relations between China and Russia are posing increasing threats to their democratic neighbors, forum organizers told the Associated Press. He also called for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the statement read.

While in Seoul, Pence met with South Korean conservative presidential candidate, Yoon Suk Yeol, as well as foreign policy advisers to the rival ruling party of Lee Jae-myung.
Northern Ireland has axed all remaining Covid laws and will replace them with 'guidance' from midnight, Health Minister Robin Swann announced.

But he urged the public not to 'jump the gun', warning that the pandemic is 'not over.

It comes after advice from the chief medical officer in Northern Ireland, Sir Michael McBride.

Stormont ministers had earlier given their 'unanimous support' to Mr Swann to ease Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland, according to Michelle O'Neil, Sinn Fein's leader in Stormont.

Last week Mr Swann, who has himself tested positive for Covid, was advised on the potential legal implications of him replacing regulations with guidance, without the wider endorsement of an executive.

Mr Swann wrote to other ministers asking for their input and asked for them to respond by today.

All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions in Northern Ireland are to be lifted and replaced by guidance from February 15, Health Minister Robin Swann (pictured) said

Stormont ministers had earlier given their 'unanimous support' to Mr Swann to ease Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland, according to Michelle O'Neil, Sinn Fein's leader in Stormont

Present Covid-19 regulations in Northern Ireland were not due to expire until March 24 but were reviewed by the executive every three weeks previously.

However, Northern Ireland currently has no functioning executive after the DUP removed Paul Givan as first minister, as part of a protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Mr Swann was considering whether removing restrictions in Northern Ireland would cut across the responsibilities of any other ministers.

Present Covid-19 regulations in Northern Ireland were not due to expire until March 24, but were reviewed by the executive every three weeks previously. However, Northern Ireland currently has no functioning executive after the DUP removed Paul Givan (pictured) as first minister, as part of a protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol

In a statement this evening, Mr Swann said: 'Today's announcement follows consideration of legal advice from the Attorney General and consultation with all ministerial colleagues.

'It moves our response against Covid into a new phase. With the reduced threat from the Omicron variant, we can move away from an emergency and legalistic framework to a new approach where making safer choices is embedded in our daily lives.

'That means all of us continuing to do our best to cut down risks of infection and transmission. It means looking after each other by following the public health guidance.

'It must always be remembered that taking unnecessary risks with Covid may affect people who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.

'So please do not jump the gun and start behaving as if the pandemic is over. That is not the case.'

The Health Minister said that while the Omicron variant was less severe than previous coronavirus strains, 'community transmission remains very high and hospital pressures significant.' Pictured: A hospitality worker in Ulster wearing a mask

Covid legal restrictions in Northern Ireland which were implemented on January 26 and are to be replaced by guidance (pictured)

The Health Minister said that while the Omicron variant was less severe than previous coronavirus strains, 'community transmission remains very high and hospital pressures significant.'

He added: 'The most vulnerable as a result of underlying disease remain susceptible to severe illness and it is important that we all do what we can to protect them.'

Mr Swann said that he will keep Northern Ireland's current situation under review.

He said: 'Coronavirus is likely to stay with us in some form for some time. We cannot maintain emergency restrictions indefinitely. A large part of what we currently do to protect ourselves is already covered by guidance rather than regulations.

'This includes self-isolating when infected and taking lateral flow tests before meeting up with others. The guidance will continue to emphasise all the steps that we should keep taking to protect each other.

'I will, of course, keep the situation on regulations under ongoing and detailed review. We cannot rule out a new variant emerging down the line with new interventions being required. I very much hope that will not be the case.'

Health officials had advised Mr Swann that the decision to ease restrictions would likely not create a major rise in the number of people in intensive care.

Earlier, Ms O'Neill said: 'Firstly, let me wish our Health Minister well, he has obviously tested positive for Covid.

'He has a big job ahead of him and I am glad that there has been unanimous support for him to move forward in terms of the Covid restrictions.

'Backed up by the health advice that we are now in a space where hopefully we are able to see the easement of restrictions and a bit more of normality return.

'We will continue to work with the Health Minister in that regard.'

Health officials had advised Mr Swann that the decision to ease restrictions would likely not create a major rise in the number of people in intensive care. Pictured: Mr Swann speaking today during a video call in the Adoption and Children Bill debate

Ms O'Neill added: 'I believe everybody has now responded to say that they are content that he proceeds, as per the health advice.

'So, I suspect that over the course of today or tomorrow Robin will bring forward those easements.'

Meanwhile, two more people who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said.

Another 2,465 confirmed cases of the virus have also been reported in the last 24-hours.

On Monday there were 437 Covid-19 in-patients, with 13 in intensive care.
A Connecticut socialite has pleaded guilty to inappropriately filming minors as part of a mysterious plea deal in which other more serious child sex abuse charges were dropped.

Hadley Palmer, 53, is a mother-of-four, financier's wife and the daughter of a wealthy hedge fund founder. She lives in Belle Haven, Connecticut, in a $10million home and has four kids with her estranged husband Bradley.

Palmer is a regular on the Connecticut social scene and is regularly photographed at charity events but in October last year, she was arrested on charges of felony voyeurism, felony invasion of privacy and felony causing injury to a child.

The voyeurism charge against her involved recording someone, naked or in their underwear, without their consent or knowledge, with 'intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desire of such person (defendant) or any other person.'

It related to an incident in 2017 and 2018.

More serious charges of employing a minor in an obscene performance, a Class A felony, and possession of child pornography, were on the table.

The case has only just been brought to light by matter of the plea deal - one of the only publicly available documents in the case. It was reported by The Associated Press - which has been fighting to make the story public - on Monday.

After her arrest in October, Palmer filed an application for a special probation program known as 'accelerated rehabilitation' which immediately sealed the file. She then negotiated a deal with prosecutors, in which they will drop the more serious charges in exchange for her pleading guilty to the voyeurism.

Now, she has begun a recommended 90 day sentence at a women's prison in Connecticut while awaiting formal sentencing in August. She will also have to sign the sex offender's registry if the deal is accepted.

Hadley Palmer, 53, is a mother-of-four, financier's wife and the daughter of a wealthy hedge fund owner. She is shown in her mugshot from October, after being arrested for filming minors sexually in her home

She lives in Belle Haven, Connecticut, in a $10million home and has four kids with her estranged husband Bradley (shown). She filed for divorce in 2020. He has not commented on her arrest

The alleged abuse happened at this Connecticut mansion in 2017 and 2018 (the property is shown under construction before the family moved in)

Prosecutor Daniel Cummings has not commented publicly on the case and much of it remains unknown.

Child psychologist Dr. Jerome Brodlie was charged for failing to report the alleged abuse

Judge John Blawie, in Stamford, ruled Thursday that the entire file should be sealed to protect the victims' identity and that opening it while redacting some of the documents would inevitably lead to the minor victims' being identified.

'Between 2017 and 2018, the defendant knowingly photographed, filmed and recorded certain individuals without their knowledge or consent, and under circumstances where those individuals were not in plain view, and had a reasonable expectation of privacy, and at least one photograph taken by the defendant depicted a person who was a minor,' he wrote.

Legal experts tell the Associated Press - whose reporters opposed the seal - that it was a highly unusual move for her file to be sealed immediately and many say she did not even qualify for accelerated rehabilitation.

They are demanding to know why she has been able to hide from public view, when other defendants have not.

Palmer is due in court on August 1 for sentencing.

The plea deal suggests she should serve 90 days to five years in prison.

Property records indicate the Palmer family also owns this property in nearby Old Greenwich, CT

The lakeside home in Old Greenwich is worth $3million, according to property records

The family also own this property on Martha's Vineyard where in 2018, kids held a house party and used it as their base to vandalize other properties on the posh island

It remains unclear what led to her arrest last October. The New York Times first reported it today, along with details of the plea deal.

According to that report, both she and the minor victims involved asked the judge to seal the case.

Along with Palmer, a psychologist has also been charged in the case for failing to report what she is alleged to have done.

Dr. Jerome Brodlie was charged with intentionally not reporting Palmer's alleged crimes to the authorities - as he is legally bound to do.

Hadley Palmer filed for divorce from her financier husband Bradley in June 2020. It is unclear if their divorce has been finalized.

The pair are understood to have four kids together, including one who is 19. The ages of the other children are not known.

Property records put place Palmer in the family's $10million home in Belle Haven, Connecticut, at the time of the alleged crimes in 2017 and 2018.

She also has a property nearby, on the water, for an estimated $3million.

Her kids went to prestigious private schools like The Wharton School, and she was popular on the Connecticut social circuit.

Bradley Palmer did not respond to messages on Monday.
Thousands of public hospital nurses are walking off the job in NSW, saying they are stretched too thin to give the care their patients deserve, especially in a pandemic.

The planned industrial action on Tuesday by those at the front line of patient care is the first of its kind in nearly a decade.

They are upset with the state government for not implementing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, as per systems in Queensland and Victoria.

They are also seeking a pay rise above the government's 2.5 per cent cap in recognition of their pandemic workloads, marked by increasing and more complex work.

'It's inhumane what is expected of us,' said Nicole Richardson, a registered nurse and midwife who works at Gosford Hospital, north of Sydney.

'We are not cuddling babies. We are trained, professional nurses and midwives trying to work in a broken system.'

The length of the industrial action will vary across hospitals and skeleton staff will remain at work to meet urgent patient care. The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association expects the strike to impact 150 public hospitals.

Paramedics are also planning industrial action this week.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has said the patient ratios the union wants aren't effective, and said that system hadn't worked well in other states.

He has accused the nurses association of playing 'old union games' and has called on their representatives to negotiate without taking industrial action.

Some hospital workers, like those at Byron Central Hospital, support the strike but won't leave their nurses' stations over concerns they already don't have enough staff to provide the required care.

Liz McCall, a senior nurse at Byron Central and a union delegate, said the difficult work conditions had prompted many nurses to become politically active for the first time.

She said many senior nurses had resigned or retired early during the COVID-19 pandemic because of their workloads, leaving a major gap in nursing experience.

'We can't provide the care we want to give - it's really scary,' said Ms McCall, who has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years.

'The pandemic has exacerbated what was already happening in our service.'

The union was issued with an order to stop its strike action late on Monday, after NSW Health and the government sought assistance from the Industrial Relations Commission.

A spokesperson for NSW Health said the strike would 'cause disruptions and delays to health services'.

However the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association said it would be going ahead with its industrial action and would not follow the orders.

'The NSWNMA Council supports the decision of our branches to take industrial action statewide,' general secretary Brett Holmes said.

'The strike and rallies will go ahead, as we are unable to comply with the orders.'
The New York Police Department will attempt to crack down on 'trigger-pullers' and shooting hotspots in the crime-plagued city, according to a 90-day crime plan revealed in an internal NYPD memo.

The '2022 Crime Plan' will make tackling 'crime, fear and disorder' the top priority, according to the memo.

Those who have been involved in recent or multiple gun-related incidents will be added to a list so that all units are aware of frequent offenders in their precincts.

Under the NYPDs plan, the Gun Violence Strategies Partnership will enhance prosecutions and probes of these 'high-value offenders.'

It was not clear if the plan was the brainchild of new Mayor Eric Adams, a former cop, or his hand-picked Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell. Calls to the Mayor's Office and NYPD were not returned.

The initiative comes as gun violence soars under the new administration. There have been 118 shooting incidents in the city since January 1, a 30 percent increase from the 83 incidents that took place through the first six weeks of 2021, according to NYPD data.

This year to date, there have been 118 shooting incidents in the city, a 30 percent increase from the 83 incidents that took place as of this date in 2021, according to NYPD data

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, pictured, has repeatedly vowed to tackle rising crime in New York City, particularly gun violence. Today, an internal NYPD memo aimed at tackling 'crime, fear and disorder' in the city

Newly-minted NYC Mayor Eric Adams, pictured, and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell have sworn to address the city's spiking crime rates, with a specific focus on gun-wielding criminals

The plan comes as crime of nearly all types is on the rise in New York City

According to the new policy, precincts that had more than 10 shooting incidents last year will be tasked to lay out a plan for how they will reduce gun crime to their commands along with their annual crime reports. Detectives will also be required to submit analyses of conflicts between active criminal groups in their jurisdictions.

'The plan should include an analysis of the people, places, and conflicts that contributed to their gun violence and a precinct plan to address it,' the memo read.

'These "trigger-pullers" are responsible for a disproportionate share of the violence in the city and are the main drivers of violence in the area,' the memo said.

More police patrols will be 'heavily directed' to areas with higher gun violence rates, the memo said, and the plan calls for 'tightly-managed saturations patrols' in those areas.

'The Department is averaging less than four directed patrols/community visits per week at the top 100 blocks for gun violence,' it reads. 'Most of those directed patrols are not at relevant days and times.'

'While directed patrols are an imperfect measure of "engagement," they tell us whether we are spending discretionary time in violence-prone areas.'

'We are not. This must change immediately.'

Public transportation and heavily-populated commercial districts will also receive more attention from the NYPD, per the plan, with a specific 'Midtown Initiative' being put in place with the aim of reducing felony assaults and robberies in the area.

'The goals should center on reducing crime and disorder in Midtown,' the memo said. The tourist area, the memo read, is 'emblematic of the citys success and safety.'

Precincts that have had more than 10 shooting incidents last year will be tasked to lay out a plan for how they will reduce gun crime to their commands along with their annual crime reports. Detective borough will also be required to submit analyses of conflicts between active criminal groups in their jurisdictions

The plan comes after President Joe Biden came to the city earlier in February to discuss methods for combatting gun violence after NYPD Officer Jason Rivera and Officer Wilbert Mora were shot dead, bringing the number of NYPD officer shot in just the first 40 days of 2022 to seven

After the city saw eight murders on the city's subway's, the most since 1997, the transit system was also highlighted as a point of focus in the plan. Already, two people have been shoved in front of subway trains, including 40-year-old Deloitte senior manager Michelle Go, who was pushed to her death on January 15.

'Transit deployment should be based on peak ridership times and stations (to reduce fear), high crime stations, high crime per rider stations, and day-to-day complaints such as swiper conditions or public drug use,' the memo said.

Adams and Sewell have sworn to address the city's spiking crime rates, with a specific focus on gun-wielding criminals.

The plan comes after President Joe Biden came to the city last week to discuss methods for combatting gun violence after NYPD Officer Jason Rivera and Officer Wilbert Mora were shot dead, bringing the number of NYPD officer shot in just the first 40 days of 2022 to seven.

Those who have been involved in recent or multiple gun-related incidents will be added to a list so that all units are aware of frequent offenders in their precincts. Under the NYPDs plan, the Gun Violence Strategies Partnership will enhance prosecutions and probes of these 'high-value offenders'

More police patrols will be 'heavily directed' to areas with higher gun violence rates, the memo said, and the plan calls for 'tightly-managed saturations patrols' in those areas

Crime in the city has continued to spike, with overall crime having increased 41.65 percent, robbery up nearly 35 percent, and violent felonies up 13.3 percent through February 6 from the same time last year.

Meanwhile, nearly every police precinct in New York City has reported spikes in crime this year - including five in which the rate has doubled, new data from the New York Police Department shows.

'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.'

The newest plan comes a week after a total of 658 cops assigned to non-patrol posts, like the department's press office, were deployed as part of an 'enhanced deployment strategy.'

The two-part plan moved 300 officers to the 4pm to 12am shift every night, according to two memos obtained by the New York Post, including one sent by Sewell on Monday. The officers will be put on 'high visibility posts' based on crime trends.

Assamad Nash, 25, has been arrested seven times since 2017 and currently has three open cases in the Manhattan Criminal Court

Christina Yuna Lee, 35, was stabbed to death in her New York City apartment 'by homeless serial criminal'

The moves come on the heels of the gruesome killing of Christina Yuna Lee, who was fatally stabbed by a vagrant with a lengthy rap sheet Sunday after he followed the woman into her Manhattan apartment.

Assamad Nash, 25, who has three additional open criminal cases, one for assaulting a man in a subway station - was charged with murder and burglary on Monday.

Lee, 35, was coming home Sunday morning about 4:30 from a night out at a club when Nash spotted her getting out of an Uber, her landlord Brian Chin said.

Security video captured Nash creeping into the building behind Lee, who didn't notice her stalker.

Nash hung back as the digital producer climbed the six flights to her apartment, Chin said, climbing up one floor below as she went.

He rushed her as she unlocked her apartment door and entered her apartment, police said.

Neighbors were awakened Sunday morning to Lee's blood-curdling screams of 'Please, help me. Call 911.'
A man has been charged with the murder of a woman after her body was found in Melbourne's southeast.

The 20-year-old Springvale man was arrested on Monday afternoon in the CBD and charged.

It comes after a 41-year-old Springvale woman was found dead inside her Glendale Road home on Thursday.

Victoria Police say the two were known to each other and they aren't looking for anyone else.

A man, 20, has been arrested a Springvale woman, 41, was found dead inside her Glendale Road home (pictured) on Thursday

The woman was reportedly a mother-of-five who was new to the neighbourhood. Pictured: detectives at the home

A homicide investigation was launched on Thursday after the woman was discovered about 12.10pm.

Distraught family members who gathered outside the home last week told The Age the woman was a mother-of-five.

Neighbours said they did not know her, and it is believed she was new to the area.

Property records show the three-bedroom house was put on the market as a rental last October.

Detectives have taped off the premises and have been seen collecting bags of items from the home.

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A Navy nuclear engineer pleaded guilty Monday to trying to pass information about American nuclear-powered warships to a foreign country, while his Trump-hating wife still denies the charges against them.

Jonathan Toebbe, 43, pleaded guilty in federal court in Martinsburg, West Virginia, to a single count of conspiracy to communicate restricted data. The sentencing range agreed to by lawyers calls for a potential punishment between roughly 12 years and 17 years in prison.

Toebbe and his wife, Diana, were arrested last October after prosecutors said he had repeatedly sold information about the submarines to someone he thought was a representative of a foreign government but who was actually an undercover FBI agent.

Toebbe acknowledged during the plea hearing to conspiring to pass classified information to a foreign government, causing 'injury to the United States.'

The identity of the foreign power has never been revealed, although it is widely speculated to have been France. Investigators say the Toebbes contacted a friendly foreign power, rather than an adversary, with the information.

Jonathan Toebbe is seen at his first court hearing, on October 12

That country's government then alerted the FBI, who got agents to pose as members of the unidentified foreign government to elicit further information from the Toebbes in an elaborate sting.

The pair - who speak French - are said to have discussed practicing their foreign language skills while plotting to flee to the country they'd contacted with the classified information.

Diana Toebbe was accused of serving as a lookout at several prearranged 'dead-drop' locations at which her husband deposited memory cards containing government secrets, concealing them in objects such as a chewing gum wrapper, a Band-Aid wrapper and a peanut butter sandwich. She has pleaded not guilty and the case against her remains pending.

Diana Toebbe is pictured in court on October 12 in Martinsburg, West Virginia

Diana and Jonathan Toebbes are seen in their mugshots, following their arrest in Virginia in October. A judge is currently considering her bail application

The country to which Jonathan Toebbe was looking to sell the information has not been identified in court documents and was not disclosed in court during the plea hearing Monday.

Toebbe, who as part of his job had a top-secret security clearance, agreed as part of the plea deal to help federal officials with locating all classified information in his possession, as well as the roughly $100,000 in cryptocurrency that was paid to him.

FBI agents who searched the couple's Annapolis, Maryland, home found a trash bag of shredded documents, thousands of dollars in cash, valid childrens passports and a 'go-bag' containing a USB flash drive and latex gloves.

Diana Toebbe said her husband only wanted to flee the country because she hated Donald Trump, a court has been told.

Lawyers for Diana Toebbe, 45, claim she only wanted to exit the US because of her disdain for the former president, and not because she was worried about getting caught for allegedly trying to sell the classified information.

They made the claim in court papers filed Wednesday, complete with an exchange of messages said to have taken place between Toebbe and her husband Jonathan in March 2019.

Diane Toebbe (left) and Jonathan Toebbe (right) are both accused of being involved in a plot to sell nuclear secrets to a foreign power for $100,000 in cryptocurrency

Those texts also allegedly saw Diana Toebbe discuss fleeing to France. The country they tried to sell the secrets to has never been mentioned, and is said to be a US ally, although officials told NBC News that France was not the country targeted.

Diana begins: 'We need to get out.' Jonathan appears bored with her statement, answering: '*sigh* where? To do what?'

His wife then says: 'To anywhere. To do something else. To teach in international schools. To take Macron up on his offer to harbor scientific refugees.'

In an apparent attempt to calm Diana, Jonathan says: 'Biden/Warren will curb stomp Trump/Pence.'

But Diana was undeterred, and replied: 'WE NEED TO GET OUT. Hilary (sic) was going to curb stomp trump. Im done.'

Jonathan touted then then-unpublished Mueller Report into alleged collusion between Team Trump and Russia, which ended up posing no threat to Trump's presidency.

He wrote: 'The Mueller report is coming real soon.'

But Diana remained angry, answering: 'Its been too long. Nothing has changed. Hes still in power.'

Jonathan replied: 'Nothing in government moves that fast  believe me, I speak from personal experience.'

Diana then said: '(Trump crony) Manafort got a slap on the wrist. Its a signal that the entire system is rigged.'

The chat then turned to escaping, with Jonathan saying: 'Weve got passports, and some savings. In a real pinch we can flee quickly.'

And Diana answered: 'Right. Lets go sooner than later.'

The pair were arrested in October and charged with selling secret information about nuclear submarines to an undercover FBI agent who posed as an operative for a foreign country.
Kyle Sandilands has unleashed on the Kiwi band that called out Scott Morrison for playing their hit song April Sun in Cuba on the ukulele - his second outburst in support of the PM in weeks.

The Prime Minister whipped out the instrument to serenade his family and 60 Minutes presenter Karl Stefanovic during Sunday night's interview.

But the performance was not well received by the band behind the 1977 hit song, Dragon, who issued a scathing statement on Monday labelling the sing-a-long a political move.

'Like many times before, Dragon is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons,' the band said in a statement.

'This time it's the Prime Minister of Australia's interpretation of April Sun in Cuba, written by two New Zealanders (Paul Hewson, Marc Hunter, both since passed), living in Australia about a long-ago diplomatic fracas on the other side of the world.'

'It is a cynical move for a politician to co-opt music in an attempt to humanise themselves come election time.'

The KIIS FM shock jock was having none of it, and said the band should be thankful for their Spotify streams.

The Australian prime minister has come under fire after pulling out his ukulele during an exclusive interview with 60 Minutes to perform a hit song by Kiwi band Dragon (pictured)

Sandilands unleashed on the band and said they were 'trying to stay relevant' by putting out a press release

'Some piece of s**t old band, trying to be relevant by putting out a press release,' Sandilands said on air on Tuesday morning.

'You stupid old fools, shut up and enjoy your Spotify streaming.

'Take your $14 a week you get from Spotify and die a quiet death.'

Co-host Jackie O Henderson criticised Sandilands for being so harsh, saying she didn't want to 'speak ill of the dead', as former band members Hewson and Hunter have since died.

Dragon (pictured) has responded to Scott Morrison's performance of their hit song April Sun in Cuba in a scathing statement

After Mr Morrison's interview aired on Sunday, Dragon also took the chance to make a brutal swipe at the prime minister's notorious holiday to Hawaii during the nation's Black Summer bushfires in 2019-2020.

The family were forced cut their trip short with Mr Morrison copping heavy public backlash upon on his return home for leaving while the nation was in the grips of one of its most catastrophic bushfire seasons.

'Maybe if his trip to Hawaii had not been cut short, he could have learnt the lyrics to the rest of the chorus: 'take me where the April Sun, Gonna treat me so right, so right, so right,' Dragon said.

In a double blow, the musicians also shared a satirical video of the prime minister's original performance on their Instagram, edited to show Mr Morrison playing as bushfires rage behind him.

The remake left their fans amused, with dozens posting laughing emojis in the comments.

Jenny Morrison now regrets the family vacation to Hawaii during the Black Summer bushfires (pictured, the couple together at a cafe in Hawaii as outrage brewed back home)

Mr Morrison raised eyebrows after he whipped out his miniature guitar - the national instrument of Hawaii - during the pre-election interview.

Australians quickly flocked to social media point out his choice of instrument was a poorly-timed reminder of the ill-fated trip.

'Did nobody on the team see Scott pick up the ukulele, go 'national instrument of Hawaii', and make a dive for it before cameras rolled?' one man wrote.

'Morrison made people angry when he p***ed off to Hawaii while the country burned, and then tries to play ukulele, an instrument synonymous with Hawaii, to win people over,' another added.

Sandilands had earlier this month walked out of the KIIS FM studio while discussing former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's leaked texts about Mr Morrison in which she reportedly called him a 'horrible, horrible person'.

Sandilands, who is friends with Berejiklian, was angry at Henderson and newsreader Brooklyn Ross for giving airtime to the story, which he said was 'not real news'.

'This is the biggest news in Australia, and it's all over nothing,' he began his rant.

'So what if the ex-premier called the prime minister a 'horrible, horrible person'? I've called everyone here an effing c in text messages. I wouldn't be surprised if Gladys was just pacifying whatever loser minister she was talking to.

Sandilands had earlier walked out of the KIIS FM studio after saying Gladys Berejiklian's leaked tweets about the PM were 'not real news'

'This is not real news. Don't make up fictitious b******t drama over nothing.'

Network Ten political editor Peter van Onselen had confronted the PM on live TV with the incendiary text messages savaging Mr Morrison that he said were between Ms Berejiklian and a current Liberal minister.

'I've got them right here,' he told Mr Morrison as the PM faced questions from the media after his keynote speech to the National Press Club.

'In one, she 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.

'Does this exchange surprise you?' asked van Onselen. 'And what do you think it tells us?'

The Prime Minister was left almost speechless, blinking in shock by the surprise attack, before replying curtly and moving on to the next question.

'Well, I don't know who you're referring to, or the basis of what you've put to me,' he said. 'But I obviously don't agree with it. And I don't think that's my record.'
Australia's new budget airline has revealed plan to launch 25 routes across the country by the end of the year.

But there is one glaring omission in the start up's initial flight route offering - it is not flying to Sydney.

Bonza, which hopes to start flying by winter, will base its fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft at Queensland's Sunshine Coast Airport and use Melbourne Airport as a second base.

Bonza is going to fly to Melbourne (pictured) but Sydney Airport has proved too expensive, for the moment at least

Its new Fly Bonza app will be central to what it said will be a 'paperless experience'.

Having previously pitched Bonza as an airline for 'tradies and teachers', chief executive Tim Jordan said it's fares would be similar to Jetstar's and around half the price of full-service airlines flying on most of its routes.

For instance, a one-hour flight (Sunshine Coast to Rockhampton or Coffs Harbour) would be about $50 one way on average, while longer flights such as Melbourne to Sunshine Coast would cost between $75 and $100 one way.

Twenty five routes will take Australian travellers, including only one capital city, to 16 destinations: Albury, Avalon, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba Wellcamp, Townsville and the Whitsunday Coast.

The route map accounts for the first five aircraft and Bonza plans to operate up to eight in its first year of operation.

In a show of intent to raise the bar high in customer experience, Bonza will dedicate one aircraft as a spare.

'Since announcing Bonza to the world late last year, we've always said we wouldn't just fly between Australia's three largest cities and instead give people in the regions more choice,' said Mr Jordan.

Mr Jordan said the airline will focus on new routes and underserved destinations. 'That's delivering something very different to the market,' he said.

New budget airline Bonza has announced its destinations across three states (pictured)

'Eighty per cent of the routes are not flown by any other airline at this point. It's new ground for Australia.'

Sunshine Coast airport, about 90 kilometres north of Brisbane, is in Maroochydore and close to the holiday resorts of Noosa and Mooloolaba.

It will make up 12 of Bonza's first 25 routes with 37 flights per week to destinations in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

Though Sydney is not on its initial list, Melbourne is. It will have eight routes and 22 flights per week, according to Bonza's planned network based on its first five aircraft, which will enter its fleet by October.

Noosa, Queensland is one of the destinations that will be accessible through Bonza flights. Pictured is a young couple on the walkway by the beach

It expects to expand this to eight aircraft within its first year.

Sydney is losing out because other airports offered better terms and access to landing slots, but it may just be a temporary glitch.

'We believe there are opportunities in Sydney to do something different,' Mr Jordan said.

'We want the 20 per cent of the population who call Sydney home to benefit from Bonza fares in the future.'

Rex Airline, the regional carrier that launched capital city services last year, recently said it has had difficulties securing permanent slots at Sydney Airport.

New airline Bonza is Australia's first new domestic airline since Tiger Airways launched in 2008

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce previously said Bonza would find it tough to find profitable routes not already serviced by other carriers.

But Mr Jordan said Bonza will have a lower cost base and fly on each route only two to five times a week, rather than several times daily.

'We see many, many more opportunities beyond this  stimulated by very low fares, which haven't been seen in many communities across the country,' he said.

Bonza is also launching its own app saying the commitment to technology is about customer experience and sustainability.

Once all functions are added to the app in the coming weeks, it will be where people can plan, book and manage their bookings.

Pictured is a Bonza airline plane. Bonny Hills, Grants beach and Middle Brother mountain in the distance near Port Macquarie

Travellers will also be able to check in and access their boarding passes through the app, eliminating the need for unnecessary printing and reducing the need to check-in at the airport.

'Never before have the settings been better to challenge the norms to support a streamlined customer engagement experience and focusing on sustainability from day one by removing the need for traditional paper based processes,' said Mr Jordan.

The Fly Bonza app can be downloaded on the Apple App Store or Google Play now.

Flights are due to go on sale within the next two months, with Bonza's first flight targeted for mid-year subject to regulatory approval
The longtime accounting firm for former President Donald Trump has informed his company that a decade's worth of its financial statements 'should no longer be relied upon'  and asserts it now has a 'conflict of interest' with the company.

The letter from the firm cites in part its own investigation to say that while there are not 'as a whole, material discrepancies' in the documents, that it is their 'advice' to no longer 'rely' on them.

Included on the letter was what is referred to as a Bates Number which read 00525838, which means Mazars could have handed over at least 525,838 files to prosecutors.

Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, explained: 'That's a Bates Stampwhen documents are turned over in litigation each is assigned a sequential number to protect the integrity of the production. So Mazars has turned over at least this many pages of documents.'

New York AG Letitia James, who has cited the company's Statements of Financial Condition in her probe of the Trump Organization, included the letter in a filing Monday.

The withdrawal marks a stunning departure for the firm that has been the center of years worth of lawsuits regarding Trump's financial information, including a fight that went all the way to the Supreme Court.

Adding to the sting, the firm noted that Donald and Melania Trump's returns are due Tuesday  and that they face a filing penalty of $10,000 per return if they miss the deadline.

'We are not able to provide any new work product to the Trump Organization,' the firm wrote in a Feb. 9 letter to the company's chief legal officer, Alan Garten.

The letter ending the long-term financial relationship comes amid an investigation where the AG is already accusing the company of using 'fraudulent or misleading asset valuations to obtain a host of economic benefits.'

Former President Donald Trump's longtime accounting firm, Mazars, says company financial statements it prepared from 2001-2010 should not be 'relied upon'

It tells the company that its Statements of Financial Condition  which the Trump Organization in the past has provided to media members and lenders alike  can no longer be relied upon.

Lawyers for the AG's office submitted the letter in a court filing as they seek to compel Trump, the firm, and Trump family members to comply with subpoenas seeking documents and testimony.

'We write to advise that the Statements of Financial Condition for Donald J. Trump for the years ending June 30, 2011 - June 30, 2020 should no longer be relied upon and you should inform any recipients thereof who are currently relying upon one or more of those documents that those documents should not be relied upon,' according to the letter from Mazars, dated Feb. 9, 2022.

'We have come to this conclusion based, in part, upon the findings made by the New York Attorney General on January 18, 2022, our own investigation, and information received from internal and external sources. While we have not concluded that the various financial statements as a whole contain material discrepancies, based upon the totality of the circumstances, we believe our advice to you to no longer rely upon those financial statements is appropriate,' the letter continues.

James released a letter from Mazars to the Trump Organization

Included on the letter was what is referred to as a Bates Number which read 00525838, which means Mazars could have handed over at least 525,838 files to prosecutors

Happy Valentine's Day: The letter tells the company to file return information Tuesday to avoid a $10,000 penalty

James' office has cited valuations on financial statements of Trump properties such as Seven Springs in New York

'As we have stated in the statements of financial condition Mazars performed his work in accordance with professional standards. His subsequent review of those work papers confirms this,' the company wrote.

'Due in part to our decision regarding the financial statements, as well as the totality of the circumstances, we have also reached the point such that there is a non-waivable conflict of interest with the Trump Organization,' the firm continued. 'As a result, we are not able to provide any new work product to the Trump Organization,' the letter said.

New York Attorney General Letitia James accuses Trump of using 'fraudulent' asset valuations to get benefits

A prior filing accused Trump of claiming his Manhattan penthouse was 30,000 sq ft when it was only 11,000

It was not immediately clear what the firm meant when it referred to a conflict of interest.

The Trump Organization did not respond specifically to a question about whether the accounting firm concluded it could end up in legal conflict with its former client over past statements of financial condition, which have become a key area of James' investigation.

However, a Trump Organization spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'While we are disappointed that Mazars has chosen to part ways, their February 9, 2022 letter confirms that after conducting a subsequent review of all prior statements of financial condition, Mazars' work was performed in accordance with all applicable accounting standards and principles and that such statements of financial condition do not contain any material discrepancies. This confirmation effectively renders the investigations by the DA and AG moot.'

Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and has called the probe a 'witch hunt.'

The letter also makes reference to the son of former Trump bodyguard Matthew Calamari, who federal prosecutors last year indicated they have no intention of charging.

It says only a 'limited number' of returns are yet to be filed, including 'those of Donald J. Trump and Melania Trump.' The due date is Feb. 15th. 'We believe the only information left to complete those returns is the information regarding the Matt Calimari Jr. apartment,' and that the return can be completed once it is provided.

NBC News reported in September that Matthew Calamari Jr., who also works for the company, was called to testify before a grand jury.

Trump's lawyers have been fighting James' demand for testimony.
At least 33 victims of the Post Office IT scandal have died waiting for justice, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The shocking figure emerged yesterday as the long-awaited inquiry into the fiasco that wrecked lives and reputations finally opened.

The hearing was told the scandal was 'the worst miscarriage of justice' in recent legal history. Between 2000 and 2015, 3,500 postmasters were wrongly accused of taking money from their businesses, when a glitch in the computer system, called Horizon, was in fact to blame.

Baljit Sethi, with wife Anjana, arrives at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London for the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry

The inquiry's first witness broke down in tears after revealing he was almost driven to suicide after being accused of stealing 17,000. Baljit Sethi, 69, said he was still waiting for compensation.

'I'll be dead and gone before I get justice from them,' he added.

The landmark inquiry's chairman, Sir Wyn Williams, was told victims suffered 'grim punishments' and that 'lives were ruined, families were torn apart, made homeless and destitute, and reputations were destroyed'.

Close to 700 postmasters, many of them pillars of their communities, were wrongly convicted of crimes, including fraud and theft, with many sent to jail.

The taxpayer has now been put on notice for a bill of up to 1billion in compensation and legal fees.

More than 50 postmasters are expected to give evidence over the next month at hearings in London, Leeds and Cardiff, and 'well over 100' have provided written statements.

However, the Daily Mail can reveal that for at least 33 victims, the inquiry has come too late.

Post Office bosses admit that 14 have died since May 2020 when a scheme was opened to compensate the postmasters.

The deaths are in addition to four who are believed to have taken their own lives, and 15 more who were part of a separate High Court action, which left them with a fraction of what they were due, who later died.

The Post Office's admissions to the Mail relate to the Historical Shortfall Scheme, or HSS. Almost two years after the scheme was launched, three in five of the postmasters who applied to it are still waiting for compensation.

Mr Sethi is one of those waiting. Applications to the scheme closed in August 2020, and so far just 900 of the 2,300 applicants have received offers.

If an applicant to the scheme dies, then the money is paid to their estate.

The Post Office massively underestimated how many would apply, earmarking just 35million to cover compensation, a figure which has now climbed to 153million.

Noel Thomas, (centre) pictured with his children, Edwin Thomas and Sian Thomas. Noel is one of the former postmasters wrongly convicted of theft

Ex-policeman who died a 'criminal' Former policeman Peter Holmes died with a criminal record after he was falsely accused of taking 46,000 from his post office. The father-of-three, 76, was killed by a brain tumour in 2015 after his conviction sent him into a depression. His widow Marion Holmes, 79, said she had 'no doubt' the shame of being branded a criminal 'contributed to his untimely death'. Mr Holmes had run a branch in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, for 13 years when shortfalls started to appear. Widow Marion Holmes, pictured with her late husband Peter Holmes in 2005. Peter died waiting for justice as he was a victim of the Post Office horizon IT scandal Post Office bosses investigated and a letter arrived six months later telling the couple that Mr Holmes would be prosecuted. He admitted four counts of false accounting as a way for prosecutors to drop charges of theft, which could have seen him sent to prison. He was placed on a curfew and was unable to volunteer as a driver for a cancer charity because of his conviction. Mrs Holmes, who ran a cake and decorations shop, had to delay her retirement so she could bring in enough money to support them. In April last year she saw her late husband become one of 39 postmasters to see their names cleared finally at the Court of Appeal. She said: 'His acquittal at the Court of Appeal was bitter-sweet. I am so grateful that I was there, but I do wish that Peter had been there to see it. He wanted his name cleared and he never saw it  and he's not the only one.' So far she has received only 2,900 in compensation for the injustice, which has been mostly spent on legal costs, but she has vowed to 'fight on'. They bullied me into guilty plea A grandmother was 'forced' to plead guilty to a 36,000 shortfall after Post Office bullying left her 'terrified' of going to jail. Jo Hamilton told the inquiry she thought she 'was going mad' when Post Office staff told her she was the only one to suffer problems with the Horizon IT system. She was even forced to beg her former customers in a 'village whip-round' to make up the missing cash. Jo Hamilton, former postmaster from Basingstoke, one of the victims of the scandal, arrives for The Post Office enquiry hearing The 64-year-old, a mother-of-two, ran a post office in South Warnborough, a Hampshire village, with her husband David. She had suspected the 'unfathomable' computer system was to blame but could not prove it, and pleaded guilty to false accounting at Winchester Crown Court in 2008. The judge put her on probation for a year, where she was forced to attend rehabilitation meetings with hardened criminals. And her record meant she was left working as a cleaner for cash and she was barred from attending her grandchildren's school. Her conviction was finally overturned in April last year. At the inquiry yesterday she said: 'Prison absolutely terrified me, I would have said anything to avoid jail. I pleaded guilty to 14 counts of false accounting. 'I had to say 14 times I was guilty. It felt like they were rubbing my nose in it. I've had the best years of my life stolen from me.' Advertisement

A separate and earlier High Court action saw 550 postmasters successfully sue the Post Office, but their award of 58million was cut to 12million after legal fees, leaving them with around 20,000 each.

They have been barred from claiming through the HSS, and are fighting for an improved deal.

The Government has also published a separate 780million estimate of the maximum payout for the 706 postmasters who were wrongly convicted of crimes such as fraud. The overall cost of the scandal to the taxpayer is expected to be close to 1billion.

The slow progress of the HSS has sparked concerns about how it is administered, with even small decisions being referred to costly lawyers.

Tory peer Lord Arbuthnot, a long-time campaigner for the postmasters, said: 'The delay, the obfuscation, and the restrictiveness of the Post Office, I'm afraid, continues. It's very difficult to say the Post Office's culture has changed at all.'

Labour's Kevan Jones MP said: 'This shines a spotlight on the devastating tragedy of this entire scandal.

'The Government has got to get on and pay proper compensation to all, and make sure the estates of those who have sadly died receive compensation as well.'

Nick Read, the chief executive of the Post Office, has told MPs that 'being thorough and making sure we get it right' was his 'primary driver'.

He said a second panel of adjudicators was appointed in October, and that he hoped that 95 per cent of the claims would be processed by the end of this year.

A Post Office spokesman said: 'We are in no doubt about the human cost of the Horizon scandal.

Tory peer Lord Arbuthnot (pictured), a long-time campaigner for the postmasters, said: 'The delay, the obfuscation, and the restrictiveness of the Post Office, I'm afraid, continues'

'We are doing all we can to provide fair, full and final compensation as swiftly as possible.'

The inquiry was ordered by the Government last year following a 20-year campaign by postmasters, who said Post Office staff mounted a decade-long cover-up.

It spent 40million of taxpayers' cash in a long and acrimonious High Court battle, only capitulating in 2019 after a series of scathing judgments.

The inquiry will seek to establish who knew what, and when. So far, no Post Office bosses, civil service officials or ministers have been held to account.

In an opening statement Jason Beer QC, counsel to the inquiry, said: 'All those who pleaded guilty or were convicted following a trial had grim punishments imposed upon them, including in some cases immediate sentences of imprisonment.

'Lives were ruined, families were torn apart, families were made homeless and destitute, reputations were destroyed  not least because the crimes all involved acting dishonestly.

'And a number of men and women sadly died before the state publicly recognised that they were wrongly convicted.'

The Horizon IT system was introduced in 2000 into more than 11,000 branches and processed millions of transactions every day.

Postmasters were soon hit by unexplained shortfalls in their accounts, which led the central Post Office to demand they pay back the 'missing money' from their own pockets.

In the most severe cases, they were forced to give up their branches, driven to bankruptcy and prosecuted. The courts have so far overturned 71 of the 706 convictions. The Metropolitan Police is investigating two former Post Office IT experts on claims they misled court trials, which could lead to charges of perjury.

I didn't want to take the easy way out

Baljit Sethi was in tears yesterday as he told the inquiry he was almost driven to suicide when he was accused of stealing 17,000.

The 69-year-old law graduate, who ran two branches with his wife Anjana, 67, said his family had lost their business and had been near bankruptcy.

As the first witness of the inquiry, he recalled how they had run their first post office near Romford, Essex, since 1983, and were 'loved' by the community.

Baljit Sethi with his wife Anjana from Essex, one of the former postmasters wrongly convicted of theft, The Post Office enquiry hearing

They had also fought off seven armed robberies. In 2001, they took on a second branch in Brentwood, taking out a loan of 120,000 to secure the business.

But months later money inexplicably started going missing.

They said the company 'didn't want to know' and eventually the shortfalls swelled to 17,000. The Post Office terminated their contract, shut the branch and asked the couple to cover the shortfall.

Mr Sethi said: 'I was down and out, I contemplated suicide, but I thought no, that's the easy way out, what about my family?'

He added: 'We lost utterly everything. People who used to hold us in high esteem thought we were thieves.'

The bosses who pocketed millions PAULA VENNELLS, 62 Network director from 2007, managing director in 2010 and chief executive from 2012 to 2019 on 4.9million. The part-time Anglican priest was in charge during the IT disaster. Pursued staff in a 90million court case. Urged to return CBE for 'services to the PO and charity'. Paula Vennells, pictured, was network director from 2007, managing director in 2010 and chief executive from 2012 to 2019 on 4.9million ALAN COOK Also a CBE. Managing director from 2006 to 2010, when the firm prosecuted some 200 staff. Since leaving he has played a key role in a home repossessions scandal in Ireland, was chairman of Highways England as smart motorways were developed and led a failed attempt to sell the insurer LV to private equity. ALICE PERKINS, 72 Wife of ex-Labour home secretary Jack Straw and 100,000-a-year PO chairman from 2011 until 2015, when some 120 postmasters were prosecuted. She is accused of failing to deal with the scandal. DAME MOYA GREENE, 67 Earned 11.5million as chief executive of Royal Mail from 2010 to 2018. Accepted assurances that Post Office court cases were above board. TIM PARKER, 66 Due to step down as chairman having led the Post Office since October 2015. Nicknamed the Prince of Darkness for job-cutting zeal. Advertisement

Those who covered up the Post Office scandal should be thrown in jail... just like I was, writes SEEMA MISRA, who spent four months behind bars after being wrongly convicted of theft

After years of being fobbed off and lied to, at long last I  and so many others  might finally get the answers we've been denied for decades.

I am one of those betrayed and scapegoated subpostmasters due to give evidence at the long-awaited Post Office inquiry. Yet I'm dreading having to go through my ordeal all over again.

As much as my lawyer might remind me I'm not attending as a criminal, and that my conviction for fraud and false accounting has been overturned, the trauma I carry means I'm still serving a lifetime sentence.

Seema Misra at home in Guildford, Surrey. She writes: 'I'm dreading having to go through my ordeal all over again'

Going back as a witness reminds me of when I walked into my trial at Guildford Crown Court in November 2010  and wasn't allowed out of the same door. Instead I was sent straight to prison.

I was found guilty of theft and false accounting after 74,609 disappeared from the post office accounts in West Byfleet, Surrey, where I was a subpostmistress.

Pregnant, terrified and with a ten-year-old son at home, I was led off in handcuffs and served four of my 15 month sentence. I gave birth two months after my release.

In the eyes of the law I remained a criminal until my conviction was finally overturned at London's High Court last April, by which time my husband Davinder and I had lost our livelihood and had our second home confiscated to pay off the money we had allegedly stolen.

I'd been called a thief by strangers on the street and Davinder attacked because he was my husband.

Forced to move to escape the harassment and unable to work thanks to my 'criminal' record, I was too ashamed to even tell my son's friends' parents my surname, in case they Googled me and discovered my conviction.

I was housebound with anxiety, my family financially crippled. And all this time, the executives who helped cover up the wrongdoing against me and hundreds of others were left to enjoy big salaries and enviable lifestyles.

Ms Misra, who was jailed for a conviction of theft in 2010, celebrating with her husband Davinder outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London

So yes, I'm angry.

After all this time, nobody has been held accountable.

In the 17 years since this nightmare started, I have received just one bland, copied-and-pasted letter of apology, last May, from Post Office chairman Tim Parker.

Those responsible for this catastrophic miscarriage of justice have always worried more about saving their skins than saying sorry.

Not that an apology will redress the wrongs against us. Those in power need to explain exactly what they knew, and when  and why they withheld the truth for so long, destroying so many lives in doing so.

That's what this inquiry is about. The executives and officials and their legal advisors who turned a blind eye or facilitated this horrific cover-up should be behind bars, like I was.

From left to right, former subpostmasters Janet Skinner, Seema Misra and Tracy Felstead pictured outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London

Of course, this inquiry won't end in prosecutions, but the judge can recommend the authorities investigate  and I hope he does.

Not that I believe the Post Office won't try to delay or confuse the facts again. Even before my 2010 trial, the Post Office had discussed a potential 'bug' in its software  but didn't make their memo available to my solicitor.

When it was revealed in 2019 that software bugs, errors and defects did exist, it emerged key evidence had been withheld and documents shredded.

Trying to drag information out of them has been draining, damaging and financially devastating. Subpostmasters have taken their lives as a result of the smears against them.

So as well as uncovering the truth, this is about finally giving those who lost their livelihoods compensation.

While I welcome a statutory inquiry with the power to call witnesses, it should be expanded to cover the issue of compensation. It should also make sure senior employees of Fujitsu, who developed the faulty software, are called to the inquiry.

Only when I know everything will I be able to put the past behind me. I want to enjoy life again, but until this inquiry gives me the answers I and many others are entitled to, that will be impossible.
The number of young children being poisoned by eating their parents' pot brownies soared by 320% to record levels.

Dr. Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told DailyMail.com she'd seen a significant rise in children being exposed to cannabis in recent years.

A study in the Pediatrics journal found a significant increase in the incidences of children under age 11 accidentally consuming cannabis edibles after marijuana was legalized in the 18 states, District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

Calello said that every time a drug or substance was made more available, there was an increased number of poisonings, 'and when you make that as appealing as edible cannabis...'

Calello said that the problem with edibles was that they resembled candies or treats like brownies or cakes - making them irresistible for young children. A child was also likely to eat an entire 'candy bar' of edibles - which would be multiple doses.

The number of young children being poisoned by eating their parents' pot brownies soared by 320% to record levels (stock image)

She said she had seen a national and local trend of children being exposed to edibles after an increased number of states chose to legalize or decriminalize cannabis.

New Jersey voted to legalize marijuana in 2020 which saw police and residents relax their stance on the drug until it was finally signed into law in February 2021.

National incidences of cannabis edibles poisonings CHILDREN UNDER AGE FIVE 2019 957 2020 2119 CHILDREN AGED 6-12 2019 370 2020 943 Advertisement

'We saw a big jump (in poisonings) in 2020,' Calello said, adding that more people being at home and looking to soothe their anxiety during pandemic lockdowns could also have affected the figures.

The medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control also dismissed the idea that weed was harmless and the myth that someone can't overdose on marijuana.

'It can be dangerous for a child,' she told us. 'Seizures in adults are extremely rare but in children, they need much less to get very sick.'

Calello added that she had personally cared for a child who had a seizure due to a cannabis overdose and another who had to be on a ventilator.

Even mild symptoms could be extremely distressing for a young child.

In 2021, New Jersey Poison Control Center assisted in the treatment of 150 children - 99 of those under the age of five - who ate cannabis edibles.

For children under the age of five, this jumped from 73 in 2020 and just 31 cases in 2019. In the space of two years, numbers of incidents rose 320%.

Nationally, cases have been rising in recent years, from 187 cases among children 6-12 in 2016, to 370 in 2019.

But cases then skyrocketed between 2019 and 2020.

34 states and Washington D.C. have legalized marijuana in some form, including recreational use, medical use and sales

In the same age range, cases jumped by 573 from 370 to 943.

For the under five age range, cases soared from 957 in 2019 to 2119 in 2020, according to data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

In total, more than 3,000 children had to be treated for cannabis exposure in 2020.

'We definitely have no shortage of children who get into parents' marijuana products. It's usually children 2 to 6 years old. It almost always involves edible products that are shaped like brownies or cookies or other things that children might reasonably think are good to eat,' Dr. Eric Lavonas, toxicologist at the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety in Denver, told US News.

Dr. Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told DailyMail.com that every time a drug was made more available, there were more cases of poisonings

'The children will come in very altered and unable to communicate with their environment, often throwing up,' he said. 'The biggest danger is to make sure it isn't something else and that the child doesn't become dehydrated.'

Even in states that have not yet legalized cannabis, Americans' attitude towards the drug, and the availability of it thanks to states that have legalized or decriminalized it means access is wider than ever.

More than 90 per cent of Americans now think that marijuana should be legal in some form with almost two-thirds saying they support legalizing both medicinal and recreational use, according to a new survey.

Less than one in ten - or 8 per cent - said marijuana should not be legal for use, according to the study done by Pew Research Center.

The poll was done after Virginia and New York took steps toward legalizing marijuana last year.

Calello recommends locking away marijuana products, and avoiding those that are packaged with cartoon figures and bright colors that might attract children.

More than 90 per cent of Americans now think that marijuana should be legal in some form with almost two-thirds saying they support legalizing both medicinal and recreational use, according to a survey
NEW There was uproar yesterday when it emerged the entire cast were sacked just minutes after a matinee performance, with many only finding out via social media. While Lloyd Webber's company, Really Useful Group insists it had contacted 'everyone involved' via 'call, email or in person' before the decision was made public, there has been a huge backlash from across the industry. Though no official reason has been given for the show's closure, though MailOnline understands that it would have been 'unsustainable' for the theatre company to have kept it going after it suffered heavy losses - particularly when performances were suspended during the Omicron wave of the Covid pandemic in December and January. As a result, the show (left) has been losing as much as 100,000 every week, according to reports, burning a 2m hole in the accounts. By comparison, two of the composer's biggest productions - Cats (top-right) and Phantom of the Opera (bottom-right) - have been a money-spinning success for decades, raking in 1billion and 5billion respectively over a number of years.
Scott Morrison has hit back at his 'sneering' critics who attacked him for washing a trainee's hair at a salon.

The prime minister massaged an apprentice's head two weeks ago while visiting Coco's salon on the Mornington Peninsula, southeast of Melbourne.

The photo op was blasted by both sides of politics with Labor calling it 'weird' and conservative commentator Andrew Bolt branding it a 'sad stunt'.

Scott Morrison has hit back at his 'sneering' critics who attacked him for washing a trainee's hair at a salon (pictured)

Mr Morrison was also criticised for his ukulele rendition of Dragon song April Sun in Cuba on Sunday night's 60 Minutes, with even the band calling it a 'cynical move' to 'humanise' himself ahead of the election.

But the prime minister hit back on Tuesday morning, accusing his critics of 'sneering' at millions of Australians.

'I remember people having a crack at me the other day because I went to a hairdressers,' he told Sydney radio 2GB.

'I go into workplaces all the time, people show me how to weld. People show me how to do other things in manufacturing plants.

'These were trainees and apprentices who wanted to show me what they're learning on the job.

'So if people want to sneer at me for that, for other things like playing the ukulele, fine, they're sneering at millions of Australians who just get on with their lives and do a great job.'

Mr Morrison was also criticised for his ukulele rendition of Dragon song April Sun in Cuba on Sunday night's 60 Minutes (pictured)

Mr Morrison said playing the ukulele for Karl Stefanovic was his idea, adding: 'They wanted to talk about how we live and what we do and, yeah, that's what I do.'

After the prime minister's salon visit, Labor frontbencher Penny Wong Tweeted: 'Weird from a bloke who reckons Australians want the government out of their hair. His stunts and distractions are getting pretty desperate.'

Labor MP Steven Jones said Mr Morrison should have visited an aged care home instead, writing: 'If the prime minister really had the urge to get a photo washing someone's hair he could have gone to an aged care home, taken a RAT, dressed in full PPE and helped the staff wash and dress the residents.'

The ACTU called on Mr Morrison to 'stop playing to the cameras and do his job'.
The megadrought that has been devastating the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico over the last two decades is the worst the region has seen in at least 1,200 years, according to a study released Monday.

Researchers with Nature Climate Change analyzed tree ring patterns, which delineate soil moisture levels over periods of time, to conclude that the current megadrought is worse than one that hit the region in the late 1500s and is the most severe since one in 800 AD.

The study, which analyzed a region stretching from southern Montana to northern Mexico and from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, found that human-caused global heating accounts for more than 40% of the severity of the dry spell.

"The turn-of-the-21st-century drought would not be on a megadrought trajectory without anthropogenic climate change," reads the study, led by Park Williams, an associate professor at the University of California in Los Angeles.

The megadrought devastating the southwestern U.S. and parts of Mexico is the worst the region has seen in at least 1,200 years, researchers said Monday

The above map shows the drought's intensity across the western United States

Over the last decade, California and other western states have experienced severe water shortages, triggering periodic restrictions on water usage and forcing some communities to import bottled water for drinking.

Occasional heavy snow or rainfall have not been enough to compensate.

The past year was especially dry. As of February 10, 95 percent of western US had drought conditions, according to the US government's Drought Monitor.

Last summer, two of North America's largest reservoirs - Lake Mead and Lake Powell - reached their lowest recorded level in more than a century.

The odds are high that the current dry spell will continue for at least a couple of years, probably longer, according to the findings.

Running simulations based on soil moisture records stretching back 1,200 years, the researchers calculated a 94% chance that the drought would extend through 2022.

There's a three-in-four chance it will run until the end of decade.

Tree-ring analysis shows that the area west of the Rocky Mountains from southern Montana to northern Mexico was hit repeatedly by so-called megadroughts -- lasting at least 19 years, between the years 800 and 1600.

Earlier research had established that the period 2000-2018 was likely the second worst drought since the year 800, topped by one in the late 1500s.

The above chart shows changes in the global land area affected by severe drought per month since 1950

Data from 2019-2021, backed by new climate models released last year, have revealed the current drought to be worse than any from the Middle Ages.

But without climate change it "wouldn't hold a candle to the megadroughts of the 1500s, 1200s or 1100s," Williams said in a statement.

"Essentially, half of the severity of the ongoing megadrought has been attributed to warming temperatures alone, and without that warming, the drought would arguably not be a megadrought at all," UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain told ABC News in June.

Western North America is not the only region hit by increasingly severe dry periods.

Climate change worsened the El Nino-driven droughts of 2015-2016, leading to widespread crop failures, loss of livestock, Rift Valley fever outbreaks, and increased rates of malnutrition.

Globally, 800 million to three billion people are projected to experience chronic water scarcity due to drought caused by two degrees Celsius warming above preindustrial levels, according to a draft 4,000-page Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on climate impacts seen by AFP.

In a 4C world, that figure is up to four billion people.

Earth's surface has already warmed 1.1C on average, and is almost certain to breach the 1.5C cap called for in the Paris Agreement within two decades.

Other natural extreme weather events enhanced by global warming include deadly heatwaves, flood-causing rainfall and superstorms.
The White House on Monday refused to be drawn into the growing controversy over claims that Hillary Clinton's allies tried to smear Donald Trump, and whether internet data collection amounted to spying.

Three times Joe Biden's principal deputy press secretary was asked whether the president had any concerns about campaigns 'hacking' into opponents' computer systems to gather dirt.

And three times during the White House daily briefing Karine Jean-Pierre referred all questions to the Department of Justice.

The tussle followed a new legal filing in Special Counsel John Durham's probe into the origins of the Russia investigation. It alleged that a tech executive, linked to Clinton's 2016 campaign, gained access to internet traffic at Trump Tower and the White House with the intention of collecting dirt on Trump.

Trump allies quickly cited it as proof of the former president's claim he was being illegally spied on and that the Russian collusion tale was a hoax.

The issue was raised at the White House briefing.

Jacqui Heinrich, of Fox News, asked: 'Does the president have any concerns about a candidate for president using computer experts to infiltrate computer systems of competing candidates - or even the president-elect - for the goal of creating a narrative ... Is that something ...'

Jean-Pierre cut her off, saying: 'That's something I can't speak to from this podium so I refer you to the Department of Justice.'

Heinrich tried again: 'Is what's been described in that report, monitoring internet traffic, is that spying?'

'Again I can't speak to that report. I refer you to the Department of Justice,' came the response.

Heinrich broadened her question, saying: 'Generally speaking though, would monitoring internet traffic...'

'Jacqui, my answer's not going to change,' said Jean-Pierre. 'I refer you to Department of Justice. I can't speak for that from here.'

The special counsel's office at the Department of Justice said it would not comment beyond its legal filings.

Durham's indictment made no specific claims of servers being 'infiltrated', but rather that DNS data from Trump Tower and Whitehouse servers was exploited in an attempt to document a link between Trump and Russian banks.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary referred questions about Special Counsel John Durham's allegations that Hillary Clinton on allies spied on Trump when he was president to the Department of Justice during the regular White House daily briefing on Monday

Special Counsel John Durham has been tasked with investigating the origins of the investigation into links between Donald Trump and Russian officials. In particular he has focused on claims that the Clinton campaign saw Trump's ties to Russia as a way of distracting from questions over Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server

The questions have polarized American media.

Rightwing news organizations have accused what they call the 'mainstream media' of ignoring an important development.

But some internet experts say the internet data at issue - DNS lookups - are often shared by internet service providers with third parties, and their collection may not be illegal or constitute hacking.

Earlier, Trump era Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe claimed Biden and Barack Obama knew the Clinton campaign was trying to 'hack' into Trump's servers to try and find links to the Kremlin.

Durham's indictment made no specific claims of servers being 'infiltrated', but rather that DNS data from Trump Tower and Whitehouse servers was exploited in an attempt to document a link between Trump and Russian banks.

Ratcliffe said former CIA Director John Brennan told Obama and and Vice President Biden in 2016 about allegations Clinton was trying to fabricate Trump's links to Russia to distract from the scandal over her deleted emails.

The former DNI also told Fox News Digital on Monday there was 'enough evidence' to indict 'multiple people' in Special Counsel John Durham's probe into the origins of the Russia investigation into ex-President Donald Trump.

Clinton allegedly approved in the 2016 election 'a plan concerning U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and Russian hackers hampering U.S. elections as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private email server,' according to a CIA Counterintelligence Operational Lead (CIOL) first revealed when a heavily-redacted version became declassified in October 2020.

The September 2016 memo was forwarded from the CIA to the FBI to the attention of then-FBI Director James Comey and then-Deputy Assistant Director of Counterintelligence Peter Strzok.

Trump sent a short statement Monday morning claiming vindication after Durham's filing apparently revealed Clinton's plot to link him to Russia.

'I was proven right about the spying, and I will be proven right about 2020!' he wrote, insisting his claims of fraud and meddling in the 2020 presidential election will also be confirmed.

'What did John Brennan tell President Obama in the Oval Office in 2016?' Fox News' Bill Hemmer asked Ratcliffe during an interview Monday.

'Well, I can talk about this because this part has been declassified,' he prefaced. 'He briefed President Obama and Vice President Biden and other members of the national security team about this specific intelligence that John Durham now has about a Hillary Clinton plan to falsely accuse and vilify Donald Trump with a scandal, and the discussion around that and whether or not it was good intelligence.'

'And so everything that happened after that is one of the reasons that John Durham is investigating,' Ratcliffe added.

'Those are the issues that John Durham is looking at and I think there will be many more,' he said. 'I would expect there to be quite a few more indictments because of that. There wasn't a proper predicate to begin that investigation and John Durham has said that publicly already.'

DailyMail.com reached out to an Obama spokesperson regarding the alleged briefing but did not get a response.

Former DNI John Ratcliffe told Fox News in a Monday interview that former President Barack Obama and then-VP Joe Biden were briefed by then-CIA Director John Brennan in 2016 about allegations Hillary Clinton was trying to fabricate links between Trump to Russia

Ratcliffe told Special Counsel John Durham there is 'enough evidence' to indict 'multiple people' connected to the origins of the Trump-Russia probe. He pointed to a declassified memo from September 2016 that Clinton approved a plan looking into Trump colluding with Russian hackers to 'distract the public from her use of a private email server'

As developments in the case ensued Monday, Clinton posted an image of her young self with husband and former President Bill Clinton with the caption: 'Happy Valentine's Day!'

Brennan was questioned by Special Counsel John Durham's team for eight hours in August 2020 as part of the ongoing investigation, specifically focusing on whether the former CIA director pushed for a more blunt assessment of Russia's motivations

Ratcliffe told Durham, sources told Fox News, that the indictments could be connected to Clinton's lawyers hacking Trump's servers to try and fabricate ties to his campaign and the Kremlin in order to distract from her own email scandal.

A source familiar with the matter told Fox that Ratcliffe has privately raised concerns regarding the CIOL directing its memo specifically to Comey and Strzok.

Ratcliffe met with Durham more than once and shared his assessment that multiple people can be charged with a crime in the events that ultimately led to Trump's first impeachment, in which he was acquitted by the Senate.

Before becoming Trump's director of National Intelligence, Ratcliffe served as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas and after that was a congressman for Texas' 4th congressional district.

A growing chorus of Democrats believe Clinton should be questioned by Durham for her alleged role in the Russian secret server scandal in a poll conducted before the bombshell revelations that her team spied on Trump's campaign.

In a poll last month, 66 percent of Democrats wanted Clinton questioned, a whopping 22 percentage points higher than how many in her party demanded a probe last October, according to TechnoMetrica Institute of Policy and Politics (TIPP) research.

From Bill Barr's confirmation hearing to indictments and the crumbling of the Steele dossier: The timeline of Durham's investigation leading up to bombshell Hillary claims May 17, 2017  Then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appoints Robert Mueller as special counsel. Among other things, Mueller is directed to investigate 'any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with' Trump's presidential campaign. January 15, 2019  Bill Barr first alluded to what would become the Durham investigation in his Senate confirmation hearing. He promised then-Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham he would examine the FBI's counterintelligence investigation against Donald Trump. On March 22, 2019  Mueller closed his special investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and submitted his final report to Barr. March 24, 2019  Attorney General Barr issued his summary of the report. March 25, 2019  Barr met with then-Connecticut Attorney General John Durham. Justice Department records show the two had 18 more meetings and three calls that year. April 10, 2019  Barr testified before a Senate Appropriations panel where he announced a review on 'the genesis and the conduct of intelligence activities directed at the Trump campaign during 2016.' April 12, 2019  A top Barr aide spoke with DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz to explain what appeared to be the start of Durham's probe. May 13, 2019  It became public that Barr tapped Durham to probe issues related to the origins of the FBI's Trump-Russia investigation. May 23, 2019  Trump said Barr asked him to direct intelligence officials to cooperate with the probe into surveillance during the 2016 election.' Trump authorized Barr to declassify and downgrade information related to the probe. July 25, 2019  Trump held his infamous phone call with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, revealing Trump may have referred to the Durham probe when he asked Kyiv for help and insisted Zelensky speak with Barr and Rudy Giuliani. October 19, 2019  Two articles came out indicating Durham interviewed two dozen FBI officials. October 24, 2019  The New York Times broke the news that the Durham inquiry was now a criminal investigation. December 2019  Durham was revealed to be examining the role of the Obama-era CIA director John Brennan in how the intelligence community assessed Russia's 2016 election interference. April 2020  Durham's probe proceeded despite the pandemic. April 10, 2020  Barr said Durham's 'primary focus... is looking to bring to justice people who are engaged in abuses if he can show that they were criminal violations.' April 24, 2020  Probe shifted to looking at leaks within the Trump administration that prompted chaos in his early years. May 18, 2020  Barr said during a press conference that neither Obama nor Biden was the focus of Durham's criminal probe. September 2021  Durham issued new set of subpoenas, including to a law firm with close ties to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign. September 17, 2021  Cybersecurity lawyer Michael Sussmann pleaded not guilty in federal court. He was indicted for lying to the FBI in a 2016 meeting where he shared information related to ties between the Trump Organization and Russia's Alfa Bank. He said he wasn't working for a client but was hired by Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. November 2021  Durham charged Russian-born analyst Igor Danchenko with lying to the FBI in fabricating a sources for the Steele dossier. He pleaded not guilty to five counts of making false statements to a federal agent. February 11, 2022  Durham filing reveals Clinton paid tp have Trump Tower and White House servers hacked to 'fabricate' ties between Trump and Russia. February 2022  Trump-era Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe reveals Durham thinks there is 'enough evidence' to indict 'several more people.' He also said Obama and Biden were briefed on the Clinton revelations in 2016. Advertisement

The number of Democrats who want 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton questioned by Special Counsel John Durham over the Russia secret server scandal has jumped in recent months

The amount of Republicans demanding answers is also swelling, rising to 91 percent in January from 80 percent last October. Among the independent crowd, those wanting the former secretary of state probed rose to 74 percent from 65 percent.

Both polls were completed before Special Counsel John Durham last week released a bombshell report that claimed Clinton's campaign team tried to spy on former president Trump's computer servers in a failed attempt to tie him to Russia.

Clinton, 74, is being accused of hiring a tech term to 'mine data' from servers at Trump Tower and the White House during the 2016 campaign.

The New Jersey-based polling company surveyed 1,308 Americans.

According to a recently-released filing from Durham, the aim was to try and smear Trump by linking him to Russia. Clinton's campaign repeatedly accused Trump of using a secret server to communicate with Russians, although the claim has never been proven.

Durham was appointed by then-Attorney General William Barr to serve as the Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice in October 2020, while Trump was president.

He continues to investigate a case that is sure to anger supporters of the 45th president.

Tweets from the 2016 presidential campaign resurfaced Sunday and show how Clinton promoted unproven reports that Trump conspired with the Russians.

While running for the nation's highest office, Clinton pushed the narrative that Trump was secretly communicating with Russians via the country's Alfa Bank.

'Computer scientists have apparently uncovered a covert server linking the Trump Organization to a Russian-based bank,' she tweeted on October 31, 2016 while sharing a statement from her then-special policy advisor Jake Sullivan  who is now Biden's National Security adviser.

'This secret hotline may be the key to unlocking the mystery of Trump's ties to Russia,' the statement said. 'It certainly seems the Trump Organization felt it had something to hide, given that it apparently took steps to conceal the link when it was discovered by journalists.'

In another tweet, published the same day, Clinton said: 'It's time for Trump to answer serious questions about his ties to Russia'.

She also promoted a Slate article that questioned whether Trump was really using a secret server to communicate with allies abroad.

Clinton included in her tweet a box that reiterated claims that such a server existed, and that it was being used to 'communicate privately with a Putin-tied Russian bank called Alfa Bank.'

'When a reporter asked about it, they shut it down,' the tweet said. 'One week later, they created a different server with a different name for the same purpose.

Durham's motion filed on Friday looked at potential conflicts of interest with regard to former Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann, who has been charged with making a false statement to a federal agent. Sussmann has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

'Computer scientists have apparently uncovered a covert server linking the Trump Organization to a Russian-based bank,' she tweeted on October 31, 2016 while sharing a statement from her then-special policy advisor Jake Sullivan

In another tweet, Clinton said: 'It's time for Trump to answer serious questions about his ties to Russia'

Donald Trump said Sunday that the revelation is a bigger scandal and crime than Watergate, which saw the eventual resignation of then-President Richard Nixon

Clinton lost the 2016 election to 45th president Donald Trump, who was accused of using secret servers to communicate with Russian allies

The key passage of the Durham filing that led to the accusations against Clinton and her campaign Below is the key part of the legal filing made by Special Counsel John Durham on Friday February 11 that led to the firestorm of claims that Hillary Clinton and her campaign spied on Donald Trump. The documents were part of the case against Michael Sussman, a Clinton campaign lawyer charged with lying to a federal agent over work on links between Trump and Russia. The defendant (Michael Sussman) is charged in a one-count indictment with making a materially false statement to the FBI, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001 (the 'Indictment'). As set forth in the Indictment, on Sept. 19, 2016  less than two months before the 2016 U.S. Presidential election  the defendant, a lawyer at a large international law firm ('Law Firm-1') that was then serving as counsel to the Clinton Campaign, met with the FBI General Counsel (James Baker) at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The defendant provided the FBI General Counsel with purported data and 'white papers' that allegedly demonstrated a covert communications channel between the Trump Organization and a Russia-based bank ('Russian Bank-1'). The Indictment alleges that the defendant lied in that meeting, falsely stating to the General Counsel that he was not providing the allegations to the FBI on behalf of any client. In fact, the defendant had assembled and conveyed the allegations to the FBI on behalf of at least two specific clients, including (i) a technology executive ('Tech Executive-1 - identified as Rodney Jeffe) at a U.S.-based Internet company ('Internet Company1'), and (ii) the Clinton Campaign. 3. The defendant's billing records reflect that the defendant repeatedly billed the Clinton Campaign for his work on the Russian Bank-1 allegations. In compiling and disseminating these allegations, the defendant and Tech Executive-1 also had met and communicated with another law partner at Law Firm-1 who was then serving as General Counsel to the Clinton Campaign ('Campaign Lawyer-1'). The Indictment also alleges that, beginning in approximately July 2016, Tech Executive-1 had worked with the defendant, a U.S. investigative firm retained by Law Firm-1 on behalf of the Clinton Campaign, numerous cyber researchers, and employees at multiple Internet companies to assemble the purported data and white papers. In connection with these efforts, Tech Executive-1 exploited his access to non-public and/or proprietary Internet data. Tech Executive-1 also enlisted the assistance of researchers at a U.S.-based university who were receiving and analyzing large amounts of Internet data in connection with a pending federal government cybersecurity research contract. Tech Executive-1 tasked these researchers to mine Internet data to establish 'an inference' and 'narrative' tying then-candidate Trump to Russia. In doing so, Tech Executive-1 indicated that he was seeking to please certain 'VIPs,' referring to individuals at Law Firm-1 and the Clinton Campaign. 5. The Government's evidence at trial will also establish that among the Internet data Tech Executive-1 and his associates exploited was domain name system ('DNS') Internet traffic pertaining to (i) a particular healthcare provider, (ii) Trump Tower, (iii) Donald Trump's Central Park West apartment building, and (iv) the Executive Office of the President of the United States ('EOP'). (Tech Executive-1's employer, Internet Company-1, had come to access and maintain dedicated servers for the EOP as part of a sensitive arrangement whereby it provided DNS resolution services to the EOP. Tech Executive-1 and his associates exploited this arrangement by mining the EOP's DNS traffic and other data for the purpose of gathering derogatory information about Donald Trump.) 6. The Indictment further details that on February 9, 2017, the defendant provided an updated set of allegations  including the Russian Bank-1 data and additional allegations relating to Trump  to a second agency of the U.S. government ('Agency-2'). The Government's evidence at trial will establish that these additional allegations relied, in part, on the purported DNS traffic that Tech Executive-1 and others had assembled pertaining to Trump Tower, Donald Trump's New York City apartment building, the EOP, and the aforementioned healthcare provider. In his meeting with Agency-2, the defendant provided data which he claimed reflected purportedly suspicious DNS lookups by these entities of internet protocol ('IP') addresses affiliated with a Russian mobile phone provider ('Russian Phone Provider-1'). The defendant further claimed that these lookups demonstrated that Trump and/or his associates were using supposedly rare, Russian-made wireless phones in the vicinity of the White House and other locations. The Special Counsel's Office has identified no support for these allegations. Indeed, more complete DNS data that the Special Counsel's Office obtained from a company that assisted Tech Executive-1 in assembling these allegations reflects that such DNS lookups were far from rare in the United States. For example, the more complete data that Tech Executive-1 and his associates gathered  but did not provide to Agency-2  reflected that between approximately 2014 and 2017, there were a total of more than 3 million lookups of Russian Phone-Provider-1 IP addresses that originated with U.S.-based IP addresses. Fewer than 1,000 of these lookups originated with IP addresses affiliated with Trump Tower. In addition, the more complete data assembled by Tech Executive-1 and his associates reflected that DNS lookups involving the EOP and Russian Phone Provider-1 began at least as early 2014 (i.e., during the Obama administration and years before Trump took office)  another fact which the allegations omitted. 7. In his meeting with Agency-2 employees, the defendant also made a substantially similar false statement as he had made to the FBI General Counsel. In particular, the defendant asserted that he was not representing a particular client in conveying the above allegations. In truth and in fact, the defendant was representing Tech Executive-1  a fact the defendant subsequently acknowledged under oath in December 2017 testimony before Congress (without identifying the client by name). Advertisement

The former chief investigator of the Trump-Russia probe for the House Intelligence Committee, Kash Patel, said Friday's filing 'definitively showed the Hillary Clinton campaign directly funded and ordered its lawyers at Perkins Coie to orchestrate a criminal enterprise to fabricate a connection between President Trump and Russia,' Fox News reported.

'Per Durham, this arrangement was put in motion in July of 2016, meaning the Hillary Clinton campaign and her lawyers masterminded the most intricate and coordinated conspiracy against Trump when he was both a candidate and later president of the United States while simultaneously perpetuating the bogus Steele Dossier hoax,' Patel told Fox.

Trump in a statement Sunday likened the alleged spying to the infamous Watergate scandal, which brought down Richard Nixon.

'What Hillary Clinton and the Radical Left Democrats did with respect to spying on a President of the United States, even while in office, is a far bigger crime than Watergate,' Trump said.

'It will be interesting to see how it was covered by the media and what Mitch McConnell and the RINOs will be doing about it. This is an insult to the Republican Party, but a far greater insult to our Nation.'

Trump on Saturday unleashed a furious broadside claiming that Team Clinton's behavior would once have merited execution, after Durham made a court filing explaining the alleged hack.

He said: 'In a stronger period of time in our country, this crime would have been punishable by death. In addition, reparations should be paid to those in our country who have been damaged by this.'
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First Lady Jill Biden - who's been vaccinated and boosted - wore two masks as she guided masked children through the White House grounds Monday, a day before DC's indoor mask mandate expires.

The president's wife was pictured taking extra precautions as she hosted second graders from D.C.'s Aiton Elementary School in celebration of Valentine's Day.

Wearing a soft pink cloth mask atop a medical-grade disposable mask, she was trailed by a line of young children who all appeared to be wearing medical-grade masks.

The White House said Monday that it would continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on wearing masks as the state prepares to lift its mandate for wearing face coverings indoors.

'We are going to follow the CDC guidance. That's what we're going to do,' White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday at the daily press briefing.

First Lady Jill Biden is seen wearing two masks as she hosted students from D.C.'s Aiton Elementary School at the White House Monday to mark Valentine's Day

She wore a soft pink cloth mask to match her outfit over a second, medical-grade mask at the White House

The students she was entertaining also appeared to be wearing medical-grade masks during their visit

The First Lady did not keep six feet of distance between the children, as she was seen interacting them during the tour

During the visit, the First Lady was also spotted handing out treat bags to the kids. Although she wore masks, she did not maintain six feet of distance as she gently touched some students, and held the hands of others.

Her behavior was mocked by some on Twitter.

'Mask them then hold their hand,' tweeted @thereald0rt 'This is science.'

'You think this is normal?' added another user. 'The children are in masks. OUTSIDE.'

As part of White House's internal policies, staff and the president wear face masks indoors per CDC guidance.

Spokeswoman Jean-Pierre wore one when she came out to greet members of the press corps and only removed it when she got to the podium to speak.

The Bidens also wore their face coverings on Monday morning when they returned from Camp David to the White House.

The CDC continues to urge Americans to mask up even as several states - including many led by Democratic governors - drop those mandates.

And Washington D.C. on Monday joined the growing ranks of localities splitting away from federal guidance.

Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city's requirement to wear masks in all indoor public spaces will be lifted starting March 1.

The White House said Monday that it would continue to follow CDC guidance on wearing masks. Biden is pictured waving as she shows the second grade students around the grounds

At one point during the visit, she stopped to distribute treat bags to the children

She was also spotted holding hands with the students, who were accompanied by two teachers

White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said staff in the Biden administration will continue to wear face masks as per CDC guidance

But Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city's requirement to wear masks in all indoor public spaces will be lifted starting March 1

Mayor Bowser is also lifting a controversial rule requiring people to show a proof of vaccination before entering D.C. businesses.

Jean-Pierre said the CDC could change its guidance as the case rate continues to drop across the country but emphasized the agency has to take in the needs for the nation as a whole.

'The CDC has to move carefully and deliberately to make sure these good trends are confirmed across the nation. The CDC has a responsibility to make guidance for the entire country and everyone. They must consider its impact on a variety of constituencies including people who are disabled, immunocompromised and most vulnerable,' she noted.

Last week, President Joe Biden said it was probably 'premature' to lift indoor mask mandates.

'I've committed that I would follow the science as put forward by the CDC and federal people and I think it's probably premature, but it's, you know, it's a tough call,' he told NBC's Lester Holt in a sit-down interview while doing an event in Virginia.

Some Twitter users mocked Biden for requiring children to wear masks in the open air

Others questioned the logic of requiring masks while simultaneously holding hands with them. She's pictured showing off Valentine's day cards to her young visitors

Parts of the tour led children indoors, where Biden seemed eager to show off the holiday decorations

U.S. Covid infections are dropping as the nation works its way through the omicron surge, although hospitalizations are still high, as are death rates.

All 50 states have recorded 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.

And several Democratic governors - including in New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, Connecticut, Illnois and Oregon - have dropped or are preparing to drop their mask mandates in the coming days for schools and other indoor gatherings.

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.'

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wore face masks on Monday morning when they returned to the White House after a weekend at Camp David

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 'it's time we accept Covid is here to stay and we just need to get on with our lives.'
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Russian troops will set off on a 'race to Kiev' to topple the Ukrainian government, according to plans presented by Kremlin military chiefs.

Tens of thousands of Putin's soldiers will push south into Ukraine to target the capital and install a pro-Russian regime, Western officials fear.

There will also be a 'multi-axis' invasion by Russian forces. Troops will enter the country from Belarus and Crimea before converging in eastern Ukraine.

Their mission will be to align themselves to prevent Ukrainian forces in the east of the country heading back to defend Kiev.

With speed of movement being critical to Russia's strategy, lighter vehicles and weapons systems have apparently been selected for the ground offensive.

More Russian troops, possibly an extra 20,000, are being added to the invasion force which is currently 130,000-strong.

Russian troops will set off on a 'race to Kiev' to topple the Ukrainian government, according to plans presented by Kremlin military chiefs. Tens of thousands of Putin's soldiers will push south into Ukraine to target the capital and install a pro-Russian regime, Western officials fear. There will also be a 'multi-axis' invasion by Russian forces. Troops will enter the country from Belarus and Crimea before converging in eastern Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, Russia February 14, 2022

A source said: 'The build-up of soldiers and equipment is unprecedented and very alarming. This is a force built for the purpose of an invasion. It is estimated a further 14 Russian brigades are heading for the Ukrainian border.

'The logistics are also in place, the medical back-up as well as air and naval assets. We have seen the build-up of Russian vessels in the Atlantic, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Holidays have also been cancelled for many Russian units.

'In total you are looking at 60 per cent of Russia's overall combat power being engaged in this operation.

'The land threat has also been made more potent by the disposition of their attacking forces. Russia has basically traded mass for speed knowing they must get to Kiev as quickly as possible.

'They must also rapidly get other units to eastern Ukraine to form a barrier stopping Ukrainian units pushing back west to save the capital city.'

According to sources, detailed invasion plans will be presented imminently to President Putin, who has still yet to make a final decision on the invasion.

Putin is expected to meet his defence minister Sergey Shoygu and the head of Russia's secret services Alexander Bortnikov before committing to war.

That's because the UK, the US and the EU will launch a blitzkrieg on Russia's banking system and financial services industry if Russia invades.

Kiev is lightly defended because most Ukrainian troops have been stationed in the east fighting Russian separatists since 2014.

The Ukrainian capital is only 150 miles via the E95 highway from Belarus's southern border  a journey Russian tanks could make in six hours.

A source added: 'Once they get to Kiev the Russians are reluctant to send their troops into situations where they could be fighting street by street. Such a close quarter battle would likely lead to heavy casualties, both military and civilian. The Russians don't want to get bogged down.

T-72B3 Main Battle Tanks of Russian Army take part in a military drill in St. Petersburg, Russia on February 14, 2022

In this photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, soldiers practice at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills in Belarus

'They're hoping for a 'bloodless coup', to oust the democratically elected government and put their people in without much of a struggle.

'They are probably underestimating the willingness of the Ukrainians to fight for their country, they are not just going to roll over. So it could get very bloody.'

While the state-controlled media claims the crisis is Nato's fault, there is little or no appetite within Russia for conflict with their neighbour.

'Russians see Ukrainians as being like themselves, many Russians also have Ukrainian relatives. There is little opposition to a possible war because of the Kremlin's control of the media.

'This could change quickly if a lot of people are killed,' a source said. 'An actual invasion would also prove expensive for Russia financially and politically as it would suffer heavy economic sanctions and become a pariah state.'
The Democrats' BLM crime syndicate implodes

By Mark Alexander

web posted February 14, 2022

For most of this month, socialist Demo Party protagonists have been desperately scrambling to divert media attention from the collapse of their highest-profile pet political constituency front, the violent Marxist movement deceptively known as Black Lives Matter .

To achieve this "look at the shiny thing" distraction, they've been feigning outrage over the Republican National Committee censure of Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois for playing leading roles in Nancy Pelosi's inquisition theater. According to the resolution , "Cheney and Kinzinger are participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse."

Demos insist this is an endorsement of the Capitol riot, and typical of their ludicrous lying Leftmedia diversions was this New York Times headline: " G.O.P. Declares Jan. 6 Attack 'Legitimate Political Discourse.' "

For context, let me reiterate that the group of thugs who confronted police outside the Capitol building, and the larger group of protesters who illegally entered the building, were outliers, most of whom had attended the large Donald Trump rally prior to the Capitol incursion. But the objective of Pelosi's histrionic " insurrection inquisition " of the J6 protest goes far beyond what happened in the Capitol building. It is a broad-sweeping attempt to paint all Trump supporters in DC that day, and by extension across the nation, as extremist insurrectionists .

To that end, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel clarified that the censure reference to ordinary citizens who engaged in legitimate political discourse "had nothing to do with violence at the Capitol," despite the fact Democrats and their propagandists spun it as an endorsement of the "attack."

But Pelosi's spinners were out in full force with the attack endorsement claim. A case in point: Referring to the RNC resolution, Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) asserted on CNN that police were murdered by Trump rioters: "In what scenario does killing police officers ... become classified as legitimate political discourse? ... This shows how far the Republican Party in Washington DC has become from the nation of the American People."

There were not multiple "police officers" killed in Washington, DC, on J6. In fact, there were no police officers killed that day or later as a result of any injury suffered on January 6.

The gross irony of Crow's false assertion, which went unchallenged by CNN host Pamela Brown and every other "fact-checker" before this column, is that the police officer Pelosi and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) claimed was murdered by J6 protesters, CPD Officer Brian Sicknick , was used as a dead cop prop by Democrats until their lies about his death were completely debunked months after the fact, when they allowed the release of the DC medical examiner's cause of death.

That's grossly ironic also because, in the six months before the J6 protests, cops and many others were actually being murdered by Democrat-backed groups, including their Black Lives Matter constituents.

As we have documented previously, in May of 2020, Democrats used the unjustifiable death of a criminal thug as fodder to promote the BIG Lie that our nation was besieged with systemic racism .

After Pelosi and Schumer kneeled for George Floyd in the Capitol rotunda, using his death as a prop in order to ignite their constituents' " summer of rage ," there were more than 50 murders (including several police officers) directly associated with almost 600 violent riots, which caused billions of dollars in damages.

At the same time, Democrat governors and mayors were actually ordering police to stand down as they actively supported those "peaceful protests." Recall that Kamala Harris was promoting a "get out of jail free" bail fund for these riotous thugs.

Fast-forward to last week, when one of those murderous BLM rioters in Minneapolis, Montez Terriel Lee, who torched a building and killed its occupant, was sentenced to just 10 years. Yes, it was felony murder, but it was for a " good cause ."

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) expressed outrage over the light sentence, declaring: "In the case of Mr. Lee, the acting U.S. attorney in Minnesota seems to have reached the bizarre conclusion that his radical political motives somehow excuse, rather than exacerbate, his wrongdoing." That line of logic is precisely the line taken by Democrats regarding their constituent rioting  the burn, loot, and murder riots were justified.

Sen. Tom Cotton said likewise : "Justifying the murder because the career criminal shares the Biden administration's politics is beyond the pale. The American people deserve to know whether leniency for left-wing murderers is the official policy of the Biden Department of Justice."

Republicans are demanding that Attorney General Merrick Garland release all DoJ communications regarding this prosecution and sentencing.

At the same time Demos were fanning the "summer of rage" flames, they launched their deadly " defund the police " charade  painting a target on the backs of all law enforcement officers. The result was end of watch calls for 73 murdered cops in the deadliest year for police in two decades.

Now, the organization promoting much of that murder and mayhem, Black Lives Matter, is imploding . The corruption leading to BLM's implosion was both fully noticed but fully unacknowledged by those Democrats who were its most fervent promoters and benefactors.

Indeed, as our political analyst Emmy Griffin noted , BLM's board of Demo race hustlers is AWOL, along with tens of millions of dollars.

A Washington Examiner investigation into BLM's "financial irregularities" found the organization "has had no known leader in charge of its $60 million bankroll since its co-founder resigned in May," and that BLM has not reported required information regarding its 2020 finances  the year in which it loaded up its slush fund.

No longer able to avoid the obvious, California's Justice Department threatened to prosecute the "charity" if it didn't immediately cease and desist all fundraising. Likewise, Washington State issued an immediate "cease fundraising" order and BLM is out of compliance in seven other states.

Seriously.

After our expose last year on BLM's consummate hypocritical Marxist cofounder , one Patrisse Khan-Cullors (read: "Con-Cullors"), and her suspicious retirement at age 37 after purchasing $3.2 million worth of luxury residential property, nobody with an IQ greater than a paper clip is surprised by this implosion. Even the drunkest of BLM's Kool-Aid drinkers could see this coming.

Incidentally, after the latest case of the leftist GoFundMe outfit shutting down a conservative page , this time the Canadian Freedom Convoy , claiming erroneously that the truckers were involved in altercations, I did a quick search and found many active GoFundMe pages still raising money for BLM.

Oh, and Freedom Convoy opponent, Canada's pantywaist PM Justin " Blackface " Trudeau, reaffirmed his support for BLM in a statement condemning the truckers.

Meanwhile, according to the legions of Demos who have backed BLM's violence for the last two years: "Move on, nothing to see here, but look over there at the RNC endorsement of that J6 riot!"

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
Developers who refuse to help end the cladding scandal could be banned from the housing market under tough new laws.

Leaseholders living in blocks above 11 metres will also be legally protected from paying to fix unsafe cladding, while building owners will have to cover the costs of other fire safety defects in most cases.

The announcement by Housing Secretary Michael Gove today was hailed as a big step forward by MPs previously critical of the Governments approach to the crisis.

But questions remain over how many families will still have to pay up to 15,000 each to fix non-cladding related defects  and whether Mr Gove was backtracking on plans to protect all leaseholders from these costs.

Mr Gove said: It is time to bring this scandal to an end, protect leaseholders and see the industry work together to deliver a solution. These measures will stop building owners passing all costs on to leaseholders and make sure any repairs are proportionate and necessary for their safety.

We cannot allow those who do not take building safety seriously to build homes in the future, and for those not willing to play their part they must face consequences.

Workmen remove the cladding from the facade of a block of flats in Paddington, north London

In January, ministers asked developers to agree a 4billion plan to fix dangerous cladding on flats by early March or risk new laws forcing them to act.

Today's announcement made clear that those who failed to play their part would effectively be banned from building and selling new homes.

If passed by Parliament, amendments to the Building Safety Bill will allow the Government to block planning permission and building control sign-off on developments.

Manufacturers found guilty of making unsafe products will also be ordered to pay for repairs, with building owners allowed to take legal action against them.

Plans announced by former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick last year to end the crisis caused outrage after he offered no safeguards for hundreds of thousands of leaseholders facing average bills of 25,000 for non-cladding related defects, such as timber balconies and missing fire breaks.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: It is time to bring this scandal to an end, protect leaseholders and see the industry work together to deliver a solution'

But ministers say the new proposals will mean most families will no longer have to shoulder these costs.

Developers that still own a building over 11 metres that they built or refurbished will be required to pay for all fire safety issues in their property.

Building owners who are not linked to the developer but can afford to pay in full will also be required to do so.

The Government said that in the small number of cases where building owners cant pay, leaseholder contributions will be capped at 15,000 for those living in London and 10,000 for others.

This will be spread over five years.

However, it is not known how many leaseholders will eventually have to fork out.

Mr Gove had previously told Parliament that he would work to ensure that statutory protection extends to all the work required to make buildings safe, suggesting no leaseholder would have to pay for any fire safety repairs.

Tory MPs Sir Peter Bottomley and Stephen McPartland, who have both voted against previous plans to end the crisis, voiced support for the new approach.

Mr McPartland said: Today is another big step on this journey and although we are not all the way there, the direction of travel is really helping us achieve victories for leaseholders. I am pleased leaseholders will be protected in law and the Government has accepted this is not just about cladding.

A spokesman for the End Our Cladding Scandal campaign group said yesterdays announcement was the most positive step forward yet
Covid case numbers continue to decline in New South Wales and Victoria, with the high number of recoveries outstripping a small rise in new cases recorded on Tuesday.

Hospitalisations and ICU patients have fallen significantly in the country's two most populous states.

In NSW, there were 8,201 new cases recorded but high recovery rates meant the number of active cases in the state dropped to 50,582 - the lowest since December 27 last year and less than 15 per cent of the number there were a month ago.

Victoria's new case number was 8,162, but likewise recovery rates meant the active case number in the state was similarly falling, with the figure of 50,967 being at its lowest since January 4 and 79.92 per cent off last month's peak.

There were 16 deaths recorded in NSW on Tuesday, up by two from the day before, while case numbers climbed by 2017.

Hospitalisations have dropped slightly overnight by 66 to 1583, while there are 96 people in intensive care - four fewer than reported by NSW Health on Monday.

About 48.5 per cent of people have received a booster shot.

NSW has recorded 8201 new Covid cases and 16 more deaths, as striking nurses prepare to march on parliament house. Pictured: A woman walks through the Domain in Sydney's CBD

Meanwhile, nurses in around 150 public hospitals are striking for the first time in nearly a decade.

A skeleton staff will remain at hospitals to ensure patient safety.

Thousands of nurses will rally outside NSW Parliament House to take their message to MPs as they return to Macquarie Street for the first sitting day of the year.

NSW Nurses and Midwives Association General Secretary Brett Holmes says nurses have made the 'difficult' decision to strike because they are stretched to the limit.

'They want significant change to occur and they need it to start happening now,' he said.

Nurses want one nurse to every four patients on every shift and a pay increase above the government's prescribed public sector offer of 2.5 per cent.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard says he's disappointed by the strike is proceeding, saying the changes they want would cost the state about $1 billion to implement.

Meanwhile, Victoria has reported 8162 new Covid cases and 20 deaths - compared to 7104 infections and two fatalities on Monday.

Of the new cases revealed on Tuesday, 6128 were detected through rapid antigen tests and 2034 via PCR lab testing.

Active cases are continuing to tumble, dropping from 53,707 to 50,967.

There are 441 people in Victorian hospitals, down 24 from Monday's number. Of these, 67 Covid-19 patients are in intensive care and 14 currently require ventilation.

Victoria has reported 8162 new Covid cases and 20 deaths, a rise of 1058 infections and 18 fatalities from Monday

About 51 per cent of Victorians 18 and over have rolled up their sleeve for a third jab, after 10,930 doses were administered at state-run hubs on Monday.

Victoria's health department has released data showing triple-jabbed Victorians are less likely to end up in hospital, ICU or dying than the double vaccinated.

The data demonstrates those who have had their third dose are 4.5 times less likely to go to hospital with Covid-19 than someone with two doses and six times less likely than the unvaccinated.

Intensive care figures also showed double-dosed people were 7.6 times more likely to end up in ICU than the triple-jabbed, while that figure jumped to 34 times when comparing the unvaccinated with boosted individuals.

In addition, triple-vaccinated Victorians have been 88 times less likely to die from Covid since the start of the year compared to someone of their own age who was either unvaccinated or had one dose.

Victorians who have not received their booster shot could soon be banned from dining in cafes and restaurants (pictured: a woman checking in to the Australian Open)

That figure dropped marginally to 66 times less likely for the double-dosed.

Covid Response Commander Jeroen Weimar said about 2.5 million Victorians are eligible for a third dose shot but are yet to received it.

He acknowledged many people have had Covid in the past six or seven weeks but said they shouldn't be putting it off.

'If your symptoms have gone, then you can go and get your third dose,' Mr Weimar told reporters.

Meanwhile, Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and four of his colleagues have been fined for not wearing masks at an indoor event at parliament last week.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Guy said the fines would be paid promptly but the Liberals and Nationals would continue to push for face mask mandates to be dumped in low-risk settings.

Police said the $100 fines have been issued and will be served in coming days.
Astronomers have discovered a new type of 'freak star' covered in helium-burning ashes, which they say were likely formed by a rare stellar merger event.

When hunting for 'hot stars' with the Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona, the German team of experts came across two stars with the same unusual properties.

Called PG1654+322 and PG1528+025, the stars are within our galaxy but they're somewhere between 10,000 and 25,000 light years away from Earth.

While normal star surfaces are composed of hydrogen and helium, these newly-found stars are covered in great quantities of carbon and oxygen  the by-product of helium nuclear fusion.

The experts report 'astonishingly high abundances' of both carbon and oxygen  each accounting for around 20 per cent of surface composition for both stars.

Stars that are covered in this much carbon and oxygen usually have finished nuclear fusion reactions that take place at their core.

However, temperatures and diameters of the two newly-discovered stars indicate that helium nuclei continue to fuse inside them  an unprecedented finding.

It's thought that this new type of star was formed by the merger of two white dwarfs  the hot, dense remnants of long-dead stars.

Artist's impression of a rare kind of stellar merger event between two white dwarf stars

NUCLEAR FUSION IN STARS Nuclear fusion reactions power the Sun and other stars. In a fusion reaction, two light nuclei merge to form a single heavier nucleus. The process releases energy because the total mass of the resulting single nucleus is less than the mass of the two original nuclei. The leftover mass becomes energy. Advertisement

The research was conducted by a team of astronomers, led by Professor Klaus Werner of the University of Tubingen, and published in a new paper in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

'We normally expect stars with the chemical surface composition of the stars discovered to have completed the helium fusion in their centres and to be in the final stages of becoming white dwarfs,' said Professor Werner.

'These new stars are a severe challenge to our understanding of stellar evolution.'

According to the team, carbon and oxygen are normal in old stars that are fusing helium, but only in their cores. So it is extremely unusual to see them in large quantities at their surface.

To comprehend the significance of the finding, one has to understand the process of 'helium burning' that takes place in stars.

'Helium burning' refers to the nuclear fusion of helium into carbon and oxygen. It happens once stars are old and have already consumed all the hydrogen in their cores.

This image shows a Schematic cross-section of helium burning at the core of a star. Helium burning refers to the nuclear fusion of helium (He) into carbon (C) and oxygen (O)

The typical life cycle of a star like our Sun begins with the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium.

Then, deep inside the star, a nuclear reaction begins that converts helium into carbon and oxygen.

The star 'dies' in the course of millions of years and shrinks to a 'white dwarf'  a small, very dense star that is typically the size of a planet.

Stars covered with carbon and oxygen instead of hydrogen is thought to be due to an explosive resumption of helium fusion, which then brings the burning ash  carbon and oxygen  to the surface.

Large Binocular Telescope is located in south eastern Arizona at Mt. Graham International Observatory

WHAT IS A WHITE DWARF? A white dwarf is the remains of a smaller star that has run out of nuclear fuel. While large stars  those exceeding ten times the mass of our sun - suffer a spectacularly violent climax as a supernova explosion at the ends of their lives, smaller stars are spared such dramatic fates. When stars like the sun come to the ends of their lives they exhaust their fuel, expand as red giants and later expel their outer layers into space. The hot and very dense core of the former star - a white dwarf - is all that remains. White dwarfs contain approximately the mass of the sun but have roughly the radius of Earth, meaning they are incredibly dense. The gravity on the surface of a white dwarf is 350,000 times that of gravity on Earth. They become so dense because their electrons are smashed together, creating what's caused 'degenerative matter'. This means that a more massive white dwarf has a smaller radius than its less massive counterpart. Advertisement

'However, this event cannot explain these newly discovered stars,' said Professor Werner. 'They have larger radii and carry out helium fusion peacefully at their centres.'

A possible explanation for the formation of these atypical stars is provided by a second paper by astronomers at the University of La Plata in Argentina, also published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

'We believe that the stars discovered by our German colleagues were formed by a very rare type of merging between two white dwarfs,' said Miller Bertolami, first author of the companion paper.

White dwarfs are the remnants of larger stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel, and are typically very small and dense.

Stellar mergers are known to happen between white dwarfs in close binary systems due to the shrinking of the orbit caused by the emission of gravitational waves.

'Usually, white dwarf mergers do not lead to the formation of stars enriched in carbon and oxygen', said Bertolami.

'But we believe that, for binary systems formed with very specific masses, a carbon- and oxygen-rich white dwarf might be disrupted and end up on top of a helium-rich one, leading to the formation of these stars.'

Currently, no stellar evolutionary models can fully explain the newly discovered stars, so the team need refined models in order to assess whether these mergers can actually happen.

These models could not only help the team to better understand these stars, but could also provide a deeper insight into the late evolution of binary systems and how their stars exchange mass as they evolve.

Until astronomers develop more refined models for the evolution of binary stars, the origin of the helium covered stars will be up for debate.

Artist's impression of a white dwarf surrounded by planets. Late in a star's lifetime, a white dwarf is the remains of a smaller star that has run out of nuclear fuel (stock image

PG1654+322 and PG1528+025 were found as part of a large-scale search program in which researchers are tracking down short-lived, hot stars to better understand the final stages of stellar evolution.

This involves collecting and analyzing the stars' spectra, for example, to determine their chemical composition in other words, looking at the different wavelengths of light received from space.

Because these stars have low luminosity, this requires large optical telescopes.

The largest, which contributed to the new discovery, is the Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona, consisting of two large primary mirrors, each 27.5 feet in diameter.
From spiders to snakes, Australia is known for its range of incredible, yet deadly wildlife.

Now, a new study has revealed the surprising origin of two of Australia's most dangerous snakes  the tiger snake and the brown snake.

While most other Australian reptiles arrived by land, researchers from the University of Adelaide claim that these snakes actually arrived by sea.

The timeline of their arrival remains unclear, but the researchers hope their findings will help to shed light on these deadly species.

A new study has revealed the surprising origin of two of Australia's most dangerous snakes  the tiger snake and the brown snake (pictured)

Tiger snakes and brown snakes: Some of Australia's most dangerous animals Tiger snakes are large and highly venomous, with distinctive black and yellow bands, much like a tiger. 'Although generally shy and preferring escape over conflict, a cornered tiger snake will put on an impressive threat display by holding its forebody in a tense, loose curve with the head slightly raised and pointed at the offender,' The Australian Museum explained. 'It will hiss loudly as it inflates and deflates its body, and if provoked further will lash out and bite forcefully.' Meanwhile, brown snakes are smaller in size, yet even more deadly. 'This species has the unfortunate distinction of causing more deaths from snake bite than any other species of snake in Australia,' The Australian Museum added. Advertisement

Tiger snakes are large and highly venomous, with distinctive black and yellow bands, much like a tiger.

'Although generally shy and preferring escape over conflict, a cornered tiger snake will put on an impressive threat display by holding its forebody in a tense, loose curve with the head slightly raised and pointed at the offender,' The Australian Museum explained.

'It will hiss loudly as it inflates and deflates its body, and if provoked further will lash out and bite forcefully.'

Meanwhile, brown snakes are smaller in size, yet even more deadly.

'This species has the unfortunate distinction of causing more deaths from snake bite than any other species of snake in Australia,' The Australian Museum added.

In the study, the researchers analysed the genomes of the two front-fanged snake species (known as elapids), and compared them to marine and semi-marine elapid sea snakes, and Asian elapids.

Their analysis revealed that the ancestor of the Australian elapids had a number of genes that were not present in the Asian elapids.

Professor David Adelson, an author of the study, said: 'While we know all marine and semi-marine sea snakes descended from a common Australian land-based ancestor, the origin of Australian elapids has been debated for some time.

'Some believe their ancestors travelled by land, whereas others hold the more contentious view that a marine or semi-marine ancestor swam here.

Tiger snakes are large and highly venomous, with distinctive black and yellow bands, much like a tiger

'In our research we found a number of genes that were present in the ancestor of all Australian elapids but could not be traced to a snake ancestor; instead they could be traced to similar transposable gene sequences found in marine life, including fish, sea squirts, sea urchins, bivalves, and turtles.

'This indicates the marine environment transferred the new genetic material into the snakes and offers new support to the argument that the first Australian elapids swam to our shores.

'They must have previously acquired the new genetic material during an ancestral period when they were adapted to marine life.'

In particular, the researchers found 14 distinct transfer events, in which new genetic material had been transferred from other marine organisms.

Meanwhile, eight genes were found to be uniquely present in the marine and semi-marine sea snake genomes.

'This is the first time that jumping genes have been used to confirm the evolutionary history of any animal species, and this research definitively proved that the common ancestor of all Australian elapids adapted to a marine environment,' Professor Adelson added.

'It may also have made it easier for the subsequent land to marine transition of sea snakes.'
A series of artifacts linked to a famed 16th century Spanish expedition into what is now Arizona are part of a 'history-changing site', according to the discoverer.

Deni Seymour, from the non-profit historical research group, Arizona Pathfinders. is an expert in the Spanish and colonial era of North America, and is sometimes called the Sherlock Holmes of History.

She was tracing the route Spanish conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado took in 1540, as he led an armed expedition of 2,500 people through what is now Mexico and the American Southwest in a search for treasures.

In an undisclosed location, in Arizona's Santa Cruz County, Seymour found a haul of artifacts she says could 'rewrite the history of the Coronado Expedition.'

The researcher told CBS she found pieces of iron and copper crossbow bolts, distinctive caret-headed nails, horseshoes, chain mail and a sword point.

'This is a history-changing site,' Seymour explained. 'It's unquestionably Coronado.'

Seymour has only shared images of the artifacts with a few select researchers, and the crew of an independent, crowd-funded documentary being made about the discovery.

Coronado Expedition: 1540-42. Painting by Frederick Remington in 1898. A series of artifacts linked to a famed 16th century Spanish expedition into what is now Arizona are part of a 'history-changing site', according to the discoverer

In an undisclosed location, in Arizona's Santa Cruz County, Seymour found a haul of artifacts she says could 'rewrite the history of the Coronado Expedition'

Coronado's expedition lasted two years and took them as far north as Kansas, leading to conflicts with a number of indigenous cultures.

For the past 150 years a combination of professional and amateur historians have tried to uncover the true route of this expedition.

Most scholars believe it travelled along the Rio Sonora, through northern Mexico and the San Pedro river into Arizona, but Seymour disputes that, saying he entered Arizona along the Santa Cruz River - before heading east.

Seymour said she used to believe he entered via San Pedro, but changed her mind after finding the artifacts 'in an entirely different river valley'.

She hasn't revealed the site, but says it is within the borders of Santa Cruz County, an area she first visited in July 2020 and quickly found 'several caret-headed nails.'

'Which in this area means without question you have Coronado,' she told CBS.

Since then she has been uncovering artifacts ever since, thanks in part to the use of metal detectors and a crew of 18 volunteers.

Among the volunteers are members of the Tohono Oodham tribe, whose descendants, the Sobaipuri, were likely in the area at the time of the expedition, and may have been in conflict with Coronado.

'The site keeps giving and giving,' she said, speaking at a one-off sold out talk earlier this month.

Francisco Vazquez de Coronado. For the past 150 years a combination of professional and amateur historians have tried to uncover the true route of this expedition

Seymour has only shared images of the artifacts with a few select researchers, and the crew of an independent, crowed-funded documentary being made about the discovery

Francisco Vazquez de Coronado: 16th century Spanish conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who led a large expedition from what is now Mexico to present-day Kansas. During this journey, he travelled through parts of the southwestern US between 1540 and 1542. He wanted to reach the Cities of Cibola, often referred to as the mythical Seven Cities of Gold. According to legend, the seven cities of gold could be found throughout the pueblos of the New Mexico Territory. When Coronado arrived at Cibola in 1540, he discovered the stories were unfounded and that there were no treasures or golden buildings. His expedition marked the first European sightings of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, among other landmarks. Advertisement

She has found relics over a half-mile wide area, suggesting they belong to a long-lost large encampment, that was used by Coronado.

Among the finds were distinctive Sobaipuri arrowheads, said Sawyer, who said they tell the story of a final confrontation - sending Coronado into retreat.

'We have clear evidence of battle,' Seymour told CBS, adding 'there's no question.'

Not everybody agrees with Seymour's conclusion, that Coronado entered what is now Arizona via the Santa Cruz River.

'I think Deni's finds are certainly fascinating and probably indicate the presence of the Coronado expedition,' accordinig to New Mexico historian, Richard Flint, speaking to CBS.

'I don't think that that means the usual reconstruction of the route going north has to be abandoned. The evidence is very strong that they came up through the Rio Sonora.'

The site discovered by Seymour is mentioned in records linked to the Coronado expedition. She believes it is a site referred to as Suya, or San Geronimo III.

As well as evidence of a central structure where the wall gun was discovered, Seymour said she found six lookout stations, and three had been attacked.

Flint said he doesn't dispute the site was part of the expedition, just whether it changed the path of the original journey. He said there are a number of written accounts that reference Suya and a battle that led to it having to be abandoned.

He described it as being more like a military garrison than a town, disputing another claim by Seymour that it was the first European settlement in what would become the continental United States.

Flint said by the time this site was established, Coronado had already traveled into what is now New Mexico, where they lived for a few months in captured pueblos.

'Everyone wants to be first,' he said, adding that even if it isn't the first site, it is still an important discovery.

Deni Seymour, from the non-profit historical research group, Arizona Pathfinders. is an expert in the Spanish and colonial era of North America, and is sometimes called the Sherlock Holmes of History

Francisco Vazquez de Coronado. Seymour stands firm that she has found a real settlement, and that it changes the understanding and history of the journey - adding that one day it will be a national monument or World Heritage Site

'Virtually anything that is found about the Coronado Expedition has the chance to shed new light on something that was not known.'

Seymour stands firm that she has found a real settlement, and that it changes the understanding and history of the journey - adding that one day it will be a national monument or World Heritage Site.

'There are a lot of naysayers,' she told CBS. 'I'm an archaeologist. I just go where the evidence is.'

She says it is the first of a 'lot more sites' she expects to find, that will eventually create a firm record of the route Coronado took into what is now the US.

Seymour says she is working on a paper for peer-review that should be published in the spring outlining her discovery.
More than a quarter of the world's rivers contain 'potentially toxic levels' of over-the-counter and prescription drugs, a new study warns.

Researchers sampled 258 rivers across the globe, including the Thames in London and the Amazon in Brazil, to measure the presence of 61 pharmaceuticals.

At 25.7 per cent of the sampling sites, concentrations of at least one substance were greater than concentrations 'considered safe for aquatic organisms' and were therefore deemed potentially toxic.

Contaminants found at potentially harmful concentrations included propranolol (a beta-blocker for heart problems such as high blood pressure), sulfamethoxazole (an antibiotic for bacterial infection), ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic for bacterial infection) and loratadine (an antihistamine for allergies).

But the most frequently detected active pharmaceutical ingredients were caffeine, the anti-epileptic drug carbamazepine and the antihyperglycemic drug metformin.

Drug traces flow from human waste to the natural environment  especially when poorly managed sewage plants are adjacent to rivers.

Pictured is the Mekong River in Luang Prabang, Laos - one of the places sampled for the study. Unsurprisingly, the most contaminated sites were in low-to-middle-income countries in areas associated with poor wastewater and waste management infrastructure

Locations of studied rivers/catchments for this study. Points indicate groups of sampling sites across respective river catchments and countries are shaded based upon the total number of sampling sites.

CONTAMINANTS FOUND AT 'HARMFUL CONCENTRATIONS' The contaminants found at potentially harmful concentrations include: - Propranolol (a beta-blocker for heart problems such as high blood pressure) - Sulfamethoxazole (an antibiotic for bacterial infection) - Ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic for bacterial infection) - Loratadine (an antihistamine for allergies) Advertisement

The new study was conducted by an international team of researchers, led by Dr John Wilkinson at the University of York.

'Weve known for over two decades now that pharmaceuticals make their way into the aquatic environment where they may affect the biology of living organisms,' Dr Wilkinson said.

'But one of the largest problems we have faced in tackling this issue is that we have not been very representative when monitoring these contaminants, with almost all of the data focused on a select few areas in North America, Western Europe and China.

'Through our project, our knowledge of the global distribution of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment has now been considerably enhanced.'

For the study, Dr Wilkinson and colleagues analysed concentrations of 61 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at 1,052 locations along 258 rivers located in 104 countries across all continents.

Rivers in 36 of these countries had never previously been monitored for pharmaceuticals, according to the team.

Sampling campaigns were performed in all European Union member states except Malta, which was not included due to the countrys lack of rivers.

Loratadine, an antihistamine for allergies, is one of the contaminants found at potentially harmful concentrations, researchers report (stock image)

WATER FIRMS DUMPED SEWAGE IN UK RIVERS 3,000 TIMES FOUR YEARS Raw sewage has been dumped illegally in rivers across the country more than 3,000 times since 2017, it has emerged. Seven water companies in England and Wales have regularly broken the law by discharging untreated sewage into Britain's waterways over the past four years, a report by the BBC alleges. Campaigners said data shared with the broadcaster showed that the water industry was flouting 'poor regulation' by the Environment Agency. The seven accused companies are Southern Water, South West Water, Thames Water, United Utilities, Wessex Water, Yorkshire Water and Welsh Water. Read more: Water firms dumped sewage in UK rivers 3,000 times four years Advertisement

The most extensively studied country was the US. Here, 81 sampling sites were monitored along 29 rivers across eight states (Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Missouri, Nevada, New York, and Texas).

In all, the total samples represent the 'pharmaceutical fingerprint' of 471.4 million people worldwide.

The study included sampling sites with a broad range of human influences, spanning from a Yanomani Village (an Indigenous people of the Amazon Region) in Venezuela, where modern medicines are not used, to some of the most populated cities on the planet, including Delhi, Seoul, New York, Kinshasa, and London.

Following analysis of the samples, researchers found the highest cumulative API concentrations were at sites in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and South America, with the highest mean cumulative concentrations recorded in Lahore, Pakistan, followed by La Paz in Bolivia, and, thirdly, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

Unsurprisingly, the most contaminated sites were in low-to-middle-income countries in areas associated with poor wastewater and waste management infrastructure, the experts found.

Activities most associated with the highest levels of pharmaceutical pollution included rubbish dumping along river banks, inadequate wastewater infrastructure and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the dumping of the contents of residual septic tanks into rivers.

Interestingly, high levels of pharmaceutical pollution was most positively associated with regions of high median age as well as high local unemployment and poverty rates.

The study included sampling sites with a broad range of human influences, spanning from a Yanomani Village (an Indigenous people of the Amazon Region) in Venezuela, where modern medicines are not used, to some of the most populated cities on the planet, including Delhi, Seoul, New York, Kinshasa, and London (pictured)

Unsurprisingly, the most contaminated sites were in low-to-middle-income countries in areas associated with poor wastewater and waste management infrastructure. Pictured, Luang Prabang, Laos

A quarter of all sampling sites had at least one API exceeding levels considered safe for aquatic organisms or implicated in antimicrobial resistance  when bacteria and other microbes adapt and evolve in response to modern chemicals designed to kill them, becoming ultra-strong 'superbugs'.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that these superbugs will kill 10 million people each year by 2050  with patients dying because of once harmless infections  and impose a cumulative $100 trillion burden on the global economy.

While the results have serious implications for AMR, the study demonstrates overall the global scale of pharmaceutical pollution in the environment, according to the experts.

By increasing the monitoring of pharmaceuticals in the environment, strategies could be developed to limit the effects potentially caused by such pollutants, they hope.

The researchers suggest their approach could also be expanded in the future to include other environmental media such as sediments, soils and biota, and could allow for the development of global-scale datasets on pollution.

The study has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A new artificial intelligence program has been developed that can mimic flirty speech patterns, thanks to new 'non-word sounds' including sighs and breaths.

Sonantic, based in London, England, produces expressive artificial intelligence voices for a range of uses, including Hollywood movies and computer games.

The latest development was built with an 'unnamed Hollywood client' called 'What's Her Secret?', designed to create a flirty female lead character 'that has never lived'.

They released a video, with the face of an actress but voice of AI, designed to demonstrate it is possible to create 'hyper-realistic romantic encounters.'

In developing the flirty AI, the team also discovered some secrets that humans can use to sound more romantic and flirty, including slowing down to create suspense, gently smiling when speaking, and keeping a sooth, consistent pace.

In developing the flirty ai, the team also discovered some secrets that humans can use to sound more romantic and flirty, including slowing down to create suspense, gently smiling when speaking, and keeping a sooth, consistent pace

The voice models generated by Sonantic can already express happiness and sadness, but flirty required a subtle approach, not possible with simple language.

As well as being flirty, the team have developed coy and teasing 'styles' of speech, to give non-playable characters in movies a much more realistic feel.

While the new video features a real actress, the voice over is completely artificially generated - with the AI voice reading a monologue about love.

It stars by leading you to believe the actress featured in the video is also reading the voiceover, but reveals 'what you are hearing me say was never said by a human, it was generated by a computer. I am not real, I was never born.'

It was timed to come out on Valentines Day, showing how realistic AI can get at mimicking human speech patterns, something Sonantic calls the 'CGI of Audio'.

They've managed to achieve realistic 'flirty audio' thanks to non-verbal sounds, such as laughter, breathing, crying and scoffing.

The voice models generated by Sonantic can already express happiness and sadness, but flirty required a subtle approach, not possible with simple language

Sonantic, based in London, England, produces expressive artificial intelligence voices for a range of uses, including Hollywood movies and computer games

QUALITIES OF AN ATTRACTIVE VOICE According to Dr Maggie Vaughan, a psychotherapist specializing in romantic relationships, there are five tips for an attractive voice: Manage your tempo: slow down to create suspense; speed up to create excitement.

Gently smile when speaking, which subconsciously helps you sound more likable.

Take a deep breath and clear your throat so the words flow smoothly.

Keep a smooth, consistent pace to create a strong sense of control and confidence.

Speak in a slightly lower tone than usual; humans prefer soft spoken over loud. Advertisement

'Human beings are incredibly complex by nature and our voices play a critical role in helping us connect with the world around us, said Sonantic CEO Zeena Qureshi.

'At Sonantic, we are committed to capturing the nuances of the human voice, and we're incredibly proud of these technological breakthroughs that we have brought to life through 'What's Her Secret?,'' he explained in a statement.

'From flirting and giggling to breathing and pausing, this is the most realistic romantic demo we've created to date, helping us inch closer to our vision of being the CGI of Audio.'

Dr. Maggie Vaughan, a New York City-based psychotherapist who specializes in romantic relationships, said there are key elements in speech patterns, tone and pacing that make or break a flirtatious conversation.

Upon reviewing 'What's Her Secret?' she said they were all featured, including focus on tempo, breathing, smiling and tone changes.

The firm last hit the headlines in August 2021, when they announced they'd given Val Kilmer is voice back, by reacting the Tom Gun actors speech using recordings from before he developed throat cancer.

Kilmer, whose career has spanned nearly four decades, has starred in blockbusters such as Top Gun, Willow, The Doors, Tombstone and Batman Forever.

But after undergoing a tracheotomy in 2014 as part of his treatment for throat cancer, Kilmer's voice is now barely recognisable.

As well as being flirty, the team have developed coy and teasing 'styles' of speech, to give non-playable characters in movies a much more realistic feel

Luckily, Kilmer himself is also able to use the AI tool in his personal life, to help him communicate, rather than relying on a voice box to speak.

Sonantic created a dashboard editor, that its customers - mainly in the world of film and gaming - can use to assign voices to characters.

It lets them change speech inflection, speed, volume and style - as well as dropping in non-verbal sounds to the script.

Sonantic aren't the only player in the synthetic voice market, with a virtual version of a young Luke Skywalker appearing on The Mandalorian developed by Respeecher.

Other firms are merging fully automatically generated people, including William Shatner and Albert Einstein, mixed with versions of their voice to match the age of the artificial recreation, also synthesized.
Liam Livingstone was the big winner of the IPL draft when a bidding war led to his 1.12million move to Punjab Kings.

The Lancashire all-rounder became the most expensive overseas buy of 2022 after Punjab were joined by Kolkata, Chennai and Gujarat in a battle to sign him.

But it was Punjab who got the hard-hitting Livingstone in an auction featuring other big-money moves for English players.

Liam Livingstone was sold to the Punjab Kings for 1.25m on the second day of IPL auction

Fast bowler Mark Wood was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for 731,250 while Jonny Bairstow also joined Punjab for 658,125.

And there was a surprise when Jofra Archer went to Mumbai Indians for 781,566, even though he is not expected to play after elbow surgery.

Their sales came after English auctioneer Hugh Edmeades retired from duty with low blood pressure.

How long the players remain in India remains to be seen. England will want Wood and Bairstow, in particular, back in time to prepare for the first Test series of the summer, against New Zealand from June 2.

Livingstone was sought after by a number of clubs during the auction but went with the Kings
Dani Harmer has given birth to her second child with her husband Simon Brough, a son named Rowan Leon James.

The Tracy Beaker star, 33, took to Instagram to share the first image of her baby boy, after giving birth to the bundle of joy last week.

Dani, who revealed last month she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes just weeks before her due date, first revealed she was expected her second child in August.

He's here! Dani Harmer has given birth to her second child with her husband Simon Brough, a son named Rowan Leon James

Alongside an image of her baby boy, her post's caption read: 'Rowan Leon James Brough. 7.2.22 10:49am 8lbs 3oz.'

Dani received several congratulatory messages from her showbiz pals, including soap star Lisa Riley who wrote: 'Congratulations beautiful! So so happy for you all, sending the biggest of snuggles and cuddles. (sic)'

Andrew Hayden-Smith - another CBBC star - also hailed the arrival of Dani's baby boy, writing: 'Congratulations.'

New arrival! Dani, who revealed last month she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes just weeks before her due date, first revealed she was expected her second child in August

In January, the actress, who is already mother to daughter Avarie-Belle, five, revealed she has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes in an Instagram post.

Dani posted a photo of her daily blood glucose log book as she asked her followers for their advice.

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that can develop at any time during pregnancy but is more common in the second or third trimester, usually disappearing after the baby is born.

Alongside the image she penned: 'Not quite how I wanted to end this pregnancy but super glad we found out when we did! Newly diagnosed gestational diabetes so any tips are welcome!'

She added: 'Sending love to those who've had it throughout their pregnancy.'

She penned: 'Not quite how I wanted to end this pregnancy but super glad we found out when we did! Newly diagnosed gestational diabetes so any tips are welcome!'

In a further update she thanked her fans for sharing their experiences of gestational diabetes and added that she was lucky she 'only had a few weeks left.'

This comes after Dani Harmer revealed she was rushed to hospital in the middle of a pantomime performance after experiencing painful contractions.

Last month she took to Instagram to reassure her fans her and the baby were 'absolutely fine' after the scare.

Scary: This comes after Dani Harmer revealed she was rushed to hospital in the middle of a pantomime performance after experiencing painful contractions

Dani had been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labour pains, that typically are not felt until the second or third trimester.

Braxton-Hicks contractions are the body's way of preparing for true labor, but they do not indicate that labor has begun.

Dani wrote on social media: 'To everyone who has reached out in the last couple of days thanks you so much! Me and baby are absolutely fine!

'But on Wednesday I had to go to hospital mid show! Turns out it was Braxton Hicks (horrible bloody things by the way) and was told by the doctors to rest up!

'My plan is to very much return to panto on the 2nd!'

Beaming: Dani recently reprised her role as the former tearaway teen Tracy Beaker in a reboot of the much-loved series based on Jacqueline Wilson's 2018 book

In August Dani announced that she and Simon were set to welcome their second child, sharing a snap with her daughter holding up a roll of ultrasound snaps while standing between her mum and dad.

Dani wrote: 'Han Solo had Chewie. Frodo had Sam. Shrek had Donkey.

'Now be prepared for the adventures of Avarie-Belle and as of yet unnamed bump, coming February 2022.'

Simon shared the same photo and caption, but added: '(hopefully not to a cinema near you).'

Dani recently reprised her role as the former tearaway teen Tracy Beaker in a reboot of the much-loved series based on Jacqueline Wilson's 2018 book.
Kate Beckinsale invoked envy in her followers on Sunday, as she shared a post to Instagram of herself surrounded by adorable puppies.

The 48-year-old actress sat criss-cross legged on the floor and cradled several of the precious pets while the others ran around excitedly.

She sported a grey sweater and ripped blue denim jeans as she played with the animals.

And they call it puppy love: Kate Beckinsale invoked envy in her followers on Sunday, as she shared a post to Instagram of herself surrounded by adorable puppies

Having a blast: Captioning the post, she simply wrote: 'Happy Sunday'

Her caramel coloured locks were styled in big bouncy waves and left to tumble over her shoulders as she cuddled the puppies in her lap.

Captioning the post, she simply wrote: 'Happy Sunday'.

Beckinsale is currently prepping for the release of the forthcoming family drama feature Prisoner's Daughter.

The 48-year-old actress sat criss-cross legged on the floor and cradled several of the precious pets while the others ran around excitedly.

The news about Beckinsale's involvement with the project was initially reported by Deadline this past June.

The film is centered on a former convict whose violent past catches up with him while attempting to reconcile with his family.

Also set to appear in the upcoming movie are Brian Cox and Ernie Hudson.

Stylish: She sported a grey sweater and ripped blue denim jeans as she played with the animals

Director Catherine Hardwicke noted that the project's screenplay was familiar territory for her.

'Mark Bacci's script is a raw, personal look at a deeply fractured family, similar to my first film Thirteen,' she said.

The Twilight director then expressed that Beckinsale would play a pivotal role in the forthcoming project.

Not her first rodeo: Director Catherine Hardwicke gave a statement to the media outlet where she expressed that the project's screenplay was familiar territory for her (pictured in 2020)

'With Prisoner's Daughter, I want to fully immerse the viewer in Kate's character's intense world as she, her father and her young son try to heal generational family trauma and find a new way forward,' she stated.

Producer Marina Grasic then noted that she and her collaborators were excited to be able to work with both Hardwicke and Beckinsale.

'We are committed to making films that reflect the struggles and issues faced by not only Americans but worldwide audiences. We are honored to be working with Catherine and Kate  artists that can bring this important and inspiring story to life.'

Beckinsale previously made headlines after TMZ reported that she had injured her back while working on the movie in Las Vegas this past September.

She later recovered from her injuries and shared an update about her health on her Instagram account.

Prisoner's Daughter currently does not have a scheduled release date.
Inter-not -- Has a Canadian right-wing blogosphere had an impact on politics, society, and culture in Canada?  updated to 2022 (Part One) By Mark Wegierski

web posted February 14, 2022 Partially based on research done with Mike Krupa, M.A., for a paper accepted for the August 28-August 31 2014 American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting and Exhibition (110th APSA Annual Meeting)(Politics after the Digital Revolution) (Washington, D.C.), from which we had to withdraw because of unforeseen personal circumstances. The emergence of the Internet, where social, political, and cultural commentary could supposedly be freer of so-called gatekeepers, is said to have introduced a greater and more genuine pluralism of outlooks to societies. Considering that it could be argued that much of Canada ideologically resembles the bluest of the Blue (Democratic) American states, the emergence of right-leaning counter-tendencies would arguably be a step towards greater pluralism. However, despite over two decades of Internet development, it could be argued  as far as the author of this article can ascertain -- that a Canadian right-wing blogosphere barely exists. Looking at some of the conservative Canadian websites and major bloggers, its easy to see there wasnt any point in recent Canadian political developments where they might have made an impact comparable to the blogger impact in the 2004 U.S. Presidential election. That was when right-wing bloggers turned back an attempt by the main stream media to undermine George W. Bushs Presidential campaign. The MSM was questioning Bushs National Guard service record, based on what were ultimately proved to be forged documents. (It is, of course, an entirely separate issue, that Dubyas two terms have ended up as an almost unmitigated disaster for any more seriously defined conservatism in America.) The author finds that, in Canadian society, which, unlike the U.S., does not have solid social bases, groups, or publications for a more substantive conservatism, the presence of a few websites and bloggers has had decidedly minimal impact. The impact of the so-called right-wing blogosphere is certainly far less in Canada than in the United States. The impact of various personal blogs (such as those of Kate McMillan, the late Kathy Shaidle, or Richard Klagsbrun) is difficult to accurately gauge. There are as well the party-based Blogging Tories. The website conservativeforum.org is only an archive site. Free Dominion could be called a self-posting forum where commentary is not formally structured. Unfortunately, Free Dominion has been recently subjected to vicious lawfare and its situation is highly tenuous. Enter Stage Right is one of the few independent, formally structured, consistently-edited, frequently updated, conservative Canadian e-zines, that the author of this article is aware of (apart from Judi McLeods Canada Free Press). In July 2013, there arose with great fanfare, the daily webzine, Freedom Press Canada Journal, but it was forced to greatly reduce the frequency of its postings as of November 30, 2013, and, in subsequent months, appears to have been completely removed from the Internet. From mid-2014 onward, short article postings began to very sporadically appear on the website (freedompress.ca), but now that website appears to no longer be extant. Recently, there has arisen Ezra Levants The Rebel (or The Rebel Media) website, with dozens of bloggers contributing to it. Another substantial media initiative is Candice Malcolms True North Canada. Also, there is The Post-Millennial website. There is also c2cjournal.ca  a prestigious quarterly online publication. Canada also has one of the most prominent pro-life, pro-family news websites in the world (lifesite.net). There are, as well, some right-leaning individual blogs associated with major newspapers and magazines (such as, most prominently, The National Post, and Macleans). There are, as well, the blogs associated with some far smaller publications, notably Convivium and Comment (by the social conservative think-tank, CARDUS); and The Interim: Canadas Life and Family Newspaper. There is a social conservative journal in Quebec, called Egards (Considerations). Representing Western Canada, there is the new Western Standard website. Three websites of the culturalist opposition are actforcanada.ca, capforcanada.com, and eurocanadian.ca . To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
Kyle Sandilands, one of Australia's most high-profile monarchists, has said he will no longer support the British Royal Family once the Queen dies.

The radio presenter's shifting allegiance could be a major coup for the Australian Republic Movement, led by rugby player-turned-journalist Peter FitzSimons.

Sandilands, 50, declared on Monday he was a loyal supporter of the Queen, but wasn't keen on the idea of Prince Charles becoming King of Australia.

Changing his tune: Kyle Sandilands, one of Australia's most high-profile monarchists, has said he will no longer support the British Royal Family once the Queen dies

He was discussing how he would lead Australia if he were to become prime minister when he changed tack and said he'd rather be a president.

'If I was the prime minister - and let's face it, I don't like prime ministers - when I'm the president... I'm waiting until we do a democracy here,' he said.

When his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson reminded him he's a monarchist, Sandilands said he was only loyal to Queen Elizabeth - not the Royal Family in general.

An Elizabethan, not a royalist: Sandilands, 50, declared on Monday he was a loyal supporter of the Queen (pictured), but wasn't keen on the idea of Prince Charles becoming King of Australia

'I only like the Queen. Not that dildo [Prince Charles] and that tampon he's going to marry [Camilla, the future Queen Consort]. I don't like it,' he said.

This was a reference to an infamous transcript of a 1989 telephone conversation between Charles and Camilla that was leaked to the press in 1993.

The six-minute phone call went into explicit detail as the longtime lovers fantasised about being intimate, with Charles saying he dreamt of being Camilla's tampon.

At the time the conversation was recorded, Charles and Princess Diana were still married, although their relationship wasn't good (they formally separated in 1992).

Henderson was shocked by her colleague's hostility to the royals, saying: 'How dare you! That's going to be our king soon.'

'Not my king. I'll say no to that,' Sandilands snapped.

'Are you seriously not going to be royalist once the Queen dies?' Henderson asked, to which Sandilands responded: 'It's possible, yeah.'

'I nearly had a coronary': Sandilands has previously defended of the Royal Family, and in June condemned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (right) for naming their daughter after the Queen

Sandilands has previously defended of the Royal Family, and in June condemned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for naming their daughter after the Queen.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex named their daughter Lilibet (shortened to Lili) as a tribute to her great-grandmother, who adopted the nickname as a toddler when she was unable to pronounce her own name properly.

'I heard Brooklyn [Ross, KIIS FM's newsreader] mention this at 5.30 this morning on my way in, and I nearly had a coronary,' he said.

'I was not happy, because they want to distance themselves so much from the Royal Family but every name [was inspired by royal family members],' he raged.

'And then along come the haters, who hate the Royal Family... and then they [name their daughter] Lilibet.'

Republicans: Kyle's shifting allegiance could be a coup for the Australian Republic Movement, led by rugby player-turned-journalist Peter FitzSimons (right, with wife Lisa Wilkinson)

The Australian Republic Movement in January unveiled its preferred method for the nation to appoint a new head of state.

The group says federal, state and territory parliaments should nominate a shortlist of candidates for head of state, which would then be put to a national ballot of voters.

The federal parliament would be able to nominate up to three people while states and territories would nominate one person each.

The ballot winner would get a five-year term and be responsible for appointing a prime minister with majority support in the House of Representatives, or calling an election if that support does not exist.

But the head of state would have no authority in day-to-day governance or passing laws.

The model was developed across a two-year period, with more than 10,000 Australians consulted through surveys, polls and meetings.

Poll Is Peter FitzSimons' Australian republic model a good idea? Yes No Undecided Is Peter FitzSimons' Australian republic model a good idea? Yes 416 votes

No 1294 votes

Undecided 99 votes Now share your opinion





ARM chair Peter FitzSimons said the 'Australian Choice' model brought responsibility to citizens to elect their own leaders.

'This will give all Australian voters a merit-based choice about who speaks for them as head of state,' he said.

'The decision will be in their hands, unlike now, where it is luck of the draw who we get from the British Royal Family.'

Movement research found 73 per cent of Australians would vote for a republic if the model was put to a referendum.

It also found 92 per cent of Australians are open to the idea of a republic, with just eight per cent opposed to any change.

Mr FitzSimons said having a specific model to allow for the change overcame the movement's main barrier.

'We've consulted, we've listened closely and Australians have told us this approach will give our nation the best chance of success at a referendum, with an overwhelming majority of Australians likely to back the change,' he said.

However, Australian Monarchist League national chair Philip Benwell disagreed with that characterisation, labelling the model 'deeply flawed' and said it empowered politicians rather than the people.

'The AML is delighted that the ARM has, after over 20 years, at last produced a model,' he said.

'However, although their model is called the 'choice model', the people actually have no choice over whom they are voting for as only politicians will decide on the candidates which rather defeats the purpose of having a national vote.'

New plan: The Australian Republic Movement, headed by Peter FitzSimons, in January unveiled its preferred method for the nation to appoint a new head of state

Labor frontbenchers Mark Dreyfus and Matt Thistlethwaite congratulated the ARM on its model.

'The Australian head of state should be one of us: an Australian who lives with the Australian people,' they said.

'Whilst constitutional recognition and a Voice to Parliament for First Nations people remain Labor's constitutional reform priority, it is important that all Australians have the opportunity to consider an Australian head of state in the future and the best model of appointment.'

They said the nation needed its own head of state who reflected Australia's maturity, independence and unique identity.
Khanh Ong has revealed his hilarious act of revenge on his ex-boyfriends.

The Australian Survivor star revealed on TikTok he asked for his billboards promoting the show to be placed on a busy intersection where several of his exes drive past.

'So I asked the production company and also the network to put one billboard in this exact location and on this exact road,' he explained.

'Is it petty? 100 per cent': Australian Survivor star 'King Khanh' Ong (pictured on March 15, 2021) has revealed his hilarious act of revenge on his ex-boyfriends

'The reason why that particular billboard being in this particular location - South Rd and Nepean Highway - is because this intersection is where four of my ex-boyfriends have to travel through every single day to and from work.'

He continued: 'Petty? 100 per cent. Am I the drama? Possibly. Am I the villain? You're gonna have to wait and see.'

It comes after Khanh revealed the extreme lengths he went to in order to prepare for Australian Survivor: Blood V Water.

The MasterChef alum revealed the various ways he prepared himself for the hit show, such as living off rations, learning survival skills and undertaking specialised training.

Revenge: The Australian Survivor star revealed on TikTok he asked for his billboards promoting the show to be placed on a busy intersection where several of his exes drive past

Khanh, who along with his sister Amy is competing on the new season, explained he went to the lengths he did as he wanted to win at all costs.

'If I put my mind to something it is a 100 per cent effort. I am not half-a**ing around,' the restaurateur told The Herald Sun.

'I am doing Survivor and I would like to win, so I am giving myself the best chance to do so.'

Prank: 'The reason why that particular billboard being in this particular location is because this intersection is where four of my ex-boyfriends have to travel through every single day to and from work,' he said

Khanh and his sister travelled to the Northern Territory last year for outback survival training and to learn how to forage for food and resources.

'Amy and I flew to Darwin to see a survival specialist who taught us how to make fire, how to find food, how to make shelter, what plants were edible and which ones werent, and what I could make rope and tools out of,' he said.

He lived off rations for a period of time and started to reduce his calorie intake.

'I trained myself to survive off 1,200 calories a day and then a week out from filming I bumped it up so I was eating 2,500 to 3,000 calories so they become fat stores,' he revealed.
Married At First Sight has seen this year's couples go through all sorts of highs and lows, but the drama is only getting started.

The ninth season is set to welcome three new intruder couples next week.

The newcomers include a clinical nutritionist, a property developer and personal trainer.

Spoiler Alert! Three new intruder couples will be introduced on Married At First Sight next week in a major shake-up

Carolina Santos and Dion Giannarelli

Brazilian-born Carolina is set to give several brides a run for their money.

Carolina, 33, is looking for love after her last relationship tanked when she found out her ex was cheating on her.

She had raised a son as a single mother with the support of her family in Brazil, after falling pregnant at 15 to her high-school boyfriend.

Match: Queensland property developer Dion Giannarelli (left) is set to walk the aisle with Sydney-based businesswoman Carolina Santos (right)

Spotted: Dion and Carolina have been photographed arriving at dinner parties together

While her son, now 16, is her 'everything', having a child so young has meant she's struggled to find a man with the same drive and determination.

Carolina is set to walk down the aisle with Gold Coast-based property developer Dion Giannarelli.

According to his official bio, Dion, 33, enjoys the finer things in life, including designer clothes, fast cars, boats and helicopters.

Yikes! Carolina, who was shown losing her temper before her wedding in a recent trailer, looks set to bring in the drama on this year's season of MAFS

Lonely: Despite his life of glitz and glamour, Dion is a generous, kind and caring gentleman

Despite his life of glitz and glamour, Dion is a generous, kind and caring gentleman who wants to share his success with his other half.

He's over the single life and is desperate for someone to join his big Italian family.

Jessica Seracino and Daniel Holmes

Originally paired with disgraced groom Simon Blackburn, who was kicked off the show when his misogynistic and homophobic TikTok videos resurfaced, Jessica Seracino gets a second shot at the experiment with personal trainer Daniel Holmes.

The Melbourne florist, 27, is looking to make her parents, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year, proud by finding Mr Right.

Second chance: Originally paired with disgraced groom Simon Blackburn, who was kicked off the show when his misogynistic and homophobic TikTok videos resurfaced, Jessica Seracino (left) gets a second shot at the experiment with personal trainer Daniel Holmes (right)

Second time's the charm! The Melbourne florist is understood to have filmed two weddings - the first with Simon and the second with Daniel

Jessica experienced heartache at the age of 12 when she lost her older sister to cancer.

It left her an only child and made her not only grow up quicker but develop a fear of abandonment which extended to dating, where she would attach herself to guys even when they treated her badly.

Meanwhile, Daniel is described as being 'confident, successful and driven'.

Is he the one? Daniel, 30, is described as being 'confident, successful and driven'

Describing his childhood as chaotic, Daniel and his siblings went to live with their dad after their parents separated.

Home life with his alcoholic father was unstable and he didnt have a relationship with his mother. Then at 17, his older brother took his own life.

Finding solace in fitness, the gym taught Daniel structure, discipline and direction.

He learned how to work hard and to show up even when you dont feel like it.

What a stud! Finding solace in fitness, the gym taught Daniel structure, discipline and direction

Kate Laidlaw and Matt Ridley

Matt Ridley will bring plenty of personality to the experiment.

The 39-year-old has a great job at a leading Brisbane law firm and also boasts many friends. The only thing missing is the love story.

He and his ex-wife went through years of unsuccessful IVF treatments, so they turned to fostering children  over 27 in total.

The new Bryce and Melissa? Melbourne-based nutritionist Kate Laidlaw, 38, (left) will be paired with Brisbane law clerk Matt Ridley, 39, (right)

Eventually these stresses took their toll, and after seven years the marriage ended.

Melbourne-based nutritionist Kate Laidlaw, 38, says going on MAFS is a last-ditch attempt at finding true love, after admitting she's never had a boyfriend before.

Rather than facing the constant disappointment of dating, Kate prefers to stay home watching romantic movies with her best friend and her sister, whom she lives with.

Married At First Sight continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine and 9Now

Desperate: Kate, 38, says going on MAFS is a last-ditch attempt at finding true love, after admitting she's never had a boyfriend before
The past week has been a bruising one for the LGBTQI community and especially transgender kids, says Magda Szubanski.

The Australian actor, 60, who identifies as gay, posted a video in support of trans teens on Instagram on Sunday, adding the hashtag #ReligiousDiscriminationBill.

Magda did not mention the government's doomed religious anti-discrimination bill at all in the 30-second clip, but it was clear she'd spent a long time thinking about it.

Looking drained, the Kath & Kim star sounded emotional, and at times her voice choked as she delivered her message of reassurance.

'Hi, there,' she told followers, ' I know this has been another one of those awful, bruising weeks for trans kids and for the LGBTQI people in general.

'And I just want to say especially to trans kids, that we stand by you and with you.'

Support: Magda Szubanski posted a video on Instagram in support of transgender teens on Sunday, adding the hashtag #ReligiousDiscriminationBill

The star of Happy Feet and Babe, who came out in 2012 and describes herself as a 'cultural Catholic', told trans teenagers: 'Know that there are many people out there of different faiths who completely love and affirm you.'

She signed off by saying: 'Lots of love. Take care.'

Magda's post comes amid concerns within the LGBTQI community that the proposed religious discrimination bill may give religious schools the right to expel students on the basis of their sexual identity.

Kind: The actress, who describes herself as a 'cultural Catholic', told trans teenagers: 'Know that there are many people out there of different faiths who completely love and affirm you'

Trans children are particularly vulnerable under the new bill.

The future of the proposed legislation is in doubt, however.

Right now the Senate has postponed debating the bill due to lack of support.

An outspoken advocate for the gay, lesbian and transgender community, Magda has been credited by many as being crucial to the success of the campaign for same-sex marriage, which was legalised in Australia in 2017.
Married At First Sight star Georgia Fairweather has hinted she is dating again after her 'ex-husband' Liam Cooper found love with socialite Samuel Levi.

Georgia, who is based in Dubai, told the Gold Coast Bulletin in an interview this week: 'I'm open to a new love interest in Dubai. That's all I want to say.'

The blonde jetted overseas to join a blockchain company in the UAE shortly after filming MAFS last year, but has returned to Australia for a series of equestrian events.

Back on the scene: Married At First Sight star Georgia Fairweather (pictured) has hinted she is dating again after her 'ex-husband' Liam Cooper found love with socialite Samuel Levi

She will compete in national riding competitions, including at The Royal Easter Show in Sydney.

Georgia and Liam initially hit it off on MAFS but their relationship didn't last.

Things fell apart when Liam, who is bisexual, lashed out at her for asking if he secretly 'craves d**k' on the side.

Ready for love: Georgia, who is based in Dubai, told the Gold Coast Bulletin in an interview this week: 'I'm open to a new love interest in Dubai. That's all I want to say'

He later described it as a 'kick in the guts' during an episode of SBS Insight.

'To be honest, it was a kick in the guts to hear it from my partner at the time,' he said.

'It was a lack of understanding but I thought she knew so much because we had conversations and we spoke about it,' he added.

New adventures: The blonde jetted overseas to join a blockchain company in the UAE shortly after filming MAFS last year, but has returned to Australia for a series of equestrian events

Liam said Georgia's comment insinuated he 'can't be monogamous', which is a common stereotype for gay and bisexual men.

'To hear that because I am bisexual I might "crave d**k" [and] she might not be able to give me what I want... But I'm monogamous, like, she was my partner,' he added.

Georgia also found herself in hot water during MAFS after uploading a video to Instagram in which homophobic and fatphobic comments were made about Liam.

Split: Georgia and Liam (left) initially hit it off on Married At First Sight but their relationship didn't last because she harboured fears he secretly 'craved d**k' on the side

She could be heard laughing in the footage as her co-star Jason Engler called Liam 'ugly', 'chubby' and a 'full-blown homosexual' - even though he identifies as bisexual.

Georgia later said she was 'very regretful' about her participation in the video.

After Liam began dating Samuel Levi, a contestant from MAFS New Zealand, Georgie told who magazine she wished them well.

'He seems happy so that's great': After Liam began dating Samuel Levi (left), a contestant from MAFS New Zealand, Georgie told who magazine she wished them well

'MAFS was a crazy thing that we went through together but we had a bit of an intense break-up so we've gone our separate ways,' Georgia said.

'I wish him nothing but happiness. He seems happy so that's great.'

The new season of MAFS Australia is currently airing on Channel Nine and 9Now
Matt LeBlanc's six-year relationship with Top Gear producer Aurora Mulligan came to a mutual end in 2020, long before their separation was publicly announced.

The former Friends star, 54, worked with television producer Aurora, 37, on the long-running BBC show after he was drafted in to revive its ailing fortunes in 2016, before walking away three-years later.

Sources have since confirmed the couple quietly drew a line under the relationship months ago.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'They haven't been together in over a year.'

End of the road: Matt LeBlanc, 54, has reportedly split with his British partner Aurora Mulligan, 37, after nearly six years together

A separate source told The Sun: 'Matt and Auroras relationship has run its course. Its all over. Its a huge shame and Matt has taken the news particularly hard, as anyone would.

'He and Aurora fell for each on Top Gear and although there was a pretty big age gap they were a really great match.

'But when he announced he was leaving Top Gear and took on other work, it was hard for them. Hes mainly based out of LA and was travelling a lot while Aurora was working in the UK.'

Single: Matt kept a low profile as he arrived at a car garage in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles on Friday in the wake of the break-up news

Matt kept a low profile as he arrived at a car garage in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles on Friday in the wake of the break-up news.

The actor opted for a casual look in a black Ford-emblazoned T-shirt which he teamed up with coordinating joggers and grey trainers featuring blue laces.

He covered his short silver locks with a charcoal baseball cap and protected his eyes from the beating sunshine with a matching pair of wraparound sunglasses.

The couple were first linked in May 2016 when onlookers said they looked 'besotted' as they attended the Hickstead Derby in West Sussex in June that year.

They walked the red carpet together at the New York film festival in 2017 and made their first appearance as an official couple at the UK launch of Top Gears 25th series in 2018.

Born in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, the pretty brunette studied politics, political science and government at Liverpool University before launching a successful career in TV production.

Looking back: The former Friends star worked with television producer Aurora on Top Gear when he appeared on the show from 2016 to 2019 (pictured in 2017)

After stints at ITV and Channel 5, she eventually settled at BBC in July 2015 as assistant producer on Top Gear, shortly after former host Jeremy Clarkson left.

Aurora is believed to have met Matt in early 2016, shortly before he was announced as one of the show's new producers in February.

She was not the first European woman to have caught his eye; he was married to British model Melissa McKnight for three years, with whom he has a daughter, Marina.
She is in a relationship with one of the most successful men in Sydney, billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes.

And on Sunday, Madeline Holtznagel enjoyed a relaxing day at the beach while her boyfriend partied in Los Angeles.

The model, 26, showed off her figure in a bright pink bikini as she strolled along the footpath after a dip in the ocean.

Fun in the sun! Justin Hemmes' model girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel showed off her figure in a pink bikini at the beach in Sydney on Sunday while he partied in Los Angeles

Madeline protected herself from the sun in a cap and sunglasses, and wrapped a white shawl around her body.

She was spotted glancing at her phone while going for a stroll.

The outing comes after Madeline received a stark warning over her relationship with Hemmes.

Agents have reportedly been warning Madeline she could be missing important opportunities in the modelling industry because she is prioritising her relationship over her career.

Soaking up the sun! Madeline strolled along the footpath after enjoying a dip in the ocean

'It's not like Madeline is going out with a Hemsworth,' one industry source told The Daily Telegraph.

'I don't think this relationship with Justin will have much of an impact on her career. If anything, she will be more known as a bit of a celebrity model as opposed to a fashion model.'

Another source close to the couple said: 'It's all well and good now, but there might come a time when the relationship runs its course and she will need her modelling career, so she can support herself financially.'

Warning: The outing comes after Madeline received a stark warning over her relationship with Hemmes. The couple are pictured together on May 13, 2021, in Sydney

Madeline and Justin have been dating for some time, and she also spent lockdown at his Vaucluse mansion in 2020.

She now reportedly lives in a Coogee penthouse he owns.

The couple have been spotted out and about in Sydney several times after confirming their romance.
She's one of Neighbours' best known alums, having played Charlene Robinson on the series from 1986 until 1988.

And fans of the soap are pleading with Kylie Minogue, 53, to help salvage the show she made famous as it faces the axe.

'Use your powers for good and save Neighbours!' pleaded one fan on Twitter.

SOS: Neighbours fans are pleading with Kylie Minogue, 53, (pictured in October last year) to help salvage the show she made famous as it faces the axe

'Don't be a spoilsport! Your Neighbours Need You!' tweeted another.

Minogue last donned her character's famous khaki overalls in 2019, for a Tourism Australia ad trying to attract Brits to visit the country.

At the time, Minogue said she 'kept those overalls' from the shoot. 'I was like, "Forgot how comfortable these were!"'

Desperate times: 'Use your powers for good and save Neighbours!' pleaded one fan on Twitter

Like a glove: Minogue last donned her character's famous khaki overalls in 2019, for a Tourism Australia ad trying to attract Brits to visit the country

It was revealed last week that Neighbours will not be renewed by its UK broadcaster Channel 5, who foots most of the production bill.

And with the cast, crew and fans devastated as to the possibility of the iconic Aussie soap facing the axe in June after 37 years, theories have emerged as to why the show is on the verge of cancellation.

On Sunday, Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald suggested the series' downside is due to the time slot and the changing nature of the television industry.

Theories: On Sunday, Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald suggested that 'network revenues are lean' with daytime television, and the industry is 'shifting away from long-running appointment-viewed dramas to short-order, blue chip, view-on-demand dramas'. Pictured: Jason Donovan as Scott Robinson and Kylie Minogue as Charlene Robinson

Revealed: Theories have emerged as to why Neighbours was doomed to fail - as the iconic Aussie soap faces the AXE after 37 years on air. Pictured: Margot Robbie as Donna Freedman (left) and Jackie Woodburne as Susan Kennedy (right)

The publication reported that 'network revenues are lean' with daytime television, and the industry is 'shifting away from long-running appointment-viewed dramas to short-order, blue chip, view-on-demand dramas'.

The Sydney Morning Herald also suggested their own hilarious storylines for the finale episode.

One possible ending sees characters Paul (Stefan Dennis), Clive (Geoff Paine), Jane (Annie Jones) and Melanie (Lucinda Cowden) 'put on trial and found guilty of crimes against common television decency and sentenced to jail'.

Gone: In a statement released last week, Channel 5 confirmed their decision not to renew their contract to air the Aussie soap with producers Fremantle Australia. Pictured: the show's 2021 cast

In a statement released last week, Channel 5 confirmed their decision not to renew their contract to air the Australian 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.

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.'

Not enough: Despite recent high-profile casting like Aussie expat Tammin Sursok, the decision places the series' future in jeopardy given Channel 5 foots most of the show's production bill

According to industry site TV Blackbox, 'it's unlikely [Channel] 10 can keep producing [the show]' without financial backing from an international broadcaster.

If the show doesn't find another backer soon, it could spell the end of the 37-year-old television institution.

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.

'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.'

End of an era? In an email to cast seen by The Herald Sun, the show's executive producer Jason Herbison confirmed the soap's uncertain future (Jason Donavan and Kylie Minogue pictured on show in 1988)

Filming was paused on Monday, with cast and crew having been called to an all-staff meeting at 11am that morning.

Channel 10 released a statement to TV Tonight last 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.'

The Australian soap, which still gets 1.2million UK viewers per day, has been on the air in Oz since 1985 but producers and Channel 5 were said to be looking at options to keep it on screen, three years before its 40th anniversary.

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

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.

Bosses are said to be looking at seeing it off with a bang with the return of a legendary star such as Minogue.

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.'

MailOnline has contacted Channel 5 and Fremantle for comment.

Telling the tale: The show has featured some gripping storylines involving characters such as Madeleine West and Ryan Moloney's Dee Bliss and Toadie Rebecchi
Gogglebox is known for being cheap to produce, but the makers of the upcoming celebrity edition are reportedly splashing out on one Aussie A-list couple.

Hamish and Zoe Foster Blake are said to be receiving $500,000 for their brief stint on the show, if a report in Woman's Day is to be believed.

The rumoured paycheck comes after the Blakes recently signed a multi-project deal with Australian pay TV service Foxtel, which airs Gogglebox as part of a unique two-network deal with Channel 10.

Wild claims: Hamish and Zoe Foster Blake are said to be receiving $500,000 for their brief stint on Celebrity Gogglebox, if a report in Woman's Day is to be believed

While the couple's appearance on Celebrity Gogglebox will air on both Foxtel and 10 next month, insiders say this is likely to be just the first of many upcoming TV ventures for the Blakes.

'Australia has been crying out for the Blakes to make their own reality show for years now - and Foxtel has heard this loud and clear,' a source told the magazine.

'They're going to use Celebrity Gogglebox as a bit of a trial run for them to see if they could hold a show in their own right.'

Line-up: The Blakes join the likes of Bindi Irwin and Dave Hughes on Celebrity Gogglebox

TV stars: It comes after the Blakes recently signed a multi-project deal with Australian pay TV service Foxtel, which airs Gogglebox as part of a unique two-network deal with Channel 10

Foxtel executives have reportedly already been having 'some serious meetings' about giving the couple their own show, calling it potential 'reality TV gold'.

Hamish, 40, and Zoe, 41, married in 2012, and are parents to two children, son Sonny, seven, and daughter Rudy, four.

In August last year, it was revealed that Zoe had sold off a controlling stake in her Go-To skincare company for $89million.

Watch this space: Foxtel executives have reportedly already been having 'some serious meetings' about giving the couple their own show, calling it potential 'reality TV gold'

The beauty mogul sold a 50.1 per cent share to ASX-listed company BWX.

The skincare company was established by the former magazine journalist in 2014, and generated $36.8million in revenue in 2020 alone.

According to a report by the Financial Review in November 2020, Zoe's net worth was estimated to be at $36million at the time.
It's all over for one of the Married At First Sight's most-talked about couples.

Bride Selin Mengu, 32, has defied Channel Nine producers and confirmed her split from her TV husband Anthony Cincotta, 38, during a radio interview.

The Sydney-based mother of one broke down in tears after she called up The Kyle and Jackie O show following an earlier interview with her on-screen partner.

Married At First Sight bride Selin Mengu, 32, (pictured) has defied Channel Nine producers and called up The Kyle and Jackie O show to reveal that TV producers and her 'groom' Anthony Cincotta 'made her' sleep in the same bed on her wedding night

She claimed that producers and Anthony pressured her into sleeping in the same bed as her groom on her wedding night even after she said 'no'.

'Some people understand, some people see the grey areas, but it's just not fair that I'm dealing with this backlash when I've said "no" to a few things and he persisted,' she began.

'Ive gone into protective mode and its really hard.

'I'm actually going to lose it if I don't say these things,' she said, before she claimed that she asked producers and Anthony if they could sleep in separate beds, but they reportedly objected.

'I didn't want to. I'm not that type of person and It's okay for people to be like that. But I didn't feel comfortable and he [Anthony] persisted, they [producers] persisted.'

Rogue: Speaking on KIIS 106.5, Selin claimed that Anthony and TV producers pressured her into sleeping in the same bed as her groom on her wedding night - even after she said 'No'

Selin alleged that despite telling both the producers and Anthony she wasn't comfortable with sharing a bed on the first night, she was pressured into it for filming.

When asked what Anthony's response was to her rejecting their offer, Selin said he replied 'we need to do it' and that it 'wasn't a big deal'.

Selin went on to claim she reluctantly agreed to sleep next to Anthony after they built a pillow fort, but said she would have preferred the couch option.

In response to Selin's allegations, a Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'There is never any pressure put on participants in regards to sleeping arrangements.

'Nine and Endemol Shine takes their obligations in respect to the health and wellbeing of the participants of this program extremely seriously.

'All participants have access to the show psychologist during filming, during broadcast and once the program has ended.

'Nine also have an additional service for participants should they like or need further individual and confidential psychological support.

'This service gives participants access to clinicians who have been specifically engaged to support those involved in the program in relation to their experiences. This service is available to all participants for as long as they need it, it does not end.'

Not happy! When asked what Anthony's response was to her rejecting their offer, Selin said he replied 'we need to do it' and that it 'wasn't a big deal'

The executive assistant also claimed there was a number of other incidents that made her feel extremely uncomfortable around the professional wrestler.

Selin alleged that Anthony 'dunked her head under water' while filming a kayaking date despite telling him that she had an ear infection.

Anthony has since denied Selin's claims, with a close friend telling Daily Mail Australia he would have been 'happy to take the couch, but it was never discussed'.

'If Selin was uncomfortable with that he would've slept on the couch, but it wasn't communicated to him,' they said.

Claims: The executive assistant also claimed there was a number of other incidents that made her feel extremely uncomfortable around the professional wrestler

Two sides: Anthony has since denied Selin's claims, with a close friend telling Daily Mail Australia he would have been 'happy to take the couch but it was never discussed'

It comes just days after a production insider told Daily Mail Australia things took a turn for the worse just minutes after the couple checked into their honeymoon suite.

Anthony's gentlemanly behaviour that was on display at their wedding did not continue during their honeymoon.

'The minute cameras stopped rolling, he completely turned off this 'let me open the door for you, let me do this for you' and this is still the first day,' they claimed.

Selin apparently then struggled to connect with Anthony when she saw this shift.

Selin's radio interview comes after relationship gurus, John Aiken, Mel Schilling and Alessandra Rampolla slammed her for 'demeaning' Anthony during Sunday night's commitment ceremony.

Speaking about their failed romance, Anthony, 38 described their 'marriage' as a 'trainwreck'.

He then went on to explain how things started to go downhill with Selin, 32, after their honeymoon and that the pair have been butting heads after he showed his vulnerable side.

'I showed her a bit of vulnerability. And she made a few comments to me that sort of led me feeling like a little bit, a little sh*t,' he said.

'It made me feel sort of disrespected,' Anthony continued.

'I know I probably shouldn't have used the word princess in the real world,' Selin jumped in, attempting to defend herself.

She was then savagely cut off by Mel Schilling.

'This is the real world. He feels like you're making fun of him, which is kind of demeaning and it puts him down,' she explained.

'He's showing vulnerability, which is one of the most courageous things you can do in a relationship.'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine, Selin and Anthony for comment in relation to this article.

Married At First Sight continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine and 9Now
In the United States, the "full-fledged" COVID-19 pandemic is almost over, and Dr. Anthony Fauci believes that soon, the people's immune system against the virus will be strong enough to prevent it from spreading further.

When that happens, the White House's top public health advisor said, local health authorities should feel safe terminating mask regulations. According to him, such limits might become history this year.

Fauci Claims "Full Blown" Pandemic Could Be Ending Soon

The continuous drop in everyday infections in the United States has prompted some of that confidence. According to a review of data from Johns Hopkins University, the United States is reporting less than 200,000 COVID-19 cases each day for the first time since Christmas. The current Omicron surge's case numbers are currently less than a fourth of what they were at their peak.

The process of approving Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccination for the youngest infants was put on hold Friday by BioNTech and Pfizer. In a press release, the firms stated that they wish to wait until data on a third vaccination dosage is ready, which is expected to be in early April.

They had earlier said that such information would be available in late March or early April and that they would seek permission at that time. The firms, however, presented their data and requested approval for the first two dosages, stating that they may add a third in the future if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanded it, as per USA Today.

After peaking at over 800,000 per day in mid-January, the number of daily COVID-19 infections in the United States is fast declining. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the number of individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 has decreased in recent weeks, even though hospitals are still packed in several parts of the nation.

The silver lining of the Omicron surge, according to scientists, is that those who survived will acquire antiviral antibodies. With a constant supply of vaccines - roughly 81 percent of eligible Americans have received at least one dose, and 43% of those who have been vaccinated have had a booster injection - Fauci believes the United States is finally in a position to deal with the virus reasonably.

Read Also: Dole Salad Listeria Outbreak: 1 Dead in Wisconsin, 17 People in 13 States Infected

There May be FourthDose of COVID-19 Vaccine in the US

While it is doubtful that COVID-19 will be eradicated, Fauci believes that increasing immunity and novel medications such as antiviral tablets and antibody medicine will make the virus less lethal in the future, according to The Denver Channel.

To combat COVID-19 variant Omicron, Fauci has also stated that a fourth dosage increase may be required in the United States. The COVID-19 vaccine booster shot might depend on the individual's age as well as their underlying diseases, according to Fauci, who spoke at a news conference. He also remarked, citing recent statistics, that the necessity for a shot after the third dosage is certainly a problem that has been extensively examined.

Fauci has also stated that a fourth dosage increase may be required in the United States to combat the Omicron variant. The COVID-19 vaccine booster shot might depend on the individual's age as well as their underlying diseases, Fauci said. He also remarked, citing recent statistics, that the necessity for a shot after the third dosage is certainly a problem that has been extensively examined, Republic World reported.

Related Article: US COVID-19 Cases Continue Massive Decline; Walmart Mask Mandate Ends

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American psychic-to-the-stars John Edward has predicted Kyle Sandilands and Tegan Kynaston will have twins.

Less than an hour after announcing his baby news on air on Monday, Kyle asked the famous medium what sex the baby will be.

'Do you think male or female?' asked Kyle, before John surprised him with his response.

Surprise! American psychic-to-the-stars John Edward has predicted Kyle Sandilands (left) and Tegan Kynaston (right) will have twins

John admitted he's 'usually wrong' with these kinds of predictions, but said the big news surprise isn't whether Kyle and Tegan are having a boy or girl.

'Truth be told when I actually felt it for you, I felt twins,' he said.

'Twins?' a flabbergasted Kyle replied.

Double trouble: 'Truth be told when I actually felt it for you, I felt twins,' said John (pictured)

Kyle then revealed he has twins on the mother's side of his family.

John went on to explain that he sees twins when someone is having a 'Gemini baby'.

'Gemini is a sign of twins for me, but it could be when people have pregnancies back to back,' he said.

Family man! John went on to explain that he sees twins when someone is having a 'Gemini baby'. Kyle is pictured here kissing a friend's baby

Kyle also reminded listeners how John had predicted during a previous appearance on The Kyle and Jackie O Show how he would become a father this year.

The shock jock had revealed earlier on Monday he was expecting his first child with fiancee Tegan.

The baby is due in August, and they have already decided on boy's and girl's names.

Big changes: The shock jock had revealed earlier on Monday he was expecting his first child with fiancee Tegan. Pictured here with Kyle's co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson (right)

'We're having a baby!' he declared as the entire KIIS FM studio cheered.

The couple learned Tegan was expecting last week.

Kyle said his manager, Bruno Bouchet, had to deflect questions from reporters after Tegan was seen sporting a slight bump in public on February 2.

Baby plans: Tegan, who is three months pregnant, said her fiance had been busy preparing for their child's arrival, even helping pick out cribs.

He then joked he plans to hire a 'dozen Fijian nannies' once the baby is born.

Tegan, who is three months pregnant, also revealed her fiance had been busy preparing for their child's arrival, even helping pick out cribs.

Kyle and Tegan, who got engaged in Queensland over the Christmas holidays, began trying for a baby last year.
She was the target of mass backlash last month following a series of headline-making scandals.

And it seems Jade Tuncdoruk Tuncdoruk, 26, has found solace in fellow influencer Bella Varelis, 25, after the pair were spotted enjoying lunch together in Sydney on Sunday.

Putting on a brave face for the outing, Jade was seen smiling as she posed across the table from Bella at an outdoor cafe.

A shoulder to cry on? Jade Tuncdoruk, 26, (left) caught up with fellow influencer Bella Varelis, 25 (right) on Sunday as they dined at a cafe in Sydney - weeks after Jade faced mass backlash over her racially insensitive Uber Eats rant and travel refund scandal

Jade showcased her expensive taste in a Celine crop top and designer sunglasses, while Bachelor star Bella looked stylish in a striped crop top and leggings.

Both women wore unbuttoned white shirts - a fashion staple among Instagram 'it girls'.

Also attending the luncheon was Bella's adorable dog, who was pictured sitting on Jade's lap at the table.

Woof! Also attending the luncheon was Bella's adorable dog, who was pictured sitting on Jade's lap at the table

'Love you': Bella and Jade have been leaving supportive messages on each other's Instagram pages in recent days

While Bella made her allegiance to Jade clear, other influencers have chosen to condemn the controversy-stricken star over her recent actions.

Last month, Byron Bay influencer Ruby Tuesday Matthews shared an Instagram Stories post which appeared to refer to Jade's scandals.

She wrote: 'Sitting at home on a Friday sipping tea, watching the complete s**tstorm an influencer has created (yet again) having a little [giggle emoji].

'It's called owning it': While Bella made her allegiance to Jade clear, other influencers have chosen to condemn the controversy-stricken star over her recent actions. Last month, Byron Bay influencer Ruby Tuesday Matthews (pictured) shared an Instagram Stories post which appeared to refer to Jade's scandals

'Trust me I've had my fair share of f**k ups. But it's called owning it. PS. Sometimes apologising/ making good helps'.

Fellow influencer and MAFS star Martha Kalifatidis was meanwhile among those who 'liked' an Instagram post from the account Celeb Spellcheck, which documented Jade's demands for a refund from her honeymoon venue.

Martha and Jade were previously friendly, having shared a warm greeting when they attended a Charlotte Tilbury event together in November.

Liked: Fellow influencer and MAFS star Martha Kalifatidis was meanwhile among those who 'liked' an Instagram post from the account Celeb Spellcheck, which documented Jade's demands for a refund from her honeymoon venue

Jade sparked backlash last month after it emerged she'd demanded a small business refund her $2,000 honeymoon deposit after ignoring the terms and conditions.

Things went from bad to worse when Jade was forced to apologise for a racially insensitive Uber Eats Facebook post from 2017 which went viral.

Jade subsequently issued a grovelling apology to fans last month, writing on Instagram: 'Hey everyone. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way I've conducted myself recently.'

'I'm aware that my actions were poorly thought out and lack integrity. I want everyone to know that I hold myself to a higher standard than this. I've made it my priority to reevaluate the aspects of my life that have lead to the disconnect between my soul and my actions,' she continued.

Scandals: Jade sparked backlash last month after it emerged she'd demanded a small business refund her $2,000 honeymoon deposit after ignoring the terms and conditions. Things went from bad to worse when Jade was forced to apologise for a racially insensitive Uber Eats Facebook post from 2017 which went viral

Sorry: Jade subsequently issued a grovelling apology to fans last month, writing on Instagram: 'Hey everyone. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way I've conducted myself recently.

'The situation is under review': Her apology came amid fears Jade could be dropped by her management

To conclude, Jade wrote: 'I am sorry to anyone I've let down, including myself.'

Her post came amid fears Jade could be dropped by her management.

According to The Daily Telegraph's Confidential last month, when approached for comment regarding a week of bad press, talent agency MAXCONNECTORS said they are 'unable to comment as the situation is under review'.

Under review: According to The Daily Telegraph's Confidential, when approached for comment regarding a week of bad press, talent agency MAXCONNECTORS said they are 'unable to comment as the situation is under review'

Going under the radar: Amid the backlash, Jade - who boasts 484,000 followers on Instagram - went private on the social media app

Jade is currently still featured on the website for MAXCONNECTORS.

The brunette copped huge backlash in early January when a Facebook post showing her complaining to Uber Eats about their 'annoying non-English speaking delivery drivers' resurfaced.

The influencer apologised for her 'hurtful comments' after her Facebook post was uploaded by the Celeb Spellcheck Instagram page.

Apology: Late last month, Jade apologised for her racially insensitive Facebook post from back in 2017 where she complained to Uber Eats about their 'annoying non-English speaking delivery drivers'

Post: In the resurfaced post, Jade' wrote: 'I order off you guys all the time and I'm starting to find it really annoying that you have so many non English speaking delivery people who can't follow basic delivery instructions'

Cash clash: The influencer and model was also slammed for 'demanding' that a small business give her a refund for a deposit on her honeymoon - after she ignored the company's terms and conditions

The resurfaced post read: 'I order off you guys all the time and I'm starting to find it really annoying that you have so many non English speaking delivery people who can't follow basic delivery instructions.

'I got a notification today saying my food was arriving and it took the person a further 20 mins to get to my door because he didn't read my delivery instructions properly and when I called him to explain he didn't understand a word I was saying.'

She continued: 'Your GPS is consistently sending drivers to the wrong address which I've explained in my instructions which most people read and have no problem with but when foreigners are delivering it takes twice as long for me to receive my then cold food. Sort it out.'

'Incredibly poor form': She said she'd booked her stay with premium holiday rental company Weekenda last year, putting down a $2,000 deposit. After cancelling the booking due to Covid, she demanded that the company refund her deposit. Weekenda denied their request

In her apology, she wrote: 'I'm sorry to anyone I've hurt with my comments. I hold myself accountable for my actions.

'It doesn't excuse anything but know that I have grown immensely in the past several years. I always do my best to be someone others can look up to and I know I've let people down and for that I'm truly sorry.'

She was also slammed for 'demanding' that a small business give her a refund for a deposit on her honeymoon - after she ignored the company's terms and conditions.

She raised eyebrows by whingeing to her online fans about the financial woes of cancelling her lavish Hunter Valley honeymoon with fiance Lachie due to Covid.

Cash clash: The Instagram model was also slammed for 'demanding' that a small business give her a refund for a deposit on her honeymoon - after she ignored the company's terms and conditions

In her now-deleted post, Jade, who is frequently gifted with luxury designer handbags and clothing, explained that she'd booked her stay with premium holiday rental company Weekenda last year, putting down a $2,000 deposit.

She however decided to cancel her booking with the company Weekenda in August, after postponing her wedding due to Covid.

Jade demanded that the company refund her deposit - even though Weekenda's terms and conditions clearly states that customers aren't entitled to a refund of their deposit if they cancel.

'Incredibly poor form': She said she'd booked her stay with premium holiday rental company Weekenda last year, putting down a $2,000 deposit. After cancelling the booking due to Covid, she demanded that the company refund her deposit. Weekenda denied their request

'We requested a refund due to the pandemic, but they said the best they could do was put it back up on line to be booked by someone else,' Jade explained.

'Six weeks out of [sic] the booking and we've asked again for a refund which they've denied. They've had months to refund us for a booking that we don't need. They're taking our money just because they can,' she raged.

She added: 'It's just incredibly poor form and so disappointing that businesses are taking advantage of people in the middle of a pandemic.'

In black and white: Weekenda's terms and conditions (pictured) clearly states that customers aren't entitled to a refund of their deposit if they cancel

Jade included a link to Weekenda's Instagram page, and it didn't take long for her supporters to lash out at the company.

She later claimed she was surprised that her followers had begun contacting the company directly and demanding they refund her money.

'Not y'all following them,' she wrote, rolling her eyes.

Not long after, Jade shared another post announcing that Weekenda had agreed to refund her deposit.
Lorraine Kelly has revealed she went up 'two dress sizes' in lockdown and 'no longer feels like herself'.

Speaking in a new interview, the veteran TV host, 62, admitted she can 'no longer fit into her clothes' after feasting on 'platters of chocolate every night at 8pm'.

Speaking about her new partnership with WW, Lorraine told The Mirror: 'It went from a tiny square [of chocolate] to a whole bar.'

Weight gain: Lorraine Kelly has revealed she went up 'two dress sizes' in lockdown and 'no longer feels like herself' (pictured left in 2022 and right in 2016)

Explaining how her weight gain has affected her confidence, Lorraine candidly shared: 'At the moment, even if I was invited to a red carpet event, I just wouldn't have the confidence to go.'

She joked: 'Not even if George Clooney was waiting for me naked with a rose between his teeth.'

Noting that her weight gain was slow, Lorraine - who enjoyed nightly sweet treats with her husband of 29 years, Steve - said: 'Slowly the weight piles on - it's not overnight.

'I noticed because I was going to work and I couldn't fit into my clothes.'

Candid: The veteran TV host, 62, admitted she can 'no longer fit into her clothes' after feasting on platters of chocolate every night at 8pm'

However, Lorraine insisted: 'There is nothing wrong with being a size 14, but my body is supposed to be a 10.'

It comes after Lorraine was brought to tears when her best friend of 50 years made a surprise appearance on her show this month.

Dr Amir left the host speechless when he introduced Joyce via videolink before revealing she was actually in the studio.

Opening up: Explaining how her weight gain has affected her confidence, Lorraine (pictured last month) shared: 'If I was invited to a red carpet event, I wouldn't have the confidence to go'

Gushing about her friend of five decades, Joyce said she 'couldn't imagine her life without Lorraine' before sharing sweet anecdotes about the veteran presenter.

Appearing initially in a pre-recorded video, Joyce offered an insight into what Lorraine was like during her school says, revealing: 'She was funny, she was witty, she was cheeky and she was a little bit of a rebel, because whatever was happening in school, Lorraine would like to go her own path.'

Joyce continued: 'We loved David Cassidy and The Osmonds and she was really into David Bowie.

'I think we've got a really strong connection. We just refused to let the friendship melt away.'

Important point: Lorraine insisted: 'There is nothing wrong with being a size 14, but my body is supposed to be a 10' (pictured left in 2021 and right in 2016)

Comparing Lorraine to a sister, Joyce noted: 'Maybe a little bit of it is about she doesn't have a sister, I don't have a sister, maybe there's that sort of sisterly connection - the good bits of being sisters.'

Joyce also opened up about the fact that Lorraine has been by her side through some of her life's biggest moments.

'With the death of my father she was there and she was on the first plane to Scotland, because she knew I needed her and there she was,' she revealed.

Surprise! It comes after Lorraine was brought to tears when her best friend of 50 years made a surprise appearance on her show this month

'I often think about when Rosie was born, I ran into my boss's office and said, ''I've got to go, I have to see this new baby!'''

Joyce went on: 'When I got married, Lorraine was there, and we joke about the fact we were a tiny bit late for the ceremony.

'[It wasn't] because of me, but because she couldn't stop crying - she kept having to get her makeup fixed.'

Joyce concluded: 'I can't imagine my life without her in it. I can't imagine my life with all of them in it - Steve and Rosie too because they've just been incredible friends to me.

Pals: Of her and Joyce's friendship, Lorraine shared: 'We're quite well behaved individually, but when we're together we just go mad. We inspire each other to be naughty'

'If I needed help for whatever reason, Lorraine would be there in a heartbeat. I love her to bits. It's as simple as that. Fifty years on, there's no way that we'll not be friends forever - it's just how it's going to be.'

Lorraine presenter Dr Amir secretly invited Joyce onto the show to kick off Lorraine's Month Of Love, a celebration of love during the year's most romantic month.

'I can't believe you kept this from me!' Lorraine told Dr Amir.

Of her and Joyce's friendship, Lorraine shared: 'We're quite well behaved individually, but when we're together we just go mad. We inspire each other to be naughty.'
Renee Zellweger was seen in the Super Bowl trailer for the upcoming crime drama series The Thing About Pam, which was released on Sunday.

In the clip, the 52-year-old actress was seen slowly being uncovered by various newspaper clippings while asserting her innocence in the case of a murder.

The forthcoming show is based in the 2011 Betsy Faria case and is currently scheduled to be released on both NBC and the Peacock streaming service next month.

Showing up: Renee Zellweger was seen in the Super Bowl trailer for the upcoming crime drama series The Thing About Pam, which was released on Sunday

The trailer began with Zellweger, portraying Pam Hupp, covered up in newspaper articles, and she was heard stating in a voiceover: 'People think they know me. They don't.'

As various clippings began to uncover the character, she went on to remark: 'It hurts me what they're saying, "Pam's this and that, blah blah blah."'

After articles reading 'victim's friend' and 'shot to death' fall away from her mouth and head, she asserted that she was a good person, as well as a good friend.

The trailer ends with a fully uncovered Zellweger stating that she is 'just Pam,' and she takes a sip from a large cup of soda.

Using her voice: The trailer began with Zellweger, portraying Pam Hupp, covered up in newspaper articles, and she was heard stating in a voiceover: 'People think they know me. They don't'

Opening up: As various clippings began to uncover the character, she went on to remark: 'It hurts me what they're saying, "Pam's this and that, blah blah blah"'

Big reveal: The trailer ends with a fully uncovered Zellweger stating that she is 'just Pam,' and she takes a sip from a large cup of soda

The actress' boyfriend, Ant Anstead, previously joined the promotional push for The Thing About Pam.

On Thursday, the For The Love Of Cars presenter posted the trailer for the upcoming true-crime series on Instagram, and showed off his sense of humor in the process.

'Beaming with pride (and now sleeping with one eye open!) Ren's latest role!' the reality star jokingly captioned the clip, in a reference to his ladylove playing a convicted murderer.

Proud: Ant Anstead revealed he was 'beaming with pride' over his girlfriend, Renee Zellweger's new role in the upcoming limited series The Thing About Pam

Based on the true story, Zellweger portrays Pamela Hupp, the infamous Missouri woman who is currently serving a life sentence in prison for the deadly shooting of a mentally and physically disabled man, Louis Gumpenberger, in 2016.

Prosecutors also allege the murder was engineered by Hupp in an attempt to frame the husband of her best friend, Betsy Faria, for Faria's 2011 stabbing murder, for which Hupp was charged in July 2021.

Zellweger, 52, is making her network television debut with the role, while also serving as one of the executive producers for the project, via her banner Big Picture Co., according to People .

Jenny Klein, who's best known for her work on Supernatural, (2008-2016), Jessica Jones (2015), The Witcher (2019) serves as showrunner for the series.

Sharing: On Thursday, the For The Love Of Cars presenter posted the trailer for the upcoming true-crime series on Instagram, and showed off his sense of humor in the process

Jokes: 'Beaming with pride (and now sleeping with one eye open!) Ren's latest role!' the reality star jokingly captioned the clip, in a reference to his ladylove playing a convicted murderer Pamela Hupp (pictured left)

Along with Zellweger, The Thing About Pam also stars Josh Duhamel, Judy Greer, Laty Mixon, Gideon Adlon, Sean Bridgers, Glenn Fleshler, Suanne Spoke and Mac Brandt.

The 6-episode series not only shows off the two-time Oscar-winner's range as a actress, it also showcases the incredible talents it took to get her to look more like the real Hupp,

For her transformation Zellweger donned facial prosthetics, including a fake nose and a fat suit that drew criticism from some people on the internet.

The shoot took place in New Orleans over several months last year, which meant she had to be away from Anstead, who lives in Laguna Beach, where he co-parents his two-year-old son Hudson with ex-wife, and HGTV star Christina Haack.

Based on the true story: Zellweger portrays Pamela Hupp, the infamous Missouri woman who is currently serving a life sentence in prison for the deadly shooting of a mentally and physically disabled man, Louis Gumpenberger, in 2016

Convicted murderer: Prosecutors also allege the murder of Louis Gumpenberger was engineered by Hupp in an attempt to frame the husband of her best friend, Betsy Faria, for Faria's 2011 stabbing murder, for which Hupp was charged in July 2021

Transformation: For her transformation Zellweger donned facial prosthetics, including a fake nose and a fat suit that drew criticism from some people on the internet

The cast: The Thing About Pam also stars Josh Duhamel, Judy Greer, Laty Mixon, Gideon Adlon, Sean Bridgers, Glenn Fleshler, Suanne Spoke and Mac Brandt

Double duty: Zellweger, 52, is making her network television debut with the role, while also serving as one of the executive producers for the project, via her banner Big Picture Co.

To help ease their time apart, Anstead flew out to Louisiana to see Zellweger several times during the shoot, which he documented on Instagram by posting a photo of the new couple sharing a passionate kiss in October.

'WOW there is something very special about New Orleans!' he gushed in the caption.

'The late night wandering, the mind blowing history this nerd loves, the architecture, the blend of cultures, the food, the people, the smells and noises! All made made better by magical company to share it with,' he added, along with a red heart emoji.

Plenty of storytelling: The upcoming NBC limited series consists of 6 episodes

Missing you: The shoot took place in New Orleans over several months last year, which meant Zellweger had to be away from Anstead, who lives in Laguna Beach, where he co-parents his two-year-old son Hudson with ex-wife, and HGTV star Christina Haack

Trips to set: To help ease the new couple's time apart, Anstead flew out to Louisiana to see Zellweger several times during the shoot

Anstead brought Hudson along with him when he made the trip to the Big Easy so they could spend Thanksgiving together.

The Wheeler Dealers star only started dating the Jerry Maguire star in June, which was just four months before his October 19 post.

Zellweger and Anstead met on the set of his Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU: Joyride in June 2021.

The Thing About Pam premieres on Tuesday, March 8th, on NBC at 10/9c.
Marvel Studios dropped an official trailer for the Doctor Strange sequel - Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness - on Super Bowl Sunday.

There's plenty of high-octane action and supernatural theatrics as Dr. Stephen Strange, who's played by Benedict Cumberbatch, joins other familiar castmembers Benedict Wong (Wong), Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo), who all reprise their roles.

This go-around the newcomers include Xochitl Gomez (America Chavez), Michael Stuhlbarg (Dr. Nicodemus West), and Elizabeth Olsen (who reprises her role as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch from other MCU productions).

There's also no shortage of rumors and speculation about potential cameos from the likes of Tom Cruise and John Krasinski, But it appears one of those rumors is in fact true: Patrick Stewart's original Professor X can be heard delivering a line in the new trailer, according to Unilad.

Super Sunday promo push: Marvel Studios dropped an official trailer for the Doctor Strange sequel - Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness - on Super Bowl Sunday

Ominous and eerie orchestral music comes in straight off the top of the teaser as the camera zeroes in on Dr. Strange's intense eyes.

'Every night I dream the same dream,' Dr. Strange narrates, 'and then... the nightmare begins.'

From there, the intensity builds up in increments, with the use of the intensified music, sound effects and visuals.

Intense: Ominous and eerie orchestral music comes in overtop the intense eyes of Dr. Strange, who again played by Benedict Cumberbatch

'Every night I dream the same dream,' Dr. Strange narrates

Open sesame: A door opens to a long staircase during a a break in the narration

The break in Dr. Strange's narration is filled with frightening monstrosities

Dreams and nightmares: Eventually frenzied intensity comes to an abrupt, and Dr. Strange finishes his narration to: 'Every night I dream the same dream,' adding 'And then... the nightmare begins,; to a shot of him waking in bed

'I did what I had to do... to protect our world,' Strange continues seemingly to Wong.

'You can not control everything, Strange,' Wong responds, adding, 'You opened a doorway between universes and we don't know who or what will walk through it.'

Dr. Strange con then be seen confiding in Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch (Eliziabeth Olsen) about what she knows about the Multiverse.

Confessional: 'I did what I had to do... to protect our world,' Strange continues

The build: There's fiery visuals surrounding Strange as he pounds the ground

Calm before the storm: The teaser depicts a quiet calm amid the city during Dr. Strange's depiction to the lengths he had to go through 'to protect our world'

'Words of wisdom: You can not control everything, Strange,' Wong says to the doctor during the brief calm

The Mystery: Wong continues: 'You opened a doorway between universes and we don't know who or what will walk through it'

After more intense travels in the pursuit of the truth, Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) declares: 'Your desecration of reality will not go unpunished,' which is followed by images of Dr. Strange in futuristic handcuffs.

It's at this point that the cuffed doctor is confronted by what appears to be Patrick Stewart's Professor X. Although the teaser only shows a view of the side of his head, his voice is unmistakable when he declares: 'We should tell him the truth.'

The trailer promises to 'enter a new dimension of Strange', to which the doctor admits: 'Things just got out of hand.'

All the various characters are then seen in some form of high-flying battle and fiery backdrops, as a means bring the trailer to its conclusion.

Familiar: Benedict Wong (Wong) is among the cast to reprise their roles

Returnees: Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer) is among the cast to return for this next adventure into 'The Multiverse Of Madness', along with Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo)

Newcomer with familiar face: Elizabeth Olsen reprises her role as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch from other MCU productions

The search: Dr. Strange appears to confide in Wanda about what she knows about the Multiverse

During a face to face meeting, as chaos continues all around them, Scarlet Witch theorizes: 'You break the rules... and become a hero. I do it and become the enemy.'

In a quick break in the pace of the teaser she adds, 'That doesn't seem fair.'

All the action and intensity comes to a crescendo as the camera shot pushes straight into one of the Scarlet Witch's eye, and ends with Wong seemingly hanging on for his life on a high-rise.

Stewart cameo: 'Your desecration of reality will not go unpunished,' Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) tells Dr. Strange before he's seemingly confronted by Patrick Stewart's Professor X: 'We should tell him the truth,' Stewart's apparent character says, with only a side shot of his head in view

New dimension: The trailer promises to 'enter a new dimension of Strange', to which Strange admits: 'Things just got out of hand'

All the various characters are seen in some form of high-flying battle and fiery backdrops

During a face to face meeting, as chaos continues all around them, Scarlet Witch theorizes: 'You break the rules... and become a hero. I do it and become the enemy'

Hero or enemy: In a quick break in the pace of the teaser she adds, 'That doesn't seem fair.

The superhero film, written by Michael Waldron and based on Marvel Comics characters, is intended to be a sequel to Doctor Strange (2016), and the 28th movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Sam Raimi, 62, brings a wealth of experience as he takes over as the director. He's best known for creating the Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007) and the Evil Dead franchise (1981-present), and has directed such films as Darkman (1990), the neo-noir crime-thriller A Simple Plan (1998) and supernatural thriller The Gift (2000), among others.

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is slated to hit theaters in the U.S. on May 6, as part of Phase Four of the MCU.

After an intense camera shot into he Scarlet Witch's eye, all the action and intensity comes to a crescendo with Wong seemingly hanging on for his life on a high-rise.

The superhero film, written by Michael Waldron and based on Marvel Comics characters, is intended to be a sequel to Doctor Strange (2016), and the 28th movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

At the helm: Veteran filmmaker Sam Raimi, 62, bring a wealth of experience as he takes over as the director; he's best known for creating the Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007) and the Evil Dead franchise (1981-present), and has directed such films as Darkman (1990), the neo-noir crime-thriller A Simple Plan (1998) and supernatural thriller The Gift (2000), among others
He's a high-profile TV actor and she's an in-demand bikini model.

But these impressive social credentials didn't help Sydney 'It couple' Harley Bonner and Natalie Roser get into a trendy Mexican restaurant in Double Bay on Saturday.

The genetically blessed pair tried to gain entry to Sinaloa on Bay Street, but were turned away by a security guard at the entrance.

Denied! Their ritzy social credentials didn't help Sydney 'It couple' Harley Bonner (centre) and Natalie Roser (right) get into a fancy restaurant in Double Bay on Saturday

Harley, 30, and Natalie, 31, were allegedly denied entry because they hadn't made a booking, a passerby told Daily Mail Australia.

The engaged couple spoke at length with a staff member before giving up.

Former Home and Away and Neighbours star Harley looked dejected as he walked away from the venue.

He was closely followed by his fiancee and a male friend.

Rough day: The engaged couple tried to gain entry to Mexican restaurant Sinaloa, but were turned away by a security guard at the entrance

Reasons: Harley, 30, and Natalie, 31, were allegedly denied entry because they hadn't made a booking, a passerby told Daily Mail Australia

Natalie was dressed to the nines for her failed attempt to dine at the Mexican eatery.

The Miss Universe Australia finalist wore a blue mini dress that drew attention to her long, lean legs.

She slipped on a gray blazer to keep herself covered up on the drizzly Sydney day.

Pleading: The pair engaged in a lengthy discussion with a staff member before giving up

Legs for days: The Miss Universe Australia finalist wore a blue mini dress that drew attention to her long, lean legs

Natalie added several inches to her frame with a pair of white heels, and styled her wavy blonde hair loosely.

Harley, meanwhile, looked sharp in a vintage-style T-shirt worn beneath a light-coloured denim jacket.

He tucked a pair of khaki trousers into heavy black boots.

Covered up: She slipped on a gray blazer to keep herself covered up on the drizzly Sydney day

Well-heeled: Natalie added several inches to her frame with a pair of white heels, and styled her wavy blonde hair loosely

The glamour couple announced their engagement in November.

At the time, they shared a time-lapse video on Instagram of the moment Harley popped the question during a romantic picnic.

Harley surprised his girlfriend with an engagement ring, before getting down on bended knee.

Dressed for denial: Harley, meanwhile, looked sharp in a vintage-style T-shirt worn beneath a light-coloured denim jacket

Read to wed: Harley and Natalie (pictured at her hens party on Sunday) announced their engagement in November

Natalie was overwhelmed by the gesture and wasted no time saying yes.

'HB and NR,' the pair captioned the announcement.

The couple celebrated their five-year anniversary of dating earlier this month, and Natalie threw a hens party with her friends on Sunday.
The Bachelor's Dr Matt Agnew has been spotted enjoying Valentine's Day breakfast with a stunning brunette woman in Sydney on Monday.

The unlucky-in-love astrophysicist, 34, appeared chipper as he shared a meal with the woman at Indigo cafe in Double Bay.

Sitting opposite each other at an outdoor table, the pair looked to be having a ball as they laughed and joked together.

Breakfast for two: The Bachelor's Dr Matt Agnew, 34, enjoyed Valentine's Day breakfast with a stunning brunette woman (left) in Sydney on Monday

Matt dressed casually for the sun-drenched outing, sporting a white T-shirt and denim cut-off shorts.

The long-haired reality star tied his locks in a bun and completed his look with white sneakers and a pair of sunglasses.

Meanwhile his pal dressed to impress in a white bandeau crop top that showcased her torso, and a pair of white-and-green striped trousers.

All smiles: The unlucky-in-love astrophysicist appeared chipper as he shared a meal with the woman at Indigo cafe in Double Bay

Laid back: Matt dressed casually for the sun-drenched outing, sporting a white T-shirt and denim cut-off shorts

Long hair, don't care! The reality star tied his hair in a bun and completed his look with white sneakers and a pair of sunglasses

Stylish: Meanwhile his pal dressed to impress in a white bandeau crop top that showcased her torso, and a pair of white-and-green striped trousers

She topped off her look with cat-eye sunglasses, black stiletto heels and a black handbag.

When contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment on the nature of their relationship, Matt's manager confirmed that the brunette isn't a love interest.

'She's not a girlfriend, just a friend. Dr Matt is single,' they confirmed.

Cool cat: She topped off her look with cat-eye sunglasses, black stiletto heels and a black handbag

Just friends! When contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment on the nature of their relationship, Matt's manager confirmed that the brunette isn't a love interest

Still on the market! 'She's not a girlfriend, just a friend. Dr Matt is single,' his spokesperson confirmed

Matt's Valentine's Day breakfast comes one month after he denied rumours of a romance with comedian Gen Fricker.

The pair had sparked relationship rumours in December after attending multiple red carpet events together, however in January Matt finally set the record straight during an Instagram Story Q&A with fans.

'Are you single?' one fan asked the reality TV star during the Q&A, to which Matt responded: 'Single Pringle', alongside an image of a Pringle chip with a smiley face.

Fake news! Matt's Valentine's Day breakfast comes one month after he denied rumours of a romance with comedian Gen Fricker

Not love: The pair had sparked relationship rumours in December after attending multiple red carpet events together, however in January Matt finally set the record straight during an Instagram Story Q&A with fans

In November, rumours were rife that Matt was dating his Bachelor runner-up Abbie Chatfield again.

However, these rumours were never substantiated, and Abbie is now dating former Bachelorette contestant Konrad Bien-Stephens.

Matt rose to fame on The Bachelor Australia in 2019 and chose Chelsie McLeod as his winner.

However, the pair split after just two months together.

Single: 'Are you single?' one fan asked the reality TV star during the Q&A, to which Matt responded: 'Single Pringle', alongside an image of a Pringle chip with a smiley face

Unproven: In November, rumours were rife that Matt was dating his Bachelor runner-up Abbie Chatfield again. However, these rumours were never substantiated, and Abbie is now dating former Bachelorette contestant Konrad Bien-Stephens
She is enjoying public profile after debuting her relationship with the AFL star Jimmy Bartel.

And Amelia Shepperd looked every inch the glamorous WAG as she enjoyed a girls night out at Sinaloa in Sydney's ritzy Double Bay over the weekend.

The leggy bombshell turned heads in a thigh-grazing canary yellow mini dress which featured ruffles on the shoulders.

Legs for days! Jimmy Bartel's new girlfriend Amelia Shepperd l turned heads in a thigh-grazing canary yellow mini dress as she enjoyed a girls night out at Sinaloa in Sydney's ritzy Double Bay over the weekend

She accessorised with nude-hued strappy sandals and a light pink crossbody handbag.

The star finished her look with a matte makeup palette and wore her brunette tresses up in a stylish bun for the night out.

Amelia was in good spirits as she chatted with her friends outside the pricey restaurant in the city's eastern suburbs.

Fun times: Amelia was in good spirits as she chatted with her friends outside the pricey restaurant in the city's eastern suburbs

Accessories: She accessorised with nude-hued strappy sandals and a light pink crossbody handbag

New love: Jimmy debuted his relationship with Amelia in December, also confirming his split from former girlfriend Lauren Mand

Fun trip: The statuesque beauty is based in Melbourne and works at trendy clothing store CASA in Prahran

The statuesque beauty is based in Melbourne and works at trendy clothing store CASA in Prahran.

Jimmy and Amelia appear to be getting more serious about each other each day, with the footy star recently sharing a sweet tribute from Amelia on Instagram.

Amelia shared a cute photo of herself nestled into Jimmy.

'When you realise home is no longer a place, but a person,' she captioned the photo.

Jimmy debuted his relationship with Amelia in December, also confirming his split from former girlfriend Lauren Mand.

In a post on Instagram at the time, the Geelong great shared a photo of himself kissing Amelia in front of the Sydney Harbour skyline.

'Happy,' he simply captioned the post, adding a red love heart emoji.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Amelia worked as the executive assistant to the managing director and chief operations officer of Queensland Rugby League from July 2019 to March 2021.

She recently returned to her home city of Melbourne after spending several years in Brisbane for her job.

Closer each day: Jimmy and Amelia appear to be getting more serious about each other each day, with the footy star recently sharing a sweet tribute from Amelia on Instagram

According to a well-placed source, Amelia met Jimmy after they began following each other on Instagram.

They have reportedly been together ever since he split from Lauren, 32, whom he began dating after his separation from ex-wife Nadia Bartel in 2019.

Jimmy shares two children with Nadia: Aston, six, and Henley, three.
Kyle Sandilands has opened up about the terrifying moment he and fiancee Tegan Kynaston feared they had lost their unborn baby.

The radio host revealed on KIIS FM's radio show on Monday the couple thought they had lost their baby while in Cairns.

'This may be a bit personal, but at one stage we thought maybe it had been lost and then we went to the ultrasound in Cairns and the woman there put all of the jelly on her and we didn't tell her we were worried,' Kyle, 50, explained.

Candid: Radio host Kyle Sandilands has revealed the terrifying moment he and fiancee Tegan Kynaston feared they had lost their unborn baby

'And then she goes, "now there is the heartbeat" and I just yelled out "it is alive".'

Kyle said: 'When you first start having one, you don't know all of the changes and all of the weird feelings.'

Kyle and Tegan announced they are set to welcome their first child together live on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday.

The couple don't yet know the sex of the baby, which is due is August, but have already decided on boy's and girl's names.

'This may be a bit personal but at one stage we thought maybe it had been lost and then we went to the ultrasound in Cairns and the woman there put all of the jelly on her and we didn't tell her we were worried,' he explained

'We're having a baby!' Sandilands declared as the entire KIIS FM studio cheered.

He said he's hoping for 'either a girl or a little gay son', before praising his partner's 'beautiful, big, meaty t***ies' since becoming pregnant.

His co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson said she was 'so happy' for the pair and told them their lives were about to change forever.

The couple learned Kynaston, 36, was expecting last week.

Sandilands said his manager, Bruno Bouchet, had to deflect questions from reporters after Kynaston was seen sporting a slight bump in public on February 2.

He then joked he plans to hire a 'dozen Fijian nannies' once the baby is born.

Growing family: Kyle and Tegan announced they are expecting to welcome their first child together live on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday

Kynaston, who is three months pregnant, also revealed her fiance had been busy preparing for their child's arrival, even helping pick out cribs.

Sandilands and Kynaston, who got engaged in Queensland over the Christmas holidays, began trying for a baby last year.

The former Australian Idol judge confirmed in December he had been given the 'all-clear' after undergoing fertility testing.

He told Daily Mail Australia: 'I was really nervous [about the fertility test] until it came back saying, "Yep, it's all great, everything's fine."

'[Tegan] is all good, obviously. She's a young and healthy woman. So it's good to know that everything's fine in that area so it won't interfere with any future plans.'
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly were spotted heading to dinner at Grill Royal in Berlin on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old performer and the 31-year-old rapper appeared to be enjoying their time with their friends after attending the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.

The happy couple's outing comes just after the premiere of the semi-autobiographical feature Taurus, which is partially based on the hitmaker's life and past experiences.

Night on the town: Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly were spotted heading to dinner at Grill Royal in Berlin on Saturday night

Fox was dressed in a gray-to-black leather jacket worn on top of a light brown tube top during the outing.

The Transformers actress also rocked a light blue pair of jeans and an eye-catching set of white heeled shoes while she stepped out with her fiance.

The actress kept a chic black velour bag with her for the duration of her night on the town.

Her voluminous brunette hair remained free-flowing and cascaded onto her backside and shoulders.

Dressed to the nines: Fox was dressed in a gray-to-black leather jacket worn on top of a light brown tube top during the outing

Looking good! The Transformers actress also rocked a light blue pair of jeans and an eye-catching set of white heeled shoes while she stepped out with her fiance

Extra storage: The actress kept a chic black velour bag with her for the duration of her night on the town

Machine Gun Kelly opted for a stylish black single-breasted jacket with a red sequin lapels, as well as a collared shirt while he spent time at the restaurant.

The rapper, born Colson Baker, also donned a slim-fitting pair of pants that matched his outerwear.

The hitmaker rocked a set of heeled Chelsea-style boots and numerous articles of jewelry during the evening.

Making an impression: Machine Gun Kelly opted for a stylish black single-breasted jacket with a red sequin lapels, as well as a collared shirt while he spent time at the restaurant

Keeping it consistent: The rapper, born Colson Baker, also donned a slim-fitting pair of pants that matched his outerwear

Stepping in style: The hitmaker rocked a set of heeled Chelsea-style boots and numerous articles of jewelry during the evening

His platinum blonde hair contrasted perfectly with the dark tones of his outfit.

Taurus was first reported to have been in development in July of last year, when Deadline revealed that Machine Gun Kelly would be starring in a project entitled Good News.

The feature is centered on a performer named Cole, whose turbulent life mirrors the trajectories of rappers such as Lil Peep and Pop Smoke.

The character attempts to navigate his last days while looking for the inspiration to record one final song.

Getting to work: Taurus was first reported to have been in development in July of last year, when Deadline revealed that Machine Gun Kelly would be starring in a project entitled Good News

Taking inspiration: The feature is centered on a performer named Cole, whose turbulent life mirrors the trajectories of rappers such as Lil Peep and Pop Smoke

Storyline: The character attempts to navigate his last days while looking for the inspiration to record one final song

Deadline later revealed that several performers, including Ruby Rose and Scoot McNairy, had joined the project's cast.

Fox notably portrayed Cole's ex, who pushed Cole further and further towards a professional and personal edge.

Taurus went on to premiere during the Panorama section of the Berlin Film Festival, and it has since received mixed reviews from critics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin does not intend to invade Ukraine due to diplomacy, and it won't suit the Kremlin's long-term plans.

The expert is a prominent intelligence analyst and political risk assessor who said the situation is due to changes in the global status quo.US president Joe Biden has warned of an imminent invasion that Moscow has categorically dismissed.

Russian Invasion of Ukraine Unlikely To Happen Soon

Choosing to remain unidentified, the expert said that hints by American intelligence that Ukraine will be invaded had heightened tensions further.

Putin said it was untrue the US claims of Ukrainian invasion, Kiev has also dialed down its reaction to the massed forces on its border, reported The Express UK.

One of the reasons is why an invasion could be counterproductive is that conflict would risk everyone's wellbeing. Despite the simplistic explanation of Washington, Moscow will not run the gamut of risks to them and other countries in eastern Europe.

It would be a significant disadvantage to the complex plan of the Kremlin leader, and the US president cannot fathom how complex plans are. Another point made is that stepping down tensions will follow; if all parties get what they want.

Despite what the White House says, the bloc members and Moscow have been a frenzy of diplomacy. Officials from foreign ministers and defense officials are trying to resolve this.

These contrasts to the US envoy whose concern is to step up the hysteria an invasion will follow. It seems the US wants to ramp up the tension to war.

Putin, Other Leaders Must Consider Diplomacy

Warmongering fear pushed by US president Joe Biden has been counterweighted by talks that are staving off conflict. It lessens the anxiety that war is less imminent, Vladimir Putin is still listening.

Read Also: Russia Probes EU's Reaction in the Ongoing Migrant Crisis at the Poland-Belarus Border

Diplomacy has worked with former President Donald Trump, and he called North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un a rocket man. But the ice was broken and was shaking hands at the DMZ, cited BBC.

Furthermore, another scenario may follow with Mr. Putin, and the Ukrainian president might be posing together soon. Except for the US, block members don't want a fight against Russia.

Several western countries think that shooting war is coming soon, and they advise that evacuation of affected nationals should start. The announcement made everyone tense.

One indication of these activities is that these world affairs are the start of a new global trend that will affect the position of major countries like the US.

There will be changes in a new global order that will impact the future.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union led to the rise of America after the Cold War, leading the US to become a significant power.

This coming change threatens that US global power may not last long, noted Al Jazeera.

Putin's actions wake up that America as the top dog may not last forever; Moscow dominates natural gas and is immune to sanctions.

A power set up will be either two to several power blocs; they are China and India, other powers that will counter-check each other.

World order would be less if many powers arise, fear of conflict will lessen violence. Even Russia can help the west, and NATO will become insignificant.

Vladimir Putin and his actions are pushing the new world order destined to change the global power, but the US does not want to become irrelevant.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin Shook Up Britons When Russian Warships Transit the Irish Coast Where Vulnerable Submarine Cables Are Located

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Nikki Osborne has been outspoken when it comes to her view on Covid-19.

And on Monday, the comedian lashed out at 'political correctness' and says she is being 'bullied' for her views.

'Yes I'm posting a lot about bullying lately,' the 40-year-old began her Instagram Stories post.

Anger: Nikki Osborne (pictured) has been outspoken when it comes to her view on Covid-19. And on Monday, the comedian lashed out at 'political correctness' and says she is being 'bullied' for her views

'I have copped a lot of bullying lately disguised as political correctness. Just because you think you're right, doesn't excuse the abuse,' she went on.

'People forget that. But I'm a big girl so I'm fine but kids, kids don't know how to respond. Careful what righteous speech you arm your kids with.'

The day prior, Nikki shared footage of an anti-vaccination mandate protest in Canberra calling it the state's 'greatest tourism campaign yet'.

'I have copped a lot of bullying lately disguised as political correctness. Just because you think you're right, doesn't excuse the abuse,' she wrote

It comes after the I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! Australia contestant was slammed for comparing Covid vaccines to rape.

The post in question, which has since been deleted, depicts convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein alongside actress Lindsay Lohan, with the caption: 'The original no jab, no job'.

The meme makes reference to Covid-19 vaccine mandates, and compares them to Weinstein's 'casting couch' crimes.

Comparison: It comes after the I'm A Celebrity star was slammed for comparing Covid vaccines to rape. A meme she shared makes reference to vaccine mandates, and compares them to Harvey Weinstein's 'casting couch' crimes. Weinstein is pictured with Lindsay Lohan

The disgraced American film producer is serving a 23-year sentence after a jury found him guilty in March 2020 of rape and sexual assault.

One of her most vocal detractors was former Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield, who addressed Nikki when saying: 'Imagine a female in the industry to think it's funny to make fun of rape and sexual assault victims. Jokes about rape aren't funny.'

Nikki posted a reply to the outrage on her Instagram Stories, writing: 'Dear Mob, You've been misinformed. Your quarrel is not with me. I'm on your team. Warmest, Casting couch survivor'.

Late last year, she continued to peddle her anti-vaxx beliefs by advertising her new Too Far? stand-up show as a 'vaccine passport free' event.

Claims: Late last year, she continued to peddle her anti-vaxx beliefs by advertising her new Too Far? stand-up show as a 'vaccine passport free' event.

Posting to Instagram Stories, Nikki shared a promo image for the politically incorrect show ahead of its premiere at the Brisbane Powerhouse, as part of the 2021 Brisbane Comedy Festival.

'Opens tomorrow night,' she wrote next to the image, adding: 'And for those asking: there is no vaccine passport required for entry.'

However, a quick look at the Brisbane Comedy Festival's website indicated that vaccine check-ins were in fact required for entry.

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T-Mobile brought in country music legend Dolly Parton and pop music sensation Miley Cyrus for their new Super Bowl ads during the big game on Sunday.

The 76-year-old Parton teamed up with the 29-year-old Cyrus to help Verizon and AT&T customers to use the 5G phones on T-Mobile's network.

The second ad even features a mock music video of sorts, featuring Cyrus singing a 'We Are the World' type song to help save the 5G phones everywhere.

Big game: T-Mobile brought in country music legend Dolly Parton and pop music sensation Miley Cyrus for their new Super Bowl ads during the big game on Sunday

Song: The second ad even features a mock music video of sorts, featuring Cyrus singing a 'We Are the World' type song to help save the 5G phones everywhere

The first ad featured Parton, walking away from a vanity mirror in a silver sequined top as she begins to speak about her tendency to solve problems.

'When I see a problem, I am going to fix it,' Parton begins before adding, 'America has got a serious problem.'

She adds, 'So I'm gonna get it off my chest,' as she reaches into her blouse and pulls out a phone, adding the problem is, '5G phones.'

Problems: The first ad featured Parton, walking away from a vanity mirror in a silver sequined top as she begins to speak about her tendency to solve problems

5G: She adds, 'So I'm gonna get it off my chest,' as she reaches into her blouse and pulls out a phone, adding the problem is, '5G phones'

The problems aren't the phones themselves, but that they're, 'trapped on limited 5G networks,' while a graphic reads, 'Your Verizon phone deserves more 5G bars in more places.'

She continues that, 'You can make a difference. If you join T-Mobile, these phones can shine their brightest like me,' as Parton is seen 'dancing' with one of the phones.

She adds that she has her own theme park before concluding, 'T-Mobile. Do it for the phones,' when she gets a call from Miley Cyrus.

Trapped: The problems aren't the phones themselves, but that they're, 'trapped on limited 5G networks,' while a graphic reads, 'Your Verizon phone deserves more 5G bars in more places'

Make a difference: She continues that, 'You can make a difference. If you join T-Mobile, these phones can shine their brightest like me,' as Parton is seen 'dancing' with one of the phones

Miley asks, 'How can I help these phones?' Dolly responds, 'You've got a voice, use it,' as the ad concludes with a 'To be continued...' tag.

The second video also aired during the big game with Miley reflecting on Dolly's last message - 'You've got a voice, use it' and 'Do it for the phones.'

That leads into her recording the song dubbed Do It For the Phones, as she sings, 'Let's do it for the phones/They do so much for you.'

Help: Miley asks, 'How can I help these phones?' Dolly responds, 'You've got a voice, use it,' as the ad concludes with a 'To be continued...' tag

Reflecting: That leads into her recording the song dubbed Do It For the Phones, as she sings, 'Let's do it for the phones/They do so much for you'

Sing: That leads into her recording the song dubbed Do It For the Phones, as she sings, 'Let's do it for the phones/They do so much for you'

A graphic reveals that Verizon phones need your help as she sings, 'When they're out there all alone/There's something we can do... T-Mobile.'

They then show 5G network coverage maps for T-Mobile and Verizon, which shows that T-Mobile has much greater 5G coverage.

'Look at these maps, they don't lie/And faster speeds nationwide/Let's do it for the phones,' Cyrus concludes while holding up a Let's Do It For the Phones t-shirt.

Maps: They then show 5G network coverage maps for T-Mobile and Verizon, which shows that T-Mobile has much greater 5G coverage

T-Mobile: A graphic reveals that Verizon phones need your help as she sings, 'When they're out there all alone/There's something we can do... T-Mobile'
KISS FM Melbourne host Jase Hawkins confirmed the arrival of his third son via IVF on Monday, as he returned to host his radio show alongside Lauren Phillips.

The Jase & Lauren in the Morning presenter and his wife Lou, who are already parents to Felix, eight, and Huddy, six, welcomed baby Archer Charles on January 25.

Jase revealed that the family had been in self-imposed isolation to avoid catching Covid in the weeks leading up to the arrival, so Lou wouldn't face giving birth alone.

Baby joy! KISS FM Melbourne host Jase Hawkins announced the safe arrival of his third child after returning to the airwaves on Monday. Pictured with wife Lou and their sons Felix, eight, Huddy, six and baby Archer

'If Lou got Covid or I got Covid I wouldnt have been able to be there for the birth, and she would have had to give birth in a Covid ward,' he told his co-host Lauren.

'Thank God that didn't happen. It all went to plan,'

Jase took an extended leave of 10 weeks from the show to await the birth of Archer, and has been enjoying being in a 'blissful baby bubble' with his family.

Precaution: 'If Lou got Covid or I got Covid I wouldnt have been able to be there for the birth and she would have had to give birth in a Covid ward,' he told his co-host Lauren Phillips

In October last year, Jase shared the news on-air that the family were expecting a new addition, and had gone through IVF to get pregnant.

'Last year we ended up doing IVF, and a big shout out to anyone going through that because I know it is not easy and lucky for us it worked,' he said.

But it was bittersweet news for the couple, who learned of their pregnancy news on the same day they found out his father Paul's cancer treatment hadn't worked.

Arrival: In October last year, Jase shared the news on-air that the family were expecting a new addition and had gone through IVF to get pregnant

Career: Jase is a co-host on KIIS FM's Jase & Lauren in the Morning alongside media personality Lauren Phillips

Jase took to Instagram to share the news of his little one's arrival on Sunday, alongside pictures of the tot sleeping.

'Meet our new little mate, Archie,' he said. 'Or as its printed on his Hampton bowls club membership card, Archer Charles Hawkins.

'Born 25/1/2022. Had the best 2 weeks hanging out in the baby bubble with Louie and our little lads. Back to reality and work tomorrow but excited for the future. Our little family is complete.'
Julia Fox has been spotted tearfully jetting out of LAX airport alone after her social media activity implied her whirlwind romance with Kanye West is over.

The Uncut Gems star, 32, who attempted to hide her emotional state behind a mask during the outing, had 'liked' a post from Kanye's ex wife Kim Kardashian on Sunday, after deleting all photos of the rapper from her own page.

The telling 'like' comes after Kanye, 44, - who suffers from bipolar disorder -shared a slew of Instagram posts declaring 'I wish my wife were with me' and pining for his family to be reunited.

No more? Julia Fox has been spotted tearfully jetting out of LAX airport alone after her social media activity implied her whirlwind romance with Kanye West is over

Julia sported an oversized blue bomber jacket and casual black flared trousers as she headed through the terminal alone.

The actress appeared visibly emotional during the outing, despite sporting a mask.

Julia sent a clear signal on Sunday when she hit like on Kim's Sunday night post. Kim, who has been publicly feuding with her ex husband for weeks, shared a snap of herself rocking a jumpsuit and Balenciaga shades with Julia's like standing out among the 1m others.

Meanwhile, all photos of Kanye have disappeared from Julia's page, and the publicity-hungry couple have not been spotted together in days.

All over?The Uncut Gems star had 'liked' a post from Kanye's ex wife Kim Kardashian, hinting their romance may have cooled off

Solo: Julia sported an oversized blue bomber jacket and casual black flared trousers as she headed through the terminal alone

Low-key: The actress appeared visibly emotional during the outing, despite sporting a mask

Sending a signal: Julia 'liked' a post from Kanye's ex wife Kim Kardashian on Sunday, after deleting all photos of the rapper from her own page

Instead Julia spent her weekend with her son Valentino, 13 months, sharing videos of the toddler playing as she gushed 'I'm the luckiest mommy'.

The actress was seen out and about in LA on Friday amid early rumours that her hot-and-heavy romance with Kanye, which began on New Year's Eve, was cooling off.

Sources told E! News last week that Julia 'doesn't have the energy' to put more into a relationship with the rapper.

Casual: Julia was alone as she arrived at the airport to jet out of Los Angeles, amid speculation around her romance with Kanye

Sombre: She cut a pensive figure as she prepared to leave California

Drama: Since beginning her romance with Kanye late last year, Julia has drawn much attention, but it appears their relationship has already hit the rocks

Checking in? She was seen at the airport's entrance preparing to board her flight

'Julia is a mom first and her family and work obligations are in New York,' the source said of the actress. 'Ye did express he wanted her in Los Angeles, but she couldn't take that on.'

The insider also noted: 'Although they remain close, their relationship has evolved.'

A second source told the gossip site: 'When she's not around, he reverts back to his old ways with social media outbursts and public antics.'

Stepping out: The actress was seen out and about in LA on Friday amid rumours her hot-and-heavy romance with Kanye, which began on New Year's Eve, was cooling off

Family: Julia spent her weekend with her son Valentino, 13 months, sharing videos of the toddler playing as she gushed 'I'm the luckiest mommy'

And while Julia has remained 'unbothered' by his recent pleas to estranged wife Kim to bring their family back together, she is 'focusing on her friends and family right now, and does not have the energy to put into a relationship.'

Another insider told Page Six that Julia and Kanye are in 'an open relationship' as he's been seen dating other women, most recently Chaney Jones.

'Their bond transcends typical norms because theyre evolved beings who just want each other to be happy,' one insider close to Fox told the outlet. 'There is no jealousy or bad vibes.'

The 32-year-old actress discussed her romance with host Alex Cooper on the podcast Call Her Daddy Tuesday, revealing why she's not intimidated by the idea that he still longs for estranged wife.

'I'm sure there's still some residual feelings, and that's normal, it's human,' Fox said. 'I also know that he's with me now. And that's all that matters.'

Message: Kanye shared a post on Sunday from the Super Bowl where he wrote: 'I wish my wife was with me and our children sitting at the 50-yard line'

The Milan, Italy-born beauty told that Cooper while they never have formally discussed their romantic status, 'I call him my boyfriend and he calls me his girlfriend.'

Fox, who appeared with Adam Sandler in 2019's Uncut Gems, described her romance with West as 'organic' and 'natural,' and off to a strong beginning.

'Time will tell, you'll just see,' she said. 'Obviously, it looks a certain way, but people don't know the conversations happening behind the scenes, and you know, I've been around.'

Fox said it was 'unfortunate' that people have compared her to Kardashian, saying their only similarities have been fashionable ones.

All good: The 32-year-old actress discussed her romance with host Alex Cooper on the podcast Call Her Daddy Tuesday, revealing why she's not intimidated by the idea that he still longs for estranged wife

Julia's apparent break up from Kanye comes after another headline-grabbing weekend for the star, who posted a string of posts where he called Kim's new boyfriend Pete Davidson 'a d**khead' and said he wished he was still with his ex.

After trending over the Super Bowl on Sunday which he attended with his two oldest children North and Saint, West offered unsolicited advice for married couples.

'Everyone married hold your spouse close make sure they know how much you love and appreciate them,' the Heaven and Hell rapper - who boasts 51.2M social media followers - wrote.

'Because there's a Skete lurking in every dirty a** alley waiting to help destroy your family and walk around in Calvin Kleins around your children.

Back then: After trending over the Super Bowl on Sunday which he attended with his two oldest children North and Saint, West offered unsolicited advice for married couples (pictured with Kim and their four children)

'I wish my wife was with me and our children sitting at the 50-yard line. @kimkardashian always remember West was your biggest W.'

Ye had earlier raised eyebrows as he shared a screenshot of Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson's private text message to him.

The 28-year-old comedian had texted Kanye: '...you as a man I'd never get in the way of your children. That's a promise. How you guys go about raising your kids is your business and not mine. I do hope [some] day I can meet them and we can all be friends.'

Kanye shared a pantsless snap of Pete with his friend Machine Gun Kelly captioned: 'No you will never meet my children.'

'My account is not hacked': Earlier that day Kanye called Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson, the boyfriend of Kim, a 'd***head' and shared a screengrab of his private text to him

West had 'no comment' about a rumor that two-time Grammy winner Ariana Grande ended her four-month engagement to Davidson over him allegedly sending intimate photos of the pair to her ex Mac Miller before his 2018 death.

The separated father-of-four seemed especially outraged that the Staten Island native - who's in the process of lasering off all 100 of his tattoos - once had his 'hero' Hillary Clinton inked on his calf.

'When I tag people I'm just putting together the web. There are a group of people who run media and the election. Thank god for free speech,' claimed Kanye, who ran for president in 2020.

'Look at this d***head. I wonder if Instagram gonna shut down my page for dissing [Hillary] Clinton's ex boyfriend.'

Text: Pete had texted Kanye: '...you as a man I'd never get in the way of your children. That's a promise. How you guys go about raising your kids is your business and not mine. I do hope [some] day I can meet them and we can all be friends'

Calling him out: Kanye - who suffers from bipolar disorder - shared a pantsless snap of Pete (R) with his friend Machine Gun Kelly (L) captioned: 'No you will never meet my children'

'No comment': West shared a rumor that Ariana Grande ended her engagement to Pete over him allegedly sending intimate photos of the pair to her ex Mac Miller before his 2018 death

'Thank god for free speech': Kanye seemed especially outraged that the Staten Island native - who's in the process of lasering off all 100 of his tattoos - once had his 'hero' Hillary Clinton inked on his calf

West added: 'Y'all seen that tattoo but if I speak up then I'm crazy. I told you not going to use that one no more when a garbage man goes to work he gonna smell like trash but it's time to take the trash out the house...You can Google the Hillary thing I'm not making this s*** up.'

Kim, 41, began dating Pete after she hosted the NBC sketch show on October 9.

Meanwhile, Kanye has been canoodling with Kim Kardashian lookalike Chaney Jones and Uncut Gems alum Julia un until recent days.

Kim amicably filed for divorce from West a year ago after six years of marriage and four children - daughter North, 8; son Saint, 6; daughter Chicago, 4; and son Psalm, 2.

Kanye continued: 'Look at this d***head. I wonder if Instagram gonna shut down my page for dissing [Hillary] Clinton's ex boyfriend'

West added: 'Y'all seen that tattoo but if I speak up then I'm crazy. I told you not going to use that one no more when a garbage man goes to work he gonna smell like trash but it's time totake the trash out the house...You can Google the Hillary thing I'm not making this s*** up'

Moved on: The Atlanta-born hip-hop star's 41-year-old ex (R, pictured November 16) began dating Pete after she hosted the NBC sketch show on October 9
The stars of the Strictly Come Dancing marked the end of their almost month-long tour on Sunday evening.

Influencer Tilly Ramsay, actress Maisie Smith and professional dancer Giovanni Pernice were amongst those in high spirits as the cast arrived back to their London hotel - after they took a spin on the ballroom for the final time.

Tilly, 20, traded the glamour for comfort, donning a grey tracksuit and Nike trainers, whilst Maisie, also 20, cut a similar figure in a graphic jumper and black joggers.

Bye bye ballroom: Tilly Ramsay (pictured) Maisie Smith and Giovanni Pernice were among the high-spirited Strictly stars following the final dazzling show in London on Sunday

Celebrations were most definitely in order, as the former EastEnders actress treated herself to a glass of while.

Meanwhile, Italian choreographer Giovanni, 31, couldn't keep the smile from his face after the show's finale, wrapping up in a cream jumper, jeans and smart black coat.



Ukrainian-Slovenian dancer Nadiya Bychkova, 32, put on a leggy display in thigh-high boots and opted to crimp her long blonde locks.

Cheers: Celebrations were most definitely in order, as the former EastEnders actress, 20, treated herself to a glass of while

Relax: Maisie was spotted unwinding, wearing a graphic jumper and black joggers

Done and dusted: Meanwhile, Italian choreographer Giovanni, 31, couldn't keep the smile from his face after the show's finale

Wow: Ukrainian-Slovenian dancer Nadiya Bychkova, 32, put on a leggy display in thigh-high boots

Stunning: Nadiya opted to crimp her long blonde locks

Slovenian professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec was also keen to celebrate the final show and was snapped enjoying a glass of bubbly after throwing a thumbs up for the cameras.

The Wanted's Max George swapped his Strictly finery for an Adidas tracksuit and appeared to delight two fans by stopping to chat.

Elsewhere, Jowita Przysta looked stunning as she left the hotel, an abundance of luggage in tow.

High spirits: Slovenian professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec was also keen to celebrate the final show and was snapped enjoying a glass of bubbly

Casual: The Wanted's Max George swapped his Strictly finery for an Adidas tracksuit

Starstruck: Max appeared to delight two fans by stopping to chat

It comes as Nadiya and fellow professional Kai Widdrington were reportedly pictured in a 'heated row' at Sheffield's Mercure Hotel recently, during the Strictly's tour stop off in the city.

The dancer, whose split from her fiance Matija Skarabot, 33, came to light last month, allegedly squabbled 'animatedly' with her co-star, 26, after he refused to carry her designer luggage through the foyer of their accommodation.

Nadiya and Kai's 'romance' has set tongues wagging in the wake of her split and the duo appeared to confirm the union with a recent steamy kiss.
Melissa Leong shared a heartfelt tribute to her boyfriend Rob Mason on Monday for Valentine's Day.

The MasterChef judge, who split from husband Joe Jones in December 2020, posted a photo to Instagram of the couple in an embrace alongside a gushing caption.

Adding in her signature wit, the 40-year-old food writer described Rob as 'perfect'.

'To me, you are perfect': MasterChef judge Melissa Leong, 40, shared a heartfelt tribute to her boyfriend Rob Mason (both pictured) for Valentine's Day on Monday

'Thank you for eventually replying to my Instagram DM, @therobmason,' she began.

'To me, you are perfect. Except for your views on onion, coriander and how often Maccas (sic) drive through is socially acceptable. Fortunately, we can agree that moonwalking in the supermarket is always ok.'

Melissa continued: 'I am usually adverse to proclamations on days we are socially pressured to, but right now, I find any reason to celebrate the love you have, is cause enough to shout it out.'

Sweet: Melissa, who split from husband Joe Jones in December 2020, posted a photo to Instagram of her and Rob (both pictured) in an embrace alongside a gushing caption

Sincere: Adding in her signature wit, the food writer described Rob as 'perfect'

In December, Melissa revealed she feels 'content' after finding love with Rob, following her split from husband Joe Jones in December 2020.

Speaking to the Emsolation with Em Rusciano podcast, the Channel Ten star admitted her newfound happiness had been 'very hard-earned'.

'I think every adult that reaches a certain age, if you put in the work, you will get there. But the other thing to remember with happiness is that it is fleeting,' she said.

Open and honest: In December, Melissa revealed she feels 'content' after finding love with Rob (right), following her split from husband Joe Jones in December 2020

'So, if you just work on being content... Contentment is far more sustainable. That can take into account being really happy and being less happy, but being okay with who you are. That's with you for life,' she added.

'The best investment I've ever made in myself is getting good with who I am. Ugly bits, weird bits, funny bits, you know, all of it.'

Melissa also said she tries 'not to share... the private life stuff', but admitted it can be difficult when you're in the public eye.

'Sometimes that gets forced out into the public. I don't know how I feel about that yet. Actually, I highly detest it. I highly detest it. I don't like being forced into having to talk about things,' she said.

Doing the work: Speaking to the Emsolation with Em Rusciano podcast, the Channel Ten star admitted her newfound happiness had been 'very hard-earned'

Philosophy: 'I think every adult that reaches a certain age, if you put in the work, you will get there. But the other thing to remember with happiness is that it is fleeting,' Melissa explained

Melissa announced her split from bar owner Joe Jones in December 2020, after almost four years of marriage.

'It has brought us such happiness to walk together, but the time has come for Joe and I to part ways and walk on, apart,' she wrote on Instagram at the time. 

'We ask for your kindness and consideration for our privacy, we will not be making any further comment as our private lives have, and will always remain exactly that.

'We wish you peace at the end of such a challenging year for all.'

Separation: The food writer announced her split from bar owner Joe Jones (right, on their wedding day) in December 2020, after almost four years of marriage

She later debuted her relationship with Melbourne haircare entrepreneur Rob in September 2021, paying tribute to the dad of three on Instagram for Father's Day.

'Gratuitous hot dad post,' she wrote, sharing a black and white photo of her beau.

'Creator of world-class cosmetics and the brains behind @morrismotley, brilliant father to a legendary babe squad and the best part of my day, nothing but love.'
American rockers Foo Fighters are 'in talks to perform a one-off concert' in Geelong, Australia in March, a new report says.

According to the Herald Sun on Monday, the group, fronted by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, are 'pencilled in' for GMHBA Stadium in early March.

The concert is reportedly for Always Live, a Visit Victoria program which aims to promote the state as a world-class destination for live music.

Heading Down Under? American rockers Foo Fighters are 'in talks to perform a one-off concert in Geelong' to promote Victoria as a world-class destination for live music, according to the Herald Sun on Monday. Pictured: frontman Dave Grohl in October

The Herald Sun understands that while some insiders say the band are '100 per cent' booked, others say it's only a 'proposed' idea.

Always Live states on its website: 'Always Live is about live contemporary music in all its forms: from the industry and musicians to the community and fans who support it, all with the energy and atmosphere Victorias live contemporary music scene is known and loved for.'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to representatives for Foo Fighters for comment.

Cause: Fronted by former Nirvana drummer Dave, the band are 'pencilled in' for GMHBA Stadium in early March. The concert is reportedly for Always Live, a Visit Victoria program to promote the state as a world-class destination for live music. Pictured in October

In 2017, frontman Dave, 53, professed his love for Australia during a very jovial chat with former NRL star Matthew 'Matty' Johns on The Late Show with Matty Johns.

'It's our favourite place in the world and we're not just saying that,' he said during the interview.

It came in response to co-star Nathan Hindmarsh asking the long-haired musician to rate Australia out of ten.

Love for Australia: In 2017, Dave, 53, professed his love for Australia during a very jovial chat with former NRL star Matthew 'Matty' Johns on The Late Show with Matty Johns (pictured). 'It's our favourite place in the world and we're not just saying that,' he said

'11 billion,' Dave, who was joined by drummer Taylor Hawkins, replied, without a hint of sarcasm.

We've been coming down here for 20-something years. The audiences here they just want it, they are ready to have it.'

Alongside Grohl and Hawkins, the band also consists of guitarist Pat Smear, keyboardist Rami Jaffee, guitarist Chris Shiflett, and bassist Nate Mendel.
Her romance with Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood ended back in 2019.

And Summer Monteys-Fullam, 26, took to her bathroom to pose for a series of racy Valentine's Day photos clad in skimpy red lace lingerie on Monday.

The model flaunted her peachy posterior in the busty red top and matching bottoms as she posed for the sexy snaps.

Hot: Summer Monteys-Fullam, 26, took to her bathroom to pose for a series of racy Valentine's Day photos clad in skimpy red lace lingerie on Monday

Summer completed her jaw-dropping number with a matching waist cincher and red heels featuring heart straps.

She ensured that all eyes were on her as she perched on the sink before providing a glimpse of her pert derriere.

The influencer flashed a smile as she accentuated her features with a glamorous full face of makeup.

She wore her red hair down in a loose curl with a sweeping fringe and she added a coat of bubblegum pink polish to her nails.

Wow! The model flaunted her peachy posterior in the busty red top and matching bottoms as she posed for the sexy snaps

It comes after Summer appeared to be enjoying every minute of her getaway as she larked about in the sea during a sun-soaked trip to Tenerife.

The media personality showcased her incredible physique in a plunging white swimsuit, which she teamed with a large floppy hat.

Summer wore her auburn tresses in loose beachy waves and kept her look glamorous by sporting a full face of make-up.

Loving life: Summer appeared to be enjoying every minute of her getaway as she larked about in the sea during a sun-soaked trip to Tenerife

She accessorised further with a pair of hoop earrings and a silver watch.

Former barmaid Summer clung onto her hat while strolling through the surf, before stopping to take a call while perched on a nearby rock.

Summer, who rose to prominence while dating TV chef Paul Hollywood, discussed her love life with Fubar Radio hosts Bobby Norris and Stephen Leng on Access All Areas recently.

The influencer spoke of how she is 'sick of liars' and her dates have been 'so disappointing.'
Emily Blunt looked every inch the doting mother as she took some sweet snaps of John Krasinski with their daughters in Dubrovnik on Sunday.

The actress, 38, recently jetted to Croatia with Hazel, seven, and Violet, five, to visit John, 42, in time for Valentine's Day, who is in the midst of shooting Amazon Prime's fourth series of Jack Ryan.

The Office star John was seen cuddling Violet as he posed for a cute snap with his children on a balcony.

Fun: Emily Blunt looked every inch the doting mother as she took some sweet snaps of John Krasinski with their daughters in Dubrovnik on Sunday

A delighted Emily, who looked chic in a tan sweater and black trousers, was also seen excitedly showing John the photo.

John cut a casual figure in a black sweater as he relaxed and enjoyed the day.

The streaming service ordered a fourth season of Tom Clancy's drama back in October despite the third series release not having aired yet.

The show's second season, which came out on Halloween 2019, saw the titular character, played by John, travel down to Venezuela and uncover a far-reaching conspiracy that took him and his compatriots across the globe.

Check it out: The actress, 38, recently jetted to Croatia with Hazel, seven, and Violet, five, to visit John, 42, in time for Valentine's Day, who is in the midst of shooting Amazon Prime's fourth series of Jack Ryan

The third season of the show will follow the secret agent after he becomes a fugitive from the CIA. The organization then follows the spy as he runs all over Europe.

Its plot has been kept tightly under wraps, but cast members expected to be back include Abby Cornish as Cathy Mueller, Wendell Pierce as James Greer and Noomi Rapace as Harriet Baumann.

It comes after Emily has revealed the first meal she ever cooked for her partner during an interview on the River Cafe Table 4 podcast.

They tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in Lake Como, Italy back in 2010.

Chic: A delighted Emily, who looked chic in a tan sweater and black trousers, was seen smiling as she took in the sights

And the London native began: 'I guess I just made something that I knew [John] would love. A roast chicken, who doesn't love roast chicken? The roast chicken I love is Ina Gartens roast chicken.

'Its called her ''Engagement Chicken'' because I think when people make it for people they get engaged or something.'

She listed off ingredients and cooking instructions for the 'oniony and garlicky' roast chicken and told Ruth, ''And that was it! That's all it took!'.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky enjoy one of Hollywood's happiest marriages.

And on Monday, the 38-year-old actor paid tribute to his 45-year-old actress wife for Valentine's Day.

In an Instagram post, the Thor star shared a photo of Elsa getting up close to a kangaroo, giving the marsupial a kiss.

Sweet: Chris Hemsworth (right) paid tribute to his wife Elsa Pataky (left) for Valentine's Day

He wrote in his caption: 'Happy Valentine's babe, I wish the two of you many more happy moments like this'.

It comes after Elsa revealed the pair have a very simple trick for keeping their marriage happy and healthy - laughter.

Speaking to Hola! magazine, Elsa said that Chris has a knack for diffusing any argument with a joke.

Aww! In an Instagram post, the Thor star shared a photo of Elsa getting up close to a kangaroo, giving the marsupial a kiss

He wrote in his caption: 'Happy Valentine's babe, I wish the two of you many more happy moments like this'

'We enjoy doing the same stuff and Chris has a great sense of humour and knows how to take the sting out of things,' she said.

'He always makes me and the kids laugh or when I'm angry, he tells a joke to lighten the mood. Humour counts for a lot. More than anything, I enjoy laughing with him.'

The pair were married in 2010, and have three children - daughter India, nine, and twin sons, Tristan and Sasha, seven.

Funny! It comes after Elsa revealed the pair have a very simple trick for keeping their marriage happy and healthy - laughter

The Spanish actress went on to say that the family's recent move to Sydney for work, away from their coastal hideaway in Bryon Bay, NSW, wasn't a happy one.

'I definitely couldn't live in [a city] again. It's not for me,' she said, adding that 'all the traffic' was hard for the children to get used to.

'The children were longing to revert back to being barefoot savages. This is where we belong, where my children have grown up,' she said.
Prince Andrew reportedly toured Ghislaine Maxwell and former US President Bill Clinton in Buckingham Palace in 2002 and referred to Jeffrey Epstein's madam as the Duke's "ex-girlfriend."

Clinton and Maxwell, who face up to 40 years in jail after being convicted of several sex crimes in New York, are shown inspecting antiques in the ballroom of the Queen's official home in the spring of 2002.

Ghislaine Maxwell Introduced as Prince Andrew's "Ex-girlfriend"

With Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey, who has been accused of sexual harassment in the past, Clinton had been given a tour of the castle. Meanwhile, a young woman, presumed to be part of the entourage, grins for the camera as Prince Andrew points at something beyond the frame.

According to the Telegraph, staff was informed that Maxwell was joining the tour because she was the Duke of York's "ex-girlfriend." For the same trip, Maxwell and Spacey posed as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on the Chairs of Estate, which were used during the Queen's 1953 coronation.

The journey around Buckingham Palace was planned for Clinton and Spacey as guests of Prince Andrew, according to those who were part of the entourage. The photo was shot on September 30, 2002, 18 months after Virginia Giuffre, who was 17 at the time, was accused of having sexual relations with the Duke.

In her native nation of the United States, Giuffre, now 38, is suing the Duke of York for limitless civil damages, saying she was trafficked by Prince Andrew's acquaintance, Jeffrey Epstein, to have sex with the royal when she was 17, a child under US law.

To combat her sexual assault charge, the royal adamantly rejects it and is pursuing a jury trial later this year. Senior members of the royal family are believed to have been shocked by the decision, which led to the Queen stripping him of his military titles and royal patronage so he could face the case as a "private man."

The queen is demanding a jury trial later this year to defend the sexual assault claim, which she strongly rejects. The Queen is said to have been horrified by the decision, which resulted in his being stripped of his military titles and royal patronage so that he could face the prosecution as a "private man."

Prince Andrew is ready to give evidence under oath for the Giuffre trial on March 10 in London, in what has been regarded as a neutral site. Epstein was not on the Buckingham Palace trip, he but lent Clinton his private jet called "Lolita Express," according to Daily Mail.

Read Also: Prince Andrew Net Worth 2022: How Much Wealth Does Queen Elizabeth II's Child Has Amid Jeffrey Epstein Issue?

Prince Charles Urges Prince Andrew To Stay Out of Sight

In the United States, the Duke of York is now facing charges that he sexually molested Virginia Giuffre when she was 17 years old in the early 2000s. According to Prince Andrew, there was no misconduct. Virginia may be suffering from "false recollections," according to Andrew's legal team.

He even accused Virginia of pursuing another payoff a month earlier when the Prince's attorneys branded Virginia's claims "baseless." Because she was recruited by Virginia at the age of 14 and educated to perform sexual massages, Prince Andrew and his attorneys are frantically looking for a lady who has some role in this case.

A trial might begin between September and December 2022, according to US District Judge Lewis Kaplan. Meanwhile, with rich pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison, Maxwell faces 40 years in prison for trafficking victims, as per Republic World.

During his sex assault trial in a US federal court, Prince Charles is said to have ordered his embattled younger brother Andrew to stay "out of the line of sight" and away from Windsor Castle.

Since the Queen stripped him of his military titles last month amid the bombshell claims leveled against him, Prince Andrew has not been seen near the palace. According to a source, Prince Charles, who has had a lot more power over royal activities since his father, Prince Philip, died last year, was enraged by his younger brother's claim that the Giuffre controversy was not a reason for worry when it first surfaced three years ago, Page Six reported.

Related Article: Prince Andrew's Ex-Massage Therapist Says Duke Is the Creepiest Client That Asks X-Rated Questions

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She went pubic with her new romance during a romantic getaway to Dubai.

And Ferne McCann, 31, was off jet-setting with her new man again as she met up with her UAE based boyfriend Lorri Haines in the Maldives on Monday.

The former TOWIE star shared a gushing Valentine's Day tribute as she thanked Lorri for his 'integrity and honesty' and showing her what 'true love' really meant, alongside a stunning loved-up video of them frolicking on the beach.

'Thankyou for showing me true love': Ferne McCann, 31, shared a gushing tribute to her new boyfriend Lorri Haines during a Valentine's getaway in the Maldives on Monday

Alongside the drone filmed video she penned: 'Dont ever be afraid to show your vulnerability. Dont ever be afraid to share your past. Dont ever be afraid to be yourself.

'In my opinion, everything youve ever been afraid to share is actually the key to your happiness and future. Never give up on love .

'Thank you for showing up for me. Thankyou for showing me what a meaningful relationship looks like. Thankyou for showing me integrity and honesty. Most importantly Thankyou for showing me true love. I love you.'

Sun-soaked: Ferne jetted away to the sun soaked destination with her daughter Sunday before announcing that she had bumped into her Valentine on the island

Ferne jetted away to the sun soaked destination with her daughter Sunday, four, before announcing that she had bumped into her Valentine on the island.

Taking to her Story she showcased the incredible scenery as she boarded a boat with Sunday and Lorri to travel to their hotel.

In an adorable photo, Sunday, who she shares with jailed acid attacker ex Arthur Collins, could be seen alongside Lorri as they arrived at their destination.

Sweet: In an adorable photo, Sunday, four, who she shares with jailed acid attacker ex Arthur Collins, could be seen alongside Lorri as they arrived at their destination

Turning to address her followers, Ferne later gave a few words of wisdom to those who might be celebrating Valentine's Day alone this year.

She began: 'So, despite now being in a relationship when I was single, I was sick of people being like 'why are you not in a relationship' like it was a problem or they couldn't understand why I wasn't in a relationship.

'It used to get to me because i used to be like 'why aren't I, what is wrong with me?' why am I still single' but ultimately happy Valentines Day to everyone today.

'Whether you are in a relationship or single, today is about embracing love and ultimately love means giving it yourself first, you can't step into anything until your fully in a relationship with yourself first.'

Words of wisdom: Turning to address her followers she later gave a few words of wisdom to those who might be celebrating Valentines Day alone this year

Ferne concluded: 'So, if anyone asks you or if you're sick of seeing all these Valentines Day pics, just have pride that you are taking your time, you're not rushing or settling and you are prioritizing yourself first.

'Have an amazing day and I am sending a lot of love and positivity.'

The post comes as Ferne is reportedly planning a part-time move to Dubai to make her romance work with Lorri.

Ferne and Lorri - who lives in Dubai working as an estate agent - went public with their hot new romance last week during her recent holiday to the UAE.

Ferne concluded: 'So, if anyone asks you, or if you're sick of seeing all these Valentines Day pics, just have pride that you are taking your time and you are not rushing'

Ferne is reportedly 'head over heels' with the hunk and hopes they can both fly back and forth between the two countries to see each other.

A source told The Sun: 'Lorri and Ferne have fallen head over heels and will do what it takes to make things work.

'It's a bit tricky for Ferne to travel all the time because of Sunday but she has already squeezed in one trip this year.

'Lorri is currently in the UK and they are have both agreed to go back and forth as much as possible.'
Arnold Schwarzenegger, 74, penned a heartfelt tribute to director and producer Ivan Reitman, calling his late friend a 'legend' in a sad social media post on Monday.

Reitman, who directed the Austrian star in films like Kindergarten Cop, Junior and Twins, died 'unexpectedly' at his California home on Sunday night at the age of 75.

In his statement, a 'devastated' Arnold credited Reitman with helping transform his career by taking a chance on the action star and casting him in comedies.

Rest in peace: Arnold Schwarzenegger, 74, penned a heartfelt tribute to director and producer Ivan Reitman, calling his late friend a 'legend' in a sad social media post on Monday

'In Hollywood, he was bigger than life. He was comedy royalty,' Arnold wrote in his post. 'In life, he was a mensch - a wonderful father and husband, a fantastic friend, a great human being. He was kind, he was generous, he was smart as hell, and he was always there for you.'

He continued later in the statement: 'Ill always be grateful that he took a chance on this Austrian action-hero in a comedy during a time when the studios just wanted me to focus on finding new ways to kill bad guys, blow things up, and show off some muscles.

'I knew I could make it in comedy, but I needed someone else to know it to make it a reality. Thats why Ivan was a great director and friend: he could see something in you that other people didnt, and he could help you show the rest of the world.'

Some of Arnold's most famous light-hearted roles were in films directed by Reitman such as Twins (1988), Kindergarten Cop (1990) and Junior (1994).

'In Hollywood, he was bigger than life. He was comedy royalty,' Arnold wrote in his post. 'In life, he was a mensch - a wonderful father and husband, a fantastic friend, a great human being. He was kind, he was generous, he was smart as hell, and he was always there for you.'

'Ill always be grateful that he took a chance on this Austrian action-hero in a comedy during a time when the studios just wanted me to focus on finding new ways to kill bad guys, blow things up, and show off some muscles.'

Twins, a buddy comedy co-starring Danny DeVito as Arnold's fraternal twin brother, is currently being rebooted as Triplets with Tracy Morgan as the third brother.

'Making Twins, Junior, and Kindergarten Cop with Ivan was heaven for me,' Arnold said. 'Spending the last few years working with him on Triplets, and once again seeing his passion and genius up close, was a joy.'

The actor mentioned in his post that production on Triplets was scheduled to resume in the fall.

Along with the touching tribute, Arnold shared several photos from his decades working with Ivan, including one with Danny DeVito from the filming of Triplets with the pair in matching Hawaiian shirts.

'I knew I could make it in comedy, but I needed someone else to know it to make it a reality. Thats why Ivan was a great director and friend: he could see something in you that other people didnt, and he could help you show the rest of the world.'

Iconic: Some of Arnold's most famous light-hearted roles were in films directed by Reitman such as Twins (1988), Kindergarten Cop (1990) and Junior (1994)

Reitman, who directed many beloved comedies like Animal House and Ghostbusters died 'unexpectedly' at age 75.

His family said Reitman died peacefully in his sleep Saturday night at his Montecito, California home.

'Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,' his children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement.

'We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.'

Tragic: Reitman, who directed many beloved comedies like Animal House and Ghostbusters died 'unexpectedly' at age 75 (pictured with son Jason)

'Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,' his children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement.

It is unclear if Reitman had been suffering any illnesses prior to his death.

Known for big, bawdy comedies that caught the spirit of their time, the director-producer's most significant success came with his 1984 film Ghostbusters which grossed nearly $300million worldwide.

The supernatural comedy - starring Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis - earned two Oscar nominations and spawned a veritable franchise that included television shows and a new movie, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which was directed by his son, Jason, and opened last year.

He was also the co-owner of The Montecito Picture Company which is responsible for the production of dozens of films.

Like dad: Jason Reitman, 44, has followed in the prolific director's footsteps, carving out an impressive career of his own directing films like Juno and Up in the Air

'Ive lost my hero. All I want in the world is the chance to tell my father one more story,' Jason penned on social media Monday

Jason Reitman, 44, has followed in the prolific director's footsteps, carving out an impressive career of his own directing films like Juno and Up in the Air.

He took to social media to mourn his father's sudden death with a heartwarming message and a series of photos on Monday.

'Ive lost my hero. All I want in the world is the chance to tell my father one more story,' he penned. 'He came from a family of survivors and turned his legacy into laughter. Thank you for the many messages of kindness. Please enjoy his movies and remember his storytelling gifts. Nothing would make him happier.'

The Hollywood Walk of Fame Star holder and Lifetime Achievement Award winner got his big break at age 34 when he produced the raucous, college fraternity sendup National Lampoon's Animal House.

'He came from a family of survivors and turned his legacy into laughter. Thank you for the many messages of kindness. Please enjoy his movies and remember his storytelling gifts. Nothing would make him happier.'

Prolific: Among other notable films he directed are Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Dave, Junior and 1998's Six Days, Seven Nights. He also produced Beethoven, Old School, EuroTrip and many others, including several for his son

Among other notable films he directed are Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Dave, Junior and 1998's Six Days, Seven Nights. He also produced Beethoven, Old School, EuroTrip and many others, including several for his son.

The influential filmmaker's death was a hard hit to the cinematic community, with many of his fans and former colleagues offering their condolences Sunday night.

Paul Feig, who director of the 2016 Ghostbusters remake said it was a 'honor working so closely with Ivan' and 'such a learning experience.'

He outlined how Reitman was a 'generous' and supportive man that has made a lasting impact on his career.

Reitman slowed down as a director after Six Days, Seven Nights - only four films would follow: Evolution, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, No Strings Attached and 2014's Draft Day.

However, he continued producing and, with Ghostbusters: Afterlife, even found himself on the press circuit with his son, Jason, providing emotional moments for both with the passing of the baton.
Billie Piper looked stylish as she stepped out to the 29th Writers Guild Awards at the Royal College Of Physicians in London with I Hate Suzie co-creator Lucy Prebble on Monday night.

The actress, 39, wore an olive green trouser co-ord which she teamed with a pair of pointed black heels for the occasion.

Screen star Billie played former teenage pop star and television actress Suzie Pickles in I Hate Suzie, which was nominated in the Best Long Form TV Drama category at the awards. She stood with her arm on her friend Lucy's shoulder, with the writer wearing a black skirt and semi-sheer white shirt.

In style: Billie Piper, 39, looked stylish in an olive green trouser co-ord as she stepped out to the 29th Writers Guild Awards in London with I Hate Suzie co-creator Lucy Prebble on Monday

Lucy, 41, completed her look with a pair of black boots and she struck a casual pose on the red carpet as she rested her hand in her pocket.

Billie carried a black handbag to match her shoes and wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty facial features.

Because We Want To hitmaker Billie first worked with Lucy on television 2007 series Secret Diary of a Call Girl, with the pair striking up a friendship.

Star quality: Billie smiled as she posed on the red carpet while wearing lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty facial features

WRITERS' GUILD AWARDS 2022 SHORTLIST BEST LONG FORM TV DRAMA Adult Material by Lucy Kirkwood I Hate Suzie by Lucy Prebble Its A Sin by Russell T Davies BEST SHORT FORM TV DRAMA BBW by Yolanda Mercy Elizabeth is Missing by Andrea Gibb Time by Jimmy McGovern BEST LONG RUNNING TV SERIES Doctors, Series 21, Episode 81, The Joe Pasquale Problem by Stephen Keyworth Holby City, Series 21, Episode 50, Kintsugi by Martin Jameson River City, Series 21, Episode 28, by Jillian Mannion BEST TV SITUATION COMEDY Feel Good by Mae Martin and Joe Hampson Frayed by Sarah Kendall This Way Up, Series 2, Episode 4 by Aisling Bea BEST CHILDRENS' TV EPISODE Aardmans The Epic Adventures of Morph: Chas Air by Tim Bain My Mum Tracy Beaker: I Want My Mum Back by Emma Reeves Paddington & The Love Day Cards by Hannah George BEST RADIO DRAMA Body Horror by Lucy Catherine The Half Widow by Avin Shah The Tenderness of Boys by Oliver Emanuel BEST RADIO COMEDY From the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast by Steve Coogan, Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons Olga Koch: Fight by Olga Koch and Charlie Dinkin The Kurupt FM Podkast, Series 2 by Asim Chaudhry, Hugo Chegwin, Allan Mustafa and Steve Stamp BEST WRITING IN A VIDEO GAME Amnesia: Rebirth by Ian Thomas Overboard! by Jon Ingold BEST SCREENPLAY I Care a Lot by J Blakeson Sorry We Missed You by Paul Laverty The Personal History of David Copperfield by Simon Blackwell and Armando Iannucci BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY His House by Remi Weekes, from a story by Felicity Evans and Toby Venables Promising Young Woman by Emerald Fennell Rocks by Theresa Ikoko and Claire Wilson BEST PLAY Once Upon a Bridge by Sonya Kelly Shook by Samuel Bailey The Syrian Baker by Kevin Dyer BEST PLAY FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES Germ Free Adolescent by Natalie Mitchell Heavy Weather by Lizzie Nunnery Whatever Happened to the Jaggy Nettles? by Martin Travers BEST MUSICAL THEATRE BOOKWRITING Black Love by Chinonyerem Odimba The Prince and the Pauper by Chinonyerem Odimba Ride by Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams BEST FIRST NOVEL A Strange and Brilliant Light by Eli Lee The Lip by Charlie Carroll The Manningtree Witches by A K Blakemore BEST ONLINE COMEDY How to be Maggie: With Maggie P by Kate-Lois Elliott Remember getting the period talk at school #Menopause by Hannah George, Taylor Glenn and Catie Wilkins Where Did It Come From? Series 1, Episode 2, The Hat by Ralph Jones and Vyvyan Almond Advertisement

Famous friends: Billie completed her look with a pair of black pointed heels while she carried a handbag as she stood alongside Lucy, 41, at the event

Fashion forward: Lucy opted for a black skirt and semi-sheer white shirt for her night out with Billie

Dream team: Billie played former teenage pop star and television actress Suzie Pickles in I Hate Suzie, which was nominated in the Best Long Form TV Drama category at the awards

She went on to star in Lucy's The Effect at the National Theatre in 2012 and they later worked together on Sky Atlantic's dark comedy I Hate Suzie.

The 2020 show was nominated in the Best Long Form TV Drama category at this year's Writers Guild Awards, alongside Its A Sin by Russell T Davies and Adult Material by Lucy Kirkwood.

This year's ceremony will honour two years of British writing talent after last years awards were cancelled due to the pandemic.

Good pals: Because We Want To hitmaker Billie first worked with Lucy on television 2007 series Secret Diary of a Call Girl, with the pair striking up a friendship

Working it: She went on to star in Lucy's The Effect at the National Theatre in 2012 and they later worked together on Sky Atlantic's dark comedy I Hate Suzie

In character: The 2020 show, written by Lucy, was nominated in the Best Long Form TV Drama category alongside Its A Sin by Russell T Davies and Adult Material by Lucy Kirkwood (Billie pictured as Suzie in show I Hate Suzie)

Writers Guild of Great Britain President Sandi Toksvig, 63, said ahead of the event: 'What a fitting day to celebrate the cream of British writers  who have kept us entertained on page, stage, screen and across the airwaves, through such dark times.

'Our creative industries play such an important role, as do all those who work within them, and we hope our awards ceremony on Valentines Day will send this message  you matter, we care, and thank you for your words, which have lifted us all up over these past two years.'

Sandi cut a casual figure in a charcoal shirt with a checked pattern and a pair of black trousers.

Keeping it casual: Writers Guild of Great Britain President Sandi Toksvig, 63, wore a charcoal shirt with a checked pattern and a pair of black trousers

She added a dash of colour to her look by wearing a scarf featuring panels of mustard yellow and olive green.

Meanwhile, funnywoman Helen Lederer, 67, looked chic in a black velvet coat and navy blue skirt.

She wore a pair of edgy black boots with low rise platform souls and wore lashings of make-up to give herself a glamorous look.

Strike a pose: Funnywoman Helen Lederer, 67, looked chic in a black velvet coat and navy blue skirt

Walking the red carpet: She wore a pair of edgy black boots with low rise platform souls and wore lashings of make-up to give herself a glamorous look

The star pouted as she posed on the red carpet before heading inside to take her seat at the event.

Meanwhile, actor Paul Elliott, 74, also known as Paul Chuckle while performing as part of former comedy double act The Chuckle Brothers alongside his late brother Barry, looked dapper in black tie.

He wore a smart patterned jacket and a black waistcoat to match his bow tie, and also opted for a crisp white shirt.

Glitterati: Paul Elliott, 74, who performed as part of The Chuckle Brothers alongside late brother Barry, looked dapper in black tie, while Emerald Fennell wore a black satin jacket

Completing her ensemble: She added a few inches to her stature by wearing a pair of silver-strapped heels and accessorised with a pair of glittering earrings

Emerald Fennell wore a black satin jacket with a floral pattern and a pair of dark trousers which finished above her ankle.

She added a few inches to her stature by wearing a pair of silver-strapped heels and accessorised with a pair of glittering earrings.

Actor Neil Pearson, 62, looked smart in a black suit and white shirt as he posed alongside journalist Samira Ahmed, 53, who wore a tan trouser suit and black top.

Out for the evening: Actor Neil Pearson, 62, looked smart in a black suit and white shirt as he posed alongside journalist Samira Ahmed, 53, who wore a tan trouser suit and black top
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Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, and Wanda Sykes will host this year's Oscars as a team, the first all-female host line-up and the first emcees since 2018.

Variety reported Monday that the three comedic stars are 'finalizing details' for the 94th Academy Awards hosting gig. The Hollywood Reporter then followed up the story claiming that they have confirmed the trio of stars will host. The Academy confirmed it on Tuesday morning.

In a joint statement, the female hosts said: 'We want people to get ready to have a good time. Its been a while.'

It has been 35 years since three people hosted the Oscars, and the first time that three females have been in the main emcee role.

The last time a team hosted the awards ceremony was in 2011, when Anne Hathaway and James Franco hosted the event.

Schumer gave a brief video to Good Morning America this morning where she joked: ''Good morning America, I'm not sure who thought this was a good idea but I am hosting the Oscars along with my good friends Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall. I better go watch some movies.'

This year's ceremony will bring the emcee format back for the first time since 2018. In 2019, Kevin Hart was due to host the show but he was canceled over homophobic tweets.

This just in: Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes in talks to host Oscars: Three comedic stars said to be 'finalizing details' for 94th Academy Awards

Schumer appeared on GMA briefly to confirm the news on Tuesday morning. 'I better go watch some movies,' she joked

The show went ahead with a rotation of guest hosts instead and in February 2020 - the last show before the pandemic - the same format was followed.

There was no host for the largely virtual event in 2021. It's unclear how much each woman is getting paid for the gig.

In a statement on Tuesday morning, Packer said: 'This years show is all about uniting movie lovers. Its apropos that weve lined up three of the most dynamic, hilarious women with very different comedic styles.

'I know the fun Regina, Amy and Wanda will be having will translate to our audience as well. Many surprises in store! Expect the unexpected!'

The 94th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 27 at the Dolby Theater in L.A.

Earlier this year it was revealed that Hollywood's biggest night would be fronted by a main host again for the first time in four years.

The three stars have yet to comment on the report, but Schumer teased that she had 'Big fun news comin'' on Sunday evening.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel was the last to take on hosting duties in 2018.

Last week, The Hollywood Reporter revealed how this year's Oscars would be a 'three-act show' with multiple hosts at the helm.

Spider-Man: No Way Home star Tom Holland had been rumored to be a frontrunner to host the show as well.

Last month, Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment, confirmed the news there would be a host.

Erwich was speaking during ABC's portion of the Television Critics Association virtual press tour, saying: 'You heard it here first.'

And the hosting gig goes to: Last week, The Hollywood Reporter revealed how this year's Oscars would be a 'three-act show' with multiple hosts at the helm. Above, the 2020 Oscars where there was a rotation of guest hosts

Kevin Hart was due to host the Oscars in 2019 but he lost the gig in a row over resurfaced homophobic tweets. The last time the Oscars had a host was in 2018, with Jimmy Kimmel (right)

At the time, he provided no further details, but joked: 'It might be me.'

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.

Last year, the awards moved to the historic Union Station train station in downtown Los Angeles with a small crowd of nominees and guests to protect against COVID.

The 94th Academy Awards will broadcast live from Hollywood's Dolby Theatre on March 27.

OSCARS HOSTS THROUGH THE YEARS 1929: Douglas Fairbanks & William C. deMille 1930: William C. deMille 1931: Lawrence Grant 1932:Lionel Barrymore & Conrad Nagel 1934: Will Rogers 1935: Irvin S. Cobb 1936:Frank Capra 1937: George Jessel 1938: Bob Burns 1939: None 1940 - 1943 Bob Hope 1944: Jack Benny 1945: Bob Hope & James Stewart 1947: Jack Benny 1948: Agnes Moorehead & Dick Powell 1949: Robert Montgomery 1950: Paul Douglas 1951: Fred Astaire 1952: Danny Kaye 1953: Bob Hope & Conras Nagel 1954: Donald O'Connor & Frederic March 1955: Bob Hope & Thelma Ritter 1956: Jerry Lewis, Claudette Colbert & Joseph L. Mankiewicz 1957: Jerry Lewis & Celeste Holm 1958: Bob Hope, David Niven, Tony Randall, Mort Sahl, Laurence Olivier, Jerry lewis 1960 - 1962: Bob Hope 1963: Frank Sinatra 1964: Jack Lemmon 1965 - 1968: Bob Hope 1969 - 1971: None 1972: Helen Hayes, Alan King, Sammy Davis Jr., Jack Lemmon 1973: Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Charlton Heston 1974: John Huston, Burt Reynolds, David Niven, Diana Ross 1975: Sammy Davis Jr, Bob Hope, Shirley MacLaine, Frank Sinatra 1976: Goldie Hawn, Gene Kelly, Walter Matthau, George Segal, Robert Shaw 1977: Warren Beatty, Ellen Burstyn, Jane Fonda, Richard Pryor 1978: Bob Hope 1979-1982: Johnny Carson 1983: Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor, Walter Matthau 1984: Johnny Carson 1985: Jack Lemmon 1986: Alan Alda, Jane Fonda, Robin Williams 1987: Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, Paul Hogan 1988: Chevy Chase 1989: None 1990-1993: Billy Crystal 1994: Whoopi Goldberg 1995: David Letterman 1996: Whoopi Goldberg 1997-1998: Billy Crystal 1999: Whoopi Goldberg 2000: Billy Crystal 2001: Steve Martin 2002: Whoopi Goldberg 2003: Steve Martin 2004: Billy Crystal 2005: Chris Rock 2006: Jon Stewart 2007: Ellen DeGeneres 2008: Jon Stewart 2009: Hugh Jackman 2010: Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin 2011: James Franco & Anne Hathaway 2012: Billy Crystal 2013: Seth MacFarlane 2014: Ellen DeGeneres 2015: Neil Patrick Harris 2016: Chris Rock 2017 - 2018: Jimmy Kimmel 2019-2021: None Advertisement
Two-time Emmy-winning producer Justin Theroux and his Pit Bull Kuma were approached by a topless woman while strolling on a beach in the Mexican resort town of Tulum last Saturday.

The Washington, D.C.-born 50-year-old patiently stood by as his leashed canine companion got petted by the mystery sunbather.

Justin bared his biceps in an inside-out muscle tee emblazoned with the cursive curse word 'F***ers' and he also wore joggers and a fedora.

Close encounter: Two-time Emmy-winning producer Justin Theroux and his Pit Bull Kuma were approached by a topless woman (R) while strolling on a beach in the Mexican resort town of Tulum last Saturday

Who's a good girl? The Washington, D.C.-born 50-year-old patiently stood by as his leashed canine companion got petted by the mystery sunbather

'Happy Valentine's Day!' Theroux posted through Kuma's Instagram account.

'Hope you are with your favorite [human]. And if you're not, and you are a [human], what are you waiting for? Go find your soulmate today!'

The Violet star famously adopted the female dog - whose name means 'bear' in Japanese - from Austin Pets Alive in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2018.

Last Friday, Justin wished his 'ex-wife' Jennifer Aniston a happy 53rd birthday by Instastorying a video of her smoking a cigarette while clad in an 'I'm a cool blonde' shirt.

Vacation: Justin bared his biceps in an inside-out muscle tee emblazoned with the cursive curse word 'F***ers' and he also wore joggers and a fedora

Theroux posted through Kuma's Instagram account: 'Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you are with your favorite [human]. And if you're not, and you are a [human], what are you waiting for? Go find your soulmate today!'

Her name means 'bear' in Japanese: The Violet star famously adopted the female dog from Austin Pets Alive in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2018

Theroux and the Emmy winner had reunited December 7 to tape the ABC special Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life, which he produced and she portrayed the character Lisa Whelchel.

The False Positive actor and Jennifer have remained amicable since ending their two-year 'marriage' in 2017, which might have never been legal - according to TMZ.

Justin was still living with his 'blindsided' girlfriend of 14 years - costume designer Heidi Bivensto - when he met Aniston in 2007 and they went on to co-star in Wanderlust in 2011.

On October 22, Theroux and Woody Harrelson wrapped their roles as President Richard Nixon's Watergate masterminds G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt in HBO's five-part series The White House Plumbers.

'Yes you are. Love u B!' Last Friday, Justin wished his 'ex-wife' Jennifer Aniston a happy 53rd birthday by Instastorying a video of her smoking a cigarette while clad in an 'I'm a cool blonde' shirt

Collaboration! Theroux and the Emmy winner had reunited December 7 to tape the ABC special Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life, which he produced and she portrayed the character Lisa Whelchel

Amicable exes: The False Positive actor and Jennifer have remained friends since ending their two-year 'marriage' in 2017, which might have never been legal

'That's a wrap,' The Mosquito Coast producer-star wrote to his 1M Instagram followers at the time.

'A huge congratulations to the crew and cast of The White House Plumbers. 99 days of sheer hellven. The talent everyone brought to this was enormous and awe inspiring.'

Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck's upcoming small-screen adaptation of the 2007 novel Integrity also features Domhnall Gleeson, Lena Headey, Kiernan Shipka, and Kathleen Turner.
Kim Kardashian wished fans a happy Valentine's Day by sharing photos in two racy underwear sets from her shapewear brand SKIMS on Monday.

While modeling her latest Valentine's Day collection, the 41-year-old reality star flaunted her gym-honed physique as she held up a black SKIMS heart over her head. In the second image, she slipped out of her black lingerie into a hot pink bra and matching thong underwear as she posed with a silver balloon.

This post comes as her romance with Pete Davidson is heating up even though her estranged husband Kanye West has been criticizing them.

Kim Kardashian wished fans a happy Valentine's Day by sharing photos in two racy underwear sets from her her shapewear brand SKIMS on Monday

This marks her first Valentine's Day since filing for divorce from estranged husband Kanye West on February 19, 2021.

In her new post, Kim kept the tone upbeat.

'Happy Valentine's Day,' the KKW Beauty founder, who has been dating SNL star Pete Davidson since October, captioned her slideshow.

Earlier in the day, her rapper ex, 44, shared a Dailymail.com article showing Kim out with her boyfriend Davidson, with the star appearing to send a message with her choice of outfit.

Working it! In the second image, she slipped out of her black lingerie into a hot pink bra and matching thong underwear as she posed with a silver balloon

After news broke that he split from new girlfriend Julia Fox, the father-of-four: ''I DONT HAVE BEEF WITH KIM I LOVE MY FAMILY SO STOP THAT NARRATIVE IM NOT GIVING UP ON MY FAMILY.'

Kanye went on to reveal that he had bought Kim the $23k Balenciaga coat she wore on the date night with Pete, spilling he gave his ex the coat before her Saturday Night Live hosting gig three months ago - the night she met Pete.

'I BOUGHT THIS COAT FOR KIM BEFORE SNL I THOUGHT IT WAS PARTICULARLY SPECIAL I HAVE FAITH THAT WELL BE BACK TOGETHER,' Kanye wrote.

Gift: Kanye revealed that he had bought Kim the $23k Balenciaga coat she wore on her date night with Pete, spilling he gave his ex the coat before her SNL hosting gig in October, the night she met Pete

He continued in the Valentine's Day post: 'WE HAVE A PUBLIC RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE WE ARE PUBLIC FIGURES SO TO THE PUBLIC AND TO THE PRESS SOMETIMES PEOPLE CALL ME CRAZY BUT TO BE IN LOVE IS TO BE CRAZY ABOUT SOMETHING AND I AM CRAZY ABOUT MY FAMILY HAPPY VALENTINES.'

Kim's decision to wear a coat gifted to her by her ex on her date night is telling, as is the fact she paired the grey glitter number with $1,700 metallic silver Balenciaga boots - the same boots she famously shared a photo of daughter North wearing back in 2016 and most likely another gift from Balenciaga superfan Kanye.

Minutes after his coat post, Kanye shared another, thanking fans for their comments about his relationship with Kim. 'THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY MY FAMILY MEANS MORE TO ME THAN ANY OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT IN LIFE,' he wrote.

Icons: Minutes after his coat post, Kanye shared another, thanking fans for their comments about his relationship with Kim

All over? The Uncut Gems star had 'liked' a post from Kanye's ex wife Kim on Sunday, hinting their romance may have cooled off

He added of Kim's new love: 'IF ANYONE LOVES ME AND MY FAMILY IF YOU SEE SKETE IN REAL LIFE SCREAM AT YHE LOOSER AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS AND SAY KIMYE FOREVER.'

Meanwhile, Fox was spotted tearfully jetting out of LAX airport alone after her social media activity implied her whirlwind romance with Kanye West is over.

The Uncut Gems star, 32, who attempted to hide her emotional state behind a mask during the outing, had 'liked' a post from Kanye's ex wife Kim Kardashian on Sunday, after deleting all photos of the rapper from her own page.

The telling 'like' comes after Kanye shared a number of Instagram posts declaring 'I wish my wife were with me' and pining for his family to be reunited.

Sending a signal: Julia 'liked' a post from Kanye's ex wife Kim Kardashian on Sunday, after deleting all photos of the rapper from her own page

Sources told E! News last week that Julia 'doesn't have the energy' to put more into a relationship with the rapper.

'Julia is a mom first and her family and work obligations are in New York,' the source said of the actress. 'Ye did express he wanted her in Los Angeles, but she couldn't take that on.'

The insider also noted: 'Although they remain close, their relationship has evolved.'

A second source told the gossip site: 'When she's not around, he reverts back to his old ways with social media outbursts and public antics.'

Message: Kanye shared a post on Sunday from the Super Bowl where he wrote: 'I wish my wife was with me and our children sitting at the 50-yard line'

Back then: The exes share eight-year-old North, six-year-old Saint, four-year-old Chicago, and 2-year-old Psalm

And while Julia has remained 'unbothered' by his recent pleas to estranged wife Kim to bring their family back together, she is 'focusing on her friends and family right now, and does not have the energy to put into a relationship.'

Another insider told Page Six that Julia and Kanye are in 'an open relationship' as he's been seen dating other women, most recently Chaney Jones.

'Their bond transcends typical norms because theyre evolved beings who just want each other to be happy,' one insider close to Fox told the outlet. 'There is no jealousy or bad vibes.'
Alyssa Scott shared a heartbreaking tribute ahead of Valentine's Day to her and Nick Cannon's son Zen, who tragically passed away from a brain tumor at just five months old in December.

On Sunday, the model posted photos and a video of the infant, who was clad in a fuzzy brown onesie with teddy bear ears as he laid on a bed.

'I can imagine us the night before Valentines Day filling out cards to hand to your classmates,' Alyssa wrote in the emotional caption.

Sad: Alyssa Scott shared a heartbreaking tribute ahead of Valentine's Day to her and Nick Cannon's son Zen, who tragically passed away from a brain tumor at just five months old in December.

She continued, 'All signed with your handwriting.. I know it would say: love, Zen.

'Every letter written with your tiny little hand. I often think about your voice. The sound of you saying I love you mom.

'Words I will never hear, But still feel to this day. I know you love me, Zen. You are everywhere.

Tribute: On Sunday, the model posted photos and a video of the infant, who was clad in a fuzzy brown onesie with teddy bear ears as he laid on a bed

'I see you in everything beautiful. When I hear a baby giggle, when I see children playing. You are there. If I had one wish it would be to hold you. I know everything around me would stand still. It would be just you and me.

She concluded, 'My last words to you were Im here, I love you. That will ring true until the end of time.. Im here and I love you baby. Im just missing you extra today. My son. You are all of my dreams realized. '

In the images and clip that Alyssa posted, Zen was seen with the hood of his brown onesie pulled over the top of his head.

Heartbreaking: Alyssa wrote, 'My last words to you were Im here, I love you'

The adorable baby's face was covered with red kiss lipstick marks as he gazed off to the side and smiled softly.

Alyssa was seen feeding him with a baby bottle in the short video that she included in her post.

Zen died on December 5 after suffering from hydrocephalus  a condition where fluid builds up in the cavities of the brain causing the head to increase in size and ultimately putting pressure on the brain.

Tragic: Zen died on December 5 after suffering from hydrocephalus  a condition where fluid builds up in the cavities of the brain causing the head to increase in size and ultimately putting pressure on the brain

Nick confirmed the sad news on the December 7 episode of his eponymous talk show. He told People magazine at the time, 'We had a short time with a true angel.

'My heart is shattered. I wish I could have done more, spent more time with him, taken more pictures. I wish I could have hugged him longer.'

Zen was Nick's youngest child. Nine days before Zen was born in June, the actor announced that he had welcomed twins Zion and Zillion with DJ Abby De La Rosa.

Grieving: Nick confirmed the sad news on the December 7 episode of his eponymous talk show. Seen in 2021

Nick also shares son Golden, four, and daughter Powerful Queen with ex Brittany Bell.

The Wild N' Out host is also father to nine-year-old twins Morocco and Monroe whom he shares with ex-wife Mariah Carey, 52.

Last month, Nick revealed that he was expecting his eighth child with model Bre Tiesi.

Baby on the way: Last month, Nick revealed that he was expecting his eighth child with model Bre Tiesi

Shortly after Nick's announcement, Alyssa reflected on feeling 'centered' and 'at peace' following Zen's passing.

She shared a message on Instagram, writing: 'I want to thank every single person who has messaged me or thought of me over the course of these last few months

'I always say Zen expanded my heart in ways that I never thought possible. He filled that space with compassion, knowing I would need that most.'

Alyssa continued, 'It is painful having my son be apart of conversations that aren't in alignment with his light and legacy. It isn't something I chose for him or myself.

'It's important for me to let you all know..I am centered, I am at peace. I look at everyone's predicament with loving eyes.

'I will not judge. I will consciously decide what I will participate in. I am surrounded by love. God, my mom, dad, sister and brother continued to carry me,' she concluded.
The Tomorrow War action star Chris Pratt treated his pregnant second wife Katherine Schwarzenegger to a Valentine's Day gift from Chanel in LA's West Hollywood neighborhood on Monday.

The Minnesota-born 42-year-old and the expecting 32-year-old also enjoyed a romantic brunch date.

Katherine showcased her burgeoning bump wearing a floral maxi-frock and black sandals and she toted a brown suede bag.

Two years strong! The Tomorrow War action star Chris Pratt treated his pregnant second wife Katherine Schwarzenegger to a Valentine's Day gift from Chanel in LA's West Hollywood neighborhood on Monday

That same day, Chris - who boasts 53.9M social media followers - took to Instastory to share a three-part Valentine's tribute to his 'little cherry blossom.'

'Happy Valentine's Day to my little snow bunny,' Pratt captioned a picture of Schwarzenegger smiling in her ski suit.

The Alaskan Nets producer then shared a rare snap of the influencer with their 18-month-old daughter Lyla Maria Schwarzenegger captioned: 'Happy Valentine's Day to one hot momma!'

Katherine is also stepmother to Pratt's nine-year-old son Jack Daniel from his eight-year marriage to Mom star Anna Faris, which ended in 2018.

'We fit so perfectly into each other's lives': The Minnesota-born 42-year-old (L) and the expecting 32-year-old (R) also enjoyed a romantic brunch date

Bun in the oven! Katherine showcased her burgeoning bump wearing a floral maxi-frock and black sandals and she toted a brown suede bag

The married couple of two years - who are both Special Olympics global ambassadors - were originally introduced to each other in 2018 by her journalist mother Maria Shriver at church.

'We fit so perfectly into each other's lives that our union is a daily reminder that god is looking out for us,' Chris previously wrote on December 13.

'Navigating the odd circumstances of our world is a task I cannot handle alone. And I'm so grateful I dont have to.'

Last Thursday, Schwarzenegger's famous father Arnold Schwarzenegger gushed about the benefits of being a grandfather and revealed he did not yet know the gender of his grandbaby-on-the-way.

Happy memories: That same day, Chris - who boasts 53.9M social media followers - took to Instastory to share a three-part Valentine's tribute to his 'little cherry blossom'

Pratt captioned a picture of Schwarzenegger smiling in her ski suit: 'Happy Valentine's Day to my little snow bunny'

The Alaskan Nets producer then shared a rare snap of the influencer with their 18-month-old daughter Lyla Maria Schwarzenegger captioned: 'Happy Valentine's Day to one hot momma!'

'Baby time' with both children: Katherine is also stepmother to Pratt's nine-year-old son Jack Daniel (L, pictured April 30) from his eight-year marriage to Mom star Anna Faris, which ended in 2018

'It could easily be that [Chris and Katherine] know. I don't know. I don't think so, because my [ex] wife never wanted to know. It was always a guessing kind of a game,' the 74-year-old former California governor said on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

'I think because Katherine is a lot like Maria, she will probably go in the same direction and not want to know.'

Production is expected to run through April on James Gunn's three-quel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in which Pratt reprises his role as half-human, half-Celestial leader Peter Quill/Star-Lord.

'The script was written years ago because we were going to do it years ago, and due to unforeseen circumstances and then a pandemic - I can't - I don't even really remember what happened, but for some reason we didn't shoot it,' the Parks and Recreation alum said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in June.

Last Thursday, Schwarzenegger's famous father Arnold Schwarzenegger gushed about the benefits of being a grandfather and revealed he did not yet know the gender of his grandbaby-on-the-way

The 74-year-old former California governor said on Jimmy Kimmel Live: 'It could easily be that [Chris and Katherine] know. I don't know. I don't think so, because my [ex-wife Maria Shriver] never wanted to know. It was always a guessing kind of a game. I think because Katherine is a lot like Maria, she will probably go in the same direction and not want to know'

'And now, by the grace of god, we will shoot it, and it will be directed by James Gunn, and that's really f***ing cool!'

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special - streaming this December on Disney+ - will be shot at the same time as GOTG3.

Last Thursday, Universal Pictures unveiled the first trailer for Colin Trevorrow's Jurassic World Dominion - hitting US/UK theaters June 10 - in which Chris reprises his role as ethologist Owen Grady.

The sixth (and final) installment of the Jurassic Park franchise also brings back Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and Jeff Goldblum.

'This movie will be worth the wait': Production is expected to run through April on James Gunn's (M) three-quel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in which Chris (2-R, pictured November 8) reprises his role as half-human, half-Celestial leader Peter Quill/Star-Lord
The Durham Report filed new evidence that individuals hired by Hilary Clinton hacked Trump Tower.Later, when he won over the Democrat, another hack was done on the White House servers. Indications that the Hilary Clinton campaign was working to prevent the 45th president-elect from winning the election.

Democrats Weaponize the System for Their Gain

John Durham, a Justice Department special counsel, says in a filing that Clinton was actively involved in a plot to smear Trump, cited Fox News.

The special counsel filed the motion on February 11 with the object of dredging data and using it to create a false narrative. Democrats wanted to discredit the Republican presidential candidate to Russia.

Attorney General William Barr, during that time, appointed a counsel, Durham, to dig into charges that the 45th president was involved with Moscow.

Former Clinton lawyer Michael Sussman and an FBI attorney are accused of lying to a federal agent, which was essentially false and a lie to initiate an investigation into the Trump campaign, reported Newsmax.

In the filing called Factual Background, the lawyer of Clinton manufactured false allegations presented to the FBI to go after the GOP candidate. They used someone from a tech firm and a company, plus the Clinton campaign's conspiracy.

Mentioned in the filing of the Durham Report were that Sussman billed the Democrat campaign for work on the Russian Bank allegations.

The council had manufactured white papers to frame the GOP candidate as having a transaction with a Russian bank, noted New York Post.

Read Also: Donald Trump Blasts Claims That White House Record Was Flushed Down, Calls it Another Attempt To Smear Him

Trump Was Being Spied

The report mentions that Sussman and the tech executive had a meeting with a liberal activist lawyer Marc Elias.

More people were involved, including several researchers from US university cybersecurity experts. Expert at analyzing data involving a cybersecurity research contract.

The researchers were asked to mine the data link and look for dirt that can be used to frame Trump for Russian collusion.

A tech firm paid by the Clinton campaign was later contracted to mine the servers of President Trump's White House.

Clinton intended to smear Trump, even after the first attempt that did not stop him from winning. Both attempts to spy had failed. Donald Trump stated an opinion about the news on Twitter.

He blasted the Democrat for attempting to frame and spy for him, calling the news as evidence of a crime that is worse than Watergate.

Additionally, Clinton violated the law and instituted something far worse than Nixon's scandal. He asked for cases to be filed for these crimes against his privacy.

Ex-Attorney General William Barr was the counsel for the Russia Probe of the FBI, reported CNN.

To date, several have been charged, Sussman and Russian analyst Igor Danchenko, involving the 2016 Steele dossier, which has contained alleged collusion of the ex-president.

The Durham Report has proven that Hilary Clinton is trying to spy and smear Trump, giving credence to the claims charged against her and the Democrats.

Related Article: Hilary Clinton Not Lauded for Her Fancy Dinner Gossip with Husband to Promote COVID-19 Vaccination on The Sly

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Cultural Studies Professor Carolyn Cooper has revealed that she has been reliably informed that the procurement process for Jamaicas long-overdue state-of-the-art Reggae Music Museum is finally underway.

Writing in one of her recent columns on her website, Professor Cooper made the revelation and called for the process to be fast-tracked, even as she, for the umpteenth time, renewed her call for the world class Reggae Music Museum to be established to elevate forthwith, what now serves as the repository for the islands music, from the old storeroom at the Institute of Jamaica in Kingston.

In a recent interview, Herbie Miller confirmed that plans are much advanced to build a fit-for-purpose museum that will be 30 times larger than the storeroom. The business plan has been approved. The next stage is the selection of both the architect and the designer of the interior of the museum, she said.

The Governments procurement process is painfully slow. Hopefully, it will not take 20 more years for this state-of-the-art museum to become a reality, she added.

In a stern criticism of the entities who established the museum, back in 2000, Professor Cooper intimated that the area they had reserved for the museum was reflection of the scant regard they had for the genre.

The Jamaica Music Museum on Water Lane is housed in a former storeroom at the Institute of Jamaica. The exhibition gallery is approximately 1,000 square feet. It sounds even smaller in square metres: 92.9. The size of the museum tells you all you need to know about the lack of foresight of its founders, Professor Cooper stated in a column on her website.

Instead of starting with a clear plan for the museum and finding a space in which to bring the vision to reality, the founders worked back to front, Professor Cooper said.

The University of the West Indies professor also spoke to the inappropriateness of the area in which the music museum is housed, and the fact that the powers that be took almost a decade to appoint a director for the facility.

It seems as if a decision was taken that the museum had to be on the site of the Institute of Jamaica on East Street. All that was available was a storeroom and the museum was forced into it. How in Gods name could a small room in a backwater of downtown Kingston be seen as an appropriate place for the Jamaica Music Museum? It makes absolutely no sense, she said.

The museum was launched in 2000 and it took all of nine years to appoint a director/curator, Mr Herbie Miller. Hes a man of many talents: musicologist, artiste manager, social analyst, songwriter, music producer and cultural historian. Unfortunately, he is not a magician. Over the last decade or so, he has tried valiantly to transform the storeroom into a museum, she said.

Professor Cooper said that despite the fact that Miller had negotiated the acquisition of approximately 500 artefacts, the curator does not have enough space to display the majority of them.

These valuable cultural objects remain in the safekeeping of their owners, awaiting a proper museum, she said.

She re-emphasized an earlier point that, when Miller was invited to collaborate with the Museum of Music at the Paris Philharmonic to mount the Jamaica, Jamaica: From Bob Marley to the deejays exhibition, space was allocated for the event at the National Gallery, covering more than 7,000 square feet.

This she said, was a clear indication that a music museum was critical, as it would have been evident to the authorities then, that there was no place for the exhibition in the storeroom at the Institute of Jamaica, much less a national music museum.

We may think that a storeroom is suitable for the Jamaica Music Museum. Foreigners know better, she said.

Professor Cooper noted that the failure of successive governments to establish a proper museum, has resulted in the birthplace of Reggae failing to capitalise on yet another aspect of music and cultural tourism, while in places like the UK, exhibitions on Reggae were raking in millions.

She pointed to yet another exhibition on Jamaican music which has been mounted abroad, the latest being the Bob Marley One Love Experience which opened at the Saatchi Gallery in London on February 2, just in time for the Gongs 77th birthday, and will run until April 18.

According to Professor Cooper, the projected commercial success of the exhibition, and its accompanying entry fees, is confirmation of the wide appeal of Jamaican culture.

She however pointed out that during a BBC world service programme about the One Love Experience, the question of bringing the exhibition to Jamaica was raised, but that the obvious answer is another question: where would we put it?

The One Love Experience is definitely not cheap. The price ranges from 18 for a standard ticket on Monday through Thursday, to 90 for the Live DJ Night. In between, theres the Friday, Saturday, Sunday standard ticket for 24. Access to the VIP room costs 50 and the Expert Guided Group Tour is 70. Bob Marley would probably not have approved of the high cost of one love: We nuh know how we an dem a go work dis out, she noted.

But we are still not taking the cultural/creative industries seriously, as evidenced in the present state of the Jamaica Music Museum, she said.

The One Love exhibition is currently showcasing, among other things, unseen photos and memorabilia of the Jamaican, while promising to immerse audiences on a journey through his lifestyle, passions, influences, and enduring legacy.

The massive exhibition includes the Viewers, One Love Music Room, One Love Forest, Soul Shakedown Studio, The Beautiful Life space, The Concrete Jungle and Fan Art Exhibition, as well as The Next Gen Room which focuses on the Small Axe artistes descendants.
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LIC has 66 per cent market share in new business premiums with 283 million policies and 1.35 million agents as of March 31, 2021, Pandey added in the tweet.  PTI

Mumbai: The government on Sunday filed draft papers with the markets regulator for selling a 5 per cent stake in the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) through a public issue that promises to be India's largest ever.

As per the 652-page draft red herring prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the initial public offering will comprise over 31.625 crore equity shares of Rs 10 face value, constituting 5 per cent of the insurance behemoth's over 632.5 crore equity shares, which are 100 per cent owned by the Government of India.

The IPO will allot a minimum number of shares to all retail bidders.

As per the prospectus, LIC's embedded value has been pegged at about Rs 5.4 lakh crore, as of September 30, 2021, by international actuarial firm Milliman Advisors. Under the embedded value method, insurance companies' present value of future profit is also included in its present net asset value (NAV).

LIC will not receive any money from the public offer, as the net proceeds from the offer will go to the Government of India. The IPO is 100 per cent offer for sale (OFS) by the GoI, with no fresh issue of shares by the LIC.

The document said the policyholder reservation portion shall not exceed 10 per cent of the offer size and that the employee reservation portion shall not exceed 5 per cent of post-offer equity share capital.

The LIC policyholders and LIC employees will be offered equity shares at a discount to the public issue price to be set by the company.

"Allocation to all categories, except the anchor investor portion and the retail portion, shall be made on a proportionate basis subject to valid bids received at or above the offer price, as applicable," the document said.

About the retail individual investors' (RIB) portion, the document said, "The allocation to each RIB shall not be less than the minimum bid lot, subject to availability of equity shares in the retail portion, and the remaining available equity shares, if any, shall be allocated on a proportionate basis."

"The objects of the offer are to achieve the benefits of listing the equity shares on the stock exchanges; and carry out the Offer for Sale of over 31.625 crore equity shares by Government of India. .

On Sunday, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, secretary, Dipam tweeted that "The DRHP of LIC IPO has been filed today with the SEBI. For filing valuation about 31.6 crore shares are on offer representing 5 per cent equity,"

"LIC has 66 per cent market share in new business premiums with 283 million policies and 1.35 million agents as of March 31, 2021," Pandey added in the tweet.
Beijing makes progress in Central Axis application to world heritage list

Xinhua) 08:54, February 14, 2022

BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Beijing has made progress in the application for its Central Axis to be included in the list of world cultural heritage sites, a spokesperson with the city's cultural heritage bureau said Sunday.

According to a three-year action plan on the conservation of the Central Axis, projects related to cultural relic protection, environmental improvement, and resident relocation have been advanced well, Liu Hongchang, spokesperson of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, said at a press conference.

"Our draft application text was submitted to the World Heritage Center for format review ahead of schedule," Liu said.

A series of events, including the Asian Dialogue for Cultural Heritage Conservation and the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO, has been successfully held for the international publicity of the Central Axis, said Liu.

The Beijing Central Axis is 7.8 kilometers long, starting in the south of the city from the Yongding Gate and ending with the Drum Tower and Bell Tower in the north. Most of the significant old-city buildings of Beijing are along this axis.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Hongyu)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is butting heads with former United States President Donald Trump with his plans to retake the Senate and block the Republican businessman's primaries.

The situation comes after McConnell pushed Trump's agenda for years and rarely opposed him in public. But the Senate Minority Leader and his allies have been quietly and desperately maneuvering to oppose the former president and his closest allies.

McConnell vs Trump

McConnell is joined by a band of anti-Trump Republicans and former United States President George W. Bush. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has also been the recipient of criticism from Trump for more than a year after he refused to overturn his state's presidential results.

Bush encouraged Ducey to run against Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat, and suggested that the Republican Party needed to have more people like the Arizona governor to step forward. This month, Ducey said that he felt humility, talking about Bush's appeal.

The opposition of GOP members comes as Trump is working on maintaining his hold on the Republican Party. The former president has been elevating a slate of friendly candidates in the 2022 midterm elections, as per the New York Times.

For months, McConnell and his allies have been trying to recruit potential Senate candidates to run against Trump's primaries. The Senate Minority Leader and his group have made phone calls, meetings, and polling memos to get more allies on their side.

Read Also: Donald Trump-Stormy Daniels Issue: Secret Service Agent "Not Pleased" After Ex-POTUS Used Phone To Call Melania Trump

Despite Trump vacating the presidential office last January, he has still maintained a tight grip on the GOP and several of its members. One instance seen last year was when Sen. Lindsey Graham said that he wanted to leverage Trump's influence to ensure that the right takes back the majority of the House and Senate in 2022.

Business Insider reported that Graham suggested in December that the former president will continue to shape the political sphere and noted that party leaders will find a way to work with the Republican businessman to avoid being ostracized. The South Carolina lawmaker said that any Republican leader in the House or Senate will not be effective unless they had a close relationship with Trump.

Divide Within the GOP

The divide within the GOP has grown largely due after the Republican National Committee (RNC) voted to censure two House Republicans who are members of the House Select Committee: Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. Trump also criticized McConnell, arguing that the Minority Leader did not speak for other GOP members.

In a statement issued through Trump's Save America PAC, the former president said that McConnell's views were not representative of the whole GOP. The Republican businessman argued that the Senate Minority Leader did nothing to fight for his constituents and prevent the country's most fraudulent election in history.

Trump also repeatedly made statements about election fraud a day after an RNC spokeswoman appeared to suggest that the party's own elected officials were out of touch with Republican voters. Danielle Alvarez released a statement saying that, outside of the D.C. bubble, there was much support for the decision to hold Cheney and Kinzinger accountable for their actions, the Washington Post reported.



Related Article: Larry Hogan Criticizes GOP For Being 'Focused on the Wrong Things' After Declining To Run For Senate

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From being an engineering student who did a short film (that went viral) to becoming a full-fledged actress, Athulya Ravi has come a long way. While the short film she acted in accidently landed her in Tamil films, she says that getting into the Telugu industry was a conscious effort.

I am excited to do a film in Telugu, one of the most happening industries, she beams, talking about her debut movie directed by Ramesh Kaduri.

The actress says that the film has an urban backdrop and that its a character-based plot.

Theres nothing like hero and heroine, but the lead characters have a good arc to drive the story, says Athulya, adding that the film is a family drama with a political flavour.

After a prolonged telephonic interview, she came down to Hyderabad for a look test. And then she commenced shooting within no time.

Its been more than one week since I began shooting; its been an interesting experience, she shares, stating that she also knows the language. Explaining that shes slowly getting to know the world of films, the actress says, Initially I didnt know about cinema and the kind of longevity I would have. But later I started to understand and focussed more. Shes hoping for a long stint in the industry.
Mandya: Amid ongoing controversy over wearing hijab in classrooms, arguments between parents and a teacher erupted outside Rotary School in Karnataka's Mandya as she asked students to take off hijab before entering campus.

Asif, one of the parents, said the school administration is arguing with parents instead of allowing students in the classrooms.

"We are requesting the school administration to allow students in the classrooms. The students can take off hijab after entering the classrooms but the teachers are arguing with us," Asif said.

The schools for classes up to 10th standard re-opened on Monday in Karnataka.

A decision regarding PUCs, colleges and universities can be expected after a review of the situation in the State, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said.

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.

Meanwhile, 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 wearing hijab in classrooms in the state.

The Karnataka High Court on Friday uploaded the interim order passed on the petitions challenging the hijab ban in colleges in the state. The hearing of the petitions will continue on February 14.
A decision regarding PUCs, colleges and universities can be expected after a review of the situation in the State, the Chief Minister said. (PTI)

Udupi: Amid the ongoing hijab row, schools for classes up to 10th standard re-opened on Monday in Karnataka.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai made the announcement on re-opening of the schools on Sunday.

"Schools up to 10th standard will re-open from Monday. I have instructed the DCs, SPs and school administrations to conduct a peace committee meeting. Schools for higher classes and degree colleges will re-open after reviewing the situation," Bommai said.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court on Friday uploaded the interim order passed on the petitions challenging the hijab ban in colleges in the state. The hearing of the petitions will continue on February 14.

A decision regarding PUCs, colleges and universities can be expected after a review of the situation in the State, the Chief Minister added.

The hijab row in Karnataka began in January this year when some students of Government Girls PU college in the Udupi district of the state alleged that they were barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students claimed that they were denied entry into the college for wearing hijab.

Following this incident, students of different colleges arrived at Shanteshwar Education Trust in Vijayapura sporting saffron stoles. The situation was the same in several colleges in the Udupi 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.

Meanwhile, 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 wearing of hijab in classrooms in the state.

Section 144 imposed in areas around all high schools in Udupi

Udupi district administration has imposed Section 144 of CrPC within 200 meters radius of the high schools in the district.

Prohibitory orders Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed from 6 am on Feb 14 to 6 pm on Feb 19 as a precautionary measure. The decision was taken by the Deputy Commissioner based on the request of the three Sub Divisional Police Officers of the Udupi district.

As per the order, assembly of five or more members around the school perimeter is not allowed. All sorts of gatherings including protests and rallies are banned. Inciting slogans, songs and speeches are strictly barred.

Prohibitory orders imposed in Mangaluru

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar has imposed Section 144 within 200 meters radius of all the schools and colleges within the Commissionerate limits.

The prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed from 6 am on Feb 14 to 6 pm on Feb 19 as a precautionary measure.

Areas coming under the Mangaluru Commissionerate region are sensitive. To ensure there are no untoward incidents the police commissioner has issued prohibitory orders.

As per the order, all sorts of gatherings including protests, rallies, and processions are not allowed. Assembly of five or more members within 200 meters of the school is banned. Inciting slogans, songs, speech, bursting crackers, carrying weapons are not allowed.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the CBI to proceed with the probe into the suicide of a 17-year-old girl in Thanjavur who was allegedly coerced to convert to Christianity.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M Trivedi issued notice on the appeal filed by the Tamil Nadu DGP challenging the Madras High Court order.

The top court said that there are two aspects in the matter -- one, there are certain observations recorded in the impugned judgment and the second is regarding the final order directing probe by CBI.

The apex court said it might not be appropriate for it to interject in the CBI investigation but it would issue notice on the first aspect.

"Issue notice returnable in three weeks... In the meanwhile, the investigation in terms of the impugned order to continue," the bench said.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Tamil Nadu.

The high court on January 31 transferred the probe to the CBI.

"This Court has a duty to render posthumous justice to the child. The foregoing circumstances cumulatively taken will definitely create an impression that the investigation is not proceeding on the right lines.

"Since a high ranking Hon'ble Minister himself has taken a stand, investigation cannot continue with the State Police. I therefore direct the Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), New Delhi, to assign an officer to take over investigation from the State Police," the high court had ruled.

CBI will undertake an independent investigation and shall not take into account any of the observations made in this order, the judge had added.

The 17-year-old student of the missionary school in Thanjavur belonged to Ariyalur district and committed suicide a few days ago.

A hostel inmate, she was allegedly coerced to convert to Christianity. A video clip in this connection had gone viral. The school management rejected the allegation and blamed vested interests.

The victim's father demanded a CB-CID investigation "but in the final hearing, the original prayer was given up and the request was for transfer of investigation to CBI," the court said.

In the police statement as well as in the statement before the judicial magistrate, the girl had directly and in unambiguous terms accused the hostel warden of burdening her by assigning her non-academic chores and unable to bear the same, she consumed pesticide.

The hostel warden Sister Saghayamary was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on the basis of the statement.
Guwahati: The political diatribe between Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his counterpart in Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma continued on Monday with the Assam chief minister showing "videographic evidence" of the surgical strike.

In fact the diatribe had started over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's old comments, demanding evidence of the surgical strike of the Indian army on Pakistan from the Centre.

It resurfaced and snowballed into a fresh political sparring after Telangana chief minister came out in support of Mr Gandhi.

Mr Sarma on Monday posted a video on twitter saying, Dear KCR garu, here is the videographic evidence of the surgical strike by our brave army. In spite of this you question the valor of our Armed forces and insult them. Why are you so desperate to attack and malign our Army? New India will not tolerate insults against our Army."

It is significant that nMr Gandhi had been demanding that the Centre should present proof of India's surgical strike in Pakistan in 2016 and airstrike in 2019. There is nothing wrong with Rahul Gandhi asking for proof of surgical strike. What was wrong? Mr Rao told reporters at a press conference on Sunday.

He further added, Even now I'm asking... Let the government of India show (proof). It is their responsibility. There are apprehensions among people... BJP makes false propaganda that's why people are asking for proof... and in a democracy... you are not a monarch, not a king. Mr Rao also said that Mr Sarma should apologise for his remarks that appeared to question Mr Gandhi's parentage.

At a public rally in Uttarakhand, Mr Sarma while criticising the policy of Congress party also targeted Mr Gandhi for demanding proof of surgical strikes of the Indian army. He went on saying that Mr Gandhi had no right to demand proof from the army. If army says that they have done the surgical strike, it was enough for we Indians to believe, said Mr Sarma.

He also regretted, He (Mr Gandhi) seeks proof from our Army of the surgical strike, did we ever ask you for proof of whether you are Rajiv Gandhi's son or not? What right do you have to demand proof from my Army?"

Mr Rao while criticising Assam chief minister for his remark questioning the parentage of Mr Gandhi had stated, "PM Modi ji, is this the 'sanskaar' (etiquettes) or our Hindu ritual to question an MP about the identity of his father. Mr Rao had also added, My head hangs in shame This is not a good thing for the country.
Hyderabad: Union tourism minister G. Kishan Reddy on Monday strongly condemned the comments made by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao over the issue of surgical strikes against Pakistan.

Referring to the Chief Ministers demand that he would like to know the truth and proof about surgical strikes, Kishan Reddy asked if Pakistan's own actions of declaring a no-fly zone in their own air space for more than six months after Balakot were not proof enough.

"I strongly condemn the irresponsible statement of Telangana CM KCR against the Indian armed forces," Reddy tweeted.

Kishan Reddy alleged that the Chief Minister joined the bandwagon of "Tukde Tukde gang and urban Naxals" by asking proof of the surgical strikes to cast aspersions on the armed forces.

Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the Central government was a democratic right, but insulting the nation's patriotic armed forces was not, Reddy noted. Observing that the Indian armed forces were fighting valiantly against enemies across the border on multiple fronts, he said Colonel Santosh Babu, a Telugu "bidda" (son of Telugu soil), gave up his life last year to protect the country's citizens.
How many of us have left our laptops and iPads in taxis or at airports or at random places and then hoped madly that they would miraculously be returned?

It is highly unlikely of course, but it did happen to us. While taking a taxi one day, Meghnad found he had come home without his precious iPad which has many books and ideas loaded onto it, none of which were saved anywhere.

So there was sorrow and consternation all around. But surprisingly, he was optimistic. This is because of the legendary honesty of the Black Cab driver in London. If the black cab driver had found it, said Meghnad confidently, he will definitely return it. However, when nothing happened for a few days  we had no choice than to head for an Apple store to buy a new iPad. As luck would have it, before we reached the store a message came from the driver  he had managed to track Meghnad down and sent his number with a note that he had left the iPad at Charing Cross police station and we should rush there to pick it up, otherwise it would go into the lost and found department somewhere else entirely.

Thrilled beyond belief, we headed for the station, and found the system of collection of lost property very orderly and neat. The officer on duty immediately found the iPad, neatly sealed in a plastic bag, and handed it over to Meghnad.

There is also a fixed system of rewards which the officer told us about  and we gave a small reward to the taxi driver who will receive it in the proper fashion. (You are not permitted to give large rewards through this system.) Because people leave things so frequently in London black cabs, the methodology is very smoothly implemented.

Having the books and ideas stored in the iPad back again, obviously means the world to any author. And so Meghnad wanted to express his gratitude to the cab driver in some other way as well. He has, therefore, invited the driver and his wife to the House of Lords for lunch! All is well that ends well!

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Meanwhile, delivering the keynote address on the global summit for Re-imagining Museums in India  for the ministry of culture (Government of India) has had its benefits for me. The most important being that I felt I must go out now, post Covid, and see how museums are managing. While there are some wonderful exhibitions ongoing such as on Beatrix Potter and her works, I could not but help being drawn to the Van Gogh virtual museum or exhibition which has been winning accolades everywhere. Set in over 20,000 square feet  it has 360 views of the artists paintings  with virtual reality giving you a fabulous immersive experience. You feel the sky is raining sunflowers  and all the paintings miraculously seem alive. It is a fascinating exhibition and more so because it gives us an entirely different perspective of the artists works. Re-imagined museums should also have re-imagined exhibits. There is no point having digital displays if they do not add to the viewer experience

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And the strangest thing happened to the police commissioner of the legendary Metropolitan Police Force. Having started this column with a positive story of how the police service can work, let me end it with a negative note. The head of the police force Dame Cressida Dick represented many things: she was a woman and she was gay. There was a lot of hope when she was appointed commissioner in 2017. It was thought that many aspects of the doughty Scotland Yard, once the pinnacle of professionalism, would improve. But unfortunately she resigned because she was accused of, strangely, not being able to rid of sexism, racism and homophobia within the police force  and especially at the Charing Cross police station about whom I have written such glowing words above.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan had left her with little option than to quit, when he put her on notice to change things around within weeks, which of course is impossible in such a large force.

The home secretary, Priti Patel, was none too pleased at the sudden departure of the top cop, but she had no choice.

And for many of us, it was a peculiar drama  because on the one side you had a mayor of Pakistani origin and and, on the other, a home secretary of Indian origin ultimately sacking a white British head of police. It is astonishing how the balance of power has shifted!

But it was also a sad moment, because if a woman cannot get rid of misogyny within a police force who can ultimately do so?

However, Dame Cressida has stayed on till she can conclude the ongoing Partygate investigation!

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And yes, Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, is still at Number 10 Downing Street, but has been handed a list of questions to answer by the Metropolitan police. And of course, if the Ukraine-Russia war breaks out  many say the PM may have got away again!
By virtue of being a voter in Uttar Pradesh, a handbill was delivered along with the days newspapers. It was, from the BJPs nominee, a sitting MLA who won with one of the largest vote margins in 2017. No rival has undertaken this exercise yet, indicating either that they have given up the fight, or presumed that our middle-class locality is unlikely to vote for them. Despite being the incumbent, the marketing flier with the BJP candidates gloat-filled and photo-shopped picture prioritised serving a reminder to voters of the before 2017 era and not the after 2017 section. It mirrored the incessant before 2014 refrain of the BJPs un-harmonic orchestra conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with teleprompters in front. The difference being that while the partys national campaign stresses on the previous seven decades or so as being a period of zero or insignificant achievement, this BJP aspirants handout depicts the years before 2017 as when lawlessness was rampant and hooligans stealthily pounced on sisters-daughters, traders and anyone seeking their legal entitlements. The 15-point list of blemishes of the pre-BJP period, (essentially under the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party) is aimed at reminding people of the horror shows previously, while the post-March 2017 phase is depicted as an era of golden contrasts. Women and girls are not scared now, but offenders are the ones looking for avenues to slink away. While the idol of Ram Lalla was beneath a tent previously, a grand temple for the deity is coming up now. Previously, our district had a Haj House to enable the Haj-bound to stay while completing last-minute procedures before emplaning for Saudi Arabia. To be one up on them and to match such appeasement, the BJP government has constructed a lavish Kailash Mansarover Bhavan, despite the fact that the pilgrimage is unlikely this year too after the Covid-19 pandemic led to the yatras cancellation from 2020 onwards.

In the leaflet, of the listed achievements, most are in the sphere of religious (cultural) counter-balancing actions: floral showers on Kanwar Yatras in place of bans, Deepotsav in Ayodhya and the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj as against the Saifai Mahotsav, official Navratri celebrations and not Iftar parties and finally bhajans over loudspeakers every morning and evening in place of the ban previously. The next largest cluster of the failures-successes juxtapositions are in the realm of crime, criminals and criminality, where the dog-whistle links them to Muslims and their associates  official protection for goondas replaced with a tenure when they were on the run and instead of cases against the criminals being withdrawn by the government, and their properties are being bulldozed.

The development spiel finds little mention in the pamphlet, but even the three feats listed are contentious. Like, for instance, the claim that potholed roads have been replaced by expressways, flyovers and elevated corridors. As a resident of UP, I can testify that the quality of roads, by and large, remain the same. Likewise, many flyovers and the 10 km-plus elevated corridor in the district were started during the dark days.

The BJP candidate did not seek votes on the basis of improving peoples livelihood and for efficient tackling of the health and economic crises triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The poll plank of the BJP candidate in our constituency has a continuing narrative in the partys manifesto and epitomises the partys thrust in trying to retain the state, that is considered by most as central to the Prime Ministers campaign for the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024. From the time the partys three major flag-bearers  Narendra Modi, Union home minister, Amit Shah and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath  blew the bugle in autumn last year, the emphasis was on reminding voters of the alleged criminals-Muslims-Yadavs-police nexus. Earlier too, several law-and-order measures, for instance the formation of anti-Romeo squads and calls for thok do (shoot) had a clear majoritarian orientation.

When the BJP made its political advent in Uttar Pradesh, in the 1980s and 1990s, the articulate leadership then coined the idea of reverse polarisation in seats where Muslims were present in large numbers. By claiming they were consolidating against the BJP, unabashedly presented as being committed to furthering Hindu interests, its leaders beseeched the community to line up behind the party en masse to demonstrate the might of awakened Hindus. Going one step forward, by juxtaposing the Haj House with Kailash Mansarovar Bhavan and Iftar parties with official Navratri celebrations, the BJP has graduated to reverse-appeasement.

From when the trishul or trident became the symbol of demonstrating Hindu assertiveness in the course of the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation, the BJPs political campaign has been multi-pronged. However, the central prong has been always to poke at pre-existing religious prejudice of Hindus against Muslims, convert this into fear and eventually electorally harness this sentiment to the BJPs favour. It is the consistent strategy of fostering hatred that has resulted in the dangerous situation of proverbially spawning a thousand Nathuram Godse-like characters.

Despite showcasing the state police forces purported efficiency, the attack on AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi is a pointer to a grave threat to Indias internal security. The statements of the accused point to the emerging gun-culture with a majoritarian thrust in the country and the absence of widespread condemnation from the BJP leadership will only encourage more Sachin Sharmas and Shubhams to express their rage and fury at provocative statements by leaders like Mr Owaisi, not with words or action but by emptying a few rounds of bullets.

The absence of remorse from any senior BJP leaders, even before the hate speeches at the so-called Dharam Sansad faded from public memory, is a marker to the thin ice that we are all walking on.

That hate begets hate is a truism but the BJP leadership has consistently looked the other way. With the stakes high in UP for being part of the first round of polls after the ferocity of the Covid-19 pandemic and the collapse of governance during last years second wave and the incapacity of the Central and state governments to put the personal economies of devastated citizens back on track, the rest of the campaign will be indicative of the inter-community relationship in future. Going by the pamphlet that came along with the days news, the portents are not encouraging, but one hopes good sense prevails on the BJP leadership and they douse the raging flame they have stoked in millions of hearts.
The approach could be added to existing SARS-CoV-2 antibody cocktails for greater function against emerging variants. (Photo: PTI/Representational)

Los Angeles: Researchers have engineered a novel antibody that can directly interfere with and block the cell-to-cell transmission ability of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The antibody, FuG1, targets the enzyme furin, which the virus uses for its efficient chain of infections in human cells.

The approach, described recently in the journal Microbiology Spectrum, could be added to existing SARS-CoV-2 antibody cocktails for greater function against emerging variants.

"We developed an approach that interferes with the transmission chain of SARS-CoV-2," said senior author of the study Jogender Tushir-Singh from the University of California (UC), Davis in the US.

"The COVID-19 vaccines are a great lifesaver in reducing hospitalisations and severe illness. Yet, we are now learning that they may not be as effective in controlling the transmissibility of the virus," Tushir-Singh said.

The researchers noted that engineered FuG1 antibody competitively interferes with the furin function needed for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to become highly transmissible.

Furin, found throughout the human body, is involved in various functions of cells. It is a type of enzyme that can break down proteins into smaller components.

Furin does this by cutting, or cleaving, the polybasic peptide bonds within the proteins, the researchers said.

It can also cleave and activate viruses that enter human cells. Pathogens that utilise furin in their human host include HIV, influenza, dengue fever and SARS-CoV-2, they said.

When SARS-CoV-2 infects a human cell, it is in its active state, having already "cleaved" its spike protein, which the SARS-CoV-2 virus uses to enter and infect the cells.

However, when the virus is being synthesised within the host cell -- when it is replicating -- the spike is in an inactive state.

The virus needs to use the host cell's furin to cut the spike protein into two parts, S1 and S2, which makes the spike active on the viral particles for efficient transmissibility upon release.

The virus exploits the host's furin to transmit from one cell to another and another. This added activation step is what makes the virus highly transmissible," said Tanmoy Mondal, the first author of the study and a post-doctoral researcher at UC Davis.

Inhibiting furin to limit the SARS-CoV-2 chain of infection cycle is not a straightforward mechanism, according to the researchers.

"Furin is found throughout the human body and is needed for the normal functioning of many biological processes. Stopping furin from doing its job causes high body toxicity. That is why the standard furin inhibitor drugs are not a clinically feasible option," Tushir-Singh said.

In the latest research, the team engineered a conjugated antibody targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The design is similar to therapeutic monoclonal (IgG) antibodies but includes an added feature -- Fc-extended peptide -- that specifically interferes with the host furin.

FuG1 allows the interruptions of the furin function to limit spike activation, thus specifically limiting the viral transmissibility during its chain of infection in host cells.

The high affinity, variable-domain-targeting spike in FuG1 is key for furin-targeting specificity to avoid potential toxicity.

The researchers evaluated the engineered furin disrupter, FuG1, in human lung tissue cells. Tests were run with the original SARS-CoV-2 variant and pseudoviruses.

They found that adding the furin disruptor peptide did not interfere with the function of the antibody or its ability to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike.

FuG1 significantly impacted the spike cleavage at furin sites. It also interfered with the overall stability of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which in general is necessary for infecting cells and transmissibility of the virus.

The next steps for the team will be a series of experiments in mice. They will also test the engineered antibody against current variants like Omicron.

Tushir-Singh is cautiously optimistic that variants such as Omicron will not yield many differences.

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Taiwan's Foxconn said on Monday it had partnered with Indian conglomerate Vedanta Ltd to make semiconductors in the South Asian country, as the electronics giant looks to diversify its business amid a global chip shortage.

Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer and a major Apple supplier, has expanded into areas including electric vehicles (EVs) and semiconductors in recent years.

In a statement, Foxconn said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with oil-to-metals group Vedanta to make semiconductors, calling it "a significant boost to domestic manufacturing of electronics in India."

Foxconn said it would invest Rs 897 crore to set up a joint venture company with Vedanta, which would be the majority shareholder of the new venture. Foxconn would hold 40% of the venture's shares, it added.

"This first-of-its-kind joint venture between the two companies will support Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to create an ecosystem for semiconductor manufacturing in India," the statement said.

The Taiwan company has in recent years counted semiconductors among its core businesses and last year formed a partnership with Yageo Corp to make semiconductor chips, following a global chip shortage that has rattled producers of goods from cars to electronics.

The company has also in recent years announced plans to become a major player in the global EV market, and has said it was in talks with "related foundries" on possible collaboration to make chips for EVs.

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Ukraine leaders told Joe Biden and the West to keep quiet about an alleged Russian invasion, which is not beneficial.

The Ukrainians are more concerned about the Eurovision program than listen to the rants of Washington. Compared to Kyiv, the US and allies are too engrossed when Vladimir Putin rolls out his forces.

US Claims of Imminent Invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky got tired of claims that Russia will be invading in 48-hours, despite lack of proof that Washington loosely claims, reported the Express UK.

The Kyiv leader is tired of all the Western intelligence claims that have no sound basis. Too many claims and less proof unnecessarily raised tension too much, caused unnecessary panic.

James Landale, BBC's diplomatic correspondent, observed that locals were more interested in Eurovision on social media than Joe Biden spouting Russia will invade this weekend, noted on Twitter.

He said on the program that it is optimistic that on social media in Ukraine, there is no concern about the Russians invading them. Instead, the hot topic is who will be the top contestant of the new Eurovision Song Contest.

An overall assessment of the developments about what US intelligence says is happening. Allegedly, there will be a military assault and citing how Russian is building. They are waiting for a chance to invade.

More units were added to the border that formerly had 100,000, but the reinforcements have increased to 130,000.

There are reports that countless troops are in Belarus for military drills, a few hundred miles away from Kyiv. This does not faze Ukraine leaders compared to Washington.

Read Also: Russia Probes EU's Reaction in the Ongoing Migrant Crisis at the Poland-Belarus Border

US Orders Officials To Leave Ukraine

New warnings originating from Washington ordered all US officials to leave the embassy with their staff. Other nations have followed suit and told their nationals to abandon Kyiv.

Last Friday, an alarmist warning said Vladimir Putin is poised to strike fears heightened by an aerial bombing.

But the warning made by the White House was received coldly, President Zelensky disregarded the warning. He said that panic is the worst enemy, taking potshots of the irresponsible pronouncements of the west.

The Ukrainian government of late has been testy how the Western allies are dealing with the alleged rollout of Russian forces this weekend.

One of the chiefs of staff advisers spoke to the press, no needs to close the airspace and consider the warning silly, cited Yahoo Sports.

Another Ukraine official, the UK ambassador Vadym Prystaiko told the UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace his displeasure. Wallace said there was a smell of Munich in the air, which referred to fail attempt to stop Hitler in WW2.

He told the UK official it was uncalled for comparison that is appeasement which does not help.

On a British radio program, the Ukraine ambassador stated that offending anyone would be counterproductive for everyone. It is better to avoid negative acts that will bring conflict as a reaction to Wallace.

Despite what the west says, BBC's Zhanna Bezpiatchuk remarked that Kyiv or other cities are not panicking. But, the Mayor of the capital city had contingencies ready for all the residents.

Foreign Adviser Yuri Ushakov called Joe Biden to spread unnecessary panic, and he only made it worse.

The general atmosphere of Ukraine leaders is going about business as usual, and it's the west feeding the frenzy that will only make things go out of control, or this is their goal not to stop a Russian invasion.

Related Article: Ex-Trump Adviser Called EU Weak To Oppose Russia If Putin Takes Action

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Japanese beer giant Kirin became on Monday the latest foreign company to announce it was leaving Myanmar in the wake of a coup last year and a military crackdown on dissent.

Investors flocked to the country after the military relaxed its iron grip in 2011, paving the way for democratic reforms and economic liberalisation in the country of more than 50 million people. But human rights groups have pressed foreign companies to rethink their activities in Myanmar following the February 2021 coup and a subsequent crackdown which, according to local monitoring groups, has left more than 1,500 people dead.

The US government last month warned companies worldwide that doing business with Yangon ran "the risk of engaging in conduct that may expose them to significant reputational, financial, and legal risks."

Investors and traders were warned specifically to avoid state-owned enterprises, the gems and precious metals sector, real estate and construction projects, and the arms business.

Since the coup, foreign companies had taken several steps.

Energy giants TotalEnergies and Chevron said last month they would leave their partnership with a military-backed firm operating a gas field in the Andaman Sea following pressure from human rights groups.

Also Read  UN Security Council urges 'immediate' end to Myanmar violence

Human Rights Watch says natural gas projects are Myanmar's single largest source of foreign currency revenue, generating more than $1 billion every year.

TotalEnergies paid more than $400 million in total to the Myanmar authorities in 2019 and 2020 in the form of taxes and "production rights."

Australian energy firm Woodside followed soon after, blaming "the deteriorating human rights situation" as part of the reason for the move, which will cost the company at least US$200 million. Woodside operates multiple exploration and drilling sites in Myanmar.

Earlier this month Taiwan shipping giant Evergreen Marine told AFP it would no longer dock its ships at a military-owned port terminal in commercial hub Yangon. It did not give a reason or clarify whether it would still send vessels to other ports in the country, but the move was welcomed by rights groups.

British American Tobacco, which employed more than 100,000 people in Myanmar before the coup, pulled up sticks in October. French renewable energy firm Voltalia has also left.

Kirin's Monday announcement comes after months of wrangling following the coup, prompting the company to express concerns about human rights and eventually seek to end its joint venture Myanmar Brewery Limited. Myanmar Brewery, whose beverages include its flagship and ubiquitous Myanmar Beer brand, boasted a market share of nearly 80 per cent, according to figures published by Kirin in 2018. Its beer has been widely boycotted since the coup.

Japanese carmaker Toyota was due to launch manufacturing at a Myanmar factory last year but put the project on hold.

Also Read  Myanmar's military ruler appeals to restive minorities

Myanmar factories became suppliers of many popular clothing brands over the past decade, but groups such as Italy's Benetton stopped placing new orders after the coup.

French energy giant EDF has suspended its involvement in a $1.5-billion project to build a hydroelectric dam, Shweli-3, alongside consortium partners Marubeni of Japan and Ayeyar Hinthar of Myanmar.

Shortly after the military takeover, Japan's Suzuki suspended production at its two Myanmar factories but then quickly reopened the facilities, which assemble vehicles for the local market.

French hotel group Accor, which has nine hotels in Myanmar, said on Friday that it had "made the choice to stay in the country for now and maintain support" for its 1,000 employees on site and for the communities near the group's hotels.

Denmark's Carlsberg, which employs around 450 people in Myanmar, has said it has reduced output as consumption has declined, but has not announced any plans to leave.

Last year Norway's Telenor announced it planned to sell its subsidiary Telenor Myanmar, later citing junta demands that it install monitoring equipment on the network as a reason for leaving the country. A proposed sale to Lebanese financial company M1 Group and a consortium headed by a figure close to the ruling junta has been approved by the military, according to local media reports.

Activists say the deal will put the sensitive personal data of millions of customers into the hands of the junta.

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The Centres placing of an order for five crore doses of the pediatric vaccine Corbevax has rekindled debate on vaccinating young children, even as experts pointed to the radical nature of Omicron that challenges the extent of protection inoculations can offer.

Corbevax is a protein sub-unit vaccine developed in the United States and licensed to the Indian firm, Biological E Ltd (BioE) for production. BioE has completed cohort trials of children aged 5-12, raising the prospect that vaccination of children under 15 will start soon.

The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) for Covid-19 reviewed the clinical data trial on January 4 and pending the committees approval of the data, a final nod from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) may be given soon.

At the same time, NTAGI member and epidemiologist Dr Jayaprakash Muliyil said vaccinations of this target group of children may not be helpful because the existing vaccinations were designed to counter the original Wuhan virus, which potentially reduced their efficiency against Omicron.

Omicron differs from all previous iterations of the novel coronavirus, in the sense that all previous strains have respected previous antibodies and vaccinations. This resulted in Delta sparing Mumbais Dharavi slum in the second wave and after. However, Omicron has not respected previous infections and is bypassing immunity generated by vaccination, Dr Muliyil said.

Also Read | Covid reinfections: Are they milder and do they strengthen immunity?

Virologist Dr T Jacob John of CMC Vellore confirmed that Omicron represents an evolutionary new version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, he added that even if pediatric vaccinations have reduced efficiency against Omicron, it is criminal to withhold it from use, especially since children with comorbidities are at a high risk of death.

The use of vaccinations on children should be examined as a matter of risk-benefit analysis. While the death rate in children is very low, it is not zero. If a vaccination is available that can save a childs life, it must be used, Dr John said.

He added that if there is no risk associated with administering a vaccine, then there is no reason not to use it. While mRNA or Adenovirus (such as Covishield) vaccines are not risk-free, Dr John said Corbevax, as a sub-unit vaccine, works by infecting the spike protein into the body. Sub-unit vaccinations are theoretically safe, he said.

This opinion is reflected within the overall parent community, said Shweta Sharan, founder of Facebook group Bangalore Schools, which has 58,000 parents and educators.

Many parents have said that they will only send their children to schools if they are vaccinated. Online schooling has not helped children in the last two years in terms of learning or socialisation," she said.

State child deaths

In Karnataka, there have been 21 pediatric fatalities to Covid-19 in the third wave. Six of the fatalities were toddlers aged one or less. Another seven were aged between 5 to 14. Health Commissioner D Randeep said most of the child deaths had been prompted either by comorbidities or because the children were too young to have developed immunity.

Out of 13 fatalities reported between January 13 to 30, 11 child deaths were due to severe comorbidities such as myocarditis (heart disease), septic shock, and meningitis, among others.

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PM Modi address voters in Punjab today. Meanwhile polling is under way in UP, Goa and Uttarakhand today. Stay tuned to DH for updates
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the law against triple talaq has saved families of thousands of Muslim women from breaking up in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing an election rally here at Kanpur Dehat, the prime minister said the tightening of law and order in the state has also benefitted Muslim girls who used to face problems from miscreants while going to school earlier.

PM Modi's remarks at the rally here come amid a row in Karnataka where schools have stopped Muslim girls from attending classes while wearing hijab.

The second phase of polling on 55 seats in UP was held on Monday. Several seats in the second phase, including Rampur from where SP leader Azam Khan is contesting, have large Muslim population.

Read | PM Modi says trends indicate 'early' Holi for BJP in UP

The prime minister's rally at Akbarpur covered 10 assembly constituencies of Kanpur, Kanpur Dehat and Jalaun which will go to polls in the third phase on February 20.

The prime minister also hit out at the Samajwadi Party, saying they had distributed areas among family members for "loot" during their rule in the state.

In an apparent dig at the SP, Modi said it changes partners every election and they blame each other before separating.

"This time also after March 10, the same 'tu tu main main (squabble)' will take place between them," he said without identifying any party.

The SP had fought 2017 UP polls with Congress but entered into an alliance with the BSP in the 2019 parliamentary elections.

This time, the Akhilesh Yadav-led party has joined hands with RLD and a string of caste-based regional parties.

Justifying the legislation against triple talaq, the prime minister recalled how Muslim women suffered due to the practice.

"If a Muslim girl came back from her 'maika' (native home) empty-handed, she was instantly given triple talaq. If a motorcycle, gold chain, watch or mobile phone was not brought (by her), then triple talaq was given. The life of Muslim women had gotten virtually destroyed by triple talaq.

"You can understand the pain of not only that woman, but also of her parents. When the daughter came back to her home (from her in-laws place), she was under constant fear of getting triple talaq. Today, we have given to every Muslim sister a law to protect themselves against triple talaq," Modi said.

The prime minister said according to a report, after the anti-triple talaq law was enacted, the homes of thousands of daughters were saved from breaking up in Uttar Pradesh.

The Centre had enacted a law against triple talaq in 2019.

Modi also took a swipe at the Trinamool Congress over a leader's remark that the party was contesting elections in Goa to "divide" Hindu votes.

That leader's remark should be noted by the Election Commission, by the voters and also by the voters of UP.

PM Modi was apparently referring to TMC MP Mahua Moitra's remarks that her party has prevented the consolidation of Hindu votes by tying up with the MGP in Goa.

"She (in an interview) said her party has forged an alliance so that the Hindu votes in Goa could be divided. You see this audacity ('himmat'). Is this democracy?

"Is this secularism? You are openly saying you want to divide the Hindu votes. Then whose votes are you trying to gather? This discrimination, is this the language of democracy. I would like to say to the voters of Goa, that this is the opportunity to bury this type of politics," Modi said.

TMC is supporting SP in the UP elections. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had last week held a joint press meet with Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow.

Modi lauded the UP government for instilling fear in the minds of miscreants, goons and rioters, saying this has boosted the confidence of girls in the state.

"And that is why, every daughter and sister of the state are saying - 'UP ke liye Yogi ha Upyogi' (Yogi is useful for UP)," he said.

The prime minister said a large number of beneficiaries of the work, which has been done by our government, are Muslim daughters.

"Our Muslim daughters faced problems from miscreants when they used to go to school. But as crime was controlled in UP, they benefited from it.

"My constant endeavour is to make the life of Muslim daughters and sisters smooth," Modi said.

Coming down heavily on the SP, he said they had distributed areas among family members for "loot" during their rule in the state.

Modi asked the people whether they would like to vote for a party which would create "mafia ganj" in every district of the state.

He said the voting trend of the second phase and the voting in the first phase has made four things very clear.

"First, Yogi ji's government is coming back with a bang. Second, the people of every caste, section, village and cities have voted unitedly for the development without any confusion. Thirdly, our mothers, sisters and daughters have themselves raised the flag of BJP's victory and lastly, my Muslim sisters have silently made up their mind to bless Modi and are coming out of their houses to cast vote," he said.

"Our Muslim women and daughters know that a person, who stands by them during both happiness and sorrow, is one of their own ('apna')," Modi said.

Modi also talked about Kanpur Dehat being home of President Ram Nath Kovind.

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Rubbishing communal parallels drawn to his "80% vs 20%" statement, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said he did not say it in the "context of religion or caste".

Track UP Assembly Polls 2022 Live updates

"It's a reaction to action. I said 80 per cent people are with BJP and 20 per cent always oppose us and will do so this time too. I didn't say it in the context of religion or caste," the Chief Minister said in an interview with ANI.

He further said, 80 per cent includes those who are happy with Government agenda on security, public welfare, who like development... 20 per cent includes people who always oppose, those with negative mentality, and those who support professional mafias and criminals. After the first phase of polls, it is clear that this election is 80 vs 20. BJP has received support from over 80 per cent of people.

Adityanath, who is known for his firebrand speeches on communal issues, had sparked a row with his statement that the elections in the state will be '80 per cent versus 20 per cent', which many believed was a veiled reference to the percentage of the Muslim population in the state.

Speaking at a televised program, the saffron leader said: "The 80 per cent supporters will be on one side while 20 per cent will be on the other. I think 80 per cent will move forward with positive energy whereas 20 per cent have always opposed and will oppose further. The BJP will win, and again work to take forward the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' campaign," Adityanath said.

Later, he also said that the Assembly elections in the state will be not even in the ratio of 80:20, but it will be 90:10 in favour of the BJP. "The people of Uttar Pradesh are going to choose a stronger double-engine government and not the spineless regime of the Samajwadi Party that hides behind the mafia," he said in a statement.

Also read: UP Polls: Yogi's '80 vs 20%' remark stokes a controversy

In the interview, he warned religious fanatics 'dreaming about Ghazwa-e-Hind' (Islamic conquest of India) and said that "those with a Talibani mindset should give up their dream. India will be run by the Constitution. And every institution has the right to formulate its own dress code."

"In the earlier regime, people would live in the dark. And there's a popular saying here that thieves hated moonlit nights. Today, everyone is getting electricity. Now, every house will get tap water," he said.

(With agency inputs)
An average voter turnout of 23.03 per cent was recorded till 11 am on Monday in Uttar Pradesh as polling for the second phase of the state assembly elections picked up pace after a slow start. As many as 586 candidates are in the fray in the second phase with the seats spread across Saharanpur, Bijnor, Moradabad, Sambhal, Rampur, Amroha, Budaun, Bareilly and Shahjahanpur. Polling for the first phase of the seven-phased elections was held on February 10. The results will be declared on March 10. Stay tuned for latest updates.
Israeli forces have shot dead a 17-year-old Palestinian in West Bank clashes during what Israel on Monday described as an operation to demolish the home of a "terrorist" suspected of a recent attack.

The Palestinian health ministry said Mohammed Abu Salah was killed in the village of Silat al-Harithiya near the flashpoint town of Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israel's army, in a statement, said its troops along with border police had entered the village "to demolish the floor of the residence in which the terrorist Muhammad Jaradat resided". It said Jaradat and others had carried out the recent fatal shooting of a Jewish settler in the West Bank.

The army said "violent riots" broke out ahead of the planned demolition, "with the participation of hundreds of Palestinians," some of whom hurled explosives at Israeli troops. "The troops identified a number of armed rioters, and fired towards them in order to neutralise the threat," the army statement said, without commenting directly on the teen's death.

Also Read  Israeli, Palestinian figures propose 2-state confederation

Israel regularly destroys the homes of individuals it says have carried out attacks on Israelis, in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

The practice, which often fuels tensions, has been condemned by critics as a form of collective punishment. Israel insists it deters attacks. The army said Jaradat was responsible for the death of Yehuda Dimentman, a 25-year-old religious student shot dead in the West Bank in December.

A married father, Dimentman was studying at a religious school in the Homesh settlement in the West Bank when he was killed in a shooting that wounded several others. Israel arrested several people over the shooting days after it occurred.

Roughly 475,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank, alongside some 2.9 million Palestinians, in communities widely regarded as illegal under international law. Homesh is among the settlements that even Israel considers to be unauthorised.

It had been evacuated by Israeli forces in 2005 but settlers have nevertheless continued to operate there, fuelling tensions with Palestinians. Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War.

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Some airlines cancelled flights to the Ukrainian capital and troops there unloaded fresh shipments of weapons from NATO members Sunday, as its president sought to project confidence in the face of US warnings of possible invasion within days by a growing number of Russian forces.

President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to President Joe Biden for about an hour, insisting that Ukrainians had the country under safe and reliable protection against feared attack by a far stronger Russian military, aides said afterwards.

The White House said both agreed to keep pushing both deterrence and diplomacy to try to stave off a feared Russian military offensive.

The Biden administration has become increasingly outspoken about its concerns that Russia will stage an incident in the coming days that would create a false pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.

According to Reuters, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on the eve of a trip that takes him to Kyiv on Monday and Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, called for Russia to de-escalate and warned of sanctions if Moscow did invade.

A German official said Berlin did not expect "concrete results" but diplomacy was important. In what could amount to a major concession to Moscow, Ukraine's ambassador to Britain told the BBC Kyiv could drop its bid to join NATO to avoid war.

Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko was quoted as saying Ukraine was willing to be "flexible" over its goal to join the Atlantic military alliance. "We might - especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it," Prystaiko was quoted as saying when asked if Kyiv could change its position on NATO membership.

Also Read  Oil prices clamber towards 7-year highs on Russia-Ukraine tensions

US and European intelligence findings in recent days have sparked worries that Russia may try to target a scheduled Ukrainian military exercise slated for Tuesday in eastern Ukraine to launch such a false-flag operation, according to two people familiar with the matter.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about it.

American intelligence officials believe targeting the military exercise is just one of multiple options that Russia has weighed as a possibility for a false-flag operation. The White House has underscored that they do not know with certainty if President Vladimir Putin has made a final determination to launch an invasion.

Moscow's forces are massing on Ukraine's north, east and south in what the Kremlin insists are military exercises.

A US official updated the Biden administration's estimate for how many Russian forces are now staged near Ukraine's borders to more than 130,000, up from the more than 100,000 the US has cited publicly in previous weeks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration's conclusions.

Zelensky has repeatedly played down the US warnings, questioning the increasingly strident statements from US officials in recent days that Russia could be planning to invade as soon as midweek. We understand all the risks, we understand that there are risks, he said in a broadcast Saturday. If you, or anyone else, has additional information regarding a 100 per cent Russian invasion starting on the 16th, please forward that information to us.

Also Read  Ukraine's president tries to avert panic as pressure mounts

But while Zelenskyy has urged against panic that he fears could undermine Ukraine's economy, he and his civilian and military leaders also are preparing defences, soliciting and receiving a flow of arms from the US and other NATO members. A military cargo aircraft carrying US-made Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition from NATO member Lithuania landed Sunday, bolstering the country's defences against any attack by air.

Zelensky wore military olive drab at a drill with tanks and helicopters near Ukraine's border with Russian-annexed Crimea this weekend. In the nearby city of Kalanchak, some expressed disbelief that Putin would really send his troops rolling into the country. I don't believe Russia will attack us," said resident Boris Cherepenko. I have friends in Sakhalin, in Krasnodar, he said, naming Russian regions. "I don't believe it.

In Kyiv, others expressed uncertainty whether any Russian move would be economic, military, or happen at all. One woman, Alona Buznitskaya, speaking on a central street of the capital bearing a few signs declaring, I love Ukraine, said she was calm. "You should always be ready for everything, and then you will have nothing to be afraid of, she said.

The US largely has not made public the evidence it says is underlying its most specific warnings on possible Russian planning or timing.

We're not going to give Russia the opportunity to conduct a surprise here, to spring something on Ukraine or the world, Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, told CNN on Sunday, about the US warnings. We are going to make sure that we are laying out for the world what we see as transparently and plainly as we possibly can, he said.

The Russians have deployed missile, air, naval and special operations forces, as well as supplies to sustain an invasion. This week, Russia moved six amphibious assault ships into the Black Sea, augmenting its capability to land on the coast.

Putin denies any intention of attacking Ukraine. Russia is demanding that the West keep former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons near its border and to roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe  demands flatly rejected by the West.

Biden and Putin spoke for more than an hour Saturday, but the White House offered no suggestion that the call diminished the threat of an imminent war in Europe.

Also Read  Ukraine leader invites Biden to visit Kyiv in 'coming days'

Reflecting the West's concerns, Dutch airline KLM has cancelled flights to Ukraine until further notice, the company said. The Ukrainian charter airline SkyUp said Sunday its flight from Madeira, Portugal, to Kyiv was diverted to the Moldovan capital.

And Ukraine's air traffic safety agency Ukraerorukh issued a statement declaring the airspace over the Black Sea to be a zone of potential danger and recommended that planes avoid flying over the sea February 14-19.

The Putin-Biden conversation, following a call between Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the day, came at a critical moment for what has become the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. US officials believe they have mere days to prevent an invasion and enormous bloodshed in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will fly to Kyiv on Monday and Moscow on Tuesday to meet with the presidents in those capitals.

While the US and NATO have made clear they do not intend to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia, any invasion and resulting punishing sanctions promised by the US and other countries could reverberate far beyond the former Soviet republic, affecting energy supplies, global markets and the power balance in Europe.

The United States was pulling most of its staff from the embassy in Kyiv and urged all American citizens to leave Ukraine immediately. Britain joined other European nations in telling its citizens to leave. Biden has bolstered the US military presence in Europe as reassurance to allies on NATO's eastern flank. The 3,000 additional soldiers ordered to Poland come on top of 1,700 who are on their way there. The US Army also is shifting 1,000 soldiers from Germany to Romania, which, like Poland, shares a border with Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine's Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula 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 halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.

(with inputs from Reuters)

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An Algerian court on Monday sentenced in absentia ex-energy ministry Chakib Khelil, who served under former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to 20 years in prison on corruption charges, local media reported.

The Sidi M'Hamed court in Algiers also fined the longtime former minister, who served for half of Bouteflika's 20-year tenure, two million dinars (about $14,200).

A former head of the North African country's oil and gas firm Sonatrach, Mohamed Meziane, was sentenced to five years in prison and a one-million dinar fine in the same trial.

Meziane is already serving time in a separate case.

Sonatrach's former vice president, Abdelhafidh Feghouli, was sentenced to six years in prison and a fine of one million dinars.

The trial opened on February 1, with the prosecution demanding 20- and 10-year sentences for Khelil and Meziane.

Sonatrach officials stood accused of favouring Italian group SAIPEM for contracts to construct the Arzew gas complex in the western province of Oran over an Emirati firm, at Khelil's instruction.

The officials were also charged with "granting undue privileges", abuse of their positions and "concluding contracts in violation of laws and regulations", according to national news agency APS.

The same court on Monday sentenced in absentia two representatives of SAIPEM, Gilbert Bulato and Massimo Gallipoli Steal, to six years in prison and a one-million dinar fine each.

In 2013, the Algerian judiciary issued an international arrest warrant for Khelil over a case involving contracts between Sonatrach and foreign companies, including SAIPEM, a unit of Italian energy giant ENI.

Prosecutors in Milan had accused SAIPEM of paying bribes to obtain contracts in Algeria, and the subsidiary was fined in 2018, before being cleared by an appeals court in 2020.

Khelil, now 82, quit his post in 2010 and moved to the United States after being associated with a scandal involving high-ranking Sonatrach officials who were later jailed for corruption.

He returned to Algeria in 2016 after the cases were dropped -- then left again after Bouteflika's resignation in 2019 that sparked a string of investigations into graft by his officials.

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The busiest US-Canada border crossing reopened late Sunday after protests against Covid-19 restrictions closed it for almost a week, the owner announced.

The bridge's owner, Detroit International Bridge Co., said in a statement that the Ambassador Bridge is now fully open allowing the free flow of commerce between the Canada and US economies once again.

Police in Windsor, Ontario, said earlier that more than two dozen people were peacefully arrested, seven vehicles were towed and five were seized near the bridge that links the city  and numerous Canadian automotive plants  with Detroit.

Only a few protesters had remained after police on Saturday persuaded demonstrators to move the pickup trucks and cars they had used to block a crossing that sees 25 per cent of all trade between the two countries.

US President Joe Biden's administration on Sunday acknowledged the seemingly peaceful resolution to the demonstration, which it said had widespread damaging impacts on the lives and livelihoods of people on both sides of the border.

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Wales will soon implement a four-day working week to promote healthier and happier workplaces as well as businesses.

The Future Generations Commission wants the Welsh government to trial a 32-hour week. According to commissioner Sophie Howe, cutting hours but paying the same could retain staff and increase productivity.

The progress of trials in other countries is being considered by the Welsh government. However, it can only implement changes in the public sector.

Howe wants a "national conversation" about working less and it is potential to improve people's wellbeing. She acknowledges the various difficulties that other sectors may undergo but she said "let's try it".

According to BBC, high levels of sickness and relatively low productivity have been a problem in the workforce of Wales. The country also has lower wages compared to other areas of the United Kingdom.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought many restrictions that forced companies to make adjustments to sustain their operations. More jobs have become automated and the trend is expected to continue at a fast pace.

The Future Generations Commission suggests that subtracting working hours while retaining wages will help lessen absenteeism and boost productivity. Moreover, healthier people would lessen the pressure on the health care system of the country.

Although four-day workweeks are rare in US companies, there is a growing interest in the concept according to a report by NBC News.

Read Also: Tax Refund Tracker, Calculator: Here Are Tools You May Use To Locate Your Money!

US Companies Considering Shortened Workweek

In the USA, 35 companies will implement the shortened workweek scheme by April in an attempt to promote work-life balance among the American workforce. The initiative is part of the nonprofit 4 Day Week Global, which is now running a pilot program in Ireland and will begin in the United Kingdom in June.

The founder of 4 Day Week Global, Andrew Barnes, said that the "next cohort of businesses trialing the model in North America" is paving the way for the "future of work" after the progress achieved in organizations and businesses in New Zealand, Spain, Japan, Ireland, and Scotland, as per Forbes.

Proposal Now In Congress

Democratic Congressman Mark Takano lately filed a legislation that aim to cut down the standard weekly working hours from 40 hours to 32 hours. The lawmaker argues that a shorter workweek is a win-win situation for both business owners and employees.

"Pilot programs run by governments and businesses across the globe have shown promising results, as productivity climbed and workers reported better work-life balance, less need to take sick days, heightened morale and lower childcare expenses because they had more time with their family and children," Takano said in a press statement.

He added that shorter workweeks benefit employers for they help further decrease healthcare premiums, as well as lower operational costs for businesses, and have a positive environmental impact, based on studies.

Employees who work more than 32 hours a week will be eligible for overtime pay under his proposal.

It is expected to see campaigns for shortened workweeks, as well as flexible working schemes, increase in remote-work set-up offers, hybrid model and other models, to help companies achieve increased happiness and productivity among their workforce as well-treated employees are more likely to render excellent job that will increase the company's productivity and earnings.

Related Article: COVID-Infected Health Workers Still Report At Work

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Despite a recent uptick in bilateral dialogue, relations between Moscow and Washington are "lying on the floor", the Kremlin told Russia's RIA news agency, amid Western objections to ongoing major Russian military drills near its borders with Ukraine.

The United States on Sunday said Russia could invade Ukraine at any time and might create a surprise pretext for an attack, as it reaffirmed a pledge to defend "every inch" of NATO territory.

Russia has more than 100,000 troops massed near Ukraine, has repeatedly denied any plans to invade and has accused the West of "hysteria".

Also Read | Ukraine could drop NATO bid to avoid war, says ambassador

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there were certain channels for dialogue, one positive being that President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden have been in contact - the two spoke by phone on Saturday  but that ties in other areas were strained.

"The heads of state are in dialogue, there is dialogue on other fronts," RIA cited Peskov as saying in an interview. "This is a plus because you know that just a couple of years ago there was zero dialogue, there were no such contacts whatsoever.

"But on the rest, unfortunately, in bilateral relations one can only talk about negatives. We are at a very, very low point. They are actually lying on the floor."

Also Read | War, peace, stalemate? Week ahead may decide Ukraine's fate

Russia is engaged in major joint military drills with Belarus, Ukraine's northern neighbour. Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet crews conducted a joint patrol flight along the border between Russia and Belarus on Monday, Russia's defence ministry said.

Russia will also send a detachment of ships armed with cruise and supersonic missiles from its Caspian Flotilla to the Black and Mediterranean Seas, the Izvestia daily cited military sources as saying.

Russia's Black Sea fleet on Saturday said more than 30 ships had started training exercises near the Crimean peninsula Moscow annexed in 2014, part of a sweeping set of exercises from the Pacific to the Atlantic involving all its fleets in January and February.

Meanwhile, over 30 transport and attack helicopters are engaged in tactical exercises in southern Russia, the military said on Monday.

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The tone of the crisis over Ukraine shifted Monday as Russias top diplomat endorsed more talks to resolve its stand-off with the West, and Ukrainian officials hinted at offering concessions to avert war, even as Russian warships massed off Ukraines Black Sea coast and Russian ground troops appeared poised to strike.

In stage-managed, televised meetings, the Kremlin sent its strongest signals yet that it would seek further negotiations with the West rather than launch immediate military action, with state television showing a feed of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov telling President Vladimir Putin there was still a diplomatic path ahead. Minutes later, it showed Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu telling Putin that what he characterised as large-scale drills around Ukraine were coming to an end.

I believe that our possibilities are far from exhausted, Lavrov said, referring to Russias negotiations with the West. I would propose continuing and intensifying them.

Putin responded ambiguously: Good.

It was a sign that the Kremlin was still holding out the possibility that it could use its troop buildup to achieve key objectives without military action. The prospect for such a scenario was bolstered in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left open the possibility of dropping his countrys ambition to join the NATO alliance  a move that would help fulfil one of Putins key demands.

Read | Sanctions will have huge impact on Russia, warns G7

At a news conference, Zelenskyy emphasized that NATO membership was for our security, with the goal of joining the alliance written into the countrys constitution. But he acknowledged the difficult place the country found itself in, nearly completely encircled by Russian forces and with partners like the United States insisting they will not send troops into Ukraine to repel a Russian invasion.

How much should Ukraine go on that path? Zelenskyy said of NATO membership. Who will support us? The prospect of Ukraine joining NATO, he posited, could be like a dream.

Zelenskyy spoke alongside Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, the latest Western leader trying shuttle diplomacy to avert war. The flurry of diplomacy came as fears of war have caused oil prices to spike, pushing well past $90 a barrel.

If Russia violates the territorial integrity of Ukraine again, we know what to do, Scholz said. In the event of military escalation, we are ready for very far-reaching and effective sanctions in coordination with our allies.

Scholz will fly to Moscow on Tuesday for crisis talks with Putin, following up on last weeks Kremlin visit by President Emmanuel Macron of France. Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau of Poland  a country that is one of Russias most vocal critics in Europe  was also scheduled to visit Moscow on Tuesday to meet with his Russian counterpart, Lavrov. And Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio of Italy prepared to depart for his own Eastern European tour, which will bring him to Kyiv on Tuesday and Moscow on Wednesday.

Because of the continuing crisis, the United States is temporarily closing its embassy in Kyiv and moving its operations to Lviv, a city much farther from Russian territory, the State Department said.

In his televised meeting with Putin, Lavrov highlighted the Wests diplomatic frenzy as a sign that the Kremlins strategy of pairing negotiations with military pressure was working. Putin laid out that strategy in an address to Russian diplomats in November: It was good that tensions were high with the West, the president told them, and it was important for them to remain in this state for as long as possible.

Also Read | Wall Street peters out on Ukraine tensions, Fed fears

And he directed his diplomats to demand security guarantees from the West, such as a legally binding pledge that Ukraine will never join the NATO alliance.

Our initiative, Lavrov told Putin, shook up our Western colleagues and became the reason they have no longer been able to ignore many of our previous appeals.

Lavrov also said that Russia had prepared a 10-page response in its written back-and-forth with NATO and the United States over the Kremlins security demands.

Ambiguity about what comes next has been central to Putins strategy in the crisis set off by his troop buildup. Western officials warn that an invasion remains a real possibility in the coming days.

In Mondays televised meetings, Putin did not state his own position, even after his defence minister told him that Russian military exercises were winding down. He did not specify which exercises were ending, but Russia has used the pretext of exercises to move troops and warships from across the country to within striking distance of Ukraine.

Some of the drills are already ending and some will end soon, Shoigu said.

Well speak in more detail now, Putin told him, before the Kremlins video feed ended.

The ambiguity over Russias intentions is forcing Ukraine and its Western partners to make hard decisions about what concessions to make to prevent an invasion  and causing discord over how seriously to take the threat.

The secretary of Ukraines security council, Oleksiy Danilov, reiterated the governments position Monday that an invasion is less likely than how the United States has portrayed it. Such comments are intended to prevent panic among Ukrainians but also might be aimed at easing negotiations with Russia, analysts have said.

We recognize the risks that exist on the territory of our country, Danilov said. But the situation is under complete control. Moreover, we, as of today, do not see that a full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation could happen on the 16th or 17th of this month.

Also Read | US, UK leaders agree 'window for diplomacy' remains over Ukraine

United States officials last week suggested Russian military action could begin within days. We dont see it, Danilov said.

On Monday, the State Department recommended that US citizens leave Belarus and Transnistria, a Russian-backed breakaway region in Moldova. Both Belarus and Transnistria neighbour Ukraine.

The outlines of a possible diplomatic resolution, though still highly ambiguous and with uncertain prospects, arose in media interviews by a senior diplomat and at Zelenskyys joint news conference with Scholz.

In a televised address to the nation Monday evening, Zelenskyy struck a tone that was less dismissive of the threat of Russian military action than his previous comments. Zelenskyy said he had declared Wednesday  the date US officials had suggested as a possible date for the start of a Russian incursion  as a day of national unity.

Zelenskyy said that previous predictions by Western governments of a possible start of war had proved wrong and said there was no reason to worry Wednesday.

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will inform provincial premiers of his intention to invoke special measures to give the federal government extraordinary powers to deal with protests that have shut some border crossings with the United States and paralyzed parts of Canada's capital, CBC News said on Monday.

Citing unnamed sources, CBC said Trudeau planned to invoke the Emergencies Act, a rarely used provision that allows the federal government to override the provinces and authorize special temporary measures to ensure security during national emergencies anywhere in the country.

Also Read: Trucker protests in Canada: What you need to know

It has only been used once in peacetime - by Trudeaus father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau - during the so-called "October Crisis" in 1970. It was invoked twice during the two world wars, when it was known as the War Measures Act.

The CBC said Ottawa had no plans to send in the military.

A six-day blockade of North America's busiest trade corridor in Windsor, Ontario, ended on Sunday while protests in Ottawa entered a third week.

The "Freedom Convoy" protests, started by Canadian truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers, have turned into a rallying point for people opposing the policies of Trudeau's government, covering everything from pandemic restrictions to a carbon tax.

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The State Election Commission, Odisha has debarred senior BJD MLA and government chief whip in the assembly, Pramila Mallik, from campaigning in the upcoming panchayat elections for two days starting Monday.

The commission had on Friday issued a show-cause notice to Mallik for allegedly threatening to stop providing benefits of various schemes to people if they do not vote for the ruling party, thereby violating the model code of conduct

The senior BJD leader cannot give interviews or make public utterances in the media anywhere in the state for a period of 48 hours from 10 am of Monday, the SEC said in an official notification.

In a separate order, the poll panel warned against fake voting in the three-tier panchayat elections scheduled to be held in five phases between February 16 and February 24.

SEC Secretary R N Sahu said a polling agent can challenge a voter on grounds of suspicious identity.

By depositing a fee of Rs 2 to the presiding officer, the agent can request an inquiry In case the voter is found to be fake, the person would be handed over to police, Sahu added.

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India has moved to ban the use of 54 more apps linked to the companies based in China, as optimism about the relations between the two neighbouring nations returning to normalcy once again ebbed over the past few weeks.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recommended banning the use of 54 Chinese apps, including the Sweet Selfie HD, Beauty Camera, Music Player, Music Plus, Volume Booster, Video Players Media all formats, Viva Video Editor, Nice Video Baidu, AppLock and Astracraft. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is expected to issue a formal notification soon banning the use of the apps in India.

The move came just days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a joint news conference with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in Melbourne talked tough on Chinas aggression along its disputed boundary with India. He once again accused China of flouting written agreements with India. New Delhi has been pointing out that China flouted its key 1993 and 1996 border peace pacts with India by deploying a large number of troops along the disputed boundary between the two nations, leading to a 22-month-long stand-off.

Also Read | Almost 90% of Indians continue to support ban on Chinese apps

A source in New Delhi said that the government had moved to ban the use of the apps in view of the threat they posed to national security. The government had received many complaints about misuse of some mobile apps for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting data of users in an unauthorized manner to servers located outside India. The compilation of such data, mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of the nation ultimately impinged upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, it noted.

India earlier banned the use of 224 apps linked to the companies based in China, beginning with 59 in June 2020  just days after the military stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two nations reached a flashpoint with the violent clash between the soldiers of the Indian Army and the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. The apps, which had been banned first, included TikTok and WeChat, owned by ByteDance Limited and Tencent Holdings Limited of China.

Beijing has been protesting against Indias ban on apps linked to companies based in China. It has been accusing New Delhi of abusing the national security exception to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Also Read | Chinese Shein app blocked but sale of products on other platforms not covered: Meity to HC

New Delhi has been citing raging concerns on data security and the privacy of 130 crore Indians to justify its move to ban the apps, cautiously avoiding officially linking its decision with the stand-off along the disputed India-China boundary.

The stand-off started in April-May 2020 with the Chinese PLA amassing a large number of troops along the LAC in an apparent move to change the status quo along the disputed boundary between the two nations and push the line westward to encroach into the territory claimed by India. The Indian Army had also deployed additional troops to counter the Chinese Armys move. Though protracted negotiations between the two sides resulted in the mutual withdrawal of troops from both banks of Pangong Tso (lake) and the Gogra Post last year, the stand-off could not be resolved in other places along the LAC.

The commanders of the Indian Army and Chinese PLA held the 14th round of negotiations on January 12, but it did not immediately yield any breakthrough. The two sides, however, agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.

Despite initially staying away from the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 led by the United States, India too on February 3 called Chinas move to politicize the games regrettable and decided against sending its acting envoy to the communist country to attend its opening and closing ceremonies. What irked New Delhi was Chinas decision to make one of its Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) commanders, who had been injured in the clash with the Indian Army soldiers at Galwan Valley on June 15, 2020, participate in the ceremonial torch relay ahead of the Winter Olympics 2022.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held "productive discussions" with his Philippines counterpart Teodoro L Locsin during which they covered a range of issues dealing with mutual national security and development aspirations.

Jaishankars three-day maiden visit to the Philippines comes over two weeks after the Southeast Asian country signed a $375 million deal with India to buy three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile.

"Held productive discussions with FM @teddyboylocsin of Philippines. We are entering a new phase of our partnership. Its basis is the mutuality of national security and development aspirations. Our conversation covered a range of issues dealing with both, Jaishankar tweeted.

Also Read | After Russia nod, India inks deal to supply BrahMos to Philippines to help it bolster defence against China

"Expect to take forward a shared agenda through sustained engagement. Thank you @teddyboylocsin for a warm welcome and generous hospitality, he said in another tweet after the wide-ranging talks.

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines earlier said that the two leaders are expected to discuss the current robust ties between the Philippines and India as well as future directions of bilateral relations.

The two ministers will discuss health and security, as well as other regional and global matters of mutual interest, especially as countries continue to engage post-Covid, it said.

Earlier, Jaishankar was welcomed by Secretary Locsin upon his arrival at the Foreign Ministry for talks.

The minister later visited the Intramuros heritage site, also known as "The Walled City." It is one of the oldest districts in Manila and features Spanish-era landmarks and a shrine to national hero Jose Rizal.

"Interesting historical connection with Raja Matanda. Paid my respects to national hero Jose Rizal, he said.

Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that the two ministers will review developments in bilateral relations since the meeting of the joint commission on bilateral cooperation that they co-chaired in the virtual format in November 2020.

The MEA said regional and international issues of mutual interest would also be discussed.

"The visit is expected to impart further momentum to bilateral relations with our key partners in the Indo-Pacific, Australia, and the Philippines, which is also a leading member of ASEAN," the MEA said.

Jaishankar arrived here from Australia where he attended the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting and also held separate bilateral talks with his Quad counterparts.

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In what could lead to a fierce Maha Vikas Aghadi vs BJP clash in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut - a close aide of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray - will expose three and a half leaders of the BJP on Tuesday.

Raut, however, did not mention what he meant by three and a half, or who these leaders were, but asked the media to wait till 4 pm on Tuesday.

Wait for few hours.hamne kaafi bardasht kiya, aab barbad karangeat 4 pm (Tuesday) at Shiv Sena Bhavan there would be no-holds-barred press conference, Raut, a Rajya Sabha member, said on Monday.

Raut claimed that answers will be given to all the false allegations made against the Shiv Sena and the Thackeray family, and dadagiri of the central agencies and how it is being misused by the BJP.

Also Read | Maharashtra Congress puts off protest against Modi comments

In the next few days, three and a half BJP leaders would be in jail and (former Home Minister and NCP leader) Anil Deshmukh would be out, he said. "They (BJP) are threatening us...this minister would go in jail, that minister would go in jail...now these three and a half BJP leaders would go in jail....they have lost their sleep," he added.

Raut refused to name any BJP leader as of now. Wait for a few more hours, he said.

Top Shiv Sena leaders including MPs, MLAs and MLCs, office bearers are expected to be present at the news conference even as Raut has got support from the two MVA allies - NCP and Congress.

The BJP, however, has reacted sharply to Rauts move. Raut seems to have lost his mental balance, senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar said.

Raut said BJP leaders know what he is talking about. The BJP leaders should see the press conference and also the chiefs of the central agencies, he said.

Don't threaten us with the use of central agencies. We are not going to get scared. Do whatever you want, I can't be scared offenough is enough, he said.

Its time, people of Maharashtra would speakthis is the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, we are inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray, said Raut.

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A 36-second video of an elderly Kashmiri woman flaunting her newly acquired English skills has taken the internet by storm.

The video, which was originally uploaded on Twitter by one Syed Sleet Shah, has found its way to other platforms such as Whatsapp and Facebook as well.

The young man names certain fruit, vegetables and animals in Kashmiri and asks the woman, clad in traditional attire and easily looks to be in her 80s, to identify them in English.

The circle of life ! 

They taught us how to talk when we were babies and how the turntables ! What is even more wholesome is that learning is a consistent process in life !  pic.twitter.com/NxQ7EHjAwZ  Syed Sleet Shah (@Sleet_Shah) February 14, 2022

Though she falters the first time while identifying cat, she then makes up for it by pronouncing the animal as kyaet, and her overbearing Kashmiri pronunciation seems to have won over the people.

She goes on to identify onion, apple, garlic and dog in a unique accent, and the video has become a social media hit.

Although the location of the woman is not known, the accent of the man recording the video suggests that they belong to a rural district of the valley.

Many Twitter users responded with kind comments on the post.

The fluency of Kashmiris in English - even of people in their 80s is always impressive - ia (is) it because the languages have a mother root? one of the users wrote.

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Google finally launched their developer preview for Android 13. Testers quickly noticed three interesting new features to watch out for.

The Android 13 developer preview is now available for most Google Pixel devices. Note that the update is not yet released for other smartphone units, so other Android users will have to wait a little longer.

Google says the final release might come out later this year. However, they did not elaborate on its release date.



Android 13 New Features

Sources from XDA managed to test the Android 13 developer preview. The tester emphasized that Android 13 was solidifying the "direction of design" introduced by Android 12. This means Android 13 taking advantage of pre-existing mobile programs and further enhancing its functionality.

Overall, this change should ideally create an immersive and intuitive mobile operating system (OS).

The tester specified three improvements on Android 13. The tester also said that "Android 13 at a glance is completely indistinguishable from Android 12."

First, Android 13 changed its base user interface (UI). The updated notifications appear more rounded. Android 13 also expands its quick settings functionality by adding tappable icons on the option. Lastly, media players might be happy to know about the volume slider for the mobile media player.

The second big change is the Photo Picker API. This change bears a lot of similarities to Google's document picker. In quick summary, this lets a user selectively choose photos to share with a specific app. This works opposite to the current system, where an app blatantly asks for full access to mobile storage.

Ideally, the second change will enhance the user's privacy. This would also reduce overall access that apps might have over the mobile device.

The third and last update is the smartphone's quick settings. Android 13 adds extra functionality like color corrections, one-hand mode, and QR on the quick settings option. This should save users a lot of time from manually scrolling and opening the settings interface itself.

Read Also: Xiaomi vs Apple: Xiaomi Aims To Battle Apple in Becoming The World's Top Smartphone Vendor

Other reports from 9to5Google suggest that Android 13 might add a profile switcher on the lock screen. Note that each profile added here will let users customize different apps, storage, and media content from the others. This feature is still under development, so not many details about its effectiveness are discussed.

How to Get Android 13 Beta

As previously mentioned, since Android 13 is still under development, it is prone to lag and performance issues. Users who want to download it should be prepared for system crashes. At worse, this could brick and permanently damage a device. Users are advised to load this program only on their spare smartphones.

According to Androidheadlines, Android 13 is available exclusive to Google Pixel smartphones. Owners can download the update from Google's official website. Note that users have to unlock the bootloader and enable ADB and USB debugging to install Android 13.

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Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah was on Monday prevented from leaving his residence here in view of security concerns on the anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack, prompting him to lodge a strong protest.

Sources in the National Conference, of which Abdullah is the president, said that he was scheduled to travel to Jammu by road, a stretch of nearly 300 kilometers. The information about the programme had been conveyed to authorities concerned five days ago, but to his dismay, Abdullah found that the exits from his house were barred.

Abdullah, a former three-time chief minister and a sitting Lok Sabha member from Srinagar, managed to walk out of his house in the afternoon and is said to have hitched a ride from a passerby for a short distance before the security team persuaded him to return home in a police vehicle.

Police officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that no VIP movement is advised on the day of the Pulwama attack anniversary.

On this day in 2019, 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden car into a bus carrying security personnel.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday paid tributes to CRPF jawans killed in the dastardly Pulwama terror attack on this day three years ago.

"This country will never forget the sacrifice of the brave CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama in 2019. I pay my tributes to them," Singh tweeted.

On February 14, 2019, Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group had attacked a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 40 personnel of the force.

Also Read | PM Modi pays homage to Pulwama attack victims

Days later, Indian warplanes struck the biggest terrorist training camp of JeM deep inside Pakistan's Balakot in retaliation to the dastardly terror attack.

The Indian retaliation was seen as a doctrinal shift in its counter-terror policy.

India has been following a policy of hot pursuit in dealing with cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in the last few years.

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The Supreme Court on Monday decided to examine the Gujarat government's plea against the High Court's order staying provisions of 2021 amendment to Freedom of Religion Act which put restrictions on inter-faith marriages to check incidents of alleged 'Love Jihad'.

It issued notice to Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind which challenged the validity of the provisions before the High Court.

The Gujarat High Court had on August 19, 2021, and August 21, 2021, stayed the operation of certain sections of the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2021, including the provision terming interfaith marriages as means for forceful conversion.

A bench comprising Justices Abdul Nazeer and Krishna Murari sought a response from those who challenged the provisions of the validity of the law.

The Gujarat government was represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and the other side by senior advocate Kapil Sibal.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind and an Ahmedabad resident, Mujahid Nafees had challenged the amended Act claiming the law is manifestly arbitrary and violates the right to privacy.

The High Court, by its orders, had said the rigours of Sections 3, 4, 4A to 4C, 5, 6, and 6A, shall not operate merely because marriage is solemnised by a person of one religion with another without force, or allurement or fraudulent means and such marriages cannot be termed as marriages for the purpose of unlawful conversion.

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Thirty-three people were injured when a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus met with an accident in Shimla district on Monday, a state disaster management official said.

The Reckong Peo-bound bus rolled down into a 150-feet gorge near Ratanapur in Rampur Sub Division, he said.

Thirty-three people, including 31 passengers, the driver and the conductor of bus, sustained injuries, the official said.

They were taken to Civil Hospital Khaneri for first aid, he said, adding four of the thirty-three suffered major injuries.

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Over 100 AIADMK workers on Monday raised slogans outside a police station here alleging that Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji was 'directing' the personnel to register false cases against the opposition party's members ahead of civic polls.

Tense moments prevailed in front of Ramanathapuram police station as more than 100 AIADMK workers, under the leadership of three local MLAs -- Amman Arjunan, K R Jayaram and P R G Arunkumar -- of the opposition party, raised slogans against the minister.

The issue started on Sunday when AIADMK spokesperson Prof. Kalyanasundaram and eight party workers raised objections to the distribution of hot gases to the voters allegedly by DMK functionaries in the Kuniyamuthur area in the city.

Also Read | AIADMK leader among 7 held for DMK leader's murder

Later, Kalyanasundaram and the workers were taken into custody and detained at Ramanathapuram police station on Sunday night. Protesting against the police, the three AIADMK MLAs along with party workers gathered in front of the station and condemned the detention instead of taking 'action against those who were distributing freebies'.

AIADMK Whip and former minister S P Velumani submitted a memorandum to the district collector here seeking legal action against DMK. Velumani said police have registered a false case against Kalyanasundaram and party workers for questioning the DMK's 'goons' for distributing money and hot cases and issuing threats that violated the model code election conduct.

Demanding action against the rowdy elements and police, who were functioning on the diktats of the ruling DMK, the memorandum urged the administration to ensure free and fair elections to the urban local bodies. Meanwhile, some miscreants hurled stones at a house where a few DMK workers from Karur were staying in the early hours, damaging window panes and a car parked in front of the house. Investigations are on, police said.

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The Congress party in Telangana on Monday filed complaints against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his "derogatory comments" on party leader Rahul Gandhi. Congress leaders at various police stations in the state lodged complaints against Sarma, demanding his arrest.

State Congress chief Revanth Reddy and other leaders lodged a complaint at Jubilee Hills police station over the comments. He demanded that the police lodged a criminal case against Sarma and arrest him.

The Congress leaders urged the police to book Sarma under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 153A and 505 for promoting enmity between different groups.

Revanth Reddy called Sarma's remarks an insult to the motherhood of every woman. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda should respond and sack Sarma immediately.

Also Read  Telangana CM KCR seeks proof of surgical strikes

Reddy, who is also a member of Parliament was accompanied by senior leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Anjan Kumar Yadav, Sampath Kumar and others.

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief said the police merely issued an acknowledgement. He said the police should register a First Information Report (FIR) and take criminal action against Sarma.

On a call given by Revanth Reddy, Congress leaders in various districts lodged police complaints against the Assam chief minister. The MP demanded that the state police send a special team to arrest Sarma. He said if no action was taken on their complaints in 48 hours, the Congress party will stage protests in front of the offices of police commissioners and superintendents of police.

On Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao condemning his Assam counterpart's offensive remarks, Revanth Reddy said he should go beyond mere condemnation and act by asking police to take action against Sarma.

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The prestigious Institute of Physics, UK has published a digital book on photoelasticity authored by a professor from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M). The book brings out the re-emergence of photoelasticity, its use in diverse fields and its importance in teaching concepts of stress analysis to students to understand the field nature of stress.

Prof K Ramesh, Mahesh K Chair Professor in the Department of Applied Mechanics, authored the book Developments in Photoelasticity  A Renaissance, which is based on decades of active research by him and his students at IIT-M.

The IIT-M said the digital book brings out in one volume, the use of Photoelasticity to understand complex problems such as understanding biological systems through their locomotion, which can help develop flexible robots for disaster management, improve agricultural production by understanding the stresses developed in plant roots, and the role of needle shape in epidural injections, among other applications.

Diverse applications of Photoelasticity from many key applications in mechanical sciences as well as neurobiology, plant biology, biomaterials, biomimetics, granular materials, soft matter, glass stress analysis, and rapid prototyping for complex model fabrication are also discussed in this book.

What is really striking about this book is the applications of this research, which range from plant biology to semiconductor packaging. This can be a game-changer, when implemented in the field. I am sure many students will take this up as a career and I look forward to many start-ups coming up in this field, IIT-M Director Prof V Kamakoti said.

Sharing the need for such books, the author said engineering colleges across the country need to restart their laboratory on Photoelasticity  in view of the great strides the technique has made in the last two decades and in offering hope for solving emerging problems in diverse fields. Instead of a real laboratory, many could benefit by setting up a virtual polariscope at a fraction of the cost of the actual setup, he added.

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It's more than six months since Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala was replaced with V D Satheesan as the opposition leader in Kerala. But Chennithala still continues to make statements on the party's stands and strategies to be adopted in Assembly, causing resentment in the Satheesan camps.

Groupism in Congress in Kerala was considered to be one key reason for the party's defeat in the Assembly elections. But even after the shakeup in the organisational structure, there seems to be no end to this.

Congress sources said that Chennithala was mainly aggrieved at the manner in which he was removed from the Opposition leader post. Even as he offered to step down soon after the election defeat, the party national leadership ousted him without holding any discussion with him. Hence Chennithala continued to take up issues, which could be a bid to remain afloat.

Also Read | Infighting in Kerala Congress aggravates further as Chandy, Chennithala boycott UDF meeting

The Satheesan camp was much agitated with Chennithala's recent statement that the opposition would move a resolution in the coming session of the Assembly against the controversial amendment in the Lok Ayukta Act. Satheesan was learnt to have taken up with the party leadership his displeasure over Chennithala unilaterally announcing party stands without consultation.

Even as Chennithala and Kerala PCC president K Sudhakaran had openly refuted the reports of differences among the party leaders, party sources said that unrest among the leadership might affect taking stern stands against the government, especially since the Assembly session in beginning.

Also Read | Kerala Congress' faction feud saga continues, even after restructuring

Even with regard to the alleged political intervention of the government in the appointments in universities the differences among the leaders were very evident. Chennithala initially came out with allegations against Higher Education Minister R Bindu for sending a letter recommending the extension of Kannur university vice-chancellor and also moved the Lok Ayukta against the minister, whereas Satheesan preferred to attack the Governor for succumbing to political pressure.

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Civil servants, air force officers, technocrats, airline pilots and many more individuals have piloted Air India over the decades.

When Ilker Ayci, the former Chairman of Turkish Airlines, takes control of the currently loss-making Air India, he will be the first foreign national to be at the helm of the once-storied carrier.

As many as 61 individuals have headed Air India, including erstwhile Indian Airlines, between June 6, 1953, and January 27, 2022 -- the period during which the carrier was under the government's control, according to an official document accessed by PTI.

Read | Tata Sons appoints Ilker Ayci as Air India CEO

The list includes civil servants, Air Force officers, technocrats and airline pilots.

Eight out of the 61 person served as Chairman and Managing Director of the combined entity, Air India Ltd between August 2007 and January 27, 2022.

Air India's last government-appointed CMD was IAS officer Vikram Dev Dutt, who took charge on January 21, 2022 and Tatas took control of the carrier on January 27.

B C Mukherjee, an Indian civil services officer, was the first Chairman of Air India after it was nationalised in 1953 and served in that position from June 12, 1953 to March 9, 1954. His successor Shankar Prasad, also a civil services ICS officer, was at the helm as Chairman for nearly five years.

Also, 34 persons served as Chairman/ CMD of Air India between June 1953 and August 2008. Of them, 15 persons served as Chairman and 16 persons as Chairman and Managing Director during the period.

Between November 1957 and February 1997, 13 persons served as General Manager/ Managing Director of the erstwhile Indian Airlines, as per the document.

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The Maharashtra government has decided to conduct a comprehensive study to determine how ageing and polluting coal-fired power facilities in the state can be phased down in a systematic manner.

Minister for Environment, Tourism and Protocol Aaditya Thackeray made this announcement on Monday while visiting the recently shut-down Nandgaon ash pond located near the Khaparkheda Thermal Power Station (KTPS) in Nagpur.

After receiving multiple complaints especially from women of Nandgaon and taking action, I decided to take stock of the ground situation. I have directed Nandgaon ash pond to be restored to its original state within the next 15 days. Nandgaon and even the Waregaon ash bunds will be permanently shut, said Thackeray.

Also Read | 42 coal mines auctioned till date for commercial mining, says Centre

He also added that pollution control measures including installation of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) for air pollution will be set up at all power plants across the State, starting with Koradi-Khaperkheda.

We will ensure 100 per cent fly ash utilisation as per Central government norms. The fly ash will also be used for infrastructure projects, he stated.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra will be conducting a comprehensive study to determine how ageing and polluting coal-fired power plants can be phased down in a systematic manner. An audit of all power plants in Maharashtra for pollution control measures will be done. The power plants that are not meeting prescribed standards will face decisive action. A mitigation plan will be developed for this, said Thackeray, adding that further details would be announced after the sanctioning process of the study was completed.

Maharashtras decision to conduct this study holds significance in light of announcements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Conference of Parties (COP26) at Glasgow where he set a Net Zero target of 2070 for the country.

Maharashtra currently has an installed capacity of 13,602 MW of which coal-fired thermal power accounts for nearly 75 per cent or 10,170 MW, according to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO). State-owned thermal power stations include  Chandrapur, Koradi, Khaperkheda, Nashik, Parli, Bhusawal and Paras.

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Netflix is developing a docuseries with the modern-day Bonnie and Clyde cryptocurrency couple.

Following the 2016 Bitfinex breach, a couple in their 30s dubbed the crypto "Bonnie and Clyde," has quickly made headlines after being accused of trying to launder about 120,000 bitcoin worth $4.5 billion.

Ilya Lichtenstein, also known as "Dutch," is a Russian-American citizen, while his wife Heather "Razzlekhan" Morgan is US-born. This week, the couple was arrested together and detained in Manhattan for alleged financial crime.

After a hack, the US Department of Justice seized bitcoin worth $3.6 billion, recouping the vast majority of the funds lost in the incident.

Morgan raps on TikTok under the name Razzlekhan, and she is also a Forbes contributor who once wrote an essay on how businesses can protect themselves from hackers.

While Mr. Lichtenstein, who goes by the nickname Dutch, has both American and Russian citizenship and has described himself as a tech entrepreneur.

Netflix Docuseries

The show about this couple will be directed by Chris Smith, who has directed a lot of Netflix documentaries and docuseries about scam artists and crime.

In 2019, Smith made a movie called "Fyre: The Greatest Festival That Never Happened." It was about the infamous 2017 music festival that was fake and led to the founder, Billy McFarland, being sentenced to six years in prison.

The Variety reported that Netflix's "The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann" was also directed by him that same year. It was about the disappearance of a 3-year-old girl named Madeleine McCann, who went missing while on vacation with her family in Portugal.

On top of that, the "100 Foot Wave," which was made for HBO last year, was directed by him. It was a show about the life of big wave surfer Garrett McNamara. The show has been renewed for a second season by the channel.

Chris Smith executive produces the series along with Nick Bilton, who has worked on docuseries like "American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mind behind the Silk Road," "Fake Famous," and "The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley." Smith is also the show's showrunner.

Read Also: Crypto Rug Pulls: The Biggest NFT Scams Yet

Bitfinex Bitcoin Hacking

The Justice Department said on Tuesday(Feb.08) that it had seized over $3.6 billion worth of stolen Bitcoin and arrested a married couple accused of laundering the cryptocurrency that hackers had stolen six years ago.

The New York Times reported that they were accused in a criminal complaint of conspiring to launder 119,754 Bitcoin that had been stolen in 2016 from Hong Kong-based Bitfinex, one of the world's largest virtual currency exchanges.

The US authorities believe the intruder carried out more than 2,000 unauthorized transactions and ultimately sent the bitcoin collected to a wallet held by Lichtenstein. They have not accused the couple of carrying out the cyberattack.

Proven Guilty and Free

It was reported that around 25,000 bitcoins were transferred out of Lichtenstein's wallet, with part of the funds going to accounts controlled by Lichtenstein and his wife. The remaining 94,000 bitcoins were kept in the wallet that had been used after the breach had been done.

A federal court in Manhattan made a ruling from Mr. Lichtenstein and Ms. Morgan on Tuesday (Feb. 8) in the afternoon. A judge ordered them to be freed on bond, with Mr. Lichtenstein's bond set at $5 million and Ms. Morgan's bond set at $3 million.

Related Article: Crypto Set for Big Boom in 2022: 3 Best Altcoins to Invest Now
Without asking or going to a doctor in charge of the nearest health facility, there was home delivery of a medicine kit of five items by the staff of DMO, Ghaziabad-UP, to a Covid-positive patient in Indirapuram on the outskirts of Delhi-NCR last week. That is, within two hours of a patient receiving the results of the lab where testing was done. The lab may be doing parallel reporting to health officials. Impressive prompt action.

But the contents of the kit will soon disappoint you. They were tablets of ivermectin and azithromycin with paracetamol for three days. Also, Vitamin C and zinc for 10 days. Another kit of Lucknow Urban PHC includes Vitamin D granules sachet to be taken weekly.

The Telangana government kit, for five days instead of three, contains all of the above excluding ivermectin tablets. In addition, it has tablets levocetirizine, ranitidine and multivitamin, all once a day for five days.

Interestingly, the Karnataka government homecare kit has Vitamin C and zinc for seven days. Paracetamol, levocetrizine, cough syrup and pantoprazole for acidity, as per need. Some had fabiflu and doxycycline also. Similarly, in Maharashtra and several other states, irrational guidelines were being distributed via the Internet or medicine packets to Covid-positive patients. The Union Health Ministry recommends only paracetamol for mild symptoms.

There is a dichotomy between national guidelines and the practice of state and municipal corporation-run hospitals. If the government-controlled public health institutions cannot practice what they are preaching, the less said about the uncontrolled private sector the better. The private sector is awash with bizarre practices.

A prescription for mild Covid infection without any oxygen desaturation included potent antibiotics like clindamycin, azithromycin, tazobactam and antivirals like remdesivir, favipiravir and multivitamins for patients under a qualified physician in a super-speciality hospital in Delhi.

A prescription from Bengaluru for a home-care patient had the latest experimental protease inhibitor drug molnupiravir, rivaflo tablet, a blood thinner or anticoagulant and tapering doses of steroid prednisolone over 10 days.

When the pandemic started, we knew very little about handling SARS-COV2. So, we tried many drugs based on postulations and even plasma transfusion. But now we know what works and what does not work.

The vitamin combinations, azithromycin, doxycycline, hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir and ivermectin for treating Covid-19 are not working and are a waste of money; so, prescribing them is an irrational practice. Irresponsible, dangerous, life-threatening prescriptions give a false sense of security and add to medical impoverishment during pandemic times. What is the point of research in science otherwise?

Broad-spectrum antibiotic prescriptions for mild infections or for a viral infection like Covid leads to antimicrobial resistance. It is already an undocumented catastrophe in India. With the high burden of typhoid, a serious illness in which azithromycin is a wonder drug or in conditions like scrub typhus, cholera and leptospirosis, where doxycycline is life-saving, growing antibiotic resistance will only add to mortality.

What was the quantum of drugs distributed and what was the magnitude of the population that consumed these drugs via government or private practitioners or by self-purchase? Does anyone have any clue on azithromycin/doxy sales and consumption? A local pharmacist in Vadodara, Gujarat, says that azithromycin prescriptions he received from private practitioners went up five times the usual in the past two months.

Steroids should not be prescribed during the first five days of Covid virus multiplication. Moreover, widespread abuse can lead to deadly opportunistic fungal infections like mucormycosis. All cases of breathlessness cannot be treated with deriphyllin as it can be caused by severe anaemia, heart disease, lung disorders and psychological illnesses which need proper evaluation.

Control studies

Ivermectin, used for the treatment of head lice and other parasitic infestations, was initially tried but double-blind case-control studies proved its futility. Vitamins and minerals have no proven benefit in Covid. The same amount could be diverted towards providing pyridoxine or Vitamin B6 to patients on antitubercular therapy or to provide nutrition to TB patients. There is also an unnecessary demand generated commercially through the pharma sector influence for antacids, vitamins and minerals under the false pretext of building immunity against Covid.

As there is rampant misuse of monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab in the private sector, the Kerala government has issued strict guidelines regarding its use. Each health institutional medical board is to take a joint decision following the ICMR guidelines and rule out the possibility of Omicron variant as it is ineffective to neutralise Omicron antigens.

The public and the medical community are subject to gross misinformation on social media. So, it is incumbent on state agencies and professional medical societies to put an end to this travesty in the best interest of the nation. Otherwise, it sets false precedence to younger practitioners and village practitioners, both qualified and unqualified. And there is no grievance redressal mechanism if something happens adversely to the patient due to misuse of medicines.

Today the situation is such that the difference between fake news and authentic news is totally merged. This has resulted in creating confusion, with anxiety, stress and depression on the one hand and throwing caution to the winds on the other, says Dr Mira Shiva, a crusader against irrational drug use.

If this virus is the same globally and even across the length and breadth of India; if some drugs do not work elsewhere, why should they be prescribed, and that too differently in different parts of India? We speak about One Nation One Card for food supplies through the Public Distribution System. Why not One Protocol for One Virus One Nation at least in the public health system?

(Dr Rangaswamy is a Microbiologist and Primary Care Physician; Dr Antony is a Paediatrician and Public Health Consultant)
It is not just another Monday, it is also the day of love! And Google is celebrating Valentine's Day with two hamsters smitten with one another.

"Sometimes love takes you by surprise. It can be full of twists and turns, but through all its ups and downs, it can still bring the world closer together (no matter the species)," it said in a blogpost.

In todays interactive 3-D Doodle, you can piece the paths of the adorable hamsters together and "clear the way for them to scamper into each others precious paws". Why? Because home is where the heart is!

In the past as well, the Google Doodle portrayed love across species -- intergalactic love of aliens on spaceships in 2020 and animals on a ferris wheel in 2013.

The origin of Valentine's Day  now celebrated by couples as a festival of love  are thought to go back to the Roman purification festival of Lupercalia, when naked young men would whip young ladies to make them more fertile. Some also believe the day is associated with the cult of third-century Roman Christian martyr Saint Valentine, who was decapitated on the orders of Emperor Claudius for secretly performing weddings.

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As schools and colleges across Karnataka reopen today, the government hopes that peace will prevail. Meanwhile CM Yogi chimed in on the hijab debate saying "we can't impose our personal religious beliefs and choices on the country". The Karnataka High Court heard crucial pleas on the row today. The hearing will resume again on February, 15 at 2:30 pm.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar on Monday asked his partys legislator BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan to apologize for his controversial statement linking rapes and wearing of the hijab.

Khan, however, flatly refused to say sorry.

The Congress does not approve of Zameer's statement. We condemn that statement. We won't agree with that statement. I'll ask him to withdraw it and apologise, Shivakumar told reporters.

Also Read | Wearing hijab will protect Muslim women from getting raped: Karnataka Congress MLA

Khan had courted controversy by suggesting that rapes will be fewer if women wear hijab-like clothing. Hijab, known as gosha-parda, is to hide a womans beauty. Indias rape rates are high probably because women arent under gosha-pardah, Khan told news agency ANI on Sunday.

An angry Shivakumar said the partys stand was clear. I had asked people not to speak on this issue, but theyre speaking. Well seek an explanation from them, he said.

Khan is a loyalist of Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah.

Reacting to Shivakumar, Khan said he will neither withdraw his statement nor apologise. Why should I withdraw? Why should I apologise, he asked. I have only explained why women wear the hijab and its benefits. Hijab is to keep womens beauty away from (prying) eyes. Its just like how full helmets have been made compulsory for motorists. Its to keep them safe. Likewise, hijab will keep women safe, he said.

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Congress legislators wore black bands to the Karnataka legislature session on Monday to protest against the BJP governments handling of the hijab row and the rejection of social reformer Narayana Gurus tableau for the Republic Day parade.

Congress legislators sat through Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlots address to both houses of the legislature with black bands on their arms.

Were wearing the black band to protest the raking up of the Hijab issue. It is the BJP government that made boys wear saffron stoles, which is something RDPR Minister KS Eshwarappa himself admitted. He even said saffron will replace the tricolour on the Red Fort, and no action has been taken against him, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said.

Also Readd | Hijab row: High schools reopen in Karnataka

The black band protest is also meant to condemn the rejection of Narayana Gurus tableau, he added.

The rejection of Narayana Gurus tableau put the ruling BJP in a spot. The social reformer hail from Kerala, it was the Pinarayi Vijayan government that proposed the tableau - but he has followers in some parts of Karnataka, especially the coastal region where the BJP is strong.

Later in the day, Siddaramaiah will chair the Congress Legislature Party meeting where legislators will formulate a strategy to attack the BJP government during the session. It is likely that the party will explore the option of raising the Hijab issue, which is currently before the High Court for adjudication.

We will raise the law-and-order issue, corruption, the 40% commission charge levelled by contractors and other failures of the government, Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar told reporters.

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The Karnataka government will come up with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address any shortcomings that have surfaced during the implementation of the High Court interim order restraining students from wearing saffron stoles or hijab to classes.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that though classes have opened, over 10 different incidents have been reported from different districts. "There is a meeting of the education minister and others today evening. We will come up with SOPs to address any shortcomings," he said.

For latest updates on Hijab row, click here

The High Court, he said, has issued directions regarding the hijab row and everyone should abide by it. "If a peaceful environment prevails, the High Court can give its final order. During the process, if there are different incidents, it becomes difficult to draw curtains on these issues," Bommai said.

Following the High Court order is the responsibility of school management, principal and parents, he said, adding that the state government has issued clear directions to follow the order.

Also Read | Congress stages black band protest in Karnataka Assembly over hijab row | Deccan Herald

On Opposition Congress' criticism of the Governor's address, Bommai said that the Governor had only highlighted how the state government managed various issues over the last year. "His speech is 100% true. Governor and the people of the state are aware of everything," Bommai said.

Governor has spoken about Covid management, flood management, along with the development of various sectors, he said, adding that there were more achievements to highlight. "But, we couldn't include everything in the speech. In our reply, we will highlight the achievements of other departments too, he said.

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An Interlocutory Application (IA) was mentioned before the full bench of the Karnataka High Court on Monday during the hearing on a batch of petitions over the Hijab controversy, requesting the leave of the court to use a uniform stole to cover the head.

Mentioning the IA on behalf of the students of Government Pre University College for Girls in Udupi, senior advocate Prof Ravivarma Kumar informed the court that the IA seeks clarification in the interim order passed by the full bench on February 10, restraining students from use of any religious garments over the uniform.

It was stated on behalf of the petitioners that the students will comply with the interim order passed by the full bench and will not wear any scarf or hijab in the classroom. However, they have requested the court to allow them to use the uniform stole, which is a part of the uniform, over their head. The IA further stated that since it may take considerable time to decide the larger issues involved in the petitions, the court may grant the request of the students to use the uniform dupatta so that they can continue their studies.

Read | Hijab row: K'taka to issue SOPs to address shortcomings

Meanwhile, Ravivarma Kumar also mentioned another IA requesting the court to adjourn the hearing till February 28 in the wake of political parties using the details of the case for their political gain in the ongoing elections in five states. The IA stated that the political parties are indulging in polarising the society and pitching the communities against each other, which is not a good sign in a pluralistic, democratic and secular country.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi noted that the applications have not been listed before the bench. The bench also said that requests have been made time and again to the media and public at large not to write oral observations of the proceedings. On the request to defer the hearing in view of the elections, the bench orally told Prof Ravivarma Kumar that the matter can be considered if the request is made by the election commission. The hearing has been adjourned to Tuesday.

Read | Hindu outfit seeks probe into conspiracy behind hijab row

Earlier, senior advocate Devadatta Kamath continued his arguments on behalf of the petitioner students from the college in Kundapura in Udupi district. He reiterated that the government order dated February 5, 2022, declaring that wearing a headscarf does not fall under Article 25 is totally erroneous. He further said that delegation to the College Development Committees (CDCs) to decide whether to permit the wearing of hijab is a total abdication of the states responsibility.

Asserting that public order is the only way by which the state is proposing to refrain students from wearing hijab, Devadatta Kamath said public order is an essential executive function and has to be decided by the state and not by a local MLA headed CDC.

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Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) on Monday alleged that the Campus Front of India (CFI), Popular Front and other Islamic organisations are behind the hijab controversy that created chaos in the Udupi district and later across Karnataka.

Addressing reporters in Udupi, HJV (south Karnataka) secretary KT Ullas demanded a thorough investigation into the conspiracy behind the hijab issue raked up by these organisations in educational institutions. Ullas said many of the Muslim students were not wearing hijabs in junior colleges till December last year when it was turned into a controversy. He also claimed that the boy students started wearing shawls not at the instance of Hindu outfits, but as a natural reaction.

The six girls at the PU college for women in Udupi were in touch with CFI through their Twitter accounts, he alleged. If the CFI leaders and students are interrogated, the conspiracy behind the controversy can be unveiled, Ullas said.

For latest updates on Hijab row, click here

Meanwhile, CFI Udupi district president Asil Akram denied reports that they had skipped a peace meeting held by Udupi MLA K Raghupathi Bhat on Sunday. Akram told reporters that CFI was not invited to the meeting as claimed by the MLA. No information about the meeting was shared with the organisation, he said, adding they would have attended the meeting in the interests of students if invited.

On January 1, 2022, six girl students of a college in Udupi attended a press conference held by CFI in the coastal town protesting against the college authorities denying them entry into the classroom by wearing hijab. This was four days after they requested the principal permission to wear hijabs in classes which were not allowed. Till then, students used to wear the hijab to the campus and entered the classroom after removing the scarves, the college principal Rudre Gowda had said.

"The institution did not have any rule on hijab-wearing as such and since no one used to wear it to the classroom in the last 35 years. The students who came with the demand had the backing of outside forces," Gowda had said.

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The Karnataka High Court on Monday struck down the amendments to the Karnataka Police Amendment Act in 2021 prohibiting certain online gaming activities. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Krishna S Dixit said that nothing in the judgment shall be construed to prevent an appropriate legislation in accordance with the constitution.

The bench declared certain provisions of the Karnataka Act number 28/2021, to the extent the provisions pertaining to regulate online gaming activities, to be ultra vires to the Constitution of India. The consequences of striking down the provisions shall follow. However, nothing in this judgment shall be construed to prevent an appropriate legislation be brought about concerning the subject of betting and gambling, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. A writ of mandamus is issued restraining the respondents from interfering with online gaming business and allied activities of the petitioners, the bench said.

The state government by amending the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, had prohibited and criminalised playing of games of skill including online games by risking money or otherwise. The petitioners, including All India Gaming Federation, claimed that games such as poker, chess, rummy, fantasy sports are all games of skill and various court orders have categorically differentiated games of chance and games of skill.

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Pre-university and degree colleges in Karnataka will resume classes from Wednesday.

This decision was taken at a high-level meeting that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai chaired late on Monday evening.

Educational institutions were closed last week after the 'hijab vs saffron stoles' row turned violent. High schools resumed classes Monday.

Briefing reporters, Primary & Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh said PU and degree classes will resume based on the interim order by the High Court restraining students from wearing religious clothing to classes for the time being.

Watch: Tensions Flare in Bengaluru School

"It is very clear...where there is a prescribed uniform, it should be followed. Wherever there's no prescribed uniform, we will decide on a dress code," Nagesh said.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said that police department will aid colleges in resuming classes and make sure that law and order is maintained. "We are confident that both parents and students will prioritize education. Therefore, there won't be any trouble. If there is any such issue, police will assist the institute in maintaining peace," he said.

Any decision taken by school development committee and college development committee decision will be supported by police, he added.

Jnanendra said reiterated that reopening of classes is based on High Court's interim order "which cannot be violated".

On the forces behind the protests held last week, Jnanendra said that the police is collecting information on how the situation aggravated. "Investigation is on. I won't comment on that," he said.

Earlier in the day, Bommai had said that the government will come up with a standard operating procedure (SOP) to implement the High Court interim order. "If a peaceful environment prevails, the High Court can give its final order. During the process, if there are different incidents, it becomes difficult to draw curtains on these issues," Bommai said.

Complying with the High Court's order is the responsibility of school managements, principals and parents, Bommai said.

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IBM executive emails have discussed their "Dinobabies" employees and wanting them to be "extinct species."

The executives discussed in the email how to force out older employees.

The emails show highly incriminating animosity against older employees by people who were in the company's top-ranking officials at the time.

The company has been accused of age discrimination by former employees in a number of legal filings and news stories. Former employees legally argued that IBM tried to replace thousands of older workers with younger ones to keep up with its competitors.

Age Discrimination

Los Angeles Times reported that according to the complaint, an International Business Machines Corp. official revealed a proposal to "accelerate transformation" by "inviting the 'dinobabies' (new species) to leave" and reclassifying them as an "Extinct species."

In the filing, company officials also expressed dissatisfaction with IBM's "dated maternal workforce," which "must change," and expressed frustration that IBM had a much lower percentage of millennials in its workforce than a competitor, but stated that the rate would increase following layoffs.

The lawsuit the conversations demonstrate "highly incriminating animus" toward senior employees by officials who were at the time in the company's "highest ranks."

IBM Lawsuit

The emails that served as evidence collected emerged as part of a lawsuit IBM is facing from the company's attempt to change the age composition of its employees.

The emails collected also appear to be the first public piece of direct proof about this complaint's leadership.

According to The New York Times, Shannon Liss-Riordan, the lawyer for the plaintiff case, "These filings reveal that top IBM executives were explicitly plotting with one another to oust older workers from IBM's workforce in order to make room for millennial employees."

Miss Liss-Riordan is the lawyer representing numerous IBM workers in this ongoing case. Although the court has not yet identified the class of this case, she is working for the class-action status of claims.

Read Also: Apple to Increase Salary from 2 to 10 percent For Retail Employees

Presenting A Trendy Organization

Former IBM employees have filed legal complaints for its age discrimination complaints across the country.

It was reported that the previous vice president of IBM told the court that finding new employees is very challenging for the company.

He also stated that one way to demonstrate to millennials that IBM was not "an old fuddy duddy organization" was to present itself "as [a] cool, trendy organization."

Moreover, the statement stated the language used in the emails "is not consistent with the respect IBM has for its employees and as the facts clearly show, it does not reflect company practices or policies."

IBM Favoring Millenials?

The hiring policies of IBM were defended by Adam Pratt, an IBM spokesperson. In his words, "IBM never engaged in systematic age discrimination."

It was not because of their age that employees were laid off, but rather because of changes in business conditions and a need for specific talents.

In his remarks, Mr. Pratt stated that IBM hired more than 10,000 employees over 50 in the United States between 2010 and 2020 and that the median age of the company's workforce in the United States remained the same in each of those years, which was 48 years old.

Related Article: Amazon is Raising Maximum Base Salary To $350,000 From Previous Max of $160,000
Congress leader and MLA Zameer Ahmed courted controversy here on Sunday by reportedly stating that rape incidents in India are high because of the non-wearing of hijab. Hijab protects women from such heinous crimes, he said.

Speaking to a section of electronic media in Hubballi, Zameer said, hijab means Parda in Islam, and has been an age-old custom that is practiced by Muslim women. This is to cover their beauty from the evil eyes. Though it is not a binding rule on all, majority of the Muslim women wear it.

However, the BJP which has never sought votes on the development agenda, is trying to get political mileage by raking such frivolous issues, charged Zameer.

Also read: Hijab row: As high schools reopen tomorrow, Bommai confident about peace

Hijab row is a plot by the BJP to gain political mileage and create disharmony in the society by creating a rift between Muslims and Hindus. The BJP has never gone to the voters seeking votes on development. They always seek votes on communal lines, and this too is one of their political agenda to strengthen their vote banks, Zameer charged.

Wearing hijab is a fundamental right of Muslim women, and has been in practice since time immemorial. Meanwhile, C M Ibrahim said, there is nothing new in hijab-wearing. While Hindu women wear pallu, Muslim women wear hijab. No law has said that women should not wear headscarves, but the BJP has created a controversy, he said.



Credit: Sajith Kumar



Training his gun at RDPR Minister K S Eshwarappa, Ibrahim said, it was Eshwarappas son who distributed saffron stoles to college students. Going a step further, the minister talked about hoisting a saffron flag at the Red Fort. Why the Chief Secretary and the DGP is silent on the issue, and has not booked a case against Eshwarappa, fumed Ibrahim.

The hijab issue should be solved amicably failing which the BJP leaders will have to hide themselves behind hijab, post 2023 elections, said Ibrahim.
Released: February 14, 2022

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) hosted a press conference with local officials and child and family advocates on Feb. 11 to encourage Pennsylvanians to complete a tax return this year in order to receive their full Child Tax Credit benefits. The Congresswoman was joined by Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, Community Action Agency of Delaware County CEO Edward Coleman, Campaign for Working Families Director of Volunteer Engagement Jonathan Barnes, The Foundation for Delaware County President Frances Sheehan, and Voices for Children Coalition Advocacy Director Elisha Arnold Coffey at the event hosted outside Delaware County Courthouse in Media.

The American Rescue Plan, which became law in March 2021, provided a third stimulus check and three major tax cuts for working families, including transformational changes to the Child Tax Credit. It increased the maximum credit amount to $3,600 per child for kids ages 0 to 5 and $3,000 per child for kids ages 6 to 17. The economic relief bill also made the Child Tax Credit fully refundable for 2021  meaning even families with $0 in income last year can claim the Child Tax Credit if they have qualifying children.

Improvements made to the Child Tax Credit under the American Rescue Plan are currently only valid for tax year 2021, so it is more important than ever for families to claim the benefits they are entitled to.

The words exciting and tax credit dont usually belong in the same sentence, but the expanded Child Tax Credit is different, said Rep. Scanlon. It has helped households across the country close gaps in the family budget  and in doing so has also reduced child poverty by almost half. The monthly payments that were distributed fin 2021 have proven to be extremely beneficial as families recover and rebuild from the pandemic, but there is still money on the table. I dont want a single eligible family in my district to miss out on their opportunity to collect. I urge families in PA-05 and across Pennsylvania to file their 2021 tax return as soon as possible to claim their Child Tax Credit and to take advantage of the free tax preparation services that are available to many of them based on income.

Between July and December 2021, millions of families received monthly advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. According to Columbia University, these monthly payments helped reduce food insecurity, and families overwhelmingly spent the money on food and other basic needs. More than 1.3 million payments per month were authorized by the American Rescue Plan to hardworking families across Pennsylvania. Within Pennsylvanias 5th Congressional District, which Congresswoman Scanlon represents, over 76,000 families received the monthly payments. Now, those families must file a 2021 tax return in order to receive the rest of their credit. Eligible families that did not receive advance payments can claim the full credit amount when they file a 2021 tax return.

We know that while many families were able to take advantage of the monthly Child Tax Credit payments in 2021, there are so many more that did not  or may not have even known they are eligible, said Dr. Monica Taylor, Chair, Delaware County Council. We want parents and caregivers to know there are organizations with resources and expertise to help ensure these tax credits are accessible and that they are distributed equitably. We know there is need in Delaware County, and County Council is happy to be able to meet that need by supporting programs that will connect our residents to the Child Tax Credit and other resources.

Edward Coleman, CEO, Community Action Agency of Delaware County added: Thanks to funding from Delaware County Council, Community Action Agency for Delaware County is able to add more Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, staff, and volunteers this year to increase outreach and the number of applications we can process. This tax season, our agency will operate fives sites including our Boothwyn Multi-Service Center and locations in Media, Upper Darby, Darby, and the City of Chester.

Campaign for Working Families has sites around Philadelphia and Montgomery County. We also offer a virtual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) option for folks who are unable to travel to a local site for whatever reason, noted Jonathan Barnes, Director of Volunteer Engagement, Campaign for Working Families. Users connect to our services through the internet, upload their paperwork, and then we go through the same process that would happen at a physical VITA site. Residents can access this service through cwfphilly.org.

Frances Sheehan, President, The Foundation for Delaware County commented: The expanded Child Tax Credit has been crucial to lifting families out of poverty and helping them live healthier lives. In collaboration with our partners, we are committed to making sure all eligible families can benefit from this program. We're spreading the word by providing outreach to clients visiting our WIC offices and receiving home visiting services from our Healthy Start and Nurse-Family Partnership teams to make sure theyre aware of the Child Tax Credit. Were educating all our workers to stress to our clients the need to file a tax return so they can receive their benefits as soon as possible. Were also passing this critical information along to the many nonprofits we support.

This is not a gift from the government that people are using for fun, said Elisha Arnold Coffey, Advocacy Director, Voices for Children Coalition. The Child Tax Credit benefits lots of families at a level of basic need. Many families are using this money for child care, housing, utilities, and food. The Child Tax Credit is part of ensuring that as a country we are stronger in the future because of how we decide to take care of our children today.

Anyone, including grandparents, who are legal guardians of children under 18 may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit. All eligible families can receive the full credit if they made up to $150,000 for a married couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent in 2021. Above these income thresholds, the amount of the credit is gradually reduced.

The Child Tax Credit, including monthly payments in 2021, is not taxable. Claiming the credit also does not impact eligibility for or lower the amount of other federal benefits. It has no effect on immigration status, ability to get a green card, or future eligibility for immigration benefits.

Additional information about eligibility and claiming the credit is available at ChildTaxCredit.gov.

Tips for Tax Season

The 2022 tax filing season is now open and closes on April 18.

The IRS is encouraging people to file electronically and as early as possible.

Opting for direct deposit will help taxpayers get any refunds faster.

The IRS Free File Program is available to tax filers who earned $73,000 or less in 2021.

The IRS runs two programs that offer FREE tax help for taxpayers who qualify: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE).

Visit the IRS website (irs.gov) for free services, helpful checklists, and FAQs.

Photos from todays press conference are available here.
A local MLA has launched a survey asking parents in Derry for their experiences of childcare, including its availability and cost.

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin said she had received complaints from parents in Derry about the lack of affordable childcare.

"This is having a terrible impact on parents ability to work and is contributing to the serious cost of living crisis that is hitting people across Derry and the North West," she said.

I am asking parents to complete this survey to provide me with the information that I need to push for better childcare provision.

"We already know that the lack of affordable childcare is hurting parents, but I want to hear from parents about their experiences and just how badly it is affecting them.

Northern Ireland is facing a childcare crisis which is the result of years of underinvestment and neglect, as well as the significant impact of Covid-19 on the sector.

"Parents everywhere, but especially in Derry, are struggling to meet their childcare bill and many have been forced to change jobs or cease employment entirely to pay for this vital service.

Costly childcare adversely affects women in particular when it comes to pursuing their chosen career. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without a childcare strategy and it provides less childcare support for parents than other regions in the UK.

This needs to change. No parent should be forced to choose between caring for their children and pursuing their chosen career.

"If we are to rebuild the economy, we need to see significant investment in our childcare infrastructure that will benefit employers, parents and children.

"Good childcare also gives children the best start in life by supporting their social development," she added.

The survey is available online at https://www.sdlp.ie/childcare_in_derry.
Department of Foreign Affairs update on Ukraine

Press release

On Saturday (12 February) the Department of Foreign Affairs upgraded its travel advice to advise against all travel to Ukraine and to ask citizens currently in Ukraine to leave immediately by commercial means.

Since the travel advice for Ukraine was upgraded, the number of Irish citizens registered with our embassy in Kyiv has, as expected, been increasing. The number of Irish citizens registered with the embassy currently stands at 145 and this number may rise further over the coming days.

The Embassy of Ireland in Kyiv is in ongoing contact with all registered Irish citizens and has advised them to leave Ukraine immediately. A number of commercial flight options continue to be available and it is also possible to depart the country overland to neighbouring EU states.

The Department is in direct contact with all of those scheduled to travel to Ukraine for surrogacy purposes. The Department will continue to provide support to each of these individuals and families with advice relevant to their particular situation.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., said:

We are urging all Irish citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately, either via commercial flight or over land. We remain in ongoing contact at a senior level with EU partners, as well as the UK and the US, regarding the wider political and security situation in and around Ukraine. Ireland supports all efforts aimed at defusing the current tensions and at finding a diplomatic pathway forward. Ireland is committed to Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is urgent that Russia de-escalate, abide by international law and engage constructively in dialogue.

In common with the Embassies of partner states, the Embassy of Ireland in Kyiv will remain open, with a small number of essential staff remaining. That situation will be kept under review.

Any Irish citizen requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs at +353 1 408 2000.

ENDS

Press Office

14 February 2022

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The American Diplomat : Release Date, Trailer, Cast & Songs About The American Diplomat The American Diplomat was released on Feb 15, 2022 and was directed by Leola Calzolai-Stewart .This movie is 1 hr in duration and is available in English language. The American Diplomat scores a 6.3 digit binge rating out of 10 and is a good movie to watch in the Documentary genre.

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The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is said to feature MediaTek Density 700 SoC and a 5000mAh battery with 18W charging support, among other things.

Samsung is bringing its A-series phones to India and this includes the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G. Some fresh leaks of the device have been released, showcasing its possible design and specifications. These new CAD images from OnLeaks (in collab with Collegedunia) present the device in its full glory, i.e., its profile from various angles. And from them, we learn the so-called Galaxy A23 could offer a familiar back with a domino-shaped camera island and a rather entry-level look from its waterdrop notch front.

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G: Specs and Features (Expected)

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G could have a waterdrop notch (Infinity-V) with a 13MP selfie snapper upfront. The screen could be IPS LCD in nature, HD in resolution, and stretch 6.6-inches diagonally. The bottom bezel is the only part that is a bit thick, again something thats common with phones of this ilk.

Swivel to the rear and there you may get a quad-camera setup comprising a 50MP main SK Hynix lens with OIS, an 8MP secondary sensor (likely an ultrawide angle one), and two 2MP sensors for bokeh and macro respectively.

Under the hood, the Galaxy A23 5G could be helming a MediaTek Dimensity 700 (MT6833) processor. This could be supported by 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The internal battery size could be 5000mAh backed by an 18W USB-C Quick Charge support.

The dimensions of the device could be around 165.4 x 77.0 x 8.5mm (10.3mm taking the camera bump into consideration). And the repertoire may consist of an in-display fingerprint scanner, a 3.5mm headphone jack, dual-mic setup, Android 11 software, and dual SIM support.

We are awaiting more details on the price and conclusive evidence on the aforementioned specs and design.

So, until then, for more news, buying guides, feature articles, reviews, and everything else tech-related, keep reading Digit.in.
Harrisonburg, VA (22801)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Welcome to This Week on iTP where we rundown the top stories on the website in the past week!

This past week's top stories here on iTech Post includes the rumored Tesla phone, Amazon raising the salaries of its employees, and numerous NASA-related updates.

Without further ado, here are the top stories you should catch up on

Coming in at number five is our story on the tumored Tesla phone.

It looks like Tesla is working on launching its first mobile phone. There have been numerous rumors surfacing online that the EV company is developing a phone with impressive features.

The phone is said to be called Tesla Model Pi and leaks are claiming that the phone will have a next-generation technology. Leaks have also claimed that it is designed to be capable of mining cryptocurrency and astrophotograph.

In addition, it is also rumored that the external design of the phone will have an adaptable coating, which will cause the phone to adjust its color depending on the weather. However, it is important to note that this has not been officially confirmed by the company.

The space telescope SOAR captured an asteroid rotating in the same direction as planet Earth.

When the Pan-STARRS telescope on Haleakala on Maui, Hawaii, made the discovery in December 2020, they called it 2020 XL5. The trailing asteroid is measured at less than a kilometer wide.

Despite the fact that it was discovered in 2020, more observations with the 4.1-meter Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) telescope in Chile helped us figure out where it was going.

Aside from being known as 2020 XL5, this asteroid is also referred to as a Trojan partner to the Earth in relation to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids.

Amazon is reportedly increasing the salary and compensation of its workers. Amazon is going to raise its maximum base pay for corporate and tech employees from $160,000 to $350,000 as part of a larger increase in total compensation.

This is part of the company's effort to retain its current talent and prevent other workers from leaving the company.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and intense labor market, Amazon and other tech companies have acknowledged that failing to provide benefits could have a negative impact on their ability to attract and retain qualified employees.

Read Also: SpaceX Update: Elon Musk is Launching Starship Rocket

It was previously believed that Mars has an abundant water source 3 billion years ago. However, this was proven incorrect by recent research findings.

Ellen Leask and Bethany Ehlmann are two researchers who proved this is wrong through the data gathered by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter over the last 15 years.

Their study reveals evidence indicating that liquid water on Mars flowed on the planet for approximately a billion years longer than popularly assumed, as recently as 2 billion to 2.5 billion years ago.

This week's top story here on iTech Post is about yet another photo that NASA's Mars rover has taken of!

The Perseverance Rover of NASA has taken images of a variety of objects it has discovered on Mars, including rocks, regolith materials, and other compounds. Interestingly, the objects have appeared in the strangest shapes and figures.

One of its most recent photographs captured is that of an odd-looking rock that many claimed was that extraterrestrial life exists.

This week's top article also includes previous photos taken by the different Mars rovers of the space agency, including the Curiosity rover.

Related Article: NASA Hubble Images: Online Tool Lets You Check What Space Telescope Saw During Your Birthday!
Finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman budgets for 25-year `Amrit Kaal'

Finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman today presented a blueprint for the 25-year `Amrit Kaal, which is futuristic and inclusive, directly benefiting Indias youth, women, farmers, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, and involving big public investment for modern infrastructure that would lead up to India@100.

The Budget seeks to complement macro-economic level growth with a micro-economic level all-inclusive welfare focus, promoting digital economy and fintech, technology enabled development, energy transition, and climate action, while relying on virtuous cycle starting from private investment with public capital investment helping to crowd-in private investment.

Since 2014, the governments focus has been on empowerment of citizens, especially the poor and the marginalised and measures have been taken to provide housing, electricity, cooking gas, and access to water. The government also have programmes for ensuring financial inclusion and direct benefit transfers and a commitment to strengthen the abilities of poor to tap all opportunities, the finance minister stated.

The finance minister said the Productivity Linked Incentive scheme being implemented in 14 sectors for achieving the vision of `AtmaNirbhar Bharat has received excellent response, adding that this has the potential to create 6 million new jobs, and an additional production worth Rs30 lakh crore during the next 5 years.

Articulating the Narendra Modi governments public sector enterprise policy, she said, the strategic transfer of ownership of Air India has been completed, the strategic partner for Neelanchal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL) has been selected, the public issue of LIC is expected shortly and others too are in the process for 2022-23.

Sitharaman emphasised that this Budget continues to provide impetus for growth. It lays a parallel track of futuristic and inclusive growth, which will directly benefit our youth, women, farmers, scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes, along with big public investment for modern infrastructure, readying for `India at 100.

Infrastructure investment, she said, will be guided by PM GatiShakti and be benefited by the synergy of multi-modal approach. Moving forward, on this parallel track, she outlined the following four priorities:

PM GatiShakti

Inclusive development

Productivity enhancement and investment, sunrise opportunities, energy transition, and climate action

Financing of investments

Elaborating on the PM GatiShakti, the finance minister said that it is a transformative approach for economic growth and sustainable development. The approach is driven by seven engines, namely, Roads, Railways, Airports, Ports, Mass Transport, Waterways, and Logistics Infrastructure. All seven engines will pull forward the economy in unison. These engines are supported by the complementary roles of energy transmission, IT communication, bulk water and sewerage, and social infrastructure.

Finally, the approach is powered by clean energy and Sabka Prayas  the efforts of the central government, the state governments, and the private sector together  leading to huge job and entrepreneurial opportunities for all, especially the youth.

She said, PM GatiShakti Master Plan for Expressways will be formulated in 2022-23 to facilitate faster movement of people and goods. The National Highways network will be expanded by 25,000 km in 2022-23 and Rs20,000 crore will be mobilised through innovative ways of financing to complement public resources.

She added that contracts for implementation of Multimodal Logistics Parks at four locations through PPP mode will be awarded in 2022-23.

Railways

On Railways, the finance minister said that a One Station-One Product concept will be popularized to help local businesses and supply chains. Moreover, as a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat, 2,000 km of network will be brought under Kavach, the indigenous world-class technology for safety and capacity augmentation in 2022-23.

She also informed that 400 new-generation Vande Bharat Trains with better energy efficiency and passenger riding experience will be developed and manufactured and 100 PM GatiShakti Cargo Terminals for multimodal logistics facilities will be set up during the next three years.

Agriculture and food processing

On the agriculture front, the finance minister informed that chemical-free natural farming will be promoted throughout the country, with a focus on farmers lands in 5-km wide corridors along river Ganga, at the first stage. Use of Kisan Drones will be promoted for crop assessment, digitisation of land records, spraying of insecticides, and nutrients. In order to reduce dependence on import of oilseeds, she said, a rationalised and comprehensive scheme to increase domestic production of oilseeds will be implemented.

As 2023 has been announced as the International Year of Millets, the government announced full support for post-harvest value addition, enhancing domestic consumption, and for branding millet products nationally and internationally.

Sitharaman said the implementation of the Ken-Betwa Link Project, at an estimated cost of Rs44,605 crore will be taken up with the aim of providing irrigation benefits to 9.08 lakh hectare of farmers lands, drinking water supply for 6.2 million people, 103 MW of Hydro, and 27 MW of solar power. Allocation of Rs4,300 crore for renewable energy in 2021-22 and Rs1,400 crore in 2022-23 have been made for this project. Moreover, draft DPRs of five river links, namely Damanganga-Pinjal, Par-TapiNarmada, Godavari-Krishna, Krishna-Pennar and Pennar-Cauvery, have been finalised and once a consensus is reached among the beneficiary states, the centre will provide support for implementation.

MSMEs

The finance minister pointed out that the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) has provided much-needed additional credit to more than 13 million MSMEs to help them mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic. She, however, added that the hospitality and related services, especially those by micro and small enterprises, are yet to regain their pre-pandemic level of business and after considering these aspects, the ECLGS will be extended up to March 2023. She said that the guarantee cover for these will be expanded by Rs50,000 crore to a total of Rs5,00,000 crore, with the additional amount being earmarked exclusively for the hospitality and related enterprises.

Similarly, the Credit Guarantee Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme will be revamped with required infusion of funds. This will facilitate additional credit of Rs2 lakh crore for Micro and Small Enterprises and expand employment opportunities. She informed that raising and accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme with an outlay of Rs6,000 crore over 5 years will be rolled out to make the MSME sector more resilient, competitive and efficient.

Skilling & Education

Dwelling on the subject of Skill development and Quality Education, the finance minister said that start-ups will be promoted to facilitate Drone Shakti through varied applications and for Drone-As-A-Service (DrAAS). In select ITIs, in all states, the required courses for skilling will be started. In vocational courses, to promote crucial critical thinking skills, to give space for creativity, 750 virtual labs in science and mathematics, and 75 skilling e-labs for simulated learning environment, will be set up in 2022-23.

Udyam, e-Shram, NCS and ASEEM portals will be interlinked and their scope will be widened.

She said that due to the pandemic-induced closure of schools, children, particularly in the rural areas, and those from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections, have lost almost 2 years of formal education and mostly, these are children in government schools. Thus to impart supplementary teaching and to build a resilient mechanism for education delivery, the finance minister informed that one class-one TV channel programme of PM e-VIDYA will be expanded from 12 to 200 TV channels and this will enable all states to provide supplementary education in regional languages for classes 1-12.

A Digital University will be established to provide access to students across the country for world-class quality universal education with personalised learning experience at their doorsteps. This will be made available in different Indian languages and ICT formats. The University will be built on a networked hub-spoke model, with the hub building cutting edge ICT expertise. The best public universities and institutions in the country will collaborate as a network of hub-spokes.

Healthcare

Under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, an open platform for the National Digital Health Ecosystem will be rolled out and it will consist of digital registries of health providers and health facilities, unique health identity, consent framework, and universal access to health facilities.

As the pandemic has accentuated mental health problems in people of all ages, the finance minister said, a National Tele Mental Health Programme will be launched for better access to quality mental health counselling and care services. This will include a network of 23 tele-mental health centres of excellence, with NIMHANS being the nodal centre and International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB) providing technology support.

Drinking water & Housing

Sitharaman announced an allocation of Rs60,000 crore to cover 38 million households in 2022-23 for Har Ghar, Nal Se Jal. Current coverage is 87 million and of this 55 million households were provided tap water in the last 2 years itself.

Similarly, in 2022-23, 8 million houses will be completed for the identified eligible beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana, both rural and urban and Rs48,000 crore is being allocated for this purpose.

A new scheme, `Prime Ministers Development Initiative for NorthEast (PM-DevINE), will be implemented through the North-Eastern Council to fund infrastructure, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti, and social development projects based on felt needs of the North-East. An initial allocation of Rs1,500 crore will enable livelihood activities for youth and women, filling the gaps in various sectors.

Post Office modernisation

In 2022, 100 per cent of 1.5 lakh post offices will be brought under the core banking system, enabling financial inclusion and access to accounts through 11 net banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and also provide online transfer of funds between post office accounts and bank accounts. This will be helpful, especially for farmers and senior citizens in rural areas, enabling interoperability and financial inclusion.

To mark 75 years of independence, the government has proposed to set up 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) in 75 districts of the country by Scheduled Commercial Banks to ensure that the benefits of digital banking reach every nook and corner of the country in a consumer-friendly manner.

The issuance of e-Passports using embedded chip and futuristic technology will be rolled out in 2022-23 to enhance convenience for the citizens in their overseas travel.

Country-specific planning

The finance minister announced that for developing India specific knowledge in urban planning and design, and to deliver certified training in these areas, up to five existing academic institutions in different regions will be designated as centres of excellence. These centres will be provided endowment funds of Rs250 crore each.

The animation, visual effects, gaming, and comic (AVGC) sector offers immense potential to employ youth and therefore an AVGC promotion task force with all stakeholders will be set up to recommend ways to realise this and build domestic capacity for serving our markets and the global demand.

Sitharaman said that telecommunication in general, and 5G technology in particular, can enable growth and offer job opportunities. She informed that required spectrum auctions will be conducted in 2022 to facilitate rollout of 5G mobile services within 2022-23 by private telecom providers. A scheme for design-led manufacturing will be launched to build a strong ecosystem for 5G as part of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme, she added.

Defence production

On the Defence front, the government reiterated that it is committed to reducing imports and promoting AtmaNirbharta in equipment for the Armed Forces. 68 per cent of the capital procurement budget will be earmarked for domestic industry in 2022-23, up from 58 per cent in 2021-22. Defence R&D will be opened up for industry, startups and academia with 25 per cent of defence R&D budget earmarked for it.

Sunrise sectors

Referring to Sunrise Opportunities, the finance minister said, Artificial Intelligence, Geospatial Systems and Drones, Semiconductor and its eco-system, Space Economy, Genomics and Pharmaceuticals, Green Energy, and Clean Mobility Systems have immense potential to assist sustainable development at scale and modernise the country. They provide employment opportunities for youth, and make Indian industry more efficient and competitive.

To facilitate domestic manufacturing for the ambitious goal of 280 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030, an additional allocation of Rs19,500 crore for Production Linked Incentive for manufacture of high efficiency modules, with priority to fully integrated manufacturing units from polysilicon to solar PV modules, will be made.

Transition to Carbon Neutral

The finance minister stressed that public investment must continue to take the lead and pump-prime the private investment and demand in 2022-23 and therefore the outlay for capital expenditure in the Union Budget is once again being stepped up sharply by 35.4 per cent from Rs5,54,000 crore in the current year to Rs7,50,000 crore in 2022-23. This has increased to more than 2.2 times the expenditure of 2019-20 and this outlay in 2022-23 will be 2.9 per cent of GDP. With this investment taken together with the provision made for creation of capital assets through Grants-in-Aid to states, the Effective Capital Expenditure of the cntral government is estimated at Rs10.68 lakh crore in 2022-23, which will be about 4.1 per cent of GDP.

As a part of the governments overall market borrowings in 2022-23, Sovereign Green Bonds will be issued for mobilising resources for green infrastructure. The proceeds will be deployed in public sector projects which help in reducing the carbon intensity of the economy.

Digital Currency

The government proposed to introduce Digital Rupee, using blockchain and other technologies, to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India starting 2022-23 for more efficient and cheaper currency management system.

Reflecting the true spirit of cooperative federalism, the central government enhanced the outlay for the Scheme for Financial Assistance to States for Capital Investment from Rs10,000 crore in the Budget Estimates to Rs15,000 crore in the Revised Estimates for the current year. Moreover, for 2022-23, the allocation is Rs1 lakh crore to assist the states in catalysing overall investments in the economy. These fifty-year interest free loans are over and above the normal borrowings allowed to the states. This allocation will be used for PM GatiShakti related and other productive capital investment of the states.

Providing greater fiscal space to states

Sitharaman also announced that in 2022-23, in accordance with the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the states will be allowed a fiscal deficit of 4 per cent of GSDP of which 0.5 per cent will be tied to power sector reforms, for which the conditions have already been communicated in 2021-22.

Concluding the Part A of her Budget speech, the Finance Minister said that the revised fiscal deficit in the current year is estimated at 6.9 per cent of GDP as against 6.8 per cent projected in the Budget Estimates. The fiscal deficit in 2022-23 is estimated at 6.4 per cent of GDP, which is consistent with the broad path of fiscal consolidation announced by her last year to reach a fiscal deficit level below 4.5 per cent by 2025-26. While setting the fiscal deficit level in 2022-23, she called for nurturing growth, through public investment, to become stronger and sustainable.

Tax Proposals

The Union Budget 2022-23, while continuing with the declared policy of stable and predictable tax regime, intends to bring more reforms that will take ahead the vision to establish a trustworthy tax regime. Sitharaman said that proposals relating to taxes and duties will further simplify the tax system, promote voluntary compliance by taxpayers, and reduce litigation.

On the Direct Tax side, the budget allows taxpayers to file updated income tax return within 2 years for correcting errors. It also provides tax relief to persons with disability. The budget also reduces Alternate Minimum Tax rate and surcharge for cooperatives. As an incentive for startups, period of incorporation of eligible startups has been extended by one more year. The budget proposes to increase tax deduction limit on employers contribution to NPS account of state government employees to bring parity with central government employees. Newly incorporated manufacturing entities will be incentivised under concessional tax regime. Income from transfer of virtual assets will be taxed at 30 per cent. The budget proposes better litigation management to avoid repetitive appeals.

On the indirect tax side, the Union Budget says that Customs administration in Special Economic Zones will be fully IT driven. It provides for phasing out of concessional rates in capital goods and project imports gradually and apply a moderate tariff of 7.5 per cent. The budget underlines review of customs exemptions and tariff simplification, with more than 350 exemptions proposed to be gradually phased out. It proposes that customs duty rates will be calibrated to provide a graded structure to facilitate domestic electronics manufacturing. Rationalisation of exemptions on implements and tools for agri sector manufactured in India will be undertaken. Customs duty exemption to steel scrap will be extended. Unblended fuel will attract additional differential excise duty.

The Budget proposes a new provision permitting taxpayers to file an Updated Return on payment of additional tax. This updated return can be filed within two years from the end of the relevant assessment year. Sitharaman said that with this proposal, trust will be reposed in the taxpayers that will enable the assessee to declare the income that he/she may have missed out earlier while filing tax return. It is an affirmative step in the direction of voluntary tax compliance.

To provide a level playing field between co-operative societies and companies, the budget proposes to reduce Alternate Minimum Tax for the cooperative societies also to fifteen per cent. The finance minister also proposed to reduce the surcharge on co-operative societies from the present 12 to 7 per cent for those having total income of more than Rs1 crore and up to Rs10 crore.

The parent or guardian of a differently-abled person can take an insurance scheme for such person. The present law provides for deduction to the parent or guardian only if the lump sum payment or annuity is available to the differently abled person on the death of the subscriber, ie, parent or guardian. The budget now allows the payment of annuity and lump sum amount to the differently abled dependent during the lifetime of parents/guardians, ie, on parents/guardians attaining the age of sixty years.

The central government contributes 14 per cent of the salary of its employee to the National Pension System (NPS) Tier-I. This is allowed as a deduction in computing the income of the employee. However, such deduction is allowed only to the extent of 10 per cent of the salary in case of employees of the state governments. To provide equal treatment, the budget proposes to increase the tax deduction limit from 10 per cent to 14 per cent on employers contribution to the NPS account of state government employees as well.

Eligible start-ups established before 31 March 2022 had been provided a tax incentive for three consecutive years out of ten years from incorporation. In view of the Covid pandemic, the budget provides for extending the period of incorporation of the eligible start-up by one more year, that is, up to 31 March 2023 for providing such tax incentive.

In an effort to establish a globally competitive business environment for certain domestic companies, a concessional tax regime of 15 per cent tax was introduced by the government for newly incorporated domestic manufacturing companies. The Union Budget proposes to extend the last date for commencement of manufacturing or production under section 115BAB by one year, ie, to 31 March, 2024.

For the taxation of virtual digital assets, the Budget provides that any income from transfer of any virtual digital asset shall be taxed at the rate of 30 per cent. No deduction in respect of any expenditure or allowance shall be allowed while computing such income except cost of acquisition. Further, loss from transfer of virtual digital asset cannot be set off against any other income. In order to capture the transaction details, a provision has been made for TDS on payment made in relation to transfer of virtual digital asset at the rate of 1 per cent of such consideration above a monetary threshold. Gift of virtual digital asset is also proposed to be taxed in the hands of the recipient.

Taking forward the policy of sound litigation management, the budget provides that, if a question of law in the case of an assessee is identical to a question of law which is a pending appeal before the jurisdictional High Court or the Supreme Court in any case, the filing of further appeal in the case of this assessee by the department shall be deferred till such question of law is decided by the jurisdictional High Court or the Supreme Court.

It has been proposed in the budget that income of a non-resident from offshore derivative instruments, or over-the-counter derivatives issued by an offshore banking unit, income from royalty and interest on account of lease of ship and income received from portfolio management services in IFSC shall be exempt from tax, subject to specified conditions.

It has been clarified in the Budget that any surcharge or cess on income and profits is not allowable as business expenditure.

In order to bring certainty and to increase deterrence among tax evaders, the finance minister proposed to provide that no setoff, of any loss shall be allowed against undisclosed income detected during search and survey operations.

The Budget says that reforms in Customs Administration of Special Economic Zones will be undertaken, and it shall henceforth be fully IT driven and function on the Customs National Portal with a focus on higher facilitation and with only risk-based checks. This reform shall be implemented by 30 September 2022.

The Budget proposes to phase out the concessional rates in capital goods and project imports gradually and apply a moderate tariff of 7.5 per cent. Certain exemptions for advanced machineries that are not manufactured within the country shall continue. A few exemptions have been introduced on inputs like specialised castings, ball screw and linear motion guide, to encourage domestic manufacturing of capital goods.

More than 350 exemption entries will be gradually phased out. These include exemption on certain agricultural produce, chemicals, fabrics, medical devices and drugs and medicines for which sufficient domestic capacity exists. Further, several concessional rates are being incorporated in the Customs Tariff Schedule itself instead of prescribing them through various notifications.

In the field of electronics, Customs duty rates are being calibrated to provide a graded rate structure to facilitate domestic manufacturing of wearable devices, hearable devices and electronic smart meters. Duty concessions are also being given to parts of transformer of mobile phone chargers and camera lens of mobile camera module and certain other items.

To give a boost to the Gems and Jewellery sector, Customs duty on cut and polished diamonds and gemstones is being reduced to 5 per cent. To facilitate export of jewellery through e-commerce, a simplified regulatory framework shall be implemented by June this year. To disincentivise import of undervalued imitation jewellery, the customs duty on imitation jewellery is being prescribed in a manner that a duty of at least Rs400 per Kg is paid on its import.

Customs duty on certain critical chemicals, namely, methanol, acetic acid and heavy feed stocks for petroleum refining are being reduced, while duty is being raised on sodium cyanide for which adequate domestic capacity exists.

Duty on umbrellas is being raised to 20 per cent. Exemption to parts of umbrellas is being withdrawn. Exemption is also being rationalised on implements and tools for agri-sector which are manufactured in India. Customs duty exemption given to steel scrap last year is being extended for another year. Certain anti- dumping and CVD on stainless steel and coated steel flat products, bars of alloy steel and high-speed steel are being revoked.

To incentivise exports, exemptions are being provided on items such as embellishment, trimming, fasteners, buttons, zipper, lining material, specified leather, furniture fittings and packaging boxes that may be needed by bonafide exporters of handicrafts, textiles and leather garments, leather footwear and other goods. Duty is being reduced on certain inputs required for shrimp aquaculture so as to promote its exports.

Blending of fuel is a priority of the government. To encourage the efforts for blending of fuel, unblended fuel shall attract an additional differential excise duty of Rs2 per litre from 1 October 2022.
Union Budget 2022-23: RBI to launch 'Digital Rupee' in 2022-23 fiscal

Presenting Union Budget 2022-23 in Parliament, minister of finance and corporate affairs Nirmala Sitharaman today announced the introduction of `Digital Rupee to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India starting 2022-23. The finance minister said the introduction of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) will give a big boost to digital economy. Digital currency will also lead to a more efficient and cheaper currency management system, the minister stated. The Digital Currency will use block chain and other technologies.

Sitharaman said that in recent years, digital banking, digital payments and fintech innovations have grown at a rapid pace in the country, adding that the government is continuously encouraging these sectors to ensure that the benefits of digital banking reach every nook and corner of the country in a consumer-friendly manner. Taking forward this agenda, and to mark 75 years of Indias independence, the finance minister announced that it is proposed to set up 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) in 75 districts of the country by Scheduled Commercial Banks.

Anytime- Anywhere Post Office Savings: In another important announcement, the finance minister said that in 2022, 100 per cent of the 1.5 lakh post offices will come on the core banking network, enabling financial inclusion and access to accounts through net banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and also provide online transfer of funds between post office accounts and bank accounts. This will be helpful, especially for farmers and senior citizens in rural areas, enabling interoperability and financial inclusion.

Digital Payment: The finance minister assured that the financial support for digital payment ecosystem announced in the previous Budget will continue in 2022-23. This will encourage further adoption of digital payments. There will also be a focus to promote use of payment platforms that are economical and user friendly, she said.
Co-ops to pay Minimum Alternative Tax and Surcharge at reduced rates of 15% and 7%

In order to provide a level playing field between co-operative societies and companies, the Union Budget 2022-23 has proposed to reduce the Minimum Alternate Tax rate for co-operative societies to 15 per cent from the current 18.5 per cent. The finance minister said the government also proposes to reduce the surcharge on co-operative societies to 7 per cent from 12 per cent at present for those having total income of more than Rs1 crore and up to Rs10 crore. This, she said, would help enhance the income of cooperative societies and its members who are mostly from rural and farming communities.

Incentives to start-ups

Stating that start-ups have emerged as drivers of growth for the economy, the finance minister has proposed to extend the period for incorporation of the eligible start-up by one more year, ie, up to 31 March 2023, in order to provide them tax incentive for three consecutive years out of ten years from incorporation to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 pandemic. This incentive was earlier available to eligible start-ups established before 31 March 2022.

Incentives to Newly Incorporated Manufacturing Entities

Sitharaman said that to establish a globally competitive business environment, a concessional tax regime of 15 per cent tax was introduced by the government for certain newly incorporated domestic manufacturing companies. The overnment proposes to extend the last date for commencement of manufacturing or production under section 115BAB by one year to 31 March 2024 from 31 March 2023.

Incentives to IFSC

The minister said that to promote the IFSC, the government proposes to provide that income of a non-resident from offshore derivative instruments, or over the counter derivatives issued by an offshore banking unit, income from royalty and interest on account of lease of ship and income received from portfolio management services in IFSC shall be exempt from tax, subject to specified conditions.

Rationalisation of TDS Provisions

Noting that as a business promotion strategy, there is a tendency for businesses to pass on benefits to their agents, which are taxable in the hands of the agents, Sitharaman said that in order to track such transactions, the government proposes to provide for tax deduction by the person giving benefits, if the aggregate value of such benefits exceeds Rs20,000 during the financial year.

Rationalisation of Surcharge

Sitharaman pointed out that several works contracts terms and conditions require formation of a consortium mandatorily whose members are generally companies. She said in such cases, the income of these AOPs has to suffer a graded surcharge up to 37 per cent, which is a lot more than the surcharge on the individual companies. Therefore, she proposed to cap the surcharge of these AOPs at 15 per cent. Further, she highlighted that the long-term capital gains on listed equity shares, units among others are liable to maximum surcharge of 15 per cent, while the other long term capital gains are subjected to a graded surcharge which goes up to 37 per cent. The government proposes to cap the surcharge on long term capital gains arising on transfer of any type of assets at 15 per cent. The minister added that this proposal would give a boost to the start-up community and along with the proposal on extending tax benefits to manufacturing companies and start-ups reaffirms the governments commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Clarification on Health & Education Cess

Stating that the Health and Education Cess is imposed as an additional surcharge on the taxpayer for funding specific government welfare programmes, the minister, to reiterate the legislative intent, proposed to clarify that any surcharge or cess on income and profits is not allowable as business expenditure. She said that income tax also includes surcharge and observed that it is not an allowable expenditure for computation of business income.

Deterrence Against Tax Evasion

Sitharaman announced that the government proposes to provide that no se off, of any loss shall be allowed against undisclosed income detected during search and survey operations. She pointed out that in many cases, it has been observed that where undisclosed income or suppression of sales among others is detected, payment of tax is avoided by setting off losses. This proposal would bring certainty and would increase deterrence among tax evaders, the minister stated.
Douglas, WY (82633)

Today

Windy with showers developing this afternoon. High 59F. Winds SE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 37F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Cooley peninsula native and distant relative of President Biden, Cllr Andrea McKevitt expressed her excitement and delight upon hearing the news of Joe Bidens proposed visit to these shores.

It is wonderful news for the country that the US President plans to make a visit but it is especially exciting for County Louth, Bidens ancestral home, we have all been anticipating this visit since his election to The Oval Office in 2020, so to hear the wheels are in motion for this trip is very welcoming.

Biden had visited his ancestral home in Carlingford while Vice President in 2016 and visited his great-great-grandfather's grave in Templetown.

It is expected that any official visit would see the U.S. President make a return trip to the wee county.

The details of a potential visit are expected to be ironed out when the Taoiseach visits the White House on St. Patricks Day this year, with the official visit likely to occur as early as this Summer according to some reports.

The Councillor believes the tourism and hospitality opportunities for the surrounding locality will be marvellous for many years after this visit, and hopes that this connection will bring a much needed inflow of Irish and International tourists to the area, after two years of uncertainty.

The family whatsapp was going 90 when the news came in of Joes planned visit, it was actually my sister Ciara, who is known as the Joe Biden cake maker, who alerted us of the news on Sunday morning.

Needless to say we will all be watching the Taoiseachs visit to Washington very closely, for updates on the proposed travel plans.

No doubt the stars & stripes, will be flying high beside the tricolours when Joe and the cavalcade re-appear on the peninsula, until then we will be eagerly waiting on this highly anticipated visit, because after all theres no show like a Joe show!
Electric vehicle (EV) start-up Polestar made a bold declaration during its first-ever Super Bowl advertisement. The company fired shots against flashy commercials, which indirectly referred to Tesla and Volkswagen.

Polestar presented a 30-second video advertisement titled "No Compromises" on its presentation in Super Bowl 2022. In quick summary, they made a confident declaration on everything that it wasn't.



Polestar Video Ad: 30-Second Trailer

The video clip features different angles on the company's latest car called Polestar 2. The advertisement starts with the words "No," which is followed by a series of words and phrases.

The advertisement said as follows:

No epic voice overs

No punchlines

No dieselgate

No dirty secrets

No hidden agenda

No empty promises

No shortcuts

No conquering Mars

No blah blah blah

No settling

No greenwashing

No nonsense

No committees

No consensus

No compromises

Sources from CNBC were quick to notice the reference hidden inside the advertisement.

They point out that "No conquering Mars," is a direct jab to Tesla and Elon Musk, who has a special goal for space exploration. Sources also said that "No blah blah blah" refers to Greta Thunberg's speech at the Youth4Climate Summit.

Lastly, the advertisement said "epic voiceovers," "dirty secrets," and "dieselgate," which is an indirect reference to the diesel emission scandals with Volkswagen a few years back.

Read Also: Chicago Auto Show Displays 2023 BMW iX M60: Specs, Features, and More [Full Details]

Fans React to Polestar2 Trailer

Notably, Polestar did a great job of grabbing fans' attention. Its bold advertisement was a subject of conversation on many Twitter comments.

Twitter user Philip Duggan pointed out that at least Polestar is already available for purchase.

Unlike so many EV adverts, you can actually buy a Polestar 2 today. Good on you Polestar!  philip duggan (@philipduggan11) February 14, 2022

One fan pointed out that Polestar is a very small company when compared to its competitor.

Come back once you deliver more than 10 vehicles in a month   Jeff  (@JeffTutorials) February 14, 2022



Another one complained that making "humanity a multi-planetary species" was a unique cause.

How does not wanting to make humanity a multi-planetary species make your vehicle stand out from any other vehicle?   Zpliser31 (@ElonTusk1357) February 14, 2022

One commenter mocked Polestar for having "no class, no appeal, no sales, and no hope.

No....class.



No...appeal.



No....sales.



No...hope.  James Cat (@TSLAFanMtl) February 14, 2022



Two Twitter users noticed that despite mixed reactions, the Polestar advertisement triggered a lot of reactions, adding some points to its fame.

Agreed. The most important thing right now is to get hype around the stock right before the merger. Market credibility leads to sales.  Edward Vranic, CFA (@evranic) February 14, 2022



Polestar2 Revealed: New EV in the Market

Sources from Adweek shared some of the statements that Polestar representatives made about their advertisement. Asa Borg, the chief marketing officer of the company said their first priority was always the planet. "We think it's so important that we take care of it, and that's why we have these strong sustainability commitments and transparency."

Borg said their team hopes the message was clearly delivered in their short advertisement. Borg also encourages any interested consumer to try and visit their official website for more details.

Related Article: Triumph TE-1 Electric Motorcycle Prototype Revealed: Does It Use Formula 1 Technology?
Headquarters of Kyobo Life Insurance in central Seoul / Korea Times file





By Yi Whan-woo







Kyobo Life Insurance faces a bumpy road on its plan to go public during the first half of 2022, due to a protracted litigation between its chairman and the firm's second-largest shareholder Affinity Equity Partners over a dispute concerning the private equity fund exercising a put option.







Shin Chang-jae, chairman and largest shareholder of Kyobo Life Insurance / Korea Times file





Chairman Shin Chang-jae is also the insurer's largest shareholder and according to the Korea Exchange (KRX), the country's sole bourse operator, there should be no legal battle or other conflicts that can "seriously affect" the management of a company for it to make a debut on the stock market.







The KRX cited the unsettled row between Shin and Affinity Equity Partners and delayed its decision scheduled in January on whether to approve Kyobo Life Insurance's planned initial public offering (IPO) on the benchmark KOSPI.







Under the circumstance, the Seoul Central District Court on Feb. 10 acquitted two executives of Affinity Equity Partners and three accountants of Deloitte Anjin on the charge of colluding to inflate the strike price of the private equity fund's put option.







The charge was brought after Kyobo Life Insurance filed a complaint in April 2021 to the prosecution, arguing that Affinity Equity Partners and Deloitte Anjin deliberately set the strike price too high. The accounting company was hired by the private equity fund to determine the fair market value of the put option.







Affinity Equity Partners had rights to exercise a put option under an agreement reached in September 2012 when it helped Shin by acquiring a 24 percent stake in the insurer owned by Daewoo International, a trading company now owned by POSCO and renamed to POSCO International.







Under the agreement, Kyobo Life Insurance was obliged to keep its promise to conduct an IPO by September 2015 or otherwise have the private equity fund exercise the put option right to cash in its investment.







The 24 percent stake was purchased for 245,000 won ($204) per share in 2012. And in 2018, Affinity Equity Partners, in consultation with Deloitte Anjin, set the strike price at 410,000 won per share, after the insurer failed to deliver the promise.





Chairman Shin found the set strike price unacceptable and refused to buy the shares, claiming the appropriate price range should be around the initial buying price in 2012.







The Seoul Central District Court found the five indicted executives and accountants not guilty, ruling the strike price was calculated in a fair and objective manner.







The ruling, however, complicates the case, because it contradicts a previous ruling made by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in September 2021.







The ICC arbitrated the case, following a request from Kyobo Life Insurance and Affinity Equity Partners in March 2019, and concluded that the former is not obligated to buy the shares from the latter.







Concerning Friday's ruling, Kyobo Life Insurance said it will still go ahead with the IPO, which is part of a strategy for the country's third-largest life insurer to transform itself into a financial company with a holding company structure, allowing it to expand to a wider range of services other than insurance.


EBRD provides 25 million as a part of a 230 million debt facility to SIJ Group in Slovenia

SIJ is a specialised steel producer aligned with EU Taxonomy

Project will support SIJ to further improve energy efficiency and climate-related disclosures

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is participating in Slovenian Steel Groups (SIJ Group) 230 million long term debt facility, with 25 million to support the specialised steel companys efforts to further reduce its environmental impact.

One of the core objectives of the EBRD is the transition towards a low-carbon economy in hard-to-abate industries, among which the steel and iron sectors rank first when it comes to CO2 emissions and second when it comes energy consumption. SIJ Group already has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the steel industry globally, manufactures its products from 100% recyclable steel scrap and is aligned with the EU Taxonomy.

The EBRD has an ongoing collaboration with SIJ tracing from the participation in the companys inaugural local capital market issuance in 2015 and via a 40 million participation in a 2017 debt facility, contributing towards SIJs energy efficiency, investment and refinancing programme.

The proceeds from the EBRDs participation will finance energy efficiency improvement capex at SIJs production sites in Jesenice and Ravne na Koroskem, contributing to the companys decarbonisation efforts and meeting the criteria for substantial contribution towards climate change mitigation under the EU Taxonomy. Finally, EBRDs participation will help SIJ improve its climate-related financial disclosures.

We are pleased to extend our collaboration with SIJ, one of the most efficient steel producers globally, and finance their ongoing efforts towards reducing further the environmental footprint of their operations and improving their climate-related disclosures. said Frederic Lucenet, EBRD Global Head of Manufacturing and Services.

Igor Malevanov, CFO of SIJ Group: We would like to thank EBRD for remaining true to its mission: reconstruction and development. Aside from its direct contribution in financing our climate related energy efficiency capex, the participation of EBRD in our new debt facility encouraged the other lenders to increase their commitments. This ultimately allows SIJ Group to implement its long term development objectives. We also appreciate EBRDs support in the improvement of our ESG related reporting.

SIJ Group is the largest vertically integrated steel producer in Slovenia and a leading Slovenian exporter with a strong presence in the international markets in 68 countries in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

To date, the EBRD has invested nearly 1.3 billion in 98 projects in Slovenia.
OWNER of the Boot House Bar in Upper Glanmire, Brian Kenny, describes the lifting of restrictions and the re-opening of the hospitality industry as like winning the lotto.

To be honest with you, its like winning the lotto - we are over the moon to be getting back to normal and welcoming our customers back again, says Brian.

This is a man who is at home behind the bar.

We are doing what we love doing, says Brian.

The Boot House is a traditional pub where people like to mark the milestones like birthdays, anniversaries, christenings and weddings. We are a country pub near the city. It is a great location having the country setting.

The bar dates back to at least 1773 and it has been in the Kenny family, apart from a few years in the late 1960s and early 1970s, for well over 100 years.

Brian and his wife, Louise, took over the bar in 2008. His parents Derry and Bernie ran the pub for 35 years before that.

The Boot House survived the pandemic.

It looked like a bridge too far and we were waiting to see if we had a future or not, says Brian.

The Boot House can be traced back almost 250 years, so there is huge history attached to it.

Generations of families have come here for decades. We worried that it might be coming to an end. Thankfully that didnt happen.

All our regular customers, who are our friends as well, are delighted that our doors are open again for business.

The rural pub is a hub for people to meet and chat.

We cannot underestimate how vital pubs like ours are for rural Ireland, says Brian.

This pub has been a community pub for hundreds of years.

The vital link was missing during Covid when the pubs were closed.

That missing community link has been all too apparent over the past while, says Brian.

Local people met up regularly to socialise with their long-time friends, many who are older. That was suddenly gone, says Brian.

Celebrations were at an all time low.

The hardest part of being closed and closed at 8pm was missing out on occasions, says Brian.

The Boot House is where our customers and friends come to mark the milestones in their lives.

The pub is family orientated.

Louises parents were 50 years married a couple of months ago, one of our friends was 50 and one of our long-standing customers who is also our friend, turned 70. It was a pity we couldnt celebrate those nice occasions with family and friends here.

But things are looking brighter for the pub industry.

We now have to look forward and focus on the brighter days ahead, says Brian.

This has always been a bar that people gather in, especially older people on a Sunday night. They like to catch up with other and catch up on the gossip.

The Boot House is a meeting place. We couldnt wait to welcome back the community through our doors. Now we can. We are very much a family-orientated pub.

Being a publican is a way of life for him.

What do I like about it? Pretty much everything, says Brian.

I grew up here and I was in the bar since I was eight years old. My mum grew up with the pub business and her mother before her. The pub business is a passion of mine. I missed it so much when we were closed and now it is an absolute pleasure to be back open for business.

What did he do when he wasnt open for business?

I tried to keep occupied and I tried to keep busy, says Brian.

Marmaduke kept him occupied.

I had the legs walked off my dog, says Brian.

I think he is two feet shorter now as a result!

Louise and Brian Kenny at the Boot House Bar, Upper Glanmire, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

Brian will be clocking up the steps behind the counter now instead of on the highways and byways.

That is true, says Brian. Im delighted to be stepping back inside the counter. The first weekend of re-opening was fantastic

It was fantastic to be up at the bar again for a drink.

We have great characters coming into the pub who like to sit in the same place every evening. They like the familiarity of that. One regular gentleman loves his spot standing at the corner of the counter.

He was very put out when the restrictions were in place, we were doing table service and he couldnt stand there! The first Saturday night when things were back to normal he was standing in his usual spot. Now hes delighted with himself!

The Boot House was revamped to welcome back the customers.

We did general maintenance around the building and we re-decorated inside and we re-varnished all the wood-work.

We tipped away, making sure everything was up to scratch. We wanted everything ship-shape ready to re-open.

Michael says it is good to be back and in a regular routine.

It is handy to be back open and we are hoping to stay open now. Im confident that we will. We are very lucky that all our customers came back to us when we opened up. We really appreciate it.

Does Michael appreciate the long hours that the pub trade demands?

I dont mind the long hours, he says.

Im used to doing long hours all my life. It is second nature to me. I think it is like a vocation; a way of life.

Michaels body clock is accustomed to working late at night.

I dont go to bed early and Im up very late at night; but it doesnt bother me. My body clock is used to it.

Michael is used to his loyal customers.

I want to thank our loyal customers for standing by us in good times and in bad times, says Michael.

Now its full steam ahead for the Boot House.

Were hoping for a great summer and its full speed ahead from here, says Michael. We must all stay positive. If we didnt, we wouldnt get out of bed.

The summer is looking good for the bar.

We are so thankful we got back to doing what we love.

Next week: Moks bar, The Lough.
Met Eireann has warned of a risk of spot flooding in Cork and a number of other counties, with a rain warning coming into effect in the early hours of Sunday morning.

"Some intense falls of rain likely with the risk of spot flooding, especially on high ground," the forecaster said as it issued a Status Yellow rain warning for Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Tipperary and Waterford.

The warning comes into force at 2am on Sunday and remains in place until 11am.

As the rain eases off, brighter spells and showers will follow in the west and southwest of the country but heavy clouds and rain will linger in the north and east.

Temperatures of between 5C and 9C can be expected, with cooler conditions possible at times throughout the afternoon.

The forecaster says showers will be mostly confined to the northern and Atlantic coasts as the evening comes in, with conditions turning wintery at night, particularly over higher ground.

Temperatures will drop to 0C in parts with some ice and frosty patches possible in parts.
Farmers in Cork have been holding a protest outside Dunnes Stores in Bishopstown today to highlight their concerns over what they describe as the failure of the retail sector to give price increases to suppliers to address cost increases at farm level.

A large contingent of pig, poultry and horticulture farmers attended the Cork protest, which was led by the IFA president, Tim Cullinan. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President Tim Cullinan said that escalating costs had led to "a severe loss-making situation for many farmers

He said that poultry and pig farmers, along with many horticulture growers, were at crisis point and warned that without an immediate increase in returns, these sectors cannot continue without casualties.

The IFA met with a number of retailers in recent weeks to discuss the issue and is seeking a meeting with Dunnes Stores to highlight its concerns.

Farmers took part in a protest outside Dunnes Stores in Cork today. Picture: Andy Gibson.

IFA members have been protesting outside two Dunnes Stores locations today- in Bishopstown in Cork and in Monaghan to highlight the issue.

Attending the protest were pig farmers Denise Devlin, Ovens and Angela and Keri O'Donovan from Timoleague. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Mr Cullinan said "the pig, poultry and horticulture sectors are in meltdown."

The IFA President claimed the Governments inaction on retail legislation to introduce the long-promised Food Ombudsman has left farmers without any power in the food chain.
By Cate McCurry, PA

Former Ireland and Leinster rugby prop Mike Ross will be among 18 people to face a survival challenge deep inside the Arctic Circle to help raise funds for charity.

On their six-day trek from March 4th-10th, Ross and his comrades will learn the skills needed to survive in the wilderness in chilling temperatures of -27C.

Their initial accommodation will be a woodcutters lodge with no electricity or running water.

There, they will learn the skills necessary to survive in one of the worlds harshest environments, lighting fires using lichen, pickaxing through ice for drinking water and cooking local food on camp fires.

Former Ireland and Leinster rugby prop Mike Ross will be among 18 people to face a survival challenge deep inside the Arctic circle to help raise funds for Butterfly Skin charity, Debra Ireland.(Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography Copyright 2017)

After two days training, they head off on a two-day trek into Finlands Yllas national park, where they will camp outdoors overnight.

Ross, 42, who retired at the end of 2017 after a 12-year professional career, admitted that he struggled with fitness during lockdown but is training again.

Ive done some hill walking and I go for nightly walks as well as doing Brazilian Jujitsu, he said.

Its just about preparing to get active again and getting ready for the challenge. Its going to be a slog.

But once you mentally prepare for it, thats the main thing.

While our trek will be pretty formidable, it is nothing like the survival challenge that living every day with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) entails.

Three hundred people in Ireland live with hugely distressing EB, which causes the skin, both inside and out, to blister and wound at the slightest touch  and Butterfly Skin Debra Ireland is dedicated to supporting those living with the condition.

There is no known cure for the genetic condition and the only treatment is constant, painful bandaging of the skin.

Money raised from the challenge will be used to continue increasing the quality of care Debra Ireland provides as well as fund critical medical research that can make treatments available.

I was well aware of Debra Ireland from my rugby days, because Leinster supported the charity and Johnny Sexton was, and still is, quite heavily involved with them, Mike said.

He added that when the charitys board member, Bobby Healy, approached him in June 2020 about doing the challenge, it was the middle of lockdown, and he jumped at the opportunity.

When Bobby asked me I probably would have gone on an adventure to the Sahara, he added.

I had never been to the Arctic so it suddenly seemed like a good opportunity to go there and raise much needed funds for a great charity at same time.

Leading the 2022 expedition is internationally qualified, veteran outdoors man Ronan Mullen of Adventure.ie.

As well as providing day to day support both in the home and remotely for EB patients, the charity also funds research programmes to find better treatments and possible cures for EB.

Each participant in the Arctic Challenge, which is sold out, will have a minimum 5,500 fundraising target, 3,500 of which will go to Debra Ireland to maintain the charitys vital services.

To support Rosss fundraising, visit his page at justgiving.com/fundraising/debrairelandarcticmr
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The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Las Vegas We understand that for lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar depends on installation costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as: Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.

The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels. Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 26% of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $23,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.

The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 26% of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $23,000 over 20 years on your energy bills. Your location: This affects how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.

This affects how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need. Typical energy usage: The more power your home consumes on average and the steeper your current power bills are, the more benefits you'll see from switching to solar. As a result of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as various solar incentives, they are a sound investment for most homeowners.

Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }} If you'd like to know how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Las Vegas, NV. Impact of switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} Estimated cost {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} Estimated incentives {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} Payback period {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years CO2 emissions prevented {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs Miles driven equivalent {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi Why leave {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} on the table? Help the environment and your wallet by switching to solar. SAVE NOW *additional details below Click to customize your {{ solarcalc.name }} solar calculator Electricity rate: {{ solarcalc.elec_cost/10 }}  Shade: {{ solarcalc.shade }} % Time period: {{ solarcalc.time_period }} years System size: {{ solarcalc.system_size }} kW Additional Incentives: {{ solarcalc.additional_incentives|currency }} Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array. In addition to the financial savings, hiring a solar company in {{ solarcalc.name }} will have a significant, and positive, impact on the environment. Over {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years, a {{ solarcalc.system_size }} kW solar array would prevent {{ solarcalc.CO2_savings()|number:0 }} lbs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. This is equivalent to driving {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()*0.78|number:0 }} miles in an average car.

Solar Incentives in Las Vegas In an effort to increase solar panel installation and usage, incentives are offered by the government  and even some utility companies  to help make switching to solar power more economical and accessible. These incentives mostly include cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut the cost of going solar by 26 to 50% in some cases. You can find out about the incentives you can take advantage of in the table below.

ITC Name ITC Type Tax Incentive Incentive Amount 26% of installation cost Website Visit here NV Energy - Clean Energy Incentive Program Name NV Energy - Clean Energy Incentive Program Incentive Amount Solar (As of 9/24/18):

Residential/Commercial/Industrial (25 kW or smaller): $0.20 / watt-AC

Low Income/Nonprofit/Public Entity (25 kW or smaller): $0.45 / watt-AC

Residential/Commercial/Industrial (greater than 25 kW): $0.0250 / kWh

Low Income/Nonprofit/Public Entity (greater than 25 kW): $0.0550 / kWh



Wind (As of 9/24/18):

Residential/Commercial/Industrial: $0.40 / watt-AC

Low Income/Nonprofit/Public Entity: $0.80 / watt-AC Website Visit here More Info Click here Portfolio Energy Credits Name Portfolio Energy Credits Incentive Amount Varies; higher value for solar PECs than other technologies Website Visit here More Info Click here

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Las Vegas One of the most compelling reasons to switch to solar power is to cut your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment. A question many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help preserve the environment by going solar anyway? In a city like Las Vegas where energy use is rather high, going solar is a good idea for those who are worried about the state of the planet. In Las Vegas, the average homeowner can reduce their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year once they go solar. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other benefits beyond saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the planet too.

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EcoWatch's Las Vegas, NV Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the most reputable solar installation company in Las Vegas? The highest-rated local solar company in Las Vegas is Today's Energy Store, LLC, with a rating of 4.71 stars.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power? The advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, entirely eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.

Is it worth installing solar panels on my home? Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for many homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.

What is the best kind of solar panel? The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can't, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof configuration and how much energy generation you want.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar experts opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.
When switching to solar energy, many homeowners choose to go with a solar company since DIY solar panel installation can be a time-consuming project. A solar company can also help save you money over the lifespan of your system by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Las Vegas

There are several criteria that can play into your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.

Solar Equipment Size

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $2,520 per kilowatt in Las Vegas. The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you'll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. In addition, add-on products, such as solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Las Vegas average.

Solar Financing Terms

Solar panels can save you money on energy bills over many years, but they can also be a big investment. That's why many Las Vegas homeowners decide to finance their solar panel systems to offset upfront costs. You'll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you'll pay over the length of the loan. If you're only able to get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than the principal cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs remarkably.

Solar Panel Installation Company

Finally, the company you opt for to install your solar panels can influence your pricing. Las Vegas's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The size of the company can sometimes play the most significant role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing due to access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger companies.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) backed away from its controversial sale of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) only two days after it was first announced.

The conservation charity announced via Twitter February 2 that it was releasing NFTs focused on 13 endangered species. Following an immediate backlash, however, the group reversed course February 4.

We thank all of those who have generously supported our conservation work by purchasing NFTs, WWF said in a statement posted on its website. We have now agreed with our partners to bring this trial to a close this evening (Friday 4th February). We recognise that NFTs are a much debated issue and we all have lots to learn about this new market, which is why we will now fully assess the impact of this trial and reflect on how we can best continue to innovate to engage our supporters.

Much of the controversy surrounded the carbon footprint of NFTs. NFTs are used to sell digital art because they assign the artwork a unique signature. However, they are supported by blockchain technology, which is extremely energy intensive.

WWF initially claimed that it was using an eco-friendly blockchain called Polygon, but experts and critics pointed out that Polygon is supported by another blockchain called Ethereum, which has a carbon footprint equivalent to Swedens. While WWF claimed a Polygon transaction had the carbon footprint of pouring a glass of water, experts disagreed.

[W]e can establish the carbon footprint of a Polygon transaction is close to 430 grams of CO2, the website Digiconomist calculated. This is almost 2,100 times more than the optimistic estimate provided by the WWF, illustrating that Polygon is nowhere near as sustainable as claimed.

Another argument against using NFTs is that it means tapping into a new, unregulated market, The Independent pointed out. Environmentalists often argue that unregulated markets end up harming the natural world.

By stepping away from NFTs, WWF is not avoiding controversy, however. The charity had already sold 174 of its tokens for nature for a total of $46,600 before it pulled the plug, Climate Home News reported. The biggest ticket item was of a digital image of a Tapanuli orangutan for almost $2,700. WWF said it would reimburse anyone who had purchased one of their NFTs through their official channels, but not through secondary markets. The decision to stop the sale angered some crypto enthusiasts, and many buyers did demand a refund.

Im still impressed [at] how they manage[d] to piss off environmentalist[s] and NFT enthusiast[s] at the same time, one of the artists who designed NFTs tweeted, as Climate Home News reported.

WWF said that those who did not want to be refunded would be eligible for rewards, and the money they spent would still go towards conservation efforts.




European Commission audit found Uruguay's meat control to be adequate





Two audits by the European Commission's health and safety body have looked at meat controls in Uruguay and France.

The audit reports have been released recently.

The virtual audit by DG Sante in Uruguay in June 2021 covered beef and sheep meat for export to Europe.

A previous audit in 2016 highlighted deficiencies related to testing of beef for salmonella in consignments sent to Sweden and Finland and animal welfare monitoring.

In 2021, there were 30 establishments approved to export bovine or ovine meat to the European Union. Almost 18,500 tonnes of beef was sent to Europe in 2020 compared to 216 tonnes of sheep meat.

The recent audit report revealed adequate enforcement powers, traceability and checks to ensure exported products meet EU standards.

Auditors found some gaps in the national authority's knowledge or understanding of certain EU requirements, resulting in approval of lactic acid to reduce surface contamination in sheep carcasses. However, before the audit had ended, officials had sent a letter to staff informing them the use of lactic acid to reduce contamination can only be used on beef carcasses.

The audit also identified shortcomings in the authority's procedures to verify food business compliance with microbiological criteria own-checks. Instructions do not require official veterinarians to check that sampling is done in accordance with EU rules. At one slaughterhouse, the official veterinarian had accepted alternative sampling and testing procedures that had not been validated as equivalent with the methods in EU legislation.

The governmental microbiological sampling programme included 1,725 samples from beef carcasses in 2020 and only one was positive.

From June 2019 to June 2021, Uruguay received eight Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) reports from the EU that were due to the detection of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in bovine meat. Auditors verified the cause was investigated with actions taken and verified to prevent a reoccurrence.

Done in November and December 2020, the remote audit in France assessed the production of bovine meat, including traceability, and gathered information on the poultry sector.

For ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of bovine animals, rules do not ensure an official veterinarian (OV) is present in the slaughterhouse at all times. This means some tasks may be carried out by the official auxiliary under the responsibility, rather than with the supervision of the OV, which is against EU rules.

Information given to the audit team shows that official veterinarians at slaughterhouses can accept animals that have suffered an accident as being fit for transport. This is not in line with EU requirements as the journey may cause additional suffering.

Authorities have also not introduced any measures to ensure that private veterinarians act independently and are free from conflicts of interest when performing official duties.

Available data suggests 880 poultry slaughterhouses, responsible for 30% of national production, are not operating in line with EU requirements on the presence of official staff, mainly due to recruitment difficulties.

The audit found ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections in sites slaughtering more than 150,000 poultry per year do not always take place under the supervision of the OV. In sites slaughtering less than 150,000 poultry per year, the ante-mortem inspection is not carried out under the supervision of the OV.

Where the post-mortem inspection takes place under the responsibility of the OV, the presence of the official auxiliary is not ensured. This is against EU regulation that states slaughterhouse staff may only perform such tasks under instruction, and in the presence, of the OV or official auxiliary.

- Food Safety News
Shareholders of SillaJen hold a protest in front of the Korea Exchange (KRX) building located on Yeouido, Seoul, on Feb. 8. Newsis



By Anna J. Park



The fates of two scandal-ridden companies are to be decided this week, as the Korea Exchange (KRX) is set to make its decisions on their listing status on Thursday and Friday, respectively.



First to face the KRX's judgment will be Osstem Implant, which was suspended from stock trading at the start of the year due to an employee having embezzled over 221 billion won ($184 million). On that day, the bourse operator will decide whether to forward the case to its corporate evaluation committee for an additional, more thorough assessment of the dental implant materials company's listing. The decision was scheduled to be completed by the end of last month, but it was delayed to this week due to the need for a cautious approach.



If the KRX decides on Thursday that Osstem Implant doesn't need further assessment by the corporate evaluation committee, the trading suspension will be lifted on the company's stocks and trading will resume on Friday. If the KRX decides it needs to go through the corporate evaluation committee inspection, however, the committee will decide whether to delist the company or give it a grace period, giving it a second chance to improve.



On Friday, the KRX's Kosdaq market committee will make a significant decision regarding SillaJen: whether the biopharmaceutical company should be delisted or instead be given a grace period to improve its situation. About a month earlier, the bourse operator's corporate evaluation committee decided to delist the bio tech company, sending a huge blow to its minor shareholders. Following the corporate evaluation committee's delisting decision, the Kosdaq market committee has to reach its own judgment by Friday.



The Kosdaq market committee's decision could result in one of the three outcomes: delisting, maintaining of its listing status or allowance of a grace period. If the market committee once again decides on delisting, another meeting could be held for deliberations.



SillaJen's stocks have been suspended since May 2020, due to allegations of embezzlement and other malpractices by the firm's former and incumbent management.



Facing an uncertain future, the two firms' minor shareholders have been under extreme stress and anxiety. SillaJen had over 174,000 minor shareholders as of the end of 2020, while Osstem Implant had 19,857 as of last September.






Offaly, Ireland-based cattle breeder society appoints new manager

The Irish Simmental Cattle Society has announced the appointment of Deirdre McGowan as its new general manager of the Offaly, Ireland-based cattle breed society.

McGowan has previous experience working with a breed producer group and livestock marts.

Commenting on the appointment, the current president of the Irish Simmental Cattle Society, Emmanuel O'Dea, said: "We are very impressed with the energy and enthusiasm that Deirdre has towards the role. We feel that her experience as a pedigree breeder combined with education and experience in the mart/beef sector gives her a great skillset for the varying challenges that the role will bring.

"We look forward to working with her to establish the Simmental breed as having a key role in improving the carbon footprint of both our dairy and suckler beef."

Speaking to Agriland following her appointment, Deirdre said: "The Simmental breed is renowned for its excellent maternal abilities and commendable growth rates for their age and these traits are vital for sustainable beef production, which is important in today's climate.

"I look forward to working with the society council and its members to grow and communicate the Simmental breed's importance in both the beef and dairy herd."

Deirdre also recently completed a masters in agriculture and biotechnology at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).

- Agriland




Poultry producers in the US tighten safety measures as avian flu spreads

Poultry producers in the US are tightening safety measures for their flocks as diseases experts caution that wild birds are spreading highly pathogenic bird flu throughout the country, Reuters reported.

Indiana recently reported a case of highly pathogenic bird flu on a commercial Turkey farm, which resulted in China, South Korea, and Mexico to ban poultry imports from the state. In 2015, a bird flu outbreak in the US killed nearly 50 million birds, a majority of which are turkeys and egg-laying chickens.

Purdue Farms, one of the major US poultry companies, has suspended in-person farm visits, spokeswoman for the company Diana Souder said.

Mike Naig, Iowa's Agriculture Secretary, said a confirmed bird flu case in the country means a heightened risk for the rest of the nation.

Tyson Foods has increased biosecurity measures at its facilities in the East Coast of the country, which includes reducing the number of trips to farms and more intensive cleaning for vehicles.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it will expand its monitoring of wilds birds along the Mississippi Flyway and Central Fly migratory paths. Experts said wild birds from the East Coast may have mixed with those that fly through the Mississippi Flyway path that includes Indiana and major poultry-producing states such as Mississippi and Alabama.

Bird flu has affected the US at a time when poultry supplies are low because of high demand and labour shortages at meat plants.

Data from the US government showed frozen chicken supplies in the country are 14% lower compared to last year at the end of December, while turkey inventories are 23% lower.

Officials in Indiana are testing poultry farms within a 10km radius from the affected farm in Dubois Country.

- Reuters




Hy-Line International celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Hy-Line International recognisies its team of "women in science" who play a major role daily for helping feed the world with an affordable source of protein by celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, the company announced.

Dr. Janet Fulton, Dr. Anna Wolc, Dr. Kaylee Rowland and Dr. Kayla Niel have applied their knowledge to ensure the future generations of Hy-Line varieties maintain their profitability advantage in every climate, system and country, according to the company.

Upon joining Hy-Line International in 1996, molecular geneticist Dr. Fulton established the first in-house molecular genetics laboratory for a primary poultry breeding company. Her role involves everything related to DNA for selecting the next generations of Hy-Line layers through the analysis done at the molecular level.

Dr. Fulton received her Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia, Canada, Department of Poultry, her Masters from University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, and her PhD from Iowa State University in Immunobiology with a minor in genetics.

"My advice to future women in science is to find something you are passionate about, follow it, and do it well," said Dr. Fulton. "Although it can be challenging for women to have a successful career and fulfil family obligations, it is doable when you find the right balance."

Genomic geneticist Dr. Anna Wolc joined Hy-Line International in 2012. Her role is split between Hy-Line International and Iowa State University, where she is an affiliate assistant professor. As a genomic geneticist, Dr. Wolc is responsible for estimating breeding values vital to Hy-Line genetic selection decisions.

At Iowa State, Dr. Wolc donates her time to quantitative genetics research, supporting graduate students and offering lectures. She received her BSc and MSc in Animal Science from Poznan University of Life Sciences in Poland, in addition to her PhD in animal breeding, genetics and habilitation. She also completed two postdoctoral research positions at University of Edinburgh and Iowa State University.

"I have always loved science and it's in my genes; my dad was an electrical engineer and my mom was a teacher," said Dr. Wolc. "To all women and girls in science, if you like it, go for it! Don't be afraid to speak up, even if you are the only girl in the room. Be open to new opportunities, even in a new research topic or country, because you will learn so much!"

Dr. Kaylee Rowland, the most recent addition to the research and development team in 2018, works on the pedigree farms as a geneticist within the breeding programme collecting data, problem-solving and implementing genetic selection decisions.

Dr. Rowland's passion for poultry began through her high school FFA programme, which led to college scholarships. She earned her BS and MS in poultry science from the University of Arkansas and PhD in animal breeding and genetics from Iowa State University.

"Science and agriculture are a very rewarding combination for me. I enjoy seeing the impacts of my work on global food security and quality," said Dr. Rowland. "I want to encourage future women in science to show your confidence, and don't be afraid to ask for help."

Hy-Line's production and regulatory veterinarian, Dr. Kayla Niel, joined the team in 2019. As a veterinarian, she focuses on the health, welfare and biosecurity of Hy-Line's pedigree, great-grandparent and grandparent layer breeder flocks to allow them to achieve the maximum genetic potential.

Dr. Niel earned her BS in animal sciences from the Pennsylvania State University, MS in food safety from Michigan State University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University. Although she always wanted to be a veterinarian due to her love for science, her poultry interest did not thrive until a vet school research fellowship with supportive mentors.

"To future women in science: you are more capable and qualified than you give yourself credit for," said Dr. Niel. "Don't be afraid to go for something you really want or to speak up when you feel you should."

International Day of Women and Girls in Science, initiated by the United Nations Assembly in 2015, recognises the critical role and achievements of women and girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers.

- Hy-Line
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Elkhart, IN (46516)

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Periods of rain, heavy at times early. High 58F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch..

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Many More I Love Yous: Washington couple looks back on their life together just in time for Valentines Day
Viktor Orban delivers his annual state of the nation speech in Varkert Bazaar conference hall of Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Feb 12, 2022. He is preparing with his right-wing party FIDESZ for the upcoming elections on April 3. (AP Photo/Anna Szilagyi)
Pakistani PM says visit to China enhances bilateral relations, opens investment windows

Xinhua) 08:56, February 14, 2022

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said here that his recent visit to China was of great significance, further strengthening bilateral relations and opening new windows for investments.

"The visit was of utmost importance," he said. "Both sides had discussed several core issues related to bilateral relations and investments."

Khan made the remarks when meeting with Pakistan's former diplomats, representatives of think tanks and media people in Islamabad to brief them on the results of his visit to China from Feb. 3 to 6.

During the visit, the prime minister attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and held meetings with the Chinese leadership.

Regarding the prospect for bilateral cooperation on investment, the prime minister said his government has been working to promote connections between the private sectors of the two countries in order to increase investments in Pakistan and generate employment opportunities.

Praising China's governance system, the Pakistani prime minister said that China has practiced democracy in its real sense and ensured the rule of law and equality, greatly benefiting its people.

On the occasion, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the visit has given a fresh impetus to the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said that China has helped Pakistan build infrastructure, which is supporting the country's economy. He pledged efforts to facilitate Chinese investors doing their business in Pakistan.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Hongyu)




The U.N. special rapporteur on North Korea's human rights situation is scheduled to visit South Korea this week to compile data and have discussions on the matter, the foreign ministry said Monday.







Tomas Ojea Quintana will visit Seoul from Feb. 15-23 to meet with South Korean government officials, politicians as well as civic groups and North Korean defectors to prepare for an annual report to be submitted to the Human Rights Council next month.







He plans to have a meeting with Second Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-moon on Wednesday, and discuss findings and recommendations during a press briefing on the last day of his visit, the ministry said.







It would be his seventh trip to South Korea since taking office in August 2016 and the last before his term ends in August. (Yonhap)


Face covering rules eased in health and social care settings

Manx Care no longer requires the use of face masks in all of its health and social care settings  instead, they will now only be required in inpatient/outpatient/resident/service user areas.

With immediate effect and in line with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidelines, there is no longer a requirement to wear an IIR Fluid Resistant face mask within Manx Care building corridors, offices, or education facilities. Those who prefer to wear a mask may continue to do so, on a voluntary basis.

Individuals should continue to wear masks on entry to areas where there is contact with patients, residents and service users e.g. Wards, Care Home Units, Outpatients and Community Clinics. IIR Fluid Resistant face masks will be available for free at entrances to these areas. There will also be a red zone poster displayed in each of the face mask wearing areas to remind people of the need to wear one. Manx Care colleagues will also continue to wear face masks when visiting patients at home.

This policy will continue to be reviewed.
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Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

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Microsoft is finally ready to reopen key offices after two years of pandemic-related closures and numerous delays. The company now plans to enter the "final stage" of its Washington state return-to-work plan starting Feb 28th, at which point facilities (including the company's Redmond headquarters) and services will be completely open to workers and visitors alike. From that day forward, staff will have 30 days to adjust to whatever work routine they and their managers have chosen, whether it's in-person, remote or hybrid.

Offices in California's San Francisco Bay Area will also open starting February 28th. Other US offices would follow "as conditions allow," according to Microsoft.

The Windows creator justified the move by pointing to high vaccination rates in its home county as well as falling hospitalizations and deaths. Local testing and compliance with government guidance were also part of the strategy, Microsoft said.

The schedule is more aggressive than the timelines seen at some of Microsoft's peers. Meta is currently aiming for March 28th, while Apple and others have indefinite delays. Amazon is dropping mask mandates for fully vaccinated warehouse workers, but it's also ending paid leave for unvaccinated workers who develop COVID-19. The company also loosened its in-person work requirements for office employees.

Microsoft's decision signals confidence that the worst of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant surge are behind the company. However, they also reflect changed expectations  remote work is more practical, in part through Microsoft tools like Teams and Viva. The firm is also preparing for a future where Mesh enables mixed reality collaboration. There just isn't as much pressure to return to the office as there was in 2020, and those who do return may see more sparsely-populated buildings  at least, for now.
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A number of Samsung storage gadgets are on sale right now, making it a good time to pick up an extra portable drive to keep in your bag, a microSD card for your tablet or console or even an SSD for your new PS5. Notably, Samsung's T7 portable SSD in 1TB is back down to its Black Friday price of $110, which is 35 percent less than usual. Also discounted are the Samsung 980 Pro SSD in 2TB, which is $150 off and down to $280, and the 128GB Pro Plus microSD card, which is nearly half off and down to $21.

The T7 is one of our favorite portable drives thanks to its fast speeds and pocket-friendly design. It supports reads speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s, and it has ePCM technology and Dynamic Thermal Guard to control heat levels. It doesn't have a built-in fingerprint reader like the T7 Touch does, but otherwise its shock-resistant aluminum unibody is the same. It also works with a number of different devices thanks to the USB-C to C and USB-C to A cables that come with it, and its companion PC, Mac and Android apps.

If you're looking for a PlayStation 5-compatible SSD to store your game collection, Samsung's 2TB 980 Pro is a solid option. You can pick up the drive by itself for $280, which is an all-time-low price, or you can spring for the SSD with a heatsink (which you'll need to use it with the PS5) for $20 extra. It earned a spot on our list of preferred PS5 drives thanks to its reliability and and fast read and write speeds.

Those with Nintendo Switches should consider the 128GB Samsung Pro Plus microSD card, which is 48 percent off and down to only $21. If you plan on keeping your games library with you at all times, you'll need a microSD card to expand the paltry amount of onboard storage that the Switch comes with. This Samsung card comes with a USB adapter and supports sequential read speeds up to 160 MB/s and sequential write speeds up to 120 MB/s.

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Whether you pre-ordered one of Samsung's new Galaxy smartphones or have another Android handset, the company's Galaxy Watches are the wearables we'd recommend pairing with it. The Galaxy Watch 4 came out last year and earned a score of 85 from us, and we consider it to be the best Wear OS smartwatch available right now. You can pick one of the LTE models for less right now at Amazon as they are up to 27 percent off. The 40mm LTE Galaxy Watch 4 is $80 off and down to $220 while the 44mm LTE version is also $80 off and down to $250.

The Galaxy Watch 4 was the first to run Wear OS with One UI, which were the products of a closer collaboration between Google and Samsung. Tizen lovers need not fear  the interface doesn't look too different from that on previous Samsung smartwatches. Arguably the biggest perk of Wear OS is that the Galaxy Watch 4 can download apps directly from the Play Store. Samsung also added gesture controls to the Watch 4, which let you do things like flick your wrist to answer or dismiss calls.

In addition to smart features like receiving smartphone alerts, answering calls and messages and using apps on your wrist, the Galaxy Watch 4 has almost all of the fitness features most people will look for in a smartwatch. This includes a built-in heart rate monitor and GPS, plus support for sleep tracking (along with snore detection), blood oxygen measurements and more. It also has a new 3-in-1 biometric sensor that enables body mass scans using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Samsung packed a lot of value into the Galaxy Watch 4, and the LTE models on sale take it one step further by letting you take and make calls, send texts and stream music without your phone present. If you like the idea of leaving your phone at home and still having some access to your digital life, an LTE smartwatch like this is a good option.

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Metas past use of facial recognition technology has once again landed the company in potential legal trouble. On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging it had collected the biometric data of millions of Texans without obtaining their informed consent to do so. At the center of the case is Facebooks now discontinued use of facial recognition technology . The platform previously employed the technology as part of its tag suggestions feature, which used image recognition to scan photos and automatically tag users in them.

Last November, Meta shut down that system, citing, among other reasons,  uncertainty  about how the technology would be regulated in the future. The year before, the company paid $650 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged it had violated an Illinois privacy law that requires companies to obtain explicit consent before collecting biometric data from users.

According to The Wall Street Journal , Texas sent a civil subpoena to Meta after the outcome of the Illinois lawsuit was announced. The state is reportedly seeking hundreds of billions of dollars in civil penalties. The Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act stipulates Texas can levy a penalty of up to $25,000 per violation of the law. According to the attorney generals complaint, at least 20 million Texans used Facebook in 2021.

Facebook will no longer take advantage of people and their children with the intent to turn a profit at the expense of ones safety and well-being, Attorney General Paxton said. This is yet another example of Big Techs deceitful business practices and it must stop. I will continue to fight for Texans privacy and security.

These claims are without merit and we will defend ourselves vigorously, a spokesperson for Meta told Engadget.
Metas Reality Labs VR division has yet to disclose how many Quest 2 headsets it has sold to date. What we do know is that it recently became more popular than ever. On Christmas Day 2021, the Oculus app hit the top of Apples App Store charts for the first time. The software achieved that milestone thanks to everyone who bought a Quest 2 headset to gift to their friends and loved ones.

In another more amusing sign of just how popular VR headsets are becoming, insurer Aviva said last year it saw a 31 percent increase in home contents claims involving VR headsets and a 68 percent overall increase since 2016. In 2021, the average claim for VR-related accidental damages was about 650 or $880, and most incidents involved cracked TVs screens.

As new games and gadgets become popular, we often see this playing through in the claims made by our customers, Kelly Whittington, Avivas UK property claims director, told The Guardian . In the past, weve seen similar trends involving consoles with handsets, fitness games and even the likes of rogue fidget spinners.




By Lee Hyo-jin







Among foreign residents who subscribe to Korea's national health insurance program, Chinese nationals were the only group whose total reimbursed medical expenses surpassed their total insurance premiums, according to National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data.







According to data obtained by Rep. Seo Jeong-suk of main opposition People Power Party (PPP) from the NHIS, among the foreign nationals of the top 20 countries subscribed to the state-run healthcare system between 2017 and 2020, only the Chinese residents' reimbursement-to-premium ratio exceeded 100 percent, the group in total received more benefits than the amount paid.







In 2020, Chinese nationals paid an average of about 970,000 won ($808) in insurance premiums per person and received slightly over 1 million won in reimbursement.







Between 2017 and 2020, Chinese residents in total paid about 1.86 trillion won in insurance premiums, and received around 2.2 trillion won, amounting to a deficit of some 380 billion won for the NHIS.







During the same period, the reimbursement-to-premium ratio among Chinese subscribers stood at 121 percent, the highest among other foreign nationals.







The figure was much higher than that of Vietnamese nationals which marked 68 percent. Vietnamese nationals account for the second largest group of foreign subscribers to the NHIS.







The issue on health insurance coverage for foreign nationals has been gaining significant attention in the country's upcoming presidential election.







Yoon Suk-yeol, the PPP's presidential candidate, said Jan. 30 that if elected, he would apply tougher standards to screen foreigners benefiting from the national health coverage, saying that foreigners are "putting their spoons on tables prepared for Koreans."







He said the measures would especially target Chinese nationals, as "eight out of 10 people who were covered the most by the state insurance program in 2021 were Chinese."







Lee Jae-myung, the presidential hopeful of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea slammed his remarks, calling on Yoon to stop stoking xenophobia.







"The country has gained profit of more than 500 billion won from insurance payments from foreign residents," he said, stressing that Korean citizens are the ones actually benefiting from the health insurance service.


Hopes rose Wednesday (9 February) 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. Diplomatic moves to ease tensions over Ukraine further intensified on Thursday (10 February)  but so too did military maneuvers on both sides amid 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 Moscow and Kyiv earlier this week. After separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraines leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Macron said he glimpsed a way forward towards easing tensions also after the Russian leader told him that Moscow would not be the source of an escalation.

While the West accuses Russia of having massed 100,000 soldiers near Ukraines borders, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said diplomacy is continuing to lower tensions. But Ukraines 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. Scholz, who had come under fire at home over his dithering response to the Ukraine crisis, said on Wednesday that the task is that we ensure the security in Europe, and I believe that that will be achieved. The German leader assured Germanys NATO partners in the Baltic region of support during a meeting in Berlin on Thursday with the leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. We are united and determined, Scholz said, noting that the region was directly affected by Russian military activity. Scholz will follow in Macrons footsteps and travel to Kyiv and Moscow next week, where he will have his first face-to-face meeting with Putin.

Britain has also intensified action, with the UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss having openly clashed with her Russian counterpart in an encounter in Moscow that gave little sign of a thawing in relations between their two countries  or of progress on the Ukrainian issue. I cant 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 joint news conference following talks with her Russian counterpart, after Lavrov had briskly walked out, leaving Truss to face the press alone. Meanwhile, leaders from the Baltic states have increased their calls for a bolstered NATO troop presence on the alliances eastern flank. During their meeting with Scholz on Thursday, the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian leaders have also encouraged Germany to play an increased role in security arrangements in the Baltic region due to Moscows military build-up on Ukraines borders.

I think its very important to strengthen NATOs presence along the eastern flank  that is from the Baltic down to the Black Sea, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said. This realist view was also echoed by co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations Carl Bildt who cautioned against Scholzs optimism for a diplomatic solution in Ukraine, saying that one should be hopeful, but one should also be realistic. According to the former Swedish prime minister, Its good that Berlin and Paris [are] now accelerating efforts on Donbas, but we should understand that the Russian game at the moment is much bigger. However, Bildt also warned the Russian game was about Ukraine as a whole, and about changing the entire European security order.
EU-AU SUMMIT - The upcoming European Union-Africa Union summit that will be held in Brussels on 17-18 February  organized under the French EU and Senegalese AU presidencies  will completely overhaul the partnership, according to French president Emmanuel Macron. But while the EU seems rather optimistic, the African side reacts much more cautiously also given the complex agenda. Health and Covid-19 could monopolies a major part of the discussions. While the EU will repeat its promises to deliver more vaccines and its readiness to support pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity in Africa, some African leaders may consider this to be too little too late. But also other tensions could rise for the partnership. With its 300bn Global Gateway investment plan, the EU hopes to boost large-scale investments in infrastructure, transport, energy, digital and green transitions, but African leaders may view the plan simply as a smart rebranding of earlier European funding promises. Moreover, the African side is reluctant to engage in discussions on energy and the green transformation during the summit, as it first wants to come to grips with the possible consequences of European measures, including the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism. Also, the growing political insecurity and instability in west and central Africa and in the Horn of Africa might cause a headache. The civil war in Ethiopia, the turmoil and growing jihadist terror in the Sahel, along with five recent military coups have given rise to strong popular reactions against Europe, and France in particular.

150 BILLION INVESTMENT PLAN FOR AFRICA - African states look set to benefit from the EUs Global Gateway investment scheme worth over 150 billion, with billions earmarked for infrastructure projects. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is on a two-country Africa trip to promote Europes Global Gateway investment scheme. The Commission chief made the announcement on Thursday (10 February) in a joint press conference with Senegal President Macky Sall, who has just taken the reins of the African Union. Today, Im happy to announce over 150 billion for the Africa-Europe program. It is the first regional plan under Global Gateway two months after the launch of the strategy, von der Leyen said. The Global Gateway initiative seeks to invest 300 billion in public and private infrastructure schemes around the world by 2027. The funding comes by way of a combination of EU funds, member state investments and capital raised by European investment banks. The scheme has been presented by Brussels as a big step for the EU in building influence around the world. The European Union said the Global Gateway Africa-Europe investment package would see EU members support projects in priority areas. The investment plan is widely considered to be a response to Chinas Belt and Road initiative, which also seeks to develop infrastructure around the world and began in 2013.

PROBLEM WITH COVID VACCINE ABSORPTION IN AFRICA - Top EU officials have said low absorption of Covid-19 vaccines in African countries had become the main problem in the global vaccine rollout following a recent increase in supplies of jabs. This comes as the World Health Organizations regional head for Africa said that Africa is transitioning out of the pandemic phase of its Covid-19 outbreak and moving towards a situation where it will be managing the virus long term. The pandemic is moving into a different phase, Dr Matshidiso Moeti said. We think that were moving now, especially with the vaccination expected to increase, into what might become a kind of endemic living with the virus. African nations began their vaccine campaigns much later than wealthier states which rushed to secure the initially limited doses starting in late 2020. But in recent months, supplies have increased exponentially, and many states have trouble absorbing them, with some, such as Congo and Burundi, having reportedly used less than 20% of available doses. The problem seems no longer to be the level of donations, Frances Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a news conference in Lyon on Wednesday, adding that the problem is absorption. However, the European Commission chief said the EU would keep sending doses to Africa, with the aim of delivering 450 million vaccines by mid-year, three times higher than the volume already shared. According to Le Drian, vaccine absorption will be a key issue at a summit of EU and African Union leaders next week in Brussels.
Hanover/Berlin, February 2022

Brands that are included in the circle of brands of the century belong to the premier class of the German economy. Through their extraordinary achievements and decades of brand work, they have decisively shaped an entire product genre. Dr. Florian Langenscheidt (distributor of this special award) has now officially presented the special award to the natural cosmetics brand lavera and its brand inventor Thomas Haase in the Federal Room of the hotel Adlon Kempinski at Berlin.

Dr. Florian Langenscheidt, publisher of Marken des Jahrhunderts (Brands of the Century) since more than 20 years, describes his intention for this special award as follows: "Brands are promises of exceptional performance and perfection in every detail and as well of quality and tradition. They give us the feeling of having chosen the best, most beautiful and most elegant. German Standars  Brands of the Century roll out the red carpet for these stars. They are an overall view of the German economy, the world-famous Made in Germany".

lavera Naturkosmetik is the Brand of the Century exclusively for the category "THE NATURAL COSMETICS" and thus one of the almost 200 brands that are among the lighthouse brands of the German economy. "With innovative marketing, fresh sales ideas and creative communication, the company and brand founder Thomas Haase created a 'true brand'," says the official justification for this unique award. For 35 years, Lavera Naturkosmetik as a full-range natural cosmetics supplier, has been spoiling young and old with care products from nature, which are produced in a closed production and manufacturing chain in the Hanover region. "Lavera. Nature you can feel" is the claim of the natural and sustainable lavera care concepts with a focus on face and body care, hair care, sun protection and decorative cosmetics, which Thomas Haase invented in 1987. In addition, among other things, the brand is committed to animal welfare and various national and international climate protection and development projects in Peru, Kenya, Africa and Germany.

Image material for free use, document link requested.

Questions to Sabine Kastner

Phone: +49 (0)511 - 67541 154

E-mail: Sabine.Kaestner@lavera.de

lavera Natural Cosmetics - Beauty, naturalness, effectiveness  recipe of our success since 1987

Since the founding of the Laverana company and the lavera brand in 1987, founder and owner Thomas Haase's goal has been to make natural cosmetics accessible to everyone. Meanwhile, lavera has become one of the most successful natural cosmetics brands in Germany with the aim of constantly deciphering the secrets of nature and depicting them in innovative and natural products. Sustainability has always been a matter close to lavera's heart and so the brand is committed to various national and international climate protection projects. In addition, the natural cosmetics manufacturer uses the highest possible proportion of recycled material in packaging and is continuously working to further reduce the packaging content of the products. From the product idea to delivery, everything is done from a single source in the Hanover region. Around 250 lavera products are available in 40 countries. Certified natural cosmetics: lavera. Nature you can feel.

Laverana GmbH & Co. KG/ Haase Verwaltungs GmbH,

Am Weingarten 4, D-30974 Wennigsen - Berliner Str. 1-3, D-30952 Ronnenberg - Lavesstrasse 65, D-30159 Hannover, www.lavera.de
Small Business Today Magazine published Article of Interest by John M. Collard, turnaround specialist, interim executive, outside independent director, capital finder, and private equity advisor.

www.StrategicMgtPartners.com

www.StrategicMgtPartners.com/sbtprofits.pdf Formatted Version

Article-of-Interest:

10 Ways to Restart and Improve Company Profits.

By John M. Collard

Article

Restarting after Coronavirus shelter-in-place, social distancing orders is a formidable task, but can be done. This requires changes in thinking about how the company operates and what it will look like. Restart ideas.

Add New Products And Services To Offer Existing Customers.

Look for change orders to expand work for customers under contract. Needs change and customers will add business when they like what you do for them. Consider bundling or unbundling products and services and reprice them to make them more acceptable to customer need.

Enter New Markets With Your Existing Product And Service Offerings.

Figure out what you do best and develop new business in new areas. If you have expertise you perform on Government contracts, for instance, then try marketing to Commercial Customers. Your products and skills are transferable. Many restaurateurs have adapted to curb-side and delivery service, they can also expand to catering events or operating corporate facilities. Repurpose aging products and services. Produce private label for others. Contract with subcontractors to do some of the work. Be creative.

Understand And Adjust Pricing Based On Cost-Driver Activity.

Think in terms of Activity-Based Costing and Net Profit Margin. When Overhead is allocated (or not) on the wrong cost base, then profits become skewed and adversely affect pricing.

Don't allow one activity to subsidize another. Balance price-to-cost ratios based on the activity that uses the support structure. For example; if one product requires the majority of plant and facilities to produce, then allocate costs by square foot usage, instead of by revenue.

Think of every product or service your company sells as if it were a separate business. Does each one contribute profits? Perhaps not.

Give Customers What They Want.

When you give customers exactly what they want, pricing is not an issue for them. When you deliver value, that out-weighs price, because that value helps the customer meet their needs and produce better results. Give them only what they are willing to pay for.

Sometimes You Need To Fire A Customer

When one customer is absorbing all of managements' time and attention, and they are not a profitable account, renegotiate or fire them. Pursue profitable accounts. Unless there is a sound reason why you are subsidizing that customer, then why work at a loss?

Meticulously Manage Assets And Resources.

Sell assets not actively being used to generate profit. Why hold assets that are idle or draining cash?

Human assets can't be sold, but they can be furloughed. Carefully manage resources that are not billable to contracts.

Develop favorable relationships with vendors that allow you to receive product on consignment and pay once that product is sold. Actively collect accounts receivable.

Make Sure Your Team Knows What Is Expected.

Implement a clear set of expectations, so your team has proper guidelines to follow. Instill a sense of urgency throughout your business. Never allow complacency. Promote excellence throughout your business, from the front desk to key executives.

Management, marketing and business development, customer support, all have a very important role. Retain customers by providing great customer service, or lose them when you don't perform. Stress understanding specific customer needs during the BID process to develop winning strategies, and increase win ratios.

Base Incentives On Profits Instead Of Revenue

Link compensation to productivity for everyone in the company. Employees should only get paid for results when they produce, and not paid when they don't. For example; pay incentives for sales people based on gross margin instead of revenue, to drive the profit motivation.

Merge with Or Acquire A Partner Company

Combining company operations can add complimentary skills and products. Utilize the best attributes of both organizations, and eliminate duplicate overhead. Part of a larger, more profitable pie is always better than struggling to cover costs.

Create An Advisory Board To Seek Expert Input From Outside Your Organization.

Outside expert influence can bring a fresh perspective, and new ideas. Explore strengths and how they can be applied elsewhere to drive profits and cashflow. Explore weaknesses and how they can be overcome and improved. Studies show increased profitability when advisors get involved.

Drive your team to think in terms of profits, cashflow, expansion, and creativity. They will reward you with profitable activity. Be proactive.

Take New Products To Existing Customers. Take What You Do Best To New Markets.

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About the Author: John M. Collard

John is Chairman of Strategic Management Partners, Inc. (410-263-9100, www.StrategicMgtPartners.com ) in Annapolis, Maryland. John is a Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP), and a Certified International Turnaround Manager (CITM), who brings over 35 years senior operating leadership, $85M+ asset and investment recovery, 45+ transactions worth $1.2B, and $80M fund management expertise to run troubled companies, serve on and advise company boards of directors, and raise capital. John has served as CEO, CRO, Receiver, senior executive to turn around troubled entities, and serves as an outside director. John is enshrined in the Turnaround Management, Restructuring, and Distressed Investing Industry Hall Of Fame. John is Past Chairman of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA), Past Chairman of the Association of Interim Executives (AIE), and a Senior Fellow of the Turnaround Management Society. John is a co-Founder of TMA. John is Prince George's Business Leader of the Year. John is honored with the Interim Management Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Interim Executives. John is honored as Most Admired CEO in Maryland by Daily Record. John is honored with SmartCEO Distinguished Leadership Award, and others.

About the Firm:

Strategic Management Partners, Inc. ( www.StrategicMgtPartners.com 410-263-9100) is a turnaround management firm specializing in interim management and executive CEO leadership, asset and investment recovery, board and private equity advisory, raising money, and investing in and rebuilding underperforming distressed troubled companies. The firm has been advisor to Presidents Bush (41 & 43), Clinton, Reagan, and Yeltsin, World Bank, EBRD, Company Boards, and Equity Capital Investors on leadership, rebuilding troubled companies, investment recovery, turnaround management and equity investing. SMP is celebrating 25+ years of service to its clients. SMP was named Maryland's Small Business of the Year, and received the Governor's Citation, Governor Martin J. O'Malley, The State of Maryland as a special tribute to honor work in the areas of turning around troubled companies and saving jobs in Maryland. Turnarounds & Workouts Magazine has twice named SMP among the 'Top Outstanding Turnaround Management Firms'. American Business Journals named SMP among the Most Active Turnaround Management and Consulting Firms in Baltimore, Washington, and the Mid-Atlantic Region. Global M&A Network Turnaround Atlas Awards named SMP as Boutique Turnaround Consulting Firm of the Year.

Strategic Management Partners, Inc.: turnaround managers ready to run troubled companies, recover assets from investments gone bad, advise boards of directors and investors on company viability in distressed situations. We provide strong interim and operational leadership, board leadership, strategic planning, financial, defense conversion, business development, sales and marketing acumen developed building organizations in large and small companies, including President of public & private middle-market companies providing solutions to Commercial, Federal Government, International markets. Enterprises range from start-up to $100+mil. Industry expertise: Manufacturing; Job Shop; Engineering Services; Computer Processing/Services/Software/Integration; Communications; Defense Electronics; Aerospace; Federal Government Contracting; Systems Integration; High-Tech; Finance; Marine Services; Real Estate Development; Construction; Fabrication; and Printing.

End

###

Reference:

www.StrategicMgtPartners.com Turnaround Managers

www.StrategistLibrary.com or www.StrategicMgtPartners.com/library/libindx.html

10 Ways to Restart and Improve Company Profits. article at: www.StrategicMgtPartners.com/sbtprofits.pdf>

Why Hire Outside Directors When Private Companies Don't Have To? article at: www.StrategicMgtPartners.com/jpe-dira.pdf>

Fixer-Uppers: Rebuilding Value article

Raising Money article

Is Your Company in Trouble? Published by Corporate Board Magazine

Managing Turnarounds in Times of Crisis Published by NACD Directorship Magazine

Managing Turnarounds Phases and Actions Published by RMA Journal

Social Media:

John M. Collard on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JohnMCollard

John M. Collard on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/JohnMCollard

John M. Collard on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JohnCollard

Collard on NewsReleaseWire

Firm:

www.StrategicMgtPartners.com Turnaround Management Experts

End

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Monday, February 14, 2022

Commentary From Crisis Management Expert Edward Segal, Author of the Award- Winning Book "Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies " (Nicholas Brealey)

Workplace bullying can create an internal crisis for any company. When the internal crisis goes public, the news coverage can damage the image, reputation and credibility of the organization and their leaders.

The national pervasive bullying problem is receiving new attention because of the recent resignation of Eric Lander, the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. According to NPR, "The Monday evening decision came hours after Politico reported that an internal White House investigation concluded that Lander bullied and demeaned his subordinates and violated the White House's workplace policy."

'Inexplicable'

In his first day in office, President Joe Biden, during a virtual swearing-in ceremony for presidential appointees, warned that disrespect would not be tolerated and that he would fire them 'on the spot'".

Jennifer Rubin, writing in the Washington Post today, observed that, "It was therefore striking and frankly inexplicable that Lander, who was responsible for supervising numerous employees, was not fired immediately after an investigation confirmed he was responsible for widespread bullying, harassment and degrading conduct.

"His conduct explicitly violated the White House's Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy, which bars 'repeated behavior that a reasonable individual would find disrespectful, intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive.'"

Lander Takes Responsibility

In his resignation letter, Lander wrote: "I am devastated that I caused hurt to past and present colleagues by the way in which I have spoken to them. I have sought to push myself and my colleagues to reach our shared goalsincluding at times challenging and criticizing.

"But it is clear that things I said, and the way I said them, crossed the line at times into being disrespectful and demeaning, to both men and women.

"That was never my intention. Nonetheless, it is my fault and my responsibility."

'A National Prevalence Of Workplace Bullying'

According to Purdue University last month, "There's a national prevalence of workplace bullying." An article in Purdue Today cited the a 2021 Workplace Bullying Institute U.S. Survey conducted in January 2021 that found:

30% of Americans have suffered abusive conduct at work.

An estimated 48.6 million Americans are bullied at work.

Bullying during remote work happens most in virtual meetings, not email.

For those doing remote work, 43.2% is the bullying rate; virtual work poses greater danger.

Those who are bullied include 52% non-management employees and 40 percent managers.

Women bullies bully women at twice the rate they bully men.

Advice For Business Leaders

Complaints Must Be Addressed Immediately

Michael Timms, a leadership development consultant and author of How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability said, "Complaints of workplace bullying or harassment must be addressed immediately. The worst thing an organization can do when they discover a bullying complaint is to do nothing or sweep it under the rug by accusing (or implying) that complainant is being overly sensitive.

"The less people feel they have a voice, the more sensitive they tend to become, so employers hoping to avoid bullying and harassment complaints had better make sure their employees have an unobstructed path to making a complaint.

'Employers Have A Moral And Legal Responsibility'

He said, "Employers have a moral and legal responsibility to ensure their employees are working in a safe environment, which includes psychological safety. Furthermore, you get more of the behavior you tolerate. When unacceptable behavior is not met with immediate correction, silence or inaction will be interpreted as tacit approval.

"Unaddressed complaints of workplace bullying create a hostile work environment for more than just the complainant and the accused bully as passive aggressive behavior will inevitably fill the void of direct intervention. A hostile work environment kills teamwork and productivity, increases turnover, and has been linked to increased risk of many diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, cancer and mental illness.

Can Infect Entire Workplace Culture

Dave Rietsema, an HR expert and CEO of Matchr HR payroll systems, said that, "Workplace bullying can negatively impact an entire organization. It goes far beyond just normal differences of opinion and cannot only cause good employees to leave but also infect the company's entire workplace culture. It's therefore essential for companies to deal with bullying before it undermines the company's mission and culture and affects employee well-being and health.

Deal With It As Quickly As Possible

"Workplace bullying should be dealt with as quickly as possible. If a manager tells employees that they need to work a problem out amongst themselves, that can send a message that the bad behavior is tolerated. The problem won't get worked out and may instead get worse," Rietsema advised.

He noted that, "Others may see that behavior as acceptable and begin bullying themselves. Stepping in earlier can help to prevent problematic behavior from continuing or spreading.

'Have Clear Expectations'

"It's important to have clear expectations for proper workplace behavior that are communicated well to employees," Rietsema counseled.

"Any violations of the policy should be investigated immediately and impartially. It can be tempting to side with the bully if it's someone you know and are close to, but it's important to thoroughly investigate and demonstrate that bad behavior is not acceptable from anyone, even those who are friendly with management.

"It can be more difficult for an individual to deal with workplace bullying if it comes from an executive. That's why having an official policy on workplace behavior and what constitutes bullying is so important. Documenting violations of an official company policy can help a company to handle bullying from one of the executives," he recommended.

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Sunday, February 13, 2022

Russian Farm to Table Domination of World Agriculture

As Russias military is at the cusp of conducting ahostile takeover of Ukraine, energy and gold prices are soaring as I forecastin my SA article published 16 January 2022 Energy and Gold Prices toSoar After Likely Russian Invasion, global food prices will rise as dramatically astheir energy & gold counterparts as Russia controls Europes breadbasket.It remains to be seen whether Ukrainian agribusiness will be able to plant,harvest and sell their agricultural products for export.

Logistically Russias navy controls the Black Sea andeffectively blockades five critical Ukrainian ports utilized for grain exports:Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Mariupol and Berdyansk.

Ukrainian Agricultural Overview

The importance of Ukrainian grainproduction and exports cannot be overstated. The 2022 agricultural yield forecastsa considerable increase from previous years. Ukraines average annual yield isthree times its domestic needs making them one of the worlds largestagricultural exporters.

The following data are particulars for each cropprovided by the World Data Center forGeoinformatics and Sustainable Development:

 Ukraines grain output consists of wheat, corn, barley and rye.

 4th largest exporter of corn (eastern and southern Ukraine),planted in April/May, harvested in September, and barley (eastern Ukraine),planted in April and harvested in August.

 6th largest exporter of wheat (south and south-centralUkraine). Its a winter wheat planted in fall and harvested the followingsummer.

 7th largest exporter of soybeans.

 Worlds leading sunflower seed oil exporter (southern and easternregions), planted in April harvested in September. Its their most profitablecrop because of low production costs and high demand.

 Most exports are shipped to Spain and Italy,North Africa, the Middle East and East Asia (China, Japan, Korea).

 Russian and Ukrainian grain production represents 30% of theworld inventory, a market share that doubled since 2014.

Global Food Supply & Prices

For the aforementioned reasons, there is greatuncertainty after a Russian invasion and occupation as to what extent Ukraine willbe permitted to continue agricultural operations and whether exports will belimited or even restricted.

World food prices began ascending dramatically in2021 and will accelerate in 2022. The pre-war market factors are as follows:

 Higher prices for pesticides.

 Higher prices for fertilizers.

 Severe meteorological events such as floods & droughts haveadversely impacted crop yields.

 Labor shortage in logistical and agricultural services.

 Global supply chain disruptions.

Finally the food export restriction policy of evensmall countries impacts global food prices as illustrated on the following linkcalled the exponential domino effect in which a seemingly smalland insignificant factor becomes a powerful multiplier effect that triggers anoutsized crisis far beyond its domestic borders.

One such example is that in 2021 Russia placedexport taxes on their grain crop to keep more inventory homebound. For thisreason countries that purchased Russian grains were forced to search foralternative sources such as nearby Ukraine.

The following chart entitled Food and AgriculturalOrganization of the United Nations (FAO) food price index indicates an explosiveprice increase in major food categories. These food prices will skyrocket when warrages in Ukraine.

Russia & Ukraine Do Swimmingly Well in a Water StressedWorld

Russian and Ukrainian agricultural production haveenjoyed a stunning success of bountiful crops and whose harvest regions haveavoided, by default or design, becoming water-stressed. As most other countriesstruggle with grain production in the future, Russia and Ukrainian grainproduction will be robust giving them increased market share and greaterpricing leverage.

The following chart entitled Where Water Street Will Bethe Highest in 2040 provided by the World Sources Institute via the Economist IntelligenceUnit. The UN defines water stress as when a country withdraws least 25% ofits renewable freshwater supply.

Agricultural Investment Opportunities

For the aforementioned reasons, I believe theresstrong immediate to long-term bullish prices in the agricultural sector, investmentopportunities with ETFs and ETNs.

As a refresher with respect to their basicdifferences, an ETF one invests in a fund of the asset that it tracks while anETN is like a bond, an unsecured debt note issued by an institution.

A comprehensive listing and description of theseagricultural ETFs and ETNs are in the ETF database entitled DefinitiveList of Agricultural Commodities. Each type investment provides a comprehensivedescription of the fund and level of risk.

With respect to grains, the titles and links to thesecategories are as follows:





Agricultural Fund

Agricultural Sub-Index

Wheat

Corn

Grains

Grains Extra index

Grains Sub-Index

Commodity Index

Despite the rise in global agricultural indices I dontbelieve the market has fully priced in the war risk whether it be a temporary blockadeor long-term limit or restriction of Ukrainian exports.

Conclusion

A Russian invasion and occupation will furthersqueeze an already tightening food market since many governments have, officiallyand unofficially, limited or even banned outright export of domesticagricultural products. This has been done for the purposes of food security andmaintaining affordable food prices to avoid socio-political instability.

For all the aforementioned reasons I forecast dramaticallyrising agricultural prices and recommend a buy on the above agriculturalinvestments.

 Copyright 2022 Cerulean Council LLC





The Cerulean Council is a NYC-based think-tank that provides prescient,beyond-the-horizon, contrarian perspectives and risk assessments ongeopolitical dynamics and global urban security.
Monday, February 14, 2022





Russian Blitzkrieg

From a military strategy perspective Russia is atthe cusp of invading Ukraine in the near future. Present-day the Russian military mobilization encirclingUkraine is past the point of no return for demobilization with the date ofinvasion solely up to Vladimir Putin and his generals.

One possible invasion date is after the winterOlympics closing ceremonies in China on February 20 so as not to overshadowPutins newest best friend in President Xi. Its simply professionalcourtesy between the newly closely aligned autocrats.

DespiteUS and western defensive weaponry arriving in Ukraine, its too little, too lateto effectively defend against Russian might & firepower.

BecausePutin needs a swift and decisive military victory, I expect an aggressivethrust from Belarus to Kyiv, the shortest route to the Ukrainian capital. Thecapture of the capital decapitates the ability Ukrainian government and militarycommand to effectively coordinate the defense of other regions. Ironically thisstrategy may force the Ukrainian government to surrender far sooner than laterto spare lives.

EscapeFrom Kyiv

Accordingto mainstream media and blogger articles Kyiv residents dont seem to have any departureplans in place as the Russian buildup continues. It seems as if theyre farless prepared to evacuate present-day than those residents near Chernobyl in1986 after the unexpectedly sudden nuclear accident.

Forthis reason the Russians might occupy the capital with most of its citizenry insitu. It remains to be seen whether the Russian military command has orders toallow civilians to flee west via a narrow escape corridor or under lockdown inthe city until further notice.

TheRussian decision will be political and strategic. Keeping Kyiv citizens means assuminga caretaker responsibility to feed those citizens. Allowing whoever wants toleave westward releases them from any humanitarian duties and deliberately floodsEuropean countries with refugees, specifically the bordering EU countries ofPoland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

Thefollowing chart entitled Ukraine: The Crisis on the Verge of Catastrophe provided by the United Nations Office for theCoordination of Humanitarian Affairs, presents the grim humanitarian consequencesof a conflict:





Contingenton the duration and intensity of the conflict this crisis could easily becomefar worse than the projected 3.45 million displaced Ukrainians. Furthermore, Europeancountries beyond those bordering Ukraine are ill-equipped and stretched toprovide adequate food and shelter.

EuropeanSocio-Political Firestorm

Thepolitical battle to establish priorities as to which refugees will receive carewill be heated perhaps with the unofficial practice of a tiered ethnic/racial systembased on Christian Europeans, Christian non-Europeans and then Muslims.

Unable to return to their homes because they were destroyed or fearpolitical persecution, many Ukrainians might remain elsewhere in Europe for atleast the medium term, perhaps longer. There might be enough political pressureto accept Ukrainian refugees elsewhere such as Canada and the US.

Theshock to the system is the sudden displacement of upwards of 3.45 million Ukrainiansalready in Europe is considerably different than the piecemeal arrival ofsmaller groups of non-European refugees over many years.

Thefollowing chart entitled The Biggest Humanitarian Crisis of 2021 provided by the United Nations represents the currentstate of affairs with respect to humanitarian assistance worldwide. This chartwill undergo considerable revision once the Russians invade.

TheHumanitarian Hellscape

Reportsof the Russian military build-up does not mention any equipment or facilities beyondthe mobile military hospitals that could assist internally displaced Ukrainianrefugees, only to support Russian armed forces casualties. This seems to runcounter to Putins narrative of stating that Ukraine is an artificial countryand for that reason that Russians and Ukrainians are one people. Yet throughdeliberate gross negligence the Russian government may fail to provide fortheir basic needs and human rights post-invasion and during occupation.

Althoughthere has been discussion amongst EU countries with respect to handling arefugee crisis from Ukraine, there has been far less humanitarian mobilization thanRussian war mobilization. This proportional lack of effort and preparation willonly exacerbate a brutal problem.

Withrespect to the international donor community, the 2022 UN Refugee Agency (UN HCR)Refugee Global Appeal for Ukraine is $22.5 million as of 8 February 2022 withonly 8% funded. Despite the looming conflict Ukraine donations are a tough sellbecause Ukraine is considered a middle-income country whose citizenry have moreeconomic resources that those from Afghanistan and Yemen whose fund-raising targetsare $5 billion and $1.7 billion respectfully.

The Viral Contagion

Throughout human history disease runs rampartduring wartime regardless of medical advancements. The conflict in Ukraine is amatter of exceptionally bad timing because Ukraine and Russia have one of thelowest European vaccination rates hovering at 40%.

Imagine how those rates will explode and spiral outof control not only with the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugeesfleeing to nearby European countries and perhaps outside Europe like Canada andthe US.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) neitherUkraine nor Russia is on track to reach the WHOs mid-2022 70% vaccinationgoal. The following chart entitled 122Countries on Track to Miss Covid-19 Vaccine Goal provided by Our World inData indicates the global vaccination state of affairs.

HijackingHuman Rights

Conquestsby dictatorships and autocratic governments do not work out well for theconquered who are always subject to the same or worse repressive treatment asthe conquerors own citizenry.

Therehave been numerous anecdotal stories of human rights abuses and political persecutionin the pro-Russian Donbas region and targeted population in Crimea anecdotal.One released prisoner commented, This is not the Soviet prisons of the 1950sand 1960s, rather of the 1930s and 1940s.

JingoisticJustification | The Virtual Curtain

Russiasnew Iron Curtain wont be the physically imposingly garish Soviet built wall,rather a Virtual Curtain. Putins narrative will be disseminated by his sophisticatedpropaganda public relations hacker army based everywhere worldwide. This includesthe unknowing cooperation of his Fifth Column, the woke group in westernsocieties, to legally mute anti-Russian opinion and policies.

Putinis deploying on a large scale his array of poisons, literal and figurative, whetherto targeted individuals or propaganda poisons domestically and internationally throughthe injection of noxious narratives.

Putinbelieves that a divisive and indecisive US and its allies do not represent aneffective antidote. For this reason Putin is gambling that Russia issufficiently inoculated against harsher and more comprehensive US sanctionsshould he invade Ukraine.

Notwithstandingautocracies are inherently brittle and those who engage in over-reachinevitably crumble in the worst way because their brief dominance is often drivenby a strong mans greed and ego which have no checks & balances.

 Copyright 2022 Cerulean Council

The Cerulean Council is a NYC-based think-tank that provides prescient,beyond-the-horizon, contrarian perspectives and risk assessments ongeopolitical dynamics and global urban security.
Alamo Heights is turning 100 this year and planning for festivities is well underway.

Although Alamo Heights first became a municipality June 20, 1922, Assistant to City Manager Jennifer Reyna said that the main celebration will be in October so that the hot summer weather doesnt deter attendees. The same was done back in 1972 for the 50th celebration, she said.

Reyna said the anniversary is a time to reflect on the passionate residents who wanted to form the city. At the time, according to the Alamo Heights website, San Antonio was looking to annex the community but without providing services.

This is a wonderful milestone for the city of Alamo Heights, Reyna said. Its just time to celebrate.

Details still are being solidified for the big bash in October, but Reyna said that there will be a variety of centennial-specific events around town starting Oct. 2 and running through Oct. 8.

If you cant wait till then to celebrate 100 years, other beloved community events should tide you over, like the AH09 5K fun run March 26, the Fiesta Pooch Parade on April 9, and the citys Fourth of July parade.

On ExpressNews.com: Party time in the 09: Alamo Heights Night announces details for Fiesta 2022

Over the summer, the city began contracting with the CE Group, a marketing firm that has planned events including Siclovia and Luminaria, to plan the festivities.

Alamo Heights has set aside $100,000 in its budget for all centennial celebration costs, from paying the CE Group to purchasing promotional items like T-shirts.

The goal is to have several types of events that can touch everyone in the areas diverse community, Mayor Bobby Rosenthal said.

For the community as a whole, I think its just a way for people to realize that the city has been around for a long time thanks to all those before us that had the vision to create a community, Rosenthal said. And our job is to keep it going and let people look forward to their next 150- or 200-year celebration.

megan.rodriguez@express-news.net
Tex-Isle CEO Chris Kayem does not need a regulator, a customer or an activist to tell him to do the right thing. He knows cutting carbon emissions is good for the planet and for business.

Kayem and his team are growing the family-owned company, which has sold tubular steel since 1959. They are adding a new pipe manufacturing facility near Corpus Christi to compliment an updated coating operation.

Tex-Isle wants to make carbon steel pipes and beams with the lowest carbon footprints in the industry.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Texas needs to move faster to become clean, green hydrogen hub

We're building a lot of these greenfield projects. This is the direction that the world is going. It's something that needs to happen, Kayem told me. It's really about trying to plan for the future and doing what we can to reach the goals that the world is trying to achieve.

Companies of all sizes are talking a lot about reducing their carbon footprints in line with the goals set in the Paris Climate Accords.

Big corporations like Microsoft promise to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits by 2030. Major oil companies like Shell and BP promise to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Less common is a medium-sized company in the oil and gas industry that is reducing emissions right now.

Houston-headquartered Tex-Isle started dealing in steel pipe in 1959. A decade ago, the third generation to run the company decided to expand into coating and manufacturing pipe. About two-thirds of the companys production goes to oil field projects, the rest to construction.

Casting an average ton of steel in 2019 released 1.85 tons of carbon dioxide, according to the World Steel Association, a trade group. In the same year, Tex-Isles emissions were half as much, the company reports.

The trick was examining every step of the supply chain and improving efficiency, which also saves money Kayem said.

One of the areas that we have really focused on is our manufacturing footprint, he explained. We have everything right in one facility, so that allows us to move products around less.

About 85 percent of the raw steel is recycled material sourced near the Robstown mill, which has a rail spur for deliveries and shipping, he added. The company tries to source from suppliers who use electric arc furnaces, rather than coal-fired.

Tex-Isle has also signed power purchase agreements with renewable energy companies to cover the electricity consumed by the companys facilities. Kayem says the company is working to reduce its natural gas consumption, too.

After the pipe is rolled, special coatings are applied at a Tex-Isle facility in George West, also near Corpus Christi. The company has invested about $100 million in the two Coastal Bend facilities, an investment that comes easier to a family-owned company.

Being a private company, we're allowed to do things that we want to do, we have a little more leeway than others, he said. We don't have any investors other than ourselves.

Oil field tubular steel is competitive business, and with $250 million in revenue and 225 employees, Kayem must stay cost-competitive. Supply chains snarled by the pandemic, though, have proven the value of a local company making pipe with locally-sourced steel.

When you have a very tight manufacturing footprint, you can operate in a more conscientious way for the environment, but also it requires a lot less dollars, he said. You have a more cost-effective product, so, it's actually a win-win.

Third-party environmental consulting firm Cornerstone verified the companys achievements in a report released this month.

Tex-Isle is already a top performer in the steel pipe coating, processing, and threading business and is on a trajectory to be a leader in manufacturing when its steel tubular mill comes online," said Jack Belcher, principal at Cornerstone. "Tex-Isle's commitment to sustainability, including the use of recycled steel and clean electricity, enables Tex-Isle to provide a product that will help its customers meet their (environmental, social and governance) goals."

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Why the world will need more oil as consumers buy more electric cars

Steelmaking is a major source of global carbon emissions. Tex-Isle is radically reducing them even if their competitors do not. In the months and years ahead, Ill be interested to see how many energy companies that have promised to reduce emissions will shift to Tex-Isles products.

The world will always need oil and natural gas, and while we must stop burning so much of it, petroleum has a million uses beyond fuel. And for the foreseeable future, natural gas power plants will back up our electric grids.

The challenge is reducing unnecessary carbon emissions, and the best management teams will also improve profits by improving efficiency. Chief executives like Kayem at Tex-Isle are setting the example.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
In addition to a full slate of rodeo concerts, this week offers a rare chance to hear a talented young jazz pianist as well as a Texas Chainsaw Massacre for a new generation. Heres a look:

Rodeo: Brad Paisley, the country star with the lethal guitar and disarming wit, is always a rodeo highlight. He has a deep catalog of hits, including Im Gonna Miss Her, Waitin on a Woman, Ticks, Then and Alcohol. His most recent charting single is Freedom Was a Highway, a collaboration with Jimmie Allen, who also is playing the rodeo this year. 7 p.m. Tuesday, AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway. $20-$45, sarodeo.com.

Concert: Winners of the 2021 Grammy for best contemporary instrumental album with Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Snark Puppy  founded in Denton in 2003  has created a sonic identity that always feels confident, even if theyre making it up on the spot. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. $35-$125, tobincenter.org.

Movie: Uncharted may be based on a videogame, but its an old-fashioned treasure hunt movie that should appeal to fans of movies like National Treasure, Romancing the Stone or the Indiana Jones franchise. Mark Wahlberg, Tom Holland and Antonio Banderas star. Opens Friday in theaters.

Netflix

Streaming: Netflixs Texas Chainsaw Massacre is set in the present day as a sequel to the 1974 horror classic. Its about a group of social media whiz kids who plan to turn a Texas ghost town into a haven for influencers. Unfortunately for them, the town isnt completely uninhabited; Leatherface still calls it home. Debuts Friday on Netflix.

Classical music: Fairy Tales, Camerata San Antonios next program, takes its title from the Schumann piece on the program. The musicians also will play Bunchs Until Next Time and Beethovens Clarinet Trio. Musicians taking part are clarinetist Ilya Shterenberg, violist Emily Freudigman, cellist Ken Freudigman and pianist Viktor Valkov. 4 p.m. Friday, Kerrville First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson, Kerrville; 3 p.m. Saturday, Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 11093 Bandera, San Antonio; and 3 p.m. Sunday, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio. $20, cameratasa.org (tickets must be purchased in advance).

Redferns file photo

Jazz: Inspired by a quote from Bruce Lee, pianist Christian Sands made Be Water, a concept album that channels music that is fluid and ever-changing, sometimes calm, sometimes driving. It includes a memorable cover of Blind Faiths Cant Find My Way Home. 8 p.m. Friday, Jo Long Theatre, Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry St. $34, thecarver.org.

Stage: Theater artist Holly Nanes invited writers to create short pieces dealing with mental health during the pandemic. Nanes put the pieces together for the Screaming into the Void Theater Festival: Pandemic Diaries, which she directed, produced and also wrote for. It will be staged in person for a limited audience for which masks are encouraged, then will be streamed. Opens Friday. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Feb. 20, Jump-Start Theater, 710 Fredericksburg Road. Streaming 8 p.m. Feb. 25-26. Admission is choose-what-you-pay, from nothing to $20. Tickets available at jump-start.org.

Staff writer Austin Taylor contributed to this report.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae announces renewed quarantine guidelines for school attendance during a briefing at the government complex in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



Concerns are growing over possible COVID-19 infections among students in high-risk groups, such as those with underlying disease and those who are unvaccinated ahead of the beginning of spring semester as the highly transmissible COVID-19 Omicron variant has continued to spread rapidly across the country.



Although the Ministry of Education (MOE) recently issued revised quarantine guidelines for attendance in the new semester, aimed at flexibly responding to the virus situation, many point out they are not enough to prevent possible transmissions among students.



Experts point out that high-risk students such as children with diabetes or severe asthma who are infected with the Omicron variant have an increased risk of fatality and the education ministry should prepare specific protection measures for them.



The ministry's new guidelines, announced, Thursday, stipulate that there are six major categories: endocrine disorders such as diabetes and obesity; cardiovascular disease; chronic kidney disease; chronic respiratory disease such as severe asthma; neurological disease; and immunocompromised students.



Those with underlying diseases can undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test if they are found to have been in close contact with an infected patient based on the school's own contact tracing, according to the guidelines.






Off days dont come too often for Joanna Martinez.

The 24-year-old grad student splits her time between a masters program at the University of Texas at San Antonio, an internship working with domestic violence survivors, substitute teaching in the San Antonio Independent School District and helping raise a child in her family as a co-guardian.

Martinez is one of more than 1,300 Texas students who have received a college degree, or are in the process of earning one, with the help of TheDream.US scholarship.

The organization partners with colleges and universities, including San Antonio College and Texas A&M University - San Antonio, to award full tuition aid for so-called Dreamers  students who are undocumented or have temporary protection under DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

Once I received the scholarship, I was extra motivated, Martinez said. I actually had the opportunity to work towards a career, not just a certification or something.  I want to be a therapist and I want to work with children and families (on) early childhood trauma and abuse.

TheDream.US is taking applications through the end of February for the next batch of awards and hopes to aid at least 1,500 students nationwide and a minimum of 10 students per partnering institution.

Our mission is really to help young immigrants who have the desire to go to school, have the ability to do so, said Gaby Pacheco, its advocacy director. Its equivalent and similar to what the Pell grant is that U.S. citizens receive  and in essence it catapults and helps the young people fulfill their dreams of being able to get a college education.

The organization has sought partnerships with universities in regions with high numbers of undocumented people, including DACA recipients, Pacheco said, and ideally these institutions have tuition plans affordable enough to ensure the award will pay the full cost of a degree.

TheDream.US provides up to $16,500 for tuition, fees, books, and supplies for an associates degree, and $37,000 for a bachelors degree, while the universities or colleges cover the rest.

We look for universities that are low-cost or that they are going to partner with us to meet the gap, so that the student will be able to afford their education with the scholarship aid, Pacheco said.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

Martinez received scholarship help totalling about $38,000, she said, and in 2020 she achieved part of her dream by receiving a bachelors degree in psychology from A&M - San Antonio.

The retention rate of Dreamers at the local A&M campus  those who have stayed in school to finish a degree  has increased from 69 percent in 2017 to 84 percent in 2020, the universitys president, Cynthia Teniente-Matson, said in a written statement.

Our students are committed to succeeding in their academic pursuits and we in turn, are committed to seeing those dreams come to fruition, Teniente-Matson said. We are proud to support their endeavors and successes, as well as those of all high school graduates who have chosen us as their institution of choice.

Going to college was always Martinez plan and her familys goal, but the cost of attending was daunting. She recalled a teacher assigning her class a worksheet for applying for federal financial aid when she was a junior at Health Careers High School. Martinez took her worksheet home but returned it unfilled.

I didnt have a social security number; my parents didnt have that. And I didnt want to write that information because I was very protective of my status, more for my parents than anything, Martinez said. I remember being really embarrassed and I lied, I just told her that I forgot to fill it out.

But when I went home, I began to look up options for funding for undocumented students.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

When she found out abut TheDream.US scholarship, she noticed that her academic standing would be considered when she applied.

I spent my junior and (part of) my senior year planning how to get those grades, Martinez said. I even transferred schools so that my grades would automatically put me in the top 10 percent.  You have to do what you have to do.

As a first-generation college student, it was up to her to figure out her way forward. Seeing classmates filling out their financial aid forms and college applications, she realized, I was having the same goals and dreams as them, but I was already having to work twice as hard before we even started, Martinez said.

Without financial aid, she knew, her college dreams would be delayed, at best. Her DACA status allowed her to work her way through college but a degree would have taken much longer to finish. Today she has that degree, with no debt from her undergraduate education and able to pay for her pursuit of a masters in social work with a job and a personal loan.

Her substitute teaching comes in a year when school districts have struggled, practically to the point of desperation, to plug gaps in classrooms from vacant positions and pandemic-caused absences. She is working a practicum internship at the Bexar County Family Justice Center, which provides and connects survivors of domestic abuse to resources, public and private.

The scholarship program that put her through college aims to acknowledge the efforts of families like Martinezs and to encourage more students to pursue education as a means to reach their dreams and goals, Pacheco said.

We want them to understand that we believe in them, and that they are not just wanted, but also needed in this nation, Pacheco said. An education is something very important in our society... we value them working hard to receive the degree.

danya.perez@express-news.net | @DanyaPH
After two years of pandemic-related interruptions, the full return in May of the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness, better known as the STAAR test, will be one more thing for area students and schools to deal with.

Some school leaders said they would try to simply tune out the resulting letter grades for schools, which they always considered misleading and believe are even more so in a pandemic.

The STAAR stakes are not as high as before the pandemic, but theyre back. So is the requirement that every student take the test.

The test is in person, and administrating it for various categories of students remains complicated. After a full year of in-person classes, many districts are hoping to see some gains in the scores.

But school districts recuperating from a sharp spike in staff and student absences last month from the omicron variant of the coronavirus have been unable to convince the Texas Education Agency to keep the STAAR as a diagnostic tool only.

The STAAR was canceled during the 2019-20 school year, when districts went fully virtual at the start of the pandemic. When it returned last year, it was voluntary and without consequences attached. Most students took it, which helped map the ongoing academic damage and identify those who needed help the most.

The states accountability system for schools, still heavily determined by test performance, remained suspended last year, but schools this year will be graded  except that those with Ds and Fs will be graded NR, for Not Rated, a distinction that some superintendents said wasnt going to fool anyone.

On Friday, Melissa Casey, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at Harlandale Independent School District, happily announced that attendance was finally increasing after weeks of high absences.

But the district is not where it should be right before the return of test-based school rankings, she added.

I think it is very overwhelming for districts and for schools, and for teachers, to know that we are being assessed, while knowing that weve had these hurdles of students not being in school this year, Casey said. On top of that, we have students who have possibly been out of school or still in virtual instruction for over a year and a half.

On ExpressNews.com: Battered by virus absences, San Antonios public schools are hanging on

School leaders have known since the fall that the test would be required this year, and most welcomed it as one of several ways to measure students readjustment to in-person learning.

We think its useful at the student level for folks to take the test because it will help us to develop a plan for each student for the following year. You know, its just one more data point, Northside ISD Superintendent Brian Woods said.

But we are not going to stop teaching and learning to do drill-and-kill, he added. We think that adds stress to teachers, it adds stress to kids, so we are going to continue on despite all of the disruption and well let the test take care of itself.

Lackland ISD Superintendent Burnie Roper said he had favored canceling the STAAR altogether this year, considering what we have been going through throughout the pandemic.

Some of our kids have missed a lot of school for being positive for COVID-19. For teachers, it is so challenging to keep track of kids as they come in and out. It is a lot of instruction missed. I think it is unrealistic to think our kids are going to do the best that they could, Roper added.

It was because students wouldnt be at their best that many educators encouraged them to take the test last year. Some districts reached 80 percent or even greater participation.

At Southside ISD, Superintendent Rolando Ramirez was proud to see nearly 90 percent of his students choosing to be tested. The push to get as many students in as possible gave the district a more complete view of their performance and so will this years test, he said.

We have to get some measure of where the students are at, Ramirez said. The staff have done a lot of work, the students have put in a lot of effort, and we are looking forward to the actual test taking place and seeing how well our students did.

North East ISD Superintendent Sean Maika also welcomes the test as a guide for districts in the coming school year, but he warned that assessment and accountability should not be confused.

There have been disruptions now for two years, Maika said. Whether it is a lot of staff being out or a lot of student absences due to the pandemic, there have been factors outside of our control.

I think we need to give the assessment, he added. If we are going to use it for punitive measures, that is where Im going to have some heartburn. I just dont think it is reasonable to punish children or teachers for factors that are outside of their control.

The STAAR will cause heartburn in other ways. School districts have struggled to find teachers for special education students or English language learners  and both groups take a specialized version of the STAAR that must be administered by their teachers.

Harlandale ISD has had problems staffing these classes consistently, and not having a teacher who knows the students could affect the tests outcome, Casey said. Maybe the state and the community wont see the effect, but well see it because well know that maybe we had a disruption in teaching, or maybe we had a teacher leaving midyear, Casey said.

Student daily attendance has hit record lows across the region this school year, with parents being asked to keep their children at home if they show signs of illness or if theyve been exposed to the virus, and shifting family dynamics leading to increases in truancy.

On ExpressNews.com: Substantial hit  San Antonios missing students force high-growth ISDs into unprecedented retreat

We have a portion of our school kids that are not here as frequently as we want them to be, Edgewood ISD Superintendent Eduardo Hernandez said.

We are probably in the mid-80s in terms of our attendance (percentage), but there is no single group of students who are always absent  it varies in and out for various reasons, everything from the pandemic to personal reasons, he said.

School leaders interviewed for this story emphasized that the STAAR results are not the only metric they consider when assessing student success. But the test holds more weight at the state level, and parents might view it as the main indicator of how well their school or teacher is doing, some said.

This years D and F grades, because they are Not Rated, wont count toward the accumulation of failing grades that can force a school to close. But the effect of public shaming will remain, several said.

Assessment is something that all educators actively employ in their classrooms every single day, said Alejandra Lopez, president of the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel, the union at San Antonio ISD.

A letter grade on schools is a metric by which we measure teachers, but teachers have been stuck between competing needs, Lopez said  the need to address the learning loss caused by so many who were taught remotely and the need to find time to prepare for classes and evaluate student outcomes amid increased workloads.

A lot of times the district thinks, Go ahead and take the test and we can use that information for analysis for where the child is at so we can plan instruction for the next year, said Patsy Esterline, president of the North East American Federation of Teachers, the union at NEISD. That works  if the teacher is given the time to do an analysis.

Several area superintendents agreed that evaluating teacher performance, as with school rankings, should not depend on the STAAR.

To say that you can take that test in May and say exactly how that teacher performed, thats not reasonable, thats not fair, Northsides Woods said. Now, can you use it as a diagnostic for where that child was on that day? Yes, you can. And well use it that way.

He couldnt help but laugh at the states plan to designate schools that fail as Not Rated.

Its going to be fairly obvious that if you are not rated, and everybody else is an A, B or C, everybody knows what that means. Its not like we have a big secret here, Woods said.

Whatever a schools letter grade, it cant reflect the effort that goes into designing individualized plans to meet students where they are, Southwest ISD Superintendent Loyd Verstuyft said.

I am against letter grades during a pandemic, as I was pre-pandemic, Verstuyft said. I do not think you can ever assign a letter grade that fully describes and explains all the great things that happen to students and all the pathways that they are on and all the post-high school readiness.

Educators had hoped the ongoing pandemic would be considered when deciding how much weight to attach to one day of testing.

Leave the grades off, Lackland ISDs Roper said. It is not fair to the schools or the districts. They must understand that this year was worse than last year in terms of getting COVID. Last year it wasnt rated because (the pandemic) was declared a disaster. And now this year it is worse. Why wouldnt you just do the same thing as last year?

danya.perez@express-news.net | @DanyaPH

claire.bryan@express-news.net
Many of the students in Mariela Ehlers classroom spoke primarily Spanish at home. As a bilingual teacher at Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, it was her job to teach them both English and Spanish.

But when she looked at these children, she saw herself. She was the kid who spoke only Spanish at home before starting school.

As a bilingual teacher, she often had to work double duty. She would send out parent newsletters in both English and Spanish, pay for students field trips and maintain constant communication with parents about their childs education.

But at 50, coming off the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, she retired last summer.

I felt exhausted, she said.

Over the course of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, teachers have left the profession, citing burnout and health concerns  adding to Texas ongoing teacher shortage. Two new surveys show an increase in dissatisfaction with pay, workload, health and safety.

Its a problem across the board, but in a state that is 39 percent Hispanic, one area is hit particularly hard: locating and retaining teachers who speak both Spanish and English.

There are over 1 million English learners in Texas, according to the Texas Education Agency.

In the past decade, years before the pandemic hit, Texas was struggling to find teachers and has consistently struggled to fill bilingual teacher positions since the 1990-1991 academic school year, according to a recent University of Houston report.

From 2010 to 2019, the number of teachers certified fell by about 20 percent, according to the report. Between 2010 and 2019, the number of bilingual certifications stayed steady with an average of about 4,000 a year, but administrators find it difficult to retain and recruit bilingual educators.

The pre-pandemic teacher shortage

Public school teachers in Texas have felt unsupported and treated unfairly even before the pandemic, said Bob Popinski, director of policy at the education advocacy group Raise Your Hand Texas. The pandemic has only put more stress on teachers.

Popinski said those high levels of stress on teachers coupled with being undervalued and underpaid is driving more teachers out.

The average pay for teachers has not increased between 2010 and 2019; instead it decreased from $55,433 to $54,192, according to the report.

In 2019, Republican lawmakers mandated raises for teachers in an $11.6 billion overhaul of public school finance. The bill also included a merit raise system aimed to help rural and high-need school districts attract talent. In rare cases, the program rewards Texas highest-rated educators with hefty pay raises that could balloon to a six-figure salary.

The University of Houston report did not include the inclusion of the law.

In a Charles Butt Foundation poll of 919 Texas teachers last year, 68 percent said they seriously considered leaving the profession in 2021, an increase of 10 percentage points compared with the year before.

The future success of our state is linked to our ability to recruit and retain effective teachers, Popinski said in an email. It will be up to our local communities and state to begin developing new policies that help better attract, prepare, and retain our teachers.

School districts over the summer faced large vacancies as the pandemic has exacerbated the issue. The Houston Independent School District, the largest district in the state, had more than 700 vacant positions last summer. That number is down to 192, still a large number of vacancies. To attract talent, schools have offered more pay and stipends, with Houston ISD approving a $2,500 sign-on bonus.

In Waco, the school district increased base pay to over $50,000 last summer; and in Killeen, the district increased base pay to about $52,000.

Last week, a Texas American Federation of Teachers survey of 3,800 of its members found that 66 percent of educators throughout Texas said they have recently considered leaving their job. President Zeph Capo said teacher discontent has been festering for a long time and the pandemic only increased that feeling.

In addition to long-neglected low wages and the stress of increasing workloads, the Omicron surge has created unbelievable chaos, Capo said in an email. Educators witness every day the devastating effects on our students when schools have staffing shortages. Its only going to get worse unless teachers concerns are addressed.

The bilingual teacher shortage

For Ehlers, the pandemic was the final straw. She already had been feeling overworked. Before the pandemic, she remembers some days she would not leave work until 9 p.m.

As part of her bilingual instruction, Ehlers would teach in English for two days a week, then in Spanish for the other three days. But often, she would have to translate books and other lesson plans into Spanish on her own, and the constant shifting between virtual and in-person classes just added to her workload.

I never wanted to cheat my students out, she said.

Teachers across the state have had similar experiences to Ehlers; but in some instances, the struggles for bilingual educators begin even before setting foot in the classroom.

To become a bilingual teacher, a person must take two exams and one of them is a five-hour-long Spanish proficiency exam.

Edith Trevino, founder and CEO of Dr. ET and Co., which provides review sessions on the Spanish proficiency exam, said when she first took the tests, it completely drained her.

This test is so hard, and I am a native speaker of Spanish and I struggled with it, she said.

Trevino said helping people prepare for the proficiency exam can be demoralizing for them so its part of her job to push future teachers to keep going and letting them know that they can change the lives of many children.

Bilingual teachers serve as an advocate, she said. They serve as liaison for culture and language.

Andy Canales, executive director of Latinos for Education in Texas, believes one cause of the shortages is that only about 23 percent of Hispanic students were at or above criteria on a standardized test used for college admission. On top of that, Hispanics in college see that teachers dont have that high of a salary and would much rather look for higher-paying jobs that will allow them to take care of their families.

Being able to master two languages is a massive benefit to a child, said Maribel Cantu, a mother of three bilingual children and a bilingual teacher herself in McAllen Independent School District. She has one child in elementary school, one in middle school and one in high school.

Cantu made the decision to enroll her children in a bilingual program at their schools in Sharyland Independent School District because she wanted them to continue practicing their Spanish while learning English.

When she made that decision, she was asked if she was OK with her kids being labeled as English learners and she didnt understand why that was a bad thing.

I dont consider it a label, she said. The one in the high school is completely fluent in both languages. Anywhere he goes, in any job he takes, because he knows two languages he is going to be worth a lot more.

Disclosure: Raise Your Hand Texas and University of Houston have been financial supporters of the Texas Tribune. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Five people, including two juveniles, have been charged in connection with an immigrant smuggling attempt that was interrupted Friday by San Antonio police in Westover Hills.

Court records show the five might not have all known each other, but were hired for certain roles in the smuggling chain to keep a distance from the ringleaders.

According to a criminal complaint affidavit, someone reported to the San Antonio Police Department that they saw four armed men guarding a tractor-trailer parked behind PetSmart on West Loop 410 near Highway 151 and that multiple people were getting out of the trailer.

When officers arrived at about 3:30 a.m., they found the trailer, a maroon Toyota Highlander and multiple people, who scattered and hid in dumpsters and elsewhere. Police also called in agents with Homeland Security Investigations and rounded up 25 immigrants, records show.

By Monday, five people had been identified as suspects.

Bexar County Bexar County Juan Gilberto Garcia (left) and Angel Gerardo Villafranca (right) were charged in a immigrant smuggling case.

Christopher Cavazos, 22, Fernando Castanon, 20, and Esmeralda Castillo-Sanchez, 22, were charged with a federal felony of conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants, while Angel Gerardo Villafranca, 17, and Juan Garcia Jr., 17, were charged with smuggling persons, a state felony.

Cavazos, of Hebbronville, told agents that a female acquaintance from high school introduced him to an unknown man who hired Cavazos to pick up immigrants from Laredo to San Antonio, the affidavit says. Cavazos was to be paid $800 once the load arrived in San Antonio.

On Feb. 10, Cavazos was given a burner phone, and the keys to the rig in Laredo and told to drive to a specified lot, and leave for a short period, so that the trailer could be loaded with immigrants. He was then told to return and drive the rig to San Antonio.

Castanon, of Laredo, told agents he and Garcia were hired by a man in Mexico (only identified by his first names initial) to oversee the transfer of the immigrants from the trailer to other vehicles once it arrived in San Antonio. Castanon, Garcia and others were also to pick up the smuggling fees and return them to the man in Mexico, the affidavit said. Castanon was to be paid $300, he told agents.

And Castillo-Sanchez, of San Antonio, told agents that she was approached at a Michoacana meat market by yet another man, identified by first initial, and offered $150 to transport seven immigrants once they arrived in San Antonio.

Cavazos, Castanon and Castillo-Sanchez appeared in federal court Monday and were detained pending bail hearings in the coming days. Villafranca and Garcia were released on Saturday after posting cash-surety bonds of $45,000, records show.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
Terry Duane Turner, the San Marcos-area man who walked outside his home in the early hours of Oct. 11 and fatally shot Adil Dghoughi in his car, has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge.

Caldwell County District Attorney Fred Weber confirmed the indictment Wednesday afternoon. He said the 65-year-old Martindale resident will appear in court in 30 to 45 days.

Fatiha Haouass, Dghoughis mother, and Othmane Dghoughi, his brother, were overcome with emotion after hearing news of the indictment, according to statements released by their attorney, Rebecca Webber.

Today the District Attorney stood up against those who think this murder was justified and showed me and the world the honorable person he is, Haouass said in her statement, adding that she would be returning home to Morocco to care for her sick husband.

Othmane Dghoughi expressed sadness over his 31-year-old brothers death. He had asked himself in his darkest moments how he could face his brothers grave believing the justice system had wronged him, he said.

Josie Norris /San Antonio Express-News

Now, I will take my mom home to Morocco and I can visit my brothers grave to tell him that we are one step closer to getting justice, he said.

2 1 of 2 Caldwell County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Courtesy of Adil Dghoughi's family Show More Show Less



Turners attorney, Larry Bloomquist, said he was disappointed, but not surprised about the indictment, but his client is standing by his claim of self-defense.

The standard for indictment is really low; its just probable cause, he said. At a jury trial, the state will have to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

On ExpressNews.com: Caldwell grand jury to convene Wednesday in shooting death of immigrant

A conviction for first-degree murder in Texas is punishable by five to 99 years in prison.

Turner was arrested on murder charges Oct. 22, 11 days after he admitted to shooting and killing Dghoughi, an immigrant from Morocco who was living in Texas to pursue his dream of working in finance. Turner was released the same day he was arrested on $150,000 bond.

Courtesy of Dghoughi family

About 3 a.m. on Oct. 11, Dghoughi pulled the 2016 Audi sedan he was driving into Turners driveway on Tinas Trail in Martindale, a small town east of San Marcos. Dghoughis family says he was lost and looking for directions to his girlfriends house, 3 miles away. A navigation app was found active on Dghoughis phone when police and medics later came.

Turner told police he had gotten up to go to the bathroom at the same time an unfamiliar car pulled into his driveway. He went to get his gun, exited his home, and chased Dghoughi as he pulled out of the driveway.

On ExpressNews.com: San Marcos groups push for marijuana decriminalization

Turner told police that he struck the drivers-side window twice with the handgun, then he shot Dghoughi in the face before he could drive away, according to an arrest affidavit.

I just killed a guy, Turner told a 911 operator after the incident. He then said the victim tried to pull a gun on me, I shot.

Josie Norris /San Antonio Express-News

No gun or other weapon was found in Adils possession or in the car, the affidavit states.

Dghoughis family says he had two bullet wounds  one in his head, and the other in his hand  which he suffered when he put his hand over his head to protect himself.

He died in the hospital the next day. His organs were donated to five different people, including a 7-year-old boy.

Annie Blanks writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. annie.blanks@express-news.net.
Voters will begin casting early ballots Monday in a joint March 1 primary that includes Democratic and Republican races at the federal, state and county levels.

High-profile contested races in Bexar County include nominations for four congressional seats; governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and land commissioner; and Bexar County judge, county clerk and county party chair. The Republican ballot also includes 10 propositions.

The Bexar County Elections Department plans to have 36 early voting sites operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Early voting will be closed Feb. 21 for Presidents Day but will resume Feb. 22-25 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On ExpressNews.com: Voters Guide -- Everything you need to know

Voters dont need to have their current voter registration card, but they must show a photo ID at polling sites. New registration cards are being printed and sent in the mail this month, Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen told county commissioners last week.

The bigger problem, she said, has been confusion and frustration over mail-in ballots. In compliance with a new state law, the application form for a mail-in ballot requires verification of the voters identity  either through a drivers license number or another identification issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety or through the last four digits of the applicants Social Security number.

On ExpressNews.com: Bexar County will have new leader for first time in 20 years

Callanen is asking applicants to provide both numbers in case one is incorrect or not in the countys voter registration database. Her office has processed about 8,000 mail-in ballot applications but has sent more than 800 rejection letters to applicants whose identity could not be verified under provisions of the new law. The elections department must receive mail-in ballot applications for the March 1 primary by Friday.

The topic of access to mail-in ballots has become politically radioactive in Texas in the wake of the 2020 presidential election controversy. While some say mail-in balloting must be protected to preserve the voting rights of seniors and the disabled, others have argued it opens the door to potential fraud. In the 2016 presidential election, 39,268 mail-in ballots were cast in Bexar County. Amid concerns about COVID-19, that number more than doubled to 92,589 in the 2020 election.

The issue also has been complicated by recent misinformation. In Bexar County, mail-in ballot applications should be sent to the county elections department. But some campaign literature distributed through candidates consultants in the region has directed voters to send the forms to the county clerks office or the Texas Secretary of States office in Austin.

County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark said her office received hundreds of applications that have been picked up daily by Callanens staff. The forms sent to Austin also are being transferred to the local elections office. But the confusion delays the entire process, Callanen told commissioners.

County Commissioner Tommy Calvert said he wished there were safeguards in place and possibly a penalty for spreading misinformation about the mail-balloting process.

We cant just be having all the consultants make a mistake. It just seems like a form of voter suppression to me, Calvert said.

On ExpressNews.com: County approves funds for COVID-19 testing, advances plans for safe in-person voting

I have to agree on that, Callanen replied.

Amid the statewide voting changes, the elections office met with local political consultants and the secretary of states office to eliminate confusion, she said.

Everyone who was working locally here, I think, did a really, really good job, Callanen said. She suggested the state hold a conference for consultants statewide or nationally to avoid more chaos with mail balloting as we go into November.

The county plans to have safety measures at the polls for voters with concerns about COVID-19 who prefer contact-free voting.

Visit bexar.org/elections for more information.

shuddleston@express-news.net
The three Republicans running for Texas agriculture commissioner sat next to each other behind a wooden table, all wearing white cowboy hats, none of them speaking.

In the middle, state Rep. James White stared straight ahead at the crowd that had gathered for the candidate forum at Sirloin Stockade, hosted by the Williamson County Republican Women. His arms were crossed.

For weeks, White has attacked Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller for his history of run-ins with the Texas Ethics Commission and the Texas Rangers, saying it is evidence of a lack of personal integrity and a culture of misconduct within his office. White also has attacked Millers political record, describing him as a fake conservative and accusing him of jacking up fees on farmers to fund his pet projects at the department.

The other challenger, rancher and economics professor Carey Counsil of Brenham, has blasted Miller as just not an ethical person. Counsil launched his candidacy after Millers top political adviser was arrested on theft and bribery charges last year.

I told you it was going to get sporty, one spectator near the back whispered as Counsil attacked Miller as dishonest.

KNOW THE CANDIDATES: Houston Chronicle 2022 primary voter guide / San Antonio Express-News 2022 primary voter guide

In an interview after the forum, Miller said that the aides indictment  and the years of ethics complaints his office and campaign have faced  are all completely baseless, part of a political witch hunt that was drummed up by either Democrats, his campaign opponents, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick or Gov. Greg Abbott, whom Miller is not supporting in his re-election bid.

Ive been through this before, just with other issues that come from the past. They did it to me, you see what they do? The penalty is not getting convicted, the penalties, the process. All they need is a headline, so now these guys have got headlines, Miller said.

Miller  endorsed by former President Donald Trump  is well known in the state. He runs a Facebook page with 842,000 followers, and he said his team posts on it sometimes 50 times a day, drawing tens of millions of impressions each month, a social media reach far greater than that of any other state officeholder. Miller last year considered a run for governor, but he instead decided to seek re-election.

Now he faces two aggressive primary challengers, and one whose campaign has garnered significant media attention and fundraising. White has earned praise from state lawmakers and at the end of January reported almost $300,000 cash on hand, more than Miller.

The challengers face an uphill battle, polling has shown, despite the corruption charges filed in January against Todd Smith, a top aide to Miller who worked with him for decades.

Fran Ruchalski, The Enterprise / The Enterprise

Scandal centers on $100 hemp licenses

Smith is accused of soliciting tens of thousands in cash bribes from farmers in exchange for hemp production licenses that are supposed to cost $100 under state law. He has been charged with theft between $50,000 and $150,000. Miller was not implicated in Smiths indictment, although Smith was his employee at the time and was allegedly soliciting the cash for the campaign fund.

Upon the indictment, the two men mutually decided the best thing for the campaign is for (Smith) to, you know, exit, Miller said.

Lawyers can argue about whether the payments amount to illegal bribes or legitimate donations, White said, but the facts are that Miller has allowed a toxic culture at the agency, and he is untrustworthy and unreliable for Texas farmers.

For instance when the Legislature wouldnt raise the departments budget past a certain point, Miller increased fees on farmers so he could fund other programs, White has said. Miller later described those fee increases as a hard political decision that he overshot, while White has characterized it as contrary to conservative ideology.

White is messaging himself as an aggressive opponent of the Biden administration, and he was quick to claim credit for right-wing policies passed by the Legislature: He trumpeted his support for increased border funding while in the Legislature, as well as his actions shepherding the permitless handgun law through the House.

At one point, someone in the audience asked what the agriculture commissioner could do to help incentivize farmers to stay in their industry.

This is why I fought against critical race theory in the Legislature, White said, going on to emphasize the importance of educating Texas youth with the right values.

But again and again, Counsil and White returned to the topic of Millers integrity and the Smith indictment, offering it as the main reason to push Miller from office.

Miller said that grand juries like the one that indicted Smith are inherently unfair  its really something we ought to look at  and that virtually anyone could be indicted if a local district attorney were out to get them. He says that he was vetted by the FBI when Trump considered him for the post of agriculture secretary, and that he could not have passed such a background check if there was anything shady in his background.

He insisted that there has never been any finding of wrongdoing from him or his campaign and that he was instead totally exonerated by all subsequent investigations.

This is not true, as Miller has been fined on several occasions by the Texas Ethics Commission for various financial violations.

Only an idiot would pay someone $25,000 to get a hemp license, Miller said. The bill stated that it could cost no more than $100.

edward.mckinley@chron.com
A view of Ukraine's national flag waves above the capital with the Motherland Monument on the right, in Kyiv, Feb. 13. AP-Yonhap





South Korea plans to evacuate its citizens from Ukraine within a couple of days amid growing fears of a Russian invasion, the foreign ministry said Monday.







A total of 281 Korean nationals, including diplomatic staff, are staying in Ukraine as of Monday, and about 100 plan to leave the nation by Tuesday, it noted.






Monday was just the first day of early voting for primary elections, but Democratic candidate for governor Beto ORourke is already turning his attention to November with new digital ads going after Gov. Greg Abbott for his handling of the electricity grid last year.

In the ads, ORourke points out that Texans are paying higher utility bills caused by the fallout of the electricity grid failures last winter. The ad suggests Abbott hasnt done more to go after energy producers and electricity companies because of the millions in campaign donations he takes from the industry.

Why did Greg Abbott not fix the grid? Because he was paid not to fix the grid, and now Texans have to pay the price with their utility bills going up at least $20 to $50 per month for the coming decades, ORourke says, adding that if elected, he is going to get that money back from the profit makers and the highway robbers.

The ads come as Abbott declares the states energy grid vastly improved thanks to a series of bills he signed into law last year after the power outages. During a campaign stop in San Antonio last week, Abbott said the grid was able to easily handle the latest winter storms because of those improvements.

The power grid is more resilient, more stable and stronger than it has ever been in the history of our state, Abbott said.

WINTER STORM 2022: Texas power grid survives first major freeze test since deadly 2021 storm

The tough talk from ORourke in the ads mirrors his tone on the campaign trail. His attacks on Abbott are coming earlier, and more directly than in his race against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. In that campaign, ORourke was criticized by some Democrats for refusing to attack Cruz until the very end.

Abbott has been criticizing ORourke since October with a series of digital ads charging that ORourke is wrong for Texas because of his opposition to the border wall and is support for gun control laws, along with Green New Deal energy policies.

ORourke is set to be in Houston on Tuesday on the anniversary of the 2021 storm.

Abbott, meanwhile, is set to be in Austin early Monday, then will travel to Odessa later for a pair of get-out-the-vote rallies for the primary elections.

Both Abbott and ORourke face primary opponents in the March 1 election. In the Democratic primary, ORourke faces four underfunded and lesser-known opponents. On the Republican side, Abbott faces seven challengers.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com


Air Serbias plans to introduce new services to China are already in their advanced planning stages, with the company finalising its business case for the new long haul service to the Far East. According to the TangoSix portal, apart from seeking discounts for handling and landing fees at Chinas airports, the state is also negotiating reduced overflight costs for Air Serbia with Russia and China. Last week, the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, said the airline would lease a second Airbus A330 aircraft and introduce services to either Beijing or Shanghai if talks over reduced fees and taxes are successful. Expansion into China would also trigger the introduction of an additional two weekly flights to New York and a potential new service in North America. Air Serbias plans to introduce new services to China are already in their advanced planning stages, with the company finalising its business case for the new long haul service to the Far East. According to the TangoSix portal, apart from seeking discounts for handling and landing fees at Chinas airports, the state is also negotiating reduced overflight costs for Air Serbia with Russia and China. Last week, the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, said the airline would lease a second Airbus A330 aircraft and introduce services to either Beijing or Shanghai if talks over reduced fees and taxes are successful. Expansion into China would also trigger the introduction of an additional two weekly flights to New York and a potential new service in North America.





Despite the coronavirus pandemic and strict entry rules into China, traffic between the two countries is continuing to recover on the back of strong business ties between the two. Due to a lack of flights, Chinese carriers have been chartered in recent months to transport Chinese construction workers to the Serbian capital, with services from Shanghai, Xian and Beijing taking place just over the past few weeks. On the other hand, Irans Mahan Air, which currently maintains a biweekly service between Tehran and Belgrade is presently catering purely for transferring Chinese passengers, which was confirmed by the Iranian Ambassador in Serbia last week. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Aeroflot was the main transfer airline of choice between Serbia and China, followed by Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.





China has emerged as one of the top unserved markets to and from Belgrade since visa restrictions between the two countries were mutually lifted in 2017, with travel reaching a record high in 2019, prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Most of the traffic flow between China and Serbia over the past few years has originated from Shanghai, followed by Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Chengdu. Flights between China and Belgrade were first introduced in August 1972 by Air Chinas predecessor CAAC from Beijing via Karachi with the Boeing 707 jet. Over the years, the stop shifted from the Pakistani city to the likes of Urumchi and Tehran. In 1985 the equipment on the route was changed to an Ilyushin Il-62 and in 1989 to the Boeing 767. On the other hand, JAT Yugoslav Airlines operated its first service to Beijing via Karachi in late 1971 under the Air Yugoslavia charter brand with its Boeing 707, while scheduled flights were introduced in 1979.




AHDB has challenged Oxfordshire County Council's plans to ban meat and dairy from council events, as the move 'fails to reflect' the true impact of UK farming.

Oxfordshire County Council is seeking to move toward providing only plant-based food at future council meetings and events.

Vegan meals could also be made available on school lunch menus at least two days per week.

The controversial plans were passed in December as part of what the council says are efforts to tackle climate change.

In response, local farmers staged a protest outside County Hall in Oxford earlier this month, urging the council to drop the proposals.

Now the AHDB has sent a letter to councillor Liz Leffman, who is leader of the local authority, saying the move "fails to reflect the impact of livestock production here in the UK."

For example, the carbon footprint of milk produced in the UK is nearly a third lower than the global average, the levy organisation points out.

Tim Rycroft, AHDB chief executive, said: "The UNs FAO report from 2013 is commonly cited by organisations including governments and the media, with a global figure for emissions from livestock of 14.5%.

"However, the most accurate figure for the UK, in line with the Paris Accord, is 6 percent."

Mr Rycroft said British farmers are 'committed to doing their bit' in helping to cut the UK's carbon emissions, such as the 'net zero by 2050' goal.

And the majority - 65% - of UK agricultural land is grassland and meadows, he explained to the council, meaning farmers are unable to support food crops but ideal for grazing animals.

"The way farmers use this land for grazing livestock means they can produce good-quality nutritious food while also maintaining the land for nature," the letter explained.

"Our We Eat Balanced campaign also highlights the role meat and dairy can play. They both contain vitamin B12, an essential nutrient not naturally present in foods of plant origin."

Mr Rycroft added: "We understand the councils cabinet will be meeting to consider the measures for approval on 15 March and hope they will consider the points we have raised."
Capital grant funding worth 5 million to help aid Scottish farmings low-carbon future has been welcomed by industry groups.

Announced by the Scottish government, the whole of the current years Agriculture Transformation Fund of 5m will be made available for farm businesses to become more sustainable.

The fund will enable them to invest in capital items to improve slurry management - including covers - in order to reduce emissions and impacts on water quality.

An agricultural modernisation fund of this type was first proposed by the Climate Emergency Response Group (CERG) in 2019.

The Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has welcomed the funding, as cashflow and high capital costs are a 'significant barrier to change'.

Paul Richardson, policy adviser at the rural business group, said: We welcome the Agriculture Transformation Fund announcement as an important step forward in helping the industry contribute towards a more sustainable future.

"Such a fund was one of the key recommendations Scottish Land & Estates pushed for as part of the Climate Emergency Response Group as we know the positive impact that measures such as effective slurry management can have on our environment."

He added: It is important that businesses look at the detail of the scheme and leave themselves sufficient time to apply, especially as we move forward into the busy Spring period.

"We expect there will be some conditionality when claiming for the capital items, and it is likely that businesses will have to complete a carbon audit and have a nutrient management plan in place.

SLE also welcomed the insight provided by the Scottish government's Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon on the National Test Programme, to allow more farm businesses to carry out carbon audits and soil sampling.

However, the group added that concrete detail on this and the replacement for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was 'urgently needed' by the sector.

Mr Richardson said: Carbon audits and soil sampling will be vital to Scottish farming improving its environmental credentials and understanding how best to utilise cutting edge techniques whilst maintaining food production.

"Were pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has provided an insight on the planned National Test Programme, but the scheme is something we need to start implementing as soon as possible."
Farm incomes in Northern Ireland increased by over 8 percent last year, but rising input costs remain a significant concern.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published the first provisional estimate for farm incomes in 2021.

Figures indicate that the Total Income from Farming (TIFF) in Northern Ireland increased by 8.3% (8.0% in real terms) from 463m in 2020 to 501m in 2021.

But despite the overall rise in farm incomes, this was offset by an increase in input costs, which saw a rise of 10% in 2021 to 1.72 billion.

TIFF represents the return on own labour, management input and own capital invested for all those with an entrepreneurial involvement in farming.

Dairying remains the largest contributor to the total value of gross output in Northern Ireland, at 805m in 2021. This is an increase of 20% between 2020 and 2021.

The total output value for field crops increased by 34% in 2021 to 84m, mainly as a result of increases in grain prices and yields for cereal crops grown last year.

And the value of output from sheep and cattle increased by 13% and 7% respectively.

DAERA's estimates also show that not all farming sectors experienced an increase in incomes in 2021.

In particular, the incomes of pig farms were substantially down due to lower pigmeat prices and much higher feed costs during 2021.

Looking at input costs across all sectors, feedstuffs costs, which accounted for 56% of the total gross input estimate, increased by 14% to 958 million in 2021.

There was a 2 percent increase in the volume of feedstuffs purchased and a 12% increase in the average price paid per tonne.

NI agriculture minister Edwin Poots welcomed the overall rise in farm incomes, but warned about rising costs.

"This increase is on the back of improved prices for farm produce during 2021," Mr Poots said.

"But its disappointing that most of these price gains were offset by substantial increases in input costs.

"Rising input costs have been a concern during 2021 and continue to be as we move into 2022.

Looking at the pig sector in particular, the minister said he would continue to monitor the situation.

"Like all farm sectors, the pig sector has faced market fluctuations before but the combination of both lower prices and rising costs has been very testing.

"I have been working with the sector closely and continue to monitor the situation.
A subsidised blood testing scheme is now available for sheep producers to help identify possible reasons for early lamb losses.

The FlockCheck diagnostic scheme allows farmers to ask their vet to blood test their flock for exposure to toxoplasmosis and enzootic abortion (EAE).

Ewe reproductive failure, neonatal lamb disease and mortality are the three biggest factors limiting better flock productivity.

Toxoplasmosis and enzootic abortion continue to be significant causes of these unwanted flock heath issues.

Farmers that experience more than 2% of their flock barren or aborting this lambing season are urged to contact their vet to take advantage of MSD Animal Health's scheme.

The firm's veterinary adviser, Dr Kat Baxter-Smith said: Farmers can take advantage of this subsidised scheme by asking their vet to take blood samples from six to eight aborted, unvaccinated ewes, or from barren ewes or ones that have produced weakly lambs."

She added that the blood test has proved to be a useful tool in terms of helping to identify the potential presence of any key underlying productivity limiting disease.

Experience has shown that the results certainly help vets and their farmer clients make more informed decisions about appropriate flock health measures.

Annual FlockCheck blood test results show that the majority of aborted ewes tested have been exposed to either toxoplasmosis or EAE  and sometimes both.

This is consistent with a recent AHPA analysis showing that over recent years, EAE and toxoplasmosis have been the most common diagnoses of sheep abortion.

According to Dr Baxter-Smith, both these infectious disease causes of abortion can be responsible for reducing the number of lambs per ewes mated, which can increase workload and stress during lambing.

Profit may also be reduced significantly, she stresses, but using the diagnostic tool can help in improving a flocks potential and overall economic performance.

For example, toxoplasmosis, caused by infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, does not just cause abortion," Dr Baxter-Smith said.

"It is also the main infectious cause of early embryo loss in sheep and a very common cause of barren ewes or weak, sickly live lambs.

"It is likely that almost all flocks in Britain have been in contact with this endemic parasite, which means all breeding sheep should be considered at risk.

Dr Baxter Smith also explains that one of the main reasons for such high levels of toxoplasmosis is that sheep can become infected very easily.

Sheep pick up the toxoplasma parasite from the environment and so normal biosecurity measures are not enough to control the disease.

"Infected cats shed toxoplasma eggs in their faeces and sheep become infected when they ingest these eggs from contaminated pasture, feed and water.

"The eggs are tough and can survive in the environment for over a year, which means farmers need to take steps to protect their sheep."

Farmers interested in taking advantage of the diagnostic service are being told to contact their local practice.

This years FlockCheck scheme commenced on 1 February 2022 and runs until 30 June 2022.
Warrenton, VA (20186)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 56F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.


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Women who migrated to Korea to marry Korean husbands and students from multicultural backgrounds attend a conference organized by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, at Ansan Multicultural Family Support Center in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, Feb.7. Courtesy of Ministry of Gender Equality and Family



Gov't vows to boost efforts to create inclusive educational environment



By Lee Hyo-jin



ANSAN, Gyeonggi Province  Gu Young-chan, 16, still remembers the first day when he moved to new school a few years ago.



He was introduced as a "multicultural child" by his homeroom teacher in front of the whole class. "I immediately saw the uncomfortable looks on my classmates' faces, which made me feel nervous and awkward," said Gu, whose mother is Chinese and father Korean.



Being labeled as a multicultural student on the first day of school was not only unpleasant, but it also made it harder for him to make new friends. "It felt like my classmates were keeping a distance from me," he said.



Seventeen-year-old Yu Jin, also born to a Chinese national mother and Korean national father, once dreamt of becoming a soldier when she grows up, based on her talents and interest in physical activities.



"But I had to give it up," Yu said. "I didn't know how and where to receive the necessary training to join the army after school, nor could I find someone whom I could consult with about my career."



Their stories are emblematic of the difficulties faced by many children from multicultural backgrounds living in Korea. They often struggle from racial and cultural discrimination at schools, and are deterred from pursuing their dreams, due to a lack of support in career planning.



A triennial survey among multicultural families conducted in 2018 found that such children face difficulties adapting to school life due to multiple reasons, including language barriers, academic struggles and discrimination from peers, as well as teachers.



Gu and Yu shared their stories at a conference attended by Gender Equality and Family Minister Chung Young-ai, Feb. 7, where six women who moved to Korea to marry Korean national husbands, referred to as marriage migrants, and teenagers from multicultural backgrounds were invited to share their opinions about the government's multicultural family policies.



The event was held at Ansan's Multicultural Family Support Center, the largest of its kind in the country. The capital's satellite city of Ansan in Gyeonggi Province is home to about 90,000 residents of foreign nationality.





Minister of Gender Equality and Family Chung Young-ai, fourth from left, poses with participants of the conference held at Ansan's Multicultural Family Support Center in Gyeonggi Province, Feb.7. Courtesy of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family




Next Story : What Disneyland Paris Has In Store For You On Its 30th Anniversary

Is it truly possible for the sky to splinter into so many colours? Perched on the movable wooden pool deck at Villa Vista in Mirissa, Sri Lanka, overlooking the arch of Weligama Bay, sunset is a daily exhibit of nature's vivid cornucopia here. This villa truly has the most extraordinary vista; one of the many reasons why it is the perfect spot to call home when visiting this popular beach destination in the Southern Province of the island nation.Travelling from India, one might ask, why a villa, or to be more precise, why this villa in particular. Were glad you asked. Its a plausible question, given how seasoned beach seekers might already be accustomed to the villa life, from their various travels to homegrown sandier shores in Goa or to more exotic atolls in the Indian Ocean.But have they ever lived in a home designed by the Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban? Most likely not. Ban has been the architect of incredible structures across the world such as the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand, the Paper Dome in Taiwan, the Centre Pompidou-Metz museum in Metz, France, and the Bamboo Furniture House at the Great Wall in China. How Koenraad Pringiers, the owner of Villa Vista (hes Flemish, and has been living in Sri Lanka for over four decades), convinced Ban to come on board is a story best told over beers. Preferably, Lion  an excellent Sinhalese brew  while Koenraad himself tells what can only be described as a serendipitous story. His parents, incidentally, live in the villa that commands the adjacent cliff top. A villa that was designed by fellow Japanese architect  the revered Tadao Ando. The Pringiers family has incredible taste, clearly.Ban is known as the father of paper architecture  a moniker derived from the materials used for design, aka paper and its derivatives (cardboard, etc), and a focus on sustainable form. His canvas, back then, was the bare expanse of a hillock overlooking Weligama Bay. Prime real estate that was, at the time, an eight-acre blank canvas, with fearsome memories  the tsunami of 2004 that swept its destruction in the town below.The beauty of Bans creation and the respect it so clearly holds for nature  a harmonious partnership with the elements of the sky, land, water, flora and fauna  is both a balm and a boon. If one were to look at the fact sheet, youd read: expansive three-bedroom villa with ensuite bathrooms with glorious rain showers and bathtubs. A guest cottage. Chef-catered meals. Wonderful staff. A private, infinity pool with panoramic views. A gymnasium. All amenities included, as is expected. A private, winding driveway. A location that overlooks the picturesque beachfront of Mirissa, giving you the benefit of luxurious privacy, while still being in the thick of things. But to live here, even for a few days, is so much more.Bans architecture plays with space, natural light and the wind. Locally-sourced wood and coconut leaves have been used in its creation, making this a completely unique blend of Sri Lankan style and modern construction. The towering structure is split over three segueing levels that flow into each other, housed under a woven teak ceiling, with a massive lattice of shutters on one end.On the other, a glass front opens to the long, infinity pool and the elements. On the hottest of days, under the equatorial sun, there is no air conditioning required due the constant cooling cross-ventilation. The middle section is akin to a long, wide runway scattered with sectional sofas and lounge beds  the bedrooms on either side are boxed out by doors and short staircases for absolute privacy; youre quite literally kings, queens and everyone in between, in your castle here. There are no columns or pillars. Everything is airy, vast, chic yet comfortable, and the stunning decor has been put together through the eye of an experienced artist  Koenraads mother. 'Theres lush wilderness surrounding the property and a private walkway that cuts through the greenery and terraces down to an open-air vantage point and to a secluded section of the beach. And the food  oh, food, glorious food. Freshly cooked and hospitably served, many different styles are offered, whether Sri Lankan (hoppers for brekkie!) or hearty Italian, should your palate crave some.The bedrooms are more spartan in terms of decor  because who needs a distraction from the view? Theres a television, which will most likely never come on because youll be too busy lazing on a daybed, or in the pool. The beds, pristine, white and downy, will invite you to sink your sun-drenched body into them every night. A good soak in the wide tub will ease your muscles, just in case you chose a surfing lesson or two (many schools are just a short drive down.) But, more importantly  and take this from an insomniac journalist with a caffeine and screen addiction  you will sleep, beautifully. Its the sort of rest that comes to, one would imagine, the most content soul with unclouded thoughts.So, again. Why Villa Vista? Because where else would you want to be? If your heart and mind long for something that will evolve into a story you will tell for years, this is where your journey begins and ends. Preferably with a chilled Lion in your grasp.
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Jefferies announced today that it will donate $1.5 million AUD to five charities that provide critical aid and support to those affected by the recent volcanic eruption and related tsunami near Tonga.

The firm's Doing Good Trading Day, held February 10, raised contributions from net trading commissions for Asia Pacific securities and voluntary donations from Jefferies' more than 4,500 employees.

Rich Handler, CEO, and Brian Friedman, President, of Jefferies commented:

"Our hearts go out to the people of Tonga, where homes and entire villages have been destroyed and critical power, water and communications infrastructure must be restored. This all occurred during a pandemic which only makes relief efforts even more complicated. Our hope is that the immediate donation of $1.5 million AUD will have an outsized impact on the relief efforts as this beautiful Pacific Island nation begins the long process of rebuilding their communities. We are proud of our entire Jefferies family, consisting of clients, employee-partners and shareholders, for once again making a difference by giving back to those most in need. We also are grateful for the charities we selected who have given their word that the funds will go to immediate, smart and impactful initiatives."

We are honored to support the following respected charitable organizations:

Charitable Organization Charity Description Amount Donated UNICEF New Zealand Protects and promotes the rights of women and children all over the world, contributes to the improvement of their living conditions and delivers sustainable access to lifesaving supplies where they are most needed. $500,000 AUD The Sir Michael Jones Foundation Focused on providing community support in the Pacific Islands. $500,000 AUD Habitat for Humanity New Zealand Provides housing and shelter solutions for low to mid-income people who otherwise wouldn't be able to achieve home ownership. $200,000 AUD Red Cross New Zealand Improves the lives of vulnerable people by providing urgent relief during international disasters. $150,000 AUD World Central Kitchen Supplies meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises. They build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. $150,000 AUD

Jefferies (NYSE: JEF) is the largest independent, global, full-service investment banking firm headquartered in the U.S. Focused on serving clients for 60 years, Jefferies is a leader in providing insight, expertise and execution to investors, companies and governments. Our firm provides a full range of investment banking, advisory, sales and trading, research and wealth management services across all products in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Jefferies' Leucadia Asset Management division is a growing alternative asset management platform.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220213005044/en/

Contacts:

Jonathan Freedman, MediaContact@Jefferies.com; 212-778-8913
Opening of a new subsidiary in Japan and addition of local team enables Mobileum to provide close support to its customers and partners in the region

CUPERTINO, Calif. , Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobileum Inc. ("Mobileum"), a leading global provider of analytics solutions for roaming and network services, security, risk management, testing and service assurance, and subscriber intelligence, is pleased to announce the expansion of its footprint in Asia Pacific with the establishment of a new subsidiary in Japan ("Mobileum Japan KK"). This will allow Mobileum to provide dedicated, local support to new and existing customers and partners, highlighting its commitment to the region.

For more than two decades, Mobileum has led the market with innovative analytics-based solutions, providing its 1,000+ customers the ability to connect deep network and operational intelligence with real-time actions that increase revenue, drive operational efficiency, and improve customer experience. Mobileum's Japanese business unit is led by Hitoshi Kawano, Japan's Country Manager, who is supported by Hiroshi Taniguchi, Head of Presales, Suresh MS, Head of Delivery and Support, and Masayuki Amano, Senior Advisor and Project Director.

"According to Juniper Research, the Asia Pacific region will account for 60% of the world's 5G connections by 2026. This is driving demand for Mobileum's solutions as many local carriers look to optimize their network operations and improve customer experience to get the most out of their 5G investments. The expansion of our local Japanese operations will further accelerate Mobileum's growth in the market and drive innovation across the region," stated Raja Hussain, Mobileum General Manager and Senior Vice President of APAC.

"Our expansion in Japan marks a key milestone in our strategy to grow our presence in Asia Pacific and it shows our commitment with our local customers and partners, as we work together to develop and strengthen the Japanese telecom ecosystem. Japan is a clear innovation leader and is a perfect base for us to grow our regional presence, support our local customers, expand our partner ecosystem, and invest in growing our team," stated Bobby Srinivasan, Mobileum CEO.

Mobileum's award-winning Active Intelligence Platform provides actionable analytics and insights that today's Communications Service Providers' ("CSPs") require, directly increasing CSPs revenue, operational efficiency, and customer experience. The Active Intelligence Platform powers Mobileum's roaming and network services, risk management, testing, service assurance, and customer engagement and experience solutions, and delivers advanced analytics, AI/ML, and automation capabilities required to support the next wave of network evolution. As 5G adoption accelerates, Mobileum will help CSPs take 5G to the edge and unleash the full potential of IoT and private networks, with a complete portfolio of solutions from lab-to-live testing to assurance and network steering, which will be critical for the successful deployment and operation of Next Generation Networks.

About Mobileum Inc.

Mobileum is a leading provider of Telecom analytics solutions for roaming, core network, security, risk management, domestic and international connectivity testing, and customer intelligence. More than 1,000 customers rely on its Active Intelligence platform, which provides advanced analytics solutions, allowing customers to connect deep network and operational intelligence with real-time actions that increase revenue, improve customer experience, and reduce costs. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Mobileum has global offices in Australia, Germany, Greece, India, Portugal, Singapore, UK, and United Arab Emirates.

Learn more in https://www.mobileum.com/ and follow @MobileumInc on Twitter

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SHANGHAI, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MBA program from Antai College of Economics and Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is ranked 58th in the Financial Times (FT) Global MBA Ranking 2022 published on February 14th 2022. As the only local business school in Chinese mainland ranked among the global top 100 for nine consecutive years, SJTU Antai records outstanding performances in key indicator rankings such as Salary Increase and Career Progress: Employed at three months hits 100% and Salary Increase rises to 160%. It is also worth mentioning that Antai MBA program ranks No.1 in China and No. 4 in the world in the Career Progress Rank. These outstanding data fully demonstrate the unique advantages of Antai MBA program in talent cultivation and its continuous growth in brand power amongst the industries.

ACEM SJTU is always dedicated to introducing top-level resources to its MBA program, making it available to lay a solid theoretical foundation for students and also share first-hand industry management experience in order to develop exceptional industry elites capable of combining theory with practice. The strategy of "two types of scholarship, horizontal (academic) and vertical (industry), reinforcing each other and connecting theory with practice" proposed by Dean Chen Fangruo is not only implemented in the academic research by faculties, but also applied in talent cultivation. With the vision to "build a global technology and finance institute leading the future", SJTU and the Bank of China announced the official launch of top-tier resource cooperation at RMB hundreds of millions on April 12th 2021, which will give full play to their respective advantages to further promote the mutual empowerment of finance and technology, and carry out all-round resource cooperation on talent cultivation, practice and training, innovation and incubation, etc. Antai MBA Entrepreneurship Elite Class composed of investors, on-campus entrepreneurs and alumni entrepreneurs, offers entrepreneurship courses, offline activities as well as offline training for more than 1,000 attendances to deliver full support and stand side by side for their development. It is believed that Antai MBA will keep up its pragmatic and innovative approaches based on its strong faculties, while developing high-quality curricula and promoting the industry community, in order to cultivate future business leaders with advanced ideas and industry practice.

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gettyimagesbank





The city of Gwangju, about 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul, is working on a plan to provide child care subsidies to foreign children aged three to five, officials said Monday.







Gwangju city government has been working to table an ordinance bill that will expand the child care fee support system, currently only eligible to South Korean children, to foreign children.







If the bill passes the city council's voting session next month, the parents of about 150 foreign children in Gwangju will receive 280,000 won (US$234) per month starting in March.







About 500 million won is expected to be earmarked for the handouts. (Yonhap)


PRAGUE, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Solek Group, an experienced vertically integrated developer, owner and manager of solar power plants, through its Chilean subsidiary SOLEK Latam Holding SpA has signed a framework agreement to develop, build and sell solar projects in Chile to BlackRock's Global Renewable Power Fund III (GRP III). As part of this transaction, SOLEK will also oversee the operation and maintenance services for the projects and Aediles Capital Inc. will oversee Asset Management on behalf of BlackRock Global Renewable Power Fund III.

"BlackRock is a leading investor in renewable power globally, which means we are entering into a relationship with a stable and renowned partner who will create a long-term outlet for our services. This is an important strategic step towards establishing cooperation with leading infrastructure investors, who are key to the further growth of SOLEK Group, not only in Chile but also in other countries," said Zdenek Sobotka, founder and CEO of the SOLEK Group.

The deal enables SOLEK Group to develop up to 28 individual photovoltaic power plant projects with an aggregate capacity of up to 200 MW. The firm will take care as well of their operation and provide regular maintenance and prompt professional servicing. Each project will be constructed and connected under the Chile's PMGD/PMG (distributed generation projects) programme, which is one of the pillars of the country's strategy to become carbon neutral by 2050. Solar power plant projects with a total installed capacity of 90.5 MW are already under preparation phase of construction. These projects also serve regions with high demand for electricity due to growing populations and a developed mining industry.

"We look forward to working closely with Solek experienced and active team in Chile," said David Orellana, Aediles Capital Inc. Partner.

"Large investors of this type can fully appreciate the long-term and stable return on energy investments. For us, it is also an expression of trust in the long-term conceptual work of all SOLEK Group teams," added Zdenek Sobotka.

ABOUT THE SOLEK GROUP

SOLEK HOLDING SE is a leading renewable energy company with a focus on solar energy. It was established in 2010 by Czech entrepreneur Zdenek Sobotka. The company is headquartered in Prague and has built power plants in four countries in Europe and South America. SOLEK currently employs 210 people of 15 nationalities.

SOLEK HOLDING SE's business strategy consists of designing and building photovoltaic parks as well as owning and operating them. To finance its activities, the group primarily turns to capital markets, where it successfully issues corporate bonds with stable yields.

For more information visit www.solek.com

ABOUT AEDILES CAPITAL INC.

Aediles is an Independent Sponsor, Platform Manager, and Advisor for sustainable energy and infrastructure investments. Aediles originates, invests in and manages renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the Americas. Aediles is supported by local & regional operating partners, and a senior advisory board based in Canada, Europe, Latin America and the USA. For more information: www.aedilescapital.com

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Post-hoc analysis reveals >9 letter gain in mean BCVA that was maintained for the remaining four months of the trial after the last THR-149 injection with no rescue treatment required



These gains were seen in patients that are part of the 40-50% of DME patients that suboptimally respond to standard of care ant-VEGF therapy

Leuven, BELGIUM, Boston, MA, US - 14 February 2022 - 8.00 AM CET - Oxurion NV (Euronext Brussels: OXUR), a biopharmaceutical company developing next generation standard of care ophthalmic therapies, with a clinical stage portfolio in vascular retinal disorders, presented new data from Part A of its two-part Phase 2 Clinical Trial ("KALAHARI") assessing THR-149 for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) at the Angiogenesis, Exudations, and Degeneration 2022 Meeting on February 11-12th.

THR-149 is a potent plasma kallikrein inhibitor being developed as a potential new standard of care for the 40-50% of DME patients showing suboptimal response to anti-VEGF therapy. High-level Month 3 data from Part A of the KALAHARI trial was first presented in October 2021 and demonstrated that in the 8 patients who received the highest dose of THR-149, a mean BCVA gain of 6.1 letters at Month 3, the primary endpoint, was observed.

The new data reviewed today is a post-hoc analysis of an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) biomarker assessment, which was performed by the masked central reading center. The masked reading center identified two subjects with abnormalities at baseline, which could impact responsiveness to treatment. Excluding these two subjects resulted in an improvement in mean BCVA of 9.3 letters at Month 3 that was sustained until Month 6, the end of the trial. The six-month data also demonstrated THR-149's attractive safety profile and its ability to stabilize the Central Subfield Thickness (CST).

"The data presented today continues to highlight THR-149's compelling safety and efficacy profile in patients with diabetic macular edema,"commented Arshad M. Khanani, M.D., M.A., Director of Clinical Research at Sierra Eye Associates, Reno, Nevada, US. "For patients who are suboptimal responders to standard of care anti-VEGF therapy, the post-hoc analysis of the high-dose cohort in the KALAHARI trial showed encouraging gains in BCVA with over 80% of patients gaining at least 5 letters and 50% of patients gaining at least 10 letters four months after the last THR-149 injection. In addition, CST was stable up to Month 6. These results demonstrate the potential of THR-149 to make a meaningful difference to this patient population, which if left untreated would be expected to experience a further deterioration in their vision."

Based on Month 3 Part A data, the high dose of THR-149 was selected for Part B of the KALAHARI study to compare vs. aflibercept for the treatment of DME. The learnings from the Part A data presented today have already been incorporated into Part B through an amended study design, which has been approved by the US IRB. The approved protocol amendment optimizes the inclusion and exclusion criteria for Part B and eliminates subjects with potential baseline abnormalities, to further increase the potential for response to treatment. Part B of the trial is currently enrolling with topline data expected mid-2023.

Tom Graney, CFA, Chief Executive Officer of Oxurion, said, "The data Dr. Khanani presented improves our understanding of which patients are most likely to respond to treatment and underscores the potential of THR-149 to address the significant unmet need in patients that experience a suboptimal response to anti-VEGFs and currently lack adequate treatment options. We believe these changes will maximize our ability to achieve a successful trial outcome to the benefit of patients while preserving the positive attributes of the initial trial design and maintaining our timelines."

Part B of the KALAHARI trial is ongoing, assessing three monthly injections of THR-149, compared to three monthly injections of aflibercept, up to Month 3. As from Month 3, the safety and efficacy of a switched fourth injection (THR-149 to aflibercept or aflibercept to THR-149) will be evaluated in about half of the subjects whereas in the other half of the subjects the durability of three monthly injections (THR-149 or aflibercept) will be assessed through a single sham injection. The trial is planned to randomize approximately 108 subjects in Part B and the primary endpoint remains the mean change in BCVA letter score from baseline, at Month 3.

All dose levels of THR-149 demonstrated a favorable safety profile during Part A of the KALAHARI trial, which was maintained through the end of the trial. All adverse events in the study eye were mild to moderate in intensity and no severe ocular adverse events were reported and no intra-ocular inflammation observed.

About Oxurion



Oxurion (Euronext Brussels: OXUR) is a biopharmaceutical company developing next generation standard of care ophthalmic therapies, which are designed to better preserve vision in patients with retinal vascular disorders including diabetic macular edema (DME), the leading cause of vision loss in diabetic patients worldwide as well as other conditions, including wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Oxurion is aiming to build a leading global franchise in the treatment of retinal vascular disorders based on the successful development of its two novel therapeutics. THR-149 is a potent plasma kallikrein inhibitor being developed as a potential new standard of care for the 40-50% of DME patients showing suboptimal response to anti-VEGF therapy. THR-687 is a highly selective pan-RGD integrin antagonist that is being developed as a potential first line therapy for DME patients as well as wAMD and ME-RVO. Oxurion is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, with corporate operations in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.oxurion.com .

Important information about forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking". Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and, accordingly, entail and are influenced by various risks and uncertainties. The Company therefore cannot provide any assurance that such forward-looking statements will materialize and does not assume an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or any other reason. Additional information concerning risks and uncertainties affecting the business and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement is contained in the Company's Annual Report. This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities or assets of Oxurion in any jurisdiction. No securities of Oxurion may be offered or sold within the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in compliance with an exemption therefrom, and in accordance with any applicable U.S. state securities laws.

For further information please contact:
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennials are more likely to take on debt to buy presents to their partner than their Boomer parents, but how does it differ between countries? Ahead of Valentine's Day, European credit management company Intrum asked more than 24,000 people across Europe about their finances and how it interacts with their love lives. While many cut back on costly romantic gestures to make ends meet, others are prepared to go into debt in order to secure affection.

"In a few countries, as many as 1 in 4 say they would choose debt before coming home empty handed to their spouse. It's unfortunate that pressure to spend money on romance is so high for some, as we see first-hand the effects problem debt can have on relationships and mental health," says Anna Fall, Chief Brand & Communications Officer at Intrum. "We believe talking openly about debt and financial stress with your partner is the best way to tackle the problem and reduce worry."

Estonians least likely to cut back on spending for the sake of love

Almost a third of all questioned (31 per cent) said romantic surprises or date nights are one of the first things to go when they need to cut back on spending. However, the attitudes alter when deep diving into the countries.

In Portugal , almost half (48 per cent) agreed that romantic surprises or date nights are one of the first things to go when they need to save money. Consumers in Greece , Romania , Spain , and Ireland are also among those who are quick to limit their romantic spending.

, almost half (48 per cent) agreed that romantic surprises or date nights are one of the first things to go when they need to save money. Consumers in , , , and are also among those who are quick to limit their romantic spending. In Estonia , only 13 per cent agreed, making them the least likely to cut back on gifts and surprises for their spouses, followed by consumers in Denmark , Norway and Austria .

1 in 4 British consumers are ready to go into debt for romance

When asked if buying presents or treats for their partner is the most common reason why they go into credit card debt, 15 per cent of all respondents agreed.

Consumers in the UK and Ireland are most likely to take on debts for buying presents, where 1 in 4 (24 per cent) said that presents are the most common reason why they go into credit card debt.

are most likely to take on debts for buying presents, where 1 in 4 (24 per cent) said that presents are the most common reason why they go into credit card debt. In fact, 1 in 5 British and Irish consumers even said they believed their partner would leave them within a year if they didn't spend as much money on treats and presents.

Estonians are least likely to go into debt for romantic treats, only five per cent agreed, followed by consumers in Austria , Hungary , and Latvia (9 per cent).

Big difference between generations and genders

Differences are not only found between different countries, but also among the different generations and genders.

1 in 5 among millennials (21 per cent) said their spending on gifts pushes them into credit card debt, compared with six per cent of Boomers. Millennials also felt their partner was more likely to leave them if they didn't keep up the spending - 19 per cent said this; only four per cent of Boomers felt the same.

Men feel more pressure than women to spend money on treats and gifts - 18 per cent said this is the main reason they go into credit card debt, compared with 12 per cent of women. Likewise, 16 per cent of men said if they didn't spend as much, their partner would leave them, compared with 10 per cent of women.

Read more about the cost of love on intrum.com.

About The European Consumer Payment Report 2021

The European Consumer Payment Report 2021 is an instrument for gaining insight into European consumers' everyday lives; their spending and ability to manage their household finances on a monthly basis. The report is based on an external survey conducted by market research provider Longitude in 24 European countries. A total of 24,012 consumers participated to the 2021 edition of the survey, which was conducted between 21st of July and 26th of August, 2021.

For further information, please contact:

Kristin Andersson, PR & Media Relations Director

+46 70 585 78 18

ext-kristin.andersson@intrum.com

Anna Fall, Chief Brand & Communications Officer

+46 70 996 98 21

anna.fall@intrum.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/intrum/r/cutting-down-on-gifts-or-going-into-debt-for-valentine-s-day---europeans--attitudes-differ,c3505854

The following files are available for download:
DGAP Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act]

Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement made pursuant to Rules 13.51b(2) and 13.51(2) of the Hong Kong Listing Rules



14.02.2022 / 11:39

Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG Announcement made pursuant to Rules 13.51b(2) and 13.51(2) of the Hong Kong Listing Rules Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 14 February 2022 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) today published an announcement pursuant to Rules 13.51B(2) and 13.51(2) of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the 'Hong Kong Listing Rules'). The announcement is fully available at:

https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2022/0214/2022021400577.pdf

IR Contact:

Haier Smart Home Hong Kong

T: +852 2169 0000

Email: ir@haier.hk Press Contact:

CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH

Sven Pauly

Sara Pinto

sp@crossalliance.de

T: +49 (0) 89 1250903 35 About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.:

Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized mass production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as smaller household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience.

14.02.2022 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Raises $45 million from both existing and new investors

OXFORD, England, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- First Light Fusion, an Oxford-based global leader in researching energy generation via inertial fusion, is pleased to confirm the close of its Series C fund raise, raising $45 million from both existing and new investors.

Existing investors who have backed the fund raise include Oxford Science Enterprises (formerly OSI), Hostplus and IP Group plc. New investors include Braavos Capital and Tencent.

2021 has been another year of significant development for First Light Fusion. The Company procured, installed and commissioned its latest piece of equipment, a two-stage hyper-velocity gas gun nicknamed the "Big Friendly Gun" or BFG, which at 22 metres long and weighing 25,000 kg, is the largest of its kind in the UK. The BFG fires a 100 g projectile at a velocity of 6.5 km/s or 14,500 mph (about 20 times the speed of sound) into the "target", the centre piece of First Light's unique technology. The BFG complements First Light's electromagnetic launch device "Machine 3" enabling the team to explore a different parameter space by launching larger but "slower" projectiles.

In the past twelve months the Company has grown to 67 people and has expanded into larger premises to accommodate the staff and the new equipment.

More recently, First Light was proud to have been selected to appear as one of the twelve showcase companies at the UK Department for International Trade's Global Investment Summit ("GIS").

First Light's approach to fusion, which is safe, clean, and a virtually limitless source of energy, has the potential to transform the world's energy system. Unlike existing nuclear, there is no long-lived waste, no meltdown risk, and raw materials can be found in abundance. Unlike many other fusion approaches, First Light's power plant will largely leverage existing technology and materials.

2022 looks set to be another significant year for First Light. The new funding will be used to accelerate the development of First Light's "gain" experiment, whereby the amount of energy generated outstrips that used to spark the reaction, and to perform further design and engineering work on a First Of A Kind commercial fusion energy power plant based on their technology.

Dr Nick Hawker, CEO of First Light Fusion, said:

"I would like to thank our existing investors for their continued support and welcome our new investors to First Light. With their backing we are excited about the outlook for this year and have a series of ambitious targets. These include delivering a maiden fusion result, accelerating towards our next 'gain' experiment, while also increasing our work on the development of a full scale fusion power plant, with more detailed design and engineering work planned. We remain very confident in our technology, our people and the potential of our unique approach. We continue to believe our inertial confinement approach offers the fastest and above all, most cost competitive route to grid ready fusion energy."

For more information, please contact:

First Light Fusion Ltd

Gianluca Pisanello, Chief Operating Officer

+44 (0) 1865 807 670

Powerscourt Group (Public Relations Adviser)

Peter Ogden

+44 (0) 20 7250 1446

About First Light Fusion

First Light Fusion was spun out from the University of Oxford in 2011 to address the urgent need to decarbonise the global energy system. First Light's inertial confinement approach aims to create the extreme temperatures and pressures required for fusion by compressing a target using a hypervelocity projectile. First Light's approach to fusion, which is safe, clean, and virtually limitless, has the potential to transform the world's energy system. Unlike existing nuclear, there is no long-lived waste, no meltdown risk, and raw materials can be found in abundance.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1746115/First_Light_Fusion_fund_raise.jpg
Grass Valley, California--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2022) - Rise Gold Corp. (CSE: RISE) (OTCQX: RYES) (the "Company") reports on its initiatives to assist the local Nevada County area with storm restoration and fire protection.

A significant winter storm occurred in Nevada County on December 27th which resulted in fallen trees and loss of power to approximately 33,000 area homes. Electricity was not fully restored until January 11th. The Company allowed the electricity utility, PG&E, to use its Brunswick Industrial Site to marshal work crews to expedite area power restoration.

The Company has also agreed to allow the use of the Brunswick Industrial Site for the temporary storage and processing of green waste related to the recent storm. The County of Nevada contracted with the Fire Safe Council to offer free storm-related green waste disposal to Nevada County residents. Nine public drop off events are planned in March and April at the Company's property where green waste will be processed and then hauled to a bio-mass power plant. The community green waste program is designed to help homeowners address the storm debris (tree trunks and branches) on their properties in advance of the fire season. The Company has allowed the Fire Safe Council to use the Brunswick Industrial Site for the previous two years, although the currently planned events are larger in scope than previous programs.

Wildfire is one the most important issues to Nevada County residents. In addition to its assistance with green waste management, Rise Gold previously agreed to support the Ophir Hill Fire Protection District (the "OHFPD") with new equipment and personnel. On July 26, 2021, the OHFPD board accepted the Company's proposal to provide a new fully equipped fire engine and three additional full-time firefighters. Under the agreement, the Company would purchase the fire engine for OHFPD upon commencement of mine dewatering. The funding of additional fire-fighters would commence upon achievement of commercial production at the mine. In a letter to the county, Chief Rothenberger of the OHFPD stated: "With the incorporation of Rise Grass Valley's proposal as a condition of approval for the mining project, Ophir Hill Fire Protection District will have the necessary equipment and staff to serve the project site. Moreover, the new assets offered in the proposal by Rise Grass Valley will significantly enhance the ability of the Ophir Hill Fire Protection District to provide excellent service throughout the entire fire district as well as neighboring districts."

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/113643
SHERMAN OAKS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2022 / Petroteq Energy, Inc. ("Petroteq" or the "Company") (TSXV:PQE)(OTC PINK:PQEFF)(FSE:PQCF), an oil company focused on the development and implementation of its proprietary oil extraction and remediation technologies, is pleased to announce that the Company has retained Peak Value IP, LLC ("Peak Value") to provide a third party valuation of Petroteq's Clean Oil Recovery Technology (CORT), the proprietary intellectual property (IP) behind oil sands extraction process.

Petroteq's Technology is considered a "clean technology" and is an environmentally safe and sustainable technology. While the Technology is applicable to both "water-wet" (Canada) and "hydrocarbon wet" (Utah) oils sands sediments, deposits and materials, the technology does not utilize water in its processing operations and thus there is no requirement to build and manage large tailings ponds and wastewater treatment and disposal systems and facilities. The proprietary solvents utilized in the operations of the technology are generally fully recovered and recycled, thus substantially mitigating environmental impact.

Through application of the CORT, the Company (acting through its operating subsidiaries in Utah) is able to produce a relatively sweet heavy crude oil from the Asphalt Ridge oil sands deposits without generating wastewater that would potentially harm the environment, in addition, during the course of its crude extraction and production operations, leaves a clean residual sand that can be returned to the environment or marketed as an industrial sand.

The current assets consist of Petroteq's active patents, patent applications, and associated trade secrets and know how, related to the extraction of crude oil from oil sands. The Peak Value valuation conclusions in this report are based on accepted practices using fair market value (FMV) and investment value (IV) standards, while utilizing widely recognized and internationally accepted methods valuing business enterprise, such as Cash, Market and Income Approaches. Peak Value utilized data provided by Petroteq, along with public information and industry knowledge of intellectual property licensing. In addition, Peak Value reviewed the historical costs as well as expected future revenue as it relates to the assets. This effort involved a team of financial advisory experts who have a broad experience valuing asset of this nature.

Peak Value IP's valuation study of Petroteq's CORT indicated a fair market value (FMV) ranging from $229 Million to $326 Million. The analysis of investment value (IV) ranging from $598 Million to $850 Million. The analysis has also considered a proposed production facility to be operated in Utah that will produce 5,000 barrels of oil per day. The valuation also encompasses the value of the separated sand as salable to third-parties, providing additional value to the IP beyond the market of oil. The deployment of the IP into multiple oil sand fields is a critical milestone in achieving Petroteq's goals for IP adoption.

Petroteq's CTO and interim CEO, Dr. Vladimir Podlipsky, has commented, "The Peak Value IP report re-affirms to our shareholders the substantial value of the company's underlying assets and intellectual property rights. Our commercial opportunity is supported by volumes of data and should provide a commercial viability to financial parties to advance."

About Petroteq Energy Inc.

Petroteq is a clean technology company focused on the development, implementation, and licensing of a patented, environmentally safe and sustainable technology for the extraction and reclamation of heavy oil and bitumen from oil sands and mineable oil deposits. The versatile technology can be applied to both water-wet deposits and oil-wet deposits - outputting high-quality oil and clean sand.

Petroteq believes that its technology can produce a relatively sweet heavy crude oil from deposits of oil sands without requiring the use of water, and therefore without generating wastewater which would otherwise require the use of other treatment or disposal facilities which could be harmful to the environment. The Petroteq process is intended to be a more environmentally friendly extraction technology that leaves clean residual sand that can be sold or returned to the environment, without the use of tailings ponds or further remediation.

For more information, visit www.petroteq.energy.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. and Canadian securities laws. Words such as "may," "would," "could," "should," "potential," "will," "seek," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company are intended to identify forward-looking information, including: the expectation that the cost of production of one bb of oil based on the Company's proposed 5,000 bpd plant would be less than $25; the plan to proceed with construction of a 5,000 bpd plant; the plan to seek agreements with parties with interests in oil sands around the globe; the expectation that the Company will be successful in expanding its bitumen resources on its leased acreage near Vernal, Utah; the plan to outsource the operations to other entities; the Company's aim to expand production capacity; the plan to expand efforts to license the Company's technology worldwide; and closing of the debt conversion transaction noted herein. Readers are cautioned that there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Company's current views and intentions with respect to future events, based on information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, receipt of director and Exchange approval for the debt conversion transaction. Material factors or assumptions were applied in providing forward-looking information. While forward-looking statements are based on data, assumptions and analyses that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results, performance or developments will meet the Company's expectations and predictions depends on a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance and financial condition of the Company to differ materially from its expectations. Certain of the "risk factors" that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation: failure by the Exchange or the directors of the Company to provide necessary approvals for the debt conversion transaction and all closing conditions being satisfied or waived; uncertainties inherent in the estimation of resources, including whether any reserves will ever be attributed to the Company's properties; since the Company's extraction technology is proprietary, is not widely used in the industry, and has not been used in consistent commercial production, the Company's bitumen resources are classified as a contingent resource because they are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable; full scale commercial production may engender public opposition; the Company cannot be certain that its bitumen resources will be economically producible and thus cannot be classified as proved or probable reserves in accordance with applicable securities laws; changes in laws or regulations; the ability to implement business strategies or to pursue business opportunities, whether for economic or other reasons; status of the world oil markets, oil prices and price volatility; oil pricing; state of capital markets and the ability of the Company to raise capital (which would be required for the Company to build a larger plant, including one that could produce up to 5,000 bpd; litigation; the commercial and economic viability of the Company's oil sands hydrocarbon extraction technology, and other proprietary technologies developed or licensed by the Company or its subsidiaries, which currently are of an experimental nature and have not been used at full capacity for an extended period of time; reliance on suppliers, contractors, consultants and key personnel; the ability of the Company to maintain its mineral lease holdings; potential failure of the Company's business plans or model; the nature of oil and gas production and oil sands mining, extraction and production; uncertainties in exploration and drilling for oil, gas and other hydrocarbon-bearing substances; unanticipated costs and expenses, availability of financing and other capital; potential damage to or destruction of property, loss of life and environmental damage; risks associated with compliance with environmental protection laws and regulations; uninsurable or uninsured risks; potential conflicts of interest of officers and directors; risks related to COVID-19 including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, economic activity, financing, supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession; and other general economic, market and business conditions and factors, including the risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's disclosure documents, filed with United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov (including, without limitation, its most recent annual report on Form 10-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), and with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com.

Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward- looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law.

Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts in this press release are expressed in U.S. dollars.

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.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") prohibits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, from disclosing estimates of oil or gas resources other than "reserves," as that term is defined by the SEC. In this news release, Petroteq includes estimates of bitumen reserves prepared in accordance with definitions, standards, and procedures contained in the COGE Handbook and NI 51-101, that may not meet the SEC's definitions of proved, probable and possible reserves, and which the SEC's guidelines strictly prohibit Petroteq from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Petroteq Energy Inc.

Vladimir Podlipskiy

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (800) 979-1897

SOURCE: Petroteq Energy Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/688557/Petroteq-Announces-Peak-Value-IP-LLC-Valuation-of-Companys-Intellectual-Property-IP
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2022 / Gratomic Inc. ("Gratomic", "GRAT," or the "Company") (TSXV:GRAT)(OTCQX:CBULF)(FSE:CB82) discloses the preliminary (simplified) Process Flow Diagram (PFD) for its 100% owned Capim Grosso project, located in the mining friendly jurisdiction of Bahia State of Brazil.

Following the announcement of the results from initial metallurgical tests performed on trenched material (see press release dated February 7, 2022 here), the Company's technical team has initiated preliminary engineering for the project, which will include completing a mass and water balance process flow diagram (PFD), and process design criteria (PDC). This engineering design will facilitate the development of preliminary operating and capital expenses (OPEX and CAPEX) for the project. The Simplified PFD is shown below:

As Gratomic proceeds with the current 5,000-meter drilling program, the Company will continue to conduct new tests with the drill core samples, in order to optimize engineering design for the flotation circuit and factor in the requirements to process the material at depth.

Armando Farhate, COO & Head of Graphite Marketing and Sales, says: "Our technical team is moving at a very quick pace to fast track the engineeting process of our Capim Grosso project, without overlooking quality and technical criterias."

"We are very proud to be true to our vision of agility, out-of-the-box thinking, and return to shareholders and stakeholders. The speed we have been moving in the Capim Grosso project is good evidence of that," stated Arno Brand CEO & President.

Gratomic wishes to emphasize that it is undertaking an initial exploration drilling program at the Capim Grosso property along with preliminary metallurgical testing. Gratomic emphasizes that no Preliminary Economic Analysis, Preliminary Feasibility Study or Feasibility Study has been completed to support any level of production. No mineral resources, or mineral reserves demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on the Capim Grosso property. Gratomic continues to move the Capim Grosso property forward and as part of its business plan, expects to obtain a National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects technical report to help it ascertain the economics of the Capim Grosso project.

Risk Factors

No mineral resources, let alone mineral reserves demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on the Capim Grosso Property. The Company is not in a position to demonstrate or disclose any capital and/or operating costs that may be associated with the processing plant.

The Company advises that it has not based the preliminary process flow diagram on even the existence of mineral resources let alone on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit.

Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved.

Qualified Persons

Mr. Oliver Peters, a Principal Metallurgist with Metpro Management Inc., is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Mr. Peters is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.

About Gratomic

Gratomic is a multinational company with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada. The Company is focused on becoming a leading global graphite supplier and aims to secure a strong position in the EV (Electric Vehicle) battery supply chain. With the continued development of its flagship Aukam project and further exploration on the Company's Capim Grosso property, Gratomic sets itself apart by seeking out unique top-quality assets around the world. True to its roots, the Company will continue to explore graphite opportunities displaying potential for development.

Large quantities of high-quality vein graphite have been shipped for testing to confirm its viability as an anode material. Gratomic is confident that the test results will provide a unique competitive advantage in its desired target markets. The Company will continue to update the public on the status of these tests and will provide results as soon as they become available.

The Company has formed a collaboration agreement with Forge Nano. With its patented ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) coating, this cooperation with Forge Nano is a key element to support Gratomic's strategies towards the value-added phases of production of graphite for anode applications, namely micronization, spheronization and coating, making Gratomic graphite a preferred choice for use in lithium-ion batteries.

For more information: visit the website at www.gratomic.ca or contact:

Arno Brand at abrand@gratomic.ca or (416) 561- 4095

Subscribe at gratomic.ca/contact/ to be added to our email list.

For Marketing and Media information, please email: info@gratomic.ca

"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

Forward Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com)

SOURCE: Gratomic Inc.
Friends of WLRN and School Board of Miami Dade County Sign Management Agreement

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2022 / Following a competitive procurement, Friends of WLRN, Inc. ("Friends") the support and fundraising arm of WLRN Public Media, has successfully negotiated an agreement with the School Board of Miami-Dade County to become the Media Management Company of the WLRN Public Radio and WLRN television stations.

"We are grateful and excited for this opportunity to build on the success and growth WLRN has achieved within the South Florida market and nationally," says Joseph M. Goldstein, volunteer Board Chairman of Friends of WLRN and Managing Partner of the Fort Lauderdale office of Shutts & Bowen LLP. "We are grateful for the collaboration with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and the Miami-Dade County School Board who are committed to sustaining independent journalism and safeguarding this important asset for the public", added Goldstein.

The agreement grants Friends of WLRN, an experienced management company and philanthropic arm of WLRN since 1974, the rights to run the day-to-day operations of WLRN-FM and WLRN-TV, ensuring compliance with all applicable school board policies, regulations, and fiscal reporting requirements while continuing the highest quality media standards of the WLRN stations.

As the broadcasting licensee holder of WLRN, Miami-Dade County Public School Board will continue to reserve ownership interests in all programs as well as retain all intellectual property related to programming as well as ultimate oversight and control of the stations.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who will soon be leaving to lead the Los Angeles Unified School District, and his team, were integral to the negotiations and ensured that the agreement preserved and protected independent journalism while accomplishing the educational needs provided by WLRN to the Miami-Dade County School District.

Carvalho tweeted out recently, "After months of negotiations, an agreement has been reached for the management of @WLRN. The agreement, which was presented to the Board today delivers on a promise of safeguarding independent journalism with a high level of integrity, provides additional education opportunities for students, protects current employees and the School Board as the licensee. This plan will ensure the future viability of this well-respected community asset."

Sheila Reinken, Executive Director of Friends, commented, "I appreciate the collaboration with the Miami-Dade County Schools staff and Daisy Gonzalez-Diego in successfully completing negotiations."

About Friends of WLRN: Friends of WLRN, Inc. was created as a 501C3 nonprofit organization in 1974 to provide financial support and enhance the programming of WLRN-FM 91.3 FM, WKWM-FM 91.5, and WLRN-TV Channel 17. This commitment has since grown to include new digital television and radio channels. As the fundraising arm of the expanded WLRN media enterprise, Friends supports a workforce of more than 40 employees dedicated to transparency, sound governance, and ethical business practices, as well as editorial integrity, accuracy, and balance.

About WLRN: WLRN is Public Radio and Television for South Florida. Signed into effect in 1948 as a non-profit, non-commercial broadcast radio station licensed to the School Board of Dade County, WLRN-TV followed in 1962. Since then, WLRN has grown steadily to become an integral part of the community it serves, offering a rich and varied mix of news and information, arts and culture, childhood education and lifelong learning. A multifaceted media enterprise comprised of digital and traditional television, radio channels, cable services, closed-circuit educational channels, WLRN continues to provide quality public radio and television services to a combined weekly audience of well over a million people in South Florida, from Palm Beach to Key West. WLRN also provides media support to Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Contact: Giselle Reid

Company: Friends of WLRN

Telephone: 305.749.8500

Email: greid@friendsofwlrn.org

SOURCE: Friends of WLRN, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/688592/Friends-of-WLRN-Official-Management-Company-for-WLRN
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2022) - Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CEM) ("Constantine" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding letter agreement (the "Agreement") to acquire an undivided 100% interest in the Yuma King Copper-Gold property (the "Property") consisting of 295 federal mining claims (3905 hectares). The Property represents a portion of the total 495 claim Yuma King property, located in La Paz County Arizona, USA. Constantine retains the right to a 50% interest in any agreement on the remaining 200 claim portion of the Yuma King property subject to certain obligations.

The Property is located 93 miles (153 kilometers) northwest of Phoenix, Arizona and about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Constantine's previously announced Bouse Cu-Au property acquisition. The principal exploration targets are the Yuma Mine copper-gold skarn mineralization and copper-molybdenum porphyry style mineralization, associated with phases of an early Jurassic porphyry system. An early Jurassic rhenium-osmium molybdenite age date at Yuma King indicates a similar age to the Bisbee porphyry copper and skarn deposit in SE Arizona (S. Keith, MagmaChem Exploration Inc, personal communication).

"The most striking feature of this Property are the abundant widespread prospects centered around the historical Yuma mine and its high-grade copper-gold skarn mineralization" stated Garfield MacVeigh, President and CEO of Constantine. "The underground Yuma mine is open for expansion with widespread untested skarn targets highlighting the potential. Past drilling has shown an association with a large untested copper-moly porphyry system hosted by a carbonate rich section of Paleozoic stratigraphy which will be evaluated. The greater Yuma King property hosts a variety of additional targets that include small scale past producing black shale/mafic-dyke hosted high-grade gold, various other gold prospects, intrusive hosted past producing tungsten deposits and graphite-graphene bearing black shales."

The Property includes the past producing underground Yuma copper-gold mine that saw intermittent production between 1940 and 1963 and is reported to have produced 8,728 short tons at a grade of 2.65% copper, 0.03 oz/t (short ton) gold and 0.62 oz/t silver. A 2005 NI43-101 technical report (Russell, 2005) estimated an inferred resource of 357,560 to 536,985 short tons of combined oxide-sulphide grading 3.03% copper, depending upon estimated average thickness of the unmined mineralization in the underground workings of the historic Yuma mine. The Company is not treating this historical resource estimate as a current resource.

More recent exploration at Yuma King has resulted in the discovery of a significant northern extension of the Yuma mine skarn mineralization and new copper-molybdenum style porphyry mineralization that are prime exploration targets that need to be followed up with geophysics and drilling.

In 2006, the first surface drill program to test the Yuma Mine skarn mineralization encountered significant oxidized copper-gold skarn mineralization and established the first indication of Cu-Mo porphyry potential (Table 1). The drilling was completed from 5 drill sites over a distance of approximately 2,500 feet to the east of the historic mine portal. A 2011 drill hole, AV11-01, intersected the edge of the down dip extension of the Yuma mine skarn, 1,200 feet northeast of the historic mine workings.

Table 1: Select historical drill results from 2006 and 2011 drill programs.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5413/113729_microsoftteams-image.jpg

The information and sample data from previous operators are historical in nature and derived from various private company reports and historic government reports available in the public domain. These historical sample results have not been verified or validated by the Company and are not necessarily representative of mineralization on the property.

Yuma King Geology and Exploration Overview

The Yuma King property is in a region of complex structural geology involving episodes of thrust deformation and mid-Tertiary, low-angle, detachment-style faulting with multiple mineralized environments and igneous intrusions ranging in age from Proterozoic(?) and Jurassic through Cretaceous. The extensive Yuma Mine skarn replacement horizon hosted by Paleozoic carbonates, in addition to porphyry style Cu-Mo mineralization occur within the Yuma Mine thrust plate in association with Early Jurassic aged intrusions in the northern portion of the Yuma King property.

From 2003, surface exploration work completed by MagmaChem Exploration, Inc. includes geological mapping, extensive surface rock chip sampling, underground sampling at the Yuma King mine and a limited magnetic geophysical survey. In 2005, Big Bar Gold completed a historical NI 43-101 resource estimate of the Yuma King mine with historical underground mine sampling information (Russell, 2005).

In 2006, Big Bar Gold conducted the first ever surface drill program (19 drill holes, 10,785 ft) at the Yuma mine site from five (5) drill sites with several angled drill holes from each site. The program tested the Yuma Mine copper-gold-magnetite skarn in the immediate area of the historic Yuma mine site from drill site YK01 with all 4 drillholes encountering significant oxide copper-gold skarn mineralization (see Table 1).

Drilling at drill sites YK02, YK03, YK04 and YK06 also encountered copper oxide and sulphide skarn and copper-molybdenum-gold porphyry mineralization extending over a distance of approximately 2500 feet to the east of the Yuma mine portal (see Table 1). Sixteen of the nineteen drillholes reported intercepts of copper mineralization greater than 0.1%.

In 2011, VANE Minerals completed drillhole AV11-01, designed to test for the down dip extension to the Yuma Mine copper-gold skarn mineralization in an area of a strong magnetic anomaly. The drillhole intersected 90 feet of copper bearing skarn mineralization (see Table 1) that assayed 0.31% copper, 0.03% molybdenum, 101 ppb gold and 288 ppb rhenium and is interpreted to have encountered a down dip edge of the high-grade Yuma Mine skarn corridor. The mineralization was intersected approximately 1200 feet to the northeast of the projected trend and plunge of the Yuma Mine mineralization and with molybdenum porphyry mineralization highlight the main porphyry potential to the north.

The 2006 and 2011 drilling programs show Yuma mine mineralization extending 1,200 feet (365 meters) north and approximately 2,500 feet (762 meters) east of the Yuma mine portal.

Other Prospective Exploration Areas

Yuma Mine Skarn Extensions (West Central Skarn, Parking Lot Skarn, North Gold Prospect)

Extensions of the Yuma mine skarn horizon occur as two separate magnetite skarn areas approximately 1.2 kilometers west-southwest of the Yuma Mine. Five historic rock grab samples from the West-Central Skarn area contained 0.034 to 1.44 ppm gold and 0.015% to 1.34% copper. Six rock grab samples collected by Constantine from the Parking Lot Skarn ranged from 0.017 to 1.125 ppm gold with copper ranging from 0.05% to 2.22%.

The North Gold prospect, 900 feet (275m) southwest of the West- Central Skarn is hosted in highly altered and mineralized porphyry with four historic rock grab samples containing 0.34 ppm to 9.98 ppm gold.

Quartzite Gold Prospects (East Gold, Gold Tunnel, High Graders Tunnel, Horse Trail Pits)

Quartz-gold-iron oxide mineralization is present as disseminations and high-grade low-angle vein zones within shears in a Cambrian quartzite unit (Bolsa Quartzite) that has been thrust over the Devonian-Mississippian carbonate section that hosts the copper-bearing magnetite skarns. Historic rock samples from the four prospect areas highlight a consistent association of gold mineralization with the basal portion of the quartzite. The four prospects all occur within a triangular area measuring 362m x 200m x 225m with historic grab sample results shown below.

Prospect No. of Samples Au (oz/t) Comments East Gold 16 0.018 - 0.320 8 samples > 0.10 oz/t Au Gold Tunnel 14 0.039 - 2.182 11 samples > 0.10 oz/t Au High Graders Tunnel 8 0.015 - 0.172 4 samples > 0.10 oz/t Au Horse Trail 9 .022 - 0.172 4 samples > 0.10 oz/t Au



Note: 0.1 oz/t = 3.42857 g/t; 1g/t = 1ppm

Constantine collected two rock grab samples from the base of the quartzite at the Gold Tunnel prospect near drill site YK02 that assayed 1.525 ppm and 1.7 ppm gold.

Yellowbird Black Shale-Mafic Dyke Gold Prospects

There are numerous complex quartz-carbonate veined zones associated with highly deformed black slates intruded by mafic dykes in the southern part of the Yuma King Property that are recognized by numerous pits and tunnels with dump piles of quartz-carbonate veining. The Glory Hole Mine discovered in 1909 is famous for producing very high-grade gold in this geological setting and has spectacular surface expressions of quartz-siderite veins and vein breccia "blow-outs". The intensive veining at the Glory Hole appears to be hosted mainly by an east-west trending mafic dyke intruding the Yellowbird black slates. Extensive old workings exist at the Glory Hole, but there is no evidence of previous drilling activity.

Road Tunnel Gold Prospect

Multiple stacked quartz-carbonate veins hosted in quartz-carbonate-muscovite (sericite) schist have been accessed by pits and short tunnels. Four historic rock grab samples assayed 0.003 oz/t gold to 0.174 oz/t gold.

Tungsten Prospects

Tungsten prospects include shear-zone hosted tungsten, such as at the historic Three Musketeers and Jewel Anne mines, and greisen tungsten mineralization associated with a Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary muscovite granite stock. Tungsten occurs as high grade scheelite in quartz veins, veinlets, and greisen stockworks in these historic mines in the northwest part of the Yuma King property.

Historic channel sampling of the tungsten prospects are reported in a 2011 NI43-101 Report prepared for Rare Green Inc. by SRK Consulting US Inc. (Rasmussen, J.C and Hoag, C., 2011) and indicate elevated to high grade tungsten in 1 metre thick quartz veins along with elevated gold, silver, copper, molybdenum, zinc, and bismuth. Significant assays at the Three Musketeers prospect include 1.85% tungsten over 5 feet from a surface channel sample and 15.2% tungsten over 0.67 feet from an underground channel sample.

Yellowbird Graphite-Graphene Prospect

In 2011, VANE Minerals completed drillhole AZ11-02 to test a strong EM geophysical target and encountered a thick graphite bearing stratigraphic zone. Initial sampling for geochemistry and Raman spectrometry work completed on the graphite bearing interval in early 2015 confirmed the presence of graphite and established a significant graphene component was present, and in many cases the dominant component relative to graphite.

In 2016, the graphene discovery was followed up by Cash Capital with an approximately 4,000 foot drill program in 4 core drill holes to test the extent of the graphite-graphene bearing slates. Drilling, geophysics, additional lab geochemical assays, mineralogic studies, and reconnaissance field sampling have helped establish the extent of the known graphite-graphene bearing shales.

Qualification of Information

Readers are cautioned that the information in this press release regarding the Yuma copper-gold mine and/or nearby and/or geologically similar properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Company's property.

The information and sample data from previous operators and prospectors are historical in nature and derived from various private company reports and historic government reports available in the public domain. These historical sample results have not been verified or validated by the company and are not necessarily representative of mineralization on the property.

Sample procedures

Rock grab samples, collected by the Company, were placed in plastic sample bags in the field and securely delivered to ALS Global in Reno, Nevada, USA, an accredited mineral analysis laboratory. All samples were analyzed for gold using a standard 30g fire assay technique and 33-element ICP analysis. Samples returning over 10 g/t gold were analyzed using fire assay-gravimetric method. Samples returning over 10,000 ppm Cu were re-analyzed for high grade copper using 4-acid ICP AES.

Yuma King Copper-Gold Purchase and Option Agreement Terms

Constantine has a Purchase and Option right to acquire a 100% interest in two hundred and ninety-five (295) Federal Lode Claims, the Property, located in La Paz County, Arizona to be selected by Constantine from the four hundred and ninety-five (495) Federal Lode Claims located in La Paz County, Arizona the "Yuma King Property". The Purchase and Option right applies to the 152 claims currently selected by Constantine and includes the right of Constantine to select an additional 143 claims from the gold potential area of the graphite-graphene part of the Yuma King Property such that the total number of claims comprising the Property is 295. The additional 143 claims will be selected at a future date and by mutual agreement with the Lessor. Once Constantine has completed its final selection of the 295 claims comprising the Property, the remaining 200 claim portion of the Yuma King Property is the "Graphite Property".

Constantine has five (5) years to evaluate and, if considered warranted, purchase the Property. The Agreement provides that Constantine has the optional right to purchase a 100% interest in the Property at any time while the Agreement is in effect for an aggregate price of US$3,000,000, less any prior paid optional cash payments. Alternatively, Constantine may pay US $2,850,000 and issue up to 1,250,000 shares in stages over the 5-year term. The Purchase Price may be accelerated at the Company's discretion. Constantine has the right to pay all or a portion of the share payments by paying cash in lieu, which would contribute to the Purchase Price. The Agreement contains no royalty payments or work commitments. There is a 1% net smelter return royalty on 6 claims that include the Yuma Mine payable to the prior Yuma Mine owner.

Constantine has agreed to maintain the Graphite Property federal claims and together with the Owner market the Graphite Property in return for a 50% interest in any agreement regarding the Graphite Property with a third party. Constantine will have the right to explore the Graphite Property, until such time that a third-party agreement is negotiated and completed. Constantine will also have the right of first refusal ("ROFR") on any portions of the Graphite Property that are identified with gold and base metal potential. Constantine in return will give the third party that acquires the Graphite Property a ROFR on areas that are identified with high potential for graphite-graphene on the Property.

The Agreement, including the issuance of shares of Constantine is subject to regulatory approval required by any provincial, state or federal regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such share issuances , including acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Qualified Person Statement

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael J. Vande Guchte, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. and a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

About the Company

Constantine is a mineral exploration company led by an experienced and proven technical team with a focus on the Palmer copper-zinc-silver-gold-barite project being advanced as a joint venture between Constantine (44.91%) and Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. (55.09%), with Constantine as operator. A positive preliminary economic assessment was completed on the Palmer project in 2019 at conservative metal prices relative to today's markets.

In 2019, Constantine successfully spun-out its gold assets into HighGold Mining Inc. that included the high-grade Johnson Tract project in south-central Alaska and the Munro-Croesus Gold property which is renowned for its high-grade mineralization in the Timmins area, Ontario.

In 2020, the 100% owned Big Nugget Gold project, located 8 kilometers east of our flagship Palmer Joint Venture Project, was recognized as a potential gold lode source area, immediately upstream from the +80,000 ounce Porcupine Gold Placer operations and is as an attractive drill target opportunity. In 2021, Constantine announced the acquisition of the Bouse Cu-Au Property in southwest Arizona, and the Hornet Creek copper-gold property in west-central Idaho.

Management is committed to providing shareholder value through discovery, meaningful community engagement, environmental stewardship, and responsible mineral exploration and development activities that support local jobs and businesses.

On Behalf of Constantine Metal Resources Ltd.

"Garfield MacVeigh"

President & CEO

For further information please contact:

Garfield MacVeigh, President or Michael Vande Guchte, VP Exploration

Phone: 604-629-2348. Email: info@constantinemetals.com

References:

Rasmussen, J.C and Hoag, C. (2011): NI43-101 Technical Exploration Report Yuma King Project, Arizona, SRK Consulting, report date October 1, 2011.

Russell, R. (2005): Technical Report for the Yuma King Property in the Ellsworth Mining District, La Paz County, Arizona, USA.

Stanley Keith 2007: PowerPoint Presentation. Future at Yuma King.

Stanley Keith, Mark Payne, Merrill Palmer, Al Edwards, Tillman Viefhaus, Voler Speith, 2019: Confidential Powerpoint Presentation. A prospective Giant Graphene Deposit at Yellowbird, West-Central Arizona.

Forward looking statements:

Forward looking statements: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward looking statements")." Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the acquisition of the Yuma King Property (the "Property") and exploration plans regarding the Property are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113729
The main opposition People Power Party candidate, Yoon Suk-yeol, center, holds dried fish at a market in the southwestern city of Namwon, North Jeolla Province, while campaigning on Saturday. Yonhap



By Kang Hyun-kyung





Gettyimagesbank

Rabbits are a metaphor used by campaign strategists in Korea to refer to voters.



There are two different kinds of rabbits  domestic and wild. Domestic rabbits  or "bunnies"  refer to traditional supporters of certain parties, such as constituents in their stronghold regions, while those who support other parties or swing voters are called wild rabbits.



The rabbit metaphor comes from an old Korean adage: "You can lose your pet rabbits if you're out looking for wild rabbits." The wisdom warns of an endangered opportunity cost, encouraging people to take good care of what they already have, and only then seek others that can give you extra benefit.



In most elections, both the conservative and liberal parties have similar portions of bunnies among the entire voting population. Therefore, the recipe for winning boils down to the consolidation of votes from bunnies with extra support from wild rabbits sufficient enough to turn the election in their favor.



The March 9 presidential election is exceptional.



Some voters  both liberals and conservative  have turned their backs on their previously preferred parties. Contrary to conventional wisdom about winning elections, the two leading presidential candidates  Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP)  are being advised to devise tactics that can put their bunnies back into their hutches as they have both failed to gain the full backing of people who were once their traditional supporters.



On Feb. 8, DPK lawmaker Woo Sang-ho faced a tough question regarding why Lee failed to get the full support of traditional liberal voters who overwhelmingly cast their ballots in favor of the party's candidates in previous elections.



"There are people out there who support President Moon Jae-in, but in this election, some of them are identified by pollsters as undecided voters. Why do you think these people have turned their backs on Lee, and instead choose to remain as undecided voters?" a radio show host asked the lawmaker.



Woo answered vaguely, saying, "I think the reason why he is not fully backed by our traditional supporters is not that important at this moment. The question we should ask now is how we can convince them to return their support to our party."



Feeling that his question was not answered, the host demanded Woo answer directly. "Then, why do you think they don't support Lee?" Woo again hesitated in answering. "You already know why," he said without elaborating.



The lawmaker shared his analysis of the March 9 presidential election.



"This election is unusual. When we look at undecided voters, we can find there are unique groups of undecided voters: like you mentioned, there are voters who previously supported President Moon in the 2017 election but some of them don't support Lee in this election," he said.



Woo noted the DPK is not the only party that is being embarrassed by a revolt of traditional voters.



"I understand that there are quite a lot of conservative voters who previously voted for conservative presidential candidates but they're skeptical about PPP candidate Yoon, too," he said. "Campaign strategists of both camps are grappling with these undecided voters and trying to figure out how they can bring them back into the fold."











The Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, gestures during an impromptu campaign speech in Chungju City, North Chungcheong Province, on Saturday. Yonhap
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2022) - Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) ("Southern Silver") reported today that drilling continues to extend high-grade Ag-polymetallic mineralization at the newly identified North Felsite Target on the Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango, Mexico. The North Felsite target is an area located approximately 400 metres to the northwest of the La Bocona and Mina Pina shafts on the eastern side of the Cerro, in an area that was not included in the most recent NI43-101 Mineral Resource update on the property.

The newly released polymetallic sulphide intercepts from the North Felsite target area include:

a 3.8 metre interval (3.0 metre est. TT.) averaging 354g/t Ag, 0.7g/t Au, 6.1% Pb and 2.6% Zn (713g/t AgEq) within a 14.8 metre interval (11.8 metre est. TT.) averaging 185g/t Ag, 0.2g/t Au, 2.8% Pb and 1.0% Zn (336g/t AgEq) from drill hole 21CLM-177;

averaging within averaging from drill hole a 0.7 metre interval (0.5 metre est. TT.) averaging 914g/t Ag, 2.1g/t Au, 7.2% Pb and 4.8% Zn (1,604g/t AgEq) within a 5.1 metre interval (3.7 metre est. TT.) averaging 174g/t Ag, 0.5g/t Au, 1.5% Pb and 0.9% Zn (310g/t AgEq) from drill hole 21CLM-181; and

averaging within averaging from drill hole and a 4.4 metre interval (3.2 metre est. TT.) averaging 379g/t Ag, 0.5% Cu, 1.7% Pb and 2.6% Zn (595g/t AgEq) within a 8.0 metre interval (5.7 metre est. TT.) averaging 234g/t Ag, 0.3% Cu, 1.1% Pb and 2.0% Zn (384g/t AgEq) from drill hole 21CLM-181;

This current drilling tested down dip of previously reported intercepts from drill holes 21CLM-175 (1.9m est. TT of 1,530g/t AgEq; see NR-19-21) and 21CLM-172 (0.4m est. TT. of 610g/t AgEq; see NR-19-21) and now extends the projection of mineralization within the North Felsite zone to over 400 metres below surface and upwards of 250 metres along strike, making it a potentially substantial discovery. More drilling remains to be completed on this target including lateral and down-dip step-outs of this newly identified lens of mineralization which will form the basis of further exploration on the property in 2022.

Drilling resumed on the property in early January. As part of these new exploration efforts, three additional holes were completed on the El Sol claim to follow-up on recently reported high-grade mineralization in 21Sol-003 (3.5m of 932g/t AgEq; see NR-02-22). Assays from these three holes are pending and anticipated over the coming weeks. Eight holes totaling 2,920 metres have been completed on the El Sol concession in 2021-22.

Drilling has now resumed on the North Felsite target. Initial drilling will step-out from hole 21CLM-181 as it targets additional mineralization both along strike and at depth (see Figure 2). Ten drill holes totalling 3,896 metres were completed in the North Felsite target area in the Fall of 2021.

Rob Macdonald, Vice President Exploration, stated, "The identification of a significant new lens of mineralization on the north side of the Cerro highlights the continued exploration potential of the property. Drilling resumed in January and will continue the process of resource expansion while work proceeds on the development of a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Cerro las Minitas project due in Q2 2022."





Figure 1: Plan Map of the Area of the Cerro showing the distribution of the CLM deposits and the location for new drilling, at the North Felsite target and El Sol concession.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5344/113638_8a59467724c5fb7f_002full.jpg





Figure 2: Longitudinal Section looking south of the North Felsite target area showing the distribution of Southern Silver's most recent drill holes.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5344/113638_8a59467724c5fb7f_003full.jpg

Table 1: Select Assay Intervals from North Felsite Target Area.

Hole # From To Interval Est. Tr. Thck. Ag Au Cu Pb Zn AgEq ZnEq (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) (%) CLM - North Felsite 21CLM-176 291.3 295.1 3.8 2.6 78 1.1 0.0 1.1 0.4 223 5.6 inc. 291.3 291.6 0.4 0.2 24 11.2 0.0 0.3 0.1 965 24.5 21CLM-176 362.7 371.1 8.5 5.8 151 0.1 0.1 3.1 1.0 308 7.8 inc. 362.7 363.7 1.1 0.7 487 0.2 0.2 12.9 3.0 1040 26.4 21CLM-177 239.8 242.3 2.5 2.0 193 0.0 0.0 4.3 0.5 353 8.9 inc. 241.4 242.3 0.9 0.7 328 0.0 0.1 7.3 0.6 592 15.0 and 294.9 296.8 1.9 1.5 194 0.2 0.0 4.3 2.5 443 11.2 inc. 295.8 296.3 0.5 0.4 515 0.4 0.1 12.0 6.8 1190 30.2 and 303.2 318.0 14.8 11.8 185 0.2 0.1 2.8 1.0 336 8.5 inc. 303.2 307.0 3.8 3.0 354 0.7 0.1 6.1 2.6 713 18.1 and inc. 322.0 323.7 1.7 1.4 267 0.1 0.0 2.6 3.2 484 12.3 21CLM-178 245.2 250.2 5.0 4.6 63 2.0 0.1 0.8 0.5 288 7.3 inc. 245.2 246.3 1.1 1.0 21 5.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 471 11.9 21CLM-179 256.4 259.3 2.9 2.6 140 0.9 0.1 3.6 5.7 561 14.2 inc. 257.8 258.3 0.5 0.4 219 2.6 0.1 4.5 11.5 1028 26.1 and 345.7 348.0 2.4 2.1 109 0.0 0.0 1.9 1.4 228 5.8 inc. 347.6 348.0 0.4 0.4 165 0.1 0.0 3.6 7.3 573 14.5 and 359.7 360.0 0.4 0.3 275 0.0 0.0 10.7 4.8 798 20.2 21CLM-180 400.3 400.9 0.6 0.4 1430 1.2 1.2 9.7 11.5 2419 61.3 and 404.0 405.8 1.8 1.2 79 0.1 0.4 0.2 5.1 337 8.6 inc. 405.3 405.8 0.6 0.4 129 0.1 1.1 0.2 13.8 812 20.6 21CLM-181 321.9 327.0 5.1 3.7 174 0.5 0.1 1.5 0.9 310 7.9 inc. 324.9 325.6 0.7 0.5 914 2.1 1.0 7.2 4.8 1604 40.7 21CLM-181 459.5 463.1 3.6 2.6 146 0.3 0.4 0.4 3.0 351 8.9 21CLM-181 468.0 476.0 8.0 5.7 234 0.1 0.3 1.1 2.0 384 9.7 inc. 470.3 474.8 4.4 3.2 379 0.1 0.5 1.7 2.6 595 15.1 inc. 470.3 471.4 1.1 0.8 661 0.2 1.1 2.0 6.2 1104 28.0 21CLM-181 482.9 484.2 1.3 0.9 280 0.1 0.1 3.8 4.5 600 15.2 inc. 483.4 483.8 0.4 0.3 852 0.3 0.4 11.0 14.8 1846 46.8

Analyzed by FA/AA for gold and ICP-AES by ALS Laboratories, North Vancouver, BC. Silver (>100ppm), copper, lead and zinc (>1%) overlimits assayed by ore grade ICP analysis, High silver overlimits (>1500g/t Ag) and gold overlimits (>10g/t Au) re-assayed with FA-Grav. High Pb (>20%) and Zn (>30%) overlimits assayed by titration. AgEq and ZnEq were calculated using average metal prices of: US$20/oz silver, US$1650/oz gold, US$3.25/lbs copper and US$0.9/lbs lead and US$1.15/lbs zinc. AgEq and ZnEq calculations did not account for relative metallurgical recoveries of the metals. Ore-grade composites are calculated using a 80g/t AgEq cut-off in sulphide and 0.5g/t AuEq in the oxide gold zone Composites have <20% internal dilution, except where noted; anomalous intercepts are calculated using a 10g/t AgEq cut-off.

Oro Project Update

The Company property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project located in southern New Mexico, USA, comprised of patented land, State leases and BLM mineral claims totalling 22.3 sq. km. Targeting has been finalized and permitting and bonding completed for a 4,000m drill program, designed to test several copper-molybdenum porphyry and copper-gold skarn targets within a broad quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration zone, interpreted to overlie an unexposed porphyry centre. Drilling is planned to commence in February, 2022.

Cerro Las Minitas Project

Southern Silver continues to advance the Cerro Las Minitas project as one of the world's largest undeveloped silver/lead/zinc resources, through advanced exploration, pre-production metallurgical and engineering work, and economic assessment. The CLM Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu Skarn system is well located in southern Durango, Mexico, in a safe jurisdiction, surrounded by producing companies, with easy access and strong community support.

A total of 190 drill holes for 81,646 metres has been completed on the CLM Project with exploration expenditures of approximately US$30.0 million equating to exploration discovery costs of approximately C$0.09 per AgEq ounce.

About Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the discovery of world-class mineral deposits. Our specific emphasis is the 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas silver-lead-zinc project located in the heart of Mexico's Faja de Plata, which hosts multiple world-class mineral deposits such as Penasquito, Los Gatos, San Martin, Naica and Pitarrilla. We have assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our exploration efforts in developing the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. The Company engages in the acquisition, exploration and development either directly or through joint-venture relationships in mineral properties in major jurisdictions.

Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and supervised directly the collection of the data from the CLM Project that is reported in this disclosure and is responsible for the presentation of the technical information in this disclosure.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Lawrence Page"

Lawrence Page, Q.C.

President & Director, Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

For further information, please visit Southern Silver's website at https://www.southernsilverexploration.com or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at ir@mnxltd.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. 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 to the extent required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113638
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES FLEET DEPLOYMENT PLANS THROUGH OCTOBER

Carnival's Entire Fleet Will Be Sailing From the U.S. This Summer

Ships Assigned to Port Canaveral and Jacksonville, and a Third Ship Added to Alaska in 2022

MIAMI, Feb. 14, 2022 -- Carnival Cruise Line announced the next phase of its 2022 fleet deployment update, including new ship assignments for Port Canaveral and Jacksonville, Fla. and additional itineraries and ship assignments for an expanded offering of summer 2022 sailings from Seattle to Alaska.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1746270/Carnival_Spirit_ID_7f23735fc202.jpg

Known as America's cruise line, Carnival operates 10 year-round homeports in the U.S., the most of any cruise line, and by March, will have resumed service in all 10 of its year-round U.S. homeports. With the opening of the Alaska season in May, Carnival will have returned its entire fleet to service, less than 10 months after resuming operations, completing an impressive and successful restart of its guest operations and setting the pace for the rest of the U.S. cruise industry.

Beginning in early March, four Carnival ships will orchestrate a series of moves worthy of a synchronized sailing competition as the remaining U.S. homeports return to service, resulting in new homeports for some ships and new seasonal service for others.

Carnival Elation will move from Port Canaveral to Jacksonville, effective Apr. 23, 2022 to Oct. 13, 2022.

Carnival Freedom will be moving from Miami to Port Canaveral to pick up the itineraries formerly assigned to Carnival Elation, effective Apr. 21 through Oct. 15, 2022. Carnival Spirit will take over several sailings previously assigned to Carnival Freedom, including the Apr. 17 Carnival Journeys cruise from Miami through the Panama Canal to Seattle.

Once in Seattle, Carnival Spirit will operate cruises to Alaska from May through Sept. 2022. These itineraries will open for sale later today. Carnival Splendor will reposition to Seattle and operate Alaska sailings currently assigned to Carnival Freedom.

Upon completion of the summer season in Alaska, Carnival Splendor will return to Australia with a new Journeys cruise to Sydney, Australia, that will be available soon. Carnival Spirit will sail the Carnival Journeys cruise back through the Panama Canal to Miami that was previously assigned to Carnival Freedom.

Carnival is notifying booked guests and travel advisors about these changes, which will result in the transfer of reservations to the new ship assignments. Guests impacted by these changes will not have access to their booking for up to two weeks as Carnival completes the process to move their bookings to the new ships and provide equivalent accommodations.

"We appreciate everyone's patience as we work through this process. We are excited to have every Carnival Cruise Line ship in the fleet sailing again by May and to be back in all 10 of our year-round U.S. homeports. We are also continuing to make plans for a return to guest operations in Australia upon completion of our Alaska season," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line with a total of 24 ships, sailing from 14 U.S. homeports and employing more than 40,000 team members from 120 nationalities. Carnival's newest ship, Mardi Gras, featuring the first roller coaster at sea and the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), sailed from Port Canaveral, Fla., July 31, 2021. As part of its 50th Birthday festivities, Carnival Celebration, sister ship to Mardi Gras, is scheduled to debut in late 2022 from PortMiami, as well as Carnival Jubilee from Galveston in 2023.

MEDIA CONTACT: media@carnival.com
2021 Revenue: 16.7m (up 20%)

Another year of strong growth

Driven by the platforms business (up 32%)

_ STREAMWIDE (FR0010528059 - ALSTW - eligible for the French PEA-PME), the expert in critical communications software solutions, posted revenue of 16.7 million in 2021, up sharply by 20% (2.8m).

As announced when first half revenues were published on the 19 July 2021 and confirmed on the 20 September 2021, 2021 revenues rose significantly despite the pandemic context, following several consecutive years of strong growth in the team on mission and team on the run critical communications platforms, with revenues reaching 11m in 2021.

2021 revenue breaks down as follows:

en K FY 2021 %CA FY 2020 %CA Var. Var.% TOTAL CA 16 722 13 957 2 765 20% CA Licences 8 377 50% 5 799 42% 2 578 44% CA Maintenances 3 557 21% 3 184 23% 373 12% CA Prestations de services 4 788 29% 4 974 36% -186 -4% CA Ventes tierces - - - CA activite "plateformes" 10 971 66% 8 300 59% 2 671 32% CA activite "legacy" 5 751 34% 5 657 41% 94 2%

(*) 2021 revenues are currently being audited.

_ CONTINUED GROWTH MOMENTUM IN 2021

Development and strong growth in new solutions : the new critical communications platforms team on mission and team on the run, whose full-year revenues increased by 2.7m, now account for almost 66% of the Group's total revenue (up 7 percentage points compared to 2020).

This growth is the result of continued benefits of the partnership with the Secure Land Communications (SLC) division at Airbus Defence and Space, the ongoing roll-out of the PCSTORM project, as well as new contracts and projects with French municipalities and private companies won and launched in 2021, including with a new government department.

2021 platform revenue of 11 million includes revenue from licences (6.5 million) and services (4 million), up 2.4 million and 0.1 million respectively.

Maintenance revenue is still non-material (0.5m), however continued to increase significantly (up 64%) in 2021. This trend is expected to continue over the coming half-year periods.

Strong resilience of the " legacy" business : the core "legacy" business (telecom operator solutions), which requires little to no capital investment, was almost stable in 2021 (up 0.1m) and still represents 34% of annual revenue (5.7m). License sales, which are non-recurring in nature, increased 0.2 million over the period to 1.9 million in 2021, following major new contract wins in North America in the second half of the year and an extended user base. "Legacy" services (0.8 million) fell by 0.3 million following two 2020 projects that entered the production phase in 2021. Alongside these 2021 extensions and production launches, maintenance revenues increased 0.2 million to 3.1 million in 2021.

_ OUTLOOK: EARNINGS GROWTH, STRUCTURAL PROJECTS AND A NEW ORGANISATION

As announced, the 1.5 million increase in revenues in the second half of the year (up 20% to 8.8 million) resulting in significant growth in full-year revenues (up 2.8 million or 20%), should ensure that 2021 EBIT significantly increases compared to 2020.

Structural projects in Europe have been in the final validation phase for a number of months now, and the Group remains well positioned for selection as one of the successful bidders. However, the current political context and election campaigns, particularly in France and Italy, calls for a certain amount of caution as to the completion of some of these projects in the short term.

In parallel to these governmental projects, the Group continues its commercial strategy to diversify revenue sources by developing a network of partners and distributors, which will enable the Group to seize a range of opportunities relating to the software platforms offered.

In order to target and structure growth in a sustainable manner, the Group has been strengthening, expanding and reorganising its teams for a number of months. STREAMWIDE and its various subsidiaries made a number of new hires throughout 2021 (27 new positions created at 2021 year-end compared to 2020 year-end). The Group is also completely refurbishing and renovating its Paris premises. Finally, development teams are now structured to follow the agile methodology. This new organisation seeks to maintain the Group's strong capacity to develop and invest in its solutions, while also ensuring high quality and an "end to end" approach for products, their features and components (servers, mobile and web applications).

The Group therefore aims to maintain strong growth momentum and to secure the staff and technological resources required to achieve this.

Meanwhile, cash flow remained largely positive and made it possible to continue investing in the new team on mission and team on the run critical business and communications solutions. All of these developments (new operational features, complete suite of collaborative tools, TAS, SDK, API, provisioning, etc.) are integrated into secure, scalable and sovereign technical architectures, which is a genuine point of difference compared to other existing solutions.

The Group is confident in the suitability of its solutions for the markets it serves and in the technological edge they offer. The Group is still positioned as a major player in the critical communications market, and the only uncertainty is how quickly these new generation solutions can be made available to the entire addressable market. Investments made in human resources and technologies in 2021 will continue in 2022, putting the Group in a position to take advantage of future growth in the critical communications market.

Next financial release: 2021 earnings, Monday 21 March 2022

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

A propos de STREAMWIDE (Euronext Growth: ALSTW)

Acteur majeur depuis 20 ans sur le marche des communications critiques, STREAMWIDE a developpe avec succes ses solutions logicielles Team on mission (missions critiques) et Team on the run (business critique) destinees aux administrations et aux entreprises.

Ces solutions pour smartphones et PCs, proposees en mode SaaS ou sous forme de licences, beneficient de nombreuses fonctionnalites telles que la discussion de groupes multimedia, la VoIP, le talkie-walkie (MCPTT et MCx nouvelle generation 4G/5G LTE), la geolocalisation, la numerisation et l'automatisation des processus metier. Ces solutions innovantes repondent aux besoins croissants de transformation digitale et de coordination en temps reel des interventions. Elles permettent aux equipes terrain de transformer les contributions individuelles en succes collectifs et d'agir comme un seul homme dans les environnements professionnels les plus exigeants.

STREAMWIDE est egalement present sur le marche logiciel des Services a Valeur Ajoutee pour les operateurs telecom (messagerie vocale visuelle, facturation et taxation d'appels en temps reel, serveurs vocaux interactifs, d'applications et d'annonces) avec plus de 130 millions d'utilisateurs finaux partout dans le monde.

Base en France et present en Europe, aux USA, en Asie et en Afrique, STREAMWIDE est cote sur Euronext Growth (Paris) - FR0010528059.

Pour plus d'informations, http://www.streamwide.com et visitez nos pages LinkedIn @streamwide et Twitter @streamwide.

Labellise "entreprise innovante" par Bpifrance, STREAMWIDE est eligible aux FCPI et aux PEA-PME.

Contacts

Pascal Beglin | Olivier Truelle Gregoire Saint-Marc Amaury Dugast President Directeur General | DAF Investor Relations Press Relations T +33 1 70 22 01 01 T +33 1 53 67 36 94 T +33 1 53 67 36 34 investisseur@streamwide.com streamwide@actus.fr adugast@actus.fr

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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-73237-sw-sa-_-cp-revenus-fy21-_-14022022-_-vdef_en.pdf
Summary Snapshot of 6 Months Financials

Six months ended December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Revenue $ 2,588,826 $ 1,977,006 Gross Profit 721,964 672,766 General and Administrative Expenses 2,627,736 5,426,345 Loss from Operations (1,905,772 ) (4,753,579 ) Other Income (Expense) (942,275 ) (16,149,280 ) Net Loss (2,848,047 ) (20,902,859 ) Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Stock Compensation and Amortization 2,448,203 8,202,859 Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA $ (399,844 ) $ (12,700,000 )

Management Commentary

"We are very pleased with our results for the first half of our fiscal year 2022 through December 31, 2021, as we continued to see increased demand for our products, which is reflected in our increased revenue," stated, Gary LeCroy, Galaxy's Chief Executive Officer. Despite the three months ended December 31, being traditionally our slowest time of year with schools being closed for the holidays, we generated more revenue than our comparative December 31, 2021 quarter and nearly as much as the previously reported June 30, 2021 quarter."

LeCroy concluded, "We believe we are still in the early stage of a major technology turnover cycle in the K-12 education market, as increased school budgeting is now being spurred by additional federal monies. President Biden has called on Congress to provide at least $130 billion in dedicated funding to schools and $350 billion in state and local relief funds to help school districts close budgets gaps. This commitment at the federal level to get schools the availability of funding should lead to increased opportunities for our in-classroom technology solutions. The way our students learn continues to evolve, and we look forward to being a major participant in it."

Galaxy's Chief Financial Officer, Magen McGahee, stated, "We are proud of our accomplishments to-date, as we have continued to reduce our operating and net losses while we accelerate our revenue growth. We are proving the scalability of our platform and business model with our improving financial condition. We reached a major milestone by crossing over to positive shareholder equity for the first time on our company's history. Our business pipeline remains robust and we are confident in being able deliver against it to be able to further our revenue growth and build shareholder value."

Shareholder Conference Call

Date: Monday, February 14, 2021

Time: 4:30 PM ET

Link: Click Here to Register

Financial Results for the Six Months Ended December 31, 2021:

Revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was $2.6 million, an increase of $0.6 million or 31%, as compared to $2.0 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020. Revenues increased during the six months ended December 31, 2021 due to the increase in the customer base for interactive panels and related products as well as additional revenues from OEM customers.

Gross profit for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was $0.7 million, an increase of $0.1 million or 7%, as compared to $0.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020. The resulting gross margin was 28% for the six months ended December 31, 2021, compared to 34% for the six months ended December 31, 2020. Cost of sales increased from the six months ended December 31, 2021 due to increased cost incurred to support revenues related to new products and new relationships as well as an increase in freight cost. Gross profit for the six months ended December 31, 2021 included a write down of older inventory.

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2021 were $2.6 million, a decrease of $2.8 million or 52%, compared to $5.4 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020.

Operating loss for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.9 million, a decrease of $2.8 million, or 60%, compared to $4.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020.

Other expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2021 were $0.9 million, a decrease of $15.2 million, compared to $16.1 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020. For the six months ended December 31, 2021, this was mainly comprised of $1.8 million positive change in fair value of derivative liability and $2.1 million interest expense. Interest expense was due to sales of our common stock to investors under the Equity Purchase Agreement and attributed to the increase in our net loss. These were all non-cash expenses and recorded in income in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Net loss for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was $2.8 million, a decrease of $18.1 million, or 86%, compared to $20.9 million for the six months ended December 31, 2020. The resulting loss per share for the six months ended December 31, 2021 was ($0.0009) loss per diluted share, compared to ($0.0106) loss per diluted share for the six months ended December 31, 2020.

Non-cash contributing factors for the net loss incurred for the six months ended December 30, 2021 is as follows:

a). $13,200 and $2,776,000 represent consulting fees paid through the issuance of stock for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. $32,750 and $2,776,200 represent consulting fees paid through the issuance of stock for the six months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

b). Interest expenses related to the Equity Purchase Agreement of $1,890,600 and $995,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Interest expense related to the Equity Purchase Agreement of $2,143,500 and $5,001,900 for the six months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

c). Depreciation and amortization expenses related to intangibles and capitalized development costs of $89,461 and $90,369 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expenses related to intangibles and capitalized development costs of $233,377 and $170,881 for the six months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc.

Galaxy Next Generation (OTCQB: GAXY) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales.

For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investors Contact:

IR@GalaxyNext.us

p888-859-1274

SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc.
REDMOND (dpa-AFX) - Software behemoth Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) on Monday announced plans to reopen its Washington work sites. 'Our Washington state work sites will move to our sixth and final stage of the hybrid workplace model, effective February 28, 2022,' Redmond-based Microsoft said in blog. Chief Marketing Officer Chris Capossela said the company will fully open its facilities to employees, visitors and guests. 'All campus services will return, including the Connector ride-share option for employees in the Puget Sound area. Additionally, we're pleased to be joining other area businesses welcoming back more employees in the coming weeks,' Capossela added. Meanwhile, the full re-opening of Microsoft's work site doesn't guarantee that all the employees will return to the campus. Microsoft said it believes 'flexibility should be at the forefront of our evolving hybrid workplace.' 'Our approach to hybrid embraces schedule flexibility as standard for most roles and provides employees with the opportunity to determine how and where they work best, while making sure an individual's plans align to the team agreements set with their manager. We've committed to empowering our managers with tools and resources to provide employees with the level of care they need during this transition, which includes the ability to approve requests to adjust their work site, location or hours,' Capossela added. From February 28, employees will have 30 days to make adjustments to their routines and adopt the working preferences they've agreed upon with their managers. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2022) - Thunderstruck Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AWE) ("Thunderstuck" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Australian Businessman Ian Gandel has made a strategic investment into Thunderstruck Resources and looks to play an integral role in the company as it continues to advance its Fijian precious and base metal assets to bring value to shareholders.

"We are humbled to have attracted an investor with serial success such as Mr. Gandel. His investment confirms the view that Thunderstuck and Fiji are on the radar of some big players. The strategic relationship, whereby Mr. Gandel will attain a 25% stake in the Company post raising, is one that looks to benefit all shareholders going forward." Thunderstruck President and CEO Bryce Bradley commented. "Adding a proven company builder at this stage of the company's life cycle is invaluable. We look forward to Ian's active involvement as we continue to efficiently grow Thunderstruck through drilling, strategic partnerships and the addition of accretive Fijian land packages."

Mr. Gandel is a successful Melbourne based businessman with over 20 years experience in the exploration and mining sectors. Currently, Mr. Gandel is Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Alliance Resources Ltd (Gold & Iron Ore), Alkane Resources Ltd (Gold and Copper) and Australia Strategic Materials Ltd (Rare Earths and critical metals) and has helped grow them into market capitalizations of Aud $31 million, Aud $485 million and Aud $1.2 billion respectively.

Outside of the resource sector, Mr. Gandel has also been involved in the construction and real estate development of some of Australia's largest shopping centers and previously with the building of the well-known Australian Priceline retail drug store chain.

Ian Gandel, Chairman of Gandel Metals Pty Ltd, stated: "I am delighted to be involved with Thunderstruck, which I view as a highly prospective company. Fiji has an abundance of mineral potential and lies only a four hour flight from Sydney. Exploration success could result in a large uplift in shareholder value from the current low market capitalization, and importantly, would augment Fijian stakeholder value. We regard local community involvement and ESG values most highly. My team in Australia is looking forward to assisting the capable Thunderstruck geologists to unlock the potential of its projects in Fiji."

The Company is also pleased to announce that in addition to his investment, Mr. Gandel will join Thunderstruck's Advisory Board, along with his highly experienced colleague, Anthony (Tony) Lethlean.

"We welcome Tony Lethlean to the Thunderstruck family. Tony and Ian have worked extensively on projects together, and Tony's corporate and geological expertise has proven invaluable to the success of their projects. We too look forward to drawing upon his technical proficiency, as I am sure our land package has more hidden gems than we currently see." Bradley continued.

Mr. Lethlean is a seasoned geologist (BAppSc) having worked on the Golden Mile Kalgoorlie and many other global mining and development projects. He holds non-executive Directorships in both Alkane Resources Ltd and Alliance Resources Ltd. Prior to this, Mr. Lethean was a top mining analyst with Australian based investment banks including CIBC World Markets. He is currently a Director of Corporate Advisor Rawson Lewis.

Terms of Investment / Financing

Ian Gandel (together with his associates, "Gandel") will, directly and indirectly, enter into a subscription agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") for such number of units (the "Units") of the Company as represents approximately 25% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company following completion of the investment and concurrent private placement (the "Gandel Investment").

Including the Gandel Investment, the Company has arranged a non-brokered private placement for the sale of up to 35,714,285 million Units at a price of $0.07 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to CDN$2,500,000. Each Unit will comprise one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase a further common share at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of 5 years. The warrants are subject to accelerated exercise provisions such that if the closing price of the Company's common shares exceeds $0.30 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may give notice of the acceleration of the warrants' term to a period of 30 days following such notice.

Proceeds of the placement will be applied to our 2022 exploration and drilling programs on the company's prospects and for general working capital.

The Offering remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, which in respect of the Gandel Investment will include the requirement for approval from 51% of the Company's shareholders for the creation of a control block in the Company to be held by Gandel. The Company currently anticipates it will seek such approval via written consent.

In connection with the strategic investment by Gandel, the Company and Gandel will enter into an investor rights agreement, whereby, subject to certain conditions, including time and ownership thresholds, Gandel will have certain rights, including the right to appoint one director of the Company.

In addition, Gandel will have a right to participate in future equity issuances to maintain his percentage ownership in the Company for up to 15 years. Additionally, for a period of two years (which the Company in its sole discretion can vary), Gandel will also agree not to (a) commence a take-over bid; (b) acquire the Company's shares, or direct or indirect rights to acquire any of the Company's shares; (c) make, or in any way participate in any solicitation of proxies to vote the Company's shares; (d) make any public announcement with respect to, or submit a proposal for, or offer of (with or without conditions) any business combination, amalgamation or merger or similar transaction involving the Company.

On completion of the Offering, a copy of the investor rights agreement will be available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Stock Option Grant

The Company's board has granted an aggregate of 600,000 stock options in accordance with its stock option plan to various insiders, advisors, and consultants, with each option being exercisable into one common share at a price of 0.115 cents per share for a period of 10 years.

About Thunderstruck Resources



Thunderstruck Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company that has assembled extensive and highly prospective properties in Fiji on which recent and previous exploration has confirmed zinc, copper and precious metals mineralization. The Company provides investors with exposure to a diverse portfolio of exploration stage projects with potential for zinc, copper, gold and silver in a politically safe and stable jurisdiction. Thunderstruck trades on the Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX-V) under the symbol "AWE" and United States OTC under the symbol "THURF."

For additional information, please contact:

Rob Christl, VP Business Development and Investor Relations

Email: rob@thunderstruck.ca

P: 1-778 840-7180

or, visit our website: http://www.thunderstruck.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Although Thunderstruck believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Thunderstruck's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Thunderstruck undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113774
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2022) - PNG Copper Inc. (CSE: PNGC) (the "Company") announces the grant, pursuant to its Stock Option Plan, of options to certain eligible directors and officers to purchase a total of 2,150,000 common shares, exercisable in whole or in part on or before February 9, 2026, at an exercise price of $0.10 per share.

About PNG Copper Inc.

PNG Copper Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing quality mineral properties in Papua New Guinea. The Company's core values are respect for the Community, the Landowners, the environment and operating a safe workplace for its employees. The Company is also committed to best practice standards of Corporate Governance.

For further information please visit the Company's website at pngcopper.ca or contact:

PNG Copper Inc.

Paul Rokeby, Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +1.705.465.1880

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113787
Burford had a strong year for new business. On a Group-wide basis, Burford made $1.1 billion in total new commitments and deployed a total $841 million in cash in 2021. Those levels represent significant increases over the prior year - 48% and 41%, respectively - and demonstrate that the strong recovery in new business activity in the first half of 2021 continued through the second half.

The strong growth in new commitments and deployments was driven by growth in our core capital provision-direct business. Capital provision-direct new commitments, on a Burford-only basis, amounted to $602 million (2020: $335 million) and exceeded the 2019 level of $530 million, while Burford-only capital provision-direct deployments essentially doubled to $447 million (2020: $225 million), also well ahead of the $269 million achieved in 2019. This record level of capital provision-direct deployments from our balance sheet is particularly notable and represents assets capable of generating our highest potential returns and profits.

Portfolio activity and returns

 Group-wide capital provision-direct realizations of $336 million (2020: $608 million)

o Burford-only capital provision-direct realizations of $264 million (2020: $337 million)  Group-wide capital provision-direct realized gains of $152 million (2020: $361 million)

o Burford-only capital provision-direct realized gains of $128 million (2020: $180 million)

Case realizations in our capital provision-direct business remained modest in the second half of 2021, due in part to continuing court delays caused by the pandemic impacting the pace and progression of matters in our portfolio. Capital provision-direct realizations in our Burford-only portfolio were $264 million (2020: $337 million; 2019: $228 million), while the realized gains from those concluded assets amounted to $128 million (2020: $180 million; 2019: $120 million). Given the unpredictability of the timing of case resolutions, period-to-period volatility is a characteristic of our business. It is important to note that we had very low losses in the year - only $9 million in realized losses in 2021, representing less than 1% of average capital provision-direct assets at cost (2020: $20 million; 2%). Our portfolio remains robust, and resolutions are simply a matter of timing subject to the idiosyncrasies of our specific cases and the vagaries of the litigation process.

As a result, our concluded case ROIC since inception remained largely steady at 93% at December 31, 2021 (June 30, 2021: 95%; December 31, 2020: 92%) on $1.9 billion of cumulative realizations, while our concluded portfolio's IRR was unchanged at 30%.

Liquidity

Burford's liquidity position remained strong, with over $300 million of Burford-only cash and marketable securities on hand at December 31, 2021 (June 30, 2021: $430 million; December 31, 2020: $336 million).

Financial results

Burford is in the process of preparing its 2021 financial statements, including the fair value of the portfolio. Burford's 2021 financial statements are subject to audit and, as a result, any figures are preliminary and subject to adjustment. We do not anticipate significant fair value adjustments in the second half of 2021, as slow case progress limited the incidence of the kind of case milestones that would cause a change in the fair value of the related legal finance assets. Given slow case progress in 2021 and the net loss reported for the first half of 2021, we expect to recognize a net loss of between $70 million and $80 million for 2021.

Christopher Bogart, Burford Capital's Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"We are delighted with the strong performance of new business in 2021. To write more than $1.1 billion of new commitments during an ongoing pandemic is a significant achievement and positions the business well for future potential income. We would have preferred cases to move through the judicial system faster than they have since the pandemic began, but the slow pace we are experiencing is a timing issue, not one affecting our view of the ultimate realizable value of the portfolio. No client has discontinued a single matter due to these delays."

US GAAP conversion and prior financial presentation

As previously announced, commencing with its annual report for the 2021 fiscal year, Burford will be preparing its financial statements for the 2021 fiscal year and comparative periods in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("US GAAP").

As we noted in our interim reporting, US GAAP will result in a change to our historical approach to the consolidation of certain subsidiaries. We previously disclosed that this change would result in an increase in both assets and liabilities.

The most notable change is expected to be with respect to the subsidiary, Colorado Investments Limited ("Colorado"), that was created for the secondary sale of some of our entitlement in the Petersen matter. We have not historically consolidated that subsidiary in our IFRS reporting, and thus we have historically shown on our balance sheet only the 61.25% of the Petersen asset (i.e., Burford's entitlement pursuant to its funding agreement) that we continue to own. Colorado will, however, be consolidated under US GAAP. Once Colorado is consolidated under US GAAP, we will report 100% of the value of the Petersen asset as an asset on our balance sheet, and the 38.75% sold to third parties will be reported as an offsetting liability. This change in presentation will have no effect on our net assets. Similarly, to the extent income from the Petersen investment flows through our P&L, we will record 100% of the income on a consolidated basis and then record a 38.75% reduction to income as a third-party interest. Again, there is no effect on net income from these changes.

On our balance sheet, this will result in an increase in our capital provision assets of $383 million and a corresponding addition of $383 million in third-party interests in consolidated entities at both June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2021, resulting in no change in net assets. As to prior periods, the corresponding amounts would be $387 million at each of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, $386 million at December 31, 2020, and $230 million at December 31, 2018. On our income statement, this will result in immaterial changes in 2020 and 2021 relating solely to case expenses incurred and no change in net income; in 2019 capital provision income will increase by $58 million and we will show a corresponding reduction to income of $58 million for third-party interests in consolidated entities with no change in net income and in 2018 capital provision income will increase by $98 million and we will show a corresponding reduction to income of $98 million for third-party interests in consolidated entities with no change in net income.

At the time of the formation of Colorado in 2017, we engaged an outside accounting advisor with respect to the accounting treatment of Colorado under IFRS and concluded that Colorado should not be consolidated but rather reported as an equity investment, which is how it was reported on our financial statements for the ensuing years that were accompanied by unqualified opinions of our outside auditors. However, during the course of our work to convert our financial statements to US GAAP, the question of whether Colorado should also have been consolidated under IFRS has been revisited. This is an area of considerable accounting complexity and nuance following the issuance of IFRS 10, the consolidation standard, in 2011, and situations like Colorado often are not susceptible to bright line determinations, especially since there is little accounting precedent for the treatment of litigation finance assets. Nevertheless, and perhaps with the benefit of hindsight, the conclusion has been reached that Colorado should also have been consolidated under IFRS and that failure to do so was an accounting error in the application of IFRS 10 despite the extensive consideration of the issue at the time. The impact on our IFRS financial statements will be the same as set out above for US GAAP. We will provide restated financial statements for this correction, as well as the corrections related to the legal finance non-cash accrual disclosed in our December 22, 2021 press release and Form 6-K report, around the time of the release of our financial results for the 2021 fiscal year and, in the interim, our historical financial statements should not be relied upon to the extent inconsistent with this revised treatment despite it having no impact on net income or net assets and to the extent set forth in the December 22, 2021 press release. The Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors has taken this action which has been discussed with the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP.

Definitions and use of alternative performance measures

As previously announced, commencing with our annual report for the 2021 fiscal year, we will report our financial results under US GAAP. US GAAP requires us to present financial statements that consolidate some of the limited partner interests in funds we manage as well as assets held on our balance sheet where we have a partner or minority investor. We therefore refer to various presentations of our financial results, and funding configuration, as:
St. Paul, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2022) - PolyMet Mining Corp. (TSX: POM) (NYSE American: PLM) and its wholly owned subsidiary Poly Met Mining, Inc. (together "PolyMet" or the "company") announced today it has entered into a subscription agreement for the issuance of unsecured convertible debentures (the "debentures") of up to USD$40 million with Glencore AG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore plc (together "Glencore").

"In the coming months we expect to transition from litigation to project finance and preparation for construction; these funds will support that effort as we move forward," said Jon Cherry, chairman, president and CEO. "The funds will provide the resources we need to work through remaining litigation and advance the project. We appreciate Glencore's continuing support and significant investment in copper-nickel-precious metals mining in Minnesota."

Cherry cited as recent examples of significant progress for the project the re-instatement of the air permit by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the ruling affirming key aspects of the water discharge permit for the NorthMet Project by the Minnesota Court of Appeals including a finding that water quality standards of the State of Minnesota will not be violated as a result of the permitted project.

The NorthMet mine will feed a critical supply chain to meet the growing demand for copper, nickel, cobalt and other metals needed for the U.S. and global transition to clean energy technologies such as solar arrays and wind turbines, battery storage and electric vehicles, Cherry said. Most of the known resources of nickel and cobalt in the U.S. are found in Minnesota, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The debentures will be issued in four tranches throughout 2022, all of which are due on March 31, 2023. Interest will accrue on the unsecured debentures at 4% per annum on the balance drawn. The company also agreed to pay a facilitation fee of 5% of the principal amount plus interest of each convertible debenture.

The principal amount of the debentures is convertible into common shares of the company at a conversion price equal to USD$2.57, which represents the five-day volume weighted average price on the NYSE American at the time of issue. The first tranche in the amount of USD$26.0 million was issued on February 14, 2022, with approximately USD$18 million used to repay the promissory note maturing February 28, 2022. The remainder of the funds will be used for general working capital purposes of the company.

* * * * *

About PolyMet

PolyMet is a mine development company that owns 100% of the NorthMet Project, the first large-scale project to have received permits within the Duluth Complex in northeastern Minnesota, one of the world's major, undeveloped mining regions. NorthMet has significant proven and probable reserves of copper, nickel, and palladium - metals vital to infrastructure improvements and global carbon reduction efforts - in addition to marketable reserves of cobalt, platinum and gold. When operational, NorthMet will become one of the leading producers of nickel, palladium and cobalt in the U.S., providing a much needed, responsibly mined source of these critical and essential metals.

Located in the Mesabi Iron Range, the project will provide economic diversity while leveraging the region's established supplier network and skilled workforce and generate a level of activity that will have a significant effect in the local economy. For more information: www.polymetmining.com.

For further information, please contact:

Media

Bruce Richardson, Corporate Communications

Tel: +1 (651) 389-4111

brichardson@polymetmining.com

Investor Relations

Tony Gikas, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 (651) 389-4110

investorrelations@polymetmining.com

PolyMet Disclosures

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in PolyMet's operations in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "potential," "possible," "projects," "plans," and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur or be achieved or their negatives or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding the ability to receive environmental and operating permits, job creation, and the effect on the local economy, the timing and total amount of each tranche of debentures, the actual use of funds or other statements that are not a statement of fact. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to risks facing PolyMet or due to actual facts differing from the assumptions underlying its predictions.

PolyMet's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and PolyMet does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations and opinions should change.

Specific reference is made to risk factors and other considerations underlying forward-looking statements discussed in PolyMet's most recent Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and in our other filings with Canadian securities authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Annual Report on Form 40-F also contains the company's mineral resource and other data as required under National Instrument 43-101.

For the purposes of TSX approval, the company relied on the exemption set forth in Section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual, which provides that the TSX will not apply its standards to certain transactions involving eligible interlisted issuers on a recognized stock exchange, such as the NYSE American.

No regulatory authority has reviewed or accepted 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/113776
Harmay, a Beijing, China-based retail beauty brand, raised $200M in Series C and D funding.

The Series C was led by General Atlantic and the Series D by QY Capital, with Eastern Bell Capital, N5 Capital, Ocean Link, Hillhouse Venture, and BA Capital among the co-investors.

The company intends to use the funds to focus on expanding new categories and markets, digital presence, portfolio of brands, and tighten cooperation with world-renowned beauty groups.

Led by Will Wang, founder and CEO, Harmay offers more than 9,000 SKUs from over 400 international brands across the beauty and lifestyle categories. Every year, the company leverages big data and a team of buyers to uncover the latest niche brands. It also conducts in-depth analysis of store data to continuously refresh its product categories and offering. In 2021 alone, more than 100 new brands were launched on the platform. Many brands from the LOreal Group have been launched on HARMAY. The company also recently completed its acquisition of Kevyn Aucoin Beauty which is founded by the American make-up brand Kevyn Aucoin.

The company today operates 9 offline stores across China with over 400 employees. Moving forward, Harmay will expand its offline footprint to new cities, including Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. In addition to the Harmay WeChat mini-program store, it also has plans to launch a dedicated App.

FinSMEs

14/02/2022




The year 2022 is expected to be a watershed period for Korea, with the major political event of the presidential election slated for March 9 which is now just a month away.



Not only Koreans, but the level of attention to the election is also high among the foreign community as nearly 2.5 million immigrants living in Korea are heavily influenced by a wide range of foreigner policies, including employment, housing, and education.













Both parties have been pledging to support the immigrant community by easing the work permission system for foreigners, and improving welfare systems for multicultural families.



So, we decided to hear thoughts from foreigners living in Korea about how they view the upcoming presidential election and what are the issues that the next South Korean president should address to improve the lives of foreigners.
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Speedskater Cha Min-kyu poses with the silver medal after coming in second in the men's 500-meter race at the National Speedskating Oval in Beijing, Saturday. Yonhap



By Park Han-sol



As with many other international sporting events, the Beijing Winter Olympics has not been free from controversy.



Between Korea and China, such a dispute has materialized and has become a fierce war of words among the two countries' online users  a phenomenon that has been specifically witnessed on the social media accounts of various Korean athletes and stars.



Speedskater Cha Min-kyu, who claimed the silver medal in the men's 500-meter race, Saturday, became subject to a barrage of malicious comments left by Chinese online users on Instagram, Twitter and Weibo, among others, when he physically wiped the podium twice before ascending it during the award ceremony.



Some Chinese online users saw this action to be a sign of protest in regards to the questionable judging of earlier short track speedskating races, where two Korean skaters were disqualified from the men's 1,000-meter semifinals. They connected his act to a similar gesture made by the Canadian short-track men's relay team in the 5,000-meter race at the podium during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. It was speculated then that the bronze medal winners were raising a silent objection to the result of a different race that got another Canadian team disqualified.



Since Saturday's race, the image of Cha wiping the podium with the caption, "I'm cleaning my grave," spread quickly among Chinese online users, with others resorting to a series of ad hominem attacks and comments like, "a country that can't afford to lose."



Meanwhile, the speedskater clarified the next day that his gesture was done out of respect and honor to the award ceremony.



The comments on the Instagram account of Hwang Dae-heon, who brought Korea's first gold in the men's 1,500-meter short track speedskating competition last week, were hardly different. Hwang was one of the two skaters disqualified due to the controversial judging.



After the Feb. 9 race, where he won the gold, his Instagram has been flooded with comments written in Mandarin and English, such as "disgusting player," "dirty medal" and "bastards should kneel down to China," in addition to vomiting and feces emojis.





Actress Park Shin-hye clad in turquoise hanbok / Captured from Park's Instagram
The Lebanon Fire District responded to a garage fire in the 300 block of Thirteenth Street at around 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14, according to a news release from LFD.

No injuries were reported.

The detached garage was fully involved with fire and threatening the main house when firefighters arrived at the scene. The residents were evacuating the home, according to the news release, but an elderly woman in a wheelchair needed help getting out.

A battalion chief helped a passerby who was assisting the elderly woman in moving her from her motorized wheelchair to a smaller one. The two were able to carry her out of the front door.

The back door with a wheel chair ramp was unusable because of the proximity of the fire, according to LFD.

Lebanon Fire responded with four suppression apparatus, 15 firefighters and five chief officers. It took around 20 minutes for firefighters to get the fire under control. Personnel stayed at the scene for another hour-and-a-half to make sure the fire was out and there were no hot spots.

According to the news release, the fire damaged some siding on the house and broke a window.

Firefighters contained the fire to the garage, but the garage was a complete loss.

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Republican voters express dissatisfaction with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos

MADISON

Robin Vos is facing calls to step off the tight rope he has been on for more than a year navigating a Republican base that wants much more scrutiny from him of the 2020 election and the reality of President Donald Trumps loss.

A growing number of Republicans outside of the Wisconsin State Capitol are furious with the Assembly Speaker and are demanding that he resign from his leadership position after he punished Rep. Timothy Ramthun over false claims about the 2020 electiona move that helped catapult the Fond du Lac County lawmaker to a campaign for governor.

The discipline of Ramthun has enraged elements of the party that already believed the powerful Republican in the state Capitol is refusing to do everything he can to litigate the last presidential election and see his actions thus far as inadequate at best and purposefully stifling at worst. Two of the three top Republican campaigns for governor are entirely focused on ousting Vos.

He may have done some good things, but I think the damage hes done to the party since Nov. 3 of 2020 is unforgivable, Terry Brand, chairman of the Langlade County Republican Party, said in an interview.

Anywhere from discontent to furious are the emotions Ive experienced with people from around the state, from around northern Wisconsin, and so forth.

A spokeswoman for Vos did not respond to requests for comment or for an interview.

Republicans in Langlade County passed a resolution Jan. 27 saying Vos unprofessional, spiteful, unethical, and oppressive behavior and leadership style is incompatible with and no longer welcome in his position as leader of our State Assembly.

It was one of a handful resolutions calling for Vos resignation passed by county parties since Vos took away Ramthuns only full-time staff member after Ramthun falsely claimed in materials his office produced that Vos signed a deal with an attorney for former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to authorize absentee ballot drop boxes.

In Brands view, the move to discipline Ramthun was another way to block Republican lawmakers from rooting out election fraud and reclaiming the states 10 electoral votes from President Joe Bidens 2020 victorya legally impossible task, according to the Legislatures attorneys.

To Brand and other local Republicans, that inaction outweighs the years of conservative policies Vos has been effective at putting into state law and is allowing Republican distrust in elections to fester.

So he can do 1,000 things right, OK? But until that gets fixed, then theres going to be lots of discouraged people out here, said Doug Rogalla, the chairman of the Monroe County Republican Party, who is considering with his colleagues whether to formally denounce the speaker.

And my job is to make sure they go out to vote.

Belling: This is not going to end well

Mark Belling, an influential conservative talk radio host in southeast Wisconsin, tore into Vos and Republican lawmakers on air and in print, accusing them of hoping the fury blows over while expecting to drag along Republican voters in an election year shaping up to be good for GOP candidates.

I cannot stress to you the strength of this revolution in Republican grassroots circles in Wisconsin against the state power structure, Belling told listeners Monday. The voters and the party activists have become annoyances for the leaders of the party and as they say, this is not going to end well.

They want the Republican speaker out. This disconnect between the state Republican leadership and the elected Republican officials could not be greater. Virtually every member of the State Assembly is aligning him or herself with Vos and virtually all actual Republicans are furious with the selling out that is coming from Vos.

Belling said the election bills being debated now are bills that should have been passed years ago when the Republicans controlled things and that the Legislature was asleep at the switch when the state elections commission issued guidance on how to vote safely during the coronavirus pandemic and to accommodate an influx of absentee voting.

If Rogalla and other Monroe County Republicans draft a resolution criticizing Vos like Langlade Countys Republicans, they would join local parties in Iowa, Sheboygan and Wood counties.

By openly refusing to act upon the will of the people, and now, by attempting to prevent other members of the Republican caucus from heeding the voice of the people, he has cast himself as the champion of the Establishment, the Jan. 28 resolution passed by Iowa County Republicans said.

This has made Speaker Vos politically toxic, creating a liability to the entire Republican ticket and has rendered him impotent to accomplish anything of significance with the long list of grassroots organizations he has alienated by his actions.

The resolution was signed by the partys executive committee of six members and called for Vos to step down as speaker as he has, in effect, guaranteed that any number of incumbent Republican assemblymen will lose their seat.

Assembly member says Vos does not deserve to be a target

Rep. Todd Novak, a Republican who has represented parts of Iowa County since 2015, said Vos is in an undeserved position.

I understand the frustration Iowa County Republicans feel. We are all frustrated with the direction our country is going. But Speaker Vos does not deserve to be the target of that frustration just because he doesnt believe in overturning the last presidential election, Novak told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a statement.

Novak noted Vos leads a large caucus that operates cohesively despite the groups size.

Speaker Vos leads a diverse and large assembly Republican caucus. We have all worked together to champion conservative, common sense policies, he said in his statement.

Whether its billions in tax cuts, fighting welfare fraud, improving our public schools, protecting unborn children or the dozens of other policies that we have advanced, I believe we should all focus our efforts on fighting for the values we all believe in, not trying to pick fights with our own side.

The effect of the party resolutions has rippled throughout the state, and at one point pushed Republican candidate for governor Rebecca Kleefisch to distance herself from the Assembly leader who has endorsed her and once hired her to recruit candidates for his caucus.

Kevin Nicholson, also running in the GOP gubernatorial primary, is running a campaign almost entirely focused on Vos and the political machine Nicholson says has failed under Vos watch.

And on Saturday, Ramthun launched a campaign for governor in a packed high school auditorium where supporters donned shirts and held signs that read Toss Vos while booing him throughout the three-hour rally.

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke and other members of the GOP caucus did not return phone calls requesting interviews. A spokeswoman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin did not respond to a requests for interviews with state party leaders.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, the most prominent Republican in Wisconsin, also declined to weigh in on whether he agreed with the local parties calling for Vos to resign over the Legislatures handling of election issues.

Thats state politics, Johnson told the Journal Sentinel at a cafe in the Town of Brookfield.

Vos has been in similar positions before. In one case, after legislation did not advance that would ban University of Wisconsin research that uses fetal cellspossibly putting the accreditation of a top-rated research university at risk.

And last summer Vos overwhelmingly survived an effort to force him out of his leadership position at the state GOP conventiona resolution proposed a day after Trump released a statement blasting Vos and other GOP legislative leaders for not conducting a new audit of the election.

The same day, Vos announced he was hiring former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to probe the election at a cost to taxpayers of $676,000. But that effort, seen by some as an appeasement to Trump and those who wanted to oust Vos, has also been viewed as too slow by the partys base.

All we want to do is audit the election, Billie Johnson, a Republican who lives in Dane County, said. You could do an audit and show there was no fraud and everybody can just go away ... but it keeps going on and on and on. Its got legs.

Johnson said Vos decision to discipline Ramthun poured gas on that fire.

Theres always calls into the legislators office. And its like now who do they call? Youve insulted their district. So I think thats what got this going a bit, he said.

Ive been around politics for a long time. Ive never seen the intensity Im seeing now from people ... the intensity is something thats off the scale. All we want to know is was the election in Wisconsin fair or not. And we cant seem to find that answer.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
Braden Manning, Gettysburg baseball: Braden went 9-for-13 with 2 doubles, 2 triples and 7 RBI over 4 games. He also struck out 11 batters in a win over South Western.

Amy Anderson, Delone Catholic softball: Amy went 5-for-12 with 6 RBI, 3 runs scored and a triple over 3 games. She also struck out 17 batters and went 2-1 in those games.

Parker Sanders, Bermudian Springs Tennis: Parker won 3 matches on his way to a fourth-place finish in the YAIAA Class 2A Singles Tournament.

Andrew Koons, Fairfield baseball: Andrew went 5-for-11 with 8 RBI, 4 runs scored and 2 home runs over 3 games, including a grand slam. He was also the winning pitcher against Biglerville.

Ben Angstadt, Biglerville baseball: Ben went 8-for-17 with 7 RBI, 4 runs scored, a double and a home run over 4 games for the Canners.

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Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Windy and becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 59F. Winds SSE at 25 to 35 mph..

Tonight

Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 39F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
By Arthur I. Cyr





"President Trump is wrong. I had no right to overturn the election."







Former Vice President Mike Pence was clear, calm and accurate in this statement February 4 while addressing the Federalist Society.







These qualities were helpful, to him and to the U.S., during the turbulent four years of the Trump administration. They continue to serve us all, as Trump intensifies his false claims that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was rigged, declaring Pence could have corrected the situation.







On January 6, 2021, Vice President Mike Pence calmly certified the votes of the Electoral College, even as a violent and destructive mob was forming outside. Soon the rioters invaded the Capitol.







Federal prosecutors are systematically identifying and prosecuting the lawbreakers. Meanwhile, also on February 4, the Republican National Committee bizarrely declared the criminal behavior of the incident "legitimate political discourse."







Overlooked in all the ongoing political noise is the nature of the U.S. Electoral College. What exactly is this obscure institution? Why not just base the election outcome on a direct count of the people's votes? After all, the right to vote is fundamental to our nation.







The answer is that the Framers of our Constitution were committed to popular representation, but greatly opposed the uncompromised concentration of power. The Constitution begins "We, the people ." At the same time, the Framers feared mob rule  a point brought home by the January 6 riot.







The men who gathered in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft the new Constitution also were well aware that a central authority was necessary. The earlier Articles of Confederation, put in place from the start of the American Revolution, proved ineffective.







Yet above all, the Framers regarded concentrated political power as inherently dangerous. A powerful head of state could easily abuse the position, and the British Crown provided Exhibit A. A powerful legislature could also became dangerously assertive, and the British Parliament provided Exhibit B.







The Framers responded by setting up a rather complex network of institutions in which none was dominant  actually or potentially  by design. They considered having the president selected by Congress. However, ultimately, they discarded that option as encouraging potentially dangerous cooperation between two of the three branches of the federal government.







The final Constitution involved the clear separation of allocated powers, but required practical cooperation in carrying out governing functions. People opposed to changing or abolishing the Electoral College express concern about the dangers of tinkering with this mechanism.







The Electoral College reflects this network approach. The College consists of people assembled in each state, plus the District of Columbia, to select the president and vice president of the United States after the people vote. The electors are equal in number to a state's congressional delegation. Federal office holders cannot serve.







Each state allocates all electors to the presidential candidate and their vice presidential running mate who receive the most votes, except for Maine and Nebraska. In these two states, two electors represent the winner of the state-wide vote, and the other electoral votes are allocated according to the winner of each congressional district.







Direct popular election would spur campaigns focused on larger metropolitan populations. Trump's 2016 Electoral College victory permitted the representation of a diffuse but alienated population that was lesser in terms of the total number of popular votes.







In the 1950s, there was serious sustained public debate about abolishing the Electoral College. Freshman Senator John F. Kennedy took a leading role, noting that any change involved "not only the  presidency , but a whole solar system of government." He added, "If it is proposed to change the balance of power of one of the elements , it is necessary to consider the others."







Think hard, never easy.









Arthur I. Cyr(

) is the author of "After the Cold War" (NYU Press and Macmillan/Palgrave).


LONDON, Feb. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ministry of Education of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis says it is putting a lot of effort into the critical activities specified in the Education Section Plan for 2020-2021.

Last week, Dr Tricia Esdaille, Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education, stated that the ministry is working on modifying the education sectors career pathway and creating a framework for continuing professional development for everyone who works in the education sector.

St Kitts and Nevis is located in the West Indies and has become a beacon of education in the region. With the help of the Citizenship by Investment Programme, the government continues to invest millions in the sector.

During the presentation of the budgetary proposals for 2022 in December 2021, Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris allocated $104M, more than ten percent of the entire federal budget, to education. The sector received the third largest funding amount after The Ministry of Finance ($300M) and The Office of the Prime Minister ($110M).

While referring to the Citizenship by Investment Programme, the Prime Minister asserted, We have transformed our CBI; we have come a long way from the difficult period in 2014. The robust procedures that are embedded in the program have enabled us to maintain our platinum brand and have ensured we take a significant share in the major markets around the world.

Education in St Kitts and Nevis

The nations literacy rate is almost perfect at 98 percent, as education in St Kitts and Nevis is free and mandatory for the first 12 years. The overall enrollment of students in primary school is 83 percent and 91 percent for secondary school.

St Kitts and Nevis is also home to some of the topmost sought-after medical institutions in the region:

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (also known as UMHS) is a for-profit Caribbean medical school located in Trinity, St Kitts. UMHS is accredited by the Accreditation Board of St Kitts and Nevis, a recognised accrediting agency listed in the FAIMER Directory of Organisations that Recognise/Accredit Medical Schools. It is also affiliated with over 20 hospitals in the USA, where graduates can do elective rotations across the country.

The Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is located in Trinity, St Kitts. The institution is accredited by the Accreditation Board of St Kitts and Nevis and the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education.

Medical University of the Americas (MUA) is a Caribbean medical school located on the Island of Nevis. It is accredited by the St Kitts and Nevis Accreditation Board, and graduates are eligible for licensure within the Federation. MUA is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine.

The Windsor University School of Medicine is located in St Kitts and confers the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree upon its graduates. It is currently accredited by the Accreditation Board of St Kitts and Nevis.

More investors are applying for second citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis

Paul Singh, director of leading government advisory and marketing firm CS Global Partners, said that in 2020-2021, the firm received record inquiries about second citizenship from Indian investors.

Time constrained business people and high-net-worth individuals who want to provide their children with a world of educational opportunities often chose to invest in St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme, said Singh.

Most applicants want a strong contingency option at this fragile time, one that can offer security and open academic and professional doors for their kids. With second citizenship for themselves and their families, they know their child can study in the best universities without a lot of hassle, whether thats in the Caribbean or the UK.

During the first official visit of the British High Commissioner this week, His Excellency Scott Furssedonn-Wood spoke to the Federations officials about the various things the United Kingdom and St Kitts and Nevis can do in the future, and among the discussions were educational opportunities.

There are other opportunities for our educational systems to work togetherto do great work here in support of your governments ambitions, whether it is through developing capacity and content, or providing remote learning opportunities so that people in this country can study in British Universities for a degree from the comfort of their homes here, said the Commissioner.

India and St Kitts and Nevis long documented relationship

In celebration of Indias 73rd Republic Anniversary this week, Prime Minister Harris hailed the contributions of the Republic of India and members of the Indian community to the development of the Federation.

Prime Minister Harris said the impact of the Indian community can be felt across every fabric of socioeconomic life in St Kitts and Nevis. Among industries like retail, tourism and hospitality, Prime Minister Harris noted that the two countries unite over their passion for education.

He said, Indian entrepreneurs are there with us, and in the field of offshore education, your own Honorary Consul Ramesh [Mulkanoor] provided leadership at Windsor and brought a significant number of nationals and persons of Indian descent to St Kitts and Nevis, many of whom have made St Kitts and Nevis their home.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme has been pivotal in developing sectors like healthcare, business, and education in the nation. The Programme empowers wealthy foreign investors and their families to acquire second citizenship once contributing to a government fund.

After passing the necessary security checks and undergoing a stringent due diligence process, successful applicants gain a wealth of opportunities. These include increased travel freedom, the right to live, study and work in the country and the option to pass down citizenship for generations to come.

According to the FTs PWM Magazine, St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme is the worlds best and longest-standing and enjoys over three decades of experience within the industry, culminating in its recognition as a Platinum Standard brand.

CS Global Partners

CS Global Partners is a London-headquartered advisory firm with over a decade of experience in residence and citizenship by investment programmes. Our highly knowledgeable client advisors provide professional guidance towards the best strategic investments for global citizenships based on individual needs.

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Pune, India, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global grain silos market is expected to gain traction from the increasing advancements in grain production technologies. This information is given by Fortune Business Insights in an upcoming report, titled, Grain Silos Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Metal Silos, Steel Silos, Others), By Product (Flat Bottom, Hopper Bottom, Feed Hoppers, Others) and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029. The report further states that the surging loss of food grain is anticipated to drive the demand for grain silos globally. The World Bank Report declared that every year, approximately 12 to 16 million metric tons of food grain losses occur in India during the post-harvest phase.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on a wide range of industries and the economy worldwide. There are shortages of beds for coronavirus positive patients in hospitals across the global. Unless a vaccine is invented, nobody knows till when this grave situation will persist. We are providing in-depth research reports about the effects of this pandemic on every market. You can choose the best strategy available to generate more sales.

Get a Sample PDF Brochure:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/grain-silos-market-103188

A list of all the grain silos manufacturers operating in the global grain silos market:

Superior Silo LLC

Sioux Steel Company

Nelson

P+W Metallbau GmbH & Co. KG

Rostfrei Steels

Silos Cordoba

Hanson Silo Company

CST Industries

Symaga

Ahrens Agri

Silos Cordoba

Other prominent companies

Drivers & Restraints-



Increasing Need to Strengthen Food Security Will Propel Growth

The rising cases of food grain contamination owing to a large number of environmental factors, such as pH, temperature, and moisture are set to bolster the grain silos market growth in the near future. Apart from that, storing food grains is a crucial part of the farming process. The usage of conventional grain silos made of mud, grass, and wood in developing countries are incapable of ensuring security against pests, such as birds, rodents, and insects. To tackle this situation, the demand for metal grain silos is surging rapidly across the globe.

Moreover, the utilization of grain silos can strengthen food security in various communities as it delivers economic support and daily livelihood to small scale farmers. These silos also take less storage space, unlike the horizontal storage warehouses. Besides, they are available in a wide variety of configurations, materials, and sizes. However, these products are very expensive. This factor can hamper growth.

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/grain-silos-market-103188

Market Segments:

By Type

Metal

Silos

Steel Silos

By Product

Flat Bottom,

Hopper Bottom

Feed Hoppers

Regional Analysis-



Availability of State-of-the-art Grain Silos to Favor Growth in North America

Geographically, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a significant pace throughout the coming years because of the rising post-harvest grain losses because of numerous environmental conditions. The Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, for instance, mentioned that around 57,676 metric tons of food grains were damaged in the country because of rodent & pest attacks, exposure to rain & floods, and leakage of Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns. Besides, the rising concerns of food grain spoilage are expected to drive growth in this region.

Furthermore, North America is set to generate considerable grain silos market share in the forthcoming years because of the presence of various reputed manufacturers in the region. Also, the easy availability of novel silos equipped with grain level sensors, electrical loaders, dryers, aerators cameras, computer systems, moisture sensors, and dischargers would bolster sales in this region.

Ask for Customization:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/grain-silos-market-103188

Competitive Landscape-

Key Players Focus on Signing Contracts & Investments to Develop Unique Products

The global market houses multiple companies that are aiming to develop novel grain silos by signing new contracts with other renowned firms. Some of them are also investing huge sums to acquire innovative facilities. Below are the latest industry developments:

March 2019 : Silos Cordoba, a leading manufacturer of silos for grain storage based in Spain signed a contract with Josepdam Port Services Nigeria Ltd. to construct a new grain storage facility in Nigeria. It will have a capacity of 145,000 tons and will be able to store mainly corn & wheat. The facility will also include flat bottom silos of both 6.152,00 and 10.272,00 tons capacity.

: Silos Cordoba, a leading manufacturer of silos for grain storage based in Spain signed a contract with Josepdam Port Services Nigeria Ltd. to construct a new grain storage facility in Nigeria. It will have a capacity of 145,000 tons and will be able to store mainly corn & wheat. The facility will also include flat bottom silos of both 6.152,00 and 10.272,00 tons capacity. August 2019: CEE Equity Partners, headquartered in China invested around USD 67 million through Eastern & Central Europe Investment Cooperation Fund II. The fund will be used to acquire logistics and 15 grain silos from the Brise Group in Romania.

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Company Announcement, Inside Information, Helsinki, 14 February 2022, at 9 AM (EET)

Nexstim Plc to license technology to US-based medical technology company Magnus Medical, Inc. for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders

Nexstim Plc (NXTMH:HEX, NXTMS:STO) (Nexstim or Company) announces it has signed an agreement to license technology it has developed to Magnus Medical, Inc. (Magnus Medical), a US-based medical technology company.

The technology to be licensed is related to the NBT system developed by the Company, with certain restrictions, and the related patents, and the use of the license is restricted to the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Nexstim e-field modelling and application software are not included in the license.

The estimated total value of the license agreement is approximately USD 19 million (approximately EUR 17 million). The financial structure of the license agreement consists of an upfront payment of approximately USD 4 million (approximately EUR 3.5 million) and, based on Magnus Medicals projected revenue, technology royalties of approximately USD 15 million (approximately EUR 13 million) for the agreed period of royalty not exceeding 5 years, starting from the commercialization of the technology. The estimated total royalty payments are based on Magnus Medical's business plan which specifies that royalty payments will start within 3 years. According to the agreement, minimum royalty payments amount to approximately USD 1.2 million (approximately EUR 1.0 million) to be paid during the first three royalty years. The license will survive the termination of the agreement with the above restrictions on the scope. The Company estimates it will recognize the license agreement single payment of approximately EUR 3.5 million as revenue in the financial year 2022.

During the period of royalty, Nexstim is subject to certain competitive constraints concerning the sale of NBT-based systems in the United States. The competitive constraints concerning sales of NBT systems do not apply to markets other than the United States and do not constrain the possibilities of the Company to develop and research potential new treatment protocols. Nexstim is also prohibited to apply for a new regulatory clearance concerning the treatment of severe depression using the SAINT protocol (originally known as Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy), which was licensed exclusively to Magnus Medical by Stanford University, or to license the technology subject to the agreement to other actors to be used for the treatment of severe depression using the SAINT protocol. The above constraints do not apply to Nexstims Diagnostics Business, do not prevent the Company from making strategic investments into partner clinics, or licensing the technology for other clinical application purposes. The agreement does not affect the Companys existing customers.

Magnus Medicals protocol is based on SAINT technology developed at Stanford University, California, USA, which is licensed exclusively to Magnus Medical for commercialization. The first clinical trials conducted by Stanford University on the individually targeted, accelerated treatment protocol in the treatment of refractory depression have shown excellent results. In a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, participants received treatment 10 times a day for 5 days. Among participants who received active treatment, 79% entered remission after five days of treatment as measured by the MADRS (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale). In the placebo group, the corresponding figure was 13% (p<0.001)1.

In accordance with the strategy, Nexstim will continue the commercialization of its products in the US with emphasis on expanding the network of partner clinics and Diagnostics Business. Outside the United States, Nexstim will continue focusing on actively expanding its Therapy Business along the Diagnostics Business. In the Licensing business, the Company sees other future prospects for commercial utilization of the technology it has developed and its patents.

Mikko Karvinen, CEO of Nexstim, comments: In 2020, accelerated treatment protocols became the center of Nexstims strategic development. We are now very happy about taking this important step in our technology cooperation together with Magnus Medical. The license agreement offers both Nexstim and Magnus Medical unique operative opportunities, and we make the announcement about the agreement with great proudness. In addition to financial benefits, we see the license agreement as a remarkable advancement in ensuring the widest possible patient use of our technology and as a chance for us to allocate our resources to other business areas during the royalty period.

Brett Wingeier, CEO of Magnus Medical, comments: We are very impressed by the quality of the Nexstim technology and by the effort that the Nexstim team has put in over many years to effectively integrate neuronavigation with transcranial magnetic stimulation hardware. We are excited about the possibility to incorporate key elements of this technology in combination with the SAINT protocol to yield the best possible solution for patients in need, and we are happy about this becoming a reality as a result of our negotiations with Nexstim.

As medical device companies, we share a commitment to bring technology based on rigorous scientific research to people suffering from neuropsychiatric disease. We believe that this license agreement will eventually help many people with depression, for whom medications have been ineffective, gain access to life-changing neuromodulation treatment.

1 Cole EJ, et al., Am J Psychiatry 2021; 00:19; doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.20101429

Further information is available on the website www.nexstim.com or by contacting:

Mikko Karvinen, CEO

+ 358 50 326 4101

mikko.karvinen@nexstim.com

Erik Penser Bank AB (Certified Advisor)

+46 8 463 83 00

certifiedadviser@penser.se

About Magnus Medical, Inc

Magnus Medical, Inc., of Burlingame, Calif., is a privately held medical device company co-founded by industry veterans Brett Wingeier, Ph.D., and Brandon Bentzley, M.D., Ph.D., and includes global commercial executive Scott Ashworth. The Magnus Neuromodulation System with SAINT technology is a novel innovation with the potential to have a significant positive impact on the treatment of severe depression. For the first time, advanced imaging technologies combined with personalized neural targeting and novel stimulation patterns have the potential to yield a new form of individualized, non-invasive neurostimulation for people with treatment-resistant depression. This new approach is designed to be delivered on an accelerated timeline and is precisely tailored to each persons brain connectivity. More information is available at www.magnusmed.com.

The Magnus System is based on the SAINT technology, which was licensed exclusively to Magnus Medical from Stanford University for global commercialization.

The Magnus System, currently an investigational device, is expected to require 510(k) clearance from the U.S. FDA and is not yet commercially available.

About Nexstim Plc

Nexstim is a Finnish, globally operating growth-oriented medical technology company. Our mission is to enable personalized and effective diagnostics and therapies for challenging brain diseases and disorders.

Nexstim has developed a world-leading non-invasive brain stimulation technology for navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) with highly sophisticated 3D navigation providing accurate and personalized targeting of the TMS to the specific area of the brain.

Nexstims Diagnostics Business focuses on commercialization of the Navigated Brain Stimulation (NBS) system. The NBS system is the only FDA cleared and CE marked navigated TMS system for pre-surgical mapping of the speech and motor cortices of the brain.

Nexstims Therapy Business markets and sells the Navigated Brain Therapy (NBT) system, which is FDA cleared for marketing and commercial distribution for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in the United States. In Europe, the NBT system is CE marked for the treatment of major depression and chronic neuropathic pain.

Nexstim shares are listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland and Nasdaq First North Growth Market Sweden.

For more information, please visit www.nexstim.com

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New York, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Report 2022-2032" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06229680/?utm_source=GNW



The Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Report 2022-2032: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region.



Trends In Body Armour  Weight Versus Protection



Body armour and helmets have been around since the 16th century when the musket was invented. Body armour and helmets became less popular throughout time since their weight hampered movement. The two World Wars of the twentieth century were fought without the use of body armour. However, because 20% of all fighting casualties were to the head, reasonably efficient helmets emerged.



Body armour and helmets got thicker as a result of the emphasis on minimising casualties by maximising protection and the reintroduction of 7.62 mm steel core bullets. Since the mid-1980s, when it was just four kg, the weight of bullet-proof jackets worn by US Army personnel has more than doubled. The weight was raised further by the protection of additional essential regions such as the groyne, knees, elbows, and face. A US soldiers PPE now weighs 13-14 kg. This weight greatly limits the troops mobility and efficiency. Despite the negative elements of higher PPE weight, it has proven to be a life saver in all battles



What Are These Questions You Should Ask Before Buying A Market Research Report?

 How is the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market evolving?

 What is driving and restraining the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market?

 How will each military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2032?

 How will the market shares for each military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) submarket develop from 2022 to 2032?

 What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2022 to 2032?

 Will leading military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?

 How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2032 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2032?

 Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?

 What are the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) projects for these leading companies?

 How will the industry evolve during the period between 2020 and 2032? What are the implication of military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?

 Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market?

 Where is the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market heading? And how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?

 What can be the best investment options for new product and service lines?

 What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path? C-suite?



You need to discover how this will impact the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market today, and over the next 10 years:

 Our 678-page report provides 370 tables and 367 charts/graphs exclusively to you.

 The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them  NOW.

 Contains in-depth analyse of global, regional and national sales and growth

 Highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors



This report tells you TODAY how the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market will develop in the next 10 years, and in-line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years.



Forecasts to 2032 and other analyses reveal the commercial prospects

 In addition to revenue forecasting to 2032, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.

 You find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.

 Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) prices and recent developments.



This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report.



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Product Style

 Covert

 Overt



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Level

 Level I

 Level II

 Level III



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by End-Use

 Army

 Navy

 Air Force



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Application

 Composite Ceramic

 UHMWPE

 Aramid

 Steel

 Other Material



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Product

 Interceptor Body Armour (IBA)

 Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV)

 Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI)

 Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts (ESBI)

 Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS)

 Concealable Body Armour (CBA)

 Pelvic Protection Product (PPS)

 Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH)

 Military Combat Eye Protection (MCEP)

 Concealable Body Armour (CBA)



In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for 4 regional and 20 leading national markets:



North America Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 U.S. Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Canada Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Mexico Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



Europe Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 Germany Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Spain Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 United Kingdom Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 France Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Italy Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Russia Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Rest of Europe Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



Asia Pacific Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 China Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Japan Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 India Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Australia Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 South Korea Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Rest of Asia Pacific Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



Latin America Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 Brazil Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Argentina Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Chile Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Rest of Latin America Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



Middle East & Africa Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 Egypt Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Turkey Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Saudi Arabia Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Iran Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Israel Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Rest of Middle East and Africa Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations.



Leading companies and the potential for market growth

 3M Company

 AR500 Armor

 Armor Works Inc

 ATK Security and Sporting

 Avon Protection Systems Inc.

 BAE System Plc

 Ballistic Body Armor PTY

 CoorsTek Inc.

 Craig International Ballistics Pty Ltd.

 Dupont De Nemours Inc.

 Gentex Coporation

 Honeywell International

 MSA Safety

 Pacific Safety Product

 Point Blank Enterprises, Inc



Overall world revenue for Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 in terms of value the market will surpass US$xx million in 2022, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2032. Our work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.



How the Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market report helps you?



In summary, our 670+ page report provides you with the following knowledge:

 Revenue forecasts to 2032 for Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market, with forecasts for product style, product, level, end-use, material, each forecasted at a global and regional level discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues

 Revenue forecasts to 2032 for 4 regional and 20 key national markets  See forecasts for the Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Australia among other prominent economies.

 Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market including company profiles for 20 of the major companies involved in the Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06229680/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
Dublin, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Market, Global Forecast 2022-2027, Industry Trends, Impact of COVID-19, Opportunity Company Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This latest report provides a detailed analysis of Global Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Industry. The Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Market is expected to reach US$ 11.8 Billion by 2027.

Over the past decade, transcatheter heart valve replacement has become the leading technique for aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, and pulmonary valve replacement. Transcatheter heart valve replacement is a procedure with a less invasive approach that helps replace the heart valve with a prosthetic valve to treat severe aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. It is an effective alternative to cumbersome open heart surgery, especially for high-risk patients.



Thus, the procedure helps reduce severe degenerative aortic stenosis and increases the survival rate of patients. Improving percutaneous transcatheter prosthetic valve implantation worldwide is to propel the demand for transcatheter heart valve devices, as the risk of valvular heart disease is higher among the geriatric population, owing to the increasing prevalence of severe aortic stenosis asymptomatic severe mitral regurgitation.



Factors Driving Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Industry

As per the World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, more than 7 million deaths are due to sudden cardiac arrest globally every year. Therefore, the growing cases of heart attacks, heart failures, strokes, and other heart-related conditions facilitate the market for transcatheter heart valve replacement.

Technological advancements and innovative product launches in the cardiovascular industry have resulted in better treatment and improved accessibility to TAVR devices. Compared to mechanical prosthetic valves, tissue valves are increasingly prevalent for better biocompatibility and high durability.

Favorable reimbursement plans for Medicare, Medicaid plans, and insurance claims sponsored by the regulatory authorities for the patients further expand the affordability of these transplant surgeries and, thus, fueling the treatment rate for valvular disorders.



Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Industry will grow with double-digit CAGR of 12.57% from 2021-2027

On the basis of product, Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Market includes Transcatheter Aortic Vmeaningalve Replacement Market, Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Market, and Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement Market. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement has significant market share owing to the increasing number of transcatheter aortic valve replacements and the availability of novel products. Apart from this, depending on the product, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is segmented into the Transfemoral approach, Transapical approach, and Transaortic approach.



Besides, based on application, TAVR is used to treat aortic valve disorders such as severe aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation and others. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement devices are combined with a valve mechanical (made of stainless steel or nitinol) and valve leaflets Biological (made of cow heart tissue or bovine). These aortic valves are available in various sizes (29mm, 22mm, 20mm, 18mm, 14mm, and 16mm). Likewise, Transcatheter mitral valve replacement provides superior hemodynamic efficiency with a low rate of residual mitral regurgitation and low transvalvular gradients. Transcatheter mitral valve replacement is segmented into mechanical valves and bioprosthetic tissue valves.



Worldwide Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Market Size was US$ 5.8 Billion in 2021

In terms of End-Users, the transcatheter heart valve replacement industry is segmented into hospitals and Cath Labs. The cath labs segment has considerable market shares. A cath lab has special imaging equipment to see the arteries and check how well blood is flowing to and from the heart. This information helps the care team to treat and diagnose blockages and other problems in the arteries. Furthermore, TAVR is mostly performed in cath labs rather than a hybrid with substantial cost savings and no worsening outcomes.



North America has Highest Transcatheter Heart Valve Market Worldwide

Geographically, North America is the leading transcatheter heart valve market globally. The rapid enlargement in the geriatric population, available government support through product approvals and favorable health reimbursement and the high prevalence of valvular heart diseases are the primary elements of the rising need for transcatheter heart valve replacement products. As per the American Heart Association, 90,000 valve substitutes are embedded in the U.S. every year.



Conversely, Asia-Pacific's transcatheter heart valve replacement industry has immensely grown. This is because of the rising geriatric populations in nations like China and Japan and the increasing understanding among physicians and healthcare specialists about transcatheter aortic valve replacement.



COVID - 19 Impacts on Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Market

Patients and the cardiac arrest treatment industry faced struggles amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the diversion of the medical field towards dining COVID-19, the funding to R&D activities related to cardiac diseases has been diminished, manufacturing of ventilators essential for COVID-19 treatment has been prioritized. As a result, this segment has faced slight neglect, harming the transcatheter heart valve replacement market for initial months.

Pivotal players in the transcatheter heart valve replacement industry include Edwards Life sciences, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Plc, Livanova Plc, Boston Scientific Corporation.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Research & Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenge



5. Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Market



6. Market Share - Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Analysis

6.1 By Type

6.2 By Material

6.3 By Region

6.4 By End-User

6.5 By Product

6.6 By Application



7. Type - Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Market

7.1 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Market

7.1.1 Mechanical Valve

7.1.2 Biological Valve

7.2 Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Market

7.2.1 Mechanical Valve

7.2.2 Biological Valve

7.3 Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement Market

7.3.1 Mechanical Valve

7.3.2 Biological Valve



8. Region - Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Market

8.1 North America

8.2 Europe

8.3 Asia-Pacific

8.4 Latin America

8.5 Others



9. End-User - Transcatheter Heart Valve Replacement Market

9.1 Hospitals

9.2 Cath Labs



10. Product - Transcatheter Aortic Heart Valve Replacement Market

10.1 Transfemoral approach

10.2 Transapical approach

10.3 Transaortic approach

10.4 Others



11. Application - Transcatheter Aortic Heart Valve Replacement Market

11.1 Aortic Stenosis

11.2 Aortic Regurgitation

11.3 Others



12. Porters Five Forces

12.1 Overview

12.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

12.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

12.4 Degree of Competition

12.5 Threat of New Entrants

12.6 Threat of Substitutes



13. Key Players Analysis

13.1 Edwards Lifesciences

13.1.1 Overview

13.1.2 Recent Development

13.1.3 Sales Analysis

13.2 Abbott Laboratories

13.2.1 Overview

13.2.2 Recent Development

13.2.3 Sales Analysis

13.3 Medtronic Plc

13.3.1 Overview

13.3.2 Recent Development

13.3.3 Sales Analysis

13.4 LIVANOVA PLC

13.4.1 Overview

13.4.2 Recent Development

13.4.3 Sales Analysis

13.5 Boston Scientific Corporation

13.5.1 Overview

13.5.2 Recent Development

13.5.3 Sales Analysis



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4zqxch

Attachment
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In 2022, wheat price increases will be contained by stable global production and falling demand for feed grains in the U.S. and the EU, a new report published by IndexBox states. In 2021, the average export price for U.S. Soft Red Winter Wheat delivered at the U.S. Gulf port rose by 24% y/y to $282 per tonne. This year, the soft wheat prices are forecast to stabilize at the previous years level.



According to IndexBox estimates based on USDA and World Bank data, global wheat production is projected to keep at 777M tonnes in 2022, remaining nearly unchanged compared to the previous years figures. Higher outputs are expected in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, the EU, India, Pakistan, Ukraine, and the U.K., while production in Russia, Canada, Kazakhstan, and Turkey is to decline. Harvests in Iran, Iraq and Syria are to see a deep drop due to a drought, which will force these countries to ramp up wheat imports sharply.

Global Wheat Exports

Global wheat exports were estimated at 199M tonnes in 2020, increasing by 13% compared with the previous year's figure. In value terms, supplies rose markedly to $45.3B.

The shipments of the five major wheat exporters, namely Russia, the U.S., Canada, France and Ukraine, represented more than half of global supplies. Australia (10M tonnes) ranks next in terms of total exports with a 5.2% share, followed by Argentina (5.1%) and Germany (4.7%). The following exporters - Kazakhstan (5.4M tonnes), Poland (4.7M tonnes), Romania (4.3M tonnes), Lithuania (4M tonnes) and Bulgaria (3.2M tonnes) - together made up 11% of the total volume.

In value terms, Russia ($7.9B), the U.S. ($6.3B) and Canada ($6.3B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2020, with a combined 45% share of global supplies. These countries were followed by France, Ukraine, Australia, Germany, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania, Lithuania and Bulgaria, which accounted for a further 44%.

Top Largest Wheat Importers

The purchases of the twelve major wheat importers, namely Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria, China, Italy, Algeria, the Philippines, Brazil, Bangladesh, Morocco and Japan, represented more than a third of the total volume. The Netherlands (4.3M tonnes) occupied a minor share of global imports.

In value terms, the largest wheat importing markets worldwide were Egypt ($2.7B), Indonesia ($2.6B) and Turkey ($2.3B), together accounting for 16% of international purchases. These countries were followed by China, Nigeria, Italy, Algeria, the Philippines, Japan, Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh and the Netherlands, which accounted for a further 34%.

About IndexBox

IndexBox is a market research firm developing an AI-driven market intelligence platform that helps business analysts find actionable insights and make data-driven decisions. The platform provides data on consumption, production, trade, and prices for more than 10K+ different products across 200 countries.

For more information, please visit.

Website https://www.indexbox.io

Twitter https://twitter.com/indexbox

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/IndexBox



LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/indexbox-marketing/

Companies Mentioned in the Report

Viterra, UG Rusi LLC, Cargill, Bunge, Dreyfus, Wudeli Flour Mill Group, Ardent Mills, Archer Daniels Midland Company, General Mills, Allied Pinnacle Pty Limited, Manildra Milling Pvt Ltd, Acarsan Flour, KORFEZ Flour Mills, George Weston Foods Limited, Hodgson Mill, Mtk Ltd, Vneshtorg-Rus LLC, Vostok-Snab, Diet Prom LLC, TPK Varna, Adascan Grain Corporation, ADM Agri-Industries Company, Agricom International Inc., Agrocorp Processing Ltd., Agri-Tel Grain Limited, Besco Grain Ltd.

Sources

World - Wheat - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

U.S. - Wheat - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

World - Cereals - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

World - Grain - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

Russia - Wheat - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights




VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. (Azincourt or the Company) (TSX.V: AAZ, OTCQB: AZURF), is pleased to provide an update on the 2022 exploration program at the East Preston uranium project, located in the western Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada.



Drilling at the East Preston Project commenced on January 24th, and to date, 1,334 meters has been completed in 6 drill holes. After some initial startup delays due to the extreme cold weather, two drill rigs are now operational on the project. Four drill holes are complete and two are in progress on the G-Zone. One drill rig is being moved to the K-Zone. See figure 2 for corresponding locations.

Winter 2022 Diamond Drilling Program

TerraLogic Exploration Inc. is executing the winter 2022 diamond drilling program under the guidance and supervision of Azincourts Vice President, Exploration, Trevor Perkins, P.Geo, and Jarrod Brown, M.Sc., P.Geo, Chief Geologist and Project Manager with TerraLogic Exploration. The program is planned for approximately 6,000m of drilling in 30-35 drill holes. Drilling will focus on the A-G and K-H-Q trends and commenced in the G-Zone where the 2021 drill program ended. The program continues to evaluate the G-Zone to the south and assess the K-H-Q trend. The program may be modified, and drill holes adjusted at any time as results warrant.

The 73 km winter road to access the property and the camp facilities are complete. Accurate Industries is maintaining the winter access road and facilitating transport of fuel and supplies to camp for the duration of the program. Discovery Mining Services is maintaining and managing the exploration camp at Snoop Lake for the duration of the program. Full Force Drilling Ltd is providing two diamond drill rigs and conducting the drilling program, which is expected to continue until mid to late March. Significant snowfall and blowing snow have resulted in extra time and effort being put in to maintaining the access roads to ensure safe and consistent accessibility.

It is nice to have the drills turning and core coming in, said VP, Exploration, Trevor Perkins. There were a few hiccups with startup due to extreme cold and the resultant impact on waterlines and equipment, but that is not unusual when working in this remote environment in the winter in Northern Saskatchewan. The drill program is now progressing well, continued Mr. Perkins.

East Preston Targets

The primary target area for the 2022 program continues to be the conductive corridors from the A-Zone through to the G-Zone (A-G Trend) and the K-Zone through to the H and Q-Zones (K-H-Q Trend) (Figures 1 and 2). The selection of these trends is based on a compilation of results from the 2018 through 2020 ground-based EM and gravity surveys, property wide VTEM and magnetic surveys, and the 2019 through 2021 drill programs, the 2020 HLEM survey indicates multiple prospective conductors and structural complexity along these corridors.

The 2019-2021 drilling programs on the A-G Trend confirmed that geophysical conductors comprise structurally disrupted zones that are host to accumulations of graphite, sulphides, and carbonates. Anomalous radioactivity has been demonstrated to exist within these structurally disrupted conductor zones. The 2022 drilling program will target similar structurally disrupted zones prioritized on the presence and strength of corresponding electromagnetic, magnetic and gravity geophysical anomalies.

Permitting and Community Engagement.

Permits are in place to complete all the planned work through the winter of 2022. Azincourt Energy continues to be engaged in regular meetings with the Clearwater River Dene Nation and other rights holders to ensure that concerns of the local communities are addressed. Azincourt looks forward to a continued close working relationship with CRDN and other rights holders to ensure that any potential impacts and concerns are addressed and that the communities can benefit from activities in the area through support of local business, employment opportunities, and sponsorship of select community programs and initiatives. Several members of the Clearwater River Dene Nation are directly employed on site or provide support and services to keep the camp and program running.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b381a70-d56e-4fa8-9713-755075bf3379

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5243ac2a-e1bb-4d76-ac48-b046d59e5754

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/933d11d6-2d42-4c0f-8b64-c809c60b3dff

Azincourt Closes Private Placement

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement of 5,575,000 Units (Units) of the Company at a price of C$0.07 per Unit for gross proceeds of C$390,250 (the Offering).

Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share until February 9, 2025, at a price of C$0.10 per common share.

In accordance with securities legislation, all securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four month hold period expiring on June 10, 2022.

Azincourt will apply the gross proceeds of the Offering to advance the Companys projects and for general working capital purposes.

Final closing of this Offering is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including that of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About East Preston

Azincourt controls a majority 70% interest in the 25,000+ hectare East Preston project as part of a joint venture agreement with Skyharbour Resources (TSX.V: SYH), and Dixie Gold. Three prospective conductive, low magnetic signature corridors have been discovered on the property. The three distinct corridors have a total strike length of over 25 km, each with multiple EM conductor trends identified. Ground prospecting and sampling work completed to date has identified outcrop, soil, biogeochemical and radon anomalies, which are key pathfinder elements for unconformity uranium deposit discovery.

The East Preston Project has multiple long linear conductors with flexural changes in orientation and offset breaks in the vicinity of interpreted fault lineaments  classic targets for basement-hosted unconformity uranium deposits. These are not just simple basement conductors; they are clearly upgraded/enhanced prospectivity targets because of the structural complexity.

The targets are basement-hosted unconformity related uranium deposits similar to NexGens Arrow deposit and Camecos Eagle Point mine. East Preston is near the southern edge of the western Athabasca Basin, where targets are in a near surface environment without Athabasca sandstone cover  therefore they are relatively shallow targets but can have great depth extent when discovered. The project ground is located along a parallel conductive trend between the PLS-Arrow trend and Camecos Centennial deposit (Virgin River-Dufferin Lake trend).

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by C. Trevor Perkins, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Azincourt Energy, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Azincourt Energy Corp.

Azincourt Energy is a Canadian-based resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration, and development of alternative energy/fuel projects, including uranium, lithium, and other critical clean energy elements. The Company is currently active at its joint venture East Preston uranium project in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the Escalera Group uranium-lithium project located on the Picotani Plateau in southeastern Peru.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP.

Alex Klenman

Alex Klenman, President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Azincourt. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially.

For further information please contact:

Alex Klenman, President & CEO

Tel: 604-638-8063

info@azincourtenergy.com

Azincourt Energy Corp.

1430  800 West Pender Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 2V6

www.azincourtenergy.com
Beijing enhances intangible cultural heritage preservation

Xinhua) 08:59, February 14, 2022

BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Beijing has promoted the protection of intangible cultural heritage by providing subsidies to the inheritors and assistance in the building of traditional craft brands, an official said Sunday.

Eighteen local intangible cultural heritages were listed as representative national items in 2021, including the traditional preserved fruit production techniques, said Liu Bin, spokesperson of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

In order to make intangible cultural heritage more "tangible" to the public, the bureau has designed the "Journey along Beijing's Central Axis," encouraging companies such as the Beijing Enamel Factory to set up intangible cultural heritage experience bases, Liu added.

The bureau also published many tour itineraries themed on the Winter Olympics and the Great Wall, offering seasonal selections to the public and an opportunity to appreciate the Winter Olympics as well as enjoy winter leisure tours, the spokesperson noted.

Multiple activities, including exhibitions, lectures and a shopping festival for Beijing's time-honored intangible cultural heritage brands, will be held in Beijing this year, Liu said.

To date, there are 92 national-level representative intangible cultural heritage inheritors and 242 municipal-level representative inheritors in Beijing.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Hongyu)
By Kent Harrington





ATLANTA  With U.S. and Chinese warships increasingly playing chicken, and China transforming atolls and outcroppings into militarized artificial islands, the South China Sea presents a striking picture of Sino-American strategic competition. But China's expansive assertion of offshore sovereignty is not only challenging others' territorial rights and free navigation of international sea lanes. It also is threatening a central feature of the Southeast Asian ecosystem, and thus the region's economic future.



China has refused to submit its territorial claims to international review, even though six of the ten countries surrounding the South China Sea have claims to various rocks, shoals, reefs, and resources within its 1.4 million square miles. China also has ignored the Permanent Court of Arbitration's (PCA) 2016 ruling affirming the Philippines' historic rights to the Spratly Islands and dismissing China's outsize claim to some 90 percent of the South China Sea (based on the so-called nine-dash line).



For Southeast Asia's 600 million people, the territorial crisis in the South China Sea is not some distant future concern. China's actions already are harming the region's maritime ecosystems and livelihoods. That is the key lesson of the book Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground, by James Borton of the Johns Hopkins Foreign Policy Institute.



Putting aside geopolitics considerations, Borton focuses on the ground truth: Chinese exploitation of the South China Sea is threatening the region's future through the ecological, environmental, and economic damage that it is causing.



Fishing is at the heart of Borton's tale. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 15-56 percent (depending on the country) of all animal protein consumed in Southeast Asia comes from the neighboring seas. And the global market reflects this bounty. Though it accounts for only 2.5 percent of the planet's ocean surface area, the South China Sea produces 12 percent of the world's fish catch. According to Borton, half of the world's 3.2 million registered fishing boats operate there.



While overfishing is a growing global problem, China clearly contributes to it disproportionately with its long-distance fishing fleet of 2,500 ships (a number that rises to 17,000 if one counts unregistered and illegal vessels). Borton marshals first-hand accounts from fishers, officials, and researchers to show how the South China Sea's vital resources are being degraded. Around 2,500 species of fish inhabit its waters, but since 2000, catch rates have declined by 70 percent, and large fish stocks have shrunk by 90 percent.



For years, China has unilaterally declared fishing bans, supposedly to protect fish stocks. And in 2021, it adopted a new law empowering its coast guard to use force against alleged violators from neighboring countries. And yet, while China's maritime militia has driven other countries' boats elsewhere, Chinese fishing operations in the world's proscribed zones have continued, such that China alone hauls in 20 percent of the world's annual catch.



The ecological effects of China's island-building are no less troubling. The South China Sea was once home to one-third of the world's coral reefs, but according to Borton, around half have already been lost. Coral reefs around the world are being degraded by the effects of climate change. But as the PCA noted in its 2016 ruling, China has accelerated this destruction in the South China Sea, by dredging up more than 100 square miles of healthy coral reefs to create artificial islands.



Borton sees the failure to resolve the South China Sea crisis as a harbinger of ecological disaster. Highlighting the work of scientists, researchers, and concerned officials, he helps us understand the nature of the challenge and its possible solutions. "Just as the current pandemic requires a collaborative approach, the South China Sea requires scientific cooperation  and open access to data," he writes. "Science diplomacy can establish  a starting point for regional cooperation" and "a much-needed pause in rising tension."



Unfortunately, the Chinese government's failure to do any of these things during the global COVID crisis is a harbinger as well. It has refused to provide basic information about the ecological impact of its island building, even as it expands its territorial claims elsewhere in Asia. And its strong-armed tactics and steady militarization of its newly created offshore real estate hardly suggest that it intends to share data, much less play a constructive role in preserving the region's ecosystems.



Borton is certainly correct that citizens and scientists ought to collaborate to find ways to bridge the political divide in the South China Sea. But, given China's intransigence, businesses may be better positioned than governments to take the steps he proposes. From start-ups to technology giants, the private sector is creating new tools that will shed more light on the situation.



Satellite systems and artificial intelligence are already being used to collect and analyze massive amounts of climate data for clients and researchers. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are gathering and publishing more climate data, and business leaders like BlackRock CEO Larry Fink are pushing companies to align their operations with the global climate agenda.



But while Borton has offered a clear overview of the crisis in the South China Sea, comprehending the problem is no guarantee that those with the means to address it will take up the challenge.





Kent Harrington, a former senior CIA analyst, served as national intelligence officer for East Asia, chief of station in Asia, and the CIA's director of public affairs. This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org).


Tamarindo, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Costa Rica is attracting more tourism than ever before, with the demand for vacation rentals skyrocketing over the past two decades across the country. Many of those visitors are also choosing to stay for longer periods of timemaking vacation apartment and condo rentals a much more comfortable and convenient option than crowded hotels.

VIP Tamarindo Rentals & Concierge can help plan any dream vacationwhether guests want to stay just a few days or a few weeks. VIP Tamarindo offers a wide selection of Costa Rica vacation rentals, including apartments and condominiums that can accommodate any budget and any location desire, whether its close to town or next to the luxurious Costa Rican beaches.

From North America to Europe and beyond, travelers are descending on this beautiful nationmaking it a regular spot for a holiday, especially among younger generations. In fact, inbound visitors have grown by a staggering 172 percent since 2000. And its easy to see why people want to visit this beautiful country.

Costa Rica was even rated as the happiest and most sustainable country in the world by the Happy Planet Index (HPI)but that doesnt surprise those who have traveled to this beautiful country in the past. With beautiful scenery that includes both luscious jungle vegetation and vast coastlinesCosta Rica can take someones breath away in an instant!

Although other international destinations have seen their numbers decline during COVID-19, Tamarindo and its ten months of fair weather, is often completely sold-out months in advance, said VIP Tamarindo founder Richard Lacey. From a COVID-19 safety perspective, the nation has a small population, and much of the things to do and places to eat are in a fresh air environment.

When it comes to traveling internationally, safety, security, and comfort are keyso why not find a vacation rental that makes it feel more like home?

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a drastic shift in demand away from typical hotels and resorts to more intimate and controlled vacation rentals, said Lacey. They are seen as less risky, and with more amenities, a means to stretch a holiday budget further.

VIP Tamarindo is a locally owned vacation rental platform providing exquisite accommodations for any traveler. Fly into one of the two modern and newly redesigned international airports, located in Liberia and San Jose, close to either the major city center or the luscious beaches, and let the relaxation and fun begin, knowing you have a comfortable vacation rental home waiting for your return. Venture out and enjoy a day of ziplining alongside wildlife throughout the incredible jungles or relax along the beautiful Costa Rican beachesthere really is something for everyone, and the experts at VIP Tamarindo can help make it all happen!

Aside from safety, VIP Tamarindo apartment and condo rentals provide exceptional convenience, with full kitchens providing more flexibility, especially during long stays. With VIP Tamarindo, families of all sizes can find spacious apartments that also include access to outdoor grilling areas, community swimming pools, and fitness facilities.

For guests looking for a little more relaxation, discover one of VIP Tamarindos incredible oceanfront condominiums, with direct access to some of Costa Ricas most exquisite private beaches. Seeking a little more luxury and privacy, explore VIP Tamarindos wide selection of private homes. From Spanish revival beachfront villas to stunning, modern homes tucked in the hills, VIP Tamarindo offers an incredible selection of private rental homes, placing guests in the heart of the city nightlife or peaceful beaches. No matter what guests need, the travel experts at VIP Tamarindo can help guide anyone through their search for the perfect vacation rental.

https://thenewsfront.com/vip-tamarindo-provides-affordable-private-accommodations-in-luxurious-costa-rica/
Sandpoint, ID, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UPDATED AND CORRECTED

Aviation Week Network announced Tamarack Aerospace and founder Nick Guida are nominated for the Program of Excellence Awards. Aviation Week Network says the award winner will show not only how their business program is executed but also how leadership is employed and the quality of the leadership  its more about leadership than merely the technology being applied. Finalists will be named in late August, and Aviation Week Network and nominees will gather Nov. 2-3 in Washington, DC for the A&D Programs Conference, Program Excellence Banquet and Program Management Roundtable.

Tamaracks Aircraft Modification, has been nominated for the 2022 Aviation Week Program Excellence Awards. This is one of the few industry initiatives that honors program/project leaders, and we are thrilled to share news of your nomination in the OEM Prime System Sustainment/Upgrade category, said Carole Rickard Hedden Aviation Week Networks Executive Editor-Custom Content & Program Excellence and Editor-in-Chief-Advanced Air Mobility Report.

Nick Guida has led Tamarack Aerospace Group for the last dozen years after inventing the Active Winglet and SMARTWING technology that provides aviation industry leading load alleviation and sustainability resulting in flying up to 33 percent farther on fuel, ride smoothing, shorter take-off and landing distances, and noise pollution reduction along with other advantages. As of February 2022 Tamarack has modified more than 150 CitationJets and two King Air models in the experimental category. The company is in talks with the U.S. military and NASA for modifying large commercial and military airframes, respectively.

Nick Guida is proud to receive the Aviation Week Network nomination, We work so hard to provide this unique patented technology an provide the absolute best customer support for our programs. This nomination reinforces our commitment to excellence in the industry, said Guida.

The 2022 Program Excellence Awards nominees will share lessons learned and best practices during the A&D Programs Conference. The Program Excellence Awards Banquet will bring together program executives, their customer counterparts, and leaders from across the industry to recognize the best in program performance and leadership. Finalists and winners will be identified in categories that reflect system and sub-system level programs at all phases of the lifecycle.

The Program of Excellence evaluation team includes aviation industry leaders, Boeing, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, Collins Aerospace, General Atomics Aeronautical, MOOG, DAU, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Elbit Systems of America, L3Harris, and Raytheon Technologies.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

About Tamarack Aerospace

Tamarack Aerospace Group is an aircraft performance and sustainability-focused company revolutionizing business, defense, and commercial aftermarket winglets with its unique and patented load alleviation technology. These aftermarket modifications deliver double-digit fuel savings, payload increase, significant range increase, outstanding climb performance, ride smoothing, increased structural life, and increased safety and stability. Tamaracks wing technologies provide a truly transformative performance, making them the most cutting-edge aftermarket modifications available. Since structural reinforcement is not required, these modifications are lightweight and quick, and easy to install. Learn more at www.tamarackaero.com and follow Tamarack Aerospace Group on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Attachment
Chicago, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Arizton latest report on the Nordic data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.76% during 20212027. Denmark data center market is leading with around 30% of total investments in the Nordics, followed by Sweden and Norway.



Scope of the Nordic Data Center Market Report

Report Coverage Details Market Size in 2021 $5.24 Billion Market Size in 2027 $10.21 Billion Market Size by Area (2027) 2.74 Million Sq. ft Market Size by Power Capacity (2027) 568 MW Growth Rate from 2021 to 2027 11.76 % Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 2022-2027 Segments Covered Infrastructure, IT infrastructure, Electrical Infrastructure, Mechanical Infrastructure, Cooling Systems, Cooling Technique, General Construction, Tier Standard, Facility, and Geography Countries Covered Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland

Click Here to Download the Free Sample Report

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

The Nordics is a preferred investment location for hyperscale, colocation, and cryptocurrency data centers, fueled by ample availability of renewable energy, large swatches of land for development, and government support for the development of data centers.

Within the Nordics, Sweden, with over 35% of the overall capacity added in the market led market investments, followed by Finland and Denmark. Finland witnessed investments by Google, which announced the expansion of its Hamina data center facility.

The Nordics market has also witnessed several acquisition transactions in 2021, which will further enable market growth. For instance, in July 2021, Green Mountain was acquired by Israel based Azrieli Group, and DigiPlex was acquired by IPI Partners.

The adoption of district heating is encouraged by local governments and adopted by data center operators in the Nordics. For instance, the government of Norway will offer incentives such as USD 0.005 per KW/h in electricity tax for data centers contributing to district heating in Norway.

Various local data center associations also exist in Nordic countries, that formulate policies and support data center development. For instance, Denmark has The Danish Data Center Association (DDI) representing the data center ecosystem in Denmark, including operators, vendors, municipalities, educational institutions, and utility companies.

Norway is the leading country in renewable energy capacity production, followed by Sweden and Finland. The European Union Renewable Energy Directive has set certain renewable energy targets, as a percentage of total energy consumed in the Nordics, set at 30% for Denmark, 38% for Finland, 72% for Iceland, 67.5% for Norway, and 49% for Sweden.

Key Offerings:

Market Size & Forecast by Investment | 20212027

Market Size & Forecast by Power Capacity (MW) | 20212027

Market Size & Forecast by Area (Sq. Ft) | 20212027

Market Dynamics  Leading trends, growth drivers, restraints, and investment opportunities

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis by infrastructure, IT infrastructure, electrical infrastructure, mechanical infrastructure, cooling systems, cooling technique, general construction, tier standard, facility, and geography

Competitive Landscape  12 IT infrastructure providers, 17 support infrastructure providers, 17 construction contractors, and 13 data center investors

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/nordic-data-center-construction-market-2025

Nordic Data Center Market  Key Investments

In June 2021, the Solor Bioenergy Group announced the acquisition of the district heating business from Veolia Nordic in Norway and Sweden.

District heating is widely used in Finland & Iceland as it covers around 50% of buildings, houses. In February 2021, VTT launched a district heating plant technology is called Low-Temperature District Heating and Desalination Rector in Finland.

Sweden also offers regional investments and employment grants for data centers, depending on the investment amount and full-time jobs offered. For instance, Stockholm Data Parks will bring significant investments to the country.

In September 2021, Huawei Technologies launched an Indirect Evaporative Cooling solution, an innovative solution to upgrade Air Handling Units (AHU) to Environment Handling Units (EHU), to reduce the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and carbon emission of the data center.

In January 2020, Norway launched its National Strategy on AI to offer investments in AI research & education, establish financial aid schemes for AI, and frame rules & principles on ethical adoption of AI in the country.





Nordic Data Center Market  Segmentation

Market Segmentation by Infrastructure

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

Market Segmentation by IT Infrastructure

Server Infrastructure

Storage Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure



Market Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgear

Power Distribution Units

Other Electrical Infrastructure



Market Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure



Market Segmentation by Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers

Condensers & Dry Coolers

Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Market Segmentation by Cooling Technique

Air-Based Cooling Technique

Liquid-Based Cooling Technique

Market Segmentation by General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Physical Security

Fire Detection & Suppression

DCIM/BMS

Market Segmentation by Tier Standard

Tier I & II

Tier III

Tier IV



Market Segmentation by Facility

Hyperscale Data Centers

Enterprise Data Centers

Colocation Data Centers



Market Segmentation by Geography

Sweden

Finland

Denmark

Norway

Iceland



Nordic Data Center Market  Competitor Landscape

In terms of IT infrastructure, there were various hyperscalers such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Facebook investing in the region in 2021. These cloud service providers are the major adopters of high-density, mission-critical servers, storage infrastructure, and network infrastructure. Various IT infrastructure vendors present in the region include Arista Networks, Broadcom, Cisco Systems. Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Dell Technologies. Server demand has grown over the last year due to the higher infrastructure deployment for big data analytics workloads. The demand for converged and hyper converged solutions also experienced strong growth in the market. Various infrastructure providers are involved in customizing IT infrastructure for data center operators. OCP as a platform also helps vendors according to their needs.

Looking for more info? Click: https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/nordic-data-center-construction-market-2025

Prominent IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Atos

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

NetApp

Oracle

Prominent Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Alfa Laval

Carrier

Caterpillar

Cummins

Eaton

HITEC Power Protection

Legrand

NetNordic

Reillo Elettronica

Rittal

Rolls-Royce Power Systems

Schneider Electric

Socomec

STULZ

Trane Technologies

Vertiv Group



Prominent Construction Contractors

Arup Group

Coromatic

Caverion

COWI

Designer Group

RED

Dornan

Exyte

Gottlieb Paludan Architects

Granlund Group

MT Hojgaard

Mace Group

ISG

Sweco

Mercury

Ramboll Group

YIT



Prominent Data Center Investments

Apple

AQ Compute

atNorth

Bahnhof

DigiPlex

Digital Realty

EcoDataCenter

Equinix

Green Mountain

Google

Facebook

Microsoft

Explore our data center knowledge base profile to know more about the industry.

Click Here to Download the Free Sample Report

Read some of the top-selling reports:

About Arizton:

Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovation and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.

We offer comprehensive market research reports on industries such as consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, and life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals and materials, IT and media, logistics and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.

Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered in generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.

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Call: +1-312-235-2040

+1 302 469 0707
Attn: Assignment Editor

TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

What:

The Ford government has announced plans to bring in private for-profit hospitals in Ontario. They are handing more than 18,000 long-term care beds to for-profit companies in 30-year contracts and despite many repeated announcements, they have not reinstated comprehensive inspections nor improved care levels. They are privatizing the last remaining public parts of home care. They have allowed private for-profit testing clinics to charge patients hundreds of dollars for COVID tests. All this in the context of unprecedented staffing shortages.

Health Coalitions across Ontario are holding press conferences to warn about what this means for local public health care services, including our hospitals, long-term care, home care, COVID response and more, and to announce major community events in response.

Details:

Thursday February 17

Niagara Health Coalition at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85303172515 Meeting ID: 853 0317 2515

For more information, contact Julia Lucas at (647) 462-3359 or julia88lucas@gmail.com

Toronto Health Coalition at 12 pm

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88592988040 Meeting ID: 885 9298 8040

For more information, contact Natalie Mehra at (416) 230-6402 or ohc@sympatico.ca

Friday February 18

Sudbury Health Coalition at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85407618265 Meeting ID: 854 0761 8265

For more information, contact Dot Klein at (705) 566-9072 or dot.klein@persona.ca

Tuesday February 22

Waterloo Regional Health Coalition at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83376106154?pwd=R0FKaUtTM1VYQkVOczQvVUoxbVlvUT09

Meeting ID: 833 7610 6154 Passcode: 217952

For more information, contact Jim Stewart at (519) 588-5841 or waterlooregionhealthcoalition@gmail.com

Wednesday February 23

Cornwall Health Coalition at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86559714484 Meeting ID: 865 5971 4484

For more information, contact Elaine MacDonald at (613) 330-3117 or elainemacdonald@cogeco.ca

Thunder Bay Health Coalition at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83212440575?pwd=WEpyS0tibDRLamNDQWRQVkduaklDQT09

Meeting ID: 832 1244 0575 Passcode: 648651

For more information, contact Jules Tupker at (807) 577-5946 or jtupker@tbaytel.net

Windsor Health Coalition at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87239103619?pwd=S3JRMDNTV2VjbFhuREdiS0pxcXMzdz09

Meeting ID: 872 3910 3619 Passcode: 450449

For more information, contact Tracey Ramsey at 519-995-0239 or traceyramsey200@gmail.com

Ottawa Health Coalition at 11:30 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85014863337?pwd=RnIwWmE0M1llRjl2Zm45VlBmOFIzZz09

Meeting ID: 850 1486 3337 Passcode: 757769

For more information, contact Ed Cashman at (343) 999-6886 or ed.cashman.ottawa@gmail.com

Thursday February 24

Kawartha Lakes at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/86190352836 Meeting ID: 861 9035 2836

For more information, contact Zac Miller at (289) 356-7537 or kawarthalakeshealthcoalition@gmail.com

North Bay Health Coalition at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82765086046 Meeting ID: 827 6508 6046

For more information, contact Henri Giroux at (705) 471-7746 or hgiroux1@hotmail.com

London Health Coalition at 12 pm

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89792862335 Meeting ID: 897 9286 2335

For more information, contact Peter Bergmanis at (519) 860-4403 or pbergmanis@rogers.com

Oxford County Coalition for Social Justice at 12 pm

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85442467297?pwd=UTg1bjlwVDBNMW9OZXNvSFdOWC9UUT09

Meeting ID: 854 4246 7297 Passcode: 893011

For more information, contact Bryan J. Smith at (226) 228-8309 or bryasmit@oxford.net

Friday February 25

Kingston Health Coalition at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89424132935 Meeting ID: 894 2413 2935

For more information, contact Matthew Gventer at (613) 542-5834 or birms@kos.net

Monday February 28

Chatham-Kent, Sarnia, Wallaceburg-Walpole Island at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89324642009?pwd=ZVdxcmRqa0hCNnpKRHFCTWVZMUFiZz09

Meeting ID: 893 2464 2009 Passcode: 796980

For more information, contact Shirley Roebuck at (226) 402-2724 or goddess@bell.net

Durham Health Coalition at 10 am

Join Zoom Meeting at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83567085051 Meeting ID: 835 6708 5051

For more information, contact Lance Livingstone at (905) 431-0823 or koach_14@yahoo.com

For more information:

Natalie Mehra, executive director, Ontario Health Coalition 416-230-6402
ATLANTA, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CARROLL, an Atlanta-based national real estate investment firm, hires Wellstar executive Franco Minton as its Executive Vice President of People.

Franco brings more than 20 years of human capital resourcing and development experience across multiple industries to CARROLL. Most recently, he served as the Senior Vice President of Human Resource Strategy & Consulting with Wellstar Health Systems, one of the largest healthcare systems in Georgia with nearly 500 different health and wellness facilities across the state. Prior to Wellstar, Minton held similar roles at Truist/SunTrust as SVP - SHRBP - Consumer, Risk, Legal/HR, and as VP of Consumer Talent Acquisition at Fifth Third Bank. In these roles, Franco focused on enhancing team effectiveness and driving organizational change through talent management and culture and process improvement strategies. He will oversee a talented team of professionals who manage all people-related functions for CARROLL's 800-plus employees across the country.

"At CARROLL, we take great pride in our culture, employee experience, and people development," said M. Patrick Carroll, founder and CEO of CARROLL. "Bringing in Franco and his multi-faceted experience is not only a great addition from a performance standpoint, but it also reinforces CARROLL's commitment to building an innovative and collaborative workplace that is inclusive and welcoming to everyone."

Recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work" by the National Apartment Association in 2021, CARROLL has a long-standing commitment to fostering a collaborative, safe, and growth-focused work environment for everyone. Minton and team will continue the Firm's growth through initiatives like its Diversity & Inclusion Council, which promotes an open and inspiring place to work, while also driving equity for all CARROLL employees; the CARROLL Community Impact program, which challenges all CARROLL employees to find ways to positively impact their local communities; and through the ongoing emphasis CARROLL places on the importance of employee self-care.

"I'm excited to continue building a successful human capital strategy at CARROLL by creating a culture of learning and enablement through strategies in retention, development, and trust," said Franco. "A positive employee experience permeates well beyond an organization's walls and can help influence a happier, more loyal customer base."

###

About CARROLL

CARROLL, a privately held real estate company, was founded in 2004. With headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., CARROLL focuses on multifamily communities, including acquisitions, property and asset management services, and fund management. The Firm has raised more than $4.0 billion of equity through CARROLL-sponsored funds and joint ventures. CARROLL has successfully purchased, developed, or sold more than $18.0 billion in real estate. CARROLL also has regional offices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Raleigh, Denver, Tampa, and New York.

The company manages more than 33,000 multifamily units in eight states and has purchased other multifamily owner/operators throughout the U.S. The Firm has also developed student housing, single-family residential, and retail communities, and has managed more than $500 million in construction projects throughout the past 10 years. From due diligence to execution, CARROLL has the internal capabilities and the external relationships to identify, underwrite, and close transactions. For more information, visit carrollorg.com.

Media Contact

Erinn Larson

media@carrollorg.com

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Image 1: CARROLL logo





CARROLL logo









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
New York, N.Y., Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and J.P. Morgan Wealth Management are now accepting applications for the 2022 J.P. Morgan Wealth Management Scholarship Program. The number of eligible historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) has been expanded to 17.

Launched in 2021, the program provides scholarships and mentorships to students studying any major at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to help them start a career as a financial advisor. J.P. Morgan Wealth Management will award a total of 375 scholarships through 2025.

Students will receive an initial $2,000 scholarship and have the opportunity to participate in two paid professional summer programs to gain the skills to build a career as financial advisors. Students who complete both the Advancing Black Pathways Fellowship Program and the Financial Advisor Development Track Summer Analyst Program will receive an additional $5,000 scholarship during their senior year.

Many students have never thought about becoming a financial advisor or even know what the job entails. We believe this program can help change that, said Christopher Thompson, Head of Diverse Talent Experience for the Consumer and Community Bank at JPMorgan Chase. Advisors have a unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of their clients and find their job rewarding and fulfilling. We want to raise awareness around this career and create a path for diverse young professionals into the wealth management industry.

The J.P. Morgan Wealth Management Scholarship Program is a part of JPMorgan Chases $30 billion commitment to advance racial equity.

Our mission is critical to so many across America, said Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer, UNCF. J.P. Morgans commitment to our students is a great example of how public companies can make a real difference in the lives of deserving, talented students across the United States. We thank them for the investment in us, our students and our HBCUs, and look forward to working together to build better futures for us all.

This year, six new HBCUs were added to the list of participant schools, expanding eligibility to more students across the country.

The eligible schools include:

Alabama A&M University

Central State University

Clark Atlanta University

Delaware State University

Florida A&M University

Howard University

Morehouse College

Morgan State University

North Carolina A&T State University

Paul Quinn College

Prairie View A&M University

South Carolina State University

Spelman College

Tennessee State University

Texas Southern University

Wilberforce University

Winston-Salem State University

Applicants must be full-time college sophomores for the 2022-2023 academic year. Students should apply before March 30 at 11:59pm ET by going to https://scholarships.uncf.org/ToProgram/Jpmorganwealth. Scholarships will be awarded and administered by UNCF.

To learn more about a career with J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, visit https://careers.jpmorgan.com/global/en/home

For more information on the racial wealth gap in the United States, read: A look at the present-day U.S. racial wealth gap

###

About J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is the U.S. wealth management business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.7 trillion and operations worldwide. J.P. Morgan Wealth Management has ~5,000 advisors and more than $700 billion of assets under supervision. Clients can choose how and where they want to invest. They can do it digitally, remotely, or in person by meeting with a J.P. Morgan Advisor in one of our 4,800 Chase branches throughout the U.S., or in one of our 21 offices. For more information, go to www.jpmorganwealthmanagement.com and follow @JPMWealth on Twitter.

About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20% of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.
Gloucester, MA (01930)

Today

Cloudy and damp with rain this morning...then becoming partly cloudy. High 52F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.


By Peter Y. Paik





In light of the rise of China and the severe divisions  political and social  afflicting the United States, it is instructive to reflect back on the "Asian values" debate of the mid-1990s.







That debate pitted Lee Kuan Yew, who had just stepped down as the prime minister of Singapore, against Kim Dae-jung, who, four years later, would be elected president of Korea. It was sparked by an interview given by Lee in 1994 where he defended the "soft" authoritarian regime he had established in Singapore against calls for greater freedom and democracy.







Lee held that it was necessary to restrict individual rights to preserve social and political harmony. Against Western individualism, he pitted the institution of the family as the essential "building brick" of society. He argued that political regimes come and go, dynasties rise and fall, but throughout these upheavals, the family serves as the "life raft" for preserving civilization.







The founder of Singapore thus reproached the West for adopting a worldview that he characterized as both naive and destructive. Western individualism is based on a fundamentally faulty philosophical premise, namely the illusion that society can thrive without a shared view of what is right and wrong. "There is a certain thing called evil," Lee observed, "and it is not the result of being the victim of society."







The severity of crime, illegal drug use, homelessness, and social disintegration in American society can be traced back to the decision of Westerners to "abandon an ethical basis for society" and to allow the individual to behave as he pleases, without regard for the common good, Lee argued.







Against Lee's defense of collective well-being, the future president of Korea, countered that Asian cultures themselves contain the roots for sustaining freedom and democracy. The philosophy of Meng-tzu, the teachings of Confucianism and Buddhism, and the "Tonghak" movement of the late Joseon period all stress the need for the government to be accountable to the people.







Permitting social mobility and equality of opportunity, symbolized by the civil service examination, was recognized by emperors and kings as indispensable to the legitimacy of their rule. In Confucian philosophy, criticizing the sovereign whenever he acts wrongly constitutes a "paramount duty" of the scholar-official. The aspirations of the people of Asia for freedom and equality are genuine, and find ample support in their philosophical traditions.







This debate unfolded against the backdrop of the end of the Cold War, when there was widespread confidence that democratization would be the wave of the future. The majority of Asian countries had then become democracies. Lee and Singapore struck many as being outliers on the wrong side of history. A regime based on invasive social engineering, where chewing gum was illegal, seemed an eccentric oddity when individual freedom appeared to be advancing everywhere, now that communism had fallen.







But what are we to take from this debate today, when an authoritarian state, China, is poised to overtake the U.S. as the world's top economy by 2030, when democracy has failed to take hold across the Middle East, and when the social disintegration Lee decried in the U.S. has grown so much worse?







Kim appears to have been correct in his view that Asian nations can become successful democracies. Indeed, in certain respects, democracy appears to be healthier in (South) Korea than in the U.S. There is an active culture of protest and a certain degree of respect for freedom of speech. While political differences evoke strong emotions among Koreans, the belief that it is necessary to censor views with which one disagrees is becoming less widespread among the public.







Thus, Lee appears to have been prescient in questioning the view that democracy, cultural diversity, political stability and economic prosperity automatically go together. When the differences in culture and viewpoint become too great, a society may well decide to sacrifice freedom for the sake of peace. Its economic well-being becomes curtailed as well, as more of its wealth must go towards providing security to the people.







But there is one area in which both Lee, the founder of an economically successful and ethnically and religiously diverse city-state, and Kim, the longtime fighter for democracy, would find themselves on the same side. Both espouse a basic moral principle that would make them targets of cancel culture if they had been Americans living today.







For Lee and Kim base their differing political views on the Confucian maxim, "Xiushen qijia zhiguo pingtianxia," according to which, good government follows from the individual keeping himself and his household in order. But liberals in the West today reject any call for individual responsibility, insisting that it can only be a devious trick aimed at preventing the political changes that will save the oppressed.







One thus discovers what I argue is a sharp fault line between Asian culture and contemporary Western liberalism. Asians will wonder, how could developing a greater sense of individual responsibility and personal discipline ever be a bad thing, no matter what regime is in power? Would not cultivating moral and political virtue enable the oppressed to gain power and exercise it responsibly? Such common sense, however, is threatened in the West by what can only be considered a cultural revolution, which will be the subject of a future article.











Peter Y. Paik (

) is a professor in the English Department at Yonsei University. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times.


Rep. Timothy Ramthun (R-Campbelsport) listens to testimony Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at the Capitol in Madison, Wis. The state lawmaker who has won praise from former President Donald Trump for his attempts to reverse President Joe Biden's win in Wisconsin filed paperwork Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 to run for governor, a move that would shake up the Republican primary. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP)
Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

A steady, heavy rain this morning. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing for the afternoon. High 58F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low around 45F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Governor Youngkin Releases Public Service Announcement Encouraging Virginians to get Vaccinated

Governor Glenn Youngkin today released a public service announcement with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encouraging Virginians to get vaccinated as part of his COVID-19 Action Plan. While Governor Youngkin does not believe in mandating the vaccine, he believes its a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19.

I have always been a strong advocate for everyone to get the vaccine. We know that the vaccine is the best protection against severe illness as a result of COVID-19. I have made the choice to get vaccinated and encourage everyone to join me in doing that, but ultimately it is a personal decision to do so, said Governor Glenn Youngkin. After a heartbreaking pandemic, getting vaccinated can insure that there are better days ahead for Virginia.

Vaccines work, and we applaud Governor Youngkin for sharing these very important messages. Most of the people hospitalized with COVID-19, especially those experiencing severe symptoms, are unvaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated, please get vaccinated. It could save your life, said Acting State Health Commissioner Colin M. Greene, MD, MPH.

Watch Governor Youngkins PSA video here

Listen to Governor Youngkins PSA here

Governor Youngkins COVID-19 Action Plan includes re-prioritizing resources toward vaccine education and outreach, including expanded efforts in disproportionately unvaccinated communities. The plan also includes efforts to host additional COVID-19 vaccine events across the state and increasing the number of mobile vaccine units that serve rural communities. Currently, there are approximately 1400 vaccine events across the Commonwealth.

Virginians who are unvaccinated remain at high risk of severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. VDH recommends individuals who are 12 and older receive booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Local Health Departments sponsor vaccine events every week in communities across Virginia, while VDH also has a mobile unit program taking the COVID-19 vaccine to areas where access is challenging. Community Vaccination Centers (CVCs) also have been open in nine locations in Virginia since October.

Statewide, 90 percent of adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine with 80 percent of adults fully vaccinated. Statewide, 70 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, but in many areas of Southwest Virginia, the percentage is less than 60 percent.

To find a vaccine event near you, contact or check the website of your local health department ; to schedule a vaccine appointment at a CVC, pharmacy or other location, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and more than 100 other languages. Walk-ins are welcome at the CVCs, but appointments are encouraged.

# # #
Time to disclose info on 'special activity' expenses



A Seoul court has ordered the presidential office to disclose information on its off-the-record "special activity" expenses, including those spent on secret operations and the first lady's clothes. In its ruling Thursday, the Seoul Administrative Court nullified Cheong Wa Dae's decision in 2018 to keep its special activity expenses off the record and ordered the presidential office to make public most information.



"Given that the government's budget execution is subject to the Board of Audit and Inspection's auditing and the National Assembly's inspection of state administration and that it's more important to ensure the people's right to know about the principles of budget execution, what's earned from non-disclosure is not bigger than what's earned from disclosure," the court said.



The ruling is welcome, considering that it's quite natural to disclose how taxpayer money is spent. In January, the administrative court also ordered the prosecutor general and the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office to reveal information on their expenses for special activities. These series of rulings reflect the judiciary's positive attitude toward opening such information to the public and mean a lot by enhancing the transparency of state administration.



Special activity expenses are allotted to such powerful agencies as Cheong Wa Dae to be spent on activities requiring confidentiality, so they can be used in cash without submitting receipts and disclosing where they are spent. The amount of such expenditures was close to 1 trillion won ($833 million) last year alone.



Government agencies argue that the information, if released, could compromise privacy and disrupt the execution of official duties, but the rulings should serve as an occasion for them to disclose how special activity expenses are spent. The latest controversy over the allegedly illicit use of corporate cards involving Kim Hye-kyung, the wife of the ruling party candidate Lee Jae-myung, is a clear example of public fund misuse. The time has come to make public information on special activity expenses unrelated to national security and diplomacy.


It's still a while before Formula 1 descends on Bahrain for the first Grand Prix of 2022, but pre-season is already in full swing with all the car launches scheduled. On Monday it was the turn of AlphaTauri and with the launch of the AT03 they became the fifth team to present their car to the public.

AlphaTauri present the AT03 for 2022

introducing the AT03 the Style of a New Era is here! pic.twitter.com/FBmqzx6ggE  Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) February 14, 2022

The car itself features a similar colourwork to 2021, with the AlphaTauri brand colours the main focus. The rear wing is white, as is the halo. Both the AlphaTauri account and Pierre Gasly himself released images of the car on Twitter.

Read more AlphaTauri embraces Italian nationality in 2022 car design

take an up-close and personal look at our 2022 challenger, the AT03 pic.twitter.com/enDEjrqYyT  Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) February 14, 2022

Im loving it - our new AT03!! pic.twitter.com/debBLI85Fk  PIERRE GASLY (@PierreGASLY) February 14, 2022

AlphaTauri are hoping to make several gains with the planned rule changes and fight its way further forward in 2022. With Pierre Gasly taking a leading role within the team with his experience and Yuki Tsunoda having completed his rookie year, the team seems to have a strong lineup at least.

With the launch of AlphaTauri's AT03, the team presentations are officially at the halfway point. Later this week, Williams, Ferrari and Mercedes are also showing their new car to the public. Alpine will present their new car one day before the first winter test in Barcelona, on February 22. Alfa Romeo will be last and has pinned the date to February 27.
Yes, like every other state in the nation

At least half of it

No, keep funneling to the General Fund

Eliminate the fuel tax

Uncertain

Vote

View Results
Future negotiations face barriers to overcome



Fielding a single opposition candidate has emerged as a new factor in deciding the result of the March 9 presidential election. On Sunday, Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, proposed creating a unified candidacy to Yoon Suk-yeol, his rival of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).



Announcing the proposal in a press conference at the party's headquarters, Ahn cited the need for the two to join forces to realize a common goal of ending the old regime and achieve a change of government. Yoon reacted cautiously to Ahn's proposal, saying he would think about it. Yet he did not refute it. The issue has become all the more significant amid a neck-and-neck competition between Yoon and his opponent Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).



The issue will likely dominate the presidential race for the time being with all eyes on whether Yoon and Ahn can agree on a unified candidacy formula and who will become a single candidate. What is worrisome is how the candidates and their parties will narrow differences over the selection of a unified candidate. Ahn has called for a primary race based on public opinion polls. However, Yoon and the PPP are against such a primary. Instead, they have called on Ahn to make a "courageous decision," a move asking him to drop his candidacy and back Yoon's single candidacy.



Yoon has been leading in various opinion polls on presidential runners. Yet, some polls showed Ahn will beat DPK's Lee in a wider margin in case he becomes the single candidate. This shows they face tough negotiations and should overcome many hurdles.



The candidacy registration ended Monday and the official 22-day campaigning will begin Tuesday. Both Yoon and Ahn are pressured to hasten the creation of a single candidacy. Yet negotiations for a single candidacy should be based on the people's aspirations for a change of government. Yoon and Ahn should also focus on presenting combined agendas and policies and pledging to carry them out regardless of who wins the election. They can attract voter support only when they agree to share values and visions and jointly implement policies if a single candidate wins the poll.



Most of all, negotiations over the unified candidacy should be carried out in a transparent way so that voters can have confidence in the process of fielding a single opposition runner. If both sides decide only to share key posts in return for the single candidacy, after the election  for example, offering to appoint Ahn as prime minister  the people will only be disappointed by such a political gambit.



Both candidates should prove their true intention of terminating the irrational emperor-like super presidency and promoting decentralization of power. They should not betray the people's desperate hope for change  a change for the better, not for the worse.


By Deauwand Myers





Particularly in Europe, the 20th century is replete with cases where conservative elites  so bent on maintaining their grip on political power  backed rightist, populist demagogues. In other words, historically, the right thought the left was so illegitimate  insofar as holding political power  that a deal with the devil was worth whatever the costs. Post-World War I Germany and Italy are good examples. The conservative elites in those countries thought they could control the popular populists there in the short-term.



The rest of this story is fairly well-known. These same conservative elites underestimated the power and ruthlessness their would-be puppets possessed, and once these demagogues achieved legitimacy through democratic processes, the same conservative elites who empowered said demagogues were systematically exiled, imprisoned or summarily executed. No one really thought Adolf Hitler or Mussolini would become the monsters they became until it was far, far too late. (In fact, Britain's Prime Minister Churchill and America's President Roosevelt thought Hitler was an efficient leader, before Nazi Germany invaded Poland).



Does this sound familiar? In our current historical moment, we have lots of examples that are less dramatic, but no less anti-democratic: Hungary's President Janos Ader, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko, China's President Xi Jinping, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, and Turkey's President Recep Erdo?an.



Just like in post-World War I Europe, in most of the aforementioned countries, these president-dictators were ushered in through normal, democratic processes.



I know you expect me to mention ex-President Donald Trump, which the Republicans, the main conservative party in America, have decided to make a defeated, twice-impeached, venal, mendacious and exceedingly corrupt head of state their titular leader. These conservative elites  cynical and power hungry  made the political calculus, that though Trump and his base supporters are dangerous idiots, their electoral energy could help bolster the party's chances of success at the ballot box.



Yet, Trump's attempts to stay in power illegally were easily defeated through the judiciary. Trump doesn't have political capture of the judicial branch like Xi in China or Putin in Russia. There's a slow-moving second coup attempt going on throughout the states by Republican operatives, but success is unlikely, because any obvious attempt to change election results or throw out valid ballots would be challenged, and the judiciary would reject those attempts.



Nonetheless, the corrosive effects of Trump's bruised ego-turned-madness amount to a malignant narcissism that damages democracy in this way: when a party never concedes defeat, then all elections are suspect and illegitimate.



So with all that, and the usual negatives that go with conservative ideology in far too many corners of America and other places  ethno-nationalism, white supremacy, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and the other usual suspects  why on earth do conservatives win in places like America, Japan, Korea, and Britain, countries with advanced democracies and sophisticated economies?



The left and the political parties representing it in all the respective democracies in the world, often have nuanced and intellectual arguments. The social safety net, fair wages, equal opportunity employment, and on and on sound nice but don't fit so well on bumper stickers. It seems that rather, "Low taxes," "Protect Our Borders," "Protect babies" and "The Mexicans" are short, quick and easily digestible.



Further, especially in America, the Democrats face three conundrums. The Democrats were so successful at social and welfare legislation in the past (Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Children's healthcare, Voting Rights, Civil Rights, etc.) that the broader population forgot who implemented and protected these wildly popular programs in the first place.



Secondly, the Republicans, and conservatives more broadly, have so demonized government power, that while Republican politicians take credit for policies they fought against, they dare not tell the truth about where all the public goodies came from.



Lastly, and most importantly, the conservatives are ruthless and not only love power, but expertly deploy it. They are both monolithic in messaging and in achieving objectives in a kind of militaristic way that the Democrats and the left never were. Some of this ruthlessness and immorality is unacceptable  from placating and even encouraging white grievances and white supremacy, to pushing for voter suppression laws, to their positions on pressing social issues ("pro-life" and anti-gay policies, for example).



But some of the right's core political strategies the Democrats need to adopt, posthaste.



Messaging needs not be nuanced. Policy debates are great in debates, but messages on the campaign trail should be hard-hitting and easily understood. "Childcare is pro-family." "Low prescription drug prices." "Free college tuition."



Most importantly, deploy power when you have it. The Republicans don't suffer the affliction of seeking bipartisanship like a few of the Democrats, particularly in the Senate, do. No. When they had the majority, federal judges  some not qualified to judge a baking contest  were rammed through with lightning speed. Legislation was passed on party lines, and public policy was changed brooking no dissent amongst the Republican caucus or wider public.



Right now, President Joe Biden could forgive all student loan debt through executive action, for example. If it suited his or her political aims, you don't think a Republican president would do it?





Deauwand Myers (deauwand@hotmail.com) holds a master's degree in English literature and literary theory, and is an English professor outside of Seoul.


A resident of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, signs a petition at a traditional market in the city, Friday, to protest POSCO's plan to establish its holding company in Seoul. Yonhap



By Park Jae-hyuk



Three leading presidential candidates are all criticizing POSCO for its plan to establish a holding company in Seoul, instead of in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, where its headquarters and steel mill are located.



Last Friday, Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea wrote on social media that he opposes POSCO's plan.



"POSCO, the only conglomerate that located its headquarters in North Gyeongsang Province, is the pride of the province and the symbol of balanced regional development," he said. "POSCO's decision to relocate its headquarters to Seoul goes against its late founder's spirit to take on challenges and its historical mission. It is also opposed to the spirit of the times, which pursues balanced development."





Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, center, shakes hands with a merchant at a traditional market in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, in this December 2021 file photo. Yonhap



Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party also stands with North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo and Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok against POSCO.



"I oppose POSCO's retrogressive plan to set up its holding company in Seoul," Yoon said on Jan. 27, when he met the governor and the mayor at the party's headquarters.





Politicians from Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, pose with People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol, second from left, at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Jan. 27, after delivering their negative opinion about POSCO's plan to set up a holding company in Seoul. Courtesy of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government



Ahn Cheol-soo of the minor opposition People's Party, who previously served as the chairman of POSCO's board of directors, told Pohang residents Monday that he will urge the steelmaker to establish its holding company in the city.



"POSCO should not leave its hometown of Pohang," he said in his meeting with the residents, following his visit to POSCO's steel mill earlier that day. "Even if it establishes a holding company, its headquarters should stay in Pohang."





People's Party presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, right, shakes hands with one of the Pohang residents protesting POSCO's plan to establish its holding company in Seoul, during his visit to the city in North Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Yonhap
Aker Clean Hydrogen, a global integrated clean hydrogen, ammonia and methanol producer, and Kuehne+Nagel, the worlds largest sea logistics provider, are partnering to decarbonize the maritime logistics sector by offering green container transport. The two companies envision the expansion of Kuehne+Nagels offer of green fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and methanol.

The first vessels with engines that can run on these fuel alternatives are in production and expected to hit the waters in 2024. In the early days of such first-generation fossil-free engines, the sourcing of these fuels will present a challenge. Through this partnership, both companies want to help scale fossil-free shipping early on.

While Aker Clean Hydrogen will secure access to green fuels, Kuehne+Nagel handles the booking of contracts for environmentally friendly containers in cooperation with their carrier partners.

Aker Clean Hydrogen and Kuehne+Nagel are already in advanced discussions with container ship owners who share the ambition of fossil-free shipping and who want to convert to hydrogen, ammonia and methanol engines. Through partnerships with these carriers, Kuehne+Nagels customers will in the future be able to purchase the appropriate amount of green fuels for their cargo via the Mass-Balance-Concept and instantly avoid CO 2 emissions in their supply chains.

The Mass-Balance-Concept is crucial in the transition towards replacing fossil fuels with green fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. This partnership with Aker Clean Hydrogen contributes to our commitment to a low-carbon business model. Together with them and our carrier partners we will be able to provide certified green container shipment. Arne Faaberg, Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel Norway

Shipping accounts for approximately 3 percent of the worlds total emissions. With Kuehne+Nagels Mass-Balance-Concept and green fuel from our planned hydrogen, ammonia and methanol projects around the world, we are well placed in the transition towards a more sustainable future for global shipping. Knut Nyborg, Chief Executive Officer of Aker Clean Hydrogen
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The writer served three terms as U.S. representative for Connecticuts 5th District. Copyright 2022 Gary Franks. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Greensburg, IN (47240)

Today

Becoming windy with showers and thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 73F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 51F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Before police showed up at his hotel room on Friday morning, Haoyu Wang, a 26-year-old University of Utah student, sent an email to a university staff member, saying that he had injected his girlfriend with heroin to "relieve her from suffering," according to an arrest affidavit.

Wang indicated in the email that he and his girlfriend would both be dead by the time they were found, the affidavit states.

Yet when officers entered the room about 6 a.m., only Wang's girlfriend was dead, police said in a statement. Wang was taken into custody, and he is now being held without bail on a charge of "knowing and intentional" murder. Police said the case is being investigated as a "domestic violence-related homicide." Court records do not indicate whether Wang has an attorney.

Wang's girlfriend, 19, has not been publicly identified. The Salt Lake City Police Department said in a news release that she was living with Wang at the time. Wang, according to the affidavit, is a Chinese citizen. The University of Utah identified his girlfriend as an "international undergraduate student."

In a statement, university officials called her death "a loss to our campus community."

"The death of any young person embarking on adult life is devastating," the statement said. "And, unfortunately, domestic violence is more prevalent than many of us are aware, even among college students."

In recent years, several women at the university have died following violent encounters with intimate partners, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. In January 2019, Sarah Hawley was doing her medical residency at the university when her boyfriend shot her and then turned the gun on himself, according to police. Lauren McCluskey, a student-athlete on the university's track team, was killed in front of her dorm in October 2018, allegedly by a man she had briefly dated, the Tribune reported.

In January, Wang was charged with assault for hitting his girlfriend during an argument at another hotel, giving her what paramedics described as a "goose egg" on her head, according to a probable cause affidavit in that case. He was released from jail to await trial after being deemed low risk of committing a violent crime, according to court documents.

The most recent arrest affidavit for Wang shows how officers were able to find the pair Friday. After being notified of the email, the University of Utah police traced the 19-year-old student's phone to a Quality Inn about a 10-minute drive west of campus. With the Salt Lake City Police Department's assistance, university officers conducted a welfare check at a room Wang had rented, according to the affidavit.

Paramedics determined at the scene that Wang's girlfriend was dead, according to Salt Lake City police. Wang did not need treatment.

Wang told police in an interview that he and his girlfriend had planned to die together by suicide, according to the affidavit. To carry that out, Wang allegedly said he had ordered heroin and fentanyl online.

At the motel, he and his girlfriend snorted heroin, Wang told police, according to the affidavit. The woman vomited, stopped responding and began to breathe heavily, Wang said. That was when he "injected her with a high dose of heroin with the intent to kill her and relieve her suffering," the affidavit states, adding: "After injecting the victim, Haoyu said that she died."

Wang then injected himself with heroin and stayed in the room until police arrived, according to the affidavit.
GREENWICH  To celebrate Valentines Day, the nonprofit Community Centers Inc. held a special bake sale fundraiser at Town Hall on Monday.

Its third annual bake sale at Town Hall raises money for CCIs social services programming. Valentine's Day-themed baked goods, including cupcakes, brownies, pretzels, cookies, and hot chocolate bombs, were sold, raising hundreds of dollars for the local nonprofit.
HMM CEO nominee Kim Kyung-bae

Shipping company posts record-high operating profit last year



By Park Jae-hyuk



Speculation about Hyundai Motor Group's acquisition of HMM has reemerged among investors, since a former top executive of the automotive group became the new CEO of the shipping company, which is currently being managed by creditors comprised of state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Korea Ocean Business Corp.



According to industry officials, Monday, the creditors held a meeting last Wednesday to select former Hyundai Glovis and Hyundai Wia CEO Kim Kyung-bae as the successor to incumbent HMM CEO Bae Jae-hoon, whose term will end in March. The nominee is said to take office following the forthcoming general meeting of shareholders next month.



After joining Hyundai Mobis in 1990, Kim assumed important positions at the automotive group, including secretary for late Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung and his son, Hyundai Motor Group Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo.



He left the group in December 2020, after serving three years as Hyundai Wia's CEO and working for a decade as the chief executive of Hyundai Glovis. He was recognized for enabling Hyundai Glovis to become the nation's leading logistics company through the diversification of its businesses.



Considering his career and close relationship with Hyundai Motor Group, the nomination of Kim as the new head of HMM is viewed by some investors as the creditors' resumed efforts to sell their controlling stakes in the shipping company to Hyundai Glovis.



In 2016, KDB asked Hyundai Glovis to acquire HMM, but Hyundai Motor Group refused to accept the offer, citing the irrelevance of Hyundai Glovis to HMM in terms of their areas of business. Hyundai Glovis ships and transports automobiles, while HMM is a container carrier. Until now, the automotive group has dismissed speculation about its acquisition of the shipping company.



The KDB has reiterated its intention to gradually sell part of its stake in HMM, although Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Moon Seong-hyeok told reporters last December that it is too early to talk about a sale.



"Because HMM has become very profitable recently, it seems that we should divest from the company," KDB Chairman Lee Dong-gull said in a press conference last November.





Cargo being loaded onto an HMM container ship anchored in the Port of Rotterdam in this file photo. Courtesy of HMM
The Nokia G21 arrives a little less than a year after the G20 came on the scene. As with other makers, the G-series is home to mid-rangers that focus on affordable pricing and offering a reliable product rather than going after gimmicks.

The G21 is a herald for a new design language for the company. Previous models featured a centered circular camera bump, what was once affectionately called Oreo. This model shifts to a rounded rectangle bump that is tucked into the corner.

Its not a totally innovative design, but it does feel like a fresh take after a couple of years with the Oreo look. Unfortunately, the lets try something new attitude doesnt quite carry over to the rest of the phone.

Before getting into that, we should give the phone kudos where it deserves. HMD has been quite conservative with its chipset selection. Even the Nokia X100 and G300, which are as high as Nokias go these days, use a Snapdragon 480 chipset. The G21 opts for a Unisoc T606. While Unisoc chips dont enjoy the hype of, say, a Dimensity, this one is quite competent.

Admittedly, part of what makes it stand out is that the Nokia G20 had a Helio G35 chipset with eight Cortex-A53 cores. For context, the A53 was announced in 2012 and was replaced by the A55 in 2017. The two Cortex-A75 cores in the T606 are also from 2017, but they are big cores, offering much higher performance. Even the six A55 cores that are paired with the A75s are faster and more power efficient than their predecessors.

Another positive is that the 6.5 LCD was upgraded to 90 Hz refresh rate. It does make the UI smoother, which is important for how fast a smartphone feels, regardless of what benchmarks say. Also, the phone comes with the necessary Widevine level to stream Netflix videos in HD, so you should see a noticeable improvement in image quality while binge watching a new show.

We also commend HMD for using a triple card slot  that is enough for two phone lines and a memory extension. Plus, there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which makes high-quality, low-latency sound affordable on the cheap.

This is where we start to run out of compliments. The 6.5 display has 720p+ resolution, same as on the G20. A 1080p+ display would have been a good reason to recommend this phone  such displays are all that common in this price range, but there are a few options.

Speaking of price, the Nokia G21 starts 170, 10 more than the G20. This is a precarious spot as only 10-30 more could buy you a more capable phone. For example, a Redmi 10 is 10 more and it does 90 Hz at 1080p+. A Moto G31 and a Galaxy M21 2021 are in the same price category and they have 1080p+ AMOLED panels. You can even buy a 5G phone for 200 or a bit less and that is beyond the capabilities of the Unisoc T606.

You may point out that the Nokia comes with a clean Android, unlike the Galaxy and Redmi (but not unlike the Motorola). Sure, but HMD decided to pre-install ExpressVPN and Spotify, which isnt a great look if youre after purity.

A bigger concern is that the phone arrives with Android 11. HMD does promise 2 years of OS upgrades, so this should see Android 13. For example, the Nokia X10 and X20 launched in June 2021 with Android 11 and were updated to 12 in December. If HMD keeps up that pace, the G21 will be running Android 12 by the end of the year. And then Android 13 next year and then that is probably that. Okay, most phones in this price range arent running Android 12 yet either, but it doesnt feel like HMD has an advantage here either.

The new 50MP camera is a highlight feature of the phone, yet there are surprisingly few details about the sensor and lens. Instead, HMD focused on the Super Resolution and Night Mode features. We will test for ourselves how well those work, but that cant distract us enough to notice whats missing.

The Nokia G20 had an ultrawide camera  with a 5MP sensor, it wasnt great or anything, but it was there. The Nokia G21s camera only features a macro cam and a depth sensor next to the main module. Wed take an ultrawide over either (or both) of them any day of the week.

Another not-quite-upgrade is the battery. The 5,050 mAh capacity is plentiful and HMD promises 3-day battery life. That sounds great  and it is, but the G20 had the same capacity and same promise of lasting 3 days between charges.

The actual upgrade is that the phone supports 18W fast charging now (USB Power Delivery 3.0). However, it only ships with a 10W charger, so youll have to supply your own. Its quite likely that you already have an 18W charger, but then the 10W one will just sit in the drawer. And if you dont have an 18W charger, then this isnt an upgrade for you (not a free one, anyway).

Depending on where you live, the Nokia G21 may look underspecced for its price or it might be one of the few sub-200 phones with a solid battery and actual commitment to software support from the manufacturer. If that is the case, come back in a bit to see how well it performed in our tests.
Former Gov. Carl TC Gutierrez is the president and CEO of Guam Visitors Bureau, permit czar, and chairman of the Governors Economic Strategy Council. Send comments or questions to GVB at communityrelations@visitguam.org.
Evelyn Flores describes her poem "The Flame Tree" and the role of poetry on April 26, 2022, in anticipation of Poets.org "Poem-a-Day" focus on Pacific poets this May.
How hot do you like your denanche? The answer is as subjective as who has the best empanada on Guam.

So its little wonder that comments about KFC Guams new sandwich and wrap collaborations with Denanche Brand ranged from Max Gombio, who said the sandwich wasnt spicy, to Kiana Quenga, who said the wrap was enjoyable because it wasnt so spicy.

For those that need it more pika, they can ask for a side of hot sauce for their sandwich and they can spice it up to their liking, said Pika Fejeran, who created the hot pepper condiment brand with her husband, Lenny. He came up with the original Hot Pepper Drizzle for the homemade soups they were making at their restaurant Kadu, which opened in 2018 but closed due to the pandemic.

Theyre constantly tweaking the original recipe with experimental flavors, such as their limited edition X Drop line that includes calamansi, roasted garlic and local guafi pepper versions. So when he was invited into the KFC kitchen to collaborate on a menu item, he was ready.

He came in and did his magic, you know, that he does in the kitchen, Frank Cruz, vice president and general manager of KFC Guam, said during an online interview with the Fejerans. Were like, Whoa, this is it.

The international fast food chain is beloved by locals for including Guam favorites such as red rice and kelaguen on the menu, but this campaign is the first major collaboration with a local brand, Cruz said.

You know, KFC means Kentucky Fried Chicken, but it also means Kitchen for Chamorus, he said, drawing laughs from the Fejerans.

I love the fact that we can get local, he said, adding that theyll have a shrimp kelaguen coming up for Lent.

For the Fejerans, working with a global brand is a dream come true, and not just for their business. The couple are longtime restaurateurs dedicated to using island-grown products such as donne, honey and calamansi on their menus and in their products. Their burgeoning success means their local suppliers are growing along with them.

Im so fired up because our farmers are like, ready. Our farmers are like, OK, bro, lets go. Theyre just like bro, how much how much donne do you need? Lenny Fejeran said.

KFC is really going to help us to build the foundation that we need for this brand, he added.

I think this is a great start for us with our farmers  and who knows what else we can start to cultivate and export hopefully?

At the end of the day, its about supporting small businesses on island at a time when all companies are struggling, Cruz said. Were proud and very happy to try to support local.  Were just trying to help local partners in this time of time of everyones needs. So were very proud of that.
CHamoru photographer Luke Scott spends most of his time in Tumon Bay capturing aesthetic images of seascapes and wildlife during the pandemic  decorating the feed of his Instagram @lostwithlukes with Guams natural beauty.

Since no one was really at the beach or in the water (during the pandemic lockdown), I used this opportunity to work on my craft and figure out how to take photos underwater, the 25-year-old said. I felt more confident in my work and really came into my own during the pandemic as a local creative on Guam.

The Dededo resident attends the University of Guam as a communications major while working full time in marketing and graphic design for the UOG College of Natural and Applied Sciences.

He took a break last year to focus on passion projects, such as selling his photos and shooting more waves.

Scott uses the Sony A7R II Full Frame Camera with AquaTech underwater housing. He mainly uses a Tamron 17-28 millimeter lens and Sony 85 millimeter lens.

He enjoys using the latter, although its not great for underwater photography, he said. Scott uses it to capture subjects on land because images come out very crisp and clean, and its versatile enough for portraiture, landscape and action shots.

After five years of honing his photography skills, he is still learning new techniques and tricks every day. In addition to devoting much of his time to the craft, he observes the works of seasoned photographers around the world.

An expensive hobby

One thing he wished he knew when he entered the photography industry was how costly the craft was.

I never knew that photography would be very expensive, Scott said. Adding underwater photography to the mix is another added cost to the already costly craft.

Despite the cost, Scott has pursued his passion because he can share his experiences and vision with others through photos.

I want people to feel like they are present within the photo and are able to resonate with it despite them not being there physically, Scott said.

One morning during the pandemic, he took a close-up photo of a turtle on the beach, one of his go-to settings because the subjects and environment are never the same.

Its my favorite image because the sunlight is illuminating the turtle, and youre able to look through the eyes and see all the beautiful colors it has, as well as its shell pattern, Scott said.

Showcasing Micronesia

Despite his passion for the craft, the inability to live in the moment is a challenge. He finds it hard to go anywhere without a camera because he doesnt want to miss out on a great shot.

Im always thinking of ways in which I can capture whatever is around me instead of appreciating what is in front of me, Scott said.

Through my photography, I want to be able to tell stories of our islands, Scott said. Micronesia is an amazing place that is rich in culture, resources and outstanding individuals that deserve notice. I want the world to see who we are as Micronesians and the stories we have to tell.

Scott hopes that his photos convey that message, and he is working on his visual storytelling abilities. The support of people on Guam and around the world have kept him motivated.

He often receives messages from people who tell him how his photos resonate with them, how he is showing Guam through a different perspective, or how they want to pursue photography because his work inspired them.

Each time I receive messages of praise and thanks, I feel honored and grateful that people believe in not only me but my vision, Scott said. I never thought that I would have a strong presence in the community or be impactful to others.
The Guam Memorial Hospital cardiac team includes, from left, registered nurses Belle Rada and Jonighna Vallero, Dr. Alessandro Giambartolomei, special services technician John Porcioncula, registered nurses Alisha Nielson and Gene Razo and X-ray technician Domuel Mangubat.
Guam has recorded its 307th COVID-related fatality, according to a news release from the Joint Information Center.

In addition, 70 people were hospitalized with the virus on Monday, including three children, seven people in intensive care and three people on ventilators.

And the latest batch of specimens sent for genetic sequencing showed that of 61 samples, 60 were identified as the omicron variant. One was identified as delta.

307th fatality

A 78-year-old vaccinated man with underlying health conditions was pronounced dead on arrival Friday at Naval Hospital Guam.

While our individual efforts have not gone unnoticed, we remain in the firm grip of this pandemic. To his family and those who loved him, Jeff, Josh, and I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences, said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero in the news release. It is not enough to only wash our hands, watch our distance, and wear our mask but we must also continue vaccinations and booster shots. For those with sick and vulnerable family members, there are a variety of treatments available to help those with the virus get better faster.

Hospitalizations

The number of patients admitted to Guam hospitals with COVID-19 continues to rise.

Of the 70 hospitalized Monday, 39 were admitted to Guam Memorial Hospital, including the three children. Four GMH patients were in intensive care and two were on ventilators.

Another 29 patients were admitted to Guam Regional Medical City with two in intensive care and one on a ventilator. Naval Hospital Guam reported two admissions, including one in intensive care.

There were 37 patients who were vaccinated, and 31 patients who were not vaccinated. Two were not eligible.

The Department of Public Health and Social Services reported 295 new cases of COVID-19 Feb. 12-14, 92 of which were reported by the Department of Defense. The new case numbers were not included in the two previous Joint Information Center news releases.

The Joint Information Center provided the following cumulative numbers:

 Saturday: 512 positive cases reported from 1,320 tests (345 previously reported).

 Sunday: 410 positive cases reported from 1,262 tests (345 previously reported).

 Monday: 63 positive cases reported from 293 tests.

Guam has had 40,280 officially reported cases of COVID-19 and 307 deaths. There currently are 5,173 cases in active isolation.
Corrections & Clarifications: This story has been updated to reflect that Sarah Thomas Nededog is a Democrat. Other information was previously listed on the Guam Election Commission website.

A measure to cancel unneeded primary elections for various local offices was vetoed by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero last week over several technical concerns, while a measure to adjust the date of the primaries will go into effect January 2023.

Bill 173 would cancel the primary election for several positions, unless there are more candidates than seats available to advance to the General Election. The offices of the Legislature, governor, delegate, mayor, vice mayor, public auditor and attorney general are included.

According to a letter written by the governor to the Legislature, the bill would interfere with voting thresholds for independent candidates. Under Guam law, independent candidates who want to advance to the General Election must first get at least 20% of the total combined votes cast in the race for governor and lieutenant governor. Independents eyeing a senatorial seat need at least 10% of votes cast.

With primaries potentially canceled, the governor wrote, Bill 173 would either leave independent candidates with no way to meet the voting thresholds or invalidate the threshold altogether. The bill also would affect broader voting thresholds that each candidate must meet to receive a nomination.

Additionally, the wording of the bill would cancel the primary for one party and not others, which would present numerous opportunities to disadvantageously shift the results of the election for the party proceeding with its primary, the governor wrote.

The bills sponsor, Sen. James Moylan, has stated the measure was intended to cancel primaries only if they are unnecessary for all parties.

Leon Guerrero stated that other provisions of the bill, which include holding a special election should the delegate seat become vacant, had merit.

We understand and recognize the intent of the governors veto  and will be discussing our options with the co-sponsors of the legislation as well as the (Guam Election Commission), Moylan said in a statement

Language was rushed and inserted by certain lawmakers during the deliberations which would have impacted certain races, inclusive of those seeking to run as independent candidates, he said.

The bill would not have affected the 2022 election, and lawmakers planned to revisit the bill after it became law, he said. An attempted override of the veto was not planned as of Monday, but that could change, Moylan said.

Meanwhile, with the signing of Public Law 36-78, the primaries will now be held on the first Saturday of August instead of the last Saturday, to bring Guam in line with federal laws for overseas voters. The adjusted primary date wont go into effect until January 2023.

This years primary election is Aug. 27.

April 19 is the first day to file for candidacy for the 2022 primary. June 28 is the deadline to file.

This years general election is Nov. 8.

Candidates

Heres who picked up a candidate packet from the Guam Election Commission as of Monday:

For senator:

Sen. James Moylan, Republican, incumbent

Vincent Borja, Republican

Ken Leon Guerrero, Republican

Roy A. B. Quinata, Democrat

Sen. Telena Nelson, Democrat, incumbent

Don A. A. Edquilane, Republican

Sandra Reyes Seau, Republican

Jesse A. Lujan, Republican

Dwayne San Nicolas, Democrat

Roy L. Gamboa, Democrat

Diamantino Conceicao, party undecided

Sen. Joe San Agustin, Democrat, incumbent

Muchanah Udui, Democrat

Alejandro Gay, Democrat

Ian D. Cathling, party undecided

Dave Duenas, Democrat

Fred E. Bordallo Jr., Democrat

Chris Barnett, Democrat

Ellaine Ulloa, party undecided

Kevin A. Nace, party undecided

Trevor Boykin, party undecided

David Lubofsky, Republican

Sarah Thomas-Nededog, Democrat

EnyDennis Dali, independent

Evangelis J. Babauta, undecided

For governor & lieutenant governor:

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero & Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, Democrat, incumbent

Chris Barnett, party undecided

For delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives:

Sen. Telena Nelson, Democrat

Peter J. Santos, Republican

For Consolidated Commission on Utilities (nonpartisan):

Nonito Blas

For Guam Education Board (nonpartisan):

Elaine Ulloa

Kevin A. Nace

Ron McNinch

For Attorney General (nonpartisan):
Former child millionaire Junior Larry Hillbroom was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute $24.4 million of methamphetamine in Guam and the Republic of Palau.

Hillbroom, the illegitimate son of dead Saipan millionaire Larry Hillblom, faced a maximum sentence of 20 years after pleading guilty to drug smuggling charges in the U.S. District Court of Idaho. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

The Idaho federal court on Feb. 8 sentenced him to 96 months, with credit for time served, followed by three years of supervised release. He will serve his sentence in Englewood, Colorado.

The federal judge recommended that Palau allow Hillbroom to serve any sentences for probation or parole violations concurrently with his federal sentence.

There is another defendant with pending charges in the federal drug case, and most of the sentencing information for Hillbroom was sealed.

Hillbroom became a millionaire as a child in the late 1990s after he was awarded $90 million from the estate of Hillblom, who was co-founder of DHL Worldwide Express. Hillblom died in May 1995 after his small seaplane crashed on a flight to Pagan.

Hillbloms body never was recovered, but genetic evidence from a mole removed years earlier helped attorneys prove several children, from different mothers, are Hillbloms.

Hillbroom and three of his half-siblings each received $90 million from the estate.

According to the Justice Department, Hillbroom, between 2015 and 2016, conspired with others to smuggle methamphetamine through international airports between North Idaho, Guam and Palau. They used several different methods to smuggle the drugs, including shampoo containers and carrying the substance on their person, according to the Justice Department. Once in Guam or Palau, Hillbroom would coordinate with local residents to sell the methamphetamine.

Hillbrooms younger brother, Morgan Kenney, 35, last July was sentenced to 52 months in prison for being part of the same smuggling conspiracy.
Industrial equipment supplier JMI-Edison filed a lawsuit against the Office of Public Accountability, the airport, and a competing company, following the dismissal of its bid protest involving an airport baggage handling system.

The Guam International Airport Authority awarded the project to Menzies Aviation last year, but JMI wants Menzies disqualified, and the project awarded to JMI, according to a complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam.

JMI protested the airports award to Menzies in September 2021, but the Office of Public Accountability dismissed the matter on Feb. 3 following findings of fraud related to Contractors Licensing Board Executive Director Cecil Orsini. Orsini has since resigned.

JMI argued in its protest to the auditor that Menzies lacked a necessary license from the Contractors Licensing Board to perform the work, and that JMI should instead be awarded the project.

A Freedom of Information Act filed by Menzies Aviation unearthed an email from JMI President Ed Ilao to Orsini, where Ilao addressed Orsini as bro and asked him to sign an attached sample letter. A document issued by Orsini on Dec. 22 stated that Menzies did not have a required license, was a verbatim reiteration of the document forwarded by Ilao, issued without approval from four members of Contractors Board, and constituted a fraud, according to the auditors reports.

In the complaint, JMI alleges that the Office of Public Accountability was incorrect in ruling that support from four members of the contractors board was required, and that the OPA incorrectly made no distinction between actions by the executive director or CLB staff in determining whether or not an entity is properly licensed, versus administrative hearings before the CLB regarding the issuance of CLB sanctions.

The dismissal of the protest was improper, with no prior notice, and did not allow JMI an opportunity to be heard on the matter, documents state.

The airport also did not keep proper records of the award, the complaint alleges.

According to the documents, JMI made a Freedom of Information Act request to the airport for the proposals submitted for the baggage handling system on Aug. 31, 2021. A timely response was not given and Ilao made a formal inquiry to the Contractors Board about Menzies licensing status on Sep. 13, 2021. Ilao also filed a complaint with the board against Menzies.

The airport responded to JMIs record request on Sep. 17, 2021, which did not include the proposal or parts of the proposal, submitted by Menzies, the document states. That same day, Contractors Board personnel emailed JMI saying that neither Menzies nor its parent entity were licensed by the Contractors Board.
Danggeun Market CEO Kim Jae-hyun poses with the company's mascot at his office in Gangnam, Seoul, in this 2019 file photo. / Korea times file



By Kim Jae-heun



Danggeun Market, the country's largest online flea market platform, reported 1,620 customer-on-customer disputes last year, according to independent lawmaker Yang Jung-suk Monday.



As more people trade secondhand items online, conflicts between individual sellers and buyers have been increasing.



"Last year, I bought a used tablet PC on Danggeun Market and it broke only a month later. I tried to find the seller but he was gone. People use false names here and that makes it harder for us to find the swindlers later," a 32-year-old office worker surnamed Kim said.



Unlike open market services operated by e-commerce firms  where the companies take responsibility for any defective products they sell  it is difficult to hold individuals responsible on Danggeun Market.



Danggeun Market users are left to fix their own problems in customer-to-customer (C2C) trading. For the protection of customers' personal information, Danggeun Market cannot look into their conversations shared on the platform. It can only impose trading sanctions on a user after receiving a complaint. There is no regulation that forces the online flea market platform to intervene in individuals' disputes as well.



When customers cannot resolve an issue, they have to either report the case to the police or the E-commerce Mediation Committee operated by the Korea Internet & Security Agency.



Last year, 37.5 percent of the cases filed to the committee failed to be resolved. Customers in this situation then have to file civil suits against each other, but because most of the items traded on Danggeun Market are cheap, no one is willing to spend much time or money to take legal action.



The government and the National Assembly agreed that consumers need to be protected on the online flea market, but highlighted the limits to imposing sanctions on individuals.



The Fair Trade Commission considered revising the Electronic Commerce Law to reveal sellers' names, addresses and phone numbers when they are reported for fraud, but the idea was scrapped after receiving backlash from politicians and firms in the industry.


Trial for Joyner Scott Sked, who is facing a murder charge in the death of former Humatak Mayor Daniel Quinata Sanchez, resumes today.

Judge Vernon Perez in a status conference Monday afternoon said trial is cleared to go forward for the rest of the week, after it was stopped for unspecified health and safety reasons.

Prosecuting attorney Leonardo Rapadas is expecting testimony from six more witnesses. The governments evidence portion of the trial may conclude by Wednesday.

One of the witnesses expected to testify is Dr. Martin Ishikawa, the forensic pathologist from Hawaii who conducted Sanchezs autopsy, said Rapadas.

Trial was initially anticipated to last for two weeks, but since it began on Jan. 28, only three days have been completed.

In April 2021, Sked and co-defendant Rudy Fegurgur Quinata were charged with murdering Sanchez.

The former mayor was found beaten and stabbed to death inside Quinatas Humatak residence.

Both were charged with murder, however, Skeds charges include a special allegation of using a deadly weapon  a pair of scissors  in the commission of a felony.

Rudy Quinata is scheduled to start trial after Sked.
A man charged in connection with recent bomb threats says he was upset about having to quarantine, according to a magistrate's complaint filed in Superior Court.

Robert Anthony Pangelinan Blas, 35, was charged with three counts of terroristic conduct as a third-degree felony in connection to bomb threats made at the ITC building, the DNA building and the Guam Premier Outlets last week.

On Feb. 7, someone called police using the name "Mark Salas" and said there was a bomb at the ITC building in Tamuning. The call led to an evacuation.

No bomb was found, but police noted the caller's phone number and identified Blas.

On Thursday, another call from someone identifying themselves as "Mark Cruz" reported a bomb at the DNA building in Hagatna. No bomb was found, but police noticed the call came from the same phone number as the ITC threat.

On Saturday, a call was made by a "Mike Cruz," and the dispatcher recognized the number and voice to be the same as previous threats.

Police found no bomb and identified Blas as the caller, the complaint stated.

Investigators found Blas in Tamuning, and his cell phone number was the same as the one used in the threats.

Blas, who was arrested Saturday, told police he made all three threats. He apologized to the island and said he was upset for having to quarantine, according to the complaint.
Guam Department of Educations summer school program will likely be mandatory for students receiving the lowest grades, according to Deputy Superintendent Joe Sanchez.

Based on Guam DOEs new grading policy, 20% of the islands public school students are receiving Proficiency Level 1 or lower grades  the equivalent of a D, Sanchez said.

Proficiency Level 4 grades are equivalent to a standard letter A grade; Level 3 is equivalent to a B grade and Level 2 is equivalent to the letter C grade.

Once approved by Superintendent Jon Fernandez, parents of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who fall within the Level 1 category will be notified that their children have to go to summer school.

Were looking for those students who are either achieving Level 1, and below, or just need additional help, said Sanchez. The federal office confirmed for us that we can use the federal funding and it is possible for us to make it mandatory.

High risk

The education department is focusing on students considered high risk. Students who score at the lowest level tend to have challenges outside of school, according to Sanchez.

In some cases, school attendance officers visit homes and talk with families. Not all students and parents can be located.

Sometimes, theyre either homeless or theyre transient, not living in the same place, Sanchez said.

Mayors also help find families, even making home visits themselves.

This is not something new. This is stuff that was done throughout the entire pandemic, Sanchez said. When we first had the pandemic, we had several thousand students that were unaccounted for.

If abuse is uncovered, the department notifies authorities.

Normally, Guam DOE would have about 1,500 students in the summer school program. Last summer, but that number jumped to a record 6,000.

Sanchez said the department is prepared to maintain that number and accommodate any additional students who may enroll.

Like last year, Guam DOE will open up the summer program to students who want to accelerate their learning.
More skeletal remains were unearthed during ongoing military construction over the past four to five days, according to acting State Historic Preservation Officer Carlotta Leon Guerrero.

Meanwhile, State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick Lujan, who is responsible for negotiating the terms of the preservation of historic sites with the military, has been on military leave since Jan. 31, according to a memo provided by the Office of the Governor. Lujan is on a tour of duty and will be on leave until March 11.

Leon Guerrero said she was notified of the discovery of what was believed to be three sets of remains  possibly from pre-Spanish contact. A set of pottery shards also was found at the Andersen South area near the perimeter fence, she said.

With the remains unearthed, construction was halted and military archeologists will be performing an assessment of the area. Once a plan is developed by the military, negotiations on preservation will begin.

Leon Guerrero said she hired two archeologists to assist State Archeologist John Mark Joseph since Lujan was last on leave, from October 2020 to April 2021.

Its a huge difference in the workload, she said.

Leon Guerrero said she was hesitant to divulge more information about the location of the remains, as she was uncertain about federal laws concerning the confidentiality of unearthed historic sites.

Fate of remains

Sen. Sabina Perez, who has advocated for the preservation in place of unearthed ancestral remains, said she was unaware of Lujans absence, or of the recent discoveries as of Monday. Her main concern was the fate of the remains.

The last time we engaged with the military regarding cultural preservation, they were open to the idea of historic districts. And I wish they could implement that, sooner rather than later  its really critical that we protect, right now, whatever we have left, she said.

Lujans service with the Air Force Reserve, which began prior to his assignment as SHPO in 2019, has raised conflict of interest concerns with some members of the community in the past. Lujan has maintained that his military position has never come up during his work as SHPO, and that understanding military operations added value to the position.

Leon Guerrero said she had the utmost confidence in Lujan.

The fact that he has a military background, I dont feel detracts from his love of Guams history and culture and doing everything that he can, she said.

Perez said she had been willing to give Lujan the benefit of the doubt initially, but that the fact that theres so much at stake with this position, I think we really need somebody who can really advocate for preservation strongly.

Speaker Therese Terlaje said she was not informed by the SHPO or Department of Defense about the remains.

"I have repeatedly asked that this type of information be released to the public immediately," Terlaje said. Unfortunately this has not always happened and this pattern of delayed information or lack of transparency is one that has been on repeat for years now."
A diver was found dead at a Port Authority of Guam beach on Friday afternoon.

According to a release sent by the Port Authority of Guam, Port Police are investigating the death of a 39-year-old man that occurred on Friday at Outhouse Beach.

At about 4:30 p.m. the man went diving with three friends, and when he was in about 10 feet of water he signaled to his friends he was having issues with his equipment and would return to shore, according to the release.

The man's friends continued to dive, and when they returned about 55 minutes later they saw him floating and called 911, the release stated.

The man was pronounced dead on arrival at Naval Hospital and case has been classified as an "injured person" report.

Port Police have forwarded a copy of their report to Guam Police Department and autopsy results are pending, according to the release.

The case was forwarded to GPD's Criminal Investigation Section and remains open, according GPD spokeswoman Officer Berlyn Savella.
A convicted rapist will spend 15 months in prison after telling a judge he forgot he was not supposed to be in contact with minors.

Bruce Carey Wood is going back to prison after admitting to violating his conditions of release for the second time. He completed a 10-year prison sentence with three years of supervised release.

In a Monday hearing at the District Court of Guam, Wood told Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood he forgot he was not supposed to be in contact with minors after being released from prison.

What did I order you when I sentenced you 10, 12 years ago? What did I say about contact with minors? Tydingco-Gatewood asked Wood.

I dont recall, Wood replied.

You dont recall? You dont recall?

I remember now.

You better recall. What is it? What did I say to you?

No contact at all.

Period. I dont care about dental appointments.

Wood said earlier in the hearing he was helping a woman take care of four children while she took them to a dental appointment. An infant and three children ages 10, 5 and 4 were involved.

Probation officers learned about Woods violations after hearing a baby cry while on the phone with Wood, court documents state.

Wood also had two other violations that included failing to answer truthfully to probation officers and failing to submit truthful monthly supervision reports.

Wood was previously sent to prison for nine months after similar violations.

In 2010, Wood was convicted of sexually abusing a minor multiple times while he was working on a U.S. Naval Base in Okinawa, Japan.
One-to-one aide Nieves Miner, center, teachers and other supporting school staff of Luis P. Untalan Middle School, compile hard-copy assignments for pick-up by students parents and family at the Barrigada campus in this January 2021 file photo. Public schools will offer only face-to-face instruction and online instruction next school year.




Haiti - FLASH : The PM ready to deliver to the USA the suspects detained in Haiti in the assassination of President Moise





Friday 11 Prime Minister ai Ariel Henry in connection with the ahttps://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html , said in an interview with the Miami Herald that he would be ready to deliver certain Haitian-Americans to the United States, Colombians and other detained suspects suspected of collaborating with a Miami-area security company, saying "[...] if they ask [the USA], they will have the Nation's full cooperation" congratulating the efforts of the United States Government in their quest for justice for the slain President.



A statement that is likely to make more than one react, because each time Haiti transfers a suspect to the United States, whether foreign or Haitian, it is always perceived as a violation of the sovereignty of Haiti. Moreover, Me Berto Dorce the Minister of Justice declared that he was not willing to hand over to the United States any of the people detained in Haiti because for him "the judgment must be rendered in Haiti."



Henry, while reaffirming his non-interference and his support for the investigation in Haiti into the assassination of President Moise, said he was aware of the weakness of the Haitian judicial system and considered that any assistance from the American Government in the investigation would be "welcome ".



Additionally, Henry also said he believes an international judge should assist in the case and plans to seek assistance from member countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to bring an element of independence to the investigation.



Read also about the assassination of President Moise :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35940-haiti-flash-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-defends-prime-minister-henry.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35939-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35886-haiti-assassination-moise-hearing-postponed-to-march-4-palacios-will-plead-not-guilty-in-the-usa.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35822-haiti-assassination-moise-the-hearing-of-rodolphe-jaar-postponed-for-30-days-in-the-usa.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35696-haiti-flash-palacios-confessed-that-the-final-plan-was-to-assassinate-the-president-of-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35664-haiti-flash-lawyer-of-colombian-soldiers-detained-in-haiti-says-they-confessed-under-torture.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35640-haiti-flash-palacio-extradited-to-the-usa-first-official-indictment-in-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35618-haiti-assassination-of-the-president-2nd-request-for-extradition-from-haiti-rejected-jamaica-will-deport-palacio-to-colombia.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35588-haiti-flash-haiti-tries-a-second-time-to-extradite-palacios.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35587-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35293-haiti-justice-martine-moise-requests-the-autopsy-of-gilbert-dragon.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35290-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35282-haiti-218th-vertieres-message-from-the-former-first-lady-martine-moise-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35275-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35247-haiti-flash-the-suspect-1-of-the-murder-of-jovenel-moise-cannot-be-extradited-to-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35121-haiti-flash-haiti-requests-the-extradition-of-one-of-the-presumed-murderers-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35093-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35054-haiti-flash-a-key-suspect-in-the-assassination-of-jovenel-moise-arrested.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34928-haiti-flash-martine-moise-heard-by-examining-magistrate-garry-orelien-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34835-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34739-haiti-flash-the-pm-dismisses-the-minister-of-justice-the-government-commissioner-and-the-sg-of-the-council-of-ministers.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34714-haiti-flash-the-prosecution-wants-to-hear-pm-henry-in-connection-with-the-assassination-of-the-president.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34567-haiti-flash-new-investigating-judge-in-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34351-haiti-flash-all-the-arrested-colombian-ex-soldiers-were-aware-of-a-plan-to-kill-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34339-haiti-flash-official-report-by-dimitri-herard-on-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34331-haiti-flash-arrest-of-the-presidential-security-coordinator-jean-laguel-civil.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34307-haiti-flash-martine-moise-declares-that-the-president-has-been-betrayed-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34299-haiti-flash-7-of-the-colombians-arrested-had-received-american-military-training.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34296-haiti-flash-the-company-which-participated-in-the-financing-of-the-operation-knew-nothing-about-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34283-haiti-flash-follow-up-of-investigations-into-the-assassination-of-president-moise-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34278-haiti-national-funeral-note-from-the-first-lady-martine-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34265-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34250-haiti-flash-according-to-colombia-in-the-commando-only-a-few-knew-about-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34238-haiti-flash-monitoring-of-investigations-into-the-assassination-of-president-jovenel-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34225-haiti-notice-the-pnh-is-looking-for-3-dangerous-and-armed-individuals-including-a-former-senator.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34223-haiti-justice-the-dg-of-the-colombian-police-wonders-about-the-role-of-the-chief-of-security-of-president-moise.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34220-haiti-politic-creation-of-the-organizing-committee-for-the-national-funeral-of-president-moise-text-of-the-decree.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34218-haiti-flash-wanted-notice-for-a-very-dangerous-colombian-mercenary.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34217-haiti-flash-the-white-house-does-not-rule-out-sending-troops-to-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34214-haiti-assassination-of-president-a-colombian-team-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34212-haiti-politic-a-large-american-delegation-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34210-haiti-flash-arrest-of-one-of-the-intellectual-authors-of-the-assassination-of-president-moise-and-an-attempted-coup.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34205-haiti-flash-statements-and-testimony-from-colombia-about-the-commando.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34203-haiti-usa-no-american-military-assistance-for-the-moment.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34201-haiti-flash-authenticated-message-from-the-first-lady-martine-moise-audio.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34199-haiti-assassination-of-the-president-names-of-the-20-members-of-the-commando-arrested-5-others-still-on-the-run.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34193-haiti-flash-the-government-requests-the-sending-of-american-soldiers-to-the-country.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34188-icihaiti-flash-11-mercenaries-arrested-in-the-taiwanese-embassy.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34193-haiti-flash-the-government-requests-the-sending-of-american-soldiers-to-the-country.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34188-icihaiti-flash-11-mercenaries-arrested-in-the-taiwanese-embassy.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34183-haiti-flash-the-commando-that-killed-the-president-included-26-colombians-and-2-haitian-americans-official-video.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34182-icihaiti-assassination-of-president-moise-15-days-of-national-mourning-text-of-the-decree.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34178-haiti-politic-what-measures-contains-the-state-of-siege-text-of-the-decree.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34177-icihaiti-usa-the-pm-met-with-secretary-of-state-anthony-blinken.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34176-haiti-un-the-security-council-condemns-the-assassination-of-president-jovenel-moise.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34174-icihaiti-diplomacythe-assassins-of-moise-were-professional-mercenaries-dixit-bocchit-edmond.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34173-haiti-flash-the-police-intercepts-the-presumed-assassins-of-president-moise-official-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34172-haiti-flash-martine-moise-in-florida-for-treatment.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34170-haiti-flash-the-first-lady-martine-moise-would-still-be-alive-but.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34168-haiti-flash-the-state-of-siege-is-declared-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34165-haiti-assassination-of-jovenel-moise-what-says-the-constitution.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





7,697 Haitians intercepted by the Dominicans

From January 1st to February 10, 2022, 7,697 Haitians in an irregular migratory situation trying to enter Dominican territory and others who were hiding in the mountains, roads, abandoned houses, buildings and other places were apprehended and handed over to the authorities of immigration to Dajabon, by the soldiers of the Fourth Brigade of the Dominican Army.



2 Government Commissioners dismissed

Me Berto Dorce, the Minister of Justice dismissed without pay 2 Government Commissioners Me Jean Herve Janvier (Aquin) and Me Bellamin Jean Volney (Port-de-Paix) for serious administrative faults according to the correspondence of the Minister.



PNH : Pre-Carnival Security

On Sunday February 13, as part of the pre-carnival days, police officers from the Central Road Police Department (DCPR) were deployed across metropolitan areas. In addition to agents placed in fixed points, other motorized patrols have been deployed as part of this system aimed at guaranteeing the safety of revelers through the various streets of the capital.



Canada : 3 million to the Fabienne Colas Foundation

As part of the month dedicated to Black History, the Canadian Government awarded a grant of 3 million dollars to the Fabienne Colas Foundation for the creation of the Festwave Institute responsible for supporting black entrepreneurs in the film industry and television.



Martissant : The PM guaranteed

"I guarantee that the section of road from Martissant leading to the deep south will be cleared and control will be taken over by the National Police of Haiti (PNH) which, despite its limited resources, can be delighted with convincing results in the fight against the insecurity and banditry. We are beginning to identify those who feed and finance the gangs. The situation in our country must change," said Prime Minister Ariel.



FAO discusses with Minister of Agriculture

FAO Country Representative Jose Luis Fernandez met with the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Charlot Bredy, to discuss a strengthened partnership with the Ministry. Discussions focused on : the 37th FAO Regional Conference; African swine fever; the Haiti/Dominican Republic Binational Agreement and Program for Animal Health, Plant Protection and Food Safety.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Ukrainians attend a rally in central Kyiv, Feb. 12, during a protest against the potential escalation of the tension between Russia and Ukraine. AP-Yonhap





Even if a Russian invasion of Ukraine doesn't happen in the next few days, the crisis is reaching a critical inflection point with European stability and the future of East-West relations hanging in the balance.







A convergence of events over the coming week could determine whether the stalemate is resolved peacefully or Europe is at war. At stake are Europe's post-Cold War security architecture and long-agreed limits on the deployment of conventional military and nuclear forces there.







''This next 10 days or so will be critical,'' said Ian Kelly, a retired career diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to Georgia who now teaches international relations at Northwestern University.







The Biden administration said Friday that an invasion could happen at any moment, with a possible target date of Wednesday, according to intelligence picked up by the United States, and Washington was evacuating almost all of its embassy staff in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital.







A phone call between President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Saturday, did nothing to ease tensions. Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke Sunday.







Even before the latest U.S. warnings and diplomatic moves, analysts saw this as a critical week for the future of Ukraine.







''Russia and the United States are approaching a peak of the conflict of their interests regarding a future shape of the European order,'' Timofei Bordachev, said head of the Center for European Research at Moscow's Higher School of Economics. ''The parties may take action against each other that will go much farther than what was considered admissible quite recently,'' he said in a recent analysis.







A member of the Special Forces Unit Azov of Ukraine's National Guard demonstrates a shooting position during basic combat training for civilians in Mariupol in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, Feb. 13. AP-Yonhap





In the week ahead, Washington and NATO are expecting Moscow's formal response after they rejected its main security demands, and major Russian military drills in Belarus, conducted as part of a deployment near Ukraine, are to end. The fate of the Russian troops now in Belarus will be key to judging the Kremlin's intentions.







At the same time, the Winter Olympics in China, often cited as a potential deterrent to immediate Russian action, will conclude Feb. 20. Although U.S. officials have said they believe an invasion could take place before then, the date is still considered important.







And an important international security conference is taking place in Munich next weekend, with Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top European officials planning to attend.







Putin has warned the West that he will not back down on his demand to keep Ukraine out of NATO; and while Ukraine has long aspired to join, the alliance is not about to offer an invitation.






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Sophia Voight is a reporter for the Hastings Star Gazette. She is from Oshkosh, WI and graduated from the UW Oshkosh with a bachelor's degree in Multimedia Journalism in 2021. She can be reached with any news tips at svoight@orourkemediagroup.com

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U.S. gross domestic product shrank 1.4% in the first quarter at the same time infl
In the presence of more than 600 female and male members of the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria from various regions of the Autonomous Administration, and with the participation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Internal Security Forces, Siamand Bawer, the work of the third Conference of the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria was launched this evening.

The conference came under the slogan "In the spirit of the resistance of the martyrs of Ghweran prison, we will win."

With the start of the conference, it was closed to the media, and it is scheduled to end today with the issuance of the final statement and a number of decisions and recommendations, according to what officials in the Information Office of the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria explained to our agency.

A

ANHA
Gurneys Bend, a new subdivision in the Allais section of Hazard, will be completed this year. With one empty lot still available, the Housing Development Alliance (HDA) is inviting potential low-income homebuyers to apply for its Homeownership Program.

Applying is the first step on the journey towards owning a new home, and with HDA ready to build two more homes in Gurneys Bend, HDA officials said this is an opportune time for folks interested in living in the Allais section of Hazard to apply.

This is a wonderful opportunity for local families looking to become homeowners, said Scott McReynolds, executive director at HDA. Our funders and donors have made these homes affordable for low-income families, and with the homes being so close to downtown Hazard, its an excellent investment for a family to make.

The properties in Gurneys Bend offer a prime location in a well-built, safe neighborhood that is close to businesses, schools, shopping centers and more. Qualifying homebuyers will work closely with HDA by selecting a floor plan, paint colors, flooring, light fixtures and more for their new home.

HDA officials said homes in Gurneys Bend are ideal for small families. The 3-bedroom, 1 or 2-bath homes are constructed by HDAs crew of professional carpenters, and every home is built of the highest quality materials and is energy efficient, which can save families over $900 a year on utility costs.

Since beginning home construction in May of 2021, HDA has completed nine of the homes and eight of the homeowners have already moved in.

Its becoming a fine little community, McReynolds said. You can tell just how happy folks are to be there. We still have a long way to go, but its amazing to see the transformation. Allais has gone from looking rundown and forgotten to being the site of the largest housing development within the city limits in nearly 50 years.

Gurneys Bend is the product of a partnership between the City of Hazard and HDA. The two teamed up in 2018 on the Allais Redevelopment Project, with the project since gaining major funding from various sources, including the James Graham Brown Foundation and the Appalachian Impact Fund (AIF).

We know affordable housing is not only a need in our region, but homeownership is one of the quickest ways to move people out of poverty, said Lora Smith, AIF co-founder and executive director.

At present, 40 percent of families in the four counties served by HDA  Breathitt, Knott, Leslie and Perry  live in inadequate housing. This means that thousands of people, including nearly 7,000 children, live in substandard homes (homes that need extensive repairs or are not decent places to live), overcrowded homes and cost-burdened homes, meaning the family cant afford to live there.

For HDA, building 15 homes that are affordable for local families in a section of Hazard that has long needed new life is a win-win-win.

Homeowners get a safe, decent, affordable house, McReynolds said. Its also good for the City of Hazard, because we worked together to tear down an eyesore and turned it into a community with 15 taxpayers, 15 customers, 15 families that may have children in the local school system. Housing is economic development.

Low-income individuals and families interested in having a home built in Gurneys Bend should call, (606) 436-0497, or email, rebekah@hdahome.org. For those not sure if they qualify as low-income, staff at HDA will collect information from the interested homebuyer to help determine their income status.

For more information about HDAs income-based Homeownership Program, visit www.hdahome.org.
Spanish explosives company fined 4.4 million for Ghana truck blast that killed 13

A Spanish explosives company has been fined $6 million (4.4 million) by Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources after one of the companys trucks was involved in an explosion on January 21 which killed 13 people and injured at least 100 others.

Image: Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

The truck, which belonged to Madrid-based Maxam Corp, had been transporting explosives to the internationally-run Chirano gold mine in the west of Ghana when it collided with a motorbike, caught fire, and exploded. The blast destroyed a nearby village, killing 13 people and injuring at least 100 others, many of whom suffered life-changing injuries.



According to Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Maxam Corp had violated storage and transport laws in relation to the transportation of explosives. While it did not specify the exact laws or regulations which were broken, the department said it had imposed a $1 million (739,000) administrative fee for breaching regulations and a $5 million (3.7 million) fine for damages.



According to Reuters news agency, Maxam Corp had used the services of a local firm called Arthanns Logistics to transport the explosives and that the violations were the fault of that company. The lands ministry said that it would investigate Arthanns, as well as another local logistics firm, for possible ties to the incident.



According to news reports, the truck was on fire for almost 45 minutes before it exploded, with locals being able to walk up and surround the truck to take photos and videos without the police or firefighters stopping them.



In a statement on February 14, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. George Mireku Duker, stressed that sanctions and the fine imposed on Maxam were not intended to cripple or intimidate firms in the extractive industry.



He said the departments actions had been to ensure that all the relevant laws and regulations governing the mining sector are adhered to and ensure that incidents like these are avoided. The statement added that Mireku Duker had visited a site operated by Maxam to ascertain if new safety measures were being met by the company. The Deputy Minister expressed satisfaction with progress made by the company, however he noticed some challenges which he will bring to the attention of the Sector Minister, the statement concluded.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday. Reuters-Yonhap



More NATO troops headed to Eastern Europe and some nations worked to move their citizens and diplomats out of Ukraine on Monday, as Germany's chancellor made a last-ditch attempt to head off a feared Russian invasion that some warn could be just days away.



With the world already on high alert, U.K. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said a Russian attack could ''effectively now happen with no notice.'' That follows a warning from U.S. officials that an invasion could come this week _ leading to a flurry of diplomacy but also deterrence measures.



German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine on Monday and plans to continue on to Moscow, where he will try to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to stand down. Moscow denies it has any plans to invade but has massed well over 130,000 troops near Ukraine and, in the U.S. view, has built up enough firepower to launch an attack on short notice.



''We are experiencing a very, very serious threat to peace in Europe,'' Scholz wrote on Twitter as he arrived in Kyiv. ''From Moscow, we urgently expect signals of de-escalation.''



With concerns rising that war could be imminent, German's military said the first of some 350 extra troops it is sending to bolster NATO forces in Lithuania were en route Monday. Six howitzer guns were also being loaded onto trucks for transport to the alliance's eastern flank.



Meanwhile, Lithuania moved diplomats' families and some nonessential diplomatic workers out of Ukraine; the U.S. is already pulling most of its staff from the embassy in Kyiv. And the Greek Foreign Ministry joined several Western nations in urging its citizens to leave the country.



The moves were the latest preparations for a possible war. On Sunday, some airlines canceled flights to the Ukrainian capital and troops there unloaded fresh shipments of weapons from NATO members. Ukraine's air traffic safety agency Ukraerorukh declared the airspace over the Black Sea to be a ''zone of potential danger'' because of Russian naval drills and recommended that planes avoid flying over the sea Feb. 14-19.



The U.S. and its NATO allies have repeatedly warned that Russia will pay a high price for any invasion _ but they have sometimes struggled to present a united front. Scholz's government, in particular, has been criticized for refusing to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine or to spell out which sanctions it would support against Russia, raising questions about Berlin's resolve to stand up to Moscow.



The chancellor's visits this week will thus be closely watched for a signs of deviating from the message delivered by Washington and other NATO allies.



So far, those warnings appear to have had little effect: Russia has only beefed up troops and weapons in the region and launched massive drills in its ally Belarus, which also neighbors Ukraine. The West fears that the drills, which will run through Sunday, could be used by Moscow as a cover for an invasion from the north.



Russia has repeatedly brushed off Ukrainian and Western concerns about the military buildup, saying it has the right to deploy forces wherever needed on its territory. On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of fueling tensions by beefing up its forces near the territories controlled by Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine.



Moscow wants guarantees from the West that NATO won't allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members, and that the alliance will halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe. The U.S. and NATO have flatly rejected those demands.



Some observers expect Moscow to eventually accept a compromise that would help avoid hostilities and allow all sides to save face. While NATO refuses to shut the door to Ukraine, the alliance also has no intention of embracing it or any other ex-Soviet nation anytime soon. Some experts have floated ideas such as a moratorium on NATO expansion or a neutral status for Ukraine to defuse the tensions.



Ukraine's ambassador to the U.K., Vadym Prystaiko, seemed to suggest just such a middle path, telling the BBC on Sunday that the country could abandon its goal of joining NATO -- an objective that is written into its constitution -- if it would avert war with Russia.



''We might -- especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it,'' Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5.



On Monday, however, Prystaiko appeared to back away from that, saying that ''to avoid war we are ready for many concessions ... but it has nothing to do with NATO, which is enshrined in the constitution.''



Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko also played down Prystaiko's statement.



Asked about Prystaiko's comment, Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said that Russia would welcome such a move.



Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Sunday that Kyiv requested a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the next 48 hours to discuss the Russian deployments near the country's borders. Russia has argued that it's not obliged to account for its buildup before the OSCE, and such a meeting would be unlikely to defuse tensions.



With the region on edge, the Russian Defense Ministry summoned the U.S. Embassy's military attache on Saturday to protest what it said was a U.S. submarine in Russian waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The Russian military said the submarine initially ignored orders to leave, but left after the navy used unspecified ''appropriate means.'' The U.S. has denied that its ship ever entered Russian waters.



Asked by lawmakers Monday if the military could strike foreign warships that enter Russian waters, deputy chief of the Russian military's General Staff Stanislav Gadzhimagomedov said the military stands ready for it, but added that such decisions are only made on the highest level.



High-level diplomacy has also continued -- but with little results so far. In an hourlong Saturday call with Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden said that invading Ukraine would cause ''widespread human suffering'' and that the West was committed to ending the crisis but ''equally prepared for other scenarios,'' the White House said.



Biden also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for about an hour Sunday, agreeing to keep pushing both deterrence and diplomacy to try to stave off a Russian offensive.



As he has before, Zelenskyy sought to play down the idea that a conflict was imminent, noting that Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine ''are safe and under reliable protection.''



His office's readout of the call also quoted him suggesting that a quick Biden visit would help deescalate the situation -- a possibility was not mentioned in the White House summary of the call.



Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine's Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula 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 halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled. (AP)


State House speaker announces bill permitting mask opt-out

Following the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announcement that North Carolina wont be ending its mask mandate recommendation for public school children, N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, announced that the House would be advancing legislation to give parents the ability to opt-out of the mask requirement.

Legislation is expected after redistricting.

Virginia is already advancing a bipartisan bill just like this, Moore said. It is parents, not politicians, who should decide whether or not to mask their children."

In a meeting last week with county health officials from across the state, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said the agency is updating the DHHS Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit K-12 to recommend students and staff no longer be required to stay home from school following a Covid-19 exposure unless they have symptoms or test positive. Before the change, teachers and students were instructed to stay home from school for possible Covid exposure, even if they had no signs of infection.

The update takes effect on Monday, Feb. 21. It fails to address rising public concern over the continued mandatory masking of children in kindergarten through grade 12. Guidelines in the DHHS toolkit advise that students in North Carolina public schools be required to wear masks up to 10 or 12 hours a day, every day if they also have after-school activities. At a minimum, the guidelines mean children as young as 5 are in masks for six or seven hours each day.

Keeping kids in the classroom remains a top priority, DHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley said in a news release announcing the update. As we have done throughout the pandemic, we evaluate which tools are most effective to protect students and staff. This is the right approach for this point in the pandemic and includes flexibility for local schools and health departments to use data to make informed decisions and respond to local conditions.

However, counties have argued the state health agency is too vague about whether the state toolkit rules are enforceable, and just how much real flexibility schools have. Earlier this school year, DHHS threatened to sue Union County for making masks optional.

Moore sent a letter Thursday to Gov. Roy Cooper urging the governor to join the list of states which have eased mask mandates on school children.

His latest statement notes the inaction of the removal of the mandate will continue to negatively impact children. This failure by Gov. Cooper and DHHS to roll back obsolete mask mandates will mean that many schools will leave those mandates in place, Moore said. Yesterday's updates were simply not strong enough. We must do more to protect our children from further learning setbacks and the other consequences of keeping these mandates in place."

Other state leaders have cited declining infection and hospitalization rates, along with growing vaccination rates, as the reason theyre easing restrictions. North Carolina is experiencing the same drops. Last week, daily reported cases fell by 43 percent, and Covid-related hospitalizations dropped by 18 percent. That follows the national rates of deline of 44 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

Most recently, New York and Massachusetts announced Wednesday they would ease school mask requirements. Effective Feb. 28 in Massachusetts, masks become optional unless a local district decides otherwise. Starting in March, New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut, masks become optional for all students and teachers.
PLANS for a five-storey hotel in the Henley station car park have been amended after concerns raised by town councillors and conservationists.

Blocwork has reduced the height of the proposed building by half a metre and made some changes to its appearance.

The hotel, which would be a Premier Inn with 115 rooms and a restaurant, would built on 1,360 sq m of the car park opposite the station entrance, next to the public toilets, which would be unaffected.

Blocwork, a partnership between the landowner Network Rail and developer Bloc Group, of London, applied for planning permission in December 2020.

Henley Town Councils planning committee recommended the application be refused, saying the hotel would be too big and out of keeping with its surroundings.

The Henley Society, a conservation group, said the hotel would remove parking spaces at a time when demand was likely to increase and that the design wasnt suitable for its historic surroundings.

Blocworks amendments to its plans include:

 A 0.5m reduction in the height of the hotel.

 A change in use of materials with greater emphasis on traditional brickwork.

 Additional landscaping and planting with planters to enable green walls.

 A bigger pavement in front of the hotel.

The company says: Although it is not feasible to drop a full storey from the building and introduce pitched roofs, we have reduced the overall height of the building slightly to help address concerns.

We have reconsidered the palette of materials and how they are applied to the building.

It is noted that both urban design and conservation officers were uncertain of the appropriateness of the previously proposed aluminium panel stair tower treatment and also the scale of the grey plank cladding.

We have now proposed a more unified palette of materials with greater emphasis on the use of traditional brickwork and substituting the grey plank cladding with a more traditional seamed metal cladding.

A suggestion was also made to consider introducing a green wall treatment to this end elevation.

Unfortunately, a full living wall treatment is not possible due to the proximity of this elevation to the site.

Instead we have created greater visual interest by the introduction of windows to make it less blank and by introducing a more textured brickwork treatment at ground floor level comprising a roman-type brick and, where it is possible to provide a planter below, tension wire trellising to create areas of climbing green wall to the front and rear elevations.

The company has proposed having islands between parking bays, saying: While we cannot allow parking numbers to drop and simply remove the provision in front of the hotel, we have carefully considered the design of these bays and introduced planting islands at intervals between the bays.

This would allow four trees to be planted along the front of the hotel, which would have a significant impact.

The company has also proposed reducing the size of its bin store to create more room for planting.

A report by Bob Edwards, of consultants Forum Heritage Services, says the site is outside the designated conservation area so this would have no impact on it.

He writes: It is considered that the proposed development will preserve the important aspects of the setting of the grade II listed Imperial Hotel and associated buildings, primarily the relationship with the station and the townscape of this part of the town. The proposed hotel is a building of modern design and as such will reflect the modern character as established by the modern blocks on the east side of the railway line.

There will be a public consultation on the amended plans before a decision is made by South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority.

Councillor Michelle Thomas, who chairs the town councils planning committee, said: I think we should get Blocwork and Premier Inn to speak to councillors again as they havent addressed any of our concerns.

The first one is the bulk and size of the building. They havent respected the hierarchy of buildings in the area. The listed buildings and the conservation area take priority in planning.

The number of rooms is excessive for a market town and were also concerned about the loss of privacy for residents in Wyndale Close.

Premier Inn have actually done some really good designs in other places where there are conservation areas and listed buildings, such as Westfield in Oxford. I dont know why they havent done the same for Henley.

Geoff Luckett, who chairs the Henley Society, said: Its not enough to change our minds. I dont think it has gone far enough.

Ive just sent out a survey to found out what the rest of our members think but [previously] they didnt want the hotel at any price. 
AN MP and former soldier spoke to the Henley Conservatives about the crisis in Ukraine during a meeting at Harpsden Court.

Tom Tugendhat, who is chairman of the foreign affairs committee, used to be an officer in the Army reserves and the Territorial Army and served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Caroline Newton, who chairs the South Oxfordshire Conservative Association, said: We usually invite politicians to come to the area and this was one of the first in-person events that we have had since the lockdowns.

Tom spoke about different things, including the situation in both Afghanistan and Ukraine, and as part of the discussion I asked him if he would stand as leader of the party at a leadership election.

He confirmed that he would if he had the support of the party but that there would not be an election any time soon.

He is a really impressive man and really knowledgeable on so many different areas. He is very good at communicating with people and so generous with his time.

In August, in an emotional speech in the Commons Mr Tugendhat spoke of the grief and rage felt by veterans at the abandonment of Afghanistan.
Chinese, Mexican presidents exchange congratulations on 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Xinhua) 10:22, February 14, 2022

BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

In his message, Xi noted that both China and Mexico are countries with time-honored civilizations and history, and the friendly exchanges between their people date back to ancient times.

Since China and Mexico established diplomatic ties half a century ago, especially since they forged a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, bilateral relations have been developing on a fast track, said Xi, adding that the two countries enjoy ever deepening political mutual trust and enhanced friendly exchanges and cooperation in various areas.

The Chinese president also said that in the face of the once-in-a-century pandemic, China and Mexico have stood together and extended a helping hand to each other, setting a good example of international solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.

The tree of Chinese-Mexican friendship has flourished and borne bountiful fruits, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, Xi added.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Mexico relations, and stands ready to work with Lopez Obrador to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to join hands, build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future.

Xi added that he is willing to work with the Mexican leader to advance traditional friendship, deepen win-win cooperation, stimulate common development, and continuously enrich the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership so that the two peoples can forever be good friends who trust each other as well as good partners that share prosperity.

Lopez Obrador said that over the past 50 years, Mexico and China have forged together an unbreakable friendship, and carried out extensive exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy, education and other areas, as exemplified by the two countries' joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mexican side sincerely appreciates and will always remember the two countries' mutual help and support during the anti-pandemic fight, he said.

The Mexico-China comprehensive strategic partnership has been advancing with the times and growing ever stronger, and has continuously benefited the people of the two countries, he said, noting that both countries have also joined hands to address challenges at regional and multilateral levels.

He also said he firmly believes that bilateral relations will maintain steady and sustained development, and show new vitality.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Hongyu)
Police officers stand guard at a mosque, where an enraged mob stoned to death Mushtaq Ahmed, 41, for allegedly desecrating the Quran, in Tulamba, a remote village in the district of Khanewal in eastern Pakistan, Feb. 13. AP-Yonhap





An enraged mob stoned to death a middle-aged man for allegedly desecrating the Quran in a remote village in eastern Pakistan, police said Sunday.







The custodian of a local mosque said he saw the man burning the Muslim holy book inside the mosque Saturday evening and told others before informing police, according to police spokesman Chaudhry Imran. The violence took place in a village in the district of Khanewal in Punjab province.







Imran said police rushed to the scene, where a man was found surrounded by an angry crowd. Officer Mohammad Iqbal and two subordinates tried to take custody of the man but the group began throwing stones at them, seriously injuring Iqbal and slightly injuring the other two officers.







Munawar Gujjar, chief of Tulamba police station, said he rushed reinforcements to the mosque but they did not arrive before the mob had stoned to death the man and hung his body from a tree.







Gujjar said the victim was identified as Mushtaq Ahmed, 41, of a nearby village.







''The ill-fated man has been mentally unstable for the last 15 years and according to his family often went missing from home for days begging and eating whatever he could find,'' he said. He said the body was handed over to the family.







Police officers, relatives and villagers gather around the body of Mushtaq Ahmed, 41, who was killed when an enraged mob stoned him to death for allegedly desecrating the Quran, during his funeral in Tulamba, a remote village in the district of Khanewal in eastern Pakistan, Feb. 13. AP-Yonhap





Mian Mohammad Ramzan, the mosque custodian, said he saw smoke inside the mosque, which is adjacent to his home, and rushed over to investigate. He found one Quran burned and saw a man attempting to burn another. He said people were starting to arrive for evening prayers as he was shouting for the man to stop.







Witnesses said a police team that reached the village before the stoning began took custody of a man but the mob snatched him away from them and beat the police as they tried to rescue him.







Later, more officers and constables reached the scene and took custody of the body, they said.







Gujjar, the area police chief, said investigators were scanning available videos to try to identify the assailants. He said police had so far detained about 80 men living in the mosque's surroundings but that about 300 suspects took part.







Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his anguish over the incident and said he was seeking a report from Punjab's chief minister on the police handling of the case. He said they ''failed in their duty.''







''We have zero tolerance for anyone taking the law into their own hands and mob lynching will be dealt with the full severity of the law,'' he said in a tweet hours after the incident.







Khan also asked the Punjab police chief for a report on the actions taken against perpetrators of the lynching.







The killing comes months after the lynching of a Sri Lankan manager of a sporting goods factory in Sialkot in Punjab Province Dec. 3 who was accused by workers of blasphemy.







Mob attacks on people accused of blasphemy are common in this conservative Islamic nation. International and national rights groups say blasphemy accusations have often been used to intimidate religious minorities and settle personal scores. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan. (AP)


Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we've all known individuals who have done more than their share to help their neighbors and communities with food, comfort, care, companionship and dozens of other needs. If you know of such a person, you can nominate them to be featured in our upcoming H
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Researchers have developed a method that could be used to diagnose atherosclerosis.

Using self-learning software, researchers at the University of Bonn (Bonn, Germany) were able to identify vascular changes in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), often at an early stage. Although these early stages do not yet cause symptoms, they are nevertheless already associated with increased mortality. The algorithm used photos from an organ not normally associated with PAD: the eye.

The fundus of the eye is very well supplied with blood, so that the more than 100 million photoreceptors in the retina and the nerve cells connected to them can do their work. At the same time, the arteries and veins can be observed and photographed through the pupil without much effort. It may be possible to detect early signs of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) with such an examination in the future. In this case, chronic remodeling processes lead to narrowing of the vessels and hardening of the affected arteries. It is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes, the most frequent causes of death in western industrialized nations, as well as PAD. Early diagnosis is very important in order to be able to treat those affected in time.

The researchers photographed 97 eyes of women and men who suffered from PAD. In addition, the team took camera images of the background of 34 eyes of healthy control subjects. The team used the images to feed a convolutional neural network (CNN). This is software that is modeled on the human brain in the way it works. If such a CNN is trained with photos whose content is known to the computer, it can later recognize the content of unknown photos. For this to work with sufficient certainty, however, one normally needs several tens of thousands of training photos - far more than were available in the study.

"We therefore first carried out a pre-training with another disease that attacks the vessels in the eye," explained Prof. Dr. Thomas Schultz from the Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (b-it) and the Institute for Computer Science II at the University of Bonn. To do this, the researchers used a dataset of more than 80,000 additional photos. "In a sense, the algorithm learns from them what to pay particular attention to," says Schultz, who is also a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Areas "Modeling" and "Life and Health" at the University of Bonn. "We therefore also speak of transfer learning."

The CNN trained in this way was able to diagnose with remarkable accuracy whether the eye photos came from a PAD patient or a healthy person.

"A good 80% of all affected individuals were correctly identified, if we took into account 20% false positives - that is, healthy individuals whom the algorithm incorrectly classified as sick," Schultz explained. "That's amazing, because even for trained ophthalmologists, PAD can't be detected from fundus images."

In further analyses, the researchers were able to show that the neural network pays particular attention to the large vessels in the back of the eye during its assessment. For the best possible result, however, the method needed digital images with a sufficiently high resolution. The researchers hope to further improve the performance of their method in the future. To do so, they plan to cooperate with ophthalmology and vascular medicine centers worldwide that will provide them with additional fundus images of affected individuals. The long-term goal is to develop a simple, rapid and reliable diagnostic method that does not require concomitant procedures such as the administration of eye drops.

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Australia's first-ever Kimpton, Kimpton Margot Sydney, has officially opened its doors on the day of love, 14 February, and is poised to kick off a return to travel, rekindling the love that both local and international guests have for the city of Sydney. As IHG Hotels & Resort's luxury boutique brand, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is celebrated for its signature heartfelt service, locally-loved restaurants and bars, and unique design ethos - with Sydney being no exception. Magnificent heritage-listed Art Deco architecture meets modern Australian style and signature Kimpton service, making the hotel one of the city's most exciting and anticipated developments of the decade.

From the grand, Scagliola pillared lobby evoking the spirit of the 1930s to bold patterns, plush furnishings and botanical displays which create a harmonious eclectic inner-city hideaway, Kimpton Margot Sydney shows off at every corner. Located in the heart of Sydney's "south-side", just down from the State Theatre and the QVB and close enough to be within walking distance to Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, Kimpton Margot Sydney is in a prime position to access the best retail, art and cultural institutions Sydney calls home.

Cocooned inside, away from the bustle of Pitt Street, are 172 incredibly spacious deco inspired rooms and suites - most with bathtubs and all with Mr Smith amenities. Each room features whimsical wall art from global artists, evoking a worldly cosmopolitan perspective and warmth akin to home. With close to 600 pieces of art adorning the property - spanning 9 levels - the hotel's signature installation in the lobby by Tony Twigg is a standout and celebrates the brand's approach to supporting emerging and artistic talent

Luke's Kitchen is the epitome of Kimpton's legacy of locally loved restaurants and will be the go-to spot for an a la carte breakfast, casual lunch or fun, dimly lit atmospheric dinner. Luke Mangan's superb new dining space infuses the hotel lobby with the delicious scents of local produce wafting from the open kitchen, and a menu that is light and fragrant. A fusion of Asian, European and modern Australian influences the menu and is structured so that guests can enjoy all day dining, moving from light morsels such as luscious prawn toast served with Tasmanian wild-caught spanner crab meat salad or Beluga caviar served with sour cream, chives and potato gaufrette, before progressing to more substantial mains including grilled Brooklyn Valley sirloin with lime, chilli and burnt leeks, or healthy seared tuna with black bean tabouleh and grilled baby corn.

A signature share main course designed for two or more guests is a two-day Dry-aged Wollemi duck that is served in a fragrant Indonesian curry style with crispy skin and a creamy coconut sauce, laced with crunchy vegetables and Asian spices of garlic, ginger and star anise.

Cellar By Luke, will highlight an indulgent wine experience, where guests can dine on daily culinary curations surrounded by walls of Australian and International wines. Also set amid the art-deco elegance of the lobby will be the hotel's 1930's-style The Wilmot Bar, replete with plush velvet lounges and an irresistible cocktail menu.

Introducing Kimpton's Signature Perks

The Kimpton service is driven by heartfelt human connection with every detail thoughtfully curated and artfully delivered for a more meaningful travel experience. As part of the Kimpton Margot Sydney experience, guests will discover:

Social Hour, where guests come together for daily complimentary drinks between 5-6pm is when Margot really comes alive. The drinks on offer vary daily - from boutique Australian wines to a Four Pillars G&T, or Kimpton's signature Margot cocktail. Social Hour could be hosted in the lobby, on the mezzanine surrounded by artworks, at the rooftop bar, by the pool; the team will keep everyone guessing.

Mindfulness and wellness are exemplified by Kimpton's partnership with Egg of the Universe, where guests are invited to workout, stretch, or do a few asanas from the comfort of their room, through a selection of Yoga workouts available on tablet and TV. Yoga mats and accessories are available on request at no charge.

"Forgot it, we've got it" - a signature Kimpton Margot promise is what we all wish we had on call! Whether it's a GHD, blow dryer, dry shampoo, a tie, pocket square, pin, shoe polish - just call down to the lobby and the team will bring it right up.

For the curious minded, the explorers and wanderers, Kimpton Margot Sydney also has a partnership with Lekker bikes and mapped out the best of Sydney on wheels. Guests are free to just some wheels and explore the city streets and nearby Hyde Park at leisure.

Kimpton's adored pet policy is also implemented at Kimpton Margot Sydney, with the brand's "if it fits in the lift" mantra in play, allowing guests to bring their fur friends big and small to enjoy the Kimpton Margot Sydney experience.

WIN the Ultimate Kimpton Experience

To celebrate the opening of Kimpton Margot Sydney and continue its ethos for enabling heartfelt human connections, the brand has today launched the 'Kimpton Digital Guestbook' - a creative platform where people are invited to share and exchange stories, all bound together by the love of connection. People will also have the opportunity to win a 10-night stay at any of Kimpton's new hotels in Sydney, Bali, Bangkok, Koh Samui or Paris, including a tailored itinerary and all of the Kimpton perks, when they contribute to their Kimpton Stories. The Guestbook will be launched with stories by 'Kimpton Creators' across the region - artists, photographer, creators and leaders in their field - including four Australian creators: Alyce Tran, Christian Wilkins, Jasmin Howell and Jared Seng.

Kimpton pioneers into new markets

2022 is destined to be a year of exciting growth for the Kimpton brand, with seven properties set to open in new city and resort locations throughout the year. Kimpton Margot Sydney marks the Australian debut, while Kimpton Kitalay Samui opened in January as the first resort in South-East Asia. Momentum will continue with the island resorts Kimpton Aysla Mallorca and Kimpton Naranta Bali, as well as new Kimpton properties in Suzhou, Greater China, Midtown Atlanta in Georgia, and Kimpton Roatan in the Caribbean.

These openings join the brand's recent openings in 2021 including Kimpton St Honore Paris.

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Officials of Island Hospitality Management, the premier third-party management company for select-service and upscale extended-stay hotels in the United States, announced today that it has taken over management of the 170-suite Home2 Suites by Hilton Woodland Hills Los Angeles.

We continue to specialize in quality assets in markets with high barriers to new entry with multiple demand generators that are better able to weather market fluctuations, said Gregg Forde, COO and EVP, Island Hospitality Management. The Home2 Suites by Hilton Woodland Hills Los Angeles marks our third Home2 and our 30th Hilton-branded property in a state where weve operated successfully for many years. Our familiarity with the brand and the area will allow us to ramp up the hotel more expeditiously as we are able to share best practices and economies of scale. This will allow us to better serve the business and leisure guests who seek the additional space and amenities provided by an extended-stay product like the Home2.

Located in Woodland Hills at 21110 West Oxnard Street, the hotel is situated in the heart of Warner Center, with 10 million square feet (SF) of office space with approximately 50,000 employees, almost 8 million SF of retail space and is home to more than 20,000 residents. The seven-story hotel is also a short drive from Topanga State Park, Universal Studios Hollywood and the beaches in Malibu. Hotel amenities include a heated indoor pool, state-of-the-art business center, 24/7 fitness center, complimentary, hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 342 square feet of event space. Guest rooms contain separate living, sleeping and dining areas, complete with a fully stocked kitchen, oversized workspace and plush beds. The hotel benefits from tenured personnel produced by Islands Pathways Program, with a combined total of over 20 years experience at Island Hospitality Management between the general manager, director of sales and director of rooms.

Guests may dine at the hotels newly opened Toasted Barrel, the second outpost of Island Hospitalitys homegrown F&B concept that can be described as an all-American bourbon forward restaurant. The 1,200 square foot, 20-seat bourbon bar serves locally sourced beers and wines, as well small plate meals. The F&B outlet specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches, ranging from brisket grilled cheese to kimchi grilled cheese to a version layered with smoked bacon, gouda and maple syrup. With more than 60 bourbons from which to choose, the bars signature drink, the Smoky Deal, is crafted with bacon-infused bourbon, maple syrup and bitters.

About Island Hospitality Management

Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Fla., Island Hospitality Management is a leading, national, third-party, independent management company. It operates more than 75 hotels under 15 different brands, primarily premium, select-service hotels; upscale, extended-stay properties; and upscale hotels, in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Additional information is available on the company's Web site, www.islandhospitality.com.

Lauralee Dobbins/Chris Daly

Daly Gray, Inc.

703-435-6293

Island Hospitality Management LLC
A new phrase that entered the zeitgeist in 2021 was Zoom fatigue for what should be obvious reasons. Besides the strain on your eyes from having to look at the computer screen during yet another conference call, theres far more to unpack here for corporate culture within hospitality. And this deserves a closer look as we slide into 2022 with what may be yet more disruption from new COVID-19 mutations and the semi-permanence of remote work policies.

During the early stages of the lockdowns in 2020, it was refreshing to see everyones face as they smiled into their cameras from each respective home office. It alleviated the pandemic panic, the gloom from all the hotel closures and the general loneliness from not being able to gather. Now that this Covidmoon phase is long over, we must ask some pragmatic questions about the efficacy of all these video calls. Does everyone really need to attend every meeting? Are daily or weekly standups necessary? Unless someone needs to share their screen, cant we just have a regular phone call and skip the facetime component?

Addressing the latter question may save your managers from eye burn so that they can devote their precious workhours to looking unimpededly at excel spreadsheets or one of your various cloud-based operations tools. Answering the former question, though, brings to light some gross inefficiencies that are endemic to many hotel organizations, namely decision by committee occupying too much time and slowing overall progress.

While we would much prefer to quote actual historical figures, theres a line spoken by the late Chadwick Bosemans most famous character, Black Panther or TChalla of Marvel fame, that demonstrates our argument perfectly. Two people in a room can get more done than a hundred.

This summarizes much of the profound psychology of group dynamics and groupthink. In many large gatherings, one hierarchically superior voice tends to dominate the conversational flow with numerous others either sycophantly in agreement for whatever reason or hesitant to vocalize their thoughts out of some abstract fear of reprimand. Alternatively, the opposite occurs where an official or unofficial discussion leader seeks out input and consensus from all participants, delaying decision making and follow-up actions.

These situations are, of course, the extremes but they are nonetheless important to digest because both stymie growth. The answer lies somewhere in the middle and differs for each organization.

Regardless, you start by trimming the fat. Giving the power to your team to make quick decisions and to delegate responsibility greatly expedite the implementation of new plans and new projects; this is immutable although the degree of bestowed power may vary. With the travel landscape changing every week in stride with the mercurial pandemic news cycle, hotels need to be able to pivot on a dime, sometimes within only a few hours. Often, it can take longer than that to even align multiple executives schedules. The solution therefore is to let two or three managers hash it out and execute, or at least present a finalized, singular recommendation to those with the right level of authority.

Hotels are notorious for piling on the meetings, starting all the way at the top with the weekly or biweekly executive committee (no offense). Everyone has to attend every meeting when a cursory review of the minutes would suffice  so long as they actually read the minutes.

This is what we classify as busyness in a hospitality sense; team members who justify their roles and salaries within an organization by getting as much facetime, screentime or voice share with colleagues or their superiors. The problem is, of course, that time is scarce. All those minutes spent meeting could well be cycled back into other projects like new initiatives, technology investigations, better guest service and more continued professional development (CPD) to enhance each managers capabilities while simultaneously reducing their chances of leaving for more fulfilling work.

For many, meeting over-attendance boils down to intrinsic or ingrained insecurity. How will my boss know that Im working hard if they dont see my face every other day? What will I do with my workdays if Im not sitting in on these calls and nodding along or voicing my affirmations at the appropriate time? If Im not on these calls, wont others think Im slacking off? My boss hasnt given me enough projects to work on, so how will I rationalize my job if I dont make my presence known and constant?

There are some broad ways to address these personal questions, but each requires a fundamental rethink to how your teams are empowered and what their job descriptions really entail.

Fewer meetings and fewer video calls. This should be readily evident by now. Each attendee should be able to immediately prove why they need to be present. And this applies to general managers or other senior executives whose schedules are consummately overstuffed already. Designate a minute taker so that anyone who cant give a substantive reason can glance over those when they are disseminated. Next, will a mobile call suffice? You can still use Calendly or Google Meets to earmark the time and to serve as a backup for when phone networks are spotty but save your eyes the strain and stick to just voice. Open-minded work environments. The boss-employee dynamic is a delicate one, and its totally natural for subordinates to not want to verbally disagree during a meeting lest they embarrass the boss and suffer the consequences. A good solution is to hold office hours  at the physical office or stated in a memo so that everyone feels as though their superiors are approachable  where anyone can come in to clarify a chosen direction or to voice any trepidations over the current plan. The matter of safety in this instance means that any employee at any level should be able to question or suggest an alternative without reprisal. After all, good ideas can come from anywhere, especially from novices or outsiders who can evaluate scenarios without the bias or blinders of decades working in a single field. Give your teams more work. Its often said that if you want something done, give it to the busiest person. After you reduce the total number of meetings and delegate responsibility so that your teams are more empowered to either make fast decisions or coalesce their thought processes into a specific recommendation, youll soon find that everyone has quite a bit of free time on their hands. Hotels have no shortage of long-term, visionary projects that are waiting to get greenlit, so to fill this void overload your teams with dense, complex and cranium-straining work, along with review deadlines to keep them all accountable. Another suggestion is to formalize a succession mentorship program as well as internal CPD courses with structured assignments and regular testing. Rewrite each persons job description, then challenge your managers in a sink-or-swim manner and the most likely case is that they will be able to tread water with the best of them.

With 2022 upon us, we cannot wait for a time machine to be invented so that hotels can revert to the way business was in 2019 with its superb guest occupancy numbers covering up much of the past decades busyness which only served to dampen productivity. Successful hotel organizations going forward will be the ones that save costs by making your teams scrupulously efficient so that you can capably steer the ship while maintaining the leanest possible team.

Larry Mogelonsky

Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited

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The emergence of a new COVID strain, Omicron, in late 2021, threw the global travel sector into upheaval once again, as several countries re-introduced travel restrictions to combat the spread of the highly transmissible virus. The crucial year-end holiday season was significantly disrupted with thousands of flight cancellations, cruises forced to dock, and fewer hotel bookings. As per media reports, over 4,500 flights were canceled worldwide over the Christmas weekend, and more than 3,000 flights, half of which were US flights, were canceled over the New Year. The impact was noticed in India as well, with 30-35% of travelers canceling or rescheduling their January 2022 travel plans as the reintroduction of travel restrictions severely impacted the impressive rebound in domestic travel.

However, unlike the previous COVID waves, this setback is likely to be brief, and travel demand is expected to rebound at a much faster pace than earlier. Reports suggest that with cases declining steeply, travelers in countries like the US, UK, Ireland, and other European nations are already making travel plans, planning to spend more, and taking longer holidays to make up for the lost time. This faster rebound is a result of the Omicron variants lesser severity and hospitalization rate compared to the earlier Delta strain, as well as a higher vaccination rate in most countries. Another reason that is helping improve travel sentiment is the fast response by governments to curb the spread of the virus, as well as their quick relaxation of restrictions when cases subside.

For instance, in January 2022, England eased several COVID restrictions, with face masks no longer being mandatory in public places and people no longer being advised to work from home. The country has also announced that starting 11th February, all restrictions on fully vaccinated travelers arriving in the country will be lifted, while restrictions for unvaccinated travelers will be reduced. Since the announcements, travel bookings to the UK for the February half-term and Easter holidays have increased significantly. Several other European countries such as Switzerland, France, and Denmark, to name a few, are similarly reducing the restrictions.

Thailand, meanwhile, has resumed its quarantine-free test and go program from 1st February, in which tourists must undergo two COVID tests after arrival but are no longer required to quarantine for a fixed number of days or be confined to specific destinations, as was the case previously. Thailands tourism ministry expects this decision will help the country attract around five million foreign tourists in 2022. Similarly, after a two-year hiatus, Australia is also opening its borders to fully vaccinated international visitors.

Furthermore, the significant pent-up demand for travel, as well as flexible booking and rebooking policies by hotels and airlines are all contributing to this quick rebound. COVID safety precautions have become commonplace, and people and organizations have adjusted to the new normal of travel.

COVID cases have been receding in India as well, and the countrys travel sector is likely to follow global patterns in terms of rapid rebound, with a faster and sharper recovery than earlier waves. Travel restrictions in the country are already being relaxed to facilitate quick recovery. For instance, international travelers from any country who test positive are no longer mandated to quarantine in an isolation facility but instead can quarantine at home. While other protocols remain in place, quick revisions are being made in light of the evolving situation, and the restrictions will be eased further as the cases decline, helping drive the recovery in travel demand.

Additional Contributor to this article: Kavya Jain, Intern at HVS ANAROCK
Thousands of Chevron employees in Houston are expected to return to the office for the first time since the pandemic started next week  potentially impacting traffic and activity in downtown.

The oil major had postponed a full return-to-office in January after the omicorn variant spread through the U.S., Retuers previously reported.

New coronavirus cases have been trending down in Houston and Harris County since late January, according to data from the Houston Health Department.

As conditions improve, Chevron informed employees early this month they will be asked to return to the office in Houston starting Feb. 14., a Chevron spokesman said in a statement.

The company is introducing a hybrid model that provides employees the option to work remotely two days per a week.

RELATED: Chevron posts $15.6B in profits, its highest since 2014

Some employees had already returned to the office at various point in the pandemic, but this is the first time all office-based Chevron employees are coming back to the office in Houston.

Chevron has nearly 8,000 employees in the Houston area, including nearly 6,000 employees who work in downtown.

The influx of new Chevron employees downtown could be boost to businesses, restaurants and retailers that are still recovering from the pandemic. While many office-based workers are back and Houston has seen higher return-to-office rates than other metros, large swaths of employees are still working remotely across the city, creating uncertainty for Houston's commercial real estate industry.

Chevrons downtown offices are spread across three skyscrapers at 1400 Smith Street, 1500 Louisiana and 1600 Smith Street. The company also has an office presence at The Ion, Rice Universitys new innovation hub in Midtown.

It was not immediately clear if employees at its headquarters in San Ramon, California would also be asked to return to the office at the same time as Houston employees.

We have had flexible work schedules and policies for decades and have supported remote working on an individual basis for many years. Given the variety of circumstances at our sites and facilities around the world, it is difficult to have a one-size-fits-all remote working policy, a Chevron spokesman said in an email.

In Houston, Chevron is following a similar hybrid model taken by BP, which started asking employees to come to the office 60 percent of the time (or three day a week) last summer. Exxon Mobil started asking employees to return to the office full-time in May 2021, Bloomberg previously reported, but the current policy wasnt immediately available.

Chevron's return to office come after the company recently posted it most profitable year since 2014, earning $15.6 billion last year as oil demand and prices recovered from the pandemic-driven crash.
Marquitta Parker and Elisabeth Pabst arent exactly high school sweethearts. Though, technically, thats where their love story began  in the halls of Lamar High School.

Back in 2009, they ran in the same social circles but never really spoke.

Then Pabst, who is two years Parkers senior, graduated and set off for Baylor University in Waco. Parker received her associates degree from Houston Community College. She rarely, if ever, thought about Pabst  until four years ago, when a familiar name popped into her direct messages folder on Instagram.

Id posted a picture, and she commented something cheeky, asking if I were in a relationship, Parker recalls. I said, No, it didnt work out. But I was very dry because I wasnt looking for anything. Liz never let the conversation end.

They exchanged phone numbers and were soon talking all day, every day.

People who know me would say Im very persistent, Pabst explains. I had a gut feeling. Marquitta was very intriguing to me, there was something special about her.

The weeks after Thanksgiving 2017, while Pabst lived in Washington, D.C., were spent texting and on FaceTime. When she returned home for the Christmas holidays, Parker made an unexpected move.

I dont know what came over me, but I invited Liz to meet my whole family, Parker says. Every single person loved her, and thats saying a lot.

Drea Gonzalez / Drea Gonzalez

In many ways, the two young women are opposites. Pabst, 28, is more outgoing, the type to pursue exactly what she wants. And typically, what she wants is dessert. Parker, 26, favors savory foods and is more reserved. It takes awhile for her to warm up.

For their first date, the couple saw a movie, then went to House of Pies Upper Kirby location. Pabst ordered her favorite slice, Texas fudge pecan pie with ice cream, while Parker ate a late-night breakfast.

I was so nervous, Parker says. Then, after the first 10 minutes, we were talking the entire night.

When they met each others families, Pabst was in for a little surprise  she hadnt realized that her crushs parents were former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and former first lady Kathy Hubbard.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Parker, wife once swore not to marry until Texas lifted ban

I didnt even know she had two moms, Pabst says with a laugh. But I walked in there cool, calm and collected. Her family really enjoys playing games like UpWords and charades, so we all sat around the table, just playing games.

Then they flipped the script and visited Pabsts family. Parker, who is typically shy, brought her A-game.

She walked in before me and greeted everyone. And were talking to a lot of people and all their kids, Pabst says. But it was very welcoming. When you think about how a lot of families are with LGBTQ and against those relationships, thats certainly not ours. Walking on eggshells  that wasnt the case. So I knew, on my end, this was going to be for the long haul.

When their magical week came to an end, Pabst was devastated. She tried to concentrate on studying for the CPA exam, but her heart just wasnt in it.

Marquitta visited D.C. in February, and when I took her to the airport, I was crying as though Id never see her again, Pabst says. That was it. Theres no way I wanted to be with anyone else.

Fortunately, fate and family circumstances brought Pabst back to Houston by April. Their romance was now on Texas soil, though it wasnt all sunshine and rainbows.

Reality hit, admits Parker, who works as a law firm office manager. Wed moved so quickly and were ready to pump the brakes a little.

But their relationship found its rhythm. They resumed weekly dates of eating through town, trying out different dessert spots and restaurants, often in search of the perfect Asian restaurant  which they later decided is Trendy Dumpling near Greenway Plaza.

Parker, who has an eye for interior design, decorated her girlfriends new Galleria-area apartment. On weekends, they frequented Siphon Coffee, Weights + Measures and Paulies Poboys in Bellaire.

There was a cruise vacation  Parkers first  to Mexico in 2019 that was a disaster. She was seasick the entire trip.

Then unexpectedly, something shifted in 2020 after the pandemic hit.

Drea Gonzalez / Drea Gonzalez

That year was the defining moment for me. So many people were breaking up or getting divorced, and Liz got extremely close to one of my moms, Parker says. They would hang out all the time without me, doing projects or playing games. Their bond was so amazing to me. I knew she was the one, but that solidified it.

Pabst has text messages saved in her phone from early in their relationship predicting the engagement. One reads simply, Im going to marry you. Over the years she added mental notes of Parkers dream ring. Reiners Fine Jewelry in Montrose brought her vision to life.

When she asked her girlfriends parents for permission to propose they said, Well, we already see you as our daughter.

Then came the hard part: keeping the secret.

Im the kind of person who wants you to open presents before Christmas, Pabst admits. This was burning a hole in my pocket. But Marquitta had some restrictions: I couldnt propose in a public place and it couldnt be on any holiday.

So on Dec. 26, she spelled out Marry Me with super-sized marquee lights in Parkers parents backyard, a historic house in Westmoreland District. Pabst couldnt recall any of the words shed rehearsed for weeks, though in the end, it didnt matter. Parker said yes.

You wouldve thought the wedding was the next day the way we jumped into planning, Pabst says. Instead, they exchanged vows one year later on Jan. 1, their anniversary of becoming girlfriend and girlfriend.

Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong, Parker recalls. The morning of their ceremony was windy and rainy. A pergola that shed draped in billowy fabric tipped over and fell into a pond. And Pabst accidentally slammed her hand in a gate.

By 2 p.m.,the clouds parted over the couples 20 guests. Parker slipped into her wedding dress, a lace gown with a train and deep-V silhouette.

Drea Gonzalez / Drea Gonzalez

When she walked out, I teared up, of course, Pabst says. Being surrounded by the support team we have, and later sitting outside on the front porch with my brother, my best friend and Marquittas sister felt like an episode of Friends. Being surrounded by that much love was an incredible feeling.

While the guests drank champagne, the newlyweds slipped away for a private first dance, just the two of them, swaying to Eric Benet and Tamias slow song, Spend My Life With You.

amber.elliott@chron.com
Since 28 January, uproar has swept across China after footage emerged that showed a woman chained up by the neck in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, having been forced to bear eight children. The video was originally made with the intention of capturing heartwarming acts of charity to the rural poor.

The woman in the video is very likely to have been a victim of human trafficking. While the local Feng County government maintains that human trafficking does not exist in the area, the public has refused to accept the states explanation in light of these revelations. The question of human trafficking and the oppression of women in capitalist China is once again in the spotlight.

What happened?

The series of videos in question were uploaded to TikTok before 28 January. Initially, the content creator had intended to record a philanthropist as they went to Dengji village, Xuzhou, Jiangsu in order to donate supplies to an impoverished family with eight children. As is known, the CCP regime has instituted draconian population control policies and it has severely restricted the right of women to give birth (the so-called one-child policy).

The fact, therefore, that a family had managed to have no less than eight children was itself notable, and it quickly attracted attention. The initial videos in the series did not feature the mother of the children, known as Yang. But when she did make an appearance, it sent shockwaves across Chinese society.

The videos showed that Yang was chained by the neck and locked in a mud hut / Image: fair use

The videos showed that Yang was chained by the neck and locked in a mud hut. Despite the fact that the temperature was approaching zero degrees Celsius, Yang was only wearing a thin sweater. The conditions in the hut were grotesque and littered with garbage. Yangs family claimed that she had to be housed that way because she is mentally ill.

As videos of Yangs conditions of life began to spread, there was outrage on the Chinese internet. Why had she been chained up in the first place? Even if she had a mental illness, she ought to have been sent to a hospital instead of being shackled in a hut. Many quickly concluded that she is a victim of human trafficking. In China, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s, large numbers of women were tricked or kidnapped by traffickers, who took them elsewhere as prisoners, where they have endured rape, forced marriage and forced childbirth at the hands of their captors. It was not until the 2010s that this wave of human trafficking started to subside. Nevertheless, to this day, many victims are still forced to live in the household of their captors.

From 28 January, the outcry over Yangs situation was in full swing. The Feng County government hastily issued a lacklustre statement that did nothing to allay the fears of the public, claiming that after an initial investigation human trafficking does not exist here, and that Yang is mentally ill.

The case had opened the unhealed wounds in many families, whose experiences of having their loved ones kidnapped and trafficked were shared online. Some even launched their own investigation to find out if Yang matches the descriptions of any reported missing persons. On 30 January, the Feng County government issued a more detailed report, yet still concluded that there was no sign of human trafficking in this case, although it failed to provide any convincing evidence to back up its conclusions.

After the second official statement, Yang was said to have been hospitalised for treatment, while the Dong familys hut is being repaired. But at the same time, news of the incident began being suppressed online. The regime wishes to project an image that the entire issue has been neatly resolved, and that all is well, except for Yang herself. Yet the masses have continued to discuss this incident. They arent being fooled by anyone, and are continuing to call for a serious resolution of this incident.

The opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics failed to draw attention away from the case, and on 7 February, the state issued a third statement claiming that Yang was originally from the faraway Yunnan Province, and that she had previously gone by a different name, but she was brought to Jiangsu by her family member to treat her mental illness. This would appear to be an attempt to claim she was not trafficked, but these strange details only added to the suspicion around the situation. Some internet users even took it upon themselves to visit Dongji Village, only to be turned away by the police.

Finally, on 10 February, the Xuzhou City government announced through Weibo that Mr. Dong and two other individuals  one from Jiangsu and from Yunnan  are now in custody. Mr. Dong is being charged with illegal detainment while the other suspects have been charged with human trafficking offences.

The criminal passivity and negligence of the state

This is still a developing situation. However, events have clearly exposed the eagerness of the government to sweep such incidents under the rug. Had it not been for the level of national attention on the case, its certain that the state would have failed to investigate it seriously.

In the first report on the incident, the state asserted that Yang was not a victim of human trafficking, because there was no matching record in the national missing persons DNA database. And yet, after weeks of public pressure, the government now miraculously claims that this is a human trafficking case after a DNA investigation!

Despite the fact that the state is finally prosecuting the suspects, its role in creating an environment that allowed Yang to fall into such a situation is not under investigation. For example, how was Yang, who we are told suffers from serious mental illness, able to officially marry Mr. Dong? Stranger still, Mr. Dong claimed that he met Yang while the latter was wandering the streets, and that he brought her home in order to take care of her. It is strange indeed that, under the Hukou regime in which every household is strictly monitored, that the local police were not alerted to the fact that Mr. Dong brought someone permanently into his household. This has led to much speculation online about corruption in the local bureaucracy and police force.

Yangs own history of mental illness, at least as it has been presented by the Dong family and the state in earlier reports, also provoked many questions. It is not uncommon for victims of human trafficking to suffer from mental illness on account of their hellish conditions. One internet user, who is in contact with other residents of the village, claimed that when Yang arrived in the village, she seemed to be of sound mind, to be well-educated, and could even speak English.

Meanwhile, the report admitted that Yang has been chained by the neck for years, and that most of her teeth had fallen out. The states second report claims that the Dong family chained her up on account of her unstable behaviour, and in the third report explains that Yangs teeth fell out due to severe gum disease. But basing themselves on the experiences of other victims of human trafficking, many have claimed that it is much more likely that Yang attempted to escape and was beaten and shackled by her captors. Now the state has admitted that there is suspicion of human trafficking, questions are being posed as to why clear signs of physical violence by Yangs captors had been so lightly explained away.

An isolated case?

Were the horrifying and barbaric conditions in which Yang was being held an isolated case? Of course not. The status of women in China  which was significantly elevated after the 1949 revolution  has been severely undermined since the CCP bureaucracy embarked upon its long march to capitalism. Networks of nepotism, organised prostitution, and a host of other reactionary institutions and cultural trends that serve to oppress women made a comeback. The social status of women has once more been denigrated.

In the course of capitalist restoration, human trafficking became a highly profitable business. Many women from rural and impoverished areas were tricked from their native villages in groups, in order to be sold off elsewhere. As early as 1989, a study published by the Zhejiang Literature and Arts Publisher entitled Ancient Evil  a Report on Women Trafficking () indicated that between 1986 to 1989, over 480,000 women were trafficked to and sold in Xuzhou, Jiangsu.

The CCP bureaucracy largely plays the role of condoning these atrocities, and has even stepped in to blame the victims / Image: Weibo

Even by the 2000s, human trafficking continued to be a regular occurrence. Women who were kidnapped and sold into conditions where they face violence and rape, often find it difficult to escape. While traffickers tend to prey on women with mental or physical disabilities, there have been many victims who were otherwise healthy, and many who had ever received good educations. Victims would often be sent to other rural areas, regions that border other countries, or areas where the local government is known to be particularly corrupt.

According to a statistical report issued by Peoples Universitys School of Journalism Public Account RUC, most of the victims of trafficking were sold for less than 10,000 RMB (around $1,570 USD). This illustrates how the lives of women have literally been priced at dirt cheap levels since the restoration of capitalism. Indeed, under this system, human life in general has become little more than fodder for the profit-making of the ruling class.

The Yang incident has inspired widespread discussion of other peoples experiences with human trafficking. Some related how women they knew personally, and even their own mothers, had been kidnapped and trafficked. Some shared stories about how they had narrowly avoided falling victim to traffickers. These kidnappings could happen anywhere: at the station, in the streets, even outside the school gates. Nowhere in China was spared from the scourge of human trafficking at its height, which shows the depth of this horror.

Even when some victims were fortunate enough to have been found by the police or by their family, they would often face fierce resistance from the captors and their cohorts in the same village.

The 2007 film, Blind Mountain, and the 2009 film, The Story of an Abducted Woman, vividly portrayed these experiences. Blind Mountain told the story of a female university student who was abducted but managed to escape. The Story of an Abducted Woman portrayed a similar situation, but in the latter case, the victim ended up being forced to become an elementary school teacher in the place she was kept. This kind of adaptation of victims to their captors and the environment in which they are imprisoned has actually been reported on with scandalous approval by the media.

For instance, the individual on which the main character in The Story of an Abducted Woman was based upon  the real-life trafficking victim, Gao Yanmin  was actually nominated as one of the Top 10 Most Inspiring Hebei People of the Year! How Gaos tragic and horrifying saga is in any way inspiring is anyones guess. Had her case not been discovered by the wider public, she would not have received any attention at all. And whilst being the subject of national attention for a time, her life has not changed at all since. She lives just as those victims who were not discovered. Their interests continue to be neglected.

Indeed, cases in which the trafficking victims are found but nothing is done to help them are common across the country. The CCP bureaucracy largely plays the role of condoning these atrocities, and has even stepped in to blame the victims. A 2015 Peoples Daily article reported on a motherless village in Shaoyang, Hunan Province, where over 100 children were left behind by mothers who ran away or remarried. The Peoples Daily called on these irresponsible mothers to return and take care of their children. It turned out that most of these mothers were victims of trafficking who had managed to escape.

Under the reactionary capitalist regime of the CCP, such tragedies will never receive justice. Those children, and the victimised women who are their mothers, are almost wholly deprived of rights. The children are likely to be left without care, unable to receive education and a proper upbringing, while many of the victims who managed to escape were either sent back to those who captured them, or were even sold a second time.

This unspeakable barbarity faced by women and the poor is the product of the restoration of capitalism, led by the CCP. A thousand-and-one forms of oppression have made their comeback because capitalism is a system that serves a few rulers who enrich themselves from the exploitation of the majority. Only by overthrowing capitalism in China and establishing a genuine socialist democracy will there be any hope of permanently eradicating these evils.
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.

RECORDS: Houston's largest companies post big gains in 2021

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.

OIL AND GAS INFLUENCE: After $250k in political support from Apache Corp., Texas Supreme Court does a rare double take

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
Metro Video Services

A man was killed Monday when a pickup truck crashed into a fence of a southwest Houston apartment complex, hitting a man walking on the sidewalk, according to police.

The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. in the 9500 block of Beechnut, police said. The driver of a white Ford F-150 left the roadway and veered toward the apartment complex, crashing through the fence.
Its election season  again. Werent we just here? On Feb. 14, early voting begins for this years election cycle, known as the midterms. Up for your consideration are offices from county commissioner to judges, to state representatives and finally governor. Our Voter Guide, posted last week at HoustonChronicle.com, has deep information on how to vote, where to vote and candidates in every local race.

You have undoubtedly been paying attention to the raft of endorsements our Opinion page staff has been working hard to produce.

And today, you can find those endorsements added to our Voter Guide online.

BALLOT GUIDE: 7 things to know about Texas mail-ballot voting

To be clear, the newsroom has no role in those recommendations. There is a solid wall between what our reporters do in providing unbiased, balanced coverage and what the Opinion and Outlook staff does.

Wait, arent you all the same building, you ask? Well, yes.

But the Opinion and Outlook pages are independent of the newsroom. Lisa Falkenberg, the Opinion page editor, and her staff report to publisher Nancy Meyer. We dont even talk about it.

PATRICK'S RISE: The GOP shot-caller's evolution charts the shift in Texas politics

'RELENTLESS': Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is flagbearer in Democrats' social justice push

Our writers in the newsroom look for topics and angles that help you make that all important decision on who earns your vote. Thats what we do. The Opinion page folks lay out the case for a particular candidate and render an  opinion on who should get the nod.

Well keep at it ahead of the March 1 primary.

CAMPAIGN STOPS: Gov. Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke fire away at each other in San Antonio

Early voting for the primary begins Feb. 14. And well be with you through Nov. 3, examining the candidates and their positions and the issues that matter most to you.

It is more important than ever that we give you the tools to make informed decisions. Our democracy depends on it.

Thank you for subscribing and reading.
A Humble motorcyclist was killed Sunday afternoon in a head-on crash with a pickup truck in Conroe.

The driver of a Chevrolet pickup struck the motorcyclist while turning into the Thunder Gun Range on FM 1314 shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday, according to the Montgomery County Police Reporter. The motorcyclist was thrown from his Ducati motorcycle and thrust underneath the truck.

The motorcyclist, who has been identified only as a 25-year old Humble man, died at the scene. He was taken to the Montgomery County Forensic Center for autopsy.

Eyewitnesses told authorities the motorcyclist seemed to be speeding at the time.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
New COVID-19 cases across the greater Houston area dropped to the lowest level in two months, new data showed Monday, with infection rates roughly equal to those recorded in mid-December before omicrons staggering surge.

Around 2,300 people tested positive for COVID each day last week, down 40 percent from the previous week, Texas Medical Center reported Monday morning.

Houstons rate of transmission  a key metric used to gauge how likely an infected person is to spread the virus to others  continued its steep decline, falling for the fourth week in a row to 0.67. That means the average person who had the virus gave it to one person or less, a promising sign of omicrons loosening grip on the region.

Hospital admissions also fell precipitously, with about 200 new COVID patients admitted daily to TMC institutions last week, half as many as during omicrons January peak. Around 1,440 people were hospitalized for COVID in the nine-county Houston region on Sunday, down from a high of of 2,960 one month ago.

THE LATEST NUMBERS: Interactive maps, charts show spread of COVID across Houston

The figures confirm Houston is entering a period of low transmission. How long it will last is unclear.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday said booster doses of the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccines provide four months of strong protection before waning in effectiveness, In new CDC study, the third shots cut a persons risk of hospitalization by 91% in the second month after receiving the third dose and by 78% in the fourth month, suggesting additional shots may be necessary.

As the highly contagious omicron variant recedes, deaths remain high as hospitalized people succumb to the virus. About 180 Texans are now dying from the virus each day on average, but that is likely an under-count. The time between infection, illness and death can stretch weeks or months, in some cases.

Omicron, first identified in South Africa in late November, took less than one month to overtake the delta variant as the dominant variant spreading in Houston and around the world. It spread three times faster than delta and sent case counts skyrocketing to unprecedented levels.

nora.mishanec@chron.com
Some Pleasantville residents are protesting a Fort Bend politicians purchase of a senior community in the historically Black neighborhood, arguing the takeover will force out longtime renters who may not be able to afford planned increases in rent.

Rep. Gary Gates real estate company, Gatesco, purchased the Pleasant Village Apartments last fall for $7.4 million from Inter-Faith Texas, which residents say charged them between about $500 and $600 monthly. Many residents, who live on fixed income from Social Security and disability payments, say they might not be able to afford anything more.

Everybody is just in limbo, were just waiting and waiting to see, said Faye Burnet, 76, who grew up in Pleasantville and has lived in the Pleasant Village Apartments for 12 years. Youd be scared too. You dont have to be a senior to have that feeling.

While some residents say they have not received official word on the new rent prices, a property manager at Pleasant Village Apartments told the Chronicle that rents for seniors in one-bedrooms would not exceed $620, and that two-bedrooms would be about $800.

Gates says the rent increases will not go into effect until 2023 and are necessary because Gatesco has mortgage and property taxes to pay, unlike the previous owners that were tax-exempt due to their non-profit status. Gatesco is also budgeting about $1 million to make improvements to the property, Gates said.

He said he has no plans to kick anyone out of their homes, and that his company will help residents navigate assistance programs like the Houston Harris County Rental Assistance Program should they be unable to pay their rent.

I can see their point, and yes there will be an increase, but I can tell you were going to work with the residents. We have to deal with the reality of an increase in costs, and the fact that were going to be paying operational costs the former owners did not have to pay, Gates said.

The previous owners, Inter-Faith Texas, did not respond to a request for comment.

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.

Gatesco has already filed evictions in three apartments, but Gates said two of those were necessary to enroll the residents in the Houston Harris County Rental Assistance Program, which is running low on funds and only accepting applications from renters with active eviction cases.

Those two cases have since been dismissed, records show, and the third was dismissed and recorded as a move out after the resident, who was not responding to management, was found to be in hospital care, Gates said.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle

Its only because of our ability as good owners and operators in the long haul that I can make my mortgage payment and still minimize the rent increases. How can anyone look at that situation and tell me logically, what else Im supposed to do? Gates asked.

'I will not have it'

Dozens of Pleasantville residents and supporters protested the sale outside the Pleasant Village Apartment offices Friday and Saturday morning, joined on Saturday by elected officials and candidates including Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Harold Dutton, along with Sen. John Whitmire, mayoral candidate Chris Hollins and District 15 challenger Molly Cook.

They demanded meetings with Gates and assurances that seniors would not be priced out of their homes. Jackson Lee said she has contacted the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding the sale, and hinted at the possibility of lawsuits.

This is the beginning of the end of Pleasantville, and I will not have it, Jackson Lee said to the crowd. You have no right to destroy peoples investments. These are their homes, they have raised their children or taken care of grandchildren or are taking care of themselves here. I will not have it.

Gates told the Houston Chronicle last week that he would gladly arrange meetings between the Pleasantville Civic League and management to discuss the apartment complexs future, though Civic League President Mary Fontenot said she has been trying to reach him since the sale first went through.

In addition to the increases in rent, a major point of contention is that Gatesco will open up to 20% of the units at Pleasant Village Apartments to non-seniors. Listings on online apartment websites, along with fliers left on cars in the neighborhood, advertise one-bedrooms for $710 per month and two-bedrooms for $915.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Fontenot worries that renting those units on the open market will detract from the community that seniors have built there, but Gates said leasing those apartments at market value is what keeps prices lower for the seniors.

Will evictions happen?

Its not the first time that Gates, whose company owns over 10,000 mostly low-income units in the Houston area, has found himself facing scrutiny for his real estate dealings. He filed at least 104 evictions across 34 apartment complexes in and around Houston in the first months of the coronavirus pandemic, a move he argued was necessary because the renters would never be able to catch up on several months worth of rent.

Gates has pledged that no more seniors will be evicted from Pleasant Village Apartments, but multiple residents say theyve been dealing with threats for months.

A note left on residents doors dated Jan. 24 informs residents that those on Social Security must show award letters and pay their rent by the 9th of every month, or else be evicted.

One 75-year-old woman, who lives in a two-bedroom and asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, said management told her she could sign a new lease for $800 a month next year or get out. She cant afford the higher prices and has already started looking elsewhere, but has been disheartened by the prices shes seeing.

When I moved here, I thought I was secure until I died, but it seems like everything is just changing, the woman said. Theres a lot of little things that aggravate you, and make you think, Well, they dont want us here anymore.
SpaceX announced a new series of spaceflights Monday that will culminate with the first humans riding in the Starship spacecraft thats being developed in South Texas.

Up to three missions, called the Polaris Program, will begin with the tried-and-true SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft and then progress to the Starship. The Crew Dragon is trusted to carry NASA astronauts to the International Space Station; Starship has exploded multiple times during testing and has not yet been launched into orbit.

The Polaris Program is being funded by SpaceX and billionaire Jared Rook Isaacman, a technology entrepreneur who recently paid for the Inspiration4 mission that last year launched four amateurs into space. Isaacman did not elaborate on how much he was contributing.

MORE ON INSPIRATION4: Splashdown marks mission success for first amateur SpaceX crew

This should be eye-opening as to what can be achieved through private funding, Isaacman said during a news conference, and what that means for the future of commercial space exploration missions.

Isaacman will be the commander for the Polaris Programs first mission, Polaris Dawn, which could launch in the fourth quarter of this year. It will lift off from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Polaris Dawn will use a Crew Dragon spacecraft, with the goal of demonstrating new capabilities and technologies. The four-person crew could spend up to five days in Earths orbit, where theyll seek to fly higher than any other crewed mission that has circled the globe and conduct the first commercial spacewalk.

Crew Dragon does not have an airlock, so the entire spacecraft will be depressurized and everyone inside it will experience the vacuum of space. SpaceX plans to design a single suit that could be worn for both launch and the spacewalk. Historically, suits used during spacewalks have been bulky.

Each day we see the commercial space industry bring science fiction to reality, Isaacman said. The pace of progress on EVA (extravehicular activity), or spacewalk, is still far from rapidly putting on a helmet and suit to conduct operations outside of the safety of a vehicle or habitat. If we are to have a more permanent presence on the moon and someday build a colony on Mars, we have a lot to learn, including better suit designs and protocols to safely expedite EVA operations.

The Polaris Dawn crew will also conduct a variety of space health and performance research, including experiments sponsored by Houstons Translational Research Institute for Space Health, a NASA-funded organization at the Baylor College of Medicine. These include tracking the crews radiation exposure, testing their cognitive performance and capturing ultrasound images that could be key for identifying medical problems.

Isaacman, the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, a publicly traded company that Forbes says handles payments for a third of Americas restaurants and hotels, will be joined on this flight by three other people: retired Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Kidd Poteet and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. Poteet was mission director for Inspiration4 and is vice president of strategy at Shift4 Payments, Gillis is responsible for overseeing the SpaceX astronaut training program and Menon manages SpaceX development of crew operations.

Menon is also poised to reach space before her husband, NASA astronaut candidate Dr. Anil Menon, who began his two-year training at NASAs Johnson Space Center in January.

During Mondays news conference, Menon recalled telling their 4-year-old son that Daddy would be an astronaut. He asked when Momma was going to be an astronaut  then several weeks later Isaacman asked Menon to join the Polaris Dawn mission.

We are just both really supportive of each others aspirations, she said. Whoever gets there first, were both just really excited to be going through it together.

A LIFETIME OF EFFORT: How NASAs newest class of astronauts were selected

Isaacman did not provide much detail on the Polaris Programs second and third missions, other than saying the third is expected to be the first crewed Starship flight. Isaacman hopes to be on those missions but said that would be determined later.

Theres a lot to learn on Polaris Program, Isaacman said. Thats why these are building blocks and will ultimately arrive at the first crewed launch of Starship. And then theres an awful lot that the army of 10,000 people and engineers here at SpaceX are going to learn as they put the Starship through its various developmental paces. What we learn from both will ultimately inform the timeline for future missions.

SpaceX is developing and testing its Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket in South Texas. Starship has been selected to lower NASA astronauts to the moon, and SpaceX is likewise pushing to reach Mars.

Starship has not yet been launched into orbit. But during an update last week in South Texas, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said he was confident that Starship would reach orbit this year.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

twitter.com/a_leinfelder
Imagine that youre transported to some faraway planet and its Election Day there.

Curious about deep space democracy, you study the races and the choices for top law enforcement official catch your eye.

Candidate A has 20 years experience as a judge, including a decade on the high court, shes well-respected and credible, and has an inspiring life story of rising up from humble means to great success.

Candidate B has spent his entire incumbency mired in scandal and a cloud of criminal allegations. Hes been delaying trial for seven years on three felony charges related to securities fraud, including one charge he already admitted to on paper. On top of that, seven of his own high-ranking staffers blew the whistle to law enforcement, alleging corruption and abuse of office stemming from favors for a campaign donor. His lawyering skills are bumbling, losing high-profile cases important to his political party and filing a preposterous lawsuit to overturn a fair election that was tossed out of the highest court with whiplash speed. Members of his own party have asked him to resign. If that werent enough, he was once caught on camera pocketing somebody elses pricey pen in a courthouse security line.

Yet, it seems Candidate B is favored to win.

You shake your head incredulously murmuring, On what other planet could that guy keep his seat?

Answer: on Planet Texas.

Candidate B, of course, is Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, 59, whose taint has shamed his party, his state, desecrated the law-and-order principles many Republicans hold dear and led this editorial board long ago to call for his resignation. Since he has refused, Republican voters should fire him.

Even those who can stomach allegations of criminal wrongdoing and an extramarital affair have to be vexed by his incompetence in executing GOP priorities, notably wasting millions on his fruitless snipe hunt for voter fraud and sloppy handling of a lawsuit challenging Obamacare that even Justice Clarence Thomas couldnt abide.

Republicans cant trust Paxton to enforce the laws of this state when he wont follow them himself. Recently, he flat-out refused to comply with the Texas Public Information Act when newspapers across the state sought his cell phone communications while in Washington D.C. amid the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Candidate A, meanwhile, is former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman, who promises to restore integrity to the Office of Attorney General on Day One. On Day Two, she says shell restore the qualified staff who left the office after reporting Paxton to the FBI for alleged bribery and other criminal acts.

And Day Three? Well, this is Texas. She vows to start suing the Biden administration for government overreach.

She had a solid reputation on Texas highest civil court, and in 2016, although she joined her colleagues in upholding Texas rickety school finance structure, she argued for reform in a concurring opinion, writing that Shortfalls in both resources and performance persist in innumerable respects, and a perilously large number of students is in danger of falling further behind.

Guzman, 61, grew up in Houstons East End, daughter of a welder and a janitor who immigrated to this country legally.

Another top priority for Guzman is to revamp one of the AGs major duties: collection of child support payments. Guzman vows to stand up for Texas families and children, for the unborn and the vulnerable, for veterans and working Texans, for law enforcement and those who demand election integrity.

On border security, she suggests things that havent been tried, such as suing the federal government to get more magistrates down to the border to handle asylum cases.

Those are solid conservative priorities that we believe Republicans can trust her to execute with honor and class, virtues that impress not only ordinary Texans but judges who consider the AGs arguments.

I know how judges think, Guzman told us. If a lawyer loses credibility, what does that say about the arguments theyre bringing?

How Guzman can be an underdog in this race boggles the mind.

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, 45, grandson and nephew of former presidents, is riding the name-ID to far out-raise Guzman. But he cant compete on qualifications. Guzman points out that he only renewed his Texas law license in late 2020. Some of the uproar over Bushs handling of the Alamos redesign seems overblown; were not sure what superhuman Texan could herd those sacred cats. Our chief concerns involve his sluggish delivery of Hurricane Harvey funds and his agencys outrageously unfair snub of Houston and Harris County in allocating the first round of long-awaited flood mitigation aid.

Of the more than $1 billion Bushs office dispersed, the most populous city and county in the state that had suffered the most deaths and damage during Harvey didnt get one cent. The culprit appears to be a metric that actually penalized areas that had more people. Even more troubling was Bushs deceptive excuses, at one point claiming that the feds came up with the metric, which the feds disputed, saying Texas had full responsibility and jurisdiction over who got money and how it was doled out.

After days of harsh, bipartisan criticism, Bush pledged to give $750 million to Harris County but the whole ordeal isnt befitting of a candidate seeking a post that requires fairness and neutrality.

As for Louie Gohmert, we had hoped the clownish, eight-term congressmans late entry into the race was but a cleverly written submission for the satirical publication The Onion. Alas, he really is running, touting his time as a district judge in Smith County, a stint on a Texas appellate court, as well as his hawkishness on the border. But even Gohmert, who is 68 and acknowledges that some consider him the dumbest guy in Congress, sounds sage when hes condemning Paxton: He deserves his day in court, but Texans shouldnt be punished for his actions, he says in a campaign video. Ill restore the rule of law and trust me, Ill be the woke mobs worst nightmare.

Wed take that nightmare any day over the one Paxton has wrought.

Luckily, we dont have to. Republicans who want to restore integrity, ethics and the rule of law to the Texas AGs office have a stellar choice in Guzman.
Houston Chronicle

It's time to make your voice heard again. The 2022 primary election takes place on Tuesday, March 1.

In support of informed voting, the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board, which is separate from the newsroom, interviewed hundreds of candidates in more than 50 races to make the recommendations in Harris County races for both the Democratic and Republican primaries. Texas law does not allow cell phones in the voting booth, so take this summary page with you or print out one of our handy PDFs which you can find below each party's list of endorsements. Note: The only local judgeships covered are criminal district benches.
Harris County criminal district court judges are increasingly under scrutiny for bond decisions in cases where the defendant, once out of custody, commits a new crime, including murder. Judge Hilary Unger of the 248th District Court is one of them, given a string of incidents where defendants in her court bonded out and went on to commit serious crimes.

Some would argue that such cases make Unger, 59, unworthy of re-election. We disagree. She is the best choice for Democrats in the March 1 primary for two reasons: Her overall record on the bench is a strong one, and because we do not believe her challenger would do better.

Unger supports the bail reform movement, and insists that nearly every defendant deserves a hearing to consider his or her terms for pre-trial release. But her court has the 10th-highest (out of 23 courts) pre-trial detention number, which suggests she weighs those decisions carefully. She would have fewer defendants in detention if she indiscriminately gave personal recognizance or low bonds. Shes also improving her clearance rate, which in the past three months has been 101 percent.

That metric is key because Hurricane Harvey and the pandemic ground courts to a halt. While violent crimes committed by those on bond are horrifying, the U.S. and Texas constitutions protect most defendants rights to be released on bail until a speedy trial. The operative word is speedy, a condition thats not being met due to the backlog.

Unger is now moving forward with a scheduling order to force attorneys to meet specific deadlines over the life of cases, and expects those numbers to continue to improve.

She is a single mom with real empathy for youth and people with mental illness who end up in the criminal justice system, owing in part to the fact that she handled CPS cases in private practice. She boasts that the number of probationers in her court who have successfully completed probation has doubled in her first term.

She also was a driving force in pushing for a system in which private lawyers are appointed to represent indigent defendants by a central system rather than by individual judges. Its been a good change.

Unger has faced legitimate scrutiny for her bond decisions, but her overall record is one that her opponent, Linda Mazzagatti, has not shown herself likely to improve upon. Mazzagatti, 65, works in the district attorneys general litigation office, and has built her campaign around one issue: the failures of the bail reform movement. The challenge for judges is more complex than that.

Democrats should stick with Unger.
No question, Joe Jaworski would be a compelling candidate for Texas attorney general even if he werent the grandson of Texas legendary lawyer Leon Jaworski, best known for being Richard Nixons handpicked Watergate prosecutor who ended up arguing successfully for the release of damning tapes that outed Nixons involvement in the scandal and led to his resignation as president.

But it sure is poetic to have the grandson of a man famed for his conscience, for being the chief defender of the nations scruples, as Texas Monthly put it in 1977, running against Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican infamous for his lack of scruples, perpetual scandals and never-ending indictments.

Thats not enough to vote for me, Jaworski, 59, a mediator, former Galveston mayor and three-term city councilman, said about his grandfathers legacy. But its a damn good reason to consider me, because his integrity is in my DNA.

And consider him we did, along with the rest of the impressive candidates on the Democratic slate, which includes Harris County criminal court-at-law judge Mike Fields, Brownsville attorney Rochelle Garza and Lee Merritt, a nationally known civil rights lawyer.

All of them say they can beat Attorney General Ken Paxton and restore integrity to an office that hasnt seen it in seven years. They share many priorities, including protecting voting rights and womens right to choose. Several vowed to use the office both legally and as a bully pulpit to advocate for legislative reforms including expansion of Medicaid.

We were intrigued by the candidacy of Fields, 56 and a former Republican judge who switched parties after he lost his bench in the 2018 Democratic sweep of Harris County. He was a respected jurist who bucked his own party in support of misdemeanor bail reform. But we asked him how Democratic voters could trust that he shared their values.

Ive always had them, he told us, explaining that running as a Republican was the only way to win a bench in Harris County. While he hasnt always been a Democrat, I was always a Black man in America and certainly a Black man in the South, he said. I didnt live in a vacuum. I lived in the real world. I did everything I could to help those people who were in communities of color, in communities of poverty, get out of our system.

We like his vow to rein in the office that Paxton has politicized into a self-serving PR machine, and instead focus on the basics, including improving the child support payment system. We respect Fields 20 years of public service, including serving on the judicial conduct commission, and the relationships hes built, including with GOP judges his office would face in court. Hes right that the nuts and bolts work requires conversations, not antagonism: Its not by poking people in the eye, he said. Its by shaking their hand and reaching consensus.

Merritt, 39, has a different vision. The former New Jersey teacher is a nationally known civil rights attorney focusing on police brutality and racial injustice. He represents the family of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man who was jogging near his home in Georgia in 2020 when he was chased down and killed by three white men, all of whom were convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Merritt, who says he moved to Dallas in 2015 so that he could bring cases before the conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, says hed be a fighter in the state AGs office and if Democrats want to win in November they need to energize the base, not play to the middle or nominate disgruntled Republicans such as Fields.

Dont present a centrist, Merritt said. Present a champion from the left.

To which we say: How about a little of both? How about fight and collaboration? How about focus on the basics and on the big cases that will lead the way in national reforms? How about a lawyer with a Texas law license? (Merritt says hes still pursuing one.)

We believe Jaworski would bring all those things as Texas AG, and he gets our enthusiastic endorsement. As a mediator, he knows how to solve problems and get consensus. As a former mayor, hed bring back the respect that Texas used to have for local control before Gov. Greg Abbott began eroding it. Jaworskis collaborative spirit, combined with innovative ideas, would go a long way to re-establishing the Texas attorney general as the peoples lawyer. As an aside, we like the guys style. On the endorsement page of his website, he doesnt just feature big name politicians but ordinary voters of all stripes.

Jaworski says hed waste no time turning Paxtons voter fraud division into Jaworskis voter access division, because, as he told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, you ought to be able to call the government when your voting rights are being impeded or damaged. Hed also take small but important steps to champion the voting franchise, including sending letters to all Texas high schools reminding them of the Texas law that requires access for eligible seniors to register to vote.

Hed create a civil rights division at an agency that shamefully lacks one. On border security, rather than targeting individual immigrants and families, hed go after the cartels that operate exploitative human smuggling operations, in part by funding special assistant U.S. attorneys across the border  a tactic he says was last used by then-AG John Cornyn.

Jaworski also plans to advocate for legalization of cannabis for recreational use in Texas, a priority that might seem minor, all things considered, but that carries weightier significance: Removing wasteful, petty prosecution from the books, he says, would usher in long-overdue social and criminal justice reform. We agree.

Perhaps most importantly, Jaworski commits to being accessible, transparent and ethical. We have reason to believe him  and not just because of his family ties. He demonstrated his own integrity as Galveston mayor, when he lost re-election in large part because he insisted on restoring public housing lost to Hurricane Ike by building permanent mixed-income developments rather than handing out vouchers for often substandard, far-flung apartments.

Brownsville attorney Rochelle Garza, 37, boasts that fighting spirit as well, as evidenced by her successful defense of abortion rights in the case of a 17-year-old immigration detainee who had escaped abuse in her home country. The former ACLU attorneys focus on the rights of women and voters, and access to health care, is laudable, as is her bilingual campaign that speaks to many voters who havent seen themselves represented in past races for Texas AG.

Another candidate, Dallas attorney S. TBone Raynor, did not screen with us.

In the end, we believe Jaworski has the best chance of beating Paxton in the fall, and that such a victory wouldnt just constitute legal justice, but the poetic kind as well.
Democrats are choosing among three candidates with the winner set to face Republican Maritza Antu, the current judge in the 482nd who was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to preside over the new court and is unopposed in her partys primary.

Of the three Democrats seeking the seat, we were impressed with two, Veronica Nelson and Alycia Harvey. We urge voters to choose Nelson, 40, a staff attorney for the county criminal and civil court judges.

She is a former Harris County prosecutor who, over 10 years, gained valuable trial experience as chief prosecutor in the misdemeanor and felony divisions.

As a staff attorney for the judges, she said she spends a lot of time teaching judges how to be judges.

She said prosecutors should more often ask for bond hearings, and that judges can be blamed unfairly. Bond is far higher for murder charges than it used to be, she says, and no matter how high judges set it in some cases, defendants are making bail.

Harvey, 47, has been an assistant district attorney or 20 years, during which time she handled some big cases. Last year, she successfully prosecuted David Conley, a man who shot and killed eight members of a family, including six small children.

She knows the challenges facing the judges, from the case backlog, to the diminished number of trials, to the bail reform movement, which some believe is contributing to rising crime rates. She cut through a lot of clutter when she noted sensibly that the only thing that moves cases along is a credible threat of trial.

We didnt get a chance to speak with the third candidate in the race, Sherlene Cruz, 41, of the Harris County public defenders office. She has been a lawyer for 13 years and has deep experience representing clients at bail hearings. We believe both a vote in the Democratic primary for either Nelson or Harvey would go further in the fall against the incumbent.
The Texas electric grid failure during Winter Storm Uri a year ago shocked the nation. Our state has long been one of the worlds top energy producers and if an extended blackout was going to happen in the U.S., few outside of the gas industry would have guessed it could happen in Texas.

The industry, however, knew it had a problem, did nothing about it and raked in billions in surplus profits from Uri. Even worse, the core issue that led to the blackout still has not been fixed a year later, and the blackout profiteers of the gas industry are fighting to keep it that way.

My family, like far too many others, received only tragedy from Uri. My mom, Cynthia Pierce, made her home in a senior living apartment that lost power. Her facilitys backup generators, intended to protect against exactly these kinds of emergencies, also failed.

My mom froze to death in the self-described energy capital of the world in 2021. The way that she died still haunts us, and I think it always will. We dont want other families to ever experience anything like this again, but unfortunately, Texas remains vulnerable.

An analysis from federal energy regulators published in the aftermath of last years disaster states that the blackouts experienced by Texans represents the largest manually controlled load shedding event in U.S. history. The report details how inadequate gas infrastructure simply froze up and choked off supplies of the fuels that these companies routinely insist are essential for our lives and economy.

But this wasnt news to those inside the natural gas industry. They knew about the potential for catastrophic failure and death, but did nothing.

Following a similar cold-weather event in 2011, the same federal agency warned that Texas needed to consider legislation requiring minimum, uniform standards for winterization, and to designate critical natural gas facilities that should be exempted from rolling blackouts. The 2011 report cites lack of regulation as a contributing factor to Texas failure to implement common winterization preparations, and it specifically states that failures at gas wellheads and gaslines caused power declines and outages at the power generators that supply electricity directly to our homes and hospitals. This happened seven times in the 18 years of power generation studied in the 2011 report. The natural gas industry pushed back hard on these suggestions, and the Texas legislature listened to them.

We are now seeing the gas industry flex its political muscle again to block necessary action, and its easy to see why. Even though the gas system failed, plunging the state into the dark and cold for days during freezing weather that killed my mom and hundreds of other Texans, the disaster was also an $11 billion windfall for a small handful of politically powerful gas suppliers, traders and pipeline companies.

The biggest winner was Energy Transfer, a gas pipeline giant that pocketed $2.4 billion in just four days of Uri. In recent weeks, Energy Transfer has run high-profile TV commercials glorifying the importance of oil and gas to the way we live. But while its true that we depend on reliable access to energy, as Winter Storm Uri ruthlessly demonstrated, its wrong that we should accept the status quo.

Not only is it unconscionable to leave in place a system that allowed the gas industry to profit off a disaster of its own making, Texas cannot actually rely on natural gas until we have legislation that requires winterization, transparency and oversight of the gas industry.

My family, like the families of hundreds of other Texans tragically lost in Winter Storm Uri, will never be the same. At long last, our response to the gas industry should be never again.

Holly Ferguson currently resides in Fort Worth.
Three years ago, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo took a risk by declaring she no longer would accept campaign contributions from county vendors.

Hidalgo, who pitched herself to voters as a reformer, said she wanted to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. In saying no to vendor cash, she shut off the spigot to the single most lucrative source of campaign contributions for Commissioners Court members.

Turns out, her fundraising has been just fine. Hidalgo since has raised $1.8 million and has $1.5 million on hand, leaving her well-positioned to pay for a countywide campaign as she runs for re-election this year.

This is a path Ive chosen, and Im proud of it, and Im proud to brag about it, Hidalgo said. And its something I think should be standard.

Her fundraising totals since 2018 are close to those of county commissioners. Her donor base, however, is significantly different.

A Houston Chronicle investigation found from 2020 through 2021, commissioners relied on county vendors  through political action committees, employees and their family members  for 79 percent of their campaign contributions while steering 93 percent of engineering, architecture, surveying and appraisal work to firms who contributed. Many individual contributions were at least $10,000.

On HoustonChronicle.com: How Harris County commissioners hide source of their political cash

Campaign finance experts say those findings suggest the existence of a pay-to-play system, though each commissioner has denied contributions play any role in his decision-making.

Hidalgo, in contrast, relied heavily on small-dollar donors. Her campaign finance reports listed 2,594 contributors who gave less than $50, compared to a combined 95 for her four colleagues. Her average contribution was $290. For commissioners, it was at least nine times higher: $2,712 for Tom Ramsey, $3,056 for Rodney Ellis, $3,084 for Adrian Garcia and $4,794 for Jack Cagle.

Courting small-dollar donors is more difficult and time-consuming than relying on wealthy benefactors, said Michael Kistner, a University of Houston assistant professor of political science. He said these small donors may not be significantly more representative of the electorate, however, because they are disproportionately partisans who care enough about local races to give money.

Typically, we view small-dollar donors in American politics as a polarizing force, dragging politicians closer to the wings of their party, Kistner said. Theres more of an incentive to be hostile and cast your opponent as this really terrible person, and thats what gets peoples blood boiling enough to contribute.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Hidalgo, Cagle spar over $11M vaccine outreach contract as Commissioners Court exchange gets personal

Hidalgo said she did not make her pledge to pressure commissioners to do the same. When Cagle questioned her integrity surrounding a contract awarded for COVID-19 vaccine outreach last year, however, Hidalgo brought up his reliance on vendors for political contributions.

Spare me the outrage, Hidalgo said. Bring it on, yall. Because there is nothing here other than an appropriate COVID response and someone who has gone to lengths to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Ellis, Garcia and Ramsey said they will continue to accept vendor contributions. Cagle declined to answer questions about his fundraising. Ramsey, a civil engineer whose firm was a county vendor, said Hidalgos pledge unfairly casts the industry in a negative light.

Maybe she doesnt understand how ethical our vendors are if shes saying weve got a bunch of unethical people working for the county, Ramsey said. Im insulted, as a former vendor, with what shes insinuating.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the vaccie outreach contract was awarded without a bidding process.

zach.despart@chron.com
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Windy. A steady rain this morning, with showers continuing this afternoon. High 48F. Winds NE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Windy this evening. Low 41F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph.
Doris Ezomo plans to open Diadem Nursing Institute And Allied Health in Wilson for students who want to become nursing assistants or home health aides. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call )

Doris Ezomo arrived in the United States 30 years ago from Nigeria, because her father valued the importance of education for her and her siblings.

She was 22 at the time, living with her family in a high-rise housing project in Newark, where, she said, poverty, violence, illegal drug use and crime were rampant.

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Amid that environment, Ezomo endured. She made money by caring for the children of families in her building. She gained certification as a nursing assistant and later as a registered nurse, then went on to earn a masters degree in public administration and a doctorate in education.

She achieved tenure status as a college professor and has worked as a regional staff nurse with the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

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As a [certified nursing assistant], you can move up the ladder, she said. Thats how I did it.

Now, she wants to give back to those who grew up in similar circumstances to hers.

Ezomo is opening a small school in Wilson to produce certified nursing assistants and home health aides. Diadem Nursing Institute and Allied Health LLC is in a brick, former medical office about one block from St. Lukes Hospital-Easton.

[ Pennsylvania nursing homes are facing a staffing shortage. Heres how Lehigh Valley facilities have had to adjust. ]

While the Lehigh Valley and country are facing a shortage of health care workers, and with private homes and agencies such as Gracedale, the Northampton County nursing home, struggling before and since the pandemic to hire more health aides, the school could help fill the void.

The name Diadem means crown. Its like giving them a crown of glory, Ezomo said of the students she hopes will become trained to help others.

Right now, it makes me feel very happy, Ezomo said on a recent day, sitting in one of the classrooms, because this is the goal  to be able to help people  those low-income people who wouldnt know how to get started in life.

Thats the point I want to get across, to help people, she said. Because when I started, people helped me. Even when I came here, not knowing anybody, I began to reach out to people, and by divine intervention, Tom Stine came in .... and hes been very  I wouldnt know  theres no words to say how much he has done.

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For the 53-year-old Ezomo, opening the school produced several fits and starts, including at a previous potential site. She had to find help navigating the process of becoming licensed to operate a school in Pennsylvania.

Ezomo said she overcame delays and other impediments by asking questions, which led to getting guidance from Stine and others in the Lehigh Valley.

Moving up the ladder

Stine, who is with Rising Tide Community Loan Fund  a subsidiary of Community Action Lehigh Valley (formerly the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley)  met Ezomo on his first day as the nonprofits business adviser. He realized two things about Ezomo immediately: She was special and she was focused.

When they met, Stine said, Ezomo had invested about $100,000 in rent and other costs to build out a second-floor space in South Side Easton. But the landlord was unwilling to help her with the renovations. Still, Stine said, She knew she wanted to be in Pennsylvania because of the states older population.

Ezomo  who lives in West Orange, New Jersey, and said she found the site in Easton and later Wilson with Google Maps and by driving around the area  was undaunted, Stine said.

[ New Easton school will train nurses ]

But Stine also realized before she received funding, she needed help with the application process for the school. Stine connected Ezomo with Lisa Greenawalt, an education consultant.

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There are other schools, but theres just a tremendous need for certified nursing assistants that having additional programs would benefit the health care community, said Greenawalt, who is also director of curriculum and instruction at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute in North Whitehall Township.

She saved our bacon, Stine said of Greenawalt, because that state form is just a bear.

Stine said he spent more than 18 months on the school plan before handing it off to Greenawalt to get approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

When the building out was going on in Easton, she was resolved: I have no choice but to move forward,  Stine recalled. There were a lot of really strong, cold and pragmatic decisions she made  no histrionics, no whining, very decisive.

Said Ezomo: It makes me feel good that I am pursuing my passion.

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When no means ... moving on

Ezomo also has opened Spring of Joy Home Health Care LLC, which is planned for the lower level of the same building as Diadem. That business is intended to offer home care to senior citizens. Both businesses have received licenses from the state, but Ezomo said getting the nursing school license took longer. I decided to open [Spring of Joy] meanwhile, so I can get that started, she said.

A certified nursing assistant provides direct patient care in nursing homes and in other settings such as hospital long-term care wards or community rehabilitation. Duties can include taking vital signs, assisting residents to move about the facility, helping them manage their meal trays and use bathroom facilities, turning bedridden patients, and offering emotional support.

One of the state requirements is that the school be associated with a medical facility, Ezomo said, and she has been working with Melissa King, administrator of Promedica Senior Care Old Orchard in Bethlehem Township.

Doris approached me with her plan for the nursing school back in 2019 and we were eager to partner with her as she brought her idea to fruition, King said. It is important to us to help develop the next generation of caregivers, and we find that training within a skilled nursing center that provides rehabilitation services is a great way for them to learn compassion and hone their skills in providing nursing care and services.

King said the nursing home and its owners have worked with other educators, but with the pandemic challenges affecting the health care workforce, the business needs to find new ways to be part of the solution as caregivers have retired or resigned.

The benefit of working with a school is to get more students and future caregivers into the pipeline, King said.

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The 2020 median pay for certified nursing assistants nationwide is$14.82 an hour, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Diadem can accommodate 12-24 students, said Ezomo, who hopes to open as soon as March 1. If I can get five students, I can open the door, she said.

Ezomo said the program runs six to eight weeks and costs about $2,000. Greenawalt said applicants who pay their tuition and get nursing assistant jobs at a nursing facility enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid must be reimbursed for tuition costs. A certified nursing assistant can advance in the career  adding licensed practical and registered nurse titles, Ezomo said.

Stine, a longtime entrepreneur who has spent more than three decades working with startup companies in Bethlehem and other cities, said he has never encountered someone like Ezomo, who tapped into her state pension to open a school.

Shes a shining example of what can happen when you let immigrants into our country, he said, as Greenawalt nodded in agreement.

Business Buzz Daily The daily update for the Lehigh Valley business person. >

February is Black History Month, a way of acknowledging important people and events in the U.S. and the history of African communities. Ezomo said while grateful for her African heritage, she is equally thankful for the opportunities afforded her in this country, where she became a citizen about 25 years ago.

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Ezomo said she has experienced discrimination, but she wouldnt discuss those experiences, saying that for times when she has been denied opportunities, she has relied on persistence and faith

Ive had a lot of obstacles, she said, after giving a brief tour of the Diadem school, with mannequins on top of beds in one classroom, more mannequins atop tables in another, a closet stocked with linens and a large video screen for student training in a third room. I never let them bother me. The reason I say that is because I know where Im going.

I always tell people, The only thing you can tell me is no. If you say no, I say thank you very much, and I keep moving and just look for other ways.

Greenwalt pointed to Ezomos passion and patience in working for certain clientele of students who want to improve their lives much like Ezomo did.

And I think she would help all students be successful and provide them the resources they need to move on to the next step, Greenawalt said.

Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com.

Diadem Nursing Institute and Allied Health
Music streaming really does pay, you just arent doing the math right. [Anthony Manker]

UPDATED: The streaming is evil narrative is doing more harm than good, particularly for independent artists, writes Anthony Manker

By Anthony Manker of Group Projects

Im constantly amazed by the persistence of the narrative that music streaming doesnt pay  because its not simply true.

Articles like this one from New York Times entitled Streaming Saved Music. Artists Hate It., which claims that The losers are the 99 percent of artists who arent at Beyonces level of fame. This is a vast oversimplification.

Or this one from Rolling Stone that claims that streaming has widened the income disparity between smaller and bigger artists. This one does contain some nuance, but mostly misses the point. It regurgitates commonly held harmful beliefs about music streaming (Streaming services dont share what percentage of streams come from editorial playlists, but our guess is somewhere around a lot.).

This week, the headlines of Neil Young removing his catalog from Spotify in protest of Joe Rogan has reignited the social media outcry against Spotify. Many are joking that Neil Young is forgoing pennies of revenue with his decision. Some are calling for boycotts. Most are posting inaccurate or misleading information entirely

Im sure Neil Young will survive without receiving his approximate $10 monthly streaming royalties from Spotify.  Jeremy Jupiter Jones (@jeremy_pm) January 26, 2022

For the record, Neil Youngs catalog earns about 13M streams per month on Spotify alone, which is a little under $45,000 per month. When you take this into account, his stance against Spotify actually becomes quite admirable. Of course, the irony is that far too many people dont understand how music streaming economics work to actually appreciate his point.

Obviously, Neil Young made his move out of principle, not economics, but the headlines have yet again stirred up the streaming doesnt pay myth.

I can admit that the details of how artists get paid from music streaming is convoluted. However, the oversimplification of streaming economics has done more harm than good. It isnt simply a problem of misunderstanding either; the perpetuation of the narrative leads many artists to agree to unattractive deals with labels, distributors, and other parties that understand the true value of music streaming.

The economics of music streaming

Lets look at the mathematics of music streaming across the different levels of the distribution chain.

First, streaming services: In 2020, Spotify paid out 74.42% of its revenue to all rightsholders, which includes record labels, artists, publishers, and songwriters. The fact that Spotify is paying out 74% of its revenue is a hindrance to its scalability; in other words, because their content costs are so large and directly tied to their revenue, there is a greater difficulty for them to achieve economies of scale. This hardly qualifies as greedy.

Let me be more clear on this point: Spotify is paying out almost 75% of its revenue to rightsholders and has never been profitable. How does that possibly qualify as reprehensible for so many people? Perhaps all that money is ending up in the pockets of intermediaries who are not the creators of the music.

Another important note: streaming services do not pay a set per stream rate despite how it tends to be reported in the media. It is a calculation based on a percentage of revenue. In practice, this means that the movement to boycott Spotify and others essentially shrinks the pot and hurts everyone, including artists.

~64% of Spotifys revenue is paid to master rightsholders (record labels, distributors, and artists), and amounts to a de facto per-stream rate of $0.0034. That number fluctuates based on Spotifys revenue, but generally hovers around that number.

Side note: The remaining ~10% is paid to composition rightsholders (publishers and songwriters) through a variety of intermediary channels. Publishing royalties are a complicated matter that are beyond the scope of this piece and probably deserves their own write-up. Nonetheless, royalties paid to composition rightsholders roughly equate to another $0.0005-$0.0010 on top of the $0.0034 that is paid to master rightsholders.

Moving down the chain from the streaming services to master rightsholders: Labels, distributors, and eventually the artists themselves.

In the case of major record companies: Under the typical record deal, labels collect 75-85% of this $0.0034/stream rate. Artists are paid a 15-25% royalty after massive costs and deductions are recouped. Many of the complaints from media outlets and the Twitter mob have arisen from these deals, in large part because people dont understand them. There are many examples of artists with hit records that streamed hundreds of millions of times who never saw a dime from streaming royalties. On the surface, I can understand why that feels unfair. But that doesnt automatically mean that music streaming itself is to blame. People often fail to mention the sometimes 6- and 7-figure advances those artists were paid when they signed their deals, in exchange for handing over their masters and enormous percentages. Complaining about payouts without considering the details of these agreements is neglecting a crucial aspect of the situation and contributes to a false narrative.

Next, there is a mezzanine level of independent labels, as well as distributors that offer label services:

These include deals that are more favorable to the artist, including 50/50 net profits agreements in which the record label splits streaming royalties with the artist evenly after costs are recouped by the label. Usually, these deals are licenses for a period of time, meaning that the artist still retains ownership of their master recordings and eventually returns to earning 100% of their royalties.

There are also distribution deals in which an artist signs over a small percentage of their master royalties (usually 10-20%) in exchange for services and in some cases, small amounts of funding.

Again, the structures and details of these agreements are usually omitted when media outlets and celebrities write about music streaming economics. Instead, its easier to cast the blame on the music streaming services themselves, rather than give proper analysis to the nuances of the music distribution chain.

The growing class of purely independent artists

A growing number of artists rely on no label or distributor and simply upload their music directly to streaming services with the help of a DIY distributor, such as DistroKid or Tunecore. These distributors take 0% of the streaming revenue and the artists retain 100% of the earnings from their music.

By streaming 1M-2M streams per month at the $0.0034/stream rate, an independent artist can generate several thousand dollars per month. In the world of streaming, this isnt an unrealistic number to achieve. At this level of catalog activity, an independent artist can earn $3000-$6000 per month. There are various strategies to reach this level, but the typical 100% independent artist has learned to tap into the powerful recommendation algorithms of streaming services by releasing music frequently and consistently.

Sometimes it can take years to get to this level of streaming, but it is possible. However, too often artists get inpatient and sign away their rights and royalties before they ever get to the level where those decisions are substantially impacting their bottom line.

Much more interestingly, there is a growing number of artists that are earning significantly more than a livable wage. Many artists who own 100% of their catalogs are earning 5-figures monthly. Its not as uncommon as you might think.

In fact, the number of artists whose catalogs are earning $50K+ per year has been consistently going up over the last several years.

There has never been a greater opportunity in the music business for an artist to release their own music and earn a livable income directly from it. Which is why its so hard for me to understand why so many continue to push the opposite narrative.

A note on gatekeepers and editorial playlists

Human-curated editorial playlists are sometimes used to support the assertion that music streaming services are just new forms of the age-old problem with music industry gatekeepers. They are portrayed as the new power brokers that contribute to disparity in the music marketplace.

The influence of these playlists is greatly overestimated, which has caused a general obsession within the industry with getting music placed on them. It is true that some playlists do have massive audiences and can generate significant amounts of streaming activity. However, most of the streaming activity in healthy artist profiles tends to come from algorithmic recommendations and engaged fanbases, not decisions made by human curators. A healthy artist profile is one that is not over-leveraged by editorial playlists, i.e., it does not overly rely on editorial playlists for streaming activity. Anything above 25% of streams from editorial playlists starts to become questionable and unsustainable.

Music streaming  and more importantly its algorithms  have largely removed many of the gatekeepers of the old music business that historically have stood in the way of artists getting their music in front of audiences  record labels that controlled the distribution networks and funding to create physical product, radio program directors that controlled the airwaves, etc. In todays music streaming environment, an artist can upload their music to streaming services and benefit from the sophisticated recommendation algorithms that are agnostic to which label released the music or which tastemaker programmed it.

In my experience, the false belief that editorial playlists are necessary for a successful streaming career almost single-handedly contributes to artists signing over their rights and royalties to various distributors, labels and other third parties. These playlists have been deemed so important by the industry that artists regularly justified their decisions to hand over percentages or to pay absurd amounts to third parties promising to pitch their music to editorial playlists.

Finding a signal through the noise

There is still a vast number of artists that dont see much streaming activity  the Rolling Stone article I mentioned above points out that about 1% of all artists account for about 99.4% of the streams. That is still a vast improvement from the days of radio and physical albums sales that required a chain of gatekeepers and vast financing to surface music to audiences.

DistroKid, Tunecore, and CD Baby  which together are the three main independent distributors  have a combined 1.9M artists. If only 1% of those 1.9M artists account for 99% of the streams, thats still a promising 19,000 independent artists that are reaping the rewards of streamings reality.

That same Rolling Stone article points out that there is more music being released now than ever  about 40,000 tracks are released to Spotify every day. And granted, the 1.9M artists that I just mentioned is quite a large number. However, to argue that every one of these tracks and artists deserves an equivalent number of streams and equal treatment simply ignores common sense. The reality is that some music is simply better quality (and a lot of it is pure garbage). Some music is recommended to more people by the streaming services algorithms because its earned positive engagement from listeners. And theres inherently more noise in the market because its the easiest and cheapest it has ever been for artists to distribute their music.

The proliferation of more music in the marketplace does not support an idea that music streaming is somehow creating an income gap in the industry. Rather, it is evidence of many of the old barriers to entry being broken down by digital music streaming and the distribution methods.

The next generation of artists

I dont disagree that there is a serious problem with major record companies and other intermediaries remaining the main profiteers of music streaming, considering what is possible independently.

However, many articles and social media posts Ive seen over the last few years in our industry obscure the reality that exists for independent artists. They unfairly cast blame on the music streaming services, particularly Spotify, and neglect to address any of the distribution chain. They downplay the tremendous success that thousands of independent artists are experiencing from music streaming.

The artist Russ has notably been a vocal advocate for the independent approach, and frequently posts screenshots from his TuneCore account to help artists understand the reality. He may be an extreme example financially, but the possibilities for truly independent artists are real and attainable.

some weekly checks on tunecore..inspo purposes only



artists : own your music and stop letting these labels take 15% distribution fees for pressing an upload button pic.twitter.com/eQHRRtXLdO  RUSS (@russdiemon) November 9, 2020

More journalists and others with influence in our industry should make more of an effort to factor in the nuance of the economics and shed more light on the independent approach. This would encourage and embolden more artists. Id love to see more young artists inspired to release more music and realize that a path towards a livable income is not as uncommon as the media and the Twitter mob might want them to think.

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Puppeteer To Present 'Jack and the Beanstalk'

LENOX, Mass.  The puppeteer Carl Sprague will return to Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum in Lenox to charm all ages with the classic fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk" for two marionette performances.

The dates and times are Monday, Feb. 21st and Thursday, Feb. 24, both at 3:30 pm. The audiences will have the opportunity to meet Sprague.

Sprague, who appears annually at Ventfort Hall with his "behind the scenery" mastery, has been a puppeteer since childhood. He has inherited a collection of 60 antique Czech marionettes each about eight inches tall that were assembled by his great-grandfather, Julius Hybler, with purchased heads and hand-made costumes. Hybler's legacy also includes two marionette theaters.

Also, Sprague has been a set designer for such motion pictures as "The Royal Tenenbaums" and Scorcese's "The Age of Innocence," as well as for theater productions including those of Shakespeare & Company.

Admission to the show is $15 per person; $7 for children 4-17 and free for age 3 and under. Children must be accompanied by adults. Reservations are strongly recommended as seating is limited and can be made by calling (413) 637-3206. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows. All tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. Payment is required to make a reservation for an event. Proof of vaccination including ages 5 and over, ID for ages 18 and over and masks are required. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.
A fire Sunday night at Fiamma Italian Grill near Bethlehem has forced the restaurant to cancel Valentines Day dinner reservations for more than 250 customers.

Fire crews were called out to the restaurant, 2118 Schoenersville Road, Hanover Township, Northampton County, about 8:30 p.m., according to a social media post from the Catasauqua Fire Department.

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The restaurant posted on its Facebook page that there were no injuries in the fire, but the restaurant had to be evacuated.

Fiamma had about 40 customers  roughly half its total seating capacity  at the time of the fire, owner Joseph Jurkivo said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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As the first responders arrived the smoke grew more intense. Due to the quick response of all Fire and Emergency personnel the crews were able to keep the issue contained lot a rather small corridor towards the back corner of the restaurant, the post reads.

Around 8 p.m. Sunday, Jurkivo said, he and his kitchen staff smelled an odd burning smell.

It wasnt like your normal burning smell, like we forgot a piece of bread in the oven or something like that, Jurkivo said.

Jurkivo and Fiamma employees began searching for the source of the smell, but they couldnt find anything initially. As the smell got stronger, however, they noticed smoke coming out of the wall between the walk-in refrigerator and kitchen line.

We got very concerned, walked outside to see if there was something wrong with our walk-in refrigerator and saw an immense amount of smoke coming out of the side of the building, Jurkivo said. We alerted 911 immediately, and they dispatched the Hanover Township Fire Department, who came out and handled the situation relatively quickly and contained the damage to a smaller area of the restaurant, in the back by the kitchen.

Fire crews got the fire under control in about an hour, and they spent another two to three hours investigating the structure  ripping apart walls, looking around and making sure that there wouldnt be any more issues, Jurkivo said.

The building, which previously housed Pane E Vino and Thats Amore Italian restaurants, sustained fire and smoke damage along with water damage from the fire response, Jurkivo said. The dining room has heavy smoke damage, Jurkivo added, while the kitchen has smoke, water and structural damage.

Jurkivo isnt sure of all of the repairs that will be necessary to reopen Fiamma, but he has already started reaching out to construction companies and contractors in an effort to reopen as soon as possible. Hes hopeful that it wont take more than a few weeks.

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My main concern right now is some employees that use this as their main source of income to support their families, as well as the immense amount of reservations that we had this evening, Jurkivo said. I know theyll understand, but being a restaurant owner, chef and somebody who cares about his community and patrons, my heart goes out to all of them. And Ive been beat up all night thinking about what theyre going to do. I feel like I kind of let them down.

Jurkivo is looking into setting up a GoFundMe campaign or some sort of other online fundraiser to raise money for employees who are temporarily out of work due to the fire. Since news of the fire spread rapidly on social media Sunday night, hes been inundated with phone calls, text messages and emails from customers looking to help in any way that they can.

Ive had such a huge outpouring of love and support from the community, what I like to call the Fiamma family and friends, that are just unbelievably generous and loving towards me, the restaurant and our workers, Jurkivo said. Its amazing how tightknit this community is. Im just sorry for any inconveniences that occurred. Even though its not my fault, my heart still breaks for the people that did have reservations tonight. Somehow, someway, Ill make it up to them.
Cyber warfare has reached new levels - with attacks now disrupting supply chains, infiltrating governments, and affecting national infrastructure. And cyber threats at a national level have significantly bigger consequences than an organisational data breach, ones which impact international relations.

Back in 2021, the US accused China of a global cyberespionage campaign and responded with a broad coalition that included Britain, the EU and even NATO. Beijing rejected the attempted initiative and called it irresponsible. Overall, it was a highly tense situation involving two super nations, and ultimately, a conflict which emphasised a growing problem for government offices. The UKs Gloucester City Council has been hit twice by attackers in the last decade, Belgiums defence ministry and Canadas foreign ministry have been targeted by hackers, and perhaps the most serious of all; Ukraines massive cyber attack that shut down numerous government websites. The fallout of Ukraines cyber attack highlights the catastrophic effects of cyberwarfare at a national level. It should be a wake-up call for countries to strengthen their own cyber security posture.

While most countries like the UK and Belgium are increasing investment in cybersecurity, the US is turning to Big Tech for help with cyber defence. After sending out a letter back in December, the White House met executives from the top tech firms  including Google, Apple, IBM and Amazon  to discuss how to bolster software security in the wake of the attack on Log4j, the open-source software. A bold move, one that indicates the private sector could be the answer to securing critical infrastructure and systems.

The current state of national cybersecurity

Perhaps a rather obvious and inevitable challenge for governments is that countries will undeniably engage in cyber-espionage. In a data-driven and digital-first world, the easiest form of information gathering is to target systems and data. Some of the targets of the SolarWinds/Nobelium attack of 2020 included the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), and the US Treasury.
Doe Levan and her husband, Maur Levan, 96 and 98 years of age, respectively, are shown in their home Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. They are celebrating their 74th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call)

Relaxing in the living room of her Salisbury Township home on the cusp of her 74th wedding anniversary, Doe Levan offered what might be termed counterintuitive wisdom for making a marriage last.

Fight! she said, casting a glance at once challenging and adoring at the man sitting across the room  Maur Levan, her husband and foil, the straight man (sometimes) of the comedy team Levan and Levan.

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Does declaration was only partly in fun. She and her husband operate under the theory that a few minor tempests in the course of the week will prevent any petty annoyance of married life from brewing into a storm. And its hard to gainsay this advice, given how they turned their snowy Valentines Day wedding in Chicago 74 years ago into a marriage that produced three sons, four grandchildren and a bulging mental scrapbook of adventures.

Do you remember The Bickersons on the radio? That was a funny show, said Maur, whose allegiance to the radio era is unsurprising, given that he will turn 99 on Feb. 26.

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The Bickersons, he explained, was a show featuring Don Ameche and Frances Langford as a couple, John and Blanche, who comically tilted at one another over her profligate spending and his inconsiderate ways.

But tenderness undergirded it, as it does when Maur grumbles at Doe or Doe rolls her eyes at Maur.

Hell show you every one of them, Doe murmured to a guest when Maur ambled to the dining room table to retrieve snapshots of 140 paintings hes produced as an amateur artist.

Some of those paintings decorate the house, along with the ceramic masks, sculptures and pottery the couple have created over the years in art classes at the Baum School of Art and Cedar Crest College.

This sort of pursuit is common for retirees, but only Maur is truly retired, after a long career managing country clubs and yacht clubs. Doe, 96, still works for an Emmaus travel agency. They have been blessed with good health, though Maur just recovered from a bout with a vertebra problem. He spent nine weeks in a compression vest that made him feel like toothpaste being squeezed out of the tube.

In any case, its safe to say no one would guess they are nearing membership in the centenarian club, or that their three boys, Noel, Jay and Barry, are in their 60s and 70s.

Maur, a New Jersey native, enlisted in the Army in 1942. He wasnt called up right away, so he started classes at Penn State.

I was there six months and Uncle Sam said Sorry, we need you,  he recalled.

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Sent to Chicago to learn how to maintain and repair artillery weapons, he met Doe at a party. They clicked, to say the least.

But it wasnt until five years later we got married, Maur said. We had to get through the whole war and I had to finish my education.

They wed at Chicagos legendary Drake Hotel, where Doe had worked at the front desk. It was a Saturday of snow and ice. Does father walked her down the aisle. As he returned to his seat under the gaze of the 90 guests, he made a show of dusting his hands off.

I was the last of the children to get married, Doe explained, revealing through this anecdote the genetic line of her sense of humor.

Doe and Maur Levan married in Chicago on Valentine's Day 74 years ago, so the holiday of romance has special meaning to them. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call)

According to Maur, the Levans made a critical decision as they settled into married life.

She would make all the major decisions and I would make all the minor decisions, he said. So far, we havent had any minor decisions.

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The Levans settled in the Lehigh Valley after Maur took a job running a country club near Kutztown. They lived in South Whitehall Township for 50 years before moving to Salisbury.

Doe is a busy volunteer. She has long served on the board of Dream Come True, a Lehigh Valley organization that grants wishes to young people with serious or terminal illnesses.

She was also among the first people to offer her services to the Da Vinci Science Center when its Allentown facility opened in 2005.

When she turned 90, the center gave her a free lifetime membership.

Boy, she said, you guys play it safe.

First Call Daily Leading local stories delivered on weekday mornings >

Across the decades, the Levans have worn a path around the world. Maur spent time on Okinawa as a soldier, landing there seven days after the American invasion claimed the island as a base for the potential assault on the Japanese mainland.

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In civilian life, he and Doe have traveled to Israel, Italy, Ireland and Turkey, among many other spots. Two years ago they crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary to visit England.

Seven nights on the high seas in December, Doe said. We never got outside.

In their travels, they often befriend people who compliment them on the length of their marriage. And Doe always offers the same response.

I tell them weve had 12 good years, she said. He had five and I had seven and they werent the same ones.

Its a good line. When she delivers it, her eyes sparkle with the love of ages.

Morning Call reporter Daniel Patrick Sheehan can be reached at 610-820-6598 or dsheehan@mcall.com.
In its annual report on the state of media freedom in Somalia "Trail of Violence: Somali journalists bear the brunt of impunity", NUSOJ documented all the attacks and efforts to silence independent media including politically motivated killings and arbitrary imprisonment on charges of "abusive exercise of a profession'.

Freelance journalist Jamal Farah Adan was shot dead by two gunmen on March 1 in Galkayo city, while journalist Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled was killed on 20 November in a targeted attack by a suicide bomber in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. Both crimes were committed by the Al-Shabaab armed group. Four killers were recently convicted for their role in the murder of Jamal Farah Adan. Despite welcoming the step forward to end impunity for crimes against journalists, the NUSOJ and the IFJ opposed the ruling of death penalties and called for them to be commuted to custodial punishment on appeal.

The report also recorded sixty-three violent cases of harassment, illegal detention, arrest, torture, cyber-stalking, and threats against journalists and media organizations. Four different media facilities were attacked last year, demonstrating a public and concerted effort to intimidate and undermine their freedom to report.

Separately, the report shows an important rise in attacks against women journalists, highlighting the prevalence of gender-based violence in the country.

The major threat to journalists' safety comes from Al-Shabaab armed group, which claimed the two killings of journalists in 2021, while federal government authorities are mostly responsible for the arrest of journalists. The assurances given by the federal government to respect and protect media freedom remain empty promises.

The IFJ has been working for many years with NUSOJ to address the plight of journalists in Somalia. In September 2019, the IFJ and NUSOJ called on the UN Human Rights Council to protect press freedom in Somalia. In November 2021, the IFJ and its affiliates sent letters to Somali embassies and its president calling for urgent action to end impunity for crimes against journalists.
How would you keep reporting when government officials threaten you regularly? How would you run your news program when its almost impossible to access public information? Would you publish your story when you face arbitrary detention or repression for it? No need to wonder, thats the life of Afghan media workers under the Taliban regime.

Has Afghanistan become a news desert?

The answer is largely, yes. The lack of access to public information and the growing censorship of the Taliban regime on Afghan media workers are stifling journalists ability to work and turning the country into a news desert in which both Afghans and international audiences have very limited access to reliable information.

The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan attracted massive attention from international media. We all witnessed dramatic images of Afghan families trying to escape, desperately fearing reprisals from the Taliban for their professional activities, ideas or beliefs. However, the media attention largely disappeared as soon as the Western countries personnel were not at risk anymore.

Many of the Afghans trying to escape were journalists and media workers who had to choose between life and death , the men and women who helped develop a vibrant media sector over the last two decades as part of the development of a stronger civil society in Afghanistan.

While some were relocated to safe countries thanks to the work of the IFJ and many other rights groups, many others have been forced or have chosen to stay and try to continue doing their job under extremely difficult conditions that range from official and unofficial censorship to physical threats to serious financial problems in the media sector which have led to unemployment rates of 70% among journalists and the closure of dozens of media.

A daily struggle for information

Despite the adversities, courageous Afghan journalists and media outlets continue to do a commendable job in reporting on what is happening in the country.

The Afghanistan National Journalists Union (ANJU), with the support of the IFJ and the Norwegian Journalists Union, conducted a comprehensive survey among hundreds of Afghan journalists, a significant majority of whom denounced the difficulties they face in accessing public information and the censorship they suffer under the Taliban rule.

For example, 86% of respondents complained about the lack of a clear legal framework for journalists to access public information that helps them to understand what practices are legal and which ones are not. A big majority of them called urgently for the development of clear legislation for media and journalists to operate.

Journalists and media workers also expressed widespread concerns over censorship of their work. 70% of the 500-plus journalists surveyed said that Afghan media cant broadcast freely and independently, while 24% of them said they can do very little without the permission of the Taliban. This has a direct impact on the media which often lacks enough news content to produce the programs they did in the past. Ultimately, this incapacity to produce content has led to a massive closure of media outlets and loss of jobs: 2334 journalists are still working from a pre-Taliban high of 5069.

Threats to media freedom go beyond censorship and they affect both international and national reporters and they strongly limit the information we receive about whats going on under the new Taliban rule. Most respondents said they cant cover news events without verbal and physical harassment, preventing them from covering sensitive stories such as rallies and protests against the authorities for fear of facing reprisals.
Sincha Dimara, one of Papua New Guineas longest-serving journalists and Head of News and Current Affairs at EMTV, was suspended for three weeks without pay, following allegations of insubordination and defamation of EMTV's parent company, Media Niugini Limited (MNL). The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns Dimaras suspension and urges MNL to immediately reinstate her.

[UPDATE 12 March 2022]: Sincha Dimara has been fired by EMTV after a three-week long suspension. Dimara, one of the news station's longest serving journalists, was suspended on February 9 for alleged 'insubordination'. Following the news of her suspension, 24 of Dimara's colleagues staged a walk out. They have all been fired.

[UPDATE 18 February 2022]: The EMTV national news team staged a walk out in protest of Dimaras suspension. In a statement released on Thursday, the team condemned the endless intimidation of the news service and vowed not to return until the wrongs have been righted. Dimara is the third news manager to be suspended by EMTV in five years.

On February 9, MNL, the company that manages EMTV, released a memo from CEO Lesieli Vete announcing Dimaras suspension to her colleagues, alleging that she had disobeyed orders and damaged the companys reputation. Dimara is one of EMTVs longest serving journalists and reporters.

According to the Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG), Dimara was suspended following the airing of three news stories, all which covered the arrest of Jamie Pang, an Australian hotel owner, and the human rights abuse linked to his detainment.

Vete supposedly acted to suspend Dimara after a request from Public Enterprises and State Investment Minister, William Duma, who is responsible for Telikom, PNGs leading telecommunications company. MNL is also owned by Telikom, which is itself a government entity.

When asked about his involvement in Dimaras suspension, Duma claimed he had not ordered it, and instead asked management to deal with it.

This is not the first time MNL has been criticised for suspending its journalists. In 2019 the company fired (then re-hired) Neville Choi, and, in 2018, suspended senior journalist Scott Waide after he led a report criticising government spending.

Regional media freedom body, the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) condemned the decision. We urge the CEO and MNL to consider the impact of these heavy-handed decisions on staff morale and indeed, their own credibility in the eyes of the public. We stand in solidarity with our EMTV wantoks, and all our media family across Papua New Guinea who work in often difficult situations, to ensure the people are informed and know what is happening, PFF said.

The IFJ said: The escalating number of journalist suspensions in PNG is a worrying trend with serious implications for press freedom. Journalists must not be targeted for carrying out their jobs and ensuring the publication of stories in the public interest. The IFJ calls for Sincha Dimaras reinstatement and urges media organisations to protect the rights of media workers in the Pacific.
If transparency is the currency of trust, Wall Street's top regulator is going on a shopping spree.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is pushing for more transparency -- and though it's mostly setting its sights on hedge funds and private equity shops, other public and private companies won't necessarily be exempt. It's is an initiative that the agency has been vocal about for some time.

SEC Commissioner Allison Herren Lee last October aired concerns over the lack of financial transparency at unicorns (companies with valuations of at least $1 billion), not to mention decacorns ($10 billion) and hectocorns ($100 billion).

Estimates from CB Insights, a research and analytics firm, suggests that there are upwards of 1,000 unicorns around the world today. That's up significantly from the 39 unicorns that Lee estimated were extant in 2013.

Many of the requirements the SEC is pushing target large, private companies, hedge funds, or private equity shops. But that doesn't mean small and mid-size businesses are unaffected here -- especially considering that private companies are increasingly on the agency's radar.

Widespread transparency precedents could gain traction if the agency has its way. And in some instances, measures the agency is weighing for large companies could trickle down to small ones.

Here are three areas where the SEC is seeking more clarity that could affect SMBs:

"Dark" Private Markets

The SEC was created in 1934 to regulate Wall Street in the aftermath of the stock market crash that set off the Great Depression. It primarily oversees publicly-traded companies, but private companies fall within agency scrutiny.

Last October, Lee took aim at private companies and the "dark" fundraising that's helped them grow to inordinate heights. Lee pointed out that institutional investors could be exposed to risks that stem from lack of transparency since "more and more of the capital in private markets comes from pension plans, mutual funds, and other institutions." There's ample precedent. In 1998, the hedge fund Long Term Capital Management collapsed, threatening to take the financial system with it until the government organized a bailout.

"The fact that more capital is now being raised in private markets means that a burgeoning portion of the U.S. economy itself is going dark," she added.

The agency wants to lift the veil that shields the identities of investors at some of these large firms. But it remains unclear where the agency will draw the line as to what it considers a large business subject to enhanced transparency rules. The SEC declined to comment on any scope for the potential measure.

Some are worried about the implications for funding opportunities and the effects that forcing a company's hand prematurely could pose to business innovation.

Congress never empowered the SEC to mandate disclosures based on a company's valuation, according to Alex Platt, a law professor at the University of Kansas who specializes in financial and securities regulation. Instead, the SEC looks to another figure: the holders of record, or the registered owner of a security. Right now, the disclosure threshold is 2,000 shareholders or 500 individuals who are not accredited investors. Accredited investors can include high-wealth individuals, those with various financial professional licenses, and different cohorts of institutional investors, Platt says.

Beyond that cap, the company is required to go public and make the disclosures required of public companies. Platt explains that if a venture capital fund invests in a startup, the fund is counted as "one" holder of record. But Platt says that the agency might be looking to propose a change to how that number is calculated.

He uses the example of a venture capital fund to make his case. Say Inc. Venture Capital invests in Startup A. Under current rules, Inc. Venture Capital counts as one holder of record. But if the SEC starts to look into who invested into Inc. Venture Capital and there are, say, 60 investors, that holder of record metric notches up to 60.

But it could get more complicated. Suppose Pension Fund A is also invested in Inc. Venture Capital. The SEC, theoretically, could journey down the rabbit hole and look into how many investors are in Pension Fund A. "That is what I think the SEC is looking at as a way to force some of these large private companies into the light," Platt says.

There could also be consequences from forcing a company into making public disclosures before it's ready to do so. Consider Moderna. With scandals and scientific failures under the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based health company's belt, it bore the hallmarks of a flawed unicorn -- and yet in 2020, Moderna helped save the day with its Covid-19 vaccine, Platt says.

"What would [having to make disclosures] have meant for Moderna?" he questions. " Would this have disrupted their corporate development?"

Environmental Disclosures

The SEC is also considering regulation around the environment. Climate change is a key focus for the Biden administration, especially in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since coming into office, Biden's eyed the goal of reaching net zero emissions in the United States by 2050.

And as environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) criteria become increasingly adopted, more companies are shouldering their own environmental responsibilities by cutting down on emissions.

Emission admissions could fall under three different "scopes." Scope 1 pertains to a company's direct GHG emissions, while scope 2 includes a company's indirect emissions, the latter usually associated with electricity or heating and cooling.

Scope 3 emissions are those that are linked to entities that are not directly owned by a company, such as a third-party supplier. It's also the scope that's most likely to cause businesses more grievances: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, scope 3 emissions usually make up the largest portion of a company's total emissions.

More companies should be taking on this challenge -- at least in the SEC's perspective. The agency is already sizing up a proposed rule for publicly traded companies, which is expected sometime this year.

Any new SEC rules in this area are expected to affect all companies that make public statements about GHG emissions, according to David Slovick, a partner at Indianapolis-based law firm Barnes & Thornburg.

In Slovick's view, there's still the question of whether the SEC will give smaller companies a break on what they have to disclose, since their contributions to climate change pale in comparison to that of larger companies.

"That said, small and mid-sized companies will still be impacted disproportionately, both because they may not have the financial wherewithal to quantify the impact of climate change on their businesses, and because smaller companies typically have fewer resources to dedicate to preparing their public disclosures in the first place," Slovick says.

Yet expanding transparency around emissions may potentially work out in a company's favor: Disclosing ESG-specific data could attract climate-conscious investors.

Data Transparency

Cybersecurity is another item atop the SEC's docket.

As cybersecurity attacks increase in both frequency and severity, the agency is looking to clamp down on how companies manage and report the cyberattacks they face.

SEC Chairman Gary Gensler said this week the agency is planning to bolster cybersecurity protections. "We at the SEC are working to improve the overall cybersecurity posture and resiliency of our registrants," Gensler said.

Among other areas, Gensler said he asked staff to make recommendations for a rule called Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity, which requires entities to do routine testing and back up their data. Public companies may also face future disclosure requirements related to ransomware attacks or data breaches that expose personal identifiable information (PII).

This, too, could prove to be a thorn in the sides of small businesses working with larger companies overseen by the SEC, according to Justin Daniels, an attorney at Baker Donelson who focuses on technology. Daniels explains that a business's largest threat may not be what it does internally, but rather the vendors or outside parties that it works with.

If the SEC requires more robust data disclosures from the companies it oversees, there could be a ripple effect. SEC-regulated companies could then demand stronger security hygiene from vendors or business partners, Daniels says. "The cost for that smaller business to do its work with the publicly traded SEC regulated company goes up significantly," he explains, adding that he wouldn't be surprised to see a proposed rule from the agency fairly soon.
Artificial intelligence has been with us for decades -- just throw on a movie if you don't believe it.

Even though A.I. may feel like a newer phenomenon, the groundwork of these technologies was laid long ago. The English mathematician Alan Turing, considered by some as the father of modern computer science, started questioning machine intelligence in 1950. Those questions resulted in the Turing Test, which gauges a machine's capacity to give the impression of "thinking" like a human.

The concept of A.I. can feel nebulous, but it doesn't fall under just one umbrella. From smart assistants and robotics to self-driving cars, A.I. manifests in different forms...some more clear than others. Spoiler alert! Here are 10 movies in chronological order that can help you visualize A.I.:

1. Metropolis (1927)

German director Fritz Lang's classic Metropolis showcases one of the earliest depictions of A.I. in film, with the robot, Maria, transformed into the likeness of a woman. The movie takes place in an industrial city called Metropolis that is strikingly divided by class, where Robot Maria wreaks havoc across the city.

2. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Stanley Kubrick's 2001 is notable for its early depiction of A.I. and is yet another cautionary tale in which technology takes a turn for the worse. A handful of scientists are aboard a spacecraft headed to Jupiter where a supercomputer, HAL (IBM to the cynical), runs most of the spaceship's operations. After HAL makes a mistake and tries to attribute it to human error, the supercomputer fights back when those aboard the ship attempt to disconnect it.

3. Blade Runner (1982) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

The original Blade Runner (1982) featured Harrison Ford hunting down "replicants," or humanoids powered by A.I., which are almost indistinguishable from humans. In Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Ryan Gosling's character, Officer K, lives with an A.I. hologram, Joi. So at least we're getting along better with our bots.

4. The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator's plot focuses on a man-made artificial intelligence network referred to as Skynet -- despite Skynet being created for military purposes, the system ends up plotting to kill mankind. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched his acting career out of his role as the Terminator, a time-traveling cyborg killer that masquerades as a human. The film probes the question -- and consequences -- of what happens when robots start thinking for themselves.

5. The Matrix Series (1999-2021)

Keanu Reeves stars in this cult classic as Thomas Anderson/Neo, a computer programmer by day and hacker by night who uncovers the truth behind the simulation known as "the Matrix." The simulated reality is a product of artificially intelligent programs that enslaved the human race. Human beings are kept asleep in "pods," where they unwittingly participate in the simulated reality of the Matrix while their bodies are used to harvest energy.

6. I, Robot (2004)

This sci-fi flick starring Will Smith takes place in 2035 in a society where robots with human-like features serve humankind. An AI supercomputer, dubbed VIKI (which stands for Virtual Interactive Kinetic Intelligence), is one to watch, especially once a programming bug goes awry. The defect in VIKI's programming leads the supercomputer to believe that the robots must take charge in order to protect mankind from itself.

7. WALL-E (2008)

Disney Pixar's WALL-E follows a robot of the same name whose main role is to compact garbage on a trash-ridden Earth. But after spending centuries alone, WALL-E evolves into a sentient piece of machinery who turns out to be very lonely. The movie takes place in 2805 and follows WALL-E and another robot, named Eve, who's job is to analyze if a planet is habitable for humans.

8. Tron Legacy (2010)

The Tron universe is filled to the brim with A.I. given that it takes place in a virtual world, known as "the Grid." The movie's protagonist, Sam, finds himself accidentally uploaded to the Grid, where he embarks on an adventure that leads him face-to-face with algorithms and computer programs. The Grid is protected by programs such as Tron, but corrupt A.I. programs surface as well throughout the virtual network.

9. Her (2013)

Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore Twombly, a professional letter writer going through a divorce. To help himself cope, Theodore picks up a new operating system with advanced A.I. features. He selects a female voice for the OS, naming the device Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), but it proves to have smart capabilities of its own. Or is it, her own? Theodore spends a lot of time talking with Samantha, eventually falling in love. The film traces their budding relationship and confronts the notion of sentience and A.I.

10. Ex-Machina (2014)
One department manager was sleeping with her assistant department manager (ADM). They tried to kept it secret. They would lock the office door and come out clothes all disheveled and hair a mess.

One day at lunch, I'm in the break room chatting with another team leader and we hear, "Hey isn't that [ADM's Name]???"

ADM was one of nine men who were busted in a prostitution ring set-up and the story ran on the news ALL DAY. I had to turn off the TVs and hide the remotes because employees kept turning to the news -- the story ran over and over as breaking news.

LOL what a mess that was.
From his Frederick County, Virginia, home, helicopter pilot Danial Moore talks Feb. 2 about looking for a place to land his medical transport helicopter as it fell from the sky Jan. 11. On board with Moore were two adults and the infant they were transporting. All survived the crash in Upper Darby Township. (Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star/AP)

WINCHESTER, Va.  As his malfunctioning medical helicopter plummeted toward the ground Jan. 11 from approximately 1,500 feet up, pilot Danial Wesley Moore had less than a minute to save himself, his flight nurse, the flight paramedic and the 2-month-old baby girl on board.

Dodging electrical lines, trees, pedestrians and vehicles, Moore aimed for a patch of grass by the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church and crash landed by the church in Upper Darby Township, Delaware County. All on board survived the landing with the baby, who was in an infant pod strapped to the stretcher, unhurt. The nurse and paramedic sustained minor injuries.

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However, Moore, who was wearing a five-point harness, was knocked unconscious. Moore, who was flying for Air Methods Corp., is recuperating from his injuries, which include seven broken ribs, four cracked vertebrae, a broken sternum and a possible concussion.

Moore said he fought the controls to bring the nose of the Eurocopter EC-135 up and to slow the speed of the helicopters rotor disc and cushion the landing. The technique is known as a flare.

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The only option I had was to crash as slowly as possible, he said. My last moment of recollection before impact was realizing Id overshot the field and seeing the church coming at us at a high rate of speed and thinking whatever I was trying didnt work out and we were all about to die.

Moore said he squeezed between an evergreen tree and utility poles and the copters rotor grazed a tree branch and pole as he descended. After hitting the ground near a vehicle with three people in it, the helicopter bounced and slid and came to rest between a utility pole and a stone wall by the church entrance. Preschoolers were in a class at the church when the crash occurred.

Every six months, Moore trains for crash landings in a flight simulator on stilts. But he credits luck and his long flying experience for helping him survive.

The 51-year-old Moore obtained his pilots license in 1998 when he began flying for the Virginia Army National Guard. Moore is a member of the Army National Guard 224th Aviation Unit in Fort Belvoir in Virginia and has flown a variety of helicopters in the military, including the UH-72 Lakota, the military version of the Eurocopter.

Moore, who grew up in Mound, Minnesota, a small town outside Minneapolis, dreamed of flying since the age of 12. That was when his father Larry Moore paid $30 for Moore to fly in a Bell 47, a single-rotor helicopter.

Larry Moore flew UH-1 helicopters  nicknamed Hueys  during the Vietnam War and retired from the Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel. Moore said it was a thrill to eventually fly in a Huey with his father before his fathers retirement.

When Moore departed the heliport at Wellspan Chambersburg Hospital in Chambersburg, Franklin County, on Jan. 11 bound for Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, he had 4,123 hours of flight time, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary crash report. They included 3,400 hours in helicopters with 185 of those flying Eurocopters.

First produced in 1996, the twin-engine, German-made EC -135 is a top choice of hospitals and emergency medical service providers, according to Flight Magazine. It is about 12 feet high and 40 feet long and weighs 3,200-6,500 pounds.

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About 80% of Moores flights involved transferring adults and children between hospitals. Moore typically makes two flights per day, and they usually last 20-30 minutes. Typical flights are at heights of 2,000-5,000 feet and at a speed of 150 mph.

The sky was clear and the weather was mild when he took off around 12:05 p.m. He said standard pre-flight checks had been done. They include checking fluids, lights and walking around the helicopter. Besides the baby, Moore was flying with flight paramedic Kevin Chafee and flight nurse Kris Lawson.

Moore said theres a lot he cant remember about the crash, but said he lacked time to make a Mayday call and only glanced at his instrument panel for a few seconds because there was no time. Even during normal flights, flying a helicopter requires great concentration.

Helicopters dont like to glide. They like to crash, Moore said. The pilot just keeps them from crashing. Thats how we fly them. Airplanes inherently like to fly and helicopters dont. So youre constantly making inputs unless youre on auto pilot.

Moore hoped to land on a road, but each block had utility poles strung with wires and the roads were filled with lunchtime traffic.

About all I can recall is getting control of the aircraft, getting it out of a dive and then essentially looking for a place to put it down, he said. And if you know the neighborhood up there, there werent a whole lot of options.

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Pretty Miraculous

The NTSB report said Moore was flying east at 3,500 feet at 12:43 p.m. when he descended to 2,800 feet and leveled, then descended to 1,500 feet and leveled which was routine as he neared his destination. He was about 10 minutes from the hospital when the trouble began.

Chafee told a Federal Aviation Administration investigator that he and Lawson were out of their seats treating the baby when they heard a loud bang and the helicopter banked sharply right and rolled to the right.

[Chafee] said that the helicopter rolled inverted, perhaps multiple times and that he and [Lawson] were pinned to the ceiling and internal communication was lost, the report said. The helicopter was leveled, the patient was secured and the crew members secured themselves in their seats and they braced for landing.

Helicopter pilot Danial Moore holds a get well card Feb. 2 as he sits with fiancee Gail Miller in their home in Frederick County, Virginia. Moore was the pilot of a medical transport helicopter that crashed Jan. 11 in a Philadelphia suburb. (Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star/AP)

How he set it down where he set it and didnt take out utilities and people is just amazing, said Gail Miller, Moores fiancee, a nurse and former firefighter. Absolutely amazing.

Police and witnesses were equally amazed. Driver Joshua James, who was traveling with his wife and young daughter, told The Associated Press that the helicopter tail boom was swinging side to side just before the copter crashed. The copter came to rest on its left side with the skids pointing out toward the street and the tail boom separated at the fuselage.

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It makes no sense to me that it didnt hit any of the wires, that it didnt hit us, James told The Associated Press. This is absolutely a miracle.

Miracle was also how Upper Darby police Lt. Timothy M. Bernhardt described Moores landing.

Theres no debris, no wires down, no trees down, Bernhardt told the AP as he stood near the wrecked chopper. I cant wait to meet the gentleman and shake his hand.

Chafee called 911 from inside the helicopter telling the dispatcher that Moore was conscious, but not alert.

He is breathing. He is talking, Chafee said. My main concern right now is the 2-month-old child. I need an ambulance here right away.

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Miller, who learned of the crash while assisting in an operation, later spoke with Lawson. He told her he wrapped the baby in a blanket and crawled out of the wreckage. A photograph taken at the scene shows him cradling the baby in his flight suit as he emerged from the helicopter.

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Lawson handed the baby to a Lyft driver who had stopped at the crash scene. He then returned to help Chafee and Moore from the wreckage. Spotting a small fire that had ignited from chopper fuel, Lawson yelled to Chaffee, who used an onboard fire extinguisher to douse it. Meanwhile, Lawson aided Moore, who had fallen from the right seat of copter through the left door and was under the chopper.

Chafee took the baby to the hospital in an ambulance and Lawson dragged Moore from the wreckage. Moore awoke to black circles above him. They were the helmets of firefighters who were cutting off his flight gear.

I remember asking one of them, Is this real? And thats when Kris, while he was cutting off my flight suit, said, Hey, we crashed,  Moore recalled. I asked Kris how my crew was and he said, Im your crew [expletive]. 

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Keith Holloway, an NTSB spokesperson, said investigations typically take a year or two to conclude.

Moore is expected to fully recover from his injuries in about eight weeks and plans to resume his flying career. He said the most important thing to him was the baby and his crew survived intact.

Ill take that any day of the week, he said. The fact that all of us are here to talk about is pretty miraculous considering the situation. Im just happy we had a lot of divine intervention combined with some luck and a little bit of pilot skill.
In April 2020, the Indian government had revised its foreign direct investment (FDI) policy vis-a-vis its neighbors, including China, to prevent opportunistic takeovers of local firms during the pandemic. This was reiterated in the Consolidated FDI Policy, 2020 that came into effect October 15, last year.

As a result, investment from Indias neighboring countries would be allowed only after federal government approval, even in sectors where automatic clearances were previously permitted. Any changes in the ownership of shares  no matter how miniscule  would also require clearance from the federal government.

The increased scrutiny and subsequent stalling of Chinese investment proposals, however, coincided with clashes along the India-China border. Parallel to this, more than 100 Chinese apps were also banned by India, for security reasons, including ByteDances popular video-sharing app TikTok, Tencent Holdings WeChat, Alibabas UC Browser, and Tencents popular videogame PUBG.

Indias stance on restrictions affecting Chinese investment

Now, as geopolitical tensions appear to be subsiding  there have been reports that the government will be clearing Chinese FDI proposals after a nine month freeze. Speculation was rife after New Delhi cleared three new FDI proposals from companies based in Hong Kong in January 2021.

However, soon after, news outlets quoted officials denying any meaningful change in Indias stance. According to official sources quoted by news outlets, The government of India has put in place a robust FDI policy. The amended policy says proposals from countries sharing borders with India have to go through security analysis and only after a thorough analysis can permission be given. The same sources further add that the final decision on security assessment will rest with the Home Ministry. With regards to the proposals cleared in January, the sources stated: These proposals were by Citizen watches, Nippon paints, and Netplay. Of the three, two are Japanese and one belongs to an NRI [non-resident Indian].

New guidelines announced in March

Latest reports as of March 3 suggest that the Indian government will selectively consider Chinese investment proposals, while adhering to three-pronged standard operating guidelines. All Chinese investment proposals will have to undergo mandatory security clearances. The new guidelines are as follows:

Large Chinese FDI in critical sectors: Any large-scale investment from China might be considered for approval in a critical sector where local companies have inadequate capacity. Companies headquartered elsewhere and routing FDI via Hong-Kong: Proposals from those companies that have their headquarters in countries other than China, and plan to invest in India, might be considered for approval. Small investment by Chinese investors: Those proposals entailing small investments by investors from China might also be considered for approval.

Without any official word from the government yet, it remains to be seen how the guidelines will be implemented. A positive development with respect to pending Chinese FDI proposals cannot be ruled out either.

Experts believe any easing of restrictions could be part of a larger agreement between New Delhi and Beijing to deescalate tensions at the border and attempt to restore parts of the relationship.

Meanwhile, no word is yet out on overturning the ban on Chinese mobile applications. According to a report from the analytics firm AppsFlyer, the market share of Chinese apps in India (tracked by share of installs) dropped to 29 percent in 2020 from 39 percent in 2019. Indian apps were able to leverage this vacuum by increasing their own market share to 39 percent in 2020.

Going forward New Delhi is likely to continue treating Chinese businesses and investments into India with an abundance of caution, using the security and sovereignty card  not dissimilar to Beijings own policy in the internet and technology sphere. Chinese FDI garners attention due to the blurred lines of separation between state-owned enterprise (SOE) and private enterprises in the country. This attention becomes even more relevant with Chinese firms and Chinese-invested firms acquiring controlling stakes in Indian companies, particularly in the technology sector, where definitions of security or strategic implications are rapidly evolving.

In early January, China had raised concerns with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the harmful impact of New Delhis FDI restrictions. This was brought up during Indias trade policy review at the WTO; the US and European Union flagged Indias trade barriers, including high and fluctuating import duties, at that review.

Reading between the lines  official tone flip-flops on relaxing scrutiny

Since the 2020 FDI restrictions, several Chinese outbound investment proposals have been stuck in limbo.

According to Indias government data, since April 2020, the country has received over 120 foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals worth INR 120 billion (US$ 1.63 billion) from China. Most of these investments are for brownfield projects. The new FDI policy has redirected all these incoming proposals to the government approval route, but owing to the recent border standoff, no clearances have been given as of yet. This resulting pile up is hurting the expectations of Chinese companies in India and Indian companies in need of Chinese funding.

Initial positive reports suggested several relaxations to Chinese investors keen on Indian markets. They include the following:

Approvals may be given to some Chinese greenfield investment proposals if they are not sensitive to national security.

As for brownfield projects, FDI proposals that are not a risk to national security may be cleared after the first round of clearance to greenfield investments.

Investments for stakes of up to 25 percent in non-sensitive sectors like heavy machinery, automobile parts, services and technology, which dont have any security implications may revert to the automatic route for nations with which India shares land borders.

New bureaucratic clearance process

To help smoothen the process, the federal government has set up a coordination committee comprising of bureaucrats from key ministries  Home Affairs, External Affairs, Commerce and Industry, and Niti Aayog, the governments policy think tank. This inter-ministerial coordination committee will scrutinize FDI proposals from all neighboring countries, but they will ultimately be screened by the concerned ministry, which will have a final say.

Chinese investment in India

Though the political ties between India and China date to 1950, bilateral trade relations were established in the mid-1980s, picking up pace since the early 2000s. Between April 2000 and September 2020, India received US$2.43 billion in FDI from China. In 2020, despite a temporary setback in the relationship, China continued to remain Indias largest trading partner with bilateral trade at US$77.7 billion.

The India China bilateral trade relationship was a lopsided and transactional one in the initial decade (2000-10) and driven by Indian purchases of Chinese machinery and equipment, which accounted for more than half of the total Indian imports from China. However, starting from 2014, this transactional pattern witnessed a shift towards deep rooted investments. The shift could be attributed in part to a favorable investment climate and facilitative governmental policy.

Since then, Chinese companies have actively invested in Indias development and industrial capacity-building, with an aim to establish long-term presence. They have adopted a multipronged approach, tapping into hyperlocal start-ups (reminiscent of the Chinese landscape 10 years ago), acquiring local firms, and developing joint venture strategies with Indian companies to give them acute access to the Indian market, across industries.

Sectoral composition of Chinese investments in India

Regardless of the hype, the actual proportion of Chinese FDI received by India constituted only US$2.43 billion (0.51 percent) of total inflows. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the majority of this FDI inflow from China happened between April 2014 to March 2019 (US$1.81 billion), with the automobile (US$876.73 million), electrical equipment (US$152.5 million), and services sectors (US$127 million) receiving the largest share.

Indias pharmaceutical sector was also a major recipient of Chinese FDI. The Shanghai-based drug firm Fosun Pharma acquired a 74 percent majority stake in the Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D firm Gland Pharma in 2017, at a valuation of US$1.08 billion, according to The China Global Investment Tracker.

2016 onwards, Indias technology space began to see an influx of private Chinese capital. Dozens of Chinese technology firms and venture capital players  led by tech giants Alibaba (in Paytm, BigBasket, and Zomato) and Tencent (in Ola, Flipkart, and BYJUs)  acquired minority or controlling stakes in Indian start-up unicorns. According to data from Invest India, leading Chinese smartphone makers OPPO, VIVO, Xiaomi, and Huawei have all secured 100 percent FDI for contract manufacturing of electronic gadgets in India and have set up plants in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

The Chinese automotive company SAIC, which conducts R&D, manufactures, and sells passenger and commercial vehicles, also has a presence in India. Its India operations include a former General Motors company that it acquired and currently has a production capacity of 80,000 units per year. SAIC Motors UKs subsidiary MG Motors has also registered its presence in India. BYD Auto Co successfully launched electric buses in 2020. Other Chinese automotive companies whose proposals are in the pipeline awaiting approval include Changan, which was earlier slated to start operations in 2022-23, and Great Wall Motors (GWM).

Commenting on the blocked proposals and possible easing of tensions between India and China, the former National Security Advisory Board Chairman Shyam Saran was quoted saying to the media that: If [the GM-GWM deal] is going to be cleared that seems to suggest that part of the overall deal between the two sides may also begin untangling the commercial and economic issue.

On its part, India is actively pushing for greater foreign investment in target sectors, such as electronics and auto manufacturing, to supply its vast market needs, reduce import dependencies, create jobs, move up the value-add chain etc.

For now, its still wait and watch mode

The state of commercial relations between India and China will impact the world economy  given their respective market sizes and levels of trade, business, and investment engagement.

Industry analysts and emerging markets watchers will be keenly watching how the two giants negotiate and move past political hiccups.

Amid the ongoing pandemic and nascent vaccine roll-out  prolonged disruptions and stalled movement of trade and capital will be costly to all sides.

This article was originally published on March 2, 2021. It was last updated on March 5, 2021 to reflect additional developments.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the Country's largest life insurer with a market share of 64.1% in terms of premiums, has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) for an initial public offering (IPO).The issue with a face value of Rs10 each per equity share will be a comprehensive offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 316,249,885 equity shares by the President of India through the Ministry of Finance, Government of India ("Selling shareholders").

LIC IPO offer also includes not more than 5% reservation for its eligible employees and not more than 10% for its policyholders.LIC was created on September 1, 1956, when 245 private life insurance companies in India were merged and nationalized. Till 2000, it was India's only life insurance company. Based on its size, market relevance, and domestic and global interconnection, IRDAI classified it as a Domestic Systemically Important Insurer ("D-SII") in September 2020.As of September 30, 2021 the embedded value of LIC stood at Rs5.40 trillion.According to a report by Brand Finance, LIC is the third strongest and tenth most valuable insurance brand around the world. The value of a brand represents the worth of earnings tied to the brand's reputation.LIC had an asset under management (AUM) of Rs39.74 trillion as of September 30, 2021, which was more than three times the total AUM of all private life insurers in India, approximately 16.2 times the AUM of the second-largest player in the Indian life insurance industry, and 1.1 times the entire Indian mutual fund industry.In terms of market share, LIC had the highest gap by life insurance Gross Written Premiums (GWP) relative to the second-largest life insurer in India as compared to the market leaders in the top seven markets globally in 2020 for the other players and in Fiscal 2021.The insurance behemoth had a 66.2% market share in terms of New Business Premium (or NBP), 74.6% in terms of number of individual policies issued, 81.1% in terms of number of group policies issued, and a 55% market share in terms of individual agents as of September 30, 2021.The 282.58 million in-force policies under individual business being handled in India as of September 30, 2021, demonstrate the trust in the LIC brand.In addition, LIC has a sizable market share in health insurance and annuities. In terms of GWP, it had a market share of 46.9% and 53.6% in health insurance supplied by life insurance carriers in India for Fiscal 2020 and Fiscal 2021, respectively.With 32 Individual and 10 group products, LIC caters to a wide range of market segments. Individual products include microinsurance and items specialized to certain market niches, such as women's and children's products.In India, LIC issued approximately 21 million individual policies in Fiscal 2021, accounting for nearly 75% of new individual policy issuances. The industry's second-largest player, with a 5.9% market share in Fiscal 2021, issued 1.66 million individual policies.As of September 30, 2021, LIC had 2,048 branch offices and 1,554 satellite offices across India, covering 91% of the country's districts. In addition to its life insurance business in India, it has branches in Fiji, Mauritius, and India.The company has subsidiaries in Bahrain (with operations in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates), Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore, and Sri Lanka in the life insurance industry.LIC's total income increased by 9.00% to Rs703,732.43 crore in fiscal 2021, compared to Rs645,640.91 crore in fiscal 2020, owing to higher net earned premiums and investment income, while net profits increased by 9.73% from Rs2710.48 crore in fiscal 2020 to Rs2974.14 crore in fiscal 2021. Total income for the six months ended September 2021 was Rs336,972.92 crore, with profit after tax of Rs1,504.01 crore.The Indian life insurance industry generated a total premium value of Rs6.2 trillion in fiscal 2021, up from Rs5.7 trillion in fiscal 2020. The industry's total premium climbed at a 11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the five years leading up to Fiscal 2021. CRISIL, a credit rating agency, forecasts a 14-15% CAGR growth over the following five years, taking the total to Rs12.4 trillion by Fiscal 2026.
Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors.

KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary.

No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account."

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Indiana, PA (15701)

Today

Cloudy with occasional showers this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing overnight. Low around 60F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Little did the parents of 26-year-old Chaitra K.R. expect the tragic turn of events on her wedding reception day in Karnataka.

She collapsed on the stage during the reception on February 6 in Kodicheruvu at Srinivasapura taluk in Kolar district and was taken to NIMHANS, Bengaluru. Doctors said she had suffered a brain stem stroke and declared her clinically brain dead on February 10.

This meant that despite the body and its vital organs continuing to remain alive with external life support, there is no brain function and cannot be revived.

Twitter

The tragedy

Chaitra had completed her M.Sc and taken up a teacher training course when her parents Ramappa and Akkemma arranged her marriage with Karthick of Hoskote, Bengaluru Rural District. Their marriage was proposed to solemnize in Sree Bala Anjaneya Swamy Temple on February 6.

During the reception attended by politicians, villagers and relatives, Chaitra collapsed in the wedding reception stage at around 9 PM. She was immediately taken to a private hospital in Srinivasapura. The doctors shifted her to Bengaluru NIMHANS as she was not responding. Though the doctors tried to revive her, she was announced brain-dead on Thursday.



Unsplash/ Jayesh Jalodara

Organ donation

Amid the tragedy however, the brides parents donated their daughters vital organs that saved many lives. Chaitras parents agreed to donate her organs. Chaitras organs reportedly were transplanted to other patients through the State Organ Transplant and Tissue Organisation Jeevasarthakathe.

This was the first organ retrieval done at NIMHANS. According to the Times of India, two kidneys, heart valves and two corneas were retrieved and donated.

Her final rites

Chaitras body was taken back to her village Kodicheravu on Friday night and was cremated on the morning of Saturday, February 12. Her funeral was attended by hundreds of people.

ANI

Health Minister Sudhakar told "TNIE" that, "Chaitra's death was unfortunate. But, the decision of Chaitra's parents in donating organs is a model and helped needy persons. She will be remembered.


Woodbridge, VA (22192)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. High 72F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with isolated thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 58F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Lanterns in Nanjing lit up to celebrate the upcoming festival

Ecns.cn) 15:55, February 14, 2022

People view lanterns ahead of the Lantern Festival at Nanjing Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) in east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 13, 2022. The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on Tuesday this year. It features family reunions, feasts and various cultural activities. (Photo: China News Service/Yang Bo)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
A 72-year-old woman died Sunday afternoon after she was injured in a fall while hiking on the Glen Onoko Falls trail.

The woman was pronounced dead at 12:43 p.m. at St. Lukes Hospital-Gnaden Huetten in Lehighton, according to a news release from state police.

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She was taken from the trail near Jim Thorpe to the hospital after falling, Carbon County Coroner Robert Miller said.

About 10:30 a.m., troopers responded to the Lehigh Township trail for a report of an unconscious fall victim, according to state police. Firefighters and EMS extricated the woman from the mountain over treacherous, steep, ice-covered terrain.

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Officials did not release the name of the woman pending notification of her next of kin, but she was a member of the Philadelphia Korean Hiking Club, according to state police. Twenty-two members of the club, which had chartered a bus, were on the trail, police said.

The woman fell near the first waterfall on the trail, police said, and the investigation is ongoing.

[ Risky terrain: A timeline of rescues and fatalities at Glen Onoko Falls ]

The Carbon County trail, which features waterfalls and was a popular destination for hikers, was closed in May 2019.

Officials at the states Game Commission closed the trail after consulting with first responders, who were often called to rescue hikers who had fallen off the trail onto the rocks below. While theres no official tally, at least a dozen people have died in the area since the late 1970s, and many more have been stranded or injured.

The trail has boulders, steep hillsides and narrow, unmarked paths, as well as a creek.

Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com.

UPDATE: Based on state police reports, the womans age and time of death have been updated from an earlier version of this story.
Gov. Phil Scott last week vetoed a bill that proposed creating a framework for registering construction contractors, saying it would hurt small businesses.

The Republican said that while he supports protecting the interests of consumers, the legislation favors larger and more established businesses by imposing contract and insurance requirements that he said many smaller businesses wouldnt be able to meet.

This bill has the potential to undermine and weaken a large number of Vermonts small businesses  small, local residential contractors  at a time when we all agree we must prioritize new and revitalized housing, he said.

Scott said multiple ways exist to find residential contractors in a community and to hold contractors accountable without creating this new regulatory system.

The bills main sponsor, Rep. R. Scott Campbell, a Democrat from St. Johnsbury, said he was very disappointed the governor wasnt able to see the urgency of what he called this light-touch regulation to protect consumers.

Registration, liability insurance, written contracts  is that really too much to expect when the most valuable asset most people have is on the line? And its not only the immediate financial risk; its also the risk that unscrupulous or inexperienced builders might cause mold or structural failures in the future, he said by email.

He said the measure is more important than ever as the state ramps up investments in housing and weatherization, inviting more contractors into the business.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Contractors Vermont
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Fairfax Financial Holdings, AXA XL and SiriusPoint Ltd.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Fairfax Financial Holdings Promotes Clarke to President

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. has appointed Peter Clarke as president of Fairfax.

Over the past 20 years, Clarke has held the position of vice president, chief operating officer, chief risk officer and chief actuary. He is a member of Fairfaxs executive and investment committees, and he will continue in his role as chief operating officer.

Peter has done an outstanding job for Fairfax in numerous roles over the past two decades, and fully deserves his appointment as our president. In many ways, Peter has been the president of Fairfax for some time now; it just took us a while to realize it, commented Prem Watsa, chairman and chief executive officer of Fairfax.

Fairfax is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is primarily engaged in property/casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management.

***

AXA XL Names Lee as Head of Claims, Canada

AXA XL has appointed Sandra Lee as head of Claims for Canada. Lee, who has served as leader for the local Casualty Claims team, will now have oversight for all claims activity across property/casualty, specialty and professional lines in the country.

Lee takes on the new role from Glen Hopkinson who after nine years leading claims in the country, has been appointed to a new role within AXA XLs global transformation team.

Lee who joined AXA XL in 2019, brings two decades of experience across casualty litigation, claims adjusting, and commercial liability claims. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Carlton University as well as the Canadian Risk Management Designation (CRM) from University of Toronto and the Chartered Insurance Professional Certification (CIP) from the Insurance Institute of Ontario.

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Zurichs Price Joins SiriusPoint as Head of Travel for A&H

SiriusPoint Ltd., the Bermuda-based global re/insurer, announced it has appointed Christopher Price as head of Travel for Accident & Health.

Price will lead SiriusPoints plans for growth into new markets and products across its successful global portfolio of travel business. He will oversee underwriting, distribution and strategy across the companys travel book and work with SiriusPoints managing general underwriters (MGUs), specializing in travel insurance, to identify opportunities within the partnerships.

Price joins from Zurich Insurance Group, where he was most recently head of Travel & Accident, EMEA. He has previously held senior positions with ACE, RBS Insurance and Cornhill. He is based in London and reports to Stuart Liddell, global president, Life, Accident & Health.

Chris is a highly-experienced, market-leading travel insurance professional. He brings valuable experience and product expertise to our global A&H Leadership team, and I am delighted to welcome him to SiriusPoint, said Liddell. We have ambitious plans to grow the travel book, to further expand and broaden SiriusPoints travel portfolio in other segments, and to work with our MGU partners to innovate in the travel insurance space.

Topics Claims Insurance Wholesale Canada AXA XL
Vitesse PSP, the London-based fintech that specializes in digital solutions for global payments and counts numerous insurers among its customers, announced it has raised $26 million in Series B funding.

The Series B funding, which was led by Prime Ventures, also includes investments from Hannover Digital Investments (HDInv), the corporate venture capital fund of insurer HDI Group, and Octopus Ventures, which led the 2020 Series A funding round and is one of Europes most active venture capital investors.

Proceeds from the round will be used to support and accelerate Vitesses growth and global expansion program across Europe and the U.S.

Global payments can be processed more cost-effectively, quickly and easily with the help of Vitesses system which enables businesses to pay domestically in 109 currencies to 172 countries, said HDInv in a statement. Customers also get a real-time overview of their finances and transactions. In addition, Vitesse provides a treasury management platform for insurers, which enables greater capital efficiency and liquidity management.

Vitesse explained that its technology serves as the backbone of the financial infrastructure that runs throughout the insurance value chain, as well as for many corporates who use Vitesse for faster, more cost-effective payments. Its liquidity and treasury management platform is built on top of a globally distributed payments network providing control and transparency as well as improved capital efficiency and additional investment returns for its customers.

Vitesse brings great value to insurers and their customers when it comes to improving speed, control and transparency in payments and centralizing claims payments. We see a big potential for Vitesse to become the online payment partner of choice for insurers, said Ulrich Wallin, managing director of HDInv.

We are thrilled to have our new investors on board. We have strong ambitions to grow, particularly in the U.S. and in the insurance market which we believe is still untapped and yet to be digitally revolutionized, said Vitesse CEO Phillip McGriskin. In addition to the U.S., the company also wants to expand in Europe with the help of the financing.

Vitesse already serves many established blue-chip companies within the insurance sector, including over 70% of the insurers within the Lloyds of London market, supporting insurers to digitize their operations and develop new real time products like parametric covers. Vitesses platform is also rapidly being adopted by neo-insurers such as BoughtByMany pet insurance.

Additional participants to the funding round include existing angel investors and industry heavyweights such as Ron Kalifa, former Worldpay CEO and author of the Kalifa Review, and Shane Happach, CEO of Mollie, the Dutch payments unicorn.

Topics Carriers InsurTech Europe Funding
Haskell Indian Nations University has settled a lawsuit filed after a former university president sought to dictate what student journalists could report and write.

Free-speech advocates said the settlement agreement with former Haskell student journalist Jared Nally includes policy reforms that will protect students constitutional rights on the Haskell campus, The Lawrence Journal-World reported.

Nally sued school officials in October 2020 when the universitys then-president, Ronald Graham, sent him a directive telling him not to contact any government agency for information while representing the newspaper or attack any student, faculty member or staff in copy. Nally was editor of the student newspaper, The Indian Leader, at the time.

Graham sent a letter to Nally on Jan. 13, 2021, rescinding the directive and admitting the university took an incorrect approach in issuing it.

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which works to protect free speech on college campuses, backed Nally in his lawsuit.

The groups spokeswoman, Katie Kortepeter, said the settlement protects students First Amendment rights and safeguards the editorial independence of its student newspaper.

Nally, a senior at the time, filed a federal lawsuit against the university, Graham, the Bureau of Indian Education and its director.

In a consent decree signed Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson, Haskell leaders agreed not to issue any similar directives related to First Amendment rights or to engage in any kind of retaliation.

I hope this case not only protects the next generation of student journalists at Haskell, but empowers individuals at other institutions to realize they have rights and options when it comes to using their voice, Nally said Tuesday.

Nally had argued that Haskells campus speech policy _ called CIRCLE, for Communication, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, Leadership and Excellence _ was unconstitutionally broad and vague. Haskell had previously amended the student code, but in the settlement agreed not to reinstate the CIRCLE policy or any similar policy that aims to restrict student expression.

Nally had sought monetary damages from Graham and the court had earlier granted Grahams motion to dismiss that claim. However, because the U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a relevant case regarding First Amendment retaliation claims, the settlement did not contain an agreement on that issue.

The vice president of litigation for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, Darpana Sheth, said she hoped the Supreme Court would affirm that federal officials must pay damages when they violate free speech rights.

Graham is a prime example of a federal official who abused his power and should not be shielded from the consequences, Sheth said.

Graham was fired from Haskell in May 2021 after criticism that he had stifled free speech rights of students and faculty.

Tamarah Pfeiffer, a leader in the Bureau of Indian Education, became acting president of Haskell. The school directed questions about the settlement to the Bureau of Indian Education, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Education Training Development Universities Kansas
Westfield Specialty Adds Manoj Jain as Chief Information Officer

Westfield Specialty has added Manoj Jain as chief information officer (CIO), reporting to Jack Kuhn, Westfield Specialtys president.

In his new role, Jain is responsible for the overall development and execution of the technology vision and strategy. In addition, he supports and contributes to overall business strategy development through the application of information and technology in business model design, business processes re-engineering, and product and service development.

Jain is an accomplished IT executive with 20+ years of progressive experience in P&C insurance and reinsurance industry. He has a track record of successfully implementing and transforming core insurance platforms through synergy by partnering with business and operations. Prior to joining Westfield Specialty, he most recently served as vice president and head of IT for Westchester, where he led the efforts to digitize the small business, transform policy admin system, bring automation, and improve data analytics and distribution.

Westfield Specialty is based in Westfield Center, Ohio.

Holmes Murphy Promotes Brooks Deibele to Enterprise Sales Leader, Employee Benefits

Holmes Murphy has promoted Brooks Deibele to enterprise sales leader, employee benefits, where he previously held the position of regional market leader for the companys Minneapolis employee benefits team.

Deibele brings nearly 20 years of experience working with clients and in leadership. Previously, Deibele was recognized with the Holmes Murphy employee benefits sales leadership award and was recognized as Holmes Murphys top sales producer throughout the company in 2020. He has also been named to Holmes Murphys brokerage services leadership team, which oversees the entire employee benefits and property casualty sales and services for the company.

Holmes Murphy is an independent insurance broker based in Waukee, Iowa.

Topics Excess Surplus
Residents of a small city in southeast Kansas may continue a lawsuit that claims energy utility BP gouged them with hefty price increases for natural gas during freezing weather last year, a judge has ruled.

A Crawford County judge on Feb. 9 dismissed a motion by the British multinational oil and gas company to end the lawsuit and said residents of the town have the right to sue BP, formerly known as British Petroleum, The Wichita Eagle reported.

Mulberry is contesting about $51,000 of a natural gas bill it received last February, a hefty amount for the Crawford County town of less than 500 residents.

BP, which on Feb. 9 announced a 2021 profit of $12.8 billion, did not respond to requests for comment, The Eagle reported.

The decision came a day after the Kansas Corporation Commission approved Kansas Gas Services decision to increase prices for its customers for the next five to 10 years to pay $366 million of winter storm costs from the freeze.

Mulberry residents buy their gas through their city utility and not Kansas Gas Service, so Wednesdays ruling could provide a way for customers of any utility to sue for relief under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act, said James Zakoura, an attorney for Mulberry and its municipal gas consumers.

The city government and four named residents allege in the lawsuit that BP violated the anti-profiteering section of the act that limits price increases on consumer goods to 25% during emergencies.

Mulberrys gas cost on Feb. 9, 2021, was $2.98 per million British Thermal Units. The price rose to $329.60 per million BTU from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16, when the city stopped buying gas. On Feb. 17, the price hit $622.79.

BP officials argued that the four individuals should be dismissed from the lawsuit because it sold gas to the city, not residents. The residents countered that the gas went through the city but they are they the actual consumers.

Judge Lori Bolton Fleming, the chief judge for Crawford, Cherokee and Labette counties, agreed saying dismissing the individual residents claims would create a situation in which any supplier who uses a distributor rather than having contracts with individual consumers would be able to avoid liability under the states Consumer Protection Act.

Such an interpretation is simply not consistent with the stated policy of the KCPA, Fleming said.

The city government was dismissed as a plaintiff in the lawsuit but could be added back under the Uniform Commercial Code, which bans unconscionable business practices, said attorney Lee Smithyman.

He said allowing the lawsuit to proceed gives the plaintiffs access to documents that could explain why natural gas prices went up so much last year.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Kansas
Hertz Corp., battling hundreds of customers who say they were falsely arrested for auto theft after renting cars, was ordered by a federal judge to disclose how many renters it accuses every year.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Mary Walrath sided with advocates for 220 people suing Hertz who argued more details about Hertzs internal anti-theft program should be public.

In various documents filed in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, the car renter has demanded that data on how many theft reports it files every year be blocked out of court papers to prevent rivals from using the information to tarnish Hertzs reputation.

The U.S. Trustee, which monitors bankruptcies for the Justice Department, CBS News, and advocates for people suing Hertz for false arrest argued that the information should be made public.

Court documents show that some of the customers who rented cars were jailed and in at least one case held at gunpoint just hours after paying for a rental.

The false arrest claims often involve long-term rentals, some set up directly by the customer, others through an auto insurance company, according to court documents. If something goes wrong with a renewal payment, or theres some other problem, Hertz may report the renter to the police saying the car has been stolen, documents show. Afterward, Hertz charges the renters credit card or debit card and collects whatever was due, lawyers for the suing renters said in court filings.

In order to prove the false arrest claims arent isolated incidents, lawyers suing Hertz have been collecting data on how often the rental company files police reports against customers.

Hertz didnt respond to emails requesting comment.

Bankruptcy Claims

Those who claim Hertz had them wrongly arrested have filed claims in bankruptcy court demanding to be paid like other creditors of the company. Walrath oversaw Hertzs Chapter 11 reorganization, which ended last year with a plan to pay creditors in full.

The false arrest claims could cost Hertz hundreds of millions of dollars, according to advocates for those suing the company.

The fight is part of a broader dispute about how to handle those claims from former renters who say they were wrongly arrested because of an alleged error by Hertz.

As is typical in big, complicated Chapter 11 cases, Hertz left behind a shell in bankruptcy to help administer creditor payouts and resolve any legal disputes not covered by its reorganization plan.

CBS previously reported that Hertz said the vast majority of cases involve renters who were weeks or months overdue on returns and authorities are brought in only after exhaustive attempts to reach a customer.

The case is Hertz Corp. 20-11218, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington).

(Updates with details of why Hertz asks police to arrest customers in the sixth paragraph.)

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Claims
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 worlds 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 Kingdoms National Cyber Security Centre said its seen some ransomware gangs offer a 24/7 help center to victims to expedite ransom payments and restore encrypted data.

Theres even money to be made by arbitrators who can settle payment disputes among the various ransomware criminals, according to the report.

Ransomware Attacks Not High-Profile or Front Page News But Still Happening Frequently

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, its 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 infrastructure  often touted as a safer alternative to storing data locally  and developed code to stop industrial processes. U.S. authorities said theyd 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, thats 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.

Memo Cites Lessons from Ransomware Payments by CNA, JBS and Colonial Pipeline

The joint report was issued last Wednesday by the FBI, the NSA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the U.S. as well as the United Kingdoms 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 theyd 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 companys CEO for Portugal said it received no ransomware demand.

Associated Press writer Frank Bajak in Boston contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cyber USA Australia
Why wont you get smallpox even if you were never vaccinated? After all, in the US with few exceptions, smallpox vaccinations ended in 1972. Answer: No one around you is infected.

In one of the greatest achievements in medical history, smallpox, a disease that killed 500 million people in 100 years, was eradicated. Although children are still vaccinated against polio (not yet eradicated), the main reason you are unlikely to contract it is because you are unlikely to encounter anyone infected.

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This so-called herd immunity is critical because: (1) Many cannot be vaccinated due to adverse reactions or ineffectiveness due to compromised immune systems. (2) No vaccine is 100% effective.

All things being equal, the risk of infection grows with the number of infected people with whom you come in contact. If you encounter 100 infected people, then you have about twice the risk of becoming infected than if you encounter 50.

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This chance is lower if you are vaccinated and everyone is wearing a mask, but it still depends on how many in your surroundings are carrying the infection. This number will be smaller if everyone is vaccinated.

Gary G. DeLeo (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

During the Revolutionary War, American soldiers were susceptible to smallpox, but the majority of British troops were immune due to childhood exposure or vaccination. The Continental Congress authorized Gen. Washington to vaccinate his troops. (W.H. Powell // U.S. National Archives)

We have all heard troubling misinformation such as: If you are vaccinated and masked, then why do you care whether Im vaccinated or masked? Why take away my freedom?

This could be a legitimate point if vaccines were 100% effective, but sadly they are not. So your risk of becoming ill still depends on how many infected people you encounter.

Even if the vaccines were 100% effective, that would not reduce the burden on the vaccinated and masked who might be denied hospital care for other illnesses due to COVID-19 overcrowding by the unvaccinated.

The term breakthrough infection refers to infections contracted by the vaccinated, and it calls to mind another bit of misinformation, often in the form: If there are breakthrough infections, maybe the vaccines dont work. Maybe scientists are lying to you. They are not.

Breakthrough infections are expected since no vaccine is 100% effective. The effectiveness of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines at preventing infection was very high in the first several months after the second dose and much better at preventing hospitalization and death. With the booster, even with challenges posed by new variants, they are still highly effective. And we can expect variant-specific boosters soon.

Although vaccines primarily reduce hospitalization and death, they still reduce the risk of you infecting someone else. Indeed, there is evidence that a vaccinated, infected person is still less likely to transmit the virus, primarily since, even if infected, the period of infection is believed to be shorter.

However, if herd immunity or something near it is to be achieved, we need a considerably greater fraction of the population vaccinated, and boosted when needed. Unfortunately, we are not even close, and not because of limited vaccination capacity.

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This means that masks are needed at this time to further reduce transmission. I am shocked that so many do not wear masks and that businesses and the government dont require them in the workplace. Also shocking are school districts dropping mask mandates, even when cases were recently at their peak.

Many seem to feel there is something better about developing immunity through what they call a natural process, becoming infected by the virus. This seems to be preferred by those who do not want to be injected with genetic materials, such as the mRNA vaccines.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are indeed encapsulated genetic material. But so are viruses. You could say a virus acts like a very bad vaccine, one not produced in a carefully controlled lab, but instead in the lungs and sinus cavities of bats.

In addition to providing some degree of immunity, the infection can kill you. Actual vaccines are engineered to trigger your bodys immune response without making you sick, or dead.

Incidentally, vaccines do not contain tracking devices and they do not make you magnetic. These are lies.

Also, childhood vaccines do not produce autism. The publication making that claim was fraudulent and has been completely discredited.

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COVID-19 is highly infectious. If you are unvaccinated and unmasked, then through a chain of infections you contribute more significantly to the spread, and, therefore, to the sickness and death of others. You are also ensuring the pandemic will last longer.

This is a war, and we all need to do our part to win it. Everyone should be vaccinated and wearing a mask in public. It is the only way we can eventually put away our masks and go back to a normal life, making COVID-19 a story of the past, like smallpox and polio.

Gary G. DeLeo is a professor emeritus of physics at Lehigh University.
The judge presiding over the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy has delayed the start of a trial to determine whether the BSAs reorganization plan should be confirmed after an agreement with the official committee representing more than 80,000 men who say they were molested as children by Scout leaders and others resulted in several new plan provisions.

During a three-hour hearing Friday, Judge Laura Selber Silverstein pushed back the start of the confirmation hearing from Feb. 22 to March 9. The Boy Scouts had asked for only a one week delay, while plan opponents said they would need several weeks to analyze and respond to changes in the plan.

The move follows Thursdays announcement of a tentative agreement between the BSA and the official abuse claimants committee, known as the tort claimants committee or TCC. The committee was appointed by the U.S. bankruptcy trustee to represent and act in the best interests of all sexual abuse survivors. It had long maintained that the BSAs plan to compensate child sex abuse victims was grossly unfair, representing only a fraction of the potential liabilities of insurers and local Boy Scout councils, and a fraction of their ability to pay.

But after weeks of intense discussions, the committee said it had negotiated important changes to the plan and is now recommending that abuse claimants who had voted against it change their votes.

Among other things, the new plan provides abuse claimants the ability to sue insurance companies and local troop sponsoring organizations, such as churches and civic groups, that do not enter into settlements with the trustee who would oversee a $2.6 billion victims compensation fund.

The new plan ratchets up the pressure on remaining opponents, including certain insurance companies and an ad hoc committee representing various Roman Catholic entities, including a church-affiliated nonprofit that insures hundreds of dioceses, religious orders and institutions.

Attorneys for the ad hoc committee and the dissenting insurers argued Friday that the new plan bears no semblance to the plan that abuse claimants voted on last year. They said they deserve more time to find out how and why the changes were made, and how they affect their clients. They also said the settlement with the TCC was made possible only because the Boy Scouts, without the judges knowledge or permission, improperly granted the TCC and certain other parties extensions to the court-ordered Feb. 4 deadline to object to the plan.

An attorney for the U.S. bankruptcy trustee, which acts as a watchdog in Chapter 11 cases to ensure compliance with the U.S. bankruptcy code, also took the Boy Scouts to task. David Buchbinder said the plan has changed so much since last fall that the BSA needs to send out supplemental disclosures so abuse claimants and troop sponsoring organizations can fully understand whats going on.

The debtor needs to explain how these proposed revisions improve the plan for (abuse claimants), Buchbinder said, adding that the changes also leave troop sponsoring organizations even more confused.

Buchbinder argued in a Monday court filing the plan cannot be confirmed if provisions allowing non-debtor third parties to be released from liability without the consent of holders of abuse claim remain in place. He argued that the third-party releases for local Boy Scout councils, certain troop sponsoring organizations and settling insurers violate the due process rights of claimants and are not authorized under the bankruptcy code.

Meanwhile, critics of the plan note that, under the changes unveiled Thursday, the BSA appears to be backing away from the findings of its own hired expert regarding the value of abuse claims. The Boy Scouts now assert that the conclusions of Charles Bates have not been agreed to by any other party, and that his conclusions are not a binding estimation of the BSAs liability. The BSA also said it will consult with abuse claimants attorneys who are supporting the plan on what testimony Bates should provide.

James Hallowell, an attorney for AIG, a dissenting insurer, said Bates findings support insurers arguments that the plan will result in claims values that exceed the values historically paid by the Boy Scouts before they filed for bankruptcy. Mitch Karlan, another attorney for AIG, said the Boys Scouts now apparently agree with the official abuse claimants committee that Bates findings are wrong.

Whats novel about it is that Dr. Bates is, of course the debtors expert, who apparently is being thrown under the bus, he said.

Silverstein told attorneys that she had flagged the issue regarding Bates.

It jumped off the page, she said.

Photo: A sign for the National Office outside the Boy Scouts of America Headquarters in Irving, Texas. Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Carriers Legislation USA
A federal judge on Feb. 9 dismissed a lawsuit four sisters of Josh Duggar filed over the release of records from a police investigation that concluded the former reality television star fondled them.

U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks dismissed the lawsuit against Springdale and Washington County officials over the records release. The sisters had sued claiming invasion of privacy and outrage.

Duggar and his sisters are part of a large Arkansas family that starred on TLCs 19 Kids and Counting until the network canceled the show in 2015 following revelations that Duggar as a juvenile molested four of his sisters and a babysitter. Authorities began investigating the abuse in 2006 after getting a tip but concluded that the statute of limitations had expired.

Jill Dillard, Jessa Seewald, Jinger Vuolo and Joy Duggar filed the lawsuit in 2017 claiming officials improperly released redacted police investigation documents to a magazine. Their attorneys say the documents made it easy to identify them.

Josh Duggar was convicted in December of one count each of receiving and possessing child pornography and is awaiting sentencing. His attorneys last month asked a judge to toss out his conviction or order a new trial.

In his ruling, Brooks ruled there was no evidence the officials intended to inflict emotional distress.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation Arkansas
A judge has tossed two of six fraud counts against a former Boeing pilot involved in evaluating the troubled Boeing 737 Max jetliner.

A federal judge in Fort Worth last week dismissed, on technical grounds, counts that accused Mark A. Forkner of making and using a materially false writing concerning an aircraft part, in violation of federal law.

U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor denied, however, Forkers attorneys request for dismissal of four other wire fraud counts for not stating a case.

Forkner, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is scheduled to go on trial March 7.

A federal indictment accuses Forkner, 50, of deceiving regulators about a critical system that played a role in two crashes of Boeing 737 Max jets that killed 346 people.

Prosecutors said that because of Forkners alleged deception, pilot manuals and training materials did not mention the system because of Forkners alleged deception.

The flight-control system in question activated erroneously and pushed down the noses of Max jets that crashed in 2018 in Indonesia and 2019 in Ethiopia. The pilots tried unsuccessfully to regain control, but both planes went into nosedives minutes after taking off.

Forkner was Boeings chief technical pilot on the Max program. Prosecutors said that Forkner learned about an important change to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System flight-control system in 2016 but withheld the information from the FAA. That led the agency to delete reference to MCAS from a technical report and, in turn, it didnt appear in pilot manuals. Most pilots didnt know about MCAS until after the first crash.

Prosecutors suggested that Forkner downplayed the systems power to avoid a requirement that pilots undergo extensive and expensive retraining, which would increase training costs for airlines. Congressional investigators suggested additional training would have added $1 million to the price of each plane.

Forkner told another Boeing employee in 2016 that MCAS was egregious and running rampant when he tested it in a flight simulator, but he didnt tell that to the FAA.

So I basically lied to the regulators (unknowingly), Forkner wrote in a message that became public in 2019.

Forkner, who lives in a Fort Worth suburb, joined Southwest Airlines after leaving Boeing but left the airline about a year ago.

Chicago-based Boeing agreed to a $2.5 billion settlement to end a Justice Department investigation into the companys actions. The government agreed to drop a criminal charge of conspiracy against Boeing after three years if the company carries out terms of the January 2020 settlement. The settlement included a $243.6 million fine, nearly $1.8 billion for airlines that bought the plane, and $500 million for a fund to compensate families of the passengers killed.

Dozens of families of passengers are suing Boeing in federal court in Chicago.

Crash investigations highlighted the role of MCAS but also pointed to mistakes by the airlines and pilots. Max jets were grounded worldwide for more than a year and a half. The FAA approved the plane to fly again in late 2020 after Boeing made changes to MCAS.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Texas Fraud Aviation Training Development Aerospace
Seven more people have been charged in New Orleans for their participation in a scheme to stage collisions with commercial trucks, bringing the total number of defendants charged in the federal probe up to 47.

United States Attorney Duane A. Evans said Florence Randle, age 70, of Gibson; Stacie Wheaten, age 50, of Atlanta; Joseph Brewtown, age 56, of Houma; David Brown, age 50, of Morgan City; Gilda Henderson,age 69, of Morgan City; Latrell Johnson, age 30, of New Orleans; and Larry Pico, age 56, of Gibson, were charged in Count 1 with Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

Brewton was charged in Counts 2-7 with Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341 and 2. Brown, Henderson, Johnson, and Picou were charged in Counts 5 and 6 with Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341 and 2. Randle and Wheaten were charged in Counts 7 through 10, which charge Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341 and 2.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five years for Count 1 and 20 years as to each of the Mail Fraud counts. Upon their release from prison, each defendant can be placed on a term of supervised release for up to five years and fined up to $250,000.00 per count. A mandatory special assessment fee of $100 per count is also applicable.

According to court documents, Brewton, Randle, and Wheaten served as intermediaries who directed passengers to participate in staged automobile accidents. Brewton helped to arrange collisions that took place on March 27, 2017 and May 11, 2017. Randle and Wheaten helped to coordinate collisions on May 17, 2017 and June 5, 2017.

The indictment alleges that Brown, Henderson, Johnson, and Picou falsely claimed that they were passengers in a car that was struck by a tractor-trailer on May 11, 2017. In fact, the defendants conspired with Brewton, Damian Labeaud, Mario Solomon, and others to intentionally collide with a tractor-trailer in the area of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road in New Orleans. After the intentional collision, Brown, Henderson, Johnson, and Picou made a false police report, lied in depositions, and filed fraudulent lawsuits claiming that the tractor-trailer was at fault. This scheme caused the insurance company for the tractor-trailer to pay over $140,000.00 in settlement funds.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics USA Louisiana Fraud
Authorities are offering a $20,000 reward for information on a fire that destroyed a QVC distribution facility in North Carolina and killed a worker.

News outlets report the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is offering up to $10,000, and QVC is matching it, should that information point to criminal activity, ATF Special Agent in Charge Vince Pallozzi said

Pallozzi said investigators havent reached any conclusions on what started the fire on Dec. 18. He said the agency is looking to the former employees, along with their friends, families and neighbors to provide any details relevant to the investigation.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey also asked anyone who knows anything to come forward.

Firefighters said about 75% of the QVC facility was destroyed in the fire, which killed a 21-year-old worker. In January, the company that runs QVC announced it was shutting down the center, putting nearly 2,000 people out of work.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics North Carolina
New Frontier Data, a producer of cannabis research and intelligence, released its 22 for 22 Report, in January, which imparts a definitive air of optimism mixed with few cautions for the industry posed by potential economic headwinds  as well as a sprinkle of cannabis Frappucinos to slake soaring consumer demand with a broadening portfolio of product options.

The research, which can be downloaded from the companys website, has a definitive air of optimism. It proclaims:

New key adult-use markets are poised to officially launch regulated sales in the U.S. (New York, New Jersey, and Virginia) and the seeds of full adult-use cannabis have been planted in Europe in Germany, Luxembourg, and Malta. Globally, interest in the therapeutic applications for cannabis has never been higher, and as the pandemic extends into its third year, cannabis consumer demand is soaring as consumers discover a broadening portfolio of product options.

The report also offers a dose of the hard realities that any business sector faces: Economic headwinds, uncertainty, regulatory hurdles, taxes  all a potential drag on investing.

Of particular interest was the prediction, that further legalization in Europe will benefit U.S cannabis companies.

For our latest podcast we spoke with John Kagia, chief knowledge officer with New Frontier Data, for a bit more behind the research.

Following are takeaways from that conversation.

At the end of 2021 there was a dramatic shift in Europe, with three countries announcing a transition to recreational cannabis markets.

Two, Malta and Luxemburg, are both small countries that have been progressive in their cannabis policies. But it was more of a surprise when Germany, with a large market and a significant economy, announced it is planning to develop of a policy framework to initiate a legal recreational market.

But now that the flag has been planted for the advent of recreational sales in Europe, we think you are going to start seeing more American companies, and not just in California, but particularly the multi-state operators who are well-capitalized, start planting seeds in Europe, Kagia said.

Another noteworthy point made in the report was continued expansion of U.S. markets East, with New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia driving a large portion of the anticipated revenue growth out to 2025, which New Frontier estimates will reach near $12 billion.

Its really interesting to think about the way cannabis as an industry has moved from West to East. So up until essentially a couple of years ago when Massachusetts began the most robust market on the East Coast, recreational cannabis has largely been a phenomenon of the West Coast of the country, he said. But now that you have New York, New Jersey, and Virginia activating recreational sales, we think this is going to very consequentially shift the momentum of both investment of industry kind of operationalization and the unleashing of the demand in these large and consequential markets, moving that East.

A diversifying product landscape is another piece of interesting news in the report, especially for consumers and those hoping to write more insurance on these emerging products.

The researchers believe a large group of prospective light cannabis consumers will drive innovation in low-dose and non-combustible productsthe Frappucinos of cannabis products.

Weve seen a phenomenal kind of transformation of the consumer product landscape, Kagia said. For an industry that seven years ago was largely smoked flower and then things like homemade cannabis-infused brownies and blondies, the fact that we are now seeing products that span the gamut from very elegant and infused beverages with sophisticated flavor profiles, to water-soluble, fast-acting powders that you can mix into any beverage of your choice, I think its just reflective of the amount of innovation that has been born out of the legalization of this industry and the commercialization of the product manufacturing process.

There are some low points of the report, such as the pace of investing in cannabis dropping off from 2021 in part due to economic headwinds.

These headwinds are unlikely to impact demand for products, which Kagia believes are recession proof. But available funding to grow and start new businesses may not be what is previously was.

So, its not going to affect consumer demand. We continue to see very, very robust growth in consumer demand for the foreseeable future, he said. We just think its going to mean that for some of these new markets, like New York, New Jersey, Virginia, where theyre setting up operations right now and are going to need capital to really get those operations cooking with gas, then these new markets are the ones most likely to be acutely impacted by a reduction in the amount of available capital.

Related:

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions New York Europe Cannabis New Jersey Virginia
California would mandate that all businesses require their employees and independent contractors to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under legislation announced Friday by Democratic state lawmakers that was immediately criticized by Republicans as government overreach.

Employees or contractors who qualify for medical or religious exemptions would have to be regularly tested under a planned amendment to the bill. New employees would have to get at least one dose by the time they start work and the second dose within 45 days of being on the job.

Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks introduced her bill months after delaying an original proposal last fall. The previous version would have allowed workers to submit to weekly testing as an alternative to getting vaccinated, but that is not an option in her new proposal.

Vaccines mandates are highly controversial and there have been many rallies at the state Capitol in Sacramento opposing such requirements.

Wicks and other supporters said the mandate is needed even as California moves to ease other requirements and anticipates moving into a new endemic phase that accepts the coronavirus is here to stay but is manageable as immunity builds.

Thats fundamentally what this bill is about, she said. Getting back to some sense of normalcy so we can go on with our lives, and we dont have these constant interruptions and outbreaks and all these things that weve been experiencing for so long.

The mandate would stay in place unless the federal CenCovters for Disease Control and Prevention decides that COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer needed.

The bill would require state health and occupational safety officials to advise employers on what qualifies as a medical condition, disability, religious belief and valid vaccination status. Businesses that didnt comply would face penalties that have yet to be determined.

Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher said he is vaccinated and urges others to also get their shots.

But telling people they cant feed their family unless they get the vaccine is just wrong, Gallagher said. I trust Californians enough to treat them like adults who can make their own health care decisions. Its unfortunate that a few Democrats in the Legislature dont.

The proposal drew similar concerns from Jonathan Keller, president of the conservative California Family Council advocacy group, who said that Government should not force employers to fire people over personal medical decisions.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom last year ordered all of the states roughly 2.2 million health care workers to to be vaccinated or lose their jobs.

He also required state workers and teachers to either get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. And Californias school children by summer must be vaccinated to attend in-person classes.

Wicks proposal is just the latest of several far-reaching measures introduced by Democratic state lawmakers this year.

Among others, Sen. Scott Wiener would allow children 12 and up to be vaccinated without their parents consent, while Sen. Richard Pan would eliminate a personal belief exemption in school-based COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Pan argued in support of Wicks bill that having a safe workplace is essential to  keeping our economy going.

People cant be scared of getting infected when they go to work or while patronizing businesses, and businesses cannot endure frequent outbreaks that sideline their employees, he said.

More than 2,000 of the 30,000 San Francisco Bay Area members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 have been sickened and some have died from the coronavirus, said Jim Araby, the unions director of strategic campaigns.

Just like we would never ask a construction worker to go to a construction site without a hardhat, we shouldnt ask our members and workers who work in these essential industries to go in without the protection of a vaccine, he said in backing Wicks bill.

The California Chamber of Commerce, California Restaurant Association, California Retailers Association and California chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses did not immediately comment on the bill.

But the bill has support from the Small Business Majority advocacy group that has 85,000 members nationwide, including nearly 20,000 in California.

Small businesses dont want to be traffic cops in debates about public safety, said John Arensmeyer, the groups chief executive. Theyre looking for a common statewide standard that disentangles them from politics and enables them to operate their businesses safely and predictably.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Legislation
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the district courts decision declining to certify a proposed damages class in an auto insurance diversity action in Washington involving Liberty Mutual.

This case centers on how auto insurance companies value totaled vehicles.

Plaintiffs sued Liberty Mutual, an auto insurer, and CCC Intelligent Solutions, a company that Liberty works with to help it develop its valuations.

Plaintiffs alleged that Liberty breached its contracts with its insureds and that both companies violated Washingtons unfair trade practices law and committed civil conspiracy.

A district court declined to certify a proposed class because individual questions predominated over common questions and individualized trials were superior to a class action.

The 9th Circuit held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding that the predominance and superiority requirements for certifying a class action were not satisfied.

To show liability for breach of contract or unfair trade practices, plaintiffs must show an injury, the court held.

Plaintiffs Leeana Lara and Cameron Lundquist sued both Liberty Mutual, an auto insurer, and CCC Intelligent Solutions, a company that Liberty works with to help it develop its valuations. Plaintiffs allege that Liberty breached its contracts with its insureds and that both companies violated Washingtons unfair trade practices law and committed civil conspiracy.

The plaintiffs vehicles were totaled, and Liberty valued them in part with a disputed downward condition adjustment. The plaintiffs then sued Liberty and CCC, arguing that they didnt follow Washington insurance regulations, which require the insurers to itemize the deductions or additions that they make, and that these adjustments be appropriate.

Topics Auto Washington
Irish and most other European shares fell sharply and the price of European gas climbed, as investors assessed the likelihood of diplomatic efforts to turn the heat down over Ukraine.

The Iseq index of Irish shares closed about 2.5% lower but some of the largest Irish-based companies such as building materials maker CRH and packaging giant Smurfit Kappa, which sell across Europe, fell further, by as much as 3.5%.

The two main banks, AIB and Bank of Ireland, which investors use as proxies for the Irish economy, were also sharply lower, by as much as 4%.

Irish-linked airlines fell, but relatively less sharply.

Ryanair and rival EasyJet fell 2%, while IAG, the owner of Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia, closed 6% lower.

Budapest-based Wizz Air, which also competes with Ryanair, fell by 7%.

For Irish businesses and households, there was more bad news from wholesale energy markets.

The price of gas  which is used to help generate a significant amount of the power on the Irish electricity grid  rose again for contracts up to the early summer.

For instance, the price of wholesale gas on the so-called Dutch TTF contract for delivery in June rose by almost 4% to 78.75 per megawatt hour in early evening trade. Last summer, wholesale gas was trading at less than 20.

Meanwhile, the price of crude oil fluctuated, with the market growing increasingly volatile in the face of geopolitical tensions over Ukraine.

Russias foreign minister said he would propose to continue diplomatic engagements with the West over tensions in Ukraine, soothing some concerns.

On the geopolitical front, it seems that Ukraine and Russia tensions are easing after the fast escalation last week, said Rohan Reddy, a research analyst at Global X Management, a firm that manages $2bn (1.75bn) in energy-related assets.

Diplomatic efforts

With the diplomatic efforts, the market is seeing a reduced risk that Russian oil supply will be threatened by sanctions, he added

Opec secretary general Mohammad Barkindo said he was "reasonably optimistic" that global leaders involved in the standoff between Russia and the West over Ukraine will be able to restore peace and stability.

Geopolitics and massive underinvestment were driving the oil market, Mr Barkindo said on the sidelines of an industry event in Cairo, adding that the world needs every barrel it can get at the moment.

The price of Brent crude was down $1 to $94.40 a barrel. A month ago, crude was trading at $85 a barrel.

Elsewhere, the Ukraine crisis has led to investors buying gold and government bonds of many eurozone countries, sending yields lower.

Gold rose to its highest since mid-November. The price of palladium rose. Russia is the worlds top supplier of the metal, which is used in catalytic converters.

Germany's 10-year bond traded at 0.25%, Ireland's traded at 0.83%, while the yield on Italy's 10-year bond was at 1.95%. In contrast, the yield on Russia's 10-year bond rose to 10%.

 Additional reporting Reuters and Bloomberg
Since the start of the semester, the Student Advocacy Resource Center has received five times as many reports of roofies, or drug-facilitated assaults, than usual. The druggings happened at four different bars, and beg an important question: what should I do if a friend or I get roofied wh
Our son and his wife have been living in Dublin for a number of years. They met in college, and have rented since then. They are in their 30s but have been unable to get on the property ladder due to the rising cost of housing, and have delayed starting a family because of this.

Since the pandemic hit, they have been working from home and now are considering moving back to Cork and starting a family. My husband and I never thought our son would move out of Dublin, but now that he is considering it, we think it would be a good opportunity to gift him a site from our farm. We are very excited to have our future grandchildren raised near us. What would be the next steps?

Congratulations! This is very exciting news! A voluntary transfer arises where a person wishes to transfer property, usually to a close family member, during their lifetime as a gift. No money is usually paid. However, while it sounds simple enough, there are a number of factors to consider.

Firstly, your son and his wife should engage an architect or engineer to advise them in relation to the site and the likelihood of obtaining planning permission. In order for your son to build his home on the site, he must lodge an application to obtain Planning Permission to the Local Authority. It is best to secure this before the site is transferred.

Once, planning permission has been obtained, the map of the site should be provided to your solicitor so that a deed can be prepared. A couple of factors to consider is whether a Right of Way to access the site or a Deed of Wayleave to access a well etc. is necessary.

A covenant may also need to be placed in the Deed obliging your son to erect and maintain a stock-proof fence if there are no clearly defined natural boundaries.

If the property is mortgaged, the written consent of your bank to the transfer will be necessary. A Declaration confirming that you are capable of paying your debts and are not attempting to defeat creditors will be needed as you are gifting the site.

An auctioneer will need to be engaged produce a valuation of the site, even though your son is receiving a gift. Both parties will need independent legal representation. It is prohibited for a solicitors firm to act for both sides in a transaction of this nature. Generally, it is the child who would cover all legal costs, but this is a matter of consideration for each individual family.

You should be aware that the transfer of a site to a child may give rise to a number of taxes such as CAT, CGT, and Stamp Duty. Stamp Duty in respect of non-residential transfers is currently charged at a rate of 7.5% of the value of the site. Your son will have to discharge this in full.

However, he will be allowed to claw back up to eleven-fifteenths of amount paid if he satisfies certain requirements. Some of the conditions are your son must commence building within 30 months of the date of the transfer of the site, the site must be less than an acre in size, and he must not start building on the site before the commencement notice has issued.

While the transfer of a site to a child might seem like a simple transaction in theory, you and your son should obtain independent legal and tax advice relevant to your own circumstances.

Karen Walsh, from a farming background, is a solicitor practicing in Walsh & Partners, Solicitors, 17, South Mall, Cork (021-4270200), and author of Farming and the Law. Walsh & Partners also specialises in personal injury claims, conveyancing, probate and family law.

- Email: info@walshandpartners.ie - Web: www.walshandpartners.ie

While every care is taken to ensure accuracy of information contained in this article, solicitor Karen Walsh does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions howsoever arising, and you should seek legal advice in relation to your particular circumstances at the earliest possible time.
Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney has said Ireland will continue to keep a diplomatic presence in Ukraine "as long as it is safe" to do so.

Mr Coveney was speaking as the Government advised against all travel to Ukraine amidst rising tensions in the country as Russian troops build-up on its borders, and asked citizens to leave immediately by commercial means.

Around 50 Irish people have registered with the Irish embassy in Ukraine.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Coveney said it is important not to over-heat the situation.

"We can't ignore, obviously, the warnings coming from the UK and the US.

"But certainly we believe that war and an invasion is not inevitable and can be avoided through intensive diplomacy.

There are real efforts to prevent a military invasion of Ukraine, and I think we should be doubling down on those efforts - rather than creating some kind of self-fulfilling prophecy here.

"I believe that, certainly from all the different sources that we're speaking to, an invasion can still be avoided - and I think that should be the focus now."

The minister says while there is no EU division on this, there is a lack of detail over potential sanctions.

"What hasn't happened is a package of sanctions - in terms of the details of those sanctions haven't been settled on yet.

But I think it's very clear and agreed that should Russia invade Ukraine, the response would need to be very significant.

"That means a significant economic impact on the EU as well as Russia in terms of the potential impact on financial services, on energy prices, on the ability to travel and do business and trade.

"So nobody escapes here, which is why the last thing we want is to have to trigger a package of sanctions like that, and of course for Russia to respond in kind."

Mr Coveney says Ireland intends to keep diplomatic staff in Ukraine where two diplomats are currently stationed in Kiev.

"Over the weekend I spoke at length to our ambassador there... she believes she should be staying, and I agree with her.

"Virtually every country is keeping at least a skeleton diplomatic staff in their embassy in Kiev, and we're doing the same.

"We will keep a diplomatic presence there as long as it is safe".

And he says this is also important for Irish families involved in surrogacy.

"One of the reasons why Ukraine is complex from a consular perspective is that there are quite a number of Irish families who are involved in surrogacy in the Ukraine.

"We need to manage those cases as sensitively and as carefully as we can - and that's one of the important roles of our diplomatic staff in Kiev at the moment."

I think war can be averted, but we also have to be realistic that it is a very real possibility and we have to be prepared for how we would respond to that.

"But I think it's important not to raise the temperature in terms of language right now - instead, I think we need to be focusing on the language of diplomacy and compromise rather than war drums - there's been enough of that."

Emergency Travel Cert

Surrogacy legal expert Annette Hickey called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to expedite the Emergency Travel Cert system for couples arriving back into Ireland with a baby born through surrogacy in Ukraine.

At present the process can take up to four weeks, and it should be shortened in the circumstances, she urged. Whatever can be done to expedite the process should be done, Ms Hickey said.

These were unprecedented times, there was no blueprint for what was happening and the Government should do whatever it could to get these babies home," she said on RTE Radio.

Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne urged any Irish in Ukraine to come home if they could. Exceptional efforts were being made to bring a diplomatic solution to the situation in Ukraine.

The objective was to prevent war from breaking out and keeping the peace, he said.
A young woman in Cork City has issued a warning to others after she woke to find a man at the end of her bed while she was home alone.

Keyara Connolly (21) is currently completing a PLC and living in the city in a house that she shares with two other young female students and a young man. On Thursday night, while her housemates were on a night out, and another at work, she woke at 4am to find a man standing at the end of her bed.

Thankfully, the man left the house after Ms Connolly woke up and started to scream. She has since left the accommodation to return home to Tipperary and said she does not think she will be able to go back.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Ms Connolly said she had just gone to sleep at about 3am on Thursday night and about 50 minutes later, she woke up to her bedroom door creaking. At first, she presumed that her housemates had come home with friends, and someone may have been looking for a bathroom.

It was pitch dark I couldnt see anything, she explained. The man had a very high-pitched voice and a foreign accent, and I just thought it was a boy joking.

As she had just woken up, it took her a couple of seconds to realise what was happening but when she couldnt hear anyone else downstairs, she knew it was a stranger in her room.

He kind of walked into the bedroom and he was walking up beside my bed and I was screaming at this point, she said.

I could only see the shadow of his hands, but he was holding them up and he was hushing me, and I just started screaming louder.

She was petrified and even while she was screaming, her voice was shaking and breaking. She believes the man was afraid that her neighbours would hear her scream and quickly left through the front door of the house.

I waited a few minutes to hear if he was still downstairs and I went down and I locked the door and I rang the guards.

There were laptops in the bedrooms, but nothing was taken. She believes the man entered through the front door.

The doors were kind of opened in everyones room and the girl's across from me, her room light was on, and the door was open, so I presume he was walking around looking at the rooms but didnt steal anything, so it was very strange.

The 21-year-old stayed one more night at the house but had to return to her home in Tipperary and she is now moving out of the house. Her housemates are also petrified following the incident, she said.

Now, Ms Connolly has urged other people, and particularly young women, to be cautious and ensure that their doors and windows are locked.

Gardai confirmed that they attended the incident at approximately 4.30am on Friday, 11 February. No arrests have yet been made and investigations are ongoing.
Monday

Back in the office, I find myself doing something mortifying.

During the pandemic, I developed a 'closer than this' relationship with my iPad. So, at my desk, I splay first and second fingers away from each other to make Ukraine bigger.

The problem is that I do this on the mouse-pad map of the world. It doesnt work, which is a letdown but not much of a surprise and Im glad none of my colleagues is close enough to notice.

Tuesday

Overheard on a training course where someone has just explained the difference between open and closed questions: Ive just realised that 14-year-old male offspring are the only people in the world who can give a closed answer to an open question. Usually in the form of a wordless grunt.

Wednesday

It is announced that Rebecca Donners book  All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days  about her great-great aunt has gone into its fourth printing.

This is an unusual publishing achievement  her great-great aunt being a forgotten American spy in Second World War Germany who was guillotined on the orders of Hitler.

The woman is hardly known, even to students of the period. Not known at all if you compare her with Englands Nazi-loving Unity Mitford and Americas appalling Martha Dodd, the latter a daughter of the American ambassador who never met a prominent German or Russian she wouldnt have sex with and betray with equal zest.

Mildred Harnack, in sharp contrast, was an introvert who, doing academic work in Germany in the 1930s, started a circle of resistance to the Nazis, operating initially at what might be called the well-meaning amateur level; writing, printing and distributing leaflets telling the truth about the Third Reich, in the hope of rousing opposition to the regime.

When the war broke out, however, leaflet-drops became irrelevant and dangerous, and Mildred became a spy, delivering secret intelligence to the allies.

Nazi party members salute during an assembly in 1938 in Berlin. Mildred Harnack while doing academic work in Germany in the 1930s, started a circle of resistance to the Nazis. Picture: AP

She was ruthless about her new craft, using a 10-year-old American boy to courier materials despite the risk this posed to the brave youngster.

As betrayals and accidents brought SS focus onto Harnack and her circle, she burned her journals.

A relative back home in the US, however, carefully saved everything the family had received from her, archiving it in an attic, from which Donner, decades later, retrieved the documents.

Those documents, added to materials emerging from Russia after the fall of the Berlin Wall, form the basis of Donners astonishing book, which has been compared to the work of WG Sebald.

Inevitably, because of the self-erasure exercised by the dead spy, gaps exist and every now and then the author imagines her subject walking, reflecting or coming to conclusions and uses the dread perhaps to introduce these suppositions.

Nor can the claim be made that she has brought Harnack to life, because Harnack seems to have existed only in relation to causes and personal heroes.

It is, nonetheless, a wondrous work of research-mastery. That it is written, for the most part, in the present tense adds to the suspense when Harnack is arrested, imprisoned, and tried.

She calmly lies to the court and gets a six-year sentence which, when he hears about it, infuriates Hitler who insists on immediate decapitation.

After her death, she disappears from the story of the Third Reich  until her distant relative publishes this phenomenal, stylish, and beautifully designed book to re-frame her in history.

Thursday

Biting the hand that feeds you isnt the half of it. Its more like gnawing the arm right up to the elbow, if not the armpit.

Its a mixed metaphor, but I cant remember so pronounced a case of looking a gift horse in the mouth as evidenced in public reaction to the 200 off the fuel bill.

Trying to remember a parallel, the best I can come up with is when an aunt gave me vests for Christmas when I was six. Woollen vests.

I was dragooned into signing a card of thanks to the repellent old bat, but had the guts to refuse to put kisses on the card.

To hell with her and her vests, I thought. Easy knowing she doesnt have to wear them. Easy knowing shes way past identifying with my agonising need for roller skates.

Easy knowing she lives on a different planet inhabited by people like her that wear animal heads on fur collars around their wattly necks and doesnt remember if she ever experienced being six.

Pretty much the same reaction as played out this week in response to the cost of living allowances; to hell with them and their vests.

Friday

Encountering Rachel English in Virgin Media, where she is publicising her novel The Letter Home recalls an interview I once recorded with Maeve Binchy about the obligation to do the media circuit to publicise your book and the difficulties that can pose, including interviewers who havent read it but pretend they have and interviewers who have neither read it nor know who you are nor care much as long as you keep burbling away for your allocated four minutes.

Irish author Maeve Binch "actually never made any furniture". File picture: Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland!

Maeve said that in a Birmingham studio once, a young male presenter spoke to her before she was due to go on air.

Have you always been making your own furniture? he asked.

Maeve thought about this and decided there was a limit to playing along with the furniture-making proposition. I said no, Ive actually never made any furniture, she told him. Oh, youre the other one, he said, unperturbed. Youre the one who wrote the big book.

Saturday

Research suggests that the cause of such loss may actually be a version of the title of that Paul McCartney album about the memory being almost full.

In other words, a brain cluttered with information may be the cause of those moments when you walk into a room and ask it, aloud, why the hell you are there and what youre looking for.

The journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences carries new analysis done at the universities of Harvard, Toronto, and Columbia of neuroimaging and behavioural studies of people from 65 years of age to 80, which led the scholars involved to suggest that the brains of older adults are stuffed to the earlobes with accumulated knowledge.

The point being that when younger people go looking for a memory in their brain, its easier to find because they have less on the shelves in their mental library.

Older people not only have more on their intellectual shelves, but  as frequently demonstrated on Joe Duffys Liveline  often cant separate one bit of memory from other information to which it is linked.

Sunday

Setting the value of the story aside, some sympathy must go to the Department of Health officials in the leaked recording published by the Business Post.

How do they ever trust each other again, knowing one of their small group taped them on the sly and handed the result to a newspaper?
Who doesnt love a little bit of Scandi style?

Seeing the beauty in simplicity, with its calming and inviting clean lines to champion craftsmanship is nothing new. But this seasons fresh take is to add a pop of colour and channel a little happiness in the home, with pastels to imbibe the Denmark pastels trend.

A gentle mix of soft, soothing colours, Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy trend expert, says using pastels at home provides both a relaxing effect and a rosy optimism thats well-suited for fresh starts and recharging  what we all need a bit of right now.

Sam 3 Seater Lounger, Tranquil Dawn in Linen Look, 799, DFS (DFS/PA)

Whether you choose to fill your home with sky blues, seafoam greens, or peachy pinks, these muted tones can help create tranquillity, says Johnson.

The Scandinavian aesthetic of Denmark pastels, in particular, is turning heads in interior design right now. It soothes the senses and strikes a nice balance between minimalism and maximalism, depending on how you use it. Plus, it pairs perfectly with abstract shapes.



Easy to slot into your scheme, by introducing Denmark pastels to pale woods and natural finishes, everything looks beautifully fresh and new  the secret is to just go with the flow.

Theres no wrong way to apply this calming colour scheme, suggests Johnson. For example, you could construct a cool, calming corner with a mint-green wall hanging, or go all out and transform your whole home into a dreamy, rainbow sorbet-coloured escape.

Whichever you choose, we guarantee these happy hues will bring you some much-needed warmth and whimsy, as the cold winter months trudge along, she adds.

Soy Wax Tall Pillar Candle/Two Toned Decor Candle, 13 each, Etsy (Etsy/PA)

A collection of candles, such as two-tone twists in a solid wash of pastel hues or a beautiful bubble shape, is a good way to experiment with colour  paired with a contemporary candlestick or placed on a stoneware plate  its a nod to Nordic, but with a modern take. And its fun.

Bubble Candle  Lilac  Soy Wax by Ajouter, 20, Fy! (Iamfy/PA)

If you have the budget, a prize piece of furniture in a sorbet shade is the perfect way to break with tradition and shake up those monochrome black and white lines, to reimagine your neutral palette.

As Molly Pusey, vice president of supply, Fy! puts it: Soft and comforting, the pastel trend allows us to introduce a subtle pop of colour to neutral spaces.

From cotton candy pinks to lemon yellow, mix and match these nostalgic hues to create a soothing feel. Play with texture to add further interest, opting for luxe velvets and ceramic pieces, for the finishing touch to your romantic interior.

Dylan Small Double Fold Out Sofa Bed, Plain Ochre, 329, Marks & Spencer (Marks & Spencer/PA)

Stylish and multifunctional, M&S has just released their new LOFT collection, which includes a neat and compact Dylan fold out sofa bed, to help you introduce new editions to modern spaces, no matter how small. Its an easy way to mix and match with existing pieces, or a building block for new colourways.

Pearl Armchair, Velvet Dusty Pink, 249, Marks & Spencer (Marks & Spencer/PA)

Likewise, their stunning velvet dusty pink accent chair makes a stylish addition, with its luxurious cushioning, padded seat and gold-toned metal feet.

To kick it up a notch, style with a simple cocktail trolley, bottle of Aquavit and some crystal shot glasses, to bring a drop of Scandinavia spirit to the pastel party!

Crown Breatheasy Mellow Sage  Matt Emulsion Paint  2.5L, 28, Homebase (Crown Paints/PA)

Elsewhere, Crown Paints have a Breatheasy Matt Emulsion range which features peaceful pastels, in shades such as Mellow Sage. It works brilliantly against pale wood tones, muted textiles or a carefully mixed edit of eclectic pieces.

Not only will it add an airy feel and complement existing white walls, but sage green is trending big time, and is one of the easiest shades to live with, no matter your style  while also being inspired by nature.

George Pastel Cutlery Set 16 Piece, 13, direct.Asda.com (George Home/PA)

And when youve stashed away the roller brush and its time to tablescape, the clitter-clatter of pastel cutlery and clink of coloured glassware to toast this pretty palette will taste that much sweeter.

Aurora Wine Glasses  Set of 4, by Fifty Five South, 37, Fy! (Iamfy/PA)

To set it off perfectly, dried bouquets are enjoying a ravishing revival, and look beautiful displayed in ceramic torsos, geometric vessels or modish vase bookend sets. And even if you dont normally think pink, pale pastel grasses work like a dream against terracotta or glazed green vases.

Pastel Phalaris Bunch Dried Grass, Pale Pink Canary Grasses for Floristry, 14.99, Etsy (Etsy/PA)

Last but not least, chances are, youll want to shine a light on your delightful dalliance with Denmark pastels  and what better way than with a pastel linen lampshade? Etsy has a great range, including Tropikalas selection of linen shades, which are suitable for table lamps or ceiling lights.

Tropikala Pastel Linen Lampshades, Large & Small Lamp Shades in Stonewashed Linen Fabric, from 24, Etsy (Etsy/PA)
A woman who got stuck 18ft up a tree while trying to retrieve an escaped pet parrot has been rescued by firefighters in Wiltshire in the UK.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews used a 12-metre ladder to help her to safety on Saturday morning.
Burma Japan Still Training Myanmar Military Personnel Despite Condemning Coup

Junta soldiers on parade during the Armed Forces Day event in Naypyitaw in March 2021.

For all its initial condemnation of last years coup and the Myanmar juntas use of force against unarmed protestersas well as its vote in favor of a resolution on Myanmar at the United Nations General AssemblyJapan continues to admit Myanmar military personnel to its education and training programs.

Since the coup, the army has killed more than 1,500 civilians who opposed military rule in the country.

Currently, 10 members of the Myanmar militaryincluding two senior officers and two elite candidatesare receiving practical security training for several months to a year. Elite candidates receive basic education and training, including live ammunition drills, over a five-year period, according to The Asahi Shimbun newspaper. They were accepted after the military coup in February 2021.

The Japanese Defense Ministry said it accepts military personnel from 36 countries, including Myanmar, under its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Law.

Since 2015, Myanmar military cadets have been studying at Japans National Defense Academy, receiving both academic and military training.

In 2020, personnel from 15 countries, including Myanmar, attended the program, which is designed to help trainees understand the way the SDF works under civilian control and utilize that understanding in their own countries, it added.

The ministry said Myanmar has been included in the program because it occupies a critical position for Japan, bordering both China and India.

In December, a Defense Ministry official told Human Rights Watch that eight cadets from Myanmar were attending the academy, and at least two of them joined after the coup. The academys curriculum includes combat and firearms training.

In addition to the cadets, two Tatmadaw officers are being trained at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Training, Evaluation, Research and Development Command, and at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Command and Staff College, said HRW, citing a Defense Ministry document it obtained.

Another Defense Ministry official said the program is designed to bring about change from within the Tatmadaw by showing cadets, who are expected to become officers, how Japans armed forces operate under strict civilian control.

The Asahi Shimbun said the National Institute for Defense Studies, the SDFs Command and Staff College and others have taken in 17 senior officers of the Myanmar military, while the National Defense Academy has accepted 13 elite candidates.

The SDF law allows the ministry to collect tuition from them and to pay benefits to them. But since Myanmar is considered a developing country, its personnel have been exempted from paying the annual tuition of 552,000 yen (US$4,788).

The ministry has paid 144,000 yen to senior officials from Myanmar and 83,000 yen to elite candidates in monthly benefits. As of April 2021, a total of about 58 million yen had been earmarked as benefits to military personnel from Myanmar.

Japan has come under fire for applying a double standard to the Myanmar military.

HRW said the ministrys goal of inspiring change from within is not going to happen.

Teppei Kasai, a program officer for HRWs Asia Division, said the Myanmar military has for many years committed summary killings, rape, indiscriminate shelling, torture, arson, and other abuses with impunity in long-running conflicts with ethnic armed groups even before its atrocities against the Rohingya in 2017.

And now, six years after the program began, Myanmar is in turmoil because of the Tatmadaws coup, he said, using the militarys name in Burmese.

The Japanese government should immediately suspend the program and cut defense ties with the Tatmadaw, as New Zealand and Australia, Japans regional allies, did soon after the coup. Otherwise Japan risks being complicit in the Tatmadaws atrocities, he added.

Amid mounting criticism, Japans Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said at a Jan. 28 news conference that the ministry had yet to decide if it will accept personnel from Myanmar in the new fiscal year, which starts in April.

We will respond properly, Kishi said.

However, one official of the SDF said, The [Myanmar] militarys action is egregious, but the personal relationships [developed through the program] are valuable, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported.



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Burma Japans Kirin Brewery to Withdraw From Myanmar

A Kirin Beer promotional ad in Myanmar in 2020 / Kirin Ichiban Myanmar Facebook

Japanese drinks giant Kirin said Monday it would withdraw from Myanmar, after a failed bid to disentangle its operations from a joint venture with a junta-owned company after last years coup.

With international pressure building against the military since it ousted and detained civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and waged a widespread crackdown on dissent, the brewery becomes the latest foreign company to pull out of Myanmar.

Kirin said its decision came after months of wrangling following last Februarys coup, which prompted the company to express concerns about human rights and eventually seek to end its joint venture Myanmar Brewery Limited.

It had decided to withdraw from the business in Myanmar in order to urgently terminate its joint venture partnership with military-linked MEHPCL, the company said in a statement.

Myanmar Brewery, whose beverages include its flagship and ubiquitous Myanmar Beer brand, boasted a market share of nearly 80 percent, according to figures published by Kirin in 2018.

Kirins attempts to terminate the partnership with MEHPCL were unsuccessful, and the Japanese drinks maker said in November it would contest a bid to dissolve their joint brewery over fears liquidation proceedings would not be fair.

On Monday, Kirin said it had taken every measure to find a way forward that would allow it to continue to contribute to Myanmars economy and society.

That included filing for arbitration in Singapore in a bid to end the joint venture and proceed without the military-linked partner.

In the end, Kirin Holdings determined that it would be difficult to quickly terminate the joint venture in the manner it desires, the company added.

Therefore, Kirin Holdings has now commenced and is proceeding with discussions with MEHPCL in order to withdraw from the business in Myanmar, giving top priority to the termination of the joint venture as soon as possible.

A junta spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Firms withdrawing

With the economy tanking and pressure mounting from rights groups, companies from Frances TotalEnergies to British American Tobacco and Norways Telenor have upped sticks or announced they will leave Myanmar.

After the coup and arrest of the countrys democratically elected leaders, Kirin said it was deeply concerned by the militarys actions.

The brewery had been under pressure even before the coup over its ties to Myanmars military, and launched an investigation after pressure from rights groups over whether money from its joint venture had funded rights abuses.

In a statement, Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung welcomed Kirins decision to withdraw from the country, praising the firm for listening to the voice of Myanmar people and Myanmar, Japanese and global civil society.

Kirin should never have entered into business with a brutal and corrupt military conglomerate, she added, accusing the brewery of having financed atrocity crimes and enriched top generals.

The activist group urged other Japanese firms doing business with the military to cut ties, and called on Kirin to avoid payments to MEHPCL or the military during the withdrawal process.

Investors piled into Myanmar after the military relaxed its iron grip in 2011, paving the way for democratic reforms and economic liberalization in the country of more than 50 million people.

They poured money into telecoms, infrastructure, manufacturing and construction projects, but the coup upended the democratic interlude and damaged the economy.

The pandemic and supply chain disruptions have also hit the country, with Kirin saying in its earnings report released Monday that Myanmars beer market had shrunk by about 20 percent.

It said Myanmar Brewerys sales volumes had decreased by around 30 percent compared with the same period last year.

Japans government is a major provider of economic assistance to Myanmar, and Tokyo has long-standing relations with the countrys military.

After the coup it announced it would halt all new aid, though it stopped short of imposing individual sanctions on military and police commanders, as some other nations have.

Tokyo has repeatedly called for Daw Aung San Suu Kyis release and the restoration of democracy, and last year the countrys foreign minister said dialogue with the junta was ongoing but warned all foreign aid could be halted if rights violations continued.



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Burma Junta Soldiers Killed; Social Media Users Boycott Myanmar Coup Leaders Parade

Regime troops during a crackdown on a peaceful anti-regime protest in Pyinmana Township, Naypyitaw in February 2021. / The Irrawaddy

Around 40 Myanmar junta soldiers were reportedly killed by Peoples Defense Forces (PDF) over the weekend, as coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing presided over a grand military parade on Saturday in the capital Naypyitaw to mark Union Day.

PDFs attacked regime forces in Naypyitaw, Magwe, Sagaing, Mandalay and Yangon regions.

At least four regime troops were killed on Saturday in Naypyitaw when a combined force of resistance groups conducted three operations targeting regime forces.

On Saturday morning, three regime soldiers were killed when the combined PDFs attacked the general administration office in Pyinmana Township, Naypyitaw using M79 grenade launchers, said the Sittaung Urban Guerrilla Force (Naypyitaw), one of the groups involved in the attack.

The PDFs also attacked the Pyinmana office of the military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party. A fourth junta soldier was reported to have been killed on Saturday during an attack on the Myanmar military-owned Myawaddy Bank in Pyinmana.

A resistance group also attacked the police station in Zabuthiri Township, Naypyitaw on Friday night.

Also on Saturday, millions of Myanmar netizens organized a boycott of social media coverage of the juntas grand military review staged in Naypyitaw on Saturday, ensuring that no news or photos relating to the parade appeared on social media.

Early on Saturday, an intense clash between 300 regime troops traveling in a convoy of 16 vehicles and a combined force of five resistance groups from Magwe Region and Chin State broke out at the border of Magwe and Chin State.

20 military regime soldiers were killed and the convoy was halted for some hours due to the attack, said Yaw Defense Force, which took part in the firefight.

At 1am on Saturday, two PDFs attacked regime forces stationed at Yangyi Aung Village in the south of Kale Township, Sagaing Region.

During two hours of fighting, the militarys base camp was damaged and the regime forces suffered many casualties. The resistance fighters escaped without any casualties, said the Chinland Defense Force-KKG, one of the groups involved.

Another combined force of PDFs from Theton and Bago claimed to have killed five regime soldiers when they raided Theton in Bago Region at 5am on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, a combined force of five resistance groups based in Yinmabin Township, Sagaing Region used drones to bomb the township police station and district general administration office.

A video shows a drone dropping homemade bombs on regime targets.

The resistance groups estimated that there were some junta casualties from the attacks.

At around the same time on Saturday, two resistance groups in Yangon attacked a military vehicle heading to police battalion 9 in Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon with remote controlled-bombs. The vehicle was damaged and turned back, said From Zero to Hero, one of the PDFs involved in the ambush.

PDFs also continued to attack regime forces in townships in Sagaing and Mandalay regions on Sunday, killing at least 11 regime troops and injuring many others.

On Sunday evening, Natogyi-PDF claimed to have killed two junta soldiers when it ambushed a regime patrol in Natogyi Township, Mandalay Region.

Video shows regime troops on motorbikes being ambushed with mines and firearms.

During the ambush, regime troops abandoned four motorbikes, but retrieved the bodies of two soldiers, according to a media report quoting a fighter from Natogyi-PDF.

On Sunday morning, four regime troops were reportedly killed and another seven injured when a combined resistance group ambushed two military vehicles with mines in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region, according to local media.

Another combined force of two urban PDFs claimed to have killed four junta soldiers and injured two more on Sunday morning when it attacked regime forces stationed at a school in Pyigyitagon Township, Mandalay Region with grenades.

The same force also used grenades to attack junta soldiers deployed at a ward administration office and electricity office in Pyigyitagon, said Dragon Warrior, a resistance group which took part in the attacks.

Currently, the Myanmar military is facing intense daily attacks nationwide from PDFs and ethnic armed organizations.



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Burma KIA Chief Demands Myanmar Shadow Govt Commitment to Federal Democracy

Kachin Independence Army chief of staff General Gam Shawng Gunhtang. / The Kachin Net

The Kachin Independence Armys (KIA) chief has urged Myanmars shadow National Unity Government (NUG) to commit to implementing the 1947 Panglong Agreement and establishing a federal democracy.

The ethnically Kachin armed group has been fighting the military regime since soon after last years coup alongside the peoples defense forces that are allied to the NUG.

Addressing an online event to mark the 75th Union Day on Saturday, the KIAs chief of staff, General Gam Shawng Gunhtang, said responsibility rests with the NUG to fulfill the unrealized promises made in the Panglong Agreement.

The public holiday marks the anniversary of the 1947 Panglong Conference, which was held ahead of independence from Britain.

The signatories included General Aung San, the independence leader, and the leaders of various ethnic minorities, including a Kachin representative, who agreed to join the Union of Burma in exchange for federal autonomy.

The deal offered ethnic minorities the possibility of seceding from the union if they were dissatisfied with the new nation.

But the assassination of Gen. Aung San before independence and a military coup in 1962 crushed the promises made at Panglong.

Since last years coup, the KIA has been fighting for greater autonomy. Early this month, General NBan La, chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization, the KIAs political wing, urged all groups fighting the junta to support the NUG.

Made up of elected lawmakers from the National League for Democracy (NLD) and their ethnic allies, the NUG was formed as the legitimate government after the coup to challenge the regimes legitimacy at home and abroad. The parallel government has promised to form the federal, democratic union that ethnic armed groups have been demanding.

Gen Gam Shawng Gunhtang told the event: [The event] organized by the NUG aims to establish democracy, equality and self-determination, which are the very essence of the Panglong Agreement. The event matches the spirit of Union Day. It is important to realize not only the essence of the Panglong Agreement but also the Panglong promises made between the leaders to unify [the country] as a union.

The general said shared objectives were key for the revolutions success and that the NUG must rally revolutionary groups that share a vision.

The KIA boycotted the juntas Union Day event and its preliminary peace talks which the regime said were intended to establish a permanent settlement.

Gen Gam Shawng Gunhtang said the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conferences, initiated under the NLD government, had ended with the military coup. Ethnic minorities needed to leave the peace conferences behind and move forward, he said.

The Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability, student unions from Mon and Karen states and Tanintharyi Region, strike committees, the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society, Burmese Womens Alliance, Democratic Party for a New Society and Kachin Political Interim Coordination Team sent messages to the NUGs event.

Representatives from 24 countries, including France, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, Germany, Croatia, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the US, Ghana, Belgium, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Finland, Australia and South Korea attended the online event, according to the NUG. Three of the countries sent messages in a step towards official recognition.



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-- The countries in the Horn of Africa (HoA) urgently need to find fresh conflict resolution approaches to ensure stability and peaceful socio-economic development.

-- China stands ready to propose the "Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa" to support regional countries in addressing security, development and governance challenges.

-- China has been part of efforts to support regional countries in addressing security, development and governance challenges.

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Amid a series of old and emerging security perils, the countries in the Horn of Africa (HoA) urgently need to find fresh conflict resolution approaches to ensure stability and peaceful socio-economic development.

China stands ready to propose the "Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa" to support regional countries in addressing security, development and governance challenges, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said when visiting Kenya in early January.

Chinese and Ethiopian staff members monitor the loading of containers to be transported by the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway in Ethiopia, on Sept. 2, 2020. (Photo by Tang Yongcheng/Xinhua)

The proposal came after Wang visited Ethiopia in early December last year and Eritrea in early January, before his trip to Kenya. The three are countries in HoA region.

The proposal has received positive responses from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and other countries in the region, which believe that it meets the urgent needs of countries in the HoA, and that China's appointment of a special envoy of the Chinese Foreign Ministry for the HoA affairs indicates that the Chinese side will play a more active and constructive role there.





STABILITY PREREQUISITE FOR DEVELOPMENT

There are two main considerations in China's proposal, said Wu Peng, head of the Department of African Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The first is to respect and support the countries in the HoA to give full play to their own initiative, eliminate interference from powers outside the region, and let the HoA countries solve the current peace and security issues on their own, Wu said.

Noting that peace and stability are the prerequisite for economic and social development, he said that there can be no lasting and solid peace without development, which is also based on China's historical experience.

Therefore, the second is that China is willing to strengthen practical cooperation with countries in the HoA to promote regional economic development and lay a solid foundation for regional peace and stability, Wu added.

In their interviews with Xinhua, African experts said that security concerns and unstability pose a serious threat to the continent's development.

Eyob Belachew, an Ethiopia-based international relations and political analyst, said the region is one of "the most volatile regions in the world" at present.

"The Horn of Africa has been afflicted by inter-state and intra-states conflicts and proxy wars mostly due to geo-politics, geo-strategically and also geo-economic factors," Belachew told Xinhua recently.

"The region has witnessed other forms of conflict such as terrorism, piracy and proliferation of small and light weapons. As if these are not enough, the Horn has also been a theater of cross-border conflicts with regional ramifications," Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, told Xinhua recently.

Recurrent natural disasters such as droughts, consistent flooding and desert locust invasions, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have further complicated the region's path to peace, development and good governance.





CHINA-PROPOSED OUTLOOK

China has been part of efforts to support regional countries in addressing security, development and governance challenges.

Wang, during his latest visit to Kenya, said the HoA, albeit with a unique strategic location and great development potential, has in recent years experienced flare-ups of hot issues and eruptions of conflicts and confrontations, which run counter to the interests of the people in the region and have to be stopped.

China is willing to propose the outlook to support the region in realizing long-term stability, peace and prosperity, Wang said, adding the core of the outlook is to support countries in the region to stay out of any geopolitical competition between major countries while keeping their fate in their own hands.

Freight trains are seen at Nairobi station of Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Nov. 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

The senior Chinese official outlined three major priorities, noting that the Horn of Africa should strengthen intra-regional dialogue to overcome security challenges; should accelerate regional revitalization to overcome development challenges; and should explore effective ways to overcome governance challenges.

Belachew, noting that the regional security concerns are multifaceted amid a number of competing and important players, said possible solutions must be systematic and efficient to establish longer term regional stability.

"China's initiative can play a significant role in the peace-building process and development in the Horn of Africa. By providing the platform and also the experience since China itself implemented in its peaceful rise to modernize its nation, I believe that the Horn countries can learn a lot from the Chinese experience," the analyst said.

Experts widely commended the appointment of a Chinese Special Envoy as an important step to help realize the vision of peaceful development in the region.

"Beijing's foreign policy of non-belligerence is an asset and should serve as a galvanizing voice in search for sustainable peace and security in the region," said Adhere.





CHINA'S CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE

According to a recent report by the Africa Policy Institute, a pan-African think tank, since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was proposed in 2013, China has supported modern infrastructure projects such as railways, roads, ports, dams, industries, and digital connectivity, injecting vitality into Kenya's growth.

"In less than a decade, Kenya has a brand new 670-kilometer modern Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) connecting the port of Mombasa and the inland (dry) port of Naivasha," said the report titled "Shared Prosperity: Tracking the Belt and Road Initiative in Kenya, 2018-2021."

The report indicated that as a result of the BRI, Kenya has many new industries which employ thousands of people and boost the economy.

There are on average six passenger trains and 17 freight trains operating along the Chinese-built Mombasa-Nairobi SGR on a daily basis, which have reduced travel times while guaranteeing the safety of commuters and bulk cargo.

Chinese and Kenyan drivers prepare to launch the train at Nairobi station of Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Nov. 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

George Agutu, a middle-aged civil servant who works in Mombasa said the modern train service has guaranteed him seamless travel to Nairobi every weekend for a reunion with his family.

"I now conveniently take the SGR night train to Nairobi on Friday night to be with my family and back to work on Sunday," Agutu said.

Eliud Muraya, a Nairobi-based entrepreneur, said the SGR freight service can deliver his imported merchandise in less than a week at affordable prices and with enhanced safety while it used to take 30 days by ferry cargo from the port of Mombasa to his premises with clearance hurdles.

Erastus Mwencha, former deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission, noted the SGR has eased congestion at the port of Mombasa to the benefit of local and foreign investors. He said a large number of trucks have been removed from Kenyan highways, which also brings ecological benefits to the country.

The Chinese-built 752.7-km-long Ethiopia-Djibouti standard gauge railway, which connects landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti port, recorded about 86.13 million U.S. dollars in revenue in 2021, up 37.5 percent compared to 2020. The line has been used by 449 passenger trains and 1,469 freight trains over the year.

The railway has also improved the efficiency of operation, with the time to process a freight train at the Port of Doraleh in Djibouti reduced from three days to one-and-a-half days, while the loading and unloading time at the dry port of Modjo has been reduced from 12 to seven hours.

Besides, China has been helping deal with natural disasters in the region and has enabled locals to quickly and effectively respond disasters.

When Ethiopia suffered from the worst desert locust invasion in about 25 years for much of 2019 and 2020, the Chinese government had donated batches of what the Ethiopian government described as "timely and much-needed" anti-locust materials.

China also donated relief food consisting of 945 tons of rice to Kenyans when Kenya declared a drought-induced national disaster in September last year after 23 arid and semi-arid counties were affected by drought, leaving about 2.5 million people in need of humanitarian support.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, China has made numerous donations of anti-pandemic medical supplies and vaccines.

China-donated Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Feb. 10, 2021. (Photo by Li Boyuan/Xinhua)

The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), which started implementing various life-changing programs in Ethiopia in 2015 targeting vulnerable people including refugee children, also showed China's growing engagement in fighting poverty within the region.

By the end of 2020, the CFPA had benefited some 130,000 people in Ethiopia, with the number of beneficiaries still growing. (Video reporters: Liu Chang, Yang Yi; video editors: Zhao Yuchao, Zhu Jianhui, Zhou Saang)
Burma Myanmar Juntas Prisoner Amnesty: No Political Dissidents Released

Prisoners released from Yangon's Insein Prison on February 12. / Nay Myo

The Myanmar juntas Union Day prisoner amnesty has seen only convicted criminals released from jail rather than political dissidents.

The regime released 814 criminals on Saturday on the condition that if they are convicted of another offense in the future, they will have to serve the remainder of their previous sentence in addition to any new one. Seven Sri Lanka nationals were also released and deported under the amnesty.

It is sad that prisoners of conscience were not released. The regime still holds them because it dare not release them, said one former political prisoner from Mandalay.

Up to February 11 this year, 9,087 people have been detained for anti-regime activities since last years coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). 703 of those have been convicted and imprisoned, with 45 of them, including two teenagers, given the death sentence.

The AAPP said the actual number of people detained or arbitrarily killed by the regime could be higher.

A lawyer acting for anti-coup activists detained in Yangons Insein Prison said that the regime wants to give the international community the false impression that it has released dissidents. But at the same time, it [the amnesty] sends an explicit message to the opposition forces inside the country that the junta wont release political prisoners, he added.

On Saturday, 96 prisoners from Insein Prison, 40 prisoners including a Chinese national from Mandalays Obo Prison, 13 from Bagos Pyay Prison, 70 from prisons and labor camps in Mon State and 21 from Rakhine State were released.

Ousted Karen State chief minister Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint had her jail sentence commuted by half by the junta. The 67-year-old was detained after the coup and sentenced to 80 years in prison in December for corruption, sedition and violation of the military-drafted 2008 constitution.

The regime also closed the cases of 46 individuals detained for having alleged ties to the Rakhine ethnic armed organization the Arakan Army, which was once labelled a terrorist group by the Myanmar military.

Among those released were 23 villagers from Lekka Village in Rakhine States Mrauk-U who had been detained since April 2019 under the Counter-Terrorism Law. Twenty-seven people from Lekka Village were originally detained, with three of them dying during interrogations. It is unclear if the remaining detainee from Lekka is still being held.

The military regime has detained elected lawmakers since the coup, including State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint. Over 1,500 people have been killed by the junta since the militarys takeover.

The regime spent at least 9 billion kyats (around US$5 million) on a grand military review in the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw on Saturday to mark the 75th anniversary of Union Day, according to sources in the capital. The All Burma Federation of Student Unions staged a protest against the event on Saturday in Yangon, calling on the people to root out the sham Union system.

The civilian National Unity Government (NUG) also held a virtual event to mark Union Day and the signing of the Panglong Agreement on February 12, 1947 between the then Aung San-led Burmese government and some of the countrys ethnic minorities.

Kachin Independence Army chief of staff General Gam Shawng Gunhtang delivered an address to the NUGs virtual event, urging the NUG to take a leadership role in realizing the commitments made in the Panglong Agreement and calling on ethnic minority groups to cooperate.



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Burma Myanmar Low-Level EAO Representatives Attend Junta Union Day Event

A Union Day celebration attendant greets junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.

Representatives from 11 ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) attended Myanmars junta-organized event to mark the 75th anniversary of Union Day on Saturday in Naypyitaw, according to the regime.

Seven signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and four non-signatories commemorated the signing of the Panglong Agreement between the pre-independence government and ethnic minorities in 1947. Only a few, smaller EAOs were represented by their leaders and most of the groups only sent representatives.

There are 10 NCA signatories and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and New Mon State Party were represented by central executive committee (CEC) members. The Arakan Liberation Party was represented by its vice-chairwoman Saw Mra Yazar Lin and Padoh Saw Shwe Maung, former Dupalaya district chairman Karen National Union (KNU), attended.

Representatives of the Lahu Democratic Union, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army  Peace Council attended the event.

Among the non-signatories present were the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), which sent liaison officers, the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) which was represented by a CEC member and the Arakan Army (AA) was represented by Aung Mrat Kyaw, a brother of its chief Twan Mrat Naing, and veteran politician U Oo Hla Saw.

The groups were criticized amid large-scale public boycotts of the junta event.

Non-NCA signatories like the Kachin Independence Army, Chin National Front, Karenni National Progressive Party, Karen National Union, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Taang National Liberation Army are actively fighting the regime and did not attend.

AA spokesman Khaing Thukha said a representative was sent because it was in the peoples interest.

We always attach great importance to the interests of our people. We, therefore, take a pragmatic approach to the needs of our people, said Khaing Thukha.

It was seen as significant that ethnic Shan rivals, the RCSS and SSPP, both sent CEC members, despite fighting each other bitterly and refusing to hold peace talks.

The SSPP and RCSS were both unavailable for comment to The Irrawaddy.

Nyi Rang, who represented the UWSA, told The Irrawaddy that the ethnic group had traditionally attended the Union Day events.

We always attend the Union Day events if we are invited. But we only attended the event and our presence did not mean we support any side, said Nyi Rang.

Before the event, a KNU spokesman said the countrys oldest EAO had nothing to discuss with the regime after it had violated the NCA. Observers were surprised that the KNUs former chairman of Dupalaya District was at the event.

Padoh Saw Shwe Maung retired as the KNUs Dupalaya District chairman in January.

KNU external affairs chief Padoh Saw Taw Nee said: We said the KNU would not attend it. The person who attended the event holds no position within the KNU. The people need to know the KNU did not attend the event.

U Naing Htoo Aung, secretary of the parallel civilian National Unity Government, told The Irrawaddy: People do not accept the military regime and the international community is well aware of its violence. No individual or organization supports any event organized by the notorious regime. Any group that has ties with the regime may see its popularity decline.

Political analyst Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, who is based in the Chinese province of Yunnan, said the EAOs were driven by their own interests or concerns.

Some EAOs were forced to attend the event. For example, the Wa [UWSA] and Mongla [NDAA] share a border with China and Beijing apparently wanted them to attend the event. So they had no choice.

Earlier this month, the UWSA attended Chinese-brokered talks with the regime in Kunming, China.

The representatives, except for those from the UWSA and NDAA, met Lieutenant General Yar Pyae, who heads the juntas National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee, in Naypyitaw on Sunday.

Lt-Gen Yar Pyae explained the peace process planned by the regime and the representatives were asked to explain their groups positions. The juntas peace committee also held talks with each delegation.

Padoh Saw Taw Nee said those attending the meeting were not decision-makers but low-level representatives sent to preserve ties.

The regime has spent billions holding the event but when it sent an invitation, it invited someone [Padoh Saw Shwe Maung] who has no position in the organization, he said.

This shows that the regime lack rationality and is at its wits end because it is overwhelmed by the problem it faces, he added.



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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar Military Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in 2019 / Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.com.mm

It seems India will continue to engage with both the junta and pro-democracy forces in Myanmar, signaling it will not abandon its neighbor, which is going through a tumultuous phase. It was more than a year ago when the Southeast Asian countrys military generals ousted a democratically elected government, triggering countrywide protests and civil disobedience.

Since then, junta forces have launched a brutal campaign to suppress pro-democracy voices, killing more than 1,500 people and arresting over 9,000, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), a human rights organization.

India has opposed imposing additional sanctions on Myanmar, even as New Delhi is pushing for what is seen as a twin-track approach to help find a solution to the crisis.

Deep down, New Delhi is aware that sanctions, a typical American practice, could turn Myanmar into another pariah state such as North Korea and Iran. A sanction-hit Myanmar could become a puppet in the hands of Beijing, which has already made deep inroads into the Southeast Asian nation.

QUAD meeting

QUAD foreign ministers, who met in Melbourne on Feb. 12, said they were gravely concerned and jointly called for a swift return to democracy in Myanmar, calling on the military junta to put an end to the ongoing violence there.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is a strategic bloc comprising the US, Japan, Australia and India, primarily aimed at countering Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, as well as dealing with matters pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, cyber-security and other issues.

We remain gravely concerned about the crisis in Myanmar and call for an end to violence, the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including foreigners, and unhindered humanitarian access. We reaffirm our support for ASEAN efforts to seek a solution in Myanmar and call on the military regime to urgently implement ASEANs Five-Point Consensus and swiftly return Myanmar to the path of democracy. We encourage the international community to work together to support an end to the violence, read the joint statement by QUAD foreign ministers.

India makes its position clear

On the first anniversary of the military coup, Western countries such the US, the UK and Canada sanctioned senior officials of the junta regime, including Attorney General Thida Oo and Supreme Court Chief Justice Tun Tun Oo. This was in addition to the curbs already imposed on Myanmars military generals and business entities linked to the regime.

However, India has opposed such punitive measures. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said New Delhi has some specific concerns vis-a-vis Myanmar but stressed that it does not follow a national policy of sanctions.

But we are concerned as an immediate land-border neighbor. We have some very specific concerns on Myanmar, which guide our thinking. Concerns about insurgents operating there who some months ago killed a very senior military officer and his family, concerns about COVID and about the lack of vaccination on our common border, concerns about a humanitarian situation which is arising from food shortages, Jaishankar said addressing a QUAD joint press conference in Melbourne.

India shares a porous 1,643-km-long border with Myanmar. Cross-border insurgencies have remained a major security threat to Indias northeast region for several decades. The rugged terrain makes it easy for the rebels to slip back and forth between their camps and ambush sites on the Indian side.

In November, an Assam Rifles colonel, his wife, their 8-year-old son and four soldiers were killed by separatists rebels in Manipurs Churachandpur district. Two groups, including the proscribed Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), claimed responsibility for the ambush.

The Manipuri PLA, which runs camps inside Myanmar, has been in the news for its alleged collaboration with the Tatmadaw (the Myanmar military) to fight Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs), something Indias security establishment must have taken note of.

Twin-track approach

Securing its border is of utmost priority for India and New Delhi stressed this during Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhans visit to Myanmar in December. Both sides reiterated their commitment to ensure that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the other, Indias foreign ministry said.

It is clear that India needs cooperation from the Tatmadaw to flush out northeastern separatist rebels from the neighboring country. Therefore, it would like to avoid a high-handed approach to the junta regime, unlike the US, its QUAD partner.

At the same time, India wants to reach out to pro-democracy forces, including representatives of the parallel National Unity Government formed to challenge the military regimes legitimacy.

According to Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, a foreign policy analyst, Indias recent comments on Myanmar indicate the QUADs strengths, as well as its weaknesses.

The promotion of democracy is a mutual priority, yet members remain diverged with their strategic priorities and calculations. India continues to prioritize maintaining its strategic autonomy and disagrees with the US urge for national sanctions on Myanmar.

As the only QUAD country that shares borders with Myanmar and China, India would need to cooperate with the junta to restrict Chinas increasing influence, said Shivamurthy, a research assistant at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank.

The junta would also be essential to cooperate and crackdown against the northeast militants seeking shelter in that country. A lack of cooperation would only return to haunt New Delhis security calculations in the region that is evolving as the hub for Indias Neighborhood First and Act East policies. Further economic sanctions would also weaken Myanmars failing economy and could exacerbate the prevalent refugee crisis, many of whom even remain unvaccinated, he added.

Needless to say, a stable Myanmar is in Indias interest. Being the largest democracy in the world, India would feel uncomfortable doing business with a military regime in the long term. But in the short term, it seems to be treading cautiously by avoiding a West-centric sanctions approach that could antagonize the junta, something China might take advantage of.

Despite the complexity due to Chinas deep influence with Myanmar, Delhi in the near-term future believes that engaging with leaders of the military junta is its only tactical option for safeguarding its strategic interest, noted Sukanya Bali, a doctoral scholar at the Jindal School of International Affairs.

To occupy a moral high ground, India may continue to call for democratic transition in Myanmar, on international forums. But they are unlikely to follow up with punitive measures [like sanctions], she added.

Jayanta Kalita is a senior journalist and author based in New Delhi. He writes on issues relating to Indias northeast and its immediate neighborhood. The views expressed are his own.



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ActiveCampaign was one of the first in the industry to update its Data Processing Addendum to include the New Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission, which give customers the ability to comply with the GDPR when they transfer EU personal data outside the European Economic Area.

Single sign-on (SSO) allows customers to automatically log into ActiveCampaign through an identity provider without needing a separate set of credentials. One of the most common cyber attacks on companies of all sizes are phishing attacks, which attempt to make individuals reveal personal information such as usernames and passwords. SSO means better enterprise security for businesses by reducing the potential to become compromised. Coupled with MFA, ActiveCampaign customers have been provided with multiple security options to make the login process highly secure.

In an effort to continually support customers and ensure the best possible service, ActiveCampaign built an A2P 10DLC Registration process within its platform to ensure each customer is properly registered and enabled to engage via its native SMS solution.

ActiveCampaign vice president of global security Sue Bergamo was recently named the 2022 Cybersecurity Professional of the Year. Sue and her team ensure ActiveCampaign customers are offered the best in modern security and compliance.

Committing to an even higher level of customer satisfaction with the companys Service pillar.

A new centralised services page highlights how ActiveCampaign offers more free services than any competitor, including free online training and support, free accelerated and digital onboarding, unlimited community access, and more. It also includes dedicated information on its free migrations service, creating a one-stop resource to review all the ways ActiveCampaign goes above and beyond to provide more value than any other platform  right from day one.

As the leader in the 16 G2 quadrants the company is a part of, ActiveCampaign continues to offer the No. 1 industry-leading product for the best value, by asking for continuous feedback and iterating to provide the best Value pillar possible.

The company launched custom objects, a feature that gives all users a complete view of every customer by unifying data from the apps they use the most such as Salesforce, Zendesk and Calendly. This provides all users with a feature commonly reserved for enterprise level accounts, meaning that businesses of all sizes are able to gain the most value from their integrations.

Our Customer Success Commitment was designed from start to finish with customer needs top of mind, ensuring that their direct feedback is incorporated into our platform, said ActiveCampaign founder and CEO Jason VandeBoom. Its exciting to see the positive feedback from our customers via G2s platform since I personally read every review and am grateful for every iteration that comes from the great community of growing businesses we support.

ActiveCampaign is a leader in many G2 categories for a reason. Whether businesses need help with lead scoring, personalising their e-commerce site, or building effective email templates and content, ActiveCampaigns technology ranks among our top global sellers, said G2 senior market research analyst Victoria Blackwell. The company has proven success in democratising access to the tools only enterprise business once had, making it one of our highest satisfaction products.

We launched ActiveCampaign for several clients a few years back and started realizing the power behind it. Automations and targeted segmentations are easy to achieve, said Marketing and CRM Consulting founder Sum-Sum Chan. I especially love the option to route all chats directly into an automation series with no additional set up needed. We integrated the platform with Salesforce seamlessly and are able to push the data back and forth to ensure membership information stays up-to-date. It's a fantastic platform for solo marketers and larger teams alike.
NortonLifelock has released a new poll not only showing "around 1 in 10 Australian online daters surveyed ran background checks on prospective online dates," with a range of online methods used to do so, while Aussies are also alarmed about the loss of privacy in today's world - and more.

NortonLifeLock has published the 2022 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Online Creeping, and it is valid not just for Valentine's Day, but every day of the year.

Amongst key findings, we're told two out of five Australians surveyed who have used a dating website or app (40%), have unmatched with a prospective date due to information they accessed about them  such vetting or creeping highlights how personal information online can go beyond the originally intended audience.

As is usually the case with online surveys, this one was conducted in partnership with a polling company, in this instance, The Harris Poll, which surveyed 1,002 Australian adults aged over 18.

As you'd expect, the online study uncovers key findings around Australians online creeping behaviours.

These include:

Nearly two thirds of Australians whove used a dating website or app (62%) admit to looking up a prospective date by undertaking an online search to seek information on their match.





Over a third surveyed looked up their match using social media (38%), and one in five searched professional networking sites (21%).





More than one in ten (15%) surveyed admit to searching for the friends or family members of their match on social media





While a further 8% admit to running a paid background check on their match.

The affable and cyber secure Mark Gorrie, Senior Director APAC NortonLifeLock said: "Australians are using dating apps and websites to make connections, however its clear they are inadvertently sharing too much of their personal information publicly online.

This personal data could potentially become compromised and be used by cybercriminals. I would urge anyone delving into online dating to consider all the information you share - both within your dating profile and more generally online - and take the necessary steps to keep your information safe, Gorrie continued.

So, what are more other findings of note?

Of those surveyed, a quarter (25%) admit they have used technology to check on their current or ex-partner online without their knowledge or consent. This figure increases to 41% for young Australians aged 18-39, compared to only 14% of Australians aged 40 or older.





Amongst respondents who have ever had a romantic partner, the most common creeping behaviours include checking a current or ex-partner's phone to view text messages, phone calls, direct messages, emails or photos (10%) and reviewing a devices search history (9%).





Some of those surveyed even admit to: using their partner or ex-partner's password to log into their device or online accounts (7%); tracking their location via a location sharing app (5%); and creating a fake profile to check on them on social media (4%).





Generational divides show close to one in three (30%) Australians surveyed, aged 18-39, saying they dont care if they are stalked online by a current or ex-partner as long as they are not being stalked in person, compared to one in five (20%) of those aged 40 or over.





Further, one in five (21%) Australians aged 18  39 agree that stalking a current or ex-partner online is harmless, compared to 13% of those aged 40 or older.





Of those surveyed who have ever had a romantic partner, 3% admit to uploading stalkerware or creepware on their partner or ex-partner's devices, which could provide them with details on their location, interactions (calls and SMS) and photos.





Of those who have stalked an ex or current partner, almost a third surveyed (29%) did so in the belief that their partner was up to no good.

Gorrie added: This study tells us that two-thirds of Australians surveyed claim they actively take steps to hide their online footprint, to protect their online activities and personal information (66%), yet with a quarter of those surveyed using technology to check on their current or ex-partner online without their knowledge or consent, it highlights the importance of comprehensive device security, especially for your smartphone."

Other key findings from the 2022 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report include:

Majority of Australians are alarmed about loss of privacy.





70% of Australians surveyed say they are more alarmed than ever about their privacy, with more than four in five (86%) wanting to do more to protect it.





Despite the significant concern about their online privacy, more than half (58%) of Australians who took part in the study believe its impossible to truly protect their personal data online  explaining perhaps why 70% of Australians surveyed say they accept taking certain risks online for greater convenience.





Almost half of Australians surveyed have experienced cybercrime





The continued shift from in-person to virtual has provided fertile ground for cybercriminals. Within Australia, nearly half of adults surveyed (46%) have been a victim of a cybercrime, while a quarter (26%) of those surveyed report experiencing a cybercrime in the past 12 months alone. The most common cybercrime experienced was detecting unauthorised access to an online account (28%). Around one in five (19%) detected malicious software on a device.





Around a third of Australians surveyed experienced a phishing scam (30%), and nearly one in five experienced a social media hack or email hack (18% for both).





More than half of Australians would not know what to do if their identity was stolen. The majority of Australians surveyed (59%), whether they have personally experienced identity theft or not, say they are very worried their identity will be stolen.





A third of respondents (35%) are resigned to the fact that they expect their identity to be stolen at some point, yet nearly 3 in 5 (59%) would have no idea what to do if it were stolen.

Gorrie noted: There is an opportunity for Australians to learn more about the steps they can take to protect the personal data on their devices. It is critical we continue to think holistically about our online presence beyond just social media profiles, and what information we share or allow people access.

So, what are some of Mark Gorrie's tips for those concerned that stalkerware or creepware may have been installed on their device, and how you can find it, remove it and protect yourself?

Often, to install stalkerware of creepware, access to your device is needed. To protect yourself best, ensure you have 2FA (2-Factor Authentication) or biometric login enabled - so more than just a password is needed.





In some cases, creepware can be installed remotely on your device through a link. Beware of files or programmes from third party sources. Illegal downloads or freeware from untrusted sources can sometimes be used by hackers to infect your devices with malware.





To ensure you dont have creepware or stalkware installed on your device, it is important to fully inspect all apps on your devices and check nothing new has been added.





Monitor your devices battery use, a change could be a sign that an unexpected app is draining the battery.





Review the permissions for each app - such as location, contact lists, access to calls, texts, camera, microphone and image gallery. If there isnt a clear need for the app, simply delete it.





Only download apps from trusted and verified sources, such as the Apple App store, Google Play or Windows store, as they will have undergone approval. You can add an extra level of security by installing security software to scan apps for any suspicious activity. Norton 360 includes mobile app scanning, which monitors every app download.

Following these steps will help to reduce the risk to your privacy and data from unknown or anonymous actors.
The University of Newcastle has engaged DXC Technology to provide managed services for Oracles PeopleSoft Campus Solutions application and infrastructure.

The engagement will provide 24/7 critical coverage, Amazon Web Services (AWS) technology management, database, middleware support, and delivery service. DXCs services will help the University to focus on its business operations.

DXC is delighted to collaborate with the University of Newcastle to provide full support of their core PeopleSoft Campus Solutions system, says DXC practice for Oracle practice director Richard James.

In order to achieve their goal of delivering high-quality education, it is imperative for universities to have trusted partners that can manage the smooth running of their back-end applications while they focus on business-critical operations, achieving greater efficiencies for students and staff, James says.

Competition has promoted higher education provider to deliver student experiences and to think strategically about future directions while planning their budgets. For its part, the University of Newcastle needs to support its business users, reduce the operational risk of license compliance and general operations, and drive an innovation agenda to stay competitive.

The University of Newcastle is committed to ensuring a high continuity of service in a cost-effective manner, stresses University of New Castle associate director - solutions Ben Patey. Our partnership with DXC ensures that our applications are always up to date with the latest patching releases and all the University enhancements required are deployed, maximising our investment in the software.
People wearing face masks walk on the sidewalk of Thamrin street in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Dec. 28, 2021. (Xinhua/Veri Sanovri)

Hospitals in Indonesia are preparing to deal with cases of the more contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has overwhelmed medical facilities in more than 150 countries and regions.

by Hayati Nupus

JAKARTA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Hospitals in Indonesia are preparing to deal with cases of the more contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has overwhelmed medical facilities in more than 150 countries and regions, Chairperson of the Indonesian Hospital Association Bambang Wibowo said.

Wibowo believes that the Southeast Asian country is able to face the third wave of virus attack as long as the number of patients who must be treated does not exceed the capacity of hospital beds and medical workers.

"We have learned a lot from the first and second waves of the transmission," Wibowo told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Several preventative measures have been taken, including providing tens of thousands of oxygen concentrators and other medical equipment.

There are 83,609 beds in 1,011 hospitals for coronavirus patients, a number that could be more if the spike in cases continues.

A medical worker sprays disinfectant at a traditional market in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)

The Health Ministry predicted a peak of around 60,000 daily new cases in mid-February, but fewer patients would be hospitalized.

"We changed the strategy. Patients with mild to moderate symptoms will undergo isolation at their homes," Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said recently.

The government has partnered with 17 telemedicine platforms, and those with self-isolation at home could consult with doctors and get medicines and vitamins by ordering online.

Medical workers in hospitals will only serve high-risk coronavirus patients who require special cares.

The number of quarantine facilities in areas near the national border is also on the rise. The facilities include those in Batam (Riau Islands) bordering Singapore, and Entikong on the island of Borneo bordering Malaysia, as well as around Juanda Airport in East Java province where many Indonesian migrant workers return to the country.

A health worker inoculates a man with a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

A total of 400,000 Molnupiravir antiviral tablets were imported from India and have arrived in Indonesia, while a private domestic company will produce the drugs starting April.

"We don't have to panic. We are well prepared, and experience shows that even if the case rises quickly, the Omicron wave will fall quickly as well," Sadikin said.

The Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has repeatedly warned that people should not take vacations by going abroad.

Of the 572 cases of the Omicron variant recorded in the archipelagic country, 80 percent were imported cases, mainly from Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Although the transmission of the Omicron variant has milder symptoms than Delta, if there are too many people infected, it will be dangerous too, Pandjaitan said. 
This Week in Review

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BEIRUT, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati launched on Friday a master plan for the reconstruction of the Beirut port which was devastated by two explosions in August of 2020.

The rebuilding of the Beirut port remains a national and economic priority for Lebanon, especially since the port is the most vital artery in the Mediterranean, Mikati said during a ceremony attended by World Bank representatives in the capital Beirut, according to a statement by the Council of Ministers.

Mikati said the government is preparing a new law for the development of the ports, including the Beirut port, in a bid to attract companies hoping to invest in them.

The new legal framework, which is under preparation in cooperation with the World Bank, aims at activating investment in all public facilities, said Ali Hamieh, the Lebanese minister of Public Works and Transportation.

World Bank Regional Director Saroj Kumar Jha said the new law sets the rules of governance for the reconstruction of the Beirut port.

The Beirut port was rocked by two huge explosions on Aug. 4, 2020, causing heavy damage to its facilities and killing more than 200 people. 
Johnson City, TN (37604)

Today

Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. High 83F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a public charity. It can be found at missouriindependent.com.
TOKYO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday met to discuss Japan's controversial plans to release radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, despite a host of local and international opposition.

The discussions were held between representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Foreign Ministry, the stricken plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc (TEPCO) and the IAEA task force headed by Gustavo Caruso, director and coordinator at the IAEA's Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.

The task force is due to stay in Japan through Friday and on Tuesday is slated to conduct safety reviews at the plant that had its key cooling functions knocked out by a massive earthquake-triggered tsunami in 2011, causing multiple core meltdowns in what continues to be the worst nuclear catastrophe since the Chernobyl nuclear crisis in 1986.

Caruso, in the meeting said that the task force will conduct its survey in an "objective, credible and science-based manner and help send a message of transparency and confidence to the people in Japan and beyond."

Keiichi Yumoto, director general for nuclear accident disaster response at the industry ministry, added, "We would like to ask for a strict and transparent evaluation."

"It is crucial to receive the evaluation from the objective international body, as there is safety concern among the public over the planned discharge of treated water," Yumoto said.

The IAEA has said that the results of its survey will be made into a report by the end of the year, with a ministry official stating that the results will also be shown in the discharge plan's deliberation, which will be submitted by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority NRA from TEPCO.

Much to the chagrin of the international community, Japan unilaterally decided in April last year that it plans to release radioactive water that has accumulated at the crisis-hit plant into the Pacific Ocean. The toxic water, stored in tanks at the plant in Japan's northeast, is expected to soon reach capacity.

The tainted water the Japanese government plans to release into the Pacific Ocean contains radioactive tritium as a result of being used to cool down melted nuclear fuel at the plant in Fukushima Prefecture.

The government's plan is to release the radioactive water through a tunnel under the seabed into the Pacific Ocean roughly 1 km away from the stricken plant. The controversial plan is proposed to begin in the spring of 2023, much to the consternation of local fisheries and the international community.

Japan's fisheries industry has voiced its ardent opposition to the plan, as it will almost certainly further damage the industry's reputation.

Moreover, some of Japan's closest neighbors have voiced strong concerns over the plan as have a number of worried countries from further afield.

Japan's government had been considering a number of feasible alternative plans other than its unilateral proposal to just dump radioactive water into the Pacific.

These options included injecting the toxic water deep into the ground, releasing it into the atmosphere after vaporizing it, or making it into a solid state and burying it underground. 
Reporter

Susan covers the towns of Somers and Enfield. She joined the JI in May 2021 and graduated from Skidmore College. She recently completed docent training for the Wadsworth Atheneum and hopes to start giving tours some time next year.
Opinion Columnist

Chris Powell has worked for the Journal Inquirer since 1967, first as a reporter, then as an editor, and now as a columnist. He was managing editor from 1974 until retiring from that position in 2018.
BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation Saturday over the situation in Ukraine. However, the direct engagement between the two sides appears to have yielded little substantial progress.

In recent days, the United States has hyped up tensions between Russia and Ukraine and stoked fears of a Russian "invasion."

"As we've said before, we are in the window when an invasion could begin at any time should Vladimir Putin decide to order it," U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Friday, while refusing to "comment on the details of our intelligence information."

Moscow has denied the accusation, saying that Russia has the right to mobilize troops within its borders to defend its territory as NATO's activities constitute a threat to Russia's border security.

Despite Russia's key security concerns, the White House has repeatedly warned Putin's government of severe economic sanctions if it were to invade Ukraine and has claimed that the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy in full coordination with U.S. allies and partners while remaining equally prepared for other scenarios.

The U.S. State Department on Saturday ordered most of its staff at the embassy in Ukraine to evacuate, suspending regular consular services.

In an updated travel advisory posted on the embassy website, the State Department said it "ordered the departure of most U.S. direct hire employees from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action."

Also citing "increased threats of Russian military action," the U.S. State Department on Thursday urged Americans currently in Ukraine to immediately leave the country.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Defense Department announced it would deploy additional troops to Europe.

The deployment includes 1,000 troops currently based in Germany to be repositioned to Romania and another 2,000 troops sent from the United States to Germany and Poland, John Kirby, the Defense Department's spokesman, said during a press conference at the Pentagon.

As the United States spares no effort to ratchet up tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border, intensive diplomatic efforts by European countries are underway, exposing the split between Washington and its European allies.

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron held an hours-long discussion with Putin over the Ukraine crisis.

After their talks, Macron said that his Russian counterpart assured "his desire to maintain the stability and territorial integrity of Ukraine."

Following his visit to Russia, the French president visited Ukraine. After his talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev, Macron told a joint press conference that France would continue working with Germany to mediate the crisis.

On Tuesday, Macron met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. At a joint press conference, the French president reaffirmed that pursuing dialogue with Russia is "the only path that will make peace possible in Ukraine."

Scholz emphasized "the maintenance of peace must intervene through diplomacy." The chancellor is scheduled to visit Kiev and Moscow this week.

Analysts said that the current U.S. administration has reasons to keep fueling the already-strained Russia-Ukraine tensions. One reason is to divert attention away from pressing matters at home; the other is to revive its influence over Europe by uniting its European allies against Russia. But for Europe, the impact of a military conflict is unfathomable.

"The (Biden administration's) goal has been to offer Putin a path out of the crisis, while promising him more of what he hates -- NATO forces near his borders, strategic pressure exerted by Russia's enemies -- if he declines to take it," Hal Brands, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, wrote in an opinion piece carried by Bloomberg on Friday.

If a war breaks out, "we could see a high-intensity, extremely bloody war of the sort most Europeans thought had been consigned to a distant past. It could cause massive refugee flows and spiking military tensions that would further destabilize the continent," read the article.

In a recent article published by Politico, Alexander Dynkin, assistant to former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, and Thomas Graham, senior director for Russia on the National Security Council staff during the George W. Bush administration, expressed their opinions on the Russia-Ukraine situation.

"The United States will be reluctant to revise a European order that has served its interests extraordinarily well for the past three decades. Absent significant adjustments, however, intermittent crises such as the current standoff are inevitable," they pointed out.

"A lasting peace requires that Russia's interests be accommodated so that it has a stake in that order," the two former senior policymakers said. 
Its the largest reparation award by an international court for gross violations of human rights and for violations of international humanitarian law, says Luke Moffett of Queens University in Belfast, Ireland. On 9 February Uganda has been ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the U.N. top court, to pay 325 million dollars in reparations to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for its occupation and plundering of Ituri province at the end of the 1990s. But the sum falls far short of the 11 billion dollars DRC had asked for, and this was really, really peanuts as far as victims are concerned, says Pascal Kambale of the Open Society Foundations, an NGO. We can think that 325 millions sounds huge to you, right? But if we think about it in the context of DRC and the scale of violations, its a drop in the bucket. Its nothing, agrees Carla Ferstman of Essex University, in the UK. Uganda, concludes Moffett, got off quite lightly considering how much damage they caused.

The war in DRC involved multiple states and has been likened to the second world war in the vastness of its casualties and human rights abuses. Back in 2005 the ICJ ruled that Uganda had violated international law in occupying Ituri, in Eastern DRC, with offences committed by its own troops and other armed groups it supported. That ruling was the primary aim in approaching the ICJ in 1999, says Kambale: This was not a court where DRC went to seek the damage for victims. It was a court where it went primarily to seek a declaration that what Uganda did was unlawful. And I think we got that.

The International Criminal Court (ICC)  a court that deals with individual responsibility  has since dealt a few cases of war crimes and recruitment of child soldiers stemming from the conflict, but the 2005 ICJ ruling was a missing piece of the puzzle, says Ferstman because it laid out the states responsibility. Last weeks reparations order is a consequence of that judgment, and while she acknowledges that its size means were pulling at straws to see some positive elements here, she nevertheless says that one needs to look at least at the small win.

Lacking a process to find evidence

To understand why the court ruled such a low amount we need to delve a little back into the cases history. In 1999, when this request was first prepared, it was prepared by a team of human rights activists, human rights lawyers, none of whom had previous experience or international law exposure, reminds Kambale. And that period in 1999 was the apex of the occupation, so they did not have any means to go to Ituri and do proper investigation.

Mass human rights violations cases are always difficult for courts to deal with, says Moffett, because courts have evidential thresholds. Whereas more administrative bodies like commissions and arbitration bodies can work to self-imposed standards and come to more accurate assessments, through a process that includes victims coming forward and the states having to produce the evidence, in this case the court itself appointed experts and sifted through those reports to try to find information. But that evidence was perceived as weak, says Ferstman. According to Moffett, the weakness derived from their source material: they were drawn from data from secondary sources and it wasnt corroborated by independent experts or witnesses on the ground. The judges referenced the 2009 UN report mapping report which documented many of the most serious crimes committed by the Ugandan (UPDF) forces. They didnt appoint any reparation experts, there are no witness interviews, Moffett points out.

In addition, the ICJ rarely goes into issues of reparation. It does so very, very infrequently, explains Ferstman, because basically the practise of the ICJ is to make a finding on responsibility and then to leave it to the parties to sort things out. It has taken 17 years between the decision on responsibility and the ruling on reparations. The court was put in the very uncomfortable position of having to force the parties towards this decision.

Whats acceptable is what one can afford

The court dismissed several of DRCs claims including broad compensation for macroeconomic damage, saying a clear link between Ugandas actions and alleged economic damage had not been proven. The total of the awarded reparations breaks down into $225 million for damages to persons, including the estimated 10,000 to 15,000 deaths attributed to Uganda during the conflict, but also for child soldiers and victims of rape; $40 million for property damage; and another $60 million for damage to the environment and loss of natural resources mined in Ituri.

In the end, says Moffett, big reparations schemes are [about] whats acceptable to the parties, whats feasible. In other words, its also about what the offending party can afford. An equitable finding is basically making some kind of an award which doesnt necessarily correspond to the actual harm but is just a global sum to do something in terms of reparations; its very limited, explains Ferstman. Kambale agrees: In the absolute, the amount is almost nothing compared to the damage that the UPDF did in Ituri alone, in one year alone. But he acknowledges that it was difficult for Ugandan budget to support this, and even the small amounts matters: The symbolic of it is very, very important.

The full responsibility of the occupying power

Looking at the salient parts the reparations judgement there are several that stand out. The judges addressed roles played by non-state armed actors that Uganda supported and with whom they occupied and ravaged Ituri. This is really, really important, says Kambale because an international court has sanctioned a country for the way they have worked with rebels. Uganda and Rwanda were sanctioned by the United States and the European Union over their support for the M23 rebel group in 2012. But this takes the whole thing a notch up, he says. Because its an international court. Uganda was the occupying force in Ituri for the period, notes Ferstman. Basically [the court is] saying, youre responsible for everything there. In relation to non-state actors, I think its quite important.

In fact Ferstman says this ruling has brought a bit of a sigh of relief because in a previous genocide case the ICJ had refused to adjudicate that a state had effective control via rebel proxies. (The court did not find that Serbia had effective control via Bosnian Serb proxies and consequently held that Serbia was not liable for damages.) In this case the court refused to extend those very narrow principles to this broader case where Uganda was found to be responsible not only for failing to prevent the acts of rebels or other groups in DRC, but was actually responsible as occupying power in Ituri. And basically reparations flowed from that responsibility and beyond. That was an important finding.

Another important detail is the compensation for environment damage. The ICJ has made rulings on environmental damage before, but not in relation to conflicts, says Ferstman. It recognised that as an occupying power in Ituri at least Uganda had obligations to safeguard the environment. It wasnt only about the reparations for environmental harm stemming from international humanitarian law abuses more broadly. That, I think, is new, the positive obligation to protect the environment.

Furthering peace or the opposite?

Uganda has been ordered to pay the sum in five yearly instalments of $65 million to start in September this year. The judges said they were satisfied the reparations awarded and the terms of payment were within the capacity of Uganda to pay. Ferstman says the court could have gone quite a lot further in identifying principles about how reparations should be implemented. That would have made the judgement much more dynamic, important and forward looking. DRC has said that any reparations awarded would be put into a fund and distributed fairly to the people that suffered directly from Ugandas actions. But Uganda has already said it will not pay, and the court has decided that it plays no further role in the case.

Ferstman then wonders whether the judgment may end having the opposite effect by being a further bone of contention between the two sides: If we consider that an ICJ decision judgement should contribute to conflict resolution in a very fractious region, it might ultimately end up doing the opposite  if the judgement is not enforced. While Moffett is more concerned that such a court decision fails to deal with the bigger issues: Youve got the largest peacekeeping operation in the world [in Eastern DRC today], and yet you still have got illegal resource exploitation, child soldiers, sexual violence and massacres.
A Ugandan former commander in the Lords Resistance Army appealed against his conviction at the International Criminal Court on Monday on the grounds that he was scarred by his own history as a child soldier.

Ongwen, who was abducted aged nine by the rebel group led by the fugitive Joseph Kony, was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity last year and sentenced to 25 years in jail.

Dominic Ongwen was, and still is, a child, Ongwens defence lawyer Krispus Ayena Odongo told the ICC, based in The Hague.

He was just a child when he was abducted and made into a fighting machine without a mind of his own a child the government of Uganda and the international community failed to rescue from the evil grip of the LRA for 25 years.

Ongwen still believed he was possessed by the spirit of Kony as he had not been cleansed by local rituals, Odongo added.

Ongwen is challenging both his conviction on 61 charges including murder, rape, sexual enslavement and forced pregnancy, and the length of the sentence, alleging both legal and factual errors.

The LRA was founded three decades ago by former Catholic altar boy and self-styled prophet Kony, who launched a bloody rebellion in northern Uganda against President Yoweri Museveni.

Its bid to set up a state based on the Bibles Ten Commandments claimed more than 100,000 lives and saw 60,000 children abducted, eventually spreading to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.

ICC judges in their trial verdict last year ruled that Ongwen had not suffered from mental illness despite his own history of being abducted while on his way to school and then brutalised by the LRA.

They said Ongwen, who went by the nom de guerre White Ant, personally ordered his soldiers to carry out massacres of more than 130 civilians at the Lukodi, Pajule, Odek and Abok refugee camps between 2002 and 2005.

ICC prosecutors urged judges to uphold Ongwens conviction and sentence.

Dominic Ongwen played a key role in these crimes, planning them, organising them and issuing orders, prosecutor Helen Brady told judges.

She acknowledged Ongwens traumatic youth but said he went on to rise through the LRAs ranks and developed its tactics, including the abduction of child soldiers and sex slaves.

Seven women and girls were forced by Mr Ongwen to be his so-called wives and to endure his repeated rapes, sexual enslavement and forced pregnancies, she said.

The ICC was set up in 2002 to bring perpetrators of the worlds worst crimes to justice, but has been criticised for choosing many of its cases from African nations.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday rejected a request by Bolivia to investigate former president Evo Morales and the organisers of a mass roadblock movement for crimes against humanity.

The Bolivian government asked the ICC in September 2020 to probe the campaign which it alleged had led to 40 deaths of coronavirus patients because oxygen could not be delivered to hospitals.

But ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said he would not open a formal investigation into the Bolivian blockade, as the alleged acts did not fall under the remit of the Hague-based court.

After a thorough and independent assessment of the information available to my office, I have determined that the criteria set out in the Rome Statute for opening an investigation have not been met, Khan said in a statement.

I have concluded that the alleged conduct does not satisfy the contextual elements for crimes against humanity.

The Rome Statute sets out the rules under which the ICC was established to try the worlds worst crimes in 2002.

States can formally refer alleged crimes to the ICC, which then carries out a preliminary probe before deciding whether to launch a full investigation.

Bolivias referral accused Morales and the roadblock organisers of deliberately blocking urgent medical supplies for hospitals during their 12-day campaign.

They launched the blockade in September 2020 after the government repeatedly postponed new elections.

Khan said that some protesters may have acted with reckless disregard, although protest leaders urged them to let medicines through.

But even if the alleged acts during the blockade had been proven, they would not have qualified as a coordinated attack against the civilian population and therefore as crimes against humanity, Khan said.

Khan added that his findings should not be seen as taking a position on any of the events or dynamics concerning the alleged incidents or on the experience that the people of Bolivia had of those events.

Morales, Bolivias first indigenous president, had fled into exile in 2019 after 14 years in power amid protests over his own controversial re-election that year.

He denied any wrongdoing over the roadblocks.
Forensic experts on Monday started exhuming the remains of at least 16 victims, mainly children, of a massacre committed by soldiers in El Salvador 41 years ago.

They were among nearly 1,000 people slain in and around El Mozote in the countrys northeast by soldiers who accused the village of aiding leftist guerrillas in El Salvadors bloody 1980-1992 civil war.

Buried in two mass graves, attempts will be made to identify the victims using DNA technology, said Silvana Turner of Argentinas EAAF forensic anthropology unit conducting the operation with Salvadoran colleagues.

Lawyer David Morales of the Cristosal victimss organization said most of the 16 victims known to have been buried here were children.

The El Mozote massacre, which took place over five days in December 1981. was the worst episode of El Salvadors internal conflict, which left more than 75,000 dead and more than 7,000 people missing.

It was one of the deadliest massacres in Latin American history.

Soldiers of the Atlacatl Battalion  a counter-insurgency command trained by the United States  burnt homes, raped women and killed all the villagers they could find.

Some children were thrown in the air and slashed with machetes, according to survivor accounts.

According to official figures, 986 people  558 of them children  died in El Mozote and adjacent communities.

In 2012, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights blamed the Salvadoran government for the massacre and ordered reparations.

Four years later, the countrys Supreme Court ruled that a blanket amnesty for war crimes during the conflict was unconstitutional, and charges were brought against soldiers accused of involvement.
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Lee Si Woo (Song Kang) gets dispatched to the Meteorological headquarters and starts to work with Jin Ha Kyung (Park Min Young) and Um Dong Han (Lee Sung Wook) in "Forecasting Love and Weather" episode 2.

'Forecasting Love and Weather' Episode 2: Um Dong Han Argues with Lee Si Woo Over Weather Forecast

Um Dong Han finally accepted the offer and returned to the main Meteorological office. On the other hand, after impressing his colleagues with his skills and talents in weather forecasting, Lee Si Woo was given the opportunity to work for two weeks with Jin Ha Kyung and Um Dong Han.

Jin Ha Kyung saw Si Woo and Dong Han quarreling and advised that in analyzing weather, they should consider other variables to have an accurate result. The two started their first day arguing. The two newcomers immediately listened to their boss and continued their solo works.

Jin Ha Kyung Scammed by Han Ki Joon

Han Ki Joon's (Yoon Park) promotion got postponed so Jin Ha Kyung had to deal with him again at work. She asked him to return all the belongings he took since she has more profits to it. They even argue about it in between work.

When she's about to sell the television in an online market, a potential buyer told Ha Kyung that the original price of the TV was just half of the price that Ki Joon told him before. She got pissed off knowing that she got scammed by her ex-boyfriend.

They had an intense fight inside their company, and many were amazed, including Lee Si Woo, by how Jin Ha Kyung handled the situation. Everyone in the company knew that Han Ki Joon is Ha Kyung's ex-lover.

Lee Si Woo Tries to Convince Jin Ha Kyung Not to Leave Meteorological Headquarters

Though he's just a newbie in the Meteorological headquarters, Lee Si Woo already knows about Jin Ha Kyung's problem with her broken marriage. He is observant who understands the situation of his boss. They are even in the same shoes who got dumped by their exes.

Si Woo went to his boss and talked about life and work. He tried to convince her not to accept the offer abroad and stay in the office. He secretly watches her inside the library and admires her for working hard.

She was shocked that the newbie knew about the offer, but she also realized his thoughtfulness.

Jin Ha Kyung and Lee Si Woo Had a Steamy Night Together

Lee Si Woo asked Jin Ha Kyung to have a drink with him. They had a great conversation and even talked about their past lovers. They get to know each other more. Ha Kyung promised never to date a colleague again because she got traumatized by her past relationship. Since they were too drunk, Jin Ha Kyung was shocked to see herself sleeping next to Lee Si Woo.



They had a deal that they would forget what had happened to them and remain professional at work. It was at that moment Lee Si Woo revealed that he would start to be a regular employee under Ha Kyung's team.

What are your thoughts about "Forecasting Love and Weather" episode 2? Share your comments with us!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Written by Shai Collins.
The month of love doesn't require a love interest and a fancy date! Sometimes, you just need a cozy bed and a nice K-Drama to keep you company.

Did you know that crying is good for your health? With that said, here are some of the best heartbreaking K-Dramas of all time.

1. 'Empress Ki'

Ha Ji Won and Ji Chang Wook's "Empress Ki" is without a doubt one of the highly talked about historical K-Dramas.

The drama follows the story of a love that is once found and forever lost amid the war and political battles in the Yuan dynasty.

Because of the deaths of Empress Ki's (Ha Ji Won) husband, she is left to rule the kingdom alone in his honor.

2. 'Black'

In the supernatural drama "Black," fans really hoped for a happily ever after. It follows the chilling story of a woman who has the ability to see ghosts, who works together with a detective who is possessed by a grim reaper.

Because of their mission, Black (Song Seung Heon) and Ha Ram (Go Ara) grew closer, gradually getting to know each other until they fell in love.

However, as the reapers weren't living human beings, Black is punished, erasing his memories of Ha Ram. They also erase Ha Ram's, who also fell in love with the grim reaper, memories of him.

Ha Ram grew up having a normal life like everyone else, which disappointed the fans especially when she couldn't remember her days with Black.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Check Out These Cider-Like K-Dramas That Will Make Your Life Brighter

At the end of the drama, the old Ha Ram passes away and meets Black once again in the afterlife.

3. 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes'

Seo In Guk decorated the small screen with his famous dramas like "Doom at Your Service," but in the 2018 drama "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," he captivated the fans and viewers' attention.

He played the role of Moo Young, a mysterious man with a childlike personality, who falls in love with a woman connected to his past that he can't remember.

Fans and viewers were left with tears as it ended with Moo Young accepting the consequences of his decision to kill an evil person.

It was then revealed that Moo Young, and the love of his life, killed one another in the past in each other's arms after declaring their love for each other.

4. 'Record of Youth'

"Record of Youth" generated a lot of buzz after its premiere on Netflix in 2020 with its promising story and performances. However, the ending left viewers with an unsatisfied feeling.

Sa Hye Jun (Park Bo Gum) and Ahn Jung Ha (Park So Dam) are challenged, going through a lot as a couple especially when Hye Jun rises to fame as an actor.

Despite the heart-fluttering moments and hints of a happily ever after, the two characters part ways, believing that it's the best decision for them despite having deep feelings for one another.

The two promise that they will try again if they find each other in the future. At the end of the drama, Hye Jun and Jung Ha fatefully meet again at a movie shoot.

5. 'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo'

The most controversial, heartbreaking and tear-jerking romance drama of all time, "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo."

With its star-studded cast including IU, Lee Joon Gi, Kang Ha Neul, Ji Soo, Nam Joo Hyuk, Hong Jong Hyun, EXO Baekhyun and more, "Scarlet Heart" instantaneously caught the attention of fans not only in South Korea, but from all over the world.

It follows the story of Hae Soo who gets transported to the Goryeo dynasty and falls in love with the "wolf dog," the fourth prince. She marries him and gives birth to their child, only to die alone.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THIS: Check Out These Underrated Heart-Wrenching K-Movies That Will Surely Make You Cry

To make things worse, Wang So doesn't visit her despite the news of her death. Hae Soo then wakes up in her own time, thinking it was all a bad dream. However, she visits a Goryeo exhibit at the end of the drama, slowly realizing it wasn't a dream at all.

"Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" is a promising television drama that delivers a solid storyline, memorable moments and undeniable emotional pain.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's procuratorates investigated and prosecuted 21,300 individuals for duty-related crimes from January to November 2021, up 15.1 percent year on year, according to a senior prosecutor.

There were more cases with significant amounts of money involved during the period, which led to severe damages and consequences, said Shi Weizhong, an official from the Supreme People's Procuratorate, in an online interview on Monday.

The number of cases involving judicial personnel handled by procuratorates during the period increased 74.7 percent year on year from 2020 and 90.1 percent from 2019, he said.

The large increase showed the efforts made by procuratorates and their determination to carry out supervision duties and take a strong hand against duty-related crimes involving judicial personnel, according to Shi.

Bribery-related cases involving a total of 2,717 individuals were also dealt with over the period, up 18.3 percent from the same period in 2020, Shi said. 
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the US is "actively working" to release an American citizen who was detained by the Taliban.
On Feb. 26, a fundraiser called 'Coldest Night of the Year', will see participants walk two or five kilometres through downtown Kelowna to raise money for a group that helps the homeless.
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In his first public speech since leaving office, former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a dinner hosted by Palmetto Family, April 29, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. Pence is making another trip to drum up support among abortion opponents in the early-voting state of South Carolina. Pence will give a keynote address at the May fundraising banquet for the Carolina Pregnancy Center(AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
Severe storms ripped through communities throughout western Kentucky in the early hours of the morning on Dec. 11. Several local businesses along the 31-W By-Pass in Bowling Green, KY, sustained severe damage. (Photo by Morgan Bass)
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My wife and I were on a short flight from Rome to Brindisi in the region called Puglia in the southern part of Italy last year.

As we were starting to taxi down the runway, I heard a child crying a few rows behind us, but it was very different from a babys or a normal childs crying. It reminded me of when I have experienced autistic children screaming, usually from fear. I was quickly able to determine that he was Asian and the parents were not, so I guessed that he was an adopted child.

When I heard that little boys scream, I felt the parents anguish. It was obvious they were utterly beside themselves. Even though we were only a few minutes in the air and the flight attendants had not even given the OK to move around, I stood up and went over to their seats. In my basic Italian, I told them that I was a pediatrician and that I would be happy to help them if they would let me.

As I picked up the boy, he immediately took my hand and looked at me as I was hugging him tightly, and within about 30 seconds stopped crying!

I rocked him for a while and then returned with him to my nearby seat to where my wife was sitting. Our new friend sat with her while I talked to the parents. He reacted positively to her and remained calm while she showed him pictures on her phone.

Although the flight was only about 50 minutes, it seemed like hours!

I sat with the parents, and within 15 minutes, I had taken a complete history with the help of Google Translate! They had adopted him two weeks before in China and had spent every day with him since. They were in the process of flying back to their home in Lecce, the same town in southern Italy where we were going.

After almost 24 hours of non-stop traveling, they were beyond exhausted. The father showed me scratches from where their son had dug his nails, probably in frustration. He was probably feeling totally out of his normal environment, with everyone looking different and speaking language he didnt understand.

I tried to imagine what the little boy was thinking. He must have been overtired, scared, and overstimulated. And in the back of my mind, I thought that he might have some serious developmental issues which were being tested to the hilt in this new environment.

While we were waiting to retrieve our luggage, the parents wanted to thank us by taking us on a tour around their city of Lecce.

I was looking forward to seeing them again so that Id be able to see what kind of adjustment their child was making to his new surroundings. Right before they were supposed to pick us up, the father sent a text saying that their son was asleep. I agreed that it was better that they should not wake him up.

We never wound up seeing them, but they did communicate that he was slowly getting used to life with his new family in Italy.

In retrospect, I wonder what impulse made me decide to jump out of my seat to help this child and his family. As a pediatrician, I heard and recognized the sound of a child in distress. More likely, however, was that as an adoptive father myself, I sensed how desperate the parents must have felt.

Im not sure why my intervention worked, but I certainly would do it again if the situation presented itself.

Daniel P. Kraft is a pediatrician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Dogs have been part of my extended family for most of my sixty-plus years. With a dog comes poop.

It doesnt really matter on a farm, but in the city, there is an expectation, a social contract of sorts. In the public parks and boulevards, the dog owner is expected to scoop the poop.

While some dog walkers dutifully pick up their dogs poop, others dont bother, and before I know it, Ive stepped in it. Squish! Yuk! Stink!

And then there are those owners who bag the poop, but leave the little bag at the side of the path. Who are they leaving it for? Their mother? The great poop scooper who will descend from the heavens? Or maybe someone like me who sometimes gathers it up despite my frustration with their negligence?

The social contract has been credited to 16th century English philosophers Locke and Hobbs, who greatly influenced our U.S. founding fathers. The contract outlines the rights and freedoms of the individuals who follow the laws or rules of society on the condition that everyone else does too, and all benefit from a safe and civil society. Picking up dog poop makes for cleaner public spaces; it is part of the social contract of pet ownership.

But alas, not everyone follows the rules, especially not here in the U.S., where rights and freedoms garner a lot of attention, now more than ever, and seemingly louder than ever. After all the American dream has been life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, for too many centuries the realities of whose blood and whose sweat were spilled in the founding of that dream have been ignored. The underbelly of the social contract has been exposed as it unravels. This is a time of tremendous chaos, which brings my attention to pandemic behaviors and our Omicron fiasco.

Medicine is also based on a social contract: Physicians promise to care for the patient, keeping the patients best interests at heart and gaining the patients trust, respect, and fair remuneration. Paul Starr described the social contract in his 1980s book, The Social Transformation of American Medicine, and explored how the industrialization of medicine might challenge that physician-patient contract. However, among others, medical educators Cruess and Cruess have described for years that medicines social contract is a key component of professionalism: the obligations the physician agrees to uphold for the patients s/he serves.

With the pandemic, this is being severely tested, especially with Omicron. I am not working in the hospital or emergency department, so I dont face the weariness and frustration from the heavy workloads precipitated by patients who refuse to take the vaccines. However, I hear about it from colleagues and teach medical students who wonder about the profession they are planning to join. Ive offered vaccines to many patients who refuse them. There are growing numbers of blogs, op-eds, and social media posts describing health care workers fury and exhaustion.

Some populations distrust medicine and science for a good reason: Blacks experimented on without their awareness or permission in Tuskegee and other unethical scientific trials. But for many others, refusal to mask and vaccinate is based on the lies spread by political agendas  freedom of speech, freedom to mask or not, control over what is put in my body. And yet, if they become sick, they will go to the hospital and expect care. This is in conflict with the social contract, in which we act in the interest of the greater good, for the benefit of all.

It is hard to understand and communicate the uncertainty that comes with evolving science, the changing recommendations as we learn more, the vaccine that didnt do all that was initially promised. It has become even harder with the erosion of trust and civility.

Back to the poop. It stinks. Its not pleasant to slip and slide in, and even today, I saw a bag hanging from a tree! Was that owner practicing his pitch? Trying to hit a squirrel? Or did she toss it to the heavens for God to catch? Only God knows!

Perhaps our way forward in these challenging times is to start small. Scoop up your dog poop and put the bag in the trash can. And if you are feeling kind, pick up the bag full of poop sitting at the side of the walking path. And please cover your nose when you are wearing a mask. Of course, wear a mask. Dont forget to get online and order the COVID tests for your household. And please get your vaccines and booster.

Therese Zink is a family physician and can be reached at her self-titled site, ThereseZink.com.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
OTTAWA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Canadian police made progress on Sunday towards reopening the Ambassador Bridge, a key Canada-U.S. trade border crossing, while truckers in Canada's capital city of Ottawa could agree to limit their protests around Parliament Hill away from residential areas.

The blockade of the bridge connecting the Canadian city of Windsor and the U.S. city of Detroit is likely to end after protesters were cleared out on Sunday, with 25-30 arrests made, said Windsor Police.

In a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Police Chief Pamela Mizuno said the focus of the police is to reopen the bridge and restore traffic flow in a "safe and sustainable" way.

Mizuno said that there would be criminal consequences for those who interfere with or interrupt traffic flow in the area by the bridge.

"Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end. Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so, and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination," Winsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a statement on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, the protesters continued to rally for the third weekend in a row in downtown Ottawa, a city located in the province of Ontario.

Local media reported that Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson sent a letter to Tamara Lich, one of the convoy organizers, requesting protesters to leave residential areas before noon on Monday.

The convoy organizers have agreed to the request through "backchannel negotiations," with Lich saying there is a plan to "consolidate our protest efforts around Parliament Hill," the reports said.

"We will be working hard over the next 24 hours to get buy in from the truckers. We hope to start repositioning our trucks on Monday," the reports quoted Lich as saying.

Watson said that should the convoy members live up to their commitments, the agreement would provide "our most impacted residents with a much-needed break from the noise and exhaust fumes, as well as improve the sense of safety and security of our residents."

Ottawa Police announced on Saturday evening the establishment of an enhanced, Integrated Command Centre in response to a significant influx of demonstrators into the Ottawa area and an escalation of the current occupation.

In an interview with CTV on Sunday, Canadian Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said the federal government is prepared to invoke the Emergencies Act to end the trucker convoy protests and blockades.

Blair said the government is working with the provinces, particularly Ontario, to ensure the government has exhausted all options, given the ongoing crisis in the nation's capital.

In late January, thousands of Canadian truckers and their supporters descended on Ottawa to oppose the government's vaccine requirement for truckers crossing the border into the United States, which has the same policy.

Meanwhile, other protesters opposing COVID-19 restrictions joined the truckers in Ottawa, blocking access to the Ambassador Bridge for nearly a week.

On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the protesters need to understand "it's time to go home."

"Everything" is on the table to bring the protests to an end, though the rarely-taken prospect of calling in the Canadian Armed Forces remains "a long way" off as there are more steps law enforcement could take if it decides to, Trudeau said.

Also on Friday, Ontario declared a state of emergency to quell convoy protests. It is now illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure, including international border crossings, major highways, airports, ports, bridges and railways.

Police have been cautiously pushing back protesters away from the entrance of the Ambassador Bridge since Saturday. 
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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!
The following is the account of the handover of the military barracks in Kilkenny from British Forces to Irish Forces as reported in the Kilkenny People on February 11, 1922:

On Tuesday last the Kilkenny military barracks were formally handed over to representatives of the Irish Provisional Government.

The historic event was marked by striking demonstrations of public rejoicing, and all classes of the citizens gave undeniable evidence of the satisfaction and pleasure occasioned by the evacuation of the barracks by the British garrison and subsequent occupation of the premises by a number of picked men of the Kilkenny Brigade IRA.

The present week witnessed a wonderful transformation in the national life of the City of the Confederation.

The process of evacuation of the military barracks by British troops began last week, and on Monday morning from an early hour special trains left Kilkenny conveying the 11th and 146th Batteries RFA, the total strength of these forces being represented as 216 officers and men.

They brought with them horses, guns ammunition, etc , including six 18-pounder guns and six 4.5 howitzers.

They left Dublin the same day en route for their new quarters at Catterick, England. Detachments of the Devons and Oxford and Bucks, the last of the garrison, left on Tuesday by the 12.30 train to Waterford.

The Wearin of the Green

Negotiations proceeded immediately afterwards on the part of the Irish Provisional Government for the taking over of the military barracks for the accommodation of troops of our national army, and early on Tuesday afternoon all arrangements were complete. The surrender of the barracks was purely formal.

Captain Fulham, representing the Provisional Government, attended at the barracks and received formal possession, which he subsequently handed over to Brigade Commandant George ODwyer, IRA.

At about 2 oclock on Tuesday a large body of men, representing the Kilkenny Brigade IRA, mobilised at St James Park and, having got into military formation, a triumphal march took place through the streets of the city to the military barracks.

The sidewalks along the route of the procession were thronged with people from city and county, many of whom waved flags, and vociferous cheers were raised for the young soldiers marching past. The procession was headed by St Patrick's Brass Band, who played national airs along the route.

About 42 men, drawn from the various battalions of the Kilkenny Brigade, under the command of Commdt George ODwyer and armed with rifles and bayonets, marched after the band, and a large body of the Kilkenny Battalion IRA also took part.

Long before the arrival of the troops large numbers assembled at the military barracks to witness the triumphal entry. Many houses in Barrack street and the neighbourhood exhibited Sinn Fein colours in honour of the unique occasion.

To the accompaniment of martial music the barrack gates were flung open by the guard placed in charge earlier in the day, and the entrance of the first contingent of the Irish national army was the signal for a tremendous outburst of cheering from the vast gathering assembled outside the barracks.

After the entrance of the troops the general public were admitted, and the spectacle as the troops marched through the barrack square was one that will be remembered with pride by all who had the pleasure of witnessing it.

The splendid military bearing of our young soldiers was warmly commented on by many of those present, who included the Mayor of Kilkenny (Ald Peter De Loughry), Captain Delaney, Liaison Officer, and a number of members of the Corporation, as well as Mr Sean Gibbons, chairman, and several representatives of the Kilkenny Co Council and other bodies in the county and a number of the clergy.

Having undergone some military evolutions, the troops (with the exception of a small party detailed to occupy the barracks), were dismissed and the barracks cleared.

For the present, and until final arrangements are completed, the garrison will be under the command of Vice-Commandant Brennan, 9th Batt Kilkenny Brigade.
Kilkenny Archaeological Society presents its second lecture of the year, and its first in-person event, at Rothe House on Wednesday with David Dickson, Professor Emeritus of Modern History, Trinity College Dublin presenting his lecture Eighteenth-Century Kilkenny: an Exceptional City?

In the long history of Irish urbanization, Kilkenny is exceptional in many respects. David Dickson focuses on the 'long' eighteenth century, the time when the first true cities emerged in Ireland, bursting out beyond their ancient walls during what was an era of internal peace. These 'first cities' were all maritime ports, except for Kilkenny. Why was there such emphatic port-city growth at that time, and how was Kilkenny's own expansion linked to this? What was distinctive about the city's 18th century economy? The lecture will consider the social and religious make-up of the 18th century city, and ask if the religious conflict and exclusion, so evident in most Irish cities, was replicated in Kilkenny.

David Dickson has been writing about Kilkenny history for over thirty years. He authored a key chapter in Kilkenny History and Society in 1990. He is the author of the popular history book for students, New Foundations, Ireland 1660-1800. In 2018, he contributed to the comprehensive four-volume Cambridge History of Ireland. He has lectured widely, with a number of articles and books published on his specialities, most recently, The First Irish Cities: An Eighteenth-Century Transformation published by Yale University Press.

This is a Kilkenny Archaeological Society lecture but all are welcome to attend. Non-members pay 10 on the door; members pay 7. The lecture takes place on Wednesday, February 16 at 8pm at Rothe House. Annual society membership is 40 (individual) or 50 (family). Find out more: www.kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/join
Ethiopia inaugurates Chinese-built landmark building in capital

Xinhua) 16:54, February 14, 2022

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a 209.15-meter-tall landmark building located at the heart of its capital city, which houses the country's largest public-owned commercial bank.

The new headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) was built by Chinese construction giant China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC).

The inauguration event coincided with the CBE's 80th anniversary and was attended by senior Ethiopian government officials, Chinese diplomats in Ethiopia, and representatives of the CBE and the CSCEC.

Calling the inauguration a milestone, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said at the event, "I am very happy as we gather here today to inaugurate this beautiful building while also marking the 80th anniversary of this historic bank."

Ahmed said the CBE reflects Ethiopia's years-long dedication to and aspiration for establishing and sustaining modern institutions, stressing the need to modernize the banking sector in the East African country.

The building project, which involves the construction of two five-story podiums and the main tower, has won wide acclaim among Ethiopian experts. It is regarded as the tallest building in East Africa.

CBE President Abie Sano said the project has served as a means for Ethiopian engineering students and construction companies to learn state-of-the-art technologies.

He said the building, which has applied very modern and latest technologies with supervision from the Addis Ababa University Institute of Technology, "witnessed crucial technology and experience-sharing endeavor over the course of its construction."

"This very modern skyscraper will serve our generation and beyond in a view to address emerging advancements in the banking sector as well as future expectations," Sano said.

"I was very lucky to have this invaluable learning experience since the project's early construction stage," said Belay Bitew, a young Ethiopian civil engineer involved in overseeing the project construction.

Noting that the construction materials and technologies used in the construction process meet international standards, he added, "The learning endeavor during our stay with our Chinese colleagues has been another milestone."

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Hongyu)
ZANU PF activists in Umguza district, Matabeleland North province, have reportedly ordered school development committees (SDCs) to hand over names of striking teachers to the constituency offices.

Teachers in the area fear that they might be targeted as the country heads for the March 26 by-elections.

Zanu PF officials in Umguza circulated a message on the partys WhatsApp group demanding names of absconding teachers.

Morning Umguza, I request that SDCs must go to their schools and write down names of all teachers who did not turn up for work since the schools opened (Monday) up to Friday and submit the names of the school, and the names of the teachers to the constituency offices on February 16.

Forward this message to your respective (WhatsApp) groups, the message signed by one J Sibanda, the partys district co-ordinating committee member, read.

Matabeleland North Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe chairperson Kwanele Ndlovu rubbished the messages.

As teachers, we must not be afraid of any message that does not come from our employer, we must remain guided by our public service contractual obligations, Ndlovu said.

Zanu PF Umguza legislator Richard Moyo expressed ignorance over the matter.

I am not aware of that as it is supposed to be done by the Public Service Commission.

I will find out from the constituency if they have such a programme, he said.

Moyo is also Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister and party provincial chairperson. Newsday
People from across the political divide yesterday took time to honour the late veteran trade unionist and opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, with his long-time rivals from Zanu PF party describing him as a national institution and beacon of democracy.

The MDC founder succumbed to colon cancer on Valentines Day four years ago.

Addressing a Press conference in Harare, Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa said: Tsvangirai was a national institution and his name and the MDC party equally a beacon for the fight in Zimbabwe for what is just and what is democratic, now the name disappears in history, now Tsvangirai is gone, replaced by Chete Chete Chete and the name MDC is gone too, finished just like that can you imagine.

Tsvangirais mentee, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday said his party would continue to celebrate his legacy despite breaking away from the MDC brand and forming a new outfit.

A giant, a mentor, a fighter, a democrat and a confidante  this day you exited this life. They are still trying those old tactics they used against you. They will not succeed. The struggle is in safe hands. Sadly missed. Rest in power mudhara (old man), Chamisa tweeted.

CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said they would continue drawing inspiration from Tsvangirais bravery to stand up to the beast of dictatorship and for his contribution to the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe.

This is the best honour we can give to his legacy. We will not allow the regime to consume or use us to fight the will of the people. We will ensure that we complete the mission of attaining a democratic Zimbabwe. One day, Zimbabwe will be free, Mahere said.

MDC-T spokesperson Ntando Ndlovu said: There is no debate that Tsvangirai deserves his own space in the national narrative for the significant role he played in shaping the countrys post liberation politics. We remember him as a leader who was able to listen to everyone regardless of their social status. He was, indeed, a man of the people.

We implore all pro-democracy forces to form a united front to remove Zanu PF from power. That is the tribute that we can give to our late departed leader.

Tsvangirai is credited for forming a formidable opposition party, MDC, which nearly dislodged Zanu PF in 2018. He was later roped in as Prime Minister of the coalition government and helped to bring political and economic stability in the country. Newsday
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ASHLAND  The Southern Boone School Board approved the resignation of the board's president and secretary at Monday night's meeting.

The board unanimously voted for the approval of former President Steve Condron's resignation.

It also unanimously voted to keep the board as is until the April 5 election, which means former Vice President Tiffany Clevenger will serve as the interim board president until the election.

Board member Amy Begemann will serve as the new vice president, the board unanimously voted.

The board unanimously voted in favor of Karen Pfingsten, the school district's school improvement coordinator, for the board's open secretary position, following Amanda Centobie's resignation.

In the memo to the school board, Condron cites his reasons for his leave, effective immediately.

"At the point in my tenure I feel as though a line has been crossed in the governance this Board provides and a lack of adherence to the Ethics standards required of Board members in our own policy BBF," Condron said in the statement.

"I cannot continue to lead a Board where I have little confidence in the dedication or foresight applied by the current make-up of the Board," he continued.

Condrons term was set to expire in April 2022. He was first elected to the school board in 2016 and became board president in 2021.

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School board members sacrifice a lot of time to serve on the school board, Superintendent Christopher Felmlee said in a news release. The school district appreciates Mr. Condrons dedication and leadership during his tenure on the school board. On behalf of the school district, we thank Mr. Condron for his service to our community.

At the end of January, the board's secretary, Centobie, also announced her resignation, effective Feb. 4.

Centobie's addressed her reasons for leaving in her resignation letter. She said it has "become burdensome to come to work everyday in this atmosphere."

"Ultimately I decided to resign and move on because I do not feel as though my position here was secure for the foreseeable future," Centobie said in her resignation letter. "I feel threatened and unsure of my position within this school district."

These are not the only changes in leadership for the district.

According to previous reporting from KOMU 8, the school board recently voted to not renew Felmlee's contract. His position will end after the 2022-2023 school year.

Members Tammra Aholt, Amy Begemann, Tiffany Clevenger, Dawn Sapp and Lyn Woolfard voted in favor of the motion; Condron and Barrett Glascock voted against it, according to meeting minutes.

As for the president position, the school board will decide whether to start the process to appoint someone to fill the president vacancy or leave the seat vacant until the April 5 election.

Monday's full agenda can be found here.
JEFFERSON CITY  The state of Missouri is scrambling to find solutions to failures in its foster care system.

Its been about six months since the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a case study revealing that Missouris foster care system rarely reduced a childs risk of going missing from state custody in 2019.

Since that study was released, Missouris Department of Social Services (DSS), which administers the states foster care system, is now under new leadership. Acting Director Robert Knodell was appointed to the position in the fall of 2021. He said the department is continuing its efforts to address those failures, specifically pushing for technology updates and budget increases to better support caseworkers and the foster care system at large.

We're comfortable at this time that those issues are being addressed, Knodell said. The children referenced in those reports that remain under the care of the Children's Division have been identified and are safe.

Knodell said that fixing the findings of the OIG report is an ongoing issue. The report looked through the cases of 59 children in the foster care system in 2019. In the report, the office identified four major findings:

Missouri doesnt have policies to identify a child who might have an increased chance of going missing or any interventions set in place to reduce that risk.

There often was no evidence of Missouri agencies taking the required action to locate children missing from foster care.

One in three children whose cases were reviewed didnt have evidence of a completed health and safety check following their return to foster care.

Missouris case management system doesnt accurately identify children who are missing from foster care.

Brian Whitley, the regional inspector general for the Office of Evaluation and Inspections in Kansas City, said the OIG found these issues across the state.

The foster care system is so integral to the community across Missouri, but it's not just isolated to one area, Whitley said. This isn't an urban issue or a rural issue. It's a statewide Missouri issue. And, it's not just a Missouri issue, because [there are] issues across the country.

In its case study, the OIG recommended that DSS develop new policies that identify children with increased risks of going missing from foster care and create interventions that would reduce the case managers from not complying with required actions. It also pushed for a new monitoring mechanism that oversees case managers and a case management system update to ensure the correct identification of children who go missing.

The OIG also made recommendations to the Administration for Children and Families, like creating a forum for states to share experiences in reducing a childs risk of going missing and supporting the state at large as agencies try to find solutions to the systems failures.

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Whitley said some changes are already being made when it comes to case manager accountability.

The more eyes you have looking for the children, the better chance you have of getting a child, Whitley said. We also worked with the Missouri Children's Division to develop a checklist which theyre using, so theyre actually working on programs to improve the situation.

Rep. Dottie Bailey (R-Eureka) said that just one checklist isnt going to fill a full report of failures.

It's a stain on our state, and it's a lack of people at the top not doing their jobs, Bailey said. We have failed  the state of Missouri has failed  our foster kids, the most disturbing piece of it. When it comes to kids, there are no excuses anymore.

Bailey is the vice chairman of the Childrens and Families Committee in the Missouri House of Representatives.

To me as a mom, Im horrified, and as a legislator, [Im] angry, upset, disappointed. I mean, how many adjectives could I use? Bailey said. They've got a large mess to clean up. We're gonna help them as much as we can, but our job is to hold them accountable for protecting these kids.

Rep. Sarah Unsicker (D- Shrewsbury), who also serves as the minority caucus policy chair, said that change, especially when it comes to technology for the Children's Division and subsequent departments, is long overdue.

It should have happened yesterday, Unsicker said. Somebody should be out looking for those kids as missing kids.

Its a problem that legislators at the state Capitol are addressing as the department looks for solutions too.

The social issues that you would find in certain communities vary across the state, Knodell said. When you've seen one community in the state of Missouri, you've seen one community, and the challenges are unique.

The first installment of KOMU 8s Forgotten in Foster Care series airs Sunday night after the Super Bowl and Olympics. On Monday and Tuesday after the Olympics, hear more about what the state has done so far in taking accountability for the identified foster care failures and whats being done to make sure they never happen again.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Heavy rain to start, then showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 62F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low near 45F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
The New York Times did not defame former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin by incorrectly suggesting her political ads influenced a 2011 mass shooting, a federal judge ruled Monday.

Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff said the GOP firebrand failed to prove her case but that he would not formally dismiss her libel lawsuit until a jury returns a verdict. Both the judges decision and the jury verdict will factor in Palins all but certain appeal.

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Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin leaves Manhattan Federal Court on Monday after a judge revealed he would dismiss her lawsuit against the New York Times while a jury was still deliberating the case. (Molly Crane Newman )

Palins lawsuit charged The Times and its former editorial board editor James Bennet with knowingly publishing false information about her in the opinion piece Americas Lethal Politics, which ran on June 14, 2017. Palin, as a public a figure, had to prove The Times acted with actual malice when it made the mistake.

Rakoff described the error at the heart of the case as an example of very unfortunate editorializing on the part of The Times, but not one that amounted to libel.

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My job is to apply the law. The law here sets a very high standard for actual malice, and in this case, the court finds that that standard has not been met, Rakoff told a stunned courtroom.

The judge said the deliberating jurors, who went home Monday without reaching a verdict, would remain in the dark about his ruling.

We will have both the benefit of my decision on the law and their decision on the facts ... and therefore, a Court of Appeals will have the benefit of both determinations when it views the inevitable appeal, Rakoff said.

Outside the courthouse, Palin told reporters the case wasnt over in her eyes and took a jab at Rakoffs ruling.

The jury still has it in front of them, which leads me to say this is a jury trial. And we always thank jurors, we always appreciate the system, so whatever happened in there kind of usurps the system, said Palin.

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Well be back tomorrow.

Roy Gutterman, director of the Tully Center for Free Speech at the Newhouse School, said Rakoff was right on the law.

The judges dismissal makes a lot of sense, even if the jury was still deliberating at the same time, he said

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Public officials have to overcome a high burden for a reason. The evidence and testimony throughout this trial indicated that though the New York Times published erroneous information in that editorial, it was not deliberate or reckless; it was simply a mistake. An editing mistake, though unfortunate, as the judge noted, is not proof of actual malice.

The article linked ads from Palins political action committee to the 2011 shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), in which a gunman, Jared Lee Loughner, killed six people, including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks briefly to reporters as she leaves Manhattan Federal Court on Monday, Feb. 14. (Seth Wenig/AP)

Writing that the link to political incitement was clear in the Giffords attack, The Times incorrectly stated that a graphic by Palins PAC put Giffords and 19 other Democrats under stylized crosshairs. The graphic actually placed Giffords electoral district in crosshairs, not the representative herself.

The Times argued it made an honest mistake, which was corrected within 14 hours of the storys publication online. In closing arguments, Times lawyer David Axelrod told jurors the case was about press freedom and argued that the First Amendment protected the paper and journalists like Bennet against public figures like Palin.
Addison Clark, a sophomore at Valparaiso High School, spoke to the Valparaiso School Board on Jan. 20 about the possible impact of removing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time from the schools curriculum.

Clark is autistic and said the book was crucial to her in terms of representation and feeling less like an anomaly.

If this book has done so much for me, what could it do for other kids? Clark asked.

Valparaiso Community Schools did not respond to several requests to confirm if this book was removed from the curriculum by time of publication.

Concerns about book banning have been rising this month as several bills are being created in state legislatures across the country that would potentially limit the availability of certain books, including in Indiana.

In Tennessee, the McMinn County school board voted to remove Maus from an eighth-grade module on the Holocaust due to nudity and curse words. In Oklahoma, a bill was introduced in the state Senate that would prohibit public school libraries from keeping books on hand that focus on sexual activity and gender identity. In Indiana, Senate Bill 17 would expose schools and certain public libraries to potential criminal prosecution concerning dissemination of materials "harmful to minors."

Senate Bill 17 passed the Senate 34-15 and now faces the House.

But some librarians, parents and teachers are nervous about the potential impact of these types of bills and this growing movement.

Julie Wendorf, director of the Crown Point Community Library, testified against the bill to the Senate. She said she felt very passionately against censorship and does not understand why this trend is becoming popular.

Its very confusing why certain people do not want history told in the way it actually happened. Wendorf said.

Rhonda Miller, president of Purple for Parents Indiana, said the group fully supports SB 17. Purple for Parents is a group that advocates to protect children from perceived harmful agendas in the education system.

Miller said SB 17 is fair because dissemination of harmful materials to minors is illegal for everybody else.

Schools and libraries should not be given an exemption to what is already illegal for the rest of society, Miller said in a statement.

However, Wendorf said it would become really difficult for librarians to curate selections and determine what to provide to children with the fear of prosecution for one wrong book.

Wendorf said there have been occasions at the library where parents have expressed their discomfort with a certain book. She said the library goes through a process when this happens and reviews the book, deciding if they will reconsider if it should be on library shelves. In most instances, parents or people who are concerned are normally satisfied by that process.

Rebecca Tomerlin, a former librarian in Porter and LaPorte counties, said the libraries she worked at had a similar process. She said no books were ever pulled, but one was moved from youth to adult.

However, Wendorf said the difference with these types of bills is that choices are not really up to the libraries. She said she could see a chilling effect on the type of materials librarians choose to select and their interest in the profession.

Librarians are very disappointed that our legislature is criminalizing selection development at the public library, Wendorf said.

Tomerlin also has children who will be in the Valparaiso school district. She said that she wants them to be exposed to several different points of view and that what she has been hearing at school board meetings makes her nervous.

I want my son to read things he might not agree with, Tomerlin said. Im concerned that if we ban everything we dont agree with, he wont be exposed to the real world.

Kelly Garza has a child in second grade in Valparaiso. She said that she wants all books to be available, especially as they can teach you about people and perspectives that you do not see in Northwest Indiana.

She said that she doesn't understand why certain books are called into question and that most parents she knows do not either.

I dont know many people who want to ban books. I feel like, historically speaking, its never been a good thing to ban books, Garza said.

Betsy Burow-Flak, an English professor at Valparaiso University, teaches a course that discusses banned books.

In her course, students discuss and read several banned books that have been challenged over the years. This semester, they are reading Looking for Alaska, Beloved and several other books.

Looking for Alaska is frequently banned due to a sexual scene featured in the book. Author John Green, from Indiana, has spoken about this several times, indicating the scene is crucial to the novel. He tweeted Feb. 2 that it is disheartening to see the book on so many banned-books lists.

Burow-Flak said current book challenges partially have to do with political polarization in the country, especially with a particular reference to critical race theory.

Burow-Flak emphasized that critical race theory is typically only taught in very specific situations in higher education.

She said that parents are concerned about what values a school could put upon their children, especially with LGBTQ identities. However, Burow-Flak said that parents do have options regarding control over their children, such as homeschooling or private schooling.

Rachael Muszkiewicz, associate professor of library science at Valparaiso University, helps curate the universitys Banned Books Week in September every year. She said that book challenges have been increasing in recent years and that she believes it could be partially due to partisan politics.

Muszkiewicz is a parent herself and said that some parents want to ensure that their views are enforced. Meanwhile, Muszkiewicz said, she wants children to be critical thinkers and determine views themselves.

She said it is OK for parents to not want children to read certain books, but they should not make that book unavailable for all children.

Burow-Flak said that a lot of parents want an opt-out option for books, but she is generally opposed to that. She said it is important for children to be exposed to differing viewpoints.

It teaches them that they dont have to learn about difficult things, Burow-Flak said.

Burow-Flak said that every parent does not agree with every single thing their children are learning. However, she said that parents do have the opportunity to talk about these issues outside of class.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Heavy rain along with thunderstorms this afternoon. High around 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 46F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Q. I have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. If I marry a U.S. citizen, can I get my green card without leaving the United States? I entered the United States without inspection. Put another way, I snuck into the United States. I havent left since then.

Patel, no address

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A. If you travel abroad with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services permission, called advance parole, you can interview for your green card in the United States. You apply for advance parole using USCIS form I-131, Application for Travel Document. With DACA, you qualify for advance parole if you need to travel abroad for humanitarian, educational or business reasons. The good news is that USCIS has been quite generous in granting advance parole requests.

Once you return to the United States with advance parole, you qualify to interview here (adjust status) based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. USCIS will forgive you for your prior unlawful entry, your having been here unlawfully, and any unauthorized employment. Unless Congress creates a path to permanent residence for those with DACA, marriage to a U.S. citizen is one of the few ways that those with DACA can get permanent legal status.

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Q. I am the guardian of a young woman whose permanent resident mother passed away in 2019. Can my ward get a green card despite her mothers death? The womans mother was a green card holder who lived in Orlando until she died. Her daughter was never able to join her there.

Marclia Hippolyte, St. Lucia

A. Im sorry, but Im afraid I dont have good news. For your ward to qualify for a green card based on her mother being a permanent resident, her mother must have petitioned for her before she died. And your ward must have been residing in the United States at the time of her mothers death.

Readers should note that different rules apply to the widow/widower of a U.S. citizen. A widow/widower can self-petition for permanent residence no matter whether the U.S. citizen spouse had filed a petition. And, the rules for the spouse of a deceased U.S. citizen do not require U.S. residency.

Allan Wernick is an attorney and director of the City University of New Yorks Citizenship Now! project. Email questions and comments to questions@allanwernick.com. Follow him on Twitter @awernick.
This undated photo provided by Louisiana National Guard shows Louisiana Army National Guard Warrant Officer Tatiana Julien in front of her National Guard helicopter. The Louisiana Army National Guard has commissioned its first Black female pilot. Warrant Officer Tatiana Julien of New Orleans pilots a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in B Company, 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion, which is based in Hammond. She says in a news release that she had no idea she'd be a trailblazer when she asked for the training. (Louisiana National Guard via AP)
MISSOULA, Mont. - Missoula Aging Services needs more volunteers for its Meals on Wheels program in order to avoid reducing services.

The agency reported it needs at least 20 more volunteers to help deliver meals and check in on clients throughout the week, or else it might not be able to keep up with deliveries four days a week.

Recently, Montana Right Now reported in the month of January, 54 new people signed up for the service, the most ever in a single month.

According to Rob Edwards, the community services director at Missoula Aging Services, they're on pace to break that record again this month, averaging about 380 clients, a 66% increase throughout the pandemic.

Edwards said they need more volunteers to split up longer routes and avoid volunteer burnout.

He explained without them, the service may have to cut down on its delivery days and supplement with frozen meals.

Thats not as good nutritionally for our clients, but it also drops off that check-in, that communication, that face-to-face interaction that, I think, is a big part of Meals on Wheels, Edwards said.

Each driver delivers about 20 meals throughout Missoula County.

Shifts are every week day, besides Wednesday, between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Volunteers Karen Orzech and Lance Collister explained why they choose to help out.

"It's a blast," they said. "It's so much fun. We really look forward to it. Our clients are just something else. They're so much fun."

Volunteer schedules are based on availability. Volunteers can help out several days each week, or just once per month. Routes can also be split between people.

For more information on how to volunteer, click here.
Have a news tip or would like to report a typo? Email Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@kvoa.com.
Asian-American groups in New York City are calling on Albany to significantly boost funding for their work as the Big Apple reels from an ongoing series of horrifying hate crimes.

They want the state to allocate $64.5 million to help them bolster services for Asian-American and Pacific Islander (or AAPI) New Yorkers, along with efforts to fight hate with education.

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The AAPI community is in a state of siege. Its been two years of hate, bigotry and violence that we have seen over and over and over again, state Sen. John Liu (D-Queens) told the Daily News on Sunday.

Were feeling besieged, and we need resources to get at the root of these attacks, added Liu, whos helping lead the push for funding as budget season kicks into high gear in Albany.

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New York State Senator John Liu speaks at a rally in support of a South Korean diplomat who was assaulted Wednesday near West 35th Street and 5th Avenue at a rally near the UN Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

Last year, the state allocated just $10 million for AAPI groups, according to Liu, even as hate crimes dominated the headlines.

Dedicating a larger slice of the states more than $200 billion budget to AAPI organizations would enable them to take a multipronged approach to hate, the senator said.

Asian-American community organizations  are very poorly funded, said Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou (D-Manhattan). We need to make sure that every single one of these organizations can get the funding that they need to actually do their services.

Complaints of anti-Asian hate crimes more than tripled from 2020 to 2021, according to NYPD statistics, a trend that seems poised to continue this year. On Wednesday, a South Korean diplomat was punched in the face with no provocation in Midtown, and on Sunday, a woman was brutally murdered in her Chinatown apartment, though police have not called it a hate crime.

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Extra state funding for nonprofits would both boost social services for AAPI New Yorkers in need and build bridges with other communities, advocates said.

The Asian-American Federation and Coalition for Asian-American Children and Families are among the groups seeking more funding.

It would help CACF, which represents more than 60 nonprofits, in building the infrastructure and capacity of nonprofits across the state, said the groups co-executive director, Vanessa Leung.

The funding would also enable CACF to expand undertakings like a new afterschool leadership program, she said.

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Its really important for our young people to be confident in who they are, Leung said, adding that service providers want to get other students outside the AAPI community to see and understand and also build those connections.

Liu and Niou said theyve discussed the funding request with Gov. Hochuls office.

Gov. Hochul is committed to supporting the vital organizations that advocate for New Yorks diverse communities, including AAPI communities amid the ongoing pandemic and horrifying wave of hate crimes, and we will work with the Legislature on these priorities, Hochul spokeswoman Hazel Crampton-Hays said in a statement.
Coronavirus numbers continued to decline across the country over the weekend, official data showed on Sunday.

New York state had 3,583 positive COVID cases on Saturday, the lowest number since Oct. 25, according to Gov. Hochuls office.

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The positivity level hit a recent low of just over 2%, and statewide there were 50 COVID deaths, bringing the estimated toll to 67,779.

People pass a COVID testing van in Manhattan on Feb. 13, 2022. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

The lower figures come as a relief after the holiday season, when the highly contagious omicron variant sparked tens of thousands of new cases per day.

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I am so proud of the hard work New Yorkers have put in this winter to get us past the omicron surge and put us on the pathway to normalcy, Hochul said in a statement.

The vaccine is still the most effective weapon we have in beating this pandemic, which is why its so important that we continue to encourage New Yorkers to take advantage of this critical tool.

Meanwhile, the citys subways logged a new benchmark in the effort to bounce back from COVIDs blows.

Subway ridership topped 3 million for three days in a row last week, the first time since mid-December, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Ridership plummeted as much as 95% during the depths of the pandemic and had been coming back before the omicron wave hit.

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The MTA has been trying to bring riders back with measures like fare discounts and contactless payment.

Although three in four people in the state are fully vaccinated, the rate of booster shots is lagging, and Mayor Adams last week said those who get the added jab at sites operated by the city or by the SOMOS community care network will receive $100.

People pass a COVID-19 testing site in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Nationwide, COVID cases are down about three-quarters from the omicron-fueled peak in January. Countries around the world have seen similar drops, prompting leaders to ease restrictions.

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New York State ended its indoor mask mandate last week, although riders still have to mask up on city subways. Many Big Apple businesses are still required to ask for proof of vaccination when serving customers as well.

Over the weekend, Norway said it was lifting almost all remaining COVID restrictions as it saw no major health threat to citizense, even though the omicron variant was still spreading in the Nordic nation.

In contrast, Hong Kong is reporting record COVID numbers as it tries to implement Chinas zero-tolerance strategy.

With News Wire Services
Joe and Barb Spiegelhoff met when they were 14-year-old freshmen at Badger High School and their connection was instant, described Barb.

By the end of that year he told me that he was going to have his own business, own a big house, a big car, and he was going to marry me. I was like Ermm, no. I was only 14. I was not thinking about marrying anyone at this point, said Barb.

They eventually got married at the age of 21 but their relationship stemmed from their friendship, Barb said. They were married May 22, 1971.

Fifty years later, the two are still together through the good times and hard times, including Joes health struggles in recent years.

He has been my best friend since forever, said Barb. We just enjoyed being together, we could talk forever.

Barb became a teacher at Badger High School and Joe started his own insurance business from the basement of their house, Spiegelhoff & Associates Insurance, now Spiegelhoff Insurance. He was also the president of the Lake Geneva Joint 1 School Board for about 20 years.

Looking back at their 50 years of marriage, Barb really values their trips. They were able to visit various countries including the Dominican Republic, where the couple decided to celebrate their anniversary with their family.

She described the trip as a beautiful experience although it is getting difficult for Joe to travel.

In 2011, Joe started realizing he had a hard time remembering different things and he began mixing up words. He knew something was wrong, Barb said.

Joe was diagnosed in 2016 with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal degeneration at the age of 64.

Primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal degeneration is a type of frontotemporal dementia, a disorder that results in a loss of speech and language. It is a terminal disease with no cure.

We made a decision at that point that our new motto became enjoy each day because as shocking as that diagnosis was and as terrible as this disease is, Id have to say that there are some positives. Weve learned to be grateful, said Barb.

However, the disease does cause frustration, especially for Joe. As time progresses, it gets more difficult for him to communicate.

In order to best meet his needs, Barb does her own research, goes to support groups and joins online communities.

Were all sort of on the same boat as caregivers, said Barb. It is very helpful that there are people who understand where you are and can provide support, knowledge and encouragement.

The disease results in losing vital skills, Barb said. Joes needs are increasing, with Barb having to help with more tasks.

We married young, we were 21, we had children young, we were 25. I thought this morning, well God knew that. He knew we were limited on this end, said Barb.

Joe no longer knows dates and years and with Valentines Day approaching, the couple celebrated their love a few days early.

He saw a bear that said Happy Valentines Day 2022 at the store and really liked it. Barb bought it and he thought Valentines Day was the next day.

When I woke up the next morning hed written me a love letter. Imperfect as it was, he expressed his love and appreciation to me, said Barb. It was really sweet. It meant a lot to me.

The couple continues to tell each other that they love each other every day and enjoy visiting new places together.

I would say enjoy each day is a good motto for everyone to live by. Knowing that life isnt forever has made me really appreciate each day that we have, said Barb.
A local couple with a home on Lauderdale Lake is urging residents to take caution before hiring a contractor after their contractor was found guilty of stealing from them, causing them to lose about a million dollars.

General contractor, John Roberts, out of Elkhorn, was charged in 2019 with one count of theft by a contractor. He has since pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal. On Jan. 7 Roberts was placed on five years of probation, which includes 10 months in the Walworth County Jail with work release.

One of the conditions to Roberts probation is that he cannot be a general contractor where he has control over other peoples money.

If his probation were revoked, he would be required to serve three years of confinement in prison.

Jeffrey Adams and wife Kelly hired Roberts as their contractor back in 2014 to work on the historical Deakin House, often referred to as the Boat House, located on Lauderdale Lakes in the Town of LaGrange.

Jeffs middle name happens to be Lauderdale and after discovering that the area was named after Jeffs ancestors, the couple decided to create it as a multigenerational home for their family.

The house, which is on Deakin Island dates back to the 1880s. It was formerly owned by Earl Deakin, who had a passion for speedboat racing and had one of the first registered cars in Chicago in 1902, according to an At the Lake feature on the home in 2016.

What started as a cabin became much larger when Earl Deakin and his wife added a garage, ballroom with opium den off to the side and a boat house with a private swimming pool incorporated into the design. Rumor has it that well-known Chicago gangsters including Al Capone himself visited the house over the years and Adams said there is evidence of a hidden escape route that had been built into the house.

However, the project to restore the home became a living nightmare, Adams said.

Beyond problems with the house, which ultimately had to be torn down and rebuilt, were the bigger problems with the contractor.

Adams realized that Roberts began to change the cost of the project, originally $1.5 million, without any explanation.

He would change the cost of assigned work, increase the general contractors fee and the general conditions fee portions of the cost breakout sheet to his benefit, Adams said.

In the couples victim statement they wrote, He unilaterally imposed change orders without first obtaining our written consent, as he was required to do under the contract.

During the reconstruction of the home, Roberts walked off leaving the house with multiple damages.

There were leaks throughout the house, walls were not framed to plan, the deck railing on the upper floor was not built to code, among other issues.

However, the couples most shocking realization came after the fact. They discovered that Roberts was on probation in 2015 while working on their house.

Roberts had been criminally charged in DuPage County, Illinois with theft by contractor, arising out of another construction project he was involved with, Adams explained.

Upon further investigation, the couple found out that Roberts and his construction company, Premier Design, were named as defendants in at least 21 separate civil actions in Illinois, dating back to the 1990s.

The one thing I wish we had known about and the extra step I wish we would have taken, was to take advantage of simple online searches to make sure there were no red flags, said Adams.

With the online Wisconsin Circuit Court Access tool, Adams and his wife were able to search Roberts online record. It was an eye-opener, he said.

Our motivation was to do the right thing and get somebody off the street thats harming others, said Adams. We also want to mention that there are resources out there to check peoples background.

Adams wanted to make sure that Roberts could not continue being a contractor after not showing any remorse following his charges in 2015.

A big portion of the legal challenges have concluded in our favor so that validation is helpful, but we still have a house that is not finished. We still have a year or two ahead of us, said Adams.

Right now the family looks to move forward and are happy to have this chapter closed.
With recent detections of highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza, farmers should make sure their biosecurity plans are up to date and being implemented.
New Delhi, February 14: The filing of a draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) by Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has created a "positive buzz in the air" and the public issue will be a very positive development in the history of the country's largest insurer, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

Addressing a media briefing after the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) board meeting, Sitharaman said, "I can see after the announcement, the reception, there is a buzz in the air." LIC IPO: Draft Papers Filed With SEBI, Likely to Raise Up to Rs 63,000 Crore From 5% Stake Sale.

Moving one step closer to initial public offering (IPO), LIC on Sunday filed draft papers with the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Responding to a question on the timing of the IPO given the current volatility in the stock markets, the Finance Minister said, "a big decision like this is never a knee-jerk reaction. It is done with consciousness."

As per the DRHP, up to 31,62,49,885 (31.62 crore) equity shares will be on offer through the offer for sale (OFS), representing 5 per cent of the equity stake of Life Insurance Corporation of India.

DRHP, also referred to as offer document, is the preliminary registration document prepared by merchant bankers for prospective IPO-making companies. Among other things, it lists reasons why the company wants to raise money from the public and how the money will be used. It also gives details about the risks involved in investing in the company.

Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said in a tweet on Sunday that the proposed IPO will be a 100 per cent offer for sale by the government and there will be no issue of fresh shares by Life Insurance Corporation of India.

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Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 14 (ANI/NewsVoir): QBIX ACADEMIA founded in the year 2007 today cleared a milestone and announced its completion of 14 years in the industry.

The organization is primarily into providing overseas education opportunities to Indian students and trains and assists them in the fields of IELTS, German classes, University guidance, SOPs, LORs and visa counseling support to name a few.

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With QBIX ACADEMIA students do a lot more than study abroad. They learn new languages, build their profile and portfolios and above all, create a community of QBIXians worldwide.

Today QBIXians are presenting themselves in many international universities and offer unlimited support to new members throughout their journey. This reduces nervousness, anxiety and overwhelming challenges for new students and gives them a helping hand in a foreign land.

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Speaking at the occasion, Balukeshwar Nath Agrawal, Director, QBIX ACADEMIA Stand overseas said, "Finding the personal qualities, secrets of each student and knowing their strengths to lead them towards the correct destination and course, is our organization's vision. During the entire counselling process our mission is also to connect each of our student to other QBIX student's and make sure that they spend good time together and make new friends. Treating each student as our family member and spending good time through discussions and exploring innovative ideas to get admission is our secret which leads us towards success. This uniqueness has helped us have a long term and friendly relation with our students."

Our company majorly deals in giving counseling to choices available in abroad universities, and not only targeting any specific destinations or set of universities to promote their respective courses. With our vision, we have helped various backgrounds of people ranging from Engineering, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Economics, Arts & Design, Architecture, Business, Law, physiotherapy, Medicine etc. Every student at QBIX has benefitted from our counseling services to finalizing their study destinations such as Germany, USA, Canada, Sweden, UK, Ireland and many other European countries. It's our strong vision even if student comes with any specific destination requirement, we should inform them the associated challenge of visiting this destinations and also making them aware on other best possible choices in different locations, so that they can make fair decision for their career and develop their understanding. With strong belief on preparing students to be independent and represent India in such way, so that after landing in abroad they should be treated with respect we have so far completed successful 14 years.

Few of the services that QBIX ACADEMIA offers its students is as under:

Spreading general knowledge of abroad education as whole.

Networking with students and help them to go with preparation.

Helping them to be independent from the application process itself.

For further information, please log on to www.qbixacademia.com

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

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Khatima (Uttarakhand) [India], February 14 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Khatima, Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday cast his vote along with his wife and mother in the ongoing assembly elections in the state.

Confident about BJP forming government once again in the 70 member assembly in Uttarakhand, he said, "All our schemes have provided a shield for the people of Uttarakhand. The public knows very well who can work for the development of the state. I'm sure that the Uttarakhand public will bring BJP on 60+ seats."

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State Governor Retired Lt Gen Gurmit Singh also cast his vote on Monday.

"I'd like to appeal to everyone to use their voting rights; voting turnout should be 100 per cent. The elections are being held in a proper, unbiased manner," said Singh after casting his vote in Dehradun.

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Meanwhile, former union education minister and former Uttarakhand chief minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank also visited the polling station in Dehradun with his daughter Arushi Nishank to cast their vote.

Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister and candidate from Chaubattakhal assembly constituency Satpal Maharaj cast his vote at a polling station in his assembly constituency.

Uttarakhand reported 5.15 per cent voter turnout till 9 am for the 70 members Assembly elections on Monday, according to the Election Commission of India.

Voting also began in Goa and parts of Uttar Pradesh going to elections in the second phase on Monday at 7 am. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)

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The citys Fair Fares program, which offers half-priced MetroCards to low-income residents, is getting a funding boost later this year, Mayor Adams announced Monday.

The money bump will be authorized through the citys annual budget scheduled to be authorized at the end of June, according to the mayor and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

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The deal comes two years after former Mayor Bill de Blasio gutted the program, slashing $65 million from its $106 million budget during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adams said he struck an agreement with the Council speaker to give Fair Fares $75 million in the next budget, about 30% less than its pre-pandemic allocation.

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The Fair Fares program that offers half-priced MetroCards to low income residents is getting a funding boost later this year. (Todd Maisel/NY Daily News/New York Daily News)

Yet it would still mark an increase if the program gets a surge of participants. Despite Fair Fares big budgets in previous years, the city hasnt spent more than $49 million on the program in a fiscal year due to low enrollment.

The path to an equitable recovery runs through our public transit system, the mayor said in a statement. Since its inception, Fair Fares has proven to be a transformative program for so many New Yorkers struggling to get by.

Roughly 265,000 people are currently enrolled for the fare discount deal; its open to residents living below the federal poverty line, low-income CUNY students, veterans and NYCHA residents.

The nonprofit Community Service Society in 2018 estimated roughly 800,000 New Yorkers were eligible for the benefit, and projected 361,000 would take advantage of the deal.

The program got off to a rough start after it was authorized by the City Council and de Blasio in 2018. Only a fraction of those eligible for Fair Fares could sign up for discounted MetroCards in 2019, and enrollment continued to lag in 2020 as the pandemic pushed New Yorkers away from subways.

MTA chairman Janno Lieber has for months called on city officials to do more to boost enrollment in the program. Lieber last year said the agency would display more advertisements on trains and buses reminding riders about the available discount.

Enabling all New Yorkers to gain economic opportunity via reliable, safe, climate-friendly public transportation is the best and most equitable way for the City to regain its economic swagger following the pandemic, Lieber said in a statement Monday. As we work to get more eligible New Yorkers enrolled, we also look forward to future funding of the program.
Srinagar, Feb 14 (PTI) Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah was on Monday prevented from leaving his residence here in view of security concerns on the anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack, prompting him to lodge a strong protest.

Sources in the National Conference, of which Abdullah is the president, said that he was scheduled to travel to Jammu by road, a stretch of nearly 300 kilometers. The information about the programme had been conveyed to authorities concerned five days ago, but to his dismay, Abdullah found that the exits from his house were barred.

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Abdullah, a former three-time chief minister and a sitting Lok Sabha member from Srinagar, managed to walk out of his house in the afternoon and is said to have hitched a ride from a passerby for a short distance before the security team persuaded him to return home in a police vehicle.

Police officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that no VIP movement is advised on the day of the Pulwama attack anniversary.

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On this day in 2019, 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden car into a bus carrying security personnel.

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New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Monday at a US-hosted meeting on the COVID-19 pandemic that India is in talks with the World Health Organisation for an MoU for sharing its CoWIN platform globally under an initiative of the UN body, according to sources.

Shringla also told the meeting, convened by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, that India will be happy to extend the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network of laboratories for genomic sequencing and surveillance in its neighbourhood, the sources said.

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The foreign secretary also mentioned that India will take its experience in testing, treating and vaccinating a large population spread out in different geographies and terrains to create customised and tailor-made capacity building and technical training programmes for front-line and healthcare workers in Asia, Africa and Latin America, they said.

Shringla said four WHO-approved vaccines (COVAXIN, COVISHIELD, COVOVAX and JANSSEN) and three others due for approvals (CORBEVAX, ZyCov-D and Gennova) are being produced in India, according to the sources.

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He said India has the capacity to produce 5 billion doses in 2022.

Blinken hosted the COVID-19 Global Action Meeting to coordinate efforts on pandemic response, particularly in the areas of vaccination, supply chain resilience and strengthening the global health security architecture.

Shringla conveyed in the meeting that India has offered the CoWIN as an open-source digital public good and is in talks with the WHO for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for sharing the platform globally through the global body's C-TAP (COVID Technology Access Pool) initiative, the sources said.

The CoWIN is India's digital technology platform for COVID-19 vaccination.

Shringla also apprised the meeting that India has supplied over 162 million vaccine doses to 97 countries and two UN organisations, the sources said, adding he also mentioned New Delhi's humanitarian assistance to Myanmar and Afghanistan.

The foreign secretary said India is collaborating with its Quad partners to deliver a billion doses in the Indo-Pacific region in 2022, according to the sources.

The meeting was attended by foreign ministers and senior representatives of several countries and international organisations.

With External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar being on an official tour abroad, Shringla represented India at the meeting, the sources said.

The foreign secretary also mentioned India's focus on strengthening and securing global supply chains and noted that the country will rally with like-minded partners and the WHO to improve sub-optimal approval and regulatory processes which are an impediment for stable and predictable supplies, the sources said.

He said India will also work for the implementation of the TRIPS waiver that it co-sponsored with South Africa to diversify local manufacturing in regional markets, they said,

The foreign secretary said India has administered over 1.7 billion doses, fully vaccinating 70 per cent of its adult population and the CoWIN has handled up to 25 million daily vaccinations.

He said India is committed to playing a constructive role to help end the pandemic and that it will develop these ideas and share the next steps shortly, according to the sources.

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Panaji (Goa) [India], February 14 (ANI): Goa reported 26.63 per cent voter turnout till 11 am as the polling is underway in 40 assembly constituencies on Monday, according to the Election Commission of India.

The polling for 40 Assembly seats in Goa began at 7 am and will end at 6 pm today.

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Sanquelim from where Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is contesting the Goa Assembly elections so far witnessed the highest percentage of voters' turnout of 33 per cent till the time followed by the Sanquem constituency having 32.87 per cent voter turnout.

In the Quepem assembly seat, around 31 per cent of voters participated in polling till 11 am and 30.60 per cent of people in the Canacona seat, as per Election Commission.

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However, Panaji, the traditional seat of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar from where his son Utpal is trying to continue his legacy by contesting polls as an Independent candidate, has recorded a 23.38 per cent voter turnout.

After casting his vote today, Aam Aadmi Party Chief Ministerial face for Goa polls Amit Palekar asserted that people are voting enthusiastically to defeat corruption this time.

"People are voting enthusiastically to defeat corruption, we will witness a sea-change. Let's wait for March 10 results," Palekar told ANI.

On the other hand, Congress candidate from Calangute, Michael Lobo and his wife Delilah Lobo also cast their vote at a polling booth in Goa.

Earlier today, the Chief Electoral Officer of Goa informed that people are voting peacefully in the coastal state.

"Polling process is being conducted peacefully. We want more and more people to vote this time, expecting record-breaking voting. A total of 5 Control Units, 11 VVPATs replaced during mock polls, this is a normal procedure," Kunal, Chief Electoral Officer, Goa told ANI.

A total of 301 candidates from different political parties are in the electoral fray in Goa.The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is challenged by Congress, Trinamool Congress, and Aam Admi Party (AAP) in a multi-cornered electoral contest in Goa.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is contesting from the Sanquelim constituency against Congress' Dharamesh Saglani while the BJP candidate from Margao seat, Manohar Ajgaonkar has been pitched against Congress nominee Digambar Vasant Kamat.

Goa Assembly has a strength of 40 members out of which the BJP currently has 17 legislators and enjoys the support of legislators from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), and three independents. The GFP and MGP each have three MLAs, and Congress, on the other hand, has 15 MLAs in the house.

The counting of votes in Goa will take place on March 10. (ANI)

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Bengaluru, Feb 14 (PTI) The Karnataka government on Monday decided to reopen pre-university and degree colleges across the state, that were shut due to hijab row, from February 16.

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The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, which was attended by Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh, Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayan, and senior officials of the government.

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"At the meeting, the current situation in the state was analysed. It was decided to reopen PU and Degree colleges from Wednesday," Nagesh said.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said the colleges will reopen on the basis of the Karnataka High Court's interim order.

"Wherever (in colleges) there are uniform related rules, it has to be strictly followed. Where a uniform is not there, the dress code will be decided. We will strictly follow the High Court order," he added.

As protests for and against the hijab intensified in different parts of Karnataka and turned violent in some places, the government had declared a holiday for all high schools and colleges in the state for three days, from February 9, and it was subsequently extended up to February 16.

However, the Karnataka High Court, in its interim order pending consideration of all petitions related to the hijab row, last week had requested the state government to reopen educational institutions and restrained all the students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab and any religious flag within the classroom.

Following the court order, the government had decided to resume classes for high school students up to Class 10 from February 14, and for pre-university and degree colleges thereafter, and accordingly high schools across the state reopened today.

Expressing confidence that there will be no untoward incidents when colleges reopen, Home Minister Jnanendra said police are with educational institutions and see to it that there is no disturbance to peace.

Police officials are gathering information regarding how the row got escalated, and investigation is on in this regard.

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New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI): As many as 34,113 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported across the country in the 24-hour period, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday.

A total of 75.18 crore tests have been conducted so far in India, with 10,67,908 tests held in the last 24 hours, as per ministry data.

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Country's active caseload currently stands at 4,78,882, which accounts for 1.12 per cent of total cases.

The daily positivity rate in India has been recorded at 3.19 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 3.99 per cent, as per the bulletin.

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A total of 91,930 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic is now at4,16,77,641, stated the bulletin. India's recovery rate now stands at 97.68 per cent.

The country reported 346 deaths in the country in the past 24 hours, increasing the total reported death count to 5,09,011.

A total of 1,72,95,87,490 vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far under a nationwide vaccination drive. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) Jamia Millia Islamia on Monday announced that physical classes for final-year postgraduate students will resume from March 2 and for final-year undergraduate students from mid-March.

In an order, the university administration said the varsity will open in a phased manner taking into consideration the travel time of outstation students who require necessary preparation to reach Delhi, but added that the hostels will not open till COVID-19 protocols are in place.

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The university has mandated a negative RTPCR report along with a valid ID card for those coming for offline classes.

"The university has limited seats in the Boys/Girls Hostels and the hostel buildings are under renovation/maintenance work. Taking into consideration the COVID-19 protocol, it is not possible/advisable to provide residential accommodation till Covid protocol exists. The Provosts of Hall of Residence are required to monitor the renovation/maintenance work personally and prepare fresh list of students for hostel allotment in each hostel after renovation is over," the order read.

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However, no decision has been announced regarding the resumption of offline classes for intermediate years for UG and PG courses.

The circular ends days of speculation around the reopening of Jamia after the Delhi Disaster Management Authority gave a nod to the resumption of offline classes in educational institutes earlier this month.

While Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University have decided to open on a single day and in February itself, Jamia has decided to go for a phased reopening starting from March.

The left-affiliated All India Students' Association (AISA), along with other student outfits and JMI students, had staged protests, demanding reopening of the campus.

The order also stated that whenever online classes are conducted, the exams will take place online.

"The departmental libraries, indoor games facilities and gym for cardholder shall be functional with effect from 21 February. Three dry canteens in the university will function with effect from March 2 with the prior permission of the registrar," the statement read.

The university has asked all staff to strictly follow the COVID-19 protocol issued by the central government from time to time during their stay in the campus.

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Bhubaneswar, Feb 14 (PTI) A sexagenarian who allegedly married 14 women in seven states in a span of 48 years was arrested in Bhubaneswar on Monday, police said.

It is also alleged that the man who hails from a village under Patkura police station in Odisha's Kendrapara district took money from these women before fleeing.

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The arrested man, however, denied the charges.

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The accused had married for the first time in 1982 and took a second wife in 2002. He fathered five children from these two marriages, Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police Umashankar Dash said.

Between 2002 and 2020, he befriended other women through matrimonial websites and married them without knowledge of the other wives, Dash said.

The man was staying in the Odisha capital with his last wife, who was a school teacher in Delhi. She somehow came to know of his earlier marriages and lodged a complaint with the police.

He was arrested from his rented accommodation.

On the modus operandi of the accused, the DCP said he used to target middle-aged single women, mostly divorcees who sought companionship on matrimonal websites. Later he acquires their money before abandoning them.

He used to identify himself as a doctor and married lawyers, physicians and highly-educated women. A woman working in a para-military force was also among her victims, Dash said.

He has duped women in seven states including Delhi, Punjab, Assam, Jharkhand and Odisha. His first two wives were from Odisha.

The DCP said the matter came to the fore when the school teacher had lodged a complaint with the Mahila police in July last year claiming that the accused married her in New Delhi in 2018 and took her to Bhubaneswar.

She came to know about his multiple marriages and the police arrested him on the basis of her complaint.

Police seized 11 ATM cards, four Aaadhaar cards and other documents from his possession.

He was earlier arrested twice for cheating unemployed youths and loan fraud in Hyderabad and Ernakulam, police said.

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New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI): In a milestone achievement, over 1.5 crore youngsters aged between 15-18 years of age group are fully vaccinated in India.

In a tweet today, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, "Young India is fighting the pandemic with full vigour. Over 1.5 crore youngsters between the 15-18 age group are fully vaccinated now. #SabkoVaccineMuftVaccine."

Also Read | Haryana Shocker: Four-Year-Old Girl Molested in School by Her Classmate in Rewari; Case Registered.

Notably, the vaccination drive for those aged between 15-18 years commenced on January 3 this year.

India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 173.38 crore (1,73,38,16,302) today. More than 40 lakh (40,40,596) vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm today, the Health Ministry informed in its official release.

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More than 1.72 crore (1,76,27,475) precaution doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries (healthcare workers, frontline workers and over 60 years) for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.

The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination started on January 16, 2021.

The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on June 21, 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through the availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.

As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid heartfelt tributes to former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj on her birth anniversary and recalled her association with his mother.

In a Facebook post today, the Prime Minister said, "Right now I am returning from Jalandhar after carrying out a rally. Today is Sushma ji's birth anniversary. I suddenly remembered an old incident related to her, so thought I would share it with you."

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"About 25 years ago, I used to work at an organization in the BJP and Sushma ji was on an election tour in Gujarat. In my village in Vadnagar, she came and met my mother. At that time, a daughter was born in our family to my nephew. Astrologers found her name after seeing the constellation and then a name was decided. The family members had also decided that they will do as they are saying," the Prime Minister said.

"But after meeting Sushma ji, my mother said that the daughter's would be named Sushma. My mother is not very educated but she is very modern in thoughts. And the way she pronounced the decision to everyone at that time, that too I remember till today. Tributes to Sushma ji on her birth anniversary today," the Prime Minister posted on Facebook today.

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Born on February 14, 1952 at Ambala in Haryana, Sushma Swaraj graduated from Sanatan Dharma College, Ambala Cantt. and obtained Bachelor of Law degree from Punjab University, Chandigarh. She was also conferred Honorary Doctorate by the Agriculture University, Kanpur. In 1973, she started practice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India.

Sushma Swaraj entered public life at a young age and won election to the Haryana Legislative Assembly at the age of 25 years in 1977 and became Cabinet Minister for Labour and Employment in the State Government of Haryana. She was again elected as a member of Haryana Legislative Assembly and became the Cabinet Minister for Education, Food and Civil Supplies during the period 1987 to 1990.

In 1990, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha and in 1996, as a member of the 11th Lok Sabha when she became the Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting. In 1998, she was again elected to the 12th Lok Sabha and held the portfolio of Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting and also for Telecommunications as an additional charge. In October, 1998, she became the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi.

Thereafter, in April, 2000, she was again elected to the Rajya Sabha and became the Minister for Information and Broadcasting from September, 2000 to January 2003 and then the Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs from January 2003 to May 2004. In April, 2006, she was re-elected to Rajya Sabha. In 2009, she was elected as a member of the 15th Lok Sabha and became Leader of Opposition from December 2009 to May 2014. In 2014, she was elected to the 16th Lok Sabha. She served as Union Cabinet Minister for External Affairs from May 2014 till May, 2019. (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, February 14: Questioning the government order which prohibits wearing headscarves, senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the petitioners, on Monday, told the Karnataka High Court that leaving it to the college committee to decide whether the hijab is allowed or not is totally illegal.

A bench of the three judges comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi was hearing the various petitions challenging the ban on Hijab in educational institutes in the state on Monday.

Senior advocate Kamat apprised the Court that a government order said the wearing of hijab is not protected by Article 25 and it left it to the College Development Committee to decide whether an exception should be made for hijab. Karnataka Hijab Row: Refusing to Let Girls Go to School in Hijabs Horrifying, Says Malala Yousafzai.

Advocate Kamat said that wearing of hijab not protected by Article 25 is not correct and leaving it to the college committee is completely illegal.

During the hearing, an advocate made a mention of an application to restrict media and social media comments on issues as elections are going on in other states and to postpone the matter after elections.

The Court said that if Election Commission had made this request or some authorities then the bench could consider this. The Court said it cannot restrict media.

Meanwhile, the Court also asked if an essential religious practice is absolute or susceptible to regulation by law.

Advocate Kamat replied that as far as core religious practices are concerned, it is under Article 25 (1) and that it is not absolute. Advocate Kamat clarified that if core religious practices harm or offend public order then they can be regulated.

The Court also asked if everything stated in Quran is an essential religious practice.

The advocate said, "I am not saying that." He further added that he did not want to go deeper into essential religious practice and reiterated that wearing scarves is essential to the practice of the Islamic faith.

Advocate Kamat apprised Court that the petitioners in this case since admission were wearing headscarves and going to colleges for the past two years. Advocate Kamat said the petitioners said that they will cover head with the same colour of uniform

The Karnataka High Court will continue hearing on Tuesday various petitions challenging the ban on headscarves in educational institutes.

The Hijab protests in Karnataka began in January this year when some students of Government Girls PU college in the Udupi district of the state 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 Udupi 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.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
A startling number of New Yorkers have dropped dead in subway trains and stations this year  and accounts from police and transit workers suggest the bulk of them were homeless people who turned to mass transit for shelter.

Six people without IDs have been found dead in the subway so far in 2022, a Daily News analysis of police records show.

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At least five other people who died in the subways this year  including one from an apparent drug overdose  were not believed to be homeless, cops said.

People ride the subway in New York City on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. (Ted Shaffrey/AP)

Thats a significant uptick, MTA data show. Two people were found dead on subway trains or platforms between Jan. 1 and mid-February 2021 from causes unrelated to suicide  and 12 during the entire year, the data show.

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This years deaths include a man who transit sources said was found sprawled on the floor of an uptown No. 6 train on Jan. 24 at 8:10 a.m., right in the middle of the morning rush.

Another man was found on a Manhattan-bound A train at Jay St.-MetroTech in Brooklyn on the morning of Jan. 17 with blood in his nose, and police said his last known address was a homeless shelter.

A man in his 50s believed to be homeless was found dead on an L train on Jan. 6 around 6:30 a.m. as it pulled into the lines Brooklyn terminus in Canarsie, said cops.

Around 7:40 p.m. on Jan. 23, a man in his 30s was found unresponsive on a subway train that pulled into the Jamaica Center-Parsons Archer stop, at the end of the J, M and Z lines.

A woman in her 50s was found dead without ID on a subway platform bench at the 21st St.-Van Alst station on the G line, police said.

The most recent case was Saturday, when a man in his 50s was found dead on an E train at World Trade Center, the final stop of a line thats a popular sleeping spot for homeless people because it never goes above ground.

The rise in homeless deaths in the subways this year points to a larger crisis in the city, said Jacquelyn Simone, policy director the advocacy group Coalition for the Homeless. (Obtained by Daily News)

The rise in homeless deaths in the subways this year points to a larger crisis in the city, said Jacquelyn Simone, policy director the advocacy group Coalition for the Homeless.

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The number of homeless people dying in New York each year more than tripled from 2012 to 2020, from 170 to 613, according to an analysis from the group.

Every night someones on the streets theyre at risk, said Simone. If we want to move people off the subways, we need to give them a better place to be.

Many people who turn to the subways for shelter do so deliberately  and consider the transit system a better place to sleep than city shelters, Simone said.

The majority of people in the subways that are being offered service are being offered transport to a large congregate shelter that many people have made the choice to avoid.

The nonprofit Bowery Residents Committee is contracted by the city to do outreach to homeless people in the subways, offering those sleeping in the system transportation to shelters. But a source in NYPDs Transit Bureau said that outreach slowed  and on some days was halted  in January as the nonprofits staff wrangled with a surge in COVID-19 cases amid the omicron wave.

Muzzy Rosenblatt, CEO of Bowery Residents Committee, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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A homeless person escapes the bitter cold by sleeping under a blanket in the 23rd Street subway station along Lexington Ave. in Manhattan. (Jefferson Siegel/New York Daily News)

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Police have not released the names of any of the people believed to be homeless who died on the subways this year as they seek to notify their families.

Julie Bolcer, a spokeswoman for the city medical examiner, said the body of the man who died on the No. 6 train last month has not been claimed for a funeral, and his remains will be buried in the citys potters field at Hart Island if no relatives are found 30 days after his death.

May 4, 2020: Two homeless men found dead in subways in one 13-hour stretch, cops say. Body of man lies on floor of the C train at 168th St. Friday night. Another body was found on the 4 train 13 hours later. (New York Daily News)

The spate of deaths in the subway come as MTA officials have called for Mayor Adams to do more to address the citys homelessness crisis.

These deaths are tragic and point to an urgent need for alternatives to sheltering in subways where there is no access to health care or treatment for mental illness, said MTA spokesman Eugene Resnick.

Adams and Gov. Hochul on Jan. 3 announced more cops would be deployed on the subways to crack down on homelessness  and state officials would deploy more behavioral health professionals into the subways as part of outreach teams.

The state Department of Mental Health also plans to hire an additional eight Safe Options Support teams to coordinate with city agencies on homeless outreach by the summer, said James Plastiras, a spokesman for the department.

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Adams spokeswoman Gloria Chin said more is coming soon about subway safety from the mayor.
New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI): In a bid to ensure that there's no repeat of the security breach, the police personnel are carrying out intense drills in Punjab's Jalandhar as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public rally here today ahead of Assembly elections in Punjab on February 20.

Prime Minister's Ferozepur rally earlier had to be cancelled after a major security breach with his convoy stuck on a flyover after the agitating farmers had blocked the road. The BJP is raising the issue of the security breach of Prime Minister in the ongoing electioneering in the state.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: 2 Held for Trying To Enter Indian Air Force Station in Jammu.

On January 5, Prime Minister's convoy was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes.

Assembly polls for electing 117 assembly seats in Punjab will be held on February 20. In the 2017 Assembly polls in the state, the Congress had won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats, ousting the SAD-BJP government, which had been in power for 10 years.

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(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 14 (PTI) Several parliamentarians, lawyers, editors and rights activists came out in support of Malayalam news channel MediaOne on Monday, saying the revocation of its license by the Centre on "unspecified" security concerns represents "a clampdown on broader press freedom in India".

They also expressed "disappointment" with the decision of the Kerala High Court in the matter, saying it refused to overturn the cancellation of the news channel's license by the government and protect the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

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"The decision of the single-judge bench of the Kerala HC was based on a 'sealed cover' envelope provided by the (Union) Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the contents of which were not shared with MediaOne News," they said in a joint statement.

They hoped the double-bench of the high court, which has reserved its judgement on the appeals filed against the single-bench order, would protect the channel's fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression and restore its transmission license.

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Congress' Digvijay Singh, DMK's Kanimozhi, TMC's Mahua Moitra, Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi, RJD's Manoj Kumar Jha, CPM's Elamaram Kareem, CPI's Binoy Viswam, RSP's N K Premachandran, AIUDF's Badruddin Ajmal and IUML's E T Mohd Basheer are among the parliamentarians who signed the joint statement, released at a press conference here.

The 42 eminent people who signed the joint statement also included chairman of The Hindu newspaper N Ram, editor of Telegraph R Rajagopal, executive editor of The Caravan magazine Vinod K Jose and editor of MediaOne Pramod Raman, former judge of Bombay High Court B G Kolse Patil, former DGP of Uttar Pradesh K S Subramanian and noted author Tushar Gandhi.

"MediaOne News, a Kerala-based news and current affairs TV channel, suddenly and arbitrarily had its uplinking and downlinking license revoked by the I&B Ministry, citing unspecified national security concerns raised by the MHA," they said

"This arbitrary act of the MHA amounts to a violation of the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution, and also represents a clamp down on broader press freedom in India," they said.

"We are also extremely disappointed by the decision of the single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court which refused to overturn the cancellation of MediaOne News's license by the MIB and MHA and protect the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression," they added.

They said that the central government had, in 2020, suspended MediaOne's transmission for 48 hours, along with that of Asianet News, over coverage of the Delhi violence that took place in February of that year.

MediaOne News had conducted "extensive coverage of the horrific communal riots" through its team of reporters and journalists, and "its refusal to toe the government line had incurred this suspension from the central government by framing charges in the order like criticism to the Delhi Police and RSS", they charged.

The suspension was lifted 12 hours after the lifting of suspension of the other channel, they added.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry revoked the license of MediaOne on January 31, citing national security concerns raised by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd, which operates the news channel, then moved the Kerala HC challenging the Centre's decision.

Hearing the matter on February 8, the Kerala HC upheld the Centre's decision to bar the telecast of MediaOne, saying the denial of security clearance to the Malayalam news channel by the MHA was "justified".

On February 9, Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd, some of its employees and a journalists' union filed separate appeals in the high court against its single judge's order.

After hearing both sides on February 10, the double-bench of the high court reserved its judgement in the appeals filed before it.

"We hope that in the current instance as well subsequent judicial proceedings will protect the channel's fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression and restore the transmission license of MediaOne News," the parliamentarians, editors and other eminent people said in their joint statement

The freedom of the press is essential to the health of any democracy and the central government "must not" be allowed to abuse its powers to curb critical voices and television news channels "that dare to question the official narrative", they added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kochi (Kerala) [India], February 14 (ANI): A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has set aside the stay on the survey process for the SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project ordered by its single Bench.

The Court took the decision on the appeal filed by the State Government challenging the Single Bench's order.

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The Division Bench also set aside the direction of the Single Bench to submit the details of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

The Single Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran on January 20 had stayed the survey process.

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In the appeal, the State Government said, "Present survey was being carried out to aid the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study after which it would take a call on whether any land needed to be acquired. The government has presently not declared any intention to acquire land for the project."

There are protests against the Kerala government's ambitious semi-high-speed railway project SilverLine. It is believed to be one of the biggest infrastructure projects of the Pinarayi Vijayan government.

The proposed 529.45-km railway line will cover 11 districts of the state connecting Thiruvananthapuram in the south to Kasaragod in the north just in four hours. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 14 (ANI): Hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made statements stating Akhilesh Yadav does not want jailed Azam Khan out, Tanzeem Fatima, his wife, said that he always gives a lot of wrong statements.

"This is wrong. CM Yogi Adityanath gives a lot of wrong statements. This is one of them. He (Azam Khan) always faces oppression in the state," Fatima told ANI.

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Azam Khan's wife further expressed confidence in her husband's victory and said, "He is not here but the people of Rampur are with him. He will win with more votes than earlier."

This comes after Adityanath while taking a jibe at the SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said that he does not want former minister and party leader Azam Khan to come out of prison because it will pose a threat to his position.

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In an exclusive interview with ANI, Adityanath said, "Even Akhilesh doesn't want Azam Khan to come out of prison because his (Akhilesh Yadav's) position will be in danger."

In the recent hearing, the Supreme Court refused to grant any relief to Azam Khan, who had sought interim bail to campaign in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Khan has been lodged in Sitapur jail since February 2020 over several cases registered against him. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi while campaigning for Bharatiya Janata Party in the ongoing Assembly elections said that Muslim girls feel safe under the rule of the Yogi Adityanath led government.

"The Muslim girls feel safe under the BJP rule in Uttar Pradesh. Many more Muslim girls are going to schools and colleges in the state now," said PM Modi, while addressing an election rally in Kanpur Dehat

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Making reference to the law and order situation in the state, PM Modi said, "Our Muslim daughters used to face a lot of trouble while going for studies because of eve-teasers on streets. They now have a sense of security after criminals were taken to tasks by our government."

Further slamming Samajwadi Party over changing alliance partners in every election, PM Modi said When they keep changing their allies, then how will they serve the people of Uttar Pradesh,"

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Currently, the Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party is contesting the 2022 Assembly elections in an alliance with the Jayant Chaudhary led Rashtriya Lok Dal and other small parties.

The SP had contested the 2017 Assembly elections in an alliance with Congress.

Meanwhile, the SP had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in an alliance with the Mayawati led Bahujan Samajwadi Party.

Voting for the second phase in the UP elections is currently underway for 55 Assembly constituencies covering nine districts of Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha, Sambhal, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Budaun and Shahjahanpur.

The counting of the votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI): The security forces eliminated the module behind the Pulwama attack led by a Pakistani national Kamran within 100 hours of the attack, said Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd) who commanded 15 Corps in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir when the 2019 Pulwama attack took place.

He also said that the terrorists were scared of dying to an extent that no one wanted to lead after security forces' operations against Jaish-e-Mohammed.

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Speaking to ANI, Dhillon said, "The security forces eliminated the module behind the Pulwama attack led by a Pakistani national Kamran within 100 hours of the attack. After security forces' operations against Jaish-e-Mohammed, their terrorists were so scared of dying that nobody wanted to take the leadership role."

"We have intercepts where calls from Pakistan would ask terrorists to take a leadership role but they would refuse," Dhillon said.

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On February 14, 2019, a terror attack was carried out in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir by a suicide bomber resulting in the death of 40 CRPF personnel. The suicide bomber, identified as Jaish-e-Mohammad's Adil Ahmed Dar, rammed his vehicle into a bus with the CRPF convoy.

Dhillon also asserted that Pakistan Army, ISI, and terrorist organizations work in unison, so one can cross LoC without active participation and guidance of the Pakistan Army.

"Pakistan Army, ISI and terrorist organizations work in unison. No one can cross LoC without active participation and guidance from the Pak Army. We apprehended Pak nationals on LoC in Gulmarg sector who were brought into LoC by Pak post opp our post," he added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) Jet Airways, which is working to restart operations that were grounded nearly three years ago, will receive Rs 50 crore as inter-corporate deposit from a company owned by Jalan group for certain expenses.

Murari Lal Jalan and Florian Fritsch consortium's resolution plan for the grounded carrier was approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in June 2021 under the insolvency resolution process.

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As efforts are on to restart services of Jet Airways, Orion IT Parks Pvt Ltd -- whose shareholders are Murari Jalan and Ankit Jalan -- will extend an Inter-Corporate Deposit (ICD) of Rs 50 crore.

Ankit Jalan is a member of the monitoring committee constituted under the resolution plan for the airline.

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Jet Airways (India), acting through its monitoring committee constituted under the resolution plan, on February 9 accepted a letter dated January 31 from Orion IT. The letter pertains to Orion IT making an ICD of Rs 50 crore without any interest payable by the airline, according to a regulatory filing.

The letter is for Jet Airways to receive an unsecured ICD from Orion IT "for meeting certain expenses (including such expenses which are required to be incurred for the fulfilment of the conditions precedent under the resolution plan and/or for the re-commencement of the operations of the company)".

The ICD is unsecured and the obligations for repayment of the deposit would not commence, subject to certain conditions. The conditions include the implementation of the terms of the resolution plan and fulfilment of all liabilities towards the financial creditors having been met by the resolution applicant.

Till these conditions are met, "Orion IT shall also not take any action to recover the deposit," the filing said.

The ICD letter is governed by Indian laws and is without prejudice to the rights of the successful resolution applicant and rights of the assenting financial creditors under the resolution plan, it added.

Bogged down by financial woes, Jet Airways shuttered services in April 2019.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London [UK], February 13 (ANI): Research involving more than 3,50,000 participants from over 50 countries and 6 continents has found that links between musical preferences and personality are universal.

The findings suggested that music could play a greater role in overcoming social division, as well as offering currently untapped therapeutic benefits. The study was published in the 'Journal of Personality and Social Psychology'.

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Ed Sheeran's song 'Shivers' is as likely to appeal to extroverts living in the UK as those living in Argentina or India. Those with neurotic traits in the US are as likely to be into Nirvana's 'Smells like Teen Spirit' as people with a similar personality living in Denmark or South Africa. Agreeable people the world over will tend to like Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On', or Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's 'Shallow'; while national borders cannot stop open people from replaying David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' or 'Nina Simone'. But it does not matter where a conscientious person lives, they are unlikely to enjoy 'Rage Against the Machine'.

These are the kind of assumptions supported by new research led by Dr David Greenberg, an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and a Postdoctoral Scholar at Bar-Ilan University.

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Across the world, without significant variation, the researchers found the same positive correlations between extraversion and contemporary music; between conscientiousness and unpretentious music; between agreeableness and mellow and unpretentious music; and between openness and mellow, contemporary, intense and sophisticated music. They also identified a clear negative correlation between conscientiousness and intense music.

Greenberg, who wore many hats as a musician, neuroscientist, and psychologist, said, "We were surprised at just how much these patterns between music and personality replicated across the globe. People may be divided by geography, language and culture, but if an introvert in one part of the world likes the same music as introverts elsewhere, that suggests that music could be a very powerful bridge. Music helps people to understand one another and find common ground."

His study explained why personality traits were linked to musical styles. The researchers accurately predicted that extraversion, which is defined by excitement-seeking, sociability, and positive emotions, would be positively associated with contemporary music that has upbeat, positive, and danceable features. Similarly, they were not surprised to find that conscientiousness, which is associated with order and obedience, clashed with intense musical styles, which is characterized by aggressiveness and rebellious themes.

But one finding was proving to be more puzzling. Greenberg said, "We thought that neuroticism would have likely gone one of two ways, either preferring sad music to express their loneliness or preferring upbeat music to shift their mood. Actually, on average, they seem to prefer more intense musical styles, which perhaps reflects inner angst and frustration."

"That was surprising but people use music in different ways - some might use it for catharsis, others to change their mood. So there may be subgroups who score high on neuroticism who listen to mellow music for one reason and another subgroup that is more frustrated and perhaps prefer intense music to let off steam. We'll be looking into that in more detail."

The researchers also found that the correlation between extraversion and contemporary music was particularly strong around the equator, above all in Central and South America. This could suggest that climatic factors influenced musical preferences and that people in warmer climates tend to have personality traits that make them more likely to prefer rhythmic, danceable music.Greenberg, who continued to perform as a professional saxophonist, had a very diverse playlist which was typical of people who scored high on openness. He said, "I've always loved jazz and now I'm also really into the music of different world religions, which makes perfect sense based on my personality traits."

Greenberg and his colleagues used two different musical preference assessment methods to assess an unprecedented number of participants living in more than 50 countries. The first required people to self-report the extent to which they liked listening to 23 genres of music as well as completing the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) and providing demographic information.

The second used a more advanced approach and asked participants to listen to short audio clips from 16 genres and subgenres of Western music on the musicaluniverse.io website and then give their preferential reactions to each (people can still visit the site to receive their scores).

The researchers focused on Western music primarily because it is the most listened to globally and results based on Western music offer the strongest potential to be applied in real-world and therapeutic settings globally.

The researchers used the MUSIC model, a widely accepted framework for conceptualizing musical preferences, which identifies five key musical styles: 'Mellow' (featuring romantic, slow, and quiet attributes as heard in soft rock, R&B, and adult contemporary genres), 'Unpretentious' (uncomplicated, relaxing, and unaggressive attributes as heard in country genres), 'Sophisticated' (inspiring, complex, and dynamic features as heard in classical, operatic, avant-garde, and traditional jazz genres), 'Intense' (distorted, loud, and aggressive attributes as heard in classic rock, punk, heavy metal, and power pop genres), and 'Contemporary' (rhythmic, upbeat, and electronic attributes as heard in the rap, electronica, Latin, and Euro-pop genres).

For thousands of years, humans have broadcast sounds to other groups to establish whether they have similar values, whether they could share resources or whether they are about to fight. Today, people are using music as a way to signal their personality and so, the study argued, there is potential to use music to address social division.

Greenberg, who lived in Jerusalem, already employed music as a bridge to work with Israelis and Palestinians. In fact, he recently gave a TEDx talk expanding on the ways that music can bond people and cultures. Greenberg also believed that the findings could improve music streaming services and support wellbeing apps but this was not as easy as it sounded.

Greenberg said, "If people who score high for neuroticism, for example, are being fed more intense music and they're already feeling stressed and frustrated, is that helping with their anxiety or is it just reinforcing and perpetuating? These are the questions we now need to answer."

The study did not seek to pigeonhole music lovers. Greenberg said, "Musical preferences do shift and change, they are not set in stone. And we are not suggesting that someone is just extroverted or just open, we all have combinations of personality traits and combinations of musical preferences of varying strengths. Our findings are based on averages and we have to start somewhere to begin to see and understand connections."

Greenberg thought that future research could combine streaming data with EEG hyper scanning technologies to establish a more nuanced understanding of the biological and cultural factors that contribute to our musical preferences and responses. He also said that future research should rigorously test the links between music and personality in real-world settings to see how music can be a bridge between people from different cultures around the globe. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Trieste [Italy], February 14 (ANI): There is a vast spherical region made up of dark matter particles, at the centre of spiral galaxies. This region has two defining characteristics: a density that is constantly out to a certain radius that amazingly expands over time, while the density decreases. A recent study explored this in detail.

The study has been published in the prestigious 'Astronomy and Astrophysics' journal. It studied a large number of distant galaxies, some seven billion light-years away.

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The study, conducted by Gauri Sharma and Paolo Salucci from SISSA, together with Glen Van de Ven from the University of Vienna, took a new look at one of the greatest mysteries of modern physics. According to the authors, this new research represented a step forward in our understanding of dark matter, the elusive element in our universe which has been theorized based on its demonstrable effects on heavenly bodies, but which is yet to be directly proven. This is despite any number of targeted astrophysical observations and experiments set up for the purpose in dedicated underground laboratories.

Dark matter makes up approximately 84 per cent of the mass in the cosmos. "Its dominant presence throughout the galaxies arises from the fact that the stars and hydrogen gas are moving as if governed by an invisible element" explained Gauri Sharma. Up until now, attempts to study it have focused on galaxies near to our own: "In this study, however," she explained, "for the first time, we were seeking to observe and determine the distribution of the mass of spiral galaxies with the same morphology of those nearby, but much further away and therefore earlier by some seven billion years. The idea was essentially that, these progenitors of spiral galaxies like our own could offer fundamental clues into the nature of the particle at the heart of the mystery of dark matter."

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Paolo Salucci added, "By studying the movement of stars in approximately 300 distant galaxies, we discovered that these objects also had a halo of dark matter, and that, by starting out from the centre of a galaxy, this halo effectively has a region in which its density is constant". This trait had already been observed in studies examining nearby galaxies, some of which were also the work of SISSA.

The new research has revealed, however, that this central region had something that was wholly unexpected within the context of the so-called "standard model of cosmology". Sharma said that "as a result of the contrast between the properties of nearby and distant spiral galaxies - that is, between today's galaxies and their forebears from seven billion years earlier, we could see that not only is there an unexplained region with a constant density of dark matter, but also that its dimensions increase over time as if being subjected to a process of ongoing expansion and dilution."

This evidence is very difficult to be explained if the dark matter particles did not interact, as posited in the Lambda-CDM model. "In the research we recently published," said Sharma, "we offer evidence of direct interaction between dark matter and ordinary matter, that over time slowly builds up a region of consistent density from the centre of the galaxy outwards." But there's more.

"Amazingly, the above region with constant density expands over time. It's a very slow process, but one that is inexorable" stated Salucci. One possible explanation? "The simplest is that, in the beginning, when the galaxy was formed, the distribution of dark matter in the spherical halo was as predicted by the Lambda-CDM theory, with a density peak in the centre. Later on, the galactic disc that characterizes spiral galaxies is formed, surrounded by a halo of extremely dense dark matter particles. As time passed, the effect of the interaction that we have posited meant that the particles were captured by the stars or expelled into the outer reaches of the galaxy."

This process would create a spherical region of consistent density within the dark matter halo, with dimensions that increase proportionately over time and finally reach those of the galactic stellar disc, as described in the article in 'Astronomy and Astrophysics'. "The results of the study pose important questions for alternative scenarios that describe dark matter particles (aside from Lambda-CDM), such as Warm Dark Matter, Self-Interacting Dark Matter and Ultra Light Dark Matter," said Sharma.

"These models must also account for the clear time evolution registered of the above region. The properties of very distant galaxies in space and time offer cosmologists a genuine gateway to understanding the mysteries of dark matter". It is interesting to note, "that, in line with Nietzsche's philosophy, the truth of this mystery may be revealed not by detailing the most beautiful scenario - the one that is mathematically most elegant, simple and anticipated as an expansion of long-verified theories - but rather through an "ugly" scenario determined by an inelegant and complicated observational phenomenology, from a neglected physical theory that is completely unrelated to that which is familiar to us," said Salucci. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington [US], February 14 (ANI): On eve of Afghan Liberation Day from Russia, Afghan activists in the USA demonstrated, on Sunday, in front of the Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC and at the White House calling for the Second Liberation Day of Afghanistan, this time from the clutches of "Pakistan-sponsored Taliban".

Condemning the August 15, 2021 invasion of Afghanistan by the Pakistani ISI-sponsored "terrorist group Taliban", the demonstrators called for sanctions on Pakistan to protect the world from its active sponsoring of terrorists.

Also Read | Valentines Day 2022: Islamabad College Asks Students to Wear Hijab, Prayer Caps on February 14.

The demonstrators also called upon the Biden administration and the global community to protect the human rights and rights of Afghan women.

Demonstrators were carrying placards and slogans against Pakistan. The slogans read -- Free Afghanistan from Invasion of terrorist groups -- Taliban are terrorists sponsored by Pakistan ISI.

Also Read | Honour Killing Cases Surge in Pakistan as Balochistan Reports Five Killings in a Day.

The protest was led by Khalida Nawabi of the organization Unheard Afghan Voices and many activists joined the demonstrations braving the inclement weather and snow.

They were joined by other Afghan activists from the Afghan Diaspora. The activists also demanded the immediate release of women protesters held by the Taliban.

The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, causing the US-backed government to step down and the regime faces the challenge of getting recognition from the global community. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Before her death at the hands of a knife-wielding homeless man who followed her into her Manhattan apartment, Christina Lee had a blossoming career in the citys creative scene, her former boss at a downtown gallery told the Daily News Monday.

She was the nicest, smartest, sweetest, most hardworking, coolest person that Ive ever met, said Eli Klein, owner of Eli Klein Gallery, where Lee worked after she graduated from Rutgers University.

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She was an extraordinarily kind soul. All of my artists, the curators, everyone uniformly universally loved Christina.

Lee, 35, worked at the gallery from 2010 to 2014, helping relocate it from SoHo to Chelsea. While at the gallery, she produced Beijing-based contemporary artist Liu Bolins flashy Hiding in New York photo shoots. In that photo series, Bolin is painted in camouflage to disappear into the city scenes he stands in front of.

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Victim Christina Yuna Lee (Handout)

She started entry level  it was her first real job after college  and ended as the assistant director of my gallery, Klein recalled.

By 2014, she was ready to move on from the gallery and took a year to travel in Australia, he said.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

I was so sad to see her go, but she always understood you only live once, he said.

Eli Klein and Christina Lee. (courtesy of Eli Klein Gallery)

Lee was recently working as a creative producer for Splice, an online digital music platform.

Her future was senselessly stolen from her just after 4:20 a.m. Sunday, when Assamad Nash, 25, allegedly followed her into her apartment building on Chrystie St. in Chinatown then stabbed her to death in her sixth-floor apartment with a knife he grabbed from her kitchen, police said.

Lee and Nash appear to have been strangers to each other.

I saw it on the news and just completely broke down, Klein said. She was a phenomenal person. She really made an impact on my life.

Assamad Nash being escorted by police officers from the 5th Precinct in Manhattan Monday. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News)

We worked so closely for so long, he added. She was so instrumental in so much that I did. Its the saddest, most ridiculous thing.

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Nash, who barricaded himself inside her apartment for more than an hour, was charged with murder and burglary Monday.
Rio de Janerio, Feb 14 (AP) Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has issued two decrees to drive gold prospecting with a focus on the Amazon rainforest, according to the texts published Monday in the official gazette.

The Programme to Support Development of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining created by one decree aims to strengthen policies and stimulate best practices, according to the text.

Also Read | Accident in Bolivia: 4 Killed, 22 Injured in a Bus Crash in Chuquisaca Department, Say Reports.

The Amazon will be the priority region for the development of works, it says.

The other alters existing laws and regulations, for example requiring the nation's mining regulator to establish simplified criteria for the analysis of permit requests for prospecting.

Also Read | South Korea Rolls Out 4th COVID-19 Vaccine Shots For High-Risk Groups Amid Surge In Omicron Infections.

The measures spurred outrage from environmental and Indigenous rights groups, which warned they would exacerbate the illegal destruction of the world's largest tropical rainforest and pollution of its waterways with mercury, used to separate gold.

They run opposite to what the federal government should be doing, Larissa Rodrigues, portfolio manager for an environmental think tank Choices Institute, said by phone.

There is enormous illegality circulating in the chain that is measurable. The government should be concerned about controlling that chain and not giving more stimulus to it.

Bolsonaro has been an outspoken champion of mining the Amazon since his presidential campaign in 2018, promising to unearth the rainforest's vast mineral wealth.

In doing so, he garnered vast support from prospectors. He is widely expected to run for reelection in October.

Non-government organisations have been sounding the alarm about how both the president's comments and the reduction of environmental oversight during his term have emboldened illegal miners and spurred a gold rush, wreaking vast damage where they work.

But Bolsonaro, the son of a prospector himself, has been unmoved. He characterises prospecting as one of the few alternatives available to people living in a vast, poor region with few opportunities.

Prospecting represents elevated potential for the generation of wealth and income for a population of hundreds of thousands of people, according to a statement from the secretary general of the presidency.

An Associated Press investigation last month found that illegal landing strips and unauthorised airplanes have helped prospectors carry out tons of gold mined on Indigenous lands.

The gold ends up in the hands of brokers, some of whom are under investigation by authorities for receiving gold from illegal mining  facilitated by a widespread lack of traceability.

The gold is refined in Sao Paulo before becoming part of the global supply chain.

Rodrigues' Choices Institute released a study last week that found 229 tons of gold with indications of illegality were sold from 2015 to 2020, or roughly half of national production  most of which originated in the Amazon.

The study was based on the analysis of more than 40,000 sale records and satellite images of production sites.

Rodrigues added that the simplification of the mining regulator's permit process could usher in a wave of new requests or clearing of the agency's backlog of requests, causing complete lack of control.

One of the decrees creates a multiagency commission charged with developing policies to foment what it terms artisanal mining, and which it says will be sustainable.

However, most gold prospecting in the Amazon is far from artisanal, employing generators and heavy machinery for digging trenches and dredging rivers.

Beto Marubo, an Indigenous leader in the Javari Valley, a remote region of Brazil bordering Peru, said on Twitter that the decree represents another incentive for the destruction of the rivers, the forests, the life in our communities. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], February 14 (ANI): The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan not to let foreign airlines use domestic routes, fearing that foreign companies would capture the local market and circumvent the country's aviation policy.

PIA's chief executive officer (CEO) Arshad Malik drew attention to recent news reports that Pakistan had extended domestic rights to a foreign carrier as part of an initiative to attract foreign direct investment, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Also Read | Valentines Day 2022: Islamabad College Asks Students to Wear Hijab, Prayer Caps on February 14.

In a letter to Imran Khan, Malik said that such a decision would be harmful to the ailing domestic aviation industry and have repercussions for the country in the long term.

Arshad Malik said, a national airline had thrashed out a deal with a foreign carrier, Air Arabia, under which the latter would be able to operate flights in Pakistan.

Also Read | Honour Killing Cases Surge in Pakistan as Balochistan Reports Five Killings in a Day.

According to the CEO, the foreign company would thereby capture the local market and circumvent the country's aviation policy under which Air Arabia was denied further rights to operate in Pakistan.

The PIA CEO said the chief executives of all domestic carriers were keen to discuss the issue with him at a joint briefing. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Vilnius [Lithuania], February 14 (ANI/Sputnik): A NATO reinforcement unit from Germany is arriving in Lithuania on Monday. Besides, additional military forces are expected in the Baltic country later this week, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"German reinforcement to the NATO enhances Forward Presence in Lithuania on Monday. The Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany responds to the increasing aggression of the Russian military activity by Ukraine's borders and the deteriorating security situation in the Baltics by deploying additional military capabilities to Lithuania this week," the Ministry said in a statement.

Also Read | Accident in Bolivia: 4 Killed, 22 Injured in a Bus Crash in Chuquisaca Department, Say Reports.

Germany will deploy additional military personnel to the NATO unit stationed in the central Lithuanian town of Rukla. About 1,200 soldiers of the alliance are currently serving in the combat group led by Germany, the statement read.

Tensions around Ukraine have escalated in recent months as Kiev and the West have accused Russia of intending to attack its neighbour, citing a troop buildup at the common border, claims that Moscow has repeatedly dismissed, pointing to NATO's military activities in Eastern Europe as a threat to Russia's security. (ANI/Sputnik)

Also Read | South Korea Rolls Out 4th COVID-19 Vaccine Shots For High-Risk Groups Amid Surge In Omicron Infections.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], February 14 (ANI): Amid the deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Sunday expressed concern about the situation of malnourished children and informed that Indira Gandhi hospital in Kabul receives up to 8 malnourished children on daily basis.

"As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital receives up to eight cases each day of children suffering complications associated with severe acute malnutrition," read UNICEF Twitter post.

Also Read | Valentines Day 2022: Islamabad College Asks Students to Wear Hijab, Prayer Caps on February 14.

Meanwhile, the spread of measles across Afghanistan has worsened and as per United Nations the disease has killed tens of Afghans last month, reported The Khaama Press.

As per the United Nations, only in the northwestern Ghor province, 95 children died from measles and malnutrition over the previous month.

Also Read | Honour Killing Cases Surge in Pakistan as Balochistan Reports Five Killings in a Day.

This comes as Afghanistan's health situation is also on the brink of collapse and is in dire need of international aid and support.

Moreover, 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)

(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 14 (ANI): Amid the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the raging measles outbreak infected tens of thousands and killed more than 150 people in Afghanistan last month, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier on Friday told a media briefing in the Swiss capital measles cases had been on the rise in all provinces of Afghanistan since the end of July 2021, reported Pajhwok Afghan News.

Also Read | Valentines Day 2022: Islamabad College Asks Students to Wear Hijab, Prayer Caps on February 14.

He said a total of 35,319 suspected measles cases were reported in January, including 3,000 that were laboratory confirmed, and 156 deaths. Ninety-one per cent of the cases and 97 per cent of the deaths were children under the age of five.

"The rapid rise in cases in January suggests that the number of deaths due to measles is likely to increase sharply in the coming weeks," he added.

Also Read | Honour Killing Cases Surge in Pakistan as Balochistan Reports Five Killings in a Day.

The Geneva-based UN health agency said that the outbreak was particularly concerning as Afghanistan was facing massive food insecurity and malnutrition, reported Pajhwok.

This comes as Afghanistan's health situation is also on the brink of collapse and is in dire need of international aid and support after the Taliban took control of the war-torn nation last August.

Moreover, 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)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], February 14 (ANI): An Afghan delegation led by the Taliban's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Motaqi left Kabul for Doha on Sunday and is supposed to meet with Doha-based European diplomats.

"The Afghan delegation will meet with representatives of Gulf countries, representatives of EU, the union of Islamic scholars, and Doha-based diplomatic missions," Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reported The Khaama Press.

Also Read | Valentines Day 2022: Islamabad College Asks Students to Wear Hijab, Prayer Caps on February 14.

After the Oslo talks, this is the second time that the Taliban officials are meeting with European representatives.

The visits and meetings with global organizations come as no country has yet recognized the interim government of the Taliban.

Also Read | Honour Killing Cases Surge in Pakistan as Balochistan Reports Five Killings in a Day.

It has been nearly six months after the Taliban recaptured power in Afghanistan but they have not been recognized by any country yet.

Taliban, who are desperate to seek international recognition, and have time and again been reminded that respect for women and human rights, establishing inclusive government, not allowing Afghanistan to become a safe haven of terrorism are the preconditions for the recognition set by the international community. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Windsor [Canada], February 14 (ANI): Windsor police have started arresting protesters blocking the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest land border crossing between US and Canada.

Up to 30 protesters have been arrested near the Ambassador Bridge, most of whom were charged with "criminal mischief," Windsor Police Chief Pamela Mizuno told reporters on Sunday (local time) afternoon, reported CNN.

Also Read | Valentines Day 2022: Islamabad College Asks Students to Wear Hijab, Prayer Caps on February 14.

Windsor police also seized five vehicles from protesters Sunday, Mizuno said, and seven vehicles were towed on Saturday.

The police chief did not provide a timeline for when the bridge was expected to reopen but said police were focusing on restoring traffic flow in the area and would open it as soon as they could.

Also Read | Honour Killing Cases Surge in Pakistan as Balochistan Reports Five Killings in a Day.

"From the onset of the demonstration, our goal was to resolve this situation safely and peacefully," Mizuno said, adding "while police officers are authorized by law to use force, at this time I'm not aware of any injuries as a result of any police interaction that has occurred since the onset of the protest."

Police expect to have a heightened presence in the region to maintain order, the chief said.

Protesters decrying COVID-19 mandates were still blocking border crossing in North America. The police crackdown could soon restore some normalcy to American and Canadian businesses hit hard by a blockade at the border, reported CNN.

The nearly weeklong standoff at the bridge, which links Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, has paralyzed traffic between the US and Canada and crippled a key trade route for both countries.

Now, those refusing to budge will face severe consequences, the leader of Ontario province said.

"Let me be crystal clear: it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along with critical infrastructure," Ontario Premier Doug Ford tweeted Sunday.

"Fines for non-compliance will be severe, with a maximum penalty of USD 100,000 and up to a year imprisonment."

The protests stemmed from truckers opposing Canada's new mandate requiring them to either be fully vaccinated when crossing the Canadian-US border or face a two-week quarantine.

Their "Freedom Convoy" has since drawn supporters resisting other COVID-19 prevention measures, including mask mandates, lockdowns and restrictions on gatherings. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jammu, February 14: Two persons have been detained by the security staff when they tried to enter the technical area of Indian Air Force station in Jammu and Kashmir's Jammu city.

Police said two persons belonging to West Bengal were detained by the security staff of Indian Air Force station in the Satwari area of Jammu on Sunday when they were spotted outside the main gate of the station. The duo was trying to enter the technical area of the station. Jammu And Kashmir: Two Explosions Reported In Technical Area of Jammu Air Force Station; No Damage To Any Equipment.

"They have been identified as Kavi Raj Chethri and Subhash Darji. The Air Force security staff has handed them to the Satwari police station. "After registering a case, the two are now being questioned", police said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 14, 2022 01:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Chennai, February 14: Madras High Court's acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari was on Monday sworn in as its 32'nd Chief Justice. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office to Justice Bhandari in the presence of Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin.

After the swearing-in ceremony, state Advocate General, R. Shanmugasundaran welcomed the Chief Justice at an official function organised by the Registry on the High Court campus. He said that the Chief Justice had given a patient hearing to the advocates while serving as the Acting Chief Justice and had got a high commendation from the bar for his expeditious disposal of cases and fair treatment to advocates.

The Chief Justice in his reply said that he was fortunate himself to be among the few to get a second welcome at the Madras High Court. He was referring to the welcome he received while taking charge as the Acting Chief Justice. "What greater privilege can I seek than being the Chief Justice of Madras High Court, one of the greatest and leading institutions," he said, adding that he would do his best for delivering justice to the common man of the state. Tamil Nadu : Madras HC Strikes Down 10.5% Reservation for Vanniars.

He also said that he was aware of the problems faced by the Bar and that he would do his best to solve them and that he would always be accessible. The Chief Justice also called upon the Judges of the High Court and trial court judges to show more vigour to dispose of as many cases as possible.

Enrolled as an advocate in May 1980, he was elevated to a Judge in the Rajasthan High Court in July 2007. In March 2019, he was transferred to the Allahabad High Court. He was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court on November 22, 2021.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 14, 2022 07:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The government of India will ban 54 Chinese apps that pose threat to the country's security, reported news agency ANI quoting sources. As per a report by The Economics Times, maximum of these apps belong to the Chinese technology firms such as Tencent, Alibaba and gaming firm NetEase. Some of these apps are reportedly rechristened version of the apps banned in 2020 after the Galwan Valley clash.

Tweet By ANI:

Govt of India to ban 54 Chinese apps that pose a threat to Indias security: Sources  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
David Elliot doesnt forget a face, so when he saw accused killer Assamad Nash being led away in handcuffs on the TV news he cursed him.

That son of a b----, the 62-year-old said. I was kind of shocked. I didnt think he was that much out there.

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Nash, 25, is accused of following digital producer, Christina Lee, 35, into her Chinatown building and stabbing her to death, a crime so brutal and senseless it shocked the city.

David Elliot (Ellen Moynihan/New York Daily News)

But for Elliot seeing the suspects face took him back to the afternoon of Sept. 28, when Nash, selling swipes in the Grand St. subway station, was arrested for punching Elliot in the eye without warning. The subway station is just down the block from Lees apartment where she was slaughtered.

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Nash took offense after Elliot swiped a friend through the turnstile  which Nash apparently took as the loss of a potential customer.

Assamad Nash, center, being escorted by police officers from the 5th Precinct in Manhattan Monday. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News)

To tell the truth I didnt really know what was going on, Elliot said of the bizarre clash. He had a problem because I was giving somebody a ride. He told me, You better not swipe her on. I just looked at him.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Nash punched Elliot in the face and doctors needed four stitches to close the cut on his forehead.

I feel that he had something in his hand, Elliot said. But I cant say for sure.

Christina Yuna Lee (Handout)

Elliot initially chased after Nash but then gave up and decided to call police. When cops showed up Nash was charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment.

He is due in court March 9 for that arrest and two other recent busts  one for selling a MetroCard swipe, the other for damaging MetroCard machines, which police said is a common ploy among those who sell swipes.

Elliot feels too many criminals are getting released after they are arrested.

I just wish they would have  I dont know, he said. Theyre just letting people out of jail so fast.

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Nash was charged with murder Monday.
A charity event featuring Melania Trump, the wife of former President Donald Trump, is currently being investigated after organizers promised proceeds to a charity that does not seem to exist.

The former first lady is scheduled to appear at an "exclusive high tea" event on April 9 in Naples, Florida. Organizers noted that the event will benefit "Fostering the Future, a Be Best initiative." The charity gives charity computer science scholarships to those aging out of the foster care system, according to Business Insider.

Regular tickets cost $3,000, while limited VIP tickets amount to $50,000. However, it is not known what percentage of the ticket proceeds will be given to charity.

Melania's "high tea" event is being organized by Whip Fundraising, which previously organized other events for the Trump family, including the former president's Christmas party in Naples, Florida. Trump's Christmas party charged $10,000 per ticket at the time.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Urges Supporters to Hold Nationwide Protests if Prosecutors Investigating Him 'Do Anything Illegal'

Melania Trump's Event in Florida

Florida requires any organization that raises charitable contributions in the state to register. However, according to The New York Times, no charity with the name "Fostering the Future" or "Be Best" can be seen to be registered in Florida.

Erin M. Moffet, an agency spokeswoman, said in a statement that the Consumer Services Division is currently probing whether Melania Trump's event is operating in violation of Chapter 496, Florida Statutes. Moffet was referring to the state law requiring charities to register before soliciting proceeds.

Melania did not address the questions directly. However, she tweeted about the reports on the event. In her tweet, Melania described the reporting as "dishonest." She also said everything had been done "lawfully," adding that all documents are in the works.

Dishonest reporting at it again. Everything has been done lawfully, & all documents are in the works. Read with caution-typical corrupt media.



We are working w/Bradley Impact Fund, a Donor-Advised Fund, to select charities that will receive the donations to foster children. https://t.co/5ZKr5SwIZz  MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) February 12, 2022

The former first lady said they are working with the Bradley Impact Fund, "a donor-advised fund, to select charities that will receive donations to foster children."

According to Huff Post, the Bradley Impact Fund has been connected to organizations pushing Trump's lies that the 2020 presidential election he lost was rigged.

Donald Trump's Christmas Party

Last year, the former president held a holiday fundraiser. The cost for a single ticket was $10,000.

According to another Business Insider report, former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted about the Trump Christmas party, calling it "An Evening of Merrymaking with Donald Trump."

The ticket price will get guests into the fundraising event with festive cocktails and dinner and a photo with Donald Trump. Families of up to four can pay $30,000 to get into the event.

However, the money raised did not go to Trump's political operation. Instead, according to a person familiar with the matter, it went straight to his own pocket.

Some attendees said they bought their tickets from a personal company, Whip Fundraising. Whip Fundraising founder Brad Keltner noted that "the lion's share" went to charity.

However, the website that advertised the event did not list any charitable cause. Keltner refused to discuss how the money was distributed.

READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden Says He Does Not Care if People Think He's 'Satan Reincarnate' After Expressing Support On Bipartisan Probe of Capitol Riot

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Coughs Heard at Packed Maskless White House Christmas Party - From Inside Edition






Nicaragua's Former rebel and ex-presidential hopeful, Hugo Torres, died after being imprisoned eight months ago.

According to Associated Press, Torres' death was confirmed by his family on Saturday. He died at the age of 73.

The former rebel was reportedly transferred to a hospital after his health deteriorated and died while at the facility, Nicaragua's government said via BBC.

Although government prosecutors did not further the specifics on the cause of Torres' death, reports noted that the former rebel's death bed was a hospital in the Managua area.

READ NEXT: Nicaragua Officials Hit With Sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department Ahead Pres. Daniel Ortega's Inauguration

Ex-Rebel and Former Presidential Hopeful Hugo Torres' Arrest

According to reports, Hugo Torres was among the 46 opposition figures and presidential hopefuls that were arrested by Nicaragua's government between May and June, ahead of the country's presidential elections.

Unamos, an opposition party that made Torres their vice president, noted that Torres was arrested over "conspiracy to undermine national integrity."

As Torres was held behind bars, Unamos alleged that the former presidential hopeful underwent "physical and psychological torture."

The party also emphasized that they asked the Nicaraguan government about Torres' declining health.

However, the party said that the government did not respond to their request.

Associated Press noted that Torres predicted his arrest during an interview in June last year when he noticed drones flying around his home.

"This interview may be the last one I give you... I am here waiting for them to come for me," Torres said during that time.

Torres was not the only presidential hopeful who was arrested by the Nicaraguan government. It can be recalled that Miguel Mora, who was sentenced to 13 years jail time, was also placed under the custody of the law enforcement authorities.

"It's not just potential candidates anymore, it's potential leaders... this is not a transition to dictatorship; it is a dictatorship in any way," Torres said about the arrest on presidential hopefuls during the interview.

U.N High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet commented on Torres' arrest, saying that the former presidential hopeful was "denied freedom in inhumane conditions and subjected to a legal process with no guarantees."

Nicuaragua's Ex-Rebel Hugo Torres

Hugo Torres was known to be one of the heroes who stood up against Anastasio Somoza's dictatorship in the 1970s.

Torres was a guerilla commander who fought alongside Daniel Ortega during Nicaragua's civil war. He was part of the effort to transform the Sandinista Popular Army that defeated the Nicaraguan Army in the 1990s.

During those times, Torres was also known to free Daniel Ortega in 1974, as the president was jailed over a botched bank robbery in Managua. However, he later accused Ortega of becoming a dictator and founded another opposition party.

Hugo Torres said hours before he was arrested in Nicaragua that he never thought that he would fight another dictatorship which is more "irrational, unscrupulous, and autocratic," than the dictatorship during the Somoza regime.

READ NEXT: California Installs Mask Mandate During Super Bowl LVI | Did Super Bowl Fans Follow the Requirements?

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Nicaragua Crackdown: Jailed Ortega Opponents Prepare to Stand Trial - From Al Jazeera English
Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has said that he is looking at a possible bid in the 2024 presidential elections after he announced that he will not be running for a Senate position.

The GOP had urged him to campaign for a seat in the Senate, according to a The Hill report.

Co-anchor Jake Tapper of CNN's "State of the Union" asked Hogan if he is eyeing the presidential election bid. Hogan said that he is focused on completing his term as governor, which would end in January 2023.

He added that he is concerned about the "direction of the party and the country." He noted that he will make a decision about 2024 about he finishes his job as governor.

Hogan was then pressed to answer the question about the presidential bid. The Republican governor said that they are "certainly going to take a look at it" after his gubernatorial job.

Hogan said that he is going to try to be "the very best governor" that he can be.

READ NEXT: Joe Biden Latest Gaffe: President Appears to Forget the Name of His FEMA Director Deanne Criswell

Gov. Larry Hogan Refusing a Senate Bid

Hogan noted that part of his decision not to run for senator included lack of productivity in Washington.

In addition, he slammed Congress' ability to perform the basic functions of the legislative branch, saying that there seems to be a lot of divisiveness and dysfunction in Washington, according to an Independent News report.

If Hogan chose to run for president in 2024, he would likely be the most credible and viable anti-Donald Trump Republican in the GOP primary field.

Hogan has been a vocal anti-Trump. He supported the former president's impeachment after the attack on the Capitol last January 6.

The Maryland governor also said that he believes that there is a pretty "large lane of sane Republicans" and that those groups were looking for a voice.

Hogan also said that he believes the Republican party is slowly pulling itself from Trump's grip, according to a U.S. News report.

Last week, Hogan announced at a press conference that he will not be a candidate for the U.S. Senate, adding that he does not aspire to be a senator and that it has not changed.

Some Republicans were hoping that Hogan could give the GOP a chance to pick up a seat that Democrats are otherwise expected to hold in the midterm elections, according to a CBS News report.

Hogan was a popular Republican governor in a blue state.

Hogan told reporters that he believes he would have won the race if he entered. However, he noted that he did not have the desire to be a senator.

The Republican governor said that just because one can win a race, it does not mean that it is the job that one should do if their heart is not in it.

Larry Hogan is the second GOP governor to pass on a Senate opportunity for 2022. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced in November that he would seek reelection than run for the Senate.

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: Governor Hogan Announces He Will Not Run For U.S. Senate In 2022 - from Governor Larry Hogan






A Texas man who allegedly murdered his girlfriend after months of tracking her vehicle was still on the run as deputies are still on the lookout for him.

The 35-year-old Texas man, Luis Angel Montes, reportedly put a GPS device on the vehicle of her girlfriend, Camerina Trujillo Perez, 38, according to a Crime Online report.

A witness reported the incident in an affidavit. Authorities also noted that Montes saw Perez hug and kiss another person at a local supermarket.

Authorities said that the couple was last seen together on January 24 while family members decided to report them missing on January 25.

During the first missing person's case, officials said that Perez's vehicle was reportedly seen on January 27 traveling north through Temple.

They noted that detectives are looking at the tip but not ruling the possibility that her vehicle could be anywhere in the state of Texas or beyond.

READ NEXT: Florida Woman Falls to Death After West Palm Beach Draw Bridge Opens: Full Details

Luis Angel Montes and Girlfriend Camerina Trujillo Perez

A witness told in an affidavit that Montes looked sad and upset after seeing the incident with Perez kissing another guy. However, the witness noted that the Texas man did not appear angry or did not make any threats towards the two, according to a KXAN News report.

Police said that Montes called Perez repeatedly after the incident and met with his girlfriend at a bank parking lot in Pflugerville.

That was when Montes "repeatedly assaulted" Perez to the point that caused her death, according to the affidavit.

Surveillance camera footage from the bank showed that there was a significant amount of blood that was seen pooling between the two vehicles.

A resident who lives next door to the bank where the reported crime happened said that it is absolutely shocking that somebody got murdered next door.

Angel Tucker said one does not think that it would happen in your neighborhood.

Perez's daughter told police that her mother and Montes had been dating for some time, according to an arrest warrant.

Perez's daughter added that Montes had told her in the past that if Perez tried to leave him, he would kill himself or "do something stupid," according to a CBS Austin News report.

The daughter added that they believed Montes had been tracking her mother for months, adding that they also believed that Montes had put a tracking device on Perez's car as he would show up to places she was at unannounced.

Meanwhile, officials are hoping the public could assist in the investigation, noting that if individuals locate the blue 2014 Chevrolet Sonic with a Texas license plate FZH-0400, they should call authorities.

Investigators are also looking for a black 2014 Toyota Tundra with a Texas license plate CVH-2575, believing that the vehicle could also be involved in the couple's disappearance.

Montes reportedly drive Perez's car with her body in the vehicle, with investigators believing he headed to Lake Pflugerville to get rid of or hide evidence.

Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez said they are doing everything to find Montes.

READ MORE: California Women's Prison Plagued by Rampant Sexual Abuse of Inmates by Officers: Report

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Search for missing Pflugerville couple turns into homicide investigation - from FOX 7 Austin






ICH inheritor in NW Chinas Xinjiang integrates local features with paper-pulp sculptures

People's Daily Online) 16:56, February 14, 2022

Zhang Guojing, a city-level inheritor of an intangible cultural heritage paper-pulp sculpture in Urumqi, capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, brings local elements to her works, showcasing the beauty of local culture.

Photo shows one collection of Zhang Guojings paper-pulp sculpture called I love my home. (Chinanews.com/Zuo Dandan)

As a reflection of the splendid culture of Xinjiang, her works include a wide range of elements such as the impressive scenery of Kanas, galloping horses, pomegranate flowers and local cuisine.

The making of a paper-pulp sculpture starts with putting the paper pulp into the mold. When the molding is done, she removes the mold and attaches a piece of paper made from the bark of the mulberry tree onto the surface of the sculpture. Once the sculpture is dry, she paints it with different colors. I quite like mulberry-bark paper, Zhang said, adding that she has always wanted to make something innovative out of paper, a material commonly used for painting and calligraphy, and ended up with the idea of paper-pulp sculpture.

Zhang Guojing makes a paper-pulp sculpture. (Chinanews.com/Zuo Dandan)

One of her collections, called I love my home, which won the silver award of a national arts and crafts competition, includes many figurines about 30 centimeters high. Dressed in the costumes of Xinjiangs numerous ethnic groups, the figurines hold local food such as naan bread and watermelons, as well as traditional musical instruments. The luster of mulberry paper makes the paper an ideal material for showing the complexion of the figurine, she said.

She registered many trademarks over the past 10 years, and has sold her work to customers in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Japan. I will continue to explore local culture and produce more products, to share the rich culture of Xinjiang with a wider audience, Zhang said.

Photo shows other cultural and creative products of Zhang Guojing. (Chinanews.com/Zuo Dandan)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
The Correction Department scrubbed from its website monthly reports showing that city inmates continue to miss medical appointments by the thousands  and then reposted the documents Monday following a Daily News report.

Jail staff failed to bring inmates to more than 6,700 medical appointments in January, according to data obtained by the Legal Aid Society through an ongoing lawsuit against the beleaguered agency. In December, inmates missed 7,070 appointments.

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Rikers Island (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

The Correction Department had routinely posted medical nonproduction statistics on its website since June 2020.

But the reports were recently cut from the site and replaced with a single sentence directing the public to contact the city Law Department for information. City law requires the Correction Department to publish the figures monthly.

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Hours after The News published a story about the change, the Correction Department restored the reports on its website, along with with a note that the data in these reports is currently the subject of litigation and a review by the Department of Correction.

Each day, [the Correction Department ] continues to defy a court order, the law and basic morality by depriving incarcerated New Yorkers access to medical care in local jails. This has caused needless suffering and further underscores [the agencys] inability to protect the health and safety of people in the departments custody, lawyers with Legal Aid, Brooklyn Defender Services and the law firm Milbank LLP said in a statement.

Legal Aid sued the city last year over the missed appointments. On Dec. 3, Bronx Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Taylor directed the Correction Department to provide medical services to incarcerated people, as required by law.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

But a top Correction Department official in charge of jail operations, Ada Pressley, admitted in a Jan. 26 sworn declaration that the agency was not in compliance with the order and still having problems producing detainees for visits. Pressley attributed the vexing issue in part to the ongoing staffing crisis at city jails. An unprecedented number of correction officers have called in sick from work in the past year.

The News reported Sunday that a detainee beaten in front of correction officers in August at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center was not brought to more than 20 appointments to treat his injuries from the assaults.

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The Correction Department blames the vast majority of the missed visits in January  5,294 out of 6,792  on individual detainees refusal to go. But in 3,722 of those instances, according to the data, inmates didnt provide a reason for their refusal.

The legal team representing detainees who sued over the missed appointments questioned the reliability of the data.

Many documented refusals are false, they wrote in a court filing. In many instances, people are never told of an appointment or offered an escortinstead they only learn of the missed appointment when their attorneys ask whether they refused to go to the clinic.

Rikers Island (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

The health and safety of those in our custody is and always has been our top priority. We will continue to work with our partners at Correctional Health Services to ensure that those in our custody have timely access to medical care, the Correction Department said in a release.
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A GoFundMe campaign set up by paramedics to raise funds for an elderly brother and sister robbed at knife point has raised almost 30,000 in just a few hours.

Mary OHalloran and her 79-year-old brother Gerry were were robbed of their life savings at knifepoint over the weekend, with a sum of cash being stolen during the ordeal.

The 83-year-old woman was visiting her brother at his Cork city home when a male intruder broke into the property.

The man was said to have threatened the pair before fleeing the scene with a sum of money.

Gerry and Mary were treated at the scene by paramedics. Their injuries were described as not being life threatening.

The campaign initially set out with a target of 2,000, and had reached 29,535 by Monday afternoon.

The charity fundraising page outlines: "Hi, we are paramedics who are running this GoFundMe in an attempt to return some of Gerry and Mary's life savings which was stolen from them during a burglary in their home this morning in cork.

"They are an elderly brother and sister and have been deeply traumatised by their experience. They were held at knifepoint in their home for over an hour. They are now being treated in the Mercy hospital. It would be great if we could alleviate their financial worries at least. Thank you," the GoFundMe page says.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the aggravated burglary which took place at a residential property in the Gurranabraher area of Cork City on Sunday, 13th February, 2022.

According to Gardai, shortly after 7.30am the pair were threatened at knife point by a male intruder in the course of a burglary at a house on Boyces Street. The intruder left the scene on foot with a sum of cash.

Investigating Gardai are appealing for information and are keen to speak with anyone who was in the vicinity of Boyces Street or neighbouring streets between 6.30am and 9.00am who may have witnessed anything.

They are also appealing to road users with video footage from the Gurranabraher area between those times, to make it available to them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021 4946200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

The investigation is ongoing.
The following deaths have occurred in the wider Leitrim area:

Claire Rita Fitzpatrick (nee Young), San Francisco (USA) and, Loch Gowna, Cavan



Claire Rita Fitzpatrick (nee Young) San Francisco (USA) and Loch Gowna. Passed peacefully from this world on February 9th, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Predeceased by her husband William in Ireland in 1980. Sadly missed by her adoring family; Peggy O'Donnell (Dennis), Kathleen Reilly (Eamon), Bill Fitzpatrick (Petra), Helen Dolan (Frank), John Fitzpatrick (Margaret), Timmy Fitzpatrick (Deirdre), Joan Fitzpatrick (Paul), adoring grandmother of 24 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way. Sadly missed by her devoted sister-in-law Molly and her many nieces and nephews in both California and Ireland. Claire's funeral will be held at St. Cecilia's Church, San Francisco, on Thursday 17th Feb at 9pm Irish time (1pm local time). For those who would like to follow the mass you can do so on the following live link: www.stcecilia.com

Mary Keaney, Corran, Kiltyclogher, Leitrim



The Death has occurred of Mary Keaney, Corran, Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim. Retired nursing staff of St Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Peacefully in the care of the doctors, nurses, carers and the staff of Medical 7 Ward, Sligo University Hospital, after a brief illness. Eldest child of the late Frank and Bridget Keaney (nee Clinton). Predeceased by her brother John. She will be sadly missed by her brother Frank, sisters Rose and Winnie, sister-in-law Una, nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends and wonderful neighbours. Reposing at Gilmartins Funeral Home Kinlough on Monday from 5pm to 7pm. (Walk through only) Removal to St Patrick's Church, Kiltyclogher on Tuesday morning passing by her home, arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am, followed with burial afterwards to the adjoining cemetery. Donations in lieu if so desired to North West Hospice. Face coverings must be worn at the Funeral Home, Church and Cemetery.

Ann Gannon (nee Conlon), Kildallogue Heights, Strokestown, Roscommon



Peacefully at Sligo University Hospital and in the loving care of all the staff at Drumderrig Nursing Home, Boyle, in her 95th year. Predeceased by her loving husband Sean. Deeply regretted by her cousins, relatives and friends. Removal to Strokestown Parish Church on Tuesday, February 15th, to arrive for Funeral Mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in Drumlion Cemetery.

May they all Rest in Peace
Tourism Ireland in France announced its plans for 2022  at an event in Paris attended by 80 leading French tour operators, travel agents and journalists.

Designed to entertain and inform the guests all about Ireland and to really bring the destination to life, the event included a presentation from Tourism Ireland, as well as gin tasting from The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo.

Guests were also entertained by musicians from the Belfast Traditional Music Trail and by Irish dance group (and TikTok sensation!) Cairde.

Tourism Ireland will undertake an extensive programme of promotional activity in France throughout 2022. Its Green Button campaign is now live on multiple channels  including all major TV channels, digital outdoor sites, catch-up TV sites and online video sites, as well as on social media. The campaign delivers a very clear book now message and aims to single-mindedly drive visitor numbers and intention to book a trip to Ireland this year.

Speaking at the event in Paris, Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Irelands Manager Southern Europe, said: We were delighted that so many key French travel professionals and journalists took the time to join us, to hear about our exciting plans for 2022 and the many great reasons for French holidaymakers to visit Ireland this year.

"We are rolling out our Green Button campaign in France right now  urging French travellers to press the Green Button and book their trip to Ireland this year. Our key message is that Ireland is open for business again and we cannot wait to welcome back visitors from France. Were telling prospective French visitors that a warm welcome awaits them when they travel to Ireland, despite the disruption of the last couple of years.
The number of citizens registered with the Irish Embassy in Ukraine has increased to 145, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.

Officials on Saturday advised Irish citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately by commercial means, as diplomatic efforts continued to try to avert a war in eastern Europe, amid growing fears of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement on Monday, the department said: Since the travel advice for Ukraine was upgraded, the number of Irish citizens registered with our embassy in Kyiv has, as expected, been increasing.

The number of Irish citizens registered with the embassy currently stands at 145 and this number may rise further over the coming days.



Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Embassy of Ireland in Kyiv is in ongoing contact with all registered Irish citizens and has advised them to leave Ukraine immediately.

A number of commercial flight options continue to be available and it is also possible to depart the country overland to neighbouring EU states.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said: We remain in ongoing contact at a senior level with EU partners, as well as the UK and the US, regarding the wider political and security situation in and around Ukraine.

Ireland supports all efforts aimed at defusing the current tensions and at finding a diplomatic pathway forward. Ireland is committed to Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty.

It is urgent that Russia de-escalate, abide by international law and engage constructively in dialogue.

The department confirmed that the embassy in Kyiv will remain open with a small number of essential staff.

The statement said the department is in direct contact with all of those scheduled to travel to Ukraine for surrogacy purposes.
A repeat meat thief who later pretended to be an undercover garda during a robbery has been jailed for four years.

Conor Kirwan (27) stole 11 pieces of corned beef during one robbery and later stole three legs of lamb from a supermarket in the hopes of selling it on the street for drugs.

In another incident, Kirwan pretended to be an undercover garda and made his unsuspecting victim take off their shoes and socks before he ran off with 30 in cash, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

The court heard that Kirwan used to work at a meat factory.

Kirwan with an address at Balbutcher Lane, Ballymun, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbing around 137 of corned beef at Supervalu, Finglas on June 16, 2020.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of one count of robbery and one count of impersonating a garda at Eden Quay, Dublin City centre, on September 28, 2020.

In relation to the lamb incident, he pleaded guilty to one count of producing a syringe at Dame Street on January 3, 2021. A count of theft from Dunnes Stores on George's St, Dublin was taken into account.

Passing sentenceon Monday, Judge Melanie Greally said all the offences were opportunistic and directly linked to his addictions at the time.

The judge said Kirwan was homeless arising from his addiction and stealing to fund his habit. She noted that since going into custody he has taken some positive steps in terms of addressing his addiction.

Judge Greally sentenced Kirwan to six years imprisonment, but suspended the final two years of the sentence on strict conditions.

Garda Wayne O'Brien told Lisa Dempsey BL, prosecuting, that in June 2020, Kirwan was spotted on CCTV by a shop security guard filling a bag with lumps corned beef with a total estimated value of 137.

The security guard approached Kirwan and told him to either leave the meat or pay for it. Kirwan put his hand down his trousers towards his genitals, took out an object and pointed it at the security guard.

Kirwan told the guard he was going to pepper spray him as he held the object towards him, then left the shop and ran away. He later told gardai following his arrest that he had had a lighter in hand rather than pepper spray.

Garda Cathy Giblin told Ms Dempsey that in relation to the garda impersonation incident, the victim in question  a student - had paused on Eden Quay to put something in his bag around 9am in the morning in question when Kirwan suddenly jumped on him from behind.

The young man thought he was being attacked, but Kirwan told him he was an undercover garda doing a drug search and he made him stand against the wall. The victim, who is in his twenties, had never had any interaction with gardai before and believed Kirwan was a garda.

The street was busy with people walking by at the time. Kirwan told the young man to take off his shoes and socks before he started to search his bag. The victim became suspicious and repeatedly asked Kirwan for ID before Kirwan took 30 in cash from his wallet and ran off.

The victim put his shoes on and tried to give chase, before alerting nearby gardai. He was visibly upset and shaken, the court heard.

Kirwan was identified from CCTV footage from the area.

In the next incident in January 2021, Kirwan was spotted by a Dunnes Stores security guard putting three legs of lamb into a bag, before leaving the George's Street store without paying for them.

The security guard gave chase, along with another store guard. The men caught up with Kirwan on Dame St, before he took an uncapped syringe out of his pocket and pointed it at them, saying: I'll stab you with this.

Kirwan then threw the bag of stolen meat at the security guard before fleeing the scene. The total value of the meat recovered was 66 and it was deemed in good enough condition to be sold, the court heard.

Kirwan was once again identified from CCTV footage. He has 52 previous convictions, including for theft, assault and drug offences.

He told gardai that his plan was to try and sell the meat to random people on the street and then use the money to buy drugs.

Laura Cunningham BL, defending, said her client, who is in custody, has a long-standing drug addiction. He is originally from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, but moved to Dublin to be with his partner. He was homeless at the time of the offences.

Ms Cunningham told the court that Kirwan used to have a normal life which he wants to get back to.
The Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy Project (USEFE) in association with the Local Enterprise Offices of Cavan, Leitrim and Longford will host a virtual jobs fair on Wednesday, February 23, 2022.

Over 200 roles will be available, with positions ranging from entry level to C-Suite and brings together leading companies from across Cavan, Leitrim & Longford with local talent.

The online platform will simulate a live jobs fair, where jobseekers can meet with the employers, explore available roles, & apply directly for the positions through the platform on the day.

Over 20 companies from the region will take part on the day, from sectors including Engineering, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Social Care, Horticultural and many more.

Speaking about the event, Joe Lowe - Head of Local Enterprise Office Leitrim said We are delighted to be working on this joint initiative with USEFE to showcase over 200 jobs available in our region. The Virtual Jobs Fair is a fantastic opportunity for potential jobs seekers to check out some of the wonderful opportunities available in some top companies. It only takes a couple of minutes to register and offers a quick and convenient way for job seekers to speak with representatives in each company. We hope both exhibitors and job seekers find this experience rewarding and wish them lots of success.

The online event takes place from 10am  3pm on 23rd February 2022, and is free to register and take part.

Jobseekers can register at www.usefejobsfair.ie
Murder charges were filed Monday against a homeless man accused of following a woman into her Chinatown building and stabbing her more than 40 times inside her apartment as she desperately screamed for help.

Victim Christina Yuna Lees cries were still ringing in the ears of a neighbor a day after he called 911 hoping against hope that police would arrive in time to save her from an intruder.

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The arriving officers heard her screams, but she soon went silent  and her killer tried in vain to convince them to leave by mimicking a womans voice and saying she didnt need police.

By the time cops got inside the apartment, Lee, her body naked from the waist up, was dead in a bathtub. Her bloodied suspected killer, Assamad Nash, was hiding under a bed, cops said.

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I heard her screaming for help, the 24-year-old neighbor said. I went out into the hallway when I heard the first commotion. I heard someone else inside her apartment. He was trying to make her quiet, not in an aggressive way. I heard something that made it seem like he possibly had a firearm; because of that I went back into my own apartment. I was scared for my own safety. Thats when I called 911.

Cops said Nash, 25, did not have a gun. He allegedly killed Lee with a knife from her own kitchen.

Prosecutors said sexual desire drove Nash to allegedly follow her into her apartment on Chrystie St. near Grand St. Theyre still investigating if she was targeted because she was Asian.

Assamad Nash, center, being escorted by police officers from the 5th Precinct in Manhattan on Monday. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News)

When police first arrived at the scene, the blood-soaked suspect tried to get away via a fire escape, then retreated back into the apartment, where he barricaded himself until police broke down the door and arrested him.

Sources said the suspect had cuts on his upper body, although it was not yet clear if he stabbed himself or if Lee stabbed him during their life-and-death struggle.

Nash is charged with sexually-motivated burglary in addition to murder. As he awaited arraignment, Nash slept like a baby in a cell alongside other inmates waiting to appear in court, sources said.

Nash could face life in prison without parole, Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran said at his arraignment. He was ordered held without bail.

The woman was stabbed to death inside her Chinatown apartment. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

In a criminal complaint filed after one of Nashs arrests last year for allegedly selling MetroCards, Nash professed his love for the synthetic marijuana K2.

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Can I get my K2 back? he said, according to court papers. I love K2.

Its not clear if Nash had been using drugs before the Chinatown attack. But homeless people at nearby Sara D. Roosevelt Park, where Nash was known to hang out, said he was a regular K2 user.

He was off. He talked to everybody, said Rudy Rodriguez, 28, who lives in the park. He smoked cigarettes with that K2. Hes been out here for two or three years.

Nash had gotten high, either on K2-laced marijuana or PCP, earlier Saturday, William Rolon, 43, whos also homeless, claimed. The two were hanging out at the Grand St. subway station, around the corner from the crime scene, Saturday evening, he said.

He seemed like he had his head level. He just got his voucher for an apartment. But then hed get high, Rolon said. He always had a knife on him. ... They called him Jersey, because thats where hes from.

Mayor Adams, in Albany to meet with state legislators, touched briefly on the attack, vaguely referencing legal loopholes that he believes are to blame for the citys recent crime spike.

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My heart goes out to the family, Adams told reporters. This is a devastating crime that took place and we need to make sure that we close the loopholes that allow dangerous people to be on the streets, so we use this term to identify everything thats wrong with the criminal justice system.

Sources said Nash has a New Jersey record, including for robbery and burglary, going back at least 10 years.

He has eight prior arrests in New York City, mostly for low-level subway offenses.

Victim Christina Yuna Lee (Handout)

Outraged residents and community leaders gathered outside Lees apartment building, where the unsuspecting victim was stalked before her death. There, the crowd chanted, Enough is enough.

Prosecutors said Monday they were investigating if racial hate was a factor in Lees brutal slaying.

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Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine speaking at a rally vigil for Christina Yuna Lee on Monday. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News)

I am outraged at a city with a mental health system which is broken again and again and again, said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. We are seeing violence directed at the Asian-American community disproportionally, undeniably driven by bigotry, by xenophobia, by racism.

If this guy has been in the system that many times, then someone should be checking him because they had to know that the man had a mental illness, said Kathryn Freed, 75, a former state Supreme Court justice, who served on the City Council and lives blocks from where Lee was killed.

Were using the criminal justice system to deal with mental health  its our fallback, our default position. So many people who are in jail now should not be in jail. They should be in a mental institution that can deal with their problems.

A vigil was held for Christina Yuna Lee on Monday outside the apartment where she was killed. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News)

Lee was remembered by her friends and co-workers for her kindness and creativity. Splice, an online digital platform where she worked as a creative producer, called her a beautiful friend and colleague.

Over the weekend our beloved Christina Lee was senselessly murdered in her home, a company representative said in a social media post. Our hearts are broken. Always dedicated to making beautiful and inclusive artwork, Christina is irreplaceable. As we start to process this tragedy, we ask that you remember Christina Lee as the magical person she was, always filled with joy. We wish peace upon her family in their grief.

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RIP our beautiful friend and colleague Christina Lee pic.twitter.com/vcnhVqgNaH  Splice (@splice) February 14, 2022

Lees marketing work included designs and videos for retail, fashion, fitness, media, art and music. She studied at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she earned a bachelors degree in art history.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Lee had also worked at Eli Klein Gallery, where she helped move the operation from SoHo to Chelsea.

She was an extraordinarily kind soul, owner Eli Klein said. All of my artists, the curators, everyone uniformly universally loved Christina.

Anger over Lees grisly murder quickly focused on bail reform. Though much of the venom was aimed at Manhattans new district attorney, Alvin Bragg, and his perceived soft-on-crime approach, most of Nashs prior alleged crimes occurred when Cy Vance Jr. was DA.

Authorities said Nash also had 18 priors in New Jersey. Those offenses included arrests for burglary, carjacking, criminal mischief and robbery.

Nash was charged in the Lower East Side assault of David Elliot, 62, in September. Elliot said Nash punched him in the face, an attack that left him needing four stitches on his left forehead.

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That son of a b---h, Elliot told the Daily News on Monday, describing his reaction to learning his attacker is now charged in the murder. I was kind of shocked. I didnt think he was that much out there.

With Kerry Burke and John Annese
THE store which sold the winning ticket in Friday's mega EuroMillions draw has been revealed.

The National Lottery has officially confirmed the ticket was sold at Larkins Gala Service Station at Garryurtneal, Ballina, Killaloe - close to borders of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.

It is the 17th time a EuroMillions jackpot has been won in Ireland since 2004 and the lucky ticket-holder or syndicate has won an incredible 30.9million jackpot.

Officials from the National Lottery will travel to the Gala store later this Monday to meet with staff and locals who are celebrating since news of the massive jackpot win emerged.

For the record, the numbers drawn on Friday were 13, 18, 38, 42 and 45. The lucky stars were 7 and 11.

The lucky player or syndicate is being urged to sign the back of the ticket and to keep it safe.

They can contact the prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for them to claim their prizes.
LIMERICK Fire and Rescue service has carried out inspections at 30 premises containing flats or apartments over the past four years, it has been revealed.

The information emerged in a reply to a question submitted by Cllr John Costelloe ahead of the quarterly meeting of Limerick City and County Council.

While a number of specific locations and premises in the city were named in the question, no individual premises was identified in the reply from director of service Kieran Lehane.

"Limerick Fire Service has carried out 39 inspections on 30 premises containing flats/apartments in Limerick over the last four years," he wrote.

Mr Lehane added that the local authority "implements a comprehensive programme of inspections" under the relevant legislation and that the majority of inspections are "as a result of complaints from the general public, pre-event inspections and pre-court inspections for licensing."

The written reply also points out that owners and occupiers of premises with flats or apartments can be requested to "carry our their own Fire Safety Risk Assessment".

Residents who have concerns regarding fire safety are being advised that they should, in the first instance, contact the owner or management company to outline their concerns.
A LIMERICK man who was jailed for two years after he rammed a garda patrol car before embarking on a high-speed cross-country chase has lost an appeal against his convictions for dangerous driving and endangerment.

Daniel Kelly, aged 35, who has an address at Main Street, Caherconlish reached a speed of 130kph in 80kph zones as gardai pursued him along narrow country roads and through townlands in County Limerick.

Kelly drove past schools and churches at excessive speeds, collided with other vehicles, and was seen driving on the wrong side of the road, as he tried to escape arrest after he had been stopped for speeding.

The high-speed chase only ended after he crashed his van after driving in to a field.

The 35-year-old was later convicted by a jury, at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, of one count of damaging property, contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, and one count of endangerment, contrary to Section 13 of the same Act.

He was banned from driving for six years after he was also convicted, in October 2020, of three counts of dangerous driving, contrary to Section 43 (1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

Mr Kelly later appealed the conviction on the grounds that the trial Judge, Sean O Donnabhain, had erred in law and fact by conducting the trial in a rushed manner.

His lawyers also claimed the judge erred in failing, in his charge to the jury, to make proper reference to the fact that the van had not been forensically examined by gardai  a point which the defence had raised during the trial.

However, in a judgement delivered this Monday by Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, said the Court of Appeal was dismissing the appeal.

Mr Justice Edwards, who sat with Mr Justice McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, explained the case before the court was that it had been claimed the defence counsel had been inhibited from making submissions that he wished to make by the judges haste in considering a directions application in respect of the endangerment count.

However, the appeal court ruled that the defence counsel was one of the most experienced and senior members of the criminal defence junior bar at the time and was well able to assert his clients rights notwithstanding any ostensible impatience by the trial judge in seeking to progress the trial.

Regarding the charge to the jury, Mr Justice Edwards stated the Court of Appeal was satisfied there was no unfairness and no error on the part of the trial judge.

The offences were committed on August 8, 2016, shortly after Kelly was caught speeding on the N21 by a garda patrol car, which had been parked on a slip road near Patrickswell.

After a short pursuit, with the garda car displaying blue flashing lights, Kelly braked and brought his vehicle, a white Volkswagen combo van, to a halt.

But when one of the gardai exited their vehicle, which had pulled in behind Kellys van, the appellant suddenly reversed and rammed his van into the front of the garda car.

Kelly then rammed the garda car a second time before driving away at speed. One of the gardai later described in court the force with which Kellys car hit the garda vehicle as extreme.

Kelly later attempted to ram another garda patrol after he was spotted driving towards Limerick, during a pursuit which involved several garda from the regional support unit.

He was arrested hiding in a ditch shortly after his van crashed into a field just past Donaghmore Church on the main Limerick to Kilmallock Road, the R512.
Sinn Fein is on course to become the largest party at Stormont after the May 5 Assembly elections, according to a new opinion poll.

The Institute of Irish Studies University of Liverpool/The Irish News survey puts Sinn Fein at 23.2% of first preference votes among decided voters, well ahead of the DUP on 19.4%.

The poll shows the Alliance Party emerging as the third force in the Assembly with 15.6%, ahead of the Ulster Unionists on 14%, the SDLP on 9.9%, the TUV on 6.4% and the Green Party on 6.3%.

If the results were replicated in the Stormont election in 11 weeks time, it would put Michelle ONeill on course to become first minister, although neither of the main unionist parties have yet indicated if they would nominate for the role of deputy first minister in the event of Sinn Fein becoming the largest party.

The poll also shows that little more than one in 10 unionists regard the Northern Ireland Protocol as the most important issue in the election.

Just 6.7% of all respondents said the post-Brexit trade arrangements were their biggest concern, with unionists (11.7%) roughly four times more likely to regard it as the most important issue compared to nationalists (3%).

The DUP withdrew Paul Givan as first minister in protest at the protocol and have demanded that the UK Government scrap the Irish Sea border.

But the opinion poll indicates that health is a bigger priority among unionists with 29.6% indicating it was their biggest concern, while 22.9% said the economy and 17% cited Covid recovery as the highest priority.

Nationalists polled also regard health (41.5%), the economy (22.5%) and Covid recovery (11.9%) as the most important issues.

The poll also shows that one in five voters do not know who they will vote for at the Assembly elections and 11.9% of those surveyed said they will not vote.

The Institute of Irish Studies director, Professor Peter Shirlow, told the Irish News: The majority of those who are as yet undecided are either unionists or in the middle ground, which suggests they have been influenced by recent events.

The survey began amid the fallout from (Ulster Unionist leader) Doug Beatties Twitter controversy and continued through Paul Givans resignation  its very possible these two factors had a bearing on peoples hesitancy.

Prof Shirlow said the proportion of nationalists who had yet to make up their mind was comparatively small.

We know that this group of undecideds tends to be pro-union and socially liberal, so it would appear to be a battle between the middle ground and elements of political unionism for that vote.

The Institute of Irish Studies University of Liverpool study in conjunction with The Irish News was conducted by Social Market Research Belfast from a sample of 1,002 people between January 25 and February 7. Margin of error: 3.1 per cent +/-.
SAINT BRIGID'S DAY will be a public holiday from 2023, and last week we began her story, which we now continue.

There are many tales telling of how Brigid made the first cross. According to a story from County Clare a certain woman disliked Brigid and wanted to kill her.

Her chance came when Brigid visited her house. She bade Brigid welcome and offered her a drink of milk into which she had put poison. Brigid however got a little straw and made the sign of the cross over the milk.

She drank the milk and remained unharmed. The people heard of this miracle and began the custom of making crosses in honour of her and hanging them up in their house.

Another story tells that Saint Brigid was by the sick bed of a dying chieftain, possibly her father, soothing him with stories about her faith and her unwavering trust in God.

She began telling the story of Christ on the Cross, picking up rushes from the ground to make a cross. Before his death, the chieftain asked to be baptised. Initially, legend has it, people used to make similar crosses to hang over the door of their homes to ward off evil, fire and hunger.

Over time, word spread about Saint Brigid, her kindness, faith and the making of the cross became synonymous with her and the tradition now bears her name.

The Briedeogs was once a popular custom that was practiced in Saint Brigids memory. This consisted of groups of people going from house to house similar to the trick or treat games played at Halloween.

The group brought musical instruments with which they entertained the households visited. Collections of food and money were made in  honour of Miss Biddy. The Briedoge consisted of a churn-dash round which wisps of hay or locks of straw were tied to resemble a human figure.

A ball of hay served as a head, and was covered with a white muslin cap, such as worn by old women. The figure was clad in a womans dress, and a shawl completed the costume. Usually those carrying the effigy had a short verse to say in each house visited.

A County Clare verse went as follows:



Here is Brigid, dressed in white,

Give her a penny for her night,

She is deaf, she is dumb,

She cannot talk without a tongue.

In parts of County Kerry, the old custom of going out in the Biddy on Saint Brigids Eve continues up to this day. They carry a straw effigy of Saint Brigid as they mark the transition from winter to spring in keeping with the old Irish tradition.

It is a similar custom to Hunting the Wren in West Limerick on Saint Stephens Day. The groups collect money which mainly goes to charitable causes, or to hold a Biddy night.

Saint Brigid is connected to West Limerick through Saint Ita, and Shangarry well, and the story from tradition goes as follows: One day Saint Brigid was on her way from Kildare to visit Saint Ita at Killeedy, and night fell on her about a mile and a half west of Newcastle West, where she was near the Rath at Shangarry.

She went into the Chief's fort, and he sheltered her for the night. When morning came, she told them about God and Jesus Christ and the chief said that he would become a Christian. Then Saint Brigid rooted up a few stones out of the ground and the well sprung up, and she baptised them with the water.

St Brigid died at the age of 75 in AD 525 and was buried in the church she created. Her remains were exhumed years later and brought to Downpatrick to be buried alongside Saint Patrick and Saint Columcille. However, her skull was brought to Lisbon where it remains today.

St Valentine

SAINT VALENTINES Day is a time for sharing flowers, candy, red hearts and other delights that are welcomed by all shops associated with selling items on love and romance.

The word love is derived from the ancient word lufu and the German liebe. The word romance meant of Rome. One of the first references to Valentines Day on February 14 is contained in the poetry of Geoffrey Chaucer.

For this was Saint Valentines Day, when every bird comes to choose his mate.

The poem was written in honour of the engagement of King Richard 11 to Anne of Bohemia who were both just fourteen years of age at the time. There are a number of theories as to why February 14 came to mark Saint Valentines Day on the calendar. The most likely being that it was in the month of February that Saint Valentine was martyred in Rome.

Saint Valentine was a Roman Priest at a time when there was an emperor called Claudius who persecuted the church at that particular time. Claudius had an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married soldiers might be afraid of what might happen to them or their wives or families if they died.

It was a very permissive society in which Valentine lived and polygamy would have been much more popular than just one woman and one man living together. And yet some of them seemed to be attracted to Christian faith. But obviously the church thought that marriage was very sacred between one man and one woman for their life and that it was to be encouraged.

And so, it immediately presented the problem to the Christian church of what to do about this. The idea of encouraging them to marry within the Christian church was what Valentine was about. And he secretly married them because of the edict. Valentine was eventually caught, imprisoned and tortured for performing marriage ceremonies against the command of Emperor Claudius the second.

There are legends surrounding Valentine's actions while in prison. One of the men who were to judge him in line with the Roman law at the time was a man called Asterius, whose daughter was blind.

Valentine was supposed to have prayed with and healed the young girl with such astonishing effect that Asterius himself became a Christian as a result.

In the year 269 AD, Valentine was sentenced to a three part execution of a beating, stoning, and finally decapitation all because of his stand for Christian marriage. The story goes that the night before his martyrdom February 14, Valentine sent a note to the girl he had fallen in love with and signed it with love from your Valentine.

Many a poet made a nice income as a St Valentine card versifier over the years even though some of the verses would make you cringe. Many people like the lines from the song you are Sixteen in Oscar Hammersteins musical, The Sound of Music:



A bell is no bell til you ring it,

A song is no song til you sing it,

And love in your heart, wasnt put there to stay

Love isnt love, til you give it away.

It is a date that men cannot forget, or they will be left with deep regret, but surely not as bad a faith as martyrdom suffered by Valentine.
SATBUNGA (INDIA) : Covid-19 drove tens of millions of migrant workers from cities back to their home villages, often to farm, and its lingering presence threatens Indias decadeslong quest to lift its economy from rural poverty to the modern age.

In Covid-19s first year, agricultures share of Indias total employment rose for the first time in at least 15 years, by 3 percentage points to 45.6%, government data show, yet it contributes less than a fifth of national output.

Economists warn of a drag on growth unless India can pull millions of workers into productive nonfarm jobs. Growth in the rural workforce is the opposite of what any developing country wants to see," said Santosh Mehrotra, an economist and senior official at the former Planning Commission, which steered Indias development strategy until 2014.

The migratory reversal in particular weakens the economic potential embodied in Indias young populationsome two-thirds is under age 40a working-age demographic that powered Chinas double-digit growth.

Around 75 million people in India slipped into extreme poverty in 2020, living on $2 or less a day, according to the Pew Research Center. A salaried worker in rural India earns an average of around 300 rupees ($4) a day, compared with $6 a day for a similar job in urban areas, according to estimates by the International Labour Organization, ILO, a United Nations agency, using Indian government data.

Some migrant workers who are back home say their goals have shifted away from the promise of city life. Vijay Nayal, 24 years old, lost his job in a call center in 2020 and left a New Delhi suburb for his village in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. He makes less money farming, he said, but his expenses are lower and his quality of life is higher.

The pandemic taught me a lessonthe importance of staying together with family," Mr. Nayal said.

The nationwide lockdown in 2020 set off the biggest wave of migration since India gained independence in 1947. In the first months of the pandemic, workers traveled hundreds of miles by train, bus, bicycle and even on foot.

While some returned to the cities at various points during the pandemic, another deadly Covid-19 surge last spring, and the most recent spike, have caused further uncertainty among workers about the costs of urban life.

Economists calculate that around 32 million people took up agricultural work in the year that ended on June 30, 2020, an estimate based on government data. That continued last year, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Pvt., CMIE, an independent think tank in Mumbai. The share of agriculture in total employment in the year ended June 30, 2021, rose 1.4 percentage point from a year earlier, according to its data.

Some economists believe workers will return en masse after the pandemic subsides. Agriculture cant support so many people for so long," said Sachchidanand Shukla, chief economist at the Mahindra Group, a conglomerate that includes businesses in information technology and vehicle manufacturing.

Mr. Nayal, the former call-center worker, isnt sure of that. He lives in Satbunga, a village of about 1,400 people who live and work on land spread across mountain slopes.

The village head, Priyanka Bisht, estimated about 250 mostly men left for jobs in the city over the past five years. Most have returned, she said, bringing new skills and experience that benefit Satbunga. Ms. Bisht said she believed most prefer to stay, but added, Lets wait and watch how it turns out."

Naveen Singh, 29, returned to Satbunga from New Delhi after the tile company that employed him closed in 2020. Interstate buses and trains were halted in a nationwide lockdown, and he had no way home. He left New Delhi on foot, walking for days and hitching a ride on a watermelon truck.

Mr. Singh exhausted his savings in the first eight months back home and began work rejuvenating a half-acre farm owned by his father. From May until August, Mr. Singh now picks apples, peaches, plums and pears to sell in nearby towns, keeping some of the harvest for his family. He also works at construction sites, carrying stones and bags of cement.

Mr. Singh had once planned to move his wife and children to New Delhi, he said, where he would enroll the kids in better schools. Covid-19 changed everything. The tile company remains shut, he said, and even if he was offered a city job at higher pay, he doesnt think he would go back.

With the lower expenses of village life, Mr. Singh believes he can earn a comparable living. We have a lot of work here," he said. My village has been my only hope and support in these tough times."

Disastrous

Indias economic growth over the past two decades drew millions of young people to cities for jobs in construction and factories, and work as entrepreneurs, drivers and street vendors. A robust services industryinformation technology, finance and retailmade up a third of the workforce.

But the number of people working in manufacturing has fallen by half over the four years that ended in March 2021, according to an analysis by Ashoka Universitys Centre for Economic Data and Analysis based on CMIE data. The decade that just went by, it can be called a decade of job loss," said Kunal Kumar Kundu, an India economist at French bank Societe Generale SA. That is disastrous for an economy."

Indias Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said a recently announced government program to boost domestic manufacturing will create millions of jobs.

About half of Indias working-age population is employed or seeking work, one of the worlds lowest labor-force participation rates, according to the ILO. Adding to the job squeeze, an estimated four million-plus young people join the workforce each year.

To reach Indias economic potential, the country will have to create 90 million new nonfarm jobs by 2030, pulling 30 million workers from agriculture, according to a 2020 report by McKinsey Global Institute. Falling short of that risks a decade of economic stagnation, the report said.

Tens of millions of new jobs a year in construction and manufacturing are needed, said Shirish Sankhe, a senior partner at McKinsey and one of the reports authors. That would require an economic growth rate of at least 8%.

India grew 4% in the year that ended in March 2020 and shrank by about 7.3% for the year ending in March 2021. The World Bank expects 8.3% growth in the current fiscal year. Yet even that would barely return the country to where it was before the pandemic. India grew at an average annual rate of 6.6% in the decade before Covid-19; Chinas average was about 7.7% over the same period.

Home and office construction picked up last year compared with 2020 but remains below peak levels. Developers built 38.7 million square feet of office space in Indias biggest cities last year, compared with around 61 million in 2019, according to Knight Frank, a real estate consulting firm. The 230,000 homes launched last year were less than half the number in 2010.

Help wanted

Analysts attribute Indias pre-pandemic economic slowdown partly to government steps taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend taxation and regulatory control to more businesses. They say the measures are expected to benefit long-term growth by raising revenue to invest in education, infrastructure and healthcare, as well as ensuring better production quality and worker security.

Yet in the pandemic, the measures place another burden on micro-, small- and medium-size businesses struggling to stay afloat, economists said.

Indias apparel manufacturing industry is mainly made up of businesses with fewer than 75 workers and less than $3 million in annual revenue. As much as a fifth of all these companies have closed operations since 2020 because of the pandemic, said Rahul Mehta, former president of the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India. Apparel production is about 80% to 85% of what it was before Covid-19, he said.

Nitish Enterprise, a manufacturer of sports shoes in the northern Indian state of Haryana, released more than 50 of its roughly 300 workers after the lockdown in 2020, said Deepak Kaushik, brother of the companys founder.

Mr. Kaushik said the company cut production by more than 30% through the fall. Then there was a spike in sales until January brought a rise in Covid-19 cases. We cant figure out what to do," he said, whether to buy raw materials or not."

With fewer jobs in cities, demand has grown for government programs that support rural families. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, members of rural households are guaranteed unskilled manual work for as many as 100 days a year. Under the program, local governments typically employ workers at a fixed minimum rate for projects such as roads and canals.

Around 63 million people sought those jobs in June 2020, 80% more than in June a year earlier, setting a monthly record. In December, the figure was 30 million, 35% higher than in December 2019, government data show.

In Satbunga, Mr. Nayal said he was content with his return to rural life, despite the demanding work. He wakes early in the morning to take the animals to graze, and then he plows fields. When he isnt working on the farm, he cuts stones on hilltops for construction projects or collects grass to feed cattle.

We cant sit and earn money here, like we did in the call center," he said. We have to be prepared to slog."

Even so, he added, If I work hard, I can have a better future here. There is more safety, more security."
In a rather newer development, Sweden's public health agency recommended a fourth dose of the vaccine against coronavirus for people aged 80 and above, in nursing homes and those in at-home care.

"The spread of Covid-19 is still intense in Sweden. An increasing number of cases have been reported in recent weeks, including among people at increased risk of severe illness," the agency said.

"The immune system's ability to react to the vaccination, and build up lasting protection, decreases with age," it added.

"A booster strengthens that protection," state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said in a statement from the agency.

The agency directed that the jab should be taken four months after the previous dose, at the earliest.

In Sweden, more than 85% of those over the age of 80, have received a third dose of the vaccine, as have 55% of over-18s.

The Scandinavian country, which lifted all its restrictions on February 9 despite a surge in Omicron infections, made headlines early in the pandemic for choosing to not impose lockdowns.

With more than 16,500 fatalities so far, its death toll is slightly better than the European average but is far higher than those of neighbouring Norway, Finland and Denmark.
President Biden warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of swift and severe costs" if Russia moves against Ukraine in a phone call Saturday, as the U.S. ordered most embassy staff out of the country and Moscow also began withdrawing its diplomatic presence there.

President Biden was clear that, if Russia undertakes a further invasion of Ukraine, the United States together with our allies and partners will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on Russia," the White House said after the two leaders hourlong call.

The discussion didnt bring about any breakthrough and there was no fundamental change" in the dynamic, a senior administration official said Saturday. Mr. Biden put more ideas on the table to help persuade Mr. Putin not to invade Ukraine, but officials were mum on how those proposals were received or if any of them were new. The U.S. official said the two leaders agreed to remain engaged, regardless of whether Moscow decides to invade Ukraine or not.

The U.S. warned Friday that a Russian military invasion could happen at any moment, with tens of thousands of casualties. Russia, which has massed some 130,000 troops along Ukraines borders, denies it intends to invade its neighbor.

After the call, a Kremlin aide said Russia would soon announce what actions it would take in response to the U.S. and NATO proposals. Todays call took place during an unprecedented ratcheting up of hysteria by American officials about the supposed inevitable invasion of Russia into Ukraine," Yury Ushakov said, adding that the U.S. had again ignored Russias central demands of rolling back the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations eastward expansion and barring weapons systems from Ukraine.

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine said Saturday it had ordered the departure of most direct-hire employees from the country and that only a core" group of diplomats would remain. The embassy said it would operate limited consular services out of Lviv, considered a safer location because of its proximity to the Polish border.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia had decided on a certain optimization" of staffing at the Russian Embassy in Kyiv and its consulates in Kharkiv, Odessa and Lviv because it feared certain provocations by the Kyiv regime or third nations." She said consular services would continue.

In an earlier phone call Saturday, Mr. Putin told French President Emmanuel Macron that Russia had no intention of attacking Ukraine and remained open to dialogue, according to a close aide to the French president. Mr. Macron, who recently traveled to Moscow for talks, told Mr. Putin that sincere dialogue was incompatible with an escalation, according to Mr. Macrons office.

Amid the rising tensions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged calm. Today, panic in our country would be the best friend of our enemies," he said while visiting Interior Ministry troop exercises in Kalanchak, a Ukrainian town some 20 miles north of the Crimean Peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014. We, as a nation, must rely on our own forces. We are acting according to a plan. We are not afraid of anyone."

Ukrainian army, Interior Ministry and territorial-defense troops were training throughout the country on Saturday, just as Russian and Belarusian forces drilled across the border, and the Russian Navy carried out exercises along Ukraines coast in the Black Sea.

In the western city of Lviv, several hundred civilians and volunteers for the new Territorial Defense brigade gathered at a shooting range overlooking the city, learning how to make improvised explosive devices, administer first aid and maneuver in small units. Some practiced with cutout wooden rifles, while others drilled how to clear a building with live-fire automatic shotguns.

In Kalanchak, units from the national police and the Ukrainian National Guard practiced subduing a group that threatened a dam restricting the water supply for Crimea, a prime target should Russia launch a full-fledged invasion. They later trained in how to retake a municipal building seized by a rebel group, simulating hybrid-warfare tactics used by Russia in 2014.

The motivation must be not to die for Ukraine, but to kill for Ukraine," said Lt. Col. Valeriy Kurko, the commander of Lviv-based 103rd Territorial Defense brigade. Ukraine, he pointed out, has been at war with Russian-backed troops in the eastern Donbas region for eight years, with hundreds of thousands battle-hardened veterans ready to join the resistance.

In Russia, unlike in Ukraine, the tragedy hasnt yet touched every family," Lt. Col. Kurko said. My question is: Is the population of the Russian Federation ready to accept these casualties, to count their coffins not in the thousands but in the hundreds of thousands?"

Separately, the U.S. military said it has ordered 160 service members of the Florida National Guard, who had been training Ukrainian troops, to leave the country. The U.K. also said it is withdrawing its trainers. The two nations supplied Ukraine with more than a dozen planeloads of advanced weapons in recent weeks, including Javelin and NLAW antitank missiles. American and British trainers were teaching Ukrainian forces how to use these weapons.

We have already gone through war and through the required training. Therefore, we are ready to greet the enemy not with flowers, but with Stingers, with Javelins and with NLAWs," Ukrainian Armed Forces commander Lt. Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhny said in a Saturday address. Welcome to hell!" he added in English.

Dutch national carrier KLM canceled a flight to Kyiv scheduled for Saturday evening and said it would indefinitely halt all flights to the Ukrainian capital and stop operating in Ukraine airspace amid expectations of an imminent ground invasion by Russian troops. The airline, along with others, last month started rescheduling flights so crews would be able to avoid overnight stays in the city.

Nearly 200 American diplomats are expected to leave Ukraine. The senior U.S. official said the majority of American diplomats leaving Ukraine will return to the U.S., and a small group will be relocated to various regional embassies to support staff there. Nonessential personnel and the families of American diplomats had been ordered to leave last month.

The U.S. doesnt operate a consulate in Lviv and the location where embassy staff will be working in wasnt constructed, leased, or planned far in advance, a senior U.S. official said. The citys mayor, Andriy Sadovy, said he expected the lease to be signed shorty. Several Western nations, such as Canada, also are relocating operations to Lviv, with the citys hotels filling up with foreign officials.

Mr. Sadovy said the city could host an influx of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing areas in the path of the Russian advance should war erupt. For many people, Lviv is the backup landing strip because it is a safe city," he said. I hope everything will be OKbut we are also preparing for a difficult life."

Lviv is already gearing up for how to survive possible Russian airstrikes, with preparations made to keep supplying potable water even if the power grid goes down.

The White House has approved a Pentagon plan for U.S. troops in nearby Poland to help thousands of Americans likely to flee Ukraine if Russia attacks, as the Biden administration tries to avoid an evacuation similar to its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Some of the 1,700 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division were being deployed to Poland to bolster that NATO ally with checkpoints, tent camps and other temporary facilities inside Polands border with Ukraine in preparation of serving arriving Americans, U.S. officials said.

The troops arent authorized to enter Ukraine and wont evacuate Americans or fly aircraft missions from inside the country.

In a further sign of U.S.-Russian tensions, Russia on Saturday said a U.S. submarine violated its territorial waters near the disputed Kuril Islands in the Pacific, where Russia was conducting exercises, and summoned the U.S. military attache to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow.

There is no truth to the Russian claims of our operations in their territorial waters," said U.S. Navy Capt. Kyle Raines, spokesman for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has postponed its decision to authorize Pfizer Inc.s covid-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months to four years. Do vaccines make sense for healthy children or should other vaccines be prioritized for kids? Mint explains:

Why did USFDA postpone its decision?

Pfizer has been running clinical trials for its covid-19 vaccine for children for over three months. The USFDA decided to hold off its decision saying it was specifically reviewing data on the three-shot vaccine instead of two shots. This was because Pfizer-BioNTech found that their two-shot vaccine did not show efficacy in the age group of children it was studyingsix months to four years. The federal agency had taken up Pfizers application as the recent surge in covid-19 cases due to the Omicron outbreak had seen a notable increase in hospitalization among the youngest children.

What does the evidence say?

Experts are divided on the issue of vaccinating children. Coronavirus infection among children aged under five is unlikely to lead to severe disease, but some kids are more vulnerable than others. However, the idea behind vaccinating children is that if given the opportunity even a small number of children should not be allowed to fall sick, let alone contract severe disease. In certain countries such as the UK, children have already been diagnosed with covid-19 and experts are of the opinion that having a vaccine for them would only provide marginal benefit.

View Full Image Protecting children

Which are the approved vaccines for children?

The inactivated vaccines by Indias Bharat Biotech International Ltd and Chinas Sinopharm and Sinovac are approved for use. Also approved are Pfizers mRNA shot for children over five years, Modernas jab for children over 12 years, and Indias Zydus Cadila for children over 12 years of age. Cuba and Venezuela are vaccinating children over 3 with the local Soberana 2 vaccine.

What about the Indian context?

The country has only approved Covaxin, an inactivated vaccine platform, for children over the age of 2 years. Vaccine expert Gagandeep Kang said though it is possible to argue that inactivated vaccines provide broader protection, there isnt enough evidence to say they provide longer protection. Kang said people should be careful about going for vaccines with such characteristics when evidence is low. Trade-offs among other essential vaccines should also be considered.

What is the pipeline for paediatric shot in India?

Biological E has sought emergency approval for its covid-19 vaccine for use in children aged 12 to 18. The vaccine uses the same platform that is used to make the Hepatitis B jab, which is used in routine immunization among children. Serum Institute of India that has tied up with US vaccine maker Novavax said it too is working on a vaccine for children. Overall, Indias paediatric pipeline is for four vaccines for children over 12 years of age and two vaccines for those who are 2 years and above.

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The origin of life on Earth began more than 3 billion years ago, evolving from the most basic of microbes into a dazzling array of complexity over time. But how did the first organisms on the only known home to life in the universe develop from the primordial soup?

Science remains undecided and conflicted as to the exact origin of life, also known as abiogenesis. Even the very definition of life is contested and rewritten, with one study published in the Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, suggesting uncovering 123 different published definitions.

Although science still seems unsure, here are some of the many different scientific theories on the origin of life on Earth.

It started with an electric spark

Lightning during a summer storm. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Lightning may have provided the spark needed for life to begin.Electric sparks can generate amino acids and sugars from an atmosphere loaded with water, methane, ammonia and hydrogen , as was shown in the famous Miller-Urey experiment in 1952, according to Scientific American. The experiment's findings suggested that lightning might have helped create the key building blocks of life on Earth in its early days. Over millions of years, larger and more complex molecules could form.

Although research since then has revealed the early atmosphere of Earth was actually hydrogen-poor, scientists have suggested that volcanic clouds in the early atmosphere might have held methane, ammonia and hydrogen and been filled with lightning as well, according to the University of California

Molecules of life met on clay

The first molecules of life might have met on clay, according to an idea elaborated by organic chemist Alexander Graham Cairns-Smith at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Cairns-Smith proposed in his 1985 controversial book Seven Clues to the Origin of Life'', that clay crystals preserve their structure as they grow and stick together to form areas exposed to different environments and trap other molecules along the way and organise them into patterns much like our genes do now.

The main role of DNA is to store information on how other molecules should be arranged. Genetic sequences in DNA are essentially instructions on how amino acids should be arranged in proteins. Cairns-Smith suggests that mineral crystals in clay could have arranged organic molecules into organized patterns. After a while, organic molecules took over this job and organized themselves.

Although Cairns-Smith's theory certainly gave scientists food for thought in the 1980s, it has still not been widely accepted by the scientific community.

Life began at deep-sea vents

A deep-sea hydrothermal vent in the Pacific Ocean. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The deep-sea vent theory suggests that life may have begun at submarine hydrothermal vents spewing elements key to life, such as carbon and hydrogen-, according to the journal Nature Reviews Microbiology.

Hydrothermal vents can be found in the darkest depths of the ocean floors, typically on diverging continental plates, according to the Natural History Museum. These vents erupt fluid which is superheated by the Earths core as it passes up through the crust, before being ejected at the vets. During its journey through the crust it collects dissolved gases and minerals, such as carbon and hydrogen.

Their rocky nooks could then have concentrated these molecules together and provided mineral catalysts for critical reactions. Even now, these vents, rich in chemical and thermal energy, sustain vibrant ecosystems.

Abiogenesis by way of hydrothermal vents continues to be investigated as a plausible cause of life on Earth. In 2019, scientists at University College London, successfully created protocells (non-living structures that help scientists understand the origins of life) under similar hot, alkaline environmental conditions to hydrothermal vents.

Life had a chilly start

Ice might have covered the oceans 3 billion years ago and facilitated the birth of life. "Key organic compounds thought to be important in the origin of life are more stable at lower temperatures, Jeffrey Bada at the University of California, told New Scientist . At normal temperatures these compounds, such as simple sets of amino acids, are sparsely populated in water, but when frozen become concentrated and facilitate the emergence of life, according to Badas work published in the journal I carus .

Ice also might have protected fragile organic compounds in the water below from ultraviolet light and destruction from cosmic impacts. The cold might have also helped these molecules to survive longer, enabling key reactions to happen.

The answer lies in understanding DNA formation

An illustration of a double helix DNA molecule. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Nowadays DNA needs proteins in order to form, and proteins require DNA to form, so how could these have formed without each other? The answer may be RNA , which can store information like DNA, serve as an enzyme like proteins, and help create both DNA and proteins, according to the journal Molecular Biology of the Cell. Later DNA and proteins succeeded this "RNA world," because they are more efficient.

RNA still exists and performs several functions in organisms, including acting as an on-off switch for some genes. The question still remains how RNA got here in the first place. Some scientists think the molecule could have spontaneously arisen on Earth, while others say that was very unlikely to have happened.

Life had simple beginnings

Instead of developing from complex molecules such as RNA, life might have begun with smaller molecules interacting with each other in cycles of reactions. These might have been contained in simple capsules akin to cell membranes, and over time more complex molecules that performed these reactions better than the smaller ones could have evolved, scenarios dubbed "metabolism-first" models, as opposed to the "gene-first" model of the "RNA world" hypothesis.

Life was brought here from elsewhere in space

Could life have been delivered to Earth from space? (Image credit: Getty Images)

Perhaps life did not begin on Earth at all, but was brought here from elsewhere in space, a notion known as panspermia, according to NASA. For instance, rocks regularly get blasted off Mars by cosmic impacts, and a number of Martian meteorites have been found on Earth that some researchers have controversially suggested brought microbes over here, potentially making us all Martians originally. Other scientists have even suggested that life might have hitchhiked on comets from other star systems. However, even if this concept were true, the question of how life began on Earth would then only change to how life began elsewhere in space.

Additional resources

For more information into the theories of lifes origins check out The Stairway To Life: An Origin-Of-Life Reality Check by Change Laura Tan and The Mystery of Life's Origin by Charles B. Thaxton, et al.

Bibliography

Matthew Levy et al, Prebiotic Synthesis of Adenine and Amino Acids Under Europa-like Conditions, Icarus, Volume 145, June 2000, https://doi.org/10.1006/icar.2000.6365

William Martin, Hydrothermal vents and the origin of life, Nature Reviews Microbiology, Volume 6, September 2008, https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1991

K. A. Dill and L. Agozzino, Driving forces in the origins of life, Open biology, Volume 11, February 2021, ttps://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.200324

Ben K. D. Pearce et al, Origin of the RNA world: The fate of nucleobases in warm little ponds, PNAS, Volume 114, October 2017, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1710339114
A potentially life-altering $3.5 million lawsuit settlement didnt change much for Leonel Cuevas or his family.

The 26-year-old Bronx man, five years removed from his big-bucks victory after a sketchy NYPD car chase sparked a crash that left him facing major medical issues, survived a second brush with death last month.

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This time he was shot by a state corrections officer he was trying to hold up, authorities charge.

The off-duty officer appeared for a prearranged Bronx date with a woman on Jan. 29 only to find Cuevas and another man lying in wait with a .380 caliber pistol, police said. But Cuevas and his accomplice apparently didnt know their mark would be armed.

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The correction officer opened fire before the crooks could use their gun, wounding Cuevas and his partner in crime before the bullets stopped flying, cops said.

A decade after being nearly paralyzed and left brain damaged by the NYPD-involved crash, Cuevas is clinging to life again.

After the accident my son was never the same, Cuevas mother Ramona Cuevas said last week of the decade-ago crash.

NYPD officers investigate on Jan. 29 after two robbery suspects were shot by an off-duty corrections officer in the Bronx. (Jeff Bachner/for New York Daily News)

She and husband Ramon spoke with a reporter in their 14th-floor Bronx apartment in NYCHAs Butler Houses  the same home where the family was living back when Cuevas was hurt in the 2012 crash that killed a friend of his.

His parents declined to discuss what happened to their sons legal windfall, and Ramona Cuevas said little more after defending Leonel in the recent robbery attempt.

My son is a good person, she said. He is a good boy.

Roman and Ramona Cuevas visit their son Leonel Cuevas in Lincoln Hospital after he was struck by an NYPD radio car while riding on the back of a dirt bike in 2012. (Kevin Heckman for New York Daily News)

According to police, the off-duty corrections officer arrived for a Saturday night meetup with Diamond Sanchez, 21, on E. 183rd St. in Fordham Heights. The pair were sitting in a vehicle when Cuevas and alleged accomplice Christopher Santana, 22, confronted the victim.

Give me all of your s---, one of the armed men commanded, a black firearm in his hand, according to court papers. The response was a fusillade of gunfire from the correction officer, blasting Cuevas multiple times in the chest and shooting Santana in his stomach, back and hip.

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Cuevas remains in critical condition at to St. Barnabas Hospital after the holdup gone wrong, authorities said.

NYPD officers investigate the shooting on E. 183rd Street and Tiebout Ave. on Jan. 29, 2022. (Jeff Bachner/for New York Daily News)

A decade ago, Cuevas survived an Oct. 27, 2012, crash where surveillance video unearthed in mid-2015 showed an NYPD patrol car slamming into the back of the dirt bike he was riding on the back of during a high-speed chase. Police had initially claimed their car was not pursuing the motorcycle, asserting the operator wiped out on his own while trying to overtake the NYPD vehicle.

City officials confirmed Cuevas settled his Bronx Supreme Court lawsuit against the NYPD in 2017 for $3.5 million.

Cuevas was seated behind friend Ronald Herrera, 22, who was operating the dirt bike and died a week after the crash. Cuevas initially suffered paralysis  and brain damage left him with difficulties thinking, speaking and walking, his lawyers said in the aftermath of the crash.

Leonel Cuevas in Lincoln Hospital in 2012 after he was struck by an NYPD radio car while riding on the back of a dirt bike. (Kevin Heckman/Photo by Kevin Heckman)

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But any lingering health woes failed to impede his alleged role in last months robbery try.

Cuevas subsequently popped up in a 2018 lawsuit where a skeptical insurance company successfully fought his claims of unspecified injuries following a minor car crash, court documents show.

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That case ended with a default judgement in favor of the Maidstone Insurance Co. after Cuevas skipped a pair of mandatory doctors visits in March and April 2018 to confirm his medical issues, the court papers said.

While Cuevas remains clinging to life after being shot, his wounded alleged accomplice recovered enough to appear for a Feb. 4 arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court. Santana was ordered held without bail on nine charges, including a top count of attempted robbery while displaying a handgun and a felony count of criminal possession of a handgun.

Sanchez was arrested for allegedly luring the correction officer and being in cahoots with the crooks. She was arraigned Jan. 30 and released after posting $25,000 bail. Prosecutors charge she tossed the black .380-caliber pistol brandished by the bandits into a sewer grate after the shooting. Sanchez was also charged with attempted robbery and gun possession.

Ramona Cuevas said she was still waiting for the specifics from the shootout that landed her son in the hospital and knew nothing about her sons alleged associates.

I dont really know anything, she said. I just really dont know what happened.
Hearts have become iconic symbols of Valentine's Day, but when it comes to hearts in the real world, one size doesn't fit all  particularly in the animal kingdom. At rest, the human heart beats between 60 and 80 times a minute, but in that same time, a hibernating groundhog's heart beats just five times and a hummingbird's heart reaches 1,260 beats per minute during powered flight. The human heart weighs about 0.6 pounds (0.3 kilograms), but a giraffe's weighs about 25 pounds (11 kg), as the organ needs to be powerful enough to pump blood up the animal's long neck. Here are some other creatures with strange hearts.

1. Frogs

The glass frog's organs are visible from the outside. (Image credit: Thorsten Spoerlein via Getty Images)

Mammals and birds have four-chambered hearts, but frogs have just three, with two atria and one ventricle, said Daniel Mulcahy, a research collaborator of vertebrate zoology who specializes in amphibians and reptiles at the Smithsonian Institution, Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

In general, the heart takes deoxygenated blood from the body, sends it to the lungs to get oxygen , and pumps it through the body to oxygenate the organs, he said. In humans, the four-chambered heart keeps oxygenated blood and deoxygenated blood in separate chambers. But in frogs, grooves called trabeculae keep the oxygenated blood separate from the deoxygenated blood in its one ventricle.

Frogs can get oxygen not only from their lungs, but also from their skin , Mulcahy said. The frog's heart takes advantage of this evolutionary quirk. As deoxygenated blood comes into the right atrium, it goes into the ventricle and out to the lungs and skin to get oxygen.

The oxygenated blood comes back to the heart through the left atrium, then into the ventricle and out to the major organs, Mulcahy said.

Even weirder are the hearts of freeze-tolerant frogs, including the wood frog (Lithobates/Rana sylvaticus), whose heart completely stops when the frog freezes during winter hibernation, and then starts beating again within one hour of thawing, according to a 1989 study in the American Journal of Physiology .

2. Whales

This life-size model shows the enormity of a blue whale's heart. (Image credit:  AMNH/D. Finnin)

The blue whale's heart is the largest of all the animals living today. "It is the size of a small car and has been weighed at about 950 pounds [430 kg]," said James Mead, a curator emeritus of marine mammals in the department of vertebrate zoology at the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution. Like other mammals, the whale's heart has four chambers.

The organ is responsible for supplying blood to an animal the length of two school buses, said Nikki Vollmer, an assistant scientist for the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies working with the NOAA Fisheries' Southeast. "The walls of the aorta, the main artery, can be as thick as an iPhone 6 Plus is long," or over 6 inches (15 centimeters), Vollmer told Live Science. "That is a thick-walled blood vessel!"

When blue whales dive deep into the ocean, their heart rate slows to four beats per minute, which helps them extend their dive time and may even mitigate decompression sickness, known as the bends. That's because this lower heartbeat lowers the passage of blood into the pressurized lungs, and the in-hand reduction of nitrogen uptake may alleviate the bends, a 2021 study in the journal Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology reported.

3. Cephalopods

Give a hearty cheer for the Aonius borealis squid's three hearts. (Image credit: Michael Vecchione)

There's nothing half-hearted about cephalopods. These tentacular and armed marine creatures, including the octopus , squid and cuttlefish, have three hearts apiece.

Two brachial hearts on either side of the cephalopod's body oxygenate blood by pumping it through the blood vessels of the gills, and the systemic heart in the center of the body pumps oxygenated blood from the gills through the rest of the organism, said Michael Vecchione, an invertebrate zoologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

Cephalopods are also literally blue-blooded because they have copper in their blood. Human blood is red because of the iron in hemoglobin. "Just like rust is red, the iron in our hemoglobin is red when it's oxygenated," Vecchione said. But in cephalopods, oxygenated blood turns blue.

4. Cockroaches

The cockroach's heart beats at about the same rate as a human heart. (Image credit: Paul Starosta via Getty Images)

Like other insects, the cockroach has an open circulatory system, meaning its blood doesn't fill blood vessels. Instead, the blood flows through a single structure with 12 to 13 chambers, said Don Moore III, a senior scientist at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

The dorsal sinus, located on the top of the cockroach, helps to send oxygenated blood to each chamber of the heart. But the heart isn't there to move around oxygenated blood, Moore said.

"Roaches and other insects breathe through spiracles [surface openings] in the bodies instead of lungs, so the blood doesn't need to carry oxygen from one place to another," Moore said.

Instead, the blood, called hemolymph, carries nutrients and is white or yellow, he said. The heart doesn't beat by itself, either. Muscles in the cavity expand and contract to help the heart send hemolymph to the rest of the body.

The heart is often smaller in wingless cockroaches than in flying ones, Moore said. The cockroach's heart beats at about the same rate as a human heart, he added.

5. Earthworms

Earthworms have five five pseudohearts. (Image credit: Gail Shotlander via Getty Images)

The earthworm can't take heart, because it doesn't have one. Instead, the worm has five pseudohearts that wrap around its esophagus . These pseudohearts don't pump blood, but rather they squeeze vessels to help circulate blood throughout the worm's body, Moore said.

It also doesn't have lungs, but absorbs oxygen through its moist skin."Air trapped in the soil, or aboveground after a rain when worms can stay moist, dissolves in the skin mucus, and the oxygen is drawn into the cells and blood system where it is pumped around the body," Moore said.

Earthworms have red blood that contains hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen, but unlike people worms have an open circulatory system. "So the hemoglobin just kind of floats among the rest of the fluids," Moore said.

6. Fish

A zebrafish can regenerate its heart. (Image credit: Mirko_Rosenau via Getty Images)

If a zebrafish has a broken heart, it can simply regrow one. A study published in 2002 in the journal Science found that zebrafish can fully regenerate heart muscle just two months after 20% of their heart muscle is damaged.

Humans can regenerate their liver , amphibians and some lizards can regenerate their tails, and frogs given a special drug cocktail even regrew legs in a 2022 study in the journal Science Advances , but the zebrafish's regenerative abilities make it a prime model to study heart growth, Moore said.

However, fish have unique hearts. In addition to the one atrium and one ventricle, fish also have two structures that aren't seen in humans. The "sinus venosus" is a sac that sits ahead of the atrium and the "bulbus arteriosus" is a tube located just behind the ventricle.

As in other animals, the heart drives blood throughout the body. Deoxygenated blood enters the sinus venosus and flows into the atrium, Moore said. The atrium then pumps the blood into the ventricle.

The ventricle has thicker, more muscular walls, and pumps the blood into the bulbus arteriosus. The bulbus arteriosus regulates the pressure of the blood as it flows through the capillaries surrounding the fish's gills. It is in the gills where there is oxygen exchange across cell membranes and into the blood, Moore said.

But why does the fish need the bulbus arteriosus to regulate blood pressure ?

"Because the gills are delicate and thin-walled  any fisherman knows this  and can be damaged if the blood pressure is too high," Moore said. "The bulbus arteriosus itself is apparently a chamber with very elastic components compared to the muscular nature of the ventricle."

Editor's note: Originally published on Feb. 13, 2015 and updated on Feb. 14, 2022.

Originally published on Live Science.
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In The City and the City, which bowed in the Berlin Film Festivals competitive Encounters strand and will have a special screening on March 15 at the Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival, Syllas Tzoumerkas and Christos Passalis train their lens on the largely untold story of the atrocities committed against Thessalonikis Jewish population during World War II.

Unspooling in six fragmented chapters, the film tells the story of Thessalonikis Jewish community from the first half of the 20th century until the present day, where contemporary life reflects a city that violently and irrevocably lost its multicultural character, almost overnight.

Natives who both left Thessaloniki in their twenties, the directors said they wanted to focus on what Tzoumerkas described as a blind spot in their respective upbringings, in which the suffering and near annihilation of the citys Jewish community went virtually unmentioned. Its both a homecoming for us, and also its an act of exhuming, in the sense of bringing up the dead in the city, he said.

Sitting at an ancient crossroads of East and West, Greeces second city has for centuries been a cultural melting pot. In the 1400s, Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain settled in Thessaloniki, then part of the Ottoman Empire, helping to shape its cultural and economic life for centuries to come. By the turn of the 20th century, Jews comprised roughly half the citys population.

During World War II, however, tens of thousands of Jews were deported from Thessaloniki to concentration camps; by some estimates, up to 97% of the citys Jewish population was killed. Not only the atrocities but the role played by Greek collaborators are bitter facts that the directors say neither Greek authorities nor society at large have ever fully acknowledged.

It is a reason why The City and the City moves fluidly between the past and present. We thought that it would be an interesting idea, visually and philosophically, to have Nazi soldiers walking through contemporary Thessaloniki. We wanted history to be in the film as a force rather than a background, said Passalis. These layers of history, first of all, are present all over the city. And also, because this tragic event has not been acknowledged, there are still memories that need to be acknowledged. They are alive in everyday life.

What we wanted was to create this dialogue between the contemporary and the historical, added Tzoumerkas. Were talking about a part of history that hasnt found justice.

Incorporating elements of both documentary and fiction, The City and the City was also the focus of an installation mounted at Thessalonikis Greek National Opera Alternative Stage last summer. The film, which is being sold by Syndicado Film Sales, is a Greek National Opera and Homemade Films production, in collaboration with the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, whose artistic director, Orestis Andreadakis, curated the installation.

Tzoumerkas and Passalis have been collaborating for more than a decade, since the latter  a veteran screen and stage actor and co-founder of the Blitz Theater Group  appeared in Tzoumerkas debut, Homeland, which premiered in Venice Critics Week in 2010. He also starred in the directors The Miracle of the Sargasso Sea, which bowed in 2019 in Berlin.

Tzoumerkas sees the film as a way to explore a dark episode that has largely been erased from the collective memory of the Holocaust. This is a film that is in Greek, and its a Greek film, but I think that also its very important in a more global sense, he said. That this is in our consciousness of what happened in those years.

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A BMX bike rider armed with a large knife stabbed 11 people Sunday in Albuquerque, N.M., during a random mileslong attack, authorities said.

The suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was arrested.

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Officers are investigating 7 possible scenes, Albuquerque police said in a tweet. All victims are in stable condition. The lone suspect is in custody.

The frenzied stabbing attack occurred in the southeastern part of the states largest city, beginning around 11 a.m..

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Police told KRQE-TV the attacks started with a stabbing near Sister Bar in downtown Albuquerque then were reported from several other points along the same street, all linked to the same suspect.

The victims were taken to four hospitals in the Albuquerque area, KOAT-TV reported. Police worked through the night to ensure there were no accomplices.

They appear to be random ... a person just came up and said they were stabbed, Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos told KRQE. There doesnt seem to be any rhyme or reason at this point.
Maria Penas 10-year-old daughter Susana surfs the internet on her tablet all day long and even uses a Facebook account created to keep in touch with friends. Although the mother constantly checks to see what she is doing, she does worry she might one day click on something she is not supposed to, or worse, come in contact with someone who wants to take advantage of her.

Feb. 8 was Safer Internet Day, which is a day in which various companies and organizations encourage people and their children to have a safer internet experience by only engaging in content they know is reliable. According to a survey done by Common Sense Media  which has been tracking media usage since 2003  by age 11, it is estimated that over half of all children in the United States own a smartphone, and another 2019 study found that over 90% of teenagers have a smartphone.

Pena says although she does have parental locks on her childs tablet to ensure she does not see anything inappropriate or overshare information online, she also understands her daughter knows how to take away the child locks.

Even though we were born in this digital boom, I feel that as more technology progresses and children get smarter to use it, then we are facing them knowing more about the technology than us, Pena said. I just continue to practice some safety tips in efforts to make sure her time using social media or playing a game online or even watching YouTube is safe, but I do worry at times for her safety.

Considering Safer Internet Day and the many challenges surrounding the internet, one spokesperson for Meta, previously known as Facebook, provided some tips on how people can have a safer time while surfing the Web for both children and adults.

We really are committed to having a safe and positive experience for people on our platforms, especially young people, said Jennifer Hanley, the North American head of safety for Meta, previously known as Facebook. Online safety is not just a Meta issue or even a tech issue but it is really something that we are committed to do our part of as everyone needs to work together on online safety. That includes everyone from parents, policymakers and other technology companies and even community members and even nonprofit organizations.

Some of the things that we are doing at Meta is offering resources for parents. Last year, we launched a child safety hub that includes tips, talking points, links to other organizations or helpful things that can give parents a way to talk to their kids about their experience online. We also have a lot of tools that can be helpful for people to help with online safety with everything from a privacy checkup and security checkup to tools with blocking and reporting to help people have a safer experience. In addition to the child safety hub we also have lots of resources on a variety of safety topics that can be really important for our parents, educators and for all people in engaging in our platforms.

Hanley says having conversations with children about what they do online and how they do things is a major way to understand whether they are doing it safely or not.

Especially for parents, the most important thing to do is to have a conversation with your kid about what they are doing online, Hanley said. Ask them what they like, what positive things they are engaged on, why they like using some of the different apps and some of the other things that are out there. With that conversation I think that it is really important for parents to ask their kids if they know how to keep themselves safe and let the kids tell them what are some of the tools or features that they are utilizing, or if they actually do not know what to do to stay safe online.

She says the same tips should apply for more recent users such as the elderly population who also may be in danger online to fall to scams or other abuses.

They should definitely do things like having strong passwords, utilizing two-factor authentication that helps protect their accounts, but also being on the lookout for things that might be targeting them specifically like for online scams, Hanley said. Seeing somebody asked them for money that they do not actually know in person, looking for bad grammar or someone asking for personal information, even telling them that they won a prize, or that they could receive a loan and things like that are good indicators that there might be a scam. They should definitely report that content and even block the person who might be trying to ask them about it.

Although Meta does not have any data on whether unsafe internet practices grew during the pandemic as more people were online as they were staying at home, she did say the company released a program called Get Digital, which provides resources for parents and people to learn more about digital literacy and how to surf the internet more safely.

It is a societal issue, and it is something that we see around the world that is really important as there are many positive things that people can do online, especially young people, Hanley said. Even as you are talking about seniors as throughout the pandemic, I think that technology has been a wonderful thing to help people, but there are certainly issues that are out there like bullying, mental health and all these other things.

Pena agrees that even though surfing the Internet can just be all fun for children, there are also many good things that they can do to learn that can accelerate their education.

I mean for school, she does a lot of homework online and also there are many programs like ABC Mouse and others that keep her intrigued and learning, which show how important the internet is for good things, and I would never take it away from her but would like to teach her more about how to use it safely and me as well, Pena said.

Hanley says for communities where English might not be the only dominant language like in Laredo, all of the information needed for internet safety can also be found in Spanish and other languages as well.

We have many languages, so our resources are available in 50 or more languages, so definitely you can find all this on the Facebook safety center, Instagram also has safety resources, so there are a lot of places in our platforms where people can find this information in Spanish and other languages, Hanley said.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
The majority of Texas voters are concerned about the future of their state, according to a new poll from Texas 2036.

When asked about the future of the state, 90% of Texans described themselves as extremely, very or somewhat concerned. This number is up from a 2020 poll conducted before the pandemic when 79% of respondents said they were extremely, very or somewhat concerned about the future of the state.

In the latest poll, 55% of respondents said they were either extremely or very concerned about the future of Texas, up from 31% who said they felt this way in January 2020.

Of the Texans who participated in the poll, only 43% believe Texas will be better off 20 years from now, whereas 31% said they dont believe the state will be better off.

Approximately 61% of Texas voters said the state government is doing a fair or poor job related to solving problems and serving the needs of residents. Of these respondents, 19% attributed their rating to issues related to the pandemic response.

Many of the concerns held by Texas voters are related to education with 79% saying they are extremely or very concerned about Texas elementary school students low reading scores. Only 30% of Texas fourth-graders can read at grade level, according to the report.

The poll also asked Texas voters about a number of crime and justice-related topics. Almost half of Texas voters participating in the poll (47%) believe that crime has increased in their community over the past year and 59% are extremely or very concerned about the backlog of criminal cases in Texas courts. Over half (55%) said they are extremely or very concerned that more than one-quarter of Texas police officers were rehired by another law enforcement agency after receiving a dishonorable discharge.

Methodology

As part of the poll, 1,001 registered voters were surveyed between Jan. 19 and Jan. 26. via cellular phone, landline or online, according to Texas 2036.
That undergraduate degree or graduate degree you havent completed is looking for you.

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Boards (THECB)Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program to provide critical support to students returning to TAMIU to complete their degree, or students starting a graduate degree.

This is the second round of funding that TAMIU receives to support students through the THECBs Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program.

Scheiby Gonzalez Fisher, TAMIU interim associate vice president for Student Success, said this program has already provided 75 students with the opportunity to get back on track to graduate with a degree and succeed in the workforce.

The program targets both displaced Texas workers who need to reskill or upskill to move quickly back into the workforce, including opportunities for students seeking graduate degrees and students who have previously stopped out of higher education institutions without completing a post-secondary credential (Bachelors degree), Gonzalez Fisher said.

Students must not have enrolled in an accredited postsecondary institution in the previous long academic semester. We know there are many former TAMIU students and students seeking graduate degrees that could be helped by this program, and were encouraging them reach out and explore this option with us, she explained.

Through this program, students can receive a scholarship between $500 and $2,500 per semester/term towards tuition and fees, or cost of attendance.

Criteria for consideration include that students must be Texas Residents, eligible for In-State Tuition, have filed a FAFSA application, affirm they were affected by COVID-19 and enroll at least part-time, Gonzalez Fisher noted, Funding is available for Summer and Fall 2022 without consideration of financial need. Eligible and interested students can apply at go.tamiu.edu/reskill.

For additional information, contact Gonzalez Fisher at outreach@tamiu.edu or call 956.326.2700.

University information is also available from the Universitys website at tamiu.edu and on social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
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Local News, Health & Wellness

By Long Island Published: February 14 2022

Attorney General James recovers over $400,000 for Consumers unfairly charged for expedited Covid-19 Tests

ClearMD Health and Sameday Health Issue Refunds to Thousands of New Yorkers

for Late COVID-19 Results After OAG Sent Warning Letters

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office recovered more than $400,000 for New Yorkers who paid for expedited COVID-19 tests, but received their results later than the promised timeframe. After the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) issued warning letters to ClearMD Health and Sameday Health to stop misrepresenting turnaround times for results, the testing labs refunded consumers who were unfairly charged. The companies also corrected their advertising and instructed employees to provide accurate information concerning turnaround times.

Thousands of New Yorkers have gotten their money back after being misled by COVID-19 testing labs and received their results later than they were told, said Attorney General James. Its simple, testing sites and labs must follow the law and accurately advertise when consumers can expect their results, otherwise they can expect to hear from my office. New Yorkers can trust that I will always stand up for their rights. My office will continue to take action against COVID-19 testing sites and labs that are misleading New Yorkers.

ClearMD Health refunded 1,198 consumers more than $182,000 and Sameday Health refunded 3,110 consumers more than $230,000.

The OAG first launched its investigation into COVID-19 testing sites in December 2021, following numerous reports from New Yorkers who were not receiving COVID-19 test results as promised during the busy holiday season. The OAG has issued eight warning letters to labs and testing companies.

Attorney General James asks any consumer who believes a lab or other testing facility is making misleading statements about its turnaround time for COVID-19 test results to file a complaint online with the OAGs Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau or call the office at 1-800-771-7755.

These matters were handled by Deputy Bureau Chief of the Consumer Frauds & Protection Bureau Laura J. Levine, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jane M. Azia. The Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau is part of the Division of Economic Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Chris DAngelo and is overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
Local News, Health & Wellness

By Chris Boyle Published: February 14 2022

Distribution will start at Manor Field Park in Huntington Station located on East 5th Street until test kits are depleted.

The Huntington Community Development Agency will be distributing over 10,000 over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits to Town of Huntington residents funded by the 2020 CARES Act Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) program.

Pre-registration is required. Recipients must be Town of Huntington residents and each household is eligible to receive up to four (4) OTC Rapid Result COVID-19 test kits. Apply online at huntingtonny.gov/covid-test-kits

Distribution will start at Manor Field Park in Huntington Station located on East 5th Street until test kits are depleted. Hours of operation will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9am to 2pm, Wednesdays from 3pm to 7pm, and Fridays from 1pm to 4pm, while supplies last. The distribution site will not be open on Federal holidays.

The Huntington Community Development Agency is also partnering with Value Drugs of Greenlawn to provide approximately 2,000 Town of Huntington residents an opportunity to receive a free onsite Rapid Results Antigen COVID-19 test. Onsite testing is available now to pre-registered residents. Apply at huntingtonny.gov/valuedrugscovid19testing to receive a voucher for a free test. Once approved, residents can schedule their appointment with Value Drugs. Tests will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Huntington CDA Chairman Ed Smyth stated, Thanks to our remaining 2020 CARES Act funding, the Town CDA is now able to distribute 10,080 at-home test kits and administer 2,000 free rapid tests to give Huntington families peace of mind that it is safe to gather and visit with at-risk family members.

Im pleased to see our Community Development Agencys CARES Act grant funding being directed to address the continuing need and demand for testing and hope our residents will take advantage of the opportunities to either obtain free test kits at Manor Field Park, or to get free testing at Value Drugs in Greenlawn, said CDA member Joan Cergol.

I'm very proud of the effort of our CDA to get these important Home Tests in the hands of the community. The only way to keep fighting Covid is stay focused and not take our foot off the pedal, said CDA member Sal Ferro.

Due to the recent spike in coronavirus cases, and with the demand of test kits outpacing the supply, the Town of Huntington and the Community Development Agency felt it was imperative that we address the issue, said Leah M. Jefferson, Director of the Community Development Agency. The Town has faced enough difficulties during the pandemic, and we are grateful for the generosity of Value Drugs which has allowed us to meet the demand for rapid testing, and ultimately keep our community safer.

In September 2020, the Town of Huntington was awarded funding in the amount of $1,869,925 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prepare for, respond to, and prevent the spread of coronavirus. This funding was made available through the Community Development Block Grant- Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) program. To date, this funding has been made available to businesses and individuals in the community who have been directly impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, and to those community agencies that provide direct assistance to the residents of Huntington.

At their February Community Development Agency meeting, the CDA Board authorized the distribution of 10,080 COVID-19 over-the-counter rapid tests to residents of the Town of Huntington purchased with $151,200 in CDBG-CV funds awarded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same meeting, the CDA Board also approved the execution of a contract with Value Drugs for the purpose of administering rapid COVID-19 tests to the residents of the Town of Huntington onsite at the Value Drugs at 106 Broadway in Greenlawn.
A medical examiners report indicates the bones of Brian Laundrie  the only person of interest in the homicide of travel blogger Gabby Petito  were gnawed on by animals after the 23-year-old Florida man shot himself in the head in October 2021.

Multiple long bones including bones of the arms and legs all disclose carnivore predation activity characterized by gnawing and chewing, the 47-page autopsy report by the Sarasota, Fla., medical examiner released Monday said. The cranium is in multiple pieces and fragments...

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The report also said Laundrie died from a gunshot wound to the head.

This Aug. 12, 2021 file photo from video provided by the Moab, Utah, Police Department shows Brian Laundrie talking to a police officer after police pulled over the van he was traveling in with his girlfriend, Gabrielle "Gabby" Petito, near the entrance to Arches National Park in Utah. (AP)

A handgun was found near Laundries body at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.

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The cylinder contained two live rounds and one spent round of ammunition, the full autopsy report said.

Laundries skeletal remains were found in the wooded area in the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County in October and had been under up to 3 feet of water for a long time.

[ Brian Laundrie admitted to killing Gabby Petito in notebook, FBI says ]

The bullet entered through Laundries left temple. He did not appear to be under the influence of any intoxicants at the time of his death.

Also reportedly found along with Laundries remains were a journal, a wooden box containing photographs and a notebook, as well as a handwritten half-note. The contents of the note are unclear. The FBI said in January that Laundrie had written about Petitos homicide. A Wyoming coroner found strangulation was her cause of death.

Laundrie was named a person of interest in the disappearance of his 22-year-old former girlfriend, after Petitos family reported her missing on Sept. 11, 2020, while on a cross-country roadtrip with her longtime beau.

Laundrie had returned to Florida without her 10 days prior. His parents reported him missing Sept. 17 causing law enforcement to extend its search to include both travelers.

On Sept. 19, Petitos body was recovered in a Wyoming camping area. On Oct. 21, investigators confirmed Laundries remains had been found.
Local News, Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: February 14 2022

Samuel Schindler, 34, was held at the Third Precinct for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip.

Suffolk County Police have arrested a Central Islip man for possession of loaded weapons after a search warrant was executed at his Central Islip home.

Following an investigation, Third Squad Special Operations Team detectives, assisted by detectives from the Criminal Intelligence Section and the District Attorney Section and officers from the Emergency Service Section and Third Precinct, executed a search warrant at 19 Tamarack Street.

Two loaded handguns, a 9mm and a 40 caliber, were seized. Both weapons were Polymer80, commonly known as ghost guns, because they are built from a kit, and lack serial numbers or traceable features. Additionally, detectives seized a kit to manufacture ghost guns and a homemade apparatus apparently used to test fire weapons.

Samuel Schindler, 34, of 19 Tamarack St., was arrested and charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a felony and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree, a felony. He was held at the Third Precinct for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip.

The investigation is continuing.
Jefferson, GA (30549)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The Vitamin Connection recently opened its doors at 1588 U.S. 31 South next to Continental Rental. The store is owned by Glen and Elizabeth Sisk and offers a full line of vitamins.

60 YEARS GO

Honored

Margaret Savers, who retired on Feb. 9 after serving Eastlake as postmistress for the past 19 years, was honored yesterday afternoon at an open house given at Sig Niedziejka residence. Some 30 friends and neighbors turned out to pay tribute to the honoree.

Legion Auxiliary hears student

Ulrich Geissler, foreign exchange student at Manistee High School, provided an interesting program at a meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary on Monday evening, when as guest speaker he described life and schools in his hometown of Hamburg, Germany. He also touched on the economic condition of his country divided by communism.

80 YEARS AGO

Chain letters

Chain letters with defense stamps and bonds as the lure apparently are flooding the city, Postmaster Ed Talbot reported today and those taking part in the venture are reminded that the scheme is illegal. The post office department will countenance no deviation from an original ruling declaring the chain letters fraudulent even though they might increase the sale of defense stamps.

Many books contributed

The Victory Book Campaign committee today announced that contributions are coming in steadily and that many of the book centers are reported to have large numbers of books deposited. Members of the committee are making a collection of the books from the centers today and will call several homes where people have notified the committee that they have books to contribute but have no convenient method of transporting them to the centers.
MANISTEE  A state program may provide up to $25,000 in matching funds to a local business owner looking to expand.

The Match on Main program would allow for two applications to the state with one business that meets all the eligibility requirements to receive matching funds with a maximum amount of $25,000.

According to a news release from Marc Miller, director of Economic Development for the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, the Match on Main program is "a state program designed to support the creation and growth of place-based businesses in downtowns and Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) was recently announced by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)."

Miller said in the news release that the city is RRC certified and that because of this certification, some area businesses could be eligible for funding.

That eligibility will need to include a physical location located in a downtown business district or along a commercial corridor, such as U.S. 31 within the boundaries of the city. Reimbursement of eligible expenses for a new business or a business expansion will require a 50% match by the business, and the business must have or intend to have control of the site in the application.

Additional eligibility criteria can be found at the MEDCs Match on Main website at miplace.org/small-business/match-on-main/. The program is geared toward small businesses that support a family-oriented, identifiable downtown or community.

The city of Manistee will submit no more than two businesses as part of an application process that requires business information, construction quotes and a background check.

Miller said interested business owners should reach out to him as soon as possible, a construction quote is essential to the program and finding the price can take some time with the current state of volatility in material costs for construction projects.

"It is in the best interest of businesses to contact me as soon as possible (because of the construction quotes)," he said.

Miller has noted that the price for construction projects have recently increased around 30-40 % as the cost of materials has gone up, and supply chain issues still continue to be a problem.

However, he also emphasized that prices are volatile and the cost of construction materials like steel, wood and aluminum can drop just as quickly as they rise "which can make pricing things out difficult."

Miller said the application process will begin with a consultation with the director of economic development at the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce and must be completed by the close of business on Feb. 28. This will help to determine eligibility and provide application materials to interested business owners.

Complete electronic applications from businesses will be due to the chamber of commerce by the close of business on March 3.

The city manager and the director of economic development will make final decisions on applications to be submitted, and meet a final MEDC deadline of March 9.

Miller also noted that despite the money coming from the state to fund the program, it is also part of a larger pot of funds that Michigan received from the federal government from the American Rescue Plan Act funds during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted the program, as far as he is aware, did not exist pre-COVID 19.

Miller also said that the program has been successful in the past; Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar received the full $25,000 during the 2021 program and will be expanding its deck and adding gas-powered heating near outside benches to better serve customers during the cold winter months in northern Michigan.

He said the two applications will be submitted to the state in April for consideration. Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar received its funding in December.

If there are more than two eligible and complete applications, a final decision will be based on the following criteria:

Completeness of the application;

Determinations of eligibility, including adherence to the grant programs geographic guidelines, meaning the business in the downtown district or on the U.S. 31 corridor;

The overall match percentage -- a minimum is 1:1 and more on behalf of the business will increase the competitive application at MEDC;

Priority will be placed on new or expanding restaurants; and,

A priority will also be placed on businesses that increase the citys tourism infrastructure -- businesses that provide experiences and services to tourists that will encourage longer or more enjoyable stays in the city.

Other examples of businesses that could qualify are needed niche businesses like a bicycle shop, car rental business or a unique retail experience.

If a local business owner is interested in applying for the program, they should contact Marc Miller at development@manisteechamber.com or call 217-816-4175.
Did you know ...

Dred Scott was born into slavery around 1799 in Southampton County, Virginia.

The Dred Scott Case is also known as Dred Scott v. Sandford. Lets follow the life of Dred Scott and learn how his case had an impact on the Civil War.

In 1818 (around the age of 19), he moved with his owner, Peter Blow, to Alabama. Then in 1830 (while in his 30s) he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where Blow ran a boarding house. Both states, Alabama and Missouri, were slave states. Blow died in 1832 and then an army surgeon, Dr. John Emerson, purchased Scott and took him to Illinois, a free state. Scott then went to Fort Snelling in the Wisconsin Territory where the Missouri Compromise had outlawed slavery.

According to the Missouri Compromise in 1820, Congress agreed they would forbid slavery in Louisiana and any territory that was once part of the Louisiana Purchase. Slavery was also forbidden anywhere north of the 36/30 parallel, except within the territory of Missouri where it was to be allowed.

Continuing with his travels, Dred Sam Scott being in the free states of Illinois and Wisconsin, sued his owner for his freedom, claiming his trips in slave-free areas made him free.

Scott was a little man, barely five-feet tall, but big in his courage and his demeanor. A St. Louis paper described him as illiterate but not ignorant.

Scotts suit followed the doctrine of a famous English precedent, Somerset v. Stewart, which established the rule that a slave became free after setting foot in a free jurisdiction.

Scott actually won an early trial under Judge Alexander Hamilton (not the Alexander Hamilton who was the United States Secretary of Treasury) in 1850 which granted him freedom because he had been taken to free states and territories. However, the Missouri Supreme Court overturned Hamiltons ruling two years later and ordered Scott and his family back into slavery.

Scott pursued his freedom through the courts. After many trials, delays and retrials, Scotts case reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1856.

Chief Justice Taney delivered the majority of the nine separate judicial opinions. The Supreme Court ruling permitted slavery in the territories where Scott had presided. They also overruled the Missouri Compromise by stating that Congress did not have the authority to limit the expansion of slavery; slavery was found to be legal in those territories until the citizens voted for or against it.

His owner, Emerson, sold Scott and his family to John Sandford. When he passed, his wife, Irene Sandford became the owner of Scott and his family.

That court case was Dred Scott v. Sandford. Irene married her second husband, Calvin Chaffee, a U.S. congressman and abolitionist. He was upset that his wife still held the famous Dred Scott and his family as slaves. He sold the family to Taylor Blow, who was the son of the family who was Scotts original owners. Taylor Blow freed Scott and his family on May 26, 1857.

Scott found work as a porter in a St. Louis hotel. Before the Civil War, Scott was the best-known Black man in America. He fought his court battle for 12 years until the Taneys Supreme Court decision ruled against him. He was 51 when he started his litigation and was 63 when he lost his case. Scott died from tuberculosis 18 months after this decision on Sept. 17, 1858.

Abraham Lincoln was dismayed with the decision of the Supreme Court. To him, this meant that slavery was again given impetus and would possibly be forced upon the free states. The abolitionists were outraged with the court decision. Because the nation was so divided about the issue of slavery, the landmark Dred Scott Supreme Court decision, was the straw that broke the camels back and ultimately led to the Civil War.
Talk about no good deed goes unpunished.

An attempt at being a Good Samaritan went horribly wrong after a woman let a homeless man into her Salt Lake City apartment to shower, and he slit her throat.

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Authorities at first did not know what had caused the womans injury, receiving only a report of a woman bleeding heavily, reported KUTV-TV. But the victim told police she had let the man in. After slashing her neck, he fled, she said.

The woman, whose identity was being withheld, was in critical but stable condition after surgery, police in the Utah city said.

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Working with detectives, SLCPD Patrol Officers have arrested a 30-year-old man who is accused of cutting a womans throat inside her residence in what appears to be a random attack, police said on Twitter. Our investigation is ongoing.

That man was Eric Jones, described to police as being homeless.

The attack appeared to be random, police said in a statement. It was just before 5 p.m. last Sunday when officers caught a report of a woman bleeding heavily, police said. Paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital in critical condition where she received emergency surgery. Doctors upgraded the victims condition to critical but stable. There are no further updates available on the victims condition.

The victim told police she let the suspect inside so he could use the shower.

Police picked Jones up a few days later, at about 1 a.m. on Friday and charged him with aggravated assault.

No additional information on this case is being released at this time, police said, noting that the investigation was ongoing. The victim in this case is requesting privacy.
On Valentine's Day, millions of people give flowers, chocolates and cards to their sweethearts. There are different versions about the origin of Valentine's Day. The first says that, in the third century after Christ, there was a Roman priest named Valentine, who confronted a law imposed by Emperor Claudius II that did not allow young men to marry.

Valentinus was in charge of marrying couples in secret, but he was discovered, martyred and executed. The priest was buried in Rome. And, on his tomb, Pope Julius I built a basilica.

Valentine's Day history

Another version points to the existence of another Valentine, who was also pursued, caught and beheaded. It is possible that both versions refer to the same person, but are told in different ways.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there was a third Valentine who, like the other two, was also martyred. The only difference is that this happened in Africa. The versions are different, but the reason for celebration is the same. The Catholic Church established this day to commemorate St. Valentine for his good works related to the universal concept of love and affection.

When is Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day is celebrated annually on February 14.

Where is Valentine's Day celebrated?

Valentine's Day is popular in the United States as well as in Britain, Canada, and Australia, and it is also celebrated in other countries, including Argentina, France, Mexico, and South Korea. In the Philippines, it is the most common wedding anniversary.

Why do we say that February 14 is the day of love and friendship?

Valentine's Day, also called St. Valentine's Day, holiday when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts.

Regardless of the religion of each person, it is a significant cultural event because it is related to these two feelings. This day is interpreted as an opportunity to celebrate love and affection with our loved ones.
Jason Reitman is mourning the death of his father Ivan Reitman, who directed classic comedies including Meatballs, Stripes, Ghost Busters and Kindergarten Cop.

Ive lost my hero, Jason Reitman, 44, tweeted Monday. All I want is the chance to tell my father one more story.

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The older Reitman died Saturday in his California home. He was 75.

Director Jason Reitman, left, and producer Ivan Reitman attend the premiere of "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" at AMC Lincoln Square 13 on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

He came from a family of survivors and turned his legacy into laughter, wrote Jason Reitman.

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Ivan Reitmans mother survived the Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz. His father was part of the resistance against the fascists. Jason Reitman, also a filmmaker, thanked fans for their kind messages and asked them to honor his dad by watching his film.

Enjoy his movies and remember his storytelling gifts, he wrote. Nothing would make him happier.

[ Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman dies at age 75 ]

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Sympathy for Jason Reitman poured in from around the comedy world.

Im so sorry, Pal, tweeted comedian Sarah Silverman. Nothing prepares you and no age makes you ready for losing a parent.

Im so sorry, Pal. Nothing prepares you and no age makes you ready for losing a parent.   Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 14, 2022

Funnyman Marc Maron expressed similar sentiments.

So sorry, man, Maron tweeted. He was a great guy. I loved talking to him.

Comedian and comic book aficionado Chris Killian weighed in, as well.

So sorry for your loss, Jason, he tweeted. Your father seemed like such a sweet guy and his work meant so much to me and my son as well.

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No cause of death for Reitman has been reported. His family said he died peacefully in his sleep.
The Brooklyn Democratic Party endorsed Gov. Hochul on Sunday in the governors race, dealing a significant  but not unexpected  blow to city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams bid to unseat the incumbent.

Hochul, a moderate from Buffalo who took the post when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned, is considered a heavy favorite to win the spring Democratic primary. But she faces a challenge on her left from Williams, a progressive from Brooklyn.

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The Brooklyn Democratic Party said Hochul was the only candidate in the primary race who picked up support in a roll call vote on Sunday. The vote for Hochul was 27-0 with seven abstentions, according to the party.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (Darren McGee- Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

The numbers show that from the grassroots on up, Democrats are united in confidence for our leadership, Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, chairwoman of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, said in a statement.

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New Yorkers like what they see under the new administration, and Brooklyn is the epitome of Democratic leadership, she added in the statement.

Williams, who trailed Hochul by 35 percentage points in a poll of the race published by Siena College last month, will now officially be running without the support of his local Democratic Party chapter.

He was, however, endorsed by the Working Families Party last week, adding progressive ballast to his long-shot bid.

Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Long Island moderate, is also running. He is waging his campaign to Hochuls right, and he has not managed to corral significant support in the early stages of the race.

The Brooklyn Democratic Party may have wrestled with a more complicated choice if state Attorney General Letitia James, a popular Brooklynite once considered the main threat to Hochul, had not ended her brief run for governor in December.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio, another Brooklyn Democrat, was also once expected to join the governors race, but said last month that he had decided to pass.

James is now running for reelection, and was endorsed in that campaign by the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

The chapter, which represents more than 1 million Democrats in Kings County, also endorsed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli for reelection.

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Schumer lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn. DiNapoli lives in Great Neck on Long Island.

Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, of Harlem, also received the backing of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

In a statement, Hochul predicted that the groups support will be an integral part of our path to victory this year.
Meadville, PA (16335)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Showers and thundershowers this evening will give way to steady rain overnight. Low near 55F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Nearly 1,500 city workers lost their jobs Friday after failing to comply with a mandate that they are vaccinated for COVID  a bloodletting that included dismissals from the ranks of the NYPD, FDNY and the Department of Education.

While staggering in their sheer number, the firings were a long time in the making.

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People gather for the anti-vaccine mandate protest ahead of possible termination of New York City employees due to their vaccination status, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in Manhattan, New York. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

Mayor Adams predecessor, former Mayor Bill de Blasio, announced the vaccine mandate for city workers in October. Adams kept it in place when he took office, and by Friday, the city had hit a key milestone: for nearly 3,500 city workers, it was either time to show proof of inoculation or be sent packing.

Former New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

Adams appeared to downplay the firings on Monday when the city announced the numbers, and instead of addressing them at a press conference or in a Q-and-A, he issued a written statement through a spokesperson.

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City workers served on the frontlines during the pandemic, and by getting vaccinated, they are, once again, showing how they are willing to do the right thing to protect themselves and all New Yorkers. Our goal was always to vaccinate, not terminate, and city workers stepped up and met the goal placed before them, he said. Out of all the new city employees who received notices two weeks ago, only two who worked last week are no longer employed by the city. Im grateful to all the city workers who continue to serve New Yorkers and Get Stuff Done for the greatest city in the world.

A group of New York City workers marched from Metro Tech in Downtown Brooklyn, over the Brooklyn Bridge, and then made their way over to City Hall in lower Manhattan, New York to protest ahead of their possible termination on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, due to their vaccination status. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

It was not immediately clear who the two workers were that Adams referred to, or which agencies they worked for, but a spokesperson for the mayor said Monday that a total of 1,430 unvaccinated municipal employees were fired on Friday due to their refusal to comply with the mandate. Of those, 914 worked for the Education Department, 101 worked for the New York City Housing Authority and 75 worked for the Department of Correction.

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) released a statement Monday evening disagreeing with the citys legal authority to terminate employees based on the COVID vaccine mandate.

The union is part of a lawsuit that would ensure that these cases go through the due process disciplinary procedures established in state law and the union contract. A hearing on this matter is scheduled for March 1, 2020 in New York State Supreme Court.

The total number  1,430 workers fired in a single day  is unprecedented in modern New York City history. Still, it is relatively small when bearing in mind that the city employs a workforce of more than 370,000.

The NYPD, FDNY and Sanitation Department also saw their share of employees head out the door over failing to follow the mandate, but far fewer left their ranks than from the other agencies. Thirty-six people employed by the NYPD were dismissed, 25 were forced out of the fire department and 40 were fired from the Department of Sanitation.

The departing employees fall into two categories.

The first group consists of people who were hired on or after Aug. 2, 2021. As a condition of being hired, they were required to be fully vaccinated within 45 days, but two weeks ago they were given notice that they had until last Friday to supply the city with proof of receiving a second vaccine dose.

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About 1,000 city employees fell into that category, and of those, only two  apparently the ones Adams was referring to in his statement  were fired.

But far more people from the second group did receive termination notices.

That group of about 2,400 consisted of workers whose unions made a deal with the city to allow unvaccinated employees to receive health care benefits while simultaneously being on unpaid leave.

Since November, the people in that category who have remained unvaccinated have not been working or getting paid. And on Friday, 1,428 of them ran out of options when they failed to provide the city with proof of vaccination, which led to their being officially terminated.

The rest  about 40% of the 2,400 workers  have since been vaccinated and have returned to work.

Last week, Adams offered little sympathy to those who were on the firing line  though he begged to differ when it came to the term firing.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News)

Were not firing them. People are quitting, he said at a news conference last Thursday. The responsibility is clear. We said it: if youre hired, if you get this job, you have to be vaccinated. If you are not following the rules, you are making that decision.

His and the citys stance were backed up last week with two court rulings. In one, a Brooklyn federal judge rejected a push from anti-vaccine city workers to temporarily block the city from letting them go. In that decision, Judge Diane Gujarati declared that the anti-vaxxers had not met their burden of demonstrating their entitlement to the extraordinary remedy of a temporary restraining order.

In the other decision, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor turned down a request by 14 Department of Education employees who were terminated after the city denied their requests for religious exemptions to vaccination requirements.
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Fracture risks were studied in terms of physical function, using two established testing methods: the One Leg Standing Test (OLST) and Timed Up and Go (TUG). OLST involves timing how long a person can stand on one leg, while TUG measures the time it takes to rise from a seated position, walk three meters, turn, and then sit down again.In a woman with low OLST score, who was unable to stand on one leg for ten seconds, the risk of hip fracture within four years was found to be more than three times higher (a factor of 3.02) than in a woman who was able to stand on one leg for 10 to 15 seconds. With a high TUG result, if it took 12 seconds or more to get up, walk, and sit down again, the probability of hip fracture was almost threefold (a factor of 2.96).Both OLST and TUG had a major bearing on fracture risk in assessment that also included other known risk variables such as age, gender, previous fractures, and cortisone treatment, as defined in FRAX, Fracture Risk Assessment Tool, which gauges the risk of hip fracture within ten years.In addition, physical function and bone properties were examined in women medicated with two very common drug groups: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, i.e., antidepressants) and lipid-lowering statins, used to treat high blood cholesterol.The statins proved to be linked to improved properties in cortical bone, the hard outer surface layer of various parts of the skeleton, measured with two different imaging methods. For SSRI users, there was no demonstrable effect on bone microstructure or the dimensions of skeletal parts, but a link between SSRIs and inferior physical function in terms of grip strength, walking speed, and standing up from a chair, as well as an elevated risk of falling, were found.Berit Larsson thinks TUG and OLST are so clearly connected with fracture risks that including them in annual checks in primary care  to supplement the already established FRAX screening method, for example  should be considered. She herself works as a district physician in Narhalsan, the public primary care provider in Region Vastra Gotaland, and is also a course director for training in geriatrics on the University of Gothenburg Medical Program."In primary care, for example, doctors could use the physical function tests, combined with FRAX, as part of their assessment of whether a person is at risk of future fractures. Given that the season of slippery sidewalks is now underway, this is an important piece of the jigsaw puzzle of fracture prevention.""Because so many people suffer from fractures related to osteoporosis, from middle age onward, more research is needed in this area. It's also important for health care to be enabled, in various ways, to apply the measures that research has shown to be effective, and for these to be made available to all those who need them," she concludes.Source: Eurekalert
(Manav Kaul has the heart of a free-spirited wanderer, and hes utterly unapologetic about it. He believes that in order to love others, one must first learn to love themselves, even if it is a tad selfishly. For MensXPs February Cover, we caught up with the star of Netflixs The Fame Game to discuss his views on all things love.)

Here is a man who likes to live and love on his own terms. Manav Kaul is a polymath who has eked out an unconventional career in the Indian film industry for himself - having debuted commercially with 2003s Jajantram Mamantram to now playing Manish Khanna in Netflixs The Fame Game alongside Bollywoods evergreen star, Madhuri Dixit.

Where others get overwhelmed by the pressures that come with being a man of the arts, Manav coolly goes on about his craft, never once abandoning the desire to experiment, all the while exploring the uncharted depths of a man's feelings in order to truly imbibe his characters.

Manavs treasure chest of emotions come from an array of struggles and personal experiences as a man, especially the romantic ones, which he graciously allowed us to comb through as we played with him a game of ADE - Agree. Disagree. Explain. The premise was simple, we posited a few statements to him, and he simply had to tell us if he agreed or disagreed with them, subsequently explaining his stance as well.

Netflixs Fame Game was an experience of a lifetime for Manav Kaul.

MK: For me, acting has always been a therapeutic experience, and everytime it would make me feel relaxed; like doing a 10-kilometre run or something. When I started understanding this whole idea behind Manish Khanna and a successful persons loneliness, I started to fall in love with this character. I remember texting Sri Rao late night, discussing the many layers that Manishs character had, and how with each scene I was seemingly touching something new. On the face of it, initially, I knew he was a Bollywood star kind of in love with Anamika Anand, but the moment I started performing the role was when I realised that he was one of the most complex characters Ive played. In fact when I finished the entire series, I started missing Manish Khanna a lot.

Printed suit: Abraham & Thakore, Turtleneck pullover: Perona; Blazer and corduroy pants: Countrymade, Knit: Selected Homme

Sexual Chemistry is unimportant if you love someone.



MK: I disagree. The thing is, compassion is very important too, especially if youre in a long-term relationship. Being an amazing friend to your partner is the best thing that you can do - You tend to love spending time with them, enjoy getting up together in the morning and so on. But sometimes you get over the idea of being sexual with each other, which is normal (as the novelty wears off). Sex or Sexual Chemistry has to be discovered and rediscovered, and nowadays there are several mediums to do so as well. You can rediscover yourself and your partner again, and there are a thousand ways to find the spark. But I believe it is an important part of a relationship for most people. Dont you think?

Cheating in a relationship is not a big deal.

MK: That is controversial *breaks into peals of laughter*. Because I come from a small town, back in my younger days there used to be an adrishya varmala (invisible garland) in my mind whenever Id meet a girl, thinking every girl I met was the one for me. I ruined a lot of relationships because of that desperation. There was a film Id seen long back, where an old couple was celebrating the wifes 50th birthday together along a beach. She had confessed to her husband about sleeping with his best friend 20 years prior at a farmhouse party, as the secret had been eating her from inside. The husband replied that he had been aware of it all along leaving the woman shocked, as she had harboured guilt over that incident for over several years now. The husband then replied, But you know Ive never seen you that happy, how can I deny that happiness? You came back to me and I got happy because of your happiness. That particular scene changed my perception, and I started questioning why cheating or sleeping with someone else is so damn taboo or important that you ruin an entire the entire life time spent in a relationship.

Manav Kaul doesnt believe in true love.

MK: I dont think theres a one true love. I think you discover in retrospect, when you look back at life, the few people who were with you through all your ups and downs. That in my opinion is love. Theres so much going on in peoples lives, especially in a city like Bombay, where you cant predict anything. As we change, so does everyone else as well, and if despite all these fluctuations people still stick around for a long time, where you have the comfort to pick up the phone and call them at any given point, then that is what true love is.

Suit and shirt: Suket Dhir;Printed suit: Abraham & Thakore, Turtleneck pullover: Perona

Fame Games Manish Khanna was an easy character to play.



MK: It wasnt easy at all. At all! Because first of all I dont understand the world that he belongs to. Manish is a huge star living in a huge mansion, when he goes out there are people screaming, almost like a Bollywood superstar. In a way, I dont entirely understand that despite vicariously experiencing it through theatre. I have met people after my plays who tell me that theyre crazy about my writing, so I have felt that kind of stardom in pockets. But the kind of stardom that Shahrukh possesses, and Shahrukh is the star, that is what Manish Khanna is. I may not necessarily understand that specific world, but luckily do totally get the inner world of Manish. So I had to rely more on the psyche of a person who understood that. So yeah, it was tough to crack but somehow I managed.

Male Friendships Are Important For A Man Even When They're In A Relationship.

MK: I agree. When a friend of yours gets into a relationship you should give space to that person because you want that person to get more comfortable with their partner, knowing eventually that they would come around. One thing that is true is that theres nothing like Male bonding. Male friendships are very important. For example, I love bike trips with my two friends, Kumud and Sam. We have done so many outings together - From Bombay to Leh and back, as well as several other bike trips to Uttarakhand and Ratnagiri as well. You stick to your comfort zones as far as these friendships are concerned, you can be humorous and you can be blah in these equations without any judgement. So I definitely understand that bond.

Getting back with my ex-girlfriend is a good idea.

MK: *laughs* I think all your exes after a certain time can become beautiful friends. Because what happens is that you end up going through a lot together. But you have to give it time, for time is a beautiful thing, it heals. Exes eventually can become good because they remind you of your youth, and the time you spent together.

Printed suit: Abraham & Thakore, Turtleneck pullover: Perona

Asli mard expresses his love honestly and freely.



MK: Till 30, men dont even know who they are. After they hit 30 they start understanding themselves better. You understand it very late in your life. So by this time youve already built up so many layers of shells around yourself. All the ridiculous notions and ideals that we grew up with left us confused to an extent that when we met a girl for the first time, we didnt even know what to expect - we have no clue as to what she would want or what we want either.

Singledom is underrated.

MK: *laughs* This is the correct question for me. I think I like travelling a lot. I understood that late in my life - In the span of one life I want to be everywhere on this planet. And then I realised that I liked writing and acting a lot as well. So, anything that messes with these three things - travelling, acting and writing - I tend not to like it. In this fictional world that I created for myself, where I live, I dont want to be disturbed. Ive realised that I like being single, I like to be single so I can be flowing everywhere. I dont like responsibilities. Right now I can randomly go anywhere, take whatever decisions I want without a problem. I dont want someone else to be there with me taking on that ride all because I want that ride. I have been given one life and I want to squeeze all the experiences and essence from it, thats how I want to live. And I find that could be a selfish trait for someone else. So, because I am selfish, and have no qualms about it, I prefer being single.
A Memorial Service of Christian Burial will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Mrs. Cobb, 68, of Meridian, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022, at Bedford Care Ce
Mayor Adams returned from a trip to Albany on Monday without securing a commitment from state lawmakers to amend two criminal justice reform laws that he has blamed for the citys recent spike in shootings and other violent crimes.

His first time back in the state Capitol since becoming mayor, Adams spent most of the day in back-to-back meetings with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers), Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) and their rank-and-file members.

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The main focus of the closed-door sitdowns was Adams push for tweaking the state Legislatures 2020 bail reforms and 2017 Raise the Age legislation.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks to reporters at the State Capitol in Albany on Monday, February 14, 2022. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Respectively, the laws championed by progressive Democrats sharply reduced the use of monetary bails for nonviolent offenses and stipulated that only those 18 and older can be criminally prosecuted in New York.

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Adams sprawling anti-crime plan, released last month, charges that the laws are partly to blame for the citys recent crime uptick and calls on Albany legislators to alter or outright repeal them.

However, speaking to reporters at the state Capitol after his Monday meetings, Adams appeared resigned that his wishes wont come true  at least just yet  and affirmed hes laser-focused on reintroducing a modified version of the NYPDs controversial plainclothes units.

If I am not getting the things I laid out in the blueprint, I still have the obligation to keeping the city safe. Thats why we are putting in place our anti-gun unit, thats why were going to go after the causes and feeds of crime, said Adams, a retired NYPD captain.

I cant turn around and say, Well I didnt get help from different places, so now my city is not safe. Nope, Im not accepting that. My job is to make New Yorkers safe, thats my job. If I get help from other places, thats fine. Without that help, I still must make sure that New Yorkers are safe, and Im not going to use any excuse for not doing that.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams at the State Capitol on Monday. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Heastie and Stewart-Cousins, who control the legislative agendas in Albany, have shown no signs that theyre seriously considering the demands from Adams since he laid out his Blueprint to End Gun Violence. Gov. Hochul has similarly not offered support for the mayors advocacy effort.

In her own remarks after their meeting, Stewart-Cousins played the diplomatic card and declined to divulge precisely what she and Adams discussed behind closed doors.

But the Senate majority leader said she remains proud of the important things state lawmakers have done as it relates to criminal justice reform.

A Democratic legislative source briefed on the matter said progressive rank-and-file members of the Assembly and Senate made it clear to Adams in their meetings that his push for repealing Raise the Age and the bail reforms are nonstarters with them.

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He got beat up pretty rough in there, the source told the Daily News.

Mayor Eric Adams meets with lawmakers on Monday. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Brooklyn Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, a key architect behind the bail reforms who clashed with Adams during a virtual budget hearing last week, made the case that the mayors arguments are disputed by data.

Bail reform is not responsible for the recent spike in gun violence in the city. The states own data shows that only 2% of the cases that would fall under the bail reform law led to a rearrest for a violent felony, she said at a press conference Monday morning.

Even fewer were rearrested for crimes involving a gun. What we need are targeted investments in violence prevention, including housing, mental health care, drug treatment and harm reduction services  not more cages.

On the bail reform issue, Adams has argued that the state Legislature should allow judges to consider a defendants perceived dangerousness before deciding whether to let them go without bail.

But progressives have countered that such a rule would disproportionately impact Black and Brown New Yorkers.

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Adding a dangerousness provision to the existing bail statute would only cycle more Black and Latinx New Yorkers through our broken and punitive criminal legal system, feeding mass incarceration, the Legal Aid Society said in a statement after Adams Albany trip. Returning to a system where New York incarcerates more youth will not work because it never reduced crime nor benefited public safety in the 100 years before Raise the Age or bail reform were passed.

Despite the intense pushback, Adams, who served as a state senator between 2007 and 2013, suggested he wasnt fazed.

Albany is the same. Its the same Albany, he chuckled. You navigate these halls, you walk these halls, thats how you get stuff done.
In 2015, Daviess Fiscal Court was considering building two trails to improve the health of the community.

One was a 90-mile multi-use trail that would run from Audubon State Park in Henderson to Rough River Dam State Resort Park in Grayson County.

Daviess County would only have been responsible for the section inside the county.

The other was a 3.75-mile trail that would eventually link Owensboros David C. Adkisson Greenbelt Park with Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and Yellow Creek Park at Thruston.

Neither has been built, but theres still hope for the one in eastern Daviess County.

Judge-Executive Al Mattingly said the county completed part of that trail  a 2,300-foot section from Owensboro Health Regional Hospital to the Yellow Creek crossing on Daniels Lane.

Were still looking for grants to take it all the way to Yellow Creek Park, he said.

Ross Leigh, the countys parks director, said, The next step would possibly connect from Daniels Lane to Reid Road and eventually to Yellow Creek Park. That is still a possibility.

But the 90-mile trail is apparently dead.

That was a dream of then-County Commissioner Jim Lambert, Leigh said. At the time, we had been approached by National Park Service staff to approach the topic, but after some review, it never took traction.

Mattingly said, We could never get all the judge-executives on board for the trail. They all supported it, but when it came to money, nothing happened.

A public forum in Owensboro on the 90-mile trail drew people from several counties.

Russell Clark of the National Parks Services rivers, trails and conservation assistance program told the crowd that grants were available for counties to create trails.

This project really excites me, because were looking at a regional vision, Clark said.

But that wasnt enough to get a grant for the project.

Plans for the trail to Yellow Creek Park began in October 2012 when then-Gov. Steve Beshear announced that Fiscal Court had been approved for a $265,410 federal Transportation Enhancement Funds grant to build the first section of the trail.

But the plan still had to go through the formality of endorsement by several state and area agencies, and that took time.

And the county still had to secure other grants or come up with the money locally to complete the 3.75-mile trail, which would parallel a section of U.S. 60 East between Kentucky 54 and Kentucky 144.

If the trail is ever finished and tied into the 14-mile greenbelt, people will be able to hike or bike from the Green River Area Development District offices west of Owensboro to Yellow Creek Park, a distance of about 18 miles.

But so far, thats still a dream.

Keith Lawrence, 270-691-7301, klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com
January 26, 2022

On January 25, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Industry (MOI) of the Republic of Indonesia signed a document (hereinafter referred to as the "MOC") titled "Memorandum of Cooperation on Strengthening the Smart Industrial Safety System in Indonesia's Chemical Industry between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Industry of Indonesia."

The cooperation based on this MOC is expected to contribute to continually enhancing the safety and efficiency of chemical plants and other facilities in Indonesia by taking advantage of AI, IoT, and other technologies.

1. Background

Indonesia has positioned chemistry as one of its priority areas in its road map toward implementing Industry 4.0, titled "Making Indonesia 4.0." In addition, it recognizes the challenges related to aging plant equipment that Japan has experienced.

Against this background, the two ministries started cooperating in the field of smart industrial safety* in FY2020 and have held seminars on smart industrial safety and other activities. On January 25, the two ministries signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Smart Industrial Safety in order to implement these measures in a concrete and continuous manner.

* Efforts for continuously enhancing safety and efficiency by taking advantage of AI, IoT, and other technologies

2. Details of the cooperation under the MOC

Highlights of the cooperation include convening Japan-Indonesia policy dialogs on smart industrial safety and capability building through human resource development programs (e.g., education, training, seminars, and workshops).

The cooperation based on this MOC is expected to contribute to continually enhancing the safety and efficiency of chemical plants and other facilities in Indonesia by taking advantage of AI, IoT, and other technologies.

Appendix

Division in Charge

Industrial Safety Division, Industrial and Product Safety Policy Group
Miami, FL (33127)

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A worker adds herbicide into drones at an "unmanned farm" in Zhaoqiao Town of Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 11, 2022. Recently, a newly-built "unmanned farm" in Bozhou ushered in its first spring farming production season. The farm is equipped with more than 20 plant protection drones, one unmanned harvester, and one unmanned seeder, as well as intelligent systems for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) Aerial photo taken on Feb. 11, 2022 shows drones spraying herbicide at an "unmanned farm" in Zhaoqiao Town of Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province. Recently, a newly-built "unmanned farm" in Bozhou ushered in its first spring farming production season. The farm is equipped with more than 20 plant protection drones, one unmanned harvester, and one unmanned seeder, as well as intelligent systems for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. (Photo by Liu Qinli/Xinhua) Aerial photo taken on Feb. 11, 2022 shows the automatic irrigation and fertilization system operating at an "unmanned farm" in Zhaoqiao Town of Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province. Recently, a newly-built "unmanned farm" in Bozhou ushered in its first spring farming production season. The farm is equipped with more than 20 plant protection drones, one unmanned harvester, and one unmanned seeder, as well as intelligent systems for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. (Photo by Liu Qinli/Xinhua) Drones are used to spray herbicide at an "unmanned farm" in Zhaoqiao Town of Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 11, 2022. Recently, a newly-built "unmanned farm" in Bozhou ushered in its first spring farming production season. The farm is equipped with more than 20 plant protection drones, one unmanned harvester, and one unmanned seeder, as well as intelligent systems for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) Drones are used to spray herbicide at an "unmanned farm" in Zhaoqiao Town of Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 11, 2022. Recently, a newly-built "unmanned farm" in Bozhou ushered in its first spring farming production season. The farm is equipped with more than 20 plant protection drones, one unmanned harvester, and one unmanned seeder, as well as intelligent systems for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) The automatic irrigation and fertilization system is seen operating in the fields at an "unmanned farm" in Zhaoqiao Town of Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 11, 2022. Recently, a newly-built "unmanned farm" in Bozhou ushered in its first spring farming production season. The farm is equipped with more than 20 plant protection drones, one unmanned harvester, and one unmanned seeder, as well as intelligent systems for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) A worker monitors the condition of the fields with intelligent systems at an "unmanned farm" in Zhaoqiao Town of Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 11, 2022. Recently, a newly-built "unmanned farm" in Bozhou ushered in its first spring farming production season. The farm is equipped with more than 20 plant protection drones, one unmanned harvester, and one unmanned seeder, as well as intelligent systems for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) A worker uses a mobile phone to check the condition of water and fertilizer in the fields at an "unmanned farm" in Zhaoqiao Town of Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 11, 2022. Recently, a newly-built "unmanned farm" in Bozhou ushered in its first spring farming production season. The farm is equipped with more than 20 plant protection drones, one unmanned harvester, and one unmanned seeder, as well as intelligent systems for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) A worker starts the automatic irrigation and fertilization system at an "unmanned farm" in Zhaoqiao Town of Bozhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 11, 2022. Recently, a newly-built "unmanned farm" in Bozhou ushered in its first spring farming production season. The farm is equipped with more than 20 plant protection drones, one unmanned harvester, and one unmanned seeder, as well as intelligent systems for irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi)


Gov. Hochul, who is seeking to become the first woman elected governor of New York after she replaced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was endorsed Monday by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the second woman to represent the state in the U.S. Senate.

Kathy Hochul is a proven leader with the know-how, work ethic and passion for public service to deliver results for New Yorkers in every community, Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.

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Though the endorsement was not a surprise, Gillibrand became Hochuls most high-profile endorser in the race. The governor rose to her post when Cuomo resigned in disgrace in August.

Hochul, a moderate from Buffalo, appears to be in a dominant early position in the Democratic primary race. But she is facing challenges from city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive from Brooklyn, and from Rep. Thomas Suozzi, a moderate who represents parts of Long Island and Queens.

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (left) is joined by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. (right) as she raises her hand to mimic the Statue Of Liberty, during an abortion right rally, at the Women's Rights Pioneers Monument, in New York's Central Park, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. (Richard Drew/AP)

A Siena College poll released last month showed Hochul carrying a 34 percentage point advantage over her closest competitor, former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who said after the survey was conducted that he had decided not to run. Williams and Suozzi trailed further behind.

On Sunday, Hochul scored support from the Brooklyn Democratic Party, dealing a local blow to Williams.

Williams has the backing of the left-wing Working Families Party and New York Communities for Change, an advocacy group.

In her statement, Gillibrand, who hails from the Albany area, described Hochul as a friend and said that the governor is standing up for our Democratic values and leveling the playing field for New York families.

Hochul said in a statement that she was so grateful to have Gillibrands endorsement.

Having worked alongside Sen. Gillibrand for many years, I know we share a deep commitment to ensuring every voice in New York is heard and empowered, Hochul added.
Danielle M. Flores Lopez, of Leslie, Michigan, formerly of Elkton, graduated Dec. 17, 2021 from Michigan State University with her Ph.D. in higher, adult, and lifelong education.

The MSU HALE program is ranked in the nation's top 5 of higher education programs. HALE doctoral program prepares some of the strongest, most well-equipped leaders in higher education. The innovative curriculum challenges students to critically analyze the current research, develop their instruction and pedagogical approach, and discover ways to advance the field of higher education.
MIDDLETOWN  A West Hartford man was charged Saturday after police said they found pills and bags of a green leafy substance in his vehicle that tested positive for fentanyl.

Middletown police said Christopher Little, 32, was charged with two counts each possession of narcotics with intent to sell and possession of a controlled substance.

The incident began around 2:15 am when a Middletown officer attempted to stop Little on Route 9. Police said Little failed to stop for a signal.

Police said Little initially failed to stop but was pulled over after a brief pursuit, a press release from the department said.

As the officer approached the vehicle, he observed (2) large plastic bags containing a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana, the release said. Based on the amount, Little was handcuffed and searched by police, which allegedly turned up five unmarked pills suspected to be counterfeit ecstasy, according to police.

Police said Littles license was suspended and he was also wanted on a re-arrest warrant out of Hartford.

Little remained uncooperative during booking but told officers the suspected marijuana and ecstasy were actually Cannabidiol, or CBD, the warrant stated.

Police tested both the pills and bagged suspected marijuana, both of which tested positive for fentanyl, the release said. The bagged green leafy substance tested negative for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, according to police.

It is common for individuals who sell narcotics to lace substances with fentanyl to falsely market his/her product and increase profit margin, the release said. The total weight of the leafy material was more than 2 pounds.

Littles arrest comes amid questions over reports about marijuana that was allegedly laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, surfacing in Connecticut.

Last November, the states Department of Public Health issued a warning after 39 recent cases of opioid overdoses were reported in which the victims denied any opioid use and claimed to have only smoked marijuana. At the time, the instances were thought to point to the first cases of marijuana laced with the substance in the nation.

But earlier this month, DPH said only one sample of marijuana submitted to the state lab tested positive for fentanyl, and that it was likely caused by accidental contamination in an isolated incident. Of the 39 patients who overdosed, 30 were later found to have a history of opiod use, the agency said.

Little was also charged with failure to obey a control signal, disobeying the signal of an officer, engaging police in a pursuit, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and interfering with an officer.

He was released after posting $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on Feb. 24.
STAMFORD  The Board of Representatives and the entire city now have their hands on a contentious zoning petition that has polarized city officials.

But not officially.

City officials have made all the documents available associated with a zoning petition from residents demanding the city revoke a law change that allows defunct office parks to become housing. The change was approved by the zoning board Dec. 6.

The petition has steadily made its way through Stamfords bureaucracy since late December. However, the materials still dont fulfill city requests for the petition to come before the board formally.

Democratic Majority Leader Nina Sherwood on Feb. 7 compelled the citys zoning board and Land Use Bureau to hand over all the petition materials. Hours later, the full board voted to request that city land use officials formally refer the petition to them, which the zoning board has maintained it cannot do.

For weeks, the Board of Representatives has attempted to launch an inquiry into the zoning petition, which tries to fight back against a December move to allow more housing in largely vacant office parks. Fundamental disagreements between the city lawyers and the board have made that impossible.

The Law Department and Land Use Bureau ruled the petition insufficient. At the urging of residents, the Board of Reps wants to evaluate the petition itself.

Even though Stamfords head zoning official Ralph Blessing posted all the materials associated with the C-D District petition on the citys website, it still hasnt officially been handed over to representatives under petition guidelines.

Instead, Sherwood invoked a records-requesting provision from city rules when she asked for the documents. According to city rules that govern legislative access to records, elected city officials have the authority to examine all records, data and property that pertain to municipal government.

But Blessing said the documents were public  with or without the charter provision.

The petition has always been accessible, Blessing said. Its just that no one asked us to see the petition.

Regardless of the posting, the city Representatives who oversee land use matters on the boards behalf are still waiting for a referral. Until then, they plan to look over the now-online materials.

Moving forward, our plan for the committee is to review and analyze the petition and the materials submitted by the land use bureau which are now publicly available on the Zoning Board website, Reps. Bradley Bewkes, D-1, and Sherwood told The Stamford Advocate in an emailed joint statement.

While the Board of Representatives hadnt asked to see the petition before Sherwoods email Monday, Board President Jeff Curtis in January asked Blessing and zoning board chair David Stein to refer the matter to representatives in a series of emails.

Since the beginning of the petition process, the Land Use Bureau has maintained that the documents submitted by residents do not meet the citys threshold for a proper petition.

As a result, there is no petition to be referred, wrote Blessing in a Jan. 14 response to Curtis.

The charter describes two different types of zoning petitions: one for matters that impact only one zone and another for situations involving two or more zones. In the first case, petitioners must gather either 100 signatures or signatures from 20 percent of the landowners who live within 500 feet of the area  whichever is less. The second case requires 300 landowner signatures, regardless of where those people live.

For months, the Land Use Bureau and Law Department have asserted that petitioners need to meet the first set of criteria because the text change impacts only areas zoned C-D, and not enough of those who signed live within the zoning.

The petitioners argued that since there are five areas with C-D zoning throughout Stamford, any property owners in Stamford could sign on. Under that interpretation, the number of petition signatures they gathered more than meets the standards.

veronica.delvalle@hearstmediact.com
MIDDLETOWN  The Greater Middletown Military Museum continues to receive donations to its collection. Each one enhances the story of the military experience of greater Middletown area and America.

A West Point graduates forms, including his jungle camo shirt/pants, jungle boots, fatigues, blue dress uniform, jump boots, blue beret (101st Div.), maroon beret (82nd Div), black beret (75th Inf.  Ranger). This soldier advanced to the rank of major while serving in several Army units, including artillery. He was a paratrooper.

A private collection of over 30 military books were added this month to our already extensive library of military history books that cover the spectrum of Americas, Connecticuts and Middletowns history from the earliest colonial days to current day.

Museum collection

You can research the names of Middletown residents who served in the Colony of Connecticut as early as 1678, or in the French and Indian War (1755-1762) or read the personal letters of several of Middletown-area soldiers, including Pfc Maurice Patterson during WWI and WWII or Private Albert Leary written during WWII, among others.

Thanks to many donors, the museum has a considerable array of books on warplanes and ships, uniforms and patches, and biographies. Curious about covert operations? Weve got books on spies, including Middletowns own Max Corvo, an Italian immigrant who was instrumental in setting up covert OSS operations in Italy prior to the U.S. military landings in Sicily in 1943.

Naval signal flags and a colorful array of submarine ships patches, most of which were subs launched from Connecticuts Naval Submarine Base at New London in Groton.

Every group needs money, and the Greater Middletown Military Museum is no different. Over the years, veterans have supported the museum from the DAV and VFW.

In 2021, the VFW voted to donate $25,000 to the museum. The donations are for five years; $5,000 a year. This being the second year the VFW has so far contributed $10,000 of the phased donation to the museum.

Commander John Botti said: It is important that we support the museum. We not only supported our country while serving in uniform, but now we are serving by keeping the memories alive. We can do this by donating.

Museum president Kenneth A. McClellan announced that the museum just received a $6,100 grant from Connecticut Humanities. This year, the CT Humanities Cultural Fund made available to the states museums, cultural, humanities and arts organizations $16 million in grants to help these state resources maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public.

Upcoming month in history

March 4, 1789: The first meeting of the new Congress under the new U.S. Constitution took place in New York City.

March 5, 1770: The Boston Massacre occurred as a group of rowdy Americans harassed British soldiers who opened fire on the civilians, killing five and injuring six. The first man killed was Crispus Attucks, an African American. British Captain Thomas Preston and eight of his men were arrested and charged with murder. Their trial took place in October, with colonial lawyer John Adams defending the British. Captain Preston and six of his men were acquitted. Two others were found guilty of manslaughter, branded, then released.

March 6, 1836: Fort Alamo fell to Mexican troops led by Gen. Santa Anna. The Mexicans had begun the siege of the Texas fort Feb. 23, ending it with the killing of the last defender. Remember the Alamo became a rallying cry for Texans who went on to defeat Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto in April.

March 16, 1968: During the Vietnam War, the My Lai Massacre occurred as American soldiers of Charlie Company murdered 504 Vietnamese men, women, and children. Twenty-five U.S. Army officers were later charged with complicity in the massacre and subsequent cover-up, but only one was convicted, and later pardoned by President Richard Nixon.

March 17, 1776: Early in the American Revolutionary War the British completed their evacuation of Boston following a successful siege conducted by Patriots. The event is still commemorated in Boston as Evacuation Day.

March 23, 1775: Patrick Henry ignited the American Revolution with a speech before the Virginia convention in Richmond, stating, I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Donations can be made to Greater Middletown Military Museum by calling 860-788-7215 or by visiting gmvmm.com. For information, email gmvmm-info@comcast.net.
This perennial congressional candidate hopes the third primarys the charm.

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Suraj Patel, a lawyer and Democratic operative, is going to challenge New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney in this summers midterms elections, marking the third time hes trying to unseat the longtime incumbent.

Patel, who came within a few thousand votes of Maloney the last time he mounted a primary challenge against her in 2020, told the Daily News exclusively that he sees a path to beating her this time around because Democratic voters are hungry for a new generation of leaders.

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Suraj Patel is once again going to challenge U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney in New York's 12th Congressional District race. (Friends of Suraj Patel/AP)

His optimism is belied by a new congressional map approved by state legislators in Albany earlier this month that appeared to consolidate Maloneys grip on her 12th District by cutting out progressive corners of western Queens and Brooklyn and adding in wealthy areas of Manhattan like Chelsea.

But Patel, who calls himself a pro-growth, pro-democracy, pro-science and pro-safety Democrat, claimed the redistricting could backfire on Maloney, citing a poll his campaign commissioned last month of 420 voters in the new district that showed him leading Maloney by double digits in a head-to-head matchup.

This is a new decade, a new district, and as we enter year 3 of a pandemic weve got new challenges, which means we need a government that proactively develops 21st-century solutions to 21st-century problems, said Patel, who previously served as a staffer for ex-President Barack Obama.

I will solve those problems because I have lived them. I understand what our small businesses are going through  my earliest memory is stacking newspapers in my familys bodega before my dad went off to his job as an MTA worker  and for the last two years Ive fought off foreclosures for the family business, making sure workers have health care, jobs and landed on their feet.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The first time Patel challenged Maloney in 2018, she beat him by more than 8,000 votes.

But Patel inched closer in the 2020 primary, conceding the race to her after landing less than 3,300 votes behind her. The 2020 primary results werent made official for weeks due to a bitter court battle over absentee ballots.

The legal fight appeared to still be on Patels mind, as he told The News, I went to court here after thousands of New Yorkers had their votes thrown out, and we changed how ballots are designed, distributed and counted. I understand that Democrats need to stand up for science, safety and our schools  and I will be that Democrat.

In addition to Patel, Queens activist and democratic socialist Rana Abdelhamid has launched a bid against Maloney in the June 28 primary.

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Maloney, who has been in Congress since 1993, has already raised more than $1.8 million for her reelection bid this cycle, suggesting shes gearing up for a heated campaign season.
MILFORD  Christine Whitely-DeMills dream to open her own Jamaican restaurant came to life last year. Now she is asking the community to help keep her doors open.

Whitely-DeMills opened Spice N Flava, located at 400 Boston Post Road, in May, during the height of the pandemic. And it was those COVID restrictions, she said, that helped to put a financial strain on the fledgling operation.

She has since gone to GoFundMe to call on the community to raise $23,250 over the next two weeks to cover their lease and keep the doors open  and her dream alive.

I was an independent caterer, said Whitely-DeMills, who started the business alongside her husband, Devin. We catered for weddings and various parties. I would talk to Devin before he became my husband and tell him how this is my passion, and he is able to facilitate and work together with me to make this dream a reality.

Whitely-DeMills catering business started in Jamaica. Then, she moved to New York City, where she began her catering business again until she ended up in Connecticut, where they decided to open a storefront. The couple now lives in Bridgeport.

Before Whitely-DeMills opened Spice N Flava, she worked as a certified nursing assistant and while being in the field, she would come up with different menus for her patients she was attending to.

I said to my husband, This is what we are going to do. We are going to save up most of our tax returns and all that we can accumulate to open a restaurant, she said. We decided to start putting money in a savings account to have enough money to get a storefront.

As her fifth anniversary in the medical field approached, Whitely-DeMills said the time had come to quit her job as a CNA and focus all her attention and energy on starting the restaurant.

My husband was driving for Uber, and he found a location, she said. We decided we were going to invest all we had saved up and put it into the business.

Devin said he knew this was her passion, and he believed she would do well having a restaurant.

He was we were going to take the risk and go in with all that we had, Whitely-DeMills said.

Spice N Flava opened its doors May 17, where Whitely-DeMills said they make everything in-house, from sauces to salad dressing.

When we opened the doors in the summer, it was going good, but after a while, it started depleting, Devin said. When health officials said COVID was going to be more prominent, our customer base got a little less. So the money we were expecting to come in to pay the bills was less than what we received. So we ended up being behind with some of the bills, especially the rent and utilities.

We also started doing our own delivers to make it more convenient for our customers. It was a little successful, added Whitely-DeMills.

Because of everything theyve experienced, the couple said they find themselves in a jam with the property owner, which led them to create a GoFundMe. After Whitely-DeMills created the GoFundMe, the Black Business Alliance reached out to them to help.

Weve started to develop a partnership with them in terms of how we can move forward and sustain ourselves with different ideas coming to the forefront, she said.

We want to thank the Black Business Alliance, Devin said. We also want to thank those who have donated, and even if they dont donate it, we thank them for reading our story.

The duo had a meeting with the landlord, in which the landlord told them they had two weeks to pay $23,250. Whitely-DeMills said they will open the restaurant again to try and come up with the money from the food sales.

Right now, we are at the phase that we might have to close our doors, said Whitely-DeMills. Being that we are the first and only Jamaican (restaurant) in Milford, weve created history.

The Whitely-DeMills said even if they do have to close their doors, their dream of owning their restaurant will not stop.

This means so much to us because we opened this business with the money we had saved up, and it came from our pocket, she said. When you love something, you will fight for it, and I love this.

Spice N Flava is not the building. Its us who are working, added Whitely DeMills. Its also our dream to have the first Caribbean dine-in restaurant in Milford.

Devin said they will try to find a way to move forward and to make it bigger and better than what it is now.

This is just a struggle that will push us and motive us to go harder, he said. We want to keep Spice N Flava in Milford, and we dont go anywhere else because we have already developed a family relationship with Milford.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will travel to Europe on Tuesday for meetings with NATO leaders as Russia added more military forces around Ukraine's border for an invasion that is expected any day.

Austin will first meet with NATO defense ministers in Belgium, and then travel to Poland on the alliance's eastern flank, where he will meet with that country's president and visit with deployed U.S. forces at an air base, chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said during a press conference Monday. The secretary will also go to Lithuania to meet with the prime minister and defense minister, and U.S. troops there.

The trip comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues training exercises and preparation of more than 100,000 troops encircling Ukraine, including the addition of more logistics and sustainment forces that could enable a long siege.

Read Next: In Russia's Ukraine Plans, How Much Does the Mud Matter?

"He is doing all the things you would expect him to do to make sure he's ready for that option," Kirby said.

Over the weekend, the U.S pulled 160 Florida National Guard soldiers out of Ukraine. The troops were assigned to the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and were part of a previously planned training mission with Ukrainian forces. U.S. Embassy staff in the capital Kyiv were also ordered to evacuate.

Austin's visit to Brussels is partly meant to underscore the U.S. commitment to NATO's Article 5, which calls for collective defense if any member is attacked, on what could be the eve of the largest military action in Europe since World War II. NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time in its history after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S.

In Poland, he will go to Powidz air base, which is west of the capital Warsaw, to meet with U.S. and Polish troops. The centrally located Polish base is a hub for U.S. Army forces that rotate into the country for joint operations and exercises.

A joint meeting is also planned between Austin and the defense leaders of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, three NATO members that border Russia who have been among the most anxious about Moscow aggression in recent years. Two of the three also share a border with Russia's close ally Belarus, where Putin has positioned thousands of troops in recent months.

"[Austin will] have a chance as well to visit with some U.S. service members that are there in Lithuania," Kirby said. The U.S. started rotational deployment of about 500 troops to that country in 2019.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Monday that Russia would invade on Wednesday, but Kirby said the Pentagon has no indication that Putin has made a final decision. Russia has denied it is planning an invasion, even as it has spent nearly a year massing forces.

Moscow has fueled an insurgency in eastern Ukraine for years following its annexation of Crimea in 2014. During the current invasion crisis, Russia has demanded that Ukraine never be allowed to join NATO and that the alliance pull back from eastern Europe.

President Joe Biden has said the U.S. military will not deploy into Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO, and is instead prepared to protect alliance members. On Friday, he ordered an additional 3,000 soldiers from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to go to NATO member Poland after sending 1,700 earlier this month. A Stryker squadron from Germany is moving to Romania, which is also a member of the alliance.

-- Travis Tritten can be reached at travis.tritten@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Travis_Tritten.

Related: US Soldiers in Ukraine Pulling Out Amid Warnings of Imminent Russian Invasion
KYIV, Ukraine  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine on Monday, part of a flurry of Western diplomacy aimed at heading off a feared Russian invasion that some warn could be just days away.

Scholz plans to continue on to Moscow, where he will try to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to stand down.

U.S. officials have warned that Russia could attack this week. Moscow denies it has any such plans but has massed well over 130,000 troops near Ukraine and, in the U.S. view, has built up enough firepower to launch an attack on short notice.

With concerns rising that war could be imminent, some airlines canceled flights to the Ukrainian capital and troops there unloaded fresh shipments of weapons from NATO members Sunday. The United States, Britain and other European nations have told their citizens to leave the country and Washington was also pulling most of its staff from the embassy in Kyiv.

Ukraines air traffic safety agency Ukraerorukh declared the airspace over the Black Sea to be a zone of potential danger because of Russian naval drills and recommended that planes avoid flying over the sea Feb. 14-19.

The U.S. and its NATO allies have repeatedly warned that Russia will pay a high price for any invasion  but they have sometimes struggled to present a united front. Scholz's government, in particular, has been criticized for refusing to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine or to spell out which sanctions it would support against Russia, raising questions about Berlins resolve to stand up to Moscow.

The chancellor's visits this week will thus be closely watched for a signs of deviating from the message delivered by Washington and other NATO allies  but it is also seen as a last-ditch effort to head off war.

So far, those warnings appear to have had little effect: Russia has only beefed up troops and weapons in the region and launched massive drills in its ally Belarus, which also neighbors Ukraine. The West fears that the drills, which will run through Sunday, could be used by Moscow as a cover for an invasion from the north.

Russia has repeatedly brushed off Ukrainian and Western concerns about the military buildup, saying it has the right to deploy forces wherever needed on its territory. On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of fueling tensions by beefing up its forces near the territories controlled by Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow wants guarantees from the West that NATO wont allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members, and that the alliance will halt weapon deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe. The U.S. and NATO have flatly rejected those demands.

Some observers expect Moscow to eventually accept a compromise that would help avoid hostilities and allow all sides to save face. While NATO refuses to shut the door to Ukraine, the alliance also has no intention of embracing it or any other ex-Soviet nation anytime soon. Some experts have floated ideas such as a moratorium on NATO expansion or a neutral status for Ukraine to defuse the tensions.

Ukraines ambassador to the U.K., Vadym Prystaiko, seemed to suggest just such a middle path, telling the BBC on Sunday that the country could abandon its goal of joining NATO  an objective that is written into its constitution  if it would avert war with Russia.

We might  especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it, Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5.

On Monday, however, Prystaiko appeared to back away from that, saying that to avoid war we are ready for many concessions ... but it has nothing to do with NATO, which is enshrined in the constitution.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko also played down Prystaiko's statement.

Asked about Prystaiko's comment, Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said that Russia would welcome such a move.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Sunday that Kyiv requested a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the next 48 hours to discuss the Russian deployments near the countrys borders. Russia has argued that it's not obliged to account for its buildup before the OSCE, and such a meeting would be unlikley to defuse tensions.

Tensions in the region further increased Saturday when the Russian Defense Ministry summoned the U.S. Embassys military attache to protest what it described as a U.S. submarine in Russian waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The Russian military said the submarine initially ignored orders to leave, but left after the navy used unspecified appropriate means. The U.S. has denied that its submarine ever entered Russian waters.

Asked by lawmakers Monday if the military could strike foreign warships that enter Russian waters, deputy chief of the Russian military's General Staff Stanislav Gadzhmagomedov said the military stands ready for it, but added that such decisions are only made on the highest level.

In an hourlong Saturday call with Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden said that invading Ukraine would cause widespread human suffering and that the West was committed to diplomacy to end the crisis but equally prepared for other scenarios, the White House said.

Biden also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for about an hour Sunday, agreeing to keep pushing both deterrence and diplomacy to try to stave off a Russian offensive.

As he has before, Zelenskyy sought to play down the idea that a conflict was imminent, noting that Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine are safe and under reliable protection.

His office's readout of the call also quoted him suggesting that a quick Biden visit would help deescalate the situation  signaling Zelenskyy's hope the U.S. leader might actually come. That possibility was not mentioned in the White House summary of the call.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraines Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula 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 halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.
With some Afghans evacuated during the massive Kabul airlift facing the risk of losing their legal status in the U.S. in six months, veterans groups are pushing Congress to find a way to let those rescued stay permanently.

More than 36,000 Afghans brought to the United States currently lack a direct pathway to secure permanent legal residency, according to a late January Department of Homeland Security report to Congress released publicly by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, a not-for-profit organization helping resettle Afghan refugees.

Without a pathway to become legal permanent residents, Afghans could be forced to return to the danger they escaped from just months ago, veterans and refugee advocates warned Monday.

Read Next: US Soldiers in Ukraine Pulling Out Amid Warnings of Imminent Russian Invasion

"If you've ever said that you stand with the troops, then you must stand with us on this issue," said Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran who founded the Afghan Evac coalition of veterans helping with Afghanistan evacuations and resettlements.

"Make no mistake, we are going to show up. We'd like to show up in solidarity with you for standing with us, but we will show up in your town halls. We will make sure that voters know where you stood on the one thing that unites veterans across this country like no other," VanDiver added.

The comments came at a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol building in which several veterans joined with refugee advocacy groups to call for an Afghan Adjustment Act.

Many of the more than 76,000 Afghans brought to the United States in the immediate aftermath of the conquest of their country by the Taliban were former interpreters for the U.S. military who hold or have applied for what's known as Special Immigrant Visas, or SIVs.

But thousands of others were admitted to the United States under what's known as humanitarian parole, which allows refugees to temporarily enter the United States during an emergency. Parole does not provide a pathway to apply for legal permanent resident status, with some given one year and others two years of legal protection to stay in the U.S., a clock that started last summer for the Afghan refugees.

The group without a pathway for permanent residency includes family members of both U.S. citizens and SIV holders, as well as Afghans who could be eligible for SIVs but haven't been identified yet or would be eligible for another refugee status if they had applied before coming to the United States.

The bill the veterans' groups are promoting would provide a pathway for Afghan refugees in the United States to apply for legal permanent resident status.

Congress passed similar legislation in the 1960s for Cubans fleeing the Castro regime; in the 1970s for Vietnamese and other South Asian refugees after the fall of Saigon; and for Iraqis after both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

But efforts to do the same for Afghan refugees have stalled, even as lawmakers in both parties blast the chaotic U.S. military evacuations from Kabul over the summer and call on the Biden administration to do more to rescue vulnerable Afghans still stuck in Afghanistan. No lawmaker in either party has introduced an Afghan Adjustment Act yet.

Proponents of an Afghan Adjustment Act have had "hundreds" of meetings with lawmakers in both parties and, while there is bipartisan support for the idea, Republicans have some outstanding questions, said Chris Purdy, director of Veterans for American Ideals.

Officials in the Biden administration have also expressed support for the concept in private meetings, VanDiver said.

With Afghans' humanitarian parole set to expire in one to two years, veterans and refugee advocates on Monday described a ticking time bomb Congress must act to avert.

"There is another calamity coming," said Matt Zeller, a senior adviser at the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "Once again, it's going to be America's veterans who are going to be burdened with taking care of these people, who will suffer yet another moral injury. We have already failed these people once. We cannot fail them again."

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: Afghanistan War Vet Helps Afghan Refugees Resettle in US
The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.

Gary Anderson is a retired Marine Corps colonel. He served as a special adviser to the deputy secretary of defense and as a civilian adviser in Iraq and Afghanistan.

CBS' 60 Minutes recently broadcast a feature on accidental training deaths in the military. The segment focused on technologies that could reduce fatal vehicle accidents. Training and discipline were barely mentioned.

I think they missed the point.

Most military accidents, in my experience, occur in units with lax discipline and inept leadership. I came to this conclusion early in my Marine Corps career.

As a young first lieutenant platoon commander, I joined a company stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The company was commanded by a former enlisted man who had risen through the ranks by doing well in combat in Vietnam. He believed in hard and realistic training but had a "boys will be boys" attitude regarding off-duty conduct.

The company lacked discipline and had a "cowboy" mentality in the field that troubled me. During a tank-infantry exercise, a Marine who was riding on the back of the lead tank fell off and was killed by a tank that was following behind. He should not have been on the vehicle to begin with.

The next day, the battalion commander called me into his office. His message was curt. "I just fired your company commander. You are the new commander. Square that mob away, or I'll fire you too."

I got the picture. I survived that command and went on to a few more over the course of three decades, but the lesson stayed with me. No Marine or sailor under my command ever died or was seriously injured in a training accident or while off duty. Nobody died in combat either, but I write that off to pure dumb luck. I am sure many people who served under me considered me to be a martinet, but all left under their own power, and not feet first.

I encouraged hard training, hand-to-hand combat and live-fire exercises, but all were conducted by the book. Over the years, I studied unit accident rates, and what I found confirmed my earliest observation: An undisciplined unit is an unsafe unit.

As I studied organizations that had poor safety records -- and this included aviation units -- there were four interrelated signs of underlying safety issues, but all are connected to leadership.

First is a unit's incident rate. Serious incidents range from automobile accidents to off-duty bar fights.

Second is how commanders deal with such incidents, which one can find by looking at the Unit Punishment Book. If minor infractions are ignored or trivialized, an atmosphere of laxness sets in that tends to permeate the command.

A third indicator is maintenance. A commander can learn a lot about a unit by just walking around. A sloppy work area in a motor pool is a good indication that the little things in maintenance are not being attended to.

Finally, there is the attitude of the commander. "Cowboy" commanders who think that injuries or accidents in training are part of toughening the troops eventually are disasters waiting for an opportunity to happen.

The normal military response to a horrific accident is for higher headquarters to call for a "stand down" to examine safety procedures. This has always seemed to me to be a case of closing the barn door after the horse has escaped. If senior commanders would begin looking at the real causes of problems by spending time talking to the troops and poking around in their workspaces before accidents happen, we might prevent some of these events such as the five recent mishaps aboard the USS Carl Vinson.

One of the primary problems leading to a lack of leadership is command climate surveys. Too many commanders are more concerned with being popular than running tight ships, as the surveys can be critical to their career advancement. Gen. George S. Patton and Adm. William "Bull" Halsey likely would never have survived today's command climate evaluations.

This brings me back to the Vinson. If the fleet commander would visit the ship and look at the indicators noted in this article, I think that he would find that several, if not all, are present in the Carrier Air Group -- if not among the ship's total complement.

Fortunately, no one has been killed  yet. This does not mean that the commanders are inherently bad, but they probably want more to be liked than respected or feared.

In war, a commander's job should be to accomplish the mission with the least possible casualties. In peace, it should be to accomplish the mission without killing anybody.
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14.02.2022 LISTEN

Nathalie Dalizien is a young actress from Haiti and she enjoys Broadway shows and activities because the acting career was her passion since when she was younger.

She has an upcoming project with Motivation 509 and her upcoming project is described to be a film series. She hopes to perform with Actors and Actresses across Haiti, the United States, Canada, France, Uk, and any other countries in the world.

"Nathalie Dalizien is so talented and she enjoys acting and performing.", said Mr. Werley Nortreus, the Chief Executive Officer of Ceraphin Corporation and Ceraphin Publishing Group.

During an interview with Bon Dejeuner! Radio, or BDR! Live, the journalists have learned that she was born in Port-Au-Prince and her first performance was at the age of 5 years old.

The 23 years old actress can write her own Broadway plays and movie scripts as well because she appears in more than 11 short movies/videos that she produced with her acting group called Motivation 509.

Her taste for comedy is strong and she wants to help the Haitian Movie Industry become better for this generation and upcoming generations.

Jean-Gardy Bien-Aime is her favorite male actor and she will always be available to perform with other actors or actresses. She starts acting since when she was 5 years old and comedy is her favorite movie genre. She can sing as well but singing is not her favorite.

In the upcoming years, she hopes to release new movies and new film series as well. She is her own inspiration and her experiences began when she was acting at her school and Church in front of thousands of people.

Nathalie Dalizien has an upcoming film series that she produced with Motivation 509 and the series will be released in all online major stores.
The most telling of the numerous scandals which took place during Mahama administration was the 30 years bauxite mining lease issued by the Ghana Mineral Commission to Ibrahim Mahama and his partners on 29th December 2016, just a little over one week for his brothers government to exit power.

If you may recall, somewhere in 2017, the Economic Advisor to the Vice President (Dr Bawumia), Dr Gideon Boako, revealed that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has no moral right cautioning the NPP administration against leveraging Ghanas natural resources, specifically bauxite through its partnership with China, since the Mahamas administration capriciously gave away 58 percent of Ghanas bauxite concession to Ibrahim Mahama, the sibling of former President Mahama (See: NDC sold 58% of bauxite concession to Ibrahim Mahama  Gideon Boako; citifmonline.com, 29/06/2017).

Given the circumstances, I trembled repeatedly when I heard the NDCs 2020 flagbearer, former President Mahama promising wholeheartedly during the NDCs 2020 Manifesto launch that in the event of returning to the presidency in 2021, all the revoked mining licences would be reinstated.

What was weird though about the pronouncement was that the only company, whose mining licences were rightly revoked by the Supreme Court of Ghana, was the Exton Cubic, Ibrahim Mahamas partners.

Therefore observers may be right in inferring that former President Mahama was immersed in a gamut of emotions over the apex courts earlier rational decision that the granting of 3 mining leases in favour of Exton Cubic, the partners of his sibling, Mr Ibrahim Mahama, was in breach of the Constitution and section 12 of the Minerals and Mining Act, Act 703.

Back then, some of us, as a matter of principle, deemed it unfair for Flagbearer Mahama to assume somewhat fallaciously that it was rather Akufo-Addo, who without recourse to the law, arbitrarily prevented Exton Cubic from mining Ghanas bauxite.

Unsurprisingly, therefore, the well-meaning Ghanaians rightly contended that such a venture was nepotistic and therefore must not and cannot be allowed to proceed without challenging its genuineness.

Consequently, the Exton Cubics permit to undertake prospecting in the Nyinahini Forest Reserve was contested in somewhere August 2017 by the then Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Mr John-Peter Amewu.

If you would remember, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, seized the equipment belonging to Exton Cubic, as Exton Cubic was alleged to be blissfully prospecting without a valid documentation at the Nyinahini bauxite concession.

Subsequently, the multi-billion cedi bauxite concession granted to Exton Cubic was revoked in September 2017 after the former Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, had contested vehemently that the contract to Exton Cubic was invalid.

Mr Amewu argued poignantly that Exton Cubic did not have the necessary documentation to undertake mining (dailyguideafrica.com, 24/11/2017).

Suffice it to stress that back then, the hierarchy of the Exton Cubic argued forcefully that the revocation of licenses and the confiscation of mining equipment were unfair as Exton Cubic was in possession of three required permits.

As it was expected, the leadership of Exton Cubic took the matter to the High Court of Ghana, and, on February 8, 2018, the High Court ruled that, the erstwhile Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, did not have power to revoke the mining licenses granted to Exton Cubic to prospect for bauxite.

Subsequently, the Attorney General, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, submitted an ex-parte application to the Apex court, contending vehemently that the lower courts decision undermines efficient administration of justice.

The eminent Supreme Court Judges ruled that the granting of 3 mining leases in favour of Exton Cubic was in breach of the Constitution and section 12 of the Minerals and Mining Act, Act 703.

The justices of the Supreme Court of Ghana nonetheless made it clear that their verdict was predicated on the fact that the Exton Cubic knowingly or unknowingly failed to comply with mandatory provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act and article 268 of the Constitution of Ghana.

We should, however, not lose sight of the fact that, every mineral in its natural state in, under or upon land in Ghana, rivers, streams, water-courses throughout the country, the exclusive economic zone and an area covered by the territorial sea or continental shelf is the property of the Republic and is vested in the President in trust for the people of Ghana (Minerals Act 2006).

Whatever the case, we cannot and must not allow individuals to roam carelessly on the corridors of power and take over Ghanas scarce resources to the detriment of the poor and the disadvantaged Ghanaians.

Given the circumstances, I will earnestly venture to stress that in order for our governance system to be fair and equitable, all political appointments and contracts offers must be based on merits, but not through vague coloration, nepotism and cronyism.

The credit must, therefore, be given to over six million discerning Ghanaians for rightly voting to safeguard Ghanas bauxite during the 2020 general elections.

May God bless our Homeland Ghana!!

K. Badu, UK.

[email protected]
AOC is flexing her political muscle deep in the heart of Texas.

Progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) drew an overflow crowd at a Sunday rally in Austin backing congressional candidate Greg Casar, who is running for a newly redrawn district running from deep blue Austin to San Antonio.

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Get out there and care for people, and thats how well win, Ocasio-Cortez said, according to the Austonia.com news site. Lets get it done.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. (right) joins Democratic Congressional candidate Greg Casar (left) for a rally, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. (Eric Gay/AP)

Casar, an Austin city council member who was the youngest person ever elected to that body, said the Lone Star State is ready for more progressive Democratic leadership, even as conservative Republicans hold a narrow but sturdy stranglehold over statewide offices.

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Progressive change is on the horizon, not in some faraway place away from Texas, Casar said. Progressive change has deep roots in Texas.

AOC and her progressive allies see big openings in Texas and other Republican-run states as redistricting changes boundaries. GOP gerrymandering designed to bolster Republican incumbents has packed far more Democrats into districts like the one Casar is vying for.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) attends a rally for Democratic Congressional candidates Jessica Cisneros and Greg Casar, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. (Eric Gay/AP)

The incumbent, veteran Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.), decided to move to Austins newly created, very safe Democratic seat.

Along with Casar, AOC is backing progressive insurgent Jennifer Cisneros, who wants to unseat incumbent Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Tex.), one of the most conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives.

Cisneros, 28, an outspoken advocate for immigration reform, fell short of ousting Cuellar in the south Texas district in 2020.

Early voting started Monday for Texas primary elections, with in-person election day on March 1.
Parliament's Education Committee is expected to meet the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) this week to find a solution to the impasse between the union and the National Labour Commission (NLC).

This comes on the back of the Labour Division of the High Court's direction for the second time that the National Labour Commission (NLC) and UTAG should return to the negotiation table.

The parties are at a stalemate over UTAG's five-week-old strike.

Speaking to Citi News, Ranking Member on the Education Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe says the meeting is needed to avert the shutdown of the various public universities.

It is necessary for the committee to come into the matter because the university may shut down any moment from now.

We will send them [UTAG] an invitation so that we can meet with them and listen to them and make appeals to both sides to resolve the differences quickly, he said.

UTAG has been on strike since January 10 to force the government to restore the conditions of service agreed upon in 2012.

The 2012 conditions of service pegged the Basic plus Market Premium of a lecturer at $2,084.42.

UTAG has complained that the current arrangement has reduced its members' basic premiums to $997.84.

The National Labour Commission dragged UTAG to court, but the two were told to return to the negotiation table.

The commission sued, seeking the enforcement of its order, which was defied by public university teachers in the country.

The commission earlier directed UTAG to call off its strike, but this directive was not adhered to.

By Citi Newsroom
The Founder and General Overseer of the Royal House Chapel Apostle General Sam Korankye Ankrah has condemned the harassment of journalists in Ghana.

We dont support the harassment of journalists who are going about doing their work by calling power to account. We are telling them that this is not going to be an assignment for the journalists and the courts only but for every citizen of this nation, the Apostle General said.

Apostle Korankye Ankrah said these when two persons, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson and Accra FMs Bobie Ansah charged with alleged publication of false news visited his church to seek prayers and Gods intervention.

Praying for the duo, Apostle Korankye Ankrah said: The freedom of the press will move to another level as a result of this case. Our nation will be a better place by the time this case is over. The press would be enhanced as a result of their case.

Mensah Thompson was for a Facebook post alleging that the family members of President Akufo-Addo travelled on the presidential jet to the United Kingdom (UK) for shopping during the Christmas holidays.

Bobbie Ansah has also been charged for publication of false news and offensive conduct.

He is also alleged to have accused the First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo and the Wife of the Vice President Samira Bawumia of fraudulently acquiring state lands at the AU village to construct the Rebecca Foundation.

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A 24-year-old man has allegedly been shot dead by a Police Officer in Lamashegu in the Northern Regional capital of Tamale.

The incident occurred on Sunday, 13 February 2022.

According to eyewitnesses, the young man who was driving a white Toyota Camry with a DV number plate was stopped by a Police patrol team.

The man refused to stop and was chased by the Police.

He was chased to the Lamashegu Chiefs Palace, where he had gone to seek refuge.

He was, however, shot by the Officer.

The man died at the hospital while receiving treatment.

Two others also sustained injuries.

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Convener for FixTheCountry, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor will be arraigned before a court today, February 14, 2022, for threatening to stage a coup in the country.

The activist was arrested last Friday at the Kotoka International Airport for a post on social media where he threatened to stage a coup himself if the E-Levy Bill is passed by Parliament.

Mr. Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor has been arrested by the Tema Regional Police Command following a post he allegedly made on a social media platform to the effect that he would stage a coup himself if the E-Levy Bill is passed by Parliament.

The post contained a clear statement of intent with a possible will to execute a coup in his declaration of intent to subvert the constitution of the Republic of Ghana, a Police statement issued on Saturday morning said.

From the Police statement, it also shared that it would put before court the FixTheCountry convener today.

He will be arraigned before court on Monday, 14th February, 2022, the Police statement added while calling on Ghanaians to avoid making pronouncements that may lead to a breach of the peace of the country
The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that six officers have been interdicted for their involvement in the shooting incident at Lamashegu in Tamale over the weekend.

A 24-year-old man was badly injured after he was allegedly shot by a police officer in Lamashegu, Tamale in the Northern Region on Sunday, February 13, 2022.

Subsequently, after the incident escalated following agitations from the youth who resorted to burning car tyres on some major roads, the Northern Regional Police Command commenced investigation into the incident.

Following an initial investigation into the shooting incident, the Police Administration has officially confirmed the interdiction of six officers.

They are General Corporal Samson Kweku Darfour, General Corporal Prosper Mormesimu, General Constable Harrison Twum Danso, General Constable Mathew Sah, General Constable Nuhu Muntari, as well as PW/Constable Doris Serwa Bonsu.

As investigations continue into the matter, the Police are calling on the people of Lamashegu to exercise restraint.

We are appealing to the people of Lamashegu and the entire Tamale Metropolis to remain calm as the investigation continues into the unfortunate occurrence.

We would like to assure the public that anybody found culpable will be dealt with according to the law, a Police statement issued on Monday, February 14 has said.

Read the full Police statement below:
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected in Kyiv on Monday before moving on to Moscow in his efforts to head off the "critical" threat of a Russian invasion that could spark the worst political crisis in Europe since the Cold War.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has deployed more than 100,000 soldiers in a high-stakes standoff with the West over NATO's expansion into countries once under the Kremlin's control.

The western allies have remained united and defiant in the face of Putin's demands for binding security guarantees that would see NATO roll back its forces and rule out Ukraine's potential membership of the defensive alliance.

But US intelligence officials worry that weeks of crisis talks have given Russia the time to prepare a major offensive -- should Putin make the ultimate decision to attack Ukraine.

Washington reaffirmed its warning on Sunday that Russia was now ready to strike at "any moment".

US President Joe Biden briefed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday about his hour-long phone call with Putin the previous day. Biden's talks with Putin broke no new ground, the White House said.

US officials said Biden and Zelensky had "agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence" in their call.

German call for sanctions

Germany's Scholtz was firm in his resolve to support Ukraine and hit Russia "immediately" with punishing sanctions should Moscow invade.

"In the event of a military aggression against Ukraine that threatens its territorial integrity and sovereignty, that will lead to tough sanctions that we have carefully prepared and which we can immediately put into force," Scholz said on the eve of his departure.

"We assess the situation as very critical, very dangerous," a German government source added.

Germany's close business relations with Moscow and the country's heavy reliance on Russian natural gas imports have been a source of lingering concern for Kyiv's pro-western leaders as well as Biden's team.

Scholz has warned Russia it should "not underestimate our unity and determination" but also hedged against unequivocally backing Biden's pledge to "bring an end" to Russia's new Nord Stream 2 gas link to Germany.

Johnson enters the fray

Scholz's visit to Moscow on Tuesday will be clouded by a spat involving the tit-for-tat closures of the German-language channel of Russia's RT network and the Moscow bureau of Germany's Deutsche Welle.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will also "travel to Europe" to address the crisis towards end of the week as part of the European push for peace, his office said on Sunday.
The Ghana Police Service has said it will conduct an investigation into professional standard related issues of the shooting incident that occurred at Lamashegu in the Northern regional capital of Tamale.

The Ghana Police Service disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, 14 February 2020 and signed by its Director-General, Public Affairs DCOP Kwesi Ofori.

The statement noted that: Personnel from the Police Professional Standard Bureau (PPSB) have also been detailed alongside the CID team to look at professional standard related issues of the incident.

The Ghana Police Service assured the public that investigations into the shooting incident will continue.

The police administration has also dispatched a team of investigators led by the deputy director-general of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), DCOP Frederick Agyei to lead the investigation into the matter.

The Police also urged the people of Lamashegu and the entire Tamale Metropolis to remain calm as investigation continues into the unfortunate occurrence.

Meanwhile, the Police administration has interdicted 6 Officers for their involvement in a shooting incident that occurred in Lamashegu in the Northern Regional capital of Tamale.

Following an initial investigation into the shooting incident at Lamashegu in Tamale, involving the Tamale District Patrol team, the Police Administration has interdicted the following Police officers involved.

This six officers include General Corporal Samson Kweku Darfour, General Corporal Prosper Mormesimu and General Constable Harrison Twum Danso, General Constable Matthew Sah, General Constable Nuhu Muntari and Constable Doris Serwa Bonsu.

The statement further disclosed the commencement of investigations into the matter.

A 24-year-old man was allegedly shot by a Police Officer in Lamashegu in the Northern Regional capital of Tamale.

The incident occurred on Sunday, 13 February 2022.

According to eyewitnesses, the young man who was driving a white Toyota Camry with a DV number plate was stopped by a Police patrol team.

The man refused to stop and was chased by the Police.

He was chased to the Lamashegu Chiefs Palace, where he had gone to seek refuge.

He was, however, shot by the Officer.

The man died at the hospital while receiving treatment.

Two others also sustained injuries.

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The Founder and General Overseer of the Royal House Chapel Apostle General Sam Korankye Ankrah has called on Ghanaians to always hold political actors accountable after vesting power in them.

he said it is the duty of every Christian to make sure that those we entrust power into their care, they are properly accountable.

We the people of Ghana, we have resolved that not only shall we go to queue and to vote for our leaders anymore and go to sleep, we wont do that again. When we vote for them we shall call them to accountability, he said.

They will have to account for the power that we vested in them. Well call on them to account for the promises that they make for which we elect them. We are telling them this is not going to be assignment of journalists and courts only, but every citizen of this nation including those of us worshiping at the Royal House Chapel. As a matter of fact, every Christian, it is your responsibility to make sure that those we entrust power into their care, they are properly accountable, the Apostle General added.

Apostle Sam Korankye Ankrah said these when two persons, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson and Accra FMs Bobie Ansah charged with alleged publication of false news visited his church to seek prayers and Gods intervention.

Praying for the duo, Apostle Korankye Ankrah said: The freedom of the press will move to another level as a result of this case. Our nation will be a better place by the time this case is over. The press would be enhanced as a result of their case.

Mensah Thompson was charged for a Facebook post alleging that the family members of President Akufo-Addo travelled on the presidential jet to the United Kingdom (UK) for shopping during the Christmas holidays.

Bobbie Ansah has also been charged for publication of false news and offensive conduct.

He is also alleged to have accused the First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo and the Wife of the Vice President Samira Bawumia of fraudulently acquiring state lands at the AU village to construct the Rebecca Foundation.

classfmonline.com
Four alleged accomplices in the murder of an 85-year-old French priest go on trial in Paris on Monday after years of investigations into the killing, carried out while the the victim was celebrating Mass in the north-western city of Rouen.

Father Jacques Hamel had his throat slit at the foot of the altar while celebrating Mass on 26 July 2016, at his church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, a working-class suburb of Rouen.

The two 19-year-old assailants, Adel Kermiche and Abdel-Malik Petitjean, seriously injured one of the worshippers they took hostage before themselves being shot and killed by police as they tried to leave the church.

The pair claimed in a video to be members of the Islamic State terror organisation, which later described them as "soldiers" retaliating for France's fight against jihadists in Syria and Iraq.

Father Hamel's murder came in the wake of a series of jihadist attacks that began with a massacre at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in January 2015 and the so-called Bataclan attacks later that year.

The priest's killing raised questions about the ability of French intelligence agencies to prevent such attacks, since Kermiche was wearing an electronic bracelet at the time.

Prosecutors say that the four accused knew about the attackers' plan, with one of them travelling with Petitjean to Turkey in an attempt to reach Syria, just weeks before the attack.

They have denied the charges of conspiracy in a terrorist crime. Their lawyers have claimed that the men are being used as "scapegoats".

'Pounce on the unbelievers!'

One of the accused, Rachid Kassim, a Frenchman who became a key IS recruiter and is the alleged instigator of the attack, has been charged with complicity in the killing by helping to choose the target and providing advice.

"Pounce on the infidels like a hungry lion pounces on its prey," Kassim told them in audio and social media conversations discovered by investigators.

Police also believe Kassim was behind the chilling murder of a police officer and his companion in front of their three-year-old son in Magnanville, a Paris suburb, just a few weeks before Hamel's murder.

Kassim is believed to have been killed in a coalition airstrike near Mosul in 2017, Iraq, where he lived, but is being tried in absentia since the death has not been confirmed.

Despite the absence of the main culprits, Father Hamel's relatives and the other victims are hoping to learn how the young men came to embrace the extremist ideology that led to the attack.

Praise from Pope Francis

Catholic Church officials have launched the process to seek beatification for Hamel, a first step to canonisation or sainthood, which is currently being examined by the Vatican.

Roman Catholic leader, Pope Francis, who approved a fast-track process for Hamel, called him a "martyr," saying he had died for his faith, which means there is no requirement of a proof of miracles in his case.
The Family of the 18-year-old Junior High School (JHS) graduate Abdul Hakim who died after he was hit by a stray bullet at Lamashegu, a suburb of Tamale, in the Northern Region on Sunday, are demanding justice.

They also want the police administration to be fair in their investigations and punish the officers involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, six police officers with the Tamale District Patrol team have been interdicted with immediate effect by the Ghana Police Service following a shooting incident.

It is unclear what triggered the incident but eye witnesses told 3news.com's Christopher Amoako that a young man, 26, was driving an unregistered vehicle and when he was beckoned to stop, he refused.

The police, thus, shot at the vehicle, provoking a clash between the youth in the town and the law enforcement agents to register their disdain for the action.

The clash also saw the police fire warning shots.

Investigations have, however, been launched into the incident.

The Deputy Director the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Service, DCOP Frederick Agyei, is leading a team of investigators to the Northern Regional Command to look at professional standard related issues of the incident.

But before the team arrives, the six officers have been interdicted.

They are: General Corporals Samson Kweku Darfour and Prosper Mormesimu, General Constables Harrison Twum Danso, Matthew Sah and Nuhu Muntari as well as Constable Doris Serwa Bonsu.

The Northern Regional Police Commander has been tasked to liaise with the affected families and offer them the necessary support in line with police regulations.

We are appealing to the people of Lamashegu and the entire Tamale metropolis to remain calm as the investigation continues into the unfortunate occurrence, a statement signed by the Director-General of Public Affairs of the Service, DCOP Kwesi Ofori, on Monday assured.

We would like to assure the public that anybody found culpable will be dealt with according to law.

---3news.com
Fans and friends were there for her.

Jennifer Aniston took to Instagram to thank her nearly 40 million followers for helping her ring in 53 on Friday.

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Thank you all so much , the Friends star captioned a Boomerang of herself shaking one of her legs, donning gold-fringed pants only she could pull off.

Jennifer Aniston attends 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

Im filled with so much gratitude for all the love that poured over me on my birthday...! Blessed girl over here , Aniston wrote in the post thats been viewed more than 11 million times and liked by over 1.9 million. I love you !

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Ex-hubby and current close pal Justin Theroux was among those who paid tribute to the actress in honor of her big day.

The Leftovers alum, 50, on Friday took to Instagram Stories with slow-mo clips of Aniston lighting up a cigarette and dancing while wearing an Im a cool blonde shirt. Taylor Swifts Look What You Made Me Do played over the videos.

Yes you are  Love u B! Theroux, who started dating Aniston after they co-starred in 2012s Wanderlust, wrote over the second video.

More famous friends took to the comments section of Aniston thank you post to celebrate her. Happy birthday messages poured in from Mindy Kaling, Julianne Moore, Lily Collins, Rita Wilson, Billy Eichner, Taika Waititi and more.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 20 Jennifer Aniston looks stunning on the March 2020 cover of Interview magazine, which came out on her 51st birthday. In it, the actress talks to friend and fellow actress Sandra Bullock about "The Morning Show" and the role of women in Hollywood today. (Alique for Interview Magazine)

Oh YEEEESSSSSS, wrote Juliette Lewis. Those are exactly the Right birthday pants!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU.

Michelle Pfeiffer sent a sweet but simple  while comedian Whitney Cummings joked that Anistons outfit was the first time Ive ever questioned your judgement.
A private legal practitioner and member of the opposition NDC has descended heavily on President Nana Akufo-Addo for his subtle criminalisation of free speech under his watch.

Mr. Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe went further to describe President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's administration as a China phone in iPhone package when it comes to guarding freedom of speech in the country.

Mr. Tamakloe said this in reaction to the arrest of Accra FM's presenter Kwabena Bobie Ansah last Thursday night after his Citizen's Show over a comments he made about the First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

Mr Tamakloe was talking on the Ghana Yensom morning show on Accra 100.5 FM on Monday, February 14, 2022.

According to him, it is worrying that under the presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo who has been touted as the human rights activist par excellence, journalists are being arrested in line of duty.

What has changed for free speech to be criminalized under the watch of the president, he quizzed.

He recalled that in 1995 when the late Tommy Thompson, the publisher of the defunct Free Press newspaper and its editor, Eben Quarcoo were arraigned for a publication against the former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, under late president Rawlings administration, the current president who was then the lawyer for the two journalists argued that Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was not a public official and the only remedy available for her was to seek civil remedy and not criminal remedy.

Mr Tamakloe who is also an aide to the former president John Dramani Mahama said it beats his imagination seeing the president behave this way.

Is this the man as young lawyers, we were made to believe was the human rights lawyer par excellence? adding It is true that if you want to see the true colours of a man give him money and power.

---Classfmonline.com
The month of love is here, and people are already excited about it, with Ghana joining the rest of the world tomorrow Monday February 14 to mark the 2022 St Valentine's Day.

The Day is observed more as a chocolate sharing period for many in Ghana and provides an opportunity for lovers, family, and friends to show love to themselves.

During the Day, many anticipate spending quality time with their dear and loved ones by going on romantic dates, gifting them special tokens of love, asking out their potential love interest, and more.

On this Day, those in love indulge in doing all the 'mushy' things for their partners and potential dates.

Before the 14th of February, people also celebrate Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug Day, and Kiss Day in various parts of the world.

Nationaltoday.com states that Valentine 's Day came from the feast for the patron saints named Valentine by the Catholic Church during the 496 AD to overshadow and later replace the deemed brutal Pagan festival of Lupercalia.

This festival was celebrated at the beginning of spring and paid homage to the Roman God of Agriculture, Faunus, on February 15.

A goat and dog would be sacrificed symbolising fertility and purity, respectively. This would then involve the hide of the goat being torn into strips, dipped in the sacrificial blood, and painted across the women and crops.

It was during the 1400s that the Day was associated with romance. Messages, or 'Valentines' as they were called, began to appear. Handwritten letters and poems declaring affections of love became increasingly popular.

Valentine's Day over the years has been commercialised and people generate good sums of profit because of the Day.

People create and sell all manner of things like valentine cards, rose flowers, red-labeled or branded perfumes, romantic nighties and underwear, teddy bears, red grape champagnes, chocolates, and dresses among other days.

According to a research done by a top Millennial Marketing Agencies, Valentine's Day was less popular among men that women in the US.

It said while 13 per cent of men said Valentine's Day was their favorite holiday, eight per cent of men absolutely hated it.

Meanwhile, 13 per cent of women claimed Valentine's Day was their favorite holiday, compared to just five per cent who hated it.

Also 19 per cent of married Americans admitted that Valentine's Day was a much bigger deal before they were married, but 46 per cent still celebrated Valentine's Day with their spouses.

The Day is observed in similar and unique ways worldwide.

According to the Computer Network, an American Red Ventures media website, women in Japan on this day are expected to give chocolate to their boyfriends or husbands on Valentine's Day.

In the Philippines, thousands of couples participate in mass weddings held on February 14 and everything from the wedding banquet to the venue, and sometimes even the gifts are covered by the local government.

Rouelle Umali/Xinhua states: It feels good to see couples who have been living together for years, but cannot afford even the simplest of wedding ceremonies, finally get married with the help of the municipal government and other sponsors," says Lordase Sajonas, a Municipal Civil Registrar in Pangasinan, Manila, told Pacific Daily News.

"Some of them have been living together for years and already have children but are unable to submit necessary parental documents to their kids' school because they do not have a marriage certificate. Plus, the cost of a wedding is so expensive," he added.

In Italy, Baci Perugina (chocolate with hazelnut) is given out on Valentine's Day and the wrapper on the chocolate-covered hazelnuts contains a romantic or affirming message.

Total Chocolate also plays a role in Valentine's Day traditions in Italy, where lovers exchange Baci Perugina (Bacio is the Italian word for kiss).

People believe keys could also be given on Valentine's Day in Italy symbolising an invitation to unlock the giver's heart.

For South Africans, it is customary for women in February to pin the names of their crush on the sleeve of their shirt. The tradition is believed to be a modern adaptation of the ancient Roman rite of Lupercalia, which involved animal sacrifice and naked men chasing women in the street.

More than two dozen couples attend a mass wedding ceremony on Valentine's Day on Robben Island, near Cape Town, South Africa.

Women in Japan, on this Day, present men with chocolates and flowers. Husbands, boyfriends, or prospective partners get high-end honmei choco ("true feeling") chocolates, while acquaintances and coworkers receive simpler giri choco ("obligation chocolates").

A month later, on March 14 or 'White Day', men who received honmei choco are expected to return the favour with a present worth at least two or three times what the lady spent on chocolate.

In Denmark, lovers and friends alike exchange white flowers called snowdrops. Men also write "gaekkebrev" -- elaborate paper-cut notes with a humorous message signed only with a series of anonymous dots. If his lady figures out who sent her a "joking card," she earns an Easter egg later that spring.

In Wales, lovers exchange handcrafted wooden spoons on January 25 ahead of the Day. If accepted by their ladies, they were then regarded as tokens of engagement, or betrothal, says woodcarver Kerry Thomas in an interview with CBS News.

The world's second-largest cocoa producer, Ghana, in 2005 declared February 14 to be National Chocolate Day in a bid to boost tourism and domestic consumption of chocolate.

The initiative is also intended to encourage young people to channel their romantic energy into a gift of chocolate.

Red is the preferred colour of attire for some people on this Day in Ghana and many parts of the world.

The question is, how exciting or engaging will this year's Val's Day be in view of the financial challenges facing countries across the world caused by COVID-19?

GNA
14.02.2022 LISTEN

Today marked the end of the Women into Leadership training programme. A programme to equip women within the African Statistical System, and in particular, the National Statistical Offices (NSOs) with the skills required to take a full part in developing themselves and leading their organisations on a programme of statistical modernisation.

The closing ceremony of the Women into Leadership Program was held in Nairobi, on February 11, 2022. The programme is organised by the Office for National Statistics of the United Kingdom (ONS-UK) in collaboration with the African Centre for Statistics (ACS) at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The trainees included 18 high-performing female middle managers drawn from the National Statistical Systems of Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Lesotho.

UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the ECA, Vera Songwe, deplored the fact that top leadership positions among national statistical offices (NSOs) in Africa are overwhelmingly occupied by men.

The current percentage of women in leadership in Africa and more so in data and statistics stands at 16, which is worryingly low. We need to triple this number in the near future.

Earlier in the week, director of the Africa Centre for Statistics at the ECA, Oliver Chinganya, explained that the Women into Leadership Program aims to create more diverse leadership teams capable of spearheading change and modernising statistics in Africa.

Mr Chinganya noted that women leaders, with diverse experience, ideas and perspectives, have led substantive reforms and improved the performance of National Statistical Offices (NSOs).

The Women into Leadership Program provides training in leadership, communication, and negotiation, to help mould women into senior leaders. The programme aims to equip women within the African Statistical System, especially the National Statistical Offices (NSOs), with the necessary self-development skills and the ability to lead their organisations on a programme of statistical modernisation.
An expert from a leading UK university who led work on effectively eliminating Hepatitis C in a Scottish region, the first in the world to do so, will spearhead a 2.2 million project in Ethiopia that has the potential to benefit future elimination efforts in Ghana.

The DESTINE project will bring together the Universities of Dundee and Bristol and Scottish health boards with several medical schools and other key institutions in Ethiopia. The team will investigate the extent of Hepatitis C (HCV) infection in the country using epidemiological and modelling techniques. They will then design care based around treatment pathways created in the UK but moulded to suit the Ethiopian context.

The collaboration will be led by John Dillon , Professor of hepatology and gastroenterology at the University of Dundee and consultant hepatologist at NHS (National Health Service) Tayside. He and his colleagues previously carried out the pioneering work that led to Tayside becoming a world leader in HCV elimination.

Professor Dillons projects focused on working with people that use intravenous drugs and those who have a challenging time accessing care due to stigma and limited availability. The project began by offering a needle exchange program and this soon evolved to provide much needed HCV testing and treatment.

He said that DESTINE, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), would help address a desperate need for effective HCV strategies in countries like Ethiopia.

The World Health Organisation has set a target for the world to eliminate HCV by 2030 and, while many of the more developed countries have put plans in place to reach this target, this has been more difficult in low- and middle-income countries. For example, in Ethiopia the number of people living with HCV infection is not known, although estimates suggest it may be around 3 million.

Our work in Tayside largely centred around removing the barriers faced by patients. We knew that at each step of the pathway we lost people, so the aim was to make the steps smaller and simpler. That is the principle we will be applying to the Ethiopian context.

The project will explore ways of delivering HCV testing and cure, in ways that work with the novel and evolving ways of delivering health care in Ethiopia. The outputs of this research will be useful in countries across Africa similarly affected by HCV."

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood borne virus which affects the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. Around 90% of HCV infections occur in people who inject drugs, or have previously done so, through sharing needles.

To date, the programme instigated by NHS Tayside has treated almost 2,000 people living with Hepatitis C, more than 90% of the estimated number of people in the region living with HCV. This reduction in prevalence met both the WHO and Scottish Government targets for HCV elimination ahead of schedule.

Professors Peter Vickerman and Matthew Hickman at the University of Bristol have led a substantial body of work, including infectious disease and economic modelling, that has transformed the evidence base for the prevention and treatment of HCV among groups at risk of transmission. Their work has underpinned WHO treatment guidelines (2018) and guided over ten countries HCV elimination initiatives.

The Ethiopian Government and clinicians in the country urgently seek the development of an HCV strategy. They have identified the need for implementation and scale-up of testing and treatment, and development of effective preventive strategies.

The four-year project will measure how common HCV infection is in Ethiopia, predict how its ongoing HCV epidemic will progress, and model the effect of this prediction on the Ethiopian health service.

The project will inform Ethiopian Government strategic planning for HCV and enhance associated skill sets within the four major Ethiopian Medical schools, thereby enhancing the countrys research infrastructure.

Professor Dillon was last year recognised as a 2021 Elimination Champion by the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination for his contributions in Scotland and making a global impact.
Traditional Rulers in the Nadowli/Kaleo District of the Upper West Region have appealed to the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Seth Amoama, to consider restoring the military attachment to the Office of the Speaker of 8th Parliament.

At a press conference at Kaleo, the traditional rulers from the five paramountcy and traditional councils in the Kaleo Traditional Area, expressed dissatisfaction with the unnecessary delay in bringing back the military attachment to the office of the Speaker of Parliament

We wish to state that the action by the Military High Command smacks of bad faith. It jeopardises the safety and security of our dear hardworking son, who has lived all his Life serving our dear nation, Ghana, the chiefs stated.

In a statement read by the Sankana Naa, Naa Pagran-Nige Mornaa, Paramount Chief of the Sankana Traditional Area, he explained that the withdrawal of the Military attachment by the Military High Command to the Office of the Speaker of Parliament has made the life of Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin as Speaker of Parliament unsafe.

The chiefs contended that over the past one month, they had not been able to sleep over this heart-wrenching development, saying, we seem not to understand the reason given by the Military High Command for the withdrawal of the military attachment to the office of the Speaker.

The chiefs therefore appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces to call the Big men of the Military High Command to order.

The statement noted that in Ghana's political history, the current parliament was different from previous ones.

It is a hung parliament, which as we all know, is bedeviled with open fights among the two main opposing groups and there is the urgent need to secure the Office of the Speaker of Parliament with the deployment of soldiers to ensure his safety, the chiefs pointed out.

They acknowledged that in his work as a long serving Member of Parliament and Minister of State, Mr Bagbin had actively and ably contributed to the development of this nation on a scale that is unmatched.

It therefore beats our imagination that such a distinguished citizen, once cherished, awarded and applauded by many for his matchless contribution to the development of this country, is rather the one at the receiving end of his bizarre denial of basic privileges such as the provision of security by the Ghana Armed Forces, most especially given the configuration of the current parliament as it stands.

It must be noted that Rt. Hon. Bagbin has selflessly and diligently contributed the best of his intellect, energy and time to the service and development of Mother Ghana  both in Parliament and Government  mostly at a great discomfort to his personal life and family for almost three decades now, the statement added.

The traditional rulers noted that even before he became a politician and a Member of Parliament, he had throughout his life practice as a Lawyer, kept faith with this oath to defend the defenseless.

According to the Chiefs, they sighted a letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff of the Military High Command, which stated that the attachment of the four military officers did not follow the right procedure and that they were being withdrawn for appropriate steps to be taken to regularize their stay.

The Sankana-Naa, Naa Pagran-Nige Mornaa, Takpo Naa, Naa Widaana-Nanga, Kaluri Naa, Naa Tindaana, Gyilli Naa, Naa Badienaang Sanyellah and Gbankor Naa, Naa Jamaa Matarah with other sub-chiefs attended the press conference.

GNA
Libya's western-based administration has upheld a decision by lawmakers in the country's east to appoint a new prime minister, effectively creating two rival heads of government. The UN has urged all sides to preserve calm "as an absolute priority".

Already torn apart by years of east-west divisions, Libya found itself with two new prime ministers last week, based in the western capital Tripoli.

This came after the east-based parliament voted to replace the government of construction tycoon Abdulhamid Dbeibah with one led by former interior minister Fathi Bashagha.

The United Nations' special adviser in Libya, Stephanie Williams, has met with the two rival prime ministers urging them to preserve the country's fragile stability.

Millions of Libyans ready to vote

Bashagha and Dbeibah who hail from Libya's third city Misrata and were candidates for the aborted presidential poll, both have the support of rival armed groups.

Libya has been ripped apart by a decade of regional, tribal and ideological violence since a 2011 revolt toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Following a 2020 ceasefire, Dbeibah had been appointed as interim premier with a mandate to lead the country until elections on 24 December last year.

But since the polls were indefinitely postponed amid wrangling over their legal basis and who could stand, Dbeibah's rivals have been insisting that his mandate is up.

Williams on Sunday tweeted that she had met Dbeibah on Sunday to discuss the latest developments.

She also said the UN "remains committed to raising the voices of the 2.8 million Libyans who registered to vote".

Fears of a return to faction violence

On Saturday, The High Council of State (HCS) -- a Tripoli-based body that is equivalent to a senate -- usually rivals the House of Representatives (HoR), based in the eastern city of Tobruk.

The HoR "unanimously approved" former interior minister Fathi Bashagha to head the government.

Armed groups converged on Tripoli from Misrata on Saturday to support Dbeibah raising fresh fears of a power struggle and armed conflict.

Observers have warned that last Thursday's vote threatens a repeat of a 2014 schism which saw two parallel governments emerge.

The UN said Thursday it still recognised Dbeibah's administration.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged "all parties to continue to preserve stability in Libya as a top priority" and reminded them of the importance of "holding national elections as soon possible".
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) branch in the United Kingdom has congratulated the Akufo-Addo government for getting the Ghana Card to be recognised as an ePassport.

The Ghana Airports Company Limited through a statement has confirmed that effective March 1, 2022, the Ghana Card will be used as an ePassport and can be used by Ghanaians abroad when returning home.

Although many Ghanaians are still unclear about the whole ePassport matter, the NPP UK is convinced that it is another huge milestone chalked by the ruling government led by President Nana Addo Danka Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

In a press release dated February 14, 2022, the group has congratulated the government for the latest success.

.congratulations to the Government for putting Ghana on the international map through its digitalisation drive, part of the NPP UK statement signed by Director of Communications Nana Ansah Obofour has said.

The group believes that the recognition of the Ghana Card as ePassport will boost investment from the diaspora to help the country develop towards achieving the long-term goal of Ghana beyond aid.

This milestone will undoubtedly boost investment from the Diaspora for Ghana in our quest to achieve a Ghana without aid, the NPP UK release adds.

Read the full press release below:

Press Release

Communications Directorate, NPP UK

14th February, 2022

NPP UK Congratulates the Government on the use of Ghana Card as ePassport

The Digitalisation programme of the Government of H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo remains on course.

The successes of the programme continues to be an envy to the doubting Thomases. From Mobile Interoperability to Digital address system, Ghanaians are benefiting and continue to show gratitude to the NPP Government for making the benefit of technology accessible to the ordinary Ghanaian.

When the NPP supported digitisation and digitalisation many naysayers were blind to the vision, and were only interested in casting insinuations at people in government. The birth of the Ghana card created multiple conversations from the birth of the idea, through the procurement process, to the birth of the card itself, not forgetting allegations of corruption and debates around the need for the card at all.

Many including the opposition NDC will fall into those who opposed the card with their strength and might.

Ghana can now boast of a world class secured card, with up to date biometric information that can now be used for international travel without the need for visas. This has created a huge euphoria among Ghanaians both in Ghana and the diaspora, but of cause there still those who continue to doubt the vision and who cannot see the real life applications of the card for travel.

With the recognition by the Civil Aviation Organisation in Canada (ICAO), and subsequent announcements to the International Air Transport Association ( IATA), the Ghana card will be accepted as Machine Readable Travel Document( MRTD).

This is a huge significant milestone not only in Ghanas history but in the history of international travel. We hail the leaders who spend tireless nights and days supporting and seeing through the birth of the Ghana card.

In fact, research shows that there are about 120 countries with eID cards similar to Ghana's National Identification Card, Ghana Card. There are also 70 countries that are currently developing a platform to have a Card that meets the ICAO's standards. It is worth noting that, the European Union, per its 20th June 2019 regulation, the 2019/1157 EU regulation, gave its Member States two years to implement ID cards' security features aligned with those of passports.

Many EU countries, including France, are working hard to meet this directive.

The UK has still not been able to issue a national ID card that meets ICAO's standards.

This has become a huge opportunity created for Ghanaians in addition to other opportunities created by the NPP government such as the free SHS, NABCO, planting for food and jobs, one district one factory, one village one dam, drones for essential medicines and blood, and one constituency one ambulance, among many.

This milestone will undoubtedly boost investment from the Diaspora for Ghana in our quest to achieve a Ghana without aid.

Once again congratulations to the Government for putting Ghana on the international map through its Digitalisation drive.

Long live Ghana.

Long live the NPP.

signed

Nana Ansah Obofour-Director of Communications (+447590816529)

Kwaku Bimpeh-Deputy Director of Communications (+447949204396)

Barbara Osei-Wusu-Deputy Director of Communications (+447533347762)
Pressure group, Occupy Ghana has indicated that the implementation of the proposed Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) will be meaningless unless it is linked with complete fiscal transparency and accountability.

In a press statement issued by the movement, it stresses that if the government wants to go ahead with the implementation of the E-Levy it must provide a renewed commitment that assures the citizenry of willingness to recover misused money by state institutions as uncovered by the Auditor-Generals report.

Occupy Ghana also wants the government to ensure the full implementation of income tax laws and an active roadmap that will double the number of income taxpayers yearly until all eligible tax income payers are brought within the income tax net.

Until this is done, Occupy Ghana proposes that the government holds on with the implementation of its E-Levy.

Any reintroduction of the E-Levy bill to Parliament must come with clear and satisfying answers to these concerns because the e-levy will be meaningless unless it is linked with (1) the total implementation of our income tax laws, (2) absolute commitment to recovering our misused monies, and (3) complete fiscal transparency and accountability, part of a statement issued by Occupy Ghana has said.

The pressure group recommends that in the event Parliament passes the E-Levy bill and it is implemented, the government should at the minimum, publish the revenue from the E-Levy and details of how the revenue is disbursed.

Read the full statement from Occupy Ghana below:

OCCUPYGHANA PRESS STATEMENT ON PROPOSED E-LEVY

OccupyGhana has keenly followed the debate on the proposed Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy). If this must be implemented, it must be subject to three strict conditions:

(1) full implementation of income tax laws and an active roadmap that will double the number of income tax payers yearly, until all eligible tax income payers are brought within the income tax net,

(2) a statutorily enforced fiscal transparency and accountability regime that requires Government, at least, to publish the revenue from the E-Levy and details of its disbursement on quarterly basis, and

(3) a renewed commitment by Government to recover all monies declared by the Auditor-General to have been misused.

THE ANAEMIC TAX SYSTEM

1. Income taxes are meant to finance development, with indirect taxes shoring up the revenue from income taxes. Yet, in Ghana, out of an estimated eligible taxpayer population of 10 million, information available on the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) portal, shows that in 2020, the total number of actual tax income payers was a measly 2.3 million.

2. This state of affairs where an estimated 75% of potential income tax payers do not pay, is unsustainable and a clear sign of failed political leadership by successive Governments. For instance, although in 2015 Parliament passed the modified tax provisions to draw the informal sector into the income tax net, Governments since then have inexplicably failed to apply the law.

3. Our Governments refuse to do the heavy lifting required to have an effective income tax system that draws in the informal sector, and repeatedly taken the easier path: indirect taxation. In Ghana today, the slew of indirect taxes includes, (i) Value Added Tax, (ii) National Health Insurance Levy, (iii) Ghana Education Trust Fund Levy, (iv) Covid-19 Health Recovery Levy, (v) Communication Service Tax, (vi) Import Duty, (vii) Excise Duty, (viii) ECOWAS Levy, (ix) EDAIF Levy, (x) Stamp Duty, (xi) ESLA Levy, (xii) Road Fund Levy, (xiii) TOR Recovery Levy, (xiv) GET Fund Levy, (xv) Price Stabilisation Levy, (xvi) Energy Fund Levy, (xvii) Special Petroleum Tax, (xviii) Energy Debt Recovery Levy, (xix) Sanitation and Pollution Levy, and (xx) Tourism Levy.

4. And several of these are poorly designed and badly administered as evidenced in the sham benchmark value rebate that had been illegally applied to all imports, and which Government appears not to have the guts to repeal. We are literally bleeding money and subsidising the lifestyles of importers.

5. Thus the broader picture should be how we fix the anaemic income tax system, which might go a long way to render a lot of these burdensome indirect taxes redundant.

6. Against this background, the E-Levy might simply paper over the deep cracks, especially where the current, proposed E-Levy structure itself raises concerns such as what the daily zero-rated threshold should be, and how to deal with the inherent multiple taxation of the same funds, simply because they were moved around different 'accounts.'

FAILURE TO RECOVER LOST STATE MONEY

7. While Government is focused on the revenue side, we see precious little effort in reining in the expenditure side and, critically, recovering monies lost to the state. Government (which is demanding more traxes) and its supposedly independent Auditor-General have all but abandoned the constitutional demand that persons found culpable for misusing Government funds be surcharged and made to pay.

8. For instance, the 2020 Auditor-General's report shows that fiscal/financial irregularities amounted to a record 12.85 billion cedis, approximately 85% of which represents 'trade debtors, staff debtors and outstanding loans.' Simply, Government and its agents gave out credit facilities, and then neglected to collect the debts for criminally cringeworthy reasons that the Auditor-General sets out, such as, no debt collection policies or credit controls, indifference, improper record-keeping and non-documentation of agreements, and non-compliance with rules and regulations.

9. Although the Constitution and the Supreme Court decision in OCCUPYGHANA v. ATTORNEY-GENERAL demands that all such culpable officials and 'beneficiaries' are surcharged, the Auditor-General has reverted to merely making farcical and impotent 'recommendations,' while Government and Parliament are only too happy to play along with this pantomime.

10. It is therefore not too surprising that both the Auditor-General and Attorney-General have refused to answer our repeated requests for information on these matters. This coordinated silence is revealing, because if the Auditor-General and Attorney-General had been doing their work, they would have been happy to share that information with Ghanaians.

11. It is difficult to reconcile this overall Government attitude with a demand for new taxes.

OUR SUGGESTIONS

12. To increase tax revenue, we suggest the following:

(1) improve taxpayer education to improve voluntary tax compliance;

(2) implement the Electronic Point of Sale devices to verify sales data and VAT collections;

(3) increase the corporate income base by passing the Tax Exemptions Bill to reduce tax exemptions;

(4) provide the framework to properly implement property taxation, property being a better-targeted proxy of income than momo transactions;

(5) improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tax administration;

(6) repeal the benchmark values for imported goods for customs purposes;

(7) implement the modified taxation system where the informal sector pays a standard 3% rate on turnover as total tax liability;

(8) plug the loopholes and leakages of revenue; and

(9) recover funds lost and detailed in the Auditor-General's reports.

13. Further, it is time for proper fiscal transparency and fiscal accountability. After several years of fiscal inefficiencies, no Government should use Ghanas low tax revenue-GDP ratio as justification to impose a tax like the E-Levy, without a social contract that is based on fiscal transparency and accountability. Thus, if the E-Levy is approved by Parliament, that legislation must also require Government to submit itself to a fiscally transparent and accountable regime where in every quarter of the year, Government will at the minimum, publish the revenue from the E-Levy and details of how the revenue was disbursed.

14. OUR POSITION: Any reintroduction of the E-Levy bill to Parliament must come with clear and satisfying answers to these concerns because THE E-LEVY WILL BE MEANINGLESS UNLESS IT IS LINKED WITH (1) THE TOTAL IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR INCOME TAX LAWS, (2) ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT TO RECOVERING OUR MISUSED MONIES, AND (3) COMPLETE FISCAL TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

In the service of God and Country
14.02.2022 LISTEN

The Strategic Thinkers Network Africa (Stranek-Africa) is calling on the government to slow down on its townhall meetings for the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) after disclosing that it is costing the taxpayer over GHS89,000 per event.

The government through the Ministry of Finance and Information in the last few weeks has organised three different townhall meetings in Kumasi, Tamale, and Koforidua in a bid to provide education for the Ghanaian people on why the introduction of the levy has become necessary.

Having followed the meetings, Stranek-Africa has issued a statement stressing that the government is spending too much.

According to the Network, the monies being used to put together on the E-Levy could be saved and put to other uses.

When we take a closer look at the cost of venue, publicity, fuel for Ministers of State, Accommodation, transportation for participants, the media, branding of the venue, refreshment et cetera, it is estimated at GH 89,400 per town hall meeting according to our research.

Little drops of water they say, makes an ocean hence those monies could be saved to resolve the lingering financial issues facing the country which seems to rise day after day, parts of the release from Stranek Africa signed by Executive Director Nii Tettey Tetteh has said.

Stranek-Africa suggests that government slow down with the series of town hall meetings and resort to other means of addressing the people of Ghana with regards to the concerns of E-levy.

It recommends that the government can resort to the use of the media and information centres across the country, Municipal or District Chief Executives as well as assembly members talking to people within the district, municipality, or electoral area among others.

Read the full release from Stranek-Africa below:
A new CABI-led review has highlighted mass rearing techniques, estimated costs of mass production and release strategies for the natural enemy Telenomus remus that suggests it could be effective in the fight against the devastating fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in affected countries.

The study, published in CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, states how T. Remus has already been used against fall armyworm in the Americas for many years and is even effective against other species of the genus Spodoptera  all of which blight the crops of millions of smallholder farmers including the staple crop maize.

Fall armyworm is a significant pest of over 100 crops but favours maize. The recent CABI paper Towards estimating the economic cost of invasive alien species to African crop and livestock production, for example, estimates that in Africa the pest causes annual yield losses of around USD $9.4 billion.

Currently, in maize, the pest is predominantly controlled by pesticides or transgenic events. However, the use of biological control agents is considered the most sustainable and preferred method of control, providing high effectiveness. Among the various natural enemies reported for FAW, the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus has gained most interest.

Lead researcher Dr Yelitza Colmenarez, Centre Director at CABIs centre in Brazil, said, There is no ready-to-use package available to advise farmers in using T. remus against fall armyworm and related pests. Further studies are urgently needed to precisely determine optimal release rates, release times and frequencies, number of release points, the best stage and device for releases and other aspects such as how large the fields should be to achieve efficient pest control.

However, high egg parasitism rates together with long-term evidence from Venezuela suggest that T. remus has indeed high potential to successfully suppress fall armyworm and related pests.

If biological control of FAW and related pests with T. remus should become a viable option, release rates may need to be more closely to rates used in the 1990s in Venezuela, i.e. rates of about 5,00010,000 wasps per ha and season, unless major breakthroughs with cheaper mass production of the parasitoid are achieved.

Infested maize 4 1

Maize infested by fall armyworm (Credit: CABI).

The review also suggests that releases for individual smallholder farmers owning little land may be inefficient, but on the other hand that regional approaches could work very well.

The scientists believe that  similar to other biological control agents in field crops  the use of T. remus will best be done as a part of an Integrated Pest Management programme, avoiding broad spectrum insecticides in release fields. Both quality control of the mass reared parasitoid and an optimized, cost-efficient release strategy is crucial to a successful pest management, they say.

Dr Colmenarez added, Due to the recent invasion of fall armyworm in Africa, Asia, and Australia, T. remus provides good opportunities for the establishment of an augmentative biological control program, reinforcing sustainable production of major crops such as maize in affected countries.

When considering the use of biological control agents, it is always necessary to include an assessment of possible risks for non-target effects, particularly for exotic species. In most of those countries where T. remus may be considered for release in the future, the parasitoid has been found to be present, e.g. China, India, Australia and several African countries, so cannot be considered exotic there.

However, in regions where T. remus is not known from, its status should be carefully evaluated and appropriate risk assessment procedures followed. Altogether, T. remus releases may be having high prospects for contributing to FAW management in newly invaded areas though still challenges exist that would require further research.

Additional information

Main image: Telenomus remus provides good opportunities for the establishment of an augmentative biological control program, reinforcing sustainable production of major crops such as maize in affected countries (Copyright: G. Goergen, IITA).

Full paper reference

Colmenarez, Y.C., Babendreier, D., Ferrer Wurst, F.R. et al. The use of Telenomus remus (Nixon, 1937) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in the management of Spodoptera spp.: potential, challenges and major benefits. CABI Agric Biosci 3, 5 (2022). DOI: 10.1186/s43170-021-00071-6

You can read the paper open access here: https://cabiagbio.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s43170-021-00071-6#citeas

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Embrapa Soja, CABI Brazil and CABI Switzerland for their support. Authors also gratefully acknowledge the core financial support from the member countries (and lead agencies) of CABI (an international intergovernmental organization), including the United Kingdom (Department for International Development), China (Chinese Ministry of Agriculture), Australia (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research), Canada (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), the Netherlands (Directorate-General for International Cooperation), and Switzerland (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation). See https://www.cabi.org/what-we-do/how-we-work/cabi-donors-and-partners/ for full details.

Other relevant news story

See also the news story Scientists confirm first report of egg parasitoid in Africa to fight devastating fall armyworm.
Naomi Campbell is introducing the world to her new baby in a way that only she would  on the cover of Vogue magazine.

The iconic supermodel graces the March edition of British Vogue with her 9-month-old daughter, whose name she has not made public.

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Naomi Campbell with her daughter on the March 2022 cover of British Vogue. (Steven Meisel for British Vogue)

Photographed by famed fashion photographer Steven Meisel, who Campbell has worked with on numerous occasions throughout their 35-year friendship, the stunning cover image shows the Black beauty wearing all black holding the 9-month-old to her chest.

Th 51-year-old London native said that her daughter was taking it all in while they were shooting together on set.

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She loves the light. Shes inquisitive, she added about the toddler. She was looking at everyone  she looks at people right in the eye and for a very long time.

Naomi Campbell attends the Paris Fashion Week on January 21, 2022. (Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)

In the article, published Monday, Campbell tells writer Sarah Harris about life with her daughter and briefly touches on her daughters birth, sharing, She wasnt adopted  shes my child.

Exact details of the babys birth are unknown, and the famous clotheshorse revealed she kept the news close to the vest about what she called her biggest blessing: I can count on one hand the number of people who knew that I was having her.

I always knew that one day I would be a mother, but its the biggest joy I could ever imagine, she said elsewhere during the interview. Im lucky to have her and I know that.

In May 2021, the global ambassador for The Queens Commonwealth Trust shocked the world when she announced that she had become a new mom.

A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother, she shared on social media. So honored to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love.

The March issue of British Vogue hits stands on Feb. 22.
The ECOWAS Regional Network of National Focal Institutions Against Trafficking in Persons Plus (RNNI-TIP+) recommends ECOWAS intervenes in coordinating efforts for deeper investigation and response to address the growing Cyber-related human trafficking trend observed in some parts of the Region.

The Group urges relevant ECOWAS Departments, GIABA, Member States and Partners to convene Investigative and Analytical Casework Sessions focused on emerging TIP trends. This is coming at the end of the 14th/2021 Annual Review Meeting of the Regional Network held in Niamey, Republic of Niger.

The Director, Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, in her Welcome Address delivered by Hajiya Raheemat Momodu, Head of Human Security and Civil Society Division expressed ECOWAS delight at the commitment of the Member States to combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and related crimes towards strengthening the protection web around the individual.

She used the opportunity to inform participants of the ongoing In-country High Level Advocacy, Coordination and Capacity Building of Multi-Stakeholders on Protection and Human Security by the Department of Social Affairs and Gender, which had already taken place in The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso in 2021. She added that the plan is to implement the activity in 10 (ten) Member States in the year 2022, with the main purpose of promoting and institutionalising a whole of Government and Society approach to protection and human security. She acknowledged the collaboration between the ECOWAS Commission and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and appreciated the support of the OCWAR-T Project for the organisation of the Annual Review Meeting.

In her Goodwill Message delivered virtually, the ICMPD Head of Region, Dr. Mojisola Sodeinde, stated that migration is about people and that her Organisation is committed to improving the benefits of migration for the development of the region. She stated that the Annual Review Meeting organised by the ECOWAS Commission in close collaboration with the ICMPD stands out as a model. The EU Delegation in Niger, represented by Deputy Head of Delegation, Ms. Jamile EL ASSAIDI, called for accelerated development of Regional Instruments towards the protection of victims of human trafficking and the most vulnerable in the region.

In her Remarks, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Niger, Her Excellency, Madam Liliane ALAPINI, stated that the focus on protection and human security has greater significance now, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She maintained that related vulnerabilities and victimization such as Violence Against Children (VAC), Child Marriage, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) are all consequential in tackling the subject of TIP plus in West Africa. Remarks from the Ministry of Justice, Niger was delivered by the Director General ANLTP, the TIP Focal Institution, Mr. Ousmane MAMANE; while that of the Coordinator, ECOWAS National Office in Niger was delivered by Mr. Ousmane Ali BOUKAR. Both speakers called for concerted efforts by all the stakeholders towards the eradication of human trafficking in the region and reiterated the commitment of the Republic of Niger in this regard.

The 3-day meeting featured presentations by Member States on the implementation of 2021 TIP Priorities and ECOWAS TIP 2018-2022 Plan of Action; as well as their 2022 Priorities, which showed progress in the combat of TIP+ despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some recommendations proffered include deployment of modern technologies; change of orientation strategies, common sensitisation messaging especially when engaging with the youth population; and implementation of program on analysis of Member States Criminal Justice and Social Services Architecture towards the eradication of TIP Plus in the region.

Participants include representatives of ECOWAS Commission, Member States anti-TIP focal Institutions, Office of the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Niger, ECOWAS National Office in Niger, ICMPD, GIZ, International Social Service-West Africa, and other partners.

---ECOWAS
Sudanese security forces fired tear gas Monday at protesters rallying against last year's military coup and the arrest of several political figures and pro-democracy activists, an AFP correspondent said.

Regular mass protests have rocked the troubled northeast African nation since an October 25 military takeover led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The power grab derailed a fragile power-sharing agreement between the army and civilians negotiated after the 2019 ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir, and despite international pressure, authorities have shown little inclination to compromise, as arrests of civilian leaders have proliferated lately.

Thousands of demonstrators rallied in the capital Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman on Monday, AFP reporters said, while protests also took place in the eastern city of Port Sudan and in the western Darfur region, according to witnesses.

In Khartoum, protesters carried Sudanese flags and red balloons as well as banners that read: "Today is the nation's love day" as the rallies coincided with Valentine's Day.

Other shouted slogans demanding authorities release figures arrested since the October military power grab.

"We are demanding the release of resistance committee members and politicians who were unjustly arrested and some of whom are facing fabricated charges," protester Khaled Mohamed told AFP.

Security forces fired tear gas at crowds who rallied near the presidential palace in central Khartoum, an AFP correspondent said.

Tear gas was also fired at protesters in Omdurman and North Khartoum, witnesses said.

Hunger strike

Sudanese protesters in Omdurman, one of several cities where anti-coup demonstrations took place on Monday. By - AFP

Detainees in Soba prison in Khartoum's periphery entered a hunger strike to protest against prison conditions, the independent Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said.

"Some have been detained without facing charges and others still await investigations," this group said in a statement.

Since the coup, authorities have arrested many activists who belong to so-called resistance committees who have been instrumental in organising protests.

"The number of people detained arbitrarily and without criminal charges has exceeded 100," the Sudanese Professionals Association said Monday.

The group, which also calls for anti-coup protests, said the detainees are aged between 16 and 60.

On Sunday, Sudanese authorities arrested Mohamed al-Fekki, a civilian former member of the ruling Sovereign Council which led the country under the 2019 power-sharing agreement.

Last week, authorities arrested ex-minister Khaled Omar Youssef and Wagdi Saleh, the spokesman of Sudan's main civilian bloc, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC).

Those arrests came just a day after they joined an FFC delegation for talks with UN special representative Volker Perthes, as part of efforts launched last month to resolve Sudan's deepening crisis.

Demonstrators on Monday also held up pictures of protesters killed since the October coup.

The doctors' committee says at least 79 people have been killed and hundreds wounded in a crackdown on the pro-democracy demonstrators.

On Saturday, Burhan said investigations were underway to determine who was behind those deaths.
Civil Society Organisation (CSO), OneGhana Movement is asking the Ghana Police Service to accord embattled FixTheCountry convener Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor all his rights as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

The activist was arraigned before the Ashaiman District Court on Monday, February 14, 2022, after his arrest, last Friday over a publication made on social media where he allegedly threatened to stage a coup if the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) is passed by Parliament.

While the case is adjourned to Monday, February 28, 2022, OneGhana Movement has issued a statement asking the Police to treat Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor with absolute human dignity.

We commend the Police for its initial steps into investigating the publication of Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor. We, however, demand that he is accorded his full rights guaranteed under the Constitution and treated with absolute human dignity in the management of the investigations or prosecution, if any, part of the One Ghana Movement issued on Monday, February 14 has said.

Meanwhile, the Movement stresses that it condemns the statement by the FixTheCountry convener that has led to his arrest and prosecution.

We, therefore, condemn in no uncertain terms the publication by Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor indicating that he will "do the coup'" himself. As a lawyer and a significant personality in the forefront of thought leadership and constructive socio-economic change, we believe Mr. Vormawor must have known better and acted responsibly as a citizen of Ghana, the statement adds.

One Ghana Movement urge Ghanaians to desist from making pronouncements that directly or indirectly, promote, aid, demand, or incite, any attempt to overthrow our constitution.

We should be reminded that while we have rights as citizens, our rights come with responsibilities, and we must live up to them for the betterment of Ghana, the One Ghana Movement statement concludes.

Read the full statement below:
14.02.2022 LISTEN

The press release on the Appiatse incident report dated on February 7, 2022 should not be accepted by Ghanaians, especially the good people of Appiatse, because of its shameful, heartless and disappointing nature. Technically, the whole 6-paged release looks incomplete, amateurish, shocking and indicates a display of a cover-up to prevent certain perpetrators from receiving consequences resulting from their negligence and non-compliance. The explosives disaster happened in Ghana on January 20, 2022, when an explosives truck carrying ANFO from MAXAM Companys site in Tarkwa to Kinross Chirano Mine site, exploded to kill 13 people, caused various degrees of injuries, rendered hundreds of people homeless and collapsed the whole Appiatse Commnity. In my humble opinion, all the affected people of the Appiatse incident should be properly indemnified physically, emotionally psychologically and financially with adequate resource mobilization.

The Ministers US$6.0 million fine imposed on MAXAM company for breaching the explosives regulations is a pittance and I therefore write to admonish all Ghanaians, whether home or abroad to reject the half-baked press release, which has the potentials to worsen the woes of the public in terms of setting a bad precedent for the future. Comparing with compensations awarded to communities that experienced similar disaster in other countries, the Appiatse people deserve a minimum of US$350 million. It must be noted that, previous breaches by MAXAM in 2017 means under international human rights law, that the governments failure to act to prevent these foreseeable risks to life is a violation of the rights to life.

From a professional stance, this horrific explosion could have been prevented if the international standard processes and procedures for transporting explosives were stringently followed. As I stated in my preliminary opinion on the unfortunate explosion, the tragic incident that happened was due to negligence, regulatory lapses and institutional failures. Considering the entirety of the press release, it is clear that the causes of the catastrophic incident were as a result of these three factors. The disaster took away thirteen (13) lives, caused various degrees of injuries of over hundreds of people, rendered lots of residents homeless, destroyed uncountable properties and collapsed the whole Appiatse Community. It is similar to past incidents in other countries, where the responsible mining companies were ordered to pay billions of United States dollars.

As a follow up to the incident which happened on January 20, 2022, the Sector Minister in Charge of Mining in Ghana instructed the Minerals Commission, which is the regulator of the mining industry to conduct investigations. Also, the Minister constituted a three-member committee to carry out independent investigations into the matter to confirm the Minerals Commissions findings. The two separate reports were submitted to the Minister in less than two weeks after the incident. Strangely, the two reports from which the press release was excerpted, have not yet been disclosed to the public for unknown reasons. Upon reviewing the reports, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources established that MAXAM Ghana Limited committed regulatory breaches that led to the tragic incident, with respect to the manufacture, storage and transportation of the explosives.

Per the Legislative Instrument (LI 2177) which is the law governing all explosive activities in Ghana, MAXAMs breaches should have attracted fines up to US$10,000. Considering the nature and the totality of the incident, the Minister in his wisdom imposed a total administrative fine of US$6.0 million on MAXAM. He needs to be commended for this swift action. The company is expected to pay an initial US$1.0 million before the restoration of its operating permit and then settle the remaining within 18 months, ending on August 1, 2023. However, I think the installment payment should be scrapped since the fine should not only be based on financial capacity of the MAXAM in Ghana but the companys group which is well resourced to pay the peanuts imposed on them.

From the press release, the fine to be paid is without prejudice to any criminal or civil liability that MAXAM may be subject to. This means, any individual or group of people from the accident area can initiate a lawsuit against MAXAM and the other two companies whose truck caused the disaster. Again, in order for the company to operate in safe manner, compliance measures were set by the Minister as guidelines for MAXAM to strictly follow. Surprisingly, the Ministers press release was silent on the regulatory breaches and possible sanctions against the local explosives transporting contractors, Jocyderk Logistics Limited and Arthanns Enterprise Transport Services, whose truck was directly involved in the incident.

It is on record that MAXAM company contracted these local entities to transport their explosives on the highway from Tarkwa to Chirano Mine, considering the 30% local content policy. Although, MAXAM sublet its transportation duty to these local companies, it had the oversight responsibility to ensure that they adhered to strict health, safety and environment standards to protect lives and properties. Analyzing the press release critically, it can be deduced that the two committees work in less than two weeks are questionable in terms of:

The quantification of loss of lives and injuries associated with the tragic incident. The evaluation of social and cultural losses of the Appiatse community. Failure to recognize that the cost of the environmental degradation from the explosion alone will be over hundreds of millions of dollars. The factors that the Minister considered in the reports to justify the US$ 6 million fine. The credibility of the report from the Minerals Commission, which is itself implicated in the disaster, because of the suspected neglect of duty from their part as well. The publics trust in the chairman of independent committee, whose tenure as the CEO of Minerals Commission in 2012, approved the LI 2012 with various regulatory lapses. Details in the two reports to justify the imposition of sanctions and possible prosecutions of the explosives transport contractors and some officials from the Minerals Commission. Failure to explain the incomplete investigations with findings on the part of Arthanns Transport Company and appropriate sanctions announced? How long does the public have to wait for this? Failure by the Minister to cite the exact breaches of regulations on the part of MAXAM Company to justify the fine and determine subsequent prosecution. Reluctance by the Ministry to disclose the two committees reports to the public.

Although the Minister should be commended for applying his veto powers to determine the administrative fine, which is far more than the stipulated amounts in the laws, the criteria for the fine should have been backed by current assessment of damages. Again, details of the professional assessment of the losses should have been detailed in the press release to convince the public. Seriously, the fine must reflect international standards, based on past experiences in other countries that led to fines worth billions of US dollars. Failure to drastically penalize the perpetrators will set a bad precedent for any unforeseen future occurrence.

In my view, reparation and damage clean up impositions on some mining companies for causing similar disasters in other countries, should have been studied and analyzed to serve as guidelines to ensure that informed and acceptable decisions were taken before defining any sanction in connection with the catastrophic disaster. The fine stated in the press release was far below standards and had conflicting reflection on the quantum of the calamitous disaster. The current Ghana government will render serious disservice to the people of Appiatse, if it fails to ensure that the right compensations are rewarded to the people.

Concerning the fine, Vale Iron Ore Mine disaster in Brazil that happened on January 25, 2019 (https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/judge-orders-vale-pay-victims-families-2019-mining-disaster-2021-06-10/) and (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55924743), involving tailings dam collapse that led to two hundred and seventy (270) loss of lives could be used as an example. In addition, Samarco Iron Ore Mine tailings dam collapse which occurred in Brazil on November 5, 2015 that killed nineteen (19) people could be used as a benchmark to determine the fines for MAXAMs negligence (https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN0W42WP).

Moreover, the punishments meted out to perpetrators of a deadly methane blast in a coal mining company in Russia on November 27, 2021 (https://www.rferl.org/amp/russia-kemerovo-mining-disaster-investigation/31582405.html), could be used as a reference to initiate prosecution processes for those whose neglect of duty caused the disaster. All in all, the Brazilian and Russian governments ensured that charges and fines were imposed on the responsible companies and the people connected to the three disasters, in order to calm down public emotions and helped in building new lives on the rubbles of unprecedented tragedies.

On February 4, 2021, the Brazilian government went into agreement with Vale Mining Company to pay US$ 7 billion to the community hit by the disaster, where about two hundred and seventy (270) people were killed. Also, the family of each deceased employee was compensated with US$197,240. The responsible senior staff of the company whose carelessness caused the disaster faced murder charges. Again, Vale was instructed to fully repair all environmental damages, including clean-up of the Paraopeba river, sewage treatment, landfill, reforestation, among others.

On March 2, 2016, the Brazilian government estimated US$ 5.1 billion in damages to be paid by the Samarco Mining Company for the deadly tailings dam spill that took away 19 lives, destroyed about 200 homes, rendered hundreds of people homeless and polluted the major river in the area. Also, charges of manslaughter and environmental damages were filed against twenty-one (21) executives of the company. Besides, the fine did not cover private civil lawsuits and other criminal investigations.

A court in the city of Kemerovo in Russia on November 27, 2021, ruled to jail three officials of Listvyazhnaya Coal Mining Company to face a maximum of seven (7) years in prison for violating industrial safety requirements for hazards production facilities that resulted in multiple deaths. These are the companys director, Sergei Makhrakov, his deputy, Andrei Molostvov and the section supervisor, Sergei Gerasimyonok. Additionally, two other people, Sergei Vinokurov and Vyacheslav Semykin, who were officials of the local branch of Russias state technology and ecology watchdog, were jailed to face up to seven (7) years in prison for their negligence that led to the disaster. These two officials issued a certificate for the mines operation within the month that the incident occurred, without actually checking the facility. The methane explosion killed forty-six (46) miners and five (5) rescuers.

Considering these previous similar tragic incidents and their corresponding compensations, prosecutions and environmental liabilities imposed on the parties involved, it is hopeful that the Ghana government will ensure that better decisions are taken to enable the people of Appiatse to deserve better. Furthermore, all persons whose negligence caused the catastrophic disaster should face the full strictness of the law to serve as deterrent to others, thereby preventing possible future recurrence. Due to the public doubts in the current investigative reports, a trustworthy independent investigation team should be immediately constituted to conduct thorough inquiry into the explosion and provide acceptable recommendations for implementation.

In my opinion, the public will wholeheartedly welcome such a credible report from the trusted independent committee. Proper sanctions and fines should be slapped on the companies and institution(s) involved, as well as legitimate punishments meted out to individuals whose neglect of duty led to the disaster. With these, the psychological trauma of the Appiatse people will be minimized and help in building new lives on the rubbles of the unprecedented tragedy that visited them. More importantly, stern punishments will serve as wake-up call to all public and private sector workers in Ghana, who neglect their duties to cause avoidable accidents.

Solomon Owusu, PhD.

(Mining Engineering & Mineral Economics Consultant)

Colorado, USA.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sylvester Asare has explained to the Ashaiman District Court circumstances leading to the police detaining Lawyer Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormarwor for more than 48 hours.

The accused, according to DSP Asare, has been detained for 52 hours beyond the within 48 hours allowed by the law.

The leading member of the Fixthecountry movement was picked up by the police at the Kotoka International Airport on Friday, February 11 and was charged for treason felony on Monday morning.

In court on Monday, February 14, 2022, DSP Asare while responding to a question from Her Honour Eleanor Kakra Barnes Botwe, the sitting judge on why the accused was detained for more than 48 hours, he said they made the effort but it proved futile.

According to DSP Asare, they placed an official request to the office of the Chief Justice to constitute a court on Saturday but there was no response.

He added that they tried all other means to have the accused arraigned over the weekend but we did not get any response from the Chief Justice.

DSP Asare also expressed surprise with the defense lawyers allegations that, they were not allowed to see their client.

According to him, he together with his senior Lawyer Akoto Ampaw and Dr Justice Srem Sai were at the Ashaiman District Commanders office on Sunday trying to get a court for the accused to be arraigned.

He described the allegations as baseless and untrue.

The court presided over by Her Honour Eleanor Kakra Barnes Botwe while adjourning the case to February 28, urged the police to treat the accused person well.

The court also urged the media and the general public to be mindful of their commentaries and trust in the justiciary to do a good job.

---kasapafmonline
US marines take part in the joint military exercises with the Kenyan Army near Lamu, Kenya. PEDRO UGARTEAFP via - Source:

14.02.2022 LISTEN

The frequency of terrorist attacks within Kenya's Lamu County on the border with Somalia has been alarming. Frequent kidnappings there were the ostensible reason Kenya invaded Somalia in 2011. Three years later, the seaside county was the scene of a deadly attack in which 48 were killed during an Al-Shabaab siege.

Lamu is in the news again. In January this year, the government declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew amidst a wave of killings . Several terrorist attacks have also been carried out.

Here are the five reasons why Lamu County is a constant target of Al-Shabaab militants:

1. Unique topography

The natural and physical features of Lamu county offer an ideal setting for political violence, including insurgency and terrorism. It is one of the counties that border Somalia. Its expansive Boni Forest comprises about 21.4% of the county's land area.

Lamu's proximity to Somalia, and the Boni Forest , therefore makes it conducive for Al-Shabaab's infiltration. The forest provides a haven for military training and a staging point for hit and run tactics.

The short distance to Somalia also makes it easy for terrorists to move illicit weapons that can be used for such crimes. Hotspots of violent extremism and terrorism in Lamu include, Pandanguo Basuba, Boni Forest, Pangani, Gamba, Milihoi, Bargoni, Mpeketoni, Amu, Witu, Kiunga, Faza, Pate, Siu and Dar es salaam Point

2. Land Tenure

Competition for land is another significant factor that creates opportunities for Al-Shabaab operations in Lamu. Land disputes in Lamu are historical and contemporary. The tensions between the indigenous and non-indigenous communities are influenced by several historical and contemporary factors. In Mpeketoni, the scene of the deadly 2014 attack, land disputes spring from the settlement of communities from other parts of Kenya.

Topping this list is local level politics. Local leaders tend to politicise land ownership. This is due to the perception that non-indigenous communities in some parts of the county have significant influence on local political decisions and electoral outcomes.

This politisation fuels land grievances and political intolerance. This leads to the emergence of organised militias at the local level. This provides ideal conditions for Al-Shabaab to advance its agenda  by using such militias as proxies and affiliates.

Non-indigenous communities often complain that some of the attacks are conducted by locals who appear to have military training.

3. Religious diversity

Related to the settlement tension is the issue of religion in Lamu. Originally, the county was overwhelmingly Muslim like other counties bordering Somalia  Garissa, Mandera and Wajir  where 98% are Muslim.

However, the historical and contemporary migration of non-indigenous communities have contributed to religious diversity in the county. Today the Muslim population comprises 51%, Christian 47% and other religious groups at 2%.

The religious diversity provides an ideal opportunity for Al-Shabaab to advance its divisive political ideology through radicalisation of the local population. Attacks seek to symbolise the militants' ideological aims and objectives of creating an Islamic Caliphate in the Horn of Africa.

Al-Shabaab also often targets non-Muslims in the hope of creating interfaith tension. That is why Al-Shabaab prefers to attack areas that have large non-indigenous populations.

4. Tourist attractions

Al-Shabaab's operations target Lamu because of the symbolic significance of tourism in the county. The county is one of Kenya's top beach, festival and agro-tourism destinations. This is because of its rich marine ecology, terrestrial wildlife and pristine beaches. Others are water sports, cultural and heritage assets as well as its religious, cultural and food festivals.

More significant is that Lamu County is a popular destination for tourists from various Western states. Al-Shabaab targets tourists from Western states in Lamu and other coastal areas for both symbolic and economic reasons.

As part of its war tactics , the attacks involve kidnapping tourists for ransom. They are also designed to attract international media attention.

The group requires such a profile as part of its financing strategy. It is also part of Al-Shabaab's strategy of sabotaging both the Lamu's and Kenya's economy.

5. High-profile projects and military bases

Al-Shabaab's attacks also target large-scale development and defence infrastructure. The most notable public project is the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport corridor (LAPSSET). This project which seeks to link Lamu port to South Sudan and Ethiopia  via rail and roads  is the single largest infrastructure undertaking in the eastern Africa region.

Other targets include military personnel and assets stationed in Lamu. They include Kenyan and US military bases at Manda Bay. The Kenya Navy Manda Bay base serves as a national, regional and global military installation.

Given that Al-Shabaab is now a transnational actor, and a threat to domestic and regional security, Manda Bay base has been used as a launching pad for several major counter-terrorism operations.

The Manda Bay military facility is also used by the US Department of Defence as a forward operating location. It falls under the operational control of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, based in Djibouti.

Lastly, attacking Lamu port , and the military facilities used by the Kenya Defence Forces and the US military, is part of Al-Shabaab's symbolic response to Kenya's state-led development initiatives and global counter-terrorism operations.

On January 2020, Al-Shabaab attacked Manda Bay and killed one US military service member and two contractors. The militants also destroyed aircraft and infrastructure. This was Al-Shabaab's first and most fatal attack, beyond Somalia, on a US military facility in Africa since 2017.

Oscar Gakuo Mwangi 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 Oscar Gakuo Mwangi, Associate Professor, Political Science, National University of Lesotho
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has described as unprofessional and irresponsible the comments from Madina Member of Parliament (MP) Francis Xavier Sosu describing members of the bench as 'political judges.'

Engaging the media on the sidelines of the Yentua demonstration organised by the Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) last week, the MP indicated that the next NDC government would deal with all political judges when it returns to power.

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, the MP told journalists.

Having watched a video of the interview, the GBA says it finds the assertion by Francis Xavier Sosu very unprofessional, unfortunate, irresponsible, distasteful, and same smacks of deep-seated ignorance, as the tenure of judges per the Constitution, 1992, and other relevant laws, is never in any way whatsoever tied to the tenure of the political regime under which judges are appointed.

The GBA adds that it takes a dim view of the very unprofessional conduct of Francis Xavier Sosu and deems the same as an unwarranted, unnecessary, and unjustified attack on judges.

GBA views as unprofessional, irresponsible, and totally out of place for a Lawyer to make utterances in the nature of those by Francis Xavier Sosu.

The GBA wishes to strongly advise ALL lawyers, irrespective of their status in society, to refrain from visiting unwarranted and unnecessary attack on members of the Judiciary and Judges for that matter, part of a GBA release on the matter reads.

The GBA advise lawyers to always be circumspect and make strenuous efforts to make or give a true representation of the position of the law on each and every matter at all times.

Read the GBA release below:
Sudanese security forces shot dead a protester Monday as they cracked down on thousands marching against last year's military coup and the arrest of several pro-democracy activists, medics said.

Regular mass protests have rocked the troubled northeast African nation since an October 25 military takeover led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the death on Monday takes the number killed to at least 80.

The power grab derailed a fragile power-sharing agreement between the army and civilians negotiated after the 2019 ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir.

On Monday, thousands rallied in the capital Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman, AFP reporters said, while protests also took place in the eastern city of Port Sudan and in the western Darfur region, according to witnesses.

In Khartoum, protests had begun with crowds waving national flags and carrying red balloons -- as the rallies coincided with Valentine's Day.

"Today is the nation's love day," one banner read.

Some shouted slogans demanding the authorities release activists who have been arrested, while others carried pictures of protesters killed.

"We are demanding the release of resistance committee members and politicians who were unjustly arrested, and some of whom are facing fabricated charges," protester Khaled Mohamed told AFP.

But as crowds tried to approach the presidential palace, security forces fired volleys of tear gas canisters.

One protester was killed after he was shot in "the neck and chest by live rounds by coup forces," the independent Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said.

Tear gas was also fired at protesters in Omdurman and North Khartoum, witnesses said.

Hunger strike

Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By AFP

While Sudan has repeatedly denied opening fire on protesters, Human Rights Watch has quoted witnesses detailing how the security forces have used both "live ammunition" and fired tear gas canisters "directly" at crowds, a tactic that can be deadly at close-quarters.

The authorities have also arrested scores of activists accused of belonging to the "resistance committees" who have been instrumental in organising protests.

"The number of people detained arbitrarily and without criminal charges has exceeded 100," the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) said Monday.

The SPA, which also calls for anti-coup protests, said the detainees are aged between 16 and 60.

In Khartoum's Soba prison, detainees launched a hunger strike to protest against prison conditions, the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said.

"Some have been detained without facing charges, and others still await investigations," the medics said in a statement.

Sudanese protesters in Omdurman, one of several cities where anti-coup demonstrations took place on Monday. By - AFP

On Sunday, authorities arrested Mohamed al-Fekki, a civilian former member of the ruling Sovereign Council, which led the country under the now stalled 2019 power-sharing agreement.

Last week, authorities arrested ex-minister Khaled Omar Youssef and Wagdi Saleh, the spokesman of Sudan's main civilian bloc, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC).

Those arrests came just a day after they joined an FFC delegation for talks with UN special representative Volker Perthes, as part of efforts to resolve Sudan's deepening crisis.

The October military power grab, the latest coup in Sudan since the independence, has sparked wide international condemnation and punitive measures -- but authorities have shown little inclination to compromise.
US-based Ghanaian legal practitioner, Prof. Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, is challenging the decision of the police to charge FixTheCountry convener, Oliver Barker-Vormawor with treason felony.

The FixTheCountry convener allegedly threatened to stage a coup if the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy popularly known as E-levy is passed into law.

According to Prof. Azar, the constitution clearly spells out what actions constitute treason, and based on the comments by Mr. Baker-Vormawor, there is no indication that his comment, however offensive, comes close to being considered treasonable.

You must declare war or assist, incite or conspire with another country or person to declare war against Ghanafuo or you must attempt, not by words, hyperbole or satire, but by force of arms or some other violent means to overthrow the organs of government, or you must take part in either the war or the overthrow, he said in a Facebook post on Monday.

I find comments made by Osagyefo on coup and army as despicable but find that those statements come nowhere near being treasonous, he added.

While indicating his support for keeping the government in check and ensuring public accountability, Prof. Azar condemned threats of coups to topple a government.

Mr. Barker-Vormawor was arrested on Friday, February 11, at the Kotoka International Airport upon his return to the country.

According to a police statement, his arrest was necessitated following a comment he made on the social media platforms to the effect that he would stage a coup if the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy popularly known as E-levy is passed into law.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor made the post after pictures of the E-levy cake at the Majority Leader's 65th birthday party went viral.

He made his first appearance in court today [Monday, February 14, 2022]. Mr. Barker-Vormawors lawyer, Akoto Ampaw, prayed the court to grant him bail but the prosecutor, ASP Sylvester Asare, opposed the plea and asked that he be remanded due to the nature of the case.

He was consequently remanded to police custody and is expected to reappear on February 28, 2022.

Read Prof. Azars post below:

Treason is a unique crime. First, it is the only crime defined by the Constitution. Second, it is tried by a high court, consisting of 3 Judges. Third, the conviction must be unanimous.

The Constitution's definition of treason and the requirement for a unanimous 3-judge panel for conviction are intended to prevent its abuse and misuse by the government against people engaged in legitimate political opposition.

This is why Article 19(18) loudly says An act which aims at procuring by constitutional means an alteration of the law or of the policies of the Government shall not be considered as an act calculated to overthrow the organs of government.

What then is treason?

According to the Constitution, treason shall consist ONLY (a) in levying war against Ghana or assisting any state, or person or inciting or conspiring with any person to levy war against Ghana; or (b) in attempting by force of arms or other violent means to overthrow the organs of government established by or under this Constitution; or (c) in taking part or being concerned in or inciting or conspiring with any person to make or take part or be concerned in, any such attempt.

You must declare war or assist, incite or conspire with another country or person to declare war against Ghanafuo or you must attempt, not by words, hyperbole, or satire, but by force of arms or some other violent means to overthrow the organs of government, or you must take part in either the war or the overthrow.

In effect, treason is not some petty charge to be thrown about whenever the security services find a statement that uses war, overthrow, or both. Levying war means actual waging of war and force of arms means a force of arms!

Law enforcement had no business charging Kennedy Agyepong with treason when he verbally declared war in reaction to attacks on NPP supporters during the 2012 biometric registration exercise.

At that time, I condemned his comments as despicable and unbecoming of a legislator but opined that it came nowhere near being treasonous as defined by the Constitution.

Likewise, I find comments made by Osagyefo on coup and army as despicable but find that those statements come nowhere near being treasonous. We have a duty to hold the government and other officeholders accountable and can discharge this duty without veiled references to coup and overthrow of the Constitution.

GOGO also condemns the security forces for failing to follow due process by holding Osagyefo longer than the stipulated 48 hours.

GOGO calls on the judiciary to start protecting the citizens' due process rights by holding the police accountable for violations, including releasing accused persons as a consequence of violating their due process rights. The Police will never take the due process seriously if they know there is no penalty for violating it.

---citinewsroom
The family of the slain social media activist Ibrahim Mohammed popularly known as Kaaka has expressed worry over the arrest and prosecution of Oliver Barker-Vormawor, convener of the #FixTheCountry movement who also doubles as the familys lead counsel.

Speaking to Joy News, the family stated that, Oliver Barker Vormawor was the lead counsel for the lawyers who were representing them in seeking justice for their deceased son, Kaaka.

The spokesperson for the family Mohammed Nafiu stated that Oliver upon his arrival from the UK had asked to see him at 6pm on the same day he was arrested.

According to him, he grew worried when he heard about his arrest which meant that his brothers case was going to suffer delays in court.

The family is not taking it easy at all with his arrest. Actually, on that fateful Friday, I was in Accra waiting for him so I had a call from him saying he was coming to Ghana and so I should meet him latest by 6pm. So I was in Accra that fateful Friday only for me to get a call from Felicity saying that he had been arrested by the police and I was not happy at all, he stated.

He added that Oliver had been very helpful to the family since the beginning of the trial. He added that the #FixTheCountry convener assisted the family financially and in any way, he could.

Im very interested in the case of Oliver because actually, he is our family lawyer and lead counsel although he has never appeared here in court concerning our case, but he leads the course. All the lawyers are aware that he is the lead counsel. The family is not taking it easy, but there are other counsels. With him, in the FixTheCountry movement in general we are sure that the Almighty Allah will see him through, he intimated

Oliver Barker Vormawor was arrested on February 12 by the police for allegedly posting on social media that he would stage a coup himself if the Electronic Transactional Levy (E-levy) was passed.

He has since been charged with treason felony and has been remanded to reappear on February 28.
New Jersey Senator and onetime presidential candidate Cory Booker and actress-activist Rosario Dawson have called it quits on their two-plus-year relationship, long-rumored reports confirm.

While reported in Marie Claire last fall, the split was only just confirmed to People by a source close to Booker. The source told People that while the two arent dating any more, they remain good friends. Neither was commenting to media on Sunday.

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Cory Booker, left, and Rosario Dawson attend the Los Angeles premiere of "Zombieland: Double Tap" at the Regency Village Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Booker, 52, and Dawson, 42, had been together since sometime in 2019, months after first meeting. The night they reconnected, they talked for hours and hours, Booker told The Washington Post that year.

The two both have busy schedules and are frequently apart, and apparently weekly meet-ups, Facetime calls and cozy phone calls with Booker reading to Dawson and sending her music proved no match for the couples active schedules, even after Dawson moved into his New Jersey home in May 2021, after waiting for the initial pandemic wave to subside.

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Before that, they had been quarantining separately, as Dawson was spending much of lockdown with her at-risk parents, including her father who is battling pancreatic cancer.
Pressure group, OneGhana Movement has condemned the alleged coup comments by FixTheCountry convener Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor that has landed him into trouble.

The activist on Monday, February 14, 2022, was arraigned before the Ashaiman District and charged with treason felony.

The charge has been slapped on Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor after a social media post last week where he gave an indication that he would embark on a coup if the Electronic Transaction Levy was approved by Parliament.

Referencing how the citizenry must at all times defend the Constitution against any attempt to suspend or overthrow the government, OneGhana Movement has condemned the pronouncements of the FixTheCountry convener.

Article 3 (4) of the 1992 constitution enjoins all citizens of Ghana to at all times, as a matter of duty, defend this Constitution against any attempt to suspend or overthrow it.

Citizens must therefore not at any time, directly or indirectly, be promoting, aiding, demanding, inciting, or organising any attempt to overthrow our constitution. We, therefore, condemn in no uncertain terms the publication by Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor indicating that he will "do the coup'" himself, part of a press release issued by the OneGhana Movement has said.

Meanwhile, the Movement demands Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor be accorded his full rights guaranteed under the Constitution and treated with absolute human dignity in the management of the investigations or prosecution if any.

Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor will reappear in court on Monday, February 28, 2022.

Read the full release from OneGhana Movement below:
A gang of drug traffickers have been arrested through a joint operation by Ghanaian officials and their counterparts from the United Kingdom (UK).

The arrest led to the seizure of 38 kilograms of cocaine, estimated to be valued at 2.88 million.

The suspects are; Eric Kusi Appiah, 51; Albert Kaakyire Gyamfi, 52; Jennifer Agyemang, 38 years; and Julius Tetteh Puplampu, 56 years.

A statement released by the Narcotics Control Commission said it began looking into the activities of the syndicate, which was moving the banned substance through the Kotoka International Airport in January 2021.

Eric Kusi Appiah, was the first to be arrested. He was arrested at Heathrow Airport after moving cocaine from Ghana hidden in food boxes.

The arrest prompted more collaboration between the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission.

On 14 May 2021, Albert Kaakyire Gyamfi and Jennifer Agyemang travelled through KIA to the UK and as part of the operational strategy, Albert Kaakyire Gyamfi and Jennifer Agyemang were allowed to travel to UK. Upon their arrival at Heathrow Airport, on 15 May 2021, they were arrested for attempting to traffic into UK fifteen kilogrammes (15kgs) of cocaine worth one million one hundred thousand pound sterling (1.1 million). The cocaine was found concealed in the base of the suitcase of Jennifer Agyemang. Forensic analysis also revealed a high reading of cocaine on the suitcase of Albert Kaakyire Gyamfi, the statement said.

Julius Tetteh Puplampu, who is said to be an ex-convict who was jailed 10 years in 2012 for the same offence in Ghana, was also arrested at Heathrow after trafficking cocaine from Ghana by concealing it at the base of his suitcase.

On 7 December 2021, two more individuals linked to the syndicate were arrested in Ghana for their involvement in the case, the statement said.

Eric Appiah and Albert Kaakyire Gyamfi have since been jailed nine years. Jennifer Agyemang was sentenced to six (6) years and nine (9) months imprisonment.

On Thursday, 10 February 2022, Julius Tetteh Puplampu, was also sentenced to six (6) years and nine (9) months imprisonment.

The Narcotics Control Commission has expressed satisfaction with the collaboration with the UK authorities.

It says it is committed to protecting the country's borders from criminal drug syndicates.

---citinewsroom
President Emmanuel Macron met with his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday to discuss trade and business deals ahead of the European Union-African Union summit in Brussels at the end of the week.

The meeting is part of Suluhu's extended visit to Europe, which included the One Ocean summit in Brest last week.

Suluhu has hinted that Tanzania will be signing the East Africa Commission-EU trade agreement this week, at the AU-EU summit on Thursday.

Although Suluhu is from the same party as late president John Magufuli, some had hoped for a major sea change in domestic and international policy after his death in March 2021.

Changes have been slow, but a number of announcements this month has shown that her view from Tanzania is more moderate than Magufuli, who was often described as 'despotic'.

Freedom of speech

Tanzania announced last week that it was lifting the ban of four newspapers, Daima, Mawio, Mwanahalisi and Mseto, that had ceased publishing in 2016 and 2017 for reporting on human rights violations and exposing alleged corruption.

Now that the ban on these newspapers has been lifted, the Tanzanian authorities must immediately repeal the Media Services Act to ensure that independent media outlets can operate freely, and carry out their work without fear of reprisals, Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes said in a statement.

The government had used the Media Services Act and the Newspaper Act to punish meida outlets that were critical of the Magufuli presidency, or to shed light on issues of governance.

Healthcare

Another announcement from Tanzania late last month on reporting Covid-19 cases was also a positive development. In a statement, Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said that Covid-19 cases would be reported on a weekly basis.

The country started administering Covid vaccines since last July, and by January 2022, four percent of the population has been vaccinated.

With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tanzania under Magufuli refused to acknowledge that the coronavirus was present in the country.

Tanzania was one of the few countries globally that denied the existence of Covid-19, as Magufuli insisted that it had been prayed out of Tanzania. Under his helm, he declined vaccines from various donors.

Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), an AU body, had repeatedly called on Tanzania to report their cases of Covid-19 since the pandemic started.

Magufuli, who officially died of heart disease on 17 March 2021, was rumoured to have died of Covid.

More reforms needed

While Suluhu reached out to opposition figures after becoming president following Magufuli's death, her more moderate stance has not proven to be consistent across the board.

Opposition party leader Freeman Mbowe is currently on trial for terrorism charges. The Chadema party leader was arrested last July, but his case has dragged though court, the most recent delay just last week after police witnesses repeatedly called in sick, stalling the judicial process. The case was slated to resume Monday.

Another sticking point for activists remains the blogger tax imposed during the Magufuli regime that requires bloggers and owners of websites to register with the government and pay roughly 800 per year to operate.
The Board of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), has urged Management and Staff to remain calm and refrain from granting interviews which may cast aspersions on any person or groups either within or outside the company.

The Board has further urged management and staff of the company to continue to work in harmony and remain focused on consolidating the gains BOST has made in recent times.

A statement signed by Mr. Ekow Hackman, BOST Board Chairman, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tema, said the security agencies have commenced investigations into the laying of wreaths at the entrance of its Head Office.

Wreaths bearing the name of the Managing Director, Mr. Edwin Provencal, were laid in front of the Head Office building at the early hours of Monday, February 7, 2022. The wreaths, which had the inscriptions, RIP Mr. Edwin Provencal, Rest well are believed to have been laid by some unidentified persons.

The board has therefore asked its management and staff to remain calm as investigations continue.

The Board would like to use this opportunity to inform all stakeholders that the incident has been reported to the appropriate security agencies for investigations to be conducted," the statement said.

GNA
A report by Mighty Earth dubbed Sweet Nothings' has revealed that the cocoa industry is still driving the destruction of protected areas and threatening the habitat of chimpanzees and elephants four years after industry pledge.

More than four years after the high-profile launch of the Cocoa and Forests Initiative (CFI), cocoa-producing nations continue to see huge areas of forests being destroyed to make room for cocoa production, according to a new data analysis by Mighty Earth.

Sweet Nothings: How the Chocolate Industry has Failed to Honour Promises to End Deforestation in Cocoa Supply Chains reveals that even after the industry published action plans in 2019. Cote divoire lost 19.421 hectares - 74.9 sq. mi. - of forest within cocoa growing regions and Ghana lost 39,497 hectares -152.5 sg. mi.

This amounts to a combined area equivalent to the size of the cities of Madrid, Seoul, or Chicago.

"This report unwraps the unsavory side of the cocoa industry and shows the urgent need to break the link between chocolate products and deforestation, said Glenn Hurowitz, CEO of Mighty Earth, the global advocacy organization working to defend a living planet.

"Chocolate companies like Nestle, Hershey's, Mondelez, and Mars need to stop making empty promises and start working together with governments in the CFI to establish an open and effective joint deforestation monitoring mechanism this year.

Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana are estimated to have lost 80% to 90% of their forested area over the last few decades, in large part to make way for cocoa farms.

Through combination of satellite data analysis and on-the-ground field investigations, Mighty Earth has uncovered evidence of ongoing tropical forest clearance for cocoa. This includes deforestation in designated protected areas that provide vital habitats for endangered wildlife such as chimpanzees and pygmy hippos. These forests are also critical carbon sinks, vital for slowing both the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.

Among the key findings of the report:

Four and half years after chocolate companies and governments committed in the CFI to a ban on establishing any new cocoa farms, overall levels of deforestation remain near record highs.

Within cocoa growing regions, Cote divoire lost 19,421 hectares (ha) -74.9 sq. mi. - (2%) of its forest since the CFl action plans were published in January 2019, whilst Ghana has lost an astonishing 39,497 ha -152.5 sg. mi. -of forest with a staggeringly high rate of deforestation of 3.9%. This amounts to a combined area of tropical Forest lost in the two countries equivalent to the cities of Madrid, Seoul, or Chicago.

In Ghana, 2020 tree cover loss countrywide was 370% higher since January 2019 than it was between 2001-2010, and 150% higher than the average tree cover loss between 2011-2019.

Average countrywide tree cover loss in Cote divoire has been 230% higher in the period since January 2019 than it was between 2001-2007, and 340% higher than the average loss during the 2000.

Deforestation is still found throughout protected areas in Cote dIvoire and Ghana, with satellite data and analysis and observation from Mighty Earths field investigation in Cote dIvoire revealing that cocoa expansion is playing a major role in this encroachment.

All of this devastation is entirely preventable and should have been addressed long ago. Meanwhile, forests continue to disappear, endangered, species die, and communities suffer, said Soulemane Fofana, General Coordinator of the Ivorian Human Rights organisations (RAIH). The cocoa industry has the same tools and far more resources that Might Earth to track and prevent deforestation, but limited willpower and lack of transparency and accountability continue to be the biggest roadblocks to progress.

Among the report's recommendations:

Chocolate companies, cocoa traders, and governments traders, and governments must pool information about cocoa supply chains, and couple this with satellite data imagery to establish an open and transparent deforestation monitoring mechanism in 2022. Such a mechanism would las to target initiatives arent joint collective action to prevent forest encroachment from cocoa expansion, as well as target initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Ghana and Cote divoire.

The CFI should publicly report progress in reducing deforestation in Ghana and Cote divoire with the aim of achieving zero new deforestation for cocoa within two years

Leading chocolate companies and cocoa traders should play an active role in the restoration of degraded forests and biodiversity in Ghana and Cote divoire. They should commit to sourcing at least 50% of their cocoa from agroforestry by 2025, and work with cocoa cooperatives and government agencies to help smallholder growers manage the transition from cocoa monocultures to diversified farming systems.

The Government of Cote divoire should work to quickly confirm the boundaries of protected areas and stop any new deforestation by involving, in a transparent manner, communities and civil society organizations in their monitoring.

In Ghana, the Government's Forestry Commission, together with the Ghana Cocoa Board, need to ensure that the emerging Cocoa Management System (CMS), which is intended to trace the cocoa supply chain, is designed in a transparent manner, so that stakeholders will have trust and confidence in the data that it will produce.

Authorities in the European Union, Japan, and the United States should introduce legislation that companies to conduct thorough due diligence checks to prevent cocoa or cocoa-derived products linked to deforestation from being imported into their consumer markets.

"The cocoa and forests initiatives has lots of potential but currently is not living up to it. It promised so much but is failing to deliver. Cocoa and chocolate companies have a duty to protect the environment or risk losing the commodity they depend on forever because they current situation is unsustainable, said Obed Owusu-Addai, managing campaigner at EcoCare Ghana.

Click HERE for Sweet Nothings Report:

About Mighty Earth:

Mighty Earth (www.mightyearth.org) is a global advocacy organisation working to defend a living planet. Our goal is to protect half of Earth to Nature and secure a climate that allows life to flourish.

We are obsessed with impact and aspire to be the most effective environmental advocacy organisation in the world. Our team has achieved transformative change by persuading leading industries to dramatically reduce deforestation and climate pollution throughout their global supply chains in palm oil, rubber, cocoa, and animal feed. while improving livelihoods for indigenous and local communities across the tropics.

-Mighty Earth-
Sudanese security forces shot dead two protesters on Monday in a crackdown on rallies against last year's military coup and the arrest of scores of pro-democracy activists, medics said.

Regular mass protests have rocked the troubled northeast African nation since an October 25 military takeover led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the deaths on Monday take the number killed in the unrest to at least 81.

The power grab derailed a fragile power-sharing agreement between the army and civilians negotiated after the 2019 ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir.

On Monday, thousands rallied in the capital Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman, AFP reporters said, while protests also took place in the eastern city of Port Sudan and in the western Darfur region, according to witnesses.

In Khartoum, protests had begun with crowds waving national flags and carrying red balloons, as the rallies coincided with Valentine's Day.

"Today is the nation's love day," one banner read.

Some shouted slogans demanding the authorities release activists who had been arrested, while others carried pictures of protesters killed.

"We are demanding the release of resistance committee members and politicians who were unjustly arrested, and some of whom are facing fabricated charges," protester Khaled Mohamed told AFP.

But as crowds tried to approach the presidential palace, security forces fired volleys of tear gas canisters.

One protester was killed after he was shot in "the neck and chest by live rounds by coup forces" in Khartoum, the independent Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said.

Another protester was later killed in Omdurman after being struck by "live bullets to the left shoulder which penetrated the chest", the committee said.

Hunger strike

Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By AFP

While Sudanese forces have repeatedly denied opening fire on protesters, Human Rights Watch has quoted witnesses detailing how the security forces have used both "live ammunition" and fired tear gas canisters "directly" at crowds, a tactic that can be deadly at close quarters.

The authorities have also arrested scores of activists accused of belonging to the "resistance committees" that have been instrumental in organising protests.

"The number of people detained arbitrarily and without criminal charges has exceeded 100," the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) said Monday.

In Khartoum's Soba prison, detainees launched a hunger strike to protest against prison conditions, the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said.

"Some have been detained without facing charges, and others still await investigations," the medics said in a statement.

Sudanese protesters in Omdurman, one of several cities where anti-coup demonstrations took place on Monday. By - AFP

On Sunday, authorities arrested Mohamed al-Fekki, a civilian former member of the ruling Sovereign Council, which led the country under the now stalled 2019 power-sharing agreement.

Last week, authorities arrested ex-minister Khaled Omar Youssef and Wagdi Saleh, the spokesman of Sudan's main civilian bloc, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC).

Those arrests came just a day after they joined an FFC delegation for talks with UN special representative Volker Perthes, as part of efforts to resolve Sudan's deepening crisis.

The October military power grab, the latest coup in Sudan since its independence, has sparked widespread international condemnation and punitive measures -- but authorities have shown little inclination to compromise.

On Monday, Burhan met the Emirati ambassador to Sudan, who handed him an official invitation from President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to visit the United Arab Emirates, according to an official statement by Sudan's Sovereign Council.

The UAE has, along with the US and Britain, called for the restoration of the civilian-led transition in Sudan.
Ghana since 2019 has lost over 39,400 hectares of forest due to activities of cocoa production, this has been disclosed by global advocacy organisation, Mighty Earth in its latest report.

The report dubbed Sweet Nothings raises concerns on how cocoa is still driving the destruction of protected areas in cocoa-growing countries.

Having focused its study on Ghana and Cote dIvoire, Mighty Earth further discloses that the latter since 2019 also lost 19,421 hectares of its forest due to activities of cocoa production.

Sweet Nothings: How the Chocolate Industry has Failed to Honor Promises to End Deforestation in Cocoa Supply Chains reveals that, even after the industry published action plans in 2019, Cote dIvoire lost 19,421 hectares  74.9 sq. mi.  of forest within cocoa growing regions and Ghana lost 39,497 hectares  152.5 sq. mi. This amounts to a combined area equivalent to the size of the city of Madrid, Seoul, Chicago, part of a release issued by Mighty Earth after publishing findings of its report has said.

Addressing a press conference in Accra to disclose some findings of the Mighty Earth report, Obed Owusu-Addai who is managing campaigner at EcoCare Ghana said the government should collaborate with chocolate companies and ensure pledges made some five years ago in the Cocoa Forest Initiative (CFI) are adhered to.

Obed Owusu-Addai

What we have found through this report is that five years down the line deforestation caused by Cocoa is still happening. We are not saying that Cocoa alone is causing deforestation but we are looking at the contribution of Cocoa to deforestation and that is what this report is about.

The recommendation in this report is that the governments of Ghana and Ivory Coast should work with chocolate companies to go back to the drawing board, refer to the pledges that they made including not sourcing from forest reserves, and abide by them, he told journalists on Monday.

The Cocoa & Forests Initiative is an active commitment of top cocoa-producing countries with leading chocolate and cocoa companies to end deforestation and restore forest areas, through no further conversion of any forest land for cocoa production.

Below is the key findings from the Mighty Earth Sweet Nothings report:
Some men in the Appiatse community affected by the explosion on Thursday, January 20, 2022, are complaining of sexual weakness.

The men said aside the issue of sexual dysfunction, they were also not experiencing, Morning wood, formally known as Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT).

NPT is a common occurrence for many boys and men. From time to time, men may wake up with an erect penis. This is most common in younger men, although men of all ages may experience NPT. It is the response one's body makes to one of several natural occurrences.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Monday, Dr Mrs Sandra Thompson-Assan, a Counseling Psychologist, and leader of a team that was deployed to Appiatse to provide victims with Psychological First Aid (PFA), said out of every 30 to 36 men engaged, close to 30 confirmed experiencing erectile dysfunction.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a technique to reduce the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is to help the victims become well informed about the associated and expected unusual behaviours following traumatic exposures and build their resilience.

It helps the therapist to identify victims of trauma needing further assessment and intervention.

Dr Mrs Thompson-Assan said following the concerns, the team asked the camp nurses and medical officers to carry out further assessments and intervene.

She said after assessing over 876 victims, they realised that most of the victims experienced flashbacks of the disaster, stressful dreams, insomnia, anxiety, distorted patterns of thinking, hearing problems, amongst others.

Dr Mrs Thompson-Assan said aside providing victims with PFA, they also helped those who had misplaced essential cards such as that of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to be replaced.

There was another gentleman who was due for an interview at Tarkwa but had lost his certificate due to the explosion and this was going to hinder his ability to get the job. What we did was to contact Police officers at the camp who advised he could take a report from the Police to the Ghana Education Service to have his certificate replaced for the interview.

A call to Dr Isaac Dasmani Municipal Chief Executive for the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipality to assist senior high school students needing financial support, was successful. Also, the MCE assisted a young lady who lost her sewing machine, she said.

Dr Mrs Thompson-Assan said they liaised with NADMO to provide relief items to individuals not captured on records.

She said the police escort and the truck driver involved in the explosion were identified and provided with PFA.

Another police officer involved in the incident was also traced and provided with psychotherapy, the Psychologist said.

The Psychologist said during their interactions it came up that most people in Appiatse believed there was another explosive hidden beneath the earth waiting to explode and considering relocating.

She said they provided an expert to educate them and dealt with misconceptions and fear.

Dr Mrs Thompson-Assan said Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists visited the camp to attend to victims with hearing challenges caused by the event.

She called on the government and policy makers to put together a National Response team, involving NADMO, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychiatrist Nurses, Medical Health Practitioners, who would be the first point of call to aid victims of disasters.

Dr Mrs Thompson-Assan also called for a Psychology Clinic where psychologists could help disaster victims to cope with their situations and habour positive thoughts.

GNA
The State Bank of India on Sunday said that the consortium of banks, which had made loans to ABG Shipyard, had tried to revive its operations but all efforts failed as it was going through a downturn.

It said that the fraud was mainly attributed to diversion of funds, misappropriation, and criminal breach of trust.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday conducted raids in Rs 22,842 crore loan fraud case lodged against Gujarat-based ABG Shipyards and its directors, at over a dozen places, including Surat, Bharuch, Mumbai, and Pune which led to the recovery of incriminating documents.

A complaint against them was lodged by the SBI on the basis of which the CBI filed an FIR naming Rishi Aggarwal and Santhanam Muthuswamy, the directors of ABG Shipyards.

The SBI said that due to poor performance, the account became NPA on November 11, 2013.

"ABG Shipyard was incorporated on March 15, 1985, has been banking arrangements since 2001. Financed under consortium arrangement over a two dozen lenders. Leader in Consortium was ICICI Bank. Due to poor performance, account became NPA in 2013. Several efforts were made to revive the company operations but could not succeed," the SBI said in a press note.

The SBI further stated that ABG Shipyard's account was restructured under CDR mechanism in March 2014 by all lenders. However, as the shipping industry was going through a downturn, one of the worst ever seen, the company could not be revived.

"As the restructuring failed, account classified as NPA in July 2016 with back dated effect from November 30, 2013. E&Y were appointed as Forensic Auditor by lenders during April 2018 and they submitted their report in January 2019. E&Y report was placed before the Fraud Identification Committee of 18 lenders in 2019. Fraud is mainly attributed to diversion of funds, misappropriation and criminal breach of trust," the SBI statement said.

Although, ICICI Bank was the lead lender in the consortium and IDBI was the second lead, it was preferred that the SBI, being the largest PSB lender, lodges the complaint with the CBI. The first complaint was filed with CBI in November 2019. There was continuous engagement between the CBI and thae bnks and further information was getting exchanged.

The circumstances of the fraud as well as CBI requirements were further deliberated in the various meetings of joint lenders and a fresh and comprehensive second complaint was filed in December 2020. The account is presently undergoing liquidation under a NCLT-driven process.

A fraud is declared basis on the forensic audit report findings that is discussed thoroughly in joint lenders meetings. Typically, when a fraud is declared, an initial complaint is preferred with CBI and based on their enquiries, further information is gathered.A

In a few cases, when substantial additional information is gathered, a second complaint incorporating full and complete details is filed which forms basis for the FIR. At no point in time, there was any effort to delay the process. The lenders forum diligently follows through with CBI in all such cases, the SBI said.

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.
The Indian government is all set to ban 54 Chinese mobile applications which are posing threat to national security, the sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Monday.

According to sources, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has identified these applications which belong to major Chinese tech companies like Tencent, Alibaba and NetEase and the applications include such as Sweet Selfie HD, Beauty Camera - Selfie Camera, Equalizer & Bass Booster, Tencent Xriver, ect.

The sources also said that many of these applications are refurbished versions of apps already banned by India in 2020.

The latest move could be a fallout of the current standoff between India and China locked in a protracted border dispute.

This is the first lot of apps to be banned by the government this year after a total of 270 apps were banned since 2020.

The MeitY had banned 59 Chinese apps in June 2020 referring to them as being 'prejudicial' to India's sovereignty, integrity and national security. The list included the popular smartphone app TikTok, Helo, WeChat, Kwai, Clash of Kings, Alibaba's UC Browser and UC News, Likee, Bigo Live, Shein, Club Factory, and Cam Scanner besides others.

Recently, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on February 10 informed the Rajya Sabha that it had blocked 60 Pakistan backed YouTube Channels which were circulating fake news against the Government.

Replying to question on actions taken against fake news and propaganda by the communication agencies, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan informed the Upper House that the government has blocked 60 YouTube channels including their all social media accounts such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram of those channels which were involved in circulating fake news against the Indian government and were backed by Pakistan.

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.
Linda Goddard started looking for a new place in August. A retired English teacher who works part-time at Valencia College and UCF, she was told she would have to move from a room in a friends house in Maitland where she was living.

The first place Goddard looked at wanted $1,600 per month, which was out of her range. So she kept searching.

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As I continued to look, the prices went up exponentially, she said.

By the time she looked back at that first place, the asking rent had already gone up another $200.

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Linda Goddard in the condo that she rents, on Friday, February 11, 2022. Rent in Orlando went up by 24.3% last year, the biggest percentage increase in the Sunbelt, according to CoStar, and the swift rise is forcing some residents to look elsewhere to live. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

Rent in metro Orlando rose faster over the past year than any other city in Americas Sun Belt, according to CoStar, a real estate analyst. An influx of residents combined with a red-hot housing market is pushing demand for apartment and house rentals to previously unseen levels.

Its a trend thats worrying affordable housing advocates, demoralizing renters and leaving many out in the cold.

The reason rents are jacking up so high is because landlords can, said Lisa McNatt, director of market analytics in Orlando for CoStar. This is a Sun Belt issue. And it is becoming a Florida problem.

Rents rose around the country by about 13% in 2021, but significantly more in the South.

Asking prices for rent in metro Orlando jumped 24.3% last year, CoStar found. The next closest city in the Sun Belt was Tampa with 24% growth.

CoStar includes Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties in its metro data.

The issue, according to McNatt, is inventory.

Orlando is outpacing the demand nationally and in other Sun Belt metros, she said. We dont have sufficient housing to accommodate all the demand coming into the market.

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Last year, renters moved into 15,441 units in metro Orlando, more than double the number in 2020. But only 14,830 units were under construction, meaning Orlando is taking in more people than it is building housing for.

Orlandos average monthly rent is $1,680, or $120 more than the national average. Downtowns average rent is $1,870. The highest neighborhood is Lake Nona with $2,100, while the lowest rents are found in south and west Orlando, where rent is about $1,520.

Orlandos per capita income, however, is $32,085, according to the Census Bureau. For a single person, that means the average rent is about 63% of the average wage. The federal government considers a household overburdened when rent is more than 50% of the income.

Our goals felt shattered

The increases have come as a shock to many renters. Catherine Hemperly had been living at the Enclave at Lake Underhill with her daughter and her daughters boyfriend since September 2020, paying about $1,500 for a three-bedroom, two-bath apartment.

In July, she was told that would go up. The first quote was if I signed the lease within seven days, it was going to be $2,100, Hemperly said. If she waited longer, it would go up to nearly $2,500.

In an unsigned statement, management from the Enclave said the rents have been raised because of the high demand combined with an increase in apartment operating costs, though those costs were not enumerated.

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Hemperly, 42, said she just couldnt afford that rise. A paralegal in Baldwin Park, she and her family had to move into a two-bed, two-bath apartment in Altamonte Springs.

This was a serious downgrade, she said. Its about 300 square feet smaller. My counters are from the 70s.

Even the search for a new place can be costly.

Speech therapist Natalie Loye and her husband and child had to leave the house they were renting in Lake Nona for $1,900 per month when the homes New York-based landlords decided the market was right to sell.

We were given 30 days to get our stuff together and get out, she said.

Loye, 34, said application fees at other apartments ran on average $75 to $100 per person (meaning for both her and her husband), and there was no guarantee of acceptance. We were told that, for each place, there were 14 to 15 candidates, and the owners pick who they like, she said.

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We spent over $2,000 in application fees, and no one was choosing us, she said.

Eventually, they found a house that fit their needs for an additional $700 per month. Those expenses set them back on their plans to buy a home of their own.

Our goals felt shattered, she said.

No relief in sight

Demand is not expected to cool any time soon. CoStar predicts rents will continue to rise for at least the next three years, hitting an average asking rent of $2,012 by 2025.

Although COVID-19 has contributed to soaring rents, advocates say the problem is much deeper.

Before the pandemic, Central Florida had a lack of affordable housing, said Jeffrey Hussey, an attorney with Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida. The pandemic ripped the Band-Aid off, and now everything is exposed.

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Over the past two years, the federal government approved $46 billion in emergency rental assistance. One of the services of Husseys organization is to help people apply for that money, which is administered through programs from the state as well as some counties and cities.

Hussey said his organization has been inundated with requests from desperate renters over the past year.

Attorney Jorge Acosta Palmer, who works closely with many of those clients, said, Our demand is infinite.

Kissimmee resident Zacari Zagals rent went up $200 in October, prompting him to apply for assistance from Our Florida, the state provider of the money.

The fund covered three months of rent, but Zagal, 25, says that even though he applied for the next three months more than a month early, he says he couldnt get anyone at Our Florida to tell him if he was approved.

You wait for hours, and when you finally get someone, they tell you, Oh, were backed up. Sorry, he said.

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Goddard, the retired teacher, was eventually saved by a church acquaintance who offered her a condo in Maitland for $1,600 per month, and her son paying for it.

I dont know what I would have done, she said, adding that her close call with homelessness has prompted her to start giving water and other necessities to people she sees seeking help at intersections.

It reminds me of my own fragility, she said. And the people who turn their faces away from them dont want to face how fragile life is for all of us.

Want to reach out? Email tfraser@orlandosentinel.com. Follow TIFraserOS on Twitter.
Novartis India Ltd announced that it would transfer the sales and distribution of its products to Dr Reddys Laboratories for a few of its established medicines, including the Voveran range, the Calcium range and Methergine.

While Novartis claims that the arrangement aims to broaden access to these medicines beyond the current geographies to benefit many more patients, it would lead to the sacking of approximately 400 employees. The latest in a series of decisions taken over the years to weaken the Indian listed company and strengthen the unlisted entities of Novartis, this is a glaring example of poor governance, according to some shareholders.

The annual report of Novartis India, the listed entity, claims to have 539 employees. If 400 are laid off, what remains of the listed entity? The company's press release does not mention this, nor does it say how the move would benefit the minority shareholders. Novartis claims that it has over 10,000 full-time employees. This means after the move, 98.5% of employees will be in the unlisted entities. The latest action is in a series of decisions taken over the years, inimical to minority shareholders.

Novartis India is owned by Novartis AG, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. The Indian pharmaceuticals market has been growing in double digits over the same time, with multiple businesses showing 15%+ growth per annum over the past decade. Multinational pharma companies have a robust business model as they are expected to introduce their existing franchise and product portfolio to address more customer segments and acquire new molecules or expand the business.

For Novartis India, however, it is disappointing to see that sales and profits have been consistently declining over the last five-year period. The trend is similar for even 10 years. Some shareholders allege that it is a deliberate strategy of hollowing out the listed entity.

Over the past five years, sales have declined by 13% and net profit by 22%.

Potential Conflict of Interest with Unlisted Wholly-owned Subsidiary

Novartis AG has a wholly-owned subsidiary in India  Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd (NHPL). Over the years, this company has been going from strength to strength, as is clear from the table below.

The growth rate of NHPL, even after excluding the service revenues, has been much healthier than that of the listed entity. We asked Novartis the following questions

 How many products have been launched in India through NHPL compared to the number of products launched through the listed entity?

 Is there anything that the management wants to communicate on how the product portfolio of the listed company differs from NHPL?

 What is the basis for deciding the split across product portfolios?

However, our e-mail to the investor relations department of the listed entity as well as to the media department highlighting our queries were stonewalled. The media relations team replied: Thanks for reaching out. As you are aware NIL is a publicly listed entity and follows all corporate governance norms.

There is no conflicting businesses between NIL and NHPL. Attached, please find the annual report for your ready reference.

Overlap in Management for Both the Entities

One of the whole-time directors of NHPL is also the managing director at Novartis India Ltd. From disclosures in the annual report, we observe that Mr Sanjay is drawing remuneration as follows

 NHPL  gross salary of Rs4.5 crore for 2020

 Novartis India  Rs0.72 crore for FY2021

How should the investors view the fact that the remuneration drawn from Novartis India for the MD is so far below market standards for listed companies in India? Would it not result in the MD prioritising his responsibilities at NHPL over those at Novartis India?

In a spirit of transparency and high levels of corporate governance, Novartis India should consider appointing an independent CEO or MD who can look into the objectives and priorities of the entity full time. Good corporate governance demands that the management of both entities should be separate.

Absence of Investments in Novartis India

 Novartis India has invested less than Rs40 crore cumulative into fixed or intangible assets over the past decade. This is a very low level of investment into the business by any yardstick within the pharma, life sciences and healthcare segments.

 Starting from 2013, the employee headcount is only reducing with the years. From an employee base of almost 1,300 in 2013, Novartis India today has only 539-odd employees. Out of this, 400 jobs will be terminated.

 Even from a brand building point of view, the spend on advertising, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of revenue, has only been reducing through the years.

For a pharma sales force the costs are more or less fixed, while revenue depends on the availability of a strong product portfolio. We observe that other MNC pharma companies in India can deliver much higher sales force productivity and revenue per employee since they have been investing in launching new products in India.

Sharing of Infrastructure with NHPL and Commission Income

From the related parties disclosure in the annual report, we observe transactions between Novartis India Ltd and NHPL for many years. We requested clarity on the following 

 What is the nature of engagement between Novartis India and NHPL?

 Towards what scope of work is the commission income being charged to NHPL by Novartis India Ltd?

 What risks does the Novartis India Ltd business assume on behalf of NHPL?

 What kind of due diligence is being done by the auditors of Novartis India Ltd to ensure that the transactions are happening on an arms length basis and not on terms that are preferential to NHPL?

 Why is the auditor remuneration the same for Novartis India Ltd and NHPL though the scale of the business is vastly different? NHPL revenue and scale of operations is almost nine times that of Novartis India Ltd.

Novartis India has not yet replied.

Lack of Clarity on Management Communication Relating to New Launches

We request that any public release or media communication management interview, henceforth, clearly mention the entity through which any new product launch will happen.

It is very confusing for shareholders to assess whether the specific product launch will contribute to the business of NHPL or Novartis India.

Clearly, shareholders of the listed entity have been systematically shortchanged over the years. Of course, especially pharma MNCs have a long history of treating their publicly-listed companies as stepchildren and launching new and profitable products through their unlisted 100% subsidiaries.

Pfizer of US, one of the worlds most respected drug companies, had applied and, after each rejection, mulishly reapplied to the foreign investment and promotion board (FIPB) to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in India  not quite a fair deal for its local shareholders.

But Novartis seems to have set a glowing example. The Novartis India board, which is a party to these decisions, consists of Christopher Snook, chairman; Sanjay Murdeshwar, vice chairman & managing director; Monaz Noble, CFO; and independent directors Jai Hiremath (promoter of Hikal Ltd), Sandra Martyres and Sanker Parameswaran.
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Muskogee, OK (74401)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 66F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Two years into the pandemic, Floridas monitoring system for COVID has left the public blind to the arrival of highly contagious variants.

Florida sends only a tiny fraction of all positive COVID tests to labs for genetic sequencing to learn their strain of coronavirus  only 1% over the entire pandemic.

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Some states, such as Washington, are sequencing up to 20% of all cases. With so few samples sequenced in Florida, health officials lack the ability to track variants and their prevalence across the state until cases surge.

The delta wave showed just how vulnerable Florida is to mutations that arrive undetected. Floridians learned of the first confirmed case of delta in the state in mid-June when the new variant was reported on a federal COVID tracker. By then, the number of cases had begun to soar, followed by hospitalizations, and then record deaths.

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What we have in Florida is inadequate, said Dr. Glenn Morris, director of the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida. What we really need is a system that looks at selected strains across the state, does sequencing and puts it in a model to understand what strains are present and how they may be moving throughout different parts of the state.

Scientists sequence a positive COVID test to decipher the genetic code of the particular coronavirus that infected someone.

While hospitals, universities, public and private health labs sequence samples from patients to learn which variants are present, Florida lacks a comprehensive and cohesive system to analyze and share data. The Florida Department of Health documents the number of COVID cases, vaccinations and deaths weekly on its website, but does not publicly release the variants identified in the state or their proportion.

Scientists say sequencing alone wont stop the arrival or spread of more variants, but better detection and communication would give Floridas counties a chance to act as highly infectious strains becomes more prevalent.

[ RELATED: Floridas weekly COVID testing positivity rate plummets to its lowest since Christmas ]

Even now, as Florida emerges from the omicron wave, infections arent falling as fast as experts had forecasted. Could a subvariant known as stealth omicron, or BA.2, be spreading far more widely than detected? Florida so far has recorded 15 cases of the BA.2 omicron variant. Given how quickly the new subvariant has spread elsewhere, researchers believe it likely accounts for more.

BA.2 probably was first introduced in Florida in early January, so its been here about a month, said Thomas Hladish, a research scientist at the University of Florida. Florida has always had problems with detection. Our surveillance system in Florida is not good.

My spitball estimate: I would guess 50% of cases now are BA.2 or something on that order.

With infection numbers still hovering around 10,000 a day in Florida, COVID-19 will continue to sicken more people and strain health care resources for longer than expected.

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Morris said the best example of the need for early detection of new variants is what happened with monoclonal antibodies, the COVID treatment Floridas governor has promoted during the past few months.

As the new omicron wave of COVID swept across Florida, clinics continued to use two monoclonal-antibodies treatments that worked against delta, including one made by Regeneron. Federal health officials warned those two treatments did not work against omicron.

What we needed to know is where omicron was and in what areas it would still make sense to be using Regeneron and in which sections of the state it didnt make sense at all, Morris said. When the state was transitioning from one variant to another that was the point where it would have been useful to know.

Researchers are asking for better surveillance not just in Florida but throughout the United States, concerned because the coronavirus, like all viruses, mutates as it moves through large groups of people.

If a new highly contagious mutation emerges like omicron did in South Africa, it could move through the population quickly, causing harm before detected.

[ RELATED: New omicron variant is likely in Florida, but it will take some time to confirm that ]

Dr. Jason Lane of ChenMed, primary medical care centers for seniors, worries about that scenario. If a variant is homegrown and turns out as devastating as delta, or evolves in the U.S. and we miss it, thats what worries me about our deficiencies. Hopefully, there is a lot being done to beef it up, said Lane, national medical director, clinical strategy and outcomes.

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When asked if Florida has made any advancements in surveillance of variants or has improvements underway, Department of Health spokesman Jeremy Redfern responded:

The Department of Health operates three laboratories capable of genomic sequencing, but our labs are just part of a larger picture. We work alongside multiple partners, like laboratories contracted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and academic institutions, that are capable of genomic sequencing. The CDC is the primary agency for all public health-related genomic surveillance in the United States. It is best to think of Florida as a puzzle piece that is part of the overall surveillance puzzle.

The private sector jumps in

Seeing a need for real-time data, Walgreens has launched its own COVID-19 Index for the public to help identify the spread of virus variants across the U.S.

Its monitoring index will be updated using PCR tests administered by Walgreens and analyzed by its laboratory testing partner, Aegis Sciences.

The PCR tests come from patients at 5,000 Walgreens pharmacies, including 800 in Florida. The drugstore has one of the largest databases of COVID samples in the country.

Walgreens Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Ball said Aegis is able to identify whether a sample is omicron in 24 hours. The Walgreens COVID-19 tracker shows 100% of its COVID samples in Florida are omicron.

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Ball said the scope and timeliness of Walgreens national surveillance system should help catch future variants early and curb their spread. Eventually, he would like the tracker to reflect the makeup of cases within communities as well as provide a statewide overview.

We would like to get to the geo-level. This is a process we are trying to get towards so we can identify an outbreak as it is occurring, what variant is driving it and offer guidance on what to do in those moments, he said.

Floridas universities and hospitals also are sequencing positive test samples, mostly to learn what strains are appearing in students or patients.

And while anyone who does sequencing reports findings into a global database, Florida lacks an infrastructure to extract and share that same data on a statewide scale  to catch a new variant early on.

What one needs is to look statewide and get a sense of patterns emerging at a statewide level, said Morris at UF. We have the capacity to sequence and we have utilized it, but we are limited. We are looking at samples from within Alachua County primarily. We dont know exactly whats going on in other parts of Florida so we cant create a unified picture of whats happening.

Morris said UF and other universities have specialized researchers who could interpret the data and detect mutation strains within the state. Having this information could guide public health response, he said. There is not a statewide system in Florida which has fully pulled in the capacity present in the state.

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Wastewater may be the answer

Wastewater monitoring could be the way to find rapidly spreading variants faster.

Wastewater monitoring has been used during the omicron surge by scientists in New York City, Boston and Miami and at universities such as the University of Miami to identify surges of cases in certain neighborhoods or dorms even before a variant has been identified from test swabs.

The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

People infected with the coronavirus shed it in their feces so a high level may show that a variant is at work, warranting a closer look.

In Florida, only Pinellas and Brevard counties participate in the CDCs national wastewater surveillance and show COVID in 100% of their water samples submitted. Some states, such as North Carolina, have half their counties, or more, participating. The CDC dashboard provides a color-coded view of virus levels in wastewater in participating communities.

Miami-Dade does its own wastewater surveillance and updates a county website weekly.

Already, the monitoring has proved useful, said Raghavender Joshi, assistant director of wastewater operations for Miami-Dade Water & Sewer. When the wastewater showed a spike in cases in December, the findings gave the county hospitals a few extra days to prepare for the omicron surge.

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Biobot, which does the sequencing and analysis of the sewage for Miami-Dade and counties in 35 states, said one county in Delaware used sewage analysis to more strategically place mobile testing centers and another in Massachusetts used the information to guide its schools policies.

CDC spokesman Brian Katzowitz said the agency is adding 400 new sites to the national wastewater surveillance system in the coming weeks and it is possible some will be in Florida.

Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.
The Residence Inn by Marriott Myrtle Beach Oceanfront was negligent when it contracted with a company that employed workers brought the area illegally, including one accused of raping a 19-year-old woman in the hotels linen room, according to a lawsuit filed in Horry County.

Myrtle Beach hospitality industry businesses and individuals charged in federal court A federal grand jury indictment unsealed Thursday formally charges several hospitality industry-related Myrtle Beach businesses, business owners and business managers with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and visa fraud.

Attorneys for Jane Doe, a woman with special needs who has multiple mental health diagnoses, filed the lawsuit against SREE Hotels, LLC, which does business as the Residence Inn By Marriott Myrtle Beach Oceanfront, SREE MB Hotel Partners, LLC (a subsidiary of SREE Hotels), Marriott International, Inc. and Grandeur Management, the company accused of illegally bringing the rape suspect to Grand Strand.

The suit says SREE Hotels, SREE MB Hotel Partners and Marriott International contracted with Grandeur Management to provide foreign workers at wages below that which were prevailing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to the suit.

Grandeur Management CEO Raja Younas and several others connected to the business were subsequently indicted by the federal government for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and visa fraud, according to an indictment unsealed in June 2021. The lawsuit says the indictments were connected in part to Grandeurs contract with the hotel.

Among the employees illegally brought to the country was Carlton Sanderson of Jamaica, who was employed at the Residence Inn by Marriott Myrtle Beach Oceanfront at 2605 S. Ocean Blvd. in 2019.

On April 28, 2019, Sanderson and the plaintiff, Jane Doe, were both working a shift at the Marriott, the suit says. Around 10 p.m., Jane Doe encountered Sanderson in a linen room at the Marriott where Sanderson forcibly raped her before fleeing on foot, according to the lawsuit.

Federal indictment against Myrtle Beach hospitality businesses unsealed The federal grand jury indictment against the Myrtle Beach hospitality industry businesses was unsealed Tuesday.

Jane Doe immediately told her co-workers, and police responded to the scene. Medical staff at Grand Strand Hospital confirmed the forcible nature of the rape, the complaint says.

During a police investigation, Sanderson admitted to previously coercing or forcing other women to submit to sex in Jamaica, the lawsuit says, adding that Sanderson was arrested and charged with criminally sexually assaulting the plaintiff, Jane Doe.
Bringing a fresh set of eyes, Loriss interim administrator Clay Young has spent the last two weeks analyzing the needs of the city and areas where it can improve.

The areas Young would like to prioritize include applying for grants for the water and sewer department, working to build a new recreational complex, completing past-due audits and working on planned growth.

Im excited, Young said. I think that Loris has got a lot of opportunities for growth and planned development. It appears that Im going to work closely with the local businesses to get their input to see what we can do from a city standpoint.

City staff is already beginning budget talks for the upcoming fiscal year. Young said he will soon meet with the various departments for their input, along with city committees and council.

Part of this discussion, he said, will include creating a financial procedure policy, which will help restructure the citys spending procedures and how the city operates from a financial standpoint.

Many of the projects Young said he hopes the city will pursue can possibly be funded by American Rescue Plan money, which the city has yet to use.

Loris received about $687,000 last fall, and has to either spend or commit the funds to projects before Dec. 31, 2024.

The city expects to receive another round of funds again (the same amount as last year) in May or June, Young said.

During the budget cycle, the city will further identify ways to spend the money, Young said, adding he would also like to see the funds go toward infrastructure and any drainage issues, police and fire rescue-type equipment, stormwater issues and public safety issues related to the pandemic.

As city staff identifies potential projects the ARP money can fund, Young said he plans to bring those projects to council for votes. He added he would like to use some of the funds to match grants the city intends to apply for.

Young, a native of Chester, previously worked as administrator for two South Carolina counties  he served as administrator of Kershaw County from 2008 to 2011 and Dillion County from 2011 to 2016  and has worked with the cities of Chester and Hanahan. He returned to Dillon County a few years ago and recently retired from the county.
Duncan_Andison/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Jacksonville City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session by 7 p.m. today in the Municipal Building, 200 W. Douglas Ave.

The meeting will follow a 6 p.m. workshop, and will be available online on the city's website.
After months of seeming calmness, police again are investigating shots being fired in a Jacksonville neighborhood.

Police were called about 2:07 a.m. Sunday to the 600 block of North Prairie Street after a neighbor reported hearing two gunshots in the area, according to police reports.

Authorities determined multiple shots were fired, but no one was injured.

The investigation is continuing; it was not known Sunday whether the early morning incident was related to shots being fired in the area in October or to a spate of similar reports last summer.

On Oct. 18, the side of a house in the 600 block of South Prairie Street was riddled with bullet holes. Neighbors reported seeing a white sport utility vehicle in the area about 8:30 p.m. and saw it turn west on West Chambers Street shortly after five or six shots were fired.

The shooting prompted several residents to address city council on Oct. 25 to urge action be taken to make the neighborhood safer.

Police Chief Adam Mefford empathized with residents and said at the time that police were frustrated because of a lack of cooperation from those who could provide details to assist the investigation.

He also said the October shooting did not appear to be related to a string of shots-fired calls investigated in July.

Police were called about 11:30 p.m. July 23 to the 600 block of Jordan Street and the 300 block of North Prairie Street for reports of shots being fired.

Days later, on July 27, a resident of the 600 block of Allen Avenue said three man got out of a vehicle about 9 p.m. and fired eight shots toward a residence before taking off.

A short time later, police received multiple calls about shots being fired in the 600 block of Jordan Street. A witness reported hearing the shots and then noticing two cars speeding along West Lafayette Avenue.

Within minutes, reports of shots being fired were coming in from the 800 block of North Clay Avenue, just a mile from the Jordan Street location.

No one was injured in any of the cases.
For a few blissful weeks last summer, 65-year-old Ellen Fisher thought she was finally on her way to a post-COVID normalcy.

After a year and a half of living like a recluse  terrified of the virus and worried that the vaccines to prevent it might trigger a severe flare-up of her autoimmune disease  the Jacksonville retiree had held off on COVID vaccination until her doctor said the benefits outweighed the risks.

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Then he recommended the Johnson & Johnson Janssen shot.

After that, I finally went to Whole Foods instead of having everything delivered, and I made an appointment with my dentist, she said. But then, almost right away, they started talking about needing boosters.

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Like 16 million Americans who got the single-dose J&J vaccine, including some of the nations most vulnerable residents, Fisher now has her doubts about how well protected she is from COVID-19 variants, especially compared to people who had the mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna.

Even with a single booster dose of an mRNA vaccine  as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for J&J recipients  some health authorities are now suggesting a second booster is necessary.

Almost every study shows [the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines] effectiveness is lower than Pfizer or Moderna, said Dr. Paul Sax, clinical director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, during a December forum of COVID authorities. If I had been a person who had the J&J vaccine originally, I would go for a third shot. I would like  two additional mRNA vaccines.

In January, the San Francisco Department of Public Health issued an advisory allowing residents there to do just that. Anyone who got an initial J&J coronavirus vaccine and a second dose of an mRNA vaccine can now get a third shot using Pfizer.

The departments advisory on the subject described the move as a local accommodation and off-label use and recommended that people check with their health care provider first. But it also cited research showing that immunity wanes several months following a second dose and that a third dose reduced symptomatic infection, hospitalization and severe outcomes from the omicron variant.

Although this research has so far focused on persons who received a primary series with non-J&J vaccines, we believe that similar studies in persons whose primary series was a single J&J vaccine dose would yield similar results showing that three doses are needed for optimal protection, it said.

Austin Beeghly of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County holds a vial of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID vaccine during a briefing for the Orlando Fire Department last year. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

So far, the CDC has not weighed in on a third shot for J&J recipients. In December, it recommended a clinical preference for mRNA vaccines in general, following a robust discussion of the latest evidence on vaccine effectiveness, vaccine safety and rare adverse events, including the exceedingly rare but potentially fatal risk of blood clots.

That followed a Food and Drug Administration warning in July after reports linked the vaccine to Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.

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Overall, while Johnson & Johnsons COVID vaccine accounted for only about 7% of fully vaccinated Americans, it often targeted some of the most vulnerable  busy frontline workers, first-responders, elderly shut-ins and people who are homeless.

For the latter, tracking them down to offer a booster, or even making them aware that a booster is recommended, isnt easy.

Some of them may no longer be in the area or staying at the same shelter, but we are trying, said Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns, CEO of the Health Care Center for the Homeless. Weve made a concerted effort, and I wish I could say that the success rate is high, but the challenge is just our ability to find them.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still authorized for those who want it, but finding a place that carries it is getting harder.

The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

CVS Health in Florida, for instance, no longer offers J&J vaccines at its in-store pharmacies or MinuteClinics because of significantly reduced demand, according to a corporate statement.

Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson continues to sponsor its own research on the vaccine, reporting last month that a single dose provided protection for up to six months against COVID-19 breakthrough infections, hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions.

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And there is preliminary data showing that the mix-and-match approach to vaccination  adding J&J following two doses of an mRNA vaccine  may be especially protective against the omicron variant.

Its probably because of the different mechanisms of the vaccines, said Jessica Holzer, an assistant professor in health sciences at the University of New Haven. Each of the vaccines does a slightly different thing, and therefore combining them you get some of the benefits of each.

Still, for many people, including Ellen Fisher, firm answers  let alone a confident return to normalcy  have proved elusive.

I dont 100% trust Johnson & Johnson or Moderna or any of them, Fisher said. But I do trust my doctor. If my doctor tells me to get another booster, Ill get another booster. And Ill get whichever one he tells me to.

ksantich@orlandosentinel.com
Theo Wargo

Ivan Reitman, the influential filmmaker responsible for iconic comedies like Ghostbusters, Stripes, and Animal House, died peacefully in his sleep Saturday night, his family has told the Associated Press.

The father of filmmakers Catherine and Jason Reitman, the Czechoslovak-born Canadian filmmaker began his career producing two films for horror director David Cronenberg: Shivers (1975) and Rabid (1977). His first forays into comedy came shortly after when he produced National Lampoons Animal House (1978), starring John Belushi, and Meatballs (1979), starring longtime collaborator Bill Murray.
Rosa Maria Melendez and Anibal Gonzalez got married February 4th and said they are blessed to have a second chance at love. (Courtesy)

He loves karaoke, although confesses he cant sing. She loves reciting poetry and always knew she would find love again. They met last year, while volunteering at CareMax center in Kissimmee during the centers birthday celebrations.

Rosa Maria Melendez, 70, and Anibal Gonzalez, 84, each married early in life, and had children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren before both were widowed.

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When the Kissimmee couple met in 2021, it was a friendship at first. Soon, their connection blossomed into a romance.

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Although she was grieving, Melendez was determined to find a humble man from Puerto Rico with whom she could share the best years I have left in my life.

While I was single, I always said I would find my jibarito, Melendez said.

A resident of Central Florida since 1992, she lost her first husband six years ago. She began volunteering with CareMax and Meals on Wheels, and also driving people to appointments and just spending time listening to them, to stay busy and help others.

Sometimes people forget that we can get lonely. Having someone doing nice things for you is something that makes the difference between happiness and depression, said Melendez, who retired from Disney after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Rosa Maria Melendez and Anibal Gonzalez met May 27, 2021 and began a friendship that ended up in a romantic relationship. (Courtesy)

Gonzalez, who lost his first wife a year ago, goes to CareMax for all his medical needs but doesnt usually attend events like the centers birthday celebration.

So, the fact that we both ended there and that we caught each others attention, I think it was destiny, he said.

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Melendez recited a poem that day which captivated Gonzalez, he said. As soon as she finished, I jumped out of my seat to find her and congratulate her on her beautiful words and her special talent, he said.

From that day on, I started calling her my favorite poet and looked forward to seeing her more often, he said.

They began meeting for coffee, conversation, and attending CareMax events more often. When she invited him to another music and poetry event, he said he was going to dedicate a song to me, Melendez recalls.

He said, I have these five songs. I want you to choose one and Im going to sing it to you, and on the day of the event, he sang me the song that I chose, La Barca. And from that day on, every song that comes out of his mouth is for me, she said.

For Gonzalez, the moment he knew this was something more was when she was reciting one of her poems and at the end it says You, my friend and she pointed at me as if she was dedicating it to me, from all the people there.

Melendez admitted that had been her intention.

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I wrote that poem for a couple of friends of mine. But I decided to recite it and I knew I wanted him to know it was for him. And it worked, I got him. Now I have my jibarito.

Their connection took him by surprise, especially since he was convinced he was going to die alone, he said.

The last thing I thought was I was going to find love again and get married at 84, he said. I am confident God sent me a partner to live happily ever after the rest of our lives.

They married last week surrounded by family and loved ones, to the relief of Gonzalez, because in the beginning my son and daughter were not very onboard with the situation.

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They were concerned I was moving too fast and that I was forgetting their mom, his wife of 61 years, he said, but they eventually accepted his happiness.

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Melendezs advice for singles who want to find love: Take advantage of every opportunity to meet new people, start with a friendship and you never know where things might go.

Gonzalez says its normal to mourn loss.

But you should start looking for ways to fill the void with things and people you enjoy in life, he said.
Plainviews Atomitat House already was garnering national attention in 1966, but it went international in early 1967 thanks to the U.S. Information Agency.

And that foreign audience was truly unique  the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East.

The film crews visit to the local subterranean residence  and some of the problems they encountered trying to get six minutes of usable footage  was chronicled by Herald reporter David Bryant in an article printed on Dec. 11, 1966.

Jay Swayze built the unusual residence at 2906 W. 20th in 1961-62 during the darkest days of the Cold War, and it was the first underground home to meet U.S. Civil Defense specifications as a nuclear shelter.

The 3,400 square-foot structure, complete with four bedrooms and three baths inside a steel-reinforced concrete shell, is buried 13 feet underground.

Swayze used it as a showplace for two years before he and his family took up residence there.

In September 1967, Swayze traded the unusual home to Bill and Juanita Hamman for a more conventional above-ground residence in the 1000 block of Smyth. The Swayzes later moved to Hereford, but he built several more home underground homes, including one for the New York Worlds Fair and others in Boulder, Colo., Hershey, Pa., Duncanville and Las Vegas.

Bill Hamman died in 2002, but Juanita Hamman continues to live underground in the Atomitat with two of her children.

According to Bryants article, footage from the film crews visit to Plainview was incorporated into a 15-minute program entitled Ikhtartu Lakum  I Have Chosen For You. The American propaganda film was shot and produced by the U.S. Information Agencys Motion Picture-Television Service. It was part of a series of programs shown on TV stations in Arabic-speaking countries that was designed to show scenes of American life.

The three days of filming in Plainview by the contracted film crew from Dallas Tele-News didnt necessarily go smoothly.

According to Bryant, as Swayze stood in front of his underground home and began saying, Hello, Im Jay Swa . . . a dog wandered across the yard to spoil Scene One, Take Six.

Even though the commentary and sound-on-film voice would be translated into Arabic, Swayze opened the film in English with an introduction at ground level. He then stepped through the front door and continued down the stairs to his home.

Filming of the opening scene was finally completed, but only after the sound technician suffered numerous setbacks  from the wandering dog, other neighborhood canines who were barking at a passing mailman and finally the wailing horn of a passing railway freight.

The sound technicians unsolicited observation to the reporter was that Plainview is a noisy place.

But once inside, the filming went smoothly within the quiet comfort of the below-ground residence.

The targeted audience for the film was television viewers in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Aden and possibly Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria.

The program was never designed to be shown to American viewers.

While the film crew was from Dallas, they were supervised by director Joe Royster and his assistant, Barbara Spinapolice, both from Washington, D.C.

After editing and final screening, the film was ready for distribution and broadcast in early 1967.

To comment:

dmcdonough@hearstnp.com

806.296.1350
An autopsy was scheduled for Saturday in the death of a 9-year-old boy who drowned during a summer school field trip at a local YMCA.

Alejandro Carrasco, who couldn't swim, drowned Friday morning while on an outing with about 45 classmates on the last day of a summer school program. Lifeguards found his body at the deep end of the pool after his teachers noticed he was missing.

"The classes were counted before returning to the school and that's when teachers realized one student was missing," said Julie Lozano, a spokesman for Ysleta Independent School District. "When they went back inside the YMCA, the lifeguards were already trying to revive the boy."

YMCA officials said two lifeguards were on duty Friday at the pool, which reached 12 feet in depth. Officials could not say where the lifeguards were at the time of the drowning.

"The entire YMCA of El Paso staff is shocked, grief-stricken and trying to come to terms with this tragedy," CEO John Brooks said.

Police said the child had no pulse and wasn't breathing when he was pulled from the pool, but that doctors at Del Sol Medical Center tried for up to an hour to revive him.

Carrasco's mother, Enedrina Lucio, said she was waiting for her son at school when she was told to go to the hospital, where she and family members waited until doctors told them "everything that could be done for Alex had been done," Lucio said.

"How can it happen? With the lifeguards and the teacher there? How can it be?" Lucio was quoted saying in Saturday's editions of The El Paso Times.

Carrasco shared a bedroom with his 8-year-old sister and 4-year-old brother. The children were at a friend's house Friday night as their parents struggled to find a way to tell them about their brother.

Lucio said Carrasco was a shy boy who wanted to be a police officer when he grew up. He didn't know how to swim, but Lucio didn't think it would be a problem Friday morning.

"They said the children who couldn't swim, they would not let in the pool. Only in the small pool to wet their feet," Lucio said.
Lorraine Hofeller, believed to be one of the last survivors of the Great Storm of 1900, has died. She was 106 years old.

Hofeller, who died Wednesday in a Houston nursing home, was 4 years old when the hurricane devastated Galveston Island, killing between 6,000 and 10,000 along the upper Texas coast.

The storm remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Besides the large death toll, the storm left another 10,000 homeless as entire neighborhoods were swept clean.

"She was one of the strongest people I have ever known," Laurie Bricker, Hofeller's granddaughter, said during services on Friday. "She wasn't afraid of anything, not one thing, except for hurricanes."

Hofeller, her brother Mortimer, father Ben and mother Belle rode out the storm in their home when it hit on Sept. 8, 1900.

The family survived and the house, though damaged, also withstood the storm in part because it was built with its first floor 10 feet above ground. It also stood on one of Galveston Island's high points.

Hofeller's most vivid memory of the storm was when water poured through part of her home's ceiling, Bricker said.

"My great-grandfather had a walking stick and poked it on a spot on the ceiling that was bulging because of the water," said Bricker. "My grandmother recalled how when he poked the ceiling, water just poured out, and that really scared her."

Born in Galveston on Feb. 24, 1896, Hofeller was elected president of her graduating class at Galveston's Ball High School. Not only was she the first girl to hold the office, she also defeated four male opponents at a time when women couldn't vote in government elections.

The experience in winning a high school election instilled in Hofeller a passion for politics that never faded.

She was married for 45 years to Sigmar K. Hofeller, who died in 1964.

Hofeller, who years earlier had moved from Galveston to Houston, always had fond memories of her time on the island, Bricker said. She was to be buried on the island.

She "loved everything about the island. The only thing she didn't like about Galveston were the hurricanes," Bricker said.

Hofeller is survived by her daughters, Elaine Kuper and Marion Levi, both of Houston.
WALLINGFORD  The smells of authentic Mexican cuisine filled part of the Wallingford Public Library last week as community members gathered to learn how to make birria tacos and birria quesadillas.

Ana Avila, who owns a private catering business, led the cooking demonstration in Spanish. Daisy Lopez, program director at the Spanish Community of Wallingford, served as the moderator and translator.

The Tuesday demonstration was also live streamed on Facebook.

Birria tacos, a Mexican dish originally from the state of Jalisco, are served with broth or soup. You can eat them separately or dip the tacos in the broth.

I enjoyed the presentation a lot, said Jose Oro, of Wallingford.

Oro, who is originally from Cuba, said he enjoyed the recipe and the chance to meet members of the community in a nice environment.

Jesse Piper, of Wallingford, attended because she enjoys Mexican cuisine. She said the recipe was easy and she enjoyed that it was a bilingual program. She also appreciated that Lopez showed enthusiasm for Mexican culture.

Leah Farrell, the librarys head of adult programming and community service, said it was the third time the library and SCOW partnered for a cooking demonstration.

People really enjoy these programs, Farrell said.

The librarys goal is to host a cooking demonstration quarterly.

We just want to start providing more programs for our Spanish speakers but also for our English speakers to share this culture, Farrell said. We want to celebrate everyone in our community and this is one way to do that. Food brings people together better than almost anything.

Avila said she enjoyed explaining the dish step by step and the communitys interest in Mexican food and culture.

Those interested in having Avila cater a private event can contact her at 203-892-7146.

Birria tacos and quesadilla recipe

Ingredients:

6 pounds of beef meat, neck and chuck

6 guajillo peppers

2 ancho peppers

2 tomatoes

 of an onion

Maguey stock

 cup of white vinegar

1 beer

1 tsp of cumin

10 garlic cloves

5 bay leaves

2 tsp of dried oregano

1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp of marjoram

5 cloves

 tsp of black pepper

13 pieces of allspice

Husk tomatoes

Jalapeno peppers

Salt to taste

Tortillas

Steps

Avila started by roasting the peppers and tomatoes. Then, she took the seeds and veins from the peppers and threw them away. She rinsed the peppers with water.

She chopped the meat in small pieces. Then, she blended the peppers, tomatoes, oregano, vinegar, cumin, bay leaves, marjoram, cinnamon, black pepper, all spice, cloves, garlic, onion, beer, water and salt to taste. She then added that mixture and small pieces of Maguey stock to the raw meat, which she then cooked for two hours. The meat can be marinated with the mixture for an hour prior to cooking.

The salsa

In the meantime, she prepared the salsa by boiling the husk tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. She then blended them with a handful of cilantro, salt to taste and water. She added a bit of chopped onions and cilantro to the mixture. The mixture was put aside while she continued preparing the other ingredients.

She warmed up the tortillas and then added the meat, chopped onions, cilantro and the salsa. She added a piece of lime on the side.

The soup

Avila used the sauce from the meat as the soup and topped it with some onions and cilantro.

For the birria quesadillas she used the same process and added one more ingredient: Oaxaca cheese. She also added some of the sauce from the meat to both sides of the tortillas when she was warming them up.

ksantos@record-journal.com203-317-2364Twitter: @KarlaSantosNews
By the end of February, downtown dwellers clocking out on a Friday at Frost Tower or visiting Legacy Park for a bite at Pinkerton's will hear old school tunes flowing from a new bar in town. The owners of El Honky Tonk, an authentic country bar with a Spanish twang, is preparing to round out rodeo season with an opening.

Owners Richard Bocanegra, James Gonzaba Sr., James Gonzaba Jr., are the minds behind the upcoming honky haunt, nestled between Gloria's and Carmens de La Calle at 316 N Flores. Bocanegra says he's noticed a void of a good ol' country bar in downtown San Antonio, and El Honky will be ready ready to give tourists a true Texas experience while also being a place where locals can meet up for a cold one after work and listen to Conway Twitty and Hank Williams. The owners tip their hats to country clubs in San Antonio, like Lonesome Rose on the St. Mary's Strip, but they're ready to wrangle up their combined bar experience spanning 15 years to start their own.

Gonzaba says he met people while working at downtown bars who were visiting from as far as Europe and looking for a true country bar. The absences of a downtown San Antonio bar where patrons could hear Texas country, threw Gonzaba for a "loop."

El Honky Tonk is in the process of being gussied up, but the rustic appeal is already taking shape. Don't imagine a Thirsty Horse or Cowboy's Dancehall in the middle of downtown. That's not what the owners want for El Honky Tonk want. It's an intimate space with hardwood floors, a rustic bar with dim lighting, exposed walls, and a small stage, which can be moved for more dancing room. It's like a bit of Broadway in Nashville with a little Urban Cowboy, too.

You spin me right round: Southtown's new 'straight up al pastor taqueria' already has San Antonio drooling

There's also a neon sign you can't miss.

"I'm Your Huckleberry," underscored with a minimalist outline of Tombstone badboy Doc Holliday hangs on a wall closest to the window. Bocanegra and Gonzaba say the lighted sign is already attracting interest. (It's how I found out about the bar. My brother, who is also a fan of the 1993 movie, saw the sign during a walk around his neighborhood and was determined to find out what was opening in the space.)

Appealing to San Antonio's young professional crowd as well as being a place where courthouse employees and politicians or lawyers can meet up to discuss happenings is what the owners want. In as sense, it's like El Honky Tonk is their way of picking up where Cadillac Bar left off when the beloved bar closed in 2020.

"It's something that's been talked about for some time, it was not just planned out overnight," Gonzaba Sr. says. "It's a passion. My son always wanted his own place."

Now open: San Antonio's highly anticipated Pearl-area Italian eatery announces opening date

Bocanegra and Gonzaba Jr. say they wanted to open something outside of the "cookie cutter" bars they've seen.

"If we're going to do a country bar, let's do something authentic," the younger Gonzaba says.

Some days there will be live music with a setup inspired by The BlueBird Cafe in Nashville, but this is still a Texas place. Gonzaba points to a list of songs he and Bocanegra have spent recent days building to become the house music. There's Johnny Cash, Randy Rogers, Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.

"It's really outlaw country, really Southern, good stuff. I think in a different world, we would have been gangsters or maybe bandits, but we're not, we're family men," Gonzaba Jr. jokes. "But that's the music that moves us. It's like a hustle music, it gets you moving. I've never walked in a country bar and felt something where the hair stood up on my skin. We said if we're going to do this, let's do something outside of the box."

The hit TV series Yellowstone, a favorite of the business partners, also has an influence. Artists like Colter Wall, Brent Cobb, Tyler Childers, whose music has all been featured on the show, are also part of the playlist.

Coming soon: BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse is planning a location on San Antonio's Southside

And because this is San Antonio, patrons can also expect to sing along with Chente (who will be the focal point of a mural in the bar) and raise a tequila shot to a mariachi or bolero.

"We're a honky-tonk with a Spanish twist," Bocanegra says, hence the "El" in "El Honky Tonk."

Gonzaba says making room for their Mexican roots sets El Honky Tonk apart from other bars.

"That style of music moves us, too. We're very old souls," he adds. "We listen to classic music all across the board, we're even going to play some classic rock during happy hour. We want a little bit of everything, but we try to keep it old school."

We chatted at the developing bar as the owners imagine a scene of downtown employees taking the edge off the day with a glass of whiskey or grabbing a beer with friends to celebrate one of life's milestones. Bocanegra and Gonzaba say a few cocktails will make their way to the menu but they're largely keeping things simple. Or, as Bocanegra says, "your whiskeys, your beers, and whatnot."

"We're going back to the simple days where there were no Puckers, no flavored stuff," Gonzaba adds. "You had a choice of bourbon, gin, or rum and you put it to a glass with ice and that was it. We're simplifying it. People come in and want to talk to the bartender about their sh---y day or share how they're celebrating. The more time that you can share that conversation and not do too much, that's what I want."

The soft opening is planned for Friday, February 25, and Saturday, February 26. The older Gonzaba, who owns Tilo Mexican Restaurant, also plans to serve food during lunch hours, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the space. Hungry daytime visitors will find chicken mole, brisket sandwiches, and more. Should they rendezvous for happy hour, they'll find a space that takes it back to the old school.

"It is more like that Urban Cowboy vibe, you turn on some George Strait and the lights are dim and it's nice and soothing," Gonzaba Jr. says. "You're not going to be able to stomp your feet around, but maybe on a crazy night  if it turns in a party vibe, we'll party."
Hong Kong: $27b relief fund for virus fight

The Government today said it will seek the Legislative Council Finance Committees approval for injecting $27 billion into the Anti-epidemic Fund (AEF), involving 48 measures to support 67,000 businesses and 750,000 individuals.

The committee will discuss the funding proposal at an online meeting tomorrow.

Chief Secretary John Lee said: The Government fully understands the impact the pandemic and tightening of social distancing measures have brought to the community, particularly to the grass-roots. As such, we have swiftly rolled out a new round of the AEF.

The various support measures will help safeguard jobs and preserve the economic strength of Hong Kong, such that our economy will be able to recover as soon as possible when this wave of the pandemic subsides.

Over 60% of the total financial commitment will be dedicated to aiding individuals, and it is the first time that the Government introduces a Temporary Unemployment Relief, he noted.

The Temporary Unemployment Relief will provide a one-off, flat-rate $10,000-subsidy to full-time or part-time workers receiving a monthly salary not exceeding $30,000 before they were laid off. Those who have lost their jobs since the fifth wave of the pandemic started and have remained unemployed for at least one month at the time of application may enrol.

While eligible self-employed citizens will be considered, recipients of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance or other measures under the sixth-round AEF will not be considered, the Government said.

Furthermore, a new round of the Job Creation Scheme will be rolled out to create an additional 30,000 time-limited jobs in the public and private sectors to assist the unemployed to re-enter the job market.

For premises which are required to be closed, or businesses significantly restricted by the tightened social distancing measures, such as catering premises, beauty parlours, massage establishments, fitness centres and cinemas, the subsidy rates will double those under the fifth-round AEF. For example, licensees of catering premises will receive a subsidy ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 based on the premises licensed area.

This round of the AEF will also include hair salons and barber shops which have been required to close since February 10, the Government added.

Meanwhile, the Government will give out subsidies to businesses that are hard hit by the pandemic and indirectly affected by the social distancing measures, including the tourism sector, hotels and guesthouses, passenger transport trade, laundry trade, dishware washing trade, employment agencies and local primary producers. Among them, a 75% rental concession for a period of six months will be offered to tenants of specific places like PMQ, Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, Arts Spaces, Hong Kong Science Park, Innoparks and Cyberport.

Eligible self-employed people and freelancers of the arts and culture sector and the creative industry, tourist guides and tour escorts, sports/recreation/culture trainers and cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers will also be given support under the sixth-round fund.

A monthly allowance of $2,000 for a period of five months will be disbursed to frontline cleansing and security staff engaged by the Governments service contractors or working in private buildings and industrial/commercial properties; frontline airport staff in targeted groups; and staff of residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for people with disabilities.

The Government expects that the majority of the measures will be open for application within one month after the funding injection is secured.

This story has been published on: 2022-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China's top drug regulator has given conditional approval for Pfizer's COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid, making it the first oral pill for the disease approved in the country. The drug can be used to treat adults who have mild to moderate symptoms and a high risk of progressing to more severe disease, the National Medical Products Administration said on Saturday. These patients include the elderly and people with chronic kidney or lung issues, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other high-risk factors. Clinical trial data released by Pfizer found that Paxlovid could reduce the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization or death by 87.8 percent when given within five days of the onset of symptoms. The drug was also found effective against the prevailing variants of concern, including the Delta and Omicron variants. As of Saturday, Paxlovid is authorized for emergency use and has been granted conditional marketing approval in about 40 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, Germany, Belgium, South Korea, Singapore and Japan. China's announcement to greenlight the drug has spurred speculation whether it may adjust its epidemic control measures. However, experts and regulators from countries that have adopted the drug routinely stressed that the medication is for treating patients who are already ill. It is not a substitute for vaccination, social distancing, maintaining personal hygiene and other preventive measures. A pharmaceutical scientist in Beijing who requested anonymity said having an oral medicine like Paxlovid to treat COVID-19 is more convenient for patients and health workers than treatments that require intravenous injection in a hospital setting, such as monoclonal antibodies and the antiviral drug remdesivir. But as dozens of wealthy countries are lining up for Paxlovid, the World Health Organization warned last month that there could be a high risk of it being in short supply in low- and middle-income countries. Because of this, the expert said it would be unwise and irrational for China to change its time-tested epidemic control policy based on a drug that could be hard to procure. "Paxlovid is not a magic bullet to end the pandemic," the expert said. "Nevertheless, China's approving the pill can send a strong signal to the domestic pharmaceutical industry to accelerate their research into drugs to treat COVID-19." Clinical data indicate Paxlovid is well-tolerated and there have been few reported cases of adverse reactions. Common side effects are generally mild, including diarrhea, vomiting, hypertension and muscle pain. One possible setback is that the drug may interact with common medications used to treat irregular heartbeat, migraines, psychosis and high cholesterol, leading to reduced efficacy or more serious adverse events, according to the United States Food and Drug Administration. As a result, the FDA said, physicians should carefully consider the potential for drug interactions when prescribing the drug.


A 16-year-old Seminole High School student was charged Monday as an adult for allegedly shooting a fellow student last month on campus, according to the Seminole-Brevard State Attorneys Office.

DaRaveius Smith is accused of shooting an 18-year-old student three times on Jan. 19, which prompted a lockdown of the Sanford campus for several hours.

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The Sanford Police Department has not released the name of the male victim and cited Marsys Law, the victim rights amendment to Floridas Constitution.

Da'Raveius Smith, 16. (Sanford Police Department)

Smith got into an argument with the victim over a female student then later fired several shots at him after he exited a restroom, SPD Chief Cecil Smith said.

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The victim ran as DaRaveius Smith chased him and fired more shots, prosecutors said.

A school resource officer eventually found the wounded victim near the schools Tomahawk building, the police chief said. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Smith was initially held at the juvenile detention center but is being transferred to Seminole County Jail without bond.

He faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, firing a weapon on school property and shooting into a building.

The Orlando Sentinel, which did not name Smith in prior stories about the shooting, does not generally identify minors accused of crimes unless they are charged as adults.

lgarza@orlandosentinel.com
If San Antonio's famed North Star Mall boots were made for walkin', they'd cost thousands.

Here at MySA, we've seen a number of ways San Antonians have paid tribute to the 35-foot-tall kickers that have made North Star Mall a landmark, including this February tattoo.

The boots were created by late artist Bob "Daddy-O" Wade in 1979, before finding their permanent home in San Antonio 1980. They hold the Guiness World Record for "largest cowboy boot structure" and are so roomy, they once housed a country radio station, which broadcast from inside them during the rodeo.

We originally asked readers if anyone had ever recreated the boots to add to their wardrobe. If anyone does have a pair in their closet, they didn't speak up. Others liked the idea  I think.

"What a TERRIBLY brilliant idea. Im taking note of this," a tweet by user @NosPosWow210 says.

Dennis Dunleavy/FILE

So, we decided to find out for ourselves.

We tapped none other than Little's Boots, the family business generations of San Antonians have trusted for their custom orders.

Sharon Little, the eldest daughter of Little's Boots' Dave Little, shared some insight on what it would take to make a wearable replica of Wade's creation.

Little tells MySA that judging by the countless photos of the North Star Mall pair, the real-life shoes would need to use quill ostrich on the vamp, which is the part that covers your feet. Quill ostrich, shows the "bumps" where the feathers grow. Sharon says the shop would use kangaroo leather on the tops with six rows of stitching. Yes, kangaroo.

File photo / Express-News

The mall boots are equipped with lights that give them a nighttime glow. It's unclear how much adding Kacey Musgraves-esque illuminated accents would tack on to the price.

The grand total for that much custom work would be ... $2,445. For context, the owners of North Star Mall paid $20,000 in a bidding war to bring the behemoth boots to the Alamo City.

Sharon says all of the shop's custom orders are taking four months to complete.

If that price tag didn't make you turn on your heel and the San Antonio-centric design speaks to your sole, Little's Boots has been taking care of San Antonio cowboys since 1915. Their custom, made-to-order boots start at $1,400. The shop is located at 110 Division Avenue.

Courtesy, @MiroTattooArtist
Predictions from Back to the Future II may have not entirely come true, but it looks like DeLorean will live on with a new electric vehicle and it will all start here in San Antonio.

DeLorean Motor Company, the maker of the iconic DMC DeLorean that was the centerpiece of the Back to the Future franchise, plans to zoom back onto the automotive scene by reestablishing its headquarters at Port San Antonio, near Lackland Air Force Base, according to a news release from economic development group greater: SATX.

You may have caught a tease of the gull wing door vehicle during last night's Super Bowl.

The company's new global headquarters and manufacturing hub will facilitate production of its new DeLorean electric vehicle, once "various incentive packages" are approved. Details on the incentive packages were not disclosed.

DeLorean's headquarters will bring approximately 450 jobs to San Antonio in executive, management and engineering roles.

Courtesy of Port San Antonio

"We are grateful for the tremendous support weve received from the community," says CEO Joost de Vries in the news release. "San Antonio boasts a growing component and vehicle manufacturing sector as well as a wide array of global advanced manufacturing operations."

DeLorean Motor Company was founded by John DeLorean in 1975 in Detroit and eventually shut down in 1985 after the technical snags in production led to the company being $17 million in debt. There was also the FBI sting to try an pin drug trafficking charges on DeLorean, but it was later decided that he was coerced because agents initially approached as investors amid his bankruptcy.

DeLorean Motor Company was reestablished in Humble, Texas in 1995, making sure to completely separate itself from DeLorean's company. It has since facilitated service for roughly 6,000 DMC DeLoreans.

"By planning to establish their global headquarters in San Antonio, DeLorean is validating the talent, strategic preparation, and adaptability our region provides for EV manufacturers to thrive," says Mayor Ron Nirenberg in the news release.

San Antonio is already a hub for vehicle manufacturers like Toyota, Navistar and Tesla. A vast network of suppliers spanning from the Austin region to Monterrey, Mexico travels through the Alamo City.

DeLorean plans to partner with regional colleges like Texas A&M University - San Antonio, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Trinity University and Texas State University to find experienced employees.
Of all the beautiful things Disney has given the world  anthropomorphic mice, immersive-environment theme parks, monorails  theres only one thats part of countless Super Bowl spreads in homes across America today. (And no, Im not talking about the Im going to Disneyland! thing. Thats another story.) Youve probably got it in your kitchen right now, actually.

Doritos, you might be surprised to learn, were invented at Disneyland. Not only that: They started as trash.

In the early years of Disneyland, corporate sponsorship of attractions was more overt than the more subtle approach today. Pym Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus for example, which opened last year, is sponsored by Impossible Foods, but the name of the restaurant is much more prominent than the subtle Featuring Impossible signage below it. Back then, it was places with obvious naming rights and exclusive offerings, such as Monsantos Hall of Chemistry showing off what the LA Times really, truly described as the romance of chemistry, the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship offering a tuna sandwich, a tuna burger, or a hot tuna pie and the Welchs stand selling Welchs grape juice.

One of those corporate sponsorships was from Fritos (what later became Frito-Lay), which opened Casa de Fritos in 1955, just a few months after the park opened. The restaurant served authentic Mexican food, as it says on this 1955 menu, like spaghetti and chili for $0.40 and a combination plate featuring two tamales, rice, beans, salad and a ta-cup, which is apparently a miniature taco salad in a small bowl made of Fritos, for $1. The plate also came with a side of Fritos.

Every menu at Casa de Fritos had a history of how company founder C.E. Doolin bought the recipe for what would become Fritos from a family-run Mexican restaurant in San Antonio and turned it into a massive snack food brand. The restaurant also had an interactive attraction featuring the Frito Kid, the foods former mascot.

You only want a snack? While at the Casa, visit the Frito Kid, a combination statue and vending machine, Werner Weiss wrote for Disney blog Yesterland. Drop a nickel in the coin slot and a bag of delicious Fritos corn chips appears in the Kids gold mine.

With all of the ta-cupping happening in the kitchen, the restaurant went through a lot of tortillas, sourced from Orange, Californias Alex Foods. This is where the Doritos magic starts.

One day, a salesman from Alex Foods noticed that Casa de Fritos was dumping stale tortillas in the trash, Bob Sorokanich wrote for Gizmodo. He gave the kitchen a tip: instead of trashing the stale tortillas, cut them up and fry them.

Effectively, they were just tortilla chips, without any of the orange nacho cheese powder we gleefully lick off our fingers today. But people loved them. With hot tuna pie as a contemporary food option in the park, its no wonder Doritos were a hit with park guests.

One of those people: Archibald Clark West, who worked for Fritos. He contacted Alex Foods to start producing the snack for sale in 1964, and by 1966, Alex Foods was out and Frito-Lay was selling Doritos  Spanish for little gold ones  throughout the country. That flavor was original, but in 1968 the company released taco, then nacho cheese in 1974, according to Consumer Reports. In the last 50 years, there have been more than 100 different varieties of Doritos, Laura Northrup wrote.

You can now buy Doritos and Fritos at snack stands throughout Disney parks but not from the restaurant where they were invented.

Casa de Fritos was originally located near whats now Stage Door Cafe and the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland, but moved to a larger location due to its popularity. After Frito-Lays sponsorship ended, the restaurant became Casa Mexicana sponsored by Lawrys Foods, and eventually what is now Rancho del Zocalo near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which was originally sponsored by Ortega. It serves the same kind of Mexican-inspired fare such as enchiladas and tacos. There is one remaining relic of Casa de Fritos at the park today, as Disney historian Marcy Carriker Smothers noted: The California flag that once flew at the original restaurant is framed inside Rancho del Zocalo today.

When West died in 2011, he requested to be buried with his favorite invention. Snacking on Doritos is typically discouraged at funerals, as the loud crunch of the popular junk food tends to drown out heartfelt eulogies and generally detract from the somber mood of the occasion, Seth Abramovich wrote for Gawker, but not at that particular funeral. Wests family complied with his wishes, tossing Doritos into his grave in Dallas before he was interred.
By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans.

Last week, Senator Elizebeth Warren and Representative Katie Porter, sent a withering letter to Robert Cook, president and CEO of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA), the self regulator that oversees the mandatory arbitration system for settling disputes between brokers and their customers. The letter was sparked by a January ruling by Belinda Edwads, a superior court judge in Fulton County, Georgia.

The issue: not content with relying on the systemic bias of mandatory arbitration towards defendants  usually corporations  instead of plaintiffs  you and me  FINRA apparently allowed Well Fargo to strike certain names off the putatively neutral list from which arbitrators are chosen. Basically, the regulator allowed Well Fargo to select who would hear claims against it  a direct way for Wells Fargo to game the system.

Over to Warren and Porter:

We are writing regarding a highly disturbing report earlier this week indicating that Wells Fargo rigged the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration system in a case involving a customers claim against the banks mishandling of his investments by improperly manipulat[ing] a list of arbitrators who could decide on the customersclaimwith the permission of FINRA. According to the findings of Superior Court Judge Belinda Edwards, FINRA for years has used a computer system to randomly generate a neutral list of potential arbitrators from which the parties agree on three to decide the case. But in this case, multiple names were removed from the list at the request of Wells Fargos lawyer and with the permission of Finra. Judge Edwards wrote that, Permitting one lawyer to secretly red line the neutral list makes the list anything but neutral, and calls into question the entire fairness of the arbitral forum. We have a long public record of concerns about the wide-ranging and long-lasting pattern of illegal and abusive behavior by Wells Fargo.4 Similarly, we have long had concerns about FINRAs ability to effectively enforce rules against fraudulent and abusive behavior by brokers and dealers. And we have for years attempted to address the problems for consumers and workers caused by forced arbitration processes that limit their rights.6 This latest report brings all three problems into focus: it reveals troubling new allegations about the atrocious behavior of Wells Fargo, the inability of FINRA to effectively police the financial system, and the unfairness of the arbitration process [citations omitted].

Ouch! Now, as the letter incidtates, Warren has hammered FINRA before. So, the letter later quoted back to Cook FINRAs previous paean to the putative fairness of its arbitration system. From the Warren/Porter letter:

In response to that letter, you made a series of assertions about the fairness of your arbitration system. You wrote that: FINRAs primary role in the arbitration process is to administer cases brought to the forum in a neutral, efficient and fair manner. In its capacity as a neutral administrator of the forum, FINRA does not have any input into the outcome of arbitrations. Investors have the option to have their case decided exclusively by public arbitrators, who have no ties to the securities industry. To provide transparency about awards rendered in the forum, FINRA makes all awards publicly available and publishes detailed arbitration statistics on its website, including the number of cases filed and their respective outcomes. FINRA recognizes the importance of providing a diverse pool of arbitrators from which parties can choose. FINRA has embarked on an aggressive campaign to recruit new arbitrators with a particular focus on adding arbitrators from diverse backgrounds [] FINRA staff review arbitration claims and disclosures reporting arbitration awards or settlements to determine whether the issues raised in the arbitration or settlement require a further regulatory review or response [citations omitted].

Warren and Porter didnt content themselves with a simple scolding. Instead, they laid out a series of questions to which Cook must respond before February 23:

These findings by a Federal judge in the Wells Fargo case raise serious questions about your assertions that the FINRA arbitration process is neutral, efficient and fair, and about whether Wells Fargo has once again sought to undermine consumer protection rules. To address these questions, we ask that you provide answers to our questions no later than February 23, 2022. (1) What was the specific process by which arbitrators were chosen in the Wells Fargo vs. Brian Leggett/Bryson Holdings case? (2) Was this process consistent with FINRAs policies and precedents for choosing arbitrators? (3) Does FINRA believe that this process was conducted in a neutral, efficient and fair manner? (4) Did Wells Fargos attorneys communicate with FINRA officials regarding the arbitrators that would be chosen  or not chosen  to hear this case? If so, what was the nature of these communications? (5) Specifically, did Wells Fargo request that any arbitrators be removed from the list of those available to hear the case? If yes: Which arbitrators did Wells Fargo request be removed? Why did they make these requests? How did FINRA respond to these requests? Were the attorneys representing Mr. Leggett and Bryson Holdings giventhe same opportunity to strike arbitrators from this case? Did they avail themselves of this opportunity? (6) Does FINRA notify the public of instances where arbitrators are struck from having the ability to hear an arbitration case? If so, how does the organization do so? (7) Does FINRA believe the issues raised in this arbitration case require a further regulatory review or response?
Jerri-Lynn here. This post discusses a phenomenon I abhor: the Hallmarking of holidays, reducing what should be an occasion for joy and celebration to a mere commercial exchange. Note here that this UK-based author discusses what one might call the American Way of Holidays  I here filch Jessica Mitfords usage of American from her The American Way of Death. A usage, which, actually, doesnt apply to that most American of holidays, Thanksgiving. The notion of the perfect Thanksgiving gift has never really caught on. Instead, the holidays pleasures arise from joining with friends and family to share a meal.

Make sure you read to the end of this post, where the author concludes: So perhaps the best option for Valentines Day is to forget about spending money on expensive gifts and make it about how you spend time as a couple instead.

With that message in mind, Happy Valentines Day!

By Cathrine Jansson-Boyd, Reader in Consumer Psychology, Anglia Ruskin University. Originally published at The Conversation

For many couples, Valentines Day is crunch time. Research has shown that romantic relationships are more likely to end on or around February 14 compared to almost any other time of the year. This may be why almost 1 billion is expected to be spentin the UK over the next few days on the traditional fare of cards, chocolates and jewellery.

Many of those items will be bought as genuine gestures of affection, or for the more economically minded, as proof that they are invested in the relationship. But the fact that the date has become so commercialised can also be a real turnoff. For while some consider it a cherished day of romantic bliss, to others, February 14 inspires feelings of loathing and revulsion.

And if you do choose to partake in the annual celebration, deciding on the right Valentines Day gift can be confusing. What does a box of chocolates signify? How many roses does it take to genuinely reflect the appropriate level of devotion?

Rather than feeling that they want to buy something lovely for the person they love, people may feel obliged simply to spend, such is the weight of tradition and expectation.

For many, particularly men, according to research, a subsequent coping mechanism is a shopping style which has been labelled grab and go. This is when a person enters a store, picks something up, and is ready to pay in as little as 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, it has been claimed that women are more likely to have escalating expectations, especially in their 20s, about what they should receive as a Valentines gift.

Some who had been in a relatively long-term relationship expected the level of lavishness to increase from year to year. And it is not uncommon for heterosexual women to consider it to be the mans role to plan and create the perfect day.

For many, that perfection can only be achieved if it comes with the smell of a dozen red roses. Flowers are a big money spinner on Valentines Day and in 2019, 261 million was spent on bouquets in the UK. But research indicates that the chances of receiving a bunch of blooms depend on how the other person views the state of the relationship.

You are apparently more likely to buy flowers if you perceive that your personal needs, such as feeling loved, are being fulfilled. If you are strongly passionate about someone, youll probably give flowers in combination with a range of other gifts. Those who said they were satisfied with their romantic relationship were the least inclined to buy flowers for their partners.

Cant Buy Me Love

To ease the pressure, then, it is always worth considering a more personal and low-key approach  something that the object of your affection will genuinely appreciate and enjoy. Extravagance isnt always appreciated, for example, as giving branded goods is often received as a commercial gift rather than a message of love.

If you opt to play it safe with a gift card, go for a broad approach. Research shows that tokens for a specific shop or product are less appreciated and often end up unused.

But of course, expressions of love and affection need not be about spending money at all. One survey of 3,000 couples found that those who spent the most on engagement rings and weddings were the quickest to break up.

An alternative approach would be to embrace research that suggests that true happiness comes from spending time with the people you love and sharing experiences together. So perhaps the best option for Valentines Day is to forget about spending money on expensive gifts and make it about how you spend time as a couple instead. Try to do something that creates a fond memory  in a way that a wilting bunch of flowers never will.
(Natural News) Car manufacturers that operate plants both in Canada and the United States are really starting to feel the burn from Justin Trudeaus Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine mandates, but the guy refuses to budge on lifting them.

Even as the Biden regime hints at lessening some of the restrictions, Trudeau is reportedly st[anding] firm against an easing of Canadas COVID-19 restrictions in the face of mounting pressure during recent weeks by protests against the restrictions and against Trudeau himself.

Trudeaus failure to back down on the tyranny resulted in a blockade being formed on the bridge between Canada and Detroit, which forced the shutdown of a Ford plant. Other car manufacturers are also suffering, reports indicate. (Related: Freedom Convoy protesters say Trudeaus government is ripping everything apart with its tyranny.)

The protest by people mostly in pickup trucks entered its third day at the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, reported AP News. 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.

All Trudeau has to do is stop tyrannizing his countrys people and this whole escalating situation would come to an immediate end. However, because he refuses to, it will likely continue indefinitely, causing progressively more harm to the automobile industry and the North American economy at large.

Biden regime blames protesters, not Trudeau, for auto industry crisis

In an announcement, Ford claimed that a parts shortage forced it to shut down an engine plant in Windsor. A Ford assembly plant in Oakville, Ont., also had to pare down to a reduced schedule due to a lack of incoming supplies caused by Trudeaus tyranny.

This interruption on the Detroit-Windsor bridge hurts customers, auto workers, suppliers, communities and companies on both sides of the border, Ford said in a statement.

We hope this situation is resolved quickly because it could have widespread impact on all automakers in the U.S. and Canada.

General Motors likewise had to cancel the second shift of the day at its midsize-SUV factory near Lansing, Mich., though spokesman Dan Flores indicated that this was only a temporary move.

Toyota spokesman Scott Vazin said that his company will temporarily no longer be able to manufacture anything at three Canadian plants due to parts shortages. Vazin blamed the supply chain, weather and pandemic-related challenges, but the announcement came immediately after the blockade formed, indicating the true reason.

Our teams are working diligently to minimize the impact on production, the company announced.

At Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, business is mostly normal, however the company did have to cut some shifts short at its minivan plant in Windsor.

The Biden regime, meanwhile, is blaming the blockade, not Trudeau, for wreaking all this economic havoc.

The blockade poses a risk to supply chains for the auto industry because the bridge is a key conduit for motor vehicles, components and parts, and delays risk disrupting auto production, announced White House press secretary Jen Psaki, making no mention of the mandates that caused it in the first place.

In his own statement, Trudeau defended his tyranny by claiming that it was, and still is, necessary to fight the plandemic and flatten the curve.

A second blockade at a border crossing in Coutts, Alberta, has shut down economic activity at that port of entry as well. For the past week and a half, dozens of trucks were parked there while hundreds more occupied downtown Ottawa, Canadas capital.

Until Trudeau moves, we dont move, said protester John Vanreeuwyk, a feedlot operator from Coaldale, Alberta.

More related news about Trudeau can be found at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

APNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Proving once again that the Canadian government really isnt a democracy, police were ordered onto an international bridge to clear Freedom Convoy protesters fighting against a ridiculous and pointless COVID-19 vaccine mandate on Saturday in a move that never would have happened if the passageway was blocked by left-wing Black Lives Matter demonstrations.

The Windsor Police & its policing partners have commenced enforcement at and near the Ambassador Bridge. We urge all demonstrators to act lawfully & peacefully, the department said in a tweet. Commuters are still being asked to avoid the areas affected by the demonstrations at this time.

The Windsor Police & its policing partners have commenced enforcement at and near the Ambassador Bridge. We urge all demonstrators to act lawfully & peacefully. Commuters are still being asked to avoid the areas affected by the demonstrations at this time.  Windsor Police (@WindsorPolice) February 12, 2022

On Thursday, police were empowered by the Ontario Superior Court, which granted an injunction to bar protesters from blocking the international border crossing. While the injunction was granted and took effect Friday evening, more protesters nevertheless joined the truckers on the bridge, according to The Epoch Times.

The report added:

On Feb. 12, about a dozen vehicles remain on the site, blocking the border crossing, which accounts for hundreds of millions of dollars of trade between Canada and the United States each day. Most of the big trucks are gone.

Police presence has increased at the site, while the number of protesters has gone down compared to the night before. Some protesters insist they will remain at the site until COVID-19 mandates are lifted.

The order comes following an emergency virtual meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden after the regime pressed the Canadian leader to use more authority to clear the bridge.

Both leaders agreed that the blockade was an intolerable disruption of international trade, following a statement by the White House on Thursday calling on Trudeau to end the truck blockade by Canadians protesting the countrys COVID-19 restrictions, the Associated Press reported.

Following the meeting between Biden and Trudeau, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced the contents of the call at a press conference.

The two leaders agreed that the actions of the individuals who are obstructing travel and commerce between our two countries are having significant direct impacts on citizens lives and livelihoods, Psaki said.

The President expressed his concern that United States companies and workers are experiencing serious effects, including slowdowns in production, shortened work hours, and plant closures, Psaki continued.

The prime minister promised quick action in enforcing the law and the president thanked him for the steps he and other Canadian authorities are taking to restore the open passage of bridges to the United States, she added.

Trudeau also took to social media to announce that he and Biden had spoken about the protests.

Today, @POTUS Biden and I spoke about the illegal blockades at the border  I updated him on the situation, and we discussed the American and global influence on the protests, Trudeau noted. We agreed that, for the security of people and our economies, these blockades cannot continue.

Today, @POTUS Biden and I spoke about the illegal blockades at the border  I updated him on the situation, and we discussed the American and global influence on the protests. We agreed that, for the security of people and our economies, these blockades cannot continue.  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 11, 2022

Truckers are protesting vaccine mandates that make no sense to them since most of them drive alone and are not around other people most of the time.

Alberta and Saskatchewan agreed to ditch the mandates, but Ontario, where the capital of Ottawa is located, doubled down and threatened massive fines and jail terms.

So much for Western-style democracy.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

APNews.com

ConservativeBrief.com
Nancy Welch, third from left, was named Orange County's teacher of the year. She is pictured with, from left, Orange County School Board member Angie Gallo, Chair Teresa Jacobs, Superintendent Barbara Jenkins, board member Johanna Lopez and Deputy Superintendent Maria Vasquez. (Orange County Public Schools) (OCPS / Courtesy photo)

A nursing instructor who aims to help alleviate Floridas desperate nursing shortage and whose heart is to help others succeed has been named Orange Countys teacher of the year.

Nancy Welch is a nursing instructor at Orange Technical College and has worked for Orange County Public Schools for nine years. Welch, one of five finalists for the award, will now compete in Floridas annual teacher of the year program, along with top teachers from the states 66 other school districts.

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Welch learned she was the winner at a reception last week but will be honored, along with teacher of the year winners from all OCPS schools, at a celebration in April.

Welch, a registered nurse, was lauded as an outstanding educator and who helps her students excel and mentors new colleagues as well. The technical college offers career-focused programs to high school students and adults.

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She is an integral part of the pipeline ensuring our local healthcare facilities are able to meet the ongoing demand for skilled, compassionate professional nurses, wrote Scott Weidl, senior director, of the technical colleges Orlando campus.

Welch said in her application packet for the award that she has been inspired by the nurses she works with at Orlando Health who work tirelessly to provide care for all patients, especially those suffering with COVID-19.

Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. >

Her goal is to teach students not just how to be a nurse, but how to rise above and be a role model for others; to pursue excellence in nursing care.

Colleagues credited her with helping her students and other teachers, particularly those new to the job.

There has never been a time that Nancy has not agreed to serve on a committee or help with additional training and mentoring of her colleagues, wrote Denise Murphy, another teacher at the college.

Nursing student Anita Desai said Welch is an organized, compassionate teacher.

She helped us hone both our technique as well as our bedside manner, always reminding us that even with Covid and dealing with mannequins, we were being trained to work with people and families and not just diseases and procedures, she wrote in a recommendation letter.

My understanding from other instructors is that she is a go to and mentor for new instructors on campus, not just our department, and that does not surprise me in the least, Desai wrote. Her heart is to help others succeed.

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lpostal@orlandosentinel.com
(Natural News) Cardiac pacemaker sales are exploding around the world as economists project more than half a billion dollars growth in the next three years, with North America capturing at least 30 percent of that market. Though mainstream media refuses to report on it, Covid-vaccinated people are experiencing myocarditis, irregular heart beats, rare blood clots and neurological impairments that are certainly feeding this pacemaker installment beast. One can be sure Pfizer, Moderna and J&J are keeping their finger on that pulse.

Due to the mass increase in the amount of treatments and surgeries over the past two years for abnormal heart rhythms, high healthcare expenditures have skyrocketed, mainly including cardiac pacemakers.

Elephant in the Room: Vaccine-induced blood clots and the booming market of pacemakers  there is a connection

How much more obvious can it be? One can follow the bouncing ball or the money and it leads straight to the pandemic clot shots, that cause the heart to beat too slow or irregular. Here comes the pharma solution that costs a fortune, but dont worry, because typical insurance should cover it.

Exploding pacemaker sales are in the news, but not vaccine-induced injuries that are driving those sales. Only talk about the state of the art and advancements in technology for all the pharma investors to swarm like sharks smelling chum in the waters.

Pacemakers signal the heart to beat at a specific paced rhythm when its beating irregular or too slow, hence the name. A pulse generator contains electronic circuitry, a battery and a computer for regulating those impulses.

For the past twenty years, Microsoft and IBM created ventures with heart-device makers (Medtronic Inc. and International Business Machines Corp.) to enable pacemakers to be controlled over the internet by cardiologists, with up-to-the-minute cardiac data. Thats published in the Wall Street Journal for all those fact checkers out there.

Get your Covid clot shot, then get a pacemaker for your new irregular heart beat, and pad Bill Gates billion-dollar pockets and Pfizers trillion-dollar wallet

The technology sector seems to be having no problems whatsoever manufacturing pacemakers to keep up with the tsunami surge of myocarditis and the pandemic of erratic heartbeats around the globe. Just follow the bouncing heart meter.

Microsoft provides software to connect patients homes to heart doctor offices around the globe using only a secure connection. How convenient. And what happens if theres an EMP attack and the internet goes down for a few months? Microsoft provides the software, and IBM (the Nazi supporters from WWII) provides the electrical circuitry and other hardware.

People are going straight from the Covid clot shots to needing a pacemaker, with no prior heart conditions at all. As stock prices go up for cardiac pacemaker manufacturers, heart beats slow down for the Covid clot shot receivers, as blood cant seem to travel past all the thousands of micro-clots in their vessels throughout the vascular system.

What are signs of pacemaker malfunction or failure, by the way? Very similar to the side effects of the Fauci Flu jabs: Fainting and loss of consciousness, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, relentless muscle twitching in chest or abdomen, and, of course, slow or fast heart beat (or switching back and forth fast/slow/fast).

If the pacemaker gets thrown off time or fails, the risk of stroke increases greatly, especially for those with AFib (atrial fibrillation), up 500 percent. Meanwhile, the risk of cardiac-related DEATH jumps 200 percent. How convenient for the shot makers and the pacemaker stockholders.

Tune your internet dial to Vaccines.news for updates on experimental scamdemic Covid vaccines and boosters that cause heartbeat irregularities and send millions of people to the doctor to get a pacemaker controlled by Microsoft, the company owned by the biggest promoter in the world of vaccines for population reduction.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

NaturalNews.com

DailyExpose.uk

MarketWatch.com

NaturalNews.com

LifeSiteNews.com

WSJ.com
(Natural News) France, Italy, Germany and Spain suspended the rollout of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, March 15, amid reports of blood clots in people who received the shot.

French President Emmanuel Macron said during a press conference that the country decided to halt the use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford jab as a precaution. He added that the rollout will resume immediately once the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Unions regulatory authority for drug safety, deems the vaccine safe.

The German Ministry of Health also suspended vaccinations with the shot due to reports of blood clot cases emerging in connection with the vaccine. The European Medicines Agency will decide whether and how the new findings will affect the approval of the vaccine, the ministry said.

In Italy, thousands of doses in the northern province of Piedmont were seized on Sunday, March 14, after a man passed away hours after vaccination. Reuters reported that the 57-year-old man fell ill and died hours after receiving the jab, for unclear reasons.

It is therefore important to ensure that continued administration of the drug throughout the country does not lead to further consequences (harmful or fatal)  until we are completely sure that (the mans) death cannot be attributed to the above-mentioned inoculation, prosecutor Teresa Angela Camelio said in a statement on Monday.

The Italian Medicines Agency confirmed that it temporarily stopped administering the vaccine as a precaution.

Also on Monday, Spains Health Minister Carolina Dias announced that the country will pause the use of the shot for two weeks as a precautionary measure. Prior to the announcement, only people under the age of 55 had been receiving the jab in Spain. (Related: Top vaccine scientist warns the world: HALT all covid-19 vaccinations immediately, or uncontrollable monster will be unleashed.)

AstraZeneca stated that there were 37 reports of blood clots out of more than 17 million people vaccinated in 28 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The pharmaceutical company added that there is no evidence that its COVID-19 vaccine carries an increased risk of blood clots.

The EMA also reassured people about the vaccine. Many thousands of people develop blood clots annually in the European Union for different reasons, the agency said, adding that the incidence in vaccinated people does not seem to be higher than whats seen in the general population.

More countries suspend AstraZeneca vaccine rollout

Many other countries also decided to pause the rollout of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine over safety concerns. The Netherlands announced on Sunday that the jab will not be used until at least March 29 as a precaution.

The move is expected to cause delays in rolling out shots in the country, which pre-ordered 12 million doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford jab and scheduled around 290,000 injections in the next two weeks. But Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said that the government could not allow any doubts about the vaccine.

We have to make sure everything is right, so it is wise to pause for now, de Jonge added.

The decision is based on reports from Denmark and Norway of people who developed blood clots after receiving the shot. Danish officials announced on Sunday that a 60-year-old woman who recently got vaccinated with the jab had blood clots, a low blood platelet count and bleeding before dying.

Three health workers in Norway were also hospitalized for similar symptoms shortly after getting the vaccine, Norwegian health authorities said on Saturday.

Both Denmark and Norway have suspended the use of the shot.

Other countries that put off the rollout of the jab included Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Romania. Outside of Europe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia and Thailand have also halted the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Learn more about the dangers of the COVID-19 vaccines at Vaccines.news.

Sources include:

EpochTimes.com

Reuters.com

GlobalNews.ca
(Natural News) If ever there was a federal agency that simply needed to go away, its the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  one of the most corrupt, unconstitutional, self-serving agencies ever created in our country.

When the bureau isnt busy conducting false flag attacks on our nations Capitol to ensnare supporters of a president the bosses could not stand, they are working to entrap Americans in ridiculous plots like kidnapping a Democratic governor.

And now, according to the Daily Beast, one of the bureaus top lawyers has been outed citing bogus science in order to win more anti-gun convictions.

Late last year, a forensic firearms analyst in Wisconsin emailed a remarkable document to more than 200 of her colleagues across the country. It was a handout from an online lecture given by Jim Agar, the assistant general counsel for the FBI Crime Lab, the news outlet reported.

For years, forensic firearms analysts have claimed the ability to examine the marks on a bullet found at a crime scene and match it to the gun that fired itto the exclusion of all other guns. It can be powerfully persuasive to juries. But over the last decade or so, some scientists have cast doubt on the claim.

The alleged technique is part of a subcategory of forensics that is known as pattern matching, where an FBI analyst looks at some evidence gathered at a crime scene and then compares it with some evidence that is associated with a suspect.

But the most powerful criticism of the technique was contained in a 2016 report written by the Presidents Council of Advisers on Science and Technology, or PCAST, which noted that firearms analysis currently falls short of the criteria for foundational validity, and that studies often cited by those using the technique to support their work and findings are poorly set up and and seriously underestimate the false positive rate.

In other words, the science is junk. But the FBI is using it anyway, because the bureau has to have convictions at any cost, even at the price of innocence. Gotta pad those numbers.

Fortunately, there is an emerging pushback from courts.

After decades of deferring to these forensic analysts, a handful of judges started to heed the warnings from scientists and put limits on what some forensic witnesses can say in court, the Daily Beast noted. Those decisions have sparked a defensive backlash in the forensics community, along with rebukes from law enforcement officials and prosecutors.

The handout based on Agars lecture has become part of the backlash. In the two-page document, he instructs firearms analysts about how to get around any restrictions placed by judges regarding unscientific testimony. Agar even suggests language prosecutors and analysts can use if they are challenged by the court.

And most controversially, the Daily Beast noted, Agar advises analysts to tell judges that any effort to restrict their testimony to claims backed by scientific research is tantamount to asking them to commit perjury.

Translated: They are lying when they admonish judges not to force them to lie.

In fact, Agars advice was so extreme that it was lambasted by the Texas Forensic Science Commission (TFSC), a one-of-a-kind agency formed after revelations that false expert testimony likely led to the conviction of an innocent man. The agency is responsible for ensuring that any expert testimony provided in state courtrooms is proven scientifically valid.

An official with the TFSC called Agars recommendations to firearms analysts incredibly faulty while adding that it runs counter to core principles in science.

This is just really unbelievable, Ellen Yaroshefsky, a professor of legal ethics at Hofstra University, told the Daily Beast after examining the memo.

Hes encouraging false testimony and hes undermining respect for the judiciary. I mean, hes saying that if a judge says you cant give unscientific testimony, youre being forced to commit perjury? Its just absurd, Yaroshefsky added.

The Daily Beast added: In 2015, the agency was forced to cop to an even bigger scandal: For decades, its analysts had claimed an ability to match hair and carpet fibers that just isnt scientifically feasible. One review found FBI analysts had made statements unsupported by science in 95 percent of the cases in which they testified. Such testimony sent hundreds of people to prison, including to death row. Those analysts also trained dozens  perhaps hundreds  of state and local analysts in the same dubious methods, potentially corrupting thousands more cases.

Follow Corruption.news for more related news.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

DailyBeast.com

DocumentCloud.org
(Natural News) The Democrat regime of Joe Biden is continuing to wage war on the Constitution and its political opponents by mislabeling them as terrorist threats to the U.S. homeland.

Top-rated podcaster Steve Bannon of the Real Americas Voice network sounded the alarm earlier this week during a show when he highlighted a Department of Homeland Security bulletin that actually seeks to warn against and criminalize legitimate disagreements over Bidens increasingly far-left policies.

The bulletin warned (our highlights added):

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; (2) continued calls for violence directed at U.S. critical infrastructure; soft targets and mass gatherings; faith-based institutions, such as churches, synagogues, and mosques; institutions of higher education; racial and religious minorities; government facilities and personnel, including law enforcement and the military; the media; and perceived ideological opponents; and (3) calls by foreign terrorist organizations for attacks on the United States based on recent events.

As Bannon points out:

 Standard political disagreement and debate has been labeled by the Biden regime as sowing discord with an eye towards undermining public trust in government. Thats basic First Amendment activity, and Biden is trying to criminalize it.

 The regime is also attempting to label standard political disagreement as spreading false or misleading narratives; narratives that are found to be false and misleading are, of course, defined by the regime even if they are not false and misleading. Again, persecution of speech that is supposedly protected under the Constitution.

 Ditto for mis- dis- and mal-information.

 Any narrative that is not approved by the regime will be deemed a conspiracy theory and thus treated as being fomented by domestic threat actors  which then ostensibly gives DHS and the regime the authority to move against these threat actors.

 If anyone is actually seeking to exacerbate societal friction to sow discord and undermine public trust in government institutions to encourage unrest, it is the Biden regime; Democrats always do what they accuse their opponents of doing.

 The Jan. 6 incident at the Capitol did indeed involve some of then-President Donald Trumps supporters, but it was a false flag PSYOP, as several experts have pointed out. Innocent Trump supporters were whipped into a frenzy and took part in an operation aimed at breaching the Capitol so that Trump and his supporters could be deemed dangerous insurrectionists and therefore perpetually targeted by the Biden regime as threats to the homeland. This latest document is just a continuation of that PSYOP.

They are understanding that the American people, particularly the moms of America, have had a belly full of this authoritarianism, Bannon declared during a show segment, to include Democratic and Independent voters.

The whole narrative is falling apart and were gonna hammer that, he added.

If Republicans dont legitimately push back on all of this and hold each and every Democrat involved accountable once they win back control of Congress this November, our country will devolve into another civil war. And then the rest of the world America protects will blow up.

Hide and watch.

Sources include:

CitizenFreePress.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The Health Ranger Mike Adams called for the prosecution of Big Pharma and its allies during the Feb. 11 edition of his Situation Report podcast. Aside from the drug manufacturers and CEOs, he also urged the prosecution of scientists and government officials that pushed the lethal Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) shots.

The truckers in Ottawa and other cities are now clogging up the roadways, in the same way that you government lunatics were trying to clot peoples arteries and veins with the clot shots. We The People now know: The governments are the terrorists. The same governments that were pushing the deadly shots that were killing people, blocking ivermectin and making people die are now saying that anyone who disagrees with [them] is a terrorist, he said.

He quoted a recent interview he had with Ohio attorney and Brighteon.TV host Tom Renz. What we have to shift to now, [Renz] says, is holding the criminals accountable. Those who carried out these crimes against humanity [and] those who violated human rights.

According to the Brighteon founder, the list does not stop with White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci and former National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins. He also pointed to officials of the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as complicit with criminal fraud.

The Health Ranger also gave his listeners a sort of homework to commit to by talking to their respective state attorney general. I want to encourage you to put forth the idea of criminal prosecutions against all those who are complicit in pushing this fraud of the [COVID-19] vaccines. Not just Big Pharma: Its also Big Tech [and] Big Media, [alongside] the hospital administrators. Its a long list of people.

In my view, they all need to be investigated and criminally prosecuted for their role in this, because this is a holocaust-level event, this is a crime against humanity. This is like World War II, except now  the war is happening through the needs. And the thing is, they knew it was killing people.

Tribunals against those responsible for the COVID genocide are proceeding

Fortunately, the wheels of justice have begun to turn  thanks to the Peoples Court of Public Opinion (PCPO). The PCPO, an international coalition of lawyers and judges, convened a hearing on Feb. 5 in Germany to prosecute the crimes against humanity. According to the group, governments worldwide used the COVID-19 pandemic as the pretext to commit these crimes.

German attorney and physician Dr. Reiner Fuellmich said in his opening remarks: This case, involving the most heinous crimes against humanity committed under the guise of a [coronavirus] pandemic, looks complicated only at first glance. There is no pandemic, but only a PCR test plandemic fueled by an elaborate psychological operation designed to create a constant state of panic among the worlds population. (Related: Dr. Reiner Fuellmich: Latest bombshell about COVID vaccines will dismantle Big Pharma.)

He added that the COVID-19 pandemic had already been long-planned, citing the swine flu pandemic of 2009 as a dry run for what was to happen more than a decade later. It was cooked up by a group of super-rich psychopathic and sociopathic people who hate and fear people at the same time, have no empathy and are driven by their desire to gain full control over all the people of the world, said Fuellmich.

Wherever you go, help share and advance the idea that there should be criminal prosecutions of all those who were complicit in this. Mark my words: As the body count adds up, this is going to multiply over the next couple of years  to truly insane, horrifying levels, Adams said.

Believe me, more and more people are going to join the call for criminal prosecutions against the entities that tried to carry out this mass extermination of humanity. They killed probably between one billion and two billion people globally. They mass-murdered over a billion people, thats what historians are going to say when this is all said and done.

More related stories:

International criminal grand jury investigation finds that globalist psychopaths used covid to commit crimes against humanity.

Lawyers prepare second round of Nuremburg Trials to prosecute all who perpetuated the global coronavirus scam.

Major lawsuits coming for political tyrants who used coronavirus to steal freedom, destroy lives.

Listen to the Feb. 11 edition of the Situation Update podcast below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Depopulation.news has more about how the COVID-19 vaccines were used to kill swaths of people worldwide.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

HumansBeFree.com
(Natural News) Moderna President Stephen Hoge once said that if you can hack the rules of mRNA, essentially the entire kingdom of life is available for you to play with.

With the mRNA technology now available in coronavirus vaccine doses, Hoges remark suddenly sounded dire. It made people think that someone is about to play with their lives.

Dr. David Martin, an outspoken critic of the mRNA vaccine, noted that vaccine has to stimulate immunity within the person receiving it and disrupt transmission to other people.

This is not a vaccine  using the term vaccine to sneak this thing under public health exemptions. This is mRNA packaged in a fat envelope that is delivered to a cell. It is a medical device designed to stimulate the human cell into becoming a pathogen creator, Dr. Martin said, referring to the mRNA coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines being used to inoculate the population in many countries worldwide.

They have been abundantly clear in saying that the mRNA strand that is going into the cell is not to stop transmission. It is a treatment. But if it was discussed as a treatment, it would not get the sympathetic ear of public health authorities, because then people would say What other treatments are there?'

Dr. Martin warned that with the mRNA vaccines, people are getting injected with a chemical substance to induce illness and not to induce an immuno-transmissive response. In other words, nothing about this is going to stop you transmitting anything. This is about getting you sick, and having your own cells be the thing that get you sick, he said. (Related: Study links Modernas coronavirus vaccine to painful skin reactions after inoculation.)

The website Humans are Free reported in January that Moderna has admitted that its mRNA technology platform is similar to a computer operating system. Scientists prepare a unique mRNA sequence that codes for a specific protein. Once injected into humans, this program is carried out in the individuals body  at the cellular level.

The mRNA platform is where Big Pharma merges with Big Tech, enslaving human beings to a controlling system designed to profit from their cellular and biological functions into the unforeseeable future, the Humans are Free article stated.

The article accused the people behind the mRNA experimentation of building psychological justification and scientific precedent to declare human immune systems incapable of combating diseases.

In this way, the article said, people, will submit their bodies to the latest mRNA programs as they become dependent on the biological software that has been created for them.

By casting shame on human immune systems, drug companies have also found the perfect alibi for when their experiments cause injury in humans.

Its not the injected technology that is causing allergic reactions, seizures, infertility and death, the drug companies would claim. Its the individuals immune system that is causing all the pain and misery, they would say.

The drug companies would then demand more carefully crafted mRNA programs and interventions to perfect human beings.

mRNA vaccine teaches our cells how to make a protein

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, the mRNA vaccine teaches our cells how to make a protein  or even just a piece of a protein  that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece of what is called the spike protein. The spike protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Once the instructions (mRNA) are inside the immune cells, the cells use them to make the protein piece. After the protein piece is made, the cell breaks down the instructions and gets rid of them.

Next, the cell displays the protein piece on its surface and our immune systems will recognize that the protein doesnt belong there and begin building an immune response and making antibodies. At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization has issued interim recommendations for use of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against COVID-19 in people aged 18 years and older.

Moderna uses modified RNA to reprogram function of human stem cell

Moderna has several hundred scientists and engineers solely focused on advancing the companys platform technology  the mRNA.

They are attempting to hack humans with bio-information and make populations dependent on the technology. Moderna has even dubbed their mRNA platform the Software of Life.

Moderna scientists are looking for ways to help the foreign mRNA avoid immune detection. They are experimenting with ways to trick the cells ribosomes into processing the mRNA as if it was natural. They are also plotting ways to instruct the human cells to produce the artificial proteins long term.

Moderna was founded on the success of using modified RNA to reprogram the function of a human stem cell, therefore genetically modifying it.

Dr. Martin may be wrong after all. This system is neither a vaccine nor a medicine. This system is complete cellular manipulation, using foreign biological molecules to code, decode, regulate, change the expression of and alter the physiological instructions within human beings.

Hoges remark from a few years ago made perfect sense.

Follow Immunization.news for more news and information related to vaccines.

Sources include:

HumansareFree.com 1

CDC.gov

HumansareFree.com 2
(Natural News) An international coalition of lawyers, judges and other legal experts have convened to prosecute globalist governments for the crimes against humanity they perpetrated using the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as the pretext.

The group of international legal experts is called the Peoples Court of Public Opinion. On Saturday, Feb. 5, the group gathered in Germany and had a press conference announcing the crimes against humanity that leading governments and organizations inflicted upon the world under the guise of protecting it against the coronavirus.

This case, involving the most heinous crimes against humanity committed under the guise of a corona pandemic on a global scale, looks complicated only at first glance, said Dr. Reiner Fuellmich, a German attorney and one of the 12 leading legal experts on the Peoples Court.

Fuellmich added that, throughout the proceedings, the Peoples Court will, with the help of cooperating human rights defenders and other renowned experts, will reveal the extent of the crimes world governments have committed over the past two years. (Related: Criminal complaint filed in Texas accuses COVID-19 vaccine makers and pushers of murder and crimes against humanity.)

There is no corona pandemic, but only a PCR test plandemic fueled by an elaborate psychological operation designed to create a constant state of panic among the worlds population, said Fuellmich. This agenda has been long-planned.

The virus itself can be treated safely and effectively with vitamin C, D, zinc, continued Fuellmich, who also endorsed the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. He said this should not be regarded as alternative methods of treating COVID-19, but as real methods of treatment that were banned under the guise of so-called medical misinformation.

The bans on these effective treatments against the coronavirus served a purpose which, as Fuellmich explained, was to give people no other option but to take the not only ineffective, but highly dangerous  yes, lethal  experimental injections.

Governments have been taken over by globalists like the WEF

Fuellmich also pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic was engineered by a group of super-rich, psychopathic and sociopathic people who hate and fear people at the same time, have no empathy and are driven by the desire to gain full control over all of us.

Theyre using our governments and the mainstream media, both of which they literally own, to convey their panic propaganda 24/7, he added.

Fuellmich believes that one of the globalist organizations that have taken over governments all over the world is the World Economic Forum (WEF). The organization did this to carry out its Great Reset agenda.

Our governments are not our governments anymore, rather they have been taken over by the other side through their main platform, the World Economic Forum, which has started to create their own global leaders, said Fuellmich. He cited the Young Global Leaders program as an example of how the WEF takes people and turns them into agents of the globalist agenda.

The Young Global Leaders program is a five-year program that indoctrinates people with the potential to be leaders for the globalists. Started by WEF Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab back in 1992 as the Global Leaders of Tomorrow program. Many of the people that go through the program end up being successful politicians, business leaders, journalists and cultural influencers like performers.

Some of the programs first graduates include former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and multi-billionaires Bill Gates and Richard Branson.

Fuellmich explained that what these WEF agents have to do is help the globalists dissolve all nations and replace them with a One World Government with a single currency. This requires a massive reduction of the worlds current population, and then finding a way to control and manipulate those that remain with the help, for example, of mRNA experimental injections, he said.

But it also requires the deliberate destruction of democracy, of the rule of law and of our constitutions through chaos so that, ultimately, we will agree to losing our national and cultural identities and instead will accept a One World Government.

More related stories:

Dr. Robert Malone warns that Big Tech censorship and Big Pharma malfeasance has unleashed a mass casualty event qualifying as a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY.

Top public health figures accused of GENOCIDE in historic complaint sent to the International Criminal Court.

After a history of medical ethics violations, Pfizer is using the COVID-19 pandemic to carry out yet more crimes against humanity (op-ed).

Crimes against humanity: Over 2.1 million vaccine injuries reported to WHO over just the last nine months.

Watch this clip from The Pete Santilli Show as host Pete Santilli and co-host Deb Jordan talk about how legal experts are going after the globalists for their crimes against humanity.

This video is from the SBN News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

Get the latest news related to the COVID-19 pandemic by reading the latest articles at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

InfoWars.com

Grand-Jury.net [PDF]

TheLibertyBeacon.com
(Natural News) The left-wing lunatics who run our cities and serve as prosecutors and district attorneys  quotes added on purpose  are wholly responsible for the dramatic spikes in crime and violence towards police officers, according to the head of a law enforcement organization.

In an appearance on Sen. Marsha Blackburns podcast this week, National Police Association spokeswoman Betsy Brantner Smith said left-wing policies have created more violent crime as well as anti-police sentiment soaring across the United States.

The Daily Wire noted:

The National Police Association is a law enforcement advocacy group that educates on law enforcement tactics and aims to build better relationships between officers and the communities they serve. That relationship has been strained recently following the death of George Floyd while in police custody and the 2020 outbreak of protests against alleged racially biased policing, some of which evolved into riots.

Blackburn began asking Smith about the recent crime spikes that have wracked major American cities in the past two years, dating back to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the conflagration of massive amounts of civil unrest after the jury-adjudicated murder of Floyd. Smith said that part of the crime spike is due to the vilification of law enforcement that has continued since Floyds death.

Weve had this war on cops and, quite frankly, a war on the justice system really since 2014, since the justified police shooting of Michael Brown. But for the last 19 months, since the death of George Floyd, we have had this vilification of law enforcement, Smith said, noting further that insane leftist policies are also responsible for putting criminals back into society, which is a major contributor to the crime spikes.

The de-prosecution, the refusal to prosecute violent criminals and a host of other, quite frankly, all left-leaning policies  have allowed violent criminals back on the street, have allowed police officers to be vilified, she told the Tennessee Republican.

So many police officers have left the job or gone to other areas of the country where they are going to be better appreciated. And this whole storm, quite frankly, that we have seen for the last 19 months has led to the homicide of 5,000 more Americans in 2021 than in 2020, and 2020 was a terrible year.

The good news is, not all governors and mayors of bigger cities are lunatic commies. Some, including GOP governors in states like Florida and Tennessee, are actively recruiting disaffected police officers who want to continue their careers in jurisdictions that still take crime seriously and understand completely that the thin blue line is all that separates our society from collapse and chaos.

For instance, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his state legislature have offered police officers a $5,000 relocation bonus if they will leave leftist jurisdictions and come to the Sunshine State.

Later in her interview with Blackburn, Smith lashed out at the left-wing push for bail reform  which is a euphemistic phrase for getting rid of cash bail altogether  as really a lack of putting someone in custody to either await trial or to even be punished for a crime.

We get all these criminals  many who have committed gun crimes, sex crimes, and other terrible felonies  they are released with no bail, and they maybe have an ankle bracelet to monitor them. But they are back on the streets to offend again and again and again, Smith said.

Much of the anti-police, anti-crime trend is being enabled by that billionaire destroyer of Western civilization, George Soros, who should have faced sedition charges long ago and should today be rotting in jail.

Soros has funded the campaigns of commie DAs for years and his meddling has paid dividends in blood: Murder rates, violent crime rates and other quality of life crimes have all shot skyward in cities where his candidates have won.

Our biggest cities are collapsing and it is all by design. If you live in one, get out now while you can  but dont bring your left-wing voting habits with you.

Sources include:

DailyWire.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Without question, Donald Trump was tougher on China than any U.S. president in modern history, which helps explain why our deep state focused on cheating him out of reelection.

Our political leaders have so many unethical, improper financial links to the Chinese Communist regime its no wonder we cant get them to be as tough on China as Trump  who had no such ties  was.

But even so-called defense hawks in Congress are compromised, which also explains their distinct anti-Trump attitudes, and one of them, it turns out, is Rep. Liz Cheney, RINO-Wyoming, whom Trump has targeted, politically, by supporting a primary challenger this year.

According to Just the News, Cheney called on the U.S. to stand up to the generational threat posed by China in recent weeks while unveiling a major report on Beijings malign behavior at the same time her husbands law firm was working on behalf of companies linked to Chinas military, intelligence, and security services.

However, while she spoke, her husband Philip Perrys law firm was cashing in on legal and lobbying work that his employer  Latham & Watkins (LW), one of the largest law firms in the world  was doing for a host of Chinese companies, some of which were involved in the kind of activity that Cheney was warning had to be stopped, the outlet continued.

Translated: Cheney is just like her dad, former Vice President Dick Cheney, a deep state faux hawk who seeks to publicly demonize a potential enemy while at the same time feeding the beast so as to keep hundreds of billions in U.S. tax dollars flowing to the military-industrial complex.

Continuing, Just the News pointed out that all of LWs work is legal and while Perry did not directly work on the accounts, he benefits and profits from the work because hes a partner at the firm.

The outlet continued:

Perrys firms work for Chinese entities and countries whose human rights abuses and authoritarian rule have troubled the U.S. for years seems to conflict with his wifes frequent calls for America to stand up to autocratic regimes like China. The dynamic is one familiar to longtime observers of Washington, D.C.: a power couple calling out the very behavior from which they benefit.

Liz Cheneys monumental hypocrisy was not lost on another America First Trump supporter, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

Its the kind of say one thing do another that Americans hate in Washington, D.C., Meadows, who served with Cheney in Congress as a GOP lawmaker from North Carolina before joining the Trump White House, said last week. Liz Cheney will have a lot of explaining to do to the Wyoming voters.

In September 2020, House Republicans finalized an extensive report that had been conducted by the China Task Force, which was made up of 15 members including Cheney. The report detailed the extensive economic and national security threat posed to the U.S. by ChiComs.

China is rapidly developing a military force that is capable of winning regional conflicts and theyre expanding their military footprint globally, Cheney said at a press conference as the report was introduced. The government of China and the Chinese Communist Party have gone to school on the United States  theyve looked at our capabilities  and they have developed capabilities to counter those.

We must counter the Chinese Communist Party globally as it seeks to establish more robust logistics and basing infrastructure around the world as it seeks to project its own military power, she continued.

It is very important for everyone to note that we are in the midst of a battle between freedom and totalitarianism. The question we all face is whether the United States and our allies will set the rules of the road into the future or whether the Chinese Communist Party and that authoritarian, totalitarian regime will set the rules of the road, Cheney added.

Meanwhile, just a month earlier, LW advised Tencent, the gargantuan Chinese tech company, on how to become a shareholder in Voodoo, which is a leading video game developer.

And since no business operates in China without the permission of, and benefit to, the Communist regime, enriching Chinese corporations is the same as enriching the ChiCom government.

Cheney is like every other Bush-era establishment Republican: Hawkish to the point of ensuring America always has an enemy to fight.

Sources include:

JustTheNews.com

Cheney.House.gov
(Natural News) Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul called Dr. Anthony Fauci a petty tyrant after the countrys leading infectious disease expert said those who have gotten the coronavirus (COVID-19) jab still cannot eat or drink indoors.

Fauci continues to ignore 100 years of vaccine science. His only real theme is do what I say even when it makes no sense, Paul tweeted on Monday, April 12.

His tweet came in response to a Sunday evening interview in which Fauci encouraged vaccinated individuals to continue taking precautions and not resuming normal activities just yet.

Paul and Fauci clashed over the same topic during congressional hearing

Paul and Fauci had clashed over the same topic before. During a congressional hearing last month, Paul derided Faucis recommendation that people wear a mask even if theyve caught or gotten vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The Republican senator suggested its just theater to mask up if you have already been immunized either through infection or vaccination and accused Fauci of making policy based on conjecture.

Youve been vaccinated and you parade around in two masks for show, Paul told Fauci. You want to get rid of vaccine hesitancy? Tell them they can quit wearing their masks after they get the vaccine.

Fauci pushed back. Well, let me just state for the record that masks are not theater. Masks are protective, he said.

The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) explained that COVID-19 variants circulating in the U.S. pose a threat even to people who previously got infected or vaccinated.

While someone would have some spillover immunity, Fauci said protection from a variant can be diminished by anywhere from two-to-eightfold. He also indicated the COVID-19 variants are a good reason for people whove gotten some level of immunity to still wear a mask.

Fauci has been sticking with that narrative for a while now.

There are things, even if youre vaccinated, that youre not going to be able to do in society, Fauci said during a White House COVID-19 press briefing back in February. For example, indoor dining, theaters, places where people congregate. Thats because of the safety of society.

His comments came on the same day the country passed the grim milestone of 500,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths.

Fauci stressed that while being vaccinated dramatically increases ones own personal safety, its not a free pass to party like the pre-pandemic days. Because the burden of virus in society will be very high  which it is right now, he said. (Related: New book details Dr. Faucis involvement in Wuhan and the Chinese militarys dangerous gain-of-function coronavirus research.)

The COVID-19 vaccines used to inoculate most Americans dont necessarily prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. While they can help prevent people from contracting severe cases of COVID-19, the jabs may not stop them from getting sick altogether.

Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are not actually vaccines

LewRockwell.com published an article in February claiming that the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 shots are not actually vaccines. The Pfizer and Moderna jabs were the only two authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. at the time.

The article claimed that the actual patents for Pfizers and Modernas injections describe them as gene therapy, not vaccines.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vaccine is a product that stimulates a persons immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease. Immunity, on the other hand, is defined as protection from an infectious disease. Meaning, if you are immune to a disease, you can be exposed to it without becoming infected.

The CDCs definition of vaccine does not fit Pfizers and Modernas COVID-19 jabs, the LewRockwell.com article said.

While a typical vaccine uses an antigen of the disease it is trying to prevent, Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 doses contain synthetic RNA fragments encapsulated in a nanolipid carrier compound, the sole purpose of which is to lessen clinical symptoms associated with the S-1 spike protein, not the actual virus.

They do not actually impart immunity or inhibit the transmissibility of the disease. In other words, they are not designed to keep people from getting sick with SARS-CoV-2. They only lessen a persons infection symptoms if or when that person gets infected.

Follow Pandemic.news for more news and information related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

Courier-Journal.com

News.Yahoo.com

LewRockwell.com
ORLANDO  A judge in Florida has dismissed a defamation and conspiracy lawsuit former neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman had filed against the parents of Trayvon Martin, the teen he fatally shot almost a decade ago in a case that drew international attention about race and gun violence.

Judge John Cooper in Tallahassee dismissed all counts against all defendants in the lawsuit filed by Zimmerman against Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin; attorney Ben Crump, who had represented the family; and others.

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In his order, the judge wrote that Zimmerman had failed to show any fraudulent representation and said any further arguments in the case would be futile.

There can be no claim for conspiracy to defraud if there is no adequately stated claim for fraud, Cooper wrote in the order filed more than two weeks ago.

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Trayvon Martin attended high school in Miami-Dade County before he was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford. (Miami Herald/Miami Herald/TNS)

The other defendants in the lawsuit included HarperCollins Publishers, which had published a book Martin's parents wrote about the case; Brittany Diamond Eugene; and Rachel Jeantel.

According to Zimmerman's lawsuit, Brittany Diamond Eugene didnt want to testify that she had been talking to Martin before he was killed. So her half-sister, Rachel Jeantel, pretended that she was talking to the teen before he was fatally shot. Jeantel ended up testifying at Zimmermans 2013 trial in Sanford, Florida.

The lawsuit claimed that Trayvon Martin's parents, along with Crump, participated in the conspiracy in an effort to get charges filed against Zimmerman, have him tried and destroy his good will and reputation in he community." Zimmerman also claimed the defendants portrayed him as a racist murderer who racially profiled Martin. Martin was Black. Zimmermans father is white and his mother is Hispanic.

Zimmerman was acquitted during a 2013 trial, which focused attention on race and Floridas stand your ground self-defense law that allows people to use force without retreating if they feel threatened.

The case was originally filed in 2019 in state court in central Floridas Polk County, but it was later transferred to state court in Tallahassee to accommodate some of the participants.
(Natural News) Anyone living in a Western democracy who still thinks they are bastions of freedom and liberty should be paying close attention to what is going on currently in Canada with the Freedom Convoy truckers because were about to get a lesson in reality.

For the past two years, liberal democracies throughout the West have used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to let their true authoritarian colors show: Between locking down economies, destroying businesses, imposing senseless and ineffective masking and social distancing rules and, finally, asinine vaccine mandates, Western leaders have behaved more like the socialist and Communist dictators they claim to oppose.

But as bad as the tyranny has been thus far, it may be about to get imminently worse, according to a published analysis this week.

According to Creative Destruction Media, the world may be about to witness another Tiananmen Square-type incident in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, which used to be one of the most liberal and tolerant countries on the planet until tens of thousands of truck drivers just said no to a mandatory vaccine.

Throughout February and after traveling via convoy to the countrys capital city, truckers have protested by honking horns and blocking traffic in a bid to push back on the vaccine mandate. Some Canadian provinces  Alberta and Saskatchewan  have caved to the economic pressure and relented by canceling their mandates. But not in Ontario, home to Ottawa: There, Premier Doug Ford has tripled down on the tyranny, threatening $100,000 fines and a year in jail to truckers who refuse to give up their God-given right to protest against what they see as government overreach  again, in a supposed democracy.

Truckers have responded by blocking an international bridge that serves as a major trade conduit between Canada and the U.S. Yet, instead of negotiations, the U.S. and Canadian governments are conspiring to use force against truckers and their supporters  just like the Chinese regime did against young protesters at Tiananmen Square in 1989.

CD Media reports:

Ontario declared a state of emergency Friday morning to empower law enforcement to end the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge  the busiest commercial border crossing between the U.S. and Canada  and the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa, warning truckers who continue to block the Ambassador Bridge they will be punished if they dont leave. Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters that the federal government is enacting new powers to end the blockade.

Your right to make a political statement does not outweigh the right of hundreds of thousands of workers to earn their living, said Ford. It does not outweigh our right to get food across our borders, your right to make a political statement.

Mind you, this tyrant is among the thousands across his country and the U.S. who had no problem denying millions of workers the opportunity to earn a living for more than a year by locking down their economies and literally arresting anyone who dared to try and keep their business open during the COVID pandemic. The only exception was to allow tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter supporters to protest as long as they wanted and whenever they wanted.

So in addition to being a tyrant, Ford is a gargantuan hypocrite, which is a prerequisite for a left-wing authoritarian posing as a champion of democracy.

But it gets worse, as Conservative Brief notes: President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are also planning responses, even though the truckers have opened up a lane on the bridge as of this writing.

The two leaders agreed that the actions of the individuals who are obstructing travel and commerce between our two countries are having significant direct impacts on citizens lives and livelihoods, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday.

The President expressed his concern that United States companies and workers are experiencing serious effects, including slowdowns in production, shortened work hours, and plant closures, Psaki continued.

The truckers are going to be targeted if they continue protesting is the general feeling among people on the ground. And if they are violently attacked by the government, then this protest will explode.

Sources include:

ConservativeBrief.com

CreativeDestructionMedia.com
(Natural News) The Volkswagen Group, one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, has ordered $14 billion worth of battery cells from Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt AB.

Thanks to Volkswagens order, Northvolt now has a total of $27 billion worth of orders for batteries. The $14 billion order from the German car manufacturer is for the coming 10 years and requires Northvolt to expand its factory. As part of the Swedish battery companys agreement with Volkswagen, it will expand its Northvolt Ett gigafactory in Sweden until it can produce at least 40 gigawatt-hours worth of batteries annually.

By consolidating cell production to the Northvolt Ett gigafactory, the partners will achieve further economies of scale, thereby securing the best possible cost and enabling the lowest environmental footprint in the world for cell production, said Northvolt in a statement. (Related: The big electric vehicle LIE: Electric cars are not zero emissions, and their ecological impact is actually dirtier than diesel trucks.)

The new purchase is part of Volkswagens grand plan to conquer the electric vehicle market. The company hopes to reach a production capacity of 1.5 million electric vehicles by 2025. The company has also pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050, which means it will likely stop selling vehicles with combustion engines by 2040.

Northvolts deal will see it become the strategic lead supplier for battery cells for the Volkswagen Group in Europe. It will also see Volkswagen increase its equity ownership over Northvolt as it also plants to purchase the companys joint venture Northvolt Zwei in the city of Salzgitter.

Volkswagen will continue to deepen the collaboration and partnership with Northvolt, said Thomas Schmall, chairman of Volkswagen Group Components Board of Management. Northvolt is one of our key battery suppliers as we make the transition to electric mobility  and there is potential to expand this partnership even further.

Volkswagen is a key investor, customer and partner on the journey ahead and we will continue to work hard with the goal of providing them with the greenest batteries on the planet as they rapidly expand their fleet of electric vehicles, said Peter Carlsson, chief executive and co-founder of Northvolt.

Volkswagen wants to sell one million electric or hybrid cars in 2021

Volkswagen is planning to sell at least one million hybrid or electric cars this year, which will represent a tenfold increase from its sales of electric or hybrid cars in 2019. Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess said that half of those cars will be battery-only while the other half will be plug-in hybrids.

The push to sell one million electric or hybrid cars is an attempt by Volkswagen to recover the profits it lost last year due to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In fact, if Volkswagen sells a million electric cars, it believes its profit margins will recover as much as 6.5 percent.

This goal is lower than the 7.6 percent of profits that Volkswagen reported in 2019, and lower than the companys long-term target of seven to eight percent profits per year. But it is higher than the 4.8 percent that the company reported during 2020.

The company sold around 231,000 battery-only cars in 2020, a threefold increase from its sales the previous year. The company hopes the launch of its newest models will help boost its sales.

Arno Antlitz, incoming chief financial officer, said this year was not risk free for Volkswagen and the recovery from the effects of the pandemic has been very slow.

Diess also said the company will be unable to claw back all of the production capacity it lost last year because its factories are already about to be full. We expect to be at the limit of our capacity, so we will not be able to recover, said Diess.

Carmakers like Volkswagen have been ramping up sales of electric cars because the European Union has begun tightening its rules in order to force member nations to cut down on carbon emissions or be forced to pay large fines.

Learn more about electric cars and the advantages and disadvantages of their use by reading the latest articles at RoboCars.news.

Sources include:

CleanTechnica.com

Reuters.com

TechCrunch.com

FT.com
(Natural News) Homeopathic practitioner and broadcast media host Robert Scott Bell said the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is being brought back to life.

I know Im beating a dead PCR horse, but theyre trying to bring the dead PCR horse back to life, Bell said during the February 7 episode of The Robert Scott Bell Show on Brighteon.TV.

The PCR test for COVID-19 is a molecular test that analyzes a persons upper respiratory specimen to look for genetic material (ribonucleic acid or RNA) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

Scientists employ the PCR technology to amplify small amounts of RNA from specimens into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is repeated until SARS-CoV-2 is detectable if present. The PCR test was called the gold standard test for diagnosing COVID-19 after it was approved for use in February 2020.

Its like the zombie PCR test at this point with sloppy molecular beacons. But once again this test out of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School hasnt even been validated and hasnt gone through peer review. But they are asking the New Jersey Department of Health to clear it so they can start using it, Bell said.

A test with no valid standard, not subjected to peer review, much less sent to other labs. But its not an accident at this point. This is what were dealing with, a lack of scientific validation and verification.

PCR test not an infectious agent identifier According to reports, the new PCR test will determine the COVID variants, but Bell said the claim has many holes. He mentioned Kary Mullis, the Nobel Prize-winning developer of the PCR amplification technology, who had said that there is no basis for utilizing the test as an infectious agent identifier. (Related: PCR testing a fraud: Government uses faulty testing to amplify COVID case numbers)

The advanced PCR test, or so-called new and improved PCR lights, will be using sloppy molecular beacons that glow in certain colors. The test is also said to have 100 percent accuracy in tracing the different COVID-19 variants, although it has not been independently verified or validated.

The radio and television commentator who served on the board of the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists also took note of the problems of the PCR test, which include the terms of cycle count thresholds and the rise of the COVID variants, which Bell said was predicted by Nobel Prize winner and French virologist Luc Montagnier.

Bell also talked about pathogenic priming or antibody-dependent enhancement, which he said is basically the destruction of the immune system and the predisposing of the immune system to overreact to a degree that people who are already ill may die because their immune reaction is so vigorous.

Pfizer-BioNTech sued over COVID vaccine approved status

The Brighteon.TV host slammed the approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine with the market name Comirnaty, which he said cant be found anywhere in America. He also hit the government agencies and mainstream media for colluding to promote the idea that it was approved.

He also mentioned that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Pfizer were sued by well-known doctors led by Dr. Peter McCullough to obtain data about the COVID vaccine and how the FDA came to the conclusion that the Pfizer jab was safe to go beyond the emergency use authorization status.

The homeopathic practitioner also spoke about the crazies running the whole world  individuals within governments and non-governmental organizations who are profiting from the pandemic.

More related articles:
(Natural News) Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have recommended countries to continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine for treating the Wuhan coronavirus. They made the recommendation on March 17 after at least 10 nations suspended their use of the jab, following reports of post-vaccination adverse reactions. The global health bodys experts also added that they were looking into the vaccines available safety data in light of adverse reactions.

Reports of blood clots and brain hemorrhages in patients who received the AstraZeneca vaccine have derailed vaccination programs meant to address the pandemic. Most countries with vaccine doses from the British drug manufacturer suspended its use as a precautionary measure. WHO, European Medicines Agency (EMA) and AstraZeneca itself have insisted the vaccine is safe despite the purported links to thrombosis.

In a March 17 statement, vaccine experts from the global health body remarked it was still better for people to get the AstraZeneca vaccine than none at all. The statement said the WHO believes the vaccines benefits outweigh its risk, and recommended that ongoing vaccinations continue. The day before, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a press conference: This does not necessarily mean these [adverse] events are linked to the vaccine, but [it is] routine practice to investigate them  and it shows that the [vaccine] surveillance system works and effective controls are in place.

The EMA concurred with the WHOs recommendation to continue using AstraZeneca vaccines as it was not connected to the reported side effect. The European drug regulator said in a statement that it would hold a meeting on March 18 to finalize its conclusions and make any necessary recommendations for further action. EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke meanwhile said during a March 16 press conference that there is no indication that vaccination has caused these [serious] conditions. She added: A situation like this is not unexpected when you vaccinate millions of people.

The AstraZeneca jab has been hounded with a myriad of issues from the beginning

AstraZenecas vaccine, manufactured in partnership with the University of Oxford, had been beset by various issues ever since its development stage. In September 2020, clinical trials for the jab were put on hold after two volunteers suffered from a serious adverse reaction. The following month, authorities in Brazil confirmed that one volunteer died during clinical trials there. The Oct. 15 death of the 28-year-old Rio de Janeiro resident was only reported to authorities four days later on Oct. 19.

In late November 2020, the vaccine came under fire after scientist-turned-writer Hilda Bastian pointed out the shaky science behind it. She wrote in a piece for Wired that a dosing error was responsible for purportedly higher efficacy rates for the jab. (Related: Aussie scientists cast doubt on low-efficacy AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.)

Trials conducted by AstraZeneca scientists were designed to test the effect of two full doses. However, some volunteers who got one and a half doses of the jab did not exhibit the usual high rate of adverse effects. Bastian elaborated: [The] mistaken first half-dose, followed by a full dose at least a month later came in at 90 percent [efficacy], and the  two standard doses [given] at least a month apart achieved only 62 percent efficacy.

But despite the issues surrounding the vaccine, some countries have opted to continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Philippines insisted on using the vaccine, having received more than 500,000 doses and administering 2.4 percent of these doses to its population. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque remarked that vaccinations in the Asian country will continue as experts are saying  the benefits  are larger than the side effects of this vaccine. He explained: There is still no clear data that shows the blood clotting was caused by [the] AstraZeneca [jab.] If such data will come out, maybe we will also stop the [vaccines] use.

Australia also expressed its continued use of AstraZenecas jab. Minister of Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt commented: The government clearly, unequivocally [and] absolutely supports the AstraZeneca rollout. And the reason why is very simple  it will help save  and protect lives, and its done so on the basis of the medical advice. Hunt received the British companys COVID-19 vaccine alongside former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, his post on Twitter said. (Related: Aussie Health Minister Greg Hunt hospitalized after getting the AstraZeneca coronavirus jab.)

Visit VaccineInjuryNews.com for more reports about the dangers of AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

NBCNews.com

Wired.com

Twitter.com
(Natural News) Many European steel, cement and petrochemicals companies are exploring hydrogen to reduce their carbon footprints and meet emissions deadlines set by the European Union (EU). But many roadblocks such as the lack of hydrogen infrastructure may stall goals of decarbonizing heavy industry and ushering in the hydrogen economy, according to a report last week from the Financial Times.

EU companies testing hydrogen fuel

The steel, cement and petrochemical sectors have massive carbon footprints because they require extreme heat during production. Steel, for instance, contributes seven to nine percent of all direct emissions from fossil fuels while cement accounts for around eight percent.

As such, these sectors will play a big role in the EUs goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030. This target, which members nations have agreed upon last December, is seen as a stepping stone to the EUs broader goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

With this target in place, many heavy industry companies are exploring hydrogen to reduce their carbon footprints. German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp, for example, is trialing the use of hydrogen in extracting iron, which can lead to carbon savings of up to 20 percent.

The company aims to replace all its blast furnaces (where this extraction process traditionally takes place) by 2050. To that end, it plans to establish a new facility that will use hydrogen or natural gas instead of coke fuel by 2025. The facility will initially produce roughly 440,000 tons a year of clean steel and 3.3 million tons by 2030.

Luxembourg-based steelmaker ArcelorMittal also has a number of decarbonization trials underway, including one that tests hydrogens ability to extract iron at its facility in Hamburg, Germany.

Meanwhile, building materials company Hanson U.K. is experimenting with green hydrogen to replace natural gas at its factory in Wales. Its West England plant, on the other hand, is trialling hydrogen along with biomass fuels. According to Iain Walpole, Hanson U.K.s environmental sustainability manager, the demonstration is meant to prove that using hydrogen can produce high-quality cement.

Chemicals companies are also looking to use hydrogen to power their plants. They already have experience with hydrogen, which is a byproduct of some manufacturing processes. British firm Ineos, for example, produces roughly 330,000 tons of hydrogen a year. Now, the company plans to build a clean hydrogen production hub at its plant in Norway. (Related: DISCOVERY: Egg whites the missing link for low-cost production of clean hydrogen fuel.)

Obstacles to a hydrogen economy

Transitioning to hydrogen is not going to be easy because the current infrastructure is not enough to support a hydrogen economy, or an economy dependent on hydrogen as a low-carbon energy source.

In addition, producing enough hydrogen to power industrial processes will require massive amounts of renewable energy. This is because hydrogen does not exist in its pure form on the planet. It has to be extracted from compounds such as water, hydrogen gas, biomass and alcohol, which takes energy to do so.

According to the Financial Times, producing the 110 million tons of steel that the EU generates using carbon every year will require around 400 terawatt-hours of electricity a year, or 15 percent of Europes total current consumption. For firms to achieve their emissions target, all of that will have to come from renewable sources. (Related: Can we find a cleaner way to extract hydrogen from water?.)

It seems very unlikely that any time soon we will have that kind of hydrogen available based on new renewable power generation, said Brian Aranha, ArcelorMittals vice president and head of strategy.

Geir Tuft, CEO of Ineos subsidiary Inovyn, also thinks that progress will take a while given the amounts of hydrogen needed. There is a lot of marketing around hydrogen projects. We need to be realistic  we are where the wind industry was 20 to 30 years ago in terms of deployment, Tuft said.

But Julio Friedmann, a senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs, notes that governments and companies have no choice but to overcome these challenges if they wish to decarbonize the heavy industry.

There are plenty of problems with hydrogen, including scaling up the volumes we need, but that doesnt matter, it is a must-have, Friedmann opined.

Aaron Goater, a senior analyst at Britains Committee on Climate Change, believes that state support will be critical in the widespread adoption of hydrogen in the steel and cement sectors. In the near term we would expect a subsidy mechanism to be necessary to help decarbonize cement and steel, Goater said.

The British government has already promised an investment of more than one billion pounds ($1.3) to support hydrogen projects. According to Friedmann, such state investments are important for building the infrastructure necessary for a hydrogen economy.

Its hard and its expensive but that is the work. Either governments in Europe pay for that infrastructure or provide incentives to the private sector to do it, he said.

Learn more about the future of hydrogen at Power.news.

Sources include:

FT.com

DW.com

TheGuardian.com
US weather authorities have issued a storm alert over the threat posed by a potential large storm in the Central US this week.

The alert indicates the formation of a cross-country storm causing severe weather across 11 Central states from the mid-to-late week.

Based on the forecast, the storm may bring life-threatening thunderstorms and tornadoes. Its intensity may range from heavy snowfall, torrential rain, to severe thunderstorms.

The latest storm has brought the number of storms in early 2022 to be larger than in previous years.

The US meteorologists have also forecasted that the storm may navigate at a cross-country level; that will affect not only the Central US but also the Eastern and Southern US in the coming days.

Prior to the storm, a relatively warmer temperature is expected from Monday to Tuesday, Feb. 14 to Feb. 15.

Large-Scale Storm in the Central, Eastern, and Southern US

On Sunday, Feb. 13, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Weather Service (NWS) stated a severe storm system will start early this week and evolve into a large-scale and multi-hazard storm from the mid-to-late week.

The NOAA - NWS elaborated the storm may bring heavy rain with potential flooding, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes not only to Central US but also to the Eastern and Southern US.

The US weather authorities issued a storm alert that the storm's scope may reach a cross-country level.

Also read: A Particularly Intense Winter Storm Expected to Ravage Central and Western US

Hotspots of the Storm

The most affected locations of the storm will be from central Texas, southern Iowa, and central Tennessee to the Louisiana coast, as per AccuWeather.

AccuWeather meteorologists issued a storm alert for the risk of severe weather with damaging hail, tornadoes, winds, and flooding due to heavy rain in these regions.

Furthermore, the AccuWeather forecast shows that the storm may specifically hit the cities of Dallas, Oklahoma, Tulsa, Shreveport, Louisiana, Jackson, Mississippi, Nashville, Louiseville, and Kentucky from Wednesday to Thursday, Feb. 16 to Feb. 17.

NOAA Statistics of Tornadoes in the US

The latest looming storm in the country has brought the attention of the US weather authorities that the number of storms as of early 2022 is greater than in previous years.

Based on a preliminary report from the NOAA - National Centers for Environment Information (NCEI), the number of tornadoes across the US as of January 2022 is 48 while tornadoes in 2021 were only 16.

The report indicates that the number of tornadoes in the US this year is significantly greater than last year.

The report is based on the NOAA - NCEI tornado statistics database provided by the Storm Prediction Center.

The ranges between January 1950 and January 2022. Further information is found with the NOAA - NCEI's Monthly Tornado Report and Tornado Count Methodology.

US Weather Authorities Warn of Potential Disruption

The upcoming storm is associated with travel-related disruption.

As a result, the US weather authorities issued a warning for the potential disruption that the storm may cause.

They further advised that residents should take precautions due to the hazards posed by the storm's severe weather.

The storm's strong winds may blow debris and its heavy rain may cause flooding, which can eventually disrupt travel, even on major routes, such as interstates 20, 30, 40, 44, and 55.

In addition, the storm may also cause power outages and disruption of both domestic and international flights.

Related article: Winter Storm: Blizzard Conditions Affects 100 Million People Across the US
The eradication of the four-decade-long Guinea worm disease is nearing.

In 2021, there are only 14 reported cases of Guinea worm disease.

Since the 1980s, the Guinea worm disease had infected almost 10 million of the world's poorest people in Africa, including Ghana, Sudan, Mali, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.

Over the decades, efforts between national governments and international organizations have led to a significant decrease in infection of the Guinea worm.

Even an outlook of the disease's complete eradication is nearing, with related infections in animals are proving to be a challenge.

The Guinea worm disease is caused by the nematode roundworm--a parasite responsible for painful skin lesions as it tries to get out from its host after living for almost a year.

The disease can be acquired from water contaminated with the worm's larvae.

As the world continues to fight against COVID-19 disease, the Guinea worm disease, if completely eradicated, will be one of the many diseases the world has eradicated from existence, such as smallpox and rinderpest virus.

The Guinea Worm Disease

According to the Guinea Worm Eradication Program of the Carter Center on Jan. 26, the lowest record of Guinea worm disease cases has been reported to be only 14 cases in 2021, nearing the global eradication of the decades-long disease that plagued millions of the world's poorest people in Africa.

The Guinea worm disease is caused by a one-meter-long nematode roundworm parasite that lives inside its host for a year and only eventually gets out by pushing through the host's skin and waiting to deploy its larvae on water, causing painful skin lesions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no official or licensed medicine to cure it, or vaccine to prevent the Guinea worm disease.

The WHO also added the human body does not develop immunity against the disease.

However, the WHO clarified the transmission of the Guinea worm disease can be prevented through monitoring of contaminated waters, education of health volunteers, containment of the disease, treatment and filtration of contaminated water.

Also read: Parasitic Worm That Can Grow Up to 3 Feet Inside Your Body is Transmitted by Dogs

Infections in Animals

Although optimism is growing toward the eradication of the Guinea worm disease, infections in animals is proving to be a challenge toward complete global eradication.

It is known that some animals, including baboons, cats, and dogs can be infected with the said disease, as per Nature.

In terms of complete global eradication, both the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have considered a roadmap toward the possible eradication of the Guinea worm disease due to some of the following criteria:

Humans have the capacity to biologically and technically eradicate the disease.

The disease can be diagnosed easily due to evident signs and symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, itchy rashes, and dizziness.

The disease has no chance to infect a host after the last case has been resolved.

The benefits of recovery from the disease outweighs its cost.

If the eradication of the disease is successful, it will join the purposeful historically eradicated diseases.

International Efforts Through the Decades

Since 1986, the Guinea Worm Eradication Program of the Carter Center has spearheaded a global campaign against the eradication of the Guinea worm disease.

The Carter Center is joined by international organizations, including the US CDC, WHO, and many others for this endeavor.

Related article: Invasive Jumping Worms Are Quickly Spreading Through Several U.S. States
Nitrogen fertilizers are necessary for food production for the entire planet, yet they may poison our water for decades if used in excess. A recent study identified six ways to combat nitrogen pollution and enhance water quality.

Management Efforts

Management efforts can be fruitless and unpleasant since it can take a long time to observe effects because nitrogen remains long. The University of Waterloo's study, which appears in Nature Geoscience, proposes a path for scientists, policymakers, and the general public to overcome the obstacles associated with this legacy nitrogen to enhance water quality more quickly in the future.

"Managing Nitrogen Legacies to Accelerate Water Quality Improvement" is a new study published in an online journal.

Related Article: New Device Can Make Seawater Drinkable in Minutes: Can it Solve World's Freshwater Shortage?



Suggestion

The study's primary author, Nandita Basu, a professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Civil and Environmental Engineering at Waterloo, stated, "We have to think about the legacy we deliberately leave for the future from both the scientific and socio-economic sides." "This is a call to action for us to recognize the existence of these legacies and figure out how to make the most of them."

The study suggests the following six steps:

To alter our expectations for conservation timescales, focus on determining the amount of time nitrogen persists in our ecosystems.

Instead of introducing new nitrogen fertilizers to ecosystems that already have high nitrogen levels, find strategies to exploit the existing nitrogen as a resource for crop growth.

Instead of a broad approach to conservation, focus on specific techniques to enhance water quality as much as possible.

Combine strategies that capture nitrogen from historical legacies accumulated in the soil with measures that minimize the quantity of nitrogen that has already left the farm fields, such as wetlands.

Monitor water quality on a big and small scale such that short-term outcomes may be seen on a farm field size, and long-term results can be monitored downstream in river basins.

Include both short- and long-term cost-benefit evaluations when evaluating the economic impact of conservation efforts.

Improvement

Depending on the climate, past land use, and land management practices, nitrogen legacies vary worldwide.

As long as theoretical knowledge of these legacies, measurements, and monitoring has not yet been widespread enough to understand these differences and support water quality policies, where there is still hope for improvement in the short term, there is still hope for improvement in the long term.

According to Basu, "it's past time we stopped treating nitrogen legacy as the elephant in the room and designed watershed management techniques that can address this historical legacy." "We need to think about how we might improve our performance in the future."

Related Article: Tap vs Bottled: Study Shows Environmental Impact of Water Consumption

For more environmental news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
As developing storm heads toward the Eastern United States, temperatures are expected to rise above average by the middle to end of the week.

Mid- to late-week temperatures in the eastern United States will feel like spring, although it is just mid-February. Residents of the Northeast, eager to escape the chill of winter, will welcome the arrival of temperatures above average, even if they only last a short time.

Spring-like Warmth Expected in Eastern US

Temperatures were 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit above usual for this time of year in major cities across the Northeast last week. It was in the 60s late this week in cities like Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.

Temperatures in these cities in mid-February average in the 40s F, so the warmth last week was a breath of fresh air for people looking to spend time outside after a seasonably cold January, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Jessica Storm.

After this weekend's light snowfall and below-average temperatures along the Northeast coast, the new week will bring a welcome respite. The first half of the week will be drier due to a growing high pressure in the eastern United States and a strong storm forming in the middle of the country, according to AccuWeather.

Pittsburgh and New York City are forecast to have temperatures in the 20s F on Tuesday, but the next two days are expected to see a gradual climb in temperatures as well. These cities are forecast to be in the 50s and 60s by Thursday afternoon, when the heat is likely to peak.

Also Read: Deadly Heat Waves are Endangering Homeless People All Over the US

Areas to Surpass Daily Record High

The city of Philadelphia is on track to break its 1976 record high temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit for the day. A forecast high of 59 degrees Fahrenheit is expected to break the daily record of 50 degrees Fahrenheit set in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Thursday.

As the week progresses, the overnight lows will become increasingly mild, as compared to the preceding and following nights. According to Storm, Philadelphia's low temperatures might dip to the mid 40s instead of the customary upper 20s, which could feel warm compared to the city's regular winter chill.

When it comes to outdoor activities, this blast of springlike weather is likely to climax Thursday, although there's a risk of rain. Even while Wednesday isn't forecast to be as warm as Tuesday, it may still be the better of the two days for those in the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic due to drier conditions.

High Pressure May Return to the Northeast

Some people may be able to open their windows and spend a few minutes outside if the weather holds off till the end of the week. Increasing temperatures might also bring a short respite to homeowners from high winter heating expenditures, as per UPI.

Winter enthusiasts and die-hard skiers may be pleased with the expected temperature increase and rains, but others, less so. By Thursday night, any remaining snow or ice accumulation on grassy areas should have melted and washed away. Throughout the mid-Atlantic and central New England, temperatures might fall below freezing by Thursday night.

AccuWeather's experts expect high pressure to return to the Northeast by next weekend, following the storm that hit the region late last week. As a result, temperatures may be able to stay more in line with the typical for this time of year. Mild temperatures should return by the end of the month.

Related Article: Heatwave Prompted by Climate Change May Cause Shortage of Christmas Tree This Year

For more news, updates about temperature and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
According to a PR published by the USCG on February 14, 2022, Vice Adm. Paul Thomas, Coast Guard deputy commandant for mission support, and Ambassador Andres Duran Hareau, Uruguay ambassador to the United States, commemorated the upcoming transfer of three 87-foot Protector-class patrol boats to Uruguay in a ceremony today at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Former Coast Guard Cutters Albacore, Cochito and Gannet are among six cutters currently at Coast Guard Yard awaiting upgrade and outfitting before transfer to Uruguay and Lebanon. (Picture source: USCG)

Uruguay was selected to receive former Coast Guard Cutters Albacore, Cochito and Gannet by the Navy International Programs Office and signed a $5 million Letter of Offer and Acceptance Dec. 15, 2021. The transfer is facilitated through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program of the Coast Guards Office of International Acquisition.

The Coast Guard, as a maritime partner of choice, is committed to assisting Uruguay authorities by supporting bilateral activities in the shared interest of the security and operational environment of the Southern Atlantic Ocean.

The former cutters will undergo maintenance, upgrades, and outfitting at Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore. Members of the Uruguay Navy will also be trained in the operation and maintenance of the vessels. Once work on the vessels and training are complete, the Uruguay Navy crewmembers will sail the patrol boats to Uruguay, with arrival anticipated in July 2022.

The Protector-class coastal patrol boats are a class of coastal patrol boats of the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta. They are 87-foot (27 m) patrol boats based on the Stan 2600 patrol vessel design from the Netherlands shipbuilding firm Damen Group.

Each ship will include a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) that can be launched from the stern of the larger vessel via an innovative launch and recovery system. This capability allows for crews to quickly intercept, inspect and/or board other vessels while on patrol without stopping.
Carol Wright was halfway home from her 6-mile bicycle ride when the unthinkable happened: The crossing arms of a drawbridge came down behind her and the span of the bridge lifted, trapping the 79-year-old.

Wright, just some 20 feet from the staffed bridge-tender house, grabbed onto the railing, hanging on as long as she could. She died in a public and painful way, tumbling down the span of an opening drawbridge, slamming to the pavement six stories below.

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And now, a lawyer representing the family wants more information about the tragedy, which remains under investigation.

The Royal Palm Park drawbridge that connects downtown West Palm Beach to the heart of Palm Beach opens at least every 30 minutes, allowing yachts and other large boats to pass through on the Intercoastal Waterway. Some 12,000 motorists use it each day. There is a generally a healthy flow of pedestrians  like Wright who was pushing her bike  who cross the bridge.

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[ RELATED: 79-year-old bicyclist often crossed drawbridge to Palm Beach. She fell to her death when it opened beneath her. ]

The bridge tenders house is equipped with mirrors and a minimum of three surveillance monitors, attorney Lance Ivey said at a Monday news conference near the bridge. There is also a catwalk that wraps around the house. The bridge tender is required to come out of the house and walk around three times to make sure the span of the bridge that lifts is clear of motorists and pedestrians before pushing the button that lifts the bridge, Ivey said.

Wrights death was untimely, unimaginable and a completely preventable tragedy, Ivey said.

Ivey believes the bridge tender, a 42-year-old Greenacres woman, must not have completed any of those mandated safety measures.

[ RELATED: Man falls to his death after drawbridge opens ]

So right there, the bridge tender had five opportunities to avoid this tragedy, Ivey said. Carol was there to be seen. She was legally there to be seen.

Ivey questioned why the bridge tender didnt push the emergency stop button. [She] didnt even do the bare minimum to take care of Carol, Ivey said.

Born the daughter of two New York Daily News reporters in 1942, Wright too became a journalist, working for the Palm Beach Daily News as reporter and copy editor. She was also a reporter for the Palm Beach Business Weekly and served as a columnist for Bon Appetit magazine. After a long career in journalism, Wright worked at the Palm Beach County Property Appraisers Office. She retired five years ago, according to her blog WrightNow.

[ RELATED: Desmond Nolan, 80, dangled from the bridge until he could no longer hold on ]

About 10 years ago, Wright vowed to shed extra weight and hopped on a bicycle, which she rode daily.

She earned the right to live out her golden years with her family and friends, Ivey said. She earned the right to live life to the fullest. She earned the right that, in time, peacefully, naturally and in a humane and dignified fashion, to pass away. And unfortunately that was taken away from her and her family.

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Everything she worked for to maintain her health  to maintain mental health, physical health  was taken away.

An avid reader, Wright who was two months shy of celebrating her 80th birthday, was on her way back from the Classic Bookshop on the island  a 6-mile round trip from her West Palm Beach home. Crossing the pedestrian walkway of the bridge to get home on Feb. 6 became a slow, mental and physical death sentence, Ivey said.

She is literally on the bridge in between the crossing arms. Shes literally herded into this area  shes trapped, Ivey said, pointing at a photograph of an open span of the drawbridge.

An undated file photo of Carol Wright was displayed on Monday in West Palm Beach during a news conference at the Royal Palm Bridge where she died. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

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As the bridge began lifting, Wright grabbed a railing, holding on for what most likely seemed like minutes to her, Ivey said.

Unfortunately her 79-year-old arms and hands gave way, Ivey said. And she falls. And she falls down into this little abyss.

By the time first responders got to her, she was dead. As Ivey described Wrights life and her death, Jill Sanchez, Wrights niece, cried. She was too distraught to talk during the news conference.

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Our goal is this will never, ever happen to another family, Ivey said. ... I think its egregious. The bridge tender didnt do the bare minimum. The one job they have, aside from lifting the bridge for yachts, is to ensure there are no persons or property on the bridge when you activate it.

The Florida Department of Transportation contracts Florida Drawbridge Inc. to provide bridge tenders. The Pompano Beach-based company has previously declined comment.

West Palm Beach Police are also urging anyone who witnessed Wright on the bridge around the time of the 1 p.m. incident on Feb. 6 to call detective Ivy Erhardt at 561-822-1684. Ivey, the attorney, is asking witnesses to call him at 561-820-2240.

Eileen Kelley can be reached at 772-925-9193 or ekelley@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @reporterkell.
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Newburyport, MA (01950)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 52F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
TALLAHASSEE  Alligator hunting could become a 24/7 endeavor under a proposal going before Florida wildlife commissioners.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on March 2 will consider a staff proposal that would expand, at most locations, the daily hours for the next alligator hunting season to 24 from the current 17  5 p.m. to 10 a.m.

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George Warthen, the commissions director of hunting and game management, said in a memo that proposed rule changes would provide greater flexibility and opportunity for participants in the statewide alligator harvest program.

The hours have gradually expanded since the harvest began in 1988, when people holding alligator trapping licenses and harvest permits were allowed to hunt from a half-hour before sunset to a half-hour after sunrise.

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The hunting season, which runs from Aug. 15 to Nov. 1, is part of the commissions approach to managing the estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida.

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A staff presentation for the upcoming commission meeting at the Tampa Convention Center said the extra hours would eliminate concerns about being unable to bring in hooked alligators before the 10 a.m. cutoff. The extra hours would provide hunters more flexibility in scheduling trips and be more accommodating for young and senior hunters who might be more comfortable hunting during the day, according to the commission staff.

Feedback from more than 7,000 people through workshops, webinars and surveys was largely supportive, according to the commission. But concerns were raised, in part, that the 24-hour proposal would conflict with other outdoor activities, such as bass fishing and duck hunting.

Staff evaluated these concerns and believe they can be mitigated with additional planning and outreach, the staff presentation said. Currently, we remind all alligator hunters to be courteous of one another and share space while minimizing negative impacts to other users and residents on the water.

Also, staff members are asking to allow hunters to use pre-charged pneumatic airbows with tethered lines.

A common misconception about this proposed rule change is that it could be used to kill an alligator; rather, the alligator hunter would only be using the airbow to initially secure a line to the animal to safely gain control of it, the staff presentation said.

The state already allows a number of methods involving tethered lines, including crossbows, bows, snatch hooks and harpoons. Airbows, devices charged with an external high compression source to propel arrows, were not commercially available the last time the state updated its alligator harvest methods, the presentation said.

The proposals arent expected to be made final until the commission meets in May.
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Some airlines have canceled or diverted flights to Ukraine amid warnings from the West that an invasion by Russia is imminent despite intensive weekend talks between Moscow and Washington.

In an hourlong call Saturday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Joe Biden said an invasion of Ukraine would cause widespread human suffering and that the West was committed to diplomacy to end the crisis but equally prepared for other scenarios, the White House said. It offered no suggestion that the call diminished the threat of an imminent war in Europe.

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The White House said Biden would talk with Zelenskyy later Sunday.

On Friday, Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, warned that U.S. intelligence shows a Russian invasion could begin within days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has played down invasion concerns, urging the country to remain calm.

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Russia denies it intends to invade Ukraine but has massed well over 100,000 troops near its border and has sent troops to exercises in neighboring Belarus. U.S. officials say Russias buildup of firepower has reached the point where it could invade on short notice.

The U.S. picked up intelligence that Russia is looking at Wednesday as a target date, according to a U.S. official familiar with the findings. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and did so only on condition of anonymity, would not say how definitive the intelligence was.

I believe that today in the information space, there is a lot of information, Zelenskyy said Saturday. We understand all the risks, we understand that there are risks. If you, or anyone else, has additional information regarding a 100% Russian invasion starting on the 16th, please forward that information to us.

Reflecting the Wests concerns, Dutch airline KLM has canceled flights to Ukraine until further notice, the company said Saturday.

Dutch sensitivity to potential danger in Ukrainian airspace is high following the 2014 shooting down of a Malaysian jetliner flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur as it flew over a part of eastern Ukraine held by Russia-backed rebels. All 298 people aboard died, including 198 Dutch citizens.

The Ukrainian charter airline SkyUp said Sunday its flight from Madeira, Portugal, to Kyiv was diverted to the Moldovan capital of Chisinau after the planes Irish lessor said it was banning flights in Ukrainian airspace.

Ukrainian presidential spokesman Serhii Nykyforov told The Associated Press that Ukraine has not closed its airspace. A statement from the Infrastructure Ministry said: Some carriers are experiencing difficulties associated with fluctuations in the insurance markets.

The Putin-Biden conversation, following a call between Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the day, came at a critical moment for what has become the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. U.S. officials believe they have mere days to prevent an invasion and enormous bloodshed in Ukraine.

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While the U.S. and its NATO allies have no plans to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia, an invasion and resulting punishing sanctions could reverberate far beyond the former Soviet republic, affecting energy supplies, global markets and the power balance in Europe.

President Biden was clear with President Putin that while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy, in full coordination with our Allies and partners, we are equally prepared for other scenarios, the White House statement said.

Yuri Ushakov, Putins top foreign policy aide, said that while tensions have been escalating for months, in recent days the situation has simply been brought to the point of absurdity.

He said Biden mentioned the possible sanctions that could be imposed on Russia, but this issue was not the focus during a fairly long conversation with the Russian leader.

In a sign that American officials are getting ready for a worst-case scenario, the United States announced plans to evacuate most of its staff from the embassy in Kyiv and urged all American citizens to leave Ukraine immediately. Britain joined other European nations in telling its citizens to leave Ukraine.

Canada has shuttered its embassy in Kyiv and relocated its diplomatic staff to a temporary office in the western city of Lviv, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Saturday. Lviv is home to a Ukrainian military base that has served as the main hub for Canadas 200-soldier training mission.

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Further U.S.-Russia tensions arose on Saturday when the Defense Ministry summoned the U.S. Embassys military attache after it said the navy detected an American submarine in Russian waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The submarine declined orders to leave, but departed after the navy used unspecified appropriate means, the ministry said.

Adding to the sense of crisis, the Pentagon ordered an additional 3,000 U.S. troops to Poland to reassure allies.

In addition to the more than 100,000 ground troops that U.S. officials say Russia has assembled along Ukraines eastern and southern borders, the Russians have deployed missile, air, naval and special operations forces, as well as supplies to sustain a war. This week, Russia moved six amphibious assault ships into the Black Sea, augmenting its capability to land marines on the coast.

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Biden has bolstered the U.S. military presence in Europe as reassurance to allies on NATOs eastern flank. The 3,000 additional soldiers ordered to Poland come on top of 1,700 who are on their way there. The U.S. Army also is shifting 1,000 soldiers from Germany to Romania, which like Poland shares a border with Ukraine.

Russia is demanding that the West keep former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons near its border and to roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe  demands flatly rejected by the West.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraines Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula and then backing a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed over 14,000 people.

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A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany helped halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.

My family has always been prepared, we have all the stuff gathered for like a couple of years now. Honestly, Im not afraid because the war wouldnt start like in a week, 21-year-old Yuliia Zaets said at a pro-givernment rally on Saturday.

___

Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this story.
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Umbilical cord blood banking is useful due to its role in transplantation. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) possess the ability to reconstitute any blood cell type, offering the potential to treat blood-related malignancies and life-threatening diseases.

Stem cells. Image Credit: Anusorn Nakdee/Shutterstock.com

Cord blood serves as a primary source of these stem cells and the increasing demand to treat malignancies, hemoglobinopathies, metabolic diseases, and immunodeficiencies, over the past decade has prompted the demand for cord blood transplantation. By 2013, >30,000 HSCs have been performed using cord blood, with the majority of them (57%) being used to treat malignancies.

What is cord blood banking?

Cord blood stem cells are collected from the umbilical cord after which the donated cord blood is screened, frozen, and stored in a cord blood bank for the future, subject to meeting screening requirements. The stored cord blood collected from the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth is called the cord blood unit.

Cord blood banking refers to the storage of cord blood units. Approximately 80,000 of these are stored in public cord blood banks and > 5 million are stored in private cord blood banks. Due to research documenting positive clinical outcomes in both malignant and non-malignant disorders, the practice of cord blood transplantation is increasing. Most notably, cord blood transplants possess the ability to overcome Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLAs) barriers compared with nonmatched marrow or peripheral blood HCSTs.

The HLA-limiting problem

HLAs are proteins that determine reactivity against a donor transplant. In sum, six HLA types are implicated in stem cell transplants; in bone marrow transplants, matching between the patient and donor must occur across all six antigens. In cord blood transplants, only 4 out of 6 must match between the donor and patient; this feature is highly attractive particularly for patients from a minority background where donor matches are difficult to obtain

Stem cell transplantation

The cells used in transplants typically come from three sources: the marrow, peripheral blood, and the blood in the umbilical cord. Transplants involving bone marrow required a donor marrow which is retrieved from an HLA match.

In the case of peripheral blood transplants, peripheral blood stem cells present in the circulating blood are used. Typically the bone marrow releases a small number of peripheral blood stem cells into the circulatory system; to obtain adequate numbers of stem cells from this peripheral blood, the donor is subject to treatment to increase the production of these cells, which are then subsequently collected from the blood using a process called apheresis.

Stem cell transplants involving either three of the sources (peripheral blood, marrow, or cord blood), may involve the patient's stem cells or donor stem cells. When the stem cells are derived from the patient the process is termed autologous transplants. Conversely, those derived donor stem cells are called an allogeneic transplant.

The history of cord blood stem cell transplants

The first successful cord blood stem cell transplant West performed in 1988 and was used to treat a patient with Fanconi anemia.

The advantages of cord blood extend further than HLA matching. These include:

Availability: code public blood banks contain prescreened, tested, and frozen blood ready to use; conversely there is a waiting period required for allogenic transplants to find a suitable match for peripheral blood donation

Graft versus host disease (GVHD): The incidence of GVHD is lower and less severe in cord blood recipients relative to bone marrow or peripheral blood transplants

Cord blood increases the recruitment of donors of minority ethnic backgrounds, thereby increasing the likelihood of a match

The establishment and purpose of cord blood banks

Cold blood cells can be stored at -196 C and subsequently thawed for use in the clinic. The first five HLA match sibling umbilical cord blood transplants were performed using cord blood stored in a proof of principle blood bank. Cord blood units are capable of 20 years of storage if cryopreserved properly; this does not compromise their biologic characteristics. Due to this long storage time, public organizations and institutions, as well as private companies, opted to set up umbilical cord blood banks.

Umbilical cord blood banking has greatly facilitated the speed with which unrelated donors are identified as compared to alternative sources; the median time to mobilize umbilical cord blood cells for use in the clinic can be as fast as 12 days. By contrast, this is typically 3-4 months for those receiving transplants from unrelated marrow or mobilized peripheral blood donors. This is critical as timing to match is a determinant of treatment outcomes. The number of units required in a bank to satisfy the demand depends on the population; as such, the rate at which umbilical blood cells are mobilized throughout the world varies.

The release rates for private banks are relatively low compared to umbilical blood cord cells stored in public banks. Institutions, government regulatory agents, and multinational organizations are actively involved in determining optimized guidelines that regulate how cord blood cells are collected, processed, and banked. These organizations have subsequently resulted in the formation of registries that validate and evaluate blood cord units that have been mobilized and determined transplant outcomes.

Private vs public cord blood banks

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised its 2007 Cord Blood Banking for Potential Future Transplantation policy statement in response to the unmet clinical need. This revised policy has prompted several other professional societies across the world to issue similar revisions. The AAP notes that donation of cord blood is preferable to private cord blood banks due to the underuse of cord blood in private banks.

Other professional groups similarly favor the use of public code banking (predominantly based on ethics); these include the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the United Kingdom's Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Notable exceptions to the preference of public cord banks include occurrences where family members may have a disease that can be treated by cord blood transplantation; the use of family-directed banks typically located in universities or private cord blood banks is therefore preferred.

In Europe, strict guidelines regarding the public collection and use of cord blood in the case of life-threatening illnesses have been advocated for. Most notably, the Italian committee for the proper use of umbilical cord blood noted:

There is no scientific evidence to support the therapeutic use of autologous cord blood stored for preventative purposes

Ethical objections to the full profit nature of private blood banks

Nonetheless, private cord blood banks provide a utility when a family member could benefit from cord blood transplantation. Cord blood banking cannot be used autologously (for the donor infant) in children with genetic diseases, because the same disease would be returned with the transplant.

Stem cell transplant. Image Credit: Terelyuk/Shutterstock.com

Case study: The public French cord blood banks network

The French Cord Blood Banks Network (in French, Reseau Francais de Sang Placentaire) was established in 1999 to standardize practices controlling the collection, storage, and allocation of umbilical cord blood across national cord blood banks.

In France, cord blood banking is restricted to public banks authorized by the National Health authorities to process units. As such, standardized criteria for cord blood banking have been established and implemented through regular meetings organized by the agency of biomedicine to facilitate communications between quote blood banks, transplant, and maternity wards.

The blood bank networks recommendations have been altered over time based on the outcomes of transplant data and used as indicators of quality improvement that assess the performance of the network.

In a study describing the results of quality improvement over 10 years, researchers discovered that there was a trend to select units more recently collected with higher cell doses, which facilitated the faster recovery of patients. Overall, these results reflect beneficial clinical outcomes on the strategy of the network.

However, the French Network still faces two key challenges: expanding the diversity of HLA types represented in its storage, and remaining financially sustainable while maintaining improved or maintained standards of quality.

Moreover, the study noted that umbilical cord banks represented an invaluable resource in urgent situations, as illustrated by the COVID-19 epidemics. Over this period, the network experienced an increase of 15% in the number of units deployed.

Despite the relative success of umbilical cord blood banks, there are several knowledge gaps and challenges that remain. These challenges are associated with the umbilical cord blood cells themselves, as well as the regulations surrounding their banking. Currently, ex vivo systems are under development to expand hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, particularly with regards to new approaches for accelerating hematopoietic recovery.

References

Rafii H, Ionescu I, Ruggeri A, etal.(2021) Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the use and release of cord blood units facilitated by the French Cord Blood Banks Network: on behalf of the Agency of Biomedicine, Eurocord and the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy (SFGM-TC). Bone Marrow Transplant. doi: 10.1038/s41409-021-01477-6.

Harris DT. (2008) Cord blood stem cells: worth the investment. Nat Rev Cancer. doi:10.1038/nrc2418-c2.

Shearer WT, Lubin BH, Cairo MS, et al.(2017) SECTION ON HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY; SECTION ON ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY. Cord Blood Banking for Potential Future Transplantation. Pediatrics. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-2695

Leukemia and lymphoma society. Fighting blood cancers. Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation. Available at: https://www.lls.org/sites/default/files/file_assets/cordbloodstemcelltransplantation.pdf. Last accessed November 2021.

Further Reading
In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, researchers demonstrated that Nitazoxanide (NTZ), an oral drug, broadly inhibits replication of several severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) in preclinical models of infection.

The scientific community is toiling hard to find effective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatments and control the ongoing pandemic that has claimed over 5 million lives worldwide to date. An oral drug therapy that is easy to deploy, well-tolerated, inexpensive, and safe in adults and children to treat or inhibit COVID-19 progression would indeed be a significant advancement in the fight against COVID-19.

Study: The oral drug nitazoxanide restricts SARS-CoV-2 infection and attenuates disease pathogenesis in Syrian hamsters. Image Credit: NIAID

About the study

NTZ was initially developed for the treatment of Giardia- and Cryptosporidium-associated diarrhea. In addition, in vitro studies have illustrated the ability of NTZ and its circulating metabolite tizoxanide (TIZ) to inhibit several viruses, including human coronaviruses.

In one of their previous works, the authors of the present study have demonstrated the capability of NTZ to create a broad "antiviral milieu" to overcome virus-specific immune evasion strategies. These findings prompted them to test NTZ's ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenesis in physiologically relevant primate and human cell models.

In the present study, researchers performed antiviral assays in Vero E6 cells exposed to increasing concentrations of NTZ and TIZ and infected with SARS-CoV-2 (isolate USA-WA1/2020) at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.025 after four hours. After 48 hours, using a Celigo imaging cytometer, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of NTZ was calculated. In addition, the cytotoxicity of NTZ and TIZ was evaluated by assaying uninfected cells treated with the same compound dilutions in parallel with the antiviral assay.

Next, the researchers assessed NTZ's ability to synergize with remdesivir (RDV), standard drug treatment to shorten the time of COVID-19 recovery, for which they performed combination assays in Vero E6 cells. The results of the combination assay were further analyzed using SynergyFinder to generate a synergy landscape and combination score by the Loewe model.

Study findings

NTZ and TIZ displayed strong antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells, with IC50 values of 4.04 mM and 3.62 mM, respectively, without exhibiting cytotoxicity. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis confirmed that NTZ exhibited robust antiviral activity in Vero E6 cells at both 5 and 10 mM concentrations and both MOIs tested (0.025 and 0.25).

SARS-CoV-2 replication is inhibited by NTZ or TIZ in Vero E6 cells. A. Schema of the antiviral assay. B. Percent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication and cytotoxicity assay in Vero E6 cells in the presence of the indicated drugs: NTZ (nitazoxanide), TIZ (tizoxanide), Remdesivir (RDV). Vero E6 cells were infected with 100 PFU (MOI 0.025) of SARS-CoV-2 (isolate USA-WA1/2020) in the presence of increasing concentrations of drug for 48 hrs, after which viral replication was measured by NP immunostaining as described in Materials and Methods. In all panels, viral infectivity is shown as a solid black line and cell toxicity as a dashed red line. Calculated IC50 is indicated in the bottom-left corner of each plot. RDV is included as a standard of care control. C. Quantitative inhibition of NeonGreen SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells measured by flow cytometry and quantitative imaging flow cytometry using the ImageStream platform. Vero E6 cells were pretreated with 5 or 10 M NTZ or carrier (DMSO) for 4 hrs and then infected with NeonGreen (NG)-SARS-CoV2 at an MOI of 0.025 or 0.25. At 48 hrs post-infection cultures were fixed for 24 hrs before FACS and ImageStream analysis. (i) The percentage of infection as measured by FACS. Experiments were performed at least three independent times. (ii) Dot plot displaying the quantification of NG pixels as a representation of NG-SARS-CoV-2 fluorescence in infected cells (among the 3000 cells acquired). Asterisks indicate significant differences in NTZ-treated samples as compared to DMSO control by two-tailed Mann-Whitney test. **P<0.001 for each comparison. The number of infected cells in each experimental condition is shown at the bottom of the panel. We found significant reduction of infected cells in NTZ-treated cultures at both MOIs and both concentrations of NTZ (***P<0.0001 for each comparison) by Fisher exact test using Stata 12 software. Experiments were performed at least three independent times. (iii) Images of representative NeonGreen-SARS-CoV-2 infected cells were selected from the median levels of pixels shown in the analysis in panel (ii). D. Antiviral activity curves by RDV in the presence of increasing concentrations of NTZ. E. Synergy landscapes and combination scores generated by the Loewe method using SynergyFinder software.

The Loewe model shows the interaction between drugs, wherein a score greater than +10 indicates a synergistic interaction. Notably, the landscape for the interaction of RDV with NTZ showed synergy scores greater than +10 at low NTZ concentrations (6.26 mM), denoting moderate synergy of the two drugs in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 growth. Previous studies have shown that NTZ synergistically enhances RDV's ability to reduce the cytopathic effect (CPE). Together, this data showed that in Vero E6 cells NTZ robustly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication and formed an inhibitory synergistic compound pair with RDV.

NTZ (IC50 1.695 mM) and TIZ (IC50 1.322 mM) also showed potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the human cell line A549 transduced with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (Ace2) with no cytotoxicity.

The authors also assessed the antiviral activity of NTZ in wild-type and the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR) knock-out (KO) Ace2-A549 cells. IFNAR signaling is known to restrict SARS-CoV-2 growth and infection in Ace2-A549 cells. The results showed that although IFNAR signaling facilitates optimal NTZ inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2, even in its absence, NTZ inhibited SARS-CoV-2.

NTZ also strongly inhibited the replication of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs Beta 223 (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), and Delta (B.1617.2) in Vero E6 cells, similar to its ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 WA1 strain.

Niclosamide, another FDA-approved drug, is structurally similar to NTZ and effectively inhibits SARS-CoV-2 spike(S)-induced syncytia formation. Interestingly, NTZ also restricted SARS-CoV-2 dissemination by directly inhibiting spike-mediated fusion, as demonstrated by the assays performed in Vero-TMPRSS2 cells.

Furthermore, NTZ-treated Syrian hamsters, compared to animals of the control group, showed strong trends of protection at four days post-infection (dpi) and six dpi. In addition, their lung biopsies showed lower viral titers at two dpi. The findings indicated that oral administration of NTZ significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication, virus-induced weight loss, and overall disease pathogenesis in vivo.

NTZ significantly prevents lung pathology SARS-CoV-2 infected Syrian hamsters. A. Comparison of normal lung (naive) to pathologic changes induced by SARS-CoV-2 in vehicle-vs. NTZ-treated animals at day 2, 5, and 14 post-infection. Lung pathology at 5 dpi was severe irrespective of treatment group. B. NTZ significantly reduced interstitial inflammatory and perivascular scores at 2 and 14 days post-infection. Qualitatively there was decreased bronchiole epithelial injury and associated luminal inflammatory exudate. Lung pathology at 5 dpi was severe irrespective of treatment group. Asterisk indicates statistically significant differences by one-tailed unpaired Students t-test at day 2 for interstitium and on day 14 for blood vessels. Lungs from 4 animals were included in the scoring analysis for each timepoint except for 2 dpi, where there were 3 SARS-CoV-2 PBS/vehicle-treated animals. C. Bronchiole syncytial cells were observed exclusively at 5 dpi in SARS-CoV-2-inoculated animals and were more frequently observed in the vehicle-treated group. Scale bars: A, 100 m; C, 50 m.

Conclusions

In a human trial by Blum et al., 2021, after five days of treatment with NTZ, patients with moderate COVID-19 showed a substantial decrease in inflammatory biomarkers, faster recovery, and reduced hospitalization time. Another randomized controlled trial (RCT) in humans tested the efficacy of extended-release formulation of NTZ (NT-300) in mild or moderately ill COVID-19 patients. The results showed an 85% reduction in progression to severe illness after five days of treatment. Overall, these findings suggest that NTZ is safe for use in adults and children.

Therefore, an NTZ-based combination cocktail could lower the dosage requirement of expensive new antiviral oral drugs, especially for children and immunosuppressed HIV-infected individuals. Furthermore, its oral formulation is already widely available globally at an economical cost, making NTZ easily deployable and accessible.

*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, researchers from the United States assess the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) breakthrough cases and reinfections among unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals.

Study: Time to reinfection and vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections: a retrospective cohort study. Image Credit: PhotobyTawat / Shutterstock.com

Introduction

To date, SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has infected over 411 million people and claimed over 5.81 million lives worldwide. In an effort to control the spread and mortality caused by COVID-19, vaccines were developed at an unprecedented pace and administered across the world. As of February 14, 2022, over 10.19 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed around the world.

In particular, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines developed against SARS-CoV-2 significantly helped control the pandemic, reduce severe outcomes, and save lives. According to the United States of America Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of infection, hospitalization, and death rates are extremely high among unvaccinated people as compared to fully vaccinated individuals.

Despite the success of these vaccines, their efficacy was limited following the emergence and subsequent dominance of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in most parts of the world. To this end, reports of breakthrough infections, hospitalizations, and death among the vaccinated individuals rose.

Aside from the protection elicited from vaccines, unvaccinated individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 experienced some level of immunity against reinfection.

Considering various spatiotemporal variables, the present study examines the incidence of COVID-19 post-vaccination in the western U.S. from December 12, 2020, to November 5, 2021, during which the Delta variant was the dominant circulating strain. Herein, the researchers also studied the reinfection rate among unvaccinated individuals to assess the protection offered by infection-induced immunity.

About the study

The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic data from the Providence-St. Joseph Health (PSJH), is a community health system with hospitals and clinics spanning five states in the western U.S., including Alaska, California, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The mRNA vaccines included in this study were the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 and Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccines, as well as the adenoviral vectored vaccine, JNJ-78436735 (Janssen).

Vaccine-induced and infection-induced immunity was studied from individuals across the five states. The two outcomes that were assessed in this study included breakthrough infections among the vaccine-induced immunity cohort and reinfections among the infection-induced immunity cohort. Both outcomes were confirmed through a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) test result.

Study findings

Of the total 2,627,914 patients eligible as to be included in the vaccine-induced immunity cohort, 51.4% received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine, 41.4% received two doses of mRNA-1273, and 7.2% received one dose of JNJ-78436735. This cohort mostly included people between the ages of 18 and 44 years, a majority of whom were females, non-Hispanic/Latino, White/Caucasian, and California residents.

Among the fully vaccinated, 0.36% tested positive, most of whom were between the ages of 18-44 years old and had received their vaccine in the first quarter of 2021. Nonetheless, all three vaccines protected the individuals in the vaccinated cohort with a high probability of survival against breakthrough infections.

(A) Frequency of vaccine breakthrough infection (count per day) starting 21 days after the administration of the last COVID-19 vaccine dose. (B) Normalized frequency of vaccine breakthrough infection (define) starting 21 days after the administration of the last COVID-19 vaccine. Normalized frequency distributions of mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 vaccine breakthrough cases are approximately distributed normally with the mean at 161.8 days and 152.8 days, respectively. That of JNJ-78436735 vaccine breakthrough cases is skewed to the right with the mean at 123.6 days. The lines represent the mean days until breakthrough for each vaccine.

The time distribution of these vaccines showed that two doses of mRNA-1273 were the most effective, while a single dose of JNJ-78436735 was the least effective. The expected duration of time until breakthrough cases in the population for the JNJ-7843735, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273 vaccines was 130, 155, and 168 median days to breakthrough cases respectively.

The researchers also examined the acquired immunity from a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection by characterizing the reinfection rate in this cohort of unvaccinated people. Like the vaccinated cohort, a majority of these individuals were between the ages of 18 and 44 years, female, and identified as non-Hispanic/Latino White/Caucasian.

Among the 64,424 individuals in the unvaccinated cohort, 0.88% were reinfected with SARS-CoV-2, 17.18% had not undergone another COVID-19 diagnostic test during the study period, and the remaining 81.5% did not experience SARS-CoV-2 reinfection during the study period.

One interesting observation was that there was a significantly greater number of patients with comorbidities who were vaccinated as compared to those with comorbidities who were in the unvaccinated cohort. Since comorbidities are considered as a high-risk factor for severe COVID-19, it is likely that people with comorbidities were more inclined to get vaccinated population.

Taken together, the incidence rate of reinfection was found to be higher in the infection-induced immunity cohort at 0.9% than that of the vaccine-induced cohort at 0.4%. Although this finding is smaller than what has been described in previous reports, where a six-fold higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the COVID-induced immunity was observed as compared to that of the vaccine-induced immunity, several other factors may influence these findings. Some possible confounding factors include geographic location, vaccines, variants, demographics, and pandemic time window, all of which may affect the rate of reinfections among both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

(A) Kaplan-Meier estimates for the survival function for infection-induced immunity. Reinfection is defined by a positive COVID-19 PCR or NAAT test 90 days after the previous positive test. Range for the X axis extends to 600+ days, but only 350 days is displayed for controlled comparison with the vaccinated cohort (y-axis[0,1]). (B) More detailed close-up view of A, (y-axis[0.98,1]) (C) Kaplan-Meier estimates for the survival function restricted to patients who have been reinfected. 5% of reinfected patients had more than 350 days between infections. (D) Normalized frequency of reinfection 9 months after the first infection.

Limitations

The current study is not a direct comparison between the protection offered by vaccines and natural immunity, as it is difficult to establish the recovery time required for infection-induced immunity. Furthermore, because the current study was conducted in a defined period, it is possible for people to experience breakthrough infections at later times, which would skew the data distribution.

The reinfection timepoint cannot be precisely determined as actual reinfection and not an unusually long lingering initial infection. To this end, the researchers have chosen a conservative threshold of 90 days after the first positive test to determine the reinfection cases. Moreover, they added that their data is limited due to incongruencies in vaccine rollout between the three vaccines.

Taken together, the researchers call for further analyses including alternative data sources, as well as sequencing, titer levels, and other deep immunophenotyping data.

Conclusions

The current study presented demographic information, survival functions, and probability distributions for a large sample of patients experiencing vaccination breakthrough infections or post-infection reinfection within the PSJH network.

All three BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and JNJ-78436735 vaccines were found to render a very low risk of a breakthrough infection in real-world settings over 350 days.

Importantly, the current study reaffirmed that the risks associated with COVID-19 are enormously greater than any marginal advantages acquired by prior infection.

*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.
Even if a Russian invasion of Ukraine doesnt happen in the next few days, the crisis is reaching a critical inflection point with European stability and the future of East-West relations hanging in the balance.

A convergence of events over the coming week could determine whether the stalemate is resolved peacefully or Europe is at war. At stake are Europes post-Cold War security architecture and long-agreed limits on the deployment of conventional military and nuclear forces there.

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Ukrainians attend a rally in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, during a protest against the potential escalation of the tension between Russia and Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden are to hold a high-stakes telephone call on Saturday as tensions over a possibility imminent invasion of Ukraine escalated sharply and the U.S. announced plans to evacuate its embassy in the Ukrainian capital. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

This next 10 days or so will be critical, said Ian Kelly, a retired career diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to Georgia who now teaches international relations at Northwestern University.

The Biden administration on Friday said an invasion could happen at any moment, with a possible target date of Wednesday, according to intelligence picked up by the United States, and Washington was evacuating almost all of its embassy staff in Kyiv, Ukraines capital.

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A phone call between President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Saturday did nothing to ease tensions. Biden and Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, spoke on Sunday.

Even before the latest U.S. warnings and diplomatic moves, analysts saw this as a critical week for the future of Ukraine.

Russia and the United States are approaching a peak of the conflict of their interests regarding a future shape of the European order, Timofei Bordachev, said head of the Center for European Research at Moscows Higher School of Economics. The parties may take action against each other that will go much farther than what was considered admissible quite recently, he said in a recent analysis.

In the week ahead, Washington and NATO are expecting Moscows formal response after they rejected its main security demands, and major Russian military drills in Belarus, conducted as part of a deployment near Ukraine, are to end. The fate of the Russian troops now in Belarus will be key to judging the Kremlins intentions.

At the same time, the Winter Olympics in China, often cited as a potential deterrent to immediate Russian action, will conclude Feb. 20. Although U.S. officials have said they believe an invasion could take place before then, the date is still considered important.

And an important international security conference is taking place in Munich next weekend, with Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top European officials planning to attend.

Putin has warned the West that he will not back down on his demand to keep Ukraine out of NATO. While Ukraine has long aspired to join, the alliance is not about to offer an invitation.

Still, he contends that if Ukraine becomes a member and tries to use force to reclaim the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014, it would draw Russia and NATO into a conflict.

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His foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, has asked Western nations to explain how they interpret the principle of the indivisibility of security enshrined in international agreements they signed. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that it would not accept a collective response from the European Union and NATO, insisting on an individual response from each country.

Seeking to counter NATOs argument that every nation is free to choose alliances, Moscow has charged that NATO violated the principle and jeopardized Russias security by expanding eastward.

Russias bold demands and equally blunt U.S. rejection of them have pushed the international agenda toward the confrontation more than ever since the height of the Cold War, Bordachev said.

He argued that closer relations with China have strengthened Moscows hand. Whatever goals Russia could pursue now, it can plan its future in conditions of a full rupture of ties with the West, Bordachev said.

Russian officials have emphasized that negotiating a settlement over Ukraine depends squarely on the United States and that Western allies just march to Washingtons orders.

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In the past, Russia had sought to build close contacts with France and Germany in the hope that friendly ties with Europes biggest economies would help offset the U.S. pressure. But those ties were strained by the poisoning in 2020 of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who spent five months in Germany convalescing from what he described as a nerve agent attack he blamed on the Kremlin. Russia has denied its involvement.

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More recently, Russian officials have criticized the position of France and Germany in the deadlocked peace talks on eastern Ukraine, holding them responsible for the failure to persuade Ukrainian authorities to grant broad self-rule to the Russia-backed separatist region, as required by a 2015 agreement.

In a break with diplomatic rules, the Russian Foreign Ministry last fall published confidential letters that Lavrov exchanged with his French and German counterparts in a bid to prove their failure to help make progress in talks.

Speaking after the latest fruitless round of those talks, Kremlin representative Dmitry Kozak bemoaned the failure by French and German envoys to persuade Ukraine to commit to a dialogue with the separatists, as the agreement stipulated.

Despite the tensions with both Paris and Berlin, Putin spent more than five hours talking to French President Emmanuel Macron last Monday and will host German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday. Putin said he was grateful to Macron for trying to help negotiate a way to ease the tensions and said they would talk again.

Moscow also just reopened a window for diplomatic contacts with Britain, hosting the foreign and defense secretaries for the first round of talks since ties were ruptured by the 2018 poisoning in Britain of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter.

Lavrovs meeting with Liz Truss was frosty, but British Defense Secretary Ben Wallaces talks with Russias defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, appeared more businesslike, with the parties emphasizing the need to maintain regular contact to reduce the threat of military incidents.
A recent paper by researchers from Australia, currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server, shows how Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies in individuals who were infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contribute to the neutralization of the virus and its variants, even though this response is heterogeneous and less potent when compared to IgG antibodies.

Study: Heterologous SARS-CoV-2 IgA neutralising antibody responses in convalescent plasma. Image Credit: Corona Borealis Studio / Shutterstock

In order to infect human cells, SARS-CoV-2 uses the receptor-binding domain (RBD) to engage with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Consequently, antibodies generated towards RBD after infection or vaccination can block this interaction with the ACE2, subsequently offsetting SARS-CoV-2 and halting the development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

This is why neutralizing antibodies are viewed as a strong correlate of protection for most viral vaccines, including SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, with IgM and IgG being widely implicated in the effective neutralization of the pandemic virus. But what about other antibodies in the human immune repertoire?

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the study of IgA responses against SARS-CoV-2 has been relatively neglected. We know that IgA in the plasma peaks during acute infection and is somewhat dominant in that phase but relatively transient in nature.

This paper, first-authored by Dr. Samantha K Davis from the University of Melbourne in Victoria (Australia), aimed to examine purified fractions of plasma and purified IgA and IgG in order to appraise the contribution of these isotypes to the polyclonal convalescent antibody response to RBD and its neutralization capacity.

Determining the contribution of IgA to neutralization

A total of 41 SARS-CoV-2 convalescent subjects and 26 uninfected subjects donated their plasma samples for research purposes. A multiplex binding inhibition assay, highly comparable to the gold standard, was used to examine the neutralization properties of obtained plasma samples.

Furthermore, to determine the contribution of IgG and IgA to the neutralizing capacity of convalescent plasma, the researchers have depleted IgA from plasma and also depleted plasma of both IgA and IgG. This way, they assessed the propensity of antibody depleted plasma fractions to inhibit RBD binding to ACE2.

This research group has compared the ACE2 inhibitory capacity of matched purified IgG and IgA from the same individuals at equivalent total purified antibody concentrations. In addition, many other steps have been pursued to ascertain the importance of antibody titer for an individual's ability to facilitate IgA mediated ACE2 binding inhibition.

Convalescent plasma-induced robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBDWT antibody isotypes levels that inhibit ACE2 from binding RBDWT Convalescent (n-41) (blue) and uninfected control (n=26) (grey) plasma (final dilution 1:100) was assessed for IgM (a), IgG (b) and IgA (c) antibody binding to SARS-CoV-2 RBDWT via multiplex. A positive threshold (grey dotted line) was defined as the 75th percentile of antibody binding (MFI) for uninfected control plasma to respective antigens. (d) RBDWT ACE2 binding inhibition (%) of convalescent (blue) and uninfected control (grey) plasma (diluted 1:100). A positive threshold (grey dotted line) was defined as >20% ACE2 binding inhibition. (e) Pie chart outlining the percentage of subjects seropositive for anti-RBDWT antibody isotypes (IgM-IgG+IgA+ (green), IgM+IgG+IgA+ (blue), IgM+IgG+IgA-(yellow)) in the inner ring and the percentage of each seropositive subset with ACE2 binding inhibition in the outer red ring. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) were conducted to determine the multivariate relationship between anti-RBD-specific isotype antibodies (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and % RBDWT-ACE2 binding inhibition (% ACE2 binding inhibition illustrated as a color gradient legend on the right-yellow-strongest to dark blue-weakest). PLSR Scores (f) and loadings plot (g). Percent variance for each latent variable (LV) in parentheses.

IgA can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding

The results have shown that, during the early convalescence period, anti-RBD plasma IgA antibodies can contribute to the neutralizing capacity for many individuals, alongside IgG and IgM isotypes. More specifically, plasma IgA from more than 60% of the individual samples that have been included in the study shows the capacity to inhibit the interaction between RBD and ACE2.

In addition, a decreased neutralization effect that was observed when IgA was depleted from convalescent plasma supports this theory. For the first time, it was also shown that IgA depletion and IgG depletion also reduces neutralization for SARS-CoV-2 strains that harbor RBD mutations.

More specifically, plasma IgA and IgG antibodies from the test subjects broadly recognized kindred RBD epitopes and showed similar ability to inhibit ACE2 from binding 22 out of 23 different prevalent RBD proteins with a single amino acid mutation.

Implications for further analysis of vaccine response

Overall, this research group has demonstrated that convalescent plasma IgA recognizes not only RBD of the original SARS-CoV-2 strain but also a myriad of RBD mutants, with the ability to halt ACE2 engagement with RBD akin to IgG when sufficient IgA titers are induced.

"Furthermore, the convalescent IgA neutralizing response is highly heterogeneous between individuals, with a third of the cohort inducing stronger IgA-mediated inhibition of RBD engagement with ACE2 than IgG, when tested at equivalent concentrations", explain study authors in this medRxiv paper which is currently under peer review.

In any case, dissecting the IgA response in the context of vaccination against COVID-19, as well as how it responds to different variants of concern, will be pivotal in further addressing the importance of IgA in a protective polyclonal antibody response.

*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.
On a snowy January morning, Luis Portillo stood in line on the side of a busy road in Silver Spring, Maryland  a suburb just north of Washington, D.C.  with about 200 other people, waiting for his turn to get tested for covid-19 at Mary's Center, a federally qualified health center. Portillo, a 65-year-old bakery worker originally from El Salvador, jammed his hands in his coat pockets and shivered in the 25-degree weather.

Though Portillo is not particularly concerned about covid  he is vaccinated and boosted and had a mild case last year  he came out because it's necessary to "look after yourself as much as you can" to prevent infecting others who may be more vulnerable, he said in Spanish. After he developed symptoms following a holiday party and found out another partygoer had tested positive, Portillo decided he needed a test. He was concerned about exposing co-workers or his four housemates, who have remained symptom-free.

Similarly, Andres Bueno, 40, a Colombian construction worker standing in line, said he and many others are now "a little more confident because we know more about the virus," but still "worry about affecting other people. I think that is more what worries you," he said in Spanish. Bueno, who is vaccinated and intends to get a booster shot, was also in contact with someone who tested positive.

The rush for testing at Mary's Center reflected some of the unique needs of its large population of Hispanic patients, many of whom work in public-facing jobs without paid sick leave or live in multi-generational households with elders at higher risk for severe disease.

It also pointed to a broad sense of collectivism, or belief in the importance of watching out for others in the community, which public health experts have noted helps drive health behaviors among some groups of Latino immigrants. That attitude may have helped motivate these patients to get tested, said Marvin Ruiz-Chavez, who manages covid testing and vaccination at the Silver Spring site.

Concerns about the community  bolstered by strong outreach efforts  also likely played a role in the increase in vaccination rates for Hispanics in recent months, which are now equal to those of non-Hispanic whites in the U.S. Sixty percent of each group have received at least one dose.

Three-quarters of patients at Mary's Center, which has five clinic locations and several school-based health centers in the Washington metropolitan area, are Hispanic, and 65% earn less than the federal poverty level, according to data from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, the agency that oversees federally qualified health centers. When the omicron variant took hold, demand for testing at the center skyrocketed.

For many of those waiting for hours in testing lines last month, Mary's Center offers safe and comfortable access to care. Many of its patients are undocumented, have limited English skills, and lack health insurance, which largely excludes them from the mainstream health care system. However, Mary's Center staffers are bilingual Spanish speakers, patients can get tested free of charge with minimal red tape, and patients are not required to provide information about their citizenship status.

Before the omicron surge, the Silver Spring site tested an average of 70 people a day, said Ruiz-Chavez. By mid-December, hundreds were showing up, forcing the center to cap daily testing at about 200 people due to limited supplies, personnel, and time.

Testing sites around the country serving a wide variety of groups saw similar increases in volume as covid cases soared. Still, Ruiz-Chavez cited a common cultural emphasis on living in harmony with others  called convivir in Spanish  as a key motivator for Latino test seekers, many of whom mentioned the need to take care of their own health to protect others from the virus.

Honduran immigrant Carla Velazquez, 27, echoed this sense of responsibility: "We don't want to be carriers," she said in Spanish, while standing in line wrapped in a large blanket. Velazquez and her husband, who had both been vaccinated, were exposed to a relative with covid and felt obligated to protect others who attend their church or gather in other shared spaces.

The gap in vaccination rates began to close in earnest over the summer, which has largely been attributed to the Biden administration's efforts to step up vaccination access in underserved communities, and the local, boots-on-the-ground outreach work done by culturally credible local organizations and facilitated by federal dollars.

Undoubtedly, access has strongly impacted vaccine uptake in the Hispanic community, especially among immigrants, said Sandra Echeverria, an associate professor in public health education at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, due to wide-ranging social disadvantages including language barriers, lack of familiarity with the health care system, inability to get time off work, and fear of immigration enforcement.

But how much has the collectivism that's embedded in Hispanic culture  particularly among immigrants and their families  also contributed to closing the vaccination gap, and driving people to get tested? "There might be a link there, we just don't know" due to lack of data and the difficulty in measuring a hard-to-define concept, said Frank Penedo, a professor of psychology and medicine at the University of Miami.

"I think the access was key, and so let's not forget that," said Echeverria, "but that cultural orientation also, the sense of community, doing for yourself and others, does exist," and undoubtedly plays a role.
Researchers from the National Robotarium, a partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, industry partners and Edinburgh-based clinicians are creating a new robot-assisted surgery technique to improve cancer surgical outcomes and patient care.

The ground-breaking method has been awarded 1.25 million and is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation.

It will be used during robotic surgery to help decide how much of the patients tissue is affected by cancer and should be removed. The new method will provide surgeons with real-time feedback, allowing for greater precision when differentiating normal from abnormal tissue.

The outer rim of tissue which the surgeon chooses to remove is known as the surgical margin. Currently, surgical margins are identified using the surgeon's experience, preoperative imaging such as CT scans together with visual observations and, in open surgery, tactile 'feel'. Another method involves sending specimens during the operation to the pathology lab for frozen section which takes 15-20 minutes. However, when undertaking keyhole surgery using laparoscopic, endoscopic (flexible telescope) or robotic operations, surgeons cant use 'feel' to determine tissue characteristics.

Combining engineering, clinical, and industrial skillsets, the new collaboration will allow mechanical measurements to be taken inside and around the surgical target which will be interpreted using a set of 'mechanical intelligence' algorithms. The data will provide clinicians with a clear indication of a tissues disease status and determine how much tissue to remove during the operation.

The research team will work alongside industry partners IntelliPalp Dx and CMR Surgical along with leading clinicians working in the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

Dr Yuhang Chen from the National Robotarium is leading the research. He said:

This new technique will offer surgeons a quantitative, real-time, reliable and evidence-based method for determining the optimal surgical margin to make when removing a tumour.

Surgeons operating along a keyhole or using techniques for minimally invasive surgery need to identify different structures or diseased areas, even when these look very similar. Our work is aimed at identifying the optimum margin in cancer surgery, to allow the removal of a tumour together with enough tissue to ensure the cancer is completely removed, but without excess being lost.

Were bringing together expertise from laser manufacturing, fibre-optic sensors, micromechanical probing and computational modelling to create a mechanical 'imaging' probe capable of detecting cancerous tissue that can be used with a standard minimally-invasive surgery instrument. Coupled to this, well be building a 'mechanically-intelligent' data modelling framework and will integrate it into the probe operation for tumour identification and surgical margin assessment. This will effectively eliminate the margin of error for surgeons, giving them confidence that they have removed the correct amount of tissue during the operation itself and reduce the need for further invasive surgery for patients.

Mr Hugh Paterson, consultant colorectal surgeon from the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, said:

Robot-assisted surgery is the next major development in minimally invasive surgery and has seen rapid development in its application for a wide variety of conditions. This project, however, will be one of its first applications to support and improve accuracy in cancer surgeries which is extremely exciting.

Currently, although surgeons use detailed preoperative scans to decide on surgical margins during surgery, they also use vision and feel to distinguish normal and abnormal tissue. Feel is much reduced in key-hole surgery, and almost completely absent in robotic-assisted surgery. Margins can be particularly difficult to determine in confined spaces such as rectal or pelvic organ surgeries where taking a wider margin can be challenged by the organs close proximity to vital nerves and blood vessels. This can place risk on the bladder, bowel, sexual organs and lower limbs. We believe this new technique will restore feel to surgeons doing robotic surgery, allowing greater precision through accurate assessment, hugely benefiting patients and significantly limiting repeat surgery and the need for additional treatments.

The project will use the manufacturing-related facilities at the National Robotarium, including laser precision manufacturing equipment and related instrumentation, coupled with expertise in miniature mechanical actuators.

The National Robotarium is supported by 21 million from the UK Government and 1.4 million from the Scottish Government through the 1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal - a 15 year investment programme jointly funded by both governments and regional partners.

This exciting research could significantly improve the quality of care and treatment for cancer patients worldwide. I'm proud we are supporting the development of world-leading surgical robots through our 21 million investment in the National Robotarium as part of the UK Government's 1.7 billion programme of levelling up in Scotland. The UK Government is also investing 5 billion a year in research and innovation to develop the latest ideas and technology at institutions like the National Robotarium." Scotland Iain Stewart, UK Government Minister

Scottish Government Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said:

Technology has the potential to change lives for the better and a breakthrough of potentially huge benefit to surgery in Scotland will be welcomed by many cancer patients and their families.

Im pleased the Scottish Government is providing 1.4 million to support the Robotarium as we move towards a sustainable and innovative economic recovery.

The project itself is funded through EPSRCs Healthcare Partnership Scheme through which funds are used to support existing research and progress it towards real world application.
Following surgery, patients with breast cancer are faced with the question of whether additional chemotherapy is necessary and really effective. It is important that these women do not receive too much treatment  but not too little treatment either. Physicists from Leipzig University modeled the gene expression tests and examined their usefulness on the basis of these models.

Professor Josef Kas from Leipzig University led these investigations in collaboration with the head of the Institute of Pathology Hamburg-West, Professor Axel Niendorf, and the independent statistical consultant Bernhard Ulm. They have just published their findings in PLOS ONE, a multidisciplinary journal that pays particular attention to whether experiments and data analyses have been conducted rigorously.

Gene expression tests examine how active certain genes are in tumor cells. Often, these genes are related to characteristic features of cancer, such as tumor growth or invasion of surrounding tissue by tumor cells. A gene expression test therefore represents a method of quantifying the activities of several genes, i.e. a gene list, and thus calculating the probability of whether and when the patient will develop metastases.

The results of these studies show, on the one hand, the limits of the certainty of the predictions achieved with such gene lists and further indicate that the examination of different combinations of gene lists does not differ significantly in terms of outcome. Interestingly, the researchers have shown that even random genes can be prognostic: that means even those genes that seem unrelated to the characteristic features of cancer.

Here, using a classical statistical analysis and a new approach in machine learning, the physicists showed that such gene lists are in fact prognostic in a sufficiently large collective and show high correspondences between prognosis and the actual course of the disease.

Contrary to the common recommendation in clinical practice to perform only one test, these gene lists showed that the certainty regarding a chemotherapy recommendation is much higher if more than one test is performed.

The fact that the tests are very successful in a collective and tend to be less successful on the individual patient seems at first to be a contradiction, but these tests are based on gene lists and make mistakes at different points, so to speak. This could be exploited by combining several tests and thus increasing the probability of finding the patients who definitely will not benefit from chemotherapy." Professor Josef Kas, Leipzig University

With ongoing debates about whether gene expression tests are useful, this is an important contribution to the decision-making process and will have great impact in terms of how clinicians use such tools. For individual patients in particular, these results imply that circumspection is required in the use of gene expression tests.

A limitation from a methodological point of view is that the researchers did not perform commercially available tests; the analyses are based on gene expression values recorded in public breast cancer databases.
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers tested convalescent sera from individuals who had recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to demonstrate an association between antibody response and reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms.

Study: Differential antibody production by symptomatology in SARS-CoV-2 convalescent individuals. Image Credit: simona pilolla 2/Shutterstock

About the study

In this study, researchers used stored samples and data of 216 participants who donated COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) and whose accompanying symptom data from April 2020-January 2021 was available. All these individuals were over 18 years of age and were eligible for blood donation, and their average age was 49 years at the time of sample collection.

Plasma samples were analyzed using three serological assays: Euroimmun Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA, the CoronaCHEK COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette that measured immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S1) and receptor-binding domain (RBD), respectively, whereas the Bio-Rad Platelia SARS-CoV-2 total antibody ELISA measured total antibody response to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein.

The researchers used a multi-array electrochemiluminescence detection technology to examine 35 cytokine and chemokine analytes in plasma. They used binomial logistic regressions to calculate odds ratios [OR] for associations between serological results and reported symptoms; likewise, they calculated adjusted odds ratios [aOR] for all COVID-19 symptoms.

Study findings

More than 83% of test samples showed a positive antibody response across all three serologic assays. Between 40-60% of individuals with no symptoms and 73-75% with sore throat showed relative stability across all three assays.

Regardless of symptom presentation, antibodies produced by CCP responded similarly to different parts of the SARS-CoV-2, and the assay reactivity was consistent across all COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, hospitalization, male sex, and persistent cough were associated with seropositive results, suggesting that convalescent individuals displaying these symptoms most likely generated a robust antibody response.

The results of signal to cut-off ratios (S/C) were generated for the Euroimmun and BioRad ELISAs. They were stratified by five COVID-19 symptoms: cough, sore throat, no symptoms, and other symptoms. For the Bio-Rad assay, individuals reporting cough or other symptoms had the highest mean S/C ratio, and those having a sore throat and no symptoms had the lowest mean S/C ratio. For the Euroimmun assay, the highest S/C ratios were generated by samples from individuals reporting cough, other symptoms, sore throat, and no symptoms.

As expected, asymptomatic convalescent individuals were significantly associated with a seronegative result. However, the most striking observation was that sore throat, a presenting symptom of upper respiratory tract infection, was associated with a seronegative result, suggesting variations in the mechanisms governing immunity of the lower and upper respiratory tracts.

Cough strongly associated with antibodies against S1 and RBD with aOR of 5.33 and 4.36, respectively. On the contrary, sore throat and absence of symptoms were related to a seronegative result. While sore throat showed aOR values of 0.25 and 0.31 against S1 and N, respectively, the lack of symptoms with aOR values of 0.16 against both N and RBD was strongly associated with seronegativity. The aORs and confidence intervals did not substantially decrease after adjustment for cough, sore throat, or no symptoms across all three serological assays.

Previous studies have demonstrated that robust IgG responses indicate a lower respiratory tract infection. The authors of the present study noted that study participants with no symptoms or sore throat generated fewer IgG antibodies.

According to another hypothesis, a strong innate immune response compensates for an antibody response and combat SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the cytokine and chemokine data of the current study does not support this rationalization, raising the possibility that cytokine and chemokine levels may have declined to their basal levels. It might also have occurred because an average of 30 days had passed since COVID-19 symptoms resolved in the subjects at the time of blood collection.

Conclusions

Overall, a strong correlation was observed between cough and antibody response to SARS-CoV-2, and sore throat was strongly associated with a lack of antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Taken together, these findings strongly support the perception that the severity of SARS-CoV-2- infection correlates with vigorous antibody response.

Future studies should test for IgA levels in nasal or throat samples to evaluate whether a robust mucosal IgA response is associated with some clinical presentations of COVID-19. Studies may also evaluate immune factors other than antibodies and panel of human cytokines used in the current study to characterize the immune responses generated by individuals exhibiting specific symptomatology.

*Important notice



medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers demonstrated the variations in the neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines in humans, non-human primates (NHPs), and mice against the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs).

Following the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019, several vaccines have been developed to mitigate the spread of the infection. Many of these vaccines are now clinically authorized for use in humans. Real-world evidence of vaccine-induced Ab responses against the emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs is crucial in devising public health policies and future vaccine candidates.

Before clinical trials involving humans, potential vaccine candidates are tested in small mammals such as mice and NHPs. Serum NAb titers in NHPs and humans demonstrate significant correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further, they also shed light on the immune evasion associated with the SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

About the study

In the present study, the researchers compared the NAb responses triggered by the COVID-19 vaccinations in mice, humans, and NHPs.

The BALB/c mice were immunized with three different AddaVax-adjuvanted protein subunit immunogens; a '2P spike (S), receptor-binding domain-nanoparticle (RBD-NP), and HexaPro S. Neutralizing activity of sera samples collected at weeks two, five, and eight were assessed employing single-round vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) pseudotyped with SARS-CoV-2 Gamma, Beta, and G614 Ss in human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T)/ angiotensin-converting enzyme 215 (ACE215) and VeroE6/ transmembrane protease serine 214 (TMPRSS214) cells.

Findings

The results indicated that following two weeks of priming with the three immunogens, only RBD-NP induced detectable serum NAbs in mice whereas only AS03-adjuvanted HexaPro S elicited NAbs in NHPs. Two weeks after priming, the neutralization potency of RBD-NP-induced sera was similar and 1.3 times lower towards SARS-CoV-2 Gamma, and two and 2.9 times lower towards SARS-CoV-2 Beta compared to G614 using VeroE6-TMPRSS2, and HEK293T-ACE2 cells, respectively.

Robust NAb responses were induced by all three immunogens two weeks following the booster dose. Five weeks after boosting, the neutralization potency of RBD-NP-induced sera of mice was 2.4 times higher for Beta and 1.2 times lower for Gamma, S 2P'-elicited sera were 1.5 times lower for Beta and two times higher for Gamma, and HexaPro S-elicited sera were 1.2 times lower for Beta and 1.4 times higher for Gamma than G614 using VeroE6-TMPRSS2 cells, respectively. These results were in line with those from the assays using HEK293T-ACE2 cells, except NAb responses induced by HexaPro S were five times and 2.8 times lower against Beta and Gamma, respectively, compared to G614.

BALB/c mice immunized twice with the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-127316 demonstrated 2.3 times lower neutralizing activity against Gamma and Beta variant pseudoviruses (PV), respectively, relative to G614 using A549/ACE2/TMPRSS2 cells at two weeks post-boost. Further, 129S2 and K18-hACE2 transgenic mice vaccinated twice with mRNA-1273 demonstrated 1.8 and 1.25 times higher Beta variant neutralization potency, respectively, than G614.

The NAb titers of all sera samples of the pigtail and rhesus macaques immunized with HexaPro S protein subunit or RBD-NP vaccines were lower than the immunogen-matched mice titers, thus suggesting that vaccine-induced NAb responses in NHPs are substantially affected by SARS-CoV-2 VOCs such as Beta and Gamma, compared to the BALB/c mice.

The NAb titers of individuals vaccinated with Moderna mRNA-1273 or Pfizer/BioNTech indicated the reductions in neutralization potency against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs such as Gamma and Beta compared to G614 was similar to that of the NHP data and far higher than that of BALB/c mice.

The neutralizing activity of RBD-NP primed sera samples from mice at the eighth week was almost unchanged towards Gamma and Beta PVs in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells compared to G614. The neutralizing activity of the sera samples from BALB/c mice vaccinated with mRNA-1273 was attenuated by 3.3 times against Beta compared to G614 at eight weeks following vaccination. In contrast, mice immunized with HexaPro S demonstrated six times and 1.3 times lower neutralization capacity against Beta and Gamma PVs, respectively, compared to G614, resembling the human and NHP data.

Conclusions

The study findings show that BALB/c mice vaccinated with immunogens such as RBD-NP, 2P S, and HexaPro S do not accurately indicate the actual potency and breadth of vaccine-induced NAb responses against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs relative to that in humans or NHPs. These variations in the activity of NAbs among mice models and primates might be because of the variations in immune repertoires between them.

However, recent studies demonstrate that the NAb responses induced by the ChAd-SARS-CoV-2-S vaccine delivered intranasally in transgenic mice and SARS-CoV-2 S messenger ribonucleic acid-lipid NP (SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-LNP) injected intramuscularly in BALB/c mice were comparable with the expected human response to G614 and Beta. Hence, further investigations are warranted to understand the generalizability and immunological basis of the present findings.

Overall, the study suggests that although the mice model is a time- and cost-effective method for assessing the immunogenic potential of vaccine candidates, other animal models might be appropriate to investigate the immune evasion of future SARS-CoV-2 VOCs because of their variations in NAb responses.

*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.
Thought Leaders Toby Blackburn Head of Business Development and Strategy Emerald Cloud Lab

In this interview, we speak to Toby Blackburn, the head of Business Development and Strategy at Emerald Cloud Lab, about the future of AI within the life science industry.

Please could you introduce yourself and tell us what inspired your career into the life sciences?

I am Toby Blackburn and I am the head of Business Development and Strategy at Emerald Cloud Lab. I have always had a passion for science and how its ability to transform lives begins in the lab. I received my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University and joined Biogen in Drug Development, working to scale processes up to manufacturing scale.

A few years later, I went back to school and received my MBA from Duke, and transitioned into an analytical development role. I managed a large CRO budget and a team of analytical scientists, which gave me the opportunity and insight to use tools to streamline lab work more efficiently. What drives me to this day is learning how something that seems so simple on the surface, such as how a laboratory operates day-to-day, can have a major impact on scientific research and discovery.

When I had the pleasure to tour ECLs facility, I felt that the facility ECLs co-founders built aligned with this passion and was the pinnacle of everything I was working on in my previous roles. DJ Kleinbaum and Brian Frezza closely examined every aspect of laboratory operations and either developed or found the tools needed to reduce friction in life science research as much as possible.

Large companies such as Google, Amazon, and Apple have been using artificial intelligence (AI) for years and now the life sciences sector has seen AI become increasingly prominent. How has AI transformed the life sciences sector and how important is it to new research and innovations?

AI has transformed many aspects of life science, from drug discovery to clinical decision-making. AI has the ability to improve efficiency in the laboratory by assisting researchers in finding answers to questions that would be time-consuming or infeasible to find manually. At ECL, we focus on providing the infrastructure and tools that scientists need to take that next step in data analysis.

Most of the areas where we use AI are in service of making the interaction between scientists and the lab more efficient. For example, our software helps scientists fill in the details of their experiments. In practice, this happens similarly to a conversation that a researcher would have with a skilled laboratory technician. Overall, AI saves our clients time they can otherwise dedicate to generating new research questions and designing experiments.

Image Credit: PopTika/Shutterstock.com

What sectors within the life sciences is AI predominantly used? How does the use of AI benefit these sectors?

AI serves a range of roles in the life science industry, from drug discovery to drug repurposing, to improving productivity through automation, to supporting clinical trial recruitment and execution. A very common application focuses on predicting which treatments might be effective for which patients, and helping identify an effective drug out of thousands of novel candidates.

At ECL, we believe that with a more robust data structure, AI can effectively be deployed in earlier research and development, and allow scientists to deploy AI in the wide-area between early discovery and clinical data.

You are currently the Head of Business Development for Emerald Cloud Lab. Please can you tell us more about Emerald Cloud Lab and some of your missions?

Emerald Cloud lab was born out of a need that co-founders Brian Frezza and D.J. Kleinbaum discovered while running their first start-up, Emerald Therapeutics. The company had a research plan that was, unfortunately, much more ambitious than their budget allowed. They decided the best way to save time and money was to train their scientists to write code, enabling them to automate many aspects of their work. This greatly enhanced their productivity.

Over time, these tools for both managing experimental data, as well as sending instructions to instruments, developed to a point where most work could be done without those scientists on site. We realized our platform could be useful outside of Emerald Therapeutics, so we spun off Emerald Cloud Lab so other pharmaceutical companies, as well as contract research organizations and academic labs, could benefit from the tools we created.

Our goal is to reduce friction in life science R&D as much as possible. We dont want scientists to be limited by their budgets or the square footage that is available to them. We want scientists to spend the least amount of time possible on the operational aspects of running an experiment so they can be free to ask new research questions and design experiments to get the results they need to keep moving forward.

Introduction to Emerald Cloud Lab Play

Emerald Cloud Lab is the only remotely operated research facility that can handle all aspects of daily lab work. What aspects does this include and what are the advantages of having a facility that is capable of conducting remote research?

Emerald Cloud Lab operates 24/7/365, meaning any researcher in the world can log in at any time and run an experiment without ever setting foot in the laboratory. All a researcher needs to do is ship in their samples and design their protocols using the point-and-click interface of our ECL Command Center application, and we take care of the rest. Our clients can control every aspect of their experiments as if they were physically present in the laboratory.

ECL houses 200+ different types of instruments with the full range of capabilities a modern pharmaceutical or biotech company might need. Our facility can handle materials as small as microliters and micrograms or as large as liters and kilograms. Experiments are run using highly-automated tools exactly as the scientists describe in their protocols. Every piece of data connected to an experiment automatically gets saved to a cloud database, meaning experiments are fully traceable and can be reproduced at the push of a button.

Weve developed software that consolidates the data collected from our 200+ instruments into one interface. This ECL Constellation structures data in a graphical database that grows in real-time. The data can be analyzed and visualized to produce publication-ready figures.

This approach vastly reduces startup costs because an organization does not need to build their own laboratory. It also greatly increases productivity because ECL is always running and using highly-automated technology. It also reduces the lead time to get running and takes the legwork of purchasing and maintaining laboratory equipment out of the hands of scientists so they can concentrate on experimental design.

Your remote research facility is connected by a single software interface named the ECL Command Center. How did you design this software and how does it work?

There were two main drivers behind the development of ECLs Command Center. The first was the challenge of getting hundreds of automated tools to work together seamlessly. Our engineers built a Command Center to consolidate data packages from all of our instruments into one platform so that scientists can design, run, analyze, visualize, interpret and report experiments and results from a single interface. By making every instrument speak the same language, we created a network of research tools that scientists only have to interact with through one, user-friendly, digital interface.

The second driver was the need to standardize how the details of a protocol are communicated to drive reproducibility. To do this, we developed a language called Symbolic Lab Language, or SLL for short. This language makes specifying the complete set of instructions needed to run a given experiment or analyze a data set much easier. It was actually written by scientists to be readable by any scientist familiar with the techniques, and our point-and-click interface in the Command Center makes it very easy for any scientist to design their experiment. This set of tools enables the generation of a comprehensive record of every protocol, sample, result, or activity that happens over the course of an experiment.

You are also involved in a panel at SLAS 2022 called AI in the Labs of Now and the Future. What should people expect to hear from this talk?

I am excited to join my fellow panelists at SLAS. We will cover a few areas of AI and its application in scientific research. We will talk about the current state of the industry and critical barriers, as well as what is happening across the field to help overcome these barriers and make things easier for scientists. Finally, we will speculate on the future of the industry.

Are there any challenges researchers, companies, and scientists face when trying to adopt AI practices and technologies into their work? If so, what are they?

The biggest hurdle for scientists is being able to more regularly adopt and implement the infrastructure and existing tools needed to run their lab using AI. This is especially true for open-ended research - or when scientists don't have a predefined notion of what experiments will need to happen in what steps to reach for the desired outcome. The current infrastructure for managing lab data was largely set up in the image of lab notebooks.

Many companies are tackling this problem by trying to retrofit data generated in this model to fit the structure required for more in-depth data analysis. At ECL, weve tackled this problem by proceduralizing the lab activities themselves, as well as the storage of the data encompassing those activities. In this way, data is comprehensive, organized, reproducible, and ready to be deployed into any given analysis model.

Image Credit: Emerald Cloud Lab

Do you believe that as AI and cloud technologies become more frequently used within research, we will see more people turning to remote laboratories for their research?

Yes, I do. As scientists and companies recognize the reproducibility and trustworthiness of data generated in a cloud lab like ECL, their focus will shift away from concern over laboratory operations and logistics and more towards the science itself. As that shift happens, cloud labs will enable many more experiments to be run and will be accompanied by a huge increase in experimental data, which will further drive the adoption of decision and analysis tools like AI to assist their work.

We are partnering with Carnegie Mellon University to build the first-ever academic cloud lab, which will go online in the fall of 2022. Recently, we ran a pilot study with CMU, where we gave them access to our facility to see how it benefited their faculty and students. One CMU graduate student was able to replicate three years of research in only 3 weeks. CMU is also leading the way in bridging the gap between bench and data science and sees the cloud lab as a critical tool in achieving their vision. I believe as more people try ECL, the physical laboratory will become less relevant to most researchers.

What does the future look like at Emerald Cloud Lab and what do you believe the future of AI looks like within the life sciences across the board?

We are extremely excited to bring the first-ever cloud lab online with Carnegie Mellon University to benefit the entire CMU community. We also plan to add even more types of instruments to our portfolio in our pursuit of housing every standard capability a chemist or biologist would demand from their own laboratory. AI will support us in this mission by assisting our customers in developing more complex workflows and helping our facility function as a cohesive network.

Where can readers find more information?

Overview - https://www.emeraldcloudlab.com/

How ECL works - https://www.emeraldcloudlab.com/how-it-works/

Why use ECL? - https://www.emeraldcloudlab.com/why-cloud-labs/

Instrumentation - https://www.emeraldcloudlab.com/instrumentation/

About Emerald Cloud Lab

Emerald Cloud Lab is a remote-controlled life science laboratory that allows scientists to conduct their experiments without being anchored to a physical lab. In our cloud lab, experiments are driven by issuing commands over the internet, which are then run in a vast, highly automated central facility which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In the ECL, you have full control over how your experiments are conducted.
The Government announced today that from this Wednesday, it will accept COVID-19 jab records from Lesotho as recognised vaccination records for Hong Kong residents returning from Group A specified places.

According to the Governments stringent inbound prevention and control measures for travellers from overseas places, those who have stayed in Group A specified places can only board a flight for Hong Kong if they are Hong Kong residents who are fully vaccinated and hold recognised vaccination records.
Pell City, AL (35125)

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Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
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.
The National Archives recently had to retrieve 15 boxes of presidential records from former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach and now has asked the Justice Department to investigate Trumps handling of White House records, the Washington Post reported.

The 15 boxes included correspondence with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, former President Barack Obamas letter to him and that infamous Sharpie map about the track of Hurricane Dorian, among other items, some of the information potentially classified. Trump advisers told the Post that there was no nefarious intent.

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A simple mix-up, in other words. Well, of course. From the same president who routinely tore up official documents, despite the Presidential Records Act, which requires the preservation of a presidents memos, letters, notes and other communication to be stored at the archives as historical records.

From the same president who, according to New York Times reporter Maggie Habermans forthcoming book, Confidence Man, was the occupant of the White House when staff members repeatedly found paper clogging toilets, leading them to believe Trump was flushing documents.

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From the same president whose staff included people dedicated to retrieving his hand-shredded documents from the Oval Office and the residence, piecing them together and taping them with clear tape so they could be stored at the National Archives, as Politico reported in 2018.

The act is clear. Presidential records are not owned by a president. They are owned by the people.

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And thats because the records are a critically important way to understand what actually went on during a presidents term. As presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky told the Post, The only way that a president can really be held accountable long term is to preserve a record about who said what, who did what, what policies were encouraged or adopted, and that is such an important part of the long-term scope of accountability  beyond just elections and campaigns.

Held accountable. Thats the very last thing this former president wants. Some of those ripped up records have already shown up in the Jan. 6 investigation. Still missing: most of the records of the calls he made or received as his supporters launched that assault on Congress.

On the Mar-a-Lago boxes, Trump insisted to the Post that he had engaged in collaborative and respectful discussions with the National Archives. But thats impossible to square with a president who routinely tore up documents.

Theres a chance that, as some have theorized, a president who was so mired in his disbelief that he had lost the 2020 election had to pack up in such a hurry that he (his staff, we mean) grabbed things they shouldnt have, by accident. Maybe.

But then you remember his track record on flouting the law, even the basic one about keeping presidential records. You remember his refusal to speak up when his supporters were attacking the Capitol, beating police and chanting Hang Pence. You remember the records management specialist whose job it was to clean up after the president, a grown man with many legal advisers, because no one could stop him from filing letters in the garbage can or shredding documents into confetti-like pieces.

You think of all that. And you say: Go, National Archives, go.

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This editorial reflects the opinion of the Miami Herald Editorial Board.
(Newser)  Updated: The world's "Doomsday Vault" opened its doors Monday to accept more seeds from abroad. The vault in Norway was taking seeds for safeguarding from facilities in Uganda, Sudan, New Zealand, Germany, and Lebanon, reports Reuters. Most notably, the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, formerly located in Syria, was among the depositors. The same group made the first-ever withdrawal from the Norway vault in 2015 to replace specimens damaged in war. That the group, which has since moved its headquarters to Beirut, can now make a deposit proves the vault's worth, says a Norwegian official. A story from February 2018 follows:

Monday was a "really significant" day for the so-called Doomsday Vaultand not just because it was its 10th birthday. The Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway, has since 2008 stored seeds within a mountain on a Norwegian island 800 miles from the North Pole, and on Monday the number of crops it stores crossed the 1 million mark, thanks to a new shipment that included varieties of black-eyed pea and the Bambara groundnut. The BBC puts its number of deposits at 1,059,646, which is 90,000 less than what could have been following a withdrawal related to the war in Syria. That's enough to nearly fill one of the vault's three chambers, leaving room for what scientists believe will be the eventual total count: 2.2 million crops.

Voice of America reports 73 institutions from around the globe have contributed seeds, and it points out a notable country not found on the list: China, though it's apparently discussing the possibility of making a deposit. Seeds aren't the only thing pouring into the vault: money, too, in order to extend the vault's "viability," as Bloomberg puts it. Norway on Friday announced $13 million in upgrades to what was originally a $9 million construction job, reports Reuters. It quotes the Agriculture Ministry's description of the planned work: "construction of a new, concrete-built access tunnel, as well as a service building to house emergency power and refrigerating units and other electrical equipment that emits heat through the tunnel." (There was a breach at the vault last year.)
(Newser)  A rescue dog who went missing after her owner's car accident the day after Christmas is now back home, thanks to a caring Colorado community and the persistence of one particular local. Colorado Public Radio reports on the plight of Mia, a "shy and quiet" pup from Grand Junction who vanished on Dec. 26, after the Jeep that Charles Reigies was driving crashed and landed on its side in Gypsum after it hit some black ice. When Reigies came to, he found his girlfriend, Hanna Poscente, hurt with a broken neck, and Mia gone. The next day, Poscente, home from the hospital in a neck brace, set to work online, putting up notices about Mia in local forums.

"We had the entire Eagle County," Reigies says, per KKCO. "Everybody was out there putting food and water out." One woman, Janet Cross, was especially determined to find Mia, setting up a trail camera and animal control trap at the crash site, two hours from the couple's home. Cross said Mia was seen in the surveillance footage coming back to the site twice a day. "She's looking at the spot. She's looking for her family," Cross tells CPR. There was also a brief moment of hope when Mia actually ended up inside Cross' trapbut she escaped, either due to a trap malfunction or her own ingenuity, says Cross.

That's when things became more "dire," per CPR. Mia sightings suddenly stopped for more than a week. Then, Poscente got a call from a woman in Gypsum, 10 miles or so from the crash site. "I'm looking at your dog," the woman said. Poscente rushed to the scene, but there was no sign of Mia. She checked into a hotel and went back out the next morning, and as she walked along the train tracks, she saw exactly what she'd hoped for: Mia, on the side of the tracks in the shrubs and snow.

"Hi, baby, hi!" Poscente exclaimed in a cellphone video she recorded as Mia casually ambled over, before leaping onto her in excitement. Mia did the same to a weepy Reigies when she was brought home. "She fought traffic and predators and snow and wind, and I mean, she made it," Cross says. Mia lost some weight during her ordeal, but "the vet says she's doing good, all things considered," Reigies notes. The couple is grateful to the Eagle County community for their help, especially Cross, whom they call their "guardian angel," per KKCO. "They were like their own little village looking for Mia, a dog they had never met before," Poscente says, per CPR. (Read more missing dog stories.)
(Newser)  Passengers on American Airlines flight 1775 Sunday afternoon say they heard one flight attendant yell to another to turn the lights on, they were switched back on abruptly, and then, with no warning, the plane began a rapid descent. The problem? An unruly passenger, the airline says. The plane, which had been en route from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, was instead diverted to Kansas City, CNN reports. Passengers went to the front of the plane to help the crew subdue the passenger, who was allegedly trying to get into the cockpit. He later allegedly tried to open an exit door, the New York Times reports.

Three passengers and three crew members held him down and then restrained him with tape and zip ties; a flight attendant at some point had also hit him over the head with a coffee pot, witnesses say. Upon landing in Kansas City about 15 minutes later, FBI agents and police officers boarded the plane and the man was taken into custody. The FBI will investigate the incident. Passengers reported seeing him pacing the aisles, apparently paranoid, prior to the altercation. "We're grateful to our crew members, who are consistently dedicated to the safety and care of our customers and who handled the circumstances with the utmost skill and professionalism," American Airlines says in a statement. (Read more American Airlines stories.)
(Newser)  Dozens of men have been arrested in Pakistan's Punjab province after a man accused of blasphemy was stoned to death there over the weekend by an enraged mob. The BBC reports the lynching took place on Saturday evening in Tulamba, located in the district of Khanewal. Police spokesman Munawar Hussain tells Reuters the man was allegedly spotted by the son of a prayer leader burning pages of the Koran in a mosque. Police were called, but by the time they got there, a mob had already set upon the accused. "The villagers armed with batons, axes, and iron rods" attacked the man and then "hanged his body from a tree," Hussain says.

The AP, which IDs the deceased as 41-year-old Mushtaq Ahmed, reports that three police officers trying to quell the mob were also attacked and injured, one seriously. Munawar Gujjar, the chief of Tulamba's police department, tells the outlet he sent even more officers to the scene once he got wind of what was happening, but by the time they arrived, it was too late for Ahmed. Gujjar describes him as being "mentally unstable," and that, per his family, he "often went missing from home for days, begging and eating whatever he could find."

Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, and both the AP and Reuters note that mob killings in such cases aren't unusual. However, human rights advocates say blasphemy charges are often trumped up to go after religious minorities and to settle personal vendettas. Ahmed's family was able to retrieve his body, and a funeral was held Sunday. A government rep tells Reuters more than 60 people have been arrested; police put that number at more than 80, per the BBC. In a Sunday tweet, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said police had "failed in their duty" and that any such lynchings would be addressed "with full severity of the law." He added: "We have zero tolerance for anyone taking the law into their own hands." (Read more Pakistan stories.)
(Newser)  His disguise is no more elaborate than a coronavirus-preventing face mask (usually not worn properly, hanging underneath his nose), but the man dubbed the "Route 91 Bandit" has still managed to pull off nearly a dozen bank robberies throughout New England over the past several months. Now, the FBI is asking for the public's help in catching the man, who the bureau says started his crime spree at an Arrha Credit Union in West Springfield, Mass., in early September, reports CNN. Since then, the "unknown serial bank robber"whose other nickname comes from the fact that all his targets took place along Interstate 91has hit 10 other banks in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

The FBI is circulating one video that shows the man entering a bank in Athol, Mass., on Nov. 5, wearing a dark-colored hoodie that said "Post University" across the front and "No Hall Like Ohall 2016-2017" on the back. After handing a piece of paper to one of the bank employees, the suspect is seen bringing three of them into a back room, then leading them back to an office area, where he's handed two bundles of cash before leavinga hit that took about five minutes in total. The man is described as being white, with light-colored hair and blue eyes, between 5 foot 6 inches and 5 foot 8 inches tall, and often sporting a hoodie and white sneakers. He's believed to be "armed and dangerous"and has threatened to use his firearm during the robberies, per the FBIand may be driving a newer Nissan sedan.

"We need to put a stop to this man's crime spree before someone gets hurt," says Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Field Office, per a release. NBC News notes that of the two dozen serial bank robbers the FBI is seeking, the Route 91 Bandit has robbed the second-highest number of banks; the top spot goes to the "Midday Bandit," who pulled off 12 robberies (and tried for three more) throughout Illinois between 2014 and 2016. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any info that leads to the Route 91 Bandit's arrest and conviction. (Read more bandits stories.)
(Newser)  Ivan Reitman, the influential filmmaker and producer behind many of the most beloved comedies of the late 20th century, from Animal House to Ghostbusters, has died. He was 75. Reitman died peacefully in his sleep Saturday night at his home in Montecito, Calif., his family told the AP. Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life, children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman, and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement. We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.

Known for bawdy comedies that caught the spirit of their time, Reitmans big break came with the raucous, college fraternity sendup National Lampoons Animal House, which he produced. He directed Bill Murray in his first starring role in the summer camp flick Meatballs, and then again in 1981's Stripes, but his most significant success came with 1984s Ghostbusters. Not only did the irreverent supernatural comedy starring Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis gross nearly $300 million worldwide, it earned two Oscar nominations, spawned a veritable franchise, including spinoffs, television shows and a new movie, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, that opened this last year. His son, filmmaker Jason Reitman, directed.

Paul Feig, who directed the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters, tweeted that he was in shock. I had the honor of working so closely with Ivan and it was always such a learning experience, Feig wrote. He directed some of my favorite comedies of all time. All of us in comedy owe him so very much. A legend, comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani said on Twitter. The number of great movies he made is absurd. Among other notable films he directed are Twins, Kindergarten Cop, Dave, Junior, and 1998's Six Days, Seven Nights. He also produced Beethoven, Old School, and EuroTrip, and many others, including his son's Oscar-nominated film Up in the Air. (More on the life of Reitman, who was born in Czechoslovakia and escaped with his family at age 4, and his incredible career here.)
(Newser)  The notice posted Friday by the University of Utah was one brought with "heavy hearts," relaying news on the death of a 19-year-old international student in what appeared to be a "domestic violence situation." Now, the Salt Lake City Police Department is offering more context, announcing that a suspect has been arrested, and that he claims to have killed his girlfriend in what was supposed to be a suicide pact, reports the Deseret News. Per a statement from the SLCPD, authorities say they headed to the Quality Inn Downtown in Salt Lake City around 6am Friday to do a welfare check after they received info from university police that a man had threatened to kill his partner.

That warning, per a police affidavit, was sent via email to a university staffer by 26-year-old student Haoyu Wang, claiming that he'd "injected his girlfriend, the victim, with heroin to relieve her from suffering" and that by the time cops arrived, they'd both be dead. Police tracked Wang's cellphone and discovered him in the motel room with the woman's body, though he was very much alive, per an SLCPD statement, which added that the two were romantically involved and had been living together. After being examined at a local hospital, Wang told police of the alleged suicide pact, noting he'd killed his partner and tried to kill himself as well after ordering heroin and fentanyl "on the darknet," per the affidavit.

It adds that Wang told cops they'd both snorted the heroin, and that after his girlfriend became unresponsive, he'd injected her with more heroin to finish the job, then injected himself. The Washington Post reports Wang was charged with assault against his girlfriend just last month, though he was released from jail pretrial, as he was deemed a low risk to commit violence, per court documents. This time, Wang, who was taken into custody and charged with "knowing and intentional" murder, is being held without bail. The Salt Lake Tribune notes the deceased was also a student from China, and that she's the second Chinese student to be killed within a five-year span. (Read more University of Utah stories.)
(Newser)  A drought in Spain has created an inadvertent tourist attraction. People are visiting the site of a former villageAceredothat was deliberately flooded 30 years ago to create a reservoir, reports the AP. However, that reservoir is now extremely low, allowing people to walk among formerly submerged houses in the old village in northwestern Spain, on the Portuguese border. "It's as if I'm watching a movie. I have a feeling of sadness," a 65-year-old visitor tells Reuters. "My feeling is that this is what will happen over the years due to drought and all that, with climate change."

It hasn't been uncommon in recent summers to see the occasional roof of a home emerge in the water, but this year is on a whole different scale because the Alto Lindoso reservoir is operating at only 15% capacity. While the emergence of the "ghost village" is blamed mostly on a severe drought, the Reuters story notes that some also are faulting inept reservoir management by power utility EDP. Whatever the reason, the sight is providing memories of what life was like back in 1992, when the village went under. The whole place used to be all vineyards, orange trees. It was all green. It was beautiful," a 72-year-old visitor tells the AP. Look at it now. It's so sad." (Read more Spain stories.)
The United States has for more than six decades pursued its embargo policy toward the government of Cuba with rare resolve. But there are few who would point to any success from the dogged approach. Instead, the specter of a common enemy to the north has entrenched the Communist government and cemented its restrictions on freedoms, while the Cuban people daily and deeply suffer from the economic chokehold of U.S. sanctions.

I began a lifelong understanding of the island nation decades ago in my graduate studies. Last December, I spent three weeks there, engaging with Cubans in many cities about their lives. I spoke with a range of demographics, from humble cabbies to senior Communist leaders. I was shocked at the depth of desperation of the people, who have no alternative but to queue up for exhausting hours each day to buy the few rationed basic foods. Most items are available only to those who receive currency from emigre relatives, and the U.S. sanctions even block international donations of medical supplies.

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John Elliott, who lives in Ocala, is recently retired from the U.S. Foreign Service, where he served as the Senior Regional Policy Officer to the Western Hemisphere. He is a field director for Aidwest Humanitarian Missions. - Original Credit: Courtesy photo (Courtesy photo)

Most people I met knew little but deprivation, yet harbored no disdain for U.S. citizens; I never sensed anything but interest in and respect for this Americano. Whether such a charitable response is borne out of the memory of Fidel Castros legendary approach of brotherhood with Americanos, or the fact that so many must rely on overseas donations, the reality is that there has always been a wide-open door in amicable Cuban-American relations.

The United Nations estimates that the U.S. embargo has cost Cuba $130 billion since 1962. Contrary to intentions, this de facto blockade does not much impact the government elites in Cuba. In spite of a professed socialist system, there is a small subset of Cubans with political leverage enjoying luxury. But, since the Cuban government can continue to point to a proximate enemy as the cause for suffering  especially since the misplaced policies of the Trump administration  the inequities persist.

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I have long been familiar with the charity and sacrifices of the Cuban people, starting while I worked alongside many Cubans in Haitis recovery from the 2010 earthquake and then as a U.S. Foreign Service officer, when I worked in many Latin American countries. I could see the incredibly positive impact of the Cuban doctors and medics.

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As a counterpoint, I retain insights into the perspective of Cuban-Americans from living in South Florida for many years. My fathers second marriage was to a Cuban-American who immigrated in the 60s. I would often listen to her excoriate Fidel Castro and hone my Spanish by tuning into Miami-based radio stations that regularly condemned the Cuban Revolution.

Obesity and diabetes caused by nutritional deficits are a growing cause of premature deaths that well exceeds that of COVID-19 among Cubans. Thousands of Cubans find no recourse but to make the life-threatening journey by land or sea to U.S. refuge and end up becoming financial burdens. The number of Cubans arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border is presently at the highest level in more than a decade.

Because the nation has found itself in a virtual state of war since the early 1960s, the spontaneous cries for libertad last July by thousands in the streets of key Cuban cities were able to be quickly muffled and the dissenters arrested or exiled; sham trials have followed. Subsequent protests have, for the most part, been stymied for fear of reprisals. The Cuban people desperately yearn to be unshackled from both the blockade and their government  yet without bloodshed.

There is now another benefit to addressing the bilateral relations. After additional U.S. warfare materials recently arrived to Ukraine, Russia threatened to retaliate by moving troops or military equipment to Cuba. Instead of the Biden Administrations saber-rattling to match that of Russia, we might revisit our approach to the Cuban government as one helpful component to reducing tensions.

Innovation and vision are some of the few remaining practical options in this extremely dangerous situation. Removing the counterproductive U.S. embargoes would signal to Russia constructive intentions regarding their allies, and the onus upon Russia might be great to likewise pull back some or all of the concerning troops on Ukraines borders. Such timely response need not be a quid pro quo, but rather one of many positive effects of a fresh U.S. policy toward Cuba.

U.S. political parties may be more concerned about securing votes in Florida, where many resentful Cuban emigres reside, but there are far greater gains to be had by seeking novel approaches and discarding those that have so obviously failed. In so many ways, from improved multilateral relations to humanitarian interests, it is evident that U.S. policy toward Cuba can be immediately modified for the benefit of all.

John Elliott, who lives in Ocala, is recently retired from the U.S. Foreign Service, where he served as the Senior Regional Policy Officer to the Western Hemisphere. He is a field director for Aidwest Humanitarian Missions.
(Newser)  One man died and eight other people were hospitalized in serious condition after unknowingly drinking Champagne spiked with ecstasy at a bar in Bavaria, German prosecutors said Monday. The man who died was 52, and the others were between 33 and 52, police told the German news agency dpa, per the AP. "There were things in it that normally are not in Champagne," said senior prosecutor Gerd Schaefer. "It had a toxic, a poisonous effect." Schaefer said toxicological tests showed the poisonous substance "in considerable concentration" in the Champagne was ecstasy, but he noted it wasn't yet clear how the drug got into the bottle.

Police said the incident happened Saturday night in the Bavarian town of Weiden, shortly after a group of people had ordered and shared one bottle of Champagne. When police arrived at the bar, they found people lying on the ground with cramps; eight of them had to be hospitalized. The 52-year-old man died shortly after he was admitted to the hospital. An autopsy was to be performed soon, dpa reported. One of the hospitalized victims was able to go home on Monday, and police were able to question some of the others who were still at the hospital. Schaefer said there was a suspicion of negligent homicide, but it didn't appear that the poisoning was a targeted attack.

(Read more Germany stories.)
(Newser)  China's censors are back in the news, this time over an episode of Friends. When Ross explains to his parents that his wife has left him, the part in which he explains whyshe's lesbian and has found a female partnerwas cut from a recently aired rerun, reports the New York Times. But as the Guardian notes, the show is wildly popular in China, and the omission drew all kinds of scorn and ridicule on social media. "Covering your mouth and ears does not mean non-existence," is how one user put it. However, even the widespread criticism was eventually replaced with a "why is Friends so popular" hashtag.

The Times and the BBC note some other tweaks: A mention of a visit to a strip club is subtitled instead as "going out to have fun," a character who mentions trouble performing sexually instead talks only about being in "low spirits," and a reference to "multiple orgasms" is changed to "endless gossips." China's censors previously took flak for altering the end of Fight Club (to tamp down the anarchy) and for removing references to homosexuality in a Freddie Mercury biopic. In fact, the government in Beijing under Xi Jinping appears to be particularly worried about gay charactersit recently banned "sissy men" from the national airwaves. (Read more China stories.)
(Newser)  Police in Albuquerque arrested a man suspected of stabbing 11 people as he rode a bicycle around the city over the weekend, leaving two victims critically injured, authorities said. He was identified as 42-year-old Tobias Gutierrez and booked into jail overnight on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, police in New Mexico's largest city said Monday, per the AP. The attacks "appear to be random," said police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos. "There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason at this point." The victims were taken to several different hospitals, and while two suffered critical injuries, all of those hospitalized were in stable condition. Some were treated and released.

The first stabbing report came in Sunday around 11:15am. Officers responded to a scene downtown and found a man suffering a laceration to his hand. Then, a few miles east near the University of New Mexico, police received another call about a person who was stabbed in the arm by a man on a bike armed with a large knife. A third stabbing occurred in front of an apartment building about 1pm, and a man was also stabbed nearby in the neck in a fourth incident, police said. Police said another call came about a suspect trying to stab customers at a convenience store. Officers arrived and found "multiple stabbing victims." Additional calls came in about two more stabbings.

(Read more Albuquerque stories.)
(Newser)  ATF doesn't stand for "affection, tenderness, and flowers"and the agency definitely isn't feeling romantic this Valentine's Day. In a tweet Monday morning, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives urged people to turn in former partners involved in illegally buying and selling guns. "Valentine's Day can still be fun even if you broke up," the ATF said. "Do you have information about a former (or current) partner involved in illegal gun activity? Let us know, and we will make sure it's a Valentine's Day to remember!"

"We would love to meet and treat them to a Valentine's Day surprise," the bureau said. In North Carolina, the Nash County Sheriffs Office shared a similar sentiment, urging people to turn in ex-partners with outstanding warrants, the Hill reports. The "Valentine's Day Special" includes "a set of limited-edition platinum bracelets, free transportation with a chauffeur," and a "one-night minimum stay in our luxurious 5-star accommodations," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post, adding: "This special was a huge hit last year, you may be tempted to provide additional referrals." But not everyone was laughing: Critics warned that posts like the one from the ATF could lead to vengeful ex-partners making false reports. (Read more Valentine's Day stories.)
(Newser)  American officials warned over the weekend that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be just days awaybut officials in Moscow said Monday that there could still be a diplomatic solution to the crisis and that talks with the US and NATO are "far from exhausted." "I would propose continuing and intensifying them," Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, told Vladimir Putin in what the BBC describes as a "carefully choreographed discussion on state television." The meeting could be a sign that Russia plans to use the Ukraine issue to gain concessions from the West instead of actually invading its neighbor, reports the New York Times.

A major sticking point is Russia's demand that NATO stop its eastward expansion and permanently block Ukraine from joining the alliance, which it restated Monday. Russia has also demanded that NATO removes its forces from eastern Europe. NATO has rejected those demands but the alliance has suggested there is room to negotiate on issues like arms control. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said Monday that the country has no intention of abandoning its ambition to join NATO, which is in Ukraine's constitution, the Washington Post reports. "The key issue for our country is the issue of security guarantees," the ministry said in a statement.

At a news conference in Kyiv with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said an attack on Ukraine would have "serious political, economic, and geostrategic consequences for Russia," the Post reports. Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's ambassador to the EU, told the Guardian Monday that Russia could invade if its citizens in contested areas of eastern Ukraine are threatened. "If the Ukrainians launch an attack against Russia, you shouldn't be surprised if we counterattack," the ambassador said. "Or, if they start blatantly killing Russian citizens anywhere." Over the weekend, Russian TV channels aired reports accusing Ukraine of committing atrocities against civilians in the long-running conflict in the Donbas region, the BBC notes. (Read more Ukraine stories.)
(Newser)  The fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old woman in New York City's Chinatown is raising new fears about crimes against Asian Americans. The alleged assailant is in custody, though it remains unclear whether the attack was racially motivated or one of opportunity. Coverage:

The victim: Police say Christina Yuna Lee returned home to her apartment about 4:30am Sunday. Surveillance video obtained by the New York Post shows a man following her into the building. Police and the building's owner say the man followed an unknowing Lee up six floors, then forced his way into her apartment when she opened her door to get in.

Assault: Neighbors heard screams minutes later and called 911. Lee was found in her bathtub, and a homeless man identified as 25-year-old Assamad Nash was was found hiding under her bed, reports the Post. The New York Times quotes one neighbor as saying he heard screams that sounded like something out of a movie," but he "thought nothing of it until police came knocking later that morning.

Neighbors heard screams minutes later and called 911. Lee was found in her bathtub, and a homeless man identified as 25-year-old Assamad Nash was was found hiding under her bed, reports the Post. The New York Times quotes one neighbor as saying he heard screams that sounded like something out of a movie," but he "thought nothing of it until police came knocking later that morning. Lee: The victim is a Rutgers grad who worked as a senior creative producer at an online platform for digital music called Splice, per the AP. According to her LinkedIn bio, she also worked on photo and video campaigns for companies such as Marriott, Equinox, and shoe retailer Toms. "Such a sweet girl," is how building owner Brian Chin describes her. Splice tweeted a tribute.

Charges: Nash, who has a long history of misdemeanor crimes, is charged with burglary and murder, and authorities have not linked the attack to race. But all the coverage notes the killing occurred amid a surge in attacks against Asian Americans. "The list is getting longer and longer," Jacky Wong of Concerned Citizens of East Broadway tells CBS New York. "I dont want to jump to the conclusion that Christina is also a victim of hate crime because its still pending, but this is another Asian American who was brutally attacked." Gothamist rounds up statements of support for the Asian community from Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and others.

(Read more Chinatown stories.)
(Newser)  Eight years after he killed a man who had been texting during previews at a Florida movie theater, a retired Tampa police captain is finally on trial. Opening statements began Monday in the trial of Curtis Reeves, 79, who fatally shot 43-year-old Navy veteran Chad Oulson during a Jan. 2014 screening of Lone Survivor, CNN reports. Prosecutors say Reeves argued with Oulson, who was in the seat in front of him, over his cell phone use and complained to a manager. After he returned to his seat and the argument resumed, Oulson threw popcorn at Reeves, who responded by pulling out a handgun and shooting Oulson in the chest, prosecutors say. Oulson's wife Nicole was shot in the hand.

"What the evidence will show you is that Chad Oulson was shot and killed over tossing popcorn," Assistant State Attorney Scott Rosenwasser said in his opening statement, per the AP. "That's no reason to kill another person." Lawyers for Reeves, who was 71 at the time of the incident, have argued that he was afraid he was going to be assaulted. He has been under house arrest, only allowed to leave for church, court, grocery shopping, or medical appointments, for most of the last eight years.The trial was held up for years while Reeves tried to use Florida's "stand your ground" law to avoid prosecution. He is on trial on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Reeves' lawyers have also argued that Oulson threw a cell phone at him, though prosecutors say witnesses did not report seeing Oulson throw a phone. Defense attorney Dino Michaels told the jury Monday that there was more to the case than thrown popcorn, the Tampa Bay Times reports. "There was an attack before the popcorn was thrown," he said. Michaels said Reeves' 27 years in the police taught him to sense danger and evaluate risks. Nicole Oulson has said her husband was texting their babysitter about their 3-year-old daughter. (Minutes before the shooting, Reeves sent a text of his own.)
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29 fire, EMS companies in Northumberland County receive state funding

HARRISBURG  Twenty-nine fire and emergency medical service companies in Northumberland County were recently awarded between $8,330 and $15,000 through the commonwealths Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Grant Program.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced last week the approval of grant awards totaling over $29 million for 2,115 recipients under the program administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner, and makes an annual grant program available for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads.

Fire and EMS companies are depended upon by Pennsylvanians each and every day to provide essential and often lifesaving services, Wolf stated while announcing the funding. We know that these organizations continue to experience negative impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and some are struggling financially. Grant programs like these are vital financial lifelines.

All fire and EMS companies as well as volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for this annual grant program.

Fire companies in Elysburg, Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Township, Kulpmont, Coal Township, Shamokin, Trevorton and Stonington were among those in Northumberland County that received $15,000.

Eligible projects in accordance with the 2021-22 program, include facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training, education and public outreach, recruitment and retention, construction savings account, overtime costs associated with backfilling positions while firefighters are attending training (career departments only) and revenue loss due to COVID-19 impacts.

Steve Jeffery, chief of the Shamokin Fire Bureau and director of Northumberland County Public Safety, encourages all fire and EMS companies to apply for the annual funding. Recipients, he said, are not required to match the funds.

Every penny counts, stated Jeffery, a longtime member of the Friendship Fire Co., in the Fifth Ward of Shamokin, that received $15,000. Usually the fire companies use money to purchase equipment, pay down debt or make building repairs. Its free money.

Thomas Cook, acting state fire commissioner, stated that the funding assists fire and EMS companies throughout the commonwealth, which continue to deal the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds in 2021 and 2022 may be used to supplement operational expenses incurred by the lack of opportunities for fundraising and the inability to create revenue due to compliance with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Increased call volume, rising costs and revenue loss have each made operations more difficult for our first responders, Cook added. As such, our office is pleased to help get financial assistance into communities across the state.
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An open letter to LGBTQ kids:

Kermit the Frog famously observed that its not easy being green. But if he thinks thats hard, Kermit should try being you. Having avocado-colored skin has to be a breeze by comparison.

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To be you, though, requires dealing with active-shooter drills and masking mandates while navigating family dynamics, lunchroom politics and the awkwardness of living in a new body growing, spurting and otherwise misbehaving in all sorts of embarrassingly creative ways. And thats before you get to the LGBTQ thing and all the complications it brings.

Leonard Pitts.

Even more difficult, some of you live in Ron DeSantis Florida.

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As youve likely heard, the governor has thrown his weight behind the so-called Dont Say Gay bill now advancing through the state Legislature. It says a teacher may not encourage discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.

As critics have noted, the vague wording makes it theoretically possible to restrict discussion of LGBTQ issues not just from young kids but from any kids. What do age appropriate and developmentally appropriate mean, after all? And who decides?

President Biden has blasted what he called a hateful bill. I have your back, he said.

This note is just to say that I do, too. I can only imagine how isolating and lonely it must feel, in the awkwardness of your adolescent years, to have a governor declare your sexual identity so abnormal it cant be discussed in school  just when you may need to talk about it the most. If theres some teacher you trust, he or she would now be breaking the law if you confide in them.

But this tactic is not unusual. In fact, silencing is now a routine Republican stratagem. In various ways and settings, GOP members have sought to restrict talk about everything from abortion to guns to climate change to the theory of evolution. In 2012, Michigan lawmakers exiled a Democratic colleague from the statehouse for using the word vagina. And lets not even get started on African-American history.

This is just another page from the same playbook. Cowards sticking fingers in their ears rather than face realities they cant deal with.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

Im sorry the world is like this, but it is. So I need you to take care of one another. Maintain the courage to be your authentic, individual selves. Find the community that values and validates those selves, that accepts you as you are.

The good news is, youll find most of the rest of us there with you. As for those who arent, well, you need to recognize that there are some people whose approval youre not supposed to have or want, whose rejection you should wear as a badge of honor. Ron DeSantis, for one. He hobnobs with Islamophobes, cant bring himself to criticize Nazis, bashes undocumented immigrants and told voters not to monkey this up by supporting his African-American rival. If this guy liked you, could you still like yourself?

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Not if you are who I think you are.

And if you are, you will not let this insulting bill stand unchallenged. Youll take to social media and, if youre of age, to the ballot box. Youll impose campaigns of economic withdrawal upon those who support laws like this.

In other words, you will raise your voices and make haters hear you. Thats your only option when people try to impose silence upon you:

Speak louder.

Leonard Pitts is a columnist for the Miami Herald.
John McHugh is chairman of the Package Coalition. Previously, he was secretary of the U.S. Army and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is rabies-free and there have been many decades since the last case was reported, according to Health Ministry sources.

The assurance comes amid new concerns over increased reports of stray attacks from across Bahrain.

Stray attacks have been reported from all governorates, except the Southern, with hotspots being Gudaibiya, Askar, LuLu Road in Salmaniya, Nuwaidrat, Sitra, Sanad and Tubli.

Sources say the Capital Governorate is the most affected and the victims are mainly night shift workers, who tread to their homes late nights on foot.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Fathiya Al Bastaki, a passionate Bahraini animal lover and Bahrain Strays founder, said increasing awareness along with spaying and neutering remains the only solution to fix the issue.

She said killing stray dogs is not at all a humane solution and is just an uncivilised act.

The country started its Catch-Neuter-Release (CNR) programme two years ago to control the overpopulation and that was a good step, which everyone appreciated. But sadly, this process has been stopped now for almost a year although the residents didnt stop from complaining, she said.

The cleaning company later dumped dogs in Askar without spaying or neutering. My group and I had to do a lot of hard work to catch some females and transport them to clinics for spaying.

Stray dogs in Askar never bothered Asian workers and no one also complained about it.

Two weeks ago, we were shocked when we came to know that there was a decision to get rid of strays from Askar as we found dead bodies in some areas. They were shot and the bodies were buried, but partially. We dont know why the dogs were shot to death? No one had complaints in that area.

Its inhuman to kill innocent animals, which caused no harm to anyone there, and what is weird is that, how could they decide to kill dogs that were already spayed and neutered?

There are over 1,000 stray dogs in Askar, where the ministry has been dumping them for the past four years. Many of them have gotten killed in car accidents. There are no residential areas in that locality.

Strays will never attack anyone who completely ignores them since they are territorial beings.

If you dont stare at them, they would at best bark and leave you. Barking is just a form of threatening to protect their territories.

Dont bother about them, they wont attack you if you are minding your own business.

Fathiya said neutering and spaying remain the only solution to fix the issue.

I along with a group of volunteers have been spaying and neutering for over eight years now.

The Works Ministry started it in 2020 and it has not been there for the past year.

We have been taking the spaying process forward after receiving support from Her Highness Shaikha Noora bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Rehabilitation is not a practical solution as we have thousands of them.

She said there is no need to raise concern over rabies infection as there are no cases in Bahrain.

However, she highlighted the need to bring the canine distemper situation under control, saying: Unless all pups are vaccinated with two doses, we cant bring the situation under control.

We cant do it for the strays.

It is learnt that the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry has given the contract to Black Gold Company for catching strays to carry out the CNR programme and control the population. Concerned individuals can give a ring at 17155363, 80008001 or 38099994. Harming animals including stray dogs is a legal offence in Bahrain, which can attract fines and jail terms.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has prompted a unique Valentine's Day tradition in Japan to slowly fade away -- much to the relief of female workers.

It has long been common practice for women in Japan to give giri choco, or "obligation chocolate," to their male colleagues and bosses on Feb. 14. Though Valentine's is normally seen as a day for couples to celebrate their love, giri choco is given to men for whom women have no romantic feelings.

Valentine's Day was introduced in Japan in the 1930s, and there are several theories about how giri choco became a tradition, but some believe that female office workers started giving them out sometime in the 1980s after various confectionery companies began marketing products that way.

COVID-19, however, has triggered a change in the tradition. With more people out of the office in favor of teleworking and rising sanitary practices, an increasing number of women are forgoing the custom.

According to a recent survey of over 1,000 people carried out by Creema, an operator of a marketplace for handmade goods, 14.5% of respondents said that they plan to give out giri choco this year -- a significant drop compared to the 31.8% from a year earlier. The survey found that consumers now have a stronger tendency to give presents to their loved ones or buy presents for themselves instead of co-workers amid the pandemic.

The practice can be a headache for women, who have to spend time and money deciding what to give and to whom. The Japanese branch of chocolate maker Godiva was even moved to run a full-page ad in 2018 urging Japan to end the giri choco practice, arguing that Valentine's Day should be a day for expressing love, not an obligation.
Japanese beverage company Kirin Holdings is set to exit its Myanmar operations after it concluded there is no hope of resolving a dispute with its military-backed partner a year after a military takeover plunged the Southeast Asian nation into turmoil, Nikkei has learned.

Kirin will now begin procedures to shut down is business in the country, which it operates as a joint venture with military-owned Myanma Economic Holdings (MEHL). Although Kirin is considering options for the disposal of its interest in the venture, including sales to a third party company, it is aiming to finish the deal by June.

The Japanese company had sought to end its partnership with MEHL after the military seized power in February 2021, concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. Although Kirin had hoped to continue its beer business in Myanmar after the dissolution of the joint venture, that did not work out.

After unsuccessful negotiations with MEHL, Kirin took its case to the Singapore International Arbitration Center in early December. But the brewer seems to have decided to pull out, as no progress is expected.

The sale includes Myanmar Brewery, a local beer company in which Kirin took a stake in 2015, and Mandalay Brewery, a joint venture with MEHL established in 2017. Kirin holds 51% stakes in the two companies and MEHL the rest. Kirin seems it plans to sell all of its shares to a company with no military links. The buyer and sales value will be decided by the end of June. ...continue reading
What happens to the body of a person who suffers from the long-term effects of the novel coronavirus?

A 33-year-old reporter for Kyodo News, my ailments related to COVID-19 continue to this day, more than a year after I recovered from the initial viral infection. Although I have seen slight improvements through treatment, I am still far from my former self.

In January, after an examination at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry in Tokyo, I was told I might be suffering from an immune disorder and reduced brain function due to the virus.

The exam I underwent included a brain perfusion scan, a test to determine blood flow in certain regions of the brain. It involves injecting radiotracers -- radioactive substances that emit tiny particles -- into a vein. A special camera is then used to track how the radioactive substance spreads throughout the brain to determine which areas are most active, which is believed to be indicated by blood supply.

The test can sometimes distinguish abnormalities in brain blood flow that a conventional MRI cannot detect and is also used in examinations for dementia.

My test results showed lower blood flow in the frontal and temporal lobes, which govern language and memory, than people in my age range.

According to Wakiro Sato, the head doctor in the center's immunology department who conducted the exam, brain function is thought to decline in areas of low blood flow. This tendency of reduced brain function is similar to the one found in many patients who have COVID-19 aftereffects. ...continue reading
New coronavirus infections are declining in many parts of Japan, but serious cases are increasing nationwide.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Monday reported 10,334 new cases, for a 6th straight day of week-on-week decline.

Seriously ill patients on ventilators or ECMO heart-lung machines in the capital rose by 9 from Sunday to 74.

The number of cases deemed serious nationwide was nearly 1,400 on Monday, the most this year, amid high hospital occupancy rates.

Quasi-emergency measures are set to expire in 21 prefectures next Sunday, and some are considering extending them.

The central prefecture of Shizuoka is one of them. Its Governor Kawakatsu Heita announced on Monday that he is asking the central government to extend the period.

Kawakatsu said, "We have to curb the spread of infections while the quasi-emergency measures are in effect, so that we can easily hold important events such as graduation and entrance ceremonies around the start of the new fiscal year."

Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi told reporters that he wants to extend the current quasi-emergency measures, but did not make clear whether he would request a state of emergency. He earlier suggested that it be considered.

Osaka reported nearly 8,000 new cases on Monday.

The number of seriously ill patients was 203, up 12 from Sunday.
Question: On 10 February, the House of Commons of the UK Parliament passed a nonbinding motion on "UK-Taiwan friendship and cooperation" which states that UK should strengthen trade relations and security cooperation with Taiwan and support Taiwan in winning broader international recognition. What is your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: We firmly oppose the motion of the British House of Commons agitating to elevate the relations between the United Kingdom and Taiwan, and we strongly condemn the actions of individual MPs on Taiwan-related issues.

There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. This one-China principle is a universally-recognized norm governing international relations and the consensus of the international community. It is also the important precondition and political foundation of the diplomatic relations between China and other countries including the UK.

The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair. It concerns China's core interests and brooks no foreign interference whatsoever. No one should underestimate the steely determination, firm will and strong capability of the Chinese people to defend the country's territorial sovereignty.

The biggest threat to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait at present is the intensified collusion of the authorities of the Democratic Progressive Party with external forces to continue carrying out secessionist activities of "Taiwan independence". The military activities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China in the Taiwan Strait are necessary operations taken in view of the current security situation in the region and the need to safeguard national sovereignty and security. They are the solemn response to secessionist provocations and external interference.

We urge the relevant British MPs to stop anti-China political manipulation, stop interfering in China's internal affairs and stop "playing with fire" on the question of Taiwan. We also urge the UK side to observe the one-China principle, stay away from all forms of official interactions with Taiwan, avoid sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces and handle Taiwan-related issues appropriately so as not to create new obstacles for the China-UK relations.
This rendering shows a SpaceX Dragon with a passenger partaking in a tethered spacewalk, which is planned for the Polaris Dawn mission that could launch in late 2022. (SpaceX)

One trip to space was not enough for billionaire Jared Isaacman, who has paired up with SpaceX again for a new mission following last years Inspiration4.

Once again, Isaacman is space-bound, but this time he is looking to potentially be among the first civilians to perform a spacewalk while trying to reach the highest ever Earth orbit flown by humans. The mission, called Polaris Dawn, is the first of up to three missions of the Polaris Program, which announced its plans Monday with a website and social media channels.

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Similar to Inspiration4, Isaacman, who is sharing the cost of the missions with SpaceX, is accompanying three other passengers on board a Crew Dragon to launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center.

The Polaris Program is an important step in advancing human space exploration while helping to solve problems through the use of innovative technology here on Earth, Isaacman said. On Polaris Dawn, we endeavor to achieve the highest Earth orbit ever flown in addition to conducting the worlds first commercial spacewalk and testing of Starlink laser-based communication.

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Alongside these important objectives, we will be supporting scientific research to advance both human health interests on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights.

The record for orbital altitude for a crewed mission was set In 1966, when NASA astronauts Pete Conrad and Richard Gordon flew on the Gemini 11 to 853 miles.

Once again Isaacman is partnered with the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, for which his Inspiration4 mission raised more than $240 million. The new series of missions hope to focus on St. Judes Global Health Initiative.

Theyve taken a lot of the funds that we raised as part of Inspiration4 and its now part of a global initiative with the aim of raising childhood cancer survival rates around the world, Isaacman said. Thats a pretty big goal.

The new flight will launch no earlier than the Nov. 1, 2022, according to Isaacman.

Polaris Dawns mission has numerous important objectives, he said. So in partnership with SpaceX, weve selected a crew of experts who know each other well from our work together on Inspiration4 and have a foundation of trust they can build upon as we undergo the challenges of this mission.

The other three passengers are Scott Poteet, given the title of mission pilot, specialist Sarah Gillis, and specialist and medical officer Anna Menon. Both Gillis and Menon are SpaceX employees.

The crew of the Polaris Dawn mission of the Polaris Program are from left, SpaceX employee, mission specialist and medical officer Anna Menon, mission pilot Scott Poteet, mission commander and billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX employee and mission specialist Sarah Gillis. (John Kraus, for Polaris Program)

Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and demonstration pilot with the Thunderbirds, acted as mission director for the Inspiration4 flight. He also worked as a vice president for strategy for Isaacmans company Shift4, the credit card processing firm from which Isaacman earned his fortune. Isaacman paid SpaceX an undisclosed fund for the three-day orbital flight last fall.

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Gillis oversees SpaceXs astronaut training program. Shes worked with both NASA and commercial astronauts who have flown on Crew Dragon including Demo-2, Crew-1 and the Inspiration4 missions.

Menon, like Gillis, holds the title of Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX, and worked in mission control for several Dragon missions. Before SpaceX, she worked at NASA as a biomedical flight controller for the International Space Station.

The mission aims to fly up to five days in orbit and test an upgraded SpaceX-designed extravehicular activity spacesuit. Not all four passengers may take the EVA, though.

The EVA is obviously something were going to put a lot of energy toward throughout training, Isaacman said. As we get experience through a number of different training situations that we have planned throughout the year well determine who the best crew members are to undertake the EVA at that time.

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The Polaris Program also plans for a second mission in Crew Dragon at an undetermined date, but then a final third mission touting it as the first-human spaceflight on Starship.

Starship is the next-generation rocket being developed by SpaceX that when combined with the Super Heavy booster can eventually fly to the moon and Mars. The first test flight of the Starship with Super Heavy is awaiting a launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The four members of the Polar Dawn crew, the first of three planned missions for the Polaris Program, fly by the stacked SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy booster at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas in February 2022. (John Kraus, for Polaris Program)

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Isaacman said hed certainly be interested in going on the next set of missions beyond Polaris Dawn, but theres nothing set in stone.

Am I addicted to spaceflight? Ive obviously loved aviation and aerospace my entire life and I just feel incredibly fortunate to really be almost a fly on the wall with everything that SpaceX is accomplishing and what they hope to deliver by making humankind a multiplanetary species, Isaacman said.
Avelo Airlines announced it will add Wilmington, N.C. as its 14th destination from Tweed New Haven Regional Airport starting June 30. The announcement came just a month after it unveiled another three destinations set to take off from Tweed New Haven Regional Airport starting May 26: Chicago's Midway International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

In February, the airline unveiled another four more destinations set to take off from the Elm City airport on May 5: Nashville, Tenn.; Savannah, Ga./Hilton Head, S.C.; Charleston, S.C.; and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Its last Florida stop was added on Jan. 13 when it expanded its service to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, marking the start of the airline's three-day-a-week service to destination.

Avelo also offers non-stop one-way flights from New Haven to six locations in Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Sarasota and Tampa.

The airline made its landing at the New Haven airport in fall 2021 with service from Tweed beginning on Nov. 3. In its first 100 days serving Tweed, Avelo Airlines created 100 new jobs and had more than $20 million in local economic impact. In that same time frame, the airline flew nearly 70,000 customers on nearly 600 flights to and from the Elm City.

While all prices are subject to change, these are the initial prices (excluding taxes and fees) for some of the first available upcoming one-way flights out of New Haven on Avelo Airlines. All flights are currently available for purchase on Avelo's website.
They had crossed paths throughout their undergraduate careers at Fairfield University, and in the spring semester of their junior year that Erin Kent and John Fink began dating. Upon graduating with an Air Force scholarship, John headed to Georgetown University for a medical degree and Erin landed a nursing job there. By 1995, they were engaged and a year later, they married at Fairfield University. In 2021, the Finks celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at the Connecticut campus that brought them together.

The couple is one of many alumni couples to come from Fairfield University. Just ask director of alumni engagement Jessica Colligan, who said in an email that Fairfield alone has about 2,342 alumni couples, who even have a nickname that riffs on the universitys stag mascot.

While alumni have of course been marrying each other for decades, the StagMates moniker didnt come about until 2015 when we held our first annual alumni couple event and held a contest for alumni to suggest and vote on a name to call our alumni couples, she said.

Colligan attributes the pairing of so many alumni couples to the schools Jesuit Catholic identity.

I think a lot of the students-turned-alumni chose Fairfield, and then each other, because of shared values. she said. I think someone who chooses to attend Fairfield with that in mind, knowing that theres a religious, spiritual or moral component to the education theyll receive, is going to be drawn to another student who chose to enroll here for those same reasons."

Fairfield's StagMates join colleges around the state in giving alumni couples their own identity. At the University of Hartford, they encourage alumni to share their stories on social media through the Who do UHart? campaign. At Quinnipiac University, a similar campaign for Valentine's Day was called Q Do U Love?

Finding one among a crowd of many

Connecticut's main state school, UConn, is located in the tiny town of Storrs in the eastern part of the state, but the campus is home to thousands of students (around 18,000 in 2022).

In that big campus setting, Erica Cracco met Andy Cracco through her roommate Lauren, who was friends with Andy's roommate, Joe. The duo started talking, and by their senior year, they landed in the same apartment complex.

We were always seeing our group of friends, Andy said. We had always been hanging out with them, doing yard games and stuff out front.

Courtesy of Erica Cracco / Contributed Photo

According to Erica, the duo officially began dating in November of 2009 when Andy arrived at her apartment door with a special delivery: a bouquet of flowers and a card with the message, "Will you be my girlfriend? Yes [or] no  circle one."

Andy graduated in 2010, and Erica followed in 2012 upon the completion of her doctorate of pharmacy degree. Theyve been married for eight-and-a-half years, and theyve settled down in Southington, where they raise their two children.

According to senior vice president for stakeholder engagement for the UConn Foundation, Montique Cotton Kelly, the university hears these Husky love stories time and again, demonstrating that a UConn connection is powerful and long lasting. Marketing and Communications spokesperson Jennifer Eburg said UConn school has more than 10,300 alumni couples, 60 percent of which live in Connecticut.

Courtesy of Holly Bronko / Contributed Photo

For Holly and Dan Bronko, their UConn connection was present in every aspect of their relationship  including their wedding. Both pursuing teaching degrees, the duo met while working for the UConn Recreation department. Holly graduated with her masters degree in 2014 and Dan followed in 2016, and they both landed teaching jobs in the Ellington school district. In 2017, Dan proposed during their schools' spring break with the help of a special guest.

We went back to the UConn campus," Holly recalled. "And then Dan proposed to me over by Mirror Lake and actually had Jonathan the Husky  not the costumed mascot  the actual dog. The dog was walked over to us, and he had the ring around his neck in a ring box.

When they married in 2018, Jonathan returned to walk down the aisle with Hollys nephew and brother as a ring bearer. Four years later, Holly works as a reading specialist and Dan teaches The South Windsor residents have expanded their family to include their 9-month-old daughter Brighton and dog Cindy.

Courtesy of Holly Bronko / Contributed Photo Courtesy of Erica Cracco / Contributed Photo Courtesy of Erin Fink / Contributed Photo Holly and Dan Bronko with Jonathan the Husky (left); Erica and Andy Cracco and their children (top right); Erin and John Fink (bottom right).

'It really connects...on an emotional level'

At Quinnipiac University, director of alumni outreach John Arcangelo said the Hamden school has 1,265 alumni couples in its history.

A lot of college students during that time of their lives are really starting to come into their own and really understand what they like, what they dont like and what theyre looking for in a significant other, he said. When youre on a smaller campus like Quinnipiac, where its very tight-knit, you have that opportunity to really get to know people.

With these relationships formed at Quinnipiac, Arcangelo said the school gets numerous requests from alumni seeking to use the campus for engagement photos.

It really connects with alumni on an emotional level, he said. This is where they met their significant other. This is exactly where their connection began, and you cant take that away.

And Holly Bronko feels this way about UConn.

Its more than just a place we got our degrees from, she said. Its a special place for our family where weve made memories. We got to know each other there, and now we can go back and take our daughter there and have those special moments with her.

Courtesy of Erin Fink / Contributed Photo

Celebrating where they started

Sentiments like this are what brought the Finks back to Fairfield for their 25th anniversary. The duo was married at the universitys chapel in 1996, held their reception in the campus student center and even used campus housing for their guests. Twenty-five years later, they sought to recreate their wedding with a twist.

"Our wedding was a ton of fun, and we knew that most of those people had connections to Fairfield, so how great would it be if we just redid our wedding?, said John.

Carla Ten Eyck photography / Contributed Photo

After a few phone calls to Fairfield University staff to book the chapel and secure a reception space on the lawn of Bellarmine Hall, the duo invited many of the same guests who were in attendance for their wedding 25 years earlier, plus loved ones they accumulated since.

"We just had a celebration of our love and what weve made together over the last 25 years," said John.

For John, getting to celebrate their milestone anniversary at the place that brought them together symbolized the universitys role in the story of their lives  which includes "a lot of fun, random experiences" like one recalled by Erin:

We got to take presidential candidate Michael Dukakis in our car. He needed a ride back to LaGuardia, and John had a car and knew New York. So I was like, Hey, you want to come with me? And he said yes, so we drove Michael Dukakis back to the airport."

It helped us find each other, John said about Fairfield U. We often say, What would it have been like if Erin chose Santa Clara or if I chose Georgetown or Siena or any other schools I looked at? We both might have found good people and maybe be very happily married to somebody for 25 years, but we are so thankful for the opportunity we had at Fairfield."
Carol Kaliff / Hearst Connecticut Media

BROOKFIELD  After months of division over masking mandates in Brookfield schools, the towns Board of Education will be deciding whether to continue or revoke a school-wide mask mandate during a special meeting Monday night.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced recently that the statewide school mask mandate would end on Feb. 28, and local districts like Brookfield are scrambling to determine their next steps forward and whether to continue with the requirement locally. Before making a final decision, Brookfields school board members will be considering existing policy, health data and health officials recommendations, according to a letter Superintendent John Barile sent to the community following Lamonts announcement.
DANBURY  The Danbury Museum & Historical Society recently launched a social media campaign called Family Story Fridays to not only highlight the citys African-American history, but help grow the museums collection of archival material.

I dont think the Danbury Museum has a large enough archive devoted to the accomplishments of our African-American community members, said the museums director, Brigid Guertin.

As part of its Family Story Fridays series, the museum is asking past and present Danburians to share their stories, photographs, documents and memories of people, places and events tied to the citys African-Americn history to be added to the museums collection.

Were going to be highlighting some of the items that we have in the archives  photos, documents and (other) items  but were also going to make it a call to action, Guertin said.

The museum kicked off the series with a Facebook post featuring the 1928 wedding photo of African-American Danbury resident Paul Benson Tallman Sr. and Pauline Elizabeth Kearney.

Citing census data, the post said Kearney lived with her parents and siblings on Linden Place before marrying Tallman and by 1940, the couple and their family were living on Beaver Street.

Tallman owned his own painting business, according to the historical society.

Through its Family Story Fridays effort, the museum is hoping to add more items like Tallman and Kearneys wedding photo to its collection.

We want more stories. We want your photographs, community images; we want to know what your first house looked like and where you bought it  all the details that really enrich a story, Guertin said, noting the effort is not just going to be for the month of February. Its going to be a multi-year endeavor.

Those things can kind of get lost if you dont make a concerted effort to go after and find them, and thats what were going to be spearheading starting this month.

Guertin said she thought social media would be a good place to engage people in what she calls the museums storytelling collection effort.

If they can take a photo of a photo they have with their phone, share it on Facebook and write three or four lines, wed be thrilled, she said. Its an easy, quick way for us to grab the information and start building out the archive.

Those interested in sharing their photos, stories and other material with the Danbury Museum & Historical Society are invited to do so by posting on the museums social media pages, emailing them to m.amundsen@danbury-ct.gov, or swinging by the museum during its hours of operation.
Goa is facing its first Assembly elections after the death of the former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who had established BJP in the coastal state.

The fate of 301 candidates will be sealed in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) today as voters in Goa will exercise their electoral rights to elect state Assembly representatives in 40 constituencies for the formation of the next state government. The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is being challenged by the Congress, Trinamool Congress, and Aam Admi Party (AAP) in a multi-cornered electoral contest in Goa.

Sanquelim from where Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is contesting the Goa Assembly elections witnessed the highest percentage of voters turnout of 14.32 per cent till the time while 14.26 per cent of people cast their votes in the Priol constituency. Mandrem recorded a voter turnout of 12.91 per cent while around 12.81 per cent of voters participated in polling in the Sanguem constituency, as per the Election Commission of India.

Notably, Goa is facing its first Assembly elections after the death of the former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who had established BJP in the coastal state. The Panaji Assembly seat has its own importance in the electoral politics of the state. Former Union Minister for Defence Manohar Parrikar, who had represented Panaji, had been a three-term Chief Minister of the state.

On the other hand, Utpal Parrikar, son of former Chief Minister Manohar Parikkar, is also contesting as an independent candidate from his fathers Panaji Assembly seat against the BJP. Utpal Parrikar had resigned from the BJP after he was denied a ticket from the Panaji Assembly constituency.

The BJP has fielded the Congress party turncoat Atanasio Babush Monserrate from the Panaji seat. He had joined the BJP along with nine other MLAs in 2019 to help the incumbent Chief Minister Pramod Sawant gain stability in the state.

Sawant is contesting from the Sanquelim constituency against Congress Dharamesh Saglani while the BJP candidate from Margao seat, Manohar Ajgaonkar will is pitched against Congress nominee Digambar Vasant Kamat.

There are three political leaders in the fray from Goas Valpoi seat  BJPs Vishwajeet Rane, Goan revolutionary partys Manoj Parab, and Congress Manisha Shenvi Usgaonkar.

From the St Cruz constituency, the AAP has fielded Amit Palekar, who is also its chief ministerial face, BJPs Tony Fernandes and Congress Rudolf Fernandes. Michael Lobo who quit the BJP is contesting from the Calangute seat against the BJPs Joseph Sequeira. The BJP leader Chandrakant Kolwalkar is contesting from the Quepem constituency against the Congress candidate Ailton Da Costa.

In particular, BJP is contesting Goa polls on all the 40 Assembly seats for the first time and fielded Chief Minister Pramod Sawant from the Sanquelim seat against Congress Dharamesh Saglani. Goa Assembly has a strength of 40 members out of which the BJP currently has 17 legislators and enjoys the support of legislators from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), and three independents. The GFP and MGP each have three MLAs. The Congress, on the other hand, has 15 MLAs in the House. The intense poll campaigning by all the political parties for 40 Assembly seats in Goa concluded on Saturday evening. The counting of votes in poll-bound Goa will take place on March 10.
Officials with Carnival Cruise Line and Meyer Turku shipyard celebrate the float out of the Carnival Celebration in Turku, Finland on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. (Carnival Cruise Line)

It was a good Friday for getting new cruise ships wet.

While Disney Wish was getting its first taste of water at Germany, another Florida-bound cruise ship was being floated out at a shipyard in Finland.

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The Carnival Celebration, a sister ship to Carnivals Mardi Gras that debuted last summer in Port Canaveral, was surrounded by water from its dry dock construction site at the Meyer Turku shipyard, and will now head to the outfitting pier for the next steps before its debut.

We are very proud to build this beautiful ship for Carnival Cruise Line, said Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer. By the end of the summer, Carnival Celebration will be ready for her sea trial and then for delivery later in the autumn.

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Powered by liquefied natural gas, both Celebration and Mardi Gras are the largest ships ever built for Carnival, known as the Excel class. Just like Mardi Gras, the ship will feature a version of the Bolt roller coaster. A third ship in the class, Carnival Jubilee is set to debut in 2023.

The Carnival Celebration cruise ship is floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on Friday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Carnival Cruise Line)

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This is the exciting part, after the float out, thats when everything that everyone will love about the ship goes from blueprint to reality, said Ben Clement, senior vice president of New Builds, Refurbishment and Product Innovation for Carnival. When theres a new ship coming, its always tough to pick your favorite part, but Carnival Celebration is going to make that choice tougher than ever when she makes her way to Miami.

The ship is set to arrive to PortMiami in November to the cruise lines updated Terminal F, which is being outfitted to supply the vessel with the LNG fuel in 2023. Mardi Gras, the first LNG-powered cruise ship to homeport in North America, is refueled by barge out of Port Canaveral. Disney Wish will also refuel in that manner when it debuts at Port Canaveral in July.

When it arrives, Celebration will be the third ship in North America to be powered by LNG, part of a transition by the cruise industry to shift to the cleaner burning fuel than the diesel most ships rely on. Disney Wish is nearing constructions end at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenberg, Germany, but will make its way to Port Canaveral for its first sailing on July 14.

Carnival Celebration wont arrive to Miami until later, with its first sailing from Southampton on a transatlantic voyage to Florida with the first of the ships Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries starting Nov. 21.

The Excel Class ships are 1,130 feet long and 180,800 gross tons with a 5,282-passenger capacity based on double occupancy.

The layout of the ship will be similar to Mardi Gras, which has a segmentation into six neighborhoods: Grand Central, French Quarter, La Piazza, Summer Landing, Lido and The Ultimate Playground. Carnival Celebration, though, will be trading out three of those zones for its own unique identity, the details of which were not revealed.

The arrival of Celebration, with a name that harkens back to the lines MS Celebration that debuted in the 1980s, comes in the 50th year of Carnival Cruise Line, which first began sailing in March 1972.
The rice crisp floated above my roasted mushroom soup ($11.50) like a swooping Frank Gehry roof. I snuck under the eaves to get a spoonful of the silky, flavorful soup. Breaking off a corner of the salty, vadouvan seasoned crisp revealed a dab of zippy herb salsa  the perfect foil to the rich liquid. The mix-and-match flavors made each bite an adventure.

The chefs art, at its essence, is the combining of flavors so that the sum of the whole is more than its parts. Chef Ashley Flagg at Millwrights in Simsbury (owned by Tyler Anderson) is a wizard at this. Her masterful cooking technique combined with a strong sense of color and texture elevate the intense flavors to create some pretty impressive food.

The seared scallops ($31.50) main course was just as inventive as the soup. Perfectly browned scallops sat in a puddle of thick potato-leek chowder. Spicy, crunchy chorizo hash was scattered around the scallops. Pepper stew was splashed here and there. The two joined in a salty-sweet dance with the scallops and chowder. A bite with this, a bite with that, each pairing brought out a different facet.

Frank Whitman / For Hearst Connecticut

Marsha couldnt resist one of the more fanciful adaptations of New England cuisine: tapioca custard with flavors of clam chowder ($14.50). The appetizer was an island of pearl tapioca topped with tender slices of celery and shucked baby clams surrounded by a briney cream. It was a hit.

Her chunk of boneless braised short rib ($36.50), looking at first glance like a center-cut filet mignon, was fork-tender and richly-flavored. It sat in a pool of light but robust arrabbiata sauce beside a mound of cavatelli. In another of Flaggs flavor twists, the beef was topped with a swirl of citrus ricotta that looked like it could be icing on a cupcake.

Since were both suckers for bread, we had to have the warm, flaky johnny cakes with honey, black sesame and sea salt butter. Our very professional waiter, Ron, offered seconds on butter before we had a chance to ask.

Millwrights pastry chef, Kristin Eddy, was named Pastry chef of the year at the 2021 CRAzies Awards, given annually by the Connecticut Restaurant Association, so of course we had to share a dessert. The chocolate cream puffs ($12) filled and topped with coffee ganache and decorated with hazelnuts, chocolate curls and orange slices was a winner. Did I mention that Millwrights was named Connecticut restaurant of the year at the CRAzies? Theyve all got game there.

Frank Whitman / For Hearst Connecticut

Fortunately, Flagg and Anderson have a fantastic showcase for their cuisine. The restaurant occupies an historic mill building in Simsbury where the Hop Brook slides over a waterfall as it rushes down to the Farmington River. The post and beam joinery, water views, and stylish decor are a comfortable blend of historic and contemporary elegance.

Simsbury is a colonial town (incorporated 1670) between Avon and the Massachusetts border on Rt. 202. Since it was about an hour and half from home, we decided to make a night of it and booked a room at the historic Simsbury 1820 House. Our large room held a high four-poster king bed, a full size couch and a gilt-framed mirror that took up a whole wall.

Frank Whitman / For Hearst Connecticut

Frank Whitman / For Hearst Connecticut

The Inn is filled with water color paintings of local scenes and furnished with antiques. In the charming parlor the next morning, we chatted with some visitors from Boston about places to eat and things to do in the area. Simsbury is dotted with traditional white-steepled churches and colonial homes. Metro Bis, a long-established destination restaurant, is catty-corner across the street if youre in town for more than just dinner.

We had been directed to Popovers Bistro and Bakery for their unique breakfast, lunch and brunch overstuffed popovers. Unfortunately they were taking a few days off, so we missed out.

After a walk around town, we headed north to Granby, then down to Bloomfield and finally through West Hartford. On the way home, we discussed possible dates for our next visit to Simsbury and more good eating.

Editor's note: This column has been updated to reflect that Ashley Flagg is the executive chef at Millwright's.

Frank Whitman writes a weekly food column called "Not Bread Alone." He can be reached at NotBreadAloneFW@gmail.com.
Survivors of gun violence and those working in the community to stop its spread gathered at the Capitol Monday to urge legislators to create and fund an Office of Gun Violence Prevention and to declare gun violence a public health crisis.

Janet Rice recounted how her only child, Shane Oliver, died nine years ago after getting shot during a verbal altercation. She recalled 3-year-old Randell Jones getting shot and killed last year, as he sat in his mothers car, awaiting a special treat from the corner store. She mentioned Sylvia Cordova, a grandmother who was shot and killed while cooking dinner in her home, and Heriberto Garcia, shot in the back by a friend. And she mentioned a recent death, Allison McCoy, shot to death as she slept in her bed.

The problem they were gathering to discuss was not new, Rice said. This epidemic has been going on for decades.

Speakers, which included state and local leaders both in and outside of government, called on lawmakers to create a state-level office to focus on reducing gun violence across Connecticut. That office would unify state agency responses to the crisis and address root causes of violence. Instead of focusing efforts on the supply of guns, the agency could address the demand, providing a holistic, community-centered response to what advocates described as a public health, and mental health, crisis.

The demonstration took place on the ninth anniversary of the March for Change Rally, when 5,000 people gathered following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School to demand changes to Connecticuts gun laws, and the fourth anniversary of the Parkland school shooting, in which 17 people were killed.

Gun homicides hit a 25-year high in Connecticut last year, mirroring national trends. The victims were disproportionately people of color. Of the 118 people who died in a gun-related homicide in 2021, 65% were Black, Jeremy Stein, the executive director of CT Against Gun Violence, said at the rally.

An hour before the press conference, the Public Health Committee agreed to hold a public hearing for a bill that would establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention and declare gun violence a public health crisis. The measure appears similar to proposals made by the governor that would address gun violence.

Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport and co-chair of the committee, admitted that legislators efforts to address gun violence have been piecemeal ever since they passed landmark legislation in the wake of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012.

We have yet to make a serious effort to really stem the tide of guns in our state, Steinberg said. Were expecting that in the public hearing, we will have a robust conversation about a variety of specific steps we might take.

Steinberg was also present at the rally. He reiterated what he told his colleagues at the committee hearing.

We expect that public hearing to be an opportunity for us all to comment, not simply on creating these offices and recognizing this problem but to address exactly the kind of opportunities youve heard described here today, investing in community programs that work, coordinating between these programs so that theyre more effective, scaling up these programs so they are available throughout the state, he said.

Gun violence is every bit as contagious as COVID-19, said Jacqueline Santiago, the CEO of COMPASS Youth Collective, an organization that Santiago said works with youth that stand on both sides of the gun  theyre either drivers of violence, or victims of violence, because violence is a public health issue.

Santiago said COMPASS works with survivors of gun violence to stop the cycle of retribution, helping to heal their trauma and make streets safer. But community groups need funding, Santiago said. One way or another, taxpayers will foot the bill, she assured the crowd. They can either pay to prevent gun violence, or they can cover the cost of hospital bills and incarceration, tragedies that unfold in the aftermath of shootings.

Members of Connecticuts federal delegation were also in attendance. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a longtime champion of gun reform and member of the Judiciary Committee, said that President Joe Biden has proposed $5 billion for community intervention efforts, which Blumenthal said were vital because they reach young people before they fire their guns.

These community intervention programs work, he said. Connecticut is showing that they work.

One theme of the community groups speakers was that they know how to help their communities because they are from the same streets where the violence is taking place. They are effective because they have lived through it themselves. They are living proof to young people involved in gun violence that there is a better way to live.

Sean Nattis is one of the young people who has been helped by COMPASS. A Hartford resident, he was shot when he was 12 years old. It was hard growing up, he said, feeling unsafe while walking around his neighborhood with his mom.

Theres so much gun violence in my community. It just wont stop, he said. I just want better for my community.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  Investigators continue to probe a shooting that wounded a city man over the weekend, police said on Monday.

Officers responded to a 911 call shortly before 10 p.m. on Sunday about a person shot on Chatham Street.
NEW HAVEN  The Prince Hall Masons are a low-key group. They dont brag or puff themselves up.

The primarily Black fraternity, the history of which dates to the beginnings of the American Revolution, goes about its mission of service to the community quietly and without fanfare.

We are not just a ritualistic organization. We are a community-oriented organization, as well, said Edward E. Cherry of Oriental Lodge No. 6 and honorary past grand master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut.

In my day, in my youth, men did not go around with big signs on their backs, I am a Mason, Cherry said. You found out by the work they did, and you saw them in their black suits coming in this building. And these were men that you respected in the community.

The community projects include a multitude of things, according to Arnold L. Holmes, most worshipful grand master of the Grand Lodge from Widows Son Lodge No. 1, the first in Connecticut, formed in 1818 when it separated from the New York jurisdiction.

We dont really do a whole lot of advertising with that because we work in conjunction with not just the lodges themselves, Holmes said. We work with the communities. We work with schools. We work with churches.  Were involved with Masonicare.

They sponsor Little League and Pop Warner teams.

They feed the hungry, give scholarships to high school graduates and hold Christmas parties for children, seniors and members widows, something that we do for the wives to show that we have not forgotten them, Cherry said.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Masons held after-school programs in their lodge at 106 Goffe St. That is a fitting use for the 1864 building, which served as a school for Black children, according to a sign in a room that serves as a museum.

Once the pandemic arrived, the Masons joined the effort to protect people from the virus. Any community actions, such as we had when the virus broke out, and were still doing it, Holmes said. Mask and gloves giveaways  we were involved in that way before the state started to do that. We were doing screenings right in our backyard, right over here. We had all of that going on.

All three New Haven lodges  Widows Son, Oriental Lodge No. 6 and King Solomon Lodge No. 62  meet in the Goffe Street building. They are the citys representatives of an order that is rooted in Black patriotism and white racism.

Prince Hall was one of 15 free Black men who were rejected by the Masonic lodge in Boston. They were accepted by the Irish lodge, attached to the 38th British Foot Infantry in Boston Harbor. But when the Revolutionary War broke out, the foot infantry and its Masonic lodge left Boston, leaving the Americans without a lodge but with a permit to form one, according to the orders history.

Hall became worshipful master of African Lodge No. 1 when it formed in 1776 and the lodge was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge of England in 1784.

Cherry said he was attracted by the history of the Masons when he returned from Europe after World War II. I learned about Prince Hall and his role in Black organizations and being one of the oldest Black organizations in the country, Cherry said.

I found this to be an exciting part to be a part of, and to learn about Prince Hall, who he was, what he stood for, what he represented. He represented right for Black people, Cherry said. He tried to be a Mason in the white order, but they wouldnt take him. So he became a Mason through the Irish lodge. It says something about that man. That says something to me about what this organization stood for.

For Cherry, the Masonic order is a way for Black men to train to be leaders in organizations and become organizers, become administrators, because youre not going to get it anywhere else. Times have changed somewhat, but this is why I wanted to be a Mason.

Today, Prince Hall Masons, formally known as Free & Accepted Masons, remain primarily a Black fraternity, although there are white members, just as there are Black members in the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, which is primarily white. While both groups are largely segregated, Cherry said, in 1989  they had agreed it was time to cut this foolishness out, to put it in the vernacular, and each group recognized the other.

While Masons may come from a variety of religious backgrounds, belief in a supreme being is a requirement, the men said.

Men of all backgrounds are members of the Prince Hall Masons. W.E.B. DuBois, the civil rights activist, author and sociologist, was a member of Widows Son Lodge. The late Mayor John Daniels, former Police Chief Melvin Wearing, Scot X. Esdaile, state president of the NAACP, and many other prominent New Haveners have been Masons, too. A scholarship is named for the late Charles L. Twyman, father of Charles R. Twyman, the first Black school principal in New Haven.

Masonry often is a family tradition. Al Jarvis, a past grand master from Crawford Lodge No. 21 in Middletown, said, I come from a long line  my father, uncle, my great grandfather. Cherry, Holmes and Jarvis all are 33rd-degree Masons, the highest degree achievable.

Jarvis was attracted, too, by the example the Masons set: No rowdy people, theyre very professional, Jarvis said. I would say they have morals that you wouldnt expect your average Joe out there to have. Jarvis said a brother Mason once said to his lodge, You should be careful of how you act. Because people will say to you, I thought you were a Mason. You see, they expect more from us.

Holmes, too, was drawn by the tenets of Masonry, the camaraderie in Masonry and the actions of Masons within their community and within the world, really, to tell you the truth.  Service above all, service, morality and a sense of responsibility to oneself, ones community and to God.

Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that the Oriental Lodge gives a scholarship in the name of Charles L. Twyman, a past grand master, father of onetime high school principal Charles R. Twyman.

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com
Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

The members of the Shelton High School Distributive Education Clubs of America Chapter are going to welcome students, Shelton families, and community members to the chapters annual DECA Hall of Fame Talent and Fashion Show this Thursday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Percy Kingsley Shelton High School Auditorium.

The school, and the auditorium are located at 120 Meadow St. in Shelton.
MADISON  Construction is going at a hectic pace at the Generals Residences at Fence Creek, but its barely keeping up with home sales, with million-dollar homes selling faster than they are finished.

Seven out of nine 2,200-square-foot luxury homes on the site of the former Generals Residence have sold for $1.1 million to $1.3 million. And thats while three units are still under construction and work at the final building has not even started, according to developer Adam Greenberg.

Greenberg and his partner Timothy Herbst, former Trumbull first selectman, bought the property for $1.8 million in October 2019.

So far, buyers have come from New York, New Jersey, Montana, California, Greenwich, Conn., and two from Madison, Greenberg noted.

The last structure to be built is an exact replica of the original 18th century home, The Generals Residence, but on three sides. The side facing the other homes will echo their design. Madison architect Duo Dickinson calls it the manor house, which will contain two units.

Lots of light and views

On a recent cold, rainy day, plywood was set over frozen mud at the entry of a unit under construction. Inside, natural light flooded the space, while expansive windows offered views of marsh and the downtown streetscape.

Wow  thats exactly what were going for, Greenberg said as he surveyed the great room. We want people to walk in and say Wow, this is a beautiful place to live, what beautiful craftsmanship.

With the cluster development, Dickinson didnt have high hopes for extensive views of Fence Creek Salt Marsh from every home, but he was pleasantly surprised when he walked into one unit.

Oh my God, I got it right, enthused Dickinson as he saw the newly installed windows. This guy [unit] is landlocked, but look, he said, pointing to a vista of marshland. Five units have views of the salt meadow marsh, he said.

Dickinson said they planned the layout of homes in this new cluster development on the 2.5-acre site to 100 percent maximize the views and to take advantage of downtown living.

You have to make the units livable. Something that would make you feel you could live downtown and have a wonderful spacious home  even though the home was tightly circumscribed by the zoning regulations, he said about the closeness of the homes.

This is a village concept  a little village, he said.

The town granted a special zoning exception to accommodate the project  nine units in seven buildings on a 2.5-acre site that includes 908 Boston Post Road and the adjoining property at 916 Boston Post Road.

Architectural details on the buildings will complement the replica historic house and other structures downtown, Dickinson said.

The homes will look like they belong in New England with pitched roofs, trim, isolated windows, he said. The extra long eaves, which are not the usual developer way of constructing modern homes, actually casts shadows and makes lines adding interesting design elements. The elongated eaves allow them to build the homes without gutters, which he said are a 20th century invention.

The demolition of the historic structure, which the town had condemned and deemed unsafe, was contentious. Many residents spoke out in opposition to the teardown, while some neighbors supported it, calling the antique house blight.

People were terrified when we tore it down  people were really upset, he said.

Dickinson added, Im one of the neighbors. Its a direct personal investment by me. If I can do a good job here, everybody Ive known for 37 years all around me, would feel good about it.

I see these people at Stop & Shop all the time  I dont want to be the guy whos greeted with Whyd you do that? he said. He did add that he has received much positive feedback from people.

Much care taken

After a construction slowdown due to COVID last year, Dickinson is itching to get the project finished.

We really want to get going on the main building  that building is really the linchpin of the whole property, Dickinson said. We want to make sure its done and done right.

The historic home was practically taken down piece by piece before it was completely torn down in May 2020. All thats left on the site of the 300-year-old structure is a low stone wall and two pillars marking the pathway to the entrance. However, original doors will be used for the new structure, as well as a few odds and ends from the interior.

During the demo process, an architectural historian cataloged items that were removed from the house and shared results with the Madison Historical Society and Madison Historic District Commission, as requested by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Dickinson also noted that a corner of the property will be left as a field, which the developers deeded to the town in perpetuity to keep it as green space. The open land offers a visual transition to the neighborhood on East Wharf Road.

Its been a field forever, it will remain a field, he said.

The project is not meant to mimic New England village, Dickinson said, Its not a reproduction  its a reinvention.

There will be a reproduction  that will be an icon of the past, he said about the new Generals Residence. While the front and sides of the new Generals Residence will be historically true, the rear will be more open with lots of windows like the neighboring units.

The 1  story buildings will offer a sense of transition visually from the copy of the 2-story historic house.

The Madison architect doesnt want the project to simply blend in and look like its always been there.

As Joe architect, Im hoping it has a little sparkle, Dickinson said. Its really old and new at the same time.

Greenberg added, You want to create something thats unique something thats going to stand for the next 100 years.

Its not just how can we maximize it, put as many houses on the property, Greenberg said. Its how we make the best community, its how we get everyone to say, Im proud to live here, I love living here and the town saying what a beautiful development.
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain this afternoon. High 62F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Rain. Low 49F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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A civil society group, Concerned Nigerians, has threatened to storm NNPC Towers with protest if the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nig...













A civil society group, Concerned Nigerians, has threatened to storm NNPC Towers with protest if the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari, fails to sanction the importers of contaminated fuel into the country.





There has been a scarcity of fuel in some major cities in the country with motorists queuing for hours in filling stations seeking to purchase fuel, arising from the importation of adulterated fuel by some marketers.





Now, the civil society group in a letter dated February 14, 2022, and addressed to the Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari, said it was embarrassing that the NNPC which ordinarily should serve as the regulator of the independent marketers is making unguarded comments instead of penalizing the importers of the adulterated fuel.





The group in the letter signed by the Convener Comrade Deji Adeyanju maintained that it is either that the NNPC lacks the political will to punish the offenders or the corporation has been so compromised that it permits all manner of contaminated products into the country, at the detriment of law-abiding Nigerians.





They called for the immediate sanction of the defaulters and demanded that they should also be fined, and the fines be channelled towards cleaning the contaminated fuel.





The letter reads: You are aware that in recent weeks, there has been a resurgence of fuel queues across the country, arising from the importation of contaminated fuel by Duke Oil Services Ltd and some Nigerian Marketers.





The foregoing has created severe hardship for the average Nigerian who has lost valuable man-hours. We, however, note with dismay that more than two weeks after the issue came to light, there has been no attempt whatsoever to penalise the importers of the contaminated fuel. What we have, however, witnessed is an embarrassing exchange of words between, NNPC, who ordinarily should serve as the regulator, and the independent marketers.





The only deduction one can make from the foregoing is that either NNPC lacks the political will to punish the offenders, or the Corporation has been so compromised that it permits all manner of contaminated products into the country, at the detriment of law-abiding Nigerians.





We, therefore, call on the NNPC to immediately sanction every individual and entity who is remotely involved in the importation of contaminated fuel into Nigeria and also fine them in this regard. This will not only serve as a warning to future defaulters but the fines recoverable from such penalty shall be channelled towards cleaning the contaminated fuel.





In addition to the above, we urge that all entities involved in the importation of the contaminated fuel be banned from importing fuel into Nigeria for the next two years. Failure to take the recommended steps will lead to several coordinated protests at the NNPC.
Some youths of the All Progressives Congress have called on the President Mohammadu Buhari to reject plans by some governors of the party ...

Some youths of the All Progressives Congress have called on the President Mohammadu Buhari to reject plans by some governors of the party to hijack proceedings at the forthcoming National Convention.





The youths under the aegis of APC Youth Development and Solidarity Forum said it was worried that governors in the party were orchestrating the move so as to singlehandedly pick the chairman and other positions in the party.





Speaking during a protest at the National Assembly on Monday, the President of the group, Danelsi Momoh, said such plan, if allowed to materialise, would tear the party apart.





He called on the president to allow a level playing field for all candidates during the partys convention.





Momoh said, We are consequently pained with the action of some governors in our party who are desperately trying to undermine the democratic process by attempting to deceive you and other party members into endorsing a fraudulent list of candidates at the partys national convention.





They want to singlehandedly pick the chairman of our party and other candidates for leadership position during the convention.





This is undemocratic and must not be allowed to see the light of the day. It has the potential of disintegrating the party before the convention slated date.





We call on the president as the father of the party and in line with your stance on transparency and accountability, to reject the governors and their plans and equally consult other stakeholders like the forum of ex-governors in the party to make an input.





The president should consult members of our party in the National Assembly which has the biggest caucus in the party towards finding an amicable resolution of the impending crisis .
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has described late DSP Abdulkadir Abubakar Rano as one of the finest Nigeria Police officers...

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has described late DSP Abdulkadir Abubakar Rano as one of the finest Nigeria Police officers whose efforts in securing lives and properties cannot be measured.

Ganduje while commiserating with the family of late DSP Abdulkadir Abubakar Rano, Divisional Police Officer, (DPO), Jibia in Katsina State, said Nigeria has lost an honest Police Officer.

Rano was killed by bandits why in the line of duty in Katsina State.

He said The information about his death is sad. And he passed when Nigeria needed him the most. He was one of the highly disciplined officers in the service of the Nigeria Police Force.

We really lost a patriotic and gallant officer, whose patriotic posture added value to the service he left. His doggedness and unparalleled commitment to duty were outstanding and commendable.

On behalf of the government and good people of Kano State, I am sending our condolences to his families, Nigeria Police Force and Rano Emirate. May Allah Forgive all his shortcomings and reward his good deeds, he prayed.

May Allah shower His mercies and blessings on the deceased and look after his children in a divine way.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has hailed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for declaring DCP Abba Kyar...

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has hailed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for declaring DCP Abba Kyari wanted.

HURIWA said that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Baba Usman Alkali should order the arrest of Abba Kyari without any further delay.

The civil society organisation commended the anti-drug agency under the leadership of its Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), for declaring the suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team wanted over alleged links to drug trafficking.

In a statement, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, also called on the Inspector-General of Police to stop shielding Kyari and immediately arrest him.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, chronicled how Kyari belonged to a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug route.

And reacting, HURIWA recalled how Kyari was indicted in 2021 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States for his alleged role in a $1m scam allegedly perpetrated by alleged international internet fraudster Ramon Abbas, aka, Hushpuppi and five others.

The United States Attorneys Office at the Central District of California had ordered the FBI to arrest Kyari but the IGP and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), evasively continued to shield Kyari till this moment.

Commenting, HURIWA said, Now that the NDLEA has declared Kyari wanted for drug trafficking offences in the face of glaring and incontrovertible evidence as stated by a statutory law enforcement institution, the IGP has no excuse but to immediately arrest the cop for prosecution by the NDLEA.

Everything covered has been revealed on the rooftop, if the mind-boggling allegations of NDLEA are anything to go by. Truth is like light, any attempt to cover it always fail if all things are equal and if the prima face evidential allegations of NDLEA is factually accurate.

The Police Service Commission must also immediately dismiss Kyari from the engagement of the Nigeria Police Service.

The NDLEA should immediately promote the officer who exposed Kyari. HURIWA commends the officer for standing for truth and for not compromising in the face of an alleged tempting offer by suspected fronts attempting to cover up for the accused police officer Alhaji Kyari. Security agents must also take note that nothing must happen to the NDLEA officer. S/he must be given maximum protection henceforth.

The NDLEA has started a fearless job, it must not be cowered or intimidated by powers that be who obviously would want to circumvent the process of justice. The NDLEA must be firm and resolute; it must not backtrack its discovery.

The agency must diligently see to the prosecution of Kyari and everyone involved no matter how highly placed they are in the society. There must be no sacred cows in this matter. Anything contrary is a mockery of the anti-corruption war of the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Anambra State governor-elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has called on people desirous of serving under his government as political appointees t...

Anambra State governor-elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has called on people desirous of serving under his government as political appointees to apply.

A notice by the Dr Oby Ezekwesili-led transition committee, which was signed on her behalf by the Executive Director of the committee, called on those who want to serve under the former CBN chief to apply by visiting www.anambratalent.ng.

The notice of expression of interest read: A Transition Committee mandated to ensure a seamless transition will among other things; produce an Anambra State Human Resource Databank, which the Governor-Elect will use as a Human Resources tool for recruiting a talented team and volunteers.

As stated in his Manifesto and repeated during his election campaigns, the Governor-Elect, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has committed to giving everyone who has requisite competencies, capabilities, and relevant valuable contributions to make toward the good governance of Anambra State an opportunity to do so.

Therefore, to enable an accessible, open, credible, and competitive process, the Governor-Elect has approved the launch of the online system to collect information on available competencies, experiences, and interests through a platform www.anambratalent.ng.

The committee said the platform is designed for indigenes of Anambra to volunteer or seek a political appointment, or career in paid public service positions.

This Human Resources tool offers a transparent and level playing field for talent search and team selection processes consistent with the vision of the Governor-Elect.

We hope to attract problem-solvers with passion, competence, capacity, and integrity who are interested in joining a team of other selfless public servants to build a livable and prosperous state, the notice added.

The committee listed the positions available to include; advisory services, technical assistance, executive positions as commissioners and heads of departments and agencies, membership of commissions and boards of parastatals and agencies; local government administration.

Applicants, the notice stated, will write and state what problem or problems they can solve for Anambra, how they intend to do so, and what makes them fit and proper for the job.
Shehu Sani, a former federal lawmaker, has mocked the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over the...

Shehu Sani, a former federal lawmaker, has mocked the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over the video currently making the rounds on social media where the former Lagos Governors cloth appears soaked with a-yet-to-be-identified liquid after he got up from a seat.

In the video, a man in a suit, who is believed to be one of the APC chieftains security detail, was seen staring at the wet part of the dress while allegedly closing his nostrils.

Shehu Sani, a Kaduna-born social media commentator, joked that the said aide in the video has offended the tradition by allegedly blocking his nose to whatever smell filled the air when his principal stood up to speak.

When a King fouls the air in the palace, no subject is expected to block his nose; respect and loyalty is to inhale the Gucci perf and smile, Sani, who represented Kaduna central district in the eight Assembly, tweeted.

Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos and also an ex-Senator, had recently declared to run in the 2023 presidential election, vowing to make Nigerians happy.

Tinubu said he hopes to step in the shoes of President Muhammadu Buhari without stepping on the incumbent Presidents toes.

However, a majority of Nigerians are of the opinion that Nigeria no longer needs another President who is beyond the age of 65 come 2023. This opinion became stronger following the number of months President Buhari spent in London hospital.

Tinubu on his part has started visiting London for medical treatment already and Nigerians are wondering what will become of him and the country when the Jagaban of Lagos finally becomes the President.

Making more mockery of the former Senator further, Sani tweeted in pidgin English, Una too de yab the Jagaban too much; leave am now make him rest, make una kuku yab others.
Nigerians on social media have reacted to the viral video and photographs showing the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola...





Nigerians on social media have reacted to the viral video and photographs showing the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubus cloth appearing soaked with a-yet-to-be-identified liquid during a meeting with some traditional leaders.

Tinubu seemed to have gotten his cloth wetted when he got up from a seat during a recent meeting.

This happened when the Jagaban of Lagos visited some top traditional rulers in Ogun State, including the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, on Sunday. The visit was in continuation of his consultations.

And after the visitations, a video of the former Lagos State Governor in a wet dress around his lower region surfaced on social media.

In the video, a man on suit, who is believed to be one of the APC chieftains security detail, was seen staring at the wet part of the dress, while allegesly closing his nostrils.

However, a coalition of his support groups has since dismissed the video as false and a malicious move by haters to discredit a successful meeting between Tinubu and the traditional rulers.

But most Nigerians on Twitter believe the APC national leader is sick and should forget about running for the presidency come 2023.

Here are the reactions from some Nigeriains:

@Loveshandy, Every Attempt To Convert Aso Rock To Retirement Home For The Elderly & Sick , We Cancel & Destroy.

@Onyebuchi958, If #Jagaban is contesting because of pampers, lets contribute and buy him pampers so he can rest. 2015 was electing a deaf man buhari, 2023 will be disastrous to elect someone that pee on his body. Old man. Nigeria is a curse.

@YungJilbrael, [Weather] Jagaban is healthier or not, we dont need him. We are ina digital age, why bolster and encourage the technigue of an analog for god sake? If growth and development is our desire, then we better reject the aged and mentally weak politicians like Tinubu. #jagaban.

@Liberation24.7, It is very obvious that you illiterates packaging this #Jagaban Tinubu man are the problem of his disillusionment

@Omolosho_Ope, Tinubu should be at home taking his grand children to school and visiting general hospital every appointment date. We need an energetic leader from the south now .I Will choose between osibanjo and Amaechi.

@Fab_teenah, Lobatan, all those that claim it was heat in this first video , please we need another excuse oh. If this man dont go home and care for himself rather than disturbing us with his presidential ambition.

@Dollar_keys Honestly the man is down Reno isnt criticizing him, Reno is helping him to realize that at first he should go back on medications. Secondly that he cant do the needful in handling hes presidential ambition.

@Tbosly, I swear down if tinubu eventually become Nigeria president then, I can now agree tha that God intentionally purnish us.

@KingAugustiine, Somebody is having health issues and they are still singing on your mandate we shall serve.. Who did this to these people?

@Chikanwankwo, In as much as I WILL NEVER SUPPORT OR CANVASS for Tinubu presidency, lets not use his Health challanges as a caricature. As Nigerians we must come together and vote in a vibrant man, who will save Nigeria from sinking into abyss.

I simply get forlorn when I see and read from my generation in support of a Tinubu presidency!! It baffles me to stupor level..We sincerely dont think as a people, all the same may God heal him of any anomaly. Those close to him should guide him properly.
Operation Hadin Kai troops foiled attempts by Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) to attack commuters at the weekend. The t...

Operation Hadin Kai troops foiled attempts by Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) to attack commuters at the weekend.

The terrorists had targeted vehicles on highways in the Bama area of Borno after mounting checkpoints at Banki junction.

Troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, responding to a distress call, rushed to the scene.

On sighting the soldiers, the insurgents abandoned some civilians already held captive and fled into a nearby bush.

Some commercial vehicles were hit in a brief firefight but no one died. The military personnel then escorted the civilians to their destination.

Also, 152 Battalion troops responded to another distress call from Bula Yobe  Darel Jamel road and rescued travellers under threat.

However, seven soldiers survived when they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted along Maiduguri  Damboa road.

The 134 Special Forces Battalion 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri were escorting commuters at the time of the incident.

Their vehicle touched an IED planted along the route Delwa  Bulabulin in Damboa Local Government Area on Saturday.

No fatality was recorded but seven soldiers sustained injuries and evacuated to Maiduguri for medical attention, an intelligence source told PRNigeria.
The couple arrested on Saturday for being in possession of human parts at Leme area of Ogun State have confessed how they killed their victi...





The couple arrested on Saturday for being in possession of human parts at Leme area of Ogun State have confessed how they killed their victim.





The couple, Kehinde Oladimeji, 43 years and his wife Adejumoke Raji (35) were paraded on Monday at the Ogun State Police Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.





Speaking with newsmen, the husband disclosed that his wife had singlehandedly killed her friend, who had paid her a visit.





He said the woman killed the friend, butchered her and dismembered her body parts, which the police later discovered in a bucket.





Oladimeji disclosed that the head of the woman was sold to someone in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital at the rate of N70,000.





There was a day my wife invited her friend, a lady to our house for a visit. The first time she came was on a Tuesday, she came that particular day and went back home.





But the second day she came, it was a Thursday. That day, my wife cooked noodles and eggs for the lady, which she ate. Later, the lady went into the bathroom to shower.





But when it was getting dark that day, I inquired from my wife when her friend would go home, but my wife said she was weak and would need to lie down to regain her strength. I sat in the backyard, but when I returned to the room, I realized my wife had killed her friend and dismembered her body.





When I asked her why she did it, she told me that the lady had offended her a long time ago. The person who bought the head came from Ibadan. His name is Oluomo, the husband disclosed.





He explained further that his wife had overheard her on the phone when a friend from Ibadan called him to request a human head.





He said, I have a friend in Ibadan, who is popularly known as Omo Baale. He told me he needed a human head, but I told him I didnt have such a connection or anybody who can help facilitate it. My wife heard the discussion and asked me how much the man would pay for the human head. I told him he was ready to pay N70,000. I never knew my wife had made up her mind.





As you can see, Im not a strong person. When the incident happened, I had wanted to kill myself.
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In this series, Lagniappe presents a different work each week from the collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art, with commentary from a curator.

Design history was not my favorite, designer and educator Norman Teague said. Class after class, it was very frustrating.  I couldn't find that historical figure that looks like me. How do we change that?

Teague addresses these challenges in artworks like his Sinmi Stool, a precarious rocking perch that was fabricated by Teagues Chicago design studio in an edition of 25, one of which was acquired in 2021 by the New Orleans Museum of Art.

In a video made by R&Company gallery, the designer shares that, Building allows me to ask an object to do something it hasnt done before, but also tell a story that is less told. The Sinmi Stool started by looking at Black life.  I thought about the word 'chill.' I started to investigate informal ways that people relax, leaning on a car, on the back of a couch. This idea is carried in the name  in the West African Yoruba language, Sinmi means to relax."

When the 2015 prototype for Sinmi Stool was acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago, Teague acknowledged apprehension at engaging with his unusual design. He observed users often ask: Am I doing this right?" but that people quickly become comfortable with the stool just as they do with new relationships.

Teagues bent and laminated wood stool recalls iconic wood designs like those by midcentury American designers Ray and Charles Eames, but Teague purposefully bridges that predominantly white design tradition into skilled craftsmen and women within communities of color. Much of Teagues work is a collaborative effort  like with Sinmis vegan leather saddle by Chicago custom leather designer and sneakerhead Yohance Joseph Lacour.

With the shared goal of building a sustainable design industry in south Chicago, Teagues studio practice embraces common materials and local fabricators to explore simplicity, honesty, cleverness, but also to directly position design as an agent for change and an act of empowerment in Black and Brown communities.
Cavan was one of a slew of restaurants to close for good last fall after Hurricane Ida. Now, the historic building it once called home has a new owner, a chef with New Orleans roots now developing a new restaurant back in his hometown.

Chris Dupont recently bought the property at 3607 Magazine St. He is a chef who built his career over the last 30 years in Birmingham, Alabama. His restaurant Cafe Dupont was a pioneer in the modern farm-to-table style for Birmingham.

Now he's sold Cafe Dupont, along with his Birmingham home, and he and his family are moving to New Orleans.

I wanted to have my last restaurant in the place where I came from, Dupont said. I saw this as a logical return for myself.

He hopes to open his new restaurant by late summer, pending renovations to the former Cavan. Much about the new place has yet to be developed, and its name hasnt been finalized.

But Dupont said he'll start with the same cornerstone approach hes used through his career - connecting with local food producers to build menus reflecting place and season.

The ingredients write the menu. I have to spend time becoming familiar with the folks who have their hands in the ground, he said. I try not to pinpoint a style. I focus on technique.

The chef opened the first iteration of Cafe Dupont in 1994 in Springville, Alabama, outside of Birmingham. This small town location put him in close contact with many local farmers.

In 2003, he moved the restaurant to downtown Birmingham; it's credited with helping stir a revival of the citys business district, which at the time emptied out after hours. The Birmingham News has called Cafe Dupont the city's "premier downtown dining destination."

Dupont grew up in Gretna and by high school was working in local restaurants. That included big names of the era, most of which have long since closed, like Christians in Mid-City (now home to Vessel), the Bistro at the Maison de Ville when Susan Spicer was its chef, and Tour d'Eiffel, the once-landmark restaurant on St. Charles Avenue from chef Daniel Bonnot. His first sous chef job was at Flagons on Magazine Street (now home to Basin Seafood & Spirits).

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These were formative experiences for his career.

Probably the biggest influence on me was worked at really good kitchens, right from the beginning, he said. Everything I needed to know came to me from what Id seen.

Cavan was an atmospheric, upscale casual bistro opened in 2016 by local group LeBlanc + Smith. The property has bars and dining rooms on two floors and a front porch and yard facing Magazine Street. After trying to maneuver the pandemic, the impact of Ida proved the final blow when it closed in September.

The Magazine Street address is a townhouse known as the Cockerton House, after Alfred William Cockterton, a state official who built it in 1881, according to a description in the New Orleans Architecture Series. Previously used as a gallery, Cavan was its first incarnation as a restaurant.

The architect for Duponts renovation is Brooks Graham, who has worked on many prominent New Orleans restaurants.

Though well known in Birmingham, Dupont said he knows he'll have to start anew in New Orleans. But hes also excited to rejoin the culinary scene that first inspired him all those years ago.

We have so many roots here, its time, he said. I have love for the city, and Im glad Im doing my part in some way.

+26 Barbecue pho, pizza with spring rolls: a Vietnamese restaurant family keeps changing it up As she does every morning, Viet Nguyen took up her station in the kitchen at Thanh Thanh, the Vietnamese restaurant her daughter Betty Archote
New Orleans officials on Monday reviewed public safety plans ahead of the final weeks of Carnival, with Mayor LaToya Cantrell and others asking revelers to stick to the rules around COVID-19 and parades as the city prepares for a return of citywide celebrations for the first time since 2020.

After last year's parades and balls were canceled to help stem the spread of COVID across a largely unvaccinated populace, Cantrell said she is excited that Carnival will bring "a sense of normal" this year.

But she and others stressed that residents and visitors needed to stay vigilant as they celebrate.

It's very important for everyone to recognize and realize that we are not under normal times, Cantrell said.

Officials urged those who participate to keep proper distance from parade floats, reserve 911 calls for emergencies and to make sure they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Parades are scheduled to start rolling this weekend, and then continue on Wednesday, Feb. 23 through the next week. Fat Tuesday, the last day of Carnival, is March 1.

The citys COVID-19 case counts, positivity rates and hospitalizations are dropping as the Omicron surge fades. As of Monday, the state health department reported that Orleans Parish was averaging around 134 new cases per day. While the case counts represent a sharp drop from the highs just a few weeks ago, they remain elevated compared to several periods last year.

Cases are expected to remain at relatively high levels through Carnival, said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, the citys health director.

Theres still a lot of virus out there, Avegno said.

The citys vaccine mandate requires patrons of restaurants and bars to show proof of at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot or a negative test within 72 hours. Avegno said instant tests will be available at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. A citywide indoor mask mandate is also in effect.

The news conference also offered a series of reminders about parade behavior. Officials warned that ladders, tables and chairs left along parade routes will be removed if found there more than four hours before parade start times. Those items should be kept at least six feet away from the street, officials said.

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Additionally, officials stressed that parade goers should not run across the street between parade floats or marching groups. Tandem floats will have orange mesh barriers between the sections to prevent people from trying to cross through them.

While New Orleans Police Department staffing shortages have recently made headlines, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said mandatory 12-hour shifts starting on Thursday and continuing through Ash Wednesday on March 2 will allow for adequate coverage.

We will be strategically placing our officers along the parade route, but also behind the parade route looking for individuals who wish to commit any criminal behavior, Ferguson said.

NOPD will receive help from 100 uniformed Louisiana State Police troopers, which is down from the roughly 150 troopers that have worked Carnival in the past. State Police Lt. Col. Chavez Cammon said the agency did not have as many personnel available because of staffing shortages.

The citys Carnival celebration received the second-highest federal Special Event Assessment Rating, qualifying it for federal support that will include monitoring for chemical emissions, human trafficking detection and possible temporary flight restrictions.

The citys director of homeland security, Collin Arnold, said details of flight restrictions are still being worked out. Arnold said officials are chiefly concerned about drones, which he said create hazards when flown above crowds.

We ask that people really limit their use of (drones) around the parade routes and around large crowds, Arnold said.

The federal government will also supply emergency medical support, with 10 additional ambulances. Another 10 ambulances will be provided through a contract with Acadian Ambulance Service.

Officials stressed that 911 calls should be reserved for medical emergencies like heart attacks, strokes or severe injuries. First-aid stations along parade routes, urgent care centers and 311 are better options for other concerns, officials said.

This past weekend we saw a large increase of 911 calls, people calling to report music, and that is not appropriate, said Tyrell Morris, executive director of the Orleans Parish Communication District.
June Butler, a retired librarian, said it isn't just the loss of $125,000 from her retirement nest egg that troubles her. It's also the sense that she and her family were betrayed by someone she considered a trusted confidant.

She's one of 20 retirees from the Houma area suing national brokerage chain Raymond James Financial Inc. and two of its local brokers, Dixon Lewis and Colin Seibert, for allegedly putting them in wildly unsuitable investments without consulting them, and "churning" their accounts to generate high fees for the brokers at the expense of the clients' savings.

Lewis was a long-time investment adviser to Butler, 86, and her husband, Joseph Butler, also a retired librarian until his death in 2019. Lewis had managed their money conservatively for most of the time, Butler said, until Raymond James acquired the firm where he and Seibert worked in 2013.

"My husband and I considered Dixon Lewis a friend, and we trusted him," Butler said. "We had thought he was someone who would watch out for our interests."

Shocking discovery

Yet Butler and other plaintiffs say they were shocked to find out that significant portions of their savings had been put into risky oil and gas investments, including real estate investment trusts and master limited partnerships related to companies that included Memorial Production Partners, Linn Energy Inc. and Linn Co.

"He knew this was not the type of investment that we would want," Butler said. "In fact, Dixon Lewis had warned us against those kinds of investments. It seemed that when Dixon went into partnership with Colin Seibert something changed."

Lewis would not comment on the allegations. He said he left the Houma affiliate of Raymond James before the plaintiffs filed their lawsuit last spring. Seibert, now Raymond James' branch manager for Houma and Baton Rouge, deferred comment to Raymond James. The brokerage's attorney says the plaintiffs were sophisticated investors who indeed signed agreements giving Seibert authority to put them in high-risk investments.

Robert and Shirley Gawlik, both retirees in their early 70s, had been introduced to Seibert by their son, whose wife was a friend of Seibert's wife, a Houma native. The Seiberts moved to Houma from Texas after Raymond James acquired his previous employer.

Self-regulation

The Gawliks say that although they told Seibert they wanted to protect the value of their savings and draw only modestly from it, he put their money in high-risk oil and gas-related investments without consultation. They assert that when they finally lost confidence in Seibert and moved their account to Hancock Whitney Corp. in 2020, the $1.4 million they originally invested at Raymond James was down to $726,000.

The suit seeks $10 million in damages, and is set to be arbitrated in July by a panel convened by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Similar suits typically are handled by the authority, an industry self-regulatory organization, under the compulsory arbitration clauses that many people sign in broker contracts and which keep them from heading to regular courts where juries would decide.

There are about 4,000 such arbitration cases nationally each year and most  about 85%  are settled before they reach an arbitration hearing.

The financial services industry has for decades been successful in loosening government oversight and moving towards a lightly regulated, "buyer beware" philosophy.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which oversees the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, tightened its investor protection rules two years ago. But many gray areas remain in the industry's so-called "best interest" rules, which are supposedly designed to ensure that advisers and brokers are prudent with clients' money, said John Breyault, vice president of public policy at the National Consumers League.

Reading the 'legalese'

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"This is an industry that has been dominated by sophisticated lobbyists [who] have successfully prevented meaningful consumer protection," Breyault said. "What this means for investors ... is that it is left up to them to read long 'legalese' disclosures that make them sitting ducks for an unscrupulous adviser."

Raymond James' attorney in New Orleans, Robert Dressel, said the plaintiffs in the lawsuit were indeed wealthy and sophisticated investors who had signed agreements giving Seibert authority to put them in "high risk" investments.

He said plaintiffs Whitney Guidry and Kent Bonvillain, for example, built up their own oil and gas business, Olympian Machine, which they sold for millions of dollars, and that they had accepted a high degree of risk when putting their money with Seibert to invest and had signed documents saying so.

Guidry said he never knowingly gave authority for Seibert to invest in obscure oil stocks such as Linn Energy's master limited partnership.

"What first started to bother me were the large purchases in these companies, not even in major oil companies, but these small oilfield services companies," he said. "To put that kind of money into those stocks without calling and asking ... ."

The lawsuit says Guidry lost more than $1.2 million of his savings on the oil stocks investment Seibert put him into, and that Bonvillain lost $917,000.

"My monthly statement from Raymond James had over 400 pages with writing front and back," Guidry said. "Unless you have eight hours to sit down and go through it line by line, it's easy to miss investments like that."

Checking for churn

Guidry and Bonvillain also assert that when they started scrutinizing their accounts, they noticed high fees for investments that required no management, such as money market accounts. Also, transactions such as selling shares then buying them back two days later at a higher price, which to them seemed designed simply to generate fees for the brokers.

"At a minimum, I was paying them $150,000 a year to take care of my money. You would think with management fees at that level, I would be taken care of," Guidry said.

Raymond James spokesman Justin Mayfield said the firm had no comment on the lawsuit.

In early September, a few months after the lawsuit was filed and just a week after Hurricane Ida plowed through Houma, Raymond James' in-house attorney, Michael Lamont, wrote a letter giving the plaintiffs who still had money in accounts 60 days to remove it.

"They essentially 'fired' my clients and left them scrambling to make other arrangements for their retirement accounts, just as they were still digging out from the hurricane," said Jason Kane, attorney for the plaintiffs at Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane Conway & Wise. He said he suspects Raymond James sent the letter because the plaintiffs were suing the firm.

Though not necessarily an indication of how the Houma investors' case will turn out, Raymond James faced a similar lawsuit involving Linn Energy and other oil investments in 2019. In that case, the the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ordered Raymond James to pay $3.2 million to 29 investors. It also resulted in the Raymond James' Shreveport-based broker, James Edward Lyons, being barred from the industry.

This story has been corrected to correct the first name of plaintiffs' attorney.
The accused gunman in a January shooting in the French Quarter has been identified, New Orleans police said Monday. Authorities have issued warrants for him and another man they say were involved.

Police also said they have arrested two other men as part of the investigation, but didn't say how they were involved.

The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. Jan. 15 in the 800 block of St. Louis Street (map), police said.

A man was standing in the area and talking with two women, when police say William Robinson, 26, approached and said the other man couldn't talk to the women. The two men started arguing, and police said Robinson pulled out a gun and shot the other man multiple times.

The injured man was taken to a hospital, and his condition was not immediately available.

A warrant has been issued for Robinson's arrest on a count of attempted second-degree murder, police said Monday. Authorities also are looking for Jerome Jones, 31, who they say will face one count of accessory to attempted first-degree murder and simple battery.

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Police said Johnell Hampton, 20, and Jashawn Lambert, 19, surrendered to police last week as part of the investigation.

Lambert was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on charges of simple battery and obstruction of justice, according online jail records. Hampton also was booked on charges of obstruction of justice and simple battery, police said.

Authorities did not give any details about why they believe Jones, Hampton and Lambert were connected to the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call NOPD detectives at 504-658-6010 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
Quincy Quinn, the man jailed in Jefferson Parish for allegedly knocking an Ochsner intensive care nurse unconscious, is also accused in a shooting that left one person injured in Treme last month, authorities said.

The Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office made note of the New Orleans Police Department shooting warrant in a motion asking the court to make home incarceration a required condition if Quinn, 48, makes bond, court records said.

The motion also reveals how Quinn was finally taken into custody at a St. Bernard Parish hospital.

The New Orleans shooting occurred just before 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 19 at the intersection of North Claiborne Avenue and Columbus Street, according to the New Orleans Police Department.

Jefferson Parish prosecutors said the shooting took place outside a nightclub, court records said. The only club in that location is Kermit Ruffins' Treme Mother-In-Law Lounge.

The male victim was shot in the foot when someone pulled up in a vehicle and began firing at him, NOPD said. Detectives obtained a warrant for Quinn's arrest on an aggravated battery charge after he was identified as the suspect, authorities said.

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On Jan. 27, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigators say Quinn twice hit an unsuspecting male ICU nurse at Ochsner's West Bank Medical Center in unincorporated Gretna, where a relative was being treated. The nurse suffered a concussion, a fractured jaw and lost a tooth, authorities said.

Quinn fled in a sibling's vehicle before deputies arrived. Authorities didn't learn his name until after they went public with surveillance photo of the alleged ICU attacker.

Quinn didn't surrender to authorities. He was arrested Feb. 6. after he was involved in a car crash and went to St. Bernard Parish Hospital in Chalmette  another Ochsner facility  for treatment, authorities said.

A deputy working at the hospital recognized Quinn from the photo and took him into custody, court records said.

Quinn appeared via video conference Friday for the motion hearing. Jefferson Parish Magistrate Commissioner Patricia Joyce granted the motion to make home incarceration a condition of Quinn's bond.

He is being held on a $100,000 bond on the charge of battery of a health care worker. But Quinn was being held without bond as a fugitive from New Orleans.
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.
Williamsport, Pa.  During his 27 years teaching electronics at Pennsylvania College of Technology, Ken J. Kinley has experienced evolutions of curriculum, equipment and facilities. He hopes to add student demographics to the list.

Three female students in the early stages of studying robotics and automation at Penn College offer promise for that wish to be realized.

I believe this is a first  having three female students enroll in robotics and automation about the same time, said Kinley, assistant professor and department head. Im happy to see women branch out in nontraditional fields and do very well in the coursework, like these three young ladies.

The stellar students are Ava A. Birotte, of Sunbury; Kayla M. Figuereo, of Edgewater Park, New Jersey; and Angelica J. Parrocho, a native of the Bronx, New York, who resides in Jersey Shore. Both Birotte and Figuereo are pursuing a bachelors degree in automation engineering technology: robotics and automation, and Parrocho is seeking an associate degree in electronics and computer engineering technology: robotics and automation emphasis.

Figuereo and Parrocho are in their second semesters after earning 4.0 GPAs last fall. Birotte is a semester ahead and has a 3.61 GPA.

These students are among the best I have taught in terms of work ethic and engagement, said Joseph M. Harner, instructor of electronics/automation and robotics. They are not only interested in the subject matter, but they also have a strong desire to learn and excel.

Their backgrounds and paths to Penn College differ, but Parrocho, Figuereo and Birotte all had an affinity for technology and family support of their inclination long before enrolling.

I have always been interested in electronics and robots. Not only because they look cool but because there is so much to learn, explained Parrocho, who graduated from Scranton High School. Weve been able to progress so much because of robotics and automation. I want to understand how thats been possible and how far the technology can take us in the next five to 1o years.

Printing and graphic design work as a student at Burlington County Institute of Technology in Westampton, New Jersey, led to Figuereos discovery of the field. The machines always fascinated me. I wanted to know how they worked and how to fix them when they malfunctioned, she recalled.

Learning she could mix her engineering interest with another passion hooked Birotte on electronics. I realized I could combine my art hobby with robotics to maybe create cool things, she said.

Birotte was the first of the three to tap into Penn College expertise. At SUN Area Technical Institute, she completed four electronics classes through Penn College Dual Enrollment, a program allowing high school students to earn free college credits. Straight As in those courses, and exposure to Penn Colleges facilities convinced her to pursue the robotics and automation bachelors degree.

My favorite classes are always the ones where we are hands-on with all the parts and circuits to understand how they work, Birotte said.

Automation and robotics students receive extensive hands-on experience on industry-standard equipment, including programmable logic controller stations, robots with vision systems and conveyors.

The opportunity to work on such equipment in small class settings with experienced faculty also appealed to Parrocho and Figuereo, both of whom discovered the school at college fairs.

Im learning things that I didnt know were possible, and Im building things that I couldnt build before. Penn College has helped me find something Im really passionate about, Figuereo said.

Its great that we get to put theories to work in the labs as we are learning them, Parrocho added. The small class sizes also allow us to get to know our professors, who are preparing us for what it will be like in industry.

Industries with jobs rooted in science, technology, engineering and math need an influx of talent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be nearly 800,000 new STEM jobs by 2029, an increase of 8%, compared with 3.7% for all other occupations.

We get contacted weekly by employers wanting our graduates, Kinley said. We do not have enough graduates to fill the high-paying positions available in automation/robotics. With more companies incorporating automation in their facilities, there will be an even bigger need fairly soon.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates that the median annual salary for STEM occupations is $89,780 and $40,020 for non-STEM jobs. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for an automation engineer is $88,109.

Traditionally, women havent sought enriching STEM careers.

Nationwide, women represent only 29% of the STEM workforce and 15% of engineering professionals, according to the Department of Labor. At Penn College, they account for just 4.7% of all students enrolled in the five electronics and computer engineering technology majors. For Birotte, Parrocho and Figuereo, that reality hasnt detracted from their Penn College experience.

Birotte said that shes treated like one of the guys. Parrocho observed how friendly everyone has been. Figuereo described how she and her male counterparts often assist one another during labs.

Those accounts dont surprise Harner. Its difficult not to respect capable students who are willing to offer assistance and explanations of the material, he said. I am most pleased to have such good students enrolled in the program, students who just happen to be young women.

Figuereo agrees that she and her female classmates should be viewed as smart  rather than special  with their choice of majors.

The program is absolutely amazing, she said. Its a very interesting field. More women should consider robotics and automation as a potential career because we have just as much to bring to the table as men do.

Harners experience as an engineer supports that sentiment.

Nearly every woman I have worked with in industry with a STEM background has been exceptional, he said. If this is a field that a woman wishes to pursue, she can excel and be among the best. Angelica, Kayla and Ava exemplify this.

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Old Lycoming Township, Pa.  A man was arrested Sunday afternoon after he allegedly threatened a victim with a gun during a domestic disturbance.

At 4:05 p.m. Feb. 13, Old Lycoming Twp. Police were dispatched to 2014 Zuni Lane for a report of a disturbance with a firearm involving a child custody issue. The 911 caller reported that Anthony Humphries, 30, of Williamsport, threatened them with a firearm and would not allow them to take Humphries girlfriends 6-year-old daughter with them following the disturbance, according to a release from Detective Sgt. Christopher Kriner.

When they attempted to take the child from Humphries, who was under the influence of drugs, he threatened to shoot them and racked the action of a pistol.

Police were called and Humphries refused to comply with police commands. Police talked with Humphries for approximately 45 minutes trying to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of the 6-year-old child inside the residence. Ultimately, Humphries surrendered to police without incident, according to the release.

Humphries was arraigned on charges of terroristic threats, endangering the welfare of children, and criminal mischief. He was committed to Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Old Lycoming Twp. Police received assistance from South Williamsport Police, Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police, Penn College Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Williamsport Bureau of Police Special Emergency Response Team, Lycoming County Hostage Negotiation Team, Old Lycoming and Loyalsock Twp. Fire Departments and EMS.

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Williamsport, Pa. Two Williamsport residents were charges after detectives with the Lycoming County District Attorneys office said they delivered a gram of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.

Randall Henry Raymond, 53, and Janel Kline, 43, were both charged with felonies and released on $25,000 unsecured bail. Detectives said on Oct. 13, 2021 Kline told a confidential informant to meet her and Raymond at a residence near the 2000 block of Dove in Williamsport.

The informant was observed meeting Raymond outside the home and then going inside to complete the transaction. Detectives said the informant exchanged $100 for a gram worth of methamphetamine.

Raymond and Kline were charged with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and third-degree criminal use of a communication facility. Both were arraigned before Judge Christian Frey.

Randall Henry Raymond docket sheet

Janel Kline docket sheet

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Napoleon, OH (43545)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with thundershowers developing for the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
The Xiaomi Watch S1 has leaked on Amazon Germany before its European release. Surprisingly, the leather model could arrive for less than 200, contrary to previous rumours. The Watch S1 will be available with a sportier look, too.

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On Friday, @TechInsiderBlog revealed that Xiaomi would soon release the Watch S1 in Europe, a smartwatch that launched last year in China. While the Watch S1s specifications are already known, @TechInsiderBlog claimed to have received pricing information for the smartwatchs European release.

To recap, @TechInsiderBlog believed that the Watch S1 would start at approximately 200. However, that price only applies to the Active model, which has a black silicone watch band. In comparison, @TechInsiderBlog stated that the Watch S1 could cost up to 250 with a silver chassis and a blue leather watch strap.

However, Amazon Germany listed the latter for 195.08, as the screenshot below shows. For some reason, the retailer has removed the price, but the listing remains active. Unfortunately, it remains unclear when Xiaomi will officially announce the Watch S1 in Europe and in other markets apart from China.

For reference, the Watch S1 has a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, a 470 mAh battery and 5 ATM water resistance. Xiaomi has equipped the smartwatch with a GPS module too, along with over 110 exercise modes and numerous watch faces. The Watch S1 supports NFC payments too, although there is no guarantee that Xiaomi will enable this outside China.

Purchase the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro on Amazon
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Warren County supervisors will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday for this redistricting proposal.
UNION TOWNSHIP  Porter County police say a 52-year-old man who plowed into one of their police cars, injuring an officer and then leading a chase reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph, was nearly the four times the legal limit for drinking and driving.

"I'm an alcoholic," Randall Cadieux, 52, reportedly told officers during his arrest early Sunday. "I can't believe I did this tonight. I'm sorry I did this to all you officers."

Yet Cadieux went on to "not listen to jail staff and treated everything as a joke," police said. "While Randall was on the jail's body scanner, he punched the emergency stop button on it to prevent the body scan."

Cadieux faces a felony count of resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor counts of operating while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving, according to the incident report.

Cadieux, of Bolingbrook, Illinois, is accused of driving into a county police vehicle while the officer was handling a separate traffic stop and then fleeing the scene.

"(The officer) advised the blue truck refused to stop and was actively trying to accelerate into his patrol vehicle further," police said.

The officer suffered a neck injury in the crash, according to the incident report.

Cadieux, who was driving the truck in question, then drove into a ditch along Ind. 130 and fled east on the highway, according to county police.

Another officer responding at 3:23 a.m. said Cadieux accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 mph, refused to pull over and drove down the middle of the highway. He eventually stopped for a red light at Ind. 149, where officers, with guns drawn, eventually coaxed Cadieux out of his vehicle.

His blood alcohol concentration was found to be 0.305, well in excess of the legal limit of 0.08, police said.

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VALPARAISO  A Portage man pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of felony sexual battery stemming from an attack on a woman three years ago outside a vehicle at Countryside Park in Portage.

Edward Baker, 27, will serve two years in jail and three years on formal probation and will have to register for 10 years as a sex offender if the proposed plea is accepted by Porter Superior Court Judge Mike Fish, according to defense attorney Jesse Harper.

Prosecutors agreed as part of the proposal to drop a higher felony level rape charge, Harper said.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 14, according to the court.

The woman told police at the time that others were nearby during the evening attack, but no one came to her aid.

The woman told police she drove to the park at 5250 U.S. 6 to meet Baker, whom she described as a platonic friend who occasionally provided her with money, police said.

"In the past the two have never had any sort of sexual contact, and she said the money he would give her was just as gifts, not payment for sexual favors," police said.

The woman said she and Baker arrived in separate vehicles at the park and exited their vehicles, according to police. Baker reportedly attempted to give the woman some money and several checks that had been made out with his wife's information.

She refused to take the checks out of concern of getting in trouble since they were not made out to her, police said. This angered Baker, who reportedly pushed her up against her vehicle and pulled down her pants "while she is screaming for him to stop," according to the police report.

He then sexually assaulted her, police said.

"While this is happening she said there were people around (walking on the trail and in their vehicles), but no one came to help her," according to the police report.

She eventually broke free from his grip and fled inside her vehicle, at which time Baker repeatedly apologized, and then left for work, police said.

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LANSING  After Anton Harris went missing in early November, his longtime friend Tiffany Edmonds parked her car near the last place he was seen and slept there for three nights. She searched the surrounding woods for days before she found Harris' body in the Little Calumet River.

On Sunday, about 20 of Harris' loved ones returned to the area where he was found and held a balloon release.

"When I was told that this was the last spot he was at, it was like I felt his spirit and his vibe and it was breaking me," Edmonds said. "I didn't want to find him like that, I loved him so much, my hope was that he was somewhere hurt and we could find him."

Harris, 36, of Gary was found dead on Nov. 4 in the Little Calumet River located within the 16600 block of Torrence Avenue in Lansing. The investigation by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations Zone 1 is ongoing. Currently his manner of death has been listed as undetermined with the main cause reported as a drowning, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Edmonds knew Harris for almost 11 years, she said "he would do anything for you." Though Harris had no children of his own, Edmonds said he was always caring for other people's kids as well as his aunts and other family members. He was willing to "give anyone the shirt off his back," said Rose Rizo, a relative of Harris.

Harris was reported missing to the Gary Police Department on Nov. 1. Gary police said he was last known to be with a friend Oct. 31 into Nov. 1 by River Oaks in Calumet City and he was entered into the national database as a missing person.

Lansing Police Department Detective Michael Lazowski said their officers, among police from surrounding agencies, searched the river and woods in the area but no signs of the man were initially found.

Illinois State Police stated that due to the ongoing nature of the case, they cannot divulge any updates on the investigation's findings or describe information that has been provided to them regarding Harris's death. Anyone with information about the incident can send an email to ISP.CrimeTips@Illinois.gov.

The lack of available information has made Harris' death even more painful, Rizo said.

"It's hard, you can't get closure if you don't know," Rizo said. "We want closure and we want to keep his spirit alive ... if we don't care, the investigators won't care."

Edmonds said she will not stop searching for answers until there is justice.

"I wanted to throw a balloon release because his death was not really in the media. ... I am trying to keep his name in people's eyes and hearts so hopefully the Illinois State Police will continue fighting for him," Edmonds said. "I'm going to keep hounding the police, I am going to make sure they know my first and last name."

Roshawn Modisette, Harris's sister, had no idea Harris was her brother until he and his twin brother got in contact with her seven years ago through social media. They have the same father but different mothers and had grown up unaware of each others' existences.

Harris' aunt, Peggy Cheeks, said she was "grateful" Harris came into her life.

"He did not have to try and find us, but it gave us time to know him and love him," Cheeks said. "We got a chance to be a part of his life before he left here."

Harris was also working to better his community. In 2019, he and Edmonds opened Bartenders R Us, an organization that trains people in mixology and certifies bartenders and servers for employee liquor licenses and food handler's licenses at 754 Broadway in Gary. They aimed to not only help job seekers in the bar industry but also aid in finding a viable career path for convicted felons who are getting out of prison and looking to reintegrate into society. Anton was the primary teacher, a role he loved, Edmonds said.

In his honor, Edmonds recently changed the name of the business to Anton's Bartenders R Us.

To "keep his name alive," Edmonds said she will be returning to the Little Calumet every year on June 7 to host a balloon release on Harris' birthday.

"The balloons are going to heaven, where he is at, letting him know that we are still thinking about him," Cheeks said.

Times Staff Writer Anna Ortiz contributed to this story.

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House Republicans trying to convince their GOP Senate colleagues to support a package of tax cuts for Indiana businesses, and Hoosier workers to a lesser extent, may need only point to the state's January tax collections to make their case.

Data released Friday by the State Budget Agency show Indiana took in $2.03 billion in revenue last month, including $976.2 million in sales tax receipts, and $906 million in individual income tax payments.

That total was $41.2 million, or 2.1%, more than anticipated by the state revenue forecast revised in December, as well as $223.9 million, or 12.4%, greater than the monthly revenue estimate used by state lawmakers in April as they crafted the two-year state spending plan.

Altogether, through seven months of the state budget year, data show Indiana tax collections are running $64.6 million, or 0.6%, ahead of the just-revised revenue forecast, and $1.05 billion, or 10.5%, over the revenue expected by the state budget.

House Bill 1002, approved 68-25 last month, would return a portion of that surplus by reducing the property taxes Indiana companies pay on manufacturing and other business equipment, exempt more production inputs from the 7% state sales tax, and eliminate the utility receipts tax paid by both businesses and consumers on their electric bills.

The legislation also would enable Hoosiers to keep more of their money in future years by gradually reducing the state's personal income tax rate to 3% in 2026 from the current 3.23%, ultimately reducing the tax burden of a worker earning $50,000 annually by a total of $115 a year.

"This is extra money we've taken from the taxpayers. So our job is to give it back if we don't need it," said state Rep. Tim Brown, R-Crawfordsville, the sponsor of the measure.

The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimates the legislation, when fully implemented, will reduce state revenue by approximately $1.3 billion a year, with about two-thirds of the tax benefits going to businesses.

Senate leaders, however, have signaled they're inclined to wait until the next state budget session in 2023 before considering any major tax cuts on the chance that Indiana's record-breaking revenue merely is a mirage created by record-breaking federal spending.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb likewise only has endorsed a minor change in how a tax paid by businesses on their manufacturing and production equipment is calculated.

He so far has declined to say whether he supports the other components of the House tax cut plan.

Democrats have argued the extra money could be put to better use by the state compared to giving Hoosier workers an extra $25 a year, or about a buck a paycheck, that probably won't make a meaningful difference in their lives.

For example, state Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis, said using the state's excess revenue to fund accessible, affordable child care would enable more Hoosiers, particularly women, to return to the workforce  alleviating the inability of Indiana businesses to find sufficient employees for all their available positions and getting more money flowing through the economy to help everyone else.

"This is one of the most fiscally irresponsible bills I've seen as a member of this Legislature," Hamilton said.

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HOBART  Before construction began for the Third Street bridge, many city officials said it would become a focal point in the citys downtown.

The structure is now gaining state recognition.

The bridge project was entered into the engineering excellence awards run by the Indiana chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies.

Jake Dammarell, of Butler, Fairman & Seufert, said there are four levels of awards: finalist, merit, honor and grand, which is the highest recognition.

He said the Third Street bridge received the honor award, which makes it eligible for the grand recognition.

The grand prize is picked out of a small group of honor awards, Dammarell said. Usually between five and eight get an honor award in the state for that year.

He said the grand award winner will be announced during an April 28 ceremony.

We will be anxiously awaiting whether or not the project receives the grand award, Dammarell said. I think it has a great chance at that.

He said the bridge over Lake George provides more than a way to get from one place to another.

The structure, which opened to traffic in 2020, reduces flooding and is aesthetically pleasing.

Brick and limestone were incorporated in construction so the bridge has features that are consistent with the city's downtown area.

The new bridge was constructed with 8 feet of clearance under it. Dammarell said hes noticed larger watercraft accessing areas of Lake George that couldnt before.

That kind of goes to show theyre able to enjoy the asset out here a lot more than they could in the past, he said.

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Come Valentines Day, some people may wonder to themselves, Is this the only way to find a mate? And the answer is no. There are many ways to find one.

But be careful what you wish for. Evolution has produced all manner of surprising interactions that enable reproduction in nature. Compared with these four unusual tales from the animal kingdom, being someones Valentine might sound pretty good.

Painted turtles

The way that male painted turtles entice females may sound almost romantic. The male faces the female, stretches out his long, dainty claws and strums the sides of her neck, head and face; this courtship gesture has been well documented since the days of Charles Darwin. But scientists recently documented another mating strategy, often deployed by the largest males, that is far less elegant.

At Canadas Algonquin Wildlife Research Station, researchers noticed injury marks on the heads and necks of female painted turtles. Year after year, and often during breeding season, the wounds appeared fresh. The marks matched the shape of the spiky front of a male turtles shell and of sharp, toothlike structures on his beak.
Carmen Herrera, a Cuban-born artist who painted abstract geometric shapes in Paris and New York all but unnoticed for most of her long life, then soared to international fame after her canvases began selling when she was 89, died on Saturday at the loft in Lower Manhattan that had been her home for 60 years. She was 106.

Tony Bechara, an artist and friend and her legal representative, confirmed her death.

In an art world that worships the new and the young, Ms. Herrera advanced into old age ignored by the commercial markets, savoring only the solitary pleasures of all struggling artists: creating wonders for their own sake.

The passing years became decades, and then a half-century. Patiently, her brushes yielded minimalist geometric configurations, like visual haiku, in stark black-and-white and later in radiant colors: triangles and trapezoids, curvaceous shells, rondos and diamonds floating in a pristine white-canvas universe.
A sheriffs office in Southern California posted a recruitment video this week with a specific audience in mind: Los Angeles County deputies unhappy with efforts to make them comply with a vaccination mandate.

To our fellow officers in Los Angeles, weve seen the headlines, reads a message on the video, posted by the sheriffs office in nearby Kern County, which has no vaccine mandate and where overall vaccination rates are low. Drive north, we have a place for you.

The video was posted on Wednesday, and showed headlines about the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passing a motion on Tuesday that could lead to the termination of thousands of county employees who have not gotten vaccinated or received a medical or religious exemption. That includes 4,000 unvaccinated deputies, according to the L.A. County sheriff, Alex Villanueva, who has refused to enforce the mandate.

Sheriff Villanueva described the motion as a politically motivated stunt. Now Kern County, whose seat is Bakersfield, is looking to take advantage of the possibility that thousands of Los Angeles County deputies may soon be looking for work.
A flight attendant ran to the back of the plane and got the coffee pot and continues to bash the guy on the head, Mr. Moustafa said in an interview as the plane was being held on the tarmac. The man was bleeding profusely, he added.

I honestly thought today I might die, he said.

Ultimately, it took three flight attendants and three passengers, including Mr. Rojas, to restrain the man, move him to the floor and then bind his hands and ankles with tape and zip ties provided by the flight attendants, Mr. Rojas said. The passenger remained on the floor for about 15 minutes until the plane landed and the authorities collected him, Mr. Rojas said.

As Mr. Moustafa, 37, was being interviewed by phone from his seat, the pilot came by and talked to the passengers about how the man had tried and failed to open the cockpit door.

Disturbances on flights have surged during the coronavirus pandemic, and many of the incidents have involved passengers who disagree with mask mandates.

Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration conducted more than 1,000 investigations of unruly passengers  more than in the previous seven years combined.

Karen Maria Alston, who lives in Washington, said she was sitting in the 17th row of the plane watching the movie Dune when she saw some men rush into the first-class section. She was not able to see what was happening, she said, but the commotion and the planes ensuing descent were frightening and extremely stressful.

I need a drink and I am so thankful, Ms. Alston said in a text message after the plane landed in Kansas City.
OTTAWA  Canadian law enforcement officials said Sunday that they had reopened a major international bridge that protesters had been blockading for almost a week, raising hopes for industries the unrest had slowed to a near-standstill.

As they announced that the Ambassador Bridge, which ties Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, had been reclaimed after a series of arrests in the morning, some hailed it as a victory for a government shaken by the intransigence of anti-vaccine mandate protests that have mushroomed since they began.

But in Canadas capital, Ottawa, hundreds of truckers were entering their third week of occupation of the area around Parliament Hill, where they appeared to be emboldened by a growing sense of impunity.

Late Sunday, the mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson, revealed back-channel negotiations were underway with the truckers leadership to remove their convoy from residential neighborhoods, among other measures. The mayors office released an emailed letter dated Saturday from one of the protest leaders, Tamara Lich, in which she said, We will be working hard over the next 24 hours to get buy in from the truckers.
Fifty years ago this month, Chairman Mao made President Richard M. Nixon a promise: He would send two giant pandas to the United States.

Mao made this proclamation in February 1972, when Nixon visited China to begin a historic rapprochement. The announcement stirred up what The New York Times described at the time as polite warfare among American zoos angling to host the pandas, and ushered in a half-century of so-called panda diplomacy between China and the United States.

But now, a member of Congress from Nixons party is questioning whether panda diplomacy needs to change, and is aiming to send a message to China while it hosts the Olympic Games.

Panda diplomacy, in its current form, works like this: China loans pandas to a zoo in the United States or another country, and the zoo pays an annual fee  usually $500,000 to $1 million each  to keep the pandas for at least a few years. The animals serve as good-will ambassadors for China while, experts said, softening the countrys authoritarian image and drawing attention away from its record of human rights abuses.
Meanwhile, the United States began blocking cotton shipments from China in early 2021 because of evidence of forced Uyghur labor in the cotton-producing province of Xinjiang. Organic cotton prices skyrocketed to $3.00 per kilogram from $1.70. More players piled into the market. In the last year as many as 75,000 new organic cotton farmers have been registered with Indias agricultural authority.

When asked where Textile Exchange gets data reporting this huge growth, LaRhea Pepper, chief executive of Textile Exchange, did not answer. Instead she said: Theres people working within the system that are doing a great job. Theres also people that are making claims on products that have no verification that are working outside the system. And we have no control over what they say or what they do.

GOTS points to its ban on producers engaged in certificate forgery as proof of its credibility. It maintains that no other types of fraud occur in its system.

But Ms. Pepper said her organization finds fraud such as nonexistent farm groups or fake farmers names listed on scope certificates, and has passed on evidence to GOTS.

A GOTS representative said that it acted on substantial documentary evidence of fraud and that its approved certification bodies had not reported any irregularities.

Now international trust in Indias ability to oversee organic agriculture has cratered.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture terminated its agreement last year to recognize organic products certified by companies that are overseen by the Indian authority, citing the government bodys lack of transparency. All such companies in India must now be accredited by the U.S.D.As National Organic Program standards.

In November, the European Union started rejecting Indian organic exports certified by five companies  including Control Union, EcoCert and OneCert  after shipments of sesame were found to contain a carcinogenic substance. Chastened by the U.S. and E.U. actions, the Indian government also fined the companies and barred them from registering new processors or exporters.
Davis noted that Taylors technique of composing fragments of notes in cells that he then would develop, expand and turn upside down at times appealed more to classical musicians than to jazz musicians, though today his influence is heard widely among improvising pianists. (She cited an expansive list, among them Marilyn Crispell, Jason Moran, Craig Taborn, Myra Melford, Alexander Hawkins, Angelica Sanchez and Vijay Iyer.)

But on the nightclub scene of the 60s and 70s, genius didnt always mean drink sales, and being in the vanguard of a new approach meant it could be a challenge finding suitable collaborators. Oblivion, the label putting out this release, has called it The Return Concert because in 73, Taylor, then 44, had been mostly absent from recording and being in the New York scene for five years as he pioneered another aspect of avant-garde jazz life: turning to academia. (He taught at Antioch College and the University of Wisconsin, not without controversy.)

The taping of the Town Hall concert was another feat of improvisation. Taylor had recorded significant LPs (Conquistador!, Unit Structures) for Blue Note in the late 1960s, but, at this point, was independent. Planning a release for Taylors nascent Unit Core label, his sort-of manager, David Laura, turned to an unlikely source: a Columbia student, Fred Seibert, who had recorded concerts for the university radio station and released several blues LPs on the independent Oblivion label with cohorts from a Long Island record store.

With borrowed equipment and much youthful confidence, Seibert took the gig  and faced a torrent of music. I felt like I was under Niagara Falls with every sound coming at me from 360 degrees and fighting for space in my head, said Seibert, who would go on to engineer and produce records for Muse Records before leaving the music industry at the dawn of the 1980s for Hollywood, where he became a storied producer of animated television. (Series launched under his aegis include Dexters Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls and Adventure Time.)

For Taylor, free also meant freedom from the restraints of the commercial music industry. Releasing the first set would have demanded making a double LP and fading down the music at the end of each side, which Seibert considered contrary to its spirit. A shorter second set proved a better fit: Split between a 16-minute solo Taylor piece and a side-length band workout, the encore performance had a limited 1974 release as Spring of Two Blue Js. One of the 2,000 copies made it to the critic Gary Giddins at The Village Voice; he called it probably my favorite album made in the last year.
Although Fisher wears his compassion for substance abusers prominently on his sleeve, he is also capable of throwing out some controversial observations that go against received wisdom. Of the OxyContin epidemic, for instance, he notes that even though they were masters of the craft, there was nothing really new in what Purdues leaders did  they were simply playing a role in a larger system that has existed and evolved for generations. Similarly, he points out that a pharmaceutical company named Parke, Davis began promoting the use of cocaine for exhaustion and overwork in the 1880s.

In other words, however morally reprehensible the intentions behind the actions of both the manufacturers and dispensers of addictive drugs, they do not entirely explain the process of addiction in and of itself, much as we might wish to put all the blame on them; other factors, such as personal agency and environmental influences, are inevitably involved. Fisher underlines this dispiriting reality even further a third of the way through his book: Addiction does not proceed inevitably from use. Most people who use drugs  including crack, methamphetamine and heroin  do not develop significant problems. In studies spanning decades, no more than 10 to 30 percent of people who use drugs develop significant substance use disorders. Drugs are not addictive in themselves; they dont cause addictions in isolation.

No story of addiction would be complete without a history of the temperance movement (which originally argued for moderation before favoring total abstinence) as well as Alcoholics Anonymous and its 12-step program. Fisher provides a very detailed history of A.A., much of which information is out there already, and delves into rehab and outpatient programs. He is against the confrontational practices used in many rehab facilities and in many prison-based programs, boot-camp-like wilderness programs and the troubled-teen industry, and comments almost gleefully that his alcoholic mother hated A.A. Although he manages to remain in his residency despite the fact that drinking had become a core part of my identity, Fisher suffers a drug-induced manic episode, brought on by a combination of Adderall, alcohol and days of sleeplessness; when he starts screaming for help, a neighbor calls the police, reporting an emotionally disturbed person. Fisher refuses to comply with a police officers request to come along nicely, and is Tasered and brought into the emergency room in handcuffs.

After entering a monthslong inpatient rehab program (his residency program obligingly saved his spot for him) and getting used to identifying himself as an alcoholic, which he had initially resisted along with other aspects of rehab, Fisher still finds himself questioning the basic assumptions behind his dilemma: But did I have addiction? Was it a thing  something I caught, or that took hold of me  or was it inseparable from who I was, lurking there in my personality or biology or karma for all time? Was it a separate entity that had attached itself to my healthier being, or was my self inclusive of the disorder? And would I have it for the rest of my life, even if I never drank or used again?

Finally, Fisher addresses the shift from the therapeutic approach to treating addiction that had marked the 1950s and 60s toward a more punitive model, including mass incarceration, that began with Richard Nixons administration. In part this model had to do with the fear among the 60s middle class that the drug culture was spinning out of control, and in part it had to do with Nixons puritanism. Fisher writes that whatever treatment system had been in place crashed in the late 80s and early 90s, leading to an intensification of the stigma attached to addiction and criminalization of drug use. And still, after all the history and analysis he serves up, the original questions about addiction continue to hover in the air without definitive answers: Was it a physical disease, a character disorder, a spiritual sickness or something else entirely? Although Fisher holds out hope for the multiple pathways of recovery, he returns at the end of this sprawling, irresolute book to stressing the complexity of addiction and the need for a corrective context of personal responsibility and individual change. How some people get beyond their addiction remains withal mysterious and elusive; its not even clear how the author managed to escape his own entrapment.

From the beginning of The Urge, one of Fishers primary intentions seems to be to humanize the way we perceive addiction, suggesting that we evince empathy instead of casting blame. This is a laudable goal but it also blurs some of the specific, tougher issues he raises about what role choice plays in what looks to be an innate, helpless predilection; instead of focusing on the problems that come with naming and treating this condition, he offers a survey of everything under the sun that has been thought or done about addiction. The book is something of a tangle as a result and would certainly have benefited from a less amorphous sense of the message, or messages, it wishes to convey. As it is, the situation the author describes looks irremediably bleak: One comes away with the overwhelming impression that the propensity for addiction is part of the human condition, the blight man was born for.
But I also believe that vaccines protect us, booster shots protect us and people who are vaccinated can have a fair amount of freedom and dont need to wear masks all the time.

How can I determine which precautions to take?

A good thing to ask yourself is: What are the consequences of me getting Covid? For some vaccinated people, it might be getting sick and missing a few days of work. And thats probably a worthwhile trade-off for those people. I encourage my daughter  shes in her 20s  to spend time with friends and be a young person. I think that if you can, you should. But if the consequences are, I could put somebody vulnerable at risk, whether or not theres a mask mandate shouldnt change your decision.

Where should I still wear a mask? Where should I consider taking it off?

In hospitals and airplanes, you should wear a mask  period. Also in airports, trains and places where youre going to be spending a long time in the same spot. I also think you should wear a mask in places where its easy and not that inconvenient. So like the grocery store or running into the dry cleaner  its no big deal, so why not just take the precaution?

But outdoor gatherings, outdoor dining, exercising outdoors  one hundred percent take the mask off. I do think family gatherings can be more relaxed, depending on the most vulnerable person.

The harder ones are situations where its uncomfortable wearing a mask, like the gym. If youre younger and healthy, you should be comfortable taking your mask off, but personally I would want to know whether my gym had good ventilation. (A lot of new gyms do, because otherwise they would be stinky.) As for the office, if everyone in your office is vaccinated, and youre healthy, then I would consider it  nobody wants to wear a mask for eight hours a day, that sounds miserable.
With the Omicron wave receding, many places are starting to remove at least some of their remaining pandemic restrictions.

This shift could have large benefits. It could reduce the isolation and disruption that have contributed to a long list of societal ills, like rising mental-health problems, drug overdoses, violent crime and, as Substacks Matthew Yglesias has written, all kinds of bad behavior.

But the removal of restrictions has downsides, too. Millions of Americans remain vulnerable to Covid. The largest group of the vulnerable, by far, is the unvaccinated, who have the ability to protect themselves and have chosen not to.

Another group of people, however, have done what they can to stay healthy  by getting vaccinated  and yet remain vulnerable. They include the elderly and people with immunodeficiencies that put them at greater Covid risk. According to the C.D.C., more than 75 percent of vaccinated people who have died from Covid had at least four medical risk factors.
10. And finally, the many ways to say I <3 u.

Food is always a good place to start. Our Food editor suggests these weeknight recipes for lovers. Theyre neither expensive nor time-consuming. We have tons of other Valentines Day recipes, including a wonderful menu for two. Or lets play recipe matchmaker.

Valentines Day might have you thinking about the best way to find a partner. Our Styles section looked at videos on social media that claim positive thinking, or manifesting, can lead to love. Studies suggest otherwise. The animal kingdom provides some unusual tales when it comes to romance. If youre in a relationship, these exercises may help strengthen it.

Whether you love or hate Valentines Day, there are movies for you. Choose your list.

Have a heartening evening.

Angela Jimenez compiled photos for this briefing.

Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Want to catch up on past briefings? You can browse them here.

What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com.

Here are todays Mini Crossword and Spelling Bee. If youre in the mood to play more, find all our games he
Pressure mounts in Ukraine

What is perhaps Europes most intense security crisis since the end of the Cold War appears to be nearing a climax, with Washington warning that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could begin at any moment. Russian attack helicopters were spotted yesterday buzzing within miles of the countrys borders.

During a phone call with President Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, asked the American president to come to Kyiv to contribute to de-escalation and to send a powerful signal. Biden is likely to decline. Ukraines allies, including the U.S., reduced staffing at their embassies or evacuated them over the weekend.

Ukraine is now nearly surrounded by Russian and Russian-backed forces on a high level of readiness, with the start of Russian naval exercises on the Black Sea yesterday completing the noose in the south. Russian officials have said they do not intend to invade Ukraine.

Diplomacy: Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, plans to travel to Kyiv today and Moscow tomorrow. Frances president, Emmanuel Macron, is trying to leverage the chaos to reshape Europe  and bolster his re-election campaign.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has reached a $100 million settlement with BlockFi Lending over registration failures, the first since the regulator warned last fall that it would take action against cryptocurrency firms offering loan products that failed to register them as securities or to register themselves as investment companies.

Todays settlement makes clear that crypto markets must comply with time-tested securities laws, such as the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the S.E.C.s chair, Gary Gensler, said in a statement on Monday.

Since March 2019, BlockFi, based in New Jersey, has been offering customers a chance to lend the company digital assets and earn interest on those loans, the commission said. Regulators said the program was essentially an investment contract, in which customers lent their money with the promise they would be repaid more at a later time. BlockFi should have registered them as securities and should have registered itself as an investment company, the S.E.C. found.

While the settlement was the first of its kind, the threat of S.E.C. scrutiny already had scuttled plans by Coinbase, the largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, to launch a similar loan product. Coinbase executives argued that its new product should not count as a security, but they canceled their plans for an interest-generating Lend product in September
The North American auto industry lumbered back to life on Monday after Canadian authorities cleared protesters and vehicles from a key trade route between the United States and Canada that had been closed for nearly a week.

But some auto manufacturers said it would take several days for production to return to normal because it would take time to deliver necessary parts to factories. For some companies, a longer-term shortage of chips was still keeping plants closed.

Its not like you can flip a switch and get back to where we were production-wise, said Peter Nagle, a principal analyst who specializes in the auto industry at IHS Markit, a research firm. Its going to take a few weeks.

The bridge, which connects Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, and other border crossings were blocked after truckers and their allies paralyzed parts of Ottawa to protest vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions.
Perhaps the single largest heist in the history of the world

Today, the onetime banker Roger Ng is set to stand trial in a Brooklyn courtroom over allegations that he abetted the looting of the huge Malaysian state fund known as 1MDB. The legal proceedings will resurrect a scandal that saw $4 billion stolen from the Malaysian government and tarnished the reputation of Ngs former employer, Goldman Sachs.

Ng is said to have introduced Goldman colleagues to Jho Low, the businessman accused of masterminding what Ngs own lawyers called perhaps the single largest heist in the history of the world. According to prosecutors, Low, Ng and the onetime star banker Tim Leissner conspired to pay $1 billion in bribes to government officials, in order to win Goldman mandates for $6.5 billion in bond offerings for 1MDB. Money meant for the fund was then spent on a Beverly Hills hotel, a mega-yacht, a transparent grand piano, financing for The Wolf of Wall Street and more.

His former Goldman colleague is expected to be a key witness. Testimony from Leissner, who pleaded guilty in 2018 and agreed to forfeit up to $43.7 million in assets, is seen as crucial for the prosecution. He could begin testifying as soon as this week. (Low is still at large and denies wrongdoing.)

Ng says hes being made a scapegoat. His lawyers will argue that Ng wasnt a key player in putting together the 1MDB bond deals, and that their client was unaware that money he received came from proceeds diverted from those transactions. They could also point to evidence that Leissner was a con artist who deceived many at Goldman.
Oil markets rose about 2 percent on Monday. They eased early in the day as traders took note of reports that Russian officials remained willing to negotiate a potential settlement before climbing again in the afternoon. European natural gas prices rose about 6 percent.

The biggest immediate threat from an invasion would be Russian natural gas exports through Ukrainian pipelines to Europe. If the gas stopped flowing, many Europeans could struggle to heat their homes. Utilities might have to cut back electricity production, and factories might have to close early. Mr. Putin could also seek to further increase pressure on the West by restricting oil exports to Europe.

Those moves would, of course, hurt Russia, and make the economic sanctions promised by the Biden administration and its allies all the more punitive. That threat may turn out to be the primary reason Mr. Putin eventually looks for a compromise.

There are reasons to hope an energy crisis could be averted. The United States has been producing more oil in recent weeks, and the Biden administration is working on efforts to revive a nuclear deal with Iran that would release as much as a million barrels a day on the world market.

The European winter has been relatively mild, and the wind is blowing far stronger than last year, easing pressure on the wind power sector. Further, the Biden administration has had some success in sending more liquefied natural gas to Europe by persuading Japan and other Asian consumers to forgo some shipments.

But global oil production has not kept up over the last year with the growth of demand despite the lingering pandemic. The output of several members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has declined, and there have been production interruptions outside the cartel, including in Ecuador and Kazakhstan, because of natural disasters and political turmoil. Renewed political tension could also tip Libya back into civil war, which could put at risk 300,000 barrels of production or more.
He did follow the law, which is what hes supposed to do. And there is no actual malice according to the evidence, said Mr. Freeman, a former lawyer for The Times. But generally a judge would hold his views in his pocket. And now, he added, what the jury does has no legal power at this point.

Rarely do libel suits reach a trial. This case, legal experts said, has the potential for far-reaching ramifications for the longstanding body of law that gives journalists breathing room to make mistakes without fear of legal consequence. Ms. Palins lawyers have said they view the case as an opportunity to allow the court to revisit those precedents, which they have argued are too expansive.

Everything about this case is rare, said RonNell Andersen Jones, a professor at the University of Utah College of Law who focuses on media law. She noted that the judges decision on Monday, coupled with the specter of a national news organizations having to defend its editorial decision-making process to a jury, has underscored its importance.

A lot of us have watched this case with anxiety because we realize that in public discourse massive, regrettable mistakes are sometimes made, and thats baked into this standard, Ms. Jones said.

Judge Rakoffs ruling, she added, helps prevent the possibility that an appeals court could ask for another trial. This jury verdict was never going to be the ultimate word on this, she said. But this lays the groundwork for the future trajectory of this case in preserving the verdict so the case wont have to be retried.

Ms. Palins lawyers declined to comment after Judge Rakoff announced his decision. A spokeswoman for The Times, Danielle Rhoades Ha, called it a reaffirmation of a fundamental tenet of American law: Public figures should not be permitted to use libel suits to punish or intimidate news organizations that make, acknowledge and swiftly correct unintentional errors.

Ms. Palin has pursued the suit for nearly five years and said on the witness stand that she viewed it as a David-versus-Goliath struggle. Her suit alleges that The Times defamed her with an editorial that incorrectly asserted a link between her political rhetoric and a shooting that killed six people and wounded 14 near Tucson, Ariz., in 2011. The wounded included Gabrielle Giffords, a Democratic member of Congress, whose district had been one of 20 singled out on a map circulated by Ms. Palins political action committee underneath digitized cross hairs. There was no evidence that the gunman had seen or been motivated by the map.
ALBUQUERQUE  The megadrought in the American Southwest has become so severe that its now the driest two decades in the region in at least 1,200 years, scientists said Monday, and climate change is largely responsible.

The drought, which began in 2000 and has reduced water supplies, devastated farmers and ranchers and helped fuel wildfires across the region, had previously been considered the worst in 500 years, according to the researchers.

But exceptional conditions in the summer of 2021, when about two-thirds of the West was in extreme drought, really pushed it over the top, said A. Park Williams, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who led an analysis using tree ring data to gauge drought. As a result, 2000-21 is the driest 22-year period since 800 A.D., which is as far back as the data goes.

The analysis also showed that human-caused warming played a major role in making the current drought so extreme.
In pre-Covid times, Sundays at our Bangalore home were for biriyani with family and friends.

One Sunday, I received the verdict on my first attempt at my mothers famed recipe. Everyone loved it but said that it lacked her kai guna. The phrase is from Kannada, the language of the South Indian state of Karnataka. It refers to the quality of the hand of a creator, or, in this case, the cook. There are variations of this word across South Indian languages that refer to the intangible uniqueness that people bring to something they have created.

While my familys sentiments were understandable, this led me to think about whether the English language contained its own expressive words that encapsulated entire concepts about food. Was there a word like the Japanese kuchinaoshi, which translates to mouth fix, a way to describe eating something tasty to fix the bad taste in your mouth from something else? What about the Swedish idea of lagom, which means not too much, not too little? Its a way of expressing the need for balance in life, even when it comes to eating. In Spanish, theres sobremesa, which captures the idea of lingering at the table long after a meal is finished and enjoying one anothers company.
Wine&More, a website devoted mainly to the wines of the Balkan countries, was started to put Croatian wines on the map, according to Dario Drmac, a wine lover and marketing expert from Croatia. (His partner in this venture, Nenad Trifunovic, is a Croatian wine educator and writer.) They started in Europe and now have a selection of hundreds of wines, with about 50 labels of sparklers, reds and whites available in the United States. So if youd like to sample Edivo plavac mali from Croatia, $35, which is made in ancient-style amphoras and left to age for two years in a wine cellar deep in the Adriatic Sea, this is where youll find it. Plavac mali is one of several indigenous grapes, some of which are ancestors of zinfandel, that go into these wines. You should also get to know zilavka and blatina. The website offers wines from Slovenia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina in addition to Croatia, as well as beers and olive oils from the region.

thewineandmore.com.

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Its not as if I hadnt seen all the red circles on Resys calendar telling me there were no reservations at Ci Siamo each time I checked, and I checked often. Still, when I finally showed up to eat in the restaurants hangar-like dining hall, I was surprised to see how many other people were there, too.

Omicron had begun slashing through the city  my guests and I nervously exchanged test results for several days before and after one meal. New Yorkers were said to be hunkering down again, sticking close to home. For most people, that would seem to rule out an expedition to a windswept plaza west of the Moynihan Train Hall.

But Id forgotten one of the truisms of the restaurant business: If Danny Meyer builds it, they will come.

Whether they will keep coming is another question, one that hangs not just on the progress of the pandemic but also on the ability of Ci Siamo to engender long-term devotion after its novelty fades. Mr. Meyers Union Square Hospitality Group once seemed to have that down to a formula. But it closed one of its restaurants, North End Grill, in 2018. Another, Manhatta, still hasnt emerged from its Covid-induced closing; its most recent Instagram post, seeking cooks, servers and other new hires to prepare for its reopening, is more than a year old.
The Texas law banning abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy is based on a singular premise disputed by many medical experts: that once an ultrasound detects electrical cardiac activity in an embryo, its heart is beating and a live birth is on the way.

At this very early stage of a pregnancy, however, the embryo is the size of a pomegranate seed and has only a primitive tube of cardiac cells that emit electric pulses and pump blood.

Language has long been a battleground in the political struggle over abortion, and the sparring now centers on a word with deep resonance: heartbeat.

The Texas law, which makes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, forbids abortion at the time a heartbeat can be heard, which usually occurs at six weeks of gestation. The appeal is emotional: Many parents-to-be are moved by sounds during an ultrasound scan. But what the law defines as the sound of a heartbeat is not considered by medical experts to be coming from a developed heart, which forms later in pregnancy.
What are the mask rules in your school right now? Do you think they need to change?

As the surge in coronavirus cases brought by the Omicron variant recedes across the United States, governors in several states have started lifting mask mandates for indoor public spaces and schools. Public health experts disagree on whether these changes are coming too soon, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a clear message last week: We are not there yet.

How is this debate playing out in your school? What do you think the criteria should be for easing or eliminating mask requirements?

In Masks Come Off in More States, but Not Everyone Is Grinning, Mitch Smith and Shawn Hubler write:

New Yorks governor said on Wednesday that she was ending the states indoor masking rules. The governor of Massachusetts announced that face coverings would soon become optional in schools. And by days end, the governors of Illinois, Rhode Island and Washington said that they, too, would loosen coronavirus rules. The moves, which came rapid fire, one after another, mean that many of the Covid-19 restrictions that have divided Americans will soon be eliminated in places where politicians have long championed sweeping virus precautions. But as the Omicron variant loosens its grip, and as polling shows Americans exhausted with the pandemic, leaders in liberal-leaning states are shifting to a new approach, moving toward an engage-at-your-own-risk stance that many conservative areas embraced a year ago. Numbers are coming down, and it is time to adapt, said Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York, a Democrat who said she was letting expire a state requirement that businesses seek proof of vaccination or require masks at all times in indoor public spaces. The decisions add to the confusion and patchwork nature of what Americans can and cannot do. While some people welcomed them as a relief and part of a return to normal life, others asked whether states were moving too fast at a time when more than 200,000 new infections were being announced each day and when the country was reporting more than 17,000 deaths a week, more than at any other point in the pandemic except last winter. Its time to give our kids a sense of normalcy, said Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, a Republican, announcing that he would let school mask rules expire at the end of February. But in California, Barbara Ferrer, the top public health official in Los Angeles County, expressed her concern to elected officials this week: We should not be lifting the masking mandate when we are reporting thousands and thousands of new cases every day. That doesnt make sense. Even as governors were lifting rules, officials in some cities, counties and school districts indicated that they would keep their own mandates in place, adding new complications to an already confusing array of rules across the country. That divide was especially stark in California, which is set to end an indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people in most public settings this month, but where counties are allowed to keep their own stricter measures. Health officials in some counties, including Marin, Orange, Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego, pledged to lift strict local rules when the state does. Other counties  including Los Angeles and Santa Clara  said they would not ease restrictions until rates of vaccination, transmission and infection had improved.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

What are the rules regarding masks in your school right now? Do you think they should change? If so, when?

Do you wear a mask in school right now? How do you feel about it? Does it make you feel safer? How do you think it affects your communication? Do you find wearing a mask comfortable or uncomfortable?

Consult this map to see what the mask policies are in your state. (You can also look at these maps of cases and vaccinations.) If you were the governor of your state, what decision would you make right now regarding mask rules for indoor public spaces?

What do you think the criteria should be for lifting mask requirements in schools? Do you think these decisions should be based on data such as case rates and vaccination rates? Are there other factors you would take into account?

Do you think the mask rules for other public spaces should differ from the rules for schools? Why or why not?

In the article, Stephanie Madoles immunocompromised daughter asks her: Why dont people want to protect me? How is the debate over masks different for immunocompromised members of a school community? To what extent do you think mask rules should take those who are more vulnerable to the virus into account?

Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.
Moving the loot risked revealing the who in what appears to be a 21st-century whodunit, because Bitcoin trades can be tracked by anyone who accesses the blockchain, essentially a permanent history of each Bitcoin. Tiny fractions of the stolen Bitcoin disappeared in complex transactions over time, but the bulk of the haul remained in plain sight, if you knew where to look online.

My colleagues Ali Watkins and Benjamin Weiser write that it was as if the getaway car had been parked outside the bank for six years with the windows up, the doors locked and the money inside riding the Bitcoin roller-coaster, up and down but mostly spectacularly up. In the six years that the car sat there, the value of the stolen Bitcoin soared to more than $4 billion.

[Inside the Bitcoin Laundering Case That Confounded the Internet]

The arrests surprised some of the couples acquaintances, and the goofy online lives that prosecutors described were at odds with the governments claim that they were sophisticated criminals with several fake identities and many encrypted devices stashed in their Manhattan apartment  even a bag labeled burner phone. The authorities also said they found $40,000 in cash.

But New York magazine called the whole thing the big dumb Bitcoin-laundering scheme, and a Twitter account that comments on cutting-edge financial markets declared: OK. THE HACKERS ARE NOT CIA. THEY ARE IDIOTS.

Could they really be at the center of one of cryptocurrencys enduring mysteries?

Officials have not said whether they believe Lichtenstein, 34, and Morgan, 31, were directly involved in the Bitfinex breach. A Justice Department official declined to comment on that point last week, but officials said the couple had used various techniques to try to launder the stolen Bitcoin.
File photo shows the White House and a stop sign in Washington D.C., the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

By Md Enamul Hassan

If historians want to write the history of American aggressions around the world, they might with no trouble pen a long book of history on the topic. If all the blood the US shed is collected together, there will undoubtedly be a river of blood, and nobody can certainly finish counting the corpses that the US killed before and since its emergence as a country.

However, the US claims itself as the supreme custodian of democracy and human rights in the world. The superpower never sees 'the blood of humanity on its hands. The successive US administrations have long been charging 'the wild horses of their narrowed interests' to trample the untiring global hopes for freedom and rights to live and die in peace. Taiwan is one of the glowing examples of the US carelessness about global peace and how it indiscriminately tramples the principles of international relations.

In a recent development, the US has approved a support contract with Taiwan aimed at boosting the missile defense systems of the Chinese island. The funds would be used to 'sustain, maintain, and improve' the Patriot missile defense system of Taiwan. This is the second incident of selling arms to Taiwan under the Biden administration as it approved its first arms sale to the island in August last year.

The US has been selling arms to Taiwan since 1979. The US also operates a de facto embassy in Taipei called the American Institute in Taiwan. It also operates a de facto consulate in Kaohsiung called the American Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch Office. The US also facilitates Taiwan to operate several diplomatic missions in its territory in the name of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.

However, the US has no legitimate rights to have and maintain such cooperation and dealings with Taiwan as Washington has started its diplomatic relations with Beijing by accepting the universal truth that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. The US has, in three Joint US-China Communiques, acknowledged that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The US attaches great importance to its relations with China and reiterates that it has no intention of infringing on Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity, interfering in China's internal affairs, or pursuing a policy of 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan.

The US acceptance of the one-China policy is just standing on the right side of history as the island of Taiwan is historically an inalienable part of China. Never has Taiwan been a sovereign state in recorded history. The island is referred to as the Taiwan Province in the constitution of the People's Republic of China (PRC). As the preceding republic, China has inherently owned the province per its pre-1949 boundaries.

Moreover, in line with the provisions of international law and regulations, the Chinese claim over Taiwan is also bonafide and legitimate. The world has also recognized that the island is an inseparable part of China. The United Nations (UN) has adopted a resolution to accept the legitimate claim of China over Taiwan.

On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly passed Resolution No. 2758. The resolution announced in clear and definite language that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China. The UN General Assembly recognizes that the representative of the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal representative of China in the United Nations and that the People's Republic of China is one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and decides to restore all rights to the People's Republic of China and recognize the representatives of its government as the sole legal representatives of China in the United Nations Organizations.

On July 23, 2007, then secretary-general of the UN Ban Ki-moon rejected Taiwan's membership bid to "join the UN under the name of Taiwan"; citing Resolution 2758 as acknowledging that Taiwan is part of China. The UN is an international organization composed of sovereign states. Taiwan as a province of China is completely not qualified and has no right to participate in the global body.

But in defiance of its promises and provisions of international laws and treaties, the successive US administrations have unfortunately continued maintaining informal and unofficial relations with the Taiwan authorities eating their own words given to China. Many analysts termed the relations just as immoral adultery. The US is engaged in such an illicit relationship as the superpower wants to contain the rise of China using the authorities of Taiwan. Under the auspices of the US, the authorities have also kept their diplomatic efforts to get recognition as a sovereign territory from different countries. They are even trying to cash in on the pandemic to get into some international organizations and agencies.

In a counter and legitimate move, China seems to have taken the Taiwan issue as the bottom line of its diplomacy. China has no option for compromising on the issue of its territorial integrity and sovereignty. China, therefore, builds cooperation with every country based on the understanding of the bottom line-- the Taiwan issue.

As a result, every friend and partner of China always remains very cautious and sincere when it comes to dealing with Taiwan. They always respect this bottom line of Chinese diplomacy. However, a few numbers of countries tried to have a foot in both camps, maintaining deep relations with China and simultaneously colluding with Taiwan, in the past. The two-faced countries finally failed to remain in the good books of China, let alone to be its true and trusted friends.

In the changing circumstances of the polarized world, Taiwan has been the litmus test for becoming a true and sincere friend of China over the years. Even the ranges of partnership with China widely vary from country to country depending on the test. The global circumstances have left China with no option but to make Taiwan a more serious issue when it comes to building and forging ahead cooperation with any country from any region on the planet. As a result, China's legitimate stand and cause over the issue has further been bolstered around the world.

Against such backdrops, the US has intensified its illegitimate cooperation with Taiwan. The US leaders have recently ramped up their pro-Taiwan and anti-China rhetoric. But analysts think that the US wants to timid China by creating war hysteria in the region. But the prudent leadership of China has been moving ahead with very measured and far-sighted diplomacy.

Since the very beginning of the issue, the world conscience stands by China. There is no denying that Taiwan is an integral part of China. By forging corporations and maintaining adultery-like relations with Taiwan, the US has been eating its own words and stood against the global stance in favor of China affirmed in the UN. Analysts think the US has long been interfering in the internal affairs of China and violating the sovereignty of China by siding with Taiwan. Hence the US must stop interfering in Taiwan, which will safeguard the greater interests of the region and the world.

The author Md Enamul Hassan is a news editor at the China Media Group (CMG) in Beijing, China.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website. The article was firstly published on Bangladesh Post.
I sat just off the back of the crowd  my favored spot in any room  and it hit me that the room looked very much like a Thursday night in the 1980s in millions of homes across America. That is when, at 8 p.m., the world seemed to stand still for 30 minutes as Cliff and Clair Huxtable and their brood of kids were beamed into our homes.

The Cosby Show was a cultural landmark. There was not a lot of regular Black family programming on television in the 1980s. Certainly nothing like the lineup there is today. Kenya Barriss black-ish is a bona fide hit (and very much indebted to the Cosby Show legacy). But you can also watch a Black family fight over a winery on The Kings of Napa, a Black family music dynasty on Empire and a multigenerational Black Southern family on Queen Sugar. And those are just the scripted dramas on TV. Streaming platforms also open up a whole other world of Black-led dramas, comedies and reality programming.

The Cosby Show was also a cross-cultural smash hit. This particular Black family captured so many peoples imaginations. As the documentary points out, the highest-rated episode of the show drew in 65 million viewers  a quarter of the American population at the time. Jamilah King, an editor at BuzzFeed News, compares this with 2019s biggest show, The Big Bang Theory, which at its height drew only 25 million.

But The Cosby Show was not just huge. It was singular.

I have thought a lot about why the show was singular. There are the creative reasons. The show is good television. It took all of the characteristics of a sitcom that make us feel warm and elevated them. It did that through great writing and the most important ingredient of a successful sitcom, which is amazing characters. The shows characters subverted many sitcom tropes, like the stern but loving father and the wife who was somehow both a stay-at-home mom and a career woman, merely by being Black. As a result, The Cosby Show felt wholesome and subversive at the same time.

The show was also singular to Black audiences for other reasons. When it began airing in the 1980s, the civil rights movement felt like a fuzzy memory for a lot of the Black people in my orbit. Social progress had given way to a white conservative backlash (not unlike the one we are seeing today). The social institutions that had held together Black communities felt vulnerable. The quest for economic mobility replaced strong churches and community groups in Black peoples everyday lives. The go-go 80s were not just a white America phenomenon. I met my first serious Black Republican in the 1980s. I remember him going on about how The Cosby Show was the template for Black progress.
Constitutional conservatives, especially, should want Electoral Count Act reform, because they should be the first to understand that the law is plainly unconstitutional. Nothing in the Constitution empowers Congress to decide the validity of the electoral slates submitted by the states. In fact, the Constitution gives Congress no role whatsoever in choosing the president, save in the circumstance where no presidential candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes cast.

Trump acolytes like Mr. Cruz and Mr. Hawley should appreciate the need to reform this unconstitutional law. They are also politically smart enough to understand that however likely it is that the Republican presidential candidate will lose in 2024, it is just as likely that he or she will win. Attempts to time reform based on handicapping the quadrennial presidential election are futile, and no Republican should want to be an accessory to any successful attempt to overturn the next election  including an effort by Democrats to exploit the law.

If the Republicans want to prevent the Electoral Count Act from being exploited in 2024, several fundamental reforms are needed. First, Congress should formally give the federal courts, up to and including the Supreme Court, the power to resolve disputes over state electors and to ensure compliance with the established procedures for selecting presidential electors  and require the judiciarys expeditious resolution of these disputes. Congress should then require itself to count the votes of electors that the federal courts have determined to be properly certified under state law.

Congress should also increase the number of members required both to voice an objection and to sustain one to as high a number as politically palatable. At the moment, only one member of each chamber is necessary to send an objection to the Senate and House for debate and resolution  an exceedingly low threshold that proved a deadly disservice to the country and the American people during the last election.

Currently, Congress has the power under Article II and the Necessary and Proper Clause to prevent states from changing the manner by which their electors are appointed after the election, but it has not clearly exercised that authority to prevent such postelection changes. It should do so.

Finally, the vice presidents important, but largely ministerial, role in the joint session where the electoral votes are counted should once and for all be clarified.

It is hardly overstatement to say that the future of our democracy depends on reform of the Electoral Count Act. Republicans and Democrats need to put aside their partisan differences long enough to fix this law before it enables the political equivalent of a civil war three years hence. The law is offensive to Republicans in constitutional and political principle, officiously aggrandizing unto Congress the constitutional prerogatives of the states. It is offensive to Democrats because it legislatively epitomizes a profound threat in waiting to Americas democracy. The needed changes, which would meet the political objectives of both parties, should command broad bipartisan support in any responsible Congress. For Republicans in particular, these changes are sleeves off their vests.
Borders concentrate violence, and women who cross them illegally risk assault at the hands of smugglers, guards and fellow migrants. The harsher the border, the greater the risk. The profile of the typical illegal migrant  an able-bodied young man  is often cited to justify strict border controls but it is in fact a consequence of such policies. For the poor, mobility is a part of male privilege.

The couple were able to afford the extra cost thanks to the money Jawad made from selling everything he owned, including the laboratory hed built. Theres nothing left for us back there, he said, looking at his wife. Well get past, eventually.

After I left Nimruz, I kept in touch with Jawad and Shukria over WhatsApp. Two nights later, they again tried to scale the border wall near Zaranj, but were caught and sent back. Desperate to cross, they decided to risk the southern route through the deserts of Pakistan, despite the extremist groups there that kidnapped Hazaras. Crammed into a pickup, they rode for hours into the badlands, then walked across the border hills. Once more, they were arrested by the Iranians. Once more, they entered the desert with smugglers, and this time they made it into Iran, traversing the country on circuitous back roads, Jawad having to spend some of the journey stuffed inside the trunk of an old sedan. After six days, they reached Tehran. We had no choice. We had to take our lives in our hands, Jawad told me later.

From the Iranian capital, they found another smuggler to take them to Turkey. To get there, they had to go over the Zagros Mountains, the old frontier between the Persian and Ottoman Empires, a porous border crossed by Kurdish smugglers. The illegal route here was shorter but still dangerous, winding over rugged alpine trails where refugees sometimes froze to death.

By now, it was getting late in the season. Jawad and Shukrias group had to spend a night bivouacked in the open, huddling together. We slept outside in the snow and rain, he said.

Finally, they made it to the safe house in Turkey, where they were held prisoner until they had relatives back home pay their smugglers the money they agreed on in advance. From the city of Van, not far from the border, they headed for Istanbul, but on the way they were arrested by the police. After all theyd suffered, they were terrified of being deported back to Afghanistan. Would the Turks treat them as refugees or migrants?

Today, Turkey hosts the worlds largest population of refugees: more than 4 million people. Few of them, however, are eligible for permanent asylum under Turkish immigration law. Instead, they receive conditional status, while they await resettlement in a third country. Millions of people live in limbo in Turkey, either in the hope of one day returning to their own countries, or being offered sanctuary in the West.
Jan Riley thought it was time to go home.

Originally from Australia, she moved to the United States in 1984, years after meeting and marrying a handsome American Marine named Rex Riley. They enjoyed 34 years of marriage until Mr. Riley died suddenly in 2003. After his death, Ms. Riley stayed in the country and settled in New York, near one of her two grown sons, but early in the pandemic she felt like a return to Australia was in order.

She owns an apartment in Sydney. It has views of the harbor and the Opera House. She and her husband bought the place together, but two weeks before they were planning to fly to Australia and see it for the first time, Mr. Riley went for a jog and collapsed. As the pandemic deepened in the summer of 2020, Ms. Riley, who is 80, felt the pull of The Lucky Country. She was missing her other son, who works at a bank in Melbourne, and her grandchildren whom she hadnt seen since the before times.

Before she left for Australia, her New York apartment was in Hells Kitchen on the 39th floor of a doorman building with a pool and a gym. It was a rare one-bedroom with two bathrooms  a bathtub in one and a walk-in shower in the other. I know, she said, very lucky. She had 180-degree views from the Hudson River to Times Square. It was a comfortable, beautiful place and she enjoyed all 13 years that she lived there.

But Ms. Riley believed the next stage of her life was in Australia.

So Ms. Riley flew to the state of Victoria to visit with her son and his family. The plan was to spend some time near Melbourne then make her way to the apartment in Sydney and start reconnecting with old friends.
Over several phone calls to the Orange County Correctional Facility in Goshen, N.Y., Ms. Sorokin spoke about the Netflix show (for which she was a paid consultant), life in detention and the looming question of remorse. The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Back in 2019, around the time of your trial, you told me: The thing is, Im not sorry for the financial crimes you were accused of. The quote has followed you around ever since, and was even the first question brought up in your parole board hearing.

I told the parole board that I felt like I was taken out of context. And I said you showed up as a surprise, and my feelings from that trial were really fresh. I did feel quite defiant. It was just really a couple of days after my guilty verdict. I was still processing.

What would your answer be now?

I feel sorry for the way my case is being perceived. And I feel sorry that I resorted to these actions that people think Im glorifying now.

I feel sorry for the choices Ive made. Definitely, I dont feel like the world would be a better place if people were just trying to be more like me.
Just over a month before Jocelyn Woods and Mia Garcia met, they sat down independently and listed the qualities that each was seeking in a partner.

From how they cooked to the interactions they would have with their family, I was extremely specific, said Ms. Woods, a 23-year-old director who lives in Los Angeles. Later, the pair would meet at a friends birthday party, feel immediately like best friends (according to Ms. Garcia, a 21-year-old musician who also lives in Los Angeles) and then, four weeks into dating, show each other these pages.

Had they somehow manifested their relationship?

Manifestation is a form of intention setting that involves focusing ones thoughts on a desired outcome until it happens. Its a line of psychological thought that was popularized by books including the 2006 best seller The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne, but has been practiced in various forms throughout history.

In recent years, manifestation has been creeping into social media feeds along with other practices associated with new-age spirituality. Love manifestation rituals garner millions of views on YouTube, and the hashtag manifestation has more than 14 billion views on TikTok.
Microsoft told employees that they will need to return to office next month, transitioning back to its corporate campus for the first time since the Omicron coronavirus variant tore through the nation.

The company has long said it would embrace a hybrid work environment, with most employees able to work from home up to 50 percent of the time. In a Monday morning blog post focused on its headquarters near Seattle, Chris Capossela, an executive, said that starting Feb. 28, employees will have 30 days to make adjustments to their routines and adopt the working preferences theyve agreed upon with their managers.

Mr. Capossela cited the high vaccination rates in King County, where most employees live, and declining hospitalizations and deaths in the state as factors in the decision. Residents in King County, which includes Seattle, are among the most vaccinated in the country, with more than 91 percent of those who are 5 or older having received at least one shot.

While the announcement was focused on the companys home state, where most of Microsofts employees are based, Mr. Capossela said the companys Bay Area sites will fully open on Feb. 28, and we anticipate many of our other U.S. locations will follow suit as conditions allow.
The authorities on Tuesday identified eight people, including four teenagers, who were believed to have died when a small plane crashed off the coast of North Carolina two days earlier.

The body of one passenger was found on Monday, and officials said they had no sign that any of the other seven people, who were returning from a hunting trip in rural Hyde County and flying to Beaufort, N.C., had survived.

A spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard said on Tuesday that they were still conducting a search operation. The Carteret County Sheriffs Office identified the people on the plane as Ernest Durwood Rawls, 67, the pilot; Jeffrey Worthington Rawls, 28, the pilots son; Stephanie Ann McInnis Fulcher, 42; Jonathan Kole McInnis, 15; Douglas Hunter Parks, 45; Noah Lee Styron, 15; Michael Daily Shepard, 15; and Jacob Nolan Taylor, 16.

Asa B. Buck III, the Carteret County sheriff, said at a news conference on Monday, We have no indication that anyone survived the crash.
Rabbi Simcha Krauss, who in the face of harsh attacks from colleagues headed a New York-based rabbinical court that has helped scores of Orthodox women obtain Jewish divorces from recalcitrant husbands, liberating them to remarry and start families with their new spouses, died on Jan. 20 in Jerusalem. He was 84.

His death, in a hospital, was caused by complications during hip replacement surgery, said his son, Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, the principal of SAR Academy, a Modern Orthodox school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.

Having studied under two giants of Torah and Talmud, Rabbis Joseph Soloveitchik and Yitzchok Hutner, Rabbi Krauss brought his stature to roiling debates within the Orthodox world over how far to go in expanding the religious roles of women.

As a pulpit rabbi in Queens in the late 1990s, he was among the first rabbis to permit women to have separate Sabbath services so that they could read from the Torah, a privilege that strict Orthodox practice reserves for men during public worship.
But it is quite rare for prisoners to spend decades in isolation.

Weve only identified 12 prisoners outside of Texas who have spent more than 20 years in solitary confinement and who arent on death row, said Easha Anand, one of the lawyers from the Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center representing Mr. Hope. She acknowledged, however, that complete data are hard to come by.

Mr. Hope was sentenced to 80 years in 1990 for a series of armed robberies and landed in solitary after he escaped from prison in 1994. He eluded capture for about two months, during which he stole a car at knife point from an 83-year-old man and robbed four grocery stores.

In 2005, after 11 years in solitary confinement, a committee of prison security personnel concluded that Mr. Hope was no longer an escape risk, according to court papers. But prison authorities have kept him isolated.

Image Dennis Wayne Hope Credit... via macarthurjustice.org

Mr. Hope sued, losing in the lower courts. A divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, ruled that the sheer length of his confinement does not, by itself, violate the Eighth Amendment.

In dissent, Judge Catharina Haynes wrote that she would have allowed his challenge to move forward given the extreme length of Hopes solitary confinement and evidence that he had experienced anxiety, depression, visual and auditory hallucinations, and had thoughts of suicide.

Some members of the Supreme Court have been fiercely critical of solitary confinement.

It drives men mad, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy said in 2015 at Harvard Law School.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
NAIROBI, Kenya  In a surprising turn, Zimbabwean prosecutors abruptly ended their case on Monday against a Zimbabwean journalist working for The New York Times, raising hopes for a speedy resolution of a case widely seen as an attack on press freedom in the southern African country.

Prosecutors were expected to call several witnesses this week to testify against Jeffrey Moyo, a reporter who was accused of providing fake press credentials to two Times journalists who entered Zimbabwe last May. If convicted, Mr. Moyo faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine.

But after a single witness testified before the court in Bulawayo on Monday, describing a chaotic accreditation system in terms that badly undermined the case against Mr. Moyo, government lawyers said they needed to consult with their supervisors. When they returned, they declared they would not call any other witnesses  not even the police investigator in charge of the case.

Mr. Moyo's lawyers, who have always argued that the charges against him are spurious, said they would immediately apply to have the case dismissed.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua  Nicaraguas politically active student population, one of the last pockets of opposition to President Daniel Ortegas authoritarian government, is also the latest target of his wide-ranging crackdown on dissent, with five private universities brought under state control.

The government said the colleges were stripped of their ability to operate independently this month because they had not complied with financial regulations. Critics, however, saw the move as Mr. Ortegas latest effort to clamp down on challenges to his tightening grip on power.

Since last year, his administration has jailed or put under house arrest political activists and civil society leaders, raided media offices, outlawed street protests and shuttered dozens of nongovernmental organizations. In November, Mr. Ortega ran for a fourth consecutive term in office on a ballot devoid of any credible challenger, and won.

Universities had been among the last remaining centers of resistance.

The government said the National Council of Universities, a state advisory body, would oversee the institutions brought under its control. A governing party official this past week labeled another private university, which observers fear could be taken over next, as a hotbed of terrorism that promoted violence and disinformation.
New details about the source of millions of dollars supporting the Canadian trucker convoy suggest many of the larger donors are wealthy Canadians, though one of the biggest contributions was made in the name of an American tech entrepreneur.

Leaked data said to be from the GiveSendGo crowdfunding platform, posted last night to a now-defunct web page by anonymous hackers, lists records of more than 92,000 donations totaling more than $8 million. A review of the data shows that some $4.3 million came from Canada, while an additional $3.6 million originated in the United States, though the United States accounted for the most individual donations. Small donations from dozens of other countries made up a fraction of the total amount raised.

One of the largest donations, for $90,000, is attributed to Thomas M. Siebel, a billionaire Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor. He did not respond to a request for comment sent to the email address listed in the records and to his company.

Others who made donations ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 appear to be mostly Canadian business owners, with a few Americans in the mix.
LONDON  Camilla, the wife of Prince Charles, has tested positive for the coronavirus, four days after her husband was reported to be reinfected, Clarence House, their royal household, said on Monday.

The announcement is likely to fan further concerns about the health of Queen Elizabeth II, who was in contact with Charles, her eldest son, two days before he tested positive. Buckingham Palace has not commented on the queens condition since last week, when it said she was not exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19.

The palace has declined to say whether the queen, who is 95, had been tested for the virus. She was scheduled to hold video calls with foreign dignitaries from Windsor Castle this week, but the palace has not said whether they will go ahead.

Clarence House has been similarly circumspect with details about Camilla, who is known as the Duchess of Cornwall. It did not describe the severity of her symptoms, after saying last week that Charles was suffering mild symptoms. Charles and Camilla have both had two doses, and booster shots, of a coronavirus vaccine.
The day before he is scheduled to meet President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, Germanys chancellor, Olaf Scholz, visited Kyiv on Monday to promise full support to Ukraine in the case of a Russian invasion.

In the event of military escalation, we are ready for very far-reaching and effective sanctions in coordination with our allies, Mr. Scholz said during a joint news conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.

Mr. Scholz, who was criticized for weeks for being slow to respond to the Russian military buildup surrounding Ukraine, has recently sought to demonstrate solidarity with the United States and NATO allies in condemning the Russian threat.

After a meeting with Mr. Zelensky that went on longer than scheduled, Mr. Scholz said at the news conference that it was up to Russia to respond to proposals by the United States and NATO to address Moscows concerns surrounding security in Eastern Europe. Russian officials have indicated that those responses were being finalized.
ALONG THE DNIEPER RIVER, Ukraine  Fishing on a marbled expanse of frozen river, dressed head to toe in camouflage, Viktor Berkut looked very much the Soviet-born Everyman, and has the biography to match. He joined the Red Army in 1970 and spent three decades building air defense and rocket systems directed against Moscows ideological enemies in the West.

But the enemy has changed, and for that Mr. Berkut blames President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. With roughly 130,000 Russian troops now threatening his native Ukraine, the 71-year-old pensioner says any connection he once felt to Russia is gone: Ukraine should join NATO, he said, and put up bloody resistance should Mr. Putin order an attack.

I never thought like this, Mr. Berkut said mournfully, as he plunked a Day-Glo lure through a hole in the ice of the Dnieper River near the city of Cherkasy. I lived all right in the Soviet Union. But now Ive begun to understand.

We need to oppose Russia, he added. We have chosen, not a Russian path, but a European one.

His sentiments underscore a profound shift that Ukrainians have undergone in the eight years since Russia first invaded and snatched away parts of their country. A people long divided by profound disputes over what language to speak, what church to follow and what historical heroes to revere has begun to stitch together a sense of common purpose in the face of a menacing foe.
The United States temporarily relocated its C.I.A. station in Kyiv on Tuesday, a day after the State Department announced its diplomatic corps would move to Lviv, a western city near the border with Poland, because of the Russian military buildup near Ukraine, according to officials briefed on the shift.

Removing C.I.A. officers from Kyiv could make collecting information on Russian activity inside Ukraine more difficult. The U.S. has been working to collect intelligence, declassify it and expose what officials have called various Russian plots to undermine or replace the Ukrainian government.

On Monday, the State Department also recommended that U.S. citizens leave Belarus and Transnistria, a Russian-backed breakaway region in Moldova. Both Belarus and Transnistria neighbor Ukraine.

The department had said on Saturday that it would move most of its diplomatic staff in Kyiv to Lviv, but not all, indicating that it would keep the embassy operating. A department spokesman, Ned Price, declined to say at a news briefing on Monday how many people remained in Kyiv and were covered by the decision to shut the embassy.
Image A Ukrainian frontline position in Krasnohorivka. The biggest immediate energy threat from an invasion would be Russian natural gas exports through Ukrainian pipelines that flow to Europe. Credit... Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

A Russian invasion of Ukraine could drive up already high oil and natural gas prices, prolonging elevated inflation around the world and dealing a blow to any country dependent on Russia for energy.

Oil and gas prices have been marching upward for months as exporting countries like Libya have struggled with production problems and demand has rapidly recovered after two years of the pandemic. But all of that pales in comparison with what could happen if a war in Eastern Europe and potential Western sanctions on Russia curtail that countrys production, analysts said.

Russia produces 10 million barrels of oil a day, roughly 10 percent of global demand, and is Europes largest supplier of natural gas, a critical fuel for power plants and for heat.

The United States is not a big importer of Russian oil  it gets about 700,000 barrels a day, or roughly 3 percent of its demand. But even Americans would be hurt because the price of the commodity is set in global markets.

Nobody quite knows what President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia intends to do in Ukraine, and most analysts agree that a war would hurt his country as much as the rest of the world, if not more, given the Russian economys dependence on energy. Yet, by simply amassing tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border, Mr. Putin has created the kind of threat to the global energy market that the world hasnt seen since the end of the Cold War.

Governments had hoped that these days were over, said David L. Goldwyn, who was a leading State Department energy diplomat during the Obama administration. No one was gaming for a cutoff of Russian oil and gas to the global market.

Oil prices have risen to well over $90 a barrel  their highest levels since 2014  in recent days as fears of war have grown. Many energy experts say an invasion would easily propel the price above $100 a barrel. The average price for regular gasoline in the United States has risen to nearly $3.50, a rise of almost 20 cents over the last month and nearly $1 more than a year ago, according to AAA. Diesel prices have been rising a penny a gallon every day recently.

Higher fuel prices hurt rural and working-class consumers the most because they spend a larger percentage of their incomes on energy and because they typically drive longer distances in less fuel-efficient cars. For every penny that a gallon of regular gasoline rises, it costs American consumers $4 million a day, said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for Oil Price Information Service.

We are going to push the envelope with inflation that infiltrates every nook and cranny of the economy, Mr. Kloza said. Im most worried about diesel. It doesnt provoke a public outcry like gasoline, but it can be a silent killer of commerce and profits.

Oil markets rose about 2 percent on Monday. They eased early in the day as traders took note of reports that Russian officials remained willing to negotiate a potential settlement before climbing again in the afternoon. European natural gas prices rose about 6 percent.

The biggest immediate threat from an invasion would be Russian natural gas exports through Ukrainian pipelines to Europe. If the gas stopped flowing, many Europeans could struggle to heat their homes. Utilities might have to cut back electricity production, and factories might have to close early. Mr. Putin could also seek to further increase pressure on the West by restricting oil exports to Europe.

Those moves would, of course, hurt Russia, and make the economic sanctions promised by the Biden administration and its allies all the more punitive. That threat may turn out to be the primary reason Mr. Putin eventually looks for a compromise.

There are reasons to hope an energy crisis could be averted. The United States has been producing more oil in recent weeks, and the Biden administration is working on efforts to revive a nuclear deal with Iran that would release as much as a million barrels a day on the world market.

The European winter has been relatively mild, and the wind is blowing far stronger than last year, easing pressure on the wind power sector. Further, the Biden administration has had some success in sending more liquefied natural gas to Europe by persuading Japan and other Asian consumers to forgo some shipments.

But global oil production has not kept up over the last year with the growth of demand despite the lingering pandemic. The output of several members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has declined, and there have been production interruptions outside the cartel, including in Ecuador and Kazakhstan, because of natural disasters and political turmoil. Renewed political tension could also tip Libya back into civil war, which could put at risk 300,000 barrels of production or more.

Simply the threat of war and disruption can be enough to send prices spiraling higher, said Nishant Bhushan, senior oil market analyst at Rystad Energy, a consulting firm.

At the same time, many commuters have given up on mass transit because of fears of contracting the coronavirus and are driving more.

American oil companies have been gradually increasing production, although they are not yet pumping out the roughly 13 million barrels a day they were in 2019. Reduced investment in exploration and production because of the pandemic, and lower investor interest in oil and gas for environmental reasons, have stretched supplies thin.

Oil executives remain cautious, in part because they borrowed heavily in recent years to bolster output only to see prices drop. Some executives also said they were struggling to predict and respond to geopolitical developments.

If Putin invades, then oil rises over $100 to $120 a barrel, said Scott Sheffield, chief executive of Pioneer Natural Resources, a major Texas oil and gas company. If Biden removes sanctions on Iran, then there will be a $10 drop.

He added, Demand is strong and there is not enough supply long term, so eventually oil will be over $100 regardless.

Image An oil refinery in Omsk, Russia. Russia is Europes primary source of natural gas and supplies roughly one of every 10 barrels of oil the world consumes. Credit... Alexey Malgavko/Reuters

Rising oil prices are also a threat to policies aimed at curbing climate change. As prices rise at the pump, some lawmakers and voters may become more willing to support increasing oil and gas production, seeing it as a more immediate solution to high energy prices than investing in, say, renewable energy and electric cars.

This is a huge watershed for governments trying to manage the energy transition and energy security simultaneously, said Mr. Goldwyn, the former Obama administration official. The need to have adequate reserves of oil and gas and diverse sources of supply is more urgent than ever during an energy and geopolitical crisis.

Some energy analysts said high prices might not persist for that long. Thats because people may seek to reduce their expenses by, for example, driving less or switching to more efficient vehicles and appliances. A report on Monday by analysts at RBC, an investment bank, forecast that oil prices could reach $115 a barrel or higher this summer. It added, The oil cycle will price higher until it finds a level of demand destruction.

The recent jump in gasoline prices comes at a time of year when people tend to drive less. To some energy experts, that is worrisome because a seasonal upswing in prices is not that far away.

Not only are oil prices up, but the bulk of the nation is starting the multi-month transition to summer gasoline, further adding to the rise at the pump, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, a technology company that tracks fuel prices.

A diplomatic settlement, of course, would relieve the pressures, and energy prices would go down.

Average prices in 2022 could be lower than 2021 with more supplies from the United States and the gulf, including Iran, said Rene Ortiz, a former secretary general of OPEC and former oil minister in Ecuador. That is the best scenario, and I think diplomacy will prevail. It would be crazy for Putin to invade.
Mr. Bennett is expected to meet Tuesday with the Bahraini king, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, as well as his son, Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, who is the kingdoms prime minister and crown prince.

A Sunni Muslim dynasty that has ruled Bahrain since 1783, the Khalifa family presides over a mainly Shiite citizenry that has long complained of discrimination. The al-Khalifa family shares Israels fears about Iran, a Shiite-majority state across the Persian Gulf from Bahrain.

Bahraini leaders have often accused Iran of encouraging unrest among the countrys Shiite majority; in the 1980s, Bahrain said it had foiled two pro-Iran coup plots. Israel has been fighting a shadow war with Iran for years, and wants to curb Irans regional influence and prevent it from building a nuclear bomb.

Speaking to reporters at the airport before his plane took off, Mr. Bennett said, Especially in these tumultuous times its important that from this region we send a message of good will, of cooperation of standing together against common threats and of building bridges to the future.

Mr. Bennetts visit began amid speculation that Iran and five world powers would shortly sign a new agreement to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. An earlier deal collapsed in 2018 after the Trump administration pulled out of the arrangement. Israel is not a party to the new negotiations, but it opposes a new deal that does not do enough to curb Irans nuclear program or thwart its support for proxies in Gaza, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.

By flying to Bahrain, Mr. Bennett achieves a victory denied to his predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, who brokered the original deals with countries like Bahrain. Mr. Netanyahu reluctantly canceled three visits to the Emirates and Bahrain last winter, partly because of issues related to the pandemic and partly because Emirati leaders did not want to become embroiled in his re-election campaign.

Mr. Bennetts meeting builds on the steady progress since 2020 in Israeli-Bahraini relations, at both a state and civilian level.
Slide 1 of 8,

Hillary Sterlings enthusiasm for seasoning in multiple dimensions gives her Italian food at Ci Siamo a distinctly American crackle. Broccoli rabe goes inside the agnolotti; florets are shaved over the top, too.
Stillwater, OK (74078)

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Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sunshine. High 68F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph..

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Kjeragbolten is one of the most instagrammable places in Norway. Its an ancient boulder wedged in a crevasse by the edge of Kjerag mountain, in Lysefjord.

Unless youve been living under a rock, youve probably seen photos of people standing on this giant boulder wedged in-between two stone walls, above this seemingly bottomless abyss. Well, technically, the abyss is 984 meters or 3,228 feet deep, so in terms of chances of survival in case of a fall, it might as well be bottomless. However, despite its dramatic appearance, Kjeragbolten is relatively easy to access on foot without any special equipment, making it one of the hottest tourist spots in Norway.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Theres just something about the danger of falling thousands of feet to meet an unfortunate and gorry death that seems to draw people in. Kjeragbolten, the five-cubic-meter large block of stone suspended above 984-meter deep abyss, is no different. People from all over the world travel to Norway to hike up Kjerag mountain and have their photos taken on the famous suspended boulder.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @world_of_fast_travel

Even though Kjeragbolten is reportedly wider than it looks in most photos, its obvious that one or two wrong steps can have fatal consequences, so its somewhat surprising that no one has ever fallen off of it, at least in recorded history.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dima Morozov (@dmytro_morozov_)

Kjeragbolten doesnt have a completely clean sheet when it comes to fatalities, though. Apart from its Instagram appeal, the place is also very popular with base jumpers who use it as a ramp for their crazy flights above the beautiful Norwegian landscape. 9 or 10 such jumpers have lost their lives over the years, although Kjeragbolten was not directly responsible for their untimely demise.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Go visit Norway (@go_visit_norway)

Kjeragbolten looks photoshopped, or at least placed there deliberately by someone, but in truth, its just an ancient glacial deposit that happens to look otherworldly.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jonathan (@joey_panigada)
The Midlands Youth Orchestra has been very busy over the past couple of weeks preparing for their performance at the 26th edition Festival of Youth Orchestras next Saturday February19th. T

he concert, which will feature four other youth orchestras, will take place in the National Concert Hall, Dublin. The concert is presented by the Irish Association of Youth Orchestra which was established in 1994.To prepare for this, with the generous support of Offaly County Councils Arts Office, the orchestra commissioned the prolific harpist and composer Michael Rooney to write a dedicated arrangement of a suite  An Bealach Ar Ais which will be part of the repertoire to be performed on Saturday. The three pieces - Aonru, Sult, and Dochas - are Michael Rooneys own compositions, and represent a seamless fusion of classical and traditional music. Not only did Michael arrange the pieces for the orchestra, but he also facilitated a day-long workshop on Sunday October 24th.

Michael Rooney has composed many pieces which combine traditional Irish music with classical music. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost players of the traditional Irish harp. He was awarded the TG4 Composer of the year in 2017. One of his compositions the "Macalla Suite" composed for the 1916 centenary was performed in London by the Macalla Orchestra - some past members of Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra were members of that orchestra. Other notable compositions by Michael Rooney include the Famine Suite (2019) and the Battle of the Books Suite (2007). His music also features on the The Queens Speech, RTEs documentary of Queen Elizabeths visit to Ireland.

The Midlands Youth Orchestra was founded by Vincent Hunt in 2006 after a collaborative project involving different orchestras from around the midlands.

It is now a well-established and successful group of over forty young musicians, aged between 12 and 22 who come primarily from Co. Offaly with a small number from adjoining counties.

With the easing of covid restrictions the orchestra if getting back to rehearsing one day per month, augmented by additional workshops where new music pieces are planned and introduced. The orchestra plays music of a range of styles from classic to modern pop and traditional Irish. With the now easing of covid restrictions, there a number of performances are in the pipeline to showcase the rich and high standard attained under our current Musical Director, Matt Rafter.

Matt Rafter is a cellist, conductor, and event producer based in Dublin. As a freelance musician he is in regular demand for performing, recording and touring projects, which he balances against his passion for music education at all levels. He is currently Musical Director of the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra, and cellist of both the Vltava and Belenus String Quartets. He also serves as Concerts Manager for Crash Ensemble, Irelands foremost contemporary music group. Matt completed his undergraduate degree in Music at Trinity College, Dublin in 2013, where he played an active role in the musical life of the college, including conducting the Trinity Orchestra at major Irish festivals and internationally. From 2013-14 Matt toured internationally as cellist with Irish sensation Hozier, as well as performing variously with Kodaline, The Riptide Movement, Heathers and many more. From 2015-18 he was a Musician Educator on the strings programme with Music Generation South Dublin and proceeded to establish orchestra projects in several schools as the programmes matured. Matt was a member of the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra as a teenager, he returned to become Musical Director in 2015  18, enjoying performances in the National Concert Hall and in Madrid in 2017. After two years living in Montreal, Matt returned to Ireland and was delighted to return to his role with the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra in 2020. Matt is adventurous, innovative and ambitious for the orchestra and is looking forward to the forthcoming Festival of Youth Orchestras. Matt is delighted that the orchestra will be able to feature the music of the distinguished composer Michael Rooney.

For information on becoming a member send email to: irishmidlandsyo@gmail.com
Ireland has been put on alert for Storm Dudley as Met Eireann has already issued as series of warnings for the Atlantic Storm which will hit Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Met Eireann has issued a Status Orange Wind warning for Donegal. Met Eireann is warning that westerly winds associated with Storm Dudley will reach mean speeds of 65  80km/h with damaging gusts of 100  130km/h, stronger on exposed coasts and on high ground. A combination of high tide and strong winds will lead to some coastal flooding. That warning will coming into place at 9pm on Wednesday and runs until 9am on Thursday.

An Orange wind warning is in place for Donegal on Wednesday as #StormDudley brings a spell of very strong winds.



Wind warnings also in place for NI.

See warning details https://t.co/yFuajDc5fG pic.twitter.com/tGAa20suA9  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) February 14, 2022

A Status Yellow Wind Warning has also been issued for Clare, Donegal, Galway, Mayo. Met Eireann is warning that westerly winds associated with Storm Dudley will reach mean speeds of 50  65km/h with damaging gusts of 80  110km/h, stronger on exposed coasts and on high ground. A combination of high tide and strong winds will lead to some coastal flooding.

This warning is valid from noon on Wednesday until noon on Thursday.

Met Eireann says the warnings will be updated on Tuesday morning.
The head of the HSE said there is no black hole in its budget and rejected claims of sloppiness in its financial reporting.

Paul Reid also moved to defend its recruitment plans, denying there were fake targets for hiring staff within the health system.

It comes after the Sunday Business Post reported details of discussions between senior government officials.

The comments were claimed to have been made by officials at the Department of Health at a meeting on January 27 to discuss details about the health budget oversight group.

Cleaning your hands properly and often helps stop the spread of bacteria and viruses like COVID-19. Learn more: https://t.co/L4WRSwehPb #StaySafe | #ForUsAll pic.twitter.com/4VE5nWDNw4  HSE Ireland (@HSELive) February 13, 2022

It was also reported that officials made comments about dysfunction and distrust in the health sector.

Mr Reid said the reality does not reflect a very collaborative, constructive and challenging relationship between the HSE and the Department of Health.

It doesnt reflect what our big focus is on and the issues for the public which are waiting lists, reform and trying to recover from Covid and the impact it has had, Mr Reid told RTE Morning Ireland.

Mr Reid said he was surprised by the language reported and said the figures quoted by the government officials were factually incorrect.

It was reported that officials raised issues of a possible prior year adjustment in its budget for 2020, which they said could be in the region of hundreds of millions of euro.

However, Mr Reid rejected these claims.

I want to make the point, there will be no adjustment of hundreds of millions in our budgets. There is no black hole, he added.

What is happening is a process thats ongoing jointly between ourselves and the department, which is an assessment of a potential financial adjustment, and thats a process that has been initiated by ourselves, the HSE, our audit and risk committee and the board, to look at certain levels of provisions and approvals at the end of the year December 2020.

All that has done is to give assurance to the boards, the department, the Oireachtas, that certain cash management we have, it will not involve any potential increase in expense.

Thats unfortunate commentary and its not correct.

He said that any adjustments, if there are any, would be less than 100 million euro.

The officials also claimed that a target of recruiting 10,000 staff this year was not going to be met, and that the updated figure would be 5,500.

Mr Reid said that since January 2020, the HSE has recruited 24,000 people in the health service.

He said that there has been a 12,500 net increase in HSE employees.

So when we set out to do the service plan for 2020, we have funding and we secured funding and are really are appreciative for the 10,000 recruited staff, Mr Reid added.

When we looked at what the market was telling us over the past two years, the reality of what we foresaw is a really difficult market here in Ireland. The reality of it will probably be somewhere around 5,500.

However, we are still striving to recruit up to levels of 10,000.

Mr Reid said that the HSE needs and wants to achieve those levels of recruiting 10,000 health staff and said they are achievable.

We advised the minister that reality of what the market may facilitate would be about 5,500, but we will pull out all stops to achieve further than that and thats exactly what will be set out in the national service plan, he added.

So its actually good practice of the way weve gone about it.
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Germany has said it plans to send more than 300 troops to bolster NATO's eastern flank as the US says a Russian invasion of Ukraine could come within days.
Germany has repeatedly rejected delivering arms to Ukraine. But in the face of the continuing Russian military buildup, NATO countries have sent thousands of tons of weapons and ammunition to Kyiv.
Canadian military trainers have been withdrawn from Ukraine, several sources tell CBC News. The relocation of the troops to Poland took place as other allied nations pulled their trainers out of the eastern European country ahead of an anticipated Russian invasion this week.
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Here are the top stories for Sunday, February 13th: US: Over 130,000 Russian troops now staged outside Ukraine; Police arrest protesters at US-Canada bridge; Protest in the Hague over virus rules; Rescued migrants brought to Lampedusa.


Joe Biden has turned everything upside down, according to a critic pointing out that he is unfit to stay in the Oval Office.
Afghanistan's former president on Sunday called a White House order to unfreeze $3.5 billion in Afghan assets held in the U.S. for families of 9/11 victims an atrocity
After 2 years in office, the former comedian Volodymur Zelenskyy is watching his once enormous support dissolve as Ukraine faces the threat of a possible invasion by Russia.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lands in Kyiv on Monday before visiting Moscow to try to head off a "very critical" threat of a Russian invasion that would spark the worst crisis in Europe since the Cold War.
The Kremlin signalled Monday it is ready to keep talking with the West about security grievances that led to the current Ukraine crisis, offering hope that Russia might not invade its beleaguered neighbor within days as the U.S. and Europe increasingly fear.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke separately on Monday with the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine and still believed "from his own analysis, his own hopes" that there would not be a conflict.
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By SA Commercial Prop News

Norbert Sasse, Group CEO of Growthpoint Properties, attributes a steady first-half performance to the better-than-expected showing from its South African portfolio.



Investors in SAs largest listed real estate investment trust (Reit), Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT) are having to cope with a case of steady or balanced earnings growth  as the effects of COVID-19 are still being felt in the commercial property sector.

Growthpoint, on Wednesday, announced a 12.5% growth in revenue and R2.5bn in distributable income for its six-month period to 31 December 2020.

Compared with the six months to end-2019 before the impacts of Covid-19, distributable income decreased 21.6% which on a per share basis decreased by 31.0% to 73.1 cents per share, mainly because of 408m new shares issued in November 2020 through a R4.3bn equity raise and the dividend reinvestment programme, which raised an additional R577m.

Its getting harder for any listed property companies to repeat their former successes as the pandemic fall-out continues. Growthpoint's peers, such as Redefine Properties, Capital & Regional (UK) and Rebosis Property Fund, have even decided not to pay out full-year dividends in their latest results.

Norbert Sasse, Group CEO of Growthpoint Properties, attributes a steady first-half performance to the better-than-expected showing from its South African portfolio, trading and development delivering handsomely, income from funds management gaining impetus and its Australian investment outperforming in its offshore portfolio.



Sasse comments, Growthpoint continued to prioritise balance sheet strength and liquidity, and focused on the factors that we can control in this market. As a consequence, our results show a very stable business that is in good shape. Weve lowered our South African gearing comfortably within our target range and have R5bn of liquidity. Growthpoint has a strong balance sheet, enabling us to pursue our strategic initiatives and declare a dividend of 80% of distributable income. By paying our shareholders an interim dividend, we are reinforcing Growthpoints commitment to retaining our REIT status and our intention is to continue paying dividends twice a year of at least 75% of distributable income.



The positive outcomes of Growthpoints focus on liquidity and balance sheet strength are evident in its half-year numbers. Growthpoints consolidated SA REIT loan-to-value (LTV) decreased from 43.9% to 40.7% during the six months, with its SA LTV reducing from 39.8% to 35.5% and an interest cover ratio (ICR) of 3.8x. Growthpoint reduced its nominal debt in South Africa from R43.4bn to R37.8bn during the period through R4.4bn of repayments and R1.2bn due to the stronger domestic currency. It has R5bn of unutilised committed facilities and R1.1bn of cash on its balance sheet at 31 December 2020. Growthpoint achieved its healthy loan-to-value levels, despite a further 3.6% devaluation of its South African portfolio, which decreased in value by 13% over the 2020 calendar year as a consequence of unsupportive property fundamentals driven mainly by growth in income uncertainty.



Contributing to Growthpoints balance sheet strength was a R4.3bn equity raise in November 2020 at R12.0 per share, which was 2.7x oversubscribed. Additionally, 43.2% of shareholders elected the share alternative, raising R577m through the FY20 November distribution reinvestment programme. By reducing its FY20 dividend pay-out ratio to 80%, Growthpoint retained R827m after paying tax of R154m, and will retain R499m distributable income for the half-year by again applying an 80% pay-out ratio.



Growthpoint creates value through innovative and sustainable property solutions that provide space to thrive. It is the most liquid and tradable way to own commercial property in SA. Growthpoint is a FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index company and a constituent of the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Emerging Index. It has also been included in the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for four successive years and in the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index for more than a decade and has achieved a level 2 B-BBEE rating



It owns and manages a diversified portfolio of 434 property assets across SA valued at R71.0bn, a 50% interest in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, valued at R9.0bn, and R12.0bn in assets under management via its funds management operations. Growthpoint owns 57 properties in Australia valued at R49.8bn through a 62.2% holding in ASX-listed Growthpoint Properties Australia (GOZ) and seven community shopping centres in the UK valued at R11.3bn through its 52.1% investment in LSE- and JSE-listed UK REIT Capital & Regional. Through its 29.3% investment in LSE AIM-listed Globalworth Real Estate Investments (GWI), it owns an interest in 64 properties in Romania and Poland, of which Growthpoints share is valued at R15.9bn.



During the half-year, Growthpoints South African portfolio achieved a 97% average rental collection rate, and recovered R125m, or 68%, of total rental deferrals granted since the onset of the pandemic. It let more than 633,000sqm of space and its renewal success rate increased from 66.4% to 68.0%. Arrears of R494m are well provided for. However, several portfolio fundamentals continued to weaken, with vacancies rising from 9.5% to 10.3% and average rental reversions moving from -6.7% to -13.9%. Given the state of the market in the half-year, a bigger than usual portion of its portfolio was externally valued, with its retail portfolio value decreasing by 3.2%, offices 4.7% and industrial 3.1%.



Growthpoint intensified its focus on right-sizing its portfolio through the strategic sale of non-core assets, a programme which it commenced in its 2017 financial year and has since sold R7.5bn in properties. Despite little liquidity and a challenging sales environment, it sold five properties during the period for R497.7m at book value and held two valued at R55.5m for sale at half-year end.



Development expertise is a competitive advantage for Growthpoint. While Growthpoint doesnt distribute non-recurring income, its trading and development activity proved very profitable during the half-year, earning R128m of third-party trading profits, development fees and rental income. In step with the current market, development was curtailed to around a third of previous levels, and speculative development avoided. Turnkey developments for the Growthpoint investment portfolio remain a key focus, as well as third-party developments.



The South African retail property portfolio vacancies edged up slightly from 3.7% to 4.8%, excluding offices and space under development. While the renewal success rate improved, renewal growth, escalations and arrears all came under pressure. Trading densities, and net property income reduced in this portfolio, which accommodates gyms, restaurants, cinemas, and other tenants severely impacted by the COVID-19 lockdowns. Growthpoint granted R66.6m in discounts and R2.2m in deferrals to its retail tenants. Community and convenience centres outperformed larger malls, and value retail attracted the most spending. On-demand shopping services such as OneCart and Checkers Sixty60, which shop from retailers shelves, positively impacted in-mall sales. Growthpoint finalised the Edcon business rescue legacy, writing off both the arrears and investment.



Growthpoints South African office portfolio vacancies rose from 15.4% to 18.0%. Renewal successes and arrears improved, but all other metrics in this portfolio deteriorated. Growthpoint granted R14.4m in discounts and R8.4m in deferrals to its office tenants. Its new Altron campus redevelopment at Woodmead Office Park in Woodmead was completed after the period in February, with rental commencing on a long-term lease from this month.



Growthpoints industrial portfolio continued to outperform relatively, despite vacancies increasing from 7.1% to 8.2%, mostly due to the slower letting of new developments in Cape Town and Durban, and an upward trend in business failures in our tenant base. It reported steady escalations, arrears and net property income levels, but renewal success and growth rates decreased. Growthpoint remains focused on modernising its industrial portfolio and selling non-core industrial assets.



There is some optimism about a rebound in South Africa, but the property industry lags many other sectors and is slower to reflect a change in trends. Any improvement will take time to filter through. There is likely to be a multi-year recovery in GDP. Even if the economy grows at forecast levels of between 3.3% and 4.6% in 2021, off the low base of a 7.0% contraction in 2020 it will take two to three years to reach pre-COVID-19 levels. We expect further financial and operational headwinds. We still see many business rescues and liquidations. There is a lot of capacity in the office and retail sectors, and it isnt yet possible to gauge the structural shifts of work-from-home. In this difficult environment, our relatively stronger balance sheet gives us great comfort, remarks Sasse.



The V&A Waterfront was severely impacted by various lockdown restrictions, the absence of foreign tourism, its cruise terminals closure, and leisure limitations. Retail turnover decreased by 36% compared to the 2019 half-year. Hotel occupancy rates were 20% compared to 70% during the same six months in 2019 and precinct footfalls nearly halved, notwithstanding good local tourism support. The V&As robust office portfolio proved resilient due to a high percentage of blue-chip tenants, supporting low vacancies and no material lease terminations. As an essential service, the fishing industry traded and paid rental throughout the period. Casual shipping and yachting remained strong. The cumulative impact was a 48% decline in net property income, with pressure on collections, arrears and property values.



Notwithstanding its challenges, the V&A Waterfront achieved several highlights, including completing a new 9,350sqm head office development for Deloitte, approving a 6,900sqm head office for Investec, leasing most of the ex-Edgars space to Zara, and introducing an incubator for early-stage food industry businesses, Makers Landing.



The return to lockdown level 1 supports performance, but with the global impacts of the pandemic, it is difficult to know when international tourists will return, which is critical for the V&A Waterfront. However, it remains a strong asset with solid property fundamentals, explains Sasse.



Growthpoints capital light funds management strategy allows it to access third party capital and leverage its management strength in the unlisted and co-invested environment. Growthpoint continued building its first two funds and plans to launch a third fund invested in purpose-built student residential accommodation. During the half-year, this strategic focus earned Growthpoint R16.3m in asset management fees and distributions of R62.2m from the hospital fund. It also received a maiden dividend of R3.7m from the Africa fund, which Growthpoint elected to reinvest, and a distribution from the management company is expected to be paid to Growthpoint before 30 June 2021.



Sasse explains, Our funds management model is a core strategy. The co-investment and co-management model are effective and particularly attractive in this market.



The healthcare fund, Growthpoint Healthcare Property Holdings (GHPH), in which Growthpoint has a 61.8% shareholding, grew half-year distribution per share by 7.5% to 40.8 cents per share. The fund has a R2.7bn portfolio of four hospitals and a medical chamber. Growing its portfolio, the acquisition of 51% of the 100-bed Busamed Paardevlei Hospital in Somerset West is final and awaiting transfer. Cintocare Hospital, developed by Growthpoint in Pretoria, opened in December 2020 and is to be acquired by the fund. A USD80m equity and convertible debt package from the International Finance Corporation is in the final stages of negotiation and is intended to finance development and acquisition opportunities, for which the healthcare fund has a healthy pipeline of around R4.5bn.



Growthpoint has a 16% shareholding in Lango Real Estate (formerly Growthpoint Investec Property Fund or GIAP), which owns a USD638m quality portfolio of income-producing real estate assets, comprising 11 prime office and retail properties in Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and Angola. Lango performed well throughout the pandemic to pay its maiden distribution to shareholders.



In January 2021, Lango acquired the final minority stake in the Standard Chartered office building in Accra, Ghana, and now owns 100% of the asset. It is in advanced discussions with potential investors to raise additional capital. In line with capital raised, it has assembled an exciting pipeline of assets for investment as it continues to lead the African real estate market.



Growthpoints international investment remains at steady levels of around 40% of its property assets by book value and just over a quarter of earnings before interest and tax. It intends to refine its approach to offshore investment.



GOZ is a core investment for Growthpoint, with its defensive portfolio of quality office and industrial assets with strong tenancies. GOZs dividend decreased from AUD11.8 cents per share to AUD10.0 cents per share, as it chose to reinforce its capital structure thereby decreasing its pay-out ratio. COVID-19 had little impact on GOZs earnings and performance. Underpinning its resilience, 97% of its tenants comprise big corporates and government, and it has no retail assets. Rental collection rates remained above 98% throughout the pandemic, and GOZ closed the period with a portfolio occupancy of 95%, which will increase to 97% in the second half. Significant longer-term leases were signed during the six months  including hardware chain Bunnings as a key tenant for Botanicca, taking the portfolios weighted average lease expiry to 6.2 years. During the half-year, its asset values increased and gearing levels decreased further to a low 29.9% with good liquidity of over AUD400m cash available



GOZ enjoys a strong capital position with gearing well below its target range, supported by positive property fundamentals and prospects for acquisitions and fund management, as well as merger and acquisition opportunities. A faster economic recovery is expected for Australia, and GOZs quality metropolitan office portfolio is expected to be particularly resilient, while its industrial portfolio is poised to benefit from the rapid growth in e-commerce, reports Sasse. GOZ has guided a distribution of AUD20.0 cents per share for its 2021 financial year.



Growthpoints Central and Eastern European investment platform, Globalworth, comprises office and industrial assets, with little retail property. It has 38 assets in Poland and 26 in Romania. By retaining cash to reinforce balance sheet strength, Globalworth delivered significantly diluted dividends of EUR15.0 cents per share. Its inaugural green bond raised EUR400m in July 2020, with a 2.95% coupon for six years, and was 2x oversubscribed. Globalworths portfolio proved defensive, with rental collections at 98.7% across 2020. It completed three new developments in a relatively quiet period with investment activity suspended. It closed 2020 with a portfolio occupancy of 91.7% including options, reflecting slower take-up of space in the new developments due to COVID-19.



Globalworth has been relatively unaffected by the pandemic, with its strong balance sheet and a solid base of multinational tenants which favour the region, Sasse points out.



In the UK, Capital & Regional was hard hit by Covid-19, and Growthpoints investment case in this pure retail REIT was severely impacted, notwithstanding its favourable community centre strategy, with a high proportion of non-discretionary retail. While all its shopping centres remained open throughout 2020, only around 30% of retailers could trade for the full year. There was some reprieve during the six months, and in mid-December 98% of the portfolio was trading before lockdown restrictions were re-introduced. Exacerbated by the pandemic, 17 national retailers faced business failure. Together, this placed pressure on income (down GBP15.1m), values (down 27.5%), and leverage (net LTV of 65%). Capital & Regional has signed waivers for all current income covenants with all its financiers. Its high cash reserves of over GBP80m protect its liquidity position. Even in this challenging environment, Capital & Regional collected 80% of rental during the 2020 calendar year and reported a resilient 92% commercial occupancy at end-December.



The UKs easing of restrictions should allow all non-essential retailers to re-open by mid-April. However, the pandemic has accelerated structural shifts already underway in UKs retail industry. More certainty is needed to properly assess Capital & Regionals altered retail landscape and business needs and determine the best approach to address its debt levels and shape its future, says Sasse.



Growthpoint remains focused on protecting its balance sheet and optimising its advantages in a persistently challenging environment.



In an extremely uncertain time, we have demonstrated the benefits good liquidity and balance sheet strength. This will remain a clear focus and priority, which supports our sustainability and performance for all our stakeholders, and enables Growthpoint to continue to advance its strategic thrusts, concludes Sasse.
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MANISTEE -- Jennifer Kirkpatrick Johnson, Planned Parenthood  regional events manager, is expected to speak during the Manistee County Democratic Party's monthly membership meeting this week.

This meeting is scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the West Shore Community College Manistee Downtown Education Center on River Street in Manistee or via Zoom, the link will be emailed to members the day before for security precautions.

Johnson has worked for Planned Parenthood of Michigan for nearly 24 years. Her roles have included receptionist, health center manager, administrator for the CEO and board, and then broadened to public affairs, volunteer management and fundraising. She has worked in the development department for the last 10 years.

A major part of Johnson's current role includes planning fundraising events in Marquette, Harbor Springs, Traverse City and Grand Rapids. She is an active participant of new employee Diversity, Equity & Inclusion onboarding, specifically related to implicit bias, racial anxiety and micro-aggressions.

"Every person should be able to make their own decisions about their health and their bodies  including abortion. No one's most personal medical decisions should be controlled by politicians, neighbors, complete strangers or anyone else," read a news release.

What will happen if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade and what that will mean for womens reproductive rights in the state of Michigan are set to be discussed during the meeting.
MANISTEE TWP.  Ana Olson believes that everyone loves Mexican food, and as the owner of a new Mexican restaurant near Manistee, shes counting on it.

Taqueria Diablo held its soft opening at the Little River Casino Resort on Saturday.

Ive been traveling the world for years and there hasnt been a place that I have gone that has no Mexican restaurant, Olson said. Everywhere, they either have a Mexican restaurant or a place that sells margaritas  the culture, in general, travels.

Scott Fraley/News Advocate

Olson, who also owns Los Amigos Tequila Bar and Grill, in Muskegon, said that diners should expect authentic Mexican food from her restaurant.

As a taqueria, Olson said that her new restaurant specializes in making tacos, but she also recommends that visitors to the casino try Diablos tortas  a kind of sandwich.

Taqueria means they mostly sell tacos and they will be something really traditional that you will find south, through the border, she said. We are going to have traditional Mexican dishes that are more like finger foods  we will have nachos, burritos  kind of food that is easy on the go.

Taqueria Diablo joins Da J Wok and Sparks BBQ as the third vendor at the casinos Big Lake Dining area.

Related content: What sparked a career in barbecue for a northern Michigan businessman

I feel like weve got some great options here, that not only are for our guests, but also for the community, said Jodi Walter, the casino resorts director of food and beverage.

Once home to a popular buffet, the area was transformed into more of a food court style venue in 2020.

We recognize that there are people out there that think that we should have the buffet, but, given the current state of affairs in our world, it just was not something that we really felt was going to be conducive to the safety and security of the people that come here, Walter said.

Big Lake Dining, she said, was aimed at creating a food court style experience, but with higher quality food from established vendors like Olson.

Scott Fraley/News Advocate

I am so super grateful (for) Little River Casino, said Olson. They have done above and beyond to ensure that we not only hit our marks, but they are just putting all of it forward to make the restaurant functional.

Olson said she planned the soft opening to test the market before officially opening. In the future, she said she planned on having a delivery option for Manistee customers.

Currently, Taqueria Diablos is open from noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

More information can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/TaqueriaDiablosYummy or on the Little River website lrcr.com/dining/big-lake-dining.

Little River Casino Resort is located at 2700 Orchard Hwy.
Image provided by Consumers Energy

A Consumers Energy spokesman said a failed pole top assembly on an electric line caused the power outage at 7:28 p.m. last Wednesday that affected more than 8,000 residences in the city of Midland.

An unknown number of Consumers Energy crews worked through the night last Wednesday and early Thursday morning, Consumers spokesman Terry DeDoes said. At the peak of the outage, 8,383 residences were without power. He said crews were able to return a few hundred homes to power before completely fixing the problem.
Amid the prevailing tension in connection with the hijab row and the case being heard in the high court, schools reopened on Monday for students of Class 9 and 10 across Karnataka.

In most of the schools, the Muslim students attended classes without hijab and a few institutes allowed them to attend classes wearing hijab. Police personnel have been deputed near all schools and authorities have made proper security arrangements near the premises of schools located in sensitive locations.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated Monday morning that parents need not worry about their wards as all necessary steps have been taken by the education as well as the home department to maintain law and order situation. Peace meetings have been conducted by the school authorities, education department officials, district authorities as well as parents for peaceful conduct of classes without confusion. "Peace meetings have to be conducted in all places, at all schools," the Home Minister stated.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru Urban District Commissioner J. Manjunath has given orders to the authorities to check and ensure measures taken to maintain law and order situation in and around schools. Assistant Commissioner Shivanna stated that he was visiting schools as per the directions of the DC to inspect schools. "So far the situation is normal and classes are being held normally all over the city," he stated.

The school management asked students to take off their burka and hijab before entering school premises in the Nizamia school of Mysuru. The students took off their burka and hijab and went to classes in uniform. Though the students of the Government Urdu School of Jewargi in Kalaburagi district attended classes wearing hijab, the teachers informed students about the court order and asked them to remove the hijab.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court will resume hearing on petitions seeking permission to wear hijab to classes Monday noon. In its interim order, the three bench judge has restrained students from wearing hijab as well as saffron shawls and any religious symbols. The court also directed the government to reopen schools and colleges.

The state government is expected to take a call on reopening pre-university and university colleges Monday evening. Education Minister B.C. Nagesh has said that schools were running peacefully across the state.
Ann Brown, age 67, of Palestine, Texas, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022 in Palestine, Texas. Funeral service will be held at 10AM on Friday, May 6, 2022 at Evangelistic Temple. Burial will follow at Tennessee Colony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6PM to 8PM on Thursday, May 5, 2022 a
Bamako, Mali (PANA)  Malian national police have seized a package of several quantities of drugs, especially Indian hemp, police sources told PANA on Monday
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared the suspended head of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari, wanted for drug trafficking
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

Dog returns to couple following more than a month of an entire village joining in the search. Mia, the 8-year-old rescue dog, reunited with Hanna Poscente and Charles Reigies after she got lost when they figured in a car accident. A village helped her return home.

Reigies told NPR that they lost Mia before Christmas when he and Poscente got into an accident while driving back home to Grand Junction on Interstate 70 in a snow storm. Their jeep swerved and hit a patch of black ice, causing them to crash.

He said that when he regained consciousness, Poscente was hurt, and Mia was gone. It was already dark, and they were miles from any town. While Poscente was rushed to a hospital with a broken neck, Reigies waited for the tow truck and searched for Mia, but there were no signs of her.

Read Also: Melbourne Mom Gets 3-Year Jail Sentence for Leaving Toddler Inside Hot Car for Almost Five Hours

A village looking for a dog

The couple posted about Mia on Garfield and Eagle Co.'s Lost and Found Pets Facebook page, NBC11 News reported, encouraging residents to help find Mia. Some reported sightings of Mia, while some shared the couple's call for help on their social media accounts.

The missing dog post also had the entire Eagle County and Gypsum village putting food and water out in the hopes of inviting Mia into their homes.

One Eagle resident, Janet Cross, went out of her way to find Mia, since Poscente and Reigies were two hours away from where they lost Mia. Cross set up traps and trail cameras to capture the dog.

The trail camera showed that Mia kept returning to the crash site, perhaps to look for her owners. Cross had set a trap to lure Mia inside her home but failed to secure her.

Mia, the dog, returns home

After a week without getting reports of Mia sighting, Poscente got a call from Cross, so she rushed to Gypsum, around 10 miles away, bringing her sagebrush and other items that might signal home to Mia.

According to CPR, Cross set up the trap again, and a friend drove Poscente into the area. They failed to find Mia that night, but Poscente tried again the next day and was rewarded. While walking down the train tracks, Poscente finally saw Mia, who slowly walked towards her, as she was choking up with tears. Poscente caught the reunion on camera.

After a month and a day of losing Mia, the couple finally found their missing furry family member. Reigies said that Mia still needs to put a lot of weight back on, but the vet said she is doing good.

The couple is incredibly grateful to the Eagle Co. community and Cross for ensuring that the dog returns home safe and sound.

"You know that saying, 'It takes a village'? It literally took an entire county, and they all just... stepped up. They didn't know us. They never met Mia," Poscente told NBC11.

Related Article: Colorado Mother Who Fakes Child's Illnesses to Raise Funds Gets 16 Years in Prison Sentence
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

A mother based in Taiwan created a baby monitor after discovering that her son Noah was covered with his bib in his cot. Joanna Lin, the creator of a baby monitor powered by artificial intelligence, saw that there are no available baby monitors in the market that are sophisticated enough to improve infant sleep safety and lessen her anxiety as a mom.

When she saw that her baby's face was covered with his bib while lying on his cot, the mom of two was highly horrified. Her mind wandered to the possibility of impaired breathing, or worse, she told 9Honey Parenting. Her trauma changed her life entirely and cot safety, which was not much of a big topic at the time.

Six Cameras

Lin was extremely anxious and even employed six baby monitors that she placed around the house strategically to lessen any risks to Noah. However, even with six cameras, her anxiety was not eased. Postpartum anxiety is quite common, according to Harvard Health. Lin realized that what she was doing was just making her more anxious, and it did not address the root cause of the problem.

Read Also: Melbourne Mom Gets 3-Year Jail Sentence for Leaving Toddler Inside Hot Car for Almost Five Hours

Artificial Intelligence

Joanna worked at a pet camera company that used artificial intelligence to monitor pets. After the incident with Noah, she conducted thorough research. However, she realized that the baby monitors available in the market are not sophisticated enough to address sleep safety, which was her main concern and possible impaired breathing.

Due to the need to address sleep safety, Joanna began exploring the possibility of creating her baby monitor that will address her concerns and will give parents peace of mind when they leave their sleeping babies. Parents can maximize the technology to lessen their fears with busy households and work, particularly sleep safety.

Joanna talked to Noah's pediatrician and her network of mothers about the project, and she learned more than her concerns are also concerns of a lot of parents in her mother's group.

The CuboAi Baby Monitor

After two years of research and development and about 8,000 respondent parents, Joanna launched the CuboAi baby monitor in 2019. The market research results show that parents are highly concerned about the sleep safety of their infants. Thankfully, her baby monitor tries to help lessen those concerns through real-time alerts and updates.

A notification will be sent to the parent's smartphone when the baby's face is covered, rolls over, or when the baby enters a danger zone. It also sends alerts when the baby is crying and automatically takes a photo when the baby smiles.

CuboAi also has built-in lullabies, sleep analytics, and two-way audio so parents can also talk to their babies if needed. This state-of-the-art baby monitor is truly a game-changer and can give the peace of mind that parents deserve.

Related Article: Colorado Mother Who Fakes Child's Illnesses to Raise Funds Gets 16 Years in Prison Sentence
Photo: (Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Giving birth can be a daunting experience for a new mom who does not have the baby's father in her life anymore. So, Alyssa Hodges decided to reach out to her Tinder date, Max Silvy, when she went into labor, and he rushed to be with her when she welcomed her first child.

Hodges, 20, and Silvy, 25, have only been seeing each other for a handful of dates after they met on the dating app. Hodges said that their fourth Tinder date was actually her labor and delivery at the hospital.

In a video on TikTok, Hodges shared that she was supposed to see Silvy at the airport when her water broke. He told her he would be at the hospital once he arrived in Brisbane.

Silvy was a nervous wreck at the hospital as Hodges, and her mother were in the operating theater for her C-section. The nurses thought that Silvy was the baby's father.

Read Also: Drew Barrymore Reflects on Dating Challenges as a Single Mom

Tinder Date Takes Care of New Mom

The baby had to be looked after at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) upon his birth, so Silvy decided to take the week off from work to be with Hodges. Since her mother had to fly off on a holiday, Silvy took charge and often went to the NICU to see how baby Ollie was doing.

Hodge said her Tinder date stayed and learned how to care for a newborn along with her. Both of them have never handled a baby before. Now, the pair are thinking about moving in together, and despite her family's apprehension of their whirlwind romance, they got the blessing from both sides of the family.

The mom said she got on the dating app when she was still six months pregnant and made her status clear in her bio because she did not want to lead any potential Tinder date. Hodges said that looking back, swiping to match with Silvy had been the "best decision ever," per Daily Mirror.

"Even though I knew I liked him at the time, anything could have happened," Hodges said. "So, I did think 'What if this doesn't work out?', but it has and it was the best decision."

Silvy, on the other hand, said that something about his girlfriend caught his eye because he would normally avoid swiping for a pregnant girl. He said that he and the baby are bonding nicely, and TikTok users have been calling him "Man of the Year" for sticking it out with Hodges.

The Tinder Swindler

It comes as "The Tinder Swindler" has been trending online following the release of the documentary about a man who conned dozens of women for several millions. While Hodges and Silvy's story was inspiring, it's not always the case for many people finding love on the dating app.

According to NBC News, Simon Leviev, a.k.a. Shimon Hayut, has been banned from various dating apps since 2019 after he was exposed for the Ponzi scheme he launched on his female victims. Tinder has also released guidelines on what users must not do while finding a Tinder date.

Meanwhile, two of the women Leviev scammed, Cecilie Fjellhy and Pernilla Sjoholm, said that they shared their story to Netflix to raise awareness on the trauma of becoming a con victim. Fjellhy said she had to go to psychiatric care after her experience with her Tinder date.

Related Article: Mom With Cancer Boldly Advertises 'Date My Daughter' at Times Square Billboard
London Gatwick Airport has scheduled the reopening of its South Terminal for March 27, 2022, to help meet an anticipated spike in summer demand following the easing of testing requirements for UK arrivals.

On February 11, 2022, testing requirements for those arriving in the UK were eased significantly, with fully vaccinated passengers (two doses) and those under the age of 18 no longer needing to take pre-departure and post-arrival tests.

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Since June 15, 2020, flights have been operating solely from the airports North Terminal to save on costs. With the reopening of the South Terminal, British Airways short-haul routes will return to the airport from March 29, 2022, with 35 more European routes. Alongside this, easyJet will increase its operations and Vueling will add five new short-haul routes and base three aircraft at Gatwick. Wizz Air will also increase its operations from the airport with 18 more routes.

The expected increase in demand has led Gatwick to open 2,000 new jobs for security officers, IT specialists, engineers, shop and restaurant workers, ground and cargo handlers and cabin crew. Airlines operating from the South Terminal include Ryanair, Norwegian, Turkish Airlines, TAP, Eastern Airways, Aurigny, Aer Lingus, Air Baltic, Air Malta, Air Europa and Enter Air. easyJet will operate across both South and North Terminals.

Stewart Wingate, the CEO of Gatwick Airport, said, After an incredibly challenging two years for the airport, our partners, local communities and the entire aviation industry are all delighted to be reopening our South Terminal next month. Following some major announcements from our airlines about significantly increased flying schedules, and from the UK government on removing travel restrictions and airport slot regulations, we can now look forward to once again operating a busy Gatwick this summer and beyond. This news means Gatwick and our partners can also begin recruiting new staff to help us meet this demand, which is excellent news for local people who have been so badly impacted by the effects of the pandemic.

With our airlines now operating hugely increased flying programs, our passengers can once again choose from a fantastic range of destinations  both short and long haul  whether booking a holiday, family visit, business trip or that bucket list adventure they have dreamed of for years. It may, however, take time for consumer confidence to fully recover, so I urge the government to make 2022 the year when all travel restrictions are removed, including the unpopular passenger locator form and other remaining barriers to free travel.
The IFI Claims Patent Services has published patent statistics covering 2021. In the top 50 US Patent Assignees list covering patent grants, Apple ranked seventh with 2,541 patents issued, down 9% from 2020.

(Click on image to Enlarge)

Although Huawei Technologies has fallen sharply in China and Europe due to the bans in place for U.S. Software like Google, Microsoft and others, they actually ranked #5, up sharply from last year's #9 position. In contrast, Microsoft fell to #9 from #4 in 2020.

In the top 250 Global Patent Holders list, Apple Ranked #37 in 2021, a drop from #20 in 2020, even though Apple actually was granted 2,330 more patents in 2021. Samsung ranked #1; Microsoft #15; Qualcomm #28; Alphabet #31; HP #50. You could view the full list of the top 250 Global patent holders here. In 2018 Apple was listed in position #35 and in 2019 Apple listed in position #27.

Random Notes from IFI Claims Patent Services Report

If you consider the size of the portfolios, China holds nearly one in three or 29 percent of the Global 250 patent families compared to the U.S. (24 percent) and Japan (19 percent). Deeper analysis shows that U.S. and Japan portfolios are stronger and more mature, nevertheless it is clear that China has stimulated an R&D culture that is serious about intellectual property.

As was the case in 2020, the largest category of patent activity in 2021  a strong indicator of whats coming down the road  was Computer Systems Based on Biological Models, which saw a 54 percent increase (CAGR) from 2017-21. This hot area of computing uses brain biology as an inspiration and includes Big Tech stalwarts such as IBM, Google, Samsung, Microsoft and Intel.

In a year that saw U.S. patent grants decrease anywhere from 8 to 12 percent among worldwide corporations, China-based companies stood out with an increase of 10 percent, going from 18,792 awards in 2020 to 20,679 during the past year. A total of four Chinese companies are now in the U.S. Top 50 including Huawei at #5, BOE at #11, Advanced New Technologies at #43, and Guangdong Oppo at #49. U.S. company grants were down commensurate with the worldwide total decline, 8.3 percent.

Today the Korean Intellectual Property Office published their report listing the top five patent holders. Interestingly, Samsung Electronics ranked third and LG Electronics fourth while Huawei ranked #1 and Qualcomm #2. For more on the top patent holders in Korea, read the full report by The Korea Herald.
AstraZeneca (AZN.L) on Thursday forecast higher 2022 sales and raised its annualised dividend after the drugmaker posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit as it gets a lift from its COVID-19 antibody treatment and cancer drugs.



But the London-listed company warned that gross profit margins from coronavirus products were expected to be lower than the company average for this year, while sales for COVID-19 products were expected to decline by a percentage in the low-to-mid 20s.



AstraZeneca, which has said low-income nations would continue to receive its vaccine on a no-profit basis after it began making a modest profit on the shot, set up a separate unit to focus on its coronavirus efforts and other respiratory infections.



"AstraZeneca continued on its strong growth trajectory in 2021 ... five of our medicines crossing new blockbuster threshold," Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said.



The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker expects 2022 revenue to increase by a percentage in the high teens, with core earnings growing by a percentage in the mid-to-high 20s. In 2021, overall sales jumped 38% to $37.42 billion at constant currency rates.



Analysts estimate $6.68 per share and sales of $42.73 billion, according to Refinitiv IBES data.



The company, seen by analysts as one of the fastest growing major drugmakers mainly thanks to new cancer therapies, also said it would top up its annualised dividend by $0.10 to $2.90, the first year-on-year increase in a decade.



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Reporting by Pushkala Aripaka in Bengaluru and Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt; editing by Jason Neely

Source: REUTERS









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The family of former Miss Kerala Ancy Kabeer, on Monday expressed displeasure in the manner in which the probe is going on in Ancy's death due to the accident. Ancy's family now wants CBI probe in the wake of a fresh case registered against a hotel owner where DJ party was held prior to the car crash which killed two former beauty pageant winners in the wee hours of November 1.

Nizamuddin, a close relative of Ancy, said even though the police probe is currently on, there seems to be lack of clarity in it.

"It's been a few months since the probe started and now a fresh case has been registered against the hotel owner (Roy J. Vayalatin) in a different case under (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso). Things are not clear as it appears there was a gang behind it and issues are interlinked. We are going to meet the Chief Minister to seek a CBI probe into the matter," said Nizamuddin.

Incidentally, last week a mother and her daughter alleged of sexual abuse by the hotel owner and based on her complaint, the police registered a case under Pocso Act.

The hotel owner along with his friend and a lady have sought anticipatory bail from the Kerala High Court over the allegations levelled by the mother and daughter.

In the accident case, Vayalatin and five of his staff members were arrested and granted bail the next day.

Incidentally, in the then remand report, the police expressed doubts whether drugs played a role in the incident. The involvement of blackmailing also needed to be probed, it said and it's these things which have made the family of Ancy seek a CBI probe.

Vayalatin was then arrested after he told the police that the CCTV hard disk which contained the visuals of the party has been destroyed.

Ancy Kabeer, 25, and Anjana Shajan, 24, had died instantly in the crash, a third person -- Ashiq, succumbed to his injuries a few days later, leaving Abdul Rahman, who drove the car, the only witness.

Though the probe team recovered the hard disk of the CCTV footage at the hotel, it failed to get any visuals of the party, raising suspicion of a foul play.

After several days of probe, the police team learnt that there was an altercation during the party. Before things could take an ugly turn, the youngsters had left the hotel.

It was on their way back that the car, after hitting a two-wheeler, lost control and turned turtle and the death occurred.

However, police found that there was a vehicle following the car carrying the two women. During interrogation, the driver said that the victims' car was being driven at an extremely high speed.

The family of Ancy suspects that the activities going on at the hotel have to be probed thoroughly as there seems to be a mystery. They have said they will approach the Kerala High Court for a CBI probe if there is no favourable reply from the government.
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.

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Kyiv also scrambled to keep its airspace open after KLM became the first major airline to suspend its operation because of the threats posed by Russian troops conducting military drills across Ukraine's frontiers.



Western countries are winding down their diplomatic missions and urging their citizens to leave immediately after a frantic week of diplomacy failed to calm one of the most explosive standoffs since the Cold War.



US President Joe Biden briefed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky about an hour-long conversation with Russia's Vladimir Putin he had on Saturday that brought made no breakthrough.



Zelensky's office said the Ukrainian leader had invited Biden to visit Kyiv "in the coming days" to show his moral support and deliver "a powerful signal" to Russia.



Washington made no mention of an invitation in its readout of the 50-minute call.



But US national security advisor Jake Sullivan issued a grim assessment that an invasion that could begin "any day now" would likely start with "a significant barrage of missiles and bomb attacks".



Western leaders are pushing back against Putin's demands that the US-led NATO alliance withdraw from eastern Europe and never expand into Ukraine.



But Putin is dismissing calls by Biden and others to pull back Russian forces from Ukraine's frontiers.



Washington has warned that the Russian deployments -- estimated at 130,000 soldiers backed by various missiles and tanks -- was sufficient to launch a major attack "any day".



Germany's Scholz said on the eve of his crunch trip to Kyiv Monday and Moscow Tuesday that Western allies would "immediately" sanction Russia if it invaded.



"In the event of a military aggression against Ukraine that threatens its territorial integrity and sovereignty, that will lead to tough sanctions that we have carefully prepared," he said.



"We assess the situation as very critical, very dangerous," a German government source added.



Memories of MH17



The Dutch carrier KLM on Saturday became the first major airline to indefinitely suspend flights to the former Soviet republic because of the rising risks.



Ukraine's budget airline SkyUp said on Sunday that its flight from Portugal to Kyiv was forced to land in Moldova because the plane's Irish leasing company had revoked permission for it to cross into Ukraine.



SkyUp added that European leasing companies were demanding that Ukrainian airlines return their planes to EU airspace within 48 hours.



Ukraine's infrastructure ministry responded by holding an emergency meeting aimed at maintaining foreign travel and keeping the country from becoming more isolated in the heat of the crisis.



"The airspace over Ukraine remains open and the state is working on preempting risks for airlines," the ministry said after the meeting.



Industry analysts believe other international airlines may soon also ban flights into Ukraine because of the growing cost to insurers.



The travel industry is still haunted by the memory of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 being shot down while flying near eastern Ukraine's conflict zone in July 2014.



All 298 passengers aboard the Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight died.



Ukraine's infrastructure ministry acknowledged that "some carriers are facing difficulties linked to fluctuations on the insurance market".



"The state is prepared to support airlines and provide them with additional financial guarantees in order to support the market," it said.



Foreigners fleeing



The worries about air travel come with a growing number of Western governments winding down their missions and advising citizens to get out.



The US State Department on Saturday ordered all non-emergency embassy staff out of Ukraine.



Russia cited fears of "possible provocations from the Kyiv regime" as it also began pulling out some embassy staff.



"I am leaving because of the situation, because I value my life," Moroccan native Aimrane Bouziane said before boarding his flight home.



"I think the soundest choice to make is to leave Ukraine now," the 23-year-old entrepreneur said.



The diplomatic drawdown has touched the staff of the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) monitoring mission in Ukraine.



The OSCE has served as the world's eyes and ears for the eight-year conflict across Ukraine's Russian-backed separatist east that has claimed more than 14,000 lives.



But images on social media showed convoys of its white SUVs leaving various parts of the conflict zone as staff moved to comply with their respective governments' travel advisories.



The OSCE said that "certain participating states" had asked their members of the monitoring missions to "leave Ukraine within the next days".



But is stressed that its mission continued "in 10 cities throughout Ukraine".



The Ukrainian government has been trying to preempt the flood of foreigners leaving the country by calling for calm and criticising US warnings of possibly imminent war.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that "all this information is only provoking panic and not helping us".







Source: France 24









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The toll was the deadliest in recent attacks Benin has suffered as coastal West African states face spillover from Sahel countries battling jihadists.



An African Parks patrol flushing out poachers and another patrol hit two improvised explosive devices on Tuesday, killing five park rangers, one park official, one soldier and a French trainer who was with them, the Benin government said in a statement late Thursday.



A third reconnaissance patrol also hit another explosive on Thursday, killing another African Parks official, it said.



"The government wishes to reassure the population that... our strategy will secure this critical area," a statement said after an emergency cabinet meeting.



African Parks, which manages the wildlife reserve in the north of Benin, had said on Wednesday six people were killed in an attack.



France said on Thursday it had opened an investigation a 50-year-old national was among those killed in a "terrorist attack in Park W in northern Benin".



No group has claimed responsibility but Benin's military has increased its presence in the area following two attacks late last year that military sources blamed on jihadists from across the border.



Benin had long been one of the more stable countries in West Africa, where Islamic State and al Qaeda militants threaten Sahel countries.



Criminal smuggling gangs also operate along its frontier.



In January, two Benin soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive in the northern Atakora region.



The W national park, which extends over Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, is attached to the Pendjari park where two French tourists were kidnapped by gunmen in 2019.

Source: France 24









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The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has commended Vodafone Ghana Foundation for its enormous support in the fight against Covid-19.



Hon. Agyeman-Manu praised Vodafone Ghana Foundation when the telco presented 461 cold-chain units to the Ministry of Health (MoH).



The equipment worth $1 million, include 275 vaccine freezers, 184 ice-lined combination refrigerators and two walk-in cold rooms. The donation is expected to help boost Covid-19 vaccines storage and distribution across the country.

According to him, the telecommunication giant, Vodafone Ghana over the years has supported the Government of Ghana in diverse ways to build a resilient health system.



We commend Vodafone Ghana for their continued partnership in ensuring the improvement of quality healthcare for Ghanaians through their various health initiatives including the Healthline TV series and the community-based health outreach programme, Healthfest. We therefore look forward to collaborating with Vodafone on more groundbreaking initiatives, he said.



The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu further stated that his outfit will foster strategic partnership with Vodafone Ghana in the quest to achieve universal health coverage.



Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the Vodafone Ghana Foundation has supported and protected frontline health workers fighting the virus. Donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies have been given to hospitals treating COVID-19 patients across the country.



Vodafone Foundation also introduced various revolutionary health initiatives which continue to assist the country in dealing with the pandemic. These initiatives include;



Vodafone Healthline, an initiative that has supported hundreds of patients across the country who were in need of life-transforming surgeries and has also offered health education to millions of Ghanaians.



Vodafone Healthfest, this platform takes quality healthcare to deprived communities in various regions. With a team of medical professionals, it offers free health screening and medication for specific ailments. Register residents on the NHIS scheme; work with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to extend governments vaccination efforts to these communities. Benefitted over 40, 000 people since inception.



Vodafone Homecoming, this has contributed significantly to decongesting health facilities across the country as the Foundation pays the medical bills for insolvent patients. Over 2000 patients across the country have been reunited with their families through this program.



Vodafone Healthline Medical Call Centre, the medical call centre is being run by 50 doctors who continue to educate Ghanaians about COVID-19 in various local and international languages. The service, which is free, can be accessed via mobile phone by dialing 255. The centre has received over 30,000 calls since the pandemic and has directed hundreds of potential Covid-19 cases to the Rapid Response Team.

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Some members of the #FixTheCountry movement Monday morning gathered around the Ashaiman Police Station in solidarity with their detained colleague, Mr Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor.



Mr Barker-Vormawor was arrested last Friday following his arrival from London and was subsequently detained by the Tema Regional Police Command in connection with a post he allegedly made on Facebook.



He is expected to be arraigned in court today.



Convergence



Graphic Onlines Benjamin Xornam Glover reportst that the group, holding a banner with the inscriptions #FreeOliverNow #WeAreAllOliver #ActivismIsNotCrime #StopTheCOSNow #IAmOliver, and clad in red and black, started gathering at close to the Police Station at about 5:30am.



They are demanding the release of their colleague who has been in police detention since Friday.



The Ashaiman Police have consequently mounted a barricade in front of the police station to ward off any action by the group.



Vormawors arrest



Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, a social media activist and one of the convenors of the #FixTheCountry movement has been arrested by the police for threatening a coup.



A police statement said he was arrested by the Tema Regional Police Command following a post he allegedly made on social media to the effect that he would stage a coup himself if the E-Levy Bill is passed by Parliament.



Oliver Barker-Vormawor in a series of Facebook posts this week described the Ghana Army as "useless".



He is said to have incited the army to stage a coup over the proposed E-Levy Bill in Parliament.



Police



According to the police, the post contained a clear statement of intent with a possible will to execute a coup in his declaration of intent to subvert the constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the police statement dated February 12, 2022, signed by the Director-General of Public Affairs, DCOP Kwesi Ofori said.







Source: graphiconline.com









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The much-awaited beverage industry tour, a prominent feature of the prestigious Ghana Beverages Awards (GBA), is set to take off with a visit to a host of beverage companies by the GBA Committee.



Running for 3 consecutive days, the tour will equip the GBA Committee with first-hand knowledge in the production processes of nominated beverage companies. Since its introduction, the industry tour has contributed significantly to the schemes mission of identifying and celebrating beverage industries who have continually demonstrated their commitment to the highest standards of practice in the production and delivery of their products.



Speaking, Chief Executive Officer for Global Media Alliance, Ernest Boateng, thanked Ghanaians for their growing acceptance of the awards scheme whiles lauding the participating beverage companies for their co-operation and support.



As organizers, we have observed with keen interest the year on year growth of the awards scheme and we must say that we are grateful to Ghanaians for their unflinching support over the years. We are also thankful to the beverage companies for their acceptance of the brand, their participation and especially for opening their doors to us every year for the industry tour since it was instituted, he said.



Mr. Boateng mentioned that the beverage industry is pivotal to the sustenance and development of Ghanas economy and called on Ghanaians to contribute towards national development through an increased consumption of locally produced beverages.



Ghana Beverages Awards, currently in its sixth year, is organized under the theme Inspiring Excellence in Ghanas Beverage Industry. In the last five years, the awards scheme has been instrumental in putting the spotlight on the local beverage industry while promoting both local and foreign beverages as well as the participation of small-scale beverage enterprises in Ghana.



Organized by Global Media Alliance, GBA is proudly supported by the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG), Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), Food Research Institute (FRI) under CSIR, Perception Management International (PMI) ,Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).It is partnered by Citi FM, Happy FM, YFM, Akonoba FM, Neesim FM Bolga Neesim FM Tamale, eTV Ghana, Business and Financial Times, Daily Guide and Ghanaweb on the media front.

-END-









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Private Legal Practitioner, Lawyer Martin Kpebu, has questioned the Rambo style arrest of #Fixthecountry convener Oliver Barker-Vormarwor.



He claimed Oliver Barker-Vormarwor was denied legal counsel when he was arrested upon his arrival to Ghana.



He was denied a lawyer for more than 24 hours, he said in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie.



Lawyer Martin Kpebu also condemned the modus operandi of the police  he described their way of operating as unprofessional.



When you arrest someone, he is entitled to a lawyer, he [Oliver Barker-Vormarwor] was denied. His fundamental right was violated, He said.



Oliver Barker-Vormarwor arrest



Barker-Vormawor was arrested last Friday at the Kotoka International Airport on his arrival from London and was subsequently detained by the Tema Regional Police Command.



Mr Barker-Vormawors arrest is about a social media post in which he threatened to stage a coup if the E-levy that is currently under consideration in parliament is passed into law.



According to the police, the post contained a clear statement of intent with a possible will to execute a coup in his declaration of intent to subvert the constitution of the Republic of Ghana.



Barker-Vormawor denied bail



Meanwhile, the Police has charged #Fixthecountry convener Oliver Barker-Vormarwor with treason felony.



He was charged with treason felony on Monday morning at the Ashaiman District Courtin accordance with section 182 (b) of the Criminal and other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has condemned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Madina Constituency, Mr Francis Xavier Sosu, for implying that some judges are politically motivated in the discharge of their work.



According to the GBA, the statement by Mr Sosu, a lawyer, is not only "unprofessional and unfortunate", but also "irresponsible and distasteful."



Mr Sosu during the Yentua demonstration last Thursday, February 10, 2022 asserted that some judges have become political in the line of work and that such judges would be treated as such.



What it means is that when you become partisan as a judge, remember that your tenure of office as a judge will run with the political party that you favour. Let that be clear because political power is very transient, positions are not possessions, so people will come, people will go, he said.



But a statement dated February 14, 2022, jointly signed by the National President and National Secretary of the GBA, Yaw Acheampong Boafo and Kwaku Gyau Baffour, condemned Mr Sosu, saying his statement smacks of deep-seated ignorance, as the tenure of judges per the Constitution, 1992, and other relevant laws, is never in any way whatsoever tied to the tenure of the political regime under which judges are appointed.



Judges, unlike political office holders, are not elected into office; hence it is reckless for anybody to give the slightest suggestion that the tenure of judges are linked to the tenure of the political regimes under which judges are appointed, the statement added.





It added that such unwarranted, unnecessary and unjustified attacks on judges have the potential of creating disaffection and ill-will for judges and for that matter the judiciary.



The GBA observes that such ignorant and deliberate misinformation is gradually but steadily casting a slur on the appreciable gains that have been made in our democratic experiment as a nation, it said.



The GBA therefore cautioned lawyers, irrespective of their status in society, to be circumspect in their utterances.

















Source: graphiconline.com









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Two journalists working for the United Nations have been detained in the Afghan capital of Kabul, the global agency said in a tweet Friday  with reports of at least eight other Westerners also held in the war-torn nation.



Two journalists with UNHCR and Afghan nationals working with them have been detained in Kabul. We are doing our utmost to resolve the situation, in coordination with others, the UNHCR said in a tweet.



We will make no further comment given the nature of the situation.









Read Full Story .... nypost.com >>> :

















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FixTheCountry conveynor Oliver Barker-Vormawor has been charged with treason felony by the police. He made his first appearance at the Ashaiman District Court today, Monday, February 14 where he was denied bail and remanded into custody.



The Presiding judge, Her Honour Eleanor Barnes said taking into consideration the nature of the offense, her court does not have jurisdiction to grant bail.



She, however, directed that Mr of Oliver Barker Vormawor be allowed access to his lawyer, and three family members from 10am to 4pm daily.



He was arrested on Friday, 11 February 2022 at the Kotoka International Airport when he returned from the UK for making suggestive coup threats on social media.



The Police has indicated that his post contained a clear statement of intent with a possible will to execute a coup in his declaration of intent to subvert the constitution of the Republic.

Source: classfmonline.com









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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the Centre is ready to talk with the militant outfits of the Northeastern region to resolve their problems as the government always wants to end the violence permanently.

Addressing an election meeting at Langthabal Mandal in Imphal West district of Manipur, the Defence Minister said that the government is always prepared to talk with the extremist outfits for a lasting solution of the insurgency problem and to stop violence in Manipur and other Northeastern states permanently.

"The terror outfits must come forward to talk with the government to resolve their problems. Violence has to be stopped permanently to undertake the developmental projects and welfare schemes for the benefit of the people. The terror violence has been largely controlled in Manipur under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh," Singh said.

The senior BJP leader said that during the previous Congress regime, blockade and violence were the regular phenomenon and the records of their (Congress) governance were broken.

"The BJP wants to take Manipur's developmental status to a new height within 15 years. After Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, the face of Manipur has been changed and the state is going forward to achieve a new future. Modi has a new vision for the all round development of the Northeastern region. The projects relating to rail, road and air connectivity are being implemented with the mission mode," said the former National President of BJP.

The Defence Minister said that the Northeastern region will be made a big tourism hub and Manipur's development through tourism would be tremendous.

Saying that the Congress neglected the Northeastern region for decades, he claimed that the development of Manipur is now at par with the other parts of the country.

The veteran saffron party leader during his maiden election campaign in the poll-bound state said that the BJP would get a clear majority in the upcoming Assembly elections. Singh, while highlighting various welfare schemes of the Central government, said that earlier a negligible amount of the central funds reached the people but now 100 per cent of the central financial aids are directly reaching the people.

The elections to the 60-seat Manipur Assembly would be held in two phases on February 28 and March 5. The counting of votes would take place on March 10.

The Defence minister later visited the house of Indian Army soldier, Yumnam Kalleshor Kom, who was martyred during the Kargil War in 1999.

"Met with his family members and enquired about their well-being. I salute the courage and supreme sacrifice of YK Kom," he tweeted.
Chocolate from Ghana took center stage at the ongoing 2020 Dubai Expo when the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and its implementing Agency, the Ghana Tourism Authority partnered with Cocobod to host chocolate day at the expo.



Interspersed with cultural activities and drumming, the Ghana pavilion became a beehive of activities with several visitors rushing to grab a bar of chocolate or a drink from the chocolate fountain.



The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal who led the delegation also took time to engage with Dubai based tour operators and travel trade practitioners.



He laid out Ghanas claim as the center of the World and urged the travel trade to partner with their Ghanaian counterparts. Accompanied by the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, they were ushered around by Ghanas Commissioner General for Dubai Expo, Hon Carlos Ahenkorah.



The Dubai expo which started in October 2021 wil run till March 31, 2022.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to end the arrest and detention of journalists and civil society activists in the country.



At least three journalists and a civil society activist have been arrested and charged in the past few weeks by the country's security agencies for various offences, including publication of false news and disturbing of public peace.



The NDC, in a statement issued and signed by its General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, on Friday and copied to the Ghana News Agency, in Accra, said the Party had observed with dismay the recent attack on media freedom and free speech by the current government.



It said the past few weeks had seen a dramatic upsurge in the criminalization of free speech as well as unbridled attack on the journalism profession, with sharp deterioration in the expression of the right to free speech by this government.



The statement noted that the nation was yet to find answers to the gruesome murder of investigative journalist, Mr. Ahmed Suale, and that: "In the last few weeks, three journalists have suffered police brutalities and, in some cases, unfair judicial conviction. Journalists are being cowed into silence through the atmosphere of oppression and harassment.



"It is the modus operandi of autocrats and despots to create an atmosphere of fear to silence the voice of opposition and free speech. In all these the police appear complicit, aiding the oppressors to hound citizens of Ghana," it added.



The statement said it considered the escalation of arrests and harassments as an attempt by the government to put fear in Ghanaians opposed to e-levy and douse the impact of the massive Yentua Demonstration held in Accra yesterday and said the Party would not relent in its effort both within and outside Parliament to stop the introduction of the E-Levy.



It called on the Clergy, Civil Society Organisations and the Ghana Journalists Association to call out the government to end the attack.



"We take this opportunity to call on these groups to speak out against the blatant acts of repression being perpetrated against our young democracy.



"These groups should take note of the rising political instability in the sub-region and speak out now and not wait until matters get out of hands before they host a series of belated interventions and seminars on what went wrong," it said.





Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A Former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Akuapem North, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of speaking untruths about the current Akufo-Addo administration for political gains.



According to him, a claim that allocation made to the Office of the government machinery are meant for the President to travel on a private jet is untrue and should be ignored.



Contributing to a discussion regarding the E-levy proposal on the New Day show on TV3 Friday February 11, he said The NDC go round lying, telling plain lies and untruths and they expect Ghanaians will take it hook, line, and sinker



Number one, when they talk about office of the government machinery, the office of the government machinery is made up of the following; Public Enterprises Commission, the Scholarship Secretariat , MASLOC, NABCO, NIA, Zongo Devt Fund, the Infrastructure of Poverty Eradication programme what we called the One million dollar ONE constituency, the Home Rental Scheme and the Council of State.



So if you are saying that there is a certain amount allocated to government machinery and then quickly you run and mention president travelling on a private jet you are deceiving Ghanaians just as you did in 2008 because you are saying that we should remove scholarship secretariat which you completely collapsed under your tenure.



Asked whether the constituencies get the one million dollars, he answered Yes, if you go to the middle belt , yes, Southern belt is there the Coastal Development areas , In my constituency it is there, in every constituency there are even more than one million dollars projects .

Source: Peacefmonline









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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THE PETITIONER challenging the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro in the Western Region to produce evidence of her renounced dual citizenship in court, has stated that the MP has two dates of birth.



According to Joshua Emuah Kofie, a native of Nuba-Mpataba in the Jomoro Constituency, Dorcas Toffey holds a Ghanaian passport with number G2192584, issued in Accra on October 9, 2018, with the date and place of birth stated as May 4, 1972 and Accra respectively.



The petitioner claims that the Jomoro legislator, who is the first respondent in the case, also holds an Ivorian passport with number 18AR54825 issued on July 27, 2018, with her date and place of birth being May 4, 1971 and Adzope in Ivory Coast respectively.



The petitioner said the first respondent initially held an Ivorian passport with the number 16AK13363 issued on January 19, 2017 but she declared same as missing on July 26, 2018.



The first respondent subsequently applied and was issued with a new passport with number 18AR154825 on which she changed her profession from student to entrepreneur.



This was contained in a reply by the petitioner to the first respondents amended answer filed at the Sekondi High Court pursuant to leave of the court dated January 25, 2022.



It would be recalled that at the last court sitting, an application by the NDC MP to amend her answers to a petition in which she is being challenged to produce evidence of her renounced Ivorian citizenship before contesting and winning the 2020 parliamentary election, was granted by the court.



This was after the MP had filed some documents she says was evidence of her renunciation, but the document was in French.



The court subsequently, ordered the NDC MP to file the amendment of her answers to the petition within seven days.



Amended Answer



The NDC MP has accordingly filed her amended answer as directed by the court.



She stated that at the time of filing her nomination forms to contest the parliamentary election of the Jomoro Constituency, she was only a Ghanaian citizen.



She explained that by Article 48 of the nationality code and law of the identification of persons of the Ivory Coast, once a person who holds an Ivorian nationality expresses an interest in not being an Ivorian national again, in order to become a national of another country, the person forfeits his or her Ivorian nationality.



She stated that in 2019, before filing her nomination forms to contest the December 2020 parliamentary elections, she had officially written to the Ivorian authorities informing them that she forthwith ceased to be an Ivorian national.



Therefore, by the operation of Article 48 of the nationality code of Ivory Coast, I ceased to be an Ivorian national in compliance with Article 94 of Ghanas 1992 Constitution to contest the Jomoro seat, she noted.



Petitioners Response



However, in his reply to the respondents amended answer, the petitioner stated that the alleged renunciation of the Ivorian nationality by the MP in the year 2019, never happened.



He said the claim by the first respondent was a disingenuous afterthought.



He contended that even if the first respondent submitted any such letter as alleged, the mere submission of any such letter did not strip the MP of her Ivorian nationality.



He stated, At the time the MP filed her nomination forms, she was a full-fledged Ivorian national and thus owed allegiance to that country.



She was therefore not qualified to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections, the petitioner stressed.



Meanwhile, the court is yet to fix a new date for subsequent hearing of the case.



Background



Joshua Emuah Kofie from Nuba-Mpataba in the Jomoro Constituency is challenging Dorcas Toffey to produce evidence of her renounced dual citizenship in a Sekondi High Court.



According to Kofie, the MP was not qualified to contest as the peoples representative in the countrys legislative assembly.









Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The founder and president of Charger Limited, producers of Happy Man Bitters, Dr Emmanuel Bortey Borketey, has hosted the 2021 Artiste of the year at the just ended Happy Man Bitters Upper East Music Awards 2021 together with the Crowned Queens of Happy Man Beverages- Miss Upper East Ghana 2021.



The special invitation was in fulfillment of two pledges by Dr Borketey last year for the over all artiste of the year of the Happy Man Bitters Upper East

Music Awrads 2021 (HMB-UEMA 2021).



The Award winning Group president pledged Ghc 20,000.00 for the Artiste of the year category and Clement Ayamga with the stage name Nambawan emerged tops.



The cash prizes included; 10,000 Cedis for Miss Yinime (The Overall Winner) 2,000.00 Cedis for Miss Sakina (1st Runner Up) and 1,000) for Miss Berry (2nd Runner Up).



The financial reward threw the gathering into a frenzy state as each staff of Charger Limited received 50% of their previous month (January) salary along with bags of goodies and freebies from the Company. Christmas came in February was the mantra of most of the staff who could not hide their excitement.



The event was graced with performances from notable acts in the music industry and a live band with lots of food and drinks to go around.



"This is just a token to urge the winners on to continue to excel in their respective fields of endeavors. I am indeed grateful to my hard working staff for their sacrifices all these years, this special package is also to encourage them to go the extra mile as we strive for excellence this year and the coming years," Dr Borketey said.



The recipients of the financial reward in separate interviews expressed gratitude to the Charger Group Limited boss for the reward.



Comedian DKB, Joshua of Keche fame, Kelvin Bwoy and Joyce Blessing graced the event.

Source: Kofi Aduonum









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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David Grohl of Foo Fighters performs at Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival on Sept. 22, 2019, in Franklin, Tenn. The band's Oct. 1, 2022 show at the SOEC sold out in a mere seven minutes.
Police walk the line to remove all truckers and supporters after a court injunction gave police the power to enforce the law after protesters blocked the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions, in Windsor, Ont., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. The Canada Border Services Agency says the Ambassador Bridge border crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit has reopened.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
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President of the United States Joe Biden visits Culpeper to highlight his work to lower healthcare costs for American families, Culpeper, Virginia, United States, February 10, 2022. /CFP

Editor's note:William Jones is the former White House correspondent for Executive Intelligence Review and a non-resident Fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

If there was any doubt in anybody's mind regarding the policy of the U.S. government toward China, the issuance of the formal "Indo-Pacific Strategy" by the White House on February 11 makes the point crystal clear: the Joe Biden administration intends to build a wall of containment around China.

The object of the recent trip to Asia by Secretary of State Antony Blinken was to present this strategy paper to the foreign ministers of the Quad, who are viewed as the core of a NATO-like alliance in the Asia-Pacific region. Building on the same group of characters that were instrumental in U.S. containment policy during the period of the Cold War, Biden hopes to also bring other nations into play as well.

The total irony of the situation is that Biden, who has profiled himself as the man that could bring the United States away from its continual wars, is now on the brink of creating military conflict between nuclear powers.

The containment policy toward Russia, with the extension of NATO right up to Russian western borders, has now led to a possible military conflict on the European continent. Arguably, President Biden, in office for a little over a year was not solely responsible for this. Previous administrations had created the basis for this type of development in Europe.

But this grand vision may prove to be something of a gross overreach. What the U.S. seems to be most willing to provide its allies is considerably more military hardware for confronting China, as witnessed in the recent AUKUS agreement with Australia.

The White House paper also talks a lot about creating economic growth and developing science and technology together with the Asian-Pacific nations, but we have seen very little of that during the previous decades.

In fact, until the launch of China's Belt and Road Initiative, infrastructure building in Asia was on the decline, and almost non-existent in many parts of Africa and Latin America. The BRI revived the notion of global development in the entire developing sector, which those "masters" of economic destiny in the London and New York financial centers, had left by the wayside in their search for more ever greater profits from speculation and wage-gouging.

The Asian economies, the Four Tigers, were able to develop, not through British free market liberalism, but through their adoption of the earlier American System industrial policy of Alexander Hamilton and Franklin Roosevelt, policies which the U.S. abandoned with the death of President Kennedy.

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks about a national security initiative to announce that the United States will share nuclear submarine technology with Australia from the East Room of the White House Complex in Washington, D.C., September 15, 2021. /CFP

The much-touted UN Development Decade in 1960, which promised so much for the countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America, died not too long after the Kennedy assassination. The workings of the "neoliberal" system during the following decades threw many of these "emerging economies" back into poverty.

And it is only when one of those "emerging economies," China, under the leadership of the Communist Party, began to climb out of poverty, that this vicious circle was broken. Like the American system of Hamilton and Henry Carey, the market was brought into play with the "reform and opening-up" introduced by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, but the direction of development was determined by government policy and by the people's welfare.

With the White House paper priding itself on providing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic and taking a forward position on the "green" agenda, the hypocrisy reaches unprecedented heights. Everyone who has followed the developments over the last few years knows full well that the first to insist on making vaccines accessible to the entire world, and acting on that basis, was China.

With regard to infrastructure, President Biden is still working overtime to build a few railroads and water projects in the United States, and is unlikely any time soon to equal the pace of China's BRI.

Trying to prevent China from continuing its development trajectory through punitive tariffs and cutting off technology exports will simply result in slowing the pace of global development for petty  and rather utopian  geopolitical goals.

The BRI has changed the course of history, and Chinese President Xi Jinping's call for a Global Development Initiative (GDI) on support from the UN and most of the developing world. It would behoove the U.S. president to get on the "high-speed rail" of the GDI, rather than trying to "reinvent the wheel" with a Made In U.S. sticker.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday announced that if his party returned to the helm again in Punjab it will set up a cluster of food parks and the payment will be made directly to farmers for their produce.

Addressing an election rally in this town, Gandhi said Hoshiarpur is a centre of agriculture and farm tools.

"Our government will work to create a cluster of food parks and machine tools in Hoshiarpur. Whatever you grow in the food park, be it potato chips or tomato ketchup, everything can be manufactured by directly transferring your produce from farms to the food processing unit," Gandhi said.

Taking a swipe at the BJP-led Central government, Gandhi said farmers of Punjab protested against the farm laws for one year, braving the winter and Covid-19. "Why? Because Narendra Modi wanted to give away our farmer's toil to capitalists," he said

"He (Modi) couldn't give two minutes of silence in Parliament to farmers who died during the protest, didn't give compensation as Rajasthan and Punjab governments did."

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to the state, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's helicopter was not permitted to take off from Chandigarh owing to imposition of a 'no-fly zone'.

Channi was supposed to fly to Hoshiarpur to attend Rahul Gandhi's rally. However, Gandhi's chopper was allowed to land in Hoshiarpur, some 120 km from the state capital.

"Did anyone benefit from the Goods and Service Tax (GST)," asked Gandhi, saying Charanjit Channi will run a government of small and medium traders and farmers.

"PM Modi said in every speech that he would deposit Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts and will give employment to 2 crore youth. Did anyone get it? Why does he not speak on corruption or employment? He did demonetisation, imposed GST. Who got benefitted?"

"If Channi can get fuel prices slashed, why can't Modi do it? He won't do it as his people benefit," he added.

Punjab will go to the polls for its 117-member Assembly in a single phase on February 20. The votes will be counted on March 10.

The ruling Congress is facing challenges from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP-Punjab Lok Congress alliance.
Clandestine "The Combe"

Photos by Pi Manson

Details

- Frame made in UK

- Custom geometry

- Front travel: 140 mm

- Rear travel: 110 mm (190x45 mm shock)

- 73mm BSA / IS disc mount / 44 mm headtube

- Rear axle: 142x12 mm, 148x12 mm or 157x12 mm

- Price: 3,350 (includes frame, Rock Shox Deluxe shock, stem & Wizard Works frame bag)

- Website:

- Instagram:

- Frame made in UK- Custom geometry- Front travel: 140 mm- Rear travel: 110 mm (190x45 mm shock)- 73mm BSA / IS disc mount / 44 mm headtube- Rear axle: 142x12 mm, 148x12 mm or 157x12 mm- Price: 3,350 (includes frame, Rock Shox Deluxe shock, stem & Wizard Works frame bag)- Website: https://www.clandestine.cc/bikes/the-combe/ - Instagram: clandestine.cc

Rulezman Suspension stanchion guards for Intend forks

Photos by Rulezman Suspension

Details

- Made in Italy

- Weight: 60 - 70 g

- Price: 199 - 219 Euro

- Website:

- Instagram:

- Made in Italy- Weight: 60 - 70 g- Price: 199 - 219 Euro- Website: https://www.rulezman.com/ - Instagram: rulezman_suspension

Suomi Tyres Piikkisika

Details

- Made in Finland

- Sizes: 27.5 x 2.6" / 29 x 2.1 / 2.25 / 2.6 / 2.8"

- 1212 and 1230 grams for the aramid 29 x 2.6" version (measured)

- 396 - 408 studs per tire

- winter specific single compound

- tubeless ready

- Price: ~ 120 Euro per tire

- Website:

- Made in Finland- Sizes: 27.5 x 2.6" / 29 x 2.1 / 2.25 / 2.6 / 2.8"- 1212 and 1230 grams for the aramid 29 x 2.6" version (measured)- 396 - 408 studs per tire- winter specific single compound- tubeless ready- Price: ~ 120 Euro per tire- Website: https://suomityres.fi/en

Cyfac International steel fork

Photos by Marine Fleuriou

Details

- Made in France

- Fully bespoked

- Weight: ~ 995 g (for 27.5 x 2.2")

- Materials: steel fork / stainless steel axle

- Internal routing

- Website:

- Instagram:

- Made in France- Fully bespoked- Weight: ~ 995 g (for 27.5 x 2.2")- Materials: steel fork / stainless steel axle- Internal routing- Website: https://www.cyfac.fr/ - Instagram: cyfacinternational

Revolute gear hub

Photos by Nicolas Wefers

Details

- Made in Germany

- Price: tbd

- Weight: 2 kg

- Range: 400%

- Gears: 6

- Rear axle standards: 135 x 10 mm, 142 x 12 mm, 148 x 12 mm

- Chain line: 55mm

- Oil change: first after 1000 km or one year, later after 5000 km or yearly

- Spokes: 32 straightpull spokes

- Twist shifter

- Website:

- Instagram:

- Made in Germany- Price: tbd- Weight: 2 kg- Range: 400%- Gears: 6- Rear axle standards: 135 x 10 mm, 142 x 12 mm, 148 x 12 mm- Chain line: 55mm- Oil change: first after 1000 km or one year, later after 5000 km or yearly- Spokes: 32 straightpull spokes- Twist shifter- Website: https://www.revolute.de/ - Instagram: revolutebike

In a time when every press release for a 130 mm trail bike has to mention the word "Enduro" at least three times, the Clandestine Combe is pleasantly different and reminds us that sometimes less can be more.The Combe is the first mountain bike by UK based frame builder Pi Manson, who named the frame after the steep little valleys around Bristol. He wanted to create a "BMXy kinda poppy fun vibe, not a saggy long travel bike" with progressive geometry, relatively short travel and enough space to carry water and gear. He also wanted to make sure that bike maintenance will be easy and gearing is sensible.The result is a steel frame with 110 mm rear travel, 140 mm front travel and 27.5x2.6" tires. 29" might be faster, but this bike is not made for racing - this bike is made for having fun. Pi went for a mix of Reynolds 853, Columbus SL, Deda and T45 tubing, each tube selected for its specific purpose.Suspension-wise we're looking at a linkage actuated single pivot suspension design. Compared to more simple single pivots, this design leaves space for a 1.2 l bottle and the custom made bolt in frame bag from Wizard Works . The frame bag is not just custom made for the Combe, but for each frame. This means that the size of the bag depends on the frame size. According to Clandestine, a medium sized bag is big enough for a waterproof jacket, first aid kit, pump, multi tool, banana, sandwich and flapjack. Pi also wanted to make the bike easy to work on, so all frame bearings can be changed with a set of 5 mm allen keys. The bearings are held in place with pinch bolts, which means that you can push them out with your finger once you've removed the bolt. Anodised aluminium bearing caps keep the slop away from the Enduro Max bearings, which should improve longevity.The bike is designed around a 28t chainring, which means that you don't need to run a huge 52t cassette to get up these steep hills. Each bike is custom made for the rider, so you can choose your own geometry. Pi recommends a 76 seat angle and 64 head angle. You can basically choose any rear axle width and run a 180 mm (or longer) dropper post. A BSA bottom bracket and 44 mm head tube mean that you'll always find spare parts for this frame.The question whether Intend upside-down forks need stanchion guards or not has started countless debates both on and offline. Intend does not sell any stanchion guards because they really trust their hard anodised lowers and they have some pretty impressive numbers to support their claim that guards are not necessary. Intend founder Cornelius Kapfinger says that he has sold more than 600 upside-down forks and replaces just 3 or 4 stanchions per year - a service which costs customers just 75 Euro. He also adds that the forks will still work even if you do scratch a stanchion. As far as he knows, all customers were able to ride their forks even when a stanchion got damaged.Nevertheless, suspension guru Rulezman Suspension from Italy decided that it's time to end all discussions and to make some nice stanchion guards that add hardly any weight.The RIFLEs (Rulezman's Intend Fork Legguards Enhanced) come in three versions (160, 190 and 215mm max. travel). If you remove the original Intend brake arm and use the Rulezmann brake hose guide, they will add just 60 to 70 grams to your fork.To install the guards, you won't need to drill holes into your fork - the CNC machined aluminium brackets come with a high strength double-sided adhesive tape. The carbon guards are then mounted onto the brackets with titanium screws. To make sure the guards don't rub on the uppers, some clear adhesive strips are included in the kit as well.Please note that the gold finish of the fork is not offered by Intend, it is a custom Rulezman Suspension treatment.If you've never considered buying studded tires, consider yourself lucky - obviously you live in a place that is warm all year round. However, many riders have to deal with snow and ice during several weeks or even months each year and that's when studded tires come in really handy.One of the most renowned brands in the studded tire game is Suomi Tyres from Finland. After Nokian abandoned the bicycle tire production in the early 2000s, Suomi Tyres took over the business. Their factory is based in Lieksa, where average temperatures are well below the freezing point in winter. In the past, their product range was mostly aimed at XC riders and commuters. In order to offer a modern mtb tire, Suomi Tyres has invested in product development and machinery over the last couple of years. The result is the new Piikkisika ("porcupine" in Finnish), a state-of-the-art studded tire that comes in various sizes from 27.5 x 2.6" to 29 x 2.8". Additionally, they also launched the Routa, a new commuting tire.The Piikkisika uses a single compound which was specifically designed for winter conditions. Depending on size, the Piikkisika comes with 396 - 408 steel studs. You can choose between a lighter, foldablde version with aramid cables or a heavier version with steel cables. Compared to other offerings, the protrusion of the studs has been increased to improve grip on ice. Additionally, the location of the studs has been optimised so a maximum number of studs touches the ground at any given time, meaning that grip will not vary. Obviously, the tread pattern was designed to work well on ice and snow, but should also work well in mixed conditions.With so many steel studs and tubeless ready casing, the question inevitably arises as to how heavy these tires are. The foldable 29 x 2.6" tires I got for reviewing weigh in at 1212 and 1230 grams, which is a respectable weight. Now I'm just waiting for the snow to come back so I can finally ride these interesting tires.This very interesting fork was designed and made by Damien Leclerc . He is a designer, framebuilder and steel workshop manager at Cyfac Internatioal, a renowned French frame frame building company based in the Loire Valley.Damien says that first and foremost, this fork was a personal project and a technical challenge. He's always been a fan of single-sided forks and wanted to build one in a steel version. Going one-sided resulted in a fork that's 100 to 200 grams lighter than a regular equivalent and it also has the advantage that repairing a tire is quite a bit easier, as you don't have to remove the front wheel.The geometry of the fork is completely bespoke. The axle is the Cannondale lefty standard, which allows maximum compability with wheels which are on the market.A special feature of the fork is the custom brake mount . It allows the rider to remove the brake calliper when removing the front wheel without the need to realign the brake calliper after installing the front wheel again.This specific fork was made for a gravel bike, but obviously Damien could also make one that accommodates mtb tires.Revolute is a new company from Germany and was founded by several University of Kassel engineering graduates. They worked on transmission technology projects during their studies and are still collaborating with the University of Kassel in this regard.When working on their new gear hub for bikes, they found out that their technology can also be used for cars and even trucks and they are currently working on several projects which are based on their invention.The Revolute team says that their hub is the only gear hub that allows you to shift properly under load. Apparently it's also the only gear hub that uses helical gears - a technology which should make it nearly silent in all gears and speeds.While the Revolute hub is mainly aimed at E-Bikes, it can also be used on any other kind of bicycle as long as it has a crank with an integrated freewheel mechanism. Talking about E-Bikes, this hub can handle a torque of more than 250 nm. In case this torque is exceeded, a built-in overload safety mechanism kicks in to protect the hub internals. This should increase longevity and makes the hub suitable for heavy and massively powered bikes such as cargo bikes. In addition to that, the hub also has a hill-assist mode which prevents the rear wheel from rolling backwards as well as a neutral gear for pushing your bike backwards.The hub weighs in at slightly below 2 kg, offers a 400% range and 6 gears. Considering that it is mainly aimed at E-Bikes, six gears this might be enough indeed. The hub could also work for commuting and similar applications when you just want a silent and hassle-free drivetrain.
Hands of the Week: Kyna England Called By King-High, B2B Aces at bestbet Jacksonville

February 13, 2022 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S.

PokerNews is known throughout the world for our industry-leading live updates for both live and online events. In fact, right now we're offering various updates right here.

Over the years, weve captured memorable hands, many of which have become a part of poker history. In this column, we will bring you some of the biggest hands of the week as reported in the PokerNews Live Updates. Last week, PokerNews was on-site at three events around the world:

Below are five of the biggest and most interesting hands captured by the PokerNews Team while live reporting those events.

Remember, if youre playing an event PokerNews is covering, you can get in the updates via the MyStack App. You can download the app for iPhone or Android now to get started. Then, create a new PokerNews account or update your current one to start updating your status immediately. Your followers can see all the live action that you're involved in.

Click here to download the My Stack app for iPhone, or click here to download the My Stack app for Android.

Vu Calls England With King-High

Timothy Vu

On Day 1a of the 2022 RGPS Jamul Casino $575 RunGood Main Event, it was Level 11 (1,000/2,000/2,000) when Timothy Vu raised under the fun and the player on the button called. MSPT Season 12 Player of the Year Kyna England, who was nominated for 2021 Breakout Player of the Year at the Global Poker Awards, came along from the big blind with the and it was three-way action to a flop of .

England checked and Vu continued with a bet, which inspired the player on the button to fold.

I dont remember the sizing but the way he threw the chips out I felt like he had nothing, so I called, England would later tell PokerNews. That led to the on the turn, which prompted another check from England.

Vu bet 10,000 and England sprung to life with a check-raised to 50,000. Vu had 67,000 behind and tanked for several minutes.

"I hadnt really pulled any big bluffs all day and it seemed like a good spot based on his actions and the board texture."

It just felt like he didnt have anything, I dont know its hard to explain, England shared. I had played with him a bit and he was making big bets with really weak hands. I thought I could get him off of it  I hadnt really pulled any big bluffs all day and it seemed like a good spot based on his actions and the board texture. I was trying to rep a straight on the turn.

Vu eventually called and left himself 17,000 headed to the river, which was the . England followed through with the bluff by moving all in and Vu once again hit the tank. It appeared he didnt have much of a hand, perhaps a missed draw of some sort.

Indeed, that was the case but with so much in the pot and so few chips left, Vu tossed in his chips to call with his for a missed straight. He was understandably excited (he even did a victory lap around the table) to discover his king-queen barely edged out Englands king-seven to win the juicy pot.

After the hand, England admitted to what she believed was a crucial mistake  not properly assessing Vus stack.

He was sitting right next to me though so I didnt get a good look at his stack of gray chips, so based on how much he had, my sizing was kind of bad, she said. Probably if I check-raised to 35,000 [on the turn] and then jammed the river he would have had enough behind to still fold.

As it was, Vu was fortunate enough to win one of the most interesting hands of the tournament.

Chung into Chip Lead After Audacious Float

Timothy Chung

In Level 31 (50,000/150,000/150,000) of the 2022 GUKPT London 1,250 Main Event, Timothy Chung looked down at the under the gun and raised to 240,000. He then called a three-bet from D A who made it 620,000 to go from the small blind with the .

The flop came and D A bet 425,000. Chung called.

The turn was the and D A checked. Chung bet 550,000 and D A check-raised to 1.4 million. Chung flat-called and the river was the .

Both players checked and Chung took down the pot with his rivered pair, moving into the chip lead after the biggest hand of the tournament up to that point.

Chung went on to top the 702-entry field to win the tournament for 185,560.

Free to Play Slots in the US

Stewart Eliminates Hastings, Nearly Triples

Scott Stewart

On Day 1a of the 2022 bestbet Jacksonville Winter Series Open $2,000 NLH Main Event, it was Level 8 (500/1,000/1,000) when defending champ Scott Stewart raised to 2,700 from the button and a player in the small blind three-bet to 6,500. Brian Hastings four-bet shoved from the big blind for around 25,000 and Stewart five-bet shoved for around 40,000. The player in the small blind called with both players covered.

Brian Hastings:

Scott Stewart:

Small Blind:

The board ran out and a pair of kings was good enough for Stewart to eliminate Hastings and take the big pot.

Read About Scott Stewart's 2021 win here!

Thomas Busts Defending Champ

Matt Thomas

On Day 1a of the 2022 bestbet Jacksonville Winter Series Open $2,000 NLH Main Event, it was Level 11 (1,000/2,000/2,000) when Matt Thomas took a moment with the PokerNews team to relay his clash with defending champ Scott Stewart.

Stewart raised to 3,000 from the button and Thomas flat-called from the big blind.

The flop came and Thomas checked. Stewart shoved and Thomas check-called, turning over . The champ had and Thomas needed some help.

The turn came and the river was , giving Thomas the runner-runner straight to knock Stewart out of Day 1a.

Slay Chips Way Up with Back-to-Back Aces

Kelley Slay

On Day 2 of the 2022 bestbet Jacksonville Winter Series Open $2,000 NLH Main Event, it was Level 18 (5,000/10,000/10,000) when Kelley Slay got a double and almost immediately was getting his chips right back into the middle.

Ryan Hohner raised to 22,000 from under the gun and Slay moved his stack in from the next seat over. Action folded around and Hohner tossed in chips for a call. Action was heads-up and Slay was at risk.

Kelley Slay:

Ryan Hohner:

The board ran out and the aces held to secure Slay his second double in as many hands.

PokerNews was drawn back to the table almost immediately to find Cheryl Parker and Ed Buker all in with Slay as the caller with both players covered.

Cheryl Parker:

Ed Buker:

Kelley Slay:

The board ran out and the aces held once again to give Slay the double knockout. Parker exits the tournament as the Last Woman Standing and Slay goes from 60,000 to over 500,000 in the blink of an eye.

To see what all PokerNews is live reporting today, simply click here.

Sharelines Check out some of the biggest & game-changing hands from recent PokerNews Online Live Updates.
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Adam Parker has covered many beats and topics for The Post and Courier, including race and history, religion, and the arts. He is the author of "Outside Agitator: The Civil Rights Struggle of Cleveland Sellers Jr.," published by Hub City Press.
COLUMBIA  An apartment complex in downtown Columbia is under new ownership, with plans for marketing more affordable units to teachers, police, firefighters and other essential service workers.

Affordable Housing Preservation Corp., a Florida-based nonprofit, recently closed the deal to purchase Vista Towers apartments, a 263-unit complex located just blocks away from the S.C. Governor's Mansion.

Before the purchase, Vista Towers advertised units for $1,500 a month for a one-bedroom, $2,500 for three bedrooms.

"It's already naturally quasi-affordable," said Christopher Walker, board chairman at Affordable Housing Preservation.

That's based off what is considered affordable for a household making 80 percent of Columbia's median family income, or $57,680, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Rather than seeing continuous rent increased at the apartment complex, Affordable Housing Preservation's purchase of Vista Towers will hold rents for a portion of the units below market rate for the next 30 years, Walker said.

"We think that we can help stabilize it," he said.

Affordable Housing Preservation plans to cap rents in at least 52 of its units at $800 to $850 per month for a single bedroom, Walker said. For a three bedroom, the max affordable renters should pay is $1,100.

The corporation also has a non-eviction policy in which it will waive rent for 90 days in the case of a "life event," such as job loss or illness.

To make up the difference, tenants who can afford to pay more will be charged market rate, with an average weighted rent of $1,400 per month, Walker said.

"When you think affordable housing, it's often concentrated in a certain area of town," Walker said. "To us, to do affordable housing right, you have to integrate that socioeconomic class with another."

Walker said AHPC operates in cities where it sees rents creeping up and purchases complexes in an effort to forestall that.

Rents in the Capital City rose 12 percent year over year in 2021, according an analysis conducted by AHPC and a number of other rental rate tracking firms. This matches national averages, which fall between 12 percent and 15 percent.

Meanwhile, wages have only risen 5.7 percent year over year, according to January data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To finance its purchase, AHPC turned to the S.C. Jobs-Economic Development Authority to tap into the interest free borrowing power of municipal bonds usually reserved for municipalities and government agencies on private projects deemed to serve some public good. It's an arrangement known as a conduit issuer," where the agency works as a pass through and is not responsible for any financial fallout should the project fail.

A total of $65.9 million in bonds were issued to pay for the deal, according to filings with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. These bonds were sold in a limited offering, meaning only pre-authorized investors who are capable of withstanding financial losses should the deal go bad were allowed to buy in.

Before the deal went through, Walker said the deal was backed by an undisclosed, $9 trillion financial group.

As part of the investment, Walker said Affordable Housing Preservation has plans for $3.1 million in improvements to the property, including installation of energy efficient appliances, road repairs and interior upgrades.

In addition to the downtown Columbia property, Affordable Housing Preservation purchased two apartment complexes in the Upstate, for which $65.9 million in bonds were issued. Those complexes included Orchard Park, which sits outside downtown Greenville, and Willowbrook, near Simpsonville.

Walker said AHPC owns a total of 400 units in South Carolina. Across the Southeast, it has 3,600 units combined in Florida, Alabama and Georgia, operating in cities like Tallahassee, Pensacola, Mobile, Birmingham and Atlanta.
Many South Carolina K-12 virtual public school programs are suffering from high failure rates.

The problems have grown so acute that Horry County School District, the third-largest school district in the state, announced during a Jan. 25 board meeting that its considering ending its virtual curriculum after approximately half of its students failed at least one class.

And the high failure rates in virtual programs are not isolated to that single district. A Post and Courier review of virtual programs for the 10 largest school districts found most were plagued by poor academic performance.

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Only 2 percent of students in South Carolina are in virtual public K-12 programs, according to data provided by S.C. Department of Education spokesman Ryan Brown. But those students are often some of the most vulnerable. Low Country Virtual, a full-time virtual program created as part of a collaboration between eight districts, including those in the tri-county, reported that almost 10 percent of its students have disabilities and 60 percent are Black or Latino.

High failure rates in these programs jeopardize the futures of these children. But where many of the largest school districts' online programs are struggling, Aiken County has managed to keep its pass rate high and may have a way to run a successful full-time virtual curriculum.

Going virtual

Virtual learning was normalized during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as many students had to learn remotely because of health concerns. They were instructed by teachers who taught live classes over video platforms like Zoom whenever the pandemic threw students into virtual learning.

The virtual programs established by the 10 largest school districts are more structured than they were at the start of the pandemic. They are designed so students can enroll in the program full time and often have a combination of live and asynchronous classes. A teacher monitors their coursework, grades their assignments and can help students if they have problems.

While research on K-12 students online learning performance is limited, it tends to show that they do worse virtually than in-person. A 2017 study by the American Institutes for Research and the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research randomly assigned 1,224 ninth graders who failed algebra in 17 Chicago high schools to take online or face-to-face credit recovery courses. Overall, the students learning online said they found the course more difficult and were not as likely to recover their credits.

These results were supported by another 2017 study by New York University and the RAND Corp. that looked at data from 1.7 million Ohio K-12 students that attended virtual schools and brick-and-mortar schools. The study found that the performance of students in e-school is considerably lower than peers in traditional charter schools and traditional public schools.

Many South Carolina students attending full-time virtual programs created by the largest districts are struggling. Greenville County School District, the largest in the state, reported that almost a quarter of grades made by high schoolers were Fs during its second quarter of this school year, from Oct. 18 to Jan. 13. Only 6 percent of grades made by high schoolers learning in-person were Fs during the same period.

The numbers in Greenville Countys middle and elementary school virtual programs mirrored this trend with 19 percent of grades made by virtual middle schoolers being Fs during the second quarter of this school year compared with 2 percent of grades made by middle students learning in person. Seven percent of grades made by virtual elementary schoolers were Fs versus 1 percent of grades for elementary schools learning face to face.

Students did perform better in classes this school year compared with the same period last year when 34 percent of high schoolers, 23 percent of middle schoolers and 12 percent of elementary schoolers failed at least one virtual class.

In a school board meeting Feb. 8, Jeff McCoy, associate superintendent of academics for Greenville County, said next year the district will start having more conversations with students who aren't performing well in a virtual setting, telling them that they need to return to an in-person classroom.

Low Country Virtual reported almost 30 percent of its students have at least one missing assignment in one or more courses this school year, and that it has had to do attendance interventions with approximately 10 percent of its students.

When asked about students' poor performance in virtual programs, officials from several of the top 10 school districts pointed out that the number of students in virtual programs is declining. In an email, Greenville County spokesman Tim Waller wrote that in the 2020-21 school year, 23,000 students enrolled in the districts virtual program. This school year there are 3,142 students. In Horry County, enrollment last school year peaked at 18,449 students. It dropped by 84 percent to 2,247 at the time of the Jan. 25 school board meeting.

An eight-district virtual initiative

Low Country Virtual is a new full-time online program created by Charleston County, Berkeley County, Dorchester School District 2, Beaufort County, Dorchester District 4, Colleton County, Florence School District 2 and Greenwood School District 52.

It started the 2021-22 school year because the districts saw more families interested in sending their children to virtual schools, but some of the smaller districts didnt have the staff or infrastructure in place to create a full-time virtual program, according to Edi Cox, the director of LCV.

Those districts came together and asked if, through networking together, there was a way to share resources to create a program to serve a small number of families from different districts in a full-time virtual program, she said.

The program is leased from the Florida-based virtual schooling provider Flexpoint and consists of both synchronous and asynchronous classes for students in grades K-8. At the beginning of the year, the program had 650 students, but enrollment has since dropped to approximately 620.

Cox said that students left for a variety of reasons, including the families getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the program differing from their expectations.

Some of them expected what they got during emergency remote learning with Zoom teachers all day long, which is not what a high-quality virtual program is really made of, she said.

She attributed the 29 percent of students missing assignments to illness and disruptions caused by the delta and omicron waves this school year. She added that unlike in a traditional classroom, students in LCV had multiple attempts to makeup their work. The work that can be made up are assignments like homework or quizzes, not midterm or end-of-the-year tests.

In an email, Cindy Ambrose, a spokeswoman for LCV, said the program is structured this way so students can work to demonstrate mastery of a subject before the end of the year, and that a student missing work could mean that they have a single uncompleted assignment.

Cox also attributed the programs rate of absentee interventions to illness and pandemic disruptions. When a student misses one or more live sessions, their teacher reaches out to their family.

We try to involve member districts to participate in those parent conferences because those are their students, she said.

Aikens potential solutions

Like the other largest districts, the number of students in Aiken County School Districts virtual program rose during the 2020-21 school year to 6,490 students, or 27.8 percent of its total student body, according to data provided by Kate Olin, director of the districts Office of Accountability & Assessment. By the end of the first semester of that school year, 40 percent of middle and high school virtual students were failing mathematics and approximately 45 percent were failing their English language arts course.

Academically, the majority of students participating in the virtual program performed lower and demonstrated lower rates of academic growth compared to those in the face-to-face modality, said Olin.

The district turned that around this school year. At the end of the first semester, only 2.2 percent of virtual students were failing mathematics and 7.6 percent were failing their ELA course.

Jeanie Glover, the district's chief officer of instruction, said this is because the district screened students to make sure they could handle being in a full-time virtual learning environment; students who enrolled couldn't have failed a course last year in the district's virtual or face-to-face classes.

"You can have students login and be counted as present in a class, but if they don't do the work that's counterproductive," she said. "We want to make sure the students who can handle the work are the ones in the program."

Something else Glover felt also ensured the program's success was that all the virtual teachers instructed students from a single location. They were not teaching at homes throughout the district, but from the same building.

"If a student is showing up for a live class with one teacher and not another, the teachers can have conversations," she said.

Additionally, the virtual program has two administrators whose job it is to reach out to contact parents if their children miss a class or are performing poorly on homework.
Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. High 89F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Darlene Jordan can readily list each problem she found in her one-bedroom apartment at Charlestons Joseph Floyd Manor: a shower-head that only dripped water, windows that wouldnt open and a front door with no peephole, prompting safety concerns.

The issues persisted since the 62-year-old woman moved into the 12-story high-rise last May  until now, Jordan said.

Everything Ive asked for has been completed, she said, smiling as she referenced the bevy of resolved maintenance requests.

Nearly a year and a half after the aging apartment building received a failing grade in a federal inspection, Floyd Manor residents  the majority of whom are elderly and disabled  have reason to hope.

A new executive director, a robust maintenance team and the settling of hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt have made for a promising future.

I apologize for times when we fell short," said Franklin Scott, executive director of the Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which owns and manages Floyd Manor.

I cant say that enough, that Im not proud of some of the moments that weve had. And I am working with my staff to make the days ahead of us better.

Scott stepped up in October to direct the authority, an essential position which languished for 17 months before he permanently filled it.

The authority, which operates independently of both the city and county of Charleston, is governed by a board of commissioners. The board fired its previous director in June 2020 following reports in The Post and Courier about horrid conditions inside Floyd Manor.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development health inspectors toured the 70-year-old building four months later, giving it 19 points out of 100 after finding dozens of health and safety violations.

When the building was inspected two years earlier, it received 80 out of 100 points.

Correcting the past

Housing officials told the newspaper in November 2020 they planned to correct health- and safety-related issues found in the inspection within 30 days, and non-health and safety issues would be addressed in the following 90 days, budget permitting.

Maintenance records obtained through a public records request confirm the authority completed all life-threatening deficiencies within a day or two of the federal inspection.

The incomplete and poorly kept records did not, however, provide a clear idea of how many flagged deficiencies remain outstanding  and some still do, well over a year after the report.

The authority is still moving through a list of inspection-related work orders, Scott said. The CEO could not say exactly how many problems remain, but he explained how several require additional approvals before the agency can move forward to complete them.

Residents suffered as budget constraints and a shrinking number of staff members stymied progress.

Scott, who was leading the city of North Charlestons housing authority when HUD officials toured Floyd Manor, said his physical absence in the past doesnt separate him from the obligation to improve living conditions in the present.

To have a score at that level in any area  thats not acceptable, and I apologize for that kind of demonstration, he said of the failing inspection grade. We can respond better than that, and we intend to improve upon that.

In the four months since taking over, Scott has hired three additional maintenance workers to do work for around 400 residents living across the agencys properties, bringing the total to five employees  a fully staffed team, he said.

The CEO said he hopes to reduce the number of work orders while ramping up the agencys ability to respond to the unexpected. This involves hiring outside contractors specializing in plumbing, cabinetry, gas or welding to provide those extra services.

Scotts ultimate goal is for the maintenance team to resolve residents requests within a four-hour window.

The staffs efforts are concentrated at Floyd Manor, in response to the level of demand inside the high-rise  something which has not gone unnoticed by residents.

Jordan brought honey buns to the maintenance workers just the other morning as they cleaned up a unit on the seventh floor. Shes grown to know them, and theyve formed a friendship, Jordan said.

William Washington, another resident, said hes seen workers remove old paint from walls and redo floors.

Theyre doing a pretty good job, Washington said, adding he began noticing a difference around December or January, soon after Scott took over.

Talks of redevelopment

Still, Floyd Manor is an old building. Scott is quick to point out the development happening all around the high-rise, built starting in 1950, in its prime spot nestled within the neck of Charlestons peninsula.

Right now, were kind of outside because were the old and everything new is coming along, he said. Were getting all the attention for being tied to the old.

Talks of redeveloping the building have been in the works since at least last summer.

Sandino Moses, chairman of the housing authoritys board, told The Post and Courier in July he hopes one day to temporarily move residents out, tear down the existing building and build a new affordable housing complex to modern standards.

Scott is more vague about what those plans look like. He said the decision ultimately belongs to the board, and to the community as a whole.

A redevelopment committee gathers during monthly board meetings, which are open to the public, presumably to talk about such plans. But the committee meets in executive session, locking those discussions behind closed doors.

Redevelopment should be thought of as a broad term, Scott said, meant to encompass a slew of options: It could be something just like we have now, or it could be something vastly different.

He declined to speculate on possible scenarios, including whether Floyd Manor would be torn down and rebuilt, or whether the property would remain under the public housing authoritys ownership.

I think were more or less looking at what the housing authority will look like in the future, he said. The crown jewel of that is Joseph Floyd Manor.

Despite being pleased with the current state of her apartment, Jordan is convinced the best solution is to just rebuild the high-rise. Any maintenance fixes are just a patchwork, unable to permanently cure the larger problem.

Buildings get old, just like people, she said.

'It was our albatross'

There is one piece of this puzzle which has fallen into place and will certainly affect the agencys future.

The authority sold 18 vacant homes it could no longer afford to maintain or repair to Charleston County for $2.47 million. The homes will be kept as affordable housing.

The deal is in its final stages, and soon the authority will be flush with some much-needed cash. While some of the money will go toward activities at Floyd Manor and the agencys other properties, Scott plans to first use a chunk of it to settle a longstanding debt with HUD.

Housing authority officials took out a $1.4 million loan in 2006  remnants of which still hang over its head, impeding progress. As of November, about $369,000 still needed to be paid off, according to HUD.

It was our albatross. Period, Scott said, matter-of-factly.

He plans to have the sum entirely settled within 45 days, after which talks of redeveloping Floyd Manor will become more solidified.

What (redevelopment) will look like in the end? Im not sure, he said. But I think, collectively, once we get to the point of clearing the debt  its a different game.

Its this kind of open-mindedness and problem-solving attitude that Scott believes separates his administration from the agencys troubled history.

I dont question the commitment of the past, he said. What I do question is, weve got to look for reasons to say yes and find solutions, versus hitting a bump in the road and maybe hitting the brakes.

For now, Scott said his team remains focused on the present: aggressively maintaining the authoritys properties to show residents like Jordan and Washington work and help are on the way.
Goose Creek, SC (29445)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that people should prepare for a colourful Holi on March 10 since the BJP was returning to power in a big way.

"BJP govt in UP inevitable, Yogi is coming back," he stated.

Addressing a rally here on Monday, he said, "Before 2017, the dynasts were ruling here. UP reported ration scam, poor were deprived of the foodgrain through forged ration cards. The poor used to be hungry. The double engine government changed that and crores are getting double benefit of the free ration. They kept getting foodgrains even in the pandemic."

He said that the double engine government gave free houses while earlier government were totally indifferent. Even though the Centre was sending money, they were not ready to make the houses for the poor.

The Prime Minister further said, "The second phase trend and voting for the first phase has cleared four things: BJP government is inevitable, Yogi is coming back strongly. Secondly, all castes, voters of all sections without getting divided in villages and cities are voting for development and the BJP.

"Third, our mother, sisters, daughters, have taken up the BJP flag to ensure its victory, they want safety and dignity. And fourth, our Muslim sisters silently have made up their mind and coming out to bless Modi. They know those who are there for them in time of need are real friends."
The Work Zone

Many of us didnt grow up with a strong male influence in the home. My parents split before I was 10, so the majority of the wisdom I picked u Read more
The Guam Board of Medical Examiners has been called by local senators to appear at two oversight hearings on Wednesday.

Both hearings were called by Speaker Therese Terlaje, chairperson of the committee on health.

The first hearing will focus on the GBMEs licensing discretion, procedures for doctors with complaints lodged against them in other jurisdictions, and how complaints are investigated locally.

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The second hearing will focus on the boards procedural discretion over licensing of physicians with complaints in other jurisdictions. Public disclosure of current accusations and physician license revocations, suspensions, or other disciplinary actions by other jurisdictions pursuant to The Patient Protection Through Information Act could also come up. The hearing will also go further into the complaint investigation and hearing timelines, as well as the procedure to update those who file complaints.

Over the years and in recent months, the GBME has approved full licensure for several physicians with histories of complaints to practice locally.

In January, the board approved two full licenses and one temporary license to doctors with spotty records.

Allegations of sexual misconduct against one doctor practicing on Guam were brought to the boards attention in recent months.

Allegations from two patients against a doctor

Doctor Ugochukwu Akoma, a private practitioner and owner of Hepzibah Family Medicine Clinic came under fire when two patients came forward with separate allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

Both alleged victims filed complaints against Akoma with the board.

One victim filed a report with GBME in 2020. The second alleged victim filed in 2021. However, the board did not provide the 2020 alleged victim with any updates on its investigation until this year.

The victim told The Guam Daily Post the only information she received was that her case was reviewed on March 11, 2020, a week after the complaint was filed. It took two years to find out this information despite repeated calls to the GBME since filing her complaint.

Last month, when the allegations surfaced publicly, board Chairman Nathaniel Berg did not respond to questions about how long the investigation stood still or why the complainants did not receive timely updates.

GBME also did not respond to questions on the protocols in place for doctors facing allegations of sexual assault.

During GBME's January meeting, Berg said no comments would be made on pending investigations.

Bergs statement was made in reference to the 2021 alleged victims complaint against Akoma which is under investigation.

The first womans case preceded the 2021 victim by over a year. The woman stressed that if they had taken her case seriously, there would have been no additional victims.

Prior to practicing on Guam, Akoma had complaints filed against him in multiple states. Akoma left Iowa following allegations and was already practicing on Guam when his Iowa case was settled in 2018.

Akoma paid a $5,000 fine and agreed to terms of probation. The terms of practice in Iowa included that Akoma must be accompanied by a board-approved female health care professional chaperone when treating female patients.

Akoma was granted licensure to practice on Guam in October 2017 under IHP Medical Group. An IHP staffer later filed a complaint with the GBME in 2018 raising similar allegations. Akoma, however, kept his license and was able to open a private practice.

To date, it is not known how many local physicians have been granted licenses with prior disciplinary action by boards from other jurisdictions, how many are approved with conditions set by the board, or how many have violated those conditions.

These issues will be addressed during the oversight hearing at 12:30 and 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Guam Legislature in Hagatna.
SCANNER: A truck goes through a scanner as it makes its way into the U.S. from Mexico at the Laredo Port of Entry in Laredo, Texas, on Jan. 14. Salwan Georges/The Washington Post
In this post, I linked to a New York Times op-ed by three leading National (or Common Good) Conservatives on foreign policy. The piece, called Hawks Are Standing in the Way of a New Republican Party, was written by Sohrab Ahmari, Patrick Deneen, and Gladden Pappin.

My post didnt discuss the merits of the New York Times op-ed. Instead, I cited it as an example of what looks like a trend  the mainstream media using conservatives to attack other conservatives. I also said the op-ed is noteworthy for the authors acknowledgement that many conservatives whom the authors view as sympathetic to National Conservatism (attendees of the movements convention, Sens. Tom Cotton and Marco Rubio, etc.) dont agree with them on foreign policy.

What about the merits of the Hawks are Standing in the Way. . . article, though? First, the article is meritorious enough to deserve being read. But second, I think this article by Klon Kitchen of the American Enterprise Institute effectively takes on three National Conservatives argument.

Kitchen views their argument as advocating a restrained U.S. foreign policy. Thats fine, he says, as far as it goes.

He finds, however, that the National Conservatives call for restraint is predicated on an overly binary conception of US foreign and security policy, in which crusading neoconservatives serve as pantomime villains. Moreover, in Kitchens view their foreign policy of restraint becomes incoherent when applied to specific foreign policy questions.

Regarding the Ukraine, for example:

The Biden administration has made clear that it will not be sending military forces to help repel a Russian invasion and is instead deploying troops only to existing NATO countries in the region as a political signal of where Putins aggression must stop (as a part of our treaty obligations to these countries). These actions are the bare minimum of meeting our formal treaty obligations, and yet even these seem too unrestrained for the authors.

Regarding China:

[T]he authors concede that the United States has real differences with Beijing. We must punish industrial espionage. We must defend treaty allies. And we must seek a more balanced trade relationship. But they quickly add, we should also find areas of cooperation, exchange and shared interests, seeking to avoid any future wars and instead communicating with mutual respect for a civilizational equal. Let me start with that most heinous moral equivalency of China being our civilizational equal. These men indeed have an exceptionally low estimation of our nations current state if they believe that we have an equal in the Peoples Republic of Chinaa nation currently imprisoning more than 1 million members of just one religious minority, a government who still implements a systemic program of forced sterilization and abortion, a country where political dissidents, journalists, and anyone who dares criticizes the government is jailed, tortured, or killed. . . . But let us. . .engage the rest of their prescription for American policy toward China. Regarding their call for cooperation, exchange and shared interests, what do they think the United States has been doing for the last 40 years? Our challenges with Beijing are not rooted in a lack of engagement or cooperation. They are the result of an uncritical assumption that by enriching that nation it will inescapably become more democratic. This was dead wrong, and we now have a totalitarian government that is a near peer militarily and which is increasingly belligerent toward American interests. Even noted restraint advocates John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt admit that China is likely to seek hegemony in Asia and that the United States will need to throw its considerable weight behind a regional balancing effort.

Kitchen then quotes Michael J. Mazarr, a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation and author of an essay called Rethinking Restraint: Why It Fails in Practice.

A serious US effort to contest Chinese hegemony will demand significant and growing regional presence in an operationally demanding theater. It will likely require continued US troop deployments in Japan and Korea, deep engagement including extensive security cooperation activities with regional partners, and major financial commitments to counter Chinese economic statecraft. In sum, if the United States intends to balance Chinese power, it is not clear how restrained it will be able to be. The global outline of restraint would begin to look not unlike a supercharged version of the rebalance to Asia announced by the Obama administration, with reduced posture in the Middle East and Europe but a renewed commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. If that is all restraint amounts to in the most geopolitically significant region in the world, it would not imply much of a change.

Kitchen concludes:

I have tried to deal honestly and seriously with the proposals of Sohrab Ahmari, Patrick Deneen and Gladden Pappin. As noted above, their offerings fit within an established set of international relations theories that have been argued by serious people for a long time. But, while they are serious, they are not compelling. Their entire argument is predicated on a neoconservative boogeyman, galloping around the globe wantonly sowing death and destruction. Such a notion is false and simply another manifestation of the authors proclivity for us versus them arguments. They also fail to move beyond the soft edges of self-righteous rhetoric by not offering even the most basic practical proposals or accounting for what their implementation would require. They claim restraint for themselves and condemn all others as crusaders. In short, last weeks essay in the New York Times is swollen with rhetoric but starving for applications to the real world.

I think Kitchens piece is fair and mostly valid.
Lecturers in Nigerian universities are to commence a four-week strike starting today, their union has said.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announced this as part of its resolutions at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos Monday morning.

 NEC resolved to embark on a four-week roll-over total and comprehensive strike action beginning from Monday 14th February 2022, the communique stated.

The union gave various reasons for embarking on the strike.

PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported that the union had agreed on a one-month strike at the end of its meeting early Monday.

Grounds for strike

Addressing the media at Tayo Aderinokun auditorium at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, the unions president, Emmanuel Osodeke, a professor, listed, as reasons for the strike, the governments failure to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed between the union and the government; the governments poor commitment to the payment of academic earned allowance (EAA); the continued use of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System and refusal to adopt the Universities Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), and proliferation of the universities in the country.

ASUU also accused the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) of encroaching on the statutory roles of the senates of universities over the admission of candidates by the institutions. The union also frowned at the recent appointment of Nigerias minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Ibrahim, as a professor at a federal university (FUTO) and threatened to sanction all those it said took part in the processes leading to what it described as the illegal appointment.

On IPPIS

Speaking on IPPIS, the union in its communique, said; The imposition of this grotesque platform challenged our union to develop an alternative system to IPPIS  the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS). This locally developed and cost-effective alternative payment platform has the distinct capacity to check corruption and preserve the hard-earned autonomy of Nigerian universities for the good of the country. Regrettably, FGN is still foot-dragging over its adoption, contrary to an earlier agreement with our union, thereby allowing the financial chaos heralded by IPPIS to continue.

On EAA

ASUU said; Compatriots of the press, the Federal Government promised to mainstream the EAA into the annual federal budget in the various memoranda signed with ASUU and the Government recently released N221 billion for payment of some EAA allowances. However, many years of unpaid entitlements are outstanding, serving as triggers for industrial crisis in our universities.

On visitation panel

The union condemned what it termed the continued delay in the release of the white papers on the reports of the visitation panels to the universities. The panels were set up by the government.

Sending Visitation Panels to universities on a periodic (5-yearly) basis is a critical evaluation requirement stipulated in our university laws. Our Union had to embark on an action for the FGN to institute such panels. However, many months after the panels submitted their reports, the White Papers are yet to be released. We call for the immediate release of the White Papers to address numerous lapses in the administration of Nigerias federal universities, ASUU said.

Appeal for support

Meanwhile, the union pleaded with Nigerians for understanding, saying the declaration of the strike became very important to preserve the sanctity of the Nigerian university system.

Comrades and compatriots, it was a painful decision for NEC to arrive at the roll-over strike option. Contrary to the views canvassed in some quarters, our union loathes to disrupt academic activities on our campuses. We love our students and respect their parents and guardians. We are also not insensitive to the genuine concerns about stable academic calendars in public universities expressed by patriotic Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria. But the blame should be squarely put at the doorsteps of those who have ignored our patriotic yearnings for a development-oriented education in Nigeria.

The patience of our members has been tasked beyond tolerable limits. The greatest asset of any nation is its human capital. Any nation that pays lip service to education as we currently witness in Nigeria will only grow in age and never experience genuine development. We therefore seek the understanding and support of all stakeholders to make the Nigerian government more responsive to issues of human capital development including health and education, the union said.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed that the embattled deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, is now in its custody.

The NDLEA in a Monday evening statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said Mr Kyari was handed over to the agency by the police.

The agency had earlier declared Mr Kyari wanted for aiding and abetting drug pushing and running his own drug cartel.

The declaration by the NDLEA came a few months after the former police intelligence unit commander was indicted in an internet fraud case by a U.S. court.

Following the declaration, the Nigerian police announced that Mr Kyari was arrested alongside four other members of the police intelligence response team.

Handed over

Confirming the handover of suspects, Mr Babafemi said the handover was done in the premises of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB).

He said they arrived at the NDLEA headquarters around 5 p.m. on Monday.

READ ALSO:

Few hours after he was declared wanted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA over his involvement in a 25 kilograms Cocaine deal, the Nigerian Police Force has handed over the suspended DCP Abba Kyari, the erstwhile Commander of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigerian Police Force, to the anti-narcotic agency.

Five of the wanted suspects namely: DCP Abba Kyari; ACP Sunday J. Ubua; ASP Bawa James; Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu were driven into the National Headquarters of NDLEA in Abuja at about 5pm on Monday 14th February to formally hand them over for interrogation and further investigation.

The Agency wishes to assure that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that all suspects already in custody and those that may still be indicted in the course of investigation will face the full weight of the law at the end of the ongoing probe, the statement said.
A 19-month-old baby has died in Delta State, Nigerias South-south, after he was allegedly flogged by a teacher.

The teacher, Emeka Nwogbo, 24, was on Monday paraded by the police in Asaba, alongside his mother who is the proprietor of the school, Arise and Shine Nursery and Primary School, Asaba.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Ali Mohammed, said the police were working round the clock to ensure justice for all parties concerned over the death of the toddler.

He said the command received the report of the alleged manhandling of the toddler on February 10, and launched investigations.

However, we later received a report that the child died at about 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, so we arrested the suspects.

We are awaiting the autopsy report from the hospital, and we want to appeal for calm from all and sundry.

Once, we get the autopsy report, we will go into full investigation and I want to assure the public that justice will be served in this matter, Mr Mohammed said.

The Commissioner for Information in Delta, Charles Aniagwu, was present when the suspects were paraded.

He told reporters that the state government was committed to ensuring justice for the deceased toddler.

READ ALSO: Enugu parents speak on outdated corporal punishment in schools

As a state government, we are deeply concerned over the circumstances surrounding the death of the victim.

The life of every resident is of utmost importance to the government that is why we want to ensure justice in this matter.

We want to appeal to members of the public to remain calm and exercise restraint. Let us allow the police to do their job thoroughly, Mr Aniagwu said.

The commissioner assured that the state government would work with the police to ensure a thorough investigation and prosecution of anybody or persons found culpable.

The incident highlights the dangers of corporal punishment in Nigerian schools.

(NAN)
US and NATO are still rejecting fair Russian proposals  stopping further NATO expansion, which is seen as absolutely unpalatable and pregnant with a big war, deployment of offensive arms in East-Central Europe, return to the status quo ante of 1997 when the Russia-NATO Act was signed.

by Sergei Karaganov

Russian troops near the border of Ukraine are not going to move into the country. It is simply senseless. Grabbing land devastated by its anti-national and corrupt ruling strata is one of the worst scenarios. Troops are there to prevent another assault on Donbass republics. If that happens, Kyivs army will be destroyed and what is left of the already failed state will probably collapse. These troops and other militarytechnical means, as Russia generals nicely put it, are there to increase pressure on puppeteers rather than on puppets.

Russia could count on its greatly enhanced military capability giving it probably what Western experts call escalation dominance in Europe and in other areas of vital interest. We also know that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is absolutely hollow  read it  in spite of avalanche of assurances. And U.S. under no circumstances would fight in Europe against a nuclear country risking devastating response. I studied the history of the development of U.S. nuclear strategy. In addition, Russia stands back to back with China, which greatly enhances military-political capabilities of both.

US and NATO are still rejecting fair Russian proposals  stopping further NATO expansion, which is seen as absolutely unpalatable and pregnant with a big war, deployment of offensive arms in East-Central Europe, return to the status quo ante of 1997 when the Russia-NATO Act was signed. The U. S. counter proposals about talks on confidence-building measures and arms control sound pleasant, but they are largely senseless. We had them before.

Confidence could start to be restored only when basic Russian interests are met.

We are also complicit for creation of the current prewar situation  by being weak and trusting our Western partners. Not anymore.

We also know if NATO used to be a defensive alliance, it has degenerated into an aggressive one after bombing what was left of Yugoslavia, aggression of most alliance members against Iraq, aggression against Libya, leaving behind hundreds of thousands dead and devastated areas.

NATO is not an immediate threat. We observed its fighting capabilities in Afghanistan. But we see it as a dangerous virus spreading bellicosity and thriving on it. Also it is obvious that the closer it comes to our borders the more dangerous it could become. Russia crushed all European coalitions trying to defeat Russia  the last led by Napoleon and Hitler. But we do not want another war. Even if not on our territory.

The security system in Europe, built largely by the West since 1990-s, when a peace treaty was not signed after the end of the previous Cold War, is dangerously unsustainable.

There are a few ways to solve the narrow Ukrainian problem. Return of countries like her to permanent neutrality, legal guarantees by several key NATO countries not to vote ever for further expansion of the block. Diplomats, I assume, have a few others. We do not want to humiliate Brussels by insisting on repudiating its erroneous plea for open-ended expansion of NATO. We all know the end of the Versailles humiliation. And, of course, implementation of the Minsk agreements.

But the task is wider: to build a viable system on the ruins of the present. And without resorting to arms, of course. Probably in the wider Greater Eurasian framework. Russia needs a safe and friendly Western flank in the future world competition. Europe without Russia or even against it has been rapidly loosing its international positions. That was predicted by many people in the 1990s, when the Russian offer to integrate with, not in, we are too big and proud, was rejected. But there is always a chance.

Sergei Karaganov, Dean of the Department of World Economics and World Politics of the National Research University-Higher School of Economics
Nigerias digital economy will flourish when providers of financial services create innovative and inclusive products for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises as well as the retail market, the Executive Director of Financial Services Innovators, Aituaz Kola-Oladejo, has said.

According to Ms Kola-Oladejo in a statement issued by FSI on Monday, this will solve the countrys social and economic problems, as both are interconnected.

She noted that FSI is partnering with the Federal University of Technology, Minna, to host a hackathon in northern Nigeria to foster innovation and promote the development of inclusive financial solutions in that region.

Themed Include Me, the FSI and FUTMINNA innovation challenge, aimed at proffering simple and seamless inclusive financial solutions for MSMEs, with a focus on the banking and insurance services sectors, will run, virtually and physically, from March 9 to 11, 2022 at the FUTMINNA campus.

Registration, which has opened since Friday, January 28, will end on Wednesday, February 16 at 11:59 pm. Participants are to register via https://bit.ly/Include_Me.

We decided to partner with FUTMINNA to proffer solutions to these challenges through students who see these challenges daily, Kola-Oladejo added.

According to the statement, many businesses in northern Nigeria were digitally and financially excluded, transacting daily in cash, as some of the solutions in the market are either too sophisticated for their needs or that there are huge barriers to access the solutions.

This hackathon will create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for tech talents in Nigeria. The challenge is also open to students in any tertiary institution, it stated.

FSI said research put the number of micro-enterprises in the North at over 15 million.

According to a report from EFInA in 2021, there are more financially excluded people in northern Nigeria than in the southern part. The drawbacks include the concern for safety, access to funds when required, and the cost of financial services.

The MSMEs, especially the micro sectors potential for expansion, are under-exploited, given the financing gap, as many of them raise funds through informal means, it noted.

FSI said also that MSMEs should be able to access financial services, irrespective of their location, size of business, and level of literacy towards achieving a digital economy.

The barriers MSMEs have in accessing financial services and transacting in the same digital environment should be reduced to the barest minimum, given the level of growth of the digital economy in Nigeria.

Hence, financial services providers should begin to deploy innovative solutions adaptable to the peculiarities of this customer segment, FSI stated.

It believes a social, friendly and secure financial inclusion solution for MSMEs will enable entrepreneurs in the northern region to save and invest money, receive monies and make payments digitally, have access to insurance services and funds as working capital and detect fraudulent transactions.

FSI had in October 2021 hosted a hackathon themed #TechonDemand and proffered solutions to the dominance of cash transactions within the informal channels in the suburban parts of Nigeria, including university communities.
The Lagos state government says it has directed the prosecution of the developer of the three-storey building under construction that collapsed in Onike area of the state, on Saturday, killing two persons.

A statement by Mukaila Sanusi, spokesman of the Lagos state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, said the Commissioner in the ministry, Idris Salako, gave the directive on Sunday evening.

Mr Salako said the Lagos state Building Control Agency had been mandated to liaise with the police so as to proceed to court and press charges against the developer , who has been held for violating the states physical planning laws.

The government regrets the needless loss of lives and property, due to his unlawful conduct and antics of defying stop-work orders as well as evading supervision.

It is hoped that his prosecution would send a strong warning to all recalcitrant developers that it was mandatory to Build Right and engage professionals in constructing buildings in Lagos state as we will not hesitate to bring to book whoever errs against the law, he said.

The Lagos State government said on Sunday that it had arrested the buildings developer and handed him over to the police.

As of Sunday evening, five bodies had been recovered from the rubble, according to the National Emergency Management Agency.

He said one person was rescued alive, while two deaths were recorded from the collapse.

Mr Salako added that excavation of the site by emergency responders, including the Lagos state Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) was still ongoing and will continue until it is levelled to ground zero. (NAN)
The Gombe State Internal Revenue Service Board has sealed two branches of Access Bank in the state capital over alleged N118 million unpaid taxes between 2008  2019.

Speaking to journalists on Monday in Gombe, the Chairman of the Board, Abubakar Tata, said the board issued a demand notice but the bank failed to respond, hence the action after the expiration of 30 days notice.

Mr Tata said the bank instead of complying, to pay the debt, took the Board to the Tax Affairs Tribunal in Bauchi in March 2020, but the case was dismissed.

The service has demand notice to Access bank, formerly Diamond bank they were expected to object if they are not comfortable with the demand notice and the amount but they did not object and they didnt reply. By law, if you do not object after 30 days whatever served you becomes binding, final and conclusive.

Instead of replying they took us to court, we followed up with our legal unit until we got a ruling that their case has been dismissed and they are to come and pay the liability and it about 118 million naira. We have a consultant who carried out a tax audit from 2008 to 2019. The N118m is a cumulative total.

While urging the bank to comply with the notice, Mr Tata stated that the service would not succumb to further delay.

Not only them; my call on all tax-paying entities and organisations is to comply with rules set out by Gombe State revenue Codification and Consolidation law and there are processes when it comes to issues of demand notice and notice of assessment because there is a lot at stake. If I see alert today, I will come and remove the seal, Tata added.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on the development, a customer of the bank, Abubakar Danmusa, appealed to the bank to resolve the issue with the board.

Mr Musa said: Every month I get over a N1,000 debit from them while they dont remit their tax to the government. But I dont have another bank, they should go and resolve this with the government.

Also, Gambo Dauda, another customer, said he was affected by the sealing off of the banks building .

Mr Dauda, who was among customers whose transactions were stalled, urged the bank to meet its responsibility.
The police on Monday arraigned Precious Chikwendu, on a charge of attempted murder of her former husband, Femi Fani-Kayode.

She was arraigned before Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In the case marked, FHCABJ/CR/1/2022 filed by the Commissioner of Police against Ms Chikwendu and three others, the police accused her of attempting to stab Mr Fani-Kayode with a kitchen knife on November 24, 2018, at Asokoro, Abuja.

Others arraigned alongside Ms Chikwendu include Emmanuel Anakan, Prisca Chikwendu and Osakwe Azubuike as 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively, while other are said to be at large.

In the 13-count charge dated and filed on January 7, the defendants were also alleged to have committed offences bordering on cybercrime, intimidation to kill Mr Fani-Kayode by use of Internet, threat to kill one Lauretta in order to cause her to leave her relationship with Mr Fani-Kayode.

They were alleged to have criminally used the internet to send abusive messages with intent to bully, defame and harass her ex-husband.

They were also alleged to have fabricated false evidence by deposing to series of affidavits that Mr Fani-Kayode physically and sexually assaulted members of his domestic staff in inhuman conduct by causing same to be electronically published in a national daily.

Ms Chikwendu was also alleged to have, through her Facebook page, referred to Mr Fani-Kayode as Mr Short Fuse.

She was also alleged to have published a false imputation against the ex-minister by referring to him as a person who is sexually incapacitated and that he is not the biological father of the four children she had for him as a wife.

Not guilty

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts, which are said to be punishable under Section 392 of the Penal Code, among others.

The prosecuting counsel, John Ijagbemi, who prayed the court for a date to commence trial. said seven witnesses would testify in the matter.

He said apart from the documentary evidence that would be tendered, electronic evidence had also been compiled to prosecute the suspects.

Ms Chikwendus lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, urged the court to grant the defendants bail based on the earlier administrative bail granted them by the police.

Mr Ijagbemi confirmed she was earlier granted bail.

The Ekwo fixed April 27, April 28 and April 29 for trial.

He ordered the defendants to continue on the terms of administrative bail earlier granted them.

He directed the prosecution to submit all particulars of the defendants to the court registrar.

Possible amendment

In an interview shortly after the sitting, Mr Ijagbemi said the complainant would amend the charge to include an attempt by Chikwendu to kill the four children she had for the ex-minister.

However, efforts to talk to Mr Ejesieme, lawyer to the ex-wife, was unsuccessful as he refused to grant interview.

NAN reports that the ex-wifes arraignment in an alleged defamation of character suit filed against her by former Senator, Grace Bent, on January 24, before Obiora Egwuatu of Federal High Court was stalled due to her absence from court.

Neither Ms Chikwendu, an ex-beauty queen, nor his lawyer was in court. The judge fixed March 10 for her arraignment in the case.

She and Mr Fani-Kayode have been locked in a messy custody battle over their children.

In December she accused him of violating a court order granting her access to the children.

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Bandits suspected to be from the camp of notorious banditry kingpin, Ada Aleru, have abducted an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mahassan Lawali, in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The bandits, numbering about 50, made their way into the local government headquarters, Tsafe, Friday morning and abducted the victim.

Mr Lawali, an accountant at the Kano  Jigawa Command of the Service, was abducted while spending the weekend with his family in Tsafe.

The victims younger brother, Salim Tsafe, told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone that the bandits surrounded the house during the operation.

Three of them went into the main house and abducted him. A friend who lives there was tied down by the bandits and had all his phone taken away from him but when they brought Alhaji, they released my friend and went with Alhaji, he said.

Another resident of Tsafe, Abubakar Bala, said it was obvious Mr Lawali was the target of the attack.

They didnt shoot anyone during the attack but some of them fired several shots in the air obviously to scare residents. He (Mr Lawali) was picked in his house around 9 p.m. It is surprising how they could beat the security check points and reach the main town a few minutes after nine; it shows no one is secured, he said.

Ransom negotiations

Mr Bala, who said he knows and interacts with the abducted victim very well, said the bandits have reached out for ransom.

I was told by some family members this evening (Sunday) that the bandits are demanding N10 million as ransom for the officer, he said.

Mr Salim said his immediate elder brother has been communicating with the bandits since Friday.

When they took him, they called immediately to demand ransom. But they said once they mentioned the amount, no one should negotiate with them because they know he is rich. In fact, one of the bandits was saying they know Alhaji has over N100 million in his account.

So, we pleaded with them to tell us the amount and they said N10 million. We pleaded with them but they insisted that we have a lot of money and that we should not be negotiating because they were being reasonable, he said.

He, however, said when the person negotiating with the bandits said they could afford N5 million, the bandits were livid and insulted him over the phone.

They have switched off their phones since morning when we told them we would pay N5 million. Some people said they (bandits) would call us back. For now, we have resorted to praying for God to help us and save him. We dont have the N10 million they are mentioning.

The police command spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Shehu, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the abduction.

A WhatsApp message sent to him was also not answered despite the fact that it had been marked as read.
A witness, Raman Saliu, who is also a partner at Super Network Limited, the parent company of Super TV, said Usifo Atagas body was seen with deep cuts on his neck to the back, on the stomach, and around the ribs.

Mr Saliu, a network engineer and programmer, told Yetunde Adesanya, a judge at a Lagos High Court in TBS, that his friend of ten years was killed like a chicken.

According to him, there were seven stab wounds on the deceaseds body.

Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, and two others are on trial over Mr Atagas murder.

The alleged murder took place at the Lekki Phase 1, area of Lagos.

Testimony

Mr Saliu said he got a call from the deceased saying he had blood pressure and he suggested some drugs to him and advised him to take a rest.

He said they scheduled an executive meeting on Wednesday around 2 p.m. on June 15, 2021, and he called him in the morning that an assignment was completed but he got no response.

Mr Saliu said he later got a WhatsApp message from the deceased saying I saw your missed call, I took some drugs that have made me sleeping.

He said the English grammar was suspicious and couldnt have come from the deceased.

He said he sent him a screenshot of the task they had talked about but his response was, ok great.

He said he wasnt convinced that the message came from the deceased because he would be excited over the task.

Mr Saliu said he contacted Mr Usifos driver and Personal Assistant but they said they had not seen him.

He said he went to the deceaseds hang-out spots where they had been together before his death and didnt see him there.

Mr Saliu said he raised the alarm on June 16, adding that the deceased phone was going through but nobody answered it.

Mr Saliu said the last message to the deceased was on June 16, at 10:30 a.m. which said Bros where are you, Im worried, My BP is rising. But the message was read and there was no response.

He said the following day, he got a call from Mr Atagas wife, Brenda Ataga, asking for the deceaseds whereabouts.

He said they traced the deceaseds phone to Unilag while noting that he got a phone call from the bank whom he had asked to help trace a transaction that could help with a lead as to where the deceased could be.

The banker called and said Mr Ataga made a transaction on Sunday and Monday to an Airbnb apartment (the short let apartment) and Sterling Bank.

However, he said he learnt of Mr Atagas demise from Mrs Ataga and on June 23, he got a call from the police that Ms Ojukwu had been arrested with the recovery of the deceaseds phone and laptop.

This newspaper observed that the suspect was taken back to prison in a white bus and not the regular prison van.

The judge adjourned the case to February 17 for the continuation of trial.
It is a relief that the European Union (EU) supports the view canvassed by Nigeria that gas be considered a transition fuel as the global community moves towards net-zero emissions targets.

Nigerias Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said this while receiving at the Presidential Villa last night, a delegation of the European Commission led by its Executive Vice-President, Margrethe Vestager, who is currently on a visit to the country.

According to Mr Osinbajo, we are relieved to hear of the EUs support on gas as a transition fuel. Its some bit of relief.

Nigeria has been at the forefront of the international advocacy on the issue and the Vice President has spoken and written about it in different international forums.

Issues discussed at the meeting included the use of Digital Technology, Trade and Investment. The importance of the energy relationship between Nigeria and the EU also featured, while consideration of all options for increased supply of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from Nigeria to the EU was agreed to, following a request from the EU. A technical meeting on this will be convened shortly.

The European Commissions Executive VP informed Mr Osinbajo on the announcement by President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, of a Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package worth 150 billion.

In that context, she announced an EU-Nigeria Digital Economy Package of at least 820 million until 2024. The package will help enhance secure connectivity, digitalise public services, support entrepreneurship and build digital skills, while developing a human-centric, democratic governance framework for technology.

Welcoming on the EU Digital Economy support, which Vice President Osinbajo described as impressive, he noted that the use of Digital Technology is crucial in Nigerias recently released National Development Plan.

Finally, the importance of a renewed Nigeria-EU partnership was noted during the meeting, including expectations for a successful EU-AU (European Union  African Union) Summit in Brussels later this week, specifically on the 17th-18th of February.

Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity

Office of the Vice President
Abdulmalik Tanko, the principal suspect in the murder of five-year old Kano school oupil, Hanifa Abubakar, and one of his alleged accomplices, Hashimu Isyaku, have pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy but denied four other charges in the murder trial.

However, the other suspect, Fatima Jibrin, denied all the charges read to her on Monday.

The suspects were arraigned on Monday at state High Court No. 6 before the trial judge, Usman Na-Abba.

They were charged with criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, concealing/keeping in confinement a kidnapped person and culpable homicide, offences contrary to Sections 97, 274, 277 and 221 of the Penal Code.

The judge, Mr Naabba, fixed March 2 and 3 for the commencement of hearing and ordered the accused to be remanded at a correctional centre.

Hanifa was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by Mr Tanko, who was her teacher, and the other suspects.

Her remains were discovered in the premises of a school owned by Mr Tanko after a ransom had been paid for her release.

The incident ignited outrage across Nigeria, drawing condemnations from President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha.
A Yaba Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos State on Monday ordered that two teenagers should face trial before a high court for the alleged murder of a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor.

The defendants are Faruk Muhammed and Kasali Jamiu, aged 16 and 19, respectively.

Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun Adeola gave the order following advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

She discharged two men  Mumuni Toheeb, 21, and Mubarak Soliu, 20  who were arraigned along with the teenagers before the chief magistrates court.

She discharged Messrs Toheeb and Soliu based on the recommendation of the DPP.

Mrs Adeola adjourned the case until February 16, for the Nigeria Correctional Service to produce Mr Soliu in court for enforcement of the DPPs advice.

Mr Soliu was absent at Mondays proceedings.

Mrs Adeola ordered parties in the suit to appear before her on April 4, for the report on the filing of the murder charge against the teenagers at the high court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four persons were on January 12, arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder and receiving stolen property.

The teenagers faced the first two counts of conspiracy and murder while the other two persons were charged with receiving stolen property.

The court had remanded Mr Muhammed to the Special Correctional Centre for Boys at Oregun, Lagos State, while Mr Jamiu was remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

The court had granted bail to Messrs Toheeb and Soliu in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

Prosecution counsel, Julio Hodonu, had said that the defendants committed the offences on December 3, 2021, on Road 13, 6th Ave., FESTAC Town, Lagos State.

He alleged that Messrs Muhammed and Jamiu stabbed Babatunde Dada, a pastor of the RCCG, and stole his Tecno Spark S worth N60,000.

READ ALSO: Court remands teenagers over alleged murder of Redeemed church pastor

Mr Hodonu added that the defendants hit the pastors head with wood before stabbing him to death with a broken bottle.

He said that the teenagers stabbed the pastor in the neck.

According to him, Messrs Toheeb and Soliu, at Ijora-Badia, Lagos State, received the pastors stolen phone from the teenagers with the intention to sell it.

He told the court that the defendants were arrested in Ilorin and that the objects used in the alleged murder were recovered.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the alleged offences contravene Sections 411, 223 and 328 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

(NAN)
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the final forfeiture of N3 billion worth of landed properties said to be seized from a top military officer.

The name of the top military of the officer was not given in the statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announcing the forfeiture order on Monday.

It, however disclosed that the assets were controlled by the military officer through proxies including the late General, Aminu Maude, and some companies such as Atlasfield Integrated Services Nigeria Limited, Marhaba Events Place, Aflac Plastics and Atlasfield Gas Plant Limited.

The judge, Nkeoye Maha, granted the final forfeiture order in a ruling on the application by EFCCs counsel, Cosmos Ugwu, and Musa Isah.

Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCCs spokesperson, who signed the EFCC statement, said the forfeited properties situated on lands valued at over N3 billion are located in different parts of Kano, Katsina, Calabar (Cross River State) and Kaduna.

They also included filling stations, Event Centres, Plazas, Block Industries, Truck Assembly Plant, Polythene Production factory and table water factory.

Some of the properties include undeveloped plot located at Rake, Adjacent to Dara Orthopedic Hospital, Kano valued at N300 million; 117 hectares of land located at Adiabo, Oduapani LG covered by Certificated of Occupancy No. OD/23/2011 dated 21/2/ 2011 in Calabar, Cross River State, valued at N386 million; Truck Assembly at Ring Road, adjacent to AA Affa Filling Station, Kano, valued at N206 million and Marhaba Event Centre, Guda Abdulahi Road Farm Centre, Kano valued at N250 million.

READ EFCCS FULL STATEMENT

EFCC Press Release

EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of Landed Properties Valued at Over N3.7 Billion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on 14 February, 2022, secured the final forfeiture of 20 (twenty) landed properties valued at over N3, 007, 000, 000 (Three Billion and Seven Million Naira) belonging to a top military officer but controlled through proxies including late General Aminu Maude, and companies such as Atlasfield Integrated Services Nigeria Limited, Marhaba Events Place, Aflac Plastics and Atlasfield Gas Plant Limited.

Justice N. E Maha of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, granted the Order while ruling on the application by counsel to the EFCC, Cosmos Ugwu and Musa Isah.

The Court had in May, 2020 ordered the interim forfeiture of the properties following an ex parte application by the Commission, alleging that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The court, having considered the application vis-a-vis Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, more particularly sub-sections 1 and 3 thereof, granted the prayers of the Commission for an interim forfeiture and directed the publication of notices, alerting anyone with interest in the properties to show cause why they should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In the absence of any contestation, the court today ordered the final forfeiture of the properties.

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The forfeited properties, situated on lands valued at over N3, 007, 000, 000 (Three Billion and Seven Million Naira) are located in different parts of Kano, Katsina, Calabar (Cross River State) and Kaduna. They included Fuel Stations, Event Centers, Plazas, Block Industries, Truck Assembly Plant, Polythene Production factory and table water factory.

Some of the properties include undeveloped plot located at Rake, Adjacent to Dara Orthopedic Hospital, Kano valued at N300, 000, 000 (Three Hundred Million Naira); 117 hectares of land located at Adiabo, Oduapani L,G covered by Certificated of Occupancy No. OD/23/2011 dated 21/2/ 2011 in Calabar, Cross River State, valued at N386, 000, 000 (Three Hundred and Eighty Six Million Naira); Truck Assembly at Ring Road, adjacent to AA Affa Filling Station, Kano, valued at N206, 000, 000 (Two Hundred and Six million Naira) and Marhaba Event Centre, Guda Abdulahi Road Farm Centre, Kano valued at N250, 000, 000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million naira).

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, media and Publicity

14 February, 2022
People wonder as to what would be the advice of economic experts, more than the remedial measures that are already known to people.

by N.S.Venkataraman

The last eight months have been hilarious time in Tamil Nadu ,after the DMK party won the assembly election and started governing the state.

There have been heavy focus by the Tamil Nadu government during the last eight months on issues, which appear to be really non issues from the point of view of the welfare and progress of the state. Such focus on non issues has resulted in huge debate in the print and visual media when politicians and the so called activists have a field day to reveal their  analytical and debating ability.

Highly qualified Finance Minister !

The Tamil Nadu government appointed a finance minister who started his innings ,claiming about his extraordinary qualification in the field of finance management and experience in working in several multinational companies and banks abroad. Such claim really caused surprise and amusement amongst people , since there are many highly qualified experts in Tamil Nadu with considerable expertise in the field of finance .

Finance minister further secured considerable media space by not attending the GST council meeting organized by Central government and offering some amusing reasons such as direct flight connection not being available and having to attend some private function.

Further, the finance minister shocked all the people in the state by stating that there is debt burden of more than Rs. 2 lakhs on every citizen in Tamil Nadu, confusing people as to how the debt of the state can be interpreted as the debt on individual citizen.

The real serious issue in Tamil Nadu today is the severe financial crisis with the total debt burden of the state exceeding around Rs. 7 lakh crore. So far, no tangible proposals have been announced by the finance minister or the chief minister to solve this debt burden problem in a time bound manner.

Economic experts for finance consultation:

The Tamil Nadu chief minister constituted a council of well known economic experts including the former economic advisors of Government of India and a Nobel laureate. So far, it is not known as to whether this council has met even once and deliberated on the economic issues confronting the state and offered any tangible solutions for the economic mess that the state is facing. It is also not known as to what is the remuneration paid to these economic experts for their advisory services.

What amused many people in Tamil Nadu is that while the reasons for financial crisis are well known which include corruption amongst the politicians and official machinery leading to low collection of tax revenues, heavy financial loss in state owned undertakings ,wasteful expenditure , extensive freebie schemes, some of which are really not necessary.

The solution for these problems are also well known, which call for greater commitment by the government to financial discipline and greater efficiency in administration and management of state undertakings.

People wonder as to what would be the advice of economic experts, more than the remedial measures that are already known to people.

Un implementable promises :

The problems for the present DMK government started from the day one , since during the pre election campaign , it has made many un implementable promises such as monthly grant of Rs. 1000/- to every woman in the state, closure of tasmac shops, gold loan waiver scheme etc.

As the people are now questioning as to why such promises are not being implemented , government made some hasty moves like waiving the bus fare for women travelling in government buses. The state transport corporations are already running on heavy loss and waiving of the bus fare for women is further driving the transport corporations deep into red.

Avoidable expenditure :

Even as the state is having severe financial crisis, the Tamil Nadu government is throwing money on projects which would not give any economic return, such as construction of memorial for former chief minister of the state, construction of huge memorial library in Madurai, setting Pennicuick statue in London etc.

People are surprised at the priorities of the government and think that such projects should have been delayed until the financial conditions of the state would improve but the ruling party appears to have other ideas.

Why focus on non-issues? :

While state is confronted with serious financial crisis and widespread corruption in the state, the government seem to be running out of ideas.

Obviously, the government has decided to keep the public in good humour by taking up non issues and diverting peoples attention from the grim issues faced by the state.

Now, the biggest issue provoked by the government and discussed extensively in the state is the NEET examination and the so called Social Justice Equality and Brotherhood Movement and rejection of the Republic Day tableau sent by Tamil Nadu government for Republic Day Parade at Delhi.

The NEET issue has already been well settled in the state and detailed statistics indicate that students have enthusiastically participated in the NEET exam and students belonging to poor families including those studying in government schools and in rural areas have been benefited. Deliberately, Tamil Nadu government is blowing the issue out of proportion and creating climate of confrontation with the state Governor , who returned the NEET Bill passed by the Assembly due to several valid reasons.

Large section of population in Tamil Nadu are convinced that the discussion on NEET issue is a wastage of time and energy, but the government is highlighting the matter, probably thinking that more serious issues which the government cannot solve will not catch the attention of the people.

The so called Social Justice Equality and Brotherhood Movement , on which the chief minister has written to many opposition political leaders in the country, probably indicate his efforts to get a national image, so that people will not judge him by the performance of his government during the last eight months in Tamil Nadu.

This subject has been under discussion for several decades in India from the days of Mahatma Gandhi and even earlier. Many significant and meaningful reforms have been initiated in India and impressive achievements in ensuring social justice are clearly seen over the years. Such reform measures will continue in any case.

While the Tamil Nadus tableau for Republic Day celebration was rejected by the central government and the defence minister offered reasons for the rejection, Tamil Nadu chief minister tried to make it a political controversy and went to the extent of terming it as an insult to Tamil Nadu by the central government.

As a matter of fact, it appears that DMK government has made anti Modi and anti central government as its core political philosophy and seems to be all the time looking for opportunities to blame Mr. Modi and the central government. Even when Mr. Modi quoted Thiruvalluvars poem in one of his speeches, this was criticized by the Tamil Nadu chief minister for whatever reasons.

Why Tamil language being used for political purpose?

The Tamil Nadu government has now been stressing on its deep commitment to Tamil language , as if the chief minister is the sole champion for the Tamil language. The fact is that there are thousands of Tamil scholars who have lived in Tamil Nadu and are living in Tamil Nadu and who have brought glory to the Tamil language and the Prime Minister has repeatedly recognized this.

In the name of protecting Tamil language, the Tamil Nadu chief minister has created an impression that he is the sworn enemy of Hindi language and in the process, he is doing enormous damage for the youth of Tamil Nadu by denying them Hindi teaching in government schools. As a result, youth in Tamil Nadu are finding it difficult to take up jobs in other states where knowledge of spoken Hindi is important.

Reform measures in Hindu temples

Apart from the above,. Tamil Nadu government is focusing on reforming Hindu religion by making changes in the appointment of priests in temples The temple property such as gold and land are sought to be used for other purposes. The leaders in the government are known to be atheists and non believers and their excessive attention with regard to Hindu temples has been resented by large section of Hindus . It is not known why the state government is focusing on this non priority issue as far as governance is concerned.

Even while interfering in the affairs of the Hindu temples, Tamil Nadu government is not talking about the churches where discrimination is said to be practiced against dalit christians and with regard to mosques , where discrimination is said to be practiced against women.

Has governance become a joke? :

During the last eight months, the Tamil Nadu government has constituted several committees to advise on various issues , announced several awards on which one loses the count. No one seems to be knowing as to what these several committees have done and what they have achieved so far. .`

People wonder why Tamil Nadu government is focusing on non issues and conveniently ignoring grim issues such as financial mess .

While debt burden is at an unacceptably at high level, Tamil Nadu government has announced that it would borrow another Rs. 25800 crore in January  March of the F Y 2021-22. Has the repaying capability of the state been taken into account while further increasing the debt burden. Have any meaningful steps been taken to reduce expenses and increase revenue ?

The overall scenario in Tamil Nadu today is the state of governance where there is no real focus on genuine and serious issues with adequate strategies and forward planning and only vague announcements on projects being made.

In such circumstances, many people think that governance in Tamil Nadu has lost the sense of direction and has virtually become a joke.
The Supreme Court, on Monday, granted a request by a firm owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo  Ibad Limited  for time to regularise its two appeals.

A five-member panel of the court led by Centus Nweze, acceded to the request for adjournment sought by Ibads lawyer, Ademola Abimbola, on realising that his notices of appeal in appeals marked: SC/261/2017 and SC/262/2017 filed since 2017 were defective.

Lawyers to the three respondents in both appeals  Reuben Atabo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for Consolidated Resources Nig. Ltd (the first respondent) and U. J Obialo for the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA) as well as the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 2nd and 3rd defendants, did not object to Mr Abimbolas application.

The Supreme Court then adjourned the case till February 6, 2024 for hearing.

Appeals

Both appeals are against the December 9, 2016 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which affirmed an earlier judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in which Consolidated Resources, owned by the late General Sani Abacha, was declared the beneficial owner of a disputed parcel of land in the highbrow Maitama, Abuja.

Ibad is, in both appeals, contended that the Court of Appeal, Abuja, erred when it affirmed the November 13, 2008 judgment by Sunday Aladetoyinbo, a judge of the High Court of the FCT, in suit: FCT/HC/226/1999 without affording it fair hearing.

History of suit

Consolidated Resources had, through its lawyer, Mr Atabo, sued in 1999, stating that in early 1990s it was duly allocated the parcel of land measuring 2.1 hectares, known as Plot 1263, A6, Maitama District after paying all relevant fees to the FCDA, following which the the FCT Minister, Jerry Useni, issued it with a certificate of occupancy marked: FCT/ABU/MISC/11762 on May 19, 1994.

It added that shortly after it commenced construction works on the land, agents of the FCDA and the FCT Minster moved in in 1999 and ordered that further construction works be suspended, prompting it to sue.

Consolidated Resources stated that prior to hearing the substantive suit, the judge, Mr Aladetoyinbo, issued an ex-parte order on May 12, 1999 restraining the FCDA and FCT Minister from reallocating any part of the land to any other person or agency pending the final determination of the suit.

It added that despite the order by the judge, the FCDA and the FCT Minister reallocated part of the land, measuring 3,716.19 square metres, to Ibad Ltd on January 12, 2001.

In his judgment on November 13, 2008, Mr Aladetoyinbo set aside the purported allocation made to Ibad Ltd, and upheld Consolidated Resources claim to the land and ordered the FCDA and FCT Minister to re-certify its (Consolidated Resources) certificate of occupancy in respect of the land.

Ibad appealed the decision, but lost at the Court of Appeal, prompting it to now approach the Supreme Court.
Study science, but Nigerians will not. Instead, we put our legs, arms, and hearts inside religion. Now, we are running around like chickens without heads, searching for how to stop ritual killings. Unfortunately, we cannot stop what we do not understand.

Ritual killing is like paying tithe to the devil. It works the same way paying tithe to your pastor works.

I will explain how. But first, let us get a few things clear.

In a country with over 100 million people living in poverty while a tiny minority corners all the resources and displays an affluent lifestyle with careless abandon, the disfranchised will find any way to escape their deplorable station in life. If one percent of 100 million people choose ritual killing, one million ritualists will be on the street. Luckily, we are not there yet. If we are, dead bodies will litter the streets of Nigeria and the stench will overwhelm the country.

Just as the first job of any government is to protect lives and property, the first job of any religion is to save lives, not only here on earth but even beyond. If your religion is in the business of taking lives, you are probably following the wrong religion.

Here are a few stories of recent ritual killings that mesmerized us in Nigeria. They should have raised alarm bells when they happened. But typical of us, we seek the dark goat only at dusk.

In 2004, police discovered fifty bodies in Okija Shrine in Anambra State. Prominent Nigerian politicians visited this shrine from nearby states like Abia and Imo to faraway states like Sokoto and Adamawa. Okija Shrine is where these politicians take secret oaths often aimed at defrauding the people of Nigeria, sharing resources of the state, channeling them into private use and protecting that ill-gotten wealth.

In 2016, construction workers discovered three dead bodies in the foundation of a church building under construction in Enugu.

The building owner was a ritualist masquerading as a man of God. When the man was arrested and investigated, the bodies turned out to be those of missing keke drivers. So many like him successfully built their churches without being discovered.

In 2020, police raided a Togolese Voodoo witchdoctors shrine and discovered 2,000 human bodies dried like stockfish with 500 bodies buried alive.This is a shrine frequently visited by Nigerian businessmen and women. When the police stormed the shrine, over 5,000 people, most of them Nigerians, had paid and were on the waiting list for their turn to get the money ritual portion made from dead victims from the Voodoo witch doctor. It works, my friends. It works.

In the last few years, allegations of bishops patronising ritualists have been all over the news. They do so to secure the top position in the church, fight off those who want them out, or promote their brand of prosperity preaching. We have read about pastors caught seeking powers via rituals to have people who listen to them drop all they were doing, sell off all they had, to follow them. Once, a church member caught a bishop wearing an amulet inside a vestry. It is the same story with Islamic clerics routinely implicated in ritual killings in the South West of Nigeria.. Alfas getting involved in ritual killings is as common as Buharis travels. A Google search of Alfa and ritual killings will pull out many stories. It works, my friends. It works.

Here is how ritual killing works. It works the same way paying tithing works. Ritual killing is a form of tithe-paying. If you like, you can say that instead of paying tithe to your pastor, you pay tithe to the devil in ritual killing. And depending on what you think about pastors, the two may not be far from each other.

When you pay tithe, you are allowed into the inner circles of your church. When you kill a human being for a money ritual, you are allowed into the inner circles of those who control money in society. Once you are inside the inner circles of your church or your moneybags gang, leaders reward you with opportunities. Because you have demonstrated commitment by killing or paying tithes, you gain trust and receive lucrative assignments that are high risks but bring great rewards. Paying tithe, I noted, is like having sex. If you are kicking against having sex, chances are that you are not having it. If you are kicking against paying tithes, chances are that you are not paying. Unfortunately, it is slightly different from ritual killings. Those kicking against ritual killings are not necessarily those not involved in the killings. Most are involved but cannot come out and show their support for obvious reasons.

When you listen to those lamenting about the prevalence of ritual killings, if you check well, those are cult members and former cult members who killed and maimed before; they are treasury looters working as contractors, politicians, and sycophants who cause deaths of hundreds of thousands by their greed and corruption; they are doctors who kill scores of their patients with sheer incompetence and utter disregard for the oath they took to save lives; they are teachers who abuse and permanently destroy the students they were employed to teach; they are businessmen and women who import and market inferior and contaminated goods that will end up killing the unborn babies, the old and young; they are judges who delay, deny and demean justice and kill the conscience of the nation and the people; they are religious leaders who pursue personal wealth and aggrandizement at the expense of building in their flock a moral base thereby killing the very fabric on which society could stand; they are police, military and security personnel who kill at will, bragging that nothing will happen. They have all killed people directly or indirectly, and essentially for money, power and fame. They slaughtered the young and the old, girls and boys, older men and older women. They spilled blood though it did not splash on their white cassock, their ties and white gown, their dashiki, their academic gowns, their starched uniforms, their ripped jeans and T-shirts. Even when they have never been inside a ritual dean, they are as guilty as the ritualists next door. But you dont notice for they will be first to blame it on Nollywood that mirrors the secret lives they live. Or they blame it on other entertainers, like musicians, who reflect the society they see. Like Pontius Pilate, they wash their hands clean and want the responsibility of fixing what is wrong transferred to others.

By the time you finish reading this piece, maybe two or three young girls would have been drugged, tortured and strangled to death in Ogun State alone. And another three girls would have been killed in other parts of Nigeria. Those are the ones that would make it into the newspapers or evening news broadcast. A majority of these kinds of killings do not get reported. This number is just a mere guess based on the frequency of the news about young women killed, those pushed out of cars and those seen near trash dumps in a state of confusion. Add that to old graveyards dug up by bone miners and body parts weekly found with one Alfa or their agents and you will get a good picture of the extent of ritual killings in Nigeria. Young children are not left out too in the killing field. Even family members are on the chopping blocks. Because we do not collect data on anything in our country, not birth and not death, we have nothing to go by but guess.

What we do not have to guess is that ritual killing works. It makes people who participate in it very rich. We see them driving flashy cars and living in big houses, while those who refuse to get involved and do not have other legitimate paths they feel are open to them wallow in abject poverty. And because so many people in Nigeria want to be rich so quickly, the number of people diving into ritual killings to make it is increasing day by day. Even teenagers are noticing and are willing to join at very young ages. Women, too, are beginning to venture into it. And that is when it will be fascinating.

Some young men in ripped jeans are killing their girlfriends, husbands in overflowing agbada are killing their wives, and random men of every hue are killing women they met at a party or on the street. It is so widespread that one wonders how men and women forge relationships in Nigeria and how society still functions when going out and about as a woman is such a risk. The risks are the same, whether you sell oranges on the streets or attend a posh party in an enclave in Lekki, Lagos. Some men, who you cannot easily distinguish by their look or status, have evil plans for you.

In the closest, behind their waterbed, under the immaculate pillow, in the medicine cabinet beside codeine and chloroquine, inside the stove compartment where kerosene goes, they have otapiapia hidden and sharpened machete ready to strike. Since they have no fear of human blood, they will grab you at the most unexpected time and slaughter. They hated biology in school but could harvest organs like a surgeon. They follow the specifications of a dirty older man in a dilapidated kiosk in a remote part of town or inside an evil forest. They may not have graduated from college, but they got associate degrees in sleeping with mad women and passing 40 nights and 40 days in cold graveyards. They have graduated from collecting womens panties, menstruation pads, and discarded body fluids. The more disgusting the item is, the more potent the dirty older man assures them it will be. So, they dig deeper and deeper. The first beheading was hard for them. But the second was a breeze.

Ritual killings work because every facet of Nigerian life is built on what has been called Mahatma Gandhis Seven Deadly Sins: Wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, science without humanity, knowledge without character, politics without principle, commerce without morality, worship without sacrifice. Nobody is held accountable for anything  not your politician, pastor, and professor. In such a society, everything goes. Parents of children who come home with inexplicable wealth do not question their source, and constituents of politicians who serve six months in office and instantly display exotic cars and mansions do not query the sources of their newly found fortune. Instead, they get chieftaincy titles and front-row seats in churches and village events. In such a society, everyone goes to the end of the world to make it. The end justifies the means.

There is the science of how ritual killing works. But for a society like ours that has turned its back on science and prefers to embrace religion, it is difficult to understand a phenomenon like ritual killings. It is one of the ironies of life that we have to understand the science behind its success to stop it.

Let me find another way to bring this message home. Nigeria has been a huge shrine that accepts ritual killings for so long. For decades, Nigeria has stolen the destiny of millions whose only misfortune was being born in the country. The killings have been going on unabated and in quantum. We only look away if it does not reach us at any particular time. But it always finds a way to get to us ultimately. At this point, those who oppose the restructuring of Nigeria to stop the killings going on are the ritualists supporting todays massacre. On the heads of these men and women is the blood of Nigerians dying since 1945 in the name of preserving Nigerias current form by all means necessary.

Thank goodness, the science of ritual killings is quite simple. It says that we are all ritual killers. Its first law states that we are ritual killers when we sacrifice the common good for personal advantage. Its second law says that the blood we are shedding, both subtly and openly, will drown our children.

We are all living in the bondage of a failed society that we created, sustained and defended with our inaction and indifference. We only point at those caught with freshly cut bodies in their pockets and droplets of blood still splashed on their faces and call them ritualists. They may be the ones caught for now, but they are not worse than us.

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Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo teaches Post-Colonial African History at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He is also the host of Dr. Damages Show. His books include This American Life Sef, Children of a Retired God, among others.
Security operatives have rescued 20 kidnap victims and livestock from bandits around Nasko village in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

The police spokesperson in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, stated this in a statement on Monday.

He said scores of bandits were also neutralised during the incident by security operatives and vigilantes.

A large herds of cattle recovered and 20 abducted victims regained freedom, Mr Abiodun said.

A burnt rifle recovered from suspected bandits in Niger stateNiger State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that on 12/02/2022 at about 1630hrs, armed bandits/terrorists attacked some villages around Nasko, Magama LGA and rustled a large number of cattle.

However, tactical teams of the Command sent for reinforcement to the area and military personnel with the vigilante engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle along Ibeto cattle route which lasted for about two hours while the hoodlums were trying to escape with the cattle

Consequently, scores of bandits were neutralised and the large rustled cattle were recovered while about twenty (20) abducted victims regained freedom.

Other items recovered at the scene include: -One (1) AK-47 magazine with 30 rounds of live ammunition-Seven (7) handsets

-One (1) Honda motorcycle

Earlier, on 13/01/2022 at about 0700hrs, based on credible intelligence, Police operatives attached to Nasko Division raided an identified hideout of Bandits at Anaba hilltop, Magama LGA.

During the raid, one (1) Ak-47 rifle with thirteen rounds of live ammunition, hidden between the rocks on the hilltop were recovered, the police spokesperson said.

Mr Abiodun said the Commissioner of Police in the State, Monday Kuryas, reiterated the commitment of the Command to rid the state of banditry activities and other criminality as he further solicited the cooperation and support of residents of the state..
A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Salihu Usman, says he has fled the state over the state governments efforts to get at me for not supporting their moves against deputy governor.

Mr Usman is the only lawmaker remaining in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House after all the others joined Governor Bello Matawalle in defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year.

He refused to attend the last sitting of the House last week during which 18 out of the 22 members voted to impeach the deputy governor, Mahadi Ali.

I am being watched

Speaking to BBC Hausa Monday morning as monitored by PREMIUM TIMES, the lawmaker said he was being watched by agents of the state government, possibly to arrest him.

I am being watched by them. I know they are trying to arrest me because they believe I can truncate their efforts to impeach His Excellency, the deputy governor. For now, they want to arrest and detain me because they believe I can truncate their efforts in the impeachment process.

Though I have not been told why they are looking for me, I am sure the state government is trying to silence me by arresting and detaining me. I dont know the charges they want to level against me but I know that my life is in danger. I have left the state for them for now, he said.

Asked why he felt he could influence the outcome of the process when 18 members are supporting the move for impeachment, Mr Usman said the state government knows he was changing the thinking of some of his colleagues.

I was already making an impact. I had started talking with some of my colleagues about the negative implications of what they are being pushed into by the state government. I had convinced some of them before the move to silence began. You know, I was telling some of them, how could you allow them to use you against an innocent person? It could be any one of us next. Somehow, the state government found out that I was influencing some members and the hunt began, he added.

Figment of Imaginations

However, Governor Matawalles spokesperson, Zailani Bappa, said Mr Usmans allegation is a figment of his imagination.

He said the governor does not interfere in the works of the lawmakers because they are an independent arm of government.

Governor Matawalle does not dictate to the Assembly. It is an independent arm of government. What is happening at the House is not His Excellencys business. So, why would a state governor be fighting a lawmaker? For what?

Contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, the press secretary of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Mustapha Jafaru, also dismissed the lawmakers claims. He said the lawmaker was only seeking relevance and cheap publicity.

He added that the House does not in any way consider him a threat.

First, this is something that has been done. Majority of the lawmakers have voted in support of impeachment, the lawmaker making such noise did not even attend the sitting so how could a lone vote be a threat to 18?

Secondly, the honourable speaker doesnt practice politics of bitterness. He (Mr Usman) knows that the House works based on rules. So, what exactly is the threat to his life? Who is after his life and for what gain? As I told you, he has run to Abuja, granting interviews and talking in search of relevance and popularity. Nobody has ever denied him of his rights as a member of the House. He is a PDP member but none of his rights has ever been denied, the spokesperson of the House said.

Rift over defection

The deputy governor, Mr Ali, parted ways with Governor Matatwalle after he refused to join the defection to the APC.

They had all taken their offices on the platform of the PDP after the Supreme Court disqualified candidates of the APC who had been declared winners in the 2019 elections.

The House had served Mr Ali the impeachment notice through the Secretary to the State Government before asking the Chief Judge to constitute an investigative panel to verify the allegations against the deputy governor.

Offences

The House, through its Chairman, House Standing, Shamsudeen Basko, said Mr Ali was accused of three offences.

These are abuse of office, criminal self-enrichment using public funds and failure to discharge official duties.

Mr Basko said: Abuse of office. This includes Constitutional breach of section 190 and 193 (1), (2) (a)(b)(c), of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

Criminal self-enrichment using public funds; includes criminal diversion of state funds, conspiracy to defraud the state and approval of dubious retirement in his office.

Failure to discharge constitutional duties, which give rise to insubordination, he added.

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Police in Edo State have arrested three suspects in connection with the abduction of a 23-year-old web developer, Franklyn Onoaghakpote.

The police spokesperson in the state, Bello Kontongs, who disclosed this on Sunday in Benin, said the arrest followed a petition to the police.

Mr Onoaghakpote had sent a petition to the police, narrating how he was allegedly abducted by a gang of kidnappers led by a man identified as Michael, and how he lost valuables worth N20 million to his assailants.

He said he was abducted to a popular hotel in Benin where he was brutalised for several hours.

On February 10, 2022, the said Michal requested to see me concerning a website I developed for him two years ago.

When I got to the appointed place, I waited for him only for him to appear with about 20 boys who abducted me at gunpoint.

They blindfolded me, tied my hands and took me to an uncompleted building where they started beating me and forcefully took valuables from me.

Items taken were a Samsung S21 Ultra with IMEI No: 350299944273493/35281786427349, I-phone 6 and my bank transfer PIN.

READ ALSO:

They transferred N4.9m from my GT Bank Account to a Polaris Bank Account, 15,000 dollars worth of Bitcoin, gold necklace and hand chain.

They took me to a river, stripped me naked and started beating me again.

After the beating, they blindfolded me again, took me to a room where I was kept for seven hours.

In the meantime, they were calling my parents for ransom of N16 million, failing which they would kill me.

They put a call to their father who they claimed is a military man who ordered them to shoot my legs.

They ended up hitting my legs with planks before I was released at about 2.30 a.m. on February 11, he said.

(NAN)
A former governor of Osun State and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed his support for a former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti.

Mr Aregbesola spoke while mobilising his supporters at Ijebu-Jesa on Monday ahead of the party primaries.

He added that the present administration in the state has deviated from the progressive rules of the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

Mr Aregbesola said the party has been returned to the hands of the true progressives who will ensure that Mr Adeoti wins in the forthcoming July 16 governorship election in the state.

He also said the Rasaq Salinsile-led party executive is the authentic APC in Osun.

Let me tell you that God is with us. I urge all of our supporters to come all out and back us. Do not have any fears. We are the authentic APC in Osun, he said.

If in Lagos, the governor did not do well and the party decided not to return him for a second term, why cant it be so in Osun? They know what they have done to us is bad and they want to continue the impunity. We will not accept it.

Mr Aregbesola fell out with his ally and successor, Governor Gboyega Oyetola months after the latter was sworn into office.

As a result, the APC in the state has split into two factions, with both groups frequently involved in bloody clashes.

Anyone who was with us when we started the journey to reclaim Osun for the progressives in 2004 would know we fought very hard for this victory we have today, Mr Aregbesola continued.

We went through several challenges then but through thick and thin, we were able to succeed. This time around, we will succeed.

We are ready to allow a free flow of democratic process to interplay here. We are not those who play God. We are resolute about reclaiming our party from those who think they can continue to abuse our legacies or even want us to be second fiddles in the party we worked and laboured for. This is our pride and we will sustain it.

Do not be disturbed by their threats. Come out en-masse and vote for our aspirant. In Sha Allah, Adeoti is the next governor of Osun. We should all support him.

In his response, Mr Adeoti expressed gratitude to the party faithful, promising that he will not disappoint both the party nor leaders of the party if he emerged winner.

Present at the event are the factional Chairman of the party in the State, Mr Salinsile; former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam; Chairman of The Osun Progressives (TOP), Lowo Adebiyi; factional Ward, Local Government and State executive members who emerged at the parallel congress congress of the party.
The cement industry held over 12% of the revenue share in 2021 and is anticipated to reach USD 450 million by 2028. Rising growth in the construction output-driven primarily by developing economies will create huge opportunities for the industry. Growing investments in the development of commercial & residential infrastructures will augment the centrifugal blower market demand.

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The mining application is projected to witness gains of about 4% through 2028. Mining industry is set to increase in the near future to counter the increasing mineral demand due to the growing population. Asia Pacific will account for the highest share due to increasing the demand for mining and growing industries in the region.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected almost all industrial verticals across the globe. Rising COVID-19 cases, mainly in Asia, resulted in the shutdown of production facilities with adverse impacts in FY 2020. China is one of the major manufacturers that witnessed a huge disruption due to the COVID-19 crisis, thereby disturbing the overall supply of the centrifugal blower market. The shutdown of major end-user industries, such as mining, cement, and pulp & paper, among others, created a dip in product demand in 2020.

Based on pressure, the low pressure segment is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of over 3.5%. Low-pressure centrifugal blowers are widely used in various industrial verticals. They are mainly used as air extractors in workplaces and as exhaust gas and/or odor extractors.

Asia Pacific centrifugal blower market is poised to exhibit a CAGR of over 4% throughout the assessment period. The expanding residential & commercial construction coupled with product innovations by leading manufacturers in this region is expected to drive the market in the coming years. Moreover, the recent efforts by the Government of India to boost infrastructural growth in the country coupled with China's Belt and Road initiative, formerly known as the One Belt One Road initiative, will be a boon for the construction industry in Asia Pacific in the future.

Some major findings of the centrifugal blower market report include:

The market growth can be attributed to rapidly growing residential & non-residential activities, especially in the developing regions of Asia Pacific . These factors are expected to promote the industry development.

. These factors are expected to promote the industry development. Growing demand from the pulp & paper industry mainly in China is anticipated to generate huge revenue gains throughout the assessment period.

is anticipated to generate huge revenue gains throughout the assessment period. The recent COVID-19 outbreak affected major end-users across the globe. In 2020, the centrifugal blower market exhibited a decline of over 13%. The shutting down of major industrial verticals resulted in a decline in product consumption.

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Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC):

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Centrifugal blower industry 360 synopsis, 2018  2028

2.1.1 Business trends

2.1.2 Pressure by end-user trends

2.1.3 End-user trends

2.1.4 Regional trends

Chapter 3 Centrifugal Blowers Industry Insights

3.1 Industry segmentation

3.1.1 COVID-19 impact on industry landscape

3.2 Industry size and forecast, 2018  2028

3.3 Industry ecosystem analysis

3.4 Innovation & sustainability

3.5 Industry impact forces

3.5.1 Growth drivers

3.5.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.6 Regulatory landscape

3.7 Growth potential analysis

3.8 Competitive landscape, 2020

3.9 Porter's analysis

3.10 Regional price trends

3.11 PESTEL Analysis

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SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.
- Rise in crude production, surge in pharmaceuticals and food & beverages industries, and rapid expansion of water and wastewater infrastructure have boosted the growth of the global diaphragm pump market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Diaphragm Pump Market by Mechanism (Air-operated and Electrical-operated), Operation (Single Acting and Double Acting), Discharge Pressure (Up to 80 bar, 80 to 200 bar and Above 200 bar), End-User (Water & Wastewater, Oil & Gas, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverage and Others),): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 20212030". As per the report, the global diaphragm pump industry was accounted for $5.4 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $9.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2021 to 2030.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Rise in crude production, surge in pharmaceuticals and food & beverages industries, and rapid expansion of water and wastewater infrastructure have boosted the growth of the global diaphragm pump market. However, availability of substitutes in the market hampers the market growth. On the contrary, growth of the automobile & aircraft industry and obligatory governing projects that need diaphragm pumps are expected to open new opportunities for the market players.

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Covid-19 scenario:

The Covid-19 pandemic led to decrease in business activities, including demand for a broad variety of goods and services, disrupted the supply chain, weakened economic conditions, and created volatility in the financial and commodity markets.

The manufacturing of diaphragm pumps was stopped during the pandemic to curb the spread of infection. This affected the supply chain and sale.

The demand for oil & gas decreased during the pandemic, which negatively affected the market.

The air operated segment held the lion's share

By mechanism, the air operated segment held the largest share in 2020, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global diaphragm pump market, due to rise in demand for chemicals, paints, varnishes, solvents, adhesives, water, and sewage where high output pressure is required. However, the electrical operated segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period, owing to demand from the food industry, chemical processing, surface conditioning, pulp industry, water treatment, and sewage treatment.

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The double acting segment to manifest the highest CAGR through 2030

By operation, the double acting segment would showcase the highest CAGR of 5.7% from 2021 to 2030, due to rapid expansion of the pharmaceutical industry. However, the single acting segment held the largest share in 2020, contributing to around two-thirds of the global diaphragm pump market, owing to surge in demand for petrochemical and related products such as binders, resins, dyes, pigments, latex, acids, alkalis, petroleum products, and solvents across the globe.

North America to register the highest CAGR by 2030

By region, the market across North America is expected to register the highest CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period, due to surge in wastewater management activities. However, the global diaphragm pump market across Asia-Pacific held the largest share in 2020, accounting for more than one-third of the market, owing to rise population and urbanization in the region.

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Major market players

Dover Corporation

GemmeCotti Srl

Flowserve Corporation

Grundfos Holding A/S

Graco Inc.

Ingersoll Rand

IDEX Corporation

LEWA GmbH

Tapflo AB

Xylem

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Diversey Holdings, Ltd. (NASDAQ: DSEY), a leading provider of hygiene, infection prevention and cleaning solutions, has partnered with RedCloud, which has launched the world's first open commerce platform, Red101 Market. This partnership will enable customers to place orders for their cleaning solutions from Diversey Brazil through its distributor network and make instant digital payments via the Red101 Market app.

Commenting on the partnership, Justin Floyd, CEO and co-founder at RedCloud said, "RedCloud is extremely excited to be working with one of the leading global brands in cleaning and hygiene technology solutions. We are focused on empowering Diversey's entire distribution chain from distributors to their customers, enabling them to buy better, sell smarter and pay simpler through the world's first open commerce platform, the Red101 Marketplace. Our mission is to build a sell anywhere economy globally, by digitising 1bn micro-businesses around the world, increasing revenue growth for all participants along the distribution chain. Diversey has partnered with RedCloud to sell their cleaning solutions through the marketplace app and to expand their customer reach.

"Our journey begins in Brazil, a country with great opportunity and an appetite for digitising the distribution chain by leveraging off RedCloud technology. Our joint aspiration is to expand this partnership across LATAM."

To use the Red101 Market platform, customers simply download the app on the Play Store, register in a few short steps and instantly gain access to a wide range of Diversey solutions. The app is easy to use and provides small businesses with fast payments so they can easily order their favourite cleaning solutions to keep their businesses clean and disinfected with best-in-class technology.

"We are very excited about this partnership because the Red101 Market platform integrates and digitises the whole chain, including Diversey and its exclusive distributors; and at the same time offering a new and modern purchase channel for our direct and indirect customers. This is just the beginning of a very exciting journey and expectations are very high," commented Ariel Rosemblat, commercial excellence, sales & service operations director, Diversey, LATAM.

RedCloud is on a mission to enable a global "sell anywhere" economy where brands can reach any small business in any market at any time with the world's first frictionless end-to-end open commerce platform. The technology is designed to unlock the business potential of over one billion micro businesses in emerging markets to meet the growing global demand for consumer goods.

About RedCloud

RedCloud is a global technology firm committed to enabling commerce everywhere by empowering local buyers and sellers in emerging markets and connecting them to global FMCG brands. Backed by leading investors in Europe and the world's largest payment network, RedCloud is poised to drive economic growth in the FMCG industry by providing new levels of visibility and enabling strategic decision-making based on real-time data analysis syndicated across the distribution chain.

About Diversey

Diversey's mission is to protect and care for people through leading hygiene, infection prevention, and cleaning solutions. We develop and deliver innovative products, services, and technologies that save lives and protect our environment. Over the course of 95 years, the Diversey brand has become synonymous with product quality, service, and innovation.

Our fully integrated suite of solutions combines patented chemicals, dosing and dispensing equipment, cleaning machines, services, and digital analysis. We are a trusted partner, serving more than 85,000 customers in over 80 countries with a network of approximately 8,500 employees globally.

We are the leading global pure play provider to the cleaning and hygiene industry for the institutional and food and beverage markets. We provide customers peace of mind by helping maintain their brand integrity so they can focus on growing their business. Through end-to-end repeatable services we deliver the highest standards across customer locations to achieve improved operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

For more information, visit www.diversey.com or follow us on social media.

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SOURCE RedCloud Technologies
Increase in the vegan population, availability of natural raw materials, and rise in the number of health-conscious people drive the growth of the global vegetarian softgel capsules market

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Vegetarian Softgel Capsules Market by Material (Starch, Cellulose, and Pullulan), Application (Pharmaceuticals, Health Supplements, and Cosmetics), and Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Stores & Pharmacy, and Online Providers): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030." According to the report, the global vegetarian softgel capsules industry generated $527.28 million in 2020, and is expected to reach $824.39 million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.6% from 2021 to 2030.

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Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Increase in the vegan population, availability of natural raw materials, and rise in the number of health-conscious people drive the growth of the global vegetarian softgel capsules market. However, high cost of vegetarian softgel capsules restrains the market growth. On the other hand, innovations in the pharmaceutical industry present new opportunities in the coming years.

Covid-19 Scenario

Manufacturing activities of vegetarian softgel capsules hindered due to nationwide lockdown, disruptions supply chain, and shortage of raw materials. However, these activities will get back on track post-lockdown.

The consumption of vegetarian-based capsules was reduced and ease in availability of gelatin-based capsules increased with ease in their availability.

As the awareness regarding plant-based products increases among consumers, the demand for vegetarian softgel capsules is expected to increase steadily post-pandemic.

The starch segment to continue its dominant share during the forecast period

Based on material, the starch segment contributed to the highest share in 2020, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global vegetarian softgel capsules market, and is expected to continue its dominant share during the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is projected to portray the highest CAGR of 5.2% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to rise in adoption of starch softgel capsule for various nutritional as well as pharmaceutical purposes and presence of huge number of key players. The report also analyzes the segments including cellulose and pullulan.

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The retail stores & pharmacy segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period

Based on distribution channel, the retail stores & pharmacy segment accounted for the highest share in 2020, contributing to nearly half of the global vegetarian softgel capsules market, and is projected to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. This is due to the oldest and most conventional medium that distributes vegetarian softgel capsules and availability of products at discounted prices. However, the online providers segment is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.1% from 2021 to 2030, owing to disruptions in the offline supply chain, increase in awareness of e-commerce pharmacy, and rise in the number of internet users.

North America to continue its lead in terms of revenue by 2030

Based on region, North America accounted for the highest market share in 2020, holding around two-fifths of the global vegetarian softgel capsules market, and is projected to continue its lead in terms of revenue by 2030. This is attributed to increase in the hlth-conscious population and presence of key market players. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. This is due to improved infrastructure, increase in disposable incomes, and well-established presence of domestic companies in the region

Leading Market Players

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

DCC Plc. (EuroCaps)

Catalent Inc.

Aenova Group

Sirio Pharma Co. (Ayanda)

Procaps Group

Captek Softgel International, Inc.

Lyfe Group (Caps Canada)

Best Formulation Inc.

Robinson Pharma Inc.

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"We have also published few syndicated market studies in the similar area that might be of your interest. Below are the report title for your reference, considering Impact of Covid-19 Over This Market which will help you to assess aftereffects of pandemic on short-term and long-term growth trends of this market."

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
In facing all these daily atrocities, the ministry asks, what is the international community waiting for, in order to move effectively and seriously to confront this perversion of justice and Israeli bullying of our people? When will countries be freed from their fear and cowardice that hinders such a move?

Press Release issued by the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Colombo, Sri Lanka

A serious and dangerous escalation has arisen all over the Palestinian Occupied land. This escalation has been well prepared and organized by the Israeli Apartheid regime, its security forces, the legal system and racists members of Parliament. The continuous violations occurred in East Jerusalem, Sheikh Jarah (square), beginning yesterday 13th February 2022, and continued today 14th February 2022, and ensures the reality of the Apartheid regime in Israel, where they are demanding the forcible evacuation of the Salem family from their home, because they have very old deeds and at the same time giving the racists illegal Jewish settlers the right to occupy this property.

Ironically the Apartheid regime refuse to give the majority of the Palestinian refugees living outside of the OPT who still hold the deeds of their properties in Haifa, Jaffa, Acca and Jerusalem the right of return. This double standard use of land is a very clear indication of their system of Apartheid, where they only favor the Jewish race against all others.

This new wave of Israeli aggression came about when racist Parliamentarian Itamar Ben Gvir who is accused by the Israeli court as a terrorist opened an office in Sheikh Jarah.

More than 70 illegal Jewish settlers stormed the area, where they attacked residents with stones and pepper spray, wounding dozens, and chanting the racists slogan We Israelis are landlords. The police were only protecting the Israeli illegal attackers, mainly on the Salem family properties pressurizing them to be expelled and hand it over to the illegal settlement associations.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned in the strongest terms the continuous Israeli aggression against Jerusalem, its holy sites, its citizens, their land, property and homes, and considers what happened as a continues attempt to Judaize the Holy City and change its existing historical, legal and demographic reality to serve the occupation and its colonial interests.

The statement clarified that the Israeli occupation forces jointly with the settlers are committing crimes against humanity on a daily basis on five main fronts defying international and humanitarian laws and peace agreements. The front of confiscating more Palestinian lands, Destroying the infrastructure in area C considering it as Israeli lands, Judaizing the Holy city. The fourth front is summed up in repression, abuse, arrests, collective punishment, house demolitions, ethnic cleansing, field executions, siege of Palestinian towns and the release of the settlers militias. And on the fifth front, the Israeli occupation around the clock are placing obstacles in front of any opportunity to establish a viable Palestinian State on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In facing all these daily atrocities, the ministry asks, what is the international community waiting for, in order to move effectively and seriously to confront this perversion of justice and Israeli bullying of our people? When will countries be freed from their fear and cowardice that hinders such a move? The ministry affirms that international positions are inconsistent with the suffering and pain of our people. We urge all international legal, moral, and humanitarian level to awakening and take the necessary measures to end the historical injustice that has befallen our people.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascensia Diabetes Care, a global diabetes care company, announces that its partner Senseonics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: SENS) has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the next-generation Eversense E3 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System. Ascensia plans to make the Eversense E3 sensor, which can be used for up to 6 months, available to patients in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2022.

Robert Schumm, President at Ascensia Diabetes Care, said, "As the world's first and only long-term CGM System, Eversense is truly innovative and the prospect of using a single sensor for 6 months is a huge step forward for people with diabetes. Ensuring that as many people as possible have access to Eversense E3 is key for us and we'll be introducing a program to help users experience Eversense affordably as we work closely with payers on coverage. We look forward to rolling out this next-generation system through our dedicated CGM commercial team in the U.S. in the coming months, as we strive to improve the lives of people with diabetes everywhere."

Developed by Senseonics and brought to people with diabetes by Ascensia, the newly approved Eversense E3 CGM System, which includes a sacrificial boronic acid (SBA) design modification to enhance sensor survival, offers patients:

The longest lasting CGM available, with 6-month sensor wear duration and essentially two sensor insertion and removal procedures per year

Exceptional accuracy, with a mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of 8.5% demonstrated in the PROMISE Study 1 for the duration of sensor wear

for the duration of sensor wear A fully implantable fluorescence-based sensor, with a removable smart transmitter* that provides discreet on-body vibratory alerts and transmits data to a mobile app

Fewer calibrations, with primarily one calibration required per day after day 21 of use

"This next generation system delivers on the patient's desire for a CGM sensor that is both long-lasting and highly accurate," said Elaine Anderson, Head of Eversense CGM Business Unit at Ascensia Diabetes Care. "Its unique features and benefits offer people with diabetes unparalleled flexibility, convenience and accuracy. Our partner Senseonics has designed Eversense E3 with the user in mind and we are excited to bring the system to people in the U.S. in the second quarter."

To be among the first to know when Eversense E3 is commercially available, patients who are interested in getting started with Eversense now can sign up at www.eversensediabetes.com/get-started-today. Physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who are interested in offering the Eversense CGM System can sign up at www.ascensiadiabetes.com/eversense/become-a-provider/register/. Alternatively, contact 844-SENSE4U (844-736-7348) to learn more about the first and only long-term implantable CGM system.

* There is no glucose data generated when the transmitter is removed.

1 Garg S. et al. Evaluation of Accuracy and Safety of the Next-Generation Up to 180-Day Long-Term Implantable Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: The PROMISE Study. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics 2021; 24(2): 1-9.DOI: 10.1089/dia.2021.0182

SOURCE Ascensia Diabetes Care
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Blue, the state's Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, again ranks among the top 50 in Forbes' annual rankings of the best large employers in the nation. Florida Blue ranks number 44, up one spot from last year, remains the top-ranked health insurer in Florida and is second among all companies headquartered in Florida.

"For our employees and others to again rank us among the nation's leading employers, and to be the number-one ranked health insurance employer in Florida, is a great honor and speaks volumes about the culture of our organization," said Florida Blue CEO Pat Geraghty. "Not only are we helping increase access to affordable care during a time when it's never been more important, we're also creating an innovative, inclusive and accommodating environment our team members want to be a part of."

The health care industry overall dominated the ranking of large employers this year, making up roughly a quarter of the top 50 and half of the top 10, with only two health insurers landing in the top 100.

Forbes partners annually with market research company Statista to measure the leading employers around the country by asking workers to rate their companies. An anonymous survey was sent to 60,000 Americans working for more than 3,500 U.S. businesses across 25 industry sectors with at least 1,000 employees.

The respondents were asked to rate how likely they'd be to recommend their employer to others, and to nominate organizations other than their own. They were also asked to rate their companies on factors such as working conditions, development opportunities and compensation. The final list of best large employers ranks the 500 businesses with more than 5,000 employees that received the most recommendations, including those employers considered best for diversity, women and new graduates.

About Florida Blue

Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, has been providing health insurance to residents of Florida for more than 75 years. Driven by its mission of helping people and communities achieve better health, the company serves more than 5 million health care members across the state. In total, Florida Blue and its affiliated companies serve more than 46 million people in 45 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

SOURCE Florida Blue
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LP Building Solutions (LP) (NYSE: LPX) today announced an agreement to sell its 50% equity interest in two joint ventures that produce I-joists to Resolute Forest Products Inc. (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) for $50 million, subject to customary adjustments.

The joint ventures are comprised of Resolute-LP Engineered Wood Larouche Inc. in Larouche, Quebec and Resolute-LP Engineered Wood St-Prime Limited Partnership in Saint-Prime, Quebec. The long-time partnership was established as an equity method investment in which both LP and Resolute Forest Products have a 50% interest in each entity. Currently, Resolute Forest Products operates the facilities and LP sells the products.

LP will enter into separate agreements with Resolute Forest Products to continue to serve as the exclusive distributor of the engineered wood products manufactured at the two operations.

"I would like to thank Resolute Forest Products for a long and mutually rewarding partnership," said LP Chair and Chief Executive Officer Brad Southern. "As LP exits the joint venture and transitions to a distribution agreement, I am confident that this next phase of our relationship will generate value for both companies."

The completion of the sale, subject to regulatory approvals and certain closing conditions, is expected to close in the first half of 2022.

About LP Building Solutions

As a leader in high-performance building solutions, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP Building Solutions,NYSE: LPX) manufactures engineered wood building products that meet the demands of builders, remodelers, and homeowners worldwide. LP's extensive offerings include innovative and dependable building products and accessories, such as Siding Solutions (LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Trim & Siding, LP BuilderSeries Lap Siding, and LP Outdoor Building Solutions), LP Structural Solutions (LP TechShield Radiant Barrier, LP WeatherLogic Air & Water Barrier, LP Legacy Premium Sub-Flooring, and LP FlameBlock Fire-Rated Sheathing and more), LP TopNotch Sub-Flooring, and oriented strand board (OSB). In addition to product solutions, LP provides industry-leading customer service and warranties. Since its founding in 1972, LP has been Building a Better World by helping customers construct beautiful, durable homes while our shareholders build lasting value. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, LP operates 25 plants across the U.S., Canada, Chile, and Brazil. For more information, visit LPCorp.com.



SOURCE LP Building Solutions
Guests who dine at McAlister's "Steakhouse" will be served a three course meal inclusive of the new, limited-time, premium hand-cut and made-to-order sirloin steak menu: Steak & Gorgonzola Salad, Steak & White Cheddar Sandwich, Loaded Steak Spud, and Colossal Carrot Cake. Starting course is a side salad or cup of soup, followed by guest's choice of a full size salad, sandwich, or spud, and ending with McAlister's Colossal Carrot Cake.

"With the late timing of the Big Game and all of the festivities that accompany it, it's no wonder that Valentine's Day planning is slipping through the cracks this year," said Mike Freeman, Chief Brand Officer of McAlister's Deli. "We found from our survey that two-thirds (65%) of Americans in relationships say they haven't done anything to prepare or don't plan to do anything for Valentine's Day at all. So, we decided to do what we do best: provide a premium experience with genuine hospitality for our guests in their time of need."

To accommodate last-minute planners, McAlister's Deli is opening reservations this morning at 9 a.m. ET, for a 6 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. local time seating at one of ten McAlister's "Steakhouse" restaurants across the U.S. Reservations can be made by visiting reservation website 2. The McAlister's Deli locations offering luxury Steakhouse dining experiences include the following:

Atlanta -1299 Northside Dr., Atlanta, Ga. 30318

-1299 Northside Dr., 30318 Charlotte - 15127 Ballancroft Pkwy, Suite 101, Charlotte, N.C. 28277

- 15127 Ballancroft Pkwy, Suite 101, 28277 Chicago - 5500 N.W. Hwy, Rt 14, Crystal Lake, Ill. 60014

- 5500 N.W. Hwy, Rt 14, 60014 Dallas - 15212 Montfort Dr., Dallas, Texas 75248

- 15212 Montfort Dr., 75248 Greenville - 1708 B Augusta St., Greenville, S.C. 29605

- Augusta St., 29605 Houston - 11229 West Airport Blvd., Suite 100, Stafford, Texas 77477

- 11229 West Airport Blvd., Suite 100, 77477 Indianapolis - 7711 Shelby St., Greenwood, Ind. 46227

- 7711 Shelby St., 46227 Jackson - 7385 Siwell Road, Byram, Miss. 39272

39272 Memphis - 8120 Camp Creek Blvd. Olive Branch, Tenn. 38654

- 8120 Camp Creek Blvd. 38654 St. Louis - 86701 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, O'Fallon, Mo. 63366

Guests who miss out on snagging a reservation can enjoy 50% off one of McAlister's new steak entree items from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the purchase of a new steak entree item. All online, app and in-restaurant orders can be redeemed with promo code "STEAK22."3 To access exclusive offers, rewards and easily order pick-up, delivery or tableside at participating locations, sign up for McAlister's Rewards and download the app.

For more information on McAlister's "Steakhouse," please visit McAlistersDeli.com and connect with McAlister's Deli on Facebook (@McAlistersDeli), Twitter (@McAlistersDeli), and Instagram (@mcalistersdeli).

1 McAlister's Steakhouse Survey: Results are based on an online Omnibus survey conducted between January 24 and January 25, 2022 among n=1,328 US adults 18+. The sample was weighted and was nationally representative as it related to age, gender, household income, race/ethnicity and region. The margin of error (MOE) for the total sample is +/- 3 percentage points.

2 OFFER AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Four (4) reservations for each seating time (the "Cap") available at each participating McAlister's Deli location. Must be 18 or older. Reservation platform opens at 9:00 a.m. ET on February 14, 2022. Reservations available on a first come, first serve basis at each participating location up to the Cap. Must arrive at scheduled seating time on February 14, 2022, at the selected participating location. Limit 1 reservation per person. Additional terms apply, see the full terms and conditions for participating locations, eligibility requirements, experience descriptions, limitations, and full details at: mcalistersdeli.com/steakhouse

3 Offer applies to Steak & Gorgonzola Salad, Steak & White Cheddar Sandwich, or Loaded Steak Spud, valid February 14, 2022 at participating locations only, excludes third-party delivery, and cannot be combined with any other offers. Drink(s) not included. Online and app orders are subject to a service fee, convenience fee and taxes; see checkout page for amounts.

About McAlister's

Founded in 1989, McAlister's Deli is a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its genuine hospitality, sandwiches, spuds, soups, salads, desserts and McAlister's Famous Sweet Tea. In addition to dine-in and take-out service, McAlister's Deli also offers catering with a selection of sandwich trays, box lunches, desserts, a hot spud bar and more. With numerous industry accolades, the McAlister's Deli brand has more than 470 restaurants in 27 states. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit McAlistersDeli.com, and find McAlister's on social media at www.Facebook.com/McAlistersDeli , www.Twitter.com/McAlistersDeli and www.Instagram.com/McAlistersDeli .

Media Contacts: Public relations inquiries please email [email protected]

SOURCE McAlisters Deli
LARCHMONT, N.Y., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New State Capital Partners, an entrepreneurial-minded, middle-market private equity firm, announced today that it has named Chad Cundiff as Chief Executive Officer and Claude Draillard as Chief Financial Officer of New State Aviation Holdings, a newly created holding company. Mr. Cundiff and Mr. Draillard will also assume those roles at AVEX, which New State acquired in December 2021. AVEX is a leading provider of sales and maintenance for the Daher TBM turboprop aircraft in North America and serves as the anchor investment for the broader platform.

"Establishing the senior executive team is the first step in growing our aviation-focused platform," said Daniel Han, Senior Principal at New State. "We are pleased to welcome Chad and Claude to their new leadership roles and believe their aviation and management experience will prove invaluable as New State Aviation Holdings seeks to expand both organically and through acquisitions."

Mr. Cundiff has over 25 years of executive, managerial and professional experience in aerospace. He previously served eight years as president of the Astronautics Corporation of America. Prior to that, he spent over 15 years at Honeywell Aerospace, where he served in positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president of crew interface products. He began his career as an engineer with The Boeing Company, developing the Boeing 777 aircraft and is an ATP-rated pilot.

Mr. Draillard has spent over 25 years in the aviation industry and is the founder of AvionGarde, which provides tailored financial solutions to business aviation companies. Previously, he was CFO of GDC Technics, a private equity-owned aviation company. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Finance for Honda Aircraft Company, and earlier he spent more than 22 years at Dassault Aviation, most recently as CFO at Dassault Falcon Jet.

Mr. Cundiff said, "I am thrilled to join the team and look forward to continuing AVEX's tradition of best-in-class customer service. I am also eager to expand the New State aviation platform at such a promising moment in private jets and services." Mr. Draillard added, "I am very happy to be part of a dynamic leadership team, and I look forward to the opportunities in growing the platform."

About New State Capital Partners

New State Capital Partners LLC is an entrepreneurial-minded private equity firm that strives to be nimble, decisive and cooperative. New State prides itself on a long-term outlook, approaching each potential investment as an opportunity to create lasting and valuable relationships with company founders and especially independent sponsors. The firm has the ability to invest up to $100 million in equity per transaction and seeks to invest in market-leading companies with $8 million to $40 million of EBITDA in the areas of business services, industrials, and consumer. New State and its affiliates have invested in more than 30 companies to date. For more information visit www.newstatecp.com.

About AVEX

AVEX is a leading aircraft dealer in North America with a robust maintenance and aftermarket services platform focused on the Daher TBM. With more than 1,000 aircraft in service, the TBM has an enviable position in the single-engine turboprop market. AVEX was founded in 1985 and has operations in Colorado and California. For more information visit www.newavex.com.

Media contact:

Lambert & Co.

Joanne Lessner, [email protected], 212-222-7436

SOURCE New State Capital Partners
TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OOROO Auto, the multi-award-winning auto repair and maintenance service provider in Southern Arizona, hosted an open house on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of their third location, on the east side of Tucson. Team members from all three locations, their families and area residents enjoyed an afternoon of games, music, giveaways, catering from Hot Rods  the popular bar and restaurant next door  and a screening of Pixar's "Cars." Attendees were also invited to paint ceramic tiles that will be installed prominently in the front lobby.

OOROO Founder and CEO Jeff Artzi joined representatives from the Tucson Metro Chamber and the Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and official proclamations from both chambers.

"Progress and new beginnings have prevailed," wrote Michael Guymon, President and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber, highlighting Arizona's long history of trailblazers and noting that the proclamation brings with it 100 years of good fortune.

The proclamation from Brad Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce, highlighted OOROO's "ethical and customer focused approach," which has earned the company two Better Business Bureau awards for ethics, two Tucson Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Awards (for Best Employer and Innovation), Arizona Daily Star's Reader's Choice Award, Best Auto Shop in Green Valley, and Tucson Local Media's Best of the Northwest Award six years in a row.

Artzi said he was honored to be part of the Vail community and remarked that the strength of the business relies on "how we take care of each other as team members, and how we take care of our customers." OOROO has a strong history of community involvement, offering free services annually through its Joy Ride program, hosting special events for healthcare professionals on the front lines of the pandemic, fundraising for the Arizona Special Olympics and the United Way, and more.

OOROO Auto is committed to delivering "Auto Repair with Heart," at its shops and by bringing services directly to the customer at home, in the office, or on campus. In November 2021, the company launched its "Happy Car Club," a first-of-its-kind service-as-a-subscription which allows customers to pay one low monthly fee and receive a suite of standard auto care services and a 10% discount on all other repairs. OOROO has also made the service available as an employee perk for companies enrolled in its popular Client Partner program, "OOROO at Work," where their trained technicians perform services for the employer's team members at the office or at home. Currently, more than 36 local employers are enrolled in the program, and Artzi said he expects that number to rise as the subscription service grows.

To learn more, visit www.oorooauto.com. Photos of the event can be found here.

Media Contact:

Amy Romano, Lambert & Co.

[email protected]

480.577.9989

SOURCE OOROO Auto
BRISBANE, Calif., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Second Genome, a biotechnology company that leverages its proprietary platform to discover and develop precision therapies and biomarkers, today announced that it will host a virtual key opinion leader (KOL) event focused on the role of mucosal healing and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1/2 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, from 12:00  1:00 p.m. EST.

In addition to a brief pre-clinical program overview of SG-5-00455, Second Genome's development candidate for the treatment of IBD, the event will include a presentation and a Q&A panel with renowned experts in the field, including:

Ryan Balfour Sartor , M.D.

Midgette Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology and Co-Director of the University of North Carolina Multidisciplinary Center for IBD Research and Treatment. Dr. Sartor is also Chief Medical Advisor to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

Silvio Danese , M.D., Ph.D.

Director, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Professor of Gastroenterology at the University Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milan, Italy .

A live webcast of the event will be available on the Events page of the Second Genome website at www.secondgenome.com/news/events and at this direct link, and a replay will be accessible following the program.

About SG-5-00455

SG-5-00455, the Company's development candidate for the treatment of IBD, could potentially be a first-in-class precision therapeutic that targets PAI-1/2 and directly improves tissue repair and mucosal healing in IBD patients. The development candidate was generated using a novel, naturally derived protein (SG-2-0776), that was subsequently engineered into a Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) drug delivery system, SG-5-00455, for direct, non-systemic delivery to the gut. SG-5-00455 is currently in IND-enabling studies, and the Company expects to submit an investigational new drug application (IND) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2022.

About Second Genome

Second Genome is a biotechnology company that leverages its proprietary technology-enabled platform to discover and develop transformational precision therapies based on novel microbial genetic insights. We built a proprietary drug discovery platform with machine-learning analytics, customized protein engineering techniques, phage library screening, mass spec analysis and CRISPR, that we couple with traditional drug development approaches to progress the development of precision therapies for wide-ranging diseases. Second Genome is advancing lead programs in IBD and cancer into IND-enabling studies. We also collaborate with industry, academic and governmental partners to leverage our platform and data science capabilities. We hold a strategic collaboration with Gilead Sciences, Inc., utilizing our proprietary platform and comprehensive data sets to identify novel biomarkers associated with clinical response to Gilead's investigational medicines. We also hold a strategic collaboration with Arena Pharmaceuticals to identify microbiome biomarkers associated with clinical response for their lead program in gastroenterology, etrasimod. For more information, please visit www.secondgenome.com .

Investor Contact:

Argot Partners

212-600-1902

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Argot Partners

212-600-1902

[email protected]

SOURCE Second Genome
ACEM SJTU is always dedicated to introducing top-level resources to its MBA program, making it available to lay a solid theoretical foundation for students and also share first-hand industry management experience in order to develop exceptional industry elites capable of combining theory with practice. The strategy of "two types of scholarship, horizontal (academic) and vertical (industry), reinforcing each other and connecting theory with practice" proposed by Dean Chen Fangruo is not only implemented in the academic research by faculties, but also applied in talent cultivation. With the vision to "build a global technology and finance institute leading the future", SJTU and the Bank of China announced the official launch of top-tier resource cooperation at RMB hundreds of millions on April 12th 2021, which will give full play to their respective advantages to further promote the mutual empowerment of finance and technology, and carry out all-round resource cooperation on talent cultivation, practice and training, innovation and incubation, etc. Antai MBA Entrepreneurship Elite Class composed of investors, on-campus entrepreneurs and alumni entrepreneurs, offers entrepreneurship courses, offline activities as well as offline training for more than 1,000 attendances to deliver full support and stand side by side for their development. It is believed that Antai MBA will keep up its pragmatic and innovative approaches based on its strong faculties, while developing high-quality curricula and promoting the industry community, in order to cultivate future business leaders with advanced ideas and industry practice.
"BlackRock is a leading investor in renewable power globally, which means we are entering into a relationship with a stable and renowned partner who will create a long-term outlet for our services. This is an important strategic step towards establishing cooperation with leading infrastructure investors, who are key to the further growth of SOLEK Group, not only in Chile but also in other countries," said Zdenek Sobotka, founder and CEO of the SOLEK Group.

The deal enables SOLEK Group to develop up to 28 individual photovoltaic power plant projects with an aggregate capacity of up to 200 MW. The firm will take care as well of their operation and provide regular maintenance and prompt professional servicing. Each project will be constructed and connected under the Chile's PMGD/PMG (distributed generation projects) programme, which is one of the pillars of the country's strategy to become carbon neutral by 2050. Solar power plant projects with a total installed capacity of 90.5 MW are already under preparation phase of construction. These projects also serve regions with high demand for electricity due to growing populations and a developed mining industry.

"We look forward to working closely with Solek experienced and active team in Chile," said David Orellana, Aediles Capital Inc. Partner.

"Large investors of this type can fully appreciate the long-term and stable return on energy investments. For us, it is also an expression of trust in the long-term conceptual work of all SOLEK Group teams," added Zdenek Sobotka.

ABOUT THE SOLEK GROUP

SOLEK HOLDING SE is a leading renewable energy company with a focus on solar energy. It was established in 2010 by Czech entrepreneur Zdenek Sobotka. The company is headquartered in Prague and has built power plants in four countries in Europe and South America. SOLEK currently employs 210 people of 15 nationalities.

SOLEK HOLDING SE's business strategy consists of designing and building photovoltaic parks as well as owning and operating them. To finance its activities, the group primarily turns to capital markets, where it successfully issues corporate bonds with stable yields.

For more information visit www.solek.com

ABOUT AEDILES CAPITAL INC.

Aediles is an Independent Sponsor, Platform Manager, and Advisor for sustainable energy and infrastructure investments. Aediles originates, invests in and manages renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the Americas. Aediles is supported by local & regional operating partners, and a senior advisory board based in Canada, Europe, Latin America and the USA. For more information: www.aedilescapital.com

SOURCE SOLEK HOLDING SE (SOLEK Group)
The proposed partnership will encompass three potential strategic pillars across supply of API, commercialization of prescription products, and co-development of pharmaceutical drug candidates.

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc. ("Tetra" or the "Company") (TSX: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) (FRA:JAM1) a leader in cannabinoid-derived drug discovery and development announced today that it has executed a non-binding term sheet with Avicanna Inc. ("Avicanna") (TSX: AVCN) (OTCQX: AVCNF) (FSE: 0NN) to assess entering into a strategic partnership comprising of three strategic pillars, including:

The registration and commercialization of Tetra's various prescription products (REDUVO AdVersa, QIXLEEF and CAUMZ) across Avicanna's channels in Latin/ South America . This opens the door for Tetra to initiate sales earlier than planned.

. This opens the door for Tetra to initiate sales earlier than planned. Supply of Avicanna's Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for Tetra's pharmaceutical pipeline. The phyto-cannabinoid APIs would be sourced from Avicanna's low cost and sustainable operations in Colombia .

. Co-development and support for Avicanna's pharmaceutical pipeline for Health Canada and FDA level clinical development and registration.

Steeve Neron, Chief Commercial Officer at Tetra stated, "Tetra will need multiple reliable suppliers of API, like Avicanna, to support QIXLEEF operations leading to its successful marketing authorization and global sales and distribution. QIXLEEF is Tetra's proprietary investigational new drug and is currently being evaluation in two U.S. FDA-authorized clinical trials. Additionally, Avicanna's established distribution channels in Latin/South America may help advance Tetra's product commercialization in select jurisdictions".

Aras Azadian, Chief Executive Officer of Avicanna also commented on the opportunity. "We look forward to collaborating with the Tetra team who has in many ways been pioneering cannabinoid- prescription products. As the global industry continues to mature and shift its focus towards evidence-based medicines, the two companies are well positioned to work in synergy across several projects and leverage their leadership positions into fruitful commercial results."

About Avicanna Inc.

Avicanna is an innovative, commercial-stage, and international biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, advancement, and commercialization of evidence-based cannabinoid-based products for the global consumer, as well as medical and pharmaceutical market segments. In leading global cannabinoid advancements, Avicanna conducts most of its research in Canada at its R&D headquarters in the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre, JLABS @ Toronto, located in the MaRS Discovery District. The Company actively collaborates with leading Canadian academic and medical institutions. Avicanna has established an industry-leading scientific platform including advanced R&D and clinical development that has led to the commercialization of more than twenty products across four main market segments: Cannabis Raw Materials (API) and feminized Seeds (marketed under the Aureus brand), Pharmaceutical Pipeline, Medical Cannabis & Wellness Products and CBD Derma Cosmetic Products.

About Tetra Bio-Pharma

Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) (FRA:JAM1) is a leader in cannabinoid-derived drug discovery and development with a FDA and a Health Canada cleared clinical program aimed at bringing novel prescription drugs and treatments to patients and their healthcare providers. Their evidence-based scientific approach has enabled them to develop a pipeline of cannabinoid-based drug products for a range of medical conditions, including pain, inflammation, and oncology. With patients at the core of what they do, Tetra Bio-Pharma is focused on providing rigorous scientific validation and safety data required for inclusion into the existing biopharma industry by regulators, physicians and insurance companies.

For more information visit: www.tetrabiopharma.com

Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements

Some statements in this release may contain forward-looking information. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding potential acquisitions and financings) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, the inability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to execute the Company's business plan; competition; regulation and anticipated and unanticipated costs and delays, the success of the Company's research and development strategies, including the success of this product or any other product, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the timing of clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.

SOURCE Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.
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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
"Everybody's been looking for this information for a long time--the Alliance is leading the effort across the state."

The report can help Washington state as it tames the twin problems of unmanageable and unaffordable health care spending.

"One of the biggest issues with the U.S. health care system is the lack of transparency around costs," said Jay Fathi, M.D., President of Molina Healthcare of Washington and an Alliance board member. "With this report, the Alliance examines what actually drives spending in health care. This helps us further our goal of addressing inefficiencies to best handle the cost of health care in Washington."

The Alliance used medical claims and enrollment data from its voluntary All-Payer Claims Database to create the report on approximately 4 million people with Medicaid and commercial insurance. By looking back on three years of data, the report makes it possible for policy makers, health plans, care providers and health care purchasersemployers, unions, and othersto take needed action.

Based on the patient's county of residence, the Total Cost of Care report categorizes the claims from multiple payers into five major categories:

Facility Inpatient surgery, maternity, skilled nursing facility (SNF) and other care that includes an overnight hospital stay.

surgery, maternity, skilled nursing facility (SNF) and other care that includes an overnight hospital stay. Facility Outpatient services provided on an outpatient basis such as day surgery, radiology, cardiovascular, emergency medicine, and pharmacy.

services provided on an outpatient basis such as day surgery, radiology, cardiovascular, emergency medicine, and pharmacy. Professional a wide range of treatments including physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiology, emergency medicine, preventive care, specialty drug treatments, and urgent care.

a wide range of treatments including physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiology, emergency medicine, preventive care, specialty drug treatments, and urgent care. Prescription Drugs medicines dispensed at retail pharmacies.

medicines dispensed at retail pharmacies. Ancillaryincludes ambulance; home health care; and specific supplies such as durable medical equipment, glasses and contacts, and prosthetics.

Data reported by the Alliance identifies differences in the relative health of populations and the differences in the costs of care in Washington state. "Everybody has been looking for this information for a long timethis is important and relevant information. The Alliance is leading the effort across the state," said Dr. Hugh Straley, Chair of the Bree Collaborative, the Governor's appointed health improvement organization for Washington state.

Using data from multiple payers and self-funded purchasers and risk-adjusting the results using age, gender, service utilization and diagnoses, the Alliance set the state average as the benchmark and analyzed spending on a per member per month (PMPM) basis.

Dr. Edwin Carmack, Medical Director of Quality at Confluence Health, said, "I've been trying to dig into this kind of information for years. The struggle is, I only have pieces of data, but I don't have data across the different payers. This report is important because it provides that information and enables a comparison of counties and ACHs with the state average."

Merissa Clyde, Chief Operating Officer of SEIU 775 Benefits Group, said her multi-employer union trust provides $400 million in annual benefits for 50,000 caregivers in Washington and Montana.

"We focus on providing high quality, high value health care benefits uniquely tailored for caregivers. One key element of our strategy is to understand our health care spending," she said. "This report gives us a place to start. With this and future Alliance reporting, we'll know if we're getting closer to the elusive triple aim of reducing costs and improving patient experience and population health."

Members of the Alliance's Board of Directors, Health Economics Committee, and Quality Improvement Committee were actively involved in the creation and development of the Total Cost of Care report, an effort that began several years ago, according to Executive Director of the Alliance Nancy Giunto.

Giunto says there are plans already in place for the Alliance's next report to break down results by individual medical group and clinic.

About the Washington Health Alliance

The Washington Health Alliance (Alliance) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working collaboratively to transform Washington state's health care system for the better. The Alliance brings together more than 185 committed member organizations to improve health and health care by offering a forum for critical conversation and aligned efforts by health plans, employers, union trusts, hospitals and hospital systems, health care professionals, start-up companies, consultants, consumers, and other health care partners. The Alliance believes strongly in transparency and offers trusted and credible reporting of progress on health care quality, value, pricing, and overall spending. The Alliance publishes its reports at WACommunityCheckup.org and provides guidance for consumers at OwnYourHealthWA.org so that individuals can make informed health care decisions.

Contact: Leslie Bennett

Phone: (206) 454-2961

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Washington Health Alliance
NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- International software awards program The SaaS Awards opens today for early entries, with a new recognition tier and a raft of new categories including 'Best SaaS Product for Loyalty and Retention,' and 'Best SaaS Product for IT Management.'

The new 'Finalists' stage will recognize all of the organizations which progress beyond the initial Shortlist.

The SaaS Awards (gray)

SaaS Awards head of operations James Williams said: "After a highly-subscribed Cloud Computing Awards program last year, our second awards program, the SaaS Awards, is back and accepting early entries.

"With such a large difference in the number of exceptional candidates who make the shortlist and those singly remarkable organizations who go on to win, we now have a new intermediary stage of judging: the Finalists stage. This stage is intended to give added recognition and rewards to the leading innovators who just miss out on the top spot.

"There are also 14 new categories in verticals such as the construction and real estate industries, as well as more general areas such as content management  which itself includes areas such as proofreading, translation services, Optical Character Recognition, Document Control, Plagiarism Detection, Image Recognition and Digital Asset Management.

"We have also split our increasingly competitive Security category across three areas: Enterprise, SMB, and unusually for us, B2C.

"The judges look forward to assessing the very best software of 2022."

The new categories include:

Best SaaS Product with 1,000+ Licensed Users

Highest Customer Satisfaction with a SaaS Product

Most Agile / Responsive SaaS Solution of the Year

Best Data Innovation in a SaaS Product

Best SaaS Product for the Construction Industry

Best SaaS Product for Loyalty and Retention

Best SaaS Product for Law and Legal Services

Best SaaS for Product for Engineering Management, PLM or CAD

Best SaaS Product for Real Estate / Property Management

Best SaaS Product for IT Management

Best SaaS Product for Email Marketing

Best Content Management Innovation in a SaaS Product

The SaaS Awards accepts entries from across the globe, covering the Americas, Australia, Europe and the Middle East, with a May 20 deadline: https://www.cloud-awards.com/software-as-a-service-awards

Notes for editors

About the Cloud Awards and the SaaS Awards

The Cloud Awards currently offers two awards programs, the Cloud Computing Awards and the Software-as-a-Service Awards. The Awards programs recognize and honor industry leaders, innovators and organizational transformation in cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service. The awards are open to large, small, established and start-up organizations from across the entire globe, with an aim to find and celebrate the pioneers who will shape the future of the Cloud as we move into 2023 and beyond. Finalists are selected by a judging panel of international industry experts. For more information about The Cloud Awards and The SaaS Awards, please visit https://www.cloud-awards.com/.

Media Contact:

James Williams

(212) 574-8117

[email protected]

SOURCE The SaaS Awards
HOOD RIVER, Ore., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As confidently stated by the translated meaning of the traditional Mohawk word, I:se [ee-say] means you. Inspired by the indigenous people of our lands, I:se is a new skincare brand celebrating the attributes derived from Native American culture .

I:se All Natural Skincare https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JCyGbG9CHI

Founder and product designer, Stephanie Harte's story is simple, pure, and emotional. After 11 years of studying all-natural botanicals and testing her formulas, she decided to launch I:se's line of skincare products into the market on a platform that is aligned with her life's biggest inspiration  her bloodline.

BRAND STORY

SUSTAINABILITY

Founded on a set of core principles that guide all aspects of the business, I:se Leads with a profound respect for the environment. The brand vehemently stands behind a sustainability mission that governs all facets of operations and product development. "While we are committed to sustainability, we are not perfect. We will remain in a relentless pursuit of more compliant materials, partners, and processes." said founder Stephanie Harte. View a day in the life of I:se's sustainability mission 

I:SE WOMAN

I:se is a woman-owned business with a clear understanding of its customer. Its mission is to honor the empathetic and confident woman who respects Mother Earth, her body, and recognizes the benefit of her daily ritual  affordable luxury that nourishes and hydrates to protect from the elements of today's journey.

PRODUCT

I:se's brand launch is celebrated with a family of four face care products that use pure and natural botanicals. Learn more about I:se botanicals 

Delivering a pure pampering experience, I:se Lip Balm is a luxurious un-scented blend featuring a plant-based, antioxidant, and vitamin-rich formula designed to protect, nourish, soften, and soothe.

I:se Face Serum is a fast-absorbing blend of active botanicals. This hyper-potent hyaluronic acid blend is formulated to enrich and balance the complexion, calm inflammation, boost elasticity, and protect against environmental elements.

I:se Face Mist is an antioxidant-rich blend formulated to hydrate, soothe, moisturize, and restore your skin. Leaving you refreshed after just one spritz.

I:se's premium Face Oil is an opulent blend of micronutrients and superior antioxidants. Key botanicals promote healthy aging and deliver their powerful properties to boost cell renewal, fight free radicals, and repair the skin barrier.

HANDCRAFTED IN OREGON

Every bottle is made by hand in small-batch in botanical-rich Hood River, Oregon . This ensures a high-quality product that is always fresh, natural, and good for the skin.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Stephanie Harte, Founder | Product Designer

[email protected]

isebeauty.com

541.490.5525

Located in beautiful Hood River, Oregon, the heart of the Cascade Mountain range, I:se is a creator of all-natural skincare products. Our bountiful environment fuels our motivation to relentlessly innovate with new products, hold ourselves accountable to our core values, and to serve you  our friend, and our customer.

SOURCE I:se All Natural Skincare
LONDON, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Africa's largest economies performed poorly in a global report ranking of 187 nations that appeal to High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI).

The 2022 World Citizenship Report (WCR) found that Africa's dominant nations including Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa, were not meeting the needs of their affluent citizens.

Developed by CS Global Partners, the world's leading government advisory and marketing firm, specialising in residency and citizenship by investment solutions, the report looks at five motivators which the wealthy consider important for their lives to thrive. These are:

Safety and Security  The ability to enjoy greater social safety and security for oneself and family and a safety-net against being trapped in a dangerous territory.

 The ability to enjoy greater social safety and security for oneself and family and a safety-net against being trapped in a dangerous territory. Economic Opportunity  The ability to access major business hubs and increased access to better employment prospects and wider business opportunities.

 The ability to access major business hubs and increased access to better employment prospects and wider business opportunities. Quality of Life  Being able to access territories with higher social and institutional stability, higher standards of education and healthcare.

 Being able to access territories with higher social and institutional stability, higher standards of education and healthcare. Global Mobility  The ability for greater freedom to travel for business and leisure and the insurance policy to enable travel for medical or safety emergencies.

 The ability for greater freedom to travel for business and leisure and the insurance policy to enable travel for medical or safety emergencies. Financial Freedom  Being able to diversify assets across different geographies, being able to protect assets from government overreach or corruption and being able to facilitate wealth structures in a more tax efficient manner.

"Being bound to a single country and its government can limit your freedom. With current global uncertainty, travel restrictions, and crises, investors are concerned about future market volatility and the security of their wealth, assets, and lifestyle within their home countries. This uncertainty further fuels the desire among wealthy individuals to incorporate second citizenship as part of their portfolio," says Micha Emmett, CEO of CS Global Partners, the world's largest government advisory and marketing consultancy specialising in Citizenship by Investment.

Safety and Security Trumps Global Mobility for African Investors

Even though mobility means increased freedom and accessibility for global citizens, the WCR found that safety and security rank highest  an area that African markets struggle with the most.

This motivator relied on numerous sources of data including the Global Peace Index (GPI), an annual report produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) that estimates the relative position of nations and regions according to their levels of peacefulness.

The safety and security motivator measures the extent to which second citizenship can offer greater safety and security and comprises of several factors, including a country's control on corruption, the rule of law, regulatory quality, government effectiveness, political stability or no violence, and voice and accountability.

With a GDP of just US$17 billion in 2021, only Botswana made the top 50 in this motivator. The nation was ranked at 38.

Africa's three powerhouses  South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria  did not fare well in the WCR in the safety and security motivator as all of them have been experiencing some sort of socio-political issues that have led detrimental consequences on their people, whether it be high unemployment or very low levels of business confidence.

South Africa came in at 79, while Egypt was ranked at 139 and Nigeria at 147.

It is often assumed that HNWIs can buy security for themselves and their families, but no single individual can be exempt from significant political upheaval or serious social turmoil. That is why being able to avoid enduring a situation of conflict where one is constricted is of immeasurable value.

It is also interesting to note that acquiring a sense of safety and security is one of the biggest motivations when it comes to migration. According to the United Nations, the number of individuals who had fled conflict, crises, persecution, violence, or human rights violations between 2000 and 2020 doubled from 17 to 34 million. For HNWIs and global citizens, a nation that can offer protection in public spaces, guard against wrongdoing and curate a politically stable domestic environment holds great value.

Countries with Citizenship by Investment Programmes Fare Better in WCR

The COVID-19 pandemic cemented the fact that not all countries are created equal, many governments around the world were not able to adequately protect their citizens and meet their social and economic needs.

As a result, many HNWIs are focusing on the importance of issues such as their quality of life, healthcare, safety, security, and financial planning.

The pandemic's impact on areas such as global mobility, quality of life and economic opportunity is of relevance to HNWIs seeking additional citizenship either through traditional routes or through Citizenship by Investment (CBI).

Currently, about a dozen countries offer CBI solutions, many are concentrated in the Caribbean region, these include St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada.

Interestingly, the Caribbean nations that provide CBI options ranked in the top 30% of the WCR and scored highly in the Safety and Security, Quality of Life and Global Mobility motivators, proving that these locations can be an ideal for investors seeking to secure a better future for themselves and their families.

Caribbean and African ties run deep  the territories have shared history and culture and a lot is being done to strengthen and foster Caribbean-African relations and increase their bargaining power with the world. Last September, for example, leaders from the African Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convened the first Africa CARICOM Summit.

Why Second Citizenship through an investment route

CBI programmes offer the opportunity to legally acquire the citizenship of a country in return for a contribution to a government fund of that country or an investment into one of its pre-approved real estate projects. Such programmes confer citizenship status without adding any serious burden onto an investor's life, provided that they successfully pass all of the due diligence checks required, make a qualifying investment, and submit all the correct documentation.

There are many benefits to having dual citizenship, including greater global mobility, new economic opportunities, better quality of life, and improved personal security.

It is for these reasons that HNWIs have begun to view having second citizenship as a crucial asset  greater global mobility and a way to enhance their quality of life while ensuring a bright future for themselves and their families. Furthermore, they regard it as a powerful tool to diversify their wealth and assets.

CS Global Partners has identified the challenges faced by global citizens and the opportunities that they require for future growth, family succession and economic prosperity and, in understanding their needs, are able to guide the process of matching progressive and innovative countries with skilled, talented, and wealthy individuals.

Contact:

[email protected]

www.csglobalpartners.com

SOURCE CS Global Partners
CHICAGO, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new research report, the "Aircraft Antenna Market by Frequency (VHF&UHF band, Ka/Ku/K band, HF band, X band, C band, L band), Antenna Type, Installation, Application, End User (OEM, Aftermarket), Aircraft Type, & Region (North America, Europe, APAC, RoW) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated to be USD 0.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 0.9 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period. The growth of this market is mainly driven by increase in airspace modernization programs, increase in demand for military UAVs and introduction of advanced aircraft systems.

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=76582743

The aircraft antenna market includes major players L3Harris Technologies Inc. (US), Honeywell International (US), Collins Aerospace (US), Cobham Limited (UK), and The Boeing Company (US). These players have spread their business across various countries including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. COVID-19 has impacted their businesses as well. Industry experts believe that COVID-19 could affect aircraft antenna production and services by 710% globally in 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the end-use industries adversely, resulting in a sudden dip in 2020 aircraft orders and deliveries. This is expected to negatively impact the aircraft market in the short term, with slow recovery expected in Q1 of 2021.

Increasing need for short-range surveillance and tracking is expected to fuel the growth of the VHF & UHF band segment in the aircraft antenna market during the forecast period.

The VHF & UHF band segment is estimated to lead the market during the forecast period, with a share of 30% in 2021. VHF & UHF (very high frequency and ultra-high frequency) bands are used for short-range aircraft navigation and communication, enabling an aircraft to determine its position and stay on course by receiving radio signals transmitted through a network from a ground location. This band is used for communication in the line-of-sight range.

The Terminal Wireless Local Area Network segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on application, the Terminal Wireless Local Area Network segment is projected to be the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft antenna market during the forecast period. A Terminal Wireless Local Area Network functions with the help of a small compliant transceiver that supports multiple high-speed wireless protocols. This multi-protocol support enables the operation of the GateSync system at airports across the world. The system enables airlines to wirelessly load and offload content and data while the aircraft is on the ground.

The microstrip antenna segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on antenna type, the microstrip antenna segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft antenna market during the forecast period. Microstrip antennas are popular owing to their low manufacturing cost and ease of fabrication and integration with circuit components. These antennas are lightweight and can be easily mounted on the surface of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and even on handheld mobile devices.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Aircraft Antenna Market https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/refrigeration-coolers-market-250448757.html"

545  Tables

49  Figures

372  Pages

Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=76582743

The nose mounted segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Based on installation, the nose mounted segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft antenna market during the forecast period. In most military and commercial aircraft, the nose cone also shelters radar antennas and other equipment that are used for the detection of meteorological phenomena, enemy aircraft, and the transmission of communication signals. In the nose section, the antennas installed are weather radar, glideslope, and localizers.

The OEM segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the end user, the OEM segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft antenna market during the forecast period. Technological advancements and the need for better connectivity and communication in the aviation industry are additional factors influencing the growth of the aircraft antenna market.

The UAV segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Based on aircraft type, the UAV segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the aircraft antenna market during the forecast period. The increasing applicability of UAVs in the defense sector has boosted the aircraft antenna market. UAVs have less demanding flight profiles and environmental standard requirements than manned aircraft, and hence, the antennas used in UAVs are smaller and have lower mass as compared to those used in manned aircraft.

The North America market is projected to contribute the largest share from 2021 to 2026

The key factor responsible for North America leading the aircraft antennas market is the high demand for new aircraft in the region. The growing demand for aircraft for commercial applications and their increasing utility in the defense sector to carry out transport and surveillance activities are additional factors influencing the growth of the North American aircraft antenna market.

Key players have adopted various organic and inorganic strategies to strengthen their position in the aircraft antenna market. The major players include L3Harris Technologies Inc. (US), Honeywell International (US), Collins Aerospace (US), Cobham Limited (UK), and The Boeing Company (US), these players have adopted various strategies, such as acquisitions, contracts, new product launches, and partnerships & agreements, to expand their presence in the market further.

Related Reports:

Satellite Antenna Market by Platform (Land fixed, Land mobile, Airborne, Maritime, Space), Antenna Type, Technology (SOTM, SOTP), Component Type (Reflectors, Feed Horns, Feed Networks, Low Noise Converters), Frequency and Region - Forecast to 2026

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: [email protected]

Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/aircraft-antenna-market.asp

Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/aircraft-antenna.asp

SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Workcred has received a three-year grant from the ECMC Foundation, as part of a partnership with the League for Innovation in the Community College (the League) and the National Student Clearinghouse (the Clearinghouse), to offer community colleges an affordable, scalable approach to align degrees with industry needs. The partnershipand its focus on Certification+Degree (C+D) Pathwayswill support the development of alternative pathways within the workforce through embedding industry-recognized certifications into community college coursework.

Workcred and its partners will support five community colleges to develop and implement C+D Pathways in IT, logistics, and/or health science programs in at least three different states, and establish a process for economical replication. In addition, the project team will develop a data-informed approach to guide C+D Pathway implementation and improvement. Ultimately, the collaboration will provide learners with opportunities to master occupationally-relevant skills that lead to living wage jobs while they are on a pathway to an associate's degree.

To accomplish the project objectives, Workcred, the League, and the Clearinghouse will also partner with a higher education accreditation body, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), to consider how C+D Pathways completion and attainment will be determined within the context of the accreditation process.

More on C+D Pathways

Did You Know?

C+D Pathways, which involve embedding industry credentials into degree programs, is a common practice at community colleges, as these pathways are aligned with both student goals and industry needs. Furthermore, they better position students in their field and help to build a pipeline of prepared workers for employers.

To that end, as C+D Pathways continue to be developed, Workcred strives to place more emphasis on effective pathway development and implementation, as well as the use of metrics to guide continuous improvement and ensure the pathways are increasing learner retention and degree completion, and leading to living wage employment.

Learn more about how C+D Pathways have the potential to benefit all learners as a broadly applicable, scalable approach to aligning degrees in any academic discipline with industry-relevant competencies, as explained in Workcred's editorial, Increasing Value Through Certification and Degree Pathways, published in The evolllution.

See also Certification-Degree Pathways: Aligning Undergraduate Curriculum to Industry Credentials and Professions.

The project also supports ECMC's Career Readiness aim to develop scalable approaches to increase learner retention and degree completion across a diverse learner population. ECMC is a national foundation working to improve postsecondary outcomes for students from underserved backgrounds.

"We are thrilled to start this important and much-needed work thanks to this grant and collaboration, which supports our long-term goals in examining workforce issues impacting communities that experience inequities," said Workcred executive director Roy Swift. "Workcred anticipates that the activities and tools developed through this project will lead to multiple sustainable C+D Pathways, inform new and existing C+D Pathways, and promote scaling of these pathways nationally."

Rufus Glasper, president and CEO of the League, said, "We are committed to strengthening the credentials and the pathways which our students and communities seek to live a better life. This project identifies and expands on solutions for students and their families that are sustainable, scalable, and transformative."

"This framework will build upon previous work by Workcred and the National Student Clearinghouse to link higher education institution enrollment data, industry credential data, and wage data," said Rick Torres, president and CEO, National Student Clearinghouse. "The results of this grant will show how institutions can observe their learners from enrollment all the way into their careers, and better understand the value of industry credentials and degrees in that journey. This is an important step in helping institutions tell the most holistic story possible of their outcomes of their work."

Barbara Gellman-Danley, HLC president, reinforced the value of this work. "HLC is very excited to be part of this initiative. The credential marketplace is growing exponentially, and clear pathways to the associate degree  and quality assurance of those pathways  are critical to both the students and the workforce."

About Workcred

Formed in 2014 as an affiliate of the American National Standards Institute, Workcred's mission is to strengthen workforce quality by improving the credentialing system, ensuring its ongoing relevance, and preparing employers, workers, educators, and governments to use it effectively. Learn more about it on the Workcred site. To better understand and navigate the credentialing system, visit Workcred's Publications and Events page and view the video, An Introduction to Workcred.

About ANSI

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity. Its membership is comprised of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations.

The Institute represents and serves the diverse interests of more than 270,000 companies and organizations and 30 million professionals worldwide. ANSI is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). For more information, visit www.ansi.org.

About the League for Innovation in the Community College

The League for Innovation in the Community College is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate innovation in the community college environment. The League hosts conferences and institutes, develops print and digital resources, and leads projects and initiatives with almost 400 member colleges, strategic partners, and a host of other government and nonprofit agencies in a continuing effort to advance the community college field and make a positive difference for students and communities. Information about the League and its activities is available at www.league.org.

About the National Student Clearinghouse

The National Student Clearinghouse, a nonprofit formed in 1993, is the trusted source for and leading provider of higher education verifications and electronic education record exchanges. Besides working with nearly 3,600 postsecondary institutions, the Clearinghouse also provides thousands of high schools and districts with continuing collegiate enrollment, progression, and completion statistics on their alumni. For more details, visit www.studentclearinghouse.org.

About the Higher Learning Commission

The Higher Learning Commission accredits approximately 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States. HLC is a private, nonprofit accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Contact [email protected] for more information.

SOURCE Workcred
The investment and decision to expand their facility in Red Lake Falls was a logical step in Altoz's strategic growth plan to increase capacity and improve operational efficiency. The new manufacturing facility will accommodate state-of-the-art metal fabrication equipment including laser cutting systems, turret presses, press brakes, robotic welders, along with a powder coat paint system, assembly and a distribution center. "This expansion will allow us to meet the increased demand for our commercial mowers and continue to diversify into other segments of the outdoor power equipment industry," said Dennis Brazier, Altoz CEO. In addition to the manufacturing facility, the site features a modern, multi-story office building that will accommodate a growing workforce.

2021 was a remarkable year, one in which Altoz gained worldwide recognition and won numerous industry awards for new product innovation with its tracked stand on mower. The company was also named one of the Top 175 Workplaces in Minnesota. The corporate headquarters holds MNSHARP certification from MNOSHA that recognizes organizations where managers and employees work together to develop safety and health management systems that go beyond basic compliance with all applicable OSHA standards. "Altoz has an impeccable safety record and we bring this same level of commitment to our Red Lake Falls location. We are focused on growth, excited about the future and eager to add additional talent to our company. We encourage career-oriented people to apply now, as we have immediate opportunities prior to the facility being completed," said Brazier.

About Altoz

Altoz, Inc. is an outdoor power equipment company built by an experienced team of engineering specialists, turf-industry professionals and powersports industry leaders who are inspired by a passion for excellence. The Altoz dealer base spans across the United States and includes distributors in New Zealand, United Kingdom and Australia. The company manufactured the world's first zero-turn and stand on mowers with tracks. Find the latest Altoz innovations at Altoz.com. Media Contact: Janie Brandon at 855-782-5869 or [email protected]

SOURCE Altoz
PHOENIX, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amnio Technology, a global leader in the development of and distribution of amniotic tissue allografts is announcing the launch of two new PalinGen membrane products, PalinGen Dual-Layer Membrane and Dual Layer PalinGen X-Membrane. The new allografts, like the entire family of PalinGen membrane products, are minimally manipulated, homologous use and chorion-free. The dual-layered nature of the allografts allow for unidirectional application with two outward facing epithelial sides. The proprietary Advantek process used to manufacture PalinGen membranes preserves the extracellular matrix components and regulatory proteins present in amniotic tissues. Preserving the characteristics of the natural tissue aids in wound management.

PalinGen Dual-Layer Membrane and Dual Layer PalinGen X-Membrane are indicated for patients suffering from non-healing acute and chronic wounds as well as complex and/or open surgical wounds and burns.

Senior Director of New Product Development, Robert Diller, PhD, shared his insight into the motivation for developing a multilayered amniotic product, "The PalinGen Dual layer membranes have increased durability and slower resorption, which makes them ideal for use in robotic and other surgical applications"

"With the application of single-layer PalinGen membrane products, patients already experience improved clinical outcomes compared to treatment with standard of care. Cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins have been identified in amnion membranes and contribute to the complex wound healing process. Compared to single layer allografts, PalinGen Dual Layer membranes deliver twice as many of these components to the wound area," said lead Research Scientist on the development project, Sarah West.

The FDA recognized PalinGen Dual-Layer Membrane and Dual Layer PalinGen X-Membrane as being minimally manipulated, homologous use human cell, tissue, and cellular and tissue-based products or HCT/Ps. In letters received from the Tissue Reference Group (TRG) within the Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies (OTAT) on September 30, 2021, and February 8, 2022, respectively, FDA confirmed that PalinGen Dual-Layer Membrane and Dual Layer PalinGen X-Membrane would be regulated solely under section 361 of the PHS Act and the regulations in 21 CFR 1271.

Amnio Technology has a long history of Good Tissue Practices (GTP) experience and compliance. In recent years, the FDA has issued final guidance on its Framework for the Regulation of Regenerative Medicine Products, making the confirmation of the regulatory status of amniotic products critical for business continuity in the amniotic tissue space.

William Brown, Managing Director of Operations at Amnio Technology, recognized the efforts of the entire Amnio Technology Team, "We continue to be successful in the development and launch of new Products in our pipeline, which meet the Regulatory framework of the FDA and other Agencies. With a Team dedicated to compliance from the first step, we continue to expedite new product availability to clinicians for implementation into their practice and, ultimately, the ability to improve quality of life for the patient."

Both PalinGen Dual-Layer Membrane and Dual Layer PalinGen X-Membrane are available in a variety of sizes suited for the patient's needs.

About Amnio Technology

Amnio Technology is a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing the science of regenerative medicine. Established in 2013, Amnio Technology has developed core competencies in Good Tissue Practice and HCT/P Safety becoming a global leader in the development and distribution of amniotic tissue allografts. The Company has a robust pipeline of products and its liquid allograft for the treatment of chronic ulcers, PalinGen Flow, is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial. For more information about Amnio Technology, please visit the Company website at www.amniotechnology.com.

SOURCE Amnio Technology
Ancora Education Helps Companies and Colleges Address Truck Driver Shortage Tweet this

Ancora Education is helping to address this shortfall. With a team of qualified instructors at the forefront, Ancora trains individuals how to safely operate and maintain tractor trailer vehicles. Ancora's curriculum follows the new rules for Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) as established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which went into effect on February 7, 2022. Ancora's model is flexible, as they have developed courses for community colleges as well as training and upskilling for employees of various businesses.

"We are honored to be a part of the effort to mitigate the challenges facing the freight industry," said Bill Nance, CEO of Ancora Education. "Firstly, we provide a way for businesses to strengthen their existing driver teams by training their new hires as well as experienced employees. Secondly, we help community colleges expand the courses available to their students. As the tuition for four-year colleges continue to increase, trucking offers a path towards a rewarding career for people who might not want to pursue a formal degree."

The shortage of drivers means companies are offering salaries well above national averages. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the national mean wage as $56,3101. By comparison, according to Indeed.com, the average wage for an entry-level CDL-A driver is over $72,0002, which doesn't include possible benefits, bonuses, and other perks companies are extending to attract new talent.

To learn more about Ancora Education's solutions, please visit www.AncoraEducation.com .

ABOUT ANCORA EDUCATION

Ancora Education is a Texas-based group of private, post-secondary schools in convenient locations throughout Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Ancora Education owned brands specialize in allied health, wellness, nursing, IT, business and management, CDL truck driving, professional trades, security, skilled trades, and art and design. Ancora brands include Ancora Corporate Training, Arizona Automotive Institute (AAI), Berks Technical Institute (BTI), Edge Tech Academy, McCann School of Business & Technology, Miller-Motte College (MMC), Platt College, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT), and The Creative Circus.

www.AncoraEducation.com .

1 https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000

2 https://www.indeed.com/career/truck-driver/salaries?from=top_sb

SOURCE Ancora Education
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AO pioneered the design and manufacturing of sunglasses for American military pilots, inventing the world's first aviator style sunglasses.

The Original Pilot TM was the first pair of sunglasses to land on the moon, worn by the entire Apollo 11 crew, and is currently on display at the Smithsonian.

was the first pair of sunglasses to land on the moon, worn by the entire Apollo 11 crew, and is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The Saratoga was widely photographed on JFK and known to be one of his favorite sunglass styles.

American Optical continues to be made in America, using only the finest globally sourced materials. The three re-released signature AO styles, in combination with the brand's first new styles in decades, offer a range of modern looks that celebrate classic American design. Committed to looking after American Optical's heritage and reputation for quality, AO will continue to offer a suite of top-of-the-line lenses to suit all consumers, from lightweight nylon to optically pure glass, with polarization upgrades available. All lenses will feature a backside anti-reflective coating and an oleophobic smudge-proof coating.

"We don't just want to make eyewear in America. We want to make truly American eyewear." - Scott Shapiro

American Optical has always been known for their careful craft and innovation in the industry. A refreshed AO Eyewear website is now ready to reconnect longtime fans and introduce the brand to a new generation of American style connoisseurs. All styles are available for purchase at aoeyewear.com with an MSRP starting at $194.

ABOUT AO EYEWEAR

Known for its heritage and quality, American Optical's eyewear division pioneered eyewear design and manufacturing in the US. As the first sunglasses on the moon and a favorite of JFK, AO's history is American history. AO Eyewear is as committed as its original founders to producing the highest quality, innovative, American-made eyewear products that withstand the test of time.

Media Contact

Heather Patt

[email protected]

Erin Cohen

[email protected]

SOURCE AO Eyewear
MONTREAL, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Bell Canada (Bell) today announced it will redeem, on March 16, 2022, prior to maturity, all of its outstanding Cdn $1,000 million principal amount of 3.35% Debentures, Series M-26, due March 22, 2023 (the Series M-26 Debentures).

The Series M-26 Debentures will be redeemed at a price equal to $1,017.396 per $1,000 of principal amount of debentures plus $16.062 per $1,000 of principal amount for accrued and unpaid interest up to but excluding the date of redemption.

About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet, media and business communication services throughout the country. Founded in Montreal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.

Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities with a commitment to the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Media inquiries:

Marie-Eve Francoeur

514-391-5263

[email protected]

@Bell_News

Investor inquiries:

Richard Bengian

514-786-8219

[email protected]

SOURCE Bell Canada
BOSTON, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), the parent company of Berkshire Bank, a leading socially responsible community bank with branch locations in New England and New York announced that its CEO Nitin Mhatre will discuss Digital Banking Transformation at the KBW Winter Financial Services Symposium on Thursday, February 17 beginning at 1:10pm ET.

Berkshire CEO Mhatre will be joined by Narmi Co-Founder Nikhil Lakhanpal and KBW's Managing Director Mike Perito to discuss Berkshire's digital transformation journey. The Company will share lessons learned and how it's differentiating itself by combining its 175 years of personal banking expertise with leading fintech partnerships to deliver high customer satisfaction and a frictionless experience as part of its Berkshire's Exciting Strategic Transformation (BEST).

ABOUT BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank, which is transforming what it means to bank its neighbors socially, humanly, and digitally to empower the financial potential of people, families, and businesses in its communities as it pursues its vision of being the leading socially responsible omni-channel community bank in the markets it serves. Berkshire Bank provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, wealth management, and investment services. Headquartered in Boston, Berkshire has approximately $11.6 billion in assets and operates 106 branch offices in New England and New York, and is a member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. To learn more, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS

Kevin Conn, SVP, Investor Relations & Corporate Development

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (617) 641-9206

David Gonci, Capital Markets Director

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (413) 281-1973

MEDIA CONTACT

Alicia Jacobs, AVP Public Relations Officer

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
The biologics CDMO market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

The biologics CDMO market report covers the following areas:

Biologics CDMO Market 2022-2026 : Segmentation

By type, the biologics CDMO market has been segmented into mammalian, microbial, and cell therapy services. The mammalian segment will have significant market share growth during the forecast period. Mammalian cell culture is the process of growing animal cells in vitro in a flask or dish. There are four types of mammalian cells, namely fibroblasts, epithelial cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages. Lymphocytes are found within the blood, and the rest are found in tissue. This segment accounted for a significant share of the market in focus in 2021 due to the rising use of mammalian cells in the treatment of diseases.

By geography, the biologics CDMO market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW. North America will account for the highest market growth during the forecast period.

Learn more about the contribution of each segment of the market. Download a Free Sample

Biologics CDMO Market 2022-2026: Drivers and Challenges

One of the key drivers supporting the biologics CDMO market growth is the availability of cost-efficient resources in emerging markets. For instance, India is one of the most preferred countries for CDMOs. It has more than 100 US FDA-approved manufacturing facilities, and the number of such facilities is increasing. The strong presence of companies such as LUPIN and Zydus Cadila is increasing the share of the biologics CDMO market in the pharmaceutical industry in the country. India is estimated to contribute approximately one-third of the global biologics CDMO revenue. Therefore, the global biologics CDMO market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

The biologics CDMO market growth is hindered by capacity utilization and constraints. Capacity utilization is a measure of actual production when compared to the potential production of the company when the capacity is completely utilized. It has a major role in the production of various therapeutics, especially biological drugs, due to the complex manufacturing process. The high cost of downstream purification further restricts CDMOs from operating at their optimum capacity. In addition, the shortage of cost-effective single-use products and the limitations in advanced cell culture systems for upstream performance are limiting the growth of the market in focus.

Biologics CDMO Market 2022-2026: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the biologics CDMO market, including AGC Biologics, Binex Co. Ltd., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Catalent Inc., Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies USA Inc., JRS PHARMA GmbH, and Co. KG, Lonza Group Ltd., Rentschler Biopharma SE, Samsung BioLogics Co. Ltd., and WuXi Biologics (Cayman) Inc., among others. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our report on the biologics CDMO market has been designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

Subscribe to our "Lite Plan" billed annually at USD 3000 that enables you to download 3 reports/year and view 3 reports/month.

Biologics CDMO Market 2022-2026: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will assist biologics CDMO market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the biologics CDMO market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the biologics CDMO market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of biologics CDMO market vendors

Related Reports:

Botanical and Plant-Derived Drugs Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Stem Cell Manufacturing Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Biologics CDMO Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 12.20% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 8.65 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 11.07 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW Performing market contribution North America at 41% Key consumer countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled AGC Biologics, Binex Co. Ltd., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Catalent Inc., Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies USA Inc., JRS PHARMA GmbH and Co. KG, Lonza Group Ltd., Rentschler Biopharma SE, Samsung BioLogics Co. Ltd., and WuXi Biologics (Cayman) Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2021

Market outlook: Forecast for 2021 - 2026

Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Type

Market segments

Comparison by Type

Mammalian - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Microbial - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Cell therapy services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Market opportunity by Type

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ROW - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

AGC Biologics

Binex Co. Ltd.

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

Catalent Inc.

Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies USA Inc.

Inc. JRS PHARMA GmbH and Co. KG

Lonza Group Ltd.

Rentschler Biopharma SE

Samsung BioLogics Co. Ltd.

WuXi Biologics (Cayman) Inc.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Announcing the Lifetime Achievement selection of Borthwick Law among America's Top 100 Attorneys. Lifetime Achievement selection to America's Top 100 Attorneys is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation's most exceptional attorneys whose accomplishments and impact on the legal profession merit a Lifetime Achievement award.

Douglas Borthwick

Selection is not achieved based on a single accomplishment or a single great year of success, but rather on a lifetime of hard work, ethical standards, and community enriching accomplishments that are inspiring among the legal profession. To help ensure that all attorneys selected for membership meet the very high standards expected for selection, candidates for lifetime membership are carefully screened through comprehensive Qualitative Comparative Analysis based on a broad array of criteria, including the candidate's professional experience, lifetime achievements, significant case results, peer reputation, and community impact.

With these extremely high standards for selection to America's Top 100 Attorneys, less than one-half percent (0.5%) of active attorneys in the United States will receive this honor  truly the most exclusive and elite level of attorneys in the community.

Douglas Borthwick has earned the trust and respect of his clients and colleagues for his integrity, preparation, determination, and attention to detail.

Douglas Borthwick's experience includes, but is not exclusive of, the following areas: Personal Injury Law, Family Law, Criminal Law, and general civil litigation practice.

"Life is the most precious thing we have and it's probably the thing most people take for granted. We're busy. We don't even take time to consciously think of our lives because we are too busy living them. Appreciate your life. We all only get one. Invest in what makes you happy. There is so much to be thankful for. We all have rotten things happen to us and we all have unfortunate things. But there is good in everything that happens if you look for it. Give thanks every day. Live consciously with awareness and gratitude; appreciate the moments as they occur before they forever pass so quickly. Sometimes, you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."- Attorney Douglas Borthwick, Esq.

To learn more about Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick, visit: www.borthwicklawyer.com.

Also visit: https://calbizjournal.com/attorney-douglas-borthwick/

Also visit: https://www.acq-intl.com/issues/2018-Leading-Adviser-Supplement/32/

Media Contact: John Walter

Phone: 714-564-9400

SOURCE Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick
NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global craft beer market was estimated to have a market value of US$ 76.3 Bn in 2020 and have attained US$ 81.64 Bn in 2021. The market is going to reach a market size of 6.9% CAGR rate by 2032. By the end of 2032, this market value of craft beer market is to climb up at US$ 174.68 Bn.

In 2022, the global demand for craft beer will reach US$ 89 Bn. During the period of 2022-2032, the market value is calculated to provide a 2x increase. The Craft Beer market size is expected to exceed 7% CAGR by 2032 based on the patterns of consumption.

Craft beer is expected to hold the largest share of the growing market until 2032. Craft beer's success in America is largely attributed to the large number of independent microbreweries and the large volumes produced by these breweries.

The global market for craft beer expanded the market size at a CAGR of almost 5%. Globally, consumption of craft beer has become high. Craft beer culture is growing every day. A craft beer culture would not exist without consumers and brewers.

For Critical Insights On This Market, Request For More Info

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=181

Amidst the pandemic crisis, sales blended drastically, especially in the first half of 2020. Imposition of a global lockdown damaged the supply chain networks, disrupting logistical arrangements to make the end product available to customers. However, as the year progressed and infections plateaued, these restrictions were sorted out, restoring sales prospects.

A community that exists within the world of craft beer that is passionate about beer's style and enjoys drinking it. Based on these patterns of consumption, the market is anticipated to surpass a CAGR of 6.9% across the 2022-2032 forecast period.

Report Attributes Values Estimated value in 2021 US$ 81.64 Bn Forecasted Value in 2022 US$ 89 Bn Projected value in 2032 US$ 174.68 Bn

Key Takeaways:

From 2017 to 2021, the market size of the global market for craft beer expanded at a CAGR of almost 5%.

North America is likely to hold the 36% market share of the growing demand for craft beer by 2032.

is likely to hold the market share of the growing demand for craft beer by 2032. In Asia , craft beer sales grew 37.3% in 2019, up from 33.68 % in 2018, which is an advantage for the industry.

, craft beer sales grew 37.3% in 2019, up from 33.68 % in 2018, which is an advantage for the industry. By sales channel, microbreweries are expected to maintain their dominance through 2032, with a CAGR of 5.2%.

By product type, pale ale will be the most popular accounting for 25% of total revenue.

From 2022 to 2032, the global craft beer market will almost double in size.

Growth Drivers:

Growing demand in the market is attributed to the growing number of flavors and creative styles in beer.

As a consequence of the recent implication of one of the major factors in the development of craft beer, go-green technology was incorporated into the beer manufacturing process to increase market growth and innovate new ways of reducing waste and water usage.

The demand for craft beer on the market is growing because of the increase in the number of restaurants, pubs, and bars in the cities.

To learn more about Craft Beer Market, you can get in touch with our Analyst at

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=181

Competitive Landscape:

Manufacturer increased the production to meet consumer demand by enabling strategic collaborations, which will increase revenue and market share. The advent of new products and technologies will allow end-users to enjoy products that can be flavoured by nature.

On October 1st, 2020 , AB InBev, one of the largest breweries in the world, completed the long-awaited acquisition of the Craft Brew Alliance. Further, AB InBev purchased the remaining 68.8% shares with $220 million gaining full ownership over the firm.

, AB InBev, one of the largest breweries in the world, completed the long-awaited acquisition of the Craft Brew Alliance. Further, AB InBev purchased the remaining 68.8% shares with gaining full ownership over the firm. On August 12, 2021 , Coca-Cola FEMSA, the Mexican Bottling company, confirmed its acquisition of the Brazilian beer brand Therezopolis to acquire the Brazilian Craft Beer market.

Key Players in the Craft Beer Market Include:

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Heineken Holding N.V

Boston Beer Company Inc.

Molson Coors Brewing Co.

Duvel Moortgat NV

FIFCO USA

Bells Brewery Inc.

D.G Yuengling & Sons Inc.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

More Valuable Insights on Craft Beer Market

Fact.MR provides an unbiased analysis of the craft beer market, presenting forecast statistics for the period from 2022-2032. The study divulges compelling insights on the global hyperspectral imaging market with a detailed segmentation on the basis of:

By Product

Brown Ale Craft Beer



Pale Ale Craft Beer



Porter Craft Beer



Stout Craft Beer



Pale Lager Craft Beer



Pilsner Craft Beer



Marzens Craft Beer



Bocks Craft Beer



Other Craft Beer Product

By Brewer

American Sour Craft Beer



Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer



Belgian Fruit Lambic Craft Beer



Flanders Red Ale Craft Beer



Belgian Gueuze Craft Bee

Sales Channel

Craft Beer Sales via Microbreweries



Craft Beer Sales via Brewpubs



Craft Beer Sales via Contract Brewing Companies



Craft Beer Sales via Independent Regional Craft Brewing Companies

Key Questions Covered in Craft Beer Market Report

What was the valuation of the craft beer market in 2021?

What was the average CAGR rate for this market from 2017-2021?

What is the projected market value for this market in 2022?

What can be expected out of this market in the future?

What share of the global market is acquired by North America ?

? Which is expected to be the most lucrative regions for the craft beer market?

How much share is acquired by the market players of Tier-1?

Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Food & Beverage Domain 

Tea Beer Market Trends  The growing popularity of infused beer, particularly among millennials, is propelling the tea beer market forward. Infused beer is more popular among millennials, and they are more eager to try new items.

Specialty Beer Market Forecast - The specialty beer market is growing due to an increase in demand for specialty beers, which is affected by the penetration of American beers into European countries, consequently expanding the beer industry in these countries.

Beer Stabilizer Market Analysis  The obstinately increasing food and beverage industry, which has resulted in rising demand for beer stabilizer across all major emerging economies, is the primary driver for the global beer stabilizer market.

Chokeberry Extract Market Scope - North America accounts for highest share in the terms of demand for chokeberry extract. The increasing demand for nutritional and plant-based products in the region is one of the key factors for this demand.

About Fact.MR

Market research and consulting agency with a difference! That's why 80% of Fortune 1,000 companies trust us for making their most critical decisions. We have offices in US and Dublin, whereas our global headquarter is in Dubai. While our experienced consultants employ the latest technologies to extract hard-to-find insights, we believe our USP is the trust clients have on our expertise. Spanning a wide range  from automotive & industry 4.0 to healthcare & retail, our coverage is expansive, but we ensure even the most niche categories are analyzed. Reach out to us with your goals, and we'll be an able research partner.

Contact:

Mahendra Singh

US Sales Office

11140 Rockville Pike

Suite 400

Rockville, MD 20852

United States

Tel: +1 (628) 251-1583

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Fact.MR
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For travelers longing for their next dream vacation, Visit California just made trip planning a whole lot easier.

Following the destination's "Am I Dreaming? " commercial debut in the Super Bowl Pregame Show Sunday, Visit California unveiled two new planning resources today: an online DREAM Theater and the 2022 edition of the California Visitor's Guide: The Best of California.

"From off-the-beaten path experiences to revisiting tried-and-true favorites, California presents infinite possibilities for travelers looking to get out and explore," said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. "With these two new essential tools, travelers can journey beyond daydreaming in 2022 and book their stays for the greatest of all trips, a getaway to the Golden State."

DREAM Theater

Found at VisitCalifornia.com/dreaming , the DREAM Theater is an immersive portal greeting users with an idyllic California vista. From there, the experience entices users to explore California's iconic attractions and thrilling adventures.

Visitors can customize their journey by selecting key themes: Beaches, Culinary, Family Attractions, Outdoors and Arts & Culture. Within each category, users will discover places to visit, build itineraries, plan road trips and uncover fun facts about California. With scrolling imagery of the state's unique landscapes as the backdrop, the DREAM Theater envelops the user in an engaging digital experience that incorporates video, photography, podcasts and motion design, bringing the dreamy destination to life.

2022 California Visitor's Guide: The Best of California

Featuring chef, author and entrepreneur Ayesha Curry on its cover, the 2022 California Visitor's Guide: The Best of California is the ultimate resource for anyone looking to explore the Golden State. California's most iconic destinations and attractions are included in the 196-page guide in ways certain to surprise readers.

Throughout the free publication, insiders share their favorite neighborhoods, hotels, restaurants, festivals, boutiques, parks and more; for example:

In "Exploring California's Cities," a team of experts and locals identify a collection of memorable but lesser-known things to do in San Diego , Orange County , Los Angeles and San Francisco .

, , and . "Kid-Friendly Hidden Gems," features familiar theme parksincluding Disneyland Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood and LEGOLAND Californiaand directs travelers to occasionally overlooked areas within each.

Abundance and variety are also on display in the cover story, which features an exclusive interview with Curry where she offers personalized advice on how best to explore the Golden State, including road trip suggestions, culinary advice and how her California "dream day" would unfold.

"I think what's beautiful about California is that it's just a melting pot of so many cultures and people and interests," Curry said. "I just love that you can find everything here."

As always, the California Visitor's Guide: The Best of California includes detailed information about the state's 12 travel regions, including maps, listings and scores of travel tips from passionate locals. The 500,000-circulation guide launches today and is available at California Welcome Centers, regional tourist offices and other locations statewide, as well as online at visitcalifornia.com/travel-guides .

About "Am I Dreaming?"

Visit California's newest spot, "Am I Dreaming?" takes viewers on a whimsical, star-studded ride through the Golden State's vast attractions and offerings. Set to Queen mega-hit "Don't Stop Me Now," the journey depicts the endless possibility of adventure, exploration and good times to be had in California. The spot debuted during Super Bowl Pregame, kicking off a three-month campaign. View the ad at YouTube.com/VisitCalifornia.

ABOUT VISIT CALIFORNIA

Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs  in partnership with the state's travel industry  that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go to visitcalifornia.com . For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go to media.visitcalifornia.com .

SOURCE Visit California
Known as America's cruise line, Carnival operates 10 year-round homeports in the U.S., the most of any cruise line, and by March, will have resumed service in all 10 of its year-round U.S. homeports. With the opening of the Alaska season in May, Carnival will have returned its entire fleet to service, less than 10 months after resuming operations, completing an impressive and successful restart of its guest operations and setting the pace for the rest of the U.S. cruise industry.

Beginning in early March, four Carnival ships will orchestrate a series of moves worthy of a synchronized sailing competition as the remaining U.S. homeports return to service, resulting in new homeports for some ships and new seasonal service for others.

Carnival Elation will move from Port Canaveral to Jacksonville, effective Apr. 23, 2022 to Oct. 13, 2022.

Carnival Freedom will be moving from Miami to Port Canaveral to pick up the itineraries formerly assigned to Carnival Elation, effective Apr. 21 through Oct. 15, 2022. Carnival Spirit will take over several sailings previously assigned to Carnival Freedom, including the Apr. 17 Carnival Journeys cruise from Miami through the Panama Canal to Seattle.

Once in Seattle, Carnival Spirit will operate cruises to Alaska from May through Sept. 2022. These itineraries will open for sale later today. Carnival Splendor will reposition to Seattle and operate Alaska sailings currently assigned to Carnival Freedom.

Upon completion of the summer season in Alaska, Carnival Splendor will return to Australia with a new Journeys cruise to Sydney, Australia, that will be available soon. Carnival Spirit will sail the Carnival Journeys cruise back through the Panama Canal to Miami that was previously assigned to Carnival Freedom.

Carnival is notifying booked guests and travel advisors about these changes, which will result in the transfer of reservations to the new ship assignments. Guests impacted by these changes will not have access to their booking for up to two weeks as Carnival completes the process to move their bookings to the new ships and provide equivalent accommodations.

"We appreciate everyone's patience as we work through this process. We are excited to have every Carnival Cruise Line ship in the fleet sailing again by May and to be back in all 10 of our year-round U.S. homeports. We are also continuing to make plans for a return to guest operations in Australia upon completion of our Alaska season," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line with a total of 24 ships, sailing from 14 U.S. homeports and employing more than 40,000 team members from 120 nationalities. Carnival's newest ship, Mardi Gras, featuring the first roller coaster at sea and the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), sailed from Port Canaveral, Fla., July 31, 2021. As part of its 50th Birthday festivities, Carnival Celebration, sister ship to Mardi Gras, is scheduled to debut in late 2022 from PortMiami, as well as Carnival Jubilee from Galveston in 2023.

SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line
LONDON, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cassyni, the virtual and hybrid academic seminar platform, has partnered with the publisher Elsevier to launch seminar series across their portfolio of physics journals. Seminars will be associated with recent journal papers, selected by editors as being particularly innovative and impactful. Launch journals include Journal of Computational Physics and Computer Physics Communications.

Live seminars will be open to researchers from all around the world, with an opportunity to participate in Q&A after each event. Recordings, augmented with AI powered video search, will then be hosted on Cassyni and assigned a DOI, making them a citable part of the academic ecosystem.

Thomas Thayer, Executive Publisher at Elsevier, said:

"We are always looking to innovate in how we engage our journal communities. Virtual seminar series, run using Cassyni, offer an exciting opportunity to connect with our authors and readers in a meaningful yet scalable way."

Ben Kaube, co-founder at Cassyni said:

"Journal seminar series on Cassyni help authors maximise impact by promoting their latest results to a global audience in an engaging format. They also benefit readers as well, providing an accessible entry point to new topic areas. Seminars were traditionally confined to university departments, but we're now seeing journals embrace seminars as a way to engage their author and reader communities."

About Cassyni

Cassyni was launched in 2021 by the former founders of Mendeley, Publons and Kopernio. Our vision is to create a vibrant and connected ecosystem that enables millions of online and hybrid research seminars; helping academics, institutions and journals grow their reach and maximise their impact in a green and inclusive way. To achieve this we have developed a next-generation workflow platform for seminar organisers, and are building the world's largest freely accessible and fully searchable research seminar library.

Co-Founder

Ben Kaube

[email protected]

https://cassyni.com

About Elsevier

As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making for customers across the global research and health ecosystems.

In everything we publish, we uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. We bring that same rigor to our information analytics solutions for researchers, health professionals, institutions and funders.

Elsevier employs 8,100 people worldwide. We have supported the work of our research and health partners for more than 140 years. Growing from our roots in publishing, we offer knowledge and valuable analytics that help our users make breakthroughs and drive societal progress. Digital solutions such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath support strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and health education. Researchers and healthcare professionals rely on our 2,500+ digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell ; our 40,000 eBook titles; and our iconic reference works, such as Gray's Anatomy. With the Elsevier Foundation and our external Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Board, we work in partnership with diverse stakeholders to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world.

Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.elsevier.com.

Marketing Contact

Emma McEwan

Elsevier

[email protected]

Executive Publisher

Tom Thayer

Elsevier

[email protected]

SOURCE Cassyni
MOSCOW, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund), R-Pharm group and AstraZeneca announce interim results of phase II clinical trials to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the combined use of AstraZeneca's vaccine and the first component of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine (Sputnik Lite).

According to the interim results of the trials, involving 100 volunteers in Russia and 100 volunteers in Azerbaijan, the vaccines combination demonstrated an acceptable safety profile, which is consistent with the results of previous AstraZeneca vaccine, Sputnik V and Sputnik Lite vaccines clinical trials.

Volunteers were being monitored for 57 days after the first dose. Monitoring results demonstrated a good safety profile of the combination. No serious adverse events related to vaccination were registered.

The research conducted by RDIF, the Gamaleya Center, AstraZeneca, and R-Pharm is the first study in the world to evaluate the combined use of components of different adenovirus vaccines to prevent coronavirus infection. In December 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a similar approach, also known as heterologous prime booster vaccination.[i] The WHO estimates that interchangeability of different drugs will allow greater flexibility in vaccination programs, increase vaccine efficacy and affordability.

A joint phase II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a combination of AstraZeneca's vaccine and the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine is being conducted under the memorandum signed in December 2020 by the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the Gamaleya Center, AstraZeneca and R-Pharm. The study takes place in Azerbaijan, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Volunteers receive intramuscular injections of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Ad26-S component of the Sputnik V vaccine in different sequences at 28-day intervals.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF): Preliminary data from the trial to test Sputnik Light and AstraZeneca vaccines combination support the "mix and match" approach to revaccination. With new dangerous variants of concern emerging, this approach could provide safe, effective and long-term protection.

Vasily Ignatiev, CEO of the R-Pharm Group JSC: Current safety data adds to the data on the high immunogenicity profile of the vaccine combination that has been announced earlier. We are one step closer to completing the studies. The results are being processed.

Irina Panarina, GM, Russia & Eurasia: The results, obtained in the clinical trials, indicate the safety of vaccine combination. The use of vaccine cocktails may be an option in face of growing healthcare system needs to vaccinate population across the world.

About the Sputnik Light vaccine:

Sputnik Light is based on recombinant human adenovirus serotype number 26 (the first component of Sputnik V). A one-shot vaccination regimen of Sputnik Light provides for ease of administration and helps to increase efficacy and duration of other vaccines when used as a booster shot.

Sputnik Light as a booster significantly increases virus-neutralizing activity against Omicron, which is comparable to titers observed after Sputnik V against wild-type virus, associated with high levels of protection. Sputnik Light has been registered in more than 30 countries with total population of over 2.5 billion people. A number of countries, including Argentina, Bahrain, UAE, San Marino and Philippines, have already authorized Sputnik Light as a universal booster.

About COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca

The vaccine was co-invented by the University of Oxford and its spin-out company, Vaccitech. It uses a replication-deficient viral vector based on a weakened version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) that causes infections in chimpanzees and contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein. After vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, priming the immune system to attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus if it later infects the body.

[i] World Health Organization. (2021). Interim recommendations for heterologous COVID-19 vaccine schedules: interim guidance, 16 December 2021

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1698158/Russian_Direct_Invest_Fund_Logo.jpg

SOURCE The Russian Direct Invest Fund (RDIF)
Homestead, FL (33030)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. Thunder possible. High near 85F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
HONG KONG, Feb. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 00883) announced today that Liza Phase II had commenced production safely and ahead of schedule.

Liza Phase II locates in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana and produces with 1 FPSO and 30 subsea wellheads. The FPSO is the second production facility in the Block following the one serving Liza Phase I. It was constructed in China and Singapore, and arrived in Guyana in October 2021. It is moored in water depth of about 1,650 meters and will be able to store around 2 million barrels of crude oil. Liza Phase II is expected to reach its peak production of approximately 220,000 barrels of crude oil per day within this year.

"Liza Phase II achieved an auspicious start for the Company's new projects to be commissioned in 2022," said Xia Qinglong, President of CNOOC Limited. "The continuous exploration and development achievements at the Stabroek Block will be the powerful driving forces to propel the Company's production growth, and will also make a positive contribution to the sustainable development of Guyana's economy and society".

The total recoverable resources of the Stabroek Block are estimated to be over 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent. By 2027, at least six FPSOs are expected to be producing more than 1 million barrels of oil per day from the Block.

CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25% interest. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45% interest, and Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest.

- End -

Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com.

*** *** *** ***

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding expected future events, business prospectus or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the expectations and predictions of the Company depends on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance and financial condition to differ materially from the Company's expectations, including but not limited to the Company and its controlling shareholder being listed in the list of the U.S. for sanction against companies with alleged ties to the Chinese military, those associated with fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, macro-political and economic factors, changes in the tax and fiscal regimes of the host countries in which we operate, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, environmental responsibility and compliance requirements, the Company's price forecast, the exploration and development activities, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws. For a description of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see the documents the Company files from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed in April of the latest fiscal year. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

*** *** *** ***

For further enquiries, please contact:

Mr. Su Yuchi

Media & Public Relations

CNOOC Limited

Tel: +86 10 8452 5897

Fax: +86 10 8452 1441

E-mail: [email protected]

Bunny Lee

Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group

Tel: +852 3150 6707

Fax: +852 3150 6728

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE CNOOC Limited
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightspeed today announced the appointment of Courtland Madock as Chief Marketing Officer, effective immediately. Reporting to Chief Executive Officer Bob Mudge, Ms. Madock is responsible for all marketing and sales operations, including brand identity, product development, customer engagement, distribution strategy, and digital experience.

A widely respected results-driven leader, Ms. Madock brings deep expertise in marketing and brand development, as well as product strategy, in the wireless telecommunications industry. She most recently served as Vice President of Marketing at UScellular, responsible for device and product management and operations, product strategy, lifecycle management, digital marketing, and customer experience programs. Ms. Madock began her career as an economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, and subsequently served as a management consultant, covering industries including healthcare, financial services, and telecommunications. Ms. Madock was named a 2020 FierceWireless Rising Star.

"Establishing Brightspeed as a brand consumers recognize and trust to deliver the fastest and most reliable Internet and Wi-Fi experience is a top priority for our business. We could not be more pleased to have an executive of Courtland's caliber and reputation join our team," said Mr. Mudge. "We look forward to working together to provide our customers with the highest quality products, capabilities, and connectivity they need to accomplish what is most important to them."

"I am thrilled to join Brightspeed and the exceptional leadership team in bringing new and better Internet access to so many communities that will truly benefit from it," said Ms. Madock. "Throughout my career, my focus has been on driving innovation, building product lines for long-term growth and loyalty, and providing a best-in-class customer experience. Brightspeed embodies this commitment and I look forward to having a meaningful impact in this incredibly exciting fiber optics transformation."

Brightspeed previously announced plans to invest more than $2 billion to build a network that will bring faster, more reliable Internet and Wi-Fi to communities throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and certain parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The company's planned fiber optics transformation is expected to reach up to three million homes and businesses over the next five years, including in many places where fiber and advanced technology have not historically been deployed.

Brightspeed will initially be comprised of the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) assets and associated operations of Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) across 20 states, which are the subject of a pending acquisition by Apollo-managed funds (NYSE: APO).

For more information about Brightspeed, please visit the company's website, www.brightspeed.com.

About Brightspeed

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and expected to have assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed will provide broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform that serves more than six million homes and businesses. The company aims to bridge the digital divide by deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes staying connected simple and seamless. For more information about Brightspeed, please visit the company's website, www.brightspeed.com.

Media

Erik Carlson

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

(212) 355-4449

[email protected]

SOURCE Brightspeed
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Deer Park Road Management Company ('Deer Park'), an alternative investment management firm, today announced that Michael Lehoisky has joined Deer Park as Chief Financial Officer effective February 8, 2022. Mr. Lehoisky will succeed Steve Paoli, who announced his intention to retire late last year. To help ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Paoli will remain with the company in an advisory capacity for a period of time.

Mr. Lehoisky comes to Deer Park Road with significant financial executive experience in the investment management industry. Most recently, Mr. Lehoisky was Chief Financial and Chief Compliance Officer for Permanens Capital Partners in New York. In addition, Mr. Lehoisky has over 15 years of leadership experience as Chief Financial Officer for several investment management companies including Alphadyne Asset Management in New York in addition to working internationally in senior financial positions for Morgan Stanley in New York, London, and Tokyo. Mr. Lehoisky started his career as an Accountant / Auditor for PriceWaterHouseCoopers in New York within the Financial Services Industry Practice.

Mr. Lehoisky is a graduate of Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He served in the United States Marine Corps for 5 years, reaching the rank of Sergeant.

"I am very pleased to welcome Mike to Deer Park's leadership team," said Michael Craig-Scheckmen, Deer Park's Founder and CEO. "Mike is a proven financial executive with a distinguished track record of result's driven leadership and strategic thinking, with extensive knowledge of complex funds, securities and derivatives. He has deep functional expertise and technical knowledge of finance, audit tax and regulatory compliance, as well managing third party vendors which makes Mike is an ideal choice to help drive Deer Park's future growth and success."

"On behalf of our entire Deer Park team, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Steve for his exceptional contributions throughout the last 13 years," said Craig-Scheckman. "He has been an invaluable contributor to Deer Park's success and his guidance has been critical to our transformative journey from a small limited partnership to a global hedge fund with $4.5 billion of assets under management. I wish Steve all the best in the next chapter in his life."

About Deer Park Road Management Company:

Deer Park Road Management Company is an alternative investment management firm based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Deer Park was founded by Michael Craig-Scheckman in 2003 and currently has approximately $4.5 billion of assets under management. The Firm offers institutional and individual investors from around the globe a range of investment funds to meet their specific needs and objectives including, its flagship STS Master Fund, the Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund (a daily liquidity mutual fund) and customized separately managed accounts (SMAs). For more information visit www.deerparkrd.com

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund. This and other important information about the Fund is contained in the Prospectus, which can be obtained by contacting your financial advisor, or by calling 1.888.868.9501. The Prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC and Deer Park Road Management Company are not affiliated.

SOURCE Deer Park Road Management Company
With many customers are recovering from the impact of the pandemic, MSPs have become a vital part of the success of businesses worldwide. MSPs not only empower organizations to leverage intricate technologies, but also help them keep a strict focus on their core business goals without straining their budgets.

The annual MSP 500 list is divided into three sections, including the MSP Pioneer 250, recognizing companies with business models weighted toward managed services and largely focused on the SMB market; and the Managed Security 100, recognizing MSPs focused primarily on off-premises and cloud-based security services.

Denali achieved the MSP Elite 150, the third category recognizing large, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on- and off-premises services.

"Our talented teams have the experience to anticipate risks in the technology landscape of our customers' businesses," said Majdi Daher, co-founder and CEO. "We act by creating solutions that mitigate challenges and prioritize our customer's needs. Thank you to our technology partners, our customers, and to CRN and the Channel Company for recognizing Denali on this prestigious list."

Denali achieves outstanding global business outcomes for its customers through an engagement model focused on partnership. Denali brings technology expertise to bear for its customers with a consultative approach. This approach allows Denali to design, source, distribute, and implement a wide variety of solutions to achieve these outcomes.

Denali's consultative approach focuses on the journey from current state to the desired outcome. A robust suite of analysis tools and methodology allows Denali to build a roadmap with its customers and then focus on key execution milestones. Gap analysis, demand planning, vendor evaluation, integration design, and service delivery are core competencies that facilitate transformational outcomes.

Denali solution architects and engineers have a wealth of expertise with legacy and emerging technology and work closely with OEM partners and customers to bring the best technology to bear in a project-oriented and sustainable fashion.

"In addition to having to adjust their own business operations to account for the changed conditions during the pandemic, MSPs have also seen increased demand for their managed communications, collaboration and security services," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "The solution providers on our 2022 MSP 500 list deserve credit for their innovative and game-changing approaches to managed services in these unpredictable times, as well as their ability to optimize operational efficiencies and systems without straining IT budgets."

About Denali Advanced Integration

Denali Advanced Integration delivers enterprise IT solutions and services, powered by strategic experts and best of breed technologies to help guide our clients through the most complex IT challenges. Denali was founded by the Daher family in 1992 in Redmond, Washington and has since grown to be a global leader in providing essential enterprise technology with offices, distribution centers and headquarters throughout North America, Europe, Middle East, India, and Asia. Denali provides people, process and technology that helps customers attain and sustain outstanding business outcomes. The company has received several awards from its partners for innovation and outstanding Customer First service. www.denaliai.com

Follow Denali Advanced Integration: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

 2022 Denali Advanced Integration. All rights reserved.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

 2022 The Channel Company LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Channel Company Contact:

Jennifer Hogan

The Channel Company

[email protected]

For Interviews, Contact: Corby Casler

[email protected]

SOURCE Denali Advanced Integration
PORTLAND, Ind., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning to drive a truck can be fraught with challenges. Alongside the pressure of busy roads is the precision and skill it takes to maneuver a large and heavy vehicle  often in challenging circumstances, such as down narrow streets or during difficult weather conditions.

Driver shortages: how technology is helping truck learner drivers (PRNewsfoto/Brigade Electronics)

In the US, obtaining a truck license can take on average between six to eight weeks. To be eligible for a truck license, candidates need to be 21 years or older (at least 18 years of age to drive intrastate), submit their state's CDL Application and fee with proof of identification and undertake a variety of tests.

The increased use of internet deliveries is one factor contributing to a rise in the number of vans and trucks using roads. According to Truck Info, there are 15.5 million trucks operating on US roads. However, the dwindling number of experienced drivers (around 80,000 short) in the US is causing major concern across the country. Without a sufficient level of qualified drivers, supplies could be severely affected and the prices of many goods could climb steeply.

Tackling this shortage is essential to maintaining supply chains, meeting customer demands and sustaining economic momentum.

While training new drivers can be time consuming, having a pool of fully qualified drivers is crucial to helping solve the issue. As experienced drivers retire or move to alternative careers, new drivers are required to take their place. So how should companies be encouraging individuals to gain their trucking qualifications?

Corey Heniser, a road safety expert at Brigade Electronics INC, said:

"Trying to attract new talent is a difficult process. Offering higher wages and more appealing packages are short term measures that have already been implemented by many companies. However, safety and the right level of driver support are also crucial factors in not only appealing to candidates, but ensuring they want to continue with a long-term career in the industry."

Fitting safety devices and vehicle CCTV to trucks is helping to meet many of the challenges faced by those new to driving trucks.

As the number of safety initiatives for large vehicles increases around the world, technology is proving to be an invaluable resource in aiding drivers, particularly in relation to visibility and eliminating complex blind spots.

Corey continues:

"Whether fitted as part of road regulations or to enhance fleet safety, it is essential that learner drivers are taught how to use these systems as more and more fleets adopt this technology."

"Road safety research has shown that in the time it takes to scan four mirrors, assess and then react to hazards, a vehicle could travel as far as 33 feet. Cameras, such as Brigade's Backeye360, which offer 360-degree visibility via a single in-cab monitor, allow the driver to see everything in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, including pedestrians and cyclists, that might be in a blind spot position."

The size of modern commercial vehicles means they are potentially highly dangerous machines, often driving on narrow streets packed with parked cars where there is limited room to maneuver. The risk of accidents is even greater at night or in wintry weather conditions when cameras may struggle to provide a clear picture.

Ultrasonic obstacle detection systems alert the driver to the presence of obstacles close to the vehicle, whether moving or stationary. An audible and/or visual in-cab warning is triggered, while external speaking alarms can be added to warn cyclists and pedestrians in the vicinity.

Brigade Electronics' next generation of collision avoidance systems was developed using artificial intelligence technology and supported by the Knowledge Transfer Partnership initiative with Cambridge University. The result - SidescanPredict  was extensively trialed in 2020 with impressive results.

Through the use of AI, the SidescanPredict sensor constantly gathers object detection data such as the speed and distance of a nearby cyclist or pedestrian. This data feeds into an algorithm created by Brigade to accurately assesses the risk of a collision. When danger is detected, the driver is instantly alerted in time to take avoiding action.

SidescanPredict is always switched on, including at speeds below 18.641 mph. In addition, crucially, the collision protection is active with or without the indicators on. This is particularly important as it is recognized that some drivers become irritated by false alerts, even avoiding use of indicators so their system does not trigger alerts, potentially putting vulnerable road users at risk.

Reversing alarms are another key safety system, with modern iterations, such as Brigade Electronics' award-winning White Sound range, offering instantly locatable alarms that cause less noise pollution because they are only heard in the danger zone (directly to the rear of a vehicle when backing).

Safety upgrades such as these can all be retro-fitted to a vehicle in a matter of hours. The improvement they can make to road safety is incalculable and the peace of mind they offer drivers invaluable.

Dash cams and vehicle CCTV offer an additional layer of security and support fleet operators with managing drivers travelling long distances for extensive periods.

Corey added:

"Commercial vehicle safety technology provides operators and drivers with the confidence that they are doing everything feasibly possible to keep themselves and other road users out of harm's way."

SOURCE Brigade Electronics
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Good health insurance is one of the most valued benefits that an employer can offer to attract and retain employees. To maximize the value of high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), employers can implement the good practices identified in new research from the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) and Gallagher Research & Insights (GRI).

Almost half of U.S workers, about 158 million people, have employer-sponsored health insurance, and nearly a third of covered U.S. workers are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). HDHPs feature lower-than-usual monthly premiums but higher deductibles, and they are often combined with health savings accounts (HSAs). HDHPs can be problematic for people with lower incomes or chronic conditions requiring regular care or medications. Patients can end up paying thousands of dollars in health costs at the start of the year to meet their deductible, leading some to avoid needed care, which results in worse health and productivity.

In the NPC-GRI research, surveyed employers recommended five HDHP good practices as the most impactful for optimizing value:





Offering HSA contributions

Front-loading HSA contributions

Providing additional HSA contributions based on employee actions

Offering ongoing education that emphasizes retirement and tax-free advantages of HSAs

Covering preventive care medications pre-deductible as fully as HSA federal regulations allow

Although HDHPs have seen some success in lowering employer health care spending, employers need to be aware of the financial burden of high out-of-pocket costs for some employees and the potential unintended impacts on patient health. "While many employers are taking a more proactive approach to managing employee health benefits, there are opportunities to implement additional HDHP good practices to create health benefits that deliver even greater value to the employer and the employee," said NPC Vice President of Health Services Research Kimberly Westrich, a report author.

Westrich will moderate a discussion about the report and other good practices for employers during the webinar, "Better Value, Smarter Deductibles in HSA-HDHPs," hosted by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions on Tuesday, February 15, from 12 p.m.-1:15 p.m. ET. The webinar is open to the public and registration is available here.

Learn more in NPC's High-Deductible Health Plans: Good Practices for Employers.

About the National Pharmaceutical Council

The National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) is a health policy research organization dedicated to the advancement of good evidence and science, and to fostering an environment in the United States that supports medical innovation. Founded in 1953 and supported by the nation's major research-based biopharmaceutical companies, NPC focuses on research development, information dissemination, education and communication of the critical issues of evidence, innovation and the value of medicines for patients. For more information visit http://www.npcnow.org and follow NPC on Twitter @npcnow.

About Gallagher Research & Insights

Gallagher Research & Insights (GRI) provides the intelligence, competitive benchmarking and guidance essential for success in the dynamic healthcare market through research, analysis, reporting, training, presentations and client support. Areas of focus include the marketplace influence of jumbo employers (5,000+ employees), non-jumbo employers (50-4,999 employees), leading employer health coalitions, employer advisors and integrated delivery networks.

SOURCE National Pharmaceutical Council
"The addition of urgent care makes Englewood Health's ability to care for you truly comprehensive," says Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. "In Jersey City, we're right in your neighborhood to help with unexpected urgent, non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses." He adds, "With locations across northern New Jersey, our urgent care centers round out Englewood Health's capacity to care for our communities. We offer physician office visits, emergency medicine, urgent care, hospital care, rehabilitation, extended care facilities, and home visits to ensure safe, quality care for every member of the family."

At Englewood Health Urgent Care at Jersey City, healthcare providers are available to assist with illnesses and injuries; pre-employment, school, and camp physicals; lab tests; X-rays; vaccinations; and other urgent and routine care. The center, located at 2 Journal Square, First Floor, Suite A, in Jersey City, is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Englewood Health accepts most insurance plans. For more information, call 201-222-1234.

"At Englewood Health, we are ensuring access to quality urgent care for our patients," says Stephen Brunnquell, MD, president of the Englewood Health Physician Network. "An urgent care visit with Englewood Health also opens the door to our many specialists. Our physicians share a common electronic medical record system, which means that your urgent care visit report can be viewed by your EHPN primary care provider or a specialist if follow-up care is needed."

Dr. Brunnquell adds, "Urgent care does not replace your regular physician appointments for routine primary care or chronic condition management, rather it is a part of comprehensive care when needed. If you or a loved one is having a true medical emergency, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or signs of a stroke, call 911."

In addition to Englewood Health Urgent Care at Jersey City, other Englewood Health Urgent Care locations include Cresskill, Englewood, and a new site in Fair Lawn opening in February. Walk-in appointments will also be available at Englewood Health Physician Network Primary Care of Cliffside Park in 2022.

About Englewood Health

Englewood Health is one of New Jersey's leading hospitals and healthcare networks. Composed of Englewood Hospital, the Englewood Health Physician Network, and the Englewood Health Foundation, the health system delivers nationally recognized care in a community setting to residents of northern New Jersey, New York, and beyond. The hospital, founded in 1890, consistently earns high marks for clinical excellence and patient safety. Englewood Hospital holds the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade 'A' and is nationally recognized for nursing excellence, earning a fifth consecutive designation by the Magnet Recognition Program in 2021. Areas of clinical excellence include cardiac surgery and cardiac care, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, vascular surgery, and women's health, as well as bloodless medicine and surgery. Englewood Health is an affiliate of Hackensack Meridian Health. The hospital offers an internal medicine residency program affiliated with Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, as well as a vascular surgery fellowship, pharmacy residency program, podiatry residency program, and a radiography training program. Englewood also serves as a training site for surgery, pathology, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, critical care medicine, and other medical and surgical subspecialties. Englewood Health is continually expanding services and enhancing access through the Englewood Health Physician Network, a coordinated network of more than 500 office-based and hospital-based providers at more than 100 locations in six counties in New Jersey and New York. Through the main acute-care facility, physician network, hospital outpatient departments offering imaging services in local communities, and a variety of community health and wellness programs, Englewood Health delivers a healthcare experience that puts patients at the center. For additional information, visit www.englewoodhealth.org.

Media Contact:

Office of Communications

Englewood Health

201-894-3499

[email protected]

SOURCE Englewood Health
In 2020, marketplaces accounted for 62 percent of global online consumer sales, according to Digital Commerce 360. The top 100 online marketplaces facilitated the sale of $2.67 trillion in gross merchandise last year. With increased sales, marketplaces face multiple fraud challenges with Chargebacks being a significant one, whether caused by true fraud or friendly fraud (AKA chargeback fraud). Fraugster's Managed Services solution takes care of chargeback protection by providing a guarantee, AI data enrichment for accurate decisions, access to global sanctions lists through a single integration to protect against AML and fincrime, and overall fraud monitoring, while marketplaces can focus on time, resources, and investment in other crucial areas of their business while remaining secure.

Payaut is a licensed European payment institute founded in 2019 by payment industry and eCommerce experts. Its mission is to provide the best e-commerce experience for operators and users of online marketplaces. Payaut's payment solution ensures that money flowing through online marketplaces ends up with the right seller, whether it is an individual or a business.

Payaut CEO, Ernst Van Niekerk "We look forward to working together with Fraugster to provide fraud prevention services to marketplaces. Instead of shopping around and contacting several different vendors, marketplaces can access all their fraud prevention needs via one vendor - Fraugster. Through a single integration, marketplaces can select from multiple solutions, including full chargeback protection, resulting in streamlining and simplifying fraud detection."

Fraugster Co-CEO, Christian Mangold says "The collaboration with Payaut is another step in successfully supporting the Marketplace ecosystem. With this partnership and our recent teaming up with German marketplace Refurbed, we are further extending our fraud prevention capabilities by providing flexible and scalable solutions for online marketplace platforms."

About Fraugster

Fraugster is a Berlin based payment intelligence company. Fraugster enables the world's leading merchants, global payment companies like Worldline and Ratepay to intelligently manage the impact of fraud to minimize the costs of fraud, maximize revenue and improve customer experience. Fraugster has developed one of the most accurate AI fraud prevention solutions in the market and is backed by leading deeptech investors Earlybird, Speedinvest, CommerzVentures and Munich Re Ventures. Further information can be found at https://www.fraugster.com/

About Payaut

Payaut is an Amsterdam-based fintech startup that provides an automated payment solution for online platforms and marketplaces. With Payaut, marketplaces can effortlessly pay their sellers in a PSD2-compliant way while still remaining flexible on which payment service provider they use. Acting as an intermediary between sellers and the different Payment Service Providers (PSPs), Payaut enables the marketplace to use multiple processing partners and payment methods such as Mollie, Checkout.com, Paypal or Stripe at the same time providing opportunities to improve margins and increase conversion through payment orchestration. Please find more information about Payaut here: https://www.payaut.com

For further information please contact:

[email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744151/Fraugster_Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744150/Fraugster_Payaut.jpg

SOURCE Fraugster
HAYWARD, Calif., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fremont Bank Foundation recently donated $750,000 to its community partner, St. Rose Hospital Foundation , for the hospital to purchase a new catalyst cardiac catheterization laboratory machine while keeping services available to Bay Area patients.

The innovative Philips Azurion 7 C20 replaces an older cardiac catheterization model recently rendered obsolete. St. Rose Hospital regularly receives emergency transports of patients from its facility and other Bay Area hospitals who are suffering from heart attacks and are in need of lifesaving cardiac procedures. St. Rose Hospital, located in Hayward, Calif., is a STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) Receiving Centera designation only given to hospitals where staff can meet rigorous standards of transferring a patient to the cardiac catheterization lab from the emergency room in 90 minutes or less.

"Health-care workers need access to the most state-of-the-art equipment in order to provide high-quality services to our patients," said Michael Cobb, St. Rose Hospital Foundation Executive Director. "Fremont Bank Foundation's generous contribution allows us to quickly replace an outdated machine while ensuring a seamless continuation of providing top care to the residents of Alameda County and beyond."

Every year, St. Rose Hospital doctors and nurses perform, on average, more than 400 cardiac diagnostic procedures and manage over 200 STEMI emergencies. In 2021, catheterization laboratory personnel conducted upward of 2,600 non-urgent and emergent cardiac procedures.

"St. Rose Hospital is a vital part of our Alameda County ecosystem, and we really listened when its Foundation expressed the importance behind upgrading the catheterization lab machine," said Brian Hughes, Fremont Bank Executive Vice President and Foundation President and Executive Director. "This significant gift is one that will keep serving the health of our Bay Area community for years to come."

About Fremont Bank Foundation

The mission of the Fremont Bank Foundation is to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations that implement services and programs to enhance quality of life for all people in the communities served by our bank. Fremont Bank and Fremont Bank Foundation donated a combined total of $2.7 million in 2021 for causes that addressed food insecurity, housing, healthcare, education, and more.

SOURCE Fremont Bank Foundation
BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gent Row (http://www.gentrow.com/#/) has remained committed to its mission of providing basics to those in need right through the pandemic during which it has seen a dramatic increase in sales of its fashionable brand of men's clothing fitted privately at home.

At the start of the pandemic, Gent Row manufactured small quantities of fashionable masks, but as the need for quality masks increased at hospitals around the world, Gent Row switched to FDA regulated PPE materials and ramped up production.

Covid-19 affected many lives and to help the cause, Gent Row Founder and CEO Tim Beasley transitioned his company into the manufacturing of PPE materials to help hospitals and institutions keep their front-line workers safe. Gent Row manufactured over 44 million PPE products including masks and surgical gowns sent to Mount Sinai Hospitals, Humana and to Canada.

"Tough times affect us all," said Beasley. "I'm just happy to use my resources to help as many people as possible. Making a difference in the lives of others and seeing how I can help is what makes me truly happy."

Gent Row is a high-end fashion concierge service providing custom fitted clothes at moderate prices. Gent Row does more than sell the latest fashion designs as it develops unbreakable relationships with customers, keeping them dressed to their full potential.

Today Gent Row is not only serving clothing discerning men around the U.S. and Canada, but is negotiating jackets and other clothing items for US military personnel. The innovative designs feature personalized protection "to help keep our soldiers safe," said Beasley.

For more information on services offered by Gent Row and its upcoming initiatives, visit http://www.gentrow.com/#/.

ABOUT TIM BEASLEY

Beasley comes from a small town in Virginia and has over 13 years of experience in fine men's style and tailoring and providing bespoke services and luxury goods. Those traits run deep in his family as his late great grandfather Robert L. Thornton was a poor man in Dallas with little formal education. He eventually rose from picking cotton to prominent businessman and the city's mayor in 1953.

It was Thornton who provided seed money to Herman Marcus that founded the first Neiman Marcus store in 1907. Today Gent Row serves Discerning Men throughout North America.

Media Contact: Zachary Danzer, [email protected], 646-457-6425

SOURCE Gent Row
Amateur Radio - a hobby that broadens one's horizons

DARC reports the amateur radio school contact between the Liborius Gymnasium in Dessau and the Neumayer III station in Antarctica was successful



A translation of the DARC post reads:



On February 8, at 10 a.m. CET, the students made contact with the South Pole as planned via the QO-100 geostationary satellite. The high school students had one hour to ask the scientists their questions about life and work at the polar research station of the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI).



"How does food get to the South Pole?", "What happens if someone gets sick?" and "What's life like in the polar night?" were just some of the questions that the interested young people put to the four people from the Neumayer III station. In addition to an air chemist, a meteorologist and a geophysicist, Theresa Thoma, DC1TH, who is responsible for radio, electronics and IT in the research team, also took part in the school contact. The teacher couple Jens, DM4JH, and Kathrin Home, DO8ECC, organized the sked and designed the supporting program together with the participating students. The event at the Liborius-Gymnasium ended with great applause and many happy faces.



The contact was publicized by various media. The MDR has produced a successful contribution that interested parties can access at



Finally, the station headlined: "Sparks - a hobby that broadens the horizon.", from Furstenfeldbruck started her Antarctic adventure on December 20, 2020. As a member of the winter crew, the young radio amateur worked at the German research station Neumayer III of the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research - AWI for short. She will probably be on her way home to Germany in mid-February.Source DARC https://darc.de/
DUBLIN, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Airport Moving Walkway System Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global airport moving walkway system market reached a value of US$ 2.21 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 2.95 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.0% 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. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor



A moving walkway system is a pavement powered by motors used for transporting pedestrians. It is integral to an effective airport design as it ensures fast and easy movement of individuals to gates and throughout the entire complex. It also supports high passenger density and mobility, optimal traffic flow, and rapid and self-assisted movement of luggage across spaces. Nowadays, inclined moving walkway systems are widely being installed at airports to move passengers and heavy luggage speedily over long distances between concourses and the terminal to parking and transport stations



The increasing air traffic around the world on account of the growing passenger and business travels and upliftment of lockdown restrictions in numerous countries represents one of the key factors catalysing the demand for airport moving walkway systems to improve the passenger experience. Moreover, rising investments in the expansion and development of airports with a primary focus on maximizing efficiencies in traffic flows, improving operational performance, and reducing costs and delays are offering lucrative growth opportunities to market players. Apart from this, governing authorities of various countries are promoting energy conservation.

As a result, leading players are integrating light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and high-efficiency motors in moving walkway systems. Furthermore, the growing emphasis on airport automation is driving the adoption of moving walkway systems as they provide an effective strategy of directional crowd control and prevent congestion. Besides, as these walkway systems help elderly passengers with reduced mobility to travel comfortably with heavy luggage, a significant rise in the share of older air travellers is projected to contribute to the growth of the market in the coming years

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Analogue Holdings Limited (ATAL Engineering Limited), Fujitec Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Hyundai Elevator Co. Ltd., KONE Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Otis Worldwide Corporation, Schindler Group, Stannah Lifts Holdings Ltd and ThyssenKrupp AG



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global airport moving walkway system market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global airport moving walkway system market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the business type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the angle?

What is the breakup of the market based on the speed?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global airport moving walkway system market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Airport Moving Walkway System Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Business Type

6.1 New Installation

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Modernization

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Maintenance

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Type

7.1 Belt Type

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Pallet Type

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Angle

8.1 Horizontal

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Inclined

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Speed

9.1 Constant Moving Walkways (CMW)

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Accelerating Moving Walkways (AMW)

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region

11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 Analogue Holdings Limited (ATAL Engineering Limited)

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2 Fujitec Co. Ltd.

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2.3 Financials

15.3.3 Hitachi Ltd.

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3.3 Financials

15.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.4 Hyundai Elevator Co. Ltd.

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4.3 Financials

15.3.5 KONE Corporation

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5.3 Financials

15.3.6 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6.3 Financials

15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.7 Otis Worldwide Corporation

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.7.3 Financials

15.3.8 Schindler Group

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8.3 Financials

15.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.9 Stannah Lifts Holdings Ltd

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.10 ThyssenKrupp AG

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.10.3 Financials

15.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dp4ns6

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
DUBAI, U.A.E, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Learning, the leading global edtech company for higher and professional education, today announced the foray of its enterprise arm, Great Learning for Business (GLB), in the GCC market (United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia). Great Learning has already helped thousands of learners from GCC countries upskill on its platform in their individual capacity.

As recently reported by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), over the next 10 years the focus of enterprises is largely on digital competencies and skills like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing and Automation, due to digital transformation happening across industries. Most industries and enterprises, including multiple brick-and-mortar organizations, are embracing digital trends. However, finding the right talent equipped with the knowledge of these technologies remains the biggest challenge.

Great Learning for Business works with global organizations across Information Technology Banking, Insurance, Logistics and Oil & Gas sectors and more. Organizations may choose from a range of high-quality programs offered in collaboration with the world's top institutions like Stanford Graduate School of Business, Wharton Business School, National University of Singapore, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology or work with Great Learning to create uniquely customized learning experiences for their workforces.

Mohan Lakhamraju , Founder and CEO, Great Learning said, "We are excited to launch Great Learning for Business in the region and are committed to impactful engagements with businesses and governments across the region. GCC countries are moving at a swift pace to digitize and diversify their economies. Digitization requires a workforce trained in emerging skills like Analytics, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity and Design Thinking. We believe organizations across GCC can benefit from our programs like several of our MNCs partners across the world."

The programs by Great Learning for Business are designed to deliver custom learning outcomes based on the enterprise's business goals. It employs experiential learning methodologies such as industry case studies, capstone projects, virtual labs and simulation to deliver its courses.

About Great Learning

Great Learning, a part of the BYJU'S group, the world's largest edtech company, is a leading global edtech company for professional and higher education. It offers comprehensive, industry-relevant programs across various cutting-edge Technology, Data, and Business domains. Great Learning's programs are developed in collaboration with the world's foremost academic institutions like Stanford University, MIT, The University of Texas at Austin, Wharton Online, National University Singapore, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee, IIIT-Delhi, Shiv Nadar University, and Great Lakes Institute of Management and are constantly reimagined and revamped to address the dynamic needs of the industry. Great Learning provides these programs in a blended and purely online mode, relying on its vast network of expert mentors and highly qualified faculty to deliver an unmatched learning experience for learners the world over. Great Learning is on a mission to enable transformative learning and career success in the digital economy for professionals and students across the globe and to date has impacted over 3.5 million learners from over 170 countries.

Media Contact:

Navami Ajayan

Head PR

[email protected]

SOURCE Great Learning
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Herbalife Nutrition Foundation (HNF), a global nonprofit foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of children and families around the world, announced today it has allocated $333,000 to the World Food Program USA to assist with disaster relief from Typhoon Odette in the Philippines. The grant will support the U.N. World Food Programmethe largest humanitarian organization combating global hungerin distributing food to the Dinagat Islands, with a goal of reaching 5,400 families.

"A disaster can impact any community at any time, leaving many without access to food and clean water, and as a global nutrition foundation committed to eradicating hunger, we feel a responsibility to help alleviate food insecurity during these critical moments," said Alan Hoffman, President of the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation.

Over eight million people have been affected by Typhoon Odette and, in some regions, 80% of the total population has been severely impacted. When the typhoon hit in December, Herbalife Nutrition Foundation activated a month-long campaign through disaster relief partner, the Red Cross Philippines, to help the victims in urgent need of food, clothing, clean water and blankets.

"Herbalife Nutrition and the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation have been committed partners helping us feed and sustain those most in need around the world," said Gabriella Morris, Chief Philanthropy Officer for World Food Program USA. "This donation will help us provide critical food assistance to thousands of vulnerable families impacted by the typhoon and help them to build resilience and capacity to withstand future shocks."

The Herbalife Nutrition Foundation has been committed to helping alleviate food shortages for more than 17 years. In 2021 alone, the Foundation donated more than $5 Million to help support more than 167 organizations around the world end global hunger, including Asociacion Mexicana de Bancos de Alimentos (BAMX), SOS Children's Villages of Europe, Africa and India, and A Place Called Home (APCH)in the United States.

HNF's work complements Herbalife Nutrition's Nutrition for Zero Hunger campaign, a global initiative aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to end global hunger by 2030.

To learn more about how the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation is improving lives around the world, visit, www.herbalifenutritionfoundation.com.

About Herbalife Nutrition Foundation

Since 2005, the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation (HNF), a global 501c)(3) nonprofit foundation, has been devoted to improving lives of children and families around the world. HNF supports community-based Casa Herbalife Nutrition partners around the globe that help bring good nutrition to socially vulnerable communities and aid to organizations focused on promoting access, education and empowerment of good nutrition, general wellness and disaster relief. For more information about HNF and how you can support the programs, visit www.herbalifenutritionfoundation.org.

About the World Food Program USA

World Food Program USA, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, DC, proudly supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses, and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger. Our leadership and support help to bolster an enduring American legacy of feeding families in need around the world. To learn more about World Food Program USA's mission, please visit wfpusa.org/mission-history .

SOURCE Herbalife Nutrition Foundation
NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Highway Education Inc, a Boulder, CO-based digital marketing training B-corp, and Outcome Group Inc, an outcome-based education financing company, announce a partnership to provide income-indexed loans to Highway's students.

The Highway program is offered entirely online and takes just four months to complete. Highway students learn technical and business skills from recognized industry experts, including Highway's founder (and experienced entrepreneur) Toby Murdock. Students graduate with employer connections that prepare them to launch their new careers in a growing industry that is supportive of remote workers and has a considerable labor shortfall. Loans designed and administered by Outcome are a cost-effective option for students, including those overlooked by traditional credit providers, and include critical consumer protections for Highway graduates.

Outcome financed Highway's 2021 cohort - with stellar results. The diverse cohort consisted of students from Mississippi, California, and places in between. Highway's extraordinary team placed 100% of the program's graduates in jobs with an average starting salary exceeding $61,000.

"The pandemic has exposed critical weak points in the current higher education system relative to cost, time to completion, and long-term value. Highway understands that students expect tuition to align with value and enter the job market quickly with relevant skills; partnering with Outcome to provide income-contingent financing speaks to that mission. Outcome is extremely fortunate to be Highway's partner in this endeavor," said Jim Courtland, CEO of Outcome.

"Digital labor markets can't generate sufficient talent supply, and so little progress is being made to improve inclusion in a field that could benefit greatly from new perspectives. Highway is ready to lead the discussion by engaging in innovative partnerships with companies like Outcome," said Toby Murdock, CEO of Highway Education.

Highway's next cohort is slated to start in March 2022. "We believe our partnership with Outcome Group will lead to our largest and most diverse class yet," said Mr. Murdock.

Media Contact:

Jim Courtland

[email protected]

https://outcomegroup.org

SOURCE Outcome Group
PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Hot Melt Equipment Market by Product Type (Glue Gun and Bench Top), Glue Material (Polyurethane, Polypropylene, Ethylene-vinyl Acetate and Other) and End User (Electronics, Food & Beverages, Medical, Automotive and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030". According to the report, the global hot melt equipment industry generated $1.4 billion in 2020, and is anticipated to generate $2.8 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.4% from 2021 to 2030.

Prime determinants of growth

Growth in e-commerce industry and low manufacturing cost of adhesive material drive the growth of the global hot melt equipment market. However, low melting point of adhesives hinders the market growth. On the other hand, rise in regulations for adoption of environment friendly products presents new opportunities in the coming years.

Download Sample PDF: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/13307

Covid-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the growth of the global hot melt equipment market.

The pandemic had halted the production facilities and disrupted the supply chain, owing to the implementation of lockdown. This led to decline in manufacturing activities and demand for hot melt equipment in the market.

However, industries are gradually resuming their regular manufacturing and services. This is expected to lead to re-initiation of hot melt equipment companies at their full-scale capacities.

The bench top segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on product type, the bench top segment held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for more than two-thirds of the global hot melt equipment market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, owing to its capability for automation in assembly lines. Moreover, the glue guns segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.7% from 2021 to 2030, owing to its portability which help to access it in any desired location.

Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the Hot Melt Equipment Market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/13307

The food & beverages segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on end user, the food & beverages segment accounted for the largest share in 2020, contributing to nearly one-third of the global hot melt equipment market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. This is attributed to large scale usage of hot melt packaging of cans and packets of food and drinks. However, the automotive segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 7.5% from 2021 to 2030, owing to increase in application of hot melt for assembly of interior of cars.

Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe & North America, to maintain its dominance by 2030

Based on region, Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe & North America, held the highest market share in terms of revenue 2020, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global hot melt equipment market, due to high manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment in China. Moreover, the LAMEA region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.0% during the forecast period, owing to rapid industrialization and urbanization of its developing countries.

Leading Market Players

Banseok Precision Industry Co.Ltd.

Glue Machinery Corporation

Graco Inc.

Henkel AG & Co.

KGaA, ITW Dynatec

Nordson Corporation

Robatech AG

Twin Engineers Pvt. Ltd.

Valco Cincinnati Inc.

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Avenue is a user-based library of global market report database, provides comprehensive reports pertaining to the world's largest emerging markets. It further offers e-access to all the available industry reports just in a jiffy. By offering core business insights on the varied industries, economies, and end users worldwide, Avenue ensures that the registered members get an easy as well as single gateway to their all-inclusive requirements.

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Semiconductor Assembly Equipment Market - Global semiconductor assembly equipment market is projected to reach $8,162.3 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 8.4% from 2021 to 2030.

Packaging Machinery Market - Global packaging machinery market is projected to reach $69,218.0 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.7% from 2021 to 2030.

- Global beverage packaging market growing at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2019 to 2026.

Airless Packaging Market - Global Airless Packaging Market is projected to reach $5,938.0 million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 5.9%.

- Packaging automation solutions market is expected to reach $58,010 million by 2023, registering a CAGR of 8.2% from 2017 to 2023.

Pre-Book Now with 10% Discount:

Aseptic Paper Packaging For Flat Top Carton Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030

About Allied Market Research:

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.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A panel of treasury industry professionals recognized ICD as Best Technology Solution in TMI magazine's Treasury4Good awards for supporting organizations investing in ESG-related products in the short-term money markets. ICD is an independent portal provider of money market funds and other short-term investments.

"Over the past couple of years, treasury professionals progressed from simply looking at ESG conceptually to tangibly making cash investments," explains ICD Chief Executive Officer Tory Hazard. "We're continuing to support treasury teams as the market evolves, providing both educational programs and tools needed to access the market with confidence, along with the broadest selection of socially responsible investment products available on a single trading platform."

In 2021, half the new products added to ICD's trading platform, ICD Portal, were ESG-related, and assets attributed to diversity and inclusion products grew threefold. To help treasury teams align SRI/ESG products with their investment strategies, ICD developed an advanced transparency feature, enabling clients to view, sort and screen how various fund providers designate their products.

In addition to its product and technology solutions, ICD continually brings the market to investors with expert educational events on ESG regulations, ratings and standardization.

TMI's Treasury4Good awards are dedicated to those corporate treasury teams, banks, and vendors making a difference to their organization's sustainable growth  and the world around them. It is the first awards program of its kind launched in the treasury industry.

To learn more about ICD Portal, visit icdportal.com or contact [email protected].

About ICD

ICD is treasury's trusted, independent portal provider of money market funds and other short-term investments. We provide intuitive technology and unbiased access to over 350 investment products through ICD Portal, a model in the industry for trading, reporting and analysis. Through our Global Trade Desk, located in London, Boston and San Francisco, we offer follow-the-sun support and expert service.

ICD Media Contact

Zoe Sochor

+1 646.581.3277 [email protected]

SOURCE Institutional Cash Distributors, LLC
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IEEE-USA, the largest representative of technology professionals in the United States applauds the reintroduction of the Keep STEM Talent Act in the United States Senate. This important bill would give international students who earn graduate degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field in the United States a direct path to a green card, and therefore American citizenship, after graduating. IEEE-USA supports this common-sense immigration reform and urges Congress to pass it quickly.

"International STEM students bring innovative ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit with them," explained IEEE-USA President Deborah Cooper. "Allowing them to stay here with a path to citizenship after graduation lets them start new companies, which creates more American jobs and keeps the United States at the forefront of innovation. American engineers understand this, which is why we support this important legislation."

When announcing the bill's introduction, Sen. Richard Durbin, the bill's primary sponsor, noted that similar language was included in the House's COMPETES Act earlier this month, giving the Keep STEM Jobs Act a clear path to passage.

About IEEE-USA:

IEEE-USA serves the public good and promotes the careers and public policy interests of over 150,000 engineering, computing and technology professionals who are U.S. members of IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization.

Visit us online at ieeeusa.org, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our YouTube channel and check us out on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Russ Harrison

Director of Government Relations, IEEE-USA

202-530-8326

[email protected]

SOURCE IEEE-USA
DUBLIN, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Smart Hospital Market (2021-2026) by Components, Services Rendered, Application, Connectivity, Artificial Intelligence, Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Smart Hospital Market is estimated to be USD 27.6 Bn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 82.89 Bn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 24.6%.



Factors such as technological advancements, increased healthcare spending, a sedentary lifestyle, more awareness, and a high acceptance rate of new technologies are driving the growth of the global smart hospital market. The increasing rise in chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, particularly in industrialized nations, has dramatically increased the demand for healthcare solutions in recent decades.

Hospitals are under pressure to make the best use of staff, handle increased demand, deliver the greatest services, and reduce maintenance costs all at the same time, which opens the door for IT firms to enter the market. However, a few factors hindering the market include the expensive cost of linked devices and a lack of knowledge about new technologies like the internet of things.



Rising adoption in emerging economies is expected to generate untapped opportunities for market participants.



The Global Smart Hospital Market is segmented based on Components, Services Rendered, Application, Connectivity, Artificial Intelligence, and Geography.



Countries Studied

America ( Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Colombia , Mexico , Peru , United States , Rest of Americas)

, , , , , , , , Rest of Americas) Europe ( Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Russia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , United Kingdom , Rest of Europe )

( , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Rest of ) Middle East and Africa ( Egypt , Israel , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Rest of MEA)

and ( , , , , , , Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific ( Australia , Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Taiwan , Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Smart Hospital Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's competitive positioning tool.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Description

2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Market Influencers

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Modernization of Healthcare Infrastructure

4.1.2 Increasing Use of Smart Devices

4.1.3 Development of IoT Technologies in Healthcare

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 High Cost of Connected Systems

4.2.2 Lack of Management Buy-In

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 Increasing Investments from Government

4.3.2 Rising Adoption in Emerging Economies

4.4 Challenges

4.4.1 Inability to Evaluate Technology Solutions



5 Market Analysis

5.1 Regulatory Scenario

5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis



6 Global Smart Hospital Market, By Component

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Hardware

6.2.1 Medical Devices

6.2.1.1 Wearable External Medical Devices

6.2.1.2 Implanted Medical Devices

6.2.1.3 Stationary and Supportive Medical Devices

6.2.1.4 By Semiconductor Components

6.2.1.4.1 Processors

6.2.1.4.2 Censors

6.2.1.4.3 Connectivity ICS

6.3 Systems and Software

6.4 Services

6.4.1 Professional services

6.4.1.1 Consulting and Integration Services

6.4.1.2 Support and Maintenance Services

6.4.2 Managed Services



7 Global Smart Hospital Market, By Service Rendered

7.1 Introduction

7.2 General

7.3 Specialty

7.4 Super Specialty



8 Global Smart Hospital Market, By Application

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Remote Medicine Management

8.3 Electronic Health Record & Clinical Workflow

8.4 Robot-Assisted Surgery

8.5 Virtual Nursing Assistant

8.6 Outpatient Vigilance

8.7 Medical Connected Imaging

8.8 Medical Assistance

8.9 Others (Fraud Detection, Administration)



9 Global Smart Hospital Market, By Connectivity

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Wired

9.3 Wireless

9.3.1 Wi-Fi

9.3.2 RFID

9.3.3 Bluetooth

9.3.4 Others (Zigbee, Near Field Communication (NFC))



10 Global Smart Hospital Market, By Artificial intelligence

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Offering

10.2.1 Hardware

10.2.2 Software

10.2.2.1 AI Platform

10.2.2.2 Solution

10.2.3 Services

10.2.3.1 Deployment and Integration

10.2.3.2 Support and Maintenance

10.3 Technology

10.3.1 Natural Language Processing (NLP)

10.3.2 Context-Aware Processing

10.3.3 Deep Learning

10.3.4 Querying Method



11 Global Smart Hospital Market, By Geography

12 Competitive Landscape

12.1 Competitive Quadrant

12.2 Market Share Analysis

12.3 Strategic Initiatives

12.3.1 M&A and Investments

12.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations

12.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements



13 Company Profiles

13.1 AdhereTECH

13.2 Asensus Surgical

13.3 Auris Health

13.4 Barrett Technology

13.5 Biocon

13.6 Cerner Corporation

13.7 Darvis

13.8 Diligent Robotics

13.9 Ekso Bionics

13.10 GE Healthcare

13.11 Hitachi

13.12 Honeywell

13.13 Intuitive Surgical

13.14 KareXpert

13.15 Medtronic

13.16 Microbot Medical

13.17 Microsoft

13.18 Philips

13.19 Practo

13.20 Qualcomm

13.21 Recare

13.22 REIVR

13.23 Renishaw

13.24 Sanela Technologies

13.25 Siemens

13.26 SK Telecom

13.27 Smith & Nephew

13.28 Stereotaxis

13.29 Stryker

13.30 Titan Medical

13.31 Zimmer Biomet Robotics

13.32 Zyter



14 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e2xb47

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
DUBLIN, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Vegan Chocolate Confectionery Market By Type (Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate), By Product (Molded Bars, Chips & Bites, Boxed and Truffles & Cups), By Regional Outlook, COVID-19 Impact Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Vegan Chocolate Confectionery Market size is expected to reach $1 billion by 2027, rising at a market growth of 12.3% CAGR during the forecast period.

Dairy products like milk fat, whey, casein, and milk solids are not used in vegan chocolate, as this product does not include any ingredient obtained from animals. Vegan chocolate is made from the components that are derived from plants. They contain less amount of fat and cholesterol compared to normal chocolates. Vegan food culture is rising in the established countries, which is also helping in the growth of the vegan chocolate market.

Millennials and the working population are highly adopting the vegan culture, which is estimated to surge the demand for the product. There are number of countries which were badly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to which the supply of cocoa was hampered around the world. This has declined the production of cocoa along with the decrease in its sales. Also, there was a decline in the demand for high-end & artisanal chocolates. In contrast, the market growth of chocolates is seemed to witness a rise as there is a growth in the demand by consumers.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the customers' pattern of shopping. They are preferring to store up products that give nutrition & energy, having private-label, and are inexpensive. The coronavirus outbreak has hampered the supply chain that has been affecting the manufacturing of vegan chocolate products, mostly in the craft and small chocolate companies.

During the pandemic, most people preferred to store up the essential products to survive. Chocolate may do not come under the list of essential products; however, it is a gratifying and pleasure-seeking item for consumers. In Europe, the supermarkets and other grocery shops were out of stock as most of the chocolates were sold. Through e-commerce facilities, these markets remain open helping in quick recovery of the market. The vegan chocolate confectionery market is estimated to get through the current lockdowns without s heavy loss.

Type Outlook

Based on Type, the market is segmented into Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate. Milk segment acquired the maximum revenue share of the global vegan chocolate confectionary market in 2020. Top companies are now introducing their famous chocolate confectionery in the vegan chocolate category. This plan of action will help the company to get appreciation from customers over the world and will also result in the rise of the product sale.

Product Outlook

Based on Product, the market is segmented into Molded Bars, Chips & Bites, Boxed and Truffles & Cups. Molded bars segment dominated the market in 2020. The segment is expected to exhibit same trend during the forecast period. Bar chocolate is considered as the most consumed chocolate category around the world. Its convenient size made it popular among consumers. Based on the annual searches by Google, the topmost chocolates titled as favorite chocolate around the world, are sold in the bar form.

Regional Outlook

Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. North America procured the maximum revenue share in 2020 and is expected to register a significant growth rate over the forecast period. The growing vegan population is anticipated to surge the market growth around the region. The Asia Pacific is expected to witness lucrative growth opportunities over the forecast period. Asia is the densely populated continent around the world with a greater population and therefore, it has a positive impact on the food culture across the world.

The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Mondelez International, Inc., Equal Exchange Coop, Endorfin Foods, Raaka Chocolate Ltd., Goodio, No Whey Chocolate, Theo Chocolate, Inc., Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC, Alter Eco, Inc., and Taza Chocolate.

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology



Chapter 2. Market Overview

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Overview

2.1.2 Market Composition & Scenario

2.2 Key Factors Impacting the Market

2.2.1 Market Drivers

2.2.2 Market Restraints



Chapter 3. Global Vegan Chocolate Confectionery Market by Type

3.1 Global Milk Chocolate Market by Region

3.2 Global Dark Chocolate Market by Region

3.3 Global White Chocolate Market by Region



Chapter 4. Global Vegan Chocolate Confectionery Market by Product

4.1 Global Molded Bars Market by Region

4.2 Global Chips & Bites Market by Region

4.3 Global Boxed Market by Region

4.4 Global Truffles & Cups Market by Region



Chapter 5. Global Vegan Chocolate Confectionery Market by Region



Chapter 6. Company Profiles

6.1 Mondelez International, Inc.

6.1.1 Company Overview

6.1.2 Financial Analysis

6.1.3 Regional Analysis

6.1.4 Research & Development Expenses

6.1.5 Recent strategies and developments:

6.1.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

6.1.5.2 Acquisition and Mergers:

6.2 Equal Exchange Coop

6.2.1 Company Overview

1.1.1 Financial Analysis

6.2.2 Segmental Analysis

6.3 Endorfin Foods

6.3.1 Company Overview

6.4 Raaka Chocolate Ltd.

6.4.1 Company Overview

6.4.2 Recent Strategies and Developments:

6.4.2.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

6.5 Goodio

6.5.1 Company Overview

6.5.2 Recent Strategies and Developments:

6.5.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

6.5.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

6.6 No Whey Chocolate

6.6.1 Company Overview

6.7 Theo Chocolate, Inc.

6.7.1 Company Overview

6.7.2 Recent Strategies and Developments:

6.7.2.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

6.8 Endangered Species Chocolate, LLC

6.8.1 Company Overview

6.8.2 Recent Strategies and Developments:

6.8.2.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

6.9 Alter Eco, Inc.

6.9.1 Company Overview

6.9.2 Recent Strategies and Developments:

6.9.2.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

6.10. Taza Chocolate

6.10.1 Company Overview



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/c809ac

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
Introhive's AI-powered SaaS platform is designed to help organizations realize the full value of their relationships and underutilized data across their business. The company's unique blend of solutions  working collaboratively with CRM, marketing automation and BI technologies  allows the platform to service some of the largest brands in the world, while still helping small and mid-sized businesses flourish with the help of relationship intelligence and CRM automation.

"We are thrilled to be recognized by Constellation Research as the only Relationship Intelligence company to be included on the 2022 ShortList," said Jody Glidden , Introhive CEO and Founder. "Our success and this recognition would not be possible without the trust of our customers, the commitment of our partners, and the dedication and hard work of our team. Being included in third party research from a well-respected analyst firm like Constellation is a fantastic validation as we continue to define the future of Revenue Acceleration and the value it can unlock for our customers and partners."

Constellation Research advises leaders on leveraging disruptive technologies to achieve business model transformation and streamline business processes. Products and services named to the Constellation ShortList meet the threshold criteria for this category as determined through client inquiries, partner conversations, customer references, vendor selection projects, market share and internal research. The portfolio is updated at least once per year as the analyst team deems necessary based on market conditions.

"The Great Refactoring is among us. Organizations must reconsider how they balance business models, work/life priorities, and new market conditions. Our analysts' recent updates to The ShortList reflect the top vendors that matter most to our network of buy side clients," said R "Ray" Wang, chairman and founder at Constellation Research. "As leaders make the tough decisions in vendor selection, we hope The ShortList speeds the decision-making process and helps buyers find the right partners to enable their business success."

For more information, visit www.introhive.ai

About Introhive

Introhive is the fastest-growing AI-powered sales and relationship intelligence platform, with the single largest revenue acceleration deployment in the world. Trusted by some of the world's most recognizable brands, including PwC, Clark Nexsen, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Colliers International, and Plante Moran, the company has been recognized with 2019, 2020 and 2021 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Canada Awards , 2020 and 2021 Deloitte Fast 500 North America Awards , 2020 and 2021 MarTech Breakthrough Awards , and is Great Place to Work certified in Canada. Introhive's AI-powered SaaS platform seeks to enable organizations to realize the full value of their relationships across the business and to leverage untapped data to drive revenues and increase productivity while simultaneously improving the customer experience. Introhive has grown to 350+ employees with 10 global office locations, supporting 250,000+ customers in over 90 different countries around the world.

more at www.introhive.ai

Disclaimer

Constellation Research does not endorse any solution or service named in its research.

Media Inquiries:

Renee Maler

Philosophy PR + Marketing

For Introhive

510.499.9746

[email protected]

SOURCE Introhive
Danish DX Group celebrates 50 years

The Danish DX Group (DDXG) was founded May 27, 1972. To celebrate the 50th anniversary special event station OZ50DDXG is on-the-air until December 31, 2022



Radio amateurs around the world can obtain the anniversary award by having contacts using CW, Phone or Digital modes with the anniversary station OZ5DDXG during 2022.



The anniversary station may be contacted once on each band and with each modulation type in every month. Each approved contact counts 1 point.



Full details at

https://www.qrz.com/db/OZ50DDXG
HOUSTON, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) was awarded a $207 million task order to conduct multi-disciplined analyses and develop recommendations to enhance the capabilities of the Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) missile defense system. KBR was awarded this contract under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center's (DoD IAC) multiple-award contract vehicle designed to develop and create new knowledge for the DoD.

"KBR has provided uninterrupted systems engineering support to the PATRIOT missile system for decades," said Byron Bright, KBR Government Solutions President. "We're proud to continue that support and to further our shared goal of protecting U.S. forces and allies through enhancing the capabilities of the PATRIOT missile system."

PATRIOT is a critical component of our nation's air and missile defense. PATRIOT protects ground forces and high-value assets by countering a variety of enemy short- and medium-range tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned air vehicles (UAV).

Under the scope of this task order, KBR will support modeling and simulation efforts for surveillance, guidance, fire control, engagement decision logic, interceptor flyout, seeker, and warhead performance to analyze overall system performance effectively and efficiently. KBR will perform extensive and complex analyses; studies; performance runs; actual live fire, search, track, and flight test missions; hardware-in-the-loop testing; and development and test activities to validate and verify full ground and missile system performance.

KBR was awarded this contract under the Department of Defense Information Analysis Center's (DoD IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle. These DoD IAC MAC task orders (TOs) are awarded by the U.S. Air Force's 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the DTIC repository and the R&D and S&T community. Work on the five-year contract will be primarily performed at Redstone Arsenal Government facilities and KBR offices in Huntsville, Alabama.

KBR delivers mission critical, trusted services that help the U.S. maintain its unique and indispensable battlespace advantage. For more than four decades, KBR has continuously provided mission-critical technical and engineering services for the PATRIOT missile system. In addition, KBR supports several other related military critical air and missile defense systems, including the Cruise Missile Defense System (CMDS), Counter-Rockets, Artillery, and Mortar System (C-RAM), and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD).

About DoD IAC Program

The DoD IAC, sponsored by Defense Technical Information Center, provides technical data management and research support for DoD and federal government users. Established in 1946, the IAC program serves the DoD science and technology (S&T) and acquisition communities to drive innovation and technological developments by enhancing collaboration through integrated scientific and technical information development and dissemination for the DoD and broader S&T community.

About KBR

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 29,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries.

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long- term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Visit www.kbr.com.

Forward Looking Statement

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the significant adverse impacts on economic and market conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the company's ability to respond to the resulting challenges and business disruption; the recent dislocation of the global energy market; the company's ability to manage its liquidity; the outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse results and consequences from such proceedings; changes in capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and installation of financial systems; the possibility of cyber and malware attacks; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company.

The company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Disclaimer. "This material is based upon work supported by the DoD Information Analysis Center Program (DoD IAC), sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) under Contract No. FA8075-18-D-0015."

Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited. "Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the DoD"

SOURCE KBR, Inc.
CANTON, Conn., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelyniam Global (OTC: KLYG), a maker of custom cranial implants, today announced results for its year ended December 31, 2021.

"The company is excited to report that sales have increased for the fifth year in a row," said Ross Bjella, Kelyniam's CEO. "Despite Covid 2.0 shutdowns during the 1st quarter of 2021 and the Omicron variant shutdowns in the 4th quarter, Kelyniam achieved record operating profitability during 2021. This performance in the fourth year of our five-year plan confirms the company's ability to meet long and short term goals. Our objectives in 2022 are to accelerate profit and sales growth through our partnership with Fin-ceramica and the development and launch of organically-created complementary products."

Financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2021the same period in 2020 includes:

Operating income of $180,445 compared to $49,683 , an increase of 363.2%

compared to , an increase of 363.2% Net Income $201,741 compared to $141,075 , an increase of 43%

compared to , an increase of 43% Total revenue of $ 2,664,434 compared to $2,512,101 , an increase of 6.06%

The complete financials can be found on the company's website at www.Kelyniam.com.

Events that significantly affected the year and 4th quarter included:

The Company signed a new strategic distribution agreement with Fin-ceramica faenza Spa to market their CustomizedBone Hydroxyapatite Cranial Implant in the U.S.

Kelyniam received a patent on its Integrated Fixation System designs, marking a new level of intellectual property protection for its flagship product

Kelyniam is now issuing US GAAP-basis financials associated with a new SEC rule on the submission of current financial information through the broker portal of OTC Markets and is listed as a Pink Current Filer in OTCIQ

The company also hired Ms. Lisette Grunwell as the VP of Quality and Regulatory Affairs in January of this year.

"The addition of Lisette to our team is a testament to our commitment to quality and our ability to recruit high-talent professionals to our team. She brings a breadth and depth of knowledge about quality and regulatory matters to the company and will be an integral part of our executive team," said Bjella. "Kelyniam will continue to invest in infrastructure and partnerships necessary to achieve our objectives in 2022. While we cannot predict how Covid may affect the company in the future, we intend to have a solid platform to support continued growth."

Kelyniam Inc., specializes in the rapid production of custom prosthetics utilizing computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing of advanced medical grade polymers. The Company develops, manufactures, and distributes custom cranial and maxillo-facial implants for patients. Kelyniam works directly with surgeons, health systems and payors to improve clinical and cost-of-care outcomes. Kelyniam's web site address is www.Kelyniam.com.

As a cautionary note to investors, certain matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; the Company's ability to execute its service and product sales plans; changes in the status of ability to market products; and the risks described from time to time in the Company's SEC reports.

SOURCE Kelyniam Global, Inc.
CHICAGO, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago philanthropist Neil G. Bluhm and the Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation announced a $45 million gift to establish the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Heart Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The gift expands cardiac care capacity and addresses health equity by providing greater access to Northwestern Medicine's world-class cardiovascular care, which is consistently ranked as the top heart program in Illinois and among the top in the country for cardiology and heart surgery.

"When we achieve health equity, our patients benefit, our healthcare centers benefit, and our city benefits." Tweet this Chicago philanthropist Neil G. Bluhm and the Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation announced a $45 million gift to establish the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Heart Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The gift expands cardiac care capacity and addresses health equity by providing greater access to Northwestern Medicines world-class cardiovascular care, which is consistently ranked as the top heart program in Illinois and among the top in the country for cardiology and heart surgery. **Portio Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, executive director of the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, and Clyde W. Yancy, MD, chief of cardiology at Northwestern Medicine and vice dean of diversity, stand in the new Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Heart Hospital. The Bluhm Heart Hospital was established through a $45 million gift from Chicago philanthropist Neil G. Bluhm and the Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation.

"The success of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute has exceeded my dream of bringing a top-tier cardiovascular program to the city of Chicago, the city we all love," said Neil Bluhm, founder and president of JMB Realty Corporation and Chairman of Rush Street Gaming and Rush Street Interactive. "Watching Dr. Patrick McCarthy and team push the field of cardiovascular medicine to new heights has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. Expanding access to care and moving the needle on health equity in Chicago is critically needed. I am proud to continue my support of Northwestern Medicine and to help address inequity with the establishment of the Bluhm Heart Hospital, which will bring new discoveries and innovative treatments to more patients across Chicagoland and around the world."

The Bluhm Heart Hospital will expand to 140 beds and modernize cardiovascular services on Northwestern Medicine's Chicago campus. The gift will also support collaboration with community partners in under-resourced Chicago communities to develop outreach and education efforts to support heart health and address the social determinants of health. Bluhm Family Foundation Director Meredith Bluhm-Wolf added, "We hope that our family's gift will encourage other philanthropic leaders and foundations to increase funding for expanding access to health care for all Chicagoans."

"We are grateful to Neil for his vision, leadership and ongoing philanthropy in support of building the country's premier cardiovascular program at Northwestern Medicine," said Dean M. Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare.

Mr. Bluhm's initial gift in 2005 facilitated the recruitment of renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, a world leader in mitral valve repair and surgery for atrial fibrillation, and created Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, with the goal of building a world-class heart and vascular program accessible to all Chicagoans.

"This is a gift for patients in the city, state and throughout the country who need access to the highest quality cardiovascular care," said Dr. McCarthy, executive director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. "We give our sincerest thanks to Mr. Bluhm for his relentless support. Countless lives have been saved and improved by cardiovascular research, innovation and patient care because of his philanthropy."

"Our mission is simple: to provide world class care to all patients with a particular focus on those who have had limited access to this care in the past," said Clyde W. Yancy, MD, chief of cardiology at Northwestern Medicine and vice dean of diversity. "When we achieve health equity, our patients benefit, our healthcare centers benefit, and our city benefits. The gift by Mr. Bluhm and the Bluhm Family Foundation is not just a gift to Northwestern Medicine, it is a commitment to the City of Chicago that we can craft a stronger, healthier community. For this magnanimous gift, we are deeply grateful to Mr. Bluhm and the altruistic spirit of the entire Bluhm Family."

The Bluhm gift will help fund novel research projects and therapies for heart and vascular conditions including the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute Center for Artificial Intelligence, which was founded in 2018. The first-of-its-kind center accelerates the clinical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to advance the study and treatment of cardiovascular disease and offers a unique fellowship providing specialized training in computational thinking and AI to the next generation of physician investigators.

Today, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is an innovative powerhouse in developing the latest, safest advances in cardiovascular care. Anchored in downtown Chicago, it has expanded and integrated into seven Northwestern Medicine hospitals and is actively integrating cardiovascular services in the south suburbs at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital.

Since the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute was founded in 2005:

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the highest ranked cardiology and heart surgery program in Illinois for 14 consecutive years.

for 14 consecutive years. As the third largest provider of Medicaid services and Charity Care in Illinois , Northwestern Memorial Hospital is committed to caring for the most vulnerable populations in Chicago .

in , Northwestern Memorial Hospital is committed to caring for the most vulnerable populations in . The Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute has expanded across all NM locations making it possible for patients to receive most cardiovascular care in locations close to home, only traveling downtown for highly complex procedures.

Northwestern Medicine cardiovascular providers treat more than 75,000 patients annually, with patients traveling from 50 states, 25 countries and 5 continents to receive care.

Established a Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), which produces innovative research in cardiovascular disease and medicine. Since 2012, the CTU has increased clinical trial participant enrollment by 447% and increased phase I/phase II clinical trials by 550%.

Pioneered transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to replace diseased heart valves without cardiac surgery. Since 2016, more than 1,500 TAVR procedures have been performed by Northwestern Medicine physicians.

Has become a national leader in the rapidly advancing field of mitral and tricuspid transcatheter procedures offering a minimally invasive approach and hope to patients who had no option in the past.

Is home to three presidents of the American Heart Association (AHA), including current president Donald M. Lloyd Jones , MD, ScM, and past presidents Clyde W. Yancy , MD, MSc, and Robert O. Bonow , MD, MS.

For more information about Northwestern Medicine's top ranked cardiovascular care, go to nm.org/heart or call (312) NM-HEART. For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit news.nm.org/about-northwestern-medicine.html.

SOURCE Northwestern Medicine
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay LLC, the Pre-settlement Funding Company, announced their commitment to providing lawsuit loan funding for victims of wrongful imprisonment and prosecutorial misconduct. Due to an abundance of recently overturned convictions in New York, Legal-Bay expects to see an uptick in wrongful incarceration filings.

In a Bronx courtroom last week, felony charges were dropped for over 100 defendants whose cases relied on testimony offered by a former narcotics detective. The ex-cop's credibility was brought into question when video evidence showed he lied about witnessing numerous drug deals that had never taken place, leading authorities to review hundreds more convictions directly attributed to his testimony. Dozens of these cases have already been thrown out in Manhattan and Brooklyn, leading multiple criminal counts of perjury and official misconduct to be brought against the discredited detective. A not guilty plea was submitted for all charges, and the case is currently awaiting trial in Manhattan's Supreme Court.

The Bronx situation is merely the latest in a smattering of similar rulings in New York City showing how crooked cops and a problematic justice system can land innocent people behind bars. Many of the exonerated victims are returning to the courtsas plaintiffs this timeto seek justice for the time they've lost behind bars.

If you or a loved one require an immediate cash advance lawsuit loan from your police brutality or wrongful imprisonment claim, please visit the company's website HERE or call 877.571.0405.

Three New York City detectives saw dozens of their convictions overturned last month. The district attorney's office was successful in its plea to have numerous cases tossed off the docket, as they relied heavily on false evidence provided by the now ex-detectives, including outright fabricated testimony. All three have since been convicted of multiple crimes of official misconduct including sexual assault and perjury.

Similarly, the trials of a former Brooklyn detective are brought to mind. Over the past five years, more than seventy of the detective's cases from the 80s and 90s have made their way back to the Brooklyn DA's office. Some of these prior inmates have already had their convictions overturned. New York has paid out over $50 million in settlements to a handful of the claimants, citing wrongful imprisonment due to tainted evidence, misleading testimony, or forced and/or fabricated confessions. Various subsequent cases involving the ex-cop have since been thrown out or had their convictions overturned, and many more are pending.

Legal-Bay has extensive experience dealing with wrongful incarceration claims. For any victims directly associated with the cases above or similarly-related prosecutorial misconduct lawsuits, Legal-Bay can help plaintiffs returning to the courtroom seeking damages for their unlawful imprisonment get a fresh start.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay, commented, "There seems to be no end to these wrongful incarceration claims in recent years from New York to California. We have been a leader in the wrongful conviction settlement funding space for many years. We help clients get back on their feet after enduring long incarcerations, which in some cases helps them to buy a home or start a business. Legal-Bay has approved single cases as high as $1MM and we provide our best price guarantee for the lowest rates in the pre-settlement funding industry."

Numerous plaintiffs in these cases claim their wrongful imprisonment was brought about by police brutality, false arrest, excessive force, torture, and/or coerced confessions. Many of these instances have been high-profile cases which have caused physical as well as lasting psychological harm to the victims. The unscrupulous police, faulted prison systems, and cities that hosted them have already been forced to pay countless millions in damages with many more cases yet to be heard. Legal-Bay has loans for lawsuit programs which are designed to get a plantiff's money in their hands now rather than wait out the many monthsor yearsit might take before they see their day in court.

If you or a loved one require an immediate cash advance settlement loan from your police brutality or wrongful imprisonment lawsuit, please visit the company's website HERE or call 877.571.0405. Ask about Legal-Bay's "jumbo cash advances" which will provide qualifying plaintiffs with a lawsuit funding contract capped-out at 30 months.

Legal-Bay is currently funding loans for settlements in the following cases: wrongful incarceration, wrongful imprisonment, wrongful conviction, prosecutorial misconduct, police brutality, false arrest, excessive force, and prison rape or assault. Legal-Bay has been a leader in providing pre-settlement money for many of these cases as well as all personal injury, slips and falls, dog bites, medical malpractice, car and truck accidents, judgment or verdict on appeal, commercial litigation, contract dispute, Qui-tam or whistleblower cases, False Claims Act, patent litigation, and copyright infringement.

Legal-Bay's loans for lawsuits programs are designed to provide immediate cash in advance of a plaintiff's anticipated monetary award. The non-recourse cash fundingsometimes referred to as loan on lawsuit or loan for settlementis risk-free, as the money doesn't need to be repaid should the recipient lose their case. Therefore, the settlement loans aren't really law suit loans, but rather cash advances.

To apply right now, please visit the company's website HERE or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by to answer any questions you may have regarding lawsuit loans.

SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC
Leading up to Valentine's Day, iQIYI also released the findings from its romance-focused streaming preference survey, revealing behavioral trends of individuals using streaming services across four markets in China and Southeast Asia including Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Viewing behaviors change significantly in today's age with diversified channels and contents, and people view streaming decisions as key and influential factors in their relationships. 71% of respondents in the survey agree that watching shows together on streaming platforms is a significant part of dating, and 65% indicated their dating life or relationship has been impacted by COVID. iQIYI also found that Chinese language content has become increasingly popular outside of China, with a whopping 81% of respondents across the four markets saying they enjoy spending quality time with their partners by streaming shows together with the top choice being Chinese-language films and shows.

For Valentine's Day, iQIYI will by providing its members in the Chinese mainland with special romance-themed benefits, including romance-themed prize lotteries, customized memberships cards, and special red packets.

The Four Stages of Romance and Streaming

Through the survey, iQIYI was able to identify an interesting four stages of streaming behaviors mirroring people's relationship status.

Stream and Match: 63% respondents would opt in for streaming a show/film together on their first date. 60% went for romance as a safe bet while 28% leaned towards a riskier choice and chose thriller shows with the potential match.

63% respondents would opt in for streaming a show/film together on their first date. 60% went for romance as a safe bet while 28% leaned towards a riskier choice and chose thriller shows with the potential match. Is Your Suitor Suitable: Moving onto the honeymoon phase, 84% of those surveyed believed that watching a show on a date helps forge a deeper connection. 85% said that they would try watching new genres if their date wants to, with 40% finding themselves watching romance genres just because their partners recommended it. Echoing this, 4 in 5 respondents indicated that they would be willing to compromise their own show preferences and schedules for the ones they love. What is sweeter is that nearly 50% of the respondents will also bookmark movies or shows they think their partner would like to binge on next.

Moving onto the honeymoon phase, 84% of those surveyed believed that watching a show on a date helps forge a deeper connection. 85% said that they would try watching new genres if their date wants to, with 40% finding themselves watching romance genres just because their partners recommended it. Echoing this, 4 in 5 respondents indicated that they would be willing to compromise their own show preferences and schedules for the ones they love. What is sweeter is that nearly 50% of the respondents will also bookmark movies or shows they think their partner would like to binge on next. The Next Episode: As a sign of devotion to the other half, what is sweeter than sharing an account? Based on the survey, 79% of those surveyed believe that sharing one streaming account with their date is a step towards commitment. Meanwhile, 73% would like to receive a streaming account or VIP membership as a gift from their loved ones.

As a sign of devotion to the other half, what is sweeter than sharing an account? Based on the survey, 79% of those surveyed believe that sharing one streaming account with their date is a step towards commitment. Meanwhile, 73% would like to receive a streaming account or VIP membership as a gift from their loved ones. Unsubscribe Your Relationship: As the relationship blossoms and deeper connections are forged, annoying habits start to surface and this can either make or break a relationship. About 49% respondents hate it when their other half drops spoilers on them while 39% of respondents find it annoying when their other half fast forwards the episodes while watching together.

Romance tops all the choices by genre

65% of respondents choose Romance as one of their go-to genre, followed by Comedy (54%) and Action/Adventure (53%), while viewing with their significant others. 60% tend to watch Romance shows when looking for romantic inspirations and 75% would draw real life love advice from the shows.

Comedy, on the other hand, is the top choice to watch after a breakup. When streaming alone, however, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller becomes equally popular, and 30% say they would watch alone without letting their partners know.

About the Survey

Approximately 100 streaming users in each market between the ages of 18 and 55 were polled for their streaming preferences while consuming media from OTT (over-the-top) platforms with their significant others.

CONTACT: iQIYI Press, [email protected]

SOURCE iQIYI
MILWAUKEE, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association in Wisconsin is offering free flu and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccinations for individuals at higher risk for flu and pneumonia complications until March 31st, through a grant from UnitedHealthcare. The organization's community partners include Bayfield, Clark, Cudahy and Oneida Counties' Health Departments, Muslim Community Health Center, Bread of Healing, Aurora Walker's Point Community Clinic and NorthLakes Community Clinic.

"While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it is even more important to protect the health of people who are particularly vulnerable of complications from the flu and pneumonia," said Megan Cordova, executive director of the Lung Association in Wisconsin. "We would not be able to provide critical services in the community without the financial support we receive from partners like UnitedHealthcare."





Influenza (flu), with pneumonia, is regularly in the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. The flu can be a severe respiratory illness and adults over the age of 65 or people with chronic lung disease are at higher risk of developing complications. Pneumonia is a common lung infection that is often caused by complications of the flu, but it can also be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common type of bacterial pneumonia. There are vaccines available that help protect against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to support the Lung Association in Wisconsin's efforts to provide these vaccinations throughout the state," said Dustin Hinton, chief executive officer, UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin. "The Lung Association's work in the community aligns with our Empowering Health commitment to expand access to care and address social determinants of health."

The vaccination program focuses primarily on adults aged 65 or older and other high-risk populations. As of December 31, 2021, the Lung Association in Wisconsin provided 2,500 flu and 35 pneumococcal pneumonia vaccinations to community partners offering vaccinations to high-risk patients or adults without insurance or the ability to private pay.

Learn more about getting the flu and pneumonia vaccines.

*B-roll video of getting a flu shot is available for download here.

About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

American Lung Association

1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org

CONTACT: Dana Kauffman, American Lung Association, P: 312- 940-7624 C: 954-817-3040 E:

[email protected]

SOURCE American Lung Association
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Verified Market Research recently published a report, "Macular Degeneration Treatment Market" By Type (Wet AMD, Dry AMD), By Stage of Disease (Early-stage AMD, Intermediate AMD, Late-stage AMD), By Route of Administration (Intravenous Route, Intravitreal Route), and By Geography. According to Verified Market Research, the Global Macular Degeneration Treatment Market size was valued at USD 7.45 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 11.98 Billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.01% from 2021 to 2028.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=214687

Browse in-depth TOC on "Macular Degeneration Treatment Market"

202 - Pages

126  Tables

37  Figures

Global Macular Degeneration Treatment Market Overview

The increasing burden of retinal illnesses, the rise in the elderly population, and increased research and development spending are all contributing to the expansion of the macular degeneration treatment market. According to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology in August 2020 by Jeany Q Li et al., age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness in Europe. A total of 67 million people in Europe suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with the number anticipated to rise by 15% by 2050 due to population ageing. According to data, the growing number of people suffering from retinal illnesses is directly linked to market growth. Other important drivers driving market expansion include rising R&D investments and rising approvals for new medications.

For example, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave GT005, an experimental, one-time AAV-based gene therapy for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration, Fast-Track designation in September 2020. (AMD). Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, a clinical-stage retinal gene therapy firm, developed GT005.Restraints- The market's growth is hampered by the increased use of off-label medications and a lack of awareness about the disease. Opportunity- Wet macular degeneration is the result of abnormal blood vessel development beneath the retina. These engorged blood vessels leak blood, obstructing central vision and leading to macular degeneration, according to BrightFocus Foundation 2020.

Patients with wet AMD, on the other hand, were given intraocular anti-VEGF injections to safeguard their eyesight. This was administered at the ophthalmologist's suggested frequency, which varies from patient to patient depending on how active the aberrant blood vessels in the retina are leaking. The growing senior population around the world is driving up demand for wet macular degeneration treatments. According to the United Nations World Ageing 2019 report, East and Southeast Asia comprise the largest percentage of the older population, followed by Europe and North America.

Key Developments in Macular Degeneration Treatment Market

January 2021 , in individuals with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, Novartis AG has begun a phase III clinical research to assess the efficacy and safety of brolucizumab.

, in individuals with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, Novartis AG has begun a phase III clinical research to assess the efficacy and safety of brolucizumab. February 2020 , through social media initiatives, Bausch Health Companies joined Prevent Blindness, a non-profit organization, to raise awareness of macular degeneration.

Key Players

The major players in the market are F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Novartis AG, Pfizer, Kanghong Pharma, Bausch Health Companies Inc., Bayer AG, REGENXBIO Inc., Aerie Pharmaceutical Inc, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Verified Market Research has segmented the Global Macular Degeneration Treatment Market On the basis of Type, Stage of Disease, Route of Administration, and Geography.

Macular Degeneration Treatment Market, By Type

Wet AMD



Dry AMD

Macular Degeneration Treatment Market, By Stage of Disease

Early-stage AMD



Intermediate AMD



Late-stage AMD

Macular Degeneration Treatment Market, By Route of Administration

Intravenous Route



Intravitreal Route

Macular Degeneration Treatment Market by Geography

North America



U.S





Canada





Mexico



Europe



Germany





France





U.K





Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific



China





Japan





India





Rest of Asia Pacific



ROW



Middle East & Africa

&



Latin America

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Visualize Macular Degeneration Treatment Market using Verified Market Intelligence:-:

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SOURCE Verified Market Research
MILWAUKEE, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) joins the biggest names in tech as the only Gold HR Partner at VivaTech  the world's leading technology conference taking place in Paris, June 15 -18, 2022. ManpowerGroup will be showcasing its latest technology and innovation to redesign the future of HR as well as crowdsourcing new ideas to solve ESG challenges.

"We're excited to return to VivaTech to share how the powerful combination of AI, machine learning and analytics coupled with human expertise is critical to create a more future-ready workforce and revolutionize the employee experience," said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO. "Taking a collective approach to shared value creation using disruptive, innovative tech is how we can deliver on our commitments to people and planet with new urgency in the post-Covid era."

ManpowerGroup's #WorkingToChangeTheWorld lab at VivaTech will host the talented 30 shortlisted start-ups. They will be showcasing tech-driven solutions to ManpowerGroup's three ESG-focused HR Challenges:

How to make hybrid work work for all;

How to nudge people towards sustainable behaviors and positive environmental impact; and

How to use tech to optimize the employee experience.

"Positive climate action and stronger social impact are becoming non-negotiables for individuals and organizations," said Ruth Harper, ManpowerGroup Senior Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer & lead judge for the ManpowerGroup Viva challenges. "That's why we're excited to be crowdsourcing bold, new ideas from start-ups around the world on how tech can solve some of the world's most pressing ESG challenges. We know from experience that diversity of thought creates valuable partnerships and solutions that can scale for the many not just the few. And we're looking forward to welcoming our finalists to VivaTech in June."

To read more and enter the VivaTech HR Challenges - Design the Future of HR competition click here.

Follow @ManpowerGroup at VivaTech on Twitter and join the conversation using #HRevolution #WorkingToChangeTheWorld #VivaTech. For updates from ManpowerGroup at VivaTech, visit https://vivatechnology.com/partners/manpower-group/ .

ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP

ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands  Manpower, Experis and Talent Solutions  creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity - as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2021 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 12th year - all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.

SOURCE ManpowerGroup
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Margaritaville, the global lifestyle brand synonymous with fun and escapism, announces their brand-new hospitality affinity program, Margaritaville Perks, a complete departure from the traditional, everyday loyalty program. With no points, levels to reach, or waiting for qualification, Margaritaville Perks offers guests simple and immediate perks, value-adds, and benefits to make the already-memorable and exciting experiences at Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts and Compass Hotels across the globe even more personalized and rewarding.

Margaritaville Perks is an industry-changing program with no membership levels or tiers. The program offers unique and exclusive Margaritaville branded perks and benefits that improve over time and become more personalized with member engagement, frequency, and feedback.

"Margaritaville destinations are an escape from the everyday, so we needed a loyalty program to match our fun lifestyle because there are no points, deadlines, or limits in paradise," said Tamara Baldanza-Dekker, Chief Marketing Officer of Margaritaville. "Margaritaville Perks showcases how much we love and appreciate our guests. Now, in addition to the solace travelers find in Margaritaville, they will also receive enticing rewards and offers that actually matter to them."

Margaritaville Perks are different at each hotel, resort, or destination and can be selected by the guest during their booking process or at the front desk. Some of the available surprise and delights include:

Cocktails & Concoctions

Welcome Amenities

Fruit & Cheese Plate

Movie Pack

Early Check-In

Late Check-Out

Desserts & Sweets

Room Upgrades

Resort Credits

Spa Discounts

Retail Discounts

Breakfast Buffet

Merchandise & Swag

Branded Goodies

For more information or to sign up for Margaritaville Perks, visit www.margaritavilleperks.com/sign-up. Currently, only U.S. residents, 21 years or older with a valid email address can join Margaritaville Perks.

About Margaritaville Perks

Margaritaville Perks is a welcome escape from the traditional loyalty program with no points, no levels to reach, and no waiting for qualification. The program is simple and straightforward - offering immediate benefits, value-adds, and brand perks to make guests' Margaritaville experience memorable and personalized. Travelers and fans alike can choose exclusive perks from personalized recommendations including early check-in, complimentary cocktails, and on-site amenities. Margaritaville, a state of mind since 1977, features over 20 lodging destinations, two gaming properties, over 60 food and beverage venues  as well as real estate communities, vacation clubs, and consumer lifestyle products. For more information, visit www.margaritavilleperks.com/home.

Media Contact

Finn Partners

[email protected]

SOURCE Margaritaville
FORT COLLINS, Colo., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fort Collins-based digital agency, Marketing 360, a technology company that provides business management and marketing software and services for SMBs and franchises, has achieved 2022 Premier Partner status in the Google Partners program, which only three percent of Google Partners achieve.

Marketing 360

"It is great to see Google revamp their partner program as we continue to lead the marketing tech space. Being amongst the top three percent is fitting as Marketing 360 has remained one of their top partners since the inception of the program, dating back to when we were one of only 30 preferred partners. As this program gets back to identifying the true key players in the marketing tech space, we look forward to continuing our innovation strategy and providing opportunities for our SMB clients and continued partnership with Google," said Jerry Kelly, CMO of Marketing 360.

This month, Google recognized the achievements of top-performing digital marketing partners across the globe by awarding Premier Partner status as part of the new Google Partners program .

The Google Partners program has undergone significant changes for 2022, including redefining what it means to be a Premier Partner through new, advanced program requirements and offering new Premier Partner benefits to support growth and success with Google Ads.

"Congratulations to our Premier Partners for being among the top three percent of Google Partners in the U.S. These companies stand out based on their commitment to developing product expertise, building new client relationships, and helping their current clients grow. We look forward to supporting them as they help their customers succeed online." - Davang Shah, Senior Director, Google Ads Marketing.

Marketing 360 is part of a select group of Premier Partners in the Google Partners program . This program is designed for advertising agencies and third parties that manage Google Ads accounts on behalf of other brands or businesses. Its mission is to empower companies by providing them with innovative tools, resources, and support to help their clients succeed and grow online.

About Marketing 360

Marketing 360 is a technology company that provides business marketing and marketing software and services for SMBs and franchises. The Marketing 360 platform gives SMBs everything they need to manage and grow their business from a singular platform, including the ability to  build a professional website, accept and manage payments, manage leads and customers, book appointments, monitor reviews, manage SMS, syndicate business listings, manage content marketing, run multi-channel digital advertising campaigns, and more. Marketing 360 was founded in 2009 with the mission of enriching communities by helping small businesses grow, and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, with offices in Austin, Texas. Learn more about Marketing 360 at https://www.marketing360.com/ .

Contact:

Farra Lanzer

970-541-3284

[email protected]

SOURCE Marketing 360
ICQPodcast - HamPi

In this episode, Martin Butler (M1MRB) is joined by Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Bill Barnes WC3B and Leslie Butterfield G0CIB to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief and in the episode's feature HamPi.

We would like to thank Daryll McCathery (VK6DMC ), Mr D Renton, Appledore and District Radio Club and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate



News stories include: -

Rye Man Convicted for Making Racial Remarks over Amateur Radio Networks

Foundation Online Training Course Statistics

Parks on the Air Radio Ham in the Press

FreeDV Activity Day

Pilots Fault Electronics "Spoofing" of GPS Signals

Platinum Jubilee NoV Now Available

Beijing Winter Olympics Special Event Station BY1CRA/WO22 is Active

ARRL Announces New World Wide Digital Contest

GB100 2MT marking the Centenary of British Broadcasting

Inventor of APRS, Bob Bruninga W4APR is SK

The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com
DUBAI, UAE, TEL AVIV, Israel and NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mashreq Bank of the UAE and ThetaRay today announced they will collaborate in transaction monitoring. The implementation of ThetaRay's AI-driven, next-generation solution allows safe and secure cross-border payment transfers for correspondent banking with protection from financial crime.

The collaboration between the UAE bank and ThetaRay, a leader in its field, came to fruition thanks to the Abraham Accords that were signed in September 2020 to normalize relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

"ThetaRay's technology, underpinned by advanced machine-learning-based models complementing rules, sets the foundation for next-generation transaction monitoring," said Scott Ramsay, Group Head of Compliance and Bank MLRO of Mashreq Bank. "By combining speed and agility with efficiency, it allows banks to effectively thwart financial crime risks in the increasingly complex space of cross-border payments."

ThetaRay's anti-money laundering (AML) solution is in line with the trend to establish UAE as a global financial center that connects the Middle East and Africa to the rest of the world. Mashreq Bank, being one of the leaders in this space, will use ThetaRay's solution to facilitate its growth safely and provide services to more countries and customers.

"Mashreq Bank is our first customer in the UAE," said Mark Gazit, CEO of ThetaRay. "We look forward to accelerating collaboration with additional financial institutions in the UAE and the entire Middle East, as part of the continued expansion of ThetaRay's global reach."

The COVID-19 era has triggered an upsurge in the volume of cross-border payments, a market that is expected to grow from $37.15 trillion in 2020 to $39.9 trillion by 2026. This market is a prime target for financial crimes such as money laundering, theft and fraud.

"Mashreq seeks to be a leader in building a bank fit for purpose for the future," said Ellis Wang, Group Head of Technology, Transformation and Information, Mashreq Bank. "And at its core are capabilities to keep our customers as well as the banking ecosystem safe. Mashreq will always continue to promote deployment of advanced technologies to achieve this outcome."

ThetaRay's solution allows banks and fintechs to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), rapidly expand revenues, improve customer service, and speed ROI from months to only days.

"Mashreq Bank joins the growing community of banks and financial institutions that are using ThetaRay's technology, including tier-1 banks, payment service providers, financial intelligence units and others," added Shay Dovev, SVP, Strategic Accounts, ThetaRay.

About Mashreq Bank

One of the UAE's best performing banks for over five decades, Mashreq Bank is a leading financial institution with an expanding footprint across the Middle East with a strong presence in the financial capitals of the world with international offices in Europe, Asia, Africa and the US.

About ThetaRay

ThetaRay's groundbreaking solution, based on "artificial intelligence intuition," allows banks to expand their business opportunities by achieving safe and reliable cross-border payment monitorization. Financial organizations that rely on highly heterogeneous and complex ecosystems benefit greatly from ThetaRay's unmatchable low false positive rates.

For more information, visit https://www.thetaray.com.

Contact:

Mark Prindle

Fusion PR

[email protected]

+1-917-517-4091

SOURCE ThetaRay
NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medscape Education has been awarded a contract from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the development of an educational curriculum and outreach programs on the use of biosimilars in medical practice.

Created to enhance healthcare providers' (HCPs') understanding of biosimilars, the program will include accredited continuing education (CE) courses for physicians, pharmacists, and nurses, covering a broad range of topics on biosimilars. Biosimilars are biological products that have no clinically meaningful difference from an existing FDA-approved product.

"Improving understanding of biosimilars among healthcare professionals is considered a key element of the FDA's Biosimilars Action Plan (BAP)," said Douglas Kaufman, group vice president, Medscape Education. "The healthcare industry, Congress, and healthcare professionals regard the issue as critical due to a general lack of knowledge about biosimilars, and our goal is to enhance HCP understanding of how to incorporate these products into practice. Medscape Education is honored to have been selected by FDA for this effort."

Medscape's programming will include information on biosimilar development, the regulatory review process, clinical outcomes, and practical applications and uses of biosimilars. A variety of educational formats such as case studies and video roundtable discussions will offer CE options tailored to an HCP's knowledge level. The leading source of clinical news, health information, and point-of-care tools for healthcare professionals, Medscape and its affiliate network of platforms currently reach over 5 million physicians worldwide.

"The FDA is committed to supporting and developing education about biosimilar and interchangeable products to help increase understanding about these medications, including their development and rigorous review process," said Sarah Yim, MD, director of the Office of Therapeutic Biologics and Biosimilars in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "We want healthcare providers to feel comfortable selecting and using biosimilars, as well as educating their patients about them. Having multiple options for healthcare providers to earn needed credits for licensing will make it even easier to learn about biosimilars."

The interprofessional education curriculum will be available to HCPs free of charge and activities will be certified for CME, CNE, CPE, ICPE, and ABIM MOC credit for primary care physicians, gastroenterologists, dermatologists, endocrinologists, hematologists, oncologists, nurses, and pharmacists.

Programs will begin to launch in spring 2022 and will be available at www.medscape.org.

About Medscape Education

Medscape Education (medscape.org) is the leading destination for continuous professional development, consisting of more than 30 specialty-focused destinations offering thousands of free CME and CE courses for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Medscape Education is part of the WebMD Health Network.

SOURCE Medscape Education
BOSTON, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MedVadis Research , an independent clinical trial research center, announced today that it is broadening its studies to address Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. In collaboration with the Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation's network of clinical sites, MedVadis plans to conduct at least five studies over the next year focused on developing more effective treatments for Alzheimer's by identifying the underlying causes of the disease.



"Entering Alzheimer's research is a natural evolution for Medvadis given the success of antibody-based therapeutics," said David DiBenedetto, M.D., General Director and Principal Investigator at MedVadis Research. "Over the past 20 years, we've conducted numerous studies involving the use of these proteins for the treatment of chronic pain and migraine prevention. Now, we are looking at the infusion drug Donanemab, which could be a breakthrough in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease."

Other current Alzheimer's disease studies MedVadis is conducting focus on preserving cognitive functioning through targeting the toxic proteins linked to the development of the disorder.

"We are exploring both small molecule and antibody treatments that are designed to either prevent the formation of these abnormal proteins or remove them once they have developed," said Egilius L.H. Spierings, M.D., Ph.D., Founder, Medical Director, and Principal Investigator at MedVadis Research. "Excitingly, we are also researching a medication that can potentially reverse the neurological damage caused by Alzheimer's. The ability to restore cognitive function in these patients would become possible should this study succeed."



To support ongoing Alzheimer's clinical trial recruitment efforts, MedVadis will host a free memory screening event for adults in the community who have memory concerns. The event takes place on Saturday, March 5th, 2022, at the Jordan's Furniture store in Reading, Massachusetts.

The memory screening event is particularly timely given rising concerns over the link between Covid-19 and the development of Alzheimer's. Recent data presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2021 found associations between COVID-19 and persistent cognitive deficits, including the acceleration of Alzheimer disease. Memory screenings are an effective tool to determine if a person would benefit from more extensive medical evaluations.

For more information on the event or to register for the free memory screening in advance, click here.

Alzheimer's disease is an age-associated neurodegenerative disease that causes the insidious onset of memory loss and cognitive decline that slowly progresses with loss of independence in daily function. Current estimates are that 4.7 million people in the US have Alzheimer's, and the number is projected to increase to 13.8 million by 2050.



About MedVadis Research

MedVadis Research is an independent clinical trial research center in Massachusetts dedicated to advancing and discovering new medical treatments. Founded in 1996, the center has conducted hundreds of clinical trials and research studies focused on various conditions, including migraine headache, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, chronic low-back pain, osteoarthritis, painful diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, asthma, hypertension, irritable bowel disease, and diabetes. MedVadis is also a member of the GAP-Net network of major research sites working with the Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation to further Alzheimer's and dementia research. Clinical trials run throughout the year. To learn more or sign up to participate, visit: https://medvadis.com.

Media Contact:

Andrea LePain

[email protected]

617-894-1153

SOURCE MedVadis
"Color-Box will expand our geographic footprint and provide additional packaging options for our customers." Tweet this

"Menasha Packaging and Color-Box are a great fit, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead," said Mike Riegsecker, President, Menasha Packaging Company. "Color-Box will expand our geographic footprint and provide additional graphics, design, and structural packaging options for our customers. Color-Box's business culture also strongly aligns with Menasha Packaging's, with a priority on safety and employee wellbeing, excellence in serving customers, and a focus on innovative solutions."

About Menasha Packaging

Menasha Packaging Company is the nation's largest independent, retail-focused packaging and merchandising solutions provider with a network of design centers, manufacturing plants, contract packaging, and fulfillment service centers. Menasha designs, prints, and produces high-end graphic packaging, displays and merchandising products for in-store and online. Menasha Packaging also provides repacking, assembly, and fulfillment services, and collaborates with the world's leading retailers and consumer packaged goods companies to deliver the greatest measurable value across the entire integrated omnichannel supply chain. Menasha Packaging is headquartered in Neenah, Wis., and employs approximately 3,800 people at over 50 facilities across North America.

About Menasha Corporation

Menasha Corporation is a leading corrugated and plastic packaging manufacturer and supply chain solutions provider specializing in retail merchandising packaging and displays, plastic reusable containers and pallets, protective packaging interiors, and packaging supply chain and fulfillment services. Menasha Corporation's products and services are used by major food, beverage, consumer products, industrial/automotive, health and beauty, over-the-counter pharmaceutical, and electronics companies. Established in 1849, Menasha Corporation is one of America's oldest privately held, family-owned manufacturing companies. Headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, the company employs approximately 6,500 employees in 122 facilities in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.menashacorporation.com.

About Georgia-Pacific Packaging

Based in Atlanta, GeorgiaPacific is a leading integrated packaging supplier providing a full range of packaging solutions across the U.S., including containerboard, corrugated boxes and sheets, recyclable mailers for e-commerce, high-graphic packaging through our Color-Box business and digital print for packaging through our Hummingbird business. The company's recycling subsidiary is among the world's largest traders of paper, metal, and plastics, contributing to a paper recovery rate of just over 65 percent and a corrugated recovery rate of about 90 percent in the U.S. For more information, visit: gppackaging.com.

SOURCE Menasha Packaging Company, LLC
CHICAGO, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Molecular Quality Controls Market by Product (Independent, Instrument Specific (PCR, DNA Sequencing)), Application (Infectious Diseases Diagnostic), Analyte Type, End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Lab)  Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market to grow from USD 164 million in 2021 to USD 226 million by 2026, at a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Molecular Quality Controls Market"

163  Tables

61  Figures

275  Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=82625523

The growth of this market is primarily driven by factors such as the rising adoption of third-party quality controls, increasing number of accredited clinical laboratories, the rising demand for external quality assessment support, increasing government funding to support genomics projects, increasing demand for personalized medicines and declining costs of sequencing procedures and increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, cancer & genetic diseases.

Independent controls accounted for the largest share of the molecular quality controls market in 2020

Based on product, the molecular quality control market is segmented into Independent Controls and Instrument Specific Controls. The Independent control segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2020. The increasing number of accredited laboratories and mandates for the use of quality controls from regulatory bodies to ensure the accuracy of diagnostic test results are driving the growth of the molecular quality control products market.

Single-analyte controls to account for the largest share of the market during the forecast period

Based on analyte type, the market is segmented into single-analyte controls and multi-analyte controls. Single-analyte controls dominated the molecular quality controls market in 2020 due to the significant use of singleplex assays in hospitals and the advantages associated with the use of single-analyte controls, such as simple analysis & interpretation and low risk of cross-reactivity.

Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=82625523

Infectious Disease Diagnostic to account for the largest share of the market during the forecast period

Based on application, the molecular quality control market is segmented into infectious disease diagnostics, oncology testing, genetic testing, and other applications. The infectious disease diagnostics segment accounted for the largest share of the molecular quality controls market in 2020. The large share of this segment is attributed to the development of advanced assays for infectious diseases, a significant increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases, and the rising awareness about the effective use of molecular diagnostic technologies to control the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases.

Diagnostic Laboratories to account for the largest share of the market during the forecast period

The key end users of molecular quality controls studied in this report include diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, IVD Manufacturers and CROs Academic & Research Institutes, and other end users. The Diagnostic Laboratories segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2020, increasing number of accredited diagnostic laboratories to provide growth opportunities in the coming years.

Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=82625523

The APAC molecular quality controls market is projected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period.

The molecular quality control market is segmented into five major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2020, North America was the largest regional market for molecular quality controls due to the developed healthcare system in the US and Canada, the presence of many leading molecular quality control product manufacturers in the region, and the easy accessibility to technologically advanced products in the region. However, the market in the Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The presence of emerging economies such as China and India and the significant demand for high-quality and accurate diagnostic tests from the large patient population in this region are the major factors supporting the growth of the Asia Pacific market.

The prominent players in the molecular quality controls market are F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US), Randox Laboratories Ltd. (UK), LGC Limited (UK), Abbott Laboratories (US), Fortress Diagnostics (UK), SERO AS (Norway), Anchor Molecular (US), Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. (US), Quidel Corporation (US), Sun Diagnostics, LLC (US), Seegene Inc. (South Korea), ZeptoMetrix, LLC (US), Qnostics (UK), Bio-Techne Corporation (US), Microbiologics, Inc. (US), Microbix Biosystems Inc. (Canada), SpeeDx Pty. Ltd. (Australia), Maine Molecular Quality Controls, Inc. (US), and Grifols, S.A. (Spain).

Browse Adjacent Markets: Medical Devices Market Research Reports & Consulting

Browse Related Reports:

In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Quality Control Market by Source (Plasma, Whole Blood, Urine), Technology (Immunoassay, Hematology, Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics), Manufacturer (Third-party, OEM), End Users (Hospitals, Lab) - Global Forecast to 2026

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/in-vitro-diagnostics-quality-controls-market-198032582.html

Molecular Diagnostics Market by Product & Service(Reagents, Kits, PoC & Tabletop Instruments), Application(COVID-19, Hepatitis, HAI, HIV, Oncology, Genetic Tests), Technology (PCR, NGS, ISH), End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Labs)-Global Forecast to 2026

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/molecular-diagnostic-market-833.html

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.

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MarketsandMarkets INC.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
CHESAPEAKE, Va., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MozaicID is partnering with American K-9 Interdiction, LLC. (AK9I) to provide a health testing solution through the use of the Covid Detector Dog program and the MozaicID K9 Covid Test Solution (M-K9CT), a MozaicID engineered application. This partnership proposes a secure solution to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 by accurately detecting up to 20 SARS-CoV-2 samples in less than 30 seconds.

MozaicID partners with American K-9 Interdiction, LLC. to provide Covid-19 Testing solution that rapidly identifies and notifies an individual of their Covid-19 testing status.

The M-K9CT works directly with AK9I Covid Detector Dog program to offer a rapid and secure Covid Testing and Communication solution that identifies and notifies an individual of their Covid-19 testing status. The M-K9CT safeguards all Personal Identifiable Information (PII) through the use of a barcode for testing candidates. Test results are sent directly to the testing candidate's mobile phones within minutes of the test.

AK9I currently stands as the only nationally accredited K9 training institution in the country, assigned by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). In August 2021, they successfully completed the testing phase of the Covid Detector Dog program after a six-month period focusing on extensive research, training and development. Trainers from AK9I trained three canines to successfully identify and discriminate which samples were positive for Covid-19 and which ones were negative. The dogs achieved an impressive 97% accuracy rate in identifying positive Covid-19 samples. Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, VA hosted the first deployment of the M-K9CT application along with AK9I Covid Detector Dog program on February 12th.

The application is suitable for all large venues in need of trusted K9 Covid testing and is available for immediate deployment.

To learn more about the MozaicID-K9CT Solution for your organization, visit https://www.mozaicid.com/.

About MozaicID

MozaicID has developed groundbreaking, integrated security solutions, providing identity verifications for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies. The premier product, the MozaicID MCR is the leading solution on the market providing assured smartcard authentication and identity verification. Operating as a stand-alone product that requires zero connectivity during normal credential reading operations. MozaicID is an industry innovator within the security ecosphere with access to the most up-to-date resources and technologies. For more information, visit www.MozaicID.com.

Media Contact:

Stephen Winn

(757) 767-7744

[email protected]

www.MozaicID.com

SOURCE MozaicID
PALM SPRINGS, Fla., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- My Eyelab , a retail brand of Now Optics, is staying true to its vision of modernizing the eye care experience for all people and making franchising easy. 2021 was another impressive year of growth for My Eyelab with 46 new store openings, bringing its total to 143 locations, 75 of which are franchised and 68 are corporate. In addition to a 16% same store sales increase, My Eyelab signed 30 new franchise deals and saw a 21% increase in new units compared to 2020. Overall, parent company Now Optics has administered 1.8 million telehealth eye exams since launching the service, a 33% increase from 2020, solidifying its national eyecare and retail brands as industry leaders in optical telehealth services. Across its brands, which also includes Stanton Optical, Now Optics has approximately 260 open locations across America.

My Eyelab recently ranked in the top 100 of Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. A highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry and an invaluable source for potential franchisees, the Franchise 500 ranked My Eyelab 100th for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability and brand power. This is the third consecutive year My Eyelab has been ranked.

"As we look back on 2021 and the entire pandemic journey thus far, it's surreal to see how far we've come and we can't wait for what lies ahead. Between our openings and signed agreements that's greatly expanded our reach, the millions of patients we've treated through telehealth, and repeatedly being mentioned alongside marquee brands, what we've accomplished during these unprecedented times is nothing short of remarkable," said Daniel Stanton, Founder and CEO of Now Optics. "As the demand for telehealth increases and becomes more established in our country's healthcare, we feel confident that Now Optics' industry-leading telehealth services will continue to separate ourselves in the eye care space and make My Eyelab and Stanton Optical household brand names."

Business projections are forecasting an even stronger year for My Eyelab franchise development in 2022. Early estimates predict 75 new units, including expanded reach in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Utah and Michigan. Among the new franchise owners are three former My Eyelab corporate employees  Nikki Gosal, Shelan Patel and Eduardo Ortiz  who signed franchise agreements with the company last year. New markets of focus for development and growth for My Eyelab in 2022 include Phoenix, AZ; Orlando, FL; Tampa, FL; Fort Myers, FL; Cedar Rapids, IA; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Louisville, KY; Lexington, KY; Salt Lake City, UT and Detroit, MI.

As the company looks forward to 2022, My Eyelab is reinforcing themselves as a fun and fashionable trend setting brand with easy and affordable eyecare. To commemorate this renewed focus, My Eyelab is launching a new tagline, 'Your Vision, My Eyelab.' My Eyelab remains dedicated to its loyal customers by leveraging its proprietary telehealth technology and remote network of available doctors to provide patients with eye exams virtually in-store. To date, the company has conducted more than 1.8 million telehealth eye exams, something no other optical provider can offer.

My Eyelab, is committed to making franchising in the eyecare space easier than ever. To continue its impressive trajectory, the company is seeking qualified franchise partners that share the same vision and have a passion for managing their own business. My Eyelab's streamlined business model makes it easy for anyone to learn the optical industry and hit the ground running from day one. In fact, 86% of My Eyelab franchisees have signed or opened multiple units, and 2020 saw an average of 4.75 units per closing franchisee. Their corporate team of experts have over 50 years of combined experience to share and provide the needed training and on-going support in all aspects of running the operation, from site selection to marketing, merchandising and technology.

For more information about My Eyelab, visit www.myeyelab.com . To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit www.myeyelabfranchise.com or contact Charles Kowanetz at [email protected] or 561-331-0933.

ABOUT NOW OPTICS:

Now Optics is a leader in the eye care industry. Its retail brands, My Eyelab and Stanton Optical, are among the nation's fastest growing, full-service retail optical centers. The company continues to expand its retail footprint with over 260 corporate and franchise locations in 28 states while delivering affordable eye health and eyewear solutions. The company consistently ranks among the largest optical retailers in the country by Vision Monday and was ranked #3 on Entrepreneur's list of Top New Franchises in 2021. Visit myeyelab.com or stantonoptical.com for more information. Find details about franchise opportunities at myeyelabfranchise.com .

SOURCE Now Optics
The new service connects the direct container lines between Singapore and the wider Gulf region and is the first to directly connect Singapore and Malaysia with Oman. It will greatly reduce journey times and offer competitive transhipment rates through SOHAR Port, in Oman, which already provides direct services to China, South Korea, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and the wider Gulf region, affording southeast Asian partners swift and easy access to new markets in the Gulf, the Middle East and East Africa.

Abdulrahman Salim Al Hatmi, Group CEO, Asyad Group, said, "The new Singapore and Malaysia services are an important step forward in securing Asyad and Oman's position as a global logistics leader and gateway to growing consumer markets, it serves to demonstrate that ASYAD offers one of the most competitive, advanced, efficient and technologically-integrated logistics solutions worldwide."

ASYAD Shipping CEO, Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, commented, "We are delighted to be directly connecting Oman, and in particular the port of Sohar, with key southeast Asian growth markets and providing exciting new opportunities to Asyad Shipping's existing and future customers. Asyad's owned and integrated network with logistics facilities provides unparalleled security and control over all aspects of operations, benefiting customers.

"This the first of its kind service, will increase delivery speed and ensure goods coming from Singapore and Malaysia have direct and easy access, using a trusted shipping solutions provider, to the GCC, the Middle East and East Africa markets within excess of 500 million consumers."

With an anticipated total throughput of 100K TEUs annually, Asyad Shipping's vessel is one of two Omani-owned vessels operating this route and is equipped with refrigerated containers especially designed to transport food and other perishable items, allowing ASYAD Line ships to combine cargo from ports in Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka for shorter shipping times and more competitive rates for customers and traders in Oman and those using SOHAR as a gateway to the rest of the world.

About ASYAD

ASYAD is Oman's integrated logistics provider  with an ambition to make the country one of the world's top ten logistics hubs. The Group offers integrated services and end-to-end logistics  demonstrably improving performance, creating efficiencies, and offering economies of scale. The Group's customers benefit from Oman's location - situated close to global trade routes and with major global ports within 2 week's sail. The company's website is https://www.asyad.om/.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1746120/ASYAD.jpg

SOURCE ASYAD
BIRMINGHAM, Mich., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Memory Health, the only supplement patented for the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative disease, has been proven in another independent clinical study to show benefits for working memory and cognitive function in older adults. The study was conducted by scientists led by researchers Drs. Rebecca Power and John M. Nolan of the Waterford Institute of Technology, Mercer's Institute for Successful Aging, University Hospital Ireland and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Results were published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study utilized the Memory Health supplement to test the product's formula comprised of -3FAs (omega-3 fatty acids), carotenoids (lutein, meso-zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin) and vitamin E, with respect to its ability to improve cognitive performance. The double-blind placebo-controlled, randomized research study focused on cognitively healthy older adults who were randomly assigned to take Memory Health or a placebo during a 24-month period and were asked to perform working memory tasks. Study participants taking Memory Health outperformed those who were not taking the supplement, underscoring the importance of nutritional enrichment with the Memory Health formula in reducing cognitive decline.

The study can be reviewed here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261561421005537

Memory Health Managing Partner Edward Shehab said that it is time to stop ignoring the power of supplements when it comes to memory and brain health.

"Our formula and its results have been validated time and time again," Shehab said. "Memory Health is supported by real science, conducted by leading nutritional scientists, over years of independently funded research. Memory Health has been studied in its entirety as a complete supplement. It's very important to note that our supplement was not only given credit for working because it contained certain ingredients, like fish oil, but because the ingredients in our product work together to produce the outcome."

He added that Memory Health provides an opportunity to improve the chance of avoiding Alzheimer's and dementia without "costing a fortune."

"It is never too early to start your journey toward brain health, but it can be too late," he said. "Memory Health is that start."

In the published study, the group of researchers summarized the conclusion of their research as follows: "This research has shown improvements in working memory following 24-month supplementation with -3FAs, xanthophyll carotenoids and vitamin E in cognitively healthy older adults. . .These findings illustrate the importance of nutritional enrichment in improving cognition and enabling older adults to continue to function independently and highlight how a combination of -3FAs and xanthophyll carotenoids may prove beneficial in reducing cognitive decline and/or delaying Alzheimer's disease onset in later life."

This recent study is one of several that have been conducted on Memory Health over a more than 20-year period, all of which have demonstrated Memory Health to improve the brain health of both diseased and healthy brains of people of all ages. The results of one of these trials was published in the "Journal of Alzheimer's Disease." The publication called Memory Health "a glimmer of hope" in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

The product also holds three patents specifically for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's and dementia.

Learn more about these studies and patents at https://www.memoryhealth.com/pages/science and MemoryHealth.com.

SOURCE Memory Health
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Systems Planning and Analysis, (SPA) Inc., is pleased to announce that Thomas Troyano has joined the company as Vice President and Technical Fellow for Nuclear Modernization. Mr. Troyano will focus on building and strengthening SPA's nuclear program portfolio supporting the military Services, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security. In addition, he will provide expertise in strategy and concept development and product quality assurance.

Before joining SPA, Mr. Troyano served 28 years in positions at the highest levels of the Department of Defense (DoD), leading the portfolio management of nuclear modernization acquisition programs in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Most recently he served as acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategic, Space, and Intelligence Portfolio Management, overseeing the acquisition and analysis of warfighting capability portfolios across DoD in multiple domains: nuclear weapons systems; nuclear command, control, and communications; missile defense; and space.

"We are excited to have Tom join our team," said Dr. William Vantine, SPA President and CEO. "His unique experience and expertise in the nation's critical nuclear modernization programs will be an invaluable asset to SPA and our customers and will further enhance our ability to help them solve their most challenging problems."

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. is a premier international provider of innovative and leading-edge solutions in support of complex National Security programs and defense priorities. SPA's capabilities include Advanced Analytics, Software Tool Development, System Engineering, Strategy, Policy and Compliance, and Program Management. SPA employees are subject matter experts in numerous domains, including Land, Undersea, Surface and Air Warfare Operations; Intelligence Community, Radar and Sensor Systems; Unmanned Systems and Counter Systems; Nuclear Deterrence Policy, Safety and Security; Defense Industrial Base; Space Systems; Ballistic Missile Systems; Cybersecurity policy; and Hypersonics.

SOURCE Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.
Indian leaders always preferred close strategic cooperation with Russian authorities politically, economically and militarily, making US its second priority.

by Asad Ali

Realist School of Thought says there are no permanent friends and foes in global politics. The ultimate objective of every state is to protect its own national interests by using offensive and defensive postures. And, there is no concept of morality when it comes to international relations. These words best suits Indian government and its policymakers. The people, in the helm of affairs in India, are trying to protect political, economic and strategic interests of the country, by setting aside decade old bilateral ties and moral values. Historically speaking, Indian foreign policy had remained non-aligned. It refused to choose sides during cold war era, when world was divided in bipolar groups  one headed by US while was led by former Soviet Union  now Russia. Yes, it is a well-established fact that leaders in New Delhi maintains close strategic ties with Russia in order to acquire most sophisticated military equipment, aimed at deterring Pakistan.

U.S. Marine Corps and JASDF personnel await the arrival of JASDF F-2 aircraft at the East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka, Japan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Katie Gray uploaded to Flickr on Dec. 9, 2021.

Indian leaders always preferred close strategic cooperation with Russian authorities politically, economically and militarily, making US its second priority. Indian and Russian leaders often visits both countries for annual summit. In response to its close strategic cooperation with India, Russia provides New Delhi with the best available state of the art military hardware. However, due to the developing geo-strategic environment of the world, the priorities of Indian establishment are varying under premier Modi. Since last few years, Indias strategic bonding with US has been increasing drastically. The recent strategic shift in the region compelled US to get closer to India just to keep an eye on its competitors such as Russia and most importantly China.

Both India and US have same strategic objectives in the region, which we called South Asia and Southeast Asia. They wanted to contain the rise of China and Russia in the region. To accomplish its strategic objectives in the region, both US and India are cooperation strategically with each other. Moreover, Indias strategic bonhomie with Russian and Chinese rival US is creating sense of losing strategic pivot for both Russia and China. Therefore, both states have increased their regional outreach by garnering maximum support from regional countries particularly Pakistan. The fall of Kabul, tension in Persian Gulf, growing US presence in the region and other regional development brought Pakistan closer to Russia and China. Indias intimacy with US is also major cause for convergence of interests between Russia, China and Pakistan.

Likewise, Indian government is seeking more support from US to act against China and its ultimate rise, which India considers dangerous in order to accomplish its self-created dream to become regional hegemon. To accomplish this self-created dream, Indian leaders have sided with US, which is not a good omen for New Delhis long term foreign policy goals. The growing US presence in Indo-Pacific Region is also not good for regional peace as well because it is likely to create chaos and strategic competition in the region. Furthermore, Indo-US approach containment of China is also being viewed as creating divides in the region. These acts will also disturb balance of power in the region.

Russia for its part, has been uncomfortable with growing Indo-US strategic partnership and especially recent cooperation between Quad states including US Japan and Australia. In September 2021 when the first in-person Quad leaders summit occurred, Russian top diplomat Lavrov alleged that Western state and US are trying to engage India in anti-China games by promoting Indo-Pacific strategies.

In Russian context, the recent shift in Indias foreign policy priorities is crucial for Moscows strategic objectives in the region. Overall situation in Russian neighborhood, fall of Kabul, are major concern for Moscow and its policymakers as they have to deal with both India and US at a same time. India sided with US at a critical juncture, which proves realist school of thought right. Interestingly, India supported US over the recent Russia-Ukraine standoff, a move which has wounded Russian policymakers. During a vote at UNSC on whether to hold an official session to discuss Ukraine crisis, India, along with some other non-permanent members of UNS, refused to support US-led push for meeting by abstaining.This Indian incident is part of a larger pattern in New Delhis actions that presents challenges to American neo-primacy.

Likewise, Indian political and foreign affairs experts have warned Modis government of consequences due to its unilateral approach towards US. But, the time will decide whos at par in this strategic competition. For Pakistan, this is the best time to get closer to Russia, mending historical differences. Policymakers in Islamabad should capitalize this opportunity and get political, economic and strategic support from Russia. Prime Minister Imran Khans decision Russia at this time is right and strategic move, which is likely to enhance cooperation between two states. After the fall of Kabul, Pakistan is once again getting international and regional pivot to play crucial role in Afghanistan. Islamabad must grab this opportunity to get maximum relief from international community to acknowledge its sacrifice and provide more economic leverage to the country. For Russia, it is right time to expand its strategic bonding with Pakistan, keeping in view Indo-US strategic bonhomie. Now, it is the best time for the trio of Pakistan-Russia-China to lead this region and play crucial role in making this region peaceful and economically strong. Indian quest for becoming regional hegemon will never met its real fate.

The writer is Islamabad based expert of Indian affairs and can be reached at asadmalik2008@gmail.com
NEW YORK and BINYAMINA, Israel, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OncoHost, a global leader in next-generation precision oncology for improved personalized cancer therapy, announced today that Dr. Ofer Sharon, CEO of the company, will be presenting at the upcoming 2022 BIO CEO & Investor Conference. The event is being held at the Marriott Marquis in NYC on February 14-15 and virtually through the 17th.

Hosted annually by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) for over 20 years, this conference is focused on emerging public and private companies, offering a meeting place for institutional investors, industry analysts and senior biotech executives. The conference draws biotech companies looking to make the connections needed to take their products to the next phase.

"The fight against cancer is not an easy battle, but through our PROphet platform, OncoHost is changing the landscape of precision oncology," said Dr. Ofer Sharon, CEO of OncoHost. "We are excited to take part in this important conference and to share our goal of transforming cancer treatment for patients with the biotech world, analysts and investors."

In his presentation, Dr. Sharon will focus on OncoHost's unique approach to precision oncology and the company's business model. OncoHost recently announced interim results from its ongoing multicenter clinical trial, PROPHETIC. The clinically significant results confirmed that through proteomic analysis of one blood test pre-treatment, PROphet can predict patient response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with high accuracy at three months, six months and one year.

PROphet is a first-of-its-kind diagnostic platform that combines proteomic analysis with artificial intelligence (AI) to predict patient response to immunotherapy and identify resistance-associated processes. The device employs high-throughput protein analysis technology, scanning approximately 7,000 proteins in a patient's plasma to identify proteomic patterns that are predictive of patient outcome. PROphet also identifies potential drug targets, advancing the development of novel therapeutic strategies and providing clinicians with potential combination strategies to overcome treatment resistance. OncoHost plans to launch PROphet in the United States this year.



Dr. Sharon's presentation will be available on-demand as part of the 2022 BIO CEO & Investor Conference from February 14.

About OncoHost

OncoHost combines life-science research and advanced machine learning technology to develop personalized strategies to maximize the success of cancer therapy. Utilizing proprietary proteomic analysis, the company aims to understand patients' unique response to therapy and overcome one of the major obstacles in clinical oncology today  resistance to therapy. OncoHost's host response profiling platform, PROphet, analyzes proteomic changes in blood samples to monitor the dynamics of biological processes induced by the patient (i.e., the host) in response to a given cancer therapy. This proteomic profile is highly predictive of individual patient outcome, thus enabling personalized treatment planning. PROphet also identifies potential drug targets, advancing the development of novel therapeutic strategies as well as rationally based combination therapies.

For more information, visit http://www.oncohost.com.

Follow OncoHost on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact:

FINN Partners for OncoHost

Lior Feigin

[email protected]

@LiorFeigin

+1 929 588 2016

+972-54-282-4503

SOURCE OncoHost
Wardle joins PEAK with 20 years of sales and marketing expertise in the event and entertainment industry. Prior to joining PEAK, she played an integral role in the development of the Longwood Venues & Destinations brand where she was the Head of Sales & Marketing, overseeing revenue growth, data analysis, and creating structure during new venue acquisitions. Her leadership style focuses strongly on client relationships, team development, creating efficiencies and pushing the industry forward.

"I couldn't be more excited to join a team that already feels like coming home to family," said Wardle. "Being a client for the past 14 years I've watched the growth of the PEAK Event Services brand intimately. Now couldn't be a better time in my career to jump right in and analyze things from the other side."

Wardle has worked on hundreds of notable events across the east coast including movie productions, political campaigns, celebrity weddings, major city fundraisers, multi-day corporate events and more. She also spent time in Chicago and New York as Vice President of Private Events & Catering with the 16 On Center brand opening restaurants, food halls and concert venues.

"Throughout the years Nichole and I have worked together on many projects both as colleagues and as supply chain partners," said Jennifer Gullins, President and CEO of PEAK Event Services. "She's an out-of-the-box thinker, with bold ideas and a data driven management style that will help us to continue to reshape this business during the post-pandemic recovery. I'm excited for the opportunity to work with her again."

"I am thrilled to be back on the east coast to have the opportunity to work alongside Jennifer Gullins for a second time in my career," said Wardle. "She is a long-time industry confidant and overall well-respected leader you want to do big things with. I'm very excited to see what the future holds."

Notably, Wardle has taught adjunct at the University of Rhode Island for the Public Relations department where she mentored students and got them excited about careers in event management. She has also spoken on local and national panels about topics related to event trends and, earlier in her career, was named "Top 40 Under 40" by Providence Business News.

About PEAK: With over 70 years of experience in the event industry, PEAK Event Services is New England's leading tent and event rental resource. PEAK's goal of offering customers a full portfolio of unmatched products has been enhanced in recent years with the additional acquisitions of Table Toppers of Newton, Reserve Modern Event Rental, JG Willis, Be Our Guest and Newport Tent Company.

PEAK makes it easy for clients to plan, design and execute events. With five showrooms across New England, and more combined experience and expertise than any other event and tent rental company in the region, PEAK's people have established relationships with the area's most respected event planners, caterers, corporations, and venues. PEAK's unmatched selection of itemsfrom tents and furniture to glassware and linenscreate behind-the-scenes magic. PEAK is more than a rental companythey're a collaborative team with round-the-clock dedication to their customers.

SOURCE PEAK Event Services
Hong Kong has been severely hit by the latest wave of COVID-19 infections in recent weeks. In response to challenges including the lack of manpower for pandemic prevention and control, and the limited testing capacity, the Hong Kong SAR government has rolled out a universal program, distributing testing kits and allowing the residents to test themselves for COVID-19. Those who need to confirm the results can go to the testing stations to get additional confirmatory qPCR tests.

The Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 (Trial Version 8), jointly released by the National Health Commission and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, clearly states that the positive result of nucleic acid test is the primary criterion for COVID-19 diagnosis. Compared to rapid antigen test, the sensitivity and specificity of nucleic acid test are far superior, and it can also detect infected patients at a much earlier stage. However, current common nucleic acid test like qPCR test requires expensive instruments and cumbersome operation processes, so the tests are primarily used in hospitals, third-party testing centers or laboratories. As such, qPCR test is not conducive to obtaining test results immediately at community-based testing sites.

Although rapid antigen test is simple and convenient to use, its sensitivity is significantly lower than that of qPCR test. In most cases, it can only detect strong positive samples, and if the concentration of viruses contained in the samples does not reach a certain number, there will be a probability of false negatives. Thus, in the early phases of infection, qPCR test is more accurate than antigen test.

Professor Zhou SONGYANG, Founder of Pluslife Biotech, said, "With the rapid spread of COVID-19 and increasing need for COVID-19 monitoring, developing suitable nucleic acid Point of Care Testing (POCT) products that are as low-cost and convenient as rapid antigen test, while retaining the accuracy and sensitivity the same as qPCR test, would be meaningful for the society as a whole to better control the pandemic."

Pluslife Biotech is a developer and manufacturer of POCT nucleic acid testing & home-test products based in the Greater Bay Area. The company has urgently deployed the first batch of thousands of test kits for use to Hong Kong hospitals and clinics. Pluslife Biotech is a new force in the fight against the pandemic with technology, and one of the first companies in China to launch in vitro diagnostic (IVD) home-based POCT nucleic acid testing. Pluslife Mini Dock, developed by Pluslife Biotech, is the first handheld POCT nucleic acid testing product for COVID-19. The company has completed ISO13485 quality management system and CE certification and achieved sales in many regions across the globe.

Pluslife's POCT nucleic acid testing reaches very high level of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, which is similar as qPCR test. It also can stably detect viruses at a very low LoD (Limit of Detection). The actual stable LoD is 200 copies/mL, which is even better than qPCR test.

Moreover, Pluslife Mini Dock addresses the existing problems of dependence on expensive instruments (the single unit is usually priced at more than hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars), and can achieve on-site nucleic acid testing at the grassroots level and obtain test results immediately. In terms of testing method, after taking the anterior nasal swab sample, users simply put the swab into the lysate and the test card, and then insert the test card into the Mini Dock for one-step testing and get results.

In terms of testing efficiency, Pluslife Mini Dock can detect a positive sample in about 15 minutes and confirm a negative sample in 35 minutes, significantly reducing the waiting time compared to the qPCR test (usually 3-4 hours with extraction, not including sample transfer time to the lab). In terms of cost, the cost of Pluslife Mini Dock is much more affordable than other POCT nucleic acid testing instruments in the market, and it is also reusable, making it suitable for large-scale use at the grassroots level.

The breakthrough of Pluslife Biotech's highly sensitive, low-cost, easy-to-use and reliable products is supported by a team with strong innovation capabilities and dedicated focus on technology.

Professor Zhou SONGYANG has decades of expertise in research and development in the field of protein engineering and other life science areas. He has published more than 150 articles as first author and corresponding author in internationally well-known journals such as Cell, Nature and Science, with total citations of more than 19,000 times. The company's R&D team includes first batch of overseas high-level talents, professors, PhDs and senior experts in the IVD industry, who have extensive experience in core proteins, assay technologies, product structure and stable production.

Traditional qPCR products rely on elevated temperatures and have high hardware requirements, resulting in the overall high cost of the instruments; while the majority of the existing isothermal nucleic acid testing can address the cost issue and have faster amplification speed, but they cannot stably reach good sensitivity and specificity, which make them unable to be directly benchmarked with qPCR, so for a long time there was no well-formed POCT nucleic acid testing that could be applied to families as well as community health clinics.

To develop a high performance POCT nucleic acid testing product, Pluslife Biotech developed RHAM, an underlying technology with independent intellectual property rights, which is different from the traditional isothermal amplification technologies such as LAMP or CRISPR detection technology.

RHAM technology shows similar performance as qPCR, and is much better than the traditional isothermal amplification technologies (like LAMP) in terms of sensitivity, stability and specificity. The wider tolerance and better compatibility of RHAM realize the one-step operation of sample processing, amplification and detection all-in-one. This process does not involve actions such as opening the lid after the amplification (no aerosol contamination), and has low requirements for external environment and hardware support. Currently, Pluslife Biotech has applied for more than 60 patents around various technologies including RHAM, many of which have been granted.

The COVID-19 testing products, represented by Pluslife Mini Dock, have opened up more scenario possibilities for POCT nucleic acid testing. According to Professor Zhou SONGYANG, Pluslife Mini Dock can be applied to scenarios such as customs, airport testing sites, hospital emergencies, rapid preoperative testing, mobile/field labs/testing with the military, community clinics, and even for home self-testing. Through more flexible on-site testing, pandemic prevention and control can be achieved at source. COVID-19 patients can also be detected and quarantined early, while reducing the waiting time for those with negative results. "Controlling the spread of the pandemic is of great significance to ensure the vitality of the national economy," Professor Zhou SONGYANG added.

SOURCE Pluslife Biotech
Comprehensive collection is designed for teaching and researching the history and lives of Black history and culture in the U.S.

LONDON, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EdTech leader ProQuest, part of Clarivate, today announced the launch of ProQuest Black Studies, a browsable collection of curated sources on the history and lives of Black Americans, for use in classrooms and research.

This new resource covers several centuries of history, from the colonial era to recent times. At launch, it includes 10 major historical Black newspapers, 120 archival collections and 120 full-text journals, video, and faculty essays all centered on Black studies. It is available as a subscription for academic libraries on the ProQuest platform.

"I love the topic pages that feature people, events or organizations," said Ashley D. Farmer, Associate Professor of African and African Diaspora Studies & History at the University of Texas Austin. "These are ideal for asking students to dig deeper and great entry points for paper research."

Content in the Black Studies Collection includes:

The NAACP Papers: nearly two million pages of internal memos, legal briefings and direct-action summaries from the association's national, legal and branch offices throughout the U.S.



nearly two million pages of internal memos, legal briefings and direct-action summaries from the association's national, legal and branch offices throughout the U.S. Records of three of the most important civil rights organizations of the 1950s and 1960s: Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)



Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Award-winning primary-source collections focusing on slavery and the abolitionist movement , including Race, Slavery and Free Blacks project, edited by Loren Schweninger ; and the Black Abolitionist Papers, edited by C. Peter Ripley and George E. Carter



, including Race, Slavery and Free Blacks project, edited by ; and the Black Abolitionist Papers, edited by C. and An incredible archive of historical Black newspapers that capture the contours of Black community life  including the Chicago Defender and the New York Amsterdam News

"At ProQuest, we believe that knowledge and trusted information can help guide better understanding and change. In collaboration with renowned faculty and scholars in Black history, we brought existing and new content together onto one platform, making important content discoverable in a new way," said Susan Bokern, Vice President of Product Management at ProQuest. "ProQuest Black Studies allows users to see contextual relationships within a topic and make serendipitous discoveries. Students and faculty can browse the archival collections as though they were exploring a physical archive in a library."

ProQuest Black Studies is ideal for research at all levels, from undergraduate courses to Ph.D. programs. It supports research projects in African American history, U.S. history, political science, and sociology courses. Graduate students can use the collection for articles, research seminar papers, theses, and dissertations. Topic pages and a comprehensive timeline allow faculty and students to pinpoint a person or event and then quickly retrieve newspaper articles, primary sources, and journal articles on the subject.

The resource will continue to grow over time with new archival collections, additional videos, government content  such as key Supreme Court cases and laws  and more.

About ProQuest, part of Clarivate (about.proquest.com)

ProQuest supports the important work in the world's research, teaching and learning communities. The company curates six centuries of content  one of the world's largest collections of journals, ebooks, primary sources, dissertations, news, and video  and builds powerful workflow solutions to help libraries acquire and grow collections that inspire extraordinary outcomes. ProQuest products and services are used in academic, K-12, public, corporate and government libraries in 150 countries.

Along with its companies and affiliates Ex Libris, Alexander Street and Bowker, ProQuest helps its customers achieve better research, better learning, and better insights. For more information, visit our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

About Clarivate

Clarivate is a global leader in providing solutions to accelerate the lifecycle of innovation. Our bold mission is to help customers solve some of the world's most complex problems by providing actionable information and insights that reduce the time from new ideas to life-changing inventions in the areas of science and intellectual property. We help customers discover, protect and commercialize their inventions using our trusted subscription and technology-based solutions coupled with deep domain expertise. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.

SOURCE Clarivate Plc
TAMARAC, Fla., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PuroClean, a leading commercial and residential restoration and remediation franchise, has released its 2021 end-of-year figures, offering an inside look at the company's success over the past year. In 2021, PuroClean welcomed 77 new franchisees to its network and opened 55 new locations across the United States. In addition to the company's growing franchise network, PuroClean's national partners' roster saw similar growth with the onboarding of 17 new national accounts. Throughout 2021, the brand earned a variety of notable accolades underscoring its impact on the industry, the business community at large, and ultimately, the public.

"Navigating this past year has been a challenge but I've been so impressed by how our teams have continued to perform consistently and diligently, providing relentless customer service to the communities across North America who depend on PuroClean every day," said Steve White, President and COO of PuroClean. "Our goal every year is to grow stronger, build upon our foundation and create new value for our owners and customers. After an incredible year, we have our sights set on 2022 and know there's a long and exciting road ahead for PuroClean."

Explosive Network Expansion

Within the last year, PuroClean's Franchise Development team drove brand growth to new heights for the company, and with great expansion, the network added 77 new franchise signings across the country. As a result, PuroClean shattered prior records in 2021 and is on track to open its 400th office by mid-year 2022.

Multi-unit ownership also saw a steady increase, speaking volumes about the brand's value proposition to entrepreneurs seeking growth opportunities, with 19 new franchises signed by existing owners in 2021. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, PuroClean has transitioned many of its onboarding and training programs to a hybrid service package, offering both in-person and online services, with virtual continuing education providing added flexibility to business owners and making expansion easier than ever.

"Having boots on the ground serving members of our community who need a helping hand is a true testament to the servant leadership exhibited by our team; from our outstanding Home Office employees to our passionate franchise owners, we're fortunate to have such great people willing to roll up their sleeves when times get tough," said Mark W. Davis, PuroClean CEO and Chairman.

A Focus on Business Development

In addition to PuroClean's growing franchise footprint, the brand's national accounts team also gained significant traction throughout 2021. PuroClean's strategic partners work hand-in-hand with the brand's business development division, enabling preferred partner status with major carriers for PuroClean franchises throughout North America. In July, PuroClean welcomed the rollout of the company's first in-house call center, a project spearheaded by PuroClean's Business Development team, which streamlines the dispatch process for franchise locations across the country. With this major addition to PuroClean's Home Office, the brand can comfortably meet the demands of a growing network.

Passionate Approach to Passionate Servant Leadership Earns PuroClean National Recognition

Underscoring PuroClean's innovation and success in 2021 were numerous accolades across the restoration and remediation industry, as well as wins for the brand in national business awards programs. Most notably, the company ranked within the Top 100 in Entrepreneur Magazine's annual Franchise 500 ranking. PuroClean was also recognized by Franchise Times on their "Top 200" and "Fast and Serious" lists and by Franchise Business Review as a Top Franchise for Franchisee Satisfaction for the 4th consecutive year. PuroClean also earned local recognition by the South Florida Business Journal with the brand's inclusion in the 50 Fastest-Growing Private Companies list. Chrissy VanderWyde, PuroClean's Vice President of Franchise Relations, received a Gold Stevie for Lifetime Achievement in the International Business Awards Consumer Services Category, and Steve White, PuroClean's President and COO, celebrated his 35th year in franchising in 2021 with a Silver Stevie for Executive of the Year. The brand also made an appearance on the Inc. 5000 and Inc. Florida Regionals for its impressive performance within the last year.

Innovation Extends from Products & Services to Philanthropy

As leaders in the restoration industry, PuroClean rolled out several new products, services, and companywide programs throughout 2021  including its PuroClean Cares initiative, which extended the company's longstanding commitment to giving back to local communities. The first-ever PuroClean Cares Award was introduced at the company's Annual Convention in June, honoring Nelson Rivera of PuroClean of Morristown for his dedication to serving his community. PuroClean championed a multitude of national philanthropic causes during the year, raising over $15,000 for Feeding South Florida, a chapter of Feeding America. In their own local communities across North America, franchise owners raised funds and held events honoring first-responders, veterans, and more, all while spearheading emergency storm relief throughout the year, mobilizing support teams across state borders, alleviating damage brought on from extreme weather conditions throughout the country from disasters like Hurricane Ida.

For more than 20 years, PuroClean has helped home and business owners with their restoration and remediation needs, serving communities across the United States and Canada with a network of over 375 offices.

For more information about PuroClean, please visit www.puroclean.com, or call (800)775-7876. For more information about franchising opportunities, please visit www.purocleanfranchise.com.

About PuroClean

PuroClean is a leading, world-class service brand for water damage remediation, fire and smoke damage mitigation, mold removal, and biohazard clean-up services, working with both residential and commercial customers across the US and Canada. Founded in 2001, PuroClean is a diverse, fast-growing network of more than 375 North American franchise locations, each independently owned and operated. With a commitment to respond within two hours, the professionals at PuroClean are thoroughly screened, insured, and trained in utilizing the latest cutting-edge mitigation technology to complete the remediation task at hand. PuroClean has earned numerous awards within franchising and the greater global business community, including "The Franchise Satisfaction Award" from Franchise Business Review, ranking in the top 100 on The Franchise 500 from Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine's "5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies" and Franchise Times "Fast and Serious" and "Top 400," and being named a Top Franchise for Veterans by Entrepreneur Magazine. PuroClean has the highest customer service satisfaction score among the top three insurance carriers in the country.

Media Contacts:

Hemsworth Communications

Jillian Mushman / Jennifer Gordillo

954-716-7614 or [email protected]

SOURCE PuroClean
BUSAN, South Korea, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Standing in the sun all day, solar cells often become very heated. Over time, this degrades them and lowers their power-conversion efficiency. Integrating radiative coolers can solve this problem at low cost without energy consumption. Now, scientists from Pusan National University, Korea, successfully test their theories on what kind of solar cells work best with radiative coolers, providing novel insights for designing the next generation of highly efficient and long-lasting solar cells.

Scientists demonstrate how integrating a radiative cooler with a multi-junction solar cell can enhance its power conversion efficiency.

A solar cell converts light into electricity. So, the longer a solar cell remains out in the sun, the more power it can produce, right? Not necessarily. Solar cells capture massive amounts of heat during the day and their temperatures typically rise to tens of degrees greater than the ambient temperature of ~25C. The materials that solar cells are made of degrade at such high temperatures and overall, the performance of the solar cells fall.

For years, researchers have been working on ways to improve solar cell performancetheir power conversion efficiencyby trying to maintain their temperature. Radiative cooling (RC) has emerged as a promising technique due to its simplicity and low cost. In RC, a micro-grating of glass, i.e. a two dimensional framework structure, is fixed onto the surface of the solar panel. The materials and placement of these gratings are such that light absorption is enhanced while heat (infrared radiation) is emitted through the atmosphere into outer space. This method has the additional advantage of not needing any external energy source to operate. Thus, RC can simultaneously reduce the temperature of the solar cell while increasing the energy input (light) for conversion into a voltage.

But research into RC as a technique applicable to solar cells remains nascent, and the influence of type of solar cell on RC efficiency remains to be seen.

Now, scientists from Korea, led by Prof. Gil Ju Lee from Pusan National University, provide greater insight into this aspect. Their findings were published on 22 December 2021 in Advanced Energy Materials. Prof Lee explains: "In current solar cells, separate water or air cooling systems that require electricity to operate are needed. Using RC can mean transitioning to a completely eco-friendly and energy-free cooling system. Our research is the first theoretical and experimental demonstration of the effectiveness of radiative-cooler-integrated solar cells."

A theoretical scouring of a wide range of solar cell-RC combinations showed that multi-junction solar cells (MJSCs) were most effective with an RC. To verify their outcome, they performed outdoor field tests on an RC-integrated InGaP/GaAs/Ge MJSC. Under an approximately 900 Wm2 direct sunlight, they achieved a 6C temperature drop, 2% increase in open-circuit voltage, and 0.5 mA increase in short circuit current, thus demonstrating enhanced cooling performance and power-consumption efficiency than conventional glass-mounted MJSCs without an RC.

Prof. Lee says, "Before our study, research has largely focused on single-junction solar cells and computational evaluations. Our study is the first to experimentally show that a more effective type of solar cell, the MJSC, benefits the most from RCs." Speaking of how this finding can fast-track our quest for net zero emissions, Prof. Lee says: "With RC, the best kind of solar cells can be truly a renewable means of generating electricity, with long-lasting zero-energy operation, thus saving the earth's resources."

Reference

Title of original paper: Determining the Effectiveness of Radiative Cooler-Integrated Solar Cells

Journal: Advanced Energy Materials

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202103258

About Pusan National University

Website: https://www.pusan.ac.kr/eng/Main.do

Contact:

Na-hyun Lee

+82 51 510-7928

[email protected]

SOURCE Pusan National University
NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Car Wash Advisory, LLC ("CWA"), a leading investment banking firm to privately owned car wash businesses, is pleased to announce the successful sale of its client Russ Auto Wash, a Toledo, Ohio-based car wash brand with three locations, to WhiteWater Express Car Wash ("WhiteWater").

Russ' Auto Wash

Russ Auto Wash has operated as a favorite regional brand and a proven market-leader in the Toledo area for many years. Jeff Bankey, owner of Russ Auto Wash, comments "Very few types of these deals seem to work out, but I'm surprised. CWA is good at what they do and take care of so many details. CWA absorbed a lot of the pain and I'm happy with how they took care of this sale."

Harry Caruso, Founder and CEO of Car Wash Advisory, alongside of his CWA team, represented and provided advisory services to Russ Auto Wash on the transaction and have now accomplished another optimal result for a CWA client due to CWA's structured, confidential sale process.

"We're honored to have had the opportunity to advise in this deal. White Water was a pleasure to work with while Jeff Bankey is the absolute definition of an industry veteran and expert. Wishing Jeff all the best as he embarks on his retirement" commented Harry Caruso.

With the successful acquisition of Russ Auto Wash, WhiteWater further increases its growth and market share.

Brittany Webb remarked, "It's always a true pleasure to accomplish what we have with Russ Auto Wash. With this industry being full of remarkable operators and owners, we always look to create meaningful relationships that then lends itself to lifelong connections such as this".

About Russ Auto Wash

Russ' Auto Wash has been providing high quality exterior auto wash services for sixty years. Their customers comment on the friendliness and professionalism of the Russ' Auto Wash team. All three locations in the Toledo area have exemplified premier efficient service that marks them as a notable brand. Their passion stems from happy and pleased customers.

About WhiteWater

White water is an exterior express car wash chain with a total of 88 locations expanding across the Northwest Houston and beyond. With a foundational belief of creating a "better, faster, and higher quality car wash at an amazing value", White Water has been able to successfully build their brand for 30 years. White Water Car Wash proves to uphold their initiative of positively impacting their communities.

About Car Wash Advisory

Car Wash Advisory is a leading nationwide investment banking and brokerage firm based in New York City specializing in and focused solely on the car wash industry. Founded by CEO Harry Caruso, Car Wash Advisory's team of financial professionals provides sellside M&A advisory and debt and equity capital raising services to car wash owners and operators across the United States. To learn more or reach out to the CWA team, visit www.carwashadvisory.com

Disclaimer

The principal Harry H. Caruso of CWA Capital Partners is a registered representative offering securities and investment banking services through Britehorn Securities, a registered broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Britehorn Securities and CWA Capital Partners are not affiliated entities.

Media Contact:

Robin Sisk

347-893-7358

[email protected]

SOURCE Car Wash Advisory
BERLIN, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding cooperation between European and Russian businesses is the most effective way to achieve sustainable and innovative development goals, agreed the experts of the Verona Eurasian Forum at a visiting session held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation on February 10 in Moscow. The Eurasian Economic Forum in Verona plays a significant role in shaping dialogue to impact society positively through international cooperation.

The visiting session of the Eurasian Forum convened business, political and science experts to identify opportunities for further development of joint action. The participants highlighted that business and economic diplomacy had acquired a decisive influence globally.

One of the most crucial areas of international economic cooperation between Russia and the EU countries remains the energy sector, which has gained greater prominence amid the global fight against climate change. The multilateral joint work in the energy transition is imperative to ensure a reliable and sustainable future.

During the session, the business leaders outlined joint plans and commitment to energy, ecology, and social infrastructure advancements. Russian and Italian experts discussed the recent trends and pivotal issues in the energy transition. Innovative technologies for renewable energy sources, production of green hydrogen, and safe nuclear power were among the key topics around economic and trade cooperation.

SOURCE NW Advisors
DALLAS, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After an extraordinary year in 2021 that brought a 16.5% sales increase year-over-year domestically and a record $834,562 average unit volume (AUV) for the top 25% of franchised units in operation, Smoothie King announced today a test of its new text-to-order platform. The global smoothie brand is rolling out the program in Chicago and Jacksonville, with the goal of offering a more modern guest experience while driving top-line digital sales for franchisees.

Through a partnership with HungerRush and its sophisticated platform OrderAI, the world's largest smoothie brand continues to demonstrate its willingness to invest in new technology to increase sales and profitability for its franchisees while making it easier than ever for guests to order and enjoy its world-class smoothies. Using a 45-digit code, Smoothie King fans in Chicago and Jacksonville can place and pay for their order with the nearest Smoothie King location via SMS text message and visit the store to pick up and enjoy their smoothie.

"At Smoothie King, we are 100 percent dedicated to two things  providing our guests with more ways to enjoy our smoothies, and increasing sales and profitability for our franchise owners," said Chris Andrews, Chief Information Officer of Smoothie King. "The rollout of our text-to-order platform is just another way that our brand continues to innovate and stay one step ahead of our competition. We are the first to market in the QSR space for this feature and look forward to launching it in markets across the country throughout the year."

From an operational standpoint, the text ordering feature will completely align with the ease of operations that its franchisees have come to expect with Smoothie King. Through the use of Artificial Intelligence, OrderAI learns and understands Smoothie King's menu and begins to track preferences and predict orders  ultimately increasing the likelihood that guests will order again. Once an order is placed via text message, it comes through like any other order at the store-level, reducing the amount of time employees spend fielding phone orders and improving order accuracy by an estimated 99%.

The text-to-order launch comes on the heels of big wins for the brand last year  many of which have been fueled by strong digital performance. These include the healthy rewards app, online ordering for pickup and delivery, multiple third-party delivery partners, and the introduction of tablet devices for drive-thru locations. The addition of the text-to-order function will only add to the store-level success and push the brand to new heights. As 2022 gets underway, Smoothie King's focus remains on helping its franchisees attain higher unit volume and EBITDA.

As the world's largest smoothie brand with more than 1,300 stores open, Smoothie King has achieved same-store sales growth for the past 9+ years by delivering masterfully crafted blends that support its guests' healthy and active lifestyles. Get started by visiting www.smoothiekingfranchise.com for more information.

ABOUT SMOOTHIE KING FRANCHISES, INC.

Smoothie King Franchises, Inc., the original U.S. smoothie franchise, is a privately-held, Dallas-based franchise company with over 1,300 locations worldwide. Founded in 1973, Smoothie King has evolved into a lifestyle brand inspiring people to live healthy and active lifestyles via nutritious, great-tasting smoothies. The franchise earned No. 13 overall on Entrepreneur's prestigious Franchise 500 list in 2022 and ranked as one of the Fastest Growing Franchises. The company also debuted on the "Inc. 5000" list in 2018 and ranked as one of Franchise Business Review's Top Franchises of 2022.

Media Contact: Julianne Stevenson., Fishman PR, 847-945-1300 or [email protected]

SOURCE Smoothie King
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 'Future of Energy' conference - hosted in Amsterdam on 11 & 12 April 2022 - will unite over 500 decision-makers from the global renewable energy value chain to discuss and shape the future of energy generation and consumption in emerging economies. Solarplaza and FMO will host the event, building upon their successful collaboration in the three preceding 'Making Solar Bankable' conferences.

In 2016, event organizer Solarplaza and the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank FMO joined forces to organize the inaugural edition of 'Making Solar Bankable', focusing on emerging markets. True to the title, these events explored ways to instrumentalize capital, scale up solar development, and accelerate the energy transition in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. By the third edition in 2020, one thing had become crystal clear: solar is bankable across the globe. There is an abundance of capital available to drive renewable energy development. The key challenge, however, is to connect reliable partners and viable projects to the capital at hand.

Solar energy will play a crucial role in the energy strategies of the future but will have to be enhanced by adjacent technologies and societal developments in order to guarantee widespread and equitable energy access. The restart of the event as the 'Future of Energy' conference means that the scope of the event will stretch beyond solar development, and will venture into the domains of energy storage, distributed energy, hybrid wind applications, and green hydrogen. It also means the focus will move beyond the energy generation phase, and will touch upon challenges related to energy transmission and distribution, which - especially in emerging markets - provide their own sets of infrastructure-related challenges. A small grasp of the confirmed program includes sessions like 'International Market Outlook' with Elizabeth Press (IRENA); 'The Promise of Green Hydrogen' with Thierry Lepercq (Soladvent); and 'The Innovation Process' with Jonathan Furr (INSEAD).

The 'Future of Energy' will unite a mix of 500+ representatives from top developers, financial institutions and investors, service providers, and asset owners for two days packed with world-class keynotes, in-depth panel discussions, and bountiful networking opportunities. Anyone active in renewable energy project development and management in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe will be sure to walk away with key market insights and strategic understanding of the future of energy; the relevant business connections to empower their business; and the crucial inspiration to get to work!

Future of Energy conference

11-12 April - Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam

Tickets: Regular 795,- / Early bird 730,-

More info: https://bit.ly/3oxg7r2

SOURCE Solarplaza
The Bill to amend PTA was tabled in Parliament on February 10, 2022. The Bill includes provisions, inter alia, that a detention order issued by the Defence Minister under PTA shall be final and shall not be called in question in any proceedings or in any court of law, except by a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court.

by S. Binodkumar Singh

Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management

No Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-linked fatality was recorded through 2021. A single LTTE-linked fatality was recorded on July 8, 2020, when a former LTTE intelligence agent, Thangarasa Thevanesan (43), sustained burn injuries when a crude bomb exploded accidentally in his house located at the Puliyadi Junction in Kilinochchi District of Northern Province on July 3, and later succumbed to his injuries. The last Security Force fatality in an LTTE-linked incident was reported on April 10, 2014, when four people, including an Army Lance Corporal and three LTTE cadres, were killed in a clash between SFs and LTTE cadres in the Nadunkarni area of Vavuniya District. The last civilian fatality was reported on September 1, 2009, when a child was killed and another two were wounded in an explosion in the Achchaweli area of Jaffna District.

The Government, meanwhile, continued to crack down on the remnants of the LTTE in 2021. According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), at least 25 former LTTE cadres and sympathizers were arrested across the country. There were four such arrests in 2020. Since the end of war on May 20, 2009, at least 371 former LTTE cadres and sympathizers have been arrested.

However, demonstrations and protests by Tamils have become a regular feature, as efforts of ethnic reconciliation and trust-building have seen no progress. On May 18, 2021, a group of lawmakers from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) marked 'Tamil Genocide Day' at the Sri Lankan Parliament complex in Colombo, before a parliamentary session was due to take place. 'Tamil Genocide Day' is to commemorate the tens of thousands of Tamil civilians killed at the hands of the Sri Lankan state 12 years ago. On July 24, 2021, demonstrations were carried out across the countrys North-East to mark the 38th anniversary of Black July  the anti-Tamil pogrom of July 24-29, 1983, in Sri Lanka  paying tribute to the thousands of Tamils who lost their lives then. Most recently, on February 4, 2022, Tamil families of the disappeared and activists hoisted black flags in Mullaitivu and Jaffna Districts. The protesters called for an international inquiry into the Tamil genocide, justice for the families of the disappeared and the unconditional release of political prisoners.

Meanwhile, the nationwide crackdown on the Islamist group, National Thawheed Jamaath (NTJ), which was responsible for the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks on April 21, 2019, in which 259 people were killed and another 500 were injured, continued through 2021. 19 NTJ cadres were arrested across the country in 2021. There were 11 such arrests in 2020 and 294 in 2019. Separately, 12 persons were arrested from different places for spreading the extremist ideology of the Islamic State (IS).

The 27th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the United Nations (UN), released on February 3, 2021, confirmed that IS had followers in Sri Lanka. The report said that the Voice of Hind, the only regional IS English-language outlet, started in early 2020 and published regularly thereafter, had followers in Sri Lanka.

On August 11, 2021, the Government disclosed that it had filed 23,270 charges against 25 people in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks. The charges framed under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), 1979, included, inter alia, conspiring to murder, aiding and abetting, collecting arms and ammunition, and attempted murder. On August 31, 2021, a special three-member panel of judges was appointed to hear the Easter Sunday attacks case. Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte is the presiding judge, and the panel also comprises Judges Amal Ranaraja and Navaratne Marasinghe. The Easter Sunday attack trial began on November 22, 2021. The trial of the 25 accused was adjourned until March 2021 to give time for the indictments to be translated to Tamil, which the majority of the accused speak. The trial was also adjourned to provide time for some of the accused who could not afford to get lawyers in November, to acquire legal representation.

While the state's counter-terrorism initiatives have been enormously successful, there is widespread criticism of the PTA both within and outside the country. Demanding the Government to repeal the PTA, a signature campaign was launched in Kilinochchi District on February 5, 2022. Meanwhile, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on February 1, 2022, demanded that the Sri Lankan Government repeal the draconian PTA. Likewise, Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a report In a Legal Black Hole released on February 7, 2022, criticized Sri Lankas PTA. The 59-page report slammed Sri Lankas use of PTA, detailing allegations of how it had been used to detain Tamils and Muslims and suppress civil society on the island. The report notes, Twelve years since the end of the war the government is still targeting Tamils but also using the PTA against Muslims, particularly since 2019. It also argued that the Governments proposed amendments to the PTA would still leave it far short of international standards.

The Bill to amend PTA was tabled in Parliament on February 10, 2022. The Bill includes provisions, inter alia, that a detention order issued by the Defence Minister under PTA shall be final and shall not be called in question in any proceedings or in any court of law, except by a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court. This is the same as under the law as it currently exists, except that the maximum duration of detention orders would be reduced from 18 to 12 months. The Amendment Bill does not provide a definition of terrorism, as called for by UN experts, to help prevent PTAs widespread misuse. Furthermore, the Bill does not remove the authority from officials to move and keep a suspect in any place for the purpose of interrogation, which has allegedly repeatedly been used to facilitate torture and increases the risk of enforced disappearance. Earlier, on September 9, 2021, in a joint communication, seven UN Special Rapporteurs recommended a review of PTA, to bring its provisions in line with international human rights standards.

On June 4, 2021, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued a gazette notice naming the Counter Terrorism Investigation Unit (CTIU) as a place of detention. The notification was issued under Section 9 of the PTA, which refers to the detention of suspects arrested under the Act, and empowers CTIU to use its facility to detain such suspects.

On October 26, 2021, another extraordinary gazette notification was issued by the President to constitute and empower a Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law, chaired by Bodu Bala Sena (Buddhist Power Force) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, to recommend legal reforms. Expressing their concerns over President Rajapaksa's decision to appoint Gnanasara, a convicted extremist monk, to head the task force, the ICJ tweeted, on October 27, 2021, The appointment as Chairperson of a person imprisoned for contempt of court and known to be openly violent and racist, calls into question the intent behind these appointments. Gnanasara was previously found guilty on two counts and sentenced to six months in prison for threatening the wife of Prageeth Eknaligoda, a critic of the then Government in 2010. He was released from prison following a presidential pardon.

Meanwhile, in its World Report 2022 released on January 13, 2022, HRW claimed that the Sri Lankan Government in 2021 suppressed minority communities, harassed activists, and undermined democratic institutions. It alleged that President Rajapaksa failed to carry out legal reforms promised to its international partners and blocked accountability for grave violations, including past war crimes; that the Government has disregarded its own pledges of reform and continued to target minority Tamils and Muslims; that the Government uses the PTA and policies that threaten religious freedom and minority land rights.

Separately, Fabian Salvioli, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence, told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on September 16, 2021, that Sri Lanka had witnessed a profound deterioration in the human rights situation over the preceding 18 months. On March 23, 2021, UNHRC adopted a resolution entitled "Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka" after 22 members out of 47 voted in favour of the resolution at the 46th Session in Geneva. 11 members, including China and Russia, voted against the resolution while 14 countries, including India and Japan, abstained. The resolution stated that developments over the preceding year had fundamentally changed the environment for advancing reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, eroded democratic checks and balances and the civic space, and permitted the resurfacing of a dangerous exclusionary and majoritarian discourse.

Through 2021, the Sri Lankan Government, made remarkable efforts to thwart threats from a small number of surviving LTTE sympathisers and from the presently dormant Islamist radical formations. However, policy reversals on several issues by the present Government are likely to further disrupt the tentative reconciliation process in the country. Already, there are rising concerns among the Tamils, who have resorted to mass protests on many occasions.
PALO ALTO, Calif. and SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sorenson Ventures, an early-stage investor in security and enterprise software companies, today announced the promotions of Vidya Raman to Partner and Eric Hilton to Principal.

"We're thrilled to announce the promotions of Vidya and Eric," said Rob Rueckert, Partner at Sorenson Ventures. "Both have been with the firm for several years and have made invaluable contributions sourcing investments and partnering with our portfolio companies to help them establish strong foundations to accelerate revenue."

Newly Appointed Partner Expert on Product-Market Fit

Vidya Raman joined Sorenson Ventures three years ago from Cloudera, where she led the ML platform, the fastest-growing product line in the company's history at the time. There, she was responsible for making ML at scale a reality for customers spanning industries such as autonomous driving, biotech, banking, and government. Prior to that, she led engineering and product teams at venture-backed enterprise startups, including eMeter and Silver Spring Networks.

Throughout her career, Vidya has taken more than a dozen products from mere ideas to many millions of dollars in revenue and eventually to product-market fit. She draws on her rich set of successes and failures, helping founders navigate the journey to product-market fit while at the same time being an eternal student in the constantly evolving world of go-to-market techniques.

Vidya is passionate about partnering with technical founders who think in first principles, dream big, and are keen to build businesses that stand the test of time. As Sorenson's newest partner, she will continue to focus on startups that build for the builders, i.e., tools used by engineers. A few of the investments she led include Vendia, a real-time data cloud for building cross-cloud applications, and NetRise, a firmware and IoT security platform.

"Working with companies in their earliest stages is my passion," said Raman. "We have the opportunity to have the most meaningful and direct impact at that stage and we, at Sorenson, do it best. Our boutique firm approach allows us to engage fully with the companies we invest in. I look forward to continuing our work building tomorrow's top enterprise software companies."

New Principal to Drive Go-to-Market Strategies

Eric Hilton joined Sorenson Capital in 2015. from L.E.K. Consulting, where he served clients across a wide range of industries, including technology, healthcare, and financial services. Eric's casework included investment due diligence, corporate growth strategy, and product launch strategy.

He briefly left the firm to earn his MBA at The Wharton School where he graduated with distinction as a Palmer Scholar. As a student, Eric worked on Google's Corporate Development team, where he evaluated M&A and investment opportunities across several product areas, including Google Cloud, Android, Google Play, and DeepMind. He rejoined Sorenson Ventures in 2020 as a Vice President.

Eric focuses on early- and growth-stage investments in enterprise software and excels in working closely with entrepreneurs as they strive to build and scale world-class organizations that can have positive economic and societal impact. He played a key role in sourcing Socure, an identity verification platform and Via, a mobile ecommerce engagement platform.

"I am excited to continue growing in my career alongside the incredible team at Sorenson," said Hilton. "I look forward to building on the firm's success developing early-stage enterprise companies by taking a data-driven approach to helping companies scale efficiently."

The two promotions come on the heels of recent success, including investments in early-stage companies including Socure, an identity verification platform; CyCognito, a cyber security startup; Oyster, a remote hiring platform company; Openpath, a provider of a mobile-enabled cloud-based access control system; MX, a data-driven connected banking solution; Qualio, a quality management system; and Via, a mobile ecommerce engagement platform, among others.

"We've invested in 30 companies with six exits and we are just getting started," said Ken Elefant, Partner of Sorenson Ventures. "With these promotions, we have a strong team in place and are poised to build on our success as one of the leading early-stage enterprise software-focused firms."

About Sorenson Ventures

Sorenson Ventures is a Silicon Valley and Utah-based, early-stage investing firm in security and enterprise software companies with more than $250 million of capital under management. Sorenson Ventures invests in product-oriented founders and helps portfolio companies establish a strong foundation to accelerate revenue growth with Global 2000 customers.

About Sorenson Capital

Sorenson Capital is a growth equity firm focused on enterprise software and security investments. Sorenson Capital has more than $1.5 billion in assets under management and typically makes investments of $10 to $50 million in companies with unique strategic positions. Sorenson Capital is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Media Contact:

CodePR

Mary Magnani

[email protected]

SOURCE Sorenson Ventures
To be identified as a Top Diversity Employer, organizations must show consistent outreach and dedication to hiring from all diversity groups, including gender, race, culture and experience.

"At Southwire, our employees are The People Behind the Power, and we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are key to attract anyone that is willing to have an impact and make a difference inside and outside of our organization," said Fernando Esquivel, executive vice president of People & Culture.

Southwire made the overall list of top employers for 2022 and was one of only 14 companies listed from the manufacturing industry. This has been made possible due to Southwire's diversity and inclusion initiative, FUSE, which fosters an environment that recognizes the value and talent of diverse perspectives regardless of gender and ethnicity.

"This achievement showcases Southwire's continued commitment to diversity throughout all aspects of our company and the talent we invite to join our company," said Chuck McLendon, director of recruiting.

To further Southwire's inclusivity mission, the company also offers six employee resource groups (ERGs) including the Women's Network, Spectrum, Nextgen, TEAM, Officium and Allied. These ERGs actively promote Southwire's commitment to inclusivity by engaging group members and encouraging participation in events throughout the year.

"Being named as a top employer by DiversityJobs.com validates what our employees already believe and experience within Southwire through our ERGs and how we engage with our local communities across the country," said Scott Bell, vice president of Talent Management.

At Southwire, the company believes that an inclusive culture enables talent to flourish and encourages its employees to reach their highest potential. Southwire wants its employees to feel empowered, see diversity and experience inclusivity, regardless of their background.

"This recognition increases Southwire's visibility for those looking for community, and we hope this translates into momentum and speed toward having a balanced and diverse workforce that reflects the national landscape," said Bell.

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America's largest wire and cable producers and an emerging influence in the industrial electrical space. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, utility products, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. For more on Southwire's products, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwire.com.



 2022 Southwire Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE Southwire
The United State District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania entered a permanent injunction against Eckert for its conflict of interest in representing Pace-O-Matic, the largest distributor of skills games in Virginia, while simultaneously working against skills games on behalf of casino clients in multiple jurisdictions.

The injunction resulted from a lawsuit Pace-O-Matic brought against Eckert in February of 2020. In its Order, the District Court found that Mark Stewart, chair of the Eckert's Gaming Group, had "actively and clandestinely engaged" in an "obviously intentional subterfuge" in representing casinos against the interests of its other client, Pace-O-Matic.

Despite pending federal litigation related to Eckert's obvious conflict of interest, the Virginia Lottery entered into a consulting agreement with Eckert and, specifically, Pennsylvania attorney Mark Stewart in October 2020 to provide independent "consulting on gaming and compliance issues as requested by the lottery." Concurrently, Virginia was contemplating new gaming legislation and procedures for the emerging gaming industry in the state.

"The injunction by the federal court in Pennsylvania indicates continued serious ethical violations on the part of the attorneys representing the large out-of-state gambling companies working against Virginia small businesses like my client, Hermie Sadler," commented Bill Stanley of The Stanley Law Group. "This subpoena requesting certain documents from the Virginia Lottery is a critical piece of our legal argument before the Greensville County Circuit Court that Virginia did not have a valid and compelling state interest to ban skills games.

Not only was Virginia Lottery's 'independent' consultant representing casino interests, but also was embroiled in a clear conflict of interest. It is appalling that this may have been done in an attempt to violate the rights of the small and family-owned businesses, the operators of small convenience stores throughout Virginia who have both operated skill games in their establishments and supported the Virginia Lottery for years. They deserve an answer about the extent of the Lottery's involvement.

"The Lottery knew  or, at minimum, should have known  Mr. Stewart represented out-of-state casinos committed to dominating the state's gaming industry by making skills games illegal in Virginia. Nevertheless, the Lottery entered into a contract with Mr. Stewart and Eckert to provide advice on who should be allowed to participate in the emerging gaming marketplace in Virginia. Mr. Stewart and his colleagues at Eckert had proprietary and privileged knowledge about the skills game industry when they met with state and local regulators, elected officials and prosecutors regarding the legality of skills games in Virginia. They worked directly against the interests of skill games, their manufacturers, and Virginia small businesses. Hermie Sadler and his fellow small business owners have an absolute right to know the truth about the Lottery's complicity."

Hermie Sadler's lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Virginia is currently pending, and a final hearing on permanently overturning Senate Bill 971 (2021), "the skill games ban" is set for trial on May 18, 2022, in the Circuit Court for Greensville County.

A copy of the subpoena duces tecum, along with the attached requests and the factual and legal basis for the documents requested are attached to this press release.

CONTACT:

Autumn Johnson, Esq.

(540) 721-6028

[email protected]

SOURCE The Stanley Law Group
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This Steel Pipe procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

ArcelorMittal SA

United States Steel Corp

Tata Steel Ltd

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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. Outplacement 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 Outplacement Services requirements. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report.

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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.

Contacts:

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
Dental Biomaterials market report key highlights

Estimated year-on-year growth rate: 6.97%

Key market segments: Product (bone grafts and membranes and tissue regeneration products) and geographic ( North America , Europe , Asia , and ROW).

, , , and ROW). Key Consumer Region & contribution: North America at 42%

Dental Biomaterials Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.41% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 492.69 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 6.97 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW Performing market contribution North America at 42% Key consumer countries US, Germany, France, UK, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Advanced Medical Solutions Group Plc, Augma Biomaterials USA Inc., DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc., Envista Holdings Corp., Geistlich Pharma AG, Henry Schein Inc., Medtronic Plc, Straumann Holding AG, Tissue Regenix Group Plc, and Zimmer Biomet Holdings 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!

Dental Biomaterials Market Share Trend

Growing adoption of lasers in esthetics

Non-surgical laser treatments are particularly popular in industrialized countries since they can assist in achieving the desired result without the need for surgery. Non-invasive applications also offer faster recovery, less pain, and the employment of cutting-edge technology. Because of the expanded business development of the top vendors into these markets, emerging countries have seen a tremendous increase in the availability of advanced medical laser treatments in recent years. Many laser dentistry clinics have been established as a result of business relationship choices such as licensing, collaboration, and franchising between suppliers and healthcare clinics, which will further assist the growth of the market in focus throughout the projection period.

Dental Biomaterials Market Challenge

High costs associated with medical procedures

End-users are encouraged to explore alternate solutions due to the high expense of medical and dental operations. For example, depending on the type of bone transplant, the average cost of a dental bone graft treatment ranges from USD 500 to USD 2,000. Synthetic bone grafts are less expensive than bone grafts made from the patient's own bone. The typical cost of synthetic bone transplants is between $500 and $1,000. Because of the high costs involved with dental bone grafting treatment, especially in developing countries, market growth is likely to be limited over the forecast period.

Get free sample for extensive insights on key market Drivers, Trends, and Challenges influencing the dental biomaterials market.

Key market vendors insights

The dental biomaterials 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:

Advanced Medical Solutions Group Plc

Augma Biomaterials USA Inc.

Inc. DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

Envista Holdings Corp.

Geistlich Pharma AG

Henry Schein Inc.

Medtronic Pl

Straumann Holding AG

Tissue Regenix Group Plc

Zimmer Biomet Holdings 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

Bone grafts



The huge increase in demand for dental bone replacements and bone transplant products is credited for the expansion of dental biomaterials market share. Other considerations include the introduction of novel grafts, a robust product pipeline, technological advancements, and the availability of reputable providers. Due to changing lifestyles and rising demand for dental implants, the bone grafts market is also being driven by an increasing movement toward cosmetic dental repair, particularly among the young and adult population. The availability of bone in the jaw to support the implant is critical to the procedure's success.



Membrane and tissue-regeneration product

Regional Market Analysis

North America will contribute to 42% of the dental biomaterials market share growth during the forecast period. China, the US, India, Germany, and the UK are the major markets for dental biomaterials market share.

The rise in the prevalence of dental diseases and favorable insurance coverage for dental treatments is expected to boost the dental biomaterials 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.

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Hair Transplant Market - The hair transplant market share is expected to increase by USD 9.89 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 9.97%. Download Exclusive Free Sample Report

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Product

Market segments

Comparison by Product

Bone grafts - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Membranes and tissue regeneration products - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Product

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Asia - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ROW - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Advanced Medical Solutions Group Plc

Augma Biomaterials USA Inc.

Inc. DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

Envista Holdings Corp.

Geistlich Pharma AG

Henry Schein Inc.

Medtronic Plc

Straumann Holding AG

Tissue Regenix Group Plc

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

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
Laser PCB Drilling Market in APAC report key highlights

Estimated year-on-year growth rate: 7.10%

Key market segments: Application (consumer electronics, communications, automotive, and others) and geography ( China , Taiwan , South Korea (Republic of Korea), and the Rest of APAC).

, , (Republic of Korea), and the Rest of APAC). Key Consumer Region & contribution: China at 47%

Laser PCB Drilling Market Scope in APAC Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.55% Market growth 2022-2026 $ 297.82 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 7.10 Regional analysis APAC Performing market contribution China at 47% Key consumer countries China, Taiwan, and South Korea (Republic of Korea) Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Fittech Co. Ltd., Hans Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd., Hitachi High-Technologies Corp., LPKF Laser and Electronics AG, Mitsubishi Electric Corp., MKS Instruments Inc., Orbotech Ltd., Schmoll Asia Pacific, Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd., and Via Mechanics 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!

Laser PCB Drilling Market in APAC Share Trend

The technological innovations in laser processing



Compact laser drilling machines are in high demand due to the use of various materials and the growing number of SMEs in the PCB manufacturing industry. Vendors are concentrating on providing tiny laser processing devices with 3D profiling capabilities that require little installation space. End-users rely on metal fabrication tools for precision drilling, such as laser drilling machines, but the development of compact laser drilling machines has benefited them not only in drilling different types of parts with greater efficiency, but also in decreasing the carbon footprint on the shop floor. During the projected period, a large number of suppliers will be attracted by SMEs ' increased awareness and demand for compact laser drilling machines.

Laser PCB Drilling Market in APAC Challenge

The availability of alternative tools



Excessive heat generated during the drilling process in laser machines may limit their use, particularly in heat-sensitive and heat-resistant materials including plastic, foam products, wood, stainless steel, titanium, and Hastelloy . Unlike laser PCB drilling machines, waterjet drilling does not leave a burr or heat-affected zone ( HAZ ), saving money on later processes like polishing and restoration. Waterjet drilling machines' ability to precisely cut heat-sensitive and heat-resistant materials without creating heat has raised their appeal among end-user industries, posing a threat to the laser PCB drilling market's growth in the foreseeable term.

Get free sample for extensive insights on key market Drivers, Trends, and Challenges influencing the laser PCB drilling market share in APAC.

Key market vendors insights

The laser PCB drilling market share in APAC is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic strategies to compete in the market.

Some of the key market vendors are:

Fittech Co. Ltd.

Hans Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd.

Hitachi High-Technologies Corp.

LPKF Laser and Electronics AG

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

MKS Instruments Inc.

Orbotech Ltd.

Schmoll Asia Pacific

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

Via Mechanics Ltd.

For more detailed highlights on products offerings and the growth strategies adopted by other vendors, Download free sample report

Key Segment Analysis by Application

Consumer electronics



Laser drilling of PCBs used in audio systems, smartphones, tablets, personal computers, smart home appliances, smart wearables, and televisions is part of the consumer electronics application category in the APAC laser PCB drilling market. The consumer electronics market necessitates the usage of low-cost, compact, and multi-functional PCBs. The segment favors PCBs with a high rate of electrical transmission and thin structural designs that are lightweight and require less power. When opposed to high-end commercial electronic devices, consumer electronics have higher volume requirements, which drives PCB volume production. As a result, the demand for laser PCB drilling equipment in APAC is expected to increase.

Regional Market Analysis

China will contribute to 47% of the laser PCB drilling market share in APAC growth during the forecast period. China, Taiwan, and South Korea (Republic of Korea) are the major markets for laser PCB drilling market share in APAC.

The increase in the demand for PCBs from the automotive, aerospace, telecommunication, and electronic and electrical industries is expected to boost the laser PCB drilling market share in APAC.

Request our free sample for additional highlights and key segments that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period.

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2021

Market outlook: Forecast for 2021 - 2026

Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Application

Market segments

Comparison by Application

Consumer electronics - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Communications - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Automotive - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Market opportunity by Application

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Taiwan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 South Korea (Republic of Korea) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

(Republic of Korea) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Rest of APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Fittech Co. Ltd.

Hans Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd.

Hitachi High-Technologies Corp.

LPKF Laser and Electronics AG

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

MKS Instruments Inc.

Orbotech Ltd.

Schmoll Asia Pacific

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

Via Mechanics Ltd.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

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
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and bill co-sponsors, Peace 4 Animals, Friends of the Earth, and SCIL announced the reintroduction of Assembly Bill (AB) 1979, The California Deforestation-Free Procurement Act.

"The Deforestation-Free Procurement Act will help to aid in the protection of critical habitat thus preserving species and forests for future generations" - Katie Cleary, Founder and President of Peace 4 Animals

"AB 1979 will expand California's leadership on addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, respecting Indigenous rights, and responding to the environmental emergency that is tropical deforestation," said Assemblymember Kalra. "I remain committed to enacting a policy that ensures our state purchases and contracts do not inadvertently contribute to this global crisis and in doing so we can encourage more transparency and sustainable practices throughout global markets."

The world's forests are in crisis. Tropical forests cover roughly seven percent of the Earth's surface but harbor close to half of all species on Earth. An estimated 18 million acres of forest, an area one-fifth the size of California, is lost every year, largely due to the expansion of agribusiness plantations. Tropical deforestation and related land-use changes are responsible for nearly a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions and are a major contributor to the global biodiversity crisis.

"I have seen first-hand the heartbreaking effects of tropical deforestation while traveling and filming throughout the world," stated Katie Cleary, Founder and President of Peace 4 Animals. "We will lose vital species such as endangered orangutans, tigers, and rhinos if we do not take meaningful action to end the destruction of our rainforests. The Deforestation-Free Procurement Act will help to aid in the protection of critical habitat thus preserving species and forests for future generations."

If passed, all California state contracts involving commodities that put tropical forests at risk, such as palm oil, soy, cattle, rubber, paper/pulp and timber, would require contractors to maintain a "forest policy" and provide evidence that their operations in sensitive tropical regions are not linked to forest destruction and degradation or abuses of Indigenous Peoples' rights. A version of the bill introduced in 2021 passed the Legislature with bi-partisan support but was vetoed by Governor Newsom.

Environmental advocates and industry leaders alike agree that such policies are the best way to prevent ongoing forest destruction. Hundreds of consumer brands, commodity traders, and national and subnational governments have shown support for ending deforestation and primary forest degradation. Many have chosen to back their support with policies that commit them to zero deforestation in their supply chains. A number of nation-states, notably Norway and France, have also adopted "deforestation-free" procurement approaches.

"At the recent UN climate summit, the world's governments pledged to finance forest protection, in just the latest demonstration of the scale and urgency of the problem," noted Jeff Conant, Senior International Forests Program Manager at Friends of the Earth. "California's Deforestation-Free Procurement Act is a visionary but pragmatic approach to stemming the crisis at the root, and it needs all of our support."

The principal coauthors of AB 1979 are Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) and Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles). The bill is also coauthored by Assemblymembers Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) , Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), and Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica).

Contact:

Lauren Lewis

(818) 970-0052

[email protected]

SOURCE Peace 4 Animals
BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, welcomes The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte in the Dominican Republic's northern coast to its unique ensemble of experiential hotels. Just a 15-minute drive from Puerto Plata Airport, the resort is located deep within the expansive beachfront landscape of the island. Throughout the property, a contemporary and sophisticated design, by Chapi Chapo Design, is portrayed while materiality makes a connection to the place  it is an intimate retreat suffused with natural beauty and distinctive cultural experiences.

The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte

"Costa Norte is an ideal fit for our expanding footprint as we continue to offer our global explorers captivating home bases from which to explore all corners of the world," said Philipp Weghmann, VP and Global Brand Leader for The Luxury Collection. "The Ocean Club will draw on the area's natural wonders, and we're delighted to offer our guests unique design and exceptional service as they discover this magical destination."

The Ocean Club offers 64 spacious suites, by French interior designer Nathalie Pain, ranging from one to three bedrooms and five multitiered four-bedroom penthouses, which evoke beachfront elegance with modern craftsmanship and design. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interior with natural daylight and ocean views, while a light color palette with thoughtfully curated artwork and furnishings brings a sophisticated eclecticism and residential feel to the suites. The most enchanting accommodation is the resort's three-floor Presidential Penthouse suite, the largest in the Caribbean with a total of 9,732 square feet of space. The suite boasts five bedrooms, a fitness center, jacuzzi and multiple terraces offering unlimited views of the surrounding tropical landscape.

"We are thrilled to formally introduce The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Norte as Dominican Republic's most extraordinary place to vacation, gather, dine and delight," said Herve Humler, President of Ocean Club group. "The opening of this newest gem further diversifies the reinvention of the northern coast of the Dominican Republic."

The Ocean Club features three distinct epicurean experiences celebrating the best of the Dominican Republic's produce and cuisine and The Cellar, a Caribbean speakeasy. Baia, the hotel's signature restaurant will offer familiar staples as well as new dishes inspired by the region's produce. Aguazul features Asian-Peruvian fusion cuisine, a menu where the elegant and delicate cuisine of Japan meets the freshness and spicy punch of Peru. Rock Bar & Grill, a casual outdoor restaurant, offers meals at the foot of the ocean where the sunset is the backdrop to Mediterranean meals and signature cocktails. The Cellar showcases an intimate room to enjoy a world-class vintage spirits collection and limited-edition cigars.

The property features three pools, two of which are adult-only and beachfront whirlpools with firepits perfect for those who want to unwind after a day of exploring. Guests who prefer their toes in the sand can enjoy the secluded beach, with private wooden cabanas, several lounges and bespoke beach service. The property also features a dedicated marina and helipad to arrive by boat or helicopter.

Inspired by the Mediterranean art-de-vivre, L'OCCITANE Spa is seen as the pinnacle of the entire resort experience. Guests at The Ocean Club can enjoy a range of holistic and wellness therapies in a contemporary setting, inspired by local rituals. With four treatment rooms, the spa boasts open-air relaxation areas as well as two sauna rooms, savory nourishment and cafe featuring light delicacies. The hotel also offers complimentary access for all guests to a 24/7 Fitness Center with cardio equipment and free weights.

With the hotel's lavish views and stunning grounds providing the perfect backdrop, The Ocean Club is poised to welcome all occasions from social gatherings to intimate events with various spaces to choose from.

Rates start from 750 USD per room per night and include both breakfast and airport transfers. For more information or to book a stay, please visit https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/poplc-the-ocean-club-a-luxury-collection-resort-costa-norte/

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts

The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott International, Inc., is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world's most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination's indigenous charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe's most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of 120 of the world's finest hotels and resorts in more than 35 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world's finest. For more information and new openings visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.
NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transit Wireless , a BAI Communications company, and leading 5G wireless infrastructure company, congratulates Anastasia Kats, Assistant Controller, on her acceptance to W.O.M.E.N. In America (WIA) Leadership Program 's newest class of mentees.

Based in New York City, the highly selective 18-month leadership program is molding the next generation of professional women leaders by advancing their careers through unique mentorship, education, and networking opportunities. Founded in 2009 by a group of senior executives at Fortune's annual Most Powerful Women Summit , the organization aims to enable women to fulfill their maximum potential in the boardroom, the C-Suite, as entrepreneurs, and as leading edge professionals.

"We are proud of Anastasia for taking this step to further her career," says Jeff Garte, Chief Financial Officer at Transit Wireless. "Career development and diversity are priorities at Transit Wireless and core to our culture. We are pleased to support Anastasia in this program."

Kats is a certified public accountant who brings nearly 10 years of corporate accounting and financial reporting experience to Transit Wireless. She is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) and volunteers for the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free professional tax preparation for low-income workers.

"When I met the women in my cohort last week, I was in complete awe," says Kats, reflecting on her recent WIA orientation session. "I felt stunned and energized. It's exciting to gather with other women who have similar goals and aspirations, hand selected by leaders we admire to help each other succeed. I look forward to learning as much as I can from this program and helping others by sharing my own experiences."

W.O.M.E.N. In America  which stands for Women Optimizing Mentoring, Education and Networking  welcomes early career high-potential young women with demonstrated leadership ability for a premier professional development opportunity. Their distinguished Leadership Program seeks to empower and equip women with the skills and development necessary to advance their careers. "We welcome Anastasia," affirms Meghan McRae, Executive Director of WIA. "Like many of the women who thrive in our program, she is eager to meet new people and engage in new opportunities with openness and curiosity."

Through small group "cluster" mentoring, educational programming, and various networking mixers and pop-up events, WIA delivers an enriching environment to build leadership skills that books simply can't capture. "Every mentee who enters our network has already demonstrated great potential to lead," says McRae. "Our goal is to help strengthen that foundation and uplift them so that they may rise more confidently to positions of prominence."

"W.O.M.E.N. In America includes some of the most impressive and insightful thinkers in their industries," says Transit Wireless CEO, Melinda White. "We are excited that WIA has recognized Anastasia's potential and accepted her into their Leadership Program. We have high expectations for Anastasia's future as a leading woman in business."

With support and encouragement from trailblazing mentors, WIA proclaims its members often feel inspired to "pay it forward." Many of the alumni of their Leadership Program continue as active members, participating in WIA events and helping to shape the next generation of women leaders.

For more information, please contact Temin and Company at [email protected] or 212.588.8788.

About Transit Wireless

Transit Wireless is a leading 5G wireless infrastructure company that provides cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity to large infrastructure projects including the New York City subway system. Transit Wireless and its majority shareholder BAI Communications , finances, designs, builds, operates and maintains wireless networks to connect millions of customers each day. The Transit Wireless subway network is an award-winning public-private partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and provides service to all three Tier One wireless carriers. The network was honored with the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) Award for "Best Wi-Fi Deployment to Connect the Unconnected in an Urban Environment" and the prestigious 2018 IDC "Smart Cities North America Award." Transit Wireless is a member of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), a proud supporter of the MTA and Literacy Partners annual "Subway Reads" campaign and won a 2018 Honorable Mention in the MTA's Genius Transit Challenge. Find out more about Transit Wireless at transitwireless.com or follow us on Twitter @TransitWireless .

About W.O.M.E.N. In America

The W.O.M.E.N. In America (WIA) Leadership Program (WOMEN OPTIMIZING MENTORING, EDUCATION & NETWORKING) was founded to help professional business women in our country, who are early in their career lifecycle, advance their careers through unique mentorship, education, and networking opportunities.

Our mission is to enable women to fulfill their maximum potential in the Board Room, the C-Suite, as entrepreneurs, and as leading edge professionals in their chosen profession. Upon graduating from this 18-month leadership program, women are expected to  and do  actively help other women through a conscious incorporation of "paying it forward" into their leadership style and daily actions.

SOURCE Transit Wireless
PLYMOUTH, Mich., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Traxen announced it was awarded a contract by United Road Services to officially launch production of its iQ-Pilot, an advanced driver-assistance system for Class 8 traditional, hybrid and electric commercial trucks that can reduce fuel consumption by an average of 10% annually. The 400-unit production contract with United Road Services, the nation's largest finished vehicle transport company, follows a successful pilot and four-month trial on five trucks that yielded excellent results. It also marks the first production contract for Traxen, a Detroit-based technology company dedicated to maximizing the efficiency of today's trucking industry.

United Road COO Jason Walker said, "United Road is a technology-solutions driven company, so we welcomed the opportunity to work with Traxen. We have seen significant benefits with the addition of iQ-Pilot to our tractors. Besides the significant fuel savings, iQ-Pilot helped reduce our carbon emissions and improve safety in ways not currently realized in the auto hauler segment."

The iQ-Pilot's average of 10% improvement in diesel fuel consumption in the U.S. equates to an annual reduction of five billion gallons of fuel or 50 million metric tons of CO 2 emissions. This also equates to an average potential cost savings of $6,000 per year on trucks currently in operation.

Beyond fuel savings and emissions reductions, the iQ-Pilot, formerly known as iQ-Cruise, improves safety and drivability while significantly reducing maintenance costs for the remaining life of a truck.

Traxen founder and CEO Ali Maleki is pleased with how much the United Road drivers used iQ-Pilot during the trial.

"During the trial phase, the United Road team's use of our intuitive technology averaged significantly higher than the industry average utilization of basic Adaptive Cruise Control. Some drivers utilized the system close to 80%. And in our test fleet of three tractors, we averaged well over 90% utilization and averaged fuel economy increases of 10%," said Maleki. "We are excited to extend our relationship with the United Road team and have them fully realize the potential of our iQ-Pilot."

iQ-Pilot's proprietary software and hardware monitors road conditions, changes in elevation, road curvature, traffic patterns and weather conditions miles beyond what operators of Class 8 vehicles can readily see. A driver's hours of service and time of arrival are additional inputs considered.

Because iQ-Pilot uses artificial intelligence (AI) to control the speed of the vehicle based on the factors it regularly monitors, the driver's primary responsibility is focused on steering. Non-intrusive alerts via Traxen's user-friendly interface helps keep drivers alert and informed. Human error and fatigue are vastly reduced through the use of this intuitive technology.

"Many routes driven are continually repeated," said Maleki. "Each time iQ-Pilot covers a route it navigates that route more efficiently. Improvements realized are then shared with the rest of the fleet."

Traxen has already begun installing units for United Road and anticipates full installation will be completed within the next 12-18 months.

"Traxen has made significant advancements to the iQ-Pilot since it was first introduced, and partners like United Road Services have been able to realize the substantial impact the technology can have on a fleet's bottom line," said Mary Petrovich, chair of Traxen's board of directors. "We are thrilled to enter into this production agreement with United Road and look forward to seeing the proliferation of the iQ-Pilot's use throughout the industry in the years to come."

iQ-Pilot is now available to OE truck manufacturers and commercial vehicle aftermarket customers and is currently being piloted by other commercial fleets.

For more information about the technology or Traxen's pilot program, visit https://www.traxen.com/iq-pilot-system or email [email protected].

About Traxen

Located in Plymouth, Michigan, and founded in 2018, Traxen is a leader in energy-efficient advanced driver-assistance system technology for the trucking industry. The company is uniquely positioned to impact the safety and savings for fleet managers and owners in a significant way through the application of its AI-enabled auto pilot system, iQ-Pilot, which reduces fuel consumption by up to an average of 10%, improving an average fleet's net margin 1.5 times. Traxen also delivers additional benefits including reduced driver costs, improved logistics and actionable data, providing an intuitive solution to some of the biggest challenges facing the trucking industry today.

For more information, visit www.traxen.ai.

About United Road Services

Founded in 1997, United Road is the premier finished vehicle logistics company in North America. Headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, with operating terminals across the U.S. and Canada, the company has over 1,700 employees and operates an integrated national network that includes a total of 2,500 company-owned and independent contractor units as well as 15,000 power units of dedicated third-party vehicle carriers. Each year, coast to coast and across borders, United Road manages the transport of over four million vehicles for all major global vehicle manufacturers, car dealers, remarketers, financial institutions, rental companies, fleet owners, auction and online sellers/buyers, and individuals.

For more information, visit www.unitedroad.com.

Download Traxen's logo and a supporting image here:

Logo: https://bit.ly/3LtidSv

Image: https://bit.ly/34U4l33

Media Contact:

Brittney Popa

MBE Group

248-554-3507

[email protected]

Customer Inquiries:

[email protected]

SOURCE Traxen
Crystal Cruises, the luxury cruise operator whose ships were pursued through Bahamian waters by federal agents over unpaid bills, has laid off all 238 of its Miami-based employees and intends to wind down its operations.

According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act filing with the state of Florida, the company started to lay off top executives, managers and staff members in Miami on Jan. 21, and intended to complete the task by last Friday. The layoffs are permanent.

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[ RELATED: Crystal Cruises diverts second ship to Bahamas, sends passengers to Fort Lauderdale ]

We are taking the action because we will be undertaking an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or seeking similar relief, a company human resources staffer said in a letter dated Feb. 10 to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

The letter was posted on a state DEO website Friday.

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A file photo shows the cruise liner Crystal Symphony, which was diverted to the Bahamas with hundreds of passengers aboard on Jan. 22 after a federal judge granted an order to seize the vessel as part of a lawsuit over unpaid fuel. The company has since laid off its entire staff in Miami and is winding down operations, according to a filing with the state of Florida. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith, File) (Bruce Smith/AP)

It was not immediately clear how customers who have booked cruises not taken would receive any refunds or other compensation.

A path to potential refunds

But there are ways to retrieve their money, said Michelle Couch-Friedman, the New York-based executive director of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers.

The easiest way is a credit card chargeback if the passenger has used a credit card to pay for the cruise, she said in an email to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Of course, if the passenger has used a check or a debit card to pay for the cruise, a credit card dispute isnt an option. Some banks will still pursue a reversal of a debit transaction [especially if the debit card is branded with a MasterCard or Visa]. But that option will vary by bank.

She also said consumers can check to see if their home states have a sellers of travel law and restitution fund. Not all of them do.

The good news for Florida residents is that Florida does have a sellers of travel law [https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Sellers-of-Travel]. Florida consumers who have purchased a cruise from Crystal may be able to file a claim in Florida, she said.

Attempts to reach Crystals offices Monday were met with disconnected telephone lines and a company website, crystalcruises.com, that tells customers that cruises have been temporarily suspended and that the companys call center has been paused.

One number in operation directs callers with accounts payables questions to a line with a full mailbox. Callers with other issues are advised to remain on the line, only to have the call dropped.

Voyages for the companys ocean and expedition ships were suspended through April 29, with river cruises suspended through the end of May, the website says.

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Those suspensions, according to the website, will provide Crystals management team with an opportunity to evaluate the current state of business and examine various options moving forward.

Interim president and CEO Jack Anderson, who was appointed in October 2020, also posted on the website: This was an extremely difficult decision but a prudent one given the current business environment and recent developments with our parent company, Genting Hong Kong.

But Crystals top executives, including president and CEO, are among those listed on the companys termination list filed with the state.

Refuge in Bermuda court

The halt in Crystals operations is a direct result of financial troubles encountered by its parent, Genting Hong Kong, according to Fortune. While other major cruise operators resumed sailing as government COVID restrictions eased, hardline policies to curb the virus in Hong Kong and other areas hindered Genting Hong Kongs recovery, Fortune said. In addition, a Genting Hong Kong shipbuilding subsidiary in Germany went insolvent early last month and the parent company petitioned the Supreme Court of Bermuda to wind down its operations.

The seizures marked the apparent end for Crystal Cruises. Two of its ships were seized in the Bahamas over $4.6 million in unpaid fuel bills.

The ships are now in the hands of a company called V.Ships, a vessel management firm named by a court-appointed liquidator, according to Cruise Industry News.

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The companys wind-down will result in a lengthy process for consumers trying to reclaim their money through the court, said Daniel Stermer, an attorney with the restructuring firm Development Specialists Inc. in Fort Lauderdale.

Its going to put the onus on consumers to submit claims forms and attach the right documents, he said, and hope there is a recovery of a pro rata share of a future distribution. In many cases that ends up being years later at small fractions.

Why Bermuda? My guess is there is some business reason for that, and I doubt it is entirely consumer-driven, Stermer said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Treplus Communities brought home the gold this week from The Nationals, the largest and most prestigious awards competition at a black tie awards event held by The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). The event was held at the Hyatt Regency during the 78th International Builders Show and Convention that attracted over 60,000 participants at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from February 8-10, 2022.



This annual conference showcases the most exciting trends in housing and marketing throughout North America. The Nationals honors the best in the building industry  including home builders, developers, associates and consultants  for their determination, integrity, creativity and endurance. A diverse panel of industry professionals selected the 2022 Gold Award winners from nearly 1,200 entries.



As an innovative, active adult community developer, Treplus Communities has been selected as a finalist or a Gold Award winner for three consecutive years in The Best of 55+ Housing Awards. The 2022 Gold Award was received for Burr Oak Commons, as the Best 55+ Gold Award as a 92-unit active adult community located in Delaware, Ohio. "We are thrilled to be recognized for excellence in redefining 55+ living for active adults at Burr Oak Commons" says Jane Arthur Roslovic, CEO and Co-Founder of Treplus Communities.



Treplus Communities is an industry champion and thought leader that is redefining 55+ living for active adults in a setting that is uniquely designed to offer beautiful, single-story, condo-quality apartment homes with attached garages and designer finishes. Treplus Communities provides the space and structure for a rich, socially-engaging resident experience along with a luxury real estate product.



For more information on the NAHB, please visit www.nahb.org. For more information about Treplus Communities or to schedule a tour, visit TreplusCommunities.com or call 1-833-Live 55+ (548-3550).

About Treplus Communities

Treplus Communities is a premier, multi-family development company based in Columbus, Ohio focused on meeting the needs of active adults age 55+. Every beautiful community offers single-story, condo-quality, luxury apartments with attached garages and private entrances that incorporate Universal Design elements and feature designer finishes. We offer amenity-rich, maintenance-free communities that allow residents to enjoy a carefree lifestyle with great opportunities for social engagement.

SOURCE Treplus Communities
TOKYO, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Electro-Communications publishes the February 2022 issue of UEC e-Bulletin

February 2022 issue of UEC e-Bulletin

http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/

The February 2022 issue of the UEC e-Bulletin includes a video profile of UEC Associate Professor Kali Prasanna Nayak describing his recent research on "Developing a single atom quantum interface on a tapered optical fiber".

The Research Highlights in this edition are 'Musical acoustics-Tapping into the sound of violins,' Eriko Aiba; 'Gas sensing-Spectroscopic gas detection,' Tetsuo Kan; and 'Atmospheric science-Night cloud watching from space,' Takuo Tsuda.

Research Highlights

Musical acoustics: Tapping into the sound of violins

http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/research-highlights/202201/a.html

Violins made by instrument makers in northern Italy up to the early 19th century are world-famous for their sound. Violins from that epoch have been thoroughly analysed by modern methods in order to understand  and replicate  their superior acoustic qualities. Specifically, the shapes and sizes of old Italian violins have been studied in detail, which helps to comprehend, to some extent, the original design of these instruments. However, because not all violin-making technical know-how was consistently passed on to apprentices, it is not entirely clear today how exactly the renowned designs of the 'old' Italian violin builders were conceived. Now, Eriko Aiba from the University of Electro-Communications and colleagues report that frequency maps derived from the sounds obtained by tapping a violin's top plate are valuable acoustic characteristics, and suggest that such tapping may have been a key technique used by the famous Italian violin makers from centuries ago.

The scientists compared violins from three categories: two old Italian instruments (a violin made in the 1590s by Gasparo da Salo from Brescia and a violin made in 1647 by Nicolo Amati from Cremona), two post-19th-century Italian instruments (one made in 1916 in the Mantua region and one made in 2016 in the Cremona region), and two instruments made by a Japanese instrument builder in 2016. The latter two were manufactured making use of the tapping technique with the aim of reproducing the characteristics of old violins. Each of the violin tops was placed on a soft cushion. A laser grid pattern of lines spaced 1 cm apart was projected onto the top; tapping was done (either by a finger or by a metal rod) at about 500 grid points for each top. The sounds produced by tapping were recorded by microphones installed near the violin top.

The researchers then calculated the so-called centroid frequency for each of the grid points on the violin tops; the centroid frequency can be thought of as a representative value of a frequency spectrum. Plotting these frequencies as 'heat maps' then made it possible to compare the acoustics of the 3 violin pairs. Within each of the three categories, and especially for the two pairs of Italian violins, the frequency maps were strikingly similar. The two old Italian violins display a high centroid frequency around the chin rest area, which can be attributed to repeated coating with varnish, whereas the later Italian violins have a generally asymmetric frequency distribution. The results also showed that the contemporary Japanese violins, the top thickness of which was adjusted during construction by analysing tapping sounds, had frequency distributions similar to those of the old Italian violins.

Aiba and colleagues conclude that their results "support the possibility that tapping was used in the violin manufacturing process in northern Italy by the early 19th century when measuring instruments had poor precision, although further evidence of old violin samples is needed to substantiate this hypothesis".

Reference

Katuhiro Maki, Eriko Aiba and Satoshi Obata, Characterizing violin top plate using sounds generated by local taps, Acoustical Science and Technology.

The 43rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society (EMBC2021) (2021).

Gas sensing

Spectroscopic gas detection

http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/research-highlights/202201/b.html

Small gas sensors are used in many settings for detecting specific gases  for example, recognizing explosive or smelly gases  or for analysing the composition of atmospheric gas. Most gas-sensing methods require a separate sensor for every type of gas. Yet, in light of on-going efforts to miniaturize such devices, a single detector that can sense different gases is highly desirable. One approach towards 'unified' sensing relies on spectroscopy: by analysing the absorption frequency spectrum of light passing through a gas mixture, the components of the mixture can in principle be identified. Now, Tetsuo Kan from the University of Electro-Communications and colleagues report the successful application of spectroscopic sensing in a miniaturized setup. The principle behind the sensor is so-called reconstructive spectroscopy, in which a spectrum is not directly measured, but reconstructed by converting other measured quantities. The scientists' spectrometer reaches a wavelength resolution of 20 nm, and, by way of test, was able to detect ethanol gas.

The difficulty with miniaturizing a normal spectroscopic device lies in the need for a long optical path length in order to disperse light into its different wavelengths. Reconstructive spectrometers overcome this issue by letting light interact with a photonic material  a structure with dispersive properties. The photonic material is located close to the optical detector, enabling compact construction. Kan and colleagues developed a spectrometer with a gold grating as the photonic material. Upon irradiation with light (having passed through the gas mixture being examined), electrons in the grating start to oscillate, a process called surface plasmon resonance. The grating is made to rotate, and because of the irradiation-induced surface plasmon resonance, an electrical current develops, which can be measured and converted into a frequency spectrum. (The current depends on both the angle of incidence and the wavelength.)

For the light source, the researchers used near-infrared light  electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the range 800 nm  2500 nm. First, they tested how their device performed spectroscopically; that is, how well it could reconstruct spectra, and with what resolution. The measurements showed that wavelength peaks spaced 20 nm apart could still be clearly distinguished.

Then, the scientists examined how well their reconstructive spectrometer can detect a gas. They choose to perform a test with ethanol gas, which is known to absorb near-infrared light with a wavelength of 1392 nm. The drop in transmittance at that wavelength was clearly seen in the reconstructed spectrum.

Kan and colleagues conclude that their reconstructive spectrometer has the capacity for gas measurement. Although there is room for further improvement  for example, in the current experiments, a combination of single-wavelength sources was used, whereas a continuous-wavelength source is preferable  the researchers are confident that the "advancement of the proposed method will result in the development of a new micro-sized integrated spectrometer that will provide rich information on our environment".

Reference

Yosuke Yamamoto, Masaaki Oshita, Shiro Saito, and Tetsuo Kan, Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Gas Detection Using a Surface Plasmon Resonance Photodetector with 20 nm Resolution, ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 4, 1340513412 (2021).

URL: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsanm.1c02925

DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.1c02925

Atmospheric science: Night cloud watching from space

http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/research-highlights/202201/c.html

Polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs), also called noctilucent clouds, occur in the upper layer of the Earth's atmosphere, the so-called mesosphere, at altitudes between 76 km and 85 km. They consist of ice water particles and can typically be observed at high latitudes at night when the lower part of the atmosphere is already in the Earth's shadow but the upper part is still in the sunlight. Since 2007, PMCs are being studied from space by means of the NASA-operated AIM (Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere) satellite, a low-Earth-orbit satellite launched with the aim to better understand why PMCs form, and what the origin of their variations is. Now, Takuo Tsuda from the University of Electro-Communications and colleagues have looked into the possibility of using data from a geostationary-Earth-orbit (GEO) satellite to detect PMCs. They developed a two-step processing scheme for data recorded by the GEO Himawari-8 satellite operated by the Japan Meteorological agency, and found that results generated in this way can be used for scientific PMC research.

GEO satellites are in an orbit with the same rotational speed as the Earth, so that they are always located above the same spot on the Earth's surface. The Himawari-8 satellite is located at 140.7 East so that it covers the Asia-Pacific region, and has instruments on board that can detect visible and infrared light. Its spectral images have a spatial resolution of about 1 km, and a relatively high time resolution of 10 minutes  the latter is a particular advantage of Himawari-8 in the context of studying PMCs.

Tsuda and colleagues analysed spectral signals for various frequency bands, and first calculated average intensity values for a 3D point grid of the part of the atmosphere captured by the Himawari-8 satellite; a point has coordinates latitude, longitude and altitude. To decide whether, at a given time, a point is 'occupied' by a PMC or not, they compared the intensity to the value for a dark (i.e. cloudless) spot. If the intensity does not lie above a certain threshold, it is assumed that there is no PMC there. In a second, refining step, the scientists corrected the selection threshold for Rayleigh scattering effects (stemming from electromagnetic radiation being scattered by particles that are much smaller in size than the radiation's wavelength), to ascertain the inclusion of weaker PMC signals.

The researchers studied PMC signal maps obtained in this way with data generated since 2015. They were not only able to recover the typical day-to-day and year-to-year variations in PMC formation, but they also noted many shorter time scale structures. These could be detected thanks to the 10-minute time resolution of the Himawari-8 satellite, and may be related to atmospheric tidal waves. Tsuda and colleagues also performed a thorough validation of their data processing scheme by comparing their results to the data recorded by the AIM satellite, and found that there is excellent consistency between the two different PMC datasets. The scientists concluded that "the current data product would be of benefit for research on various PMC science in the longer time scales" and expect that in the future, further data analysis will enable to "produce newer PMC science in the shorter time scale (with the 10-min) resolution".

Reference

T. T. Tsuda,Y. Hozumi,K. Kawaura,K. Tatsuzawa,Y. Ando,K. Hosokawa,H. Suzuki,K. T. Murata,T. Nakamura,J. Yue,K. Nielsen, Detection of Polar Mesospheric Clouds Utilizing Himawari-8/AHI Full-Disk Images, Earth and Space Science 9, e2021EA002076 (2022)

URL: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021EA002076

DOI: 10.1029/2021EA002076

Researcher Video Profiles

http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/researcher-video-profiles/202201/a.html

Kali Prasanna Nayak, Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Science

Developing a single atom quantum interface on a tapered optical fiber

In this video, Kali Prasanna Nayak describes his research on developing a single atom quantum interface on a tapered optical fiber, starting with an overview of the concept of quantum interfaces and recent developments in quantum computers based on trapped ions, trapped neutral atoms or superconducting qubits. Nayak says that the "next challenge will be how to connect these quantum nodes over a network where single photons will be the information careers; the so-called quantum internet."

Notably, single photons can be efficient carriers of quantum information because they can move at the speed of light and do not easily interact with the surrounding medium. However, these same properties lead to difficulties in isolating and controlling single photons. One way to resolve this problem is the development of quantum interface platforms where single photons can be controlled/manipulated using an ensemble of atoms.

"If this could be done at the single atom level then one can use the quantum properties of the single atom to further enhance the quantum functionality of such a quantum node," says Nayak.

But the question is why is it so difficult to realize a single atom quantum interface?

One way of overcoming this problem can be devised by considering the efficiency with which a photon interacts with a single atom. To quantify this, the parameter known as the 'single atom cooperativity' is defined that is the ratio of single atom absorption cross-section to the photonic mode area.

"This means that we have to strongly confine the single atoms and photons to subwavelength dimensions to realize efficient interaction," explains Nayak. "This is about transverse confinement. Another way is to confine a single atom inside a high finesse optical resonator, where the interaction will be further enhanced by the number of photon round-trips inside the cavity i.e. the finesse of the cavity. This is called longitudinal confinement."

These ideas are being pursued worldwide to develop a quantum interface using micro-cavities and nanostructures. "In my group, we are trying to develop a quantum interface on an optical nanofiber i.e. a tapered optical fiber with subwavelength diameter waist," says Nayak. "The diameter of the nanofiber is almost half of wavelength, with the primary advantage of such a technique is that the fiber guided mode can be strongly confined in the transverse direction to subwavelength dimensions while interacting with the surrounding medium in the evanescent region. Apart from the transverse confinement, one can also introduce an in-line cavity on the nanofiber to further enhance the atom-photon interactions. After all this is a fiber in-line technology easily integrable to fiber networks."

Nayak also describes the advantage of transverse confinement, where he compares a free-space cavity with a nanofiber cavity, stressing that to realize a cooperativity of ten in free-space cavities requires a finesse of half a million. Similar cooperativities can be realized on a nanofiber cavity with a moderate finesse of hundred to two hundred. This is because of the strong transverse confinement in nanofiber cavity. In free-space cavities, the effective mode radius is order of tens of microns whereas that for a nanofiber cavity is only half a micron; this is the key advantage.

Cavities are fabricated in thin fibers using femtosecond laser fabrication techniques to produce photonic crystal cavities on nanofibers.

The next question is how to trap a single atom on such a nanofiber cavity? "We use this kind of tightly focused optical dipole trap, the so-called single atom tweezer, to trap individual atoms on the nanofiber cavity," says Nayak. "The key point of such a tightly focused trap is that the trap volume is so small that it can trap only one atom at a time. If two atoms enter the trap, they will collide with each other and will be lost from the trap. It is known as the collisional blockade mechanism."

Nayak and his group have conducted wide variety of experiments based on this approach and have produced a nanofiber cavity and an optical tweezer beam tightly focused on the nanofiber. "We load atoms into the nanofiber trap from a laser-cooled atom cloud formed by a standard magneto-optical trap (MOT) and monitor the photon counts through the fiber guided modes. We observed the photon count rates as a function of time and saw clear single-step-like signals. This indicates that single atoms are trapped and interfaced to the nanofiber. The fluorescence from the trapped single atom is coupled to the nanofiber guided modes and that results in such step-like fluorescence signals."

Nayak and his group confirmed these results by measuring the photon correlations, where anti-bunching of fluorescence photons clarified that these signals were from individual single atoms. "We have also measured the trap lifetime to be around 50 ms, and from photon counts we estimated a cooperativity of 5.4 and channeling efficiency as high as 85%," says Nayak. "This means that almost 85% of the atomic emission is coupled into the fiber guided modes. That's a very efficient single atom quantum interface. Such interfaces offer new possibilities for fiber in-line quantum nodes and single photon manipulation."

Research Keywords: Quantum Optics, Nanophotonics, Nanofiber optics, Laser cooling and trapping, Control and manipulation of single atoms and single photons

References and further information

Reference: K. P. Nayak, J. Wang, and J. Keloth, Real-time observation of single atoms trapped and interfaced to a nanofiber cavity, Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 213602 (2019).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.213602

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/kali-prasanna-nayak-uec/home?authuser=0

Further information

University of Electro-Communications

1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.uec.ac.jp/

About the University of Electro-Communications

http://www.uec.ac.jp/

The University of Electro-Communications (UEC) in Tokyo is a small, luminous university at the forefront of pure and applied sciences, engineering, and technology research. Its roots go back to the Technical Institute for Wireless Commutations, which was established in 1918 by the Wireless Association to train so-called wireless engineers in maritime communications in response to the Titanic disaster in 1912. In 1949, the UEC was established as a national university by the Japanese Ministry of Education and moved in 1957 from Meguro to its current Chofu campus Tokyo.

With approximately 4,000 students and 350 faculty members, UEC is regarded as a small university, but with expertise in wireless communications, laser science, robotics, informatics, and material science, to name just a few areas of research.

The UEC was selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as a result of its strengths in three main areas: optics and photonics research, where we are number one for the number of joint publications with foreign researchers; wireless communications, which reflects our roots; and materials-based research, particularly on fuel cells.

Website: http://www.uec.ac.jp/

SOURCE University of Electro-Communications
Palace of Fine Arts Priority Mail Express Stamp

An eye-catching sight in the Marina District of San Francisco, the Palace of Fine Arts has long been a source of pride for residents and an attraction for visitors from around the world. With this Priority Mail Express stamp, the Postal Service celebrates this iconic architectural landmark.

The stamp art shows the rotunda and part of the colonnades of the Palace of Fine Arts, with a small lagoon in the foreground. Artist Dan Cosgrove created the digital illustration based on a photograph of the Palace of Fine Arts looking west across the lagoon. The stamp is denominated at $26.95, the current price of a flat-rate Priority Mail Express envelope.

Monument Valley Priority Mail Stamp

With this Priority Mail stamp, the Postal Service celebrates Monument Valley, an iconic landscape of the American West.

Reminiscent of a vintage travel poster, this stamp features artwork that emphasizes the vast stone formations of Monument Valley while highlighting the vivid colors of the sky, the earth and the area's distinctive plant life. Artist Dan Cosgrove created the digital illustration for the stamp based on photographs of Monument Valley, including a view facing northwest at sunrise. The stamp is denominated at $8.95, the current price of a flat-rate Priority Mail envelope.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Information for ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shop.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

Contact: James McKean

202-268-2380

[email protected]

usps.com/news

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective today, the newly merged Vanguard Target Retirement Funds will have a lower expense ratio of 0.08%. At less than one-fifth the cost of the average target-date fund,1 Vanguard Target Retirement Funds will retain the same investment strategy, asset allocations, and glide path, informed by more than four decades of client insights and investment management expertise.

Aligned to its mission to give investors the best chance for success, Vanguard is committed to returning value to clients through lower costs, innovative enhancements, and greater access to world-class investment solutions. Vanguard's unique investor-owned structure enables the firm to consistently lower the cost of investing and expand access to the firm's full range of investment strategies.2 Since its founding in 1975, Vanguard has returned value to shareholders by lowering expense ratios and investment minimums more than 2,000 times across asset classes, product types, and strategies.

Vanguard Target Retirement Funds are a leading choice for millions of retirement savers. The series provides investors with a single, low-cost solution that offers diverse exposurecovering 89% of the global, publicly traded marketalong a research-based glide path that rebalances over time. The investor-focused design of the Target Retirement Funds blends investment strategy and behavioral insights to deliver a target-date lineup that helps investors reach their retirement goals while balancing risk at each stage of the life cycle.

The year in the Target Retirement Fund name refers to the approximate year (the target date) when an investor in the fund would retire and leave the workforce. The fund will gradually shift its emphasis from more aggressive investments to more conservative ones based on its target date. An investment in a Target Retirement Fund is not guaranteed at any time, including on or after the target date, and is subject to the risks of their underlying funds.

About Vanguard

Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies. As of December 31, 2021, Vanguard managed $8.5 trillion in global assets. The firm, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, offers 422 funds to its more than 30 million investors worldwide. For more information, visit vanguard.com.

All figures as of December 31, 2021 unless stated otherwise.

For more information about Vanguard funds, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about a fund are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.

There is no guarantee that any particular asset allocation or mix of funds will meet your investment objectives or provide you with a given level of income. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.







1 Morningstar, as of December 31, 2020 2 Vanguard is investor-owned, meaning the fund shareholders own the funds, which in turn own Vanguard.

SOURCE Vanguard
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the board of directors of Whirlpool Corporation (the "Company") authorized an additional $2 billion in share repurchases under the Company's ongoing share repurchase program. Approximately $1.5 billion remained available under the program as of December 31, 2021.

The Company's board of directors also approved a $0.35 increase in the quarterly dividend on the Company's common stock to $1.75 per share from $1.40 per share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 25, 2022.

"I am pleased to announce that we are increasing our dividend for the tenth consecutive year and have approved another significant increase of our share repurchase program," said Marc Bitzer, chairman and chief executive officer of Whirlpool Corporation. "These actions highlight the confidence we have in our business to continue generating strong levels of cash and reflect our continued commitment to delivering long-term shareholder value and returns."

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and Yummly. In 2021, the company reported approximately $22 billion in annual sales, 69,000 employees and 54 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find us on Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp.com.

Website Disclosure

We routinely post important information for investors on our website, whirlpoolcorp.com, in the "Investors" section. We also intend to update the Hot Topics Q&A portion of this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Whirlpool Corporation Additional Information

This document contains forward-looking statements regarding cash generation and shareholder value creation. Actual events or results may differ materially from those statements as a result of many factors, including the company's ability to execute on its short-term and long-term plans. For information about the factors that could cause such differences, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, including the information set forth under the caption "Risk Factors."

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation
Wipfli LLP announced today that the teams from Solve100 and Waypoint have joined the firm.

Wipfli specifically initiated relationships with Solve100 and Waypoint knowing their teams had increasingly focused on creating data analytics and business intelligence services. Their drive to intimately understand their clients' businesses aligned with Wipfli's own culture of using creativity, discipline and proven processes to deliver results today while anticipating tomorrow's demands.

"We all recognize that data is an asset with untapped potential," said Ken Kortas, technology consulting practice leader at Wipfli. "Many of our clients are looking to understand how their data can inform their future growth and sustainability. That's where we can help. Adding Solve100 and Waypoint innovation and digital consultation skills to our Wipfli team deepens the bench to support all of our clients."

Solve100, based out of Chicago, offers business intelligence, data analytics, machine learning and predictive analytics solutions to the healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, food service/manufacturing and distribution/logistics industries. DecisionPoint Advisors, based in Charlotte NC, which offers merger and acquisition consultancy for middle-market technology companies, represented Solve100 in its transaction.

Waypoint, based out of West Chester, Pa., offers enterprise data management (data warehousing, integration and governance), analytics and enterprise performance management solutions across multiple industries, with specific expertise in the healthcare and financial service industries. Solganick & Co., an, independent technology investment bank with M&A advisory expertise, represented Waypoint in its transaction.

"We offer a better way to aggregate disparate information, and report, analyze and visualize complex data through business intelligence, or data analytics," said Greg Woodard, principal at Solve100.

"Together with Wipfli, we offer development expertise to build governance around clients' data. This enables us to build solutions informing data-driven decisions, and offer integrations, connections and customizations that address unique needs."

Helping businesses through managing and interpreting data is integral to the future. Both Solve100 and Waypoint moved to join Wipfli because the firm understands the power data holds to help its clients succeed and grow.

"Data is more abundant than ever before, but organizations struggle with planning, managing and visualizing that data in a way that provides insights," said Brendan McGuire, managing partner at Waypoint Consulting. "We help all types of clients discover, develop, and deploy data and analytics solutions in ways that improve operations, reduce risks and drive profitability."

The combined companies bring more than 50 associates into the Wipfli team, which now numbers more than 3,100 associates in the U.S., India and the Philippines. These are the 11th and 12th firms to join Wipfli in the past three years.

About Wipfli LLP

With more than 100,000 clients and 3,100 associates, Wipfli ranks among the top 20 accounting and business consulting firms in the nation. In 2030 Wipfli turns 100, but in many ways, we feel like we're just getting started. Business today is more fluid than ever. Helping firms achieve their goals takes imagination, discipline and a process that delivers results today while anticipating tomorrow's demands. That's Wipfli.

Media Contact

Wipfli

Sara Snyder

Wipfli

[email protected]

SOURCE Wipfli LLP
DUBLIN, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Industrial Batteries Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global industrial batteries market reached a value of US$ 19.33 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 28.68 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.3% 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. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor



Industrial batteries are electrochemical devices used as a power source for large, rugged equipment. They consist of cathodes, anodes and electrolyte solutions and offer resistance to vibrations and extreme temperatures. Lithium-ion, nickel-based, lithium titanate, lithium magnesium oxide and lead-based batteries are some of the commonly available variants. They are widely used in medical equipment, uninterruptible power source (UPS), safety alarms, tracking systems and automobile accessories. In comparison to the traditionally used consumer batteries, industrial variants have longer operation life and can be utilized in extreme environments and remote locations. As a result, industrial batteries are extensively used in energy, grid storage, utility, and telecommunication systems



Rapid industrialization and increasing requirement for factory automation across the globe are among the key factors driving the growth of the market. The rising requirement for continuous and reliable sources of energy is leading to the widespread adoption of industrial batteries to power heavy-duty equipment. Additionally, the increasing utilization of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries across industries is favouring the market growth. Li-ion batteries are widely used in surveillance and alarm systems, industrial electronics, and solar power backup storage systems.

Moreover, various product innovations, such as the launch of green industrial batteries that assist in reducing carbon footprint and are environmentally friendly, are providing a thrust to the market growth. In line with this, the increasing product utilization in health monitoring systems, critical care equipment and power cleaning tools in hospitals and healthcare centres is positively impacting the market growth. Other factors, including the rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs), along with the widespread product adoption in the manufacturing industry, are anticipated to drive the market toward growth

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner & Sohn GmbH, Amara Raja Group, American Battery Solutions, Bulldog Battery Corporation, C&D Technologies Inc., EnerSys, Exide Industries Limited, GS Yuasa Corporation, Industrial Battery & Services Inc., Johnson Controls International, Panasonic Corporation and Saft (TotalEnergies SE)



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global industrial batteries market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global industrial batteries market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the drive type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global industrial batteries market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Industrial Batteries Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Drive Type

6.1 Electric

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Hydraulic

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Others

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Technology

7.1 Lithium-Ion Battery

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Lead-Acid Battery

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Others

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Application

8.1 Forklift

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Telecom

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 UPS

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 Others

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Region

10 SWOT Analysis



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis



13 Price Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 Accumulatorenwerke HOPPECKE Carl Zoellner & Sohn GmbH

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2 Amara Raja Group

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2.3 Financials

14.3.3 American Battery Solutions

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4 Bulldog Battery Corporation

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5 C&D Technologies Inc.

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5.3 SWOT Analysis

14.3.6 EnerSys

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6.3 Financials

14.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.7 Exide Industries Limited

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7.3 Financials

14.3.8 GS Yuasa Corporation

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8.3 Financials

14.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.9 Industrial Battery & Services Inc.

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10 Johnson Controls International

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10.3 Financials

14.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.11 Panasonic Corporation

14.3.11.1 Company Overview

14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.11.3 Financials

14.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.12 Saft (TotalEnergies SE)

14.3.12.1 Company Overview

14.3.12.2 Product Portfolio



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/610ho0

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
DUBLIN, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Microwave Oven Market (2021-2026) by Product Type, Application, Structure, Size, Distribution Channel, Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Microwave Oven Market is estimated to be USD 8.10 Bn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 11.09 Bn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 6.5%.



Market Dynamics

Key factors such as the rising trend of ready-to-eat food, higher disposable income, and growing working-class segment are driving the market's growth. The increasing propensity of home and restaurants consumer to spend on appliances that assist them in kitchen chores has generated a growing demand for microwave ovens.



However, factors such as the high cost of premium products and the inherent inefficiency of electric power are likely to restrain the market growth. Moreover, preference towards traditional cooking due to severe consequences for health is a major challenge for the market.



The Global Microwave Oven Market is segmented based on Product Type, Application, Structure, Size, Distribution Channel, and Geography.



Company Profiles

Some of the companies covered in this report are Whirlpool, Breville, Brandt, LG Electronics, Hoover, IFB Appliances, etc.



Countries Studied

America ( Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Colombia , Mexico , Peru , United States , Rest of Americas)

, , , , , , , , Rest of Americas) Europe ( Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Russia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , United Kingdom , Rest of Europe )

( , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Rest of ) Middle-East and Africa ( Egypt , Israel , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Rest of MEA)

and ( , , , , , , Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific ( Australia , Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Taiwan , Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Microwave Oven Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using IGR Positioning Quadrants, Infogence's Proprietary competitive positioning tool.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Description

2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Market Influencers

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Rising Trend of Ready To Eat Food and Frozen Food

4.1.2 Higher Disposable Income and Increasing Diverse Eating Preferences & Lifestyles

4.1.3 Raising Awareness about Energy Conservation

4.1.4 Assist Restaurant in Kitchen Chores

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 Issues with Warranty and Maintenance

4.2.2 Inherent Inefficiency Of Electric Power

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 Development of Energy-Efficient Microwave Ovens

4.3.2 Growing Demand for Smart Appliances and Integration of IoT

4.4 Challenges

4.4.1 Severe consequences for health



5 Market Analysis

5.1 Regulatory Scenario

5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis



6 Global Microwave Oven Market, By Product Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Convection

6.3 Grill

6.4 Solo



7 Global Microwave Oven Market, By Application

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Household

7.3 Commercial



8 Global Microwave Oven Market, By Structure

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Cooktop

8.3 Built-In



9 Global Microwave Oven Market, By Size

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Less than 1 Cubic Foot

9.3 1-1.9 Cubic Foot

9.4 More than 2 Cubic Foot



10 Global Microwave Oven Market, By Distribution Channel

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Online

10.3 Offline



11 Global Microwave Oven Market, By Geography



12 Competitive Landscape

12.1 Competitive Quadrant

12.2 Market Share Analysis

12.3 Strategic Initiatives

12.3.1 M&A and Investments

12.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations

12.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements



13 Company Profiles

13.1 Bajaj

13.2 Brandt

13.3 Breville

13.4 Godrej

13.5 Guangdong Galanz

13.6 Hoover

13.7 IFB Appliances

13.8 ITW Food Equipment

13.9 June Life

13.10 Kenstar

13.11 LG Electronics

13.12 Midea

13.13 Miele

13.14 Morphy Richards

13.15 Moulinex

13.16 Robert Bosch

13.17 Samsung

13.18 Sharp

13.19 Whirlpool



14 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/n2t76w

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
DUBLIN, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Network Monitoring Market (2021-2026) by Offering, Bandwidth, Technology, End-User Industry, Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Network Monitoring Market is estimated to be USD 2,167 Mn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 3,701 Mn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 11.3%.

The need for network performance monitoring tools is growing due to the increasing network complexity and security concerns. Network performance monitoring software improves IT operations by reducing the consequences of performance issues, processes, policy creation, and network operations and resolving network performance issues.

The expanding popularity of monitoring solutions, the widespread use of IoT and BYOD devices, and the growing demand for long-lasting network monitoring systems to fix downtime issues swiftly contribute to the market's growth. However, the availability of free network traffic tools is expected to hamper the growth of the target market.



Rising adoption by various enterprises is expected to generate untapped opportunities for market participants.



The Global Network Monitoring Market is segmented based on Offering, Bandwidth, Technology, End-User Industry, and Geography.



Company Profiles

Some of the companies covered in this report are Arista Networks, LogicMonitor, Microsoft, Colasoft, Juniper Networks, Broadcom, Zenoss, etc.



Countries Studied

America ( Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Colombia , Mexico , Peru , United States , Rest of Americas)

, , , , , , , , Rest of Americas) Europe ( Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Russia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , United Kingdom , Rest of Europe )

( , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Rest of ) Middle-East and Africa ( Egypt , Israel , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Rest of MEA)

and ( , , , , , , Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific ( Australia , Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Taiwan , Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Network Monitoring Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using IGR Positioning Quadrants, Infogence's Proprietary competitive positioning tool.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Description



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Market Influencers

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Demand for Continuous Monitoring Due to Increase in Network Complexities

4.1.2 Growth in the Adoption of IoT and BYOD devices

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 Compatibility Concerns

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 Increase of Small Business infrastructures

4.3.2 Integrating AI into the Day-To-Day Operations of the Business

4.4 Challenges

4.4.1 Availability of Alternatives



5 Market Analysis

5.1 Regulatory Scenario

5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis



6 Global Network Monitoring Market, By Offering

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Network Tap

6.3 Data Monitoring Switch



7 Global Network Monitoring Market, By Bandwidth

7.1 Introduction

7.2 1 & 10 Gbps

7.3 40 Gbps

7.4 100 Gbps



8 Global Network Monitoring Market, By Technology

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Ethernet

8.3 Fiber Optic

8.4 Infiband



9 Global Network Monitoring Market, By End User Industry

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Enterprises

9.3 Telecommunications Industry

9.4 Government Organizations

9.5 Cloud Service Providers



10 Global Network Monitoring Market, By Geography



11 Competitive Landscape

11.1 Competitive Quadrant

11.2 Market Share Analysis

11.3 Strategic Initiatives

11.3.1 M&A and Investments

11.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations

11.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements



12 Company Profiles

12.1 Anodot

12.2 Apcon

12.3 Arista Networks

12.4 Auvik Networks

12.5 Broadcom

12.6 Cisco

12.7 Colasoft

12.8 Datadog

12.9 Garland Technology

12.10 Gigamon

12.11 Juniper Networks

12.12 LogicMonitor

12.13 Microsoft

12.14 Motadata

12.15 Nagios Core

12.16 Netgear

12.17 Netscout

12.18 Network Critical

12.19 Oracle

12.20 OpenNMS Group

12.21 Progress Software

12.22 VIAVI Solutions

12.23 Wireshark

12.24 Zabbix

12.25 Zenoss

12.26 Zoho

13 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kgauoz

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
Europes major banks pumped billions of dollars into oil and gas expansion, despite their stated commitments to Net Zero targets, according to research from Share Action.

The research showed 25 major European banks provided US$55bn in financing to companies expanding oil and gas production last year.

The banks had spent US$400bn since 2016, with HSBC PLC (LSE:HSBA) topping the group at $59bn, followed by Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC) (US$48bn) and BNP Paribas (US$46bn).

The oil and gas companies receiving the most funding from these banks included Exxon Mobil, Pemex, Suadi Aramco and BP.

Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) had spent $5.9bn, while NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) had spent $4.37bn, with BP also being a key customer for both.

This was despite climate scenarios like the International Energy Agencys (IEA) pathway showing there was no room for further oil and gas expansion if the world were to have a 50% chance of limiting global warming to 1.5C.

Share Action pointed out that 24 of the banks listed were part of the UN-convened Net Zero Banking Alliance.

The NGO criticized the alliance for being silent on fossil fuel expansion, with those banks providing $33bn to oil and gas expanders since joining the alliance last year.

Mark Campanale, founder and executive chair of Carbon Tracker, said: The IEAs NetZero2050 report tells us that for the world to avoid 1.5C of heating, then no investment is needed anywhere in any new coal, oil or gas production.

Now is the time for banks to get real with the science, and announce a science-based moratorium on funding new fossil fuel projects.

Share Action said that while templates existed for change, including La Banque Postales announcement that it would exit the oil & gas sector entirely by 2030, most big banks were not demanding transition plans from their clients.

The NGO is urging asset managers to make full use of their shareholder rights to demand that banks implement policies to restrict finance for oil and gas expansion, after its senior research manager stated that gas & oil expansion was a lose-lose bet for banks and their investors.

Xavier Lerin, senior research manager at Share Action, said: If oil & gas demand decreases in line with 1.5C scenarios, prices will fall and assets will become stranded. On the other hand, if demand does not fall enough to limit global warming to 1.5C, the economy will suffer from severe physical climate impacts.

Either way, value will be destroyed for energy companies, banks and their investors.
It was supposed to be a day filled with expressions of young love at a high school in one of Floridas safest communities.

But the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentines Day 2018 turned it into a day of agony, confusion and despair, a day that created excruciating wounds that have yet to heal and, for some, never may.

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South Florida vowed never to forget the fallen, the 17 students and staff.

Alyssa Alhadeff. Scott Beigel. Martin Duque Anguiano. Nicholas Dworet. Aaron Feis. Jaime Guttenberg. Chris Hixon. Luke Hoyer. Cara Loughran. Gina Montalto. Joaquin Oliver. Alaina Petty. Meadow Pollack. Helena Ramsay. Alex Schachter. Carmen Schentrup. Peter Wang.

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Across the country, Parkland has become a synonym for the wanton violence that has been plaguing schools in the United States.

The youngest students who were at Stoneman Douglas that cruel day have graduated. Many have gone on to college or found other ways to proceed with life, as have their parents and acquaintances. But for many in our community, the shootings were a wound from which they will never fully recover.

Here are some ways community members have found to cope, four years after the killings that Americans still associate with a national scourge that has no fixes in sight.

Till this day they bear the scars of what they experienced, as well as the teachers and professionals who work there, Cantor Malcolm Arnold, of Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland, said of community members after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High four years ago. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Cantor Malcolm Arnold, Congregation Kol Tikvah

Its the other school shootings that are now the hardest.

Malcolm Arnold has been the cantor at Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland since May 2000. The cantors most difficult times now are when more shootings happen in schools. When you see this happen at another school, and another school, and another school, another loss, and you know exactly how that affects the families, it hits home.

[ RELATED: Remembering the 17 lives lost in Parkland ]

Kol Tikvah is the Jewish synagogue that handled the funeral service for Meadow Pollack. The family of victim Alex Schachter is part of the congregation.

In the days and weeks and months after the inexplicable tragedy in Parkland, Arnold was nonstop trying to keep everyone else together. He has seen firsthand that till this day they bear the scars of what they experienced, as well as the teachers and professionals who work there.

The passing of years has helped him somewhat: Time does have its strengthening factor.

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But this four-year mark, similar to past years, is a painful reminder of the loss these families have endured. For them its not over. Arnold said the majority of congregants were affected. But temple leaders had to decide how to go forward.

In the beginning, he had to struggle privately.

To lead a memorial service, to lead shiva service [the formal mourning period in Judaism] at someones home, to attend the many funeral services we attended were very difficult, he said.

But as clergy we are there for our community, our congregants. In our private time we get to break down when it becomes too much, just like any other person.

Now what gives Arnold comfort is watching heroes step up, the parents who have advocated for school safety and gun control. Arnold sees Parkland parents on television so brave and so committed in their activism. Arnold said seeing them makes him feel the hope of so many, who turned tragedy into something that serves the greater good.

Arnold will lead a prayer for those who died at a community memorial service Monday, and read out loud the names of the 17 victims. It will not be easy, he said softly. With emotional support from other clergy, well put on a smile for each other.

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Amy Kenny, center, has taught yoga at Marjory Stoneman Douglas for eight years. She helped train these former students to become yoga teachers to honor victims of the shooting. From upper left to right, Madison Baez, class of 2019, Alyssa Teager, class of 2018, bottom left Keila Velasquez, Class of 2016, and Sarah Koorse, class of 2018. (Monica Schmidt/Courtesy)

Amy Kenny, Yoga4MSD

After the shooting, counselors flooded the high school and the community, offering the opportunity to talk about survivors grief. But Amy Kenny, a Stoneman Douglas physical education teacher, has found a different kind of therapy works better: yoga, meditation and mindfulness, or awareness of the present moment without judgment.

Meadow Pollack, a senior in Kennys class, was among the 17 killed. After the massacre, with Pollack and other students in mind, Kenny started Yoga4MSD, a nonprofit that encourages the teaching of yoga as a way to share a message of solace and goodwill.

Kenny sends teens and young adults for training to become yoga and mindfulness instructors. The program has trained 20 teachers, almost all former Douglas students who are under 25 years old.

I wanted to give back to the community in the only way I knew how, through yoga and meditation, said Kenny, 51, who has taught at Douglas for eight years. These practices have expanded my own healing, not only the physical yoga, but mindfulness and movement.

Besides teaching yoga at Douglas and at sites around Parkland, Kenny has coordinated with several national organizations that have been helping to mend the community, including the Onsite Foundation, which works with trauma victims, and the Center for Mind Body Medicine, which trains leaders to work with teachers, counselors, students and school nurses to support rehabilitation after stress.

[ RELATED: Vigils scheduled to honor survivors and remember those lost in Parkland school shooting ]

Contact with these national healers has aided Kenny on her own therapeutic journey.

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They have changed me in so many ways, she said. I have more gratitude for every day. The trauma is so deep. The fact that Ive been able to help so many others heal has brought so much to my life.

At the Dance Theatre of Parkland, girls on Friday dance around a message preserved in plexiglass: "Dreams and Dedication are a powerful combination." The message was written by Jaime Guttenberg, one of the 17 people who died in the Parkland shooting. Guttenberg was part of the dance group. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

A time to mourn, a time to dance

At the Dance Theatre of Parkland, they wore an orange ribbon.

They wore it for four years, in honor and memory of Jaime Guttenberg, the competitive dance team member whose life was lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Last summer, after Guttenberg would have graduated high school, the instructors at the dance school where she spent more than a decade honing her love of the art made a painful decision  to retire their use of the orange ribbon during dance competitions.

The symbol had come to define the last four years, but in that time, the dance students who attended Stoneman Douglas in 2018 graduated and moved away. Guttenbergs schoolmates are gone.

The kids now dancing on the team werent in the building on that day, said school director Michelle Gerlick. Her graduating class has grown up. We dont want to be reminding the new kids that there could be a school shooting. You cant keep reliving it.

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[ RELATED: Inspired by Parkland, new emergency system aims to help police speed their response ]

Gerlick said she and the instructors at the school will hold on to the memory of Jaime Guttenberg, but theres a generation of new students coming up who didnt know her, who dont have firsthand memories of that tragic day. At some point, the memory has to endure without the constant reminder.

We just want the kids in our school to be kids, she said.

There will always be a place of honor for Jaime Guttenberg at the Dance Theatre at Parkland. She wrote it herself in November 2017. Dreams and dedication are a powerful combination, she wrote.

The words remain on the wall at the dance studio. Along with an orange ribbon.

Dancers on Friday practice at the Dance Theatre at Parkland where Jaime Guttenberg danced. Guttenberg was one of the 17 who died in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High four years ago. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Editors note: This story was updated to reflect which Parkland families were members at Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland.
HeiQ PLC (LSE:HEIQ) shares have stridden up 7% to 90.6p after Hugo Boss agreed to invest at least US$5mln in the Swiss-based, London-listed textiles developer's new "climate positive, cellulose yarn aimed at decarbonizing the fashion industry".

The investment in HeiQ's HeiQ AeoniQ subsidiary, giving an implied valuation of US$200mln, will be used towards funding the pilot commercialization plant, scheduled for the second quarter.

Hugo Boss also agreed to make additional deferred payments of up to US$4mln based on specific project milestones, as well as an option on another US$5mln investment at the same implied valuation as the initial equity investment.

HeiQ said it has also signed an agreement for The LYCRA Company to become the exclusive distributor for HeiQ AeoniQ yarns, with LYCRA paying an "undisclosed but substantial" technology fee and committing to "develop the technology for broad application in textiles".

12.50pm: BOOM shake the room

Audioboom Group PLC (AIM:BOOM) shares have surged to all-time highs, up 12.5% to 1,980p, on the back of whispers about Spotify and Amazon mulling potential takeover bids.

Less than a year after it rebuffed a 1,200p-a-share bid, the tech giants are said to be considering an approach for the UK podcasting group, with the potential of formal offers being made as soon as this month.

Amazon is working with investment bankers at JP Morgan, Sky News reported, citing sources saying that any offer would be pitched at a large markup on the companys closing share price of 1,760p last week.

11.58am: Not as Real Good as expected

Real Good Food PLC (LSE:RGD) investors were scraping some leftovers into the bin in morning trading, with the shares down 14.6% to 2.35p after a trading update warned of disappointing international sales in the second half.

The company, which owns the Renshaw and Rainbow Dust cake decoration businesses, said international sales, which had been expected to show double digit growth are "going to be marginally below last year's numbers".

Overal revenue for the second half of the year is "expected to be at a similar level to the second half of last year", RGF said, despite a pick-up in sales to the wholesale sector.

Costs have increased too, meaning a "small profit" is expected at the EBITDA level, "broadly similar" (ie a bit below) that reported in the prior year.

10am: Cizzle climbs off the floor

Cizzle Biotechnology Holdings PLC (LSE:CIZ), after hitting a new low earlier this month, has bounced back, up 17% to 2.96p on news that it is extending its relationship with Conduit Pharmaceuticals and St George Street Capital (SGSC).

Cizzle is issuing shares to acquire a 5% "economic interest" in the commercialisation of a drug going by the name of AZD 1656 being developed by Conduit and backed by SGSC to treat inflammatory pulmonary and cardiovascular disease.

SGSC recently reported the successful completion of a clinical trial of AZD 1656 in Covid-19, with SGSC and Conduit said to be "in discussions with multiple pharmaceutical companies about licensing opportunities" for the drug "and potentially for further indications".

After Cizzle in September acquired a stake in AZD 1656 and shortly after was contracted by SGSC to develop an associated companion diagnostic test, Allan Syms, Cizzle's executive chairman, said: "We are now pleased to have the opportunity to increase our stake by an additional 5% in AZD 1656, but significantly the economic interest will be uncapped."

Elsewhere, Live Company Group PLC shares were bopping higher after it confirmed a second day for the KPop.Flex festival that will take place in Frankfurt on 14 May.

After the first day sold out, tickets for the second will go on sale tomorrow, 15 February.

Artists for day two include IVE, a six-member girl band, and ONEUS, a six-member boy band - with further artists to be announced in due course.

Live Company chairman David Ciclitira said conversations on merchandise and streaming are continuing.
The North Sea is crucial for Britains energy security and the country must keep drilling new wells there, according to energy minister Greg Hands.

In an interview with the Times newspaper, Hands said domestic production gives Britain an advantage compared with other European countries that rely on Russia for a huge part of their gas.

It is important for us not to be increasing our gas imports at a time of energy security concerns, he said.

A surge in global gas prices will increase household energy bills by over 50% from April, reigniting debate over production in the North Sea.

Britain produces about half its gas needs, but the industry has forecast that this could drop by 75% by 2030 without investment in new projects.

The International Energy Agency said last year no new fields should be developed if the world was to hit climate targets.

Hands told the Times that the UK government wants to maintain robust domestic production from the North Sea for energy security reasons.

I dont want to see us increasing gas imports, he said.

Europe buys around a third of its gas from Russia and there are fears that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could lead to disruption or to Russia restricting supplies.

We all know, in terms of the situation between Russia and Ukraine, the UK benefits from the fact that we import very little gas from Russia, less than 3%, Hands said.

I wouldnt want us to be increasing our imports at a time of high prices or in any way that threatens our energy security.

The energy minister also said North Sea production has lower emissions than imports of liquefied natural gas and that gas has a big role to play in our energy transition.

But he said increased North Sea production would have a minimal impact on gas prices.

North Sea gas production is a very small part of global gas production. Its the global price that sets the UK price, he said.

Hands denied reports that the government is fast-tracking consents for new projects, saying there is no change to our regulatory environments.

He said the government is not considering reviving fracking, which was banned in 2019.

Unless compelling scientific evidence is provided to address these concerns and ensure that communities are on board, I dont see a change in that moratorium, he said in the interview.

The collapse of almost 30 energy suppliers since last year due to the surge in gas prices has been blamed on the governments price cap by some energy companies.

But Hands said the price cap is here to stay, were committed to have it going forward, although there will also be reforms to the supply market.

The government has unveiled a 200 discount on energy bills to help struggling consumers, although this is to be repaid in 40 annual instalments from 2023, when the Treasury believes global wholesale gas prices are expected to come down.

Hands admitted there was no sign of prices easing in the short term and said: We are not in the market of predicting global gas prices. Well have to keep this whole situation under review.
Frontier IP's Neil Crabb joins Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam after selling further shares in Exscientia PLC, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug developer, for a net $4.3mln (3.2mln).

It will use the proceeds for general working capital purposes and to provide further support to its existing portfolio companies.

Including the sale of Exscientia shares last month, Frontier has sold a total of 391,200 Exscientia ADSs for net proceeds of about $8.3mln, generating an estimated realised gain of 2.79mln for Frontier in its financial year to end June 2022.

They also discuss portfolio company Cambridge Raman Imaging (CRI) which is to receive a grant from the European Innovation Councils Transition awards to fund the development of a low-cost cancer diagnostic as part of the CHARM project.
WTI $93.10 +$3.22, Brent $94.44 +$3.03, Diff -$1.34 -19c, NG $3.94 -2c, UKNG 200.0p +25p

Oil price

When I was writing Fridays blog it looked like the oil price would at last have a down week, although I am still bullish on fundamentals a breather seemed on the cards. And then around 8pm I started to see massive activity in the oil price which I traced back to the US comments about The Ukraine and its potential imminence.

Cue a rise of over three dollars as above and both WTI (79c) and Brent ($1.17) were up on the week. So this week becomes very crucial with regard to Russia of course and how we get out of it. Interestingly the big question is actually right now what does the oil price do under both scenarios? It is tempting to say down under a settlement and up on a war but as usual it may not be that easy.

There is a war premium in the price right now, maybe around $3 but markets are still underlying very tight and I dont expect a huge fall in the event of a stand-off. I continue to recommend that Opec+ will decide the oil price in coming months, despite stories of oversupply I consider that we have low inventories and little spare capacity elsewhere.

Its a bit late now but for those of us who have repeatedly tried to influence policy might just get a hearing. Use less imported hydrocarbons from suspect sources, realise that home produced oil and gas is more valuable than from elsewhere and also use our storage facilities in the summer. No, thats way too sensible to put into practise

Wentworth Resources

Wentworth has announced the results of the year-end Competent Persons Report for 2021.

Highlights

 Wentworths share of gross 2P Reserves as at 31 December 2021 estimated to be 135.2 Bcf (22.5 MMboe) with an after-tax NPV10 of US$108.1 million

 Gross full-year 2021 production was 29.8 Bcf representing an approximate 24% increase over 2020 gross production volumes

 Remaining economically recoverable gross 2P sales gas for the Mnazi Bay Gas field estimated at 423.3 Bcf

 Cumulative Mnazi Bay Field production to the end of 2021 is 154.4 Bcf

 Mnazi Bay Facility safely operated for over 2,000 days (or 5.5 years) without a lost time incident

 Employee safety remains a top priority and robust precautionary measures remain in place relating to COVID-19

Reserves Update

RPS Energy Canada Ltd, an independent third-party reserves evaluator, completed a Competent Persons Report for the Companys interest in the Mnazi Bay licence with an effective date of 31 December 2021. The updated full field 2P gross reserves for the Mnazi Bay gas field are 423.3 Bcf (83.6 Bcf being Wentworths share of net reserves). This compares to 445.3 Bcf as at 31 December 2020 reflecting a year of strong production. Full-year 2021 gross production increased 24% to 29.8 Bcf (FY 2020: 23.9 Bcf).

The after-tax NPV10 for the 2P reserves as at 31 December 2021 is US$108.1 million net to Wentworth.

During 2021, Wentworth returned US$3.9 million to shareholders, made further capital returns via share buy-backs of US$2.0 million and increased its cash position (unaudited) to US$22.8 million as at 31 December 2021 (2020: US$17.8 million).

Katherine Roe, CEO, commented:

Our 2021 CPR reconfirms the long-term potential at Mnazi Bay, which continues to go from strength-to-strength having produced impressive volumes last year. The upwards revision in PDP reserves, after accounting for production, reflects our strong technical fundamentals as well as the hard work and ongoing investment of the Mnazi Bay JV partners.

Our robust operations and reserves potential will enable us to continue supplying the people of Tanzania with a low-carbon, sustainable energy supply while returning capital to shareholders through our progressive dividend policy for the long-term.

This is a really impressive CPR especially given that production last year was so high and reflects on the high quality of the asset at Mnazi Bay. Any worries people may have had with respect to depletion and longevity of the reserves in Tanzania can now be parked for the very long term.

As CEO Katherine Roe states the really exciting part of the document was the bump in PDP which comes from opening up new zones and is proving that the reservoir is without any doubt performing better than expectations which is exceptionally good news and proves that this is an asset that just keeps on giving.

I remain very positive about Wentworth shares which are, apart from anything else, backed by a fantastic asset and working in a country that is determined to make full use of it to develop power supplies for Tanzanians.

President Energy

President has announced unaudited 2021 trading highlights together with an updated Argentine reserves report as at 31 December 2021.

2021 Unaudited Trading Highlights

 Turnover of approximately US$34.2 million, without any consistent contribution from the Louisiana assets

 Average Group production of 2,473 boepd (2020: 2,714 boepd) with no material contribution from Louisiana

 Estimated adjusted EBITDA in Argentina of US$9.5 million (calculated on the basis of Group financial reporting)

 US$14.5 million of free cash generation from operations (after workovers) and treasury income

 Group results are expected to include a benefit of US$13 million to the profit and loss account arising from the spin out of Atome Energy PLC and dividend distribution to shareholders of President which represented a yield of approximately 20 per cent

 The Company retains a 27.9% holding in Atome Energy PLC which at 31 December had a market value of US$9.8 million

Argentine Reserves as at 31 December 2021

 Presidents 2P reserves in Argentina as at the year end have been assessed at a robust 24.4 MMboe

 Argentina reserves and contingent resources have been independently certified according to Argentinian Law as at 31 December 2021, after taking into account production in the year

 Group net 2P Reserves of over 24 MMboe limited to current life remaining of concessions taking no account of any future extension of such contracts

 Significant contingent resources in producing areas awaiting conversion to reserves after contract terms are prolonged

 The reserves reported exclude the internally estimated Paraguay exploration PMean of 536 MMbo unrisked oil-in-place that are in addition to the figures reported today; drilling of a complex estimated to contain 230 MMbo of that total will be undertaken in 2022 in a joint venture with CPC, the state energy company of Taiwan.

Peter Levine, Chairman, commented

Whilst trading in 2021 was solid, despite the static production taking into account the loss in all material respects of Louisianas contribution in the year, we still showed a healthy, operationally profitable business

On a strategic level, we produced material returns for our shareholders through the spin out and IPO of Atome Energy and successfully, notwithstanding the pandemic, farmed out our Paraguay exploration prospect to the state energy company of Taiwan

It is important to ensure that going forward we leave no stone unturned to achieve optimum performance and delivery for our capital expenditure

With one new well in Salta on stream and still stabilising, the second to be online at the end of this week and the third to be drilled this month, Salta commercial oil production is already increasing and is expected to continue as the other new wells come on. The waterflood secondary recovery project in Rio Negro scheduled to start within 6 months is very promising for both stabilising natural decline and increasing the amount of recoverable oil. Work is progressing to prepare for the high impact exploration well in Paraguay to be drilled this year targeting, based on internal estimates, 230 million barrels of unrisked oil in place

We therefore look forward to an improved performance this year with regular newsflow keeping the market updated.

President has delivered in the last year and that is without firing on all barrels, the existing portfolio is doing well and of course should build through this year. Add to that the potential from Paraguay and others and President shares should be much higher.

And finally

That was a packed weekend of sport, the racing is still in the can.

The Six Nations sort of went as expected although to be fair Scotland should have won in Cardiff and interestingly it was a yellow card that hit them just as it had hit England at Murrayfield, result the same 20-17 to the home side. France beat Ireland and these two teams must have played the decider unless France go off the rails as sometimes they used to, not so likely now though. Finally England beat Italy as they should have but to be honest another 30 points should have been scored. 7

Superbowl 56 was nicknamed Cryptobowl as many adverts were for M Mouse currencies etc and a few went down during the process which rather defeated the whole shebang. On the field the Rams beat the Bengals 23-20 in what seems like a close finish.

In the Prem both the Noisy Neighbours and Liverpool won, Chelsea werent playing as they were in the desert winning the useless world team cup. The Red Devils and the Hammers both drew, the Gooners didnt play leaving the top as you were.

So, my suggestion that Adele might win more Brits than team GBR is still a live bet, 10 days in and the Brits havent yet troubled the scorersMeanwhile the Court for Arbitration has let off the 15 year old drug cheat and allowed her to continue on the ice on the proviso that if she wins anything there will be no medal ceremony, pass the sick bag
Unilever self-help under spotlight

Is self-help going to trump the tough love from activist investor Nelson Peltz, who is looking to shake things up at Marmite and Dove soap maker Unilever?

Read more

Rolls Royce steps up pace on next-generation flights

Rolls-Royce said it was hoping to have an all-electric passenger plane in service earlier than expected, while also forming a new collaboration to develop and deploy air taxis.

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Audioboom hits high notes as tech giants circle

Audioboom shares have surged to all-time highs on the back of whispers about Spotify and Amazon mulling potential takeover bids.

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Footsie flops on Russia/Ukraine conflict fears

The FTSE 100 index closed 129.43 points, or 1.7% lower on Monday at 7,531.59 as expectations for an invasion of Ukraine by Russia ratchet up.

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HSBC and Barclays targeted by climate activists

Europes major banks pumped billions of dollars into oil and gas expansion, despite their stated commitments to Net Zero targets, according to research from Share Action.

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The Day Ahead: Tuesday, February 15

Finals: Glencore PLC (LSE:GLEN) (Glencore PLC (LSE:GLEN) (Glencore PLC (LSE:GLEN))), Plus500 Ltd (LSE:PLUS) (Plus500 Ltd (LSE:PLUS) (Plus500 Ltd (LSE:PLUS))), RM Plc (LSE:RM.) (RM Plc (LSE:RM.)) (RM Plc (LSE:RM.) (RM Plc (LSE:RM.)))

AGMs: Dewhurst (AIM:DWHT) (Dewhurst (AIM:DWHT)) (Dewhurst (AIM:DWHT) (Dewhurst (AIM:DWHT))) PLC, Nexus Infrastructure PLC

Economic announcements: Unemployment report (UK), Producer Price Index (US)
Valor Resources Ltd (ASX:VAL) has successfully completed a heavily oversubscribed placement to raise $3.4 million.

Existing and new high net worth investors subscribed for 309,090,090 new fully paid ordinary shares in VAL at a price of A$0.011 per new share, which represents a 21% discount to the last closing price of A$0.014 per share on 9 February 2022, and a 23% discount to the 15-day volume-weighted average price of Valor shares to 9 February 2022 of A$0.0142 per share.

Valor is focused on two key projects in Peru and Canada.

Valors 100%-owned Peruvian subsidiary, Kiwanda SAC holds the rights to the Picha and Corona Projects in the Moquegua Department of Peru, 17 kilometres ENE of the Chucapaca (San Gabriel  Buenaventura) gold deposit. They are two copper-silver exploration projects comprising 19 granted mining concessions for a total of 13,830 hectares (138 square kilometres).

Valor is the 100% owner of the following interests:

 Right to earn an 80% working interest in the Hook Lake Uranium Project 60 kilometres east of the Key Lake Uranium Mine in northern Saskatchewan. Covering 25,846 hectares, the 16 contiguous mineral claims host several prospective areas of uranium mineralisation; and

 100% equity interest in 19 contiguous mineral claims covering 62,233 hectares in northern Saskatchewan. The property is 7 kilometres east of the former-producing Cluff Lake Uranium Mine and much of the project area is located within the Carswell geological complex that hosts the Cluff Lake Mine.

Valor has five additional projects within the Athabasca Basin with 100% equity interest in 12 mineral claims covering 10,512 hectares at the Surprise Creek Project, Pendleton Lake Project, Smitty Uranium Mine, Lorado Uranium Mine and the Hidden Bay Project.

Ramping up exploration in Peru and Canada

The company is now well funded for all its projects in Canada and Peru.

Proceeds from the placement will be used to undertake:

 exploration activities at its Peru Picha Project;

 non-exploration expenses for the Canadian Projects; and

 for general working capital purposes.

Further to this, interpretation of 2021 exploration activities is being finalised, including a drill plan, targeting a September quarter start date.

This funding provides the company with the ability to progress both the Canadian Uranium projects and the Peruvian Picha Copper/Silver Project.

"In December, the company raised A$5.4 million through the Canadian Flow Through Scheme for direct exploration expenditure on the Canadian Uranium exploration portfolio, Valors executive chairman George Bauk, said.

The company has commenced drilling and is planning an airborne gravity survey in April on the Hook Lake Project. At Cluff Lake, data compilation is well advanced along with permitting allowing for exploration to commence in the June quarter.

"At the other five Uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin, data compilation has commenced. This week Cameco announced plans to recommence mining at its McArthur River/Key Lake operations by 2024.

2021 was an exciting time for the company at its Picha Project. During the year, many samples were taken along with a detailed mapping program over the entire 20 square kilometres project area.

"The year was completed with an IP and ground-based magnetic survey and this along with the other data collected will be compiled into an interpretation with proposed drilling to be undertaken in the September quarter.

"Permitting is progressing well and in the past week, we commenced environmental studies on the project area. As recently announced, we have also increased our land holding from 20 square kilometres to over 200 square kilometres.

Whilst we are finalising our plans for the upcoming drilling program, we will commence exploration activities on the recently granted concessions surrounding the Picha Project.

Read: Valor Resources expands landholding at copper-silver project in Peru
Evolution Energy Minerals Ltd (ASX:EV1) has ramped up efforts to become the global leader in sustainable battery production on the back of tightening European electric vehicle regulations.

The growing demand for battery anode materials is obvious, but ensuring that those materials are sourced in a sustainable, ethical and transparent way is non-negotiable for battery manufacturers and financiers, Evolution managing director Phil Hoskins said.

Move away from toxic chemicals

Close to 100% of the worlds battery graphite is produced in China using highly toxic chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid.

It is estimated that existing anode manufacturers in China use between 400 and 600 kilograms of hydrofluoric acid for each tonne of graphite feedstock.

But the European Commission is tightening regulations, which has in turn compelled vehicle manufacturers to demand the highest sustainability standards from their supply chains.

European pollution push-back

The European Green Deal includes a Circular Economy Action Plan, which sets out plans to move towards zero pollution. As part of this plan, by 1 July 2024, electric vehicle batteries will need to have a carbon footprint declaration, and over the next few years, those regulations will tighten so that by 2027, batteries will need to comply with maximum carbon footprint thresholds.

In view of these measures, European car manufacturers will need to source battery minerals with the highest sustainability credentials. Graphite is already listed as a priority raw material for sustainable sourcing in Volkswagen Group (XETRA:VOW)s Responsible Raw Materials Report.

Rising to the challenge

Evolution is planning to be ready to meet the needs of Europes car manufacturers, by prioritising the development of a sustainable battery anode materials strategy. This strategy will complement its plans to meet downstream markets for high-value expandable and micronised graphite that were proposed in its definitive feasibility study.

The company has kicked off a commercial verification program to evaluate the production of what could become the worlds most sustainable coated battery anode materials. It plans to use commercially proven thermal purification technology rather than the current industry standard of chemical purification, which is damaging to the environment.

Evolution is also investigating the feasibility of using proprietary coating technology, as opposed to sending an intermediate product to a third party for coating.

Crucially, the company sees its Chilalo Graphite Project in Tanzania as critical to its green evolution.

It aims to maintain a chain of custody from mine site to coated battery anode materials for direct supply to battery manufacturers  this level of traceability allows battery manufacturers to easily assess the sustainability of their supply chain.

Evolution plans to develop battery anode manufacturing capacity close to battery manufacturers in Europe and the US as a second phase to the development of the companys Chilalo Graphite Project in Tanzania.

The battery anode strategy is not a pre-condition to making a construction decision by the second half of the year, but Evolution will advance studies in parallel to provide leverage to this fast-growing market segment.

Worlds most green

By combining environmentally-friendly thermal purification technology with a desire to develop Chilalo as the worlds first net-zero carbon graphite mine, the company is positioning itself to produce the worlds most green and sustainable battery anode materials.

Evolutions strategy is to maintain supply chain custody of the graphite from the Chilalo mine site through to the production of a coated battery anode material.

Delivering this level of traceability is expected to be highly desirable to European battery manufacturers and automakers who need to demonstrate compliance with the increasingly regulated disclosure required from their supply chains.

Sustainable graphite supply is fundamental to our strategy, with our aspirations of becoming the worlds first net zero carbon graphite mine, said Hoskins. We intend to embed that same sustainability ethos in our battery anode materials strategy, thereby becoming the supplier of choice to battery manufacturers of the future.
CardieX Ltd (ASX:CDX)'s ATCOR subsidiary has kicked off a new global clinical trial services agreement with Andwin Scientific.

The agreement is to lease ATCOR XCEL devices to Syneos Health and Philip Morris and to provide data management services for a new clinical trial sponsored by the tobacco giant.

Arterial health outcomes

The companys ATCOR XCEL device is to be used in multiple endpoints for the trial, including determination of clinically relevant arterial health outcomes based on aortic augmentation index (AIx) and arterial stiffness, two key biomarkers of arterial health that are identified using the ATCOR XCEL device.

The trial will be run by clinical research organisation Syneos Health, with equipment from Andwin Scientific including the leased ATCOR XCEL from the CardieX holding.

The study is planned to continue for 19 months across 22 sites worldwide. The duration is based on expectations of the time required to enrol the subjects, conduct the study and analyse the results. Any extension in the length of the trial or expansion in the number of sites will increase the expected revenue flowing to CardieX.

The company plans to provide further updates on the trial once it has confirmed the registered details with Andwin.

About the ATCOR XCEL Device

ATCORs XCEL device is the only FDA-cleared device for non-invasively measuring central aortic waveforms and reporting on associated clinical data in all adult subjects.

XCEL is used by clinicians, research institutions and leading pharmaceutical companies to monitor critical hemodynamic data during patient treatment and drug trials in multiple clinical settings and for multiple disease states.

We continue to see validation of our industry-leading SphygmoCor technology globally with multiple on-going clinical trials relying on our XCEL device for advanced medical-grade arterial health parameters, CEO and managing director Craig Cooper said.

Its this same technology that also powers our next generation of devices and partnerships with the upcoming Mobvoi smartwatch, as well as multiple new proposed devices in development for 2022.
High Peak Royalties Ltd (ASX:HPR) is encouraged by the strong progress made across its portfolio of royalty interests in Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia.

At Peat Gas Field in Queensland, strong commodity prices continue to flow to future royalty payments, and the company is pleased with the increased activity and receipts from this royalty asset operated by Origin Energy.

In the Northern Territory, HPR will continue to monitor the progress of farmout partners and permit activity at Surprise Oil Field, as they apply to HPRs royalty interests in any farmout arrangement and progress on those permit areas operated by Central Petroleum.

The company is also in the process of collating all technical data with respect to the prior works on its geothermal assets, in order to evaluate their prospective value relative to the recent market interest.

Royalty receipts from Origin

HPR has received payment from Origin in the sum of $102,823 for the period October 2021 to December 2021.

The company believes this is partially due to increased volumes received from the deep well being drilled at Peat Gas field in PL101 in Queensland (where HPR has a 2.13% royalty).

Notably, the payment received for the December 2021 quarter is a significant increase from previous quarters.

HPR was anticipating a payment from a lag in royalty payments relative to the sale of gas by Origin.

Updates from Surprise

At Surprise Oil Field in the Northern Territory, a Production Licence (PL 6) was excised from the EP115 permit operated by Central Petroleum Limited through its subsidiary Frontier Oil (NYSE:FTO) and Gas Pty Ltd. (HPR 1% royalty).

Central Petroleum is targeting a $90 million exploration program for EP115 (subject to funding/farm-out) and is also seeking to partner on the Production Licence.

HPR will continue to monitor the progress of farmout partners and permit activity at Surprise Oil Field, as they apply to HPRs royalty interests in any farmout arrangement and progress on those permit areas.

Geothermal Permits

Following recent activity and development in the geothermal sector, the board is conducting a review of its geothermal assets, namely the exploration permits GEL 571, 572 573 and 574.

HPR holds five geothermal energy licences covering 21,681 square kilometres of highly prospective geothermal tenure in South Australia along the Torrens Hinge Zone, where insulating sedimentary rocks of the Adelaide Geosyncline overlap the radiogenic basement rocks of the eastern margin of Gawler Craton.

The company is in the process of collating all technical data with respect to the prior works on these assets, in order to evaluate their prospective value, relative to recent market interest in geothermal assets.

HPR also holds one geothermal tenement area under the application in the Northern Territory. While HPR considers its geothermal interests to have attractive potential, it has decided to defer major expenditures on these interests until incentives are in place to allow geothermal energy to progress in Australia.
Sipa Resources Ltd (ASX:SRI) is gearing up for a drill campaign at its wholly-owned Skeleton Rocks Project in the West Aussie Goldfields.

The precious metals explorer recently doubled down on a series of drill targets at Skeleton Rocks following a rewarding auger soils program.

Sipas 4,000-metre aircore program will kick off next week and target untested greenstones along a major structure in the goldfields.

Whats more, the campaign is supported by the WA Governments Exploration Incentive Scheme  a move that will reduce Sipas drilling costs by up to $128,750.

Sipas Skeleton Rocks Project covers outcropping and interpreted greenstone units prospective for gold, lithium and nickel-copper-platinum group element deposits with limited to no drilling ever completed in these areas.

Auger results

Sipa closed out its auger sampling program in late January and will use the findings to keep the drill bit spinning in Skeleton Rocks most prospective areas.

Initially, drill targeting was based on an aeromagnetic survey review, which pointed to untested greenstones along a major structure.

The interpreted zone of newly identified greenstone is mapped as sub-parallel to the highly mineralised Southern Cross greenstone belt, hosting significant gold and lithium deposits, and immediately adjacent to a major structure, the Koolanooka Fault.

Managing director Pip Darvall said: This work has better defined the key targets to be tested at Skeleton Rocks, and confirmed our previous interpretations of buried greenstone units in a highly prospective setting.

We are excited to see the results from our imminent drill program, and appreciate the support of the WA Governments Exploration Incentive Scheme, which will significantly reduce the costs to complete it.

Watch: Sipa Resources is confident of prospectivity as it kicks off aircore program at Skeleton Rocks
Parkland dad Manuel Oliver climbs a crane near the White House, urging immediate action against gun violence.

Activist David Hogg takes to national television to urge President Biden to make good on your promises because kids are dying.

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A new website goes live, tracking gun violence losses under Biden.

These were among the efforts by Parkland activists on Monday  on the four-year mark of the Stoneman Douglas school shooting. They criticized the Biden administration for not doing enough to curb gun violence and school shootings.

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[ RELATED: You cant keep reliving it: Stoneman Douglas trauma endures, but healing continues four years later ]

Patricia Oliver, the mother of Joaquin Oliver, who was one of the students killed on Valentines Day 2018, appeared on CNN. She said her husband scaled a crane in Washington, D.C., because hes representing Joaquin in a way to be heard even though he risked arrest.

Manuel Oliver posted a video on his Twitter page that he asked for a meeting with Biden but didnt get one. We had to find a way to send a message, his wife said. We havent seen any changes, she said, adding there should be a new federal office dedicated to gun violence.

[ LEE EN ESPANOL: Padre de Parkland sube a una grua cerca de la Casa Blanca en protesta mientras activistas instan a Biden a tomar medidas contra la violencia armada ]

Today at the White House pic.twitter.com/S5N4NpFoCP  David Hogg (@davidhogg111) February 14, 2022

Officials escorted Oliver down from the crane, with images showing him being taken away. But by Monday afternoon, he had been freed, his wife tweeted. My amor has been released from custody and is on his way to me now, she wrote, telling him she loves him. About an hour later she posted a photo of them embracing with the caption, Finally together again. Grateful and relieved for your safety. Through your bravery, Joaquin lives today and forever.

Appearing with Patricia Oliver during a TV interview earlier in the day was Hogg, a Stoneman Douglas graduate, an activist and a co-founder of the March For Our Lives movement. He brought attention to the new gun-related tracker website www.shockmarket.org. The site shows statistics on deaths and mass shootings, among other figures, since Bidens inauguration. Responding to President Bidens 2020 campaign pledge, where he said, Gun manufacturers, Im coming for you, Hogg said Monday he was disappointed.

Looking directly into the camera to address Biden, he said: We need you to go out and act right now before the next Parkland happens. ... We need you to make good on your promises because kids are dying.

The Associated Press reported there were at least 136 instances of gunfire on school grounds between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, citing a tally last week by the gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety.

My amor has been released from custody and is on his way to me now. @manueloliver00 - I love you! Let's keep the fight up! pic.twitter.com/jSawutLOGV  Patricia Padauy -Oliver (@patriciapadauy) February 14, 2022

The White House said Monday it was standing with those working to end this epidemic of gun violence.

Biden said in the statement he has acted to crack down on ghost guns, homemade firearms that lack serial numbers used to trace them and that are often purchased without a background check, and promoted safe firearm storage.

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He said the U.S. Department of Justice is also helping more cities adopt smart law enforcement models, where federal, state, and local law enforcement work together to share intelligence and target shooters.

Parkland father Manuel Oliver climbed a construction crane at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Northwest across the street from the White House. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Biden also called on Congress to require background checks on all gun sales, ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and eliminate immunity for gun manufacturers.

We can never bring back those weve lost. But we can come together to fulfill the first responsibility of our government and our democracy: to keep each other safe, the presidents statement said. For Parkland, for all those weve lost, and for all those left behind, it is time to uphold that solemn obligation.

Igor Volsky, the executive director of Guns Down America and co-founder of the new Shock Market gun tracker, told CNN that Biden had made personal promises to the Oliver family that this would be a top priority for him and the fact that they havent done everything and anything in their power is unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com or 954-572-2008 ow Twitter @LisaHuriash
88 Energy Ltd (AIM:88E, ASX:88E, OTC:EEENF) told investors its share placing was oversubscribed and increased, to raise A$32mln before costs.

Proceeds will be used, alongside existing cash resources, to fund the planned Merlin-2 well including drilling, testing and contingencies.

"Completion of this placement ensures 88 Energy is funded to undertake the full suite of targeted appraisal activities at the Merlin-2 well, said managing director Ashley Gilbert.

While budgeted well costs have increased due to global supply chain pressures, it is important to note that 88 Energy is still expected to drill and appraise Merlin-2 at substantially lower cost levels relative to other operators on the Alaskan North Slope."

Merlin-2 is scheduled to spud in early March 2022.

Gilbert, meanwhile, added: "88 Energy has also been actively assessing multiple new venture opportunities across the asset life cycle to expand our portfolio of assets and opportunity types. We are targeting assets that are complementary to the existing portfolio and provide shareholders with exposure to additional value creation potential.

The 88 Energy boss told investors that the company recently signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to acquire a conventional producing oil and gas asset in the Permian Basin Texas USA, and due diligence and documentation is nearing completion.

The opportunity could deliver immediate cash flow and near-term production drilling upside, subject to binding agreement.

We look forward to providing shareholders more details when such agreement is entered," Gilbert commented.
By providing a walk-in service, MedX Health is targeting those potential patients who do not have a family doctor or the time to get a direct referral

As MedX Health Corp heads into 2022, the global leader in teledermatology has launched the next step in its business plan for North America.

The company is now offering its life-saving skin-screening services in blended physician and pharmacy clinic settings in Ontario - two ProMed Pharmacy locations in Ottawa and a Medicure clinic in Mississauga. Thousands of patients now have access to the companys platform.

Whats novel about the roll-out is that patients can now enter the pharmacy and have a telemedicine consultation with a general practitioner and receive an immediate referral to use the companys technology on site.

MedX said that incorporating a telemedicine consultation with a general practitioner is a vital step toward making its screening services easily accessible to the public by facilitating both the referral and the screening at the same location. Also, by providing such a walk-in service, the company is targeting those potential patients who do not have a family doctor or the time to get a direct referral.

Steadily gaining market share

The Ontario-based company is steadily gaining market share with its DermSecure Screening Platform, which includes the SIAscop, a high-definition image capturing device. In tandem, the company offers its secure, cloud-based patient management system (DermSecure) which transmits and stores patient data throughout the assessment process.

MedXs SIAscopy is the only technology in the world that captures five high-resolution images of suspicious moles, lesions, and skin conditions, including four spectrophotometric images 2 millimeters (mm) below the skins surface.

The technology provides detailed patient scans for virtual dermatological assessment by a certified dermatologist within just 72 hours. MedXs device can capture perfect clinical images with 100% image integrity, which makes it ideal for dermatologists wanting to integrate teledermatology into their practices.

With that said, the doctor-pharmacy roll-out strategy is just one of many moves MedX has planned as it expands the DermSecure Screening Platform network across North America. To date, its business model has been focused on adding multiple market verticals, such as medical clinics and building hubs, mobile and remote medical practices as well as esthetics and skincare clinics.

We are excited for what 2022 holds for MedX, as we anticipate more partnerships to grow our national and global presence and realize our purpose of saving lives," said Mike Druhan, president of Dermatology Services at MedX.

MedX's physician-based model allows family practices with thousands of patients to enhance their healthcare offerings. For the company, one of the biggest selling points is that the skin-scanning service is non-invasive, quick, and easy to use in doctors offices and does not require specialized staff to perform scans.

One of the companys biggest tie-ups is with Empower Clinics Inc, which serves more than 200,000 patients through its clinics in Canada and the US. Just recently, Empower started using the screening platform at its The Medi-Collective (TMC) locations across Ontario.

"With skin cancer rates continuing to rise since the 1990s, our partnership with Empower and The Medi-Collective provides an enormous opportunity to address the need for early and rapid detection of melanoma, improve patient outcomes, and potentially prevent lesions from unnecessarily becoming fatal, said Druhan.

As melanoma skin cancer cases rise, Druhan pointed out that Canada has only 500 or so dermatologists available to serve over 37 million citizens and where wait-times to see a specialist in person can take up to one year. In 2020, an estimated 8,000 Canadians were diagnosed with melanoma and some 1,300 Canadians died. In the US, every hour every day a person dies of melanoma.

Plans for expansion in Europe

But MedXs business plan also extends to Europe, where it has already generated thousands of skin assessments with its DermSecure platform. In fact, it has launched several commercialization pilots across Europe and the Middle East, building on pilots already underway in the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. Most recently, the company struck a memorandum of understanding with London Medical Laboratory Ltd for a pilot and distribution agreement for the UK and Ireland.

Druhan noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the companys commercialization efforts, but MedX has used the time to upgrade the SIAscop device with a high-definition camera, which can now take images of inflammatory diseases like acne and rosacea.

It seems as though we're essentially dermatologists in a box now, he said.

Looking ahead, the company hopes to move beyond the pandemic and intensify its strategic business plan to eventually offer up its DermSecure platform around the world.

"MedX remains focused on expanding its footprint into existing and new target markets, and our team is continuing to establish and accelerate many new commercial relationships and partnerships," Druhan said.

"I remain confident in our teams ability to expand MedX's teledermatology platform to new markets and greatly improve outcomes for those dermatology patients seeking high-quality, virtual services."

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
Cannabis for medicinal purposes has been legal in Germany since 2016 and further decriminalizing cannabis for recreational use is now a priority

Agra Ventures Ltd. (CSE:AGRA, OTC:AGFAF) has told investors its wholly-owned subsidiary, Farmako GmbH, is well-positioned to benefit from Germanys planned legalisation of recreational cannabis, with the European country's new Chancellor, Olaf Scholz recently vowing to make the change a top priority.

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based diversified cannabis company said legalization of recreational cannabis in Germany would enable Farmako to expand its offering of cannabis extracts and dried flower as well as CBD and THC Testkits, while potentially also increasing the manufacturing and distribution of other cannabis products and accessories.

Frankfurt-based Farmako is a good distribution practice (GDP) certified pharmaceutical wholesaler that is currently focused on the medical cannabis market to facilitate patient access to reliable cannabinoid therapies and provide support to healthcare professionals.

READ: Agra Ventures records up to $491,000 in wholesale cannabis revenue in the past two months

AGRA noted that, as of 2016, cannabis for medicinal purposes has been legal in Germany, however, further decriminalizing cannabis for recreational use is now a priority for the country's new government within the next two years.

"If cannabis is legalized and German citizens can get behind its responsible use based on a solid framework as we expect it, then we as a pharmaceutical cannabis provider are best positioned to import and supply our products to a significantly increased client base," Farmako MD Katrin Eckmans said in a statement.

"Sustainable production, highest medical quality and affordable pricing have always been priorities for our team, and legalization is expected to make it more efficient and effective for us to make a difference, she added.

The new German government is a coalition of three parties including the German Social Democrats, the German Free Democrats, and the Green Party. Traditionally, the German government has been more conservative and, therefore, this shift in the mix of its ruling political parties is expected to result in substantial changes.

Citing a recent study by market research company infratest dimap, AGRA said 49% of German citizens are in favor of recreation cannabis legalization. In 2014, only 30% of German citizens were in favor of legalization, which means that medical cannabis legalization and its use, as well as more research and understanding of cannabis and its benefits, have been revolutionary in the eyes of German citizens.

AGRA said not only do individual businesses like Farmako stand to benefit from the legalization of recreational cannabis in Germany, but its economy is predicted to grow, the crime rate is forecaste to decrease and an estimated 27,000 new jobs are expected to be created. Additionally, it said it is projected that the government could earn $5 billion euros annually in tax revenue and save money on policing.

"It only seems right for Germany to follow in Canada's footsteps when it comes to the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes, AGRA director and CEO Elise Coppens. We have seen how the addition of medical cannabis has benefited Germany in both economic and medicinal aspects, and AGRA believes that recreational cannabis will bring more positive outcomes for Germany just like it has for Canada.

AGRA also announced that it has entered into a settlement agreement to resolve outstanding legal claims against Sanna Health Corp, initiated by a former executive of the wholly-owned subsidiary. Under the settlement, AGRA will issue the former executive 552,609 common shares in addition to a cash payment. The settlement shares will be issued at a deemed price per share of $0.4524.

Agra Ventures brands and subsidiaries offer a portfolio of cannabis and related products to customers on a multinational basis. It is leveraging advanced technology, innovative practices, and one of the largest greenhouse complexes in the world to develop, produce and distribute high-potency and affordable cannabis products.

Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com
It means the company expands its footprint at Eby-Otto, bought in 2021, to 1,000 hectares (Ha) from 810 Ha

Canada Silver Cobalt Works Inc. (TSX-V:CCW) said it has struck a deal to acquire, for cash and shares, the Allsopp property, expanding its prospective Eby-Otto gold property in the prolific Kirkland Lake district of Ontario.

It means the firm expands its footprint at Eby-Otto, bought in 2021, to 1,000 hectares (Ha) from 810 Ha previously.

Notably, the acquisition includes a historic shaft and exposed veins near-surface and sits just five kilometres (km) southwest of Agnico Eagle's high-grade Macassa gold mine - an operation which started almost 100 years ago, churning out over 5 million ounces of gold, which still has one of the highest reserve grades in the world.

"We are geared up to accelerate this project in 2022," said Matthew Halliday, president of Canada Silver Cobalt Works in a statement. "We have a team with proven success in the Kirkland Lake camp and we are ready to take action and bring real value to this property. We will be completing a drone survey to collect some important geological information very soon, and this will help us make informed decisions as we begin work on these properties. We want boots on the ground and the drill bit turning as soon as possible."

Under the deal, Arnold Allsopp has granted the firm the option to buy, over four years, 100% of the property in return for cash payments totaling C$100,000, issuing 400,000 shares, and incurring C$340,000 in exploration expenditures.

Allsopp will retain a 3% royalty if Canada Silver Cobalt Works completes the entire option and the company will be the operator and will manage all exploration.

Canada Silver Cobalt Works said its geologists were very excited about the upcoming field season.

"The 2022 exploration plan for the newly consolidated Eby-Otto property includes drone geophysics, stripping of outcrops, channel sampling, and geological mapping. Results of this field season help refine and add to the planned drill program," it said.

Canada Silver Cobalt Works describes itself as an exploration, development, technology, and environment leader in the prolific Northern Ontario Silver-Cobalt District. Its flagship silver-cobalt Castle mine and 78 square km Castle Property feature strong exploration upside for silver, cobalt, nickel, gold, and copper.

Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
Murchison is focused on nickel-copper-cobalt exploration at the 100%-owned HPM Project in Quebec and the exploration and development of the 100%-owned Brabant Lake zinccoppersilver project in Saskatchewan

Murchison Minerals (TSX-V:MUR) Ltd has announced that its common shares will commence trading on the OTCQB Venture Market in New York as of today, February 14, 2022, under the symbol MURMF.

Additionally, the company said it is in the final stages of having Depository Trust Company (DTC) eligibility, which is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. And its shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) under the symbol MUR.

"Today is a major milestone for the Company, with Murchison Minerals (TSX-V:MUR) joining the OTCQB, this will provide an enhanced market for US residents to trade Murchison's common shares, Murchison Minerals CEO Troy Boisjoli said in a statement.

The OTCQB provides increased transparency, reporting standards, management certification and compliance requirements that align with Murchison's values. We recognize the demand in the US for greater exposure to grassroots exploration projects focused on the battery and energy metals space. Our intention with the Company joining the OTCQB is to drive greater liquidity and awareness about Murchison," he added.

The OTCQB by OTC Markets Group Inc is a premier and established marketplace for entrepreneurial and development-stage companies. The OTCQB is recognized by the US Securities and Exchange Commission as an established public market providing public information for analysis and value of securities.

The OTCQB offers companies the opportunity to build their visibility, expand their liquidity and diversify their shareholder base on an established public market.

Murchison is a Canadianbased exploration company focused on nickel-copper-cobalt exploration at the 100%-owned HPM project in Quebec and the exploration and development of the 100%-owned Brabant Lake zinccoppersilver project in northcentral Saskatchewan. The company also holds an option to earn 100% interest in the Barraute VMS exploration project also located in Quebec, north of Val d'Or.

The HPM project is located within the Haut-Plateau de la Manicouagan area. The claims host prospective gabbroic, ultramafic and anorthositic bodies within the Manicouagan metamorphic complex and are associated with significant nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide mineralization first identified by Falconbridge in 1999, and discovered extensive nickel-bearing sulphide mineralization at Barre de Fer during drilling in 2001-2002.

Murchison Minerals said its predecessor -- Manicouagan Minerals (TSX:MAM) -- drilled in the area in 2008 and 2009. Most of the past drilling at the HPM project targeted the Barre de Fer geophysical conductor and confirmed the presence of nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide mineralization over about 300 metres (m) strike length to a depth of 280m. The mineralization remains open at depth and partially along strike.

After Murchison Minerals acquired 100% ownership of the property in 2019, the company focused exploration work on the camp-scale potential of the region.

The company said aerial EM surveys completed in the spring of 2021 identified more than 50 anomalous conductors. Prospecting crews were able to traverse five of the more than 50 anomalies, and discovered new outcrops of nickel-bearing sulphide mineralization in the process. The prospecting program was followed by an inaugural drill program at the PYC Target area - an EM anomaly with a 1.95 kilometre strike length.

Murchison Minerals said assay results are expected in the first quarter of 2022. Subsequent to the completion of the drill program at PYC, the company increased its dominant land position in the Haut-Plateau region from 139 square kilometers (km2) to 576 km2.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
Jerusalem, Feb 14 : Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday urged all Israelis to leave Ukraine "as quickly as possible," ahead of a possible escalation with Russia.

"I call on Israelis in Ukraine: Return home," Bennett said at the weekly cabinet meeting.

"Do not take unnecessary risks. Do not wait for a situation in which you will very much want to return but will be unable to do so. Be responsible for your lives and leave Ukraine as quickly as possible," Bennett was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

"Like the rest of the world, we hope that the tension will end without escalation," he said. "However, our primary obligation is to look after our Israeli citizens," he added.

Israel was ramping up on Sunday its efforts to help Israelis leave the east European country. Israeli flight carriers increased Israel-bound flights from Ukraine to accommodate people wishing to depart.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement that 32 flights are planned for the upcoming week. "I call Israeli citizens to get on these flights," he added.

Over the weekend, Israel started to evacuate Israeli diplomats and embassy employees from Kiev. It also issued a travel warning and called on Israeli nationals to leave the country.
Jerusalem, Feb 14 : Israel's economy is "strong" and "on a good track", Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has told visiting Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Mathias Cormann.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the Israeli economy, the country still recorded "an extraordinary growth of almost 7 per cent", Bennett said at the beginning of a special cabinet meeting, which was attended by Cormann.

The country is still recovering from the fifth wave of the pandemic, which was led by the ultra-infectious Omicron variant, but "the economy is on a good track", Xinhua news agency quoted Bennett as saying.

He attributed the country's high growth rates to the government's choice to keep the economy open during the fourth and fifth Covid-19 waves while combating the virus with mass vaccination campaigns and the social distancing protocol.

"Our high-growth 'open Israel' policy has allowed us to raise soldiers' salaries, look after the elderly and ease pressures for working families by lowering taxes," he said.

He also pointed out that the country's hi-tech sector was the "first and foremost" growth engine of the economy.

Meanwhile, the Abraham Accords, a set of agreements signed in 2020 to normalise ties between Israel and several Arab countries, have had a significant impact on the Israeli economy and served as another engine for the country's economy, he said.

Another important engine for growth is the integration of populations with historically low employment rates into the workforce, the prime minister added.

Bennett's government, which took office in June last year, has promoted plans to integrate ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and Arab women into the workforce.

Referring to the challenges of the Israeli economy, Bennett said the country needs to reform the stagnant sectors of its economy and promote competition.

Israel's market does not allow for enough domestic competition and has to be opened up to more players, he said.
Tehran, Feb 14 : The Iranian army has set up a missile unit, Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday, quoting a senior commander as saying.

The missile unit has been established in the army' Ground Force, Xinhua news agency quoted the force's Commander Kiomars Heidari as saying.

The Ground Force is planning to upgrade equipment and introduce new gear suitable for rapid reaction operations and is developing automated and smart ordnance capable of hitting targets at long distances with pinpoint accuracy, he said.

On Sunday, the Iranian Defense Ministry unveiled the latest homegrown military equipment, including an array of stationary missiles, smart ammunition for artilleries and mortars used for precision strikes.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday unveiled a new ballistic missile named Kheibar Shekan, with a range of 1,450 km, which is a strategic missile using solid fuel with maneuverability to pass through the missile shield in the landing phase.

The showcase of the latest military development of Iran's armed forces is taking place as the country celebrates the 43rd anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution victory.
Kanpur, Feb 14 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the "nation would be run by the Constitution and not by the Sharia".

Yogi Adityanath, during his election meetings on Sunday evening, warned religious fanatics 'dreaming about Ghazwa-e-Hind' (Islamic conquest of India) and said that "those with a Talibani mindset should give up their dream. India will be run by the constitution. And every institution has the right to formulate its own dress code." He also warned that gangsters trying to come of hideouts in the poll season will be smoked out of their dens, if they harassed women or took to crime.

The Chief Minister said that people will give a befitting reply to the Opposition, which stoked false rumours on Covid vaccination for selfish political gains.

"They maligned vaccines by terming it Modi and BJP vaccine. But these saved your lives. Now, votes will also go to BJP," he said.

Yogi further said that those who tried to turn the region into Islamabad had pushed the region into a dark zone.

"In the earlier regime, people would live in the dark. And there's a popular saying here that thieves hated moonlit nights. Today, everyone is getting electricity. Now, every house will get tap water." He said that the state was now fully safe from the pandemic and the 100 per cent of eligible population has received their first vaccine dose.

"Where was the brother-sister duo? Was 'Behenji' present among you all? Only BJP worked for the people. While we provided free vaccines, free testing facilities and free treatment, SP chief (Akhilesh Yadav) indulged in dirty gimmicks by spreading misinformation," Yogi said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, Feb 14 : South Korea's Education Ministry is considering requiring kindergarten and elementary students to take rapid Covid-19 tests at home before going to school twice a week starting next month, officials said on Monday.

"We're conducting discussions while leaving various possibilities open, including a measure to have students go to school after tests at home," Yonhap News Agency quoted a Ministry official as saying.

Schools are bracing for the new semester next month amid the rapid spread of omicron, which has recently driven up the daily new Covid-19 tally to over the 50,000 level.

In a measure to protect young students against the pandemic, the Ministry said last week it was discussing with regional education authorities the distribution of free rapid antigen test kits to conduct semi-weekly tests on 3.3 million kindergarten and elementary students for five weeks.

The tentative test scheme for young children is drawing mixed reactions from parents.

"It's preposterous to subject children to nose swabbing twice every week even though they have not come in close contact with patients. I would rather prefer e-learning," one parent of a young student told Yonhap News Agency.

Another parent in Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital Seoul said: "Conducting a regular test will be more assuring for the parents to send their kids to school with less anxiety."
A woman is in the hospital after she was shot at early Monday while driving on Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade County, police say.

The shooting happened about 3:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-95 in the area of Northwest 103rd Street, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

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The cars driver was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center, according to Miami-Dade police, which is taking the lead in the investigation.

Go to Herald.com for the full report.
Chennai, Feb 14 : The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) has become a major issue in the urban local body polls to be held in Tami Nadu on February 19 after a gap of ten years.

The returning of the Bill moved by the Tamil Nadu assembly in September 2021 by Governor R.N. Ravi last week triggered a fresh controversy which is now taking centrestage in the urban local body polls.

The AIADMK said that it was during the Congress-led UPA regime to which DMK was a constituent partner when the NEET was formulated. AIADMK leaders and former Chief Ministers, O. Panneerselvam and K. Palaniswami countered Chief minister M.K. Stalin that the DMK was not practicing what it preached and that it was the ruling party that had supported the NEET bill in the Parliament when the UPA government moved it.

Responding to the allegation, Stalin said there was never an instance of NEET exam being held in Tamil Nadu during the previous DMK government and that it was after Palaniswami became Chief Minister that the exam was held in the state.

The BJP has also taken up NEET as a major issue in the elections stating that it was because of NEET that several students from poor backgrounds got admissions to government Medical colleges in Tamil Nadu.

BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan, a former Union Minister, told IANS, "NEET has given life to students from poor backgrounds in Tamil Nadu to get admission in government medical colleges in the state which would not have been possible earlier. Centralized system of exams are good for the society and students are benefiting from it." However, with the two Dravidian majors stepping up the campaign centered around NEET, the voice of the BJP has become much feeble and may even backfire.

With NEET taking the centrestage, other contentious issues like the poor quality of materials in the gift hampers for Pongal, failure of the DMK government to provide Rs 1,000 monthly emoluments to women as promised in the assembly elections, have taken a back seat.

M. Periyasamy, AIADMK leader from Erode, told IANS, "We will counter the allegations leveled by the DMK against us vis-a-vis NEET as it was the DMK which was part of the then UPA government that supported formulating NEET in the country, not the AIADMK."
New Delhi, Feb 14 : In the last 24 hours, India reported 34,113 new Covid-19 cases, marking a 24 per cent decline, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

Also in the same period, there were 346 additional fatalities, which took the nationwide death toll to 5,09,011.

Meanwhile, active Covid cases have reduced to 4,78,882, which account for 1.12 per cent of the country's total positive cases.

The recovery of 91,930 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally to 4,16,77,641. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 97.68 per cent, said the Ministry.

Also in the same period, a total of 10,67,908 tests were conducted across the country, taking the total to 75.18 crore.

While, the weekly positivity rate stood at 3.99 per cent, the daily positivity rate fell to 3.19 per cent.

With the administration of over 11.66 lakh vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's Covid inoculation coverage reached 172.95 crore as of Monday morning.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Feb 14 : An old Chinese rocket, and not the one from the Elon Musk-owned SpaceX company, is set to crash into the lunar surface on March 4, Bill Gray, an astronomer running Project Pluto, has predicted.

Gray earlier said that the Moon will get a fresh crater thanks to a chunk of a SpaceX rocket that blasted off seven years ago and was abandoned in space after completing its mission and is on a collision course with the lunar surface.

Now, he has changed his prediction in a big way, saying the old rocket is not an old Falcon 9 part but an old Chinese rocket instead.

"We now have good evidence that it is actually 2014-065B, the booster for the Chang'e 5-T1 lunar mission. It will, however, still hit the moon within a few kilometers of the predicted spot on March 4, 2022 at 12:25 UTC, within a few seconds of the predicted time," Gray said in a new blog post.

"The preceding candidate launch was the Chang'e 5-T1 mission, launched at 18:00 UTC on October 23, 2014. Its booster was (we thought) never seen," he added.

Gray admitted that identifying objects like this isn't always as solid as we'd want it to be.

"I had pretty good circumstantial evidence for the identification, but nothing conclusive," Gray said.

Gray is now convinced that this object is a leftover piece of a Chinese rocket, specifically a Long March 3C that launched China's Chang'e 5-T1 mission to the Moon.

"It's unclear when the Chang'e 5-T1 booster would have gone by the moon, but four days after launch would be a reasonable ballpark estimate. Running the orbit for WE0913A further backward, I got a lunar flyby on October 28, 2014," he wrote.

In a sense, this remains "circumstantial" evidence.

"But I would regard it as fairly convincing evidence. So I am persuaded that the object about to hit the moon on March 4, 2022 at 12:25 UTC is actually the Chang'e 5-T1 rocket stage".
Bengaluru, Feb 14 : The Karnataka Assembly session which will commence from Monday, is expected to witness a high voltage drama as the ruling BJP government and opposition Congress are locking horns on controversial issues such as the anti-conversion bill, Mekedatu project and the hijab row.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot is scheduled to address the joint session on Monday.

The BJP is all set to table the controversial anti-conversion bill in the Legislative Council this session. It was passed in the Assembly during the winter session held in Belagavi Suvarna Soudha.

The bill is expected to create furore as the Congress is all set to oppose it, and the BJP is expected to get it passed in the Council, even as the latter is short of majority by one seat.

The Congress is also set to attack the state government on its inability to commence the work of Mekedatu project, opposed by the neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

It had taken out a massive padayatra amid the third Covid-19 wave urging immediate commencement of the project, but stopped after intervention of the court.

The raging hijab row is also going to be one of the major points of confrontation between the ruling party and the Congress as well as the JD(S). Though the case is in court, both the houses of the Assembly are going to witness high drama over the issue.

The Bitcoin scandal, which has gone to the backburner, is also likely to be raked up as allegations have been made against top BJP leaders of the state.

The contractors association charge of 40 per cent commission on all projects by the ruling BJP disposal, Mahadayi drinking water project and delay in providing compensation to families of Covid victims will be discussed to put the ruling BJP in a fix.

Hariprasad.B.K., considered to be member of Congress President Sonia Gandhi's close circle, will begin his stint as the Leader of Opposition. The Congress has more expectations from Hariprasad who is known for his poignant anti-Hindutva comments and stands.

On the other hand, sources from the BJP claimed that the party is all set to confront Opposition aggressively, especially, on hijab row and Anti-conversion bills.
Canberra, Feb 14 : Valentine's Day is full of roses, chocolates, declarations of love, and an increasing number of online scams, Australia's consumer watchdog said on Monday.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) Scamwatch programme reported a 44 per cent increase of scam incidents in 2021, warning citizens to be wary of scams operated around the guise of dating and romance, reports Xinhua news agency.

Over 2021, A$56 million ($40 million) were reported to have been lost in romance-related scams.

However, the ACCC said this is likely just the tip of the iceberg, and the real figure may be close to 10 times more.

"It's important to look out for friends or family members who are using online dating apps and talk about how to spot romance scams," said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard in a statement.

Cybersecurity expert and senior lecturer in criminology at Monash University Lennon Chang told Xinhua that he was not surprised at the increasing number of reports of online fraud.

"There is interesting data showing that physical crime actually decreased ... but cybercrime, especially online fraud, is definitely on the increase ... (it is) definitely related to the Covid situation." The report also highlighted the fact that older generations, people over 55, accounted for close to half of all losses in romance scams, with women being more vulnerable than men.

Chang said it was important that public messaging reached the people who were most prone to being targeted by the instigators of cybercrime, such as people without strong social support networks or who speak English as a second language.

"One good thing is that we see the Australian government is starting to use different languages to promote awareness, which is a good thing." He also noted that the Australian government would need to join forces with different countries in order to target cybercrime as instigators often work from overseas.

He said that it was important that the stigma around the victims of online scams was cast away so that people were prepared to seek help when they felt uncomfortable online.

"During a festival like Valentine's, I think people should be more vigilant and don't be afraid to tell people if they fall victim to a scam," warned Chang.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Paying homage to the 40 killed Central Reserve Police Force personnel in one of the deadliest terror attacks on the security forces in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said their bravery and supreme sacrifice motivates every Indian to work towards a strong and prosperous country.

"I pay homage to all those martyred in Pulwama on this day in 2019 and recall their outstanding service to our nation," said Prime Minister on social media platform.

On February 14, 2019, a suicide bomber of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group attacked the CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in which 40 personnel were killed.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also hailed the sacrifices made by the CRPF jawans. He said, "Heartfelt tribute to the brave jawans of CRPF who upheld the sovereignty of the country by making their supreme sacrifice in the cowardly terrorist attack of Pulwama." The minister said that the nation will always be indebted to their sacrifice. "Your bravery will continue to inspire us to root out terrorism," he stated on social media platform.

After the deadliest attack, India then launched a counter-terror airstrike against a JeM training camp and in the early hours of February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force jets bombed the JeM terror camps in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan.

In a following aerial skirmish, India's Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman piloting a MiG-21 Bison aircraft shot down a much-advanced F-16 of Pakistan Air Force. But his MiG 21 was shot down and was captured by the Pakistan forces. He was released after a few days.
San Francisco, Feb 14 : South Korean tech giant Samsung recently launched Galaxy Tab S8 series and now a new report has claimed that the company has halted the pre-orders of the premium flagship tablets in the US due to booming demand.

Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra started on February 10. Since demand was too high compared to the current supply, Samsung had to halt pre-orders in the states for the two models, reports SamMobile.

Samsung's US website shows both the vanilla Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra are listed as "Sold Out" with only the Tab S8+ still available to pre-order.

There are three models in this premium tablet lineup by Samsung -- the Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+, and the Tab S8 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 features an 11-inch WQXGA (2,560x1,600 pixels) LTPS TFT display with 276ppi of pixel density.

Under the hood, there is a 4nm octa-core SoC, which is likely to be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 paired with up to 12GB of RAM.

The tablet houses a dual rear camera setup --a 13MP primary sensor, along with a 6MP ultra-wide shooter.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ comes a 12.4-inch WQXGA+ (2,800x1,752 pixels) Super AMOLED display with 266ppi pixel density up to 120Hz refresh rate. The tablet is powered by an octa-core SoC, along with up to 12GB of RAM.

It comes with the same dual rear camera setup as the Galaxy Tab S8. For video chats, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ carries a 12MP ultra-wide camera at the front.

The tablet features a larger 14.6-inch WQXGA+ (2,960x1,848 pixels) Super AMOLED display with 240ppi of pixel density and up to 120Hz refresh rate. It includes the same 4nm octa-core SoC that is available on the other two models.

It comes with a dual rear camera setup that includes a 13MP primary sensor and a 6MP ultra-wide shooter.
Mumbai, Feb 14 : Supermodel Milind Soman has started shooting for his comeback film 'Lakadbaggha' and will be seen as a Bengali Samaritan and a martial arts expert in the movie.

The movie which began filming in Kolkata during December last year, and has had Milind's co-star Anshuman Jha training in 'Krav-Maga' from the best on the planet for over six months, is about to finish its shoot with Soman.

Soman said: "It's exciting to be part of a unique action film like 'Lakadbaggha'. Every aspect of the story and characters is so unusual and well thought out.. I loved how intrinsically Krav Maga as an exciting martial art is incorporated in the script. Anshuman has had a lot of training in Krav Maga and the choreography is specially devised to highlight this martial art.

"I'm playing a martial arts instructor and Anshuman's father and the shoot schedule was intense. Working alongside passionate people has been something I have always enjoyed. It's a character I've never played before - a Bengali father and a martial arts trainer, it was loads of fun." While the makers don't want to reveal much, director Victor Mukherjee, said: "The relationship between Anshuman and Milind's character is the core of the film. And we are excited to showcase him in a never before seen Avatar." Written by Alok Sharma and directed by Victor Mukherjee, the film is said to be based on the universal theme of 'Good vs Evil' where the plotline of the illegal animal trade industry contributes to a huge chunk of the narrative.
US President Joe Biden last week signed an executive order, splitting $7 billion Afghan funds deposited with the Federal Reserve. Afghanistan will now only get $3.5 billion as part of the humanitarian aid while the remaining $3.5 billion will be given to 9/11 victim families in the US.

Afghanistan has about $9 billion in assets overseas, including the $7 billion in the US. The rest is mostly in Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland banks. International funding was stopped and Afghan money was frozen after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last August. The Taliban expectedly have expressed anger over United States' move and have sought to unfreeze all funds.

Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said on Twitter that the theft and seizure of money held or frozen by the US of the Afghan people represents the lowest level of human and moral decay of a country and a nation.

On February 12, the Afghan central bank, Da Afghanistan Bank, demanded in a statement that the Biden administration reverse its decision.

The move has also elicited angry responses from the Afghan public; there have been a series of angry demonstrations in Kabul, with common Afghani seething in anger over the US move.

Expert's criticism The decision has also drawn criticism from human rights groups, lawyers and financial experts who have warned that the move could gut the country's central bank for years to come, crippling its ability to establish monetary policy and manage the country's balance of payments.

Experts also said that the $3.5 billion set aside for humanitarian assistance would do little good unless the United States lifted restrictions on the Afghan banking system that have obstructed the flow of aid into the country.

John Sifton, the Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that the decision would create a problematic precedent for commandeering sovereign wealth and do little to address underlying factors driving Afghanistan's massive humanitarian crisis.

Torek Farhadi, a financial adviser to Afghanistan's former US-backed government, questioned the UN managing Afghan Central Bank reserves. He said those funds are not meant for humanitarian aid but "to back up the country's currency, help in monetary policy and manage the country's balance of payment". He also questioned the legality of Biden's order and said that these reserves belong to the people of Afghanistan, not the Taliban... Biden's decision is one-sided and does not match with international law, no other country on Earth makes such confiscation decisions about another country's reserves.

Some analysts also took to Twitter to question Biden's order. Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Programme at the US-based Wilson Centre, criticised the scheme to divert funds from Afghanistan in a tweet.

Pakistan has also condemned the decision. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar has called for the complete unfreezing of Afghanistan's assets.

As reported by GeoTV, he said it is imperative for the international community to quickly act to address the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan and to help revive the Afghan economy, as the two are inextricably linked. And the utilisation of Afghan funds should be the sovereign decision of Afghanistan.

The Debt The Taliban, after taking control of Afghanistan had immediately claimed a right to the money. But what complicates the matter further is that a group of relatives of victims of the September 11 attacks, one of several groups who had demanded compensation for those killed in 9/11, have sought to seize this money to pay off their debt.

This debt is based on a default judgement titled 'Havish vs Laden' of 2011, awarding $6 billion to a group of 9/11 victim families, as per a federal judge in New York. The parties named in the case, the Taliban, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda and Iran, never showed up (hence a default judgement). In its defence the Biden administration claims that this will open doors for expediting humanitarian aid to Afghan people, who are facing a lot of hardships.

The American media has lauded the decision, with Washington Post commenting in an article that though the issues, moral and legal, are extremely complex, with the ultimate disposition of the money up to a federal court in New York, the administration is surely right about one thing: Despite the desperate needs of the Afghan people, many of whom are at risk of starvation, it would be a mistake to put the money back at the disposal of Afghanistan's central bank, with no strings attached - as the Taliban demands.

Pakistan's Dawn in its editorial has commented that President Biden's decision is simply appalling and lacks moral ground. It says further that for one, these assets belong to Afghanistan and not to the Taliban rulers. How can Washington justify inflicting collective punishment on the Afghans to penalise the Taliban? It raises a legal question as well. The money belongs to the Afghan central bank and therefore, should not be commandeered to pay the Taliban's judgement debt. None of the 19 hijackers involved in the horrific terrorist attacks on that tragic day were Afghans. True, the plotters used Afghan soil and were under the Taliban's protection, but to penalise the entire population implies that the attack had the sanction of the entire nation.

The decision compels one to compare this action to the colonial mind-set or colonial thievery of the past. The absurdity is that the richest country in human history is maltreating one of the poorest, for compensating the victims of and redressing a crime committed 20 years, in which the Afghan people had no role.

Further the Biden decision also gives birth to another quagmire, if it's ready to transfer money to the Taliban administration, than doesn't it means that it is tacitly recognising the Taliban government, leading other countries to engage with Taliban without its formal recognition? (Asad Mirza is a political commentator based in New Delhi)
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Jindal of Banking & Finance (JSBF) at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has expanded its international partnership network by signing and initiating the process of signing 9 new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with leading universities in 5 countries. As a part of its ambition and commitment to providing its students a global learning experience, JGU's Finance School has extended its reach to institutions around the world, including in the three leading higher education destinations - Australia, the UK and Canada.

Students of B.Com (Hons) and BA (Hons) (Finance & Entrepreneurship) at JGU will Benefit from International Collaborations with the Top Universities in Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel and the UK.

Through the difficult months of the pandemic, JSBF has persevered to remain committed towards providing international exposure to its students of B.Com (Hons) and BA (Hons) in Finance & Entrepreneurship (BA F&E). More than 15 B.Com students had offers for attending semester exchange in an online or physical mode of learning. From 2022 onwards, the list of partners offering international mobility options will be more diverse and comprehensive.

During the tumultuous period between 2020 and 2021, JSBF continued to develop new international opportunities for enhanced inter-cultural exposure and international learning for a post pandemic world. The following nine partner universities in five countries offer specialized learning in various programmes that are most attractive for graduates of commerce, accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship:

University of Sussex, UK University of Nottingham, UK Deakin University, Australia Nottingham Trent University, UK Macquarie University, Australia Western Sydney University, Australia University of New Brunswick, Canada Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Germany

9. IDC Herzliya, Israel The students will benefit from the international opportunities that take different forms including short-term study abroad programmes, semester exchanges, postgraduate pathways, dual undergraduate degree, dual post-graduate degree, and summer/winter schools.

As students of Commerce, Finance & Entrepreneurship gradually return to the buzzing JGU campus, JSBF has doubled its efforts to partner with universities for short-term and long-term study opportunities. This is being done to provide holistic global education in commerce, finance, and entrepreneurship to students of the current B.Com. (Hons) and BA (Hons) Finance & Entrepreneurship programmes, but also for the new programmes that JSBF will start from August 2022, including, a first in India, Global B.Com. (Hons) in partnership with Deakin University Australia, and a B.Com. (Hons) in Capital Markets in partnership with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Academy.

JSBF is committed to providing a broad range of international perspective through international mobility to create a truly global learning experience for students. The Jindal and Deakin Education (JADE) Partnership, a first of its kind and in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020, was launched in October 2021 to offer innovative models of global education, training, and research for students in India. Under this unique partnership, JSBF will offer the Global B.Com. Honours, a first of its kind in India, to students who will transfer to Deakin University in Australia in the third year. At Deakin, they will study and earn a Bachelor of Business and their prestigious MBA (International).

During the uncertain phases of the pandemic, JSBF explored dynamic short-term opportunities online with select partners. Nottingham Trent University in the UK, for example, remotely hosted 22 commerce students of JSBF in a virtual summer school on "Financial Markets and Investments Analysis". The students gained the highly valuable 'Bloomberg Market Concept Certificate'. As many as 13 commerce students participated in international competition organized by the Canada-based University of New Brunswick in the fields of data science, finance and technology. Scholars from the National University of Singapore, Macquarie University and Monash University in Australia delivered virtual lectures on digital finance, e-payments and Fintech to JSBF students under the school's NIFTI series, which stands for 'New Ideas in Finance, Technology, and Innovation'.

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University, commented that, "We are delighted that the Jindal School of Banking & Finance has built diverse partnerships with leading universities around the world for our students of commerce, finance and entrepreneurship. On top of the currently popular B.Com. and the BA in Finance & Entrepreneurship programmes, the School will be launching three new programmes in Fall 2022 - the Global B.Com with Deakin University, B.Com in Capital Markets with the NSE Academy, and the MSc in Behavioural Finance. I am happy to share that JSBF is prepared to offer world-class education and international exposure to students of these programmes." The Dean of JSBF, Professor (Dr.) Ashish Bharadwaj, stated that "studying commerce and finance in a global context, post pandemic, is not going to be a luxury or a strategy. It is going to be a bigger necessity than ever before. JSBF has built new partnerships and strengthened existing partnerships in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia for our students and graduates who will be the future leaders in commerce, business, finance and entrepreneurship."
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the US' 'war on terror' bred more terrorists, adding that Islamabad was virtually a "fortress" during this period, Dawn news reported.

The Prime Minister expressed the views during an exclusive interview with journalist Fareed Zakaria on CNN, which aired on Sunday, when he was asked about his take on terrorism in the broader Middle East.

"The US' 'war on terror' actually bred terrorists. I can tell you from Pakistan's example because by joining the US, we had 80,000 people die," he said, adding that the war produced more terrorists as it went along.

"I am convinced it's exactly the same what happened in Afghanistan. These night raids and drone attacks ... the US must review its policy." Khan said US citizens were being told that the drone attacks were accurate and the terrorists were targeted.

"Bombs exploding in villages; how would they only (target) terrorists?" he asked, adding that there was a lot of collateral damage.

"I am afraid, the public in the US didn't know the amount of collateral damage (that happened). We bore the brunt." He said that Pakistan was considered a collaborator of the US and, therefore, had to face revenge attacks.

"There were suicide attacks all over the country. We lost 80,000 people." "But the US has withdrawn and the terror continues," Zakaria noted, to which Khan said that the attacks now "are much less".

"You can't compare during the height of the 'war on terror' Islamabad was a fortress. You had suicide attacks going (on) everywhere. Compared to what used to happen, terrorism is almost insignificant now."
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Indian space scientists on successful launch of PSLV C52 mission.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi said, "Congratulations to our space scientists on the successful launch of PSLV C52 mission. EOS-04 satellite will provide high resolution images under all weather conditions for agriculture, forestry and plantations, soil moisture and hydrology as well as flood mapping." The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) tweeted, "India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C52 injected Earth Observation Satellite EOS-04, into an intended sun synchronous polar orbit of 529 km altitude at 06:17 hours IST on February 14, 2022 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota." Quoting ISRO tweet, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "Kudos to @isro for its first major success of 2022 with the flawless launch of 3 satellites from Sriharikota today! Perfect backdrop to its meeting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee tomorrow." "The satellite EOS-04 is realised at U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. It is a Radar Imaging Satellite designed to provide high quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as Agriculture, Forestry and Plantations, Soil Moisture and Hydrology and Flood mapping. Weighing about 1710 kg, it generates 2280 watt power and has a mission life of 10 years," ISRO said.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Saudi Arabia has transferred shares worth $80 billion to its sovereign wealth fund as the oil-rich nation hopes to rival Norway and Singapores state-managed funds and invest in green projects, The Guardian reported.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, said 4 per cent of shares in Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil exporter, would be transferred to the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund as part of efforts to recalibrate the oil-dominated economy, the report said.

The transfer is the latest sign that Saudi Arabia wants to open up the oil giant and "crown jewel" of the Saudi economy, the Arab world's largest.

The Crown Prince was quoted as saying the "transfer of 4 per cent of Aramco shares to the Public Investment Fund (PIF) ... is part of the kingdom's long-term strategy to support the restructuring of its economy".

He said the kingdom wants the investment fund to have $1tn in assets by the end of 2025. The fund, the centrepiece of official moves to end economic reliance on oil, had less than half that amount before this deal.

Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, said last month it earned a return of 14 per cent on its $1.3 trillion of investments, much of it from the sale of state-owned oil supplies. Singapore's Temasek investment fund is worth more than $300 billion.

Crown Prince Mohammed stressed that the Saudi state would remain the dominant Aramco shareholder with a 94 per cent stake. He is also head of the sovereign PIF.

Aramco shares finished down by 0.6 per cent in Sunday trading after the announcement. But experts said the share switch would strengthen the sovereign fund, the report said.

The oil giant raised $6 billion in Islamic bonds in June last year so that it could pay dividends to the new shareholders.

But Aramco announced $30.4 billion in profits for the third quarter of 2021, a massive rise from $18.8 billion for the same quarter the previous year, as oil prices took off again, The Guardian reported.
Patna, Feb 14 : A 25-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped on February 9, reached Agam Kuan police station, Patna and claimed that she eloped with brother-in-law of BJP MLA Vinay Bihari and kidnapping charge levelled against him is completely false.

Earlier on Sunday, Patna police registered an FIR against the BJP MLA of Lauria in Bettiah district, for kidnapping a girl named Rishima Raj, a resident of Progressive Colony located on Bhagwan Das road in Patna. The complaint was lodged by the girl's mother Rekha Kumari.

The victim's mother, in the complaint said that her daughter went to College of Commerce for examination on February 9 and did not return. The victim's mother alleged that her phone was switched on once and when she was contacted Vinay Bihari received the call.

The FIR was registered under IPC sections 366 and 120B in Agam Kuan police station.

After he was named in the FIR, Vinay Bihari told his brother-in-law Rajiv Singh and Rishima Raj to appear before the police and set the record straight.

Rishima Raj recorded the statement under 164 and claimed that she went with Rajiv Singh on her own.

"We are in love and want to get married. BJP MLA Vinay Bihari has no role in it. The kidnapping charge levelled against him is completely false," Rishima Raj said.

Agam Kuan police station investigation officer said that the statement of Rishima Raj has been recorded. "She is a major and eloped with a person who is also a major. We have informed Rishima's parents about the development and initiated the process of withdrawal of the FIR," he said.
Ramallah, Feb 14 : A 17-year-old Palestinian teenager was killed and 15 others were injured during clashes in northern West Bank, medics said on Monday.

The clashes broke out late Sunday night when an Israeli army team broke into Silat al-Harithiya, a town west of the West Bank city of Jenin, to demolish the house of Mahmoud Jaradat, a Palestinian who was arrested several weeks ago for carrying out attacks against Jewish state, reports Xinhua news agency.

Dozens of Palestinians threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, who fired back.

Israeli media reported that the team stormed the town to demolish four Palestinian houses, adding that fierce clashes broke out between the town's residents and the soldiers.

Also on Sunday night, according to Israel's Army Radio, Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a checkpoint west of Jenin, and the soldiers fired back.

No injuries were reported among the soldiers.
Seoul, Feb 14 : South Korea plans to evacuate its citizens from Ukraine within a couple of days in an additional operation amid growing fears of a Russian invasion, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

A total of 281 Korean nationals, including diplomatic staff, are staying in Ukraine as of Monday, and about 100 plan to leave the nation by Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency quoted the Ministry as saying.

"The government is urging Korean nationals to leave Ukraine as soon as possible via available flights or land routes as a Level 4 travel advisory was issued in all parts of Ukraine on Sunday," it said.

About 60 nationals have left the country since February 11, the Ministry said, after the US ratcheted up warnings against a possible Russian invasion in days.

Most airlines are normally operating flights from Ukraine, and the Korean Embassy plans to operate shuttle buses between the capital Kiev and Lviv, near the Poland border, until Friday, to support citizens' departure, it said.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Blackstone announced on Monday that private equity funds managed by Blackstone have acquired a majority stake in ASK Investment Managers Limited (ASK), one of India's largest asset and wealth management companies, from Advent International and other sellers.

ASK is one of the leading asset and wealth managers in India catering to clients across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, and manages more than $10.6 billion in assets (as of December 31, 2021).

It is one of the first portfolio managers in India, with nearly three decades of experience in managing the investment needs of India's high-net-worth individuals, family offices and institutions. ASK also specializes in property investment advisory and wealth advisory services.

Amit Dixit, Head of Asia for Blackstone Private Equity, said: "Asset and wealth management in India is a sunrise industry benefitting from secular tailwinds including the financialization of household savings and an emerging wealthy population seeking personalized financial advice and products. ASK is one of the most trusted brands in wealth management, built through a track record of consistent performance, customer-centric approach, and best-in-class distributors. The company is led by an entrepreneurial management team and founder who have been together for more than a decade and established a market-leading business. We are excited to partner with ASK in the next phase of its journey." Sameer Koticha, Founder Promoter & Chairman, ASK, said: "We are excited about the investment from Blackstone, as a long-term strategic partner. This partnership is a testament to ASK's high-quality management team and the business we have built over decades. Blackstone's global reach and deep knowledge of the financial services sector will further strengthen our asset and wealth management businesses and help us grow significantly".

Shweta Jalan, Managing Partner at Advent International, said: "We are immensely proud of all that has been achieved at the business since we became a partner over five years ago. During this period, ASK has undergone transformational change and continued to grow significantly. We would like to thank the management team for all their hard work throughout our time together and we wish the company great success in the future."
New Delhi, Feb 14 : An 87-year-old woman was allegedly raped in the national capital's Tilak Nagar area, sources said here on Monday.

Delhi Police Additional DCP (west district) Prashant Gautam informed that an FIR under section 380 (theft in dwelling house) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered in the matter.

"Now again, as alleged by the complainant in her complaint, we are adding relevant sections of law in the FIR," he said.

More details about the incident are awaited.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The most prominent aspect of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans visit to Moscow is that it was not an invitation from Russia, rather an invite sought by Islamabad, according to an article.

Jan Achakzai, a geopolitical analyst wrote in an article for The News that Khan is going to visit Russia at a time which is probably not a suitable moment.

Here is another paradox Pakistan is facing today. Led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a minority party government sitting at the helm with the support of allies gathered by powerful quarters took this decision for the nation, the article said.

"The most prominent aspect of this visit is that Russia did not invite, rather an invitation was sought. And more so in an environment where Putin has already called Prime Minister Modi to express gratitude for India's support to Russia in the UN Security Council," the analyst says in his article.

"Interestingly, Russia didn't seek our support, nor did the US stop us from going to Moscow. Is it Pakistan's irrelevance or a clear reading of the US that we will come back from Russia empty-handed and will beg for financial concessions from Washington in forums like IMF, FATF, etc, from a position of further weakness? "And Russia losing India for the sake of Pakistan's support is not an option. Pakistan's support comes at the cost of frequent requests for aid and loans. Additionally, Moscow will not appease Pakistan at this juncture as doing so will offend India. Russia needs Delhi's support more than anything else since the Biden Administration has boxed President Putin in a difficult situation in the Ukraine crisis "Mr. PM pls follow your NSP and avoid another Liaquat Ali Khan moment in Pakistan's foreign policy. While, the cost will be heavier for the country's interest, it will be crushing for your image. The bottom line of this visit will be a blow to Pakistan's reputation. We have fewer options and we will look "optionless" after this visit," the author added.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Most commonly used protocol for transferring data from wearable devices used for remote patient monitoring contained 33 vulnerabilities, including 19 "critical vulnerabilities" in 2021 alone, according to a report released on Monday.

These are 10 times more critical vulnerabilities than found in 2020, and many of them remain unpatched, revealed the report led by global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.

Some of these vulnerabilities also give attackers the potential to intercept data being sent online from the device, the report said.

The most common protocol for transmitting data from wearable devices and sensors is the MQTT protocol. It is easy, convenient, and is found not only in wearable devices, but also in almost any smart gadget.

But, the authentication is completely optional and rarely includes encryption.

This makes MQTT highly susceptible to man in the middle attacks (when attackers can place themselves between "two parties" while they communicate), meaning any data transferred over the internet could potentially be stolen.

Since 2014, 90 vulnerabilities in MQTT have been discovered, including critical ones, many of which remain unpatched, the report revealed.

"The pandemic has led to a sharp growth in the telehealth market, and this doesn't just involve communicating with your doctor via video software," said Maria Namestnikova, Head of the Russian Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) at Kaspersky, in a statement.

"We're talking about a whole range of complex, rapidly evolving technologies and products, including specialised applications, wearable devices, implantable sensors, and cloud-based databases," she added.

Most wearable devices track both health data, location and movements, opening up the possibility of not just stealing data but also potentially stalking, the report said.

Further, Kaspersky researchers found vulnerabilities not only in the MQTT protocol but also one of the most popular platforms for wearable devices: the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wearable platform.

There have been more than 400 vulnerabilities found since the platform was launched; not all have been patched, including some from 2020.

Namestnikova said that many hospitals are still using untested third-party services to store patient data, and vulnerabilities in healthcare wearable devices and sensors remain open.

"Before implementing such devices, learn as much as you can about their level of security to keep the data of your company and your patients safe," she advised.

To keep patient data safe, Kaspersky recommends that healthcare providers must check the security of the application or device, minimise the data transferred by telehealth apps if possible, do not send the location, change passwords from default ones and use encryption.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he did not support a House proposal that would shift $200 million away from 12 school districts that imposed face mask mandates last year  a move school districts felt unfair and possibly unconstitutional.

The House included the proposal in a budget plan that it will take up during a floor session Tuesday. The proposal would redirect the $200 million from the 12 Florida school districts that required students to wear masks and share it with the 55 that did not.

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Under the proposal, two-thirds of the money would come from South Florida. Miami-Dade could lose $72 million, Broward $32 million and Palm Beach County $28 million. The other affected counties were Alachua, Brevard, Duval, Hillsborough, Indian River, Leon, Orange, Sarasota and Volusia counties.

[ RELATED: State House leaders back $200 million punishment against schools that required masks ]

Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, two weeks ago proposed the putting parents first adjustment, which would take money from the dozen districts that required masks earlier this school year. He said it was a way to hold districts accountable for bucking state rules.

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Both DeSantis and Republican lawmakers oppose mask mandates and made a series of moves last year to block them, but the governor said Friday he would rather allow parents to sue school districts that had mask mandates than shift money away from them.

My view would be lets not do that, DeSantis said during an appearance in Jackson County, when asked about Fines proposal. But what you could do is say any parent whose kid was illegally force-masked this year in Florida in any of those districts, they should have the right to sue if their kids have any negative effects of it, if they have speech problems, if they have emotional problems, physical problems, he said. They flouted the law and they should be liable for the consequences of their actions.

Grateful to @GovRonDeSantis for agreeing that we need to hold rogue school districts financially accountable for the abuse they inflicted on tens of thousands of our school children. #PuttingParentsFirst @ChristinaPushaw  Rep. Randy Fine (@VoteRandyFine) February 13, 2022

Fine tweeted on Saturday his support for the governors suggestion. Grateful to @GovRonDeSantis for agreeing that we need to hold rogue school districts financially accountable for the abuse they inflicted on tens of thousands of our school children, he wrote.

The Senate has not included Fines proposal in its budget, so it was not clear even before DeSantis comments if it would support in the full Florida Legislature.

Opposing the proposal

Democratic lawmakers and school leaders called Fines proposal unfair to districts that enacted mask mandates in good faith as a way to keep students and staff safe during the surge in COVID-19 cases that coincided with August school openings. They noted both national and local medical experts recommended masks in schools as the delta variant led to a sharp increase in cases and hospitalizations.

Broward County school officials were relieved to hear DeSantis opposes the measure.

Our Board acted in a matter consistent under the Florida constitution and was in full compliance with the law that passed during the Special Session, John Sullivan, director of legislative affairs for the Broward school district, said in a text. However, the district is grateful to the Governor and hopes that the Legislature follows his recommendation and doesnt include this penalty in their budget.

[ RELATED: Dont Say Gay bill draws Senate support amid battle over whats taught in schools ]

In a letter to lawmakers sent last week, Orange County Public School leaders said that even when masks were optional at the start of the school year, more than 90% of OCPS parents sent their children to school wearing them, suggesting widespread support for the 60-day mask mandate the district imposed. That mandate ended Oct. 31.

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The proposal to take money from the districts would be an unprecedented punitive redistribution of money in the states school-funding formula that aims to equalize per-student spending across the state, said the letter from Superintendent Barbara Jenkins and Teresa Jacobs, chair of the Orange County School Board.

School districts have the right to challenge state rules they think are improper, as Orange and others did with the states face mask regulations, just as the DeSantis administration has the right to challenge federal rules it views as wrongly imposed, the letter said.

Fines plan could violate the state constitution, they added, by imposing fines in ways state law does not allow.

Fine wants to take money based on the number of school administrators earning more than $100,000 each district employs. Jenkins and Jacobs said that could jeopardize 92 jobs, administrators who oversee a range of departments, from early childhood to curriculum to school safety to transportation.

His proposal is unfair, unreasonable, and does harm to our community by taking state and local funding away that would be allocated to our school system, the letter said.

Fine said all districts would still get more money this year than last but the 12 would get less.

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I dont think its punitive. I think its holding people accountable, and I think it is saying that we expect the laws that we pass to be followed by all of our school districts, he said last week.

News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways informed the Supreme Court on Monday that SpiceJet's offer of Rs 600 crore towards full and final settlement of the share transfer dispute was not acceptable.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing KAL Airways, submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana that it was not possible for his clients to consider the offer proposed by SpiceJet airlines.

The bench, also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and Hima Kohli, inquired further whether none of the two offers proposed by SpiceJet was acceptable. Singh replied in the negative and added that as per the arbitral award SpiceJet has to pay them Rs 920 crore.

Singh also submitted that he could take the court through the calculations as per the arbitral award from the pleadings itself in support of the arguments. He also submitted that the matter may be listed for arguments on the next date of hearing.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing SpiceJet airlines, urged the bench to hear the matter within 2 weeks. Singh was assisted by advocates from Karanjawala & Co.

After hearing arguments, the top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on March 2.

On February 10, the Supreme Court asked Kalanithi Maran, the former promoter of SpiceJet, to consider the full and final settlement offer made by SpiceJet to end the dispute in a share transfer matter.

In a statement SpiceJet, after the hearing in the top court, said: "SpiceJet has offered to pay Rs 600 crore in cash in the share transfer case with its former promoter Kalanithi Maran and his firm KAL Airways for a full and final settlement of all disputes. 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." SpiceJet's counsel had 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 pay-out to Rs 600 crore as full and final settlement of all disputes between the parties.

Maran and his firm, KAL Airways, had urged the top court to lift the stay on a Delhi High Court order asking the low-cost airline to deposit Rs 243 crore as interest on the amount of Rs 579 crore in the dispute. In November 2020, the top court stayed the high court order.

Maran sought the stay to be lifted to secure the decreed amount -- refund amount awarded and interest -- from SpiceJet.

Singh had argued that the high court had asked them to pay the decretal amount and against which SpiceJet had deposited only Rs 270 crore as bank guarantee and now there is a winding up order passed against SpiceJet by the Madras High Court in another case being Credit Suisse AG Vs SpiceJet. He added that in such a change in circumstance, SpiceJet should be directed to pay and deposit Rs 242 crore otherwise his client will have to run from pillar to post.

Karanjawala & Co. in a statement said the top court proposed two offers to Maran and KAL Airways that SpiceJet will give Rs 300 crore towards full and final settlement of the dispute and the matter finally gets settled and no further litigation. Second, out of the bank guarantee of Rs 270 crore deposited with HC, SpiceJet will give Rs 100 crore for now and the order will be passed by the top court to hear petitions, which are pending before the high court expeditiously.

The top court asked Singh to discuss the settlement with his client.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Since the twin attacks on the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Panjgur and Noshki by the proscribed Baloch Liberation Army, "enforced disappearances" in Balochistan have seen a sudden, alarming uptick. The Pakistani forces have reportedly "abducted" 48 individuals from different areas of Balochistan in the past 10 days and the trend is on the rise, the Balochistan Post reported.

According to reports, the Pakistani forces detained four members of a single family in the past week. The forces reportedly raided a house in the Faizabad area of Quetta and "abducted" Saud Sarparra and Sudes.

The forces had raided this house previously on February 7 when they detained Farhad and Saqib. Saqib's brother Haroon was also abducted on February 6 from Quetta. The forces have so far detained 12 members of Sarparra family from different areas of Balochistan, the report said.

The Pakistani forces also reportedly detained five individuals during a raid in the Manguchar area of Kalat. The forces reportedly raided several houses during a military operation and detained five individuals. One of the victims was identified as Kifayatullah Langove, a teacher. The remaining four detainees are yet to be identified.

In Lahore, the Pakistani forces reportedly detained three Baloch labourers. They were identified as Farooq Khan, Jamal Khan Balkhani and Muhammad Nawaz Balkhani. The victims were detained on February 7 and remain missing to this day.

In Dera Murad Jamali, the Pakistani forces have detained three individuals and two of them were identified as Bakhtiyar and Sahib. The third victim is yet to be identified.

It is pertinent to mention that since BLA's attacks in Panjgur and Noshki, the Pakistani forces have "forcibly disappeared" dozens of individuals from different areas of Balochistan, as many as 48 individuals were detained in only ten days. It should be noted that the real number of disappearances over last 10 days is much higher, these are only the cases that have been reported and verified by TBP, the report said.

Baloch activists and the general public are concerned that this trend will likely continue and become intense as time goes on. The Pakistani authorities have not yet commented on these events.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Baloch and Pashtun students at the University of Gujrat in Pakistan's Punjab province, say that they are being harassed and racially profiled inside the varsity premises, the Balochistan Post reported.

They say that unknown men dressed in civilian clothes frequent the university and summon the students to check their mobile phones, social media accounts and ask questions about their family members. The Pashtun students are forced to answer queries regarding the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement, the report said.

The students say that they informed the university vice-chancellor about the issue, but then he rebuffed them and said that he was helpless as "there are orders from the above". The students said that the university possesses all the relevant data of the students in its records, but the students are being harassed for information that is not related to their academics in any way.

The students say that this practice is common in other universities of Punjab province where Baloch and Pashtun students are harassed on daily basis, both by the university administration and other students. They said that students are summoned to these universities for interviews, but then they are asked personal questions about their friends and families.

A few days ago, the hostels of the Baloch students in Punjab University, Lahore, were raided and two students were detained. They were moved to an unknown location and their condition and whereabouts remain unknown, the report said.

Baloch Students at the University of Gujrat said that they were recently summoned for questioning, but they refused to go. When they once again visited the vice-chancellor in this regard, he assured them that nothing will happen to them inside the university premises but he cannot guarantee their safety and wellbeing outside the campus gates.

The students say that they are concerned for their safety after the Vice-Chancellor's dubious and lukewarm response.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)
Mumbai, Feb 14 : The makers of the Kannada film 'Family Pack' released a love song titled 'Biddalappo' to celebrate the essence of Valentine's Day. The song is crooned by Chintan Vikas with the lyrics penned by V. Manohar and Kannada music director Gurukiran taking the onus of composing the track.

The video of the love number features Amruta Iyengar and Likith Shetty. Talking about the song Gurukiran said, "Music is a universal language and any emotion can be conveyed through music quite seamlessly. Family Pack is also one such movie which is filled with a blend of emotions and the song 'Biddalappo' too will capture your hearts with its nuances." 'Family Pack', which is a part of the three-film announcement, is an ode to the craft and legacy of late actor and filmmaker Puneeth Rajkumar.

Directed by Arjun Kumar S and produced under the banner of Puneeth Rajkumar's PRK Productions, the film presents a tale of human emotions and stars Rangayana Raghu, Amruta Iyengar and Likith Shetty in the lead.

The film will be released on Prime Video on February 17.
Chennai, Feb 14 : Producer Kalaippuli S. Thanu, whose production house, V Creations, is producing director Selvaraghavan's upcoming film, 'Naane Varuven', on Monday announced that the film would release in theatres shortly.

Taking to Twitter, the producer in Tamil said, "'Naane Varuven' will follow 'Asuran' and 'Karnan' and will be there for you to celebrate in theatres. The Dhanush-starrer that is being directed by Selvaraghavan, will be a magnificent creation. Coming soon in theatres!" The news has thrilled Dhanush fans, who are now heaving a sigh of relief. With Dhanush's last release 'Atrangi Re' releasing on an OTT platform and with one of his next films 'Maaran' also scheduled for an OTT release, fans were concerned if 'Naane Varuven' too would release on OTT.

However, much to their relief and delight, Thanu on Valentine's Day confirmed that the film would release only in theatres.

Every film that Dhanush and Selvaraghavan have worked together so far have gone on to either become superhits or critically acclaimed classics. Therefore, fans have great expectations from 'Naane Varuven' Only recently, the film unit had released two looks of Dhanush in the film and had announced that shooting was in progress.
Bengaluru, Feb 14 : The Karnataka High Court on Monday struck down provisions of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021 that banned online games.

The division bench headed by the Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Krishna S. Dixit gave the order.

The bench said in its order that in the 'Karnataka Act number 28/2021 to the extent the provisions, (not the entire Act) declared to be ultra vires to the Constitution of India and struck down. The consequences of striking down the provisions shall follow.' "However, nothing in this judgment shall be construed to prevent an appropriate legislation be brought about concerning the subject i.e; betting and gambling in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. A writ of mandamus is issued restraining the respondents from interfering with online gaming business and allied activities of the petitioners," the order said.

The Karnataka Police (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was mooted by ruling BJP to amend the Karnataka Police Act 1963, in the Monsoon session. The BJP leaders claimed that they were introducing the Bill to ban online gaming in the interest of people.

The law included all forms of wagering or betting in connection with any game of chance barring horse racing. However, the new law was opposed by online gaming companies and it was said that the policy would affect the prospectus of the city which is emerging as a hub of online gaming companies.

The new Act banned all formats of online games involving wagering, betting and gambling of all nature and forms in the state.

Under the new legislation, online gaming was considered a non-bailable offence with a fine of Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment up to three years. Along with banning games of skills, the government had also categorised online games using electronic means and virtual currency, electronic transfer of funds in connection with any game as gambling.

The new legislation was passed in the Monsoon session by both the Houses of the legislature in Karnataka. Mobile Premier League (MPL) was one of the first companies to stall its operations in Karnataka. Paytm First Games was also locked.

The online gaming companies moved to the court questioning the new legislation. Similar law was also challenged in Tamil Nadu and online gaming operators got relief against the government order from the High Court.

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) had stated that the new legislation by the government will dent the image of Karnataka as a startup hub and the state exchequer will see a huge revenue deficit. It also maintained that with the new legislation offshore gamblers will flourish. Sources say that the state has more than 100 gaming companies with a workforce of 4,000.
Srinagar, Feb 14 : The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Monday paid tributes to the 40 troopers killed in a terror suicide attack on this day in 2019.

The troopers of CRPF were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive laden car into a security forces convoy in the Lethpora area of Pulwama district on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

D.S. Chaudhary, additional director general (ADG) CRPF led the officers and jawans in paying tributes at the martyrs' memorial at Lethpora. Floral wreaths were laid at the memorial.

The ADG said that the endeavour of the CRPF is to maintain peace in the Valley and not let the sacrifices of their personnel go in vain.

Tensions between India and Pakistan reached a new high in the aftermath of the Lethpora suicide attack.

India responded to the attack by bombing terror facilities deep inside Pakistan in the Balakote area on February 26, 2019.

Pakistan denied that the Indian bombers had hit any target of consequences, but the fact that Indian warplanes went deep into Pakistan airspace came as an embarrassment to Pakistan's defence establishment.
Ottawa, Feb 14 : Canadian police have made progress towards reopening the Ambassador Bridge, a key Canada-.S trade border crossing, while truckers in capital Ottawa could agree to limit their protests around Parliament Hill away from residential areas.

The blockade of the bridge connecting the Canadian city of Windsor and the US city of Detroit is likely to end after protesters were cleared out on Sunday, with 25-30 arrests made, said Windsor Police.

In a press conference on Sunday, Police Chief Pamela Mizuno said the focus of the police is to reopen the bridge and restore traffic flow in a "safe and sustainable" way, reports Xinhua news agency.

Mizuno said that there would be criminal consequences for those who interfere with or interrupt traffic flow in the area by the bridge.

"Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end. Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so, and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination," Winsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a statement on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, the protesters continued to rally for the third weekend in a row in downtown Ottawa, a city located in the province of Ontario.

Local media reported that Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson sent a letter to Tamara Lich, one of the convoy organisers, requesting protesters to leave residential areas before noon on Monday.

The convoy organisers have agreed to the request through "backchannel negotiations", with Lich saying there is a plan to "consolidate our protest efforts around Parliament Hill", the reports said.

"We will be working hard over the next 24 hours to get buy in from the truckers. We hope to start repositioning our trucks on Monday," the reports quoted Lich as saying.

Watson said that should the convoy members live up to their commitments, the agreement would provide "our most impacted residents with a much-needed break from the noise and exhaust fumes, as well as improve the sense of safety and security of our residents".

Ottawa Police announced on the evening of February 12 the establishment of an enhanced, Integrated Command Centre in response to a significant influx of demonstrators into the Ottawa area and an escalation of the current occupation.

In an interview with CTV on Sunday, Canadian Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said the federal government is prepared to invoke the Emergencies Act to end the trucker convoy protests and blockades.

Blair said the government is working with the provinces, particularly Ontario, to ensure the government has exhausted all options, given the ongoing crisis in the nation's capital.

In late January, thousands of Canadian truckers and their supporters descended on Ottawa to oppose the government's vaccine requirement for truckers crossing the border into the United States, which has the same policy.

Meanwhile, other protesters opposing Covid-19 restrictions joined the truckers in Ottawa, blocking access to the Ambassador Bridge for nearly a week.

On February 11, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the protesters need to understand "it's time to go home".

"Everything" is on the table to bring the protests to an end, though the rarely-taken prospect of calling in the Canadian Armed Forces remains "a long way" off as there are more steps law enforcement could take if it decides to, Trudeau said.

Also on February 11, Ontario declared a state of emergency to quell convoy protests.

It is now illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure, including international border crossings, major highways, airports, ports, bridges and railways.

Police have been cautiously pushing back protesters away from the entrance of the Ambassador Bridge since February 12.
Kolkata, Feb 14 : The winning spree of Trinamool Congress continues in West Bengal as the party won four municipal corporations -- Siliguri, Asansol, Bidhannagar and Chandannagar with a thumping majority reducing the opposition to the minnows.

The Trinamool Congress won the prestigious fight in Siliguri, snatching away the corporation from the Left Front winning 37 of the 47 seats. Left Front won four, BJP five and Congress managed to get only one seat. The win was significant because during the green wave all through the state in the last civic body elections, Left Front had managed to hold back its fort in this North Bengal Municipal Corporation. Ashoke Bhattacharya -- the present mayor of the corporation -- lost to the Trinamool Congress candidate by a margin of over 300 votes.

Announcing that Goutam Deb will be the mayor of Siliguri, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked the party workers to be modest and decent and work for the people. Dedicating the win to the people of the state, the chief minister said, "People could give their vote in a peaceful situation. We are happy with the result." Criticising the BJP, Left and Congress, the chief minister said, "BJP got votes in Entire North Bengal including Siliguri, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, Alipurduar and North and South Dinajpur but they have done nothing for the people. We will work for the people and give them all sorts of civic facilities." Speaking to the media after the result, former mayor Ashoke Bhattacharyay said, "It is a total catastrophe. The vote that went to BJP has gone to Trinamool Congress instead of coming back to us. It is political rejection by the people, but we are communists and we cannot sit back at home in despair. We will have to reach out to the people and make them realise the situation".

In Bidhannagar, the Trinamool Congress bagged 39 of the 41 seats leaving one to Congress and others. Sabyasachi Dutta, who recently joined Trinamool Congress after a brief stint with the BJP, met the chief minister with his wife just after winning the election. A probable Mayoral candidate told the media, "I had come to take the blessings of Didi (Mamata Banerjee) after the election.

In Asansol and Chandannagar also the ruling party continued on with its winning splurge. In Chandannagar, the Trinamool Congress won 31 of the 33 seats and in Asansol the ruling party won in 87 seats and are leading in 2 seats. On the other hand, the BJP won in six seats and is leading in one seat. The CPM and Congress have won two and three seats respectively leaving three to the independent candidates.
Chennai, Feb 14 : The Peoples' Commission on Public Sector and Public Services has urged the Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba to advise the Cabinet not to proceed further on government divesting some part of its stakes in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

The Peoples' Commission, a discussion forum comprising several noted personalities from varied fields, told Gauba that the government should first appoint a Chairman for the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

Citing that IRDAI remains headless for the last eight months the Peoples' Commission said: "This leads one to the inevitable inference that the government has chosen to weaken regulatory oversight over the proposal to disinvest the LIC, so as to facilitate its being rushed through." The discussion forum said that a headless IRDAI considering the draft initial public offer (IPO) proposal for disinvestment of the LIC erodes the credibility of the exercise.

Had there been an IRDAI fully constituted as envisaged in Section 4 of the IRDA Act, it would have, in all likelihood, turned down the draft IPO proposal that deprives the policy holders of what is legitimately due to them and which violates the principles of natural justice from their point of view, Peoples' Commission said.

Continuing further the Peoples' Commission urged Gauba to place their letter before the Union Cabinet, if necessary, and advise the Union Cabinet that no further action should be pursued on LIC disinvestment till such time the Ministry of Finance positions a competent person of integrity to head the IRDAI, with adequate time at his/her disposal to examine the complexities of the proposed IPO.

The Peoples' Commission comprises people like Former Finance Minister of Kerala Thomas Issac, Former Secretary, Ministry of Power and Economic Affairs E.A.S. Sarma, T.S. Prasad Rao, Former Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd and others.

The LIC on Sunday filed the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DHRP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
I am an OB-GYN trained in complex family planning whos been providing reproductive health care services for seven years. Im proud of my work and honored to serve the people in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, but with the Florida Legislature poised to pass House Bill 5/Senate Bill 146  a dangerous bill that would ban abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy, with only the narrowest physical health exceptions  my patients lives and futures are in jeopardy like never before.

Bodily autonomy stands at the forefront of all medical decision-making. My patients make deeply personal decisions for themselves every day in every interaction with the health care system. Each of their circumstances is unique and my years of training in providing this critical care has taught me that there is no room for one-size-fits-all mandates that ignore the complexities of our personal medical decisions.

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Dr. Samantha Deans is associate medical director of Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida.

Abortion bans, like the one being fast-tracked in our state, are a direct assault on autonomy and the patient-physician relationship. My job as a physician is not to tell my patients what to do with their bodies. It is to provide accurate and up-to-date medical information and help them determine what option is best for them and their families. I trust the patients that I care for to make these decisions and our lawmakers should respect them enough to do the same.

Many Black, Latino and Indigenous people; those with low incomes; LGBTQ+; people with disabilities and people in rural areas have long faced the greatest barriers to accessing abortion. Already, people who struggle to make ends meet are often forced to delay abortion services because they need time to secure the funds. They are also less able to travel out of state to get the care they need. A legacy of systemic racism has trapped Black women and Latinas in poverty at disproportionately high rates, and they will be most harmed by this ban. Many will not be able to access abortion unless they can afford to travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles out of state, take time off work, and arrange child care, transportation and even lodging. For some, cost is just one barrier; immigration status, intimate partner violence or required parental consent may also cut off access. If the Florida abortion ban becomes law, people will be forced to carry pregnancies to term against their will. They will be forced to birth children in a state that already has poor maternal health outcomes that will only worsen if abortion is illegal or inaccessible. Black women in Florida are already three times more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women. We know maternal health disparities only worsen when abortion bans like HB5/SB146 take effect.

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The right of privacy as guaranteed by the Florida state constitution demands that Floridians be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into the persons private life. What is more private than a patients ability to make decisions about their own reproductive health? This proposed law is unconstitutional, at best. At worst and in truth, this bill is misogynistic, racist, classist, ableist and dangerous to all Floridians who can become pregnant.

We cannot allow the government to control what we can and cannot do with our lives, our bodies and our futures. On behalf of my patients, Im urging the Florida Legislature to side with the majority of their constituents who want abortion to be safe and legal and reject this bill. The harm and cost are too great.

Dr. Samantha Deans is associate medical director of Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : A Delhi-based lawyer has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI ) to cancel all candidates of All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) over alleged non-compliance with the rules and regulations as per the Representation of People Act 1951 by the AIMIM during the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election 2022.

In the complaint to Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, petitioner Advocate Vineet Jindal said that the President of AIMIM Asaduddin Owaisi, who is a member of the Lok Sabha from Hyderabad, has given many controversial statements and speeches during his election campaign rallies and press conferences, which have been widely circulated on print media, electronic media, and social platforms to seek votes for the candidates filed by AIMIM.

One of the recent statements says: "Owaisi accused the BJP government of not allowing Muslim girls to wear a hijab and also shared a video clip on his Twitter account. On 13.02.2022 he stated 'One day a hijabi will become the Prime Minister of India'," the complaint read.

Jindal stated that wearing hijab in educational institutes is already pending in Karnataka High court and an interim judgment has already been passed in the present matter which restrains all students regardless of their religion or faith from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab, religious flags, or the like within the classrooms.

He alleged that Owaisi is meant to give a misinterpretation and misperception of the said controversy over hijab to incite the Muslim community and gain votes in favour of AIMIM Candidates in the ongoing elections.

The complainant also highlighted Owaisi's January 29 TV interview, in which he allegedly said: "In 2019, when Amit Shah brought a Bill to amend the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), based on which NIA (National Investigation Agency) inspector sitting in Delhi can declare any Muslim a terrorist and "He wanted to see Uttar Pradesh's 19 per cent Muslim population get fair representation".

By making these statements his sole motive was to provoke Muslims against other political parties on the basis of religion to get the Muslim votes by motioning himself and his party candidates as Muslims, Jindal stated.

Referring to Section 123 of the Representation of People Act 1951, the complaint said the Act defines as "corrupt practice" appeals made by a candidate or his agents to vote or refrain from voting for any person on the ground of "his" religion, race, caste, community or language and that "religion, race, caste, community or language would not be allowed to play any role in the electoral process" and that election of a candidate would be declared null and void if an appeal is made to seek votes on these considerations. The electoral processes are secular activities of the State and religion can have no place in it, he said.

He also referred to the apex court ruling on the subject, praying before the Election Commission of India that the candidature of all candidates filed by AIMIM contesting in Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022 shall be cancelled and declared null and void for violation of section 123 (3) & (3a) Representation of People Act 1951 in the interest of justice and to safeguard the Constitution and maintaining the sanctity of the electoral process.
Hyderabad, Feb 14 : The Congress party in Telangana on Monday filed complaints against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his derogatory comments on party leader Rahul Gandhi.

Congress leaders at various police stations in the state lodged complaints against Sarma, demanding his arrest.

State Congress chief Revanth Reddy and other leaders lodged a complaint at Jubilee Hills police station against the Assam chief minister over his offensive comments. He demanded that the police book a criminal case against Sarma and arrest him.

The Congress leaders urged the police to book the Assam chief minister under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 153A and 505 for promoting enmity between different groups.

Revanth Reddy called Sarma's remarks an insult to the motherhood of every woman. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda should respond and sack Sarma immediately.

Reddy, who is also a member of Parliament was accompanied by senior leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Anjan Kumar Yadav, Sampath Kumar and others.

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief said the police merely issued an acknowledgement. He said the police should register a First Information Report (FIR) and take criminal action against Sarma.

On a call given by Revanth Reddy, Congress leaders in various districts lodged police complaints against the Assam chief minister.

The MP demanded that the state police send a special team to arrest Sarma. He said if no action was taken on their complaints in 48 hours, the Congress party will stage protests in front of the offices of police commissioners and superintendents of police.

On Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao condemning his Assam counterpart's offensive remarks, Revanth Reddy said he should go beyond mere condemnation and act by asking police to take action against Sarma.
Chennai, Feb 14 : Actor R. Madhavan's much-awaited film 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect' is to release in theatres worldwide on July 1 this year.

Tracing the life of Indian scientist Nambi Narayanan, a former ISRO scientist and aerospace engineer who was caught in the throes of a spy scandal, the biographical drama will unveil the truth behind the mystery.

Music for the film has been composed by Sam C.S. in India.

The movie has been shot simultaneously in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil and English, and will also be released in Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

While Madhavan will be seen in the skin of the eponymous Nambi Narayanan, he has also directed, produced and written the film.

With a powerful ensemble star cast comprising of acclaimed international actors Phyllis Logan, Vincent Riotta, Ron Donaiche along with Simran, Rajit Kapur, Ravi Raghavendra, Misha Ghoshal, Gulshan Grover, Karthik Kumar and Dinesh Prabhakar, the movie will see special appearances by superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Suriya.

The movie has already piqued the interest of the audience with its trailer taking the internet by storm.

Touted to be Madhavan's biggest movie yet, fans are awaiting his return to the big screen after three years, especially given his never-seen-before avatar. Staged on a mammoth scale, the film has been shot in India, France, Canada, Georgia, Serbia and Russia.

'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect' has been produced by TriColour films, Varghese Moolan Pictures and 27th Investments. The film is being distributed by UFO Moviez and AGS Cinemas in India and will be distributed internationally by Yash Raj Films and Phars Films Co.
Mumbai, Feb 14 : Vijay Varma gained popularity with his performance as Moeen bhai in 'Gully Boy', which completed three years on Monday. The actor says the film, which was released in 2019, has changed his career.

Talking about the film on its third anniversary, Vijay said: "This day, 3 years ago changed my career and affected my life in so many ways that I cannot really express but my journey is for all to see.

"I am glad I was a part of this monumental film. Also, since it released on Valentine's day, it doesn't matter if I'm in love or not, I celebrate this day nonetheless haha." The film also stars Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Amruta Subhash and Vijay Raaz.

'Gully Boy' is inspired by the lives of Indian street rappers Divine and Naezy, the film is a coming-of-age story about an aspiring street rapper from the Dharavi slums of Mumbai.

Besides 'Darlings', Vijay also has 'Fallen', 'Hurdang' and Sumit Saxena's untitled next in his kitty.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 14 : Kerala Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan has slammed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his party CPI-M for playing spoilsport on investors.

"On the one hand, we see Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on globetrotting trips inviting investors into Kerala with the hashtag, 'the best place for investment', and on the other hand we see his own party playing spoilsport on investors as was visible in his own home district Kannur," Satheesan said on Monday.

Satheesan wrote to Vijayan expressing deep anguish on the actual scenario as investors are getting a raw deal, especially from the trade union wing of the CPI-M, the CITU and pointed out the example where a trader in his (Vijayan) home district of Kannur was forced to down shutters after he confronted the powerful CITU.

"Fail to understand what's happening in Kerala, as on one hand investors are being invited, but even local business establishments are finding it tough to go forward and end up committing suicide, like an investor Sajan. At Punalur also we saw Sugathan take his life away. In both these incidents neither the CPI-M nor the ruling Left Front can wash their hands off. It's the CPI-M and its leaders who are ruling and there is no government at all. Things are reaching dangerous levels and Vijayan should act," said an angry Satheesan.

Trouble has been brewing at Vijayan's hometown when the owner of SR Traders set up a hardware shop on August 2, 2021, at Mathamangalam in Payyanur of Kannur district.

Instead of depending on the local head load workers of the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) affiliated to the ruling CPI-M which is a practice in Kannur district, the owner of SR Traders, Rubi Mohammed took loading and unloading license for his staff.

This led to a confrontation with the CITU head load workers at the area who blocked the licensed workers of the shop to load and unload when the material came to the shop.

Infuriated with the owner of the shop directly using his staff to load and unload the materials, CITU local leaders barged into the shop and assaulted the owner, Rubi Mohammed. The CITU erected a temporary shanty opposite the shop and conducted protest from morning till evening and started preventing people who came to buying materials from the shop.

Rubi Mohammed unable to bear all the attack decided to shut shop that he set up after investing Rs 7.5 million.

Satheesan also pointed out that a customer Afsal who had gone to purchase things from the shop was also harassed badly.

Kerala Labour Minister, V. Sivankutty on Monday tried to play it down and said he has asked for a detailed report from the concerned labour official and the stock statement came from LDF convener A. Vijayaraghavan, "that what happened at Payyanur in Kannur is just a one-off incident and Kerala is the most investor friendly destination,".

State Industries Minister P. Rajeev, who just the last week came after attending an investor meet in the UAE, said things will be looked into.

This particular incident has caused heartburns in the Vijayan government as this has occurred at his home district and with the state assembly session to begin later this week, the Congress led Opposition is all set to take it up in a big way.
Kanpur : , Feb 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that people should prepare for a colourful Holi on March 10 since the BJP was returning to power in a big way.

"BJP govt in UP inevitable, Yogi is coming back," he stated.

Addressing a rally here on Monday, he said, "Before 2017, the dynasts were ruling here. UP reported ration scam, poor were deprived of the foodgrain through forged ration cards. The poor used to be hungry. The double engine government changed that and crores are getting double benefit of the free ration. They kept getting foodgrains even in the pandemic." He said that the double engine government gave free houses while earlier government were totally indifferent. Even though the Centre was sending money, they were not ready to make the houses for the poor.

The Prime Minister further said, "The second phase trend and voting for the first phase has cleared four things: BJP government is inevitable, Yogi is coming back strongly. Secondly, all castes, voters of all sections without getting divided in villages and cities are voting for development and the BJP.

"Third, our mother, sisters, daughters, have taken up the BJP flag to ensure its victory, they want safety and dignity. And fourth, our Muslim sisters silently have made up their mind and coming out to bless Modi. They know those who are there for them in time of need are real friends."
Patna, Feb 14 : As the world celebrates Valentine's Day, a 90-year-old man's undying love for his wife even after 32 years of her death, in Bihar's Seemanchal district, is winning hearts.

Bhola Nath Alok, who has been living with his wife's ashes urn for 32 years, has requested his family members to cremate her ashes urn along with his mortal remains when he dies.

For now, he has hung the urn from a mango tree inside his house premises in Purnea's Sipahi Tola locality.

Ram Naresh Bhakt, a litterateur of Purnea, who wrote a book on Bhola Nath Alok, said that he is the symbol of true love which is rarely seen these days.

"Alok's wife Padma Rani died 32 years ago. He preserved her urn and hung it from a mango tree in her honour. He used to offer rose and prayers every day to remember her.

"He deeply loved his wife when she was alive and didn't wish to be left alone even after her death. Thirty two years is a long time but he remembers her everyday, respects her and offers her prayer and flowers, showing his true love for her.

"He has even expressed his wish to put her ashes urn on his chest during his cremation after death. Such respect for spouses is rarely seen these days. I cannot remember any such example in the past several years," Bhakt said.
Seoul, Feb 14 : South Korea on Monday started to roll out fourth shots of Covid vaccines for people at high risk, even as the country faces a surge in infections due to the highly contagious Omicron variant.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced a fourth dose for "the high-risk group" who face less protection after receiving a third shot.

This includes about 1.3 million people with reduced immunity and some 500,000 who live or work at nursing homes and care facilities, The Washington Post reported.

"The purpose is to prevent deaths and critically ill cases in the high-risk group amid a surge in infections since omicron became the dominant variant," the KDCA said in a statement.

About 85 per cent of South KoreaaAs 52 million people are considered fully vaccinated. Just over 57 per cent have received a third shot, or booster. A fourth shot, or second booster, can be received four months after the third, the KDCA said.

According to KDCA's commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong, the agency does not have plans to expand the fourth dose to all adults, the report said.

South Korea's daily caseload on Monday topped 50,000 for the fifth day in a row, a 10-fold increase from the levels seen three weeks ago.A About 1,200 coronavirus patients are in hospitals as of Monday, according to the KDCA. The country's health officials warned that the rise in infections could lead to more deaths and critically ill cases.

Meanwhile, Sweden's Health Agency also on Monday recommended people aged 80 or above should receive a fourth jab to ward off waning immunity amid the rampant spread of the Omicron variant, the Guardian reported.

The recommendation also covered all people living in nursing homes or who receive assisted living services at home. The second booster shot should be administered at least four months after the first booster jab, the agency said in a statement.

Sweden hit record levels of infections earlier this year as Omicron spread rapidly across the country.

In January, Israel became the first country to roll out a fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine to health workers and people aged 60 years old and those with weakened immune systems.

Several European countries including Hungary and Denmark have considered rolling out the second booster dose in the wake of the vaccine evading Omicron variant.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
February 14 : R Madhavan on Monday announced that his directorial debut Rocketry: The Nambi Effect will hit the big screens worldwide on July 1 this year. The film is biographical drama based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, scientist and ex-aerospace engineer of the Indian Space Research Organisation, who was accused of espionage.

After unveiling the trailer of Rocketry: The Nambi Effect last year, R Madhavan has today revealed the release date of the film on social media. Taking to Twitter, the actor dropped a clip that read, Coming to cinemas worldwide 01st July 2022 Rocketry The Nambi Effect.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect will be simultaneously released in six languagesHindi, English, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam. The film has a special appearance by Shah Rukh Khan in the Hindi version of the film, while Suriya will play the same role in the version of South Indian languages. The film is presented by Tricolour Films and Varghese Moolan Pictures. Tricolour Films has also produced the project.

The story is about Nambi Narayanan, starting from the days he was a graduate student at Princeton University to him being charged with false espionage charges while he was working at Indian Space Research Organisation.

In the trailer released last year, R Madhavan was seen as Nambi Narayanan, who was falsely charged with espionage in 1994. The trailer had started with Shah Rukh Khan, who is making a cameo appearance in the film, interviewing Nambi. The trailer went on to show the hardships that the scientist faced in his life but how he still remained patriotic.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect was initially scheduled to arrive in theatres during summer 2021. The film also stars Simran Bagga, Rajit Kapur, Ravi Raghavendra, Misha Ghoshal, Gulshan Grover, Karthik Kumar and Dinesh Prabhakar.

As a senior official at the Indian Space Research Organisation, scientist Nambi Narayanan was in-charge of the cryogenics division. In 1994, he was falsely charged with espionage and arrested. In 1996, the Central Bureau of Investigation dismissed all charges against him, and the Supreme Court declared him not guilty in 1998.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : When it comes to raising children, men and women have different perspectives on the division of household labour-from cooking meals to offering emotional support-reveals a new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.

The new study also reveals important differences in how men and women perceive the impact of having a child on job security and workplace success. Mothers are more likely to say they perform more of the household responsibilities, while fathers are more likely to say they share the responsibilities equally with their partners.

Yana Gallen, Asst. Prof. says, "In fact, 35 per cent of mothers reported doing more than their partner for each of the eight household responsibilities asked about on the survey, compared to just 3 per cent of fathers who reported the same." "Although the gap between what mothers and fathers report is significant, it is not what either anticipates before they have children-and that's what is so interesting," said Yana at the Harris School of Public Policy who studies the gender pay gap. "Prior to becoming parents, most men and women expect that they will share the division of labour equally across all household activities, but their views on whether that is actually the case diverge after they have a child." The perceived impacts of having a child are also relevant to the workplace, where half of the adults who have been employed say having a child is an obstacle to employee advancement, and about 4 in 10 say the same regarding job security and the opportunity for a raise.

Americans' perspectives on children in the workplace are tied to gender as well, with 47 per cent of women saying that having a child is an obstacle for job security compared to 36 per cent of men. Similarly, adults making less than $50,000 a year are more likely than higher-income adults to say having a child is an obstacle for job security (50 per cent vs 35 per cent ) and job advancement (55 per cent vs 46 per cent).

"Women and lower-income Americans are especially likely to feel they are paying a penalty at work for becoming a parent," said David Sterrett, a senior research scientist with the AP-NORC Center. "Whether it comes in the form of limited job choices because of the need for a schedule that accommodates parenting or having less job security, these groups feel they are missing out on career opportunities compared to their co-workers without children." The poll also finds that in order to manage their work and personal lives, two-thirds of adults have chosen a job with a schedule that allows them to manage their other responsibilities and 68% get support from friends or family.

And when thinking about whether to have a child, more than 8 in 10 Americans say having a stable partner and having a secure job are important factors that they consider. "Prior to becoming parents, most men and women expect that they will share the division of labour equally across all household activities." Among the key findings from the report:

Forty-three per cent of adults without a college degree say having a child is an obstacle to getting a raise, while 32 per cent of adults with a college degree say the same.

Parents are more likely than non-parents to have chosen a job with a schedule such that they can manage their personal responsibilities, spent less time at their job to focus on friends or family, and to have made sure they had the support of friends or family.

Women are more likely than men to have chosen a job with a schedule such that they can manage their personal responsibilities (70 per cent vs 61 per cent ) and made sure they had the support of friends or family (73 per cent vs 64 per cent).

Nearly three-quarters of Americans without children (74 per cent) say having enough savings is an important factor when thinking about their decision whether or not to have children, compared to 59 per cent of parents who said it was important.

Women are more likely than men to say flexibility at work is important when thinking about whether or not to have a child (74 vs 66 per cent).

This study was conducted by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research with funding from NORC at the University of Chicago.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
Islamabad, Feb 14 : Iranian Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi arrived in Islamabad on Monday on a day-long visit to meet senior members in the Pakistan government and discuss important issues related to Pakistan-Iran relations.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has received Vahidi.

As per details, Vahidi, along with his nine-member delegation will be meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, and will be holding important meeting with other government representatives.

"During the day-long visit, the Iranian minister will hold meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan and other government functionaries," read a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Interior.

"Vahidi and Pakistani officials will discuss issues related to Pakistan-Iran border management and the exchange of prisoners," the statement added.

Both Pakistan and Iran had agreed to form a special committee for effective implementation on an agreement for the exchange of prisoners in October last year.

The border management, especially in relation to cross border movement of banned outfits and human trafficking, for which, Pakistan-Iran border is majorly used by the traffickers to bring people from Pakistan into Iran, and move them towards Turkey and Europe through a managed and active network of agents.

The visit of Iranian Interior Minister holds great importance as it comes a week after the visit of Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, who came to Pakistan last week.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed his desire to play a role of a mediator between Saudi Arabia and Iran and facilitates ways to ease tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan has also been focused on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, a point that will also be part of the discussion with the Iranian Interior Minister.

The recent tensions in Balochistan province, which saw a serious upsurge in targeted terror attacks on security personal and their installations, showed some signs of facilitation and harbouring by terror banned outfits on the Iranian side also.

Terror groups such as Zainabiyoun, have been operating on the Pakistan-Iran border. Pakistani authorities have in the past launched Intelligence Based Operations, and have neutralised dozens of members of the groups.
Mumbai, Feb 14 : The sensational Rs 22,842 crore mega loan fraud allegedly perpetrated by the Gujarat-based ABG Shipyard Ltd (ABGSL) did not spare the IPO-bound Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) while the ICICI Bank and the IDBI Bank took the worst-hit among other government, private, foreign banks, NBFCs, as per official data.

The State Bank of India (SBI) which first reported the scam, has named ABG Shipyard Ltd, the corporate guarantor ABG Shipyard International Pvt Ltd, the company's Chairman-cum-Managing Director Rishi Kamlesh Agarwal, Executive Director Santhanam Muthaswamy, Directors Sushil Kumar Agarwal, Ashwini Kumar (all from Mumbai), Ravi Vimal Nevetia (Pune), besides unknown persons and public servants.

However, the private ICICI Bank has been duped of a staggering Rs 7,089 crore - the highest - followed by the IDBI Bank Ltd, ranking second with the fraud amount of Rs 3,639 crore.

At the third position is the SBI which has admitted its exposure to the tune of Rs 2,925 crore.

The giant IPO bound LIC has also been scraped by Rs 136 crore - with the sole consolation being the entire amount is said to be 'secured'.

The other notables defrauded are: Bank of Baroda (Rs 1,614-crore), EXIM Bank (Rs 1,327 crore), Punjab National Bank (Rs 1,244 crore), Indian Overseas Bank (Rs 1,228 crore).

There's the international lender, Standard Chartered Bank (Rs 743 crore), Bank of India (Rs 719 crore), the erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce, now PNB (Rs 714 crore), SBI-Singapore (Rs 458 crore), the former Syndicate Bank, now Canara Bank (Rs 408 crore), the then Dena Bank, now Bank of Baroda (Rs 406 crore), and the defunct Andhra Bank, now Union Bank of India (Rs 350 crore).

There are entities like: IFCI Ltd (Rs 300 crore), SICOM Ltd(Rs 260 crore), Phoenix ARC Pvt Ltd (Rs 141 crore), State Bank of Mauritius - SBM Bank Ltd (Rs 125 crore), DCB Bank Ltd (Rs 106-crore).

In the sub Rs 100 crore group are: Punjab National Bank International Ltd (Rs 97 crore), Laxmi Vilas Bank Ltd (Rs 61 crore), Indian Bank Singapore (Rs 43 crore), Canara Bank (Rs 40 crore), Central Bank of India (Rs 39 crore), Punjab & Sind Bank (Rs 37 crore), and YES Bank (Rs 2 crore).

Highlighting the scam, the SBI, has pointed accusing fingers at the ABGSL and its top brass for committing the 'criminal activities,' but has given a clean chit to its own staff.

In the first complaint to the CBI way back on Aug 25, 2020, the SBI had stated: "The accused (ABGSL & its officials) colluded together in committing the criminal activities. However, the involvement of unknown persons and public servants may also be examined during investigations." It added: "The (SBI) Bank is not suspecting the involvement of its staff in the fraud perpetrated by the accused persons. The bank is not suspecting any common conspirator." To the CBI's query on this aspect, the SBI said the Competent Authority had dealt with and closed the matter of 'staff accountability' in November 2018.

A Forensic Audit report (of Jan 18, 2019) for the period April 2012-July 2017) revealed how the ABGSL accused "colluded together and committed illegal activities, including diversion of funds, misappropriation, criminal breach of trust and for purposes other than for which the funds are released by the Bank." After around 20 months, the SBI lodged the complaint with the CBI, New Delhi, and the latter took cognisance 18 months later to file the FIR on February 7, 2022 - or, over three years after the SBI's Forensic Audit first red-flagged the ABGSL mega-scam.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Hyderabad, Feb 14 : Thousands of devotees have started descending on Medaram in Telangana's Mulugu district for Sammakka Sarakka Jatara, billed as the largest tribal fair in Asia.

The stage is set for the four-day biennial event, which will kick-off on February 16 at the village, about 240 km from Hyderabad.

Authorities expect 1.25 crore devotees for the event, often described as Telangana's Kumbh Mela. Tribals and non-tribals from various parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and other states will converge for the fair, which marks celebration of tribal traditions.

An estimated four lakh devotees have already visited Medaram during the last few days ahead of the Jatara also called as Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara.

Adivasis living in forest fringe habitations in several states along the river Godavari congregate once in two years to celebrate the valour of legendary warriors Sammakka and Sarakka.

The tribals treat them as goddesses and hail their bravery in trying to protect them. Belonging to koya tribe, the mother-daughter duo died while fighting against Kakatiya empire about eight centuries ago.

The legend is that Sammakka and her daughter Saralamma fought against levy of taxes on tribals during drought conditions by the then Kakatiya rulers in the 12th century.

Tribal king Medaraju was ruling the tribal habitations on the banks of river Godavari, and was supposed to pay a royalty to the Kakatiya kings. However, due to severe prolonged drought, Medaraju failed to pay a royalty. Treating it as defiance, the Kakatiya Kings invaded the region. Fighting with the Kakatiya army, Medaraju and all kin died. His daughter Sammakka and her daughter Sarakka or Saralamma too died in the fight.

According to local lore, Sammakka, who was fatigued, went above the Chilukalagutta hillocks and disappeared. The Adivasis who reportedly went in search of her only found a casket of vermilion under a bamboo tree.

Once every two years, the tribal priests offer prayers at the bamboo grove and bring a casket of vermilion and bamboo stick wrapped in red cloth symbolising Sammakka, whom they consider their deity. A day before, the priest do similar ritual at Kannepalli village, four kilometers from Medaram and bring the deity Sarakka. Both are installed under the Indian Elm tree at Medaram village and thus begin the Jatara. After three days, they take back the deities and leave them in the forest until the next Jatara.

The poor tribals offer jaggery of their weight considering it to be gold. They also offer red blouse pieces, vermilion, and turmeric to the deities in large quantities. They take a little part of the same as prasadam from the altar back to their homes.

Devotees also take holy dip in Jampanna Vagu, a tributary of Godavari river. Jampanna was the tribal warrior and the son of tribal Goddess Sammakka who was killed in a war with Kakatiya Army. The tribals believe that a dip in the stream washes off their sins.

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and Director General of Police Mahender Reddy already visited Medaram to review the arrangements for the fair. Somesh Kumar directed all government departments to work with coordination to ensure smooth conduct of darshan and other rituals.

About 10,000 policemen will be deployed as part of the massive security arrangements for the fair. Police have also set up 382 CCTV cameras and two drone cameras. Senior officers will monitor the massive gathering round the clock on 20 display screens at the command control room in Medaram.

Thousands of vehicles carrying devotees have made a beeline to Medaram. The DGP said they were leaving no stone unturned to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of the Jatara.

Traffic police expect movement of 3.5 lakh private vehicles and 4,000 buses of Telangana Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC). The police chief said this poses a great challenge to the police to regulate vehicular traffic and parking.

As many as 33 parking places and 37 vehicle holding points were earmarked to regulate the flow of vehicles. For every four kilometres, one police outpost was set up.

The event is being held with Covid-19 protocol. The police department will also be distributing face masks and sanitiser kits to all policemen on duty. The police have also set up 50 public information centres to guide the devotees.

Various departments have undertaken different works to provide all the necessary facilities for the devotees. These include sprucing up bathing ghats along Jampanna Vagu.

TSRTC has already announced that it will operate 3,845 buses for Medaram Jatara.

It will operate these buses from 51 points across Telangana and neighbouring Maharashtra and is expected to ferry 23 lakh passengers. The TSRTC is expected to clock a revenue of Rs 32 crore from these operations.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have jointly reviewed the progress made under the Japanese Industrial Townships (JITs) in India. Cureently, 114 Japanese companies are operating across the JITs.

As the fifth largest investor, Japan has contributed over $36.2 billion in cumulative investments in India since 2000, especially in key sectors such as automobiles, electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), medical devices, consumer goods, textiles, food processing and chemicals.

JITs were set up pursuant to the 'action agenda for the India-Japan investment and trade promotion and Asia-Pacific economic integration' signed between METI and DPIIT in April 2015 to take steps to develop 'Japan Industrial Townships' in India, especially in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) regions in order to facilitate Japanese investment in India, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.

Currently, there are 114 Japanese companies across the JITs. The Neemrana and Sri City industrial townships host the majority of the Japanese companies.

Companies such as Daikin, Isuzu, Kobelco, Yamaha Music, Hitachi Automotive etc. are the marquee Japanese investors which have set up manufacturing in these townships. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme announced for 14 sectors received numerous applications.

Japanese companies have also applied for these PLI schemes and have received approval. The National Single Window System, an initiative by the Central government, was also showcased to the Japan side.

This one-stop digital platform currently has 20 Central ministries and 14 states/UTs onboard.

DPIIT reviewed the status of JITs with METI through a virtual platform in view of the Covid-19 situation. The Embassy of Japan in India and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) also participated from the Japanese side.

From the Indian side, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Embassy in Tokyo and representatives of state governments and Invest India participated in the meeting.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) opened on Monday a virtual meeting considering the Working Group II contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report. The session is scheduled to run until February 25.

The report, a second installment of the Sixth Assessment Report, integrates more strongly natural, social and economic sciences, highlighting the role of social justice and diverse forms of knowledge such as indigenous and local knowledge.

It also reflects the increasing importance of urgent and immediate action to address climate risks. The report brings more knowledge at local and regional levels and linkages between biodiversity and climate change.

The report prepared by IPCC's Working Group II will build on the Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report released in August 2021 that showed that climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying.

The Working Group II session will consider the Summary for Policymakers of the report for approval line-by-line. This is done by government representatives in dialogue with report authors. This session concludes with the acceptance of the underlying scientific-technical assessment.

Then the 55th Session of the IPCC will accept the work of the Working Group II, thus formally accepting the entire report. The aim of this process is to ensure that the Summary for Policymakers is accurate, well-balanced and that it clearly presents the scientific findings of the underlying report.

Due to the challenges posed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the meetings are being held remotely. It is the second time IPCC is holding a remote approval session following the success of the first virtual approval session of the Working Group I report.

"This is the final phase of a strict and meticulous review process of the report assessing impacts, adaptation and vulnerability to climate change, integrated across scientific disciplines inclusive of diverse forms of knowledge. Over the next two weeks, governments and scientists together will scrutinise the Summary for Policymakers line-by-line.

"Collectively, they will deliver a sound, tested and robust summary. Its findings will be critically important for policymakers around the world," said the Chair of the IPCC, Hoesung Lee.

"I have no doubt that we will see constructive and collaborative work in the next two weeks as we work across all time zones to deliver this report." The approval plenary is a culmination of a rigorous process of drafting and review that happens with all IPCC reports.

Experts from all over the world provided over 16,000 comments on the first-order draft of the report. Experts and governments provided more than 40,000 comments on the second draft of the full report and the first draft of the Summary for Policymakers.

The final government review of the Summary for Policymakers received about 5,700 comments. This reports references over 34,000 scientific papers.

The Working Group III contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report and the concluding Synthesis Report are scheduled to be finalised in early April and September 2022 respectively.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Royal Oman Navy chief, Rear Admiral Saif Nasser Al Rahbi, who is on a 5 day official visit to India, on Monday met Foreign Secretary Harsh V. Shringla.

"... Both referred to the long history of India-Oman maritime cooperation. Discussed enhancing bilateral defence cooperation and maritime security, guided by PM's vision of SAGAR," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.

India-Oman defence cooperation has emerged as a key pillar of the strategic partnership between the two countries. There has been regular exchange of visits by Defence Ministers of both sides, as well as by Indian Defence Secretary, the Indian Army and Navy chiefs, with reciprocal visits to India by all three Omani service commanders, Secretary General of Defence etc.

The Ministries of Defence of both countries review their relations annually under the aegis of Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting, while the Air Force and Navy undertake staff talks on a regular basis which has been the catalyst for new areas of cooperation. A large number of Omani military personnel regularly subscribe to numerous courses offered by India under the ITEC.
February 14 : Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, who were seen returning to Mumbai on Sunday night, is celebrating their first Vatenlines Day after their wedding in December last year.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Katrina shared a bunch of romantic pictures of the two of them, and penned a warm note for Vicky on the special day. In the pictures, the couple can be seen sharing a warm hug, while in one of the pictures, Vicky can be seen giving Katrina a kiss on her forehead. Katrina can be seen wearing a thick black jacket while Vicky sported a white sweater.

Sharing the pictures, Katrina wrote, We may not have been able to have the romantic dinners this year, but u make the difficult moments better and thats what matters. Fans reacted to the pictures with funny comments. "Itna single zindagi mein kabhi feel nahi huya (I've never felt so single in my whole life)," wrote one, while another wrote "She is taking something from his pocket." Still another wrote, Thanks for reminding me of my loner life. One of the users wrote, Wo sab thek hai but hands in the pocket kaffi romantic (All that is fine but hand in pocked is really romantic)."

Vicky and Katrina got married in December last year in a two-day grand ceremony in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. After the intimate wedding ceremony, the couple headed to the Maldives for a short honeymoon, after which Vicky left for Indore for shooting of his next film with Sara Ali Khan while Katrina started work on Sriram Raghavans Merry Christmas.

Vicky Kaushal was last seen in Sardar Udham, directed by Shoojit Sircar. His performance was highly appreciated in the film. Reportedly, Rajkumar Hirani is in talks with Vicky for an important role in the film headlined by Shah Rukh Khan. Katrina has recently announced a new film Merry Christmas with Sriram Raghvan. The actress has Phone Bhoot, Tiger 3 and Jee Le Zaraa in the pipeline.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Congress on Monday accused the Narendra Modi-led Central government of 'complicity, collusion and connivance' by those sitting in the highest echelons of power in what it called 'India's biggest fraud'.

Addressing a press conference here, Congress leader Gaurav Vallabh said, "'Shahenshah's' promise was $5 trillion economy, but he gave us bank fraud of Rs 5.35 trillion in the last 7.5 years." Vallabh's remarks came after it was found that the sensational Rs 22,842 crore mega loan fraud allegedly perpetrated by the Gujarat-based ABG Shipyard Ltd (ABGSL) did not even spare the IPO-bound Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), while ICICI Bank and IDBI Bank took the worst-hit among other government, private, and foreign banks and NBFCs.

"Average fraud in the banking industry per day in the last 7.5 years (2,737 days) is Rs 195.5 crores a day, as per an RTI reply, while RBI's recovery rate in 2020-21 of these frauds stood at 0.7 per cent. 'Loot and escape' is Modi government's flagship scheme for bank fraudsters. A total of Rs 22,842 crore of public money was swindled. Ease of committing fraud is the new scheme launched by the Modi government for bank fraudsters," Vallabh said.

The Congress also alleged that the biggest ever bank fraud of Rs 22,842 crore happened under Modi government's watch, and after a five-year delay, the CBI finally registered an FIR on February 7 against Gujarat-based ABG Shipyard owned by Rishi Agarwal and others for duping 28 banks.

The State Bank of India (SBI), which first reported the scam, has named ABG Shipyard Ltd, the corporate guarantor ABG Shipyard International Pvt Ltd, the company's Chairman-cum-Managing Director Rishi Kamlesh Agarwal, Executive Director Santhanam Muthaswamy, Directors Sushil Kumar Agarwal, Ashwini Kumar (all from Mumbai), Ravi Vimal Nevetia (Pune), besides unknown persons and public servants.

Private lender ICICI Bank has been duped of a staggering Rs 7,089 crore -- the highest -- followed by the IDBI Bank Ltd with a fraud amount of Rs 3,639 crore.
New Delhi, Feb 14: Timed with precision, Baloch nationalists launched two spectacular and unprecedented attacks on Pakistani military camps separated from each other by over 400 kilometres. The impressively coordinated strikes took place when the beleaguered Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was in Beijing to unlock funding for the stalled China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

The attacks immediately demolished Khan's sales pitch to woo the Chinese to revive CPEC funding. Far from believing the Pakistani Prime Minister that Balochistan, through which most of the CPEC passes has been secured and will be stable, it is obvious that Beijing's confidence in Islamabad's capacity to secure the corridor would have been severely dented after the bold attacks on the Nushki and Panjgur camps. Clearly, Balochistan is on the boil, and the Chinese know it. Already Beijing has been rattled by the killing of their nine engineers, working at the site of the Dasu power project, during a pivotal attack in July, on a bus in which they were travelling to the site.

With the collapse of the 62 billion critically important CPEC suddenly featuring on the radar, the Pakistani have gone into overdrive. Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa has already made three visits to Balochistan following the audacious strikes. A red- faced Khan has also headed for the restive province following his embarrassing return from Beijing.

There are several reasons that explain the stunning potency of attacks that are being currently mounted by Baloch nationalists. But most importantly, Baloch successes can be attributed to the emergence of a new nationalist front, which has been forged by uniting former rival factions.

The new front has been formed by merging two nationalistic tracks. First, the Baloch National Army (BNA) has been recently formed by merging the United Baloch Army (UBA) and the Baloch Republican Army (BRA). The two groups unite Balochistan's two major tribes-the Marris and the Bugtis, which in the past have a history of bitter feuding. The UBA is led by Mehran Marri. He is the son of late Baloch intellectual and ideologue, Khair Bakhsh Marri, who led the tribe for several years.

On the other hand, the BRA is headed by Brahumdagh Bugti. He is the son of Akbar Bugti, a leader of the Bugti tribe who was killed in 2006 in a Pakistani military operation. In fact, Akbar Bugti's assassination triggered the rise of the BRA as a serious anti-Pakistan insurgent force. BNA announced its formation last month with a bold attack in Lahore's Anarkali bazaar. The location is important for it announces that the Baloch nationalists have extended their reach into Punjab, the heartbeat of Pakistan.

BRA is the link between the newly formed BNA and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) that was formed earlier. There are blood ties that bond the BRA and the BLA. The BLA is led by none other than Mehran Marri's brother Hyrbyair Marri. The BLA has already demonstrated its clout as a guerrilla force after it claimed responsibility for the stunning attack on Karachi stock exchange in June 2020. That strike also sent a message to China, as Beijing has made significant investments in the financial hub. The BLA had earlier attacked the Chinese consulate in Karachi in November 2018, openly demonstrating its animosity towards China.

The BNA and the BLA, have now joined hands under the umbrella Baluch Raji Ajohi Sangar (BRSA). In fact, the apex BRSA was initially formed in 2018, when the BLA, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), another militant outfit, and the BRA had merged. The BNA's recent participation has further strengthened the BRSA Front.

Two major factors have provided that feedstock for the formation of an expanded BRSA-"oppression" by the Pakistani state, which has added an altogether new dimension after China decided to partner Islamabad with CPEC. The giant corridor , the flagship of the China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), starts from Balochistan's port of Gwadar, heads northwards, passes through disputed Gilgit-Baltistan and ends in Kashgar, a Chinese city in the already restive Xinjiang region.

The formation of the BRSA, representing the coming together of the Bugti and the Marri Baloch tribes, is leading to another notable phenomena-the expansion of the anti-Islamabad/ Beijing movement beyond Balochistan. For instance, the BRSA in June 2020, allied with the Sindudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA)-a Sindhi militant group. The purpose of the alliance, cemented by a common rejection of CPEC, is to liberate both Balochistan and Sindh from the China backed rulers of Pakistan.

Apart from the Sindhis, the Balochs and the Pashtuns could also be in contact with each other to broaden an anti-Islamabad front. In fact, the statement by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which demands formation of a greater Pashtunistan, in support of the twin strikes by the Balochs has already raised speculation about a likely behind-the-scenes parleys between the Balochs and the Pashtuns.

That view has been reinforced by a comment by Mohammad Khorasani , TTP's spokesperson, who congratulated the Baloch rebel groups for their audacious twin attacks on the "enemy" forces.

"The Pakistani army is carrying out the massacre in Balochistan. We are against the massacre of Balochistan as well as in Waziristan by the Pakistani army. Our enemy is common," he observed.

Pakistan's interior minister Sheikh Rashid separately also told the media after the attacks that, "There's some understanding between the TTP and Baloch militants. They have their hideouts in Afghanistan." Clearly, with Balochistan as the core, and radials of influence extending into Sindh and Punjab, a critical mass is building inside that is likely to seriously challenge China-backed Pakistan's present territorial status in the months, and possibly years to come.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Beijing, Feb 14 : The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided not to have a medal ceremony for the women's figure skating team event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games till the case of Russian participant Kamila Valieva is finally settled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Kamila Valieva, 17, was part of the Russian Olympic (ROC) Committee team that won the figure skating team event in Beijing a few days back. It was later revealed that she had returned a positive test for a banned substance on a sample collected in December 2021, following which the medal ceremony for the event was postponed.

Kamila was provisionally suspended from the Winter Olympics but the Russians took the matter to CAS, which ruled that she can't be suspended till the full process in the anti-doping case is not followed after the positive test on her 'A' sample. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) has claimed that the analysis of Valieva's sample was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and she was allowed to travel to Beijing.

The IOC also said that though it will accept the decision by the ad-hoc division of CAS at Beijing and will allow Kamila to participate in the Women's Single Skating competition on Tuesday, (February 15) and, if qualified, in the finals on Thursday (February 17).

However, the IOC informed in a release on Monday that in case Kamila Valieva finishes among the top three in that event, "no flower ceremony and no medal ceremony will take place during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022".

"The CAS has clearly expressed that the decision taken by the Ad-hoc Division today is not a decision on whether Ms. Valieva violated the anti-doping rules. It was limited to the sole question of whether Ms. Valieva could be provisionally suspended from the Olympic competition following a positive A-sample taken on 25 December 2021," the IOC release said.

"The management of the case after this positive A-sample has not yet been concluded. Only after due process has been followed can it be established whether Ms. Valieva infringed the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) and would have to be sanctioned," it added.

The IOC also requested the International Skating Union (ISU), for reasons of fairness, to allow a 25th competitor to participate in the Free Skating part of the competition on February 17, in case Ms. Valieva is ranked in the first 24 of the short programme on February 15.

As far as the medal ceremonies that will have been postponed, "the IOC will, in consultation with the athletes and NOCs concerned, organise dignified medal ceremonies once the case of Ms. Valieva has been concluded".
BROOMALL, Pa., Feb. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Factor4, LLC, a leading provider of gift card and loyalty solutions, is garnering praise for its Community Gift Card Program from the City of Edinburg, Texas. The program allowed Edinburg, the sixth fastest-growing city in Texas, the means to distribute federal funds directly to local families financially impacted by the pandemic. The City launched SPARC (Stimulus Program Aimed at Recovery from COVID) in July of 2020 and has since distributed more than 10,000 SPARC gift cards to eligible residents living in the city of Edinburg. More than 200 businesses participated in the program and more than $1,000,000 was invested back into the Edinburg business community via the gift card program.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea by Gujarat government, challenging the state high court's order, staying the operation of certain sections of the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2021, including the provision terming interfaith marriages as means for forceful conversion.

A bench of Justices Abdul Nazeer and Krishna Murari, after hearing arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state government, issued notice on the appeal by the state government. According to counsel involved in the matter, Mehta did not press for a stay on the order.

The Gujarat government contended that Section 5 of the Act, which was stayed, impacts cases where inter-religious marriages have been solemnised by a person without force, or fraudulent means.

It was argued that there is no fundamental right to convert a person to another religion and the provision requiring permission from the District Magistrate for converting a person's religion, cannot be said to be affecting fundamental rights in any manner.

The two petitions - one filed by the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind and the other by Ahmedabad resident, Mujahid Nafees - in the high court challenged the amended Act claiming the law is manifestly arbitrary and violates the right to privacy.

The high court, in its order passed on 19 August last year, said: "We are therefore of the opinion that pending further hearing, the rigours of Sections 3, 4, 4A to 4C, 5, 6 and 6A, shall not operate merely because marriage is solemnised by person of one religion with another without force, or allurement or fraudulent means and such marriages cannot be termed as marriages for the purpose of unlawful conversion." The high court refused also refused to modify its earlier order, as state's counsel argued that Section 5 of the Act was unrelated to marriage and only related to permission for conversion.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G Kishan Reddy on Monday said that over the last seven years, there has been a renewed focus to build new museums with engaging exhibits and content, leveraging modern technologies such as digital, augmented reality and virtual reality.

The Union Ministry of Culture is organising a two day global summit in Hyderabad on 'Reimagining Museums in India', on February 15-16.

The summit will be inaugurated by Cultural and Tourism Minister, Reddy.

Participants from India, Australia, France, Italy, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom will be a part of the summit that will be held online over two days and participation is open to the public.

Approximately, 2,300 people have already registered to attend the event.

The summit is being organised under the aegis of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' -- the flagship programme to mark the 75th anniversary of India's independence and celebrate the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.

Speaking about the Summit, Reddy said: "India is a land of rich cultural heritage dating back to the dawn of human civilization. As we celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, we are proud to renew our focus and dedication to preserving, protecting, and perpetuating our cultural heritage. India's over 1,000 museums are instrumental in not just showcasing and preserving this cultural heritage, but also educating future generations." "We have also invested significantly in upgrading existing museums so that they continue to be relevant to the new generation," Reddy said.

The Global Summit will bring together leading luminaries, domain experts and practitioners in the field of museum development and management from India and around the world to discuss best practices and strategies.

Over 25 museologists and museum professionals will delve into reimagined priorities and practices for Museums.

An outcome of this knowledge sharing will include creation of a blueprint for development of new museums, nurture a renewal framework, and reinvigorate existing museums in India.

The online summit will encompass four broad themes -- architecture and functional needs, management, collections (including curation and conservation practices), education and audience engagement.
Chandigarh, Feb 14 : In the run-up to the February 20 Assembly elections in Punjab, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's chopper was not allowed to take off from Chandigarh on Monday owing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's movement in the state.

Channi was to join his party leader Rahul Gandhi's rally in Hoshiarpur.

Modi was scheduled to campaign in Jalandhar, his first visit to the state after a major breach in his security in Punjab last month.

Officials said Channi's chopper was not permitted to take off from Chandigarh owing to imposition of a 'no-fly zone'.

Reacting to the development, Channi said, "I am a Chief Minister, not a terrorist." At the public rally in Jalandhar, Modi questioned the security arrangements of the Channi-led state government.

"I wanted to pay obeisance at Devi Talab Mandir (in Jalandhar) but the police administration asked me to go back by helicopter. This is the state of affairs of the Punjab government," Modi said.

A day earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah took a swipe at Channi at an election rally in Ludhiana, saying how could he protect Punjab when he couldn't provide security to the Prime Minister of the country.

Punjab will go to the polls in a single phase on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.
London, Feb 14 : In a first, the UK tax authority has seized three Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) as part of a probe into 1.4 million pounds (roughly $1.9 million) fraud case, the BBC reported on Monday.

The authority said it was the first UK law enforcement to seize an NFT.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) also seized 5,000 pounds worth of crypto assets ($6,762) alongside three NFT artworks, which have yet to be valued.

HMRC said the suspects were alleged to have used "sophisticated methods" to try to hide their identities including false and stolen identities, false addresses, pre-paid unregistered mobile phones, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), false invoices and pretending to engage in legitimate business activities.

The first seizure of an NFT "serves as a warning to anyone who thinks they can use crypto assets to hide money from HMRC," said Nick Sharp, deputy director economic crime.

"We constantly adapt to new technology to ensure we keep pace with how criminals and evaders look to conceal their assets." The suspected fraud is alleged to have involved 250 fake companies, and the three suspects apparently used everything from fake addresses, pre-paid phones, VPNs, and stolen identities to hide their activities from HMRC.

Sky News reports that HMRC has not taken control of the NFTs, but is using a court order to prevent them from being sold.

An NFT is a non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a Blockchain, which can be owned and traded as digital items, such as videos or clothing for avatars.

After serious concerns were raised on cryptocurrencies and their misuse for money laundering and hawala-based transactions by terror groups and criminals, a report recently claimed that money laundering through the buying and selling of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is becoming a growing sector.

According to a report by Blockchain data platform Chainalysis, they found a small but growing portion of activity on NFT marketplaces that could be attributed to money laundering.

"While money laundering in physical art is difficult to quantify, we can make more reliable estimates of NFT-based money laundering thanks to the inherent transparency of the Blockchain," the report said.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : India's pineapple exports rose by almost 100 per cent to $3.26 million during the April-December period in 2021, compared to $1.63 million recorded in the corresponing period of 2013, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry informed on Monday.

The major export destinations last year were the UAE (32.2 per cent), Nepal (22.7 per cent), Qatar (16.6 per cent), Maldives (13.2 per cent) and the US (7.1 per cent).

India is the fifth largest producer of pineapple in the world with an annual output of about 1.2 million tonnes. The other leading producers are Thailand, Philippines, Brazil, China, Nigeria, Mexico, Indonesia, Colombia and the US.

The states where pineapple is grown include Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa.

The other states where it is grown in a smaller scale are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) actively supported the government in taking the export of agricultural products to $20.67 billion in 2020-21 from $0.6 billion in 1986 when it was founded.

The APEDA also helped expand the export basket to 205 countries.

The export target set by APEDA for the current financial year (2021-22) is $23.7 billion, out of which more than 70 per cent, i.e., $17.20 billion, has been achieved till January.
Bengaluru, Feb 14 : The government can't restrict fundamental rights in the garb of maintaining public order, the counsel for the girl students seeking permission to wear the hijab told the Karnataka High Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, the high court refused to intervene to restrain media from reporting the case hearing, as the advocate defending petitioners submitted that the hijab case will have an impact on voting in states where elections are underway. Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi stated that if at all they can do something, they will have to stop live streaming of the court proceedings. Other than this, they can't take any measure to restrict media.

During the hearing on Monday, senior advocate Devdatt Kamat told the bench of Chief Justice Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin that the College Development Committee (CDC) has no legal statutory basis to frame rules on uniforms.

"The government's decision in this regard shows lack of wisdom and a legislator heading the committee will decide on fundamental rights. It is not legal to restrict the wearing of hijab," he argued.

Kamat stated that all Central schools run by the Central government are allowing the wearing of hijab and petitioners have been wearing hijab of the same colour as the uniform since long.

"The state has made a fatal error while referring to public order in its circular. There is not even mention of Article 21 in the quoted order by the government on the basis of which the circular restricting hijab is issued," he said.

He maintained that the state is an outsider when it comes to the point of belief, though it seems regressive to others. Authorising college committees is equal to making mockery of the fundamental rights, he said, while maintaining that maintaining public order is an enshrined responsibility of the state and it can't deny rights and say because certain acts incites violence, they are restricting students from wearing hijab.

Advocate Kamat pleaded that the bench should permit students to wear hijab of the same color of the uniform.

The bench subsequently adjourned the matter till Tuesday.

The bench had last week given an interim order that no religious symbols are allowed for the students in schools and colleges until the final order of the court, thus barring use of both hijab and saffron shawls in the school and college premises.

However, petitioners moved the Supreme Court challenging the interim order but it had rejected the demand of urgent hearing by petitioners and said that it will only interfere at an appropriate time. The state government has resumed function of schools till Class 10 and is expected to take call on reopening colleges soon.

The hijab row which started last month in Udupi Pre-University College by six girl students, has snowballed into a major crisis in the state and has hit international attention too.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The much-hailed anti-viral drug Molnupiravir is expected to work against the highly contagious Omicron as other variants of concern and more beneficial than monoclonal antibodies, according to a new study.

The study pointed out that no clinical studies are yet available to indicate effectiveness of molnupiravir in people infected with Omicron.

But, "subgroup analysis found molnupiravir was effective irrespective of strain although no data is available for its effect on Omicron in particular", stated the published in the journal, Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews.

"Unlike monoclonal antibodies, the mechanism of action of molnupiravir is independent of mutations in the spike protein, and thus it is expected to work against Omicron, theoretically.

"Indeed, in vitro study of VeroE6-GFP cells does indicate that molnupiravir retain their activity against the VOCs of Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron." The findings were jointly conducted by a team of doctors at Fortis C-DOC, G.D Hospital and Diabetes Institute, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, and the Diabetes Foundation.

"In general, there is no doubt it is effective against Omicron, but yes it has not been tested," Dr Anoop Misra, Executive Chairman and Director, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Fortis C-DOC, told IANS.

Further, the study also stated that the antiviral molnupiravir may be much better than monoclonal antibodies and remedivisir.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA), Regeneron's Casirivimab-imdevimab are ineffective against the Omicron variant.

Also both remdesivir and casirivimab-imdevimab require hospital admission for infusion administration and need subsequent monitoring.

"Molnupiravir, on the other hand, can be used in out-patient settings through oral route with a lower cost," Mishra said, adding "these findings are very important in the context of India".

The study also proved that a 5-day course of Molnupiravir could reduce deaths and prove effective and safe at relatively lower costs, in adults and non-pregnant Covid-19 unvaccinated patients at increased risk of severity or needing hospitalisation.

"It doesn't seem to have any major side effects," Mishra said.

However, Mishra warned against the "inappropriate and injudicious use in too many individuals without assessing risk".

He also noted in the study that the "benefit ratio may pose an unknown long-term risk of theoretical public concern".

The study recommends the use of molnupiravir in adults above 18 years, and in non-pregnant women.

Females with childbearing potential must use a reliable method of contraception during the entire duration of treatment and for 4 days after the last dose of molnupiravir.

Also, males having reproductive potential must use a reliable method of contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of molnupiravir.

"From the available evidence, Molnupiravir appears to be a reasonably useful drug in reducing deaths and hospitalisation in adult patients with Covid-19 having high risk, with a relatively lower cost," Mishra said, in a statement.

It "could be a useful drug in non-pregnant unvaccinated adults with Covid-19 who are at increased risk of severity including hospitalisation," he added.

Developed by US-based drug company Merck, Molnupiravir is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration against Covid-19.

India has also approved the drug amid rising cases of new Covid variant Omicron in India. An expert panel of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation recently approved the antiviral Molnupiravir for restricted use in emergency situations. The antiviral drug will be manufactured by 13 companies in India.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, Feb 14 : Madras High Court's acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari was on Monday sworn in as its 32'nd Chief Justice.

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office to Justice Bhandari in the presence of Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin.

After the swearing-in ceremony, state Advocate General, R. Shanmugasundaran welcomed the Chief Justice at an official function organised by the Registry on the High Court campus.

He said that the Chief Justice had given a patient hearing to the advocates while serving as the Acting Chief Justice and had got a high commendation from the bar for his expeditious disposal of cases and fair treatment to advocates.

The Chief Justice in his reply said that he was fortunate himself to be among the few to get a second welcome at the Madras High Court. He was referring to the welcome he received while taking charge as the Acting Chief Justice.

"What greater privilege can I seek than being the Chief Justice of Madras High Court, one of the greatest and leading institutions," he said, adding that he would do his best for delivering justice to the common man of the state.

He also said that he was aware of the problems faced by the Bar and that he would do his best to solve them and that he would always be accessible. The Chief Justice also called upon the Judges of the High Court and trial court judges to show more vigour to dispose of as many cases as possible.

Enrolled as an advocate in May 1980, he was elevated to a Judge in the Rajasthan High Court in July 2007. In March 2019, he was transferred to the Allahabad High Court. He was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court on November 22, 2021.
Bengaluru, Feb 14 : Karnataka Congress president D.K. Shivakumar on Monday criticised his party MLA B.Z. Zameer Khan for his "hijab will protect women from getting raped" remark, saying the party neither endorses nor agrees with the views expressed by the legislator.

Khan has stirred a controversy by stating that incidents of rape are on high in India and wearing hijab will protect women from getting raped. He made the remarks on Sunday night at Dharwad in Karnataka.

Defending his statement, Khan stated that he has expressed his personal opinion on the issue.

"The beauty of women is not supposed to be exposed. No one should set their eyes upon them. Muslim women have been wearing hijab since long ago," he said.

Shivakumar, however, said: "We will ask him not to issue any statements in this regard in future. We condemn those statements." Zameer, however, said he has not said anything for which he has to apologize.

"I have stated that hijab should be allowed. I have also said how a helmet (headgear) protects motorists, hijab keeps women safe," he retorted.

"I have not made any comments on women getting raped without hijab in the country. If the media is reporting something which I have not said, how can I be responsible?" He said that according to Islam, everyone should perform namaz five times a day but many don't do that. "If women wear hijab, the incidents of rape would come down," he said.

"Why there is an increase in rape cases in the country? It is because women are not behind purda (hijab). Women should wear hijab to conceal their beauty," he said.

Khan further said that wearing hijab is right of Muslim women.

"They are wearing hijab since hundreds of years. The ruling BJP is using students for political gains." Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the country is being observant on "how appropriate Khan's comments are".

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said: "He is provoking people." While BJP MLC Tejaswini Ramesh has demanded apology from Khan for his statements, Sri Ram Sene Founder Pramod Muthalik has suggested the Congress legislator "to mind his tongue before he talks anything".

"It is a distasteful statement insulting women," Muthalik said.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Multiple people were injured, some seriously, after a fight broke out between Muslim and Christian community members in Lahore on Monday over an argument regarding the construction of a wall in the neighbourhood, Express Tribune reported.

The incident happened in the Factory Area of the provincial capital. Soon after the clash was reported, a contingent of law enforcers, including SP, Cantonment, Essa Sukhera, reached the spot. The situation was brought under control and one individual was arrested.

The CCPO in Lahore also took notice of the incident.

Police sources said the cause of the incident was a local dispute and did not have any religious connection, the report said.
MBABANE  The Amapiano house music genre has proven to be a favourite amongst fun lovers.

The Yebo Yebo Fridays at XChange Lounge and Shisanyama featured Amapiano producer, King Zeph for the first time in the kingdom. It is worth noting that he is the producer behind Illa Penboys Matatazela song which he is yet to release featuring Umsebenzi Wethu vocalist, Lady Du. Fun lovers started packing the venue after 10pm while local deejays gave out exhilarating sets. This included DJ Spice who had two sets on the night as he played amapiano.

Act

Other deejays who thrilled fun lovers who had attended the show included DJ Khwanny, DJ Maye and Hip Hop maestro Master P who played just after the main act. Having performed for the first time on Friday, King Zeph brought along his drummer, John Cindi, who showcased his drumming skills as the Denzel Washington hitmaker played his set. His set started at1am and the wait was worth it as the balcony was full of revellers who danced the night away in appreciation for the music played. In an interview with one of the deejays who played on the night DJ Spice, he said, I honestly enjoyed King Zephs performance. It really exceeded my expectations as I only knew two of his songs but I really enjoyed the music. Illa Penboy also said he was happy that the entertainer from South Africa finally performed. He thanked locals that have supported the Yebo Yebo themed shows and said more shows were yet to come.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Supreme Court, which has, on several occasions, emphasised that a uniform agreement is in larger public interest, on Monday told the Central government to examine if rules were adopted by state governments in connection with developing a model builder-buyer agreement.

A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant appointed advocate Devashish Bharuka as amicus curiae in the matter.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, contended that statutory rules have been framed and notified by many state governments, barring West Bengal and some states in the NorthEast region.

After hearing arguments in the matter, the top court directed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, to scrutinise, if there was deviation in the rules framed by the Centre and state governments.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for the petitioner advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, urged the top court to pass a direction for a minimum set of guidelines for the protection of the consumers.

The bench said ASG Bhati, who has suggested this course of action, states that all necessary facilities will be granted to the amicus curiae in coordination with the Union Ministry of Housing and sought a report in the matter.

Bhati submitted that the model builder-buyer agreement has already been circulated and adopted and it was also mentioned in the counter-affidavit filed by the Centre.

On January 17, the Supreme Court had told the Centre that it does not favour individual state governments to have a builder-buyer agreement, and rather prefers a national-level model agreement, to deter builders from fleecing unwitting homebuyers.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair, in an affidavit, said: "It is submitted that the prayer against answering respondent is infructuous, as there is a robust regulatory mechanism and draft 'agreement for sale' has already been prescribed under the provisions of RERA which seeks to balance the rights and interest of homebuyers and promoters in an accountable and transparent manner." The top court was hearing a PIL by Upadhyay, to protect home buyers from exploitative practices by the real estate developers. The plea sought a direction to the Centre to frame model builder-buyer and agent-buyer agreements to ensure uniformity across the country.

Upadhyay's plea claimed that the root cause of hardships caused to the petitioner is the agreement of sale and construction, which is manifestly one-sided and does not place the homebuyer on an equal platform as a promoter. The plea said that neither did the Central government enforce the 'model builder buyer agreement' in the spirit of RERA nor did the state governments take action against promoters.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to submit its balance sheet, along with bank accounts details, by February 17 on an execution petition filed by Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL) seeking enforcement of an arbitration award of Rs 6,208 crore in favour of the Reliance Infrastructure's subsidiary.

A bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait also asked both the parties to file their written submissions and slated further hearing in the matter for February 17.

Senior advocate Parag Tripathi, appeared on behalf of DMRC, submitted that the DMRC has already paid Rs 1,000 crore and only about Rs 3,305 crore is remaining now.

He also said around Rs 6,000 crore is lying in various accounts of the DMRC, but is meant for various metro rail projects in the national capital as well as projects in Patna and Maharashtra.

Countering the argument, DAMEPL's counsel Rakesh Kumar Khanna argued that the DMRC is owned by the Central government and the Delhi government, and the submission that the government does not have the money to pay the arbitration award cannot be accepted.

The DAMEPL had recently filed a fresh application requesting the High Court to direct the DMRC to deposit Rs 6,208 crore available in its accounts into the project escrow account without any delay. It had rejected any out-of-court negotiations or assignment of debt.

The DAMEPL says that it wants the execution of arbitral award at the earliest and is not agreeable to any alternate proposal from DMRC. It had also maintained the same position in the Supreme Court, in the last hearing on January 24.

The Supreme Court, in its January 24 order, had stated: "The parties are directed to appear before the High Court on January 31, 2022 and seek for advancing the date of hearing. We request the High Court to take up the matter at the earliest and dispose of the application without any further delay, as consequences of the pendency of the said application are detrimental to the interest of the petitioner as well as respondent." Pursuant to this SC order, the DAMEPL's fresh application requested the Delhi High Court to fix an early date in the first week of February for the final hearing and disposal of the execution petition.

The DAMEPL, in its plea, has stated that the non-payment of termination fee since 2013 by the DMRC has caused immense damage to it and its promoter company, Reliance Infrastructure Ltd.

Reliance Infrastructure had infused Rs 2,513 crore to the DAMEPL by taking loans from the public sector banks, and the banks have initiated proceedings for liquidation against the company. Any further delay in satisfying the arbitral award will result in irreversible consequences for the DAMEPL and Reliance Infrastructure Ltd, it argued.

The delay in satisfying the arbitral award is adding an incremental daily interest of Rs 1.76 crore per day on the DMRC and this amount cumulatively comes to Rs 260 crore, for the period from September 10, 2021 to January 31, 2021.

The DAMEPL had filed an execution petition in the Delhi HC on September 12, 2021, seeking direction to DMRC for honouring the SC order and paying the dues.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Amid threats from Khalistani and Pakistan supported terror outfits, the Centre has decided to deploy a large number of security forces in Punjab for the forthcoming Assembly elections scheduled on February 20.

According to sources in the security set up, around 455 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will be deployed in the border state, and the process of deployment has already begun.

This would be in addition to Punjab police personnel who will be responsible for managing the law and order situation in the state.

The sources also said that over 200 companies have already reached Punjab for election duty, while the rest of the forces will be deployed in the state latest by February 16.

The 455 companies of paramilitary forces include 150 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 162 companies of Border Security Force (BSF), 80 companies of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and companies from other paramilitary forces such as Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The sources also said that the paramilitary forces deployed in Uttarakhand for the Assembly polls there will be diverted to Punjab. The single-phase polling in Uttarakhand was held on Monday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the DGs of CAPFs to appoint a nodal officer in each force who will be coordinating with the state authorities for force deployment.

Meanwhile, the BSF has stepped up security on the western border and the frequency of border patrolling has been increased.

The MHA has also asked the security forces to keep 50 companies of CRPF, BSF and ITBP on standby, which may be deployed in Punjab if needed.
London, Feb 14 : Initially touted as a laboratory error, a hybrid of Omicron and Delta strain called 'Deltacron' may be real.

Health officials in the UK have identified a patient diagnosed with both Delta and Omicron at the same time, according to the UK Health Security Agency's weekly variant surveillance report.

However, the agency noted it is not clear if it was imported or originated in Britain, the Daily Mail reported.

The UKHSA officials also don't know how infectious or severe the newly-evolved virus is or whether it will impact vaccine performance.

A source at the UKHSA insisted officials were "not concerned" by the variant because case numbers are "low", the report said.

The agency has also not revealed how many times it has been spotted.

According to Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, it "shouldn't pose too much of a threat" because the UK has huge levels of immunity against the original Delta and Omicron strains.

"So at the moment I'm not overly worried at the moment. If both Delta and Omicron are falling then, in theory, this (variant) should struggle to take off," he was quoted as saying.

Deltacron as first reported from Cyprus last month, but was later dismissed and put down to sample contamination.

Several "recombinant" variants have been detected in the pandemic, but they have not led to any serious outbreaks.

Scientists say it is "rare" for these to occur, but when they do the variant is normally "less fit" than its rivals and easily outcompeted.

Deltacron "will have shared antigens from both Delta and Omicron and we already have high levels of immunity to those", Hunter said.

"So in theory it should not pose too much of a threat. But nobody can predict everything with certainty, but at the moment I am not overly worried," he noted.
Hyderabad, Feb 14 : A day after Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao came out openly in defence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, there was a war of words between the former's daughter K. Kavitha and Congress MP Manickam Tagore on who should get the credit for the formation of Telangana state.

Kavitha, a member of Telangana state legislative council, tweeted that Telangana was not a gift and it was achieved by the people's movement under the leadership of Chandrasekhar Rao.

Kavitha, stated this in response to a tweet by Congress leader Manickam Tagore, who is in-charge of the party affairs in Telangana.

Tagore had described Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) as chameleon and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as communal. He termed them as two sides of the same coin. The Congress leader said the party will continue to work for a Telangana which millions of Telangana youth wanted which Sonia Gandhi wanted. "In 7 years it never happeneda to make that happen, we need to defeat the chameleon TRS & communal BJP. Both are 2 sides of the same coin. Congress can & will," he wrote.

"Just setting the record state Manickam Ji once and for all. KCR Garu and TRS Party led people's movement for Telangana, it was not a gift. It was a fight and truth won," responded Kavitha.

The Congress MP then hit back at Kavitha reminding her that Telangana wasn't a one leader movement. "It was a people's movement. Everyone stood hand in hand and fought for it. But it was Sonia Amma's resolve that made a million dream's possible. Recently Modiji blamed Congress for creation of Telangana. Don't forget," he said.

Tagore also reminded Kavitha that her father called Sonia Gandhi 'Amma of Telangana' but changed his words and supported BJP in all the anti people decisions like land bill, GST, demonetization, Rafale and CAA for seven years.

"Again yesterday, he changed his stand, How can we believe he won't change his stand again?" the Congress leader asked. "Congress will never change its stand on BJP as communal politics," he added.

KCR at his news conference on Sunday had slammed Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma for his offensive remarks against Rahul Gandhi for demanding proof of surgical strikes and demanded his dismissal.

The TRS chief also defended Rahul Gandhi over Rafale deal and announced that he will approach the Supreme Court over the massive corruption.
Chennai, Feb 14 : Senior photo journalist and Chief of Bureau of the Chennai branch of news agency United News of India (UNI), T. Kumar (56), was found dead inside the office on Sunday night.

According to a UNI staffer, Kumar, who was also UNI's in-charrge for Tamil Nadu, was found hanging in his office on Sunday night. It is believed that he committed suicide.

It has been learnt that Kumar was in the process of arranging his daughter's marriage, and he was facing financial problems owing to long pending salaries.

Sources told IANS that UNI staffers have not been paid full salaries and only part payments were made at intervals for the past several years.

An affable Kumar joined UNI as a photographer and rose to head the city branch of the news agency.

Condoling Kumar's death, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said that he has ordered payment of solatium of Rs 3 lakh to Kumar's family as a special case considering his family situation.

"The UNI should immediately pay its staff their full salaries and the labour department should ensure the same," said Bharathi Thamizhan, Joint Secretary, Madras Press Club.

It is learnt that Kumar had applied for a loan of Rs 1 lakh against his salary dues for the treatment of his wife who had met with an accident, but only Rs 25,000 was sanctioned.

It is also said that Kumar's loan application for his daughter's wedding was not sanctioned by his employer.

"It is extremely painful and tragic that we lost a colleague in such a manner. We all are in a state of shock," Ajay Kaul, Editor-in-Chief, UNI, told IANS.

"There is no denying that UNI has been going through financial distress and we are making earnest efforts to address the situation," Kaul added.
Jaipur, Feb 14 : Amid the Opposition seeking a CBI probe into the Rajasthan Eligibility Entrance Test (REET) scam, Rajasthan Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal on Monday said the Special Operation Group (SOC) is capable of conducting an impartial probe.

"The Opposition should have full faith in its investigation," the Minister said, while replying on behalf of the Home Minister at a special discussion on the REET scam in the Assembly.

He said the Opposition has not given any such fact that proves that the probe of SOG is going into the wrong direction.

"If the SOG is not investigating properly, then only the demand of the opposition would have been justified," Dhariwal said.

He told the Assembly that the Opposition wants an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the REET case so that "the CBI comes here and seals the Board Office, Strong Room etc. and goes back to Delhi and the entire recruitment process is stopped".

Dhariwal said that when the Opposition was in power, then too, the paper leak cases were given to the SOG.

"When 25 cases of the paper leak were lodged during the time of opposition, then why did they give the investigation to SOG and not to CBI?" The cases of RAS-2014, RJS-2014, LDC-2014 and seven examinations of the University of Rajasthan were given to SOG.

There was a deadlock in Assembly after a two-hour debate on REET scam as the BJP MLAs moved towards the Well after Shanti Dhariwal's reply.

Following the uproar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators boycotted the proceedings of for the day.

After Dhariwal rejected the CBI inquiry demand, the BJP legislators objected. After his reply, Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathod said that the Parliamentary Affairs Minister was "misleading".

Later, the BJP MLAs came to the Well demanding a CBI probe and started raising slogans.

On Tuesday evening, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will reply to the debate on the Governor's address.

In his reply, Gehlot will answer the issue raised by BJP regarding REET.
Gandhinagar, Feb 14 : Amid decline in the new Covid cases in Gujarat, the state government on Monday decided to allow Anganwadi centres, pre-schools and kindergarten to re-open from Thursday (February 17), officials said.

"Chief minister Bhupendra Patel took the decision to re-open them.... For the first time in the last two years of the pandemic, pre-schools and anganwadis will be re-opened," Gujarat Education Minister Jitu Vaghani said.

The state on Sunday reported 1,274 Covid-19 cases and 13 deaths, raising its tally to 12,15,290 and the toll to 10,808. As per the state health department, Gujarat had 14,211 active cases as of Sunday.

All the educational institutions were asked to stop conducting offline classes at their premises after March 2020 as the Covid-induced lockdown was imposed in Gujarat.

However, as the situation improved over time, the state government has allowed schools and colleges to resume offline classes but pre-schools and Anganwadis (rural child care centres) remained shut.

"From February 17, these institutions can start imparting education at their premises by following the SOPs issued earlier. Officials handling Anganwadi operations and owners of pre-school classes need to make necessary arrangements to restart the education," the Education Minister said.

"The state government is preparing an action plan to overcome the issue of children facing loss in the academic years as they will take admission in standard 1 without getting any pre-school education," the minister said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Two persons who were involved in duping people through matrimonial websites have been arrested from Delhi and Greater Noida, Delhi Police said on Monday.

The accused were identified as Huidrom Premjit Singh and Happy Jamesh Okhomina.

DCP, Southeast, Esha Pandey said on February 10, a woman lodged a complaint at the cyber police station stating that she has been duped of Rs 60,000 in the pretext of paying custom clearance by a person impersonating a foreigner and expressing willingness to marry her.

The victim disclosed that she met him on a matrimonial site.

"One day, she got a call from her friend that the accused was coming to meet her but he was stuck at the Chhatrapati Shivaji terminal as he was not having Indian currency to pay custom duty for carrying a parcel worth Rs 50 lakh. She was asked to pay Rs 60,000 on the pretext of releasing the detained parcel," the DCP said.

The complainant paid that amount but didn't get anything in return. She tried to contact but he switched off his phone and hadn't made any contact with her since then.

A case under section 420 of the IPC was registered at cyber police station and investigation taken up.

A police team analysed the details of bank account in which the money was being transferred and after following the financial trail, the accused was arrested from Kishangarh area of Vasant Kunj in Delhi.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he had given ATM card to a person residing in Noida. On his instance, Nigerian national Okhomina, a resident of Greater Noida was arrested after a raid at his residence.

Police recovered two mobile phones from their possession.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC), Athar Minallah, has said that the state seems to be involved in the disappearance of hundreds of dissidents, given the proliferation of internment camps across the country, Friday Times reported.

During a hearing on Monday regarding missing journalist Mudassir Naru as well as other missing persons, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Qasim Wudood denied the chief justice's claim, saying that the state had 'no such policy' and confirmed that at least 800 people were recorded as missing.

In response, counsel Inam Rahim refuted the AAG's estimates, claiming that more than 2,250 people have gone missing across the country, and the bodies of 221 missing persons have already been returned to their families.

Wudood said that the matter has been presented before the cabinet, which will meet on Tuesday, in particular the case of missing person Maira Saijid, whose case has been placed before the cabinet, the report said.

The counsel also said that the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances should investigate these missing persons' cases.

The IHC directed the Commission to submit a report on the matter at the next hearing on February 28. It also requested the terms of reference for the same Commission.

Mudassir Naru is a writer, poet and journalist, who went missing in August 2018 while on vacation with his family in Kaghan.

In 2021, his wife died in her sleep, leaving the couple's only son, who is four years old, with his grandparents. Naru's whereabouts remain unknown, the report said.
KAKHOZA  Basic sanitation is crucial for human beings, but this is not the case at KaKhoza, where tenants of about 37 rented flats are without a toilet.

As a result, some tenants end up relieving themselves in plastic bags, which they then dispose at a nearby dumpsite, posing a serious health hazard. This has been a huge cause for concern to tenants and neighbours who reside around the area. Other tenants travel as far as about 3km to the lone public toilet situated in the area. Others have shared that they have to wait until the next day to get to work and relieve themselves. KaKhoza is an informal peri-urban settlement outside the commercial heart of Manzini. It has grown as a result of people flocking to the hub of Eswatini in search for job opportunities.

Employment

As employment is hard to get, the area is one of the most crime-infested and it is still not considered the safest place to wander around, especially at night, or let alone settle in. It is a lively neighbourhood where people live their lives in rural fashion. Some houses are built with stick-and-mud, although there is a rising number of modern houses. Meanwhile, the 37 houses, which are estimated to be occupied about 148 people in total, as there are tenants who live with their children and extended families, consist of one and two-roomed houses made out of bricks. Some houses are not plastered with cement while others are. The houses are said to be always occupied due to the affordable rental, which is E350 per room for a house without electricity and E450 for those that are electrified.

According to a tenant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, they once had a toilet which got damaged. He said but its been close to a year now since they last had their own ablution facility as the pit latrine they used collapsed as a result of being full. The tenant said tenants opted to use plastic bags because it was the only convenient solution as they could easily dispose of it. Worth noting is that the use of plastic bags has been discouraged in the country, through a viable government campaign dubbed, Phatsa Sakho.

Plastic

The campaign encourages the elimination of plastic bags because they start out as fossil fuels and end up as deadly waste. Another tenant who lives with her boyfriend and three children disclosed that they used a bucket to urinate in and then when the need to relieve themselves came, they used plastic bags. This is normal to us because we have been doing this for a long time now, she said. The tenant was asked if she knew what impact this had on the environment and she said all she knew was that they had managed to survive through such an arrangement. A resident in the area complained that this was frustrating because the dumpsite was now reeking and there was infestation of flies.

Children

Our children constantly get sick from this and there is nothing we can really do about it because no one regulates this place. We have no choice but to reprimand our children from playing outside, but you know how these young ones are, the neighbour said. Meanwhile, a woman who was identified as Make Simelane, an overseer who is responsible for the houses in the absence of the landlord, said there was a toilet that was made out of corrugated iron sheets, which tenants used in the interim. She mentioned that the challenge with this toilet was that tenants relieved themselves on the floor and left it in a horrible state. It is not true that there is no toilet. We have a toilet which is used by the tenants. However, due to that we live with people from different backgrounds, you find that they are careless in using the toilet, Simelane said. Make Simelane claimed that she would thoroughly clean the toilet but tenants would make the toilets dirty within a split second. She said even if she would suggest that the toilets be cleaned in turns, tenants would refuse as they would say they paid rent.

Sunken

However, when this publication went to inspect the place, it was discovered that the toilet which Simelane had said was still operational was old and had sunken in as a result of being filled with human waste. It was evident that the toilet had not been used for a long time as there was some old waste, disposable nappies, as well as used sanitary pads that were thrown on the floor inside the toilet. Simelane still maintained that the toilet was in use. This reporter was shown another structure which Make Simelane said was being built but collapsed after the recent rains. She highlighted that what was required was for the bricks to be retrieved from the pit of the toilet so that the reconstruction of the toilet could resume.

The overseer was skeptical in this reporter calling the landlord about this matter. She said he (landlord) was sickly and she could not immediately inform him about the collapse of the new toilet structure. Simelane said she had to be careful in how she would inform the landlord to protect him from being stressed. When he was called, his phone was off. He was last called on Saturday at 7pm and his phone was still off.
Kolkata, Feb 14 : In a major step towards normalcy, the West Bengal government on Monday announced to reopen primary and upper primary schools from February 16, after a gap of nearly two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the fresh set of Covid restrictions announced by the state government, it has been mentioned that primary and upper primary schools will start functioning from Wednesday. The state government has also said that all Angnawadi centres will also reopen from the same day.

However, the state government has asked the school education department to formulate a detailed design regarding the mechanism of reopening of schools. Few days back, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had asked the state education department to think about the reopening schools.

"The higher classes and colleges have been opened and now we need to think about the opening of primary sections. We can also think of starting classes with 50 per cent students. We need to speak to the school authorities whether the classes can be held on alternative days," the Chief Minister had said.

"The state education department has been asked to submit a detailed design of the mechanism. It is working on the same and the schools will be informed within a short period of yime," a senior government official said.

The state government has already reopened secondary and higher secondary schools from February and there was pressure to open lower sections of schools.

Considering the poor condition of school education, even Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee had asked the state government to reopen schools at the earliest.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested four criminals -- belonging to the Kala Jathedi-Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate, who had committed a series of murders in Delhi, Rohtak and Ambala within a span of 22 days, an official said on Monday.

The arrested individuals were identified as Aakash a.k.a. Gitti a.k.a. Balhamiya (24), a resident of Rohini, Delhi; Pankaj a.k.a. Panku (25), a resident of district Rohtak, Haryana; Amit Badhwar a.k.a. Mitta (24), a resident of Sonipat, Haryana; and Rohit Dalal (18), a resident of Jhajjar, Haryana.

All were arrested on Sunday in the national capital.

Furnishing details about the background of the operation, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Counter Intelligence Unit (Special Cell), Manishi Chandra said the sensational murder of Pramod Bajad on January 27, in Alipur, Delhi, by bike born assailants had shattered the peace of the locality.

"The Special Cell analysed every possible technical identifier pertaining to the incident which led to the understanding that the assassins of Pramod were someone, who, in fact, were on a killing spree," the DCP said.

He said that common selectors were noticed corresponding to the brutal murder of one Jagdev alias Jugnu on January 6 at Jal Ghar, Sheetal Nagar, Rohtak, and a sub-set of the same group of selectors was found to be active during a sensational double murder carried out on January 20 in Ambala where Mohit Rana and Vishal alias Bhola were shot dead by assailants who were travelling in an Ford Ecosport car.

The police began keeping tab on the known communication patterns of gangsters Goldy Brar (suspected to be operating out of Canada) and Kala Rana a.k.a. Tiger (suspected to be operating out of Thailand).

These two are the key handlers of the assassins who were working for the Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Jathedi syndicate which had, of late, taken under their wings, Delhi's top deceased gangster Jitendra Gogi and his underlings.

According to the official, the murder of Pramod was to weaken Neeraj Bawana, who has joined ranks with another gangster Sunil alias Tillu Tajpur, the arch-rival of deceased Jitendra Gogi.

"The most alarming thing was that different actors involved in three brutal killings were, in fact, roaming in and around Delhi only," the police officer said.

A three-day intensive mapping of select Metro stations across the length and breadth of Delhi which resembled the movement patterns was done.

Three separate FIRs under relevant sections have been registered in the matter.

Further investigation is in progress, the police officer said.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : Ladakh Lt Governor R.K. Mathur on Monday called on Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed various administrative and developmental issues.

He thanked the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the aegis of Union Science & Technology Ministry for promoting 'Leh Berry', the food product of the cold desert and also a means of wide-ranging entrepreneurship as well as self-livelihood.

Singh welcomed the Ladakh Administration's decision to start commercial plantation of "Leh Berry" from April-May. He said that CSIR will also develop harvesting machinery to be used by local farmers and self-help groups, as currently only 10 per cent of the berry is being extracted from the wild sea buckthorn plant.

Mathur also said that commercial cultivation of three medicinal plants will begin this spring season at the height of above 15,000 feet. This also includes 'Sanjeevni Booty', locally known as 'Sola', which has very high life-saving and therapeutic properties.

He also said that snow sculpture will be introduced in Ladakh in a big way from winter season as a tourist attraction, and will also create job opportunities for the locals. Once this art is stabilised, Ladakh will start the Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in coming years, he added.

During the meeting, the Minister told the LG that the Department of Atomic Energy will set up facilities in the UT for gamma irradiation technology for preservation and shelf life extension of fruits and vegetables and congratulated him for the huge quantities of apricot exported to Dubai for the first time.

He also said that a high level team of senior scientists from CSIR will visit Ladakh this summer to evaluate the zinc fortification project for Pashmina Goats, Sheep and Yak as Ladakh is mainly an Animal-based economy.

The CSIR is also contemplating to start a geo-thermal energy project for warming and cooling systems in a Zero-net energy programme by linking it with solar power.

Singh also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives high priority to the youth of Ladakh and sanctioned a new university, professional colleges and other institutions while opening Zojila Pass is a huge relief for the local population.

Mathur thanked the Minister for having responded to the Union Territory's request for training of officers and staff by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), which already conducted two extensive training sessions. He also requested for posting of more number of Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories Cadre officers in Ladakh in view of the new Centrally-sponsored projects and schemes having been initiated.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Supreme Court on Monday said 70 per cent postgraduate seats in Christian Medical College Vellore for academic session 2021-22, should be made from Tamil Nadu's list of Christian minority students.

A bench headed by Justice L. Nageswara Rao, however, said that its order is only for the purpose of admissions for 2021-22 and cannot not be treated as a precedent.

The bench also comprising Justice B.R. Gavai said: "70 percent of admissions shall be made from a list of Christian minority students prepared by the state of Tamil Nadu." It clarified that this list should be prepared based on the marks scored in NEET-PG exam.

The top court was hearing an interim application filed by CMC Vellore in connection with an apex court order passed on January 19 this year. The college informed the top court that postgraduate students for the academic session 2022-2023 would be filled from the minority merit list prepared by the Tamil Nadu government.

The top court made it clear that the college will fill the remaining 30 per cent seats at the postgraduate level in compliance with the procedure followed in the previous academic year.

During the hearing, the top court said there should not any discrimination with those students who have completed five years, and emphasized that students should not be forced to move the court. "All these years, admissions have been done smoothly, let them be done smoothly this year." The top court further added that students hailing from other states, who have completed their MBBS at the college, should be treated as residents on the basis of the prevalent procedure.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan appeared for the medical college and Additional Advocate General Amit Anand Tiwari represented the Tamil Nadu government.

The medical college, in its plea, submitted that the allotment of students for postgraduate courses should be made from the all-India merit list and not the list prepared by the Tamil nadu government.
Amaravati, Feb 14 : With the number of Covid-19 cases coming down in Andhra Pradesh, the state government on Monday decided to lift the night curfew.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy held a review meeting on the prevailing situation of Covid-19. As the positivity rate and the number of cases have come down, it was decided to lift the night curfew.

During the review meeting, he said that Covid precautions must be taken at all times, especially in the public and commercial spaces, by wearing masks. He directed the authorities to continue the fever survey and told them to conduct tests for those with symptoms. The Chief Minister also stressed the need to achieve 100 percent vaccination.

The officials informed him that only 794 patients are getting treated in hospitals while the total number of active cases in the state has come down to 18,929. The positivity rate has also fallen to 3.29 per cent from 17.07 per cent and there were zero cases in 9,581 village/wards secretariats.

On the vaccination front, the officials said that 3,90,83,148 people have been administered two doses of vaccination, and 39,04,927 were given a single dose. While the target for the precautionary doses is 15,02,841, and so far 11,84,608 people have been vaccinated. They informed that 96.7 per cent of vaccination was completed in the above 45 year age group and similarly 90.07 per cent vaccination was done in people between 18-44 age group. For teens between 15-18 years, 24.41 lakh have been administered with a single dose of vaccine, while 12.48 lakh have received their second dose of vaccine.

Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the authorities to complete the entire recruitments in the Medical and Health Department at the earliest, ensuring that all the hospitals are enabled with proper workforce with zero vacancies. He instructed the officials to separate both administrative and medical responsibilities in hospitals and hand over the administrative work to those having expertise in that field.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister announced special incentives to specialist doctors and doctors working in tribal areas. In this context, the officials stated that 50 per cent of the basic salary can be given as an incentive to specialist doctors and similarly for doctors, 30 per cent of the basic pay can be given as a special incentive.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Delhi Police on Monday said it has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the incident of alleged rape of an 87-year-old woman at her residence in the national capital's Tilak Nagar area.

According to the police, a written complaint of theft of mobile phone from a house in Tilak Nagar was received from the daughter of a senior citizen on Sunday after which an FIR was registered. However, the complainant on Monday reported that the senior citizen of the house, where the theft took place, was also allegedly raped.

"Today, sexual assault has been further alleged by the complainant and subsequently, relevant sections of law have been added to the FIR and investigation taken up," the police informed.

Sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 376 (punishment for rape) were the latest charges added to the FIR.

It further said that the victim is being provided counselling and all necessary assistance.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) also took note of the incident and termed it a 'very serious matter'.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal has asked the police to submit a copy of the FIR registered in the matter, details of the accused identified and person(s) arrested in the matter; and a detailed action report in the matter.

"If no accused has been arrested in the matter, please provide the reasons for the same. Detailed action taken report in the matter," the notice issued to the Delhi Police read.

Considering the gravity of the matter, the police was asked to submit this information by February 17.

As per the data accessed by IANS till October, 2021, crime against women in the national capital continues to show an upward trajectory, compared to 2020's data.

As per data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) four months ago, Delhi recorded the highest number of crimes against women among all the metropolitan cities of the country.

According to the data compiled by the Delhi Police, 1,725 women were allegedly raped till October 31, 2021 in the city. In 2020, 1,429 women had to face the heinous crime till the same period.

Comparing the data with 2020, there was a 20 per cent increase in the rate of crimes in 2021.

In 2020, the total number of crimes against women stood at 7,948 which in 2021 increased to 11,527. In total, the crime against women increased by a massive 45 per cent in the national capital in the first 10 months of 2021.
Goa: Voters stand in a queue to cast their votes at a polling booth, during the Goa Assembly Election, at Junta House in Panaji, Goa on February 14, 2022. (Photo: PIB/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Goa: Voters show mark of indelible ink after casting their votes at a polling booth, during the Goa Assembly Election, at Junta House in Panaji, Goa on February 14, 2022. (Photo: PIB/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Panaji, Feb 14 : After brisk early voting which saw more than a quarter (26.63 per cent) of the state's eligible voters turning out to exercise their franchise in the first four hours, poll authorities in Goa on Monday said that 78.94 per cent (provisional figure) voters cast their votes in the Assembly elections, which were held over a single phase.

According to Chief Electoral Officer Kunal, 79.84 per cent voting was reported in the North Goa district while 78.15 per cent voting was reported in the South Goa district.

The highest voting percentage was recorded at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's Assembly constituency in Sanquelim, where 89.64 per cent voters cast their ballot, while the lowest turnout was reported in the Benaulim Assembly constituency, which reported a turnout of 70.20 per cent.

"These are temporary figures which we have received over phone and SMS from the polling officials. The figures are likely to go up as the final numbers come out and the postal ballots are counted on counting day," Kunal said.

Barring minor incidents and small verbal clashes between two opposing groups, voting was largely peaceful in the coastal state.

"Polling was very peaceful and there were no incidents of violence. A total of 38 calls were received concerning minor violations of the Model Code of Conduct and minor disputes," said Inspector General of Police, Rajesh Kumar.

"Five FIRs have been registered, including against two persons who clicked photos of the EVM when they were voting and uploaded them on social media," the police official said.

Fifty-five companies of paramilitary forces, apart from nearly 5,000 Goa Police personnel, were involved in maintaining law and order in the state on polling day, he added.

Kunal said that 14 control units, 80 ballot units and 12 VVPAT units had to be replaced on election day due to complaints of malfunctioning.

A total of 11,56,464 voters were eligible to cast their votes in the state, spread over 1,722 polling stations with 301 candidates in the fray.

Contesting political parties have expressed confidence of winning the polls.

"We are contesting 40 seats and we are confident that going by the kind of work we have done, we will form the government with a full majority. I will win Sanquelim with a lead of 4,000 votes," Chief Minister Sawant said.

Leader of Opposition and former Congress Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, on the contrary, claimed that the BJP would be reduced to single digits when the results are announced on March 10.

"The CM says 22 in 2022. If they get eight, it will be more than enough. Their reverse countdown has begun. The response is very good and the response is decisively for the Congress," Kamat said.

The election campaign was marked by bitter acrimony between the traditional rivals, the Congress and the BJP, with the relatively new entrants to Goa's political scene, the Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress and the Revolutionary Goans nipping at the heels of the two main political outfits.

One of the sideshows of the elections was the internal rebellion within the ruling BJP, which saw former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar and former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar contesting as Independent candidates after the BJP denied them tickets.
Nagpur, Feb 14 : In an important decision, the Maharashtra government on Monday announced to undertake a comprehensive study to help determine the phasing down of coal-fired power plants in a systematic manner.

"We will undertake a comprehensive study to determine how ageing and polluting coal-fired power plants may be phased down in a systematic manner. An audit of all power plants in Maharashtra for pollution control measures will be conducted. Thermal power plants not meeting the prescribed standards will face decisive action," said Aaditya Thackeray, who's the state's Environment Minister.

He announced this after visiting Nandgaon that has been facing adverse impact due to thermal plant and ash pond located near the Khaparkheda Thermal Power Station (KTPS).

The decision by the Maharashtra government is significant given that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, during the Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last November, declared a Net Zero target by 2070.

Considering the growing need for energy, India had insisted on 'phasing down' coal consumption rather than 'phasing out', much to the chagrin of the richer, developed countries.

Of Maharashtra's current installed capacity of 13,602 MW, coal-fired thermal power accounts for as high as 75 per cent or 10,170 MW, according to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO) statistics.

The state-owned thermal power stations include Chandrapur, Koradi, Khaperkheda, Nashik, Parli, Bhusawal and Paras.

Thackeray said that he visited Nandgaon, near Nagpur, after receiving multiple complaints from the local people, especially women, and declared that the ash pond be restored to its original state within 15 days.

He also announced that the ash bunds at Nandgaon and Waregaon, another place nearby, would be permanently shut.

He added that pollution control measures, including installation of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) for air pollution, will be set up at all the power plants across the state, starting with Koradi-Khaperkheda.

"We will ensure 100 per cent fly ash utilisation as per Central government norms. The fly ash will also be used for infrastructure projects," he said.

The residents of Nandgaon hailed the decision.

"I applaud the minister's decision to halt ash disposal at Nandgaon. My biggest fear remains the flooding that this ash bund is causing in our community and on the fields. People whose farms are outside the ash bund are all affected. For a long time, the entire community has been in misery," said Sonali Manoj Varkhade, the sarpanch of Nandgaon.

Leena Buddhe from the Centre for Sustainable Development that had conducted a water pollution study with Manthan Adhyayan Kendra and Asar recommending an immediate halt to the discharge of pollutants from the power plants and ash ponds, accompanied Thackeray during his visit to Nandgaon.

"What happened in Nandgaon is historic as no minster had ever taken such a strong stand against power plants causing pollution," Buddhe said.
Bengaluru, Feb 14 : Pardeep Narwal was once again the hero for U.P. Yoddha as they beat Dabang Delhi K.C. 44-28 in match 117 of Pro Kabaddi League Season 8 at the Sheraton Grand, Whitefield, here on Monday. Narwal scored a Super 10 (14 points) as Yoddha controlled the match from the beginning to the end.

The win helped Yoddha climb to third on the table with a match remaining in their league stages. U.P. Yoddha now have a total of 63 points from 21 games and are firm favourites for a slot in the playoff stages.

Delhi missed out on an opportunity to go closer to a Top 2 finish with the loss. They will also be sweating about Naveen Kumar's fitness after the star raider picked up an injury in the first half.

The first half was a cagey affair with Delhi and U.P. matching fire with fire. Narwal tried his level best to give his Yoddha team a lead only for the Delhi defenders to pounce on him. Delhi raider Naveen Kumar suffered the same fate at the other end of the match.

At the end of the first 10 minutes, the scores were tied 7-7. And that continued to be the case at the end of the 16th minute with the scores again level at 10-10. The balance finally shifted when a surprising review from Delhi exposed that 3 of their defenders had followed Narwal into the lobby without a touch. U.P. used that momentum to push for an all-out and got it with the last move of the first half. The scores were 18-12 at the interval with Yoddha in the lead.

Naveen Kumar was substituted for Manjeet in the second half presumably due to an injury. The substitute was impressive with his raids as Delhi pressed hard to level the scores. But their experienced defence kept leaking unnecessary points to the likes of Surender Gill and Pardeep Narwal.

The team from U.P. had a 7-point advantage after the first 10 minutes of the second half. The match continued to remain a low-scoring encounter with very few multi-point raids.

Narwal clinched his Super 10 as Yoddha got their second all-out with eight minutes remaining. That opened a 10-point lead and the U.P. raiders slowed the speed of their raids to kill time.

With Naveen on the bench, Delhi lacked the raiding prowess to challenge U.P. Yoddha. Narwal's raids helped the team open a massive 15-point lead with three minutes remaining. They got another all-out with two minutes remaining and went on to seal an important win in their race for a playoff spot.
Shillong, Feb 14 : The Congress' top leadership on Monday approved the state unit's proposal to suspend its remaining five MLAs who unilaterally extended their support to the BJP-backed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, while keeping the party's Central and state leaders in the dark.

Congress' Meghalaya President Vincent H. Pala, who had earlier recommended to the party high command the five legislators be suspended, informed the media of his recommendation's acceptance Pala, the MP from the Shillong parliamentary constituency, said that the MLAs would be asked to explain why they joined the National People's Party-led MDA government, of which the BJP is an alliance partner.

"Along with the suspension order, show-cause notices would be served to them for their response, within 10 days, as to whether they would come out of the government or remain part of it," he said, adding that the party may reconsider its decision if the five MLAs pull out of the coalition.

Pala also said that the party is strongly against the MLAs' decision.

The five MLAs, led by legislature party leader Ampareen Lyngdoh, had announced plans to join the NPP-led MDA government on February 8. The four other are Mayralborn Syiem, Mohendro Rapsang, P.T. Sawkmie and Kimfa Marbaniang.

After their suspension, they held a closed-door meeting in Shillong on Monday but Lyngdoh has refused to divulge the details of the meeting.

"The five Congress MLAs have decided to support the MDA government for the development of Meghalaya," she had told the media earlier.

After 12 Congress MLAs led by former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma joined the Trinamool Congress on November 24 last year, the party's strength reduced to five in the 60 member assembly.

Before November 24, the Congress's main rival in the state was the NPP and with the Trinamool's entry into the northeastern state forced the Congress to come closer to the NPP for its survival.

The Bharatiya Janata Party with two MLAs and several other local parties are the partners of the MDA government headed by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who is also the President of the NPP, which is a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).

Assembly elections in Meghalaya are due in February-March next year.
SITEKI  Another mob, another death!

In less than a week, four mob attacks have taken place in the country, resulting in the death of four people. On Thursday evening at KaNdzangu area under Mpolonjeni Inkhundla, a man was killed after suspicions of raping his girlfriend at her homestead. The woman is said to have raised the alarm to the effect that she was being raped, drawing the attention of a group of men who were seated outside enjoying marula brew (buganu) to come to her rescue.

Dragged

The men are said to have responded to the calls for help and dragged the suspect out of the house and assaulted him. He died while receiving treatment at the Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital (GSCH) on the same day of his admission. A source close to the matter confided that among the men were the womans siblings, who were seated with friends. The source claimed that the man was heavily assaulted and at that instance, bundled into the boot of a Toyota Vitz sedan, which is currently parked at the Siteki Police Station. After the assault, the source alleged that the man was taken away from the homestead and the destination was not known as one family member called the police from the Mpolonjeni Police Post, who promptly alerted their colleagues at Siteki Police Station.

The source further claimed that the officers from Mpolonjeni Police Post were able to identify the car and intercepted it. They stopped the sedan and conducted a search after being alerted that the deceased was bundled into the boot of the car. They took the man, who was still alive, and whisked him to the hospital and it was later established that he died while receiving treatment. It is an unfortunate incident as the man had an altercation with his girlfriend and then he was suspected that he was raping her, when she raised the alarm to her siblings who were with friends outside, the source added. The deceased hailed from Mpolonjeni area, just less than 10km from KaNdzangu community.

Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the matter. Mnguni said the man who was killed had an altercation with his girlfriend and she raised the alarm, resulting in the incident. We are still conducting investigations regarding the death of the man in this matter, she said. Another recent mob attack is that of a man who died while receiving treatment at Piggs Peak Government Hospital, after being attacked by a mob suspecting that he had stolen E7 000 from a woman of the area. Another happened on Friday when a Zandondo High School pupil, Njabuliso Vilakati, was hacked and thrown into fire by a mob on suspicions that his family was involved in witchcraft activities in the KaGucuka area.

Stabbed

In Nhlangano, a boyfriend who stabbed his former girlfriend to death at Phola area on Friday was also killed by a mob. The man tried to escape the scene of the incident, but the mob attacked him and he died on the spot and was certified dead upon arrival at the Nhlangano Health Centre. Worth noting is that KaNdzangu, KaShoba and Mpolonjeni communities have been marred with a spate of mob attacks over stolen goats. Last month, a car carrying 26 goats was torched by a mob after suspicions that the goats it was transporting had been stolen.

Meanwhile, the country is currently experiencing a wave of mob attacks in recent days.
New Delhi/Imphal, Feb 14 : N. Biren Singh, the incumbent Chief Minister of Manipur, is obviously in news in the election season.

Talking about the poll scenes in the northeastern state, an obvious question being asked is - Why Manipur sneezes when Delhi freezes? Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oft-repeated phrase 'duble engine' makes a lot of sense.

To be in power in Delhi and also in Imphal gives one immense advantage. Anti-incumbency would work against the BJP, but not to the extent of damaging the prospects of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh of making a return to power. But he has perhaps overestimated the BJP's and his prospects and has decided to contest alone in all the 60 seats, which will go to the polls in two phases, on February 28 and March 5.

The target is a fairly ambitious 40 seats. It would be a quantum leap from its 2017 tally of 21.

In the process, two of its allies -- NPP and NPF -- were shown the door. The 'regional sentiment' has been hurt and now many in the state say the saffron party may fall below half-way mark of 30 and will need the support of regional parties and even Independents.

Signboard parties in Manipur like the Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Kuki People's Alliance and even not so serious contender Trinamool Congress are keeping their fingers crossed and waiting in the wings to make it big if a fractured mandate throws up a hung Assembly.

Five years back, with a modest four seats, the NPP of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had bargained hard for the deputy chairman's post and ministership for all four. Nothing suits a hang Assembly or Parliament than these smaller parties.

In 1996, such was the scenario in the Lok Sabha. The late Pramod Mahajan took a potshot at then Law Minister Ramakhant Khalap, saying, "Mr Speaker Sir, I told a Chinese delegation I am from the single largest party, I am in the opposition and Mr Khalap is the only man of his party in the 543-member House; and he is the government." A decade later in Jharkhand, coalition politics had taken a curious turn when an Independent legislator became the Chief Minister.

However, it is to be noted that Madhu Koda was the third Independent legislator to assume the office of Chief Minister of a state. The two others before him were Bishwanath Das in then Orissa wayback in 1971 and Flinder Anderson Khonglam in Meghalaya in 2002.

But the Meitei assertion in Manipur polls and local people's faith in the leadership of Congress stalwart O. Ibobi Singh and BJP's Biren Singh deserves a modest debate.

Out of an estimated 23-24 lakh population in the state, there would be about 13 lakh Meitei Hindus and 1,67,000 Meitei Muslims.

When it comes to territorial integrity of Manipur, obviously this issue is actually close to every Meitei's heart. Even Muslim Meiteis back Chief Minister Biren Singh in his "continuous fight" for Manipur's territorial integrity.

In the past, Ibobi Singh was the 'crusader and protector' of that 'Meitei right'. Now it is the turn of Biren Singh of the BJP.

In fact, in 2019, it was the Manipur Chief Minister who had taken a delegation to Home Minister Amit Shah and convinced that nothing should be assured to Naga insurgents before taking his state into confidence.

For days there were protests and violence in the valley areas as there was an apprehension that Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM) may get away with some major concessions 'within the state of Manipur'.

The NSCN (IM) is a strong outfit of hundreds of Tangkhul Naga cadres and this community has sizable presence in Ukhrul and adjoining areas of Manipur.

For his part, former Congress CM Ibobi (73) has already crossed his prime. He was best at winning three subsequent elections for the Congress, including in 2012, and ruled the state for 15 years.

Political observers know Ibobi's flamboyant style of functioning. He knew the art of giving tough times even to his own party colleagues when UPA was in power in Delhi.

In 2010, the then Home Minister P. Chidambaram reportedly agreed to allow Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his native village Somdal in Manipur's hilly region. Accordingly, Ibobi was asked to handle the matter cautiously and was precisely asked to handle the 'Meitei sentiment' as this section always sees the Naga movement as a major move to change the geography of the state.

In Delhi, Ibobi agreed and said he will facilitate Muivah's visit.

But back in Manipur, Ibobi played to the hilt the Meitei card secretly and sabotaged Muivah's visit to his native village in Ukhrul district. This of course strengthened Ibobi's grip in state politics.

But probably some Congress leaders are yet to forget and forgive Ibobi for this. Ibobi is nevertheless getting all the importance now from the Congress leadership. Recently, he even defended Congress' alliance with the Left parties.

Among other issues, the BJP hopes to cash in on the decline in long bandhs and blockades in the state.

Of course, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal charisma will always give benefits to the BJP.

Among the projects inaugurated and launched by Modi on January 4 at the state capital Imphal is the landmark steel bridge built over Barak River.

The project will fulfil the long awaited demands of the people and henceforth the traffic congestion along the National Highway 37 will be reduced. This will ensure a seamless year-round connectivity between Imphal and Silchar in Assam's Cachar district.

The road link to Imphal at present is via Kohima in Nagaland and commuters and truckers are often faced with different kinds of challenges.

In terms of anecdotes related to election statistics, two things have surfaced in Manipur.

Biren Singh's son-in-law R.K. Imo is the BJP candidate in the Sagolband Assembly constituency. Imo is also the the son of former Chief Minister late R.K. Jaichandra Singh, but more importantly Imo had joined the BJP only in November 2021 and in defiance of the saffron party's not-to-promote dynasty (parivar-vad) politics, he has been given the ticket happily.

Imo has total assets worth of over Rs 5 crore, as per the affidavit submitted by him, whereas Chief Minister Biren Singh's election affidavit has shown one-fifth assets to what his son-in-law has -- Rs 1,08,46,392.98.

Ibobi Singh is also 'poorer' than his son. While the dad has total assets amounting to Rs 1,88,92,790.66, his son Surjakumar, according to the affidavit, has assets valued at over Rs 2 crore.

Surjakumar is the sitting MLA of Khangabok Assembly segment while Ibobi is the Congress nominee yet again from Thoubal.

In 2017, the BJP's vote share in Manipur had risen from a negligible 1.3 per cent in 2012 to 36.3 per cent.

No doubt, there was an increase in the number of seats to 21 from zero.

(The writer is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also the author of books, 'The Talking Guns: North East India' and 'Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth'.)
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My goal is to build on the legacy of the first 30 years and bring bold, innovative, and transformative solutions to addressing the nations housing crisis and scaling the impact of HPNs members.

The Board of Directors of the Housing Partnership Network (HPN) unanimously approved the appointment of Robin Hughes as the organizations next President & CEO, effective July 1, 2022. HPN is an award-winning national business collaborative of 100+ leading affordable housing and community development member organizations as well as an Aeris-rated CDFI and a national HUD-certified housing counseling intermediary.

Highly regarded as an industry leader at the local, state, and federal level, Ms. Hughes is currently President and CEO of Abode Communities, a leading affordable housing nonprofit based in California and member of HPNs network since 2010. She has also served on HPNs Board of Directors for eleven years, 5 of them as Board Chair, positions she relinquished effective immediately.

Ms. Hughes comes to the CEO role with extensive experience as an organizational, community, and thought leader in affordable housing production, preservation, policy, and program delivery. She is also widely recognized for her vision to increase investments in low-income communities of color and her commitment to advancing social equity and social justice through delivery of comprehensive resident services and community facilities that benefit entire neighborhoods.

Under her leadership, Abode Communities became a nationally-recognized affordable housing developer, a premier provider of environmentally-sustainable housing in California, and a frontrunner in making the high-cost Southern California market affordable to low-income working families. Projects range from supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, workforce housing for teachers, housing for seniors and low-income individuals and families, and joint ventures with for-profit developers on mixed-use, market-rate and civic use developments.

The selection is the result of a search undertaken by HPNs Board of Directors following Tom Bledsoes announcement last November of his plan to retire after 25 years at the helm. With the assistance of Simkin Search and a five-member Board Search committee, nearly 90 CVs were received and reviewed prior to the Board making its final selection.

Says John OCallaghan, Vice Chair of HPNs Board of Directors and CEO of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Robin brings a wealth of expertise and passion for innovation and positive change. Her unique experiences and leadership will help HPNs members serve more families with deeper impacts.

HPNs board of directors is comprised of leaders of its member organizations. The search committee consisted of Patricia Belden (EVP Real Estate Development of The Community Builders, Ellis Carr (President and CEO of Capital Impact Partners), Priya Jayachandran (President of National Housing Trust), Kevin Nowak (Executive Director of CHN Housing Partners), and Larry Swanson (CEO of ACTION-Housing, Inc.).

I am thrilled with this opportunity to lead and advance the work of HPN and its members, says Ms. Hughes, My goal is to build on the legacy of the first 30 years and bring bold, innovative, and transformative solutions to addressing the nations housing crisis and scaling the impact of HPNs members.

Ms. Hughes currently serves on the Boards of California Community Reinvestment Corporation (CCRC) and The Community Development Trust (CDT), and is Vice Chair of the California Housing Consortium. Previously, Hughes was chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Council for the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, a member of the JPMorgan Chase Community Advisory Board of Los Angeles, and has served on the board of directors for organizations such as Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing, Low Income Investment Fund, and Mercy Housing California. She has also held positions in the private and public sectors including The Richmond Group of Companies, Citibank, the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles, and the Office of the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles.

Ms. Hughes has received numerous honors and recognition for her contributions. She has been profiled as a top influential woman by Affordable Housing Finance magazine, featured as a Champion of Affordable Housing on the cover of National Real Estate Investor (now Wealth Management Real Estate) magazine, won Black Business Associations Executive Leadership Award, named Outstanding Nonprofit Director by Women in Business, named number one in the Commercial Observers LA Power list of top real estate leaders in Los Angeles, and showcased as a Greatest Person of the Day by The Huffington Post for her role in bringing affordable homes to those in need.

Ms. Hughes received her masters and bachelors degrees in public administration from the University of Southern California, and certification from Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program.

HPN hopes to safely celebrate this leadership transition in-person at the next biannual meeting of its membership on June 8-10, 2022, scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Bledsoe will continue to lead HPN until July 1st when Ms. Hughes will become the new CEO.

###

About HPN

Housing Partnership Network (HPN) is an award-winning business collaborative of over 100 of the nation's leading affordable housing and community development nonprofits as well as an Aeris-rated CDFI and HUD-approved housing counseling intermediary. Since our founding in 1992, HPN has collectively served almost 14 million people; developed, rehabilitated, or preserved over 500,000 affordable homes; and launched 14 successful social enterprises. Our work has been recognized with honors including the MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective Institutions and Wells Fargo NEXT Award for Opportunity Finance.
The best kept secret for wine enthusiast in Orange County California is State31Wines.com. This father daughter duo started the business in 2013 hand picking wines that you won't find on the wine isle at your local supermarket. Working hard to bring quality and value at any price point then delivering these wines to your door at no extra cost. Of course they carry industry staples such as Orin Swift and Rombauer but the real treat from this dynamic duo is the wines they hunt down tirelessly always looking for something new to introduce to their buyers. Signing up for regular email specials is as simple as visiting the website and entering your email address. They offer 10% off any six bottle or more purchase and if you don't see your favorite wine in stock just ask them and they will hunt it down for you always for less than the big box stores. Go check out their current offering today at https://www.state31wines.com
Network Sciences philosophy of partnership in deep tech innovation is what excited us and this collaboration will take Block Armours next-generation Zero-Trust cyber security solutions to key markets in the UK and Europe."

Block Armour, a Singapore and Mumbai based cybersecurity solutions provider, today announced a joint initiative with Network Science, a global Deep Tech Market Accelerator. The collaboration will offer Block Armour's Zero Trust based Cybersecurity solutions to organizations in the UK and EU.

Block Armour offers next-generation Zero Trust cybersecurity across the entire enterprise and distributed ecosystem, using blockchain technology to secure critical infrastructure, cloud and IoT environments. This partnership will allow businesses in the UK and Europe to experience advanced Zero Trust based cybersecurity, powered by SDP and blockchain, which can counter growing security threats in the digital world in bold new ways in present day and in the future.

Abhijit Dhongade, Co-founder and CTO at Block Armour notes, Network Sciences philosophy of partnership in deep tech innovation is what excited us and this collaboration will take Block Armours next-generation Zero-Trust cyber security solutions to key markets in the UK and Europe. Together we aim to help the customers resolve their cybersecurity challenges in novel and innovative ways. The timing is perfect as Block Armour's offerings align with the UK government's National Cyber Strategy for 2022, which is looking to strengthen the existing cyber ecosystem across the nation.

Network Sciences presence across Europe, UK and North America will enable Block Armour UK to tap into new markets after successfully establishing a presence across the APAC and Middle East regions. Network Science will serve as the deep tech innovation partner, offering Block Armours gamut of enterprise cybersecurity solutions to customers who are looking to leverage the power of deep tech for improved efficiencies.

Sandeep Hardikar, Co-founder and CEO at Network Science notes To support EUs announcement to consider cyber attacks as a national security issue, Block Armour UK is formed. This joint venture between Network Science and Block Armour will provide a credible option to implement a Zero Trust Architecture and secure user and device access using Blockchain. This unique and pioneering Deep Tech solution is a must have for all for EU enterprises.

About Block Armour

Block Armour is a Singapore and Mumbai based cybersecurity venture focused on harnessing modern approaches and emerging technologies to counter Cybersecurity challenges in bold new ways. Its integrated security platform  powered by Software Defined Perimeter (SDP) architecture and Blockchain technology  delivers Zero Trust Cybersecurity for Enterprise systems, Cloud, and IoT. Accelerated by Airbus, Block Armour was featured among the Top 25 cybersecurity innovations worldwide by Accenture. For more information, please visit https://blockarmour.com

About Network Science: co-creating DeepTech Innovation with Global Enterprises

Network Science is proud to collaborate with businesses on their journey toward meaningful change, championing and driving innovation. This is achieved by harnessing the power of various Deep Technologies, including AI, ML, Blockchain, AR, IoT & Robotics in domains like FinTech, Industry 4.0, SalesTech, Cyber Security & Cloud, allowing them to help enterprises become more efficient, effective, and reliable. For more information, please visit https://www.networkscience.ai/
TruSight, LLC is pleased to announce it has acquired Private Equity Info (PEI) in partnership with PEIs management team. PEI, based in Austin, TX, is a leading market intelligence and data platform providing access to company and contact information related to private equity funds and their portfolio companies, as well as information related to investment banks, intermediaries, and service providers to the private equity industry.

For 17 years, PEI has provided leading business and market intelligence for the increasingly active middle and lower middle market mergers and acquisitions industry. PEI has differentiated itself by being deep, accurate and current with contact and related information to specialized markets.

We are long-time customers of Private Equity Info, so we were thrilled to join a conversation about more strategic options between our firms, said Dan Mahoney, Managing Director and Co-Founder of TruSight. Simply put, Private Equity Info is the single best resource for middle and lower middle market M&A contact data and deal-related information. This acquisition adds additional service lines and scale to TruSight and strengthens our firm as specialists in business intelligence. With an increasingly robust product and service line, TruSight is at the epicenter of deal origination and M&A intelligence for private equity funds, family offices, and intermediaries operating in the middle and lower middle markets.

Dan and his team have been a high-quality resource of market trends and innovation for PEI over the 14 years they have been PEI customers. The combined resources and expertise of our firms will expedite the development of value-added data & information services for the M&A and other related industries. I am excited to scale our collective businesses and to offer more comprehensive services to our clients in the coming years, noted Andy Jones, Founder & President of Private Equity Info.

TruSight, LLC was advised by Valex Consulting for IT diligence and Michael Plunkett from Plunkett Law Group for legal advice throughout the process.

About TruSight

Trusight delivers actionable, AI-driven, tech-enabled business intelligence to niche markets, including middle market professional investors, private equity funds, family office investors, business intermediaries and related service providers.
CDR Fundraising Group (CDR), a Moore company, announced today that it has been named the agency of record for Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), the nations oldest continuously serving military service organization. CDR will provide the strategy and integration of the organizations direct marketing programs to advance its mission to support the lives of military members and their families.

CDR will work alongside ASYMCA to implement direct response strategies driven by next-generation data analytics and provide the organization with an omnichannel view of their direct mail program, including acquisitions, appeals, acknowledgments, and welcome series.

CDR will utilize Moore resources, including SimioCloud, a constituent data platform that combines billions of data points with the latest machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve identifying donors and fundraising results, and AudienceFirst Media, a recognized industry leader in data solutions with unmatched expertise in creating successful data-driven integrated strategies for nonprofits, to support ASYMCAs mission.

ASYMCA works to enhance the lives of military members and their families in spirit, mind, and body through programs relevant to the unique challenges of military life, working diligently to provide support and resources to all families in need. Each year, they provide more than half a million services to military families.

For the last 160 years, the Armed Services YMCA has been able to help military families face the unique challenges of military life and meet their unmet needs. However, there is so much more that needs to be done and that requires additional funding, said Dorene Ocamb, Chief Development & Marketing Officer of ASYMCA. Quite simply, we need more to do more, and we need to do more. Through our partnership with CDR, we hope to bridge the gap and make sure no military family is left behind.

CDR counts some of the nations leading military and veterans organizations as clients. Additionally, CDR staff is composed of many who have personally served or have military family members. This passion and personal connection, along with their decades of experience, gives the CDR team the unique industry knowledge and perspectives to guide the strategic direction of ASYMCAs direct response efforts.

"Our mission at CDR is to use our years of expertise and top-of-industry resources to raise funds to support nonprofit missions that transform lives, said Steve Harrison, president of CDR. As the agency of record for ASYMCA, we will provide an omnichannel strategy to engage and cultivate donors across all platforms to seamlessly and cost-effectively expand audience engagement, increase donor reach and raise awareness on their life-changing mission."

To learn more about CDR Fundraising Group and the services they provide to nonprofits around the world, visit cdrfg.com.

About Armed Services YMCA

The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) is the oldest military support organization in the United States, founded in 1861. The ASYMCA's mission enhances the lives of active duty junior enlisted military members and their families in spirit, mind and body through programs relevant to the unique challenges of military life. In 2020, the ASYMCA engaged nearly 150,000 individuals and delivered more than 500,000 points of service through its 12 Branches and 23 Affiliate Partners, serving 89 military installations across the U.S. To learn more about how the ASYMCA is "Strengthening Our Military Family" visit asymca.org.

About CDR Fundraising Group

CDR Fundraising Group, a Moore company, is an award-winning direct response fundraising agency that has created exponential revenue growth for nonprofit organizations for nearly 40 years. CDR provides a full suite of fundraising services uniquely tailored to each of its nonprofit clients. The agencys areas of expertise include multichannel marketing, data-driven audience targeting and media planning, creative strategy and execution, brand strategy, research and analytics, and specialization in mid-level, sustainer and catalog programs.

About Moore

Moore is a leading constituent experience management (CXM) company focused on the integration of the donor experience across all platforms, channels and devices. With over 3,500 employees in 40 locations across the country, the company provides strategy, creative, production, media, data and analytic services powered by an ongoing investment in next-generation artificial intelligence and machine learning to nonprofit, political and association clients. Moore is a recognized key contributor in strengthening these sectors.
Attems, the historical wine producer from Friuli Venezia Giulia in northeastern Italy, is pleased to announce the release of its Pinot Grigio Ramato 2021 in the United States market.

Attems is the quintessential wine of Friuli, where traditional native grape varieties faithfully interpret and eloquently express their place of origin. Just released in its latest vintage, Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato showcases a unique rose-style Pinot Grigio. Alongside the winerys classic expressions, Cicinis Sauvignon and Trebes Ribolla Gialla, the Pinot Grigio Ramato completes an authentic portrait of the Friulian world, in a distinctively fresh, modern style.

Pinot Grigio Ramato pays homage to a venerable tradition of the Republic of Venice, where ancient merchant documents used the term ramato to describe the seductive coppery hue of this style of Pinot Grigio. The newly-restyled label of Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC Ramato 2021 is the work of English artist Michael Driver, whose work conveys the distinctiveness and refinement of a wine that is historically identified with one of the worlds most iconic and exciting cities of art.

With the illustration, I wanted the image to be intricate, rich in color and in keeping with the ornate design history of Venice, whilst offering something new and fresh, explains Michael Driver. My work is very graphic and flat. So there was an exciting challenge with Attems to strike a balance between the lavishness associated with Venetian design and my more utilitarian way of working What we ended up with was a nice modern twist on a classic Venetian scene.

The vineyards that yield this Pinot Grigio sit at an elevation of 197 feet amidst the plains and hillsides of the Collio Goriziano in the province of Gorizia. More precisely, the vineyards are found in Manine, the central part of the Attems estate, which was acquired by the Frescobaldi family in 2000. This area lies between Collio and the Isonzo river, where Eocene-era marl, sandstone, and well-drained silt soils produce Pinot Grigio of marked elegance and finesse. Intense sunlight and pronounced day-to-night temperature differentials - due to the proximity of the Adriatic Sea - create a particular climate that is ideal for the balanced development of sugars, color pigments, and aromatic compounds in the grapes.

The 2021 growing season was characterized by cold weather in January and February, with lengthy periods below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), delaying the awakening of the vines from dormancy. A somewhat mild March contributed to the successful budbreak of Pinot Grigio. May was quite rainy and cold, but June finally brought more rapid vegetation growth. Flowering was a bit later than in most years. The summer months brought good day-to-night temperature ranges and some rainfall. At harvest time, in early September, the grapes were stable and healthy, with above average acidity. Sugar and pigment concentrations increased as the harvest progressed, with the Pinot Grigio berries displaying their classic purplish blush.

The 2021 Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato appears in its classic tonality, a lychee-like pale-pink color, achieved by about ten hours of skin contact. The bouquet is pronounced, with peach and broom flower predominating and gradually yielding to an enveloping, fragrant Morello cherry. The palate, decisive yet magnificently-balanced, stands out for its dynamic vibrancy and lengthy progression, culminating in an impressive finish marked by gooseberry and citrus zest.

TECHNICAL NOTES

After the clusters were de-stemmed and the berries pressed, the must was left in contact with the skins for about 10 hours at 8 degrees Celsius (46.4 degrees Fahrenheit), until it gained its typical pinkish color. The must was then gently pressed and gravity-settled for 24 to 48 hours. After clarification, the must was fermented for 15 days at low temperatures of 15 to17 degrees Celsius (59 to 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then matured for four months sur lie with regular batonnage.

About Attems:

Attems is one of Friuli Venezia Giulias most historic producers, with a winemaking heritage dating back nearly a millennium. Count Douglas Attems, who led his familys estate for the second half of the 20th Century, founded the important Consorzio dei Vini del Collio in 1964, helping the region achieve DOC recognition. In 2000, he sold the estate to Marchese Vittorio Frescobaldi, whom he met during their years as students at the University of Florence.

Attems lies in the Collio Goriziano, in the extreme east of the Friuli region. It has always faithfully interpreted its territory with an authentic yet contemporary style, hallmarks of a portfolio of much-coveted wines that are both elegant and distinctly identified with their world-renowned growing area. The 44 hectares of vineyards, lying at an average elevation of 130 meters, are planted to Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay. Attems produces Cicinis, an elegant, intense Collio DOC Sauvignon Blanc; Trebes, a Collio DOC Ribolla Gialla with a vibrant acidity and a firm structure; a Friuli DOC Pinot Grigio Ramato, velvet smooth and citrus-edged; a Friuli DOC Pinot Grigio; and Venezia Giulia IGT versions of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Ribolla Gialla. http://www.attems.it/en/
The inspiration behind this book was to introduce more leaders to the why of disability ministry and the Kingdom impact it can have.

Author James Goben provides readers with a truly thought-provoking writing in Reaching The Overlooked: Why Disability Ministry Matters ($13.49, paperback, 9781662842573; $5.99, e-book, 9781662842580).

As a parent of a child with special needs, Goben combines Scripture with hard data and a few candid personal experiences to paint a vivid picture of why disability ministry matters to the local church and the Kingdom. He shares the question about where disability ministry fits in with the goal of the church to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Goben acknowledges that while the Bible has a lot to say about the disabled and their place in the church, it is often overlooked. He explains that nearly half of special needs families have left a church because there is no support for them.

When asked what inspired him to write this book, Goben said, The inspiration behind this book was to introduce more leaders to the why of disability ministry and the Kingdom impact it can have.

James Goben lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife and 4 boys, one who has epilepsy, autism, and developmental delays. After years in the construction industry, God called him into ministry. In 2020, Goben graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a Bachelor of Ministry Leadership degree. He is a volunteer disability ministry leader, a full time caregiver for his son and connoisseur of the dad joke. His blog about raising a child with special needs can be found at http://www.lifewithsuperd.com. Goben enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, shooting, woodworking, and riding dirt bikes. He is also a ham radio operator.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Reaching The Overlooked: Why Disability Ministry Matters is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.


Cessie Cerrato, founder of Cessie C. Communications

Bilingual multicultural public relations, and marketing communications expert Cessie M. Cerrato today announced the launch of Cessie C. Communications, a public relations and social media influencer marketing agency specializing in the lifestyle, beauty, luxury travel, and hospitality sectors. The agency will build on already existing client work, delivering strong storytelling across todays ever-changing, media landscape.

With offices in both Miami and New York City, the agency launches with seven clients:

Leviticus Lifestyle & Travel is an Anguilla-based, global, luxury, concierge service that specializes in luxury rentals of private villas, charter yachts, jets, family, and corporate events as well as the rentals of private islands.

Turk Hospitality is a full-service consulting and startup advising firm that works with restaurants, resorts, vacation rentals, and startups to deliver curated hospitality solutions from ideation to implementation.

Mega-beauty Youtuber and entrepreneur KathleenLights, and her brands, Lights Lacquer a vegan, cruelty and Seven-Free nail lacquer brand, and Lights Label, an accessories and apparel merchandise line.

Highly coveted celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, founder of global education program Masterclass Nail Academy and founder of Julie K Nail Artelier in New York City.

Rumore Beauty, the first e-commerce platform founded dedicated to the discovery of Russian beauty brands in the U.S. founded by Maria Karr.

Bonita Fierce Candles, hand-poured, soy, premium candles inspired by Latinx heritage, culture, and home founded by Melissa Gallardo. feature sustainable and socially responsible clean ingredients and eco-friendly packaging, sharing La Cultura with the rest of the world.

XIO, a unique monthly jewelry subscription founded by Ylette Luis, inspired by her love of fashion, astrology, and the nostalgia of her Cuban roots.

A recognized industry leader, Cessie has consistently been named among the Top Women in Public Relations by PR News and was named 15 Under 35 by the Public Relations Society of America, New York Chapter, where she is an active Board Member and serves as Senior Director of Programming.

Cerrato has more than 15 years of experience within the luxury travel, hospitality, culinary, destination marketing, beauty, and lifestyle industries. She has a solid track record of developing, managing, and delivering high-profile public relations results for some of the worlds top brands including Visit Mexico, Visit Cancun, Aeromexico, Expedia, Avis Budget Group, the Israel Ministry of Tourism, Hotel Wales New York, ESPN Deportes and Bacardi.

As communicators, the way we tell stories continues to evolve. Whether through the use of social media and influencer marketing, or traditional media outreach, brands that want to build influence, need to focus on powerful storytelling to gain exposure, says Cessie Cerrato, founder of Cessie C. Communications. From an industry perspective, the travel and hospitality segments continue to see an increase in pent-up demand, and the beauty and wellness space continues to grow. With that said, the power and value of public relations, social media influencers, and content marketing have never been more vital. Cessie C. Communications will help brands implement a strategic communications plan that reaches their target audiences and key demographics, to help them grow their business.

Prior to establishing Cessie C. Communications, Cerrato led global PR, communications, and social media influencer brand partnerships, as the Vice President of Public Relations for Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resorts, a chain of ten luxury resorts in Mexico and Jamaica. There, she fostered and managed relationships with partner brands including Certified Angus Beef, Michelin-Star Chefs Joan Roca, and Massimo Bottura. Cessie is a graduate of the University of Florida, College of Journalism and Communications. She previously held positions at Newlink Group and M Silver and Associates.

About Cessie C Communications:

Cessie C. Communications is a public relations and social media influencer marketing agency, specializing in the lifestyle, beauty, travel, and hospitality sectors. The agency will focus on delivering client storytelling across todays ever-changing, media landscape, to secure meaningful press and influencer coverage contributing to the success of each clients bottom line.

The agencys passion, deep market knowledge, and longstanding relationships will allow for strategic communications programs for brands and personalities looking to speak directly to their key audiences and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.cessiec.com
MANZINI - Auditors have made a shocking discovery of white-collar crime at Tambuti Estate United Plantations, which allegedly involves current and former workers as well as unknown people.

The management of the company discovered that there were individuals who were occupying key positions in the organisation, who were working with other workers and ghost employees to siphon money from it and that this had been happening for a while, such that the company had lost huge amounts of money in the process. The actual loss incurred by the company is still being calculated as investigations are ongoing. Some employees, who were allegedly working hand-in -hand with senior staff members, were reportedly milking money from the company by opening three bank accounts with different banks and supposedly received salaries in all of them simultaneously every month.

Auditing

According to a source, who is well-placed in the company, a private auditing company was engaged around October 2021 and the workers were informed through their union, the Swaziland Agricultural Plantation and Allied Workers Union (SAPWU) and memorandums which were pinned on notice boards. He said the company advised employees to feel free to speak to the auditors, who eventually came and interviewed randomly selected individuals from various departments. Later on (towards the end of November 2021), the source said to their shock, they heard that the auditors had discovered that there were people who were never employed by the company and former employees who were secretly paid salaries monthly.

In the beginning of December 2021, the source said the company was frequently visited by plain-clothes officers from Siteki Police Station and Lubombo Police Regional Headquarters.

As the police officers were carrying out their work, which included interviewing some of the workers from different departments, they learnt they were investigating the issue of the alleged ghost employees. In the process, we saw them interviewing people we never saw in the company. We also witnessed former employees being interviewed as well, the source said. Again, he said during the police investigations, which he referred to as intense, they learnt that there were workers who were paid more than once per month as they were supposedly told by their friends, who occupied certain positions in the company, to open more bank accounts, which they used to receive extra salaries.

He alleged that the partners in crime allegedly shared the extra money which was paid as salaries. Thereafter, the impeccable source said they also learnt that one of the wages officers, who was working in the Accounts Department, had been suspended from work. Apparently, he said prior to these developments, they had filed a formal complaint to management about the wages officer in question. He said their complaint was that workers salaries were always short with monies ranging between E100 and E300. He claimed that the company allegedly defended the officer. Thereafter, he said the company called the workers union executive members into a consultative meeting.

The source said the management of the company told them about the suspended wages officer and said it was because there was evidence suggesting that the officer was allegedly involved in some malpractice, hence the suspension. During that consultative meeting, the company also informed the union executive members that a lot of money had been stolen from the company by ghost employees, workers who have multiple bank accounts, which receive monthly salaries and inside people who work with them, the insider said. Furthermore, he said the company also told them it had launched a full-scale investigation with the police regarding the alleged fraudulent activities. As this publication was investigating the matter, it learnt that the management had called another consultative meeting with the workers unions representative. The meeting was scheduled for last Thursday at 11am, but it was postponed because some members of the management team had to attend to other urgent business. The source said the representatives had been given the mandate to ask for developments in the issue as somehow, it affected them.

On the other hand, the source said following the involvement of the police, who had been frequently visiting the company since the beginning of December 2021, and were also seen in the establishment last week and were now of the view that heads would roll. He said they wanted justice to be served because low ranking employees who were found with only two oranges in their bags were allegedly suspended from work on the spot. When the source was asked about the number of suspected ghost employees and workers who were allegedly paid monthly salaries more than once, he said that information would be revealed by the ongoing investigation. However, he alleged that about eight former employees, who were supposedly still receiving monthly salaries, were called and interviewed by the investigating officers. He alleged that there were claims that they were around 18, but he was not sure if this number included the ghost employees.

Ghost

On the same note, SAPWU National Executive Committee (NEC) said Tambuti Estate United Plantations management told them briefly about the matter. The NEC said even though the company did not explain the matter in detail, they were informed that some ghost employees were former workers. They added that when they were called, some of the former workers told the investigators that they never received a salary from the company after they had left. In that regard, they said the assumption they were told was that wages officers supposedly transferred the companys money to certain bank accounts using the former employees names. They said they were following the matter as they were keen in knowing the outcome of the investigations.

Tambuti Estate United Plantations General Manager George Brown said as a company, they did not dispute the aforementioned information. However, he asked not to comment about it further until the police concluded their investigations. Meanwhile, Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni said the matter was reported to the police. As such, she said police officers from the Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit were investigating it. It is worth noting that in Eswatini, it had been previously widely reported that ghost employees were in the civil service. For example, in 2019, this publication reported a total of 3 194 ghost employees who were not accounted for within the government system, yet they appeared on the payroll. This was revealed by the Ministry of Public Service in its annual performance report of the financial year 2018/19.
We take our role as an advocacy partner seriously. We believe banking should be more than just selling products; it should create long-lasting relationships between consumers and credit unions.

Bundlefi, a customer acquisition solution for community banks and credit unions, has become one of the newest Associate Business Members of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the only national association that advocates for all of Americas credit unions owned by 120 million consumers.

We understand consumers needs as well as the issues important to credit unions, and we shape solutions that help credit unions grow, says Bundlefi CEO Greg Pellitteri. We are excited for the opportunity to join forces with CUNA to continue to advocate for credit unions and the important role they play in our communities and economy.

Bundlefi helps credit unions find customers who are right for them through customer acquisition solutions that utilize the latest technology to ensure data quality and integrity. Leveraging online tools, Bundlefi uses advanced targeting methodologies and technology to interact and engage in real-time with consumers who are actively in the buying cycle, seeking financial products and banking services from credit unions.

Bundlefi is now an official business advocate of CUNA, which gives us more of an opportunity to advocate for the credit union movement together, says Karin Sand, Vice President of Sales, CUNA, This symbiotic relationship will lead to a stronger credit union movement through our combined advocacy efforts, deeper relationships, and newfound knowledge of the details of the credit union system.

Apart from providing an opportunity to champion the credit union movement together, CUNAs associate business membership provides valuable information and access to those in the credit union industry, including opportunities to nurture relationships with industry leaders, access to continuous learning on industry knowledge and trends, and recognition as an advocacy partner.

We take our role as an advocacy partner seriously. We believe banking should be more than just selling products; it should create long-lasting relationships between consumers and credit unions. We are dedicated to educating consumers and businesses on the advantage of credit unions, says Bundlefi CEO Greg Pellitteri.

We look forward to the additional resources and exposure CUNA membership will provide, helping credit unions accelerate their growth in the communities they serve.

ABOUT BUNDLEFI

Bundlefi has created a fair marketplace for consumers to research credit unions by making the process of finding a local credit union easy. Consumers answer a few questions and are matched with several local banks and credit unions based on their needs. Bundlefi is dedicated to educating consumers and businesses on the advantage of credit unions and local banking. Learn more at https://bundlefiinc.com
The kids' audience is loyal and curious and we want to create a unique experience that will attract both parents and kids to engage and interact with our content

Canela Media, an industry-leading, female and Latina-owned digital media company, today announced the appointment of Emmy award-winning media producer Maggie Salas-Amaro as Director of Canela Kids, set to launch on Canela.TV, Canela Medias AVOD streaming service for Hispanics, in the coming months.

We are thrilled to welcome Maggie aboard to our growing team, said Isabel Rafferty, CEO and Founder of Canela Media. Maggies expansive background in media makes her the perfect addition to our team and to help us bring Canela Kids to market. Canela Kids will help kids discover and embrace their latin roots through culturally relevant and educational content.

The Canela Kids app will be available on all devices and feature educational, safe content for children, allowing Latino parents to share and celebrate Hispanic culture during key stages of development.

Im excited to join Canela Media and lead strategy for Canela Kids in the Hispanic market, said Salas-Amaro. The kids' audience is loyal and curious and we want to create a unique experience that will attract both parents and kids to engage and interact with our content.

Prior to joining Canela, Salas-Amaro was a Manager at E.W. Scripps where she headed up specialty content and OTT production and launched the Spanish news headlines and specials on social platforms. Before joining Scripps, she managed the pre-launch content and marketing for Peacock, from NBC Universal/Comcast. In 2016, she was also an integral part of developing Univisions news and digital content, including the creation of Newsroom Facebook lives and the integration of Tagboard digital segments during newscasts.

Prior to Univision, she headed up the content strategy of the first global channel under the iconic magazines HOLA! / HELLO! TV, a joint venture between DirecTV Latin America, Hola publishing and Antena 3. Among her accomplishments was the acquisition of content including renowned celebrities David Rocco, Rachel Hunter and Mario Lopez. During her tenure, the network was successfully launched for Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market and reached the Top 10 ranking as one of DirecTVs most popular variety channels.

Salas-Amaro has also held executive roles at major networks such as Fox International where under watch the network hired Food Network star, Aaron Sanchez for the first US Hispanic original format. Among other accomplishments she was part of Telemundo launching QUBO, The Walt Disney Company and Viacom International. During her career, she has won two Emmy Suncoast awards in local media and a Martin Fierro award in Latin America for original content .

About Canela Media

Canela Media is a leading digital media technology company offering brands a complete ecosystem to connect with multicultural audiences starting with its free streaming service, Canela.TV, which enriches the new generation of U.S. Latinos with free access to unique, culturally relevant content. In addition to TV content, Canela Music features a unique blend of Latin music programming, featuring various genres from Latin Pop, Regional Mexican, Classics, Romantic, and more.

Canela Media reaches more than 50 million unique Hispanics across its 180+ premium Spanish-language sites. Combined with the company's proprietary data, Canela Media possesses in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to establish meaningful and culturally relevant connections with the new mainstream  U.S. Hispanics.

Headquartered in New York, Canela Media is ranked as the third largest Hispanic ad-focused company and the only female- and minority-owned certified digital company. For more information please visit http://www.CanelaMedia.com.
Radically Apostolic: The Reality, the Journey, and the Reward of the Call of God!: an inspiring exploration of faith, Gods word, and the calling that has driven the authors life. Radically Apostolic: The Reality, the Journey, and the Reward of the Call of God! is the creation of published author Charles G. Robinette, who serves as a United Pentecostal Church International appointed missionary to Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria alongside his loving wife and two beloved daughters.

Robinette shares, 'Radically Apostolic isnt just a book that Charles Robinette has written; it is a life that he has lived, with his wonderful wife Stacey and their precious girls at his side. I encourage you to join them on the journey and to become all that God has called you to be.' Pastor Raymond Woodward

'Radically Apostolic tells a captivating story of fierce storms and astonishing destinations. For the Christian who might be feeling a holy discontent in the harbor, this book will serve as a map for your journey. My faith soared as I read this book. I pray yours will too.' Pastor Aaron Soto

'Brother Robinette stretches us all to see the infinite possibilities that come with being radically apostolic.' Bishop Joel N. Holmes

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Charles G. Robinettes new book will encourage and challenge readers in their faith.

Robinette shares a powerful message paired with personal reflections and testimonials for the consideration of new and established believers.

Consumers can purchase Radically Apostolic: The Reality, the Journey, and the Reward of the Call of God! at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Radically Apostolic: The Reality, the Journey, and the Reward of the Call of God!, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Our success is largely due to the extreme tailoring of our growing portfolio of Infrastructure as a Service, Security and Hybrid Cloud offerings to meet customers needs. - Matt Burch, VP ComportSecure

ComportSecure, the Cloud, Hosted and Managed IT Services division of Comport Consulting Corp. announced today that it was again awarded TechElite 150 status in CRNs annual Managed Services Provider (MSP) 500 list. The MSP 500 identifies the leading service providers in North America whose forward-thinking approaches are helping end users increase efficiency and simplify IT solutions, maximizing return on investment. The Elite 150 category recognizes large, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on- and off-premises services.

With many customers transforming their IT and supporting their organizations during the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, MSPs have become a vital ingredient for success. Managed Service Providers help to keep a strict focus on the core business and alleviate IT staff shortages, without straining budgets.

Matt Burch, VP ComportSecure, notes Our success is largely due to the extreme tailoring of our growing portfolio of Infrastructure as a Service, Security and Hybrid Cloud offerings to meet customers needs. Comport is in the unique position to provide both traditional data center and cloud-based IT in the right configurations to achieve the best outcomes at the lowest cost. ComportSecure invested in a third data center this past year to optimize services for its latency-sensitive customers, and added additional Security and Network offerings.

In addition to having to adjust their own business operations to account for the changed conditions during the pandemic, MSPs have also seen increased demand for their managed communications, collaboration and security services, said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. The solution providers on our 2022 MSP 500 list deserve credit for their innovative and game-changing approaches to managed services in these unpredictable times, as well as their ability to optimize operational efficiencies and systems without straining IT budgets.

The MSP 500 list will be featured in the February 2022 issue of CRN and online at http://www.crn.com/msp500.

About ComportSecure

ComportSecure provides customized support and extends IT budgets with easy-to-deploy and scale as a service consumption models that eliminate expensive upfront purchases. Services include hybrid and private cloud, cloud migrations and repatriations, IaaS including Storage as a Service and HPE GreenLake, Desktop as a Service, BaaS including O365, DRaaS, SOC and Network as a Service. Service Provider partnerships with VMware, Microsoft and AWS can reduce license costs. ComportSecure is SOC 2, ISO 27001 and HIPAA compliant, with Tier 5 data centers in Atlanta, New York and Las Vegas.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelco.com
We are proud to play our part in the countrys larger economic picture and aim for another record-breaking year. - Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller

Staffing giant Express Employment Professionals closed out 2021 with $4.16 billion in sales, up 30% from the previous years total of $3.23 billion, and employed 586,000 associates in more than 850 franchise locations internationally.

The year was full of successes and milestones as the company recorded its first-ever $1 billion quarter in Q3, and the momentum continues in 2022 as the labor market remains red hot.

Franchise expansion consisted of awarding 66 franchise development agreements, including locations in New Zealand, Toronto, Ontario, and selling out the Florida market.

Our franchisees, their staff and everyone who supports their efforts were absolutely incredible following the closures of the COVID-19 pandemic, Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller said. Express staffing services are more important than ever with workers in short demand. Our expert recruiters give companies the invaluable gift of time to invest in their business and provide hope to job seekers through employment.

Express earned several recognitions throughout 2021, including:



Entrepreneurs Franchise 500 List, No. 25, and Best in Category for the 10th consecutive year, Best of Business Services and Fastest Growing Franchises

One of Forbes Americas Best Professional Recruiting Firms and Americas Best Temp Staffing Firms

Staffing Industry Analysts Fourth-Largest U.S. Staffing Firm, Second-Largest U.S. Industrial Staffing Firm, Fourth-Largest U.S. Office/Clerical Staffing Firm and 11th-Largest Global Staffing Firm

ClearlyRated Best of Staffing Client Award and Best of Staffing Talent Diamond Award

Franchise Direct Top 100 Global Franchises (#26)

Franchise Times Top 400 (#35)

Franchise Research Institute World Class Franchise Since 2006

Starting out the current year, Forbes recognized Express as one of Americas best employers. The staffing provider was also recently designated the top staffing franchise in Entrepreneur Magazines Franchise 500 list for the 11th consecutive year and 25th best franchise overall.

Express is already full speed ahead for 2022, and I dont see that slowing down anytime soon, Stoller said. We are proud to play our part in the countrys larger economic picture and aim for another record-breaking year.

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If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bill Stoller to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena Hollander, Director of Corporate Communications and PR, at (405) 717-5966.

About Bill Stoller

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, were in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 586,000 people globally in 2021 and more than 10 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
we are excited to work with Givaudan to bring clean label texturisers and our extensive applications knowledge to a wider customer-base

Givaudan and US-based company Fiberstar today announced that they have entered into an agreement allowing Givaudan to commercialise and use Fiberstars natural, plant-based texturising ingredient Citri-Fi. The collaboration will support the expansion of Givaudans Taste & Wellbeing portfolio while extending Fiberstars geographic footprint and research & development opportunities.

The collaboration combines Givaudans broad customer reach and leadership in Taste, Sense, Nutrition and Health with Fiberstars expertise in the foodstuff texturising market space enabling food manufacturers to better respond to consumer demand in plant-based ingredients for products that combine desirable texture and taste.

Citri-Fi is a clean label, non-GMO, vegan solution, free of commonly recognised allergens, that improves the texture, taste and stability of a variety of foods ranging from baked goods to meat alternatives. Citri-Fi is derived from soluble and insoluble orange and lemon fibres through a mechanical process that converts what was once a by-product of the citrus juicing industry into a sustainable, nature-friendly ingredient.

Serge Sabrier, Global Category Director Sense, Givaudan said: Foodstuff texturisers are an important component in supporting our customers and delivering great food experiences to consumers. We are excited to be partnering with Fiberstar, expanding our Sense Texture offering that today is strong in oat and quillaia. Both oat and citrus are considered superhero ingredients, offering exceptional functionality as natural foodstuff texturizers. Citrus fibre is a winning addition due to its high functionality and high consumer acceptance around the globe.

John A. Haen, President and CEO of Fiberstar added: We are enthusiastic about this new commercial agreement. With more than 20 years of experience in the natural texturisers space, we are excited to work with Givaudan to bring clean label texturisers and our extensive applications knowledge to a wider customer-base while also benefiting from Givaudans R&D expertise.

Citri-Fi can be used across a range of applications, adding body and mouthfeel to dairy and dairy substitutes; improving viscosity and mouthfeel in soups and sauces; enhancing moisture and freshness in bakery goods; and for boosting juiciness and texture in plant-based meat alternatives. In addition to these properties and benefits, Citri-Fi can also improve a products nutritional profile.

In 2022, Givaudan will initially offer Citri-Fi ingredients in Latin America* and to selected customers in Europe. Outside of these areas, Fiberstar will continue servicing its current customer-base and global distributor network. Givaudan will also use Citri-Fi in its development work as it co-creates formulations with its customers. In the future, Givaudan intends to offer Citri-Fi as an ingredient across all markets around the world.

(*with the exception of Chile)

About Givaudan

Givaudan is the global leader in the creation of flavours and fragrances, with its heritage stretching back over 250 years, the Company has a long history of innovating tastes and scents. From a favourite drink to your daily meal, from prestige perfumes to cosmetics and laundry care, its creations inspire emotions and delight millions of consumers the world over. The Company is committed to driving purpose-led, long-term growth while leading the way to improve happiness and health for people and nature. In the fiscal year 2020, the Company employed almost 16,000 people worldwide and achieved sales of CHF 6.3 billion and a free cash flow of 12.8% of sales. Lets imagine together on http://www.givaudan.com.

About Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing

Powered by innovation and creativity, Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing aims to shape the future of food by becoming the co-creation partner of choice to its customers. Built on its global leadership position in flavours and taste, the Company goes beyond to create food experiences that do good and feel good, for body, mind and planet. With an expanded portfolio of products across flavours, taste, functional and nutritional solutions and a deep knowledge of the food ecosystem, Givaudans passion is to collaborate with customers and partners to develop game changing innovations in food and beverage. Lets imagine together the future of food. Learn more at http://www.givaudan.com/taste-wellbeing.

About Fiberstar

Fiberstar, Inc. http://www.FiberstarIngredients.com is a privately held innovative biotechnology Company focused on enhancing food performance by manufacturing and marketing value-added, plant based food ingredients. Its largest brand, Citri-Fi, is a natural, highly functional citrus fiber sustainably produced. The physical patented process creates the high water holding and clean label emulsification properties. Citri-Fi is GRAS, non-allergenic, non-GMO and has no E-number. This natural fiber line benefits meat, dairy, bakery, dressings, sauces, frozen food, beverages, plant based foods and pet food through textural improvements, nutritional enhancements and/or cost savings. Headquartered in River Falls, Wisconsin with manufacturing in Florida and Wisconsin, Fiberstar sells products globally in over 65 countries.

For further information, please contact:

Eve Landen, Media Manager, Taste & Wellbeing, Givaudan

T +33 4 90 23 70 20

E Eve.Landen@givaudan.com

Jennifer Stephens, VP of Marketing, Fiberstar

T +1 303 513 4021

E J.Stephens@fiberstar.net

Jamie Till, Instinctif Partners

T +44 7581 480 083

E Jamie.till@instinctif.com
GYMGUYZ is the world's largest in-home, onsite, and virtual personal training company. Were so excited to further expand our corporate wellness services to the in-home environment. Not only does this better support our corporate clients, but also can impact the health and wellness of millions of corporate employees around the world. -Josh York, Founder & CEO of GYMGUYZ.

GYMGUYZ, the world's largest in-home, onsite, and virtual personal training company, announced today that they are expanding their corporate wellness services. As variants of COVID-19 continue to emerge and cause more employees to work from home, the company will now deliver its corporate wellness services in-home in addition to onsite at corporate locations and facilities.

Since the pandemic began, GYMGUYZ has adapted its services for corporate clients throughout the U.S., providing in-home personal training for remote employees. It is estimated that by the end of the year nearly 25% of all professional jobs in the U.S. will be remote  an increase from 18% of those working from home at the end of 2021.

Were so excited to further expand our corporate wellness services to the in-home environment, said Josh York, GYMGUYZ Founder and CEO. Not only does this better support our corporate clients in response to COVID-19, but also can impact the health and wellness of millions of corporate employees around the world. This perfectly aligns with our core mission of bringing the workout to the client and transforming lives.

GYMGUYZ has over 150 locations in operation and is uniquely positioned to expand its corporate wellness services to remote employees. With its fleet of branded vehicles stocked with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, GYMGUYZ can safely bring certified personal trainers, in-home equipment, and customized workouts directly to corporate employees. Using mandatory personal protection and hygiene protocols, GYMGUYZ also employs strict social distancing and no-touch policies at all times. CDC-compliant methods are used to sanitize and disinfect equipment in the presence of clients for peace of mind. Personal trainers are insured by several unique insurance policies, co-conceived by GYMGUYZ and its insurance partners, that cover all facets of conducting personal training in a home environment and meet the strict insurance standards of large corporate clients.

In-home personal training may seem straightforward to deliver for a corporate client, but its actually very difficult, said Phil Brojan, Chief Marketing Officer. The complexity of scheduling and logistics, distribution and transportation of in-home equipment, and insurance and liability concerns all create significant barriers for both service providers and corporations alike. Only a national provider like GYMGUYZ has the scale to overcome these obstacles and make these programs a reality. Meanwhile, employers can greatly reduce their group health insurance premiums.

Of note, the Harvard Business Review recently reported that companies have been expanding the wellness support provided to employees since 2020 in wake of the pandemic; and, that in 2022, wellness is expected to become the newest metric that companies use to better understand their employees. Additionally, a Gartner 2020 survey of 52 Human Resource executives found that 94% of companies made significant investments in their employee well-being programs with 50% increasing support for physical well-being. All of this bodes well for GYMGUYZ and its services.

GYMGUYZ is #1 in home personal training and provides convenient, customized and creative workouts to clients at the location of their choice. Founded in 2008 by fitness specialist Josh York, the mobile brand utilizes a fleet of branded vehicles that bring more than 365 pieces of state-of-the-art fitness equipment and expert personal trainers to their customers doors. With over 150 locations in the US, Canada and the UK, GYMGUYZ is one of the fastest-growing fitness concepts in the world.

To train with GYMGUYZ, visit https://www.gymguyz.com/. To learn more about franchising with GYMGUYZ, visit https://www.gymguyz.com/franchise-opportunities/.

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ABOUT GYMGUYZ:

GYMGUYZ is # 1 in home personal training and provides convenient, customized and creative workouts at the location of your choice. Headquartered in Plainview, N.Y., and founded in 2008 by fitness specialist Josh York, the mobile brand utilizes a fleet of branded vehicles that bring more than 365 pieces of state-of-the-art fitness equipment and expert personal trainers to their customers doors. In 2019, the brand was recognized as No. 5 on Inc. Mag's 10 Hottest Franchise Businesses in America, which highlighted their growth of more than 801% over the last three years. GYMGUYZ also scored the second-place spot on Franchise Gators annual list of the Top 100 Fastest-Growing Franchises and received recognition as a top franchise in Entrepreneur's Highly Competitive 41st Annual Franchise 500. Now with over 150 locations internationally, including the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, GYMGUYZ is the fastest-growing fitness concept in the U.S. with plans to open another 100+ locations globally in the coming year. For more information on GYMGUYZ and franchising opportunities, visit http://www.gymguyz.com/.
Aomori Fisherman Our organization is proud to support this initiative which seeks to support Japanese producers to have a comprehensive approach to sustainable seafood.

The Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) is funding a promotional campaign to promote, foster, and educate the U.S. market on Japanese sustainable aquaculture and fisheries and Japans seafood products via a series of events in January and February 2022. Our organization is proud to support this initiative which seeks to support Japanese producers to have a comprehensive approach to sustainable seafood. We hope this approach which incorporates many important sustainability issues will expand the reach of these products beyond traditional Japanese restaurants, says Osamu Taki, Head of JETRO LA.

Japan is a highly unique country known for premium consumer brands all around the world but this has not been the case for the seafood industry because historically most of the seafood produced in Japan has been consumed in Japan. However, the demographics are changing and now younger generations are eating more terrestrial proteins, allowing seafood companies to export to new markets. The uniqueness of Japanese seafood products comes from high-quality processing standards, unique attention to animal welfare and processing techniques, and a strong history.

The series of promotional events in the U.S. includes a partnership with Chef Kyle Connaughton from SingleThread. Postelsia has been supporting the improvement of Japanese fisheries and aquaculture producers for the last 4 years along with our partner Sea Tech Trading, I am honored to have the opportunity to bring the story of this work to the U.S. market. Corey Peet from Postelsia will be another key spokesperson for the initiative. I am thrilled to be educating the U.S. market about the unique aspects of Japanese sustainable seafood. It is critical that we start to see sustainability from a place-based lens in order to bring more storied products to the U.S. consumer, says Peet. This initiative will include events across the country with a final stop in San Francisco with a dinner with Chef Connaughton at The Progress.

Jan. 25: Lucky Robot, Austin, TX, with Chef Jay Huang

Jan. 26: Rioja, Denver, CO, with Chef Jennifer Jasinski

Feb. 7: Socalo, LA, with Chef Mary Sue Milliken

Feb. 8: James Beard House (NYC) with James Beard House Fellows

Feb. 9: Haymaker, Charlotte, NC, with Chef William Dissen

Feb. 17: The Progress, San Francisco, CA, with Chef Kyle Connaughton

About JETRO

JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their global export potential.

About Sea Tech and Nemo Glassman

After spending much of his life in the Japanese archipelago, Nemo Glassman founded Sea Tech Trading to support growth of seafood producers through international market initiatives, technology development, and sustainability improvements. Japan has long been known for the highest quality of seafood and now partnerships with the Japanese government and key players in the industry has allowed Sea Tech to bring topics such as carbon neutrality, transparency, traceability, and sustainable farming and fishing practices to the forefront of the Japanese seafood industry.

About Kyle Connaughton & SingleThread

Kyle Connaughton is a chef, culinary educator, and cookbook author. Along with his wife and farmer Katina Connaughton, he opened SingleThread in Healdsburg, California in December 2016. SingleThread received a four-star review from the San Francisco Chronicle and is the first and only three Michelin-starred restaurant in Sonoma County. In 2018, SingleThread received the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants' "Miele One to Watch" Award. In 2020, The Michelin Guide presented SingleThread with a Green Star, its first year of awarding restaurants in the United States for their efforts in gastronomic sustainability. In 2014 he published "Donabe- Classic and Modern Japanese Clay Pot Cooking" with co-author Naoko Takei Moore. Kyle is a Professor Emeritus with the Culinary Institute of America.

About Stuart Brioza & The Progress

A vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative contemporary Californian meals served with memorable wines. The greatest dinner party ever. Stuart Brioza is the Chef/Owner of State Bird Provisions, The Progress, and The Anchovy Bar in San Francisco. Stuart and his partner Nicole Krasinski opened the award-winning State Bird Provisions, which has introduced a new way of thinking about dining and service. Expanding on those ideas, in December of 2014, Stuart and Nicole opened The Progress to critical acclaim. Living up to the name, The Progress continues to evolve and impress.

About Postelsia & Corey Peet

At Postelsia, they believe that improvements in seafood need to foster equity and shared value across the supply chain. In creating innovative solutions with producers, they aim to connect their projects to consumers, retailers, and chefs who have a strong commitment to responsibly produced seafood. Postelsia provides a range of programs and consulting services designed to manage risks to buyers associated with social and environmental impacts, and also to help maximize value for the producers themselves. They are in constant evolution and growth as a company, and as the newest division of Where Food Comes From, a Colorado-based company that offers a wide array of verification and certification services, we will continue to innovate through partnerships and integrated technology.
Pictured L to R: Jimmy Ellis, Stacey Ellis Hodges, Brooke Ellis Gatlin, Wesley Ellis, and Allison Griffith We are deeply humbled by the outpouring of support from the Jim Ellis Holiday Giving Campaign, said Sandra Holiday, executive director of Atlanta Childrens Shelter.

Jim Ellis Automotive Group is proud to announce a donation of $68,850 to the Atlanta Childrens Shelter (ACS) that was recently raised during the groups annual Holiday Giving Campaign. All 20 Jim Ellis family-owned and operated dealerships participated in the special fundraising sales event with the end goal of positively impacting the lives of homeless children and their families in Atlanta and surrounding areas.

Customers who shopped at any Jim Ellis dealership between November 26 to December 31, 2021, enjoyed the additional benefit of a cause-based vehicle purchase that would, in turn, support the local community.

It gives us great pleasure to make this donation to a very special organization like the Atlanta Childrens Shelter, said Jim Ellis Automotive Group Vice President Stacey Ellis Hodges. All children need comfort, safety, love and reassurance and I am so happy that we can play a part in ensuring that these children receive what they deserve.

Atlanta Childrens Shelter is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides free quality daycare, emotional support, an educational curriculum for homeless children, and focused social services for their families. With over 13,000 people in Atlanta waking up in poverty, nearly 2,500 of those are children. With the help of this donation, ACS will be able to assist in supporting close to two dozen homeless families.

We are deeply humbled by the outpouring of support from the Jim Ellis Holiday Giving Campaign, said Sandra Holiday, executive director of Atlanta Childrens Shelter. With over $68,000 donated to our mission, a real impact was made on the wellbeing of Atlantas homeless families. This donation provides five homeless children with scholarships for one year in our licensed early childhood education program, it nourishes 15 homeless children in our classrooms for an entire school year with daily healthy meals and snacks, and it supports 20 homeless families transitioning them into housing with free childcare and emergency assistance for rent and utilities, keeping them stable for one year.

The 2021 Jim Ellis Holiday Giving Campaign marked the sixth consecutive year of extra-mile giving to a local nonprofit during the holiday season. Throughout the 50-year history of Jim Ellis Automotive Group, philanthropy has always been at the forefront of the companys culture. Whether its supporting child education programs, filling local food banks, or partnering with organizations to provide shelter for the homeless, Jim Ellis Automotive Group is dedicated to serving those in need.

About Jim Ellis Automotive Group

Jim Ellis Automotive Group has been serving the Atlanta area since 1971, starting with Volkswagen as the flagship brand. The group has expanded to 17 brands and 20 dealerships covering Atlanta, Buford, Kennesaw, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, and Marietta. Visit online or shop from the comfort of home at jimellis.com.

About Atlanta Children's Shelter

The Atlanta Children's Shelter's mission is to break the cycle of poverty for families facing homelessness by building pathways to long-term self-sufficiency and providing quality early childhood education. Since 1986, the Atlanta Children's Shelter has cared for nearly 8,000 children and helped guide more than 5,000 formerly homeless families to self-sufficiency. The Atlanta Childrens Shelter offers social services that provide continuous care to families who face challenges. For more information, visit: acsatl.org or connect via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
MANZINI - There are over 30 cervical cancer patients who have been sent home, putting their lives at risk, following that government is failing to procure suture equipment from suppliers.

Suture equipment is used during an operation to stitch parts of a wound. The equipment includes; needles, fine scissors and tissue forcepts. Government, through the Ministry of Health, faces another challenge in the shortage of the material as cancer patients, who require specific kinds of needles, are turned back. They are told that the operations cannot be carried out without this specialised equipment. The needles, which are called needle drivers, are usually used in surgery during operation.

Patients

It has been gathered that the specific type needed for the cervical cancer patients are; number six of two, five of number zero and four of number 2/0. All public health facilities, including Mbabane, Piggs Peak and Mankayane Government hospitals are lacking these needles, it was reliably gathered. So serious is the equipment shortage in the country that locals who can only afford public hospital services will have to part with about E5 000 to purchase this type of equipment in order to get operated on at public health facilities. An affected local, whose mother was turned back, shared with this publication that she took her (mother) to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital in Manzini, where they were told that the patient had to go through an operation to remove the womb. The patient suffers from cervical cancer. Since the patient lacked adequate blood, her family was informed that they had to seek donations from same group blood donors as the hospital did not have blood.

According to the source, they managed to get the blood a week later and she went back to the hospital, with the anticipation that the operation would be carried out. My mother was told that she was supposed to be admitted, but because of the lack of needles, they could not operate on her. I got the shock of my life that a big hospital doesnt have the right needles, where does this happen? she expressed. The source said the hospital gave her a prescription of the needles that were needed for the operation for her to buy with her own funds. Again, the source narrated that she went out in search for the suture materials. She said she was told at a private hospital that they had size 2.0, which they sometimes sold at E65, but they did not have the other needle sizes.

Then I called a local pharmaceutical company and luckily they had all the required equipment. The quotation totalled E5 000. However, you cannot buy the needles individually, you have to buy the whole box, she said. The source said she called the Central Medical Stores, which is responsible for the procurement of medical drugs and other health-related merchandise for government and was informed that there was no supply of the needles. The source relayed that she wrote a letter to the RFM Hospital, requesting that the facility assists her in purchasing the needles since they were costly and her mother would not use all of them for the operation. The source elaborated that she was told that it was impossible to get it from the suggested supplier as government procured it elsewhere, at discounted prices. She said this concerned her because it was a matter of life and death as one could die from cervical cancer.

Needles

So, basically it meant that my mother should die because government cannot procure needles for E5 000. How many other patients who dont have a voice have been subjected to such? I am so disappointed, she said. The source explained that with the assistance of relatives, they managed to raise the E5 000 and bought the equipment. Even after she could get the suture equipment and her mother was operated on, the source said the hospital once again told her that there were no antibiotics and that she had to buy them from her own pocket. Now that was the other shock, how can a whole government hospital be without antibiotics? We pay taxes, where does the money go to? she asked.

Meanwhile, a healthcare worker at the RFM Hospital disclosed that the issue of shortage of suture equipment had left them with no choice, but to send patients back home. She said in the past month, over 30 cancer patients with cervical cancer were turned back as they required an operation that involved the removal of the womb. She said without the equipment, patients could die as a lot of blood was lost during the operation. According to MayoClinic.com, cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix  the lower part of the uterus. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer cases.

When exposed to HPV, the bodys immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells. You can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by having screening tests and receiving a vaccine that protects against HPV infection, according to the site.

Operations

It has been painful seeing patients who require to be operated on going back home due to the shortage of suture materials. We have also received reports that some have even succumbed to their illnesses, the healthcare worker revealed. She further mentioned that when patients were turned back, they were told the truth because there was no use giving hope to them when they themselves were not sure when this issue would be addressed. It is either we prescribe the material and tell them to buy it themselves, or they go back home and die, the healthcare worker said. Meanwhile, she said it was not only cervical cancer patients who were turned back, but those who needed deep surgery. Management at RFM Hospital said the hospital had been struggling for a long time now, and it had been about six months since they had trouble procuring suture materials. They were asked about the number of patients who were turned back at the hospital and how long the issue of procurement of the equipment had lasted. When drawn for comment, Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula acknowledged the shortage of the suture equipment and drugs shortage in government hospitals. Dr Magagula said there was no money to procure these.

Shortage

Meanwhile, just last week, this publication reported that the country was facing a nationwide shortage of rabies vaccine, an immunisation used to prevent rabies in people who have been bitten by an animal or otherwise exposed to the rabies virus. Currently, the ordinary liSwati has to fork out E500 or E700 for the rabies vaccine, while the country tries to secure its orders from South Africa. The shortage was confirmed by the director of health services, who said there was a shortage from the government of South Africa that needed to prioritise its needs first before making supplies.

Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) Secretary General Mayibongwe Masangane was quoted as having attributed the drugs shortage to government not making payments to suppliers, something that compromised the countrys healthcare system. He said a lot of lives would be lost if government did not deal with this challenge promptly and aggressively.

Worth noting is that the recent issue of drugs and equipment shortage is not an isolated one in the country as nurses downed tools last year, and delivered a petition to the Ministry of Health, demanding that it dealt with the issue of drugs shortages in the countrys health facilities. They also called upon government to address the issue of shortage of nurses at the countrys medical centres.
Michael Albright, a talented writer, has completed his new book It Begins: a page-turning novel that revolves around Rear Admiral Michael Scott and his journey to keeping the peace on Earth. The countless disappearance of passenger aircrafts has caused commotion in the Space Command and the culprits are hiding beyond the darkness of the galaxy. Join Scott and his team as they fight against those who threaten mankind. May the odds forever be in their favor.

Albright shares, On a bright, sunny day, a Transvaal passenger aircraft was on the last of its several trips across Zambia. The flight had, thus far, been largely uneventful when, suddenly, pure-white light appeared in front of the aircraft and moved to swallow it up. In mere seconds, the aircraft, its crew, and its passengers were surrounded by the light. Abruptly the aircraft rose vertically into the sky. An extensive air, land, and sea search of Zambia and the surrounding countries proved to be in vain. The aircraft and all the people in it had simply disappeared.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, in Brazil, a country well-known for UFO sightings, a Brazilian passenger aircraft disappeared into the heavens. This time, however, the bodies of the missing were returned. Neatly arranged bodies were placed in multiple rows. When they were discovered, the horror became evidentall the internal organs had been removed. A young girl was left alive to give testament to the horrific acts of desecration.

In response to the alien threat over the years, a top secret organization known as Space Command was established within the United States Navy. During the following years, Space Command armed itself with advanced weaponry and was staffed with the best of the best. Its new commander, Rear Admiral Michael Scott, had experience with the alien threat and was committed, as were the men and women of Space Command, to beat the threat back and defeat the aliens no matter the cost. No stone would be left unturned in their determination.

Its now time to buckle your seat belts as you, the reader, are about to embark on an international adventure fraught with danger, passion, and a willingness to save Earth.

Published by Page Publishing, Michael Albrights spellbinding volume that depicts the longstanding battle between humans and aliens. The future of humanity is at stake, now that these intergalactic species are leveling up their game.

Fasten your seatbelt and get absorbed in this astronomical experience.

Readers who wish to experience this exciting work can purchase It Begins at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Aiming to supercharge Black-led startups, Black Business Ventures Association (BBVA) announced a new program called Mwanzo Business Program. Mwanzo Business Program is for Black aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to go from ideation to implementation of their business idea in 30 days. Mwanzo means beginning in Swahili. The Mwanzo Business Program is a program that takes Black aspiring entrepreneurs through the beginning steps of starting a new venture. The program provides the necessary foundational support that most Black entrepreneurs typically ignore. It is at the core of the Mwanzo Business Program, which amplifies and supports the Black community by helping accelerate and increase the number of Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs create more income and impact in their community.

Many Black entrepreneurs in Canada (36%) do not qualify for funding programs because they do not meet eligibility requirements (Black Chambers of Canada Feb 2021). Most of these entrepreneurs lack the social capital and networks to successfully set up businesses for funding. In addition, many programs providing access to entrepreneurial capital and financing do not make a targeted effort to address challenges within Black communities.

Canada is vastly becoming home to a growing and diverse network of novice entrepreneurs. However, some barriers make it difficult for Black entrepreneurs to enter the market. Black Business Ventures Association (BBVA) is on a mission to pave the way for aspiring Black entrepreneurs to be part of the economic growth in Canada.

The Mwanzo Business Program introduces core business foundations for those who want to ignite their entrepreneurial desires and aspire to create a business that will give them the financial and lifestyle freedom they desire. There is no cost for participation but time, creativity and passion. The Mwanzo Business Program is fully flexible and remote, making it easy for participants to gain access to the program and the community as they create and start their next business idea.

Learn more about Mwanzo Business Program: https://blackventures.org/mwanzo

About Black Business Ventures Association (BBVA)

BBVA is on a mission to help establish 1000 successful Black-led tech and tech-enabled businesses in Canada by 2030. The Black Seed Accelerator Program will be a catalyst in ensuring that Black business and tech founders are at the forefront of that growth and acceleration.

Media Contact

Black Business Ventures Association (BBVA)

Gustave Siniziziye

hello@blackventures.ca

https://blackventures.org
"Our team is so excited to provide the community with the superior, high-quality dental care that patients deserve, says Dr. Chokshi.

Families can now enjoy the very best in cutting-edge dentistry at Carrington Square Dental. Located at 2917 S. Providence Rd, Suite A in Waxhaw, NC, Carrington Square Dental, provides the highest level of advanced oral care for beautiful, healthy smiles. Husband and wife team, Dr. Aakar Chokshi and Dr. Bhrita Parikh, are compassionate, experienced dentists and are proud to welcome patients to their new family dental practice. They care deeply about building long-term relationships and are supported by an exceptional dental team. The dental professionals at this clinic treat patients of all ages with general dentistry services such as checkups, cleanings, tooth repairs and gum treatments. Families can also trust the team when they need specialized dental care for improving smile aesthetics or replacing lost teeth. Carrington Square Dentals wide menu of services includes cosmetic, restorative, emergency appointments and same-day dentistry. Some of their specialties are dental implants and repairs, cosmetic dental veneers, dental bridges and dentures, TMJ, bruxism, sleep apnea/snoring treatment and Invisalign orthodontics for adults and teens.

From the moment patients walk through the door, they will feel welcome and at home, receiving personalized treatment plans and excellent care. At Carrington Square Dental, they have truly reimagined the patient experience with exclusive comfort amenities and modern technology to make visits relaxing and efficient. Dental insurance is accepted, and various payment options are available to meet all types of budget needs. The clinic offers expanded hours, Saturday appointments and same-day dentistry for patients.

"Our team is so excited to provide the community with the superior, high-quality dental care that patients deserve, says Dr. Chokshi.

More about Carrington Square Dental:

Carrington Square Dentals mission is to change the way patients view dentistry. They take a unique approach to patient care with advanced technology, comfort amenities and expert general and specialty dentistry. Carrington Square Dental serves the Weddington, Wesley Chapel and Waxhaw, NC, areas. Dr. Chokshi and Dr. Parikh are highly experienced dentists committed to improving the oral health of their patients through education and tailored treatment plans based on the unique smile goals of each patient. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 704-610-4448 or visit http://www.carringtonsquaredental.com.
"By sharing my story of growing up with a facial difference and the inspirational stories of others, the myFace Wonder Project brings to life the books central themes of acceptance and inclusion in real, meaningful, and teachable ways." - Dina Zuckerberg, myFace Director of Family Programs

Over the past ten years, since its original publication on February 14, 2012, R.J. Palacios #1 New York Times bestselling book WONDER has taught readers of all ages the power of empathy, compassion, and choosing kind. This inspirational story has been embraced by millions of children and adults around the world - in schools, bookstores, communities, and organizations - including myFace, a leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals and families with craniofacial conditions just like the hero from Palacios book, Auggie Pullman. myFace recognized the power of Palacios story to change the way people think about differences, and as a result, launched the myFace Wonder Project in 2015. This program brings Palacios message into schools nationwide, and has reached over 60,000 students in the U.S. to date.

Today, myFace and Random House Childrens Books are pleased to announce a new partnership that will expand the reach of this school program for the 2021-2022 academic year, educating students in primary schools on the importance of celebrating uniqueness, being an upstander, and always choosing to be kind, with a variety of resources and activities. Participating schools receive a virtual assembly led by Dina Zuckerberg, myFace Director of Family Programs, featuring a program that encourages students to consider how individual decisions impact others, and how their own choices can help shape society.

The program focuses on the study and acceptance of differences - particularly facial differences - through thought-provoking classroom materials (such as Choose Kindness activity sheets, lesson plans, morning announcements, and Upstander Pledge Cards), and interactive teaching strategies to build students understanding of different perspectives and critical reading and thinking skills. A key professional development aspect of the project involves helping teachers create classroom environments that allow for the safe discussion of sensitive issues such as prejudice and bullying. Students walk away with a new perspective and ability to put themselves in someone elses shoes, and a commitment to choosing kind!

"With students across the country reading WONDER, we were inspired to bring the myFace Wonder Project to schools to teach about differences, kindness and being an upstander," says myFace Director of Family Programs, Dina Zuckerberg. "Through sharing my story of growing up with a facial difference and the inspirational stories of others, we bring to life the books central themes of acceptance and inclusion in real, meaningful, and teachable ways."

Beau, a 5th Grader at Green Vale Elementary School in Old Brookville, NY, shares:

Thank you so much for your informative presentation and for sharing your experience with us and teaching us about craniofacial differences. Our class has signed a pledge to Choose Kind. We will stick to our word and we will not be bystanders, but upstanders. I love what you are doing there at myFace and how you are helping other people with facial differences.

In celebration of the books forthcoming tenth anniversary, the WONDER: ILLUSTRATED EDITION will be released on February 15, 2022 from Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Childrens Books. This beautiful color illustrated edition includes over twenty-five pieces of original art from Tad Carpenter, the artist behind the original cover. The book also includes an essay from R.J. Palacio reflecting on ten years of WONDER as well as an introduction by myFace Director of Family Programs, Dina Zuckerberg.

Given that a child is born in the United States with a craniofacial difference every hour, and the faces of another 100,000 individuals are disfigured through accident or disease, the themes in WONDER ring just as true today as they did 10 years ago.

To learn more about how you can bring the myFace Wonder Project to your community or school, please visit http://www.myface.org/wonder.

For a deeper look into the impact WONDER has had on the craniofacial community in the past decade, listen to Celebrating 10 Years of Wonder, a recent episode of the myFace, myStory: Voices from the Craniofacial Community podcast series, which was broadcasted on January 19, 2022. In the program, host Dina Zuckerberg, myFace Director of Family Programs, is joined by R.J. Palacio, myFace Trustee Sondra Neuschotz (who was born with a cleft lip and whose children were also born with cleft lip and palate), and myFace Wonder Project participant, educator Mary Butters, to share what the book has meant to each of them. To learn more, visit http://www.myface.org/WonderAnniversary.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Katie Bazyluk

myFace Communications Manager

Katie@myFace.org

Kristopher Kam

Random House Childrens Books Publicity Manager

KKam@penguinrandomhouse.com

# # #

myFace (myface.org) has advocated for individuals and families to ensure them access to comprehensive craniofacial care and support for more than 70 years. By providing important services such as emotional support groups, educational webinars, podcasts, online resources, and more, myFace helps individuals with facial differences achieve the best possible outcomes. Visit us online at @myFaceOrg, Facebook.com/myFaceFoundation, and subscribe to our newsletter at myface.org/newsletter.

R.J. Palacio is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wonder, which has sold over 13 million copies worldwide. The book's message inspired the Choose Kind movement and has been embraced by readers around the world, with the book published in over 50 languages. Wonder was made into a blockbuster movie starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay. Palacios other New York Times bestselling books include Pony, 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Brownes Book of Precepts, Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, the picture book Were All Wonders, and the graphic novel White Bird, which is currently being filmed as a major motion picture starring Gillian Anderson and Helen Mirren. Palacio lives in Brooklyn with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.

Random House Childrens Books (rhcbooks.com) is the worlds largest English-language childrens trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and nonfiction, the imprints of Random House Childrens Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. Random House Childrens Books is a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers is an imprint of Random House Childrens Books, the worlds largest English-language childrens trade book publisher, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Visit us online at @RandomHouseKids | Facebook.com/RandomHouseKids | RHCBooks.com
Operation plans for the proposed luxury senior living development in Closter were recently presented to the boroughs Zoning Board of Adjustments. (Rendering courtesy of Reuten Associates) Our mission is to create a vibrant space where seniors within our community can thrive, said Mike Reuten, owner and managing partner of Reuten Associates.

Development and operation plans for the Residences at Reuten Park, a proposed 195-unit luxury senior-living development in Closter, were presented last week to the boroughs Zoning Board of Adjustments. Expert testimony highlighted the projects comprehensive health and wellness offerings and user-friendly technology resources.

Property owner Reuten Associates and developer Metropolis Property Group are seeking a variance to transform outdated industrial buildings at Reuten Corporate Park, located at 231 and 239 Herbert Avenue, into a modern community providing a mix of independent living, assisted living and memory care.

We pride ourselves in improving the quality of life for our residents, said Kelly Andress, founder and president of SageLife, which develops and operates congregate, independent and assisted living communities throughout the East Coast. Regardless of the sector  whether its independent living, assisted living or memory care  its imperative that we create a space equipped with top-tier amenities, services, technologies and resources, and most importantly, a space that feels like home.

During the hearing, Andress discussed the SageLife MOSAIC programming, a wellness system that offers activities for all interests and abilities, such as arts, social engagements, exercise classes and educational courses. In addition to maintenance-free living and 24-hour nursing available on-site, the development will provide transportation services for guest use.

Our mission is to create a vibrant space where seniors within our community can thrive, said Mike Reuten, owner and managing partner of Reuten Associates. Throughout the development process, Ive constantly asked myself, is this a space that mom can call home? This project has become very personal to me for several reasons, mostly because its more than just a building or a structure. Were creating an environment to which our residents, some of whom will be my family members and friends, will feel connected.

Operations plans will also include a fully functional tech ecosystem including medical, consumer and educational technology. To ensure the health and safety of residents, wearable devices that track health metrics will be available for use, and air purification systems, such as BiPolar Ionization, will be outfitted throughout the buildings interior. User-friendly devices, amenities and services like tablets, videoconferencing, IT seminars and in-house tech lessons will be available, in addition to keyless entryways and a tech concierge to assist residents with inquiries.

Operation plans will also include:



Infrastructure enhancements, including fiberoptic cables to maximize bandwidth and Wi-Fi throughout the community.

Flexible meal plans, as well as indoor and outdoor dining venues and room service.

On-site wellness staff, and physical, occupational and speech therapists.

Emergency pull-cords in every unit.

For more project details, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/ResidencesatRP.

Background on Reuten Associates

For nearly 80 years, the Reuten family has been closely tied to the Closter community. In 1945, Michael Fred Reuten purchased the property for his gutter manufacturing business and grew the company into a national manufacturer of doors and windows. His son Fred Reuten later turned the site into Reuten Corporate Park, leasing buildings to several manufacturing companies. His spouse Pat Reuten and their children Michael Reuten and Laura Reuten Kessler, who now own and manage the property, envision the proposed Residences at Reuten Park as the fulfillment of an unmet need for senior housing in Closter.

About Metropolis Property Group (MPG)

Metropolis Property Group is a privately owned, full-service real estate investment, development and management company that also provides consulting and brokerage services. It has offices in Rhode Island and New Jersey. In 2012 the company began to provide consulting and brokerage services to real estate development and investment companies working in the NYC Metro area. MPG focuses on the acquisition and development of senior housing communities as well as multifamily, industrial, and hospitality. To learn more about MPG, visit: https://www.metropolispropertygroup.com/
According to tax advisory firm Grant Thornton, nearly half of more than 250 CFOs surveyed in 2021 cited cybersecurity risks and 30% said a remote workforce was their biggest challenge. Businesses have been using SECaaS for years, so theyre nothing new. In all that time they have been touting their ability to thwart attacks. But what SECaaS providers are not doingand they need tois communicate how they will help their clients handle the coming crises.

Since the advent of the global pandemic, cyberattacks have been on the rise. Bad actors have been seeking to take advantage of the chaos as businesses transitioned from office settings to remote workforces. The situation is becoming dire. According to tax advisory firm Grant Thornton, nearly half of more than 250 CFOs surveyed in February 2021 cited cybersecurity risks and 30% said a remote workforce was their biggest challenge.(1) The increased demand for such services has allowed for rapid expansion in the already crowded Security as a Service (SECaaS) market. In 2020, the security-as-a-service (SaaS) market was valued at USD 9,162.9 million and is expected to reach USD 22,669.17 million by 2026.(2) Add that to the 15,000 SaaS companies currently in the U.S, all competing for billions of customers worldwide.(3) The messaging of guarantees and full-proof protection before the pandemic has been the same across the industry and is being reduced to noise. JOTO PR Disruptors(TM) CEO Karla Jo Helms explains, The winners in this industry will be those who control the narrative, convincing minds that they are the innovator with the answers, including when a breach happens. The key here is in how they execute their messaging.

As Helms explains, Businesses have been using SECaaS for years, so theyre nothing new. In all that time they have been touting their ability to thwart attacks. But what SECaaS providers are not doingand they need tois communicate how they will help their clients handle the coming crises, explains Helms. Companies already have insurance policies when cyber events occur, but the rates are doubling, and the coverage is being cut in half. And to compound the problem, companies fail all too often in communicating properly to the press and their clients. Thats the SECaaSs key to disruptionhaving a crisis communication plan and specific ways to assist with inevitable breaches. There is a huge difference between planning for if, and planning for when.

A SECaaS must not just be about touting their capability to protect their clients but more importantly, how also they mitigate and minimize damage, especially to reputation. Helms continues, If an SECaaS is going to make the biggest deals, they need to be creative with their messaging, creating content that demonstrates how they will help businesses recover, thereby establishing themselves as the influencers. If they rely on just their numbers and processes, they are not going to get noticedciting data alone wont seal the deal.

Young companies and startups that were operating remotely from the outset may have had a slight edge over companies who were forced to convert to a remote workforce, but they were no less vulnerable. Regardless, all businesses have ample reason to be concerned. Data breaches in the U.S continue to be more expensive than other countriesan average total of $9.05 million (more than double the global average). If that data breach happens to a healthcare or financial/banking institution, that cost can be significantly higher. The long-term costs to reputation, as clients confidence is shaken, can be devastating, even fatal to the business. The largest contributing factor to data breach costs was lost businessa whopping 38%.(5)

However, tech companies have flourished in this new reality, adding more logos (i.e., new customers) to portfolios. There is unprecedented need, which means a plethora of opportunity, and that has sparked too much noise in the [tech] industry, says Helms. Guarantees and 100% protection are non-starters, and frankly, just not fitting in todays environment. What would be more disruptive, would be SECaaS providers, partnering with Communications Firms, to already be ahead of these scenarios. That comes from communicating that their disaster plans are ready to executeand that kind of messaging shows exactly how they will protect their clients which will build well-founded trust.

Crisis management is the standardized process by which an organization deals with significant events that threaten to harm the organization, its reputation, its employees, stakeholders, or its bottom line. Companies and individuals who are not trained in dealing with publicized issues that endanger their image or viability often panic and mishandle matters that could otherwise be contained or even turned to their advantage.

It is a delicate techniquea very precision technology, said Helms. When it comes to defending ones reputation, natural tendencies in human behavior are many times the polar opposite to communications techniques useful in crisis.

Tips for SECaaS firms embarking in influencer messaging to rise above the noise should consider what a crisis management plan must do:

1. Sequester off the C-Suite, Marketing and Sales from the crisis handling, except for mainline messaging to carry to customers and prospectsand use their time doubling up on PR, marketing, and sales efforts.

2. Include a strong focus on a volume of proactive third-party credibility to repair any damage to ones public image and to assure stakeholders within your organization that recovery is underway and imminent.

3. Work hand-in-hand with your legal counsel as needed to ensure that sensitive media matters are addressed effectively and immediately with all parties involved staying on message. When you venture into crisis management, not only are you mitigating the damage, but you are also publicizing everything positive that the company has been doing. This communication includes one-on-one meetings with legislators, editorial boards, and any ally who will support your company in its time of crisis.

4. Have a multi-faceted approach that includes communication to all opinion leaders in ones industryin both the private and public sectors. Today, cyber incidents should be covered via a three-prong system: technical security > legal & compliance and > communications. If this last component is not taken into account or not executed quickly and thoroughly, it can be fatal.

About JOTO PR Disruptors(TM):

After doing marketing research on a cross-section majority of 5,000 CEOs of fast-growth trajectory companies and finding out exactly how they used PR, how they measure it, and how they wanted the PR industry to be different, PR veteran and innovator Karla Jo Helms created JoTo PR(TM) and established its entire business model on those research findings. Astute in recognizing industry changes since its launch in 2009, JoTo PRs team utilizes newly established patterns to create timely Anti-PR(TM) campaigns comprising both traditional and the latest proven media methods. This unique skill enables them to continue to increase the market share and improve return on investment (ROI) for their clients, year after yearbeating usual industry standards. Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, JoTo PR is an established international public relations agency. Today, all processes of JoTo PR are streamlined Anti-PR services that have become the hallmark of the JoTo PR name. For more information, visit JoTo PR online at http://www.jotopr.com.

1. Ryan, Vincent. Cybersecurity Evolves to Handle Remote Workers. 21 May 2021, CFO.com, cfo.com/corporate-finance/2021/05/cybersecurity-evolves-to-handle-remote-workers/.

2. Statista, Leading software as a service (SaaS) countries worldwide in 2021, by number of companies. Retrieved 02 February 2022, statista.com/statistics/1239046/top-saas-countries-list/.

3. Market Insight Reports. Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS) Market 2022 Strategic Assessment- IBM Corporation, Proofpoint Inc, Dell Technologies, Websense Inc., McAfee (Intel), Cisco Systems Inc. 01 February 2022, OpenPR, openpr.com/news/2542197/security-as-a-service-secaas-market-2022-strategic

4. Brook, Chris. What is Security as a Service? A Definition of SECaaS, Benefits, Examples, and More. 05 December 2018, DigitalGuardian.com, digitalguardian.com/blog/what-security-service-definition-secaas-benefits-examples-and-more.

5. Tunggal, Abi Tyus. What Is the Cost of a Data Breach in 2021?: Upguard. RSS, 22 Jan. 2022, upguard.com/blog/cost-of-data-breach.
A lot of skincare brands use harmful chemicals that can actually irritate your skin. Thats why its important to pay attention to the ingredients on the label. Made with only naturally derived, clean ingredients, Royalicious can help people enhance the quality of their skin.

Offering naturally clean products, free from harmful chemicals, Royalicious leaves skin feeling amazingly nourished and radiant. This skincare line reveals the real, naturally beautiful you that's always been there. Ensure your skin is properly nourished and hydrated with the help of Royalicious.

Treat yourself like royalty because you ARE, says Shantel Caudill, Owner of Royalicious. Im so happy to be working with Shark Discoveries and help even more people use natural skincare products instead of harmful ones.

"Skincare is so important and Royalicious fully understands this," says Lisa Vrancken, Executive Vice President of Shark Discoveries. "Not only do their products help your skin feel nourished, you get a confidence boost as well!"

As part of its BRTV campaign with Shark Discoveries, Royalicious has appeared in 60 second spots nationwide, featuring the original Shark himself, Kevin Harrington. Shark Discoveries is comprised of an award-winning team of producers, writers, videographers, and editors as well as industry veterans dedicated to finding the latest, most innovative products and ideas, and putting them on the BRTV map.

About Shark Discoveries

Headquartered in South Florida, Shark Discoveries is a full-service production, branding, and marketing company that specializes in brand response television, including Celebrity Influencer Videos, and brand building. Based out of a 25,000+ sq ft, state-of-the-art studio, the companys creative team handles every aspect of production from script to screen to airing.

About Kevin Harrington

As the inventor of the infomercial, founder of As Seen on TV, and one of the original Sharks on Shark Tank, Kevin Harrington has worked with some of the worlds biggest celebrities and launched some of the best-selling DRTV campaigns in history. Since producing his first 30-minute infomercial in 1984, Harrington has been involved in over 500 product launches that have resulted in over $5 billion in sales. Now, in his latest venture with Shark Discoveries, Harrington is on the hunt for the best new products and ideas, bringing them to homes everywhere through personalized BRTV campaigns featuring the Shark.

For more information on Royalicious, please visit http://www.RoyaliciousLLC.com.
SIUE Distinguished Research Professor Riza Demirer, PhD. "Dr. Demirers research productivity brings great honor and recognition to SIUE and the School of Business."

Southern Illinois University Edwardsvilles Riza Demirer, PhD, professor of finance in the School of Business Department of Economics and Finance, has joined a prestigious group of tenured faculty members, achieving the Universitys highest academic rank of Distinguished Research Professor.

The distinction is awarded in recognition of significant contributions to research and creative activities.

It is a great honor to receive this special award, said Demirer. Research is very personal and requires a lot of dedication, sacrifice and self-motivation, so being recognized with such a special award means a lot to me. The Department of Economics and Finance has a long tradition of high-quality scholarship, and I am happy that I can continue this tradition and hopefully inspire junior faculty.

Since joining the School of Business faculty in 2003, Demirer has become an internationally-known and highly-respected scholar in the areas of investor behavior and asset pricing in emerging and frontier stock markets and energy economics/finance. He has written more than 100 papers and has collaborated with over 75 co-authors from think tanks, research centers, universities and governmental institutions in at least 25 countries.

My finance and engineering background allows me to tackle research questions both from an engineering and social scientist perspective, and this has allowed me to collaborate with a wide range of scholars from different disciplines, explained Demirer, whose published works and working papers have been cited more than 3,000 times by other researchers.

Dr. Demirer is a prolific scholar whose work appears in top-tier journals, which have garnered an impressive number of citations and have earned him recognition as a leading expert, said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the SIUE Graduate School. Dr. Demirer has raised SIUEs global reputation through his international collaborations and his leadership as a research fellow with the Economic Research Forum, a think tank dedicated to sustainable growth in developing countries.

Demirers research on emerging stock markets and the interaction between energy and financial markets has gained widespread attention, while his work on investor behavior and its asset pricing implications has provided new insights into the effect of herd behavior in financial markets. Additionally, Demirers work on the interaction between oil and stock markets has led to a new line of research; many studies now build on Demirers findings on the effect of oil market uncertainty on stock market anomalies.

Dr. Demirers research productivity brings great honor and recognition to SIUE and the School of Business, said School of Business Dean Timothy Schoenecker, PhD. Scholars from around the globe seek him out for his expertise and to explore potential collaborations. Several years ago, he was selected by a faculty review committee for the Schools inaugural Heitz Faculty Research Award. His accomplishments make him a worthy choice as a Distinguished Research Professor.

Not only does Dr. Demirer have an extraordinary research record and program, but his service as a scholar is also impactful and far-reaching, exemplified by his international leadership for high-quality economic research in developing countries, said Gregory Fields, PhD, distinguished research professor in the Department of Philosophy.

Research Papers in Economics, a research network which focuses solely on economics and finance research, ranks Demirer in the top 5% of the 62,000 members from 102 countries registered on the network. Demirer is proud of this and other rankings, but he is also grateful for the opportunities he has had to collaborate with his students on high-impact publications.

My research has had a tremendous effect on my teaching as I share the new findings with my students and design class research projects based on the research ideas that come out of my papers, explained Demirer. I truly appreciate the research support provided by the School of Business and the Graduate School even during times when they face budgetary restrictions. I think this research focus is another feature that makes SIUE stand out from its peer institutions.

The School of Business is among an elite 5% of business schools worldwide that have earned the prestigious accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). This accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Less than 25% of AACSB accredited schools also hold the accounting accreditation. For the 16th consecutive year, the School of Business is named an outstanding business school by The Princeton Review: The Best Business Schools: 2022 Edition. The Princeton Review recommends the School as one of the best institutions in the U.S. from which students can earn an MBA. Nearly 29,000 alumni have earned degrees from the SIUE School of Business.

By preparing the next generation of leaders in a knowledge-based economy, SIUEs Graduate School fulfills the regions demand for highly trained professionals. Graduate program offerings include arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, nursing and interdisciplinary opportunities. SIUE professors provide students with a unique integration of theoretical education and hands-on research experiences. Students can obtain graduate certificates or pursue masters degrees, and be part of a supportive learning and rich intellectual environment that is tailored to the needs of adult learners. The Graduate Schools Office of Research and Projects supports and raises the visibility of research and creative activity at SIUE, which ranks highest among its Illinois Board of Higher Education peers in total research and development expenditures according to the National Science Foundations Higher Education Research and Development Survey.
Soft Space Harnessing the power of Soft Space's mobile payment services and transcosmos' contact centers, digital marketing, and e-commerce services, the two companies deliver Omnichannel CRM solutions that leverage offline and online data to help clients grow in the market.

The world's leading fintech player, Soft Space Sdn. Bhd. (Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Chief Executive Officer: Joel Tay; Soft Space), a group company of transcosmos inc. has announced a new strategic partnership with Japan's only international payment brand, JCB Co. Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; Chairman & Chief Executive Officer: Ichiro Hamakawa; JCB).

Soft Space is a pioneer digital payment company in ASEAN that provides innovative payment solutions, which focuses on mobile payments that includes its flagship Mobile Point-of-Sales (MPOS) solution. Soft Space is known as the first company in Asia to obtain a centralized EMV Level 2 certification for cloud-based server, and their solutions are certified by EMV, PCI and major card schemes; making it secure, credible and recognized globally. Soft Space has been granted the Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF) and Pioneer Status Incentive for high technology industry by MIDA in December 2013 and the grant has accelerated Soft Space's growth.

In 2017, transcosmos formed a capital and business alliance with Soft Space. Since then, transcosmos continued to expand its business across the ASEAN region, one of the world's fastest-growing market. Harnessing the power of Soft Space's mobile payment services and transcosmos' contact centers, digital marketing and e-commerce services, the two companies deliver Omni channel customer relationship management (CRM) solutions that leverage both offline and online data to help clients grow in the market.

Now, Soft Space has formed a strategic partnership with JCB which involves a combination of US$5 million investment and a license agreement that allows Soft Space to issue JCB Cards and start merchant acquisition business for JCB in Malaysia. With its Tap on Mobile programme (*1), Soft Space will help JCB expand its merchant network and establish card issuing solutions in the country. Capitalizing on Soft Space's Tap on Mobile programme, JCB will make a series of business collaborations with Soft Space such as offering new marketing solutions to financial institurions across ASEAN member states.

At the same time, Malaysian venture capital firm RHL Ventures has also made a capital participation in Soft Space, while transcosmos acquiring additional shares in Soft Space, increasing its shareholding ratio to around 30%.

In partnership with Soft Space, transcosmos will assist JCB in enhancing its business in ASEAN region.

(1*) JCB Contactless card or mobile device and various Soft Space marketing services can be used at any merchants that support JCB Contactless just by installing Soft Space apps to smartphones and tablet devices off the shelf.

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About Soft Space

Founded in 2012, Soft Space is the world's leading SoftPOS player headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Soft Space simplifies the complexity of financial infrastructure and creates value-added features for businesses to expand their business growth.

With over 30 financial institutions across 10 countries adopting its payment solutions, Soft Space is supported by MDEC's Global Acceleration and Innovation Network (GAIN) programme and received financial support through MIDA's Domestic Investment Strategic Fund in 2012. In 2018, Soft Space ranked 66th out of 1000 companies in Financial Times 'FT 1000: High Growth Companies in Asia Pacific' Special Report. Subsequently in 2020, Soft Space is also recognised as one of IDC's Fastest Growing Company in 2020. For more information, please visit: https://www.softspace.com.my/

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 173 bases across 30 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 48 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/
Does God Really Have Your Back?: a poignant discussion of personal and spiritual growth. Does God Really Have Your Back? is the creation of published author Sonia D. Evans.

Evans shares, People often use this phrase God has your back almost as a rhetoric. So much so that it sounds like the I love you at the end of every phone conversation and the God bless you when someone sneezes. It seems nice, but when the rubber meets the road, do we really have what it takes in the midst of trials and suffering to say with confidence that God has our back? Are we confident that we can affirm that statement or will we falter?

The writer experiences a sudden challenge toward the end of 2018 and asked herself the same question. It caused the writer to reflect on the incredible journey that God brought her through, from being Catholic to a born-again Christian.

From the dusty roads of India to the cobbled streets of Britain and on to America, where God made her dreams come true, she recounts the challenges and the faithfulness of God that affirmed to her that he had her back always. The first time Evans tried to go to America as a nurse, she attended an interview in London, and was turned down. She returned home disappointed and called another agency in America only to find out that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon. That was the day 9/11 happened. How astounding and shocking! She wondered if that would be the right choice. Was it a sign? However, she did not give up. She persevered and eventually made it to America.

The writer relives how she came to the USA as a single person with no family and no drivers license. Having made it as a nurse and recently as a nurse practitioner, she finds herself at the brink of yet another setback which she would like to think was a setup by the God who really had her back. The loss of a job as a new nurse practitioner. Read how a faithful God protected, delivered, and made a way for her.

She invites you to go on the journey with her and to take courage and strength as you walk the road of faith into the unknown abyss where your faith will be tested and while your answers are still invisible. The writer gives you steps to use in the faith walk even as she practices them and goes through the challenge of waiting on God for the answer to the problem.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Sonia D. Evanss new book is a thoughtful reflection on the peaks and valleys of a life lived in determination.

Evans shares key moments that have shaped and guided a strong relationship with God in hopes of empowering others to nurture a strong, faith-based life.

Consumers can purchase Does God Really Have Your Back? at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Does God Really Have Your Back?, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
It is estimated that only 10% of United States cardiac Cath labs use structured reporting to improve efficiency and bolster patient outcomes. The goal of structured reporting is to make sure there is consistency in the documentation reporting of every cardiac procedure, regardless of the physicians training, background, or style of work and that 100% of procedural data is recorded abiding by the latest clinical guidelines.

Cardiology is an inherently data-dependent and data-driven practice. Patient medical history records, images, test results, and more go into every diagnosis and treatment decision. However, most organizations dont take advantage of structured reporting, most cardiovascular information systems (CVIS) cannot effectively mine the wealth of data from a facilitys cardiology department. There is no debate on how crucial structured reporting is. It is considered the first step to improving patient care and enhanced data accuracyimportant points raised by a coalition of 14 professional societies led by the American College of Cardiology and by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.(1) Its estimated that only 10% of United States cardiac Cath labs use structured reporting to improve efficiency and bolster patient outcomes.(1)

Dr. Serge Makowski, CEO and Co-founder of leading healthcare software development firm MediReport, says, The goal of structured reporting is to make sure there is consistency in the documentation reporting of every cardiac procedure, regardless of the physicians training, background, or style of work and that 100% of procedural data is recorded abiding by the latest clinical guidelines. The system intelligently guides the clinician on the required and important procedural data and generates near real-time reports which are automatically incorporated into the facilitys existing electronic health record. Subsequently, this can be accessed by any healthcare provider, which informs evidence-based treatment decisions, improves billing, and betters the patient care experience.

Structured reporting systems fully incorporate data, workflow, analytics, inventory management, billing, and process improvement in one central documentation system.(1) The same data may be repurposed repeatedly for clinical research or registry participation, without the need for any manual data re-entry.

Basic Features of Structured Reporting

A growing number of healthcare organizations are exploring structured reporting. But not all structured reporting systems are created equal. Clinicians should look for several key features to ensure maximum efficiency, such as:



The centralization of all information (dosimetry, pressures, measurements, dynamic drawing, key PACS images) from the cardiac procedure. This means the system must seamlessly interface and operate with the facilitys software packages (EMR, modalities, HIS...).

The effortless recording and tracking of all materials and devices before, during and after the procedure using techniques like barcode scanning.

The generation of reports, complete with full sentences, which may be easily understood by the patient, or any other clinicians involved in follow-up care.

The ability to select multiple languages for report generation, offering both convenience for patients and flexibility to providers.

Continuous connectivity to cloud-based platforms which allows remote access to data at any time.

A Unified System(2)

Two interventional cardiologists developed such a software suite, called CardioReport 360 to help improve workflows, reduce errors, and save hospitals time and money. This platform offers several advantages compared to other CVIS; one being calculating automatic SYNTAX scoring, which saves time during procedures and reduces error rates to improve diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, the system integrates in real-time the latest clinical guidelines and classification systems continuously available to generate reports. Another important asset are its templates, which are customizable to the physician and the practices specific workflows and procedures, which improves clinical adoption and satisfaction during use.

However, one of the most important features of a unified reporting system is the intelligent report conclusions. The auto-generated report conclusions are based off selected key words from procedural data which provides a quick, but thorough, understanding of the lesions description and the procedure results. Dr. Makowski says: The algorithm behind the conclusion synthesis is based on 25-plus years of medical expertise that applies globally and is paramount in the patients care journey and treatment. A bifurcation of a lesion can complicate an angioplasty as the physicians will take a decision between angioplasty and surgery hence the bifurcation criteria will be selected as an important item in the conclusion. Or, if thrombosis appears in the description of the procedure, it will be selected as a determinant item in the conclusion as it might complicate the angioplasty and will carry a tremendous impact in patients treatment. However, if, lets say, the lesion is concentric, or eccentric is not deemed determinant thus will not be retained in the conclusion.

Lastly, reports are finalized before the patient even leaves the Cath Lab which vastly improves timely reporting as well as valuable Cath Lab throughput time. Referring doctors, as well as those participating in follow up care, have near instant access to all vital information about the patient and procedure. Patients benefit from no lapse in care, while hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers can boost the bottom line through quicker turnover.

Dr. Makowski says, We, the physicians, rely on intelligent insights to be gathered from the reports, data that otherwise would be ignored. I no longer need to rely on multiple applications to get the complete picture of my patient. Having access to an extensive number of reporting parameters in a single unified CVIS and being able to generate a high quality and accurate report almost instantly, maximizes efficiency and accuracy.

About MediReport

MediReport, a global supplier of cloud-based software for medical applications, was founded in 1995 by cardiologists Dr. Serge Makowski and Dr. Fabrice Beverelli. Through its comprehensive CVIS, CardioReport Suite, MediReport provides vastly improved clinical workflows that save time, improve quality, and generate high revenue for client organizations. The company is committed to delivering quality products that address the evolving needs of cardiology and IT technologies, based on its foundational principles: clinical excellence, customer satisfaction, continuous improvement of its products and innovations, and commitment and responsiveness. The system is already used by healthcare providers in more than 40 countries. For more information, visit medireport.net.

1. Tierney, Mary C.; Structured Reporting: The Road Map for Better Data, Workflow and Reports; Cardiovascular Business, Accessed 08 Feb 2022; cardiovascularbusiness.com/sponsored/1170/topics/practice-management/structured-reporting-road-map-better-data-workflow-and-0.

2. Landing Page; Powering the best hospitals for 25 years; Accessed 07 Feb 2022; MediReport; medireport.net/cardioreport
Stuarts years of experience and dedication to the firm make him a valuable asset and we look forward to the perspective Stuart will bring to the committee.

Effective immediately, Stuart A. Tucker has been appointed to the Executive Committee of Szaferman, Lakind, Blumstein & Blader, P.C. Stuart, a Partner within the Personal Injury Department, has worked with the firm for 24 years and has been integral to its growth and success.

Stuart focuses his practice on personal injury litigation, business litigation and general litigation. A native of Trenton, he has deep roots in the Trenton community serving on the boards of many nonprofits including the United Way of Greater Mercer County and Every Child Valued. Stuart serves as general counsel to Trentons Change Church and the Trenton Housing Authority.

Stuart joins an Executive Committee consisting of Co-Managing Partners Barry Szaferman and Brian Paul, Founding Partner Arnold Lakind, Partner and General Counsel Bob Lytle and Partners Craig Hubert and Michael Paglione. Together, they represent all of the firms practice areas, with a common goal of finding the best ways to serve their client base. The committee members collectively draw on decades of experience working with their own law firms and individual departments while working with clients in and out of the courtroom. From hiring the most qualified attorneys to using the latest technology, the Executive Committees leadership works to ensure quality and cost-effective service.

We are proud to welcome Stuart to the Executive Committee, said Partner and Executive Committee member Craig Hubert. I have known Stuart for 42 years, and we both were raised in Trenton, New Jersey. We have watched one another grow up as childhood friends and then as lawyers. When we met in 1979, Stuart offered me a seat next to him on the school bus. Now, I am proud to sit next to him at the Executive Committee table. Stuarts years of experience and dedication to the firm make him a valuable asset and we look forward to the perspective Stuart will bring to the committee.

Founded in 1977, Szaferman Lakind is a full-service, Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent law firm that was listed among U.S. News  Best Lawyers Best Law Firms* from 2014 through 2021 in the New Jersey Metro area. The firm was most recently recognized in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Family Law, Land Use & Zoning Law and Personal Injury Litigation  Plaintiffs. Based in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Szaferman Lakind has 30+ attorneys who provide legal representation to businesses, investors, professionals, families and individuals in several areas, among them family law, general and commercial litigation, personal injury, workers' compensation, estate and business planning and business law. To contact Szaferman Lakind please call 609.275.0400 or visit http://www.szaferman.com.

Szaferman Lakind was selected to U.S. News  Best Lawyers Best Law Firms list. The Best Law Firms list is issued by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. A description of the selection methodologies can be found at bestlawfirms.usnews.com/methodology.aspx. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
...With Terryberrys new Reward Platform, our customers can be confident that any recognition received will be converted into rewards their employees will truly value, said Brian Snodgrass, Vice President of Product and Technology

Terryberry, the recognition company that helps create engaged, purpose-led organizations, announces the launch of their new Reward Platform (visit to learn more here: https://www.terryberry.com/reward-platform/). This new Reward Platform allows organizations to provide their employees with meaningful rewards they will genuinely enjoy.

The new Reward Platform offers a best-in-class shopping experience for all reward recipients, anywhere around the world. With fulfillment centers across the globe, the Terryberry Reward Platform offers both globally and locally sourced items appropriate for all reward recipients. Having served over 44,000 clients worldwide, Terryberry is thrilled to continue its tradition of providing world-class solutions.

Terryberrys new redemption platform enables organizations to offer thousands of award options from leading brands, including Tag Heuer, Dyson, Kate Spade, Gucci, Canon, Samsung, etc. Additionally, the Reward Platform offers redemption options such as hotel and travel, life experiences, gift cards, and charitable donations.

Today, more than ever, companies are struggling with employee engagement and retention. With Terryberrys new Reward Platform, our customers can be confident that any recognition received will be converted into rewards their employees will truly value, said Brian Snodgrass, Vice President of Product and Technology. Our customers will be able to provide their employees with the most robust rewards and products with the Reward Platform, ensuring the highest level of employee excitement and satisfaction.

The redemption process provides a fun and easy experience for the end-user. With innovative features like DreamTracker, reward recipients can set goals toward specific items of their choosing and track their progress along the way through the application. Our customers reward recipients can select the perfect gift using the platforms online redemption site, or a traditional employee gift catalog. The new Reward Platform was developed and designed to exceed expectations and fulfill the needs of Terryberrys customers.

Terryberrys new platform works with all reward and recognition programs: Milestone and Service Awards, Performance and Incentive Rewards, Corporate Wellness Incentives, and Business gifts. Utilizing the Reward Platform is a great new choice for service awards, employee gifts, and other employee recognition awards. Moreover, customers will be able to integrate this platform with any current Terryberry program. Customers will be able to recognize and reward any achievement, big or small. From gifts on a budget to significant awards for major career milestones.

Terryberrys mission is to inspire people to achieve remarkable things. When people are recognized for their dedication and efforts, they are inspired to achieve more. It is Terryberrys hope that the Reward Platform will aid in that mission. With thousands of name-brand merchandise, travel, life experiences, and charitable donation options, there is a reward for everyone.

About Terryberry

Terryberry is your partner to create an engaged, purpose-led organization through the power of recognition. Founded in 1918 by H.R. Terryberry, the family-founded company that provides global recognition solutions for more than 44,000 clients worldwide. With over a century of experience, Terryberry strives to make others feel seen and recognized in a meaningful way. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Terryberry is committed to igniting engagement and recognition in every organization through our solutions and platforms. Visit Terryberrys website to learn more about how to better recognize your employees and explore current job opportunities. https://www.terryberry.com/
The Bell Lexus North Scottsdale Copperstate 1000 The Mens Arts Council created this event back in 1990 as a fundraiser for Phoenix Art Museum and the event continues to set the benchmark for excellence, said incoming Mens Arts Council President Joel Coen.

The 32nd annual running of the Bell Lexus North Scottsdale Copperstate 1000 returns to Arizona in April. It is one of the premier vintage car road rallies in North America that celebrates the automotive cultural legacy by featuring some of the finest working examples of vintage, sports, racing, classic and grand touring automobiles manufactured before the 1974 model year.

The Mens Arts Council (MAC) created this event back in 1990 as a fundraiser for Phoenix Art Museum and the event continues to set the benchmark for excellence, said incoming Mens Arts Council President Joel Coen. Our members, event participants and even the public are ecstatic to have this iconic event return post-pandemic.

Each year a new route covers 1,000 miles of beautiful desert terrain, verdant river valley and alpine landscape throughout the state of Arizona and beyond. Approximately 90 qualifying vintage automobiles participate with drivers and co-drivers from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. The relationships that are made during these rallies often develop into lifelong friendships and many participants return year after year.

The collector car hobby continues to thrive into a lifestyle as more collectors are driving and enjoying their vintage automobiles, said Copperstate 1000 Chairman Keith McLaine. The Copperstate 1000 is the epitome of such a lifestyle event and allows participants to enjoy four fully catered days of glorious driving with fellow enthusiasts while having only the sheer exhilaration of the open road to contend with as all the details have been handled by our more than capable staff  from luxury accommodations to fully catered meals, parking lot hospitality parties and a UHaul sponsored luggage truck, the MAC crew thinks of everything.

Bell Lexus North Scottsdale has supported the Copperstate 1000 as the title sponsor for over 20 years and plays an intricate part in the rally. They loan the event five brand new vehicles in case a rally car is not able to finish.

The public and fans of all ages can see the cars participating in the Copperstate 1000 during the Roadrunner event on Sunday, April 3 at Tempe Diablo Stadium from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Copperstate 1000 cars are lined up on the outside of the field like a track and are announced as they start departing at 10:00 a.m.

Local car owners are also more than welcome to display their automobiles in the west parking lot, said Coen. Theres truly nothing like it, whether youre a die hard fan or if youre just looking for something to do with the family, you wont want to miss the Roadrunner.

Some very notable cars will participate in the Copperstate 1000 this year including a 1952 Cunningham C2 Lemans race car. The Cunningham C2, later referred to as the C2r, was Briggs Cunningham's first serious assault on an outright win in the Le Mans 24 hour race. Sporting aluminum bodywork in the latest style coupled with the brand new overhead valve Chrysler 331 c.i. Hemi engine with LaSalle 3 speed gear change, the C2 had power to burn. It had a tubular ladder frame, conventional front drums from Cadillac, riding on double wishbone independent front suspension, joined to a DeDion rear axle with trick inboard drums. Success was mixed. Of the three cars entered, only one finished in 1951. The car ran as high as second for much of the race, being clocked at 154 mph on the Mulsanne, yet it finished a disappointing 18th after being slowed by mechanical issues late in the race.

Another must see is the 1953 Studebaker Commander. It was the brainchild of noted automotive designer Raymond Loewy. The iconic low-slung design has an aerodynamic profile which has made it a favorite of road racers for seventy years. This Starlight Coupe underwent a frame-off conversion from a stock model in 2012 and subsequently was campaigned five times in Mexico on the La Carrera Panamericana and the Chihuahua Express. During the conversion the chassis and suspension were tuned for endurance road racing and a custom 302 race motor, Tremec five speed, Wilwood disc brakes, quick change rear gears, fuel cell, roll cage and fire suppression system were installed.

The 32nd Annual Copperstate 1000 runs Saturday, April 2 through Wednesday, April 6 with the 90 vintage automobiles departing at the Roadrunner event on Sunday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. from Tempe Diablo Stadium located at 2200 West Alameda Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282.

About Mens Art Council:

The Men's Arts Council (MAC) of Phoenix Art Museum was founded in January of 1967 to support the programs and activities of the Phoenix Art Museum. MAC has over 200 members whose talents, energy and dedication organize and present fundraising events to support the Museum and to contribute to its operating budget, to financially sponsor exhibitions, and to fund two separate endowments: the Western American Art Endowment Fund and the Mens Arts Council Sculpture Endowment Fund.
The ThreatAdvice Breach Prevention Platform maximizes a partners ability to gain deep insight into their clients cybersecurity environment, providing the information needed to monitor and make changes when necessary to keep their clients secure.

ThreatAdvice, a company focused on cybersecurity and cyber education solutions, announced today that it has formed the ThreatAdvice Advisory Council to help guide and develop its ThreatAdvice Breach Protection Platform cybersecurity management solution. The council is comprised of eight established managed service providers (MSPs) who will utilize the solution to manage their customers and provide feedback and guidance on current features and new enhancements.

The council, facilitated by ThreatAdvices Matthew Koenig, vice president of channel development, will meet monthly and have direct access to ThreatAdvice senior management, development and support teams to provide ongoing feedback and suggestions. Their input will help to shape the ThreatAdvice Breach Prevention Platform as it continues to evolve. Members will receive new beta feature access, expedited support and on-boarding assistance for their customers, among other benefits.

Members of the 2022 ThreatAdvice Advisory Council are Raffi Jamgotchian of Triada Networks, Northvale, NJ; Brian Johnson, AVC Techcorp, Mooresville, IN; Mitchell Robert, Better Corp, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, Mike Bloomfield, Tekie Geek, Staten Island, NY; Dave Moorman, Novatech, Alpharetta, GA; Gerard Connors, AllyIT, Jonesboro, AR; Roy Richardson, Aurora InfoTech, LLC, Orlando, FL; and Brian Weiss, ITECH Solution, Templeton, CA.

The ThreatAdvice Breach Prevention Platform maximizes a partners ability to gain deep insight into their clients cybersecurity environment, providing the information needed to monitor and make changes when necessary to keep their clients secure. It includes internal and external vulnerability scanning, proprietary security management dashboards, customizable security policies, detailed reporting, remediation guidance, education and more and will serve as overarching solution to enable MSPs to manage their customers cybersecurity more effectively.

We are excited about the ThreatAdvice Breach Prevention platform that we are bringing to the MSP space after years of research and development, said Koenig. But we know there is always room for improvement and having the input of theses leaders of successful MSPs will help us to continue to finetune and enhance our platform to be a must-have for cybersecurity management in the MSP space, he said.

The company plans to demo its ThreatAdvice Breach Prevention Platform at a number of upcoming MSP trade shows, including CharTec Academy in Bakersville, CA; IOTSSA in Austin, TX; SMB Tech Fest, Irvine, CA and Manheim, CA; Robins Big Seminar, Nashville, TN; MSP Sales Revolution, Orlando, FL; IT Nation Secure, Orlando, FL; Build IT, Jersey City, NJ; XCHANGE, Denver, CO;BigBIG, Hollywood, FL; and IT Nation Connect, Orlando, FL. TheatAdvice is also sponsoring Kaseyas Connect IT Global 2022 event in Las Vegas in June where ThreatAdvice spokesperson Frank Abagnale, inspiration for the blockbuster Catch Me If You Can, will be a keynote speaker.

About ThreatAdvice

ThreatAdvice, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is focused on providing world-class cybersecurity solutions to the channel. The companys ThreatAdvice Breach Prevention Platform serves to maximize a partners ability to gain deep insight to a clients cybersecurity environment, providing the information needed to monitor and make changes when necessary to keep their clients secure. The platform includes vulnerability scanning, security dashboards, detailed reporting, remediation guidance, education and more. For more information visit threatadvice.com/partners or call 678-249-0520.


Young Thug commented, I have never come across so many great artists on one single platform. Fwaygo is the future of music discovery and distribution. Fwaygo is 

Leading independent DIY digital music distributor TuneCore, a division of global digital music company Paris-based Believe, has partnered with newly launched mobile music discovery platform Fwaygo. The two companies will work together to provide artists with digital music distribution through Fwaygo, powered by TuneCore.

Fwaygo is a new mobile music discovery platform which gives independent artists the ability to increase their exposure and, in the future, their earnings. Created by serial social media entrepreneur, musician and Fwaygo CEO Jeremy Greene alongside partners Mercari CEO John Lagerling and Fwaygo COO Janelle Greene, the company launched in beta late last year and has already attracted tens of thousands of enthusiastic users and gained the support of artists like renowned rap artist Young Thug, who uses Fwaygo to find new music and artists with whom to collaborate.

Young Thug commented, I have never came across such so many great artists on one single platform. Fwaygo is the future of music discovery and distribution. Fwaygo is 

Said Greene, I believe the future of artist discovery and distribution is in mobile and Im happy to disrupt the music industry because Its been broken for a very long time. We are thrilled to be partnering with the TuneCore team and look forward to joining the revolution for independent artists.

Through the Fwaygo app, artists can upload songs directly from their mobile devices, along with artwork and social tags with a 15 second burst allowing users to discover the best parts of the song. The ease of use has fueled Fwaygos rapid growth with over 40,000 artist profiles created since their launch.

Once the record has been uploaded, Fwaygo uses its AI powered algorithm to match fans with music they will love, giving artists the opportunity to go viral through Fwaygos Discover feed. Through the new partnership with TuneCore, artists will have the opportunity to send their music to over 150+ digital stores and streaming platforms using TuneCores industry leading automated distribution services, all via their mobile phones, making the entire experience simple and seamless.

Commented Andreea Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, TuneCore, Fwaygo taps into two areas of importance for independent artists - opportunity for music discovery and a fast easy music upload experience. Were looking forward to the partnership and working with Fwaygo to get their artists music distributed to audiences around the world, while they keep their ownership, and get paid too.

About TuneCore

TuneCore is the global platform for independent musicians to build audiences and careers  with technology and services across distribution, publishing administration and a range of promotional services. TuneCore Music Distribution services help artists, labels and managers sell their music through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, Tencent and more than 150 download and streaming stores worldwide, while retaining 100 percent of their sales revenue and rights for a low annual flat fee. TuneCore Music Publishing Administration assists songwriters by administering their compositions through licensing, registration, worldwide royalty collections, and placement opportunities in film, TV, commercials, video games and more. The TuneCore Artist Services portal offers a suite of tools and services that enable artists to promote their craft, connect with fans, and get their music heard. TuneCore, part of Believe, is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, and Austin, and operates globally through local teams based in the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Japan and Singapore across 5 continents. http://www.tunecore.com

About Believe

Believe is one of the worlds leading digital music companies. Believes mission is to develop independent artists and labels in the digital world by providing them the solutions they need to grow their audience at each stage of their career and development. Believes passionate team of digital music experts around the world leverages the Groups global technology platform to advise artists and labels, distribute and promote their music. Its 1,401 employees in more than 50 countries aim to support independent artists and labels with a unique digital expertise, respect, fairness and transparency. Believe offers its various solutions through a portfolio of brands including TuneCore, Nuclear Blast, Naive, Groove Attack and AllPoints. Believe is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: BLV.PA, ISIN: FR0014003FE9). http://www.believe.com

Fwaygo, is the first music streaming platform which enables undiscovered artists to increase their exposure and their earnings. The platform avoids exploitative music ownership, royalty and streaming revenue policies of traditional labels and streaming services.

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Ubiik, the leading industrial IoT solutions provider specialized in Advanced Metering Infrastructure, has partnered with Monogoto and Sequans Communications to demonstrate an End-to-End Smart Electricity Metering solution that runs on Ubiiks private, standalone LTE-M network.

Ubiiks private LTE-M network leverages Ubiiks recently announced Hermes LTE-M/NB-IOT Small Cell with integrated SDR-based Release 15 Radio Access Network, securely connected to Monogotos cloud-native Core Network via an IPsec VPN tunnel. On the UE side, Ubiik has incorporated its in-house metering application stack for both ANSI and IEC (DLMS/COSEM) electricity meters along with Sequans Monarch GM02S module and Monogotos SIM cards. The LTE-M network can be operating in 1.4MHz, 3MHz and 5MHz bandwidth in bands 3 and 8.

As the largest AMI vendor in Taiwan, Ubiik has previously announced its selection of Sequans Monarch GM02S module in support of its LTE-M connectivity solution for Taiwans largest IoT project, Taiwan Power Companys AMI which would in total deploy 6Mn electricity in the coming years since its launch in 2018. The demonstrated UE, in a form factor of electricity meter communication device, are already integrated in both ANSI and IEC Meters and communicate over Websocket Secure connections with Ubiiks fully-integrated Head-End System and Energy Management Platform seamlessly.

We are proud to keep demonstrating our breakthroughs and technical excellence, along with our partners innovations. This is manifested by the versatility of our groundbreaking Hermes Small Cell, which complements perfectly our Weightless LPWAN offerings, said Tien-haw Peng, Ubiik Founder and CEO. We see huge market opportunities for private cellular IoT, LTE-M and NB-IoT, networks from the industrial sectors and what we are demonstrating is a result of 2 years development and innovation which serves as our answer to the market. Together with Monogoto and Sequans and our ecosystem partners, we are aiming to unlock new markets and opportunities for utilities and customers looking at private or hybrid public/private LTE deployments.

Monogoto CEO Itamar Kunik added: As the first provider to support both public and private LTE coverage on the same cloud, Monogoto is a big believer in private LTE for various use cases. We are very happy with this partnership and we believe that bands 3 and 8 are going to play a critical role in the future of private LTE.

Private 4G/5G networks complement public cellular networks and enable utilities to reduce costs, improve connectivity, and guarantee service longevity, said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. Ubiiks end-to-end LTE-M network demo at MWC will show utilities how they can deploy LTE-M in Band 3 and Band 8 and take full advantage of future-proof, standardized private LTE. We are proud that Ubiik has selected our Monarch technology to connect their smart meters and very excited to see the solution now extending to private networks, enabling utilities to benefit from the advanced features and ultra-low-power capability of Sequans Monarch solution.

In addition to LTE-M, Ubiik end-to-end network also supports NB-IoT which constitutes a great offering for the water metering markets. Both LTE-M and NB-IoT networks now support Band 3 and Band 8. Ubiik Hermes Small Cell will extend to other LTE and CBRS bands, as well as 450MHz and private or non-3GPP LTE spectrum.

Visit Ubiik (booth 5H35 Hall 5) at MWC Barcelona 2022, February 28-March 3, as well as Monogoto (5D93 Hall 5), and Sequans (5H40 Hall 5), where the demonstration will be showcased.

About Ubiik

Founded in 2016, Ubiik started its IoT business by providing Weightless LPWAN, a high performance open standard successful with electricity Advanced Metering Infrastructure private deployments. Since its successful AMI project in 2018 which has expanded its product portfolio to a PaaS cloud platform, Ubiik has become a vertical IoT solutions provider. It has since grown its connectivity offerings to include LTE technologies to cover the multi-modality of the IoT market, especially for applications requiring the use of public cellular networks.

Visit Ubiik online at http://www.ubiik.com

About Monogoto

Monogoto provides global Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity using powerful APIs that enable enterprises and developers to design, build, manage, control and scale their IoT applications quickly and securely. Enterprises use the Monogoto platform to connect and control cellular-based sensors and devices, such as point of sales, ATMs, wearables, smart lights, fleets of cars and packages, and leverage its APIs to provide enhanced flexibility and capabilities like cybersecurity, procurement, and IT management. Visit Monogoto online at http://www.monogoto.io

About Sequans

Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading developer and supplier of cellular IoT connectivity solutions, providing chips and modules for 5G/4G massive and broadband IoT. For 5G/4G massive IoT applications, Sequans provides a comprehensive product portfolio based on its flagship Monarch LTE-M/NB-IoT and Calliope Cat 1 chip platforms, featuring industry-leading low power consumption, a large set of integrated functionalities, and global deployment capability. For 5G/4G broadband IoT applications, Sequans offers a product portfolio based on its Cassiopeia Cat 4/Cat 6 4G and high-end Taurus 5G chip platforms, optimized for low-cost residential, enterprise, and industrial applications. Visit Sequans online at http://www.sequans.com

Ubiik PR/Marketing Contact

marketing@ubiik.com
The New Way of Worship: Worship the One True God Creator and Preserver of All Things: an articulate discussion of the importance of strengthening ones connection to God. The New Way of Worship: Worship the One True God Creator and Preserver of All Things is the creation of published author Winston A. Richter, a loving husband, father, and grandfather who serves as a marriage counselor at Christs Oasis Ministries in Chicago.

Richter shares, One book cannot be enough to contain the knowledge about who God is. It will take volumes of books. All the sixty-six books of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, speak of Gods greatness; who He is and what He has done and could do. He alone is worthy of our praise and worship. There is none like Him.

His attributes include all kinds of goodness and power unimaginable. He is the Redeemer, the Almighty, and the King of kings. He knows our future from the present. May genuine and true hunger and thirst for this Holy God draw us closer and closer and closer to Him in reverence and holiness through His grace. Amen!

The quality worship that God requires from us is based on the heart that is willing to offer unto God what we love so dear and cherish most, and this describes our reverence to Him.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Winston A. Richters new book will encourage and challenge believers in their faith.

Richter shares in hopes of empowering others to nurture a strong connection in order to have a healthy spiritual life.

Consumers can purchase The New Way of Worship: Worship the One True God Creator and Preserver of All Things at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The New Way of Worship: Worship the One True God Creator and Preserver of All Things, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Wise Wolf Books  an imprint of Wolfpack Publishing- has signed Chris Mullen to a contract to publish three novels in his popular teen/young adult series ROWDY. His novels are transformative coming-of-age westerns about a thirteen-year-old boy named Rowdy who must overcome a series of hardships to survive in the Old West.

The first book in the series  ROWDY: WILD AND MEAN, SHARP AND KEEN will be published in late February 2022. It won the 2020 American Fiction Awards in the Western category and was a finalist in the 2020 Best Book Awards. The second book in the series  ROWDY: REDEMPTION will be published in late March 2022. The third book in the series will be published later in 2022.

Chris Mullen is an award-winning author and teacher from Richmond, Texas. With over twenty years teaching Kindergarten and Pre-K students, his imagination and love for storytelling blossomed. He won the 2019 Connie Wootton Excellence in Teaching Award presented by the Southwest Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES). Please visit his website http://www.chrismullenwrites.com for more information.

Mike Bray, Wolfpack Publishings CEO said, Chris Mullen is a great storyteller and I know his books about perseverance in the face of adversity will appeal to our Teen/Young Adult readers.

Chris Mullen said, Im glad my work has found a home with Wise Wolf and the Wolfpack Publishing team. I look forward to working with them to bring Rowdy to a brand-new audience.

About Wise Wolf Books

Wise Wolf Books is a new publishing imprint under the ever-growing Wolfpack Publishing umbrella. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Wise Wolf is a modern publisher targeting a Teen and Young Adult audience. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.wisewolfbooks.com
We are a service-based company, and we are fortunate to have the tools, staff and partnerships to address the multifaceted needs of state departments of transportation across the country.

Woolpert was selected by the Ohio Department of Transportation for a two-year, $1.5 million general engineering services contract to support District 6-Delaware and District 9-Chilicothe. Services will include but not be limited to roads and bridges engineering, survey, right-of-way, traffic management, mobility studies, safety projects and signal repair.

Woolpert Vice President and Transportation Program Director Mike Avellano said the firm and its partners will work as an extension to the ODOT staff on this contract. The Woolpert team will be a comprehensive resource for the department, providing on-call engineering and geospatial services specific to the needs of the department.

We are a service-based company, and we are fortunate to have the tools, staff and partnerships to address the multifaceted needs of state departments of transportation across the country, Avellano said. We are honored to have a long history of supporting ODOT, here in our home state of Ohio, and our team is excited to bring its broad palate of services to districts 6 and 9 under this contract.

ODOTs statewide transportation system is divided into 12 districts that include over 43,000 miles of highway and more than $115 billion in infrastructure assets. District 6 has the systems most interstate, federal and state highway lane miles at nearly 5,000 and covers eight counties in central Ohio. District 9 supports roughly 3,700 lane miles across eight south central Ohio counties.

Woolpert has five offices in Ohio and has enlisted Burgess & Niple, TranSystems, Lawhon & Associates and CTL Engineering to support this contract.

About Woolpert

Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is an ENR Top 150 Global Design Firm, recently earned its sixth-straight Great Place to Work certification, and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been Americas fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. The firm has more than 1,600 employees and 60 offices on four continents. For more, visit woolpert.com.
This month we celebrate the triumphs and remember the struggles of the Black community. Using the past as inspiration and the present as a springboard, childrens authors commemorate historical heroes and their contributions toward the fight for racial equality. Weve gathered a selection of recent fiction and nonfiction titles, including the story of a woman who served mouth-watering food with a side of justice; a little-known Tennessee towns movement to vote; an exploration of race and recent events in America; and more.

Picture Books and Biographies

Because Claudette

Tracey Baptiste, illus. by Tonya Engel. Dial, $17.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-593-32640-4. Ages 68.

When 15-year-old Claudette Colvin boarded a segregated bus on March 2, 1955, she had no idea she was about to make history. This picture book biography pays tribute to her pivotal role in the civil rights movement. The book received a starred review from PW.

The Faith of Elijah Cummings: The North Star of Equal Justice

Carole Boston Weatherford, illus. by Laura Freeman. Random House Studio, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-593-30650-5. Ages 69.

Best known as a voice for people of color and an advocate for equal opportunity, Elijah Cummings was a warrior for equality and change. Weatherford and Freeman introduce this politician and civil rights champion, detailing his inspiring story. The book received a starred review from PW.

A History of Me

Adrea Theodore, illus. by Erin K. Robinson. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-8234-4257-7. Ages 48.

Life can be hard for the only brown girl in a classroom full of white students. When the teacher talks about slavery or the civil rights, she can feel her classmates looking and hear the whispers about her on the playground. She wonders, is that all you see when you look at me?

Ida B. Wells, Voice of Truth: Educator, Feminist, and Anti-Lynching Civil Rights Leader

Michelle Duster, illus. by Laura Freeman. Holt/Godwin, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-250-23946-4. Ages 48.

Wells challenged the racist and sexist norms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries through her writing and speaking. Faced with criticism and threats to her life, she never gave up. This true story is told by her great-granddaughter, Michelle Duster, who has been recognized for her activism and fight for contemporary racial justice.

Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth

Alice Faye Duncan, illus. by Keturah A. Bobo. Thomas Nelson, $17.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-4002-3125-6. Ages 48.

Every year, Opal looked forward to the Juneteenth picnic. She knew from Granddaddy Zaks stories that Juneteenth celebrated the day that the news of President Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Texas in 1865. But Opal didnt always see freedom in her Texas town. Then one Juneteenth day, an angry crowd burned down her brand-new home. Could Opal bring about national recognition of Juneteenth?

Seeking Freedom: The Untold Story of Fortress Monroe and the Ending of Slavery in America

Selene Castrovilla, illus. by E.B. Lewis. Calkins Creek, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-63592-582-1. Ages 710.

On the night that Virginia secedes from the Union, three enslaved men approach Fortress Monroe. Knowing that Virginias secession meant they would be separated from their families and sent farther south to work for the Confederacy, the men decided to plead for sanctuary. And they were in luck.

Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Mara Rockliff, illus. by R. Gregory Christie. Random House Studio, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-5247-2064-3. Ages 48.

Georgia Gilmore was cooking when she heard the news that Rosa Parks had been arrested. The radio urged everyone to stay off city buses for one day in protest. Throughout what became a 13-month boycott, Gilmore served up her fried chicken, spicy collard greens, and sweet potato pie, eventually selling them to raise money to help the cause.

When the Schools Shut Down: A Young Girls Story of Virginias Lost Generation and the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Decision

Yolanda Gladden, as told to Tamara Pizzoli, illus. by Keisha Morris. HarperCollins, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-06-301116-8. Ages 48.

This autobiographical picture book presents the untold story of an African American girl who lived during the shutdown of public schools in Farmville, Va., following the landmark civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. The book received a starred review from PW.

Middle Grade

Evicted! The Struggle for the Right to Vote

Alice Faye Duncan, illus. by Charly Palmer. Calkins Creek, $18.99 (64p) ISBN 978-1-68437-979-8. Ages 912.

Duncan examines the little-known Tennessees Fayette County Tent City Movement in the late 1950s and reveals what is possible when people unite and fight for the right to vote. Conveyed through interconnected stories and told through the eyes of a child, this tale shines light on this forgotten history.

Segregated Skies: David Harriss Trailblazing Journey to Rise Above Racial Barriers

Michael Cottman. National Geographic Kids, $18.99 (128p) ISBN 978-1-4263-7197-4. Ages 9-12.

After years of flying B-52 bombers in the U.S. Air Force, David Harris applied to be a pilot for commercial airliners, an opportunity no other African American before him had ever been afforded. After receiving rejection after rejection, he finally signed on with American Airlines in 1964. But this success was just the beginning of another uphill battle for equal treatment.

Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler

Ibi Zoboi. Dutton, $16.99 (128p) ISBN 978-0-399-18738-4. Ages 10 and up.

Zoboi illuminates the young life of the visionary storyteller Octavia E. Butler in poems and prose. Born into the Space Race, the Red Scare, and the dawning civil rights movement, Butler experienced an American childhood that shaped her into a groundbreaking science-fiction storyteller.

When Winter Robeson Came

Brenda Woods. Penguin/Paulsen, $16.99 (176p) ISBN 978-1-5247-4158-7. Ages 10 and up.

When Edens cousin Winter comes for a visit, it turns out hes not just there to sightsee. He wants to figure out what happened to his father, who disappeared 10 years earlier from the Watts area of L.A. The cousins set out to investigate together, and what they discover brings them joyand heartache.

YA

Aint Burned All the Bright

Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin. Atheneum/Dlouhy, $19.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-5344-3946-7. Ages 12 and up.

Author Reynolds and artist Griffin, friends and previous collaborators, explore race and recent events in America through a poetic multimedia partnership told in three breaths. See our In Conversation with Reynolds and Griffin. The book received a starred review from PW.

Augusta Savage: The Shape of a Sculptors Life

Marilyn Nelson. Little, Brown/Ottaviano, $18.99 (128p) ISBN 978-0-316-29802-5. Ages 14 and up.

Savage was arguably the most influential American artist of the 1930s. A gifted sculptor, she was commissioned to create a portrait bust of W.E.B. Du Bois for the New York Public Library. After being denied an artists fellowship abroad on the basis of race, Savage worked to advance equal rights in the arts. This biography in verse received a starred review from PW.
Indigo Books & Music, Canada's leading book retailer, reported strong results for its third quarter ended January 1, 2022. Revenue was $C430.7 million, a 17.9% hike over the same period in 2020, when revenue was $C365.4. With the increase in revenue, Indigo reported net earnings in the period of C$45.1 million, compared with C$30.7 million a year ago.

Retail revenue for the period, which is inclusive of orders fulfilled through omnichannel store pick-up, increased by C$67.7 million or 29.4% to C$298 million, compared with $230.4 million in 2021  representing a 29.6% increase. The company cited strong sales of non-book lifestyle items, including toys, as well as sales to a re-engaged core customer and a younger demographic influenced by the strength of the #BookTok community on TikTok as reasons for the increase sales at retail.

Online sales, which surged during the pandemic, decreased by C$3.5 million or 2.8% in the quarter, to C$122.0 million compared with C$125.5 million in the same period last year.

In the quarter, the general merchandise segment accounted for 49.2% of all revenue compared to 48.3% for print merchandise, which includes books and magazines. The company also noted that December sales were impacted by the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, which restricted foot traffic in stores, particularly in Ontario where stores were limited to welcoming customers at half-capacity.

The company continues to operate 88 superstores, under the Indigo and Chatpers brands, and 85 smaller format stores, under the Coles and Indigospirit names, the same number as mid-2021. What is new was the move of employees at several more Indigo locations to vote to unionize, bringing the total number of unionized stores to six.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2022, revenue rose 19%, to C$841.5 million and the retailer had earnings of C$26.7 million compared to a loss of C$18.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2021.
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The Mainz-based media company was founded in 1993 to distribute and purchase programmes for ZDF and together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, ZDF Enterprises is today responsible for national and international media productions, from initial concept and development to production and successful marketing, offering its services to public and private television broadcasters, independent producers, streaming platforms and other customers and partners.The move was confirmed by ZDF Enterprises president and CEO Fred Burcksen, who said: Under the new umbrella brand ZDF Studios, well be able to bring our network of affiliated companies even closer together. With consolidated sales of around 240 million, were one of the largest rights distributors in Europe.Added Thomas Bellut, director-general of ZDF and chair of the ZDF Enterprises supervisory board: since it was established, ZDF Enterprises has achieved a great deal for the ZDF Group. With creativity, ingenuity and efficiency, the group has become a m ajor player in the fiction and non-fiction arena . The new name ZDF Studios makes it instantly clear that this is a media industry company.
Ithmaar Holding, an investment firm and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, has reported a net profit, attributable to equity holders, of $38.6 million for FY 2021 compared to a net loss of $41.72 million the previous year. This increase is mainly due to the growth in core income.

Announcing the results for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2021, Ithmaar Holding Chairman Prince Amr Al Faisal, said the total owners equity stood at $37.76 million as of December 31, up 156% compared to $14.76 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase is mainly attributable to profits for the year.

Accumulated losses, as of December 31, stood at $798.79 million and amount to 105 per cent of the share capital. Total assets surged to hit $9.03 billion, 8 percent higher than $8.38 billion as of December 31, 2020.

Ithmaar's total net profit for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $60.32 million compared to the net loss of $21.48 million reported for 2020.

In January, Ithmaar Holding and Al Salam Bank announced agreement on the acquisition by Al Salam Bank of the consumer banking business in Bahrain of Ithmaar Holdings subsidiary, Ithmaar Bank, as well as Ithmaar Holdings ownership stake in both BBK and Solidarity Group Holding.

This comes following the execution of a MoU between the two entities in October 2021, and the transaction remains subject to the approval of Ithmaar Holding shareholders and the regulatory authorities and the signing of definitive agreements.

On its Q4 results, Prince Amr said the net profit attributable to equity holders for the three-month period ended December 31, 2021 hit $37.13 million compared to a net loss of $38.43 million reported for the same period in 2020.

Total net profit attributable to equity holders for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $38.60 million compared to the net loss of $41.72 million reported for 2020. The increase is mainly due to the growth in core income.

Earnings Per Share (EPS) for the three-month period ended December 31, 2021 were US Cents 1.28, compared to negative US Cents 1.32 for the same period in 2020. EPS for the year ended 31 December 2021 was US Cents 1.33, compared to negative US Cents 1.43 for 2020.

According to Ithmaar, the total net profit for the three-month period rose to $44.59 million compared to a net loss of $30.26 million reported for the same period in 2020.

Following the anticipated transaction, Ithmaar Holding will retain a well-diversified portfolio of financial assets which includes banking businesses in Bahrain and Pakistan, as well as various local and international real estate assets, said the company in a statement.

The Ithmaar Bank will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ithmaar Holding and continue its journey as an innovative and agile shariah-compliant banking institution, maintaining its banking operations as a licensed Islamic bank regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain and focusing on corporate banking and related services, it added.
When Senate centrists Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) appeared on national television to endorse each others re-election efforts, pundits in Washington raised their eyebrows. After all, bipartisan comity has become almost non-existent in these hyper-polarizing times. It almost harkened back to the days of Senate collegiality that President Biden promised he would restore during his campaign.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/13/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Lindsey Georgoulis has explained what she thinks happened with her husband Mark Maher's seemingly-obsessive landlord.Lindsey, 34, and Mark, 37, were matched for matrimony on Season 14 of by the show's experts Dr. Viviana Coles, Dr. Pepper Schwartz and Pastor Calvin Roberson.During Wednesday night's episode of : Afterparty, Lindsey watched back a Season 14 clip of Lindsey complaining about Mark's landlord, who had been "relentlessly" calling and texting Mark about a bedbug situation during his honeymoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico."Your landlord is like your mother-figure and a good friend of yours," Lindsey notes in the footage."A good friend, you know, I think she looks at me like a son. I get her position, but I was just shocked by it."Lindsey proceeds to vent in a confessional, "How dare you change his lease in the middle of our honeymoon and send it to us and say, 'New lease -- no cats.' You knew he had three cats! You're going to evict him while we're on our honeymoon?!"Afterparty host Keshia Knight Pulliam asked Lindsey why on earth the landlord would do this to Mark on his honeymoon."My guess is that she's afraid to lose him, and so instead of losing him to me in a marriage, she's just going to push him away," Lindsey reasoned.Lindsey called the whole ordeal "really confusing.""His landlord was like a mother-figure to him, and she even threw an engagement party for him," Lindsey revealed."And so for many times, she was that figure for him. And I think it was very difficult for him to lose that relationship in a blindsided way."When asked if this relationship was "unsettling" to Lindsey considering Mark had been extremely close to this older woman, Lindsey replied, "Listen, a lot of his relationships are unsettling to me, if I'm going to be honest with you.""I'm being really honest!" Lindsey added. "I think [Mark] is sometimes missing a factor of the whole picture."Lindsey noted how Mark also had a strange dynamic with his married friend who's a woman."His married friend was calling him twice a day, too, [during honeymoon] to say, 'I love you, where are you? What are you doing?' And he was always on his phone," Lindsey complained."She's married, it was one of his wedding guests. She sent me a message saying, 'I'm his ride-or-die friend -- Mark likes X, Y, Z. He doesn't like this.'"Lindsey said the text message bothered her and so she decided not to answer it."I thought it was a little audacious for her to insert herself as the most important woman in his life," Lindsey admitted. "I want a chance to make my own opinions about [Mark] on my own."Lindsey therefore had "mixed opinions" about living with Mark in Boston, MA, after their honeymoon, especially because she had told Mark that he could move his belongings into her original place before moving into their shared apartment -- provided by the show -- together."I want to love him and support him as his wife because I'm very committed. You can put all of your stuff into my apartment and we'll figure it out after," Lindsey shared."That's that. And I think to myself, 'Girl, that's crazy! You don't even really know him!' You know?"Lindsey said on the latest episode that she thought Mark's landlord was "classless," and she promised to have her husband's back no matter what.Lindsey was crazy about Mark and had even told him, "I love you," before the pair consummated their marriage in the first couple of days of their San Juan getaway.Despite a couple of bumps in the road , Lindsey said she felt like the luckiest girl in the world to have been matched with such a kind-hearted and wonderful man, and Mark said he couldn't believe how he had met a woman who wanted to take care of him and do things for him for a change.'s fourteenth season currently airs Wednesday nights at 8PM ET/PT on Lifetime and also stars Katina Goode and Olajuwon Dickerson, Jasmina Outar and Michael Morency, Noi Phommasak and Steve Moy, and Alyssa Ellman and Chris Collette.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!
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!
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/13/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Blake Moynes has revealed why dating has been a challenge post-reality TV and what he's trying to avoid after his split from ex-fiancee Katie Thurston Over the last three months or so since announcing his split from Katie in late October 2021, Blake has been trying to move on, and he said things are "really good now," although he's currently single."I'm focusing on myself, which I needed, and things are good," Blake shared during a Thursday appearance on "The Ben & Ashley I: Almost Famous Podcast."In order to get to this healthy mindset and place in his life, Blake admitted he needed to "take a step back" from being so "wrapped up" in "trying to find" his perfect partner and instead focus on his family, bettering himself, and pursuing his passion of wildlife conservation.Blake, seemingly not interested in a return to reality television and dating on The Bachelor franchise, said he wants to go back to dating "like in the old days" when he may stumble across a woman "in-person" on any random occasion.Blake, however, admitted he may be "too picky" now after learning from his failures and realizing exactly what he does or does not want in a partner.Blake also told Ben that he blames social media for giving him false hope about women who appear incredible."Social media gives us a false indication of what people are, and I realized that... You can lay out all your best cards on social media so we see that, and so you're almost always going to be let down," Blake explained."And so, I'm done with being scammed in a way... We are the best version of ourselves on social media, and so I'm just taking a step back from that... and [from thinking prematurely], 'Wow, all the boxes are checked here.'"Blake admitted he had "built [ Clare Crawley ] up for sure" in his mind before competing on 's sixteenth season based on her social-media accounts but "maybe not the other two," referring to the second star of Season 16, Tayshia Adams , as well as Katie, who starred on Season 17."You get attached to [an idea of a person] and think you know somebody based on an app or social media or photos or video, and they can come to real-life. And it's not organic, the vibe isn't there, the energy isn't there," Blake shared."You set yourself up for failure because it's not organic."Blake therefore said, "I don't want to put an emphasis on what I think you are before I meet you. And so [I'm] taking a step back from doing that going forward."About three weeks after Blake and Katie announced they had split and decided to end their engagement, Katie went Instagram official with her current boyfriend, John Hersey , in November.John was eliminated from Katie's season during Week 2 of the process, and while Blake and Katie were trying to make a long-distance relationship work last year, Blake believed Katie and John were just platonic friends.Katie and John have both insisted Katie never cheated and they were only friends until romance became an option for them, once Katie opened her heart again after her broken engagement.But Blake said on the "Talking It Out with Bachelor Nation" podcast last year he's convinced Katie had emotionally cheated on him.Blake seemed to take a shot at Katie during his podcast interview with Ben when he advised fans not to find a "rebound" and jump into a new relationship after a breakup because it's just like putting a Band-Aid on a broken heart."Things always get better. You learn from it... Even though you feel you've lost the world in a sense, she probably wasn't the world if she's not with you -- and you're going to find something probably better," Blake said."And that's what I find in all depressing situations."Blake noted how life is short and he'd like to continue on his ambitious path as a Canadian wildlife manager."I'd like to find someone who wants to live that ambitious, adventurous life with me. I'm super happy as I am, single and alone, but I know I could be elevated with that right person," Blake shared."Until then, I'm not going to chase it. I think I know what I want and I just hope it falls in my lap."Blake explained that until then, he's going to "continue to focus on the things I love, and that's focusing on wildlife conservation and animals and trying to do some good in the world."He added, "Hopefully that karma falls back on my lap with the right person one day and I continue to follow that dream and that passion WITH them."Blake also revealed during the podcast how he's not ready to talk to Katie again despite her recent attempts at communication and their relationship fell apart in September 2021, only several weeks after 17 finale aired on ABC.Katie previously hinted on social media that she and Blake were fighting too much during their six-month relationship and broke up due to their different communication styles.The TikTok star and social-media influencer also suggested that Blake was unable to make her happy and vice versa.An insider told The Sun late last year that Katie's "outbursts eventually became too much" for Blake "to handle."But Blake admitted he was "flabbergasted" and "speechless" upon discovering Katie had begun dating John so quickly after their split on "Talking It Out" in November.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Trevor Noah will serve as the entertainer at the 2022 White House Correspondents' dinner on April 30.

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The event is the first White House Correspondents' dinner to take place since 2019 with the ceremony being canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Joe Biden is expected to attend after former President Donald Trump skipped the event throughout his presidency.

The White House Correspondents' dinner features a gathering of government officials and journalists.

The event will support the White House Correspondents' Association's year-round work on behalf of the White House press corps. Scholarships and awards recognizing excellence in journalism will also be handed out.

Noah hosts The Daily Show on Comedy Central and is currently on a comedy tour titled Back to Abnormal. Noah will be hosting the 64th annual Grammy Awards, which has been rescheduled to April 3.

"Trevor is an incredible talent who keeps us laughing -- and thinking -- four nights a week. We can't wait for him to bring our 100-year Washington tradition Back to Abnormal," WHCA president Steven Portnoy of CBS News Radio said in a statement.
By Ling Shengli

It is reported that the US and Australia recently reached a multi-billion-dollar arms sales agreement, and Australia will purchase more than 120 tanks and other armored vehicles from the US to enhance its military strength. Following the establishment of the AUKUS security partnership, US-Australia security cooperation continues to get closer, and its negative regional impact deserves attention.

As a staunch ally of the US, it is natural for Australia to purchase US arms. However, looking back on the US-Australia security cooperation in recent years, the strengthening trend has become more obvious and it has the following three characteristics.

First, Australia's purchase of military equipment from the US continues to increase. According to Australia's new national defense strategy, military spending will be significantly increased to strengthen Australia's military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The increasing military spending will benefit US military industry interest groups. Last September , the US replaced France to provide Australia with nuclear submarines and grabbed a big order that originally belonged to France. This time, the major arms sales between Australia and the US are mainly armored vehicles and tanks. It is reported that Australia will purchase more than 1,300 heavy weapons and equipment from the US in the future, with an expenditure of up to $42 billion, which will also ensure that Australia is one of the top buyers of US arms.

Second, the cooperation between US and Australia in military bases and military drills continues to strengthen. In recent years, the construction of US military bases in Australia has been continuously strengthened, and Australia has even spent hundreds of millions of dollars to improve its military bases in the north to strengthen US-Australia military cooperation. According to foreign media reports, an airport runway in Australia's Northern Territory will be extended to support large aircraft, and a shooting range will be refurbished to create new training facilities for the Australian Defense Force and the US Marine Corps. Military exercises between the US and Australia are also becoming more frequent, covering different services of the army, navy and air force and involving almost all subjects from logistics cooperation to joint operations.

Third, the scope of US-Australia+ multilateral cooperation continues to expand. Australia has continuously expanded its security cooperation on the basis of the US-Australia alliance. Through multilateral security cooperation such as the AUKUS, the US-Japan-Australia, and the US-Japan-India-Australia, Australia's role in the Asia-Pacific security network of the US has been strengthened. Recently, the security cooperation between Japan and Australia has been significantly heated up under the coordination of the US. The signing of the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement will increase the scale and intensity of joint military training and operations between the two countries, and set guidelines to allow the two countries to send troops to each other.

Both the US and Australia get what they need through increasing security cooperation. In fact, Australia has followed the US since World War II, and the two sides have formed a very close security cooperation relationship. Australia believes that the most reliable way to deal with uncertainties in the Asia-Pacific is to strengthen the US-Australia alliance. By purchasing a large number of US arms, Australia has continuously strengthened the US military presence in Australia and can closely maintain the US-Australia alliance. For the US, it has become more dependent on alliance relations and paid more attention to the use of allies based on the strategic consideration of great power competition . Moreover, Australia is particularly active in acting as a cat's-paw in the US Asia-Pacific strategy, and the US even takes advantage of this opportunity to encourage Australia to pull chestnuts from the fire.

It needs to be pointed out that both the US and Australia adhere to the Cold War mentality and narrow geopolitical concept, hyping the so-called China threat to seek excuses for the strengthening of their alliance. This is against the trend of the times, not conducive to regional security and stability, and against the will of most countries in the Asia Pacific region for peaceful development, thus, it will surely meet more opposition.

(The author is director of the Center for International Security Studies , China Foreign Affairs University)
Oman's Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (Opaz) has issued the Structural Guidelines and Regulations Manual of Buildings at Duqm, outlining the minimum structural design requirements for projects within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Sezad).



The guidelines manual provides detailed technical guidance and guidelines for the structural design of buildings.



Abdullah bin Salem Al-Hakmani, In Charge of Managing the Operations of the Building Permits Department of Opaz, explained that the guidelines comprise several key items, which are the general guidelines for building designs, structural submission procedures, and the best internationally applicable and approved codes and standards in the Sultanate, to comply with Sezad regulations, design programs, data analysis, structural design criteria, durability and performance criteria, geotechnical examination requirements (soil tests) and building supervision requirements.



Al-Hakmani said that the guidelines aim to provide instructions, requirements, and the minimum requirements for building designs which will give engineers a general idea and appropriate guidance on the basic requirements of structural designs. It is anticipated that the use of these guidelines will increase the quality of designs and construction, and provide information to architects, consultants, and engineering offices dealing with Sezad.



Al-Hakmani added that the Structural Guidelines and Regulations of the Buildings at Duqm were prepared by a team of engineers from Sezad and were reviewed by several expert houses, including a team from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). The Guidelines will be circulated to all investors, developers, engineering design companies, consultants, and contractors, for the Structural Guidelines to be applied in Sezad.



He confirmed that Opaz is working on preparing an integrated manual for the urban and architectural requirements at the special economic zones and free zones, which will serve as a reference for the urban and architectural requirements in the areas affiliated with the Authority.  TradeArabia News Service
People gathered in Harmony Parking lot in Brattleboro on Friday, April 22nd for a street festival and parade in celebration of Earth Day. According to Nancy Braus of 350 Brattleboro, the goal was to celebrate the ways in which the community is working towards climate justice and to empower 
BRATTLEBORO  Downtown property owners will now face fines if they fail to clean ice and snow from their sidewalks in a timely manner.
Saudi Arabias Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, and Chairman of Public Investment Fund (PIF) HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has announced the transfer of 4% of Aramco shares to the PIF.



He added that the transfer is part of the Kingdoms long-term strategy to support the restructuring of its economy, in line with Vision 2030. The transfer also supports the PIFs plans to grow its Assets under Management to around SR4 trillion ($1.07 trillion) by the end of 2025, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.



The shares will bolster the Funds strong financial position and high credit ratings in the medium term, as the PIF relies on the value of its assets and the returns on its Assets under Management for its funding strategy.



He indicated that the PIF continues to achieve its strategy by maximizing the value of its assets, launching new sectors, forming strategic partnerships, and localizing knowledge and technologies. By 2025, the Public Investment Fund will deploy up to SR1 trillion in domestic projects, increasing its local content contributions and the contributions of its portfolio of companies to around 60 percent, creating direct and indirect jobs in the local labour market.



HRH Prince Mohammed pointed out that after the transfer, the State will remain Aramcos largest shareholder, retaining more than 94 percent of the total shares.



The Crown Prince concluded that the Kingdom remains committed to continuing the implementation of its financial and economic reforms and expanding the investment opportunities available to public development funds and the private sector to enable the realization of Vision 2030 targets.
Beckley, WV (25801)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 61F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
TORRINGTON  Friendly Hands Food Bank, joined by Community Health & Wellness and a group of volunteers, stood on the steps of the Elks Club for a second care day for homeless and other people in need.

With a blustery wind blowing snow across the crowd, members of the food bank handed out winter clothing, personal care supplies and hot coffee, courtesy of Dunkin. Sandwiches were provided by the Community Soup Kitchen of Torrington, which serves meals daily on Maiden Lane off Main Street.

Staff from Community Health & Wellness distributed COVID-19 and HIV test kits and hand sanitizer. As a collaborator for the event, CHWC parked its mobile clinic, Betty, in front of the Elks Club.

Were glad to be part of this, said one of the health centers nurses, Kristie Wilson. It gets us out in the community where we can meet more people.

There were about 60 people waiting for us when we got here at 10 a.m., said the food banks executive director, Karen Thomas.

Even on a freezing cold day like this, people are outside, so we will be here to help them, she said, as a couple walked up for Big Y gift cards, donated by the supermarket. Theres such a need; for people to come out on a day like this is proof of that.

Food bank board president Danny Hartnett said the monthly care days will continue through winter and possibly beyond the cold weather.

Well be here every month, he said. We have plenty of donations from so many generous people, and its not doing any good sitting inside in a box, so well keep having these events for people who need help.

The Elks Club porch railing was transformed into a bargain shop, loaded with coats for children and adults and boxes of sweaters, hand-knitted scarves and mittens, boots and shoes. Everyone who came received a bag or box to take as many items as they wanted.

Friendly Hands Food Bank is expanding its offerings to the local community to provide more than food, Thomas said. Those efforts include a monthly pet food pantry and an upcoming coupon workshop to teach residents how to save money on their grocery bills. Torrington Savings Bank recently provided a grant to create a community room at the food bank on King Street, where Thomas plans to offer classes and programs.

To reach Friendly Hands, visit fhfb.org, or call 860-482-3338.
Lebanon, IN (46052)

Today

Heavy rain and thunderstorms likely. High near 70F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 48F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph.
In a first for the Kingdom of Bahrains maritime and logistics sector, the CFA Society Bahrain, member of the CFA Institute Global Network of Societies, has selected APM Terminals Bahrain as the public listed company to be the subject of its annual research challenge.

The CFA Research Challenge is conducted at a global scale, with winning teams from each country then participating in the regional competition. The winning teams from each regional competition advance to the Global Final, where one team emerges as the global champion, a statement said.

The challenge conducted on behalf of the worlds pre-eminent association of Financial Analysts will have four top universities and 29 students across Bahrain studying the companys business strategy, operational and financial performance to present their research insights and analysis.

This competition provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and professional ethics. Besides it is also a platform for students to gain real-world financial exposure to Bahrains maritime sector with APM Terminals Bahrain in focus as the operator of Bahrains only commercial port.

The competition will include seven teams across participating universities, including BIBF, Ahlia University, University of Bahrain, and University College of Bahrain.

As part of it efforts to support this initiative APM Terminals Bahrain presented relevant company information covering areas within finance, corporate governance, investor relations and commercial, followed by Q&A sessions. SICO Bahrain who is also participating in this initiative delivered an Equity Training Session as part of the Kick-Off event. At the end of the research process, each university team will prepare a research report which will be presented before a panel of judges nominated by the CFA Society. Students are expected to submit their research reports on February 19, with final presentations scheduled for March 2.

Maureen Bannerman, CEO/Managing Director, APM Terminals Bahrain, said, We are delighted to partner with the CFA Society Bahrain for their annual global challenge and provide students from the financial domain an opportunity to study Bahrains maritime sector. As an operator of Bahrains only commercial port, Khalifa Bin Salman Port, APM Terminals is a live example of a successful public-private partnership that impacts national growth and community sustainability. It will be an experience for study to gain knowledge about the Ports diverse operations from a financial point of view. We wish all the luck to the students and look forward to their research findings.

The CFA Research Challenge is one of the key and longstanding programs organised CFA Society Bahrain that has been over the years providing university students with practical training in equity research and exposure to industry experts. Were pleased to have APM Terminals Bahrain as the subject company for this years program as it will allow participants to better understand and evaluate the leading company in the logistics and maritime industry in the Kingdom, said Dr. Ali Al-Moulani, CFA, President, CFA Society Bahrain.

Participation in the CFA Institute Research Challenge is one of the several youth-focused initiatives from APM Terminals to build talent within the future maritime workforce of the Kingdom.--TradeArabia News Service
Authorities in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu have detained two women who traveled to the home village of a woman found chained in an outbuilding, sparking a wave of public outrage online over rampant human trafficking.



Two women who traveled to Jiangsu's Feng county in a bid to help Yang ***xia after a video of her living conditions went viral are being held under criminal detention by police, according to an audio recording posted to social media platforms late on .



"She is suspected of committing a crime," a police officer at Sunlou police station is heard telling a person who inquires after one of the women. "They will definitely be issuing a notice of criminal detention."



The post containing the audio clip had been viewed more than six million times on one social media platform by noon on , local time.



Current affairs commentator Cai Shenkun said the local authorities appear to be trying to limit the damage done by the revelations about Yang, who was allowed to marry and have eight children -- in contravention of Chinese law and family planning regulations at the time -- despite having received a diagnosis of schizophrenia in the days after the video of her chained to a wall went viral.



Cai said a former People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier from Nanchong in the southwestern province of Sichuan has disputed the official claim that Yang is a suspected missing person from Yunnan province, claiming that she is his missing daughter Li Ying, while her uncle has demanded a DNA test to confirm her identity.



"The main question is whether Yang is Xiao Huamei or Li Ying, a girl who went missing in Sichuan," Cai said. "Local officials are likely looking to make life easier for themselves."



Amateur analysis done by social media users found strong similarities between photos of Li and photos of Yang.



Cai said the authorities likely don't want to test to see if Yang really is Li Ying for fear of sparking the ire of military veterans, who have besieged government buildings in recent years over unpaid benefits, pensions and medical bills since their demobilization, leaving many in economic hardship.



"The government is trying to improve the status of demobilized soldiers, and Li Ying's father served in Tibet for 12 years, so her disappearance could easily make veterans angry," he said.



Famed writer censored

Ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) censors are also deleting content about Yang and other Feng county trafficking cases, including the account of U.S.-based author and screenwriter Geling Yan after she wrote hit out at the treatment of Chinese women, spurred by anger at Yang's treatment, and after she agreed with a retired scholar who called CCP leader Xi Jinping a trafficker on his YouTube channel.



Yan's husband Lawrence Walker confirmed she had said the words "Xi Jinping is a trafficker," but said she didn't know her conversation with retired Renmin University professor Zhou Xiaozheng was being recorded, nor that her comments would be broadcast on YouTube.



"She said what she said and thinks what she thinks, but she would have preferred to choose the time, place and method to express herself, rather than being put into this position," Walker wrote.



In an essay on the topic, Yan described herself as "angry, sad and restless" after hearing about Yang's treatment. "I realized that maybe it's time to set aside time for anger, just to let it happen."



"Anger makes poets, and anger fuels a lot of my fiction, so anger qualifies as my theme these days," she wrote. "I called the past five days my festival of rage."



In the essay, Yan also takes aim at Yang's eldest son, who is reportedly suing the person who made the initial video of his mother.



"How can people's concept of family relations and morality be so upside and confused to such an absurd degree?" Yan wrote. "She is your biological mother, child!"



"Our civilization has evolved to the point where we don't even tie a dog up with an iron chain," she wrote. "Not only did this eldest child ... not rescue his mother, but he sued the person calling for her to be rescued."



"Your mother is basically a slave, a sex slave ... you were grown in her reluctant womb, came into the world through her torn birth canal, and you owe your existence to her torture ... and you still try to ... prevent her from breaking free from this prison," the essay said, addressing all eight of Yang's children.



Keyword searches for Yan's name returned no results on social media platforms on .



A social media user surnamed Wang, said Feng county has long been notorious as a center for trafficking in women and girls, and a video she tried to repost on the topic was recently blocked.



"The moment I had posted that video they blocked it, so I couldn't pass on content related to the chained woman," Wang said.



Scholar Wang Zheng said a number of accounts of WeChat have also been shut down for posting about Yang or Feng county.



"They are now deleting some of the information [about the story] and also shutting down some WeChat accounts," Wang Zheng said. "This has become routine now for the authorities."



"Posts about the two women who went to help the chained woman [and were detained] are also disappearing," he said. "They don't want people to help each other."



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Internet service providers in Hong Kong are blocking the website of a U.K.-based rights group that has been highly critical of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s national security crackdown in the city.



The website of Hong Kong Watch can no longer be accessed via PCCW, CMHK, KHBN or Netvigator, the group said in a statement on its website on , adding that the block was being achieved through "DNS tampering."



The website at hongkongwatch.org isn't the first to have been blocked by Hong Kong telecoms companies, with the websites of HKChronicles, the Transitional Justice Commission, and HK Charter 2021 all removed in recent months using a similar technique, it said.



Independent censorship commentator Nathan Hammond said that the removal of the site "matches patterns first seen in the delisting of http://hkchronicles.com."



"We can safely assume that this removal from DNS was requested by the Hong Kong Police," Hammond said via his Twitter account.



Hong Kong Watch CEO Benedict Rogers said he fears the takedown is linked to the national security law, which empowers the authorities to order blocks and removal of content deemed subversive, seditious or to "incite hatred" of the authorities.



If this is not just a technical malfunction, and Hongkongers will no longer be able to access our website because of the national security law, then this is a serious blow to internet freedom," Rogers said.



"There are fears that China could begin introducing its Great Internet Firewall into the city."



A screenshot of the website of Hong Kong Watch, a U.K.-based rights group that has been highly critical of the Chinese Communist Party national security crackdown in the city, which has been blocked by Hong Kong telecoms companies. Credit: Hong Kong Watch/RFA Prison visits curtailed

Meanwhile, concerns were being raised for hundreds of political prisoners jailed or on remand for taking part in peaceful political activism or protest since the start of the 2019 protest movement.



The city's correctional service department recently announced it would suspend prison visits amid a wave of COVID-19 cases, leaving people unable to check on their loved ones behind bars face to face, nor to bring them daily necessities like shower gel, tissues, cigarettes and other items not available to prisoners.



Friends and relatives are now required to deliver supplies once each by the end of the month, and must show a vaccination certificate before they can drop them at jails and detention centers.



Long lines formed outside the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre with people waiting at least three hours on before being able to drop off supplies for inmates.



A visitor who gave only the nickname Kirby said she was devastated at the news that she can no longer visit her boyfriend.



"They say we can't visit, so we can't visit," she said. "There is now total isolation for those inside from the rest of the world."



"Every day inside seems like a year ... I'm very worried about him and very unhappy about this," she said through tears.



"He would always take time to be with me if there was something wrong, no matter how busy I was," she said. "I hope he knows that I will always be with him, and that we are still connected despite these walls and glass between us. We won't be beaten or separated by them."



'Quislings'

A relative who gave the nickname Sister Tyrannosaur said she was bringing snacks, masks, stationery and novels to her brother, who has been held on remand for nearly a month, and felt powerless when she was suddenly informed that she could no longer visit him daily.



"I feel empty ... I don't know what to do," she said. "Normally, I would come here every morning and wait one or two hours, for a 15-minute meeting."



"Those 15 minutes would always go by so fast, and I might have thought of lots of things to say, but when I got there, I didn't want to say them, just take a good look at him and ask him if he was okay," she said.



"There was already a sense of distance through the glass [barrier], but now I have to wait three weeks or maybe longer than that," she said. "I can only write him letters."



Another visitor, who gave only the nickname C Man, said she was also bringing snacks and books for a friend who has been on remand for six weeks.



"I know I'll be waiting in line for at least two-and-a-half hours, and my boyfriend is waiting to have lunch with me," she said. "But it's the least we outside the walls can do to ... bring them a little cheer."



Chinese official and former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying offered a special Valentine's Day put-down for the city's last colonial governor, Chris Patten, now Lord Patten of Barnes, calling him "too romantic, or big-headed" in his view of Hong Kong.



Leung's comments came after Patten told the House of Lords that Hong Kong's chief executives were "quislings," because they or their close family members had foreign passports.



Patten was a frequent target of Chinese officials' ire during his governorship, which shoehorned in a program of unrecedented democratic reforms ahead of the 1997 handover to Chinese rule, with "whore," and "guilty for a thousand years" among the choicer epithets used to describe him.



China reversed Patten's electoral changes, which had resulted in the first Legislative Council (LegCo) fully returned by direct elections, as soon as it took back control of Hong Kong after the handover.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The evacuation of civilians from Ukraine's devastated southern port city of Mariupol has stalled as Russia resumed shelling the Azovstal steel plant where hundreds remain holed up a day after a first group left the underground bunkers.

A group of around 100 Ukrainian civilians left the Mariupol on May 2 for the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhya, some 230 kilometers away, according to the authorities and video released by the two sides.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the major developments on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive on May 2 as hoped. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were under way among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on more evacuations.

If successful, the evacuation would mark rare progress in easing the plight of the Mariupol civilians. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the besieged Sea of Azov port and other places have broken down.

Mariupol's strategic location near the Crimea Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has made it a target for Russian bombardments that have turned the city, which had a prewar population of some 400,000, into ruins.

A maternity hospital was hit in a Russian air strike in the first days of the invasion, and hundreds of people were reportedly killed in the bombing of a theater.

As many as 100,000 people may still be in Mariupol, including an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the sprawling Azovstal complex, the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

Thousands are believed to have been killed and those still holed up in the besieged Azovstal complex were running out of water, food, and medicine.

"The situation has become a sign of a real humanitarian catastrophe," Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion on February 24, its troops have failed to completely take over any major Ukrainian city.

On the battle front, a British intelligence estimate said on May 2 that Russia's elite forces have suffered such large casualties that it will take years to replenish them. It said more than 25 percent of Russia's invading force has been disabled since the start of the conflict.

In its daily bulletin, Britain's Defense Ministry said that at the start of the invasion on February 24, Russia had committed more than 120 battalions representing some 65 percent of its entire ground-combat capabilities.

"It is likely that more than a quarter of these units have now been rendered combat ineffective," it said, adding that some of its best units, including its airborne forces, have suffered the highest casualties.

"It will probably take years for Russia to reconstitute these forces," the British intelligence report said.

Ukraine, meanwhile, announced the temporary closure of its four main seaports after losing control of them to Russian forces or having them blockaded.

The Agriculture Ministry said in a statement on May 2 that the seaports of Berdyansk, Mariupol, Skadovsk, and Kherson will be closed "until Ukraine regains control over" them.

After encountering surprisingly staunch resistance in the north around the regions of Kyiv and Chernihiv, Russia withdrew its forces to redeploy them in the south and east where fighting has intensified in recent days.

Ukraine's east and south are seen as key strategic goals for Russia, allowing it a land link to Crimea, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014.

Moscow raised fears those goals may stretch further, to Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester, which is backed by Russia and borders Ukraine to the southwest along the Dniester River. Moldova also borders NATO-member Romania.

Early on May 2, authorities said a Russian rocket strike hit a main bridge across the Dniester estuary just west of the port city of Odesa.

European Union ministers met in Brussels to discuss a response to Russia cutting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria and plans for a possible oil embargo to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine.

But the ministers also discussed a potential embargo of Russian oil while acknowledging the economic impact of such a move. EU diplomats have said that the bloc is leaning toward a ban on Russian oil by the end of the year as part of a sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz again appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his war against Ukraine.

"Stop this war, stop the senseless killing, withdraw your troops from Ukraine," he said on May 2 after meeting in Berlin with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Scholz also said that Putin will not see sanctions lifted without reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine, adding that the aim must be that Russia's readiness to use violence does not succeed.

Modi said dialogue was the only way to a reach a solution.

"We believe that there will be no winner in this war, everyone will lose. We are in favor of peace," said Modi, who did not take questions after reading from prepared statements.

Modi, whose government procures most of its military hardware from Russia, has called for a cease-fire but resisted Western calls to condemn the Kremlin's actions.

U.S. First Lady Jill Biden will visit Romania and Slovakia on May 5-9 to meet U.S. service members and embassy personnel, Ukrainian refugees, humanitarian aid workers, and teachers, her office said on May 2.

NATO and EU members Romania and Slovakia have taken in hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.

The UN's refugee agency reported on May 2 that more than 5.5 million people had fled Ukraine since the war began on February 24.

On the diplomatic front, Israel on May 2 summoned Russia's ambassador and demanded an apology from Moscow after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that Adolf Hitler had Jewish roots.

Lavrov was asked during an interview with an Italian television channel on May 1 how Russia could claim that it needed to "de-Nazify" Ukraine when the country's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was Jewish.

"When they say, 'What sort of Nazification is this if we are Jews,' well, I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it does not mean anything," Lavrov told Italy's Rete 4, speaking through an Italian interpreter.

Israeli Foreign Ministry Yair Lapid said the Russian ambassador would be summoned for "a tough talk" over the comments, which he called "unforgivable and scandalous and a horrible historical error.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, BBC, and dpa
"My son didn't want to go to Ukraine," said the mother of a Russian soldier from the Buryatia region near Lake Baikal, speaking on condition of anonymity. "He signed a military contract because our family is in debt and his fiancee is on maternity leave with a baby. At the end of December, he was sent 'for exercises,' as they told him officially. But for some reason they sent him for three months, although they announced the exercises would only last 10 days."

For weeks, Russia has been concentrating military assets around Ukraine's borders and in the occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea. On February 13, the United States increased its estimate of the number of Russian troops in the area from 100,000 to 130,000.

Nonetheless, Moscow has maintained that nothing untoward is going on and that Russia is merely conducting legitimate military exercises, both in neighboring Belarus and in the Black and Azov seas. Ukraine has been trying to force Russia to discuss the issue under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Moscow responded on February 14 that "the Russian Federation declares that it is not carrying out any unusual military activity on its territory."

'Not An Exercise'

That's not the assessment of Ruslan Leviyev, the founder of the nongovernmental Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), which monitors open-source information to track the movements of the Russian military.

"This is definitely not an exercise," Leviyev told RFE/RL. "There are many facts that contradict that idea."

He notes that most of the Russian forces in Belarus, which far exceed the numbers sent for previous exercises, such as the Zapad-2021 joint exercises held in September 2021, are not located in the areas designated for the maneuvers now formally being held but are instead concentrated along Belarus's border with Ukraine.

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 region is not on the schedule for the exercises, but some rather impressive forces have been placed there," he said. "It is not just some sort of field camp for soldiers to be moved to the firing ranges. No, this is a forward camp for offensive equipment."

CIT has also received numerous reports from Russian soldiers and their relatives confirming what the mother from Buryatia said -- that the soldiers have been informed they will be away from their home bases for at least two months. Some have reportedly been told they will be away for as long as nine months.

"The exercises are only set to last 10 days," Leviyev said of the current drills, which are scheduled to end on February 20. "Even the minimal time periods that soldiers have been told of do not match the official dates of the exercises."

In comments to The Washington Post on February 11, military analyst Michael Kofman of CNA, a U.S.-based think tank based near Washington, noted that Russa has sent a lot of equipment to Belarus that is not normally sent for such exercises, including pontoon bridging units and "high-end electronic warfare" equipment.

"It's unusual," he concluded.

Leviyev added that the buildup of Russian forces in the regions of Russia adjacent to the Ukrainian border is also difficult to explain by the announced exercises.

"We see them in the Bryansk, Kursk, and Rostov regions and on the territory of the annexed Crimea region," he said. "In all these locations there are troops and equipment, although the exercises are taking place in Belarus."

'Everything Is In Place'

Last week the Russian Defense Ministry issued a press release saying the units from the Western and Southern military districts were returning to their bases following an unscheduled readiness drill. Leviyev argued that this drill was not related directly to the buildup around Ukraine.

"The forces from the Western Military District that participated in the readiness drill moved entirely within their own district," he said. "They did not leave the district and they did not concentrate near Ukraine. They went to their usual firing ranges, conducted their training and returned to their bases. It was the same for the forces in the Southern Military District."

CIT estimates that "nearly 70 percent of Russia's military might" has been involved in the recent buildup.

"This is unprecedented," Leviyev told RFE/RL. "We've never seen it before. And the process of moving forces, I would remind you, is still going on."

In December, some analysts argued that a major attack did not seem to be in the cards because Russia had not mobilized the airborne forces that they expected to see in the vanguard of an offensive. In addition, they said, if Moscow was planning a major assault, it would mobilize medical units and field hospitals. Both of these mobilizations, Leviyev said, have taken place since the beginning of the year.

"Everything is in place," he said. "Everything that you would need to start a war is now on the border."

This doesn't mean, he cautioned, that war is inevitable. It is possible that the Kremlin "simply wants to create the most believable situation possible that an invasion is being prepared so that others will really believe it is coming."

"But by doing so, they are moving forces to the very border and that is creating an explosive situation," Leviyev said. "Any insignificant incident could turn all their plans upside down."

"Everything could blow up and there would be a war," he added. "That is why it is impossible to predict."

Written by RFE/RL senior correspondent Robert Coalson based on reporting by Sania Yusupova.
South American powerhouse Brazil, showcasing 114 companies to the 26th edition of Gulfood, expects to generate more than $415 million in business from the show.

Brazil has been participating in the world's largest F&B exhibition, taking place from February 13 to 17, 2022 at Dubai World Trade Centre, for over seven years reaffirming its role as a major partner in the Middle East.

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) is bringing 67 companies, out of these 114 participants present at their National, Beverage, Grain, Meat and Chicken pavilions. Another 30 are bought by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), with whom the Agency develops the international promotion of the sector; and another 17 are under the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (ABIEC), with whom the Agency also promotes the internationalisation of the sector.

Commenting on this, Lucas Fiuza, Business Director of ApexBrasil, said: We arrive at the Gulfood with 114 companies and two daily cooking shows. We are a consolidated partner in the region and expect to generate more than $415 million in business.

In addition to attracting thousands of buyers from around the world, Gulfood presents the main market trends in food and beverages, mobilising, in particular, opinion makers and specialised media from the Arabian market, he added.

Dubai is a commercial hub for the Middle East for its strategic location and business environment. Individually, the UAE jumped from 22nd place among Brazil's top buyers in 2017 to 15th place in 2019, with a 1.34% share of the total ($1.35 billion), Fiuza said.

This year, Brazil focuses on showcasing the healthy dessert acai. The National Pavilion is decorated with motifs of the fruit and tasting of the product, specially customised by a Brazilian chef. Brazil is one of the largest producers and exporters of acai in the world.

Of the total exported food products of Brazil in 2019, about 90% contemplate the sectors of meat, sugar and alcohol complex, cereals and soy complex. This proves a high concentration in these products and validates the need for a greater diversification and support to other sectors such as coffee, fruits, processed foods, sweets and beverages.

In addition, the National Pavilion space will have two daily cooking shows with the Brazilian chef Bruno Ambar. At the Beverages Pavilion, there will be a special menu of mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) inspired by Brazilian music; coffee and drinks based on it, acai and others.

To take advantage of Expo 2020 Dubai, ApexBrasil is also holding a cooking show with chef Thiago Castanho, who is presenting a menu with delicacies from the Amazon region at the Gulfood on February 17, establishing a bridge between the two events in which Brazil is prominently present.

To explore more opportunities, Gulfood 2022 is opening to Brazilian companies, ApexBrasil is making use of the digital platform Brazil Business Match (BBM). Hosted in the BBM website, the platform serves to simplify the search and access to the Brazilian market and opens the possibility for meetings to take place between international buyers and Brazilian companies, since the match can evolve into a business meeting within the tool.

The virtual environment has another advantage for Brazilian exhibitors: a physical business card with QR code that can be distributed by the company's representative to interested buyers visiting the fair.

Thus, the contact does not necessarily need to be made at that moment. By accessing the QR code, the importer is directed to the tool so that contacts can continue to be made on the web, as well as subsequent business meetings.-- TradeArabia News Service
Since the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, NATO has substantially increased its defense posture on the alliances eastern flank: it established four multinational battle groups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, and it expanded its air-policing capabilities in the Baltic states and Eastern Europe to intercept Russian aircraft breaching the airspace of member states.

Led by the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, these units back up the idea that an attack on any NATO ally would be considered an attack on the whole alliance. Each unit also receives contributions from other NATO members.

Ukraine is not a NATO member, but it has been a "partner country" since 2008  the year it applied for a Membership Action Plan. That means that it may be allowed to join the alliance in the future. Russia wants assurances from Western powers that this will never happen.

As Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine, some NATO allies have been sending military aid to Kyiv. U.S. and EU leaders have also undertaken diplomatic efforts to soothe tensions with Moscow, but some of Russias geopolitical demands concerning NATOs expansion to former Soviet states are considered nonstarters.

How NATO Members And The EU Are Supporting Ukraine

The European Union has been providing loans and grants to support Ukraine since 2014  the year Russia occupied and annexed Crimea  and on February 1, 2022, it announced further financial aid of some 1.2 billion euros ($1.35 billion) to help the country during the current crisis.

Canada has announced financial aid of $340 million for immediate support to Ukraine and the extension and expansion of Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian armed forces military-training and capacity-building mission in Ukraine.

The United States has deployed 2,000 U.S.-based troops to Germany and Poland, relocated 1,000 U.S. soldiers from Germany to Romania, and provided a military aid package of $200 million, including 300 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 79 tons of security assistance.

Denmark sent a frigate to the Baltic Sea, and four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania in support of NATOs long-standing air-policing mission in the region.

Latvia and Lithuania are shipping Stinger anti-aircraft missiles after receiving approval from Washington to transfer the weapons.

The Netherlands will be sending two F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria in April to support NATOs air-policing activities in the region and is putting a ship and land-based units on standby for NATOs Response Force.

Spain is sending ships to join NATO naval forces and is considering sending fighter jets to Bulgaria.

Estonia is sending Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine.

Turkey has already shipped anti-tank drones to Ukraine.

The United Kingdom has sent anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, as well as troops to train Ukrainians in their use.

Germany is sending a field hospital to Estonia and it has announced that it will deploy 350 troops to Lithuania to reinforce a NATO battle group there.

Polands government approved the sending of air-defense weapons, ammunition, and drones to the Ukrainian armed forces.

The Czech Republic provided Ukraine with artillery rounds in January with the transfer of 4,006 152-millimeter shells.

What Do Europeans Say About A Possible Russian Invasion Of Ukraine?

While there has been much talk that governments in Europe are divided over the conflict, a January 2022 report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) reveals that European citizens believe Russia's invasion of Ukraine could bring up some serious security issues for Europe in terms of energy and immigration, for instance. They also believe that Europe has a duty to respond to the crisis, with a majority supporting a NATO and EU response.

What Russians Are Saying

A survey taken by the Levada Center in April 2021 revealed that there is little enthusiasm for a military intervention among members of Russias modern, urban society.

The view that it is necessary to take part in the conflict in case of an outbreak of hostilities is most popular among older groups. This view is much less popular among younger groups, as shown in the chart below.

What Ukrainians Are Saying

Many Ukrainians believe Russia is softening their country before actually invading by using Soviet-era tactics to try to destabilize the economy, generate civil disturbances and smear campaigns, terror and cyberattacks  like the one on January 14 that took down more than a dozen of Ukraine's government websites  and even assassinations.

There is a belief that Russia will only be in a position to successfully invade when Ukraine is on the verge of becoming a failed state.

Sources: NATO, NPR, The Moscow Times, The New York Times, Government of Canada, The Local, RFE/RL, Al-Jazeera, Defense News, Euronews, The European Commission, and the European Council on Foreign Relations
Moscow has signaled it is willing to continue talks with the West to ease a crisis over Ukraine as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz embarked on another round of diplomacy with a visit to Kyiv, saying there was "no reasonable justification" for Russia's buildup of troops in border areas that many fear could be preparations to invade its neighbor.

Scholz met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for two hours on February 14 and urged Russia to take immediate steps toward reducing the tensions triggered by its amassing an estimated 130,000 soldiers near the border with Ukraine, adding that the Kremlin should accept offers to discuss European security.

Speaking in a televised meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that, while Moscow has "warned more than once" that negotiations can't be "endless," he also indicated there was still space for diplomacy to defuse the crisis. Putin is to meet Scholz on February 15.

"It seems to me that our possibilities are far from exhausted.... At this stage, I would suggest continuing and building them up," he responded when Putin asked if there was a chance of an agreement to address Russia's security concerns.

The White House has said Russia may be planning to invade Ukraine "any day now," and Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on February 14 that Russia continues to add more military force and capability near Ukraine's border with each passing day.

Kirby told MSNBC that the military buildup continues to grow stronger and more ready.

They're exercising, so we believe that he has a lot of capabilities and options available to him should he want to use military force," Kirby said, adding that the U.S. has also not ruled out potential cyberattacks from Russia.

Russia says it has no plan to invade Ukraine, but at the same time wants guarantees on European security issues, including a commitment by NATO not to expand to countries like Ukraine, or another former Soviet republic, Georgia.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, would continue to pursue its goal of NATO membership despite Russia's anger and skepticism from some Western countries over the move.

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.

Zelenskiy said later in an address to the nation posted on Facebook that authorities in Ukraine and Ukrainians themselves understand all the challenges they face and expressed confidence in the military, saying it is prepared to respond to all possible forms of aggression.

We clearly know where the foreign army is near our border, its number, its locations, equipment and its plans, he said.

Zelenskiy also said he signed a decree declaring February 16 -- the day that he said Ukraine has been told would be the day of attack -- as a day of unity.

"On this day, we will hang national flags, wear blue and yellow ribbons, and show the world our unity. We have only one European aspiration -- we want freedom and are ready to fight for it," Zelenskiy said.

Earlier on February 14, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson echoed U.S. warnings that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent and urged Moscow to step back.

"We are on the edge of a precipice but there is still time for President Putin to step back," Johnson said.

He also reiterated that Russia's demand that Ukraine be refused NATO membership cannot be accepted by the West.

"I think it is very important that we have a conversation. But what we can't do is trade away the sovereign rights of the Ukrainian people to aspire to NATO membership... you can't bargain that away -- it is for the Ukrainian people," Johnson said, adding he would be talking to U.S. President Joe Biden "very soon" to help the diplomatic process.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, and BBC
The United States has announced the relocation of its embassy operations from Kyiv to the western city of Lviv out of concern for the safety of embassy staff, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on February 14.

"My team and I constantly review the security situation to determine when prudence dictates a change in posture," Blinken said. With that in mind, we are in the process of temporarily relocating our Embassy operations in Ukraine from our Embassy in Kyiv to Lviv due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces.

Most embassy staff have already been ordered to depart Ukraine and U.S. citizens have been advised to leave the country.

The move comes as U.S. officials warn that Moscow could launch an attack on Ukraine, including on Kyiv, any day after amassing more than 130,000 troops close to the eastern border of the former Soviet republic and more forces in Belarus to the north.

"The embassy will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government, coordinating diplomatic engagement in Ukraine," he said. "We are also continuing our intensive diplomatic efforts to deescalate the crisis."

Earlier on February 14 Moscow signaled its willingness to continue talks with the West to ease a crisis over Ukraine as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz embarked on another round of diplomacy with a visit to Kyiv.

Scholz met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for two hours on February 14 and urged Russia to take immediate steps toward reducing the tensions triggered by an estimated 130,000 soldiers amassed near the border with Ukraine, adding that the Kremlin should accept offers to discuss European security.

"We are ready for a serious dialogue with Russia on European security issues," Scholz told a news conference after meeting Zelenskiy, adding that Germany was extending a new credit of 150 million euros to Ukraine.

Scholz is scheduled to fly to Moscow to meet on February 15 with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that while Moscow has "warned more than once" that negotiations can't be "endless," he also indicated there was still space for diplomacy to defuse the crisis.

"It seems to me that our possibilities are far from exhausted, Lavrov said, speaking in a televised meeting with Putin.

The White House has said Russia may be planning to invade Ukraine "any day now," and Pentagon spokesman John Kirby on February 14 said Russia continues to add more military force and capability near Ukraine's border with each passing day.

Kirby told MSNBC that the military buildup continues to grow stronger and more ready.

They're exercising, so we believe that [Putin] has a lot of capabilities and options available to him should he want to use military force," Kirby said, adding that the U.S. has also not ruled out potential cyberattacks from Russia.

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.

Russia says it has no plan to invade Ukraine, but at the same time wants guarantees on European security issues, including a commitment by NATO not to expand to countries like Ukraine, or another former Soviet republic, Georgia.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine would continue to pursue its goal of NATO membership despite Russia's anger and skepticism from some Western countries over the move.

Zelenskiy said later in an address to the nation posted on Facebook that authorities in Ukraine and Ukrainians themselves understand all the challenges they face and expressed confidence in the military, saying it is prepared to respond to all possible forms of aggression.

We clearly know where the foreign army is near our border, its number, its locations, equipment and its plans, he said.

Zelenskiy also said he signed a decree declaring February 16 -- the day that he said Ukraine has been told would be the day of attack -- as a day of unity.

"On this day, we will hang national flags, wear blue and yellow ribbons and show the world our unity. We have only one European aspiration -- we want freedom and are ready to fight for it," Zelenskiy said.

Asked about Zelenskiy's reference to February 16 as the date of an attack, Kirby said he would not discuss specific intelligence but said: "It is entirely possible that [Putin] could move with little to no warning."

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, BBC, and MSNBC
KYIV -- Finding protection from an air raid or artillery bombardment might prove difficult for residents of Kherson, a vital port city where the Dnieper River flows into the Black Sea in southern Ukraine.

With a buildup of what Ukraine's defense minister says are some 140,000 Russian troops near the borders stoking fears of a new Russian invasion, cities across the country of 44 million are inspecting their bomb shelters, or at least notifying residents where the Cold War-era refuges are located.

In Kherson, 545 kilometers south of Kyiv, a city council report published earlier this month said that the majority of the 139 bomb shelters had been converted to places of business, from barber shops to tattoo parlors. Some others, after decades of neglect, are too dilapidated to be used.

Adding to the urgency in Kherson is the city's proximity to the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, 150 kilometers to the south, where Ukrainian intelligence officials have said Moscow has a permanent military force of 33,000 troops buttressed by sophisticated naval, ground, and air weaponry. The port city would be a target should Russia seek to seize territory stretching from its border with Ukraine to Crimea, which is now linked to Russia by a single bridge.

According to Oleh Holovatiy, chief specialist of the Kherson city council's civil-defense department, "many shelters are in poor condition."

Part of the reason, officials say, is that only 17 of the shelters in the city of 280,000 are owned by the state. The rest belong to condominium associations or are privately owned, though in some cases there is no listed owner in city records.

"Therefore, we urge citizens to demand from the heads of condominiums or service companies to work on the installation of such shelters in basements," Holovaty said, according to the city council's press service.

One shelter, underneath the Naddnipryanska Pravda publishing house, was found to have groundwater seeping in. Others have limited access or simply are locked, he added. "Therefore, if we are talking about the issue of sheltering the civilian population, we must focus on bringing to readiness the simplest of shelters -- that is, basements," Holovatiy said.

Most of the refuges that are accessible and adequately equipped are city-owned. One, at a local hospital, can accommodate up to 300 people and boasts a water supply with 300-liter water tanks, a sewage system, as well as air-supply lines, a generator, and an emergency exit.

Most basement shelters, however, are only usable for one to four hours.

Should war reach Ukraine's residents beyond the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, where fighting between the government and Russian-led forces who hold parts of two provinces has killed more than 13,000 people since April 2014, a civil-defense alarm will sound. That is the signal for citizens to turn on the radio or television for further instructions, according to a booklet titled In Case Of An Emergency Or War, published in June 2021 by the Culture Ministry and the Information Policy Ministry.

People heading to shelters should take identification documents, water, money, medicines, and essential goods with them, it says.

Nationwide, official data indicate that just 11 percent of the 21,000 shelters are operational, according to a December report by Current Time, a Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.

Larger cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv, the second-biggest in Ukraine, have more underground passages and parking lots that offer safety, including subway systems that can be used as bomb shelters.

The Kharkiv region, whose capital lies 40 kilometers from the Russian border and was recently named as a potential Russian target by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, released an audit of its shelters in January. About 80 percent of 300 shelters and 4,000 basements are ready for use, Ivan Sokol, director of the region's Civil Defense Department, told a local media outlet. An online, interactive map of bomb shelters for the city's 1.4 million residents was created by the local unit of the state emergencies service.

In Kyiv, officials have said that 19 percent of approximately 4,500 underground locations are not ready for use. As in Kherson, reports found many basements not usable or converted to commercial business space, including a strip club.

Multiple media reports have cited the owner of the club, which is located near a major stadium in central Kyiv, as promising to let people in if the city comes under attack.

A member of parliament who lives nearby, Lesya Vasylenko, joked on Twitter that she hoped bouncers controlling entry to the club "won't be too strict in case of [an] emergency."
Its the most ridiculous holiday...' These stars are NOT into Valentines Day
Richmond, KY (40475)

Today

Becoming windy with scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Middle East Energy (MEE), the Mena regions most noted event for the energy sector, is anticipating an increase in international visitors on the back of increased demand.

When the global energy event returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from March 7 to 9, 2022, the event, formerly known as Middle East Electricity, has representation from 131 countries, with visitors, hosted buyers, and VIPs from Algeria, Morocco, Kenya, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and the UAE already confirmed.

Internationally, MEE will host exhibitors from countries including France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, China, the United Kingdom, and the US. A total of 13 international pavilions have already been confirmed.

In terms of visitor attendance, the top represented international countries are Nigeria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with uptake from the latter witnessing a 40% increase in the number of visitors already registered for the exhibition.

According to research from MEE, Transmission and Distribution is the top product sector of interest for Saudi visitors, with automation and digitalisation the critical subject areas of interest, as the world moves to smart grid technology. This is followed by Renewable and Clean Energy, focusing on solar, wind, and hydrogen, which can be attributed to the countries announcement last year it would cut its carbon emissions to net-zero by 2060 and would invest more than $180 billion to reach the goal.

Azzan Mohammed, Exhibition Director, Global Energy and Utilities Forum and Middle East Energy, said: We have seen a clear uptick from our international markets, which is an indication of the pent-up demand from those within the energy sector wanting to meet in-person to discuss, debate and understand the latest trends within the industry. With over 500 exhibitors, we are also showcasing the latest innovations and technologies shaping the industrys future.

With a legacy spanning more than 45 years, we have grown to be one of the leading events for the energy sector in the region. Despite the challenges of the previous two years, the industry continues to adapt and seek out new opportunities to drive the energy transition agenda forward.

Overall, renewable and clean energy is the most popular product sector with visitors, with solar energy featuring highly. This is also evident with UAE visitors, with 70% stating they are specifically attending to learn more about solar, training, batteries, and wind.

With a strong Solar Conference, powered by Intersolar, alongside Technical Sessions, including sessions on Decarbonising the Critical and Backup Power Market, Building Utilities of the Future and Technologies in Energy Storage the sessions at Middle East Energy this year reflect a transitioning energy landscape.

Following the discussions at COP26 and the announcement the UAE will host COP28 in 2023, we have seen countries around the world double-down on their commitments to introduce new energy ecosystems to support the energy transition and ultimately achieve their emission reduction goals. At MEE, were supporting this move by providing a platform to learn from experts in this field and see the products from around the world that are helping to achieve this, said Mohammed.

The sector analysis also shows a strong representation of interest in Critical and Back Up Generators from Nigeria, alongside growth in data centres attending for this sector, with representatives from Equinix, Amazon Web Services and more, signing up.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, MEE is hosted by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Informa, organisers of the event, have confirmed over 18,000 attendees, and 500 delegates are expected during the three-day energy showcase.

As part of Informa's commitment to providing the highest hygiene and safety levels, the event will again take place under the protocols introduced via the companys Informa AllSecure health and safety mandate. The enhanced measures include 35 guidelines covering all aspects of cleaning and hygiene, social distancing measures, and the use of PPE, screening, and a track and trace in conjunction with local authorities.

This years event sponsors include Perkins, Baudouin, Newage Stamford AVK, and Rieloo UPS.

-- TradeArabia News Service
Angola is one of the leading rough diamond producers in the world, according to the Kimberley Process.

It, however, has been exporting the bulk of its diamonds mainly to Dubai.

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) had of late been trying its best to get Luanda to ship its rough stones to Belgium.

Angola is now working on the establishment of a diamond exchange, which will be second on the African continent.

It first revealed plans to establish the diamond exchange in 2019 as part of the countrys ongoing reforms in the mining and energy sectors.

The man tasked to spearhead the setting up of the diamond exchange is none other than Peter Meeus, who did the same in Dubai.

He told Rough&Polisheds Mathew Nyaungwa, in an exclusive interview, that the diamond exchange will be located in Luanda and is expected to open later this year.

Below are excerpts of the interview.

You are a consultant helping the government of Angola to set up a diamond exchange, among other things. Why the diamond exchange?

Because we have seen a revolution in the market over the last five or six years where new sales policies have been tried out and I specifically refer to tenders and auctions. In 2014 that didn't exist and today, it has taken over. It is not only the traditional auction houses that sell rough diamonds in this way, but also many companies. As your magazine [covers South Africa], you know that South African tender companies are also very prominent players. Traditional producers have as well been very active in this market of selling their goods through tenders. Okavango (ODC) also is doing a serious percentage of the goods in Botswana through tenders. The question is what is a bourse today? A bourse is a place where you bring together market players who can buy and sell. So, we have seen the market rapidly changing in the last six to seven years and the trend is similar everywhere: tenders and auctions! So why couldnt we do that closer to where the goods are produced?

Do you think buyers would be keen to travel to Angola to buy the rough diamonds or do they prefer to go to places like Antwerp or Dubai?

Well, you know, put yourself in the mind of somebody who lives in Surat (India). Going to Antwerp is no less complex than going to Angola, especially during the COVID-19 period. The connections to Luanda are quite good. So basically, the question is linked to volume. If we would not be able to have significant volume, then people would not immediately travel. Angola has had four tenders in the last two years (not more because of the impact of COVID-19 in 2020), but the June 2021 auction was a volume auction of more than $45 million. A lot of people came. Luanda is a nice place to visit so why not test the waters. I think if the volume is large, it will work. What will determine the volume going forward is related to exploration in Angola. We are beginning to see that new big mining companies (Rio Tinto and De Beers) have an interest in the country. You have to start somewhere.

Apart from the volume that you are talking about, I noticed that since SODIAM started the tenders in 2019 they have done four tenders, including the one convened late November last year. So, does it mean that the frequency of convening tenders will improve with the establishment of a diamond exchange in the country?

Angola did not have more because of the impact of COVID-19 in 2020. Nevertheless, yes, indeed the idea is to increase the frequency of tenders and that is why the process of selecting international tender houses has been completed. We need to have more regular tenders and the market was tested in the last two years, but it is the wish of the government of Angola to [increase the tenders]. We progress cautiously and the idea is to increase that frequency and boost the volume.

In your presentation during the first Angola International Diamond Conference in Saurimo last November, you mentioned that the Angola Diamond Exchange would be second on the continent, as there was one already in South Africa. You, however, mentioned that there is a major difference between the one Angola is planning to set up with that in South Africa. What is that difference?

The difference here is that when the Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa was established, we had a traditional market with one diamond player, De Beers. Everything was controlled by that one player and a bourse was like a second-hand trading place. The difference is now we come closer to the source and there is no one dominant player anymore. Some techniques were not used in the past  there is the issue of traceability -- and there is this whole system of tenders and possibly auctions. That is basically new, not so new because they do it successfully in Antwerp and Dubai. It is new here in Angola and that is why something needs to be tried out.

So when will Angola open the diamond exchange?

It will likely be opened this year and for this, we are creating infrastructure inside the existing ENDIAMA/DE BEERS building in Luanda. We will have the use of an entire floor for tenders where people can come and visit and inspect the goods in a dedicated environment. We will likely have between 10 and 15 rooms. Everything should be finished this year.

You noted that the diamond exchange will be in Luanda. Why didnt you set it up in Saurimo, the diamond capital of Angola?

I refer to your earlier question, everything has to do with easy access. People will travel to Angola, spend a night, look at the goods and then go back. If we put the Exchange in Saurimo then it will take much more time and time is money so we need to make it easy. That is why it is in Luanda.

Are you going to only sell the Angolan goods or will you also consider mopping up goods from the region?

Let us start with what we have on our hands so we will start with the Angolan goods. It is not our style to make promises that we will not be able to keep.

We saw last year AWDC paying a visit to Angola and we have also seen how Dubai has been trying to make inroads with this diamond exchange.Does it mean that Angola won't be taking some of its goods to these centres?

The whole idea is that goods will be traded first of all in Angola. What happens after that is not our business. But lets say that we intend to have the primary market of buying from the source. If we can establish that through a tender or auction system in Angola that is a big win already. That is the idea. Of course, these diamonds for all kinds of reasons could afterwards go to Dubai and eventually will end up in India and China, especially the small goods to be polished. Today, most Angolan goods go to Dubai, this is a well-known fact. What is also a well-known fact is that from the goods that go to Dubai, a big percentage of that end up in Antwerp. So will fewer goods go to Dubai or Antwerp? That I do not know. We also will create a favourable tax regime to benefit investors.

What other activities will be done at the diamond exchange?

We are establishing a learning facility not only for polishers but for future managers. Angola has a big potential, there will be a need for supervisors or managers of factories. We want to have a higher level of education for them. The idea is not only to have a polisher sitting behind a wheel but future leaders occupying [management] positions should be trained in a much more comprehensive way. That will be done in the academy. There will also be a deep-boiling facility. The Exchange will need to address some of these hot topics of today, which are related to provenance, traceability, accountability and these matters need to be dealt with. We will also have offices of the KP and other institutions such as the Angolan Ministry of Commerce, Angolan Customs, banks and clearing agents inside to facilitate the process of exporting.

Will the training academy be affiliated with any institution of higher learning in Angola or it will be independent?

It will be independent; it will fall under the Exchange. We will have to hire talent where we can find it.

Is the Angola Diamond Exchange going to be affiliated with the WFDB? If so, are there any benefits of doing that?

Of course, WFDB represents 30,000 members worldwide so we have all the reasons to be a member and we will follow all the processes, once we are established, to become a member of the WFDB. The first thing they did in Dubai was to become a member of the WFDB even though there was no diamond trading taking place yet in the country. So, it is a logical step [to join the WFDB].

Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
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WFDB Presidents' Meeting 2022 to take place in Dubai during Feb. 23 -25

14 february 2022 News

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) will hold its bi-annual Presidents' Meeting from February 23 - 25, 2022, at Almas Tower in Dubai, says a press release from WFDB. The meeting, the first in-person WFDB meeting since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, will be attended by presidents and officials from the 29 member bourses of the WFDB. It will be the concluding event of the Dubai Diamond Week. The Opening Session of the Presidents Meeting, which will be held in conjunction with the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), will feature speakers from throughout the diamond world. The Keynote Address will be delivered by the Angolan Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Hon. Diamantino Pedro Azevedo. Other speakers will be Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO, DMCC; Yoram Dvash, President, WFDB; Ronnie Vanderlinden, President, IDMA; Peter Karakchiev, Head of International Relations, Alrosa; Susanne Swaniker-Tettey, CFO Midstream, De Beers; Edward Asscher, President, WDC; Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President, CIBJO and Anoop Mehta, President, Bharat Diamond Bourse. High-level international bankers and finance professionals will speak about the challenges of financing the diamond sector. Speaking at the panel will be Bijayananda Pattanayak, Head of Gem & Jewellery Sector, IndusInd Bank, India; Davy Blommaert, Head of Diamonds, Government and Large Corporates, National Bank of Fujairah, Dubai, Pierre de Bosscher, Head of European Operations, Delgatto Finance and Dror Zur, Head of Diamond Finance, Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank, Israel.WFDB President Yoram Dvash said, "We are thrilled to be able to hold the Presidents' Meeting in person, especially in Dubai, which is one of the most important diamond trading centers. I am convinced that this event signals a much-desired return to normality, and I am very excited about that. However, we still have much work to do, to steer the diamond industry through the challenges ahead."



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished




Roanoke Rapids, NC (27870)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
LuLu Group Chairman and and Managing Director Yusuff Ali M A became the first recipient of Bahrain's long-term Golden Residency Visa on Sunday (Feb 13).

The 10-year Golden Residency Visa scheme, announced last week, is part of the kingdom's economic recovery plan to attract investors and talents to boost its economy.

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday received Yusuff Ali at Al Safriya Palace and presented him with the visa, a Bahrain News Agency report said.

HM the King hailed his efforts and contributions to supporting the trade, economic and investment sectors in the Kingdom.

He hailed the successes achieved by Lulu Group since its establishment, praising its steadily-growing activities in the Kingdom and abroad, wishing Yusuff Ali continued success.

Earlier, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, recieved the businessman.

He noted the retail sector's contribution to Bahrain's economic development and reiterated that enhancing the Kingdom's economic competitiveness and sustainability will benefit Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and contribute to the goals of comprehensive development.

"Obviously a very proud and humbling moment in my life to receive this honour today. I sincerely thank HM King Hamad bin Eisa Al Khalifa, HRH Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain and the Government of Bahrain, Yusuff Ali said, after receiving his Golden Visa number 001.

I am sure this new permanent residency initiative will further boost Bahrain's image as one of the key investment and business hubs of the region as well as attract and retain new investors here, he added.
Failure in breakthroughs

Breakthroughs in any project require set planning and implementation, otherwise any of the tasks will crumble. We need to focus on all aspects, such as material, human resource, and technical knowhow, along with the right timing. If breakthroughs do not succeed, there can be costly consequences, waste of human resources, loss of confidence, and a further lack of motivation for more projects.

After two long and excruciatingly painful years, we are just seeming to emerge from the still ongoing variants of the Covid-19 pandemic. During these last two years the consequences to the economy and the livelihoods of the common man have taken a drastic toll. Compared with many other developing countries, the economy in Vietnam has somewhat survived, although it is still influenced heavily by the current global economic crisis. Ho Chi Minh City is struggling to stay afloat as the economy has slowed down drastically, even showing a negative growth for the very first time. In this scenario, there is also a lack of motivation for growth and development.

In order to gain a momentum and begin to survive once again, we need diverse and strong breakthroughs to stimulate and revive the economy faster, and in a much more efficient way. However, it is necessary to determine the right areas for the right breakthroughs, and also prioritise these for further breakthrough projects. Currently we suffer from a severe lack of capital, technology, and a highly qualified human resource base. Hence, if investment capital is spread out too thin, then even the right breakthrough will prove stagnant and inefficient.

Breakthrough in transportation

There is always a wide range of opinions coming from people. Some think that it is necessary to make a breakthrough in educational institutions, others emphasize human resources, while some others prioritise on digital transformation or even tourism. Although all these are good suggestions for a long-term strategy, we need to focus on breakthroughs for the short term in order to create a high level of motivational push. At this point of time, we need a significant breakthrough in traffic and transportation, which would be both wise and necessary. Traffic and commuting is considered the lifeline for everyone in daily living, at all levels of society.

Just before the Tet New Year holiday season began, thousands of trucks and containers were stuck for hours in huge traffic jams along the Hanoi Highway, stretching for many kilometres. As soon as the Tet holidays ended, again people from the Northern and Western parts of the country returning to Ho Chi Minh City faced congestions for hours on end at the Rach Mieu Bridge, My Thuan Bridge, and at all the other gateways to the City.

This situation has been going on for many years now, showing that the traffic conditions in the South in general, and Ho Chi Minh City in particular have remained unchanged. It is this prevailing traffic situation that prompted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to call for immediate implementation of key traffic works. In 2022, Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern provinces are hoping to see strong positive growth by around 6%, hence focus on breakthroughs in transport infrastructure is imperative.

With the current drastic traffic situation, Ho Chi Minh City needs to quickly complete Ring Road 2, which is 64 km in length but has two 14 km long unused sections from Go Dua to Phu Huu Bridge which is 8.5km, and from Trung Luong Expressway to National Highway 1A which is 5.3km. The completion of Ring Road 2 will bring about a huge change to the entire traffic moving towards Ho Chi Minh City. Once complete, the movement of motor vehicles and motorcycles will be more orderly and smooth, with trucks, containers, and super-heavy vehicles not having to go through the inner City as they move to the West, or Northwest and Northeast. Traffic jams on radial roads and city gateways will effectively reduce. Transportation of passengers and goods with high volume will move faster to production units and this will help businesses to recover faster in the post pandemic phase.

Incomplete ring roads

The next important task is to complete the 92 km long Ring Road 3, passing through four localities of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Long An, and Dong Nai provinces. About 63 km of this Ring Road has not even started construction work. Once Ring Road 3 is completed, the inter-regional traffic from Ho Chi Minh City to its neighboring provinces will be smoother as all highways such as HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay, HCMC-Ben Luc-Long Thanh, HCMC-Can Tho, HCMC-Trung Luong-My Thuan, HCMC-Moc Bai, HCMC-Bien Hoa-Vung Tau, and HCMC-Bau Bang are interconnected. This interconnected traffic network will create a technical infrastructure which will help the South Eastern regions to accelerate on growth and development.

Along with this, construction of three bridges at Cat Lai, Can Gio, and Thu Thiem 4, with total capital of more than VND 21,000 bn is essential. Of these, the Cat Lai bridge at a total cost of VND 7,200 bn is considered the most important because connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Dong Nai province is vital. The construction of the Cat Lai bridge will meet the expectations of the people and workers from industrial zones, not just to avoid reliance on the daily ferry to cross the river, but also to help stimulate economic and social development in the area. Especially the boom of Nhon Trach will help solve the problem of land shortage in both Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai province. This will resonate in further development in the three provinces of Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The very first priority now is for Ho Chi minh City to put the Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien into operation at the earliest possible. This Metro Line has already taken sixteen years from the time of construction, and still the date of trial opening is quite uncertain. Even though Route 1 is not expected to change the picture of public transportation, but at least it will create excitement for people to agree for Line 2 and other routes to start in the future. Although Ho Chi Minh City needs a breakthrough in effective projects to get out of a stagnant state, the City authorities must apply smart planning and decisive breakthrough decisions that will prove of strategic value in the future.

PSG. Nguyen Minh Hoa
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Oman Air has received endorsement of its Records Management Manual during an official signing by National Records and Archives Chairman Dr Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Dhawyani and Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Abdulaziz Al Raisi.



The manual was signed at Oman Airs headquarters and is the culmination of a year-long undertaking by Oman Airs Records Management department.



Dr Al-Dhawyani said: Records management is an important aspect of any organization due to its contribution to organizing information and retrieving it effectively. Oman Air was attentive to this by establishing a dedicated records management department and the recruitment of a specialist to oversee its functions.



He added: The adoption of a classification system and retention schedules of records aims to enable these units and departments to circulate records, limit their duration, retrieve them easily and facilitate daily and ongoing workflow transactions.



In addition, the system facilitates identification of all important files and records for transfer to the national memory with regard to what has been accomplished in the field of aviation and its business operations. By adopting this system, the number of institutions that have successfully completed the process has reached 89.



Abdulaziz Al Raisi said: The exceptional work being carried out by the National Records and Archives Authority reflects a remarkable commitment to guide organizations such as ours toward implementing effective records management processes.



The insights and expertise they shared with Oman Air proved instrumental in our Records Management units successful completion of the manual. Maintaining a national archive of essential documents is a fundamental pillar of efficient governance and one that serves both present and future generations. Oman Air is extremely proud to enhance Omans national memory with records from the field of aviation.  TradeArabia News Service
This year, the U.S. will be observing Presidents Day on February 21 to honor Washingtons Birthday and all American presidents. Even if you arent planning a big get-together, it can be difficult to know where to go when you need things when shops close their doors. While some stores remain open on certain holidays, many large retailers close for the most important ones. However, Costco offers their employees many additional days off that are not observed as federal holidays. So, you can understand how this could make it confusing and tough to plan your shopping trips during long weekends. For those of you wanting to know Is Costco closed on Presidents Day?, heres a guide to help you manage your schedule.

Costco Holidays for 2022

One thing I truly appreciate about Costco is its brand consistency across the country. The majority of Costco locations follow that same schedule for both hours of operation and holidays. Therefore, all locations close for seven federal holidays this year:

New Years Day: Saturday, January 1 Easter: Sunday, April 17 Memorial Day: Monday, May 30 Independence Day: Monday, July 4 Labor Day: Monday, September 5 Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 24 Christmas Day: Sunday, December 25



In addition to these days off, Costco will also be closing early to recognize two other holidays:

Christmas Eve: Saturday, December 24 New Years Eve: Saturday, December 31



Members should take note of these days, and mark them on the calendar to help you plan your holiday shopping.

Is Costco Closed on Presidents Day 2022?

Although Costco is generous when giving its employees time off, locations will remain open on some federal holidays. So if youre wondering, Is Costco closed on Presidents Day 2022?, the answer is no. Members can visit stores and even find special discounts on February 21.

If you need to grab supplies or want to take advantage of the long weekend to do some grocery shopping, this is a great time to get it done. Not only can you use the day to catch up on your errands, but you also have more time to get them done. Since the holiday is on a Monday, stores have later hours than on the weekends.

While most stores follow this schedule, there are some exceptions. So, check your local stores for their hours.

Monday through Friday 10:00 am  8:00 pm Saturday 9:30 am  6:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am  6:00 pm



Schedules Subject to Change

Costco does an excellent job maintaining its website with the most current information. Since most locations follow the same policies and hours of operation, it makes it easy for members. However, some locations will vary. And, independent vendors inside Costco locations may maintain different hours.

Furthermore, recent circumstances have affected store hours as well. The pandemic has affected schedules and caused labor shortages which could lead to future changes. So, its a good idea to call ahead or check online before you go.

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Air Arabia Egypt, has introduced a new service to Gassim, a city in Saudi Arabia with direct flights from Sohag International Airport to Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, commencing on February 24.



The airline has deployed an Airbus A320 to service the route on Thursdays. Gassim is considered the seventh route that Air Arabia Egypt flies to after Riyadh, Jeddah, Tabuk, Taif, Al Jouf, and Hail in Saudi Arabia.



All passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia are required to download "Tawakkalna" mobile application before departure and upload their vaccination status. Passengers are also urged to check the travel update on Air Arabias website before departure.



Customers can now book their direct flights between Sohag and Buraidah by visiting Air Arabias website, calling the call centre or through travel agencies.



Since Covid-19 outbreak, Air Arabias customer journey has been upgraded to include all safety measures that are in line with the highest international measures. Air Arabias entire fleet is fitted with HEPA cabin air filters, which help to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers.  TradeArabia News Service
United Nations/China 2nd Global Partnership Workshop on Space Exploration and Innovation Haikou, China, POSTPONED / Virtual via a WebEx platform for participants based outside China Hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the China National Space Administration

(NEW) POSTPONEMENT of the workshop Due to the pandemic in the host country, UNOOSA and CNSA decided to postpone this workshop. We thank you all for your support of UNOOSA activity, please stay tuned to our website. Registered participants will be noticed once the new date is confirmed. Call for Abstract The completed application form, together with an abstract should be submitted via the online registration system to the Office for Outer Space Affairs, no later than 31 March 2022. Only complete applications with all the requested information will be considered. *The online application form is now available. Please fill in and submit the form online. Please note when filling in the application form, applicants are required to submit an abstract. Qualified persons based in China are particularly encouraged to participate in the Workshop. Introduction The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is the intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly to address international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. The Committee, substantively serviced by UNOOSA, is comprised of both emerging space nations and established space powers. The Committee's growing membership, and the impressive number of space-related intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations actively supporting its work, reflect the increasing importance that space science and technology play in the daily lives of people around the world. During its fifty-ninth session in 2016, the Committee endorsed seven thematic priorities leading to the fiftieth anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE+50). Thematic Priority 1, Global partnership in space exploration and innovation, had the objectives of:

Raising awareness of space exploration and innovation as essential drivers for opening up new domains in space science and technology, triggering new partnerships and developing capabilities that create new opportunities for addressing global challenges;

Fostering dialogue with the space industry and the private sector;

Promoting cooperation between spacefaring nations and emerging space nations;

Allowing space exploration activities to become open and inclusive on a global scale; and

Identifying governance and cooperation mechanisms to support this objective ( A/71/20, paragraph 296).

Action Team on Exploration and Innovation

Also in 2016, the Committee called upon States to put forward nominations to lead and co-lead a new action team, to be established under thematic priority 1. Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Luxembourg, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Committee on Space Research, European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, European Science Foundation, European Space Agency, Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology, International Law Association, National Space Society and United Nations Environment Programme became members of the Action Team on Exploration and Innovation, with Jordan, China and the United States acting as Co-Chairs.

The Action Team's final terms of reference, made available to the Committee in 2017 in conference room paper A/AC.105/2017/CRP.21, captured fields of study and methods of work.The report on thematic priority 1 was before delegations in early 2018 at the fifty-fifth session of the Committee's subsidiary body, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee ( A/AC.105/C.1/114). At the request of the Action Team on Exploration and Innovation, an updated version of the report was prepared for the sixty-first session of the Committee ( A/AC.105/1168) in June 2018. At that session, the Committee considered this report and its recommendations and agreed on the inclusion of a new regular agenda item, entitled "Space exploration and innovation" in its agenda ( A/73/20, para 364).

In 2019, the United Nations/Jordan Workshop on Global Partnership in Space Exploration and Innovation held in Amman from 25 to 28 March 2019, was jointly organized by the Office for Outer Space Affairs of the Secretariat and the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia, affiliated to the United Nations. The Workshop built on the intergovernmental work previously undertaken by the Action Team on Exploration and Innovation and included cross-sectoral, capacity-building and strategic components. The report of the Workshop was prepared for the sixty-second session of the Committee ( A/AC.105/1208 ).

Workshop Objectives and Expected Outcomes

This present UN/China workshop was envisioned in the Action Team's terms of reference. It will have both strategic and capacity-building elements and will be informed by, and aim to produce observations and recommendations that will link with, various Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG4: Quality education; SDG5: Gender equality; SDG9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure; and SDG17: Partnerships for the goals, as well as with the "Space2030" agenda, which has been adopted by the General Assembly in 2021 ( A/76/L.3 ).

The main objectives of this workshop are:

To raise awareness of space exploration and innovation as essential drivers for opening up new domains in space science and technology, triggering new partnerships and developing capabilities that can create new opportunities for addressing global challenges; To build capacity in space exploration and innovation, with emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as per the recommendation of the Action Team on Exploration and Innovation, ( A/AC.105/1168, para. 114); To promote cooperation between spacefaring nations and emerging spacefaring nations; and To allow space exploration activities to become open and inclusive on a global scale.

Call for Abstracts

The completed application form, together with an abstract should be submitted via the online registration system to the Office for Outer Space Affairs, no later than 31 March 2022. Only complete applications with all the requested information will be considered.

*The online application form is now available. Please fill in and submit the form online. Please note when filling in the application form, applicants are required to submit an abstract. Qualified persons based in China are particularly encouraged to participate in the Workshop.

Successful applicants will receive an official invitation letter, including additional practical information.

Information Note

Please download the information note to read useful information.

Programme of the Workshop

Please download the updated programme here.

Opening session: Covering the background and the objectives of the workshop.

Session 1: Space exploration and Innovation perspective

Space exploration activities have peaked in recent years and this journey of space exploration is not limited anymore to the developed nations. Thanks to an inclusive approach implemented by many space-faring countries, several developing, and space emerging nations are also delving into space exploration. The session will present space exploration efforts by international and national entities, space agencies, industry and civil society and reveal the latest and future approaches towards space exploration.

Session 2: International Laws and Policies in space exploration and innovation

The thriving space activities, with the emergence of new technologies and actors, bring legal issues in areas such as the exploration, exploitation and utilization of space resources, long-term sustainability of outer space activities, space traffic management, national regulatory framework, international cooperation mechanism, etc. This session will focus on the legal and policy aspects of space exploration and innovation.

Session 3a: Sustainable space exploration - Planetary Defence

Space debris and near-Earth objects are threatening the Earth and the observation environment is affected by large scale LEO constellations. A global joint observation effort could protect our life on the ground and the space assets. This session will present the efforts on observation and alleviation of the space debris and near-Earth objects possible impacts.

Session 3b: Sustainable space exploration - Planetary Protection

Space exploration aims to give answers to some of the fundamental questions that we are posing today. Is there life in other celestial bodies of the Solar System? Was there life? Planetary protection aims at protecting locations where life could have existed or existed today. This session will also cover the protection mechanism in place for returning samples to Earth through examples.

Session 4: Perspective and challenges in space science

Increasingly space exploration activities and the ever-decreasing threshold of space exploration continue to challenge our understanding of the unknown universe. More space science issues are repeatedly examined and constantly refreshed. Facing the future, we will have more unknowns waiting for us to explore. The prospects and challenges of space science research will be discussed in this session.

Closing session: High-level closing remarks

Working Language

The working language of the Workshop will be English. English/Chinese simultaneously interpretation will be available in specific items.

Sponsorship

The Office for Outer Space Affairs and the China National Space Administration are organising the Workshop. It is supported by the Government of Hainan Province.

Expected Participants

The Workshop is being planned for scientists, engineers, university educators, policy-and-decision makers, and senior experts from the following groups: international, regional, national and local institutions, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, research and development institutions, and industry. Others who are interested may also apply and all applications will be considered by the organizers.

Covid-19 Control Information

We regret to see that throughout 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic is still raging around the world. In particular, the discovery of the new Omicron variant has allowed countries to re-intensify the prevention and control policies.

Considering the inconvenience caused by the pandemic to international travel and China's strict entry policy, participants based outside China will be attending this Workshop through a virtual platform.

For those who are based in China and wish to participate in this Workshop in person, we remind all distinguished participants must comply with the local Covid-19 control policies.

Life and Health Insurance

Health insurance cover is necessary for each of the selected participants attending physically in China and is the responsibility of the candidate or his/her institution or government. UNOOSA will neither assume any responsibility for life and major health insurance, nor for expenses related to medical treatment or accidental events.

Contact Information

For additional information on the Workshop programme, please contact: Wenbin Zhang, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs ( wenbin.zhang[@]un.org).

The focal points for China are: Sun Lin ( sunlin_27[@]163.com), Gan Yong (gany[@]cnsa.gov.cn) and Jiang Hui (jiangh[@]cnsa.gov.cn). Please contact the Chinese Focal Points for other substantive and administrative local matters.
On Sue Fishkoffs first day as editor of the J. The Jewish News of Northern California, she noticed the publications old, bound volumes piled up in the lunch room of its San Francisco office  dozens of huge big black leather-bound books on top of filing cabinets, some stacked on top of each other, kind of thrown around.

I picked one up from 1903, started looking at it, and the tops of some pages started to crumble, she said. I thought, Dear Lord, before I leave this job, I will put all of this online.

Nearly 11 years later, shes finally reached her goal. The newspapers online digital archives, containing 6,151 issues and nearly 700,000 articles over 127 years, are now up for free, public viewing, the Jewish News of Northern California announced Friday.

People can read articles about how the devastating 1906 earthquake left San Franciscos Temple Emanuel in ruins, coverage the 1945 launch of the United Nations in San Francisco, and how the Bay Area Jewish community mourned the 1978 assassination of Harvey Milk, who was not only a towering leader for LGBTQ rights but also a member of the citys Jewish community. Fishkoff noted that old stories in the archive did not mention Milk was gay, and a 1991 story reported on San Francisco rabbis who urged greater acceptance of gay and lesbian rabbis.

Fishkoff said the satisfaction of completing the effort feels like winning an Olympic gold medal, having trained and trained and trained and trained.

Now I dont know what to do with myself, she said, laughing.

A nonprofit called Digital Divide Data scanned and digitized the microfilmed newspapers, dating to the first issue in 1895, which are hosted at the National Library of Israel and at UC Riverside. But starting the archival process was not swift or easy. Fishkoff did the fundraising, pointing out the the bookshelves holding the gold-embossed volumes to anyone who came to the offfice and mentioning the need for money to archive them.

Her first donor was philanthropist Douglas Goldman, who runs the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund. He provided $50,000 in 2019, a third of the quoted price of $150,000 to scan and digitize the archive.

Fishkoff struggled to raise more money until the digitization company told her last fall that technology had improved enough to slash the quote to $75,000. She found the additional $25,000 from another local philanthropist, Fred Levin, who was interested in researching his familys history.

By December, the hosting site was ready to launch at UC Riverside. Fishkoff finally got to browse the archive, which she said is like going down a rabbit hole, finding interesting tidbits on every page.

She entered the word Hitler and found an article in a 1939 issue about the United States stopping all travel visas for German Jews.

Fishkoff was fascinated to learn more about the San Francisco Jewish community, which she called very unique and very creative, innovative, and involved in the building of their city in a way unlike that of any other American Jewish community.

Instead of a specific Jewish neighborhood like New York and Los Angeles had, San Franciscos Jews were highly assimilated, not religiously observant, and didnt isolate themselves.

But before the online archive could officially launch, the effort hit another roadblock when UC Riverside suffered a power outage that caused the servers to go down.

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.

One server was not repairable which was where all our data was, she said. We had to upload it all to a new server.

With the archive up and running, the publication plans a formal launch on Thursday, with a six-page cover story and an essay by Fishkoff about how it all happened.

Fishkoff hopes the Jewish community will benefit from the online archive, along with filmmakers, researchers and scholars, as well as people who want to learn more about their family histories and look up wedding announcements for their parents and grandparents.

She also hopes that schools will use it to learn about San Franciscos Jewish community and how it has evolved. We need to understand the past to deal with the present, she said.

For me, its another time portal into the Bay Areas social history, she said.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
At least one person was injured in a riotous apartment fire in San Franciscos Nob Hill on Sunday night, the Fire Department said.

The two-alarm blaze engulfed the top floor of the four-story apartment building at 1451 Larkin St., the department tweeted. The department posted photos at 8:44 p.m.of flames flaring from upper windows. Officials said the fire was under control about an hour later.
As Molly Shirk set up her tent to begin three days of camping on the bumpy aggregate of Oaklands civic plaza, she thought of her daughter, who is 47 and out there somewhere in her own tent. Shirk, 70, isnt sure where. Her daughter is bipolar and often homeless, she said.

After three days, I will consider myself lucky that I can go back to a soft bed. Shirk said Sunday. I have a choice. My daughter doesnt have a choice.

Like dozens of others who joined her Sunday at the protest, some of them planning to camp out as well, Shirk says the system has let down families of mentally ill people time and time again. That frustration was the motivation behind the camp of about half-dozen tents in front of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors building near Lake Merritt.

The supervisors have voted to allocate $318 million, across three years, to the sheriff to improve mental health treatment at Santa Rita jail. Most of the money will go toward hiring staff for the jail. Shirks daughter spent Christmas Eve and Christmas night in that facility, and her mother is among those who think that the money should be spent in places beyond just the county jail in Dublin.

I want more hospital beds, and I want longer stays in the hospital for mentally ill patients, said Shirk, a registered nurse. I want to see more supportive housing. My daughter does well when her situation is stable.

The three-day demonstration, which continued Monday after Sundays showing of about 50-100 people throughout the day, is titled Valentines Week Rally for Hospitals and Homes, not Jails and Streets for our Community Members with Serious Mental Illness.

The week of Feb. 14 was selected because we love our children and this is our way of showing that we care, said Patricia Fontana, one of the organizers of Families Advocating for the Seriously Mentally Ill, a 3-year-old advocacy group.

Sundays event under a relentless afternoon sun featured live music and speeches, led by former East Bay Democratic state Sen. Loni Hancock.

What we are hearing from the state is that money is not the problem, Hancock told the crowd. What we are lacking is the will.

Those voicing the most urgent call for help were mostly parents and siblings of adult children who all have lived with the frustration of a broken county support system and difficulties in keeping patients in treatment. One of the challenges is that people with severe mental illness often don't have insight into their own condition.

Eighty percent of the people with schizophrenia dont think they have an illness, said Fontana, a Berkeley architect. It is very hard to keep them in treatment.

Her son was a junior at UC Berkeley when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, she said. He dropped out, and though hes been in supportive housing, nothing lasts, she said: He has delusions and has been living on the streets for 12 years.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature have pledged billions to tackle homelessness and mental illness. Each countys board of supervisors has a say in allocation of state grant money, and Families Advocating for the Seriously Mentally Ill wants a say in allocating those resources in Alameda County.

We want that money to go toward more and better hospitals, case management and supportive housing, because what they are doing doesnt work, Fontana said. My son is an extremely intelligent and creative person, and with proper treatment he could be that person again. The mental health system focuses on crisis stabilization, and they are constantly pushing people back on the streets. They just throw people away.

Asked to comment, Alameda County Supervisor Dave Brown declined. Board of Supervisors President Keith Carsons communications manager, Melissa Male, responded to a request to Carson for comment. His district includes the protest site. Male said in an email, Supervisor Carson understands the concerns of Families Advocating for the Seriously Mentally Ill and the community at large about investing more in community-based programs, and he does agree that this is needed. She noted that the county government just completed a three-year mental health plan, and that Carson favors alternative programs to incarceration.

More than ever before, we are integrating mental health in everything that we do to ensure that folks dont wind up in jail to begin with. The focus should always be on prevention and community- based treatment and support.

As part of the encampment protest, the organizations steering committee is circulating a petition calling for the supervisors to hold a public hearing to discuss their demands. All elected officials were invited to come by the plaza any time. The campers are there through Tuesday, with noon rallies both Monday and Tuesday. Anybody stopping by Shirks blue pup tent will get a story that, but for the fates, could befall any parent.

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.

Shirks daughter graduated from an Oakland high school where she was active in the drama program. She acted. She modeled. She moved to San Francisco to attend City College. Everything was fine until she was 22, and one day Shirk got a call at work from a neighbor: Come home quickly. Her daughter was throwing things out the front door.

There have been periods when she does well, Shirk said. Then she falls apart.

Most recently it was when someone in a homeless camp persuaded her to replace her prescription medication with methamphetamine late last year, according to Shirk.

Their relationship deteriorated to the point that Shirk obtained a restraining order against her daughter in 2020, citing violent episodes at the family home in Oakland.

Notably, data shows that people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

On a cold Christmas Eve, Shirk said, she found her daughter huddling in the backyard. Shirk did not invite her in.

Shirk said she felt she had no choice but to call the police, and thats how her daughter ended up spending Christmas in Santa Rita.

These people need more psychiatric help and longer psychiatric help, Shirk said. I dont think it is going to happen overnight, but what we are seeing now is cruel.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @samwhitingsf
UW Extension Names New Educator in Crook County

Alex Orozco-Lopez

A former range research technician is the new agriculture and natural resources educator for University of Wyoming Extension in Crook County.

Alex Orozco-Lopez began his job duties Jan. 4. Most recently, he worked as a range research technician for the University of Nebraska-Lincolns (UNL) Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, Neb. In that position, he collected and analyzed data on research projects in the Nebraska Panhandle and in the Sandhills.

He previously was a biological science aide at the U.S. Department of Agricultures Agricultural Research Service in Cheyenne, where he worked with scientists, research technicians and other biological science aides to manage cattle and gather vegetation data.

In his new role, Orozco-Lopez will design, deliver and evaluate comprehensive educational programs addressing agriculture and natural resources needs in Crook County. He will investigate issues that area producers are facing and work with them to find solutions. Additionally, he will collaborate with other extension educators to host educational programs, provide training and support 4-H activities.

What I look forward to the most in this position is being able to create relationships and collaborations with producers, other educators and other agencies, Orozco-Lopez says. I look forward to learning from producers and working with them to address issues that impact Crook County.

Orozco-Lopez grew up on a cow-calf operation in Galt, Calif. He earned a masters degree in agronomy, with a specialization in range and forage science, from UNL in December 2021. He received his bachelors degree in animal science from California State University-Chico in 2019.

We are thrilled that Alex has joined the UW Extension team, says Mandy Marney, associate director of UW Extension. His background in livestock production, coupled with his knowledge of livestock and range issues, is tremendously valuable for UW Extension.
Love is in the air in Humboldt County.

Marriage licenses from the California Department of Public Health show Humboldt County marriage licenses are up 56% in 2021 compared with 2019, from 735 licenses to 1150. Merced, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties are also up over 35% in the same time period. San Francisco County ranks 8th in marriage license growth out of all California counties, with a increase of 23% from 2019 to 2021. In contrast, Los Angeles, Santa Clara and San Diego counties, which hold Californias three largest cities, are all down by more than 20%.

Humboldt County wedding officiant Paul Marsh says it is not traditional weddings that account for the rise but rather civil ceremonies. Marsh says civil weddings became hugely popular throughout the pandemic. He also notes the time frame for a civil marriage is much shorter than the planning time for a traditional wedding, with only two to six weeks notice needed. He says that during the pandemic, restrictions on large events pushed many to look for alternative solutions.

The fact that a couple obtained a marriage license in a certain county does not necessarily mean the couple had their wedding ceremony in that location. Couples can pull a license wherever they like, meaning the number of weddings taking place in a county could be higher or lower than the number of licenses obtained. Still, people generally get married in the place where they get their license.

We chose to compare 2021 to 2019, rather than 2020, to understand how much California marriages have come back to pre-pandemic levels. In 2020, marriages in the state were down 23% from 2019, from about 228,000 total marriages to 175,000. In 2021, marriages rebounded only slightly, and are still down 20% from 2019.

The slowed return to marriages statewide certainly has to do with pandemic restrictions, said Eve-Anne Doohan, associate professor of communications at USF. Doohan, whose research focuses on how married couples communicate, suggests people are likely not dating the same way they were pre-pandemic.

The dating lives of single people were affected by the early pandemic restrictions, and perhaps people are still hesitant to date in person now, so there have been fewer relationships developed that are leading to marriage, Doohan said.

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Gina Mariko Rosales, CEO of Bay Area-based event planning company Make it Mariko, says it is not all bad news for marriage. Many of her clients have simply been pushing their weddings further back to avoid pandemic restrictions, with Rosales having rescheduled one clients wedding three times now.

This year is hopefully going to be a big wedding year for folks because it is finally more free, looking into endemic status and not as many masks and testing that had to happen last year, Rosales said.

(After the story was initially published, the San Francisco City Clerk provided numbers on marriage licenses distributed in the county, and data and charts in this article have been updated.)

Amy Coval is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: amy.coval@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @amy_coval
Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Two people were shot in the North Stonehurst neighborhood of Oakland on Sunday afternoon, Oakland police said.

Police got a call about a shooting near the 1200 Block of 101st Avenue just after 2:30 p.m., according to police spokesperson Candace Keas.
UPDATE: California will stop requiring masks in K-12 schools as of March 12, but San Francisco public school officials said that there will be no change to masking protocols.

California will continue requiring that students and staff wear masks in K-12 schools for at least the next two weeks, after which the state will reassess the need for a mandate and possibly offer a date for when it may be lifted, health officials said Monday.

The announcement came the day before the states universal indoor mask mandate expires. Though vaccinated Californians will no longer be required to wear masks in almost all public indoor settings starting Wednesday, the order to wear face coverings will remain in place in all schools as a continuing strategy to curb spread of COVID-19.

State officials said they would evaluate the need for a school mask mandate on Feb. 28 based on factors including vaccination rates among children, community case rates and hospital capacity. But they declined to give specific metrics for when they might lift the school mandate. If metrics continue to improve, as expected, over the next two weeks, the mandate could go away within a few days after Feb. 28, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of California Health and Human Services.

Ghaly said he recognizes that children must be allowed to remove their masks at some point. But he added that health officials remain wary of coronavirus transmission in schools, with many students not vaccinated and cases from the winter omicron surge still very high in most communities.

We will today not make a change on school masking, Ghaly told a briefing. On Feb. 28, two weeks from now, we will reassess the data. Were going to look at information on case rates, confirm ... that case numbers come down, that test positivity comes down, that hospitalizations come down. And were watching vaccination rates.

On Feb. 28, we will share what the next period of time looks like, and give a date when masking requirements will move to a recommendation, he said.

School mask mandates have been an emotionally and politically charged topic across California, even in the Bay Area where people have largely supported restrictive public health measures for the past two years. The debate over required face coverings in schools has escalated in recent weeks, with some parents and health experts calling for an end to mandates. They argue that masking children has social and academic consequences, while others criticize that idea as reckless given the ongoing risk from COVID to children and adults.

Late last month, a group of doctors and other health experts called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to make masks optional in schools; nearly 53,000 people have signed their petition.

California is one of only a handful of states that still requires masks in schools, though both the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics support such policies. As the omicron surge wanes, pressure has mounted to lift mask requirements in general.

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Across the Bay Area and the state, pandemic policies have varied greatly, including on masking. In late January, Los Angeles tightened local mandates, requiring students and adults to wear non-cloth masks with a nose wire, while Berkeley announced it would start transitioning all students and staff to KN95 respirators, far exceeding state and county guidelines. Some districts, including San Francisco, have required students wear masks outdoors, though thats not part of the state mandate.

Once the state school mask mandate is lifted, counties, school districts and individual campuses may choose to continue requiring that students and staff wear them. Easing such mandates in some districts may prove more complicated in some places than others, depending on parent, teacher and community support for them. In some districts, masks have become a critical negotiation topic with teachers unions.

Those favoring the continuation of school mask mandates cite low vaccination rates among children, with 28% of those ages 5 to 11 fully vaccinated, according to state data. Those numbers, however, vary widely. For that same age group, San Joaquin Countys vaccination rate is 17% compared to 51% in San Francisco, 56% in Alameda County and 70% in Marin County.

Erin Allday and Jill Tucker are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com, jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday, @jilltucker
A Levis executive who has repeatedly attacked government efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 announced her resignation from the company Monday, writing that she was condemned by colleagues and corporate leaders for expressing her opinions about the pandemic and particularly about reopening schools.

Jennifer Sey, an executive vice president at Levis overseeing marketing and merchandising, said she was pressured by the company to refrain from making public statements about what she believed to be draconian policies related to school closures.

Sey has publicly supported the recall of three San Francisco school board members and has tweeted extensively about the response to the pandemic, including her dismay at the demonization of the unvaccinated and her critique of hypocritical and unproven policies. Sey said her family moved from San Francisco to Denver in order to escape the citys pandemic-related restrictions.

Ancel Martinez, a spokesperson for Levi Strauss & Co., confirmed in a statement that Sey resigned from the company but declined to comment on Seys characterization of the reasons behind her departure.

Sey has tweeted that public health guidance advising older adults to stay away from their family members was the product of fear mongering.

Public health officials have repeatedly said that older adults and people with fragile immune systems are at a substantially heightened risk of developing severe symptoms and dying from a coronavirus infection.

Her husband, Daniel Kotzin, has voiced strident opposition to COVID-related lockdowns and vaccines, which have proven to be both safe and effective against the novel coronavirus. On Sunday, he tweeted, 2021 was the year of the vaccine. 2022 will be the year of vaccine remorse.

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Sey said she was castigated for her husbands COVID views, as if I, as his wife, were responsible for the things he said on social media.

Her public remarks and the attention they garnered from outlets like Fox News prompted reproaches from company executives, she said, who demanded she pipe down and recognize her remarks reflected on the company.

Sey claimed she rejected a $1 million offer from the company to sign an agreement that would prevent her from publicly discussing why she left the company.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
As Spotify continues to grapple with COVID-19 misinformation, most notably through its podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, theres another aspect to the larger fight against pandemic misinformation that isnt getting nearly enough attention.

Medical professionals, the trusted sources wed ideally want people to receive their information on the coronavirus from, arent sure about how best to talk about the vaccine to patients.

As frontline doctors, we thought that medical professionals, like ourselves, would be natural experts when it comes to communicating about the COVID-19 vaccine. After all, vaccines are a critical part of providing health care and preserving health, from infants to the elderly. We were wrong.

Since August our organization, ThisIsOurShot  VacunateYa, has been conducting communication trainings in partnership with the California Department of Public Health. We surveyed 2,473 medical professionals before each training and asked them: How confident are you in your ability to talk with patients about COVID-19 vaccines? The results surprised us.

Only 50% reported they were only somewhat confident, slightly confident, or not confident when it came to talking about the COVID vaccine. These were the three lowest confidence categories on our five-option scale. If health care professionals, who are arguably the best positioned and the most credible sources of information, are feeling this way about their ability to communicate critical information to patients, how does this bode for the state of our national efforts to communicate with the nearly 25% of Americans 5 and older who are unvaccinated?

While there are likely several reasons that explain this under confidence from our medical professionals, one factor is that medical training programs do not teach medical professionals how to effectively communicate complex science to the public. A study from the Brown University School of Public Health, for example, found that patients accurately understood and recalled only about half of the advice given to them by medical professionals after a typical visit.

To fill this void, we developed the 3-5-3 method for conversations, an evidence-based communication tool rooted in messaging research, behavioral science and motivational interviewing. The first three steps begin with initial conversation techniques that include deep listening, emotional validation and assessing personal motivation. Next are five key messages for use during the conversation that address the most common vaccine-related questions and sources of hesitancy. The last three steps are techniques for closing the conversation and include acknowledging personal autonomy, maintaining open communication and helping to facilitate vaccination for those who are ready. The 3-5-3 method makes clear that it is not only what we say but how we say it that matters.

We then evaluated this method by conducting 60-minute communication training workshops for medical professionals across the state and assessed for changes in their confidence after the workshop. The results?

A remarkable 80% reported they were very confident or confident, the two highest confidence categories of our five-option scale. This change in response represented a 30-percentage-point increase in confidence from the pre-training survey benchmark. Medical professionals walked away feeling highly confident to tackle our nations singularly most important challenge.

That increased confidence has led to more patient vaccinations. One medical professional told us that a patient had called them in tears because her family was against her getting vaccinated. By using their communication training, they were able to address their patients concerns and she ended up going to CVS to get her shot that day.

Another powerful aspect of the training was the opportunity it provided for medical professionals to engage in Q&A with their peers. Many of these frontline professionals faced extraordinarily difficult, hard-to-predict and seemingly unanswerable questions arising out of the proliferation of misinformation. Through firsthand conversations, these medical professionals were able to share novel ideas and techniques to effectively navigate these challenging conversations.

Public opinion polls consistently show that patients trust their personal health care provider most when it comes to discussing the COVID-19 vaccine. This finding also remains consistent for parents of young children  the lowest vaccine uptake age demographic in the nation at just 23% fully vaccinated  with the vast majority of parents saying their childs pediatrician or health care provider is their most trusted source for COVID-19 vaccine information.

The pandemic has been punctuated by many public education campaigns. Yet, as doctors, we were hard-pressed to find any tailored to guiding medical professionals through these important vaccine conversations. Public health, medicine and society assumed wed be experts at it.

Government, public health agencies and major philanthropic organizations can all play a role in investing deeply in evidence-based communication training for medical professionals and the public health workforce. Supporting this work is a prerequisite to ending the pandemic. Ultimately, our nations most trusted experts should also be its most confident.

Atul Nakhasi is a primary care physician at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Hussain Lalani is a primary care physician at Brigham and Womens Hospital and Alex McDonald is a family and sports medicine physician at Southern California Permanente Medical Group. They are several of the co-founders of ThisIsOurShot-VacunateYa.
Three San Francisco and state officials said Monday they intend to step in to help San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott and District Attorney Chesa Boudin renegotiate a frayed agreement spelling out how the two agencies work with each other during investigations into police use-of-force cases and police shootings.

State Attorney General Rob Bonta, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and City Attorney David Chiu issued a joint statement Monday committing to working with the District Attorneys Office and the Police Department to reach an accord over a revised agreement. The agreement, severed by Police Chief Bill Scott, makes the D.A.s Office the lead investigatory body for police use-of-force cases.

The joint effort aims to calm the heated battle between the citys two most powerful law enforcement officials and prevent it from undermining efforts at police reform. It came on the same day that Bontas state Department of Justice released a largely complimentary progress report on the Police Departments voluntary efforts at reform.

The brief joint statement said Bonta, Breed and Chiu will work with police and the district attorney to quickly come up with an acceptable agreement that addresses past violations and deficiencies in the agreement, often called a memorandum of understanding, or MOU.

We are all working together to support the parties to swiftly and collaboratively reach an agreement on the terms of an amended MOU that address the significant issues of compliance, accountability, and mutual expectations, the joint statement said. Fundamentally, the MOU is an important tool for advancing transparency and accountability, which are cornerstones in ensuring effective policing and fortification of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Discussions were scheduled to begin this week.

Scott, in a statement, said the pledge to preserve the agreement was welcomed.

I stand strongly for the principles of accountability and transparency, which are foundational to all 21st century police reforms  including those involving uses of force and officer-involved shootings, he said. But accountability and transparency must be mutually honored by both parties in agreements such as these.

A spokesperson for the District Attorneys Office could not immediately provide comment on Mondays development.

Scott said this month that he would end the 2019 agreement that gave the D.A.s Office the lead role in investigating police use-of-force incidents, in-custody deaths and police shootings.

The agreement was originally struck in 2019 after intense debate in San Francisco over the role the citys police department should play in investigating its own officers following a rash of police shootings. Police and the District Attorneys Office renewed the agreement last year.

Scotts decision to terminate the agreement came on the eve of an ongoing police use-of-force trial against Officer Terrance Stangel, who is facing criminal battery and assault charges for allegedly striking a man needlessly with a baton in 2019. The incident occurred while Stangel and other officers responded to a domestic violence report.

In a pretrial hearing, D.A. Investigator Magen Hayashi testified that she felt she could be fired if she did not sign an affidavit against Stangel as prosecutors wished and was instructed not to share information with police investigating the underlying domestic violence case  that the man Stangel struck, Dacari Spiers, was engaged in a physical altercation with his then-girlfriend. Both Spiers and his girlfriend denied they were fighting.

Scott accused the District Attorneys Office of violating the agreement, and unilaterally decided to pull out of it. Boudin denied that his office violated the terms of the agreement as it existed in 2019.

News of the effort to rebuild the investigative agreement followed a recent report from the state Department of Justice on the Police Departments reform efforts around use of force, bias, accountability and other areas of improvement.

The 535-page report, issued by the Department of Justice and a consultant monitoring the process, lauded San Francisco police for enacting 90% of the 272 recommended reforms, saying the department has put in substantial work at improving its policies, process, training and culture.

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The reforms have resulted in meaningful improvement in SFPDs policing policies, said Nancy Beninati, supervising deputy attorney general.

Among the improvements, the report cited a decrease in the average number of police shootings from seven a year in 2013 to 2016, to four a year in the past the past five years, along with a steady decline in the use of force against Black residents.

The Department of Justice also praised Scotts decision to withhold most booking photos or mug shots of arrested suspects in an effort to avoid perpetuating negative stereotypes, saying it had a statewide impact.

But the department needs to do a better job with reducing racial disparities, the report said. It acknowledged progress, particularly in police shootings of Black residents, but said data still shows big disparities in the number of Black people subjected to traffic stops, searches and use of force.

While the progress is noteworthy, the racial disparities demonstrated by the data are very troubling, Beninati said.

The report recommends continuing to work with academics to determine how better to reduce disparities and to further involve community groups. It also faults the slow pace of changing policies, blaming it in part on the Police Commission, and said police should provide more detailed information in letters it sends out following the conclusion of investigations.

Beninati said the Department of Justice has seen a significant shift in the Police Departments commitment to reform while acknowledging that many in the community have yet to see the effects.

While SFPD has come far over the course of (the reform project), and should be pleased with its successfully implemented reforms, there remains more work to be done.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
If theres one comic who can neutralize a heckler, its Bill Maher. His default tone is one of moderate exasperation, so he can pause to shush a hostile audience member without really switching vocal registers. And there were more than a few outbursts at his show Saturday night at the Fox Theater in Oakland, spurring Maher to engage in his trademark putout manner.

Dad is working! he said shortly before dropping his mic on the stage. We can do a short show, or we can do a long show. I already got your money!

And later: I dont face this problem in red states. How does that make you feel? What part of Kentucky are we in?

In the end, he did the long show. Ever unafraid of controversy, the libertarian-leaning Maher is the contrarian grouch of late-night TV, always eager to infuriate doctrinaire liberals at Salon.com by booking explicitly anti-left pundits like Bari Weiss or climate-change skeptic and mens rights activist Jordan Peterson on Real Time with Bill Maher, now 19 seasons in.

Long a scold on perceived overreactions to COVID-19, Maher has recently flirted with support for increasingly militant segments of the anti-vaccine movement, such as the Freedom Convoy clogging up Canada. None of that appeared in the evenings material, however, whether because he perceived he was playing to a progressive NorCal audience, the presence of feisty hecklers gave him pause or he just didnt have the time to work it in. Primed for combat, the uncoordinated haters in the house probably came away disappointed.

Masking up was the subject he returned to again and again. Its a timely enough topic  America is truly over COVID at this point, from restrictions that ebb and flow like the tide to Democratic officeholders partying maskless in VIP boxes. The hypocrisy of the powerful is comedys honeypot, and the jovially cantankerous Maher brings receipts.

Its the supposed infallibility of experts that really gets him going, particularly public-health authorities. The maxim follow the science is glib and collapses on even the slightest scrutiny, as Maher sees it, and so he was there to hammer it to bits, with everyman lines about trans fats and the now-recalled anti-smoking medication Chantix, which turned out to contain carcinogens. And if eating right is so important, then how come Donald Trump is still alive?

Health is a mystery, he said. Donald Trump didnt age. We did.

Above all, Maher has no patience with gaseous liberal pieties, and if his philosophy could be summed up in a sentence, it would be, The answer to bad speech is more speech. Its his pinned tweet, in fact  and it sounds great until you realize that that notion is a liberal piety unto itself.

Its also the launching-off point for Mahers attacks on his real enemy, the one he hates even more than N95s. That would be so-called cancel culture, a slippery term that covers a lot of ground, from J.K. Rowling to academic groupthink to the tragic saga of Colin Kaepernick. Maher cant stop himself from rising to the defense of male celebrities (Garrison Keillor, Aziz Ansari) whose punishments, in his eyes, exceeded their crime.

This might all seem like boomer white guy garbage. Or worse, that Maher is falling prey to the same dynamic that overtook Glenn Greenwald, in which intense criticism from fellow liberals drives people into the arms of the right. But Mahers criticism isnt purely reactionary. At one point he noted that future generations will likely judge us harshly for the way we treat animals and older adults, so maybe we should dial down our superiority regarding 15th-century slave owners.

Whatever age you live in, you would be the same asshole, he said. Youre not better. You just came later. Youre the iPhone 11.

It was around then that the heckling largely dissipated. Maher went on to a cringey Jewish joke and an extended riff on how much he hates tattoos, plus a lot of evergreen material about weird stuff in the Bible thats probably anchored his sets since the late 1980s. But he got a lot of applause for calling on Democrats to legalize cannabis nationwide (pot could be our guns) and for calling out the practice of slut-shaming. He hates Trump, but he hates Ted Cruz more.

One of the most sustained bouts of applause, it sucks to say, was about transgender kids. Referring to the intense paranoia swirling around that subject, Maher said of a hypothetical gender-variant child, At recess, he chose a pink toy. Cut his dick off! If I had the power to zap one stupid cliche from the lexicon of American English, thats the one Id pick.

There were a couple of other puzzlers, like the line about how he was glad to have been spanked as a kid. And he all but begged the audience never to wear a mask outside again. But as irascible and self-satisfied, Maher is, if nothing else, consistently smart. If you want to enjoy his comedy, youd do well to have more than a passing familiarity with, say, Opus Dei and Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas. His world-weary impatience with abuses of power appeals to me as a fellow Catholic-educated smart-ass, and the highbrow red meat he tosses to the crowds has just enough populism in it. Hecklers aside, the audience seemed to agree, enjoying the passionate denunciation of liberal smugness from Americas smuggest liberal.
A principal at a Bay Area elementary school has apologized after distributing shirts with "thin blue line" imagery to students after a "graduation" ceremony for a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.

The Vallejo Sun reported Feb. 11 that Christina Moore, the principal of Robert Semple Elementary School in Benicia, sent an email to parents earlier in the week apologizing for the shirts.

The shirts in question show Daren the Lion  DAREs mascot  standing in front of an American flag graphic with one blue stripe.

I want you to know I am aware, recognize and understand fully that there were some shared feelings around the shirts given out to the 5th grade students, Moore wrote, according to the Vallejo Sun. I want you to know how sorry I am if this caused you or your family any unsettled feelings.

The shirts were ordered during the 2018-2019 school year, Benicia police Chief Mike Greene told the Vallejo Sun.

Because graduations were put on hold with the pandemic weve had these T-shirts in storage since we purchased them, Greene said in an email to the news publication. At that time, the thin blue line design had a much different meaning.

By this point, the "thin blue line" iconography had already been linked to "Blue Lives Matter"  an anti-Black Lives Matter rallying cry  and appeared prominently during the 2017 "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one woman dead. The Blue Lives Matter countermovement argues that police officers should be granted hate crime protections akin to those granted to people on the basis of their race, sexuality and gender.

San Francisco police Chief Bill Scott banned officers from wearing thin blue line masks in 2020 in light of protests after the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, as well as continued police violence against Black Americans.

The ban prompted the San Francisco Police Officers Association to start selling the masks, with SFPOA President Tony Montoya denying that the insignia is linked to racism, hate, or bigotry.

The efficacy of DARE programs have been put into question since at least 1994, when one study found that the program had negligible effects on students' drug use. DARE shirts with the "thin blue line" are not uncommon, popping up for sale on eBay and other online marketplaces from other police departments and sheriffs offices in the country.

Moore did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.
Chinese peacekeeping military doctors treat an injured Chadian soldier.

GAO, Mali, Feb. 14 -- The 9th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to Mali provided emergency treatment to a wounded Chadian soldier on February 9.

The soldier suffered traumatic shock in a car accident on his way assisting Chadian peacekeepers with the delivery of supplies, and was sent to a Bangladeshi Level  hospital for treatment. Considering his critical condition, the Bangladeshi hospital applied for urgent medical assistance from the Chinese Level  Hospital through the medical department of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

The Chinese Level  Hospital launched a treatment plan for the soldier upon receiving the notification from the MINUSMA, and the patient's vital signs gradually recovered after this emergency treatment. He then was transferred to a hospital in Bamako, capital of Mali, for follow-up treatment.

"Healing the wounded and rescuing the dying has been a duty of medical workers, which also reflects the sense of responsibility of Chinese peacekeeping military doctors," said Cui Liuqiang, deputy commander of the medical contingent.
UW in the News

State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage:

Bloomberg Law quoted UW College of Law Associate Dean Sam Kalen for an article that focused on the oil and gas industry bracing for the possibility of the Biden administration missing a promised deadline to announce an upcoming oil and gas lease sale. One option may be litigation.

OilPrice.com reported that 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. UW economist Rob Godby was quoted in the article. Investing.com published the same article.

UW researchers found that a single genetic mutation linked to slower chronic wasting disease (CWD) progression has become more common over time, Bowhunter reported. The study indicates that deer with the slow mutation were less likely to test positive for CWD.

The Casper Star-Tribune noted that $58 million from the states capital construction budget has been earmarked for UW. Legislators begin budget work this week in Cheyenne.

The Laramie Boomerang reported that higher flower prices -- mixed with supply chain shortages -- could mean Valentines Day spending might be slowed somewhat this holiday season. UW economist Anne Alexander was interviewed for the article.

UW College of Education student-teacher candidates have begun their 16-week student-teaching experience, with more than 150 student teachers placed in Wyoming, Colorado and Utah schools. Wyo4News published UWs student-teacher list.

WyoToday Media published UWs announcement that the Wyoming Center on Aging is offering free online and in-person workshops throughout the state for people with chronic health conditions and their caregivers.

UW Extension educator Jeremiah Vardiman told The Powell Tribune that farmers could expect significant increases in fertilizer this spring, with prices already double from a year ago. The Laramie Boomerang published the original article.

UW will host a job fair for the hospitality and tourism industries early next month. Wyoming News Now published UWs release noting that the fair is seeking employers looking to staff up for seasonal operations or promote year-round career opportunities for recent graduates.
The wine flowed. Donald Trump Jr. mingled with the guests. And Peter Thiel, the tech billionaire and host of the event, had a message for the well-heeled crowd: It was time to clean house.

The fundraiser at Thiels Miami Beach compound last month was for a conservative candidate challenging Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming for a spot on the ballot in Novembers midterm elections. Cheney, one of several Republicans who had voted to impeach President Donald Trump on charges of inciting the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, was the face of the traitorous 10, Thiel said, according to two people with knowledge of the event, who were not authorized to speak publicly. All of them had to be replaced, he declared, by conservatives loyal to the former president.

Thiel, who became known in 2016 as one of the biggest donors to Trumps presidential campaign, has reemerged as a key financier of the Make America Great Again movement. After sitting out the 2020 presidential race, the venture capitalist this year is backing 16 Senate and House candidates, many of whom have embraced the lie that Trump won the election.

To get these candidates into office, Thiel has given more than $20.4 million. That essentially puts him and Kenneth Griffin, CEO of the hedge fund Citadel, in a tie as the largest individual donors to Republican politics this election cycle, according to the nonpartisan research organization OpenSecrets.

What sets Thiels spending apart, though, is its focus on hard-right candidates who traffic in the conspiracy theories espoused by Trump and who cast themselves as rebels determined to overthrow the Republican establishment and even the broader American political order. These campaigns have raised millions in small-dollar donations, but Thiels wealth could accelerate the shift of views once considered fringe to the mainstream  while making himself a new power broker on the right.

When you have a funder who is actively elevating candidates who are denying the legitimacy of elections, that is a direct assault on the foundation of democracy, said Lee Drutman, a senior fellow at the left-leaning group New America, who studies campaign finance and hyperpartisanship.

The candidates Thiel has funded offer a window into his ideology. While the investor has been something of a cipher, he is currently driven by a worldview that the establishment and globalization have failed, that current immigration policy pillages the middle class and that the country must dismantle federal institutions.

Thiel has started articulating his thinking publicly, recently headlining at least six conservative and libertarian gatherings where he criticized the Chinese Communist Party and big tech companies and questioned climate science. He has taken issue with what he calls the extreme dogmatism within establishment institutions, which he said had sent the country backward.

At an October dinner at Stanford University for the Federalist Society, he spoke about the deranged society that a completely deranged government had created, according to a recording of the event obtained by The New York Times. The United States was on the verge of a momentous correction, he said.

My somewhat apocalyptic, somewhat hopeful thought is that we are finally at a point where things are breaking, Thiel said.

Thiel, 54, has not publicly said what he believes about the 2020 election. But in Trump, he sees a vessel to push through his ideological goals, three people close to the investor said. The two men met recently in New York and at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Thiel also funded an app company run by John McEntee, one of Trumps closest aides, two people with knowledge of the deal said.

KEVIN HAGEN/NYT

Unlike traditional Republican donors who have focused on their partys winning control of Congress and the White House, Thiel has set his sights on reshaping the Republican agenda with his brand of anti-establishment contrarianism, said Steve Bannon, Trumps former chief strategist.

I dont think its just about flipping the Senate, said Bannon, who has known Thiel since 2016. I think Peter wants to change the direction of the country.

Thiels giving is expected to make up just a small fraction of the hundreds of millions of dollars that are likely to flow through campaigns this cycle. But the amounts he is pouring into individual races and the early nature of his primary donations have put him on the radar of Republican hopefuls.

In the past, many courted the billionaire Koch brothers or Sheldon Adelson, the late casino magnate. This year, they have clamored for invitations to Thiels Los Angeles and Miami Beach homes, or debated how to at least get on the phone with him, political strategists said.

Thiel personally vets the candidates he gives to, said three Republican strategists, who declined to be named for fear of retaliation. In addition to Harriet Hageman, the challenger to Cheney, he is backing Joe Kent and Loren Culp, both of whom are running against House Republicans in Washington state who voted to impeach Trump. He also gave to a political action committee associated with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who is not up for reelection this year.

Thiel has attracted the most attention for two $10 million donations to Senate candidates Blake Masters in Arizona and J.D. Vance in Ohio. Like Thiel, the men are tech investors with pedigrees from elite universities who cast themselves as antagonists to the establishment. They have also worked for the billionaire and been financially dependent on him. Masters, the chief operating officer of Thiel Capital, the investors family office, has promised to leave that job before Arizonas August primary.

Thiel, who declined to comment for this article, announced last week that he would leave the board of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, which conservatives have accused of censorship. One reason for the change: He plans to focus more on politics.

A Moneymans Evolution

Born in West Germany and raised in South Africa and the San Francisco Bay Area, Thiel showed his provocative side at Stanford in the late 1980s. Classmates recalled Thiel, who studied philosophy and law, describing South Africas apartheid as a sound economic system. (A spokesperson for Thiel has denied that he supported apartheid.)

Thiel also helped found The Stanford Review, a conservative campus paper that sought to provide alternative views to what he deemed left-wing orthodoxy.

In 1995, he co-wrote a book, The Diversity Myth, arguing that the extreme focus on racism had caused greater societal tension and acrimony. Rape, he and his co-author, David Sacks, wrote, sometimes included seductions that are later regretted. (Thiel has apologized for the book.)

In 1998, Thiel helped create what would become the digital payments company PayPal. He became Facebooks first outside investor in 2004 and established the venture capital firm Founders Fund a year later. Forbes puts his fortune at $2.6 billion.

As a venture capitalist, Thiel branded himself as a contrarian. He published philosophical essays, often dark musings on politics, technology, Christianity and globalization.

In one 2009 piece, Thiel, who called himself a libertarian, wrote that he had come to no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible, arguing that American politics would always be hostile to free-market ideals, and that politics was about interfering with other peoples lives without their consent. Since then, he has hosted and attended events with white nationalists and alt-right figures.

His political giving evolved with those views. He donated lavishly to Ron Pauls 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns before turning to candidates who were more extreme than the Republican establishment.

In 2013, Curtis Yarvin, an entrepreneur who has voiced racist beliefs and said democracy was a destructive system of government, emailed Thiel. Yarvin wrote that Cruz, then a newly elected senator, needs to purge every single traitor from the Republican Party. In the email, which The Times obtained, Yarvin argued that it didnt matter if those candidates lost general elections or cost the party control in Congress.

Thiel, who had donated to Cruzs 2012 campaign, replied, Its relatively safe to support Cruz (for me) because he threatens the Republican establishment.

Thiel used his money to fund other causes. In 2016, he was revealed as the secret funder of a lawsuit that targeted Gawker Media, which had reported he was gay. Gawker declared bankruptcy, partly from the costs of fighting the lawsuit.

In July 2016, Thiel appeared at the Republican National Convention to proclaim that he was proud to be a gay Republican supporting Trump. He later donated $1.25 million to the candidate.

After Trump won, Thiel was named to the president-elects executive transition team. At a meeting with tech leaders at Trump Tower in Manhattan in December 2016, Trump told Thiel, Youre a very special guy.

A month later, Thiel, a naturalized American, was revealed to have also obtained citizenship in New Zealand. That prompted a furor, especially after Trump had urged people to pledge total allegiance to the United States.

During Trumps presidency, Thiel became frustrated with the administration. There are all these ways that things have fallen short, he told The Times in 2018.

In 2020, he stayed on the sidelines. His only notable federal election donation was to Kris Kobach, a Trump ally and former secretary of state of Kansas known for his hard-line views on immigration. (Kobach lost his primary bid for the Senate.)

Thiels personal priorities also changed. In 2016, he announced that he was moving from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The next year, he married a longtime boyfriend, Matt Danzeisen; they have two children.

Thiel reduced his business commitments and started pondering leaving Metas board, which he had joined in 2005, two of the people with knowledge of his thinking said. At an October event held by a conservative tech group in Miami, he alluded to his frustration with Facebook, which was increasingly removing certain kinds of speech and had barred Trump.

I will take QAnon and Pizzagate conspiracy theories any day over a Ministry of Truth, he said.

A Meta spokesperson said the company valued and had benefited from Thiels contributions.

Thiel reappeared in political circles. In August, he bought a $13 million mansion in Washington from Wilbur Ross, Trumps commerce secretary. In October, he spoke at the event for the Federalist Society at Stanford and at the National Conservatism Conference.

Thiel rebuilt his relationship with Trump. Since the 2020 election, they have met at least three times in New York and at Mar-a-Lago, sometimes with Masters or Vance. And Thiel invested in McEntees company, which is building a dating app for conservatives called the RightStuff.

McEntee declined to answer questions about his app and said Thiel was a great guy. Trumps representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Giving to Win

Thiels political giving ramped up last spring with his $10 million checks to PACs supporting Vance and Masters. The sums were his biggest and the largest ever one-time contributions to a PAC backing a single candidate, according to OpenSecrets.

Like Trump in 2016, Vance and Masters lack experience in politics. Vance, the venture capitalist who wrote the best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, met Thiel a decade ago when the billionaire delivered a lecture at Yale Law School, where Vance was a student.

Vance later worked at Mithril Capital, one of Thiels investment funds, before opening his own fund in Ohio, Narya Capital, in which Thiel is an investor. Vance took home more than $400,000 in salary from Narya in 2020 and the first half of 2021, according to financial disclosures.

Masters met Thiel when he was a Stanford law student in 2012 and the investor taught a class on startups. The two later co-wrote a bestselling business book, Zero to One. In 2020, Masters reported more than $1.1 million in salary from Thiel Capital and book royalties.

Vance, Masters and their campaigns did not respond to requests for comment.

Both candidates have repeated the Trumpian lie of election fraud, with Masters stating in a November campaign ad, I think Trump won in 2020. They have also made Thiel a selling point in their campaigns.

In November, Vance wrote on Twitter that anyone who donated $10,800 to his campaign could attend a small group dinner with him and Thiel. Masters offered the same opportunity for a meal with Thiel and raised $550,000 by selling nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, of Zero to One digital art that would give holders access to parties with me and Peter.

Thiels backing has prompted other tech investors to support the two candidates. Sacks, the co-author of The Diversity Myth and now an investor, hosted a fundraiser for Vance. Joe Lonsdale, a venture capitalist, held one for Masters.

Thiel has also made smaller donations to Trump loyalists, including in September to Hageman and Patrick Witt, a former Trump administration official running for a House seat in Georgia.

His backing may not be enough. In Ohio, Vance trails in polling, partly hampered by a previous denunciation of Trump. In Arizona, Masters is competing in a crowded field.

Some Republicans worry that Thiel is arming candidates who are too extreme with financial firepower, fueling what could be politically detrimental primary races.

You have to nominate candidates who can win in the fall and not just damage everyone on the way, said Scott Reed, a longtime Republican strategist.

But Thiel appears ready to press forward. In a 20-minute speech at the National Conservatism Conference in October, he said nationalism was a corrective to the brain-dead, one-world state of globalism. He also blasted the Biden administration.

We have the zombie retreads just busy rearranging the deck chairs, he said. We need dissident voices more than ever.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Chinese fans planning to binge watch "Friends" over the weekend after it was relaunched on domestic streaming platforms on Friday were disappointed to find the show not quite what they remembered.

Clips posted by upset viewers on the microblog Weibo showed the new Chinese version of show, centered on six friends living in Manhattan, had cut scenes or changed language related to homosexuality and sex. The site Bilibili appeared to have excised references to the ex-wife of main character Ross being a lesbian.

In other cases, the Chinese subtitles differed from the English-language dialogue. When Joey recommends that a lovelorn Ross, recently left by his wife, go to a strip joint, his advice is translated as encouraging Ross to "go out and have fun." In another episode, a reference to "multiple orgasms" is turned into a comment about women "having endless gossip."

Few television shows, much less a foreign import, inspire as much devotion in China as "Friends," which spans generations from nostalgic millennials who used it to learn English in the 1990s to young Chinese urbanites who see in the show their own struggles to make it in the big city. Fans had been anticipating its streaming on platforms like Tencent, Youku, iQiyi and Bilibili, which started airing the show on Feb. 11.

Known in Chinese as "A Chronicle of Old Friends," the show's popularity has persisted through the years. In the 1990s and 2000s, "Friends," watched via bootleg digital files and DVDs, provided a glimpse into American life at a time when the Chinese economy and society were just opening up.

Today, its charm as an apolitical depiction of utopian urban life continues to comfort many of China's exhausted young professionals. On Douban, two "Friends"-dedicated fan clubs have more than 100,000 members while its fan page on Weibo has more than 100,000 fans and over 57 million views.

Last year, when the show held a reunion special, Chinese fans took off work and crowded into "Friends"-themed cafes to watch what state news agency Xinhua described as a "nostalgic and tear-jerking tribute." In essays, several described crying during it.

The creative editing of the show, which had previously been broadcast uncensored on the platforms Sohu and iQiyi before the streaming agreements expired, comes as Chinese regulators ramp up their policing of media, including censoring LGBT content and banning depictions of "effeminate men."

Last month, the ending of the movie "Fight Club" was changed on Tencent's streaming site. In that version, viewers were told that Chinese law enforcement successfully stopped character Tyler Durden's plan to blow up of several buildings. The original ending was restored after complaints.

On Monday, discussion of the changes made to "Friends" appeared to have been censored. On Weibo, the hashtag #FriendsCensored was among the top trending discussion topics on Friday night before it was deleted by the next morning

Still, fans were able to air their grievances with the changes to their beloved show, questioning why references to a character being lesbian needed to be taken out or why censors chose to insert stereotypes about women. "I would say that civilization is going backwards," one said.

"Out of the entire world, we are the ones so fragile that we cannot watch this [show]?" another commentator said. "A 30-year-old show is edited 30 years later. This is hilarious," one user responded.

- - -

The Washington Post's Pei-Lin Wu in Taipei and Lyric Li in Seoul contributed to this report.
Rapper Kodak Black was among four people shot outside a party in Los Angeles early Saturday after what his lawyer said was an unprovoked attack on a person he was with at the time.

The injuries were not life-threatening and no arrests have been made, the Los Angeles Police Department said Sunday.

Black, who was born Dieuson Octave and whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was sentenced in 2019 to nearly four years in prison on federal weapons charges. Former President Donald Trump commuted his sentence in January 2021, in his final hours in office.

His lawyer, Brad Cohen, confirmed that Black was one of the shooting victims in a statement on Instagram on Sunday.

There was an unprovoked attack on an individual Kodak was with, Cohen wrote. Black came to this persons aid, Cohen said, and several shots were fired at them by an unidentified assailant.

He added: Kodak was struck in the leg. It was not life threatening, he will make a full recovery and he is in stable condition.

Cohens message on Instagram included a screen shot of an article from TMZ that said the shooting took place right in front of a slew of celebs who were attending a party after a Justin Bieber concert.

TMZ said the party was at the Nice Guy, a bar and restaurant that describes its aesthetic as paying homage to a decadent era of Mafia bars and restaurants. The guests included Drake, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Kendall Jenner and Khloe Kardashian, TMZ reported.

Cohen did not respond to questions about the shooting, and police have released few details.

The episode began around 2:45 a.m. local time when a physical altercation between several individuals erupted and gunshots were fired on the 400 block of North La Cienega Boulevard, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.

Two gunshot victims were taken to a hospital, police said.

At some point police learned that there were two additional gunshot victims who had self-transported to local hospitals, according to the statement. All four victims are listed in stable condition, police said.

A police spokesperson on Sunday said no information about the other victims was available.

Black did not respond to a direct message on Instagram seeking comment Sunday, but he did post a brief message about the Super Bowl to his more than 4 million followers on Twitter.

Black, who is from Pompano Beach, Florida, topped the Billboard album charts in December 2018 with his album Dying to Live and has a new album scheduled for release Feb. 25.

In November 2019, he was sentenced to 46 months in prison after he admitted that he had lied on background check forms while buying firearms that year.

Federal prosecutors in Miami said two of the guns were later found by police at crime scenes, including one  with Blacks fingerprints and a live round in the chamber  that had been used to fire at a rival rap artist.

Prosecutors had asked for him to be sentenced to 46 to 57 months in prison. In court, Black apologized and told the judge, I do take full responsibility for my mishap, The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.

U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno told the rapper: Young people do stupid things. But the problem is that youve been doing stupid things since you were 15.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Theres a tall tale about how the Golden Gate Bridge is painted, and the rumor has stretched far past the icons 4,200-foot span.



Local lore told of paint crews beginning at one end of the bridge to gradually paint to the other, and once complete, starting all over again in an almost Sisyphus-like undertaking.



Fred Mixon, paint superintendent for the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, has heard this one before.



It is a myth, he clarifies. Our inspection team inspects areas on the bridge and then numbers them from high to low priority. If there is a section that is high, we jump on it right away.



Mixon and his team are currently focused on repainting the south approach section, an ongoing project that began some three years ago.

While some speculation about painting the American idol is pure exaggeration, the facts behind the job remain independently compelling. The Golden Gate Bridge has attracted viewpoints from around the world since the paint first dried in 1937, and its storied reputation enhances each time an unversed admirer gazes upon the structure and asks, Why isnt it golden?



If the U.S. Navy had its way, the Golden Gate Bridge would have been painted like a bumblebee.



Construction of the bridge began Jan. 5, 1933, and ended four years later in spring 1937. It was created in the midst of the nations worst economic crisis (up until that point, at least), but Bay Area residents voted to tax themselves to finance a bridge that would connect San Francisco and Marin.



When the time came to choose a color, a debate began between multiple entities. Joseph Strauss, the projects chief engineer, and his colleagues reportedly suggested a carbon black and steel gray scheme, similar to the cold exterior of the Bay Bridge. The Navy, in an attempt to maximize visibility to ships and airplanes, proposed an outlandish design with yellow and black stripes.



The choice for the vermilion International Orange that defines the bridge is attributed to Irving Morrow, a consulting architect on the project, who stressed the importance of relating the structure to its surrounding landscape while remaining visible in the fog.

Eric Risberg/AP

Morrow possessed a genuinely unique perspective on the 3-mile strait that splits San Francisco from the Headlands, called the Golden Gate  wherein the bridge earned its name. The naming dates back to 1846 when Capt. John C. Fremont christened it as an homage to the Golden Horn of the Bosporus in Turkey. Confusion over the color and the bridges name has persisted ever since.

According to John van der Zee, a bridge historian and the author of The Gate: The True Story of the Design and Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, Morrow was in the perfect position to lobby for an illustrious design.



He studied to be a painter in Paris and would commute to San Francisco by ferry from Oakland. He had time to study the interplay of light and shadow at the Golden Gate strait, van der Zee says. He knew that the towers would be the striking feature and thought they should have a warm color, not a dark, brooding color.



Another pressing choice beyond the color was how to fortify it from an onslaught of corrosion caused by the persistence of fog and salt from the Pacific Ocean. When steel is exposed to the oxygen in air and water, the iron corrodes to create rust, eroding the durability of a structure.



The architects had the right forethought. Praised within the official program for the 1937 Golden Gate Bridge Fiesta to celebrate its opening was an eloquent ode to the bridges layered protector:



Paint, great guardian of science against rust and corrosion of steel, has played an important part in the completion of the Bridge, and will continue to serve through the ages.

Galen Rowell/Getty Images

The program claimed that approximately 110,000 gallons of paint were required to first coat the bridge. By the following year, the district was well underway with reapplying paint to its steel; thus, a never-ending chore was born. While the myth about painting from end to end is derived from this fact, whoever first suggested it is unknown. To this day, the lie is passed around online and is continuously swatted down.

The paint remains as important as the art deco design. According to its 1938-39 annual fiscal report, the largest item in the maintenance budget is for painting: $20,412.

In recent years, the annual budget for paint (including sand used to blast off the old coat) has been about $300,000 per year. In 2021 alone, the district used 720,000 pounds of sand and 2,590 gallons of paint, which it purchased exclusively from Sherwin-Williams, a professional relationship that began more than two decades ago.

The paint itself has a layered history. Originally, there was a lead primer with a lead-based topcoat, but by 1968, due to aggressive corrosion, the original lead-based paint was replaced with an inorganic zinc silicate primer and vinyl topcoats. In 1990, the topcoat was changed again from vinyl to an acrylic emulsion to meet state requirements pertaining to volatile organic compounds.



Ten years ago, the district underwent a pair of major projects to repaint the two main cables and the north approach viaduct structures. At the time, it used a system of a primer and then two coats of a finish. However, this proved to be flawed.

Photos courtesy of the GG Bridge Highway and Transportation District

The district found that they were getting some discolor  white rust coming through that system. The exposure with the fog and salt layer is a very difficult atmospheric climate cycle, says Derrick Castle, the business development manager for bridges and highways with Sherwin-Williams.



We did some investigative work with the district and found that the white salting was a reaction to the salt in the air and some zinc primer that came through the acrylic.



The district collaborated with Sherwin-Williams to develop a fresh three-pronged system that starts with a primer (Corothane I GalvaPac 1K moisture-curing urethane) then adds an epoxy intermediate (Macropoxy 646 Flake-Filled) before concluding with an acrylic finish coat: Sher-Cryl 1300.



We put on two coats of the finish, paint superintendent Mixon adds. We use that because its flexible and holds up to the UV rays and protects from salt. The epoxy doesnt hold up well against UV, so thats why we put the acrylics on top.



The paint comes in 5-gallon pails and is specially ordered for the specifications of each project. For paintbrushes, the most peculiar is a 12-inch angle brush attached to a pole they call a gooseneck, which helps them reach the tougher sections. Painters dress in white DuPont Tyvek hazmat suits. Their names are scribed in Sharpie on all the equipment.



Mixon oversees a crew of 42 and relies on a diverse roster of workers to get the job done. Engineers inspect areas for repainting, and then ironworkers set up the 70-by-70-feet rooms called containments to hold in the blasted sand and paint. Nothing but rainwater can fall off the bridge.

Photos courtesy of the GG Bridge Highway and Transportation District

The electricians come next to run generators that power the equipment, lights and humidifiers. Were at 100% humidity all the time due to the fog, and we can go through three seasons in one day on the bridge, Mixon says. We have to have at least 85% humidity so we can apply the finish.



Finally, the painters get to work. These crews are out there from Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. With about 10 folks per crew, Mixon says he has two crews sandblasting, while two painting crews trail behind.



We put forth a good effort because you cant cheat the steel, Mixon says. Every time I touch that paintbrush, I cant help but to have pride  its the Golden Gate Bridge! The most iconic bridge in the world.



Reverence for the bridge is shared throughout the Bay Area. When van der Zee finds himself feeling low on the current state of affairs, his favorite vista is from below at Fort Point.



Its good to go see it when you feel bad about the country. Its a democratic feat, he muses. There was no federal funding, and it was done by people taxing themselves. This is something the country got right  its used every day, and its still inspiring.



As for how the myth about painting the bridge began, van der Zee laughs and then quips: It was probably in Herb Caens column!
A man was giving his 16-year-old nephew a driving lesson on the afternoon of March 18, 1964, when the pair peered into a nearby dumping site in Hazleton, Pa., and saw what looked like a large doll, police said.

They soon realized it was the body of a little girl.

Police identified the child as 9-year-old Marise Ann Chiverella. She had been abducted that morning, then bound, gagged and raped before being strangled and left in the former coal-mining waste pit, police said.

Despite months of nonstop work, investigators at the time were unable to crack the case.

On Thursday, nearly six decades after state and local police began investigating, authorities announced they had solved the cold case by identifying the killer through DNA and genetic genealogy.

"This should instill in the families of victims across the state and across the country, a sense of hope," state police Cpl. Mark Baron, the lead investigator, said at a news conference on Thursday. "That no matter how long it may take, we, as law enforcement, will never give up in trying to find the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. So, God willing, in life or in death, you will be found."

With the help of a 20-year-old college student who moonlights as a genetic genealogist, law enforcement said they had determined the perpetrator was James Paul Forte, who died in 1980 and would have been 22 when he killed Chiverella.

The Chiverella cold case is the latest decades-old investigation solved with the help of genetic genealogy. In May 2021, police in Colorado said a man they had rescued from a snowstorm in 1982 had allegedly killed two young women hours earlier. Using DNA found at the crime scenes, law enforcement arrested and charged the man with murder, kidnapping and assault. He is now awaiting trial. In July, an anonymous donor funded genetic testing from a 1989 murder of a 14-year-old girl in Las Vegas. The investigation set a record for the least amount of DNA used to solve a case. The man identified as the killer died by suicide in 1995, police said.

On a normal school day, Marise Chiverella's brother and sister would walk her to St. Joseph's Parochial School in Hazleton, Pa. But on March 18, 1964, Chiverella - a shy, happy little girl who played the organ and aspired to be a nun - wanted to get to school early so she could give some canned goods to her teacher before going to morning Mass, according to her family. She never made it to school, police said.

Chiverella was last seen around 8:10 a.m., about four blocks north and four blocks east of her home, police said. Her body, clothes and belongings were found around 1 p.m. near the Hazleton airport, state police Lt. Devon M. Brutosky said at the news conference. For the next several decades, police would continue investigating.

"Pennsylvania State Police was founded in 1905, so over half of our existence we've investigated this case," Brutosky said.

In 2007, the state police's DNA lab created a profile of the suspect using bodily fluids left on Chiverella's jacket. In 2018, they teamed up with Parabon NanoLabs, a DNA technology and genetic genealogy company. The following year, the company shared the DNA profile with genealogical database GEDmatch. They soon found a match with a distant relative, Brutosky said.

In 2020, Eric Schubert, an 18-year-old college student at the time, volunteered to help state police develop a family tree. Schubert has a track record of helping law enforcement solve cold cases, Brutosky said.

"I was looking for my next case where I could potentially be of help, and Marise's case . . . I remember vividly was the first one I came across," Schubert, now 20, said at the news conference, adding that he contacted investigators over email. "I knew that I could, at least potentially, get this case a little closer to being solved."

Soon, detectives began interviewing relatives to find more leads and taking DNA samples from family members offering to help, Brutosky said. Police narrowed in on a suspect: James Paul Forte, who in 1974 sexually assaulted a young woman, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and served one year of probation. He was arrested again in 1978 and charged with reckless endangerment and harassment. Police said they did not have any more information on the outcome of the case.

Forte died in 1980 at 38 years old of a possible heart attack, police said.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Forte is not alive for us to prosecute," Brutosky said. "However, he is the person that committed this crime."

The case, which has been handed down to generations of detectives, is deeply rooted in the town's history, said Baron, who led the investigation.

"We're always told not to get attached to a case, but you can't help it," Baron said, his voice shaking. "It's a vivid memory for everybody who grew up in this area . . . And what happened to her ushered in a change in this community."

At the news conference, Chiverella's brothers and sister thanked the investigators, who they said never stopped trying to solve their sister's case. Now, it is time to move forward while still feeling the "emptiness and sorrow of [Marise's] absence," said Chiverella's sister, Carmen Marie Radtke.

"Our parents' sentiments were expressed a long time ago," Radtke added, noting that both had died. "They never sought punishment or revenge but did want justice. Thanks to the Pennsylvania State Police, our family now knows the identity of Marise's murderer. Thanks to the Pennsylvania State Police, justice has been served today."
A Pennsylvania man who hosted what he described as the alt-rights favorite firearms-related podcast was, along with his father, indicted on several gun charges, including possessing machine guns and unregistered silencers, according to federal prosecutors.

The men, Joseph Paul Berger, 32, and Joseph Raymond Berger, 67, owned 13 fully automatic machine guns and 12 gun silencers that were illegally imported into the United States, the U.S. attorneys office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said in a statement Thursday.

These weapons are extremely dangerous, which is why there are laws regulating their possession, Jennifer Arbittier Williams, the U.S. attorney for the district, said.

Phone messages and emails left for lawyers of the two men were not immediately returned Saturday evening.

Joseph Paul Berger, a Navy veteran who lives with his parents, was the host of Alt-Right Armory, where he used the name GlockDoctor1488 and discussed topics like how to use 3D printers to make ghost guns, or firearms that are assembled from kits and do not carry serial numbers, according to prosecutors.

The case against the two men began after federal authorities seized three packages, prosecutors said, that contained firearm silencers shipped from China and addressed to the men at their home in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is about 60 miles north of Philadelphia.

Paperwork for two of the silencers included the cellphone number for the younger man, according to court documents.

Federal authorities obtained a search warrant for the home and seized the silencers and firearms, which were suspected, and later confirmed, to be machine guns. The items were not registered as required under the National Firearms Act, according to prosecutors.

Investigators said all the guns were modified after purchase into being capable of fully automatic fire.

In arguing that the younger Berger, who does not have a criminal history, was a threat and should be detained until trial, prosecutors cited the anti-government and anti-law enforcement views espoused on his podcast.

In one episode, Berger said a white man with a rifle can be very dangerous to the system indeed if he has the right motivation and also praised the values of Eric Frein, who was convicted and sentenced to death in the 2014 ambush killing of a Pennsylvania state trooper, prosecutors said in court documents.

Berger and an unidentified co-host also discuss targeting the police, along with legislators, lobbyists and left-wing billionaires, for assassination, prosecutors said.

They halfheartedly claim that the discussion is a prank and a playful thought, and they are not advocating for violence, but it is clear that the discussions are serious, prosecutors wrote.

A magistrate judge granted the prosecutors motion to keep the younger Berger detained. The judge released the elder Berger on $25,000 bail. He could not be reached at his home Saturday night. If convicted, they face up to 30 years in prison, prosecutors said.

In the pilot episode of his podcast on Jan. 14, 2019, the younger Berger explained the origin of his love of guns.

It started when he was 5 years old, shooting milk cartons with an air pistol in the Poconos in Northeastern Pennsylvania. But it was not until after he went to a shooting range for his birthday, when he was 9 or 10, shortly after watching Dirty Harry, the 1971 movie starring Clint Eastwood in the role of a homicide division inspector who uses brutal tactics against criminals, that Berger became hooked on guns, he said.

We got a Smith and Wesson M29, he said, referring to the gun model used by Eastwoods character, and from that moment on, I think I found my calling in life.

It was a calling supported by his father, Berger said in the podcast episode.

The elder Berger did not allow his son to curse or watch nudity on television, the son said, adding, But when it came to firearms, he was like, No problem. 

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
An American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., made a rapid emergency landing in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday afternoon after an unruly passenger tried to break into the cockpit and then attempted to open an exit door, witnesses said.

The passenger was subdued by crew members and other passengers. He was taken into custody after the flight landed.

In a statement, American Airlines said the flight, American Airlines Flight 1775, landed safely in Kansas City, where law enforcement officials met the plane.

The crew members handled the circumstances with the utmost skill and professionalism, the statement said.

The airline did not respond to questions about the passengers actions. Stacy Day, a spokesperson for the airline, said that the passenger was ultimately subdued by our crew and with the help of other passengers.

Mouaz Moustafa, a passenger from Washington, described a chaotic scene as the plane started descending into Kansas City without warning after the struggle with the passenger.

He said the man tried to get into the cockpit and then tried to exit via the main door before he was held down by several passengers.

A flight attendant ran to the back of the plane and got the coffee pot and continues to bash the guy on the head, Moustafa said in an interview as the plane was being held on the tarmac. The man was bleeding profusely, he added.

I honestly thought today I might die, he said.

As Moustafa, 37, was being interviewed by phone from his seat, the pilot came by and talked to the passengers about how the man had tried and failed to open the cockpit door.

Karen Maria Alston, who lives in Washington, said she was sitting in the 17th row of the plane watching the movie Dune when she saw some men rush into the first-class section, where an altercation was occurring. She was not able to see what was happening, she said, but the commotion and ensuing plane descent were frightening and extremely stressful.

I need a drink and I am so thankful, Alston said in a text message after the plane landed in Kansas City.

She said that passengers waited on the plane as the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted interviews with witnesses. Alston said she was unsure how and when she would return home.

Day said that the airline was working closely with law enforcement and that it was working to help our customers continue their journeys on another flight later this evening.

The Kansas City Police Department referred questions to the airport police. An airport spokesperson referred questions to American Airlines and the FBI.

Charles A. Dayoub, an FBI special agent in charge in Kansas City, said in a statement released on social media that the passenger was taken into custody after interfering with the flight crew.

Disturbances on flights have surged during the coronavirus pandemic, and many of the incidents have involved passengers who disagree with mask mandates.

Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration conducted more than 1,000 investigations of unruly passengers  more than in the previous seven years combined.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  After a festive evening spent viewing a display of holiday lights, Aditya Bhattacharya and his family were crossing a street to head home.

Then a driver blew past a red light, slamming into him and his 7-year-old son, Pronoy.

I took one step, thats the last thing I remember, said Bhattacharya, 45. When I regained consciousness, all I could hear was my wife sitting on the sidewalk, screaming, Pronoys dead.

The boys death at an Albuquerque crosswalk in December, and the seven-week manhunt to find the driver, jolted many people in this part of the West to the grim count of pedestrian deaths, which began surging in New Mexico and other states in 2020.

Two years into the pandemic, such fatalities are soaring into record territory amid a nationwide flare-up in reckless driving. In various initiatives to reverse the trends, authorities in one state after another are citing factors from the rise in anxiety levels and pandemic drinking to the fraying of social norms.

Last year, New Mexico recorded 99 pedestrian deaths, up from 81 in 2020 and 83 in 2019 and the most since it began tracking such incidents in the 1990s. But while Sun Belt states have been hit particularly hard, the pedestrian death toll spiked last year in many parts of the country.

New Jersey had its highest number of pedestrian fatalities in more than 30 years. Last year was also the deadliest on Utahs roads since the start of the century, as pedestrian deaths rose 22%. Washington state ended 2021 with a 15-year high in traffic fatalities. And pedestrian deaths in Texas climbed last year to a record high.

Going into the pandemic, some traffic specialists were optimistic that pedestrian deaths would decline. After all, millions of motorists were slashing their driving time and hewing to social distancing measures.

The opposite happened.

Empty roads allowed some to drive much faster than before. Some police chiefs eased enforcement, wary of face-to-face contact. For reasons that psychologists and transit safety experts are just beginning to explain, drivers also seemed to get angrier.

Dr. David Spiegel, director of Stanford Medical Schools Center on Stress and Health, said many drivers were grappling with what he calls salience saturation.

Were so saturated with fears about the virus and what its going to do, Spiegel said. People feel that they get a pass on other threats.

Spiegel said another factor was social disengagement, which deprives people of social contact, a major source of pleasure, support and comfort. Combine that loss with overloading our capacity to gauge risks, Spiegel said, and people are not paying as much attention to driving safely.

If they do, they dont care about it that much, Spiegel said. Theres the feeling that the rules are suspended and all bets are off.

Crashes killed more than 6,700 pedestrians in 2020, up about 5% from the estimated 6,412 the year before, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Based on another commonly used road safety metric  vehicle miles traveled  the group projected that the pedestrian fatality rate spiked about 21% in 2020 as deaths climbed sharply even though people drove much less that year, the largest ever year-over-year increase. And preliminary data from 2021 indicates yet another increase in the number of pedestrian deaths.

While other developed countries have made strides in reducing pedestrian deaths over the last several years, the pandemic has intensified several trends that have pushed the United States in the other direction. Crashes killing pedestrians climbed 46% over the last decade, compared with a 5% increase for all other crashes, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Angie Schmitt, who describes pedestrian deaths as a silent epidemic in a new book, said the reasons included an aging population, in which older pedestrians are more vulnerable, and the growth of the Sun Belt region, where cities were designed after World War II to prioritize speed over safety. And ballooning sizes of SUVs and trucks, which have grown heavier with higher front ends, strike people on foot with greater force than before.

Following decades in which traffic fatalities declined in the United States, Schmitt noted that such deaths began climbing in 2009, when smaller sedans still accounted for most vehicles sold.

Now, about 3 out of 4 new vehicles are pickup trucks, vans or SUVs, Schmitt said. Cars are getting bigger, faster and deadlier.

Others warn that since new vehicles have grown larger and safer for the people inside them, with features like lane-departure warnings and rearview cameras, some drivers are emboldened to dismiss the risks to pedestrians.

Theres a portion of the population that is incredibly frustrated, enraged, and some of that behavior shows up in their driving, said Mark Hallenbeck, director of the Washington State Transportation Center at the University of Washington. We in our vehicles are given anonymity in this giant metal box around us, and we act out in ways that we wouldnt face to face.

The streets of Albuquerque, where Pronoy Bhattacharya was killed in the hit-and-run, showcase the challenges that pedestrians face. Around the sprawling metro area, home to almost 1 million people, drivers routinely run red lights or speed past stop signs. Cars without license plates abound on Albuquerques roads.

Despite such behavior, residents say they can go years without seeing drivers pulled over for violations of any kind. After the boys death, readers flooded The Albuquerque Journal with emails assailing local authorities after having witnessed lawless driving on a daily basis.

Steve Schackley, 72, said he had not seen more than a couple of traffic stops during the 16 years he has been in the city. People do what they want when theres almost no enforcement, said Shackley, a professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley.

Aggressive drivers occasionally get caught. In October, police arrested a 26-year-old man who was reportedly intoxicated, carrying a handgun and driving at a speed of 140 mph on one of the citys main avenues.

Street racing is another problem. When a woman was arrested in 2020 after killing a pedestrian on Central Avenue, her boyfriend told officers they were racing home in separate vehicles, a game in their relationship, according to a court filing. In another recent tragedy, sheriffs deputies said the driver of a Ford pickup truck was street racing at 90 mph when he slammed into a car pulling out of a Roman Catholic abbey, killing a 35-year-old priest.

Across the country, overall traffic fatalities  not just crashes killing pedestrians  are also rising at a record pace. Nearly 32,000 people were killed in vehicle crashes in the first nine months of 2021, a 12% increase from the same period in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It was the highest number of fatalities during the first nine months of any year since 2006 and the highest percentage increase during the first nine months in the reporting systems history.

In the crash that killed Pronoy, the driver was at the helm of an all-terrain vehicle. Such vehicles are illegal on Albuquerque streets but are still commonly seen around the city. Video footage showed the driver, Sergio Almanza, drinking at a bar before the crash.

Pronoys mother, Dr. Deepshikha Nag Chowdhury, a gastroenterologist at an Albuquerque hospital, publicly pleaded with authorities to find the driver in the weeks that followed. After fleeing the scene and going into hiding, Almanza surrendered to U.S. Marshals on Jan. 31.

Bhattacharya, who immigrated to the United States from India two decades ago, suffered a facial fracture in addition to losing his son. He said the crash had also shattered some of his long-held views.

Its ironic that I told so many friends how crossing the street was so safe in the United States compared with India, said Bhattacharya, who works in information technology. I always thought wed be safer here.

Albuquerques police chief, Harold Medina, was blunt in assessing the situation. With the department also facing a surge in homicides and an increase in armed robbery cases, he contended resources and personnel were spread thin at a time when tempers were flaring.

Were seeing erratic behavior in the way people are acting and their patience levels, Medina said in an interview. Everybodys been pushed. This is one of the most stressful times in memory.

In addition to more aggressive driving, Medina cited an increase in drunken driving and a growing homeless population as other factors, explaining that some pedestrians killed in the city were living on the street.

Still, Medina insisted the situation was changing. Following Pronoys death, he said the department was bolstering enforcement, issuing more than 4,600 traffic citations in January compared with about 3,450 the same month a year ago.

Ava Montoya, a spokesperson for Mayor Tim Keller, said Albuquerque was improving traffic enforcement and initiating several measures, including improved lighting and the use of mobile speed enforcement devices and radar-equipped speed vans.

Still, while leaders in Albuquerque and other cities seek fixes, others following pedestrian fatalities around the country are expressing alarm over the endurance of pandemic-related factors.

Art Markman, a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, said that such emotions partly reflected two years of having to stop ourselves from doing things that wed like to do.

Were all a bit at the end of our rope on things, Markman said. When you get angry in the car, it generates energy  and how do you dissipate that energy? Well, one way is to put your foot down a little bit more on the accelerator.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
By Lydia Sviatoslavsky

Bay City News Foundation

If you're a regular at Oakland house shows, you've likely shared a room with Nicholas Taplin.

In 2015, Taplin began filming DIY shows and sharing footage under the name Post-Consumer, a reference to the recycled nature of documentation, as well as a future beyond consumerism. Later that year, he switched to shooting photographs at the shows. In January of this year, Taplin released an extensive photo essay spanning six and half years within the Oakland DIY scene, from 2015 through 2021.

Prior to his videography, Taplin practiced photography and audio recording as a means of documenting DIY shows in Santa Cruz. As a sophomore at UC Santa Cruz in 1999, Taplin already knew that documentation of DIY live music culture -- that is, the culture of "do-it-yourself" community-oriented music scenes that exist outside the mainstream industry -- was always going to be "a major part" of his creative life.

Documentation was creative, meaningful engagement within a given music scene, Taplin found, but it also served another purpose. He discovered that videography eased his social anxiety, seeded by a brief stint at a Quaker boarding school that left him feeling "completely unconditioned socially,"

At 15, Taplin moved from Santa Monica, California, to West Chester, Pennsylvania, to attend Westtown School, a Quaker boarding school.

"Westtown was really amazing for me, because it was the first time I was completely surrounded by people my age who were totally sincere and emotionally vulnerable people, and some of those kids were into really cool music," says Taplin.

"I am permanently indebted to Josh Eller for introducing me to Sonic Youth's 'Bad Moon Rising' and Ciccone Youth records, and Timothy Leary's 'You Can Be Anyone This Time Around' record, all of which extremely strongly imprinted on my mind and became central to my personal development."

After a personal breakdown at Westtown, Taplin returned to school in Santa Monica, where he became frustrated with the quality of interaction among his peers. He then transferred to Redwood High School in Larkspur, where he was largely left alone.

"The summer before my junior year of high school, my mom took me to visit the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, and I got a cassette tape of Alan Watts giving a lecture there in 1968," Taplin says. "I really connected with what he was saying in that lecture, but I also felt that the way Alan talked was the way I felt about myself, so I started talking like that. It was extremely liberating for me to speak that way, which I did until I was 22."

Because of Taplin's newly adopted English accent, his fellow Redwood High students mistook him as a foreign exchange student.

"At the beginning of my senior year [of high school], I built a recording studio, so I was doing lots of recording experiments, and I later used that equipment to start recording bands in college," he says.

After college, in 2008, Taplin was offered a job in Los Angeles involving post-production sound work and forensic audio restoration. But his life shifted irreversibly that year when he lost his mother to a devastating car accident.

"My mom was the most brilliant, compassionate and intuitive person I've ever known," Taplin says. "She was my lifeblood."

The following year, Taplin moved to Austin, Texas, to process his mother's death and get involved with a new music scene. "What I wasn't expecting was how difficult it is to make friends in Austin, and I also never found a band or scene there that I culturally identified with," Taplin recalls. "Midway through my third year [in Texas], I was planning my escape."

Taplin's escape plan led him to the Bay Area, where he felt he was bound to find his community. In 2012, he settled in Oakland.

"Looking back, there's no other place in the Bay Area, or even the whole world, where I would rather live than where I do [now]," Taplin says. "Oakland is the first city I've lived in that I think I can realistically be happy living in for the rest of my life."

Taplin praises the Oakland DIY scene for its radical acceptance of minorities and mavericks, saying, "The community here is extremely diverse, very queer-centric and amazingly embracing of openly neuroatypical people."

Over the course of nearly four years, Taplin gradually became immersed in the scene through his videography. He admits that it was "definitely a way to experience the music without having to socialize."

However, when his medium changed, so did his social approach. When Taplin pivoted to photography, his work evolved into intimate artifacts and opportunities for connection.

"I feel more connected to the people when I photograph them," he says. "I think a photograph of a person looking genuinely happy is nice to look at, even if you are totally disconnected from that person and their culture.

"It's also important, of course, that the people in the Oakland DIY scene are generally very interesting people, so in my photos they look both interesting and happy, which makes for a good candid photo."

His photo essay capturing the scene from 2015 to 2021 is at turns joyful and poignant, including photos of pandemic isolation and friends who were lost in the 2016 Ghost Ship warehouse fire.

"I was friends with two people who died in the fire, Ara Jo and Donna Kellogg," Taplin says. "Many people in the Oakland DIY scene lost many of their friends, best friends and romantic partners, so the loss was surreal. After the fire, it became normal for people to hug each other, and that was nice because I appreciate hugs."

Taplin also notes that Ghost Ship was an anomaly within the DIY community.

"Ghost Ship was an unsafe building," Taplin recalls. "In general, all of the DIY shows I've attended have been safe environments in every aspect, both physically and emotionally. People here are generally caring and responsible, and they're also smart."

Given the level of mindfulness within the scene, it's not all that surprising that there's been a moratorium on house shows since the beginning of the pandemic.

"I really miss photographing people at DIY shows," laments Taplin. "It gives me immense pleasure doing that."

In the interim, Taplin expanded his recording studio and recorded a world music record with his friend, Scott Stobbe, of the band Zdrastvootie.

"[It's] basically a combination of Balkan and Latin American styles," Taplin explains. "That record came out last year, and it's actually become the most critically acclaimed thing I've ever recorded. It's regarded as one of the best world music records to come out that year."

Taplin is currently recording an album with Christina Busler of experimental indie rock band Christina's Trip. He's also working on an Oakland DIY music documentary, featuring content from 400+ hours' worth of his DIY show footage.

Nevertheless, he's itching to get back to the jubilant crush of Oakland's DIY shows.

"I really, really want to keep photographing while I do my best to pursue an interesting and exciting life," Taplin says. "I always like making more friends and I'm pretty good at that, even with my unusual personality."

To explore Nicholas Taplin's full photo essay, visit https://post-consumer.com/oaklandpics/.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
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The first thing all of the women in the new Netflix documentary "Tinder Swindler" say they do when they match with a man on a dating app is Google him. And when they did their research on Simon Leviev, they liked what they saw.

"You always check the Insta," said Cecilie Fjellhoy, one of the women who ended up in a relationship with Leviev. Leviev's Instagram, shown throughout the film, had 103,000 followers and was filled with photos of private jets, business meetings and faraway beaches. "This guy is just having a very different life than I ever will experience. And I was just thinking, it would be kind of cool to just meet up," said Fjellhoy.

The documentary revolves around several European women who share the details of their relationships with Leviev, an Israeli man who claimed to be the son of a diamond mogul. They believed their relationships to be monogamous, but unbeknownst to them, Leviev was juggling multiple relationships at once. His glamorous lifestyle wasnt necessarily a mirage, he did indeed jetset around Europe spending frivolously on expensive dinners and at bottle service nightclubs. Hed gain each womans trust with his generosity, then suddenly claim his business enemies were tracing his transactions and threatening his life. He needed to borrow just a few thousand dollars. Then a few thousand more.

Although the entirety of the documentary takes place in Europe, these types of romance scams are becoming much more prevalent in the United States, including in the Bay Area. A recent release from the FBI cited that there were 742 local reports in 2021, with a total of $64,858,450 lost. Thats an increase from $35,131,104 in 2020. Santa Clara county accounted for the most victims and largest losses, with 188 reports and $21,889,670 lost.

Joshua Wilks/Netflix

The unraveling of Levievs scheme began after Fjellhoy turned to her creditors in desperation after becoming deeply in debt. They had an in-person meeting, and when she showed them a photo of Leviev, the creditors alerted her that she was not his only victim. Fjellhoy then went to the biggest newspaper in Norway, VG, and shared a cache of Whatsapp texts and video messages that are shown throughout the film. The correspondence is devastatingly personal, and it's impossible not to feel sympathetic to Fjellhoys plight.

The Norwegian journalists learned that Leviev had previously been convicted of a similar scheme in Finland under a different name (Shimon Yehuda Hayut) and sentenced to three years in prison. Once Leviev received an early release, he began looking for a new set of victims, even enlisting one of the original women who filed a complaint in Finland to help in the ruse.

The VG journalists are also featured prominently in the documentary. Footage shows them traveling to Israel to visit an address associated with Leviev. They find a letter on the door addressed to him, then his mother arrives, claiming to have had no contact with him since he was 18 years old. Then the journalists visit the local police, confirming that Hayut and Leviev are indeed the same person. Soon after, they find the names of even more women listed on flights that Leviev booked using Fjellhoy's money.

One of them is Pernilla Sjoholm, a Swedish woman who has also been lending Leviev thousands of dollars. The journalists reach out via Facebook to alert her to the scam, and she agrees to cooperate. She travels to a hotel in Munich for a meal with Leviev, where a VG photographer is hiding outside. Leviev sees the photographer and flees the scene. Afterward, Sjoholm confronts Leviev over the phone, which was filmed live by the documentarians. He denies everything and threatens that shell pay for her betrayal.

Once VGs story is published in February 2019, it goes viral. Then Sjoholm and Fjellhoy meet for the first time and start a PR blitz to spread the news of the fraud and hopefully kick-start other criminal investigations. He was soon reported to the police in at least seven other countries.

At this point, another womens story begins. Ayleen Charlotte, another of Levievs girlfriends, finds the VG story on Instagram. When she confronts him, Leviev denies any wrongdoing, and Charlotte pretends to believe him, realizing he no longer has anywhere else to go.

Courtesy of Netflix

He always told me, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. To make him believe I was still on his side, I told him I still love him; that I believed everything he said. I even called these girls bitches, said Charlotte.

Now without any income from other women, Leviev is desperate. Naturally, he asks for more money.

Thats when I get my idea. I was going to swindle the Tinder Swindler, says Charlotte. She works in the luxury fashion industry, so she knows that Levievs expensive designer wardrobe is worth thousands of dollars. He agrees and gives her his clothing, which she begins selling online, continuing to string Leviev along while pocketing the money for herself. Even though it doesnt compare to the amount he had defrauded from her, Charlottes satisfaction is palpable. After a few weeks, Leviev realizes whats going on, and bombards Charlotte with threatening voice messages, which are played back in the film.

When Leviev leaves one of Charlottes Whatsapp responses unread for an extended period of time, she realizes that he must be on a flight. She quickly pieces together his destination and his new alias, then sends an urgent email to the police. When the plane touches down in Greece, Leviev is arrested. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison for crimes he committed in Israel, but was released after five. The films closing sequence is a montage of Levievs current life, or at least what it was like prior to the release of the film. He had a website selling business mentorship advice, was dating an Israeli model, and seemed back to living his luxurious lifestyle.

It may seem like a paltry set of consequences for a man who defrauded women of an estimated $10 million, but the release of The Tinder Swindler has at least had a few positive effects. Ranked No. 1 on Netflixs global movie popularity ranking (with 45,800,000 hours viewed), the positive response inspired the three women featured to start a Go Fund Me campaign, which at time of writing, has raised 88,000 of its 600,000-pound goal. The film also led Tinder itself to remove Leviev from all of their dating services (including Match.com and OkCupid). However users of Hinge and Bumble should still be very wary of anyone claiming to be the son of a diamond mogul.
LILONGWE, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has declared state of disaster over 15 districts in the southern and central regions of the country following deaths, loss of property and displacement of thousands of households due to floods and heavy rains.

Chakwera's declaration follows preliminary reports on the impact of the heavy rains and floods that were induced by Tropical Cyclone Ana, which passed over Malawi Tuesday.

As of Wednesday, at least 19 deaths were confirmed by authorities while over 100 people were reported to have sustained serious injuries in 15 districts.

According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, DoDMA, over 200,000 people from 48,000 households have been affected and some have been displaced.

The Malawi leaders expressed shock over the death toll and loss of property and infrastructure and he appealed for humanitarian support.

"I declare all the districts that have been affected by the floods, Disaster Areas, with effect from 26th of January, 2022; I fully appreciate all previous assistance Malawi has received when affected by disasters," said Chakwera in a statement released Thursday through Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Zangazanga Chikhosi.

"However, I appeal for humanitarian assistance from the International donor community, relevant United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, the local private sector as well as all fellow citizens of goodwill so that, together, we can contribute in alleviating suffering on the part of people affected by the floods. Tents for shelter, food and non-food items are urgently required," he said.

Chakwera has also highlighted rescue operations as priority to complement efforts by the country's security agencies that are already on the ground.

Meanwhile, the Malawi Defense Force (MDF), Malawi Police Service (MPS), Department of Marine and Malawi Red Cross Society are conducting surveillance and rescuing people trapped by floods in the Lower Shire, where the disaster has been more severe.

The floods have affected all the southern region's 13 districts.

The country remains in intermittent power supply as power generation has been heavily reduced due to the damage that the floods have caused to key hydro station. 
Blackstone announced on Monday that private equity funds managed by Blackstone have acquired a majority stake in ASK Investment Managers Limited (ASK), one of India's largest asset and wealth management companies, from Advent International and other sellers.

ASK is one of the leading asset and wealth managers in India catering to clients across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, and manages more than $10.6 billion in assets (as of December 31, 2021).

It is one of the first portfolio managers in India, with nearly three decades of experience in managing the investment needs of India's high-net-worth individuals, family offices and institutions. ASK also specializes in property investment advisory and wealth advisory services.

Amit Dixit, Head of Asia for Blackstone Private Equity, said: "Asset and wealth management in India is a sunrise industry benefitting from secular tailwinds including the financialization of household savings and an emerging wealthy population seeking personalized financial advice and products. ASK is one of the most trusted brands in wealth management, built through a track record of consistent performance, customer-centric approach, and best-in-class distributors. The company is led by an entrepreneurial management team and founder who have been together for more than a decade and established a market-leading business. We are excited to partner with ASK in the next phase of its journey."

Sameer Koticha, Founder Promoter & Chairman, ASK, said: "We are excited about the investment from Blackstone, as a long-term strategic partner. This partnership is a testament to ASK's high-quality management team and the business we have built over decades. Blackstone's global reach and deep knowledge of the financial services sector will further strengthen our asset and wealth management businesses and help us grow significantly".

Shweta Jalan, Managing Partner at Advent International, said: "We are immensely proud of all that has been achieved at the business since we became a partner over five years ago. During this period, ASK has undergone transformational change and continued to grow significantly. We would like to thank the management team for all their hard work throughout our time together and we wish the company great success in the future."
'Hamara Bajaj' not only conjured nationalism, but also empowered and transformed the lives of millions of Indians from the middle classes. The Bajaj 'Sunny,' which gave free-spirited young girls wings in a newly liberalised India, to the company's motorcycles, that became the preferred product for Indian youth anticipating in changing demographics. As a result ,the iconic jingle of Bajaj spoke to the aspirations of the people in pre-liberalized India and the man behind that brand was one of India's most powerful and daring businessmen Rahul Bajaj .Born in Calcutta on June 10, 1938, he graduated from St Stephen's College in Delhi and went on to master his MBA from Harvard Business School in the United States. Rahul started his career as a deputy general manager on his father Kamalnayan Bajaj's team and rose to CEO at the age of 30 in 1968. The man was straightforward and outspoken, not only he had the foresight to launch a two and three wheeler brand during the permit raj, but also the courage that few modern-day industrialists can speak of. However, the hero who bought the legendary market revolution has finally been laid to rest. The Tiger has fallen asleep. Rahul Bajaj, a veteran industrialist passed away on Saturday at the age of 83, spoke out for business like no one else in India, which was one of the many reasons he strode across India's industrial landscape like a colossus for over 50 years.

Rahul Bajaj witnessed India's Independence Movement, in which his family played an important role. He was deeply involved in India's industrialization and was an institution-builder who contributed to numerous charities through their practicalities. Rahul was well known for being very outspoken and forthright when it came to expressing his views on issues concerning India. These were mostly in business, economics, politics, government, and society. Most people considered him to be a powerful businessman and a towering figure in corporate and social India. But he had a different side; he was a great friend, mentor, and father figure to many of us. After taking over the Bajaj Group in 1965, Rahul who was appointed by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru led it for four decades, building a global manufacturing conglomerate before handing over the keys to son Rajiv Bajaj in 2005.

Emergence of a Homegrown brand :'Hamara Bajaj'

Few brands have as much resonance and recall in the minds of Indian consumers as Bajaj. During the post-millennium stagnation period, the stock market saw a significant decline, and Bajaj Group, one of the best domestic companies, felt the heat. The situation was exacerbated by the entry of global heavyweight Honda, which formed an alliance with the Hero Group. Mr Rahul Bajaj devised a solution by establishing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chakan and providing Indian customers with one of Bajaj's most acclaimed two-wheelers, the Bajaj Chetak and the Pulsar Motorcycle. Since their introduction, Pulsar motorcycles and Bajaj Chetak have been ubiquitous in the two-wheeler segment, and their allure has not waned.

Bajaj Transformation into a Multinational Corporation

Rahul Bajaj was known for making decisions about which risks to take and which to avoid with the foresight of a true business leader. His masterstroke plan was the entry of the Bajaj Group into various sectors. Mr. Bajaj founded the Bajaj Finance Group, which specialises in insurance services. Apart from that, Bajaj Home Appliances has received positive feedback from Indian consumers and continues to hold sway. The Bajaj Group has also expanded into steel and alloy manufacturing, as well as the crane and forging industries.

A True Leader as the President of Confederation in Indian Industry

Shri Rahul Bajaj has inspired generations of young Indians to start their own businesses and contribute to the creation of wealth. Mr. Bajaj has also shown his ability to lead as President of the Confederation of Indian Industry twice, once in 1979-80 and again in 1999-2000. In addition, he was President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and Chairman of the Automobile and Allied Industries Development Council. Mr. Bajaj's list of accomplishments appears to be endless. Rahul Bajaj was also the Chairman of Indian Airlines from 1986 to 1989, and from 2003 to 2006, he was the Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Bombay. He was bestowed with numerous honours, including the Padma Bhushan and honorary doctorates from various universities. His industry leadership and counsel were always looked after to.

A Person Loved and Respected by Competitors and contemporaries

Tributes poured in with industry leaders acknowledging both Bajajs achievements and his ethics. Many consider Bajaj's contribution to India is unparalleled. For decades, his efforts to promote local manufacturing have helped lay the groundwork for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. No doubt Rahul Bajaj was a true leader and an extremely successful businessman. Dr Pawan Munjal, Chairman & CEO of Hero MotoCorp, said, "Shri Bajaj inspired generations of young people in the country to become entrepreneurs and contribute to wealth generation. The country has lost a stalwart with his death, and I feel a personal loss."TVS Motor Company Chairman Venu Srinivasan also expressed his condolences, saying, "Rahul Bajaj strode across the Indian industrial landscape like a colossus." He was one of the few celebrities who helped to establish the Indian automobile industry. He was a forerunner who established a quality and technology culture."

Final Thoughts

Shri Rahul Bajaj leaves a huge void in the lives of all those whom he touched - family, friends, employees, countless business associates who grew with Bajaj. Over four decades, his clear voice of reason and principles benefited India as a whole. Mr. Bajaj's storey exemplifies perseverance and constant evolution. Mr Bajaj's greatest strength was that he never let the times get ahead of him and always kept up with the demands of the times. He not only survived the challenges of a fast-paced world, but he also triumphed over them with the strongest of convictions.
Running a business is no childs play and being a woman business leader is an even tougher job. Vyapaar Jagat Fempreneur Conference and Awards Celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav & Women Entrepreneurs of Aatma Nirbar Bharat is an exclusive platform celebrating women who break the glass ceiling in being super women! Countdown begins in honor of Indian Women Entrepreneurs the edition of the Fampreneur Convention and Awards will be held in March every year. We are delighted to announce the launch of the Women Entrepreneurs Celebration of an extraordinary self-reliant India.

Vyapaar Jagat works with entrepreneurs and change makers, helping them tell their stories and build connections in the industry Vyaapar Jagat Fempreneur Conference and Awards  Celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav & Women Entrepreneurs of Aatma Nirbar Bharat aims to be the most prestigious honour that recognizes and celebrates the contribution of women in the mission of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. With more than 2500 delegates, 40+ award categories to recognize women achievers and 100+ leaders, this conference and recognition ceremony promises to be most exciting event of the year.

Vyapaar Jagat Fempreneur Awards:

Fempreneur Conference & Awards gives an emphasis to give recognition to women entrepreneurs in different categories such as COVID Warrior - Food Provider Award, COVID Warrior - Shelter Provider Award, COVID Warrior - Resource Provider Award, COVID Warrior - Education Support Award, COVID Warrior - Medical Support Award, COVID Warrior - Counsellor Award, COVID Warrior  Rising Entrepreneur Award, Trend setter woman of the year (Individual & Organization), Young business woman of the year, Innovator of the year(Individual), Best Mompreneur of the Year (Individual), Best Angel Investor Award, Best Community service Individual, Best Community service  Organization, Best Mentor Award, Best influencer Award, Innovator of the year(Organization), Creative entrepreneur of the year, Social Impact Creator Award, Green Business of The Year, Home Grown Business of The Year, Excellence in E-Commerce business Award, Excellence in Customer Experience Award, Excellence in use of Technology Award, Excellence in use of Government Scheme Award, Excellence in Apparel Business Award, Excellence in Beauty & Fashion business Award, Excellence in Health & Wellness business Award, Excellence in Tourism business Award, Serial Entrepreneur of The Year, Woman ahead Startup of the year

Founder of the year, CEO of the Year Award, Social Entrepreneurship Award, Business Leader of the year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Professional Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year in Product or Manufacturing Business, Entrepreneur of the Year in Service Business, Entrepreneur of the Year in Trading Business and a few more.

The awardees will get to feature their brand story on VyapaarJagat.com & listing of their business on VyapaarJagat.com/Directory along with many more advantages such as a free PR package more than worth INR 100000 and amazing online brand presence. The awardees will be decided based on the decision of the judges as well as votes made by the public.

Award Nomination and Evaluation:

Feel free to help yourself filing a self-nomination form and submit it online. Any business organization /entrepreneur /allied sector can apply for one or multiple categories. Self- Nomination forms should be submitted along with the prescribed fee online. The nominees in each category will be presented to the final jury for determination of winners.
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In the early hours of the new year, Pizza Hut chief executive Phil Reeds spirits were nothing short of jubilant.

December generally in our industry is the busiest month of the year. But on top of that, we had a record trading day on New Years Eve, Reed tells the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

So I was dancing and very, very happy on New Years Day.

Phil Reed, CEO of Pizza Hut Australia, plans to double the chains number of stores and sales by 2025. Credit:

The pizza chain had just seen off a blockbuster year of 12 per cent same-store sales growth in 2021 - and that was coming on top of 21 per cent growth in 2020. Like other fast food chains (like Guzman y Gomez and Bettys Burgers), Pizza Hut has profited immensely from the pandemic.
Stocks closed lower on Wall Street on Monday in New York as investors watch the developing situation in Ukraine as Russia amasses troops on the border.

The S&P 500 fell by 0.3 per cent, the Dow Jones declined by 0.5 per cent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq finished flat. The Australian sharemarket is set to open sharply lower, with futures at 7.59am AEDT pointing to a decline of 64 points, or 0.9 per cent.

Wall Street has made an uncertain start to the week. Credit:AP

Health care companies and banks were among the biggest weights dragging Wall Street lower. Pfizer shed 1.9 per cent and Citigroup fell 1 per cent.

Gains from big technology companies helped temper losses elsewhere in the market. Chipmaker Nvidia rose 1.3 per cent.
People participate in a demonstration against the dissolution of the Superior Council of the Judiciary in Tunis, Tunisia, Feb. 13, 2022. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

TUNIS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's President Kais Saied signed on Sunday a presidential decree to form a temporary Superior Council of the Judiciary to replace the dissolved one.

"This temporary council is characterized by its administrative and financial independence," said the Journal of the Republic of Tunisia, a bi-weekly journal in which all legislative events (laws and decrees), regulations and official statements are published.

The temporary Supreme Council of the Judiciary will be chaired by the first president of the Court of Cassation, with the president of the Administrative Court and the president of the Court of Auditors as vice-presidents.

According to this presidential decree, the head of state has the full right to demand the dismissal of any magistrate who fails in professional duties following a report written by the head of government or the minister of justice.

On Feb. 6, the Tunisian president decided to dissolve the country's Superior Council of the Judiciary amid suspected corruption by many local magistrates. 

Police officers maintain order during a demonstration against the dissolution of the Superior Council of the Judiciary in Tunis, Tunisia, Feb. 13, 2022. Tunisia's President Kais Saied signed on Feb. 13 a presidential decree to form a temporary Superior Council of the Judiciary to replace the dissolved one. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

People participate in a demonstration against the dissolution of the Superior Council of the Judiciary in Tunis, Tunisia, Feb. 13, 2022. Tunisia's President Kais Saied signed on Feb. 13 a presidential decree to form a temporary Superior Council of the Judiciary to replace the dissolved one. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)
Ivan Reitman, the influential filmmaker and producer behind beloved comedies from Animal House to Ghostbusters, has died. He was 75.

Reitman died peacefully in his sleep Saturday night at his home in Montecito, Calif., his family told The Associated Press.

Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life, children Jason Reitman, Catherine Reitman and Caroline Reitman said in a joint statement. We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.

Ivan Reitman has died aged 75. Credit:AP

Known for big, bawdy comedies that caught the spirit of their time, Reitmans big break came with the raucous, college fraternity sendup National Lampoons Animal House, which he produced. He directed Bill Murray in his first starring role in Meatballs and then again in Stripes, but his most significant success came with 1984s Ghostbusters.
Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy Netflix weekly from February 16



Kanye Wests capacity to shoot himself in the foot is so boundless it can sometimes obscure the reasons the world cares what he has to say. In a sense, Jeen-yuhs seeks to rectify that by taking us back to the beginning, when the man now known simply as Ye could barely get anyone to pay attention at all.

West was a 21-year-old producer making and selling beats for other artists in his native Chicago when Clarence Simmons (aka Coodie)  a stand-up comedian with a sideline as presenter of a hip-hop show on public access television  first trained his camera on him. But even then, his ambition was clear.

Portrait of the artist as a young man: Kanye West, circa 2002, in the documentary series Jeen-yuhs. Credit:Netflix

Most people just saw Kanye as a young producer who could hook em up with cheap beats, Coodie says in his voice-over narration. But he told me the only reason why he made beats was so he could rap over them. There was just something different about Kanye. Hearing his rhymes, seeing his confidence, there was no doubt in my mind he was going to be a star.
With Tuesday marking the 80th anniversary of the fall of Singapore, it is a reflective time for Norman Dillon. At 100 years old, Dillon is one of the oldest surviving soldiers who were held as prisoners of war by the Japanese during World War II.

While many of his former comrades are no longer alive, Dillon lives to tell the story of a traumatic and painful period in his life.

On board the hospital ship Tjitjalengka in Yokohama harbour Private (Pte) Peter Ross of St Leonards, Pte Henry Dietz of Rose Bay, Pte Jack Amoore of Albert Park, Vic, (7th Division captured in Java, March 1942); Signalman Henry Sweet of Woollahra, and Signalman Norman Dillon of Bondi Junction. Credit:AWM

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine looking imminent, his thoughts on the nature of war seem apposite.

Nobody ever wins, he says. There are never any winners.
A two-way charge on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and tunnel, city-wide caps on tolls and peak-hour price variations are options being considered by the NSW government as part of a review into the states mammoth tolling regime.

A NSW Treasury official revealed the full extent of the long-awaited review into Sydneys tolling structure at a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the impact of tolls on Monday.

A two-way toll could be implemented on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The Perrottet government last year announced a review into the citys tolling regime, which is set to be a key issue at the 2023 state election as the opposition sharpens its focus on cost of living pressures in Sydney.

NSW Treasury deputy secretary Philip Gardner said the range of options were being canvassed as part of a review that would be presented to Macquarie Street in the second half of this year.
Congratulations to Jaclyn Narracott on her silver medal in the skeleton at the Winter Olympics, declares Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook. Given the sport doesnt exist in Australia, I guess she had a ghost of a chance of winning anything.

Still on the piste, Owen Williams of Abbotsford asks: Has anyone noticed on the ABC News coverage of the Winter Olympics that reporter Tracey Holmes is always wearing a different colour coat? Whos paying for this, and what kind of luggage allowance does she have?

Jean Stiller of Bowral would like to thank Chris Keane (C8) for reminding me of The Court Jester. I first saw this film over 60 years ago. Luckily, I have it on a DVD, so that will be my afternoon treat.

On a trip to Iceland in 2019, after visiting Reykjaviks imposing Hallgrimskirkja, we popped into an excellent cafe nearby, recalls Lynsey Moore of Ashgrove (Qld). I had become accustomed to asking for an Americano strengthened by an extra shot and reduced water. While providing this recipe to the barista he smiled and said you want an Australian coffee (C8). A week later, after hiking up and past the infamous Eyjafjallajokull (had to slip that in), we returned to the same cafe. While providing my standard order to a different barista, a voice from the back of the shop cut in saying he wants an Australian coffee. Bliss.

Regarding the instant variety, Peter Crowfoot of Normanhurst is reminded of a trip to Myanmar in 2013: Large billboards in Yangon were spruiking the benefits of an instant tea/coffee mix: Save time, drink both your favourites together. Luckily, we didnt have the opportunity to try it.
I object to paying for new bedroom carpet at the Lodge because of a PM who refuses to update his praying position. - Julie Robinson, Cardiff Jenny for PM. - Rosemary OBrien, Ashfield I dont care if our Prime Minister can cook a curry fish. I dont care if he can play the ukulele. I dont care if he gets his advice from Jen and loves his girls. They might all be good attributes in being a father and husband. But a prime minister? Well, what I want there is someone who listens to advice from a range of experts, works with his colleagues to develop good policies, presents those policies openly and honestly to the public, then works through how to best implement them. I want him or her to then own any mistakes, to attempt to rectify those mistakes and to take responsibility. Yes, I want a leader who leads. - Brian Everingham, Engadine COVID blunders key to Liberals byelection caning Of course local issues impacted on the weekend byelection results, but most of these were of the Coalitions own making (Premier blames byelection backhander on local issues, February 14). The Premier can deny his faulty handling of the pandemic before Christmas as much as he likes, but the scoreboard clearly records an own goal, and if he wants NSW to go all the way with Perrottet he needs to own up to it and move on. People are sick of politicians saying they made the correct decision and have got the policy settings right when it is as clear as crystal that they have either stuffed up or are about to do so again. - Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills

When tyro NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet quickly pointed his accusing finger at local issues, insisting his handling of the pandemic was not to blame, he conveniently forgot the fact that his level of government is responsible for the management of local issues. Also, his inexperienced hand was grasping the handle, as the door of our state was thrown wide open to force us to get used to living with COVID. - Bill Leigh, West Pennant Hills In a comprehensive display of disingenuity and nimble sidestepping, Perrottet generously ascribes the weekends disastrous byelection outcomes for the Liberal Party to issues predating his premiership or then remit. Clearly our learner-driver premier has yet to earn his first P plate in connecting dots, and not taking the electorate for a bunch of fools. - Fred Jansohn, Rose Bay Drill into the huge Willoughby swing towards Independent candidate Larissa Penn, and youll reach a tunnel, and tunnel vision. Gladys Berejiklian ignored numerous protests and petitions forecasting massive pollution, loss of bushland and endless convoys of trucks on local roads from the Northern Beaches Tunnel project. To paraphrase Michael Yabsley (The hard lesson for Libs is in Willoughby, not Bega, February 14), parachute a Liberal candidate into a safe seat without carefully studying the terrain, and they may land in a black hole. - Peter Farmer, Northbridge The most significant local issue for Perrottet is too many Labor voters. - Geoffrey Cowling, Surry Hills It was good to see Jason Yat-Sen Li elected to the seat of Strathfield at Saturdays byelection. Hes a very talented candidate with some life experience behind him and represents a bit of an antidote to the usual Labor political staffers and union hacks (Strathfield candidate calls out ugly racism, February 14). Its just a pity he was elected to the state and not the federal Parliament. - Peter C Jones, Rathmines

Lessons for HSC from IB experience Former HSC chief Tom Alegounarias says the most disadvantaged students suffered when financial privilege played a role in school-leaving credentials (Generous IB marks aid private students for university entry, February 14). The International Baccalaureate is offered in state schools across Australia, except in NSW. The NSW Department of Education set up a team to investigate introducing the IB for state schools in NSW a few years ago but decided not to proceed. Far from criticising the IB, perhaps we could improve educational planning and vision by looking beyond the HSC as a measure of ability, excellence and university entrance. - Shane Hogan, Riverview Taking a troll All these new defamation laws will do is enable the wealthy and well-connected to silence online critics with threats of lawsuits (Defamation law rejig will leave online users more exposed, February 14). Weve already seen an increase in the political Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) from the Coalition. It will not protect the average person from trolls. As the law professor quoted in the piece says, this is the latest example of the government stubbornly refusing to heed the advice of experts. - Graeme Finn, Summer Hill Is there any lingering doubt that Australian defamation laws are the plaything of self-important, rich and politically powerful men (McGowan, Palmer court case begins, February 14). - Greg Thompson, Bega

A matter of trust I am sure the Liberal Party will try to play up the significance of Zali Steggalls failure to disclose a campaign donation (Steggall campaigns undeclared donation, February 14). While regrettable, in the bigger picture it would be a bit rich for the Liberals  who have fought hard to avoid transparency in campaign donations which would expose the degree they rely on fossil fuel donations  to cry wolf. Steggall has been pushing for proper legislation on this against their resistance. I know who I would trust. - Gary Barnes, Mosman Too right or wrong Sean Kelly writes that people detest and hate Scott Morrison (He does hold a ukulele, mate, February 14). The former advisor to Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd has unwittingly identified a key difference between progressive and conservative voters. Many on the left loathe conservatives. They hated John Howard, they despised Tony Abbott, and now they detest Scott Morrison. The right didnt hate Gillard, Rudd or Bill Shorten, and they certainly dont hate Anthony Albanese. They just dont comprehend why people vote for them to become prime minister. - Riley Brown, Bondi Beach Model of aged care

George Megalogenis is correct in describing the workforce issues that confront the aged care sector (The politics of our aged care catastrophe, February 14). But its not the full story. Concomitant with a reliance on a migrant labour force is the continued acceptance of congregated and institutional facilities for ageing Australians. The rush to privatisation of the sector has also brought with it boards who are concerned about balance sheets, profit and loss results and the management of risk (corporate style). One wonders the extent to which these boards devote their energies and time to the actual provision of care for people and assessing what these people really need (e.g. visitors). How can we expect any real change to the care of ageing people when we are beset by a corporate model, investing in growth on one hand and turning a profit to fuel that growth on the other? Federal government policies dictate that these appalling congregated models of care are set to continue. People out there who are on the cusp of ageing, need to have a good look at what is around the corner, both metaphorically and physically. - David Rafferty, Peakhurst Heights Running out of nurses An interesting discussion took place in our Emergency Department tearoom yesterday as we weighed up whether to walk out today and leave only a skeleton staff to manage our department as we strike for better conditions? What with so many staff off as a result of contracting COVID-19, or being in close contact to a COVID-19 patient, nursing staff resigning due to the immense pressures of working in such conditions and staff taking unpaid leave because they are all just burnt out, as well as nurses leaving ED to work in other less stressful areas of nursing. And then we realised, we are already working with a skeleton staff. - Libby Pendergast, East Gosford Give Putin an out The Yanks just dont get it (On the brink of war and tragedy, February 14). Ive never seen a worse example of war-mongering. The Americans have done nothing but push the idea of an imminent war, while Russia keeps denying it. The US wont commit troops, so the people at home dont care, but Ukraine and perhaps a large part of Europe is under threat. They dont understand that Putin is seen as a nationalist strongman, and he doesnt want to be seen as buckling, no more than Biden would. Instead of offering him a graceful way out, they keep pushing harder, getting the world used to the idea of a war, but with minimal risk to the US. There has to be some give and take, and an avenue left to Putin to back down and save face. - Alex Danilov, Naremburn

Protecting the Pacific Anne-Marie Brady points to an issue (China using aid to gain military foothold, February 14) that has been developing for many years in the Pacific, which the US, Australian and New Zealand governments wrong-headed policies [have] accelerated. After a decade of cuts to our foreign aid, Australia is now the second-lowest of all traditional aid nations. Rather than complaining every time a natural disaster, such as the recent tsunami in Tonga, allows China to increase its soft power in the Pacific, it is time for this government (or the next one) to put money where its mouth is. - Clay OBrien, Mosman Bursting the bubble With all due respect to Eric Hunters current affairs experience (Letters, February 14) I would think that an anchor who does not live and breathe the atmosphere of the Canberra bubble is exactly what 7.30 requires. - John Bulbert, Clovelly Ridgy-didge accents

Many years ago, my sister-in-law was a senior lecturer in English language at Goldsmiths College in London. One of her students was doing a thesis on English accents and claimed that the Australian accents in Neighbours were not genuine  overdone and contrived. So, she phoned me to ask my opinion. I had to confess to never having watched Neighbours but promised to do so that night and let her know. I had to admit that the accents were, indeed, genuine. - Jeanette Ward, Freshwater Letter of the laws For two days I have searched in vain for a letter in defence of Isaac Newton. Trevor Somerville (Letters, February 12) blamed the fall of the Chinese skater who gifted Steven Bradbury a gold medal, on a failure of Newtons third law of motion. The law did not fail. It cannot fail. The skater just failed to apply it accurately. - Don Firth, Wooli The digital view Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au

Climate warrior Zali Steggall failed to declare six-figure donation from family trust of coal investor

From Preston: Until the donations system is tightened up so that wealthy donors cannot do this sort of thing, struggling candidates will have no choice but to take donor money - of all kinds - to get elected. Blame the system first. Public funding of democracy is far preferable to corporate funding.
A man charged with the murders of a married couple whose bodies were found in their burning home last month has had his matter heard in court.

Zillmere man Lars Faleata, 26, was charged overnight with two counts of murder, one count of arson and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Christine Stephan with husband Joseph.

Mr Faleata, who was represented by Legal Aid Queensland, had his matter mentioned at Brisbane Arrests Court on Monday morning.

Emergency services were called to a fire at two-storey house on Hannant Street in Collingwood Park, a suburb of Ipswich, about 1am on January 23, arriving to find the house engulfed.
Why does Dad not smile any more?

These were the words that brought Emma Roberts to tears in the witness box as she was forced to recall the impact on her family of the first reports that appeared to link her now estranged husband, Ben Roberts-Smith, to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

Emma Roberts, the estranged wife of Ben Roberts-Smith, outside court on Monday. Credit:Brook Mitchell

The question, asked by one of the couples two daughters in mid-2018, briefly broke her composure when the former elite soldiers barrister, Bruce McClintock, SC, recalled it for her on Monday afternoon.

However, she rallied quickly. After a short adjournment called by presiding judge Anthony Besanko, she was back in the witness box, collected and speaking with dignity about the disintegration of her marriage to the Victoria Cross recipient.
A solider carries disaster-relief materials to a temporary shelter in Luxian County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Sept. 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council has issued a plan to advance the construction of its emergency management system over the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

The plan calls for deepening the modernization of the system and capability of China's emergency management and minimizing the losses from disasters and accidents to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

By 2025, a unified, quick-response, and coordinated emergency management mechanism with higher levels of scientific and technological information and comprehensive support systems will be built.

The construction of emergency rescue forces will be fully enhanced, said the plan.

The plan also noted that an emergency response system with Chinese characteristics to achieve socialist modernization should be established by 2035.

Specifically, the preparedness system for emergency management will improve, with risk prevention and control mechanisms more efficient, measures against catastrophes more prepared, and the allocation of resources for emergency management optimized, the plan said. 
The states corruption watchdog is investigating Victoria Police over allegations that information from privileged conversations between a senior member of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang and his lawyer was potentially used to build a legal case against the prominent bikie.

Mark Balsillie, 37, is charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine, possessing cocaine and dealing in the proceeds of crime, following a series of raids by officers from the Trident and Echo taskforces in August 2020.

Mongols member Mark Balsille, who is charged with cocaine trafficking and dealing in the proceeds of crime. Credit:Cameron Houston

A Lamborghini Huracan coupe worth nearly $500,000 and two other luxury cars were seized, suspected of being the proceeds of crimes between July 2019 and July 2020.

However, the police use of telephone intercepts and covert listening devices to obtain information from private discussions between Mr Balsillie and his solicitor, Nick Marcevski, is now under investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.
A man has been charged with the murder of a woman who was found dead in a property in Melbournes south-east last week.

Homicide squad detectives arrested the 20-year-old in Melbournes CBD on Monday afternoon following a four-day investigation. He was charged after being questioned by police.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Victoria Police said the pair were known to each other and investigators were not looking for any other suspects.

Emergency services were called to a property on Glendale Road in Springvale about 12.10pm last Thursday following reports a woman had been found dead.
Eileen Carmel Mullally, a North Fremantle character who became renowned for her battles to keep living in her cottage as her neighbourhood was swallowed up by industry expansion, has died aged 89.

Carmels family published a notice on Monday of her death in Midland on February 11.

The home Carmel Mullally refused to sell to the Fremantle Port for five decades recently wound up in the hands of the authority.

Born in Collie in 1932, Carmel was the eldest daughter of Cyril and Gertrude Edwards and had seven siblings.

The retired office worker came to prominence for her refusal to sell her home, a weatherboard and iron cottage built some time between 1897 and 1913, which she moved into with husband James in the 1950s.
We have long heard from the Prime Minister that Jenny Morrison is his shoulder angel, leading him to revelations of empathy and guiding him towards the light when politics seem darkest.

Sundays Meet the Morrisons on 60 Minutes was always going to show her speaking lovingly about her husband. Journalist Karl Stefanovic left us in no doubt that this was a puff piece. And while this story was no sweet treat for the PM, with bushfires, the Hawaiian holiday and the Grace Tame side-eye addressed, it was never really about the devils in the detail.

Jenny and Scott Morrisons appearance on 60 Minutes on Sunday evening. Credit:Nine

Scott Morrison is faced with a single motivation for the next three months: to win an election. In the marginal electorates that will determine who wins government and because of our compulsory voting system, it is mere exposure that will determine familiarity, acceptance and support at the ballot box.

In an environment where most Australians cant name a politician who has made a positive impact, Morrison needs to generate as much media exposure as he can possibly control.
Three of the women sexually harassed by former High Court judge Dyson Heydon have reached a financial settlement with the Commonwealth government.

Rachael Patterson Collins, Chelsea Tabart and Alex Eggerking made the claim under the Sex Discrimination Act, commencing their action after the High Court publicly apologised in June 2020 to six women whose claims of sexual harassment against Justice Heydon were upheld by an independent investigation.

Former High Court justice Dyson Heydon. Credit: Anna Kucera

In 2020 The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age published an extensive investigation into allegations against Justice Heydon, including reports he sexually harassed women in the High Court, at the University of Oxford, at a Canberra University event and at the private club he stayed at while court was sitting in Canberra.

Justice Heydon issued a statement through his lawyers denying emphatically any allegation of sexual harassment or any offence.
Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and four colleagues have been fined by police for not wearing masks inside Parliament during an address delivered by AFL legend Kevin Sheedy.

Mr Guy, Nationals leader Peter Walsh, shadow treasurer David Davis, Gary Blackwood and Melina Bath were pictured maskless at the event last Tuesday, prompting a police investigation.

Kevin Sheedy (left) and Matthew Guy at the talk. Credit:Facebook

The Liberal leader, who has called Victorias indoor mask rules confusing, released a statement on Monday afternoon confirming fines had been issued. Victorians are required to wear masks indoors  excluding private homes  and MPs are bound by these rules inside Parliament.

This afternoon Victoria Police have confirmed that they have issued fines to five Victorian Coalition MPs, he said.
At least four aspiring Victorian Liberal MPs are planning to challenge one of the partys longest serving and most divisive right-wing MPs, Bernie Finn, for his position in the states upper house.

The candidates are preparing to run for the Liberal Partys No.1 position on the Western Metropolitan upper house ticket and two state MPs told The Age that Mr Finn will probably lose the top spot.

Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy and MP Bernie Finn. Credit:Nine

The partys leadership views him as a liability because it is aiming to appeal to mainstream voters and attract more supporters in Melbournes western suburbs, where the 60-year-old is the partys only state MP. The party, which recently preselected three early- or mid-career women to run at the November 2022 poll, is also seeking to win more female voters.

Mr Finn, who opposes COVID-19 vaccination mandates and supports former US president Donald Trump, last year attended anti-government protests attended by some who shared violent imagery. He also shared a doctored image of the Premier dressed as Adolf Hitler and publicly expressed support for rioters who stormed the US Capitol building, claiming the election was stolen from then-outgoing President Trump by globalists, big corporations [and] big media.
We are still offering stiff resistance to the enemys attacks, a message broadcast by Singapore Radio said yesterday. Almost simultaneously Tokyo Radio was claiming that the British forces had sent a special messenger to Japanese Army Headquarters at 2.30 p.m. (5.30 p.m. Sydney time), with an offer to surrender. London at 3 a.m. to-day (Sydney time) had no direct information about the situation, but it was admitted to be of great gravity. It was stated that while the Japanese claim of the city surrender could not be taken as authoritative, there was nothing inherently impossible in it. Domei semi-official news agency said that the British and Japanese leaders were due to meet at 5.30 p.m. yesterday, local time (8.30 p.m., Sydney time), to discuss terms of surrender. A party of four British officers, headed by Major Wilde, approached Japanese headquarters at 2.30 p.m., it says, bearing a white flag, and notified the readiness of the British garrison to surrender. It left at 4.15 p.m., after fixing 5.30 p.m. for the meeting of the leaders. Japanese Imperial Headquarters later said the British G.O.C., Lieut.-General A. E. Percival, and the Japanese commander, General Yamashita, signed the terms of unconditional surrender and hostilities ceased at 10 p.m. (1 a.m., Monday, Sydney time).

Tokyo Radio claimed that the British forces offered to surrender after the Japanese had occupied the citys reservoirs. Soldiers and civilians co-operate in rescuing the wounded. February 1942. ESCAPE FROM SINGAPORE

Dodging Bombers



OUR WAR CORRESPONDENT.

BATAVIA, Feb. 15.-I travelled to Java from Singapore in a small ship crowded with service men and a dozen women, which left Singapore in darkness on Tuesday night and made a slow passage off the normal route, twice lying up all day in secluded bays beside a jungle-clad island. We thus succeeded in avoiding entirely the attention of Japanese bombers which had been harassing shipping around Banka Strait. Our most exciting moment was when, slipping out of Singapore Harbour, we ran close to an attempted Japanese landing by barges from an armoured mother-ship, which was prevented by the raking of five coastal defence guns.

ENEMY VESSEL HIT For hours we had been embarking men in a blackout so complete that even the glow of a cigarette brought a growl from a hundred voices: Put out that light! When finally we had cast off and headed to sea for half an hour, it was almost a physical shock to be picked up in a blinding searchlight from the shore. Other searchlights leapt out of the darkness, but they were not interested in us, being focussed in a craft about a mile away. A few minutes later came the roar of coastal guns, and huge waterspouts from bursting shells arose all around this craft. We realised that Singapores defences were in action against an attempted sea-landing. A second salvo appeared to register a direct hit and flames shot from the enemy ship. Ten minutes later another shore batttery joined the battle. Our ship had been directly in its line of fire and it had to wait until we had got out of the way.

It was a most impressive grandstand view of the destruction of an enemy landing-party by magnificently accurate gunnery. The range was so close that the guns must have been practically firing over an open sight. The boom of the guns continued and huge waterspouts, lit up brilliantly by searchlights, defined the area, in which no craft could have possibly remained afloat. SINGAPORE OIL ABLAZE As we pushed onward, the engine crew straining to get an extra half knot above normal speed, the whole sky was illuminated by the enormous glow from one of the huge oil-fires which had been burning for many days on Singapore Island. Suddenly it leapt up for a few minutes, and then died down equally dramatically. Nothing more was to be seen except a huge column of black smoke, which for days at sea told-us where we lay in relation to Singapore.

The remainder of the voyage was incredibly peaceful, except when enemy aircraft appeared overhead. Each time they passed over without molesting us. On the first night we had to anchor for five hours to avoid the danger of an unlighted minefield. After dawn we made a short run to a secluded island to lay up there inconspicuously throughout the day. We then pushed on in the darkness. The next day we repeated the process. The last day found us well off the main sea tracks, so we steamed all day. No one, except the captain of the ship, knew our destination, but nobody was surprised when dawn on the fourth day found us lying off one of Javas ports, from which eventually we made our way to Batavia. Loading
Theyre not wealthy  they cant just buy a plane ticket and get out of there. So they are just being cautious. One of their sons is 17 and hes a cadet in the army. Hes been told that if war erupts hell need to go, trained or not trained. Ms Slipetsky also has family in western Ukraine, who told her there is a feeling in the air that war is imminent. I also have an Australian friend whos living in Kyiv. Shes decided to stay put. She has an emergency plan. She hasnt told me what that is yet. I think she is keeping her cards close to her chest. There are 147 Australian citizens, permanent residents and their dependents registered as being in Ukraine, where Australians have been told to leave as soon as possible. Prime Minister and Cabinet acting deputy secretary Rod Brazier told a Senate estimates hearing on Monday that the decision to close the embassy in Kyiv was made at the weekend. Three diplomats and two Australian Federal Police officers are now running a temporary office in Lviv, near the Polish border.

Ms Slipetsky said she believed Australias response had been swift and measured. I know theres criticism that Australia is not going to be sending any military aid, but I dont think that theyre in a position to do that. She would, however, like to see Western powers  including Australia  introduce tougher sanctions against Russia. Trade Minister Dan Tehan said on Monday that it was highly likely there would be very strong sanctions against Russia if it invaded and well have to play our part in that regard. We want a de-escalation, but if (invasion) happens, then youll be looking at sanctions and well be a part of that, he said.

Australia already has sanctions in place against Russian figures, which were first imposed in 2014 and extended in 2015. It has sought to punish 52 entities and 168 individuals since the annexation of Crimea and the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014. Former Sydney resident Pixie Shmigel and her boyfriend left Ukraine for Montenegro about a week ago, more out of caution than fear or panic. And I am hopeful Ill be back shortly, after all, I only packed a small amount of things. When leaving, I wasnt scared of any threat or danger so wasnt in a rush, she said.

She said if Russia was to invade her adopted country, it would be unbelievably silly of them. Ukrainians are ready and willing to fight and it seems like the western world is willing to stand behind them and help. It would end badly for everyone involved. She said it would trigger a huge humanitarian crisis as well as bloodshed. I feel for people who cant just leave the country, if it does happen and the mass humanitarian crisis that would cause, she said.

Sergiy Demyanchuk, who moved to Sydney from Ukraine in 2014, said Russia should be shut out of the global financial system if it invaded Ukraine. Loading I think that would be a very strong message to the Russian government, to the president that if you try to meddle with us this is whats going to happen. US President Joe Biden has reportedly considered excluding Russian banks from the SWIFT global payment system, which handles international financial transfers and is used by more than 11,000 financial institutions in over 200 countries. However, there is resistance to this from European lenders who expressed concern that banning Russia from SWIFT would mean billions of dollars of outstanding loans they have in Russia would not be repaid. Reuters reported on February 11 it was not under active consideration.

Mr Demyanchuk said he was in constant contact with his parents, sister and friends in Ukraine. Everyone is concerned but being quite strong and stoic, I would say, and they say, 'we keep calm and polish the gun', Mr Demyanchuk said. Loading They say, Look, were staying where we are and if this is going to happen, well, so be it, we will fight back. He said his family told him some Ukrainians were stocking up on groceries but there was no food shortages and nothing like the panic buying seen in Australia during the pandemic.

I spoke to my friends this morning and they said, you know, where we saw the queues? The gun shop. If you get a licence, you get a permit from the police, you can buy a gun. So they say there is a spike in the demand for guns. Loading Mr Demyanchuk said he didnt think Australia and other Western powers were doing enough to protect Ukraine. He said Ukraine should have been allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, something that requires all member states to agree. They should have done that a long time before.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during the inauguration ceremony of the new headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Feb.13, 2022. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a 209.15-meter-tall landmark building located at the heart of its capital city, which houses the country's largest public-owned commercial bank. The new headquarters of CBE was built by Chinese construction giant China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC). (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a 209.15-meter-tall landmark building located at the heart of its capital city, which houses the country's largest public-owned commercial bank.

The new headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) was built by Chinese construction giant China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC).

The inauguration event coincided with the CBE's 80th anniversary and was attended by senior Ethiopian government officials, Chinese diplomats in Ethiopia, and representatives of the CBE and the CSCEC.

Calling the inauguration a milestone, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said at the event, "I am very happy as we gather here today to inaugurate this beautiful building while also marking the 80th anniversary of this historic bank."

Ahmed said the CBE reflects Ethiopia's years-long dedication to and aspiration for establishing and sustaining modern institutions, stressing the need to modernize the banking sector in the East African country.

The building project, which involves the construction of two five-story podiums and the main tower, has won wide acclaim among Ethiopian experts. It is regarded as the tallest building in East Africa.

CBE President Abie Sano said the project has served as a means for Ethiopian engineering students and construction companies to learn state-of-the-art technologies.

He said the building, which has applied very modern and latest technologies with supervision from the Addis Ababa University Institute of Technology, "witnessed crucial technology and experience-sharing endeavor over the course of its construction."

"This very modern skyscraper will serve our generation and beyond in a view to address emerging advancements in the banking sector as well as future expectations," Sano said.

"I was very lucky to have this invaluable learning experience since the project's early construction stage," said Belay Bitew, a young Ethiopian civil engineer involved in overseeing the project construction.

Noting that the construction materials and technologies used in the construction process meet international standards, he added, "The learning endeavor during our stay with our Chinese colleagues has been another milestone." 

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) President Abie Sano speaks during the inauguration ceremony of the new headquarters of CBE in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Feb. 13, 2022. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated a 209.15-meter-tall landmark building located at the heart of its capital city, which houses the country's largest public-owned commercial bank. The new headquarters of CBE was built by Chinese construction giant China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC). (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

A building of the new headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) is seen in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 13, 2022. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated the 209.15-meter-tall landmark building located at the heart of its capital city, which houses the country's largest public-owned commercial bank.

The CBE new headquarters was built by Chinese construction giant China State Construction Engineering Corporation. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addresses the inauguration ceremony of a building of the new headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 13, 2022. Ethiopia on Sunday inaugurated the 209.15-meter-tall landmark building located at the heart of its capital city, which houses the country's largest public-owned commercial bank.

The CBE new headquarters was built by Chinese construction giant China State Construction Engineering Corporation. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)
PHILIPSBURG:--- Considering the ongoing traffic situation on the island, the Sint Maarten police are currently still conducting traffic controls in the interests of safe traffic.

The purpose of these actions is to provide information to the

public about their driving behavior and the consequences thereof.

Also, to take action against drivers not abiding by the rules set forth in traffic ordinance, and other legal regulations applicable on Sint Maarten.

On, Friday, February 11, 2021, control was once again conducted by officers on the airport road During this traffic control,27 cars were stopped and controlled and 7 fines were issued.

Controls were also carried out on Saturday morning February 12, 2022, on Union Road near the French border and Carrefour supermarket.

During these controls 56 vehicles were stop+ and 27 fines were issued KPSM will be continuously carrying out these controls, due to the fact that some road users are not respecting nor obeying traffic regulations of Sint Maarten. Their behavior has become a nuisance to the community and, more important, it endangers the lives of others.

KPSM Press Release.
~ Mutual cooperation and support between members needed to combat poverty ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- President of Parliament, the Honourable Grisha Heyliger-Marten, returned recently from her first Parlatino meeting with news of support from member states for Caribbean Dutch territories in their pursuit for full democratic rights.

She attended several presentations during which she networked and generated support for St. Maarten in legislative improvements and support for its Decolonization cause at the United Nations level.

On Sunday, MP Heyliger-Marten said in a press release that it was evident from one of the presentations that poverty alleviation and women's issues should be prioritized in all the member states. "The pandemic has had a disproportionally negative effect on women in the region, who are suffering from loss of jobs and the resulting poverty. Because of the major role that women play in society, the impact of the pandemic on them affects the entire society even more", according to Heyliger-Marten.

Having participated in her first Parlatino conference, held this year in Panama City, Heyliger-Marten, has expressed satisfaction over the St. Maarten delegation's participation this year, which she said was "worthwhile."

"The first day of the conference consisted of break-out sessions in working groups to discuss different important topics of mutual interest to all the member states. Usually, the Presidents of the respective Parliaments do not participate in these sessions. Still, I made it a point to join them to understand better the topics discussed and "get my feet wet", Heyliger-Marten stated. "Together with MP Duncan, I participated in the working group related to political affairs. CAS (Curacao, Aruba and St. Maarten) gave their views on the ongoing developments within the Kingdom and the challenges in the relationships with the Netherlands."

According to Heyliger-Marten, the second day consisted of more procedural meetings, including appointments and approval of Parlatinos budget.

"On the third day, several general guidelines for laws that can be implemented in the member states were discussed. The idea is that each member state reviews the guidelines and decides if they can/should be turned into local laws", according to Heyliger-Marten. She believes the guidelines that can benefit St. Maarten are regulations for distance working, specific education needs, access to info and digital communication, and reducing food waste.

"On that same day, I had the opportunity to briefly address Palatinos General Assembly and elucidate on the challenges that St. Maarten and the other autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands face", according to Heyliger-Marten. "During my address, I expressed hope, based on our historical ties, that Parlatino member states would assist the Dutch Caribbean islands in securing the Democratic rights for their people. This includes bringing the full measure of self-government to fruition following the UN Charter."

During the conference, the St. Maarten delegation also used the opportunity to network with other member states. "This networking has led to encouraging expressions of support from member states for St. Maarten's plight to achieve a full measure of self-government", Heyliger-Marten said.

Heyliger-Marten concluded her release by stating that more details of the Parlatino meetings and the follow-up will be made available as soon as possible. "The meetings underscored the need for the Parlatino member states to maintain a united front moving forward. Not just to overcome the devastating effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic, but also to make the right strategic and geo-political decisions and moves on the global playing field", Heyliger-Marten stated.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBP), the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), Customs Sint Maarten, and the Inspectorates of TEATT and VSA carried out multidisciplinary joint controls with results in the Simpson Bay area on February 11, 2022. The joint efforts are carried out as overall controls for residence and work permits, illegal substances, and business licenses. In addition, the joint controls executed in Simpson Bay were done in collaboration with SZV, who were able to search for, and collect information to follow up on.

During the multidisciplinary joint controls, two establishments were fined by TEATT inspectors for irregularities in their business documentation/employing persons without valid documentation. Additionally, knives were confiscated by Customs at one of the establishments. A total of 12 persons were detained due to failure to produce a valid work or residence permit and are being processed. Article 5 of the LBHAM outlines the rules for the exemption of work permits. For an exception of the categories mentioned in Article 5, all persons require an employment permit.

Business owners are hereby advised to ensure that their business is in possession of a business license to operate on Dutch Sint Maarten. In the event this is not the case; business owners should visit the Department of Economic Affairs within the Ministry of TEATT to regulate all that is required to operate a business. Businesses are also advised to see to it that all their employees are legally authorized to work and reside on Dutch Sint Maarten. It is also essential that all employed persons within a business are insured as proper registration with SZV is mandatory.

If the employee is not born in Sint Maarten, then it is a must to contact the Labor Department within the Ministry of VSA, followed by applying for a residence permit within the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Justice. All non-nationals seeking to work and/or live on Dutch Sint Maarten must be in possession of a valid work permit and residence permit. You are strongly advised to contact the Immigration Department to gain information.

The multidisciplinary team is executing their duties by law and reiterating that the joint controls will continue throughout various communities. The public is widely reminded that persons from age 12 and older are required by law to have a valid form of identification in their possession while using the public streets. Further to, persons who are legally on the island by way of a work and residence permit should have these in their possession at all times. Failure to identify oneself to the authorities is a misdemeanor offense and may result in being fined or detained. The multidisciplinary team hereby thanks the community for their support and cooperation.
WASHINGTON (Feb. 14, 2022)Michael Carvajal seemed optimistic as he highlighted the steps the Federal Bureau of Prisons has taken to protect inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic.



"The bureau was one of the first agencies to offer COVID testing and vaccinations.Approximately 80% of our staff and 70% of our inmates have been fully vaccinated and we continue to increase those rates," Carvajal, the director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, told a Feb. 3 House Judiciary Committee hearing.



"The bureau has transferred more than 37,000 inmates to community custody, after review of medically vulnerable inmates based on assessments," he added.



But lawmakers and other critics insist that federal prison inmates were less protected from COVID-19 than the general public, more died than has been made public, and incarcerated people remain exposed to greater health risks than the prisons bureau will acknowledge.



"There've been at least 300 people who have died while in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons," Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the ACLU National Prison Project, told Capital News Service. "Incarcerated people, generally, are three times more likely to die of COVID-19 than people in the general population."



According to the prison bureau's COVID website, 4,672 federal inmates and 1,990 BOP staff have confirmed positive test results for the virus nationwide. The website said 285 inmates and seven staff members have died from COVID so far.



Of the 285 inmate deaths, 11 occurred while on home confinement, according to the bureau. The inmate totals listed do not include inmates participating in the Federal Location Monitoring program, inmates supervised under the United States Probation Office, or those being held in privately-managed prisons or state facilities or jails.



Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, asked Carvajal during the congressional hearing what to do about preventing deaths in federal prisons.



"We have been in lockstep with the CDC from day one," Carvajal said. "That is why we appreciate the ability under the CARES Act to transfer people out. We were able to lower our population. We are following CDC guidance. We do everything in collaboration with them."



While data on the medical isolation rate, facility vaccination rate, and community transmission rate are all available on the prison bureau's website, advocates, including Kendrick and Joshua Manson, a researcher with the UCLA Law COVID Behind Bars data project, argue that most of the information on how many people have been infected with, or died of, the virus is inaccurate.



"They're not being fully transparent," Manson told Capital News Service. "They're sort of just asking the public to trust them when they've really given the public no reason to trust them. There have been enormous numbers of people who've been infected in the Bureau of Prisons' custodybut we know that the actual number is considerably higher than that."



When asked about criticisms of its data and policies, a prison bureau spokesperson referred CNS to the agency's website.



Carvajal, a Trump administration appointee, announced his resignation in January. He is staying on until he is replaced.



Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, has been a vocal critic of Carvajal's tenure.



"For years, the Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by corruption, chronic understaffing, and mismanagement," the senator said in January. "In the nearly two years since Director Carvajal was handpicked by then-Attorney General Bill Barr, he has failed to address the mounting crises in our nation's federal prison system, including failing to fully implement the landmark First Step Act. His resignation is an opportunity for new, reform-minded leadership at the Bureau of Prisons."



In April 2021, Durbin noted that "at times, the infection rate for the federal prison population has been nearly six times higher than in the community at large. At that time, he said, 230 inmates had died of COVID"nearly all of whom had preexisting conditions that made them particularly and obviously vulnerable."



"Several were within months of being released," Durbin said. "And 55 died after their request for compassionate release was denied or while their request was pending."



Durbin and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have introduced legislation aimed at ensuring that the most vulnerable inmates, particularly older prisoners, can be eligible for compassionate release or moved to home confinement to complete their sentences.



"In the middle of a pandemic the federal government ought to be doing everything it can to protect the inmates in its care," Grassley said.



Both Manson and Kendrick spotlighted what they said were inconsistencies in cumulative COVID-19 case numbers in the prison bureau's records.



"One of the things that they do is the cumulative counts of COVID-19 infections sometimes goes downBOP officials finally admitted that what they were doing was as people were getting discharged from BOP custody, they would then remove that person from the total count of infected people," Kendrick said.



Additionally, Manson urged caution on trusting the prison bureau's numbers on vaccinated individuals inside correctional facilities.



Manson said the bureau's website has a category for "fully vaccinated" inmates, but that website does note that the numbers reported don't include the number of people who have been given a booster."



"Now, I don't really think that you can call someone fully inoculated right now if they haven't received the booster," he said.



The prisons bureau also is not doing enough to ensure that its own employees are properly masked and vaccinated, according to critics and inmates' family members.



Prison bureau employees who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated are required to comply with CDC and agency guidance, including, according to the agency, "wearing masks regardless of the transmission rate in a given area, physical distancing, regular testing and adhering to applicable travel restrictions."



UCLA's Behind Bars Prison Project also noted a dramatic uptick in the presence of COVID infections in December and January with the Omicron surge. For the first time, more than 10,000 active COVID cases were reported in January among the 150,000 inmates in the prison bureau's 120 facilities, the project said.



The UCLA project also gives the Federal Bureau of Prisons an "F" for its data collection methods.



Neela, who asked that her last name not be used in order to protect the identity of her husband, who is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution El Reno in Oklahoma, told CNS prison guards were one of the reasons the virus spread and returned in that facility.



"I don't think they're doing their part as far as the guards are concerned, because we don't have contact visits right now, it's all through like a plexiglass," she said. "The only way these people are getting COVID is through guards."



"And I've gotten in there and I've seen a guard could care less about COVID," Neela said. "I don't know how many guards are coming into work and have COVID. But I know every time I go, they're not wearing their masks. Is that the reason? I don't know. But, I don't think that's helping the situation."



Kendrick said advocates have also been pushing for less overcrowding and better hygiene practices. She said cleanliness is not often given priority inside federal facilities.



"You're having them sit in cells for two to four days at a time and then allowing them 20 minutes to call their loved ones, take a shower, and get on the email, do whatever, and of course the priority for these guys is talking to their loved ones because they're concerned," Neela said.



"So now you're cutting their time to clean themselves, and then you're not giving them the necessary tools to do that," she said. "I mean, how do you expect people not to get sick if you're not giving them soap or hand sanitizer?"



Vaccine education has also been put on the back burner inside prisons, according to Neela. She revealed that people jailed at El Reno were encouraged to take vaccinations by offering an optimistic picture of what the facility would look like after the majority of the population was vaccinated.



"They were kind of bribing the inmates, they weren't really educating them on why. They just told them, 'if we can get a facility to 98%, then we can go back to everything being open, not having constant lockdown' and things of that nature," she said. "I do have friends that have loved ones at other facilities, and I've heard the opposite. So I do think it depends on the facility, who's running the facility."



The Prison Policy Initiative has been one of the organizations pushing for more vaccine education inside federal prisons, such as bringing in family members and community leaders.



"If you consider that incarcerated people have a long history of insufficient medical treatment, and even medical neglect and abuse at the hands of the very same people who are not trying to vaccinate them, you can understand why it's important to bring in peopleto help convince them to take the vaccine," said Wanda Bertram, a communications strategist for the Prison Policy Initiative.



Bertram also suggested that compassionate release and home confinement during the pandemic will help slow the spread of COVID-19.



"A woman wrote in to our website yesterday and told us that her husband was supposed to be released to home confinement, and checked off the boxes that the (prison bureau) had laid out for people to be released to home confinement," Bertram said. "But, he was not actually released under that program, and he got sent to a halfway house and the halfway house is full of COVID."



The Justice Department in December gave the Federal Bureau of Prisons the discretion to allow formerly incarcerated individuals to remain in home confinement even as the pandemic eases. The action reverses a Trump administration policy that directed the bureau to return those who were allowed to remain in home confinement to correctional facilities if they still had time to serve.
Streetview in Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. /Xinhua

All eyes are on the Russia-Ukraine border. But more interesting to note is the global framing of the crisis.

The Russian government has reiterated it has no plan for an "invasion" into Ukraine  no such threat has been made from lips of any Russian politician. On the other end of the spectrum, American media outlets have already named a date for the looming "attack"  the U.S. military warned NATO allies that Moscow was gearing up to invade its neighbor on February 16.

Is a real war imminent? And who would gain from stoking military tensions in the region?

From the outset, one of Russia's consistent appeals has been for the NATO to stop its eastward expansion  not the aggression, or even the occupation, of Ukraine. However, the U.S.-led alliance has long turned a deaf ear to this demand, and insisted an open-door policy on its membership instead. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the NATO has enlarged from 17 countries to 30, with several of them once being part of the Warsaw pact.

This undeniably raised the anxiety level of the Russian government. To make the matter worse, the Biden administration, since assuming office, has been publicly voicing support for Ukraine's NATO admission, and promised millions of dollars in military assistance to Russia's neighbor. Despite Moscow's repeated pledge that it has no intention for a war with Kyiv, the U.S. arranged thousands of forces on standby, and NATO reinforced its military presence at Eastern Europe.

True, the Russian government has positioned its troops on the border area. But Washington's unrestrained advocacy of NATO's enlargement is what prompted Russia's corresponding actions and eventually led to the Ukraine crisis. Moscow has never made any military threat to Ukraine so far.

Russia has made its demand loud and clear from the outset: the end of NATO's expansion. This was only met with the West's acting the opposite. Then, in reporting the ongoing tensions, Western media outlets, instead of pointing to the fact of NATO's enlargement, start playing up Russia's military buildup and its "ambition" against its neighbor.

Ukraine, another protagonist in West-framed story, does not want a war, or any public impression that a war is imminent, either. "There are no tanks in the streets. But media give the impression, if one is not here, that we have a war, that we have army in the streets That's not the case. We don't need this panic," Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky told the West earlier.

The West whipped up hysteria to such a degree that Ukraine has already started to feel the economic impact. Ukraine's hryvnia moved closer to more than one-year lows, Reuters reports. Stoking military tensions has inevitably made investors panic and this would add another layer of volatility to the investment environment in Ukraine.

The West shouts support for Kyiv. But its propaganda brigade is making the country a victim. The U.S. is instead the biggest winner from whipping up tensions in the region.

Facing a slew of domestic headaches and declining global influence, Washington desperately needs a war to fix its own problems. Stoking tension on the Russia-Ukraine border would be effective to drive a wedge between Moscow and NATO, and thus unite the allies and intensify their military dependence on the United States.

In addition, Washington has long been using the Ukraine crisis as a tool to expand its clout in the region. Even if no real war breaks out, the U.S., by stoking regional tensions and playing up Russia's military buildup, could still upgrade Western hostility against the Russian government and in the meantime shape its image as a peacekeeper.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine wants a war. But the U.S. is desperate for one and has already launched full-fledged propaganda campaign for it  again, under the name of peace-keeping.
BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China has stepped up technology support for winter wheat, soybean and corn farming to help stabilize crop yields and ensure supplies, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Monday.

Technological services should be promoted to help farmers solve problems and popularize advanced technologies, said Zhang Taolin, vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs.

Five provinces -- Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan and Shaanxi -- will receive technical guidance from expert teams dispatched by the ministry, as floods swept these regions last autumn and brought pressure on crop harvests this year, the ministry noted.

Online training courses have been offered to more than 800,000 people via the National Agricultural Technology and Education Cloud Platform, according to the ministry. 
Anastasia Diamantis, the daughter of former state deputy budget director Kosta Diamantis, has been placed on administrative leave following an investigation into her hiring at the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.

A letter obtained by the CT Mirror through the states Freedom of Information Act shows that Anastasia Diamantis was placed on paid leave on Feb. 4, two days after state officials released a report that raised questions about how she obtained her position as an assistant with the states top prosecutor.

That report, which was assembled by former U.S. Attorney Stanley Twardy Jr., found that Richard Colangelo Jr., Connecticuts Chief States Attorney, hired Anastasia Diamantis at the same time that he was pushing her father for pay increases within the Division of Criminal Justice.

Twardys team of investigators questioned the circumstances in which Colangelo first met Anastasia Diamantis, and the report said the explanations that Colangelo, Anastasia Diamantis and Kosta Diamantis gave to investigators were not seen as credible.

Anastasia Diamantis was informed in the letter on Feb. 4 that she would remain on administrative leave until the Division of Criminal Justice can fully review the allegations included in Twardys report.

Following that review, officials at the Division of Criminal Justice explained that she could be removed from her state job, which pays roughly $99,000 per year.

Its unclear how long it will take for the Division of Criminal Justice to review Anastasia Diamantiss actions and decide whether she remains on the state payroll.

Alaine Griffin, the spokeswoman for the Division of Criminal Justice, said the division did not have any further comment on the employment matter.

Anastasia Diamantis is not the only person whose job prospects have been affected by the investigation, which began last year.

Kosta Diamantis stepped down from his government job as the states second-highest budget official in October 2021 after Gov. Ned Lamont placed him on administrative leave.

That decision was made after Lamonts administration was subpoenaed by a federal grant jury for records related to Kosta Diamantis and his oversight of school construction projects and the State Pier project in New London.

Colangelo, who served as a prosecutor with the Division of Criminal Justice for 29 years, also sent a letter to the states Criminal Justice Commission last week announcing that he would retire in order to avoid a highly publicized hearing into his alleged actions.

In that case, Colangelo maintained that he did nothing wrong by hiring Anastasia Diamantis, but he said he would step down at the end of March in order to prevent the Division of Criminal Justice from being further entangled in the imbroglio.

As part of his retirement, Colangelo will be eligible for two state pension plans that will pay him a combined $93,720 annually, according to state records.

A federal grand jury is also investigating how Anastasia Diamantis was hired by a construction management firm that received two no-bid state contracts in a process overseen by Kosta Diamantis.
STAMFORD  To celebrate Lunar New Year, children gathered at the Ferguson Library on Sunday.

Presented in partnership with Traditional Martial Arts and Club Kung Fu, the event celebrated the Year of the Tiger with activities including a Chinese acrobatic performance and Tae Kwon Do and Wing Tsun Martial Arts demonstrations.
Connecticuts state government is significantly less racially and ethnically diverse than the states population, and though agencies have made gains in hiring more equitably overall, they have continued to bring on a slightly higher share of white employees than the states population.

Whats more, a review of state employee demographic data by Hearst Connecticut Media Group shows some agencies have struggled much more so than others when it comes to improving diversity in recent years.

There are agencies that have stubborn problems with representation, said Mohamad Alkadry, head of the University of Connecticuts Dept. of Public Policy.

Alkadry co-authored a report on the issue with officials from the state Comptrollers office, which provided the data to the newspaper group.

The study, released in January, found the hiring done by Connecticut state agencies in the last five years improved upon the diversity of the state workforce on the whole, but disparities persisted and performance varied widely by agency. The report also found disparities in pay based on race and gender.

The findings come at a critical time. State officials are bracing for an expected surge in retirements this summer due to a mix of pandemic burnout, changing pension rules, and other factors.

That is expected to leave thousands of vacancies in state government, creating some turmoil but also an opportunity to rebalance the workforce. A legislative task force studying how to make state government better reflect the people it serves last week outlined a series of recommendations toward that goal.

For now, more than three quarters of state workers  about 77 percent  were white, as of early 2021. By comparison, roughly two-thirds of Connecticut residents are white, according to U.S. Census Bureau data on adults from the latest Decennial Census.

Looking closer, the ranks of white and Black workers in state government are higher than the Connecticut population overall, the report showed. But Asian workers, and especially Hispanic workers, remain underrepresented.

Alkadry said that, relatively speaking, compared with other states, Connecticuts state workforce is fairly reflective of its overall population, and there are signs of improvement.

Still, when it comes to new hires in recent years, the state has been unable to even match the racial and ethnic diversity of the state overall. In the five years leading up to 2021, 71 percent of state government hires were white, the report found.

The problems get bigger when you start looking agency-by-agency, Alkadry said.

Some of the deepest divisions found are in police and protective services, as well as the Dept. of Transportation, data shows.

The legislative task force, chaired by Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, voted Tuesday to adopt a number of recommendations to address gaps, including creating a chief diversity officer role at every agency and instituting exit surveys for the employees who retire.

Tara Downes, assistant state comptroller and the reports co-author, said improving diversity has to be taken on at the highest level of every state agency.

There is not a one-size-fits-all approach, she said.

Slow changes in policing

Among large state employers, Police Services  which is largely composed of the State Police force  has the greatest share of white male employees, according to data provided to Hearst Connecticut Media by the Comptrollers Office.

Seventy-one percent of employees are white men, and 81 percent men of any race. In the last five years, the picture improved somewhat, as 65 percent of people who were hired as state-employed police officers were white men.

Hiring women remains a stubborn challenge. Fewer than 2 percent of its workforce are Black women, for example, one of the lowest figures across state government.

A State Police spokesman said the agency is well aware of, and committed to correcting, the issue.

Sgt. Joungsuk Moon, who works in recruiting for the State Police, said it can be a tall order to convince people with no police or military background to go through rigorous training and transition into a career in law enforcement.

You do have to adjust your whole lifestyle, she said. Your schedule may be different, you might have childcare issues, and you have to understand that your family has to support you throughout the beginning of your career. There's a lot of different challenges you have to overcome in the first couple years.

Recruiting was further strained recently with many in-person efforts derailed by the pandemic.

Still, the State Police has focused on attending in-person events in predominantly minority communities, and the last three academy classes have been the agencys most diverse yet, both in terms of race and gender, the agency said.

Sgt. Dawn Pagan, a public information officer, worked in the State Polices narcotics unit for years, an office she described as gritty and typically male-dominated. She said representation in narcotics, and across the agency, has slowly shifted.

I've seen it change over time, Pagan said. Now you're seeing that women are more represented in that unit.

However, fast changes are unlikely to come to the gender and racial makeup of the State Police. Police forces nationwide have struggled to increase diversity for years.

Departures to create opportunity for transportation agency

A Boston Consulting Group report diagnosing the state workforces looming retirement issue found at the Department of Transportation, close to a third of all employees could be eligible to retire this year, one of the highest percentages across the states executive branch.

The agency has among the most room to improve in representation.

For instance, at the departments Bureau of Highway Operations, 68 percent of workers were white men, as of March 2021. Just 7 percent were women. Numbers shifted only marginally toward a more diverse staff in five years, during which time the office brought on 400 hires.

Other components of the transportation agency improved more: At the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, 67 percent of new hires were white, compared to 77 percent of the offices workforce.

Estiana Green, who leads diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, said the numbers from the Comptrollers Office report dont come as a surprise.

Green said in the last two years, the office committed to going above and beyond the requirements of its affirmative action plans. One challenge is the low proportion of women going to school for jobs in the transportation sector. Green said the departments female workforce matches the numbers in school, about 18 percent.

The fact of the matter is that historically, the transportation industry has been a white male-dominated industry. But thats changing, and were aware that its changing, she said. We need to move forward and go further.

Green said the agency is already implementing some of the legislative task forces recommendations.

Some agencies fare better

Christine Jean-Louis, a state assistant attorney general and president of the union for assistant attorney generals, outlined an opposite trend in her profession, with increasing numbers of women, people of color, LGBTQ+ or people with a disability enrolling in law school.

The Attorney Generals Office is already quite diverse relative to other state offices.

Thirty percent of its staff are white men; Black and Hispanic women together make up 17 percent of the office, according to the Comptrollers Office report, which is above the average in state government.

Having our diversity be reflective from the bottom, middle and top is the biggest factor that makes the AGs Office a more diverse employer relative to others in state government and even the legal profession at large, Jean-Louis said. That consistency, covering two administrations, gives us leverage to recruit and retain new hires.

However, Jean-Louis said the agency will not let its guard down when it comes to hiring diversely, pointing to how an unprecedented number of attorneys are likely to retire this year.

State jobs an opportunity

A state job can bring stability, said Tara Keaton, a supervisor with the Department of Correction, something that could and should be advertised to people as an opportunity.

Keaton said her job was transformational for her life. She said the job kept her out of poverty and provided an education for her children.

Still, Keaton said it is difficult for women to elevate in managerial positions in her field, in large part because it has traditionally been viewed as a masculine job.

My authority is challenged, she said. Some people don't accept my advice. If I make a decision, then some wont accept it.

Keatons union, CSEA SEIU Local 2001, represents a wide range of state employees. Keaton and the union are advocating for specific improvements, including a universal zero-tolerance policy that would protect employees who complain about discrimination.

Keaton said the states current affirmative action policies also fail to fully address diversity and equity, a problem she said is evident at  but not limited to  the Department of Corrections, and can affect who gets promoted and who doesnt.

Alkadry, the reports co-author, said quantifying who is being favored for promotion and advancement is difficult.

Keaton also said expected retirements will likely hit managers in her department particularly hard. Departures in the agency could total close to 1,000 by June, according to the Boston Consulting Group report.

On the whole, the agency is one of Connecticuts more diverse: 57 percent of its workforce in 2021 was white. A spokeswoman for the agency said 72 percent of people brought on during the last three hiring rounds, all during 2021, were people of color.

Looking closer at certain facilities, there are wider divisions. For example, employees at the Brooklyn Correctional Institution, near the Rhode Island border, are 95 percent white. An agency spokeswoman explained that, due to stipulations in union contracts, employees have wide latitude over which facility they can choose to work, meaning the agency has less control over demographic representation at each prison.

Pay disparities

In some cases, disparities in the ranks of state workers are also reflected in wage gaps, the new report shows.

For instance, Hispanic women in top positions in the state were paid 73 percent of the salaries of their white male counterparts. A report by the same authors, published in 2019, found that across the state workforce, disparities as high as $10,000 in annual pay persist.

Downes, from the Comptrollers office, said the coming wave of retirements could offer possibilities to further improve diversity and equity within the workforce, she said.

Connecticut is on the verge of a transformational moment as an employer, she said. Its an exciting and a scary moment.
Milton, PA (17847)

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Ashtabula, OH (44004)

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Rain. High near 65F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

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This is archive content that is no longer updated. Go to the up-to-date statistics page.

A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Turnover of trade 2022, February

Published: 14 February 2022

Turnover in trade grew in December

According to Statistics Finland, turnover in total trade adjusted for working days increased by 11.6 per cent in December from December 2020. The working day adjusted volume of sales in total trade, from which the impact of price changes has been eliminated, went up by 0.8 per cent. Among the industries of trade, turnover grew strongest in wholesale trade.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G), %

Turnover increased in all industries of trade

Turnover in the trade industry with the biggest turnover, wholesale trade, grew in December by 19.4 per cent and sales volume by 1.5 per cent year-on-year. The more favourable development in turnover than in sales volume in wholesale trade is explained by higher prices especially of processed petroleum products.

In retail trade, working day adjusted turnover grew in December by 3.0 per cent, but sales volume fell by 0.1 per cent. Turnover in daily consumer goods trade increased by 0.4 per cent from the previous year, while sales volume decreased by 3.1 per cent in the corresponding period. Turnover in department store trade grew by 4.1 per cent and sales volume by 2.3 per cent from the year before. Turnover in specialised store trade increased by 4.8 per cent and sales volume by 0.8 per cent from December 2020.

In December, turnover in motor vehicle trade increased by 4.0 per cent, but sales volume fell by 0.1 per cent from one year back.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in industries of trade, December 2021, % (TOL 2008)

Seasonally adjusted turnover fell compared to November

Seasonally adjusted turnover in total trade fell by 0.4 per cent in December compared to November. Seasonally adjusted sales volume decreased by 0.4 per cent. In November, seasonally adjusted turnover grew by 2.3 per cent and sales volume by 1.3 per cent compared to the month before.

Change in seasonally adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G) from the previous month, %

Trend of turnover and sales volume in total trade

The calculation of indices of turnover of trade is based on the Tax Administrations data on self-assessed taxes, which are supplemented with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The volume index of sales is calculated by removing the effect of price changes from the value index series.

The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well.

The data for the latest month are preliminary and they may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months.

Industries of enterprises have been revised in the data released in February

Starting from the statistical release published in February 2022, the latest industries defined by the Business Register have been taken into use in the turnover and wage and salary indices. The industry corrections are visible as revised data in some of the published industries for the years 20202021. The effects of the changes are taken into consideration in statistics production so that no breaks occur in the time series of the published index series. The interpretation of the statistics also remains unchanged in the renewal. Revisions to annual changes in industries are presented under Revisions in these statistics .

Source: Turnover of trade, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Lauri Pullinen 029 551 3043, kauppa.suhdanne@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Katri Kaaja

Publication in pdf-format (288.8 kB)

Updated 14.2.2022

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Turnover of trade [e-publication].

ISSN=1799-0939. December 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 3.5.2022].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/klv/2021/12/klv_2021_12_2022-02-14_tie_002_en.html
The leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) deputies, George Simion, announced on Monday, in the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies, that he will continue to livestream from the meeting room until the Constitutional Court decides on the amendments brought to the Regulation.

"You have just banned me from livestreaming on Facebook from here, from Parliament's rostrum, and I am respectfully telling you that until the Constitutional Court's ruling, I will continue to live stream on Facebook and I hope you will not severely punish me. Be merciful, because our colleagues from PNL [the National Liberal Party] have just proposed my punishment. Let's see how they will be punished! Mr. Falcoi said I was drugged," said George Simion.

"It's Valentine's Day, I thought we would mark this love affair between us differently, we'll probably be a little more romantic in the afternoon," said Daniel Suciu, vice-chair of the Chamber of Deputies replied.

The leader of the PNL deputies, Gabriel Andronache, specified that live broadcasts are not forbidden, but they must be conducted in the area of parliamentary groups.
Social Democratic Party (PSD) Chairman Marcel Ciolacu said on Sunday evening that the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, "has a lot to explain" regarding the energy crisis, Agerpres reports.

"I still believe that the minister of energy has a lot to explain as to why this situation has happened. I don't think we are at a time of looking for culprits. We are at a time when we have to come up with solutions because this is what Romanians expect from us," Ciolacu told Digi 24.In this context, Ciolacu mentioned that energy watchdog ANRE no longer has competence in the area of regulating energy and gas prices."ANRE no longer has legal powers in the area of regulating gas or energy prices (...) through an emergency ordinance issued by former Prime Minister Ludovic Orban. To clarify the truth, however. I tell you who has the legal powers. I fully support the statement given by the spokesperson of the National Bank - the liberalization of energy prices was chaotic in Romania and was not negotiated responsibly at the European Commission," said the social democrat leader.Asked if he had discussed with the prime minister a possible dismissal of the energy minister, the social democrat leader replied: "I have never discussed this with the prime minister."
Non-residents' direct investment in Romania totalled EUR 7,251 million, compared with EUR 3,005 million in January - December 2020, informs a press release of Romania's National Bank (BNR) sent on Monday.

"Non-residents' direct investment in Romania totalled EUR 7,251 million, compared with EUR 3,005 million in January - December 2020, of which equity (including the estimated net reinvestment of earnings) and intercompany lending recorded net values of EUR 5,777 million and EUR 1,474 million, respectively, reads the said press release.

The number of companies running on foreign capital newly set up on Romania increased by 43.8pct in 2021 compared with the same period in 2020, up to 5,871 units, according to data centralized by the National Trade Register Office (ONRC).

The 5,871 companies had a subscribed capital of 47,941 million US dollars, in total, by 85.1pct more than the companies registered in 2020 (25,906 million US dollars).

The largest number of companies with foreign participation was with investors from Italy, respectively 50,625 (subscribed capital of 3.906 billion US dollars), but the highest value of the share capital belongs to Dutch companies, respectively 12.367 billion dollars, in 5,681 companies, Agerpres informs.
Workers prepare to unload medical supplies from China at an international airport in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Wang Yi said that he is ready to work with his Mexican counterpart to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to enhance friendship and mutual trust, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and constantly enrich and expand China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state.

BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard exchanged on Monday congratulatory messages on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his message, Wang said over the past 50 years, the China-Mexico relationship has been advancing in the right direction regardless of changes in the international landscape.

Wang also said that he is ready to work with Ebrard to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to enhance friendship and mutual trust, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and constantly enrich and expand China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state.

Ebrard said in his message that since the establishment of their diplomatic ties 50 years ago, Mexico and China have forged a solid friendship and constantly deepened cooperation in various fields, adding that both sides are committed to opening a new phase of the Mexico-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

For that end, he added, the two countries have maintained smooth political dialogue at all levels, constantly promoted economic, trade and investment cooperation, and will further deepen and enrich their cooperation agenda to benefit the two peoples.

Ebrard also said he believes that Mexico and China will continue to join hands over regional and global affairs. 
The Finance Ministry (MF) raised, on Monday, from the internal market, RON 617 million through two benchmark-type state bond issues.

During the first issue, with a residual maturity of 45 months, the Finance Ministry attracted from banks RON 202 million, at an average yield of 4.99% per annum, according to the data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR). The nominal value of the issue was of RON 600 million, and banks subscribed RON 251 million.

In the second benchmark bond issue, with a residual maturity of 104 months, the Finance Ministry borrowed RON 415 million from banks, at an average yield of 5.62% per annum. The nominal value of the issue was of RON 500 million, and banks subscribed RON 431 million.

Additional sessions of non-competitive bids by which the state wants to draw a total of RON 165 million at the yield established on Monday for the bonds are scheduled for Tuesday, Agerpres.ro informs.

The Finance Ministry has scheduled, for February, loans from commercial banks worth RON 4.6 billion, of which RON 400 million through two discounted treasury certificate issues and 4.2 billion RON through eight benchmark bond issues.

They can be supplemented up to RON 630 million through additional sessions of non-competitive bids, pertaining to the bond issue.

The total sum, RON 5.230 billion, is by 215 million higher than the RON 5.015 billion programmed for January, and will go towards refinancing the public debt and financing the state budget deficit.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, has attended, on Monday, at the invitation of his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, a ministerial meeting on the topic of Task Force Takuba, context in which he emphasized the necessity to ensure the security of the personnel of this missions, among which there are Romanian citizens.

Given the negative developments happening in the region, he expressed Romania's openness to analyze, together with strategic partners and within the EU, the best options to continue the commitment and efforts in the field for the promotion of peace, stability and development in the Sahel, shows a release by the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) sent to AGERPRES.

The meeting had as a purpose analyzing the recent political and security developments in the Sahel and the evaluation of their impact on international efforts to combat terrorism in Mali and the region, especially through Task Force Takuba.

The participants conveyed their deep concern regarding the accelerated deterioration of the security situation in the region and highlighted the worsening of conditions in which Task Force Takuba is operating. They emphasized the firm commitment of the Task Force Takuba participating states for the promotion of peace and stability in the Sahel, in support of the population of the Sahelian states and the entire African continent, together with the EU in its entirety and other international partners. The participants expressed preoccupation towards the intentions of the authorities in Mali to cooperate with the Russian mercenary group Wagner to continue to combat terrorist groups in the region, emphasizing the non-transparent character of demarches in this direction and the lack of legitimacy of this group, the actions of which do not serve the interests of the citizens in the countries where it is present, MAE mentions.

The head of Romanian diplomacy reaffirmed "the political will of Romania to continue to remain committed in the Sahel and the importance of maintaining the collective commitment of the participating states in Task Force Takuba for the region."

He emphasized the importance of this area for the security of the EU in its entirety, pointing out the additional concern that the developments in the Southern Vicinity generate when they are approached in a manner correlated with the tensions accumulated in the Eastern Vicinity, through the massing of Russian troops in the proximity of Ukraine and the Black Sea region, aspects on which further action must be done by maintaining unity and coordination, Agerpres.ro informs.

Aurescu emphasized the relevance of continuing international efforts to support the states of the Sahel, to the benefit of regional security and stability and the local population. These renewed efforts can be ran as an international coalition to maintain the spirit of the mandate of Task Force Takuba, complementary with the fulfillment of the mandates of the other international missions present such as EUTM Mali and MINUSMA which remain particularly important.

Minister Bogdan Aurescu expressed hope that the European Union - African Union Summit, which will take place on February 17 and 18, will send a powerful message regarding the reciprocal Euro-African commitment for the security and development of the Sahel region and for a strengthened partnership between Europe and Africa.

***

On March 27, 2020, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Mali, Niger, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom issued a joint political statement expressing their support for the creation of a military force/operative group (Task Force) Takuba, integrated under the command of the French military operation Barkhane, which has as a purpose driving out terrorist groups in the Sahel region.

Task Force Takuba, which became operational at the start of 2021, has ran advisory, support and accompaniment actions with the Mali armed forces, in coordination with the G5-Sahel partners and other international actors in the field, including the UN MINUSMA mission and the EU EUTM Mali, EUCAP Sahel Mali and EUCAP Sahel Niger.

Romania has approved, in the summer of 2021, the participation with up to 50 servicemen in Task Force Takuba. The contribution was not yet deployed, due to the accentuated deterioration of the security situation and the worrying political developments in the region, as well as the Malian side not fulfilling the necessary procedures.
Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Szijjarto Peter visited the Franciscan church in Sumuleu on Monday and laid a wreath at the Siculeni monument during his brief visit in Harghita County.

Peter Szijjarto was welcomed in Sumuleu by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Alba Iulia, Gergely Kovacs, and by Father Urban Erik, the director of the Franciscan Church, and then he went on to visit the place of worship and took a few moments of silence at the miracle statue of the Mother of God.

The Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Kelemen Hunor and did not make any press statements.

After his visit in Sumuleu, Szijjarto Peter went to the Siculicidium monument in Siculeni, erected in memory of the Szeklers killed in 1764 for refusing to join in the Austrian imperial troops. He was greeted with applause by about 200 people, some dressed in folk costumes and holding the Hungarian flag.

He delivered a speech and then laid a wreath at the monument. Szijjarto Peter spoke in his speech that Siculeni is a symbol for Hungarians from which they can learn that opposition can be successfully mounted "against the imperial will" only if there are enough people and they are highly organised.

The Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister also recalled that the Hungarians were able to survive for over a thousand years in Central Europe and the Carpathian Basin because they were able to show solidarity at important moments in history.

Szijjarto Peter also spoke of the Hungarian national policy, according to which "every Hungarian is responsible for every Hungarian".

Szijjarto Peter urged Hungarians in Romania to participate in the Hungarian parliamentary elections, those who acquired Hungarian citizenship being able to express their electoral choice by mail.

The short event ended with the singing of the Hungarian national anthem, Agerpres.ro informs.

Szijjarto Peter was supposed to attend the commemoration in Siculeni in January, but canceled his visit at the last minute because he attended a special meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

After visiting the Siculeni monument, the dignitary from Budapest went to Remetea, where a potato processing factory is being built.

On Monday, Szijjarto Peter also visited Sfantu Gheorghe, where he met with local authorities, visited the local Reformed church, where a center for the elderly and disabled is being built, as well as the Sepsi OSK club's new stadium.

"Mr. Szijjarto Peter is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and in this last quality, we asked him to take steps so that as many investors as possible come to our area, because we have industrial parks, infrastructure is being built, and logistics parks can also be built. This was our most important message to him, the arrival of investors that could create as many jobs in the area as possible," said Mayor Antal Arpad.
The latest COVID-19 test positivity rate in Romania is 30.42%, the Ministry of Health informed on Monday.

"Within a period of 24 hours, 12,069 positive people with the SARS-CoV-2 virus were reported in Romania, out of a total of 39,671 RT-PCR and antigen tests performed. The positivity rate is 32.59%," according to the ministry.

The ministry is asking people who have symptoms that may indicate the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (fever, cough, fatigue, headache, loss of taste and smell, etc.) to call their family physicians, DSP call centers, or the 112 emergency line to request testing.

People who show symptoms and are in Bucharest or Ilfov County can travel by their own means, not by public transport, to the centres specially created for the collection of samples for COVID-19 testing.

People who test positive can go to the COVID-19 assessment centres for consultation and treatment.

People with severe forms of the disease, with aggressive symptoms, are urged to call 112.

Public health experts say vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe forms of COVID-19 and death.

"Today, out of the 1,155 people admitted to the ICU, 974 are unvaccinated. Also, out of 75 reported deaths, 64 occurred in unvaccinated patients," according to the Ministry of Health, Agerpres informs.
The government supports the projects for the commissioning of units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, as well as the retooling of unit 1, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Monday.

He paid a visit to Cernavoda together with several members of his cabinet, presidential adviser Cosmin Marinescu and Chairman of the Competition Council Bogdan Chiritoiu.

According to a government press statement, talks focused on the role of nuclear energy in Romania's energy strategy and how the development of the Romanian nuclear program, through Nuclearelectrica's investment projects, will contribute to security and energy transition to a clean economy.

"Given the taxonomy recently approved by the European Commission, which has accepted nuclear energy as transition energy, the government supports the commissioning of units 3 and 4, as well as the retooling of unit 1. We also support fast-tracking projects to implement modular nuclear reactors, SMR projects, which have been agreed under a Romania-US intergovernmental agreement. These projects will contribute to Romania's energy independence, in line with the European vision of protecting the environment and reducing carbon emission," the PM is quotes as saying in the release.

The management of Nuclearelectrica presented strategic investment projects worth an estimated 9 billion euros, including: retooling unit 1, unit 3 and unit 4 projects, development of small modular reactors in co-operation with NuScale, and also support projects for the current operation, such as a detritiation facility.

According to the statement, the investment projects under consideration will contribute clean energy, without CO2 emissions, to the energy stability of Romania, to the local and national social and economic development, to the development of the nuclear industry and to the formation of a new generation of specialists.

The government delegation included Minister of Energy Virgil Popescu; Chief Chancellor of the Prime Minister Mircea Abrudean; senior official with the Finance Ministry Attila Gyorgy; governmental spokesman Dan Carbunaru, and George Agafita state adviser to the PM.

The Nuclearelectrica SA National Corporation operates under the authority of the Ministry of Energy, with the government holding a 82.49%-stake in it.

The company owns the Cernavoda NPP Branch, which operates two CANDU nuclear units, which are two of the best performing units of the more than 400 nuclear power plants in the world, as well as the FCN Pitesti Branch nuclear fuel plant, and it is in the process of obtaining an integrated fuel cycle by purchasing a uranium concentrate processing line to support the company's long-term investment projects.

Nuclearelectrica contributes approximately 18-20% of nuclear energy to Romania's total energy production and 33% to the total CO2-free energy production in Romania, Agerpres informs.
On Monday, President Klaus Iohannis sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on the occasion of the latter's reelection, while stating that, given the current security context, solidarity is important right now, through strengthening Allied security and supporting sustained diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.

"Your reelection is an expression of German society's confidence that you will continue to represent, as before, a pole of balance, dedicated to European and Euro-Atlantic values, which are essential in the difficult times we are facing," the Romanian head of state said in his message.

He pointed out that the "already strong excellent relations" between Romania and Germany, which are strategic in nature, have been strengthened in recent years.

"These are enhanced by the frequent and substantial bilateral political dialogue, by the strong economic ties and by the strong bridge between our countries represented by the Romanian community in Germany and by the German minority in Romania," said President Iohannis.

The head of state also mentioned that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty between Romania and the Federal Republic of Germany on friendly cooperation and partnership in Europe, stating that it is a good time to give new impetus to bilateral political and sectoral dialogue and an increased visibility to the Romanian-German relationship.

President Iohannis also referred to the current security context.

"In the current security context, with a negative impact at European and Euro-Atlantic level, it is important to act in solidarity, by strengthening Allied security and at the same time by supporting diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation. Beyond these challenges, it is important we continue to promote an approach that is based on unity and convergence, at the community level, in order to succeed in consolidating the European project. I am convinced that Romania and Germany can contribute together, of a substantial manner, to this endeavour," concluded the head of state.

On Sunday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, was re-elected for a second five-year term in office, Agerpres informs.
Just a little over 35,000 motor vehicles were manufactured in Romania in January 2022, down almost 8.5% y-o-y, according to data with the Romanian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association ( ACAROM) published on Monday.

"In January 2022, 35,171 vehicles were manufactured in Romania, down 8.48% from the same period last year. Of these, 15,816 units were made at the Dacia Plant in Mioveni, while 19,355 units came out of the gate of the Ford factory in Craiova."

According to the same data, Romania's January 2021 motor vehicle output was 38,431, down 10.71% from January 2020, when the output was 43,043 items. At that time, 19,809 units were produced at the Dacia Plant in Mioveni, and 18,622 units at the Ford Plant in Craiova.

On the other hand, data with the Driving Licences and Vehicle Registration Directorate (DRPCIV) show that in the first month of 2022, a number of 2,765 new Dacia cars were registered nationwide, up 202.5% from the 914 in the same period of 2021, Agerpres informs.
The National Council of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (CNIPMMR) is implementing, in the January 2022 - December 2023 period, the Startup Ingenium project, by which it intends to encourage entrepreneurship and employment among students.

According to a CNIPMMR release, sent on Monday to AGERPRES, the project is co-financed from the European Social Fund through the 2014-2020 Human Capital Operational Programme and has a total value of 9.682 million RON (of which 9.661 million RON non-refundable financing), Agerpres.ro informs.

The general objective of the project is represented by the encouragement of entrepreneurship and employment among students by supporting the establishment of enterprises in economic sectors with competitive potential.

The target group that the project has in view is 350 persons from the following targeted eligible categories, defined as specific criteria: Students (ISCED level 5-7) and Ph.D. students (ISCED 8) with domicile/residence in the less developed regions of Romania (Northeast, Southeast, South Muntenia, Southwest Oltenia, West, Northwest, and Center), as well as in the more developed region of Bucharest-Ilfov.
The PSD (Social Democratic Party) president Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday that he does not support, neither this year, nor next year, any tax increase.

"This year, I do not support any tax increases. I don't support any tax hikes next year either. Instead, both in the Government Programme and in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) assumed by (former EU Funds minister) Mr. Ghinea and his former right-wing coalition colleagues, all these measures are passed. We have learned about them, me and you, later, when they were no longer a secret. I think we have clarified things and the Fiscal Code will enter into a coalition discussion, provided for in the Government Programme (this discussion) and, moreover, it is a milestone from the PNRR," Ciolacu said at the Parliament Palace.

He was asked if the overcharging of those who have more homes and cars is still a measure envisaged by the PSD, Agerpres informs.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto paid a visit to Targu Mures on Monday, where he met with local Hungarian representatives of the local administration, with Mayor Soos Zoltan indicating that the visit is taking place in the context of the parliamentary elections to be held in April in Hungary.

"We have started well today! The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade has visited Targu Mures. We are grateful to the Hungarian Government for its continued support, both financial and for its moral support. The minister emphasized that in addition to the investments from Hungary, the government has always paid special attention to development outside its borders, assuring us that this will continue to happen in the future. Parliamentary elections will take place in April in Hungary!," Soos Zoltan wrote on Facebook.

The president of the Mures County Council (CJ), Peter Ferenc, also announced that he had a meeting on Monday with the Hungarian official who visited Targu Mures. According to a Facebook post by the president of the Mures County Council, during the meeting, the official from Budapest, a member of the ruling FIDESZ party," confirmed that the Hungarian government is thinking of a common nation and is working to ensure that everyone finds prosperity in their own country".

"The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economic Affairs, Szijjarto Peter, arrived in Targu Mures this morning for a short meeting. During his visit to the Mures County Council, we thanked the Hungarian government for its significant financial and moral support that contributes significantly to strengthening the Hungarian community and the economic development of the region. Szijjarto Peter confirmed that the Hungarian government is thinking of a common nation and is working to ensure that everyone finds prosperity in their own country," Peter Ferenc said in a Facebook post, Agerpres informs.
RAMALLAH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday condemned Israeli extremists' assaults on Palestinians in East Jerusalem, according to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Abbas warned against the repercussions of attacks on residents and attempts to take over Palestinian properties in Jerusalem, particularly in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, said a WAFA report.

"This matter will be on the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee," Abbas said, referring to a visit by a controversial far-right Jewish lawmaker Itamar Ben Gvir to the neighborhood.

On Sunday evening, clashes broke out as Ben Gvir of the Religious Zionism alliance opened a parliamentary office in Sheikh Jarrah, calling it an effort to show support for the Jewish residents in the neighborhood.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a press statement that its medical teams treated 32 Palestinians who were shot and wounded by Israeli police forces in the city.

Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1968, a move that most of the international community does not recognize.

The Palestinians want to have East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, while Israel insists on having a unified Jerusalem as its eternal capital. 
ST. LOUIS  In a new report, Missouri regulators repeatedly accuse St. Louis-based utility Spire of misleading customers this summer and fall as the company navigated troubles with a key natural gas pipeline.

The investigation by the Missouri Public Service Commission says Spire consistently omitted important context in its public communications, misleading customers and making at least one false statement. The 22-page document emphasizes, instead, that a shutdown of the Spire STL pipeline during the winter heating season was highly unlikely, that any service disruptions would only happen during the coldest times of peak usage, and that Spire often failed to mention alternative sources of gas to serve the region.

Portions of Spires communications and marketing strategies created unnecessary panic and confusion and focused too much on the mobilization of public opinion instead of consistently educating the public, the report says.

But after page after page of criticism, commission staff stopped short of recommending a formal complaint against the company.

The contentious debate surrounding the two-year-old pipeline has been far more than just a war of words and messaging. In June, a panel of federal judges stripped Spires local pipeline, called the Spire STL, of its regulatory approval, throwing its future into uncertainty. And the saga, as a whole, has raised questions about what to do with a pipeline already built and operating, and about how the regions sources of energy for heating might be reshuffled. Some even say the fight has the potential to reshape the way pipelines are approved in the U.S.

A Spire spokesman said criticisms in the recent Missouri Public Service Commission report reflected a difference of philosophy, and didnt respond to questions about it.

Jamie Myers, a PSC staff attorney, said that Spires communications were not a coincidence.

There was cause for concern, Myers said. But the commission couldnt file a formal complaint unless the utility violated laws or state rules.

The companys troubles with the pipeline came to a head this summer, when the judicial panel unanimously ruled that the two-year-old Spire STL pipeline was never properly approved, and that the utility never adequately demonstrated a need for the 65-mile project.

That June ruling was upheld on appeal, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave Spire a temporary operating license.

But as the licenses mid-December expiration approached, Spire dialed up its messaging to customers, sternly warning of gas shortages should the line close. Critics, including a FERC official, derided Spires campaign as fearmongering.

In November, the Missouri Public Service Commission demanded Spire write another message to customers  to accurately describe the pipeline situation and allay public fears or concerns.

The PSC also embarked on a broader review of Spires conduct amid the pipeline saga.

The first part of that investigation found no evidence that Spire failed to ensure the availability of sufficient gas supplies for the winter heating season.

The second part looked at the companys messages to customers and the public, and culminated in the highly critical Jan. 21 report, littered with examples of the company providing misleading information that needlessly ramped up customer anxiety, the PSC said.

One recurring complaint: Spire consistently failed to tell customers that it was highly unlikely that the pipeline would lose its approval in December, heading into the winter.

Exaggerated claims from Spire were another recurring focus of the investigation.

For instance, the PSC said that Spires use of slogans like Dont Lose What You Use exaggerated the consequences for customers if a pipeline shutdown were to happen. Spires models did not predict a complete loss of service for all Spire customers, but that is what the slogan suggests, the report said.

It added that the phrase also urged the public to take action based on a misleading premise. Customers heeding the advice are encouraged to sign the petition and/or take further steps, such as contacting FERC directly, with the belief that not doing so might mean losing their access to gas, the report said. However, they are actually acting to prevent the possibility of service disruption that would occur only under a highly unlikely set of future events.

Moreover, the companys messages likened the pipelines loss to the deadly catastrophe in Texas during last Februarys extreme cold spell that knocked out natural gas supply across much of the central U.S.

Spire denied making such a comparison. But the PSC report shot back: That assertion is false. A Spire news release in July, the report continued, said that winter gas outages could result in loss of life and property similar to that seen in Texas.

PSC staff also criticized Spire for intermingling its informational and advocacy campaigns, since its messages seemingly had dual goals: to let customers know about the status of the pipeline, and also to support the companys decision to build the project.

Spires tone shifted at times, especially in December, after the PSC intervened, demanding to pre-approve Spires messages to customers. In a Dec. 1 email, the utility said the pipeline was poised to receive approval to operate through the winter. It also noted, for the first time, that potential shortages would only be an issue during peak times of gas usage.

This omission in its November emails is curious, the report said. Without this information, customers having only read the November 4 and 18 emails would conclude that service disruptions might become a regular occurrence regardless of weather patterns. ... Providing all of this information up front would have given customers a more complete understanding of the situation and reduced public panic.

Spire fielded more than 3,000 calls in the four days after its Nov. 4 email to customers, the report said.

Still, at the end of the report, regulators backed off a formal complaint. Staff's investigation highlights several areas of concern with Spire's communications and marketing efforts regarding the status of the Spire STL Pipeline, they conclude. However, staff did not find substantial evidence in its investigation indicating that Spire deliberately developed a communications and marketing plan intended to present false information or misleading information to Spire customers and the public.

Myers, the Public Service Commission attorney, said in an interview that the communications were not coincidental. She did not elaborate.

Its unclear if the commission will take action on the report.

The findings have not been discussed during any weekly meetings of the PSC commissioners, and the five-member body is not required to act or comment on them, according to the agencys staff.

If a formal complaint were to be filed against the company, it would have to allege that commission laws or rules were violated. Spire would have 30 days to respond to the complaint, but the matter would also have the potential to grow into a standalone case up for full review by the PSC, and other parties that could submit testimony. The PSC could also refer the matter to circuit court to seek penalties.

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Kevin Hart will bring his Reality Check tour to Enterprise Center with a show at 7 p.m. Sept. 24. This is the comedian-actor's first tour in five years.

A support act will be announced.

Tickets are $49.50-$158.50 and go on sale at 11 a.m. Feb. 18 at livenation.com.

"I am hype as (expletive) to go back out on tour," Hart said in statement. "There is nothing better than making people laugh, I can feel the energy in the venues like caffeine pumping through my veins. Ive been cooking up something special and have thoughts I need to get off my chest. Go get your tickets and come ready to have a good night!

The show is a phone-free event; Yondr bags will be used to store phones.

Enterprise Center requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test.

Hart is currently headlining Real Husbands of Hollywood on BET+, which he also produced. Hart starred in and produced the limited series "True Story" on Netflix last year as well as the movie "Fatherhood," also on Netflix.

2022 will see him in Borderlands with Cate Blanchett, Me Time with Mark Wahlberg and The Man From Toronto with Woody Harrelson and Kaley Cuoco.

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MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Mobile health apps can help older Americans but only about four in 10 use them, and those most likely to benefit are least likely to take advantage of them, a new survey reveals.

Health apps monitor everything from calories and exercise to blood pressure and blood sugar to help users manage chronic conditions or achieve health goals.

"Now that most older adults have at least one mobile device, health-related apps can provide an opportunity to support their health-related behaviors, manage their conditions and improve health outcomes," said Dr. Pearl Lee, a geriatrician at Michigan Medicine-University of Michigan who worked on the poll report.

But this phone poll of more than 2,100 Americans between 50 and 80 years of age found that only 44% had ever used a health app on their smartphone, tablet or wearable device.

Respondents who were least likely to have done so included those in poor health and those with lower levels of education or income, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

People with incomes over $100,000 were nearly three times more likely than those with incomes under $30,000 to use health apps (43% versus 15%). Those with college degrees were more than twice as likely to do so than those who had not completed high school.

Half of those who never used a health app or who stopped said they have no interest in doing so, the findings showed.

Many apps can be useful to seniors, according to AARP and Senior Living.org, an organization for older people and their caregivers.

In all, 28% of respondents in the new poll said they currently use at least one health app. One-third said they use an app to track their physical activity, while smaller numbers use apps to keep tabs on sleep, weight, nutrition or blood pressure, to guide meditation, or manage mental health and stress.

One-quarter of current users said they have shared information from their apps with their health care providers, according to a news release from Michigan Medicine.

Among respondents with diabetes, only 28% said they use an app to record their blood sugar levels while 14% use an app to log their medications. Nearly half of respondents with diabetes said they would be interested in using an app in both ways.

The poll also asked participants about continuous glucose monitors, which people with diabetes wear on their skin to monitor their blood sugar over the long term. The monitors can connect with mobile devices to feed readings into an app.

Only 11% of the respondents with type 2 diabetes said they use this type of monitor. Another 68% had heard of them, and more than half of those said they might be interested in using one, the survey found.

"People who describe their health as fair or poor  the people who might be most in need of the kind of tracking, support and information a good health app can give  were significantly less likely to use such apps than those who say they're in excellent, very good or good health," said poll director Dr. Preeti Malani, an infectious disease physician at Michigan Medicine with training in geriatrics.

"Health providers should consider discussing the use of health apps with their patients, because one-third said they had never thought about using one," Malani suggested.

More information

SOURCE: Michigan MedicineUniversity of Michigan, news release, Feb. 9, 2022

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- There's some bad news for lovelorn men this Valentine's Day.

A new study has found that men are at an increased risk of mental illness after the breakdown of any romantic relationship. And, it found, stereotypes of masculinity may be partially to blame.

Researchers sought to understand the types of mental health challenges men face after a breakup with an eye to preventing or blunting them, according to lead author John Oliffe, founder and chief investigator of the mens health research program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

For the study, he and his team interviewed 47 men from Australia and Canada who were recovering from a recent breakup. They asked the men to recount the timeline of their relationship -- including the good, the bad and the ugly parts. They also asked how the men were coping with the loss of their partner and used questionnaires to screen for mental health conditions.

"This study is one of the first that's ever gone and actually talked to guys about a relationship breakup in the context of mental health," Oliffe said.

The investigators found that most of the men developed new or worsening symptoms of mental illness after their breakup, such as anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, anger and heightened substance use.

Discussing where these symptoms came from, many participants revealed that they had few people to reach out to for emotional support, leading them to feel isolated and withdrawn. Turning to substances to cope with these complex emotions was common, conjuring the stereotypical image of a man sitting alone at a bar, drinking away his feelings.

"What we found is that guys feel quite isolated," Oliffe said. "They might have some challenges around friends, and the friendships they do have may not be deep relationships. So the loss of a partner is massive because often times, the partner is the person they confide in. And so when this emotional investment is gone, they might not have any other outlet for those emotions."

For some, the problems started while they were still in the relationship. Many participants said they often downplayed and denied tensions in their relationship and ignored the impact of them on their mental health.

Underlying many of the issues was a tendency to engage in stereotypically male behaviors, such as repressing emotions, communicating poorly and not seeking help, Oliffe said.

"What was interesting about these guys we spoke with was that their biggest thing was communication -- most of these guys just didn't know how to communicate," he said.

These behaviors can often be ingrained at an early age, suggesting that the root of the problem is related to how we raise young boys in our society, said CJ Pascoe, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Oregon who focuses on topics including sexuality and masculinity.

Pascoe, who was not involved in the study, said the findings suggest that men's emotional turmoil after breakups stems in part from the messages society sends them about what it means to be a man.

"I think that has everything to do with us telling young men not to be emotional and not to have these deep, enduring, emotional friendships with other men," she said.

The study did uncover some encouraging news: Many of the participants eventually sought help for their post-breakup mental health concerns. Their strategies varied widely -- from reading self-help books to leaning on friends or new partners as well as getting professional help.

While the self-help efforts and outreach often came later, the men's ability to be honest with themselves and others about their pain is a good sign, Pascoe said.

During two decades of studying young men, she said she has seen boys increasingly push back against certain masculine ideals.

"A large proportion of young men are really critical of messages they've been sent about what it means to be a man and about being unemotional or dominant," Pascoe said.

Oliffe said boys should be encouraged to challenge traditional definitions of masculinity and create new interpretations.

"The world is just changing," he said, "So I think helping young men and boys derive their own values that sit in contemporary society would be really good."

More information

The American Psychological Association has more on masculinity and mental health.

SOURCES: John Oliffe, PhD, RN, professor, nursing, and lead investigator, Mens Health Research Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; CJ Pascoe, PhD, associate professor, sociology, University of Oregon, Eugene; Social Science and Medicine - Qualitative Research in Health, Jan. 21, 2022

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Bidens administration and state officials are bracing for a great unwinding: millions of people losing their Medicaid benefits when the pandemic health emergency ends. Some might sign up for different insurance. Many others are bound to get lost in the transition.

State Medicaid agencies for months have been preparing for the end of a federal mandate that anyone enrolled in Medicaid cannot lose coverage during the pandemic.

Before the public health crisis, states regularly reviewed whether people still qualified for the safety-net program, based on their income or perhaps their age or disability status. While those routines have been suspended for the past two years, enrollment climbed to record highs. As of July, 76.7 million people, or nearly 1 in 4 Americans, were enrolled, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

When the public health emergency ends, state Medicaid officials face a huge job of reevaluating each persons eligibility and connecting with people whose jobs, income and housing might have been upended in the pandemic. People could lose their coverage if they earn too much or dont provide the information their state needs to verify their income or residency.

Medicaid provides coverage to a vast population, including seniors, the disabled, pregnant women, children and adults who are not disabled. However, income limits vary by state and eligibility group. For example, in 2021 a single adult without children in Virginia, a state that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, had to earn less than $1,482 a month to qualify. In Texas, which has not expanded its program, adults without children dont qualify for Medicaid.

State Medicaid agencies often send renewal documents by mail, and in the best of times letters go unreturned or end up at the wrong address. As this tsunami of work approaches, many state and local offices are short-staffed.

The Biden administration is giving states a year to go through the process, but officials say financial pressures will push them to go faster. Congress gave states billions of dollars to support the coverage requirement. But the money will dry up soon after the end of the public emergency  and much faster than officials can review the eligibility of millions of people, state Medicaid officials say.

In Colorado, officials expect theyll need to review the eligibility of more than 500,000 people, with 30% of them at risk of losing benefits because they havent responded to requests for information and 40% not qualifying based on income.

In Medicaid, typically, theres always been some amount of folks who lose coverage for administrative reasons for some period of time, said Daniel Tsai, director of the CMS Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. We want to do everything possible to minimize that.

In January the eligibility of roughly 120,000 people in Utah, including 60,000 children, was in question, according to Jeff Nelson, who oversees eligibility at the Utah Department of Health. He said that 80% to 90% of those people were at risk because of incomplete renewals. More often than not, its those that just simply have not returned information to us, he said. Whether they didnt receive a renewal or theyve moved, we dont know what those reasons are.

Arizona Medicaid director Jami Snyder said 500,000 people are at risk of losing Medicaid for the same reasons. She said that processing all the eligibility redeterminations takes at least nine months and that the end of the federal funding bump will add pressure to move faster. However, she said, were not going to compromise peoples access to care for that reason.

Still, officials and groups who work with people living in poverty worry that many low-income adults and children  typically at higher risk for health problems  will fall through the cracks and become uninsured.

Most might qualify for insurance through government programs, the ACA insurance marketplaces, or their employers  but the transition into other coverage isnt automatic.

Even short-term disruptions can really upend a family, said Jessie Mandle, deputy director of Voices for Utah Children, an advocacy group.

More marginalized people

Low-income people could still be in crisis when the public health emergency ends, said Stephanie Burdick, a Medicaid enrollee in Utah who advocates on behalf of patients with traumatic brain injuries.

In general, being uninsured can limit access to medical care. COVID vaccination rates among Medicaid enrollees are lower than those of the general population in multiple states. That puts them at higher risk for severe disease if they get infected and for exorbitant medical bills if they lose their insurance.

Theyre more marginalized people, Burdick said. She said she worries that theyre going to fall off and that theyre going to be more excluded from the health care system in general and just be less likely to get care.

Burdick knows this firsthand as someone who experienced traumatic brain injury. Before COVID-19, she would periodically lose her Medicaid benefits because of byzantine rules requiring her to requalify every month. The gaps in coverage kept her from seeing certain specialists and obtaining necessary medicines. I really do remember being at the pharmacy not being able to afford my medication and just sobbing because I didnt know what to do about it, she said. It was horrible.

The COVID Medicaid continuous coverage requirement was enacted under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which gave states a 6.2% increase in federal funds if they agreed to maintain eligibility levels in place at the time.

The boost meant tens of billions of additional dollars would flow to states, estimates from Kaiser Family Foundation show. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can extend the public health emergency in 90-day increments; it is currently set to end April 16.

Groups that advocate for the needs of low-income Americans say the renewal tidal wave will require outreach rivaling that of almost a decade ago, when the ACA expanded Medicaid and created new private insurance options for millions of people.

Independent research published in September by the Urban Institute, a left-leaning think tank based in Washington, D.C., estimated that 15 million people younger than 65 could lose their Medicaid benefits once the public health emergency ends. Nearly all of them would be eligible for other insurance options, including heavily subsidized plans on the ACA marketplaces.

Tsai said the 15 million estimate provides a helpful grounding point to motivate everybody but declined to say whether the Biden administration has its own estimates of how many people could lose benefits. I dont think anyone knows exactly what will happen, he said.

Tsai and state officials said they have worked hand in hand for months to prevent unnecessary coverage loss. Theyve tried to ensure enrollees contact information is up to date, monitored rates of unreturned mail, worked with insurers covering Medicaid enrollees, and conducted shadow checks to get a sense of who doesnt qualify, even if they cant disenroll people.

Some enrollees could be renewed automatically if states verify they qualify by using data from other sources, such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

For others, though, the first step entails finding those at risk of losing their coverage so they can enroll in other health benefits.

Its a big question mark how many of those would actually be enrolled, said Matthew Buettgens, a senior fellow in Urbans Health Policy Center and author of the September report. One factor is cost; ACA or job-based insurance could bring higher out-of-pocket expenses for the former Medicaid enrollees.

I am particularly worried about non-English speakers, said Sara Cariano, a policy specialist with the Virginia Poverty Law Center. Those vulnerable populations I think are at even higher risk of falling out improperly. The law center is planning enrollment events once the unwinding begins, said Deepak Madala, its director of the Center for Healthy Communities and Enroll Virginia.

Missouri, already sluggish in enrolling eligible people into the states newly expanded Medicaid program, had 72,697 pending Medicaid applications as of Jan. 28. Enrollment groups worry the state wont be able to efficiently handle renewals for nearly all its enrollees when the time comes.

By December, the Medicaid rolls in the state had swelled to almost 1.2 million people, the highest level since at least 2004. The state  one of several with histories of removing from the program people who were still eligible  did not say how many people could lose their benefits.

I want to make sure that everybody that is entitled to and is eligible for MO HealthNet is getting the coverage that they need  all the way from babies to older individuals to individuals on disability, said Iva Eggert-Shepherd of the Missouri Primary Care Association, which represents community health centers.

No end in sight

Some people argue the current protections have been in place long enough.

Theres no end in sight. For two years, its still an emergency, said Stewart Whitson, a senior fellow with the Foundation for Government Accountability. The conservative think tank has argued that states can legally begin trimming people from Medicaid rolls without jeopardizing their funding.

This is the kind of problem that just grows worse every day, he said of not removing ineligible people. At the beginning of the pandemic, people were in a different position than they are now. And so responsible legislators and government officials in each state have to look at the facts as they are now.

Tsai said its quite clear to us that for states to be eligible for the COVID relief bills enhanced Medicaid funding, they must keep people enrolled through the emergency. Those two things are interlinked, he said.

Meanwhile, states still have no idea when the renewal process will begin. HHS has said that it would give states 60 days notice before ending the emergency period. The additional Medicaid funds would last until the end of the quarter when the emergency expires  if it ended in April, for example, the money would last until June 30.

Its hard to do a communication plan when you say, Youve got 60 days, here you go, Nelson of Utahs Department of Health said.

Colorado officials had debated sending letters to enrollees when the public health emergency was nearing its scheduled end on Jan. 16 but held off, expecting that it would be extended. HHS announced a 90-day extension only two days before it was set to expire.

Those kinds of things are really confusing to members, Medicaid Director Tracy Johnson said. OK, your coverage is going to end. Oh, just kidding. No, its not.

Kaiser Health News senior Colorado correspondent Markian Hawryluk and Midwest correspondent Bram Sable-Smith contributed to this report.
MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Viagra-like drugs might do more than rejuvenate sex lives: A new study suggests that medications for erectile dysfunction may also help treat vascular dementia.

The medications are designed to increase blood flow to the penis in order to treat erectile dysfunction, so U.K. researchers decided to test whether one called tadalafil (Cialis) could also raise blood flow to the brain in older people with narrowing of the brain arteries. This narrowing can cause vascular dementia and strokes.

"Narrowing of the brain arteries is a common contributor to cognitive decline in older people and currently has no treatment," said principal investigator Dr. Jeremy Isaacs, a consulting neurologist at St. George's Hospital, University of London.

In the study, some participants received a single dose of tadalafil, while others got an inactive placebo. Their brain blood flow was recorded using a special type of MRI.

While there was no significant difference in brain blood flow between the two study groups, participants over 70 did show increased flow in the white matter of the brain, the area most important for vascular dementia, according to findings recently published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia.

Those findings from the phase 2 clinical trial suggest the value of further investigation into tadalafil's effectiveness in treating vascular dementia in older people, the researchers said.

"This was a landmark study in which we attempted to reverse the reduction in brain blood flow characteristic of this condition," Isaacs said in a St. George's news release. "Although we did not find a significant effect following a single dose of tadalafil, we cant rule out the possibility of benefits from longer-term use, for which further research is needed."

Tadalafil belongs to the same group of drugs as sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil (Levitra), which are also used to treat erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil was selected for this trial because it remains in the bloodstream for longer and there is evidence it is better able to enter the brain.

Lead investigator Dr. Atticus Hainsworth said Viagra-like drugs merit further investigation for possible use in dementia.

"Repurposed drugs have the increased benefits of a shorter development time, a known safety profile and low cost, once their original patent has expired," said Hainsworth, a reader in cerebrovascular disease at St. George's. "We hope that further investigations will prove fruitful and provide new options for clinicians treating dementia."

More information

There's more on vascular dementia at the U.S. National Institute on Aging.

SOURCE: St. George's, University of London, news release, Feb. 8, 2022

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
JERUSALEM, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he will fly to Bahrain on Monday to meet with Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, in a first visit by an Israeli prime minister to the Gulf country.

The two leaders will discuss "additional ways to strengthen bilateral ties," the Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement, adding they will exchange views on "the importance of peace, advancement and prosperity in the region, and especially the advancement of diplomatic and economic issues, with an emphasis on technology and innovation."

Bennett has as well scheduled meetings with Bahraini ministers and representatives of the local Jewish community.

When meeting at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow last November, the Bahraini crown prince invited the Israeli prime minister for a first official visit.

In September 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirate (UAE) agreed to normalize their ties with Israel under U.S.-brokered agreements, known as the Abraham Accords. In December 2021, Bennett visited the UAE for the first time. 
With the coming of Valentines Day, images of a chubby Cupid aiming his arrows of love at unwary humans hearts seem to be everywhere.

The Cupid that Americans see splashed across greeting cards and chocolate boxes began life as a Roman God of love and desire, based on his Greek counterpart, Eros. The word erotic is even drawn from his name.

What is less well known in the Western world is that Eros has a Hindu equivalent: Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love, desire and infatuation. Indeed, as a scholar of Indic traditions, I find that there are often parallels between the sacred stories of Hindu deities and those found in cultures around the world, particularly Indo-European ones.

The Hindu Cupid also shoots his arrows into hearts. Kamadeva, however, is not a chubby cherub, but a handsome youth who rides upon a large green parrot named Suka. His bow is made of sugarcane, its bowstring is made up of honeybees and his arrows are made of flowers. Indeed, this description can be found as early as the Rigveda, the most ancient of Hindu scriptures, which dates back at least 3,000 years.

All these elements symbolize the sweetness of love. They also evoke the springtime, when new life emerges into the world. Kamadevas parrot, Suka, also represents spring, as well as romantic love, as parrots are often observed living in pairs.

Kamadeva, also known as Madana, is accompanied by his partner, Rati, who is, appropriately, the goddess of love.

What is probably the most famous story about the pair illustrates the tension between two of the most deeply held values in Hindu tradition. Romantic love, particularly within family life, is greatly prized. On the other hand, the highest ideal, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is often seen as requiring spiritual aspirants to renounce worldly attachments  including conventional social relationships  in the pursuit of meditative solitude.

One of the most celebrated and revered Hindu deities, Shiva, embodies this tension, as he is both a great yogi and a loving husband and father. Once, when Shiva was deep in meditation, Kamadeva sought to pierce his heart with an arrow. Furious at having his meditation disturbed, Shiva blasted the hapless god of love with a powerful beam of energy emanating from his famous third eye.

Kamadeva was not trying to pierce Lord Shivas heart out of whimsy. Rather, the story says, the world was being threatened by a monstrous demon, or asura, called Taraka, whom none of the gods was able to defeat.

According to a prophecy, only Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and his wife, the Mother Goddess Parvati, would be able to defeat this demon. The problem was that Kartikeya had not yet been conceived. Given Shivas commitment to meditation, as the patron deity and embodiment of yoga, it was unlikely that this would happen any time soon.

Kamadeva was therefore dispatched by the gods for precisely this reason: to arouse Shivas love for Parvati and awaken him from his meditation so he could father the son who would save the world.

Though sometimes quick to anger, Shiva is portrayed as a merciful deity. Rati, inconsolable at the loss of her beloved, pleaded with Shiva to restore Kamadeva to life, which he did. Subsequently, Shiva and Parvati conceived their son, Kartikeya, who went on to destroy the demon.

The message of this story? That even in a tradition where asceticism and meditation are prized as paths to humanitys highest goal  liberation from the realm of rebirth and its sufferings  erotic love has its place as a necessary part of life. Kamadeva is no mere distraction, but has a positive role to play in the world.

[3 media outlets, 1 religion newsletter. Get stories from The Conversation, AP and RNS.]

Jeffery D. Long does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
When the ice floe eased on the Mississippi River, it was time to build the trading post.

Auguste Chouteau, then only 14 years old, led 30 laborers from winter quarters at Fort de Chartres, a French colonial post in the Illinois country, on a 60-mile paddle upriver. The destination was a grove of trees above a 30-foot limestone bluff that their leader, Pierre Laclede, already had marked.

When was St. Louis founded? Some say St. Louis was founded Feb. 14, some say Feb. 15. It hinges on the handwriting of Auguste Chouteau, who wrote about the founding about four decades after the fact. His 4s and 5s look similar, inspiring the debate. The first recorded celebration of the founding was held on Feb. 15, 1847, after Chouteau's death, but then one of his sons said his father had told him the first day was Feb. 14. Adding confusion is that someone changed "February" to "March" on Chouteau's memoir, but experts say that's unlikely. A bicentennial celebration was held on Feb. 14, 1964. Since then, scholars have moved the thinking back to Feb. 15.

On Feb. 15, 1764, Chouteau and the axmen began clearing trees for a storage barn and cabin, as Laclede had instructed. It was the first day of business for the future city of St. Louis.

Laclede, born in France, arrived in New Orleans in 1755. Eight years later, he was a partner in a company that won a colonial monopoly for the fur trade in the upper Louisiana territory. In August 1763, he headed up the Mississippi with helpers, five boatloads of trading goods and young Auguste, who was his clerk and the oldest son of his lady friend in New Orleans.

Lacledes goal was to establish a trading post near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. He needed to be on the west bank of the Mississippi because France had lost Illinois to Great Britain. After the three-month journey, he picked his high ground and named his settlement for the patron saint of the reigning king of France, Louis XV. (His king had secretly ceded Louisiana to Spain, but nobody in America knew about that yet.)

When Laclede arrived in April, the village was taking shape. Laclede laid out a plan for a street grid and chose a place for a stone home that became business and town headquarters. He built another for Augustes mother, Madame Marie Therese Chouteau, who arrived later with the four young children she and Laclede had together. (She had been abandoned by her husband, and divorce was impossible in a French colony.)

Among Lacledes enduring decisions was to set aside the church lot, eventually site of todays Old Cathedral. It is the only parcel never to change hands in St. Louis 250 years.

His settlement gained population with the arrival of French settlers from Fort de Chartres who didnt want to become British subjects. Joining them were residents of Cahokia, founded in 1699 as the regions first permanent European settlement. Many of the transplants brought the doors and windows from the homes they abandoned. By Christmas 1764, about 40 families called St. Louis home.

Their colonial handiwork has been obliterated. The 19th century steamboat boom soon covered the old village with a commercial district built of brick, all of which was razed shortly before World War II for the Gateway Arch grounds. Archaeologically, its all too churned up to be of much use.

But Lacledes original plan inspired the downtown street grid that exists today. An example is Market Street, named for the original village public square, where the grand staircase to the Arch is now.

Laclede died in 1778 returning upriver from a trip to New Orleans. Chouteau assumed control of their business, became the towns leading citizen and lived until 1829.

From Auguste Chouteau to Jon Hamm: A whirlwind tour of St. Louis history in photos On Feb. 15, 1764, Auguste Chouteau began construction of what would become St. Louis. The 15-year-old, led a group of men to the spot picked 

Tim O'Neil is a reporter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Contact him at 314-340-8132 or toneil@post-dispatch.com
Howard Mechanic and Nina Gilden Seavey  STL's most famous Vietnam-era fugitive and the filmmaker who documented his flight  will be in St. Louis next month.

On May 21, Mechanic and Seavey will take part in one of the three seminars being presented under the banner of "Our Movements of 1970.
CLAYTON  St. Louis County prosecutors have dismissed murder and other charges against a St. Louis man who was set for trial this week in a Moline Acres homicide last year.

Prosecutors dropped charges of first-degree murder, first-degree assault and armed criminal action last week against Jy-Don Harnett, 22, in the Feb. 2, 2021, killing of Jamell Killiebrew.

Harnett's trial was scheduled this week before Circuit Judge Brian May.

Killiebrew, 30, was fatally shot during an argument in his home in the 9800 block of Omega Drive, authorities said. Police said Harnett had admitted killing him and told police where he'd hid the gun.

Harnett's lawyer, Ed Worman, said he's glad the charges were dismissed, saying, "It's a very obvious case of self defense."

Worman said his client maintained it was self-defense since being charged and that Killiebrew fired first. Worman also said a ballistics expert he hired found bullet damage in a wall behind where Harnett was standing at the time of the shooting. He said Harnett had been jailed for more than a year.

"I just wish this would have been dismissed months ago," he said.

Chris King, a spokesman for St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, said the case was dismissed "because evidence has changed since the case was issued that weakened the state's evidence beyond the point where it would be ethical to proceed."

He said ballistic evidence not available when charges were filed showed a shell casing at the scene matched Killiebrew's gun and thus supported a self-defense argument. Also, he said, witnesses who initially reported seeing Harnett shoot Killiebrew testified in depositions that they had speculated about the shooting based on shots they had heard.

"This testimony is all either without evidentiary value or favorable to the defense," King said.

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As the coronavirus pandemic approaches its third year, it has worsened another deadly crisis for American cities: gun violence.

With a rise in homicides in more than a dozen major U.S. cities, local leaders and gun safety experts are renewing their efforts to strike a balance between relying on law enforcement and engaging others, such as social workers, to reduce violence in at-risk communities.

Theres a shift in focus from early in the pandemic, when racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd sparked calls across many cities to defund police departments by sharply reducing their budgets or even eliminating them. Wary that such debates could stall violence reduction efforts even as deaths spike, some local leaders are turning from the defund movement and pleading with state and federal officials to help them coordinate among law enforcement, health care agencies and social services groups.

Facing political pressure over the increased violence, President Joe Biden met this month with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat and former police captain who just weeks into his first term has released a plan to combat what he called the domestic terror of gun violence.

Under the blueprint, New York City plans to increase the number of police officers in key, high-violence neighborhoods, where officers will be clearly identifiable and wearing body cameras. The city will launch a summer youth employment program and will invest in violence intervention programs such as mediation and mental health services.

Additionally, the blueprint emphasizes the need to coordinate and close the information-sharing gap between the city and its state and federal partners, along with trying to end a backlog of 4,000 gun cases in the state court system by fully reopening courthouses and potentially increasing the number of judges. Adams also called on state leaders to raise the penalty for gun trafficking and change bail policies to consider the potential danger a defendant poses to the community.

Biden and Adams have disavowed the defund the police movement that called for severe reductions in police department budgets to better support social services and crisis intervention tools or direct money to other government agencies.

The answer is not to abandon our streets; thats not the answer, Biden said Feb. 3, speaking to officers at the New York City Police Department headquarters. The answer is to come together, police and communities, building trust and making us all safer.

Biden, for his part, has called on Congress to increase funding by $500 million to local police departments and community programs that tackle gun violence. He also has vowed to crack down on so-called ghost guns and on gun trafficking across state lines.

New York Citys assertive approach is an encouraging start, said Thomas Abt, chair of the Violent Crime Working Group, a collective of community groups, law enforcement members, academics and public health officials working to address gun violence around the country.

Last month, the group published essential actions cities can take to reduce gun violence. Their suggestions include setting clear goals and creating a citywide plan that connects with people at the highest risk of being injured, killed or arrested and offers services to them.

Abt said Adams plan tries to strike a balance between changing law enforcement engagement and recognizing officers central role in addressing this issue.

The situation is an urgent one, said Abt, who is also a senior fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank focused on criminal justice policy that facilitates the Violent Crime Working Group. But there are solutions available. It starts with committing to address violence directly.

Christopher Herrmann, a professor of law and political science at City University of New York John Jay College of Criminal Justice, called the mayors plan a good first step but said it should have addressed a lack of affordable housing in the city and its ties to violent crime. Herrmann also is skeptical about the need to have gun violence liaisons in every city department, including sanitation or parks.

He said that while the defund the police movement and racial justice protests have brought needed attention and money to alternative approaches to gun violence, they also have hurt the relationship between police and communities.

The police have this delicate dance with communities, said Herrmann, who previously worked as a crime analyst for the New York City Police Department. They need to be able to police and be proactive and get guns off the street. At the same time, they dont want to be viewed as profilers.

In Philadelphia, the spike in gun deaths requires a different, more focused approach than in previous years, said Erica Atwood, senior director for the citys Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

Gun violence is a symptom; it is not the overarching problem, she said. If we do not look at the issues of poverty, poor access to mental and behavioral health, poor access to quality education and training and economic mobility, we are going to continue to have these conversations every 15 to 20 years.

Last year in Philadelphia, 562 people were killed  a 13% increase from 2020 and the highest total in the citys history. Philadelphia is one of 16 major U.S. cities that saw a rise in homicides last year, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. Homicides last year rose 5% compared with 2020 in the nearly two dozen cities analyzed by the council. Most of these came from shootings.

Philadelphia last year released a road map for addressing its gun violence emergency by providing specific neighborhoods and high-risk individuals with social services, dispute mediation and jobs to dissuade future violence. The plan also calls for reducing the number of blighted buildings and abandoned lots, while working with the state to investigate and stop gun trafficking. The plan directs police to concentrate on hot spot blocks where gun violence is frequent.

Atwood said she expects the citys homicide rate will steadily decline this year as more of these policies are implemented, hopefully reaching pre-pandemic levels by 2023. Homicides in the city are slightly down from this time last year at 53a 15% reduction.

While homicide levels in most cities are far lower than they were in the 1990s, they rose in 2021, along with other violent crimes such as robberies, gun assaults and aggravated assaults.

There are several drivers to this uptick of violence, Abt noted. The pandemic, which has disproportionately affected communities of color, strained or shuttered government services in these areas, which often are most affected by gun violence.

Protests against police brutality also drove a wedge between the community and law enforcement, Abt said. This led many officers to significantly reduce their proactive efforts in high-crime communities, while members of those communities also reduced their engagement with police.

Finally, gun sales surged over the past two years, and many of those firearms made their way to the black market. Law enforcement officers are now recovering more illegal firearms, including untraceable ghost guns, Abt pointed out.

There is still an imbalance in the way cities approach gun violence, with an overemphasis on policing and punishment instead of preventing and addressing the trauma that comes with systemic racism and violence, said Lisa Fujie Parks, associate program director at the Prevention Institute, a national nonprofit that focuses on health equity.

It is important to investigate crimes once theyve been committed, but to really address the problem of gun violence we have to look at the conditions that are creating it, she said. If we dont heal, were going to see gun violence continuing, even as we invest in policing.

Cities are taking several different approaches to prevent gun violence. In cities including Los Angeles; Oakland, California; and Richmond, Virginia, community partnership programs identify a small group of high-risk individuals and provide services such as mentoring and training.

In Chicago, the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative for the past few years has supported nearly 850 young, at-risk men through professional development and cognitive behavioral interventions, seeking to reshape violent tendencies and split-second decisions to pull a trigger. As an incentive, the program pays the men wages and stipends based on their level of participation. They have paid participants around $10 million since 2017.

The initiative may be working. According to an analysis from the University of Chicago Crime Lab, men who participate in the program for at least one session have 79% fewer arrests for shootings and homicides. Researchers caution, however, that they do not have a clear picture yet for how the program has affected citywide violence.

The program requires relentless engagement, said Miguel Cambray, director of strategic initiatives and partnerships at the Heartland Alliance, a Chicago-based anti-poverty organization that houses the initiative. Almost all the participants are young Black men who have been arrested. Participants are 45 times more likely to be shot or killed than the average Chicagoan. Building trust can be challenging.

Its not easy, Cambray said. We get called the feds, we get threatened, we get friends sent after us. But we need to push through that and push that we have a job, no questions asked.

Cambray is working with leaders in other cities, including Philadelphia, to spread its model.

Some cities want to approve new gun restrictions, though in many cases they cant. In 42 states, laws prevent cities from passing stricter gun regulations than the states laws. Some cities are attempting to change that through the courts. Philadelphia, for example, is now suing Pennsylvania for the ability to enact stricter gun laws.

2022 The Pew Charitable Trusts. Visit at stateline.org.
He told officers he had gotten out of his vehicle and was going into his home when he was shot.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri lawmakers may soon be considering an ambitious plan to expand and renovate the state Capitol building.

A year after workers finished rehabilitating the exterior of the century-old structure for about $55 million, top administrators in the House and Senate told a House panel Monday that it will cost an estimated $535 million to repair and expand the interior.

House Clerk Dana Rademan Miller acknowledged the price tag is high.

This is a $500 million plan, Rademan Miller said, pointing to a booklet describing the potential work. We call this document jokingly the shock doc.

State officials have been mulling an overhaul of the offices, hearing rooms and marble-lined corridors that make up the nearly 500,000-square-foot building for more than a decade.

The latest plan, which was launched in 2016, would remove parking in the basement and replace the current parking structure used by the Senate with additional spaces for both the executive branch and the general public.

The building would gain an estimated 100,000 square feet of space for lawmakers by extending the Capitol basement south toward High Street, which is Jefferson Citys main downtown street.

There also could be an underground visitor center on the north side of the Capitol that could be the entry point for the estimated 450,000 people who visit the building annually.

The plan also would do away with a 1970s-era change that placed members of the House into mezzanines on the first and second floors, which has cut off the natural light that was part of the original design.

The goal of the restoration is to restore the architectural integrity of the Capitol or to return the Capitol architecture to its original design and decoration, the master plan notes.

The plan would move some of the executive branch operations out of the Capitol, such as the governors budget office, to nearby state office buildings.

The governors office on the second floor also would be extended to the first floor with an interior staircase, eliminating the need for office workers to walk into the public corridor to get to another office in the suite.

Some lawmakers on the House Budget Committee said the need for upgrades is significant.

Rep. Kevin Windham, D-Hillsdale, said bathrooms throughout the building are not compliant with the Americans for Disabilities Act.

Others said there are structural problems in the facility.

We have gaping holes next to our offices, said Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, D-Kansas City. That continues to be a frustration of mine.

Rademan Miller said continuing to repair things as they break is not a viable long-term plan for keeping the building intact.

The Band-Aid approach is not working, Rademan Miller said.

The lengthy project would not result in the closure of the Capitol during the construction period.

To pay for the renovations, the state would sell bonds and pay about $50 million per year for the next decade. Officials also want to use a portion of the states share of federal emergency stimulus money to help pay for it.

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by Tafara Mugwara, Zhang Yuliang

HARARE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Increased diplomatic and economic engagement between China and Zimbabwe has seen many Chinese companies investing in the southern African country. These Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe are engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that aim to improve the livelihoods of ordinary people in the communities they operate in and play their part as responsible participants in the local economy.

The initiatives that they have undertaken include the funding of public health programs, sponsoring education, providing access to clean water, fighting the pandemic.

Considering that education is the foundation of economic development, Chinese companies are pouring resources into the sector.

To help young people stay in school during the COVID-19 pandemic, PG Foundation, a charitable arm of PG industries, a Chinese invested company, stepped up efforts to provide assistance in supporting vulnerable children in disadvantaged communities.

"We have seen that the youths have succumbed to drug abuse, to early pregnancy, and from skipping school, and this concerned us because the youths are the future of our country," Sakhile Khumalo, marketing executive at PG Industries, told Xinhua.

Pandemic-induced economic challenges have seen many parents from poor backgrounds failing to raise funds to send children to school, which has created a window for children to engage in illicit behavior.

Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications giant, is playing its part in bridging the technical skills gap in Zimbabwe's telecommunications sector through its Seeds for the Future program. The Seeds for the Future program is Huawei's global flagship CSR initiative that aims to nurture young ICT professionals in countries where Huawei operates. Beneficiaries of "the Seeds for the Future" described the program as an eye-opener that has given them a new ICT perspective and broadened their career paths.

"If we can continue engaging with the giants like Huawei, we can be able to tap their knowledge, they can be able to give us the knowledge that they have and the experience such that we as Zimbabweans can be able to adopt the technologies that China is using for the betterment of our ICT industry," said Takudzwa Tarutira, a telecommunications student who benefited from the Seeds for the Future program.

In an interview with Xinhua, Huawei's local partner TelOne General Manager Sharai Dube praised Huawei's unique approach to corporate social responsibility which focuses on empowering local communities.

"So traditionally corporate social responsibility whereby people are given donations, money donations, they use it today and tomorrow they will still need more. In this case, we see that the students basically are being trained and their skill-set basically is being improved so that they can be able to then use it in the future for their own betterment," said Dube.

Since the Seeds for the Future program was launched in Zimbabwe in 2015, more than 80 undergraduate students from different universities in Zimbabwe have benefited.

In the education sector, Chinese enterprises in cooperation with China-Africa Economic and Cultural Research Center, a local research institute, are also providing scholarships to Zimbabwean students.

IMPROVING LIVELIHOODS

In many rural districts across Zimbabwe, Chinese engineering and construction company China Jiangxi Corporation in collaboration with China Aid, the international aid agency of the Chinese government, has helped local communities by drilling boreholes.

Since 2012, a total of 1,000 boreholes have been drilled in six provinces across Zimbabwe.

One of the beneficiaries of the program, Nothokozo Ngulube, from Gwanda district, Matebeleland South Province, said the borehole drilling initiative has brought convenience to women since spending more time searching for water meant that they had to set aside productive work.

"This availability of water near our villages has benefited us a lot because we are no longer wasting time going long distances looking for water," she said.

Another Chinese-owned company, Afrochine, a subsidiary of Tshingshan Holdings, one of the world's largest stainless steel producers, has embarked on several CSR initiatives that include the drilling of boreholes and the provision of personal protective equipment to frontline workers.

Apart from its CSR initiatives, Afrochine is also expected to create 4,000 employment opportunities for locals through its investments in a new carbon steel plant currently under construction.

"This investment will create 4,000 direct jobs. However, there are massive opportunities for upstream and downstream jobs and we estimate that up to 10,000 people will benefit in terms of different levels of employment opportunities," Benson Xu, the company's general manager, was recently quoted by the Herald Newspaper. "Indeed, we also have a comprehensive CSR program that will ensure that the community will benefit directly from the resources being exploited in the areas."

Through its charitable arm, Kubatana Afrochine Trust, the company has also provided skincare products to people living with albinism and has also provided donations to the elderly.

Other Chinese companies such as Sunny Yifeng, a tile manufacturing company, are involved in efforts made for the betterment of society, including donations to local schools. Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe through the Chinese Business Association are also involved in various charity initiatives across the country.

SKILLS TRANSFER

In Mutoko, Mashonaland East province, Chinese investments in the granite mining industry are helping transform communities through skills transfer and employment creation.

Robert Machinga, a 24-year-old man who works at a Chinese-owned granite mining company, said before Chinese investments flooded the area, granite rocks in the area were largely an unexploited resource that had no economic value to locals.

"We used to see these rocks and we had no idea that they were wealth, but with the coming of Chinese investors who brought jobs, we can see that our lives are changing. We are now taking care of our families, getting money, buying food and meeting other needs," he said.

While saying that Chinese investment in local quarries has brought employment in the area where economic activity was mainly subsistence farming, Machinga believed the Chinese-owned companies in the area are positively impacting local communities through their skills transfer initiatives.

"With the opening of companies in this area, so many things have changed, speaking of myself, I gained skills to operate machinery, many people can now fend for their families, unlike previously when you would wake up and spend the day seated at home. So many things have changed, some are building houses, some are buying farming inputs," he added.

Prior to joining the company, Machinga had never acquired any technical skills. Currently, he is one of several young men who have joined the company and have undergone a trainee program to operate the machinery used at the site.

Chinese corporations are also helping transform livelihoods in the agriculture sector.

Debont Corp., an agriculture machinery and solutions supplier, is also aiming to bridge Zimbabwe's technology gap in the agriculture sector through technical skills transfer. The company is also engaged in educating local farmers and students on how to increase productivity through new technologies.

In Zimbabwe, Debont is currently running the China-Aid Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center (CATDC) at Gwebi College of Agriculture near Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

CATDC was established in 2011 through the China Aid program focusing on farmer training and technical skills transfer, and over the past 10 years, CATDC has provided training courses to more than 3,000 Zimbabwean students.

FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC

Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe have also thrown their weight in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before a single case of COVID-19 was detected in Zimbabwe, Chinese business enterprises, working under the guidance and coordination of the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, mobilized funds and upgraded Wilkins Hospital in Harare. The hospital had been mandated to treat COVID-19 patients from across the country but dilapidated infrastructure could not permit the smooth flow of operations.

As part of efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe's capacity to handle COVID-19 patients, the Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe mobilized resources amounting to 500,000 U.S. dollars to revamp the hospital. The renovations were done in a record time of 10 days and were finished just before the country reported its first confirmed case of the virus on March 20, 2020.

In July 2020, a newly established state-of-the-art COVID-19 treatment center officially opened, with funding by Chinese firms operating in the country. Three Chinese firms teamed up with a local private medical institution to establish the facility in the capital of Harare.

The local partner, Health Point, is providing medical expertise while the Chinese firms are providing medical equipment and funding. The medical facility, named Health Point Upper East Medical Center, has a capacity to accommodate 50 COVID-19 patients at a time.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has lauded the Chinese community and companies in Zimbabwe for donating medical supplies and providing technical support to Zimbabwe's frontline personnel. 
JEFFERSON CITY  A fight between GOP leaders and Republican hard-liners escalated over the weekend as legislators traded verbal barbs outside the Senate chamber.

Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said Saturday evening that for the time being the upper chamber would pause debate on a proposed congressional map amid continued stalling tactics by the hard-liners, who represent a minority of the chamber.

The Senate was not scheduled to convene again until Tuesday.

We will continue to do everything possible to ensure a small group of self-interested senators dont give left-leaning judicial activists full control over our redistricting process, Rowden said.

He continued, These senators are also standing in the way of critical policies Missourians are asking for  election reform, banning Critical Race Theory, providing more choice for Missouri parents, and the list goes on.

Hard-line Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, suggested Rowden step down as majority leader.

If Senator Rowden is not up for the job of Majority Floor Leader, he should resign, Onder tweeted on Saturday.

He has his handful of senators that he gets along with, and be damned with everyone else, Onder told KMOX (1120 AM). It is probably about time the Senate think about moving on with different leadership.

Rowden did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.

The map that had been up for debate, which cleared the House last month, would split Missouris eight congressional districts so that Republicans would likely win six seats and the Democrats would likely win two seats.

Democrats say a fair map would give them three seats.

Onder has pushed for an aggressive 7-1 gerrymander that eliminates one Democratic seat in Kansas City.

Behind-the-scenes talks, meanwhile, have appeared to focus on drawing a strong 6-2 map, according to lawmaker statements. Such a configuration would leave both Democratic seats intact and would attempt to do away with the possibility of Democrats flipping any districts this decade.

Onder would like his home of St. Charles County to remain together; the House-approved plan splits the county between the 2nd and 3rd districts.

Both sides have said involvement from the states congressional delegation is also complicating work.

One of the things that has not been good for this discussion has been the influence from the federal legislators themselves, hard-line Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, said Wednesday. Federal legislators in our delegation from both parties calling, asking for a hundred different things that benefit not just the state, not just their other colleagues, but in particular their own reelection efforts.

On Saturday evening, Rowden said the states federal delegation shared some of the blame for the inaction, though he attributed most of the paralysis to the small group of self-interested senators.

To further complicate the Senates task, in the last 48 hours the Missouri congressional delegation has engaged with members of the Senate over redistricting, Rowden said. It is my hope that the congressional delegation will work to unify rather than divide, and be part of the solution and not just add to the problem.

Rep. Ann Wagner, a St. Louis County Republican representing the 2nd Congressional District, and Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, who represents the 3rd Congressional District, have not responded to recent requests for comment regarding redistricting.

A congressional map that keeps St. Charles County together would mean substantial changes to the districts of the two incumbents.

Rowden has accused Onder of wanting a St. Charles County-based seat to help him in a future congressional bid. Onder has denied this.

The term-limited senator has been eyeing the St. Charles County executive race this year and could use the county office as a springboard for future elections this decade.

Onder ran for Congress in 2008. He came in second in a five-way GOP primary for the then-9th Congressional District, which no longer exists. He lost to Luetkemeyer, who went on to represent the 3rd after the 2011 redrawing of the congressional map.

Originally posted at 1:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14.(tncms-asset)3937ed0c-8c48-11ec-b4f5-00163ec2aa77[0](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)b68692a8-8b59-11ec-a208-00163ec2aa77[1](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)fdfe3eaa-88e9-11ec-bef5-00163ec2aa77[2](/tncms-asset)

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JEFFERSON CITY  St. Louis would have to pay refunds to people who were charged the citys earnings tax while they worked remotely under a proposal advancing in the Missouri House.

Members of the House Workforce Development Committee voted 8-3 Monday to send the measure to the full House for further debate, despite concerns that the move would have significant negative consequences for the city.

A loss of revenue of this magnitude would be a devastating blow to the citys credit and fiscal condition, and would seriously impair the citys ability to provide basic city services, a fiscal analysis by the governors budget office notes.

The vote was split along partisan lines with the three no votes all Democrats. Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, who is running to become the next St. Louis County executive, is sponsoring the plan.

Remote work has been in the spotlight over the past two years as people have stayed away from offices and other places of business during the coronavirus pandemic.

The fiscal analysis shows that 37% of the citys workers live outside of the city. Another 5.8% work in the city but reside in Illinois.

All told, the 1% tax brought in $156 million to St. Louis coffers in the 2020 fiscal year. Of that, the analysis showed that altering the collection to accommodate for remote work would reduce the tax by $67 million.

In earlier testimony to the panel, Matt Moak, deputy counsel for the city, said St. Louis would not be allowed to offset a reduction in tax revenue with federal relief funds.

Others opposed to the change include firefighters, who receive a portion of their funding through the earnings tax.

The Missouri Municipal League also weighed in, saying St. Louis would have to find another tax or fee to increase to replace the lost revenue. In addition, they said workers could be liable for tax fraud if they miscalculate their taxes.

Dogans legislation marks the second time in two years that lawmakers have sought to exempt remote work from the earnings tax.

The sponsor of last years proposal, Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, called it egregious that his constituents in St. Louis County are being taxed even though they never set foot in the city of St. Louis.

The latest legislation comes as AT&T sued St. Louis Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly in January, alleging the collectors office improperly imposed the citys separate 0.5% payroll tax on employees who neither live nor work inside the city limits.

Its the first known lawsuit brought by an employer challenging collection of the citys payroll tax during the pandemic. The payroll tax produces a sizable stream of revenue for the city, about $40 million in this current fiscal year, or 8% of the citys general fund.

The companys lawsuit follows a similar legal challenge filed last year over the earnings tax. A St. Louis judge dismissed most of that lawsuit, which sought class-action status, saying individual taxpayers need to pay taxes under protest and file their own appeals under Missouri tax refund statutes.

The legislation is House Bill 1740.

Originally posted at 1:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14.(tncms-asset)4d1526d6-7d76-11ec-ba76-00163ec2aa77[0](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)0425333c-6dac-11ec-8fa0-00163ec2aa77[1](/tncms-asset)

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LONDON MARKET OPEN: BP up on buyback; Hutchmed down on drug denial

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 - 09:09

UK shares opened lower, as they caught up with other global markets following the three-day holiday weekend, ahead of a big week for central bank decisions.

The FTSE 100 index was down 32.64 points, or 0.4%, at 7,511.91. The mid-cap FTSE 250 index was down 12.02 points, or 0.1%, at 20,696.69. The AIM All-Share index was down 2.31 points, or 0.1%, at 1,019.95.

The Cboe UK 100 index was down 0.2% at 748.59. The Cboe 250 was down 0.1% at 18,245.77. The Cboe Small Companies climbed 0.2% to 15,173.09.

In mainland Europe, the CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.6% and the DAX 40 in Frankfurt was up 0.7%. Both markets were open on Monday, with the French index falling 1.9% and the German one by 1.1%.

In the US on Monday, Wall Street ended higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.3%, S&P 500 up 0.6% and Nasdaq Composite up 1.6%.

In the FTSE 100, M&G was the best performer early Tuesday, up 3.0%, after HSBC raised the investment manager to 'buy' from 'hold'.

In addition, St James's Place was up 1.9% after HSBC also upgraded the wealth manager to 'buy' from 'hold'.

BP was up 2.0%. The oil major said it swung to a first-quarter loss due to its decision to exit from its shareholding in Rosneft in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine; however on an underlying basis, the oil major reported a big jump in profit.

For the three months that ended March 31, BP swung to an attributable loss of $20.38 billion from a $4.67 billion profit in the first quarter last year. BP said the reported result included pretax adjusted items of $30.8 billion.

By its preferred metric, BP swung to a replacement cost loss of $23.04 billion from a replacement cost profit of $3.33 billion the year before.

The London-based firm attributed the loss to its decision to exit its near-20% shareholding in state-owned Russian oil firm Rosneft. BP said that, in the first quarter, the total post-tax charge for this was $25.5 billion.

On an underlying replacement cost basis, BP reported a profit of $6.25 billion, up 54% from $4.07 billion in the fourth quarter of last year and more than doubled from $2.63 billion a year ago.

BP raised its first-quarter dividend by 4.0% to 5.46 cents from 5.25 cents the year before. Further, during the first quarter BP generated surplus cash flow of $4.1 billion and said it intends to execute a $2.5 billion share buyback prior to announcing its second quarter results.

Rival oil producer Shell, which posts its own first-quarter numbers on Thursday, was down 1.0%.

BP's results come as calls from the opposition Labour Party for a windfall tax on UK oil majors grow louder, as the country grapples with a cost-of-living crisis.

Last week, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak appeared to distance himself from such a tax but did not entirely rule it out. Sunak called on companies making generating large profit to invest the cash back into the UK instead.

It sounds appealing. 'Great, we're taxing bad energy companies more, that will solve all our problems', he said in an interview with Mumsnet. The reason we haven't gone down that road is, really simply we need to invest more. That's why we haven't gone for some extra tax. Because what I don't want to do is discourage investment in our own energy supplies.

On AIM, Hutchmed (China) was down 14% after the drugmaker said the US Food & Drug Administration has rejected its surufatinib for treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

In a complete response letter, the FDA said the current data package, based on two positive phase three trials in China and one bridging study in the US, does not support an approval in the US at this time.

The FDA said a multi-regional clinical trial of surufatinib is required for US approval. Surufatinib was approved in China for the treatment of pNETs and extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours in June 2021 and December 2020, respectively.

In Asia on Tuesday, the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong was down 0.2% in late trade. The S&P/ASX 200 in Sydney closed down 0.4%. Markets were closed in Tokyo for Constitution Memorial Day and in Shanghai for the Labour Day holiday.

The dollar was higher across the board as the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting gets underway on Tuesday, while a rate decision by the Bank of England is due on Thursday.

The pound was quoted at $1.2540 early Tuesday, down from $1.2568 at the London equities close Friday. The euro was priced at $1.0521, down from $1.0547. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar was trading at JP130.17, up from JP129.68.

Earlier Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates in an attempt to combat inflation that has picked up more quickly than expected. The Sydney-based central bank raised the main lending rate by 25 basis points to 0.35%, the first increase since November 2010.

The board judged that now was the right time to begin withdrawing some of the extraordinary monetary support that was put in place to help the Australian economy during the pandemic, Governor Philip Lowe said.

Brent oil was quoted at $106.71 a barrel on Tuesday morning, down sharply from $110.30 late Friday. Gold stood at $1,860.33 an ounce, down from $1,906.75.

The economic events calendar on Tuesday has eurozone unemployment data at 1000 BST.

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
NASA, the American space agency, has long been a proponent of small satellites. NASA accepted and then encouraged and eventually used the growing number of commercial satellite launch firms in the United States. As part of that support NASA created the VADR (Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare) program which awards launch contracts to commercial firms that can put very small satellites into orbit. The first VADR program allocates $300 million over a five-year period for launch services from twelve commercial firms. Some, like SpaceX, Blur Origin and Virgin Orbit are well known but all twelve have the capability of getting small satellites into orbit quickly. VADR expects the twelve vendors to develop workable solutions to fixed-price task-orders within 12-24 months, if not earlier. A decade ago, this approach seemed absurd. Early commercial firms like SpaceX were ridiculed initially because everyone knew that SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicles) and satellite construction were something only government organizations were capable of doing. A growing number of engineers and entrepreneurs believed that was nonsense and SpaceX proved that commercial firms were the way to go. VADR is an extension of an earlier, more modest program that worked and now VADR provides those opportunities and challenges to newer SLV services suppliers.

Since the late 1990s several countries in the West (especially the U.S.) have been developing very small satellites mainly because the technology had improved to the point where small was affordable and useful. The earliest of these ultrasmall satellites developed by the U.S. Department of Defense were called CubeSats. That is, their volume was no more than one liter (10x10cm or 4.1x4.1 inches) and weighed no more than 1.3 kg (three pounds). The military got the idea from the increasing use of commercial nanosatellites, which weighed no more than 6.8 kg (15 pounds). The U.S. military launched its first CubeSats in 2008 by piggybacking with a larger satellite that had unused space and weight in the payload nose cone.

It was quickly proven that CubeSats could be used for photo and electronic surveillance as well as communications. The rapid advances in communications and sensor technology in the early 21st century made it possible to build useful reconnaissance satellites weighing less and less. Tiny satellites like this include solar panels to provide power. A British firm pioneered this technology in the 1990s and made it possible to get scientific satellites into orbit for a fraction of the usual price. Since 2008 thousands of CubeSats (or similar designs) have been launched and the number is increasing each year. Most of the micro-satellites currently being launched are based on the CubeSat design. That standardization also allowed for the establishment of standards for placing many micro-satellites in a rocket's final stage, another factor in keeping delivery costs down.

The most visible pioneer in more affordable SLV services was a commercial firm; SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corporation). The key was finding or creating technology and techniques that made possible rapid development of more efficient rockets and SLVs.

SpaceX inspired European countries, which had already developed some of the tech that SpaceX used to build their novel rockets and SLVs. One of these techs was 3D printing of metal components for rocket engines and other major SLV components needed in small quantities. Use of traditional manufacturing methods like forging, machining and stamping metal are expensive and time consuming as well as expensive for small quantities. Change has been coming since the 1980s, when the concept of 3D printing tech arrived. Soon it was realized that this tech was evolving to the point where it could handle metal components and complex objects could be built with a 3D printing device. For manufacturers, this was a major revolution for supplying small numbers of complex systems or developing prototypes for testing and further refinement. Spacecraft developers and manufacturers were among the first to make very visible use of this new tech. The first decade of the 21st Century saw the appearance of the more effective 3D printers that could handle metal parts of different sizes and complexity that were equal to parts manufactured with traditional methods.

SpaceX, an SLV design and manufacturing operation was founded in 2002 with the goal of breaking into a market controlled by long-time suppliers. At the time these older firms had formed a legal cartel that monopolized satellite launch services for the U.S. government. This meant that after 2006 all this SLV business went to a government-approved monopoly called ULA (United Launch Alliance) which is composed of Lockheed Martin (using Atlas 5 rockets) and Boeing (Delta 4). These two firms have dominated U.S. space launches for over half a century and in 2006 they officially monopolized it. But not for long, as the future arrived unexpectedly.

One of the existing techs that SpaceX applied to their innovative rocket and SLV designs was 3D printing of components, especially for the smaller, liquid fuel rockets used in the final stage of an SLV to put the payload into orbit. These final stage rockets required small thruster engines to maneuver satellites into a specific orbit or maneuver space vehicles when they were docking with space stations, or any chore that required that kind of precision maneuvering in a gravity-free environment.

The other SpaceX innovation was rocket boosters designed to deploy struts and use software and engines designed to use less power and fuel to enable the booster vehicle to land intact and be used again, and again. No government operated program was willing to pay to make this work. Engineers grew more and more confident of making it work but no NASA bureaucrat or SLV manufacturer would take the risk. The founders of SpaceX thrived on risk and made it work, much to the consternation of government space programs everywhere. NASA soon accepted reusable boosters as low-risk tech and began giving SpaceX launch and design contracts. As each of these deals worked, SpaceX got more contracts and more commercial firms get into the business. VADR is giving more small firms a chance to demonstrate what they can do.
by Austin Bay February 14, 2022

China's communist leaders have clamped down on coverage and commentary of the Winter Olympic games. Ask Dutch correspondent Sjoerd den Daas, who was manhandled by a security guard during a live report. The dictatorship has attempted to gag foreign athletes, banning mention of Chinese aggression (e.g., territorial theft in Asia) and repression of domestic minorities.

Beijing demands Olympic media coverage portray 21st-century China's economic and cultural power and show the world that China's authoritarian governance model works, in contrast to the social turmoil in "liberal" states like the U.S. and Canada.

The strategic propaganda message: demonstrate China's growing dominance.

Though seldom acknowledged, an ugly motive guides communist China's drive for dominance: Han Chinese ethno-centrism.

In an April 2020 column discussing Xi Jinping's "Four Confidences," I interpreted his "confidence in culture" dictum to mean confidence in ethnic "Han Chinese culture as curated by Beijing's 21st-century urban communist authoritarian elites ... it stinks of ethnocentrism, which could be a euphemism for racism."

The Han matter. China's estimated population in 2017 was 1.4 billion and 90% were ethnic Han Chinese

According to a newly available Pentagon analysis, deep-seated Han racism drives the cultural arrogance and vanity.

I owe Powerlineblog.com's Steve Hayward a big thank you. In a detailed Feb. 7 post, Hayward discussed a 254-page study prepared for the Pentagon's Office of Net Assessment and commissioned by its great director, the late Andrew Marshall.

The study, "The Strategic Consequences of Chinese Racism: A Strategic Asymmetry for the United States," was apparently leaked to the internet. Someone redacted the author's name but at one time he was a professor in Missouri State University's Department of Defense and Strategic Studies.

The study's four chapters and conclusion are too long and detailed to summarize. I'll provide a sketch with quotes and paraphrase.

Chapter 2 "recognizes that China has been and remains a racist state" and "racists and eugenicist beliefs inform the Chinese worldview." The author names names. "Racism remains a key component of how the Chinese see the world, their central place in it, and the world's other, inferior inhabitants." Ponder that.

Chapter 3 evaluates "nine strategic consequences of Chinese racism." The author says the U.S. "must recognize ... China is a racist state, closer to Nazi Germany than to the values upheld in the West." Moreover, most Chinese don't see their racism as a problem. They believe "racism is a Western phenomenon..."

Consequence 6: Racism can lead to overconfidence. The Chinese commonly "believe that they are cleverer than others" and can shape events subtly using 'shi', a "strategy of strategic cleverness." More: "In their self-image, the Han are more cunning and virtuous than the rest. The United States, in contrast, is easily manipulated, although strong and violent, just like an adolescent."

In the world of statecraft, however, overconfidence breeds catastrophic mistakes -- ask Adolf Hitler.

A yearning for Chinese imperial kowtow is another motivator: "Their expectation is of a tribute system where barbarians know that the Chinese are superior..."

Consequence 7 is a problem: "Chinese racism helps to make the Chinese a formidable adversary." It provides a sense of unity and identity. And "China is not plagued by self-doubt or guilt about its past."

Chapter 3 includes detailed information on the racist component of Beijing's genocidal repression of Turkic Uyghurs and Tibetans.

Chapter 4 describes "Five Major Implications" for U.S. leaders. Implication 1: "Chinese Racism Provides Empirical Evidence of How the Chinese Will Treat Others Now and If/When China Is Dominant." Han disdain for black Africans has negative consequences for Beijing.

Alas, racist ideology informs Beijing's fundamental goal of dominance; Han "race-civilization" justifies goals and motivates ethnic will. The author argues Han racism must be publicized and used to defeat communist China's grand drive for global dominance.

By documenting communist China's racist policies, the Net Assessment study exposes truly "systemic racism."
Zurn Water Solutions Corporation (NYSE: ZWS), a market leader in smart, sustainable water solutions and products, and Elkay Manufacturing Company, a market leader in the highly attractive and growing commercial drinking water solutions business, announced today they have reached a definitive agreement to combine the businesses in an all-stock transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, Zurn Water Solutions shareholders will own approximately 71% and Elkay shareholders will own approximately 29% of the combined and newly named company  Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation.

This transaction is a true game-changer as we create an even stronger pure play water company by combining with the iconic brand, Elkay, said Todd A. Adams, Chairman and CEO of Zurn Water Solutions. The combination puts us well on our way to doubling the size of the business over the next couple of years while enhancing our competitive advantage within specified water solutions. We also add the high-growth, and increasingly essential, drinking water sector in our portfolio and have a clear path to capitalize on the significant synergies the combination will generate.

Elkay is viewed as the gold standard in providing clean drinking water within institutional and commercial buildings. What makes the combination so compelling is the alignment of our shared values and cultures, commitment to serving our customers and what we can accomplish together by providing an even more comprehensive package of innovative, specified water solutions that provide water safety, water quality and water conservation to critical verticals like education and healthcare.

I want to thank Ron Katz, Senior Member of the founding family, and Tim Jahnke, Chairman of Elkay, for believing in the power of the combination and the entire Elkay family for their confidence and commitment to work together to create something special. Its our intent to preserve the strong culture and values at Elkay and we are excited to build upon the incredible legacies of both businesses as we come together to create an even brighter future as Zurn Elkay Water Solutions.

Elkay has been family-owned since it was founded in 1920 and has been making innovative products and delivering exceptional customer service for over 100 years. Headquartered in Illinois, Elkay has similar midwestern core values as Zurn. While the business started in sinks, their continued innovation and growth has led them to currently being a market leader in drinking water as well as sinks in residential and commercial settings.

We knew we could increase our long-term competitive position by combining with another complementary brand, stated Ron Katz, Senior Member of the founding family. We were pleased to find a well-respected partner in Zurn Water Solutions, with their strong, people-centric midwestern values and deep commitment to quality, ethics, and customer satisfaction that mirrors our own.

This combination clearly creates a unique and dynamic set of competitive advantages for our customers to capitalize on the unrivaled product solution breadth and depth well bring to the marketplace, said Adams. Together, Zurn and Elkay will also provide our customers the capability to advance their ESG initiatives while reducing their overall initial and operating costs while providing a safe, clean environment for students, patients, patrons, and people within the public and private spaces they operate. Finally, we believe this combination creates an attractive platform to provide superior shareholder value as the combination allows for increased growth, margin expansion, higher free cash flow and improved leverage all while providing ample room for continued investments in growth.

Key Strategic and Financial Benefits

Creates a North American water solutions leader.

Brings together two businesses with leading brand recognition and loyal customer relationships.

Establishes an immediate leadership position in the rapidly growing and highly attractive commercial drinking water solutions category.

We will leverage the Zurn Business System (ZBS) to drive continuous improvement throughout the combined business to drive elite financial performance.

Creates opportunity for an estimated $50 million of cost synergies by 2025, with approximately $25 million realized in year one. Expected synergies to be driven by procurement, business efficiencies, cross-marketing and our combined best-in-class rep network.

Transaction reduces net debt leverage to ~1.0x by end of 2022 and coupled with a larger balance sheet provides continued growth capital while increasing capital return to shareholders as the Zurn Water Solutions Board of Directors plans to increase the quarterly cash dividend to $0.07 per share after close of the transaction.

Unites deeply aligned core values and cultures where people matter most and share a combined 224-year company history.

Shared cultures focused on serving customers, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, commitment to water and environmental stewardship, and commitments to the communities where employees live and work.

Governance and Locations

Upon closing, the combined company will continue to be led by the existing Zurn Water Solutions Board of Directors with the addition of two new directors who currently serve on the Elkay Board of Directors. Todd Adams will remain Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Craig Wehr will remain President of Zurn Water Solutions, and Ted Hamilton will remain President of Elkay Plumbing.

The combined company will continue to trade under the ticker NYSE: ZWS. It will be headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and will continue to maintain a presence in the Chicago area where Elkay is headquartered.

Transaction Structure and Closing Conditions

Under the terms of the transaction agreements Elkay shareholders will receive up to 52.5M shares of Zurn Water Solutions, which results in, Elkay shareholders owning approximately 29% in the combined company.

Based on the February 11, 2022 closing price of Zurns common stock, the transaction values Elkay at $1.56 billion, representing 14.2x its forecasted 2022 Adjusted EBITDA, or 9.8x after factoring in forecasted run-rate cost synergies. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, Zurn Water Solutions and Elkay shareholder approval, and customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022. Elkay shareholders holding approximately 73% of Elkays common stock have entered into support agreements committing them to vote all of their respective shares in favor of the transaction, and against any competing acquisition proposal.

Conference Call and Investor Information

Zurn Water Solutions will hold a conference call and webcast presentation on Monday, February 14, 2022 at 7:30 a.m. Central Time to discuss the transaction.

Domestic toll-free #: 888-510-2359

International toll #: 646-960-0215

Access Code: 7660247

A live webcast of the call will also be available on Zurns investor relations website. Please go to the website (investors.zurnwatersolutions.com) at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to participate during the live teleconference, a replay of the conference call will be available from 10:00 a.m. Central Time February 14, 2022 until 10:59 p.m. Central Time, February 21, 2022. To access the replay, please dial 800-770-2030 (domestic) or 647-362-9199 (international). The Conference ID for the replay is: 7660247. The replay will also be available as a webcast on the Companys investor relations website.
BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

In his message, Xi noted that both China and Mexico are countries with time-honored civilizations and history, and the friendly exchanges between their people date back to ancient times.

Since China and Mexico established diplomatic ties half a century ago, especially since they forged a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, bilateral relations have been developing on a fast track, said Xi, adding that the two countries enjoy ever deepening political mutual trust and enhanced friendly exchanges and cooperation in various areas.

The Chinese president also said that in the face of the once-in-a-century pandemic, China and Mexico have stood together and extended a helping hand to each other, setting a good example of international solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.

The tree of Chinese-Mexican friendship has flourished and borne bountiful fruits, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, Xi added.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Mexico relations, and stands ready to work with Lopez Obrador to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to join hands, build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future.

Xi added that he is willing to work with the Mexican leader to advance traditional friendship, deepen win-win cooperation, stimulate common development, and continuously enrich the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership so that the two peoples can forever be good friends who trust each other as well as good partners that share prosperity. 
BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cogitativo is pleased to announce and welcome Sean Zhao as Senior Vice President of Payor Services and Kaushik Raha as Senior Vice President of Data Science and Data Management Operations.

The expansion of the leadership team brings over 20 years of combined strategy and data-science experience to Cogitativo's existing clients in the payor, provider, and federal healthcare space, including the Veterans Health Administration.

Sean joins the Cogitativo team from McKinsey & Company. He brings nearly 10 years of experience across roles spanning strategy and financial sustainability. While at McKinsey and Company, Sean led its healthcare payer economics and resiliency model, most recently focused on addressing the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sean is also a credentialed healthcare actuary by training.

"I look forward to working with our clients and partners to improve healthcare outcomes and equity through distinctive and actionable insights," said Sean.

Kaushik joins the Cogiativo team from Elsevier, a global information analytics business, where he served as the Vice President of Data Science in Health Content Operations. He brings 15 years of experience in data science strategy, execution, and operations in global health information analytics and pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson and GlaxoSmithKline.

"I'm looking forward to making a real impact on healthcare by leveraging and scaling data science solutions," said Kaushik. "Cogitativo is in an exciting position to lead the charge on improving patient care and operational efficiencies that our healthcare system so desperately needs."

Gary Velasquez, CEO of Cogitativo, welcomed Sean and Kaushik by saying, "These recent hires represent the company's ability to attract and recruit talent at the highest level of expertise. Our team has reached a new and exciting level of machine learning and AI driven results in healthcare. With their additional insight and experience, we will help our clients accomplish what was seemingly impossible before the advent of AI-enabled solutions."

These strategic hires occur when Cogitativo is quickly advancing machine learning and AI-enabled technologies to improve healthcare affordability while enhancing patient-level clinical outcomes.

About Cogitativo Inc.Cogitativo is a Berkeley-based data science company founded in 2015 with a mission to create and implement innovative, scalable solutions to the most complex challenges facing the healthcare system. Leveraging machine learning, proprietary data sets and expertise from leaders with decades of experience working with public health agencies, Cogitativo can deliver actionable insights and save lives. To date, Cogitativo has successfully applied data science solutions to more than 200 unique operational challenges to significantly improve the efficiency of our healthcare systems and protect vulnerable patients and communities. Visit www.cogitativo.com for more information.

Company Contact: Amy Domangue[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cogitativo-expands-senior-leadership-team-to-support-its-growth-initiatives-301481668.html

SOURCE Cogitativo, Inc.
DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seara, a food brand that is completely committed to high quality products, is set to launch Seara Shawaya, a first-of-a-kind innovation in the frozen foods category at Gulfood 2022, running from 13 to 17 February. The brand with presence in over 150 countries is part of JBS, the global leader in protein-based food.

Seara Shawaya  Chicken for Roasting is the latest innovation from Seara that seeks to fill the gap where no added value products are offered. Developed with the Middle East woman in mind, the product offers variety and novelty while addressing key consumer needs around convenience, taste and quality. On-site, Seara's chef will present the 'freezer to oven' halal product for tasting, giving visitors and potential customers the opportunity to taste the delicious flavors while noticing the ease of preparation.

"Following the company's commitment to innovation and quality, we are proud to present our new range Seara Shawaya, the novel solution in the frozen poultry category. Roasted chicken has long been a favorite among the population in this region, and we are glad to be offering this new category that promises to meet the consumer's need for convenience, taste and speed of preparation, tailored to local tastes and flavor preferences. Tested during researches among consumers in the region, the product guarantees to simplify the daily lives of women today, who juggle multiple roles with a greater demand of their time than ever before.", said the company representative.

Frozen Halal Whole Chicken is the biggest category in Retail and Food Services. Served also in Rotisseries Restaurants or at Supermarkets, roasted chicken is a consumer favorite and Seara's Shawaya Chicken will be the First Frozen Marinated Whole Chicken from Seara ready to be cooked straight from the freezer to oven or air fryer. For those who want to spice and flavor themselves their poultry, Seara also presents the First Frozen Tender Whole Chicken, which is the ideal solution as it comes already pre-marinated with brine so that chicken is tender and juicy, guaranteeing the juiciest chicken breast as preferred in the region. "With the motto 'we marinate you enjoy' Seara Shawaya puts the GCC Consumers at the forefront of their innovation", complemented the company.

Available in four options, being three delicious flavors of Hot Curry, Kabsa and Italian and one plain alternative Frozen Whole Chicken Tender, Seara Shawaya Range is set to hit shelves in the 2nd quarter of 2022. The Seara Shawaya range brings more choices and variety to the already well-established portfolio of Seara products in the MENA region.

The new range will be available in selected stores and supermarkets in the GCC. For information on Seara foods, recipes and more, please visit: https://www.searafoodsme.com/.

In addition to this launch, the brand will showcase a new portfolio of over 120 products produced at two local plants in the UAE and KSA, taking into account the importance of Middle Eastern culture and cuisine. The new range introduces a complete halal portfolio of Seara breaded chicken, chicken burgers and beef burgers, minced meats, sausages, meat balls, frozen vegetables, frozen seafood and frozen fruits, among others. All the new products will be exhibited at the trade show, strengthening the strategy of Seara of offering the region innovative, high-quality products.

About SearaWith more than 60 years of expertise, Seara is a Brazilian food brand that is completely committed to high quality products, offering a large portfolio in the In-Natura meats and Poultry segments (frozen), as well as prepared and industrialized food solutions. Seara Alimentos, is part of JBS company the global leader in protein-based food production. Seara is present in more than 150 countries (such as China, England, Kuwait, France, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United States and United Arab Emirates), and it has international certifications for excellence in production, such as BRC (British Retail Consortium), SWA (Supplier Workplace Accountability), Global GAP (Global Certificate for the Agricultural Chain), Swiss Law, ISSO 14001, Halal Certifications, Certificate of Conformity (ESMA Halal National Mark), among others.

About JBSJBS is global leader in protein-based food production. With a global platform diversified by type of products (poultry, beef and lamb), the Company has over 250,000 team members in production units and offices on all continents, in countries like Brazil, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and China, among others. In Brazil, JBS is the country's largest employer, with over 145,000 team members. Worldwide, JBS offers an extensive portfolio of brands recognized for excellence and innovation: Seara, Swift, Pilgrim's Pride, Moy Park, Primo, and Just Bare, among many others, which find their way every day onto the tables of consumers in 190 countries. The Company is investing in correlated businesses like leather, biodiesel, collagen, personal hygiene and cleaning, natural wrapping, solid waste management solutions, recycling, metallic packaging and transport, with emphasis on the circular economy. JBS conducts its operations allocating priority to high quality and food safety, while adopting the best sustainability and animal welfare practices across its entire value chain and, in March 2021 it assumed the commitment to become Net Zero by 2040. This means that JBS will zero the net balance of its greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the intensity of the direct and indirect emissions and offsetting all residual emissions. JBS was the first global company in the protein sector to take on this commitment, with the intention of feeding people around the world in an increasingly sustainable manner.

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(Tribune News Service)  Eight people were aboard a plane that crashed Sunday 4 miles east of Drum Inlet on the Outer Banks, according the U.S. Coast Guard.

A search is underway for the passengers and plane, which is described as a Pilatus PC-12 single-engine passenger aircraft, officials said in a news release.

The eight people may have included four teens returning from a hunting trip, station WCTI reports.

Its believed some of the teens may have been students in the Carteret County Public Schools, and the district issued a statement Monday.

We are incredibly saddened and join with the Down East and Eastern North Carolina community as we await official word on the airplane crash off the coast of Drum Inlet, district officials said in an email to McClatchy News.

Crisis teams are on school campuses to support students, staff and families.

An air traffic controller at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on the North Carolina coast first reported observing an aircraft behaving erratically on radar and then disappeared from the radar screen, officials said.

A statement posted by the East Carolina Community Emergency Response Team reported the plane fell off radar round 2 p.m. just east of Beaufort, N.C. The four teens aboard had been at a youth hunt in Hyde County and (were) heading back to Stacy when something caused their plane to divert, the post said.

The crash site would put the plane in the Atlantic Ocean beyond the Outer Banks, which is an area of colliding north-south currents. Drum Inlet is a passage through Cape Lookout National Seashore, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Core Sound.

Boats from multiple agencies and a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter are being used in the ongoing search, officials said.

The National Park Service and Carteret County Sheriffs Office are also participating in the search, officials said.

North Carolina Ducks Unlimited called the crash a heartbreaking day in the waterfowling community.

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The commanding officer of the littoral combat ship USS Sioux Citys Gold crew has been relieved of duty, a Navy statement said.

The Navy took the action against Cmdr. Bradford Tonder because of a loss of confidence in his ability to perform his duties, a statement issued Friday said.

Cmdr. Joseph Caldwell, the commanding officer of the Blue crew of the littoral combat ship USS Detroit, will be assigned to replace Tonder for the time being.

The littoral combat ships are manned by two different crews, named Blue and Gold, to keep them operating at sea for longer periods.

Tonder will be temporarily reassigned to the staff of Naval Surface Squadron 14, according to the Navy statement. Moves to staff assignments are typical for relieved commanders, often while the Navy begins proceedings that determine whether the officer will be allowed to remain in the service.

Tonder had been the executive officer of the Sioux City since June 2019 and the commanding officer since December 2020.

The Gold crew returned to the Sioux Citys homeport in Mayport, Fla., in December 2021 after a deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet in support of U.S. Southern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South. During the deployment, the ship worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to disrupt transport of about 7,400 pounds of cocaine, an earlier Navy statement said.
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The Cook Islands, one of the few places left in the world that had not reported any coronavirus infections, detected its first case on Sunday.

Prime Minister Mark Brown said in a briefing Sunday that the individual who tested positive arrived in Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands, on Thursday. The person was tested Sunday after learning that a family member who was a close contact had tested positive in New Zealand the day before. The individual was asymptomatic and was isolating and under observation Sunday at private holiday accommodations, Brown said.

The remote South Pacific nation had been bracing for a potential spate of infections in recent days. Officials announced Saturday that a traveler tested positive for the omicron variant upon returning to New Zealand last week after eight days on the islands  although Brown said the case confirmed Sunday was not connected to that visitor.

The individual who was confirmed positive Sunday was traveling with two others, and they will all remain in isolation until they no longer test positive for COVID-19, Brown said. Officials did not explicitly say whether the two others had been tested. It was helpful, Brown added, that the individual had been staying in private accommodations rather than at a resort or hotel.

The person who tested positive is vaccinated, the prime minister said, and had tested negative before boarding a flight from New Zealand. Officials had begun contact-tracing efforts to track the persons movements since arriving in Rarotonga and to determine potential close contacts.

The islands restarted air travel last month after maintaining strict limits since the start of the pandemic. The Cook Islands government declared on Jan. 13 that the reopening of borders allows for two-way quarantine-free travel from New Zealand.

The sandy islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy but coordinate with New Zealand on international affairs.

Every step we have taken has led us to the point today where we remain COVID-19 free, Brown said in a November statement. He said the closure has taken a mental and financial toll and that keeping our borders closed indefinitely was no longer a viable option.

It is futile to believe that any place can entirely avoid the virus, said David Freedman, president-elect of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

He noted that travelers to the Cook Islands must still go through New Zealand  which has had some of the worlds most stringent pandemic restrictions and measures.

And it still got in, Freedman said. He added: You can use measures, you can delay, and if theres a new variant thats potentially dangerous, you can get ready for the variant ... [but] youre never going to keep it out.

Instead of travel restrictions, Lin Chen, director of the Travel Medicine Center at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass., underlined the importance at this stage of the pandemic of masking, rigorous testing and the continued push for vaccinations and boosters. She added that the confirmed Cook Islands case shows that the pandemic is not over, and that we need to continue taking precautions when traveling.

If we can test rigorously and have plans or policies to have an infected person be quarantined or isolated depending on vaccination status, she said, that might allow us to start to go toward normalization.

The government has hailed its vaccination rate, with the prime minister calling it a factor that is in our favor as it slows the spread of transmission. According to the nations Health Ministry, 98 percent of the population age 12 and older has received at least a first vaccine dose, with 96 percent having received two doses and 67 percent getting a booster shot.

Until now, the nation of about 17,000 people had been one of fewer than a dozen regions, countries, territories or areas with zero reported coronavirus cases, according to the World Health Organizations coronavirus tracker.

I understand that some of you may feel frightened or anxious, but please rest assured that all branches of our government are working together to deal with this situation to protect us all, Brown said during his Sunday briefing. We have expected this virus, we have prepared for it, and we are ready to fight it.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (Tribune News Service)  Dry Dock No. 1 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth has hosted plenty of history over the past two centuries.

It was where the Confederates turned the USS Merrimack into the CSS Virginia during the Civil War. Its now the oldest operational dry dock in the United States.

As it turns out, it was the site of controversy before it was even completed.

The use of enslaved workers who were paid a small sum to build it in the early 19th century created labor tensions, a mix of classism, racism and evolving social conventions that clashed in whats known as the Norfolk Dry Dock Affair.

An upcoming Black History Month presentation in Portsmouth, Urban Slavery and the Construction of Drydock #1 at the Gosport Shipyard, delves into that history.

We usually talk about the engineering history of the dock, said Diane Cripps, curator of history for the Portsmouth history museums. But it also brings up something that people dont think about when they think about slavery: slaves in a city setting. It brings that human element that we havent addressed before.

___

In the 1820s, U.S. officials recognized they needed a better way to service the naval fleet.

With no dry docks at the time, ships had to be heaved onto their sides, while floating or in mud, to get at their hulls, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Congress appropriated funds for new dry docks at Boston Harbor and then- Norfolk County  narrow basins that could be flooded and drained during shipbuilding and maintenance.

A Massachusetts native, President John Quincy Adams appointed a Boston engineer, Loammi Baldwin, to oversee both projects, according to a 2007 journal article by Linda Upham-Bornstein, a Plymouth State University history professor whos giving the Portsmouth presentation.

Construction began in 1827 but didnt pick up speed for a couple of years  by which point President Andrew Jackson had been elected, riding a wave of populist sentiment.

Suddenly, Baldwin was under immense pressure as a Northerner appointed by a Northern elite president, Upham-Bornstein said.

In order to defend his oversight of the Norfolk project, which was taking him a little longer, he had to keep his costs at a minimum.

Baldwin hired a local man, Henry Singleton, to help negotiate with slaveowners for laborers. A system of slave hiring had emerged in the region not long before.

Agricultural operations were collapsing because of overworking of the soil and changing technology that reduced the number of workers.

But slaveowners saw they could still make money off the enslaved and started leasing them. Baldwin hired them to do much of the essential work building the dry dock.

The construction was arduous and labor-intensive, Upham-Bornstein wrote in the journal article. It involved driving piles into the river bottom, building a dam to hold back tides and constructing the interior chamber, which was 86 feet wide, 30 feet deep and 288 feet long.

Most work consisted of cutting and hewing granite blocks, which Baldwin had shipped from a quarry in the Northeast.

Baldwin employed 33 Black hammerers and 11 white ones. The white workers were paid between $1.50 and $2 per day. Enslaved black workers were paid 72 cents  most of which went to their masters. They were allowed to keep 10 cents, according to Upham-Bornsteins research.

People did not look at the human factor of slaves, she said. You can see that its more sterile in their analysis at the time. Both the slaveowners and politicians are looking at this as a business decision rather than a race and class decision.

On the Massachusetts project, Baldwin employed convict workers to the same end. He then hired Samuel Johnson, the former overseer of Massachusetts prisons stone-cutting department, to train slaves in Virginia.

The practice of hiring and paying the slaves soon stirred controversy  but not for racial reasons alone.

The cheaper source of labor thrust skilled slaves into competition with white artisans who were looking for work but paid more, Upham-Bornstein said.

The willingness of hired slaves (and free blacks) to work longer hours for less money, `combined with a temperament regarded by employers as more obedient and docile than whites, further undermined the economic position of white mechanics, she wrote.

By 1830, non-slaveholding white workers became increasingly hostile.

___

Their first attempt to do something about the situation came in January 1830.

In a petition to the Secretary of the Navy, 10 white stonemasons who were residents of Portsmouth claimed they had family responsibilities and needed work theyd been denied on the Gosport Shipyard dry dock project. They requested an investigation into the hiring of slaves.

We view it as a most grievous imposition, detrimental to the labouring interest of the community, and subversive to every principle of equality, they wrote.

Baldwin defended the practice, saying we can dismiss them whenever we are dissatisfied with them, and they may be taken away whenever their masters please.

He argued the Black workers labor was more cost-effective and that slaves did not complain as much as the white workers.

The fact is, that the thirty negroes who are hammering stones have not lost a single hour from fatigue or lame hands or wrists, he said. This man of family, this white man . . . has given out on the second day. Which is the most competent?

Adding to the tensions was Baldwins clear contempt for Southerners over his Bostonian counterparts, Upham-Bornstein said.

The white workers petition was not indulged, and in April they submitted another, arguing that the character of slave labor was hostile to them.

Hoping to appeal to President Jacksons racially selective egalitarianism, Upham-Bornstein said, the petitioners wrote slave labor had excluded them from employment and made places for others, not our equals, because they are not white men, or free men.

After more investigation, the petitioners were again rejected. A third complaint the following summer also went nowhere.

The only event that did halt slave labor at the shipyard  albeit briefly  was the Nat Turner rebellion in August 1831.

A few dozen miles to the west of Portsmouth in Southampton County, Turner led enslaved men on a rebellion that killed more than 50 people.

The episode sent shockwaves through slaveowners who feared they would be killed in their sleep, Upham-Bornstein said. Slave hiring slowed for a while, but eventually picked back up.

Theres little known about the slaves who played such a critical role in the dry dock affair. They dont get a say in the historical record.

But some insight can be found in the autobiography of George Teamoh, who was born enslaved in Hampton Roads in 1818.

He recalls being in the service of a man working on the dry dock as a machinist. Teamoh also said that he worked for a time as a laborer during the docks construction.

Vast numbers of slaves . . . have been worked, lashed and bruised by the United States government (at the Navy Yard), he wrote. Justice and time points with significant finger to the first stratum of imbedded rock there deposited (at the dry dock) by the unrewarded labor of the slave. I have wrought upon these works in common with my fellow bondsmen, receiving the same scanty ration as dealt out by the commissary.

___

Learning about a construction controversy two centuries ago may seem like old news, Upham-Bornstein said, but it can help understand the same tensions that persist in various forms.

You can understand the cultural climates that informed or shaped certain things, she said. Its a response to what is perceived as a threat to the hegemony of the white race.

Cripps said the citys Naval Shipyard Museum has long had an exhibit on the dry docks construction as an engineering behemoth. Until now, though, officials havent really explored the role of slaves in that.

Its a government project that had to meet budgets and deadlines  theres so much familiar about it to people who may work in that field today, Cripps said. But theres so much more historical depth in thinking about how it happened.

Upham-Bornstein said she hopes to research the topic more and spark further discussion.

Its one of those awkward things to talk about, she said. I think we havent really resolved the tensions.

2022 The Virginian-Pilot.

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(Tribune News Service)  Middlesex County Prosecutors Office Bias/Community Outreach Unit Agent Reggie Johnson tells the story of his father, U.S. Army Maj. George Yancy Johnson, who endured racism and witnessed horrific acts of inhumanity while serving during World War II.

Reggie Johnson said his father was one of only a few Black commissioned officers at the beginning of World War II, and took part in the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp.

Id heard of (the camp), but nothing could prepare me for the reality of what humans could do to each other, George Johnson wrote in his diary. I eventually saw Grafenwoehr and Buchenwald, but Dachau was my first.

To commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Metuchen-Edison co-sponsored a recent virtual presentation where Reggie Johnson spoke about his fathers military experiences and how his father influenced his career choices.

Due to challenges my father faced both in the military and as a civilian, I decided to join the NAACP to secure political, educational, social and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons, Reggie Johnson, a lifelong Metuchen resident, said.

George Johnson was born on May 21, 1919, in Greensburg, Pa., and completed 12 years of education at Greensburg High School. He enlisted in the Scots Fusiliers of Canadas 54th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in the winter of 1940.

His fathers decision to enlist was strictly financial, Reggie Johnson said, because of the limited career options available to him, including bellhop, brick maker, butler or working in the coal mines.

The Canadian Air Force discriminated against Blacks joining their unit, however the Canadian Army waived that policy during wartime and accepted Blacks, or at least my father was, Reggie Johnson said.

On Sept. 28, 1945, George Johnson left the Canadian Air Force and enlisted in the U.S. Army.

My father entered the war before Black Americans were allowed to enlist. Since he enlisted in the Canadian Army, he immediately experienced combat and was wounded on the battlefield. Due to my father having combat experience, the U.S. Army promoted him to a sergeant, Reggie Johnson said.

One-and-a-half million Black Americans joined the military during World War II. Of that number, 125,000 saw active duty and 708 died during combat.

First stationed in Fort Meade, Md., George Johnson joined a Black regiment that included doctors, lawyers and teachers who were tasked with pouring old crank case oil around the base perimeter to get rid of the mosquitoes.

My fathers first sergeant was white and illiterate, Reggie Johnson said. My father would help him read the roll call list. Fortunately, he could memorize it, like a parrot. One day he tried to read the roll call list unsuccessfully on his own, and my father told him with a straight face that he was reading it upside down.

The privilege of being a white officer was to command a regiment consisting of better educated Black troops, he added.

In August of 1945, George Johnson was stationed in Germany and was assigned to the Dachau concentration camp , the first and longest-running Nazi concentration camp.

Detailing what his father witnessed at Dachau, Reggie Johnson read a passage his father wrote in his diary.

Some people tried to deny Dachau and the other concentration camps, but thats like denying that the Army in the 1940s was Jim Crow or that Blacks in the south got lynched. I know what happened, George Johnson wrote. The odor of death still haunts my dreams 60 years later. I got there at the tail end of when they were dropping the cyanide-based pesticide pellets.

Driving to Dachau, you could smell the stench about five miles before you got there. The stench was horrible.

George Johnson wrote how he and his fellow soldiers were in disbelief when the villagers swore that they didnt know what was going on.

We guarded a German town and could see the crematoriums from their square, he wrote. Some say at night when the crematoriums worked full time on their task of death, the whole area used to light up as though morning came.

The railroad tracks went right by the town. When boxcars carrying Jewish prisoners rolled past, villagers had to hear the screams and hollers.

When Gen. Dwight Eisenhower visited the camp, George Johnson said he ordered roadblocks around the village, and he insisted the civilian population see the inside of the Nazi concentration camp by having them clean it.

Before the Americans liberated Dachau on April 29, 1945, there were 67,665 prisoners in the camp, and before our forces got there, the Nazis forced thousands of prisoners on a death march and stowed away the dead and dying, George Johnson wrote. I later saw the 30 railroad cars filled with bodies and like my fellow soldiers, dealt with the pain that lingers in me to this day.

George Johnson wrote the Nazis had divided the camp into areas for the different groups of people being held there.

The barbed wire fence looked like the devils arms encircling the camp, he wrote. It separated the camp from the crematoriums and gas buildings. The trees and the ditches concealed the crematoriums from the prisoners, but we felt them anyway, knowing what happened.

I imagined the last moments of the men, women, and children the Nazis stripped nude and forced into the death showers. I felt the despair and the gas cling to me as we left the building. Smoke still hung in the air; I could taste it. The bodies like cordwood lined the fields behind the barracks.

George Johnson wrote about seeing a woman, who looked about his mothers age, with her ribs sticking out. There were so many bodies the GIs couldnt bury them fast enough and still treat them with the respect theyd been denied in life, he wrote.

He also wrote about he and fellow soldiers removing a desk from the second floor of a barracks, the drawer opening and pelting them with what felt like bullets or hailstones.

We gasped, George Johnson wrote. They were the fillings of teeth, silver and gold fillings the commandant had kept in his private stash. I couldnt wait to finish my assignment. I would never be the same.

Reggie Johnson said after the war, his father continued to serve in the U.S. Army and throughout his military career he was stationed in Canada, England, Germany, Korea and France.

Despite being an officer, his father wrote about the difficulties traveling from one base to another in the 1950s, by way of Route 66, because of Jim Crow laws banning Black people from using roadside hotels, bathrooms, restaurants and gas stations.

Even with my father dressed in his military uniform, we still were denied service, Reggie Johnson said. We had the Green Book and would stop at train stations to meet the Black porters to ask them about area restaurants, but we spent most evenings sleeping in our Studebaker automobile.

George Johnson retired from the U.S. Army on July 31, 1962, and received several medals, including the Korean Service Medal with seven Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Army Occupation Medal.

While the GI Bills language did not specifically exclude African-American veterans from its benefits, it was structured in a way that ultimately shut doors for the 1.2 million Black veterans who had bravely served their country during World War II, in segregated ranks, Reggie Johnson said. In fact, the wide disparity in the bills implementation ended up helping drive growing gaps in wealth, education, and civil rights between white and Black Americans.

Today, Reggie Johnson is responsible for investigating bias-related incidents in Middlesex County, as well as providing training to municipal police officers and leading community outreach programs. The work, he said, helps build bridges between communities to combat racism and hate by focusing on what people have in common, shared experiences and how they have worked together in the past.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

vharris@njadvancemedia.com .

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HONG KONG, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), has said that the HKSAR government will leverage the central authorities' support and spare no effort to combat COVID-19.

Lam said in a statement on Sunday that assuming the primary responsibility for the fight against the epidemic, the HKSAR government will implement the strategy of "preventing the importation of cases and the spread of the virus in the community" in pursuit of "dynamic zero infection".

The HKSAR government will leverage the central authorities' guidance based on their experience in fighting the epidemic, as well as their manpower and resource support, to further boost Hong Kong's capability of "early identification, early isolation and early treatment" of the infected, she said.

Lam expressed gratitude to the central authorities that have all along been providing their strongest support for the HKSAR. She said that since the onset of the fifth wave of the epidemic, the central authorities have conveyed to her on various occasions their care for the people of Hong Kong and their full support for the city's anti-epidemic efforts.

Promptly following up on consensus and achievements from the second Mainland-Hong Kong thematic meeting on COVID-19 epidemic on Feb. 12, Lam held an internal high-level meeting on Feb. 13 and appointed convenors from the HKSAR government for five task forces.

The convenors will coordinate with representatives of relevant ministries and commissions of the central authorities, as well as the Guangdong provincial government, to press ahead with the implementation work to tackle the aggravating situation of the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong.

In view of the rapid development of the fifth wave of the epidemic, the HKSAR government has taken immediate actions and, with its own continuous efforts, striven to contain the virus by a multi-pronged approach, including boosting the capacities of community testing and sewage surveillance, and strengthening contact tracing.

At the same time, the HKSAR government has adjusted its quarantine and isolation strategies in a timely manner, including the launch of the "StayHomeSafe" scheme on Feb. 8 to arrange close contacts and household contacts of close contacts who are deemed appropriate after assessment to undergo home quarantine for 14 days and four days respectively.

As of Sunday noon, over 4,000 people were subjected to home quarantine under the scheme, which has been operating generally smoothly thus far.

Lam said that the onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city's capacity of handling, and the tremendous surge in the number of confirmed cases in recent days has lengthened the lead time for admitting people who test positive to isolation facilities, adding that the situation is highly undesirable and the HKSAR government feels worried and sorry about it.

She said the HKSAR government will start working through the task force with the Mainland as soon as possible to enhance Hong Kong's capabilities of testing and isolation facilities by all means.

Meanwhile, the HKSAR government will implement measures to alleviate the anxieties of those members of the public waiting at home for isolation, including the distribution of information kits, setting up of a designated enquiry hotline, and provision of online diagnostic services, she said.

Lam said that in the face of such a challenging epidemic situation, the HKSAR government fully understands the anxieties of the public and will work as a team and do its best to implement and strengthen at full steam the various existing anti-epidemic measures.

"With the full support to Hong Kong by the central authorities together with the governments of Guangdong province and Shenzhen through the above-mentioned task forces, I believe that our measures will give their full play to curb the epidemic," she said.

Boosting the local vaccination rate as soon as possible is top priority and the HKSAR government will continue to increase vaccination venues, recruit more medical staff to administer vaccination for residents of elderly homes, lower the minimum age for receiving the Sinovac vaccine to three years old, and implement the "vaccine pass" initiative with a view to achieving a vaccination rate of over 90 percent to strengthen Hong Kong's immune barrier against the epidemic, she said.

As regards the sixth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund, the HKSAR government will provide the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR with a detailed document to apply for an injection of 27 billion HK dollars (about 3.46 billion U.S. dollars) into the Anti-epidemic Fund for scrutiny by the LegCo, she said.

She stressed the HKSAR government is confident that it will receive the support of LegCo members for the early approval of the funding, so as to implement the various support measures as early as possible. 
Former President Donald Trump, in a pre-recorded speech Sunday, encouraged North Korea to refrain from any actions that could endanger the unique opportunity that we worked so hard to create together.

Trump, in a nine-minute video to a religious gathering in Seoul, touted his bold new diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and contrasted his tenure with President Joe Bidens leadership at the White House.

Over the past several months, we have seen a concerning return to escalation, including a number of missile tests, Trump told World Summit 2022: Summit for Peace on the Korean Peninsula. Chairman Kim does not respect or trust the leaders of the United States. Well, everyone knows that this would never have happened if I were president.

North Korea has conducted seven rounds of missile tests so far this year. Those tests included an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam; it may be the longest-range missile test conducted by the communist regime since 2017, according to missile researchers.

Trump and Kim got along and we liked each other a lot, the former president said in his speech.

He pledged to me that he would cease all long-range missile and nuclear testing, Trump said.

Trump met with Kim in 2018 in Singapore, the first sitting president to meet with a North Korean leader. The two followed that up in 2019 with meetings in Vietnam and in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.

Although the Trump White House heralded the summits as a success, foreign policy experts remain skeptical, citing broad statements by both leaders and a lack of specific steps toward the denuclearization of North Korea.

Both sides failed, however, in the eight months following Singapore to make progress on the summit declaration due to disagreements over the definition of denuclearization and the sequencing of the steps that would be taken to fulfill the promises made in the joint statement, Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA senior analyst, and Lisa Collins, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, wrote in an analysis published by the Washington, D.C.-based think-tank in 2019.

North Korea on Jan. 19 signaled it may resume long-range ballistic missile and nuclear weapons tests after calling for the immediate bolstering of more powerful physical means.

The regime defended its weapons tests as a response to the hostile moves posed by the United States. North Korea opposes the decades-long stationing of the 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea and denounces the joint military exercises between the U.S. and Seoul.

Soo Kim, a policy analyst for Rand Corp. and an adjunct instructor at American University, scrutinized Trumps latest speech and said his comments seem par for the course.

We should question the basis of his comments, Soo told Stars and Stripes in an email Monday. I would also add that Kims resolve to develop and keep his nuclear weapons program is not contingent upon changes in U.S. leadership. His commitment to nuclearization cannot be swayed, so long as he remains convinced that its the only way to guarantee his survival.

Trump and Kim made no substantive pledges and the North Korean leader eventually resumed his hostile rhetoric and missile tests following the summit meetings, Soo said.

Former Vice President Mike Pence also spoke at World Summit 2022 and also cast an unflattering portrayal of the Biden administrations policy toward North Korea.

We proved that peace follows strength, but weakness arouses evil, Pence said during a speech on Friday. And resurgence of missile tests and provocations from Pyongyang  are a testament to this truth.

World Summit 2022 was hosted by the Cambodian government and the Universal Peace Federation, which describes itself on its website as an international and interreligious network of individuals and organizations  dedicated to achieving world peace.

The federation was founded by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah and former leader of the Unification Church, and Hak Ja Han, who describes herself as the mother of peace.
YOMITAN, Okinawa  An Air Force staff sergeant on a grocery run with his wife helped a Japanese farmer escape a burning truck last month, an act that earned the airman his units recognition.

Staff Sgt. Garrett Bodie, 32, and Ashley Bodie were walking to a neighborhood store in Yomitan village at about 11:30 a.m. Jan. 22 when a Japanese mini-truck drove past trailing smoke and flames, Garrett Bodie told Stars and Stripes on Friday.

Bodie gave chase and caught up to the idling vehicle at a red light, flames and black smoke billowing from its undercarriage, he said. Standing in front the truck, Bodie waved his arms and in his limited Japanese tried to explain to the driver that it was on fire.

Stopped by the foreigner, the driver, Seiki Higa, 85, of Yomitan, exited the burning vehicle, a spokesman for the Yomitan Fire Department told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday. At the time, Higa was heading home from his vegetable farm, he told Stars and Stripes by phone Feb. 8.

I was surprised when the American man came to me, saying something, Higa said.

Everything happened so quickly, he said later. When I realized, he was already gone, and I couldnt even say thank you.

Two Japanese passersby stopped to help, one with a fire extinguisher from a nearby convenience store; the other looked after Higa, Bodie said. No one was injured in the incident, the fire department spokesman said.

[Bodie] was so kind. He even bought a bottle of water from the convenience store and gave it to the one who was extinguishing the fire. They coordinated really well. It was an impressive teamwork, the spokesman said.

On the next workday, Bodie who serves as a support non-commissioned officer in charge with the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron at Kadena Air Base, was recognized at a staff meeting. Later in the week, he received a challenge coin from Chief Master Sgt. Ronnie Woods, the 18th Wing command chief.

My advice is to trust your instincts, Bodie said Friday. And try to do the absolute best thing in the moment and treat people the way you want to be treated. Dont pass a problem without attempting to fix it.

Stars and Stripes reporter Mari Higa contributed to this report.
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TOKYO  Japans capital city on Monday reported its lowest number of new COVID-19 cases in three weeks, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Tokyo confirmed 10,334 new cases, its lowest daily count since 8,503 on Jan. 24 and nearly 1,900 fewer than a week prior, according to NHK and metropolitan government data.

Japan reported 77,380 new cases Sunday and 137 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

The central government is considering a move to ease restrictions banning most foreigners from entering Japan when the current restrictions expire Feb. 28, Kyodo News reported Friday. A move in November to permit business travelers and international students to enter was retracted after the omicron wave of the coronavirus began circulating across the globe. Omicron has proven less deadly but is more transmissible than earlier variants and has consequently produced record-breaking case numbers.

Japan may also reduce the quarantine period for new arrivals from seven to three days and permit up to 5,000 arrivals per day, according to Kyodo News. Businesses and academicians are pressuring the government to permit some foreign travelers entrance to Japan.

I plan to look into easing the border controls, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters Saturday, according to The Associated Press.

U.S. Forces Japan had not updated its daily new case numbers as of 6 p.m. Monday. The command last reported 78 new cases Friday, the first time the command reported less than 100 new infections across its bases in three weeks. USFJ has authority over about 55,000 U.S. troops throughout the country.

Okinawa prefecture, where the bulk of U.S. forces are stationed, on Monday reported 286 new COVID-19 infections, according to the prefectural Department of Public Health and Medical Care. The department also reported 34 new infections in the U.S. military community.

Stars and Stripes reporter Mari Higa contributed to this report.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  A local military community theater group faithfully carried out the entertainers charge that the show must go on, taking a Sunday performance of Medea outside after fire sprinklers flooded their stage.

About 90 minutes before the 2 p.m. showtime at the Kleber Kaserne theater, a smoke machine triggered the sprinklers, which were turned off after about 15 minutes.

But the gush of water damaged some of the seats and the danger of electric shock meant that no lights or sounds could be used in the performance.

Obviously, our first priority was getting everybody out, Amy Smolinski, the managing artistic director of the KMC Onstage theater group told Stars and Stripes on Monday. But then we immediately started thinking what we could do continue with the show.

Christine Lumpkin, who directed the rendition of the ancient Greek tragedy written by Euripides, said she was shocked when she arrived and saw the nearly three-dozen cast and crew members standing in the parking lot with water streaming out a side door.

Amy and I had a quick meeting, and I jokingly pitched: Well, we could do it in the parking lot, outside like the ancient Greeks did,  Lumpkin said.

The joke would become reality. Smolinski called the local Morale, Welfare and Recreation office and got permission to hold the play on a grassy picnic area across the parking lot from the theater.

With the help of Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from Ramstein High School, who were volunteering as ushers, and even members of the public, the cast and crew constructed a makeshift set outside within an hour.

It was an unusually sunny February afternoon. Still, the 45-degree temperature was a bit too cold for some, especially those who were dressed to be indoors. About half of the ticketholders stayed for the performance.

Everybody grabbed blankets from their cars, towels, extra jackets and made it work, said Jessica Terrell Dabriel, a theatergoer who decided to stay. A nearby cafe was also open where we were able to get warm drinks.

Dabriel said the experience inspired her 7-year-old daughter, who wants to get into theater. She didnt want to leave, even after two hours sitting outside.

Sundays show was the last performance of Medea at the Kleber Kaserne theater this season. Those who chose to leave were given tickets to the next show, Into the Woods, which begins its run of nine performances in mid-March.

As of Monday afternoon, safety officials were still inspecting the theater and it was unclear whether the water had caused any serious damage.

Smolinski said the solidarity she witnessed Sunday filled her with gratitude and pride.

It was really amazing and heartwarming to see, she said. This is really the best of Army culture and the best of theater culture, that when something happens unexpectedly, we adapt and overcome.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  A 21st Theater Sustainment Command soldier is facing charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter and assault for his role in a car crash last spring that killed one Kaiserslautern-based U.S. soldier and seriously injured another.

Pvt. Trevon K. Coley is also charged with obstructing justice for claiming he was not the driver of the other vehicle; leaving the scene of the March 5, 2021, wreck without assisting the victims; and driving without a valid U.S. Army in Europe drivers license, according to a court-martial charge sheet.

Coleys military trial is scheduled to begin in May in Kaiserslautern. He is assigned to the 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade.

Prosecutors allege Coley was speeding when he crashed into a vehicle driven by Sgt. Monesha L. Burton at a four-way intersection near Kleber Kaserne and Daenner Kaserne.

Burton, 22, died from her injuries. Burtons passenger, a 26-year-old soldier who was not named, suffered serious injuries, including multiple skull and rib fractures and disk herniations, according to the charge sheet.

The murder charge stems from the allegation that Coley drove his vehicle in a way that was inherently dangerous, according to the charge sheet.

Burton, of Hammond, La., was a veterinary food inspection specialist at the Veterinary Branch Kaiserslautern, Public Health Activity-Rheinland Pfalz. She planned on making the Army her career and came from a long line of soldiers, she said in a 2020 Army-produced video where she discussed her career.

In April 2021, Coley acknowledged his involvement in the car accident on his Facebook page.

In March two weeks before my birthday I was involved in a car accident where I lost a friend and one in critical condition, Coley wrote. Never in my life have I felt so depressed and heartbroken.

All I can do is think and question my self never in a million years would I think something like this would ever happen and think why it happened. Still till this day I dont know how I was able to walk out of the car with only a ankle sprain.

Coley is also charged with operating an electric scooter at or near Kaiserslautern while drunk in August 2020.

A total of four soldiers assigned to Army units in the Kaiserslautern area were involved in the wreck, the Army said last March.
WASHINGTON  Declassified U.S. military analyses of the calamitous exit from Afghanistan detail repeated instances of friction between American troops and diplomats before and during the evacuation, concluding that indecisiveness among Biden administration officials in Washington and initial reluctance to shutter the embassy in Kabul sowed chaos and put the overall mission at "increased risk."

Two "after action" reports were prepared by officials assigned to U.S. Central Command in September, about three weeks after the final planeload of military personnel departed Hamid Karzai International Airport. The assessments appear to affirm separate accounts of senior U.S. commanders frustrated by what they characterized as sloppy, misguided management of the withdrawal.

As The Washington Post first reported Tuesday, military leaders who coordinated the evacuation fault officials in the White House and the State Department whom, they say, failed to respect the Taliban's swift advance last year and resisted pleas from the military to prepare for an evacuation weeks before Kabul's fall.

The declassified after-action analyses are contained within an official report detailing the military's investigation of an Aug. 26 suicide bombing outside the airport's Abbey Gate that killed an estimated 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. The report, obtained by The Washington Post through a Freedom of Information Act request, comprises dozens of witness interviews, findings of fact and other official government records. Spanning 2,000 pages, it presents the most extensive, unvarnished account to date of the United States' 17-day race to end its longest war.

The existence of the after-action reports contradicts claims made Friday by White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who has joined President Joe Biden and other administration officials in seeking to downplay the significance of U.S. commanders' remarks.

"I think it's important for people to understand that there was no after-action report," Psaki told reporters in the White House briefing room.

A National Security Council official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the matter remains highly sensitive, said Saturday that Psaki's statement from the podium referred to a forthcoming, more extensive review of the war's endgame.

"Many people have wrongly conflated the Abbey Gate report and documents released to The Washington Post with the Pentagon's after-action review of Afghanistan  a broad report that will examine the final months of America's longest war, beginning in February 2020," the official said, referencing the month that President Donald Trump made a deal with the Taliban, setting the stage for a withdrawal of all U.S. troops.

The Biden administration has pointed to that deal  in which Trump agreed to pull all U.S. troops by May 2021  in explaining part of its rationale for leaving Afghanistan. After a months-long review, the president delayed the final exit until September but followed through nonetheless, saying that Americans had sacrificed enough.

The official said the White House stands by the findings of the Abbey Gate investigation. It concluded that the Aug. 26 attack was carried out by a lone Islamic State operative who had a bomb rigged with ball bearings to cause catastrophic carnage in a packed outdoor corridor just outside the airport. Senior military officials briefed those conclusions at the Pentagon on Feb. 4.

Biden administration officials have offered shifting responses to the critical firsthand accounts of senior military commanders and other U.S. troops involved the evacuation effort.

President Biden said in an interview with NBC News on Thursday that he was "rejecting" the commanders' accounts, though White House officials said later that he accepted the narrow, overall findings of the Abbey Gate report. On Tuesday, State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter described the comments of the military officials as having been "cherry-picked" from the larger report. A State Department official said Saturday that he could not comment on the Defense Department's after-action analyses.

The after-action reviews included in the Abbey Gate report were completed by U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Forward, the military headquarters that oversaw the withdrawal, and Joint Task Force-Crisis Response, a unit led by the U.S. Marine Corps that also was involved. Their findings closely hew to observations made by Rear Adm. Peter Vasely and Brig. Gen. Farrell Sullivan, who were responsible for coordinating the evacuation.

The after-action report by U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Forward, which Vasely oversaw, is dated Sept. 24 and titled "Operation Allies Refuge," the name the Biden administration assigned to the evacuation mission. It determined that decisions to delay reducing the size of the U.S. Embassy's staff in Kabul and declare a formal evacuation of American citizens and Afghan allies complicated the military's ability to execute its mission.

An Aug. 10 interagency tabletop exercise to rehearse the evacuation "identified the deteriorating situation which predicted the full isolation of Kabul within the next 30 days," but no decision to evacuate was made then, according to the report. Instead, a day later embassy staff informally requested military support to gradually downsize and shift operations to the airport "over a 17 day period," the report said.

In their witness statements to Army officials investigating the airport bombing, Vasely and other officers described the delayed evacuation as fateful.

U.S. troops would have been "much better prepared to conduct a more orderly" evacuation, Vasely told the investigators, "if policymakers had paid attention to the indicators of what was happening on the ground."

The evacuation order was declared after the central government in Kabul collapsed on Aug. 15 as the Taliban completed a months-long rise, seizing numerous provincial capitals and eventually encircling Kabul, where a skeleton force of about 600 U.S. troops remained to provide security for the diplomats. The crisis triggered the deployment of more than 5,000 additional U.S. troops, some of whom had been staged in the region. Over the next two weeks, more than 124,000 people were flown to safety.

The after-action report prepared by Vasely's headquarters says the decision to delay closing the embassy left commanders about 12 hours to empty out the embassy with State Department collaboration. It recommends that future crisis planning "should include a discussion on building consensus" while readying an evacuation operation "with triggers for action that should be taken to avoid strategic surprise."

The report also states that U.S. troops struggled in the bombing's aftermath. There was a "severe failure" in patient administration and tracking, the report says, including one instance when a set of human remains and a patient in critical care were misidentified, resulting in the wrong name being reported to more senior commanders.

"The discrepancy was discovered prior to [family] notification," the report says.

The second after-action analysis included in the Abbey Gate report focuses heavily on the actions of U.S. Marines at the airport. It concludes that after Afghanistan's government collapsed, there was "insufficient airlift" in the region needed to rapidly boost the number of U.S. forces at the airport.

"While considered in the planning phase, the scope and scale of the desperation population was not fully appreciated," the report states, referring to the tens of thousands of civilians who converged on Kabul's airport seeking a way out of Afghanistan.

The State Department at times sent messages to potential evacuees that "conflicted with gate conditions and realtime capabilities" at the airfield, military officials wrote in the second after-action report. It warns that the Defense and State departments must have personnel at all levels "plan, cooperate and endeavor to stick to the plan" to successfully carry out future evacuations.
BOCA CHICA, Texas  Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur who led the first all-private-citizen crew to orbit in September, has commissioned three additional spaceflight missions in what amounts to a privately funded space program with Elon Musks SpaceX.

Like NASAs Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs at the dawn of the Space Age, the flights  dubbed Polaris, for the North Star  will seek to systematically chart new territory in bold, groundbreaking missions. In doing so, they would dramatically accelerate the progress of commercial spaceflight in what has become a new era of exploration, where private companies  and people  are claiming the rarefied territory that was once the exclusive domain of governments.

The first flight, which could come by the end of the year, will aim to send a crew of four farther than any other human spaceflight in 50 years and feature the first private-citizen spacewalk, Isaacman said in an exclusive interview with The Washington Post. The second flight also would be aboard SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft, the vehicle that NASA now relies on to fly astronauts to the International Space Station.

The third flight in the series, however, would be the first crewed mission of the next-generation Starship spacecraft, now under development by SpaceX and which NASA intends to use to land astronauts on the moon.

Last year, Isaacman, the founder and CEO of Shift4, a payment processing company, funded what was called the Inspiration4 mission. That flight sent Isaacman and three other private citizens  strangers until they were chosen for the mission  into orbit for three days in a flight that raised more than $240 million for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

The flight reached an altitude of 367 miles, higher than the Hubble Space Telescope and most space shuttle flights, and was operated entirely by SpaceX, which trained the crew, provided their spacesuits, kept them alive in orbit and then plucked them from the Gulf of Mexico after they returned to Earth. With NASA watching from the sidelines, it was yet another sign of the erosion of governments long-held monopoly on human spaceflight, as private companies become more capable and daring.

After the Inspiration4 flight, Isaacman hinted there might be more to come, saying, That was a heck of a ride for us, and were just getting started.

In the interview with The Post, Isaacman said that he had been discussing the Polaris program with SpaceX before the Inspiration4 mission. After the Inspiration4 flight, he said, he was awed by the wonder of space travel and eager to go again. But he also had doubts about whether he should continue the private spaceflights because the Inspiration4 mission, which was chronicled in a Netflix series, had successfully completed so many milestones. And he feared he wouldnt be able to break new ground.

I love space, and I would definitely want to take an opportunity to go back, said Isaacman, who is also an aviation enthusiast and highly skilled jet pilot. I just also felt like we got a lot of things done with Inspiration4, and I never wanted to potentially take away from that unless it could make a really good impact on the world.

He didnt want to proceed until he was convinced that the additional flights would serve the bigger purpose of opening up space for everyone and making humankind a multiplanetary species and, ideally, have a benefit for the things were trying to accomplish back here on Earth.

Isaacman and SpaceX did not disclose how much he was paying for the flights, though the figure could easily be several hundred million dollars. He also wouldnt say exactly how much the Inspiration4 mission cost, except that the price was less than $200 million.

In addition to the first commercial spacewalk, Isaacman said the first Polaris mission would endeavor to go farther than anyones gone since we last walked on the moon  in the highest Earth orbit that anyones ever flown.

The flight, which would take off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, would require a license from the Federal Aviation Administration. But the FAA considers only the safety of people and property on the ground in granting such approval and not the risks their activities in space might pose to the crew.

The crew would also test SpaceXs Starlink laser-based satellite communications technology in space. While Starlink satellites now beam Internet signals to rural areas on Earth, SpaceX is hoping to use the system for human spaceflight missions to the moon and Mars. The program would also collaborate with several university and research institutions, including the University of Colorado at Boulder, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Isaacman said the first mission would also conduct a study before and after the spacewalk to test how people cope with decompression sickness and why it varies. The crew would also gather data on how radiation affects the human body and how microgravity changes the structure of astronauts brains and eyes.

Isaacman will be the commander of the first Polaris flight, known as Polaris Dawn. Hell be joined by Scott Kidd Poteet, a former Air Force pilot who served as the mission director for Inspiration4, and two SpaceX lead operation engineers, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, who help prepare astronauts for flights on the companys Dragon spacecraft. The four got to know one another during the Inspiration4 mission and have a foundation of trust they can build upon as they undertake the challenges of this mission, the crew said in a statement.

Menon is married to Anil Menon, SpaceXs first flight surgeon, who was recently selected by NASA to join its astronaut corps. When the couple told their 4-year-old son that Anil Menon was going to be a NASA astronaut, the first words out of his mouth were, Mama, when are you going to become an astronaut?  Anna Menon said in an interview.

A few weeks later, Isaacman asked her to join the Polaris crew, and now she will likely reach space before her husband.

In addition to setting an altitude record, the Polaris Dawn crew is also aiming to perform a spacewalk, which would be a first for an all-private-citizen spaceflight. Since the Dragon capsule doesnt have an airlock, the crew would have to put on pressurized spacesuits and slowly depressurize the cabin before opening the hatch at the top of the capsule. Then they could climb outside to float in space, while being tethered to the spacecraft.

Isaacman said it had not yet been decided whether everyone would get the chance to venture outside and that it was one of many details of the operation that are still being worked out. To perform the spacewalk, SpaceX is developing more advanced spacesuits that would keep the astronauts safe in the vacuum of space.

The spacewalk would add an additional layer of difficultly and risk to an endeavor already fraught with danger. NASA astronauts spend months training for their spacewalks on the International Space Station, practicing underwater in a massive pool at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to simulate the weightless environment of space. Stepping outside the space station is considered among the most dangerous activities an astronaut can undertake, and its never before been attempted by nonprofessional astronauts.

Still, the Polaris crew said they were confident that they could harness NASAs experience and that SpaceX would be able to ensure their safety on what are known as extravehicular activities, or EVAs.

NASA has done spacewalks for so long, and theres so much knowledge that they have gained through the process, and we really intend to leverage that, Gillis said. We have talked with former NASA astronauts and current NASA astronauts about their experiences on EVAs, and how you actually go about accomplishing this. Having seen it firsthand, I really, really believe in the SpaceX processes and the verification, the testing process and the really scrutinous look that they take in absolutely everything.

Isaacman said the team will share more details about the mission  and the two that would follow  in the months to come. The crews for the last two flights have not yet been selected, he said. But Isaacman said that the program would culminate in the first crewed flight of Starship.

Starship is the massive spacecraft SpaceX is designing to take people to the moon and Mars. Last spring, NASA awarded SpaceX a nearly $3 billion contract to help develop the spacecraft so it could be used to land astronauts on the lunar surface as part of NASAs Artemis program. The spacecraft is being built and tested at the sprawling campus here in South Texas that SpaceX calls Starbase.

But if Isaacman and his crew were to fly in it first, that would mark a fundamental shift in human spaceflight. Usually, NASA relies on its most seasoned astronauts for the first crewed test flights of new rockets. On the first human flight of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket, for example, veteran NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were the first to test it out.

Isaacman said that Starship will fly many times before the first crewed flight. I expect in good SpaceX fashion, theyre going to do an awful lot of flights and get a lot of data before the first human beings get on board that vehicle, he said.

Having a private-citizen crew be the first to fly Starship is not a slight to NASA, Isaacman said, but rather another sign of how space exploration is undergoing a fundamental shift.

NASA has paved the way for everyone  just to be immensely clear on that, Isaacman said. Were all here today because of their accomplishments and sacrifices from so long ago. But what were seeing here is this is not exclusive to NASA. There is a ton of private money thats trying to deliver on the dream that SpaceX has.
Lockheed Martin ended its bid to buy Aerojet Rocketdyne after the Federal Trade Commission sued to block the $4.4 billion deal on the grounds it would hurt competition among defense contractors.

The planned acquisition would have led to greater efficiency, speed, and significant cost reductions for the U.S. government, Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO James Taiclet said in a statement. However, we determined that in light of the FTCs actions, terminating the transaction is in the best interest of our stakeholders.

The unraveling merger complicates Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheeds efforts to develop hypersonic weapons  a critical U.S. defense imperative  after the company had planned to bring Aerojets propulsion systems in-house. It also raises questions for Aerojet, which now faces a proxy battle as its leaders spar over the defense suppliers future.

The deal was only 0.3% accretive for 2022 because of large inter-company sales, Jefferies estimated in a report.

The absence of the deal could accelerate share repurchases, but the deal appeared to have little impact to cap deployment just given its size and flexibility to finance with debt, according to analysts led by Sheila Kahyaoglu.

Aerojet pared a drop of as much as 2.6% early Monday to trade down 1.5% to $38.49 as of 9:36 in New York. Lockheed declined 1% to $392.24. Lockheed had climbed nearly 12% this year as of Fridays close, while Aerojet sank 16%.

The proposed acquisition was an early litmus test for President Joe Bidens push to take a harder stance against mergers across the economy.

It was the second major challenge brought by FTC Chair Lina Khan in as many months. In December, the agency sued to block Nvidias purchase of Arm from SoftBank.

Khan has vowed more rigorous antitrust enforcement, including of vertical mergers between companies and their suppliers that traditionally garnered less scrutiny. Antitrust regulators cleared Northrop Grumman Corp.s 2018 purchase of the other big U.S. rocket-engine company, Orbital ATK.

On the Lockheed transaction, the FTC voted 4-0 to file a complaint in the agencys administrative court and sought an injunction to block the deal in federal court. The U.S. Defense Department also weighed the mergers impact on national security and defense consolidation, but wouldnt reveal its recommendation to the commission.

Raytheon Technologies had urged the FTC to block the merger, while U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren warned about the harm to the defense sector if the last major U.S. rocket-propulsion manufacturer were to be swallowed up by the worlds largest defense company.

In its complaint, the FTC said the proposed acquisition wouldve hurt competition by giving Lockheed the ability and incentive to limit rivals like Boeing and Raytheon from gaining access to Aerojets engine technologies. They range from rocket motors to air-breathing hypersonic propulsion.

The deal was among the first strategic initiatives launched by Taiclet after he became Lockheeds CEO in 2020. The takeover, announced just six months into his tenure, would have combined Aerojets expertise in rocket motors with Lockheeds arsenal of missile-defense batteries and hypersonic weapons.

While it would be more efficient to have a single team of engineers working on the propulsion system and vehicle frame, we can still manage it which ever way that deal works out, Taiclet said during Lockheeds Jan. 25 earnings call.

Aerojet said in a statement Sunday it will focus on its space exploration and defense growth markets to deliver value to shareholders, adding that it has a backlog thats more than three times the size of its sales. The El Segundo, California company will provide further details about its financial performance and strategy on the fourth-quarter earnings report on Feb. 17.

The Jefferies analysts upgraded Aerojet to buy from hold earlier in the week based on an attractive growth profile, capital deployment flexibility and valuation that was based on a deal break rather than the attractive standalone fundamentals.

The mergers collapse thrusts Aerojet into uncertainty as it now faces a proxy fight from its own executive chairman, Warren Lichtenstein. His investment firm, Steel Partners, said Feb. 1 that it would seek to replace several of the defense firms directors, including CEO Eileen Drake, to ensure Aerojet was optimally positioned to continue the business as a standalone entity.

Aerojet that same day revealed an internal investigation involving Lichtenstein and accused him of attempting to overhaul the board in order to secure his own position. Steel Partners, one of Aerojets largest shareholders, subsequently called the companys disclosure misleading and retaliatory.
WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will leave for a trip to Europe on Tuesday to speak with defense officials in Belgium, Poland and Lithuania as the potential of a Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to increase, chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

In Belgium, Austin will meet with NATO leaders and defense ministers to discuss Russias military buildup in and around Ukraine, continue the alliances progress on deterrence and defense while ensuring the alliance is prepared to face tomorrows challenges, Kirby said Monday.

Article 5 of the NATO treaty is known as the principle of collective defense, meaning an attack against one ally is considered as an attack against all allies, according to the alliance. If the article is invoked, NATO members agree to assist the attacked country.

Austin will meet with Polands president and defense minister while in that country, where the U.S. deployed about 4,700 troops of the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, N.C., in the past two weeks as tensions simmered with Russia.

Austin will also visit U.S. and Polish troops at Powidz Air Base to tour the facilities and observe the culture and conditions of our rotational presence there, Kirby said.

In Lithuania, Austin will meet Lithuanias president, prime minister and defense minister to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to working together to strengthen the Lithuania armed forces and continuing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder against threats and adversaries to advance shared interests and values, Kirby said.

Austin will also meet with the Estonian and Latvian defense ministers in Lithuania, and later visit U.S. service members stationed there, Kirby said.

The defense secretarys trip comes as threats of an impending Russian invasion continue to grow. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday said Americans in Ukraine should leave the country within the next 48 hours as the risk of a Russia invasion of Ukraine has risen.

The threat is now immediate enough that this is what prudence demands, he said during a White House briefing. If you stay [in Ukraine], you are assuming risk with no guarantee that there will be any other opportunity to leave and there is no prospect of a U.S. military evacuation in the event of a Russian invasion.

Kirby did not say whether a Russian invasion of Ukraine would impact the secretarys travel schedule.

We'll have to see, obviously, how things play out, 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.

While Russia has denied accusations of plotting an invasion, 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.

[Russia hasn't] been at all transparent about what they intend to do with this massive buildup, Kirby said. It strains credulity to think that they would have this many troops arrayed along the border with Ukraine and Belarus simply for winter exercises."

Russia has asked NATO to bar future Ukrainian membership to the alliance and remove all foreign troops and equipment from Eastern European countries that joined NATO during the past 25 years. NATO, and the U.S. independently, have denied those requests.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office on Monday said Ukraines desire to become a NATO member, as enshrined in its constitution, remains unchanged.

Zelenskyy said in a video posted to Facebook on Monday that he was told Russia would invade Ukraine, declaring that day a national Day of Unity to strengthen his countrys resilience in the face of growing hybrid threats.

However, the presidents spokesman, Sergii Nykyforov, later walked back the comment, saying Zelenskyy was referring to media reports of a possible invasion date, not military intelligence, NBC News reported.

Kirby said the U.S. still doesnt believe Putin has decided whether he will send troops into Ukraine, though Russia continued to add military equipment along the Ukrainian border with Belarus.

[Putin] is exercising some of his units on the ground there in the south, as well as naval units in the Black Sea, he said. He continues to add to his readiness, he continues to give himself more options should he pursue a military path here.

He is doing all the things you would expect him to do to make sure he's ready for that option, Kirby added.
TEHRAN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran slammed on Monday the U.S. decision to divert billions of dollars in frozen Afghan assets to the families of 9/11 victims as "shameful" and "anti-humanitarian," official news agency IRNA reported.

"This is not the first time the United States is plundering other countries' assets, ... and also not the first time it has demonstrated such arrogance," Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry, told a weekly press conference.

The United States thinks it can seize other countries' assets at will by issuing unilateral verdicts both as the judge and the jury, Khatibzadeh said.

"Washington has invaded Afghanistan, inflicted indirect losses and costs worth billions of dollars on the innocent and defenseless Afghan people as well as American taxpayers," the Iranian spokesman noted.

Speaking of Iran's measures to host Afghan refugees, Khatibzadeh said his country has taken in 4.5 million Afghans.

Following the pullout of its troops from Afghanistan in August 2021, the United States has frozen nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars' worth of assets of Afghanistan's central bank, which worsened the economic crisis and poverty in the war-torn Asian country.

In a decree issued on Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly ordered the allocation of 3.5 billion dollars from the assets as damages to the victims of the 9/11 attacks and diverted 3.5 billion more dollars to the Afghans as humanitarian aid, without the consent of the Taliban-run government. 
Amid the Talibans stunningly swift takeover of Kabul last summer, a former combat interpreter for the U.S. military launched a desperate overseas bid to rescue his wife before American troops withdrew from Afghanistan.

A naturalized U.S. citizen who lives in Las Vegas, Hekmat Ghawsi brought his wife, Laily, through the chaos at the Kabul airport with the help of war veterans with whom he had worked. Today, the couple celebrate their first Valentines Day in the United States.

The two had been kept apart for more than a year by red tape, and they were on the brink of despair during the frenzied evacuation of Kabul in August.

Its a story of the triumph of heroism and true love set against the backdrop of a geopolitical catastrophe, Seamus OFianghusa, an Army veteran who worked with Hekmat Ghawsi on a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, said in an interview Friday.

Ghawsi served as an interpreter for U.S. troops for eight years. He was mourning the death of a fellow combat interpreter when he received a Special Immigrant Visa to come to the U.S. in 2014, he told Stars and Stripes on Saturday.

Ghawsi settled in Las Vegas, where the mountains surrounding the city reminded him of his former home.

In October 2020, he returned to Afghanistan to marry his sweetheart in a lavish wedding. He had been submitting paperwork for her to come to the U.S. before the wedding, but the bureaucratic process dragged on and he had to return to the United States.

Hekmat Ghawsi was an Uber driver in Las Vegas when his homelands government collapsed. He believed that his wife was at risk of retribution from the Taliban because of his service with American troops.

She made it to Kabul from her home village, but didnt have a way of entering the airport, where U.S. troops were conducting evacuations.

He got in touch with veterans, government officials and politicians. He became part of the informal networks, often organized via phone messaging apps, that were trying to get Afghans out of the country.

Enormous crowds had gathered at the Kabul airport, hoping someone inside would allow them through the gates and onto a plane.

In the scrum, people were trampled and tear-gassed. Laily Ghawsi recalled shots being fired into the air constantly. Her husband said she was almost killed during the first attempt getting her into the airport.

She was the wife of an American citizen and yet was forced to wait a few hundred meters away from (the airport), in Taliban country, OFianghusa said in a chat interview. She was in visible sight of freedom.

OFianghusa recalled a phone call with his former interpreter during the height of the evacuation.

I could hear his voice cracking, and the tears starting. What is the use of giving people hopes and dreams, and then destroying them? OFianghusa said.

After many more pleas on her behalf, Ghawsis wife made it through the crowd and into the airport. She departed just days before the U.S. withdrawal ended.

Life in the United States still feels new to Laily Ghawsi, but shes starting to like it, she said in an interview. The people are nicer than shes used to, she said.

But her rescue remains bittersweet. Shortly after she reunited with her husband, her father and grandmother died in Afghanistan. In gaining her new life, she lost her home and the two relatives who meant the most to her.

Hekmat Ghawsi is still trying to help people in Afghanistan. He has helped send medical aid and food to a charity in Kabul, and he wants to bring other relatives to the United States.

Hekmat Ghawsi said his wife wishes he wasnt always on his phone, focused on problems far away. He said he hopes one day they can have time together with the problems in Afghanistan no longer weighing on them.

This Valentines Day will be a step toward fulfilling that promise. Hekmat Ghawsi said he designated a special time just for them.

The two nature lovers plan to drive through Red Rock Canyon, a national conservation area west of Las Vegas, and then have dinner on the Strip.

The two are expecting a child, Laily Ghawsi said. If its a boy, his name will mean bravery, and if its a girl, her name will mean heaven.

Were just taking it one (day) at a time and making the best out of it, and preparing for our baby, Hekmat Ghawsi said.
BILOXI, Miss. (Tribune News Service)  Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise Jr. was welcomed home to Biloxi on Sunday with cheers from a crowd of hundreds who gathered near the Biloxi Lighthouse to see the unveiling of a statue in his honor.

Long after the speeches were delivered and Haise left his handprints in concrete and pulled the drape to reveal the 8-foot statue that depicts him in his spacesuit, people stayed to meet their hero.

The original ceremony, planned for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13 in April 2020, was canceled because of COVID-19. Sundays event went on despite the passing of Haises wife, Patt, less than a week before.

Haise, 88, grew up in Biloxi, served as a fighter pilot for the Marine Corps and the Air Force, survived Apollo 13 and a terrible airplane crash as a test pilot. He spent the last 15 years helping build Infinity Science Center in Hancock County to inspire students to embrace science and technology.

Mayor Andrew FoFo Gilich said the day and the ceremony was to honor the amazing life and accomplishments of Biloxian Fred Haise  and Ill say, the greatest Biloxian.

Only 24 people ever flew around the moon, and one of them was a Biloxian, Gilich said.

Haise wore a suit and a smile to the ceremony that began at 1:13 p.m. with a parade from the Biloxi Visitors Center to the area south of the lighthouse, where the statue stands at the edge of the Mississippi Sound. The base is a 66,000 pound precast manhole painted to look like a Saturn V rocket, and its not going anywhere, Gilich said.

The statue is just as secure, he said, but can be unbolted and removed if a storm the size of Katrina should threaten.

It was created by another Biloxi native, sculptor Mary Ott Tremmel Davidson, who completed it over two years while battling cancer.

Next to the statue is an Apollo 13 Moonwalk created by artist Lucinda Perniciaro LEnfant that tells the story of Apollo 13 and includes a letter from Haise to Biloxi.

Anthony Wilson, CEO of Mississippi Power, described Haise as a  Biloxi native son, space hero and a true American hero, and said he is still a shining example for students.

Natalie Rickert of Biloxi brought her four daughters Sunday and they waited to meet Haise. She homeschools the girls and said theyve been studying space to get ready for the unveiling.

I think its important for them to know about their history, she said, and the tie of Biloxi and Apollo 13 is a great part of the town they are growing up in, she said.

Michael McDaniel, president of the Infinity Science Center board of directors, said Haise has served on the board since 2008  years before there was an Infinity  and donates all the money he makes for speaking engagements and signing memorabilia to help the operation of the center.

The most inspiring words came from Haise, himself, who said he included stories of growing up in Biloxi in his new book, Never Panic Early, which is scheduled to be released April 5.

This is such an incredible day, he said, as he looked out at the crowd that ranged from newborns to people in their 80s, who he grew up with in Biloxi.

He talked about delivering papers for the Daily Herald and shining shoes for a nickel for the many Army airmen who came to Keesler Field during World War II.

When children look at the statue, the moonwalk and the plaque that tells about his life, Haise said he hopes they get there was a lot of hard work involved.

To make a productive, enjoyable life, You had to have a discipline, you had to have a goal and work toward that goal, he said.

In my case, quite an exciting life, Haise said.

(c)2022 The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.)

Visit at www.sunherald.com
Fewer people will be considered Covid-19 contacts and isolation requirements will be relaxed as the country enters phase two of the strategy for Omicron tomorrow.

The transition will take place at 11.59pm tonight and bring shorter isolation periods, increased use of rapid antigen tests and more relaxed contact tracing.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned of looming disruption and record heath figures as case numbers escalate.

"It will be nothing like we've experienced to date but our efforts with vaccination mean we have got to this place without the volume of serious illness and death that so many others have experienced.

"But it will be new and so now is not the time to give up."

The most significant change under phase two will be the length of time cases and their contacts need to isolate.

People infected with Covid-19 and their household contacts will only need to isolate for 10 days, down from 14 days, and anyone else deemed a close contact will have to isolate for just seven days.

The same applies for those in MIQ and travellers who can bypass managed isolation when the border starts to re-open.

Cases will be notified via text message and will be directed to an online self-investigation tool which will help contact tracers focus on high risk exposures, like rest-homes and prisons.

Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says under phase two the criteria for close contacts will also be relaxed.

"It will be less disruptive for people it won't be just because you're at a cafe and there happened to be a case there for a period of time that you will have to isolate unless of course you were in that small group that the person may have been with."

Phase two also sees the start of the test-to-return-to-work scheme that allows asymptomatic essential workers deemed close contacts can return to work if they return daily negative rapid antigen tests.

The government has set a broad criteria for critical services that includes health services, lifeline utilities, and news media.

Businesses in those sectors were invited last Thursday to apply to be classed as a critical service so they can take part in the scheme and more than 5000 have applied so far.

"Once a business has signed up to the scheme an employee who is a close contact without symptoms will be able to go to a provider such as their local community vaccination clinic and secure a pack of ten rapid antigen tests," says Ardern.

"In some cases rapid antigen tests are being supplied directly to large scale critical workforces."

Business New Zealandchief executive Kirk Hope said businesses had not been given enough time to prepare.

"Businesses are still having to figure out whether they will meet the criteria to be critical and then what happens if they don't and they need access to rapid antigen tests to test their workers.

"So there are still some question marks from businesses."

Epidemiologist Michael Baker says people need to start assuming Covid-19 is everywhere, especially those who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or those living in Auckland where the bulk of daily cases are.

"People who are older or have underlying illness and are more vulnerable to a serious outcome need to really start taking precautions to limit their range of social contacts.

"And if you are more vulnerable and you're out interacting with people indoors you need to be wearing high quality masks the whole time."

-RNZ.
Across New Zealand, 164 schools, kura, and early childhood education centres are managing Covid cases, according to new data released by the Ministry of Education.

The figures come as New Zealand records its highest number of Covid cases ever, with a 981 increase in the daily total on Monday. There are now 4960 active community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand.

While most of the affected schools, 93, are in Auckland with 44 of them being primary schools, the Bay of Plenty has also had some of its education centres affected.

Pongakawa School moved to offsite learning last week after advice from the Medical Officer of Health and the Director of Education Bay of Plenty, according to a notice for parents from principal Craig Haggo.

The decision comes after travellers on a bus from Pukehina were considered close contacts of a Covid-19 case from February 1.

In a post on Facebook overnight, principal Craig Haggo says his thoughts and best wishes are with those people and families who are coping with covid infections at the moment. It is very quick spreading and seems to have different ways it affects people, he says.

"For those of you who have been lucky enough to avoid catching this thing, please do be vigilant and take sensible precautions. If in doubt, get tested and stay home.

"I am picking that many of you will be wondering why I have not been sending out more of those close contact letters. Unfortunately I need to tell you that the contact tracing system must have already become overwhelmed as I have had no contact from them (through the MOE) since last Wednesday.

"I do know we have and continue to get more cases but unless the family contacts me directly, we will not have heard. Many thanks to those of you who have."

Craig says while the school has continued with off-site learning this week, unless he is told differently by the various ministries, he is keen for the school to move back to onsite learning next week.

"It will certainly mean, like all schools, we will have students and staff coming and going with illness and this will make for challenging times, but it seems the best option to me long term. Please understand while my leadership team and I have discussed this if we are given direction that differs we will of course need to adhere to it.

"It would also appear the country will need to move to Red Level Phase two as case numbers ramp up. I have no doubt schools will be given new guidelines to follow, so any or all of the previous paragraph could become redundant."

Up in Auckland, 170 pupils from Balmoral School in Mt Eden are isolating at home after two cases attended the school on Tuesday last week  the schools first day back.

Balmoral School was alerted to the cases on Friday. Six teachers are also isolating.

The students were years 2 and 8 and were sharing flexible learning spaces, according to principal Malcolm Milner.

Parents picking up their children from Balmoral School on Monday were concerned with the social aspect of isolation after their children had already missed so much schooling.

Michael Tagg says the exposure is disappointing but it's nothing too surprising and nothing to be too much concerned for.

Tagg, whose children at Balmoral are 7 and 9 years old, is mostly worried about the virus getting to his childrens elderly relatives and his kids missing out on seeing their school friends.

Ideally, not having more at-home schooling would be wonderful. We love the fact the kids are back at school enjoying their day, he says.

Natasha Mannering, who has a 9-year-old at Balmoral School, says the cases made her nervous, but she also worried about losing the social side of school.

The learning and the social interaction is just as important as the health side of things.

Mannering says she has to now be as cautious as you can with taking the kids to after-school events, such as swimming, but that life had to go on.

Its school, you want them to carry on. They missed so much last year that the school and the social thing is just as important.

She praises how the school has handled the exposure saying they had done really well with it.

Mannering said she works from home and taking care of her kids schooling and working was challenging.

Only 17 schools are managing cases in Wellington, three more than the Bay of Plenty.

No schools in Taranaki, Whanganui, or Manawatu are managing cases.

Only four schools are managing Covid in the South Island.

-Additional reporting by /Stuff.
Atlantic, IA (50022)

Today

Rain showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High 54F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 37F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
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KABUL, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Washington's decision on splitting frozen Afghan assets in the United States has sparked an outcry among ordinary Afghans who believe the verdict would exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis.

U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday to free 7 billion U.S. dollars out of more than 9 billion frozen Afghan assets, splitting the money between humanitarian aid for cash-strapped Afghanistan and a fund for 9/11 victims.

Massiullah, a shop owner in Kabul, told Xinhua that Afghans want all of their assets frozen by the United States, not part of it. "It is immoral, and an act of extortion to seize money of a poor people. In all civilization, it is not allowed to interfere in the internal or financial issues of a country."

The "illogic decision" will directly have a negative impact on the livelihood of people, he noted.

"The owner of those frozen assets are Afghans, the United States has no authority to decide on another nation's fate. Afghan children are suffering from malnutrition," he said.

Massiullah concern was echoed by Abdul Nasir Rishtia, a well-known economic analyst, who said that "a country's foreign exchange reserves bankroll the country's financial system and national currency, (and) the latest U.S. decision over Afghan assets risks triggering the collapse of the Afghan currency and could serve like a death sentence for financial and banking system."

The freeze of Afghan assets has caused a banking crisis. After the change of government in August 2021, the Afghan central bank issued an order to all banks, setting a temporary withdrawal limit of 200 dollars, or 20,000 afghanis, for one customer every week. The customers still do not have access to their savings.

"The assets belong to Afghanistan, from a legal point of view, the United States has no authority to make decisions on Afghans' assets. It will be the biggest and most irreparable blow to Afghanistan's economy, the move will have a negative impact on the life of the Afghan business community and the private sector as well," Rishtia, chief executive of Afghanistan Steel Mills Union, told Xinhua.

Hours after the announcement of the order, Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman of the Taliban political office in Qatar, criticized the decision.

"Stealing the blocked funds of Afghan nation by the United States and its seizure is indicative of the lowest level of human and moral decay of a country and a nation," Naeem wrote on Twitter.

Daud Nejrabi, a correspondent in Afghanistan, believes that the move would further deepen the quagmire of Afghanistan and its people.

"The Biden administration's decision to split Afghan assets is against the international norms," he said.

"We will raise our opposition to the politicization of humanitarian issues. The already dire situation faced by Afghan civilians will get worse, and the humanitarian needs of children and women will increase over the coming months," Abdul Sami, a Kabul resident who came from eastern Panjshir province, told Xinhua.

"This issue will directly be a big blow to Afghans, it will have a negative impact on the livelihood and life of every Afghan," Sami said.

"It is not logic, it is a wrong decision to punish people who are innocent, who are victims of war and invasion, Afghans did not have any role in the 9/11 attacks, the compensation for the 9/11 attacks should be taken from those who were responsible, Afghans are the victims of U.S. invasion themselves," he said.

Who will have "to pay compensation for hundreds of thousands of Afghans killed and wounded during the U.S. invasion? Afghanistan's national bank reserves belong to the people of Afghanistan. Only Afghans can decide on the fate of their assets," Sami added.

The current Afghan crisis has forced millions of Afghans to search for jobs in neighboring Iran and Pakistan as well as other countries. 
JERUSALEM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli state-run company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will provide Morocco with an advanced air and missile defense system, after they signed a 600-million-U.S.-dollar deal, Israeli media reported Sunday.

IAI will provide Morocco with the Barak MX system, in a deal that began to take shape during Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz's visit to Morocco in November last year, according to Israel's Channel 12 TV news and financial website Globes,

Barak MX provides a single integrated solution for multiple simultaneous aerial threats from different sources and ranges in several mission types and battle conditions, the reports said.

These threats include fighters, sea-skimming and cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, drones, helicopters and gliding bombs, and the system offers three interception ranges of 35, 70 and 150 km.

Morocco and Israel signed a historic agreement for the establishment of full diplomatic relations in December 2020.

The deal comes amid Morocco's growing tension with its neighbor Algeria and a possible threat of booby-trapped drones against the North African country, according to Channel 12. 
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Oklahoma... Illinois River near Tahlequah affecting Cherokee County. ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING TO EARLY THURSDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Illinois River near Tahlequah. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning to early Thursday morning. * IMPACTS...At 11.0 feet, minor flooding occurs from near Hanging Rock downstream towards Tahlequah. Floating the river is too hazardous due to strong turbulence. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 4:30 AM CDT Tuesday the stage was 7.2 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage tomorrow morning to a crest of 11.1 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage late tomorrow evening. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
WTF?! Russia has sentenced a teenager to five years in prison for plotting to blow up a government building. While that might not sound out of the ordinary, the building in question was a virtual recreation within the video game Minecraft.

Nikita Uvarov, Denis Mikhailenko, and Bogdan Andreyev from Kansk in Siberia were arrested in June 2020 when they were just 14 years old. According to the Moscow Times, the trio were apprehended for hanging leaflets on the real Federal Security Services (FSB) building that called the agency a "terrorist" and praised an anarchist mathematician who went to prison for six years for "hooliganism."

The FSB searched the kids' phones and found videos of them making pyrotechnics and allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at a wall. There was also evidence of a plot to blow up a virtual representation of the FSB building they had created in Minecraft.

The real FSB building in Moscow's Lubyanskaya Square

The three were charged with undergoing training for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities, a violation of criminal code of the Russian Federation Article 205.3. Mikhailenko and Andreyev pleaded guilty to the charges and were placed under house arrest. Uvarov denied his guilt and was placed in a pre-trial detention center where he claims to have been subjected to mental and physical pressure to confess.

The 1st Eastern Military Court in Siberia's Krasnoyarsk region found all the boys guilty last week. Mikhailenko and Andreyev were handed three and four-year suspended sentences, respectively, because they cooperated with investigators. Uvarov, who was found guilty of illegal weapons possession and passing through training for implementation of a terrorist act, was sentenced to five years in a penal colony.

The sentences could have been even more severe if the initial charge of "participating in a terrorist organisation" hadn't been dropped due to lack of evidence. Uvarov previously said he would serve any prison time "with a clear conscience and dignity," adding that "For the last time in this court I want to say: I am not a terrorist."

h/t: The Reg

FSB building image credit: Russian International News Agency (RIA Novosti)
Rumor mill: Although Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3050 does tick most of the boxes for a mainstream graphics card, availability has been far from ideal. The company is reportedly working on a solution to this problem that would come in the form of additional RTX 3050 models based on the smaller GA107 die.

Last month, Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3050 launched to great reviews, making a much better first impression when compared to AMD's RX 6500 XT. Unfortunately for many would-be buyers, it sold out in a matter of hours and pricing also shot up to less palatable levels. Part of the problem is that Nvidia chose to use a cut-down version of the GA106 die from the RTX 3060, which is relatively large and expensive.

There are only so many GA106 dies you can fit on a wafer, so the decision was likely motivated by the relatively poor yield of Samsung's 8nm process node. In other words, Nvidia may be reusing defective RTX 3060 dies to produce RTX 3050 graphics cards, so availability is still far from ideal.

That said, Nvidia is rumored to have at least two other models in the works, both of which could be based on the GA107 die. This is the same diminutive Ampere die that powers RTX 3050 laptop graphics solutions, which means it could have slightly lower power requirements when compared to the existing RTX 3050 desktop card.

The GA107 die offers the same 2,560 CUDA cores, 80 TMUs, 32 ROPs, 80 Tensor cores, and 20 RT cores as the GA106-150, as well as a 128-bit memory bus and eight PCIe 4.0 lanes. But more importantly, it's said to be pin-compatible with the latter part, so manufacturers should have an easy time integrating it into their existing PCB designs.

If a recent TechPowerUp entry (spotted by Twitter user @harukaze5719) is to be believed, Nvidia is also readying an RTX 3050 variant with only 4 gigabytes of GDDR6, presumably to meet a lower price point of $199. This could be Team Green's response to AMD's RX 6500 XT --- a graphics card that isn't appealing to miners and is relatively easy to produce in large quantities.
In a nutshell: Jared Isaacman, the billionaire who commissioned and led SpaceX's first all-private astronaut mission in 2021, has put in an order for three additional flights with Elon Musk's firm. The first flight, which could take place before the end of 2022, will send four people further into space than any other mission in the last 50 years.

Isaacman will command the flight, known as Polaris Dawn, and will be joined by Scott Poteet, who served as the mission director for Inspiration4, along with SpaceX lead operation engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis.

They'll conduct the first-ever private citizen spacewalk during the mission, test Starlink satellites and study how people deal with decompression sickness.

The second flight will utilize SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, the same model that was used back in September. The third flight, however, will rely on Space's next-gen Starship spacecraft, which the company plans to also use for lunar landings and for trips to Mars.

Isaacman told The Washington Post after his first flight that he was awed by the wonder of space travel and was eager to have another go at it. "I just also felt like we got a lot of things done with Inspiration4, and I never wanted to potentially take away from that unless it could make a really good impact on the world," he said.

Isaacman didn't say how much he would be paying for the three additional missions with SpaceX, nor did he reveal how much the Inspiration4 mission cost outside of the fact that it was less than $200 million.

Isaacman expects to share more details about the three missions in the coming months.

Image credit: SpaceX
Leading medical supplies manufacturer and distributor Texas Medical Technology announced a partnership with diabetic skin treatment company Lavior Wednesday. Lavior is the only company exclusively dedicated to offering a full lifecycle line of diabetic skin treatments, from prevention to treatment.

The partnership includes a distribution agreement across the United States, alongside a longer-term commitment toward collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two companies.

"Lavior is a company for whom I hold a lot of admiration," said Omri Shafran, Founder & CEO of Texas Medical Technology. "As our conversations became more commonplace and we began exchanging more ideas, it seemed only natural that we should begin working together on a deeper, more official level."

As part of the collaboration, Texas Medical Technology will help manage Lavior's distribution processes to its portfolio of skincare customers.

The partnership also incorporated a wider collaboration between the two companies, including the networking of customer bases, the exchange of logistics and industry knowledge, and a shared philosophy of helping disadvantaged communities.

"It's a really exciting partnership we've struck up here with Texas Medical Technology, since it's not solely about distribution," said Gilad Savion, Co-Founder and CEO of Lavior.

Texas Medical Technology was established to meet the soaring demand for personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company now has a 144,000-square-foot factory in Houston, Texas that employs 550 workers from 53 countries, including refugees assisted by the YMCA of Greater Houston and the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

The three entrepreneurs behind Texas Medical Technology also come from diverse backgrounds, forming what some might term an unlikely alliance. Omri Shafran and Dimitri Menin are Israeli, while Jad Shraim is of Palestinian descent, showcasing one of the most potent forces of diversity working for the common good.

Their focus since the beginning has been on working together for the greater good, regardless of origin. Keeping in line with their mission to aid disadvantaged communities across the country, the company also recently announced joint ventures with The Modoc Nation of Oklahoma.

The Lavior diabetes line was developed after 11 years of research and clinical trials to address the specific skin care needs of people with diabetes and help reduce their risk of skin complications. With its headquarters in Miami, the company has warehouse locations across the country.

"This shared collaboration between two companies who share the same philosophies around creating well-being from business, not just profit," Savion said. "It's also a brilliant opportunity to work together logistically and exchange wisdom to develop the business in the best way possible."

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
LA PAZ, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least four people died and 22 were injured after a bus fell into a ravine early Sunday morning in the southern Bolivian department of Chuquisaca, local authorities said.

The accident, which occurred in the town of Monteagudo, was caused by speeding, Chuquisaca Prosecutor Mauricio Nava told local press, adding that responsibility has yet to be determined.

According to the preliminary report, the vehicle was traveling along the Sucre-Monteagudo route and fell into a ravine while taking a curve.

Nava said that police and personnel from the Public Ministry were dispatched to the scene to help the wounded. 
The Tesla FSD AI came from its Neural Network that trains the technology to bring the autonomous driving feature for humans to use when driving the streets. The feature aims to bring a safe driving experience to take a person to their destination without intervention.

Elon Musk reveals that the Tesla FSD AI's Neural Network brings a lot of layers that are different from other methods.

Tesla FSD AI: Neural Network Brings a Lot of Layers Says Elon Musk

The Tesla FSD AI has a Neural Network that teaches it what to do and trains the system to adapt to the real-world situation of driving, particularly in the current roadways. Elon Musk revealed that the Tesla FSD uses the Neural Network to learn different safe driving methods and confirmed that the feature has many layers in its process.

The public is well aware that Tesla uses a Neural Network to build its AI and autonomous driving feature to help the electric vehicle bring its supposed features.

The company focused its efforts on training its AI with a network of self-learning technology, focused on bringing technology advancements via different layers stacked into its system.

Read Also: Tesla Warned by NHTSA to Disable Boombox Feature to Prevent Accidents

So many layers with Tesla FSD AI!  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 13, 2022

Tesla FSD AI Uses Neural Network, Not Statistical Learning

The company CEO replied to a tweet that discussed the difference between the Neural Network from Statistical Learning, a form of machine learning, and functional analysis. Here, it is said that Statistical Learning aims to simplify the system and make it one form of knowledge for AIs.

On the other hand, it differs from the Neural Network as it aims to stack the layers that bring learning as it is, focusing more on adding more every time.

Full Self Driving Feature: What is its Current Status?

There have been disputes for the FSD feature by Tesla, and it is because of its recent controversies that claimed the feature does not stop at intersections. The safety feature for intersection stops is there, says the CEO and founder, and the FSD recognizes stop signs and proceeds immediately when clear of crossing cars.

Other features of the FSD include having to work without the need for an internet connection, making the feature its purpose to be a self-driving feature. Of course, updates need to be installed with the proper connection to download the firmware fully, but there would be no need to connect the car at all times to use the feature.

The Tesla FSD is in development mode as it is still in the beta testing stage of its features to bring autonomous driving to electric vehicles. Musk and the Tesla team are working to achieve its full autonomy status, something that it aims to accomplish through its Neural Network and supercomputers.

Related Article: Tesla FSD is 'Person Like'? Elon Musk Says Current Version Would Reverse Car If It Senses Danger

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 is mistaken for an old Chinese spacecraft by astronomers, and this is the space debris on a collision course to crash to the Moon next month. Crashing to the Moon is not an intentional venture by this spacecraft as well, as it is from a 2015 mission that floats the vast space on Earth's orbit but now has movement towards the natural satellite.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 is NOT Crashing to the Moon

According to a blog post via Project Pluto from Bill Gray, SpaceX's Falcon 9 that was initially thought of as space debris crashing to the Moon is not the one on a collision course to it. In fact, it is an old Chinese spacecraft that is also a part of a rocket and a previous mission that was left in orbit without any clean-up or retrieval.

Gray said that astronomers usually mistake objects as they have limited resources for identifying things clearly and accurately, with some images giving them vague displays. In this case, it incorrectly identified SpaceX as the culprit for an initially mistaken asteroid that will crash to the Lunar surface after discovering that it is not orbiting the Earth.

The said crash is happening next month.

Read Also: First SpaceX Starship Orbital Flight To Happen in March? Elon Musk's Promises Launch Before 2022 Ends

Falcon 9 Mistaken for Chinese Spacecraft

Project Pluto and Gray initially claimed that SpaceX's Falcon 9 from the 2015 mission brought the DSCOVR satellite. Other astronomers also believed that Elon Musk's company came from the images and observation, now clearing the company and changing the narrative.

Gray initially said that there was substantial evidence but nothing conclusive to SpaceX's Falcon 9 identification.

SpaceX and its Crashing Missions?

SpaceX has different crashing missions towards asteroids that are potentially harmful, but it is not aiming to crash itself on the bright natural satellite that orbits the planet. One of its famous crashing missions is with NASA, and it was the DART mission that already launched itself towards the space rock but did not do much to break it.

Initially, the reports and stories behind SpaceX's Falcon 9 top module from 2015 that will crash to the Lunar Surface brought significant criticism over the space company with the debris left behind. Of course, it is something that SpaceX needs to clean up during the time, but the company allegedly left it behind, only to be cleared of it now.

The space company by Elon Musk and its partners does not have any crashing missions on its list for 2022, especially as the initial one with NASA's DART did not fare well with changing the asteroid's course. However, more research towards crashing missions may answer obtaining a significant change to it.

At least for now, SpaceX is not the culprit for the rogue space debris crashing to the Moon.

Related Article: SpaceX: Starlink Satellites Disintegrate Without Debris and Parts Falling Back to the Earth [WATCH]

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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The notorious Joker malware is back once again after it reportedly compromised several Android devices in 2021. This time, the cybersecurity experts believed that this high-risk threat is affecting seven applications in the Android platform.

Joker Malware is Haunting Android Users

According to the latest report by The Sun, Pradeo, a known firm that specializes in mobile security, said that the Joker malware has been infecting seven apps in Android at the moment.

Although several security measures have been applied previously to Android, Google could not fully suppress the malware. The experts said that it could still bypass the protection.

Kaspersky analyst Tatyana Shishkova said that the Joker malware has reportedly infected at least 14 Android apps.

Going back to Pradeo, the said malware has recently attacked Color Message. Even though it had been discovered in 2017, it's still inflicting massive damage to Google amid security solutions.

The article also mentioned that the malware seems to be coming from the Russian servers. This means that Russian hackers might be the cybersecurity criminals behind this mobile threat.

Moreso, the Joker malware was also considered as a "fleeceware." This type of subscription software leeches money from the victims, which in this case are the Android users.

It comes in the form of SMS where users might have subscribed to an app without their knowledge and even their permission. It could also allow secret payments to operate online, as well as ad-clicking schemes.

Related Article: Joker Malware Returns--Spyware Has Infected Over 500,000 Huawei Users Through Android Apps in April

Pradeo Advised to Remove These 7 Android Apps Now

In the same report, Pradeo warned the users to uninstall the apps which were believed to be infected by the Joker malware. Here's a list to help you do that.

Emoji Wallpaper

Convenient Scanner 2

Separate Doc Scanner

Color Message

Push Message-Texting&SMS

Fingertip GameBox

Safety AppLock

The cybersecurity firm alerted Android users to be careful in downloading unauthorized apps on their devices. It's important to first run an antivirus application to double-check if the software is safe for usage.

In addition, Pradeo said that users should also watch out for potential signs of malware infection. According to it, your phone might be compromised already when you experience "crashing" apps.

Another clear symptom that there's malware in your phone is the sudden draining of your battery, not to mention the increased level of data usage. Don't forget to refrain from clicking suspicious links in your SMS as they could be an outlet for the malware.

How to Detect Malware in Android Device

Screenrant wrote that Android users should always have the latest version of the software. To check that, head to the Settings, then to System. After that, click the "System Update" and follow the necessary steps to download the updates.

You can also conduct a Google Security checkup in Google Play.

According to the report, Google suggested the removal of untrusted apps by uninstalling them. In the case of undetectable apps, it's always good to use anti-malware software such as Kaspersky and AVG.

If any of these procedures do not work, the last thing that you can do is reset your phone, which will mean erasing all the available data.

Read Also: SysJoker Malware Reportedly Attacks Intel, M1 Macs | Experts Recommend These Security Tools to Detect it



This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ben Dewell came to the Tehachapi Democratic Club to announce he is running to represent Congressional District 20.
BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

In his message, Xi noted that both China and Mexico are countries with time-honored civilizations and history, and the friendly exchanges between their people date back to ancient times.

Since China and Mexico established diplomatic ties half a century ago, especially since they forged a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, bilateral relations have been developing on a fast track, said Xi, adding that the two countries enjoy ever deepening political mutual trust and enhanced friendly exchanges and cooperation in various areas.

The Chinese president also said that in the face of the once-in-a-century pandemic, China and Mexico have stood together and extended a helping hand to each other, setting a good example of international solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.

The tree of Chinese-Mexican friendship has flourished and borne bountiful fruits, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, Xi added.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Mexico relations, and stands ready to work with Lopez Obrador to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to join hands, build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future.

Xi added that he is willing to work with the Mexican leader to advance traditional friendship, deepen win-win cooperation, stimulate common development, and continuously enrich the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership so that the two peoples can forever be good friends who trust each other as well as good partners that share prosperity.

Lopez Obrador said that over the past 50 years, Mexico and China have forged together an unbreakable friendship, and carried out extensive exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy, education and other areas, as exemplified by the two countries' joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mexican side sincerely appreciates and will always remember the two countries' mutual help and support during the anti-pandemic fight, he said.

The Mexico-China comprehensive strategic partnership has been advancing with the times and growing ever stronger, and has continuously benefited the people of the two countries, he said, noting that both countries have also joined hands to address challenges at regional and multilateral levels.

He also said he firmly believes that bilateral relations will maintain steady and sustained development, and show new vitality. 
Foreign Trade Minister Rodrigo Malmierca will make a presentation on "The Business Climate in Cuba: Opportunities for Trade and Investment."

Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Trade (MINCEX) and the Chamber of Commerce will hold a business forum on biotechnology and health on Tuesday at ExpoDubai 2020, the first world exposition to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.

Foreign Trade Minister Rodrigo Malmierca will be present at the Cuban pavilion where he will make a presentation on "The Business Climate in Cuba: Opportunities for Trade and Investment."

Antonio Carricarte, the president of the Cuban Commerce Chamber, and specialists from Cuban Medical Services and the BioCubaFarma Business Group will also take part at the event.

"It will be an excellent opportunity to hold bilateral meetings between national and foreign businessmen from both sectors and explore trade and investment opportunities with the Caribbean nation," Cuban officials said.

Cuba is a nation of 11 million, not even the population of SoCal Metro. They don't have access to the US market in biotech or manufacturing.



But they developed their own vaccines, they've distributed far more widely than we have (2+ years of age!) and are ahead on boosters. https://t.co/vZkYYIiOTv pic.twitter.com/fXUHcia1LE  Fix California Housing Party anyone? (@FlipperForty) February 12, 2022

The Cuban Medical Services Marketer will present a comprehensive offer for the export of health-related services. Its business portfolio includes activities such as medical tourism, provision of services abroad, and organization of specialized events.

The BioCubaFarma company will address its experience in the production of medicines, equipment and high-tech services for the improvement of human health and for food production. Currently, this company has 802 sanitary registrations abroad and exports its products to 48 countries.

During the rest of the week, Cuban officials and businessmen will conduct business rounds virtually. Expo Dubai 2020 will be held until March 31.
TRIPOLI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Libya Stephanie Williams on Sunday urged the Libyan parties to preserve calm on the ground.

Williams made her remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah in the capital Tripoli, where they discussed the recent developments and the recent votes taken by the House of Representatives (parliament) to adopt a constitutional amendment and designate a new prime minister.

"We reviewed the process underway and I reiterated the importance for all actors and institutions to work within the political framework and, above all, to preserve calm on the ground in the interest of Libya's unity and stability," Williams tweeted.

In another meeting with Fathi Bashagha, the prime minister-designate, Williams stressed that the focus must continue to be on the holding of free, fair and inclusive national elections in the shortest possible time.

The House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously voted for former Interior Minister Bashagha as the country's new prime minister.

Shortly after the vote, Bashagha said he is "confident that Dbeibah's government will hand over power and adhere to the democratic path."

However, Dbeibah confirmed that his government will remain in office until elections are held and will only hand over to an elected government.

Dbeibah's Government of National Unity was appointed by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in February last year, ending years of political division in the North African country.

The Libyan parliament withdrew confidence from Dbeibah's government in September last year and kept it as a caretaker government.

General elections in Libya had been scheduled for Dec. 24 last year, but were postponed indefinitely over technical and legal issues, according to the High National Elections Commission. 
Delays in the processing of criminal background checks for teachers are aggravating Louisiana's educator shortage, state officials say.

Cade Brumley, state superintendent of education, said when he heard a few complaints from local educators he waited to see how widespread the issue was.

"Afterwards I heard from a number of systems, both traditional and charter, that they were experiencing delays and losing employees because the employees could not get through the process," Brumley said.

He said he heard of cases where school district employees fled school systems for private industry because of the delays.

Brumley and others emphasized that the checks serve a key function, and help ensure that children are not exposed to those with criminal histories that are supposed to keep them out of the classroom.

Prospective teachers, school bus drivers, custodians and others are subject to reviews by State Police and federal officials before they are cleared for work. State laws spells out which laws ban teachers from the classroom.

The review typically takes 5-7 business days when requests are filed in person and 4-5 weeks for those sent by mail, according to Nick Manale, a spokesperson for the Louisiana State Police.

In an email, Manale blamed the recent slowdown on a software issue. He said the issue is "nearly resolved" and will pave the way for a return to normal review times.

Child care center operators gear up for big hike in costs of background checks Operators of Louisiana child care centers said Friday they are bracing for sweeping changes in criminal background checks for about 16,000 emp

About 32,500 people underwent fingerprint tests at State Police between January and September of 2021, State Police said.

Richard Hartley, the governor's education policy advisor, contacted State Police after Brumley raised the issue.

Caroline Roemer, executive director of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, she has heard concerns from officials of both traditional and charter schools.

"When we are in a place where these are tough enough times filling teacher positions it is not helpful when these background checks are taking longer than normal," Roemer said.

The ranks of Louisiana's teacher candidates are down 30%, according to a recent report, reflecting a national problem.

+2 Aspiring teachers down 30% in Louisiana as state faces shortage, lack of diversity in classrooms Louisiana's teacher workforce is suffering from a variety of ills, including a 30% drop in the ranks of aspiring teachers, a glut of educators

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Veteran educators said they have never had so much difficulty filling slots for all subjects, and not just the traditional hard-to-fill jobs like math, science and special education.

Scott Devillier, superintendent of the highly-rated Zachary School District, said delays on background checks also spill over to substitutes, who are in especially high demand because of the pandemic.

Devillier noted that a fill-in teacher who moves from district to district has to undergo reviews in each district.

"They may have been hired in August in Central and they come to us in December and we have to get them fingerprinted again," he said.

Mike Faulk, former superintendent of the Central School District, said background checks are always an issue.

Louisiana seeks more time to implement new criminal background checks for child care workers State officials said Wednesday they expect to get an one-year extension in their overhaul of criminal background checks for at least 16,000 em

Faulk, who is now executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, said any slipups in who is cleared for the classroom "is egg in your face and parents wonder what you are doing."

Faulk noted that some districts have purchased their own background check machinery or fingerprint devices to speed the review process.

School leaders said delays are typical just before school starts in August and the early days of any new school year.

The Livingston Parish School District grappled with a delay in background checks last summer, said Delia Taylor, a spokesperson for the district.

Taylor said the process has run smoothly since school began on Aug. 11.

A spokesperson for the East Baton Rouge Parish School District did not return a message seeking comment. That district recently faced criticism after a convicted felon was placed in an elementary school classroom for 13 days.

Hollis Milton, superintendent of the top-rated West Feliciana Parish School District, said his district has experienced backups but officials there are "starting to see progress."

Wes Watts, superintendent of the West Baton Rouge Parish School District, said his systems has also grappled with delays but the issue would be a bigger concern during hiring for the 2022-23 school year.
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Theres nothing we love more than a consuming passion. Or a renaissance man. So it comes with no small measure of delight we inform readers that art conservator-turned-lawyer-turned-Koorie Heritage Trust chief executive Tom Mosby has taken time out from his Melbourne role to try his hand as a contestant on the Great Australian Bake Off.

Tom Mosby, CEO, Koorie Heritage Centre, and cooking show contestant.

Or, he was, until disaster struck last week during the biscuits challenge. And here we were thinking risotto was the dish of death!

Mosby, who as partner to National Gallery of Victoria director Tony Ellwood forms one-half of one of the eastern seaboards most formidable power couples, joined Foxtels Bake Off with reality TV form. He was a contestant on Masterchef in 2009 on Ten. At the time, he was a successful Brisbane solicitor when he got the call-up for the pioneering cooking shows first season. Mosby impressed the judges with his knowledge and use of native Australian ingredients and showcased his Thursday Island and Torres Strait heritage in his recipes. He survived 10 weeks before being eliminated in a season which included Julie Goodwin and Poh Ling Yeow.

But the Bake Off experience was a different kettle of fish. Crisis hit in episode two when Mosby served up biscuits inspired by a game of cards and his Memories of Home biscuit chandelier. The judges were not impressed, scoring Mosby in 10th position and last place. Ouch, and goodbye.
A cycle to savour

Wagners Ring cycle to be staged at Bendigo? Bring it on! The 1998 and 2004 Adelaide Rings worked so well because the city was big enough to capture the spirit of the event (relevant museum displays, lectures, meals in cafes and restaurants adjacent to the theatre, etc) and yet small enough to make it feel like a community process. Bendigo will do that even better, I reckon.

See you there.

Nick Jans, Princes Hill A line to wish for

Its great that Major Projects Minister Jacinta Allan stressed Victoria was concentrating on service reliability, not speed, by upgrading existing regional routes (Regional fast rail projects hit buffers, 14/2). I hope this means the Bendigo line will get a reliable early morning train service and an earlier service. The first service gets into Bendigo at 8.20am (on a good day and when theres no slower buses replacing trains) which is the latest arrival time for any regional centre. The morning commuters to Bendigo would appreciate getting to work and school on time on any train.

Rohan Wightman, McKenzie Hill Is this progress?

I read with interest the article Slow train coming (13/2) that the $4 billion Geelong-Melbourne Fast Train Project has been hit with buffers.

As a daily rail commuter in the 70s and 80s the journey then in a red rattler was always close on the hour. I found that hour to be beneficial. I could read The Age and The Geelong Advertiser, prepare my days program and arrive at my office in St Kilda Road prepared for the day.

On the return trip, I was generally asleep before North Melbourne, arriving home relaxed. Ask any commuter their priorities. 1) They have a seat. 2) The train leaves and arrives on time, the time of the journey is a poor third. Now it seems the fast train will take 50 minutes instead of 60. The steam locomotive The Geelong Flyer took 60 minutes in the 40s and 50s. So much for progress.

Imagine what the billions of dollars could be used for: aged care, health, childcare, public housing. Time for a rethink.

Rod Mackenzie, Marshall Improve it, they will use it

Victoria should not be too hard on itself. In 2000, the state initiated and then delivered the Regional Fast Rail Project linking Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, and Traralgon with better services to metro Melbourne.

While I have always thought the opportunity was missed to deliver really competitive travel times, those investments did lead to travel time savings  though now apparently somewhat eroded by timetable changes.

More importantly, the projects showed that both patronage and regional city growth could occur when service is improved. This is important evidence that the right strategy is to first improve regional links around major cities  as the Commonwealth and states are now doing  not try to build inter-capital high speed rail. In relation to Geelong, a 35-minute service could be achieved with the right system control and commonly available rolling stock capable of averaging 140km/h or top speed 225km/h.

It would be a pity if Victoria missed another opportunity to deliver a service to at least one regional city which truly changed the travelling.

Peter Thornton,

Killara, NSW The law is the law

No school should receive public funding if some of their practices or teaching require an exemption from complying with the law. However, this should not be a problem for religious schools. Any religious group can still perform those practices or teaching during religious gatherings at its place of worship, out of school hours.

Carl Prowse, Ivanhoe

Carr going the right way

Bob Carrs big ideas are refreshing and thoughtful (Lunch with Bob Carr, Spectrum, 12/2). They include urgent help for the starving children in Afghanistan; a pardon for Julian Assange; a new government headed by cool-headed, non-flashy Albanese and global climate action that is a friendly competition between the worlds great powers to bring forward decarbonisation. Lets discuss.

Barbara Fraser, Burwood A bill of rights, now

I agree with Archbishop Philip Freier (Comment, 14/2), it is time for a balanced bill of rights. All other countries with similar governments like Australia have bills of rights. The archbishop gives the example of NZ.

It is obvious that our politicians are beholden to lobby groups and factions of the community that encourage them to legislate laws that are not always ethical so that they can retain that groups votes or financial support.

If a bill of rights existed the gay and transgender communities would not have had to live through the torture of listening to politicians discussing their futures. If there was a bill of rights we would hopefully not have asylum seekers locked up for long periods of time.

I agree with Archbishop Freier, the lesser governments are involved with human rights the better.

Robin Jensen, Castlemaine Reason dictates

Faith communities are feeling set upon in an increasingly secularist society? (The Age, 12/2). Well if they do, thats better than non-believers feeling set upon in an increasingly religious society. Consider what used to happen to such people in the dark centuries of Western religious control. Then the 1700s brought Enlightenment. Do we really three centuries later need legislation to protect against the reason, individualism and [healthy] scepticism of an enlightened secular society?

Rod Faulkner,

Coburg No resolution here

In addition to wrongly elevating Archbishop Daniel Mannix to cardinal, Dr Philip Freier is also mistaken to conclude that our having a bill of rights akin to New Zealands  enshrining in law freedom of opinion  will resolve the religious discrimination issue. The problem is not just about what people think, it is rather about what they are allowed to do to others in the cause of enforcing their opined discriminatory rights.

Peter Drum, Coburg The unreality show

Principles like one country cannot simply change the borders of another by force. Principles like one country cant simply dictate to another its choices, its policies, [or] with whom it will associate. The words of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at the recent Quad meeting in Melbourne.

How does he say that with a straight face? He must believe it, which makes it dangerous. May I remind him of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Bay of Pigs (Cuba), Grenada, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Serbia. Coups or attempted coups fermented in too many countries to count.

Righteousness is always so dangerous. Blinds one to the reality.

John Queripel, Kotara, NSW

Peppercorns rent

For many years, beautiful peppercorn trees at Hampton railway station provided shade to many people waiting for buses and others going to the car park. Recently, as I alighted from the bus, I was shocked and saddened to see that these trees had been removed. Now the area is barren and ugly.

Elaine Cullinane, Hampton Political donations

If we are going to start looking at validity and transparency of political donations (Climate warrior Zali Steggall failed to declare six-figure donation, 14/2) lets not just focus on independents. The whole spectrum of political donations is fraught and seemingly untouchable in this country. At the very least we need immediate visibility of all donations regardless of amount and we should not be permitting donations from corporate or business entities. Eligible donors should provide a personal TFN and realise that the donation will be public information with 48 hours. A reasonable cap of $2000 seems appropriate.

Robert Brown, Camberwell The correct reply

When asked about Grace Tame, Jenny Morrison should have said something along the lines of Ms Tame has been Australian of the Year and she is entitled to speak her mind and behave as she sees fit.

James Young, Mount Eliza Look in own backyard

Well Jenny Morrison, isnt forcing someone to shake hands when they dont want to an example of bad manners, and perhaps using parliamentary privilege to belittle Christine Holgate just a bit impolite?

Judy Loney,

Drumcondra Talk to someone

Thanks for your prayers on behalf of the Australian people Prime Minister, but next time you pray, would you mind leaving me out?

Id actually prefer you spend my tiny portion of your time speaking to a real person. Maybe you could have a chat with Linda Reynolds about restoring the recent NDIS funding cuts to people with autism. Im pretty sure God would approve of that.

Jo Bond, South Melbourne

Mustering the good

Thank you ABC for Muster Dogs. It was pure joy  a much needed reminder that there are more good people (and good dogs) in the world than there are bad and that Australia is still a beautiful country.

Belinda Burke,

Hawthorn Notes of rage

Sunday nights 60 Minutes, which contained a segment of musical torture, deserves the strongest condemnation. There was no preliminary warning to viewers of possible psychological distress and no helpline information at the conclusion.

David Kerr, Geelong AND ANOTHER THING Politics

Appears we have a new joint ticket  Scott and Jenny Morrison.

Tom Stafford, Wheelers Hill I dont think Ill vote for Jenny.

Sue Bradshaw, Fitzroy

History doesnt remember well-behaved women.

Lynn Paul, Maldon Would someone ask Jenny if imprisoning refugees is good manners? Oops. Please?

Pamela Pilgrim, Highett Jenny needs to realise that her disappointment over Grace Tames side eyes is a side-issue in Tames much more important mission for justice for abused women.

Glenda Johnston, Queenscliff The Prime Ministers key advisers appear to be God, Jenny and political strategists. Regularly ignored are health experts and climate scientists.

Brian Rock, Beechworth If were going to be subjected to government by the PMs wife, Id love to hear what Jenny Morrison thinks about the refugees in indefinite detention.

Tim Durbridge, Brunswick
One of Australias biggest political donors has been named in a Federal Parliament hearing as being the puppeteer behind a foreign interference plot to get political candidates elected in an upcoming Australian election.

Labor senator Kimberley Kitching used parliamentary privilege on Monday night to suggest to the head of ASIO  Australias counter-espionage agency  that the wealthy businessman behind the plot was Chinese-Australian property developer Chau Chak Wing.

Chau Chak Wing was named in Senate estimates on Monday night.

Senator Kitchings comments relate to a foreign interference plot to bankroll political candidates revealed by ASIO director-general Mike Burgess in his annual threat assessment last week. Mr Burgess has declined to name the country behind the operation and whether it was a federal, state or local election.

I am reliably informed that the puppeteer mentioned in your case study in your annual threat assessment speech given last week is Chau Chak Wing, Senator Kitching said in a Senate estimates hearing on Monday night. I believe it to be Chau Chak Wing. Are you able to confirm that it is Chau Chak Wing?
Independent MP Zali Steggall has admitted a mistake in recording donations totalling $100,000 from the family of coal millionaire John Kinghorn but insisted she was right to accept the money, declaring in a fiery television interview she had nothing to hide.

Challenged on whether she had met her own standards for integrity and transparency, Ms Steggall said her team had corrected the record at the Australian Electoral Commission as soon as necessary to report the donation.

Zali Steggall. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The member for Warringah, who toppled former prime minister Tony Abbott in the key Sydney seat at the last federal election, acknowledged the money had been split into eight donations below the reporting threshold even though it was paid in a single cheque.

The difficulty is there was a mistake made from an accounting point of view by the team, she told The Project on the Ten Network on Monday night.
Independent MP Zali Steggall says she did not fail to declare eight donations from a family trust headed by RAMS home loans founder and coal investor John Kinghorn, saying she acted in accordance with electoral funding guidelines.

An Australian Electoral Commission compliance review into Warringah Independent Ltds 2018-19 disclosures uncovered a $100,000 cheque from The Kinghorn Family Trust that had been recorded as eight separate donations. The Commission held that this should have been recorded as one single donation and publicly disclosed.

Warringah MP Zali Steggall says the donations were disclosed in accordance with electoral requirements. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The Warringah MP has released a statement this morning saying it was incorrect to assert she failed to declare what she had received.

All amounts received were in accordance with the requirements in November 2019, the statement reads, adding she received over 1700 donations during her election campaign.
Mr Somyurek was sacked from the ministry and Labor caucus in June 2020 after The Age and 60 Minutes revealed his alleged role in an industrial-scale branch stacking operation as well as his homophobic and misogynistic tirades against colleagues and gay staffers. The Ombudsman and IBAC are investigating whether public officers, including Victorian members of Parliament, are engaging in corrupt conduct while in public office by directing ministerial and electorate office staff to perform party-political work during taxpayer-funded working hours. Adem Somyurek moved a motion in Parliament last week to refer the red shirts rort back to the Victorian Ombudsman. Credit:Jason South Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass investigated the red shirts saga in 2017 and tabled her report in early 2018. She said the arrangement to employ field organisers  Labor Party campaigners  as electorate officers was wrong and an artifice to secure partial payment for the campaign out of parliamentary funds. She said it would be prudent for the party to pay back the funds  which it did  but did not recommend charges be laid. Mr Somyurek wants the joint investigation expanded to relitigate the red shirts rort, but has not provided fresh evidence beyond what the Ombudsman gathered in 2017 and 2018.

Ms Vaghela told the Herald Sun on Saturday she was scared of what Premier Daniel Andrews would do to her after she crossed the floor, and accused him of being a misogynist, a nasty man, spiteful and a person who had a problem with anyone ... and anyone who doesnt hold the same views as him or doesnt do what he wants. She also claimed Mr Andrews turned a blind eye to relentless bullying by one of his staffers, who was sacked late last year. The Premier rejected Ms Vaghelas claims her allegations were not treated appropriately, saying they were a fantasy with no foundation, but refused to be drawn on the allegations levelled against him personally, adding he would not dignify the claims by responding to them. However, the state opposition has referred to IBAC Ms Vaghelas allegations that taxpayer-funded multicultural grants and board positions were effectively offered as political currency.

The upper house MP wrote to the Premiers office in May 2021 alleging she had been treated poorly by one of his staffers, and raised concerns about how positions at the Victorian Multicultural Commission were awarded, and that people from the Socialist Left faction enticed allies by claiming influence over publicly funded roles, according to the Herald Sun. The gang says if people do what they say, then in return the gang will advise the Premier or the relevant minister in deciding who should get such roles in returning favours, she wrote in the letter, the newspaper reported. Liberal upper house MP David Davis. Credit:Joe Armao In a statement on Monday, Ms Vaghela said she supported Mr Somyureks motion because the issues raised in it exposed the Labor Party to major future risk of corruption. I, therefore, believe I was the only Labor Party member acting in the Labor Partys interest, she said.

I note that there was no binding caucus decision on this motion.

Ms Vaghelas allegations of corruption were raised less than a year after IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman confirmed it was investigating the misuse of taxpayer-funded staff and multicultural grants, centred on the Somyurek-led Moderates faction, of which Ms Vaghela was part. The oppositions upper house leader, David Davis, said the Andrews government had a long history of political cover-ups and supporters to key government roles. The public deserves to know the truth and these serious allegations must be appropriately investigated, Mr Davis said. A Victorian government spokeswoman said: Any referral to IBAC is a matter for the commission. Membership is a matter for the ALP. Loading

A Labor source on Monday said the ALP expected Ms Vaghela to turn on the government the minute she was disendorsed. They said Ms Vaghelas expected expulsion from the party would be a direct result of her crossing the floor in Parliament, which is not allowed under Labor rules. The source said her likely expulsion was flagged as the course of action the party would take as soon as the upper house MP voted on Mr Somyureks motion. Many people within the party expected her to perform like she did last week the minute she was disendorsed, the Labor source said. Many people in the party expected her to level accusations against several individuals in the government. Senior government minister Martin Pakula said while he couldnt speak directly to the allegations Ms Vaghela raised about the Premiers office, her description of Mr Andrews did not align with his experience.
KHARTOUM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations mission in Sudan concluded on Sunday the first stage of consultations with Sudanese parties to end the political crisis in the country.

The UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) would soon produce a summary document that highlights major areas of consensus among Sudanese political forces on contentious matters on the transition to civilian rule, the mission said in a statement.

Volker Perthes, head of the UNITAMS, described the consultation process as "valuable" as it allows the mission to hear a range of perspectives and proposals from the Sudanese people.

On Jan. 10, the UNITAMS launched an intra-Sudanese political process to end the country's political crisis and Perthes has been in consultations with Sudanese political parties and civil forces in the country.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis since Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, chairman of Sudan's transitional Sovereign Council, declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government. 
On a warm Saturday night in Melbournes CBD, visitors would barely see a hint of the pandemic we have navigated for more than two years. The bars and restaurants, the diners spilling onto footpaths, the buzz that makes Melbourne so vibrant, seem to suggest all is well again.

Melbourne slowly comes back to life at The Hardware Club. Credit:Luis Ascui

But the weekend trade is, like Cinderellas visit to the princes ball, something of a mirage. By Monday morning, the effects of COVID-19  recommendations to work from home, compulsory mask-wearing indoors and a reluctance to return to the daily commute  make their presence known again and the CBD turns back into a pumpkin.

A recent Melbourne City Council survey suggested that three-quarters of businesses in the CBD are barely surviving. Foot traffic  an indication of economic activity  is lifting, but is still at barely half its pre-pandemic levels.

We may no longer be in lockdown, but for the businesses that rely on city workers, both during the working day and after hours, we may as well be, except this time some are doing it even tougher, says lord mayor Sally Capp: Our traders are experiencing lockdown conditions without lockdown support from state or federal government.
Ukraine could drop its bid to join NATO to avoid war with Russia, the BBC quoted the countrys ambassador to Britain as saying, in what would amount to a major concession to Moscow in response to the build-up of Russian troops on its borders.

However, the ambassador walked back his remarks in a later interview as President Volodymyr Zelenskys spokesman insisted that aspirations to join NATO and the European Union remain the absolute priority to the country.

Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko told the BBC on Monday morning (UK time) that Ukraine was willing to be flexible over its goal to join the Atlantic military alliance, a move Russian President Vladimir Putin has said would be a trigger for war.

Ukraines ambassador to Britain, Vadym Prystaiko, pictured left meeting former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in January 2020, was Ukraines foreign minister until the middle of 2020. Credit:Reuters Pool

We might - especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it, Prystaiko, Ukraines foreign minister until 2020, was quoted as saying when asked if Kyiv could change its position on NATO membership.
For his first appearance at the Geffen Playhouse in more than a decade, Tony and Emmy winner Bryan Cranston is taking on yet another juicy role that allows him to blur the lines between virtuous and ruthless.

In Paul Grellong's Power of Sail, Cranston plays Charles Nichols, a renowned Harvard history professor under fire for inviting a white supremacist to speak at his yearly symposium. Unfolding in a non-linear fashion, the chilling drama, which also features Amy Brenneman, Seth Numrich, and Brandon Scott, under the direction of Weyni Mengesha, exists in a world very much like ours, where personal gain is prioritized over integrity and the question of whether or not hate speech is free speech hangs like a cloud in the air.

Even for Cranston, who has made a career of playing difficult characters of ambiguous morality, Power of Sail has been a tough one to crack, mostly because the play, the pandemic, and the ongoing social unrest, has really made him reconsider his place in the social structure of the world. But if there's anyone up for the challenge, it's him.

Bryan Cranston in Power of Sail

( Jeff Lorch

This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Way back before Covid, you were supposed to be directing something at the Geffen, but that morphed into you acting in Power of Sail. Tell me about that trajectory.

I had gotten a call from Matt Shakman, the artistic director, who asked me to come back and do something for the 25th anniversary season, because I'm an alumnus. I did God of Hell, the Sam Shepard play, back in 2006 just after I had finished Malcom in the Middle. I've directed one-acts, but never a fully staged play, so I was hunting for something to direct that really caught my eye. I kind of wanted to do a comedy, because I've been doing a lot of dramas recently, but I didn't want to do a slamming-door comedy. I wanted something that had some bite to it.

Then it dawned on me: what about The Foreigner by Larry Shue? I remember seeing that play because my friend Patricia Kalember was in the original production. It's hilarious and we're laughing at the hateful ideology of the KKK and white supremacy, and all that stuff. We started thinking about how I would want to do it, and then the pandemic hit, and then George Floyd's murder, and, before that, Charlottesville.

Almost immediately, it was like, "I don't think this works anymore." I had to accept my white privilege and the blind spots in my life by saying, "Well, sure, it's easy for me to laugh at the hateful ideology of white supremacists and the KKK because I am not affected by them." I had the luxury of doing that, and that's not acceptable. It's not funny. The Foreigner became the proverbial dated material.

I told Matt that it wasn't my time  if we're truly looking at developing equality, I'm going to step aside for emerging BIPOC voices in the theater and really make that space. If they find something that they need an old white guy to be in, I can facilitate that to help the cause, but it's not for me to jump to the head of the line. So we started looking for a couple of other things, and then my assistant said, "What about that play John Krasinski sent us?"

Bryan Cranston (center) with Power of Sail cast members Seth Numrich, Amy Brenneman, Brandon Scott, and Tedra Millan

( Justin Bettman)

And that was Power of Sail.

John sent it to me when I was doing Network. When you're doing a play, the last thing in the world you want is to think about another play. But he wrote to me and said, "I thought of you when I read this." It's very challenging, and another damaged character, which is exactly what I was expecting and is kind of in my wheelhouse. I guess I love characters that are not all good or all bad. I just relate to it.

Matt connected with Paul Grellong, the playwright, and pretty soon, it was a selection. We wanted a woman of color to direct us to really bring out all of the sides in it, and Weyni Mengesha is fabulous. She has such a beautiful comportment to her, in the sense that she never gets riled. She has a calm, nurturing sensibility, and she cuts to the chase. And she's not afraid of the challenge.

I imagine it is a challenge  it's a tough little puzzle of a play. I read it, and then had to reread it to see how all the parts fit together.

When it was done at the Warehouse Theatre in South Carolina, Mike Sablone, who is the artistic director and is one of our producing consultants, said that it was the first time in his experience that he ever had returning customers who came back just for the fact of figuring out, to see if they could track this. It's like a runaway train for me. Once the play starts, for the next 80 minutes, I'm going crazy. And then I get a break to get a drink of water and calm down for a second.

Bryan Cranston (center) in Power of Sail with Donna Simone Johnson and Amy Brenneman

( Jeff Lorch)

And the story is so current it could have been on the news last night.

When I first read it, which was about this time in 2019, it was pre-pandemic, pre-BLMWas this subject around? Yeah, of course. Was it seen? No. We hadn't been enlightened. The process of selecting this play and bringing it to life really opened my eyes to my own blindness. I've lived 65 years under a certain belief system that I was taught or that I learned through my environment or education, whatever, and it belies an undercurrent of truth. That we don't thoroughly go in and dissect the structures of how this country was created and the systemic racism that has always been there is astonishing to me.

What do you want people to feel and talk about when they see this play?

In this play, my character's argument is pretty sound. And it does, nightly, get appreciation for the argument about free speech and open debate. "You have to support it even if you don't agree with it." How many times have we heard that? "We should all be willing to listen to an opinion that's not my own."

And then there's hate speech and deniers of truth. We're experiencing that now, as we see. "The election was stolen?" This is a lie and you're perpetuating that lie. Should we give the person who spews that lie amplification to once again tell that lie? At one point in the play, my character is talking to his protege about the "paradox of tolerance." When do we give someone a voice and when should we restrict it? I say, "The answer to hate speech is more speech." And he says, "The answer to Nazis is clubs and bats." And then I say, "But what's the real answer?" And we don't know.

We always want the finish of a play to be the continuation of a discussion, and hopefully our play creates that. This is intended to make people discuss, maybe even argue, on their way out, and hopefully they can't shake it. I don't want people to go "Let's get a drink and think about it tomorrow." This brings it to the surface. This is the way to open people's eyes and make people see.
In the spirit of a show that makes a niche NPR joke in introducing one of its songs, one way to characterize the new musical Space Dogs is as the theatrical equivalent of the popular NPR science podcast Radiolab. It's the kind of show that feels a need to jazz up a potentially dry subject with an excess of flashy technique and cutesy antics. Some might find Nick Blaemire and Van Hughes's new historical show charming for that reason. I found it overbearing from the start, when the two creators/performers come onto the stage and immediately start tossing toy puppies at the audience. Based on the amused audience laughter I heard throughout the performance I attended, though, your mileage will undoubtedly vary.

What isn't in doubt is the inherent fascination of its subject matter. Space Dogs is, on one level, about Laika, the famous Russian dog who became the first animal to orbit the earth in 1957. But the musical is also a broader recounting of Cold War tensions as manifested in the space race that developed between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1950s. And on a more metatheatrical level, Space Dogs is a testament to Blaemire and Hughes's filled-to-bursting enthusiasm for the subject, expressed via a two-performer musical with pleasant songs that range from satiric to mournful.

Nick Blaemire and Van Hughes star in Space Dogs at MCC Theater.

( Daniel J. Vasquez)

That enthusiasm is reflected not only in the two stars' sheer energy level throughout the show's 90 minutes, but in the ceaselessly inventive stagecraft on display in director Ellie Heyman's production. Production designer Wilson Chin has surrounded Blaemire and Hughes with large subwoofers set up arena-style, with some of those speakers set up backward, offering a surface for Stefania Bulbarella and Alex Basco Koch's colorful projections. Some of those projections include imaginative use of onstage cameras and green screen to put Blaemire and Hughes in Soviet newscasts and other such older settings. Mary Ellen Stebbins's fluid lighting gives the show an appropriately otherworldly atmosphere throughout. The most noteworthy aspect of Heyman's production, however, is Amanda Villalobos's puppet and props design, with Laika and other dogs represented by puppets operated by the two stars, and box fans used as miniature versions of centrifuges, among other inspired bits of stage business.

It's the puppetry, however, that also illustrates the line that Space Dogs walks between agreeably quirky and insufferably twee. For Blaemire and Hughes, it's not enough to just have puppets play some of the dogs that were involved in the early days of the Soviet space program. They also anthropomorphize them, giving them dialogue and personalities  including one hard-boiled dog seen smoking a cigarette  in the manner of a kids' afterschool special, save one or two off-color lines of dialogue to make it seem more "adult." This conceit may be a symptom of their apparently worshipful reverence toward dogs, as evidenced by the number "A Brief History of Dogs," with their frequent refrain "dogs are our saviors," punctuated by myriad projections of various breeds.

Van Hughes and Nick Blaemire manipulate puppets in Space Dogs.

( Daniel J. Vasquez)

Without this move toward humanizing dogs, however  including having this show's version of Laika worry about whether he could "be of service to my country or a man," as he sings in the song "Getting Me High"  Space Dogs wouldn't have much of a narrative or emotional through-line, especially once Laika's own terminal fate is revealed towards the end. But history itself rarely follows neat narrative and emotional threads in the first place. A musical like Space Dogs that feels obligated to impose one on history can't help but feel simplistic, especially when combined with an approach to the retelling of that history that comes off as overly simpering.

Some of Blaemire and Hughes's songs suggest the smarter musical Space Dogs could have been. "Blessed by Two Great Oceans," for instance, alternates between folksy and warlike in ways that cleverly capture a sense of darker forces lurking underneath the picture-postcard surfaces of American life in the 1950s. And to their credit, the creators don't shy away from acknowledging the moral compromises the US made in trying to outdo the Russians in the space race, including bringing Nazi scientist Wernher von Braun on board to aid in their efforts to launch a man into space. Even such moments that evince an actual political and moral perspective on history, however, are overwhelmed by Blaemire and Hughes's insistent desire to entertain at all costs. This well-intentioned musical ends up feeling like something they most likely didn't intend: an insult to audience intelligence.
My Dubby is the epitome of Bad Romance

But First An Authors Note: I gotta thank Suburban VW for all they've done to help me. It is the car itself. As press conferences roll out and everyone praises the new debutantes, let's think about what happens after sale.







By Maureen McDonaldSenior Editor at LargeThe Auto ChannelMichigan Bureau

Detroit MI February 10, 2022; Ra-Ra-ah-ah-ah ah, Jetta, Jetta oo- la-la-la. Ive got Lady Gagas song, Bad Romance, stuck in my head, and a set of jumper cables from my wallet to my 2014 VW cowering in the garage. I have a love/hate relationship with this dastardly product. I cant sell it and I cant drive it.

This is my seventh VW and certainly my last. Whatever romance with the brand wooed me in regular intervals. $11,500 in repairs in the last year.

Before that I named it Sirius Black, the uncle of Harry Potter who flew to freedom aboard Buckbeat, the gigantic bird. I could glide anywhere on its wings. A little bad romance only made it more interesting. Until I became its slave.

Im about to fork out $1,500 to Suburban VW for a heater core and radiator for the obstinate beast, less than a month out of the dealership after it took seven weeks to rebuild the engine that the mechanics rebuilt in April at a whopping $8,600. Not including its other maladies. It is driving me straight to the poorhouse.

In 2014, when this vehicle was built in Pueblo, Mexico, the economy was roaring. About 16.5 million units were sold. I cant fathom how many had malfunctioning parts are just waiting to self-destruct. When I bought it for $17,000 with 24,000 miles from a certified-used-car dealer, I took a five-year loan and paid it off early. I loved the sunroof, heated seats and 1.8 turbo engine, mostly how it drove.

The car roared! It could hold the road at any speed, sip gas like a miser and hold enough camping gear to keep me comfy under the stars.

Im a semi-retired freelance writer who has forked out $13,000 in car repairs, instead of buying something new. But the average price is almost $47,000 according to The Auto Channel last month. Theres little or no regress when mechanical failures engulf you. Nope, car makers dont buy them back. Ra-Ra-ah-ah-ah ah, Jetta, Jetta oo- la-la-la. (Singing beats swearing)







There are certainly terrible cars out there - but unfortunately, it is not the norm for manufacturers to voluntarily buy them back. And when they do, they often turn around and put them right back into the stream of commerce, says Dani K Liblang of the Liblang law firm in Birmingham, MI, who specializes in lemon law.

Ive had literally thousands of cases where a vehicle had constant problems - even safety problems - and the manufacturer refused to buy the vehicle back until a lawsuit was filed. Even then, many manufacturers will fight the lawsuit so long that they spend far more on attorney fees than it would have cost them to do the right thing in the first place.

Lawsuits over high-mileage cars never go anywhere, Liblang cautions.

There was a time and another place. A tall, sweet boyfriend who kissed me by candlelight and took me motoring in the country in his 1978 Sirocco with a 1.5-liter engine tweaked and titillating. He collected so many speeding tickets he was forced to sell cheap in the early 80s. I bought it for a grand. And a grand time I had. Sold it for my first Jetta in 1984 and bought one after another.

Sure the VWs are persnickety. Little problems. Big problems. But nothing like owning Seymour, the ravenous plant in Little Shop of Horrors. It has gone from bad romance to gaslighting.

Friends gasp. Surely one car wouldnt go bonkers so often.

I truly believe Volkswagen should buy it and explore what combination of factors creates a mechanically challenged automobile with 90,000 miles on it. Cash strapped people expect a couple hundred thousand miles use from their mechanical steeds.

So, I asked the company. VW paid half the cost of the timing chain, when my car wasnt included in a timing chain recall of thousands that year. They paid part of the engine cost and supplied technicians to consult on the craziness of its electrical failures. Then the seven-month-old engine started leaking, but finding where became a long-winded problem. The shop suffered a paucity of technicians, Covid sweeping through the remaining staff, then the whole supply chain awaiting parts. Car stayed seven weeks.

Three days later an exhaust clamp broke, spewing toxic fumes everywhere.

Getting angry only makes things worse.

The current concern was not related to the engine from April. They (the dealership) as a goodwill gesture, repaired the vehicle and provided alternate transportation due to your loyalty.

I am sorry you feel we do not stand behind our cars. I am also sorry you have had any concerns at all. We have done the best we can to help here and would not offer any further assistance, wrote Katie Deel, Customer Retention Operations Lead in a letter to me.

The mantra from top on down, is that the current concerns are not related to the older concerns, if the engine leaks it cant be from an engine that was rebuilt for $8,600. I go crazy. Carvana, the newest purchasing platform, offers me $5,800.

You cant sell it, says Amir, the service manager. Youve got all these warranties on parts and repairs. Drive it till the wheels fall off. To be sure, the dealership has bent over backward to help me through this. They gave me a free loaner car for the engine repairs. But the trauma is too much.

I cant afford to keep it. Nor sell it.

Jetta-Jetta-oo-la-la, I sing along with Lady Gaga.
Van Buren, AR (72956)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 69F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 57F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Officials of China and Kenya sign documents during the handover ceremony of the eighth and last batch of 2018 Chinese Food Aid Program in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Feb. 14, 2022. Kenya on Monday held handover ceremony of the eighth and last batch of 2018 Chinese Food Aid Program to boost the war against hunger and malnutrition in Kenya that has escalated amid recurrent droughts. (Photo by Charles Onyango/Xinhua)

NAIROBI, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Monday held handover ceremony of the eighth and last batch of 2018 Chinese Food Aid Program to boost the war against hunger and malnutrition in Kenya that has escalated amid recurrent droughts.

Margaret Kobia, the cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programs said the eighth and last batch of 2018 Chinese Food Aid Program weighs 890 metric tons and the donation will enhance efforts to alleviate food insecurity in drought-stricken parts of the country.

"We thank China for complementing government efforts to alleviate hunger," Kobia remarked at the donation ceremony attended by senior government officials and Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, Zhang Yijun.

According to Kobia, earlier rice donation from China has already been distributed to arid and semi-arid regions besides supporting school feeding programs in a bid to boost nutrition status among children.

She noted that the cordial bilateral relations that Kenya has forged with China in diverse fields like trade, finance and education have evolved to cover humanitarian support.

Kobia stressed that Kenya was keen to strengthen mutual collaboration with China and achieve positive outcomes, adding that humanitarian assistance from the Asian Nation had a profound impact on drought-stricken communities.

She said the government had proactively responded to the current drought through intensifying cash transfer, water trucking and emergency food aid to communities in the arid lands.

The official said the government had also prioritized action on the climate crisis to boost the resilience of local communities and their livelihoods.

Zhang Yijun, the Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya said that Beijing has since 2018 donated 11,835 metric tons of rice worth 1.2 billion shillings (about 12 million U.S. dollars) as part of its humanitarian assistance to Kenya.

"Up to now, all the eight consignments of the rice donation have already been received and distributed to those in starvation," said Zhang.

He said that since 2011, the Chinese government has donated to Kenya emergency food aid worth 55 million dollars as the two countries elevate strategic cooperation in line with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Zhang added that Beijing will continue to provide humanitarian assistance including emergency food aid to African countries besides availing pesticides and irrigation technologies to help fight drought and locust plague in the continent. 
Clerks prepare the state Senate chamber in New Mexico for the arrival of legislators in Santa Fe, N.M., on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.
U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, speaks during a news conference Feb. 9, 2021, at the state Capitol in Albany.
School districts across the state and in Columbia County are now reviewing local control options concerning face coverings for students, teachers, staff and school visitors.

The review follows the announcement by the Oregon Health Authority Monday, Feb. 7, that the state's indoor mask mandate would be lifted no later than March 31.

Oregon health officials said they will work with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) over the coming weeks to ensure schools can continue operating safely and keep students in class once the school mask requirements are lifted.

The end-of-march date will also give schools the time to pivot in their COVID-19 mitigation strategies, according to the OHA.

The St. Helens School District released a letter to area parents regarding the mask mandate revisions.

"During an Oregon Health Authority Press Release today, it was announced that the state will lift its mask requirement on March 31, 2022, and return to local control," the letter reads. "This means that each school and district can make a decision in partnership with their local health authority on how to proceed."

District officials also state in the letter that they are reviewing the information and will meet with local public health officials to determine the next steps that best serve local students, staff, and community members.

"As with all decisions, there are going to be individuals who are in favor of wearing masks and there are going to be those who absolutely want to stop wearing masks altogether," the letter states. "We understand and empathize with both opinions. We hope to work toward a time when wearing a mask or not wearing a mask is an individual choice made without judgment. As a district, we will continue to put the safety of our students and staff at the forefront of any decision made."

The district letter states that the current statewide indoor school mask requirement is still in effect as it has been since the start of the school year and that the district will continue to keep parents updated as more information becomes available.

Clatskanie, Rainier School District reaction

Clatskanie School Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz said the OHAs announcement provides the district the opportunity to begin preparing the schools for the transition to optional mask use by students and staff.

Our Board of Directors, before the mask mandates were enacted, agreed to a mask optional policy, she said. Based on previous Board action and the information released by the OHA, pending no further county-level mandates from the local public health authority, we will move forward considering an optional mask rule effective March 31, 2022.

Hurowitz said the Clatskanie School District will work closely with Columbia County Public Health (CCPH) as the state moves forward.

As we work through this next chapter student and staff safety will be a priority, she said.

Hurowitz said the districts next steps include:

 District administration team to discuss options.

 Meeting with both heads of classified and certified associations to discuss and develop an implementation plan.

 Ask families for their input regarding a mask optional policy.

 Planning for safety with the school nurse and Columbia County Health director.

The Clatskanie School Board is expected to review the mask policies at its March public meeting.

The Chronicle also reached out to the Superintendent Joseph Hattrick to gain insight into the Rainier School Districts mask policy moving forward.

While the announcement from the state was very exciting, there is much still left to plan, he said. There are many factors that will impact the districts ability to no longer require masks because of the implications this may have on transportation, staffing, and quarantines. While the district is eager to return to normal, we will be working with our county health department and others at the state level to solve some of the challenges that we will encounter.

During the Monday, Feb. 7 school board meeting, Hattrick identified some of the underlying problems with blanket policies aimed at lifting mask requirements in an address to his fellow board members.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but its not as simple as it looks, he said.

According to Hattrick, there are several components the district must consider in removing requirements for facial coverings in classrooms.

One such consideration, Hattrick stressed, is the potential for lifting mask requirements to incidentally reveal the identities of school district employees who obtained religious or medical exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Another cause for concern is the level of vaccination among students, and how changing guidance could result in far more quarantines, contact tracing, and isolation, he said.

While other K-12 schools were quick to adopt test-to-stay programs in response to guidance from the OHA and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Hattrick previously remarked that such an adaptation would be unfeasible for the school district, due to low vaccination rates and mask noncompliance.

They (OHA) give us just enough hope, Hattrick said. But that puts school districts in the line of fire.

The states indoor mask mandate was first instituted shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, followed by a brief remittance period in June. Oregon Gov. Kate Browns Office reinstated the mandate on Aug. 27, 2021 which was scheduled to remain in place until Feb. 8, 2022.

In the meantime, health experts strongly recommend high-risk individuals continue wearing masks in indoor public settings after mask requirements are lifted, including people who are:

 Unvaccinated

 Immunocompromised

 At high risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations, including those with underlying health conditions and those 65 and older

 Living with people at high risk

Permanent rule filed

On Monday, Feb. 7, at 12:29 p.m. the OHA filed a new permanent rule with the Oregon Secretary of State to require people to wear masks while indoors in public places. The new rule replaces a temporary rule that expires on Feb. 8, according to the OHA.

Before the filing, the OHA invited public testimony at a public hearing on a proposed permanent mask rule. The Jan. 20 hearing attracted more than 300 attendees and lasted for six-and-a-half hours, with more than 100 Oregonians testifying against the adoption of a permanent rule.

State health officials claimed the filing was the only way the OHA could extend the current temporary mask rule past its expiration date, or until mask rules would no longer be needed to reduce transmission of COVID-19, saving lives and preventing the Omicron crisis from further overwhelming Oregons health care system.

Digital Vaccine Records Project

On Nov. 17, 2021, Oregons House Interim Special Committee heard a presentation from the OHA on the proposal of a digital vaccine records project.

According to the presentation, the OHA will make a go/no go decision on whether to implement the project by Feb. 22.

OHA Lead Communications Officer Jonathan Modie explained the project would be an electronic means for people in Oregon to share their vaccination status with businesses that ask for proof of vaccination status and added that the decision to sign up will be voluntary.

According to Modie, the OHA is still in the building phase of the technological tool, with an anticipated rollout date in late March.

In response to the question of how the public might receive such a technology, Modie replied, we believe people will be supportive, especially if it makes it easier to access the businesses and public places they enjoy.

Access to digital vaccine records will be free for anyone who signs up for the service and has received their COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon.

The Chronicle will continue to monitor new developments concerning the school district's decisions about the student face mask requirements.
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
KHARTOUM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of Sudan's transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Sunday called for uniting international and regional efforts to resolve the political crisis in the country.

Al-Burhan made the remarks during his meeting with a delegation of the African Union (AU) led by Chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye, and the bloc's Special Representative to Sudan Mohamed Belaiche, the Sovereign Council said in a statement.

Al-Burhan said the government's vision of resolving the crisis included launching a comprehensive dialogue involving all political and social forces in the country except for the banned National Congress Party, and forming a government of independent national competencies to lead the remaining time of the transitional period.

He also called for making constitutional amendments in line with the country's political transformations, and holding free and fair elections after the transition, according to the statement.

The AU delegation, for its part, said its visit to Sudan at this stage was meant to meet with all actors and listen to their voices to come up with a comprehensive vision that helps resolve the crisis in Sudan.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after Al-Burhan, also general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25, 2021, and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government.

Since then, opposition groups have been staging regular mass protests in the capital Khartoum and other cities to demand civilian rule. 
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Steve Wildsmith has worked as a writer, editor and freelance journalist for The Daily Times for more than two decades. In addition to coverage of entertainment and occasional news topics, he also serves as the social media specialist for Maryville College. Contact him at stevedailytimes@gmail.com.
Meet Trooper! Trooper is 5-years-old. His favorite activities include sleeping, going on walks and sticking his head out of the car sunroof. T
Forest City, NC (28043)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Boyle Heights -- A man was killed Sunday afternoon when he crashed his motorcycle on a Boyle Heights street at a high rate of speed, lost control and fell down with the bike, authorities said.

The crash was reported about 4:45 p.m. on Euclid Avenue at Fourth Street, Deputy Juan Campos of the Los Angeles Police Department's Central Traffic Division told City News Service.

Surveillance video showed the 27-year-old man driving the motorcycle at a high rate of speed north on Euclid Avenue when he "lost control and went down," Campos said.

The motorcyclist may have struck a rear tire of a vehicle that stopped at a red light and continued northbound before going down with the motorcycle around Fourth Street, the detective said.

Paramedics took the Los Angeles-area man to a hospital where he died, Campos said. It was not known whether he was impaired at the time of the crash.
SUVA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tonga reported 31 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the total number of active cases in the South Pacific island nation to 139.

According to Tonga's news web Matangi Tonga Online, Tonga's Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said at a press conference on Monday that the new cases tested positive over the weekend.

Of the active cases, 133 were reported in Tonga's main island of Tongatapu and six in Vava'u, an island group consisting of one large island and 40 smaller ones.

All the positive cases aged 12 years and above in Tonga had been fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Tonga's Minister for Health Saia Piukala said the Omicron variant should not be taken lightly because it spreads rapidly, after confirming the Omicron variant on Thursday.

He urged Tongans to wear masks, maintain social distancing of 2 meters, wash hands and stay at home as much as possible.

Currently, Tongatapu and Vava'u are under a 14-day COVID-19 lockdown, with shopping allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Tonga, an island nation with a population of more than 100,000, has so far vaccinated 98 percent with their first dose and 88 percent of those have received their second dose. Over 2,000 people have had their booster shots. 
A woman wearing a stetson and a U.S. flag mask walks through the hall as delegates begin to arrive for the first day of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Aug. 24, 2020. (Chris Carlson/Pool/Getty Images)

GOP Will Continue Its Bid to Hold China Accountable for COVID-19: Republican Party Official

Republicans running for seats in the November midterm elections are likely to run on a platform that seeks to hold the Chinese regime accountable for the COVID-19 pandemic, said Solomon Yue, vice chairman and CEO of the political group Republicans Overseas and national committeeman for the Oregon Republican Party.

Yue made the assessment based on the fact that the Republican National Committee (RNC) recently passed a resolution that seeks to have the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) pay damages to U.S. government entities, individual Americans who have suffered financially, and those who have lost loved ones due to COVID-19.

Immediately, we will be able to support our candidates, House candidates, and Senate candidates to run on this issue, and to hold China accountable for Wuhan virus damages, Yue told EpochTVs China Insider program on Feb. 11.

The resolution denounced the Chinese regime for causing the pandemic and for a litany of wrongdoings, including the arrest and silencing of whistleblowers, denial of human-to-human transmission in the face of mounting evidence, and the intentional continuation of international air traffic out of Wuhan.

Wuhan, a city in central China, was the early epicenter of the pandemic when a cluster of infection cases emerged near a local wet market. Now two years later, the origins of the CCP virus, the pathogen that causes COVID-19, remain unknown, but many suspect the virus originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV)a research facility that has researched bat coronavirus for more than a decade and is located a short drive from the wet market.

In January 2021, the U.S. State Department released a fact sheet saying it had reason to believe several researchers inside the WIV became sick in autumn 2019, before the first identified case of the outbreak, with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses.

The resolution reiterated previous calls by former President Donald Trump. In June 2021, Trump said China needed to pay $10 trillion in COVID reparations to the United States, adding in December 2021 that China likely owes more than $60 trillion in worldwide damages.

Yue said a key aspect of the resolution is supporting efforts by Republican lawmakers to legally change the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), a U.S. law that insulates countries from being sued in the United States except in certain circumstances.

Once the change is made, U.S. lawsuits can move forward, leading to injunctions and seizure of CCP-owned assets in the United States, according to Yue.

If and when Washington seizes CCP assets, Yue believes China would take tit-for-tat actions, including illegally seizing U.S. companies assets in China.

Republican lawmakers in both House and Senate proposed several bills in 2020 in an attempt to change the legal hurdles posed by FSIA, including the Civil Justice for Victims of COVID Act (S.4212) and the Stop COVID Act of 2020 (S.3592). The latter bill calls for foreign states to lose their sovereign immunity if they were found to have intentionally or unintentionally  discharged a biological agent  [that] results in the bodily injury, death, or damage to [the] property of a national of the United States.

In the United States, attorneys general in Missouri and Mississippi have filed lawsuits against the Chinese regime over its cover-up of the virus, while U.S. law firms have launched several class-action lawsuits.

The RNC resolution also supports the COVID-19 Victims Compensation Fund Act and the creation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the origins of the CCP virus.

Once America succeeds [in] holding China accountable via reparations, [the] rest of the world will follow our footsteps, Yue said.

Frank Fang journalist Follow Frank Fang is a Taiwan-based journalist. He covers news in China and Taiwan. He holds a master's degree in materials science from Tsinghua University in Taiwan.
A Salute to Our Truckers

Commentary

Canada is a magnificent country! But our land can also be treacherous because of its unforgiving weather, bad roads, and vast distances between villages, towns, and cities. I was born and raised a 10-hour drive from the closest next big city, Montreal. Ten hours of sinuous roads and, in winter, driving conditions that didnt guarantee a safe destination. Accidents were common.

In my old days of two-lane highwaysoften just country roads that would pass for highways with nary a rest stop along the waysafety came with solidarity. The solidarity of essential emergency services, the solidarity of fellow motorists, and the solidarity of our best friends, the guardians of the highways, our truckers. When deer wandered onto the roads, you blessed the opportunity to be driving behind a big rig. When the snow and ice were treacherous, you also blessed the opportunity to be driving behind a big rig. In blizzards or fog, those rear red lightssometimes the only thing you could see in front of youwere your best friend.

Children know who their friends are. This is why they love firemen, doctors, and policemen. My sister and I also loved truckers. In the back seat of Papas K-car with the windows down, we would simulate blowing the horn as my fathers 2.2L Chrysler would overtake a big rig. Oh, the joy when the trucker would pull his air horn!

Two decades ago, fleeing economic stagnation and petty small-town politics, driving down Canadas most important highway on my way to find work in the big city, I saw it as a good omen when, approximately four hours from my destination, every three big rigs I passed were driven by people who looked like meproud men of colour, often wearing turbans. Those good-paying blue-collar jobs, such as truck driving, werent available in those days in my beloved small town to people who looked like me. With that omen, I knew Id get my chance for a better life in Toronto!

When you live in Canadas biggest metropolis truckers are a fact of life, but their function does not come with a lot of thought or appreciation. Truth be told, they are somewhat taken for granted. We all know its a hard slog, but what isnt, we wonder? As a lawyer, Ive often acted for truckers and trucking companies. Sometimes they have issues with the regulators, or sometimes they have serious business disputes among themselves. Other times, we help truckers with regularizing or completing their immigration processes to remain in Canada.

Its the pandemic quite frankly that made our truckers heroes again in my eyes. In the early days of the first wave, when the ugly videos of people dying in the streets of Wuhan, China, or deaths in the hospital wards of Italy became a daily reality, my business partner and I talked about what to do. In business, you try to prepare for every contingency. With the pandemic looming, deals were going cold and panic was hitting the streets. The first question we had to grapple with was: How long can we survive without a penny coming into the piggy bank? We also wondered, even if we could be ready for every contingency, how would society work itself through this without everything falling apart?

Thank the Lord for our first responders and essential services!

Before vaccines were availableand lets not forget that Canada was one of the worst G7 jurisdictions in terms of early procurement of the vaccines, with Justin Trudeau initially trying to make a deal with the Chinese Communist Party, the same regime that caused havoc on the planet by unleashing the coronavirusit was the brave police officers, plumbers, electricians, medical service providers, construction workers, food service providers, and yes, truckers, who kept our economy going. They braved the pandemic at the risk of their own lives, keeping all of us fed, connected, and safe.

Early pandemic news stories noted how truckers had to relieve themselves in the woods while out on their runs because they couldnt find a bathroom to access, as most were closed. These men and women could have sat at home and accepted government money, like many others; but in line with how most small business folk think, the truckers were too brave, too proud, and too determined for that.

The biggest expense for any trucker is fuel. Fuel costs all across North America have gone through the roof. Truck maintenance costs have gone through the roof as well. Woe betide the trucker who needs a new engine or a new transmission. They live their lives, especially the small owner-operators, a few dollars away from ruin. But they keep at it, they keep on trucking!

How did we get to this, in these hopefully waning days of the pandemic, when essential service providers are now pitted against each otherour brave truckers in a face-off with our brave police officers?

While mandates, lockdowns, and vaccine passport requirements are finally starting to disappear from states and provinces across North America, Trudeau could have easily rewarded our protesting truckers with a caring ear and with plans to draw down the nanny/police pandemic state. Instead, he doubled down and falsely accuse the protesting truckers of being Nazis, racists, and extremists.

Everything is politics nowadays, and for political expediency Trudeau decided to throw these mostly private sector service providers under the proverbial bus. His approach is unfair and unconscionable.

While I hope that the outcome of Trudeaus political move will not lead to unnecessary bloodshed, his recklessness could serve to tip the scales for the worse. We are all waiting on pins and needles hoping for the safest outcome.

Over the years, Canada has not been spared the horrors of terrorism, such as the 2017 Quebec City mosque shooting, the Ecole Polytechnique massacre in Montreal in 1989, and the October Crisis in Quebec in 1970, which resulted in the kidnapping of British diplomat James Cross and the cowardly murder of Quebec deputy premier Pierre Laporte.

What is happening with the truckers is not terrorism and should never justify the same state response that insurrections like the FLQ crisis brought to bearnamely Canadian soldiers and police carrying out mass arrests on the streets of Montreal.

Ive searched media for actual incidents of real violence from the truckers and I cant find any. The average Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal gang fight or bar brawl causes more trips to the emergency room than thousands of truckers protesting. If the trucker protests thus far can be qualified as violent, then any two regular, ordinary citizens protesting would fit the definition of insurrection or terrorism.

Trudeau and his impatient supporters, such as former Bank of Canada governor and said to be aspiring prime minister Mark Carneysupported by the Toronto editorial classhave put our truckers in a bind. At risk is the safety of the truckers and the safety of law enforcement. Canada has multiple examples of manipulative politicians using protest as a tool to goad law enforcement into taking drastic positionsthe 1990 Oka Crisis, a First Nations protest that resulted in the tragic death of a Quebec police officer, comes to mind.

In the case of the truckers, it makes you wonder who it is that is actually fomenting violence and danger. For now, even though the situation is in constant flux, I place the blame on Trudeau.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Denise Pierson's body was found along these railroad tracks near 7th and Market streets in Marcus Hook, Pa., (Andrew J. Martin/Delaware County District Attorney's Office/TNS)

After 40 Years, Police Have Arrested a Suspect in a Marcus Hook Womans Murder

From The Philadelphia Inquirer

Forty years after Denise Pierson was found beaten to death along an isolated railroad track in Marcus Hook, investigators announced Friday that they arrested one of the men they believe was responsible.

Wayne Anthony Walker, 58, of Linwood, was charged late Thursday with murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, and related offenses. He remained in custody, denied bail.

Pierson, 18, was reported missing from her home in Marcus Hook in April 1981. Her body was found three years later on the tracks at Seventh and Market Streets, and an autopsy determined she died from blunt-force injuries to her head, according to court documents.

Denise Pierson, 18, was killed in 1981 at a party with several men, including Wayne Walker, who has been charged with murder in her death. (Delaware County District Attorney/TNS)

Walker was long considered a suspect in Piersons death, and over the years he gave interviews to State Police detectives probing the case. But it wasnt until the State Police reopened the investigation into Piersons murder in 2018, with assistance from the Delaware County District Attorneys Office, that authorities said they were able to connect him to the crime.

Finally we are able to let her family have some relief, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said. This was a heinous murder, but at least one individual will be held responsible, and we hope this is the beginning of holding everyone else responsible.

In a 1994 interview with detectives, Walker said he and Pierson attended a party at his friend Peter Hornes house on the night of the murder, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. Horne had met Pierson through her mother, who often brought her car into the auto shop where he worked, police said.

During the party, Pierson became upset and tried to leave, and Horne hit her in the head with a billy club, the affidavit said. Walker, Horne, and other, unidentified men bound Pierson and took her to the railroad tracks, where investigators say the group covered her body with bushes in an attempt to hide it.

An examination of Piersons body conducted in October by a forensic anthropologist found that it bore slash marks that matched a 6-inch folding knife that had been recovered at the scene and held in storage for four decades, the affidavit said. Pierson had been stabbed before the fatal blow to the head, investigators determined.

Those knife wounds helped prove that Walker was part of the plot to attack Pierson and hide her body, investigators said Friday.

Horne, meanwhile, died in 2013 while serving a sentence in state prison for stalking and harassing a woman in the Pocono Mountains. Shortly before Piersons body was found in 1984, a call was made from Hornes residence to a mental health crisis center by a caller who claimed to have killed her, the affidavit said. When police investigated, Horne denied making the call, but officers recovered billy clubs from his home that matched the description of the murder weapon, according to the affidavit.

Detectives noted at the time that the site where Piersons body was abandoned was 300 yards from Hornes home.

After State Police reopened the case, Hornes widow told detectives he had threatened her and warned her not to tell police about the billy clubs and that she believed he was responsible for Piersons death, the affidavit said.

Her brother John, 57, said the news of Walkers arrest was bittersweet. It came at a fitting time: Friday would have been Denise Piersons 59th birthday.

Its been bad; someone was taken out of my life, and I know my life wouldve been so much different if she had been in it, John Pierson said. And Ill never get that back.

His sister, though a year older, learned a lot from him, and he still has fond memories of teaching her to dance, and pulling around their backyard in his wagon. She had plans to study nursing after high school, he said.

For John Pierson, those fond memories, and the hope justice will now be served, helped ease the pain of decades of uncertainty, he said.

Youre always hearing this story and that and you dont know what to believe, he said. And it eats you up inside, because you just cant chase down every little thing.

Investigators are still searching for two additional suspects and are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to their arrests. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call State Police Troop K barracks at 215-452-5216.

2022 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
File photo showing an aircraft operated by Dutch company KLM, which has halted operations in Ukraine, landing at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Oct. 30, 2020. (Koen Van Weel/AFP/Getty Images)

Airspace Over Ukraine Empties as More Airlines Avoid Overflights Amid Russia Tensions

More airlines appear to have pulled back from flying over Ukraine after a U.S. warning that Russia could invade at any time, with flight insurance issues featuring in the background, and as a major European carrier announced a stop to overflights.

Monitoring of flight tracking service FlightRadar24 showed the airspace over eastern Ukraine nearly empty at 6:58 a.m. New York time on Feb. 14, with a strip of about 100 miles from the UkraineRussia border completely devoid of any flight traffic.

Dutch airline KLM said it would halt flights to Ukraine and through the countrys airspace, with reports that other European carriers, including Germanys Lufthansa, are reviewing their services to the country.

While Russia has amassed about 130,000 troops, plus artillery and other heavy equipment, close to Ukraines border, Moscow has denied planning an attack, saying the military movements are about maintaining security against NATO aggression.

Meanwhile, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS Face the Nation program on Feb. 13 that there has been a dramatic acceleration in the Russian troop buildup over the previous 10 days, adding that the disposition of those forces was such that they could launch a military action essentially at any time.

We also are watching very carefully for the possibility that there is a pretext or a false flag operation to kick off the Russian action in which Russian intelligence services conduct some kind of attack on Russian proxy forces in eastern Ukraine or on Russian citizens, and then blame it on the Ukrainians, Sullivan said.

As tensions run high, a flight operations advisory firm said on Feb. 14 that more airlines were likely to cut service to Ukraine.

My guess would be that Ukraine will become unavailable pretty soon if what weve seen over the weekend crystallizes into a couple of more carriers actually pulling the pin, Mark Zee, founder of flight operations advisory firm OPSGROUP, told Reuters.

I dont think it will be government advice thats doing it so much as it will be insurance-based unavailability or carriers looking at other carriers. So if you have KLM, Lufthansa, and British Airways, for example, deciding not to overfly Ukraine at all, were almost back into an MH17 scenario.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, killing all 298 people on board.

Ukrainian insurance companies have received a notification from reinsurers that airlines werent covered for war risks, according to news agency Interfax Ukraine.

Vowing to keep its airspace open, Ukraines government on Feb. 13 announced it was allocating nearly $600 million as guarantees for insurers and leasing companies so that airlines would continue service in the country.
An RCMP helicopter flies over as a truck convoy demonstrating against COVID-19 mandates continues to block the highway at the U.S. border crossing in Coutts, Alta., on Feb. 2, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

Alberta RCMP Arrest 11 People at Coutts Border Crossing, Seize Weapons

RCMP said they have arrested 11 people at the Coutts border crossing protest in southern Alberta.

In a news release on Feb. 14, the Mounties said they received information in the early morning that a small organized group within the larger Coutts protest had access to a cache of firearms and ammunition.

The officers conducted an investigation to evaluate the threat level before executing a search warrant, the RCMP said.

The police searched three trailers believed to be linked with the small group. In total, 11 people were detained by the officers, and 13 long guns, handguns, multiple sets of body armour, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition, and high-capacity magazines were seized.

The Mounties added that a large farm tractor and a semi-truck, both involved in the blockade, attempted to ram a police vehicle on the night of Feb. 13. An officer in the vehicle was able to reposition and avoid a crash, the release said.

The protest at Coutts border crossing started on Jan. 29. It is one of several demonstrations inspired by the Freedom Convoy encamped in Ottawa, which started in opposition to the federal governments vaccine mandate for cross-border truck drivers.

The first convoys converged in Ottawa on Jan. 29, and many protesters have indicated they will stay until all COVID-19 mandates are lifted. Since then, the movement has mushroomed to include supporters from across the country who oppose all pandemic mandates and restrictions imposed by governments.

In a statement on Jan. 26, Tamara Lich, co-organizer of the Freedom Convoy, urged convoy members not to tolerate violence or vandalism and to report the truck number and licence plate of anyone inciting violence or hatred. She also said attempts by critics to characterize the truckers as extremist in nature were tactics used to smear the campaign.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report
Chinese leader Xi Jinping declares the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games open at the National Stadium in Beijing, on Feb. 4, 2022. (Ju Peng/AFP via Getty Images)

Viral Anti-Xi Article Reveals CCP Infighting That May Derail His Bid for 3rd Term, Analysts Say

An article criticizing Chinese leader Xi Jinping was allowed to go viral in mainland China, which analysts say reflects the intense struggle among different factions within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its effect on Xis authority.

While Xi amended the Partys constitution successfully in 2018 to eliminate term limits, China experts have said he might not secure an unprecedented third term, a decision that will be revealed at the CCPs Party Congress this fall.

The 40,000-word article listed mistakes that Xi Jinping has made in politics, economy, and diplomacy. Its a summary of Xis ruling over the past nine years, Li Hengqing, a China expert at the Washington Institute for Information and Strategy, told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times on Feb. 8.

After 2018, we all said that theres no force to stop Xi from taking a third term. Now we can see that the situation isnt simple, and its unclear whether he can obtain it.

The article circulated broadly inside and outside of China. Even several friends from mainland China forwarded it to me.  It shows that the CCP factions against Xi are fighting to stop him from continuing in office.

Xi rose to become Chinas leader in November 2012, and won a second term in October 2017. While the previous version of the CCP constitution ruled that each leader was limited to two termswhich would require Xi to retire this yearthe constitutional change has paved the way for him to stay in the role if he can secure support from the rest of the Party leadership.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is seen on a TV screen speaking remotely at the opening of the World Economic Forums Davos Agenda virtual sessions at the WEFs headquarters in Cologny near Geneva, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Anonymous Commentary

On Jan. 19, an author under the pen name Ark and China published the article Evaluate Xi Jinping Objectively on overseas Chinese blogs. Since the Chinese New Year on Feb. 1, the commentary on Xis leadership has gone viral among readers inside China.

Taiwans state-run Central News Agency (CNA) reported on Feb. 9 that people in China had spread the article widely even as the piece was censored by the Chinese regime.

The commentary reviews Xis performance over the past decade regarding his anti-corruption campaign, the Partys continuing campaign to eradicate independent religion and beliefs, human rights abuses, its tight surveillance and control of the people, enhancement of propaganda, further revision of childrens textbooks and history books, the strengthening of state-run enterprises and suppression of the private sector, conflicts with the Western world, and winning over developing countries by squandering the national treasury.

The author said Xi doesnt have the capability to rule the country and has angered CCP officials who opposed him as well as some who supported him when he took office. Meanwhile, while the peoples lives are being encroached upon, their voices cant be heard because of the regimes censorship.

At present, its difficult for him to continue his rule. The year 2022 will be his biggest turning point, the author wrote. Even if he miraculously secures another term, he will face more difficulties and complete failure before 2027.

The author lists three factors that could cause the collapse of Xis rule, alongside a predicted worsening of the political situation. The essay indicates that achievements claimed by Xi are fabricated, the political foundation of his authority has been destroyed, and the entire CCP bureaucracy is opposed to Xi and his handful of supporters.

Fierce Infighting

The Chinese Communist Partys Politburo Standing Committee, the nations top decision-making body (LR): Han Zheng, Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, and Zhao Leji meet the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 25, 2017. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

Dont treat the CCP as a political party! Its actually a political gang. Like the former head of the Soviet Union Vladimir Lenin said, the communist party grows by fighting internally and cleaning (killing) its members, Cai Xia, a former professor of political ideology at the CCPs Central Party School, wrote in an opinion piece on Feb. 6 that was published on the U.S.-based Chinese media Yibao.

Due to the cruelty and bloody infighting within the party, all senior officials understand the hidden rule, which is to choose a faction and fight for it without thinking about whats right or wrong.

Li told The Epoch Times that those within the Chinese regime who oppose Xi are gathering.

They are using all their resources and solutions to block Xi from taking the next term, he said.

The [viral] article is echoing the opinion of Chinese politicians. It stands on the point of maintaining the CCPs rule in China but removing Xi Jinping, Chen Weijian, a New Zealand-based Chinese dissident and editor of online magazine Beijing Spring, told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times on Feb. 8.

At the Sixth Plenary Session of the rubber-stamp legislatures 19th conference, the CCP factions presented their severe disagreements [on regime policies]. [The long article] is the latest bomb that the anti-Xi faction has detonated amid the factional fighting, Gao Wenqian, former official biographer of Zhou Enlai, the CCPs first premier, told VOA on Feb. 8.

Gao said that the CCPs rigid dictatorship is growing increasingly fragile, and may break at any time.

Cai listed the crises the regime in Beijing is facing across China now, which include more white- and blue-collar unemployment, the financial crisis facing Chinas largest real estate predators, the regime collecting more tax and fees from people who cant earn a living and unprofitable enterprises, strict COVID-19 policies that further damage the economy and threaten peoples lives, and young Chinese who refuse to have children even after marriage.

This is a strong article that can drive public opinion against Xi, Cai wrote.

Ning Haizhong and Luo Ya contributed to this report.
Theres only so much beauty in the heavens that the human eye can capture.

Thats why astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy trains his telescope and camera skyward from his backyard in Florence, Arizonausually at nightto take in spectacular shots of stars, our silver lunar satellite orbiting overhead, or even the shimmering disk of the sun.

The photographer artist of the skies aims to inspire the people of Earth to look up and appreciate the invisible glory that only telescopic magicwith its lenses, star trackers, and specialized filterscan extrapolate and present.

Recently, McCarthy had his camera set up in broad daylight and pointed at the sun to observe the fine details of its dynamic surface. Without specially calibrated exaggeration of the images, the sun is just a white ball, he told The Epoch Times. Manipulation through a combination of hardware (filters, camera, optics) and software (stacking, color, contrast) are necessary to show you the details hidden in the atmosphere.

In order to isolate the subtle features of the solar surfacesunspots and flares, undulating plasma, and gases undergoing nuclear fusion at unfathomable temperaturesMcCarthy snapped well over 300,000 shots with his camera at a blinding 80 frames per second, like a video camera, over the span of a couple of hours. He then stitched them together like some grand celestial quilt to create these high resolution images.

This was composed from around 2.5 terabytes of data, McCarthy said. My computer crashes constantly when processing these sorts of images.

This was taken on a nice clear day but there was a bit of a breeze. Part of the process is going through each of the hundreds of thousands of images to manually reject frames that were too distorted due to the wind shaking the telescope, or the image losing focus due to atmospheric seeing.

It is rare to see the entire sun in such detail, as most professional observatories arent going to create a large mosaic from their data, despite being able to see our star with much more clarity.

He added: My goal with all my imagery is to remind people to look upthat there is an entire universe up there that shouldnt be taken for granted. Its beautiful.

But McCarthy warns stargazers never to point their telescopes at the sun unless you know what youre doing. Not only will it damage your telescope but it is also instantly blinding.

Hence, McCarthys astrophotography expertise delivers the wonder of the heavens right to your doorstep or, rather, your computer screen at the click of a mouse on Instagram.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Bright newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (R) and Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne (L) arrive for a press conference following a bilateral meeting during the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 12, 2022. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia and India Commit to Free and Open Internet

Australia and Indias foreign ministers have affirmed their support for a free and open internet amid ongoing concerns that authoritarian regimes will try to mould the future of cyberspace to include more censorship and control.

Australias Marise Payne and Indias Subrahmanyam Jaishankar announced the creation of the new Cyber Framework Dialogue at the tail-end of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) in Melbourne, Australia on the weekend, where foreign ministers from Australia, India, the United States, and Japan met to discuss a range of issues including global security, economic development, and the response to COVID-19.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to an open, secure, free, accessible, stable, peaceful, and interoperable cyberspace and technologies that adhere to international law, according to a statement by Payne and Jaishankar after a one-on-one meeting on Feb. 12.

Both ministers said new technology should be developed and governed with respect to democratic values and a respect for human rights.

Indias Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (L) speaks along with Australias Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne (R) at a press conference following a bilateral meeting during the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 12, 2022. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

They condemned attempts to use cyberspace and cyber-enabled technologies to undermine international peace and stability and committed to working cooperatively to strengthen mutual cooperation in various multilateral fora, including the United Nations, in developing international standards, norms and frameworks for cyberspace and critical and emerging technologies, the statement continued.

Such norms should be developed in collaboration with various global bodies and United Nations-backed groups, according to the ministers.

Payne and Jaishankar also agreed to work together to deal with the significant threat of malicious cyber activity by state and non-state actors.

The moves from Australia and India come as democratic nations and authoritarian regimes begin squaring off on a new geopolitical frontlinethe future of the internet.

Currently, countries like China, Russia, and Turkey place heavy controls over how users can browse the internet, and cyber experts have raised concerns that ongoing development of cyberspaceparticularly as new infrastructure gets introducedcould see the online world divided between the current, open internet and a new, heavily restricted version.

In fact, in 2017, Chinese leader Xi Jinping articulated a vision for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to start using technology to rule the internet and to achieve control over every part of the ecosystem, including applications, content, quality, and manpowerthis would ultimately give Beijing discourse power.

A version of the fragmented internet already exists with users in China having limitedand heavily controlledmeans to communicate online with overseas-based individuals, especially given the restrictions on platforms such as Facebook and Google in mainland China.
Chess pieces are seen in front of displayed China and Taiwan's flags in this illustration taken January 25, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration Reuters)

Australian Parliament Committee Formally Backs Taiwan Over China for Pacific Trade Pact

The ball is in their court

An Australian parliamentary body has called for Taiwan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership over China, issuing an ultimatum to the communist regime to end coercive trade measures and re-establish engagement with Australia before it can enter the trade bloc.

Ted OBrien, chair of the trade subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade, said Australia supported the expansion of the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to include Taiwan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

Only aspiring economies that support an open, transparent and stable trading environment, and those that demonstrate an ability and willingness to meet the agreements high standards should be considered, OBrien said in a statement announcing that the committee had concluded its inquiry and was tabling its formal report to Parliament for the government to legislate on.

The UK was the first to apply to join the CPTPP, and the process its going through can be a template for other future aspirants, he added, saying Australia should not only facilitate Taiwans addition to the trade pact but also negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement with the self-governing democratic island of 25 million people.

Federal Liberal Member for Fairfax Ted OBrien speaks onstage during the Australian 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Celebration at the University of Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, Australia, on Oct. 7, 2021. (Peter Wallis/Getty Images for the AOC)

A lesson from our experience with the UK is that benefits accrue from negotiating a bilateral Free Trade Agreement and the CPTPP at the same time, he said.

On China, the Committee recommended that before the Australian federal government began any process of integrating it into the CPTPP, it should work with fellow trade pact nations to push the communist regime to end its trade sanctions, re-engage in dialogue with Australian ministers, and adhere to the pacts high standards.

The ball is in their court, OBrien said. Its up to China if it wishes to re-engage with Australia, and I hope it does because that would enable the discussions that are necessary to determine whether an accession process should commence.

The CPTPP was signed by 11 nations in 2018 and covers 13.4 percent of global GDP. The Committee recommended beginning informal discussions with Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines for joining the trade pact.

Taiwans Bid Receives Wide Support

Support for Taiwans accession was broad, with only the Chinese Embassy opposing it on the grounds that it was a highly sensitive political matter.

However, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott downplayed any potential outrage from Beijing, saying it was already in a state of high dudgeon against Australia.

I dont see that China is going to be any more upset than it already is, he told the Committee. Abbott visited Taiwan in October to help end its international isolation and offer support to the islands government amid military incursions into its airspace from CCP aircraft.

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott addresses the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 18, 2014. (Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Australian business groups also supported greater access to the Taiwan market.

Ash Salardini, the chief economist at the National Farmers Federation, said existing trade in red meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, could expand dramatically.

I think red meat is around AU$250 million (US $178 million) and dairy is AU$100 million, but thats in the single digits in terms of the total size of that market. We are a small player at that moment in a market that could be quite big, he told the Committee. If we are five or 10 percent of that market, theres a potential market of $3 billion to $5 billion there to compete in.

The wine industry, which saw exports to Taiwan jump 65 percent last year, said the removal of tariffs and removing technical barriers would be highly beneficial.

Meanwhile, Lennon Chang, senior lecturer of criminology at Monash University and a representative of the Taiwanese Association of Australia, said trade was not limited to goods and extended into national security.

It was argued collaboration with Taiwan would be advantageous for Australia on multiple levels, including cyber capabilities. Hands-on a keyboard in an undated file photo. (PA)

Taiwan is always a test field for cyberattacks [from Beijing], he told the Committee. There are a lot of things I believe the Australian government would be able to learn from Taiwan in how to counter disinformation campaigns, how to build a better cyber capacity and cyber ability in countering illegitimate or unsolicited attacks.

Chang also cited Taiwans record as a leading manufacturer of information and communication technology, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the worlds largest chip maker, and AAC Technologies Holdings, the worlds largest chip packing service provider.

Opinion Split on Chinas Bid

At the same time, a raft of business groups expressed optimism that Chinas membership of the CPTPP could spur the communist regime to abide by the pacts rules.

Membership of the agreement by China would further enmesh China into a rules-based trading system and raise the cost of Chinese unilateral behaviour that contravenes the terms of that membership, according to David Olsson, national president of the Australia China Business Council.

Salardini said it would give Australia another shot at re-engaging with Chinese leaders.

It would create other forums to have government-to-government dialogue as well. Even in the current situation, that could only be a good thing, he said.

However, other parties were not as hopeful.

Packs of beef imported from Australia are displayed for sale at supermarkets on June 17, 2015, in Beijing, China. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Former Prime Minister Abbott said the last thing the world needed was further integration of China into the world economic order.

For us to even countenance Chinas entry into the CPTPP while its maintaining the current boycotts of Australian goods would be not just wrong but also a sign of weakness on our part, he said.

While Patricia Ranald, from the Fair Trade and Investment Network, said Beijing would struggle to meet basic environmental and labour requirements in the CPTPP.

We have had very consistent criticisms of the lack of human rights and labour rights in China, she said. We believe that China may have some difficulty in meeting even what we would regard as not the highest standards in the labour and environment chapters in the CPTPP.
United States Marines register their details as they queue to receive the Moderna coronavirus vaccine at Camp Hansen on April 28, 2021 in Kin, Japan. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

Betrayed, Abandoned, Used, and Ashamed: Unvaccinated Marine Denied Religious Exemption Fears For His Future

A senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the U.S. Marine Corps who was denied a religious exemption to the vaccine mandate said the uncertainty of the situation is leaving him fearful about his future.

Master Sergeant Chuck Fourly (a pseudonym) has served in the Marine Corps for nearly 20 years, enlisting into the service on the heels of the 9/11 attacks. Fourly spoke to The Epoch Times on the condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals.

As of Feb. 2, there have been 3,538 requests for religious accommodation made with 3,414 processed, the Marines said. Only three applications have been granted so far, while 469 Marines have been separated for refusing to take the vaccine. Ninety-five percent of the Marines are fully vaccinated and an additional 2 percent partially vaccinated, according to the Marines. Additionally, 88 percent of the Marines who have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 were unvaccinated.

Fourly he took part in two combat tours in Iraq, including the second battle of Fallujah. In the fall of 2021, as the Marine Corps began imposing the vaccine mandate, he submitted the necessary paperwork to retire mid-summer 2022. His request is still pending.

The NCO also applied for a religious exemption to getting vaccinated and received a denial letter. He quickly appealed the decision, calling the initial determination unjust. To date, this final attempt remains unanswered since November; No timeline to receive a response was given.

Over the past two decades, Fourly admits that he has witnessed instances of injustice and corruption that occurs in the Marine Corps, but this pales in comparison to what hes witnessing today.

Fourly likened his predicament to that faced by former Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, who was discharged from the Marines late last year after being court martialed for publicly criticizing senior military officials over the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

If Fourly were to openly speak out and stand by his religious convictions against the vaccine mandate, he would, like Scheller, also be dismissed from the Marine Corps very quickly, the NCO said.

He suggested that such punishment has to be meted out so that senior leadership could save face.

Maybe its because it bruises their egos and they have to save face by making it look like those courageous enough to speak out against injustice are doing something wrong, Fourly said.

In the process of seeking an exemption, Fourly said he was softly accused of mutiny and pulling a Stu Scheller by a senior enlisted leader in the chain of command.

The result is that the leadership is escaping public criticism for their actions, he said.

The NCO pointed to revisions in the Department of Defense (DoD) instruction that governs the religious accommodation process which has attracted little scrutiny.

The most recent revision was September 2020 (pdf). When compared to the 1988 (pdf) and 2009 (pdf) versions of the DoD instruction, something changed. In these earlier versions, the instructions said that the DoD placed a high value on the rights of members of the Armed Forces/Military Services to observe the tenets of their respective religions as a matter of policy. But in 2020, this statement was removed.

One could easily infer that the military, the DoD, no longer places a high value on religious freedom Fourly said. Thats scary because somebody had to make a deliberate effort to have the statement removed. This needs to be exposed, he said, adding that its time for tough questions to be asked because we deserve answers.

The DoD did not return an inquiry from The Epoch Times.

Caught Off Guard and Feeling Betrayed

Fourly risks losing the benefits and pension that comes with 20 years of service in the Marine Corps.

First and foremost, I gave up myself to the Corps, he said. While other Marines may have pursued various academic endeavors and more, he didnt. Instead of studying chemistry or writing an English paper, Fourly said, I was reading about warfighting, amphibious operations, and ship-to-shore movements, because that benefits my role as a warfighter.

Initially, Fourly wasnt planning on retiring from the Marine Corps for another few years. It was then that he was going to figure out what hed do for a living after leaving the service. But now, with the risk of being separated from the military sooner than expected, the NCO admitted that he is fearful of the future.

I am in no way situated to leave the Marine Corps and thrive with a wife and kids at home. Fourly said. He explained that he has no education beyond high school and feels like he has no real transferable skills to civilian society that would match the earnings hes accumulated in the Corps, including his pay, entitlements, and benefits.

The prospects of that are extraordinarily slim for someone with only a high school education, he said. But these are merely the tangible things, he said. The greatest toll has been the personal one. Its mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Marine Corps leadership is telling us that no matter how many years of honorable service we may have, it carries no weight against this latest push to get us all vaccinated beyond our will, Fourly said. Not only does it not carry any weight, but theyre also going to try to hurt us as much as possible on the way out.

He added, the Marine Corps is taking service members who are already hurting and in pain and theyre going to the one thing that increases the likelihood of a ramping up the possibilities of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or even suicide.

Like many of his fellow Marines, Fourly said he is left feeling betrayed, abandoned, used, and ashamed. The leadership of the Marine Corps is creating the feeling that, by standing up for ones religious beliefs, service members are doing something wrong, [adding that] all the while, theyre the ones in inflicting all the harm, he said.

Concerns for Future

Sadly, Fourly admitted, he and his wife are afraid hes going to kill himself one day. Id be remiss if I didnt sit here in this moment with you and tell you that things like veteran suicide have their genesis in moments like this, he said. Im standing up for what I believe and nobodys listening and nobody cares, especially the leadership.

The NCO is convinced no one in a position of authority or power is willing to reciprocate and put their livelihoods on the line as I have, he said.

All things considered, Fourly questions his mental stability in the years ahead.

According to the 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention annual report, the average number of veteran suicide deaths per day has risen from 16.4 in 2001 to 17.2 in 2019. Rates for men peaked in 2018 and women in 2017, but the potential loss of losing ones career over the vaccine mandate could have an impact on what lies ahead.

Retired Navy SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher told to The Epoch Times that veteran suicide is a very deadly epidemic that may only worsen in the years ahead. Like Fourly, he can relate to the feelings of betrayal, because he also gave is heart and soul to the cause [of warfighting].

In 2018, Gallagher became the center of controversy after he was accused of war crimes and subsequently charged with premeditated murder, attempted murder, obstruction of justice, among other offenses. He was acquitted of all but one of the charges and retired from the Navy with full honors in 2019.

While people on the outside may see Gallaghers story as a victory, what he experienced internally was a different matter. But the former Navy SEAL quickly recognized that he would need help to cope with the experience. So he had no qualms about seeking out help, having committed to getting help in the years following the incident.

Gallagher doesnt expect to see a downward trend in the number of suicides committed by veterans in the coming years. He noted that there there are veterans returning from the 20-year war in Afghanistan. And on top of that, there are now veterans returning from war who have given everything and are willing to give more, but they are being forced out because they are not willing to take the jab.

Because of this, Gallagher urged servicemen and women to seek help. Getting help does not portray weakness or cowardice, he added. Its an ongoing battle than many are going to face daily, he said, but it must be confronted to make [oneself] a better human being, a better spouse, and a better parent.

While Gallagher agreed that some service members, like Fourly, may feel like they have no transferrable skills to create a life outside of the military, he pushed back on the narrative.

The men and women of the U.S. military have more transferable skills and the ability to their keep than they realize, the retired Navy SEAL said. The values that made them a warfighter can be used to make them successful in nearly any field they choose.

To Gallagher, the whole idea that they have nothing to offer or the skills to survive after their time of service are abject lies that must be dismissed from thought. Each of these men and women have a lot to offer to many sectors of society, he said.

If you or someone you know is showing signs that they might be suicidal, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255. You can also text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741.
COLOMBO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said on Monday it was closely monitoring the situation of the Sri Lankans residing in Ukraine and would take necessary action in the event of any emergency.

An official from the ministry told reporters that approximately 40 Sri Lankans, including seven students, are residing in Ukraine.

The official said the Sri Lankan embassy in Ankara was closely monitoring any developments in Ukraine and would take necessary action to evacuate Sri Lankan citizens in the event of any emergency. 
Gabrielle Petito, 22, poses for a photo with Brian Laundrie in this undated handout photo. (North Port/Florida Police/Handout via Reuters)

Brian Laundries Full Autopsy Report Released by Florida Examiner

Brian Laundries full autopsy and forensic reports (pdf) were released by the District Twelve Medical Examiner Monday in Florida on Monday, providing more details about the circumstances around his death.

The report included details about the 23-year-olds belongings, which were found in plain sight along a trail in the Carlton Reserve near North Port, Florida. The water line that was seen on nearby trees was evidence that approximately 3 feet of water previously kept Laundries remains hidden from view from officials.

Investigators also used a metal detector to discover a projectile embedded in the ground about 50 feet from where Laundries skull fragments were located, according to the report. They also found skeletal remains, a handwritten note, and a hat.

About 250 feet from the remains, officials found a bag with a journal, a wooden box, photos, and a notebook.

Laundries cause of death was listed as a gunshot wound to the head with extensive, associated craniofacial fractures, according to the report. The documents released Monday suggested that Laundries body was likely submerged in the water for an extended period of time, which extended investigators search for him.

Officials had sought Laundrie for weeks as part of a nationwide manhunt as investigators attempted to find clues about the whereaboutsand later deathof his former girlfriend, Gabby Petito. Petito was found dead in mid-September in Wyoming after the pair embarked on a cross-country trip, and Laundrie was named as a person of interest in the case.

Vehicles from members of the media and curious passersby line a road outside the entrance of the Carlton Reserve during a search for Brian Laundrie, in Venice, Fla., on Sept. 21, 2021. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Photo)

The FBI previously said that after Laundrie was found dead in October 2021, investigators located a notebook that allegedly showed he claimed responsibility for Petitos death.

Petitos family reported the woman missing on Sept. 11 after Laundrie returned alone to his familys home in North Port.

An autopsy also confirmed Petito died via strangulation and her manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Later, the federal officials charged him with bank fraud for allegedly using Petitos debit card without authorization to withdraw cash. Investigators alleged Laundrie sent text messages to deceive others into thinking Petito wasnt dead.

New attention was directed to the case after officials released a video of a police stop in Moab, Utah, on Aug. 12. Officials at the time concluded that there was a fight between Laundrie and Petitio, and officers decided to separate the two rather than file charges.
Ukrainian and Canadian servicemen do training exercises to get ready for large scale International military drills on Yavorivsky training ground close to Lviv, western Ukraine, April 15, 2021. (The Canadian Press/AP, Ukrainian Defense Ministry Press Office)

Canada Pulls Troops out of Ukraine as Worries of Russian Invasion Grow

OTTAWAThe military is moving troops out of Ukraine in one of the strongest signals yet that a Russian invasion is imminent.

The Defence Department says soldiers who have been in Ukraine as part of a training mission are being temporarily relocated to elsewhere in Europe.

The department wont say where the soldiers have gone, nor how many of them have been moved for security reasons.

A statement from the department says the movement of troops out of Ukraine doesnt signal the end of the training mission meant to bolster that countrys security forces.

Instead, the department says the move allows the military time to refocus efforts in the face of Russias unwarranted aggression against Ukraine.

Defence Minister Anita Anand says Canada remains committed to supporting the people of Ukraine and helping its security forces improve their capabilities.

She adds that the security of Canadian Armed Forces troops is a top priority, and this temporary repositioning will ensure the safety of Canadian personnel.

Russia has mobilized 100,000 troops on its border with Ukraine and is demanding a series of concessions from the NATO military alliance, which includes Canada.

While Russia has denied wanting a war, diplomatic talks between Moscow and the West have failed to resolve the standoff and NATO leaders have started warning of a conflict in Ukraine.

The announcement that troops were moved out of Ukraine comes one day after Canada shuttered its embassy in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and relocated its diplomatic staff to a temporary office in Lviv in the western part of the country.

Lviv is home to a Ukrainian military base that served as the main hub for Canadas 200-soldier training mission in the former Soviet country.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sought to reassure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Canada stands with his country.

A summary of Trudeaus conversation with Zelenskyy provided by the Prime Ministers Office indicated the Canadian leader had once again committed to imposing economic sanctions on Russia in response to an invasion of Ukraine.
Ill bet there are many Winter Olympic athletes who use cupping, but they may be hard to find. We notice cupping more often in the Summer Olympic Games  no surprise  because the athletes wear very skimpy uniforms instead of heavy parkas and snow pants. Several Olympic swimmers have displayed the round, colorful marks during their competitions.

The most popular Olympic swimmer to sport purple cupping marks is Micheal Phelps. In 2016, Time Magazine published an article titled Why Michael Phelps Is Gaga for Cupping. Phelps told TIME, Ive done cupping for a while before meets. But I havent had a bruise like this for a while. I asked for a little help yesterday because I was a little sore and I was training hard. In 2016, Michael Phelps won 6 more medals to become the most decorated Olympian of all time.

Other Olympic swimmers who make cupping a habit include: U.S. silver-medal winner Chase Kalisz, bronze medalist Dana Vollmer, Australian Kyle Chalmers, and Wang Qun from China. Of course, observers remember their remarkable feats, but the circular purple bruises on the backs of these swimmers also got a lot of attention and more than a few photographs.

Cupping

Cupping is based on simple, traditional ideas. Specially made glass, bamboo or plastic jars are placed on the patients skin to create suction. Traditionally this was done with fire, but the modern version uses a hand pump to create the vacuum inside the cup. This action causes the underlying tissue to be sucked partway into the cup  how much skin depends on the amount of suction used.

Patients usually feel a tight sensation in the area of the cup  it feels good and relaxes aching muscles. If it is too tight, the practitioner can adjust the amount of suction to provide greater comfort. When the cups are removed, everyone talks about feeling a release of tension and tightness  it often feels very relaxing!

And what about those of us who are not landing quad jumps or snowboarding backflips? For the rest of us, cupping is effective to enhance circulation, help relieve pain, and pull toxins from your bodys tissue. It often gets good results for patients who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, flu, colds, back pain, coughs, allergies, muscle pain, fevers, bronchial congestion, arthritis and anxiety.

Cupping is also the type of treatment from which almost everyone benefits. The exceptions are sensible; Cupping therapy should be used with caution among pregnant women and patients who bleed easily and/or cannot stop bleeding. In addition, cups should not be applied to areas of the body with skin ulcers, edema, infection or large blood vessels. Everyone else, enjoy!

Republished from JenniferDubowsky.com
A person walks past a Bank of America sign in the Manhattan borough of New York City, on Jan. 19, 2022. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

Customers Sue Bank of America for Not Refunding Overdraft Fees During Pandemic

NEW YORKBank 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.

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-based law firm Tycko & Zavareei, told Reuters in an interview.

They made that promise but they didnt create or implement any systems to take advantage of those promises.

By Elizabeth Dilts Marshall
A pharmacist prepares the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Hartford Convention Center in Hartford, Conn., on Jan. 4, 2021. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

EXCLUSIVE: Pfizer Trial Whistleblower Presses Forward With Lawsuit Without US Governments Help

A former clinical trial overseer for a contractor holding trials of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is pressing forward with a lawsuit against Pfizer and her former company despite the U.S. government declining to side with her.

Brook Jackson was fired by the contractor, Ventavia Research Group, in 2020. She came forward as a whistleblower in 2021.

Jackson filed a False Claims Act suit against Pfizer, Ventavia, and another company involved in the trial, ICON. Its been under seal for over a year but is now public after the U.S. Department of Justice declined to intervene on her behalf.

Government lawyers didnt explain the choice not to intervene, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which investigates alleged clinical trial fraud, didnt respond to a request for comment.

The choice, though, hasnt deterred the whistleblower.

Were going to pursue the case without the help of the government, Jackson told The Epoch Times.

She said she wasnt surprised but felt total disappointment when, after over a year of putting off a decision, the government declined to intervene.

The odds of success arent good, but its just a chance I have to take, Jackson said. I just feel like somebody has to be held accountable.

Jackson set off a firestorm when the British Medical Journal in November 2021 published a piece based on documents, recordings, and other materials from Jackson that outlines repeated failures by Ventavia to properly run sites for Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine trial before it received emergency clearance from U.S. drug regulators.

While the article didnt include any of the materials, many were filed with the court and obtained by The Epoch Times, including emails that detail problems observed not just by Jackson, but other Ventavia workers.

For instance, Lovica Downs wrote on Sept. 18, 2020, to Jackson and another employee that she observed boxes containing patient information left on the counter full[y] exposed to anyone that entered the room could see.

Other missives described other problems.

Marnie Fisher, Ventavias director of operations at the time, said on Sept. 21, 2020, that an investigation found that multiple sites had left documents exposed, including a schedule with patient names on it; adverse events either not being reported correctly or at all; the vaccine and placebo not being kept locked in disorganized rooms; and informed consent errors.

The documents show that Ventavia employees were aware of serious problems arising during the trial, including vaccine administrators who were either described as having no training and very little oversight or lacking medical certifications or background. A Pfizer official was copied on, and answered some of the emails.

The full sets of documents are embedded; the article continues below them.

Downs declined to comment, while Fisher couldnt be reached. ICON and Pfizer didnt respond to requests for comment. Ventavia spokeswoman Lauren Foreman told The Epoch Times via email last year that Jackson worked for Ventavia but no part of her job responsibilities concerned the clinical trials at issue.

In an updated statement on Feb. 11, Foreman added, Although Jackson was hired to oversee certain sites and aspects of clinical trials, she was only employed with Ventavia for 18 days, and, as a result, did not have the longevity with the company to complete the training for the role for which she was hired.

Jackson, through her lawyer, recently threatened to file a defamation lawsuit against Ventavia over its description of her employment.

The FDA told The Epoch Times in an email last year, Although the agency cannot comment further at this time in this ongoing matter, FDA has full confidence in the data that were used to support the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine authorization and the Comirnaty approval.

Spokespersons didnt reply when asked on Feb. 14 for an update.

Jackson was fired hours after filing a complaint with the FDA. A Pfizer official within weeks reached out directly to Jackson for more information, according to text messages reviewed by The Epoch Times.

The suit was brought under the False Claims Act, which enables Americans to file suits on behalf of the government against those who have defrauded the government, according to the government. More than $5.6 billion has been obtained through suits under the act, as of fall 2021.

The suit says Pfizer, ICON, and Ventavia deliberately withheld crucial information from the United States that calls the safety and efficacy of their vaccine into question.

Namely, Defendants concealed violations of both their clinical trial protocol and federal regulations, including falsification of clinical trial documents, it says.

Due to Defendants scheme, millions of Americans have received a misbranded vaccination which is potentially not as effective as represented.

Jackson is asking the court to award her damages and back pay and reinstate her to her position with Ventavia.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser and head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks to a congressional panel in Washington on Jan. 11, 2022. (Greg Nash/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Fauci: COVID-19 Boosters May Have to Be Taken Every 5 Years

White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said COVID-19 booster shots may only be necessary for some people every few years rather than annually.

It will depend on who you are, Fauci told the Financial Times in an interview published on Feb. 9, but if you are a normal, healthy 30-year-old person with no underlying conditions, you might need a booster only every four or five years.

Fauci had suggested in an interview with NBC News last month that it might be necessary for people to receive booster doses every year.

Weve only recently boosted people. We will find out if the booster gives you a degree of durability of protection and actually should be the standard regimen of three doses of an mRNA and two doses of [Johnson & Johnsons vaccine], he said last month. Orand its a big or right nowwill we need to boost people every year or so?

According to a study released on Feb. 12 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the efficacy of mRNA vaccine boosters starts to decline after about four months. The study didnt include an age breakdown and only focused on individuals who sought treatment when the Omicron variant was spreading.

There may be the need for yet again another boostin this case, a fourth-dose boost for an individual receiving the mRNAthat could be based on age, as well as underlying conditions, Fauci told reporters on Feb. 9.

Recommendations for a fourth dose of the vaccine likely will not be made across the board, he said.

During the Financial Times interview, Fauci, who has headed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years, suggested that the United States is moving out of the full-blown pandemic phase.

It came as several Democrat governors moved to rescind statewide mask mandates, although some local municipalities have decided to keep them intact.

Meanwhile, Swedish health officials said on Feb. 14 that they are recommending a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot for individuals aged 80 and older.

As with the first round of booster shots, those boosters should consist of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, the health agency said.

The recommendation also covered all people living in nursing homes or who receive assisted living services at home. The second booster shot should be administered at least four months after the first booster jab, the agency said in a statement.

COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Reuters contributed to this report.
An Italian F35 aircraft is seen on the runway during "Blue Flag", an aerial exercise hosted by Israel with the participation of foreign air force crews, at Ovda military air base, southern Israel, on Nov. 11, 2019. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

Finland Signs Deal to Buy 64 US-Built Stealth Jets

HELSINKI/WASHINGTONFinland signed a $9.4 billion agreement on Friday to buy U.S. F-35 fighter jets, reaching a deal to bring 64 radar-evading warplanes to a country bordering Russia at a time of high tensions between Moscow and the West over Russian troops massed near the Ukrainian border.

However it will be some years before the planes enter service. Finland has previously said the planes would begin to be deployed in 2027.

In addition to the planes, the contract with U.S. government, and plane-maker Lockheed Martin includes maintenance equipment, spare parts, and training services, Finnish Defense Forces said in a statement on Friday, adding an agreement to buy air-to-air ammunition would be signed later in 2022.

The aim is to ensure that Finlands F-35 system has the best possible performance going into the 2030s, the Defense Forces said.

Finland, which was historically neutral during the Cold War, is a member of the EU but not of NATO. In recent years it has strengthened cooperation with the Western military alliance and its defense forces materiel policy is based on all new equipment being NATO-compatible.

Finlands government said the decision to buy the U.S. jets, announced in December, was part of long-term plans to boost the countrys defenses, not a response to the current confrontation between the West and Russia over Ukraine.

It is part of our long-term planning and has nothing to do with the current situation as such, Finlands ambassador to the United States, Mikko Hautala, said in a statement.

Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops near its frontiers with Ukraine, and Western countries fear it is planning an attack. Moscow denies plans for an invasion but says it could take unspecified military-technical action unless demands are met, including a promise to admit no new countries to NATO, and to withdraw Western forces from Eastern Europe.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said in January the country had no plans at present to apply to join NATO, but added the Nordic nation retains the right to join if it so wishes.

By Anne Kauranen, Essi Lehto, and Mike Stone
GiveSendGos Website Hosting Freedom Convoy Fundraiser Reportedly Hacked

The website for GiveSendGo, the crowdfunding platform used by the Freedom Convoy to fund their protest against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions, has been frozen and appears to have been hacked.

In a series of posts on the night of Feb. 13, a reporter for The Daily Dot, Mikael Thalen, tweeted that the website of GiveSendGo was redirecting to the domain GiveSendGone.wtf.

A clip from the Disney film Frozen 2 was displayed on the main page briefly with a manifesto scrolling over the video, condemning the platform and the protesting truckers.

As of noon on Feb. 14, a visit to the website shows a blank page that states, Application is under maintenance we will be back very soon.

BREAKING: GiveSendGo, the crowdfunding website used by the Freedom Convoy, is now redirecting to the domain GiveSendGone[.]wtf. A video from the Disney film Frozen now appears alongside a manifesto condemning the website and the Freedom Convoy. pic.twitter.com/3TLAwfvZ3w  Mikael Thalen (@MikaelThalen) February 14, 2022

At the same time, Thalen said a file allegedly containing tens of thousands of names of those who donated to the Freedom Convoy has also been leaked, but had yet to verify it.

Leak site Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoS) announced on its website that it had 30 megabytes of donor information from GiveSendGo, including names, email addresses, zip codes, and internet protocol addresses.

In June 2020, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security document labelled DDoS a criminal hacker group after their hacking operation targeted federal, state, and local law enforcement databases in what officials surmised was in support of nationwide protests after the death of George Floyd.

The Epoch Times reached out to GiveSendGo for comment but did not hear back by publication time.

The freedom convoy started as a demonstration by truck drivers who opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border travel, with convoys driving from various parts of Canada to Ottawa on Jan. 29. Many have stayed in the city, saying they will remain until the government lifts all federal COVID-19 mandates.

The protest has since become a larger movement with supporters across Canada joining in to oppose various COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. It has also sparked parallel protests at border crossings in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.

The convoys organizers initially set up a fundraiser to supply truckers with food, fuel, and lodging through the platform GoFundMe. By Feb. 1, the fundraiser had received more than $10 million in donations, the second-largest ever in Canada.

As of Feb. 2, GoFundMe had released $1 million to the organizers, though the personal account that money was distributed to was later frozen by Toronto-Dominion Bank. On Feb. 4, GoFundMe said it would stop payments and forward the money to other charities instead, before changing course again on Feb. 5, announcing it would automatically reimburse the funds to donors.

Following GoFundMes announcements, the protest convoy organizers set up a new campaign on GiveSendGo. By Feb. 10, Freedom Convoy 2022 garnered $US8.4 million and Adopt-a-Trucker raised more than $686,000 on the new platform.

The Ontario government later successfully sought a court order on Feb. 10, to freeze all donations made to the protesting truckers on GiveSendGo.

Today, the Attorney General brought an application in the Superior Court of Justice for an order pursuant to section 490.8 of the Criminal Code prohibiting any person from disposing of, or otherwise dealing with, in any manner whatsoever, any and all monetary donations made through the Freedom Convoy 2022 and Adopt-a-Trucker campaign pages on the GiveSendGo online fundraising platform, said a statement released by Premier Doug Fords office on Feb. 10.

This afternoon, the order was issued. It binds any and all parties with possession or control over these donations.

In a statement on Feb. 13, convoy organizers said none of the money donated to the group through either GoFundMe or GiveSendGo has been accessible to the group to date.

Truckers on the ground have resorted to raising donations from the droves of people coming into Ottawa on a daily basis, said the statement.

It is an incredible testament to the truckers strength of resolve to see them undeterred and determined to continue holding the line, despite the financial hurdles the government continues to throw at them.

The Canadian Press, Reuters, and Mimi Nguyen Ly contributed to this report
The Google logo is pictured at the Google India office building in Hyderabad on Jan. 28, 2022. (Noah Swwlam/AFP via Getty Images)

Google Faces Scrutiny From French, Russian Regulators

Frances watchdog CNIL alleged Alphabet Inc.s Google Analytics of giving U.S. intelligence services access to French website users data.

The regulator alleged the U.S. tech giant lacking sufficient measures to guarantee data privacy rights under European Union regulation when transferring data between Europe and the United Stats.

The French website manager responsible for the non-compliance had one month to comply with EU regulation. CNIL had issued similar orders to other website operators.

Russias Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) slapped a penalty on Google for alleged breach of rules related to suspending and blocking accounts on its YouTube video service.

The watchdog would determine the fine during an administrative investigation, adding Googles conduct had infringed users interests and restricted competition.

[The FAS] found that the rules related to creating, suspending and blocking accounts and handling of user content on YouTube were non-transparent, biased and unpredictable, the FAS said.

By Anusuya Lahiri

 2021 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Children wearing masks cross a road during a Lunar New Year public holiday in Hong Kong on Jan. 27, 2020. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)

Hong Kong to Vaccinate 3-Year-Olds Amid New COVID-19 Surge

HONG KONGHong Kong plans to offer COVID-19 vaccines to children as young as three as infections rage through the city.

The announcement late Sunday came ahead of another surge in cases. The city reported a record 2,071 new cases on Monday, with that number expected to double the next day with more than 4,500 preliminary positives identified.

Hong Kong schools extended a suspension of in-class teaching for two weeks to March 6.

The wave blamed on the Omicron variant has already prompted new restrictions limiting in-person gatherings to no more than two households. Hong Kong residents have been rushing to grocery stores to stock up on vegetables and to hair salons to get haircuts.

Authorities have imposed lockdowns on residential buildings wherever clusters of infections are identified, and have already banned public dining after 6 p.m. Only vaccinated people will be permitted in shopping malls and supermarkets, while places of worship, hair salons, and other businesses have been ordered to close.

Customers wearing protective masks shop at a market, following the outbreak of COVID-19, at Sha Tin district, in Hong Kong, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Lam Yik/Reuters)

Immunizations using Chinese maker Sinovacs vaccine for children aged 3 and above will start being administered on Tuesday. Previously, the age limit was 5 years old. Hong Kong has fully vaccinated 73 percent of its eligible population, not including children.

With a population of about 7.5 million, Hong Kong currently has more than 7,000 people being treated for COVID-19 or awaiting admission to hospitals.

Hong Kong has adopted mainland Chinas zero tolerance approach to dealing with the pandemic that requires quarantines, mask mandates, case tracing, and lockdowns of buildings, neighborhoods, and entire cities, even when only a few cases are detected.

The city has as recorded more than 25,000 COVID-19 cases and about 220 deaths from the virus.
JAKARTA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian police on Monday arrested four suspected terrorists in separate operations in the country's province of Central Java.

The National Police's spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan said that these suspects were allegedly affiliated with a homegrown terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

Further investigations are underway, he added.

Earlier, spokesman of the Central Java Police Iqbal Alqudusy said that the National Police's anti-terror squad Densus 88 arrested the suspects in separate operations in the Batang, Sragen and Sukoharjo areas.

The JI group, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, was behind the 2002 Bali bombings which killed more than 200 people on the holiday resort. The group was declared an illegal organization in 2018. 
Members of the City Youth Organisation hold posters with the logos of Chinese apps in support of the Indian government for banning the wildly popular video-sharing TikTok app, in Hyderabad, India, on June 30, 2020. India banned another 54 Chinese apps in Feburary 2022. (Noah Seelam/AFP via Getty Images)

India Bans 54 More Chinese Apps Over National Security Concerns

NEW DELHIThe Indian government has issued an order banning 54 Chinese mobile applications that it says constitute a threat to the countrys national security, according to local reports. The move is the latest in a series of similar bans instituted amid a protracted border dispute between the two sides.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs issued a Feb. 13 statement saying that the 54 applications could collect sensitive user data through phone cameras and microphones for espionage and surveillance activities.

India is now taking cybersecurity more seriously because of the increasing digitization of the economy and the threat such Chinese apps, as well as Chinese telecom equipment, pose, Pathikrit Payne, a New Delhi-based research consultant in geopolitical and strategic affairs, told The Epoch Times.

India started banning Chinese apps after a June 2020 bloody skirmish with Chinese forces in the disputed Himalayan border region in which 20 Indian soldiers died. Since then, the country has banned 267 applications including TikTok, Baidu, and WeChat Work.

The additional applications banned this week range from mobile games to video chats and selfie camera apps from Chinese companies such as Tencent, Alibaba, and NetEase. Some of the apps are clones or rebrands of apps banned in previous orders, according to local media reports.

The most popular app banned by the order is Free Fire, a battle royale shooter game owned by Singapore-based gaming giant Sea. The companys largest shareholder is Chinese tech giant Tencent.

Indias concerns over security risks posed by Chinese technology echo that of U.S. officials and experts who have warned that such applications could be used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for spying, citing laws in the country that compel firms to cooperate with intelligence agencies when requested to do so.

James Lee, a former hedge fund manager who has two decades of experience investing in the gaming industry in the United States and Hong Kong, previously told The Epoch Times that data collected from Chinese apps feed into artificial intelligence (AI) programs developed by the regime.

Those are games and apps that have been actually collecting a lot of metadata of citizens around the world, and then they feed it into the CCPs AI machine. And we all know AI is mostly constrained by the data: The more data you have, the stronger the AI is, Lee said. Once China controls the metadata as well as the channels themselves, they are able to tweak the human psyche, or just what people are thinking about, via cyberwar.

Members of the Working Journalists of India (WJI) hold placards urging citizens to remove Chinese apps and to stop using Chinese products during a demonstration against the Chinese newspaper Global Times in New Delhi on June 30, 2020. (PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)

Apps Under Disguise

Abhishek Darbey, a research associate at New Delhi-based think tank the Centre for China Analysis and Strategy, told The Epoch Times that many of the apps that the Indian government has banned since 2020 were relaunched or renamed for the Indian market under different companies.

He pointed to the Chinese connection in the banned Free Fire gaming app owned by Sea. The company was founded in Singapore by Chinese-born founders who later became Singaporean citizens. While some may not be aware of this connection, Free Fires case suggests that China uses all possible loopholes to penetrate the Indian market because of its huge consumer population.

Representatives for Sea didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.

The presence of Chinese apps in India provides the CCP with an advantage, allowing it to explore the Indian market and simultaneously keep the Indian population exposed to espionage, while the Chinese market remains closed to foreign mobile apps, according to Darbey.

China doesnt entertain foreign social media applications or any other mobile app in their land, and they do this in order to keep themselves safer against any form of surveillance or espionage activities, he said.

In China, a host of Western websites and platforms have been blocked, including Facebook, Twitter, and Google.

The CCP doesnt want its Chinese population to exchange any form of communication with the rest of the world. All of these regulations have been followed very strictly in China imposed by the CCP, therefore the Party guarantees their internal security without giving any chance of information exchange of any kind, Darbey said.

Both India and China are expected to remain as the major markets for mobile apps offering large growth opportunities for all the participants in the ecosystem, according to a 2020 market report published on Grand View Research.

While China wants to participate in and control the burgeoning Indian market, it wants to keep its domestic market exclusively to itself, according to Darbey.
A demonstrator waves an Israeli flag as a "Freedom Convoy" inspired by Canadian truckers heads towards Jerusalem to protest against COVID-19 restrictions on Feb. 14, 2022. (Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)

Israel Starts Canadian-Inspired Freedom Convoy Against COVID-19 Mandates

The convoy of Canadian truckers protesting COVID-19 mandates and restrictions has inspired people in other countries to follow suit with protests of their own, including Israel.

Thousands of Israeli protesters have joined a Canadian-inspired Freedom Convoy on Monday, with vehicles flying Israeli and Canadian flags while driving along the main highway linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

In footage posted to social media, vehicles are heard blaring horns on Israeli roads as protesters are seen banging drums and blocking roadsmirroring a similar method Canadians have used to voice their grievances over the governments COVID-19 mandates and restrictions.

Over 30,000 vehicles in 40 convoys from 40 Israel cities united in Jerusalem earlier today to demand the removal of all COVID-19 restrictions and a return to normality, said Oshy Ellman, a senior Israeli communications adviser. Authorities havent immediately released an official report on the exact number of participants joining the massive convoy.

HAPPENING NOW IN #ISRAEL. Over 30,000 vehicles in the Israeli #FreedomConvoy2022 that has gathered in #Jerusalem from across Israel to demand a return to normal life and the removal of all #COVID19 restrictions. pic.twitter.com/olmOsOicTO  OshyEllman (@oshyellman1) February 14, 2022

Shany Shlomo, a 51-year-old administrator, told news agency AFP she decided to join the protest in the Israeli capital to speak up against the government forcing COVID-19 vaccines on citizens.

Nobody can tell us what to put into our body, she said.

Outside the parliament building in Jerusalem, protesters sounded horns and beat drums as they called for the restrictions to be lifted.

We are all gathered here for freedom. Because for two years already, all this world is going mad because of all the mandates and all the things that dont let us live as free as we are born, said Jonathan Deporto, a 39-year-old protester.

A protestor stands next to her car as she takes part in an Israeli Freedom Convoy heading to Jerusalem to protest against COVID-19 restrictions, in Shoresh, near Jerusalem, on Feb. 14, 2022. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

Israeli vehicles take part in a Canada-style protest convoy against COVID-19 regulations in Jerusalem on Feb. 14, 2022. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images)

In recent weeks, Israel has rolled back requirements to show proof of vaccination at restaurants, movie theatres, gyms, and hotels to coincide with a slowdown in daily infections from the Omicron variant of the CCP Chinese Communist Party) virus, but masks are still mandatory in public indoor spaces, including schools, shops, and medical institutions.

In Canada, the anti-mandate Freedom Convoy protests have paralyzed certain regions of Ottawa since late January, and theyve also blocked crucial crossing points on the U.S.Canada border. The truckers are demanding an end to vaccine mandates and the passport phone application currently required by the Canadian government.

The caravan of trucks may have set a world record, with an estimated 50,000 trucks having joined. The convoy was also able to raise over $10 million Canadian ($8 million USD) on fundraising website GoFundMe before the site shut it down over alleged violence or unlawful activity, without providing any evidence.

Worldwide, similar movements have sprung up, including in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and France.

A crowd of protesters from France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, gathered in Brussels on Monday to join a European Freedom Convoy modelled after the Canadian truckers. Protesters slammed the governments CCP virus response, calling it criminal for officials to push COVID-19 vaccines on children and continuing mask requirements in schools.

Participants in the so-called Freedom Convoy wave French flags as they gather for an unauthorized demonstration in the center of Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 14, 2022. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images)

They will also vaccinate our children in the Netherlands from the age of 5. I find it criminal! The choice must remain with the people, said Gerhard Velthorst, a former restaurant owner from the Netherlands.

A German protester and English teacher who joined the demonstration in the Belgian capital said he will not accept any more jabs.

Leave us alone, we are peaceful, we will leave you alone, he said.

In France, police fired tear gas at a Freedom Convoy on Feb. 12 protesting COVID-19 restrictions. The protests in France are against rules that mandate vaccine passes to enter public places.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News
John Durham speaks to reporters on the steps of U.S. District Court in New Haven, Conn., on April 25, 2006. (Bob Child/AP Photo)

John Durhams Recent Filings Ignored by Mainstream Media: Republicans

Update: In a statement this week, Clinton denied claims that her 2016 campaign spied on former President Trump. In a Twitter post, the longtime Democrat wrote that Trump & Fox are desperately spinning up a fake scandal to distract from his real ones. So its a day that ends in Y. She added, The more his misdeeds are exposed, the more they lie.

Republicans seized on a recent court filing submitted by special prosecutor John Durham that alleged individuals working on behalf of the Clinton campaign tried to infiltrate Trump campaign and White House servers, arguing that mainstream news outlets are avoiding covering Durhams findings.

A tech company hacked the White House and spied on a sitting President. This should concern everyone. But the mainstream media refuses to cover it, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) wrote on Twitter. The lawmaker made similar comments during a Fox News appearance on Feb. 14.

Yep, there was spying going on, and it was worse than we thought because they were spying on the sitting president of the United States, Jordan told Fox & Friends. And it goes right to the Clinton campaign.

Durhams Feb. 11 motion was connected to lawyer Michael Sussmann, a former Perkins Coie lawyer who was charged in 2021 with lying to the FBI when he allegedly told the bureau that he wasnt working for Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign when he had given the agency now-debunked documents that allegedly linked the Trump Organization to a Russian bank. Sussmann has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in the case.

Meanwhile, Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio) said on Feb. 13 that the investigation uncovered a new level of corruption that raises grave concerns.

I mean, this is a threat to our democracy itself, Turner told Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. It doesnt matter really which political campaign this is or which political party this is. This is so wrong and allegations of such a level of illegal activity that goes directly to our faith in our own government that the truth must be found.

Sussmann, according to the recent filing, had assembled and conveyed the allegations to the FBI on behalf of at least two specific clients, including a technology executive (Tech Executive 1) at a U.S.-based internet company (Internet Company 1) and the Clinton campaign. Records also show that he repeatedly billed the campaign for his work regarding the allegations around Trump and the Russian bank.

In connection with these efforts, Tech Executive-1 exploited his access to non-public and/or proprietary Internet data, his filing stated. Tech Executive-1 also enlisted the assistance of researchers at a U.S.-based university who were receiving and analyzing large amounts of Internet data in connection with a pending federal government cybersecurity research contract.

Over the past weekend, former President Donald Trump issued a statement saying Durhams court filing corroborates his longtime claims that his 2016 campaign and presidency were subject to a widespread pressure campaign directed against him for holding unorthodox views. He also faulted the media for its coverage.

It shows how totally corrupt and shameless the media is, Trump said in the statement. Can you imagine if the roles were reversed and the Republicans, in particular President Donald Trump, got caught illegally spying into the Office of the President? All hell would break loose and the electric chair would immediately come out of retirement. The good news is, everybody is talking about not only this atrocity against our Nation, but that the press refuses to even mention the major crime that took place.
A message in a bottle sent by a primary school pupil has been found washed up in Norway25 years after it was sent out to sea.

Joanna Buchan, 34, was just 8 years old when the bottle was dropped from a fishing boat off Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1996 as part of a school project. She was stunned to discover the old plastic Sprite bottle had been found 800 miles away at Gasvaer, Norway.

The schoolgirls sweet letter describes her pet dog, her school projects, and her love of collecting Blu Tack.

The bottle was found by Elena Andreassen Haga in July 2020, who tracked down Joanna on Facebook to tell her about the discovery. However, Joanna, who now lives in New South Wales, Australia, didnt see the message until January 2022 while scrolling through her message requests.

Elena said: We were out with a small boat just looking around the area, picking some berries, and looking for trash to take care of.

I was very excited, you never knowis it just from another small island in the area, or what could be inside. I sent Joanna a message the same day we found the bottle and forgot about it after that holiday. I didnt immediately understand who she was, and then the conversation lit up when I sent her the picture of the letter.

Joanna said she was stunned when she recognized her handwriting and has since spoken to her teacher at the time, who was delighted the message was found.

Joanna Buchan, 34. (SWNS)

Joanna said: At first I didnt remember the message in a bottle, but then I started to have a vague recollection of a project we did at school.

It was a dusty memory but once I saw the letter I knew right away it was me, I recognized my handwriting, which is definitely not as neat now.

I just died with laughter when I read it back, especially the way I ended it with by the way, I hate boys.

I really cant believe it survived 25 years in the North Sea. It was just a curled-up bit of paper stuffed into an old Sprite bottle, so I am so shocked it turned up on a small uninhabited island in Norway.

Joanna was studying in Peterhead Central Primary School when she sent the letter in the bottle. The message also included details about her rather big house, and her love of teddy bears.

My teacher from the time got in touch with me and was really chuffed it had been found, Joanna said. One bottle was found early on after the bottles went out to sea but there havent been any others found for 25 years.

The letter is what 8-year-old me thought was important. I talk about how I liked to collect Blu Tack and it made me remember how I used to make little animals out of it when I should have been doing my schoolwork.

I was so shocked when I got the message it had been found and just kept thinking what [on] earth would I have written about.

Elenas dad actually found a message in a bottle there 60 years ago, so when she was on holiday there, she thought theyd have a look to see what they could find.

Epoch Times staff contributed to this report.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Bright newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Jennifer Sey, on the right, at the Levi's Times Square Store Opening in New York City on Nov. 15, 2018. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Levis)

Levis Ex-President Claims She Was Forced Out Over COVID-19 Protests

The former executive vice president and president of clothes maker Levi Strauss & Co. said she quit and walked away from $1 million because of her views against COVID-19-related school closures.

More than 20 years ago, I joined Levis. I quit so I could be free, Jennifer Sey wrote on Twitter, linking to her article published in former New York Times editor Bari Weisss Substack newsletter.

Sey said she started working her way up Levis corporate ladder in 1999, but when the COVID-19 pandemic started to unfold in early 2020, the mother of four became an advocate for keeping schools open.

The 52-year-old organized rallies and spoke to local media outlets against school closures. However, management in Levis condemned her for her stance, and Sey recalled in the summer of 2020 that a corporate communications manager told her to pipe down.

I refused to stop talking. I kept calling out hypocritical and unproven policies, I met with the mayors office, and eventually uprooted my entire life in CaliforniaId lived there for over 30 yearsand moved my family to Denver so that my kindergartner could finally experience real school, she wrote.

After appearing on Fox News to describe her experience, Sey said that others in Levis lodged left-wing labels at her.

The Fox appearance was the last straw, she wrote. The comments from Levis employees picked upabout me being anti-science; about me being anti-fat (Id retweeted a study showing a correlation between obesity and poor health outcomes); about me being anti-trans (Id tweeted that we shouldnt ditch Mothers Day for Birthing Peoples Day because it left out adoptive and stepmoms); and about me being racist, because San Franciscos public school system was filled with black and brown kids, and, apparently, I didnt care if they died.

At one point in her article, Sey said she was told by management that she could be the next Levis CEO if she stopped publicly speaking against COVID-19 rules.

In the last month, the CEO told me that it was untenable for me to stay. I was offered a $1 million severance package, but I knew Id have to sign a nondisclosure agreement about why Id been pushed out, said Sey, who is a former gymnast who competed for the United States in the 1986 Goodwill Games. The money would be very nice. But I just cant do it. Sorry, Levis.

Levis didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.
Lockdown May Be Popular, but Its Not Right: NSW Premier

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet is standing by his decision to keep the state open during the Omicron outbreak, despite facing ongoing criticism of his governments approach to handling the pandemic, which some feared could undermine the premiers bid to retain seats at the recent by-election.

The Liberal-National Coalition government looks set to lose its bid for the multicultural electorate of Strathfield in Sydney, and the South Coast seat of Bega to the Australian Labor Party (ALP) over the weekends Super Saturday by-elections where four seats were up for grabs.

Perrottet said the government will reflect and learn from some disappointing results across the board, but maintained that his approach to COVID-19 restrictions would not change.

Going into lockdowns may be popular, but it is not right, he told Liberal supporters in Strathfield on Saturday.

We need to keep businesses open. We need to keep people in work.

On Sunday, he added that there are certainly lessons to be taken from the particularly disappointing result in Bega, but by-elections are notoriously hard for governments.

The Coalition government will be pushed further into the minority if they do in fact lose Bega and will need to rely more heavily on votes from independent MPs. However, Perrottet said the prospect did not worry him and that the Liberals were certainly not going to be doing any deals with MPs from other parties.

For the last three years we have been in a minority government situation, he told Sydney radio 2GB on Monday.

Im not interested in doing deals, Im interested in working through issues and working with the crossbench where there are legitimate areas of policy that we can work with them on we will.

The official results will be postponed until March 11 with about 38 percent of votes counted in Bega, Monaro, Strathfield and Willoughby before Saturdays ballots.

The seat of Strathfield is expected to claim by the ALPs Jason Yat-sen Li, who led Liberal candidate Bridget Sakr 42.54 percent to 37.37 percent as of Feb. 14. But Perrottet on Saturday said Labors electorate vote had gone backwards and was confident voters would elect Sakr at the next state poll.

Meanwhile, Labors candidate Michael Holland looks set to win Bega, which has been held by retiring Liberal member Andrew Constance since 2003. Constance is now pursuing a career in federal politics.

Perrottet conceded that the local community in Bega felt abandoned after the 2019-20 historic bushfires.

I think theres a lot more work we need to do there, the NSW premier said.

Meanwhile, Liberal candidate Tim James is predicted to retain former Premier Gladys Berejiklians seat of Willoughby despite an 18 percent swing away from the government in early counting, and is currently leading Independent Larissa Penn 43.48 percent to 32.18 percent.

Labor did not contest Willoughby.
Police arrest protesters near the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Canada, on Feb. 13, 2022. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Major USCanada Border Crossing Reopens After Being Blocked by Protesters

The busiest U.S.Canada border crossing reopened on Feb. 14 after being blocked for about a week by truckers and others protesting against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Traffic resumed on the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, after Canadian police officers made arrests to clear the blockade.

Our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a statement. Illegal acts, blockades, and hate speech must not be tolerated and should be denounced.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, called the resumption of traffic a win for Michigans working families who are just trying to do their jobs and for businesses who can get back to shipping their products and produce.

Whitmer said it was important to ensure the bridge isnt blocked again.

Starting in January, truckers began leading protests against mandates imposed by Canadian and U.S. authorities, traveling to major Canadian cities and later to key border crossings. Several other crossings, including one that connects Surrey, British Columbia, to Blaine, Washington, remained closed on Feb. 14.

Protesters also remained entrenched in Ottawa, Canadas capital, and other cities as officials refuse to relent on the mandates, one of which forces truckers entering Canada to show proof of vaccination or isolate for a period of time.

Police make an arrest at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, while trying to clear a blockade at the Canada-U.S. border crossing, on Feb. 13, 2022. (Lisa Lin/The Epoch Times)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a Liberal, has denounced the protesters, calling for strong action against them for tak[ing] the economy hostage.

Everything is on the table because this unlawful activity has to end, and it will end, he said in a recent statement.

While leftists in Canada and America oppose the protests, conservative officials and groups have expressed support, including former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, a Republican candidate for governor.

I stand with the truckers, Craig said in a statement. I support all working people who are standing up for personal freedom.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has previously declared a state of emergency in his province due to the ongoing protests.

According to Michigan authorities, some 10,000 commercial vehicles cross the Ambassador Bridge on a daily basis with approximately $325 million in goods, including $50 million in automotive parts.

Nearly 30 percent of the annual trade between Michigan and Canada comes across the bridge.

Lisa Lin contributed to this report.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speak to the media ahead of a memorial service to remember and celebrate the life of Metropolitan Police Sergeant Matt Ratana at The Royal Military Chapel in Westminster, central London, on Nov. 29, 2021. (Victoria Jones/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Metropolitan Police Federation Says It Has No Faith in London Mayor Sadiq Khan

The Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents more than 31,000 rank-and-file police officers, said it has no faith in London Mayor Sadiq Khan after he ousted Dame Cressida Dick as head of the force last week.

Dick resigned as Met commissioner on Feb. 10, saying she had lost the backing of Khan, who left her no choice but to step aside.

The federation said comments made by the mayor have undermined the professional, dedicated, and incredibly difficult work of tens of thousands of hard-working and brave police officers from across the capital.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the federation, accused politicians of using policing and the career of the countrys most senior police leader to deflect from their own failings.

We have let the mayors office know in no uncertain terms how our brave and diligent colleagues deserve better, he said.

Marsh said the atmosphere in the force is horrendous and rock bottom, as officers feel saddened and angry that the commissioner has been pushed out.

We are deeply disappointed with the actions of the mayor, he said.

He added: The hard work of our colleagues and public trust in our colleagues is being undermined by politicians, and by the mayor of London in particular. The continuing scaremongering, sniping, and sweeping statements are causing disaffection with the public.

Marsh said that officers feel they have been forgotten by the mayor. Enough is enough. Officers have no faith in Sadiq Khan, he said.

Dick faced a series of scandals during her time leading Britains biggest police force, most recently concerning discriminatory 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 in 2021 by serving officer Wayne Couzens, who abducted her by staging a fake COVID-19 arrest.

The federation said it was sickened by these incidents, but that they were not reflective of an entire workforce.

Marsh said: The federation will continue to speak up for our good officers. We totally accept that we have to deliver for the public and work to improve confidence, but if you havent got your workforce with you then you are not going to achieve what youre setting out to achieve.

A spokeswoman for the mayor said: It is the mayors job to stand up for Londoners and hold the police to account on their behalf, as well to support the police in bearing down on crime.

With trust in the police among Londoners shattered following a series of devastating scandals exposing evidence of racism, misogyny, homophobia, harassment, and discrimination in the Met, it was the mayors view that a change of leadership was the only way to address this crisis in trust.

PA Media contributed to this report.
To be yourself, limit yourself.

To limit yourself, be yourself.

This saying is a double dicho, an aphorism that says the same thing in two directions. (The concept was introduced to American culture by Ernest Hemingway in The Old Man and The Sea.) This particular double dicho could have served as the watchword of a teacher whose influence helped make possible a raft of 20th-century composers with styles so wildly different from each other that it challenges credulity: Aaron Copland, composer of Appalachian Spring; Elliott Carter, spearhead of the American avant-garde; Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla; popular song composers Burt Bacharach and Michel Legrand; minimalist icon Philip Glass; jazz musician (and Michael Jacksons producer) Quincy Jones, and literally hundreds of others.

The teacher was Nadia Boulanger (18871979), a Parisian musician whose family was steeped in music. Known simply as Mademoiselle to her legions of students, Boulanger brought focus to generations of composers, includingthanks to Frances establishment of an American conservatory at Fontainebleau in 1921dozens of Americans.

French music teacher and composer Nadia Boulanger in 1925. (PD-US)

A Family of Students

While the list of her famous students is long (it also includes American symphonists Roy Harris and David Diamond, Frances Jean Francaix, and Switzerlands Darius Milhaud), the roll of her obscure students is larger by orders of magnitude. American composer Ned Rorem (who was not a Boulanger student) long ago said, Myth credits every American town with two things: a 10-cent store and a Boulanger student. Ten cents have become a dollar, and the Boulanger influence in America continues through such students-of-her-students as Leonard Bernstein and Dave Brubeck, and their students. Today, Boulanger doubtlessly has musical great-great, and even great-great-great-grandchildren across the USA.

Prior to Boulanger, there is no record of a woman composition teacher of any significance. What prompted the woman born Juliette Nadia Boulanger (she dropped the first name) to become one?

Sisters in Music

Her father was Ernest Boulanger (18151900), composer and professor of voice at the Paris Conservatoire. He came round to the business of fathering very late in life, but when he did the results were spectacular, producing two daughters: Nadia (b. 1887) and Lili (b. 1893), both of whom achieved musical fame beyond his. Both girls aspired to be composers, but it was the frail Lili who won the coveted Prix de Rome, the first woman to do so.

Nadias projects, including an unproduced opera, came to naught, and when Lili died of intestinal tuberculosis at age 24, Nadia said goodbye to composition, deciding it was her fate to birth the talents of others.

Lili Boulanger. U.S. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. (Public Domain)

It is necessary to stop and note Lilis extraordinary talent, which for reasons that escape common sense has yet to be fully recognized. One might think that feminisms complaint would bring her into the mainstream of composers. It hasnt, and one can only speculate that the image of sickly Lili dying young has overshadowed her works. Through them runs the dual themes of outrage at her condition and the quest for spiritual beauty. Look up her setting of Psalm 129 for chorus and orchestra and the orchestral version of Dun Soir Triste for powerful complaints against fate, coupled with the love of creation.

Nadia Boulanger denied that her sisters death was the reason for her decision to quit composing. Even so, it surely served as catalyst. Nadia had already begun to doubt her own gifts when little sister won the Prix de Rome, a prize she had failed to win years prior.

With father and sister both goneand with them their musicNadia looked to the future and saw the potential in young people, especially Americans. Her very first American student was a young man from New York, Aaron Copland. Copland was reluctant to study with Boulanger because her teaching focus was on harmony.

The Centrality of Harmony

I wasnt interested in harmony. I thought, Ive had three years of harmony, Im done with it, Copland said in a YouTube video called Mademoiselle: A Portrait of Nadia Boulanger. But the warm way in which Boulanger taught the subject made harmony seem the very basis of what music is all about.

Word got out about this amazing teacher, and soon other composers from across the pond were clamoring to study with her. With the inevitability of all good humor, Copland called this new American school of composition the Boulangerie.

Composer Aaron Copland was Nadia Boulangers first American student. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In addition to harmony, Boulanger trained her students in counterpoint, fugue, and score reading. One couldnt get away with writing just anything. Cultivating an individual voice was not a matter of ignoring tradition, but of mastering (and then going beyond) its legacy. Quincy Jones summed up what he learned from Boulanger in a YouTube video called Quincy Jones and Nadia Boulanger:

You dont have freedom in music until you have restrictions. When you restrict yourself and establish the periphery then you have freedom. If you can play anything you want, you play nothing.

Quincy Jones in 1989. (Gorup de Besanez/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Become Who You Are

This strict limitation through mastery of technique was coupled with an insistence of finding the students unique voice. The most famous story concerning this comes from Astor Piazzolla (19211992) in his autobiography. The young tango musician had spent a decade composing scores in emulation of Stravinsky, Bartok, Hindemith, and other 20th-century masters, when he finally went to Boulanger for help:

She (Nadia Boulanger) kept asking: You say that you are not pianist. What instrument do you play, then? And I didnt want to tell her that I was a bandoneon player, because I thought, Then she will throw me from the fourth floor. Finally, I confessed and she asked me to play some bars of a tango of my own. She suddenly opened her eyes, took my hand and told me: You idiot, thats Piazzolla! And I took all the music I composed, ten years of my life, and sent it to hell in two seconds.

Argentine composer and musician Astor Piazzola, in March 1985. (JEAN-LOUP GAUTREAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Some of Nadia Boulangers compositions are available online. They reveal a savvy musician with a mastery of technique, but without much to say. She might have gone on to be a serviceable composer with a respectable canon. She chose instead to teach, and to become arguably the single most influential person in 20th-century classical music.
NATO Getting Embroiled in Ukraine Would Be Catastrophic, UK Minister Warns

It would be catastrophic for the United States, the UK, or other NATO countries to get embroiled in Ukraine, a British defence minister has warned, stressing the importance of minimising the risk of miscalculation.

Russia has demanded that NATO must never allow Ukraine to join the alliance, and has amassed an estimated 130,000 troops along the border with Ukraine, though Moscow has insisted it has no intention to invade.

Writing in The Times of London, UK minister for the armed forces James Heappey stressed that NATO is a defensive alliance and that it must be careful not to play to Russian President Vladimir Putins narrative that NATO is expansionist and set on threatening Russia.

Ukrainian Military Forces servicemen attend a military drill with Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) Swedish-British anti-aircraft missile launchers at the firing ground of the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security, near the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Jan. 28, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)

Heappey acknowledged that, since the fall of the Berlin Wall, NATO has deployed beyond its borders to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans, etc.

But he argued that these are all very different from offering the collective security of the alliance to a non-member especially with the very real possibility that the alliance fractures as a result.

Doing so would be exactly the pretext Putin needs to claim that hes responding to Western aggression on his borders, he wrote.

Clarity in our message is essential so that we minimise the risk of miscalculation and escalation, he stressed. The consequences of the U.S., UK, or any other NATO country becoming embroiled in Ukraine are catastrophic.

This is a time for cool heads, he said, adding: NATO must show its resolve within its own borders.

But a senior Conservative MP criticised the attempt to hide behind the fact that Ukraine is not a member of NATO.

Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Defence Select Committee in the House of Commons, said: Libya wasnt a member of NATO and we stepped in there to avoid a bloodbath in Benghazi. Bosnia wasnt a member of NATO. Kosovo is not a member of NATO.

Talking to LBC radio, he dismissed the idea that theres no treaty for us to lean on, saying: Surely we have a commitment to freedom, to supporting European democracy.

He added: This is exactly the language of somebody who was just to appease your actual aggressor. Weve got this completely wrong.

Meanwhile, Ukraines ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko backtracked on a suggestion that his country could consider dropping its ambition to join NATO to avoid war.

Prystaiko told the BBC on Sunday night that Ukraine would consider serious concessions including removing the goal of joining NATO from the Ukrainian constitution.

But on Monday he told BBC Breakfast that Ukraine is ready for many concessions but those do not include giving up on future NATO membership, as it is enshrined in the constitution.

Asked to comment on the ambassadors remarks, Heappey, the junior UK defence minister, said Britain would support whatever Ukraine decides to do on its ambition to join NATO.

If Ukraine as part of its own diplomatic effort to build relationships and confidence with Moscow wants to offer an alternative route forward that it feels it has chosen as a sovereign country, the UK would delight in supporting Ukraine in that because we are one of Ukraines best friends in the world, he told the BBC.

But if by the same token Ukraine wants to reserve its rights to join NATO or to do something that Moscow disagrees with, thats something we should support, too, because Ukraine is a sovereign country.

PA Media and Reuters contributed to this report.
South Africa: Summit to tackle water, sanitation challenges

A National Water and Sanitation Summit is set to take place at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, where stakeholders will converge to craft lasting solutions to the challenges facing the sector.

The summit, which will take place from 18-19 February 2022, is in response to a call made by Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, to water and sanitation experts, including industry leaders, non-profit organisations, environmentalists, government in all spheres, water boards and international partners to convene a summit for the benefit of the country.

Mchunus call follows provincial working sessions he undertook upon his assignment to the water and sanitation portfolio, where he sought to understand the core challenges hindering the provision of water and sanitation services.

During his provincial working sessions, Mchunu met with provincial governments, various Water Services Authorities (WSA), water boards, stakeholders, where he was briefed on several challenges in various provinces.

Mchunu said the two-day National Water and Sanitation Summit is solution-driven, and it is set to draft immediate actions to be taken, in as far as water and sanitation services provision is concerned.

He said various Ministers from other sister departments are expected to attend and participate in various thematic sessions affecting services in the departments they lead.

The Minister has debunked suggestions that the summit is bound to be another government talk shop.

Our people are tired of us talking and making endless promises. They want concrete solutions; they want clean water, and dignified sanitation from us, and we are constitutionally mandated to provide these basic services to them, the Minister said.

Mchunu reiterated that government will not work in isolation, and that views and inputs from experts and other stakeholders are critical in coming up with an inclusive and comprehensive plan.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
SKOPJE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two diplomats and 30 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observers from North Macedonia will remain in Ukraine by now, but family members of the diplomats and other North Macedonia's nationals are urged to leave the country, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani said here on Sunday.

According to Osmani, currently there are around 100 nationals from North Macedonia working and living in Ukraine.

Osmani told a press conference that the ambassador and another staff member from the Embassy of North Macedonia in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, will "remain in Ukraine until further notice," but their family members will return to Skopje early next week.

Another category that will continue to stay in Ukraine, according to the minister, is the 30 OSCE observers from North Macedonia, who will remain there within the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.

"The OSCE mission is important to monitor developments in Ukraine, and that is why there's no decision for now to withdraw our observers," he said.

Osmani reiterated his ministry's call to the nationals of North Macedonia to leave Ukraine as soon as possible using commercial flights amid escalating tensions near the Ukrainian border.

On Friday, North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry called on its citizens to leave Ukraine and avoid traveling to the country. 
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy Defends Decision to Ease School Mask Mandates

COVID-19 case numbers improving 'dramatically'

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Sunday defended his decision to ease mask mandates for schools in the state, saying that he predicts other districts will also follow suit in easing such restrictions as warmer weather begins in the spring.

Our numbers are improving and I would use the word dramatically,' Murphy said during an appearance on CBSs Face the Nation.

My gut tells me, particularly as we get into warmer weather in the spring and assuming the virus continues to go in the right direction, youll have the overwhelming a lot of districts following suit and lifting the mandate, he said.

The governor is among a handful of Democrats in the United States that have said that Americans will have to learn how to live in a world with COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Murphy announced on Feb. 7 that masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers across the state, citing a significant decline in the number of statewide COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

The new rule goes into effect on March 7.

Rate of transmission, positivity rate hospitalizations, cases in school transmissionsall going in a dramatically good direction, Murphy told CBS on Sunday. The challenge is this spike, this variant has spiked straight up, and its now coming straight down. New Jersey, New York, got hit early in this wave, as we have in all of the waves.

The fact of the matter is our experience is very different right now from the average American states experience, Murphy continued. So, the CDC, which we have been adherent to from the get-go, and we think theyre doing a terrific job, theyve just got a much more complex reality. The science and the data and the facts on the ground in New Jersey have allowed us to take this step.

New Jersey had required students, teachers, and staff to wear masks since September 2020.

While Murphy is lifting the statewide mask mandate, under the new rules, individual school districts will be able to decide whether they want to continue implementing their own masking rules.

Schools that chose not to impose masking will need to revise their COVID-19 policies to utilize masking among other prevention strategies under certain circumstances.

Institutions will also not be permitted to completely ban the use of facial coverings by individuals and will be expected to take disciplinary action in instances where bullying arises due to an individuals choice to continue wearing a mask, Murphy said.

The announcement received a mixed response from officials, including the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), a teachers union, who said it remains cautiously optimistic about the move following encouraging data showing a rapid decline of COVID-19 transmission in the state.

However, NJEA urged Murphy to consider the possibility of maintaining or reimposing the mask mandate for schools after March 7th if the data indicate that is the correct course.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden on Feb. 11 said that the decision by a number of states to lift masking mandates is probably premature but noted that its a tough call.

The science is saying now that masks work, masks make a difference, Biden said in an interview with NBC.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Murphy spoke of Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin who is currently facing a lawsuit from several school boards after announcing a similar move regarding face masks.

Theyve done that backwards, Murphy said of Virginia. They basically banned mandates and then said to the district, Sue us to get that overturned. Weve done the exact opposite, Murphy said, noting that his order still allows districts to decide whether or not they want to continue implementing their own masking rules.
People out on the streets to celebrate the end of the COVID-19 restrictions, in Oslo, on Sept. 25, 2021. (Naina Helen Jama/NTB via AP)

Norway Scraps COVID-19 Restrictions, Plans to Live With Virus

No more masks, isolation, or social distancing

Norway has become the latest Nordic nation to remove almost all of its COVID-19 restrictions despite the Omicron variant spreading throughout the country, putting the country on a course toward reverting back to pre-pandemic normalcy.

The COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a great threat to the health of most of us. The Omicron variant leads to far less severe illness, and the vaccines are protecting us well. We are therefore removing most of the infection control measures, such as the 1-meter distance, the requirement to wear a face covering, and isolation. We can return to normal everyday life, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a Feb. 12 statement.

The Norwegian government will only insist on testing adults who show symptoms of the virus. In cases of infection, individuals will no longer have to isolate. Instead, the government now recommends that infected adults remain at home for four days.

Kindergarten and school students can attend educational institutions as long as they havent shown signs of a fever within the past 24 hours. Children will also no longer be required to get tested, even if they display symptoms of the virus. Visitors from other nations are no longer required to show a negative COVID-19 test result before entering the country.

Some rules will continue to be implemented in the archipelago of Svalbard.

A primary objective of the live with strategy is for us to be able to live with COVID-19 in a way that minimizes the burden on the individual and on society, Store said.

The new policy, which came into effect on Feb. 12, was implemented based on professional recommendations from the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norweigian Institute of Public Health (FHI). Both institutions stated that COVID-19 restrictions could be relaxed.

The government said that lifting the regulation would result in an increase in infections. Sickness absences might become higher, and the number of hospital admissions may also increase. But patients are spending a shorter period of time at hospitals, and fewer people need intensive care.

The FHI estimates that hospital admissions wont exceed 1,000 simultaneous admissions, and the government believes this can be handled by the current health care system.

Many will be infected in the coming weeks, and we must prepare for that. But we are able to handle the increase in infection. Even if we remove the regulatory requirements, it is still important to follow general infection control advice, said Ingvild Kjerkol, chief of the Ministry of Health and Care Services.

More than 91 percent of Norwegian citizens have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The FHI believes that up to 4 million people out of the countrys 5.4 million citizens might get infected by this summer. Last week, COVID-19 hospitalizations rose by 40 percent, according to FHI Director-General Camilla Stoltenberg.

Norway has seen more than 1 million COVID-19 cases and 1,513 deaths. The seven-day rolling average of daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases per million rose from 634 on Jan. 1 to 3,716 on Feb. 13. Among Nordic nations, Sweden and Denmark have recently removed all or most of their COVID-19 regulations.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.A treasured piece of Chinese culture visited the Sooner State this weekend, and along with the art lovers in town, Oklahoma County Commissioner Kevin Calvey attended the Feb. 12 matinee of Shen Yun at the Civic Center Music Hall.

Its wonderful, he said. Just the colors and the movements, it ranks up there with the best ballet or other dance performance Ive ever seen.

Shen Yun is a renowned international classical Chinese dance company based in New York.

Its mission is to revive Chinese cultures 5,000 years of heritage. Ironically, Shen Yun is not allowed in mainland China because its performers practice Falun Dafa, a spiritual practice originating in China centered on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. The practice has been brutally attacked by the communist party over the last two decades. In its performance, Shen Yun raises awareness about this reality.

In Shen Yun, Calvey saw a very touching story about the beautiful culture of China and how, unfortunately, many of those who want to practice that traditional culture, including those who practice Falun Dafa, are so horribly persecuted by the communist Chinese government, Calvey said.

As a Roman Catholic, Calvey says the performance inspires him to seek solidarity with those who practice Falun Dafa and Falun Gong, because united, we can stand up to communist persecution.

Jason Gates, who also works in government, expressed his desire to see Chinas traditional cultureand freedomrestored.

Were here to see the beautiful dance of Shen Yun but also to understand exactly what has happened to the Chinese people and to actually see the true culture of China, unsuppressed, and in the free world, Gates said. And so we also hope to see that in China again.

He said there needs to be more cultural revival like this, to bring back what the communists destroyed.

The more performances that [Shen Yun] can have and maybe the more outreach that you can have  maybe even true Chinese museums that would bring the Chinese culture back to the Western world so that they can understand what has happened and what needs to be restored.

The program shows several examples of extraordinary courage in the face of persecution. Gates encourages more people to get out and see Shen Yun, especially those who have been withdrawing from public activity since the pandemic.

But I think that perhaps this would be something to get people to understand what fear truly is, and that we do not need to be afraid.  Jason Gates

There are many people who are afraid, he said. But I think that perhaps this would be something to get people to understand what fear truly is, and that we do not need to be afraid.

I think if youre ever thinking about it, thats your clue you need to go now. And you need to go as soon as you can and get other people to go, so that they too can understand the true China, and understand what it is we need to stop, he concluded.

Reporting by Yawen Hung and NTD

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
A trapped pro-trucker protest driver was eventually allowed to leave after she was blocked by counter-protesters, in Ottawa, Canada, on Feb. 13, 2022. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

Ottawa Counterprotesters Trap Pro-Trucker Protest Vehicles on Way to Demonstration

OTTAWA, OntarioHundreds of residents of the Canadian capital of Ottawa staged a counterprotest against the Freedom Convoy on Feb. 13, trapping 20 vehicles of pro-trucker convoy protesters on a road, saying they want the demonstrators who have gridlocked the citys downtown area for more than two weeks to leave.

The trucker protests are part of a larger movement against the governments COVID-19 mandates and restrictions.

According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC), the counterprotest began on Feb. 12 with a demonstration by hundreds of people marching through the Ottawa suburb of Glebe. The action resumed at 9 a.m. on Feb. 13 as a reported group of 20 people blocked a major intersection in an attempt to keep vehicles from driving to government offices at the city center.

By noon, there were about 200 people involved in the blockade about five miles from Parliament Hill, the CBC reported.

Three hours later, an Epoch Times reporter estimated the crowd to have grown to more than 1,000 people surrounding the line of vehicles.

The drivers and passengers of the pro-trucker protest vehicles stayed calm during the confrontation, amid colorful language directed at them by counterprotesters.

People walked past the vehicles, pushing signs and placards toward the occupants to make sure they could read the messages.

They included: No hatred in our streets, Please [expletive] off, Grow up, Inactions against bullies equals tolerance, Enough is enough, end the siege, Villages: call your idiots home, Freedom from convoy bullies, You cant mask ignorance, Believe science, No honks, no hate, Illegal occupation truck off, Freedumb convoy, and Go home terrorists.

A counterprotester against truckers protest holds a sign during a demonstration in Ottawa on Feb. 13, 2022. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

A woman yells at the occupants of a vehicle heading to central Ottawa on Feb. 13, 2022. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

There was a tangible feeling of anger in the air as the counterprotesters vented at the drivers and their passengers.

On one occasion, a woman hit a pro-protest Ottawa man with a placard. The man, who reacted by smashing the sign to the ground, was eventually escorted from the area by police.

An altercation after a man is hit with a placard during the attempt by counterprotesters to trap 20 vehicles belonging to protesters in Ottawa on Feb. 13, 2022. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

Several cars were allowed to escape the situationcourtesy of an agreement with those leading the counterprotest.

One womanin a car adorned with a Freedom Convoy decal on the front hood, a flashing orange light on its roof, and a national flag that has become synonymous with the movement that has brought massive disruption to central Ottawawas allowed to drive away because she had a child care situation.

Some counterprotesters objected because they said the trucker protest had caused them grief over the past two weeks.

It became very tense, and when police moved in to keep things calm, they became the targets of ridicule from people who said authorities hadnt done enough to keep the peace during the truckers blockade.

When officers moved a person away from sitting in front of the vehicle, the reaction of the crowd verged on riotous.

Local residents vented their anger as the truckers blockade that entered its third week on Feb. 13, 2022. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

One of many signs being held by Ottawa residents at an ambush of vehicles heading toward the truckers blockade on Feb. 13, 2022. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

Eventually, three vehicles were allowed to leave, but all the drivers were jeered. Organizers said they had agreed to take down flags and other symbols backing the truckers, but one left with a small emblem still fluttering, most likely due to her haste in trying to exit the area.

While the counterprotest leaders on megaphones declared victory, many of those in the crowd didnt agree and let them loudly know they disagreed.

The Freedom Convoy movement was created by truck drivers opposed to the federal governments requirement that all truck drivers crossing the CanadaU.S. border have to be vaccinated for COVID-19. The protests grew in scale as many people opposed to the COVID-19 mandates and other restrictions joined the movement.

Protest convoys converged on the capital city on Jan. 29, with many protesters saying they will stay parked outside the Parliament until the government lifts its COVID-19 mandates.

So far, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has refused to meet or send any representatives to talk with the protesters. Protest organizers have said theyre willing to talk with government representatives.
This year, Feb. 22 marks the 290th anniversary of President George Washingtons birth. The Founding Father of the nation is often remembered as a great military leader and statesman, but little is known about his business ventures and innovations.

Washington was not only the first president of the United States, but he was also the countrys first entrepreneur, according to historians who have extensively studied his business dealings.

Private enterprises he founded had an effect on the future of American agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing, says John Berlau, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and author of the book George Washington, Entrepreneur: How Our Founding Fathers Private Business Pursuits Changed America and the World.

Berlaus portrait of Washington, drawn in large part from his journals and letters, shines a light on the Founding Fathers endeavors as an innovator and entrepreneur.

The book presents another side of Washingtons greatness and how our country is rooted in entrepreneurship, Berlau told The Epoch Times.

The Mount Vernon Mansion House (Courtesy of Kristen H. Murray)

Washington devoted his life to the improvement of his farm at Mount Vernon and American agriculture. His passion for his farm never ceased on the battlefield or during his presidency, Berlau wrote in his book.

Washington, on his estate, grew countless varieties of trees and built a greenhouse, which became a showcase for exotic fruits, herbs, and plants from around the world.

Unlike his Virginia neighbors who remained wedded to tobacco, Washington planted seven types of wheat, according to the book. Transforming Mount Vernon from a tobacco plantation into a diversified farm with wheat as its main crop was a great entrepreneurial feat.

Washington also went into the flour-making business, which was a big success. In 1772, he registered the G. Washington brand for his flour, pioneering in the distribution of branded food products. Even before the Revolutionary War, his flour was shipped through America and exported to England and its colonies in the West Indies.

The Founding Father also receives credit for introducing mules to American agriculture and promoting them as an efficient alternative to horses for plowing.

We owe a lot to George Washington, and I think hes someone that should be studied a little bit further than the surface, says Tom Washington, a businessman and a certified public accountant from Texas. Hes a collateral descendant of George Washington through the Founding Fathers brother, John Augustine, seven generations down.

I appreciate George Washington as an entrepreneur in that time of history when it was so hard to be an entrepreneur because there were predatory governments like Britain always trying to keep an entrepreneur down and under control, Washington told The Epoch Times during a family reunion at Mount Vernon in October 2021.

But George found a way, and he fought for the country as a general, but he also fought for his own self-interest and the wealth of the people that depended on him by being successful at Mount Vernon.

The Mount Vernon Greenhouse as reconstructed at Mount Vernon. (Courtesy of Kristen H. Murray)

Mount Vernon always remained the base of Washingtons agricultural and industrial endeavors. Washington built a small industrial complex at his estate, which included a fishery, a dairy, a textile and weaving workshop, and a blacksmith shop.

The estate was also home to a distillery that became one of the largest American whiskey distilleries in the country at that time. It was also one of the most profitable enterprises at Mount Vernon.

Washington also played an important role in supporting Americas first generation of inventors, according to Berlau.

Even before he was president, all sorts of tinkerers would come to Mount Vernon to present him with their latest gadgets and seek letters of endorsement and/or his assistance in obtaining a state patent, he wrote.

Washington was a highly competent leader in many domains, but he was aware of his own limitations, according to Lindsay Chervinsky, historian and author of The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution.

I think his greatest leadership strength was a real understanding of his own limitations, Chervinsky told The Epoch Times.

He was not afraid to ask for help, and he was able to surround himself with unbelievably talented and experienced advisers, she said.

After he took office as Americas first president, Washington formed a cabinet, an invention of his that all presidents have used ever since.

The Rebuilt Mount Vernon Whiskey Distillery. (Courtesy of Kristen H. Murray)

Chervinsky defines Washington as a very pro-business president.

Washington believed that Americas future lay in expansion to the west, she said. He saw commerce as something that would naturally lead to peace and unity. Hence, he promoted river trade from the east to the west via the Potomac.

Washington was also an early investor in the Potomac Company, an enterprise dedicated to improving navigation on the Potomac River.

Another unique quality of Washington, Chervinsky added, was that he never showed up to a meeting, intending to go a certain way, or with a certain policy in mind. Instead, he would ask for his advisors input, and then he would slowly make a decision.

He did not like to make rash judgments.

Washington and his wife, Martha, poured their passions into Mount Vernon and its enterprises, says Berlau in his book.

The growing threat from oppressive British taxes and red tape motivated Washington to lead the fight both for his own liberties and those of his countrymen.
Chess pieces are seen in front of displayed China and Taiwan's flags in this illustration taken on Jan. 25, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Responding to Ukraine Tensions, Taiwan Says It Is Watching Situation With China

TAIPEITaiwan is closely watching the situation in the narrow strait that separates it from China and raising its preparedness in response to what is happening with Ukraine, the government said on Saturday, though it added the two cases were very different.

The Chinese regime has stepped up military activity near Taiwan over the past two years, though the self-governing island has reported no unusual maneuvers by Chinese forces in recent days as tensions over Ukraine have spiked.

The Chinese communist regime claims the island as its own, despite the fact that Taiwan is a de facto independent country, with its own military, democratically-elected government, and constitution.

As Western nations warn a war in Ukraine could ignite at any moment, Taiwans presidential office said the military continues to strengthen its surveillance operations, adding that regional peace and stability is the shared responsibility of all parties.

All military units continue to pay close attention to the situation in Ukraine and movements in the Taiwan Strait, continue to strengthen joint intelligence and surveillance, and gradually increase the level of combat readiness in response to various signs and threats to effectively respond to various situations, it added.

Taiwan complains most frequently about the Chinese regimes air force flying into its air defense zone, part of what Taipei says is a pattern of harassment by Beijing.

Taiwan last month reported the largest incursion since October by Chinas air force, with the islands defense ministry saying Taiwanese fighters scrambled to warn away 39 aircraft.

Those flights have continued on an almost daily basis but with far fewer aircraft: Taiwan reported just five were involved in a mission on Saturday.

However, the presidential office added that the situation in the Taiwan Strait was fundamentally different from the situation in Ukraine, and called on people not to be misled by false information.

It said fake information had been circulating using the situation in Ukraine to affect morale in Taiwan, though gave no details.

Speaking to Indian news channel CNN-News18 on Friday, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said they were watching very carefully whether the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was going to take advantage of a West distracted by Ukraine to attack the island.

However with the CCP in the midst of hosting the Winter Olympics, it may not want any major events to divert attention from that, he added.

Its going to be very hard to say that after the Winter Olympics are over whether Russia is going to launch at attack against Ukraine or whether China is going to think about using its military force against Taiwan, Wu said.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen last month set up a Ukraine working group under the National Security Council to watch developments and the possible impact on Taiwans security.

Tsai has expressed empathy for Ukraines situation due to the military threat the island faces from the CCP.
San Diego Asian American legend Tom Hom, 94, is honored with a block of Third Avenue dedicated to his name at a ceremony held in downtown San Diego on on Feb. 12, 2022. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, City Councilmen Chris Cate and Stephen Whitburn (4th to 6th from left) attend the ceremony. (Jane Yang/The Epoch Times)

San Diego Dedicates Street to Asian American Legend Tom Hom

SAN DIEGOJust a few days shy of San Diego legend Tom Homs 95th birthday, Mayor Todd Gloria unveiled an honorary Tom Hom Avenue street sign on Feb. 12 at a ceremony held at downtowns Chinese Historical District.

Tom Hom is a San Diego icon due to his political and business achievements. He was elected to the City Council in 1963 as the first non-Caucasian member. He served from 19681970 at the California State Assembly and became the second Asian American in the legislature.

Hom also played a pivotal role in re-developing San Diego downtown and the famous Gaslamp business district.

Its an honor to recognize such a pioneer in this city, Gloria said, according to City News Service. Mr. Homs contributions as an elected official and businessman have indeed been instrumental in shaping San Diego into the place that it is today.

San Diego Asian American legend Tom Hom,94, is honored with a block of Third Avenue dedicated to his name at a ceremony held on Feb.12, 2022, in downtown San Diego. A warm crowd and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations lion dance join the celebration. (Jane Yang/The Epoch Times)

City councilman Steve Whiteburn, who represents the downtown district, told The Epoch Times that the 9-member city council voted unanimously supporting the honorary naming.

We really wanted to honor Mr. Hom for his legacy in the city of San Diego, Whiteburn said. Mr. Hom is known for many things. One of them is the revitalization of downtown. He had so much vision and energy and imagination, he saw what downtown San Diego can be. Much of what we have here in San Diego today is a testament to his legacy.

At the ceremony, Hom told the audience that when he was in the office, he tried to improve something that needed improving, such as where minorities are able to buy a house wherever they want. It earned applauds from the audience.

San Diego Asian American legend Tom Hom,94, is honored with a block of Third Avenue dedicated to his name at a ceremony held in downtown San Diego on Feb.12, 2022. (Jane Yang/The Epoch Times)

In a 2011 interview with The Epoch Times, Hom retold his experiences growing up in San Diego at the turn of the 20th century. He said he faced laws that restricted minorities from buying houses in certain areas. Even though the family eventually bought a house despite the restrictions, he said, those experiences had motivated him to be a policymaker and bring changes.

San Diego downtowns Third Avenue was chosen as the dedicated street because it was the heart of the historic Chinatown where Hom was born, said one of the event organizers, Natasha Wong, who herself is a second-generation Chinese American and also sits on Mayors Asian Advisory Board.

A street name like this is very important for all of us, especially the young people here in San Diego, to see that we belong here in San Diego, and [that] someone has made so many contributions to our society and our community, whether being in politics, government, civic duty, an artist, and an author, someone we all look up to, is recognized for his contribution, Wong told The Epoch Times.

Born on Feb. 15, 1927, as one of 12 children to a family of Chinese immigrants, Hom said now his big family has more than 100 members. Homs children, grandchildren, and some of the great-grandchildren sitting on top of their fathers shoulders and in mothers arms were among the warm-hearted crowd at the ceremony.

A worker unveils the honorary street sign Tom Hom Avenue, upon Mayor Todd Glorias announcement in downtown San Diego on Feb. 12, 2022. (Jane Yang/The Epoch Times)
This undated photo provided by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shows fake Oxycodone pills that are actually fentanyl. (Tommy Farmer/Tennessee Bureau of Investigation via AP)

San Diego Man Gets 25 Years for Selling Fentanyl Pills, Leading to Fatal Overdose

SAN DIEGOA San Diego resident who sold fentanyl pills to another man, resulting in the victims fatal overdose, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on Feb. 14.

Jahvaris Lamoun Springfield, 32, was convicted by a federal jury in August of a count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death for selling the pills that killed 26-year-old Brendan James Gallagher on Feb. 5, 2019.

Prosecutors say that Gallagher sent text messages to Springfield seeking to buy oxycontin on that same day. Two counterfeit oxycontin pills that tested positive for fentanyl were later found in Gallaghers bedroom and a fatal concentration of fentanyl was found in his blood during an autopsy, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Springfield was arrested a few weeks later, and agents found pills in his car that tested positive for fentanyl, according to the prosecution.

According to court papers, Gallagher was a Boston native who served in the U.S. Army and developed a substance abuse problem following a deployment to Afghanistan. He moved to San Diego in 2018 to try and put distance between himself and drugs, but ultimately, he could not escape his dependence on opiates, prosecutors wrote.

In a defense sentencing memorandum, Springfields attorney asserted there was no evidence showing his client knew the pills contained fentanyl, or that he lied to Gallagher by assuring him the pills were fentanyl-free, as has happened in other fatal overdose cases.

How Brendan Gallagher lost his life was tragicbut it was an accident, wrote defense attorney Matthew C. Binninger, who sought a 20-year term for Springfield.

Prosecutors conceded in court papers that there was no direct evidence that Springfield knew the pills contained fentanyl, but said he recklessly disregarded the high likelihood that the pills he was selling contained fentanyl and could cause the users death.
CCP Not Serious About Reducing Carbon Emissions: Expert

News Analysis

During recent meetings between the World Economic Forum and the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) Politburo, Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized that the CCP would remain flexible in fulfilling its promise to reduce carbon emissions.

Xis comments seem to contradict the aggressive claims CCP authorities made during the 2020 and 2021 United Nations Conferences that China would reach its carbon emissions peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, the so-called double carbon targets.

Xis apparent lack of commitment to reducing carbon emissions is consistent with policy changes made by the Chinese regime at the end of 2021. The CCP reduced the restrictions targeting high-energy, high-pollution industries and relaxed the standards used to collect and report compliance data, moves that enable the CCP to dodge criticism if the double carbon targets are not met.

During the Jan. 17 World Economic Forum, Xi suggested that China could not achieve its pledged carbon emission reduction & carbon neutrality targets in one go, or in a short period of time.

Then, during the Politburo meeting on Jan. 24, Xi stressed that reducing carbon emissions would require time and coordinated efforts. China should not be anxious for quick results and must avoid one-size-fits-all campaign-style solutions like reducing production or restricting electrical use, which could have adverse effects on essential industries.

The Chinese media have claimed that Chinas massive power outages that began in September of last year were triggered by the policy of double control of energy consumption. This refers to controlling the total energy consumption of all GDP and the intensity of energy consumption per capita.

On Dec. 10, 2021 the CCP Central Committee met to address the outages and discuss how plans to reduce carbon emissions seemed at odds with ensuring Chinas economic development. As a result, the decision was made to relax the restrictions on the development of high energy consumption and high pollution industries.

Members of that economic meeting acknowledged it would take a long time for coal-fired traditional energy sources to be gradually withdrawn and replaced. According to a report released last September by Cinda Securities, 62.8 percent of Chinas 2019 energy consumption was provided by coal and 20.8 percent by oil.

The CCP subsequently adjusted the method of calculating energy consumption. Authorities excluded all renewable energy sources (wind, solar, and hydroelectric) as well as the energy used for producing raw materials (coal and petrochemicals) from the calculation. The rationale for this change was that during coal and petrochemical production, the carbon emissions from coal and oil used as raw materials are only 20 percent of those produced when they are used as fuels. The remaining 80 percent is converted to raw materials and should be counted separately and excluded from the calculation of total energy consumption.

The CCP also proposed that the dual control of energy consumption should be changed as soon as possible to dual control of total carbon emissions and intensity. The purpose of the change is to decouple energy consumption from economic development, so the latter is protected.

Fossil fuels account for more than 80 percent of Chinas total energy consumption, and carbon emissions from the energy sector account for more than 80 percent of Chinas total carbon emissions. Therefore, the speed of reducing coal consumption is seen as an important indicator of Chinas carbon reduction process.

Haitong Securities analyzed that these carbon emissions are not counted in the total energy consumption, which helps the development of energy-efficient chemical incremental projects. This gives more room for both energy consumption and carbon emissions and helps prevent the electricity and production restrictions that occurred across China last year.

A report released last August by the CCPs National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) found that only one-third of Chinas 30 provinces progressed on schedule to reduce energy consumption intensity. Only half of the provinces met their total energy consumption requirements. The report is titled Barometer on the Completion of Dual Control Targets for Energy Consumption by Region in the First Half of 2021.

According to the NDRC, provinces that fail to meet their double energy control targets and dont improve within 20 days will have their infrastructure projects put on hold for approval, which will cut off a major source of funding for local governments. This strict control is believed to have contributed to last years power and production restrictions on energy-intensive industries in more than half of Chinas provinces. In addition, coal imports from Australia were suspended. These moves drove up the prices of raw materials such as coal, and led to a sudden reduction in power generation, causing many provinces to experience power shortages.

Gao Feng Yi, a Ph.D. of Environmental Science and Technology from Tokyo Institute of Technology, with eight years of experience in Chinas environmental protection industry, believes the successful reduction of carbons requires changes in the entire socio-economic structure. However, the CCPs nature has determined it will not make such fundamental changes. As such, it becomes impossible to reconcile the contradictions between carbon reduction and economic development in China.

Gao told the Epoch Times the CCP does not actually want to reduce carbons and protect the environment. Instead, the leadership of the CCP always looks for excuses to escape responsibility.

An Excuse to Make Money

Although the CCP is privately adjusting its policies to ease carbon restrictions, Xi continues to claim in his U.N. speeches that the CCP will actively engage in international cooperation to combat climate change and jointly promote a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.

In the wake of strained relations between China and the United States, carbon reduction is seen by some as the only area where comprehensive cooperation between the two countries can take place. John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy for climate change, is one of the main drivers of the Biden administrations cooperation with the CCP on climate change.

Despite the favorable impression Xi hoped to create, he was recently criticized by U.S. President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for not attending the U.N. Climate Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, last November. At issue is the fact that China is the worlds largest carbon emitter.

According to a report issued last August by the China Industry Information Network (CIN), Chinas carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 reached 9.89 billion tons. This makes China first in the world for emissions, accounting for 30.9 percent of the worlds total emissions. This is more than double that of the United States, the second-largest emitter at 12.6 percent.

According to the CIN data, global carbon emissions decreased by 6.0 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. Despite this good news, Chinas emissions are expected to increase over the next nine years because China plans to reach its peak in carbon emissions no sooner than 2030. Hence, Chinas carbon emissions will account for a higher percentage of the global total.

The table shows the top 5 countries in terms of carbon emissions. The table was compiled by The Epoch Times using a data source from the European Unions Joint Research Centre.

According to Dr. Gao, the true nature of the CCP is such that it cannot do environmental protection for the benefit of human society. The CCP has been chanting environmental slogans for decades, but the environment is getting worse, he said.

Gao believes the CCPs initial carbon emission peak target of 2030 and carbon neutrality target of 2060 have delayed success and bought them at least 10 years during which they can exploit the loopholes of developed countries.

He suggests that the CCP created an excuse for their inaction by claiming global environmental damage is being caused by developed countries, and that developed countries are using environmental protection to interfere with countries that are still developing, such as China.

He said that after the CCP deceived the developed countries into giving China a break, it has not made any fundamental changes. China has continued to develop in the same way as before, and is destroying the environment.

According to Gao, The CCP is only using environmental protection as an excuse to make money for the Communist regime, and at the expense of the Chinese peoples well-being.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Jennifer Bateman Follow Jennifer Bateman is a news writer focused on China.
Sen. Blackburn: Biden Not Answering Senate GOP Letter on Iran Deal Par for the Course

Commentary

Is the White House now the unofficial dead-letter office?

A new letter, following in the unfortunate tradition of others, would make it seem so.

This letter isnt about the crisis of the hour: RussiaUkraine. But it is related, part of the same nexus, and, if anything, is more serious.

Its about one of Russias, and Chinas (China recently signed a 25-year cooperation program with them) closest friends and the possibility of their obtainingif they havent alreadynuclear weapons. That, of course, is Iran.

While Ukraine dominates the news, the question of rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, aka the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPCOA), which was supposed (laughably in the views of many, including former President Donald Trump, who ended our countrys participation) to keep nukes out of the hands of the fanatical mullahs, is being renegotiated on what some fear are weak termsso weak that they would make the agreement meaningless.

This could be an even more fraught situation than the disaster that transpired in Afghanistan, with even greater civilizational implications.

A letter, originally drafted by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and signed by 34 Republican senators, was sent to President Joe Biden, requesting he submit to the Senate whatever Iran deal has been agreed to for ratification. (You can see the letter with signatures here.)

A key portion reads: As a threshold matter, we reiterate our view that any agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear program is of such gravity for U. S. national security that by definition it is a treaty requiring Senate advice and consent. Furthermore, genuinely robust agreement with Iran would be compelling enough to secure assent from two-thirds of the Senateand the only reason not to present it for a resolution of ratification is that is too weak to pass muster.

So far, Biden hasnt replied.

I interviewed one of the signers, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), about the letter at her Nashville, Tennessee, office on Feb. 11. She said such a non-response is par for the course.

We send letters over there all the time, and we receive nothing. I sent a letter over in November, about Russia and China and asking the president to move forward with sanctions at that point and to begin sales of lethal arms as assistance to Ukraine, so they could protect themselves.

And of course, Im still waiting.

So is Ukraine, to a great extent.

The senator began by explaining her reasons for signing the letter and her deep skepticism about the Iran deal in general.

Sen. Blackburn: The point of this [letter] is number one, the White House does not need to be executing a new Iran deal. That and, of course, when you look at what that does to the region, and you look at the fact that the new axis of evil: Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea  well, Russia and China look at Iran and North Korea as their proxies.  And Iran looks at all these terrorist groups, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthi, as their proxies. And the destabilization that comes from this. And then if Iran is enriching uranium up to a level, but they are not kicking the ticker, but they decide they want that nuclear weapon, then Saudi Arabias not going to let them get a nuclear weapon and not have a nuclear weapon [themselves]. And Iran has said, if they get a nuclear weapon, the first thing theyre going to do is wipe Israel off the face of the earth. So this is the reason for laying down our position.

Roger Simon: Theres a famous quote from the Holocaust, I think its Eli Wiesel. In one sentence, what did you learn from the experience? And that is, If someone says they want to kill you, believe them.  I noticed something from the letter I think is interesting. If Biden were to allow the Senate to approve, it becomes a treaty, in other words, permanent. Whereas before, it was never a treaty. So Trump was legally allowed to disavow it. If they dont give it to the Senate, in this case, the same thing will be true of a president in 2024. Correct?

Sen. Blackburn: But they know that it would be very difficult to get the two-thirds vote that would be necessary to push it through and turn it into a treaty.

Roger Simon: Indeed. Speaking of that, I found it curious a fair number of Republican senators did not sign this [letter]. Why do you think that is?

Sen. Blackburn: I have no idea. I havent talked to anyone. You know, there were some of us quite concerned about what was transpiring with the meetings over there [Vienna]. They had done a reset on the talks. And we thought wed better be laying our marker down on this. You cant just go off and willy-nilly do things like this, like Obama did. Why others chose not to sign the letter I dont know.

Roger Simon: It was interesting to me, because I dont understand the process of something like this, how it works between the senators. I understand it was originally drafted by Ted Cruz, is that correct? Okay, now, how did they go from Ted Cruz to you as an example?

Sen. Blackburn: The way that happens is someone from his team would have emailed other Republican Judiciary or Armed Services or a Steering Committee or Commerce, Science, Transportation, the other legislative assistants, and would have said my member is working on this letter. And here is the draft. And then different members choose if they want to weigh in and add something or extract something from it.

Roger Simon: Effectively like a markup. [Blackburn nods.] I see that 34 GOP senators signed this letter. That means 16 did not. But they would all get it, basically?

Sen. Blackburn: I would think everybody received it.

Roger Simon: Maybe Im suspicious but The small group [of five countries] working on the JPCOA includes the Peoples Republic of China. Having just had a look at Peter Schweizers new book Red-Handed, theres an awful lot of China influence going on in the U.S. Congress. Its scary when you think about it because it seems to me that this would be pretty much of a no-brainer letter [to sign].

Sen. Blackburn: To me, it makes sense that we would do this and lay down a marker. And of course, with me, the Chinese have sanctioned me. They have banned me from the country. Their foreign minister tweets at me. So we just have to realize that they are not a fan of mine. So, therefore, they dont try to engage me. Yes, it is incredibly disappointing to me that we have some former members of Congress who lobby for Chinese-based companies. It is likewise disappointing to me that we have some companies that choose to continue to make agreements with the Chinese Communist Party and continue to manufacture using slave labor and sponsoring the Olympics.

At that point, we moved on to other subjects, including some questions I had for the senator for the book I am working on: The Southland Train. She had some interesting observations about the new constituents she meets who have moved from blue states such as California to her own red Tennessee, also about how the state turned red. (Its more recent than one would think.) Her responses will be included in the book.

What I didnt ask her aboutshe has to work with these people; I dontis specific GOP senators who didnt sign this important Iran letter that you would indeed think would be a no-brainer for any Republican concerned with preserving Western civilization. Those would include some pretty famous namesMitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, and so forth. Someone should ask them directly to explain.

As for Sen. Blackburn, from what we have seen from the Olympics and elsewhere, shes lucky to have been banned from China. Its more like a badge of honor.

Personal reminder: If you have a story to share with me about your migration to red states from blue ones, Id love to hear it and possibly use it in the book with your permission. Please send to thesouthlandtrain@protonmail.com.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
ISTANBUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Navy Kilo-class submarine passed through Turkey's Bosphorus strait on Sunday en route to the Black Sea, local media reported.

The Kilo-class Rostov-Na-Donu submarine entered the 30-km-long strait from Turkey's inland Sea of Marmara, and headed to the Black Sea, according to the Sozcu daily.

Pictures believed taken in the morning show that a Turkish coast guard vessel escorted the diesel-electric attack submarine during its passage.

In the past few days, six Russian warships have sailed to the Black Sea via the Bosphorus strait, according to Sozcu.

On Saturday, Turkey's foreign ministry advised its citizens to avoid travelling to eastern Ukraine because of the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. 
Liberal Senator James Paterson in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Nov. 21, 2016. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Senator Questions Australian Opposition Deputy Leaders Concealment of Pro-China Past

Hot on the heels of federal government claims that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would be very happy to see the Australian Labor Party (ALP) win the next election, the chair of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, Liberal Senator James Patterson, has launched another volley at the ALP, this time targeting Deputy Leader Richard Marles.

On Feb. 14, Patterson posted in a thread on Twitter questioning why Marles team removed from his website a September 2019 speech to the Foreign Studies University in Beijing, where the deputy leader said defining the CCP as an enemy would be a profound mistake.

Perhaps, with Labor now trying to feign bipartisanship on China, the speech he delivered in Beijing as Shadow Defence Minister and Deputy Labor leader is no longer helpful. But is it still Labor policy to forge closer relations with the Peoples Liberation Army? 3/  James Paterson (@SenPaterson) February 13, 2022

Marles, who was then-shadow minister for defense, was conciliatory in his speech on Beijings relations with democratic nations.

The vital work of deepening our two countries engagement must also include the strategic dimension of our relationship, he said.

Our starting point has to be that we respect China and deeply value our relationship with China. We must seek to build it. And not just in economic terms, but also through exploring political cooperation and even defence cooperation, he added.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles addresses a media conference in the press gallery at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 7, 2020 (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

While Marles welcomed the governments Pacific Step-up policy, designed to counteract Beijings growing hegemony in the South Pacific, he said Australia did not have exclusive right to engage with the Pacific.

The basis of our interest in the Pacific cannot be about attempting to engage in the strategic denial of others. This is not a foundation upon which to build better relations in the Pacific, and in any event, it will not work, he said.

To define China as an enemy is a profound mistake. To talk of a new Cold War is silly and ignorant.

The deputy leaders speech was delivered at the height of the Trump administrations U.S.-China trade war and followed the Turnbull governments decision in the previous year to block Huaweis participation in the 5G network. At the time, Australia was also coming to grips with several incidents of foreign interference, which contributed to the downfall of former NSW Labor Senator Sam Dastyari.

What is he trying to hide? What is in this secret speech hes now so embarrassed about? Senator Paterson wrote. Perhaps, with Labor now trying to feign bipartisanship on China, the speech he delivered in Beijing as shadow defence minister and deputy Labor leader is no longer helpful.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) flag encroaches onto the Australian flag. (Oleksii / Adobe Stock)

But is it still Labor policy to forge closer relations with the Peoples Liberation Army?

Paterson also pointed to Marles failure to broach with CCP officials the issue of wrongfully detained Australian citizen Yang Hengjun, noting as well the Chinese regimes positive impression of the leader with the International Department Central Committee vowing to strengthen exchanges with the ALP.

Marles responded to Paterson in his own post on Twitter, Dont let the facts get in the way of another lame Liberal scare campaign. My speech was widely circulated THREE years ago.

This isnt the first time you and the Libs have tried to push this rubbish. How about you focus on fixing the horrible mess in aged care, mate.

Marles also referenced Exercise Pandaroo in his response, which saw 10 Peoples Liberation Army troops participate in small-scale exercises with Australian soldiers.

Patersons salvo comes as both major political parties ramp up campaigning for the federal election, as well as new revelations placing the ALP at the center of an espionage plot disrupted by Australias domestic spy agency. The Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation revealed that a foreign state had tried to bankroll candidates to join and run for Labors New South Wales division.

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)

Last week on Feb. 10, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also told the House of Representatives that the government would not look to appease those seeking to coerce Australia.

The leader of the Labor Party said hes happy to trade away and ask Chinato accept some and stand by some of their coercion, Morrison said.

While Defence Minister Peter Dutton doubled down on those comments claiming there was evidence of who the CCP would back at the next federal election.

Thats open. That is obvious. And they have picked this bloke, the leader of the opposition, as their candidate.
A metal detectorist catching a glint of silver in the woods this past fall led to the completion of an epic WWII tale over seven decades in the making.

Roughly 76 years ago, a U.S. soldier lost a silver bracelet of sentimental value in a forest in what was then Czechoslovakia. For many years, the endeared item and other effects lay hidden, estranged from their owner.

Fierce fighting in Europe and the loss of many friends led to that soldier guarding a prisoner of war camp where 3,500 Germans were being held. It was there that his pack, containing a pistol, the silver bracelet, and other war apparel, was stolen.

Eventually U.S. forces handed the camp to their communist Red Army allies, and in 1946, this particular soldier, originally from New Mexico, returned home and married his love. They had three children, and he had all but forgotten about his lost possessions.

Decades passed.

Then, in October 2021, metal detector enthusiast Petr Pravoslav Svihovec, from whats now the Czech Republic, visited the forlorn war camp near his hometown, Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic.

He and a friend, seeking adventure, trekked into those woods despite skepticism about finding anything interesting, as the area had been thoroughly scoured and picked clean of war relicsor so they had thought.

I wanted to really enjoy it. Little did I know that I would find a story that day that would literally change my life, Svihovec, a 47-year-old TV editor, told The Epoch Times of the epic quests beginning. I went to a former prisoner-of-war camp near Marianske Lazne to try our luck with a metal detector. That was the third time that year.

Not long into their hunt, Svihovecs metal detector sounded. He got down, burrowed into the ground, and exposed a collar pin with the letters U.S., a tattered service ribbon with a bronze star, and a 1938 five-franc Swiss coin.

I understood that I had discovered things after an American soldier from the war, Svihovec told the newspaper.

Exhuming the U.S. Army artifacts, he tried his metal detector again and the signal persisted. He then extracted a silver bracelet.

I noticed the inscriptions on the bracelet, the signature of the soldier, and the name of his girlfriend: Lydia, Svihovec said. I sat down by the tree and studied the bracelet for a long time. My heart was pounding.

I felt a special desire to find out who [owned it]. It occurred to me that the soldier had some descendants, and that I should return the bracelet to them.

But how?

Back home, after washing the silver adornment and trying unsuccessfully to make out the markings, he turned to Facebook. A treasure-hunting group spent a day helping decipher the inscription by using various photo filters, magnifying glasses, and other implements.

We tried about 30 surnames, Svihovec said. And then it occurred to me to try the surname Esquibel. It turned out to be quite common.

Coupling the inscribed names together and Googling Lydia Esquibel yielded a match: a woman born in 1926 who died in 2019, survived by her husband, Joe Esquibel. Flabbergasted, Svihovec shared this on Facebook and soon was contacted by historian Daniel Maly from nearby Pilsen, Czech Republic.

Maly produced a military document concerning one former soldier Joe Ernest Esquibel, with his signature.

It was the same as on that bracelet! Svihovec said.

He only hoped Joe was still alive.

Svihovec didnt relinquish hope after being stonewalled by the Pentagon and U.S. Embassy in Prague, but again enlisted help on Facebook. A number of netizens took up the challengeincluding a member of a Facebook group for Czechs living and working in the United States, Alena Busovska, who lived in Grand Junction, Colorado.

(Courtesy of U.S. Embassy Prague via Petr Pravoslav Svihovec)

Thats where Joe was supposed to live! Svihovec said.

Busovska wrote him and said she would attempt a rendezvous with the Esquibels, despite her shaky English.

I think hundreds were looking at this post, she told CPR News. I had to come out of my shell and try, even [if] its not perfect.

So she did.

Busovska met Joes daughter, who confirmed that Joe was still alive.

Busovska even met Joe and showed him pictures of the bracelet, and memories of it came flooding back to him.

Tears welled up when I received a photo of a war veteran holding my printed email, Svihovec said. I couldnt catch my breath. I was so happy.

(Courtesy of U.S. Embassy Prague via Petr Pravoslav Svihovec)

But the long journey, 76 years in the making, wasnt over yet, for the bracelets finder would have it returned to its rightful owner.

The U.S. Embassy helped him connect with the Marine Corps, and they were thrilled by the find, Svihovec said. At the embassy, he returned the veterans lost effects, shared his own story with the grateful Marines, shook hands, and received their thanks.

At last, the bracelet was shipped home via diplomatic mail.

I honestly think my mom made this happen, said Joes daughter, Jolene Esquibel-Archuleta. Our faith is very strong.

It was like a dream.

(Courtesy of Alena Busovska via Petr Pravoslav Svihovec)

Video footage of the bracelet back on Joes wrist made its way to Svihovecwho said the tale still amazes him.

Im glad it just happened to me. Its like a beautiful movie, but it really happened, he said.

Joe, who once served in the 318th Infantry under legendary Gen. George Patton, according to The Daily Sentinel, expressed gratitude, telling Svihovec, Well, I thank you many times.

But the beautiful movie hasnt ended. Svihovec hopes to soon meet Joe, shake his hand, and hug him.

I want him to tell me about Lydia, the war, and his life, Svihovec said.

If all goes well, that will happen sometime this year, he said.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Bright newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter.
Protesters stand on the back of a truck during the Freedom Convoy demonstrations against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other restrictions on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jan. 29, 2022. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

TD Bank Freezes Bank Accounts Connected to Freedom Convoy Protest

TD Bank confirmed that it has frozen two bank accounts that held $1.4 million in Canadian currency (US$1.1 million) in deposits to support the trucker-led protests in Canada.

The Toronto-based financial institution has appealed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to obtain the funds, with the intention of returning the cash to donors who have requested refunds but whose entitlement to a refund cannot be determined by TD, a spokesperson for TDshort for Toronto-DominionBank told news outlets on Feb. 12.

One of the bank accounts received a lump sum of $1 million in Canadian currency via the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe, while the restabout $300,000 Canadian dollarswas sent to a second account through several bank electronic transfers, a TD spokesperson told Reuters. The spokesperson said the bank doesnt know where the GoFundMe payment originated.

There are significant questions surrounding the legal basis under which TD Bank seized donation funds and applied to transfer them into court, Jay Cameron, a spokesperson for the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedom, a group representing the protesters, told The Epoch Times on Feb. 14.

Keith Wilson, an attorney for the convoy, said TD Bank was put on notice that their actions are improper and disappointing after the accounts were frozen, Reuters reported.

We are also going to be taking the Ontario government to court to seek an immediate lifting of what we consider to be an unlawful order, he told the news service.

About a week before TD Banks decision, GoFundMe blocked donations to a fundraiser for the Canadian trucker-led Freedom Convoy and said it would return refunds. In a Feb. 7 statement, GoFundMe said that all donations were refunded, and it claimed to have had multiple discussions with local law enforcement amid police reports of violence and other unlawful activity, without providing any evidence.

Many politicians and media outlets, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and National Post, have remarked on the peaceful nature of the protest against the authoritarian vaccination mandates, Cameron told The Epoch Times.

GoFundMe has drawn criticism for canceling fundraisers for the defense fund of Kyle Rittenhouse, lawsuits against vaccine mandates, and other causes. GiveSendGo, a rival crowdfunding website, instead took up the fundraising for the Freedom Convoy, a protest that seeks an end to vaccination mandates for cross-border drivers as well as other pandemic restrictions.

The Ontario Superior Court on Feb. 10 ordered GiveSendGo to freeze all funds that were donated via GiveSendGo; the platform wrote on Twitter that it would defy the court order.

When GoFundMe announced that it would suspend the fundraiser, Jon Carpay, the head of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedom, told The Epoch Times that GoFundMe needs to make the evidence about violence and unlawful activity public.

Normally, law enforcement is not at all shy about showing evidence to the public, and that evidence would have to show that the individual is actually a member of the Freedom Convoy. It could be some agitator who is deliberately seeking to discredit the freedom convoy. So what evidence is there that this alleged criminal was even involved with the Freedom Convoy? Carpay said.

Several spokespersons for TD Bank didnt respond by press time to requests by The Epoch Times for comment. GoFundMe officials also havent responded to a request for comment.
The Great (Belt and Road) Wall in Washingtons Backyard

Argentina joins China's BRI, US narrows its attention on Ukraine

News Analysis

In a time when the United States is giving an inordinate amount of attention to deterring Russia in Eastern Ukraine, China continues to firm up its position in Americas own backyard.

Argentina officially became the 141st country to join the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also known as One Belt, One Road) infrastructure investment project on Feb. 6. Argentine President Alberto Fernandez met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, after the former attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

According to the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries within the framework of the BRI. The stated goals are to promote construction of the BRI in Argentina and facilitate closer cooperation across a host of economic sectors and technology exchange programs.

The deal represents funds in excess of over $23 billion that will be utilized to tie the two countries closer together. Additional documents regarding the digital economy and aerospace were also signed.

Fernandez, a left-wing Peronist, purportedly got along very well with CCP leader Xi during their meeting. Based on the ideas of Argentinian leader Juan Peron, peronism is a traditionally pro-labor movement that supports income redistribution and industrialization. There was a subsequent natural affinity between Fernandez and the Marxist Xi. After telling Xi that had he been an Argentinian citizen, he would be a Peronist, Fernandez closed the conversation with a warm-hearted salutation to Xi and the CCP: Without the CCP, thered be no New China.

That is true. Fernandez, however, omitted a key piece of information assumed in that statement:  thered be no New China, and no millions of state-liquidated bodies upon which that New China was built.

The two reportedly talked for over an hour, whereas other official leaders visiting Beijing got a cursory meeting with Xi and were limited to exchanging standard pleasantries. Still, the ideological affinity between the two leftists is more or less irrelevant to any considerations regarding the national interests of the United States. However, what is more pressing for Washington is the geopolitical reality of having steadily increasing Chinese influence in its own backyard.

Besides economics, it is important to note the introduction of additional agreements with Argentina that deepen Chinas digital footprint in the area as well, such as technology sharing deals and the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.

A Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying the 24th and 25th Beidou navigation satellites takes off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Xichang, China, on Nov. 5, 2017. (Wang Yulei/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

The 141-country strong BRI, besides flooding the prospective country with Chinese financial resources, also brings additional economic perks that ensure governments are more firmly under Beijings thumb. Fernandez already began lobbying Xi to fight for Argentine inclusion into the emerging economy coalition BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

Xi additionally reported that he will instruct his banks to make progress on swaps and the International Monetary Funds (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) for Argentina. According to the IMF website, the SDR is an international reserve asset created to supplement the official reserves of member countries. The SDR is composed of the U.S. dollar, euro, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, and the British pound. Nobody gets something for nothing in international relations; it would be contrary to reason to believe that such favors from Beijing are interpreted to be one-way concessions that dont need to be reciprocated.

There is a bit of irony in the outsized U.S. attention to Russian troop movements on its own territory and in Belarus, its next-door neighbor and close ally. Any unprovoked incursion into Ukraine by Russia must undoubtedly be met with international condemnation. But that ignores the reckless NATO expansion since the end of the Cold War that has brought the alliances border closer and closer to the Russian Federation. Additionally, deepening U.S. military coordination with Kyiv has done little to defuse the situation in Ukrainequite the opposite, as it has forced Russian President Vladimir Putin to double down on his defense posture in the region both in order to retain international prestige as well as defend perceived national security priorities.

Meanwhile, China steadily increases its ties to countries in the United States direct vicinity. This is a much more threatening geographic reality for Washington, and Beijing is a much more dangerous rising threat than is Moscow. On top of ignoring its own pressing national interests and their potential security implications in its own backyard, engaging in continued saber rattling with Russia further pushes the Kremlin toward the CCP.

Chinese-chartered merchant ship Cosco Shipping Panama crosses the new Agua Clara Locks during the inauguration of the expansion of the Panama Canal in this undated file photo. China is continuing its push to displace U.S. influence in the region, and already has put parts of the Panama Canal under its control. (Rodrigo Arangua/AFP/Getty Images)

The United States should be seeking to strengthen its outreach to its allies; more than this, it should also be seeking to increase its economic involvement with developing countries, especially in Latin Americabecause China is.

According to Global Times, an outlet under control of the CCP flagship paper Peoples Daily, the goal for Beijing is not to stop with Argentina. According to Zhou Zhiwei, an expert on Latin American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia that have not yet signed a Belt and Road Memorandum of Understanding may consider accelerating their pace in taking the opportunity [after seeing Argentinas position].

This type of statement reaffirms the reality that Washington should be seeking a modernized Monroe Doctrine to protect its own security and economic interests in the region. Originally signed in 1823, this foreign policy stance relayed the position that the United States opposes European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere.

Today, the United States has often fallen short of engaging with its Latin American neighbors in a manner that is mutually beneficial to both. Additionally, countries in the 21st century should be free to associate with international partners. A return to the Cold War approach of confrontation and subsequent exploitation in the region is not a strategy for the modern era. However, outmaneuvering China to provide real material benefit and better deals to countries in the region is not only economically advantageous, but is also essential to strengthening U.S. security in its geographical proximity.

The international priorities of the United States are largely out of focus with reality. Its actions counterintuitively increase the likelihood of military confrontation in Eastern Europe. Worse than this, keeping the image of a powerful and dangerous Russian international player on life-support deflects limited resources and attention that should be focused on the true rising threat: the CCP.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Revolutionary War and the Origins of Liberty

Commentary

One of the most common and widespread charges made against our nations history is that the American War for Independence was somehow executed for the purpose of protecting, perpetuating, and spreading the institution of slavery.

In fact, the 1619 Project even states that one of the primary reasons the colonists decided to declare independence from Britain was because they wanted to protect the institution of slavery. Another writer, parroting the leftist vision of the past, wrote that patriot leaders weaponized prejudice about African Americans  to unite the American colonists.

However, just like nearly every other similar claim, once one starts to review the actual historical record surrounding the Revolutionary War, a radically different picture comes into view. One that instead shows that the War for Independence was the spark that ignited the fires of anti-slavery action, not only in America, but for the entire world.

To start with, many of the colonies at the time were in the process of attempting to approve laws limiting, restricting, and reducing slavery at a time when literally no other place in the world was attempting to do so. In fact, these actions were so out of step with the prevailing opinions of the time that the King of England and his royal governors in the colonies would regularly veto these attempts. There was so much budding anti-slavery belief that it appears prominently in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson, who worked to end the practice despite owning slaves himself, denounced the king.

He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere.  Determined to keep open a market where MEN should be bought and sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce, Jefferson wrote.

This grievance is significant for many reasons, but youll note that Jefferson wrote MEN in all capital letters to highlight their humanity and definitively include African slaves as among those created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Even British leaders recognized the validity of Jeffersons grievance, remarking that the American colonies, have made laws to prohibit the importation of them [African slaves]; but these laws have always had a negative [veto] put upon them here because of their tendency to hurt our [English] Negro trade.

Eleven out of the 13 colonies voted for the anti-slavery grievance to be included in the final version but, unfortunately, the clause too reprobating the enslaving the inhabitants of Africa was struck out, in compliance to South Carolina and Georgia. However, this means that a supermajority of the American colonies were in favor of the motiona far cry from the lies taught by the 1619 Project.

Many other patriot leaders voiced their abhorrence of slavery and their desire to see emancipation. John Adams said he would never oppose efforts to limit the evil. Benjamin Franklin wrote as early as 1773 that a disposition to abolish slavery prevails in North America. At a political convention led by George Washington, they decided to take this opportunity of declaring our most earnest wishes to see an entire stop to such a wicked, cruel, and unnatural trade, referring to slavery. Framer of the Constitution George Mason likewise said that opposition to slavery was one of the great causes of our separation from Great Britain.

Indeed, people on all sides and from all political persuasions understood the widespread anti-slavery ideals that were propagated by the Revolution. One delegate to the Virginia ratification convention for the Constitution said it was one cause of the complaints against British tyranny, that this trade was permitted.

Thomas Hutchinson, the king-appointed royal governor of Massachusetts, said that in the years immediately prior to the Declaration of Independence, all the Americans who had bought Blacks, had, as far as I knew, relinquished their property in them, and rather agreed to give them wages, or suffered them to go free.

Upon separating from England, several of the states began the process of ending slavery on their own. In 1777, Vermonts new constitution included a prohibition of slavery, and in the 1780 constitution of Massachusetts, they laid the groundwork for complete emancipation. Similarly, in 1780, Pennsylvania approved a law for the gradual abolition of slavery, stating that we conceive that it is our duty, and we rejoice that it is in our power, to extend a portion of that freedom to others.  It is sufficient to know, that all are the work of an Almighty hand.

I could go on and list dozens of other examples as proof of the central fact that the American Revolution wasnt, to any extent, intended to secure slavery. Indeed, the evidence points to the fact that, for much of the nation, a leading motivation for independence was the desire to end slavery and the slave trade.

Ultimately, Slavery had been considerably buffed by the ideas and events of the American Revolution. Of course, this isnt to say that all of the Founding Fathers were perfect advocates for freedom, but it does show that, during the origins of the United States, many of our Founders tirelessly worked to increase freedoms for people of every color, every class, and every creed.

If you would like to read more about this, please check out my book The American Story: The Beginnings on the WallBuilders store.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
They Are Still Defending Lockdowns

Commentary

Fifteen years ago, writers schooled in computer science began to imagine various totalitarian schemes for pandemic control. Experienced public health officials in 2006 warned that this would lead to disaster. Donald Henderson, for example, went through the whole list of possible restrictions, shooting them down one by one.

Still, a decade and a half later, governments all over the world tried lockdowns anyway. And sure enough, since April 2020, scholars have observed that these lockdown policies havent worked. The politicians preached, the cops enforced, citizens shamed each other, and businesses and schools did their best to comply with all the strictures. But the virus kept going with seeming disregard for all these antics.

Neither oceans of sanitizer, nor towers of plexiglass, nor covered mouths and noses, nor crowd avoidance, nor the seeming magic of six feet of distance, nor even mandated injections caused the virus to go away or otherwise be suppressed.

The evidence is in. Restrictions arent associated with any particular set of virus mitigation goals. Forty studies have shown no connection between the policy (egregious violations of human liberty) and the intended outcomes (diminishing the overall disease impact of the pathogen).

You can forget about causal inference here because there is an absence of correlation between policy and outcomes at all. You can do a deeper dive and find 400 studies showing that the impositions of basic freedoms didnt achieve the intended result but instead produced terrible public health outcomes.

The two years of the hell into which hundreds of governments simultaneously plunged the globe achieved nothing but economic, social, and cultural destruction. Very obviously, this realization is shocking and suggests a crying need for a reassessment of the power and influence of the people who did this.

This reassessment is happening now, all over the world.

A major frustration for those of us who have denounced lockdowns (which go by many names and take many forms) is that these studies havent exactly rocked the headlines. Indeed, they have been buried for the better part of two years.

Among the ignored studies was a December 2020 examination of light and voluntary measures (discouraging large gatherings, isolating the sick, generally being careful) versus heavy and forced measures. This piece by Bendavid et al. observes some effects on the spread from light measures but nothing statistically significant from heavy measures such as stay-at-home (or shelter-in-place) orders.

We do not question the role of all public health interventions, or of coordinated communications about the epidemic, but we fail to find an additional benefit of stay-at-home orders and business closures. The data cannot fully exclude the possibility of some benefits. However, even if they exist, these benefits may not match the numerous harms of these aggressive measures. More targeted public health interventions that more effectively reduce transmissions may be important for future epidemic control without the harms of highly restrictive measures.

The most recent meta-analysis from Johns Hopkins University (Jonas Herby of the Center for Political Studies in Copenhagen, Denmark, Lars Jonung of Lund University, and Steve Hanke of Johns Hopkins) seems to have achieved some measure of media attention. It focuses in particular on the effects of heavy interventions on mortality, finding little to no relationship between policies and severe disease outcomes.

The attention given to this meta-analysis seems to have annoyed the small cabal of academics who still defend lockdowns. A website called HealthFeedBack blasted the methods of the study while citing biased sources and not seriously grappling with the results. This lame effort has been thoroughly smashed by Phil Magness.

Also seeking to reverse the bad press against lockdowns, the Science Media Centre, a project that appears mostly funded by The Wellcome Trust (Britains major funding source for epidemiological studies), published a rebuttal of this paper by top lockdown proponents.

Among the comments were those of Oxfords Seth Flaxman, a major figure in this realm, who isnt trained in biological science or medicine but computer science with a specialization in machine learning. And yet it has been his work that has most often been cited in defense of the idea that lockdowns achieved some good.

In opposition to the JHU study, Flaxman writes:

Smoking causes cancer, the earth is round, and ordering people to stay at home (the correct definition of lockdown) decreases disease transmission. None of this is controversial among scientists. A study purporting to prove the opposite is almost certain to be fundamentally flawed.

See how this rhetoric works? If you question his claim, you are not a scientist; you are denying the science!

These sentences are surely penned out of frustration. The first time in modern history or perhaps all of history when nearly all governments undertook ordering people to stay home (which amounts to a universal quarantine) to decrease disease transmission was in 2020.

To say that this isnt controversial is ridiculous, since such policies had never before been attempted on this scale. Such a policy isnt at all like an established causal claim (smoking increases cancer risk) nor a mere empirical observation (the earth is round). Its subject to verification.

There are plenty of reasons one might expect disease transmission to be higher in enclosed spaces with sustained close contact, such as homes, versus shops or even well-ventilated concert settings. As Henderson himself said, it could result in putting healthy non-infected people in close settings with infected people, worsening disease spread.

Indeed, by December 2020, the governors office of New York found that contact tracing data shows 70 percent of new COVID-19 cases originate from households and small gatherings. It was also true with New York hospitalization: Two-thirds of them had contracted COVID at home.

Theyre not working; theyre not traveling, Cuomo said of these recently hospitalized coronavirus patients. We were thinking that maybe we were going to find a higher percent of essential employees who were getting sick because they were going to work  that these may be nurses, doctors, transit workers. Thats not the case. They were predominantly at home.

That Flaxman would still claim otherwise after all experience shows that he isnt observing reality but inventing dogma from his own intuition. Flaxman might say that he is sure that transmission might have been higher had people not been ordered to stay home, and there might be settings in which that is true, but he is in no position to elevate this claim to the status of the earth is round.

In addition, even under ideal conditions, reduction in disease transmission might only be short term, kicking the can down the road. A glance at the wild infection increases of winter 2021 suggests that. The orders might result in worse outcomes overall, due to all that such an order implies for peoples lives. Turning peoples homes into their own jails, in other words, has a downside for the quality of life. And surely that must factor into any social welfare analysis of pandemic policies.

Finally, it isnt possible to order everyone to stay home, not even for a day or two. The groceries have to get to the store or be delivered to homes and apartments. People have to staff the hospitals. The electrical plants still need staff. Cops still have to be on the beat. There is literally no option available to shut down society in real life versus in computer models.

Stay-at-home orders in real life become a class-protection scheme to keep high-end laptop professionals shielded from the virus while imposing the burden of exposure on people who have no option but to be out and about. In other words, the working classes are effectively forced to bear the burden of herd immunity, while the rich and financially secure stay safe and wait for the pandemic to pass.

For example, early in the pandemic, the messaging of The New York Times was to instruct its readers to stay home and get their groceries delivered. The paper knows its reader base well: It didnt suggest any of them actually deliver groceries! As Sunetra Gupta says, Lockdowns are a luxury of the affluent.

And what, in the end, is the point of the stay-home orders? For a widespread virus such as this one, everyone will eventually meet the virus anyway. Only once the winter wave of 2021 finally swept the Zoom class did we start to see a shift in media messaging that there is no shame in sickness, and perhaps we need to start relaxing these restrictions.

The dogma that ordering people to stay homefor how long?always reduces the spread comes not from evidence but from Flaxman-style modeling plus a remarkable capacity to ignore reality.

Lockdown policies are easily marketed to political players who might get a power rush from the exercise. But, in the end, Hendersons prediction was correct: These interventions turned a manageable pandemic into a catastrophe.

Its a sure bet, however, that lockdown proponents will be in denial at least for another decade.

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.
The TikTok logo is displayed outside a TikTok office on August 27, 2020, in Culver City, Calif.. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

TikTok Users Are Feeding Data to CCP Intelligence Agencies, Cyber Experts Warn

If you use the video-sharing platform TikTok, you may be feeding information to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intelligence services, warns Casey Fleming, a cyber security expert and CEO of strategic advisory firm BlackOps Partners.

In a recent interview with Epoch TVs Wide Angle program, Fleming explained the dangers posed by foreign-controlled cellphone applications such as TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based internet giant ByteDance.

We must assume, he said, that every one of these applications coming from China, Russia, and other declared adversaries of the United Stateswe have to assume that these applications are weaponized against us.

TikTok, the hugely popular short-format video app that allows users to create, share, and view 15-second videos often featuring singing, dancing, or comedy, was started in China as Douyin in September 2016; within a year, it had 100 million Chinese users.

The app was relaunched as TikTok internationally in September 2017. Attracting dozens of A-list celebrity users, and partnerships with the NBA, NFL, and Comedy Central, TikTok quickly became one of the most popular apps in the world.

By 2020, TikTok reported nearly a billion active users worldwideless than four years after its launch.

But TikTok may have a dark side. Since TikTok is a Chinese company, all the private information that the app is collecting may be fed directly to the Chinese regime, experts have warned, citing a range of Chinese laws that compel companies to cooperate with regime authorities when asked.

All of your data on that phone, Fleming said, everything you do, and everything that you have stored on your phone is being sent out of the country, possibly to be used against you.

The Communist Party of China is collecting vast amounts of data. It may not be used against you today. But this information might be used against you, your company, or your country in the future.

US Regulation

Awareness of this threat isnt new. In August 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ban all TikTok activity in the United States within 45 days if it wasnt sold by ByteDance. Trump signed a similar order against the Chinese-owned WeChat messaging app.

Since then, Trumps orders have been stalled by several lawsuits and court orders. In addition, the Biden administration canceled the orders in June 2021, instead directing the Commerce Department to evaluate the platform to determine whether it poses a national security risk.

Now the U.S. government appears to be taking new steps to address the security risks posed by TikTok and other foreign apps, including a proposal to expand federal oversight of foreign-controlled apps. Under the proposed new rules, the Commerce secretary would be empowered to restrict Americans access to foreign apps that are considered security threats.

But it may be too little, too late, according to some experts, including Mark Grabowski, an associate professor specializing in cyber law at Adelphi University and author of the new book Cyber Law and Ethics.

It is stunning that its taken so long for the Biden administration to conclude TikTok is a national security threat, he told the Epoch Times. President Trump tried to address this problem, but unfortunately, Biden was determined to immediately reverse everything Trump didwhether it made sense or not.

Grabowski says TikTok and other Chinese-controlled apps present an immediate danger to national security.

TikTok will go down as the most successful data harvesting of Americans ever done by a foreign adversary, he said. TikTok is Chinese government malware masquerading as a social media app.

Mounting Concern

Several U.S. lawmakers have voiced the same concern.

TikTok is owned & operated by a Chinese company & controlled by the Communist Chinese government, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) wrote in a September 2021 tweet. Americans cant trust & shouldnt use products or services controlled by Communist China.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) was even more blunt.

TikTok is a surveillance apparatus for Beijing, he told The Atlantic in 2020. It is a Trojan horse on peoples phones.

The danger comes from the enormous amounts of personal data that TikTok is gathering from each user, Grabowski said.

It can access your camera, microphone, saved photos and videos, contacts, GPS location, and probably also your web browsing history, he said. The app collects way more data than it needs to. For example, TikTok does GPS trackingeven though TikTok videos never display any location information.

This data isnt just collected on your phoneits passed on to TikToks owners in China, Grabowski said.

All the data collected by the app is encrypted in a way that makes it impossible to know exactly what is being sent back to China.

In August 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported that TikTok tracked Android user data in violation of Googles policies. In June 2021, TikTok expanded its privacy policy to get users to agree to share biometric data including faceprints and voiceprints, and a month later, a CNBC investigation revealed that ByteDance employees have direct access to U.S. TikTok user data.

We know that TikToks Chinese parent company has access to every American users data, said Grabowski. They can search that data by specific IDs, locations, and various other queries.

TikTok has said repeatedly that it doesnt share U.S. user data with the Chinese regime, and that its data is held on servers in the United States with backup servers in Singapore, not China.

But Grabowski isnt buying it.

This data can and will be shared with the CCP, he said.

If the Chinese government tells a Chinese company to hand over its data, theyre going to do it. Chinas National Intelligence Law requires Chinese organizations and citizens to cooperate with the state intelligence work.

Controlling Data

But why would the CCP want U.S. cellphone data? BlackOps CEO Fleming says its all about control.

China is a totalitarian state, completely controlled by the CCP, he said. If you are a Chinese citizen, your government runs your whole life. Even when you travel overseas, you have to check in and let them know when you are going, where you are going, and what youll be doing. And theyll let you know when they want you to check in again, and what they want you to do.

Every Chinese traveler is considered an asset by the CCP.

With Chinese apps installed on over a billion phones around the world, the CCP may have effectively turned foreign TikTok users into unwitting Chinese intelligence assets.

Data is the key to this control, said Fleming.

Grabowski agreed, saying, The Chinese government could use TikTok to spread propaganda to Americans, or to blackmail users who regret what they posted.

The data can also help the Chinese regime find dissenters, political activists, and other enemies of the CCP, he added.

The Chinese government already uses this information to censor videos they dont like, said Grabowski. For example, TikTok regularly censors videos that mention the Tiananmen Square massacre, Tibetan independence, or the Falun Gong movement.

People are extremely naive if they think TikTok is playing nice, he said. They have a long history of documented privacy intrusions.

For instance, TikTok paid a $5.7 million fine to the Federal Trade Commission in February 2019 for illegally collecting data on children. It also settled a class-action lawsuit by paying $92 million in February 2021; the lawsuit alleged that the platform harvested and shared personal information without users consent.

TikTok didnt return a request by The Epoch Times for comment by press time.

For Fleming, the stakes are high.

We have to understand, as a free nation, what we are facing. We are facing a world war all over again. An alliance of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea against the free world. Americans need to become more aware, he said, and open their eyes to what is happening.

We have to do everything we can to protect our data and our intellectual property. Do not give away your data. Always opt out. And get Chinese apps off your phones and computers.
Snow covers fields and hills surrounding St, Mary The Virgin Church in the Arkengarthdale, North Yorkshire, amid freezing conditions in the aftermath of Storm Arwen, on Nov. 28, 2021. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

UK Energy Firm Accidentally Sends Out Trillion-Dollar Checks to Customers

Northern Powergrid, a UK electrical distribution company, thanked customers for not trying to cash out trillion-pound checks the firm had mistakenly sent as compensation for power cuts.

In November 2021, heavy storms swept across the UK that left thousands of people without power. As compensation, 74 customers received checks worth trillions of dollars, amounts that the company claims are a clerical error.

Instead of the amount payable, those in charge of writing the checks erroneously quoted the customers energy meter numbers, resulting in some customers receiving checks for more than 2.3 trillion pounds ($3.1 trillion).

The error was brought to attention when one customer, Gareth Hughes, wrote about it on Twitter. Thank you for our compensation payment @Northpowergrid for the several days we were without power following #stormarwen Before I bank the cheque however, are you 100% certain you can afford this? Hughes wrote.

A company executive soon responded to the tweet, thanking Hughes for bringing the matter to their attention. The tweet has since gone viral, attracting more than 56,000 likes and 6,700 retweets at the time of publication. It also attracted numerous comments mocking the ridiculous situation.

Be a sport and clear the national debt mate, stated one tweet.

Well at least one family will be able to pay their energy bill this spring, wrote another.

Bank it for 1 hour, at 3% interest and you can return the principal, and keep 7,954,482 in profit, a Twitter user suggested.

One user thought the companys tech department shouldnt have missed such a basic check error. Somebody wrote a nifty little script to translate numbers to words but no one thought to validate the actual number! Very basic data entry checks were missed, he wrote in a tweet.

Danielle Henderson, another Northern Powergrid customer who had lost electricity for an entire week during the storm, received a check for 1.5 trillion pounds ($2.13 trillion). When we opened the letter we laughed, in all honesty, she told Sky News. Its been a comedy of errors since the electricity went off for a week.

Storm Arwen is estimated to have disrupted more than a million properties in Great Britain. Roughly 280,000 of the companys customers in northern Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and North East were affected. The energy firm had sent more than 29,500 compensation payments as of Feb. 11.

A spokesperson from Northern Powergrid said the company had immediately voided the trillion-dollar checks when it came to their attention. This was an isolated incident, the spokeswoman said, according to Sky News.

We thank those customers who were honest and contacted us, and we have been making contact directly over the weekend with all 74 customers affected to make them aware, apologise for the error, and reassure them that a correct payment will be issued.
UK Teenager Charged With Murder After 16-Year-Old Boy Stabbed to Death

An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place after a schoolboy was stabbed to death in England.

Justice Will-Mamah of Coniston Way, Bletchley, is accused of murdering a 16-year-old boy near Milton Keynes College on Friday afternoon.

He was arrested on Friday and charged on Sunday night with one count of murder and one count of possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place. He remained in custody and was due to appear before Milton Keynes Magistrates Court on Monday.

Another 17-year-old boy from Milton Keynes was arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice. He remains in custody.

Underage suspects do not get identified outside the court in the UK.

The victim has not yet been formally identified.

According to Thames Valley Police, the 16-year-old was stabbed near the junction of Palace Square and Rainbow Drive in Leadenhall before moving towards the Chaffron Way campus of Milton Keynes College and collapsing on the ground.

Health care students and a member of staff from the college who were in a class overlooking the path where the boy collapsed rushed to provide first aid before emergency services arrived, but the boy later died at Milton Keynes General Hospital.

A post-mortem examination found he died from a stab wound to the back of the chest.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gives a joint news conference at the Mariinsky palace in Kyiv on Aug. 22, 2021. (Sergey Dolzhenko/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraines President Demands Proof From US Over Alarmist Russian Invasion Claims

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded proof from the United States after White House officials warned that Russia could invade the former Soviet country later this month.

There has been too much information about a full-scale war with Russiaeven specific dates have been announced, Zelensky told reporters on Feb. 12.

We understand there are risks. If you have any additional information regarding the 100 percent guaranteed invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 16 February, please give it to us, the Ukrainian president said.

Zelensky also cautioned against such warnings of a potential imminent invasion which he said is creating panic in his country and reiterated that Ukraines wish, first and foremost, is to deescalate tensions.

The president said that his country will rely on its own forces in responding to any surprises  from any side, from any borders and thanked international partners for intelligence sharing on the risks presented by Russia.

He noted, however, that such information needs to be analyzed very carefully.

Zelenskys comments come after the White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that Russia could invade Ukraine any day now, noting that it might do so before the completion of the Beijing Olympics, which are scheduled to end Feb. 20.

If you look at the disposition of forces, both in Belarus and in Russia on the other side of the Ukrainian border from the north and from the east, the Russians are in a position to be able to mount a major military action into Ukraine any day now, said Sullivan in a press briefing on Feb. 11.

However, Sullivan stressed that the Biden administration is not saying that a  final decision has been taken by President Putin.

What we are saying is that we have a sufficient level of concern, based on what we are seeing on the ground and what our intelligence analysts have picked up, that we are sending this clear message. And it remains a message that we have now been sending for some time. And it isyes, it is an urgent message because we are in an urgent situation, Sullivan said.

The White House has also encouraged all Americans currently in Ukraine to leave the country as tensions at the RussiaUkraine border escalate.

Americans currently in Ukraine have been asked to contact the U.S. embassy in Kyiv if they need financial or logistical help to leave.

Sullivan doubled down on his comments in an interview with CNN on Feb. 13, stressing again that Russia could invade Ukraine any day now and that such an invasion could take place within a week.

The White House national security adviser did not provide further details regarding the alleged potential imminent invasion.

Russia denies that it plans to invade Ukraine and has asked the United States and its allies to deny Ukraine and other former Soviet nations membership into NATO.

In the meantime, Russia has amassed around 100,000 troops situated near Ukraines eastern borders.

We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day nowthat includes this coming week, before the end of the Olympics, Sullivan said.

During a Feb. 13 phone call between Zelensky and President Joe Biden, the Ukrainian president invited Biden to visit Kyiv in a move he believes would help deescalate and stabilize the situation with Russia.

Im convinced that your arrival in Kyiv in the coming days, which are crucial for stabilizing the situation, will be a powerful signal and contribute to de-escalation, the presidential office quoted Zelensky as telling Biden.

Zelensky also noted the steps taken by the United States and other partners to provide Ukraine with effective support.

We feel it. And we hope that, among other things, it will help prevent the spread of panic, said Zelensky.
KIEV, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden held a telephone conversation on Sunday to discuss the security situation around Ukraine, Zelensky's press service said.

Zelensky and Biden have exchanged information and discussed ways of de-escalation, said a statement on the Ukrainian presidential website.

The parties also discussed the issue of increasing Ukraine's financial and energy stability amid the crisis.

Zelensky stressed that Kiev understands all current risks and is ready for "any developments."

The Ukrainian leader thanked Washington for support, saying it contributes to strengthening the capabilities of the Ukrainian army.

Zelensky invited Biden to visit Ukraine "in the coming days," saying that such a visit is crucial to stabilizing the situation.

Zelensky also stressed the importance of providing effective security guarantees for Kiev.

"We are ready to discuss them in different formats," he stressed.

According to a statement by the White House, Biden made clear in the phone conversation that the United States would "respond swiftly and decisively, together with its allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine."

The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to "pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders," the statement added.

Since November, Kiev and some Western countries have accused Russia of assembling heavy troops near the Ukrainian border with a possible intention of "invasion."

Russia denied the accusation, saying that Russia has the right to mobilize troops within its borders to defend its territory as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's activities constitute a threat to Russia's border security.

In recent days, the United States and some other countries have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine, citing increased threats of military action. 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference at the Antonov aircraft manufacturing plant in Kiev, on May 20, 2021. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraines Zelensky Invites Biden to Visit in Coming Days in Hopes of Deescalating Situation With Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb. 13 invited President Joe Biden to visit Kyiv in what he believes would be a powerful signal to help deescalate and stabilize the situation with Russia as it continues to build up troops along Ukraines eastern border.

According to the Ukrainian readout of the Sunday call, Zelensky thanked Biden for sending military aid to Ukraine, saying the aid can help prevent the spread of a mood of panic in the country amid the ongoing tensions.

Zelensky also invited Biden to visit the former Soviet country, the presidential office said.

Im convinced that your arrival in Kyiv in the coming days, which are crucial for stabilizing the situation, will be a powerful signal and contribute to de-escalation, the presidential office quoted Zelensky as telling Biden.

Zelensky also said that Ukraine understood the threats it faced and was ready to face any scenario, according to the Ukrainian readout of the call.

Elsewhere during Sundays hour-long phone call, both Biden and Zelensky reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, read a White House statement.

Biden also said that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russias military build-up on Ukraines borders, the White House readout concluded. The two leaders previously spoke on Jan. 2.

The phone call came a day after Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, also via phone, and said that the United States and its allies will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on Russia should Putin decide to invade Ukraine, according to a readout provided by the White House.

Russia denies that it plans to invade Ukraine but has amassed around 100,000 troops situated near Ukraines eastern borders.

During the call with Russia, Biden was also clear with President Putin that while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy, in full coordination with our allies and partners, we are equally prepared for other scenarios, the White House said.

President Biden reiterated that a further Russian invasion of Ukraine would produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russias standing, according to the readout.

Zelensky Wants Proof

National security adviser Jake Sullivan on Feb. 13 told CNN that Russia could invade Ukraine any day now and that such an invasion could even take place before the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which are set to finish on Feb. 20.

Sullivan did not provide further details regarding the alleged potential imminent invasion but made similar remarks during a news conference in Washington.

We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day nowthat includes this coming week, before the end of the Olympics, Sullivan said.

Zelensky has said he wants proof that Russia will invade Ukraine in the near future following such comments from White House officials, including Sullivan, blaming the warnings for creating panic in his country.

There has been too much information about a full-scale war with Russiaeven specific dates have been announced. We understand there are risks. If you have any additional information regarding the 100 percent guaranteed invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 16 February, please give it to us, Zelensky told reporters on Feb. 12.

He also reiterated Ukraines wish, first and foremost, is to deescalate tensions, and that his country will rely on its own forces in responding to any surprises  from any side, from any borders.

He also thanked international partners for intelligence sharing on the risks presented by Russia, while saying that the information needs to be analyzed very carefully.

Reuters and Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Travellers arrive at a deserted Qantas terminal at Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, Australia, on August 26, 2021 (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Unvaccinated Travellers Still Cannot Enter or Leave Australia as the Government Extends Emergency Powers

Unvaccinated travellersincluding international tourists, business travellers, and other visa holderswill still need to apply for an exemption to enter or leave Australia as the government declares an extension of its COVID-19 emergency health powers until April 17.

For unvaccinated Australians, they can still return from overseas as long as they quarantine for a fortnight in a government facility at their own expense.

Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed in a statement that a further extension of the emergency period, which has been in place for two years since March 18, 2020, was required due to the ongoing global outbreak of the Omicron variant.

Whilst the peak of the Omicron wave has largely passed, the health advice is that this is an appropriate response while the Australian Government continues to develop and implement management strategies to mitigate the impacts of Omicron, Hunt said.

People line up at the Histopath pre-departure COVID testing clinic at Sydney International Airport in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 23, 2021. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

The advice to extend the human biosecurity emergency period came from specialist medical and epidemiological advice of an expert medical team, comprising of the state chief health officers and the chief medical officer, Paul Kelly.

The extension means the five existing powers remain in place for another two months. However, they may be changed to manage the virus during the approaching winter season.

The five emergency powers include:

Mandatory pre-departure testing and mask-wearing for international flights.

Restrictions on outbound international travel for unvaccinated Australians.

Restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels into and within Australian territory.

Measures to prevent price gouging on rapid antigen tests.

Restrictions to protect remote communities in the Northern Territory.

While the Omicron peak has passed, the government said the extension is due to mitigating the impacts of the aftermath. (Rohan Thomson/Getty Images)

Hunt said the pandemic measures implemented under the Biosecurity Act 2015 by ensuring the accessibility of powers to the government has protected Australians.

These emergency requirements have helped Australia respond quickly to manage the number of inbound and outbound travellers, reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading on flights and at international airports in Australia, further manage the number of cases in quarantine facilities, and ensure the accessibility and affordability of rapid antigen test kits, he said.

At their next meeting in March, the government will be discussing Phase D, the final phase, of Australias next steps to reopen to the world, involving the reducing of restrictions and opening of international borders.

By then, unvaccinated travellers would be allowed to enter Australia, subject to testing before and after a flight.

The article published on Feb. 14 has been corrected to say that unvaccinated Australians can return from overseas as long as they quarantine for 14 days. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
US-China Bilateral Tech Investment Aids Chinese Military

News Analysis

The Trump administration fought to reduce the flow of U.S. technology and investor funds into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The trend continues under the Biden administration, but there is still much more to be done.

Chinese companies are beholden to the Chinese Communist Party, said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in a press release on Feb. 3, explaining why scrutiny of Chinese investment must be intensified.

The CCP uses billions of dollars worth of U.S. investor money to finance the Peoples Liberation Armys weapons and technology. Some of these funds are then used to acquire stakes in U.S. domestic firms to obtain their technology. Bilateral investment flows are a significant component in the CCPs quest to become the preeminent global military power. Increasingly, the U.S. government is blocking Chinese investment in sensitive industries while prohibiting U.S. exports of certain technologies.

In June 2021, as a continuation of Trump-era policies, President Joe Biden signed an order, banning U.S. investment in 59 Chinese firms over security concerns. Among the companies now on the blacklist are military hardware developers Aviation Industry Corp. of China, China North Industries Group, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp., and China Shipbuilding Industry Corp. These companies are all state-controlled and have ties to the PLA. The order enjoys bipartisan support in Congress.

Another significant restriction came in October 2021, when the U.S. government banned China Telecom from operating in the United States. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ordered China Telecom Americas Corp. to discontinue its services.

The CCP responded, alleging that This is an unreasonable suppression of Chinese enterprises by abuse of state power and a serious breach of international economic trade rules.

The FCC justified the move by pointing out that as a state-owned company, China Telecom is subject to exploitation, influence, and control by the Chinese government and is highly likely to be forced to comply with Chinese government requests.

A month after blocking China Telecom, the United States blacklisted 27 entities, including New H3C Semiconductor Technologies (H3C), which is jointly owned by Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Chinas state-backed Tsinghua Unigroup. H3C has been the exclusive provider of Hewlett Packards server and storage services in China, raising questions of data security. Additionally, H3C also services the PLA, which seems a conflict of interests.

Other blacklisted companies include Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, which developed the advanced surveillance cameras and facial recognition technology that are currently being used to repress the Uyghurs, an ethnic minority group in Xinjiang.

A Hikvision spokesperson on Feb. 11 condemned the blacklisting, saying that it was done with no justification, and that the United States keeps targeting Hikvision simply because we happen to be headquartered in China.

It is noteworthy that the companys technology is employed in the safe city systems being sold to countries around the world. These systems can be exploited by authoritative regimes to control their own people, or by the CCP for spying.

Hikvision headquarters in Hangzhou, in eastern Chinas Zhejiang Province on May 22, 2019. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is an inter-agency committee that reviews certain foreign investments and advises the U.S. president on whether or not they pose a national security threat. Closer scrutiny is paid to mergers and acquisitions, where the foreign entity would obtain the controlling interest of a U.S. company. After being alerted by CFIUS, the president may suspend or prohibit the transaction. Foreign and domestic entities are not obligated to inform CFIUS before an investment takes place; however, many do, in order to avoid costly delays or prohibitions after the fact.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump signed the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act, which expanded the jurisdiction and the powers of the national security review process, increasing the number of reviews that are mandatory rather than voluntary.

Where CFIUS monitors and prevents PLA- or CCP-linked companies from investing in the United States, the Department of Commerces Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) investigates outbound U.S. investment. BIS protects U.S. national security and advances foreign policy and economic objectives by restricting U.S. export of sensitive technology to foreign countries. If a foreign entity is identified as posing a threat, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposes sanctions.

These sanctions will prevent outbound investment as well as the export of emerging and foundational technologies, and information and communications technology. Increasingly, controls have been applied to prevent foreign investment or exports that could pose a threat to U.S. supply chains.

China has been the main focus of BIS and OFAC, ensuring that the United States maintains its position of strategic technology leadership. Through the year 2000, OFAC had imposed sanctions on fewer than 1,000 entities. By 2021, that number had shot up to nearly 10,000.

On Feb. 3, 2022, Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced the Countering CCP Drones Act. The legislation prohibits federal departments and agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), from purchasing equipment produced by, or services provided by, DJI, a Chinese drone manufacturer with ties to the PLA.

The America COMPETES Act of 2022 was passed by the House of Representatives in early February, specifically targeted at competition with China. The billwhich involves the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the White Housewill increase U.S. competitiveness and strengthen the U.S. supply chain by supporting development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and training.

Despite increasing restrictions and a general slowdown of the economy due to COVID-19, bilateral investment remains high. In 2020, the United States invested $8.7 billion in China. In the same year, China invested $7.2 billion in the United States. Even more, U.S.-China portfolio holdings were reported to be $1.7 trillion, but the real number is estimated to be double if investments through offshore entities are included.

Washington is tightening the rules related to bilateral trade and investments that pose a threat to national security. Unfortunately, the problem is massive, and the trade and investment flows are very lucrative. Each review and ban take a great deal of time, with the piecemeal approach allowing other trade and investments to continue in the meantime.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
US Closes Embassy in Kyiv, Relocates to Western City: State Department

Russia accuses US, UK of spreading war propaganda

The United States is shutting down its embassy in Kyiv amid heightened tensions with Russia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Feb. 14.

We are in the process of temporarily relocating our Embassy operations in Ukraine from our Embassy in Kyiv to Lviv due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces, Blinken said in a statement, saying that the White House remains engaged with the Ukrainian government and Russian officials to deescalate this crisis.

Lviv is about 50 miles from Ukraines western border with Poland, which is a NATO and European Union member.

These prudent precautions in no way undermine our support for or our commitment to Ukraine. Our commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering, Blinken added, noting that the path for diplomacy is available.

Over the weekend, Biden administration officials claimed that Russia was planning to invade Ukraine in the near future and possibly before the conclusion of the Winter Olympics on Feb. 20. No details or evidence were provided.

Russian officials told state-run media that allegations that Moscow is plotting to invade in the near future are unfounded and are designed to merely escalate tensions. However, Moscow has amassed more than 100,000 troops and large amounts of heavy military equipment near Ukraines borders, including in Belarus.

We also continue our sincere efforts to reach a diplomatic solution, and we remain engaged with the Russian government following President Bidens call with President Putin and my discussion with Foreign Minister Lavrov, Blinken added on Feb. 14.

The secretary of state also called on U.S. citizens in Ukraine to register with the Department of State and urged them to stay aware of any new developments. Previously, the State Department called on Americans to flee Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) in February 2022 file photos. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images; Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Earlier on Feb. 14, Zelensky created some confusion when he said in a speech that his office was informed by intelligence officials that Feb. 16 will be the day of the attack by Russian forces.

We will make it a union day. The decree has already been signed. This afternoon, we will hang national flags, put on blue-yellow ribbons and show the world our unity, he stated.

But Zelenskys office later clarified that his remarks were made ironically, without elaborating.

A top spokesperson for Russias Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, on Feb. 14 assailed recent claims made by the United States and the United Kingdom as propaganda designed to stoke war in the region.

What we are seeing now is war propaganda in its purest form, Zakharova wrote on social media, according to Russian state-funded media.

The U.S. and the UK have pulled out a tool from their stash that they have been keeping for a good half-century. And now they are waving it around like a club, supporting controlled hysteria through CNN, Bloomberg, and British tabloids, thereby influencing public opinion in their countries.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, whose country is a regional ally with Moscow, accused the U.S. and the West of trying to spark a conflict with recent public statements.

You know, they are able with other peoples hands. It is better to fight with other peoples hands, other peoples lives: let the Ukrainians, the Russians, the Belarusians die, its all far away, he said on Feb. 14, according to Russian news outlets.

Lukashenko also indicated that Russia and Belarus arent planning any war against Ukraine. Russia and Belarus held military drills this month near the Ukrainian border.

Look, if we planned any war against Ukraine, the media would have behaved completely differently. Because the media is the modern wars bombardments, he said.

Amid talks between Western powers and Russia, Moscow has demanded that NATO refuse to allow Ukraine to join the security bloc. The White House and NATO have said that demand is a nonstarter.

We [are] developing a dialogue on some aspects that are of practical importance today, with our Western, primarily American colleagues. We will simultaneously seek their answers to the legitimate questions that we have raised, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told TASS on Feb. 14.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) attends a meeting with Fijian acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (R) in Nadi, Fiji, on Feb. 12, 2022. (Leon Lord/AFP via Getty Images)

US Plans Solomon Islands Embassy in Push to Counter China

NADI, FijiThe United States will open an embassy in the Solomon Islands, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday as he committed more diplomatic and security resources into the Pacific as a counter to the Chinese regimes drive for greater influence.

Blinken, in Fiji for virtual summit of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) of regional leaders, heard their complaints that they had long been overlooked by bigger nations.

Fiji and all the Pacific Island nations are a vital part of the Indo-Pacific region, Blinken told a news conference with Fijis Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyu.

Sayed-Khaiyu noted that Fiji and the other Pacific nations were the guardians of the largest ocean continent in the world, which was crucial to the wellbeing of everyone in the world.

Despite that, Fiji and our small-state neighbors have felt at times, to borrow an American term, like a flyover country,  he said.

Small dots spotted from planes of leaders en route to meetings where they spoke about us rather than with us, if they spoke about us at all, he said, adding he hoped the visit marked the start of a more direct relationship between the United States and the Pacific.

Blinken flew to Fiji after a meeting in Melbourne of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, at which the so-called Quad pledged to deepen cooperation to ensure an Indo-Pacific region free from coercion, a thinly veiled swipe at Chinas economic and military expansion.

This is not at all a case of us being here, coming here, being focussed here for security reasons. Its much more fundamental than that, Blinken said. When were looking at this region that we share, we see it as the region for the future.

Chinese Regimes Military Push

In a briefing on the flight to Fiji, a senior U.S. administration official told traveling reporters that there are very clear indications that [the Chinese communist regime] want to create military relationships in the Pacific.

The most pressing case right now is whats going on in the Solomon Islands. With Chinese security personnel bucking up an increasingly besieged president in a way that has caused a lot of anxieties across the region, the official said.

The Solomon Islands switched its diplomatic allegiance to China from Taiwan in 2019.

Violent protests erupted in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara in November after Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare refused to speak with protesters who had traveled from Malaita province, which had opposed the diplomatic switch to Beijing.

Around 200 police and soldiers from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea arrived in Honiara within days of the riots, at Sogavares request.

Sogavare accused the provincial government in Malaita, the most populous province in the country, of being Taiwans agent, and in December survived a no-confidence motion in parliament.

The Chinese regime later sent police advisers to help train Solomons police, and equipment including shields, helmets and batons.

Indo-Pac Strategy

Blinkens visit to Fiji, the first by a U.S. secretary of state in four decades, came after the Biden administration issued a strategy overview for the Indo-Pacific in which it vowed to commit more diplomatic and security resources to the region to push back against the Chinese regime.

Under an action plan for the next 12 to 24 months, the document said Washington would meaningfully expand its diplomatic presence in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands and prioritize key negotiations with Pacific island states that cover access for the U.S. military and which have appeared to stall in the past year.

Richard Clark, a spokesman for the president of one of the island nations, the Federated States of Micronesia, told Reuters a tremendous amount of progress was still needed in talks with Washington.
US Suspends Mexican Avocado Imports on Eve of Super Bowl

MEXICO CITYMexico has acknowledged that the U.S. government has suspended all imports of Mexican avocados after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threat.

The surprise suspension was confirmed late Saturday on the eve of the Super Bowl, the biggest sales opportunity of the year for Mexican avocado growersthough it would not affect game-day consumption since those avocados had already been shipped.

Avocado exports are the latest victim of the drug cartel turf battles and extortion of avocado growers in the western state of Michoacan, the only state in Mexico fully authorized to export to the U.S. market.

The U.S. government suspended all imports of Mexican avocados until further notice after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threatening message, Mexicos Agriculture Department said in a statement.

U.S. health authorities  made the decision after one of their officials, who was carrying out inspections in Uruapan, Michoacan, received a threatening message on his official cellphone, the department wrote.

The import ban came on the day that the Mexican avocado growers and packers association unveiled its Super Bowl ad for this year. Mexican exporters have taken out the pricey ads for almost a decade in a bid to associate guacamole as a Super Bowl tradition.

This years ad shows Julius Caesar and a rough bunch of gladiator fans outside what appears to be the Colosseum, soothing their apparently violent differences by enjoying guacamole and avocados.

The association did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ban, which hits an industry with almost $3 billion in annual exports. However, avocados for this years Super Bowl had already been exported in the weeks prior to the event.

Because the United States also grows avocados, U.S. inspectors work in Mexico to ensure exported avocados dont carry diseases that could hurt U.S. crops.

It was only in 1997 that the United States lifted a ban on Mexican avocados that had been in place since 1914 to prevent a range of weevils, scabs, and pests from entering U.S. orchards.

The inspectors work for the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services.

It is not the first time that the violence in Michoacanwhere the Jalisco cartel is fighting turf wars against a collection of local gangs known as the United Cartelshas threatened avocados, the states most lucrative crop.

After a previous incident in 2019, the USDA had warned about the possible consequences of attacking or threatening U.S. inspectors.

In August 2019, a U.S. Department of Agriculture team of inspectors was directly threatened in Ziracuaretiro, a town just west of Uruapan. While the agency didnt specify what happened, local authorities say a gang robbed the truck the inspectors were traveling in at gunpoint.

The USDA wrote in a letter at the time that, For future situations that result in a security breach, or demonstrate an imminent physical threat to the well-being of APHIS personnel, we will immediately suspend program activities.

Many avocado growers in Michoacan say drug gangs threaten them or their family members with kidnapping or death unless they pay protection money, sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars per acre.

On Sept. 30, 2020, a Mexican employee of APHIS was killed near the northern border city of Tijuana.

Mexican prosecutors said Edgar Flores Santos was killed by drug traffickers who may have mistaken him for a policeman and a suspect was arrested. The U.S. State Department said investigations concluded this unfortunate incident was a case of Mr. Flores being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The avocado ban was just the latest threat to Mexicos export trade stemming from the governments inability to rein in illegal activities.

On Thursday, the U.S. Trade Representatives Office filed an environmental complaint against Mexico for failing to stop illegal fishing to protect the critically endangered vaquita marina, the worlds smallest porpoise.

The office said it had asked for environment consultations with Mexico, the first such case it has filed under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade pact. Consultations are the first step in the dispute resolution process under the trade agreement, which entered into force in 2020. If not resolved, it could eventually lead to trade sanctions.

Mexicos government has largely abandoned attempts to enforce a fishing-free zone around an area where the last few vaquitas are believed to live in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. Nets set illegally for another fish, the totoaba, drown vaquitas.

And on Monday, Mexican fishing boats in the Gulf of Mexico were prohibited from entering U.S. ports, will be denied port access and services, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said, in response to years of Mexican boats illegally poaching red snapper in U.S. waters in the Gulf.

By Mark Stevenson
Victoria Government Funds Support for LGBTIQ+ Community Following Shelving of the Religious Bill

The Victorian Labor Government has announced further funding for organisations that support the LGBTIQ+ groups in response to unnecessary, hurtful public debate around legal protections for young LGBTIQ+ Australians, following the shelving of the religious discrimination bill.

The religious bill passed the lower house of the federal parliament on Feb. 10 after the Coalition agreed to amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act (SDA), which will prevent religious schools from excluding gay and lesbian students.

This amendment did not extend to transgender students, which prompted five Liberal MPs to cross the floor in the lower house.

However, the bill has since been withdrawn indefinitely after Labor, and the government voted to remove the legislation from the Senates agenda on Feb. 10, with the Coalition saying it has received legal advice suggesting the amendments could fuel discrimination against children.

Following this withdrawal, the Victorian Labor Government released a statement on Feb. 13 promising a $200,000 package for local organisations that provide support to the LGBTIQ+ community, with Victorian Premier Dan Andrews tying the funding to the recent religious discrimination bill, for which he said: the Commonwealth government ought to be ashamed.

The Victorian minister for education and mental health, James Merlino, said that the debate in Canberra has put our young LGBTIQ+ communities at risk and that the government is sending a message to queer and gender diverse Victorians a message that in this state, you are loved supported and welcome to be exactly who you are.

Aside from the additional funding into LGBTIQ+ support groups, the Victorian Budget 2021/22 has also invested $26.2 million into other mental health organisations for minority groups, including $7 million to expand Rainbow Door, a free LGBTIQ+ support helpline.

According to the Victorian Government, 5.7 percent of Victorians are identified as LGBTIQ+, whilst statistics by Profile Id from 2016 show that around 47.9 percent of Victorians are Christians, with 10.6 percent of people that are religious but non-Christian and 31.9 percent who nominated no religion.

Victoria amended the Equal Opportunities Act in 2021 (pdf), limiting the religious schools to being only allowed to the preference for employees for roles where adherence to religious principles is inherent for the role.

Additionally, for roles that need adherence to religious principles and beliefs, the preference is restricted to employees religious beliefs and activity, but discrimination based on the persons sexual orientation, sexual activity, gender identity and marital status cannot be applied.

The religious discrimination bill sought to overrule these amendments, allowing religious schools and organisations to have a preference in hiring staff that identified with the ethos of the school, but this did not apply to aged care homes and places that primarily provided care and hospitality.

The Australian Christian Lobby has announced its withdrawal of support for the bill on Feb. 10, saying the proposed legislation was intended to help faith-based schools, but now they do more harm than good.

Taking away protections for Christian schools is a price too high to pay for the passage of the Religious Discrimination Bill, ACL director Wendy Francis said.

The loss of this protection would outweigh any benefits that could be obtained by the religious discrimination bill.

The Superannuation Minister Jane Hume said despite members of the government crossing the floor, the Coalition wanted to get the balance right on the legislation.

We dont want to see any children expelled from school ever on the basis of their sexual identity, she told the ABC. But at the same time, we want to make sure we respect the rights of parents to choose to send their children to a school thats a single-sex school.

The bill had been referred to the Australian Law Reform Commission to be examined.
The human body is a marvel on a level that can be hard to grasp with our limited human brains.

With all that we know now about human anatomy, there are still many enduring mysteries about the way our bodies work, especially our brains. One of the most enduring of these mysteries is exactly how, with all the visual input constantly bombarding our eyes, we humans manage to have a stable view of the world.

This question is of keen interest to Mauro Manassi and David Whitney. Manassi, who has a doctorate in neuroscience, is a lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Whitney, whose doctorate is from Harvard University and whose primary research interest is also cognitive neuroscience, is a professor of psychology at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley. The two teamed up to perform a simple but ingenious series of experiments that may change the way we think about visual perception. Their research, published in Science Advances on Jan. 12, indicates that our brains actively average visual input in a way that keeps our perceptions about 15 seconds in the past.

With Constant Eye Movement, Why Isnt the World Choppy?

Like the images produced by movie cameras, our eyes send frequent snapshots of visual information to our brains. When we watch a movie, the projector only shows us still pictures in each frame, jumping from one to the next 24 times per second, but our brains perceive it as continuous motion.

In real life, our eyes are also always moving: As you read this right now, your eyes arent scrolling smoothly across the words, but jerking across each line in three or four jumps, then jumping from the end of one line to the beginning of the next. And you do this without feeling seasick. Instead, your brain perceives a smooth, continuous picture of the text. But if we were to move a movie camera like we move our eyes, the resulting film would be rough and hard to watch, like an avant-garde experimental movie. The images would be so choppy that we would likely experience motion sickness.

Why then, do humans see the world in smooth, stable images?

Something neuroscientists call change blindness is often cited as the mechanism that supports image stability. According to research published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2018, change blindness is when a stimulus undergoes change without this being noticed by its observer. In other words, our brains dont perceive changes when those changes arent big enough to matter. While several studies have shown that the human brain engages in change blindness, this is a passive mechanism. However, what Manassi and Whitney argue is that the brain is also actively smoothing out the images our eyes take in.

The phenomenon of actively smoothing our perception has a name: perceptual serial dependence. In other words, our brains try to see different images over time as a related series rather than a bunch of random snapshots. Perceptual series dependence, as the scientists said, causes objects at any moment to be misperceived as being more similar to those in the recent past. Their research suggests that we literally dont see an object in front of us as it is now. Instead, we see it as it was in the past.

Using Amazons Mechanical Turk, a crowdsourcing platform, Manassi and Whitney paid subjects 20 cents each for participating in what they described to participants as a Very very very short survey. Qualifying subjects were then sent to an online study. For the first experiment, the scientists started with two images of the same face at different ages. They asked different groups of people to rate the ages of the person in the young photo and the old photo. The average age estimated for the first photo was 13 and 25.5 for the second photo. These ratings gave the researchers reference ages for each image.

Heres where things start to get interesting. The subjects attraction to the past was strongest when the object in front of them changed slowly. Then the subjects were shown an image identical to the old image and asked again to rate the subjects age. After watching the 30-second clip, the subjects consistently rated the subjects age as younger than the reference age, by about five years.

Intrigued by this result, the scientists tried the same experiment in reverse, morphing the old image to the young image in the course of a 30-second movie. Then the subjects were shown the young face and asked to rate it. This time the subjects rated the age an average of five years older than the reference age. It seemed that the brain held onto the past image rather than the image it was currently seeing.

Are We Really Seeing the Past?

In this study, the subjects attraction to the past was strongest when the object in front of them changed slowly. Abrupt changes appeared to trigger more frequent image updates in the brain. The researchers confirmed this by breaking up the original smooth image progression into jump cuts, trying six steps from young to old, four steps, and even just showing the first face for 15 seconds and then jumping straight to the ending face for 15 seconds. They found that fewer steps produced more accurate age ratings. Yet even the jump from the first image to the last image still made subjects estimate the end face to be about two years younger than they judged it when they were just given a still picture. This might sound like support for the change blindness theory, with continuous changes being too small for our brains to perceive. However, the researchers had made sure the changes were perceptible.

To eliminate the possibility that the illusion was specific to how we perceive age, Manassi and Whitney redid the experiment with images that morphed from male to female and from female to male and again saw similar results.

To rule out the possibility that our brains tend simply to favor the center, they also used a movie that aged an image from 14.6 to 20.5 and another that went from 25.5 to 20.5. In the first case, the subjects rated the image as younger (19.1 years) than the reference age. In the second case, they rated the identical image as older (22.1 years). Since the results were based on which movie the subjects were shown, the researchers concluded that the illusion wasnt due to a tendency for the brain to be biased toward the center of what the eyes see.

Do We Live in the Past as Well?

This study raises some fascinating questions: What does our brains tendency to pull toward the pasta seemingly literal inability to see whats right in front of usmean for human psychology? Do other parts of our brains prioritize the past as much as the part that processes visual input? Do we actively smooth out other types of information that we receive such that we may actually be simplifying or even misperceiving things? Do our brains see much of our world as it was and not as it is?

Practitioners of Zen Buddhism remind their students to be mindful, to fully experience each moment, and to live in the present. As Shunryu Suzuki, a Zen monk and teacher, wrote in the prologue to his 1970 book, Zen Mind, Beginners Mind, In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few.

This new research suggests that our brains literally arent seeing things as they are in the present. If we want to engage with the world as it actually is and not as our brains see and perceive it, we may need to continually remind ourselves that we arent, in fact, seeing things as they are.

Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D., an award-winning science journalist and book author, is a frequent contributor to the Epoch Times. A sought-after speaker, she has worked on a child survival campaign in Niger, West Africa; spoken out against child slavery on primetime television in Paris, France; and taught post-colonial literature to non-traditional college students in Atlanta, Ga. Sign up for her free weekly emails at www.JenniferMargulis.net.
A logo of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is seen as people attend the WEF annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 24, 2018. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse/File Photo)

World Economic Forum Endorses Critical Race Theory

The World Economic Forum (WEF), a champion of the Great Reset economic initiative, has weighed in on the issue of critical race theory (CRT), seeking to cast supporters of the Marxist ideology in an honorable light.

In a video framed to look like a neutral explainer, the WEF defines CRT as a legal theory, arguing that laws, rules, and regulations that govern society today have been shaped by the historical subordination of people of color, and that this is a driving force behind racial inequality today.

To illustrate the assertion that racism isnt just a relic of the past but is woven into Americas institutions, the WEF points to the high incarceration rate among black Americans.

Take the U.S. criminal justice system, for example, it states. While everyone is seen as equal under the law, Black Americans are imprisoned at five times the rate of white people.

CRT says this disparity is a legacy of Americas racist past.

Opponents of CRT miss the point when they complain how the concept paints all white people as bigots, the video states, adding that from a CRT perspective, a system doesnt need racists working within it to produce racially imbalanced outcomes.

The WEF posted the video on Twitter along with a link to an article that also takes an apologist stance in favor of CRT. When it comes to the debate over the injection of CRT into American schools, the WEF article claims that states passed anti-CRT laws to limit the teaching of Black history and racism, even as many of those laws explicitly say they dont restrict classroom discussions on those topics.

Social and racial justice has been a part of the WEF agenda since the beginning of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, which the globalist elites of the Davos, Switzerland-based organization see as a rare but narrow window of opportunity to overhaul the worlds economic and social structure. The Great Reset, according to WEF founder and Chairman Klaus Schwab, will require societies to not go back to their pre-pandemic normalcy, but to adopt the changes imposed on them and fight against what he called systemic racism.

The COVID-19 crisis has shown us that our old systems are not fit any more for the 21st century, Schwab said in June 2020 at the 50th WEF annual meeting. It has laid bare the fundamental lack of social cohesion, fairness, inclusion, and equality.

While its no secret that the WEF has been actively pushing an agenda to hardwire social justice into economies, its sympathetic take on CRT still drew much criticism, especially from conservatives.

Insane pro-CRT propaganda video, wrote author and filmmaker Christopher Rufo, who became a household name for his work exposing the quiet infiltration of CRT in schools and businesses.

Why would the World Economic Forum come out in support of Critical Race Theory? asked James Lindsay, an author and critic of leftist activism. Because theyre the ones who want to divide our society with this Marxist theory or any other tool they can use to break the world and seize power.

Run from the WEF working-class people, Canadian psychology professor Jordan Peterson warned.

This isnt the first time the WEFs Great Reset agenda has triggered a backlash on social media. Last year, the WEF was called out of touch and tone-deaf after it claimed lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic were quietly improving cities across the globe.

There were record falls in air pollution, clearing city skies from Asia to America. But by late 2020, it had returned to pre-pandemic levels, the WEF stated in a video posted on Twitter. Carbon emissions were also down 7 percent last year, but the drop wont slow climate change unless we lock in emissions cuts.

The WEF later deleted the video and admitted that the lockdowns didnt actually improve cities, but offered no apology.

Were deleting this tweet. Lockdowns arent quietly improving cities around the world, it said. But they are an important part of the public health response to COVID-19.
Xi Jinping and CCP Do Not Speak for the People of China: Survey Findings

The one-sidedness of official Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rhetoric and propaganda should not be taken to indicate a lack of diversity of viewpoint on the part of the Chinese population or general public agreement with CCP positions, according to a new report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based think tank.

The report, titled Public Opinion in China: A Silent Liberal Majority?, presents extensive quantitative research and polling data amassed by Stanford University professors Jennifer Pan and Yiqing Xu that directly contravene the notion of a monolithic populace that shares or assents to official propaganda.

A wide diversity of opinion exists whether the issue is politics within China, the rules for participating in the political process and taking part in public demonstrations, the number of children that couples are permitted to have, the uses of private capital, land ownership, trade and tariffs, foreign and military policy, or the role of the press and the need to accommodate foreign journalists who seek to report on China.

The authors of the CSIS report, Ilaria Mazzocco and Scott Kennedy, do not blame outsiders for having misconstrued public opinion within China to be somewhat monolithic. In their view, this is an understandable consequence of centralized autocratic power and the lack of political freedoms familiar to people in the West.

Increasing centralization of power in China and reduced in-person exchanges with the West have driven the perception that only one persons views in China matter: Xi Jinpings. In addition to not having much power, most assume that Chinese citizens views are largely shaped by the CCP propaganda machine, the authors of the report write.

This is a simplistic view, out of touch with the realities of a country among whose 1.4 billion people a considerable diversity of viewpoint is only to be expected.

Not all citizens are supportive of government policies, nor do all their views reflect state propaganda. And, despite the risks, they are willing to share their opinions, the authors of the report state.

The authors present the survey data culled by professors Pan and Xu as evidence that the populace in general is more liberal than expected and more liberal than the official positions of their government. Here it is important to specify that the authors use the term liberal in the sense of classical liberalism, that is, manifesting a general pro-market and pro-free speech stance, and an aversion to overregulation and state control.

Personal Rights and Families in China

When it comes to one of the most basic and personal of all rights, the right to reproduce freely and without concern for state-imposed limits and quotas, many people in China have decided views at odds with CCP orthodoxy and with the one-child policy with which CCP officials had long sought to keep birthrates down.

Surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019 respectively asked respondents whether they agreed that the regime has no right to interfere with the question of whether to have children or how many to have. In the first of these two surveys, 23.5 percent of respondents said they strongly agreed with this statement, 23.4 percent that they agreed, 27.3 percent that they were neutral, 16 percent that they disagreed, and 6.5 percent that they strongly disagreed.

In the survey the following year, the numbers were mostly the same but respondents who strongly agreed that the regime should stay out edged up to 25.7 percent of the total, while 22.3 percent agreed, 25.8 percent were neutral, 16.9 percent disagreed, and 6 percent strongly disagreed.

With regard to the broader question of whether people should be able to hold and express views at odds with official state positions, results again conveyed a high degree of liberalism as defined by the reports authors. A total of 21.4 percent of respondents in the first (2018) poll strongly agreed that people should be allowed to voice positive or negative views toward state policies, 36.7 percent agreed, 25.9 percent were neutral, 8.9 percent disagreed, and 4.2 percent strongly disagreed.

In the 2019 poll on the same question, the number who strongly agreed had gone up to 22.8 percent, while 36.4 percent agreed, 26.8 percent were neutral, 8.2 percent disagreed, and 4.3 percent strongly disagreed.

The pollsters asked respondents for their views on a related proposition: that there should be limits on gatherings in public and participation in public demonstrations. This would appear to be an especially sensitive question in China ever since the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations and massacre. Some are afraid to speak out on the topic at all, even anonymously to a pollster, as evidenced by the finding that 4.3 percent and 4.0 percent of participants in the respective 2018 and 2019 surveys refused to give an answer.

In the 2018 survey, 9.9 percent strongly agreed that there should be limits, 21.8 percent agreed, 37 percent were neutral, 18.4 disagreed, and 8.6 percent strongly disagreed. In the 2019 survey, the corresponding figures were 9.5 percent, 23.9 percent, 34.8 percent, 20.1 percent, and 7.6 percent respectively.

Economic Policy and State Intervention in the Economy

With respect to the fiscal and economic stances of Xi Jinpings regime, the report is unambiguous about CCP tendencies in recent years. Besides its growing political authoritarianism, the report argues, Xis regime has intervened in the workings of the economy even more aggressively than past Beijing administrations. The report describes the state capitalism practiced under Xi as encompassing a crackdown on the private sector and an increasing reliance on state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

In order to gauge public sentiment on these trends, the pollsters asked participants a question that bears directly on the fundamental relationship between the state and the economy, namely, whether they agreed that private capital should be encouraged to launch private hospitals for the sake of offering convenient and state-of-the-art care to those who can afford to pay more. The results are telling. In the 2018 survey, 18.6 percent of respondents strongly agreed, 34.7 percent agreed, 25.7 percent were neutral, 11.5 percent disagreed, and 7 percent strongly disagreed. In the 2019 survey, the corresponding figures were 14.3 percent, 33 percent, 25.8 percent, 14.3 percent, and 5.9 percent.

Beyond the specific level of acceptance of private investment in healthcare, the responses also show that the public is willing to accept a certain level of inequality in what the state treats as a public good. This is important because inequality is increasingly politicized in China and is the main target of the Xi administrations common prosperity program, the authors state.

When presented with another proposition that goes to the heart of the state-society relationshipthat individuals should be allowed to own, buy, and sell landthe results are equally telling. In the 2018 survey, 4.4 percent refused to answer, 12.1 percent strongly agreed, 21.1 percent agreed, 27.4 percent were neutral, 21.4 percent disagreed, and 13.6 percent strongly disagreed. In the 2019 survey, the corresponding figures were 3.8 percent, 9.7 percent, 20 percent, 26.4 percent, 24 percent, and 16.2 percent.

But the Chinese publics views are not predictable across all areas and categories of state intervention. The pollsters found significant support for high tariffs on imported goods, to shield domestic industries from foreign competitors. In the 2018 survey, 4.2 percent refused to answer while 17.4 percent strongly agreed with high tariffs, 28 percent agreed, 31.4 percent were neutral, 13.6 percent disagreed, and 5.4 percent strongly disagreed. In the 2019 survey, the figures were 4.5 percent, 14.6 percent, 26.6 percent, 33.3 percent, 16.2 percent, and 4.8 percent.

Military and Foreign Policy

In their surveys of the Chinese publics opinions on questions of military and foreign policy, the pollsters again found strong support for views more closely aligned with classical liberalism than with the dictates of the CCP, and found support for diplomacy rather than trying to crush Beijings enemies by force.

One of the propositions put to respondents was, The government should safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity as much as possible through diplomatic and economic means to avoid military conflicts. In the 2018 survey, 39.6 percent strongly agreed, 36.6 percent agreed, 17.9 percent were neutral, and 4.9 percent disagreed. In the 2019 survey, 39.2 percent strongly agreed, 37.3 percent agreed, 15 percent were neutral, and 5.2 percent disagreed. Here it is notable that no responses were in the strongly disagree category.

Finally, results were mixed with regard to the proposition that journalists who produce negative coverage about China should be allowed into the country. In the 2018 survey, 9.4 percent strongly agreed, 15.9 percent agreed, 25.5 percent were neutral, 21.6 percent disagreed, and 24.8 percent strongly disagreed. In the 2019 survey, the figures were 5.5 percent, 14.3 percent, 24 percent, 22.7 percent, and 30.2 percent.

The report states that the combined sample size for each pair of 2018 and 2019 surveys was 2,329 respondents.
OTTAWA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Canada's neighbor, the United States, is "on the precipice of becoming a failed democratic state," and Canada should plan its possible responses and prepare for what comes next, according to an article published by the media network the Conversation on Sunday.

"Failing to do so will put our own democracy at risk," said Robert Danisch, a communications professor at the University of Waterloo.

The professor voiced his concern that the violence witnessed on Jan. 6, 2021, in the U.S. Capitol "was not an isolated event but the beginning of something bigger," adding the combination of media outlets like Fox News and anti-democratic, authoritarian rhetoric is "exactly a recipe for the contagious spread of the kinds of behaviours that can threaten our own democracy."

He then raised several critical questions for Canada. For example, "How will Canada combat the virulent spread of propaganda and misinformation when it comes directly from a government pretending to be democratic while enacting fascism?" Danisch wrote.

In response, the professor urged "a national conversation on these urgent questions," which he believes will require Canadians to "shore up our own democracy and to learn how to regulate and prevent the spread of authoritarian rhetoric, hate speech and other forms of misinformation in the United States." 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a joint news conference at the Mariinsky palace in Kyiv on Aug. 22, 2021. (Sergey Dolzhenko/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Zelensky Says Ukraine to Persist With NATO Goal Amid Escalating Tension With Russia

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed Monday that joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is still the goal of his country.

There is no signal from us that NATO membership is not our goal, he told reporters after he met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv.

However, he acknowledged that the path for Russias neighbor will be long because NATOs open door policy has no specific deadlines.

Zelensky made the statement after Ukrainian Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko told BBC they could drop their NATO bid to avoid war with Russia.

When asked if Kyiv could change its position on NATO membership, Prystaiko was quoted as saying, We mightespecially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it.

He backtracked his comments later and said dropping the bid for NATO membership is not an option.

We are not a member of NATO right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in conversations with the Russians, Prystaiko said during a separate interview with the BBC. It has nothing to do with NATO which is enshrined in the constitution.

Tensions at the Russia-Ukraine border have been escalating in recent weeks after Russia moved more than 100,000 troops and heavy weapons within striking distance of Ukraine.

The United States warned that an invasion of Ukraine by Russia can happen in days.

Several countries withdrew personnel from Ukraine and urged citizens to leave.

However, Russia denied accusations that it plans to invade Ukraine.

U.S. Army troops of the 82nd Airborne Division unloading vehicles from a transport plane after arriving from Fort Bragg, at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport in southeastern Poland, on Feb. 6, 2022. (Czarek Sokolowski/AP Photo)

Ukraine is not a member of NATO, which promised in 2008 that the former Soviet country would eventually be given the opportunity to join, a step that would bring the U.S.-led alliance to Russias border.

Back in February 2019, then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a constitutional amendment committing the country to becoming a member of NATO and the European Union after the parliament passed the bill.

Poroshenko told the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine days after he signed the amendment that joining NATO is a guarantee of security for Ukraine.

One of the main conclusions that we all, as a society, must make from the last five years is the unconditional strategic course of Ukraine towards NATO and the European Union  Ukraine in NATO is a guarantee of our security, he said.

On the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin says Ukraines growing ties with the alliance could make it a launchpad for NATO missiles targeted at Russia.

He says Russia needs to lay down red lines to prevent that.

Ukrainian Military Forces servicemen attend a military drill with Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) Swedish-British anti-aircraft missile launchers at the firing ground of the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security, near the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Jan. 28, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)

The Kremlin recently declined to deescalate tensions with Ukraine, saying the United States and NATO failed to address fundamental security concerns of Moscow: that NATO stops its eastward expansion and that strike weapons not be deployed near Russian borders, according to a statement obtained by Russian State Media TASS.

It was emphasized that these issues would be central in our assessment of the documents received from the U.S. and NATO, which would be brought to the notice of our colleagues, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly told Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a call on Saturday.

Washington and NATO have an open mind about Ukraine joining NATO.

From our perspective, I cant be more clearNATOs door is open, remains open, and that is our commitment, Blinken said in late January, though he renewed an offer of reciprocal measures to address mutual security concerns between Russia and NATO, including missile reductions in Europe.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday insisted on upholding NATOs open policy amid the Russia-Ukraine tension.

I think that its very important that we have a dialogue, that we have a conversation, but what we cant do is trade away the sovereign rights of the Ukrainian people to aspire to NATO membership, he said.

Reuters contributed to the report.
Connecticut gave the green light to recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older last year, but more than 40 percent of cities and towns are saying no  at least for now.

The states recreational cannabis law, which went into effect last July, allows municipalities to develop their own rules, including whether to prohibit marijuana establishments from opening within their borders.

As retail sales are expected to start later this year, at least 75 of Connecticuts 169 municipalities have instituted bans or moratoriums, according to a Hearst Connecticut Media Group analysis. Many are smaller rural and suburban towns, but some cities have also announced they are not interested in these businesses opening in their communities.

More News Map: CT towns that have banned recreational cannabis businesses

Hearst Connecticut Media has gathered information on more than 120 municipalities by distributing surveys, conducting interviews with local officials and reviewing news articles and municipal records.

An analysis found that at least 22 municipalities have established bans and 53 have imposed moratoriums.

Many local officials have cited the need for more time to review the state law, craft new regulations and solicit public feedback.

Industry advocates say prohibiting sales or cannabis businesses means towns will miss out on economic growth and tax revenues.

It doesnt change consumer habits other than the fact that consumers end up driving to another jurisdiction, said Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association.

In other states that have taken similar tactics, municipalities that initially banned the businesses eventually opened up to them, Smith added.

Thats similar to the line of thinking in towns such as East Hartford, where officials have created a detailed web page to answer questions about the zoning regulations for recreational cannabis businesses.

I think the general sentiment of the community as a whole was that it was legalized by the state of Connecticut, said Eileen Buckheit, East Hartfords director of development. We thought it was inevitable that it was going to be in the state of Connecticut, and we would rather participate in that and take advantage of the sales tax.

Some Connecticut cities and towns moved quickly, enacting prohibitions  temporary or more permanent  soon after it became legal for people 21 and older to posses and consume marijuana in the state.

Newtown banned all cannabis establishments the same day the law went into effect, with officials there expressing concern about unintended consequences. Other municipalities that acted early were Danbury and Ridgefield, which both imposed one-year moratoriums on cannabis businesses, and Greenwich, which banned the sale of recreational cannabis, citing a conflict between state and federal law, which classifies marijuana as illegal.

When the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the zoning regulations regarding the ban, the merits of recreational or medicinal marijuana were not considered on topic, Katie DeLuca, Greenwichs director of planning and zoning, said in an emailed statement. The reason is that they found that there was a legal conflict between state and federal law in that state law permits such uses and federal law does not. In such instances, federal law takes precedent.

The town of Cheshire passed a moratorium last month on recreational cannabis businesses, but exempted cultivators and micro-cultivators following a request from a local businessman who told the Planning and Zoning Commission that he planned to apply for a lottery license.

Fairfield County has a large concentration of towns with bans or moratoriums. Bridgeport and Stamford, the two largest cities in the county, do not have either. Norwalk, on the other hand, is likely to impose a nine-month moratorium. In addition to Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport and Weston all have bans.

But some of those without bans have instituted strict zoning regulations around where the businesses can be located. In Bridgeport, for example, the citys Planning and Zoning Commission in December restricted them to industrial areas where strip clubs and adult stores are located.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a national group that opposes cannabis commercialization, favors strict zoning in towns that allow cannabis, said Kevin Sabet, the groups founder and a cannabis critic.

While we encourage towns to opt-out of legal sales and production in states that have legalized, SAM also advocates for strong zoning regulations in towns that decide to have retail stores, Sabet wrote in an emailed statement.

Many towns along the border with Massachusetts, which legalized recreational marijuana in 2016 and opened retail stores in late 2018, have largely not issued any kind of prohibition or taken up the issue. Border towns Granby, Stafford and Woodstock all have moratoriums in place.

Other municipalities such as Andover, Middletown and Norwich are rolling out the welcoming mat.

Andover is actively recruiting cannabis businesses in the town," town administrator Eric Anderson said in an email.

Middletowns Planning and Zoning Commission approved regulations last August to allow the cultivation and sale of marijuana in certain parts of the city.

The Norwich Community Development Corporation, the citys economic development arm, has a page on its website dedicated to the industry, which says the cannabis industry, in all its forms, is welcome in the City of Norwich.

A driving factor is that parts of Norwich have been identified as disproportionately impacted areas, which receive preferential treatment for cannabis business licenses, said Kevin Brown, executive director of NCDC.

The identified census tracts, including in Norwich, were chosen based on unemployment rates and percent of residents who have been convicted in drug crimes  a way of steering benefits to places hardest hit by the now-discredited war on drugs launched by former President Richard Nixon in 1971.

If the state has recognized that Norwich should and stands to gain from that then we should take advantage of that opportunity, Brown said.

Restrictions in other communities indicate to us here to leverage and seize that opportunity, he added.

The law allows municipalities to impose a 3 percent sales tax on cannabis businesses, which could have a huge impact in a city the size of Norwich, Brown said. He spoke with one potential cannabis retailer who gave him a conservative estimate of $20 million in sales annually.

Three percent of $20 million is a good chunk of change for the city, Brown said. Given Norwich is authorized to have two retail facilities, that could result in over $1 million in local tax revenue.

You can hire 20 cops with that money, he said. You can hire 20 youth and family services staff with that money.
Contributed / Norwalk Police Department

NORWALK  City police say a man convicted of sexually abusing a child younger than 12 in Florida was charged with abusing a child in in Norwalk more than a decade ago.

Jeffrey Jubin was charged with third-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor, Norwalk police said in a statement Monday. Norwalk police said the 59-year-old was arrested last Thursday after detectives with the departments Special Victims Unit traveled to Miami to take him into custody on an arrest warrant from 2009.
NORWALK  A former city police officer arrested last week created more than 30 fake traffic violations over the span of about four months, according to the warrant for his arrest.

Edgar Gonzalez, 31, of Stamford, resigned in June after an investigation into his traffic stop reports yielded evidence that he fabricated 33 traffic violations between February and April 2021, the warrant said.

Gonzalez, a Stamford resident, was charged last week with five counts of third-degree computer crime and five counts of second-degree forgery, according to the state judicial database.

Gonzalez, who was a five-year veteran of the departments patrol division, has been released after posting $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

An investigation began last May after a person contacted police when they discovered a Google alert showed their name was included on the departments website for being issued a traffic warning, the warrant stated. A Google alert is an email a user receives based on keywords, like their name, that they went to be notified about when its posted online.

(The male victim) said he was never stopped by a Norwalk police officer and was never issued a warning, Detective Sgt. Lee Young wrote in the warrant. A further review of Gonzalezs CAD (Computer Aired Dispatch) activity for that day showed that Gonzalez self-reported a total of 10 traffic stops ... which included 10 e-ticket warnings, but not the issuance of any actual infractions tickets.

The log said the man was stopped April 21, which the victim said was not possible as he was ill at the time and remained in a hotel in Norwalk for a three-day period, according to the warrant.

Each city police vehicle is equipped with a Mobile Data Terminal and officers are required to include in traffic reports the motorists drivers license number, car make and model, registration information, traffic stop location and time and the road and traffic conditions at the time, according to the warrant.

However, many of Gonzalezs self-reported traffic stops were incomplete and missing drivers license numbers, races and genders, the warrant stated.

I also saw the same pattern where the citation information is incomplete where the sex, race, operator number and involvement information is incomplete, Young wrote in the warrant.

Additionally, officers all have access to the Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing system, which allows them to run license plates and drivers license numbers, according to the warrant.

No body camera footage exists of any of the noted traffic stops and, in some cases, Gonzalezs vehicle locator showed he was not at the location of the supposed traffic incidents at the times indicated on his reports, the warrant stated.

The 17-page arrest warrant, obtained in early February, does not offer an explanation why police believe Gonzalez allegedly issued the falsified traffic warnings. In the warrant, the detective also made no mention of interviewing Gonzalez during the course of investigation.

In one instance, Gonzalez falsified a traffic report involving a 2020 Nissan Altima, the warrant stated. When the woman identified in the report was contacted, she denied being pulled over on that date and has no Nissan registered in her name.

After realizing it was a rental vehicle, Gonzalez scanned the license plate of a car in view at the time  the female victims vehicle  and took the operators license number and information to input into the fake report, according to the warrant.

The affiant (Young) believes Officer Gonzalez realized after running the above registration through COLLECT that it was a rental car and that to complete the fictitious traffic stop he needed operator information, Young wrote. (The female victim) lives 0.5-tenths of a mile from where Officer Gonzalez self-initiated this fictitious traffic stop and where (the female victim) parks her 2004 Acura. ... That all Officer Gonzalez would have to do is get the above registration and run same through COLLECT to get the operator information.

In another instance, Gonzalez listed pulling over a man from New York, the warrant stated. The victim said his wife had been in Norwalk on that date, but was not pulled over, according to the warrant.

The citation information was incomplete, but the traffic data information he put gender as male and race as white, Young wrote in the warrant. Officer Gonzalez would have known the operator was a female if he had actually stopped the above vehicle.

Vehicle location data showed Gonzalez was also not in the area at the time listed on the report, the warrant stated.

On April 21, without traveling in his vehicle, Gonzalez reported four traffic incidents on Main and Glover avenues, where he was not located, according to the warrant.

While reviewing Gonzalezs other self-reported incidents, Young found a pattern of fake traffic stops with incomplete information. Young contacted 20 of the 33 seemingly random victims whose names were used in the fake reports, according to the warrant.

By using the COLLECT database to falsify traffic stop information, Gonzalez violated its training and use policy, which resulted in the computer crimes charges, the warrant stated.

The states preliminary findings were shared with the Stamford states attorney, who called for a criminal investigation, Norwalk police spokesperson Sgt. Sofia Gulino said. Gonzalez resigned from the department amid the probe in June, Gulino said.

abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
Here are some highlights of bills introduced to the Illinois General Assembly in the past week.

Senate Bill 4154, introduced by State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Champaign, on Feb. 9, would amend the Criminal Code of 2012, providing that any person who sells or gives any firearm to any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of Illinois or any other jurisdiction is guilty of a Class X felony for which they shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 and not more than 30 years. The bill has added eight Republican co-sponsors in the Senate.

Senate Bill 4155, also introduced by Rose on Feb. 9, would create the Fund the Police Grant Fund, providing that money received by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board from the fund must be used for the purpose of grants to units of local government for distinct purposes.

Those purposes include the hiring, rehiring, and retention of law enforcement officers, including hiring and retention incentives and overtime; funding body camera mandates, including the purchase, storage, and other necessary expenses for these programs and purchasing equipment to keep officers and communities safe; funding additional law enforcement training; assisting with outreach and community policing activities and assisting with mental health treatment for individuals in county jails.

SB 4165, introduced by Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, on Feb. 10, would amend the Children and Family Services Act. The bill would provide that a child protective investigator is authorized to carry and use personal protection spray devices including mace, pepper mace or pepper gas for self-defense purposes while investigating a report of child abuse or neglect if the investigator has been trained on the proper use of such personal protection spray by the Illinois State Police.

The bill would further require the ISP to establish a training program for child protective investigators on the proper use of personal protection spray devices for self-defense purposes. The Department of Children and Family Services would be required to provide funding for the training program.

House Bill 5597, introduced by State Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, on Feb. 9, would require the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, to update its eligibility verification and enrollment processing system to allow for automatic enrollment of all eligible uninsured childless adults into the medical assistance program.

Hospitals, community-based organizations and other entities would be authorized to screen and identify for medical assistance uninsured childless adults aged 19 or older, but younger than 65, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for medical assistance. The uninsured childless adult would be enrolled in the medical assistance program upon verification of eligibility.

Flowers also introduced HB 5598 on Feb. 9, which would amend a provision exempting ground ambulance services from the managed care medical assistance program. The bill would require the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to arrange the scheduling of ground ambulance services whenever managed care enrollees require transportation assistance. Such services would be paid under the state's traditional fee-for-service program effective immediately.

Rep. David Friess, R-Red Bud, introduced HB 5686 on Feb. 10, which would provide that no county employee or county official shall publicly disclose on an internet website information concerning whether a particular property has been granted a homestead exemption based on an individual's status as a person with a disability if the county receives a written request from that person with a disability or from that person's authorized agent or representative to refrain from disclosing that information. It provides that the information shall be removed from the internet website within five business days after the request.
BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Vaccination among students should occur according to the basic principles of informed consent and voluntariness, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission said on Sunday.

The commission said, in a statement, that it opposes mandatory vaccination or taking vaccination as a prerequisite for students to participate in classes and activities in schools and kindergartens.

The safety and health of students should always receive top priority, the commission said, adding that the vaccination work should be carried out steadily and orderly under the guidance of disease control and prevention department. 
MARYVILLE  The Metro Area Professional Organization (MAPO) is gearing up for its annual recognition event, and this year, its back on its normal schedule.

MAPO will host its 12th annual Honors Dinner at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at the Meridian Ballroom in the Morris University Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

MAPO, which is based out of Maryville, is composed of professional and para-professional communities. Volunteers use their time for planning and securing help for those who need guidance in order to achieve a well-rounded life through the use of tools; religious, secular, educational and social networking. Membership dues are $50 per member.

For the May 21 event at SIUE, MAPO will honor professionals in a variety of categories, including government, clergy, law, education, medical, veterans, news media, entrepreneurs and Rising Stars (Our Youth).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 11th annual Honors Dinner was postponed and moved from SIUE and was held on Sept. 18, 2021, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville.

Among the honorees were five newly elected mayors from the Metro East  Art Risavy (Edwardsville), Bob Marcus (Glen Carbon), David Goins (Alton), Patty Gregory (Belleville) and Herb Roach (OFallon).

The mayor from Belleville was the first female mayor their city has elected, while the mayor of Alton was their first African American mayor, said Dorothy Owens, who Is the founder of MAPO along with her husband, Rev. John Q. Owens.

We also awarded four scholarships to high school and college students, including one to St. Louis Community College, two to Collinsville District 10 and one to East St. Louis District 189.

Two of MAPOs members, David and Marian Hoskin of Collinsville, celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary on Jan. 24. They continue to play a vital role in the organization.

They have been with MAPO since its inception, and they are our outreach coordinators, Owens said. They work diligently for events like our Holiday Shoutout (clothing giveaway, held Dec. 4 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows).

Also, on a monthly basis, they contact at least one of the centers that we support. For instance, the Cougar Cupboard at SIUE was our group for December and we supplied the university with food, paper goods and hygiene kits. For January, we supplied Hoyleton Youth & Family Services in Belleville.

Owens and her husband, meanwhile, will celebrate their 63rd anniversary on March 16. Rev. Owens, a World War II veteran, turns 96 on March 6.

Tickets for the 12th annual Honors Dinner will go on sale soon.

On Saturday, July 23, MAPO will host Christmas in July from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. People will be able to purchase their Christmas items early for 2022.

For more information about MAPO, call 618-799-8020, email mrsdo75@aol.com or visit https://www.metro-mapo.org/.
Death on the Nile is a supposedly ensemble cast, but to me it was all about 5-time Academy Award nominee Kenneth Branagh who directed, had the best costumes, had the most screen time and lines as Hercule Poirot.

A sequel to Murder on the Orient Express, which was all about Branagh, this too was slow and boring. If you slept through the first two hours and woke up for the last seven minutes, you would understand the whole story. I wasnt that lucky.

Agatha Christies Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot's vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer, the S.S. Karnak, is destroyed when a couple's honeymoon is tragically cut short by murder. Poirot is entrusted with the important task of identifying which one of the passengers is the killer before they can strike again.

Set against the gorgeous Egyptian vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids, the Christie story centers around passion, greed, revenge and jealousy.

Besides Branagh, Gal Godot is newlywed Linnet married to Simon Doyle played by Armie Hammer. Supposedly this is Hammers last movie based on a sexual scandal that happened last year.

Four-time Academy Award nominee, Annette Benning is Euphemia mother to Poirots best friend Broc played by Tom Bateman. Other actors include Russell Brand, Dawn French, Ali Fazel and Rose Leslie.

The screenplay by Michael Green is based on the 1937 book by Agatha Christie of the same name. I have read everything Christie has written and her words and dialog having you waiting with bated breath with anticipation.

Green did not do Christie justice in either film because he also wrote the script for the 2017 Murder on the Orient Express. For thrilling movies, see both original films.

Paco Delgado designed the costumes, which were a disappointment. Branagh always looked impeccable, but the rest of the cast looked okay but not as spiffy as Branagh. I usually love costumes from the period, but Delgado should have done so much more. All the characters were wealthy and would have dressed with more panache. Also, in Egypt they would have melted in all the heavy clothes they were wearing.

Now showing at the Edwardsville AMC. I give Death on the Nile two stars.
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

A mix of clouds and sunshine with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 71F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 38F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
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That release could not be found.
The Yoruba Referendum Committee is using this medium to address matters arising from your declaration to Bitrus Pogu, the leader of the Middle Belt Forum and Chairman of Power Rotation Movement during their courtesy visit to your office, wherein you reiterated the resolve of southern governors in ensuring the emergence of a southern president in 2023 as a form of advancing the quest for True Federalism in Nigeria.

We firmly believe that the potential pitfalls in this pursuit must be addressed in such a manner that will prepare us for any eventuality, while simultaneously strengthening our capacity to resolve the National Question in Nigeria through the Restructuring of Nigeria into a True Federal State which will address calls for power rotation/zoning of political offices, and now, a southern president.

Pursuant to this, the Yoruba Referendum Committee states as follows:

(1) For the record, the Yoruba Referendum Committee wants to make it clear that we do not subscribe to the no elections mantra being promoted by some tendencies in Yorubaland. Therefore, we are not opposed to either the 2022 Governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti States or all the elections slated for 2023. This is because there are no contradictions between the Yoruba Referendum and any elections that may be on ground as it is not possible to advocate no elections while simultaneously seeking a Referendum, for, a Referendum is an election, an electoral process that must be conducted by a valid and legitimate authority; the notion of no elections already removes such legitimacy and the basis for having a Referendum.

(2) In our case in Yorubaland, the valid and legitimate authority to conduct a Referendum resides in the Houses of Assembly, with the concurrence of the Governors. If there are no elections, such an authority cannot be exercised, for its members must be elected. Since Yorubaland has no other electoral methodology except what exists, the Yoruba Referendum Committee is demanding that the State Houses of Assembly as presently constituted, pass the Referendum Bill into Law, the current Governors to give their assent and begin the process of conducting the Referendum.

(3) Having set the records straight, we will now address the issue at hand, to wit: your assertion on the necessity for a southern president. We are sure that you know that the Presidential election itself requires all sorts of horse-trading, various forms of alliances and compromises within the country and this will be doubly so, with the quest for a southern president, which will call into being similar alliances and compromises within the south, which will vitiate the quest for True Federalism, and which may end up with a Middle Belt/South-South combination, thereby satisfying your declaration. The visit by the Middle Belt Forum and the Power Rotation Movement must therefore be seen within this context.

(4) Within this southern matrix, certain Yoruba leaders have also begun a campaign for a President from the East, rationalizing it as a quest for justice and equity but which is not only a capitulation but also a negation of the pursuit of True Federalism, the constant political pursuit of the Yoruba.

(5) This is because the demand for True Federalism itself is a quest for justice and equity, without which the anti-colonial struggle could not have been waged, even in its purely economist or social demands, as witnessed in the various demands of the peoples of Nigeria at the time; yet, the defeats suffered by the Federalist forces, post-Independence, did not neutralize its spirit, more so when it has sustained the various attempts by the Peoples of Nigeria to free themselves from the injustice embedded in the architecture of the Nigerian State.

(6) Their reduction of the quest for justice and equity into a geo-political preference for Nigerias Presidency is a recurring decimal since 1999 which had always been geared toward some expectation from whoever becomes the President, making the pursuit and realization of True Federalism dependent on the whims of such a person, thereby denying the self-directed efforts of, and by the Yoruba People, belying their claim of representing the same People, ultimately culminating in what they are propagating, today. Furthermore, it prevents the utilization of the contradictions within the Nigerian State to strengthen the resolve for True Federalism through the amplification of its inherent contradiction, and which includes the electoral question facing us today.

(7) Hence, while the demand for a president from the south may, on the surface, be attractive, it will be detrimental to the Yoruba.

(8) The proposition of the Yoruba Referendum Committee is not dependent on the outcome of the elections but centered around a pathway, beneficial to Yoruba People, regardless of the outcome of the contest for the presidency. Other Nationalities in the south and Middle Belt can be encouraged to take a cue from such a pathway.

(9) One of the requirements of this proposition is that Yoruba Governors use their influence to encourage the various Houses of Assembly in Yorubaland to pass the Bill for a Referendum into Law, more so when there is a Petition calling on them to do so. The Bill has already been submitted to the Speakers of the Houses of Assembly as well as to all of you as Governors.

(10) The outcome of this Nationality-based Referendum will create the framework for re-Negotiating of Nigeria into a Federal State, defined as  a Federal Nigeria, through a valid Federal Constitution, to be known as The Union of Nigerian Constituent Nationalities, with a Federal Presidential Council, whose members will be selected or elected from each of the Nationalities as Federating Units and from whom a Head of State will be selected or elected as the primus-inter-pares with an agreed term.

(11) This will render the constant and unending demands for a southern or northern presidency superfluous.

(12) This existential context of engagement through the Nationality-Referendums provides the platform for direct participation of the Peoples in the process of their self-realization, a precondition for justice and equity. It is also the best Valid, Legal, Peaceable and Legitimate answer to the question you once posed as to where and when the Yoruba met and reached a consensus on any pathway forward.

Thank you, sir.

Yoruba Referendum Committee


The Anambra State government has expressed delight at the award of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM), the countrys highest honour for intellectual and artistic achievement, on Professor Charles Ejike Chidume on February 8 at State House Abuja, Abuja.

Professor Chidume, an internationally recognized mathematics professor, beat over 1,200 contestants and received the honour last week, alongside Professor Oluyinka Olutoye, a medical scientist, who was also announced a winner the same year, as well as Professor Godwin O. Ekhaguere, a scientist, who got the 2021 award.

An indigene of Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State who trained at the University of Nigeria at Nsukka and Queens University in Canada as well as the Ohio State University in the United States, Professor Chidume died at the age of 74 last October 7 while serving as the acting President of the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, after a successful long period at the UNN as an outstanding scholar.

Though the NNOM honour is, like the Nobel Prize, awarded annually only to living individuals and organizations, Chidume received it from Buhari last week because when he was selected as a laureate in 2020 he was still alive.

The awards could not hold last year on account of the lockdown arising from the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

By being among the three most recent NNOM laureates, Professor Chidume has helped to elongate the list of winners of Nigerias most prestigious award for academic excellence from Anambra State, said Governor Willie Obiano in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, according to the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba.

Professor Chinua Achebe, author of Things Fall Apart, and Africas most successful novelist, raconteur, essayist and social critic, was the first recipient of the honour when it was established in the late 1970s by the departing military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, explained Adinuba.

Apart from Achebe, winners from the state include Dr Pius Okigbo in economics, Professor Chukwuedo Nwokolo in medicine, Professor Laz Ekwueme in music, Professor Alex Animalu in physics, Professor Chukwuemeka Ike in literature and Professor Ben Nwabueze in law.

It is regrettable, bemoaned Governor Obiano, this award was not conferred on such world-class scholars from Anambra State as Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike, the first vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan who went on to Harvard as a distinguished history professor; Professor Chike Obi, the preeminent mathematician; Professor Ben Obumselu, the most scintillating literary scholar in Africa, before their deaths.

Anambra and Ekiti states are states with the largest numbers of the 79 persons who have received the NNOM since inauguration 43 years ago.

According to Commissioner Adinuba, all the NNOM recipients from Anambra State will be among indigenes of the state to be honoured at the ceremony marking the states 30th anniversary which would have held last August 27 but for the November 6 gubernatorial election in the state.

We will continue to honour men and women of outstanding learning, declared the commissioner, because education explains the difference between a developed society and an undeveloped one.

He noted that it is as a result of the premium paid to education by the Governor Obiano administration that Anambra has posted far better results than any state in Nigeria in the last seven years, almost habitually winning the first position in every external examination involving schoolchildren.

Adinuba expressed optimism that with Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, a globally respected economics professor, assuming office as governor on March 17, Anambra State will become far more competitive in education and other sectors.

Signed

C. Don Adinuba

Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment.
A man gets vaccinated against COVID-19 in the vaccination center at GUM department store in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn)

The nationwide death toll grew by 706 to 340,248.



MOSCOW, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Russia has registered 197,949 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the national tally to 14,133,509, the official monitoring and response center said Sunday.

The country's nationwide death toll grew by 706 to 340,248, while the number of recoveries has increased by 101,568 to 11,235,859.

Moscow, Russia's worst-hit region, reported 12,496 new cases, taking its total to 2,603,876.

The number of active cases in Russia rose to 2,557,402, while the mortality rate from COVID-19 infections dropped to 2.41 percent.

To date, Omicron variant infections have been detected in 84 out of Russia's 85 regions. 
The General Overseer of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministries (SGTM), Rehoboth Arena, Okinni, Osun State, Bishop Seun Adeoye has called for urgent cleansing of churches in Nigeria.

The cleric who also serves as the Lead Bishop, Worldwide Anglican Church (WAC), Nigeria and Spokesman, World Bishops' Council (WBC), Africa decried the rising spate of fake pastors in the country.

In a statement he issued at Osogbo, Monday, to mark the 70th birthday of one of the Church leaders in the state, Bishop Gideon Folahanmi, he called on the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to immediately commence registration and licensing of all practicing clerics among its fold.

He lamented that the social media platforms have given unhindered access and voices to many of the fake pastors where they emit foul odors and vomit dirt from their bowels in the name of prophesies.

Today, we are surrounded by the so called men and women of God declaring fake prophesies, spreading unbiblical doctrines, engaging in all manners of immoral behaviours and undertaking all sorts of rituals at the altar.

Although, these false pastors are in the minority but they are dangerous to the church and the society. They dupe in the name of God. They cause havocs to the Church and so much pains and shame to true Christians. They are worse than bandits.

These wolves should be identified, exposed and disgraced. These shafts must be separated from the wheat. They are not called by our Lord to preach the gospel but they see the Church as a means of livelihood to serve the gods of their bellies.

Therefore, these bad ones must give way to allow the gospel of Christ to flourish. CAN leaders should embark on urgent cleansing by registering and licensing all genuine men and women of God in its fold. By this, we can easily identify the evil ones and help deliver victims from their wickedness.

CAN leaders should be ready to come out boldly to deny anyone who engages in satanic activities and deregister any pastor whose behaviour is inimical to the well-being of the body of Christ. Enough of all these nonsenses in the name of God, Bishop Adeoye stated.

The clergyman praised Bishop Folahanmi for his service of over 50 years in the vineyard of God, saying testimonies from people about his life clearly indicated that the 70 years old cleric served God with all sincerity.
The leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has advised Igbo leaders not to antagonise the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The IPOB leader breached the bail conditions granted him by Justice Binta Nyako before whom he was standing trial in 2017.

He was, however, rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 and brought back to Nigeria to continue his trial. Since his extradition, Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS).

The Federal Government on Monday, January 17, filed a fresh 15-count terrorism charge against him, thereby increasing the counts in the initial charge bordering on treasonable felony from seven to 15.

The 15-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/ CR/383/2015 was signed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) M. B. Abubakar.

But in an exclusive chat with TheNiche, Adebanjo said Kanu committed no crime and cautioned Ndigbo against alienating him.

I have told Igbo leaders, do not antagonise IPOB, he said.

Though Adebanjo said he has never met Kanu, he is of the opinion that the embattled IPOB leader will be Igbo saviour.

I have never met Nnamdi Kanu but I say, dont antagonise him because he will be your (Igbo) saviour.

Giving the reason for his assertion, Adebanjo, who was a protege of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said, But for Nnamdi Kanu, but for Sunday Igboho, restructuring wont be in the front burner of discussions in the country today.

Both of them brought the issue to the front burner.

The 93-year-old Yoruba leader regreted that just when the issue of restructuring was gathering momentum, a bait of who will be the President was thrown to the Igbo and otherwise proud, intelligent people with all their education are allowing those he said have only primary school education to dribble them.

Adebanjo said Ndigbo dont know the asset they have in IPOB.

If IPOB can mobilise the people and say dont go out, and in spite of the position of the governors, no one goes out, that is significant.

Adebanjo, who insisted that the issue of mobilisation was important because he does not trust the Fulani, said he is giving the same advice to the Yoruba.

I dont trust any Fulani man. And as I told Governor Akeredolu, it is alright for you to pass a resolution, but before that, rally your people, no restructuring, no election.

Go and mobilise. That is where your weapon lies. Dont fight them with violence because the Fulani are all over the country.

They are in your village and my village. And all of them are armed. They will run over you.

But we have one weapon with which we can defeat them hands down, and that is civil disobedience.

If we dont take part in this election, let Buhari go on. Some say that is a difficult thing, but I am happy they are saying it is difficult, not that it is impossible.

If you cannot fight a difficult battle, then go and submit yourself to slavery.

Adebanjo said it was wrong for Igbo leaders to beg President Muhammadu Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu.

When they did that, I said, oh, my God. I was ashamed. And to imagine that Mbazulike Amechi led that delegation.

Amechi was in the trenches with us when we were fighting against the colonialists. He was leading the NCNC youth group. We were in the Action Group.

Now, Ndigbo went to beg Buhari, a Fulani reactionary, to release your people. What have your people done.

All the fight we must do now is to mobilise our people. Buhari has all the power. He has the army but we have our people.

We dont want this 1999 Constitution. We must change it. Then we will know where we are going.

Just like some people say to me that Igboho is for secession and you are not for secession. I say to them, I am not for secession but I dont oppose it.

I dont believe that people should secede if we have a federal constitution. But if we fail to, well, to your tents oh Israel.

We will be in Nigeria on the basis of equality on agreed terms, no section lording it over the other. That is what will pay us. That is what we wish.

But if it is a Nigeria with the unity of the horse and the rider, where I will be the horse and some people will be the rider, no it will not happen. This is where I stand. - (Text excluding headline from Vanguard)
The embattled and suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Abba Kyar i, has been arrested by detectives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, police spokesperson, announced his arrest in a statement issued today.

He said: The Nigeria Police Force has arrested DCP Abba Kyari and four other police officers for their involvement in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, discreditable, unethical, and unprofessional conduct, official corruption and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel.

The arrest of the officers was sequel to pieces of information received from the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on 10th February, 2022.

Kyaris arrest comes hours after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had declared him wanted over alleged links with an international drug cartel.

Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the NDLEA, had said the anti-drug agency decided to declare Kyari wanted because he did not honour the invitation sent to him.
Locals call for historic Phuket Provincial Hall to be become arts, culture centre

PHUKET: A community group in Phuket Town has submitted a formal request to have the 115-year-old Phuket Provincial Hall building on Narisorn Rd transformed into an arts and culture centre.

Monday 14 February 2022, 05:30PM

Chan Wongsattayanon, chairman of the Phuket Citizens Council executive committee, handed the formal proposal to Governor Narong Woonciew earlier today (Feb 14).

Mr Chan explained that the Phuket Citizens Council had conducted a public opinion survey from Dec 25 to Jan 31, gaining feedback from 783 respondents.

The majority, 77.4%, agreed with the idea, Mr Chan said.

Only 4.5% of respondents disagreed, while 18.1% said they did not have enough information to form an opinion, he added.

While conducting the survey, the respondents were shown what the arts and culture centre would like through paintings by Phuket artist Watcharin Rodnit, a member of the Phuket Citizens Council, Mr Chan added.

Governor Narong said he was pleased to accept the proposal, and that he was ready to support the idea.

However, it has to be planned as best as possible for the benefit of all parties, Governor Narong said.

Connecting tourism and culture is what Phuket is all about. We want to drive this aspect to become a reality, especially to promote tourism coupled with driving unique strengths according to the concept of buildings, foods and clothing to be a selling point and create sustainable pride in Phukets identity, he said.

The move follows the opening of the B450 million new Phuket Provincial Hall, located on Tha Kraeng Rd, near Rama IX Park (Suan Luang), late last year.

A blessing ceremony for the new building was held in November. By that time some 20 government agencies started operating from the new site on Oct 1, with approximately 486 government officers and staff now working there.

Meanwhile, the old building on Narisorn Rd continues to be called the (old) Phuket Provincial Hall, with some government agencies still occupying offices there.

The old building was constructed during the years 1907-1913, while Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi, better known as Khaw Simbee Na Ranong, was Governor of Monthon Phuket, which at the time included all the Andaman provinces from Ranong to Satun.

Of note, local officials refer to the buildings age from when construction began, not when construction was completed.

His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) proclaimed the Phuket City Hall open during his second visit to Phuket on April 22, 1917.

The Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Culture had the building declared a protected historic site through a proclamation in the Government Gazette on May 10, 1977.

The classic colonial style building featured as the French Embassy in Phnom Penh in the 1984 British biographical drama The Killing Fields about the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.

The Public Relations Department itself has described the building as colonial architecture, designed and its construction supervised by an Italian craftsman.
Returned pawn, the gift of love in Phuket Town

PHUKET: Phuket City Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas presided over an event that saw 35 people have their pawned items returned to them as a gift from Phuket City Municipality for Valentines Day today (Feb 14).



By The Phuket News

Monday 14 February 2022, 06:12PM

In total, 48 items were given back to the 35 people, clearing them of B28,802.25 debt, said a release announcing the event.

Most of the pawned items returned to their owners were hand tools and other equipment needed for work and to make a living.

The activity was held to return pawned items to local residents as a Valentines Day gift, which aims to help the locals, with a budget approved by the Phuket City Mayor, said the release.

The Phuket Municipality Pawnshop, on Kamoraphat Rd in Phuket Town, maintains a standing reserve of approximately B150 million, the release added.
Tourist in hot water for sitting on endangered reef

CHON BURI: The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources registered a complaint yesterday (Feb 13) asking police to take action against a tourist who sat on an endangered coral reef.

tourismcrimeenvironmentmarine

By Bangkok Post

Monday 14 February 2022, 08:58AM

A photo of Wisutr Rattanasathian sitting on a coral reef is used by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to lodge a police complaint against him. Photo: Chaiyot Phupattanapong

Wutthipong Wongin, a department official responsible for the eastern coast, used a photo of Wisutr Rattanasathian posted on his Facebook account as evidence for the complaint, reports the Bangkok Post. Mr Wisutr was pictured sitting underwater on the coral reef at Koh Khram Noi in Sattahip district. Mr Wutthipong said the man would be charged for posing a danger to an endangered species as the reef in the picture was under protection under Thai law. The tourist could be fined up to B1 million or imprisoned for up to 10 years or both if he were found guilty. Mr Wisutr, 45, later met with police to be formally informed of the charge. He said he had never intended to damage the reef. The photo was taken last year and posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, he added.
Woman killed as Belgian expat wipes out on rain-wet road

PHUKET: A 54-year-old woman died after the car she was travelling in, being driven by a Belgian expat, slid on a wet road and struck a power pole in thalang early this morning (Feb 14).

accidentsdeathtransportSafetypolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 14 February 2022, 01:48PM

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Capt Somnuek Kaewphet of the Thalang Police was called to the scene, on Thepkrasattri Rd, in front of the Thalang District Office, at 1:30am.

Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find a white Toyota Yaris sedan, registered in the northeastern province of Kalasin, with its front destroyed by the impact.

The woman in the front passenger seat, identified as Supaporn Surichay, 54, from Kalasin, died in the impact.

The driver of the car, 53-year-old Belgian national Michel J.R. Gaye, told police that he was returning to Phuket from Koh Lanta with Ms Supasorn when he lost control of the car on the slippery road and struck the power pole.

Rescue workers needed to use hydraulic equipment to recover Ms Supaporns body from the wreck and transport it to Thalang Hospital.

The remains of the car were taken to Thalang Police Station.

Capt Somnuek in his report said that police were continuing their investigation into the accident.

He also made special note that Mr Gaye would be tested for alcohol, despite him driving more than 240km to arrive in Phuket from Koh Lanta, in order for the investigation to be conducted in accordance with the law.
Clearfield, PA (16830)

Today

Cloudy skies with a few showers this afternoon. High 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 57F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
RIDGEFIELD  Just as swiftly as the state went on lockdown after reporting its first case of coronavirus two years ago, volunteers at the Ridgefield Historical Society formed a rapid response team to navigate the new normal.

The team comprised current board president Tracy Seem, town historian Kay Ables, Sally Sanders, Monica McMorran, Sharon Dunphy, Laurie Campbell and Betsy Reid.

They met on Zoom, like everyone else at the time, to brainstorm ways in which to document history as it was happening. One venture was the organizations first foray into digital collections.

During the early days of the pandemic, the group interviewed more than 30 residents virtually to develop a video archive. Each recording details a different view of pandemic life from the perspective of town officials, business owners, educators and everyday people.

Reid was charged with interviewing residents for the project. She is now the organizations collections manager.

The underlying message in all the interviews was how people reacted to the changes and limitations caused by the pandemic, she said. All of the ideas and creativity (they) came up with to keep going (were) amazing.

Since March 2020, the historical society has been collecting memorabilia from the COVID-19 era. Among the items are photographs of a barren Main Street with signs on store windows that signal temporary closures; fact sheets detailing how to stop the spread of the virus; and first-person accounts from residents.

Reid described one entry from the husband of a local bank worker. In his submission he explained that his wife was working overtime to file forms related to Paycheck Protection Program loans. He recalled hearing the garage door opening one morning at 3 a.m.  it was his wife coming home from work.

Reids favorite Zoom interview was with resident Audrey Fanning Hawker, a professional seamstress who worked in costume departments on Broadway.

Hawker had suffered a stroke, which caused her to lose her eyesight, but she taught herself how to sew again. When the pandemic hit she began sewing hundreds of mask and mask extenders to keep fellow residents safe.

Other videos detail how local organizations sprung into action to help those in need; how teachers, parents and children dealt with distance learning; and how town officials responded to ever-changing information.

They give a really good overall picture of what was going on in town when things were really bad, Reid said of the interviews.

RHS continues to collect COVID memorabilia to this day and plans to curate an exhibit at some point in the future. Reid stressed the importance of collecting as many materials as possible.

I looked in our collections for (The Ridgefield Press) reports on the Spanish flu pandemic and there was nothing  it wasnt written about, really, she said. Were gonna change that so people a hundred years from now know what happened.

Reid said she plans to re-interview First Selectman Rudy Marconi in light of the statewide school mask mandate being lifted, and expects to tie up the collection soon.

Were not quite finished yet, she added.

The Ridgefield Historical Society is currently accepting pictures, documents, artwork, writings and other memorabilia related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Items can be dropped off at the Scott House (4 Sunset Lane) or emailed to info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org .

alyssa.seidman@hearstmediact.com
Robert "Bobby" J. Tarr is scheduled to make his next court appearance at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 for a pre-trial hearing and a request for a bond reduction.

Tarr, 48, of Collinsville, is currently being held at the Montgomery County, Illinois Jail on $3 million bond. Tarr is charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend Leslie Reeves, a Troy, Illinois businesswoman and advocate for woman, and attempted first degree murder in the shooting of Chris Smith of Farmersville, Illinois.
MEXICO, Mo.  Brayden Edwards of Dorsey has earned membership into Delta Phi academic honor society and the Academic Fourragere Award at Missouri Military Academy.



Delta Phi, an honor society established at Missouri Military Academy (MMA) in May 1929 under the guidance of Major Marquess Wallace, fosters high ideals of character, encourages scholarship, promotes the best interest of the corps of cadets and cherishes and preserves the traditions of MMA.



To qualify for membership, cadets must remain in high academic standing for consecutive marking periods.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Granite City man has been charged with multiple drug-related felony charges by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Donnie W. Cathey, 56, was charged Feb. 10 in two separate incidents; court documents list a different address, each on 13th Street, in Granite City.

In the most recent case, stemming from a series of incidents ending Feb. 9, Cathey was charged with armed violence, unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and three counts of unlawful deliver of methamphetamine, all Class X felonies. That case was filed by the Granite City Police Department.

He was also charged with unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony, and aggravated unlawful use of weapons, a Class 4 felony, for a March 20, 2021 incident. Those charges were presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department.

According to court documents, on Feb. 9 Cathey allegedly had 15-100 grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and a Springfield XD .40 caliber handgun, a Ruger 9 mm handgun, a Glock 41 .45 caliber handgun and a Phoenix Arms .22 caliber handgun.

Cathey faces similar charges for incidents on Dec. 14, Dec. 21 and Feb. 23, 2021, when he allegedly delivered 15-100 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.

Bail was set at $750,000.

According to court documents, on March 20 Cathey allegedly had 5-15 grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and an open and accessible handgun in his vehicle. Bail was set at $75,000.

On Dec. 28 Cathey had been charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony. On Dec. 27 he allegedly had a pair of nunchucks. He has a 2018 conviction for aggravated unlawful use of weapons out of Madison County making him ineligible to possess weapons.

Other drug-related charges filed Feb. 10 include:

 Michelle D. Hoffman, 41, of Caseyville, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. According to court documents, on July 9 Hoffman allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Brooke A. Mahoney, 29, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Aug. 13 Mahoney allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Shelly E. Morgan, 43, of Edwardsville, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. On Nov. 12 Morgan allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Sarah A. Davis, 57, of Vandalia, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful acquisition of a controlled substance, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Illinois Attorney Generals Office. On Sept. 11, 2020, Davis allegedly had less than 15 grams of Hydrocodone; and had obtained the drugs by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge. Bail was set at $35,000.

 Brooke L. Tyler, 40, and Brian S. Sykes, 40, both of Collinsville, were charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. On Oct. 4 the two allegedly had less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Bail was set at $15,000 each.
ALTON  Do mimosas make better mosaics? Maybe, but they certainly make mosaics more fun.

Its all about being in the moment. So a little mimosa in the morning just calms everything down and helps with the enjoyment, said first-time mosaic-creator Sharon Spence from University City.

Theres no wrong way to make a mosaic," she said. "The process is very creative and calming. Im going to put this plant I bought in my mosaic pot and place it in my kitchen window.

Spence was among the participants at Mimosas & Mosaics held Saturday at the Jacoby Arts Center in Alton. Mosaics are works of art created by using glass or tile pieces and grout to make a picture or pattern, and the art form adorns everything from cathedral ceilings to coffee tables.

Those creating their own mosaic flower pots also got to partake in the popular orange juice and champagne brunch cocktail, one of which was included in the events registration fee with more available from a cash bar.

St. Louis resident Aaliyah Leggs was a fan of the mimosa part of the event.

It helps bring everything together and makes a feel-good kind of energy, said Leggs. She added the mosaic-creation process feels good. "Its meditative and relaxing; its like coloring and puzzling at the same time.

Dawn Bailey of Granite City and her daughter, Rebecca McNeely, said they took the class primarily for the art.

Im not a drinker; I just came for the fun, Bailey said. Years ago when the kids were little I did a mosaic table, and this reminds me how much fun that was.

Participants got to make their creations from provided glass pieces. Local educator/artist Jenna Muscarella kept them on task and offered guidance where needed.

Its great for both beginners and advanced artists, Muscarella said. You get to pick out the glass that you want, so you can go with random designs or come up with a whole new design on your own.

And do the mimosas help?

It helps the process a little bit, Muscarella said. It gives you that extra little bit of confidence to do something different.

Depending on who you believe, mimosas were either created by a Paris, France hotel bartender in 1925 or by famed movie director Alfred Hitchcock in the 1940s. Hitchcock was instrumental in elevating the popularity of the post-breakfast beverage. And if you visit London, you can see a series of mosaics in the Leytonstone tube station near his birthplace depicting scenes from Hitchcocks movies.
EDWARDSVILLE  The Madison County Board will consider naming Christopher A. Johnson as the a new director of its Emergency Management Agency

The selection, as well as the transfer of part of the county's Plum Street property to the Madison County Transit District, is on the agenda for Wednesdays county board meeting.

The potential naming of a new EMA director comes months after Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler attempted to replace current EMA head Tony Falconio. Last week it was announced Falconio is leaving for a position with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

In December Prenzler sought to name Richard J. Keasey to the post, but that was overwhelmingly shot down by the county board.

Johnson, a former deputy chief of the Wood River Police Department who retired in December, currently works with the Madison County Veterans Assistance Commission.

Six other appointments also will be considered at Wednesday's county board meeting. The board chairman has appointment powers for about 70 boards and commissions, but the appointments require county board approval.

The board also is scheduled to consider transferring less than an acre of property near Governors Parkway, part of the county-owned Plum Street property in Edwardsville, to MCT for use in its trail system.

The development of the entire 15-acre county-owned tract is being considered.

The county board on Wednesday will also consider a number of financial issues, including reimbursement of 911 call centers to special appropriations.
PRAIRIETOWN  St. Peter's Lutheran School at 7182 Renkin Road in Prairietown will host a trivia night on Friday, Feb. 25.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. with trivia starting at 7. Participants can bring their own snacks and free soda will be provided.
To the Editor,

The recent killing of young Amir Locke in Minnesota in the course of a no-knock raid has led to yet another examination of no-knock warrants against American citizens. Locke was asleep on his sofa when police entered his residence without notice. In alarm, Locke turned up a legally registered handgun in anticipation of a housebreaking, which was in fact transpiring. Police promptly shot him dead.

Gun rights advocates: you should pay attentiion here. The principles of defending your own castle and "stand your ground" do not apply. Locke's weapon was, I repeat, legally owned and registered. As the late NRA president Charlton Heston might have predicted, they pried Locke's gun from his "cold, dead fingers." If police may break and enter into your own home with impunity, what does the concept of home even mean?

One might say, well if the victim of a no-knock warrant is killed or injured, then they weren't innocent anyway. Often, that is not true; take the recent cases of Locke and Breonna Taylor, of Louisville. The stage is being set for more still tragedy.

But, they don't execute no-knock warrants very often, do they? In the early 80s there were perhaps 1,500 such raids per annum. In 2010 the total peaked at between 60,000 and 70,000 such raids. And today, as much as 40% of SWAT raids are the result of no-knock or it's cousin, quick-knock, warrants. And most raids are not kidnappings or other hostage situations, but a search for drugs, in particular marijuana. The only ones endangered are the homeowners or, less often, the heavily armed police.

The number of such warrants have in the last several years decreased, in large part because of a Supreme Court decision which rendered evidence gleaned in the course of an unlawful raid usable in court, thus obviating the need for no-knock warrants.

Isn't it rich that in states ardently pursuing tax income from pot, they are likewise cracking down upon unlicensed purveyors of reefer?

It's just a matter of one pusher guarding his own house from another pusher. If there is a hostage situation or if someone is in imminent danger of injury, then fine, let the dogs loose. But if the purpose of the raid is to crack down on pot dealers and thus protect the drug territory of the state, then no, don't do it.

Bill Tope

Wood River
Scranton, PA (18503)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with light rain developing after midnight. Low 52F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
London, KY (40741)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially during the evening. Low 57F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
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.

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'Slap in the face': Mark Hartigan blew up to 43m of members' money

LV chief executive Mark Hartigan is under pressure to give up his bonus after his botched attempt to sell the insurer to American buyout barons.

Hartigan is in line for a bonus of up to 740,000 for 2021. But critics said it would be a 'slap in the face' if the ex-army colonel received more than his basic salary of 435,000.

Hartigan and departing chairman Alan Cook tried to sell the mutual to Bain Capital for 530m until members voted against it in December.

Hartigan claimed LV could not continue as a standalone company. He blew up to 43m of members' money on lawyers, advisers and spin doctors to push the deal, which could have landed him a pay rise.

But last week the company revealed it is in good health and can thrive on its own. It ended merger talks with Royal London. This sparked calls for Hartigan to apologise and resign, and critics say 'the very least' he should do is give up his bonus.

LV's ousted chairman Alan Cook is still collecting his 205,000 a year salary until he leaves at the end of March.

Of Hartigan, Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake, who sits on the Treasury select committee, said: 'It is unfathomable to think of any other line of work in which somebody could perform so disgracefully yet be rewarded so handsomely.

'Mark Hartigan has wasted tens of millions of pounds of members money, it beggars belief he is now in line for a bumper bonus as well.

'If he had a shred of decency he would apologise and leave but, at a bare minimum, he must give up his bonus.'

And Labour MP Gareth Thomas, chairman of Parliament's all-party group on mutuals, said: 'A bonus should be a reward, whereas the only thing Mr Hartigan needs is to be shown the door.

'If he refuses to quit, the least he can do is give up his bonus. Failing that, the company should scrap it. Any bonus to this woefully inept chief executive would be a disgrace and a slap in the face to hard-working members.'

LV refused to commit to scrapping the bonus.

Cook will leave as part of a shake-up, alongside independent director David Barral and non-executives Alison Hutchinson and Luke Savage.

Seamus Creedon, another non-executive director, becomes interim chairman on April 1.
Hopes of a higher bid for airport services firm John Menzies sank after its suitor decided to play hardball.

National Aviation Services (NAS), which last week made a 469million approach to Menzies, said its offer was 'full and fair', hinting it would not be putting more money on the table.

Menzies, which provides services such as baggage handling and aircraft fuelling, had rejected the 510p-per-share offer, branding it 'entirely opportunistic'.

Final offer: National Aviation Services, which last week made a 469m approach to Menzies, said its offer was 'full and fair', hinting it would not be putting more money on the table

But NAS chief executive Hassan El-Houry said: 'We made a compelling offer that represents a 76 per cent premium to the share price less than two weeks ago.

'As operators ourselves, we also see a sector facing a number of challenges and a company that lacks the balance sheet to thrive.'

He blasted Menzies for failing to engage properly with NAS, and said he planned to speak to shareholders directly. Menzies' stock slipped 3.5 per cent, or 170p, to 465p.

It was a grim day across the market, as the FTSE 100 slumped by 1.7 per cent, or 129.43 points, to 7531.59 and the FTSE 250 slid 2 per cent, or 430.82 points, to 21617.89.

Travel and bank stocks were hit, as investors worried about the effect which a war in Ukraine could have on holidays and the economy more broadly.

British Airways owner IAG tumbled by 5.6 per cent, or 9.84p, to 164.8p. It was followed by Barclays (down 5.1 per cent, or 10.54p, to 195.56p), Lloyds Bank (down 4.2p, or 2.25p, to 51.71p) and NatWest (down 4.1 per cent, or 10.4p, to 242.6p).

Stock Watch - HeiQ Fabric firm HeiQ has bagged 3.7million from fashion giant Hugo Boss to commercialise a 'climate positive' yarn. The money will fund a pilot factory to create the Aeoniq fabric. Hugo Boss's investment values the Aeoniq subsidiary at 148million, more than the current market value of the entire company. It will invest a further 3million if the project hits future milestones. Aeoniq is designed to replace synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon. HeiQ shares rose 7.8 per cent, or 6.5p, to 91p.

The latest fears over the economy will come as an unwelcome distraction ahead of the banks' full-year results season. Standard Chartered  down 1.4 per cent or 7.8p to 550.2p  is due to kick off the fourth-quarter results announcements on Thursday.

Banks are expected to report decent numbers, after a year of red-hot mortgage lending, the release of money set aside to cover Covid losses and a recovery.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: 'The embarrassment of riches which the banks are holding augurs well for the reporting season, as the excess capital will probably need to be deployed.

'The strength of the banks' CET1 ratio  the capital cushion the banks are required to hold  is in rude health.'

This boded well for dividends and share buybacks, he added.

On junior stock market AIM, IT services company Redcentric slipped as investors digested the news that its former chief financial officer and finance director had been found guilty of false accounting on Friday, after the market closed, in prosecutions brought by the City watchdog.

Redcentric is now run by a new board and management team. It said it was 'pleased to note that those responsible have been held accountable and that the FCA's investigation and prosecutions have now reached their conclusion'. But shares still slid 6.4 per cent, or 8p, to 118p.

Two of the UK's 'intellectual property'  or IP investors  which plough money into technology developed by start-ups and university spin-outs, had positive updates.

Frontier IP Group sold another 207,299 shares in its US portfolio company Exscientia, for around 3.2million. Just last year they had been valued at 1.75million. But its shares were flat at 96p.

Rival IP Group dipped 1.2 per cent, or 1.2p, to 96.6p as it contributed 10million to a 35million funding round for Bramble, a London fuel cell firm working on hydrogen-based tech.

Two more companies have said they plan to list in London. Neometals, which develops plants to recycle metals for use in batteries, starts trading on February 28. URA Holdings, a miner focused on Zambia, begins next Monday.
Tifton, GA (31794)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
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Cumberland, MD (21502)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 74F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing overnight. Low 59F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
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.
Kingsport, TN (37660)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Webster Groves, MO (63119)

Today

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 66F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 48F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Russia suggested on Monday that it was ready to keep talking to the West to try to defuse a security crisis in which it has massed a huge force within striking distance of Ukraine, while a Ukrainian official said Kyiv was prepared to make concessions.

In a televised exchange, President Vladimir Putin was shown asking his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, whether there was a chance of an agreement to address Russias security concerns, or whether it was just being dragged into tortuous negotiations.

Lavrov replied: We have already warned more than once that we will not allow endless negotiations on questions that demand a solution today.

But he added: It seems to me that our possibilities are far from exhaustedAt this stage, I would suggest continuing and building them up.

Washington has said Russia could invade Ukraine any day now, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday called the situation very, very dangerous.

Russia has positioned more than 100,000 troops near to Ukraines borders but denies planning to invade, accusing the West, which has sent a flurry of officials to Moscow and Kyiv, of hysteria.

Western countries have already promised sanctions on an unprecedented scale if Russia does invade, and the Group of Seven large Western economies (G7) joined the chorus by warning of economic and financial sanctions which will have massive and immediate consequences on the Russian economy.

Ukraines ambassador to Britain backtracked on remarks suggesting that Kyiv would reconsider its attempt to join NATO  one of Russias primary concerns  but did say that other concessions could be on offer.

STOCKS SLIDE

We are not a member of NATO right now and to avoid war we are ready for many concessions, and that is what we are doing in conversations with the Russians, he told the BBC in a clarification.

It has nothing to do with NATO, which (membership application) is enshrined in the constitution.

The Kremlin said that Ukraine renouncing its aspiration to join the Western military alliance would significantly help address Russias concerns.

Moscow has made clear it sees the former Soviet republics quest for closer ties with the West, notably through NATO, as a direct threat.

Eight years ago, mass protests on Kyivs Maidan square in favour of closer integration with the West forced out pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych.

Faced with the ascendancy of pro-Western politicians promising to advance democracy and fight corruption just across its border, Russia captured and then annexed Ukraines Crimean peninsula, home to the Russian Black Sea fleet.

It also supported pro-Russian rebels who have seized part of Ukraines industrial, largely Russian-speaking east in a war that is still adding to its toll of more than 14,000 lives lost.

Mondays talk of diplomatic efforts continuing brought the price of crude oil down off the seven-year highs it had hit earlier amid concerns that sanctions would disrupt exports from Russia, a major producer, in an already tight market.

Major European stock markets slumped by between 2% and 3%, but on Wall Street the S&P 500 index was down only 0.5% at 1545 GMT.

Sanctions could ultimately rebound on Western powers, which rely heavily on Russia for energy supplies, notably gas, as well as other raw materials.

ECONOMIC DAMAGE

Ukraine is already suffering economic damage from the standoff.

A surge in the price of 5-year credit default swaps on Ukrainian sovereign bonds suggested that markets gave Kyiv a 42% probability of defaulting.

Ukraine International Airlines, Ukraines biggest airline, said its insurers had terminated cover for at least some of its aircraft on flights in Ukrainian airspace.

Lavrov told Putin the United States had put forward concrete proposals on reducing military risks, but that responses from NATO and the European Union  which has been at pains not to let Moscow divide its members  had not been satisfactory.

An EU official, who asked not to be named but has spoken to Putin by phone in the past, said the EU was looking at alternative sources of energy in case Russia cut off supplies.

Russia is trying to demonstrate that it is the policeman in the region, the source said. The criticism by Moscow against Ukraine is this idea that the people made a choice for liberal democracy, values, principles and freedoms.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held talks in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to be followed on Tuesday by a meeting with Putin in Moscow.

He said he saw no reasonable justification for Russias military activity on Ukraines border, and that we are ready for a serious dialogue with Russia on European security issues. He announced a credit of 150 million euros ($170 million) for Ukraine.

While Zelenskiy affirmed that Ukraine would not give up its push to join NATO, Scholz said it was strange that Russia had raised the issue just now, when it was not on the agenda.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Its no secret that the short-term rental market has exploded in the Hudson Valley since the pandemic. Now, a vacation rental and property management company has quantified that surge in vacation rental spending in the region.

As the pandemic increased demand for more open space to work remotely or vacation domestically, beachy destinations like the Hamptons and Cape Cod have been eclipsed by rentals offering more land, mountain views and flexible rental terms for quick getaways, says StayMarquis, a full-service vacation rental company that recently released a market report for Hudson Valley.

The regions gross short-term booking value  the total amount visitors spent on short-term rentals was $278 million in 2021, a 99 percent increase over the $140 million spent in 2020, according to StayMarquis analysis of Airbnb and VRBO listings in Ulster, Greene, Columbia, Sullivan, Dutchess, Delaware, Orange, Putnam, Albany and Rensselaer counties.

This surge in demand for short-term rentals like Airbnbs has been seen nationwide. Airbnb saw a 280 percent increase in net income in 2021 compared to the year before, according to iProperty Management, an online platform sharing short-term rental market data.

In the Hudson Valley, this spike in bookings dovetails with a 9 percent year-over-year increase in short-term rental inventory in 2021. Today, there are nearly 8,000 available vacation properties across the 10 counties. A Sullivan County Airbnb was rated the highest in the state for hospitality last summer, with a near perfect 5-star rating from more than 100 reviews.

Areas that are hot: Ulster and Greene counties

Short-term rental activity across the region is highly concentrated in two counties: Ulster and Greene. Together they represent over half of the Hudson Valleys gross booking value, a combined $152 million in 2021 through Nov. 1.

The growth, said Max Schuster, the Chief Revenue Officer of StayMarquis, comes down to the regions relatively new status as a vacation destination for New Yorkers compared to traditional vacation markets like the Hamptons.

You have a relatively nascent market in the Hudson Valley, at a cheaper price point, and supply on the property side is coming into the market, said Schuster. People have decided to leave other established short-term rental markets into this new one.

Ulster, along with Columbia and Delaware counties, has the highest annual occupancy among short-term renters, according to StayMarquis data, with peak occupancy above 60 percent in summer months. Properties in Greene County, meanwhile, have a higher occupancy in the winter months due to their proximity to ski resorts in Hunter, Catskill and Windham.

Ulster has seen some of the greatest success in the short-term rental market: Woodstock rentals fetched an impressive $9.8 million in 2021 from its 242 properties, while 324 short-term rentals in Saugerties netted a cumulative $15.5 million from 2021 bookings.

Even lesser-known towns like Kerhonkson and Phoenicia have seen growth, with bookings in Phoenicia jumping 79 percent year over year in 2021, and Kerhonkson seeing 71 percent more rental bookings in 2020 from the previous year.

Theyre within driving distance to [hotspots like Woodstock and Kingston], but a little more secluded or relaxed, said Schuster.

Future vacation rental destinations?

Prognosticating which areas could lead the pack in short-term rental growth depends upon which towns remain amenable to Airbnbs and other temporary home rentals in the wake of affordable housing concerns. Many municipalities, like Woodstock, Red Hook and New Paltz, have implemented, or are discussing, instituting limits as to how many and which residents can rent their homes, for how long, and where.

In other areas those regulations have either not yet been created or set by the town, or there is no plan to, said Schuster, suggesting that as-yet unregulated towns in the Hudson Valley have the potential to emerge as up-and-coming destinations.

Smaller markets have continued to see an expanding vacation rental market, such as Sullivan and Delaware Counties, which saw year-over-year increases of 74 and 63 percent respectively in 2021. Though once popular during the Borscht Belt heyday of Catskills resorts, Schuster said these locations have not been been thought of as vacation rental destinations in recent decades.

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People know Hudson Valley, but theyre exploring these other areas and being met with really positive feedback, and thats whats driving demand in those places, Schuster said.

Other towns with bucolic settings saw a surge in bookings last year, as well as higher price points.

In Dutchess County, for example, Pine Plains saw high returns from its bookings, with a 61 percent year-over-year jump in 2021, and 151 percent growth the previous year. Guests paid a premium as well: the average nightly booking rate in Pine Plains was $801 last year, the highest in the county.

There are only 31 listings in the town, and scarcity could play a role in skewing the overnight pricing average compared to towns with more inventory, like Rhinebeck, which has 107 properties for rent  as well as hotels  the StayMarquis data shows.

In Putnam County, Cold Spring and Garrison emerged as top-dollar destinations as well. Across 54 properties in Cold Spring, the average nightly rate was $734, while Garrisons rate of $665 was averaged across 48 property listings.

Although COVID helped boost the Hudson Valleys short-term rental market, Schuster believes the growth will continue even after the pandemic.

Weve seen continued demand, said Schuster. And its been met with high supply.

Airbnbs data from last year also suggested the regional pull will continue. In a corporate trend report released May 24, Airbnb said: The most popular type of travel is families flocking to remote destinations from their big city home. The report found that summer Airbnb bookings in rural destinations have doubled since 2019, and the number of travelers whove reserved stays within 300 miles of home was up 15 percent in the first half of 2021 since January 2020.

Major hospitality brands are also banking on the popularity of the region and its proximity to New York City to drive tourism. At least six new Catskills resorts are set to open in 2022.
Its never said nearly enough, but Black history  the successes and the suffering  is American history.

Narratives concerning the lowest moments  like the institution of slavery  can be distorted, lessening the role that northern states like New York had in the bleakest chapter of our history.

By casting slavery as a Southern problem and casting the antislavery struggle as a glorious crusade for freedom, white northerners willfully forgot their own slave past and ignored their own racism and complicity with Southern slaveholding, Michael Groth, a history professor at Wells College and author of Slavery and Freedom in the Mid-Hudson Valley, explained.

Changing course and taking a more holistic view of that period requires all of us to learn a thing or two. Luckily, you dont have to look far in the Hudson Valley: the cities and towns across the region and the state are littered with remnants of the past you can see today.

These are some of the top landmarks and walking tours to immerse yourself in the Black  and American  history of the region.

MID- AND LOWER HUDSON VALLEY

Follow Harriet Tubman's path on the Underground Railroad in Nyack

Out of the millions of Black people enslaved in the United States throughout the 1800s, tens of thousands were lucky enough to obtain freedom via the Underground Railroad and the allies and activists who helped maintain the covert pathway to emancipation.

On the crossroads of Nyacks Main Street is an inconspicuous historical marker commemorating the villages claim as a stop runaways would make during their arduous journey to freedom (Main Street, at the Brook pedestrian bridge near Mill Street, Nyack). While figures like Harriet Tubman understandably get the spotlight for organizing and escorting fugitive slaves, their efforts were boosted by allies in both Northern and Southern states through a variety of means.

Courtesy of St. Philips AME Zion

In Nyack, former slave-turned-business owner Cynthia Hesdra lent one of her many local properties to the freedom effort, using that home as a safehouse for Tubman and others. For the well-to-do Hesdra family, who were able to amass wealth through businesses and property investment in New York City, freedom wasnt always the norm. Edward Hesdra  a free mixed-race man himself  bought his wifes freedom before they married.

Even though New York had abolished slavery in 1827, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1950 effectively made any runaway a target of law enforcement within so-called free states. For a high stakes venture like the Underground Railroad, obtaining the aid of people in commerce or clergy members was invaluable.

Situated on North Mill Street is the St. Philips A.M.E. Zion Church, another notable safe point of Tubmans, which was founded in 1859 by white abolitionist John Towt (14 N Mill St, Nyack). Disgusted by the grim reality of slavery he saw in the South, Towt joined the ranks of contemporaries like Frederick Douglass in the long brewing struggle towards abolition.

Although the numbers are hazy, the goodwill and secrecy of conductors such as Hesdra and Towt undoubtedly helped lead hundreds to freedom. The reserved white exterior of St. Philips has largely remained unchanged over the last century and a half since its founding. That resemblance to its past life should help visitors forge better ties to the past lives of Tubman and Towt.

Black-Owned businesses nearby

Following your walking tour, grab a bite to eat at the Vibes Cafe (17 N Franklin St, Nyack). Since opening in 2016, the cafes proven that good Caribbean food can also be found north of New York City. Some of their standouts include marinated and grilled Jerk chicken with rice, and curry goat or shrimp.

Sojourner Truths time in Ulster County

In the town of Port Ewen in Ulster County stands a bronze statue of a young Black girl carrying two jugs (172 Broadway, Port Ewen). Since 2013, the statue, a memorial to legendary 19th century Black abolitionist and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth, reminds passersby of her early life in bondage in Ulster County.

Bettmann / Getty Images

Born in Rifton in 1797 under the name Isabella Baumfree, Truth spent her formative years under the ownership of several slave owning families in the county before escaping in 1826. As you gaze upon the statue of a young Truth, some of the immutable pride inevitably bleeds through, thanks to the detailed work by sculptor Trina Greene. Its that sort of pride  the dignity that was usually stripped away from Black slaves by their masters  that powered Truths work as a renowned orator through talks such as the seminal 1851 speech  Ain  t I A Woman. 

To delve deeper into Truths adolescence here, walk the designated 4-mile path of local historic landmarks that played a role in her life. Notable spots include Saint James United Methodist Church (29 Pearl St, Kingston)  where Truth attended church at the age of 29  and the Ulster County Courthouse (285 Wall St., Kingston) where she won the legal battle that reunited her with her enslaved son Peter in 1828.

Another worthy stop along the walk is the Pine Street African Burial Ground (157 Pine St., Kingston). Starting this June, Harambee Kingston NY, which owns and maintains the sacred final resting ground for enslaved Africans, will hold a grand opening celebration of the site on Juneteenth.

Black-Owned businesses nearby



Courtesy of The Lorca

Kingston, the county seat, has maintained pockets of diversity that distinguishes the city from much of the surrounding area.

Dine out at Top Taste (46 Hasbrouck Ave, Kingston) for notable Jamaican dishes like oxtail, beef patties and curry chicken created by owner Albert Bartley, who last year was nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Chef in New York. Or make the short drive across the river to Dutchess BBQ for North Carolina-style barbecued ribs and chicken among other classics (1820 New Hackensack Road, Poughkeepsie).

Book a night at The Lorca, a stylish collection of five mountain homes located on a three-acre property about 30 miles northwest of Kingston in Shandaken. The homes are owned by twin sisters, designers and DJs Coco and Breezy Dotson, whose namesake eyewear brand has been worn by such style heavy hitters as Prince and Lady Gaga.

In the morning, drive to New Paltz to check out Grinds & Grains (3 Church St., New Paltz) for a cold brew and one of their 20+ types of cereal and nine types of milk for a custom take on the breakfast classic, before driving to Newburgh.

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A walking tour of Newburgh through the eyes of the Alsdorf family

Its easy to overlook the history imbued in our families, schools and on our streets  but Newburgh resident Tashae Smith is working to change that. Back in 2016, Smiths history studies during her senior year at Washingtonville College culminated in the launch of In Washingtons Shadow, a grant-funded walking tour centered on the Alsdorf family, one of 19th century Newburghs preeminent Black families.

Courtesy Tashae Smith

Former slaves George and Caroline Alsdorf settled in the area with their newfound freedom and a plot of land to farm in 1827. They, as well as their children and grandchildren, would go on to become mainstays in the community through their actions taking care of runaway slaves traversing the Underground Railroad, and their contributions to the Newburgh Free Academy and AME Zion Church. The eldest Alsdorf son, Dubois, went on to have a successful music career in New York City, eventually returning to Newburgh to teach music and create the Alsdorf School of Music and Dancing in 1849.

Take a self-guided audio walking tour of Alsdorf's local legacy along Washington Street and Liberty Street. And while listening, dont forget to get a little curious about the stories in your own backyard. You just never know what you might find out there. It might just be something that you're interested in, whether it's Black history or like, you know, 1950s hairstyles, Smith said.

Black-Owned businesses nearby

To recharge, grab a coffee at Blacc Vanilla Cafe (197 South St, Newburgh) and a souvenir of your time in the city at Newburgh Mercantile Gifts and Picture Framing (75 Broadway, Newburgh), which sells a variety of local and international wares.



UPSTATE

John Brown Farm State Historic Site in North Elba, Essex County

Ren Davidson Seward

Deep in the Adirondacks, in the small village of Lake Placid, is the resting place and farm of fervent abolitionist and rebel John Brown. Before more than 360,000 Union soldiers had died in the Civil War, Brown was waging his own armed crusade against slavery with his sons and former slaves in tow (115 John Brown Rd, Lake Placid).

A decade before his defeat and capture after the raid at Harper  s Ferry, Virginia, in October 1859, Brown and his family settled on this 270-acre plot in upstate New York in 1849. There, Brown shared his knowledge of farming to recently freed slaves. The sites lush green ground and abundant foliage overlooking the water brings about a kind of calm that was rare during Browns turbulent time on Earth.

Many of the trappings common in his 19th century lifestyle, like the wooden furniture, butter churn and iron wood stove for heating and cooking, are on display. Nearby, lies Browns burial place marked by a tombstone. His four sons rest close by in adjacent graves, along with a mass grave for those who died by his side in battle.

Courtesy of Martha Swan

Black-Owned businesses nearby

Head over to Plattsburgh about an hours drive away for another welcomed sight: a great meal at Island Vybz (26 Clinton St, Plattsburgh), where you can get both goat curry and shop for ingredients to make your own solid Caribbean dishes at home. Island Vybz also offers vegan options.

--

Dalvin Aboagye is a freelance writer who has previously covered the Hudson Valley region for The River Newsroom and Chronogram.
Robert Guaderrama joined the Spectrum News 1 team in April 2021.

Guaderrama has worked as a journalist for more than a decade. Before coming to the Capital Region, he was the chief political reporter at his last news station in Orlando, Fla. While there, he ran the station's election 2020 coverage.

While the journalist has won multiple awards, he says his most memorable story was about Honor Flights, which allowed U.S veterans to take free trips to see memorials in their honor. He is married to a veteran and loved the opportunity to bring attention to the troops and show gratitude for their service.

Guaderrama has many loves outside of work, including his husband and their dog, Jessie. He also enjoys working out and checking out local restaurants.

You can follow Guaderrama, who is today's 20 things, on Facebook.
SCHENECTADY  The Electric City isnt necessarily known for its electric guitars.

Now the owner of a downtown bar is trying to change that.

Jay St. Pub owner Mitchell Ramsey aims to take over a vacant building next door to his business and transform the long-shuttered space into a live music venue.

Plans have been in the works since before the pandemic, which economically devastated the three-year old pub located across from City Hall.

Regulations to stay in compliance was just an endless money pit, Ramsey said.

Now hes finally positioned to launch the project, a joint effort with his landlord and building owner, Noah Smith.

The pair are eying a dueling concept: The live music venue will be dubbed The Station in a nudge to the citys train history, while a rooftop deck will be called The Platform.

Each will host a different type of performer, Ramsey said, and the concepts are designed to play off one another.

The rooftop patio will also contain a food and beverage space.

While Jay St. Pub hosts live performances both indoors and out during warmer weather, the venue isnt large enough to accommodate a full-sized band and an audience at the same time.

Schenectady is not on the regular touring circuit for small- to mid-size acts, which typically tend to hit New York City, Woodstock, Poughkeepsie and Albany before reaching Burlington, Vt. and more north, Montreal.

Ramsey aims to change that while all giving new acts a leg-up in the process by providing high-quality sound and recording equipment.

Performers can then walk away with a demo recording they can use to market themselves to other booking agents or record labels.

Ramsey estimated the acoustically-treated venue will have a capacity of 100 people. Hes eying an intimate experience, drawing inspiration from venues like the Colony in Woodstock, a small venue with soft lighting where rock bands thrash out songs mere feet from the audience.

I want to emulate that here, said Ramsey, who has a network of artists he said he will be able to tap into once the venue is up and running.

The one-story structure at 116 Jay St. has been vacant for at least 15 years, according to Ray Gillen, chairman of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Its been high on our list to fix for many years, so Im very pleased going forward, Gillen said. I think Mitchs concept is fantastic.

Metroplex will provide a $25,000 facade improvement grant for the weather-beaten brick building. The entire project has a $250,000 price tag.

Ramsey will appear before the city Planning Commission on Wednesday. If approved, hes eying a mid-summer launch date.

He believes downtown Schenectady has a lot to offer, pointing at near-full occupancy rate for several new apartment complexes and an influx of new businesses, including those surrounding City Hall.

The city has bounced back fairly quickly considering the circumstances, Ramsey said.

Smith, his partner, agrees.

Mitch has a good idea and a good concept and Im throwing in my chips in with him, Smith said.
TROY  HBO gave The Gilded Age viewers a Valentines Day gift Monday by renewing the Julian Fellowes series for a second season on the same day the first season's fourth episode airs.

The renewal comes as the series has seen its audience grow and after location scouts have been visiting the Collar City and venturing into Saratoga County seeking new places to film second-season scenes. Churches and settings for art classes have been among the spots theyve been eyeing to capture the flavor of late 19th century New York City.

Troy's First United Presbyterian Church at 1915 Fifth Ave. and the former Daisy Baker Restaurant space at 33 Second St., that's now home to Hippies, Witches & Gypsies store, have been suggested as new locations for the production.

The new season of filming also sees the Hart Cluett Museum preparing to relaunch its popular The Gilded Age walking tour that captured Capital Region residents attention as a way to see where the series was filmed locally and hear about Gilded Age Troy.

Im very excited about the series being renewed. It was such a boost for Troy, Kathy Sheehan, historian for the city of Troy and Rensselaer County, said Monday. Sheehan worked with series production designers on identifying where to film in the city.

People are interested now in this time period. Im getting lots of questions about 'have and have nots' in Troy, Sheehan said about the series impact at the museum, which was a location in the first season where filming took place in May and June 2021.

They were here. They were looking at period churches, Sheehan said about meeting with location scouts in January.

Fellowes, who created the popular Downton Abbey series, is the creator and writer of The Gilded Age. Both dramatic series emphasize their historic authenticity in telling their stories. "The Gilded Age" is set in late 19th century New York several decades before the action of "Downton Abbey," which opened with news of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and portrayed the lives of British aristocrats through the late 1920s.

There is expected to be a crossover between the two series. Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Denee Benton and Louisa Jacobson are in the cast for the new show. Kelley Curran who grew up in Slingerlands also appears in the series.

Troys remarkably intact late 19th-century architecture and streetscape are stand in for New York City. The transformation of Monument Square into a Manhattan shopping district, the Troy Public Library as a club, the Rensselaer County Court House, local streets, residences and Washington Park are among the local sites that can be seen throughout The Gilded Age.

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 series has also been filmed in the Hudson Valley, Newport, Rhode Island and on Long Island.

While the official renewal was announced Monday by HBO, film crews that left after wrapping up in Troy in June 2021 were telling people that they would see them for the new round of filming in 2022. Before departing Troy in June, crew members went north to the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs to inspect it as a potential location. They focused on the historic Oklahoma track.

The final episode of The Gilded Age nine-episode first season airs on March 21.

Julian Fellowes and the entire ;Gilded Age' family have thoroughly captivated us with their tale of late 19th-century New York City extravagance. Along with our partners at Universal Television, we couldn't be prouder to embark on a season two journey with this extraordinarily talented team, said Francesca Orsi, executive vice president, HBO Programming, said in a statement.

Other productions that have filmed in Troy include The Age of Innocence, The Emperors Club, Scent of a Woman, The Time Machine, Ironweed, Shoplifters of the World Unite, Motherless Brooklyn and Modern Love.
More than two million homes could be powered by renewable energy from an offshore wind farm proposed in the New York Bight, an area in federal waters off the coast of New Jersey and New York. Wind could generate up to 7 gigawatts of clean energy and the building the project will create thousands of good-paying jobs.

The project is one step closer to reality after an announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) making the New York Bight the largest offshore wind lease area in the nations history.

This announcement also made history as the first offshore wind lease to include new requirements for developers to demonstrate their goals for procuring materials from U.S.-based manufacturers. These include incentives to source major components domestically  such as blades, turbines and foundations. It also includes a requirement to enter into project labor agreements  agreements between a business and unions that improve the quality of projects  to promote union-built projects  meaning safe, high-quality jobs.

You dont have to be a climate change activist to see how offshore wind generation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our country. This is why the BlueGreen Alliance, our partners at the United Steelworkers and our allies at the Alliance for American Manufacturing, came together to advocate strongly for requirements that would result in investments in our communities.

This announcement is the first of many new offshore wind leasing areas under the Biden administration and is a tipping point for the renewable-generation industry in America. The monumental inclusion of supply chain stipulations for this industry is a win for working people, and the first step we needed to get this opportunity right.

Right now we are far behind our global competitors on making everything from solar to electric vehicle battery cells to low-carbon steel. Until we have robust intentional industrial policies that build out renewable supply chains in this country, were not going to get the full benefits of this energy transition.

The choices we make now will determine whether American workers will truly benefit from this industry, and whether these jobs will be high-quality. We need the investment in economic development strategies that spur quality job creation. The Biden administrations announcement of the lease sale sends a strong message to the future of offshore wind. It shows that with the right policies in place we can create and sustain good-paying union jobs, grow clean energy and reduce emissions, and manufacture Americas clean-energy future in America.

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

We applaud this step, and will stay vigilant to ensure that we build a U.S. supply chain that grows along with each phase of offshore wind growth, creating real wealth for American families for generations to come.

Rebecca Nowatchik is the Northeast regional program manager for the BlueGreen Alliance, which unites labor unions and environmental organizations to solve environmental challenges.
Its a beautiful world out there, and we dont have to go far to experience it. More of us have realized that during the pandemic: For the second year in a row, New Yorks state parks have seen a record number of visits.

Thats great news. And even better: Gov. Kathy Hochuls proposed budget would give state parks a much-needed funding boost. Basil Seggos of the Department of Environmental Conservation has pledged to add rangers; theres money for more state park police, too.

But with many rangers approaching retirement, its essential that the state add enough not just to cover attrition but to boost the ranks. Theyre spread too thin as it is, especially in the Adirondack High Peaks, where a flood of visitors started surging even before the pandemic. Gov. Hochuls veto on a bill that would have let rangers and state park police retire in 20 years instead of 25  putting them on par with other law enforcement divisions  will make it that much harder to keep them on the force.

Rangers and park police protect our treasured environment and the people in it. Lets make sure they have the resources they need to do their job, and are treated equitably for doing it.

A tin-eared argument

New York City Mayor Eric Adams made his first visit to Albany  virtually speaking, that is  last week for the annual budget-season hearing known as Tin Cup Day. He isnt a personality this Editorial Board feels much of a need to opine about, except when his pronouncements touch on issues that matter statewide.

Such is the case with his opinions on proposed changes to criminal justice reforms, which the mayor wants to see rolled back in what he describes as an effort to get violent criminals off the street. Weve weighed in on those questions repeatedly, and weve demanded that any changes be based in sound analysis of data.

Thats not what the public got in the hearing from Mr. Adams, who rebuffed Assemblywoman Latrice Walkers desire for a debate on the issues by suggesting that she should debate the mother of a toddler who had been shot in the face, or the two police offcers recently killed in the line of duty. This sort of bloody-shirt rhetoric is unbecoming of any elected official, and indicates that Mr. Adams doesnt have the evidence to back up his proposals.

A former police officer, he seems to think that makes him exempt from criticism on public safety issues. It doesnt.

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

A win for victims

President Joe Biden is expected to sign a bill passed by Congress last week that would end whats known as forced arbitration, which has long allowed private companies to settle sexual harassment cases with agreements that bound victims from sharing what had happened to them.

Once signed, this law will stop a practice that allowed harassers to victimize again and again. Worse, because the victims couldnt explain what had happened, they would find themselves locked out of the workforce.

The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, introduced by U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., passed the House 335 to 97 Monday and the Senate unanimously on Thursday.

In a parlous age for bipartisanship, they deserve credit for getting it over the line.
ALBANY  At a sit-down with the Times Unions editorial board last month, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared her intentions to prepare New York for crises in the coming years by stashing away money in state savings.

I cannot leave future elected officials, whether its myself or anybody else, in that situation where we spent it all this year, and well, good luck with the future, Hochul said at the roundtable. Im responsible for the future as well.

A significant part of that promise requires the boosting of New Yorks rainy day reserve funds, set to hit $3.3 billion this year, well below the $6.4 billion that is recommended. The amount is inadequate if the state has any desire to mitigate severe disaster, according to a 2019 report from the comptrollers office.

Recently, lawmakers have expressed interest in using the states reserves for permanent social change. Last week, state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, D-Bronx, advocated for pulling a few billion dollars out of the funds to increase the salary of health care workers.

Before that, Democratic Queens Assemblyman Ron Kim suggested using state savings for a COVID-19 nursing home victims compensation fund, something Hochul left out of her executive budget.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli did not agree with the use of the finances for those reasons.

The purpose of a reserve is to be there for a fiscal emergency, a significant budget shortfall, DiNapoli said. To spend down reserves, if its a good government purpose, then that should be the commitment of the government to support that.

DiNapoli outlined measures the state had to take during the COVID-19 pandemic because reserves were so depleted, saying that if federal funds hadnt come through, 20 percent in spending to schools, nonprofits and local governments could have been indefinitely withheld.

Defying increasing pressure, Hochul remains firm on her decision to add to the funds, with plans to increase them by up to 15 percent of the states budget by 2025, a number recommended by the New York Government Financial Officers Association.

In comparison, Texas rainy day reserves were 22.8 percent of general fund spending in 2019; Californias 12.4 percent; Floridas 4.4 percent, and Michigans was at 10.9 percent. New Yorks remained at 2.8 percent of general fund spending in 2019.

Because the Golden State had so much money in reserves, it supplied its own stimulus checks during the pandemic.

Traditionally, New York has held rainy day money in an informal pot at the discretion of the Division of the Budget, DiNapoli said, meaning the finances could be used for multiple reasons.

Hochul plans to set aside a portion of the 15 percent in assets for a similar discretionary purpose, he continued, a move that could deter the states reserves from reaching their maximum authorized balances.

New York has two rainy day funds: the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund and the Rainy Day Reserve Fund. There are legal barriers to accessing those accounts.

According to the Comptrollers 2019 rainy day report, the state last withdrew from the TSRF in 1992, and monies from the RDRF have never been utilized.
ALBANY  The Irish American Heritage Museum will host its annual Irish soda bread bake-off on Saturday, March 5.

Intended for nonprofessional cooks and bakers, the competition will have prizes in two categories: traditional white flour and family recipe/not strictly traditional. (True soda bread contains only four ingredients: flour, salt, sour milk or buttermilk and baking soda.)

Submission is from noon to 1 p.m. on March 5, with results at 3 p.m. Participants should bring two identical loaves for each category entered to the museum, located at located at the Discover Albany Visitors Center at Quackenbush Square, on Broadway at the foot of Clinton Avenue. One loaf is for display, the other for judges to examine and taste. Only one recipe may be submitted per entrant per category, but an entrant may compete in both categories. Entries cost $10 apiece.

The top three winners in each category will receive prizes.

Information and entry forms are at irish-us.org.
Farmington, WV (26555)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 81F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
I'm not 100% sure how much say the Legislature has over this issue HOWEVER what's more important right now is this bold statement from the activist leader . . .



Here's the word . . .



"If elected, I will introduce legislation that will ABOLISH cash bail in Jackson County, Missouri.



I am a man of my word and I committed to this at a public safety community forum with @kcbailfund a month ago. Jackson County must be a place for justice, not oppression."



Check his Twitter thread on the topic . . .

You decide . . .


COVID pretty much killed freedom of movement for the plebs.



Here's a TKC peek at Sunday tragedy in the not-so-friendly local skies . . .



Unruly passenger forces American flight to divert to Kansas City International Airport KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Passengers on board an American Airlines flight between Los Angeles and Washington D.C. made an unplanned emergency diversion Sunday to Kansas City. American flight 1775 left Los Angeles International Airport at 11:15 a.m. central time en route to Reagan National Airport in Washington.

At least one dead in plane crash at Johnson County Executive Airport OLATHE, Kan. - Olathe police, firefighters and the Kansas Highway Patrol responded to a deadly plane crash at the Johnson County Executive Airport Sunday morning. The crash took place between the airport and 151st Street, emergency responders went to the scene shortly before 10:30 a.m.

Developing . . .
At the outset of this "day of love" let's take a pause to acknowledge that Kansas City coupling can have a powerful impact on the fate of our cowtown.



To wit . . .

VALENTINE'S DAY VICTORY!!! WITHOUT QUESTION MAYOR Q & CITY MANAGER BRIAN PLATT ARE KANSAS CITY'S STRONGEST POWER COUPLE!!!



A quick peek at their accomplishment . . .



- During Kansas City's dark winter they worked together in order to dominate 3.5 inches . . . Of snow.

- After more than a year of anti-police rhetoric & rallies . . . The new budget devised by this dynamic duo claims to offer cash for more cops.

- Despite complaints from EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN KCMO . . . The Mayor & City Manager still champion the plight of the 'houseless' and look to dump 'solutions' for this crisis in the backyard of their political opposition.



All this is impressive in and of itself . . .

And they're just getting started.



Our lead photo reveals that they're unafraid to be seen cheek-to-cheek in public and this kind of brazen collaboration has strengthened their resolve to push hard and pound out their agenda despite the groans and heated protestations of their envious critics.

Developing . . .


An inevitable series of court battles will determine voting lines in Kansas.



Still . . .

Today's legal action was more about dominating headlines than making an argument regarding public policy.

Here's the word . . .



They are suing defendants Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Wyandotte County election commissioner Michael Abbott.It claims that the new map, which was vetoed by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly then overridden by the legislature, is a product of partisan gerrymandering, intended to favor Republicans and split up minority votes.



"This case is about politicians choosing their voters by manipulating district lines to secure their preferred electoral outcomesdespite the will of Kansas voters and at the expense of the political power of minority communities," the lawsuit reads.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

2 new lawsuits target Kansas congressional redistricting map Kansas organization Loud Light, which focuses on increasing civic engagement in youth, along with several voters have sued over the new congressional map in the state. Their lawsuit has now been joined by another brought by the ACLU of Kansas.

Kansas Democrats challenge Ad Astra map in court TOPEKA, Kan. - A congressional redistricting map recently approved by lawmakers is now being challenged in court by two separate lawsuits. Five Kansas voters along with the civic engagement group Loud Light filed a lawsuit in Wyandotte County District Court Monday morning to challenge congressional district lines created by Senate Bill 355, commonly referred to as the Ad Astra map.

Voting Rights Groups Launch Court Battle Over New Kansas Congressional Map TOPEKA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Loud Light filed two separate lawsuits Monday arguing the congressional map endorsed by a GOP supermajority in the Legislature intentionally violates constitutional rights of Democrats and communities of color.

Developing . .
Brevard, NC (28712)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
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
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Over the past day, February 13, the Russian-occupation troops violated the ceasefire in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine six times, using the weapons banned under the Minsk agreements once.

Near Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk), the occupiers fired tripod-mounted man-portable antitank guns. Towards Vodiane (94km south of Donetsk), the enemy opened fire from small arms. Outside Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), Russian mercenaries fired grenade machine guns and small arms on Ukrainian positions. On the outskirts of Vodiane, the armed formations of the Russian Federation used 120mm mortars, the JFO press center posted on Facebook.

Moreover, enemy UAVs, probably Orlan-10, were spotted crossing the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Joint Forces reported no casualties.

Ukrainian defenders returned fire without using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements and forced the enemy to cease shelling.

As of 07:00, February 14, no ceasefire violations by the Russian-occupation forces were recorded.

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C-17 transport aircraft with Lithuanian military equipment onboard, including modern Stinger man-portable air defense systems, landed in Kyiv last weekend.

"By the decision of the Government of Lithuania, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were provided with modern Stinger MANPADS, bulletproof vests for the military, and other equipment. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have become even stronger," the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine posted on Facebook on February 13.

As noted, Ambassador of Lithuania to Ukraine Valdemaras Sarapinas and Defense Attache at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine Darius Adomaitis met the cargo and heard many words of gratitude from Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Havrylov and the military leadership who participated in the donation ceremony.

Ambassador Sarapinas said that military and other support from Lithuania to Ukraine would be stepped up in this difficult time.

On February 10, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Ingrida Simonyte met in Kyiv. The Prime Minister of Lithuania stated that the Lithuanian Stinger MANPADS and missiles would arrive in Ukraine in the coming days.

On February 11, the heads of government visited Luhansk region, where they got acquainted with the work of the entry-exit checkpoint.

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Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin has said that there are no risks and threats to Ukraine from Belarusian territory, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has said.

During a phone call held between Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and his Belarusian counterpart, both parties discussed measures to increase confidence and transparency during military exercises held near the state border, the statement said.

"The conversation took place in order to restore the atmosphere of dialogue [] and ensure security in the region," the statement said.

The defense ministers discussed the implementation of confidence-building and transparency measures during military exercises held near the state border, as well as the elimination of possible incidents and the mutual provision of information about emergencies.

Reznikov informed Khrenin about the progress of the command and staff exercises "Snowstorm 2022," emphasizing that these drills are defensive.

In order to strengthen mutual trust, an agreement was reached that the Belarusian defense attache in Ukraine would attend Exercise Snowstorm 2022 and the Ukrainian defense attache in Belarus would attend the Belarusian-Russian Exercise Allied Resolve 2022.

Both ministers also agreed to continue contacts in order to develop relations in the field of defense in the spirit of good neighborliness.

"I am grateful to my colleague Viktor Khrenin for an open conversation. I have repeatedly emphasized that the relations between the Ukrainian and Belarusian peoples are special. Our feelings are very warm. Any threats or provocations from Ukraine against Belarus are excluded, they are simply impossible. Viktor Gennadyevich also assured me of the absence of risks and threats to Ukraine from the territory of the Republic of Belarus. We discussed the things that are now on the agenda and determined the algorithm for further interaction. I see this as a positive signal and the first step towards fruitful cooperation," Reznikov said.

Russia and Belarus on February 10 started a joint ten-day military exercise amid international concerns over a build-up of Russian troops along Ukraine's border.

NATO thinks the drills in Belarus are the largest military operation in the country since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

Russia has consistently denied plans to invade Ukraine, although it has amassed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders.

Some Western countries and the United States warned that Russia could attack Ukraine at any time.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced the disbursement of a EUR 150 million loan in support of Ukraine.

He said this at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Monday, February 14, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"I can assure you that we will continue to support [Ukraine], so I am glad that today I can announce a quick disbursement of 150 million euros from the current untied financial loan and I can announce a new untied financial loan, and this is, by the way, in addition to the EU's support for Ukraine," he said.

Scholz added that Germany stands with Ukraine and supports the country on its European path, noting that Germany has made the Ukrainian economy more stable and independent of foreign influence.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is on a visit to Ukraine on Monday, February 14. On February 15, he is scheduled to visit Moscow.

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Ukraine and Germany have promising areas for cooperation, so it would be important to hold the fifth German-Ukrainian economic forum in 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

He said this at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv on Monday, February 14, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Germany is one of our priority trading partners in Europe. We agreed that in the strategic perspective, one of the key elements of Ukraine's resilience and stability in the region should be German investments in Ukraine. The interest in increasing them is mutual. Therefore, I will propose organizing the fifth German-Ukrainian economic forum this year," Zelensky said.

Zelensky also called for deepening intergovernmental consultations between Ukraine and Germany.

"We have many important promising areas for deepening cooperation, so it is important to organize intergovernmental German-Ukrainian consultations under our joint chairmanship with Mr. Chancellor. I am convinced that such a large-scale event opens a new stage in relations between our states," he said.

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The Japanese government has said that the country will evacuate most of its embassy staff in Ukraine.

Ukrinform reports this with reference to Kyodo.

It is noted that the number of embassy staff to stay Ukraine is expected to be reduced to less than 10, including Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Kuninori Matsuda.

According to the report, the decision to evacuate most of the staff was approved on Sunday, following reports of a possible Russian invasion. In addition, on Friday, the Japanese Foreign Ministry recommended its citizens to leave Ukraine and informed in an email sent by the embassy that its function will be further limited from Monday since "only a few" personnel will remain in the country.

As Ukrinform reported, Australia said it was evacuating its embassy in Kyiv as the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border deteriorated quickly due the build-up of Russia's troops there.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is holding talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is on an official visit to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president greeted the German chancellor on the doorstep of the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

The beginning of the meeting was broadcast live on the Facebook page of the Ukrainian President's Office.

As Ukrinform reported, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz before his visits to Kyiv and Moscow once again warned Russia of immediate sanctions if it invades Ukraine. Scholz said that both of his visits were aimed at ensuring peace in the face of a very serious threat.

The German chancellor has repeatedly said in recent times that Germany has provided EUR 1.83 billion in aid to Ukraine since 2014 and is Ukraines largest bilateral donor.

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German Federal Government discusses the Ukrainian side's requests for defensive weapons.

"There is a letter with a list in which the Government of Ukraine requests weapons and equipment. It is currently being checked. We have to wait for the results," Christiane Hoffmann, the First Deputy Spokesperson of the German Federal Government, said at a briefing on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

She is "unaware" of further inquiries immediately before the visit of Chancellor Scholz to Kyiv.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Arne Collatz also confirmed that the Bundeswehr had received a letter from the Ukrainian side last week regarding assistance, "which is definitely being considered." He said that Federal Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht would have another conversation with her Ukrainian counterpart today in the afternoon, during which the ministers will discuss both the general security situation and "whether the request can be granted or not."

Ahead of the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Kyiv, Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany Andrij Melnyk said a comment to BILD that the situation was dramatic and called on the German side to "immediately provide 12,000 anti-tank missiles" so that Ukraine could "repel Russias possible ground attack on Ukraine."

As reported, the list provided by the Ukrainian side consists of a number of types of defensive weapons, including electronic surveillance systems, demining equipment, digital radio stations, radar stations, night vision devices, and more. However, anti-tank missiles are not on this list.

Recently, there has been a debate in Germany about changing the government's stance on non-supply of weapons to Ukraine. While the possibility of supply has been ruled out in the past, government officials have recently said it is being considered.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba thanked for the U.S. macro-financial assistance during a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Another call with Secretary Blinken. We keep actively coordinating efforts to protect Ukraine. Grateful to the U.S. for the decision to provide Ukraine with macro-financial assistance, Kuleba posted on Twitter.

The parties also discussed the functioning of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Kuleba stressed that Ukraine is interested in it being fully operational.

Earlier, the U.S. Mission to the OSCE in Austria was informed that the U.S. State Department's call for U.S. citizens to leave Ukraine due to the threat of Russian military action extends to the U.S. OSCE SMM staff in Ukraine.

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Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Marshal of the Polish Sejm Tomasz Grodzki will be visiting Ukraine this week.

That's according to a statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

According to the schedule, Di Maio will visit Ukraine on Wednesday, February 16, and Grodzki will travel to the country on February 17-18.

Truss is going to visit Ukraine on February 17-18.

"Kyiv has turned into a center of gravity for international politics. This week we continue to receive foreign guests. This is an important element of our strategy to deter Russia from further aggravating the situation. I am grateful to our partners for supporting Ukraine in this difficult time," the ministry quoted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba as saying.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is on a visit to Ukraine on Monday, February 14. On February 15, he is scheduled to visit Moscow.

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Ukraine and Germany share a common vision of a peaceful approach to resolving the armed conflict in Ukraine, and it is expected that in the near future it will be possible to hold further talks and agree on a summit of the leaders of the Normandy Four countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this at a briefing following his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv on Monday, February 14, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"In a short time, we managed to hold two rounds of talks between the political advisers of the Normandy Four in Paris and Berlin. In this context, I would like to note the role of the new German federal government and personally Mr. Chancellor. It is important that Mr. Scholz and I share a common vision of a peaceful approach. We expect that in the near future we will be able to hold further talks and agree on a summit of the N4 leaders," Zelensky said.

He recalled that tomorrow, February 15, Scholz would make a visit to Moscow, where he will present not only the German position, but also the united position of the entire transatlantic community, a priority for which is the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Zelensky noted that he highly appreciates the fact that on the eve of his visit to Russia the head of the German government held talks in Kyiv.

"Ukraine's security is Europe's security. I am convinced that through joint efforts we will be able to find ways to protect our common home," Zelensky said.

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Germany keeps reconsidering the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine and promises to announce if there are new results.

"You know Germany's attitude towards arms exports We are re-considering this issue over and over again, and we will let you know if there are new results," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Germany has provided a lot of assistance and is the largest financial donor to Ukraine, Scholz noted.

Germany continues to refuse to provide Ukraine with defensive weapons, despite repeated calls from Kyiv. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated that the German legislation does not contain any legal prohibitions on the arms supplies to Ukraine, so this is a political issue.

On Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes a visit to Ukraine. On Tuesday, he will visit Moscow.

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Ukraine is not planning to close its airspace to airlines as there are no grounds for this, Secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov has said.

He said this at a briefing on Monday, February 14, following a closed meeting of the National Security and Defense Council with the participation of the Verkhovna Rada leadership, representatives of parliamentary factions and groups and the heads of concerned parliamentary committees.

"As far as the planes are concerned, let's immediately dot the i's and cross the t's. We are not closing our sky and we are not going to close it today, and there are no grounds for that. This is the first thing. As for some companies that lease aircraft and take precautions today, this is primarily due to the Netherlands. You remember when the Russian Federation shot down MH17 in the Donetsk region, so they play it safe today. I emphasize once again that we will not close [the airspace]," Danilov said.

He recalled that the Cabinet of Ministers at a meeting on February 13 allocated additional funds for the reinsurance of companies in the event of unforeseen situations.

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Ukraine's SBU State Security Service has said that creating panic is another powerful wave of hybrid warfare.

The SBU said this in a statement posted on its website, Ukrinform reports.

"Today, the domestic information space is under the unprecedented influence. Ukraine has faced attempts related to the systematic creation of panic, the spread of fake information and the distortion of the real situation. All this combined is nothing more than another powerful wave of hybrid warfare," the statement said.

It says the SBU, within its competence, constantly analyzes various scenarios and has a clear plan of action for each of them.

"Together with the state leadership, representatives of the executive and legislative branches, other law enforcement and security authorities, we are ready to respond to the situation not only when the need arises, but in advance. And we are already doing it. At the same time, we fully understand the motives of the current information pressure - to sow alarm in Ukrainian society, to undermine belief in the state's ability to protect its citizens, to shake our unity," the SBU said.

The SBU said it recorded such manifestations of hybrid warfare on social media, in some media outlets, and some politicians spreading the narratives of the aggressor country.

"[The SBU] not only records [such manifestations], but also actively opposes them. This is reflected in the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council, the number of neutralized cyberattacks, the elimination of numerous bot farms, exposing the intelligence networks of foreign intelligence services and preventing sabotage and terrorist attacks. SBU employees work in all regions of the country in full force. We are ready to defend Ukraine," the statement said.

However, stability and peace in the country now depend not only on the government but also on the balanced actions of all Ukrainians, the SBU said.

"We all need to keep calm and sane, not to succumb to provocations. Panic and destabilization benefit only the enemies, not Ukraine. We all need to think critically and check any information; be guided by data from official sources, not anonymous ones; learn to distinguish truth from fakes," the statement said.

The SBU also added that "the strength of Ukraine is not only in a powerful army but in the unity of each of us."

"Together we can defend Ukraine, our freedom, independence and dignity, "the SBU said.

On February 12, in a video address to Ukrainians, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal called on citizens not to panic, but to trust the Ukrainian army and believe in their country.

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What should have been a safe haven, turned into the exact opposite for 22,000 refugees in the Benishangul Gumuz region in Ethiopia, when the camps they called home were destroyed during recent waves of violence.

The Northern regions of Ethiopia have been impacted by violence and conflict since November 2020, forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. The security situation has also become more tense in the nearby Benishangul Gumuz region, bordering Sudan and South Sudan. The region hosts more than 70,000 Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees and over 500,000 internally displaced Ethiopians.

In December and January, widespread fighting broke out and affected directly the 22,000 refugees in the camps of Tongo and Gure-Shembola. Both camps were looted and burned down during the fighting, forcing the inhabitants to flee the destroyed camps and once again losing their homes and the lives they had rebuilt.

The majority of refugees from Tongo and Gure-Shambole have sought temporary refuge in sites close to the regional capital Assosa, where they arrived exhausted and in dire need of acute aid. Besides shelter, they need food, clean water, and medical care.

UNHCR has stepped up the response and is providing emergency aid. The regional authorities in Benishangul Gumuz have identified a new temporary site with capacity to host 20,000 people  and here, UNHCR is working to establish a new site, installing shelter, water points, and latrines. The refugees will be relocated to the site as soon as possible.

This is possible with the flexible support from Sweden, who is the biggest multi-year donor of unearmarked funding to UNHCR. As of February 2022, Sweden had already contributed with USD 77.6 million of unearmarked funding, allowing UNHCR to react promptly in immediate and unforeseen emergency situations.

It is tragic when people, who have already been forced to flee from their homes once, suddenly find themselves engulfed by violence and again have to flee for their lives. Early unearmarked funding from Sweden enabled us to react immediately to the emergency needs in Ethiopia and provide urgent assistance and shelter, says UNHCRs Representative in the Nordic and Baltic Countries, Henrik M. Nordentoft.

In the Benishangul Gumuz region, UNHCR also assists internally displaced Ethiopians, reaching over 100,000 people in 2021  particularly women and children  with clothing, shelter, psychosocial support, and awareness-raising on issues like gender-based violence and sexual abuse.

Sweden as a donor

Sweden is one of UNHCRs top donors, and the biggest multi-year donor of unearmarked funding. In 2021, Sweden provided UNHCR with USD 122.9 million, of which 61% was unearmarked. For 2022, Sweden has already contributed USD 77.6 million of unearmarked funding.

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Jennifer Ann Hancock was born Nov. 20, 1956, in Atlanta, to William Roy and Martha Jones Hancock. She went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Gray. She was preceded in death by her father, William Roy Hancock, and her brother, Timothy Roy Hancock, as well as grandparents
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 14th Feb, 2022) The Scientific Committee of the Global Media Congress has discussed the scientific aspects related to panel discussions, seminars and scientific papers listed on the Congress's agenda, along with the relevant accomplishments that have been made so far.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and organised by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) in strategic partnership with Emirates news Agency (WAM), the inaugural Global Media Congress will take place from 15th to 17th November 2022 in the UAE Capital.

The meeting was chaired by Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM) and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the Global Media Congress, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) in strategic partnership with WAM.

Discussions during the meeting covered the congress's scientific plan and the best methods that contribute to achieving its objectives in line with the directives of the UAE's leadership and the countrys stature in the media industry, which is based on innovation, creativity, advanced technology and effective partnerships.

The committee also approved the scientific programmes and plans discussed during the previous meeting and discussed the mechanism for preparing a digital scientific record for the Congress, studying the participation requests, sessions and events accompanying the event, and setting timetables for them.

The committee commended the great interest of media institutions and agencies worldwide to participate in the event.

The Global Media Congress will discuss several key topics, most notably digital communication, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies and innovation in the media sector. It will host specialist sessions covering journalism, radio, television, internet, social media and international influencers.

The event will serve as a platform for international companies interested in engaging in media markets in the Gulf region, the middle East and North Africa.
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 14th Feb, 2022) Saqr Ghobash, Speaker for the Federal National Council (FNC), met with members of the United Kingdom-United Arab Emirates All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) who are visiting the UAE.

The meeting was attended by FNC members, including Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Sarah Falkinaz, Mira Al Suwaidi, Marwan Al Muhairi, Dr. Hawaa Al Mansouri and Dr. Omar Al Nuaimi, FNC Secretary-General.

At the start of the meeting, Ghobash welcomed the delegation to the UAE, their second home, underlining the strong bilateral relations between the UAE and the United Kingdom (UK), which he described as a role model for what relationships should be between countries. "This visit reflects the distinguished bilateral relations between our friendly countries and peoples which are witnessing continuous progress and development, under the guidance and support of the two countries leadership," he said.

The FNC Speaker also reflected on the outcomes of his recent visit to the UK, during which he met with the chairman of the House of Commons and several officials to enhance bilateral parliamentary ties and partnership and take them to new levels of joint cooperation, especially in the parliamentary field.

Ghobash hailed the UKs official support and that of the United Kingdom-United Arab Emirates All-Party Parliamentary Group's against Houthi militia's terrorist attacks on civilian areas and facilities in the UAE. He highlighted the fact that the UAE reserves the right to respond against these terrorist attacks which contravene all international laws and norms. He also called on the APPG to support the efforts of re-designating Houthis as a terrorist organisation.

The FNC Speaker confirmed that the UAE has a legal and moral right to defend its lands, population and sovereignty. He said that his country exercises this right to prevent terrorist Houthi acts while supporting international efforts to reach a ceasefire and a political solution in Yemen.

Meanwhile, Jones and the accompanying delegation thanked the FNC for their warm welcome, stating that the UAE has managed to achieve significant milestones and development in different domains over the past fifty years.

They also expressed their keenness to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, attain strategic partnership with the UAE in all domains and unify efforts on international issues of common interest.
An Algerian court on Monday sentenced in absentia ex-energy ministry Chakib Khelil, who served under former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to 20 years in prison on corruption charges, local media reported

Algiers, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Feb, 2022 ) :An Algerian court on Monday sentenced in absentia ex-energy ministry Chakib Khelil, who served under former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to 20 years in prison on corruption charges, local media reported.

The Sidi M'Hamed court in Algiers also fined the longtime former minister, who served for half of Bouteflika's 20-year tenure, two million dinars (about $14,200).

A former head of the North African country's oil and gas firm Sonatrach, Mohamed Meziane, was sentenced to five years in prison and a one-million Dinar fine in the same trial.

Meziane is already serving time in a separate case.

Sonatrach's former vice president, Abdelhafidh Feghouli, was sentenced to six years in prison and a fine of one million dinars.

The trial opened on February 1, with the prosecution demanding 20- and 10-year sentences for Khelil and Meziane.

Sonatrach officials stood accused of favouring Italian group SAIPEM for contracts to construct the Arzew gas complex in the western province of Oran over an Emirati firm, at Khelil's instruction.

The officials were also charged with "granting undue privileges", abuse of their positions and "concluding contracts in violation of laws and regulations", according to national news agency APS.

The same court on Monday sentenced in absentia two representatives of SAIPEM, Gilbert Bulato and Massimo Gallipoli Steal, to six years in prison and a one-million dinar fine each.

In 2013, the Algerian judiciary issued an international arrest warrant for Khelil over a case involving contracts between Sonatrach and foreign companies, including SAIPEM, a unit of Italian energy giant ENI.

Prosecutors in Milan had accused SAIPEM of paying bribes to obtain contracts in Algeria, and the subsidiary was fined in 2018, before being cleared by an appeals court in 2020.

Khelil, now 82, quit his post in 2010 and moved to the United States after being associated with a scandal involving high-ranking Sonatrach officials who were later jailed for corruption.

He returned to Algeria in 2016 after the cases were dropped -- then left again after Bouteflika's resignation in 2019 that sparked a string of investigations into graft by his officials.
China on Monday dismissed Indian external affairs minister's remarks about China-India border conflict and said that the responsibility for the border conflict rested with the Indian side

BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Feb, 2022 ) :China on Monday dismissed Indian external affairs minister's remarks about China-India border conflict and said that the responsibility for the border conflict rested with the Indian side.

"As to the China India relations, the merits of the matters are very clear and responsibility does not rest with China," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during his regular briefing here in response to Indian External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar comments about China-India relations.

Indian external Affairs Minister, during his visit to Australia criticized China's economic activities towards Australia. Separately, he mentioned the clash between India and China on the border had been discussed during the Quad meetings. Another time, he put the blame on China for the ongoing border conflict.

The spokesperson said, "On the ins and outs of China-Australia relationship, we already talked a lot about that on different occasions. I am not going into details." He however he rejected S. Jaishankar remarks on China India relations and border conflicts and said that the responsibility for the border conflicts between the two countries rested with the Indian side.

"Now, the two sides are in communication on improving the border management and the measures to building trust, we hope the Indian side will abide by our agreements, do not issue irresponsible remarks and to uphold the peace and tranquility along the border region with concrete actions," he added.

In response to a question about amassing troops along the disputed areas in disregard to the agreements between the two countries, he said, "On the border issue, China always maintains that we should follow through on treaties and agreements we signed and we jointly uphold peace and tranquility at the border region." Wang Wenbin hoped the two sides would continue to maintain communication through military and diplomatic channels to resolve the outstanding issues.

China and India have been locked in a border standoff since May, 2020 and several rounds of military and diplomatic talks have only resulted in partial disengagement of troops from friction points.
The finance ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) on Monday said they are ready to collectively impose severe sanctions on Russia in the event of a military invasion by Russian troops into the territory of Ukraine

LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2022) The finance ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) on Monday said they are ready to collectively impose severe sanctions on Russia in the event of a military invasion by Russian troops into the territory of Ukraine.

"We are prepared to collectively impose economic and financial sanctions which will have massive and immediate consequences on the Russian economy," the bloc comprised of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States said in a statement.

The G7 foreign ministers said their immediate priority is to support efforts to de-escalate the situation, but stressed that "any particular further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine will be met with a swift, coordinated and forceful response.

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They also pledged the support of the seven richest economies in the world to the Ukrainian economy.

In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an invasion. Moscow has denied the accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory.
BERLIN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2022) The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) special monitoring mission (SMM) in Ukraine has a major role in de-escalating the crisis and should be able to work without interruptions, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says.

"Now more than ever, the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission OSCE_SMM in Ukraine plays a key role in de-escalation efforts and as the eyes and ears of the international community. We must ensure that it can carry out its full mandate without interruption," Baerbock said on Twitter on Sunday.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed concern on Sunday over the reported decision of a number of countries, including the US and the UK, to withdraw their OSCE monitors from Ukraine. Zakharova called on the OSCE to prevent attempts of manipulating the mission.

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid said on Sunday that the SMM will continue to fulfill its mandate in Ukraine.

Denis Pushilin, the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in Ukraine's southeast said on Saturday that US representatives in the OSCE SMM had already "packed their bags," and were ready to leave at any moment.

He emphasized that their departure would mean that a Western-sponsored Ukrainian provocation is being plotted.

On Saturday, the US State Department said that the United States was relocating some of its diplomatic personnel from the Ukrainian capital to the city of Lviv amid security concerns. Both Canada and Australia said they were suspending embassy operations in Kiev and opening temporary offices in Lviv amid the escalation of the Ukraine crisis.

In the past few months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an "invasion." Moscow has denied these accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory.
The meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), requested by the Baltic countries, with Belarus and other countries due to "unusual military activity" will be held on Monday at 14:00 GMT, the Polish OSCE Chairmanship told Ria Novosti

VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2022) The meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), requested by the Baltic countries, with Belarus and other countries due to "unusual military activity" will be held on Monday at 14:00 GMT, the Polish OSCE Chairmanship told Ria Novosti.

"The meeting is scheduled for 15:00 today. The question about participation of Belarus and Russia should be addressed by the respective delegations," the chairmanship said.
Sudanese security forces shot dead a protester Monday as they cracked down on thousands marching against last year's military coup and the arrest of several pro-democracy activists, medics said

Khartoum, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Feb, 2022 ) :Sudanese security forces shot dead a protester Monday as they cracked down on thousands marching against last year's military coup and the arrest of several pro-democracy activists, medics said.

Regular mass protests have rocked the troubled northeast African nation since an October 25 military takeover led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the death on Monday takes the number killed to at least 80.

The power grab derailed a fragile power-sharing agreement between the army and civilians negotiated after the 2019 ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir.

On Monday, thousands rallied in the capital Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman, AFP reporters said, while protests also took place in the eastern city of Port Sudan and in the western Darfur region, according to witnesses.

In Khartoum, protests had begun with crowds waving national flags and carrying red balloons -- as the rallies coincided with Valentine's Day.

"Today is the nation's love day," one banner read.

Some shouted slogans demanding the authorities release activists who have been arrested, while others carried pictures of protesters killed.

"We are demanding the release of resistance committee members and politicians who were unjustly arrested, and some of whom are facing fabricated charges," protester Khaled Mohamed told AFP.

But as crowds tried to approach the presidential palace, security forces fired volleys of tear gas canisters.

One protester was killed after he was shot in "the neck and chest by live rounds by coup forces," the independent Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said.

Tear gas was also fired at protesters in Omdurman and North Khartoum, witnesses said.

- Hunger strike - While Sudan has repeatedly denied opening fire on protesters, Human Rights Watch has quoted witnesses detailing how the security forces have used both "live ammunition" and fired tear gas canisters "directly" at crowds, a tactic that can be deadly at close-quarters.

The authorities have also arrested scores of activists accused of belonging to the "resistance committees" who have been instrumental in organising protests.

"The number of people detained arbitrarily and without criminal charges has exceeded 100," the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) said Monday.

The SPA, which also calls for anti-coup protests, said the detainees are aged between 16 and 60.

In Khartoum's Soba prison, detainees launched a hunger strike to protest against prison conditions, the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said.

"Some have been detained without facing charges, and others still await investigations," the medics said in a statement.

On Sunday, authorities arrested Mohamed al-Fekki, a civilian former member of the ruling Sovereign Council, which led the country under the now stalled 2019 power-sharing agreement.

Last week, authorities arrested ex-minister Khaled Omar Youssef and Wagdi Saleh, the spokesman of Sudan's main civilian bloc, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC).

Those arrests came just a day after they joined an FFC delegation for talks with UN special representative Volker Perthes, as part of efforts to resolve Sudan's deepening crisis.

The October military power grab, the latest coup in Sudan since the independence, has sparked wide international condemnation and punitive measures -- but authorities have shown little inclination to compromise.
(@FahadShabbir)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to step back from "the edge of a precipice", warning that the crisis on the Ukraine border was "very, very dangerous"

London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Feb, 2022 ) :British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to step back from "the edge of a precipice", warning that the crisis on the Ukraine border was "very, very dangerous".

"You've got about 130,000 troops massing on the Ukrainian border. This is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation. We are on the edge of a precipice but there is still time for President Putin to step back," he told British media.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday it had been a mistake for some Western countries, including the United States, to move their diplomats from Kyiv in fear of a Russian assault

Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Feb, 2022 ) :Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday it had been a mistake for some Western countries, including the United States, to move their diplomats from Kyiv in fear of a Russian assault.

"It is a big mistake that some embassies -- well, this is their decision -- are moving to western Ukraine," he said, after some international missions opened offices in the city of Lviv.

"Because there is no western Ukraine, there is Ukraine, it is whole. So if, God forbid, something happens it will be everywhere."Several countries have withdrawn diplomats and urged their citizens to leave Ukraine, to the dismay of many in Kyiv, who fear the West is overreacting and giving ground to Russian pressure.
(@iemziishan)

Ukrainian ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko said on Monday that his words concerning the possibility of turning down the country's membership in NATO were misunderstood, with Kiev keeping the aim to join the alliance

LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2022) Ukrainian ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko said on Monday that his words concerning the possibility of turning down the country's membership in NATO were misunderstood, with Kiev keeping the aim to join the alliance.

Prystaiko told a BBC reporter in a weekend interview that Kiev may abandon its desire to join NATO in order to avoid war. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that these words were taken out of context.

"I am quite happy that I have this chance talking to you to clarify my position which I discussed yesterday in length with a correspondent ... So, the question ... created the whole misunderstanding. What I told him, that we (Ukraine) are not a member of NATO right now, and to avoid war, we are ready for many concessions, and that is what we are doing in our conversations with Russians, but it has nothing to do with NATO, which is enshrined in the constitution," Prystaiko said on air of BBC.

In the past several months, the West and Ukraine have accused Russia of a troop build-up near the Ukrainian border in alleged preparation for an invasion. Moscow has denied these accusations, repeatedly stating that it is not threatening anyone and at the same time expressing strong concerns over NATO's military activity near the Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Moscow has also said Russia has the right to move troops within its national territory.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told President Vladimir Putin on Monday that Washington's response to key issues of Moscow's proposals on security guarantees is negative

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2022) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told President Vladimir Putin on Monday that Washington's response to key issues of Moscow's proposals on security guarantees is negative.

"They sent us answers - the answer of the United States and the answer of NATO. We carefully studied them together with our colleagues in an interagency format. We are primarily interested in the answer of the United States, because everyone understands who plays the main role in resolving these issues in the Western camp," Lavrov said, adding that Russia is "not satisfied" by the fact that the US response to key issues was negative.

According to Lavrov, NATO wants to determine the development of the situation on the European continent on its own.

The minister also said that Moscow's letters on the principle of indivisible security were ignored by Western states, and Russia only received a collective response from the EU and NATO.
USMs Literary Journal Mississippi Review Celebrates Fiftieth Anniversary

Mon, 02/14/2022 - 11:01am | By: Ivonne Kawas

Acclaimed writer Raymond Carver once hailed The University of Southern Mississippis Mississippi Review as one of the most remarkable and indispensable literary journals of our time. Carver was an early contributor to the journal which has sustained it esteem by publishing a range of writers for the past five decades.

Founded in 1972 by Gordon Weaver, the Mississippi Review (MR), is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a special edition. For this special issue, submissions were open to all the well-known and established writers, including Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winners, who had previously published work in the journal.

This anniversary issue features poems, essays, and stories from noteworthy writers including, Mary Jo Bang, Rae Armantrout, Kwame Dawes, Rick Moody, Mary Miller, Kazim Ali, Mary Miller, and many others.

Dr. Adam Clay, editor and director of the Center for Writers, applauds this milestone and reflects on the past while looking to the future, as he continues to build on a literary tradition for this up-and-coming generation.

Fifty years is a long time, but its especially impressive for a literary journal to publish consistently for so many years. Weve been able to publish debut selections from some impressive writers who have gone on to great things, and weve long been a place for established writers to publish their work. Weve featured traditional work and wildly experimental pieces, too, said Dr. Clay.

After Gordon Weavers tenure, Frederick Barthelme took over the editorial reigns in 1977 and, along with managing editor Rie Fortenberry, quickly turned MR into a literary journal of national acclaim. The duo ran MR for over 30 years, consistently publishing issues that combined top-tier work with an innovative and eclectic design aesthetic.

One of my favorite issues of Mississippi Review was edited by Julia Mae Johnson in 2012, an anthology that celebrated Frederick Barthelmes thirty years of editing the journal, said Dr. Clay. Its truly a treasure of so many amazing essays, stories, and poemsand a testament to the amazing work Rick did here for the magazine and for the Center for Writers, he added.

Dr. Clay praises all faculty and graduate students who have contributed to the success of the magazine over the years, as he says, Editing a journal truly takes a village, and I really couldnt be happier to celebrate this impressive milestone as we look to the next fifty years.

Visit the USM Center for Writers to learn more.
As British and Irish Christians mark Racial Justice Sunday to respond to racism and inequality in Church and society, the Catholic Church focuses this years observance on the theme In the Image and Likeness of God, celebrating presentations of the Holy Family from different countries and cultures.

By Susy Hodges

Racial Justice Sunday is an ecumenical observance which began in Britain and Ireland in 1995 following the brutal murder two years earlier of Stephen Lawrence, a black teenager in South London.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales said the chosen theme for 2022 builds on that of last years Racial Justice Sunday, A Time to Act, which reflected on the importance of everyone recognizing themselves, their race, their culture and their history in the life of the Church. It said their aim in 2022 was to continue these conversations about how we see others in the Image and Likeness of God.

Images to reflect God

The Bishops Conference produced PDF posters for individuals or parishes to download , featuring Our Lady and the Child Jesus from a diverse cross-section of countries and cultures.

Although by no means exhaustive, the Bishops said they hoped this series highlights the rich diversity of our Catholic community and encourages reflection on how we are all made in the image of God.

The posters also carry a prayer taken from Pope Francis encyclical Fratelli tutti, in which he writes that we are all important and necessary different faces of the one humanity that God so loves.

The main message of that encyclical was a reflection on how fraternity and social friendship are the keys to building a better, more just and peaceful world with the contribution of all.

Constant battle against racial injustice

A special Mass celebrating Racial Justice Sunday was held in Southwarks Catholic Cathedral in south-east London to reflect on the importance of racial justice and recognize the ethnic and cultural diversity of the local Catholic community.

Surveys in Britain have shown that, while great strides have been made in the battle against racial injustice in recent decades, there is still much work to do.

A recent report said too many peoples lives in the UK are blighted by discrimination and inequality with black and Asian children more than twice as likely to grow up in persistent poverty as white children.
Belgium is bracing Monday as a freedom convoy of protesters heads to the capital to demonstrate against COVID-related regulations. Officials have, however, banned, motorized protests in Brussels and have set up checkpoints along Belgiums borders.

Alexander De Croo, Belgiums prime minister, said, We never had rules that were too hard and we dont have so many anymore. So, complain at home.

In Hong Kong, leader Carrie Lam said Monday, The onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the citys capacity of handling. She added that, The situation is highly undesirable and the government feels worried and sorry about it.

According to Reuters, Hong Kong had a daily infection rate of about 100 at the beginning of February, but that has now ballooned to about 1,300 daily cases and is expected to increase.

Lam said in a statement that Hong Kong will work with China to fight the aggravating situation.

A report in The Washington Post says that President Joe Bidens plan to ship 500 million free COVID tests to Americans, or 4 tests per household, shortchanges Americans of color and hardest-hit communities.

Every time we roll out a plan, why cant we put them to the front? Myron Quon, executive director of the Pacific Asian Counseling Services, an organization in Los Angeles, told The Post. He said the four tests for families in vulnerable communities is just not sufficient. Not even close. Theyll have to ration.

The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported early Monday that there are nearly 412 million global COVID cases and almost 6 million global deaths. Over 10 billion vaccines have been administered, according to the center.

Some information in this report came from Reuters.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers to stop demonstrations that have paralyzed the capital and blocked border crossings in protest over the country's COVID-19 restrictions.

Trudeau made the announcement in an address to the nation Monday after meeting virtually with the leaders of Canada's provinces.

"These blockades are illegal, and if you are still participating, the time to go home is now," Trudeau said.

The "Freedom Convoy" protests were started by Canadian truckers who opposed a COVID-19 vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate by the government. The demonstrations have since attracted protesters angry about other pandemic restrictions as well as the policies of Trudeau's administration.

Trudeau invoked the 1988 Emergencies Act, which allows the federal government to override the authority of Canada's provinces.

An earlier version of the act has been used only once in peacetime  by Trudeau's father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He used the act in 1970 after a militant group of Quebec separatists kidnapped a British diplomat and a provincial Cabinet minister.

Trudeau said the new emergency measures "will be time-limited, geographically targeted, as well as reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address."



On Sunday, Canadian police cleared a convoy of vehicles blocking the Ambassador Bridge connecting Canada and the United States between Windsor and Detroit after the province of Ontario declared a state of emergency to break up the demonstration.

A convoy of trucks and other vehicles has also clogged the streets of Canada's capital, Ottawa, for more than two weeks, and convoys have blocked several smaller border crossings with the United States.

Also Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he would lift several pandemic restrictions in the province, the epicenter of the protest movement, but said the move was not because of the demonstrations.

Ford said the measures included dropping a proof of vaccination requirement in two weeks, earlier than originally scheduled.

"Given how well Ontario has done in the omicron wave, we are able to fast-track our reopening plan," Ford said.

Health officials in the province said COVID-19 infections peaked last month.

The Canadian protest movement has been mirrored in other countries.

Israelis took part in their own freedom convoy Monday. Hundreds of vehicles drove along the main highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and converged on parliament.

About 500 vehicles arrived in Brussels on Monday for a similar protest. However, the vehicles were barred from the city, and police directed them to a parking lot on the outskirts of the city. Protesters then walked into the city where they held demonstrations.

Similar protests took place in France over the weekend.

Around the globe

In other global developments Monday, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said that "the onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city's capacity of handling."

She added, "The situation is highly undesirable, and the government feels worried and sorry about it."

According to Reuters, Hong Kong had a daily infection rate of about 100 at the beginning of February, but that has now ballooned to about 1,300 daily cases and is expected to increase.

Lam said in a statement that Hong Kong would work with China to fight the "aggravating situation."

In Sweden, the Public Health Agency on Monday recommended a second COVID-19 booster shot for people ages 80 and older to strengthen their immunity against the surging omicron variant.

In a statement, Swedish chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said a fourth dose "strengthens the protection" against severe disease.

The agency also recommended a second booster shot for all nursing home residents and those receiving nursing care at home. It said the second booster should be administered four months after the first booster shot.

A report in The Washington Post said President Joe Biden's plan to ship 500 million free COVID-19 tests to Americans, or four tests per household, "shortchanges Americans of color and hardest-hit communities."

"Every time we roll out a plan, why can't we put them to the front?" Myron Quon, executive director of the Pacific Asian Counseling Services, an organization in Los Angeles, told the Post. He said the four tests for families in vulnerable communities "is just not sufficient. Not even close. They'll have to ration."

The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported Monday that there are more than 413 million global COVID-19 cases and 5.8 million global deaths. Over 10 billion vaccines have been administered, according to the center.

Some information in this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is visiting the United Arab Emirates, hoping to repair strained ties. Analysts say shared concerns over Iran could provide common ground.

Erdogan said that his two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates, which began Monday, aims to ease years of tension and rivalry with the Persian Gulf state.

He said that with the visit, Turkey aims to develop the momentum it has achieved and to take the necessary steps to bring relations back to the level, he said, they deserve.

Turkey has found itself increasingly isolated across the Middle East, due largely to Ankara's support of the Muslim Brotherhood Islamist group, something that has caused unease among many Middle Eastern leaders.

Teacher of international relations Soli Ozel at Istanbul's Kadir Has University says Erdogan's UAE visit is part of a wider regional reset, with Iran providing crucial common ground.

Turkey's charm offensive has targeted several countries, with one of them the United Arab Emirates. Both countries have an interest, along with all the western countries, for Iran not to be so influential as it is today, he said.

Turkey is increasingly in competition with Iran, from the Caucasus to Syria.

Last week Turkish pro-government media reported several alleged Iranian agents were arrested in Turkey in a joint Turkish-Israeli intelligence service operation to thwart the assassination of a Turkish-Israeli businessman.

The arrests came after Iran recently cut off natural gas supplies to Turkey for more than a week, causing much of the country's manufacturing sector to shut down for several days.

Asli Aydintasbas, a senior fellow at the European Council, says there are suspicions the gas shut-off may have been politically motivated.

We've seen Iran cut off the natural gas for Turkey ostensibly because [it] had something breaking down or it [Iran] needed it for its internal market. But it's no coincidence that this happened after a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Iran leader [Ebrahim] Raisi. This was clearly a message to Turkey, she said.



Iran and Russia are working closely together in Syria in backing the Damascus regime, while Turkey backs Syrian rebels. Moscow has also voiced its anger over Ankara selling armed drones to Ukraine.

Analyst Ozel warns that the Turkish-Iranian rivalry is likely to escalate, with Ankara sharing Western and Middle Eastern countries' fears over Iran's nuclear energy program.

If Turkey wants to jump on board in that struggle, then yes, we can expect Turkish-Iranian relations to be a bit testy. On the other hand, Turkey and Iran manage to have competitive and cooperative relations for centuries, so they are pretty well versed on how to do that, he said.

If theres a breakdown in talks between Iran and the international community to resolve concerns over Iran's nuclear energy program, analysts warn that Turkey's effort to balance competition and rivalry with its Iranian neighbor could face a greater test.
U.S. first lady Jill Biden on Monday observed Valentine's Day at the White House with displays of giant hearts on the North Lawn and valentines from local elementary school children inside the mansion.

The displays include a giant red heart inscribed with a Bible passage, 1 Corinthians 13:13, which says, Three things will last forever  faith, hope and love  and the greatest of these is love.

Additionally, hand-painted, wooden artwork in the shapes of the first familys puppy, Commander, and cat, Willow, adorned either side of the giant heart bearing the Bible verse.

The displays are positioned so they will be seen in the background when White House television correspondents report on the days news.

Additionally, valentines created by second-grade classes from a local Washington elementary school are on display in the East Wing of the White House.

The children who created them are students of Alejandro Diasgranados, a teacher at Aiton Elementary School and Washingtons 2021 Teacher of the Year. On Monday, the students, accompanied by their teacher, toured the White House.

Last year, just two weeks after President Joe Bidens inauguration and in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first lady had large red hearts placed on the North Lawn bearing messages such as compassion, courage, healing and kindness.

Valentine's Day  annually observed February 14  has always been special to Jill Biden. Her tradition of decorating goes back to Joe Bidens days as vice president under President Barack Obama when she decorated every window in her husbands office.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Five U.N. staff members have been abducted in the south of war-torn Yemen, the global body said on Sunday.

The five were kidnapped in the southern governorate of Abyan on Friday while returning to the port city of Aden "after having completed a field mission," U.N. spokesperson Eri Kaneko told AFP.

"The United Nations is in close contact with the authorities to secure their release," Kaneko added.

It was not immediately clear who had abducted the U.N. staff.

Aden became the base of Yemen's internationally recognized government after it was ousted from the capital Sanaa by Houthi rebels in 2014.

A Saudi-led coalition has backed the government in the fight against the Iran-aligned Houthis since 2015, in a conflict that has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

Millions have also been displaced in what the U.N. calls the world's biggest humanitarian crisis.
In a historic first, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet traveled to Bahrain for a two-day trip Monday to meet with Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa.

The trip represents the deepening ties between the two countries since they normalized relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords spearheaded by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israel has also normalized relations with the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Morocco and other countries that shunned it for years.

"The leaders will discuss additional ways to strengthen bilateral ties  especially the advancement of diplomatic and economic issues, with an emphasis on technology and innovation," Bennetts office said in a statement.

The trip to Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, comes as tensions in the region grow. Iran-backed Houthis have recently fired missiles into the UAE. The U.S. has also accused Iran of attacking shipping in and around the Persian Gulf and Israel has reportedly increased its naval presence in the Red Sea.

Bennetts visit comes after Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz went to Manama earlier this month.

The two countries are also deepening their economic ties. Israel and Bahrain had trade estimated at $6.5 billion last year, and there are now direct flights between the two countries.

Bahrains Shiite majority have been critical of the Sunni monarchs closer ties with Israel.

Some information in this report comes from Reuters and The Associated Press.


Japanese drinks giant Kirin said Monday it would withdraw from Myanmar, after a failed bid to disentangle its operations from a joint venture with a junta-owned company after last year's coup.

With international pressure building against the military since it ousted and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and waged a widespread crackdown on dissent, the brewery becomes the latest foreign company to pull out of Myanmar.

Kirin said its decision came after months of wrangling following last February's coup, which prompted the company to express concerns about human rights and eventually seek to end its joint venture Myanmar Brewery Limited.

It had decided "to withdraw from the business in Myanmar in order to urgently terminate its joint venture partnership" with military-linked MEHPCL, the company said in a statement.

Myanmar Brewery, whose beverages include its flagship and ubiquitous Myanmar Beer brand, boasted a market share of nearly 80 percent, according to figures published by Kirin in 2018.

Kirin's attempts to terminate the partnership with MEHPCL were unsuccessful, and the Japanese drinks maker said in November it would contest a bid to dissolve their joint brewery over fears liquidation proceedings would not be fair.

On Monday, Kirin said it had taken "every measure to find a way forward that would allow it to continue to contribute to Myanmar's economy and society."

That included filing for arbitration in Singapore in a bid to end the joint venture and proceed without the military-linked partner.

"In the end, Kirin Holdings determined that it would be difficult to quickly terminate the joint venture in the manner it desires," the company added.

"Therefore, Kirin Holdings has now commenced and is proceeding with discussions with MEHPCL in order to withdraw from the business in Myanmar, giving top priority to the termination of the joint venture as soon as possible."

A junta spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Firms withdrawing

With the economy tanking and pressure mounting from rights groups, companies from France's TotalEnergies to British American Tobacco and Norway's Telenor have upped sticks or announced they will leave Myanmar.

After the coup and arrest of the country's democratically elected leaders, Kirin said it was "deeply concerned" by the military's actions.

The brewery had been under pressure even before the coup over its ties to Myanmar's military, and launched an investigation after pressure from rights groups over whether money from its joint venture had funded rights abuses.

In a statement, Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung welcomed Kirin's decision to withdraw from the country, praising the firm for "listening to the voice of Myanmar people and Myanmar, Japanese and global civil society."

"Kirin should never have entered into business with a brutal and corrupt military conglomerate," she added, accusing the brewery of having "financed atrocity crimes and enriched top generals."

The activist group urged other Japanese firms doing business with the military to cut ties, and called on Kirin to avoid payments to MEHPCL or the military during the withdrawal process.

Investors piled into Myanmar after the military relaxed its iron grip in 2011, paving the way for democratic reforms and economic liberalization in the country of more than 50 million people.

They poured money into telecoms, infrastructure, manufacturing and construction projects, but the coup upended the democratic interlude and damaged the economy.

The pandemic and supply chain disruptions have also hit the country, with Kirin saying in its earnings report released Monday that Myanmar's beer market had shrunk by about 20%.

It said Myanmar Brewery's sales volumes had decreased by around 30 percent compared with the same period last year.

Japan's government is a major provider of economic assistance to Myanmar, and Tokyo has long-standing relations with the country's military.

After the coup it announced it would halt all new aid, though it stopped short of imposing individual sanctions on military and police commanders, as some other nations have.

Tokyo has repeatedly called for Suu Kyi's release and the restoration of democracy, and last year the country's foreign minister said dialogue with the junta was ongoing but warned all foreign aid could be halted if rights violations continued.
The wife of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny lashed out at Russian authorities Monday, on the eve of a new trial that could extend his sentence by over a decade.

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most vocal domestic critic, was jailed last February for two and a half years on old fraud charges after surviving a poisoning attack that he and the West blame on the Kremlin.

On Tuesday, a new hearing has been scheduled at his penal colony outside Moscow on additional fraud and contempt of court charges against Navalny.

"Listen you, cowards and scoundrels! I demand that I am allowed to attend my husband's trial," Yuliya Navalnaya, 45, said on Instagram.

Alexei and Yuliya have been married for more than 20 years and have two children together.

Navalnaya said the new case is "so pathetic they are afraid to hold the trial in Moscow."

"My husband is an honest man" Navalnaya said. "And they are keeping him in prison because he is not afraid of this government."

The fraud case against Navalny began in December 2020, while the 45-year-old was recovering in Germany after narrowly surviving a nerve agent poisoning.

Investigators accuse Navalny of stealing for personal use more than $4.7 million in donations to his political organizations. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Navalny also faces up to six months in prison for contempt of court during one of his hearings last year.

Navalny's poisoning and arrest sparked widespread condemnation abroad as well as sanctions from Western capitals.

After his arrest, Navalny's political organizations across the country were declared "extremist" and shuttered, while many key aides fled Russia fearing prosecution.

The fresh trial will be held in his penal colony in the town of Pokrov outside the capital.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday the province will lift several pandemic restrictions earlier than originally scheduled but said the move is not because of the ongoing trucker protests in the Canadian capital of Ottawa and at several border crossings with the United States.

"Given how well Ontario has done in the omicron wave, we are able to fast-track our reopening plan," Ford said.

Health officials in the province said COVID-19 infections peaked last month.

One of the biggest restrictions being lifted is the proof-of-vaccination requirement starting March 1. Additionally, the province will lift some capacity limits for businesses beginning February 17.

Previously, the restrictions had been planned to ease in two steps starting February 21 and March 14.

The western province of Alberta is also easing restrictions. Beginning Monday, school children will no longer be required to wear masks in school.

The trucker protests have stretched into a third week, with truckers demanding an end to vaccine mandates. Ford has been highly critical of the protests, in which truckers have paralyzed streets in parts of Ottawa and temporarily blocked a key bridge connecting Canada and the U.S.

Some information in this report comes from Reuters.
Despite their popularity in recent years, Azerbaijans Valentines Day celebrations are somewhat muted this year. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, as well as poverty, are blamed by some shopkeepers for the gloomy attitude.

During the pandemic, our business has been weak. Cant sell much, street vendor Tamkin Nagiyev told VOA. People ask the price, then citing the high prices, they do not purchase. They just celebrate it with one flower.

Ruslan Abdullayev, a flower shop owner, confirmed the pandemics impact, saying consumers ability to cope has been severely weakened.

Previously, we sold each flower for 20 Manats ($11.75). Now, they dont even want to buy it for 10, said Abdullayev, who noted that while food prices have risen, flower prices have decreased.

Valentines Day is not an official holiday in Azerbaijan. It gained popularity in recent years through Western influence and has special appeal to younger generations. The day offers yet another occasion for those seeking to demonstrate their appreciation for love, fueled by commercial interests, social media and possibly a love of chocolate.

Many people in Baku, Azerbaijans largely Muslim capital, told VOA they approve of the day.

We are not opposed to its celebration, Ilhama Mammadova said. Every woman would want to love and be loved. To be loved is the right of each woman.

Another Baku resident, Orkhan Dadashov, agreed.

Love doesnt have a day. But speaking materially, at least once a year we can buy a flower and celebrate it. Everyone can do so according to his or her means, Dadashov said.

But Elkhan Arifli, who celebrates Islamic religious holidays, said he does not consider Valentines Day to be a national holiday for Azerbaijanis.

Actually, this is not our holiday. This is a Christian holiday. Lovers dont have a day. For those who love, every day is a holiday, he told VOA.

In recent months, several Azerbaijanis proposed moving Valentines Day from February 14 to June 30, the wedding day of Ilham and Fariza Allahverdiyeva, who came to symbolize Azerbaijans struggle for independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. Ilham was among dozens killed by gunfire while protesting for independence. Fariza committed suicide soon after. Their love story is still remembered.

Many, like Baku resident Farida Mehdiyeva, still consider Valentines Day a positive cultural addition for those who attach significance to romance.

True, some people do not want us to celebrate this day, Mehdiyeva said. But I do. I personally feel the mood of celebration.

This story originated in VOAs Azerbaijan Service with contributions from Asgar Asgarov.
Polish ministers say they are drafting plans with the countrys regional governors to cope with the possible arrival of up to a million refugees from neighboring Ukraine in the event Russia decides to invade  an action U.S. and British officials have warned could come as early as this week.



Mariusz Kaminski, the countrys interior minister, sought to reassure Poles the country is ready for what could be the biggest refugee crisis to roil Europe since 2015, when the influx into the European Union of more than a million refugees and migrants from the Middle East and the sub-Sahara roiled the continents politics.



It is obvious that in connection with the situation in Ukraine we have been preparing for different scenarios, the interior minister said in a posting on Twitter. One of them includes activities by provincial governors related to the potential influx of refugees from Ukraine, who may be looking for shelter in our country as a result of the potential conflict, he added.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has warned Poles that a military conflict is no longer an unlikely scenario and, echoing the warnings of officials in Washington and London, said Europe is on the verge of war. On Sunday, he accused Russia of trying once again to violate Ukraines territorial integrity, which he dubbed an assault on European stability and security and a threat to the peace of the entire continent.

Poland is already home to around one million Ukrainians, who arrived over the years as economic migrants. Poland is not the only central European nation readying for a refugee surge. Latvia has said it is preparing to accept 10,000 Ukrainian refugees, if Russian President Vladimir Putin orders an invasion of Ukraine.

Estonian President Alar Karis is warning that a similar migrant crisis could occur between Estonia and Russia as happened between Poland and Belarus, when migrants were pushed toward the border last year in an apparent attempt to create chaos by Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian leader and Putin ally.

Tensions are very high, Karis told the BBC.

Moscow denials



The Kremlin denies Western accusations that it is planning to invade Ukraine, despite deploying along Ukrainian borders the biggest ground force amassed since 1945. Russias foreign ministry says Western media are colluding in a smear campaign against Moscow with the goal of discrediting Russias fair demands on security guarantees and justifying the Wests geopolitical aspirations and militarization of the territory of Ukraine.

Russia has demanded Ukraine never join NATO. And the Kremlin wants any NATO military presence removed from the former Communist countries of central Europe, once members of the Soviet Unions Warsaw Pact and now participants in the Western alliance.



U.S. and British officials remain unconvinced by Russias denials.



There are 130,000 Russian troops on the border with Ukraine; thousands more in amphibious vehicles on the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, Britains armed forces minister, James Heappey, said Monday. If all of this were for show, to win leverage in diplomacy, that doesnt need the logistics, the fuel, the medical supplies, the bridging assets, the unglamorous stuff that makes an invasion force credible but doesn't attract headlines. All of that is now in place too, he added.

Flights



According to reports, some wealthy Ukrainians are not waiting to see whether a Russian offensive is launched. Ukrainska Pravda, a Kyiv-based newspaper, reported there has been an increase in private executive jets leaving Ukraine.



The paper said more than 20 private jets flew out of Kyiv on February 13 and over the last two weeks aircraft owned by some of the countrys richest oligarchs and businessmen, including Rinat Akhmetov, Victor Pinchuk, Borys Kolesnikov and Vadym Stolar, left the country, with many carrying family members and business associates and most heading to Vienna.



While the wealthy apparently are departing, the Ukrainian government is scrambling to ensure commercial carriers continue to fly in and out of Ukraine. Last week, Dutch airline KLM announced it was suspending Ukraine operations because of safety concerns. And the flights of Ukrainian budget airline SkyUp have been disrupted because a leasing company is demanding the return of its aircraft.



Other airlines, including German carrier Lufthansa, are weighing their options, partly because their insurers are becoming jittery. Ukraines transport ministry said Sunday that Ukrainian skies remain open. Information about the closure of Ukraines airspace is not true. Closure of airspace is a sovereign right of Ukraine; no decision has been made, it said in a statement.



The ministry announced a $590 million fund to be used for guaranteeing the safety of flights through Ukraine for insurance companies, reinsurers, leasing companies and airlines. The move came amid reports that British reinsurance giant Lloyds of London is considering suspending war insurance provisions for carriers flying into or over Ukraine.

Urging calm



As the transport ministry made its announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy downplayed reports of an imminent invasion, and complained of media reports stoking panic.

Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian leaders have been trying to talk down the prospects of an all-out war because of the damaging effect it is having on the countrys economy and are worried about the impact on public morale.



While trying to calm fears, his government has called formally for a meeting with Russia and other members of a European security group over the military buildup. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia has so far ignored requests to explain the deployment. Ukraine made a request for an explanation via the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE. Russia must fulfill its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all, Kuleba said.



On Sunday, President Zelenskiy spoke for nearly an hour by phone with U.S. President Joe Biden. The White House said President Biden reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine, and that both leaders had agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence."



In the latest attempt to find a diplomatic solution, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was scheduled to hold meetings with President Zelenskiy in Kyiv later Monday, and with President Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. The chancellor has warned of severe economic consequences for Russia should it launch any invasion, echoing statements by other Western leaders.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Monday that Western countries are ready for a serious dialogue with Russia on European security issues" but also are looking for Russian President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate his threat of an imminent invasion of Ukraine.

Scholz offered a new opening to the Kremlin after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv, even as the U.S. and its allies have warned that Putin could launch a massive attack on Ukraine within days with a missile and aerial bombardment followed by a swift ground invasion.

There was no immediate comment from Russia on Scholz's remarks. Earlier, however, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested to Putin that he continue talks with the U.S. and NATO countries, even though the West has rejected Putins main demand to rule out possible Ukraine membership in the NATO military alliance.

A NATO official, in an email to VOA, characterized the tense standoff as a dangerous moment for European security. A major conflict in Ukraine could see large numbers of displaced people fleeing the fighting. There is still time to avoid such unnecessary suffering. Everything must be done to avoid this kind of an impact on civilians.

Zelenskiy said in a video address to the nation Monday that he had heard Russian military action could begin on Wednesday, and said he was proclaiming the day as one of national unity. He did not say how he got the information.

The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson about their efforts to upgrade NATOs defensive posture on the alliances eastern flank closest to Russia.

Meanwhile, with the threat of a Russian attack on Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was temporarily relocating its embassy operations to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, near the Polish border.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Lviv offers greater protection if Russian troops invade Ukraine.

We are basing our assessment on what we are seeing on the ground with our own eyes, which is a continued and unprovoked Russian buildup on the border of Ukraine, and no accompanying evidence of de-escalation, he said.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday, Even over the last 24 to 48 (hours)  Mr. Putin has added military capability along that border with Ukraine and in Belarus. He continues to do the things that you would expect one to do if one was planning on a major military action.

In Moscow, Lavrov, sitting far apart from Putin at an extraordinarily long conference table, told the Russian leader that although the U.S. and NATO have refused to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine or roll back their forces in Eastern Europe, they have offered to negotiate on missile deployment in Europe and military exercises in NATO countries closest to Russia.

Asked by Putin whether it made sense to continue to engage diplomatically with Western leaders, Lavrov replied that the talks are far from being exhausted," and he proposed continuing them.

Lavrov said the discussions "can't go on indefinitely, but I would suggest to continue and expand them at this stage."

In Kyiv, Scholz announced new credit of $170 million from Germany to Ukraine but reiterated that the West was ready to impose "very far-reaching and effective (economic) sanctions" against Russia if it invades Ukraine.

A reporter for VOAs Russian Service says propaganda from Russia has been increasing in Ukraines eastern Donbass region, where pro-Russian separatists occupy territory. Sources say it has been relatively calm in the region, with no Ukrainian military causalities there for more than a month. However, they say the local population is increasingly nervous because of a rise in local propaganda that is echoed by media outlets in Russia, raising the prospect of an invasion.

Russia has surrounded Ukraine on three sides with an arsenal of armaments and 130,000 troops, from its ally Belarus to the north, from Russian territory to the east and in the south with a deployment of warships patrolling the Black Sea alongside the Crimean Peninsula it annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

The U.S. says its intelligence suggests that Russia could invade Ukraine at any moment and urged Americans living there to leave the country immediately. Some commercial airlines have stopped flying to Ukraine because of the fear of imminent warfare.

Scholz told reporters Sunday that Russias buildup of troops along the border with Ukraine is a very, very serious threat, and that his Monday visit to Kyiv and a Tuesday stop in Moscow for a meeting with Putin are about finding a way to ensure peace in Europe.

Ukraine on Sunday requested that Russia and the other members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe meet within two days to discuss the Russian troop movements.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter, If Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must fulfill its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all.

The U.S. mission to the OSCE expressed its support, saying in its own message, The time for transparency is now.

Russia has denied any plans to invade Ukraine, but the diplomatic talks have stalemated.

Biden assured Zelenskiy in a phone call Sunday of the U.S. commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The White House said in a statement that Biden made clear (to Zelenskiy) that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

It also said Biden and Zelenskiy agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence to the feared Moscow invasion.

Biden has ruled out sending U.S. troops to fight alongside Ukrainians in the event of a Russian invasion, while vowing to impose swift and severe economic sanctions.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNNs State of the Union show that the U.S. cannot predict whether Russia might invade this week or after the Beijing Olympics end next Sunday, but that there is a distinct possibility there will be a major military action.

While the U.S. has warned for several months of the threat of a Russian attack, Sullivan said in the last few days, Moscow has accelerated its military buildup.

In an hour-long call Saturday with Putin, Biden warned the Russian leader that invading Ukraine would cause widespread human suffering. Biden said the United States and its allies remained committed to diplomacy to end the crisis but were equally prepared for other scenarios.

Russia said Biden continued to fail to address Moscows main security concerns, including ruling out Ukraines possible membership in the 30-country NATO military alliance.

The Western allies have called the idea of Russian veto power over NATO membership a non-starter, but said they are willing to negotiate other security issues, such as the positioning of missiles in NATO counties closest to Russia and NATO troop training exercises.

VOA's Jeff Seldin, Steve Herman and Andrey Golovlev contributed to this report. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
WASHINGTON 

U.S. President Joe Biden assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday of Washingtons commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity even as the United States says the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine looms as a distinct possibility in the coming days.

Biden conferred by phone with the Ukrainian leader from the Camp David presidential retreat outside Washington, where the U.S. leader is spending the weekend as Western officials express increased fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin could attack the one-time Soviet republic in the next few days, possibly by Wednesday.

The White House said in a statement that Biden made clear [to Zelenskiy] that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Biden, however, has ruled out sending U.S. troops to fight alongside Ukrainians in the event of a Russian invasion, while vowing to impose swift and severe economic sanctions.

The White House said Biden and Zelenskiy agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence to a Moscow invasion, although Western diplomatic overtures to Putin have so far failed to end the stalemate.

SEE ALSO:

Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security adviser, told CNNs State of the Union show that the U.S. cannot predict whether Russia might invade this week or after the Beijing Olympics end in a week, but that there is a distinct possibility there will be a major military action.

While the U.S. has warned for several months of the threat of a Russian attack, Sullivan said in the last few days Moscow has accelerated its military buildup.

Biden, in an hour-long call Saturday with Putin, warned the Russian leader that invading Ukraine would cause "widespread human suffering." Biden said the United States and its allies remained committed to diplomacy to end the crisis but were "equally prepared for other scenarios."

Russia said Biden continued to fail to address Moscows main security concerns, including ruling out Ukraines possible membership in the 30-country NATO military alliance led by the U.S.

The Western allies have ruled out Russian veto power over NATO membership as a nonstarter but said they are willing to negotiate other security issues, such positioning of missiles in NATO counties closest to Russia and NATO troop training exercises.

Moscows troops have now surrounded much of Ukraine with more than 130,000 troops, to the north of Ukraine in Russian ally Belarus and along Ukraines eastern border with Russia, while positioning warships to the south in the Black Sea along the Crimean Peninsula that Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

Im not handicapping what will happen, Sullivan said, but added that the U.S. and its allies would impose a significant strategic [economic] loss on Russia if it attacks Ukraine.

While ruling out sending the U.S. military to fight in Ukraine, Biden sent 5,000 U.S. troops to NATO countries in eastern European countries closest to Russia to help bolster their fighting forces.

The U.S. has urged all Americans living in Ukraine to leave immediately, and the Defense Department has pulled out 160 military advisers who had been assisting the Kyiv government.

Sullivan said the U.S. believes a Russian attack could start with a barrage of missiles and aerial bombings followed by a ground invasion.

Civilians could be killed regardless of their nationality, he said.

Numerous countries have ordered their diplomatic personnel to leave Kyiv, while some are keeping smaller contingents in consulates in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, near the Polish border.

Several international airlines have stopped flying into Ukraine because of the impending threat of warfare, although Ukraine said it has not closed its airspace.

Dutch airline KLM said Saturday that it has canceled flights to Ukraine until further notice.

Dutch worries about the potential danger in Ukrainian airspace are high in the wake of the 2014 shootdown of a Malaysian airliner over an area of eastern Ukraine held by Russia-backed rebels. All 298 people aboard were killed, including 198 Dutch citizens.

The Ukrainian charter airline SkyUp said Sunday that its flight from Madeira, Portugal, to Kyiv was diverted to the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, after the Irish leasing company that owns the plane said it was banning flights in Ukrainian airspace.

Some material in this report came from the Associated Press.
GABORONE 

In a bid to boost agro-tourism, the Botswana government is offering wildlife start-up stock to farmers to keep in their ploughing fields. The government says the move will give locals an improved stake in the lucrative tourism sector.

Botswanas National Parks and Wildlife director, Kabelo Senyatso, said the government will run a pilot project between February and July this year, where farmers will receive start up stock.

Each farmer will get five animals per species, Senyatso said.

The species that the department would be availing are impala, gemsbok, zebra, eland and warthog. It is important to clarify that applicants should not restrict themselves to these species, people can keep whatever wildlife that they are keen to keep. It is also important to clarify that the scheme that we are referring to relates to keeping of herbivores. It excludes carnivores, said Senyatso.

He said farmers must meet certain water, fencing and space requirements depending on the species they want to keep.

Randy Motsumi, a professional hunter, is keen to keep animals within his holding.

However, he is concerned the costs will be prohibitive due to start-up capital required.

This is a very good initiative. But the problem now is the expenses. It is going to be very expensive for an ordinary Motswana. Just fencing will cost an ordinary Motswana over P1million [approximately $100,000]. So this initiative is good, but it needs a lot of funding, he said.

According to requirements, game keepers must ensure there is adequate fodder and reliable water supply.

The fence height should be between 1.5 and 2.4 meters depending on the species kept.

Conservationist Map Ives agrees that the venture requires a lot of resources.

Wildlife farming or keeping is a highly specialized business, which requires huge capital outlay. If you are going to keep animals like eland which are capable of jumping extreme heights, you are going to need infrastructure. You will also need reliable water infrastructure supplying fresh portable water. A lot of water in western Botswana is quite saline," said Ives.

He adds the initiative might end up benefiting an elite few who have access to resources.

"I understand the principle of spreading the ownership or keeping wildlife to the people. They are also trying to spread tourism away from national parks or wildlife management areas into other parts of Botswana but again, I believe this is not well thought through and will probably benefit only elites who can afford to have large tracts of land, high quality infrastructure and people to look after that wildlife," he said.

In announcing the initiative in 2020, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said it was one of the ways to revive a tourism sector hard hit by COVID-19.

Botswana is one of Africas leading tourism destinations, with the sector contributing 13% of the country's Gross Domestic Product.
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Russian Ministry of Defence released a video on Monday (February 14) of a Russian tank unit taking part in a military drill in the Leningrad region in the Western military district. During the manoeuvres, tank crews carried out a counter battle and overcame a distance of over 5 km through the forest-steppe area, the ministry said. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Monday told President Vladimir Putin that some of the country's military drills had already ended and others were coming to a close. Russia's joint exercises with ally Belarus and other drills near Ukraine have fanned fears Russia may be poised to invade Ukraine, something Moscow has repeatedly denied planning.

(Production: Svetlana Ivanova)
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Two members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), addressed a letter on 13 April 2021 to the Director of Intelligence and the Director of the CIA, which remained unanswered.

They demanded the declassification of a report on a secret and illegal CIA program allowing it to collect information on all American citizens.
Maybe its just me, but episode two feels a little forced  pun intended. What kind of kidnappers free the people (I mean gangstas) they kidnap and expect them to return without retaliating? In only two episodes, the tension between Diamond and Jenard feels drawn out. The same can be said for the dying interracial romance between Gloria and Vic. We get it: Walter Flynn doesnt want his son to date outside his race; she has to be of Irish descent to keep their family line pure. Even the way the elder Flynn demeans Claudia whenever she expresses a desire to participate in the business  Walters sexism is more annoying than anything.

In the opening scene of episode two, an establishment that we are not yet familiar with gets shot up. As the glass and alcohol shatter in shoot-out perfection, were left to wonder whose place got shot up and why. We soon find out its the blues club that belongs to JP, Tommys newly found brother. The club has had several attacks by local gang members. Surprisingly, he calls Tommy, who is technically a stranger to him (another forced moment). Tommy questions his motive. With no family and a dying father and an ex-husband, Tommy is all he has. The writing of JP as a queer character feels forced; it lands like Insert gay character here  check box. When he mentions his ex-husband, he asks Tommy, who is just listening in a defensive manner, if he has a problem  the whole exchange feels odd. Hopefully, the writers will shape JP into a three-dimensional character in future episodes, rather than using his subtle identity as a gay man as a framing device for a story line.

Anyway  Tommy is interested in developing a relationship with his brother and gives JP $10,000 to get a start on handling his troubles.

Meanwhile, at the Flynn estate, Walter Flynn is sick. Triggered by the death of his mother, Vic tells his father they need to tell Claudia. Of course, hes in denial about the state of his health and demands that his son not tell a soul. Walter wishes for Victor to take over the family business once hes gone, but under one condition: He has to lead the exact way his father did. But Victor hasnt proven to be much of a leader. Claudia is the stronger sibling. She finds a solution to save the family business from a loss of revenue: a new designer drug. Vic reminds her that their father will never agree to expand, especially not with a new product. She tells her father anyway that what they are selling is outdated and gets shut down. Its not hard to predict that Claudia is right and Victor will probably get to take all the credit. After finding out about his fathers sickness, Vic interprets that as a way to be with Gloria. But he soon finds out that Gloria has her eyes and lips set on Tommy.

Running a drug organization must be hard because, like the Flynn family, the Chicago Brothers Incorporated has internal conflicts. No one is sick or dying, but the brothers clearly have competing ideas  that can be blamed on generational differences  as to how CBI should be run. Jenard wants to put a group of young hotheads to work, while Diamond wants to be intentional about the attention they bring their way. This means no reckless killings. Tommy reintroduces himself to the brothers but ends up getting caught up in the middle of some old CBI beef. Diamonds prison past comes back to haunt him. While in jail, Diamond put a rival Latino gang member in a wheelchair permanently. In an attempt to retaliate, Rojass men kidnap him and Tommy and force them to sell their product across a police-filled Chicago within 24 hours.

Diamond and Tommy quickly become acquainted and complete the mission with little to no trouble. Because Diamond is still getting acclimated to being on the outside, its traumatizing for him when a young white police officer pulls him over (and, if were being honest, for me too). While Diamond calmly expresses his refusal to make sudden movements, the rookie officer becomes enraged and makes demands while pointing his gun at the newly released inmates head. It isnt until Tommy returns from completing one of their challenge deals that the officers whole demeanor changes: Not only does the tone of his voice change, but he also spews out a bunch of bros and even makes more than one joke with Tommy. The performance by Isaac Keys and Joseph Sikora is powerful and highlights Americas racial imbalance.

Rojas may have power in prison, but on the streets, his crew is weak AF. They make a host of rookie mistakes that even Tommy calls out. And the biggest mistake of all is not killing Jenard, Diamond, and Tommy. I mean, they could keep something for collateral to continue to make CBI do their dirty work. But they dont! And Tommy never lets a job go unfinished. Proud of his good deed, he swings by the barbershop to show them his souvenir. The men are impressed, and now Tommy has acquired allies.

After receiving a payment from Diamond, Tommy heads to his grandmothers house to connect with JP. He gives him the rest of the money, and JP shows him past home videos that he has no memory of. The two discuss family dynamics, parenting, and navigating brotherhood. We find out JP has an estranged son who has been kept away from him ever since he came out 14 years ago. Both Tommy and JP have psychological wounds and are searching for someone they can depend on. It appears their brotherhood has the potential to benefit them both.

As Tommy can appreciate one reunion, he runs into another friend hes not happy to see. In season one of Power, Liliana was a former drug runner girl for Tommy and Ghost. Kanan had her cut in the face, and Tommy wanted her dead. When she realizes Tommy is in Chicago, she goes after him, but the scuffle is interrupted by the police. By the end of episode two, Tommy finds Liliana and has every intention of killing her, but after finding hidden drugs with the infamous spider logo, we are left to wonder what role Liliana will play in Chicago since it is now Tommys new home.
New space for major art shows reopens in centre of Rome.

There is good news for Rome's art scene with the reopening of Palazzo Bonaparte, an important exhibition space in the city centre, with several big shows lined up in 2022.

Located in the heart of the capital, where Via del Corso meets Piazza Venezia, the freshly-restored venue launched in October 2019, just months before Italy was hit by the covid pandemic leading to the forced closure of museums.

Palazzo Bonaparte first opened to much fanfare with the exhibition Secret Impressionists, comprising more than 50 works by artists including Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and Gauguin. There was also a parallel Lego exhibition for children.

However within months of its launch the venue had shut its doors to the public and, with the exception of a special five-day opening at the start of summer 2020, it has remained closed ever since.

Interior of Palazzo Bonaparte, Rome. Images courtesy Palazzo Bonparte.

With Italy's covid situation continuing to improve, Palazzo Bonaparte will reopen on 5 March with a show dedicated to Bill Viola, the American video artist whose installations revolve around electronic, sound and image technology.

A week later, on 12 March, the venue opens a second exhibition devoted to the Italian sculptor Jago - born Jacopo Cardillo in 1987 - known for his hyper-realistic sculptures including one of Pope Benedict XVI.

Palazzo Bonaparte will also host a Van Gogh exhibition in the autumn, from 10 October, in what is one of Rome's most anticipated shows this year.

Owned by Generali Italia, Italy's largest insurance company, Palazzo Bonaparte is run in partnership with the Italian firm Arthemisia which specialises in organising exhibitions.

The opening of Palazzo Bonaparte in 2019 saw Arthemisia move its programme of blockbuster exhibitions from the nearby Vittoriano, following the conclusion of a three-year deal.

Designed by 17th-century architect Giovanni Antonio De Rossi, Palazzo Bonaparte is best known as the home of Maria Letizia Ramolino, Napoleon's mother, who watched the world go by from the building's green balcony from 1818 until her death in 1836.

For information about Palazzo Bonaparte's exhibition programme, tickets and visiting details, see website.
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Online brokers like Robinhood Markets Inc. and crypto assets might get the headlines, but the Securities and Exchange Commissions parallel effort to drag private-equity firms and hedge funds out of the shadows will have far more impact on far more lives. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Private equity especially has exploded in power and reach in the past decade. Thats why SEC Chair Gary Gensler is right to start demanding higher governance standards and more transparency from these firms. Any fund whose returns are destroyed by some extra reporting costs and duties shouldnt be in business.

The industry has more than $4 trillion in assets under management and in the U.S., private-equity backed companies employ about 11.5 million people, according to data from the American Investment Council, a body that serves the interests of private equity. For comparison, Americas largest commercial employer, Walmart Inc., has about 2.3 million staff.

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After a record year of dealmaking in 2021, where private-equity transactions accounted for nearly a quarter of the $5 trillion in total mergers and acquisitions, the industrys influence will continue to grow. Buyout funds have about $2 trillion to spend if you include the debt they can use for deals. Some bankers think the first $50 billion buyout isnt far away. The $34 billion takeover of Medline Industries Inc. last year was the biggest since the 2008 crisis and among the biggest ever.

The SEC has proposed rule changes to demand quarterly reporting to investors, annual audits and more disclosure of fees, particularly those that private-equity managers charge to the companies they own. It will also prohibit preferential treatment of some investors over others.

This hasnt emerged from a vacuum: The rules are designed to combat wrongdoing the SEC has uncovered. Gensler has also complained about the difficulty of tracking and comparing investment returns across private-fund managers.

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Industry bodies have been quick to complain that the SEC is overstepping its mark. The regulator should focus on protecting unsophisticated retail investors, they say. Both the American Investment Council and the Managed Funds Association, which represents hedge funds, say the changes would hurt the pension funds, endowments and foundations that put the most money into alternative asset managers.

Sure, the reporting and audit demands will impose some costs, which will detract from returns. Banning preferential treatment for some investors over others will no doubt be costly to those that get better deals. This includes things like lower management fees for some investors, easier or faster access to their money or more information on funds holdings. Those that dont get the VIP treatment will cheer this change as will anyone with any simple sense of fairness.

But what really undermines the lobbyists complaints is that sophisticated investors themselves asked for help. A group that represents large investors, the Institutional Limited Partners Association, wrote to Gensler last October asking the SEC to force more disclosure of fees and charges.

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The distinction between retail investors and sophisticated institutions is also overdone. The boards that run pension funds arent stocked with financial professionals, fresh from careers on Wall Street, who are used to taking apart dizzying schedules of internal rates of return and trying to compare these over a decade with the returns they could have got from the S&P 500.

Ordinary people entrust pension board members with their retirement savings for decades  and those stewards arent much more sophisticated than many retail investors. The duration and complexity, along with the lack of transparency, create an accountability problem through the entire system. And at the end of the chain, the people saving for retirement get the least information and ultimately pay all the costs.

By the time a pension fund gets back the money it committed to a private-equity fund  which is the only time you can really be sure what return you have actually made  a decade can have passed and the individuals responsible for making the investment might be long gone. More of the biggest hedge funds are also demanding investors lock up money for longer and investing in private equity too, doubling up on high fees.

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Indeed, Genslers changes are aimed not only at the $4 trillion private-equity industry and the equally large hedge fund industry, but also state, municipal and private pension plans themselves. This is why he talks about private funds with gross assets of more than $18 trillion that will be subject to the new rules.

More regulation is inevitable, especially at the top of the alternatives industry, where the biggest firms have become more like diversified investment and banking groups. Companies like Apollo Global Management, Blackstone Inc. and KKR & Co. are already directly managing ordinary peoples money through their insurance businesses; in capital markets theyre acting as both buyers and sellers of private and public debt and equity.

Private equity and hedge funds are  by their own reckoning  the best and smartest investors: They can find the right things to buy, make their operations and finances more efficient, move quickly and decisively where companies or other investors need money fast. This generates the excess profits for which investors are meant to give up 20% of their returns.

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If spending a bit on audit fees and on extra staff for accounting and investor relations is going to undercut the profits all that investment skill can generate, then maybe that skill was never really worth a great deal at all.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 How Venture Capital Created the Modern World: Adrian Wooldridge

 Hedge Funds and the Art of Phony Happiness: Marc Rubinstein

 German Tabloid Scandal Is ESG Stress Test for KKR: Chris Hughes

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Paul J. Davies is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering banking and finance. He previously worked for the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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A stop road sign is seen next to skyscrapers at the Moscow International business center. (Reuters)

Experts anticipated a Moscow-led cyber assault; instead unprecedented attacks by hacktivists and criminals have wreaked havoc in Russia.
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The world is awash in dirty money -- and criminals who are constantly finding new ways to hide their loot in real estate, art, securities, cryptocurrencies and old fashioned bank accounts. Policing the latest tricks in digital transfers and offshore shell companies falls to financial regulators in each country, but theres also an obscure international group thats exerting more influence: For more than three decades, the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force has been confronting the challenge of illicit finance. Though the body is sometimes criticized for focusing too much on formal regulation, the mere risk of ending up on the FATFs watchlist has been enough to spur some governments into action.

1. What is the FATF?

Its an inter-governmental organization that sets standards to try to curb money laundering. Created by the Group of Seven nations at a summit in 1989, the goal was to protect their financial systems from criminal activity such as drug trafficking. The FATF is perhaps best known for pioneering the know-your-customer rules that require institutions to ascertain the true identities of account holders. Those requirements are now commonplace in banks, investment houses and payment processing firms. The FATF has also set guidelines for national laws and how to manage account data. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the FATF developed standards for combating terrorist financing. Its made up of 39 members, including the G7, China and Russia and emerging economies in South America and Africa.

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2. Why does it matter?

The FATFs recommendations are taken seriously because no nation wants to be flagged for deficiencies that might cast doubt on the integrity of its banking system, or worse, be branded an underperformer. The FATF lists North Korea and Iran in its worst category, and designates nations including Panama, Malta and the Philippines as monitored jurisdictions working with the organization to improve their controls. Moreover, many countries fear the scrutiny of prosecutors and regulators in the U.S., an influential force in the FATF, which has slapped foreign institutions with billions of dollars in penalties and the threat of criminal prosecution for failing to prevent malfeasance. Government officials facing an imminent FATF audit often scramble to get up to snuff. Since an FATF report on the United Arab Emirates in April 2020, authorities have set up courts focused on financial crimes, adopted new disclosure requirements around company ownership and imposed new rules on hawalas, the charities often alleged to enable terrorism-related money flows. The UAE is now awaiting a decision on whether it will be included on the FATFs so-called gray list.

3. What does being on the gray list mean?

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That a country requires closer monitoring as its not been doing enough to fight money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The designation can make foreign investors more wary of doing business there. A report by the International Monetary Fund in 2021 found that being gray-listed results in an average decline in capital flows coming into a country equal to 7.6% of gross domestic product. Should the FATF apply the designation to the UAE, it would be among the most significant such steps in the groups history given the UAEs position as the main financial hub of the Middle East.

4. Is the FATF making a dent in money laundering?

While experts welcome the groups efforts, many contend that its findings, which tend to focus on technical compliance, can be out of sync with the reality on the ground. The U.K. won high marks in its 2018 assessment but anti-corruption groups such as Global Witness point out that corrupt despots and oligarchs remain prolific users of Britains financial system. In 2019, Transparency International U.K. traced $418 billion in suspicious wealth through scores of banks, law firms, properties and prestigious private schools such as Harrow School. Even as British prosecutors freeze the assets of some suspected money launderers, they have a poor record when it comes to convictions in high-profile cases, according to anti-corruption experts. While its challenging to calculate, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that the amount of money laundered globally in one year is 2% to 5% of global gross domestic product, or somewhere between $800 billion and $2 trillion. David Lewis, who left as head of the FATF in January, called efforts to combat money laundering inadequate.

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5. Does the FATF have real teeth?

Yes, to a degree. A bad report card from the FATF can be a call to action. The Netherlands, for instance, was criticized by the FATF in 2015 for not doing enough to require banks to verify the identity of their accountholders. The Dutch government and the central bank have since made a flurry of changes, including the approval of penalties for lenders that can amount to a fifth of their annual revenue, double the level mandated by the EUs anti-money laundering law. However, the job of adopting and enforcing anti money-laundering measures still falls to a patchwork of national regulators and local law enforcement authorities that apply laws and standards differently. After a wave of scandals struck Nordic banks over their handling of dirty money in the Baltic nations, the European Commission has proposed creating a centralized body with the power to clamp down on illicit finance in the blocs member nations.

 QuickTake explainers on how money launderers operate and the UAEs new corporate tax.

 The Financial Action Task Forces portal for reports on money laundering practices in member countries.

 The organizations standards and recommendations countries should follow to curb dirty money.

 Transparency International UKs statistical analysis on the breadth of money laundering in the British property market.

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The pandemic revealed many troubling trends that had been brewing for a long time without much notice. A big one is the curious lack of rebelliousness among young people. University and high school years used to be a time to test boundaries and break rules. So when schools finally reopened with fairly Draconian Covid restrictions, I kept waiting for students to push back and rebel. After all, they are mostly vaccinated and face lower risk than older adults.

Young people are supposed to chafe at rules imposed by overly risk-averse authority figures. But it seems they largely accept Covid restrictions and have even fiercely defended them. Many of the students in my neighborhood wont step outside without a medical-grade mask. What happened to youth pushing back against authority and being a little selfish? Instead, we have rule followers afraid to upset their communities. And it seems when they do push back against their elders its to shame them for not following the rules.

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This isnt another rant against the woke culture; values and norms are always evolving. I am also not calling for violent or destructive behavior. What worries me is the complacency  the lack of questioning or healthy acts of rebellion  because those qualities are critical to our long-term prosperity. Civilizations greatest leaps forward came from rebels who pushed boundaries and questioned the wisdom of their elders.

On reflection, our youths submissive response to Covid-19 should not have come as a surprise. There were signs in the last several years that younger generations have been growing less rebellious. They dont fully individuate from their parents, living with them longer and speaking to them multiple times a day when they do go to college. Teenagers are less likely to drink or have sex, go out without their parents, or get a drivers license compared with teens 40 years ago. And while in some ways thats good  theyre safer and theres less teen pregnancy  it also suggests less experimentation, curiosity or desire to test limits.

There are many theories for why this generation is more cautious and compliant. It could be more helicopter parenting compromises childrens independence and resilience, making them less able to deal with setbacks. Or maybe its the influence of technology: Were seeing the first generations growing up knowing that their mistakes can follow them forever, or could be broadcast to the entire world and result in them being shamed and shunned. Whatever the reason, its not a healthy trend. Not just for the individual  because a little defiance is important for psychological development  but for the entire U.S. economy.

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Economic historian Joel Mokyrs book The Culture of Growth takes on the two biggest mysteries in the economic history field. Why did growth suddenly take off in the 19th century? And why did it happen in the UK first? Mokyr argues that a rebellious spirit started brewing in Europe in the 16th and 17th century, and it created the conditions not only for rebels to thrive but to innovate too. Before, it was accepted  and stringently enforced  that elders had all the wisdom, which they passed down to each successive generation.

But people like Newton and Galileo (huge rebels) started to question what they were taught and began to explore the idea that nature was something they could work with for better outcomes. They adopted the scientific method to overthrow prevailing orthodoxies. It was radical at the time. And though rebellious thinkers got lots of pushback and were called heretics and jailed or worse, their ideas ultimately gained traction because the culture was changing and people were less threatened by challenging taboos compared with their ancestors. This paved the way for the thinkers of the Enlightenment. It happened in northern Europe because it was more politically fragmented so there was less top-down control as there was in China or southern Europe. If an idea offended the church, government or community, the scholar could go somewhere more receptive.

Mokyr argues the fragmentation created a competitive environment where the best ideas could emerge and find a home, even if they offended some. The UKs religious traditions, including its break from Catholicism, along with widespread education in places like Scotland, also fostered a culture that was more open to upsetting the status quo. Mokyr argues this environment created the conditions for the Industrial Revolution. History is full of examples of bursts of innovation that eventually fizzled out. It takes a rebellious culture to create an environment where new ideas and inventions are quickly displaced by even better ideas and inventions.

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You need to be an iconoclast to be a great innovator or entrepreneur. You need to be the kind of person who thinks the existing solutions are bad or inadequate. You need to recognize that sometimes the wisdom you get from authorities is lacking, especially if it defies scientific reason and logic. People will say you are wrong and crazy and sometimes get angry with you. Thats why rebels also need a culture that gives them room and (and capital) to test their ideas even if they are new or uncomfortable; a culture able to reward worthy ideas and cast aside bad ones. Steve Jobs was a rebel. Bill Gates dropped out of college to start a technology company before it was a thing.

Sometimes rebelliousness will blow up in your face. Teenagers can make bad choices; its part of the growing-up experience. Others dont base their rebellion on reason or curiosity and are driven by ignorance or greed instead, like anti-vaxxers or Elizabeth Holmes. And such people need to be held accountable for their actions and offered better information.

But generally, rebellion is necessary for a dynamic society, which on balance makes our lives better and delivers the innovations that make us healthier and wiser. People need to test weird ideas and sometimes make bad decisions. In a healthy culture its how they learn to become better thinkers.

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Covid restrictions are beginning to be lifted now, opening the door on an economy desperately in need of a new crop of innovators and barrier crashers. Young Americans should use their newfound freedom to take some chances, say some surprising things, own some shocking ideas, and prove they shouldnt be remembered as the lamest generation.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Harnessing Innovation for Americas Defense: Michael Bloomberg

 Its a Healthy Sign When Americans Fail the Happiness Test: Virginia Postrel

 What If the Technology We Created Turns Against Us?: Tyler Cowen

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Allison Schrager is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. She is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of An Economist Walks Into a Brothel: And Other Unexpected Places to Understand Risk.

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Out of all the actions the Biden Administration could have taken on Afghanistan, commandeering the nations foreign currency reserves is, to put it mildly, unhelpful. In an executive order signed Friday, President Joe Biden began the process of releasing the $7 billion in Afghan Central Bank funds held in the Federal Reserve. It froze those assets last August when the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan as American and NATO forces withdrew. His plan proposes directing $3.5 billion into a trust fund for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan while putting the other $3.5 billion aside for families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S.

The problem is, the U.S. doesnt own that money: Afghanistan does. That Washington doesnt want to release billions to the Taliban is understandable. No one wants rivers of cash to go a regime thats simply picked up where it left off two decades ago, restricting girls access to schools and universities, preventing women from working, abducting protesters and journalists from their homes and killing opponents.

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But while the United Nations and other humanitarian groups work to convince the U.S. and the World Bank to ease what amounts to an economic blockade on Afghanistan, Bidens actions are blatantly counterproductive.

With more than half of the countrys nearly 40 million people facing acute hunger and a million children at risk of dying amid a harsh winter, UN chief Antonio Guterres in January called on the World Bank to immediately release $1.2 billion in reconstruction funds to ease the humanitarian crisis and inject liquidity to prevent an economic collapse. It had already transferred $280 million to the UN Childrens Fund and the World Food Programme a month earlier.

But as many experts have pointed out, you cannot feed an entire country with aid.

Aid cannot make up for an economy deprived of oxygen, International Rescue Committee President and former U.K. Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in a statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism on Feb. 9. The humanitarian community did not choose the government, but that is no excuse to punish the people, and there is a middle course  to help the Afghan people without embracing the new government, Miliband wrote.

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Lets remember, this entire crisis was triggered by the poorly planned U.S. withdrawal after two decades of war and what appears to be a complete lack of foresight about how to deal with the aftermath. In the uproar that followed Fridays announcement, many in Afghanistan and its diaspora pointed out the obvious: This appears to be a backwards attempt to punish Afghanistan for its role in the 2001 attacks on the U.S. If so, the aim was off-target. Of the origins of the 9/11 hijackers, 15 came from Saudi Arabia, two from the United Arab Emirates and one each from Lebanon and Egypt. Not one was Afghan. The Taliban, who ruled most of the country, had provided refuge to Osama bin Laden; but, given the median age of Afghans today is 18, those attacks took place before many were even born.

As Obaidullah Baheer, a lecturer in transitional justice at the American University of Afghanistan, told the BBC, there is deep anger and frustration at the U.S. decision. The money underpins the Afghan currency and is not meant for aid, he noted. Afghanistan needs a sustainable economy if it is to survive in the long run, and the federal reserves are fundamental to it.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Talibans political office in Qatar, Mohammed Naeem, tweeted on Friday that the seizure of Da Afghanistan Banks reserves was theft and a sign of moral decay.

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The U.S. and its allies have rightly demanded that the Taliban form a more inclusive government, guarantee the rights of women and ethnic minorities, allow girls to go to school and university and break ties with terrorist groups before any money is released.

But there are work-arounds to make sure an entire nation doesnt slip into famine. As Human Rights Watch suggested on Feb. 11, the World Bank could require that all banking transactions are overseen by independent auditors to address concerns that providing the Afghan Central Bank with assets could enrich the Taliban.

If Bidens plan is implemented, Human Rights Watchs Asia Advocacy Adviser, John Sifton, wrote, it would create a problematic precedent for commandeering sovereign wealth and do little to address underlying factors driving Afghanistans massive humanitarian crisis. The entire $7 billion already legally belonged to the Afghan people.

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Bidens administration needs to urgently rethink its decision and show some political will to help Afghanistan out of a crisis it helped create. Its the only right thing to do.

More from Bloomberg Opinion:

 The U.S. Needs a New Approach to Fighting Terrorism: Editorial

 A Cowboy Solution to Afghanistans Cash Crunch: Ruth Pollard

 Talks With the Taliban Must Include Women: Bobby Ghosh

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Ruth Pollard is a columnist and editor with Bloomberg Opinion. Previously she was South and Southeast Asia Government team leader at Bloomberg News. She has reported from India and across the Middle East and focuses on foreign policy, defense and security.

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U.S. immigration policies should be guided by two basic principles. The first is that immigrants are indispensable to American innovation and long-term economic growth. The second is that laws to secure the countrys borders must be rigorously enforced. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight A system built on these commonsense ideas would promote economic dynamism, boost tax revenue, prevent population decline, and protect national security. It would also command support among a majority of Americans. Unfortunately, the Biden administrations approach to immigration  both legal and otherwise  has so far been hopelessly muddled. Fixing it should be a top priority in what remains of the presidents term.

Start with the legal immigration system. Current law is heavily weighted toward immigrants with family ties, who make up nearly 70% of those who receive legal permanent residence. Another 4% come in through the diversity lottery, which awards visas to residents of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. Of the 1 million green cards awarded in the last year before the pandemic, fewer than 15% were for work-based reasons.

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To correct this imbalance, the U.S. should adopt a points-based immigration system, similar to those in Canada and Australia, and give preferences to high-skilled immigrants. Those with specialized knowledge, outstanding language skills, and entrepreneurial promise, as well as foreign students who earn advanced degrees in the U.S., should receive highest priority.

Few government policies would do more to bolster American leadership in science and technology. And theres reason to believe that such an overhaul could attract bipartisan support. (Even former President Donald Trump once expressed enthusiasm for the idea.) Yet Biden has shown no urgency. Legislation introduced by Democrats and backed by the White House would give a small boost to the number of employment-based green cards the U.S. issues, currently capped at 140,000 a year  but it doesnt go nearly far enough toward establishing a workable skills-based system.

Of course, any expansion of legal immigration will be impossible without improvements in border security. Here, too, the Biden administrations approach has been haphazard at best.

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Attempted border crossings have reached record highs under Bidens watch. To deal with the crisis, the administration has relied on a World War II-era provision called Title 42, which allows the government to curb immigration during a public-health emergency. Since the spring of 2020, when the Trump administration introduced this practice, the U.S. has expelled more than 1 million migrants from the border without allowing them to claim asylum, a callous practice that violates longtime U.S. policy.

This approach mightve made sense earlier in the pandemic, when overcrowded border facilities seemed like a significant public-health threat. Now its unnecessary and inhumane, given that many of those deported could be in danger in their home countries. Simply expelling migrants, moreover, does little to deter them from trying again: More than a quarter of those encountered at the border are repeat crossers.

As it happens, the administration has a more effective tool for managing this problem. A Trump-era policy called the Migrant Protection Protocols requires those apprehended at the border to remain in Mexico as they go through the asylum process. The program is flawed, with some applicants having to endure unsafe conditions while waiting for hearings. But it grants migrants legal representation and an opportunity to make their case in front of a U.S. immigration official. Bizarrely, rather than fixing this system and expanding it, the administration is trying to rescind it in court while continuing to enforce Title 42. It should be doing the opposite.

Such incoherence has unfortunately afflicted the administrations immigration policy from the start. Ending it is a necessary step toward a more orderly system  one that upholds American values and brings in the immigrants the country needs.

Editorials are written by the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

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The other day I was sorting my bookshelves while listening to yet another news broadcast about Boris Johnsons imploding premiership when I came across a slim volume on How to Be a Bad Emperor, a selection of Suetoniuss Lives of the Caesars repurposed by Princeton University Press as a self-help book  or, rather, as an anti-self-help book.

Suetonius was the best chronicler of Roman leaders from Caesar to Domitian because he dispensed with conventional hagiography and instead provided warts-and-all portraits that focused more on the warts than the all. As an Eton- and Oxford-educated classical scholar, Johnson will be familiar with his writings. The Princeton edition cleverly reproduces the choicest bits of Suetoniuss writings  and they are very choice indeed  under several anti-self-help headings. Ignore bad omens  and your wife. (Julius Caesar scoffed at the warning to beware the Ides of March as well as ignoring his wifes advice.) Spend all your time at your resort. (Tiberius indulged himself in his holiday resort in Capri in ways that would make Silvio Berlusconi blush.) Make your horse a consul (Caligula). Fiddle while Rome burns (Nero).

Reading Suetonius, I was struck not only by the differences between the Ancient World and the Modern one but also by the remarkable similarities. Democracy has imposed constraints on the powerful: Donald Trumps drive to subordinate the Republican Party in his image didnt extend to stabling a horse in the Senate. But at the same time technology has liberated leaders to dream of colonizing Mars and creating a virtual universe. The elementary flaws in human nature  narcissism, and naivete, greed and selfishness  find ways of expressing themselves however much the world thinks that it is progressing.

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What would a modern version of How to Be a Bad Emperor look like? Here are five rules on how to be a bad boss in todays political and corporate world:

Run your organization like a court. Asked what he wanted to do when he grew up, the five-year old Boris Johnson declared that he wanted to be king of the world. His current problems all stem from his predilection to run Downing Street like a court rather than an executive office. He appoints favorites to important jobs, plays factions off against each other and frequently defers to his wife, who is informally known as Carrie Antoinette. The various Partygate photographs display a king humoring his courtiers and the courtiers flattering the king.

This pattern will be wearily familiar to Americans who saw Donald Trump bring the same style to American government. Oddly enough, a political revolution made in the name of the people against the elite has produced quasi-monarchical leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. And it is causing the same long-term problems in Britain that it did in the U.S.: inappropriate behavior; faction-fighting; a decline in the quality of personnel; a poor record of delivery; and a mounting cycle of scandals.

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Untether yourself from reality. The more successful businesspeople become, the more they abandon the reality-based community for a parallel world of their own making. They surround themselves with toadies and yes men, socialize exclusively with people like themselves and succumb to weird fantasies and obsessions. Brad Stone, the author of a book on Jeff Bezos, put it nicely in an interview with the New York Times: The worlds richest man doesnt really live among us anymore.

Despite Bezoss best efforts, the best example of untethering is still provided by Henry Ford, who was arguably both the greatest businessman of the 20th century and the worst boss. Ford owed his success to his focus on the needs of regular Americans: the people he hung around with as equals in the first 40 years of his life before he founded the Ford Motor Company. Then success divorced him not only from the common man but from common sense. His refusal to acknowledge that cars were consumer goods as well as devices for getting you from A to B opened the door to General Motors. He pontificated on every subject under the sun, from the abhorrent (Hitlers Mein Kampf singled out Fords anti-Semitism for special praise) to the merely cranky such as reincarnation. For any of his underlings who dared to criticize him he had the same answer: Youre fired.

The most common form of untethering, though, is not megalomania but ideological groupthink. Todays corporate captains, at least in the West, all sing from the same hymn sheet about sustainability, diversity, equity, globalization and social responsibility, as if all these things are not only obvious goods, but also cost-free goods (win-wins as the cliche has it). Yet these bland phrases jar with the world that an enormous number of people inhabit, one in which energy prices are surging, nationalism is strengthening, and ethnic groups are fighting over the fruits of a stagnant economy.

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Succumb to the latest management fad. The 1990s was the high-water mark of management fads when great fad factories, from business schools to consultancies to business publishers, produced a never-ending cycle of fads that told companies first that they had to focus on quality (TQM) and then that they had to sack half their workers (re-engineering).

But even if the velocity of fad-circulation has declined, the problem can still be serious, if not terminal. The most conspicuous example of the dangers of faddism is Unilever Plc. During his long reign as CEO (2009-19), Paul Polman tried to inject faddish ideas about purpose and social responsibility into the heart of everything that the consumer products giant did. Though Polman boasts that Unilever delivered a 300% shareholder return during his time, his claims about doing well by doing good are hard to reconcile, first, with the better performance by Procter & Gamble Co. and Nestle SA during those years and, second, with the trouble that the company currently faces.

Alan Jope, his chosen successor and co-devotee of the cult of purpose, is on the ropes. The fund manager Terry Smith has mocked the idea that Hellmanns mayonnaise has to have a purpose other than garnishing salad. The activist investor Nelson Peltz is building a stake in the company. In the wake of its ill-conceived bid for GlaxoSmithKline Plcs consumer-health division, the company obliged 1,500 employees to seek their purpose elsewhere by sacking them. It would make an interesting bet, one leading banker told The Times, who will go first, Jope or Boris Johnson.

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Drink the Silicon Valley Kool-Aid. Jim Joness Peoples Temple cult was based in San Francisco before its devotees moved to Guyana and committed collective suicide by drinking poisoned Kool-Aid in 1978. Today San Francisco and its environs are the center of a new cult, of the deliberately obnoxious boss  less fatal to be sure, but troubling if not dangerous.

There is the jerk boss. Steve Jobs mistreated everyone around him but nevertheless changed the world. There is the crazy genius. Elon Musk spent half the earnings from his first start-up on a race car  and when he crashed it with Peter Thiel in the passenger seat, his response was to laugh maniacally about his failure to insure it. There is the twerp boss. Mark Zuckerberg posted an Instagram of himself hydro-foiling while waving an American flag and listening to John Denvers Take Me Home, Country Roads (!). There is the bro boss: Travis Kalanick was famous for his wild partying when he ran Uber and Shervin Pishevar, one of Ubers leading investors, was accused of sexual harassment. There is the fabulist boss: WeWork Inc. was in the rather humdrum business of selling short-term office space in cities but Adam Neumann, the 6 5-inch former Israeli naval officer who ran it, managed to persuade investors, notably Masayoshi Son, that he was really selling the future or work, or a physical social network or even a capitalist kibbutz, as if such a thing might be desirable.

The antics of the tech titans and their imitators are sometimes so outrageous that they seem as if they come straight from the pages of Suetonius. Indeed, Zuckerberg is so infatuated with the Emperor Augustus that he spent his honeymoon in Rome (all the photos are of different statues of Augustus) and named his second daughter August. Through a really harsh approach, he told the New Yorker, he established 200 years of world peace. Zuckerberg loved Latin at school (very much like coding or math). His sister, Donna, earned a Ph.D. in classics from Princeton, and wrote a book on how misogynistic alt-right groups on the internet invoke classical history. A braver project would be an account of the lives of the tech emperors.

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I have no doubt that these tech emperors have done more good than harm: You cant change the world without being a bit odd. But the trouble is that too many people think that all you need to do is to imitate the peccadilloes of the successful  act the jerk like Steve Jobs or grow a Rasputin-style beard like Jack Dorsey  and you will be a business genius. Innumerable metrics suggest that the problem of bad bosses is a big one. A Gallup survey in 2019 showed that half of U.S. workers had left their job in order to escape from a bad boss. (The Great Resignation would not have been so great if bosses had been better.) Numerous studies show that having a bad boss increases your chances of having a heart attack by 50%. The last thing we need is for more managers to make the problem worse by modelling themselves on Zack or Elon or Jack. In 99 cases out of 100, a jerk is just a jerk and a prat is just a prat.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Is America Losing the War for Global Talent?: Virginia Postrel

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 Why the Most Qualified Person for a Job Rarely Is: Stephen L. Carter

 It Always Pays to Take Sabbaticals and Vacations: Sarah Green Carmichael

 Will a Four-Day Week Work for You?: Andreas Kluth

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Adrian Wooldridge is the global business columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. He was previously a writer at the Economist. His latest book is The Aristocracy of Talent: How Meritocracy Made the Modern World.

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State-owned Life Insurance Corp. of India, with its distinctive blue and yellow logo, is ubiquitous across the country of 1.4 billion people. LIC controls nearly two-thirds of the Indian market, with about 282 million policies and more than 1.3 million agents, 100,000 employees, 2,000 branches and 1,500 satellite offices. Prime Minister Narendra Modis administration is racing to sell 5% of LIC in whats set to be Indias biggest-ever initial public offering and the fourth-biggest IPO of any insurer globally. Its sheer scale presents a unique challenge for the nations underdeveloped capital markets, and a big test of Modis plan to make the economy more efficient.

1. Why is the government selling a stake?

The LIC sale is the biggest chunk of a $10.4 billion asset-sale program thats aimed at plugging Indias budget deficit for the year through March 31, 2022. The government plans to push borrowing to a record in the next fiscal year as it tries to spend its way out of the pandemic-induced downturn.

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2. When is the IPO?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has set a March deadline for the listing. The IPO was initially slated for the previous fiscal year, but was delayed as Indias harsh stay-at-home rules during the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted the preparations.

3. Why is valuing the company so difficult?

LICs size and special status make for a unique challenge. It holds almost $530 billion of assets, more than the total size of the countrys mutual fund industry. Milliman and Ernst & Young, the firms appointed to work on the valuation, have been sifting through millions of policies to account for parameters including mortalities, morbidities, lapses in premium payments and policy cancellations. They also had to weigh the value of LICs fixed property across its 2,000 branches. LIC releases its balance sheet only once a year, and peer-to-peer comparisons are tricky.

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4. What is LICs value?

Its still to be determined. A draft prospectus filed Feb. 13 put LICs embedded value at 5.4 trillion rupees ($71.6 billion). For an insurance firm, the total enterprise value is typically a multiple of the embedded value, taking into account demand from investors for similar listed firms. Since the government needs to raise about $8 billion to meet its asset-sale target, and it plans to sell 5% of the company, the enterprise value will need to be about $160 billion. If it hits the numbers, the IPO would surpass the biggest Indian IPO to date -- digital payments provider Paytms $2.5 billion listing last November.

5. Why does this IPO matter?

Sales of stakes in companies so deeply entrenched in the history of their nations arent an everyday occurrence. LIC has exerted a towering presence over Indias financial landscape since Jawaharlal Nehrus government combined the countrys 245 insurance companies and provident fund societies in 1956 with a mandate to offer life insurance to all sections of society. For many Indians, insurance is still synonymous with the company, even after the industry opened up to private firms two decades ago.

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6. Are there parallels in other nations?

Some bankers are describing the sale as Indias Aramco moment. Oil giant Saudi Aramco, which staged the worlds biggest IPO in 2019, was likewise a symbol of Saudi Arabias economic might, generating almost 90% of the Saudi governments income. Japan Post, whose privatization started in 2015, was the countrys biggest holder of bank deposits and its largest insurer while it ran the national postal service. Like LIC, it was highly visible, with the biggest chain of storefronts in Japan and a fleet of 86,000 motorbikes for mail delivery.

7. Will investors go for it?

Some local investors are skeptical that the 65-year-old firm can compete against its privately owned rivals. LIC is governed by a distinct 1956 parliamentary act rather than the law governing Indias other insurers. It enjoys a sovereign guarantee of its policies, allowing it to operate with a thinner capital base than competitors. Over the years, LIC has been deployed as the investor of last resort by governments of the day to support markets and bail out other state-run companies, as in 2019 with IDBI Bank Ltd. Some bankers say global investors worry LIC could be forced to rescue other floundering state assets even after it becomes a publicly listed company.

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The best story in primary elections this year is going to be the struggle for control of the Republican Party between former President Donald Trump and his various opponents, most prominently Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Its such a good story, in fact, that everything is likely to be interpreted as a test of Trumps strength, regardless of whats really going on.

Take reports that McConnell has been recruiting anti-Trump candidates for Senate campaigns, with the assistance in some cases of former President George W. Bush and his circle. Reported examples include: Republican Governors Doug Ducey of Arizona, Larry Hogan of Maryland, and Chris Sununu of New Hampshire. Hes also fighting for Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski to win re-election against a Trump-endorsed challenger, and has worked to avoid any primary threat to South Dakota Senator John Thune.

I dont doubt that McConnell would like to see Trumps influence within the party diminished. But its unlikely that any of these examples are mainly motivated by antipathy toward the former president. McConnell has long made clear that what he cares about is electing as many Republicans to his chamber as possible. After nomination catastrophes in the Tea Party era, such as Todd Akin in Missouri and Christine ODonnell in Delaware, both of whom lost potentially winnable Senate races in landslides, McConnell has tried hard to prevent what he calls goofball candidacies. That hasnt always worked  Roy Moores Senate campaign in Alabama in 2017 was a more recent example  but its been McConnells priority. Popular governors such as Ducey, Hogan and Sununu are obvious strong-on-paper general-election candidates. And congressional leaders almost always support incumbents such as Murkowski and Thune. McConnell would surely be recruiting and supporting each of these candidates even if Trump never existed.

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So far at least, theres no sign  not even a hint  that McConnell would be willing to risk a Senate seat to diminish Trumps standing.

As far as Trump is concerned, its also not entirely clear what his motives are. In some cases, he appears to be trying to punish opponents, such as those in Congress who voted to impeach or convict him or state officials who refused to overturn the 2020 presidential election for him. In other cases, he appears to be just endorsing incumbents, a fairly ordinary task for high-visibility party figures. Thirty of Trumps 42 House race endorsements are for incumbents, as are most of his picks for state offices in the upcoming Texas primaries. Overlapping with everything Trump does, of course, are his continuing efforts to steer as much money into his own pocket as possible.

At the same time, candidates seeking Trumps endorsement many not necessarily continue to support him if they win. Weve seen this throughout Trumps political career. He doesnt generally trade his backing for policy commitments or even specific forms of support. Instead, he seems to expect absolute loyalty from those whom he has endorsed, or those he named to his administration, only to have them refuse to go along with him on something  after which he denounces them and often severs the relationship. In other words, while some of those Trump endorsees will surely stay loyal, others will turn out to have been using him when it was convenient and will support him only if it remains in their self-interest. This is, of course, normal U.S. politics, but Trump seems very good at blinding people to that.

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Which gets back to where I started: Whatever is actually going on, the battle for influence within the party is the story that everyone will be focused on during the primaries this year. And to at least some extent, that will become a self-fulfilling interpretation; if everyone is convinced that Trump is or isnt powerful, it will affect how they act going forward.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. He taught political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio and DePauw University and wrote A Plain Blog About Politics.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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A South African biotech company has recreated small quantities of Modernas Covid-19 vaccine. Its achievement, done in partnership with the World Health Organization, is part of a broader plan to help low- and middle-income countries become less reliant on U.S. and European drug makers, which have been slow to send their vaccines.

The WHO is investing $100 million over five years to develop an mRNA hub in South Africa, with expertise centered at Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines. Afrigen is expected to share the know-how it develops with other countries eager to establish their own vaccine infrastructure. Brazil and Argentina are next in line.

This ambitious plan could set up countries to better respond to future pandemics  as well as ongoing scourges such as malaria and tuberculosis. Its also exactly the kind of program that might lose steam once the Covid threat becomes less acute and global attention shifts elsewhere.

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To make sure this momentum doesnt fizzle, companies like Moderna, Pfizer and BioNTech should pitch in now by sharing their vaccine-making expertise.

Afrigens goal is to design and, with the Biovac Institute (another partner in the WHOs network), manufacture a new vaccine. Much has been made about the Moderna copy, but the South African scientists ultimately want to create their own intellectual property.

Their original intent had been to license IP from Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech. In October, when WHO said it had hired Afrigen to cook up the Moderna vaccine recipe, the global health agency sounded confident that the companies would grant access to their technologies. Only after attempts to engage them went nowhere did the group change their strategy to developing a separate vaccine.

Ideally the shot that Afrigen ultimately creates will be an mRNA vaccine that is relatively easy and cheap to produce, and is stable at room  or at least fridge  temperature so that its practical in places with patchy cold-chain distribution.

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Afrigen was able to make Modernas vaccine in microliter quantities by poring through publicly available documents that detail its various components. An impressive feat, but microliters is the operative word, said Patrick Arbuthnot, a gene therapy expert at the University of Witwatersrand who is helping with the project. Thats about enough to vaccinate a mouse. Making enough for an entire country or continent is a different proposition.

Securing all the components to make a vaccine will not be easy. One particular need is for large quantities of modified bases  building blocks of mRNA that have been adapted to survive the inhospitable environment of living cells  and the enzymes used to link them up. Another is for the lipids that form a protective bubble around mRNA as it travels to cells. Those lipid nanoparticle components have been in short supply throughout the pandemic. Contract manufacturing firms have ramped up capacity over the past year, but the customer queue is very long.

Petro Terblanche, Afrigens chief executive officer, told me her companys vaccine milestone would have been achieved three months ago were it not for the long wait for these key raw materials  and that was just to make a mouse-sized dose of the vaccine.

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Technical hurdles stand in the path of moving from mouse to millions of humans. Vaccine companies must document for regulatory authorities each step of their manufacturing process, and Terblanche says that Modernas vaccine has 900 steps.

So many things need to go right for this effort to succeed.

Help from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech could significantly improve its chances. Afrigen and WHO would also be happy to see any of the other firms that have mRNA-based Covid vaccines still in development lend a hand.

So far, companies have only weighed in on the topic of patents. Moderna has said that it wont enforce its vaccine patents while the pandemic is underway. Pfizer has been more reluctant. Last spring, when President Joe Biden endorsed waiving patent rights on Covid vaccines, Pfizers CEO Albert Bourla argued it would harm the companys ability to access raw materials and would disincentivize companies from making risky investments in future pandemics. BioNTech, meanwhile, has been actively working to undermine Afrigens efforts, according to a recent report from the BMJ, by claiming it was based on patent infringement.

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Yet the patents, while helpful, are not the main issue. Afrigen can create its own vaccine. But that may go nowhere for years unless the big vaccine makers share their know-how for producing shots at scale.

In resisting the WHOs calls for help, the companies imply that the vaccine business is too complicated for any country without a thriving biopharmaceutical ecosystem  so just let the American and European firms handle it. Both Moderna and BioNTech are building facilities in Africa to supply the continent with their own Covid shots. And Pfizer has partnered with Biovac to put its vaccine into vials and distribute it.All such efforts to distribute Covid shots worldwide are needed and welcome.

But its also essential that low- and middle-income countries can develop the capability to create vaccines of their own. It is in the interest of U.S. and European governments to invest in making sure that momentum for Afrigens effort continues as the omicron surge of Covid-19 subsides  so that all countries can better face the next Covid surge and the next pandemic. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech only need to lend their expertise.

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More from other writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 What Will It Take to Vaccinate the World?: Clara Ferreira Marques

 Clearing the Path to Vaccinating the World: The Editors

 A Call to Support Africas Health and Science Workforce: Lydiah Kemunto Bosire

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Lisa Jarvis, the former executive editor of Chemical & Engineering News, writes about biotech, drug discovery and the pharmaceutical industry for Bloomberg Opinion.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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Money is edging toward its biggest reinvention in centuries. Modern technology and even the coronavirus pandemic are pushing consumers to go cashless, and with alternative concepts like Bitcoin taking hold, central banks are acting quickly to ensure they dont fall behind. Their promise is a payment system that is safer, more resilient and cheaper than private alternatives. The central banks of the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and Nigeria have already become pioneers in central bank digital currency, or CBDC, while China, the euro area and others are experimenting in the field. The U.S. Federal Reserve and Bank of England, meanwhile, are proceeding far more cautiously.

1. What would central bank digital money be like?

Not so different, at least on the surface, from keeping electronic money in a bank account and using cards, smartphones or apps to send that bank money into the world. The key difference is that central bank-provided money -- like cash -- is a risk-free asset. For example, a physical dollar bill is always worth one dollar. A dollar in a commercial bank account, while in theory convertible into paper cash on demand, is subject to that banks solvency and liquidity risks, meaning consumers might not always be able to access it, or could even lose it on rare occasions. CBDCs, like banknotes and coins, would be the direct liability of the central bank.

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2. How would this change payments?

CBDCs could come in more than one form, but one goal of all of them would be to make payments happen faster. In the current system, commercial banks settle their net payments with one another using central bank money, but this process is typically not instantaneous for technological and operational reasons, and therefore opens up a credit risk during the duration of the settlement.

3. What does this have to do with cryptocurrencies?

Aside from the potential technological design, not much. CBDCs are conceptually different from a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, which is too volatile to be a store of value and insufficiently widely accepted to be useful for payments. Bitcoin is more in the realm of a speculative asset. A key appeal among Bitcoins supporters is its decentralization, meaning theres no central party that controls it, with transactions recorded on a publicly distributed ledger. CBDCs are controlled by a central bank. While some countries are experimenting with either full or partial use of distributed ledger technology, known as blockchain, for their CBDCs, its not a given that they will ultimately use it. The European Central Bank, for instance, has raised concerns about the environmental footprint of running a parallel blockchain infrastructure, and already has another system which it launched in 2018 that could be more suitable.

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4. What are the different kinds of CBDCs?

There are two main tracks: wholesale and retail. In retail projects, CBDCs would be issued through what would effectively be accounts at a central bank for the general public -- or accounts at commercial banks working with the central bank. A CBDC-based system has no credit risk: funds are not on the balance sheet of an intermediary, and transactions are settled directly and instantly on the central banks balance sheet. A retail approach could be particularly helpful for consumers who dont have access to traditional banking services. Some countries, such as Denmark, have ruled that out, however, as it could leave banks vulnerable to depositors potentially fleeing to central bank accounts. Other central banks have said they will impose upper limits on holdings to prevent such financial stability risks. In wholesale projects, access to the digital currency would be limited to banks and other institutions to make payment flows within the existing financial system faster and cheaper, but with less disruption to the sectors overall structure.

5. Whos trying this?

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According to the IMF, some 100 countries are at varying stages of CBDC exploration. India surprised the payments world by announcing that its central bank will issue a digital rupee as early as the coming financial year, while China rolled out its digital yuan to athletes and spectators before the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics to test its appeal among foreigners. Some of the islands in the Eastern Caribbean that share a central bank have already launched their own digital currency, DCash. That was expanded to St. Vincent and the Grenadines last year after a volcano eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated from their homes, and the roll-out was seen as an important part of rebuilding efforts.

6. Whos not?

The Fed, for one, has been slow to warm to the idea of a digital currency, but it recently took a key step by publishing a 35-page discussion paper in which it outlined a series of potential benefits. Still, it made no firm conclusions on whether issuing such a currency was prudent and in any case said it wouldnt proceed without support from the White House and Congress. The Bank of Canada has also not found a pressing case for a digital currency yet, but continues to build the technical capacity to issue a CBDC, and monitor developments that could increase its urgency.

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7. What would the advantages be?

If central banks can surmount the technical difficulties, digital currencies could allow for faster and cheaper money transfers within economies and across borders. They could also improve access to legal tender in countries where cash supplies are dwindling. An IMF paper said the new currencies could boost financial inclusion in places where private financial institutions find it unprofitable to operate, and generate more resilience in regions prone to natural disasters. ECB President Christine Lagarde has argued that a digital euro could become particularly important amid a rise in protectionist policies if these led to a disruption of Europes predominantly foreign payment services. For China, a digital currency offers a possible way to keep up with and control a rapidly digitizing economy. On the other hand, it could also give the government an extra tool for surveillance.

8. What are other downsides?

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The risks of getting this wrong are significant, which is why most central bankers have to date trod with caution. Depending on the model of CBDC, central banks risk either cutting out commercial banks, a vital funding source for the real economy, or assuming the direct risks and complications of banking for the masses. Problems in managing a business thats new to them could undermine the public trust that they count on to let them pursue occasionally unpopular actions like interest-rate hikes. Also, some researchers have expressed doubts about whether current blockchain technology would be able to support a large volume of simultaneous transactions. A Peoples Bank of China official said its research showed that Bitcoins blockchain capacity fell well below peak demand, on Chinas 2018 Singles Day shopping gala, of 92,771 transactions a second. Other studies have found that Ethereum handles an average of 15 transactions a second, while Visa Inc.s network can handle 24,000.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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Members of the Washington Catholic Class of 1971 recently supported improvements efforts at the high school with a $9,540 donation to replace flooring in the entryway. Pictured are Chris Tucker, Principal Karie Craney, Father Paul Feruson, Charlotte Wilz, and Tony Wichman
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Oil and gas producer Beach Energy sees demand and prices for natural gas continuing to build across Australias tight east-coast market after the company connected its first two offshore wells to Victorias Otway Gas Plant.

Adelaide-based Beach Energy, whose biggest shareholder is media billionaire Kerry Stokes Seven Group, on Monday reported a 66 per cent lift in half-year profit to $213 million, cashing in as commodity prices continue to recover from the pandemic slump.

Beach Energy is using the Ocean Onyx drill rig to develop new natural gas wells off the coast of Victoria.

Higher oil and gas prices over the six months to December 31 helped drive a 10 per cent lift in revenue, even as production volumes fell by 15 per cent for the period, the company said.

Beachs share price rose sharply on Monday, ending the day nearly 9 per cent higher at $1.62.
Chinas growing greyzone activities in the South Pacific were undoubtedly high on the agenda at Fridays meeting in Melbourne of the Quad, the security partnership between the United States, Australia, India and Japan. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken flew in just for the meeting.

China is using the recent humanitarian crises in the Pacific to normalise the Peoples Liberation Armys presence in the region. It is one thing for Beijing to offer aid in a severe natural disaster such as occurred in Tonga, but another for it to profit from a conflict provoked by Chinas own political interference in local politics by inserting a quasi-military presence to help prop up the Solomon Islands corrupt and incompetent government.

Welcome, China: defence personnel from Australia, the US, New Zealand and China who joined a multinational task group led by the NZ Defence Force and undertook community projects in Tonga in 2016.

The Australian Defence Force defines greyzone activities as military and non-military acts of assertiveness or coercion aimed at achieving strategic goals. Between August and September last year, China sent a PLA-navy electronic reconnaissance vessel to operate for weeks in the territorial waters of Australia and New Zealand and the French territory of New Caledonia.

And just in the past month, China dispatched a PLA-air force plane loaded with riot equipment and six advisers to the Solomons, plus a group in camouflage gear with a large supply of electric cattle prods who arrived via a commercial flight from Guangzhou. It directed Chinese fishing vessels based in Fiji to rush dated food supplies to Tonga, so that the Chinese Communist Party newspaper Global Times could boast that China was the first country to send assistance to Tonga after the disaster, then sent two PLA-navy vessels and two PLA-air force planes to deliver further aid.
Climate and integrity crusading independent federal MP Zali Steggall failed to disclose a six-figure political donation from the family trust of a multimillionaire coal investor, who is accused of tax fraud, for almost two years, an audit of her campaign financing has found.

An Australian Electoral Commission compliance review into Warringah Independent Ltds 2018-19 disclosures uncovered that a $100,000 cheque from The Kinghorn Family Trust, headed by prominent businessman John Kinghorn, had not been made public even though it exceeded the disclosure threshold.

Independent MP Zali Steggall has been an advocate for political donation reform. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Kinghorn, founder of RAMS Home Loans, is facing charges over allegedly avoiding more than $30 million in tax and could face up to a decade in jail if found guilty. He has pleaded not guilty. The 80-year-old is a former investor and director of Cascade Coal and Felix Resources, which was sold to Chinas Yanzhou Coal for $3.5 billion in 2009.

The AEC report, completed in February last year, found donations exceeding the $13,800 threshold were under-disclosed in Warringah Independent Ltds public returns. The full amount of the Kinghorn donation had been split into eight separate donations of $12,500 from Kinghorn family members, each of them falling under the minimum amount required to be disclosed.
If Scott Morrison ends up winning the federal election, he likely will have a 170-centimetre, 69-year-old ex-KGB agent to thank. If Vladimir Putin sends his forces across the border to invade Ukraine, a new atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty will pervade Australias election atmospherics.

Already, airlines are diverting flights around Ukraine. Oil markets are skittish and the price of petrol in Australia is heading to $2 a litre. Wheat prices are rising worldwide. And not a single Russian missile has been fired yet.

Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit:The Sydney Morning Herald

The US administration reportedly thinks that an attack is now certain, with only the exact date unclear. Even Putin has withdrawn his diplomats from the Ukrainian capital, supposedly out of fear of provocations by the Ukrainians.

US President Joe Biden reportedly told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to prepare for impact. You can see Australian political leaders doing just that.
Last week three judges of the Federal Court of Australia looked at Facebook and came away unimpressed.

In critical legal proceedings, the social networks US parent company Meta had tried to claim that it was not actually carrying out business in the country - despite it being used by an estimated 70 per cent of Australians.

Australia may be a minor market for Facebook, but it has already been hit with regulation here. Credit:Shutterstock

Facebook made the claim in an attempt to argue it couldnt even be served with legal documents from Australia for alleged privacy breaches from the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which a shadowy political consultancy harvested Facebook data on millions of users to inform its strategies in 2014 and 2015.

According to the social media giant, its US-headquartered parent only conducted data processing services for Facebook Ireland Limited, which collects data from Australian citizens.
India has taken sides with Australia against Chinas policy of using trade bans as a political punishment.

Beijing has imposed restrictions on more than $20 billion worth of Australian exports to China but insisted on Friday that it is not using economic coercion against Australia.

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Indias Foreign Minister, has backed Australia. Credit:Josh Robenston

Asked whether Beijings actions constituted economic coercion, Indias Foreign Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said: You know that bit  if it looks like a duck and it walks like a duck 

Dr Jaishankar was in Melbourne for a meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of the Quad countries  the Indo-Pacific democracies of Australia, India, Japan and the United States.
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The FBI is looking for a serial bank robber who they say hit several locations in Connecticut.

Nicknamed The Route 91 Bandit on his wanted poster, the FBI said the man has committed 11 bank robberies along Route 91 in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont.
About 20 organizations have joined a coalition to support a new, multi-year initiative designed to support more affordable housing and reduce segregation in Connecticut.

The initiative, called Growing Together Connecticut, aims to build 300,000 new housing units and promote revitalization in Connecticut over the next 10 years. Among the first goals is to create a fair share planning and zoning law for zoning reform in the state.

From our perspective, Connecticut has this sort of dual housing crisis, said Erin Boggs, executive director of the Open Communities Alliance. The alliance is an organizing member on the steering committee.

On one hand, we are one of the most expensive states in the country, and on the other, we are one of the most segregated.

Municipalities would be responsible for building a share of new affordable housing units to meet a statewide goal. A draft bill stipulates the state will determine the need.

The fair share initiative is based on a New Jersey law.

Each municipalitys share is determined through four factors: A towns wealth as defined by its equalized grand list, the median income compared to other towns in its region, the percentage of housing stock that is multifamily housing, and the rate of poverty in a town, according to initiative documents.

Towns can develop their own plans for how to meet those goals, under the proposal. The proposal also says the state will establish enforcement and incentive tactics to ensure municipalities participate.

Its sort of common sense, and it builds off of existing state statutes to say every town has an obligation under state law to be planning and zoning for affordable housing, Boggs said.

Opponents of zoning reform bills introduced last year said it took too much power away from localities and pushed one-size-fits all solutions for housing on towns. Officials representing Greenwich, Darien and parts of Stamford were among those who spoke out against the reforms.

A lack of affordable housing units has become a growing focal point of political conversation in recent years. Connecticut lacks more than 86,000 units that are available and affordable for its extremely low-income renters, according to estimates from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Housing is typically considered affordable if a person is spending up to a third of their income on housing costs. Building multi-family housing, which tends to have lower rent costs, is difficult in Connecticut because of what advocates say are restrictive zoning laws.

Its really important to provide housing choice to people not only because its the right thing to do, but its what we need to do to have a vibrant and thriving economy, said Greg Kirschner, legal director for the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.

The Fair Housing Center is one of the organizations on the Growing Together steering committee.

Creating more affordable housing options that give workers more places to live will make Connecticut a more attractive place for business, Boggs said.

More affordable units in cities with higher property wealth would also mean families with lower incomes can move in and give their children the opportunity to attend school in those municipalities, said Subira Gordon, executive director of ConnCan, another group on the steering committee.

Property-rich towns are just able to spend so much more on education than property poor towns, Gordon said. The outcomes for those students are just likely to be significantly better. That is why we are very interested in staying at the table here because we want to make sure that property-poor towns are able to have the same outcomes as property-rich towns.

Giving them housing options are just one of the ways thats a possibility.

Other organizations on the steering committee include: the Hispanic Federation, Corporation for Supportive Housing and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunity.

Other members include: Elm City Communities, Fairfield Center for Housing Opportunity, Partnership for Strong Communities, Commission for Women, Children and Seniors, and Connecticut Voices for Children, among others.

The initiative also includes an equitable urban investment portion, documents show.

The groups plan to develop that plan through community listening sessions over the next several months. Theyll tailor priorities based on the feedback they get, but believe many ideas will fall into ways to create wealth, support renters and build community.

Examples may include small business investments, support for subsidized housing and investing in parks and playgrounds.

To do this right, we really want to ground it in community engagement and community involvement, Boggs said.
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
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For Jennie Ripps there is something almost mystical about tea. Theres this kind of magic alchemy, Ripps says of the ancient process by which hot water is transformed by herbs and minerals into a beverage rich with vitamins and antioxidants.

Ripps first became enchanted with tea while looking for a healthy beverage for a family member who was ill. It was this kind of great moment in my life where I just couldnt believe that I could put something in water and change the flavor, change its health benefits, change the color, she says.

The Cos Cob resident became a certified tea sommelier and started Brew Lab Tea with Maria Littlefield, who is from Litchfield. Ripps developed tea programs for top New York City restaurants such as Momofuko and Starr, and she was often asked to help incorporate tea into these restaurants cocktail programs. Theres just so many ways that you can complement alcohol through teas, Ripps says.

Wanting to bring that tea cocktail experience to a wider audience, Ripps and Littlefield launched Owls Brew, a sparkling boozy tea brand, in early 2020. At the vanguard of a small but growing hard tea movement, Owls Brew has made a splash, earning a feature in Forbes and winning gold for its Darjeeling Tea & Hibiscus Flowers flavor in the New York International Beer Competitions brewed hard seltzer category in 2021.

Courtesy of Owl's Brew

The spiked teas have an herb-flavor and champagne-like effervescence. Though light, they taste more like a cocktail than most hard seltzers on the market. While its currently billed as a hard tea seltzer the new packaging this year will read spiked sparkling tea. My favorite is the spiced chai and cranberry, a wonderful canned cocktail with cinnamon and ginger notes against the chai and cranberry backbone.

The teas are contract-brewed outside of Connecticut. Finding a brewery for the brand was difficult because Ripps and Littlefield insisted that the product be made with real tea, and 19 breweries said they couldnt do that, suggesting tea flavorings instead. If you dont fresh-brew the tea, if you only add [tea] flavor, you dont get any of those health benefits, Ripps says. You also lose a lot in terms of the actual flavor.

The states craft beer community has also begun experimenting with teas.

The hard seltzer craze of the past few years has been so intense that Tyler Jones couldnt ignore it. However, the head brewer, aka Lord of the Liquid, at Black Hog Brewing Co. in Oxford, didnt want to produce just another run-of-the-mill seltzer. Im an artistic brewer at heart, Jones says. So I dont like to follow the trends or do what everyone else is doing.

As the Black Hog team explored how they could make a unique mark on seltzer, Jones started thinking about adding tea. I played around with teas in beers in the past, and it always added a really nice kind of back note.

Jones decided to use tea to power a new line of hard seltzer released as a separate brand from Black Hog called Hum Hard Tea Seltzer.

The tea is giving you just a little touch of body, a touch of astringency, Jones says. The natural flavors that come off of those teas play off of the fruit were adding. The Earl Grey definitely has some dark cherry notes, so thats why thats in the black cherry one, and then green tea has really bright citrus  thats why we did the tangerine-lemon-lime blend with that one.

Jones adds, Im using the tea like I would hops in beer, using the tea for its flavor.

Jones is proud to be at the forefront of doing something different with hard seltzer. We arent just fermenting out sugar water and adding extracts to it, he says.

Ultimately, Jones expects the craze around hard tea seltzer to evolve. I think the seltzer market will correct itself a little bit where the people who are just jumping on the bandwagon and trying to make bubbly water with fake flavoring in it will go away eventually, he says. In the early 80s, when craft beer [became more popular], it didnt matter what it tasted like. It was like, Oh, this is craft beer. Its in a brown bottle, its better. Then peoples palates developed and people looked for more nuanced flavors. Im hoping that happens in the seltzer world too. Theyre lighter, easier, a lot less flavors going on, but theres some nuance between them and there is some complexity you can get out of it. Well get to more refined palates down the road and Hum will do well because of it.

How to get them Owl's Brew: Distributed throughout Connecticut and can be shipped to locations in Connecticut and 29 other states by ordering at theowlsbrew.com. Hum Hard Tea Seltzer: Available in the Black Hog taproom at 115 Hurley Road 9A in Oxford and distributed on a limited basis in the state. For more information, go to facebook.com/HumSeltzer or blackhogbrewing.com. See More Collapse

This article appears in the February 2022 issue of Connecticut Magazine. You can subscribe to Connecticut Magazine here, or find the current issue on sale here. Sign up for our newsletter to get our latest and greatest content delivered right to your inbox. Have a question or comment? Email editor@connecticutmag.com. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram @connecticutmagazine and Twitter @connecticutmag.
A three-hour drive north of Manhattan in West Fulton, NY, lies a fairy-tale glamping spot in search of its next owner.

Camp Here Here opened in 2018 and was created by Kat Schaufelberger and the actor Zak Orth. They transformed a 23-acre campus into a seasonal village, from May through October, for visitors in need of a respite from city life.

The property has nine cabins (canvas tents on platforms), a bar/restaurant called The Mess, event spaces, a cedar-walled bathhouse with rainfall showers, a retail boutique, and an A-frame home.

The property is now available from Sherret Chase of Four Seasons Sothebys International Realty. It's not new to the marketit has been up for sale since February 2020. But a 33% price cut a week ago slashed the asking price from a million bucks to $665,000.

The Catskills retreat comes complete with plenty of well-earned cred. Located on land the owners purchased for $100,000, it has been featured on Vogue.com and Remodelista.

Schaufelberger has worked in hospitality at Gramercy Park Hotel and The Standard High Line in New York City.

According to the agent, running the operation shouldn't be a big hassle for a new owner.

Maintenance is pretty lowjust changing bedding and sweeping (the cabins) out, says Chase.

It also involves serving meals that are prepared in a double-hearth fireplace.

Included in the listing are cabin furnishings, such as double beds, tea kettles, and wood stoves. Art and antiques are not included in the purchase price. Cabins are outfitted with Wi-Fi and electricity.

Exterior shot of glamping site in West Fulton, NY Realtor.com

A-frame building Realtor.com

Cabin interior Realtor.com

Bathhouse interior Realtor.com

Fireplace Realtor.com

Hammock Realtor.com

Its like a hotel in the woods, says Schaufelbergerthat is, if you're talking about a hotel with waterfalls and swimming holes.

The new owner could move into the propertys three-season A-frame cabin, built in the 1970s.

Theres a library in there, with a record collection, she says. And a full bath. It needs to be kept heated and the driveway maintained (in winter).

Guests flock in from New York City, but they've also hosted folks from Boston, Toronto, and Montreal.

It gives people a chance to have a break, says Schaufelberger.

As for the camps next chapter, I would love for it to stay on this course. I wouldnt want it torn apart. Its in a real sanctuary statequiet and lots of birds chirping, says Schaufelberger, who is letting the property go after a divorce. It was meant to be a family business. Its a lot for one human to run, even though theres a community behind it.

Whats life like in this Catskills community?

Its a very theatrical community, says Schaufelberger. A lot of residents have a hold in the theater worlda community of powerful women.

An opera director, New York University lighting instructor, stone-mason fireplace builder, and a Juilliard professor, for example, will become your new neighbors.

The nearest village is Middleburgh, the home of 3,538 residents.

Thats probably where you would do your shopping, says Chase.

Half a dozen or so state forests within a half-hour's drive provide plenty of hiking spots.

Chase notes the local trend over the last two years that suggests the potential pool of prospective owners.

If there was a common denominator demographic, its a young couple, both employed, from Brooklyn, [N.Y.], who have thought about getting into the country for years, he says.

Work-from-home opportunities during the pandemic have of course made this more feasible.

The post Chic Upstate New York Glamping Spot Seeks New OwnerFurnishings Included appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Winchester, VA (22601)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 57F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
EDMONTON - The federal government has bowed to provincial and industry lobbying in weakening proposed standards for coal mining effluent, critics say.

A coal mining operation in Sparwood, B.C., is shown on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Critics say the federal government is bowing to provincial and industry lobbying by weakening proposed standards for coal mining effluent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

EDMONTON - The federal government has bowed to provincial and industry lobbying in weakening proposed standards for coal mining effluent, critics say.

A discussion document for draft regulations, released earlier this year, would double the amount of toxins  such as selenium  the mines are allowed to release and wouldn't apply to any mine that starts producing before 2027. Nor do they require companies to monitor overall environmental effects.

"Environment Canada got pushback," said Bill Donahue, an environmental scientific consultant and former head of monitoring for the Alberta government. "It dramatically reduced the proposed standards in terms of their stringency."

Environment Canada began reviewing its rules for coal mine effluent in 2017 and released a previous set of proposals in 2020. The current proposals are weaker in several respects.

They allow effluent to contain up to 20 micrograms of selenium per litre in any one sample and a monthly average of 10 micrograms. That's twice as much as the previous proposal.

"Concerns were raised by industry and provinces over the achievability of previously proposed new mine limits," the document says.

Selenium is an element closely associated with coal. It accumulates in the environment and damages the ability of fish to reproduce.

Allowable limits for suspended solids, which damage fish habitat, would be increased by about a third  again in response to industry concerns.

As well, some contaminants associated with coal mines such as sodium, antimony and chloride won't have to be monitored, said Donahue.

Environment Canada also proposes to exempt from the new rules any mine that starts producing within three years of them coming into effect. Since the rules aren't expected to be proclaimed until the end of 2023 at the earliest, that means they wouldn't apply to any mine that starts producing before 2027.

A federal official, who spoke on background, defended the proposed contaminant limits.

"It is a number that is meant to be met at the end of pipe (where) you've got 100 per cent concentrated effluent. In the receiver, you've got some level of dilution."

The selenium limits are intended to be a consistent national standard and provinces may attach more stringent standards to individual mine permits, she said.

She added the three-year delay before the rules take effect is to prevent companies with mines already in the planning stages from having to start over to meet new standards.

Katie Morrison of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society noted Alberta is currently considering whether to open its Rocky Mountains to open-pit coal mines. She fears draft regulations could allow projects to go ahead without having to meet even the looser requirements they propose.

"On the chance that we are seeing new opening mines, I think they should be expecting to put in water treatment technology that meets these upcoming  preferably more stringent  limits."

She said effluent standards shouldn't be based on what's convenient for industry.

"That's a backward approach. Rather than setting limits that protect water quality, they're setting limits that industry says they can meet."

Donahue said the proposals don't address what's actually happening in an ecosystem downstream of a mine or consider that many of the contaminants under consideration build up over time.

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"It focuses entirely on end-of-pipe as opposed to what are the cumulative effects downstream. They are basically saying, 'If you release effluent that is less than this amount, we will deem it as having no effect.'"

Companies would have to analyze selenium in adult fish tissue. But that won't reveal what's happening to the overall population, said Donahue.

Environment Canada is accepting public comment on the proposals until the end of March. Another 60-day comment period is expected at the end of the year with a final version of the regulations scheduled for the end of 2023.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2022.

 Follow Bob Weber on Twitter at @row1960

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version referred to draft regulations, not a discussion document, and said allowable limits for suspended solids would be doubled.
COUTTS, Alta. - RCMP arrested 13 people near the main United States border crossing in southern Alberta on Monday after becoming aware of a cache of firearms and ammunition.

The Canadian flag is reflected in a wheel hub as demonstrators against a vaccine mandate for truckers and other pandemic restrictions gather in a truck convoy blocking the highway at the busy U.S. border crossing near Coutts, Alta., on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

COUTTS, Alta. - RCMP arrested 13 people near the main United States border crossing in southern Alberta on Monday after becoming aware of a cache of firearms and ammunition.

RCMP Supt. Roberta McKale said 11 of the arrests were made in a pre-dawn raid on three trailers in the Coutts area, where a blockade was set up more than two weeks ago to protest a vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers and other pandemic restrictions. She said officers seized 13 long guns, handguns, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition and body armour.

Police had learned of the threat days earlier, she said.

"This was a complex, layered investigation," McKale said.

"There certainly was a group that came in after the initial (protest) group arrived within days and this action began. It came to a point where for the safety of the members and for the safety of the public we certainly had to act and act quickly."

Names and other information identifying the 11 people were not released. McKale could not confirm whether they were Canadian citizens.

Two additional people were arrested later Monday. Police said one was stopped on the highway while heading back to the protest site, and two weapons were seized.

The other was arrested when a northbound semi truck approached an RCMP checkstop. Police said the driver accelerated and drove toward officers, before swerving at the last minute and hitting some traffic cones on the highway.

On Sunday night, RCMP said a semi and a farm tractor from the blockade worked in tandem to try to ram a police cruiser. The officer was able to avoid the collision and the suspects fled into a crowd of protesters.

"We were able to identify one of the males that was driving one of the vehicles," said McKale. "We know who that person is and we will release information upon that person's arrest." Police are investigating possible charges of conspiracy to commit murder, she said.

And on Monday, a protester in a vehicle burst through a police checkpoint and almost hit an officer on the road.

Premier Jason Kenney said the arrests and the potential for escalating violence were disturbing and should be a wake-up call to protesters at Coutts.

"It should send a message to all of the other folks who were not aware of that (militant) cell," he said at an unrelated news conference in Calgary. "(It's) time to go home. Right now."

RCMP said Monday night that some vehicles had left the blockade on their own, although there were still some at the site.

Kenney said Mounties have told him they will begin to clear the blockade now that the raid is complete.

"The ongoing blockade of our borders and our highways at Coutts will no longer be tolerated."

He noted Mounties said last week they were having trouble finding tow operators willing to remove vehicles from the site.

"Some of the sympathizers and protesters have made threats  I understand sometimes violent threats  to tow-truck and other heavy equipment operators not to co-operate with the police," said Kenney.

"But we have managed to overcome that challenge.

"The government of Alberta has worked hard over the past few days to procure all of the necessary heavy equipment and contractors to operate it."

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The Coutts blockade is one of a number of protest demonstrations in Canadian cities and border points that have stalled trade, stranded travellers and disrupted lives of area residents, particularly in Ottawa.

Irfan Sabir, justice critic for Alberta's NDP Opposition, said Kenney has failed to take decisive action to end the blockade, and has tolerated the attendance of fellow United Conservative caucus member Grant Hunter at the protest.

"The UCP's failure threatens jobs and disrupts families. Now we have found out that it also poses a serious threat to the safety of Albertans," said Sabir.

"The UCP has refused to go to court to seek an injunction to disperse the blockade, and refused to exercise its authority over commercial vehicle licences."

 By Dean Bennett in Edmonton

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2022.
Serendipity  its the stuff of films. Or is it?

Serendipity  its the stuff of films. Or is it?

The word, meaning a development of events, by chance, which leads to a happy ending, is derived from an ancient Persian fairy tale told of the three princes of Serendip  an old Persian name for the island of Sri Lanka  who had a habit of making unexpected discoveries.

There have been many portrayals of serendipity in film  the most famous being the 2001 movie plotting the 10-year romance between Jonathan and Sara, played by John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale respectively.

But how often does this happen in real life?

How many couples have been brought together by this bit of magic?

Tracey Bercier does not believe in fate  but she cant deny that theres something quite serendipitous about her life.

On Aug. 20, 1967, in her house on Templeton at the end of Salter Street, Berciers mother had risen late.

Norma Bercier and her husband Neil Lanyon, both 18, had been to a wedding social the night before and the heavily pregnant mom-to-be was still tired as she made her way to the bathroom.

A few moments later she called out for her husband in alarm; something was wrong.

Lanyon took a look. "I can see the head," he yelled, rushing off to call an ambulance.

The baby, due in September, was well on her way.

Enter ambulance attendant Jacob Eyer.

Eyer had held many different jobs but this particular one had proved the most exciting; just seven days before, he had successfully delivered a baby on the Salter Street Bridge.

Now here he was again, with another pregnant woman, speeding down the very same bridge.

What were the chances of another unexpected delivery?

Pretty high, as it turns out  there was a yell to pull over and once again Eyer did the honours, handing a newborn Tracey to her proud parents.

I had heard the Salter Street story, said Anton, but I didnt know it was my father who delivered Tracey. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

"My father always talked about the bump on the bridge," Anton Eyer recalls, 54 years later.

" Its all because of the one bump in the road and automatically when we hit that bump we pull over, its time," Eyer continues, mimicking his late fathers thick Dutch accent, while his wife Tracey  yes, that Tracey  putters around in the background.

The couple, who have both been previously married, met 30 years ago at a work Christmas party. Bercier had attended as the guest of her now ex-husband.

"This is going to sound scandalous," Bercier says, laughing, "but the first time I met Anton I remember thinking he had a nice ass. But I was married at the time and so was he and I never thought anything more of it."

A chance phone call from Eyer, after Berciers marriage had ended, led to a number of movie dates and three months later they decided to make a go of it.

One night, after a few months of living together, they were watching an episode of medical drama ER when Eyer remarked his father had worked in the medical field.

At this point Bercier laughingly said, "Yes, I know your dad did everything," which led to Eyer calling his dad for confirmation.

"I was sitting beside Anton and I could hear his dad say something about delivering two babies on Salter Street Bridge," Bercier recalls.

"When I heard that I took the phone and asked if he remembered where he picked the women up. When he confirmed that one was at the end of Salter I was shocked, because of course that was me."

Berciers mother Norma, now 73, was taken aback when her daughter told her about the remarkable chain of events.

"She said, Am I going to have to see him again? I dont know how I feel about this," Bercier says.

"I had heard the Salter Street story," Anton interjects, "but I didnt know it was my father who delivered Tracey."

"I can still remember what he said to me that day, when he found out," Bercier continues. "He told me My dad was the first person to hold you and I will be the last."

The now-grandparents  they have a six-year-old granddaughter, Lily  married in 1999, in the backyard of the house they live in, and will celebrate 23 years of marriage this July.

But even something as ordinary as a house on a Winnipeg street is still significant to Bercier.

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"Im back on Salter now," she says. "When I met my Anton he had already bought this house and weve been living here since 1993.

"I was born on Salter Street and I will die on Salter Street," she says.

That sunny August morning when Jacob Eyer set off to work may have started like any other  but look at where its ended up.

Was it a twist of fate that brought his son into the life of the child he delivered 55 years ago, or was it mere coincidence?

We may never know, but it sure is romantic, serendipitous, even.

Twitter: @nuchablue
WINNIPEG - Manitoba's premier joined a handful of other provincial leaders in rejecting the use of federal legislation that could help quell various protests and blockades happening in the province and across the country.

People block highway 75 with heavy trucks and farm equipment and access to the Canada/US border crossing at Emerson, Man., Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The blockade was set up to rally against provincial and federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates and in support of Ottawa protestors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG - Manitoba's premier joined a handful of other provincial leaders in rejecting the use of federal legislation that could help quell various protests and blockades happening in the province and across the country.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act on Monday afternoon to bring an end to anti-government blockades he says are illegal and not about peaceful protest.

It's the first time the Emergencies Act has been turned to since it came into force in 1988.

"We need to think very carefully and clearly before going in that direction," said Premier Heather Stefanson.

"What we don't want to do is ensure that we escalate situations beyond, and my concern about invoking something along those lines is that could be the case and we really don't want that to happen."

She added that the use of the legislation is not constructive in Manitoba and should onlybeconsidered in locations where it is truly needed.

The premier said her government is relying on advice from law enforcement and Manitoba justice officials on how to handle ongoing protests outside the province's legislative building and at the border crossing at Emerson, Man.

"I think law enforcement is doing very good work and we need to let them do their jobs," she said during a press conference Monday.

"They believe, and they have ensured us and reassured us, that they can do that within the tools that exist right now in our province, and that the use of the Emergencies Act is not necessary here."

During the conversation with Trudeau, Stefanson said she was not given any definitive indication whether the province could refuse to invoke the act.

She said government has listened to the protesters' concerns and it's time for them to go home.

Manitoba RCMP said investigators are speaking with organizers of a blockade in an attempt to open a lane and allow vehicles to cross the border on both sides.

Access to the Emerson crossing has been blocked since Thursday morning, when protesters parked farm equipment, semi-trailers and other vehicles about two kilometres north of the border. It was a show of solidarity for similar blockades in Ottawa and across the country calling for an end to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions.

Mounties said there were about 75 vehicles involved in the blockade as of this past weekend.

Protesters have been allowing emergency vehicles, including police vehicles, as well as some agriculture transports to pass through the blockade.

Police said there have been no arrests and no tickets have been issued.

Officers from the Emerson and Morris RCMP detachments have been at the blockade since it started, and have received assistance from other police units throughout the province.

Manitoba's transportation minister said he spoke with his federal counterpart over the weekend about economic impacts the blockade is having on the trucking industry.

"They're losing a lot of money in this blockade and there is a lot of independent truckers losing valuable time and money and they have to feed their families," Doyle Piwniuk said during a press conference.

The Canada Border Services Agency urged travellers to use ports in Boissevain and Sprague, Man., or at North Portal in Saskatchewan.

Stefanson said she's concerned about a disruption in getting essential goods across the border.

"We need to ensure that food is getting on the tables of Manitobans. That other goods are getting through  that supply chain needs to continue."

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The Prairie provinces announced last week their plans to remove mask and vaccine mandates.

Instead of invoking the Emergencies Act, Stefanson said the federal government should release its own plans regarding mandates.

"They sort of started this so we're asking them what their plan is to move forward with respect to these mandates," she said.

"What is their intention moving forward ... with respect to the border?"

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2022.

This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
TORONTO - Iamgold has agreed to several demands from an activist investor, including the appointment of three new directors and a new chair, as it looks to avoid a costly and distracting proxy battle.

TORONTO - Iamgold has agreed to several demands from an activist investor, including the appointment of three new directors and a new chair, as it looks to avoid a costly and distracting proxy battle.

Under the agreement with RCF Management, Maryse Belanger, David Smith and Ian Ashby have been appointed to as independent directors to the board. Belanger, former president of Atlantic Gold Corp., has also been appointed chair, replacing interim chair Kevin O'Kane effective immediately.

The Iamgold Corp. logo is shown in a handout. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

The agreement comes less than two weeks after Iamgold said it was open to appointing three new directors to avoid a proxy fight, but said that the appointment of Belanger as chair was an "unacceptable demand," saying it would give RCF "de facto control of the company."

Iamgold had also said in its Feb. 2 release that it would not give RCF nominees control of the committee hiring of the company's next CEO, but the latest agreement with RCF has Belanger and Smith making up two of the three members of the board's CEO Search Committee.

The company also said at the time that it would not cover RCF's costs of settlement negotiations, but has now agreed to cover up to $1.2 million in related expenses.

RCF, which holds a 5.2 per cent stake in Iamgold, has called for changes at the company that has operations in North America, South America and West Africa. It has said that it does not believe that interim chief executive Daniella Dimitrov is qualified to lead a turnaround at the company.

Dimitrov was only appointed to the role in January after the sudden resignation of former chief executive Gordon Stothart.

The leadership changes come as Iamgold works to bring its Cote Gold project in northeastern Ontario into production, while it conducts a strategic review of its Rosebel mine in Suriname and its Westwood mine in Quebec.

Iamgold also operates the Essakane gold mine in Burkina Faso, though convoys to its operations were subject to multiple attacks last year and the government was overthrown in a coup in January.

The company's share price has been under pressure in recent years despite a spike in gold prices. Iamgold was trading as high as $8.29 a share in 2017 while gold was under US$1,300 an ounce, but in recent months has been trading under $4 a share as gold trades above US$1,800 an ounce.

RBC analyst Josh Wolfson said in a note that a company turnaround is contingent on a synchronized execution of the Cote Gold project, an improvement or divestiture of its operating asset base, and elevated gold prices being sustained.

He said that the deal announced Monday largely addresses key concerns publicly identified by RCF.

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"This is the first step in establishing a framework for a potential turnaround at Iamgold."

To make space for the new directors, Iamgold said Richard Hall has stepped down from the board effective immediately and Ronald Gagel will resign from the board following the announcement of the company's 2021 year-end results. Tim Snider will not stand for re-election at the company's 2022 annual meeting.

A committee including the current nominating and corporate governance committee and the three new appointees to the board will recommend one additional director to replace Gagel.

The company says that following its 2022 annual meeting its board will include no more than eight independent directors, plus one executive director, once a permanent CEO is appointed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2022.

Companies in this story: (TSX:IAG)
TORONTO - Ontario is projecting a $13.1-billion deficit this fiscal year, down from the province's last forecast, mostly due to higher revenues.

TORONTO - Ontario is projecting a $13.1-billion deficit this fiscal year, down from the province's last forecast, mostly due to higher revenues.

In the third-quarter finances, released Monday, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said the government has invested most of the $2.7 billion in COVID-19 relief funding announced as part of the fall economic statement, with $500 million remaining for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends on March 31.

The money has gone to hospitals, property tax and energy rebates for businesses, small business grants, long-term care homes and training for personal support workers.

"We've made incredible progress in fighting COVID-19 through record investments to protect Ontario's people, our progress and our economy," Bethlenfalvy said.

The 2021-22 deficit projection is $8.4 billion lower than in Ontario's fall economic statement, with revenues $8 billion higher than expected at that time.

The increased revenues largely come from taxes, as a result of stronger-than-expected economic activity.

"Ongoing supply chain challenges, international political instability, and rising cost of living continues to make forecasting a challenge," Bethlenfalvy said.

"But we have laid a strong fiscal foundation on which our government will continue to build Ontario with a plan for recovery that invests in new highways and hospitals."

Ontario's real GDP increased 1.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2021, putting it 1.2 per cent below the fourth quarter of 2019.

Many other economic indicators such as employment, retail, wholesale trade and manufacturing sales are now above or close to pre-pandemic levels, the province said.

The financial update comes not long before the province's anticipated budget, which has to be tabled by March 31.

Ontario's Financial Accountability Office released a report last week that predicted smaller deficits than the government's previous projections, largely due to increases in revenue.

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The FAO expects a budget deficit of $2.8 billion by 2023-24, compared to a government outlook last fall of $11.4 billion.

The government's fall economic statement projects far less revenue compared to the FAO's assessment, and the fiscal watchdog says some of that gap  $1.7 billion in 2023-24  could be potential unannounced tax cuts.

Bethlenfalvy wouldn't tip his hand to any budget items, but said affordability is a key issue.

"I constantly am reviewing, with the premier, a range of options that we can look at to be able to put more money in the pockets of the people of Ontario," he said.

The premier has promised a cut to the provincial gas tax before the next budget. As well, the Progressive Conservatives promised an income-tax cut in their 2018 election platform.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2022.
BRUSSELS (AP)  Plans for a major trucker virus protest near the European Union headquarters in Brussels fizzled Monday, with police filtering traffic during the morning rush hour to leave only a few scattered demonstrators on foot instead.

People walk by vehicles with banners and flags parked outside the city center of Brussels, early Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Authorities in France and Belgium have banned road blockades threatened by groups organizing online against COVID-19 restrictions. The events are in part inspired by protesters in Canada. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

BRUSSELS (AP)  Plans for a major trucker virus protest near the European Union headquarters in Brussels fizzled Monday, with police filtering traffic during the morning rush hour to leave only a few scattered demonstrators on foot instead.

Police narrowed some highways and imposed go-slow traffic early Monday in and around the Belgian capital to keep control of what it feared could turn into a choking protest like those by horn-honking truckers in Canada. Early indications didn't show a groundswell of support for the protest but police took extensive precautions.

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We dont actually think that Brussels has been paralyzed. Anyone who wanted to enter Brussels with good intentions was able to do so  with some delay, of course," said federal police spokeswoman An Berger.

Instead a few hundred people protesting virus restrictions gathered in a square in the Belgian capital.

Many trucks had been expected from France, where Paris police fired tear gas Saturday against a handful of demonstrators on the Champs-Elysees Avenue who defied a police order by taking part in a vehicle protest. But a threatened blockade of Paris failed to materialize over the weekend, despite days of online organizing efforts.

In the Netherlands, dozens of trucks and other vehicles arrived Saturday in The Hague for a similar virus-related protest, blocking an entrance to the historic Dutch parliamentary complex.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
Hey, Whatchamacallit Will you be my Thingumajig?

Hey, Whatchamacallit Will you be my Thingumajig?"

Traded between best friends for 60 years, a silly valentine illustrated with an unsentimental squash (yes, the vegetable) has become the most treasured artifact of their lifelong friendship.

It came from a little greeting card shop on Portage Avenue where they worked together in their early teens, and its a symbol of the shared memories that have kept them close all these years.

Most Saturdays, while her mother rang up regular customers in the shop upstairs, Carol Enns worked in the dark basement storeroom with her best friend Chris Ranick. Under the glare of a bare lightbulb, a faint smell of dried glue coming up off the envelopes, the girls unpacked and priced crisp stacks of the latest cards, chatting away.

They made a game of trying to find the most beautiful cards, tearing open packages hoping for sparkle dust. At the end of their Saturday shifts, they were always $5 richer and covered in glitter.

They would have done it for free.

Enns was at the shop with her mother in February 1962 when she spotted it: the card with the glossy white cover, red heart, and orange-and-green striped gourd.

"It tickled my funny bone," Enns remembers. She knew Ranick would laugh, too. And they have been laughing about it since.

The following year, Ranick mailed the card back to Enns, adding a question in neat, blue cursive. "Remember this?"

The next Feb. 14, the card boomeranged back with Ennss teasing reply: "Do you?"

Brandonite Carol Enns holds a Valentines Day card she has been mailing back and forth with her friend Chris Ranick for 60 years. (Chelsea Kemp / The Brandon Sun)

And so the tradition began.

For the past 60 years, Ranick and Enns havent let a Valentines Day pass without sending that same card back and forth.

(Except for that February Ranick was visiting family in England and Enns didnt trust the overseas mail service, so she laminated, scored and folded a colour copy and tried to fool her friend with the replica. "It took me a minute, but then I realized," Ranick says with a smile).

Even now, when they buy valentines and other greeting cards for their friends, they hunt for ones with "sparkle dust" on them. "Not as easy as it used to be, but we still try," Enns says.

"Oh, theyre getting hard to read, Chris!"

"Well, the ink has faded."

Over a video call from her home in Brandon, Enns holds up the open card. Its almost completely filled with tiny inscriptions  a handwritten patchwork of quips. She deciphers some of the messages, and reveals the newest addition for this year.

Their short messages to each other, and the initials undersigned as their families grew, are a chronicle of their shared history.

"1966 + still going strong!"

"From grandma-to-be in 83. Love, me."

Brandonite Carol Enns holds a Valentines Day card she has been mailing back and forth with her friend Chris Ranick for 60 years. (Chelsea Kemp/The Brandon Sun)

"Still alive in 85."

"1996! And still up to our old tricks!"

"First trip of this century!!"

"Grandma again in 2010!"

"Year 52, woohoo!"

"Another interview in 2022!"

Theyve told and retold the story of the card many times, but this is more like reminiscence than an interview. Especially when Ranick takes out some black-and-white photographs of the two of them as kids, grinning then almost as wide as they are now.

"If something major is happening, the first person I think to phone is Chris," Enns says, just as Ranick jumps in.

"And youve always been there for me, more than Ive been for you, I feel."

"I dont feel that way," Enns reassures her. "If you need me to be there, Ill be there."

At its heart, this is not just a story about a vintage valentine.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chris Ranick with photos of her friend of 60 years, Carol Enns. Its a forever friendship, Enns says.

"Its really a map of our lives," Enns says.

"Really," Ranick agrees, "it tracks our whole lives."

They met when Ranick was five and Enns was six. (Or was Enns five and Ranick four? On this, and not much else, they disagree). Ranicks family had just moved into a house across the street on St. Johns Avenue in Winnipegs North End, and the neighbourhood became their playground.

"It was an easy time," Ranick says. "We knew everybody in every house on our street."

When Enns visits the city, they still like to drive down their old street.

"Thats where we remember our friendship started, and we have lots of memories. Memories that keep us together, right?"

"Definitely," Ranick answers.

Of course, they had their disagreements.

"Very, very, minimal, I would have to say," Ranick says.

"The biggest one was over the doll! And the doll clothes! And the doll carriage!" Enns says, making Ranick laugh as she unearths another vivid childhood memory.

Brandonite Carol Enns holds a Valentines Day card she has been mailing back and forth with her friend Chris Ranick for 60 years. (Chelsea Kemp / The Brandon Sun)

Growing up without growing apart meant writing lots of letters ("phoning was just too decadent," Ranick says), and sometimes, surprise visits.

They put in the work to stay in touch, even when that involved packing a frozen Jeannes cake into an airplane carry-on or showing up unexpectedly for a birthday dinner in another province.

After university, Ranick stayed in Winnipeg and Enns moved around the country, before she settled in Brandon in 1988.

"Cant top 88 but happy to send it so close by in 89," Ranick wrote in their card the following Valentines Day.

Even during the years they were apart, certain similarities seemed uncanny. Arriving in New Brunswick as Ennss birthday present one year, Ranick saw her friends home for the first time and found it familiar.

"We had couches with the same upholstery, we had the same curtains, we had the same TV, we had the same microwave. And neither of us knew what the other had. So weve always been on the same wavelength," Ranick says.

These days, they have a lot of the same things "mostly on purpose," Enns says. Like identical embroidery machines so they can help each other with sewing projects when theyre not competing in online Scrabble or planning future vacations together.

Theyve always needed each other.

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"You need someone that you can unload to," Ranick says, "And boy, oh boy, do we ever."

"And then, we usually end up having a good chuckle," Enns adds.

"Its a forever friendship," Ranick says. "And when were no longer able or here to send the card, our adult daughters have agreed that theyre going to continue the tradition."

Their ability to stay close for so long comes down to equal communication and embracing the element of surprise, they say.

There was never a magic formula for keeping their friendship strong all these years. It took commitment on both sides spanning six decades  and a bit of sparkle dust.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca
After three young people died in a Saturday house fire on Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Chief David Monias is urging Manitobans to lobby their MPs to make good on a promised construction spree for reserves with overcrowded homes.

After three young people died in a Saturday house fire on Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Chief David Monias is urging Manitobans to lobby their MPs to make good on a promised construction spree for reserves with overcrowded homes.

"There is sadness and grief floating over Cross Lake right now; its pretty heavy," said Monias.

Two teenagers and a toddler perished early Saturday morning in a fire on the reserve  also known as Cross Lake  located 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

RCMP say they were called to the a house fire around 4:50 a.m., and found a home "fully engulfed in flames" which made it impossible for Mounties and the bands safety officers to enter.

Four residents managed to escape through a window but all were injured, police said, including a 36-year old man, a 36-year-old woman, a 20-year-old woman and a four-year-old girl.

"People are crying; people are angry and looking for answers, for help," Monias said.

"People are scared this might happen to them, because a lot of people arent in safe places."

Thats because many homes on the reserve often have more than seven people living inside.

"We have 10,000 people in our community, and we have 1,200 houses. Thats just not acceptable," he said.

In the 2016 census, 42 per cent of homes in Cross Lake met the official criteria to be considered overcrowded.

Many reserves have dilapidated, modular housing that hasnt kept up with birth rates, in part because the federal Indian Act makes it near impossible to obtain mortgages and large renovation loans.

"It doesnt matter what party (is in office). Systemically, these governments are underfunding us and theyre not doing (enough) to help us out," Monias said.

On Monday afternoon, Premier Heather Stefanson said she is making arrangements to visit Cross Lake on Wednesday, to help the community heal during this "absolutely horrific" time. Stefanson said she will be in the North later this week for the Trappers Festival in The Pas.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them all and they need to know that," the premier said.

Last December, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated a 2021 election pledge for $2 billion for Indigenous housing "with over half of the funding available by the upcoming summer construction period."

Monias is hoping the federal Liberals fulfil that pledge. His band is demoralized after filing two applications for the rapid housing initiative, a federal COVID-19 program.

He hopes Manitobans pray for his community, but also advocate for them.

"The way you can help out is to start calling your MPs, your MLAs, the premier, the prime minister  and say, Listen, youve got to something with housing and poverty on reserve," he said.

Meanwhile, Ottawa is still responding to a 2018 parliamentary report on the reasons so many First Nations people die in house fires, such as unclear building codes and under-funded firefighters.

The Liberals have allocated $33.8 million for on-reserve fire services over five years.

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A 2005 federal assessment found First Nations people living on reserve were 10.4 times more likely to die in a fire than non-Indigenous people.

In Cross Lake, the local NorthMart has donated $6,000 to the grieving family, while mental-health supports are coming from Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.

Autopsies and an RCMP investigation are underway, with the fire commissioner assisting.

"Its just so tragic  not just one, but three loved ones," Monias said.

"No parent should ever bury their child."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
A stretch of southern Manitoba highway connecting Crystal City and Pilot Mound will be rebuilt to remove weight limits by fall 2023.

A stretch of southern Manitoba highway connecting Crystal City and Pilot Mound will be rebuilt to remove weight limits by fall 2023.

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Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk said Monday the provincial government will spend $19.6 million to resurface and improve about five kilometres of Provincial Trunk Highway 3.

Piwniuk said the improvements will allow vehicles transporting grain and other agricultural products to access the road without restriction. The entirety of Highway 3 will be free of weight limits at the completion of the project and up to standards specified by the Roads and Transportation Association of Canada, he said.

Its important that we have a network of criss-crossing highways, and RTAC highways, to transport this vital grain to market, Piwniuk said. We also have a number of processing centres now in Neepawa, Carberry and Portage, and we want to make sure that all farmers have the abilities to transport, no matter what direction theyre going, to deliver their commodities.

Construction will include grade widening, intersection improvements, culvert replacements and the resurfacing with multi-layered pavement, according to the province. Partially paved shoulders and fully paved shoulders will also be added on highway curvatures.

Work is scheduled to begin in the spring, with aggregate production, culverts and grade widening completed in the fall. Surfacing will begin in spring 2023 and completed by fall 2023.

The contract for the job was awarded to Toronto-based Coco Paving Inc.
Elizabeth Cron asked Filipinos of different ages and walks of life what keeps them up at night.

Elizabeth Cron asked Filipinos of different ages and walks of life what keeps them up at night.

Each person whod logged into the Manitoba Filipino Business Councils community check-in on Zoom took a moment to reflect, then answered: work, comparison, raising a child in a pandemic.

One participant noted how unsafe she feels, after the death of Asian-American woman Michelle Go. A 61-year-old man pushed Go in front of a subway train in New York City in January.

"I think its just being around community like this that is going to help us get through," said Cron, a new director to the councils board, after stating she felt unsafe in Winnipeg for the first time when she was stuck in the anti-mandate convoy by truckers on Portage Avenue.

The virtual meet-up on Jan. 26 was the second the business councils new board has held. The board  mainly women  is taking "pulse checks" on its community as best it can during the pandemic, president Jackie Wild said.

In our culture, and many other immigrant cultures, we are taught to internalize our emotions, and by extension, kind of suppress those hardships that we are going through. It becomes just so easy to try to deal with it on our own, and we definitely dont want to see our community suffer alone in silence.  Jackie Wild, Manitoba Filipino Business Council president

"In our culture, and many other immigrant cultures, we are taught to internalize our emotions, and by extension, kind of suppress those hardships that we are going through," Wild said.

The model minority myth depicts immigrants as putting their heads down, doing the work and not complaining, Wild said.

"It becomes just so easy to try to deal with it on our own, and we definitely dont want to see our community suffer alone in silence."

One of the councils goals is to connect Filipinos in the business world, both new and established, and direct them to opportunities.

Its been hard during the COVID-19 pandemic  but, thats where the virtual calls come in.

"It doesnt necessarily need to be a formal, traditional event where were talking about taxes or setting up an incorporated business," Wild said. "It could be as simple as having just a frank, open, honest and vulnerable discussion with our membership."

Zoom call participants relayed their feelings of isolation and were met with encouraging smiles and uplifting chat box comments.

"Ive just known you very recently, but I feel like Ive known you guys forever," Chris Clacio said to some members on the call.

Clacio dreams of being an entrepreneur.

"Ive been trying to figure out where me as a young person, me as a young Filipino person, where I fit in this space," he said.

Seeing Filipinos in professional roles  and being able to connect with them  is what drew Allan Pineda, 44, to the Manitoba Filipino Business Council.

I didnt grow up with architects and engineers. My family and people I was around were mostly front-line workers, low-paying jobs. Theres nothing wrong with that, but its nice seeing, Oh man, theres this architecture firm thats owned by Filipinos  thats crazy.  Allan Pineda

"I didnt grow up with architects and engineers," Pineda said. "My family and people I was around were mostly front-line workers, low-paying jobs."

"Theres nothing wrong with that, but its nice seeing, Oh man, theres this architecture firm thats owned by Filipinos  thats crazy."

The chef hopped on the January Zoom call for one of his favourite things  networking. His first introduction to the council was pre-pandemic, at an event for young professionals downtown. The experience was eye-opening: he met highly educated people with the same ethnic background as him.

Previously, Pineda had searched for Filipino chefs across the city. He and the cooks would prepare pop-up Filipino dinners, called the Baon Manila Nights series. The events  which are on pause due to the pandemic  have happened over 100 times in Manitoba and overseas.

"I didnt know there were things like (the Manitoba Filipino Business Council)," Pineda said.

After attending more council functions, Pineda and a group of at least 40 members rallied to create the Kultivation Festival, a Filipino event connecting youth with their heritage. It was gaining traction until COVID-19 put things on ice, Pineda said.

"Now more than ever, (the council is) actually seeing young people (and) people who are either doing their business as a side hustle or have taken the risk of going all in and betting on themselves," Wild said.

The councils new board has fresh faces and young leaders, which might help, she said. Shes the 11-year-old organizations first female president.

"I also do feel just as a society, we have younger people that are thinking about being business leaders earlier on in life," Wild said, adding the barriers to enter are decreasing.

"Were in this virtual world now where you dont necessarily need to have a brick-and-mortar or need to have a lot of upfront capital."

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The council is continuing to provide resources to their community, including hosting workshops on business basics and anti-racism panels. Leaders are looking to engage more youth and folks with side hustles, Wild said.

Pineda is a fan of the councils board, which was elected in January 2021 and recently added Cron and Karla Atanacio, a policy assistant and community organizer.

"Theyre super fierce and strong," Pineda said. "Its almost like theyre fearless."

The group aims to highlight Filipino businesses via in-person events (when possible) and an online directory, among other things, Wild said.

Winnipeg has a population of 76,725 Filipinos, as recorded in Statistics Canadas 2016 census, the most recent data available. The city had 705,244 residents that year.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com
On a day like Feb. 10, where thick, unforgiving snow blankets Winnipeg, Mark Riddell knows a deep freeze is coming.

On a day like Feb. 10, where thick, unforgiving snow blankets Winnipeg, Mark Riddell knows a deep freeze is coming.

After working in snow clearing for 11 years, Riddells familiar with the drill  get all hands on deck and get to clients in the precious few hours between the snow stopping and the cold settling in.

Armed with a plow, snowblower and a pile of shovels in the back of a well-loved Chevy truck, he and three young shovellers rush to clear the parking spots, pathways and driveways of the River Heights neighbourhood.

"Were taking advantage of this calm spell here," Riddell tells the Free Press while navigating a small plow attached to an old truck behind a Brock Street home Thursday afternoon.

"Normally, I wouldnt care, right? Most people dont even expect me to come probably till tomorrow, but Im tired of freezing."

Riddell owns the descriptively-named Marks Lawn Care and Snow Removal Service, a small operation with a simple mantra: for around $150 a month, depending on what his 50-ish clients need, Riddell and his team will take care of whatever the weather hands their yard, year-round.

Theres just one caveat: you have to live in Riddells home turf, River Heights.

It is a tiny operation of just a few staff  "There is no 7-Eleven in the snow removal business," he says  and more than a decade of helping his neighbours has brought with it years-long friendships. Around 80 per cent of the clients Riddell has now, hes had since he started.

"I know what they do, I know what they like, I know what they dont like," he says. "I know when they get divorced, I know when their kids get married."

Its not all community outreach, however. When the snow gets heavy, like it has so many times this winter, it can be exhausting work.

"Its a great way to stay fit, Ill tell you that," Riddell, 60, says with a laugh. "Its like going to one of those fitness camps you pay $1,000 a day for."

Riddells a naturally funny guy  while clearing snow with the Free Press, he spends most of the hours cracking jokes and laughing at those jokes.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Russell Sand and longtime customer Beth Geisel. Geisel, 76, has a disability that makes it impossible to clear her own snow when it gets too heavy. Riddell has cleared her yard for most of the 12 years shes lived in River Heights.

The extroverted demeanour has served him well over his lifetime of entrepreneurship. Riddell says hes never had a job he didnt build from scratch, and hes never had a job that didnt rely on connecting with people.

Before lawn care, he owned a string of restaurants and bars, perhaps most notably Spectrum Cabaret, which he built out of a garage when he was 24 and would later become the Pyramid after he sold it. His brother owned the iconic Blue Note Cafe.

"I never wanted to work another weekend if I didnt have to; I never wanted to work another night. Even though it was so much fun, it becomes tiring," he says.

His tone, only briefly, becomes a little somber.

"The restaurant and bar business is something you have to marry. It becomes your social life, its all-encompassing. But its a lot."

Snow is his business now, and business is booming.

Coming off Winnipegs snowiest January in more than a decade, February appears to be more of the same. On Feb. 10 alone, around eight centimetres of snow fell.

According to retired meteorologist Rob Paola, who tracks city snowfall from his Charleswood home (Environment and Climate Change Canada stopped taking official snowfall measurements in 2005), the city has already had more snow since October than it usually gets the entire winter season.

That level of snow can be debilitating to some of Riddells clients. Beth Geisel, 76, has a disability that makes it impossible to clear her own snow when it gets too heavy.

Riddell has cleared her yard for most of the 12 years shes lived in River Heights.

"Every once in a while, I have something I cant do and hell do it for me," she says. "But as you can see, hes always a pleasant person to deal with and when the snow falls, hes there to clear the snow."

She recalls a recent time when Riddell, knowing thered be a windrow in her path after the City of Winnipeg plows came through, came on his own time to clear it out.

Riddells clientele ranges widely  busy CEOs, front-line workers burnt out from the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors who hire him to help, as he puts it, "hang on to their home."

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Russell Sand puts muscle into the job of clearing someones step of snow. This winter has featured plenty of snow.

David Garfield, an accountant who has lived with his wife and two children in River Heights for 27 years, has been getting his snow shoveled by Marks for about 10 years, in part, "because hes a neighbour."

Riddell and his staff are year-round visitors, and they have a friendly relationship.

"Its supporting a business in the neighbourhood. And, generally, if I want to hire someone, I prefer someone in the area," Garfield says. "But Mark, hes very personable, and hes easy to stick with. I like him."

"Theres a certain trust to it, because youve got to close the gates," Riddell says. "Theyve got to trust that I dont bring in bad apples who are casing their garage out."

His staff, he hopes, gets some life experience before moving on; Riddell tries to be conscious this is often a stepping stone to other work.

On Thursday, 38-year-old Robbie Antsanen, speeds through the snow like its butter. Hes from Thompson, a little introverted, and is, as Riddell jokes, "The only guy Ive had whos never said, Im cold."

Russell Sand, affectionately referred to as "Russ," was celebrating his 29th birthday. Hes Riddells right-hand man. "(Riddells) always been kind of like a father figure to me, essentially," he says.

Some small joys of the job are seeing the clients who have come to recognize him and getting to meet peoples pets  "Im such a dog person," Sand gushes. On his off time, hes an artist; landscapes, mostly, with pencils and charcoals.

"Outdoors work is a lot more fun than staying indoors," the North End resident says. "You get to enjoy the fresh air, you get to be around a lot of nice people along the way. It helps you connect with the community around here."

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Riddell has no plans to retire any time soon. Its a more comfortable living, coming from running a 400-seat nightclub, he says.

He also has no plans to expand. Its tempting to take on more clients when the weather is milder, but because he and his staff are expected to come out, no matter the weather, the capriciousness of Mother Nature means workdays can last anywhere from eight to 14 hours.

"Its also going to weed out some weekend warriors. Guys who, they take 12, 14 contracts, but they find out pretty quick," he says.

He breaks out into a familiar laugh.

"I buy equipment off them all the time."

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca
The Winnipeg Police Service is under fire for what NDP justice critic Nahanni Fontaine called hypocrisy in detaining two Indigenous counter-protesters at the anti-mandate demonstration outside the legislature.

The Winnipeg Police Service is under fire for what NDP justice critic Nahanni Fontaine called "hypocrisy" in detaining two Indigenous counter-protesters at the anti-mandate demonstration outside the legislature.

"The moment that citizens stand up against the weeks on end of hate, misinformation, entitlement and casual sedition, the first person thats arrested or detained is an Indigenous person, whos taking up space on our own land," Fontaine said in an interview with the Free Press Sunday.

"Its the differential treatment (of Indigenous people), its the hypocrisy of it all and its turning a blind eye  by the premier  to whats really going on here."

On the north side of a police line Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people gathered between parked semi-trucks and tractors in the middle of Broadway and Memorial Boulevard. Protesters held signs calling for the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in solidarity with the "freedom convoy," in tandem with demonstrations nationwide.

On the other side, a similarly sized group of counter-protesters called on the group to pack up and leave; many of them residents who were fed up with the noise and slowed traffic in the area for more than a week.

Amid the tense demonstrations, city police officers detained two people under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act "for their safety" due to traffic concerns, police said in a statement Saturday.

The individuals were taken to a residence where they were turned over to friends. Neither were charged, police said.

Its the differential treatment (of Indigenous people), its the hypocrisy of it all and its turning a blind eye  by the premier  to whats really going on here, said NDP justice critic Nahanni Fontaine. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Those detainments led to widespread criticism on social media, including from St. Johns MLA Fontaine and NDP Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazen.

"After days of the Winnipegs occupation inflicting sonic torture and harassment on our community with no arrests or fines, the police decide to arrest a lone Indigenous protester attending the counter protest for public intoxication citing safety reasons?" Gazan wrote on Twitter.

A Winnipeg police spokesman said he could not provide further comment on the matter Sunday.

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Videos of police officers apprehending an Indigenous protester holding a sign while standing in front of a vehicle equipped with a Canadian flag near the intersection of Broadway and Osborne Street North made the rounds on social media Saturday. "Prove that theyre intoxicated. Prove it," says one person in a video of an arrest.

Police had initially allowed the counter demonstrators who were later detained to block vehicles on Broadway for about an hour, but they moved away from the main protest site to Osborne Street North, where police werent controlling traffic, the Free Press was told Sunday.

The anti-mandate demonstrators, meanwhile, are still camped out.

 with files from Maggie Macintosh

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pindera
THE increase in online interaction created by COVID-19 has generated a spike in girls and young women being subjected to whats called technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). The term refers to everything from sharing someones nude photos without their consent to sending unsolicited pictures of ones own genitals.

Opinion

THE increase in online interaction created by COVID-19 has generated a spike in girls and young women being subjected to whats called technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). The term refers to everything from sharing someones nude photos without their consent to sending unsolicited pictures of ones own genitals.

TFSV, a range of harmful and sexually aggressive online behaviours, affects 88 per cent of all Canadian university undergraduate women. Younger teens are also affected by these behaviours.

Survivors have few legal options, and have recently been found to be at higher risk of suicide. This highlights the need for more education and legal reform around these acts, which some legal experts say should be criminal.

Early exposures

No matter how much you think youre protecting your child, they can still get to them, says Heather Mackie of Vancouver, B.C., whose name has been changed to protect the identity of her daughter.

Two years ago, Mackies then 12-year-old daughter, Emma (not her real name), created an Instagram account for her fictional character on Roblox, a popular online gaming platform whose users are mostly under 16 years old. What Emma next received in her inbox shocked her, and her mother.

It was a picture of a mans genitals, says Mackie. Emma was visibly upset. She deleted it and blocked him. We then deleted the account.

Experiences like Emmas are common. A recent Canadian survey of university-aged women found 6.4 per cent had their first experience with online sexual harassment between 12 and 14 years of age.

Experts differ slightly in how they classify forms of TFSV, with one classification including image-based sexual abuse (non-consensual sharing of victims images), video voyeurism and unsolicited sexual images, which is what Emma received.

Another definition adds online sexual aggression and coercion, including extortion, blackmail and bribery, as well as online harassment of people based on their gender or sexuality.

Terminology is important. According to Rosel Kim, staff lawyer at the Womens Legal Education and Action Fund in Toronto, terms such as cyberviolence downplay the severity of the act. Cyberviolence is not separate from violence, she says.

Another term, revenge porn, blames its victims, and is better described as a form of image-based sexual abuse

Online violence and suicide

Sexual violence has been around forever, but the context has shifted (online), says Amanda Champion, a criminology PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.

Champion is the co-author of a 2021 study that clarified the psychological link between TFSV and suicide. According to her findings, TFSV victims public exposure makes them targets for bullying, which can lead to depression and the feeling that theyre a burden to friends and family.

This perceived burdensomeness leads victims to believe that youre so much of a burden that your death is worth more than your life, which opens the door to suicide, Champion says.

In Canada, this process was starkly illustrated in 2012, when 15-year-old Amanda Todd died by suicide after a nude screenshot of her was shared online without her consent. A year later, 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons, who was allegedly raped and then bullied over shared photos of the assault, also ended her own life.

In light of these stories, lawyers have been pondering how to hold perpetrators accountable for TFSV while protecting survivors.

Legal options

In Canada, not a lot of people realize they can report TFSV to the police, says Suzie Dunn, a law and technology professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Its downplayed by society and even by police. People are still conceptualizing whether or not these are true harms, she says.

When it comes to legal options, Kim and Dunn say the key is understanding what TFSV victims goals are. Maybe they want images to be taken down, or an apology  not necessarily to put a person in jail, says Kim.

Under the Canadian Criminal Code, an offender may be charged with voyeurism, obscene publication, criminal harassment, extortion or defamatory libel. However, if the only goal is to have harmful content taken down, then pursuing a criminal charge may be more trouble than its worth, Kim says.

The first barrier is convincing the police that theres enough evidence to charge an offender. Then once in court, you have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt  a high burden of proof, says Kim. During trial, the accuseds lawyer may also expose a survivor to further trauma.

Lastly, the criminal justice system moves slowly  and without a conviction, harmful content stays up, says Dunn.

The need for legal reform

Dunn says Canada lags behind other nations such as Australia when it comes to education, research and legislation around TFSV.

Since 2015, Australia has had an eSafety Commissioner, the worlds first government agency committed to keeping its citizens safer online. Kim and Dunn say Canada should have a similar government-funded statutory body that advocates in this area.

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Starting points for advocacy may include implementing more expedient image take-down laws and regulating social media companies such as Facebook, agree Dunn and Kim.

These platforms make money through engagement. Whats engaging content is often extreme content that tends to be abusive or violent, says Kim.

In last falls federal election, the Liberals promised to rework online harms legislation within 100 days of Parliaments Nov. 22 return  that timer is set to expire on March 2.

Anyone with concerns about online sexual violence is encouraged to visit CyberTip for resources, support and information.

Anthony Fong is a Global Journalism Fellow, at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.

This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca.
FOR the better part of the last week I have been in a hospital room in the company of my sister who is undergoing cancer treatment. I am very grateful to the church for whom I work for their support and provision of time. I wish everyone could work in such an understanding and compassionate workplace.

Opinion

FOR the better part of the last week I have been in a hospital room in the company of my sister who is undergoing cancer treatment. I am very grateful to the church for whom I work for their support and provision of time. I wish everyone could work in such an understanding and compassionate workplace.

As a minister, I am a person who is fairly familiar with hospitals, but that has always been a matter of coming in and going out as a visitor for the last 35 years. I can find my way around all the hospitals in the city (and know where to park), and I understand their basic orientation.

But last week was different. What was interesting to me was the experience of sitting in one place, more or less, for many hours and observing the working of a hospital around a single patient whose care is complicated and condition is serious. And there was one thing that kept returning to my thoughts: nurses are amazing scientists.

There is a stereotype of nursing as a caring profession. And it is. They are people who look after those in need, who attend to all manner of requests, whose bedside manner is the thing that gets remembered as a lasting impression when we leave the hospital. Certainly, the nurses looking after my sister were kind and caring and fit all the expectations we have.

They were attentive, responsive and often of good and appropriate humour. But they are more than caregivers. And they do much more than lift spirits.

Nurses are people of profound knowledge and expertise. They monitor and operate sophisticated technical equipment with the confidence of an engineer. They administer and adjust medications with the understanding of a pharmacist. They anticipate ever-emerging side effects and react to the slightest change in the patients condition with the efficiency of an air traffic controller.

And they do all of this while recording the patients wellness on a variety of computer programs and records. When you sit back and look at the length and breadth of their knowledge, it is staggering.

It is small wonder that a century ago, nurses were often referred to members of an "order." It was the same language used for Protestant clergy and religious orders in the Roman Catholic tradition. I believe it meant to imply not only that they were a profession whose members held one another accountable for excellence, but also that their ranks were reserved for those who had a particular calling" to go along with their knowledge and ability.

In other words, it was understood that this wasnt something that anyone could do. And all the skills and expertise of a nurse can scarcely be comprehended by simply being the one who receives care, sits by a bedside or trades in stereotypes.

It is not as though I am unfamiliar with the work of nurses. There have been many times, over the course of my career, that I have had the privilege of sitting with families in hospital rooms, in the presence of someone who was ill or dying. I have listened to their testimonies and stories of the care they have received. And I have heard stories of disappointment, too, lest we forget nurses are human beings and our expectations can run too high.

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But I have seen how the comfort provided by a nurse can restore hope or ease the sting of grief.

Still, my eyes were opened last week as I witnessed these professionals of the nursing sciences function in such a myriad of disciplines, for several patients all at the same time. It is not an understatement to say that my sisters life was in their hands. And she could not have trusted them more.

To be loving and caring in ones work is a gift that we would like to experience in all manner of professions. We hope that we would experience it in nurses as well as teachers, plumbers, waitresses, accountants, bus drivers, grocery clerks, postal workers, receptionists, and even pastors. Compassion is a gift to be nurtured in anyone doing anything.

But sometimes a "gift" is realized only by study, discipline, years of preparation, rigorous intellectual pursuit and professional integrity.

I think nursing is a gift from God. And for it I am deeply thankful.

Michael Wilson is the minister at Charleswood United Church.
MOSCOW (AP)  The Kremlin signaled Monday it is ready to keep talking with the West about security grievances that led to the current Ukraine crisis, offering hope that Russia might not invade its beleaguered neighbor within days as the U.S. and European allies increasingly fear.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives at the airport in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Feb 14, 2022 . German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is flying to Ukraine on Monday and to Russia on Tuesday this week in an effort to help defuse escalating tensions between the countries. (Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP)

MOSCOW (AP)  The Kremlin signaled Monday it is ready to keep talking with the West about security grievances that led to the current Ukraine crisis, offering hope that Russia might not invade its beleaguered neighbor within days as the U.S. and European allies increasingly fear.

Questions remain about Russian President Vladimir Putins intentions, however. And countries are evacuating diplomats and on alert for possible imminent war amid the worst East-West tensions since the Cold War.

On a last-ditch diplomatic trip, Germany's chancellor said there are no sensible reasons for the buildup of more than 130,000 Russian troops on Ukraine's borders to the north, south and east, and he urged more dialogue.

Britain's prime minister said Europe is on the edge of a precipice"  but added, there is still time for President Putin to step back. Frances foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, told French television that all elements were in place for a strong Russian offensive, but nothing shows today that Putin has decided to launch one.

Despite warnings from Washington, London and elsewhere that Russian troops could move on Ukraine as soon as Wednesday, Monday's meeting between Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested otherwise.

In this handout photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, listens to German chancellor Olaf Scholz while posing for a photo during their meeting at The Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine as part of a flurry of Western diplomacy aimed at heading off a feared Russian invasion that some warn could be just days away. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

At the session with Putin, Lavrov argued that Moscow should hold more talks with the U.S. and its allies despite their refusal to consider Russia's main security demands.

Moscow, which denies it has any plans to invade Ukraine, wants Western guarantees that NATO wont allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members. It also wants the alliance to halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe  demands flatly rejected by the West.

The talks cant go on indefinitely, but I would suggest to continue and expand them at this stage, Lavrov said, noting that Washington has offered to conduct dialogue on limits for missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures. Lavrov said possibilities for talks are far from being exhausted."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Russia's top diplomat has advised President Vladimir Putin to continue talks with the West on Russian security demands amid tensions over Ukraine. Speaking at the start of a meeting with Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested Russia should continue a dialogue with the U.S. and its allies even though they have rejected Moscow's main security demands. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

His comments, at an appearance orchestrated for TV cameras, seemed designed to send a message to the world about Putins own position: namely, that hopes for a diplomatic solution arent yet dead.

Putin noted the West could try to draw Russia into endless talks and questioned whether there is still a chance to reach agreement. Lavrov replied that his ministry wouldn't allow the U.S. and its allies to stonewall Russia's main requests.

The U.S. reacted coolly to Lavrovs comments.

In this photo provided by Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense, Lithuania's servicemen load Stinger anti-aircraft systems, and body armor vests into military cargo plane, as part of the Lithuania's security assistance to Ukraine at the Siauliai airbase, some 230 km (144 miles) east of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. US State Department had allowed Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to send US-made weaponry to Ukraine, including Lithuania's anti-tank Stinger missiles. (Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense via AP)

The path for diplomacy remains available if Russia chooses to engage constructively, White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. However, we are clear-eyed about the prospects of that, given the steps Russia is taking on the ground in plain sight.

U.S. officials said the Russian military continued apparent attack preparations along Ukraines borders. A U.S. defense official said small numbers of Russian ground units have been moving out of larger assembly areas for several days, taking up positions closer to the Ukrainian border at what would be departure points if Putin launched an invasion.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information not publicly released. CBS News was first to report on the movement of the units.

Pedestrians walk along a street in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. More NATO troops headed to Eastern Europe and some nations worked to move their citizens and diplomats out of Ukraine on Monday, as Germany's chancellor made a last-ditch attempt to head off a feared Russian invasion that some warn could be just days away. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Satellite images taken over the last 48 hours show increased Russian military activity in Belarus, Crimea and western Russia, including the arrival of helicopters, ground-attack aircraft and fighter-bomber jets at forward locations. The photos also show ground forces leaving their garrisons and combat units moving into convoy formation, according to Maxar Technologies, a commercial satellite imagery company that has been monitoring the Russian buildup.

Ukrainian security and defense council chief Oleksiy Danilov downplayed the threat of invasion but warned of the risk of internal destabilization by unspecified forces.

Today we do not see that a large-scale offensive by the Russian Federation can take place either on (Feb.) 16th or the 17th, he told reporters after meeting lawmakers. We are aware of the risks that exist in the territory of our country. But the situation is absolutely under control.

A woman prepares a bunch of flowers for a customer in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. More NATO troops headed to Eastern Europe and some nations worked to move their citizens and diplomats out of Ukraine on Monday, as Germany's chancellor made a last-ditch attempt to head off a feared Russian invasion that some warn could be just days away. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

As if to show defiance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday would be a "day of national unity," calling on the country to display the blue-and-yellow flags and sing the national anthem in the face of hybrid threats.

Our country today is as strong as ever. It is not the first threat the strong Ukrainian people have faced, Zelenskyy said Monday evening in a video address to the nation. We're calm. We're strong. We're together. A great nation in a great country.

The country is preparing nonetheless. Kyiv residents received letters from the mayor urging them to defend your city, and signs appeared in apartment buildings indicating the nearest bomb shelter. The mayor says the capital has about 4,500 such sites, including underground parking garages, subway stations and basements.

A vendor walks holding red heart-shaped balloons in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. More NATO troops headed to Eastern Europe and some nations worked to move their citizens and diplomats out of Ukraine on Monday, as Germany's chancellor made a last-ditch attempt to head off a feared Russian invasion that some warn could be just days away. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Dr. Tamara Ugrich said she stocked up on grains and canned food, and prepared an emergency suitcase.

I dont believe in war, but on TV the tension is growing every day and its getting harder and harder to keep calm. The more we are told not to panic, the more nervous people become, she said.

Others heeded the advice of Ukraines leaders not to panic. Street music flooded central Maidan Square on Sunday night and crowds danced. I feel calm. You should always be ready for everything, and then you will have nothing to be afraid of, said Alona Buznitskaya, a model.

Demonstrators hold anti-Putin's poster during a picket while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy German and chancellor Olaf Scholz have talks at The Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine as part of a flurry of Western diplomacy aimed at heading off a feared Russian invasion that some warn could be just days away. (AP Photo)

During what could be a crucial week for Europe's security, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine on Monday before heading to Moscow for talks with Putin on a high-stakes diplomatic foray.

After meeting Zelenskyy, Scholz urged Russia to show signs of de-escalation, and reiterated unspecified threats to Russia's financial standing if it invades.

There are no sensible reasons for such a military deployment," Scholz said.

A Ukrainian serviceman reads news on a mobile phone at a frontline position, outside Popasna, Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov advised President Vladimir Putin on Monday to keep talking with the West on Moscow's security demands, a signal from the Kremlin that it intends to continue diplomatic efforts amid U.S. warnings of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held talks with Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and said in a statement that abandoning diplomacy for confrontation is not a step over a line, it is a dive over a cliff.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday spoke by phone with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. According to a Downing Street statement, the two agreed there remained a crucial window for diplomacy and for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine."

The U.S. said it will close its embassy in Kyiv and move all remaining staff there to Lviv, a city near the Polish border. Lithuania moved diplomats families and some nonessential diplomatic workers out of the country as well.

Its a big mistake that some embassies moved to western Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. Its their decision, but western Ukraine doesnt exist. Its united Ukraine. If something happens, God forbids, it (escalation) will be everywhere.

So far, NATO's warnings have had little effect: Russia has only bolstered troops and weapons in the region and launched massive drills in its ally Belarus, which also neighbors Ukraine. The West fears that the drills, which run through Sunday, could be used by Moscow as a cover for an invasion from the north.

One possible off-ramp emerged this week: Ukraines ambassador to the U.K., Vadym Prystaiko, pointed at a possibility of Ukraine shelving its NATO bid  an objective that is written into its constitution  if it would avert war with Russia.

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We might  especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it, Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5.

On Monday, Prystaiko appeared to back away from the idea, but the fact that it was raised at all suggests it is being discussed behind closed doors.

Pressed over Ukraine's NATO ambitions Monday, the Ukrainian president remained vague, referring to them as a dream."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would welcome such a move.

___

Karmanau reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Angela Charlton and Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jill Lawless in London, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report.
A couple of recent articles have come out speculating that there may be a protective effect against COVID-19 infection from having prior coronavirus infections that produce the picture of a common cold.

Four well-known seasonal coronaviruses, two of which are similar to SARS-CoV-2 that produces COVID-19, cause about 30% of common colds. Almost since the pandemic began, scientists have investigated how pre-existing immunity to these coronaviruses might influence infections with this new but related virus.

At this point in the omicron-driven portion of the pandemic, youve probably heard a story of a family where one person in a household doesnt get sick from or test positive for COVID, or the reverse where one person gets nailed with it but not the rest. Personally, I know of one family of four with one unvaccinated person and three vaccinated. The unvaccinated person and two others came down with COVID; the oldest (vaccinated) member did not.

Then, theres the reverse in another house with one vaccinated, three unvaccinated. The unvaccinated member and two others got infected but one unvaccinated member did not. And I have just heard of two more mixed vaccinations and infections in other homes.

Dr. William Schaffner, infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, was quoted recently in a publication sfgate.com, The research has indicated from the beginning that when COVID is introduced into a household, high rates of transmission occur, but I didnt say 100%. ... For some reason or another, the infectious agent doesnt always infect everyone in close proximity (or create symptoms even though youre infected, called asymptomatic). Exactly what protects that individual is the focus of several studies.

To oversimplify our incredibly complicated immune systems response to an infection, the initial reaction is from non-programmed white blood cells called T and B lymphocytes, which are in lymph nodes and bone marrow. The exposed T cells learn to attack and kill the infective microbe, and B cells become programmed to make antibody proteins, which attach to the microbe to prevent it from attaching to and invading our cells or inactivating or neutralizing it to make it non-functional. (That wasnt so bad, was it?)

Antibodies from B cells are what have gotten so much press during COVID because they are far easier to measure than actual T cell function. But T cells may be more accurate in registering our real immunity to hostile germs. One study recently published in the journal Nature Communications and cited in an article in Bloomberg News, found higher levels of T cells against cold coronavirus in people who didnt develop COVID while living with someone who had the disease. They studied blood samples from 52 people who lived with someone who tested positive for COVID, of which half didnt get infected. Here, they found the protective role of T cells induced by the cold coronaviruses.

These cells were targeted at the protein coats of the cold viruses, which share much in common with SARS-CoV-2 capsule proteins. Antibodies from the vaccines are directed at the spike attachment proteins on the viral surfaces, which have been the point of much mutation among new variants. This argues for a universal coronavirus vaccine aimed at the internal or capsule proteins instead of the spike proteins, which mutate far less.

Another more complicated study just published in jamanetwork.com from the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital focused on antibody levels and not T cells. It spoke of the broad spectrum of responses to the new coronavirus, which range from immunity against all infection all the way to severe respiratory distress and death. One early 2021 University of Pennsylvania study concluded that preexisting antibodies to cold coronaviruses did not correlate with COVID protection. The senior author of the current study wrote an email to JAMA to report there have seven reports that concluded high levels of common coronavirus immunity (antibodies) were beneficial, while four said it was detrimental, and three reported no impact. Are you confused, too?

The current St. Jude study of 1,200 hospital employees, almost all of whom had antibodies to all 4 seasonal viruses, did not show those to be protective against getting COVID infections.

So some folks seem to be shielded from this newer virus for reasons yet undiscovered. But the very same thing is and has been true of so many other familiar infections like influenza, colds, stomach bugs, etc. We are just used to that reality. I did a charting of our 3 little boys (now adults) and their lymph nodes in their necks for 2 winters and one summer. If one got sick, all of them developed swollen nodes in their necks, whether they had symptoms or not. We all get infected, but we all dont get sick.

The amount and method of exposure to the microbes is important, but the biggest wildcard may be our personal biology, including gender, genes, and prior exposures. Dr. Schaffner again: Theres so much we dont know about disease transmission. This is an area where genetic diversity may be playing into the likelihood of getting infected. We just dont know what those differences are.

You mean that the joke that ants dont get COVID because they have anty bodies might not be true? Bummer.

Dr. Bures, a semi-retired dermatologist, since 1978 has worked Winona, La Crosse, Viroqua and Red Wing. He also plays clarinet in the Winona Municipal Band and a couple dixieland groups. And he does enjoy a good pun.

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Nine months after Dane County residents could cast aside face masks indoors and six and a half months after being told to wear them again, theyll get another reprieve March 1, when the countys COVID-19 mask mandate will expire in light of decreasing case rates and hospitalizations, officials said Monday.

The decision by Public Health Madison and Dane County to lift the mask order comes after several Democratic governors moved last week to ease up on mask mandates even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it still recommended masks for students and staff inside school buildings.

Letting the face covering order expire doesnt mean that the pandemic is over. Rather, it signals that we have made it through the omicron surge and are entering a new stage of the pandemic, Janel Heinrich, director of the city-county health department, said in a statement that urged people to stay up to date on vaccines.

Tim LeMonds, spokesperson for the Madison School District, said Monday there are no immediate changes to the districts mask requirement or COVID-19 safety protocols. But, we are consulting with (the health department) and our medical advisory team on the issue this week, he said.

UW-Madison in January extended its mask requirement until March 1. We expect to be announcing a decision before the end of the month on what will happen after that, spokesperson Meredith McGlone said Monday.

In Dane County, the order requires people over age 2 to wear a mask in most enclosed spaces open to the public, except when all people within a space are vaccinated and for stage and musical performers if they follow a set of criteria.

The county first adopted a mask order in June 2020, following a statewide order that was eventually struck down by the state Supreme Court.

In early June 2021, when cases of COVID-19 declined dramatically after vaccines became widely available, the county lifted its order. In mid-August, when the delta variant of the coronavirus surged, the department reinstated the mask requirement.

As the delta wave declined, the health department said in early November the mandate would expire late that month. But with rising cases and holiday travel looming, the order was continued. Since the omicron variant emerged in December, the order has been extended again.

Asked Monday if the department might adopt a mask order again if COVID-19 conditions become worse, spokesperson Morgan Finke said: There are no additional orders planned at this time. I cannot speculate on future conditions.

The daily average of new COVID-19 cases in the county is at 340, down from a peak of 1,491 on Jan. 12, the department said Monday. The daily average of hospitalizations is at 110, down from a peak of 195 on Jan. 15. As of Sunday, the county had 87 patients in hospitals with COVID-19, including 17 in intensive care.

High case levels did not lead to hospitalization levels as high as they were before vaccines were readily available, the department said. Currently, an estimated 58% of Dane County residents are up to date on their vaccines, meaning a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, when eligible. Some 82.2% of county residents had at least one dose as of last week, compared to 63.5% statewide.

Dane Countys public health order expiration does not affect the federal requirement for face coverings on public transportation, including public transit networks, airplanes, buses and school buses, trains, taxis and the ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft, the department said.

Public Health will continue case investigation efforts to prevent spread and strongly encourages everyone to stay home when sick and follow the latest isolation and quarantine guidance to prevent transmission, which can include masking recommendations.

The Democratic governors of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Oregon last week announced plans to lift mask requirements in public places or schools by the end of February or in March, according to The Associated Press. Massachusetts, led by a Republican, also joined the list. Other Republican-led states that had mask mandates long ago dropped the requirements.

But the CDC continues to recommend universal masking in K12 schools and day care centers. Last week, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told Reuters that now is not the moment to drop mask mandates, given continued high case levels.
The Republican National Committee has officially decided that the mob riot at the Capitol was not lawless violence, but a reasonable public debate on constitutional nuances.

That was part of a resolution drafted by the RNC, when it condemned Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for joining the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack, which the RNC refers to as a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.

The party of Donald Trump supports vandals who smashed windows, assaulted police officers, ransacked offices, threatened lawmakers, and defecated on floors, a Trump-triggered strike on democracy that left five dead and 140 cops injured.

Apparently, the party that believes kneeling during the anthem desecrates the flag also thinks that using the flag to bludgeon a cop is legitimate political discourse.

It is also a vivid sign that Republicans believe the retention of power justifies deadly violence, so it is not unreasonable to ask of every member of the party of Trump  from Kevin McCarthy to the last goose-stepping back-bencher  whether they embrace such authoritarianism as their new creed.

Some Republicans had the sense to condemn the RNC language, including Sens. Mitt Romney, Ben Sasse, and Bill Cassidy. Former Gov. Chris Christie argued that the RNCs statement was a political detriment, but he didnt say much about the part where the RNC advocates busting heads.

Bill Palatucci, Christies former right-hand man, is said to be the only New Jersey RNC delegate to voice his opposition, though he had trouble reading the room: He suggested that the RNC commend Mike Pence, ostensibly for standing up to his puppet master, and in the end Palatucci called the censure of Cheney and Kinzinger a terrible action by the RNC.

The weekend of damage control included RNC chair Ronna McDaniels claim that the censure language referred to discourse that had nothing to do with violence at the Capitol, but she did not change one word in the carefully negotiated resolution, and she omits the fact that neither the committee nor federal prosecutors are targeting non-violent marchers.

Rebranding thugs as honest dissenters is going to be a difficult sell for Republicans going forward  because seditious conspiracy is not honest dissent.

As Rep. Tom Malinowski told New Jersey Globe last week, When a party officially declares a mob attack on cops and the Capitol legitimate political discourse, theyve all got to own it, or take a stand against it.

Until then, Republican courage is embodied mostly by Cheney and Kinzinger, who defied their partys intransigence by signing on to the J-6 committee  fully aware that they were putting their careers in jeopardy  and the choice they made was a monumental gesture of patriotism.

Cheney, the lodestar of the moment, calls GOP leaders willing hostages, and says she does not recognize those in my party who have abandoned the Constitution to embrace Donald Trump. History will be their judge.
Malawi court to hear argument on decriminalising sex between minors

CALS hopes to assist the High Court of Malawi sitting as the Constitutional Court in a matter that raises important issues around children's rights

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies has been admitted as a friend of the court in a matter before the Constitutional Court of Malawi. On 15 February 2022, the Court will hear an application requesting a review of the Malawi Penal Code which criminalises consensual sex between adolescents. We firmly believe that these criminal sanctions are unconstitutional and run counter to the best interests of the child.

Section 138 of the Malawi Penal Code provides for a crime known as defilement which applies to anyone who has sexual contact with a girl under the age of sixteen. This law applies not only to adults, but to other adolescents. In January 2021, a fifteen year old boy known as A. J. was arrested and charged with an offence of defilement after having consensual sex with his then-girlfriend of thirteen. According to section 138, if convicted, A. J. could face a sentence of life imprisonment.

A. J. has approached the High Court of Malawi (sitting as the Constitutional Court) to request a review of section 138 as it applies to consensual sex between adolescents. He argues that, as it stands, the law allows officials to assume control of the intimate relationships between adolescents and violates their rights to equality, privacy and dignity under the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi. He further argues that the harsh criminal sanctions amount to punishment that is harmful to their health and development. A. J.s application has been joined with another on behalf of T. S.  a thirteen year old boy similarly charged and challenging the constitutionality of section 138 as it applies to minors.

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) has been admitted as a friend of the court in the matter. We believe that we can assist the Court in determining the important issues raised by this case. We argue that while it is necessary to protect children from sexual exploitation, adolescents also have an evolving capacity to make their own decisions and exercise their rights. Criminalising consensual sex between adolescents exposes them to harm and infringes on their rights to health, privacy, freedom of expression and bodily autonomy. Our submissions examine comparative case law in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

It is important to note that this case is not about whether children should engage in sexual activity or whether there should be an age of consent, says Sheena Swemmer, head of Gender Justice at CALS. This is about whether it is constitutional for a child to serve a sentence of imprisonment and have a criminal record for engaging in consensual sex. As it stands, the very law that is intended to protect children is causing them harm.

CALS is represented by Reghana Tulk and Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane, who drafted our papers. Bright Theu appeared for us before the Court.

The matter is set to be heard on 15 February 2022 from 09:30 in the High Court of Malawi.

Read our papers in the matter here.

For inquiries, please contact:
BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

In his message, Xi noted that both China and Mexico are countries with time-honored civilizations and history, and the friendly exchanges between their people date back to ancient times.

Since China and Mexico established diplomatic ties half a century ago, especially since they forged a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, bilateral relations have been developing on a fast track, said Xi, adding that the two countries enjoy ever deepening political mutual trust and enhanced friendly exchanges and cooperation in various areas.

The Chinese president also said that in the face of the once-in-a-century pandemic, China and Mexico have stood together and extended a helping hand to each other, setting a good example of international solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.

The tree of Chinese-Mexican friendship has flourished and borne bountiful fruits, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, Xi added.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Mexico relations, and stands ready to work with Lopez Obrador to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to join hands, build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future.

Xi added that he is willing to work with the Mexican leader to advance traditional friendship, deepen win-win cooperation, stimulate common development, and continuously enrich the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership so that the two peoples can forever be good friends who trust each other as well as good partners that share prosperity.

(Source: Xinhua)
BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday congratulated Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his re-election as president of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In a congratulatory message, Xi pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Germany relations, and stands ready to work with Steinmeier to enrich the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership and take bilateral relations to a new level.

(Source: Xinhua)
Weather Alert

...LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph expected. * WHERE...Southwest Indiana, southeast Missouri, western Kentucky and southern Illinois. * WHEN...From 9 AM this morning to 5 PM CDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create hazardous conditions for small craft. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Boaters on area lakes should use extra caution since strong winds and rough waves can overturn small craft. &&
This article is old - Published: Monday, Feb 14th, 2022

The Future Generations Commissioner for Wales has called on the Welsh Government to launch a shorter working week trial.

Sophie Howe, whose role is to protect the interests of future generations under Wales Well-being of Future Generations Act, said the Welsh public sector could lead the way with a pioneering trial, with people re-evaluating their life priorities following the pandemic.

A new report by the Commissioner and think-tank, Autonomy, shows major appetite for a working time reduction in Wales, with the move also creating potentially 38,000 jobs in Wales.

It found:

76% of the Welsh public would support the sharing out of work so that everyone can have a good work-life balance.

62% of the Welsh public would ideally choose to work a four day working week or less.

57% of the Welsh public would support the Welsh government piloting a scheme to move towards a four day working week.

The new report, A Future Fit for Wales: The roadmap to a shorter working week, advocates trialling shorter working hours in parts of the public sector, encouraging and supporting private sector firms to transition to shorter hours.

This report advocates a three-pronged strategy to achieve it this includes; a trial shorter working hours in parts of the public sector; encourage and support private sector firms to transition to shorter hours; collaborate with and empower trade unions so they can negotiate shorter hours across diverse workplaces.

Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, said: Its clear that following the pandemic, people across Wales are re-evaluating their priorities in life and looking for a healthier work-life balance.

The escalating demands of caring for loved-ones due to an ageing population and an increase in mental health issues exacerbated by working long hours are just some of the factors which make a shorter working week more appealing.

A shorter working week can result in increased productivity which will be of huge benefit to employers for a happier, healthier workforce.

The working week has not changed for more than 100 years, and now seems the perfect opportunity for the Welsh Government to commit to a pioneering trial and build evidence for greater change across Wales.

Will Stronge, co-director of Autonomy said: All the evidence suggests that a shorter working week with no loss of pay would be a win-win for both workers and employers in Wales.

Countries across the world including Scotland and Ireland have already launched four-day week trials and a radical Welsh Government should be leading the way on this too.

Moving to a four-day week would boost productivity and workers well-being, and create tens of thousands of new jobs in the Welsh public sector. The potential benefits are too large to ignore.

A four-day working week pilot has already been trialled in Iceland, where it was deemed an overwhelming success.

The trial, in which workers were paid the same amount for shorter hours, took place between 2015 and 2019.

Researchers have shown that Productivity remained the same or in some cases actually improved.

The trials run by Reykjavik City Council and the national government involved 2,500 workers, which amounts roughly 1% of Icelands working population.

A variety of workplaces took part, including preschools, offices, social service providers, and hospitals.

Following the trials, unions began to renegotiate working patterns, and now 86% of Icelands workforce have either moved to shorter hours for the same pay, or will gain the right to, the researchers said.

Workers reported feeling less stressed and at risk of burnout and said their health and work-life balance had improved immensely.

The pandemic has given us an opportunity to change the way we set up society for people in the future  lets take it.

Staff at Slunks hair salon in Cardiff have been working a four-day week without a reduction in pay, since the beginning of the pandemic  and productivity, well-being and turnover have improved, says its co-owner.

Joel McCauley believes passionately that the 38 hours working norm is having a detrimental impact on our mental health, and supports a trial that he says would see Wales lead on the move to a healthier way of working.

Staff members of Slunks hair salon in Cardiff where theyve been working a four-day week since the start of the pandemic

Joel left school aged 12 and worked in salons for most of his adult life, where he experienced high stress levels and an unhealthy work-life balance in an industry where he says anxiety is rampant. Covid-19 has been incredibly stressful for industries like hairdressing, but its highlighted some of the issues that have always existed  you can be in a perpetual cycle, work, food, sleep, said Joel, 38, who lives in Newport. People dont always realise but working in hairdressing can be extremely draining. Ive worked in salons where we were worked like dogs. Ive seen young people in the industry turn to drugs and alcohol because theyre exhausted and they dont have the time to make changes to their life. Six-day weeks, back-to-back clients, moving from job-to-job because they have no time to think or plan what youre going to do next. Anxiety is rampant in the industry and Ive suffered with anxiety and depression and it can mainly be attributed to the amount of hours I was working. I got burn-out. When Joel opened his own salon in 2011, he wanted to do things differently and set out a long-term plan to move to a shorter working week, and this was accelerated by the pandemic. From March 2020, all full-time members of staff swapped to a four-day week with no reduction in pay. Part-time members of the team have had pay rises and nobody has had a decrease in pay and the only team members not working four days are apprentices, who will be offered the benefit once they qualify. The salon is happier, said Joel. This is simply a better, healthier way of working. I genuinely think we arent meant to work full-time  how many people do you know who are constantly over-worked and unhappy about it? When you have more time, you can think about life in a different way. At work, youre likely to have more energy and fewer non-productive days. Outside work, you can be a better person, a better parent, a better member of the community. Society isnt working. The current system is broken and based on old-fashioned capitalism. Joel says he finds it frustrating that other workplaces are slow to change and encourages others to join a movement for the sake of future generations of employees. He said: Thanks to a four-day week, I feel better, staff feel better  were all working better. Were making more money at busier times, customers love it because they know we appreciate our staff. The pandemic has given us an opportunity to do things differently  to change the way we treat people, young people especially, and the way we set up society for people in the future  lets take it.

Chelsea Thompson, Salon Manager of Slunks says since starting the four-day week staff have said theyre happier.

Chelsea Thompson, salon manager, 28, Tonyrefail, agrees: I live a 45-minute drive away from work, so Im commuting less and when Im in work, Im definitely more focused. Since weve started the four-day week, everyone says theyre happier. People feel well-rested, mentally prepared. That extra day is for me. I go for long walks, listen to a podcast, see friends who dont have weekends off. Its sad that society has got to the point where people feel like theyre working to live. Time is precious  I really hope other workplaces follow and we can all start leading a more balanced life.
Wrexham Glyndwr Graphic Design students thanked for role in award-winning exhibition

This article is old - Published: Monday, Feb 14th, 2022

Graphic Design students at Wrexham Glyndwr University have played their part in an award-winning local history exhibition.

Hidden Holt a joint project between the university, Amgueddfa Cymru  National Museum of Wales, Holt Local History society and Wrexham Museum, won a Society for Museum Archaeology Award at the end of last year for the Exhibition, Display or Interpretation project category.

The exhibition told the story of how this once lost Roman site was re-discovered in the early 20th century and excavated in the years prior to the First World War, showcasing many finds from excavations, most of which have not been displayed in north-east Wales for over a century.

Level 4 Graphic Design students from the university Luke Worrall, Migle Valyte and Daniel Birchall, helped by designing a presentation for the exhibition and the illustration for the poster.

They have since been thanked for their contribution to the award-winning exhibition, by Holt Local History Society members.

Graphic Design lecturer Dr Heliana Pacheco said the experience the students gained from being part of the exhibition was invaluable, tailoring and adjusting their designs for posters, leaflets as required by the client.

Working with the museum, history society and other partners gave them a real life opportunity to produce work for a client and add to their learning.

It was a chance to work with real people in real situations, Heliana explained.

The museum has been a very good partner. The students were very involved, and have since been invited to a meeting at the museum with the Holt Local History Society to thank them for their work.

It was good for the students to see real engagement with their designs. The poster for the exhibition is an image we had produced  an illustration from one of our students. When the students see that, it encourages them to do more and they feel confident.

They learn how to talk to clients, who can tell them exactly what they want and what they dont want, so this partnership has been really, really good.

Jonathon Gammond, Access and Interpretation Officer at Wrexham Museum, also praised the students for their part in the exhibition.

He said: We were working with National Museum of Wales, theres an organisation called the Society of Museum Archaeologists and they organise an annual competition with various classes of projects.

One of the categories was exhibitions or interpretations of projects launched during the past year across the UK.

I knew they would like the fact the project involved a university, a national museum, a local museum and a local history society community group, all completely different organisations with different aims coming together for this exhibition.

The students helped the society create a professional presentation to show the public. They have that expertise. It was a great project for them, its good for their CVs and I thank them for their contribution.

More about the BA (Hons) Graphic design course at Wrexham Glyndwr University, can be found here.
Last week marked a decade since WikiLeaks published a tranche of 779 secret files from the US governments Guantanamo Bay military prison, revealing in greater detail than ever before the global dragnet of illegal detention associated with the fraudulent war on terror.

US Army Military Police escort a detainee to his cell at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay [Credit: Shane T. McCoy/US Marshals Service]

In the words of US state operatives themselves, the files demonstrated that the American authorities were imprisoning hundreds of people from Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere, whom they knew were not guilty of terrorist offences or any other crimes.

Instead the prisoners were victims of a new lawless frontier, in which people were bundled into detention, often sold to the CIA by local authorities, secretly held in black site prisons, and transported to the other side of the world where they were indefinitely detained in the Guantanamo Bay facility, which by 2011 had already become synonymous with state torture.

The files are not only significant because of their content.

They are the last among four major releases for which the US government has charged WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange under the Espionage Actthe first time the draconian legislation has been deployed against a publisher. According to US prosecutors, who are seeking Assanges extradition from Britain, the crime of exposing their governments illegal detention regime should be punished by up to 40 years in prison, in a Supermax facility whose conditions would resemble those of Guantanamo itself.

WikiLeaks publication of the Guantanamo Files followed its earlier releases of the US armys Iraq and Afghan war logs, which exposed thousands of illegal killings and violations of international law, and some 250,000 US diplomatic cables, revealing coups, illegal surveillance operations and other human rights abuses.

The files were provided to WikiLeaks by Chelsea Manning, the courageous US army whistleblower. She would be imprisoned for nearly seven years in conditions deemed by the United Nations to be torturous under Obama, before being detained again by the Trump administration in a failed bid to coerce her to give false testimony against Assange.

The Obama administration, in which Joe Biden served as vice president, was as hostile to the publication of the Guantanamo Files as the earlier WikiLeaks releases. It issued a statement, published by its virtual house organ the New York Times, declaring that the documents had been illegally obtained and remained classified. The government took the Orwellian step of informing the lawyers of Guantanamo Bay detainees that they were forbidden from clicking on any of the files, even after they had been published on the internet.

As part of his election campaign in 2008, Obama had pledged to close Guantanamo, in line with a broader posture of opposing some of the most blatantly illegal actions of the Bush administration. Three years later, Guantanamo remained in use, as it does today, and Obama was sharply escalating the illegal US war against Afghanistan, and opening up new fronts in US imperialisms bid to dominate the Middle East and North Africa, including Syria and Libya.

A WikiLeaks statement, announcing the release of the files, said they proved that the entire edifice constructed by the [US] government is fundamentally unsound, and that what the Guantanamo Files reveal, primarily, is that only a few dozen prisoners are genuinely accused of involvement in terrorism. The rest, these documents reveal on close inspection, were either innocent men and boys, seized by mistake, or Taliban foot soldiers, unconnected to terrorism.

Taken together, the files provided the anatomy of a colossal crime perpetrated by the US government on 779 prisoners who, for the most part, are not and never have been the terrorists the government would like us to believe they are.

The documents included interviews, assessments and intelligence reports on the prisoners, prepared by the Pentagons Joint Task Force Guantanamo between 2002 and 2009.

Perhaps the most brazen demonstration of the illegality involved was provided by the files of the youngest and oldest detainees.

Naqib Ullah, a 14-year-old Afghan villager, had been taken into US custody on the ground that he may have known a local Taliban commander.

A 2002 assessment of Mohammed Sadiq, an 89-year-old Afghan man, blandly noted that his current medical issues include major depressive disorder, senile dementia and osteoarthritis, for which he receives prescribed treatment, as well as prostrate cancer. Sadiq was imprisoned because suspicious documents that did not belong to him were found in a raid of his house.

Their cases were far from unique. The files showed that at least 150 of the 800 prisoners over the period they covered were considered by the US authorities to be innocent of any crimes. Most of the others were deemed to be low-level foot soldiers, an assessment that was frequently based on flimsy evidence of undocumented associations with Taliban or Al Qaeda forces.

Some 204 of the 223 Afghan detainees would ultimately be repatriated, in a tacit admission of their innocence, along with 121 of 135 Saudi nationals and most of the Yemeni prisoners. Many had previously been assessed as high risk by the US jailors.

A WSWS article documented the revelations in 2011. It pointed to several examples that exposed the conscious criminality of the dragnet. In one instance, a Pakistani man was sent to Guantanamo after falling foul of the countrys authorities for having exposed their connections to Islamic extremist forces. A Libyan detainee was described as having been captured in Spain and Pakistan at the same time, with no attempt made to reconcile the contradiction.

Al Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Hajj was arrested in Pakistan and held at Guantanamo for six years. According to the files, the purpose of his imprisonment was to force him to provide information on the Al Jazeera news networks training program, telecommunications equipment, and newsgathering operations in Chechnya, Kosovo and Afghanistan, including the networks acquisition of a video of UBL [Osama bin Laden] and a subsequent interview with UBL.

A similar picture emerged from many of the files. Detainees were arrested, in many cases sold to the US for cash, and then held indefinitely in a bid to turn them into American informants. To justify the continuing mass imprisonment, the US jailers cultivated a handful of sources at Guantanamo, who provided evidence against hundreds of other inmates.

The documents demonstrated that the victims included citizens of nations allied to the US, including British nationals. The US knew that many prisoners had been tortured en route, including at CIA black sites and in the prisons of Americas partners in the war on terror.

Almost 100 prisoners were listed as having major psychiatric disorders, resulting from their brutal treatment.

The WikiLeaks publications galvanised popular hostility to the neo-colonial wars in the Middle East and Central Asia and the accompanying attacks on democratic rights. They exposed, not only the criminality of the George W. Bush administration, but that of Obama and Biden, and a host of US allies, from Britain and Australia.

The US media sought to drown out the impact by focusing on the unsubstantiated statements of prisoners contained in the files, who told tales about the global reach and ambitions of Al Qaeda, some of them under duress. By 2011, the New York Times, which had earlier partnered with WikiLeaks, had decisively turned against the publishing organisation, joining the campaign against it and its then editor-in-chief Assange, which was spearheaded by the intelligence agencies.

A decade on, the files have lost none of their relevance, as the US-led wars continue, Guantanamo remains open, and Washington is preparing an even greater calamity than that which occurred over the past 20 years, by aggressively confronting China and Russia. The brutal assault on democratic rights with which Guantanamo is associated is being expanded, as governments around the world respond to mounting social opposition by turning to authoritarian forms of rule.

The anniversary underscores the necessity for workers and young people around the world to fight for Assanges immediate freedom and against his extradition to the US.
In an action that combines brazen theft, imperialist brutality and unlimited hypocrisy, the Biden administration announced Friday that it will seize control of $7 billion in Afghanistan financial assets, held largely at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, rather than return them to the Afghanistan central bank.

Media attention has largely been devoted to Bidens splitting of the $7 billion, with $3.5 billion set aside to meet the legal claims of survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and $3.5 billion to be used for humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan. Both actions are cynical diversions from what is an effort to starve the country and avenge the humiliating defeat which US imperialism suffered last summer.

A Taliban fighter stands guard in front of people waiting to enter a bank, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

The $3.5 billion supposedly to be used for aid will not be available for many months, if ever, as State Department officials acknowledged over the weekend, ensuring that nothing will reach the starving population of Afghanistan during the winter months. According to the UN World Food Program, some 23 million Afghans face hunger and malnutrition this year, while UNICEF warns that as many as one million Afghan children could die of severe malnutrition and outright starvation.

The delay is due to the administrations decision to allow legal claims against the Taliban amounting to $7 billion, awarded by default in a court proceeding nearly a decade ago, to go forward. Some of the plaintiffs are likely to challenge the 50-50 split in Afghan bank funds, which could tie up any allocation more or less indefinitely.

That appears to be the real purpose of the Biden decision: to allow millions to suffer and starve in Afghanistan, while claiming to be above the battle. Its all up to the courts, Biden will declare, washing his hands of the spectacle of mass death in Central Asia, just as he has facilitated mass death in the COVID pandemic.

In addition, by refusing to return any portion of the $7 billion to the central bank of Afghanistan, the Biden administration intensifies its vengeful wrecking operation against the Afghan economy. Without a functioning central bankand outright collapse is now a distinct possibility now that its main reserves have been confiscatedAfghan banks and businesses cannot function, workers cannot be paid, no international corporation will do business with the country, and few aid organizations will be able to operate.

Afghan-American groups and aid groups overwhelmingly condemned the action, pointing particularly to the impact on the overall economy. It is not the lack of aid, in itself, but the inability of the economy to function which is the principal cause of mass suffering in Afghanistan.

The message to the Afghan people is clear. As long as you are ruled by the Taliban, you will starve. It is not necessary for American imperialism to bomb the country back to the Stone Age, as military warmongers threatened in Vietnam. They can do so by cutting off all credit and international commerce to a country they have already bombed for 20 years.

The Biden action is illegal on a number of levels. Even the Washington Post, which published an editorial enthusiastically supporting the decision, had to acknowledge that the White House position is self-contradictory: The Biden administration refuses to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan; at the same time, it authorizes the use of Afghan national bank resources to pay off a legal judgment against the Taliban.

The invocation of 9/11 is particularly monstrous and cynical. As numerous commentators in Afghanistan, Pakistan and internationally have pointed out, none of the 9/11 hijackers hailed from Afghanistan. Most were Saudis, citizens of a country that is the closest US Arab ally and the recipient of hundreds of billions in US arms sales.

Even if one accepts, for the sake of argument, the claim that the Taliban protected Osama bin Laden against US government demands for his surrender, there is no evidence that the Taliban had foreknowledge of the 9/11 attacks. More fundamentally, why should the people of Afghanistan be punished for this, on top of 20 years of US conquest and occupation, which have left their country in ruins?

It is particularly cynical to suggest that Afghan children not even born on September 11, 2001 should suffer because of the actions of terrorists like bin Laden, a Saudi multi-millionaire who began his career fighting in the CIA-backed mujahadeen war against Soviet troops. The US military-intelligence apparatus had far closer connections to Al Qaeda than anyone in Afghanistan, and these connections resumed in 2011 when the Islamists served as the CIAs ground troops in Libya and Syria.

The Taliban government in Kabul denounced the Biden decision. The theft and seizure of money held/frozen by the United States of the Afghan people represents the lowest level of human and moral decay of a country and a nation, Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said on Twitter.

Faiz Mohammad, a Kabul resident, made another critical point in an interview with Irans Press TV. First, I dont think the US has the right to use Afghanistans money to compensate 9/11 victims, he said. The US had no reason when it attacked us, but a lot of people died in the past 20 years. So, its the US that should compensate us, and they should not spend our money.

There is no doubt an additional consideration in the White House action: the pressure of the fascist right, which is uppermost in Bidens political calculations. Releasing even a small portion of Afghanistans assets will come under fire from Fox News, Breitbart, Donald Trump, and the bulk of the Republican Party. After the surrender to the Taliban, comes the payment of tribute: the script for know-nothings like Tucker Carlson almost writes itself.

Similar charges were made about the Iran nuclear pact, where the release of a fraction of Irans own assets, held in foreign bank accounts that handle payments for oil exports, was portrayed as paying tribute to the ayatollahs.

So, to protect his right flank, Biden invokes the scarecrow of 9/11. White House officials claimed that a lawsuit by 9/11 survivors and relatives required action on Afghan assets by February 11 because of a court-imposed deadline, but this is a transparent pretext.

More than 20 years after 9/11, a tragedy that has never been fully investigated because connections with the Saudi monarchy and the US military-intelligence apparatus had to be covered up, the deaths of nearly 3,000 Americans is still utilized to serve the interests of the American ruling class.
Police dismantled Sunday morning the far right-led Freedom Convoy blockade of the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan. Authorities said they expected that traffic across the bridgethe most important commercial conduit between the US and Canadawould resume Sunday evening.

By the time police moved in, less than 30 people were still actively involved in the bridge blockade. Twelve were arrested and several vehicles towed. By mid-afternoon, after police had cleared protesters from approaches to the bridge, they put the total number arrested at between 25 and 30. Most are expected to be charged with criminal mischief.

Truck drivers and others protest COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Ottawa, Ontario, on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

The Ambassador Bridge blockade began on the afternoon of Monday, February 7, and lasted for the better part of six days. It severely disrupted Canada-US trade, forcing production cuts and plant closures at auto plants on both sides of the border. Top US officials, including President Joe Biden, implored Canadian authorities, beginning with Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to bring the blockade to a quick end. So too did numerous representatives of Canadian big business.

Even at its height, the bridge blockade never involved more than a few hundred people and a smattering of large trucks. If it took the authorities so long to dismantle, it was not because of its widespread support or popular involvement, but because powerful sections of the ruling class have encouraged and built up the far-right convoy.

The Conservative official opposition, much of the corporate media and sections of big business have actively promoted the far-right convoyincluding trumpeting its absurd claim to be a Freedom Convoyso as to use it as a battering ram to shatter all remaining anti-COVID-19 public health measures and push politics sharply to the right. The convoy has also received significant political, financial and logistical support from the ex-US President and failed coup-leader Donald Trump, his supporters in the Republican Party leadership like Ted Cruz, and the network of fascist groups that provided the shock troops for the January 6, 2021, storming of the US Capitol.

Emboldened by this support, the far-right convoy leaders have taken actions that go beyond the remit given them by their ruling class sponsors. Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen had no difficulty in hailing the convoy as a movement of patriotic, peace-loving Canadians after convoy supporters ran amuck in downtown Ottawa, taunting and intimidating workers and minorities. However, when their actions caused substantial business losses and threatened the trade links with the US upon which Canadian capitalism depends, it was another matter. Underscoring how the Conservatives have sought to make use of the far-right convoy, Bergen coupled a call last Thursday for it to lift various border blockades and end the now more than two week-old siege of Ottawa to a demand that the federal Liberal government outline a plan to end all anti-COVID-19 public health measures forthwith.

Even with heavy pressure from the White House and big business clamouring for the illegal Ambassador Bridge blockade to be dismantled, it took days for the authorities to intervene and disperse the convoy supporters. For their own reasons, neither Trudeau nor Ontario Premier Doug Ford wanted to be seen as precipitating a violent clash.

The federal Liberal government has been badly destabilized by the far-right convoy, and has effectively greenlighted the unseemly rush of provincial governments across the country to eliminate what remains of pandemic restrictions even amid an ongoing surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths. Trudeau rightly fears that his Conservative opponents and much of the capitalist media would pin the blame for any clash between security forces and the far-right convoy activists on him and his government. Ford, meanwhile, has been anxious not to alienate the anti-vaccination far-right and other advocates of herd immunity, both because he hopes to gain their votes in the coming election and because they have substantial support in his own parliamentary caucus and cabinet.

The police action against the Ambassador Bridge blockade came more than 30 hours after a court injunction came into force at midnight Friday. Despite the injunction and Ontario Premier Ford imposing a province-wide state of emergency Friday, police were remarkably restrained in their treatment of the Ambassador Bridge protesters well into Sunday morning, certainly if compared with the quick and violent actions they routinely take to suppress left-wing protests or when escorting scabs across the picket lines of striking or locked-out workers.

On Saturday, a long line of police backed by at least two armored vehicles and snipers slowly pushed the convoy supporters, who never numbered more than a few hundred, from the bridge entrance. Even before many of the police involved in Saturdays operations had deployed, most, if not all, of the large trucks that had anchored the bridge blockade had departed, their owners no doubt intimidated by government threats to revoke their commercial licenses or even seize their trucks.

Despite the clearing of the Ambassador Bridge, the Liberal government remains mired in crisis. Ottawa, the national capital, remains under siege by several hundred far-right protesters, some of whom are reportedly heavily armed, and the citys downtown, including the streets adjacent to Parliament Hill, are clogged with commercial trucks. Border blockades at Coutts, Alberta, and Emerson, Manitoba, remain in force. An attempt to establish a new border blockade near Surrey, BC, was made Saturday, when convoy supporters used vehicles to break through police lines.

Relatively small protests in support of the far-right convoy were held for a third weekend in Ottawa and in other cities. These included a Montreal rally addressed by Maxime Bernier, the former Harper Conservative cabinet minister who now leads the ultra-right, anti-immigrant Peoples Party of Canada.

Although police numbered the protesters in downtown Ottawa on Saturday at just 4,000, they claim to be overwhelmed and unable to enforce the law. Many who joined the Ottawa occupation Saturday engaged in aggressive and illegal behaviour, the police reported, while adding that commanders did not ask officers to intervene and enforce the law out of fear for their safety.

A hard-line, openly far-right faction of the Conservatives, including party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre, continue to support the Ottawa occupation and demand that Trudeau meet with the far-right thugs and would-be putschists who lead the convoy. Most of the political establishment, however, now views the continuing siege of parliamentin its 18th day todayas a threat to the authority not just of the Trudeau government, but the capitalist state.

There are mounting calls from the corporate media for all three levels of governmentthe federal Liberal government, Ontario Conservative government and Ottawa municipal governmentto end the occupation, including if necessary by deploying the Canadian Armed Forces.

At a press conference last Friday, Trudeau said his government is a long way from calling out the armed forces, but added it was necessary to be ready for every eventuality. Following a meeting Saturday of the Trudeau governments Incident Response Group, which brings together senior ministers and officials responsible for national security, a press release was issued that said all options are now on the table when it comes to ending the Ottawa occupation.

Speaking on CTVs Question Period Sunday morning, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said that the Liberal government is actively considering invoking the Emergencies Act. The successor to the War Measures Act, the Emergencies Act gives the federal government the authority to deploy the armed forces to provide aid to civilian power and wield other extraordinary powers. We have an Emergency Act, said Blair. I will tell you, there has been a near constant and vigorous examination of those authorities and whats required. When circumstances exceed the capacity of the provinces to manage it under their authorities, were quite prepared to use additional authorities that are available to the federal government.

Blair, who was Torontos chief of police during the vicious crackdown on the left-wing protests against the 2010 G20 summit, also demanded that the Ottawa police do their job. He termed their failure to act against far-right activists who have broken the law with impunity inexplicable (See: Toronto police violently suppress G20 protests, arrest over 600 ).

Absent the independent political intervention of the working class, the outcome of the present crisis, however it is resolved, will be a further lurch to the right. The chief obstacle to the political mobilization of the working class are the trade unions and New Democrats, which have worked tirelessly since the emergence of the convoy to block counterprotests and strengthen the authority of the Liberal government. After Thursdays all-party leaders meeting, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh issued a statement confirming that his party would back all measures, i.e., including deploying the military, that Trudeau takes to end the occupation.

On Saturday, despite the unions opposition, hundreds of Ottawa residents joined two counterprotests to oppose the far-right convoy. Reports on Sunday indicated that small groups were blocking intersections to prevent convoy supporters from reaching the downtown core.
As millions suffer and die in the COVID-19 pandemic, the De Hef (Koningshafenbrug) bridge in the Dutch city of Rotterdam is to be partially dismantled this summer to let Jeff Bezos US$485 million mega-yacht exit the harbour where it was built and sail into the open sea.

The De Hef bridge is considered the first of its kind in Western Europe. A historical landmark and symbol of Rotterdams industrialisation in the 19th century, the bridge was heretofore protected by strict preservation laws.

It was originally built in 1878 as a swing bridge, connecting industrial rail traffic from the North to that of the South of the Netherlands. It was damaged by a German steamship that ran into it in 1918, and the bridge underwent reconstruction, replacing the swing with a lift bridge by 1927. Thirteen years later, during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II and the Rotterdam Blitz bombing to crush resistance fighters, the bridge was heavily damaged. However, it was one of the first objects in Rotterdam to be restored after the war due to its strategic importance.

View of a yacht, reportedly being built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, on the wharf in Zwijndrecht, near Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Guy Fleury)

Bezoss giant yacht, named Y712, is 127 meters in length and has three decks and three 40-meter-high masts that are now being built at a shipyard in Alblasserdam, a port-city adjunct to Rotterdam. To go from an inland dock to the North Sea, this unprecedentedly large yacht must pass under De Hef. According to reports in the international press, the municipality of Rotterdam has given the green light to dismantle the centre portion of the bridge so the gigantic vessel can sail through.

News outlets in the Netherlands and internationally have reported on the vast popular discontent this has provoked internationally, with mounting anger to the naked servility of the entire economic and political establishment bowing to the individual whims of a single multibillionaire.

On a Dutch Facebook group  Eieren gooien naar superjacht Jeff Bezos  (Throwing eggs at superyacht Jeff Bezos), the fast-growing group has gathered over 8,000 members in less than a week. The Facebook group is calling for an event on June 1 to throw rotten eggs at Bezoss yacht as it bypasses De Hef. The founder of the group, Pablo Strormann, told nltimes.nl: Normally its the other way around. If your ship doesnt fit under a bridge, you make it smaller. But when you happen to be the richest person on Earth, you just ask a municipality to dismantle a monument.

Since the pandemic began, the criminally reckless policies of the entire Dutch ruling establishment, both the pseudo-left and the ultra-right, placed the profit interests of the capitalist class above the lives of millions of workers and youth. At least 4.4 million cases and 32,000 deaths of COVID-19 have been recorded in this country of just 17.5 million people. Now, when it comes to a pandemic profiteer like Bezos, who has nearly doubled his fortune during the pandemic, it is ready to tear apart major monuments on a whim.

The response of the Municipality of Rotterdam, Europes largest seaport, shows that there is no limit to how far the Dutch authorities will go to satisfy the indulgences of the super-rich, which dominate official social and cultural life across Europe. This absurd social inequality, which has grown particularly in the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the product of the capitalist system and its massive intensification of the exploitation of the working class.

As 2022 began, the British charity Oxfam published an annual report, titled Inequality kills, reporting that incomes of the bottom 99 percent of society plunged as the wealth of the 10 wealthiest individuals doubled. Bezos comes in second at $179 billion as the emperor of Amazon, where his global workforce toil in slave-like conditions, after Teslas Elon Musk, with $238 billion.

The Netherlands has minted more billionaires than ever before in its history. According to NOS.nl, there are now 45 Dutch billionaires. As the wealthy enrich themselves, the poorest sections of the population are falling into extreme poverty.

This stark contrast is visible in Rotterdam Zuid (south) itself, much of whose population belongs to the poorest 40 percent of the Dutch population, states Brian Doucet. Under successive governments led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Rotterdam demolished thousands of low-income housing units, driving out the poorest layers of workers, following the central governments policy of gentrifying the inner cities to make way for new luxury apartments. This exacerbated the housing crisis facing urban workers.

Whether it is baptised by the clinking of glasses of champagne, a hail of rotten eggs, or both, Bezos yacht is already being hailed by the super-rich as the vessel of all vessels. Architectural Digest quoted Fernando Nicholson who enthused: The Y721 is going to totally change the world of yachting with its design and innovation.

This luxury yacht sales broker at the Camper & Nicholsons yachting company added: Its a boat with the latest technology and bells and whistles that have never been seen  This will be the standard for all superyachts to follow, but in years to come, when its features become more affordable. Right now, only someone with Bezos wealth can swing the cost.

Together with this mega yacht, Bezos has reportedly also commissioned a support yacht that will have its own helipad. This new yacht is reportedly 75 meters long and can accommodate 45 additional crew members and guests. It is also expected to host a sailing meeting space and have vast storage for Bezos endless water toys: diving and snorkelling gear, jet and water skis, waterslides, surfboards, and so on.

On the day of the christening of the vessel, Bezos, the second richest man in the world, may call the press to thank a few people with insincerity, as he did when he returned in July 2021 from his private space flight: I want to thank every Amazon employee and every Amazon customer because you guys paid for all this. So seriously, for every Amazon customer out there and every Amazon employee, thank you from the bottom of my heart very much. Its very appreciated.

This will however cut no ice with workers in the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world. The cutting up of the De Hef bridge to satisfy the caprices of a mega-billionaire exposes the reality of a social order that is deeply diseased and historically condemned.
The World Socialist Web Site urges BNSF workers to contact us with your comments.

Following federal district judge Mark T. Pittmans emergency order on January 25 blocking a strike by 17,000 BNSF workers over a new draconian availability policy, the company and the unions have filed cross-motions for preliminary injunctions in the federal court case. The unions are arguing that the old policy should remain in place until the dispute is litigated, while the company is demanding that the judge extend the January 25 emergency order for the duration of the case.

After the judges January 25 emergency temporary restraining order, the judge entered a further order on February 10 extending the original order until February 22. At this point, there is no hearing or deadline docketed for a decision on the cross-motions for preliminary injunctions, but the judge is likely to make a decision before the temporary restraining order expires on February 22.

BNSF 2646 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Jerry Huddleston/Flickr)

The two unions involved, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation WorkersTransportation Division (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), cover approximately 17,000 BNSF workers out of 35,000 total BNSF workers in the United States. Workers in both these unions voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike last month.

The dispute turns in part on whether the conflict over managements new  Hi-Viz  attendance policy is deemed a major or minor dispute under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), a nearly century-old legal framework aimed at suppressing strikes by railway workers. On January 25, the judge ruled that the new policy was likely to be ruled minor and declared that a strike would be illegal, setting the stage for the companys unilateral imposition of the policy on February 1.

The new Hi-Viz policy, a points-based system that penalizes workers taking time off for any reason, has an especially provocative and gratuitous character under the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the new policy is to squeeze more availability out of the existing workforce, laying the foundation for future cost-cutting, harassment, and layoffs.

In the latest round of court filings last week, lawyers for BNSF gloated that for 33 years, the unions have never won an argument in court that a dispute was major. Using contemptuous language in a brief filed Thursday, the company lawyers compared the unions to Don Quixote tilting at windmills, who remains undaunted by both his repeated failures and his inability to comprehend the world around him.

Pointing to a pro-management decision under the RLA by the Supreme Court in 1989, the lawyers for BNSF wrote that it has been almost 33 years since the Supreme Courts decision and the railroad unions. .. have challenged BNSF Railway. .. and its predecessors in literally dozens of cases over the classification of disputes as major or minor under the Railway Labor Act. .. They have never prevailed, yet they continue to tilt at this windmill time and time again [emphasis in original].

This brief, which was filed in opposition to the unions request for an order maintaining the status quo, represents the combined effort of BNSFs in-house lawyer David M. Pryor; Washington, DC transportation industry law specialist Donald Munro of the law firm Jones Day; and the Fort Worth, Texas law firm of Kelly Hart & Hallman.

The Jones Day law firm, an international institution employing 2,500 attorneys, boasts annual revenues of over $2 billion. Munros clients, according to his Jones Day profile, include all of the Class I railroads in the United States, as well as major and regional airlines, airline service providers, and commuter railroads.

It also was a major player in the 2014 bankruptcy of Detroit, in which the citys creditors looted the citys assets. Kevyn Orr, a former partner at the firm, was appointed the citys unelected emergency manager, and Jones Day raked in $58 million in fees for its services.

Reading the BNSF-Jones Day brief, one gets a sense of what BNSF management really thinks of its workers.

Referring to a 2002 case where a different union had repeatedly launched strikes over issues that were deemed minor in court, the company lawyers wrote: BLET and SMART-TD have not  in most cases  displayed the same tendency to strike without warning, but they do exhibit a similar stubborn inability to distinguish major from minor.

But the companys brief is not just revealing as to the real attitude of management towards workers. To the extent the unions have not substantially prevailed against BNSF in a similar case in 33 years, this is an indictment of the entire American judicial system, and especially the framework of capitalist labor relations, according to which industrial struggles are forcibly channeled into government-controlled proceedings that are weighted in favor of the employers.

As far as the company and its lawyers are concerned, the whole process amounts to an exercise in theater, with all the participants simply going through the motions for the sake of appearances. At the end of the day, the company always gets its way. The BNSF-Jones Day brief describes decades of wasteful and repetitive litigation that inevitably serves as a pointless prologue to arbitration of the merits of the parties disputes.

Even the judge took note of the essentially theatrical character of the proceedings, commenting in a footnote in his January 25 order that in his experience, prologued [sic] fights in federal court between unions and management only delay the inevitable negotiations between the parties.

To that extent, these court papers also expose the union bureaucracies themselves, which have collected dues from their members for decades while constantly telling their members to place their hopes in a legal framework within which the union cannot realistically expect to win.

In fact, for all their theatrical posturing in court, the union bureaucracies welcome and thrive on this oppressive labor relations framework, which provides them an excuse for their failure to secure any gains for workers for decades as well as a legal pretext for their relentless suppression of strikes. This is exemplified by the union response to the January 25 order, which was to dutifully enforce it and instruct BNSF workers that they were not allowed to talk to the press.

It is true that the judges order did prohibit the union from striking and from directly agitating for a strike and required the union to instruct its members not to engage in self-help, meaning wildcat pickets or other physical efforts to take matters into their own hands. But nothing in the judges order could or does prevent rank-and-file workers from verbally expressing their opinions to whomever they please, from informing the press regarding the facts of their situation, or from assembling in meetings for the purposes of discussing their strategy. These rights are all protected in the US by the First Amendment.

The January 25 court order blocking the strike was itself a travesty of justice and its reasoning was absurd on its face. The judge claimed that if there was an illegal strike, then BNSF would suffer substantial, immediate, and irreparable harm. But such harm would be entirely self-inflicted, since BNSF could avoid a strike altogether by maintaining its existing attendance policy.

In addition, it goes without saying that harm to a companys bottom line is the whole point of a strike. If no strike was allowed to cause harm to the company, one might as well outlaw all strikes altogether. In fact, this is the entire purpose of the legal framework set up by the RLA.

The judge also wrote, The record further establishes that a strike would exacerbate our current supply-chain crisisharming the public at large, not just BNSF. In fact, this demonstrates the real motivation behind the ruling is politicallegally compelling workers to remain on the job in order to pump out profits for Wall Street.

Berkshire Hathaway, which owns BNSF, saw its stock price rise from approximately $456,900 on January 24, the day before the judges emergency order blocking the strike, to $479,370 as of the end of the day Friday, February 11. This represents a significant increase over a period of under three weeks, signaling that Wall Street approves of the companys conduct.

Over the past year, the price of Berkshire Hathaway stock has risen by a total of $110,037, or a staggering 29.8 percent. Over the past five years, the price has risen $226,532.00, representing a near-doubling of its total market capitalization over 60 months. Swimming in these giant piles of wealth, intoxicated by the smell of money overflowing around them, the oligarchs at the helm have decided that now is the time to make working conditions for employees even more intolerable and oppressive.

The latest rounds of legal theater in federal court demonstrates the need for workers to take the initiative out of the union bureaucracy and into their own hands. This must be done by forming a rank-and-file committee composed of BNSF workers, excluding from membership union bureaucrats, to challenge the unions conduct of the dispute and formulate and fight for their own strategy and demands.
As the rate of coronavirus infections reaches ever new heights and the even more infectious Omicron subvariant BA.2 spreads, the German government is moving to end the last existing measures to protect against the virus. In so doing it is following the example of the US and other European countries.

The 7-day incidence is now 1,472 infections (per 100,000 residents), with 240,000 people recently infected in a single day. In every district of Germany the incidence rate exceeds 500. In 342 counties it stands above 1,000 and in 48 counties above 2,000. The highest incidence is in the county of Eichstatt, with an incidence value of 3,897.

The growing number of infections is accompanied by a disastrous increase in cases occurring in hospitals and nursing homes. Just last week there were 174 outbreaks in medical treatment facilities (20 more than in the previous week) and 373 outbreaks in nursing homes and homes for the elderly (127 more than in the previous week).

The number of severe outbreaks also continues to rise. On Friday, more than 1,750 people were hospitalized. The adjusted hospitalization incidence is now about 11 (weekly hospitalizations per 100,000 residents), doubling in one month. The percentage of free intensive care beds remains just above 10 percent, which is considered the borderline of hospital response capacity. Nearly 1,000 people have died since the week began.

Schools remain a central driver of infection. Among 15- to 34-year-olds, the 7-day incidence is 1,988, whereas among 5- to 14-year-olds it is as high as 4,187. For the past four weeks, 2,124 coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in schools, with that figure expected to rise as late reports come in. The number of school outbreaks is thus four times higher than at the height of outbreaks last school year.

Of particular concern is the rapid spread of Omicron subvariant BA.2, which has seen its share of infections increase fivefold since the beginning of the year. It is currently believed to be 30 percent more infectious than BA.1 and can reinfect people within weeks of a BA.1 Omicron infection.

The ruling class is responding to this wave of infections by announcing even more comprehensive steps to reopen and even promising an end to all remaining pandemic safety measures. The federal and state governments are vying with each other to open fastest.

In his inaugural speech in the Bundesrat (federal council) on Friday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrats, SPD) declared that the peak of the wave is in sight, despite exploding case numbers. That lets us consider a first reopening step at the federal-state meeting next week, as well as others for the spring.

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) delivering his first address (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Scholz justified this with the absurd claim that especially elderly citizens have fortunately not been strongly affected by the Omicron wave. In view of hundreds of outbreaks in old peoples homes every week, this statement can only be regarded a brazen lie. In the last week alone, 660 people over the age of 60 have died from the coronavirus.

At the same time, the chancellor openly admits that nurses and doctors are working at their limits and tries to spin as a success that the health care system has not collapsed: Our health care systemdespite great strain on doctors and hospital staffhas held up so far.

While Scholz announces steps toward reopening in the spring, other parts of his government want to reopen earlier. The current infection control measures remain in effect until March 20. After that, the Bundestag will vote on whether to extend them for another three months. Liberal (FDP) parliamentary group leader Christian Durr told the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers that any remaining protective measures should be lifted at that time: On March 20, Germany should return to normal.

But looser restrictions are needed before then, he told ARD and ZDFs Morgenmagazin. One should focus on creating a smooth transition to March 20 with gradual relaxations, he said. First to fall should be vaccination (or proof of recovery) requirements in retail, contact tracing and contact restrictions for private gatherings.

While federal government officials are still just talking about relaxations, the states are already implementing them. Last week, all German states uniformly decided to raise the cap on the number of spectators allowed at large outdoor events to 10,000. The state governments of Schleswig-Holstein and Hesse announced an end to vaccination-or-recovered regulations across the retail sector. Now more and more states are following suit.

Bavaria, which is currently the state with the highest incidence, announced it would lift the curfew in pubs and further increase the maximum number of spectators at major events. For sporting events, 15,000 instead of 10,000 spectators will be allowed and the maximum occupancy rate will be raised from 25 percent to 50 percent. For cultural events, occupancy will even be increased from 50 percent to 75 percent.

After Schleswig-Holstein and Hesse, the states of Berlin and Brandenburg have now also announced that they will overturn the vaccination-or-recovered regulation in the retail sector. In Brandenburg, the night-time curfew for unvaccinated people in hotspot regions is also to be dropped.

Implementing this relaxation of safety regulations contradicts all scientific reasoning and risks thousands of deaths. Klaus Reinhardt, president of the German Medical Association, warned in an interview with the Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung against relaxation of regulations: We still lack reliable and comprehensive data on the current incidence of infection. That makes it difficult to clearly assess the situation.

Resistance to this policy is growing. An online petition by more than 100 student representatives calling the governments current mass-infection plan irresponsible and lacking solidarity has now received 134,000 signatures. Under the hashtag #WirWerdenLaut (#WereGettingLoud), a great number of students, teachers, parents and scientists are calling for fighting the pandemic by any means necessary and are making a number of demands, such as equipping schools with air filters, free FFP2 masks and a repeal of compulsory attendance.

Politicians and the media have responded with a smear campaign to denounce the petitions legitimate demands as unscientific or a scare campaign.

The petition is an important expression of opposition to the profits-before-life policies of the ruling class. But their demands cannot be implemented by appealing to those in power. For two years now, those powers have ignored all such appeals, making it clear that they are pursuing policies in the interest of maximizing the profits of banks and corporations rather than protecting the health and lives of the population.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) recently wrote in a statement :

Instead of appealing to the establishment parties, who make it clear day after day that our lives are worth nothing to them, students and teachers must organise independently in rank-and-file committees for safe education, taking the fight into their own hands and immediately implementing the safety measures mentioned in the petition.

School strikes and student protests must be the prelude to a full-scale rebellion of the entire working class against the policy of deliberate mass infection.

Write to us to discuss and organize the struggle against the pandemic and the building of independent rank-and-file committees!
On Friday, some 150 students in Frankfurt am Main took a clear stand against the profits-before-lives policy of the federal and state governments in the coronavirus pandemic.

Several local groups of the youth organisation Fridays for the Future called a demonstration under the slogan #WirWerdenLaut (#WereGettingLoud). Students from across the region took part in the strike, marching from the Alte Oper through the city centre to City Hall.

#WirWerdenLaut: Pupils strike against herd immunity

On Twitter, the organisers declared: We demand that the deliberate mass infection in schools be stopped! Coronavirus policy in schools cant go on like this!

Reporters from the World Socialist Web Site spoke to participants about a statement from the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) supporting the protests and school strikes for safe education. In it, the IYSSE calls for the formation of independent rank-and-file committees of students and educators to take the struggle into their own hands and demand the immediate implementation of necessary safety measures. This includes an immediate end to the governments herd immunity plan, combined with comprehensive measures to protect students from COVID, and investments in education.

Pupils in Frankfurt demonstrate against herd immunity policies

Elli, a student at Frankfurts Musterschule secondary school, warmly welcomed the IYSSE statement:

The measures at schools are not enough to fight the pandemic. It would be best to send everyone home for a few weeks until the situation calms down. I myself contracted COVID-19 just over a fortnight agoand at school, despite strictly following all measures and keeping my distance.

Although 40 students and three teachers were recently sick or quarantined at the same time, the school was leaving testing to the students own initiative, she said.

There is no compulsory testing and not even half get tested regularly. This is no way to prevent infections and outbreaks at school. There are no distancing rules. In principle, they tell us: If you open the window every 15 minutes, the pandemic will soon pass. But thats just not how it works.

Regarding the IYSSEs call for nationwide school closures, Elli said, I think its very reasonable, definitely. If theres going to be face-to-face teaching, then there has to be at least smaller groups and compulsory testing for everyone.

The previous evening, the Standing Conference of State Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) announced the staggering figure of 275,000 pupils currently suffering from the coronavirus, almost 50,000 more than the previous week. In addition, virtually the same number of pupils are in quarantine.

Rike, FridaysForFuture activist in Frankfurt

We are taking to the streets because schools are simply not safe in the pandemic, said Rike, who is involved with Fridays for the Future and helped organise the demonstration.

The numbers are higher than ever. In the 5-14 age group, the incidence rates are between 5,000 and 6,000 [per 100,000], but they just keep going up. Seatmates of coronavirus-positive pupils are no longer sent home, despite the reduced reliability of rapid tests. Like the climate crisis, the pandemic is an international problem, but it is not treated as such by governments. It is necessary to abolish fossil capitalism and release vaccine patents so that the whole world can produce vaccines.

Niklas and Dennis came to Frankfurt from a neighbouring town, where they attend the same high school. The situation in the schools is no longer controllable, said Niklas.

At our school, there are only three air filter systems for 250 rooms! We see little or nothing of these air filters. We feel ignored by the government. What happens to us pupils and studentsnobody cares. We are left alone by the politicians.

Niklas (left), Nele and Dennis from Maintal-Bischofsheim

In the last school year, a lot of topics didnt really get covered, Dennis said. For a long time there were online classes, and that results in a clear disadvantage for the final year exams. Especially those who had to participate online very often missed a lot.

In a situation where we sometimes have to go into quarantine every other day, final exam preparation was even more difficult, said Niklas. He continued:

That is also one reason why we are here today. [Federal Health Minister] Lauterbach tells us: Soon we can relax. But there is no question of that. We now have an incidence rate of 2,100 in Maintal-Bischofsheim. In schools you have to constantly test, change masksand many dont even comply. We cant go on like this.

Like Rike, Niklas sees the cause of the coronavirus disaster in capitalism:

The economy has to keep runningthats why students are kept in schools, so that the working class can work. I think you must inform workers! Learning and knowledge is a privilege that mainly the upper classes can afford. If you cant afford a mobile phone, you dont have access to the internet. So much is being shifted onto the working class right now. And what are we being educated for? Also to work. But if we are already confronted with such situations, I dont know if many will even be ready for that.

A section of the demonstration in Frankfurt. The banner reads: First day back at school and already tired of the system.

The protests were shadowed by the threat of a third world war, as openly voiced by US President Joe Biden. Its terrible, one student said. Why cant people agree that Ukraine should remain a neutral place? The subject of war gives me sleepless nights. The fears for the future are very big because of the threat of war and because of the climate crisis.

Simultaneous with the protests in Frankfurt, student representatives Tobias Westphal and Anjo Genow from Berlin presented the #WirWerdenLaut petition, with 133,979 signatures, to Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (Liberal Democratic Party-FDP). Before taking office, the minister was a board member of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, which is notorious for collaborating with climate change deniers and supporting far-right forces in South America.

Stark-Watzinger, like her colleagues at the state level, has made it clear that she wants to remove the last quarantine and protective measures so as to get schools and businesses running normally. Accordingly, politicians and sections of the media are reacting to the growing resistance among students with a nasty smear campaign .

In Die Welt, published by the right-wing Springer group, the independent philosopher and software entrepreneur Jorg Friedrich calls the students initiative a panic campaign based on the propaganda of fear. He brands the students call for FFP2 masks and the abolition of compulsory attendance an irrational appeal, which shows that young people are now themselves gripped by an irrational unfounded fear.

In the style of radical right-wing conspiracy theorists, the author mutters that it would be telling to investigate who is behind the publicity-seeking action. He points to scientists like Michael Meyer-Herrmann, Dirk Brockmann, Jana Schroder and Melanie Brinkmann, who have become known to the public for lockdown demands, No-Covid and Zero-Covid strategies.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, such scientists have been among the bogeymen of the extreme right and have often received threats of violence and even murder.

The fact that children and young people could then infect older people in their families or elsewhere outside school, for whom the virus could then become life-threatening is a weak argument, Friedrich writes. Politics must usher pupils back on the path that leads them to a good life, he advises, to a normal school without daily tests, without masks and certainly without the constant danger of remote learning.

Referring to the Long COVID problem and the likelihood of a serious health hazard, the Die Welt writer declares: No one wants a school operation that would protect students from all these dangers.

Against the backdrop of the 17 young people who, according to the Robert Koch Institutes conservative figures, have died from COVID-19 in the last month alone, these words are tantamount to a call for more death and illness.

The previous night, on broadcaster ZDFs Markus Lanz talk show, KMK President Karin Prien (Christian Democratic Union-CDU) and Eva Hummers (a member of the RKI Standing Vaccine Commission) denied the dangers of the herd immunity policy.

While Prien claimed, distorting the facts, that Omicron does not go into the lungs, Hummers suggested that Long COVID does not exist in children. Supported by moderator Lanz, both claimed that regular tests would breed fear among pupils and bring very little benefit.

The demands of the #WirWerdenLaut petition, put forward by student representative Johanna Borgermann, were arrogantly brushed aside.

In contrast to the nervous and arrogant hostility the young people confront from the political establishment, there is overwhelming support for the students concerns among parents, educators and other workers.

Tanja R. from Burtscheid in North Rhine-Westphalia, speaking to the WSWS, said:

What is happening in the schools is, in my eyes, a crime against children. I can hardly stand it that schools are kept open by force so that the economy can continue running. In the beginning, I still thought that one could reach the politicians with arguments. When I realised that they dont care about us up there, I resigned a bit. Of course, I see a connection to capitalism. The individual citizen seems to have no value except to function as a worker. Keeping schools open, in my eyes, serves only to have a child care option for working people. I could easily look after my daughter at home, but Im not allowed to.

Tatjana, a nurse from North Hesse, sent the following message of solidarity to the WSWS:
Health workers from across Australia participated in the Socialist Equality Partys online public meeting on Saturday to build support for the nurses and midwives who have voted to strike on February 15 and discuss the political issues involved. The vote was called by the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA), which is attempting to limit and isolate the strike action. A number of attendees spoke to WSWS correspondents.

New South Wales nurses protest in late 2020 [Image: NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association Facebook]

Anna, an aged care nurse

My work asked me to stay back to do a double shift, but I wanted to hear the meeting, so I said no. We are always short of staff. The meeting was very informative and we learnt a lot through it. I learnt not only about Australia, but also about the USA. It is the same thing that has happened here. I think we have the same story. They have also had a lot of problems there during the pandemic.

I heard the report about the numbers of cases and deaths from the pandemic. I thought this was really important, because personally I havent heard any of the statistics regarding the cases, or about the rich people who are becoming richer. Its not true what the governments say, that everything is alright in the hospitals. Everyone is struggling. I have a friend who works in a hospital setting. I dont think they take COVID patients, but she said she is not allowed to take annual leave, because of the shortage of staff. So, I dont think the hospitals are alright.

The government is telling lies like this because I guess they just want to normalise everything and they dont accept that we really are struggling. I think they want profit, yes, they want to put profit first.

Julie, a former nurse

I completely understand why nurses are going on strike, its just appalling, the conditions that they are facing. To do your job properly, youre supposed to be alert and on-the-ball, but how can you possibly be on-the-ball when youre working so much? I know, myself, from working years of night shifts, I couldnt sleep very well during the day and it was so hard trying to stay awake. You do the job because you love it and want to care for people, but its hard work.

Health workers wages keep getting cut back. They expect people to work for peanuts, and the conditions are so bad, theyre all overworked and underpaid. Our health system is shocking, its getting to the stage where if you havent got money, you get nothing.

Now, with the increasing number of COVID-19 patients needing hospitalisation, its just terrible. The government is downplaying how many people are dying from COVID, theyre saying, well, theyre over 60 or theyve got disabilities, so it doesnt matter. Im over 60 and Ive got disabilities, I dont want to die yet!

Its hard for health workers to go on strike, but it has to be done, you get nowhere trying to be nice. I agree nurses need to unite with other workers, it gives you more strength.

I cant believe how bad the union is, theyre doing nothing to help workers. I always used to think that the unions were there to protect us, but they dont protect much anymore, if they ever did. Workers need meetings like this one so that they can have an audience, to have somewhere to voice their worries and know that they have support from the people that are listening to them. I think the points by Katy from the US about forming independent, rank-and-file committees and her experiences were really important.

Ive never heard of any political party, other than the Socialist Equality Party, organising something like this and talking about how to improve my working conditions, or anybody elses. I think its great.

Frances, a health worker on telehealth

A lot of what was said in the meeting resonated with my own thoughts over the last couple of years, I think because I have been following what was happening with the pandemic right from the very start. I was already very conscious of it and concerned about it because my daughter had been overseas and when she returned, she was surprised at the lack of alarm in Australia.

Everywhere she had been in Asia, they were all wearing masks, they were all being told dont come up close, and there was real fear. She arrived here and said anywhere in Asia this wouldnt be happening. She actually had symptoms about three weeks after she got back, and when she went to the doctor, they didnt even bother to test for COVID at that point.

Then within a month we started to hear about cases emerging in New South Wales, and then we had the first lockdown. For me, I was thinking this is about time. Then everybody was trying to buy hand sanitizer and we were saying What if it is airborne? Then we discovered that it is airborne, that wed have to wear masks. In my work everybody gradually became more concerned about this virus. Wed all had to quickly move to working in telehealth, working online.

With the reopening of the economy in 2021 it was astounding, and it was almost as though to say something about it, people were looking at you and rolling their eyes and saying Whats wrong with you? Weve got an opportunity to come back and mingle with people again. We can go back to normal. There was a certain level of denial.

Yet, it has been such a difficult time for all health workers and I cant imagine what it is like for nurses. And there is this whole tokenistic celebration of nurses sacrificing their lives. It kind of resonates with wartime, doesnt it?

All of the human and social services that are integral to any sort of functional society, education, health and social services, now have competitive tendering, theyre having to be managed in a way as though theyre a business. Its all just economic rationalism.

The meeting discussed unions. I think in the last ten or twenty years, people have felt that they cant be confident that unions will help them. It did sound as though they are straitjacketing nurses. Ive not really thought theres a lot that unions can do.

I guess capitalism is sold to us as something that allows everybody to benefit, that there is a trickle down. But more and more it feels as though there is no trickling down to ordinary, working-class people and it does feel as if the experience is oppression for ordinary working-class people.

Sam, a biomedical research institute worker

Ive been saddened by all the things Ive been hearing about nurses conditions for a couple of years now. An eight-hour day would be a dream come true for a lot of them from what Ive heard. They dont get a lunch break as such, they have to quickly put something in their mouth, sit down for five minutes then get back on the job. Even weekends and leave have apparently been pushed under the bus for a lot of people in the overstressed hospitals. I cant imagine going on for a long time like that, and I really hate the fact that people are going through that.

They chose to do a really hard job because they cared about saving peoples lives, and that is just being abused. The governments version of coping is quite different to the hospitals version of coping, where they are able to provide the best possible care as befits a supposedly developed country. Elective surgeries, cancer surgeries, normal hospital visits are being dispensed with, emergencies of all kinds are being ignored. I would be enraged at it as the frontline health workers are.

Talking about the role of the unions is extremely important because people might think the union can take forward their struggle, and when the union doesnt or makes excuses for it, its not automatic for workers to think they have to break from the unions and have an independent perspective. The reality is a union isnt just a workers organisation that is trying and failing to do good for workers, it is an arm of companies and government to keep production going and keep profits moving, with the illusion of being a workers organisation.

The example of the rank-and-file committee in California is important, because obviously the point of rank-and-file committees is to break from the logic of the unions, which is that the pandemic can be controlled on a national basis when ending the pandemic can only be on a global basis. The unions fundamentally have a different aim than ordinary health workers and workers do.

The reports are a reminder that the pandemic is not petering out, the way it is portrayed in the media. There is a sort of disconnect between what a lot of people are seeing and the media narrative. The fact that there have been more deaths in the past month than in the last two years blows apart the whole concept that vaccines alone will help us live with the virus. So, all they can do is pretend that things are normal, and tell us the hospitals are coping, which they arent.

We know that even the things that are possible to do to end the pandemic arent being done. Its a matter of what is being allowed to happen by the powers that be. They consider the necessary measures too costly, not worth spending money on. Its a political thing, not a scientific or logistical thing.
The World Socialist Web Site recently published an article on the dangerously unsafe conditions under which Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers are being forced to work.

Among several factors contributing to unprecedented levels of fatigue among drivers, the article drew attention to the governments relaxation of the stipulations limiting driving time. These temporary relaxations have since been extended again, further threatening the health and lives of drivers and other road users.

A HGV driver (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Several drivers responded positively to the WSWS article on Facebook.

One said, That report gives you almost everything you need to know why drivers leave the industry in such large numbers.

Another commented on the fact, highlighted in the article, that often fatal accidents involving HGV drivers are not viewed as workplace incidents and are investigated instead as road traffic accidents, thereby airbrushing out any contributory factors, such as long driving hours and working conditions. He wrote, Got to love that loophole get out of jail free card for them, theyre not regarded as workplace accidents but road traffic accidents.

Others raised various work-related health concerns suffered by drivers, from bowel and kidney problems to deep vein thrombosis. Studies have shown that lorry drivers are more likely than average to suffer heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, sleeping problems and musculoskeletal disorders.

Two experienced drivers, Gary and Stuart, agreed to give more extensive comments to the WSWS.

Since leaving school, Gary had been employed in a number of different jobs including working as a care assistant, as well as for Royal Mail for 12 years. He applied for and gained his HGV drivers license, class one, as a fall back.

In the 33 years hes been a lorry driver, Gary has been employed by 20 to 30 different haulage companies. Its virtually the same pay you get now as when I started in 1989. Conditions havent improved either.

So, in 1989, I got 25 to stop overnight, or whats called tramping, and its the same that you get now25! Meanwhile, everything has gone up [in price], even in the last 3 or 4 months.

Speaking about the impact on the workforce of stagnant pay and worsening conditions, Gary said, There isnt an actual shortage of qualified lorry drivers in this country. There is a shortage of workers prepared to put up with the pay, conditions and abuse that theyre expected to put up with.

Classed as key workers by the government, HGV drivers were expected to work throughout the pandemic, even as roadside food and toilet facilities shut during lockdown. For drivers like Gary, who suffer lung-related health issues and are exempt from wearing face coverings, the difficulties around accessing facilities increased further. Often, he would not be allowed access to canteens or toilets. The nondescript government-issued medical exemption certificate was routinely not recognised.

Gary told our reporter about driving hours, Every job that Ive been for has said it was for 40 hours a week. But none of the jobs has actually been 40 hours. Its more like 60 hours for an average week.

This country could be brought to a standstill just by drivers working to the rule, he added.

So, if you consider that the average school pupil can concentrate for an hour and an HGV driver who has 40 tons behind him is expected to concentrate for four hours on increasingly busy roadsit just leads to mental fatigue. You realise youre a few junctions along and you think how did I get here? Your mind is just elsewhere.

Speaking about occupational health concerns, Gary explained how he went to the doctors last year with a swollen leg thinking it was cramp.

But the doctor diagnosed it as deep vein thrombosis. So, I said How can it be that? Ive not flown for 10 years, and he asked me what I did for a living. When I told him, he said think about it, youre driving for 9 to 10 straight hours; that there is the equivalent of a flight to New York. Your right leg may be OK as you will use the break and the throttle, but your left leg sits there in a bent position all day cutting off the circulation.

He actually said youre not the first truck driver Ive had through the door with this.

Gary was recently dismissed from his job for refusing to answer the phone while driving (illegal under UK law). Ive complained for the past 18 months that there is no hands-free phone in any of the wagons. I suggested that if Im called on route, then I will stop at the first available place and call back.

He explained that one of the people trying to contact me on my last shift had been previously charged by the police for using a phone while driving!

The haulage company, aware of its own precarious position, dismissed Gary not for the offence of refusing to carry out a hazardous activity but by claiming the work had suddenly dried up.

Gary spoke about the original WSWS article he had read on HGV driver fatigue:

It just came up on my Facebook and I started reading it as it was about the death of the driver Aaron Middleton. I read it through to the end. Often you start to read something and you dont get through to the end but something about the article rang true, about the drivers conditions, it seemed that someone somewhere was listening, and I thought about this. Unfortunately, our employers arent listening.

He added, For a company, the driver is just a commodity or might just as well be a pallet truck.

HGV driver Stuart told the WSWS, From practical experience, going into the current 10-hour drive limit up to twice a week is a long time to concentrate when driving a lorry. Extending that to up to four times a week is asking for trouble.

Most drivers are not just moving a trailer from A to B. A 10 or 11-hour drive may mean under a 12-hour day, but most of us will be loading/unloading multiple times in addition to the driving making it up to a 15-hour day.

This is an accident waiting to happen. We have seen this from recent crashes and instances of many cases of tired drivers.

We would be better served by a reduction in driving hours to say 40 hours per week or max 80 hours per fortnight to allow for some flexibility and at the same time reduce the maximum working day from 15 to 13 hours with drivers having to take a minimum 11 hours off from the end of one day to the start of the next.

On the driver shortage crisis, Stuart said, The main reasons for the driver shortage are: IR35, COVID, travel/isolation, poor conditions for drivers in UKlack of rest areas, secure parking, hygiene facilities and low pay.

IR35 [tax legislation] enforcement came in from April 6, 2021, and driver shortages were in the press by May/June. Large companies, especially supermarkets, had recruited directly from EU countries, setting drivers up as Ltd companies on zero-hour contracts avoiding employers National Insurance, pensions, holiday/sick pay etc. With IR35 enforcement, the companies would become liable for assessed unpaid taxes, so they shut down used of Ltd Co drivers.

European Union drivers who travelled home during COVID were not prepared to isolate before going back to work so took jobs in mainland EU.

Facilities... need I say more, treated like dirt and companies refuse access to toilets or washing facilities which is against HSE [Health and Safety Executive] law in the UK. But, due to COVID, HSE inspectors were not visiting sites.

The WSWS invites other HGV drivers to contact us with their experiences.
The Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos governments support for NATO threats against Russia and its sending of warships to the Black Sea is exposing an entire layer of petty-bourgeois groups in Podemos political orbit.

As thousands die every day of COVID-19 in overwhelmed hospitals across America and Europe, NATO is preparing war with Russia. US officials have declared this will likely be the bloodiest war in Europe since World War II. Trying to strangle opposition in the working class to the looming danger of catastrophe, these organizations are desperately trying to tie workers and youth to the pro-war Podemos party.

Members of Ukraines Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, train in a city park in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

War can only be stopped by the international political mobilization of the working class. This requires conscious opposition to groups like the so-called Revolutionary Workers Current (CRT), the Spanish affiliate of Argentinas Morenoite Socialist Workers Party (PTS), or the Izquierda Revolucionaria (Revolutionary Left) group, formerly affiliated to the Committee for a Workers International (CWI).

In a statement on its online publication, Izquierda Diario, titled Against the imperialist offensive in the Black Sea Withdrawal of all Spanish and NATO troops! the CRT absurdly declares:

It seems the leaders of Podemos did not realise that they are part of a NATO government until the military vessels were sent to the Black Sea. When Defence Minister Margarita Robles announced the deployment in the coming days, [Podemos] came out to express its opposition to such a decision. However, the deployment of Spanish maritime and air troops in the Black Sea was already approved in the Council of Ministers on December 21. At that time, with the unanimous support of all the parties in government, including Podemos and the PCE [Communist Party of Spain].

It later claims that growing social opposition, reflected in the NoToWar hashtag which trended for days in Spain, makes it difficult for Podemos and the PCE to sustain their current imposture. But it is not impossible for them to do so, as they have been doing since they entered the government.

This amounts to little more than speculating as to whether Podemos will be able to lull workers to sleep as to the imminent danger of war. The imposture of Podemos attempts to market itself as a less militarist party than its rivals in the Spanish ruling establishment has in fact been comprehensively exposed. It is dispatching warships to the Black Sea and troops and fighter jets to Bulgaria.

Podemos leader, deputy prime minister and labour minister Yolanda Diaz made her partys position unmistakably clear last week. Coming out to defend the government, she said, the government has one voice, and our position is clear, adding: You will never find me dividing anyone. The next day she reiterated: The government has one voice and that is the one of Pedro Sanchez.

Podemos Minister of Social Rights Ione Belarra also came out to defend the war drive. While sending a 16-point document in defence of peace in Ukraine, defending the military neutrality of Ukraine, she hastened to point out in a TVE interview that Podemos differences with the PSOE were just small nuances. She also praised the good role played by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares, who recently travelled to Kiev to threaten Russia with sanctions that will be implemented very quickly in the event of military aggression against Ukraine.

The Morenoite CRT are just the most brazen of a number of parties that present Podemos as anti-war, even as it sends warships, fighter jets and troops to Eastern Europe.

Revolutionary Lefts statement declared that the sending of warships was Quite an unsurprising statement of intent on the PSOEs part, but disappointing in the case of UP. It concluded its statement by explaining that if only Podemos changed its rhetoric, it could be in a better position to intervene in the working class to block it from mobilising against the war. It wrote:

The criticism of the PSOE by Pablo Iglesias and other leaders of Podemos have led them to sign a manifesto which points out the responsibility of the US and NATO in this dangerous military escalation. But it is not enough to sign a manifesto  What we need is real opposition in the streets, organized against NATO, US and EU militarism. An opposition that cannot be carried out sitting in a government that participates in the warmongering threat itself.

This amounts to nothing more than peddling dangerous illusions that Podemos will oppose war, or spontaneously succumb to mass popular opposition to war.

These forces are not only peddling a false line about Podemos support for war or the possibility of workers to pressure it to the left. They are seeking to lull the working class to sleep, as the danger of global nuclear war and the need to organize working class opposition to it is posed as the decisive issue on the order of the day.

They aim instead to maintain the straitjacket of Podemos over the working class, even as it prioritises profits over lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed over 122,000 Spaniards, showers large companies and banks with billions of euros from EU bailout funds, and implements social austerity.

The pro-imperialist role of these tendencies flows from the material interests of the layers of the middle class that they represent, and their historical opposition to a Trotskyist program. When the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) split from the Pabloite revisionist International Secretariat (IS) in 1953, CWI leader Ted Grant found a home in the IS. The Morenoite tendency led by Nahuel Moreno initially supported the ICFI, but later sought an unprincipled reunification with the Pabloites in 1963.

Their hostility to the ICFI was based upon claims that the road to socialism proceeded not through the building of the Fourth International, but through pressuring existing Stalinist, social democratic and bourgeois nationalist movements. These forces, they claimed, could become natural Marxists under the pressure of objective events, bypassing the need to develop and educate Marxist cadre as the leadership of the working class.

Today, the CRTs Izquierda Diario holds out the hope that the Stalinist and Pabloite tendencies that founded Podemos will take up the historical anti-militarist positions of the Spanish workers. It writes:

[T]he historic demand of the left for the withdrawal of the Spanish State from NATO and the closure of all its military bases on the peninsulaanother one of the issues that the left [Podemos] renounced today  we must retake these and fight  It is time for the left that maintains independent positions from the government, together with the trade unions and social movements, to call for mobilisations for these elementary demands to put a stop to the current warmongering escalation and retake the anti-imperialist and internationalist banners. Those flags so forgotten and trampled by those representatives of the institutional left who decided to become NATO ministers.

What the CRT is proposing here is not an anti-war movement in the working class, but a political manoeuvre controlled by the government. The CRT calls for an alliance with the union bureaucracy. However, these bureaucracies are direct agencies of the PSOE-Podemos government: the General Union of Labour (UGT) is affiliated to the PSOE, and the Workers Commissions (CCOO) union to the PCE and Podemos. They will not lead, but strangle a movement against the urgent danger of war in Europe, including nuclear war.

This continues the reactionary role played by Pabloism and Morenoism for decades to cover up the counterrevolutionary role of Stalinism.

During the Spanish Civil War launched by General Francisco Francos fascist coup, the Stalinists crushed the workers uprising in Barcelona in 1937 in blood. After Francos victory and after World War II, when Spain was ruled by a fascist dictatorship in the 1950s, the PCE called for a National Reconciliation with Spanish capitalism, based on establishing a capitalist parliamentary regime. It called for peaceful coexistence and neutrality between Spanish imperialism and the Soviet Union.

In 1976, as the PCE suppressed the largest strike wave since the 1930s against the Francoite regime, PCE General Secretary Santiago Carrillo said he was against all foreign bases, both American ones in capitalist countries and Russian ones in socialist countries. For now, he added, the PCE would accept American bases in Spain. This was the basis of the PCEs alliance with the PSOE amid the fall of the Francoite regime and the Transition to capitalist parliamentary rule in 1978.

Podemos continues these rotten traditions. Before entering government with the PSOE, Podemos had already called for Spain to remain within NATO and defended selling warships to Saudi Arabia so that its arms industry could profit from the bloodbath in the Middle East. It recruited former Chief of the Defence Staff Julio Rodriguez, who led the Spanish armys participation in the US-led neo-colonial wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and who played a major role in the 2011 NATO war on Libya.

Once in power, Podemos aligned itself ever more closely with NATO wars in Afghanistan and Libya, kept the four US military bases in Spain, and supported the increase of Spains weapons sales to a record 22.5 billion, including to the bloody Saudi war against Yemen. It voted for the latest military budget, which rose 9.4 percent last year, beating its earlier record rise from 19.7 billion in 2020 to 21.6 billion in 2021.

Thus, Podemos leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias could cynically boast to Italys Corriere della Sera in 2020: Not even the leader of the largest communist party in the West, Enrico Berlinguer, had managed to get where I have: a Marxist in a government of NATO.

The danger of war can only be opposed by building an anti-war movement in the working class that is irreconcilably opposed to Stalinism and all its allies and apologists. This requires a political struggle based on the history and international program of the ICFI, aiming to build sections of the ICFI in Spain and internationally as the political leadership of the working class.
A Socialist Equality Party (Australia) public meeting, called in support of a statewide strike by New South Wales nurses this Tuesday, provoked a lively discussion on the political issues confronting health workers and the working class as a whole.

These ranged from the role of the unions in enforcing the dire conditions in hospitals, to the need for independent rank-and-file committees to organise a genuine industrial and political fightback, and what the pandemic and the criminal official response to it have revealed of the bankruptcy of capitalism itself.

More than one hundred people participated in the Saturday meeting, representing doctors, nurses, aged care and disability workers, and other sections of the working class across Australia and internationally. It can be watched in full below.

Chairing the meeting, SEP Assistant National Secretary Max Boddy placed the strike in the context of the massive Omicron surge that has swept across Australia as a result of the official let it rip policies. More than 2,300 deaths have been recorded this year.

The first report was delivered by Katy Kinner, a US health worker, writer for the WSWS and member of a rank-and-file committee at the Kaiser Permanente healthcare conglomerate in Southern California.

Katy explained that the struggle of healthcare workers in NSW is identical to the struggle of healthcare workers around the world. All of the issues confronting workers, from chronic staffing shortages, to underfunding of the public system, excessive hours and the dismantling of infection controls, were the same.

The second speaker, Jess, an Enrolled Nurse in a major hospital in south-western Sydney outlined the dire conditions that had provoked the strike.

She explained that the ward she works on is a general surgical unit catering for pre- and post-operative patients. However, she said, Now we are taking on patients who are COVID-positive, but who have come into the hospital for health reasons under our speciality scope. This is a recipe for spreading the virus to other patients.

Jess explained that minimal staffing ratios had never been adhered to, even prior to the pandemic. But now, long hours, a lack of support from management and minimum nurse-to-patient ratios not being met is severely damaging patient outcomes, as well as nurses mental health. Senior nurses, new grads and junior nurses leave the industry as they cannot manage.

The final speaker, SEP National Secretary Cheryl Crisp, detailed who was responsible for this state of affairs. It was the outcome of decades-long funding cuts implemented by state and federal governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike, and their turn to herd immunity pandemic policies based on a rejection of all public health measures that would impede production and the capitalist economy.

The New South Wales Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) has fully backed these profit-driven policies. It had suppressed any action by nurses since 2013, when nurses struck over the same issues they face now. The union only called Tuesdays stoppage because of the explosive anger of nurses, but it was doing everything possible to keep the action as isolated and limited as it could.

Crisp explained that the global surge of the pandemic and the abandonment of mitigation measures by governments everywhere pointed to the burning need for workers to build a socialist movement directed at the abolition of capitalism. This would need to be waged in opposition to the unions, and their promotion of the lies that big business parties such as Labor and the Greens are a lesser-evil.

The establishment of health workers rank-and-file committees was crucial to broadening the strike, breaking the union isolation operation and preparing a broader mobilisation of the working class.

As the speakers were delivering their reports, dozens of comments were posted in the chat, several of them outlining the situation health and other workers confront.

One wrote that they support the nurses strike and hopefully action in aged care will happen soon. A pay rise would be good! I get $24 an hour and I work one day a week at my old job in retail. Its ladies fashion and I get $5 an hr more than from the aged care. No wonder everyone is leaving!!! No one will be left in a few years to look after the growing aged population. Everyone is tired.

Another posted: All staff and visitors to the hospital I work at are given surgical masks. The only N95s are used by staff in Surgical wards. I have to buy my own supply of N95s to wear to work. They added: Most nurses are casually employed, many older nurses (formally retired) have been asked to come back in to work to meet demand and there are always short-staffed wards. The hospital had to shut one ward completely due to lack of staff.

Critical questions were posed about the role of the unions. A nurse suggested that the NSWNMA was hamstrung by a lack of action from its members and other health workers.

In response, Crisp and other leading SEP members reviewed the development of the trade unions. They had always defended capitalism and its nation-state system. In an earlier period, they fulfilled this function by securing limited concessions from nationally-based employers and governments.

With the globalisation of production, this perspective was no longer viable, and the unions transformed themselves into an industrial and political police force of big business. They had implemented the demands of finance capital for four decades and the privileged bureaucracy had accrued substantial wealth in the process.

A key turning point came in the late 1980s when the unions joined hands with the Hawke and Keating Labor governments and the corporations to enforce sweeping economic deregulation, mass job cuts and privatisation.

Crisp again emphasised the political issues, raising that this agenda was to be deepened amid the current crisis of capitalism which was also threatening war and dictatorship.

Addressing questions about the way forward for health workers, Katy relayed crucial experiences in the US. The unions there had also sought to block any struggle. Last October, for instance, 30,000 health workers at Kaiser Permanente in California voted by 96 percent for strike action. Less than 24 hours before the strike, a tentative agreement was worked out between the hospital and the union which did nothing to improve staffing levels and contained real wage-cuts. The strike was called off.

In opposition to the union, the WSWS and workers such as Katy had initiated an independent rank-and-file committee. It published continuous exposures of the machinations of the unions, gave voice to the sentiments and experiences of frontline workers, and provided them with a perspective for unifying with far broader sections of the working class. As many people noted in the comments section, nurses in NSW and across Australia needed to take the same step.

The point was reinforced by a member of the Committee for Public Education (CFPE), a rank-and-file teachers group initiated by the SEP in Australia. The CFPE member brought greetings to the nurses and expressed support for their fight. She emphasised the need for a unified struggle by health workers and educators who are being herded into unsafe classrooms and universities by the very same governments responsible for the nurses dire conditions.
Today, New Zealands Ministry of Health reported a record 981 new cases of COVID-19 in the community. This follows 810 cases yesterday, which was nearly double the previous days tally.

In the space of two weeks, New Zealands Omicron outbreak has roughly quadrupled in size from a total of 770 active cases on January 31, to more than 4,000 yesterday. The number of people in hospital with the virus has jumped from 14 to 39 in one week.

Auckland City Hospital, where several patients and staff in the geriatric ward have tested positive for COVID-19. (Source: Google Streetview)

Until recently, New Zealand was relatively free from COVID-19. In October 2021, however, during an outbreak of the Delta variant, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared that the government would no longer seek to reduce cases to zero using lockdowns and other public health measures.

With the arrival of the highly infectious Omicron variant, the Labour Party-Greens government dropped any pretence of eliminating COVID-19. It is now following the same policy as governments in Europe, America and Australia: schools and businesses must remain open, so that profits are extracted from the working class, while the virus is allowed to spread everywhere, infecting masses of people.

The alarming spike in daily cases is only the beginning. COVID-19 researcher Dion ONeale told the New Zealand Herald the country would likely reach 1,000 confirmed cases a day by the middle of the week. This would quickly overwhelm the countrys contact tracing capacity.

Epidemiologist Michael Baker told Stuff the number of people already infected could be 10 times higher than the official tally, since people without symptoms are not being tested. He said the majority of the country would soon be exposed to the virus.

Cabinet is meeting today to discuss whether to begin Phase 2 of the governments plan, outlined last month, for dealing with Omicron. Phase 2 does not mean the reintroduction of public health restrictions. On the contrary, it will help the virus spread even faster by reducing the mandatory self-isolation period for positive cases from 14 days to 10 days, and for contacts from 10 days to 7 days. Contact tracing will also be scaled back.

The government has already announced plans to end the requirement for New Zealand citizens returning from overseas to isolate for 10 days in one of several hotels that are serving as managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities.

The reckless decision to reopen schools this month has helped fuel the outbreak. Last Friday, the Ministry of Education reported there were already 98 COVID-19 cases in schools and 19 at early childhood education centres.

More than half of children aged 5 to 11 are unvaccinated, and those under 5 are ineligible, making them particularly susceptible to catching Omicron and spreading it to others.

Among people aged over 12, 95 percent have received at least two doses of the vaccine. But only about one third of the population has received a third dose, which is essential for significant protection from Omicron.

Newshub reported yesterday that the Auckland South Corrections Facility, run by private company Serco, is a super-spreader, with 34 prisoners testing positive through rapid antigen tests, and two staff also testing positive.

Seven staff and seven patients have also tested positive at two Auckland Hospital geriatric wards. New admissions and discharges from the wards have been halted.

A New Zealand tourist may have spread Omicron to the Cook Islands, a Pacific semi-colony of NZ with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants. A passenger on a flight that left the islands last Monday tested positive, and is thought to have been infectious while in the Cook Islands for eight days.

Karla Eggleton, from the Cook Islands tourism department, told TVNZ that despite the danger of an outbreak the border remains open and its business as usual. Only 70 percent of the eligible population is triple-vaccinated, and the small healthcare system will not cope in an outbreak. There are two respirators suitable for COVID patients.

While New Zealands corporate media is largely focused on anti-vaccination protesters outside parliament, there is growing concern in the working class about the impending explosion of Omicron.

A healthcare worker at Taranaki Base Hospital in New Plymouth told the World Socialist Web Site he feared they would be overwhelmed with cases. We have to give health support to other diseases too, not only COVID. So what is the governments plan? If things go on like this, our hospitals will be out of beds and staff members in the next one or two months.

The hospital, which serves a region with 124,380 people, has 150 beds and, according to official information, only 6 fully-staffed intensive care beds.

A Wellington hotel worker, who asked to be referred to as T, told the WSWS that she was worried about coming into contact with travellers from Auckland, the centre of New Zealands outbreak, and international travellers. She suffers from asthma, placing her at greater risk of illness if she contracts the virus.

T said the food and beverage team was not well-protected, especially when the restaurant area is crowded. Were quite close to the customers, were very interactive because we have to serve them. Customers were very cautious about COVID-19 but they did not wear masks during meals. Like most workers, the hotel staff were not being given the most effective N95 masks, but only less-effective surgical masks.

There is considerable financial pressure on low-paid workers not to get tested for COVID. As a casual, part-time worker, T said that when she recently had to get a test and isolate for two days, she was not paid by her employer.

John, a student at Victoria University of Wellington, said he was very concerned about the prospect of getting Omicron. I havent had my booster yet. Theres no guarantee I wont get Long COVID, or even worse, and therere older members of the family who are more at risk. So Im really concerned at the prospect of widespread community transmission.

Last year there were mask mandates on campus but loads of people werent wearing them, or were wearing them inadequately, John said. He said he would face huge risks of exposure travelling by train and going into crowded lecture theatres.

John commented that he was hoping last year, that there would be protests saying: dont abandon elimination. But there was nothing, there was no coordinated resistance.

As is the case internationally, the New Zealand trade unions, acting in the interests of the affluent middle class and big business, have suppressed opposition to the governments policy of mass infection. They have collaborated in herding people back to unsafe workplaces and schools.

The working class faces immense dangers while there is no organised movement, based on socialist principles, fighting for a properly funded elimination strategy to save lives and put an end to the pandemic.

The Socialist Equality Group has issued a statement calling on workers to form rank-and-file safety committees, in opposition to the Ardern government and the unions, in order to fight for the closure of schools and non-essential businesses, and other crucial public health policies. We call on workers and young people to contact us and discuss this perspective.
A powerful movement of Puerto Rican teachers and public employees is defying the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) which controls the islands finances. Teachers are demanding the right to keep their existing pensions, as well as wage increases, the cancellation of school closures, increases in the Education Budget, and an end to the privatization of education and other public agencies.

Two weeks ago, Puerto Rican teachers launched demonstrations across the island, a colonial territory of the US. Teachers rallied at their schools in San Juan, Bayamon, San German, Guayanilla, Camuy, Lares and Juana Diaz. Hundreds of teachers also marched and rallied at the Fortaleza government house in San Juan, the capital.

Striking teachers in Puerto Rico (Twitter/@irizarry_aimee)

The protests were held in opposition of the debt agreement reached between Puerto Rico and the Wall Street debt supervisory board, approved by federal judge Laura Taylor Swain.

The agreement freezes pensions for public school teachers and modifies the defined benefits plan that grants teachers 75 percent of their final wages. The new plan is solely based on deductions from teachers wages into a retirement account tied to financial markets.

Prior to this agreement, teachers were eligible for full retirement after completing 30 years on the job no matter how old they were. Under the new agreement, the age of retirement has been set at 63, meaning educators who begin their careers in their twenties would have to teach far longer than 30 years to retire with a full pension.

The fiscal agreement contemplates a $470 increase in monthly wages only if teachers and students meet recently imposed attendance requirements for students and teachers. Currently, there is an exodus of teachers fleeing the widespread poverty on the island, many being actively recruited by school districts in Florida, Texas, and other US states.

On February 2, the Financial Oversight Board rejected a plan to raise monthly base salaries from $1,750 to $2,700, under conditions of sky-rocketing housing, food, and fuel prices. Many educators spend their days teaching and work nights and weekends at other jobs. In addition, teachers report that they often buy classroom supplies out of their own pockets as a consequence of previous cuts in the public education budget.

In addition to the attacks on pensions and wages, anger is being fueled by a new round of school closings. Education authorities had promised in May 2021 that no schools would close, but have now issued a master plan that proposes the closure of 83 schools, affecting 18,644 students in the cities of Humacao, Ponce and San Juan. For Ponce and Humacao this is the second round of school closures.

Renewed protests have been triggered in recent weeks after it was revealed on February 2 that Pablo Mas Oquendo, a teacher, had died the previous day from a traffic accident on his way from a night gig as a security guard. Mas Oquendo fell asleep while driving home. He had two part-time jobs, in addition to teaching.

A mass march was held on February 4 in honor of Mas Oquendo, demanding the resignation of Puerto Ricos Governor Pedro Pierluisi.

In an attempt to stop further protests, Governor Pierluisi met with the teacher union bureaucracies and promised a $1,000 temporary wage increase for teachers and a $500 raise for firefighters, beginning in July 2022 until 2024. He also promised to revive a program of incentives for teachers who received masters and doctorate degrees.

Undeterred, teachers declared a Red Flu, leaving their classrooms and taking to the streets, supported by their students. Other public workers, including firefighters, joined their strike action.

Provocatively, Pierluisi denounced the teachers job action, saying: Those who dont go to their jobs, unless they are really ill, are ignoring their duties. That is not right; it is unjustified. One can protest and march outside of work hours.

Last Wednesday was the largest day of teachers protests, with over 80 percent of teachers going on strike. Thousands surrounded the Fortaleza in San Juan in a so-called Great March of Indignation. Many fire stations also closed.

Protests continued the next day, February 10. Pierluisi is now promising that the wage increases will be permanent and that pensions will improve, without indicating how these measures will be paid for without breaking with the Wall Street vulture funds and the Financial Oversight Board.

The aim of the protest organizers, the Broad Front in Defense of Public Education (FADEO), is to channel opposition behind fruitless appeals to pressure the Puerto Rican senate and federal courts to repudiate the agreement. FADEO is a coalition of several trade unions, including Federacion de Maestros de Puerto Rico (FMPR), Educadores por la Democracia, Unidad, Cambio, Militancia y Organizacion Sindical (Educamos) and Union Nacional de Educadores y Trabajadores de la Educacion (Unete).

FADEO does not include the Puerto Rican Teachers Association (AMPR), affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The AMPR, for its part, participated in negotiations with the Financial Oversight Board and accepted the changes to the pension plans, arguing cynically that this betrayal was the only way to save pensions for teachers.

The Puerto Rican Teachers Federation announced that strikes and demonstrations will continue this week, beginning on Tuesday, to protest against plans in the legislature to make an expedited $10 billion payment to the hedge fund holders of Puerto Rican debt, reversing its previous approval of the debt agreement. At a press conference announcing the protests, an FMPR spokesperson reminded legislators of the mass demonstrations in 2019, which involved up to a third of the islands population and forced the resignation of then-Governor Ricardo Rosello.

However, by directing teachers opposition into the dead-end of appeals to the Wall Street-dominated political establishment, while isolating them from the struggles of teachers in the United States and across the world, the teachers unions are leaving workers at the mercy of the very same big banks and their political representatives.

The genuine alternative to the AMPR, the FMPR and FADEO is for workers to take control of this struggle in their own hands, forming rank-and-file committees independent of the unions. Such committees have been organized by growing numbers of teachers in the United States and in other countries to fight against the homicidal reopening of schools to in-person learning while COVID-19 has surged.

Last year, the World Socialist Web Site initiated the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) in order to provide the framework for new, democratic and militant organizations of workers on an international scale. We urge all educators and workers seeking to fight for decent-paying jobs, a secure retirement, and an end to the pandemic to get involved in this initiative and contact us about forming a committee today.
Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse issued an extraordinary gazette on Friday night declaring health and electricity supplies as essential services and banning workers striking in these industries.

The immediate purpose of the Essential Public Services Act (EPSA) proclamation is to suppress an ongoing indefinite strike by more than 65,000 health workers including nurses, paramedic services, public health inspectors, medical laboratory technologists and pharmacists. The national walkout began last Monday and was called by the Federation of Health Professionals (FHP), an alliance of 18 unions.

Health workers marching in Nuwara Eliya, 11 February 2022 [Image: Facebook]

It is also aimed against the Ceylon Electricity Boards 26,000-strong workforce who are opposing government moves to privatise the sector. Colombo has decided to sell a 40 percent stake in the state-owned Kerawalapitiya Power Station to the US-based New Fortress Energy Company.

The presidents declaration came as nurses defied a court injunction over their involvement in the national health workers strike. On Thursday, the Colombo District Court issued an order on Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA) leader Saman Rathnapriya directing him to immediately suspend the unions participation. Thousands of nurses, however, defied the order and in different parts of the country continued their industrial action on Friday and Saturday with their colleagues.

Rajapakses proclamation said that health and electricity were essential to the life of the community and likely to be impeded or interrupted. He specifically targeted nurses, stating, All service, work or labour, of any description whatsoever, necessary or required to be done in connection with the maintenance, and the reception, care feeding, and treatment, of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, and other similar institution. The vague wording, of course, allows it to be used against other striking health workers.

Under the ESPA laws, any employee of these designated institutions who does not attend work faces conviction, after summary trial before a Magistrate and liable to rigorous imprisonment of two to five years and/or a fine of between 2,000 and 5,000 rupees ($US11-$US25) or both. The movable and immoveable property of those convicted can be seized by the state and his or her name be removed from any register maintained for profession or vocation.

It is also an offence for any person to incite, induce or encourage any other person to not attend work through a physical act or by any speech or writing. In effect those who defend the democratic rights of targeted workers can be similarly punished.

Last May, the Rajapakse government used the EPSA to break a development officers strike. In June, the law was extended to cover key state institutions, including health, ports, electricity, petroleum, postal, banks and some state administration offices in response to strikes and protests in those sectors.

While the law was extended for several months, the government did not immediately impose it, fearing a backlash from workers. With the assistance of trade unions which betrayed these struggles, the government allowed the proclamation to lapse. None of the trade unions, including those in the health services, demanded this repressive law be withdrawn.

Rajapakses latest proclamation is not to provide essential services to the masses but to suppress workers legitimate demand for decent wages and working conditions amid the countrys deepening economic crisis that has been sharply worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like the ruling classes internationally, the Rajapakse government has responded to COVID-19 by prioritising big business profits over human lives. With Omicron now sweeping Sri Lanka, the government is undermining or removing public health measures necessary to prevent the highly infectious variant spreading. Testing and tracing has been reduced to a minimum and those found infected are directed to home quarantine.

The pandemic has created a desperate economic crisis for Sri Lankan capitalism. The country is on the verge of foreign debt default and facing deepening social unrest with many people going hungry because of widespread shortages of essentials. A measure of this crisis is indicated by Finance Minister Basil Rajapakses scheduled visit to India in the next fortnight to sign a $1 billion loan deal for the immediate import of food and medicines from that country.

The Rajapakse government is determined to impose the burden of this economic crisis on the masses. Yesterday, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a function that health workers demands could not be granted and ruled out any negotiation with the unions.

The Rajapakse regime has been rattled by the defiance of health workers and their ongoing action. On Thursday non-academic staff walked out over wages and conditions and the following day, hundreds of private sector workers protested in different parts of the island against government moves to impose a value added tax on employees provident (pension) funds.

While the nurses and other health workers have demonstrated their determination to fight, the GNOA leadership responded to the court injunction and Rajapakses EPSA dictates by announcing on Saturday that the union was immediately withdrawing from the strike.

GNOA President Saman Rathnapriya declared that his union respects the judiciary and the union would rejoin the struggle as soon as the court injunction was withdrawn. Yesterday, he said the union would challenge the EPSA in the international courts.

FHP leader Ravi Kumudesh told another press conference that other health unions would remain on strike but insisted that the government could resolve the health unions demands in discussions.

Federation of Health Professionals leader Ravi Kumudesh [Image: Facebook]

Public Health Inspectors Union leader Upul Rohana declared that if these problems could not be solved within Sri Lanka, the unions would go to the international, meaning the UN Human Rights Council and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Since the outset of health workers strike and protests last year, the FHP and its respective unions have peddled the political fantasy that Colombo can be pressured into granting workers demands. These claims are false to the core and designed to disarm and politically trap workers in the face of the governments escalating attacks.

The unions insistence that they will defend the right to strike by going to the internationali.e., human rights organisations and the ILOis more illusion-mongering. These international institutions serve the interests of the financial oligarchy and are utterly hostile to the international working class. Health and power workers can only defend their democratic rights by turning to the working class in Sri Lanka and internationally.

The unions are virulently opposed to this perspective and are desperately working behind the scenes to shut down the health workers strike. The pro-government Public Services Nurses Union and the All-Ceylon Health Employees Union, which is controlled by the opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, opposed the strike action and remained on the job. Not a single Sri Lankan trade union has denounced President Rajapakses use of the essential services laws against health workers.

Kandy Hospital workers marching towards the city on 13 February 2022 [Photo: WSWS Media]

In class solidarity with the Rajapakse government, the opposition parliamentary parties, including the United National Party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the JVP and the Tamil National Alliance, have said nothing about the government action. Whether in or out of government, these parties have either used EPSA measures against workers or supported their implementation.

The Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka demands the immediate withdrawal of the draconian EPSA laws and urges the working class to immediately mobilise its industrial and political strength to defend all health employees and defeat the governments anti-democratic assaults.

The Rajapakse governments latest attack, and the trade unions' cowardly capitulation to it, highlights the urgency and necessity of workers organising independently to defend their democratic and social rights. This requires the building of action committees independent of the entire trade union apparatus, to fight for a unified struggle of the entire working class and in alliance with the international class brothers and sisters on a socialist program.
25 years ago: Detroit newspaper strike ends in betrayal, defeat

Rally of striking Detroit newspaper workers is addressed by AFL-CIO leader Richard Trumka

On February 14, 1997, the 19-month-long Detroit newspaper strike collapsed in defeat after being betrayed by the union leadership.

The strike of 2,500 Detroit Free Press and Detroit News workers began in July 1995. They faced the most concentrated union-busting attack in the city in decades. Gannett Corporation and Knight-Ridder, owners of the two papers and, at the time, the two largest publishing chains in the country, were determined to destroy hundreds of jobs, slash health care benefits, and impose brutal working conditions.

The attack was part of a broader campaign to destroy jobs and increase profits in the media industry. One day after the Detroit workers first went on strike, the Times Mirror company announced the closure of New York Newsday, destroying 800 jobs. A further 700 jobs were cut from that companys flagship daily, the Los Angeles Times. A few days later the Gannett Company announced that they were acquiring Multimedia Inc. for $1.7 billion.

Pressmen, mailers, truck drivers, journalists and others had already been facing years of wage freezes, concessions and job losses as members of the Teamsters and The Newspaper Guild. When the workers refused the companies new demands, including the imposition of a merit-pay system on Newspaper Guild members, the corporations went on the offensive.

All the institutions of big business were brought in behind the newspaper publishers throughout the months-long battle. The citys administration, under Mayor Dennis Archer, ordered police to escort scabs past picket lines. One worker was driven off a highway by security guards the first night. Strikers were subject to harassment, arrests and mace.

After failing to mount an effective struggle against the strike-breaking operation, the union leaders betrayed and ended the strike. As the Detroit unions were announcing their unconditional back-to-work offer, the AFL-CIOs Executive Council was assembling for its winter meeting in Los Angeles. It declared the capitulation a bold new strategy. On December 17, 2000, the last of six union locals ratified an agreement sanctioning huge wage and job cuts.

50 years ago: British House of Commons votes to join the Common Market

Edward Heath

On February 17, 1972, the Parliament of the United Kingdom narrowly voted to join the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC was the predecessor to the European Union that established a common market among member states, allowing for unrestricted trade and movement throughout the continent. Joining the EEC made relevant British laws subject to Common Market regulations.

The House of Commons voted by a majority of just eight votes, 309-301, to approve the bill that would grant the UK accession into the European Community. The parliament was split down party lines, with the ruling Conservative party in favor of joining the EEC and the Labour opposition voting against. Pushing the vote over the edge were the five sitting members of the Liberal Party, who joined the Conservatives in approving the measure.

Initially, some Conservative members also opposed the bill, and their rejection would have prevented its passage. However, Prime Minister Edward Heath turned the vote into an effective vote of confidence by pledging to resign should the measure fail. In a speech before Parliament just before the vote, he declared,

I believe that our friends would find it incomprehensible if we were to tear up the agreement.  For years to come they would understandably ask whether any trust could be placed in Britains role in any future international agreements. Our influence in world monetary and trade discussions would be destroyed.  Therefore, if this House will not agree to the Second Reading of the Bill tonight  my colleagues and I are unanimous that in these circumstances this Parliament cannot sensibly continue.

Knowing that there was virtually no chance that the Conservatives could win should a general election be called while a national miners strike continued, the holdouts fell in line with the majority. In fact, the morning before the vote, crowds of striking miners and their supporters gathered outside parliament to protest the Heath government, with the chant, Heath out now! being the most prominent.

Entry into the EEC was a manifestation of the decline of British capitalism. Having lost its sprawling empire after World War II, British industry was increasingly shouldered out of global markets, reflected in mounting pressure on the pound sterling. The British ruling class could no longer buy off a privileged labor aristocracy with the crumbs of imperialist plunder, as it had a century earlier. The miners strike, then underway, posed the threat of revolutionary confrontation. Under these conditions, the British capitalists ran into the arms of their continental rivals.

Workers Press, the newspaper of the British Trotskyists at the time, called it The most decisive vote in the life of this parliament and wrote, There is no doubt that a clear majority of the people in Britain are totally opposed to membership.

75 years ago: US begins Voice of America radio broadcasts into the Soviet Union

Graphic in an internal March, 1948 US army bulletin promoting Voice of America as a key foreign policy tool

On February 17, 1947, Voice of America, the radio station operated by the US State Department, broadcast its first Russian-language program into the Soviet Union. While the initial episodes reportedly contained limited political content, the move was part of the Truman administrations turn to an aggressive Cold War strategy, aimed at the containment of the Soviet Unions influence in Europe and the assertion of US hegemony.

Voice of America had been established during World War II to promote American imperialist intervention in the global conflict. By the conclusion of the war, in 1945, it had a network of 39 transmitters and broadcast in 40 languages. In the initial postwar period, when the Allied imperialist powers and the Soviet Stalinist bureaucracy were collaborating in the restabilization of capitalism in Europe, the US refrained from direct broadcasts into the Soviet Union.

By early 1947, the alignment had broken down, after a series of diplomatic crises provoked by the US. Power sharing arrangements for occupied Germany effectively collapsed in late 1946 and the US increasingly asserted that it was fighting for democracy in Europe, in opposition to the Soviet regime and its satellites.

The Voice of America broadcasts would combine relatively factual news, popular music, including jazz, and the promotion of US foreign and domestic policy.

A March 1948 US Army bulletin to commanders, to assist them in informing their personnel spelt out the aims of the station. By telling the facts about us, they can help counteract propaganda against us it stated. The bulletin gave the example of Voice of America programs denying Soviet reports of rising unemployment and social crisis in the US, and rejecting claims that big business was engaged in US-backed profiteering in the German zones under American control.

The bulletin cited Secretary of State James F. Byrnes, who said the times when the US could be unconcerned about what other people thought of us were over. We shall be making decisions in the United Nations, and independently, that will have repercussions affecting the lives of ordinary people all over the globe, he said. Our attitude and actionsand rumors thereofwill be matters of concern everywhere. As never before, we shall have to explain ourselves

In April, 1949, as the broadcasts became increasingly provocative, the Soviet Union activated jamming devices in a bid to block the program. Its satellite states in Eastern Europe would take similar actions over the following years.

100 years ago: Leader of Mississippi anti-secessionist insurgency dies

Newton Knight

On February 16, 1922, Newton Knight, a soldier who deserted the Confederate Army during the American Civil War in 1862 and formed an anti-secessionist insurgency, known as the Knight Company, in Jones County Mississippi, died in nearby Jasper County.

Knight was born in Jones County, probably in 1829-30, the grandson of a slaveowner. He and his father did not own slaves and Newtons religious principles led him to oppose slavery. He owned a small farm after 1858 with his wife in Jasper County.

He was conscripted into the Confederate military in 1861, despite opposition in Jones County to secession from the Union. By October 1862, Knight had deserted from the Confederate Army, probably because of his opposition to the Twenty-Negros Law that allowed families who owned 20 slaves or more to exempt one member from military service.

He returned to his farm, later saying, according to the historian Victoria Bynum, if they had a right to conscript me when I didnt want to fight the Union, I had a right to quit when I got ready. Knight was arrested by the Confederate authorities and his farm was burned. He was returned to the army by force, but deserted again and escaped in May 1863.

After the strategic fort in Vicksburg, Mississippi fell to Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863, the ranks of Confederate deserters swelled in Jones County, and Newton Knight organized a band of insurgents who fought Confederate troops, called the Knight Company. With support of local slaves and white farmers, the band conducted over 14 actions against the Confederates and protected local farms from levies by the authorities. Knights insurgents appear to have controlled Jones County by the spring of 1864.

Soon, Confederate troops launched an assault on the Knight Company and executed several insurgents, including members of Knights family. Knight himself evaded capture.

After the war, Knight worked with the Union army in supplying food to the residents of Jones County. He joined the Republican Party and married an African American woman, Rachel, who had helped to supply the Knight Company during the war. After 1872 he was appointed colonel of an all-Black regiment that helped to suppress armed remnants of secessionist supporters. At his death in 1922, despite a law that prohibited common interment of blacks and whites, he was buried with Rachel. His gravestone read, He lived for others.
Higher education workers at 44 institutions begin five days of strike action today. Another five will be held later this month and into March, affecting 68 universities and one million students in total.

The strikes, called by the University and College Union (UCU), are the latest in years-long disputes over slashed pensions, insecure working conditions and poor pay in higher education. A typical lecturer on an annual wage of 39,000 faces pension cuts of up to 35 percent. According to the UCU, 68 percent of research academics are on insecure fixed-term contracts. Even before the current cost-of-living crisis, real pay in universities had fallen by around 20 percent in the last decade.

The picket line during the December 2021 strike at the Owen Building of the Sheffield Hallam University (Credit: WSWS Media)

The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pensions dispute has been ongoing for five years, with a national strike affecting 65 universities held in 2018the largest ever industrial action in higher education. That four-week strike was sold out by the union. The university employers association Universities UK, with the backing of the UCU, refused to include a No Detriment clause in a deal supposedly guaranteeing that USS members will not suffer further pension cuts.

With the employers pushing for massive increases in members contributions, the UCU was moved by pressure from below to call another national strike in early 2020, but this was rapidly wound down as the pandemic began. The union then spent over a year making ineffectual pleas to the employers in an attempt to avoid industrial action, while allowing a reopening of university campuses driven by financial rather than educational concerns, leading to a massive surge in infections and students locked in their dorms.

After these appeals fell on deaf ears, the UCU was finally forced last December to stage the third national stoppage at universities since 2018, which it limited to three days, this time at 58 institutions across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Expressing the growing lack of confidence in the UCU, ballots of workers at 42 other universities received a less than 50 percent turnoutbelow the legal threshold for authorising strike action.

The UCU has since continued working to demobilise its members. Last week, general secretary Jo Grady sent a desperate letter to Universities UK CEO Alistair Jarvis aimed at averting widespread industrial action, and promising a serious compromise on the part of UCU and its membership.

Gradys proposals include increasing maximum employee contributions from 9.6 percent to 11 percent in April, along with an increase in employer contributions, until a new valuation of the pension scheme, involving riskier and higher return investments, can be issued in June. Although it says it expects a new moderately prudent valuation to overturn the contribution rates in its proposal, UCUs scheme allows for employee contributions to rise to 13.9 percent by April 2024.

But the employers want more and feel emboldened by the UCUs repeated retreats over the last five years to push for it.

They have responded to the UCUs appeals with a punitive campaign against striking lecturers. The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) recommended its members withhold pay for what it called partial performance, referring to those joining the UCUs work-to-rule and for refusing to reschedule classes cancelled due to the strike. Rescheduling classes involves effectively working for free, as they would be added to an already heavy workload of research, teaching, pastoral support and administration.

Six universitiesthe Universities of Bristol, Newcastle, Bradford, Queen Mary University of London, City of London University and Manchester Metropolitan Universityhave threatened to cut 100 percent of pay for workers joining action short of a strike, on top of pay deductions for strike days.

The UCU did not do the bare minimum and call on its members to refuse to work for no pay, instead asking that universities explain how calculations for pay deductions are being made, and [warning] employers not to make these deductions as it would only escalate the dispute whilst staff try to continue working.

Everything the UCU does is to avoid escalating the situation and to placate the employers. The last thing the union wants is to jeopardise its partnership with these institutions, which are seeking to claw back the last remaining benefits secured by workers over decades of struggle. Pushed by the employers intransigence and their members anger, the UCU has proceeded with industrial action, but in as neutered a fashion as possible.

This weeks strikes are purely over pensions, at just 44 institutions. Three days of strike action will take place February 28-March 2 at 63 universities purely on the question of pay and conditions. Staff will strike over the combined issues of pensions, pay and conditions only on February 22 and 23. The UCU has all but declared that further strikes are then off the agenda: Following this terms strike action, there may be a marking and assessment boycott and there may also be a round of re-ballots to extend the six-month industrial action mandate which expires at the beginning of May.

The UCU and the National Union of Students (NUS) propose that only the final day of university workers strikes on March 2 coincide with a Student Strike for Education. Publicity for the NUS strike does not even mention the UCU dispute. This under conditions in which students are also suffering the consequences of the marketisation of higher educationincluding course closures, worsening learning conditions and sky-high tuition and accommodation costsand have been similarly recklessly exposed to COVID-19.

Higher education workers must draw the lessons of the last years. It is clear the UCU has no intention of waging a serious fight for their interests. Left unchallenged, the union will foist another rotten deal on their members, agreed with management behind closed doors.

University workers have sought to oppose the union before. In 2018, a mass revolt by thousands of UCU members, including hundreds demonstrating outside the unions headquarters in London, rejected a sellout deal ordering a return to work the next day. But despite the UCU being forced to retract the agreement, and former general secretary Sally Hunts resignation several months later, the union bureaucracy was eventually able to enforce its betrayal.

A rebellion against the UCU requires a new programme on which to fight the crippling attacks on pensions, pay and conditions and a new leadership to organise the struggle. The strikes confront the wholesale marketisation of higher education, which is driving the universities rampant cost-cutting, hurting staff and students alike. They must fight for a system of high-quality higher education as a social right, provided by well-paid, securely employed staff.

Confronted by ruthless employers, backed by the Conservative government, willing to go to any lengths to break their resistance, higher education workers must build rank-and-file organisations independent of the corporatist UCU. These can reach out to workers across all campuses, and throughout the education sector, in a joint struggle to reverse decades of attacks on pensions, pay and conditions. This is the perspective fought for by the Socialist Equality Party and the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, formed during the pandemic to organise workers wanting to oppose the union-enforced policies of herd immunity, increased workloads and effective pay cuts.

We call on university staff and students to join the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, attend our meetings and receive our regular newsletter.
COVID-19 deaths in the United States have reached their highest level during the Omicron wave, coinciding not with escalating efforts to save lives but an escalating drive to cover up the devastating impact of the pandemic on the health of the American people.

Mandatory reporting of COVID-19 deaths by hospital systems to the US Department of Health and Humans Services (DHSS) ended on February 2, 2022.

Additionally, in quick succession, states across the country are allowing their mask mandates to lapse. New York Governor Kathy Hochul dropped the states stringent indoor mask mandate last Wednesday. These include populous Democratic-held states, such as Illinois, California and New Jersey, to name a few.

Patient in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) [Source: Wikimedia Commons]

According to the Worldometer dashboard, the 7-day moving average reached 2,600 deaths per day by the end of January. On February 1, 2022, the New York Times COVID-19 dashboard recorded a daily average of 2,653 deaths with a single-day high of 3,582.

Since then, the COVID-19 trackers report a sudden and significant drop in the daily death averages2,044 for Worldometer and 2,454 for the New York Times. Only the Johns Hopkins coronavirus resource center, one of the leading and most reliable trackers frequently used by government and international bodies, has indicated that the number of deaths has plateaued or continues to climb though at a much slower pace. According to their tracker, the 7-day average for COVID-19 deaths remains over 2,500.

Indeed, the change in the trajectory of deaths can be supported by the decline in new infections and hospitalizations for COVID-19, although they still remain at pandemic highs. However, other countries with similar trajectories in their infection metrics have continued to see deaths climb, with Denmark and South Africa being two notable examples.

Aside from how hospital administrators and health officials are adjusting their reports of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, recent efforts on the part of states and governments to dismantle reporting systems are part of the more considerable effort to dispense with such metrics altogether as they interfere with efforts to force schools and businesses to open and stay open while getting the country back to work en masse permanently. The critical and necessary tracking of infections has grown to become a nuisance for the ruling elite.

In this regard, the complete silence on the part of major media outlets on the number of deaths that continue to mount plays a major role. A cursory survey of the US Sunday papers is remarkable in that not one has mentioned the devastating toll the Omicron variant continues to take on the population. The rapid shift is astounding. One would assume that the pandemic has ended or that it was a nightmare from which we are all awakening. In reality, the nightmare continues in a new form.

Placing the present daily COVID-19 death toll into context, more than 2,700 people died on September 11, 2001, in the World Trade Center towers and the surrounding area after two hijacked planes were flown into the buildings. The deaths were eulogized and referenced repeatedly on every major news outlet. They were used as a pretext for US wars across the Middle East and suppression of democratic rights at home, which have had considerable relevance to developments during the pandemic.

And last week, more than 14,000 people died from COVID-19, the equivalent of almost five 9/11 events. But there is barely a mention by any media commentator. That is because these deaths are attributable, not to a terrorist enemy, but the US ruling class itself, and both its parties, Democratic and Republican, whose deliberate policy has allowed the disease to run rampant throughout the country.

Since New Years Day 2022, more than 90,000 people in the US have perished from COVID-19 and its complications. This is equivalent to twice the number of American combatants killed in combat in the Vietnam conflict. Instead of a war that encompassed a dozen years, the pandemic deaths took place in the span of just six weeks.

Furthermore, since President Joe Biden was sworn into office, more than a half million Americans have died of COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus deaths to more than 943,000, according to Worldometer. Indeed, far more have died under Bidens administration than under Trump, as the twin parties of American capitalism pursued the policy of herd immunity.

It is noteworthy that the plans to end the last vestiges of the paltry mitigation measures were drawn up even before anyone heard of the Omicron variant. Inevitably, these had to be put on hold for several months after Omicron sparked a huge surge in the pandemic.

Last week, the New York Times wrote: The easing of New Yorks pandemic restrictions on businesses comes as Democratic-led states from New Jersey to California have announced similar moves this week, in a loosely coordinated effort that is the result of months of public-health planning, back-channel discussions and political focus groups that began in the weeks after the November elections.

That the Omicron surge delayed only briefly this closing down of public health measures only underscores the wholly unscientific character of the decision. The federal and state governments were driven, not by data and analysis but by the necessity to recoup the trillions paid out to corporate America in the course of the pandemic.

With the number of cases on the decline (but still at staggering levels), governors took their concerns to the White House, demanding the shift to living with the virus under the guise that SARS-CoV-2 was on its way to becoming endemic.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, also the Vice Chairman of the National Governors Association, speaking to reporters after meeting with Biden, said, What does the road from pandemic to endemic look like, and how do we keep score? There was broad agreement that thats the task before us.

In other words, the ending of the pandemic also means the termination of all the metrics and measures that remind the population that a deadly virus continues to kill people at record highs, with the cumulative death toll approaching closer to 1 million every day.

Indeed, what does the road from pandemic to endemic look like?

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), a UK government body that advises the central government, recently published on February 10 a paper by academics on COVID-19 viral evolution scenarios.

They provide four scenarios from the most optimistic to the direst. They wrote: In each scenario, it is assumed that a relatively stable, repeating pattern is reached over time (two to 10 years), but it is likely that the transition to this will be highly dynamic and unpredictable. It may not be possible to know with confidence from what happens in the next 12 to 18 months which long-term pattern will emerge.

They note particularly: There is also a feedback loop between the global epidemic dynamics (i.e., transmission and incidence) and viral evolution and adaptation: higher global SARS-CoV-2 prevalence provides more opportunities for viral evolution, while new variants can drive higher prevalence. And they warn that it should not be assumed that a more transmissible variant is necessarily of lower severity, or vice versa. On the contrary, in the worst case scenario, a more lethal and more contagious variant may emerge.

Dr. Zoe Hyde, an epidemiologist and biostatistician at the University of Western Australia and an expert on COVID-19, in response to the report wrote on social media: The best-case scenario doesnt seem realistic [a variant of both lesser virulence and lesser transmissibility]. Its inconsistent with whats occurred so far.  Based on our experience with SARS-CoV-2 to date, the central pessimistic scenario seems most likely to me. However, I think one element of the worst-case scenarioincreased long-term impacts following infectionmay also be correct.

As with the 20th and 21st centuries wars, modern pandemics are foreseeable, preventable and stoppable. Both erupt as a byproduct of deeply engrained contradictions of the capitalist mode of production. In both instances, the scale of death leads to a massive social crisis that brings to the forefront the necessity of the socialist revolution by the working class to offer a road forward.
As the highly-contagious Omicron variant of the virus rips through the population, Australia is experiencing tens of thousands of new infections every day, and hundreds of COVID-19 deaths each week. Yet government policyas is the case internationallyplaces the profit interests of the tiny wealthy minority before the lives of the population.

Governments and the media are spreading the lie that young people are not at risk from COVID-19, using this as justification for the pro-business junking of all public health measures to stem the spread of the virus.

A cafe worker serving customers in central Melbourne [Credit: Flickr, @avlxyz]

The murderous let it rip program includes sending school and university students and staff into crowded classrooms.

In addition, young workers are on the frontlines, forced to go to work in dangerous industries like hospitality, retail, warehousing, and delivery services, in which they are at high risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

The World Socialist Web Site spoke with Maria, a 21-year-old student pharmacist in Melbourne who is undergoing a placement at a pharmacy in a large public hospital.

Maria said that the pharmacy where she is working has had to reduce opening hours due to staff contracting COVID-19. A lot of the time we would just have one pharmacist on, due to staff shortages because of infections, so that meant that the pharmacist could barely have a lunch break, she said. A lot of the pharmacists are working 6 or 7 days a week.

The pharmacy worker recounted a delivery she had made to a nursing home. The next morning, she said, I found out I had worked with someone who was COVID positive and they were symptomatic. A lot of the time we were being told to turn up to work if we were symptomatic but had a negative RAT [rapid antigen test] result.

Maria said I will be in the emergency department and obviously patients will be there who are COVID unknown. I think the worry is giving it to people there. I have reduced my outings as much as possible as a precaution.

Among the limited safety measures in the pharmacy, Maria explained, are Pyrex screens at workstations. Recently, one of the screens was removed and so a lot of the time I found I was just speaking to patients face-to-face.  During the spread of Delta, we had to wear safety glasses or face shields, but when Omicron started to rip, that was dropped, she said.

We used to do temperature checks and hand out masks to people entering but we no longer do that, she added. We have seen people coming in with masks that literally had holes in them because they had been used so many times. I think thats down to the costs of it and the government not subsidising anything.

Speaking on government support for pharmacy workers health and safety, Maria said: I dont think we really have received any information. There were no updates on health measures and, if there was, it wasnt relayed to me and the staff working. ... It was very difficult working over the holiday period where the demand for RATs was so big but there wasnt enough stock available.

Maria condemned the shambolic vaccine roll-out in Australia: I feel bad for people who didnt have access to the vaccine earlier and could have had a booster before the spread of Omicron. Its disappointing to see the implications of the governments mess up. Its very distressing to be honest.

I feel like pharmacists have been left behind, Maria said. Since the start of the pandemic, we have had our volume of customers and scripts doublewe didnt have the staff, so everyone was working a lot more than they were used to and a lot of workers are burnt out.

Maria studies pharmaceutical science at Monash University. Im a full-time student and was working weekends. I literally didnt have a break [during semester], she explained. I didnt find that I had time for my mental health and I had no support as well. I didnt have time to prepare food or look after myself properly.

During lockdown, I was earning less than what people on JobKeeper [meagre wage payments] were receiving while still having to work and study at the same time, Maria said.

Pharmacy wages are appalling. You go to university for 5 years, studying a difficult course, and you get paid $30 an hour as the minimum wage. Everyone is told that you need to work harder and that you are not doing enough. So, you see a lot of young people overworking themselves.

Denouncing the governments let it rip policies, including the return to in-person learning on the university campuses, Maria stated: Its definitely going to lead to outbreaks, theres no denying that. I can see a lot of anxiety about the return to on-campus learning, especially for those who are immunocompromised or at a greater risk of contracting COVID.

Maria said that the governments junking of public health measures is being done for the economy, adding: We were in lockdown for a long time so a lot of businesses lost profit. I guess the government is looking at it as We saved enough people, its time to just move on and whoever suffers now, its too bad. Its so depressing.

Tom, 26, works at an inner-city Melbourne cafe owned by British-based multinational corporation Compass Group. The largest contract foodservice company in the world, Compass Group employs over 500,000 workers internationally and registered a profit before tax in 2021 of 464 million, up from 210 million the previous year.

Tom noted our working conditions are now just as they were before the pandemic. Our staff is depleted but we have a full team behind the counter again, almost all casuals now, and mask-wearing is optional. They used to provide us with boxes of surgical masks but often these are missing. QR codes remain at the front door, but check-in is no longer enforced. There is no limit on how many diners can sit inside.

Though no new restrictions were enforced at the cafe amid the Omicron surge, management told the staff, days after finding out, that three staff members had contracted COVID-19.

Younger teenage workers in whats called a casual pool have gone months without shifts and mostly lost their jobs, Tom explained. Most of the chefs were laid off earlier last year and werent replaced. Many part-timers had to quit because they werent earning enough to support themselves, even with one or two other jobs.

Tom said that close contacts of the three infected workers were only advised to get tested themselves but were permitted to continue work if they wanted. Also, once they got tested, they could return to work while waiting for the results, instead of isolating.

Working at the cafe for nearly five years, Tom stated: Me and my colleagues are not in any of the retail or hospitality unions. A friend at work pointed this out the other day, wondering what the unions do because theyve been totally non-existent for us. Another fellow worker complained that the unions hadnt made a single statement about the pandemic.

Tom also told the WSWS: My brother caught COVID on a trip to Queensland over New Years and possibly brought it back to our family home. He was told by health authorities in Brisbane to isolate for seven days and then fly home without getting tested. He took a RAT when he got home and tested positive. We spoke to the Victorian Health Department, which told us not to worry, that he definitely wasnt infectious, and therefore we could carry on with our normal lives. My Mums boss told her she didnt officially qualify as a close contact and was encouraged to return to work.

Referring to an earlier period in which there were at least some mitigation measures in place to stem the spread of the virus, Tom said: I think if there were any differences on COVID policy between the federal and state governments, they were settled around last August. [Victorian State Labor Premier] Daniel Andrews started dismantling the lockdown even when we still had a thousand cases per day, and said we had to learn to live with the virus.

Abandoning all safety measures was obviously based on financial concerns, not medical science. But people are clearly worried about the situation they face with Omicron.

Responding to the perspective advanced by the World Socialist Web Site for the formation of committees, Tom said: Its in our hands now, whether we realise it or not.

Your call to form rank-and-file committees at workplaces is clearly the right course to take. These discussions do need to take place across the hospitality industry. Omicron is highly contagious and poses a serious threat to workers and their families. In fact, organisation across industries will be the only way workers can protect themselves in the end, because we all face the same dangers.
The Gunk is a New Adventure From the Creators of Steamworld Coming to Xbox Series X
Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz in Aaron Sorkins Being the Ricardos was controversial from the start, with many criticizing casting the Spaniard Bardem to play a Cuban-American icon. (Thats what I do for a living, he told The Hollywood Reporter in December. Try to be people that Im not.) On Tuesday, after that portrayal won Bardem his fourth Oscar nomination, he defended himself against concerns that he was taking roles away from minority actors via remarks picked up by Spains daily newspaper El Pais.

To translate: Lets talk about the Spanish minorities, Bardem said during a February 8 press conference in Madrid to discuss the nomination. How many Spanish characters exist in international cinema? None. There are Latin American characters. I know what Im talking about when I talk about minorities. And we need to support minorities, but we also have to support those of us who are minorities as well, faced with representing other minorities.

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Hollywood is in a constant conversation about whitewashing and authentic casting, but to Bardems point representing only Spaniards would leave him with few portrayals. Like any actor, he is always hunting for a meaty role and the opportunity to play someone as complex as Arnaz as directed by Aaron Sorkin is rare.

Hollywood also has a long history of viewing Spanish-speaking actors and all Spanish-speaking cultures as interchangeable, whether Spain itself or Argentina or Mexico or Colombia or Cuba. Hollywood productions do lack roles that delve into the people and culture of Spain, which has an extraordinarily rich history and represents 47 million residents, 17 autonomous regions, and nine languages in addition to the dominant Spanish.

But to compare the want and need to have movie characters from Spain, a single country, to that of wanting representation for Latin America, risks reducing a region comprising 663 million people over 20 countries  and so many more ethnic groups, including Indigenous cultures, and languages within  to a cultural monolith.

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Being a minority is more than numbers; Hollywood also does a poor job of representing 46 million Argentines, and you can say the same beyond Latin American and around the world too: where are the 32 million Malaysians in Hollywood films? However, to be a minority is to account for not only data but also the prejudice, discrimination, and oppression these individuals experience. Fellow Spaniard Pedro Almodovar, coming of age as a gay man in the time of dictator Francisco Franco, was a member of a minority group; Bardem is not.

Bardem on February 8 at the press conference in Madrid where he made his comments. - Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Certainly, Bardem has experienced marginalization in Hollywood; its a rite of passage for anyone who doesnt look or sound like most American actors. Last December, he called attention to discrimination based on peoples accents, telling The Hollywood Reporter, Why does this conversation happen with people with accents? You have your accent. Thats where you belong. Thats tricky. Where is that conversation with English-speaking people doing things like The Last Duel, where they were supposed to be French people in the Middle Ages? Thats fine. But me, with my Spanish accent, being Cuban? What I mean is, if we want to open the can of worms, lets open it for everyone.

Fair enough  why is it okay for American Matt Damon to play act as a French knight using a portentous, vaguely British accent? Or for Jared Leto to do whatever he did in House of Gucci? Bardem told THR that when he came to Hollywood, he hoped his accent and background wouldnt define him. Its the energy of someone that has to belong, he said. And make everybody understand that just because hes a foreigner, he doesnt have to be put in a box.

Bardems body of work is an extraordinary example of avoiding those boxes. He has been able to negotiate race and nationality in a manner not unlike the ethnically ambiguous roles that shape Vin Diesels or Dwayne Johnsons careers while achieving award recognition that neither has touched. Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men  which won Bardem his first Oscar  is not coded as either Latinx or Spanish. He was Bond villain Raoul Silva in Skyfall and Fremen leader Stilgar in Denis Villeneuves Dune, a character, like all of the Fremen, clearly coded as MENA (Middle Eastern and North African). Meanwhile, many roles coded as Latinx continue to play into stereotypes.

Last year was a landmark for Latinx representation in film, from In the Heights to Encanto to Best Supporting Actress nominee Ariana DeBose of West Side Story, whose lineage is Puerto Rican, white, African American, and Italian but who says she doesnt identify with any specific ethnicity. Hollywood still has a very, very long way to go toward properly reflecting the diversity of the world we live in. To view minorities as just a numbers game is to do a disservice to real representation and the efforts to achieve it.

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A new study into how long dogs live busts the myth that each human year is equivalent to seven years for dogs.

A commonly held belief is that a dog ages seven times faster than humans, so a one-year-old dog is comparable to a seven-year-old child.

But the reality is that large breeds age ten times quicker than humans, and some small dogs can be age slower than the supposed 1:7 human year to dog year ratio.

Now scientists are studying the genomes of 10,000 dogs in a long-term study called the Dog Aging Project. Researchers hope they will learn why "supercentenarian" dogs that live to 20 can survive so long and use these findings to improve canine and human longevity.

RELATED: Tennessee Dog Celebrates 20th Birthday as Oldest Golden Retriever in History

Professor Joshua Akey, at Princeton University, told SWNS, "This is a very large, ambitious, wildly interdisciplinary project that has the potential to be a powerful resource for the broader scientific community."

"Personally, I find this project exciting because I think it will improve dog, and ultimately, human health," he added.

The researchers hope to identify specific biomarkers of canine aging.

"This is the first study of its kind in dogs, and I think it's a clever way of trying to find genetic differences that contribute to exceptional longevity," Professor Akey said.

The research team anticipates that their findings will translate to human aging, for several reasons: Dogs experience nearly every functional decline and disease of aging that people do; the extent of veterinary care parallels human healthcare in many ways; and our dogs share our lived environments, a significant determinant of aging and one that cannot be replicated in any lab setting.

RELATED: The World's Oldest Living Aquarium Fish Is a Californian Who Loves Belly Rubs Named Methuselah

"Given that dogs share the human environment and have a sophisticated health care system but are much shorter-lived than people, they offer a unique opportunity to identify the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors associated with healthy lifespan," University of Washington professor Daniel Promislow, a principal investigator for the study, said.

The project was outlined in the journal Nature.
A Russian invasion of Ukraine would mark not just a violation of the Eastern European countrys sovereignty, but an attack on democracy as a whole, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday.

An assault on Ukraine is an assault on democracy, the California Democrat told ABCs This Week. The loss of life, the damage, the collateral damage to civilians, to military and the rest are severe if he decides to invade.

The comments came as Russian forces continued to do drills and maneuvers near the border with Ukraine through the weekend.

About 130,000 Russian troops are gathered there, prompting fears of an imminent invasion, though Russias strongman President Vladimir Putin insists he has no such plans. Hes been calling for assurances that Ukraine, a former member of the USSR, will never join NATO, among other measures.

U.S. officials have responded with threats of severe sanctions.

If he decides to invade, the mothers in Russia dont like their children going into what hes had to experience [the]  forgive the expression  body bags from the moms before, so he has to know that war is not an answer, Pelosi said. Theres very severe consequences to his aggression, and we are united in using them.

_______
(Independent)

Eleven people have been injured in a series of random knife attacks in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A police spokesperson says officers are investigating seven possible incidents across the citys downtown.

The victims are reported to be in critical to stable condition.

A lone suspect, on a BMX bike and armed with a large knife, is in custody after being apprehended by police without incident.

The attacks began at around 11am on Sunday with the first stabbing occurring near Sister Bar on Central Avenue and 4th Street, KRQE reports.

Further stabbings occurred along Central Avenue at Harvard Drive, Pennsylvania Street, and Domingo.

Officers arrested the suspect near Central Avenue and Wyoming Boulevard.

UPDATE: Officers are investigating 7 possible scenes - stretching from Downtown to Central and Wyoming - with reports of 11 stabbing victims. All victims are in stable condition. The lone suspect is in custody.  APD Public Information Officer (@APD_PIO) February 13, 2022

The investigation is ongoing.

More follows...
BALTIMORE  A former Navy nuclear engineer from Annapolis pleaded guilty to espionage Monday, admitting in federal court that he tried to sell classified military information to a foreign government.

Jonathan Toebbe entered the guilty plea in the W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Martinsburg, West Virginia, which is not far from where he and his wife, Diana, were arrested in October.

Having worked since 2012 on projects related to naval nuclear propulsion, Toebbe held a top-secret security clearance, according to federal investigators. They said its possible hed been collecting information related to the Navys nuclear endeavors throughout his tenure and, at some point in 2020, sought out a foreign country to share it with.

In April 2020, Toebbe sent a sample of restricted data to a country not identified in court records, asking the recipient to share it with their countrys military intelligence agency and promising his information would be of great value to your nation, according to court records. Toebbes letter was shared with an FBI attache, prompting federal agents to launch an undercover operation.

Over more than a year, undercover agents communicated with Toebbe over an encrypted email service and facilitated the displaying of a discrete signal in Washington, D.C., as well as a series of dead drops in 2021 in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The agents would transfer cryptocurrency to Toebbe after picking up the SD cards he left in predetermined locations.

Toebbe concealed the digital memory devices in a peanut butter sandwich, a Band-Aid wrapper and a chewing gum package.

In sum, the government paid Toebbe the equivalent of $100,000 in cryptocurrency. Federal prosecutors said in October the government has not located the money it paid Toebbe.

With each exchange of information, agents gleaned more about the people they were dealing with: Jonathan, the nuclear engineer, and Diana, 46, a humanities teacher at the Key School in Annapolis.

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The FBI followed the couple to the drop sites and watched them deposit the information, accusing Diana Toebbe of acting as a lookout. Jonathan Toebbe wrote in an encrypted email only one other person I know is aware of our special relationship and federal agents wrote in their original complaint they believe that person was his wife.

A federal grand jury indicted the couple Oct. 19.

The husband and wife have insisted Diana Toebbe is innocent. Her attorneys pushed for her release pending trial, arguing she wasnt privy to her husbands scheme to divulge classified information. A magistrate judge denied that request and she appealed.

Its unclear what, if any, implications Jonathan Toebbes plea has on his wifes case.

According to court records, Jonathan Toebbe provided thousands of pages of documents with schematic designs, operating parameters and performance characteristics about nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarines, known in the military as Virginia-class submarines.

Toebbe signed every encrypted email as Alice, describing the format of the information he provided and often expressing concerns about the possibility that he may be communicating with law enforcement, which he regularly referred to as adversaries.

Thank you for your partnership as well, my friend, Jonathan Toebbe wrote in an encrypted email to a federal agent. One day, when it is safe, perhaps two old friends will have a chance to stumble into each other at a cafe, share a bottle of wine and laugh over stories of their shared exploits.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger again blasted Republican political figures who support Russia's goals for Ukraine.

He said said an "affection for authoritarianism" has led some Republicans to advocate for Vladimir Putin.

Kinzinger said Putin is seen as a person defending the "culture of the past."

GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said on Sunday that a growing number of Republican political figures are showing an "affection for authoritarianism" by voicing support for Russian President Vladimir Putin's campaign to stop Ukraine from joining NATO.

In an interview with CBS' "Face The Nation," Kinzinger was asked about the segment of the Republican Party who asked President Joe Biden not to interfere with Putin's goal. The congressman said this group isn't "a huge portion" of his party, but that "it's way too big and it's growing."

In the interview, Kinzinger cited "having an affection for authoritarianism" as one of the possible reasons why some party members have taken Putin's side. He also put the blame on people being naive about foreign policy and Putin's public image.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said Russian leader Vladimir Putin is seen as a person defending the "culture of the past." Alex Wong/Getty Images

"And I think Vladimir Putin has done a decent job of engaging in culture battles and culture war, and he is seen as the person defending, in essence, the culture of the past. And so it's very frightening," he told CBS' Margaret Brennan.

Kinzinger added that "any Republican that has affection for Vladimir Putin has no understanding of what our party stands for or what our country stands for."

During the interview, he also singled out Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has repeatedly sided with Putin over Ukraine-Russia tensions and thrown doubts at Washington's backing of Ukraine.

Carlson in January shrugged off claims that he was a "pawn of Putin," calling the idea "stupid." At the time, he had just commented that Russia's amassing of more than 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border was due to Putin wanting to "keep his western borders secure"  rhetoric that's also been used by the Kremlin.

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Kinzinger's comments also come as Carlson continues to build a working relationship with Hungarian far-right leader Viktor Orban, who has regularly been called an authoritarian by political commentators and NGOs.

A vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, Kinzinger has previously slammed US political figures for supporting Putin. On February 3, he tweeted that Senator John Hawley was "one of the worst human beings" and a "con artist" for calling on Biden to block Ukraine from joining NATO.

When Hawley called Kinzinger's outburst "weird," the Illinois representative accused Hawley of being "more interested in pleasing Tucker and playing to worst instincts than leading."

This month, the Republican National Committee voted to censure Kinzinger and GOP Rep. Liz Cheney for their participation in the January 6 House Committee. Kinzinger had announced earlier that he wouldn't seek re-election this year, and has hinted  but not confirmed  that he may run for governor instead.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Photo: Illustration: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost; Photos: Getty Images)

More likely than not, youll find Sarah Traxler in an airport terminal, staring at her watch and wondering When is this plane getting here? Traxler, an abortion provider, flies from her home state of Minnesota to South Dakota twice a month to provide care in the last abortion clinic left in the state, Planned Parenthoods Sioux Falls health center.

The center has been providing abortion care for South Dakotans for more than 20 years, but in all that time the clinic has never had an in-state abortion provider. Hospital systems in the state dont allow physicians to work for them if they also provide care for Planned Parenthood. So Traxler, along with four other physicians, work on a rotating schedule  each doctor takes one week a month, flying in twice that week to accommodate the states 72-hour waiting period for patients.

And each physicians travel is scheduled down to the minute. South Dakota law requires patients seeking an abortion to undergo an initial in-person consultation and then wait for 72 hours before they can return for the procedure. Although many states have waiting periods, South Dakota is one of a handful that enforce such a long wait, and its the only state that doesnt include weekends or holidays in that time. The additional hurdle here is that South Dakota law also requires the patient to see the same doctor on both visits.

Thats why Traxlers timing is so critical. Nothing can really start with the patients until my arrival, which is why I get so anxious. Theyre all waiting on me, Traxler told HuffPost in a conversation earlier this week.

Although South Dakota bans abortion after 20 weeks, Sioux Falls clinic offers the procedure up to 13 weeks and six days due to a law requiring out-patient procedures to have access to a blood bank, a rule that isnt applied to hospitals. There are physicians who can provide abortion care later than that in the hospital system, but those procedures are rarely done and only in specific cases when the mothers life is at risk or there are lethal fetal anomalies, and the entire process has to go through a hospital ethics board.

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Traxler and her other four colleagues are essentially South Dakotans only option. A flight delay or winter storm could cost someone their short window to get an abortion.

Abortion access is already so limited in South Dakota that many people facing unintended pregnancies are already living in a post-Roe world, said Traxler. South Dakotas long history of a Republican majority in its legislature has allowed it to routinely pass anti-abortion measures that slowly but surely have siphoned off access.

Abortion care is being threatened on a national level through a 2018 Mississippi law that bans abortion at 15 weeks and that is in direct violation of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that protects the right to abortion. Experts and advocates agreed that the courts conservative majority signaled it would likely uphold the Mississippi law by either banning abortion outright or tinkering with the definition of fetal viability after Decembers oral arguments. The lived experience of so many South Dakotans is about to become a reality for people across the country.

A Logistical Nightmare

Traxlers schedule is time-stamped: Typically, she might fly in from Minnesota in time to arrive at the clinic at 11 a.m. on a Monday and see 12 to 15 patients. That same day shed fly back to Minnesota and, three days later, do the entire process over again. If she arrives at the clinic any earlier than 11 a.m. on the second day, she cant start seeing patients until those 72 hours between visits have been completed.

This causes a logistical nightmare for Traxler: If she misses her flight on Day One, her entire week is shot; if her flight is delayed on Day Two, she may not get to all of her patients, forcing her to restart the process for those who werent seen.

It has a ripple effect where all of those patients who couldnt be seen that week have to be rescheduled and do the entire process over again because the consenting procedures that I do with them on day one arent valid for the next physician, said Traxler.

There are times I feel personally responsible. Even if Im sitting at the airport and the airline tells me my flights going to be three hours late, I think about if I can get in a car, Im texting with the clinic manager and were trying to problem-solve, she said. Its really hard. Its sort of devastating when we end up not being able to make it.

The burden on the patients is even worse. They have very little flexibility in appointment times, and the costs of getting to the clinic are doubled because of the two in-person visits requirement (the governor is currently trying to require a third visit). Sioux Falls sits in the southeast corner of the state, which means many patients are driving up to five hours to get to the clinic.

There have been several times when patients couldnt make it to that second visit, recalled Traxler, who has worked at the Sioux Falls center since 2015. Sometimes its because a bad snowstorm has blocked the roads or because a patient has used all of their money on the first trip.

Ive had patients who look at me and say, You mean I cant have my abortion today? Ive used all my money. I dont know how Im going to get back here on Thursday, said Traxler, noting that usually the clinic is able to rely on privately raised abortion funds that help pay for the procedure.

Theres one patient experience that has stuck with Traxler all of these years. A teenager, Traxler recalled, had gone through a judicial bypass  no small feat  to obtain an abortion.

She came to see me on the first day, we went through everything, she was determined that she wanted to follow through with an abortion, Traxler said. She went the 72 hours, and then on the day that she was supposed to come back to the health center for her abortion, the principal of her school found out and refused to let her leave school. And she was unable to make it for her appointment that day.

Traxler says it was deeply upsetting to her, the young woman and the clinic staff. They were able to work with the teenager to get her to come back a week later. But, again, she had to go through the entire process from the start, Traxler said.

From Bad To Worse

Like many GOP-controlled state legislatures, South Dakotas is preparing for the fall of Roe sometime this spring. Ahead of the looming court case, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican opposed to reproductive rights, introduced a copycat of the most extreme abortion ban in U.S. history: Texas six-week ban that deputizes private citizens to enforce it by filing civil lawsuits. Noem is also preparing to finalize a September executive order blocking telemedicine abortions, which means in-person visits would be required to receive care.

If Roe falls, South Dakota has a so-called trigger law on the books, which would ban all abortions immediately. North Dakota also has a trigger ban ready, and other surrounding states, including Nebraska and Iowa, are set to introduce similar laws this legislative session.

Its already really difficult in the region, but depending on how legislation goes and how [the Supreme Court decision] goes  were looking at a really tough map in the Midwest when it comes to abortion access, said Emily Bisek, the regional director of strategic communications at Planned Parenthood North Central States.

Traxler tried to be optimistic, but shes also a realist. She knows that soon enough her days as a traveling abortion care provider could be over: Patients in South Dakota will have to come to her instead. But not everyone can do that.

Its going to be pretty grim in South Dakota, said Traxler. Were going to see an increase in the number of unintended pregnancies that are carried to term, and were going to see more people self-managing their abortions.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
The U.S. and New Mexico state flags are presented during the opening ceremony of a 30-day legislative session in the House of Representatives in Santa Fe, N.M., on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.

New Mexico's 30-day regular session ends Thursday at noon, and on Monday time was running out for bills to clear both houses and head to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's desk.

On Saturday, Republicans in the state senate used a procedural move to block progress on SB 8, a voting rights bill the governor made one of her major priorities for the session.

Republicans invoked a "call of the senate," requiring every member of the body to be present for debate or action on the bill. Two senators were absent, however: independent Sen. Jacob Candelaria and Sen. Gregg Schmedes, R-Tijeras.

As the afternoon wore on it did not appear that SB 8 would be debated on Monday, either.

A package unveiled Monday combining several law enforcement bills appeared to be moving swiftly with bipartisan support.

Law enforcement package advances

A joint meeting of the senate finance and judiciary committees Monday morning approved a package backed by judiciary chairman Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, incorporating proposals from a few House bills as well as some new initiatives.

Senate Judiciary just passed a legislative public safety response to crime in SB231. Leaders of entire criminal justice system and local governments must accept the challenge and accountability to citizens.  Sen. Joe Cervantes (@SenJoeCervantes) February 14, 2022

Because the session is primarily focused on budgetary matters and limited to 30 days, Cervantes said the package was limited in its scope but "does some important things."

The package, SB 231, provides for retention bonuses for law enforcement officers, equivalent to 5 percent of their annual salaries, to be paid every five years up through 20 years.

Among many provisions, it would add three district court judges, funding for a statewide rollout of a violent crime intervention program, and an expansion of uses for crime reduction grants.

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The bill would divide the state Law Enforcement Academy's current board into two bodies, with one focused on training requirements and the other charged with approving, suspending or revoking officer law enforcement certifications.

Additional training requirements for law enforcement officers would be instated, such as crisis management (including mental health crises), conflict de-escalation, racial sensitivity, stress management, peer-to-peer intervention and physical restraints to exclude chokeholds.

Creating a statewide database documenting disciplinary actions and settlements with agencies, civil judgments and records of uses of force with reporting requirements as well as requirements that agencies check the database when considering candidates for employment.

Q&A: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham talks rural-urban divide, energy amid Legislative Session

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Vigil addressed the two committees to say the high court was taking steps of its own to move criminal and civil cases more quickly, including the possible consolidation of preliminary and pretrial detention hearings.

That led state Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview and a member of the finance committee, to ask whether prosecutors would have enough time and resources to prepare for prosecutions.

Vigil also said the courts would take steps to encourage trials by six-person juries instead of 12, which are harder to seat; and to institute 24-hour monitoring of ankle monitors with immediate notifications to law enforcement if conditions of release are violated.

The Dona Ana County District Court House is pictured in Las Cruces on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

Some Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, D-Silver City (also a member of finance), urged action to address the root causes of domestic violence and substance abuse while Republicans expressed concern about support for law enforcement officers and insufficient detention of defendants who proved dangerous.

Cervantes acknowledged that much more would need to be done, expressing his own frustration that increasing sentences for violent crimes, while good for politics, were not necessarily a deterrent.

Fresh in lawmakers' minds during the the discussion were recent incidents such as the shooting of a New Mexico State Police supervisor in Albuquerque days earlier.

Systematically, Cervantes argued there was a "disconnect" among police officers, prosecutors and the judiciary that needed to be addressed in more depth ahead of a longer session.

"Nobody wants to speak publicly about the dysfunction of the system," he said, "and the system is clearly dysfunctional."

At the conclusion of the joint meeting, the judiciary committee approved SB 231 without any objections, moving it to finance.

Senator: Masks look 'ridiculous'

Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell, introduced a motion for senators to remove masks, a change to senate rules that required a two-thirds vote on the floor since it had not gone through the Senate Rules Committee.

Several Republicans spoke in favor of the motion, disputing medical opinion that masking in public settings is helpful in slowing community spread of COVID-19 disease, with Pirtle adding that he felt the sight of senators wearing masks in the chamber "looks ridiculous."

New Mexico state Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, speaks in support of a motion to make masks optional on the senate floor in Santa Fe on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022.

New Mexico is one of a dwindling number of states to maintain mandates aligning with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. The state's public health order requiring masks indoors in public extends into March, but the state Senate and House are empowered to set the rules in their respective chambers.

More: Here's the latest on education bills making their way through the New Mexico legislative session

Minority whip Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, who spoke of his own bout with COVID-19 disease, joined GOP colleagues in arguing that masks should be optional, commenting, "You protect you and I'll protect me."

Pirtle's motion failed on a vote of 14 to 22, with independent senator Jacob Candelaria of Albuquerque among those voting no.

Lawmaker arrested Monday

The state Republican party called for the resignation Democratic state Rep. Georgene Louis of Albuquerque following her arrest Monday morning in Santa Fe.

New Mexico state Rep. Georgene Louis, D-Albuquerque, is seen in a booking photo following her arrest on suspected aggravated driving while intoxicated, speeding, and not having evidence of vehicle registration or insurance, on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022.

Louis was booked at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility on an aggravated DWI charge, speeding and lacking evidence of vehicle insurance and current registration.

"She faces criminal charges, and this kind of behavior does not coincide with that of a responsible public servant," state GOP chairman Steve Pearce said in a statement.

In 2019, state Sen. Richard Martinez, an Ojo Caliente Democrat, was convicted of aggravated drunken driving following a collision that injured him and two other people. He was stripped of his chairmanship over the Senate Judiciary Committee yet ran for another term, only to be defeated in a primary.

Prior to that, in 2018, a Republican rising star, state Rep. Monica Youngblood of Albuquerque, served one day in jail after being convicted on an aggravated DWI charge following her arrest at a sobriety checkpoint. The GOP did not call for her resignation at the time, but then chairman Ryan Cangiolosi said, "Driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is never acceptable for anyone."

Youngblood was defeated by Democrat Karen Bash in the next general election.

Guardianship bill advances

A proposal updating New Mexico's statute on emergency guardian and conservator appointments for people who are incapacitated was met with strong bipartisan support in its final committee stop Monday afternoon.

Dorris Hamilton, right, is seen at the Village at Northrise on March 7, 2020, with her son, Rio. The Hamiltons' dispute over a court-appointed guardian and conservator in 2019 was one of several instances lawmakers mentioned in Santa Fe while discussing SB 35, a bill instituting limits and reporting requirements on such appointments.

The bill would limit the initial appointment to 30 days while allowing judges to extend the appointment for up to 60 more days. It also institutes reporting requirements, a mandatory hearing within 10 days of a motion for temporary guardianship or conservatorship and mandates the appointment of a guardian ad litem.

The bill also bars a temporary guardian or conservator from selling or disposing of the allegedly incapacitated individual without a judge's authorization.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-0 to recommend passage of a version approved last week by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

More: 5 under-the-radar bills that deserve your attention

Teacher raises sent to floor

In the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, chairwoman state Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, wasted no time Monday afternoon, rapidly moving through an eight-item agenda in just half an hour with limited public comment and discussion.

Democrat and House Appropriations and Finance Committee Chair Patty Lundstrom, of Gallup, is seen during a meeting of the state Legislature on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

After the committee sent a general appropriations bill to the House floor, it tabled three bills before moving on SB 1. As the proposal to raise teachers salaries came up on the agenda, Lundstrom said, This is in the budget so we dont need lots of gum-bumping here.

The proposal raises level one teachers minimum salaries to $50,000, level 2 to $60,000, and level 3A teachers and 3B principals to $70,000.

It received the committee's approval without debate, as did three more bills: A $66.4 million package of 36 water projects paid for from the state water project fund; a bill raising employer contributions to the educational retirement fund to 18.5 percent by 2024; and $14.2 million in public project revolving fund appropriations, an increase this year due to increased federal funds that require matching grants.

Note: This roundup of news in New Mexico Legislature is updated for Monday. Look for a new roundup Tuesday.

Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonWrites on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: With session nearing end, Rep. Louis arrested, crime bill advances
The Risk MAP program will be completed in historically underserved and disadvantaged areas faced with severe flooding and other natural hazards

DALLAS, February 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AECOM (NYSE: ACM), the worlds trusted infrastructure consulting firm, today announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the AECOM-led Compass Production and Technical Services Joint Venture (Compass PTS JV) a contract to provide production and technical architecture and engineering services for the Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) Program. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract has a combined program ceiling of $300 million for a one-year base period with four, one-year option years.

"AECOM has supported FEMA for more than forty years leveraging the combined expertise of our world-class scientists, engineers, planners, and analysts," said Lara Poloni, AECOMs president. "Were honored to continue our partnership to promote informed planning and development practices that reduce flood risk and meet the needs of historically underserved and disadvantaged communities faced with severe threats from natural disasters."

Under the new single-award contract, Compass PTS JV will deliver a wide range of services related to flood risk analyses, hazard mapping, disaster response, and risk reduction. In addition, AECOM will leverage its state-of-the-art engineering and mapping capabilities that allow for vast amounts of high-quality hyperlocal flood hazard and risk data and information at state-level scales.

The contract comprises scope requirements that fall within FEMA Regions 4, 6, and 7, a geographic area characterized by the most severe and frequent river, coastal, and urban flooding in the nation, among other natural hazards. FEMA Region 4 states are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee; FEMA Region 6 states are Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas; and FEMA Region 7 states are Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.

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"Were excited that this new contract provides an opportunity for our team to support FEMA as we build on our successful completion of projects over the last seven years. Critical work is already underway with hundreds of our staff working under FEMA leaders to smoothly transition into the new structure," said Beverley Stinson, chief executive of AECOMs global Water business. "Along with our joint venture partners, AECOM is well positioned to support the bold vision and ambitious goals of the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan, which includes instilling equity in emergency management, leading whole communities in climate resilience, and promoting and sustaining a ready FEMA and prepared nation."

The Compass PTS JV is comprised of AECOM, ABS Group, CDM Federal Programs Corporation, Fugro, Halff Associates, T&M Associates, and numerous small business and specialty subconsultants. Its scope of work includes natural hazard analyses, risk assessments, building sciences expertise, and rapid response when disasters strike.

About AECOM

AECOM (NYSE: ACM) is the worlds trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle  from planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy, and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical expertise and innovation, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $13.3 billion in fiscal year 2021. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this communication other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, profitability, strategic value creation, coronavirus impacts, risk profile and investment strategies, and any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and the expected financial and operational results of AECOM. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: our business is cyclical and vulnerable to economic downturns and client spending reductions; impacts caused by the coronavirus and the related economic instability and market volatility, including the reaction of governments to the coronavirus, including any prolonged period of travel, commercial or other similar restrictions, the delay in commencement, or temporary or permanent halting of construction, infrastructure or other projects, requirements that we remove our employees or personnel from the field for their protection, and delays or reductions in planned initiatives by our governmental or commercial clients or potential clients; losses under fixed-price contracts; limited control over operations run through our joint venture entities; liability for misconduct by our employees or consultants; failure to comply with laws or regulations applicable to our business; maintaining adequate surety and financial capacity; high leverage and potential inability to service our debt and guarantees; ability to continue payment of dividends; exposure to Brexit; exposure to political and economic risks in different countries; currency exchange rate fluctuations; retaining and recruiting key technical and management personnel; legal claims; inadequate insurance coverage; environmental law compliance and adequate nuclear indemnification; unexpected adjustments and cancellations related to our backlog; partners and third parties who may fail to satisfy their legal obligations; AECOM Capital real estate development projects; managing pension cost; cybersecurity issues, IT outages and data privacy; risks associated with the benefits and costs of various dispositions such as the sale of our Management Services, self-perform at-risk civil infrastructure and power construction, and oil & gas maintenance and turnaround businesses, including the risk that purchase price adjustments, if any, from those transactions could be unfavorable and any future proceeds owed to us as part of those transactions could be lower than we expect; as well as other additional risks and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements set forth in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220214005100/en/

Contacts

Media:

Brendan Ranson-Walsh

Senior Vice President, Global Communications

1.213.996.2367

Brendan.Ranson-Walsh@aecom.com



Investor:

Will Gabrielski

Senior Vice President, Finance, Treasurer

1.213.593.8208

William.Gabrielski@aecom.com
Eileen Gu of Team China watches the Women's Snowboard Halfpipe Final on Day 6 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. (Photo: VCG via Getty Images)

California-born skier Eileen Gu, who won Olympic gold for China, gushed on Instagram about the ease of ducking social media censorship in her adopted nation. Then her post vanished, apparently a result of censorship.

Gus chirpy Instagram posts during the Olympics have touched off furious debate in China, where the government blocks Instagram, as well as Google, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp, in its so-called Great Firewall.

Why can you use Instagram and millions of Chinese people from the mainland cannot? an angry follower asked Gu last week in a post.

Gu seemed surprised by the question, suggesting it was simple to skirt restrictions by using a VPN  Virtual Private Network  which can slip past internet surveillance.

Anyone can download a vpn its literally free on the App Store, Gu wrote, according to a screenshot of the conversation that has since vanished.

Many people in China do use VPNs, but its very difficult. China has banned the use of VPNs for individuals, and citizens are often punished for trying to dodge internet restrictions.

Gold-medal-winning skier Eileen Gu explains how to dodge Chinese restrictions on social media. (Photo: Screen Shot/Instagram/Eileen Gu)

A screenshot of Gus message posted on Chinese social media site Weibo quickly went viral. But followers testily pointed out that its just not that easy.

Literally, Im not anyone. Literally, its illegal for me to use a VPN. Literally, its not f**king free at all, one Weibo user complained, referring to fees required when someone in China manages to obtain a VPN.

Gus Instagram post suggesting how to dodge social media restrictions is no more, and the Weibo screenshot post of Gus VPN suggestion is now blank after being shared thousands of times.

Posted screen shot on Weibo of Eileen Gu's Instagram message urging people to use a VPN to skirt China's social media restrictions is now blank. (Photo: Screen Shot/Weibo)

The Taiwan News quipped that Gu had her Marie Antoinette moment, revealing her cluelessness about what most Chinese people deal with.

Gu could not be reached for comment.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
ReportLinker

Forecasts by Product Style (Covert, Overt), by Level (Level I, Level II, Level III), by End-use, (Army, Navy, Air Force), by Application (Composite Ceramic, UHMWPE, Aramid, Steel, Other Material), by Product (Interceptor Body Armour (IBA), Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV), Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI), Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts (ESBI), Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS), Concealable Body Armour (CBA), Pelvic Protection Product (PPS), Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), Military Combat Eye Protection (MCEP), Concealable Body Armour (CBA)) AND Regional and Leading National Market Analysis PLUS Analysis of Leading Companies AND COVID-19 Recovery Scenarios

New York, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Report 2022-2032" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06229680/?utm_source=GNW



The Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market Report 2022-2032: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region.



Trends In Body Armour  Weight Versus Protection



Body armour and helmets have been around since the 16th century when the musket was invented. Body armour and helmets became less popular throughout time since their weight hampered movement. The two World Wars of the twentieth century were fought without the use of body armour. However, because 20% of all fighting casualties were to the head, reasonably efficient helmets emerged.



Body armour and helmets got thicker as a result of the emphasis on minimising casualties by maximising protection and the reintroduction of 7.62 mm steel core bullets. Since the mid-1980s, when it was just four kg, the weight of bullet-proof jackets worn by US Army personnel has more than doubled. The weight was raised further by the protection of additional essential regions such as the groyne, knees, elbows, and face. A US soldiers PPE now weighs 13-14 kg. This weight greatly limits the troops mobility and efficiency. Despite the negative elements of higher PPE weight, it has proven to be a life saver in all battles



What Are These Questions You Should Ask Before Buying A Market Research Report?

 How is the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market evolving?

 What is driving and restraining the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market?

 How will each military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2032?

 How will the market shares for each military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) submarket develop from 2022 to 2032?

 What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2022 to 2032?

 Will leading military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?

 How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2032 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2032?

 Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?

 What are the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) projects for these leading companies?

 How will the industry evolve during the period between 2020 and 2032? What are the implication of military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?

 Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market?

 Where is the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market heading? And how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?

 What can be the best investment options for new product and service lines?

 What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path? C-suite?



You need to discover how this will impact the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market today, and over the next 10 years:

 Our 678-page report provides 370 tables and 367 charts/graphs exclusively to you.

 The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them  NOW.

 Contains in-depth analyse of global, regional and national sales and growth

 Highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors



This report tells you TODAY how the military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) market will develop in the next 10 years, and in-line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years.



Forecasts to 2032 and other analyses reveal the commercial prospects

 In addition to revenue forecasting to 2032, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.

 You find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.

 Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising military body armour & personal protective equipment (PPE) prices and recent developments.



This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report.



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Product Style

 Covert

 Overt



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Level

 Level I

 Level II

 Level III



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by End-Use

 Army

 Navy

 Air Force



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Application

 Composite Ceramic

 UHMWPE

 Aramid

 Steel

 Other Material



Global Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market (COVID Impact Analysis) by Product

 Interceptor Body Armour (IBA)

 Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV)

 Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI)

 Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts (ESBI)

 Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS)

 Concealable Body Armour (CBA)

 Pelvic Protection Product (PPS)

 Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH)

 Military Combat Eye Protection (MCEP)

 Concealable Body Armour (CBA)



In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for 4 regional and 20 leading national markets:



North America Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 U.S. Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Canada Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Mexico Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



Europe Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 Germany Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Spain Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 United Kingdom Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 France Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Italy Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Russia Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Rest of Europe Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



Asia Pacific Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 China Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Japan Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 India Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Australia Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 South Korea Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Rest of Asia Pacific Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



Latin America Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 Brazil Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Argentina Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Chile Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Rest of Latin America Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



Middle East & Africa Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Outlook

 Egypt Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Turkey Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Saudi Arabia Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Iran Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Israel Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis

 Rest of Middle East and Africa Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market Forecast & COVID Impact Analysis



The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations.



Leading companies and the potential for market growth

 3M Company

 AR500 Armor

 Armor Works Inc

 ATK Security and Sporting

 Avon Protection Systems Inc.

 BAE System Plc

 Ballistic Body Armor PTY

 CoorsTek Inc.

 Craig International Ballistics Pty Ltd.

 Dupont De Nemours Inc.

 Gentex Coporation

 Honeywell International

 MSA Safety

 Pacific Safety Product

 Point Blank Enterprises, Inc



Overall world revenue for Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 in terms of value the market will surpass US$xx million in 2022, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2032. Our work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.



How the Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market report helps you?



In summary, our 670+ page report provides you with the following knowledge:

 Revenue forecasts to 2032 for Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market, with forecasts for product style, product, level, end-use, material, each forecasted at a global and regional level discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues

 Revenue forecasts to 2032 for 4 regional and 20 key national markets  See forecasts for the Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Australia among other prominent economies.

 Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market including company profiles for 20 of the major companies involved in the Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Market, 2022 to 2032 Market.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06229680/?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.



__________________________

Story continues

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Many Knoxville residents might nostalgically recall the White Stores grocery firm, which was the largest independently operated chain in East Tennessee until being sold to Food Citys parent company in 1989.

But White Stores didn't shut down after the sale. It was reinvented with some of its same former executives and managers to White Realty & Service Corp., with real estate and refrigeration equipment sales and repair divisions.

It's still just as much a part of Knoxville's business community, if in a different form. The family-owned company turns 100 this year.

Tracing its founding to when businessman Frank McDonald purchased the L.O. Rogers chain at auction on the local courthouse steps, the firm still has McDonald family descendants and in-laws involved.

And that makes the celebration even more meaningful, said Jerry Bodie, executive vice president and chief operating officer.

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Its exciting that a family-owned company is in our sixth generation, he said, citing such people as Tommy Overton, son Davis Overton, and several other family stockholders. That in itself is exciting to know that many family members are still a part of it.

According to a company history document, the company was named White Stores because Frank McDonald wanted a simple name.

However, the ledger books initially showed red. McDonald was able to persuade creditors to give him more time, and eventually the store made a comfortable profit.

By the mid-1940s, younger son Dwight Dink McDonald began assuming controls of the company.

An older brother, Roy McDonald, had moved to Chattanooga and began operation of the Home Stores grocery chain and published the Chattanooga News-Free Press.

Saw Farragut's future in '64 land buy

An undated photograph of a White Stores "Frozen-Food Express" truck. It was one of of the first frozen food trucks that could safely transport frozen product to the stores. This image is a digital photograph of an original printed photograph.

In Knoxville, Dwight McDonald focused on real estate along with selling groceries, and by the 1950s began buying and developing properties, often with the goal of building a White Store.

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He bought 30 acres in then-rural Farragut in 1964, and some thought he was a fool, the company history says. But more than a decade later, he developed the profitable Village Green shopping center, with White Stores as its tenant.

By the mid-1960s, Dwight McDonald had opened several suburban stores in such places as Kingston Pike near Northshore Drive, and business was doing well. He was known for working long hours, but also for focusing on his family and treating his employees like family, too, the history says.

A White Stores location in April 1972.

Dwight McDonald died unexpectedly in 1975 after the chain grew to dozens of stores. Son-in-law Tommy Overton, who had married daughter Susan and began helping the business in the 1960s with new store development, took over as head at age 34.

Bodie started as a bag boy at the Bearden White Stores as a teenager, and while attending the University of Tennessee he began working in their main office.

I thought I could make it a career, he recalls thinking, adding that he later became a buyer for the chain.

White Stores sold to Food City

A sign for a White Stores location at West Haven Center in April 1972.

As grocery store consolidation was taking place in the 1980s, the company leaders sold White Stores to Food Citys parent company, K-VA-T Foods Inc., another family-owned chain.

But the books on the White family company were not shut.

When Food City bought the operating assets, they didnt buy the real estate, said Bodie. And they did not have an in-house service department that worked on their coolers and display cases.

As a result, White Realty Co. was formed under Overton, as was Certified Commercial Service and Equipment.

The realty division, with offices behind the Bearden Food City, has expanded over the years into such additional projects as the Dowell Springs Business Park off Middlebrook Pike, which was intended as an upscale development unlike anything found in Knoxville.

The Certified Commercial Service and Equipment branch of the company has grown to include offices and warehouses in Knoxville, Nashville and Louisville, Kentucky. It specializes in supermarket refrigeration equipment, and its customers include Food City, Walmart, Target, Kroger and Costco.

The company also has a test kitchen at its Knoxville warehouse where Pilot Company's chefs develop new food products.

Bodie credits Overton, who still serves as president, for the companys growth since the sale of the grocery chain.

From left, White Realty and Service Corporation Senior Vice President of Real Estate Davis Overton, Executive Vice President Jerry Bodie and Senior Vice President of Service and Equipment Division David Mink pose for a portrait at Bearden Center in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. White Realty, formerly White Stores, opened a grocery store at the location in March 1958. It was the second strip shopping center in West Knoxville. The old store is now Food City and King Cleaners, as well as Coffin Shoe Company, an original tenant.

He really had the vision to take the real estate to the next level, Bodie said. And he always encouraged us to go out and seek new opportunities. He has been the biggest part of our success.

He also said that Overtons son, Davis, has been serving the company for 27-plus years, and that David Mink, the senior vice president of services, was a former White Stores manager. Several other employees have been with the firm for more than 20 years, he said.

Weve got 125 employees and they are the heartbeat of the business, Bodie said. We say they are our biggest asset.

As a result of the companys positive past and present, he remains optimistic about its future as well, as it embarks on its second century of being in business.

We are going to continue to grow the company through acquisitions and future real estate development, he said. And we see a lot of growth in the equipment sales and services division.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How this Knoxville grocery store chain pivoted to real estate
Rosario Dawson and Senator Cory Booker have split after more than two years of dating, according to PEOPLE.

A source close to the U.S. senator from New Jersey said he and Dawson are no longer an item but remain good friends. The two began dating in 2019, after crossing paths at a political fundraiser in 2018.

The pair sparked romance rumors after they attended a performance of Dear Evan Hansen together in New York. In March 2019, Dawson confirmed her relationship with the lawmaker when approached at an airport, calling Booker a "wonderful human being."

Cory Booker and Rosario Dawson

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic Cory Booker and Rosario Dawson

Most recently, Dawson accompanied Booker to President Joe Biden's inauguration in Washington, D.C., in January 2021. Later that year, the actress called her beau the "Ted Lasso of the Senate" when asked to share her thoughts on Chris Redd's impression of Booker during a recent Saturday Night Live cold open.

While Dawson didn't take any offense to Redd's impression, she contended that the comedian didn't get it "quite right," telling TMZ, "I'm really looking forward to someone doing an impression that actually really comes off like Cory. So I'm throwing it out there, a little idea: He's literally like the Ted Lasso of the Senate, so maybe do something that's kind of a spin like that?"

Related content:
By Alexander Marrow and Maria Kiselyova

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's navy held anti-submarine drills in the Black Sea on Monday as fighter jets patrolled its border with ally Belarus in the latest displays of heightened military activity close to Ukraine.

The United States on Sunday said Russia could invade Ukraine at any time and might create a surprise pretext for an attack, as it reaffirmed a pledge to defend "every inch" of NATO territory. Russia has accused the West of hysteria.

The Kremlin acknowledged that Moscow-Washington relations were "on the floor".

Russia has more than 100,000 troops massed near Ukraine, but has repeatedly denied any plans to invade. It is staging major joint military drills in Belarus, Ukraine's northern neighbour, and naval drills in the Black Sea, near the Crimean peninsula Moscow annexed from Kyiv in 2014.

Other exercises with more than 30 transport and attack helicopters engaged in tactical exercises were underway in southern Russia, while the air force simulated repelling enemy air strikes in the northern Leningrad region using S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, the military said.

Russia will also send a detachment of ships armed with cruise and supersonic missiles from its Caspian flotilla to the Black and Mediterranean Seas, the Izvestia daily cited military sources as saying.

Meanwhile, Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet crews conducted a joint patrol flight along the border between Russia and Belarus on Monday, Russia's defence ministry said.

'THIS IS OUR TERRITORY'

Russia has said its troops will leave Belarus once exercises are over. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday said the same, but hinted that it would also depend on him and Russian President Vladimir Putin making that decision.

"It will be our decision: this is our territory," the state-run Belta news agency quoted Lukashenko as saying.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin in televised remarks that some of the country's military drills had already ended and others were coming to a close.

Story continues

Washington's increased military presence in Europe has irked Russia and despite a recent uptick in bilateral dialogue, relations remain lamentable.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said one positive was that Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden, who spoke by phone on Saturday, have been in contact.

"This is a plus because you know that just a couple of years ago there was zero dialogue, there were no such contacts whatsoever," the RIA news agency cited Peskov as saying.

"But on the rest, unfortunately, in bilateral relations one can only talk about negatives. We are at a very, very low point. They are actually lying on the floor."

(Reporting by Maria Kiselyova and Alexander Marrow; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Andrew Heavens)
(Bloomberg) -- Toshiba Corp. will hold an extraordinary shareholder meeting next month to gain feedback from investors on its revised separation plan, setting the stage for a showdown with activist stock holders that may oppose the Japanese conglomerates restructuring proposal.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The meeting will be held on March 24, the Tokyo-based company said in a statement Monday. A vote on the plan to split wont be legally binding and will be adopted by an ordinary resolution, it said, requiring a simple majority to pass.

The proposal is likely to be approved because of this, said Justin Tang, the head of Asian research at United First Partners in Singapore.

A legally binding vote on the separation will take place next year, the company said.

The meeting comes after Toshiba announced last week that it would divide into two companies, scrapping an initial three-way split that faced fierce criticism from activist shareholders.

Toshiba now plans to spin off its devices business, which includes semiconductors, and sell non-core operations in areas from air conditioning to elevators and lighting. The company denied last week that the change was due to pressure from shareholders, saying instead that the new plan would be smoother and save money.

Two proposals by shareholder 3D Investment Partners Pte will also be voted on at the meeting, Toshiba said. The first is to partially amend the companys articles of incorporation to push ahead with the company split, or any other reorganization supported by the board and its strategic review committee, if approved.

The second calls for the strategic review committee to ensure all alternatives to the reorganization plan are fully considered.

Story continues

Toshibas board opposes both proposals, it said.

Toshiba, once among Japans most revered companies, has been in crisis mode for years due to repeated scandals and management missteps. It invented flash memory for computing, but had to sell control of its crown jewel semiconductor business to pay for a disastrous expansion in nuclear power.

That deal opened the door to activist investors who have pushed for change. They include Effissimo Capital Management Pte and 3D, which are the two largest shareholders with 10% and 7.6% stakes respectively, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

3D, which has yet to comment on the revised separation proposal, had been calling on the company to reopen negotiations with private equity firms on selling the company, rather than going ahead with plans to split.

(Updates with more details from second paragraph)

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It Happened Here is a weekly history column by Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Donald W. Meyers. Reach him at dmeyers@yakimaherald.com. Sources for this weeks column include Early African Americans in Our Yakima Valley History, compiled by Gilbert B. Chandler and Ester B. Huey; the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation; Grandview Museum; the 1880 U.S. Census; and the archives of the Yakima Herald-Republic.
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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.

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 news 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.
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, health care 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.
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The number of .hu domain registrations exceeded 10,000 In January, which has not been the case since April 2021, according to the Hungarian accredited domain registrar, web and server hosting provider rackhost.hu.

Over the past six months, .hu domain bookings have fallen short of the peaks of early 2021, but data from January this year suggest that another boom is beginning.



While in December last year, 7,630 .hu domains were registered, in January this year there were already 10,610, which is a 39% increase.
The election campaign for Hungarys April 3 general election and national referendum on the child protection law held simultaneously started officially on Saturday.

Under Hungarys election law, the election campaign officially start fifty days before the date of the ballot, and runs until the close of the polls at 7pm.



Under the law, voters can cast two ballots in the single-round election which decides 199 seats. One directly elects lawmakers in 106 individual constituencies, while the other is cast for a party list.



Prospective candidates must secure 500 signatures by 4pm on Feb. 25 to run in an individual constituency.



Candidates must collect 500 valid recommendation slips to run, and they must be registered by the individual constituencys election committee.



The election procedures law prohibits placing an election poster on protected monuments, nature conservation sites or the facades of state and local government buildings or within their compounds.



Political advertisements can be published by print media outlets that registered with the State Audit Office by Jan. 18.



Television and radio outlets are required to publish political advertisements free of charge under uniform criteria. Commercial channels had to notify the National Election Committee about including political advertising in their programming by 4pm on February 12.



On the day of the ballot they are prohibited from airing political adverts. During the election campaign, organisers are not required to notify police about an election rally in advance.



They are, however, required to obtain a written permit from the relevant local government office or relevant authorities for the use of public areas.
Thank you to everyone who either helped with, or attended the Friends of the Librarys York Uncorked this past weekend. I know there was a lot of competition that night to do things, so we appreciate those who stopped at the library. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and, of course it was nice to welcome new faces to the library. Youll be pleased to know that all of the proceeds will go to stretch out the librarys budget. Special thanks to our wonderful vendors, especially to Warren Thomas (my former boss) for his contributions. Its nice that we are lucky to have him in the community for this (and the Soup Sale event) and so many more.

I am still volunteering at the library to clean their book collection. The staff is very nice to me and its great to see more and more people use the library. I have a designated table to work at, and the staff is great getting me a rack of books to clean. Kids are still coming in to play video games, its noisy but at least they are not running around town getting into trouble. They are nice for the most part. They are very grateful to have free computer access.

Today, on the way to lunch, Bob got an earful of useless trivia from me. Evergreen by Barbara Streisand came on the radio. I told him that she has had three solo number ones in her career and all of them stayed at Number One for three weeks each (this one, The Way We Were and Woman in Love) plus if you add No More Tears with Donna Summer, that makes four songs that stayed at number one for 3 weeks. I think that is some kind of record. That made me think of other artists that achieved the same kind of record. I can only think of Tony Orlando & Dawn who had three songs reaching the top of the charts, and each song stayed for three weeks. There was Knock Three Times, Tie a Yellow Ribbon (the number one song of the year) and He Dont Love You. Sure, there have been others that scored more number ones (The Beatles for one), but I cant think of any others that their only number ones stayed for three weeks.

Its all part of the useless trivia that takes so much space in my head. As Ive mentioned before, I spent most of my childhood watching TV and listening to the radio. For instance, the shows that had the most spinoffs in history happened during my childhood. All In the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show each had successful spinoffs. All In the Family spun off The Jeffersons, Gloria and Maude. Maude then spun off Good Times. Mary, of course span off Rhoda and Phyllis. Three other stars from the original show had series. Lou Grant had the connection to the original and Ted Knight had The Ted Knight Show and Too Close for Comfort. Betty White had a short-lived show too. Happy Days also was very successful spinning off shows like LaVerne and Shirley and Mork & Mindy. If you count Joanie Loves Chachi, that adds up to a lot of shows with original ties.

Did you know that Star Trek came from the studio that brought us I Love Lucy (Desilu). Speaking of I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball had three other shows featuring the same character, there was The Lucy Show, Heres Lucy and Life with Lucy. Pretty impressive! More people watched the birth of Little Ricky than President Eisenhower getting sworn in. While Lucille Ball gets a lot of the credit for the show, it was Desi Arnaz who really changed TV history. Back in the 1950s most shows were filmed with the on-camera way. Desi brought in several cameras giving birth the multi-camera way that most sitcoms are filmed today. He also changed the way sitcoms were filmed. Back in the early days of TV, most were put on film, and they were lost. Desi had them videotaped, thus giving birth to the rerun. Pretty amazing for a man with no TV background to come up with these changes.

The longest continuously-run network show is The Simpsons, who are in the middle of their 23rd year. Gunsmoke ran for 20 years on TV and 5 on radio. Dallas was the most-watched show the longest, five years in a row. It was interrupted for one year by Dynasty.  Dallas  spinoff Knots Landing never achieved the same audience, but lasted on the air three more years that its parent show. Out of all the prime-time soap operas in the 1990s, Dallas was the biggest. At one time, Larry Hagman threatened to walk away from the show during the height of its popularity, if he didnt get a raise. The producers had some different ways of dealing with his leaving, but caved in to his demands. He was now earning over a million dollars per episode. Well worth the money for CBS.

Well, thats just a taste of the facts that are clogging my mind. I feel so better releasing it. Im sure there will be more that oozes out in the future. Stay tuned.
Jeep India has announced the name of their anticipated offering for the Indian market, a 7-seater SUV - the Jeep Meridian. The Jeep Meridian is based on the Compass 5-seater premium SUV and will be launched soon in the domestic market. Jeep Meridian launches in India mid-2022, with local specifications and pricing being announced closer to launch.

For Jeep, the name of the vehicle was the first step and a list of 70 different names were studied including a few global Jeep names. However, for an SUV that is completely Made in India - a name with strong relevance and resonance to the market was required. The name Meridian is inspired by the line which passes through the length of India connecting some of the most beautiful states and cultures.

The Jeep Meridian recently traversed from Kashmir to Kanyakumari (K2K) taking the route through the Meridian 77-degree East wearing special camouflage. The Jeep Meridian sported an innovative first of its kind camouflage, showcasing the iconic aspects of each states culture, legacy, and diversity which lie on the Meridian 770 passing through India.

The Made in India Jeep Meridian will be the first 7-seater mass SUV from the brand in India and will combine the Jeep DNA with everyday practicality and off-roading prowess, as per the American iconic SUV maker.

Roland Bouchara, CEO & Managing Director, Stellantis India, said on the occasion, "Jeep is an iconic brand, globally recognized for its capable SUVs. The Jeep brands journey in India has been legendary and we hope to build on this, with another equally legendary SUV - the Jeep Meridian. Developed specifically for the Indian customer, we have delivered a sophisticated and capable SUV ready to harness a unique segment opportunity.

The camouflaged Jeep Meridian traversed across Ladakh, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and covered a distance of more than 5,000 kms through India testing its performance, on various parameters of build quality, engineering, and capability.

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has rejected a petition from Delhi-NCR asking that disabled diesel vehicles be exempted from the ban. It is noted that the ban on 10-year-old diesel vehicles is due to the fact that older vehicles pollute more than their newer counterparts in Delhi-NCR.

According to PTI, the NGT bench comprised of Judge Adarsh Kumar Goel and Judge Sudhir Agarwal rejected the petition. A decision on a matter that had already been decided by the Supreme Court would not be maintainable.

"Such applications in a decided matter cannot be allowed to be entertained for all times. In view of the above, the application is dismissed as not maintainable," it said.

Read also: Anand Mahindra shows interest in THIS device that can turn your cycle into EV

The tribunal was hearing a request for an exemption from the 10-year time limit for the use of diesel vehicles in the Delhi-NCR area by Sarabjit A Singh because of his 100% disability.

A request for modification of the order prohibiting diesel vehicles older than 10 years in Delhi-NCR was rejected earlier by the NGT.

The ban was not only enforced on 10-year-old diesel vehicles but on 15-year-old petrol vehicles as well, on the ground of pollutant emissions.

A study concluded that emissions from diesel vehicles are carcinogenic, and that one diesel vehicle produces pollution equivalent to 24 petrol vehicles or 40 CNG vehicles.

With inputs from agencies

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Ministry of Health, Government of India, recently issued new travel guidelines for international arriving passengers in the country. Under the revised guidelines RT-PCR test is no more needed if a passenger is fully vaccinated. Now the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has directed health officials and district magistrates to ensure the Centre's revised COVID-19 guidelines for international arrivals are followed at the IGI Airport.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on February 10 released detailed guidelines for international arrivals at airports and seaports in the country, doing away with the quarantine provision. According to the guidelines, all the passengers will show self-declaration form on arrival at the airport.

Also read: RT-PCR report not required, Govt issues new guidelines for international travellers

The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening will be immediately isolated and taken to medical facility under health protocol. If tested positive, their contacts will be identified and managed as per laid down protocol.

The protocol post arrival mandates that two per cent of the total passengers in a flight will undergo random testing at the airport. Such travellers in each flight will be identified by the airlines concerned, preferably from different countries.

They will submit the samples and will be allowed to leave the airport. If such travellers test positive, their samples would be sent for genomic sequencing. All travellers will self-monitor their health for next 14 days of arrival. Earlier, such travellers were required to undergo weeklong home quarantine.

The guidelines state if travellers under self-health monitoring develop signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, they will immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call national helpline number (1075)/ state helpline number.

This Standard Operating Procedure will be valid from midnight of February 14 till further orders. Based on the risk assessment, this document shall be reviewed from time to time. The guidelines further stipulate all travellers should submit complete and factual information in self-declaration form on the online air portal Suvidha before the scheduled travel, including last 14 days' travel details.

They will also upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report not earlier than 72 hrs prior to undertaking the travel or certificate of completing full primary vaccination schedule.

With inputs from PTI

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Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti, BishweswarTudu says he is hopeful that the Centre will give a nod for turning the now-defunct Armada Road Airstrip in Odisha, which was operational during World War II, into a modern airport.

Making an aggressive pitch for its revival, Tudu said the airstrip is located 225 km from state capital Bhubaneswar and only 90 km from the Kalaikunda air force station and can be used for commercial and defence purposes.

I have taken up the matter with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister JyotiradityaScindia. Both of them have found the place suitable for a modern airport as it is strategically located, Tudu said.

Read also: No RT-PCR test required for international flyers at Delhi Airport, check new guidelines

A team of experts from the Airports Authority of India has already visited the site, and we are hopeful that the authorities will soon accord a no-objection certificate, said the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti.

The 1,000-acre piece of land in Rasgovindpur block falls under the purview of the defence ministry and it needs to be handed over to the civil aviation ministry, he said. The Armada Road Airstrip, once it turns into an airport, will cater to an estimated 82 lakh people, mostly in north Odisha, south Bengal, and east Jharkhand.

Tudu said the proposed airport will also address the requirements of key institutions like the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in the Balasore district and IIT-Kharagpur in West Bengal. If the airstrip becomes operational, it can be used for both commercial and defence purposes, akin to the airports in Pune and Guwahati, he said.

The Rasgovindpur Airstrip (as it is known today) has a short but secret illustrious history, which has never been made public, said war historian Anil Dhir, adding, it had the longest runway in Asia, over 3.5-km long.

Today, if you look at the silent runway lying mostly vacant apart from a few odd cows grazing, it would be difficult to associate the airport with activities of any kind. But, this airstrip played a very important role in Indian defence during World War II, Dhir said.

He said no details of the events that took place here between 1943 and 1945 exist, not even in government and military records. The station came into existence during the war as a forward airfield against the Japanese conquest of Burma. The large airstrip served its purpose well as a landing ground for planes and also as a training space for special bombing missions, the historian said.

Built in the 1940s for Rs 3 crore, it was eventually abandoned after the war.

With inputs from PTI

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New Delhi: Former Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci was named Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India by Tata Sons on Monday. "The board after due deliberations approved the appointment of Ilker Ayci as the CEO & MD of Air India. This appointment is subject to requisite regulatory approvals," Tata Sons stated in a release.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran commented on Mr Ayci's hiring, saying, "Ilker is a Turkish Airlines executive who oversaw the company's present success during his time there. We are happy to welcome Ilker to the Tata Group, where he will lead Air India into the next phase of its development."

"The Air India Board of Directors convened to discuss Mr. Ayci's candidacy. Mr. Chandrasekaran had been invited as a special guest to this board meeting "the press release read.

According to Tata Sons, he will begin his duties on or before April 1, 2022.

"I am pleased and privileged to be given the opportunity to manage a famous airline and join the Tata Group. We will use Air India's great tradition to make it one of the top airlines in the world, with a distinctly superior flying experience that embodies Indian warmth and hospitality, working closely with my colleagues at Air India and the Tata Group's leadership "Mr. Ayci explained.

The Tata Group recently acquired Air India from the Indian government.

Air India is the Tata Group's third airline brand; it owns a majority stake in AirAsia India and a joint venture with Singapore Airlines Ltd called Vistara.

The holding entity of the salt-to-software conglomerate is Tata Sons.

Air India currently operates 4,400 domestic and 1,800 international landing and parking slots at domestic airports, as well as 900 slots internationally.

In 1932, the Tatas founded Tata Airlines, which was eventually renamed Air India in 1946. The airline was taken over by the government in 1953, but JRD Tata remained its chairman until 1977. The handover marked Air India's return to Tatas after a 69-year absence.
New Delhi: On February 14, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar launched a scathing attack on bitcoin, saying that banning cryptocurrency is "probably the most sensible decision available in India."

Sankar mentioned this at the 17th Annual Banking Technology Conference and Awards hosted by the Indian Banks Association.

"We looked at the reasons put out by individuals who believe cryptocurrencies should be regulated and found that none of them stand up to scrutiny," Sankar added.

The remarks are significant in response to the ongoing discussion over whether or not to prohibit digital currency. The deputy governor outlined a number of reasons that he believes contribute to the banking system's concerns about private cryptocurrencies. This is probably the first time an RBI high official has publicly advocated for the prohibition of cryptocurrency.

The RBI governor, Shaktikanta Das, had previously raised worries about Cryptocurrencies, claiming that these tools are destructive to macroeconomic stability.

During the post-monetary policy press conference, Das again cautioned investors about investing in cryptocurrencies. "I believe it is my responsibility to inform investors that when they invest in cryptocurrencies, they should remember that they are doing it at their own risk." They must remember that these cryptocurrencies have no underlying assets (asset). "Not even a tulip," Das stated during the MPC press conference.

The Union government has announced a 30% tax on private digital assets beginning in the next fiscal year, but has yet to declare cryptocurrencies lawful or illegal.

Cryptocurrencies, according to Sankar, jeopardise a country's financial sovereignty and leave it vulnerable to strategic manipulation by private corporations that create them or governments that control them.

"More importantly, they can (and will) damage the currency system, the monetary authority, the banking system, and the government's ability to oversee the economy in general," the deputy governor added.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on February 14 that the Union government and the Reserve Bank of India are in "total harmony" on cryptocurrencies and other matters.

The finance minister told reporters after the RBI's board meeting that conversations with the central bank on the problem began prior to the budget and are still ongoing.

"We consult and debate whatever the government does with the RBI. So, if I charge 30% and then talk about the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and everything else, I'd be tying RBI's hands if I hadn't even spoken to them!" According to Sitharaman.

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New Delhi: Controversy queen Kangana Ranaut recently took to Instagram to lash out at a viral video of a little girl impersonating Alia Bhatt's character from her upcoming film 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'.

The actress claimed that the impersonation that was made to be done by her was inappropriate as she felt a child should not be made to impersonate a sex worker. Kangana also tagged Smriti Iran, Minister of Women and Child Development, in her Instagram story.

She wrote, "Should this child imitate a sex worker with a beedi in her mouth and crude and obscene dialogues? Look at her body language, is it ok to sexualize her at this age? There are hundreds of other children who are being used similarly."

Take a look at her Instagram story:

WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO HERE:

Earlier on Saturday, Kangana had made a veiled dig at Deepika Padukone's Gehraiyaan. She wrote on Instagram, "I am also a millennial but I identify and understand this kind of romance...in the name of millennial/new age/urban movies don`t sell trash pls...bad movies are bad movies no amount of skin show or pornography can save it ...it`s a basic fact koi gehraiyaan wali baat nahi hai."

Coming to the film Gangaubai Kathiawadi, maverick filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-awaited venture's trailer released on Feb 4 and lead actress Alia Bhatt is simply outstanding in it. The film is adapted from Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai about Ganga Harjivandas, a simple girl of Kathiawad.

Gangubai Kathiawadi trailer takes us into the life of Gangubai played by Alia Bhatt. SLB's grand saga is set in the early 60s and shows the leading lady as the brothel owner and matriarch.

Gangubai Kathiawadi is slated to release on February 25, 2022, in cinema halls. It is produced by Bhansali Productions and Jayantilal Gadas Pen India Limited.
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday (February 14) taking a dig at Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said, "When loot money is caught, Akhilesh feels pain in stomach. Piles of cash were recovered in raid on a perfume businessman of SP."

"Akhilesh said it was a political raid. Let's assume it was a political raid. But what was your relation with that businessman," asked Shah while addressing the public in Jhansi.

Underling the failures of the SP government Shah said, "When Akhilesh was in power, around 200 farmers died due to draught and starvation and over 300 cases of suicide were reported."

"When BJP came to power, it started India-Israel Bundelkhand water project to do away with problem of water scarcity," asserted Shah.

Launching an attack on another rival party Congress, Home Minister said, " 'Parivaarwadi' parties can't do good for the State and the country. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi...can Congress work for the welfare of the public of UP?

Over 2 crore voters are today (February 14) voting to decide the electoral fate of 586 candidates in the fray in the second phase of the election to 55 assembly seats in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.

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New Delhi: Assembly Elections 2022 kicked off on Thursday (February 10, 2022) with voting beginning in Uttar Pradesh for the phase one of the seven-phase election. Polling in Uttarakahnd and Goa also began on Monday (February 14, 2022).

If a voter has misplaced their voter ID card, they can download the elector's photo identity card (e-EPIC) online.

A voter ID Card is a government-issued identity card and is also known as Election Card. The Election Commission of India (ECI) issues a Voter ID to eligible Indian citizens which allows them to cast their vote in Indian elections.

A voter ID card is a very important document to cast your valuable vote, but it is also important to know that even if you dont have a voter ID card, you can still cast your vote.

How to Download Voter ID card online:

Step 1. Visit the official election website - https://voterportal.eci.gov.in.

Step 2. Click on download E-EPIC option

Step 3. Enter your e-EPIC number and one-time password (OTP) (which will be sent to your registered mobile number)

Step 4. Click on Download

Or

Step 1. Citizens can also download e-EPIC from https://nvsp.in.

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Step 3. Enter your EPIC Number or Form Reference Number

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As many as 2.02 crore eligible voters will exercise their franchise today in Uttar Pradesh. A total of 81 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes in Uttarakhand today and over 11 lakh people are eligible to cast their votes in Goa.

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Dehradun: The Congress veteran Harish Rawat and the BJP`s youth bet Pushkar Singh Dhami will have their fingers crossed on Monday when Uttarakhand goes to poll for its 70 members` Assembly.

Both the Congress and the BJP have battled political instability in the state in the last two decades after it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. The BJP`s task is a twin -- beat the anti-incumbency and also the electoral trend of the incumbent government voted out in the state. Uttarakhand, incidentally, has seen 11 Chief Ministers in the last two decades. The BJP has fielded 11 cabinet Ministers and the state unit president Madan Kaushik in the electoral arena.

Dhami is contesting for the third time from the Khatima Assembly seat against the Congress nominee Bhuwan Chandra Kapri.

Assembly speaker Prem Chand Aggarwal is contesting from Rishikesh against Congress` Jayendra Chand Ramola.

The BJP has fielded sitting MLA and party president Madan Kaushik from the Haridwar seat. He`s challenged by the Congress nominee Satpal Brahmachari. The Congress campaign in the state is led by the poll veteran Harish Rawat, who`s also the chairman of the party`s campaign committee in Uttarakhand. However, both BJP and Congress have avoided declaring their chief ministerial candidates in the elections.

Losing the last three elections on a streak, Rawat is now contesting from a new assembly seat this election.

He has been given a ticket from the Lalkuwa seat, where he will be contesting against Mohan Singh Bisht of BJP.

Other than Rawat, Congress will be closely watching the result of the Haldwani Assembly seat where the party has fielded Sumit Hridayesh, son of senior Congress leader Indira Hridayesh, who had died last year.

The Congress` Sumit will face the BJP`s Jogendra Pal Singh Rautela, who is a two-time Haldwani mayor, while known to have a considerable support base in the constituency. A fierce fight among two-party veterans is likely as the Congress has fielded its state party chief Ganesh Godiyal against Minister and sitting MLA Dhan Singh Rawat from the Srinagar seat.

The new entrant into Uttarakhand politics, Aam Aadmi Party has fielded candidates on all 70 Assembly seats, with its Chief Ministerial face being Ajay Kothiyal.

Kothiyal has been fielded from the Gangotri Assembly seat against Congress state vice president Vijaypal Singh Sajwan. Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded Suresh Singh Chauhan from the seat.

The AAP is banking on the clean image of Kothiyal, National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal`s popularity and development work carried out by the party in the national capital.

The BJP after changing three Chief Ministers in the state in the past five years is banking on its national leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s popularity with an appeal for a pro-incumbency vote.

Congress, on the other hand, has accused the BJP of leaving the state into political instability by changing Chief Ministers.

The voting will begin at 7 am and end at 5 pm after the electioneering came to an end on Saturday, 48 hours before the electorate begin casting their votes. There`re 632 candidates in the electoral fray for 70 Assembly seats.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (February 14, 2022) urged voters to vote in record numbers in Goa, Uttarakhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh. A few minutes ahead of the commencement of Assembly elections in the three states, PM Modi took it to Twitter and asked the people to strengthen the festival of democracy.

"Polling will be held across Uttarakhand, Goa and in parts of Uttar Pradesh. I call upon all those who are eligible to vote today to do so in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Polling will be held across Uttarakhand, Goa and in parts of Uttar Pradesh. I call upon all those whose are eligible to vote today to do so in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2022

Voting for Assembly elections in Goa, Uttarakhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh began on Monday. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is the incumbent government in all these states.

In Uttar Pradesh, where elections will be held to 403 assembly constituencies in seven phases, will begin voting for its second phase today. The first phase was held on February 10.

While Goa and Uttarakhand will see all of their 40 and 70 assembly seats respectively going to polls in a single phase, voting will be done at 55 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh today.

(With ANI inputs)

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New Delhi: Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has distributed cash and liquor to entice voters in the state. Rawat said that his party (Congress) has also filed a complaint with the Election Commission regarding the same.

"The BJP is trying to rig the polls. The chief minister and his MLAs have been caught on camera distributing money. The videos are now viral. There was information that Rs 100 crore has been sent from Delhi to Uttarakhand, Rawat said.

"If the Election Commission takes cognisance of the complaint, then more than a dozen candidates of the BJP will be disqualified," he said.

Rawat also dismissed the rumors of in-fighting within the party and said, "We are united and we will remain united."

Congress veteran and party campaign in-charge for Uttarakhand Harish Rawat said nobody in the party had any objections to his name as the chief ministerial candidate. He also said that the CM face will be decided by the party.

Additionally, Rawat hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his controversial comment. Union Home Minister in Raipur rally on Saturday said the Congress is unable to decide the role of Harish Rawat in the coming state Assembly elections and said that Rawats situation was similar to dhobi ka na ghar ka na ghaat ka.

Ye bechare Harish Rawat ko neta banayenge, nahi banayenge, banayenge, nahi banayenge, ticket denge, nahi denge, yahan se denge, wahan se denge (The Congress cannot decide whether to make Harish Rawat their leader or not, whether to give him a ticket or not, and from where) Yeh dhobi ka aage nahi bolna chahta na ghar ka ghaat ka, said Shah.

Rawat said, Home Minister Amit Shah has called me a dog, the people are watching. I consider the dog to be the form of Bhairava.

Earlier, Rawat also took it to Twitter and wrote, Your words have shown the low mentality of BJP for people of Uttarakhand I will do whatever I need for the security of Uttarakhand and Uttarakha-ndiyat.

Rawat also said that the people of Uttarakhand know that we (Congress) are their capital and urged the public to exercise their right to vote boldly.

Rawat also highlighted that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is comparatively new to the hilly state and currently needs to understand Uttarakhand right now.

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New Delhi: The West Bengal government on Monday (February 14) allows reopening of all primary and upper primary schools from February 16. Night curfew to remain in force between 12 midnight and 5 am while all other curbs and relaxations remain in place till February 28.

West Bengal has also withdrawn the ban on incoming international flights effective from Tuesday (February 15). However, international passengers either have to be fully vaccinated or go through an RT-PCR test within 72 hours from flight departure, an official statement reads

Meanwhile, the state government has already announced the easing of norms for zoos, parks and museums and tourist attractions. Popular tourist spots like zoos, museums and parks can operate at 75 per cent capacity.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (February 14) targeted Congress during his maiden rally in Punjab's Jalandhar ahead of the state Assembly election.

Modi said that his helicopter was stalled in Pathankot because of Rahul Gandhi during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. During the 2014 elections...they (Congress) stalled my helicopter in Pathankot because their 'Yuvraj' (Rahul Gandhi) was going visit in another corner of Punjab, the PM was quoted as saying by ANI. He added that he reached one hour late to his destination due to the delay.

#WATCH | During the 2014 elections...they (Congress) stalled my helicopter in Pathankot because their 'Yuvraj' (Rahul Gandhi) was going visit in another corner of Punjab: PM Modi in Punjab pic.twitter.com/OVsCqNLnT9  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

Further, attacking the Congress government in the state, Modi said that they destroyed industries and affected employment in Punjab. Referring to reports of tussle within the Punjab Congress, he asked if those who are fighting among themselves give stable govt.

A day after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's claim that Amarinder Singh government was run by the BJP in Delhi, Modi said that Congress removed the former Punjab CM when it couldn't run the government with "remote control".

Attacking the Punjab government, the PM said he wanted to pay obeisance at the Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar, but the police and the administration failed to make arrangements.

Modi also asserted that BJP and its allies will come to power in the state. "In Punjab, the NDA alliance will form government. In Punjab, a new chapter of development will start. I want to assure the people, especially the youth, that for their brighter future, we will not leave any stone unturned," the PM said.

The BJP has tied-up with the Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress and the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) for the elections to the 117-member Punjab assembly. Punjab will vote on February 20 and the counting of votes will take place on March 10.

(With agency inputs)

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Hoshiarpur/Gurdaspur: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday cautioned people against going for any "experiment" in the Punjab assembly polls, saying that maintaining peace was most important for the state and only his party was capable of it.

Addressing poll rallies in Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur, Gandhi asserted that his party understands Punjab very well and can take the state forward.

The Congress leader also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unemployment, saying he does not talk about it and black money in his election speeches.

Gandhi also attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his statement on the drug menace in Punjab, and asked him why he did not speak on the subject when his party's previous alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal was in power in the state.

Gandhi also promised that the drug problem would be wiped out from Punjab if his party returns to power in the state.

He said Punjab is a "sensitive" state and it is only the Congress which knows how to protect peace in the state.

"Punjab's peace is the most important thing. Remember, this is not a laboratory...Not a chemistry lab to carry out an experiment...Because if peace goes and if hatred starts to spread here, it will not only be Punjab's, but nation's loss...

"You understand the Congress party. It can take everyone along and maintain peace. We have experience in doing so. This is not the time to experiment," said Gandhi, while seeking a clear mandate to bring his party to power in the state again.

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who was scheduled to attend the Hoshiarpur rally, was unable to do so. He later said that his chopper was not allowed to fly because of the no-fly zone declared in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit.

Taking on the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, Gandhi said it does not understand Punjab and cannot take care of the state.

"They cannot take care of Punjab and they do not know how to do it. Only the Congress can take care of Punjab. The Congress can maintain peace in Punjab. We deeply understand Punjab. We know that the most important thing for Punjab is peace, brotherhood and unity and for this, the Congress party can do anything," he said.

Attacking Congress' rivals, he said the state cannot be run with false promises.

Deriding the AAP over its claims of setting up mohalla clinics, Gandhi said everyone saw the state of affairs during the second wave of COVID-19 in Delhi.

"If they (AAP) changed Delhi's picture, why Congress workers had to provide oxygen cylinders to people during the second wave of Covid. The AAP government in Delhi completely failed during Covid," he said.

Targeting AAP over its promise of giving Rs 1,000 to every woman in Punjab aged 18 years each month if it comes to power, Gandhi said as Navjot Singh Sidhu pointed out in the rally the age bracket over 18 was chosen with an eye to garner votes.

"They (Kejriwal-AAP) can do anything for vote, they can seek apology (referring to Kejriwal) from (SAD leader) Bikram Majithia," he said.

"But Congress party does not do vote bank politics...Punjab for us is not just a state, it is India's soul, it safeguards our nation, this state should never become weak and if all sections stand together, no power can touch Punjab," he said.

The Congress leader targeted the Centre over demonetisation and goods and services tax, alleging that only two-three billionaires benefited from it.

Stating that Channi understands poverty well, Gandhi said Channi will lead a government of poor people, farmers, small traders and small and medium businesses, not of 'arabpatis' (billionaires).

"We have Punjab elections before us. This is not an ordinary election. You have to elect a new government," said Gandhi. Hitting out at the Centre, he said, "In the country today, unemployment is rising in every state."

The Congress leader recalled how the SAD and the BJP had made fun of him when he had raised the drug problem issue in Punjab.

Gandhi also recalled how the BJP had mocked him when he had cautioned how adversely Covid would impact India.

He said the people have been told a "lie" on Covid deaths and the actually number of fatalities is five to seven times more than what has been officially announced.

Apparently referring to the registration of NDPS case against Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Gandhi said, "We will continue to take action and wipe out drugs from Punjab."

He further said, "Our government is not of two or three billionaires. If our government was of two to three billionaires, then in Punjab, the Congress party would not have stood against farm laws. Our government is pro-farmer which is why we stood with farmers and tried to stop these agri laws in Parliament."

He lauded Punjab farmers for agitating against the farm laws and said, "Had you not forced the repeal of these laws, then not only Punjab but farmers across India would have suffered losses."

He also said the Congress government even gave compensation to the families of farmers who died during the agitation.

"I had earlier said that Narendra Modi will have to withdraw these farm laws because I know the strength of farmers. What I say is with careful thought," said Gandhi.

In his address, Punjab Congress president Sidhu said, "There were two cancers in Punjab, one Capt Amarinder Singh who was thrown out (as CM by Congress). And second cancer, I will assure you that Punjab's mafia will be eliminated from Punjab's map when the party returns to power."

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Lakhimpur Kheri: BJP president J P Nadda targeted the Samajwadi Party on Monday and said it was synonymous with "corruption, commission and crime" as he canvassed for his party candidates in the ongoing assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Nadda addressed election rallies in favour of his party candidates in Kasta, Dhaurhara and Kursi assembly constituencies of Barabanki and Lakhimpur Kheri districts.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is making lofty promises to farmers nowadays, but he had done nothing for them when in power, the BJP president charged.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given Rs 1.80 lakh crore to more than 10 crore farmers of the country under the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

He also listed various achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Nadda alleged that the erstwhile governments led by the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party encouraged "mafia raj" in Uttar Pradesh and allowed goons to unleash a reign of terror, but the BJP dispensation led by Adityanath eliminated them.

Today people like Mukhtar Ansari, Atiq Ahmed and Azam Khan are behind bars but they still have been made candidates by the parties which pushed Uttar Pradesh towards "goonda raj and mafia raj".

Half of the Samajwadi Party candidates are in jail and another half on bail, he alleged.

He warned that such people will again push Uttar Pradesh into riots.

"Another name of Samajwadi Party is corruption, commission and crime," he said.

"They (Samajwadis) are the same people who got devotees of Lord Shri Ram fired upon while in power. Today these people are making the rounds of temples," he said.

The BJP president said that on the third anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack "we pay heartfelt tributes to our brave soldiers but we need to remember that our Prime Minister had given a clear warning saying that Pakistan has made a big mistake and Pakistan will have to bear the brunt of this."

"India under the leadership of the Prime Minister has shown that India can go to any extent to protect its borders by conducting surgical strikes and then airstrikes," he said.

He accused the SP chief of trying to protect the terrorists involved in the Gorakhpur serial bomb blasts and said that it is good that the court rejected his attempt.

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"Dynastic parties can never develop UP, they can only do good for their families," he said and claimed that the BJP will win more than 300 seats out of 403 in the UP-assembly elections.
Ahmedabad: For the first time in nearly two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began and amid a decline in fresh cases in Gujarat, the state government has decided to allow anganwadi centres, pre-schools and kindergartens to reopen across the state from Thursday.

This decision was taken by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel after reviewing the COVID-19 situation, Education Minister Jitu Vaghani said on Monday.

Gujarat on Sunday reported 1,274 COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths, raising its tally to 12,15,290 and the toll to 10,808. As per the state health department, Gujarat had 14,211 active cases as of Sunday.

"This is for the first time in the last two years of the pandemic when pre-schools and anganwadis will be reopened," Vaghani told reporters in Gandhinagar.

All the educational institutions were asked to stop holding offline classes at their premises after March 2020 as the coronavirus-induced lockdown was imposed in Gujarat.

As the situation improved over time, the state government allowed schools and colleges to resume offline classes but pre-schools and anganwadis (rural child care centres) remained shut considering the safety of toddlers.

"The chief minister has given a go-ahead to reopen pre-schools, kindergartens and anganwadis in Gujarat from February 17. They remained shut for almost two years," Vaghani said, adding that the consent of parents is needed for sending their wards to pre-schools, kindergartens and anganwadis.

"From February 17, anganwadis and pre-schools can start imparting education at their premises by following the SOPs issued earlier. Officials handling anganwadi operations and owners of pre-school classes need to make necessary arrangements to restart the education," he said.

The minister said that toddlers suffered a significant loss of education due to the closure of pre-schools in the last two years.

"The state government is preparing an action plan to overcome this issue of learning loss in children as they will take admission in standard 1 without getting any pre-school education," the minister said.

The Gujarat government recently allowed the reopening of schools for students of classes 1 to 9 as cases declined.

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Goa: Voting began in Goa at 7 am today as the state dived in the Assembly Election 2022 with full enthusiasm. 301 candidates are in the fray for the 40 Assembly seats, election officials said. Over 11 lakh people are eligible to cast their votes.

The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is challenged by Congress, Trinamool Congress and Aam Admi Party (AAP) in a multi-cornered electoral contest in Goa. Notably, this is the first electoral fray for the BJP without Parrikar. However, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is confident of BJP's victory. "PM Narendra Modi called me in the morning today to give his best wishes. I'm fully confident that BJP will win 22+ seats. The infrastructure development by BJP in 10 years and PM Modi's self-reliant vision will definitely benefit us with a 100% majority."

There has been some discontent within BJP as Manohar Parrikar's son, Utpal, resigned from the BJP after he was denied a ticket from the Panaji Assembly constituency. The Panaji Assembly seat has its own importance in the electoral politics of the state. Former Union Minister for Defence Manohar Parrikar, who had represented Panaji, had been a three-term Chief Minister of the state. Now Utpal is seeking to carry the legacy of his father in the Panaji Assembly constituency as an Independent candidate.

Also check: Goa Assembly Election 2022 LIVE Updates

The prominent candidates in today's Goa polls include Chief Minister Pramod Sawant (BJP), Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat (Congress), former CMs Churchill Alemao (TMC), Ravi Naik (BJP), Laxmikant Parsekar (independent), former deputy CMs Vijai Sardesai (GFP) and Sudin Dhavalikar (MGP), late CM Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar and AAP's CM face Amit Paleker.

The Congress and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) are fighting the election in alliance, while the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC has tied-up with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) to contest the polls. The Shiv Sena and the NCP had also announced their pre-poll alliance, while the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is contesting without a tie-up with any other political party. The Revolutionary Goans, Goencho Swabhimaan Party, Jai Mahabharat Party and Sambhaji Brigade are also in the poll fray, besides 68 independent candidates.

The state had recorded 82.56 per cent turnout during the 2017 elections. The Congress then won 17 seats. The BJP, which bagged 13 seats, was quick to stitch up an alliance with some regional outfits and independents to form government in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah campaigned in the last one month for the saffron party, which has not entered into any pre-poll alliance in Goa. For Congress, which has fielded 37 candidates, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigned for the party in the coastal state.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched a blistering attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying his "goons" encroached on land belonging to the poor in five years, while the Yogi Adityanath government used bulldozers and freed land worth over Rs 2,000 crore.

Addressing an election rally in support of BJP's ally Apna Dal (S) candidate in Mauranipur, Shah said, "In five years, Akhilesh's goons occupied government and poor people's land, but Yogi Adityanth got land worth Rs 2,000 crore freed by using bulldozers."

"He (Akhilesh) provided different posts to 45 members of his family in the five years, while Prime Minister Modi sent 45 schemes to your houses," he said.

Highlighting the work done by the Prime Minister for the Bundelkhand region, the Home Minister said, "We have decided that we will do all-round development of Bundelkhand.

For this, Modi ji has brought Defense Corridor in Bundelkhand. Earlier people used to collect pellets in Bundelkhand but now under the leadership of Modi ji, the work of making shells will be done here and they (shells) will be used to deal with Pakistan."

On water scarcity problem in the region, Shah said "Modi and Yogi" have well understood the water crisis of Bundelkhand and took initiative to solve it.

"Five exhibition centres are about to come up in Uttar Pradesh and one of them will come up in Bundelkhand and a mega leather park will come up in Kanpur. This will provide employment to the Dalits associated with the leather business. The BJP government has thought of building two IT parks in Bundelkhand," he said.

Shah said that in Uttar Pradesh, the governments of SP-BSP -'bua and babua' (Akhilesh and Mayawati) worked to destroy the economy, but the BJP worked to bring the economy of the state to number second spot from seventh place in the country.

He said that in the next five years, Uttar Pradesh will be at number one position in terms of economy.

He said the voters here have to decide whether they want the party of Narendra Modi for the development of the country or a party that develops its own family adding that 'pariwarwadi' (dynastic) parties cannot do betterment of the state.

Shah said, "In the Congress, there was Jawaharlal Nehru, after him Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and...Can they do good to you?"

The former BJP president alleged that in Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav put his son (Akhilesh Yadav) in the chair and the entire state was ruined," he said, asking people whether factories used to be opened earlier; was there 24-hours power supply; was there a toilet in every poor's house; was there a plan for every household tap for drinking water.

Shah said the only work done by Akhilesh Yadav in the five years of the SP rule in Uttar Pradesh was that he got land belonging to the poor encroached on by goons and mafia.
Bengaluru: Amid the ongoing Hijab controversy, the Karnataka High Court on Monday adjourned the matter for Tuesday after hearing the petitions challenging the ban on Hijab in schools and colleges. Ahead of the hearing, the Karnataka High Court also appealed to the media "to be more responsible."

The HC is expected to take up the matter at 2:30 PM on Tuesday. This implies that the high court's interim order not allowing hijabs or any other religious headscarves in schools and colleges will continue till the final ruling comes in the matter.

Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the petitioner, submitted before Karnataka HC that the Government Order (ban on hijab) is a non-application of mind. He said this ''GO (government order) is in the teeth of Article 25 and it is not legally sustainable.'' Kamat also said that Muslim women are allowed to wear headscarves in Kendriya Vidyalaya. He added that ''this is a case where students have been wearing a headscarf for years together.''

Driving his point home, Kamat said as far as core religious practices are concerned, they come from Article 25(1) & that it is not absolute. Advocate Kamat added "if core religious practices harm or offend public order then it can be regulated.'' Kamat maintained, "The question is where is that law on the basis of which the headscarf is prohibited."

To which, the Karnataka High Court asked Kamat whether what all has been stated in Quran is essential religious practice? Replying to it, Kamat said, "I am not saying that."

The petitioners argue that according to Quran, it is a 'farz' (duty) to wear hijab. Students are seeking to wear hijabs of the same colour as their uniforms. The petitioners have urged the court to allow girls to attend classes in hijab and continue their education while the government argued that it would be necessary to find whether the hijab is essential in Islam.

Meanwhile, High schools in Karnataka reopened on Monday after being shut from last Wednesday following untoward incidents in parts of the State over the hijab row. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been imposed in sensitive areas in the districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, and Bengaluru.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday expressed confidence that peace and normalcy will prevail. He had also said that a decision regarding the reopening of Pre-University and Degree colleges will be taken after assessing the situation.

The government on Friday said that the holiday announced to universities belonging to the Department of Higher Education and colleges under the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE), in the wake of the raging Hijab row, has been extended till February 16.

In the Udupi district, high schools reopened on Monday with Education Department sources saying that attendance was normal in all the institutions. Muslim girl students who reached the school campuses wearing hijabs, removed them before entering classes.

Examinations scheduled for the day are also going on in the institutions. Police personnel have been posted in Udupi town and near the schools to maintain law and order and to avoid any untoward incident.

The Udupi district administration has imposed Section 144 of CrPC around 200-metre radius of all high schools in the district from Monday till February 19 to maintain peace. Udupi Tahsildar Pradeep Kurudekar, who visited a few schools, said Muslim students are abiding by the High Court's interim order by removing hijabs before entering classes.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Udupi Pejawar mutt chief Swami Vishwaprasanna Teertha appealed to all sections to avoid chaos and maintain peace.

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Hubballi: Amid the ongoing row over wearing hijab, the Karnataka government has decided to reopen all schools in the state up to class 10 after reviewing the situation..

However, the state government is yet to take a decision regarding the reopening of PUC's, colleges, and universities. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had on Sunday warned trouble makers of legal action in view of his decision to reopen schools up to class 10 from Monday.

"Our officers are observing messages that are put out on social media. They are also collecting information on their own. My first duty now is to see that schools and colleges are opened as early as possible and to create a cordial atmosphere for peaceful learning. The students must focus on examinations scheduled in March. Other things would be taken care of by investigative agencies," he said.

Bommai said that high schools are reopening from Monday in the state and District Commissioners and school managements have been told to conduct peace meetings and classes will be held peacefully.

A decision will be taken on the reopening of colleges soon after ensuring all preparations are being made. "Colleges will function like before in a cordial atmosphere. Reopening schools and colleges is our first priority. I have sought a report from the Education Minister. Based on that, a decision would be taken," he stated.

Section 144 imposed in Udupi

Meanwhile, the Udupi district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in areas around all high schools in the district from Monday till February 19. The move comes as part of a precautionary measure as the schools are reopening Monday after the holiday declared by the state government in view of the hijab-saffron shawl controversy.

The order will be in effect from 6 AM on February 14 to 6 PM on February 19. The order has been clamped following a request by the district superintendent of police to deputy commissioner M Kurma Rao for imposing Section 144 within a 200-metre radius around all the high schools.

As per the order, the assembly of five or more members around the school perimeter is not allowed. All sorts of gatherings including protests and rallies are banned. Inciting slogans, songs and speeches are strictly barred.

An appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the direction of the Karnataka high court that has asked students not to insist on wearing any cloth on campuses of educational institutions which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved.

The plea filed by a student has sought a stay on the direction of the high court, which is hearing the hijab issue, as well as the proceedings going on before the three-judge bench. The appeal contended that the high court has sought to curtail the fundamental right of Muslim students by not allowing them to wear the hijab.

The high court has posted the matter for Monday and also said educational institutions can resume classes for students.

The three-judge full bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice JM 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.

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New Delhi: The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday (February 14) further relaxed curbs implemented due to coronavirus.

All educational institutions, gyms and cinema halls will reopen in the state from February 17 in the wake of a steep decline in Covid-19 cases. The step to reopen schools and other educational institutions comes as various states have restarted physical classes as daily Covid-19 cases fall.

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet decides to reopen all educational institutions, gyms and cinema halls from Feb 17 pic.twitter.com/JIfvKUi3YI  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

The call was taken at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.

Last week, the state government had lifted the night curfew imposed due to the Covid-19 situation. All social, religious, cultural, political and other congregations including weddings and funerals were also permitted to 50% of the capacity, both in indoor and outdoor areas.

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New Delhi: As voters of Uttar Pradesh are casting their votes in 55 constituencies spread across 9 districts, there are two villages in the states Shekhupur constituency that has decided to boycott the ongoing assembly polls as a show of dissatisfaction with the system.

People of Narau and Milaal Nangla, two key villages in Shekhupur of the Badaun district, decided not to cast the ballot am boycott these elections owing to their frustration about the supply of contaminated drinking water.

While talking to ANI, Badaun Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) BP Sharma said, "Even before this call by a few villagers, we spoke to them. The water comes from Ujhani Municipality here. The villagers say that the drinking water is also completely contaminated.

The villagers have said that they will not vote until the problem of contaminated water is resolved. They claimed that many people have died and many are suffering from serious diseases, PTI reported.

Voters account

Munna Lal, who lives in the Narau village, said, " The dirty water of the municipality is coming from the drain, due to which 1200 bighas of our land of the village have been wasted and the disease has spread in the whole village, many people of the village have become ill and many people have also died."

"We told many leaders but no one listened to us, because of this, we have decided to boycott voting, no one in the village will go to vote, many people of the administration also came to convince the villagers. We have made up our mind till our problem is not resolved, till then we will not vote, no MLA has listened to our problem till date," he told ANI added.

"The children of the village are suffering from jaundice and are compelled to drink dirty water. No one in the district is ready to get married in our village because the contaminated is contaminated. There are about 900 voters in our village and in the neighbouring village, there are around 300 voters," he stated.

Speaking to ANI, Ganga Devi, who lives in the village, said, "The problem of our village is very big due to which two of my children have died. I have been requesting everyone for the last many years but no one is listening. This problem has remained in our village for 20 years. Many ministers also came but no one did anything." The second phase of polling for the state Assembly began today.

Whats being done for the contaminated water?

As per Sharma, a plan has been chalked out by the municipal council. We have also spoken to the villagers that we are making full efforts by engaging higher officials from the government level to solve this problem.

"We are trying that the villagers should exercise their voting rights. Efforts are still going on. Although the voting has been started, not all the eligible people have voted yet. We are still trying for that," he said.

(With ANI inputs)

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New Delhi: In a first, India's space research organization or ISRO on Monday launched a satellite jointly developed by a team of international researchers including from Taiwan. INSPIRESat-1 satellite has been developed by scientists from universities of the US, Taiwan, India, and Singapore.

The universities are--University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Taiwan's National Central University (NCU), and Singapore' Nanyang Technological University. INSPIRESat-1 stands for International Research and Teaching Satellite Project satellite one.

ISRO in a statement said Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C52 "placed two small satellites a student satellite (INSPIREsat-1) from Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST) in association with Laboratory of Atmospheric & Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder and a technology demonstrator satellite (INS-2TD) from ISRO, which is a precursor to India-Bhutan Joint Satellite (INS-2B). Co-passenger satellites were successfully separated from the PSLV in a predetermined sequence."

The satellite will provide information on Sun's corona and its impact on Earth's ionosphere. All in all Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C52 mission launched an Earth observation satellite and 2 other satellites. PSLV lifted off at 05:59 hours IST from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, and injected Earth Observation Satellite EOS-04 which will provide high-quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as Agriculture, Forestry & Plantations, Soil Moisture & Hydrology, and Flood mapping.

India has emerged as a major global center for the low-cost launch of satellites. Indian prime minister congratulated on the development. In a tweet, he said, Congratulations to our space scientists on the successful launch of the PSLV C52 mission. EOS-04 satellite will provide high-resolution images under all weather conditions.

Congratulations to our space scientists on the successful launch of PSLV C52 mission. EOS-04 satellite will provide high resolution images under all weather conditions for agriculture, forestry and plantations, soil moisture and hydrology as well as flood mapping.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2022

Interestingly, the development comes on a day when it emerged that India has banned several Chinese apps. The app ban has been part of growing scrutiny on China-backed technology over fears of they being used to snoop in. In the aftermath of the 2020 Galwan incident in which India lost 20 of its soldiers due to aggressive Chinese actions, India had announced similar app bans.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (February 14, 2022) addressed a public rally in the Kanpur Dehat region of Uttar Pradesh. In the rally, PM Modi exuded confidence and said that BJP government is inevitable, Yogi is coming back strongly in the state.

Kanpur Dehat and the surrounding areas are going to bless BJP yet again! Watch. https://t.co/kSjrurZole  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2022

PM Modi went on to say that the second phase of UP polls, which is currently underway, has cleared four things "BJP government is inevitable, Yogi is coming back strongly. Secondly, all castes, voters of all sections without getting divided in villages and cities are voting for development and the BJP. Third, our mother, sisters, daughters, have taken up the BJP flag to ensure its victory, they want safety and dignity."

"Fourth, our Muslim sisters silently have made up their mind and coming out to bless Modi. They know those who are there for them in time in need is a real friend," said PM Modi in Kanpur.

Prime Minister is in Uttar Pradesh today and is going to campaign for 52 seats of Kanpur and Bundelkhand region.

While addressing a public rally in Kanpur Dehat, PM Modi also took a jibe at the past governments of the state and said, "When they keep changing their allies, then how will they serve the people of Uttar Pradesh?...Earlier governments looted the people of the state."

"If they had their way, they would have made Kanpur & other such areas in UP, a 'mafiaganj' mohalla. Now their 'mafiagiri' is counting its last breath. These 'parivaarvadi' want to give power to these mafias again. UP public will have to stay alert," PM Modi added.

The prime minister also stated that the Yogi government in the state put an end to numerous scams in the state. Before 2017, UP had ration scams every other day. They made lakhs of fake ration cards. Double engine govt ended this fake ration card scheme. Today, crores of the UP public are receiving ration free of cost. Stoves of my poor sisters & mothers will never be turned off, said PM Modi.

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Bengaluru: Amid the ongoing hijab row, schools for classes up to 10th standard re-opened on Monday (February 14) in Karnataka. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai made the announcement on re-opening of the schools on Sunday. "Schools up to 10th standard will re-open from Monday. I have instructed the DCs, SPs and school administrations to conduct a peace committee meeting. Schools for higher classes and degree colleges will re-open after reviewing the situation," Bommai had said. A decision regarding PUCs, colleges and universities can be expected after a review of the situation in the State, the Chief Minister added.

Meanwhile, the Tehsildar of Udupit district said, "Students are coming to school, the situation is peaceful and the district administration is following high court orders." Section 144 is imposed in Udupi district till Febuary 19.

The hijab row in Karnataka began in January this year when some students of Government Girls PU college in the Udupi district of the state alleged that they were barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students claimed that they were denied entry into the college for wearing hijab. Following this incident, students of different colleges arrived at Shanteshwar Education Trust in Vijayapura sporting saffron stoles. The situation was the same in several colleges in the Udupi 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.

The Karnataka High Court appealed to the student community and the public at large to maintain peace and tranquillity while hearing various pleas challenging a ban on the wearing of hijab in classrooms in the state. The Karnataka High Court on Friday uploaded the interim order passed on the petitions challenging the hijab ban in colleges in the state. The hearing of the petitions will continue on February 14.

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Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday (February 14) slammed Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for asking proof from the Central government over the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in September 2019. Sharing a video of Rao's press conference on Twitter where he demanded proof, Sarma said "On the anniversary of the Pulwama attack, the opposition has again insulted our martyrs by questioning the surgical strike." "In an attempt to prove their loyalty to the Gandhi family, they have betrayed the army. My loyalty is with the army. Abuse me all your life, I don't care," the tweet further said.

Rao on Sunday said, "Even today, I am asking for the proof. Let the government of India show (the proof). The BJP makes false propaganda that is why people are asking for it."

#WATCH Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao questions surgical strike by Indian Army, during a press conference yesterday pic.twitter.com/fyEnfpSjHB  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

The two CMs are engaged in a row over the issue of surgical strikes since last week. The row started on Friday (February 11) when the Assam Chief Minister addressing an election rally said, "Look at the mentality of these people. General Bipin Rawat was the pride of the country. India conducted the surgical strike in Pakistan under his leadership. Rahul Gandhi demanded proof of the strike. Did we ever ask you for proof of whether you are Rajiv Gandhi's son or not? What right do you have to demand proof from my Army?"

Following this, the Telangana Chief Minister urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda to sack the Assam CM for his comments on Rahul Gandhi. Hitting back at KCR, Sarma took a dig at Rao saying, "I believe that questioning the Army whether they have carried out the surgical strike or not is the biggest crime. He (Telangana CM KCR) got agitated by my comment on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi but not by Rahul Gandhi's comment on our Army."

Not just Sarma, Union Minister Anurag Thakur also hit out at KCR for questioning the surgical strikes. "The Telangana CM is furious and nervous. 'Huzurabad mein hui surgical strike ke baad, huzur ke bol bigde nazar aate hain'! If this is the condition after loss in one election, it clearly shows that ground beneath KCR and TRS is sinking in Telangana," Thakur said. He added, "Words of Congress and TRS sound similar to that of Pakistan. Whenever elections come, they do new experiments - be it hijab or surgical strike because they can't compete with BJP as far as development is concerned. Questioning surgical strike shows the mindset of KCR."

The Indian Army had conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in September 2016 after 19 of the Indian Army soldiers were killed in the base camp in Uri. Meanwhile, India today is observing the third anniversary of the Pulwama attack where 40 personnel were killed in an attack on the CRPF convoy that took place in Jammu and Kashmir`s Pulwama district on February 14, 2019.

(Inputs from ANI)

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New Delhi: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday (February 14) informed Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur that a snow sculpture would be introduced in Ladakh in the winter season as a tourist attraction, which will also create job opportunities for the locals.

The Minister shared the information with Ladakh LG in a meeting with him. Mathur later sought the support of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) from Singh for this outdoor snow art, which has gained currency in the cold climes of the world. The LG said, once this art is stabilized, Ladakh will start the Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in the coming years.

The concluding ceremony of the First Ladakh Ice and Snow-Sculpture Workshop 2022 was held on February 11. It was organized by Kangding Snow and Ice Sculpture Association in association with Ladakh Police at Sangtakchan near Tsogsti on the way to Chilling.

The LG attended the concluding ceremony and said, "I see no logic in leaving Ladakh in winters. This is the time to earn here. "In his meeting with LG, Singh thanked the Ladakh Administration for taking a decision to start the commercial plantation of "Leh Berry" from April-May this year.

The CSIR under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology is promoting "Leh Berry" which is an exclusive food product of the cold desert and also a means of wide-ranging entrepreneurship as well as self-livelihood.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s visit to Ladakh in May 2018, Singh said "the PM had strongly advised for widespread cultivation of sea buckthorn, which is also the source of "Leh Berry". He said, CSIR will also develop harvesting machinery to be used by local farmers and self-help groups, as currently only 10 per cent of berry is being extracted from the wild sea buckthorn plant.

The Minister said that local entrepreneurs will be provided gainful employment through farming, processing, and marketing of about 100 odd products from sea buckthorn plant-like jams, juices, herbal tea, vitamin C supplements, healthy drinks, cream, oils, and soaps in a completely organic manner.

Mathur also informed that commercial cultivation of three medicinal plants will begin this spring season at a height of above 15,000 feet. This also includes "Sanjeevni Booty", locally known as "Sola" which has very high life-saving and therapeutic properties.

Singh conveyed to LG that the Department of Atomic Energy will set up facilities in the UT for Gamma Irradiation Technology for preservation and shelf life extension of fruits and vegetables. He was happy to note that for the first time huge quantities of Apricot were exported to Dubai.

The Minister complimented CSIR for organizing four training workshops, two each at Leh and Kargil for the treatment of diseases of famous Pashmina Goats. Charthang in Ladakh has over 4 lakh animals mainly pashmina goats, a very rich source of livelihood.

Singh told Mathur that a high-level team of senior scientists from CSIR will visit Ladakh this summer to evaluate the Zinc Fortification project for Pashmina Goats, Sheep, and Yak as Ladakh is mainly an Animal-based economy.

He also said CSIR is also contemplating starting a Geo-Thermal Energy Project for warming and cooling systems in a Zero-net energy program by linking it with Solar Power. The LG thanked the Minister for having responded to the Union Territory government`s request for training of officers and staff by DARPG, which already conducted two extensive training sessions.

He also requested for posting of more AGMUT Cadre officers in Ladakh in view of the new centrally sponsored projects and schemes having been initiated. Lieutenant Governor also conveyed to the Minister his acknowledgment of the constant support that the Union Territory government is receiving from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for every small or big issue.



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In a scathing attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the party can never work for the betterment of Punjab as the family that controls the Congress avenges old enmity against the state. Addressing an election rally here, Prime Minister said, "The family that controls the Congress party avenges its old enmity against Punjab.

As long as Congress is in possession of that family, the party can never work for the betterment of Punjab. Entire Punjab is witness that we formed SIT to investigate the 1984 Sikh riots and helped its victims.

But Congress has always sprinkled salt on your wounds by giving big posts in the party to the accused of riots.""The BJP government contests elections based on its work.

Some people who do not have any record of work come here to spread lies. They talk about making Punjab drug-free. But these people themselves are experts in opening liquor shops in mohallas. The history of Congress is that it can never work for Punjab. And whoever wants to work, Congress creates thousands of obstacles," said Prime Minister Modi.

PM Modi said that the Congress party is disintegrating and those who fight among themselves cannot give a stable government to Punjab. He said Punjab needs a government that works seriously for the security of the country.

Referring to the drugs issue in Punjab, Prime Minister said, "Imagine you have a bungalow, a farm, a car, a good life...everything is there. But if your son is addicted to drugs then what will be the use of this property of yours.

We need to create an environment to fulfill the dreams of mothers and sisters for their children. I have to repay my debt to Punjab. We will leave no stone unturned for the youth of Punjab, for the de-addiction of Punjab. "PM Modi said the trade and business in Punjab are under the seize of mafias.

Exuding confidence in the victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming state Assembly elections, Prime Minister said New Punjab will be full of opportunities and free from debt.

Mentioning Bharatiya Janata Party`s (BJP) previous alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), he said, "When we were with Akali Dal, we always accepted our small role by treating SAD as an elder brother.

There was a time when Akali Dal did not have an absolute majority, their government could not run without the support of the BJP. In that situation, the deputy chief minister post should have been given to BJP. But at that time also injustice was done to us, and Badal sahib made his son the deputy chief minister. We had more MLAs, the government could have fallen.

But still, for the betterment of Punjab, we did not commit that sin.

"Punjab will go to the Assembly polls on February 20 and the counting of votes will take place on March 10.In the 2017 Assembly polls in the state, the Congress had won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats and ousted the SAD-BJP government which had been in power for 10 years.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (February 14, 2022) paid homage to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. He said that the bravery and supreme sacrifice of the martyrs motivate every Indian to work towards a strong and prosperous country.

Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister wrote, "I pay homage to all those martyred in Pulwama on this day in 2019 and recall their outstanding service to our nation. Their bravery and supreme sacrifice motivate every Indian to work towards a strong and prosperous country."

I pay homage to all those martyred in Pulwama on this day in 2019 and recall their outstanding service to our nation. Their bravery and supreme sacrifice motivates every Indian to work towards a strong and prosperous country.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2022

The attack on the CRPF convoy took place in Jammu and Kashmir`s Pulwama district on February 14, 2019 in which 40 personnel were killed.

A suicide bomber had rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus. The convoy had 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.

Days after the attack, the Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out multiple aerial strikes at JeM terror camps in Pakistan`s Balakot, killing a "large number" of terrorists and destroying their infrastructure.

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New Delhi: Jaimal Singh, the driver of the ill-fated bus that was blown up by a suicide bomber in Pulwama on February 14, 2019, wasn't even supposed to drive that day and was merely substituting for another colleague, says a new book.

IPS officer Danesh Rana, who is currently an additional director general of police in Jammu and Kashmir, has come out with a definitive account of the Pulwama attack titled "As Far as the Saffron Fields" piecing together the conspiracy behind the strike that snuffed out the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.

Based upon personal interviews with the protagonists, police charge sheets and other evidence, Rana breaks down the modern face of militancy in Kashmir.

Recalling the sequence of events on February 14, 2019, he writes how the CRPF personnel travelling in the convoy started to come in well before the reporting time, before the break of dawn.

"After checking the seating arrangements, the personnel boarded the buses one by one. They carried some food packets, fruits and biscuits, and rested their mineral-water bottles by their sides. The winter chill smothered their faces, hands and ears. Many lowered their windows, while others sat with their hands clasped together inside their jackets to keep warm," he writes.

Jaimal Singh wasn't supposed to drive that day

Head Constable Jaimal Singh was among the last to reach along with the other drivers, according to the norm. Drivers are always the last to report; they are allowed an extra half an hour of sleep since they have to undertake a gruelling journey.

"Jaimal Singh wasn't even supposed to drive that day; he was merely substituting for another colleague," mentions Rana.

Posted as a clerk in the motor transport section, Jaimal Singh's job entailed a lot of file-keeping, about the histories of vehicles and their fuel consumption and repair bills, and about the nominal roll of drivers and vehicles to be pressed in the convoys.

Jaimal Singh volunteered to fill in for Kirpal Singh

"Head Constable Kirpal Singh from Chamba in Himachal Pradesh had applied for leave because his daughter was soon to be married. Kirpal had already been assigned the bus bearing the registration number HR49F-0637, and the supervising officer had told him to go on leave after returning to Jammu," the book says.

"Kirpal was happy with that; he could always drive the bus up and down, and in any case, his leave would start after five days. But Jaimal was wary of the weather. The convoy was headed for Srinagar after more than a week's closure of the highway. The weather forecast had predicted more rain and snow, and there was a high chance that Kirpal would be stranded in Srinagar and not be able to go home," it adds.

So Jaimal Singh volunteered to fill in for Kirpal Singh.

"He was an experienced driver and had been on Highway 44 innumerable times. He was familiar with its gradients, bends and contours. Late in the night on 13 February, he called his wife in Punjab and told her about his last-minute duty. It was to be their final conversation," Rana writes.

Among the personnel was Constable Thaka Belkar from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. His family had just fixed his marriage and all the preparations were underway. Belkar had applied for leave, but just 10 days ahead of his wedding, he had found his name listed among the passengers of the bus bound for Kashmir.

"But just as the convoy was set to depart, luck smiled on him. His leave had been sanctioned at the last minute! He quickly got off the bus and smiled and waved to his colleagues. Little did he know this would be the final time," Rana says.

Apart from Jaimal Singh's blue-coloured bus, the unusually long convoy had 78 other vehicles, including 15 trucks, two olive-green buses belonging to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), a spare bus, a recovery van and an ambulance.

After the Pulwama attack, the NIA, which was entrusted with the probe, was barely able to piece together the preliminary stages of the crime, each time hitting a roadblock. While initial investigations based on forensics and other scientific evidence had given some clues, these were not enough to get a sense of who the perpetrators were.

When it looked like the NIA's investigation had come to a halt, the agency got hold of a damaged mobile phone from an encounter site where two JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammed) militants were killed. The recovered phone had an integrated GPS that geotagged images, revealing the date, time and location of the photographs and videos it contained. It was the discovery of the phone that cracked open the Pulwama case.

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New Delhi: The BJP on Monday urged the Election Commission to ban Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu from campaigning in the ongoing assembly polls and register a criminal case against him and his party, alleging that he was promoting hatred and division in the society with his comments.

A BJP delegation, including Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, met the EC with a memorandum and claimed that Sidhu had insulted Brahmins with a "derogatory" reference with an aim to divide Punjabis.

Sidhu had also recently made an appeal to Muslims in the state that their votes should not be divided, the BJP noted.

Naqvi said the Congress leader's comments are in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and the Indian Penal Code as well.

He also accused opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh of trying to hinder Muslim women from voting and asked the EC to look into it.

The BJP memorandum urged the EC to also censure and warn the Indian National Congress for promoting hatred and division by "allowing and acquiescing in the sinister designs" of Sidhu.

It said, "In a state that has suffered due to secessionist elements and militancy in no distant past and which is just about emerging from ill-effects thereof, a crass derogation of the one particular caste amongst Hindus is an ugly attempt to divide the people of the state of Punjab, which being a border state has always been a target of sinister incursions from across the border. Such trends, however preliminary, must not be ignored."

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New Delhi: Congress MLA Balwinder Singh Laddi from Sri Hargobindpur constituency of Gurdaspur district shifted loyalty to BJP and then again come back to Congress but only to go back to the saffron party within a period of fewer than two months.

On December 28, 2021, the sitting MLA from Sri Hargobindpur Balwinder Singh Laddi along with the Fatehjang Singh Bajwa, sitting MLA of Congress from the Qadian assembly defected the party to join BJP.

Fatehjang Bajwa is the younger brother of Member Parliament Partap Singh Bajwa. Fatehjang Singh is now BJPs candidate from the Batala assembly constituency.

However, Laddi, who is back with BJP says he never went for any post but his motive was to serve the people of his constituency, develop infrastructure and ensure the development of Punjab.

After shifting loyalty to BJP in December last year, Laddi decided to take a U-turn and joined back the Congress party on January 3, 2021, but only to go back to the saffron party on February 11.

Laddi had begun his career in rural politics when he became the sarpanch of village Shahbpura near Batala. He was also appointed a member of Zila Parishad.

In the year 2012, Laddi contested assembly elections on the Congress partys ticket but couldnt win. Again in the 2017 assembly elections, Laddi once again contested the assembly elections and won with a margin of 18065 votes by defeating SAD(B) candidate Manjit Singh.

It would be naive to believe that Laddis flip flop was without any reason especially after he was dropped by the Congress party and a lesser know face Mandeep Singh Rangar Nangal was nominated as the partys official candidate. Mandeep Singh is believed to be a close confidant of Punjab cabinet minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa.

While talking to the media, Laddi admitted that he was assured to be the Congress partys candidate from Sri Hargobindpur but he was flabbergasted when the name of Mandeep Singh was announced. And about his flip flop, he reasoned that he had joined BJP for the betterment of Punjab but later he realized that it was a miscalculated move and went back to Congress .

But now I feel, BJP is the only party that can ensure the revival of Punjab and can develop it said Laddi.

But changing loyalty by a sitting MLA has only confused the electoral of Sri Hargobindpur who feel cheated by their representative.

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New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday (February 14, 2022) addressed a public meeting in Manipur's Langthabal Mandal and said that road, rail and air connectivity in the region has improved during the Narendra Modi government.

Singh said that Manipur witnessed development after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state.

"After BJP came to power in Manipur, did the state witness development. During Modi govt, road, rail and air connectivity in the region has improved," he said.

"No one has been able to level allegations of corruption against any minister of the BJP govt at the Centre. We want to root out corruption by bringing change in the system," the Defence Minister added.

Addressing a public meeting in Langthabal Mandal, Manipur https://t.co/yfo8b0gvTG  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 14, 2022

The remarks came ahead of the two-phase elections to the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly on February 28 and March 5.

Warm welcome to Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh ji to Manipur. The people of Manipur and karyakartas of @BJP4Manipur eagerly look forward to your guidance and insight as we gear up for the ensuing state assembly elections. #ModiStandsWithManipur pic.twitter.com/WNhWHQuOlu  Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi (@AShardaDevi) February 14, 2022

Earlier in the day, Singh paid tributes to CRPF jawans killed in the dastardly Pulwama terror attack on this day three years ago.

"This country will never forget the sacrifice of the brave CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama in 2019. I pay my tributes to them," Singh tweeted.

      CRPF                      Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 14, 2022

On February 14, 2019, Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group had attacked a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 40 personnel of the force.

Days later, Indian warplanes struck the biggest terrorist training camp of JeM deep inside Pakistan's Balakot in retaliation to the dastardly terror attack.

The Indian retaliation was seen as a doctrinal shift in its counter-terror policy.

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New Delhi: Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd) on Monday (February 14) said that the security forces eliminated the module behind the Pulwama attack within 100 hours of the attack.

Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had attacked a convoy of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pulwama on February 14, 2019. A suicide bomber, identified as Jaish-e-Mohammad`s Adil Ahmed Dar, had rammed his vehicle into a bus with the CRPF convoy, killing 40 personnel of the paramilitary force.

Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd) who commanded 15 Corps in Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar during the Pulwama attack told ANI, The security forces eliminated the module behind the Pulwama attack led by a Pakistani national Kamran within 100 hours of the attack.

He also claimed that after retaliatory action of the Indian security forces following the attack on CRPF, JeM terrorists were scared of taking charge of the outfit.

After security forces operations against Jaish-e-Mohammed, their terrorists were so scared of dying that nobody wanted to take the leadership role. We've intercepts where calls from Pak would ask terrorists to take a leadership role but they would refuse, Dhillon told the news agency.

After security forces operations against Jaish-e-Mohammed, their terrorists were so scared of dying that nobody wanted to take the leadership role.We've intercepts where calls from Pak would ask terrorists to take a leadership role but they would refuse:Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd) pic.twitter.com/JECKNMdRrg  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

Dhillon also said that Pakistan Army, ISI, and terrorist organizations work in unison. "Pakistan Army, ISI and terrorist organizations work in unison. No one can cross LoC without active participation and guidance from the Pakistan Army. We apprehended Pak nationals on LoC in Gulmarg sector who were brought into LoC by Pak post opp our post," he added.

On February 26, 2019, days after the Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force had carried out a retaliatory air strike inside Pakistan's Balakot, targeting a terrorist training camp of the JeM.

Meanwhile, CRPF paid tribute to personnel, who died in the 2019 Pulwama attack, at the war memorial in Jammu and Kashmir`s Lethpora.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: The chair of the United Nations Security Council's counter terror committee Ambassador T S Tirumurti has expressed concerns over links between Taliban, Al Qaida and Pakistan-based terror groups such as Lashkar e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Speaking at a meet of the committee in his capacity as the chair, Ambassador T S Tirumurti said, "The linkages between the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and terrorist entities proscribed by the Security Council, such as Lashkar e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, are a further source of concern", highlighting," serious concern remains that Afghanistan may become a safe haven for Al Qaida and a number of terrorist groups in the region."

The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established by Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), which was adopted unanimously on 28 September 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. The Committee is made up of all 15 Security Council members.

Speaking on the "consequential change" in Afghanistan in August 2021, the chair said, "the Talibans rise to power in Afghanistan poses a complex security threat outside the region" particularly in "parts of Africa, where terrorist groups may try to emulate the Talibans example."

Monday's meet focused on South and South East Asia and the chair statement explained that since "military defeat in the conflict zones of the Middle East" ISIL and Al-Qaida "have been seeking to establish a foothold in both South and South-East Asia."

The region has seen a number of major terror attacks which were mentioned during the address. These included the 2019 Colombo attacks, the 2019 Pulwama terror attack perpetrated by Jaish E Mohammed, the 2020 Gurudwara attack in Kabul by IS-Khorasan, 2021 Kabul airport attack. The Committee has held an informal meeting on community engagement to counter-terrorism in South and South-East Asia in June 2018.

Indian envoy to UN T. S. Tirumurti was appointed the chair of the key UNSC committee on 13th January 2022 for a period of one year. The committee is tasked with undertaking steps like criminalizing financing of terrorism, share information with governments planning terror acts etc.

During the address, he also raised the issue of "misuse of information and communications technologies (ICT)" and "use of drones for cross-border trafficking of arms, drugs and launching terror attacks" which remain an "issue of serious concern."

Tirumurti in the capacity as the Indian envoy to the UN also paid homage to the Indian security personnel who died in the Pulwama terror attack 3 years ago on 14th February 2019.

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New Delhi: With the high-profile election in Uttar Pradesh underway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (February 14) said that Muslim girls feel "safe" under the Yogi Adityanath-led government in the state.

Addressing a public rally in UPs Kanpur Dehat, Modi said, "The Muslim girls feel safe under the BJP led government in Uttar Pradesh. Many more Muslim girls are going to schools and colleges in the state now.

In an attempt to 'woo' women voters, Modi claimed that the UP government has punished criminals who harassed Muslim women. "Our Muslim daughters used to face a lot of trouble while going for studies because of eve-teasers on streets. They now have a sense of security after criminals were taken to tasks by our government," ANI quoted the PM as saying.

Earlier on February 10, PM Modi had appealed to the Muslim voters during a rally in Saharanpur and said that the opposition parties got restless when Muslim women backed BJP. He had also said that BJP has "freed the Muslim sisters and daughters from the menace of triple talaq".

Meanwhile, PM Modi also exuded confidence in BJP's win on Monday. High voting turnout in second phase polling in Uttar Pradesh points at BJP returning to power again," Modi said, adding, Holi will be celebrated in Uttar Pradesh on 10th March itself.

Polling for the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections is currently underway for 55 Assembly constituencies. Nine districts of Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha, Sambhal, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Budaun and Shahjahanpur are voting today. The counting of the votes will take place on March 10.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday (February 14, 2022) was ahead in all the four municipal corporations in West Bengal where polls were held on February 12.

According to the data available on the State Election Commission's website at 11 am, the TMC won 24 of the 41 seats in Bidhannagar and was ahead in 10, while the Congress won in one ward.

#WATCH | TMC workers celebrate in North 24 Parganas as the party sweeps the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation election. #WestBengalCivicPolls pic.twitter.com/aZxFkd6PFB  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

The ruling party clinched 10 of the 47 seats in Siliguri and was leading in three wards, and both the BJP and the CPI(M) have won two seats each.

In Chandannagar, the TMC bagged 12 out of 32 seats and was ahead in nine, while the CPI(M) won in one ward.

The TMC has also pocketed 28 of 106 seats in Asansol and was leading in seven wards, the data showed, adding, the BJP emerged triumphant in three wards and the CPI(M) in two.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee thanked people for putting their faith and confidence on TMC candidates.

"It is once again an overwhelming victory of Ma, Mati, Manush. My heartiest congratulations to the people of Asansol, Bidhannagar, Siliguri & Chandanagore for having put their faith and confidence on All India Trinamool Congress candidates in the Municipal Corporation elections," she tweeted.

"We are committed to carry forward our development work further with greater zeal and enthusiasm. My sincerest gratitude to Ma Mati Manush," Mamata added.

We are committed to carry forward our development work further with greater zeal and enthusiasm.

My sincerest gratitude to Ma Mati Manush.  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 14, 2022

It is noteworthy that in Bidhannagar, a total of 203 candidates had contested in 41 wards, while in Siliguri, there were 200 contestants in 47 wards. There were 120 aspirants for 33 wards in Chandannagar, while in Asansol for 106 wards, a total of 430 candidates contested.

(With agency inputs)

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Dehradun: As Uttarakhand goes to the polls on Monday (February 14), political speculations are to see if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the leader leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami be able to break past electoral trends, and come to power again. So far, the hill state has given mandates alternately to Congress and the BJP.

Congress, however, appears optimistic on the past trends and is banking upon its veteran and former CM Harish Rawat, besides other factors like anti-incumbency, COVID-19 pandemic management, and a slew of promises to make a comeback in the state.

The Aam Aadmi Party led by retired Colonel Ajay Kothiyal is trying to set up a new base in the state. Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party are also testing their electoral strengths in the state, apart from the BJP and Congress, and AAP.

After Uttarakhand was formed after being carved out of Uttar Pradesh, the hill state has given mandates alternately to Congress and the BJP. The state has also witnessed the instability of governments due to frequent changes of Chief Ministers.

With the formation of the government in 2017, the BJP had chosen Trivendra Singh Rawat, MLA from the Doiwala seat, as its Chief Minister, but he was replaced by Tirath Singh Rawat in March 2021. Tirath Singh Rawat, a Lok Sabha MP, before the completion of six months from the date of taking the oath of the office, was replaced by Pushkar Singh Dhami, a sitting MLA as the CM of the state.

Tirath Singh Rawat, who was not an MLA, resigned from the post of CM, almost after four months of taking the oath. BJP quoted legal-technical issues as the reason for his resignation as the party failed to get him elected from one of the constituencies in the state for continuing him as the CM.

The political reasons, however, for these changes were not fully disclosed. Among many reasons, the passage of Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board law, pushed by Trivendra Singh Rawat, was said to be one of the reasons for his resignation. The law aimed at bringing the Char Dham of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, and 49 other temples under the purview of a proposed shrine board, but there were protests against the law.

The law aimed at bringing the Char Dham of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, and 49 other temples under the purview of a proposed shrine board. The Pushkar Singh Dhami government withdrew the law.

Ahead of assembly polls, Congress too faced factionalism in the state. It was the reason that Harish Rawat, chairman of Uttarakhand Congress campaign committee, launched a veiled attack on the Congress leadership over "lack of cooperation" from the state unit and party leaders in December last year.

Through a series of tweets, Rawat had stated that the "nominees of those whose directions one has to swim (in the electoral battle) are tying my hands and feet", adding "Isn`t it strange, one has to swim in the sea in the form of the forthcoming electoral battle. Instead of cooperation, the organizational structure at most places is turning its face away or is playing a negative role."

Rawat further stated, "There are many crocodiles of the ruling dispensation on whose directions one has to swim. Their nominees are tying my hands and feet." Soon after his tweets, Rawat was called to Delhi to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to put the matter to rest.

During ticket distribution, another crisis was reported within the party which led to a change in the assembly seat of Rawat, who was given the ticket from the Lalkuwa constituency. The change was made after one of the working presidents of Uttarakhand Congress Ranjeet Rawat was uncomfortable with the candidature of Harish Rawat from the Ramnagar Assembly constituency.

Both Congress and BJP have not declared Chief Ministerial candidates and said such an announcement will be made after the results.

On Sunday, Rawat told ANI that nobody in the party has any objections to his name as the Chief Ministerial candidate, adding "I do politics of struggle, not power. The party has told me that the election campaign will be led by me. We are fighting to win the elections. Nobody in the party has any objections to my name as the Chief Ministerial candidate. No party member has expressed any objection to my name."

There are 632 candidates in the electoral fray for 70 Assembly seats of Uttarakhand, while the counting of votes will take place on March 10.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: The Karnataka government on Monday (February 14) announced to reopen pre-University (PUC) colleges and degree colleges in the state from February 16.

Pre-University colleges and degree colleges to reopen from February 16, Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh said, as per ANI.

#KarnatakaHijabRow | Pre-University colleges and degree colleges to reopen from February 16: Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh (File pic) pic.twitter.com/dIR2P9CyeX  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

Earlier today, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that he will attend a meeting to discuss Karnataka High Courts direction which is currently hearing pleas on the hijab ban.

Today classes upto 10th standard have resumed. This evening, I'll attend a meeting with our education minister. We will discuss what has happened and issue SOPs. Everyone must follow the High Court's direction, Bommai said.

High schools in Karnataka reopened today after being shut from last Wednesday following protests and even violence in several parts over the hijab row.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been imposed in sensitive areas in the districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, and Bengaluru to avoid any untoward incident.

The Karnataka High Court today adjourned the matter for Tuesday after hearing the petitions challenging the ban on Hijab in schools and colleges. The High Court also urged the media "to be more responsible" while reporting the matter.

The Karnataka High Court, in its interim order, had asked the state government to reopen educational institutions and prohibited all the students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab and any religious flag till the final ruling.

The girls who petitioned in favour of hijab on Monday, challenging the government order, requested the High Court to allow them to wear Islamic headscarves of the colour of the school uniform. "I am not only challenging the GO but also asking for a positive mandate for allowing me to wear a headscarf of the same colour of the uniform," advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing on behalf of the girls of the government pre-university college in Udupi, said.

(With agency inputs)

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India is, by almost every measure, the world capital of outsourcing. Indeed, the modern concept of offshore Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) started there. The first 'outsourced' operations were, arguably, not true outsourcing, but instead large captive operations, in which multinationals took advantage of lower costs to centralise regional and even global support functions into a single location. This was not an option for many businesses since it required significant set-up costs and ongoing management issues. However, it established that it was possible to support customers from around the world in a single location and make significant savings doing this. As India developed experience and expertise, the result was the establishment of third-party BPOs. These greatly expanded the potential market and outsourcing to India became something available to almost any company and almost standard business practice over time.

As the industry's innovators, India developed a healthy lead in the global outsourcing market and has held that lead since. The size has also brought significant benefits to the wider nation, says Ralf Ellspermann, CEO of PITON-Global, a leading mid-sized BPO in the Philippines. Around 10% of India's GDP comes from outsourcing, and even more when supporting businesses are included, and collectively it forms one of the nation's biggest

employers. As a result, it's not just in the interests of the individual BPO providers to succeed; the Indian government is also invested in the industry's health. The size has also resulted in improvements; operators compete on price and quality and have innovated to attract custom. The result has been an expansion into new areas. For example, offering software development outsourcing would have been unthinkable a few years ago, but it is now recognised as one of the specialities provided by Indian outsourcing. Today, there are very few areas a business can't deliver by outsourcing to India.

However, this is not to say that outsourcing to India is the only option. Its success has also opened the way for challengers. Having led the way, there are plenty that are looking to emulate their success. With a global outsourcing market that is around $250 billion a year and predicted to grow, other nations are having some success. And India itself, the natural destination for outsourcing, may also be reaching the limits. For example, despite the 1.4 billion population, providers can struggle to find staff with sufficient fluency to work in call centres. As providers expand, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find locations with adequate communication links for global outsourcing. And businesses are increasingly diversifying their outsourcing to mitigate the risks of consolidating with a single provider or location, a danger that many were exposed to during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These factors have combined to accelerate the emergence of competitors. New centres are developing in Asia, Africa, South America and even Europe. A typical example is the Philippines, where the government followed a similar model of offering incentives to encourage investment. Outsourcers took advantage of the low labour costs and English fluency of Filipinos to set up operations there. Indeed, most leading Indian providers have also established operations, employing tens of thousands of Filipinos, says Ellspermann.

And while India remains, by some distance, the largest overall outsourcing centre, the Philippines has been the leader for call centre and customer service outsourcing for over ten years, largely because of the quality of English their call agents offer. The prospect of India losing the BPO crown might seem unlikely. But increasing diversity and specialism within the sector will mean that outsourcing to India may no longer be the default choice for some types of work like customer service.

(Brand Desk Content)
New Delhi: 7th Pay Commission latest update: The Central government employees might be in for some good news soon as regards the 18 months-pending Dearness allowance (DA) arrears. Media reports have been constantly speculating that the Modi government may credit Rs 2 lakh in the account of the government employees at one go.

As per media reports, Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary (Staff Side) of the National Council of JCM has apprised that the council has placed its demand before the government however both sides have not arrived at any conclusion as yet. Media reports further said that talks have been held with the Cabinet Secretary, which still remains inconclusive. The Labour union has been constantly pressing demands for a one time settlement of dearness allowance arrears.

According to Mishra, a joint meeting of the JCM with the officials of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure is to be held soon. It is expected that a one-time settlement of 18 months DA arrears will also crop up during the meeting.

The Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief of Central government employees and pensioners were restored to 31% from 17% from October 2021, however the arrears have not been deposited as yet.

A Zee Hindi report, quoting Shiv Gopal Mishra of the National Council of JCM, had previously mentioned that the DA arrears of Level-1 employees range from Rs 11,880 to Rs 37,554. Whereas, for Level-13 (7th CPC basic pay scale Rs 1,23,100 to Rs 2,15,900) or Level-14 (pay scale), the DA arrears in the hands of an employee will be Rs 1,44,200-2,18,200 that will be paid, quoted the reports.

According to the annual report of the Department of Expenditure, there are a total of 48 lakh central employees in the country and about 60 lakh pensioners.

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Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday promised free education in government schools and colleges and one lakh government jobs in the first year if Congress returns to power after the February 20 assembly elections.

Chandigarh | On being voted to power, we will provide 1 lakh government jobs to the youth of the state: Punjab CM Charanjit S Channi pic.twitter.com/smOeY8svQM  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

Channi also hit out at the AAP, accusing it of spreading falsehood against him and also giving tickets to many candidates with a criminal background. Slamming the Arvind Kejriwal led the party, he said the AAP gave tickets to 44 people who came from other political parties. Every third and fourth candidate of the AAP is facing criminal cases, Channi charged.

Taking a dig at the AAP's claim of bringing a change, he said the party fielded many candidates who have been rejected by other political parties. Accusing Kejriwal of building his party's entire campaign on the basis of lies and falsehood, he said the AAP leaders were spreading falsehood against him after realising that they are not going to win the coming elections.

Channi also rejected Kejriwal's claims of his defeat from both Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur assembly seats. The Congress party's chief ministerial face said that he had earlier challenged Kejriwal to fight against him but he did not accept it.

I will win with a margin of not less than 25,000 votes from both seats and it can even reach 50,000 votes, he said. However, Channi claimed that AAP's CM face Bhagwant Mann is losing badly from the Dhuri assembly seat.

He alleged that Mann did not bring a single project to Sangrur Parliamentary constituency from where he was MP twice. Channi also dared Mann and Kejriwal to swap his assets with him.

See, every day they claim I have assets worth Rs 170 crore. Look at my affidavit. They are projecting Rs 2-4 crore as Rs 170 crore, he said.

He further lashed out at the AAP for linking him with the recent Enforcement Directorate raids and illegal sand mining business.

Channi promised free education in government schools and colleges if his party returns to power.

We have decided that it is the government's responsibility to provide education to each family. Therefore, we will make education free in government schools and government colleges and universities".

Besides, the SC scholarship scheme will be strengthened, he said. He also promised to bring a general category scholarship scheme for children belonging to economically weaker families in order to provide free education to them.

Channi also promised to come out with a fee regulation commission for regulating fee of colleges and universities in the state.

Skill-oriented education will be promoted in the state, he said while noting that a skill university was coming up at Chamkaur Sahib. Channi promised that if his party returns to power, one lakh government jobs will be given in the first year of forming the government.

He said that in his 111-day long tenure as chief minister, he implemented what he announced as he referred to various decisions like reducing electricity tariff and fuel prices.

He also talked about providing free health services in government hospitals. Channi also said that there will be no 'kucha' house in the state and promised 'pucca' houses for the poor people in the first six months if his party again forms the government.

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NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi yet again on Monday and said that he never speaks on real issues like unemployment and black money in his election speeches.

Addressing a rally in poll-bound Punjabs Hoshiarpur, Rahul Gandhi said, Unemployment is rising in the country but PM Modi does not speak on employment and issues like black money.

Gandhi targeted the Narendra Modi-led government over demonetisation and goods and services tax, alleging that only two-three billionaires benefited from them.

Accusing PM Modi of making false promises, Rahul said, PM Modi said in every speech that he'll deposit Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts, will give employment to 2 crore youth. Did anyone get it? Why does he not speak on corruption or employment? He did demonetization, imposed GST. Who got benefitted?

PM Modi said in every speech that he'll deposit Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts, will give employment to 2 crore youth. Did anyone get it? Why does he not speak on corruption or employment? He did demonetization, imposed GST. Who got benefitted?: Rahul Gandhi in Hoshiarpur, Punjab pic.twitter.com/eW8FKqAUkj  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

Addressing a rally of Congress supporters, Rahul Gandhi also slammed Narendra Modi for being ''insensitive'' to the genuine demands of the farmers.

For almost a year, Punjab farmers stood hungry in winters as PM Modi tried to give their hard work to 2-3 billionaires. He couldn't give 2 minutes of silence in Parliament to farmers who died during the protest. He didn't give any compensation to them but Rajasthan and Punjab governments did, Rahul Gandhi said in Punjab.

For a year, Punjab farmers stood hungry in winters as PM Modi tried to give their hard work to 2-3 billionaires. He couldn't give 2 mins of silence in parliament to farmers who died during the protest; didn't give compensation, Rajasthan & Punjab govt did: Rahul Gandhi in Punjab pic.twitter.com/kohHysMTN3  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

Stating that his party's chief ministerial face Charanjit Singh Channi understands poverty, Gandhi said Channi will lead a government of poor people, farmers, small traders and small and medium businesses, not of 'arabpatis' (billionaires).

#WATCH | "...Whatever you grow in food park, be it potato chips or tomato ketchup, everything can be manufactured by directly transferring your produce from farms to food processing unit," says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a 'Navi Soch Nava Punjab' rally, in Hoshiarpur, Punjab pic.twitter.com/4fe7Iw9YRF  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

Rahul Gandhi had on Sunday alleged that bank frauds to the tune of Rs 5.35 lakh crore have taken place during the BJP government and that these are good days only for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "friends".

"Bank frauds of Rs 5,35,000 crore have happened so far during the Modi era -- in 75 years there has never been such a fraud with the money of people of India," Gandhi said on Twitter. "These days of loot and deceit are good days only for Modi's friends. #KiskeAccheDin," he also said, taking a swipe at the government over the 'achhe din' slogan.

The Congress party has also accused the Narendra Modi dispensation of complicity, collusion and connivance in the alleged fraud of Rs 22,842 crore by the Gujarat-based ABG Shipyard, which the party dubbed as "India's biggest bank fraud".

The opposition party has been accusing the Modi dispensation of helping a select few big businesses.

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NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief on Monday reiterated that his party never comprises on the issue of national security. Addressing a press conference, the AAP chief said that if his party comes to power in Punjab, it will work with the Centre for strengthening the national security apparatus.

He added that the Aam Aadmi Party is committed to political change as well as strengthening the economic position of the common man in Punjab. In his address, Kejriwal also appealed to the people that the 2022 elections were a golden opportunity to save Punjab from the corrupt traditional political parties.

Aam Aadmi Party never comprises on national security. If voted to power in Punjab, we'll work together with the Centre on the issue of security in the country, Kejriwal said.

Aam Aadmi Party never comprises on national security. If voted to power in #Punjab we'll work together with the Centre on the issue of security in Punjab&the country. There should be no politics on the issue of security of PM but politics was done from both sides: Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/Ebr2Boypko  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

Replying to a question on PM Narendra Modis security breach in Punjab, he said, There should be no politics on the issue of security of PM but politics was done from both sides.

The AAP national convener had on Sunday claimed that Punjab Chief Minister and Congress candidate Charanjit Singh Channi is losing from both constituencies in the February 20 assembly polls.

He alleged that Congress has become a "circus" and the people of Punjab would not vote for the grand old party. Kejriwal claimed the Aam Aadmi Party conducted surveys thrice and in all of them, it was ahead in both the seats.

Channi, the Congress's chief ministerial candidate, is contesting the polls from his home turf Chamkaur Sahib in Rupnagar and Bhadaur in Barnala. The survey showed that in Chamkaur Sahib, Channi is liked to be favoured by 35 per cent of people while 52 per cent chose the AAP, claimed Kejriwal.

He said if the AAP is voted to power, industries would be developed in the border district, including Amritsar. AAP's senior leader Manish Sisodia also campaigned for party candidates KNS Kang from Dakha and Hakam Singh Thekedar from the Raikot constituency in the Ludhiana district.

He said the people of Punjab alternately gave opportunities to the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress to form governments, but both the parties failed the people time and again. AAP leader Raghav Chadha also campaigned in Kapurthala, Dasuya and Tanda.

Punjab will go to the polls for the 117-member legislative assembly on February 20.

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San Francisco: Tech giant Google has announced that Guest Mode on Google Assistant will be available in nine additional languages in the coming months, including Hindi.

Incognito-style feature for Google Assistant called Guest Mode is adding support for Danish, Indonesian, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Brazil), Swedish, Thai, Mandarin (Taiwan) and Hindi in the coming month, reports Android Central.

Currently, the feature's language support is limited to English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese and Korean.

When turned on, Guest Mode will not remember Assistant activities on the best smart displays such as the Nest Hub (2nd Gen).

It will also exclude personal information from searches, which comes in handy if other people are trying to access your smart home device.

Google unveiled the incognito-style feature for Google Assistant last year. It prevents interactions on Nest speakers and displays from being saved.

In addition to language expansion, Google announced a few other updates focused on online safety.

Starting next month, the search giant will allow users to switch on its account-level enhanced safe browsing feature, which helps combat web-based threats against your account.

This new toggle will soon start showing up in your account settings or when you perform a security checkup.
New Delhi: In 2022, the main fight has come again. And, in the form of the Galaxy S22 and the iPhone 13, respectively, the Samsung vs. Apple flagship battle has a new opponent. Samsung's latest phone was released earlier this month, while Apple's iPhone 13 series was released late last year but still makes a solid case for flagship status in the market. But, right now, which of these gadgets offers the best value, and how do they compare to one another?

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Design

The design of Samsung's new Galaxy S22 smartphone has been updated to give it a more attractive appearance. The curves have been preserved to provide a firm grip in the hand. In addition, the form factor is compact, which is rare in today's flagship market. The vertical placement of the triple rear cameras at the back creates a sense of homogeneity that you might enjoy.

Both sides of the body are composed of glass, with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. Aluminium was used to make the side structure. The device is dust and water resistant to IP68 standards.

Apple has incorporated a mix of curves and sharpness into the design of the iPhone 13 series. The display is still served by the thick notch, while the rest of the body is made out of glass and aluminium. The dual back camera arrangement on this gadget is housed in a square-shaped module. The iPhone 13 weighs 174 grams, yet it doesn't prevent it from being comfortable to handle and operate. Apple has given the device an IP68 designation for further durability, and the glass is made of Corning Gorilla Glass.

Both heavyweights provide you the most bang for your buck. The Galaxy S22 comes with a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and an Always-On display option. Because of the small bezels, the screen to body ratio is 87 percent, and the screen has a peak brightness of 1300nits.

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Display

The iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch screen, but it is a Super Retina XDR OLED panel with HDR10 and Dolby Vision compatibility, but no high refresh rate. The screen to body ratio is 86 percent thanks to the broad notch, and the peak brightness of 1200nits should be sufficient for most users.

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Hardware

The availability of Snapdragon variants in regions like India, where Samsung has relied on Exynos models for years, was the major news of Samsung's debut. In 2022, however, this will change, allowing users to purchase the Galaxy S22 with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU. However, it only comes with 8GB of RAM, but you can pick between 128GB and 256GB of storage depending on your needs. The gadget supports the most up-to-date communication standards, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 5G, and USB Type C 3.2. It includes dual speakers but no headphone jack, and the 3700mAh battery supports 25W rapid charging with the included adapter and 15W wireless charging.

This year's iPhone 13 features Apple's A15 Bionic chipset with 4GB RAM and storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The hexa-core CPU has long been the industry standard for flagship hardware, and the A15 Bionic raises the bar even higher. You'll never be disappointed in terms of performance, and the device's fluidity plays a huge part in that. It connects via Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 5G, and a Lighting USB 2.0 port. The 3240mAh battery supports wired fast charging at 20W and wireless charging at 15W through MagSafe.

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Camera

The back cameras have been improved to include a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, giving you a triple rear camera arrangement. It has a 10-megapixel camera on the front.

The iPhone 13 features a dual rear camera module with a 12-megapixel wide sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor. On the front, there are two 12-megapixel sensors as well as an SL 3D sensor for Face ID.

Samsung has tweaked the base model of its Galaxy S smartphone. It has a smaller footprint but maintains the same hardware and performance. The cameras are all excellent, with a focus on overall results. And, for a phone in the sub-Rs 80,000 pricing range, there's a lot to admire about it.

The Apple iPhone 13 continues to establish standards, but the standard model falls short of being the go-to option for all buyers. Although there are fewer cameras, the quality is not compromised. However, if switching to iOS is not an option, the Galaxy S22 is a solid option.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday exuded confidence that his party BJP is returning to power again in all five poll-bound states. Addressing a rally in Kanpur Dehat, the PM said, High voting turnout in second phase polling in Uttar Pradesh points at BJP returning to power again.

PM Modi exuded confidence and said that Holi will be celebrated in Uttar Pradesh on 10th March itself.

Voting turnout in second phase polling in Uttar Pradesh points at BJP returning to power again: PM Modi addressing a public rally in Kanpur Dehat pic.twitter.com/dmCKoXPoVz  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 14, 2022

Attacking the BJP rivals  Congress and Samajwadi Party  the PM said that in this election, the Parivaarwadis will be defeated again by the people of Uttar Pradesh. The festival of colours- Holi will be celebrated in Uttar Pradesh on 10th March itself.

The 'Parivaarwadi' will again be defeated by the people of Uttar Pradesh. The festival of colours- Holi will be celebrated in Uttar Pradesh on 10th March itself: PM Modi addressing a public rally in Kanpur Dehat pic.twitter.com/cDSgCZBDif  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 14, 2022

The PM went on to say, When they keep changing their allies, then how will they serve the people of Uttar Pradesh?... Earlier governments looted the people of the state. In an apparent reference to the hijab row, the PM said, "The Muslim girls feel safe under the BJP rule in Uttar Pradesh. Many more Muslim girls are going to schools and colleges in the state now."

Accusing the erstwhile Samajwadi Party government of patronising mafia and criminals, the PM said, "If they had their way, they would have made Kanpur and other such areas in UP, a 'mafiaganj' mohalla. Now their 'mafiagiri' is counting its last breath. These 'parivaarvadis' want to give power to these mafias again. UP public will have to stay alert.''

"Before 2017, UP had ration scams every other day. They made lakhs of fake ration cards. Double engine govt ended this fake ration card scheme. Today, crores of the UP public are receiving ration free of cost. Stoves of my poor sisters & mothers will never be turned off,'' PM Modi cautioned voters.

PM Modi earlier appealed to the voters in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa to cast their ballots in the Assembly elections in the three states to "strengthen the festival of democracy".

Taking to Twitter, he said: "Polling will be held across Uttarakhand, Goa and in parts of Uttar Pradesh. I call upon all those who are eligible to vote today to do so in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy."

Also in a series of tweets, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: "I urge our sisters and brothers of Goa, to vote in large numbers. Only a stable, decisive and corruption-free government can ensure the development of the state. So come out and vote for a prosperous Goa.

"I appeal to all the voters of the second phase in Uttar Pradesh, especially the youth and mothers, to vote in maximum numbers. Your one vote will decide the bright and secure future of the state. So vote yourself and inspire others to vote as well.

"Only a government free from corruption and appeasement can take forward the development, pride and honour of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Therefore, I appeal to all the voters of Uttarakhand that by voting, you should become a partner in the development and progress of the state. Voting first, refreshments later."

BJP chief J.P. Nadda urged the voters in Uttar Pradesh "to participate in the festival of democracy in maximum numbers. Your every vote is very important to build tomorrow and speed up the development of the state along with your bright future".

In the second phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh, nearly 2.02 crore voters will decide the fate of 586 contestants in nine districts -- Saharanpur, Bijnore, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur -- that comprises 55 Assembly constituencies.

As many as 301 candidates are in the fray in the single-phase elections in Goa for the 40 Assembly seats. In Uttarakhand, more than 81 lakh voters in 70 assembly constituencies will decide the political fate of 632 candidates which include over 150 independents.

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Lucknow: Amid polling for the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2022 on Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has exuded confidence that his party  BJP - will secure over 300 seats in this election. The Chief Minister also said that it is 80 vs 20 battle in Uttar Pradesh this time.

Countering the criticism that racked up over his remark that ''Uttar Pradesh can become like West Bengal and Kerala if BJP is not voted back to power'', Yogi Adityanath said that he had alerted the people of the state ahead of Assembly elections.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Adityanath said, "These people are coming from Bengal and spreading anarchy here. For this, it was necessary to alert people against it saying that `be alert - the security, respect that you are getting, people have come to disrupt that and do not let that happen`. It was my responsibility to alert people."

Highlighting the incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal after Assembly elections in the state last year, Adityanath said, "I want to ask, are elections held this peacefully in Bengal? Recently, Bengal held Vidhan Sabah elections and BJP workers were tortured. Booths were captured. Anarchy was at its peak. Several people were killed. Similar was the case in Kerala. The violence, and political killings that have happened in these two states, where else has it happened?"

Drawing a comparison of West Bengal elections with that of the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, he said that elections were held peacefully here. "UP elections` first phase has been completed in a peaceful manner. Otherwise, riots took place here earlier. Anarchy was spread. The crime was at its peak," the Chief Minister said.

"In 5 years, did any riot take place?" Adityanath asked when questioned about allegations on his government that minorities are not safe in Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister said that his government works with an aim of providing security and prosperity to all and no appeasement to any particular community is done.

"In five years, were obstacles put in celebrating festivals? If festivals of the Hindus were celebrated with peace Muslims also celebrated festivals in a peaceful manner. When Hindus are peaceful, they (Muslims) are also peaceful. Hindus are safe so Muslims are also safe. We give security to all, prosperity to all, respect to all but no appeasement to any," he said.

In a veiled attack at the previous government of the Samajwadi Party, Adityanath said such incidents of discrimination against minority communities is the "greatest mockery of democracy."

"In a democracy, if any government disrespects the views of the public sentiments, distributes government scheme by looking at their faces, discriminates on caste, creed and religion -- this can be no greater mockery of democracy than this," the Chief Minister said.

Amid the Karnataka Hijab row, Yogi Adityanath said that the dream of Ghazwa-e-Hind will not come true even till 'Qayamat'. Adityanath said that this is a new India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that it'll run as per the Constitution and not Shariat.

"I can say with utter clarity that this is new India, this is the India of world's most popular leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In this new India, development is for all and there will be appeasement of none," the UP CM said

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s vision of `Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas`, he said his government gives benefits with the vision, denying all allegations of the safety of minorities being compromised in the state.

Lauding the `double-engine` government`s efforts in vaccinating people against COVID-19, the Chief Minister highlighted that people of Uttar Pradesh express gratitude to the Prime Minister for saving their lives during the pandemic.

"Where ever I go, I ask people, `did you take the vaccine?` People raise their hands and say yes. They express gratitude to the Prime Minister and say that lives have been saved because of him. Those who opposed and derided vaccine, people have countered them by taking vaccines and have expressed their support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

The UP chief minister further said, "I can say to 15 crore people in UP that the double engine government is giving double dose ration to them." "Where was this money going before?" he asked attacking SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Questioning the utilization of the state funds during his tenure in the state, Adityanath said that Akhilesh did not have time to think about these things adding that he was busy sleeping and dreaming.

"Akhilesh Ji would not have these figures and he did not even want to keep them because he does not have the time. If he gets time from his friend circle, sleeping and dreaming, then only will he think about these things. Therefore, he must not have this data. To have this information, he would have to employ a person before whom he would place these numbers and make him mug up. He is the son of a big figure. He sleeps 12 hours, spends 6 hours with his friend circle, and the rest of the time, he would be busy with other work. Thus, he wouldn`t know this information," Adityanath said.

Citing cases of the disproportionate asset against Akhilesh, Adityanath ruled out the involvement of BJP when asked about allegations on the party of misusing investigating agencies against Opposition during elections.

"There is a case against Akhilesh Ji of disproportionate assets. Did this happen during the BJP government? In 2013, BJP was not in power at the Centre or state. There are more cases against him. Was this because of BJP?" he asked.

Pointing at income tax raids at SP MLC in December last year, Adityanath said all the money, which is now used in people`s welfare was taken by Akhilesh`s associates referring to them as "ittar wale mitra" (perfume traders) saying that these people took Uttar Pradesh`s money abroad. Denying any "misuse" of central agencies during election time, Adityanath said that raids by central agencies are a "continuous process."

"Isn`t it true that this money of the poor, meant for development was going to his `ittar-wale mitra`. Now when ED has found out that his money was going to his `ittar-wale mitra` and today when investigating agencies have made full-proof arrangements that `ittar-wale mitra` were eating away the resources like termite when poor were dying of hunger and farmers were committing suicide. His friends in the perfume trade, after earning lump-sum amounts, were settling the income earned in the UP, abroad. What is the work of the agencies? It is the agency`s task to submit ill-gotten wealth to the state treasury and investigate it. It not only happened during the elections. It has been continuously happening and is a long task," Adityanath said.

The Chief Minister denied "targeting" Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and said that "to drown Congress, no one else is needed."

"I went to Uttarakhand and had delivered a speech. Uttarakhand is a border state and it also borders UP. Uttarakhand is important in its own right. Ganga and Yamuna`s water comes from Uttarakhand to enrich our fields and Army personnel stand at the border to protect the country. UP and Uttarakhand are joined together. Where are the differences between the two? But security is important. To drown Congress, no one else is needed. Brother and sister duo are there. Why do you want to make Congress a burden there; I only appealed to people," Adiyanath said.

Taking a dig at Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and SP, Adityanath said that they used corrupt practices and emptied state government treasuries.

Calling BSP chief Mayawati `Behenji`, Adityanath said, "Behenji has pointed fingers at my (Gorakhpur) `Math`. I repeat myself, that the double dose ration that is being given to the poor used to be eaten away by mafias of the SP. Behenji`s elephant (election symbol of the BSP) is so huge that things fall short for it."

The seven phased Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh commenced on February 10. The second phase of polling for the state assembly is scheduled for February 14. Altogether 55 assembly constituencies will go to the polls in the second phase covering nine districts of Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha, Sambhal, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Budaun and Shahjahanpur.

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NEW DELHI: Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that "the siblings" are "enough to ruin the Congress" and "nobody else is needed" for the same.

The siblings (Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) are enough to ruin the Congress. No one else is needed for that, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said in an interview with news agency ANI.

The siblings (Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) are enough to ruin the Congress. No one else is needed for that: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/PYTfjSD19M  ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2022

CM Yogi also said that he has asked the voters in Uttarakhand to not vote for 'bekaar' Congress as their votes will be wasted. Hitting out at those opposing the ban on wearing hijab in schools, CM Yogi said that their dream of Ghazwa-e-Hind will not be fulfilled even till the "Qayamat" and the government will function according to the Constitution and not the Shariat law.

CM Adityanath said, "I can say with utter clarity that this is new India, this is the India of world`s most popular leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In this new India, development is for all and there will be appeasement of none."

The government works with the motto of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, he said. It works with the principle of Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. "The new India will work according to the Constitution, and not the Shariat. I also want to say it clearly that the dream of Ghazwa-e-Hind will not be fulfilled even till the Qayamat," he said.

Adityanath, clearing his stance on the Karnataka Hijab row, said that a proper dress code should be followed in schools, adding that he never asked the public or workers in UP to wear saffron for what they wear is their personal choice.

"I strongly believe that the system should run as per the Indian Constitution. We cannot impose our personal beliefs, our fundamental rights, our personal likes and dislikes on the country or institutions," he said.

"Am I asking the people and workers in UP to wear saffron? What they want to wear is their choice. But in schools, there should be a dress code. This is the matter of schools and the discipline in schools," he added.

The Chief Minister also said that one`s personal belief is separate, "but when one talks about institutions, then one has to accept the rules there, he said. In a national context, the Constitution should be followed."

Reacting to Asaduddin Owaisi`s remark that Hijab is a fundamental right and that one day a hijab-clad girl will become the PM, Adityanath said, "It is for the freedom and rights of that every girl (daughter of India) that PM Modi put a stop on the malpractice of Triple Talak. It is for ensuring justice and honour and empowerment of the girl that these decisions are being taken."

"We can only say that the system will not work as per the Shariat, but will work as per the Constitution. When the system will work according to the constitution, every girl will be protected, honoured and become self-reliant," the Chief Minister said.

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New Delhi: Social media sites are flooded with lovely messages, pictures, and posts as people celebrate Valentine's Day today. And as usual, the Mumbai Police has also shared a post on Instagram to wish the citizens a safe Valentine's Day.

Mumbai Police on its official Instagram handle has posted a series of messages that encourages the citizens to wear the mask. In the post which is accurately captioned "Dil Diyan Gallan!", one can see a conversation between a heart and a mask emoticon that ultimately spreads awareness through lovely Bollywood Hindi songs.

The Mumbai Police once again has managed to draw the attention of the citizen with its top-notch social media post. The post has garnered over 10k likes and numbers are still climbing.

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Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday thanked people for casting their votes in favour of the TMC, which is set to register a big win in four municipal corporations, where elections were held on February 12.

Thanking the people, Banerjee said it was a victory of the masses. Banerjee also said that the state administration would continue working for the cause of the common people.

The Trinamool Congress on Monday made a clean sweep in the civic polls to four municipal corporations in West Bengal -- Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Chandernagore and Asansol -- as per data available on the State Election Commission's website.

The TMC retained Bidhannagar by winning 39 out of 41 seats, but opposition BJP and the CPI(M) failed to open their account. The Congress managed to bag one seat, and an Independent candidate secured victory in one ward.

In Chandernagore, the TMC bagged 31 of the 32 seats, while the CPI(M) won in one ward. However, the icing on the cake for the ruling party was snatching the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) from the CPI(M)-led Left Front, where the TMC pocketed 37 out of 47 seats.

The BJP got the opposition status by clinching five seats, whereas the Left was relegated to the third position as it managed to win only four seats, and the Congress one, according to the SEC data.

The TMC's vote share in Siliguri was 78.72 per cent, while the BJP and CPI(M) managed 10.64 per cent and 8.5 per cent of the votes polled, respectively. An elated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that party leader Gautam Deb, who won by a margin of 3,000 votes, would be the next mayor of SMC.

In Asansol, the TMC emerged victorious in 66 of the 106 seats and was leading in five wards, while the BJP won in five seats, and the CPI(M) and Congress in two each. Elections to the four municipal corporations, where a total of 953 candidates were in the fray, were held on February 12.

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Woburn, MA (01801)

Today

Mostly cloudy. Periods of rain this morning. High 56F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low around 45F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
In an interview with RPP, he said that although the clean-up of crude oil is a complex issue, this private company is required to restore the previous conditions.

According to the minister, the clean-up of beaches is moving slowly, and experts in his sector have verified that Repsol has not yet removed the white foam which is the result of the interaction between oil and water in areas like the islands where guano birds are found.

After thanking the participation of volunteers from universities, he mentioned that the clean-up of beaches is 70% complete, without considering the contamination of the seabed, which is an aspect that must be evaluated.

Montoya estimated that some 2,000 barrels of oil have been removed from the coast, but he emphasized that Repsol spilled around 11,000 barrels and that crude oil has reached other remote places.

Oil spill

The ecological disaster was caused by the spill of more than 11,000 barrels of crude oil at La Pampilla maritime terminal, which is operated by the Spanish company Repsol.

?? Tambien preciso que #Repsol no esta recogiendo la espuma blanca contaminada que es producto de la interaccion del agua con el hidrocarburo.#EmergenciaAmbiental #PeruGeneracionDelCambio  Ministerio del Ambiente ?????? (@MinamPeru) February 14, 2022

?? "Debemos asegurarnos de que #Repsol restablezca las condiciones anteriores a la #EmergenciaAmbiental. Ahora, podemos hablar, a grosso modo, que hay un 70 % de avance en las obras de limpieza en las playas??".#Repsol  Ministerio del Ambiente ?????? (@MinamPeru) February 14, 2022
19:15 | Ccapacmarca (Cusco region), Feb. 13.





According to the minutes of the meeting held at the educational institution "Senor de Huanca," located in Ccapacmarca, in the province of Chumbivilcas (Cusco region) the participants signed a number of agreements, including the one to lift the blockade for 45 days.





"The communities of Sayhua, Tahuay, Ccapacmarca and Huascabamba, from the district of Ccapacmarca (Chumbivilcas), as a sign of good faith and trust in the Government, announce that a 45-day truce will be implemented as of today to stop the forceful measure, thus ensuring social peace," the document states.





In addition, the National Government has agreed to coordinate meetings with the Constitutional Court and the Judiciary, together with communities' leaders and their lawyer, legislators from Cusco, and the Regional Government of Cusco, within the framework of the demand to repeal Ministerial Resolution No. 372-2018-MTC





It should be noted that said resolution reclassifies a number of routes on the Apurimac-Cusco road network as national routes.





Likewise, the Executive Branch undertakes to follow up on the fourth Modification of the Environmental Impact Study (MEIA) of Las Bambas before the National Environmental Certification Service for Sustainable Investments (Senace), to objectively delimit the area of influence (AID) of the mining project.





Moreover, the parties agreed that the Government will issue a ministerial resolution to establish, within a maximum period of 30 days, a specific working group for the communities of Sayhua, Tahuay, Ccapacmarca and Huascabamba, including the participation of the Executive Branch and the mining company.

Meanwhile, another agreement provides that Las Bambas will identify the communities in the district of Ccapacmarca, through which the Southern Mining Corridor passes as an area of social and environmental interest, which will imply contributions for the implementation of sustainable development projects.





(END) MCA/JCR/RMB

Representatives of the Executive Branch , communities from the Ccapacmarca district, and Las Bambas mining company agreed to lift the blockade in the Southern Mining Corridor, after a work meeting held Sunday in Cusco.Published: 2/13/2022
Premier @anibaltorresv: En los ultimos dias se ha puesto al descubierto una reunion secreta de congresistas y politicos de la oposicion con una agenda que responderia a definir la estrategia legal para finiquitar la forma de como se puede sacar al presidente de la Republica. pic.twitter.com/06iaUpQ92t
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Ameriabank announces public placement of nominal, coupon, book-entry bonds with the total volume of USD 8 million and AMD 3 billion during the period from February 14 to April 22, 2022, inclusive. It is the first ever placement of green bonds via public offering in Armenia.

The bonds maturity is 27 months, with the coupon rate of 3.5% for USD bonds, and - 9.5% for AMD bonds. The par value of the bonds is USD 100 and AMD 100,000. The coupon periodicity is 3 months.

The proceeds green bonds will be used to finance green assets as per Green Bond Framework, which implies projects that provide clear environmental benefits and promote transition to low-carbon, climate resilient and sustainable economies. Committed to its strategy of managing environmental risks, Ameriabank is continuously increasing the green asset portfolio and funding of projects aimed at designing long-term sustainable solutions.

Please follow the links below for the program prospectus registered by the Central Bank, supplements thereto, and the final terms of issues:

for AMD bonds: here

for USD bonds: here

Potential investors can obtain the hard copies of the bond prospectus and supplements to it at the head office of Ameriabank CJSC (address: 2 Vazgen Sargsyan St., Yerevan, 0010, RA).

We would like to remind that Ameriabank was the first institution in Armenia to issue and place green bonds in 2020 via a private placement, with the total value of Euro 42 million.

Ameriabank is a dynamically developing bank and one of the major and most stable financial institutions in Armenia with clearly formulated digital agenda. Ameriabank CJSC is a universal bank offering corporate, investment and retail banking services in a comprehensive package of banking solutions. Based on 2021 results, Ameriabank is the market leader by all key financial indicators, with assets exceeding AMD 1 trillion.
YEREVAN, 14 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 14 February, USD exchange rate down by 0.07 drams to 478.87 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 3.67 drams to 541.60 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.19 drams to 6.19 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.06 drams to 647.19 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 68.80 drams to 28192.43 drams. Silver price down by 7.14 drams to 352.49 drams. Platinum price down by 63.89 drams to 15750.14 drams.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister of Armenia Suren Papikyan received the delegation led by Toivo Klaar, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia. The Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin also took part in the meeting.

As ARMENPRESS was infomred from the press service of the Defense Miinstry, greeting the guests, Suren Papikyan thanked the EU leadership, and personally Ambassador Klaar, for the active efforts for the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan, presented the situation in Artsakh, on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Toivo Klaar noted that the European Union is ready to assist for the final settlement of the conflict, stabilization of the situation, and promotion of negotiations at various levels. It was noted that the European Union will continue to work in the humanitarian sphere, in particular, in the direction of the return of prisoners of war, other detainees and missing persons.

During the meeting, the parties also touched upon other issues related to regional security.
Iran has expressed its readiness to become a mediator to resolve tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said, news.am informs, citing Tasnim.

February 14, 2022, 17:20 Iran expresses willingness to mediate between Ukraine and Russia

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 14, ARTSAKHPRESS: Expressing concern over the escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Russia, he said, "As a country with good relations with both countries, we try to invite the two sides to resolve their disputes peacefully. We are ready to use our efforts to bring the views of the two sides closer."

The Iranian representative also criticized the US for inciting tensions, saying Washington had not learned lessons from its destructive policies in various regions, such as Afghanistan.

He also noted that the Foreign Ministry had circulated statements urging Iranian citizens in Ukraine to keep in touch with the embassy.
South Africa: Student allowance fraudster sentenced

A man who admitted to being part of a scam in which at least R1.2 million was stolen from officials and financially disadvantaged students at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has been sentenced to at least 18 years in jail by the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

According to National Prosecuting Authority Eastern Cape spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, 35-year-old Siyambonga Mhlakaza was facing charges of money laundering and 81 counts of fraud, which were treated as one.

Mhlakaza admitted to participating in a scam where money, which was meant for student allowances and academic officials salaries, was diverted to his bank account.

In his plea explanation, Mhlakaza claims to have been approached by a WSU employee working at the Financial Aid Bureau section, who asked for his bank accounts to deposit funds in them. He said the financial challenges he faced then made him agree.

Mhlakaza admitted that he gave the person his banking details. Subsequently, deposits ranging between R6 000 and R89 000 were made into his accounts between April and June 2016, Tyali said.

Some 81 students were affected by the scam and some were forced to drop out of university because of the financial challenges they faced.

Tyali said in terms of the money laundering charge, Mhlakaza admitted to transferring the fraudulently acquired money into his different bank accounts.

He transferred the money to different bank accounts he held with different banks to conceal and disguise the nature, source, location, disposition and movement of the money, which he spent for his benefit.

The fraudster further confessed that he called Intelimali, a private company responsible for the distribution of allowance to students, and pretended to be a qualifying student who wanted to check allowances and change their banking details. Intelimali officials would then deposit funds due to these students in his different accounts, Tyali said.

Tyali explained that the scam was exposed when the university investigated a claim by one student that her allowance had not been paid.

The investigation revealed that funds from the Motsepe Foundation and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) had been diverted to Mhlakaza and other persons.

The subsequent investigation by the South African Police Service Provincial Commercial Investigations Sergeant Thembani Langeni led to Mhlakazas arrest in May 2021.

He was arrested and charged with his accomplices, Nolufefe Matera, Sibongiseni Matshamba and Loyiso Siyo, he said.

The trial against the other three is expected to be heard in the court in March.

They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
(AFP via Getty Images)

One day, while I was sitting on the floor with my young classmates in primary school in rural Malawi, a group of angry parents stormed our class, brandishing panga knives, wooden sticks and an assortment of other makeshift weapons.

It was the early 2000s and my home area in southern Malawi was abuzz with rumours of bloodsuckers. According to the rumours, the vampires possessed supernatural powers and were targeting their victims to extract blood for witchcraft rituals. Word had spread that bloodsuckers were at the school. We children were sent home, while urgent meetings between the school management and the community took place.

About a decade later, the stories resurfaced, spreading from across the border in Mozambique, this time amplified by social media. Despite assurances from the police that the rumours were false, vigilantes took matters into their own hands with deadly results.

It is against this backdrop of myth and misinformation that Malawi has tried to roll out its Covid-19vaccination campaign, and some of the same fears have resurfaced.

Last month in my home district of Mulanje, dozens of irate parents descended on a primary school after hearing that there was a stranger at the school administering vaccines. The rumour wasnt true, but teachers locked themselves in an office as the parents demanded answers.

Vaccine uptake has been a contentious issue, not only in Malawi but across the African continent where myths and misconceptions have thrived. In my country, rumours have been wilder and more widespread in rural areas where access to verified information is limited.

(Thoko Chikondi)

The ministry of health earlier this year introduced the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in a campaign targeting schoolchildren aged 12 to 17. But vaccine hesitancy is also strong among young people, who need to seek their parents consent for vaccination.

By the end of January, fewer than 5,000 children had been vaccinated. To Willy Malimba, President of the Teachers Union of Malawi, this is hardly surprising. There isnt a school that can say the students will accept the vaccine. Once the health workers come with the vaccine, the learners are likely to run away.

Story continues

His own personal experience attests to this. When he was visiting schools on official duties, students started to run away from his vehicle, even in the cities. The teachers told him they thought he was coming with the vaccines.

The solution, according to Malimba, is to talk with community and offer them the facts around the vaccine before approaching schools.

They should go direct to the community because these students are coming from communities where these negatives are widespread. If the community is sensitized and convinced, they will inform their children to receive the vaccine. But if they (the vaccine teams) go directly to school, it will become a problem.

People wait for the Covid-19 vaccine at the Zingwangwa Health Centre in Blantyre, Malawi on July 28, 2021 (Charles Pensulo)

Africa is the continent least vaccinated against Covid-19, primarily due to a shortfall in supplies throughout 2021, but in part due to peoples reluctance to take up the jab.

To fully understand fears around the vaccine, we need to look deeper at the misconceptions, and better understand religious and even mystical beliefs, says Dr Chiwoza Bandawe, a clinical psychologist at Malawis College of Medicine.

Many people are not critically weighing up the information that has been circulating or questioning how it is sourced.

One needs to ask, Who am I hearing this from? Is this pertinent authority figure? - but that line of critical thinking is not there. As a result, people tend to believe anything that is thrown out there and with the social media these days, everyone is expert.

And especially if this is captured in religious or spiritual language, mystical justifications are given why the vaccine should not be utilized, he says.

Raising awareness about the benefits of the vaccine with real-life examples helps to convey the message, he says. I think its important to share stories of people who had the vaccine, got Covid-19 but only developed mild symptoms. Stories of the people whove had the vaccine and are still alive and fine.

John Lwanda, a social and medical historian who published a study on the origin of blood-sucking rumours, believes that attitudes towards vaccines in sub-Saharan Africa have historical and colonial roots.

One reason is the experiences of some African communities of colonial authorities. Some authorities, like the French in Cameroon, forcibly treated villagers for sleeping sickness. In Nyasaland (now Malawi), some of those caught by colonial authorities practicing local forms of inoculation against smallpox were either arrested or fined.

So the seeds of doubt against Western medical methods - already sown at the start of colonisation- were fertilised.

Yet sub-Saharan Africa has a centuries-long history of practicing preventative medicine.

In some ways, anti-vaccination sentiments are surprising because practices similar to vaccination have been practiced in sub-Saharan Africa for centuries. In Malawi for example, preventive medicine involved, and still involves, inoculation or variolation and scarification. Some aspects of scarification are used in the preventive fortification to ward off disease, enemies and misfortune.

If variolation  intentionally infecting patients to give them a mild form of a disease - was accepted as a common pre-colonial practice in Africa, and persisted in some areas during the colonial era, then why the change in attitude towards vaccination now?

(Getty Images)

One explanation is that many fundamentalist Christian groups have adopted a stance against Covid vaccinations, according to Lwanda. Plus the inadequate state of health services in many African states also contributes to the lack of trust in Western medicine because the majority of people still depend on traditional medicine; the Covid vaccination rates speak for themselves, he says.

Yet, there is also progress. As the Omicron variant spreads and infections rise, more people are convinced that Covid-19 is real, and they have seen the impact historically of vaccinations against other diseases, including smallpox, measles and polio.

Thats why (routine) immunisation uptake in Malawi is amazing because people are very practical in their thinking. We need to utilize that with Covid vaccine so that people have the same outlook, Lwanda says.
Jeep Meridian name has been picked from over 70 options that were considered.The seven-seater Jeep Meridian will be a Made in India SUV and will be launched this year.

Jeep India on Monday announced that its upcoming - and much talked-about - seven-seater SUV for the market here will be called Jeep Meridian. The Jeep Meridian will be an entirely Made in India SUV but will come with the promise of offering a capable drive and a feature-packed cabin.

The upcoming Jeep SUV has been spotted on test runs on numerous occasions in the past several months. The name Jeep Meridian was picked from around 70 options that were considered by the company. These also included some Jeep names from the global market. But the company, in a press statement, informed that the Meridian name was eventually picked as it is inspired by the line which passes through the length of India connecting some of the most beautiful states and cultures.

(Also | In pics: Jeep India christens new seven-seater SUV as Meridian)

The Meridian will be the first seven-seater SUV from Jeep in the country and is being touted as a product that would further diversify the product lineup of Jeep here. "We (have) tested the SUV on every kind of terrain India has to offer  by taking it on a challenging journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari," said Nipun J Mahajan, Head of Jeep India. We are proud to say, the Jeep Meridian performed flawlessly. We are delighted to deliver today, a car that is both Made-in-India and Made-for-India for our customers anticipating the Meridian."

Jeep India is backing crucial factors like looks, performance and off-road capabilities to make a solid case for Meridian SUV, once launched.

Jeep India has further confirmed that the Meridian SUV will be launched in India this year itself but a more exact timeline is still awaited. Our product offensive for 2022 and beyond will continue to illustrate our commitment to India as we work towards strengthening our market presence," said Roland Bouchara, CEO & Managing Director, Stellantis India.

Jeep Meridian engine and transmission:

Jeep India has not yet official confirmed the specs on the Meridian SUV. But several reports suggest that the Meridian could make use of a 2.0-litre petrol motor and that a diesel unit may also be on offer. Transmission duties are likely to be handled by an eight-speed automatic transmission box. Select variants of the Jeep Meridian are likely to get 4WD as well.

Jeep Meridian features:

Again, Jeep has not divulged much about the feature list Meridian is packing but has promised that it will be extensive. A 10.25-inch main infotainment screen is likely in the cabin of the SUV while a panoramic sunroof, four-zone climate control and front ventilated seats could also come packed in.

Jeep Meridian likely price and rivals:

Meridian will sit above Compass and is likely to be priced upwards of 35 lakh when launched in India. It will take on rivals such as Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster and Skoda Kodiaq.

First Published Date:
Thailand may soon consider offering subsidies between 70,000 baht ($2,145) and 150,000 baht depending on the type and model of vehicle.

In order to promote adoption of electric vehicles and develop a market for these battery-powered mobility solutions, Thailand is considering a slew of incentives such as lower taxes and cash subsidies. The Southeast Asian nation is expecting that by offering the said incentives, it will be able to spur automakers to invest more and make the country a manufacturing hub for cleaner cars.

The country's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ochas cabinet may soon consider offering subsidies between 70,000 baht ($2,145) and 150,000 baht depending on the type and model of vehicle. Lower excise tax and import duties on completely built and partially built EVs will also be offered, as per a draft proposal from the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, Bloomberg reported.

(Also read | In 2021, Lamborghini sold more cars in Thailand than India. But that may change)

As per the documents, the wider incentives for imports will last until 2025 when local production is expected to gain momentum. The tax breaks for EV companies will be offered on the condition that these companies produce the same number of vehicles or more by 2025 that they import in the preceding years.

Subsidies for imported EVs will be paid to local firms, which will in turn pass on the benefits to customers. If the companies are found to be breaching these rules later, they will lose all incentives.

Thailand is putting in efforts to retain its status as an automobile manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia as major carmakers globally are pivoting to electric vehicles. The country expects to get as much as 400 billion baht in investment in EV manufacturing over the coming years. Companies planning to build factories in Thailand include Toyota Motor, Foxconn Technology, Great Wall Motor and PTT Pcl.

(with inputs from Bloomberg)

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Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinas major automaker, Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFMC), started 2022 with growing sales performance in January, especially in its wholly-owned passenger vehicle sector, the company announced on February 11th.

AEOLUS AX7; photo credit: Dongfeng AEOLUS



In the first month of 2022, DFMC sold 341,700 vehicles, increasing 6.1% year on year. The passenger vehicle sector of the group sold 291,400 vehicles, indicating a 13.8% jump from last year.

In January, with 74,100 vehicles sold, DFMCs wholly-owned passenger vehicle brands managed an 82% surge compared to a year ago.

To be specific, Dongfeng Fengshen (Aeolus) scored an impressive 189.1% year-on-year growth in January, with 18,600 vehicles sold. Meanwhile, the groups another wholly-owned brand, Dongfeng Fengxing, sold a total of 17,000 vehicles in the month, jumping 48.3% from a year ago.

On the other hand, the sales volume of DFMCs joint venture brands in January amounted to 217,300 vehicles, edging up 0.9% from 2021.

With 13,000 vehicles sold, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen celebrated an 85% rise in its January sales versus the previous year.

In the meantime, Dongfeng Motor and Nissan Motors passenger vehicle joint venture, Dongfeng Motor Co. & Ltd. (including Nissan, Venucia, and Infiniti brands), saw a 126.3% soar in its Venucia brand sales compared to a year ago, with 14,000 vehicles sold.

In January, Dongfeng Nissan sold 112,100 vehicles. Dongfeng Infiniti, which was just included as a brand under DFL, sold 1,100 vehicles in January, still more than fivefold the volume in the same period of last year.

Moreover, Dongfeng Motors other jointly owned Japanese brand, Dongfeng Honda, saw a 7.3% increase in its January sales year on year, with 77,400 vehicles sold.

In the first month of 2022, DFMCs commercial vehicle sector sold 50,300 vehicles in total.

Specifically, the commercial vehicle joint venture between Dongfeng and Nissan, Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd. (DFAC) reported 17,200 units of light commercial trucks sold in January, edging up 3.5% from a year ago. Additionally, the joint venture sold 13,200 commercial vehicles in the same month.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- One of Chinas largest auto groups, FAW Group, sold over 300,000 vehicles in January, with its Hongqi brand's sales hitting a record high, the automaker announced on February 13th.

Photo credit: Hongqi



In the first month of 2022, FAW Group produced 290,371 vehicles and sold 311,508 vehicles. As to individual brands, the groups mainstay line, the Hongqi brand, produced 37,758 vehicles in January, surging 60.9% year on year. In the same month, Hongqi saw its sales volume grow 29.6% from a year ago to a new high of 42,158 vehicles. Notably, the H5 model sold 13,137 vehicles, while the sales volume of the HS5 summed up to 24,451 vehicles.

In 2021, the Hongqi brand accomplished an over 50% year-on-year jump in its annual sales, to more than 300,000 vehicles, growing 63 times in four years.

The groups other wholly-owned brand, Bestune, sold 5,466 vehicles in January, while production volume amounted to 3,500 vehicles.

FAW Jiefang, the commercial vehicle segment of FAW Group, sold over 28,000 vehicles in the first month of 2022, with its production volume equaling 26,000 vehicles at the same time.

On the other hand, FAWs two major joint ventures also did well at the beginning of 2022. In January, FAW Volkswagen produced 181,573 vehicles and sold 182,977 vehicles. Meanwhile, the total manufacturing volume of FAW Toyota amounted to 40,964 vehicles, and sales volume to 51,741 vehicles.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China aims to complete the building of an intelligent and highly efficient charging infrastructure system that is able to satisfy the charging demands of over 20 million electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of the 14th five-year plan period, namely, the year of 2025, according to a document recently issued by several Chinese governmental departments including the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

Photo credit: Star Charge



According to the document, China will strive to further improve the public charging network deployment in central urban areas, boost the construction of public charging facilities in peripheral urban areas, and deploy battery swapping stations based on local conditions of different regions. Besides, charging stations for special uses will be built in parking spaces to fully take the charging demands of buses, taxis, and logistics vehicles into account.

The Chinese government also urges a faster formulation of the scheme for the deployment of expressway fast-charging networks. To achieve the goal, the standard about expressway fast-charging station construction will be clarified and rapid-charging facilities will be included in the supporting infrastructures at highway service plazas as soon as possible.

By the end of Dec. 2021, there were 2.617 million charging piles deployed across China, up 70.1% from the same period last year, according to the China Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Promotion Alliance (EVCIPA).

As an important power supply facility complementary to EV charging, battery swap network in China was experiencing rapid expansion as well. As of December 2021, China had a total of 1,298 battery swap stations, 614 of which were newly built in 2021, according to the EVCIPA.

China's new energy vehicle (NEV) parc amounted to 7.84 million units by the end of 2021, 81.63% of which were full-electric vehicles, according to the data offered by China's Ministry of Public Security. As of Dec. 2021, NEVs accounted for 2.6% of the country's total car parc.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Great Wall Motor files trademark application linked to metaverse







Photo credit: Great Wall Motor



According to the corporate database Tianyancha, Great Wall Motor recently filed the application for the trademark Great Wall Metaverse, indicating its intent to develop virtual rollouts in the future.

CATL sues GWM-backed SVOLT over alleged unfair competition

China's top electric vehicle battery maker CATL has sued smaller rival SVOLT, which is carved out of Great Wall Motor, for alleged unfair competition, according to a local media outlet.

Teaser images of Chery QQ's second BEV model released

Chery QQs second BEV model; photo credit: Chery Automobile

Chinese automaker Chery Automobile recently released teaser images of Chery QQs second BEV model, which is expected to hit the market in 2022.

Battery swappable Venucia D60EV goes on sale

Venucia recently put the battery swappable version of the D60EV onto the market. Coming with only one variant, the model is priced at 129,800 yuan ($20,405) after subsidies. It carries a 51kWh ternary-lithium battery pack offered by CATL that enables a NEDC-rated range of 423km.

Chery New Energy, Luxshare-ICT intend to build joint venture for NEV R&D, manufacturing

Luxshare-ICT, a Chinese manufacturer of cable assembly and connector system solutions, announced on Feb. 12 it has forged a strategic partnership with Chery Holding, Chery Automobile, and Chery New Energy. Based on the cooperation, it will build a joint venture with Chery New Energy to engage in the R&D and manufacturing businesses of new energy vehicles.

BYD builds subsidiary named DENZA Auto Sales Service Co., Ltd.

According to the business data platform Qichacha, DENZA Auto Sales Service Co., Ltd. was founded as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BYD Auto Industry Company Limited. It involves a registered capital of 50 million yuan ($7.86 million).

Tesla denies rumored second China factory siting in Shenyang

On February 12th, an article from Liaoning provincial governments Wechat account mentioned that the authorities are laying the foundation for Teslas new energy project settling in the city of Shenyang.

Tesla sells 59,845 China-made vehicles in January

Tesla sold 59,845 China-made vehicles in January, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). That represented a year-over-year surge of 286.5% but a month-over-month decline of 15.2%.

China's homegrown PV retail sales fall 4.5% YoY in Jan. 2022

In January 2022, the retail sales of locally-produced PVs (referring to cars, MPVs, SUVs and minibuses) in China amounted to around 2.112 million units, dipping 4.5% from the previous year, while also dropping 1.4% compared to the previous month, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

China aims to expand charging system for 20 mln EVs by 2025

China aims to complete the building of an intelligent and highly efficient charging infrastructure system that is able to satisfy the charging demands of over 20 million electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of the 14th five-year plan period, namely, the year of 2025, according to a document recently issued by several Chinese governmental departments including the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).



FAW Group sells over 300,000 vehicles in Jan. with best-ever Hongqi monthly sales

One of China's largest auto groups, FAW Group, sold over 300,000 vehicles in January, with its Hongqi brand's sales hitting a record high, the automaker announced on February 13th.

SAIC Motor's Roewe to raise NEV prices due to subsidy decline, chip shortage

Roewe, a brand of SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Company, has already joined the lineup of automakers who raise prices of new energy vehicle (NEV) models to handle the national NEV subsidiary reduction that has become effective since Jan. 1, 2022.

JAC Group Jan export volume jumps 42.25% YoY

Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC Group) sold 52,000 vehicles in January, increasing 22.69% from a month ago, but dropping 10.64% year on year. On the other hand, JAC group is doing exceptionally well in foreign markets, with a growing export volume in the first month of 2022.

Dongfeng Motor Jan. PV sales rise 13.8% YoY

Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFMC) started 2022 with growing sales performance in January, especially in its wholly-owned passenger vehicle sector, the company announced on February 11th.

CATL teams up with three firms to co-exploit lithium resources in Sichuan province

Sichuan CATL New Energy Resource Co., Ltd. (Sichuan CATL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CATL, recently signed a four-party agreement with three Sichuan-based companies for the cooperation on exploration and supply of lithium resources, CATL announced on Feb. 14 via its WeChat account.

Changan Auto Jan. sales reach over 270,000 vehicles, driven by wholly-owned brands

Changan Auto started the year 2022 with growing momentum, with its wholly-owned Blue Whale lineup selling over 130,000 vehicles in January, the automaker announced on February 14th.

Black Sesame to build cost-effective autonomous driving solution with Elektrobit

On February 14th, China's autonomous driving computing chip developer, Black Sesame Technologies, announced that it has reached cooperation with the world-leading software supplier, Elektrobit, for autonomous driving software development.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On February 12th, an article from Liaoning provincial governments Wechat account mentioned that the authorities are laying the foundation for Teslas new energy project settling in the city of Shenyang.

Beijing Tesla center; photo credit: Tesla

The article was viewed as a sign that confirms the location of Teslas second factory in China that has been talked about for a long time. However, Tesla called the article false information, followed by the Liaoning government taking the article down.

In fact, ever since the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, disclosed the possible second giga factory plan in China in late 2021, the internet was awash with rumors about its siting. From Wuhan, Guangzhou, to Qingdao, the industry has given fair reasonings behind all the potential metropolitan candidates. However, as the EV superstar disclosed, its new factory project is undergoing the siting phase in 2022, and the final decision will be made in 2023.

Richard Wang, head of Gasgoo Auto Research Institute, said that Teslas second China factory would hold export responsibilities, so that the new plant is more likely to settle in a coastal city. From a short-term standpoint, the demands in European and North American markets are relatively strong. However, the construction of respective local factories could not keep up with the growing demands.

According to Tesla, its Shanghai Gigafactory produced 484,100 vehicles in 2021, soaring 235% year on year, and accounted for over half (51.7%) of the automakers global delivery volume. The Shanghai Gigafactory has become a pillar supporting Tesla worldwide delivery.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Changan Auto started the year 2022 with growing momentum, with its wholly-owned Blue Whale lineup selling over 130,000 vehicles in January, the automaker announced on February 14th.

UNI-T; photo credit: Changan Auto

In the first month of 2022, Changan Auto sold a total of 277,244 vehicles, rising 10.03% from a year ago. Sales of the groups China-branded vehicles amounted to 226,016 units, representing a 12.6% increase year on year. With 158,625 vehicles sold, Changan Autos wholly-owned passenger vehicle brands saw a 3.4% year-on-year rise in its January sales.

Especially the Blue Whale family, the lineup made up by all the models powered by Changan Autos self-developed Blue Whale engine, sold over 130,000 vehicles in January. The CS75 and CS55 models both saw their monthly sales surpass a historical 30,000-vehicle mark, with 33,590 and 30,316 vehicles sold respectively.

Moreover, Changan Autos intelligent, younger-generation oriented line, the UNI series, sold 12,047 vehicles in January. The series first Ark architecture powered sedan model, the UNI-V, will start global presale on February 21st.

In January, the sales volume of Changan Autos new energy vehicles amounted to 13,600 vehicles.

As to the automakers jointly owned brands, Changan Mazda sold 19,888 vehicles in the first month of 2022, surging 67.69% year on year. Meanwhile, Changan Ford saw a 17.48% decline in sales compared to a year ago, with 24,853 vehicles sold.

Additionally, the monthly sales volume of Changan Auto overseas amounted to 23,824 vehicles in January.
Update: 09-02-2022 | 15:42:17

The Lao Government has given the green light for two private companies to carry out a feasibility study on the construction of a 220kV transmission line which would carry electricity from five dams in northern Laos to Vietnam.

If the study is approved, the line will transmit electricity from Nam Ou dams No.3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 through Luang Prabang and Phongsaly provinces to Vietnam.

The signing ceremony for the work took place last weekend by representatives from the Lao Government and CTC Development Group Sole Co., Ltd. and Vu Thu Construction JSC of Vietnam, the Vientiane Times reported.

The feasibility study will take 18 months and if the results are positive, construction on the line will begin right after that.

This move comes in the context that Laos wants to increase electricity export to meet Vietnam's growing energy demand. Laos currently exports more than 6,423MW of electricity, mainly to neighbouring countries, including Vietnam./.

VNA
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Red wine and dark chocolate arent the only things keeping the hearts of Beatrice healthy this February.

More than seventy people participated in the 12th annual Healthy Hearts Run, put on by the Homestead Running Club.

Friends, couples, children and dogs galloped and walked on the limestone trail across the street from the Beatrice American Legion Club, braving the sub-freezing temperatures of Saturdays early afternoon.

Timoree Klingler, who helped organize the event, said the Healthy Hearts Race helps get people active and involved in the community. Klingler said February, Heart Month, is the perfect time to hold it despite the cold.

Running is one of the best cardiovascular activities you can do, Klingler said. It helps your hearts in many ways. It helps your heart feel good because youre with people who care about you. Theres so many fitness benefits, and it just make you feel good.

Klingler she made most of her friends through the running club after she moved to Beatrice.

We always say, theres a pace and a place for everyone, she said. The best thing about running is the only person youre really trying to beat is yourself. Its really nice when there are people you can be around. Everyone is very supportive of each other. Sometimes you might be having the worst day, and you go meet your friends for a run. And everything is better by the time its done.

Registration for the run cost $20 for 1 mile, $30 for the 5K and $55 for the 5K couple division. The cost included a shirt, which participants could opt out of to subtract $10 from their registration.

Proceeds for the event went to Mother to Mother Ministry of Beatrice, a social service organization that aims to provide a network of support and mentoring for women and families in the community.

Diane Courtney, the board chair and former coordinator of Mother to Mother Ministry, said the organization is vital for families.

One of the big things for moms, I think, is it can be hard for them to make healthy relationships and get support, Courtney said. So this organization is a great way for that We focus on support and fostering healthy family relationships. And we offer the tangible support with diapers and wipes and clothes and those sorts of things.

Courtney said Mother to Mother Ministry serves 30 to 50 mothers and families every month. The organization hosts a number of events, including a story time every Thursday. Courtney said those kind of events allow for mothers and their children to gather in community together.

Klingler said she was happy to see the proceeds going to Mother to Mother Ministry and said the Healthy Hearts Run was a success. She said the Homestead Running Club is always open to new members, and you can reach the group on Facebook.

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For the past 20 years, Amy Kuenzi has spent three days of every month traveling to a ranch near Gregson, Mont., and setting out traps that contain peanut butter and oats. Her quarry is deer mice. She takes blood samples, looks for scars and fleas, and attaches ear tags.

Mice are fairly trap happy and easy to catch, she said. But it can be kind of a miserable job in the winter.

Kuenzis goal is to better understand how a type of hantavirus called Sin Nombre spreads through these mouse populations.

Kuenzi, a professor of biology at Montana Technological University, and her colleague Angie Luis, a professor of biology at the University of Montana, are among a growing number of researchers working to predict where viruses may be likely to spill over from animals to humans. Sixty percent of human diseases, including the Sin Nombre hantavirus, originate in animals, and two-thirds of those originate in wildlife.

By understanding hantavirus and the complex ecology that governs it, Kuenzi and Luis also hope to create a model system to better understand the ecology of many other viruses, including coronaviruses.

The researchers have built six large enclosures at the Bandy Ranch, a University of Montana research facility. There, they can study how deer mice behave when theyre the sole occupants and then introduce the mices main rodent competitors, voles, to see how mouse populations, mouse behavior, and disease prevalence change.

Were asking how competitors affect the transmission of disease, Luis said of the research, recently funded with a $2.5 million National Science Foundation grant. We are trying to understand that as we stress animals, as we add or remove competitors, how does that change the transmission?

The role of biodiversity in zoonotic diseases is complex and can have both positive and negative effects. For example, competition from other rodents can lower deer mice numbers and reduce how often the mice interact, limiting infections. At the same time, the presence of more competitors can stress deer mice, and stress in animals has been shown to lower their immunity and greatly increase their viral load.

Climate change is also a factor. Warmer temperatures and fluctuations in rain and snow are changing habitats, which can affect infection rates. The first recognized outbreak of hantavirus in humans, in 1993, is thought to have been driven by a wet winter that provided more food for mice.

The Montana study area has only two main rodents, making it a simple system for carrying out research. Kuenzi and Luis are also gathering data in the Southwest, where Sin Nombre is far more prevalent  and complicated. At one site in Arizona, we caught 29 species of rodent-sized small mammals, Kuenzi said. The larger number of species appears to decrease the prevalence of the disease, Luis said.

Sin Nombre, Spanish for without a name, is one of several types of hantavirus. It is transmitted through the inhalation of airborne particles from mouse droppings. The disease is rare in humans but can be deadly. In 1993, the first known outbreak was on the Navajo Nation in the Southwest. It killed 13 people, half of those it infected.

The disease is most prevalent in rural areas, where mice and other rodents are common, and public health officials urge people to take special care when cleaning homes or buildings that have been closed for the winter or when working in areas like crawl spaces or vacant buildings where rodents may be present.

In 2012, Sin Nombre in tent cabins in Yosemite National Park killed three people. In 2004, the deputy superintendent of Glacier National Park died from the disease. From Sin Nombres discovery in 1993 through 2019, fewer than 900 infections were reported in the U.S.

The hope for the research in Montana is that it will lead to recommendations on how to manage land in ways that dont increase the prevalence of the disease.

This is just one thread in the tapestry of disease ecology. The long list of factors that increase the possibility that pathogens will spill over from animals to humans is getting a lot of attention from researchers around the world in response to the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Viral outbreaks are a product of the ways that humans are altering the natural world, though researchers are seeking to determine precisely how.

In the big picture, research from the past 20 years shows that keeping nature intact will help minimize the risk of another pandemic. Evidence is mounting that biodiversity dilutes out disease, Luis said. As we lose biodiversity, we see greater disease prevalence.

When animals can move to find food when they need to and avoid humans and domestic animals, we are not going to see spillover events, said Raina Plowright, a professor at Montana State University, who studies the disease ecology of bats.

Activities that bring people into contact with wildlife  such as farming, logging, and building homes in wild areas, all of which change the ecosystem  may amplify the risk of spillover.

It could, for example, drive the competitors of deer mice out completely. Deer mice like disturbance, Luis said. As land is developed, species that compete with deer mice may scatter, and without competitors, deer mice increase in number. With more mice come more encounters between them and the spread of Sin Nombre.

Early studies of biodiversity and disease took place in upstate New York, where the fragmentation of forest habitat by development had led to the loss of foxes, owls, hawks, and other predators. Those changes drove a five-fold surge in the number of white-footed mice, which are potent reservoirs for the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.

But the idea that biodiversity has protective effects is more complicated than first thought. There are lots of exceptions to this idea that biodiversity dilutes out disease, Luis said. You can get both positive and negative effects of biodiversity at the same time. There is an overall dilution effect because competitors lower the density of deer mice, she said, but there might be amplification from stress caused by competitors.

Kevin Lafferty is an ecologist with the U.S. Geological Surveys Western Ecological Research Center in Santa Barbara, Calif., and studies the ecology of parasites. Focusing on the ecology of mice and hantavirus makes sense, he said: If wild rodents  are going to become more abundant because we disturb the environment, then those particular diseases might be the kind of things we should worry about.

However, the broad notion of protecting biodiversity to prevent disease is wishful thinking, he said. Thats a vague and ineffective way to solve human health problems, Lafferty said. Instead, he added, researchers should focus on how the viruses hosts respond to the environment.

Luis agreed that more work needs to be done on a complicated topic. Outbreaks that are moving from animals to humans have only become more common over the last 30 to 40 years, Luis said. This is not the last pandemic. We need to understand how what we are doing leads to these outbreaks.

 This story was first published at khn.org, you can read the original article here.  KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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Anyone interested in the quality of their nearby fresh water can become part of Montanas new network of citizen scientist monitors.

The Monitoring Montanas Waters program through the University of Montanas Flathead Lake Biological Station seeks participants from throughout the state.

Theyll get training on how to take samples, do some local tests, and gather baseline data that can help the Montana Department of Environmental Quality track water issues.

We have a lot of water in Montana and theres always limited agency resources, said biological station research professor Rachel Malison. So we rely on citizen-collected data to find out problems we dont know about. We dont know if theres a problem unless we have some data.

Problems range from leaking septic systems and toxic mine waste to unseasonable temperatures and nutrient changes. Many citizen groups form to track drinking water quality supplies, while others might be more concerned about fish habitat or industrial impacts.

Sampling can occur once or twice a year in some areas to two or more times a month. Some groups may take a couple days to collect samples from 11 sites, while another might cover five sites in an afternoon, Malison said.

In addition to providing training on how to get a clinically useful water sample, the new program has a budget to pay for lab analysis of those samples. Malison said that funding question has often held back local organization involvement, as testing can be expensive.

Seven new groups set up in 2021 have already provided more than 1,000 water samples from streams, rivers and lakes in western Montana. The states Montana Watershed Coordinating Council includes about 60 groups, but needs more participation from the eastern quarter of Montana.

Applications for the program are due by March 1. Groups receive up to $6,000 per year for laboratory analysis. Funding comes through PlusFish Philanthropy, a U.S.-based private organization dedicated to protecting aquatic ecosystems.

To learn more about citizen water-quality monitor groups, go to bit.ly/montana-waters or send questions to mmw@flbx.umt.edu.

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A Montana woman has pleaded not guilty to allegations that she put her father-in-laws name on a home mortgage and took money from her Bismarck in-laws bank account for the down payment.

Carol Feist, 56, of Whitehall, Montana, on Monday waived her right to a preliminary hearing. She is charged with felony theft and unauthorized use of personal identifying information, each of which could send her to prison for 20 years if shes convicted.

Feist allegedly contacted a Bismarck bank in October 2021 using her mother-in-laws name and the in-laws' account information to arrange a wire transfer to a title company in Helena, Montana, according to a police affidavit. Feist financed the remainder of the $474,000 purchase price and produced notarized documents stating her father-in-law was the co-borrower. The police departments investigation showed the person listed as the notary was not licensed with the Secretary of States Office.

The Bismarck couple told police Carol Feist and her husband, Keith Feist, the couples son, lived with them for a time in 2017. The couple did not authorize a wire transfer or sign property documents for the home in Helena, the affidavit states.

Burleigh County authorities issued an arrest warrant for Feist on Nov. 30. She waived extradition in December. Her trial is scheduled to start June 8.

Court documents show Feist appeared at the Monday preliminary hearing via electronic means. She is being held in the Gallatin County Jail in Montana on a warrant to revoke her probation. Burleigh County officials in their affidavit state she was convicted in Montana in 2020 for the unauthorized use of another persons credit card.

Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com

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The latest North Dakota coronavirus news: bike race, FEMA aid, farm aid and more.

Charity bike race

Sanford Health's Great American Bike Race will be in-person this year, after being held virtually the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event that raises money to support children with cerebral palsy or other permanent disabilities is in its 26th year. It will be held Saturday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bismarck Event Center.

Registration has opened. Team captains can register online at gabr.sanfordhealth.org.

Everything we raise will assist families with costs not covered by insurance, like wheelchairs and adaptive bikes, and can help enhance services through Sanford Pediatric Therapies, said Sara Haugen, regional executive director for the Sanford Health Foundation.

The Great American Bike Race to date has raised more than $5 million.

FEMA aid

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced it has provided an additional $2 million in aid for the COVID-19 response in North Dakota.

The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. FEMA has now provided a total of $127.5 million for the North Dakota pandemic response to date.

The latest money went to the state Health Department to help cover the cost of testing and vaccination efforts across the state.

Farm aid

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended until March 25 the deadline for farmers to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage for program year 2022.

The programs help producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities. Signup began in December.

Over the past two years, American dairy farmers have faced unprecedented uncertainty, from the ongoing pandemic to protracted natural disasters," said Brian Haugen, acting state executive director for USDA's Farm Service Agency. "We are encouraging dairy operations to take advantage of the extended deadline and join the 8,969 operations that have already enrolled for 2022 coverage."

For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3BdkEDX. For more information on pandemic farm aid, go to farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Testing and vaccines

A comprehensive list of free COVID-19 testing offered by local public health units in North Dakota can be found at health.nd.gov/covidtesting.

In Bismarck, PCR and rapid antigen tests are administered daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the strip mall at 1322 S. 22nd St. PCR tests also are administered Monday through Thursday from 10-11 a.m. at Northland Health Centers, 914 S. 12th St., Suite 101.

People who have registered for COVID-19 testing through TestReg.nd.gov can access results for tests through a state service called the Citizen Portal. Instructions can be found at https://bit.ly/3jqiudf.

People can go to https://www.ndvax.org or call 866-207-2880 to see where COVID-19 vaccine is available near them.

Both Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and Custer Health in Mandan are offering vaccine to the general public.

To register with Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, go to https://bit.ly/3djc1wt. For assistance, call 701-355-1540.

Morton County residents can go to https://www.custerhealth.com/covid-19-vaccine or call 701-328-0707 to register. Custer Health has a vaccination clinic at 1100 32nd Ave. SE in Units D and E, off Memorial Highway.

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Demand for food in North Dakota amid the coronavirus pandemic continued to be high last year, with the state's sole food bank experiencing the second-highest demand in its 39-year history.

Great Plains Food Bank in 2021 provided food for 12.6 million meals for those in need. The not-for-profit organization helped more than 121,000 people -- more than in any year before the pandemic.

The distribution came after record demand for the food bank in 2020, when the pandemic was new and the organization provided food for 17.7 million meals for nearly 146,000 people.

What we learned from studying our numbers over the past year is that the need for food assistance remains extremely high, food bank CEO Melissa Sobolik said. Before the pandemic, we were serving around 100,000 individuals each year, and we know that many impacted by the pandemic are still needing our services."

The loss of the U.S. Department of Agricultures Farmers to Families Food Box Program last year contributed to the drop in the number of families served by the food bank. The federal program that ended in late 2020 brought more than 1 million pounds of fresh food into the state each month that year.

The food bank is based in Fargo, with a distribution center in Bismarck. The organization distributes food to food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and other charitable feeding programs in more than 100 communities across North Dakota and into eastern Minnesota. About half of those communities are in the western two-thirds of North Dakota.

Hunger impacts one in six people in North Dakota, and one in four children in the state, according to the food bank.

"I am incredibly proud of all our staff, partners, volunteers, and food and financial donors that have remained committed to our work when so many have been in need, Sobolik said.

For more information, go to www.greatplainsfoodbank.org.

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An engineering professor at the University of Jamestown is running for U.S. Senate in her first run for elected office.

Katrina Christiansen, of Jamestown, is seeking the Democratic-NPL nomination for the seat held by U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., saying she wants to "strengthen our democracy."

"I will be a strong, independent voice for all North Dakotans as your next senator," Christiansen said in a video announcement Monday. "I have been proud to call North Dakota my home, and to raise a family here -- and more than anything, I want to help build a better future for them. I want my neighbors to have a senator wholl see them, who will listen to them and value them.

She is a Nebraska native who has a Ph.D. in agricultural engineering and biorenewable resources and technology from Iowa State University.

Christianson worked at the Abengoa Bioenergy ethanol plant, Cargill Malt and the Intelligent Malt startup after graduate school.

She calls herself "a fierce advocate for teachers and students in my community."

"I believe it is time North Dakota had a senator who could set aside partisan bickering, and reach across the aisle to bring the resources and innovation we deserve," she said. "That means changing the trajectory by serving the people, instead of lobbyists and special interests. It means being an advocate for all North Dakotans -- rural and urban, young and old, Democrat and Republican.

The Democratic-NPL Party's state convention is March 24-27 in Minot. Delegates will endorse candidates for state and congressional offices.

Christiansen is the first Democrat to announce a bid for statewide elected office.

Voters in the June primary will select political parties' nominees for offices in the November general election.

Republicans control North Dakota's Legislature and hold all the state elected offices and congressional seats.

Hoeven, a former governor, won his 2016 reelection bid with 78% of the vote. State Rep. Rick Becker, R-Bismarck, is challenging Hoeven for the Republican endorsement.

North Dakota's three-member congressional delegation comprised all Democrats from 1987-2011. Former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp was the last Democrat from the state to serve in Congress, from 2013-19. She garnered 44% of the vote in her unsuccessful reelection bid in 2018.

Democrats control the evenly divided U.S. Senate with Vice President Kamala Harris' tie-breaking vote.

Members of Congress are paid $174,000 a year.

Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

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"Children learning, parents earning!" That was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's summation of the case for the "comprehensive child care and early learning legislation" of 2017, a plan similar to the proposal currently languishing in President Joe Biden's Build Back Better legislation. For many progressives, it is axiomatic that government-funded day care or pre-K is great for kids, for parents and for the economy. Even many opponents of universal pre-K may assume that it confers benefits on children.

But maybe not. Many outlets (including progressive ones) have commented on a large new study showing that the effects of pre-K are not just not positive, but are actually harmful. Or they can be.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University studied 3,000 low-income Tennessee children who had all applied for a pre-K program. Both groups were followed from age 3 or 4 until the sixth grade. Earlier results from this cohort were published after the kids completed the third grade. They found that while the pre-K kids scored better on literacy and other measures in kindergarten, those gains quickly eroded, and by grade three, the non-pre-K kids had caught up and surpassed the pre-K cohort. The results were worrying enough that one of the study's authors cautioned about the national rush to implement universal pre-K.

"You have school systems that are pushing pre-K when they have demonstrably failing K-12 systems," Vanderbilt University professor Dale Farran warned. "It makes me cringe."

Now Vanderbilt has published the follow-up looking at how the children did up to grade six, and the news is even worse. The gap between the pre-K and other kids continues to widen, with the pre-K group scoring worse on reading, writing and science and also showing higher rates of disciplinary problems.

A lot of the enthusiasm for universal pre-K grew out of two very small studies of extremely high-quality programs, the Perry preschool project in Michigan and the Abecedarian preschool in North Carolina. But programs were staffed by college graduates, and the kids scored better than controls on a number of measures. There are studies out there finding some salutary effects of various other programs as well. The problem, as I noted in my 2018 book "Sex Matters," is that scaling up quality preschool programs is very hard. Decades of research on Head Start has failed to find durable academic benefits. And in Canada's Quebec province, the adoption of universal pre-K in 1997 led to serious negative outcomes when the kids reached adolescence. Teenagers who had been placed in day care showed marked increases in anxiety, aggression and dissatisfaction with life compared with those who had spent their early years in parental or other care. Even more worrying was the sharp increase in criminal activity noted among the teenagers who had participated in the program compared with peers in other provinces.

My own instinct on this is profoundly countercultural. Why should we push parents of very young children into the workforce when it's clear that most kids do better when Mom or Dad is home? Frankly, with the small exception of mentally ill or wicked people, most parents love their children and derive great satisfaction in raising them. A Pew Survey found that time spent with kids was rated as "very meaningful" by 62% of parents, compared with 59% who chose leisure, 43% who mentioned housework (really!), and 36% who cited paid work. Yet another Pew survey found that 59% of adults believe children are better off when one parent stays home to raise them. And among married mothers, only 28% said full-time work was their preference. The ideal situation for children is a stable, two-parent family. That configuration permits the widest scope for parental choice while also conferring greater income and security on kids.

But many families, particularly single parent families, cannot afford to have a parent stay home to care for young kids. That's why direct subsidies to parents make much more sense than subsidizing universal pre-K. Let the parents decide how to spend the stipend. If they prefer to work and place the child or children in day care or pre-K (and there really isn't much of a distinction), they can make that choice. But if they choose to care for their own children, the extra cash will make that possible. Sen. Mitt Romney actually proposed a child allowance that even very progressive analysts have praised.

Our society is much more work-centered than other developed nations. We tend to derive meaning and status from our money-earning activities. But as the Vanderbilt study and Quebec experience highlight, the kids who are shuffled into institutional settings at very young ages pay a price. Young children need tenderness and attention more than spelling drills or arithmetic. Toddlerhood is a time for security and trust more than stimulation and socialization. Those who want to help families should start with the reality that parents are best for kids.

Mona Charen is a syndicated columnist.

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This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Up

North Dakota ranchers have been dealing with drought for more than a year, and they face uncertainty for the next growing season. But more help is on the way. The federal government has dedicated $750 million for ranchers stricken by drought last year, and the federal Agriculture Department recently announced it will utilize a streamlined process and start doling out the money next month. North Dakota Stockmen's Association President Jeff Schafer says that's welcome news, with two-thirds of the nation's cow herd still in dry or drought conditions. Much of North Dakota's cattle country remains in moderate or severe drought.

Down

The state is spending $16,530 to replace the letters on the sign outside the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum. That seems like a small expense, but it's $16,530 in taxpayer money that shouldn't have to be spent at all. The letters need replacing due to repeated vandalism and thefts last year. No one has been apprehended, but officials have beefed up security. We hope whoever is responsible is eventually caught, so they can be ordered to pay back the residents of North Dakota.

Up

The latest effort to stem rural decline in North Dakota is taking aim at a shortage of attorneys in less-populated counties. Nearly 90% of the licensed attorneys in North Dakota are in the state's seven most-populous counties. That's not surprising, but it's not a good situation for residents outside of the major cities. A bill in the 2021 Legislature established the Rural Attorney Recruitment Program, and it's now open for applications from attorneys and eligible cities and counties until April 1. It provides financial incentives for attorneys willing to work for at least five years in cities with 5,000 or fewer people or counties with 16,000 or fewer people. It's a worthy program. As State Court Administrator Sally Holewa points out, people involved in sticky or complex situations such as divorces or wills want to be able to turn to a lawyer they can meet with face to face and develop a relationship.

Down

COVID-19 has been North Dakotas third-leading cause of death two years running. Thats unfortunate, given the availability of vaccines last year. Nearly 600 people still died from the coronavirus disease in 2021, according to provisional data from the state. One has to wonder how many of those deaths could have been avoided. North Dakota continues to have one of the worst COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All told, COVID-19 has killed about 1,750 North Dakotans during the two-year pandemic, and hundreds more have died with the disease.

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To accept the evacation of Americans from Ukraine, Poland has opened the border. Ukraines president expressed his disappointment on US and other western countries. They left Ukraine alone. Their reaction put Ukrainians in panic. but they will not leave their country. 

Even the arrow has already been on the string, Russians invasion can happen at any minute, US and other powerful NATO countries haven't given up the effort of seeking for diplomatic solutions.Talks have been made between Biden and Putin, Putin with German president,but no productive results have been made.

At mean time, Ukrainian military leaders expressed their determination. If Russians come to Ukraine, their sacrifice will be costly. As Ukraine is the second largest country in area in Europe, people can imagine if the war really happens, it will not be easy to Russians. Russia troops have to march deep into Ukraine. Doctors and surgeons have been deployed, and aid tents were set up at the Ukraine-Russia border. The pictures of marching Russian soldiers in military camoflages made me think of the movie We Were Soldiers.

It looks like the ever-lasting conflicts between Russia and Ukraine since 1991 originates from the belonging of Easern Ukraine.I pray there are magics happening to stop the foreseeing loss of lives. Given the current tension, Biden might have seen that Putin doesn't care too much about the consequence from the economic sanctions. The sanctions will have impacts on Russian's food supply chains, energy and banking, but the consequence is bearable. Putin's bottom line is stopping Ukraine joining NATO. It seems the only way to stop the crisis is the concession from Ukraine. US will have to play the role of a compromiser.

After a full week of spring-feel weather, today the temperature drops to under 20F with wind chill just above 0F.

NORTHEATERN UNIVERSITY , SATSATSATGPA

GPA





: 
A good fight for freedom

Zuowang

2022.11

Hello! Everyone ! I am a poet and an author in Chinese and my pen name is Zuowang. I have lived in Canada for 12 years as an immigrant.

I came from the dark and tyrannical Orient with a long long history, full of famines,violence and wars. The great Chinese writer Lu Xun once said Chinese people were always in an era when they had become slaves or when they failed to be slaves. I think it is a miserable curse of fate which has never been broken by Chinese.

The atheist insular world of orient agricultural civilization is completely different with the western Christian civilized world originated from marine and trading.

Many Westerners have many of naive illusions about the Orient. I suggest them dispel these misunderstandings. For example,you can search for the news about the chained abused mother with eight children in Fengxian, Xuzhou, Jiangsu province,china. Now many brave Chinese people are trying to rescue the poor woman. However, I think it will hardly succeed.

I graduated from Peking University, its predecessor was Yenching University, a Christian university established by an American missionary John Leighton Stuart .Sorry, I forgot the motto of Peking University, maybe I have regarded it as a propaganda. But I have engraved Yenching University's motto in my heart: Freedom Through Truth For Service . It is quoted from the Bible. Although Yenching University ceased to exist before I was born and was transformed into Peking University, the spirit of Yenching University will live on forever. I still inherit its glorious tradition and once I wrote a poem in which I pay tribute to the founder,John Leighton Stuart.

Now I am living my life loyal to the motto of Yenching University, naturally I am devoted to this demonstration defending freedom, together with other Canadians.

In these days I often go to Parliament Hill to join in the peaceful demonstration and write poetry or prose to describe this great Canadian historical event for spreading the truth.It is my responsibility as a writer, especially when the mainstream media disappears or conspires with the Canadian government.

As an intellectual who grew up from a working class family, in the Truckers Convoy,I observed that in Canada, just the same as in China, theres also a split between the elite and the commoner.

The bureaucracy and mainstream media have dominated the public opinions and they have stigmatized the peaceful movement for freedom enshrined in Canada charter as a riot with honking horns and bouncy castles.

The mainstream media has completely abandoned the objective and neutral position , leaving only one-sided distorted reports, which are lies in disguise.

Many Canadians believe these lies or part of truth consequently they are scared or reluctant to get to parliament hill where there are many of peaceful Canadian patriots.Moreover, those misled people accuse the peaceful protesters unfairly and dont know the truckers are making enormous sacrifices to defend freedom for all of us.

These protesters come from everywhere: Vancouver, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, locals of Ottawa and Gatineau. There are not only truckers, farmers, nurses, workers, teachers, veterans, but also lawyers, scientists, doctors. God bless! I am glad to see that a doctoral degree does not imprison everyone in an ivory tower, living a bookworm life and rejecting to hug the real vivid life.

Now Canada is at the most crucial and dangerous time in her history. The foundation of our great democratic and free country is threatened,and we are sneaking into a world of 1984 written by George Orwell.

However, the people of Canada are waking up, and we are arising to prevent the misery. We are fighting for freedom with our typical Canadian mildness and kindness, with great determination to win.

It is a spiritual war without a gun to defend freedom for Canada. It is peaceful but agitated. Many elderly people and young children also involve in this great historical issue because Canadian patriots are in all ages!

People use honking horns,love, laughter, whistle, carnival, and street literature to oppose the government's tyranny of the lockdown.Free mandate is our only single request. I believe that those control freaks will definitely collapse in the burst laugher and the carnival by the people in the Williston street.

As a Canadian who was born in China and had lived there for more than 30 years, I know well enough what is communism and what is dictatorship. When the plague first broke out in the end of 2019, I wrote a lot of poems and proses because I am a writer, I have abundant empathy, I can feel concretely pains of those innocent victims.Those people lost their jobs, health,freedom , relatives, lives and even the hope to live.I cant help crying many times, then wiped my tears and delineated all of the disasters, anguishes and the resilient fighters who are some great Chinese people. But many of my poems and essays have been removed from the internet because of the strict censorship in China.

The well known American poet Emily Dickinson wrote,had I not seen the Sun I could have borne the shade. Vice versa ,the people who have experienced darkness cherish the light more and are much more alert to the state of losing their freedom than those who always live in a bright world.You can understand why I love freedom so much. Free to think, free to speak, free to write! In this world, not everyone owns this human right. It were a nightmare for me if in the future my children would have to immigrate out of Canada because there would be no freedom any more.

After criticizing the dark tyranny of the ancient orient now I am complaining the government led by the Canadian left elite. Two weeks after the Truckers Convoy, Prime Minister Trudeau still refuses to show up for negotiations, and I think he is very arrogant and irresponsible.Additionally, I think the Conservative Party is vague and wavering in this crucial point.

So now is there anybody to blame me as a white-first racist? Obviously I know today my dauntless speech is politically incorrect. It challenges the authority and it will cause me troubles and dangers both in Canada and in China, in other words, Chinada?

But as a person who enjoys reflecting and practicing I believe I should do what is right despite fears. I always follow the voice of my heart, which is from God who commands me to do so.

Courage is contagious among us. We are truckers,we are those people who carry the most fashionable red jerrycans, we are those street authors in the fence of parliament hill. Also we are local residents in Ottawa and Gatineau.

As for courage, I should mention Mr. Tom marazzo, one of the organizers of the movement, is a warrior who impresses me. He said if they were arrested, they would not resist because it is a peaceful demonstration. I would also say if this movement fails, then put me into a jail and it is my honor to stand with these great Canadian patriots.

I wrote a poem inspired in the night9th February when I was very worried about the probably bad result caused by the tough tone of the Ottawa chief police officer and I was deeply moved by the protesters who shared their views. Now, I will read it for all of you!

A good fight

I am fighting a good fight

Freedom!

Freedom!

I am from Egypt

I had dates, figs and chickpeas

Only if to be slaves obediently

I had been in the desert

With 12 years of trek

To the place of glory

Freedom

free-dom!

Today

I am fighting a good fight

With truckers from Alberta

Farmers from Nova Scotia

Young students from Trois Rivieres

And Veterans with military medals

Altogether we unite

Freedom!

Freedom!

We are fighting

For our

Great

Kind

Peaceful

Full of love

Canada!

Freedom

Freedom

We should take back

Our freedom

Which is bestowed by God!

Thank you truckers heroes! Thank you every one present. We, the North, Strong free!
An unruly gentleman tried to break into the cockpit of an American Airlines flight from Los Angles to Washington D.C. Sunday, and then tried to open an exit door. But his escape plan was foiled when a flight attendant bashed him on the head multiple times with a coffee pot while passengers held him down. He was restrained with zip ties and tape until the plane made an emergency landing in Kansas City, Missouri and he was greeted by authorities.

From The New York Times:

Mouaz Moustafa, a passenger from Washington, described a chaotic scene as the plane started descending into Kansas City without warning after the struggle with the passenger. He said the man tried to get into the cockpit and then tried to exit via the main door before he was held down by several passengers. "A flight attendant ran to the back of the plane and got the coffee pot and continues to bash the guy on the head," Mr. Moustafa said in an interview as the plane was being held on the tarmac. The man was "bleeding profusely," he added. "I honestly thought today I might die," he said. Ultimately, it took three flight attendants and three passengers, including Mr. Rojas, to restrain the man, move him to the floor and then bind his hands and ankles with tape and zip ties provided by the flight attendants, Mr. Rojas said. The passenger remained on the floor for about 15 minutes until the plane landed and the authorities collected him, Mr. Rojas said.
Because of a bug in the Royal Mail's accounting software, more than 700 postal workers in the UK were falsely accused and convicted of stealing money over a 14-year period. The scale of the scandal is unprecedented and a public inquiry is underway into what the BBC reports as "the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history." Even now, only a few dozen have had their convictions overturned.

Those whose convictions, based on Horizon evidence, have been overturned will be in line for compensation, which the Post Office has promised as soon as possible. It is inviting applications for interim compensation of up to 100,000, which will be funded by the government. Final settlements will come via mediated agreements, or through claims in the civil courts.

It sounds like a simple pattern of mindless compliance with computers, a human phenomenon refined to perfection by the classic British jobsworth. But the journey from "software bug" to "hundreds of people being convicted of crimes" demands it from so many people, from the post office to the police to prosecutors and the courts, so many times over, that it becomes hard to believe. Hanlon's razor"never assume malice when stupidity will do"runs head-on into a corollary: "why not both?"

Specifically:

 From the outset, postmasters reported the mistakes made by the software and were punished.

 The Post Office instructed staff to destroy documentary evidence of the problems with the software.

 It all happened within the accounting software, never in accounts: those convicted were not shown to have received the money, and it was never shown to be missing.

 The system was insecure and low-level technicians could remotely manually change financial data. Moreover, the Post Office lied about this until it was forced to admit it in court.

 Claims that those prosecuted were disproportionately ethnic minorities.

The British government, though, wants to blame the software developers.

So far, nobody at the Post Office or Fujitsu has been held accountable, although the High Court judge said he would refer Fujitsu to the Director of Public Prosecutions for possible further action because he had "grave concerns" about the evidence of the company's employees.

They're talking about it as if blaming a foreign contractor and issuing financial compensation will close the book on this, but a) the consequences for the victims were more profound than money, including family breakups and suicides, b) actually paying all these people would render the Post Office insolvent, and c) the people responsible for all this shouldn't get their asses covered by the taxpayer.
Lauren Beukes' 2013 novel The Shining Girls came to me highly recommended by a teacher, and it has remained one of those books that has haunted me ever since I read it. So I'm surprised that I had somehow missed the fact that there's an Apple TV+ miniseries adaptation coming out this spring.

Here's the official book blurb:

Harper Curtis is a killer who stepped out of the past. Kirby Mazrachi is the girl who was never meant to have a future.

Kirby is the last shining girl, one of the bright young women, burning with potential, whose lives Harper is destined to snuff out after he stumbles on a House in Depression-era Chicago that opens on to other times.

At the urging of the House, Harper inserts himself into the lives of the shining girls, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He's the ultimate hunter, vanishing into another time after each murder, untraceable  until one of his victims survives.

Determined to bring her would-be killer to justice, Kirby joins the Chicago Sun-Times to work with the ex-homicide reporter, Dan Velasquez, who covered her case. Soon Kirby finds herself closing in on the impossible truth.

The Shining Girls is a masterful twist on the serial killer tale: a violent quantum leap featuring a memorable and appealing heroine in pursuit of a deadly criminal.
Elective surgeries are back on at all Western New York hospitals after the region's last few capacity-strained facilities were given the greenlight by the state to restart nonessential procedures that had been delayed during the winter Covid-19 surge.

Erie County Medical Center, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and UPMC Chautauqua can resume elective procedures "as soon as the hospitals are operationally prepared" to do so, according to the latest list released Monday by the state Department of Health.

The return of moneymaking elective surgeries could provide a financial boost to the hospitals, which have seen their bottom lines dented from having to pause those procedures.

While capacity remains limited at all four of those facilities, the state said they are allowed to do electives because the five-county Western New York region has sufficient bed capacity.

As of Saturday, 19% of staffed acute care beds and 18% of staffed intensive care unit beds were available in Western New York, according to a seven-day average of state data. That level of bed availability hasn't been seen locally since early October.

It's quite the change from the situation a month ago.

Forty hospitals across the state were required to stop nonessential surgeries as of Jan. 8, one of many weekly assessments that have been done since Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order in late November that allowed the Health Department to limit electives to preserve bed capacity ahead of a winter surge of virus cases.

As WNY hospital capacity improves, what's going on with elective surgeries? Those operations are a major source of revenue and a huge moneymaker for hospitals. The on-again, off-again restrictions on those surgeries have helped plunge hospitals into a pandemic-induced financial hole.

Now, with cases and hospitalizations falling, only five hospitals  all in the Rochester area  are required to defer nonessential procedures done within the hospital that result in admission to an inpatient or observation bed.

Those five hospitals are: Rochester General Hospital; Strong Memorial Hospital; Highland Hospital; the Unity Hospital of Rochester; and Geneva General Hospital.

Those hospitals are allowed, however, to perform outpatient elective procedures as long as the surgeries don't require an overnight bed.

When looking at the state's 10 regions, the Finger Lakes remains the tightest on hospital beds, with just 9% of acute care beds and ICU beds available as of Saturday based on a seven-day average.

Further, just 7% of acute care beds were open in Monroe County, where Rochester is located.

Covid-19 hospitalizations are dropping quickly  335 people were hospitalized Saturday in Western New York, less than half the peak seen Jan. 18. But major issues remain for the state's hospitals.

No issue looms larger than the staffing crunch. Two years into a pandemic that exacerbated lingering issues in the health care industry, workers have only gotten progressively more exhausted, choosing to switch fields, take early retirement if they can or get into high-dollar travel work.

So while getting electives restarted is a good sign, hospitals still have to review surgical schedules daily to ensure they have the staffing for certain procedures.

"For us, the long-term game needs to be we've got to get our staffing shored up, and that will positively impact our ability to treat not just on the surgical side, but on the medical side and even some of the specialty areas that we have deficits in," said Martin Boryszak, senior vice president of acute care at Catholic Health System.

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByJonHarris.

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More hospitals across Western New York are getting out from under state-imposed restrictions on elective surgeries as the Covid-19 wave recedes and the bed capacity crunch eases.

It's a welcome development for patients  some of whom may have been waiting weeks or months for a procedure that was dubbed nonessential and pushed to the backburner as hospitals filled up and had to squeeze in higher-priority surgeries.

And those kinds of delays can be risky if a patient's condition worsens, potentially complicating the steps that need to be taken to remedy it.

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"Something that may have been elective a month ago might not be elective anymore," said Martin Boryszak, senior vice president of acute care at Catholic Health System.

Getting more electives scheduled also is a step in the right direction for hospitals.

Those operations are a major source of revenue and a huge moneymaker for hospitals. The on-again, off-again restrictions on those surgeries have helped plunge hospitals into a pandemic-induced financial hole.

Hospitals still are reviewing surgical schedules for efficiency, since the staffing crunch still is an issue. But recent changes from the state Health Department gave them flexibility, allowing even the most capacity-strained facilities to restart elective procedures at hospital-owned ambulatory surgery centers and resume in-hospital outpatient elective procedures that don't require an overnight stay.

Previous guidelines, which since early December targeted hospitals with few available beds, stopped hospitals with limited capacity from doing inpatient and outpatient elective procedures in the hospital and, in some cases, at their ambulatory surgery centers.

As of Feb. 3  the most recent publicly available list from the state  23 hospitals, including five in Western New York, were prohibited from doing inpatient elective procedures. Just two weeks earlier, 32 hospitals were subject to the order, including 10 in Western New York.

Health Department spokesperson Erin Silk said the updated list of affected hospitals will be posted online Monday after the facilities have been contacted.

Only a couple of local hospitals likely will be on it.

None of Kaleida Health's hospitals are prohibited from doing electives, and Buffalo General Medical Center has been off the state list since late January.

Mercy Hospital in South Buffalo is the only one of Catholic Health's hospitals still under the inpatient elective surgery ban, Boryszak said.

"Even at Mercy, I think we're doing our best to open up some more beds there to make sure that we have the staff to do so," he said. "But we're headed in the right direction collectively as a system."

ECMC remains on the list but is evaluating electives that don't tie up a bed on a case-by-case basis.

The hospital hasn't done inpatient elective surgeries since September, long before Hochul's order just after Thanksgiving, because of its capacity constraints.

"With the numbers going down, we're advocating for us to be able to kind of manage the ebbs and flows of our inpatient beds to be able to do all elective inpatient surgeries," said Thomas Quatroche Jr., ECMC's president and CEO. "It's taken a severe financial toll on our organization since the beginning of the pandemic."

The financial hit is big

ECMC estimates it has lost $62 million in revenue over the last two years due to occasional pauses in electives.

That has a direct effect on the bottom line, too, especially as payroll expenses have jumped.

Following a more than $80 million loss in 2020, which would have been even larger if not for a nearly $63 million payment from the federal Provider Relief Fund, Quatroche said ECMC expects a loss of roughly $30 million in 2021.

And this year, ECMC has budgeted for a loss of around $15 million as it fights back to the breakeven point, he said.

"There's an expression: It's hard to save the drowning man next to you when you're drowning," Quatroche said. "We're gonna have to be floating so that we can help save others and improve others health."

Latest ban on elective surgeries singles out Erie County hospitals Unlike in March, the state directive does not apply to ambulatory surgery centers or hospitals outside Erie County.

ECMC isn't alone. Catholic Health and Kaleida also logged big losses in 2020  which could be at least partially due to the sustained effect of elective surgery bans here.

"Its a multimillion-dollar problem, that's for sure, and it could have been much worse," said Michael Hughes, Kaleida's chief administrative officer.

Capacity and staffing

By the numbers at least, hospital capacity in the five-county Western New York region hasn't looked this good since early October.

As of Thursday, 18% of staffed hospital beds and 16% of intensive care unit beds were available in the region, based on a seven-day average of state data.

"As far as physical capacity, staff capacity, outside of Mercy, we are in a much better position than we've been really in the better part of three to four months," said Boryszak, of Catholic Health.

Covid hospitalizations in the region fell to 359 on Thursday, down from 461 a week ago and 554 two weeks ago. Of those 359, nearly half were admitted to the hospital for a non-Covid reason but happened to also test positive, mirroring the statewide percentage.

Even as cases drop and available beds increase, major staffing challenges remain. So while more hospitals have the greenlight on elective surgeries, many still regularly review surgical schedules and prioritize procedures that need to be done most immediately.

"The basic tenant that we are living under right now is cancer, life, limb and emergency, and those are the cases that are being prioritized," Dr. Jeffrey Visco, site medical director of surgical services at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, said in a video posted to Kaleida's website this week.

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByJonHarris.

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The committee working on an overhaul of the plan that governs water-level management in Lake Ontario has developed a computer model that may predict the impact of higher water on lakefront property.

For the first time, the International Joint Commission has technology that can attempt to forecast how many homes and businesses would be flooded in a given area by a specific rise in water levels.

IJC Public Affairs Officer Ed Virden said Tuesday that the first phase of proposed policy changes, zeroing in on response to high water, will be released for a 60-day public comment period around the end of February.

But in the meantime, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Committee, which insiders call GLAM, has created a tool to help lake-level regulators make better decisions.

The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board, an IJC subsidiary, has only one way to adjust the level of the lake: altering the amount of water allowed to flow past the Moses-Saunders Dam at Massena, down the St. Lawrence and into the Atlantic Ocean.

According to articles posted Tuesday on the IJC website, the computer tool is based on research into what the water level conditions were on specific flood-damage days in specific locations during the floods of 2017 and 2019.

"This data formed the basis of the tool, which projects the likely real-world impacts of high water over the coming six months on shoreline properties, commercial shipping, recreational boating, municipal infrastructure and other interests. It then shows how a given deviation strategy may change those impacts for better or for worse," wrote Steve Orr, a Rochester science writer working with GLAM.

"For instance, the tool shows the number of waterfront homes that could be hit by flood waters on the lakeshore versus the riverbank if a given deviation was implemented," Orr wrote.

The tool has not been posted on any public website, although Orr's article included a couple of screenshots.

Wind and precipitation changes make flood forecasting difficult, Virden said. "This is a model that relies on data that needs constant care and feeding," he said.

The IJC's current policy, called Plan 2014, sets limits on outflows under various circumstances  limits that the IJC began to disregard after coming under political pressure in the wake of the 2017 and 2019 floods.

Critics from local legislators up to then-Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Sen. Charles E. Schumer contended the board had botched the flood response by not letting enough water leave the lake soon enough.

In 2019, Cuomo ordered a lawsuit against the IJC to try to recover the state's expenses for responding to flood damage. The suit was transferred from state court to federal court, where U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford put the case on hold in October so the sides could try to settle it.

The IJC has consistently held that the floods were caused by unusually wet weather  snowy winters and rainy springs filling the lake with water from the streams and rivers that flow into it.

But at the same time, the Lake-Ontario-St. Lawrence Board has taken a more active approach to water level management in the past two years, although this winter's outflows remain within Plan 2014 limits.

As a couple of heavy snowstorms have come through the region, the board has increased the outflow rates eight times in the past 15 days, according to its website. Virden said one motive for doing that is to promote a stable ice cover near the dam and prevent ice jam flooding.

President Donald Trump appointed a new slate of American members to the IJC in 2018, including former Assemblywoman Jane L. Corwin of Clarence as co-chair. In 2020, the commission ordered an "expedited review" of Plan 2014.

The first phase of that project, which was assigned to GLAM, is almost done and will be released within a few weeks, Virden said Tuesday. The final phase is slated for 2024.

GLAM's work was assisted by an 18-member Public Advisory Group that met virtually with the committee more than two dozen times.

This story was updated to specify that this winter's outflows are not deviations from Plan 2014.

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A 31-year-old woman and her 2-year-old daughter died and three firefighters were injured battling an early morning blaze in the city's Kaisertown neighborhood, according to a spokesperson for the Buffalo Fire Department.

The two-alarm fire was reported at 1:40 a.m. at 157 Weiss St., just south of Clinton Street. The structure was a single-family, 2-story home.

The woman and her daughter died of smoke inhalation, Fire Commissioner William Renaldo said during a morning news conference. They were found in a second-floor bedroom.

No working smoke detectors were found in the home, Renaldo said.

The names of the deceased were not immediately released. The Buffalo Fire Department had earlier reported the wrong age for the daughter.

The firefighters entered the home to battle the blaze but were evacuated after several minutes because the interior staircase to the second floor was completely burned out.

"It was impossible to advance any further," Renaldo said.

Firefighters attacked the fire from the exterior of the home, focusing on the second-story window.

The bodies of the mother and child were found just inside that window, Renaldo said.

The fire began in the rear of the home on the first floor, he said.

The injured firefighters were taken to Erie County Medical Center for treatment. One suffered smoke inhalation, another a knee injury and the third a back injury.

All were treated and released.

Damage to the home was estimated at $225,000.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The cause does not appear to be suspicious, Renaldo said.

Damage to the other properties was estimated at about $50,000.

Reach Aaron at abesecker[at]buffnews.com or 716-849-4602.

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The man who was shot to death by a state trooper Saturday morning in Buffalo may have been on the way to a protest rally, according to a woman who knew him.

State Police on Monday identified the man as James Huber, 38, of North East, Pa. He died after being shot by Trooper Anthony Nigro IV, a 14-year veteran of the State Police. Nigro was assigned to the Buffalo station of Troop T, which patrols the Thruway.

AG's Office investigating Thruway chase that ended in trooper fatally shooting man State Police Major Carla A. DiRienzo said the trooper fired his gun after reaching into the man's car as the man put the car into reverse.

Cary Arnold, a Pennsylvania woman who had a daughter with Huber 18 years ago, told The Buffalo News on Monday that she believes Huber might have been heading for the Peace Bridge rally in support of Canadian truckers protesting that country's Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

Last I knew, he was interested in something with the truckers up there, some kind of rally or protest or something. I dont know exactly, Arnold said. He talked to my daughter on Thursday ... just a few days before the tragedy happened. He said something to her about wanting to protest. Im assuming that thats where he was heading. If he was heading toward Buffalo, thats the only thing that makes sense to me.

But she said she hadnt talked to Huber herself about it.

Arnold said she believes Huber attended Cheektowaga schools as a boy before moving to Pennsylvania. She said he bounced from job to job but specialized in working on motor vehicles. Arnold said she has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Hubers funeral expenses.

She said that so far as she knew, Huber did not own a gun.

 Ive never seen Jimmy with a gun, and Ive known him for 20 years. He never even brought up guns to me. He never went hunting. Guns werent his thing, Arnold said.

The state Attorney General's Office formally announced Monday that it has opened an investigation into the shooting. Such a probe is required by state law in all cases of officer-involved fatalities.

"The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association is providing union and legal representation to Trooper Anthony Nigro IV, which is the normal course of business for any job-related internal or external investigation involving our members," union president President Thomas H. Mungeer said. "Due to the ongoing investigation, at this time there will be no further comment."

State police said Saturday that a trooper saw a speeding driver about 10:38 a.m. on the Thruway in Brant. The tan-colored sedan was moving at more than 100 mph, troopers said.

It exited the Thruway at Exit 53, reportedly striking a state police vehicle there, and headed north on Interstate 190 toward downtown.

Several pursuing patrol cars broke off the chase as the vehicle exited to downtown streets.

However, a trooper came upon the same vehicle a short time later near the corner of Washington and Eagle streets, where the driver was in his car talking to some people.

The trooper, now identified as Nigro, approached the car and ended up reaching into it after the driver refused to exit the vehicle, state police said.

The driver, now identified as Huber, put the car into reverse, possibly dragging Nigro a short distance.

Nigro pulled his state-issued gun and shot Huber, whose car struck several fence posts before landing on its side on the ramp in an underground parking garage beneath the M&T building on Washington, near Eagle. The windshield was blown out.

Nigro was treated at a local hospital for what was described as minor injuries.

Nigro remains on active duty and has not been placed on leave, according to Trooper Tara McCormick, public information officer for Troop T.

McCormick said the investigation remains active. Body camera video from the scene will be released at some point, she said, and investigators also are reviewing video from security cameras in the vicinity of the incident scene.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul pledged to tackle gun violence across the state, and she asked the congregation of a Buffalo church that has buried several members who were fatally shot to stand with her as she battles in Albany for programs that give young people an alternative to violence.

Hochul returned Sunday morning to True Bethel Baptist Church, the congregation she credited with restoring her faith in continuing in the political arena following a difficult 2012 election loss when she tried to retain her seat in Congress.

Right after I lost that seat in Congress, I thought this was the end of the path the Lord had for me in public service. I came here, and you restored my faith. You gave me hope, Hochul told the congregation at the 10 a.m. service in the East Ferry Street church.

Hochul said she realized then that she had to put herself in Gods hands, and it ultimately led to her becoming the first governor from Buffalo in more than a century.

Hochul spoke for about five minutes before returning the stage to the Rev. Darius G. Pridgen, True Bethel pastor and Buffalo Common Council president. She was joined at the service by state Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy, D-Buffalo; Mayor Byron W. Brown; and state Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, a member of True Bethel. The governor touched upon Mary Burnett Talbert, the Buffalo civil rights activist who helped found the Niagara Movement, precursor to the NAACP, and praised People-Stokes for making history as the first black woman to serve as Assembly majority leader.

Hochul said she would count on support from True Bethel congregants to reduce gun-related deaths and injuries across the state.

I want you to know Im committed to fighting gun violence in our streets, and I need you with me. Were going to take that fight to Albany and say, Every life matters. We no longer want to be burying our children from this place or anywhere else in the state of New York, she said.

Hochuls first executive budget set aside $224 million to combat gun violence, including increased funding for local law enforcement efforts; $13.1 million to expand the use of state troopers working alongside local police officers; and $25 million for hospital-based and street outreach programs aimed at providing wrap-around services for youth, job-readiness training and work-placement training.

I will not forget the people who gave me my chance. I understand there are still young kids who need a different path in life. And, yes, its through education. But they need an alternative to the streets, some of our young men. They need to know that theres a better path that God has for them, that they can find a way. So yes, education, but some of those other programs, the violence disrupters, the workforce program, said Hochul, who mentioned the Northland Workforce Training Center on Northland Avenue, near the church.

Hochul did not discuss any specifics about her proposed budget or address the status of negotiations with the Buffalo Bills over a new stadium, and she declined through a spokesman to field media questions after the service.

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Buffalo Public Schools should add the two most sacred Muslim holidays as school holidays, according to a proposal from the Buffalo Islamic Cultural Center.

The president of the center sent a letter to Lovejoy Common Council Member Bryan Bollman about the idea of closing the public schools on the Muslim holy days of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.

Despite making up a substantial population of Buffalo, Muslims are overlooked and their holidays are sidelined, Mohammad A. Kaium said in the letter.

The Buffalo school district enrolls about 34,000 students, including some 5,000 Muslim students.

In a country where such diversity exists and religious freedoms is a fundamental value, it is necessary to provide accommodations for all religious groups, he said in his letter. Muslim students deserve the chance to practice their faith and to gather with their families without the pressure of school, exams, responsibilities, or the fear of penalization for celebrating.

The center is located in Bollman's district.

Really, I think its a good thing for us to look at with the population increasing throughout, specifically the Lovejoy district, said Bollman, chairman of the Councils Education Committee. I have a large Bengali population.

Eid-ul-Fitr is the day following the end of the month of Ramadan, which Muslims observe every year to acknowledge Allah's revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. This year, Eid-ul-Fitr in United States begins in the evening of May 2 and ends in the evening of May 3.

Eid-ul-Adha marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Eid-ul-Adha this year starts on sundown July 9 and ends in the evening of July 10.

The large number of Muslims moving to Buffalo from New York City prompted the proposal to add the two Muslim holidays to the school calendar, said Abul Hoque, an intern in Bollmans office who also works at Buffalo Islamic Cultural Center.

New York City public schools added the two Muslim holidays to its holiday schedule in 2016.

Students in cities in Michigan and New Jersey also have the days off, and Islamic newcomers to Buffalo question why the same doesn't happen in Buffalo, Hoque said.

So we said, Why not let us do this since lots of people are asking?  Hoque said. The City of Buffalo is the second largest city in the state. Why not go ahead? Lets see. Let us give a try.

The proposal would not require approval from the New York State Education Department. The School Board has the authority to develop a calendar, but it must meet the state's requirements for days and hours of instruction in a year. There are also limitations on the number of holidays the district can include because of restrictions in the contract with the Buffalo Teachers Federation.

The Buffalo Islamic Cultural Center is using as a blue print the proposal from the Coalition of Muslim School Holidays to the New York City Department of Education. The 2014 document included the dates to close schools in recognition of the two holidays for upcoming school years.

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The long-stalled Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor has a new blueprint for creating a local educational attraction and tourist destination.

It's been a struggle to turn the corridor's four mainstays  the Michigan Street Baptist Church, the Colored Musicians Club, the Nash House and WUFO Radio  into a unified whole, one hindered by the loss of many of the buildings that once lined the corridor.

NAACP 'coming back home' to African American Heritage Corridor The nearly $6 million public-private project in the 1842 building, headed by architect Steve Carmina and landlord Roger Trettel, includes what will be affordably priced apartments above the NAACP office.

With the new, comprehensive action plan  led by consultant Moody Nolan, the largest Black-owned design firm in the United States  there is a course of action to guide the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor moving forward.

"This day has been a long time coming," said Terry Alford, the commission's executive director.

The plan calls for these key components:

 A narrower and landscaped Michigan Avenue to slow traffic, and improved street lighting to make the blocks-long district more pedestrian-friendly.

 The closure of Nash Street to expand the site's walkable footprint.

 Using modular fence graphics, murals, markers and the wrapping of the former Broadway Auditorium nearby  now a public works facility called the Broadway Barns  to tell stories of the Black experience along the corridor and in Buffalo.

 Staging community gatherings and pop-up events in Quonset huts and shipping containers on Michigan just north of Broadway.

 Adding buildings to create density through mixed-income residential developments with retail and commercial space on the lower levels.

Future looks bright for Buffalo's African American Heritage Corridor The Buffalo Billion II economic development program gave $7 million to stabilize buildings along the corridor and help create tourism-ready sites.

The plan includes a development road map with short-, medium- and long-term actions intended to create the unified tourism destination. Funding came from Empire State Development's $65 million East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund.

In developing the plan, Moody Nolan held six focus groups with 32 community residents, a community workshop with 71 participants and conducted interviews with stakeholders and representatives from the city's Public Works Department and Empire State Development Corp.

Alford said that unlike past plans, this one has the best chance to succeed.

"There have been plans for either the development of the entirety of the corridor or aspects of it in the past, with little real progress realized," Alford said in a recent videoconference presentation. "You may ask what makes this plan different from those other plans? That would be a very fair question.

"For the first time, the commission has full-time dedicated staff members who will lead the implementation plan and economic development strategy, and continue to engage and connect with the community, funders, partners and city leadership," he said.

African American corridor gets new executive director I look forward to working with the commission members, community stakeholders, residents, and our elected officials in effectively transforming the corridor into the historical, cultural, and economic juggernaut we know it can be, new Executive Director Terry Alford

Alford, former director of the Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition, was appointed executive director in March 2020. Audrey Clark, who received a master's degree in museum studies in 2019 from SUNY Buffalo State, is the project manager.

Funding for the commission is provided by Empire State Development and East Side Avenues, the public-private partnership that supports "transformational projects" along four East Side corridors.

Other consultants that helped develop the strategic action plan were Lord Cultural Resources, based in Toronto; Elizabeth Kennedy Landscape Architects, based in Brooklyn; and Jon Stover & Associates, based in Washington, D.C.

"With this plan in hand, the commission is now well-equipped to collaborate, expand and promote the area's cultural and historic assets as a destination for both tourists and residents alike," said Hope Knight, Empire State Development's acting commissioner and president-designate, in a statement.

Alford said he is encouraged by a "real sense of synergy" among different groups wanting the corridor to be a success.

"The hard work begins now," he said.

Mark Sommer covers preservation, development, the waterfront, culture and more. He's also a former arts editor at The News.

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A Jan. 27 Buffalo News story examined the BPS School Boards proposal to incentivize parents who drive their children to school with a gas card. Both the NFTA and Buffalo Public Schools are being significantly affected by bus driver shortages, but providing financial incentives that encourage parents to drive their children to school is an inequitable, incomplete solution.

There are several glaring issues with this proposal. This incentive will only benefit families who have the means to access a personal vehicle and who also have the time in their schedule to bring their children to school.

According to a 2019 American Community Survey data, about 28% of households in the City of Buffalo do not have a vehicle, meaning this strategy leaves a significant portion of children out in the cold. Furthermore, many students who walk or bike to school reduce the strain on bus service, but wont benefit from incentives in this proposal, despite also dealing with the challenges of uncleared sidewalks, distracted drivers and streets designed to quickly move cars without consideration for the comfort and safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.

Rather than spending valuable resources encouraging unsustainable and inequitable transportation modes, BPS should take note of other programs around the country designed to get children to school safely using all forms of transportation. Examples from school districts in Charlottesville, Va., Fort Collins, Colo., Los Angeles and Santa Cruz, Calif., show holistic school transportation strategies. These programs focus on all forms of transportation, providing students with resources to get to school safely.

Programs often include educational classes and materials about biking and walking safely, maps with safe routes to get to school, carpool matching tools for parents, bike and walking group matching tools for students, and even coordination with the municipality to ensure street infrastructure around schools is designed to safely accommodate children who walk and bike to school.

Students who walk to school would also greatly benefit from collaboration between the City of Buffalo and BPS to coordinate outreach to property owners or implement a sidewalk clearing program in neighborhoods around schools to make walking a safe, reliable option.

Busing played a key role in reducing the segregation of Buffalo Public Schools after the 1976 desegregation plan was put in place by court order. Though those rules ended in the mid-1990s, busing is still an important strategy for ensuring our schools are not segregated. The alternative solutions we propose would not replace busing in the long term, but instead compliment them. However, whatever near-term solutions are proposed should consider whether they will only further contribute to racial and socioeconomic disparities.

Brendan Seney is GO Buffalo Niagara program manager at GObike Buffalo.
Two recent stories in The Buffalo News told of two Catholic priests who inherited large sums of money from deceased widows whom they had befriended. One of the womens wills was approved by Surrogates Court, the other is being contested. Both aroused suspicions that the elderly widows had been taken advantage of.

Priests are not the only people accused of profiting by influencing an older person to change his or her will. It is a charge sometimes made by relatives or close friends of anyone who dies and makes unexpected bequests.

However, priests have a special responsibility to members of the laity, who often view them as authority figures. Priests may serve as confidants, receivers of confessions, pastoral advisers, counselors or close friends to parishioners. That makes it imperative that they are held to high ethical standards.

Government officials and some others in public life are bound by limits on the value of gifts they are allowed to accept. Theres no good reason why the Buffalo Diocese, or the Catholic Church as a whole, could not set similar rules that draw clear ethical boundaries for priests and other religious.

The Rev. Joseph Klos inherited the majority of an estate worth at least $467,000 from a widow he became close to while serving as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Lancaster.

The will was not challenged in court and an Erie County Surrogates Court judge approved the inheritance after the widows death in 2016, but family and friends remain suspicious. Mary Ann Serabjit-Singh had made out two previous wills before writing a third that made Klos the prime beneficiary. She also once attempted to withdraw $174,000  her entire account balance  at the urging of the priest, which caused a suspicious bank teller to call Lancaster Police.

A separate case involving Rev. David M. Bialkowski is being contested in Erie County Surrogates Court. Bialkowski inherited $125,000 from a 93-year-old widow who named him executor.

It happens that Bialkowski also was removed from priestly duties because of accusations that he molested children. He denies the allegations.

Ruth Peters, a retired principal from the Cheektowaga public school system, died in 2019 and left her money to Bialkowski, also giving him control of a $2 million estate. A second cousin said she and other family members were shocked to hear that Peters had made such provisions for the priest. Two attorneys are disputing the will in Surrogates Court.

Diocesan priests, unlike those in religious orders such as the Jesuits or Franciscans, do not take a vow of poverty. They are allowed to accept gifts from others and its not uncommon for a parishioner to treat a favorite priest to a meal or a show, to give them a cash contribution or even a car or a vacation trip.

Where the lines are drawn on priests accepting gifts is more like an honor system than a set of enforceable rules.

Bishop Michael W. Fisher of the Buffalo Diocese, commenting on the Klos case, told The News that he expects all priests to embody and demonstrate the spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to live simply and without extravagance.

Fisher added that priests of this Diocese should avoid any hint or appearance of seeking personal financial benefit from those they serve in ministry.

The Catholic Churchs Code of Canon Law does not prohibit diocesan priests from inheriting or accepting significant gifts. It does urge them to live a life of simplicity. Plainly, thats not enough.

There is clearly a role for the Church to play in setting clear boundaries on what a priest may inherit from a member of their church or parish, to avoid the appearance of impropriety. An institution that promotes spirituality and high moral character should aim for nothing less.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
The executive order that allowed alcohol-to-go at restaurants in New York State ended in June, but should be permanently restored. Its helped brs and restaurants at a difficult time, with no noticeable downside.

The proposal was included in Gov. Kathy Hochuls executive budget proposal, making the industry optimistic the practice will become a permanent fixture, but there is no guarantee. Thats why the New York State Restaurant Association has been talking to members of the Senate and Assembly. Legislators should offer assurance that the practice will be allowed to continue.

Alcohol-to-go, a practice in which customers can order mixed drinks to go with their pasta takeout, for example, turned out to be a godsend for a beleaguered industry, which was severely punished by the pandemic. A total of 31 states permitted restaurants alcohol-to-go on a permanent or temporary basis, and several states are moving from temporary to permanent. New York should plan to join them.

It is one of the pandemic-related adjustments that the New York State Restaurant Association believes to be popular with its customers, while helping to build back sales.

Alcohol-to-go represents a lifeline for restaurants. Eighty-six percent of operators in a recent survey told the association that business conditions are worse today than three months ago, with 93% suffering a decline in indoor dining. Sales are nowhere near the numbers in 2019; staffing shortages continue to plague the industry, so restaurants are open limited days, limited times of day (no lunches, for example) and supply shortages are crimping their service.

The liquor lobby has opposed the change, despite several amendments to the bill. Yet, the New York State Restaurant Association has data showing liquor store sales continued to climb, even when the restaurant industry was offering alcohol-to-go under executive order. Theres room enough for everyone.

Frank Moynihan is general manager of Lucky Day Whiskey Bar, part of a restaurant group with three cocktail-heavy bars. The restaurants normal sales are 2 to 1 alcohol to food, and were saved by alcohol-to-go feature. During the pandemic, the ratio changed to 60% food to 40% liquor, which was that high only because of alcohol-to-go. It helped the restaurants to stay open and staff to remain employed Moynihan said.

Customers enjoyed the alcohol-to-go feature, according to Ellie Grenauer, co-owner of the Glen Park Tavern in Williamsville. It accounted for 25% to 30% of the to-go sales during the 15 months, a significant boost for the restaurant.

Dennis DiPaolo, owner of Ilio DiPaolos Restaurant & Banquet Facility, said his restaurants take-out sales doubled during the alcohol-to-go period. DiPaolo has a liquor store two blocks away from his restaurant and said the alcohol-to-go sales had no bearing on his liquor store business.

The association is pleased with the governors support in the budget. Still, alcohol-to-go should remain as a permanent feature as restaurants continue to struggle.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
Most people who learned some American history would remember that George Washington was an American general credited with playing a significant role in defeating the British to establish the American colonies free from British rule. Washington also became the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789.

Smallpox was a devastating disease throughout the colonies. In fact, Cotton Mather in 1720 attempted to inoculate the members of his congregation. Continental soldiers were dying in greater numbers from smallpox than by death on the battlefield. There was more dread of the disease than of the sword of the enemy. (Fenn 2001, 69.)

On Feb. 5, 1777, Washington ordered mass immunization of his troops. Smallpox devastated the Native American population and the slaves who fought for American independence. But the inoculation of Continental regular soldiers spared them death and stopped the incapacitation of any regiments. Inoculation which prevented the loss of soldiers from death from smallpox a great factor in the defeat of the British.

Currently the United States of America and the world are dealing with a pandemic of the Covid-19 virus that has killed more than 900,000 U.S. citizens with the total still rising. Many others have become severely disabled from the secondary effects of a Covid-19 infection. Mayor Deb Rogers of the Village of Williamsville has become a voice for more death and suffering by decrying measures to curtail the spread of Covid-19. During a recent Village Board meeting, WBEN talk show host Tom Bauerle said, I think our Founding Fathers would be very proud of what the mayor is doing,

I do not believe that George Washington would agree. The Bible (Proverbs 17:28) and Abraham Lincoln have been credited with saying in some form, Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt. It would appear that Rogers and company have removed all doubt.

Susan Braen

Boston
ANSAN, South Korea, February 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seoul Viosys (KOSDAQ: 092190), a subsidiary of Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd., announced that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit with the Hague District Court in the Netherlands, seeking to enjoin UV LED products in European countries.

This litigation arose out of an earlier patent lawsuit filed by Seoul Viosys against FNAC Darty Group, a large European retailer, in France in September 2021. At that time, the Judicial Court of Paris ordered the search and seizure of evidence of suspected infringement against FNAC Darty Group. Based on that seizure, Seoul Viosys learned that accused UV LED products are being imported and distributed from the Netherlands. To prevent the further distribution of infringing products across European countries, Seoul Viosys filed a patent infringement lawsuit against FTHMM International B.V., a Netherlands trading company, in the Hague District Court of the Netherlands, seeking a preliminary injunction against the allegedly infringing UV LED products.

Seoul Viosys and SETi, a US-based UV LED pioneer, co-developed and mass-produced the world's first UV LED that emits UV light with optical semiconductor technology. This has resulted in a tremendous increase in sales in the UV LED industry, with Seoul Viosys as the top producer of such LEDs. As the market has expanded, however, so has the number of sales of infringing products. As a result, Seoul Viosys has had to expand its enforcement and take legal action to protect its intellectual property in South Korea, Japan, the U.S., and Europe. Remarkably, Seoul Viosys has won all thirty cases that it has brought over the last three years in six different countries, including its successful pursuit of a permanent injunction against the sales of infringing products in one of these cases.

Youngjoo Lee, CEO of Seoul Viosys, remarked, "Based on its founding spirit of innovation and improvement, Seouls UV LEDs will continue to lead the world in products for clean air and water, as well as sterilizing against dangerous contaminants like coronavirus. Seoul has not only increased the capacity of such products by five times, it has done so while producing products at significantly lower prices." Lee also pointed out: "Seoul Viosys, SETi and Nitride Semiconductors Co., Ltd., its strategic partner in Japan, have developed, owned and mass produced this technology for many years. No one else can develop optical semiconductor UV LED technology without using our fundamental patents. When intellectual property is respected, the market will provide fair opportunities to all, including young entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises around the world."

Story continues

About Seoul Viosys

Seoul Viosys is a full-line solution provider for UV LED, VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser), the next-generation light source for 3D sensor and laser, and a single-pixel RGB "Micro Clean Pixel" for displays. Established in 2002 as a subsidiary of Seoul Semiconductor, it captured No. 1 market share in the UV LED industry (LEDinside, 2019). Seoul Viosys has an extensive UV LED portfolio with all wavelengths ranging from 200nm to 1600nm, including ultraviolet rays (UV), visible rays, and infrared rays. The company holds more than 4,000 patents related to UV LED technology. Violeds, its flagship UV LED technology, provides a wide range of industries with optimal solutions for robust sterilization and disinfection (UV-C), skin regeneration (UV-B), water/air purification and effective cultivation for horticulture. In 2018, Seoul Viosys acquired RayCan, a leading optoelectronic specialist, to add advanced VCSEL technology, which supports smartphone facial recognition and autonomous driving, and has started mass production. In January 2020, it introduced a disruptive "Micro Clean Pixel" that has the potential to be a game-changer in the display market. To learn more, visit http://www.seoulviosys.com/en/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220209005468/en/

Contacts

Media Contacts:

Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.

Jinseop Jung

Tel: +82-70-4391-8555

Email: jjs8732@seoulsemicon.com
C-Level View | Feature

Digication's New Vision for ePortfolio Technology

A Q&A with Jeffrey Yan

Almost exactly 5 years ago, CT talked with Digication CEO Jeffrey Yan about his company's commitment to making student lives better by improving pedagogy with ePortfolio technology. The conversation appeared in a 2017 Q&A article. Here's an update on what's relevant today as Digication continues its mission and principle of making learning visible.

"For the student, it's about being heard, being seen, and being recognized."

Jeffrey Yan

Mary Grush: Leading Digication over the years, you've stayed true to your commitment to ePortfolio technology and your mission of making learning visible. But what has changed? What are the new pedagogical opportunities, or current environmental realities that you think about often as you guide your company?

Jeffrey Yan: I think that some of the things that have happened at our institutions and around our world, especially in the past couple of years, have ushered in a whole new context and way of thinking about pedagogy and how we use ePortfolios. Making learning visible has been at the core of Digication's philosophy for more than 20 years, and I think that's never going to go away. But we now recognize the tremendous importance of how ePortfolio technology is here to help students develop a sense of self, identity, and belonging.

We now recognize the tremendous importance of how ePortfolio technology is here to help students develop a sense of self, identity, and belonging.

What's front-of-mind today, about making learning visible, is that for the student, it's about being heard, being seen, and being recognized.

I do think that 5 years ago we had less of a stake in ePortfolio technology for opening up to this kind of development of sense of self for students. The technology was there; the urgency to use it in that way was much less understood.

Mary Grush: What are some of the environmental factors that are bringing out this sense of urgency?

Yan: I can name several  among them, the reinvigoration of thinking through our society's issues about race; the increasing concern about mental health on our campuses; the prevalence of questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion in all our institutional cultures These things are impacting students' lives to the point where it is truly urgent to have academic and co-curricular programs that address them.

All these things could be thought of either as drastically missing elements of our education programs or as inspiring new opportunities for program innovation. Either way, it's important to understand that the students need to be beneficiaries of a new awareness about the nature of how we make learning visible and relevant for them now.

It's important to understand that the students need to be beneficiaries of a new awareness about the nature of how we make learning visible and relevant for them now.

Grush: I would guess that it might be easy, though, for some observers to confuse these ideas about students being heard and recognized with a kind of self-consciousness and narrow introspection that would not promote growth and would in fact not be productive. Could you comment on that?

Yan: When I look at student ePortfolios today, generally I see an emphasis not on displaying a huge checklist of achievements, or pushing out a highly packed resume, but instead on showing the actual work and thinking along with the student's reflections on that work. So I think our students are not likely to slip into that limiting, self-centered process you might fear. They are much more likely to grow and expand their interests into new areas.
For student Brianna OBrien, it wasnt just when class members hiked four miles up a mountain, guided by a naturalist, to breathtaking views of a double waterfall. Or when they swam in a tropical lagoon at night and witnessed bioluminescence  the water flashing blue from light given off by protozoans that surrounded them.

It was everything during the Jan. 5 to Jan. 16 trip to Belize with 12 classmates and two professors from University of Wisconsin-Stout that made it an impactful, life-changing experience.

This experience was beyond beneficial for me personally and will be in my career, said OBrien, a senior from Spring Valley majoring in applied science with a concentration in biology.

Lindsay Penkala, an applied science-biology senior from Elburn, Ill., feels the same way. This was probably the best experience in my whole life.

Belize is in Central America, southeast of Mexico, on the Caribbean coast. The students, seven undergraduate and six from the Professional Science Masters in conservation biology, were in the Winterm course Natural History of the Neotropics.

Being a biology student I wanted to put my knowledge that Ive gained at Stout into a real life experience, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so, OBrien said.

The trip was divided between three sites, each for about three days:

 Sittee Point and Hopkins in southern Belize. They saw several forests  lowland, coastal mangrove, tropical montane and bamboo  and visited Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve.

 Isla Zafiro Marine Station, a roughly one-acre island two miles offshore. They also went to the barrier reef  the second largest in the world  another several miles into the ocean.

 San Ignacio in western Belize. Day trips were taken to the ancient Mayan ruins at Caracol, a historic Mayan ceremonial cave, and the Belize Zoo.

We champion experiential learning at Stout, and this may be the epitome of that, Professor Mike Bessert said. I love all my courses, but this is one of my favorites because its high impact in so many ways.

Science on the edge

Two weeks of classes were held before the trip. Once in Belize, students had to be mentally and physically prepared.

You have to be adventurous and willing to maybe endure some extreme conditions at times. Students come in knowing that, Bessert said. Most years we spend a little time discussing what fears or challenges they want to overcome, like water, heights, an animal or maybe spiders. Weve never had a student not overcome something. Gaining self-confidence is a huge part of the experience.

They snorkeled in the barrier reef with sharks and rays nearby, for example.

I had to overcome a lot of obstacles that I wouldnt necessarily be faced with in the U.S. Taking those challenges head on had an impact on me and made me take a step out of my comfort zone, OBrien said.

Taking the course is an uncomfortable leap of faith, but the payoff is incredible, she added.

Penkala loved spelunking in the Mayan cave and learning about its grim history. It felt almost like we were transported back into the past and were exploring in the time of the Mayans, she said.

The cave helped reinforce what the class was about. Collapse of the local Mayan civilization beginning around 900 A.D. was caused mostly by deforestation, resulting in lack of rain and eventually human sacrifices at the cave in an attempt to bring rain, Bessert said.

Too often we dont learn from history, Bessert said. The predominant focus of the class is natural systems and their underlying dynamics. How are biodiverse hotspots maintained and how do we preserve them?

Science mixed with culture

They also experienced the countrys cross-section of three main cultural groups, Creole, Garifuna and Mayan.

Penkala took the course because of her interest in animal and ecosystem conservation, but she learned so much more.

Dr. Bessert assured us that we would meet many different cultures in Belize and we sure did. It was amazing to see how their attitude, food and even architecture differed from ours. It was also very interesting to learn the local opinions on conservation and preserving wildlife, Penkala said.

Traveling out of the country really helped me realize how grateful I should be for the things I have. Just as an example, Belizean farmers can sell 100 pounds of oranges to an American company for one Belizean dollar, equal to 50 cents in the U.S. I never would have known it was that bad unless I went down and talked to the locals. So, if anything else, I would say that Belize humbled me, she said.

The learning that takes place beyond science is one of the goals of the course.

You cant go to Belize without immersing yourself in the human culture there, said Bessert, who has led the course for 10 years. Students are required to talk with people and get to know them and the customs.

Evan Croft, of Stanley, who will graduate in May with his masters, said he advanced his knowledge of science while achieving several life goals with the trip, and as a result added more. But what hell remember most is the people.

We were just a group of students, and they cared for us and guided us like family they have known for years. We had a Garifuna drum circle come and perform for us. I had the opportunity to be taught a dance to one song and to play the driving bass line of another song during their performance, Croft said.

The first song that they sang and played for us was a tribute to their ancestors, and the lyrics roughly meant we are here with our friends and family, we are happy and celebrating together, by the ocean. They were so quick to have us share in this important aspect of their culture, and the experiences like this made the entire trip worthwhile, he said.

You see so many amazing things

The Office of International Education coordinated the study abroad course and helped Bessert develop a COVID safety plan for the trip, including testing before leaving and prearranging for a testing service in Belize.

Except for 2021 because of COVID, the trip has been held every Winterm since 2012.

Students paid a special program fee that included tuition and fees and travel expenses. The course meets university requirements for global perspectives and natural sciences.

You see so many amazing things you never see elsewhere, Bessert said. I design the course in a way where they have different wow moments. It really gives them a great appreciation for the biodiversity thats there.

For example, they used trail cameras and captured an unexpected image of a jaguar passing through.

Joining Bessert as a co-host this year was biology Professor Steve Nold, who is impressed with the countrys ability to balance tourism while maintaining its diverse biodiversity.

This course offered so much more than an academic treatment of the plants and animals in Belize. Students were introduced to many cultures and met extraordinary people. We learned kindness and humility from our hosts and tour guides. We overcame personal challenges and better understood how societal decisions can greatly impact environmental quality. In short, this was an unforgettable life experience, Nold said.

Bessert first went to Belize nearly 30 years ago as an undergraduate and graduate student and has maintained connections with guides and others over the years.

If I would have traveled to Belize with any old vacation company, theres no way I would have learned half the information I did with Dr. Besserts friends, Penkala said.

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Q: When was the National Weather Service created?

A: While successfully prosecuting the Civil War against the Confederacy, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had learned that weather information  even if not in the form of a forecast  was extremely valuable for operations.

Then, in the years after the war, Dr. Increase Lapham, a Milwaukee scientist, lobbied Milwaukees congressman, Gen. Halbert Paine, to push for the establishment of a storm warning service for the Great Lakes. On Feb. 2, 1870, Paine introduced a Joint Congressional Resolution requiring the Secretary of War to provide for taking meteorological observations at the military stations in the interior of the continent, and at other points in the States and Territories ... and for giving notice on the northern lakes and on the seacoast, by magnetic telegraph and marine signals, of the approach and force of storms.

On Feb. 9, 1870  152 years ago last week  a sympathetic President Ulysses S. Grant signed the resolution into law and what is now known as the National Weather Service was born. Thus, the service began its life within the U.S. Army Signal Services Division of Telegrams and Reports for the Benefit of Commerce.

Observations officially began on Nov. 1, 1870. Exactly a week later, on Nov. 8, Lapham issued the services first storm warning on the approach of a storm over Lake Michigan.

On Oct. 1, 1890, at the request of President Benjamin Harrison, Congress passed a law transferring the meteorological responsibilities of the Signal Service to the newly created U.S. Weather Bureau, which was housed in the Department of Agriculture. The Weather Bureau became the National Weather Service in 1970 with the creation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.

Steve Ackerman and Jonathan Martin, professors in the UW-Madison department of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, are guests on WHA radio (970 AM) at 11:45 a.m. the last Monday of each month. Send them your questions at stevea@ssec.wisc.edu or jemarti1@wisc.edu.

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Nine months after Dane County residents could cast aside face masks indoors and six and a half months after being told to wear them again, theyll get another reprieve March 1, when the countys COVID-19 mask mandate will expire in light of decreasing case rates and hospitalizations, officials said Monday.

The decision by Public Health Madison and Dane County to lift the mask order comes after several Democratic governors moved last week to ease up on mask mandates even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it still recommended masks for students and staff inside school buildings.

Letting the face covering order expire doesnt mean that the pandemic is over. Rather, it signals that we have made it through the omicron surge and are entering a new stage of the pandemic, Janel Heinrich, director of the city-county health department, said in a statement that urged people to stay up to date on vaccines.

Tim LeMonds, spokesperson for the Madison School District, said Monday there are no immediate changes to the districts mask requirement or COVID-19 safety protocols. But, we are consulting with (the health department) and our medical advisory team on the issue this week, he said.

UW-Madison in January extended its mask requirement until March 1. We expect to be announcing a decision before the end of the month on what will happen after that, spokesperson Meredith McGlone said Monday.

In Dane County, the order requires people over age 2 to wear a mask in most enclosed spaces open to the public, except when all people within a space are vaccinated and for stage and musical performers if they follow a set of criteria.

The county first adopted a mask order in June 2020, following a statewide order that was eventually struck down by the state Supreme Court.

In early June 2021, when cases of COVID-19 declined dramatically after vaccines became widely available, the county lifted its order. In mid-August, when the delta variant of the coronavirus surged, the department reinstated the mask requirement.

As the delta wave declined, the health department said in early November the mandate would expire late that month. But with rising cases and holiday travel looming, the order was continued. Since the omicron variant emerged in December, the order has been extended again.

Asked Monday if the department might adopt a mask order again if COVID-19 conditions become worse, spokesperson Morgan Finke said: There are no additional orders planned at this time. I cannot speculate on future conditions.

The daily average of new COVID-19 cases in the county is at 340, down from a peak of 1,491 on Jan. 12, the department said Monday. The daily average of hospitalizations is at 110, down from a peak of 195 on Jan. 15. As of Sunday, the county had 87 patients in hospitals with COVID-19, including 17 in intensive care.

High case levels did not lead to hospitalization levels as high as they were before vaccines were readily available, the department said. Currently, an estimated 58% of Dane County residents are up to date on their vaccines, meaning a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, when eligible. Some 82.2% of county residents had at least one dose as of last week, compared to 63.5% statewide.

Dane Countys public health order expiration does not affect the federal requirement for face coverings on public transportation, including public transit networks, airplanes, buses and school buses, trains, taxis and the ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft, the department said.

Public Health will continue case investigation efforts to prevent spread and strongly encourages everyone to stay home when sick and follow the latest isolation and quarantine guidance to prevent transmission, which can include masking recommendations.

The Democratic governors of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Oregon last week announced plans to lift mask requirements in public places or schools by the end of February or in March, according to The Associated Press. Massachusetts, led by a Republican, also joined the list. Other Republican-led states that had mask mandates long ago dropped the requirements.

But the CDC continues to recommend universal masking in K12 schools and day care centers. Last week, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told Reuters that now is not the moment to drop mask mandates, given continued high case levels.

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Improve access to modern technology to improve PH education system - De Lima

To help strengthen the education sector, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima underscored the need to improve teachers' and students' access to, and use of modern technology, including the internet.

De Lima, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, said proper use of technology can help support the learning of the growing number of Filipino students.

"Ang ultimate goal po natin para sa ating edukasyon ay magkaroon ng sapat na guro at pasilidad para sa lumalaking populasyon ng ating kabataan," she said.

"Subalit habang tuloy-tuloy ang pagtatayo natin ng mga gusali at pagpapa-graduate sa ating mga guro, maaari nating palawakin ang kakayahan ng kasalukuyang mga guro sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng makabagong teknolohiya," she added.

De Lima's representative and Chief Legislative Officer, Atty. Abel Maglanque, talked about the Senator's program and plans to solve the issues faced by the education sector, during the online event organized by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) last Feb. 11.

Several factors have already hinted at this worrisome trend in Philippine educational system, including a 2019 study revealing that Filipino students lagged behind other countries in the international assessment for Mathematics and Science for grade 4 students.

A key insight from the said study implied that those tested mostly came from public schools, likewise noting that the crisis is further compounded by the fact that the Philippines doesn't invest on topnotch learning.

De Lima said the government should work on ensuring that every school will have internet access station with good connection to online resources materials approved by the Department of Education (DepEd).

"Ibig sabihin nito ay dapat ma-incorporate sa ating curriculum ang tamang paggamit ng internet upang magsaliksik ng impormasyon. Dapat maturuan ang mga kabataan kung paano mag-isip nang kritikal at kung paano i-proseso ang mga impormasyon na kanilang nakukuha sa internet," she said.

For De Lima, improving the education sector in the country also means making teachers's salaries competitive, while pushing to increase the number of teachers and teaching assistants.

De Lima co-authored RA 11314 or An Act Institutionalizing the grant of Student Fare Discount Privileges on Public Transportation and For Other Purposes, as well as RA 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education.

Last January, she filed Senate Bill No. 2497, seeking to promote, protect and uphold the rights of public teachers by instituting a Revised Magna Carta for Public Teachers that can respond better to their present needs.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  As the country reopens its borders, local airline Cebu Pacific said it is inviting back employees it had to lay off during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We're inviting them to rejoin Cebu Pacific, whether that would be pilots, cabin crew, or ground staff," said Cebu Pacific chief financial officer Mark Cezar on CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Monday. "We think the time is right for us to bring back our once-separated employees back into the fold."

He added that 85% of the airline's fleet is now operational, compared to the time when they had to park 30% of the fleet in airports.

Flights to other countries are also being restored. Cezar said more international trips are resuming, including to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, Taipei in Taiwan, Macau, Bangkok in Thailand, Jakarta in Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

This development comes after the national government allowed the entry of fully vaccinated foreign travelers without the need for them to undergo quarantine.

In 2020, Cebu Pacific laid off hundreds of workers as movement restrictions crippled the aviation industry. A year later, the company posted a hefty loss of 13.79 billion.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  Senatorial candidates Jopet Sison, Monsour del Rosario, and Herbert Bautista said they are open to supporting the proposed divorce law if they win in the May elections.

During the CNN Philippines senatorial forum on Sunday, Sison said he is inclined to support the divorce bill to help lessen the burden experienced by those suffering from failed marriages.

The Philippines is the only country in the world besides the Vatican where divorce is prohibited. The only options are legal separation and declaration of nullity or an annulment, which Sison noted could be costly.

I have seen couples living apart for several years already, but they're still married. Let us resolve those problems for them. Wag nating pahirapan [Lets not make it harder for them], said the lawyer and former Quezon City councilor.

Former Makati representative Del Rosario, meanwhile, explained that while he believes in the sanctity of marriage, he also thinks not allowing divorce could bring more harm than good, especially on the children.

I am in favor of it, because why would you force two people to stay together when there's no more trust, love, hope, theres no peace in the family? he said.

I come from a very bad, bad, broken home, he also shared. I saw how my mother suffered, and I see so many people I know that are forced to stay together that hate each other, and the effects of that on the children. Its very traumatizing.

Bautista shared a similar view.

For the former Quezon City mayor, the priority is to save the family by preserving the marriage. However, he also acknowledged this couldnt always work and that divorce is worth considering.

Kung hindi na talaga kaya, let's favor the women, yung mga kababaihang maapektuhan [If the marriage really cant be saved, lets favor the women, those who will be affected], he said.

Lawmakers have attempted to legalize divorce since 1999, citing cases of abuse in marriages, among other reasons. But the move has met strong opposition in our conservatively Catholic country. Currently, a divorce bill is pending in both houses of Congress.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  Customs officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport seized shipments containing hundreds of concealed non-native black ants in January and February.

A statement from the Bureau of Customs on Monday said three export shipments misdeclared as toys bound for France, Singapore and Italy were sent by a certain Shin Yap yielded 21 small cups and 21 specimen tubes containing assorted black ants.

Meanwhile, two shipments from Poland yielded a total of 375 specimen tubes containing black ants.

"Like in other countries, the importation and exportation of non-native black ants are strictly prohibited in view of the danger it poses not only to human health but also (the) environment," said the BOC.

The ants were turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as stipulated in the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  The Comelec commissioners who voted not to disqualify presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos on his bid are unlikely to change their minds to reverse the controversial decision, an election lawyer said Monday.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source, Atty. Emil Maranon said majority of the current members of the Commission on Elections already voted in favor of Marcos on the first division level.

Commissioner Aimee Ferolino is the ponente for the consolidated disqualification cases. She, along with Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, an original member of the division, voted to dismiss the petitions due to lack of merit.

Acting Comelec chair Socorro Inting, who was previously part of the Second Division, had also voted to junk a separate petition seeking to cancel Marcos' bid.

RELATED: LIST: Petitions against Bongbong Marcos' 2022 presidential bid

"Essentially, that's already three votes in favor of Marcos. Only Commissioner (Rey) Bulay is yet to vote on the issue. In order to reverse the decision of the Comelec, you will need four votes," Maranon said. "That would mean that for petitioners to reverse the decision of division, they will need all these three commissioners to reverse their votes at a division level."

Comelec's decision is a big blow to the hopes of the petitioners seeking to stop the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. from running for the highest post. The ex-senator currently leads the pack of presidential candidates in some election surveys.

"To expect that the three commissioners will reverse their position as regards the disqualification of Mr. Marcos is quite a very rare occurrence if you were to ask me," he said.

He noted that circumstances will only likely change once President Rodrigo Duterte appoints a new set of commissioners who will take the place of retired Comelec chair Sheriff Abas, Commissioners Antonio Kho Jr and Rowena Guanzon.

Kho previously comprised the other vote to dismiss the petition to cancel Marcos' bid under the Second Division. Guanzon, on the other hand, voted in favor of the petitioners in the DQ case under the First Division but this was not included in the count since the decision was released after her retirement.

The dismissed petitions are appealable under the Comelec en banc. The road doesn't stop there as these cases can also be elevated to the Supreme Court and be processed before election day, or even after someone has been proclaimed president.

The Comelec is only left with one disqualification case against Marcos  filed by Ilocano group Pudno Nga Ilokano.

RELATED: Possible scenarios on Marcos' DQ cases amid Comelec reshuffle

Motion for reconsideration filed

Meanwhile, one of the petitioners in the dismissed disqualification cases, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Commissioner Abubakar Mangelen, has filed a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec. Mangelen is among the founders of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, which carried Marcos presidential bid.

In his six-page appeal filed on Monday, Mangelen reiterated that Marcos conviction for failing to file income tax returns from 1982 to 1985 is enough to disqualify him from running for public office.

He also maintained that it is no doubt an offense involving moral turpitude.

In its ruling, the Comelec First Division argued that perpetual disqualification does not apply in the Marcos case. It said the penalty came into force only in January 1986, which was before the presidential hopefuls tax violations were committed.

The division also ruled there was no crime of moral turpitude on the part of Marcos.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  The country's total number of COVID-19 deaths breached 55,000 on Monday after 164 more people lost their lives to the disease, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

The death toll is now at 55,094, or 1.51% of the case tally, which stood at 3,639,942 after 2,730 more people were reported infected.

Among the 164 new deaths, 86 (52%) occurred this month and 52 (32%) last month. There were also 26 from last year: six in December, two in November, six in October, eight in September, two in August, and two in July.

The belated reporting is due to late encoding of information in the COVIDKaya data storage system, the DOH explained.

Of the newly reported cases, 2,627 (96%) occurred within the past 14 days or from Feb. 1 to 14. The regions with the highest tally of cases in that period were Metro Manila (467 or 18%), Calabarzon (330 or 13%) and Central Visayas (283 or 11%).

Of the case total, 2.1% or 76,609 are active cases or currently ill patients, with 69,574 experiencing mild symptoms, 2,970 in moderate condition, 2,310 without symptoms, 1,443 in severe condition, and 312 in critical condition.

Meanwhile, 7,456 others got well, raising the survivor count to 3,508,239 or 96.4% of all infections.

The DOH said it reclassified 121 initially tagged survivors as among the dead after validation and deleted 68 duplicate cases, including 52 recoveries.

Two laboratories did not submit their reports on time, the DOH added. These laboratories contributed an average of 0.1% of tested samples and 0.1% of positive individuals in the last 14 days.

The positivity rate, or percentage of tested people with positive results, dropped further to 10.7% based on 28,620 tests reported on Feb. 12.

The World Health Organization recommends a positivity rate of below 5% for countries to reopen borders.

The DOH also projected that daily cases nationwide would fall below 2,100 by March 15.

The figures assume that most cases have the Omicron variant. They also factor in mobility, vaccination coverage and adherence to minimum health standards.

"However, if compliance to minimum public health standards (MPHS) decreases, cases are expected to go back to an increasing trend," said the agency.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 15)  The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will issue a memorandum instructing local government units (LGUs) to launch campaigns against people selling fake medicines, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said.

We will support the [Food and Drug Administration] through a memo circular to our LGUs to have this campaign against the selling of fake medicines up to the level of sari-sari stores, said Ano during President Rodrigo Dutertes weekly Talk to the People on Monday.

The FDA reported that 78 sari-sari stories were found illegally selling medicines out of the 185 reported to the agency in three regions. Of this number, 13 stores were also discovered to be distributing fake drugs.

Sari-sari stores are prohibited from selling medicines under the counterfeit law, which penalizes violators with a minimum of six months and one day in jail, FDA Deputy General Oscar Gutierrez said.

But Gutierrez pointed out that these sari-sari stores could have also been victims since some LGUs actually provide them licenses to operate. He added that the FDAs course of action was to request LGUs to release ordinances to prohibit them from carrying medicines.

The agency also flagged violations committed by online retail stores such as Lazada and Shopee. It noted that 2,202 links and/or drug products have been removed from the selling platforms since 2020.

Gutierrez said the FDA has worked with social media giant Facebook to report contents that may have violated national policies so the platform can later delete them from its site.

Duterte also cautioned the public from purchasing COVID-19 medicines online.

I am advising (to) lay off muna kayo diyan sa online-online, maraming tulisan diyan [lay off online sites since there are many crooks there], he said in his talk.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 15)  The government has fully vaccinated 61.4 million individuals, including 8 million adolescents, against COVID-19, according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.

During President Rodrigo Dutertes weekly public address that aired Monday night, Galvez reported that a total of 131.7 million COVID-19 shots have been administered in the country. Around 61.1 million Filipinos, including 100,370 minors aged 5 to 11, have received their first dose.

At least 9.07 million individuals received their booster shots, but Galvez said this number is considered low as Filipinos are being complacent on having only the primary doses. He noted that experts have been pushing for the booster rollout due to the waning efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Galvez also reported that 10 regions have fully immunized over 70% of their target population. These are the National Capital Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Authorities are aiming to fully inoculate around 77 million Filipinos by the first quarter of 2022, and 90 million by the end of the second quarter.

As of Monday, the countrys total tally of COVID-19 infections reached 3,639,942. The government recorded 3,508,239 recoveries and 55,094 deaths.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  Presidential candidate Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos choice not to participate in most debates could cost him his lead in the polls, a political analyst told CNN Philippines on Monday.

The strategy of the frontrunning candidate Bongbong Marcos of being a choosy participant might backfire eventually, because in this day and age of social media, anyone can watch whether you are absent or present, analyst Julio Teehankee told CNN Philippines The Final Word. And those who live in social media, may perish on social media.

He cited the Social Weather Stations exit polls in 2016 which found that 72.7% of voters were influenced by the debates in making their choice.

Teehankee also mentioned that in 2004, Fernando Poe, Jr. sat out of debates and later lost to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

However, history also tells that it can go both ways: Skipping debates may also benefit the candidate.

Teehankee cited Joseph Estradas case, where he won the presidency in 1998 despite attending only two debates during his campaign.

It is a risky strategy for Marcos at this time especially when the main goal of the other candidates is to bring his numbers down, he said.

Marcos and running mate Sara Duterte are still the leading candidates in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

The tandem has recently rejected an invitation to join CNN Philippines presidential and vice presidential debates that will be held later this month.

A mockery of the process

Vice presidential candidate Rizalito David also slammed Marcos and Dutertes non-participation in the upcoming CNN Philippines debates.

During the Commission on Elections e-rally on Monday, David said the tandems decision borders on mockery of the entire process.

Kawalang respeto po yan eh, ang aking pagtingin, hindi lamang sa kanilang katunggali, maging sa mga mamamayan na dapat sana ay nalalaman kung ano ang kanilang plataporma, he said.

[Translation: Its a lack of respect, in my opinion, not only for their rivals in the elections, but also for the public who would have had the chance to learn about their platforms.]

Presidential candidate Leody de Guzman also believes that Marcos is avoiding public debates or forums as it would expose his hollow "unity" slogan.

"Pagkakaisa para saan, para kanino, at papaano? Kung hindi sasagutin ang mga tanong, mauuwi tayo sa simpleng 'nakaisa.' Pagkakaisa para walang kokontra sa pag-akyat niya sa pagkapangulo!" he said in a statement Monday.

[Translation: Unit for what, for whom, and how? If these questions are not answered, he would just have gotten one over us. Unity so no one will question him being elected as president!]
(CNN) -- President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a roughly hour-long call Sunday that the US would respond "swiftly and decisively" if Russia takes further steps toward invasion, according to a White House readout of the call.

The call came amid US warnings that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen as soon as this week.

"President Biden made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its Allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia's military build-up on Ukraine's borders," according to the White House readout.

A senior Ukrainian official said Zelensky renewed calls for Washington to provide greater military and financial support to Ukraine and asked for Biden to visit Ukraine as soon as possible. US officials said a trip by Biden to Ukraine is extremely unlikely.

The official, who had been briefed on the conversation, told CNN that Zelensky used the call to suggest what the official described as "concrete ideas to diminish the Russian threat to Ukraine" such as providing Ukraine greater military support, including more advanced weaponry.

Zelensky also emphasized to Biden the need for a significant financial package for Ukraine, according to the official. The official told CNN the Ukrainian leader stressed to his US counterpart that strong economic support would -- in the words of the official -- "show Putin that the West stands with Ukraine, and that the impact of Putin's escalation would bear no fruit."

According to the Ukrainian official, Zelensky asked Biden to visit Ukraine as soon as possible, but that there had been no positive response from Biden. US officials said a trip by Biden to Ukraine is extremely unlikely.

When reached for comment by CNN, a White House official noted security assistance to Ukraine is ongoing, highlighted shipments in recent weeks and said the administration is exploring "additional macroeconomic support to help Ukraine's economy" amid the Russian military buildup.

Biden and Zelensky last spoke in January and it "did not go well," a senior Ukrainian official told CNN at the time, amid disagreements over the "risk levels" of a Russian attack.

Their latest call Sunday came a day after Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin during a call that the US and its allies will respond "decisively and impose swift and severe costs" on Russia should Putin decide to invade Ukraine.

Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday issued a stark warning that the US believes Russia could launch an invasion of Ukraine this week, but is still holding out hope diplomacy can prevail. Sullivan told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" that Russian forces are in a place where an invasion could take place before the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which end on February 20.

The US has estimated that Russia has more than 100,000 troops near the Ukraine border, with thousands added just this week, according to an administration official. As of Saturday, the US had moved some of its forces out of Ukraine and ordered the evacuation of most of its embassy staff on Saturday as fears mount over a possible Russian invasion.

Sullivan said the US Embassy in Ukraine is "ready to complete the drawdown ... should that become necessary."

This story has been updated with additional information.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Biden tells Ukraine's Zelensky that US would respond 'swiftly and decisively' to any further Russian aggression"
(CNN)  Few debut hits have had the broad and lasting impact of "A Thousand Miles."

Just ask Terry Crews, who can thank it for his big break.

Vanessa Carlton's debut single  released 20 years ago on February 12, 2002  was an undeniable smash.

Now, after 1,000 and 20, here are a few more "By the Numbers" facts about the distinctive earworm, whose enduring trajectory somehow touches '60s pop, '70s rock, and "America's Got Talent."

One: Number of Previous Titles on Soundtracks to Reese Witherspoon Movies

Before its release as a single, "A Thousand Miles (Interlude)" was included in "Legally Blonde."

Five: Top Position on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Australia chart

The tune hit No. 1 on the Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts, and hit big around the world.

Three: Grammy Nominations

The tune had the misfortune of going up against Norah Jones and lost Record of the Year and Song of the Year to "Don't Know Why." It was also up for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).

Three: Times the Song Is Featured in the 'White Chicks' Movie

The 2004 comedy starred Shawn and Marlon Wayans, but it gave actor-host Crews the catalyst to stardom he needed. "How did you know? I love this song!" he says enthusiastically when one of the title characters mockingly plays it.

One: Rock Music Luminaries Who Officiated Carlton's Wedding

On December 27, 2013, Carlton was married -- by Stevie Nicks.

June 25, 2019: Date of Carlton's Broadway Debut

Despite never repeating the smash success of her first hit, Carlton continued to record -- and even made it the Great White Way as Carole King in the musical "Beautiful."

Three: Seconds in the Piano Intro

Rolling Stone calls it "arguably the most easily identifiable first three seconds to a song of the last two decades, and quite possibly the most instantaneously recognizable piano riff ever."

Unknown: Number of Possible Inspirations for the Song

Carlton says she wrote the tune for a now-famous movie actor, whose name or even gender she won't reveal.

This story was first published on CNN.com '20 years after 'A Thousand Miles,' the Vanessa Carlton hit has been played a bazillion times'
Press Release

February 14, 2022 Pangilinan files libel complaint vs Maharlika YT channel for false, destructive videos SENATOR Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Monday filed a complaint against those responsible for the creation and management of the YouTube channel Maharlika for the libelous videos it posted that violate the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10175). This follows the two separate cyber libel complaints Pangilinan filed July 2021 against YouTube channels "Latest Chika" and "Starlet" for similar false videos, which the popular online platform has since taken down. In filing the complaint at the Department of Justice, Pangilinan said that after its inaction to his numerous requests to take down the libelous video content, tech giant Google, which owns YouTube, must explain how these videos do not violate its community standards. "We also urge corporations placing ads on these and similar YouTube channels to stop enabling these sites that peddle lies and disinformation," Pangilinan said. Pangilinan said his wife Sharon and daughter Frankie also intend to sue Maharlika. In his complaint, Pangilinan said: "The contents of the videos are all false, have no factual basis and are intended to destroy or damage my reputation as a senator, public servant, and a husband to one of the most beloved celebrities in the Philippines, Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan." "More importantly, the libelous videos are meant to destroy the family. The libelous videos are not only intended to damage my relationship with my wife but also meant to destroy my relationship with our children," he said. Pangilinan said the persons behind the channel "acted in reckless disregard as to the truth or falsity of the statements in the video." On May 21, 2021, the Maharlika YouTube channel started posting a series of videos attacking Pangilinan. Earlier this year, on January 12, over 80 fact-checking organizations around the world admonished YouTube for its failure to effectively address online disinformation and misinformation. In a signed open letter addressed to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, they called for more effective action to end the spread of disinformation. YouTube has been the platform of choice for political disinformation and misinformation of populist dictators, including the family of the late Ferdinand Marcos, distorting among others historical facts about their ill-gotten wealth. Rappler, which is among the 80 fact-checking organizations, says "it is imperative that YouTube introduces policies on labeling false information on their platform as this could affect the Philippines' presidential elections in 2022."
Like rainfall in the middle of a sunny day, love can be unpredictable. Even moreso, perhaps, for government workers at a weather forecasting agency  not much room for romance when everyone is busy calculating ever-changing weather patterns.

But in the new Netflix drama Forecasting Love and Weather, director Cha Young Hun (When the Camellia Blooms, which won the Daesang in the 2020 BaekSang Arts Awards) posits the question: What if two people fell in love in the unlikeliest of places? The series revolves around the employees of the Korean Meteorological Agency (KMA), as they navigate the unpredictable weather in South Korea.

The two protagonists Ha-kyung and Si-woo are played by Park Min Young and Song Kang respectively. Its a star-studded pairing: Song is informally known as the son of Netflix, having played starring roles in a number of dramas on the streaming platform, including Sweet Home and Love Alarm. Park is considered an ace in the rom com genre; director Cha says that her experience has made her feedback even more valuable while they were filming Forecasting.

"Forecasting Love and Weather" revolves around the employees of the Korean Meteorological Agency (KMA), as they navigate the unpredictable weather in South Korea. Photo courtesy of NETFLIX

During the press conference last Feb. 11, Cha and Song agreed that they both looked up to Parks advice on how to attack each scene. Min Young is the rom-com queen, director Cha said. Si Woo (Song Kang) and I were really learning from her. Song goes on to say that Park would often give advice on how to create an impactful scene for certain episodes, as she knew that audiences would be expecting certain romance tropes to turn up throughout the series.

I find that with my experience, its part of my job to make contributions, Park explained. She added that the characters she played in previous workplace dramas had strong feminine auras, which she wanted to change for Forecasting, because her character Ha Kyung is a normal looking, ordinary girl-next-door character.

I thought it [would be] a bad decision I made later on, Park admitted, explaining the challenges of the role, given the unfamiliar terminology used in the field of weather forecasting. Unlike medical or legal dramas, the actress said that this is something new for me.

Forecasting, however, is the drama actress third workplace drama, which many have tuned in to watch  perhaps nostalgic for the days when office work/drama/romance were likely to happen. In anticipation for the premiere on Netflix this Feb. 12, we list down some of Park Min Youngs beloved workplace heroines, each one more charming and emotionally unavailable than the next, and the ideal weather to watch them in.

Cloudy with a chance of wind, Whats Wrong with Secretary Kim

For the sake of feminism, we can all finally admit that what makes this Park Seo Joon-forward drama the best of its genre is actually the titular Secretary Kim, played by Park Min Young. In Whats Wrong, a perfectionist CEO realizes that he needs his uber-efficient secretary for more than her shorthand skills, but shes much too aware of his flaws to even give him a chance.

Best to watch in cooler weather, just because itll make you want to wear pencil skirts like Secretary Kim  and we all know those can make anyones sweaty thighs chafe.

Warm and sunny all day, Her Private Life

Perhaps any BTS-loving tita can relate to Deok Mi (Park Min Young), a talented art museum curator who has a secret double life as a fan site manager for a K-pop idol. Real life and idol stanning intersect when she meets Ryan Gold (Kim Jae Wook, Coffee Prince), the new art director at the gallery she works at.

As unlikely as this story can be, Her Private Life has a great mix of realistic drama and over the top ridiculousness. With wonderful characters such as Deok Mis stepbrother Nam Eun Gi (Ahn Bo Hyun, Descendants of the Sun) and Kim Sun Young (Crash Landing on You), this is the kind of drama thatll go well with fair weather.

Its raining and pouring, Forecasting Love and Weather

In Forecasting Love and Weather, Park Min Young plays her most somber rom com heroine yet as Jin Ha Kyung, the career-focused general forecaster at the KMA. Shes paired against the younger Lee Si Woo (Song Kang), and when sparks fly between the two, things get problematic on the office front.

The production notes for the show describe Ha Kyung [experiencing] a breath of fresh air filling her once frozen heart as she and Si Woo get to know each other more. No word yet what the weather will bring this Valentines, but if youre feeling a little chilly and lonely, perhaps this is the drama that will warm your own frozen heart.

***

Forecasting Love and Weather premieres on Netflix Feb. 12.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  Vice President Leni Robredo's campaign team apologized after the Quezon City government raised violations at the Pink Sunday Grand Rally attended by thousands of supporters.

"We acknowledge the concerns of the Quezon City Government, extend our thanks for its vigilance, and take full responsibility," said Robredo's spokesperson Barry Gutierrez in a statement.

The Robredo camp said more than 20,000 people flocked to the Quezon City Memorial Circle beginning early morning to join the rally and to show support for Robredo and running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan's election campaign.

"While the organizers ensured that access to the immediate vicinity of the program proper was limited, and that all attendees were advised to bring vaccination cards and observe health protocols, the sheer number of people that arrived was a challenge, for which we apologize," Gutierrez said.

The local government said the size of the crowd surpassed the limits provided in the event's permits. Robredo earlier said her team only expected 5,000 people to attend.

"Unfortunately, today's 'Pink Sunday' event organized by supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan resulted in a spillover crowd that violated several restrictions that were mutually agreed upon," the local government said in a statement.

"We hope that in the future, all coordinators will take this responsibility more seriously," it added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  Metro Manila will remain under Alert Level 2 until the end of February, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles announced Monday.

The National Capital Region has been under Alert Level 2 since the start of February as its number of COVID-19 cases continues to dwindle. The region's 17 mayors unanimously recommended to keep Metro Manila's status for the rest of the month.

The Department of Health currently classifies Metro Manila as under moderate risk, a far cry from its critical risk status in early January.

More establishments are allowed to operate at higher capacities under this alert level, ranging from 50-70% depending on whether these are operating indoors or outdoors.

Face-to-face classes are also gradually being resumed and expanded in areas under Alert Level 2 as ordered by the Department of Education.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force also retained the Alert Level 3 status of several areas until the end of the month:

- Iloilo City

- Iloilo Province

- Guimaras

- Zamboanga City

- Davao de Oro

- Davao Occidental

- South Cotabato

All other areas will be under Alert Level 2 until Feb. 28.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  Metro Manila mayors have recommended the extension of Alert Level 2 over the National Capital Region until Feb. 28 as the government is set to announce new classifications.

Metro Manila Council Chair and Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez on Monday said the local chief executives have signed the resolution to retain the current restrictions despite the improving COVID-19 situation in NCR.

"Hindi po tayo totally dapat totally magbukas immediately. Dahan-dahan. Ang tingin ng mga mayor, i-sustain muna ang alert level 2 until the end of the month," he said in a media briefing.

[Translation: We should not open immediately. We want to take it slow. Mayors think we should sustain the Alert Level 2 until the end of the month.]

The Inter-Agency Task Force considers the recommendation of the mayors, alongside other metrics.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the region's average daily attack rate or ADAR, which is currently at 11 or moderate risk, has not yet reached the level needed to ease to Alert Level 1 or "new normal."

"Hanggang hindi bumababa ang ADAR sa 7 and below  iyon ang threshold  hindi tayo makakapag deescalate to Alert Level 1," he said.

[Translation: Until the ADAR isn't at 7 or below, we cannot deescalate to Alert Level 1.]

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr, who agreed that the de-escalation should be done gradually, said the IATF will meet on Monday night to discuss the next alert level classification.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  A former chief of the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Monday raised some lapses in the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to junk the disqualification cases against presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Monday, former BIR chief Atty. Kim Henares refuted a portion of the Comelec resolution which noted that perpetual disqualification due to non-filing of income tax returns was not provided for under the original National Internal Revenue Code  a basis for dismissing the consolidated petitions.

"Ang 1977 Tax Code ay marami hong amendment. Isa ho dito ay yung amendment ng [Presidential Decree] 1994...Hindi ho eksaktong tama yung pagkasabi na 'yan kasi 'pag sinabing 1977 Tax Code kasama lahat ng batas na nag-amyenda sa kanya," Henares said.

[Translation: The 1977 Tax Code contains a lot of amendments. One of these is the amendment of PD 1994....What they said is not exactly correct because when you say 1977 Tax Code, all the amended provisions are included there.]

Henares referred to PD 1994 as an amendment to Tax Code, which imposes the penalty of perpetual disqualification for non-filing of income tax returns effective January 1, 1986.

Marcos was previously convicted for failing to file his ITRs from 1982 to 1985 when he was governor and vice governor of Ilocos Norte. But Comelec reasoned that failure to file tax returns "is not inherently wrong in the absence of a law punishing it."

Henares maintained that Marcos still violated the provision, especially for failing to file his taxable year 1985 in the succeeding year.

"Dahil may requirement ka magfile noong April 15, 1986 na hindi mo ginawa, pasok ka ngayon dito sa amendment na ito kasi government official ka pa naman nun, hindi ka pa pinapalitan, deadline ho yan," Henares said. "Meron na hong Supreme Court decision na nagsasabing kung may crime na na-convict, maski hindi nakasulat sa judgment mo, automatic kasama yan accessory penalties."

[Translation: Because you were required to file your tax return on April 15, 1986 and you failed to do so, you are covered by this amendment because you were a government official and no one succeeded you at the time, that was the deadline. A Supreme Court decision also said that once you were convicted of such crime, whether or not it's written in your judgment, it automatically falls under accessory penalties.]

"Ang patakaran sa Pilipinas, ang desisyon ho ng (In the Philippines, the decision of the) Supreme Court takes precedence and forms part of the law of the land," Henares maintained.

Henares noted that the respondent must have been able to settle his deficiency taxes and fines in the same court that imposed the penalties against him.

She said despite Marcos' unique case and despite him being a prominent figure, he was still convicted. Government officials must ensure that they settle their tax liabilities, which could potentially get in their way of running for public office, she added.

"Going forward, I would think it is very clear because now we are discussing it," she said.

"Dati hindi alam ng tao na may perpetual disqualification so dapat mas maging maingat sila, dapat nagfafile sila ng income tax, hindi sila nagvaviolate ng Tax Code. Kasi 'pag naconvict hindi na pwedeng tumakbo," Henares added.

[Translation: Before people did not know of this perpetual disqualification so they should be more wary, file their income ntaxes, do not violate the Tax Code. Because once they are convicted, they are barred from running.]

In another interview, tax expert and certified public accountant Mon Abrea also cited the 1986 provision that requires Marcos to settle his tax obligation in the previous year. The division needs to clarify its decision since "there is a law that punishes it," and "the conviction was upheld together with the fine" in the Court of Appeals, he noted.

"We are talking about the morale of our taxpayers. Even if it does not qualify as moral turpitude, according to the decision, the one convicted will lose his moral ascendancy to ask all of us taxpayers to file and pay our taxes because you didn't file and you were convicted," Abrea pointed out.

The expert, however, reminded the public that the issue has nothing to do with their tax obligations since the poll body only covers the candidates, and it does not change the tax code.

The petitioners challenging Marcos' bid previously said they will appeal the case before the Comelec en banc and called on the public to fight the "massive electoral swindle" which would allow another Marcos to retake Malacanang.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  The countrys COVID-19 risk case classification has been downgraded from moderate to low amid the decline in new infections, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reported on Monday.

During a televised Cabinet meeting, Duque said the country is now deemed at "low risk," along with 13 out of 17 regions nationwide, including Metro Manila.

He said the reclassification was made after the nation logged a -74% growth rate in cases from Feb. 1 to 14 compared to Jan. 18 to 31.

Duque added that the average daily attack rate, or the number of infected people per 100,000 population, fell to 5.26 in the last two weeks, from the 20.6 recorded during the Jan. 18 to 31 period.

According to the Department of Health, only four regions are at "moderate risk." These are the Davao region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Western Visayas, and Soccsksargen.

In terms of healthcare utilization rates, which include bed occupancy, and use of mechanical ventilation and intensive care units, Duque said the country and most of its regions are also now at low risk. This means utilization rates are at less than 50%.

Only the Davao region's ICU occupancy remains at moderate risk at 63.9%.

"Ang sinasabi po nito [This shows] we are able to manage our cases, and our health systems capacity is very much prepared for any eventuality, na kung magkaroon na naman saka-sakali ng pagtaas, makikita po natin ang laki po ng ating excess [and that in case of another rise in infections, we have a lot of excess available facilities], Duque said.

Official figures showed the country currently has 76,609 active cases, or 2.1% of the 3.63 million infections tallied since the start of the pandemic. The death toll has reached 55,094, while recoveries are at over 3.5 million.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  A Senate arrest order against congressional bet Rose Nono Lin who was linked to embattled government supplier Pharmally Pharmaceutical, was suspended for 10 days, a lawmaker said on Monday.

In a statement, Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Richard Gordon said the panel granted Lins request for deferment for humanitarian reasons. Her camp said she is in the hospital for a surgical procedure but did not mention details. During the committee hearing on Jan. 27, Lin asked to be excused as she had COVID-19 and gastrointestinal illness.

On Friday, Lin's counsel also asked the Pasay City Regional Trial Court to issue a stay order and injunction against the warrant of arrest issued by the Senate, Gordon said.

If Rose Nono Lin is indeed ill and needs to have surgery in a hospital, we are not heartless people to not allow such a required procedure to be performed on her, he said.

It must also be emphasized that Rose Nono Lin is not exempt from appearing in the continuing investigation nor will her supposed illness exempt her from justice, he added.

On Jan. 27, Lin skipped the Senate investigation on the Pharmally controversy for the second time. While she sent a medical certificate, the Blue Ribbon Committee still approved a motion to seek her arrest as Gordon pointed out that she also missed the previous hearing citing a typhoon in her area. He said her absences were "quite extraordinary."

Lin is running for representative in Quezon City's 5th District. She is the wife of Lin Weixiong, identified as the financial manager of Pharmally who never showed up in any hearing.

Rose Nono Lins husband remains outside of the country despite her being supposedly ill with COVID-19 and other maladies," Gordon said. "It tells us that his evasion of Senate summons is more important than providing succor to his spouse."

The Lins are also business associates of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, the Chinese businessman alleged to be the backer of Pharmally. The small company was questioned for bagging billions of pesos worth of government supply contracts with no track record and insufficient capital.

On Jan. 29, Senate security personnel tried to arrest Lin but her lawyer said she was under quarantine, but did not disclose the location. Four other Pharmally-linked people could not be found in their known addresses.

In a partial report signed by eight out of 20 members so far, the Blue Ribbon Committee recommended the deportation and prosecution of Yang and Lin Weixiong over the corruption scandal. It also sought criminal and administrative charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, former Procurement Service head Lloyd Christopher Lao, and Pharmally executives, among others. The report also stated that President Rodrigo Duterte must face charges after his term of office in June.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  At least four presidential candidates have rejected the invitation to join debates moderated by the media network owned by embattled televangelist Apollo Quiboloy for a number of reasons, while ex-senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. confirmed his attendance.

Senator Manny Pacquiao, a professed born-again believer, on Monday said he cannot participate in the event hosted by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) because Quiboloy is wanted in the United States for child sex trafficking.

"I cannot, in good conscience, be part of any activity organized by a man wanted for detestable crimes and who unconscionably used the name of the Lord in vain for religious scams," he said in a statement.

US prosecutors in November 2021 announced sex-trafficking charges against Quiboloy, alleging he coerced girls and young women to have sex with him as the founder of a religious group called Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name. He is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

RELATED: Quiboloy on FBI's most wanted list

The senator added he has a pending cyber libel complaint against Quiboloy so it would be best to skip the event.

Senator Ping Lacson said he and his running mate Senate President Tito Sotto are declining the invitation from SMNI since Quiboloy already openly endorsed their opponents Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as vice president.

"With all due respect and giving regard to common sense, SP Tito Sotto and I are skipping the SMNI debates," he tweeted.

The camps of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice President Leni Robredo said they cannot attend due to conflict of schedule. Moreno is scheduled to go around Samar provinces, while Robredo is meeting with her supporters in Panay Island.

"She will be unable to attend this privately sponsored event, but will definitely be present for all the upcoming COMELEC sponsored and accredited debates," Robredo's spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said.

Marcos will attend the SMNI debates on Tuesday, his camp has confirmed despite previous statements the candidate will decline attending forums and debates.

Labor leader Leody de Guzman is also attending. SMNI did not disclose the candidates it invited.
Press Release

February 14, 2022 Zubiri: Stop Importing Agricultural Products Now Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri is taking firm a stand against agricultural importation, calling for the Department of Agriculture to cease importation during harvest season for local farmers. This call comes after two straight weeks of plummeting millgate prices for raw sugar, in anticipation of the impending sugar importation as announced by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA). "First it was rice and corn, then pork, beef, chicken, and fish. Now it's sugar. If we don't put a stop to this ill-timed importation program, our local sugar prices will be in freefall for the coming weeks," Zubiri said. "We cannot allow this to happen. Our sugar farmers will be suffering next sugar crop year, with high production costs and lower productivity." In Negros Occidental alone, millgate prices of several sugar mills have dropped significantly over two bidding weeks: Victorias Milling Company dropped by P240 for every 50-kilogram bag of raw sugar, SONEDCO by P213, Hawaiian Philippines and First Farmers by P136, and Central Azucarera de La Carlota by P188. In the neighboring island of Iloilo, URC Passi dropped by P223 and millers in Bukidnon by about P100. The Department of Agriculture and the SRA have greenlighted a sugar importation program through Sugar Order No. 3, aiming to stabilize prices and supply deficits in the wake of Typhoon Odette. "Our sugar farmers have been asking for help in dealing with skyrocketing fertilizer and diesel prices since last year, and they have not heard of any interventions from the DA and the SRA. Urea now sells for around P2,400 from just P800 eighteen months ago. Diesel prices have doubled from P27 over the same timeframe. "Now that sugar prices are up because of rising farm input costs, the DA and SRA are coming out with an importation program to stabilize prices. It is ironic that importation is their answer to our farmers' pleas to mitigate skyrocketing fertilizer prices. This will only sink our farmers toward in more hardships and saddle them with more debts. "The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital importance of our agricultural sector. They have provided us food amid our strictest lockdowns. And yet strangely, the DA continues with its pro-import policies, to the detriment of our own farmers. "I will ask the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture to conduct a hearing on this matter, as the DA officials committed during the last budget deliberations and in open session that they will not import sugar during the harvest and milling season," Zubiri said. "We should make it a policy that there be no importation program while harvest season is ongoing. That goes for sugar and all agricultural products. Food security should be our battle cry, not import dependency."
NEW YORK (AP)  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and a few team owners and executives met Thursday with civil rights leaders, who urged the league to make drastic changes to its hiring practices to improve diversity in leadership positions.
The large brick home on the property was formerly a toll stop and tavern located on Route 11, a main route for travelers, according to the website.
Taxes are complex, and for small-business owners, freelancers and people with side gigs, they're even more complex  especially now, as filers reckon with the tax effects of small-business relief programs and rule changes.

But those new twists and turns can create some tax-saving opportunities, according to three tax pros. Here are seven things they say entrepreneurs and independent workers can do to lower their tax bills and their anxiety this filing season and in the year ahead.

1. DON'T SWEAT THAT PPP MONEY

If your business received a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, and you qualified for forgiveness, the IRS generally doesn't consider the money part of your gross income. In addition, on your federal tax return, it's usually OK to deduct the business expenses that you paid with the loan money.

"The IRS has been clear," says Meredith Tucker, who leads the Entrepreneurial Services Group at accounting firm Kaufman Rossin in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

State-level tax rules may have a different stance on PPP taxability, however, so be sure to consult with a qualified tax pro.

2. EAT UP

For 2021 and 2022, the business meals deduction is up from 50% to 100% if the food and beverages are from a restaurant. "That can include takeout and delivery. It doesn't have to be eaten on the premises," says Mark Luscombe, who is a federal tax analyst for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting.

But make sure you're getting your business meals from a restaurant. "You can't get a deli tray from a grocery store and have it qualify," he says.

3. WATCH THAT ODOMETER

If you're self-employed, you can get a tax deduction for every mile you drive for business purposes. In 2021, the rate was 56 cents per mile, and in 2022, the rate rose to 58.5 cents per mile. That means a 20-mile trip to meet a client might score a deduction of about $12 this tax year.

But don't guess here; the IRS may ask you to substantiate your mileage. "The important thing, especially if you don't have an exclusive vehicle used just for businesses, is to keep a log," Luscombe says.

4. CAPITALIZE ON SPECIAL RETIREMENT OPTIONS

There are special tax breaks for retirement savings if you work for yourself. Solo 401(k)s, also called one-participant 401(k)s, are one example of IRS-blessed retirement accounts designed for self-employed people. They mimic many of the features of an employer-sponsored 401(k), including being able to sock money away pretax.

SEP IRAs are another option, and you have more time to contribute  especially if you get a tax extension, Tucker says. "You can take the deduction on your 2021 taxes and not actually have to fund the retirement account until the extended due date of the return, which could be in September, October," she says.

5. LOOK AT WHAT'S SITTING IN YOUR HOME OFFICE

The home office deduction is a popular way to get a tax break on rent, utilities and other house-related expenses, but a home office can produce other tax breaks, too. If you commandeered an old table, computer or chair in 2021 for your home office and you haven't already claimed it as a business expense, you may be able to deduct its current market value, says Sean DiMercurio, a certified public accountant at DiMercurio Advisors in Orlando, Florida.

For example, if you bought a laptop for $3,000 two years ago and now it's worth $1,250, you may be able to claim a $1,250 deduction if you started using that laptop for your business this year, he says. "This is something that is often missed by this group of taxpayers and is completely allowed," DiMercurio says. Be sure you have the receipts or proof of the original purchase, he says.

6. GET READY NOW FOR NEW PAPERWORK IN 2022

Self-employed people already get a Form 1099-NEC from clients who pay them at least $600 a year, but if those clients are using Venmo, PayPal or similar payment platform to send the money, another tax form may start showing up for 2022.

"They're going to get a 1099-NEC from the person they did independent contractor work for, and then from the payment processor  if it was paid by credit card or some electronic means  they're also going to get a 1099-K for the same transaction," Luscombe says.

That means small-business owners will need to be extra organized in 2022. "It's going to be a lot more paper and sorting out  making sure you're not double-reporting income, too," he says.

7. BE SERIOUS ABOUT BOOKKEEPING

"If you're eating, sleeping, drinking or thinking about your business, chances are what you're doing is tax-deductible," DiMercurio says. Even a few cups of coffee can be tax-deductible under the right circumstances, and it can add up to big money in tax savings, he says.

But be sure to keep receipts and use accounting software so you have good records. Also, don't stretch the truth. Tax evasion is a felony. "If you can't make the argument for a deduction or a credit without laughing  chances are it's not really a good one," Tucker says.

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By the thousands, Americans have been seeking religious exemptions in order to circumvent COVID-19 vaccine mandates, but generally they are doing so without the encouragement of major denominations and prominent religious leaders.

From the Vatican, Pope Francis has defended the vaccines as "the most reasonable solution to the pandemic." The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America declared categorically that its followers would not be offered religious exemptions. Robert Jeffress, the conservative pastor of a Baptist megachurch in Dallas, voiced similar sentiments.

"Since there is no credible biblical argument against vaccines, we have refused to offer exemptions to the handful of people who have requested them," Jeffress told the Associated Press via email. "People may have strong medical or political objections to government-mandated vaccines, but just because those objections are strongly felt does not elevate them to a religious belief that should be accommodated."

Rabbi Sholom Lipskar of the Shul of Bal Harbour, an Orthodox synagogue in Surfside, Florida, says he tells congregation members that vaccination should be a matter of free choice.

"But I always recommend that they get a medical opinion from a competent professional," he said. "In a serious matter, they should get two concurring medical opinions."

Within the U.S. Catholic Church, there are divisions, even though Pope Francis has been clear in his support for vaccinations. While some bishops have forbidden their priests from assisting in seeking exemptions, other bishops and priests have provided template letters for people claiming conscientious objections from the vaccines on Catholic grounds.

"We have had many requests and have helped quite a number process their letter/request," the Rev. Bob Stec of St. Ambrose Catholic Parish in Brunswick, Ohio, said via email.

"Vaccination is not a universal obligation and a person must obey the judgment of his or her own informed and certain God-given conscience," says one of the letters provided by Stec. "If a Catholic comes to an informed and sure judgment in conscience that he or she should not receive a vaccine, then the Catholic Church acknowledges that the person  has the right to refuse the vaccine."

It's different in New Jersey's Archdiocese of Newark, which has advised its priests not to support religious exemptions for their parishioners.

"I have been asked about six times and have declined," said the Rev. Alexander Santora, pastor of Our Lady of Grace & St. Joseph Parish in Hoboken.

Candice Buchbinder, a spokesperson for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said the denomination is studying the question of religious exemptions. She said previous ELCA documents opposed broad religious exemptions and viewed medicine as "a gift of God for the good of the community."

Even before the pandemic, the Episcopal Church's Executive Council made clear its stance, adopting a resolution in June 2019 calling for stronger government vaccination mandates.

"The Executive Council recognizes no claim of theological or religious exemption from vaccination for our members," the resolution said.

However, someone from a denomination that encourages vaccines can still seek an exemption based on individual conscience, said Bruce Ledewitz, a law professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Ledewitz said he would advise a client wanting a religious exemption to say simply, "I have prayed about this, and I have come to the conclusion that God does not want me to take this vaccine."

Employers have adopted widely varying approaches to such arguments, some granting many exemptions while others, including the U.S. military services, granting very few.

While reasons for seeking religious exemptions vary, many Christians have cited the COVID-19 vaccines' remote connection to past abortions. Laboratory-grown cell lines descended from fetuses that were aborted decades ago were used to test the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and to grow viruses used to manufacture the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. None of those vaccines contain fetal cells.

The Vatican has stated that receiving these COVID-19 vaccines is morally acceptable. While it opposes abortion-related research, it said any vaccine recipient is not culpable for involvement in it, given how remote they are from the abortions involved.

While the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has echoed the Vatican teaching, several bishops have assisted people seeking religious exemptions. So has the National Catholic Bioethics Center, a think tank with prominent bishops on its board.

The center's template letter says individual Catholics may interpret church teachings to conclude that it's wrong for them to accept any medical product with a connection to abortion.

The Rev. Tad Pacholczyk, ethicist and director of education at the center, noted that the Vatican specifies that vaccines "must be voluntary."

The church "strongly encourages the safeguarding of conscience rights" he said in a statement, criticizing a "one size fits all" approach to employer mandates.

"Such decisions properly belong in the hands of the individual patient, who can assess his or her on-the-ground situation more meaningfully than any federal agency, politician or employer," he said. "Conscience exemptions to vaccine mandates need to be liberally available not only to Catholics but to all individuals."

The claiming of religious exemptions frustrates some who suspect there are nonreligious motivations.

"There is no distinctively Catholic objection to receiving any of the COVID-19 vaccines available," said Michael Deem, assistant professor of bioethics and human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh.

He said the Vatican has provided detailed moral guidance on the vaccines' acceptability  considering such things as the lack of alternative vaccines and the benefits of corralling a deadly pandemic.

The relatively low vaccination rate among white evangelicals frustrates Curtis Chang, a theologian whose Redeeming Babel organization launched a Christians and the Vaccine project with evangelical and health care groups, promoting the COVID-19 vaccines on biblical principles.

Seeking religious exemptions for many "is a hijacking of religion to justify political or cultural stances, and that's very dangerous," Chang said. "There is no genuine religious reason for seeking an exemption, especially from employer mandates."

He knows of pastors who favor vaccines but are pressured by congregants to give them letters justifying their vaccine refusal on religious grounds. "I'm encouraging pastors not to give in to that."

The move for such exemptions is "a danger ultimately to the long-term cause of religious liberty," he said, because employers and courts may discount the sincerity of employees when they face genuine situations where their faith needs to be accommodated.

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Antha Kennedy knows first-hand the importance of taking care of your heart. The 75-year-old Park Hills resident survived an aortic aneurysm in 2018.

Thanks to the help of her cardiologist at St. Lukes Hospital, her surgeon and nurses at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, and her support team at Parkland Health Centers Huckstep Heart and Lung Center, Kennedy has made a miraculous recovery.

I'm amazed every day, she said, every day.

February is American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, one in three women will die from heart disease and stroke  making it more deadly than all cancers combined.

In early 2018, Kennedy started to notice that she couldnt catch her breath. But she just thought it was because of her weight and being inactive.

But then one night, I woke up from a deep sleep and couldn't catch my breath, she explained. And I thought that's not being lazy.

So she called her cardiologist, Dr. Clark McKenzie with St. Lukes in St. Louis, who had been seeing for a carotid artery.

Dr. McKenzie sent her to get an echocardiogram at the Heart Health Center in Farmington.

I finished about 11:30, she said. I got home close to 12 o'clock. He called at 12:30. And he said, Get up here. You had a heart attack and it's a bad one.

Kennedy never had any chest pains, just the shortness of breath.

According to the American Heart Association, shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort is a common heart attack symptom for women.

Although she hasnt had cigarette since 2013, she smoked for 55 years, which she said put her at a higher risk for a heart attack.

Her cardiologist sent her to cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Michael Mauney at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis for further testing. On Feb. 22 of 2018, she underwent surgery for her aortic aneurysm. She had to have two stints.

Between Feb. 22 and April 17, Kennedy spent 27 days in the hospital after developing an infection.

The hospital was wonderful, she said. The nurses on the surgery floor were absolutely amazing.

In June, Dr. McKenzie told her he wanted her to go to Huckstep at Parkland for cardiac rehab.

I told him, I said, Dr. McKenzie, I feel really good, she explained. I would really rather not. And he said, Well, I really would rather you did. So I did. He gave me a script for three months. And that was four years ago. I just kept going back.

According to Parkland Health Center, the Huckstep Heart and Lung Center offers medically supervised programs for clients with heart disease or breathing disorders. The programs help prevent the clients from losing function while at the same time helping them to remain in control of their lives.

Kennedy loves her support team at Huckstep: nurse Amy Reed, certified respiratory therapist Belinda Drennen, exercise physiologist Derek Smallen, and respiratory care supervisor Stephanie Privett. She said they are so helpful and friendly.

They're just, they're amazing over there, she added. They are so knowledgeable. And when I told him I had had an aortic aneurysm, they just, they were stunned that I was walking around.

She credits the Huckstep team with helping her maintain her heart health since her surgery.

Two to three days a week, Kennedy walks on the treadmill or uses the NuStep cross trainer.

After her first echocardiogram after starting Huckstep, Dr. Mckenzie told her to tell them that her ejection fraction was 45%.

They were just ecstatic, she explained. And I thought, OK, whatever. Because I didn't know what it was. But it's the pressure that your heart has. And when I went for surgery, it was 25.

According to the Mayo Clinic, ejection fraction is a measurement of the percentage of blood leaving your heart each time it squeezes (contracts). A normal ejection fraction is about 50% to 75%, the American Heart Association says.

Kennedys doctor has also been able to cut the dosage for her diabetes medication in half since she started at the rehab center.

I feel like I'm doing amazing, she said. I'm not exactly sure. I've never been 75 years old before. But I'm pretty sure that I'm a fair 75-year-old.

She also has some advice for others who might have concerns about their heart health.

Go to a doctor, have get it all checked out, she said.

Recently, Parkland Health Center opened its new Cardiac Cath Lab to provide more heart health services for the Parkland area. According to the health center, the lab uses advanced technology to diagnose and treat a range of heart conditions.

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After the conservative caucus once again hijacked proceedings in the Missouri Senate Wednesday afternoon over the states redistricting plan, a bipartisan group of women senators denounced what they called the purely political way the debate has played out so far.

Sen. Elaine Gannon, R-De Soto, took to the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon and declared it was time for the 11 women of the Senate to step up to the plate and say what we want to say.

A succession of both Democratic and Republican women senators decried the intraparty fighting among the GOP and how members of the conservative caucus have cast fellow Republicans who dont support a 7-1 map as aiding Democrats.

This last week, to me, has been the most self-serving kind of work that Ive ever seen,  said Sen. Karla Eslinger, R-Wasola.

Their sentiments were echoed by Gov. Mike Parsons spokeswoman Kelli Jones, who wrote on Twitter: Once again, its the Missouri Senates women who restore common sense. Its about time we stop tip-toeing around a few mens fragile egos.

The 11 women senators takeover of the debate Wednesday was yet another example of the bipartisan collaboration the group has tried to foster since last year after they came together to find a compromise to renew an essential tax on hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies, known as the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA).

The women, who call themselves The Eleven in reference to the largest number of women senators ever serving at one time, identified improving literacy rates as a key policy goal they hoped to accomplish. It was part of the basis that inspired a recently published childrens book they collaborated on that shares the stories of the 36 women who have ever served in the Senate.

Sen. Sandy Crawford, R-Buffalo, said versions of a 7-1 map have not been the focus of behind-the-scenes negotiations shes been party to, and that rather the focus has been on crafting a strong 6-2 map that would shore up Republican U.S. Rep Ann Wagners 2nd Congressional District.

Voting for a 7-1 map doesnt get you to heaven. Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior does, Crawford said, in response to a message she received telling her she would go to hell if she didnt support a 7-1 map.

Crawford said she voted against a 7-1 map offered Monday by Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, because it paired rural Pettis County with the second-most populous Jackson County, and that the map would balance on the back of the rural communities.

Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, R-Sikeston, rebuked the way members of the conservative caucus have assassinated the characters of fellow Republicans, by casting those who dont support a 7-1 map as passing a Nancy Pelosi map. She echoed concerns raised that a 7-1 map may eventually cede a seat to Democrats in later years.

Im not okay with eating steak today and every year after that eating Hamburger Helper, Thompson Rehder said.

Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, said that while she personally felt a 5-3 map more accurately represented the direction Missouri was going, that she believed common ground could still be found.

I believe in the women of the Senate to find a path forward, Arthur said, later adding: We need to finally put this to bed and to move onto other things that are going to have a more direct impact on the people that we represent.

The 31-hour filibuster ended just after midnight Wednesday, and hours later when the Senate reconvened at noon Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, was quick to throw a wrench in the proceedings. He began offering amendments to the Senate journal before the proposed Congressional maps could be formally brought up for debate.

Onder questioned whether Senate Republican leadership would be willing to employ a rarely used move against fellow GOP senators to cut off debate, and both Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden and Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz did not rule out the possibility.

Im not sure anything is off the table, Rowden said.

Last month, the Senate voted to raise the threshold from five signatures to 10 in order for a signed petition to call the previous question. If 18 senators agree to deploy the seldom-used move, then debate is cut off and a vote is immediately held on the underlying bill.

But as Onder decried the possible use of procedural moves to stymie debate, Schatz railed on the dozens of quorum calls that have been deployed over the course of the past three days that he said have interrupted negotiations.

Onder in particular has repeatedly issued quorum calls, which require a majority of senators, many at this point who are trying to catch up on sleep, to make an appearance on the Senate floor. If a quorum is not reached, then the Senate immediately adjourns.

Its complete and total ridiculous nonsense when were working to get a solution, Schatz said.

Sen. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, also said the House-passed maps were not acceptable to him, and argued his amendments a lot of them are basic points of compromise.

On Tuesday, an amendment offered by Roberts that would alter the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts and boost minority representation was withdrawn over a drafting error shortly after Rowdens proposal for a 6-2 map was tacked on by a vote of 22 to 5.

Onder ultimately held the floor for roughly three hours Wednesday, where he raised past fissures with Senate leadership and said dozens of proposed maps have been repeatedly shot down during discussion behind-the-scenes. Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican who is running for Congress, indicated that moving forward with the House-passed version was raised as the path forward after discussions fell apart.

As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, the proposed Congressional maps had still not been formally brought up on the floor to be discussed, as Eigel returned to hold the Senate floor and began reading aloud from The Conservative Heart by Arthur C. Brooks to kill time.

Less than two hours later, the Senate adjourned until Thursday morning.

This really isnt supposed to be a partisan process, said Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City and chair of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting. Its supposed to be a reflection of our state.

Rep. Dan Shaul, an Imperial Republican and chair of the House Special Committee on Redistricting, said his focus has been doing everything he can to ensure the Senate passes the Houses map.

I think at the end of the day they will realize it is a good map for the state of Missouri, a sustainable map for the state of Missouri, he said, and one they should consider voting for.

The Independents Rudi Keller contributed to this story.

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Republican Missouri state Sen. Mike Moon believes that covid-19 vaccinations, especially among children, should cease until the long-term effects are known. He points to the research of sources of covid misinformation like Americas Frontline Doctors and Dr. Robert Malone, a guest on Joe Rogans podcast. He himself is not vaccinated.

So, on Feb. 1, he and other senators tanked the nomination of Donald Kauerauf to become the states next health director. Kauerauf had held the office in an interim capacity since September and professed on the record that he was anti-abortion and anti-mandate for masks and vaccinations, all while being nominated by a Republican governor who is also anti-mandate. But it wasnt enough for Moon.

Missourians dont want to be ruled with an iron fist, Moon said.

Serving at the pleasure of elected leaders is becoming twisted and grotesque amid extreme politicization, said Brian Castrucci, CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, which advocates for public health. Governmental public health leaders are being chosen based on their political ideology rather than their scientific and leadership abilities, he added.

This is public health dying, he said. A dark age of politics has begun that is choking science.

Over half of states have rolled back public health powers during the pandemic, which experts say permanently weakens states abilities to protect their constituents health.

Both the fundamental legal authorities of public health, as well as the people who are practicing, are being threatened in ways weve never seen before, said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. He warned that even more legislative rollbacks would take place this year across the country, as well as court rulings limiting public health authorities.

This stripping of public health powers doesnt just mean that unpopular covid restrictions will end, he said. These curbs often cripple public healths ability to fight other scourges.

In Missouri, state legislators passed a law last summer limiting public health powers. A judicial ruling in November further chipped away at local health officials authority to issue covid restrictions, saying they were based on the unfettered opinion of an unelected official. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt  who is also running for Senate  is suing schools to eliminate mask mandates and in December created an email tip box where parents can send concerns, photos, and videos that involve mask wearing by students.

Kelley Vollmar, executive director of the health department in Jefferson County, in eastern Missouri, said these actions have severely weakened her public health powers. The state legislation, for example, requires her to get orders confirmed by the county board of health. But the orders must be reconfirmed after 30 days, and Vollmar has to spend $2,000 advertising them in her local paper.

You cannot rule by committee, Benjamin said. Thats like telling the chief of police that they cant make an arrest.

The November judicial ruling stripped Vollmar and other public health officials in the state of the ability to issue any orders involving infectious diseases. Those must now come from elected officials above them. That affects public health tools like contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine  not just for covid, but also for the other 134 communicable diseases shes tasked with protecting the public from.

The things they are stripping powers of are things normally happening in the background, she said.

Vollmar has seen a sharp increase in requests for vaccine exemptions for measles and other preventable infectious diseases  and fears what could come next.

It doesnt help that Missouri has underfunded public health for years  a 2020 KHN and AP investigation found public health spending per person was $50 a year in Missouri  one of the bottom 10 states in the nation.

That is part of a right-wing strategy, said Democratic state Sen. John Rizzo, minority floor leader. They actively go and break government, and then run their next campaign about how government is broken, he said.

All the while, the vaccination rate against covid in Missouri hovers around 55%, with outliers like Pulaski County in the Ozarks below 21%. But those who opposed Kauerauf took his statements that he wanted to increase vaccination levels as a sign that he may be pro-mandate, despite his protestations otherwise.

Kauerauf declined to comment for this article.

Republican Gov. Mike Parson was outraged that his nominee had been blocked. Ive been a conservative Republican my entire life and contrary to what some Senators believe, tarnishing a mans character by feeding misinformation, repeating lies, and disgracing 35 years of public health experience is not what it means to be conservative, he tweeted.

Finding a state health department leader to tackle all these issues now may be nearly impossible, said former Kansas City health department head Dr. Rex Archer, who left his Missouri-based post last summer after 23 years. Hed advise anyone who asked about the job not to buy a house in the state or move their family.

What qualified candidate would want to risk coming here and then not get confirmed because the party in power wont even support their governors nomination? he said.

Moons not worried. He believes the state will find an anti-abortion, anti-mandate candidate whose positions he can stomach. We dont want someone coming in who has been part of a state that had strict processes and procedures for this virus, bringing them with them, he told KHN, citing Kaueraufs prior public health experience in Illinois.

And he said he received roughly 1,000 emails encouraging his move to block the nomination, as well as support from dozens of protesters, including some from the Concerned Women for America of Missouri, which opposed Kaueraufs appointment.

Thats terrifying to Vollmar, who said that means Moon doesnt want a public health director  he wants a politician.

Our greatest chance for a better public health system in Missouri lies in the hands of the silent majority of our population that support science-based decisions, she said. I pray they find their voice before it is too late.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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A conservative Charlottesville radio talk show host has sued Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives alleging they denied him public records related to climate change hearings.

The lawsuit was filed recently on behalf of Rob Schilling, a local right-wing radio host, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In the suit, Schilling seeks a variety of documents related to a hearing held by the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight & Reform titled Fueling the Climate Crisis: Exposing Big Oils Disinformation Campaign to Prevent Climate Action.

Named as defendants are Pelosi, U.S. House Clerk Cheryl L. Johnson and Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House Catherine Szpindor. All are sued in their official capacity.

Citing information from news reports, Schilling argues that the committees investigation into the fossil fuel industrys climate disinformation campaign is not in furtherance of Congress duty.

Instead, Schilling argues that the hearing and related efforts to subpoena figures from large oil companies  Big Oil  effectively confesses to seeking a scapegoat for members of Congress who have failed to obtain popular support for legislative ambitions to fundamentally restructure society in the name of climate change.

In recent years, Schilling has published on his website various articles and opinion/editorials that are critical of local and national efforts to address and educate about climate change.

The public  including Mr. Schilling, in his role as an active citizen and journalist  has a great interest in seeing the record behind this weak rationalization to pursue political opponents and failure to even nominally ground a year-long investigation into private parties in a valid legislative purpose, the lawsuit reads.

In his lawsuit, Schilling argues that attempts to subpoena private entities is outside of Congress power and that the investigation was assisted by consultants who appear to have been provided to the committee for this purpose by private donors.

Recent and upcoming Congressional hearings are the latest in a series of public-private collaborations to deploy judicial or quasi-judicial functions of government against political opponents of the climate agenda, Schillings lawsuit claims. The suit claims the hearings are an effort to assist criminal probe or probes of political opponents of the climate policy agenda.

The consultants were hired without following the process set forth in the House rules, which includes a required proposal, approval of such proposal, and posting for public inspection of agreements reflecting the consultants provision of official functions, Schilling argues.

Despite Schilling having requested records which would document the approval of consultants, he claims the defendants have refused or otherwise failed to provide any such record.

Additionally Schilling claims that the House Committee on Administration, which the House Rules charge with maintaining records of such approvals and making such records available to the public, told him on Jan. 20 that it had no such records.

Schilling seeks information that might reveal malfeasance in the House of Representatives, the lawsuit reads. As a citizen Mr. Schilling is troubled by what he believes these records will reveal about private staffing of Congressional investigations, and as a journalist he is duty-bound to make the full record known to the American people.

In November and December, Schilling requested from the defendants a variety of documents, including email communication between congressional staff members, Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Rho Khanna and various other figures as well as video meeting recordings.

As of the date of this complaint, none of the defendants have produced the requested records to plaintiff or even acknowledged his requests, the lawsuit reads.

Schillings lawsuit argues that the defendants are in violation of their obligations under the common law right of access to public records.

Additionally, the lawsuit claims the communications are public records because they were created or received by an agency of the legislative branch for the purpose of recording official actions including hiring consultants.

The records should be available, the lawsuit argues, under the Common Law Right of Access, under the U.S. Constitution, and under the statutory provisions and House rules.

Schilling is requesting a declaration that the defendants refusal to release the requested public records is a violation of the common law right of access to public records. Additionally, Schilling requests the issuance of a mandamus or other mandatory injunction compelling defendants to carry out their non-discretionary duty to make all of the requested records available.

Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law, the lawsuit reads. Mandamus or an appropriate mandatory injunction is the appropriate remedy because the defendants are in possession of records to which [Schilling] is entitled as a citizen, a journalist, or both.

The defendants have yet to respond to the lawsuit and no hearings are currently scheduled.

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Back in school, when I thought I might want to do this sort of work for a living, naturally I started paying attention to the people who already did: how they went about their job, how they interviewed people, how they hunched over their typewriters at the end of a game punching up their stories.

I was a sportswriter in my dreams and in my first few years, which were a long time ago  the mention of typewriters proving my point.

I also noticed something else back then: Many of the reporters carried little mustard-colored, pint-sized notebooks that fit in their pockets. I thought they were the coolest things; I guess I had a very low bar for cool. The spirals were on the top, not the side like the notebooks I was familiar with, and you just flipped over the pages as you wrote. So functional. So handy. They also said Reporters Note Book right there on the front cover, which sort of announced who you were and what you did.

They were perfect.

Might sound silly  I mean, its a . notebook, for goodness sake  but when I started using them as a young reporter, I really felt like I had made it and that I belonged.

Its a tool of our craft, said Nic Garcia, politics editor for the Des Moines Register. Any reporter knows having your notebook in hand is an invitation to talk to anybody about anything.

Garcia held his first reporters notebook when he was in fourth grade and somehow convinced the editors at his hometown newspaper in Colorado to let him contribute to a monthly student supplement. Garcia, 36, loves those notebooks.

To paraphrase an old joke: Ive got notebooks older than Garcia, as Ive been using them for well over 40 years.

On those notepads, Ive scribbled the words of people who are famous and those youve never heard of, and jotted notes about all sorts of stories from all sorts of places: ballgames and boring meetings; strangers living rooms and helicopters; hospitals and prisons; the 1996 Olympic Games and a 2000 family cross-country vacation; a news conference in Havana and space shuttle launches and disasters  my notebook and I were on the ground at Kennedy Space Center when Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff in 1986.

Over the years, Ive filled thousands of these things.

I didnt always have a fancy credit card with a catchy slogan, but I never left home without my reporters notebook. (And a pen. Dont forget the pen, which Ive done on occasion.)

I spoke with Garcia the other day because, besides being an editor, he has a new side gig: producing and selling reporters notebooks.

The reason? His longtime supplier (and friend) in Richmond is no longer with us, so Garcias filling a need and paying homage to Tom Edwards all at once. Or, as he put it, I want every reporter to have the same feeling I got when I got Toms notebook.

Edwards was the owner of Stationers Inc., a long-established Richmond office supply store started in 1945 by his father, Landon B. Edwards Jr., who developed its Reporters Note Book soon after opening. The shop became known nationwide among journalists and the notebooks familiar to an even wider audience when they showed up in places like the film, All the Presidents Men, which is how Garcia came to know Stationers and Tom Edwards.

In 2013, the notebook made its Broadway debut in Nora Ephrons Lucky Guy, which starred Tom Hanks, who played Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Mike McAlary. Hanks heard Stationers notebooks were the tool of the trade, according to the companys old website, and placed an order. He also autographed a few and sent them back to the store.

So, Garcia was distressed when he called Stationers to place an order in 2021 and learned Tom Edwards had died and the store was closing.

He soon began working on the idea of starting his own notebook business early last year and in October launched First Draft Notebooks, which bear a resemblance to the Stationers notebooks. Full disclosure, The Times-Dispatch placed an order in January.

Tom always said something that made him proud was if journalism was the first draft of history .. then history starts in a reporters notebook, Garcia said. I get all warm and fuzzy thinking about it.

Stationers notebooks werent the only brand of notebooks reporters used, but they became popular, in part, because of their spirals at the top, the good quality paper and their sturdy covers  better for writing on as you stand and talk to someone and scrawl notes with one hand while holding the notebook with the other.

Tom Edwards father came up with the idea for the slender notebooks for reporters, according to a 1989 story in The Times-Dispatch, after buying a narrow, soft-cover World War II-era British notepad that he found in an Army surplus lot he bought from Fort Lee. A reporter for one of the Richmond newspapers  he didnt recall who  saw the British notepad and asked Landon Edwards if he could cut a stenographers notebook lengthwise to create something similar. Landon Edwards said that wouldnt work because the metal spirals would ruin the cutting device he would have to use. He gave the reporter the British notepad instead.

The same day, a purchasing agent for the newspapers called to ask Edwards if he could make notebooks the same size as the British notepad but with a stiffer cover. Edwards began producing the notebooks for the Richmond papers and anyone else who wanted to buy them.

About six months later, Tom Edwards said in the 1989 story, Winston Churchill visited Williamsburg and attracted reporters from national publications and broadcast outlets who saw the notebooks the Richmond reporters were using and wanted them.

After that, he started getting orders from far-flung places, Tom Edwards said. It became an industry standard.

The Stationers notebooks werent so ubiquitous that every reporter knew about them  though they knew they needed something like them.

Reporters covering the civil rights movement fashioned their own reporters notebooks for not just practical reasons but for their safety.

In their Pulitzer-winning book The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation, authors Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff wrote about how, when caught covering dangerous situations, reporters would cut standard stenographers notebook in half  as the Richmond reporter had requested of Landon Edwards  and stash them in their pockets to avoid being targets.

You put one of the sawed-in-two steno pads into the inside breast pocket of your suit coat, and it could not be spotted by the mobs, the authors wrote. You put two into your breast pocket, and it bulged liked a shoulder holster. Then mobs would mistake you for an FBI agent and think twice before attacking.

The makeshift notebook was referred to as the Claude Sitton notebook, a nod to the Southern correspondent for the New York Times whose coverage of the civil rights movement earned him praise and respect. Sitton and fellow reporter Karl Fleming fashioned the notebooks.

Sitton later found a Richmond company that printed the narrow notebook, according to the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Miss., in a 2015 obituary about Sitton. The story quoted Roberts, saying, Claude ordered a case and then kept on ordering them.

The Richmond company presumably was Stationers.

Garcia was in the 6th grade when he watched All the Presidents Men and saws Tom Edwards mustard-yellow notebooks in the hands of Redford and Hoffman, as they played Woodward and Bernstein. (He noticed that? Being a budding journalist, I just loved office supplies generally, he says.)

He started calling around to different newspapers  remember: he was in the sixth grade, which, I guess, proves he really was a budding reporter  and asked about the kind of notebooks they used. All roads led to Stationers, and his grandmother mail-ordered his first two dozen Stationers notebooks, which he found to be as high-quality as they appeared on the big screen.

Ive been using them ever since, he said.

Over the years, he got to know Tom Edwards when he placed orders over the phone or by email. He met him in person one time, when he was in Washington for a conference and drove to Richmond to see where all the notebook magic happened.

Tom Edwards was a gentleman, Garcia said. Just so hospitable. He took me and a friend to lunch. Showed me around.

Edwards even took Garcia to the back of the store where he showed him what must have been hundreds of custom covers from the companys various news organization customers. (Stationers also sold the same size notebooks, but marketed them as notebooks for police, firefighters, sheriffs and even game wardens.)

Garcia acknowledges hes not likely to strike it rich with reporters notebooks, particularly in a digital age when the tools of our trade have expanded to include easy-to-carry recorders and smart-phone apps that can transcribe conversations as they happen. But notebooks still have their place in reporting, and, you know, theres something tactilely satisfying  maybe even reassuring  about putting pen to paper and scribbling notes as you gather information for a story. Even if sometimes I practically need an interpreter to translate my handwriting.

But thats another story.
Election_2020

Three Republicans vying for Denton County Precinct 2 nomination

Jeff Woo/DRC file photo Denton County Administrative Courthouse

Three candidates are vying for this years Republican nomination for the Denton County Precinct 2 commissioner election after longtime commissioner Ron Marchants decision to not seek reelection.

The roster for the March 1 Republican primary includes Carrollton Mayor Kevin Falconer, Frisco City Council member Dan Stricklin and former Frisco Veterans Advisory Committee chair Rob Altman. Marchant has held the seat since 2007 but announced in November that he wouldnt be running for another term.

Kevin Falconer

Dan Stricklin

Rob Altman

Like all of the countys precincts, Precinct 2 will look different following last years redistricting process. Much of the feedback during that process centered around the changes to Precinct 2 specifically. In 2018, Marchant won the precinct by fewer than 400 votes, beating Democrat Brandy Jones by about half a percentage point.

Screenshot A map shows Denton Countys revised redistricting proposal for commissioner precincts.

The countys southeastern precinct still encompasses much of Carrollton, Plano, Dallas and The Colony, but now stretches across Lewisville Lake, picking up Shady Shores, Corinth and land north of the lake. In total, Precinct 2 will pick up nearly 20,000 additional residents under the new lines, increasing to 238,198.

Two Democratic candidates have also filed for the Precinct 2 election.

Ahead of the Republican primary election, the Denton Record-Chronicle reviewed several types of public records to build candidate profiles for the two candidates, including campaign finance reports and voter history.

According to the most recent campaign finance reports available on Denton Countys database, Falconer had spent $30,144 on the race and had $20,133 in remaining political contributions by Jan. 20. By the same date, Stricklin had spent $5,673 and had $4,200 remaining. Altman had spent $502 and had $5,407 remaining.

The candidates took time this week to answer the same three questions before early voting begins Monday. Here are their responses in alphabetical order, in some cases lightly edited for clarity.

Rob Altman

Rob Altman Campaign Finance

Rob Altman Voting Record

Age: 48

Born in: Brunswick, Georgia

Experience: Leadership positions in military, worked for a construction company, currently president of transportation, logistics and storage company

Education: Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University, Master of International Affairs in national security and diplomacy from Texas A&M, Master of Military Art and Science from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

Online: altman4commissioner.com

What is your ideal growth strategy for Precinct 2?

Most of Precinct 2 is already built out from a construction standpoint. My preferred growth strategy is to bring more family friendly businesses to the precinct. Certainly by growing our business, we increase revenue and that would allow us to take burden off of property owners in the form of single-family homes. So economic development is very important to me, but I think it needs to be the right kind of business so that we continue to keep Denton County a place that we all want to live, work and play.

What impact do you think county redistricting will have on the Precinct 2 election?

I dont know that it will change the numbers very much as it relates to the partisan piece of it. I know there are some from the other party that are disappointed with it, but I can tell you that outside of partisanship, people that Ive spoken with are sometimes confused by it. But I dont know that it will drastically affect the numbers of this elections outcome.

What do you think is the most important issue facing Precinct 2, and how will you address it?

As I talk to voters right now, they are very concerned about property taxes. People that are getting toward the end of their careers are concerned about paying off their houses but then still having to, as they move into retirement, essentially pay off another mortgage payment. Young people are concerned about being able to live in Denton County based on property taxes. The best way to fix that is to increase our homestead exemptions, and the way we do that is by bringing family-friendly businesses and shifting the burden off of the homeowner.

Kevin Falconer

Kevin Falconer Campaign Finance

Kevin Falconer Voting Record

Age: 58

Born in: Dallas

Experience: Registered architect with over 30 years in development, currently chief development officer for a restaurant company

Education: Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech, Master of Business Administration from Texas Tech

Online: votefalconer.com

What is your ideal growth strategy for Precinct 2?

All of Denton County is obviously experiencing some explosive growth. Even in Precinct 2, theres still massive growth going on, but what I always say, having served in office for a long time ... is that you want to make sure that were working to ensure that growth is positive and that we are not growing in a way that ends up negatively affecting our quality of life. That largely means making sure that we provide the infrastructure that is necessary for that growth, so that we dont end up with traffic and congestion, and we dont end up with people who cant get adequate utility, communications and all those other things as the county is growing.

What impact do you think county redistricting will have on the Precinct 2 election?

I obviously was not part of that redistricting but am very excited to serve the multiple cities and jurisdictions that are in Precinct 2. It obviously is one that has a wide variety of population areas. Some of the bigger cities, if you will, but also some small towns. And I think that Im committed to serving every one of those constituencies and constituents in an equitable manner, and that Im there in a very objective fashion to make sure were meeting the wide variety of needs that come out of each one of those areas.

What do you think is the most important issue facing Precinct 2, and how will you address it?

Public safety is always job one for our elected officials, and that includes in Denton County. So ensuring that we are working with Sheriff [Tracy] Murphree to ensure that our residents are safe is always job one. But I think the biggest challenge and opportunity is our dynamic growth that we have in Denton County. I think that is a reflection of what a great place Denton County is to live, and we want to make sure we keep it that really great place to live and work and play. Im committed to ensuring we work steadily and with each other to make sure that we are creating a great quality of life in Denton County.

Dan Stricklin

Dan Stricklin Campaign Finance

Dan Stricklin Voting Record

Age: 45

Born in: Fort Worth

Experience: 17 years in electronic security industry, currently the owner of an electronic security company

Education: Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix, Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix

Online: danstricklin.com

What is your ideal growth strategy for Precinct 2?

Theres some really wonderful communities in that precinct. My hometown of Frisco is in there, Carrollton where my business is at. Quite a bit of the precinct is along the main corridor of [Highway] 121, Interstate 35 and then [U.S. Highway] 380. So these are massive growth areas, and whats going to really make an impact is understanding that we need to make sure the roads, the infrastructure ... we as the county need to work with the cities and empower them to help bring in high-paying jobs. Thats a big deal and we have to make sure our infrastructure is prepared for these medium- and large-sized corporations. Weve done a really good job of that in Frisco. Denton County has assisted us with things along that line. ... So as long as we have traffic and we have commerce flowing, I think were pretty well set for continued growth.

What impact do you think county redistricting will have on the Precinct 2 election?

One of the ways it affected it is I was actually drawn into the district. I had always been in Precinct 1 and I was really shocked in November when I got drawn into the precinct, and then Commissioner Marchant announced he was going to be retiring, so thats why I decided to run. When it comes to the redistricting, as a candidate, I dont know whats going to happen in the November election. My focus right now is to do the very best I can do and win the March primary, and then when November comes around, I know Im going to have a tough opponent and get across the line that way. But I dont think the redistricting helped anybody. I think that each and every candidate on both sides are going to have to work as hard they can to get out the vote.

What do you think is the most important issue facing Precinct 2, and how will you address it?

The No. 1 thing [voters] talk about is public safety. Voters are very concerned about public safety, and my message to them is, as our county grows, Im going to be vigilant and make sure our Sheriffs Office is staffed and managed by the very best people. Theyre going to have the budget to continue to provide outstanding public safety for Denton County. Im in full support of Sheriff Tracy Murphree, I think we have the right leadership over at the Sheriffs Office. Im going to do everything in my power to support him and the good work of the Denton County Sheriffs Office.
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At its 2022 Virtual Investor Day Millicom, a provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications services dedicated to emerging markets in Latin America operating under the Tigo brand, has made some key investment announcements.

These included expansion of the companys fixed broadband network by a targeted three million additional home passings in the next three years on top of about 12.4 million today. The eventual aim is over 20 million passings in the medium term.

Millicom also has a plan to spin off its portfolio of owned towers into a tower company, a structural re-organisation that will include up to 10,000 towers. This initiative is expected to be completed in the next 12-18 months.

Most ambitiously perhaps, it wants to turn what it calls its nascent fintech asset, Tigo Money, into a separate company, to maximise business potential and facilitate the attraction of growth capital and complementary fintech expertise.

Tigo Money, says Millicom, has a unique opportunity to increase financial inclusion in Tigos market while capturing a leading share of an estimated $14 billion total addressable fintech market opportunity. This initiative is expected to be completed in the next 12-24 months.

According to the UKs Financial Times, the group has 44 million mobile customers and 4 million home broadband customers; some $3billion will be spent on upgrading infrastructure and expanding the existing business.

Millicom has sold off its African operations since 2016 in order to focus fully on the nine Latin American markets it serves: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Bolivia and Colombia.
Celcom Axiata, Maxis and Digi have each paid upfront to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) MYR11.8 million (USD2.8 million), securing pairs of 10MHz spectrum in the 2.6GHz band.

Furthermore, the operators will have to pay an annual fee of MYR20.76 million when the spectrum licenses go live on July 1 this year, with the first payment expected on 15 December and the licenses will be valid for five years, reported CommsUpdate.

Celcom, Maxis and Digi each stated in filings they accepted the MCMC's spectrum offer.

Telekom Malaysia has issued a statement that its subsidiary Webe Digital accepted the regulators assignment of 20MHz in the 2,600MHz band. It paid MYR7.06 million for the frequencies, with an annual fee of MYR5.98 million.
The National Internet Gateway proposed by Cambodias government last year is set to launch on 16th February, granting the state greater surveillance powers over online content.

The gateway will route all internet traffic through a state-controlled entry point. Government spokesperson Phay Siphan stated that the gateway would help the government protect national security and defend against cyber-crime, but many critics  including the UN  have countered that the measures look set to bring Cambodias internet controls more in line with Chinas, quelling free speech and crushing the already stifled opposition parties.

The Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR) believes that the gateway will be used by the government as a tool to silence dissent, noting that during 2021 government censors arrested, detained or issued a warrant for the arrest of 39 individuals due to the content of their online posts. Many of these people had ties to opposition parties  including the son of an already jailed opposition leader - or had expressed an unfavourable view of the incumbent government.

The government has ordered the gateway to block access to websites and connections that could have a negative effect on national revenue, safety, social order, morality, culture, traditions and customs  a sweeping definition that could be used to police opinions as Cambodia prepares for elections next year. The countrys authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen has held power since 1985.

Speaking to AFP, cybersecurity expert Matt Warren from Australia's RMIT University noted that the gateway could be used to silence high-profile opposition figures living in exile outside of Cambodia. He noted that the government feared the use of social media platforms for organised protest, as occurred in Myanmar, and was following in Chinas steps towards full surveillance.

"It's the Balkanisation of the internet. You've got the internet in China, you've got the Russian internet, you've got the internet in Saudi Arabia, where they are isolated and monitored. It's not just about censorship, it's also about control", said Warren.

With the gateway set to come into effect imminently, many Cambodians are turning to VPNs, with British advocacy group Top10VPN noting that in December 2021 the number of VPN accounts in Cambodia grew by 56%. Thus far, authorities have not acted on this trend but the firm noted that it was likely a matter of time.
India shipped 161 million smartphones in the year 2021, up by 7 percent year over year, said the International Data Corporation (IDC)s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.

Smartphone shipments picked up at the beginning of the year as 2021 started strong with pent-up demand from H2 2020 (July-December) and positive sentiments around vaccinations. However, a severe second wave of Covid-19 dealt a blow to the growth, as per the report.

Constrained supplies resulted in low inventories across channels in the second half of the year, which usually has a high demand during the festive season, IDC stated.

Q1 2022 (January-March) is expected to remain flat YoY amidst a low seasonal demand and a mild impact of the ongoing third wave of the pandemic which will give the brands time to replenish their inventories. Growth is likely to be driven by the transition from 4G to 5G, though it is expected to still be restricted to mid-and high-tier price segments.

With 81 million units, the online channel registered 13% YoY growth, surpassing the offline channel. This was driven by heavy marketing and initiatives like multiple sales festivals, attractive financing schemes, cashback & exchange offers, and trade-in programs. While the offline channel contracted in 2021, IDC expects offline shipments to recover some lost ground in 2022.

MediaTek-based smartphones recorded a 54% market share, creating a bigger lead over Qualcomm with more than 85% of its smartphones below US$200. Chinese chipmaker UNISOC regained some momentum reaching a 7% share, up from 2% in the previous years.

Average selling prices (ASPs) peaked at US$190, growing by 15% annually. The share of the premium segment doubled from a year ago to 4% in 2021, growing by more than 100% annually, largely due to higher Apple shipments. The sub-US$100 was the only segment to decline YoY. IDC expects ASPs in 2022 to be high due to the rising cost of components and higher share of 5G smartphones.

Xiaomi maintained its leadership position for four consecutive years with 40 million units, though declining by 1.5% YoY in 2021. Samsung, at the second slot, registered a YoY decline of 6% in 2021, shipping 28 million units. Vivo was in the third position, with a shipment decline of 6% YoY, though it continued to lead with a 28% share of offline channel shipments in 2021.
In another example of the apparently unstoppable growth of digital finance in Africa, the African Development Fund (ADF) and the government of Malawi have signed a grant agreement for $14.2 million to undertake infrastructure upgrades and create a more efficient and transparent digital payment system.

Funding for the Support for Digitalization, Financial Inclusion and Competitiveness (DFIC) project, approved last December, will be sourced from ADF, which is the African Development Bank Groups concessional financing window.

The project aims to widen financial inclusion in the country, in particular to women, youth and rural dwellers. It will also allow for efficient business transactions, offering small businesses the opportunity to gain access to new national and international markets.

In fact a number of upbeat projections have been offered for the project and ICT in the country. The project is expected to boost Malawis domestic financial inclusion rate from 58% in 2019 to at least 65% in 2025. The GDP contribution of the ICT sector is expected to rise from 5.7% to 7% over the same period. In addition, export volumes are expected to rise to 35% of GDP from 31%, in line with the targets of the national export strategy.

Currently, the total commitment in the African Development Banks active portfolio in Malawi stands at about $327 million.

The DFIC project is aligned with the Malawi Digital Economy Strategy (2021-2026) and the Third National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (2022-2026); both contribute to achieving Malawis long-term objective of inclusive wealth creation supported by an inclusive financial system and digital economy, said Sosten Alfred Gwengwe, Malawis minister of finance and economic affairs during a signing ceremony.
Submarine fibre optic cable systems operator Seabras 1 Brasil (Seaborn) announced its network has been approved to provide connectivity to the Brazilain Stock Exchange (B3, enhancing the financial services market in Brazil.

Seaborn said in a statement that it will provide connectivity through the stock exchange's high-performance RCB communications network, which enables distributors to have direct access to trading, market data and bank systems.

The company stated the connection to Seaborns optical network, which has high reliability and availability, will provide financial market customers with an excellent alternative to use the RCB network.

"The combination of our capital markets services with those of Seaborn, now an RCB provider certified by B3, will leverage our plans to achieve the best possible quality in the delivery of critical connectivity services to trading and post-trade platforms for our customers, said Alexandre Jahnecke, IT Products, and Market Data Superintendent at B3.

Our network infrastructure combined with our agility in activating the RCB connectivity services and our ultra-low latency products, specific to the financial market that connects Sao Paulo to New York, is an important differentiator for participants who intend to establish connectivity with B3, added Michel Marcelino, Senior Vice President and Head of Seaborn for Latin America.
Telecom Egypt, Egypts first integrated telecom operator and one of the largest subsea cable operators in its region, and Grid Telecom, subsidiary of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) in Greece, have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to connect Greece and Egypt using submarine cable infrastructure.

It's early days yet but, as the announcement of the MoU indicates, this strategic agreement lays the groundwork for the exploration of different connectivity options between Greece and Egypt. It also implies a closer look at the optimal utilisation of what is described as Telecom Egypts and Grid Telecoms state-of-the-art networks and international reach, with reference to their existing and future optical interconnectivity to neighbouring countries.

Telecom Egypts international network extends to over 140 landing points in more than 60 countries across the globe. The company has invested extensively in its submarine cable infrastructure, which is the shortest and most reliable crossing path between Africa, Asia and Europe, making Telecom Egypt an attractive partner for many international telecom players over the years.

As for the Greek side of the MoU, with a domestic fibre optic network currently exceeding 4,000 km, Grid Telecom, IPTOs vehicle in the telecommunications market, is already offering diverse fibre connectivity between the island of Crete and the Greek mainland, in addition to its network infrastructure in Italy, the Balkans, and Central Europe, leveraging its position as a major, carrier-neutral hub in Europe.

What happens next is not easy to predict but there are clearly high hopes for the post-MoU period. As the minister of digital governance of Greece, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, said: This is an important agreement between Grid Telecom and Telecom Egypt as the cables' route enables connecting points of presence in our countries and across continents, and also secures the exponential growth of our respective digital markets.
Indian digital service provider Jio Platforms and SES, a global satellite-based content connectivity solutions provider, are the latest companies to target the Indian satellite communications market with the formation of a joint venture called Jio Space Technology Limited.

The new company aims to deliver next-generation scalable and affordable broadband services in India leveraging satellite technology. Jio Platforms and SES will own 51% and 49% equity stakes in the joint venture respectively.

The joint venture will use multi-orbit space networks  a combination of geostationary (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellations capable of delivering multi-gigabit links and capacity to enterprises, mobile backhaul and retail customers across India and neighbouring regions.

The joint venture will be the vehicle for providing SESs satellite data and connectivity services in India, except for certain international aeronautical and maritime customers who may be served by SES.

It will have availability of up to 100Gbps capacity from SES and will leverage what is described as Jios premiere position and sales reach in India. As part of the investment plan, the joint venture will develop extensive gateway infrastructure in India to provide services within the country.

Jio has entered into a multi-year capacity purchase agreement, based on certain milestones along with gateways and equipment purchases with a total contract value of about US$100 million.

The partners say that this joint venture will be a catalyst for connecting the unconnected areas within India and the region to the full range of digital services, offering access to remote health, government services and distance learning opportunities.

As Indias Economic Times points out, this joint venture comes hard on the heels of Reliance Jios formation of a satellite unit, Jio Satellite Communications, not to mention ventures by other companies such as the Bharti-backed OneWeb, Elon Musks Starlink, Amazons Project Kuiper, and the Tata-Telesat company, all positioning themselves to make the most of what is clearly seen as a potentially lucrative market.
The following people were booked into the Jackson County jail during the latest available reporting period, Feb. 12-14:

James Nesbit, 55, 3633 Twin Ponds Road, Marianna, failure to appear (driving while license suspended or revoked, no motorcycle endorsement).

Ashley Morton, 32, 6906 Florida St., Grand Ridge, hold for Polk County.

Roberta Davis, 21, 4330 Maywood Drive, Marianna, fraudulent use of credit card, exploitation of the elderly, grand theft.

Thomas Powell Jr., 53, 6936 Broadway St., Grand Ridge, violation of state probation.

Quashon Perry, 24, 2871 London Road, Cottondale, murder, robbery with a firearm.

Forrest Reed Jr., 37, 5312 Quaters Court, Campbellton, possession of firearm by convicted felon, robbery with a firearm.

Jamar Robinson, 37, 8734 Ranchero Road, Tallahassee, possession of drug paraphernalia.

Marlon Franklin, 41, 2807 Stephens Road, Grand Ridge, aggravated assault with a firearm.

Dominic Goodwin, 41, 2529 Stewart Circle, Westville, hold for Holmes County.

Shawna Hope, 38, 793 Brown St., Chipley, possession of controlled substance without prescription, driving under the influence.

Tyrone Parks, 31, 53 Indigo Pond Road, Gordon, AL, driving while license suspended or revoked.

Bryan Thomason, 37, 3390 State Road 69, Grand Ridge, failure to appear (driving while license suspended or revoked), driving while license suspended or revoked.

JAIL POPULATION: 236
A Jackson County woman is in custody following a Washington County traffic stop which resulted in the discovery of several illegal drug items, according to a press release from the Washington County Sheriffs Office.

Officials say that, on Feb. 11, agency deputies saw a vehicle swaying between the lines on State Road 77 and initiated a traffic stop.

The driver was identified as Melissa Lynn Radford, 40, of Graceville. Radford seemed very nervous and would not make eye contact with the deputy, the release states.

After a brief check of Radfords license, a department issued K-9 was deployed. The K-9 alerted positive to the presence of narcotics and Radford stated she was in possession of a glass smoking pipe in her right front pocket. Radford was detained at this time, the release continues.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in deputies locating methamphetamine in a backpack in the passenger seat. Radford was arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, the release states.
Investigation continues into the fatal shooting of a man on Feb. 12 in Jackson County and a Cottondale resident is charged with murder in the case.

Another man is also in custody on different charges in the case. The identity of the victim had not been released as of Monday morning.

The Jackson County Sheriffs Office reports that Quashon Marquez Perry, 24, is charged with an open count of murder and robbery with a firearm in the incident. At his first court appearance on the charges Monday, his bond was set at 850,000, with $750,000 of that associated with the murder charge and $100,000 associated with the robbery charge.

The Florida Department of Corrections website indicates Perry has served a prison term for burglary and a concealed-carry offense, his sentence imposed in November of 2015, and that he was released in 2018.

In a press release, JCSO reports that agency deputies responded to a call of shots fired at Club Underground in Campbellton on that date discovered the victim dead on their arrival. The release did not say specifically where the individual was found.

Multiple interviews from witnesses were conducted while at the scene, officials say, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the States Attorneys Office were notified and responded to the scene to assist.

During the course of the investigation, officials say, Perry and Forrest Reed Jr. , 37, were identified as suspects in connection with the incident. Perry was located in Cottondale, taken into custody without incident and charged with an open count of murder and robbery while armed with a firearm. Perry is listed in jail records as a resident of Cottondale.

Reed was located in Graceville, taken into custody without incident, and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and robbery with a firearm, according to the release. Reed is listed in jail records as a resident of Campbellton.

In his first court appearance on the charges Monday, his bond was set at $175,000. Of that, $100,000 was associated with the robbery charge and the remaining $75,000 with the firearm possession charge. The Florida Department of Corrections website lists Red as having served time in prison for aggravated battery and fleeing law enforcement, sentenced to four years in 2006. He was released in 2009, the DOC site indicates.

In the release, Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield credited citizens of Jackson County, Jackson County Fire Rescue, the States Attorneys Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Graceville Police Department, the Cottondale Police Department, the Marianna Police Department, and the District 14 Medical Examiners office for their assistance in the investigation.

This is not the first time officials have been called to the location in recent weeks.

On Dec. 25, 2021, JCSO was called to investigate a shooting spree there that left two people injured when shots were fired inside Club Underground.
South Africa: NSFAS cleared from R14 million saga

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has noted and welcomed the East London Regional Court ruling, which proved that the scheme was not involved in the erroneous payment of R14 million to Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student, Sibongile Mani.

Mani, who spent R800 000 over a three-month period before the error was spotted, was found guilty of theft by the East London Regional Court. She is expected to be back in court on 08 March 2022.

In a statement, NSFAS reiterated the facts stated in 2017, which showed that no financial loss suffered on the part of the scheme, as a result of the payment error.

NSFAS spokesperson, Kagisho Mamabolo, maintained that no payment of R14 million was transferred into any student or university account - intended for Mani, and that the normal monthly payment of R1 400 was paid by NSFAS to WSU intended for Mani.

Mamabolo also emphasised that no relationship or contractual agreement exists between NSFAS and Intellimali, a service provider appointed by the university to disburse funds to the students.

The CEO of Intellimali confirmed that, Intellimali takes full administrative and financial responsibility for the incident. Neither the funder, National Student Financial Aid Scheme, nor the university have erred in any way, and they are not responsible for this, Mamabolo highlighted.

Mamabolo said NSFAS was informed that WSU appointed Intellimali as a service provider to administer the payment of allowances to WSU students.

At the time NSFAS had a meeting with the Walter Sisulu University and service provider Intellimali, to conclude a way-forward regarding the R14 million saga, Mamabolo explained.

He said the three parties confirmed to the South African public that:

No public funds were lost in the unfortunate process that led to the R14 million error and the R818 000 that was subsequently misappropriated by the student. Preliminary investigations by the service provider had established that these funds belonged to the university, and not NSFAS as initially believed;

The service provider reimbursed WSU the full amount misappropriated by the student;

No WSU employee was found to have been involved in the erroneous crediting of the R14.1 million into the student's IntelliCard account, and that there was no system breach thereof;

The then WSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Midgley, expressed gratitude that Intellimali has taken full responsibility for the error and took steps to reimburse the R818 000 loss to ensure that no future student allowances are affected;

No steps were taken by WSU against the student. The university had opted to await the outcomes of the forensic investigation by a reputable auditing firm, before considering any further steps; and

WSU provided counselling to the student to ensure that she can continue with her studies.

Mamabolo said that NSFAS is improving its disbursement processes, through a direct disbursement mode from NSFAS to the student bank account, and an announcement will be made in due course about this initiative by the new NSFAS Board.

The NSFAS Board and management has also expressed its appreciation to all the stakeholders, including investors, funders, partners and students who believed in the scheme and supported Mani during this difficult time.

Mamabolo said the scheme will continue the consultations with the student leadership and formations across the country, to ensure that students interests are at the heart of everything we do.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Its been nearly 11 years since the Assad regime met peaceful protests for democratic reforms in Syria with heavy artillery, barrel bombs, and poison gas. The bloody response turned non-violent demonstrations into a civil war. Since then, around 350,000 have died in the conflict. More than 12 million are internally displaced or have fled to neighboring countries. Sixty percent of the current population, more than 14 million people, need humanitarian aid, particularly this winter.



The Syrian people grapple with freezing temperatures and inclement weather, millions need basic supplies for winter, said U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield. The situation is exacerbated by COVID-19, the economic crisis, and the escalation in violence. Food needs are at their highest levels since the crisis began. And millions of people cannot reliably access sufficient and safe water across northern Syria. The prevalence of water-borne diseases has risen sharply, she said.



At this time of great need, ensuring unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid is vital. This is particularly true of medical supplies, including COVID-19 vaccines. Nonetheless, NGOs and UN aid workers have for years reported delays, interference, and restrictions placed on humanitarian aid delivery by the Assad regime. Particularly troublesome is the closing of all but one border crossing to UN humanitarian deliveries to opposition-held areas. That crossing, Bab al-Hawa, must be reauthorized by the UN Security Council in July. The Assad regime and its Russian Allies are insisting on cross-line aid delivery: that is, shipments that come through Damascus and across front lines.



The United States supports using all modalities to bring aid to the Syrian people. But because cross-line aid is a difficult and dangerous way for humanitarian agencies to access Syrians outside of regime-controlled areas, it is a complement, and not a substitute, for cross-border aid, said Ambassador Thomas Greenfield.



The community of nations must work together to ensure not only that Bab al-Hawa stays open, but that all cross-border options are available to meet humanitarian needs, said Ambassador Thomas Greenfield.



If we put politics aside, and focus exclusively on the needs of the Syrians, this simple act would get essential items  to those who are in desperate need, said Ambassador Thomas Greenfield.



The humanitarian situation in Syria is a threat to international peace and security.  We must do everything in our power to ameliorate this humanitarian suffering and ground our actions in the needs of the Syrian people.
The United States and Slovakia recently signed a bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement, which was approved by Slovakias parliament February 9.



At the signing ceremony in Washington attended by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korckok, and Slovak Defense Minister Jaoslav Nad, Secretary Blinken noted the strong ties between the two countries, including people-to-people ties, with nearly 1 million people of Slovak descent living in the United States, and economic ties, with billions of dollars in trade and investment between the two countries annually.



The Secretary of State pointed out the U.S. and Slovakia have been security partners since Slovakia became an independent country in 1993, and NATO allies since 2004.



This agreement makes it easier for our

militaries to coordinate on common defensive efforts, like conducting joint training exercises, said Secretary Blinken. It will create more regular consultation between our countries on threats to our people.



The agreement also paves the way for the United States to support Slovakia in its efforts to upgrade its defense capabilities and infrastructure. The United States has signed similar agreements with almost two dozen of the countries in the NATO alliance in the interests of security and stability throughout Europe.



Secretary Blinken emphasized that the agreement with Slovakia is based on cooperation and respect, the same values that form the basis of our cooperation through NATO, he said.



It was written by Slovakia and the United States together as full, equal, and sovereign partners, and it represents...the interests of the people of both our countries. Nothing in [the] agreement, he added, creates permanent U.S. bases or troop presence in Slovakia and the agreement fully respects Slovakias sovereignty and laws.



Slovak Defense Minister Nad called the Defense Cooperation Agreement a clear demonstration of the intensity of Slovakias close security partnership with the United States and an expression of shared commitment to transatlantic security. He stressed the importance of taking current threats and challenges in the security environment seriously in order to protect...shared values of democracy, freedom, and prosperity.



Secretary Blinken declared that the 30 years the United States and Slovakia have worked closely as partners and allies have made both countries and the region as a whole stronger, safer, more prosperous. The new Defense Cooperation Agreement, he said, builds on that past and it will help us create together an even stronger future.
Adrian Lopez is the managing director of Grupo Noroeste, a media group based in Culiacan, Mexico, that publishes the newspaper Noroeste. A prominent defender of the freedom of the press in the North American country, Lopez discusses some of the reasons why, in a little more than a month, there have been at least eight attacks on journalists in Mexico, leading to five deaths.

The first journalist murdered was Jose Luis Gamboa, the editor of the online media outlet Veracruz, at the beginning of January. In the weeks that followed, the photographer Margarito Martinez and the journalist Lourdes Maldonado were both killed in Tijuana. The fourth victim of this spiralling violence was Roberto Toledo, who worked for the news website Monitor Michoacan. And, in recent days, there have been at least four further attacks on media professionals. Most recently, the editor of the news site RCP Noticias, Heber Lopez Vasquez, was murdered in Oaxaca on 11 February.

Lopez has intimate knowledge of the situation. Indeed, the uncompromising, critical stance adopted by his media outlet has led it to be hit hard by what he refers to as organised crime. The publication has experienced shocking incidents such as a shooting at its Mazatlan office that saw at least 27 people receive gunshots. In 2014, moreover, Lopez was himself the target of an attack in which he was shot twice and narrowly escaped death.

A witness to what goes on in one of the most dangerous regions in Mexico - albeit things have been exaggerated by Netflix, he tell us - Lopez gives his take on why so much violence is occurring with such impunity. In Mexico, indeed, around 98% of all cases involving murdered journalists remain unsolved.

2022 has begun with a frenzy of attacks on media professionals in Mexico. What are the reasons behind a situation that appears to be getting worse year on year?

Its a chronic, structural and systemic problem affecting society as a whole. Since war was declared on drug trafficking in 2006, the situation has got steadily worse, to the point where there have been more than 100,000 murders a year in the last three years. Put another way, someone is murdered in Mexico every 14 minutes. And the biggest problem is the level of impunity that exists; it means that murdering a journalist pretty much comes without consequences, because there is no social or political cost. But whats most worrying is that its not only organised crime, drug traffickers who are doing the killing The State itself is also involved, as part of a parallel state caused by the corruption of political and police actors.

I imagine the media is mobilising against so many attacks, against so much violence.

In recent days, weve held demonstrations on the streets of 20 cities, but there have been only around 1,000 people at each one. Its mostly journalists and reporters who take to the streets to demonstrate; you dont see the people at the top of the media outlets, other than a condemnation on Twitter or in their media outlet. What we lack is organisation among media outlets, allowing us to work together, with leadership that can open the eyes of public opinion and the authorities. We need to put forward something that goes beyond our own media outlets. I was at the demonstration in Culiacan, in my city, and being unable to achieve something that truly made an impact left a bittersweet taste in the mouth.

What is preventing this alliance between media outlets, this movement that would allow you to create a common front against situations such as the violence weve witnessed in recent weeks?

My view is that there are three chief reasons. Firstly, theres a lack of social support. Its something I would talk about with Javier Valdez before he was killed [Valdez was a Mexican journalist who received several international awards for his writing on drug trafficking and organised crime, and was murdered while doing his job in 2017]. As a group of professionals, he said, journalists are on their own. People have plenty on their plates as it is just making it through their day to day, he said. Thats particularly true of the last two years, in which weve been going through a pandemic and the Mexican government has been no help to people, either in healthcare or economic terms. And were in a climate where investment is at the levels of 10 years ago and the mortality rate is the highest in the world. Against this backdrop, its hard to get people to care.

The second reason for this lack of togetherness in the media is the situation the industry itself is in, one where advertising has been disguised subsidising by the State so that media outlets can survive in exchange for not being critical of it. That has led to a situation in which media outlets are less concerned with keeping their audiences informed than pleasing those in power. And this year, the States expenditure on advertising will be a third of that assigned to last year, with a law on transparency in advertising still pending. Media outlets need to carry out a digital transition that allows us to grow, gain audience and be more independent from the powers that be.

And the third reason is the publics lack of trust in journalists. Its a lack of trust thats also fed by those at the top. Its very easy to discredit and criminalise the victim, because that justifies the impunity. And we know theres going to be impunity except in very particular, emblematic cases, such as mine, for example. You can only get to the physical perpetrators, not those who are behind it. If there are media outlets that sustain this situation because, in part, they are financed by those in power, anyone can attack a journalist without it having a social or judicial cost.

But there are mechanisms in place in Mexico to protect journalists and other groups, such as human rights defenders. Its estimated that around 500 journalists have signed up. Is this only a facade so that it looks like journalists are being protected and defended?

Youve touched on a key issue. The Mexican government has become a past master in making it look like advances are being made. I rejected this protection because of the impunity that exists, and because of the complete lack of independence, the ineffectiveness, the ineptitude and the corruption of state and federal prosecutors, who are the ones who have to guarantee the safety of the people protected. Why am I saying this? Because weve had cases where a journalist harassed by a citys police has been given a telephone and a panic button connected to the same police department that is harassing him. Or journalists who have been given a telephone for their protection and receive threats on that same mobile, which is supposed to be secret. So, clearly, when tools that are supposed to protect you end up being a source of fear, the system isnt working and is corrupted. And that fear of attacks of all kinds on journalists, either in person or by digital means, ends up leading to self-censorship and silence, which is the death of journalism.

Its very difficult to do journalism in such a climate. And also very difficult for a democratic system to work.

The murder rate has rocketed in the last 10 years and criminals occupy more and more space in public life. The most recent elections, in 2020, were the most violent in history, with more than 20 candidates murdered, urns stolen, electoral officials kidnapped As long as impunity remains the rule, its going to be very difficult to do journalism. Theres a lack of true social and judicial justice. Knowing what happened and why, and that theres a guarantee of reparations for the damage caused and that it wont happen again.

Lets turn to your situation, with attacks against your media company and against you. What is it like working in this situation and how do you protect the people who work for you?

I firmly believe that media outlets have to look out for the safety of their journalists. Theyre not killed in violent situations; theyre killed as they leave the office, around their homes. And although you cant put a bullet-proof vest on every journalist, you can try to protect them. At Noroeste, we take legal action against any attack on our team, whatever the type and whatever the motive. And we do that as a way of sending a message to the authorities. To a certain extent, it has allowed us to achieve greater institutional protection.

Whats the protocol you follow in these situations?

Firstly, we publish content on the issue, with complete rigour and ethical tact. Then we try to react as quickly as possible when there are threats, kidnappings, incidents of harassment on social media We look to be swift and not underestimate any case. If anyone comes to us with something, we try to protect them. And treat every issue specifically. For example, last year we suffered the kidnapping of a photographer in the city of Mazatlan, in Sinaloa state. We mobilised, using contacts and resources to try to react as quickly as possible. And we achieved a level of mobilisation, across the profession even, that applied enough pressure to ensure there was a happy ending. But thats not a common situation. In central and southern Mexican states, its even reached the point where there is no traditional media, and many journalists create their own, quasi-individual, small media outlets that operate through streaming. They dont have the protection of a company or the authorities. And when theres a tragic ending, the truth is weve all failed.

We also have two figures that are key in each city were in. One is a psychologist who can treat our journalists or workers, be it over an issue of violence or threats, or any other kind, including personal issues. They are there for any situation. And the other figure is a lawyer who can offer advice and support. But Im aware that were an unusual media outlet, with seven ownership families and no distribution of dividends. Were almost like an NGO. One with a 50-year tradition of critical reporting, always independent of state publicity.

Mexico recently reformed its judicial system. Has that not contributed to protecting journalists?

For seven years, weve had a new criminal justice process that is much more modern and, among other things, allows for the presumption of innocence. But it has further strengthened organised crime, which tries to protect the attackers, and has weakened the justice system, the police and the prosecutors office, which has lost power. Our chief problem is a justice system that enables the high level of impunity that exists in our country; the climate of fear and violence we have to endure every day. And there are media outlets that decide not to do journalism, because in exchange they arent harassed or murdered. Theyve had to relinquish their very essence. Organised crime has infiltrated everything, and that makes any defence mechanism very difficult.

Lets get back to the topic of media outlets organising into a common front. There are examples such as the Australian media taking on Google, or, closer to home, cases in Brazil and Argentina. Isnt it possible to do this in your country?

The media industry is very fragmented. There are several organisations, but theyre not able to achieve much. And we have a president who, every Wednesday in his morning press conference, has a space called Quien es quien en las mentiras (The whos who of lies). A look back over recent media criticism in which the press is vilified and attacked. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also uses other opportunities on a daily basis to criticise a certain journalist or media outlet that he doesnt like. This climate ends up permeating the public and criminal organisation. It scares journalists, because theyre going to be singled out. And there are media outlets that are even hostile towards other media outlets that are critical of those in power. This makes it very difficult for the media industry to organise, and makes us more vulnerable. If you accuse journalists of being liars, conservative, neoliberal, corrupt, part of a certain bloc its a way of pointing the finger at them and creating a climate of they deserve it. Such tags are arrows fired against our profession. Its an Orwellian climate.

In this context, I imagine its difficult to make the call for a digital transition to reinvent the business and look for other forms of financing.

Were just starting out in Mexico in this respect. Just 5% of our digital audience is subscription-based. Were among the most backward countries in the world in this regard. But a recent study by WAN-IFRA has shown that 60% of media outlets are convinced that the model they have to head towards is digital subscription. Were throwing ourselves into the question of how to produce content that is profitable, but right now were stuck between clickbait to make an impact, and attracting site visits with sensationalism, with videos of violence, etc. As long as the journalism we do isnt important enough for people to miss it, its going to be difficult to get people to appreciate the significance of losing media outlets and journalists.

What do you think the media will look like in your country in the years to come?

I always say that its harder to predict five years ahead, because we dont know whatll happen in the immediate future. But we can guess at whats going to happen in two decades. And if you want to see the future, go to Finland or Norway. Im in no doubt that in Mexico and around the world, rigorous, critical journalism will be behind a paywall. And, as Ive said previously, the reduction in the governments investment in the media is going to force us to look for other forms of financing and not to play along with those in charge. Itll be subscription-based, working with social media and other, new tools. Whats important is that were allowed to do our job without the interference of either criminals or the State.

Finally, Adrian, in such a situation, is it worth it being a journalist?

Someone has to do journalism; real journalism. The key idea is the service you can provide for those around you, just as previously someone else did it for you. And despite the attacks, the threats, the constraints journalism is always worth it. It can be a thankless profession, but when you do a social service, like raising funds for someone who needs a wheelchair or a team that needs funding for a tournament abroad; or when you investigate and put the spotlight on a corruption scheme and, at least, manage to get those guilty of corruption into court, before a judge - thats your reward. And people, Mexicans, need and deserve to have that.
Kaillie Humphries made Winter Olympics history on multiple fronts on Monday by surging to victory for the United States in the debut of the women's monobob event.

The 36-year-old only received clearance to represent USA in Beijing two months ago, having previously won two golds and a bronze for Canada across the past three Games.

Humphries switched allegiance in 2019 amid a divisive separation, but it was not until December that she became a naturalised United States citizen and received a passport.

She is the first female to win a Winter Olympics title for two different nations, and the second athlete overall after speed skater Viktor An for South Korea and Russia.

Not only that, Humphries can now forever hold claim to winning gold in the debut women's monobob event after securing a dominant victory at the National Sliding Centre.

Humphries beat team-mate Elana Meyers Taylor by 1.54 seconds as USA went 1-2, ending Germany's dominance in the process, with Christine de Bruin of Canada in third.

The US pair are the first women competitors to win a bobsled medal at four straight Games, but this latest triumph was particularly special for Humphries.

Humphries: "I chose a nation and it chose me back"

"This one does feel more emotional for me," she said. "Although each Olympic journey has been different, I've had to choose to walk away from my original birth nation.

"I've had to fight. There have been a lot of people that have tried to stand in my way. And there have been a lot of obstacles to get to this point.

"And so, to know that everybody that supported me and that all the work that I put in has amounted to being the best year, it's very heart-warming to say the least.

"It hits the heartstrings a little bit more to know that I chose a nation and it chose me back and that we could do this together as a team."

The women's monobob was added to the programme for the first time this year, meaning women now have the same amount of bobsleigh medals to compete for as the men.

It is hoped it will encourage further female participation in the sport, and Humphries is more than happy to fly the flag.

"This is huge," she said. "I still remember back in 2002, the first women who won: Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers.

"I hope in the future young girls are going to go, 'I remember Kaillie', and then they get involved.

"They now have two opportunities and hopefully even more opportunities to win more medals in the sport. That's super cool and I will continue to fight for that.

"The women before me have allowed this to happen and I want to make sure that continues for all future generations. This is a huge step forward.

"By no means do I think we're done. I really want to see women do four-woman and I would love to see men do monobob as well. Three events for all genders."
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Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (Photo: VNA)



In the letter sent on February 14, the top Vietnamese legislator wished Ackson health and success in her new position. He also voiced his hope that with her support, cooperative ties between the two legislatures will grow stronger, helping to deepen Vietnam-Tanzania bilateral relations for practical benefits of their people./.
A bicycle saddle production line for export at Pro Active Global Vietnam Company, in Binh Duong. (Photo: VNA)

Once among the poorest countries in the world, its economy is now booming and the World Bank describes it as one of the most dynamic and emerging countries in the entire East Asia region, Business said in an article published last week, calling Vietnam a new Asian tiger.

Singapores DBS Group Research forecasts Vietnam's GDP growth to reach 8 percent in 2022, boosted by an accommodative monetary policy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Vietnam will climb three spots to rank third in GDP among ASEAN member states this year, thanks to the fast-growing middle class and the rise of ultra-rich people.

Knight Franks latest Wealth Report estimates there were about 19,500 high-net-worth individuals in Vietnam in 2020, defined as those with assets of at least 1 million USD, the article said. By 2025, that number is expected to grow by almost 25 percent to top 25,000, it added.

Illustrative photo. (Source: VNA)

Business Times attributed the robust growth of the economy to increasing flows of foreign investment into the country. Many Singapore companies, including CapitaLand and Keppel, have invested heavily in the country as they seize the abundant opportunities.

Vietnam has long been known as Southeast Asia's coding farm, where talent and wages are in a sweet spot for companies to use it as a base for their technical development, it noted.

The article also referred to Vietnam as the largest solar power producer in Southeast Asia today with 16.6 gigawatts of installed capacity as of 2020. Vietnam's construction industry is set to continue its recovery in 2022 as several large-scale infrastructure projects move through different stages of development, it further said.

74.7 million USD needed to upgrade weak railway bridges

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has asked the Ministry of Transport to allocate about 1.7 trillion VND (over 74.7 million USD) for the reparation and upgrade of weak railway bridges in the 2022  2023 period, and separate rail and road traffic on all road-rail bridges, reported Vietnam News Agency.

According to VNR, there are three road-rail bridges nationwide namely Luc Nam, Long Dai and Pho Lu, and 428 weak and expired railway bridges, or those that do not conform to standards.

In particular, on the north  south railway there are 87 bridges showing signs of danger. Many of those were built before 1975, with some dating back to 1936 and even 1910. Most of those have a small load capacity of between only 10-13 tonnes.

The proposed budget will be used for repairing and replacing 87 dangerous bridges, and for building works to separate road and railway traffic on the three remaining road-railway bridges, the VNR said.

The corporation has also suggested allocating capital in the period to construct overpasses at nine level-crossings between roads and railways, handle the risk of falling rocks in order to ensure safety at 14 other locations, and upgrade and repair 13 tunnels along the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City rail route.

International flights to be restored without frequency restriction

Photo for illustration

Vietnam will lift restrictions on frequency of international flights to and from the country starting February 15, 2022, returning to normal as before the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, airlines will be able to re-operate international passenger routes as before the COVID-19 epidemic without frequency restriction.

Regulations on entry and epidemic prevention for passengers entering Vietnam still follow the instructions of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health.

Apart from China, which is sticking firmly with its stringent Zero COVID strategy, all other countries with which Vietnam has discussed the reopening of air links have agreed, including European nations, Australia and the United States.

However, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK), are still limiting the number of foreign arrivals into their countries amid the growing COVID-19 outbreak.

Earlier, the Ministry of Transport assigned the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam to exchange opinions with the aviation authorities of partner countries to decide on resuming regular international flights to markets with direct routes to Vietnam before the COVID-19 epidemic, in addition to the markets that were operated in January.

The frequency of the routes will be gradually increased according to the route, ensuring the principles of safe adaptation, flexibility and effective control of the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam must report to the Ministry of Transport on the results of the resumption of international routes in February 2022 for the Ministry to summarize and report to the Prime Minister.

Hoi An among worlds most romantic destinations on Valentine's Day

Hoi An city in the central province of Quang Nam was ranked 9th out of the 21 most romantic destinations in the world on Valentines Day by the famous British magazine specializing in food, travel and culture - Time Out.

Hoi An is listed among the world's most romantic destinations on Valentine's Day by Time Out Magazine. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)

According to Time Out, there are many romantic places in the world for couples to explore and experience. Those are not only paradise islands with golden sunshine, blue sea or charming and magnificent cities, but also simple ancient villages and towns.

Hoi An's famous lantern-lined streets are an idyllic spot for twilight walks and candid conversations, backed by well-preserved historic Vietnamese architecture that tells plenty of stories, according to Time Out.

The town's lantern boat rides are the thing of romantic dreams  a tremendous combination of natural delicacy and impressive confidence, while Hoi An also has one of the best cocktail scenes in the country.

In 2019, Hoi An was named one of the most romantic places for a date on Valentines Day.

This year in Time Outs ranking, Canadas Montreal city topped the list. Coming to Montreal, couples can admire the contemporary architecture commonly found in Europe and attend more than 100 festivals held annually.

Other famous destinations which made the list are Venice (Italy), Marrakesh (Morocco), Kyoto (Japan), Prague (Czech Republic), Zanzibar (Tanzania), and Niagara Falls (Canada/the US)./.
Foreign tourists visiting Vietnam on Vietnam Airlines plane (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Minister Tuan assigned the CAAV to discuss with aviation management agencies of partner countries on the resumption of regular international flights to markets that had already opened direct flights to Vietnam before the COVID-19 outbreak, in addition to those launched in January.

The frequency of these routes will increase gradually to ensure the principles of safe and flexible adaptation to and effective control of the pandemic.

The CAAV must report to the Ministry of Transport on the results of the resumption of international routes in February so that the ministry can summarise and report it to the Prime Minister, the official requested.

Regarding this issue, a CAAV leading official said that the authority has just worked with the Thai aviation authorities, and this country has also agreed to reopen air routes and with no limit of the number of flights.

Thus, to date, except for China, all countries that Vietnam proposed to restore air routes have shown their agreement.

Notably, in the near future, international flights to new markets such as the Middle East, Turkey will be opened, the CAAV leader added.

He cited the direction of the Prime Minister as saying that the reopening of international routes as normal is not later than March 30.

Vietnam reports 26,379 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

Vietnam recorded 26,379 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours as of 4pm on February 13, down 930 infections from one day before, according to the Ministry of Health.

Testing to identify virus SARS-CoV-2 (Photo: VNA)

The new cases consist of seven imported and 26,372 domestic ones, including 18,269 in the community.

Hanoi continued to report the highest number of infections with 2,940, followed by Hai Duong with 1,906, Nam Dinh with 1,894, and Hai Phong with 1,483.

The infection tally now stands at 2,510,860.

While 7,815 patients were given the all-clear on the day, 84 others succumbed to the coronavirus disease, adding up to the total recoveries and related deaths of 2,226,754 and 38,946, respectively.

As of February 12, 185,731,134 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered, including 79,212,031 being the first dose, 74,723,923 the second, and 31,795,198 the third.

Hai Duong to host first-ever carrot harvest festival

The northern province of Hai Duong will organise its first-ever carrot harvest festival in Duc Chinh commune of Cam Giang district on February 15, Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Tran Van Quan said.

Farmers in Hai Duong harvest carrots (Photo: VNA)

The event aims to promote the quality, brand and consumption of Hai Duong carrots at home and abroad.

Visitors will be able to take part in carrot harvest, visit carrot growing areas and processing establishment and attend a parade at Tam Phu temple in Duc Chinh commune, and more.

The festival is hoped to offer a chance for domestic and foreign businesses to meet and explore Hai Duongs incentives in agriculture, therefore building a value chain for the provinces staple in a sustainable manner.

Carrots are primarily planted in the provinces Cam Giang and Nam Sach districts, as well as Chi Linh city.

According to the Hai Duong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province is home to about 1,600 ha of carrot cultivation under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, yielding more than 80,000 tonnes annually.

About 80 percent of carrot output is processed for exports to the Republic of Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and European and Middle East countries.

Ninh Thuan strives to become renewable energy hub

The south central coastal province of Ninh Thuan has worked to turn itself among leading localities of Vietnam in renewable energy, with a total installed capacity of 3,475 MW as of late 2021.

A hybrid project of solar and wind power in Ninh Thuan (Photo: baoxaydung.com.vn)

Most of renewable energy projects in the province are invested by the private sector, contributing to ensuring national energy security. The sector is among three economic pillars alongside tourism and agriculture that bring Ninh Thuan into top five localities posting the fastest economic growth rate in the past five years.

The province was also the first to allow private investment in the 500kV transmission line to transfer renewable energy to the national grid.

A lack of synchronisation in developing power projects, particularly wind and solar power ones, pose the greatest challenge for renewable energy at present.

A wind farm in Vietnam (Illustrative photo: VNA)

To address bottlenecks and realise the target to turn the province into an energy hub of the country, Ninh Thuan aims to develop the electricity generation and distribution and support industries in a concerted manner, ensuring suitable resources, mechanisms and policies.

It will step up human resources training and development, State management, digital transformation, and science-technology application in the energy sector.

Credit policies will be carried out flexibly and effectively, creating optimal conditions for firms access to capital.

Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Phan Tan Canh said Ninh Thuan aims to raise extra capacity of renewable energy projects to about 3,000 MW so as to reach an accumulation capacity of 6,500 MW by 2025.

The province also targets to set up a renewable energy research and development centre and attract investment projects in manufacturing main devices of the energy sector, and those that consume a large amount of electrical energy./.
Farmers in Hai Duong harvest carrots (Photo: VNA)



The event aims to promote the quality, brand and consumption of Hai Duong carrots at home and abroad.



Visitors will be able to take part in carrot harvest, visit carrot growing areas and processing establishment and attend a parade at Tam Phu temple in Duc Chinh commune, and more.



The festival is hoped to offer a chance for domestic and foreign businesses to meet and explore Hai Duongs incentives in agriculture, therefore building a value chain for the provinces staple in a sustainable manner.



Carrots are primarily planted in the provinces Cam Giang and Nam Sach districts, as well as Chi Linh city.



According to the Hai Duong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province is home to about 1,600 ha of carrot cultivation under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, yielding more than 80,000 tonnes annually.



About 80 percent of carrot output is processed for exports to the Republic of Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and European and Middle East countries./.
The PM expressed his delight at the fast, strong, and comprehensive development of the Vietnam - UK strategic partnership in the recent past, as well as the two sides fruitful cooperation in economy, politics, diplomacy, and capitalisation of the Vietnam - UK Free Trade Agreement.



He thanked the UK, especially the AstraZeneca company, for the timely provision of vaccine and medical supplies for Vietnam in COVID-19 response.



Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (second, right), British Cabinet Minister and COP26 President Alok Kumar Sharma (second, left), and other officials pose for a photo at the meeting in Hanoi on February 14 (Photo: VNA)



PM Pham Minh Chinh said the Vietnamese Party and State view climate change response as one of the difficult but urgent tasks, noting that the country has been actively and proactively joining hands with the international community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, and considers this as a chance to switch to a green, circular, and low-carbon development model.



Since COP26, Vietnam has been seriously and swiftly taking actions to realise its commitments as seen in the establishment of a national steering committee for implementing its pledges made at the conference, and the PM is head of this committee.



The country is working hard to perfect the relevant legal framework; build detailed plans, measures, and roadmaps; overhaul related strategies and plans; and mobilise investment resources for climate-resilient infrastructure in order to carry out the commitments, he noted.



The Government leader asked Sharma, as COP26 President, to continue helping promote Vietnams cooperation with the UK and development partners to assist the country to implement those commitments and the global initiatives on emissions reduction and climate change adaptation.



He called for support for Vietnam to connect with the financial institutions and credit organisations able to provide financial aid and credit for the country similar to the Just Energy Transition Partnership that the UK, France, Germany, the US, and the European Union signed with South Africa.



Vietnam also needs assistance to set up a domestic carbon market linked with the international one; establish a renewable energy centre to boost human resources training, technology transfer, and sharing of legal and country governance experience; and align legal regulations with the promises at COP26, according to Chinh.



For his part, Sharma spoke highly of Vietnams strong commitments and leadership in the region while welcoming the countrys swift and comprehensive actions, along with efforts by the Government, the Prime Minister, ministries, and sectors to ensure the pledges are implemented in reality.



He affirmed the readiness to cooperate and share experience with Vietnam to help carry out the commitments, stressing that the energy transition process is key to its climate commitments since 70 percent of the countrys gas emissions is from the energy sector.



The UK will assist Vietnam to access and mobilise necessary financial sources during this process, the COP26 President added./.
Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thach speaking at the event (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine)

The exhibition displayed about 120 paintings by 90 Ukrainian painters featuring the beauty of Vietnamese nature and people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Kostiantyn V. Cherniavsky, President of the association of Ukrainian painters, said the exhibition offers a chance for the public to explore the beauty of both Vietnam and Ukraine, particularly as culture and arts are boundless. He said he believes that cultural diplomacy remains a bridge between the two countries and will serve to make the world a better place.

Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thach highly appreciated the paintings, saying they are special gifts from Ukrainian friends and artists for Vietnam to mark the special occasion.

He said that a painting is worth more than a thousand words, particuarlly as the art will help bring people from the two countries closer to each other and deepen their mutual understanding.

The ambassador said that over the past three decades, both sides have always accompanied each other, becoming each other's important political-economic partners. Cultural diplomacy will contribute to effectively helping the further development of friendship, solidarity and co-operation between the two countries moving forward, he added.

On this occasion, Ambassador Thach awarded certificates of merit to Ukrainian painters in recognition of their contributions to the exhibition.

The exhibition will last until February 27 and will be held in other major cities in Ukraine throughout the year./.
The event had the participation of more than 50 overseas Vietnamese in Belgium and Luxembourg, on the occasion of the New Lunar Year Festival.

At the event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao briefed the participants on Vietnams achievements in recent times, especially contributions of the overseas Vietnamese in many fields.

According to him, 5.3 million overseas Vietnamese, of whom 13,000 live in Belgium and Luxembourg, are an inseparable part of the nation.

Earlier, the Vietnamese Embassy hosted a meeting with officials and representatives from businesses of the European Union (EU), Belgium and Luxembourg, and from some friendship organizations.

Ambassador Thao, who is also head of the Vietnamese delegation to Belgium and the EU, briefed socio-economic accomplishments of Vietnam in the previous year, particularly in the COVID-19 fight and economic recovery.

He recalled important cooperation results between Vietnam and the EU as well as Belgium.

The diplomat called on them to strengthen coordination so as to maintain the momentum along with collaboration in new areas such as climate change adaptation, digital transformation and innovation, as well as culture, education and people-to-people exchange.

Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director for Asia and Pacific at the European External Action Service; and Andries Gryffroy, First Vice President of the Senate of Belgium and President of the Belgium-Vietnam Alliance, spoke highly of efforts and outcomes of Vietnam in the realization of socio-economic targets in 2021, notably in the fight against COVID-19 with a high vaccination rate.

They highly valued Vietnams role, position and relations with the country, affirming their wish to bolster cooperation with Vietnam in the coming time towards recovery in the post-pandemic period and sustainable development.

Despite the adverse impacts of COVID-19, Vietnam-EU trade turnover reached 63.6 billion USD in 2021, posting a year-on-year surge of 15 percent. Vietnam became the 15th leading trade partner of the EU and the largest one in ASEAN./.
At the event (Photo: VNA)

A large number of overseas Vietnamese attended the event.

All participants prayed for a happy new year, and good health for their families and other loved ones.

Every year, on the first day of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, and the 15th day of the first lunar month, overseas Vietnamese in France usually go to the monastery to worship the Buddha, praying for a New Year with blessing, prosperity for the homeland; and good health, success and good luck for their relatives and themselves. This activity has contributed to preserving Vietnams traditional values and cultural identities.

Inaugurated in 1990, Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Villebon-sur-Yvette is among the popular destinations for the Vietnamese community, as these places offer them a spring atmosphere like in their homeland./.




Crop restructuring and coordination in tea cultivation with businesses have helped many ethnic minority people in Lai Chau province escape from poverty (Photo: VNA)

Statistics show that the household poverty rate dropped from 58.1 percent in 1993 to 2.75 percent in 2020 under new criteria. Some localities have shown impressive performance in this regard over the past years such as Si Ma Cai and Muong Khuong districts of Lao Cai province (down 40.66 percent and 39.96 percent), Mu Cang Chai district of Yen Bai province (down 34.51 percent), and Nam Tra My district of Quang Nam province (down 33.52 percent).

During 2016 - 2020, though Vietnam had encountered many natural disasters and disease outbreaks, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Assembly and Government still doubled investment in poverty reduction compared to the previous period. About 21 percent of the State budget was earmarked for guaranteeing social welfare, the highest percentage among the ASEAN countries.

More attention has been given to ethnic minority and mountainous areas as seen in the Prime Ministers approval of the national target programme on socio-economic development in those areas for the 2021 - 2030 period, with the first phase from 2021 to 2025, last October.

After that, the PM gave the green light to the national target programme on poverty reduction for 2021 - 2025, aiming to achieve sustainable and multidimensional poverty alleviation. Notably, this programme targets reducing the poverty rate among ethnic minority households by over 3 percent annually.

To Duc, Chief of the National Office for Poverty Reduction, said many rural, coastal, and insular districts and communes have yet to escape from special disadvantages.

Therefore, in the time ahead, poverty alleviation efforts will focus on improving capacity so that low-income earners can sustainably get rid of poverty by themselves, and on developing essential infrastructure and inter-regional connectivity in those areas, he noted.

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said during 2021 - 2025, it is necessary to make appropriate investment to improve the poors minimum standard of living and access to basic social services. Vietnam will pay attention to both the quantity and the quality of poverty reduction.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh noted at a recent meeting that with a total investment of nearly 138 trillion VND (6 billion USD), the national target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for 2021 - 2025 has reiterated the Party and States high priority to and constant perfection of the ethnic minority policies so as to meet requirements in reality and, especially, the aspiration for the development of all ethnic groups nationwide./.
Thua Thien Hue Province receives Lao students to study. (Photo: TDO)

Accordingly, 58 Lao students from the provinces of Salavan, Sekong, Champasak, Attapu, Savannakhet and Khammuon Provinces, who were granted scholarships by Thua Thien Hue Province for the academic year 2021-2022, were received.

The admission of Lao students to study shows the interest and facilitation of the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province for the central and southern provinces of Laos in supporting and training human resources for the Lao provinces.

After being accepted, Lao students will stay at the dormitory of the Provincial College of Education to continue medical monitoring, ensuring current regulations on COVID-19 prevention.

This is part of a regular training cooperation program of Thua Thien Hue Province with neighboring Lao provinces. In addition, the Lao students are also supported by teachers from Provincial College of Education and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association during their study in Vietnam.

Previously, on the occasion of the 2022 Lunar New Year, representatives of leaders of Hue University and the College of Education visited and presented Tet gifts of more than VND16 million to Lao students in dormitories. Due to the complicated development of the pandemic situation, in 2020 and 2021, hundreds of Lao students were unable to return home to visit their families during Tet. The program aimed to help students celebrate Tet warmly, understand Vietnamese customs and culture, which is also suitable for Lao culture./.
[The below statement signed by 150 people was released as a press statement on Feb 11, 2022]

Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy

PRESS STATEMENT

Stop infecting college campuses with the communal poison: IMSD

Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) strongly condemns the attempt by Hindutva forces and the BJP government of Karnataka to engulf college and school campuses in the already raging communal fire in the state.

The issue of whether Muslim girls should or should not be permitted to wear hijabs in those pre-university colleges where a uniform dress code is in place is something to be sorted out between the agitating Muslim girls and the managements of the concerned colleges. But virtually overnight the dispute has been converted into a Hindu vs Muslim conflict by the saffron scarves-clad pro-Hindutva boys taking to the streets. College campuses have thus been transformed into yet another playing field for the BJP and other right-wing Hindu majoritarians.

IMSD accepts the principle of uniforms for schools/pre-university colleges so long as they are religion-neutral and non-discriminatory. We strongly suspect, however, that the unilateral and abrupt decision of some pre-university colleges to bar entry in the classrooms of hijab wearing Muslim girls is not inspired by lofty principles but a capitulation to divisive politics.

At the same time, IMSD disagrees with the claim of the agitating Muslim girls that their demand is in conformity with their Constitution-protected fundamental right to freedom of religion. While this may be the belief of the orthodox and patriarchal clerics, any number of modern-day Islamic scholars, men and women, rightly maintain that hijab has nothing to do with the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet. The veil, in other words, is not mandatory in Islam.

All that the Quran asks of both Muslim women and men is that they dress modestly and decently. Beyond that the Quran does not specify a particular dress code. The mode of dress of men and women in different countries and cultures is different. So long as they are modest and decent Muslims are free to adopt any style of dress.

It is noteworthy that the winds of change have been blowing across the Muslim world in recent decades. Even the otherwise highly controversial crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman of the erstwhile ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia has publicly pronounced, with the support of senior Saudi clerics, that women in his country need not wear head-cover (hijab) or the black full-body abaya so long as their attire is decent and respectful.

IMSD respects womens right to choose how they dress. But this choice cannot be counter-posed to the right of school managements to prescribe a religion-neutral, non-discriminatory uniform in their campuses. Besides, we are not unaware of the obscurantists among Muslims imposing the hijab on 5-year-old girls.

IMSD calls upon all sections of Indian society to stand with the secular and progressive principles enshrined in our Constitution and strive to maintain peace and harmony in our campuses and society at large.
The second year of the pandemic challenged young people all over the world, especially girls. Not only have COVID-19 outbreaks undermined youths physical and mental health, and increased their stress with prolonged lockdowns and pessimistic prospects. It also caused severe economic challenges, restricted educational opportunities, and increased online and offline gender-based violence.

Huyen, 14 years old, from Lai Chau shares a dream during the pandemic. (Source: Plan International)

It alarms us that youth across the region are still struggling with some of the same negative impacts of COVID-19 that we saw in 2020, while also dealing with additional and compounded stressors now that we are facing a third year of disruption, said Bhagyashri Dengle, Plan International Executive Director for Asia Pacific.

Girls, in particular, are in dire need of more robust support from governments and social service providers.

Plan International actively shared and listened to the personal stories and experiences of girls and their peers during the COVID-19 pandemic, talking about activism they are involved in, and seeing the post-COVID world they long for through two initiatives "Imagine" and "Better Today".

"Imagine" is a global initiative through which Plan International encourages girls to share their hope for a better future without COVID-19.

"COVID-19 is an opportunity for people to reflect and make changes for a better life. Girls need to study well and raise their voices. I hope all children and girls receive medical care," said Quyen, 13, from Quang Tri.

"I dream of a world where everyone is kind to each other, where girls can decide their own future, where the whole family is vaccinated and healthy," shared Huyen, 14, from Lai Chau.

The "Better Today" report summarizes the experiences and initiatives of youth in the Asia-Pacific region after 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plan International invited 9 young people from 5 countries (Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal and Indonesia) to participate in regional workshops where they can listen to stories from across the region, write each other letters or exchange pictures with meaningful messages.

The "Better Today" report collects their insights and shares a view of the pandemic from the perspective of young people in the region. They spoke of the loss and pain they felt because of the impacts of COVID-19 on their young lives. But their determination and fighting spirit came through as well. Youth in Asia Pacific want to start to build a Better Today.

The report highlights projects from many countries in the region to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, from mental healthcare to education during social distancing, to larger activities to raise funds for the communities.

"From strangers to friends, the regional workshops were the bridges to connect us all together. We shared personal stories, laughter and tears and delivered them through the letters and photo voices. Our friends are disseminating the stories they are creating in youth-led movements by developing many new ways to contribute to the community," shared Ngoc Tien, 24, from Ho Chi Minh City.

In Vietnam, the COVID-19 pandemic with lockdown canceled nearly all the field trips and offline activities that youth activists had planned. Young people from different youth models such as Champions of Change, Peer Educators, Girls Clubs and Youth Advisory Committees have utilized online platforms to stay connected and motivate each other despite hardship./.
Hoi An is listed among the world's most romantic destinations on Valentine's Day by Time Out Magazine. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)

According to Time Out, there are many romantic places in the world for couples to explore and experience. Those are not only paradise islands with golden sunshine, blue sea or charming and magnificent cities, but also simple ancient villages and towns.

Hoi An's famous lantern-lined streets are an idyllic spot for twilight walks and candid conversations, backed by well-preserved historic Vietnamese architecture that tells plenty of stories, according to Time Out.

The town's lantern boat rides are the thing of romantic dreams  a tremendous combination of natural delicacy and impressive confidence, while Hoi An also has one of the best cocktail scenes in the country.

In 2019, Hoi An was named one of the most romantic places for a date on Valentines Day.

This year in Time Outs ranking, Canadas Montreal city topped the list. Coming to Montreal, couples can admire the contemporary architecture commonly found in Europe and attend more than 100 festivals held annually.

Other famous destinations which made the list are Venice (Italy), Marrakesh (Morocco), Kyoto (Japan), Prague (Czech Republic), Zanzibar (Tanzania), and Niagara Falls (Canada/the US)./.
A healthcare worker inoculates a woman against COVID-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo: Reuters)



Under the current system, countries are "basically on their own" if they need emergency funds, vaccines, therapeutics or diagnostics. As G20 president this year, Indonesia will seek to change that, Reuters quoted Budi as saying at a news conference on February 11.



At the virtual World Economic Forum last month, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said his Indonesia will push for the establishment of a new global health agency during its presidency of the G20.



Widodo said the agency would strengthen the world's health resilience and help make the global health system more inclusive and responsive to crises. Its task is to mobilise world health resources, including for financing health emergencies, purchasing vaccines, medicines and medical devices.



He called on the world's major economies to co-finance the initiative and reach an agreement during Indonesia's presidency of the G20 this year.



Indonesia holds the G20 presidency for the first time this year and has specified recovery from the pandemic as its core objective./.
Volunteers perform at Zhouzi ancient town in Peng'an County of Nanchong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Li Xiangyu/Xinhua)

People make Tangyuan, a kind of round and sweet dumpling made of glutinous rice flour, in Shishang Village of Renshou Township, Jing'an County in Yichun City, east China's Jiangxi Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Xu Zhongting/Xinhua)

Tourists dance with people of Miao ethnic group at Wanda Town of Danzhai County in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Huang Xiaohai/Xinhua)

People select lanterns at Fuzi (Confucius) Temple scenic area in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua)

Children make lanterns at a community in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua)

People perform dragon dance in Lizhuang Township, Yibin City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

Children make lanterns in Quanjiao County, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Shen Guo/Xinhua)

Foreigners make lanterns in Xinqi Village of Deqing County, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Xie Shangguo/Xinhua)

People visit Xinanli historical culture blocks in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Li Wenbao/Xinhua)

Aerial photo taken on Feb. 13, 2022 shows folk artists performing at Zhouping Village in Zhuxi Township of Cengong County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Hu Panxue/Xinhua)

Folk artists perform dragon dance in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Wang Jianmin/Xinhua)

People select lanterns at a market of Fengcheng River scenic spot in Taizhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Tang Dehong/Xinhua)

Aerial photo shows people performing dragon dance in Lizhuang Township, Yibin City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Zhuang Geer/Xinhua)

People of Miao ethnic group dance at Wanda Town of Danzhai County in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Huang Xiaohai/Xinhua)

People select lanterns at Fuzi (Confucius) Temple scenic area in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Su Yang/Xinhua)

People perform lion dance in Silian Village of Jinde Township, Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Li Hanchi/Xinhua)

People make Tangyuan, a kind of round and sweet dumpling made of glutinous rice flour, in shape of Bing Dwen Dwen, a panda mascot for the 2022 Games, at a community in Wuhu City, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Yang Hua/Xinhua)

A child holds a lantern at Xi'nanli historical culture blocks in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Li Wenbao/Xinhua)

Students solve Lantern Riddles at Pingjiang experimental school in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Wang Jiankang/Xinhua)

Children play at a square in Xishui County of Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 13, 2022. Various events are held across China to celebrate the upcoming Lantern Festival. (Photo by Yang Yang/Xinhua)

Editor: ZAD
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba had another conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and thanked for the decision to provide macro-financial assistance to Ukraine.

"Another call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. We keep actively coordinating efforts to protect Ukraine. Grateful to the United States for the decision to provide Ukraine with macro-financial assistance. We also discussed the functioning of the OSCE SMM. Ukraine is interested in it being fully operational," Kuleba said on Twitter on Monday.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine continues to operate in Kyiv, member companies of the business association also continue to do business and have business continuity plans in place already for several years, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine Andy Hunder has said.

"The American Chamber of Commerce team continues to operate in Kyiv. We are constantly in touch with our members, Ukraine's government, and the US Embassy. This continuous dialogue and communication have been a strategic pillar of the American Chamber of Commerce for the past 30 years in Ukraine," Hunder said in a commentary to Interfax-Ukraine.

He said that American Chamber of Commerce member companies have had business continuity plans in place already for several years, which are being regularly reviewed and updated.

"American Chamber of Commerce member companies continue to operate in Ukraine, contributing to the country's economy, having already invested over $50 billion in the country, employing people, and contributing to the state budget," the president of the business association said.
Ukraine has requested a meeting with Russia and all participating states of the OSCE Vienna Document within the next 48 hours to discuss the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border and in temporally occupied Crimea, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"Russia failed to respond to our request under the Vienna Document. Consequently, we take the next step. We request a meeting with Russia and all participating states within 48 hours to discuss its reinforcement and redeployment along our border and in temporally occupied Crimea," Kuleba said on Twitter.

"If Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must fulfill its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all," he said.
During a telephone conversation with U.S. President Joseph Biden on Sunday, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky invited him to pay a visit to Ukraine, according to the website of the Ukrainian head of state.

"I am convinced that your arrival in Kyiv in the coming days, which is decisive for stabilizing the situation, will be a powerful signal and will contribute to de-escalation," Zelensky said.

During the conversation, they also talked about increasing the financial and energy stability of Ukraine against the backdrop of current challenges.

Zelensky said that the Ukrainian side understands all the current risks, ready for any development of the situation. "We will stop any escalation towards Ukraine. The capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, other cities of our state - Kharkiv and Lviv, Dnipro and Odesa - are safe and under reliable protection," he said.

The President of Ukraine noted the steps taken by the U.S. and other partners that continue to provide effective support to Ukraine. "We expect that, among other things, it will help prevent the spread of panic," Zelensky said.

He thanked Biden for U.S. support and noted the importance of providing effective security guarantees to Ukraine. "We are ready to discuss them in different formats," Zelensky said, emphasizing that there can be no security in Europe without the security of Ukraine.
Official Kyiv informed official Jerusalem about the situation around the state borders and invited the authorities to participate in the Crimean Platform. This was discussed during the political consultations of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Israel on cooperation between Ukraine and Israel in international organizations, as well as coordination of positions on security issues, the Embassy of Ukraine to the State of Israel reported at Facebook.

The Ukrainian delegation briefed its Israeli colleagues on the current situation around Ukraine's borders and the increase in Russia's military presence. It was stressed the need to consolidate the support of our country from international partners and Israel in order to curb the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. A request was made to the Israeli side to join the format of the Crimean platform, - the statement reads.

In addition, a wide range of issues of cooperation within the UN, OSCE and other international organizations was discussed during the consultations.

During the talks, special attention was paid to human rights issues, including the Israeli side was informed about the glaring cases of human rights violations in the temporarily occupied territories. Further steps in coordinating activities were identified in order to implement previously adopted decisions on these issues within the UN General Assembly. The issue of recognizing the Holodomor in the Knesset was discussed, - the statement reads.

It was also emphasized that Ukraine's integration into the Euro-Atlantic security space and gaining full membership in NATO is today a constitutional norm of our state.

The Israeli side noted the importance of developing bilateral relations and expressed support for the independence of our state and its territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders.

The Ukrainian delegation was headed by First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Japarova. The Israeli side was represented by the heads of the relevant departments of the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Ukraine faces systemic panic attacks, the spread of fake information and the distortion of the real state of affairs, which is another powerful wave of hybrid warfare, the Security Service of Ukraine said in a statement published on its website on Monday morning.

"We perfectly understand the motives of the current information pressure - to sow alarm in Ukrainian society, undermine faith in the ability of the state to protect its citizens, undermine our unity. The SBU captures such manifestations of a hybrid war in social networks, individual media outlets, in the dissemination by some politicians of the narratives of the aggressor country" , the statement says.

The SBU notes that they record such cases and actively counteract them. "This is reflected in the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council, the number of neutralized cyber attacks, the elimination of numerous bot farms, the exposure of intelligence networks of foreign special services and the prevention of sabotage and terrorist attacks," the message says.

The department notes that, within the framework of its competence, they constantly analyze various scenarios for the development of events and have a clear action plan for each of them, in addition, they are ready to respond to situations not only out of necessity, but also to prevent them, which they do.

"However, now stability and calmness in our country depends not only on the authorities, but also on the balanced actions of every Ukrainian. We all should remain calm and cool-headed, not succumb to provocations... We should all think critically and check any information; be guided by official data sources, not anonymous ones; learn to distinguish the truth from fakes... And do not forget - the strength of Ukraine is not only in a powerful army, but also in the unity of each of us," the SBU said.
Date: 14.02.2022

Doctors call for resolution of conflict between Russia and Ukraine

Any escalation would lead to unprecedented humanitarian crisis - IDPD

Dear Madam/sir,

Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) has expressed grave concern at the tension between Russia and Ukraine which is continuously raising the fear of a war between the two countries. As medical doctors we are much concerned about the humanitarian crisis which may ensue due to war between the two countries and may even lead to use of nuclear weapons said Dr Arun Mitra  Co President International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), Dr S S Soodan  President IDPD, Dr Shakeel Ur Rahman  General Secretary IDPD. Last week, US government officials estimated that the fighting could kill 25,000 to 50,000 civilians, 5,000 to 25,000 Ukrainian military personnel, and 3,000 to 10,000 Russian soldiers. It could also generate 1-to-5 million refugees. Any escalation could lead to use of nuclear weapons which would be catastrophic. The studies conducted by IPPNW have shown that even a limited nuclear exchange would put over two billion people at risk. Such a war at this moment may not remain localised to Europe alone. As it appears that USA along with NATO countries will directly or indirectly enter into the conflict, this will further Increase the crisis and lead to involvement of other countries in the time to come. Therefore it is urgently needed that the two countries reach a diplomatic solution to the crisis through mutual dialogue and confidence building measures.

Dr Arun Mitra

Co President IPPNW

139-E, Kitchlu Nagar, Ludhiana
Prystaiko's words that Ukraine allegedly ready to consider abandoning NATO membership in order to avoid war with Russia taken out of context - MFA

The words of Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko that Ukraine is allegedly ready to consider abandoning NATO membership in order to avoid a war with Russia are taken out of context, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko said.

"Of course, for the sake of peace and the preservation of the lives of our citizens, Ukraine is ready to enter into any format of dialogues with countries and international organizations. At the same time, Ambassador Prystaiko rightly noted in an interview that the prospect of NATO membership is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine, but Ukraine is not yet a member of NATO or another security alliance. So the key issue for our country is the issue of security guarantees," Nikolenko told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

He said that the best such guarantee would be the immediate admission of Ukraine to the Alliance.

"But threats to Ukraine exist here and now, so finding an answer to the question of guarantees becomes a fundamental urgent task. At the same time, no decision can be made contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine," Nikolenko said.

Earlier, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, former Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko, in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, said that Kyiv could refuse to join the North Atlantic Alliance if it helps to avoid a full-scale war with Russia. At the same time, he admitted that his words may run counter to the norms of the Constitution of Ukraine.
The North Atlantic and European course remain a priority for Ukraine, Presidential Press Secretary Serhiy Nikiforov said.

"The North Atlantic and European course remains a priority for Ukraine. Firstly, it is enshrined in the Constitution. Secondly, it is reflected in the daily steps of the authorities. Thirdly, we can safely say that there is a consensus in society about it," Nikiforov said in a comment to the Interfax-Ukraine agency, commenting on the words of former head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and current ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, that Ukraine is allegedly ready to consider abandoning NATO membership in order to avoid war with the Russian Federation.

He said that one should not rush to conclusions regarding Prystaiko's statement.

"Regarding Prystaikos words, I still think that there is no need to rush to conclusions. He used the word 'flexibility', and I think that we need to ask him again what exactly he meant  let him explain his words. There has been no explanation yet," the presidential press secretary said.

Nikiforov also said that there were no proposals from Ukraine's Western partners regarding a possible rejection of potential NATO membership in order to avoid a war with the Russian Federation.

"Just the opposite. They all repeatedly said that the open door policy remains open for Ukraine," he said.

Earlier, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, former Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko, in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, said that Kyiv could refuse to join the North Atlantic Alliance if it helps to avoid a full-scale war with Russia. At the same time, he admitted that his words may run counter to the norms of the Constitution of Ukraine. "I'm now kind of going against the main document that we have. But when I say this, I mean that we are flexible and trying to find the best way out. If we have to make some serious concessions, that's what we can do. Undoubtedly," the diplomat said.
Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk asks the relevant committee to prepare for consideration at the session a draft resolution on the Parliament's Appeal to the UN, the OSCE Parliamentary Assemblies, NATO in connection with the escalation of the situation near the borders of Ukraine from the Russian Federation.

"Resolution [draft resolution] on the Appeal of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the UN, the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE... NATO... in connection with the escalation of Russia and the security situation around Ukraine. I ask to include it on the agenda in order to adopt it in the nearest future," Stefanchuk said at a meeting of the conciliation council of the leaders of factions and groups on Monday.

He asked the profile committee to prepare a draft resolution for consideration at the plenary session.
OSCE meeting to discuss strengthening, redeployment of Russian troops to probably take place on Feb 15 - MFA

An OSCE meeting to discuss the strengthening and movement of Russian troops will probably take place on February 15, spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleh Nikolenko said.

"Failing to receive the requested information, Dmytro Kuleba yesterday instructed to send an official request to apply the next element of the Vienna Document mechanism - holding a separate OSCE meeting to discuss the strengthening and movement of Russian troops. Such a meeting should take place within 48 hours, probably on February 15," Nikolenko said at an online briefing on Monday.

As reported, Ukraine has officially applied the risk reduction mechanism provided for in Section III of the Vienna Document.

"We turned to the Russian Federation with a request to provide detailed explanations on military activities in areas adjacent to the territory of Ukraine and in the temporarily occupied Crimea. According to the provisions of the Vienna Document, the Russian Federation must provide the exact areas for conducting military activities, indicate the date of its completion, as well as the name, subordination , the number of military formations; also the types of weapons and military equipment involved in it," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter on February 11.

The Minister said that Russia has 48 hours to respond to the request.

On February 13, it became known that Ukraine was convening a meeting with the Russian Federation and all participating states of the OSCE Vienna Document within the next 48 hours to discuss the strengthening and movement of Russian troops along the border of Ukraine and in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

"Russia failed to respond to our request under the Vienna Document. Consequently, we take the next step. We request a meeting with Russia and all participating states within 48 hours to discuss its reinforcement and redeployment along our border & in temporarily occupied Crimea," Ukrainian Foreign Minister wrote in Twitter.

"If Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, it must fulfill its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all," the minister said.
Monastyrsky: If some 'Girkin' tries to seize administrative building, he'll be shot without warning

Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denys Monastyrsky said that all structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are fulfilling their tasks to ensure the internal security of Ukraine, and Ukrainians should remain calm and continue their daily work.

"A total of 300,000 policemen, national guardsmen, border guards and rescuers carry out their service daily to protect the internal security of Ukraine. Despite any statements about possible aggressive actions by the Russian Federation, nobody panics and is not afraid - they do their job for the peace of Ukrainians," the minister said in a video message published on Monday on the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Monastyrsky said: "We believe in our Armed Forces. They, together with diplomats and intelligence officers, ensure the external security of Ukraine."

The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs assured that the ministry would make every effort to prevent separatist manifestations that took place in the spring of 2014 in Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk.

"We will not allow a repetition of Sloviansk either. If some 'Girkin' tries to seize the administrative buildings, he will be shot by our special forces without warning or hesitation," the head of the department said.

Speaking about how every Ukrainian can help their country, Monastyrsky said: "First, stay calm, don't panic. It's not 2014 now. Ukraine has become stronger and more organized. Secondly, everyone in their place must do the work that he or she does every day to keep schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and businesses running."

"Ukraine is strong and united. Everything will be fine," the Interior Minister said.
The adoption of resolutions in the State Duma of the Russian Federation on any format for recognizing the occupation structures can only mean Russia's explicit rejection of the Minsk documents, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podoliak said in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

He recalled the steps taken earlier - "compulsory passportization in the occupied territories, and the strengthening of the ruble zone, and the actual connection of the occupation structures to the administrative system of Russia." "All this is not only not provided for by Minsk, but contradicts it," adviser to the head of the Presidents Office said.

At the same time, Podoliak said that "all participants in the versatile negotiating efforts on the issue of ending the war in Donbas recognize the Minsk documents as the basic way to achieve peace. The corresponding statements were also repeatedly heard from Russia as the official position of this state."

In his opinion, "the very fact that two draft decisions on the so-called 'DPR' and 'LPR' have appeared in the Russian parliament is indicative. One draft decision is capable of instantly destroying the Minsk process, another draft decision can be assessed as preparing the ground for destruction."

"Perhaps this indicates an imbalance in the internal political processes in Russia. Perhaps the reason is something else. But the actual attitude of the Russian side to the Minsk documents, which is manifested in such projects, allows us to draw the appropriate conclusions," Podoliak said.

The State Duma Council plans to prepare for the plenary session of the chamber on February 15 two draft resolutions on the issue of appealing to the president to recognize the independence of the so-called "self-proclaimed republics of Donbas", an informed source told Interfax on Monday.

The first draft resolution is a document that was previously submitted to the State Duma by MPs from the Communist Party faction, and which provides for the immediate sending of this appeal to the president, immediately after possible approval by the chamber. The second draft resolution, which was proposed by several MPs from the United Russia faction, provides for first sending to the Foreign Ministry and other responsible departments an initiative to appeal to the president with a request to recognize the independence of the "republics."
The issue of Ukraine's membership in NATO is not relevant at the moment, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz has said.

"Regarding membership in the Alliance, it is irrelevant at the moment. Therefore, it is a little strange that the Russian government has made an issue that is not on the agenda now a subject of great political discussion," Scholz said at a press conference following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Monday.
The personnel of the National Police was transferred to a combat alert from February 14 to February 19, 2022, Chief of the National Police Ihor Klymenko said on his Facebook page.

According to him, this is necessary for prompt response to any threats to the security of citizens.

"The strengthened police regime is not an additional reason for panic. It is about protection and full readiness," he said.

Klymenko said this means an increase in the number of patrols that ensure public safety and order on the streets.

The chief of the National Police said that combat alert is necessary to deploy additional situational centers for round-the-clock monitoring of the operational situation in the country and to take under protection critical infrastructure facilities, authorities and local self-government.

According to him, this is necessary for prompt response to any threats to the security of citizens.
At 1200, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a roundtable conference titled "Does current govt have plan for self-preservation in next election cycles?" Participants include Head of the Ukrainian Politics/UP Foundation, historian, political scientist Kost Bondarenko; Director of the Institute for Global Strategies Vadym Karasiov; political expert Dmytro Korniychuk; political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko (8/5a Reitarska Street). The broadcast will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Due to quarantine restrictions, the number of places in the press center is limited, the presence of a PCR test or a certificate of vaccination is required. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
At 1400, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference on the topic "Bloody Tuesday. Missing and beaten entrepreneurs of #SaveFOP movement" regarding the events that took place on January 25, 2022 and the police responses. Participants include Head of the #SaveFOP movement Serhiy Dorotych (suffered minor injuries), Halyna Kapiton (entrepreneur from Cherkasy, received eye burns from tear gas), injured entrepreneurs Tetiana Horeva (Kyiv), Inna Romantsova (Lviv), Maryna Badalova (Kyiv) (8/5a Reitarska Street). The broadcast will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Due to quarantine restrictions, the number of places in the press center is limited, the presence of a PCR test or a certificate of vaccination is required. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
[February 14, 2022] IMEC Launches "Grow Your Future" Initiative for Illinois Manufacturers PEORIA, Ill., Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IMEC, the Illinois affiliate of the U.S Commerce NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network, launched the Grow Your Future Initiative. This initiative provides Illinois' small and mid-sized manufacturers the with tools, trainings, and assistance to drive growth within their business. These projects were developed based on insights and immediate needs reported from over 3,000 Illinois manufacturers. Illinois manufacturing is a major contributor to the Illinois economy and many of the firms surveyed conveyed an urgent priority to find ways to grow their business, especially after navigating through the pandemic. In fact, the smaller the firm by employment, the more urgent this need was reported. "Illinois Manufacturers are ready to move forward from the disruptions of the last 2 years and emerge more competitive. Projects that focus on finding new customers, new markets, and new innovations in the way they produce will lead the way for manufacturers across the globe"  David Boulay, Ph.D. President - IMEC. The Grow Your Future Projects are fully funded and valued between $5,000 and $10,000 each. They emphasize growth needs like: Website Design, Search Engine Optimization, Lead Generation Campaigns, Sales Pitch Training, Social Media Implementation, and Ecommerce Set-up. Existing small and mid-sized Illinoi manufacturers with less than 500 employees are encouraged to apply. Selected projects must be conducted in Illinois and completed by June 2022. Projects are limited to one project per company.

"We are a growing company with an ambitious mission: to change the way the world heals. These programs help manufacturers like us develop and launch a strategy to achieve big growth objectives. These successes galvanize our communities and helps create and retain jobs."

 Ashley S. Moy, CEO  Cast21 and IMEC Board Member For more information about the program and to apply for a Grow Your Future project, visit https://www.imec.org/growyourfuture/ About IMEC IMEC is a team of improvement specialists who are dedicated to changing lives and creating a positive impact on Illinois' workforce and economy. With a mission to drive growth through enterprise excellence, they help organizations become more effective and efficient by identifying issues, developing and implementing solutions and providing the necessary support that will allow them to excel in areas of leadership, strategy, customer engagement, operations, workforce, and measurement and results. In 2021, they assisted over 1,600 companies and help create or retain over 5,679 jobs, resulting in over $450M aggregate impact to the Illinois economy. IMEC has seven offices statewide and 48 full-time industry improvement specialists. For more information, visit www.imec.org. IMEC is one of the 51 MEP Centers in the US and Puerto Rico. MEP Centers are part of the MEP National Network, which includes the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) and over 1000 manufacturing experts at over 400 service locations, with the tools and resources to help US manufacturers succeed and advance US Manufacturing. Being that each Center is a public-private partnership, they are able to connect manufacturers with government agencies, universities and research facilities, trade associations and many more resources that foster growth and innovation. In 2021, The MEP National Network helped manufacturers created and retain over 125,000 jobs. Find your local MEP Center here. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/imec-launches-grow-your-future-initiative-for-illinois-manufacturers-301480801.html SOURCE IMEC

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KYIV. Feb 14 (Interfax-Ukraine)  The Head of the #SaveFOP movement, Serhiy Dorotych, announced a protest rally near the Verkhovna Rada on February 17 against the mandatory use of payment transactions recorders.

"Our protest continues, it is indefinite. On February 17, we are again at the Constitution Square near the Verkhovna Rada," Dorotych said during a press conference on Monday at Interfax-Ukraine.

Dorotych recalled that #SaveFOP has been protesting for two years against the introduction of payment transactions recorders for private entrepreneurs of groups 2-4 of the simplified taxation system. In his opinion, such a requirement leads to additional costs for entrepreneurs. At the same time, the State Tax Service has developed free software that allows using a smartphone or tablet as a payment transactions recorder.

As reported, on January 1, 2022, the deferment period for the introduction of payment transactions recorders for single tax payers of the second to fourth groups ended.
Presentation of the private aviation club, Ukrainian Aviation Club (UAC), took place on February 8 in Kyiv, Premier Palace Hotel. This is a professional community that includes international and Ukrainian airline companies, airports and other representatives of aviation and touristic business.

A new edition of the main aviation magazine of Ukraine  Boryspil Magazine, dedicated to the Arabian Gulf countries  was presented at the event. Oleksii Didigurov, the Founder of the Ukrainian Aviation Club, told about the development plan for 2022 and shared his ideas about new projects. Veronika Bulavytska, a Country Manager of Air Astana Airlines, informed about renewal and flight safety from Kyiv to Kazachstan. During the event, UAH 7,000 was collected from the sales of books by the UAC founder, Oleksii Didigurov, which were transferred to Sky People fund.

The representatives of the following companies visited the event: the main Ukrainian airport  Boryspil, the Head of UkSATSE; Wizz Air, ElAl, Air Astana, Air Arabia, Windrose Airlines Ukraine;

Ras Al Khaimah tourism office; the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, Touristic Department of the American Chamber of Commerce; Raisky and Insignia concierge services, aircraft maintenance companies and business aviation, as well as companies related to flights and mass media.

The partners of the event were: Premier Palace, Qatari Embassy in Ukraine, Krayna. Dyka Voda Zakarpattia (Krayna. Wild Water of Transcarpathia).

Gifts of the following brands were awarded: Ras Al Khaima Tourism, Royal Thai Spa, EKIP-SPORT, Koshkin Dom, Avialiga.

All guests received 50% discount for a stay in Mola Mola Apart Hotel in Lviv.

Qatari Embassy in Ukraine treated the guests.

The next UAC meeting is to take place in March, in a private format, and will be devoted to marketing and PR experts in aviation and tourism.
The Ukrainian online cinema SWEET.TV increased the number of subscribers by 50% in 2021.

In 2021, SWEET.TV apps were installed on 6 million devices, including TVs, smartphones, tablets and Xbox, according to the company's announcement on Monday. In December, SWEET.TV reached 2.5 million web users.

The SWEET.TV local distribution network has also grown  the company notes that now there is a SWEET.TV manager in each region, and more than 900 private sales representatives are engaged in retail trade in the regions.

In 2021, SWEET.TV implemented more than ten collaborations with Ukrainian and international companies, including access to online cinema content on high-speed trains of the Intercity and Intercity+ categories.

Over 2021, more than 260 TV channels are available on the service, as well as more than 10,000 films, cartoons, series and educational courses.

SWEET.TV also signed extended contracts with Hollywood film studios Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, Sony and Universal, as well as an agreement for exclusive rights and early premieres of Disney films. The company also provided its customers with access to all the films of the MARVEL universe on the service within the tariff and at no additional charge.

SWEET.TV is a Ukrainian OTT platform with more than 260 TV channels, including HD and 4K, Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks and other products.

The platform has direct contracts with Disney, Paramount, Universal, Sony and other international content producers for dubbing media products specifically for the territory of Ukraine, and not for the CIS. The service creates Ukrainian-language dubbing for cult Hollywood films in the Hollywood in Ukrainian project.
By Trend

Uzbek manufacturer of cotton-cleaning equipment PAHTAMASH plans to build a plant in Azerbaijan, Director General of the Uzbek PAHTAMASH LLC Izatulla Rakhmatov told Trend.

According to him, negotiations on this are currently underway.

He noted that the new plant for the primary processing of cotton will have the domestic equipment from Uzbekistan.

PAHTAMASH is also willing to equip plants in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, Rakhmatov said.

Furthermore, according to him, the company intends to open a representative office in Azerbaijan in 2022, and negotiations on this matter are in progress.

As the director general noted, it is scheduled to supply equipment through Azerbaijan to new markets.

"The Uzbek manufacturer has been cooperating with Azerbaijan since 2016-2017. Among the partners in Azerbaijan, I can name such companies as MKT Production Commerce LLC, Azerpambiq LLC, P-Aqro LLC, as well as Azernagro LLC. In accordance with our agreements, we supply high-quality equipment for ginneries of various capacities to Azerbaijan, Rakhmatov stated.

He also noted that PAHTAMASH plans to train Azerbaijani specialists to increase cotton production.

"We want to help Azerbaijan train highly qualified personnel in the cotton industry," Rakhmatov stressed.

He added that PAHTAMASH will support the training of Azerbaijani personnel at the Uzbek Institute of Textile Industry and organize practice for them at the company's plants.

Meanwhile, deputy head of the department of foreign economic activity of PAHTAMASH Akmaljon Saliev said that the company signed a contract with Azerbaijans Azernagro LLC for $726,000 and planned to more than double its value, up to about $2 million.

"Our modern machines are equipped with an automated system, where the human factor has almost been reduced to zero," Rakhmatov said.

PAHTAMASH products are also supplied to Turkey, Russia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and other cotton-growing countries.
Al-Azhar condemned Friday terrorist attack on a mosque in Afghanistans capital Kabul that left dozens of worshippers dead and injured.
Spain said Monday that the mobile phones of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Defence Minister Margarita Robles were tapped using Pegasus spyware in an "illicit and external" intervention.
Officials from the US departments of state and energy will attend the exhibition, which includes 15 country pavilions and 450 exhibiting companies

US Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen, along with the acting director of the US Trade and Development Agency and senior officials from US Departments of State and Energy, will represent the US at the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS 2020), the US embassy in Cairo announced in a statement on Sunday.

EGYPS 2020 will be held between 11 and 13 February at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo, and is set to have around 30,000 attendees, over 450 exhibiting companies and 15 international country pavilions.

It is being held under the slogan North Africa and the Mediterranean: Delivering the Energy Needs of Tomorrow, and aims to provide a platform for industry interaction between national and international oil companies.

The US government believes that Egypt is positioned to be an important regional energy hub, for Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, the US embassys statement read.

According to the statement, more than 20 US companies will participate in the exhibition.

The US pavilion will provide information and business counselling services from its booth through the US Foreign Commercial Service.

The presence at EGYPS 2020 of high-level officials from multiple US agencies demonstrates the growing commercial partnership between our countries, Ambassador Cohen said.

The US Departments of State and Energy and the US Trade and Development Agency are determined to continue building strong bridges with Egypt, including its private sector, to help Egypt realise its ambition to be a regional leader in energy production and distribution, Cohen added.

The French embassy in Cairo also released a statement on Sunday saying that Business France, the national French agency concerned with the internationalization of the French economy, will have a pavilion at the EGYPS 2020 fair for the fourth consecutive year.

As Egypt aims to become a gas hub in the eastern Mediterranean and conducts numerous projects at the level of exploration, refining and petrochemicals, France and its companies attach great importance to their participation in the EGYPS 2020 fair, with the objective of further strengthening the leading Franco-Egyptian partnership in the energy sector, read the statement.

According to the statement, ten French companies representing different sectors of the field will be represented at the French pavilion, while several other prominent French companies in the field will participate in the exhibition, including Total, Technip FMC and Schneider Electric.

Beside the US and France, the UK, Germany, China, Canada, Norway, India, the UAE, Spain, Italy, Greece, Scotland, Bahrain and Cyprus will have pavilions at the exhibition.

There will also be nine national oil companies, 11 international oil companies, 15 international service providers and engineering, procurement and construction companies in attendance.

The exhibition will allow attendees and exhibitors to showcase new projects, technologies, key products and services to help deliver growth within the Egyptian and North African hydrocarbon sector, according to its official website.

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Egypt has been speeding up its green transition while also preparing to host next years COP27 meeting on climate change.

Countries around the world are stepping up their transition to clean energy and green economies to face the threats of climate change and achieve sustainable development.

A report issued in August by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis was a wake-up call for immediate action to avoid what the report described as the catastrophic warming of the planet as a result of climate change driven by increasing carbon emissions.

The 3,500-page report warned of more extreme weather events, including extended heat waves, droughts, floods, and higher sea levels that will affect people living in coastal areas. It highlighted the urgent need for nations to accelerate plans to decarbonise and transition to renewable energy resources.

The UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP26) meeting that took place in the Scottish city of Glasgow in November also saw promises by world leaders to end deforestation by 2030. Trees play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide, a driver of climate change, and forests act as carbon sinks, a term used to describe an area that absorbs large amounts of carbon emissions.

More than 100 countries, including the US and the European Union, signed the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to slash emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas by 2030. More than 40 countries also agreed during COP26 to shift away from coal and limit the burning of the fossil fuel to reduce global temperature rises.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said that the full implementation of all the net-zero pledges made at COP26 and the Global Methane Pledge by signatories will limit global warming to 1.8 C by 2100.

In 2015, 197 countries signed the Paris Agreement that aimed to keep global warming below 2 C, and to aim for 1.5 C in order to avoid a climate catastrophe. Countries have to keep cutting emissions and reach net zero by 2050 in order to achieve that goal through radical changes in industry, transport, agriculture and construction.

Egypt is also drawing up plans to help to save the planet, and during the COP26 meeting Yasmine Fouad, Egypts minister of environment, announced the launch of Egypts National Climate Change Strategy 2050, with five main objectives including cutting the emissions of various sectors to maintain sustainable economic growth, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, producing energy from waste, and using alternative energy forms like green hydrogen.

As Egypt prepares to host the COP27 meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh in 2022, Fouad explained that the countrys strategy will enable it to support the goals of Vision 2030 and effectively address the effects and repercussions of climate change by adopting a flexible, low-emissions approach, as well as improving the efficiency of thermal power plants and transmission and distribution networks.

The strategy also aims to protect natural resources and ecosystems, preserve state resources and assets from the effects of climate change, improve infrastructure, implement risk-reduction concepts, and establish early warning systems, she said.

It requires improving the infrastructure for financing climate-change projects and the promotion of scientific research, technology transfer, knowledge management, and awareness to combat climate change, Fouad said.

According to the strategy, innovative financing tools such as green bonds will be utilised alongside conventional financing instruments such as soft loans and grants from multilateral development banks. A national verification system will be established to monitor all forms of climate action.

Egypt launched green bonds worth $750 million in late 2020, one of the first countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to finance green projects, especially in the field of clean transportation.

Climate finance, or the money provided to help poorer countries cut emissions and protect themselves from climate-change impacts, is a debated issue at every COP meeting since the developed countries have failed to meet their promise to mobilise $100 billion in climate finance annually by 2020 to help the developing nations cope with mitigation and adaptation efforts.

The IPCC has said that between $1.6 and $3.8 trillion are needed annually for the transformation of energy systems alone between 2016 and 2050.

ADAPTATION EFFORTS

But even before Egypt launched its National Climate Change Strategy at COP26, it was already implementing projects to enhance its ability to adapt to climate change.

These include projects to protect Alexandria and the northern coastline from rising sea levels, rehabilitating and cultivating 1.5 million feddans of land to achieve food security and compensate for land degradation and the erosion of the Nile Delta, in addition to modernising traditional irrigation methods and improving the efficiency of water resource use, and wastewater treatment and reuse projects.

Climate-related challenges, Minister of Planning Hala Al-Said has been quoted as saying, pose significant risks to water, agriculture, and food security in Egypt.

Despite its low contribution to global greenhouse-gas emissions, estimated at about 0.6 per cent of total world emissions, Egypts transition to renewable energy and a green economy has been fast-tracked and become one of the integral parts of the countrys comprehensive development plans, including the National Hydrogen Strategy, the National Water Resources Strategy, and economic incentives to promote green transformation.

One development in Egypts transition towards green energy was President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisis directive in July to prepare an integrated national strategy for the production of hydrogen in the light of the growing international interest in this green fuel. Egypt signed several agreements in 2021 to develop its green hydrogen industry.

Green hydrogen is hydrogen fuel created by using renewable energy instead of fossil fuel. It is said to enable energy-intensive industries to become more environmentally-friendly.

Egypts National Hydrogen Strategy is currently being prepared. An action plan is being written as well as studies exploring opportunities to localise the hydrogen industry in Egypt. The Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy has announced that green hydrogen will be an important alternative for energy production in the coming years and will be part of the countrys energy mix.

According to the Ministry of Planning, about 30 per cent of investment projects for fiscal year 2021-22 are planned as green projects, up from 15 per cent in the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Egypts portfolio of eligible green projects amounted to about $2 billion by the end of 2020, of which 16 per cent are in the field of renewable energy, 19 per cent for clean transportation, 26 per cent for water and sanitation, and 39 per cent in the field of pollution reduction.

All this helped Egypt advance from 26th place in 2020 to 20th place among the worlds top 40 markets in the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) for 2021.

Egypts 2035 energy strategy aims to generate 61 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, 31 GW of which are from solar energy, while concentrated solar power will constitute 12 GW and the remaining 18 GW will come from wind energy. One GW equals 1,000 megawatts (MW) of power.

According to Mohamed Shaker, Egypts minister of electricity and energy, the total installed capacity for renewable energy as of the end of 2021 will amount to 6,378 MW, representing about 20 per cent of total generated capacity, a target that was intended initially to be reached by the end of 2022.

It is expected that the installed capacity of renewable energy will reach about 10,000 megawatts by the end of 2023, he said.

According to the ministry, the increase in electricity production from renewable sources contributed to the saving of more than 750,000 tons of oil equivalent during fiscal year 2020-21, in addition to avoiding emissions of more than 2,230 megatons of carbon dioxide.

The implementation of the Benban Project, which houses more than 32 solar energy projects from photovoltaic cells, with a total capacity of about 1,465 megawatts, as well as giant wind farms with a capacity exceeding 1,500 megawatts, has resulted in the growing confidence of global companies in investing in Egypt, said Mohamed Al-Khayat, head of Egypts New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA).

All these renewable sources of energy are aimed at increasing the contribution of clean and renewable energy to more than 42 per cent of total generated capacity in Egypt by 2035.

The sun shines in Egypt for between nine and 11 hours a day, and the wind speed in some areas reaches 10 metres per second, such as at the Zafarana Wind Farm in the Gulf of Suez. This makes Egypt one of the top countries most suitable for solar-energy applications.

The energy sector represents about 13.1 per cent of Egypts GDP, according to government data.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 23 December, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

The State Academic Musical Theater has taken part in the 40th anniversary Fajr International Theater Festival in Iran.

The play In one breath based on the work by contemporary Azerbaijani author Samir Gulamov was shown with great success on the stage of the Central City Theater of Tehran.

The production is dedicated to the Great Victory of Azerbaijan in the 44-day Patriotic War and the memory of martyrs. It tells about the heroes of the Karabakh war. The fate of the mother runs like a red thread, who is waiting for her son from the front and believes that he will soon return to his father's house with victory.

Before the show, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran Ali Alizade stressed that the participation of the Azerbaijani theater group in the international festival is another bridge of culture between the countries.

The Ambassador praised the heroism of the brave soldiers of Azerbaijan during the 44-day Patriotic War.

At the end of the performance, the audience greeted the creative team with a standing ovation. The theater team included Honored Artist Nakhida Orujova, actors Gulnara Abdullayeva, Guljakhan Salamova, Amrakh Dadashov, Nazrin Ismayilzade, Samira Gulamova, Samedzade Khasieva, Ali Kerimov and Gabil Gozalov.

Next, the audience enjoyed a solo performance "Shy girl" based on the story of the Russian classic Fyodor Dostoevsky.

The performance staged by People's Artist Jannet Selimova with the participation of Honored Artist Shovga Huseynov is a story about great love ruined by pride, an attempt to find an answer to the eternal, "damned" question: how a tragic experience becomes the basis of a person's spiritual rebirth and makes him stronger and more humane.

The author of the idea and the artistic director of the productions is the director of the theater, Ph.D. in art history, Honored Art Worker Aligismat Lalayev.

Founded in 1982, Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) is Irans largest annual film festival held in Tehran. It is an event that celebrates cultural exchange, displays creative achievements of highly acclaimed cineastes and pays tribute to quality local and international films.

Since its establishment, Fajr International Film Festival has played a vital role in the development of the Iranian Cinema. Every year, veteran directors and new filmmakers devotedly present their works in the festival.
After one month of intensive discussions, the Senate  Egypts consultative upper house of parliament  finally approved on Sunday the countrys new government-drafted Labour Law.

The Senate, which has passed 245 articles out of a total of 267 over the last four weeks, met on Sunday to discuss and approve the remaining 22 articles.

Bahaa El-Din Abu Shoqa  the Senates deputy speaker and leader of the liberal-oriented Wafd Party  said that the final draft, as approved by the Senate, will be referred to the House of Representatives for final discussion and finally voted on as per the constitutional rules and principles.

Abu Shoqa described the new Labour Law as a progressive step because not only does it tackle the shortcomings of the current law (12/2003), but it also aims to streamline work conditions.

It was important that Egypt draft a new Labour Law that can be in line with the countrys 2014 constitution and operate in tandem with the new rules instituted by the Supreme Constitutional Court and the new conventions of the International Labour Organisation, said Abu Shoqa.

Not to mention that many of the current Labour Laws articles are not harmonious with a number of other laws, particularly those regulating child labour and social insurance and pensions.

As a result, there is a pressing need to issue a new labour law to reflect the changing economic and labour conditions in Egypt and the outside world and create a new balanced relationship between employees and employers, he said.

A report by the Senates Energy, Environment, and Labour Force Committee explained that the new 267-article law covers various major issues, such as child labour, women in the workplace, maternity leaves, strikes, working hours, minimum and maximum wages, automatic dismissal of workers, and labour lawsuits.

On Sunday, the Senate also approved an article that allows working fathers one day of paid paternity leave to care for their newly born baby.

The initial proposal  which was submitted by Senator Mohamed Farid  called for working fathers to receive seven days of paternity leave starting from their babies birth date.

The proposal, however, was rejected by Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Alaa El-Din Fouad, who both insisted that one day would be sufficient and would be provided once a father presents their babys birth certificate.

It is worth mentioning that article 50 of the draft Labour Law states that women are entitled to four months of paid maternity leave  including the period preceding and following the delivery  with the stipulation that such a period would not be less than 45 days on the condition that she presents a medical certificate indicating the likely date of delivery.

The article adds women shall not be granted paid maternity leave more than three times throughout their careers.

The Senate also approved on Sunday an article stipulating that employers who fail to submit a statement detailing the total number of workers under their employer along with the total number of disabled people working for them to the concerned administrative agency shall face a fine of no less than EGP 100,000 and no more than EGP 300,000.

The Senate also approved that article 253 of the law be amended upon a proposal by Senator Alaa Mostafa. The amendment states that those who have forced workers to work without pay shall be fined an amount of no less than EGP 20,000 and no more than EGP 50,000.

The new Labour Law states that a Higher Council for Planning and Employing Labour Forces shall be set up to take charge of drawing up labour policies and establishing an assistance fund for seasonal workers.

Abdel-Khalek Ayad  the chairman of the Senates Energy, Environment, and Labour Force Committee  said the draft labour law was reviewed for four months, with the committee holding hearing sessions involving an array of labour experts.

According to Ayad, the new law strikes a balance between the interests of employers and potential investors and those of workers. Reacting to concerns the legislation would make it easier to lay-off employees, Ayad insisted the draft contains no provision for the automatic dismissal of workers.

The new Labour Law aims to regulate the relationship between employers and workers and includes rules that can be used to settle differences between them, said Ayad.

The law clearly states that a worker can be dismissed only upon a final judicial order from a labour court, and makes it harder for employers to fire staff suffering from illness. It does, however, facilitate the firing of workers convicted of a felony.

Minister Saafan said that the new Labour Law was drafted to reflect the fact that 80 percent of Egypts 30 million workforce are now employed in the private sector.

In drafting the new Labour Law, Saafan continued, the government was keen to take the opinions of the International Labour Organisation into account. We also tried our best to ensure the Labour Law complements the foreign agreements and conventions to which Egypt is a signatory, he added.

The Senate also approved Article 204 of the law, which guarantees workers right to strike peacefully as long as other avenues to settle a labour dispute have been followed.

Article 205 states that workers intending to organise a peaceful strike should notify the concerned administrative department ten days ahead, indicating the reasons behind the strike and its duration.

Articles 206 and 207 state that workers cannot strike to amend a national labour agreement if they are employed in sectors serving national security interests or by institutions providing basic services to citizens, as determined by the prime minister.

The Senate also approved Article 58, which bans the employment of children below 18 years of age, and Article 60, which allows children within the same age bracket to receive training for a maximum of six hours a day.

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Egypts Minister of Foreign Affairs and the COP27 President-Designate Sameh Shoukry met on Monday with UN Framework Convention on Climate (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa in the German city of Bonn as part of the country's preparations to host COP27 later this year.

In a statement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ahmed Hafez said the FM's visit aims to push international action to mitigate the impact of climate change and mobilise the necessary momentum for the success of the COP27, which is set to take place in Sharm El-Sheikh on the Red Sea in November 2022.

Egypt plans to build on the outcomes of the COP26 that was held in Glasgow late last year, Hafez stressed.

Egypt formed a committee to prepare for COP27 under the presidency of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly that includes several ministers and other officials.

The country is also drawing up plans to help confront climate change and save the planet by speeding up the transition to a green economy, reducing emissions, and financing climate-oriented projects in developing African countries.

Furthermore, Egypt launched the 2050 National Climate Change Strategy with five main objectives, including cutting the emissions of various sectors to maintain sustainable economic growth, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, producing energy from waste, and using alternative energy forms like green hydrogen.

In preparation for the COP27 event, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered the government to start upgrading Sharm El-Sheikhs roads and services as well as the conversion of public transportation there to operate on natural gas instead of diesel fuel.

Egypt has vowed to speak for Africa's aspirations on addressing climate change at the COP27.

On Monday, during the inauguration of the fifth edition of the Egyptian Petroleum Show (EGYPS 2022), El-Sisi also urged developed countries to provide financial support to African states to confront climate change and extend the transitional period for fulfilling renewable energy commitments.

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Egypt sent on Monday its largest medical and food aid shipment to Lebanon yet as part of its continued efforts to support the country after the devastating port explosion that sent shockwaves across the city of Beirut in August 2020.

The shipment arrived at Beirut Port today afternoon and is comprised of over 480 tonnes of medical supplies and foodstuffs, according to a statement by the Egyptian Embassy in Lebanon.

The shipment was prepared in coordination with the Lebanese side following a meeting between Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Cairo in December, said Yasser Alawi, the Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon.

The shipment, Alawi added , affirms El-Sisis pledge to harness all capabilities to support Lebanon following the explosion.

Egypt has sent several aid shipments to Lebanon since the catastrophic event as per President El-Sisis directives to provide humanitarian aid to help in the reconstruction of the country.

Lebanese Minister of Health Firass Abiad, who received the shipment alongside other officials, said Lebanon is in dire need now of drugs to treat chronic diseases, and this huge and unprecedented shipment covers a large part of these needs.

The explosion at Beiruts port on 4 August 2020 devastated the Lebanese capital, killing at least 171 people, injuring around 6,000, and leaving as many as 300,000 homeless.

Moreover, Lebanons healthcare system is struggling amid an economic crisis, with the coronavirus pandemic putting further pressure on the state-run hospitals.

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Russia's top diplomat advised President Vladimir Putin on Monday to continue talks with the West on Russian security demands amid rising tensions over Ukraine.

The statement by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appeared to signal the Kremlin's intention to stay on a diplomatic path even though the U.S. has warned that Moscow could invade Ukraine at any moment.

Speaking at the start of a meeting with Putin, Lavrov suggested that Moscow should maintain a dialogue with the U.S. and its allies even though they have rejected Russia's main security demands.

Moscow wants guarantees from the West that NATO won't allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members, and that the alliance will halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe.

Lavrov noted that even though the U.S. and its allies have flatly rejected those demands, Washington has offered to conduct dialogue on limits for missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures.

Putin has yet to formulate Russia's formal response to those proposals.

Asked by Putin if it made sense to continue diplomatic efforts, Lavrov responded that possibilities for talks ``are far from being exhausted,'' and he proposed to continue the negotiations.

The talks ``can't go on idefinitely, but I would suggest to continue and expand them at this stage,'' Lavrov said.

Their meeting came as Germany's chancellor began a trip to Kyiv and Moscow for a last-ditch attempt to head off a feared Russian invasion of Ukraine that some warn could be only days away.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine on Monday and plans to continue on to Moscow for talks with Putin. Moscow denies it has any plans to invade but has massed well over 130,000 troops near Ukraine and, in the U.S. view, has built up enough firepower to launch an attack on short notice.

``We are experiencing a very, very serious threat to peace in Europe,'' Scholz tweeted from Kyiv, adding that Germany wanted to see ``signals of de-escalation`` from Moscow.

With concerns rising that war could be imminent, German's military said the first of some 350 extra troops it is sending to bolster NATO forces in Lithuania were en route Monday. Six howitzer guns were also being loaded onto trucks for transport to the alliance's eastern flank.

With the world already on high alert, U.K. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said a Russian attack could ``effectively now happen with no notice.'' That follows a warning from U.S. officials that an invasion could come this week _ leading to a flurry of diplomacy but also deterrence measures.

Meanwhile, Lithuania moved diplomats' families and some nonessential diplomatic workers out of Ukraine; the U.S. is already pulling most of its staff from the embassy in Kyiv. And the Greek Foreign Ministry joined several Western nations in urging its citizens to leave the country.

The moves were the latest preparations for a possible war. On Sunday, some airlines canceled flights to Kyiv and troops there unloaded fresh shipments of weapons from NATO members. Ukraine's air traffic safety agency declared the airspace over the Black Sea to be a ``zone of potential danger'' because of Russian naval drills and recommended that planes avoid flying over the sea Feb. 14-19.

The U.S. and its NATO allies have repeatedly warned that Russia will pay a high price for any invasion _ but they have sometimes struggled to present a united front. Scholz's government, in particular, has been criticized for refusing to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine or to spell out which sanctions it would support against Russia, raising questions about Berlin's resolve to stand up to Moscow.

So far, NATO's warnings appear to have had little effect: Russia has only beefed up troops and weapons in the region and launched massive drills in its ally Belarus, which also neighbors Ukraine. The West fears that the drills, which will run through Sunday, could be used by Moscow as a cover for an invasion from the north.

Russia has repeatedly brushed off Ukrainian and Western concerns about the military buildup, saying it has the right to deploy forces wherever needed on its territory.

Some observers expect Moscow to eventually accept a compromise that would help avoid hostilities and allow all sides to save face. While NATO refuses to shut the door to Ukraine, the alliance also has no intention of embracing it or any other ex-Soviet nation anytime soon. Some experts have floated ideas such as a moratorium on NATO expansion or a neutral status for Ukraine to defuse the tensions.

Ukraine's ambassador to the U.K., Vadym Prystaiko, seemed to suggest just such a middle path, telling the BBC on Sunday that the country could abandon its goal of joining NATO _ an objective that is written into its constitution _ if it would avert war with Russia.

``We might _ especially being threatened like that, blackmailed by that, and pushed to it,'' Prystaiko told BBC Radio 5.

On Monday, however, Prystaiko appeared to back away from that, saying that ``to avoid war we are ready for many concessions ... but it has nothing to do with NATO, which is enshrined in the constitution.''

Asked about Prystaiko's comment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would welcome such a move but noted the quick repudation of it by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

Ukrainian parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk also emphasized that there was no talk about revising the constitutional provision that refers to NATO membership, and some lawmakers called for Prystaiko's dismissal.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Sunday that Kyiv requested a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the next 48 hours to discuss the Russian deployments near the country's borders.

Poland, which currently chairs the OSCE, said the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday _ but it is unlikely to defuse tensions.

With the region on edge, the Russian Defense Ministry summoned the U.S. Embassy's military attache on Saturday to protest what it said was a U.S. submarine in Russian waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The Russian military said the submarine initially ignored orders to leave, but left after the navy used unspecified ``appropriate means.'' The U.S. has denied that its ship ever entered Russian waters.

Asked by lawmakers Monday if the military could strike foreign warships that enter Russian waters, deputy chief of the Russian military's General Staff Stanislav Gadzhimagomedov said the military stands ready for it, but added that such decisions are only made on the highest level.

High-level diplomacy has also continued _ but with little results so far. In an hourlong Saturday call with Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden said that invading Ukraine would cause ``widespread human suffering'' and that the West was committed to ending the crisis but ``equally prepared for other scenarios,'' the White House said.

Biden also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for about an hour Sunday, agreeing to keep pushing both deterrence and diplomacy to try to stave off a Russian offensive.

As he has before, Zelenskyy sought to play down the idea that a conflict was imminent, noting that Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine ``are safe and under reliable protection.''

His office's readout of the call also quoted him suggesting that a quick Biden visit would help deescalate the situation _ a possibility was not mentioned in the White House summary of the call.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine's Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula 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 halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.

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Russia strengthened its forces amassed on the border of Ukraine over the weekend, the Pentagon's spokesman said Monday, despite Moscow's announcement that it was ending some military drills.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin "continues to add forces along that border with Ukraine and in Belarus, even just over the course of the weekend, he's well north of 100,000," spokesman John Kirby told CNN.

"It's not just the numbers," Kirby continued. "It's combined arms capabilities that he has available to him from everything from armor to infantry to special operations to cyber and air and missile defense."

The United States has warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent, and their Western allies have threatened a crippling package of economic sanctions in response.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Monday the end of some of Moscow's massive military drills in Russia and Belarus, though he told Putin others were ongoing.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Putin that there was a "chance" of reaching an agreement on security with the West, in what appeared to be a possible climbdown amid the raging tensions.

"Our possibilities are far from being exhausted, they certainly should not continue indefinitely, but I would suggest continuing and ramping them up," Lavrov said in a carefully choreographed meeting with Putin.

Despite the signs of easing tensions, Kirby reaffirmed that the Kremlin leader has all the capabilities to launch a vast, conventional military offensive in Ukraine at any time or even a smaller attack to destabilize the country.

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Afghanistan will be forced to reconsider its policy towards the United States unless Washington reverses a decision to freeze part of the country's assets as compensation for victims of the September 11 attacks, the Taliban said Monday.

"The 9/11 attacks had nothing to do with Afghanistan. If the United States does not deviate from its position and continues its provocative actions, the Islamic Emirate will also be forced to reconsider its policy towards the country," the Taliban deputy spokesman said in a statement posted to Twitter.

Last Friday US President Joe Biden seized $7 billion in assets belonging to the previous Afghan government, aiming to split the funds between victims of September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, and desperately needed aid for post-war Afghanistan.

The move drew an angry response from the country's new Taliban leaders, which branded the seizure a "theft" and a sign of US "moral decay."

On Monday they went further, saying: "Any misappropriation of the property of the Afghan people under the pretext of this incident is a clear violation of the agreement reached with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," the Taliban's name for the country.

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Continuing a steady decline of daily cases in the past several days, Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population reported on Sunday 2,131 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total cases since the outbreak began in February 2020 to 454,952.

The ministry also recorded 57 COVID-19 fatalities, bringing the total tally of deaths to 23,349.

The statement added that the total number of recoveries is 387,700 after 2,310 patients have been discharged in the past 24 hours.

Egypt has obtained a total of 140.5 million vaccine doses, from which 66.6 million have been consumed so far, Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, the acting health minister, said at a weekly cabinet meeting last Thursday.

The country currently has 29 million fully vaccinated citizens, according to the health ministrys daily statistics.

As many as 749,799 booster shots have been administered, the ministry said.

This comes as part of Egypts plans to vaccinate 70 percent of its 102 million population by the second half of 2022.

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Sudan's authorities have arrested a former senior government official a second time, his party said, as thousands of people took to the streets around the country Monday to protest an October military takeover.

The Unionist Alliance party said Mohammed al-Faki Suliman, a former member of the ruling Sovereign Council, was detained Sunday in the capital of Khartoum. It said security forces stopped his vehicle as he was heading from his home to the party's headquarters.

Suliman was also deputy head of a government-run agency tasked with dismantling the legacy of former autocratic President Omar al-Bashir's regime.

Also on Sunday, security forces arrested two former members of the agency, according to a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The agency is known as The Committee to Dismantle the Regime of June 30, 1989, in reference the Islamist-backed military coup that brought al-Bashir to power.

The official said the three were taken to the Souba prison in Khartoum. He said they were facing charges related to the work of the agency, which the military disbanded following the Oct. 25 takeover.

Suliman had been detained in the takeover and was released a month later as part of a deal between the military and then-Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

He was the latest of a series of former government officials and activists to be detained in recent weeks as military rulers stepped up crackdown on anti-takeover groups.

Last week, authorities also rearrested Khalid Omar, a minister in the ousted transitional government. Also arrested was Wagdi Saleh, another committee member. Omar is a leader with the opposition Sudanese Congress Party. The party said prosecutors ordered Omar and Saleh to remain in custody for 15 more days. It did not provide further details.

The detentions have intensified in recent weeks as Sudan plunged into further turmoil with near-daily street protests since the military takeover.

The takeover upended Sudan's transition to democratic rule that began after three decades of international isolation under al-Bashir, who was removed from power in 2019 after a popular uprising.

Protesters once again marched in Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman on Monday, demanding the establishment of a fully civilian government to lead the transition, according to the pro-democracy movement. There were protests in other cities, too, including Port Sudan and Wad Madani, it said.

The movement shared footage online that showed protesters in Khartoum beating drums and holding the Sudanese flag while marching in the streets of Khartoum.

Security authorities in the capital have called on protesters to assemble in public squares to avoid more clashes with forces. A deadly crackdown on protesters has killed around 80 people and wounded 2,200 others since the takeover, according to a Sudanese medical group.

Sudan has been politically paralyzed since the Oct. 25. The turmoil has worsened since the resignation last month of Hamdok, who complained of failure to reach a compromise between the generals and the pro-democracy movement.

African Union Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat, meanwhile, met Sunday with Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the Sovereign Council, in Khartoum as part of international efforts to find a way out of the crisis, the council said.

Mahamat also met with the Sudanese Professionals Association, which reiterated its demand of the removal of military from power, the association said.

The generals, however, said they will hand over power only to an elected administration. They say elections will take place in July 2023, as planned in a constitutional document governing the transitional period.

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Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian teenager in West Bank clashes, during what the army on Monday described as an operation to demolish the home of a suspected "terrorist".

The Palestinian health ministry identified the youth as Mohammed Abu Salah, 17, who was killed after Israeli forces entered the village of Silat al-Harithiya near the flashpoint town of Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

Soldiers and border police had entered the village "to demolish the floor of the residence in which the terrorist Muhammad Jaradat resided", the army said in a statement.

Israel has blamed Jaradat and others for the fatal shooting of a Jewish settler in the West Bank outpost of Homesh in December.

The army said "violent riots" broke out ahead of the planned demolition, "with the participation of hundreds of Palestinians," some of whom hurled explosives at Israeli troops.

"The troops identified a number of armed rioters, and fired towards them in order to neutralise the threat," the army said without commenting directly on the teen's death.

Abu Salah's body, draped in a white sheet, was hoisted by mourners ahead of his funeral later Monday.

Silat al-Harithiya was shuttered early Monday, as commands to attend the burial rang out from the mosque's loudspeakers.

Demolitions

The Israeli army, which said it had completed the demolition and withdrawn from the village, regularly destroys the homes of individuals it blames for attacks on Israelis.

The practice, which often fuels tensions, has been condemned by critics as a form of collective punishment. Israel insists it deters attacks.

The army said Jaradat was responsible for the death of Yehuda Dimentman, killed when gunmen sprayed a settler car with roughly a dozen bullets as it drove out of Homesh in December. Two others were injured in the attack.

A married father, Dimentman was studying at a religious school in the Homesh, which has remained open despite Israel not recognising the settlement.

Homesh had been evacuated by Israeli forces in 2005 but settlers have nevertheless continued to operate there, fuelling tensions with Palestinians.

Israel arrested four people days after the December shooting.

Around 475,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank, alongside some 2.9 million Palestinians, in communities regarded as illegal under international law.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is the former head of a settler lobbying council who opposes Palestinian statehood.

He has ruled out any formal peace talks with Palestinians during his tenure but said he will work to improve economic conditions in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Six Day War.

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Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was set to fly to Bahrain on Monday for the first-ever official visit by an Israeli head of government to the Gulf state.

Bennett's visit is the latest following the US-brokered 2020 Abraham Accords, which defied decades of Arab consensus that ruled out ties in the absence of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Bahrain and its close ally the United Arab Emirates became only the third and fourth majority Arab states -- following Egypt and Jordan -- to establish ties with Israel when they signed on to the pacts negotiated under former US President Donald Trump.

Bennett was scheduled to meet Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa as well as other top officials, and representatives of Bahrain's Jewish community, his office said.

The trip follows a visit to Manama by Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz earlier this month that saw the two countries sign a defence agreement.

The deal covered intelligence, procurement and joint training, with Gantz boasting that it further solidified the nascent diplomatic relationship.

The visit also comes at a time of regional tensions over Iran's nuclear programme.

Iran is engaged in negotiations with Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia directly and with the United States indirectly to revive the deal formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Focus On Iran

The deal offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. The US unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 under Trump. The drive to salvage it resumed in late November.

Bennett's government strongly opposes a return to the 2015 agreement, repeatedly warning that offering Tehran sanctions relief will lead to increased revenue that Iran will use to buy weapons for use against Israelis.

Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, said Bennett's trip is "absolutely" about Iran.

"In light of the talks in Vienna it is a show of force, symbolism, that the countries are working together," he said.

Dore Gold, head of the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs, said Israel and Bahrain have been pushed towards closer ties as both are "under threat by Iranian actions".

He pointed to unrest in Bahrain blamed on Iran-backed insurgents and the range of threats that Israel says Iran poses, notably its arming of the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

As part of their defence agreements, Israel is set to post a naval official in Bahrain, which hosts a base for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Guzansky said that in several respects Bahrain has been perceived as moving slower than the UAE in terms of solidifying ties with Israel.

But, he added, allowing an Israeli military officer to be based there was "significant," while noting that Bahrain "does not want to be seen as an Israeli base in the Gulf."

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By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan have officially approved the Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations between the two countries, signing relevant laws on this.

While receiving members of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, Erdogan signed a corresponding decision on the approval and publication of the Shusha Declaration in Turkey's Legal Gazette (Resmi Gazete) newspaper.

The law on the ratification of the declaration has officially come into force in Turkey.

The Shusha Declaration signed on June 15, 2021, was earlier approved by the Azerbaijani and Turkish parliaments.

Turkey's Presidential Administration described the document as very important for the future of the two peoples because the Azerbaijan-Turkey relations are reaching a completely new level thanks to this declaration.

"The Shusha Declaration is such a declaration that covering all spheres of previous and current Azerbaijan-Turkey relations, brings them to the stable future," the Presidential Administration said.

It also stressed that according to the declaration, Azerbaijan and Turkey will continue to make efforts to strengthen stability and security in the Caucasus region, restore all economic and transport ties, as well as normalize the relations between the regional countries and ensure long-term peace.

On June 15, Azerbaijan and Turkey signed the Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations, during Erdogans first official visit to Shusha, eight months after Azerbaijans victory in the war with Armenia in 2020. The document focuses on defense cooperation, promoting regional stability and prosperity, and establishing new transportation routes.

It affirms joint efforts by the two armies in the face of foreign threats. The declaration also pledges joint efforts for the restructuring and modernization of the armed forces. Moreover, the two nations affirm to encourage the execution of joint projects with the aim of developing capabilities in the field of sea, air, and space.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that the Shusha Declaration signed with Turkey on June 15, carries strategic importance for Eurasia and fosters peace and security in the South Caucasus region.

Describing the Shusha Declaration as the triumph of the new geopolitical realities, Aliyev said that this historic document ratified the allied status of the friendship, fraternity and partnership ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
One man died and eight others were hospitalized in serious condition after drinking spiked Champagne at a bar in Bavaria, German prosecutors said Monday.

The man who died was 52 years old, and the others were between 33 and 52, police told German news agency dpa.

``There were things in it that normally are not in Champagne.'' senior prosecutor Gerd Schaefer said. ``It had a toxic, a poisonous effect.''

Schaefer said toxicological tests have been completed and the poisonous substance was known, but he would not confirm local media reports that the champagne could have been laced with the drug Ecstasy.

Police said the incident happened Saturday night in the Bavarian town of Weiden, shortly after a group of people had ordered and shared one bottle of champagne. When police arrived at the bar, they found people lying on the ground with cramps and eight of them had to be hospitalized.

The 52-year-old man died shortly after he was admitted to the hospital on Saturday night.

Schaefer said there was a suspicion of negligent homicide, but he did not want to give further details citing the ongoing investigation.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has decided to invoke emergency powers across all of Canada to quell the protests by demonstrators who have paralyzed Ottawa and blocked border crossings in anger over the country's COVID-19 restrictions, a senior government official said Monday.

The prime minister met virtually with the leaders of Canada's provinces and planned to address the nation late in the afternoon.

In recent days, Trudeau rejected calls to use the military but otherwise said ``all options are on the table'' to end the protests, including invoking the Emergencies Act, which gives the government broad powers to restore order.

The government official who confirmed Trudeau's plans was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

For more than two weeks, hundreds and sometimes thousands of protesters in trucks and other vehicles have clogged the streets of Ottawa, the capital, railing against vaccine mandates for truckers and other COVID-19 precautions and condemning Trudeau's Liberal government.

Members of the self-styled Freedom Convoy have also blockaded various US-Canadian border crossings, though the busiest and most important, the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, was reopened on Sunday after police arrested the last of the demonstrators and broke the nearly week-long siege that had disrupted auto production in both countries.

``This is the biggest, greatest, most severe test Trudeau has faced,'' said Wesley Wark, a University of Ottawa professor and national security expert.

At least two provincial leaders warned Trudeau against taking emergency action.

``At this point, it would not help the social climate. There is a lot of pressure and I think we have to be careful,'' said Quebec Premier Francois Legault. ``It wouldn't help for the polarization.''

In other developments, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they arrested 11 people at the blockaded border crossing at Coutts, Alberta, opposite Montana, after learning of a cache of guns and ammunition.

Police said a small group within the protest was said to have a ``willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade.'' Authorities seized 13 long guns, handguns, sets of body armor, a machete, a large quantity of ammunition, and high-capacity magazines.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney also said protesters in a tractor and a heavy-duty truck tried to ram a police vehicle at Coutts on Sunday night and fled.

``This is extremely concerning,'' he said. ``There is, at least in that case, a small cell of people who wanted to take this in a very dangerous and dark direction.''

But Kenney said he told Trudeau it would not be a good idea to enact emergency measures in his province. ``I am concerned that there is a certain kind of person if the federal government proceeds with this, who will be further inflamed,'' he said.

Over the past weeks, authorities have hesitated to move against the protesters around the country. Local officials cited a lack of police manpower and fears of violence, while provincial and federal authorities disagreed over who had responsibility for quelling the unrest.

Invoking the Emergencies Act would allow the federal government to declare the Ottawa protest illegal and clear it out by such means as towing vehicles, Wark said. It would also enable the government to make greater use of the Mounties, the federal police agency.

An earlier version of the Emergencies Act, called the War Measures Act, was used just once during peacetime, by Trudeau's late father, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, to deal with a militant Quebec independence movement in 1970.

Invoking emergency powers would be ``a signal to both Canadians across the country and also an important signal to allies like the United States and around the world who are wondering what the hell has Canada been up to,'' Wark said.

The demonstrations have inspired similar convoys in France, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. U.S. authorities have said that truck convoys may be in the works in the United States.

Also Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that on March 1, Canada's most populous province will lift its requirement that people show proof of vaccination to get into restaurants, restaurants, gyms, and sporting events.

The surge of cases caused by the omicron variant has crested in Canada.

``Let me be very clear: We are moving in this direction because it is safe to do so. Today's announcement is not because of what's happening in Ottawa or Windsor but despite it,'' Ford said.

The province will also remove its 50% capacity limit on restaurants on Thursday, four days earlier than planned. Ford gave no timetable for dropping the requirement that people wear masks in public places.

Ford said he would support Trudeau's government if it proposed further measures to quell the protests.

``We need law and order. Our country is at risk now. It's not just happening here in Ottawa, but it's happening in Alberta and British Columbia,'' Ford said. ``We won't accept it.''

Police in Windsor arrested 25 to 30 protesters and towed several vehicles Sunday near the Ambassador Bridge. The span, which carries 25% of all trade between the two countries, reopened to traffic late Sunday night.

The interruption in the flow of goods forced General Motors, Ford, Toyota, and other automakers to close plants or curtail production on both sides of the border.

The siege in Ottawa, about 470 miles (750 kilometers) away, has infuriated residents fed up with government inaction. They have complained of being harassed and intimidated by the protesters who have parked their rigs on the streets.

``It's stressful. I feel angry at what's happening. This isn't Canada. This does not represent us,'' Colleen Sinclair, a counter-protester who lives in Ottawa.

Sinclair said all demonstrators have had their say and need to move on, with the police force, if necessary.

``They're occupiers,'' she said. ``This is domestic terrorism and we want you out of our city. Go home.''

Many of Canada's COVID-19 restrictions, such as mask rules and vaccine passports for getting into restaurants and theaters, are already falling away as the omicron surge levels off.

Pandemic restrictions have been far stricter in Canada than in the US, but Canadians have largely supported them. The vast majority of Canadians are vaccinated, and the COVID-19 death rate is one-third that of the United States.

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi urged developed countries to provide financial support to African states to confront climate change and extend the transitional period for fulfilling renewable energy commitments.

El-Sisis comments came as he inaugurated the fifth edition of the Egyptian Petroleum Show 2022 (EGYPS 2022), which will be running from 14 to 16 February under his patronage and the slogan North Africa and the Mediterranean: Delivering Energy.

This years edition of EGYPS  the largest oil, gas, and energy conference and exhibition in North Africa and the Mediterranean  is being attended by 11 ministers of petroleum and energy from several countries as well as national and international oil companies, government officials, business leaders, local and multinational corporations, and petroleum industry experts.

Those in attendance includes representatives from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), the World Energy Forum, and the Mediterranean Energy Observatory.

The president focused most of his comments to the EGYPS on - once again - championing the plight of Africa in transitioning to renewable energy sources and combatting the unequal burden of climate change on the continent.

The cost of fulfilling renewable energy commitments to address climate change is substantial. African countries [cannot afford such a cost], the president argued.

El-Sisi noted that Egypt, for example, implemented infrastructure ventures over the past seven years at a total cost of $400 billion.

[But] do you think that Africa is ready to implement renewable energy commitments over the next 20 years? the president asked the audience.

African countries have become the least developed in comparison to nations in other continents due to historical circumstances and the legacy of colonialism, and their resources should not be exploited again, the president asserted.

African countries should not continue to pay the price of the repercussions of colonialism and the exploitation of its resources for many years, the Egyptian president stressed.

Furthermore, the president added, Africa has also become the most limited continent in terms of income and poverty, noting that 50 percent of its population still lives without electricity.

African countries are not yet ready to attract renewable energy investments due to conflicts and instability, he argued.

I hope you are following the state of instability and the escalation of terrorism and extremism in our continent. This is due to limited capabilities and, therefore, necessitates a longer transitional period, he explained.

The president also said that Africa awaits objective, balanced, and fair decisions from the international community in the next UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP27), which will be hosted by Egypt in November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh.

Egypt has vowed to speak for Africa's aspirations on addressing climate change at the COP27.

At the end of his comment, El-Sisi invited former CNN Anchor John Defterious, the host of the first EGYPS's session, to tour Egypt and speak with the citizens to learn more about the situation on the ground.

Egypt: Discoveries and ambitions

Meanwhile, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla said during the inauguration that Egypts petroleum exports rose to $13 billion in 2021, achieving an oil trade balance surplus estimated at $2.9 billion for the first time ever.

In December, the Cabinet said that the countrys production of crude oil and natural gas rose by 8.4 percent Y-o-Y in 2021, up from 2020s 82.4 million tonnes.

Egypt has made a series of massive oil and gas discoveries in recent years, most notably the giant Zohr gas field off the Mediterranean  the largest field of its kind in the region  which holds an estimated reservoir of 30 trillion cubic feet of gas.

These gas discoveries have helped Egypt reach self-sufficiency in natural gas in 2018, helping the country pursue the goal of becoming a regional hub for gas exports.

Egypt also plans to use its proximity to Europe to become a major supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the continent  which is transitioning away from other fossil fuels  through its Idku and Damietta LNG plants.

El-Molla also clarified that natural gas will be delivered to 13.5 million housing units by June, adding that up to 420,000 cars have been converted to run on gas, and 600 natural gas stations have been established nationwide so far.

He added that work is underway to establish 400 more stations soon.

Egypt has the infrastructure for the transport and handling of LNQ, with a main network of 7,000km of pipelines as well as a distribution network of 31,000km and 29 gas-treatment plants in addition to the two LNG plants.

The country has been using its augmented natural gas resources to push its ambitious plans for green transformation.

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A number of Egyptian museums are celebrating Valentine's Day by showcasing artefacts, some of which are being displayed for the first time, that highlight the concept of love in ancient Egypt.

The Alexandria National Museum is exhibiting the wedding invitation of king Farouk and queen Farida which was sent to top-tier guests.



The invitation is being showcased for the first time. It is a gold-plated pin with a photo of Farouk and Farida wearing the royal crown and bearing the date 20 January 1938.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Museum is displaying a painted wooden perfume box from the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom which contains eight pots of perfume on each is written its name.

Ancient Egyptians regarded perfumes as the nectar of the gods, and they made them from the juices of fragrant plants that they cultivated or imported. Perfumes were used in daily life and religious funeral rituals.

Meanwhile, the Hurghada Museum is exhibiting a double limestone statue of the deities Osiris and his wife Isis as she embraces her husband, who is seated on the throne.

The statue dates back to the Third Intermediate Period. Goddess Isis is an icon of love and sacrifice in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.

The Cairo International Airport Museum is putting on show a round bronze mirror, which was dedicated to the deities of love and beauty, such as Aphrodite and Hathor. The back of the mirror is decorated with interwoven floral and geometric motifs, dating back to the seventh century AH.

The Gayer Anderson Museum is displaying a marble fountain shaped after a swan's head. The swan was a symbol of love in ancient times, and was reused since the Renaissance period, in relation to the god Zeus, who disguised himself as a swan to reach his beloved Leda, according to the famous Greek myth.

The Ismailia Archaeology Museum is showcasing a pottery vessel from the Graeco-Roman period in the form of a human face that was used to store perfumes.

The Sohag National Museum is putting on display a sandstone statue from the New Kingdom depicting seated husband and wife. The woman's hand is laid behind her husband's back, indicating the extension of her support and love.

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Booster jabs seem to cause fewer side effects than first or second coronavirus vaccinations.

Some 2.26 million Koreans had had their booster shots as of Thursday morning, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and only 19.4 percent have reported side effects, compared to 34.3 percent of those who had complained of side effects after earlier shots.

Some 17 percent of booster recipients complained of local reactions like swelling at the site of injection and 18.3 percent of general reactions like muscle pain and fever. The proportions were 31.9 percent and 33.7 percent respectively for the earlier shots.

"The U.S. National Institutes of Health has also found that booster side effects are similar to earlier vaccinations and that there's no statistically significant difference between ages or vaccines," the KDCA said.

KDCA chief Jeong Eun-kyeong said, "We hope to finish giving booster jabs to the over-60s in December, but interpersonal contact needs to be reduced to some extent for four weeks" before their immunity is boosted.

Meanwhile, concerns are rising abroad about a new South African variant of COVID-19 that may be more virulent. The Guardian daily warned of the emergence of B.1.1.529, which has been described as "the worst COVID-19 variant yet." The variant has 32 mutations in the spike protein, compared to 16 for the Delta variant, which suggests it could break through immunity more easily.


The move comes after rioting rocked the nation of 700,000 in November. The riots grew from a peaceful protest and highlighted long-simmering regional rivalries, economic problems and concerns about the country's increasing links with China after it switched allegiance from the self-ruled island of Taiwan to Beijing three years ago. Rioters set fire to buildings and looted stores.

The State Department said Solomon Islanders cherished their history with Americans on the battlefields of World War II, but that the U.S. was in danger of losing its preferential ties as China "aggressively seeks to engage" elite politicians and business people in the Solomon Islands.

Blinken left Fiji late in the evening bound for Hawaii, where he will host the foreign ministers from Japan and South Korea to discuss the threat posed by North Korea, amid rising concerns over its recent missile tests.

The reasoning was explained in a State Department notification to Congress that was obtained by The Associated Press. The plan was confirmed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a visit to Fiji Saturday on a Pacific tour that began in Australia.

The U.S. says it will open an embassy in the Solomon Islands, laying out in unusually blunt terms a plan to increase its influence in the South Pacific nation before China becomes "strongly embedded."

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare survived a no-confidence vote the following month, telling lawmakers in a fiery 90-minute speech that he'd done nothing wrong and would not bow to "the forces of evil" or to "Taiwan's agents."

The U.S. previously operated an embassy in the Solomons for five years before closing it in 1993. Since then, U.S. diplomats from neighboring Papua New Guinea have been accredited to the Solomons, which has a U.S. consular agency.

The embassy announcement fits with a new Biden administration strategy for the Indo-Pacific that was announced Friday and emphasizes building partnerships with allies in the region as a way to counter China's growing influence and ambitions.

In its notification to Congress, the State Department said China had been "utilizing a familiar pattern of extravagant promises, prospective costly infrastructure loans, and potentially dangerous debt levels," when engaging with political and business leaders from the Solomon Islands.

"The United States has a strategic interest in enhancing our political, economic, and commercial relationship with Solomon Islands, the largest Pacific Island nation without a U.S. Embassy," the State Department wrote.

The State Department said it didn't expect to build a new embassy immediately but would at first lease space at an initial set-up cost of $12.4 million. The embassy would be located in the capital, Honiara, and would start small, with two U.S. employees and about five local staff.

The State Department said the Peace Corps was planning to reopen an office in the Solomon Islands and have its volunteers serve there, and that several U.S. agencies were establishing government positions with portfolios in the Solomons. "The Department needs to be part of this increased U.S. presence, rather than remaining a remote player," it wrote.

During his visit to Fiji, Blinken met with Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and other Pacific leaders to talk about regional issues, especially the existential risk posed by climate change. It was the first visit by a U.S. secretary of state to Fiji since 1985.

Sayed-Khaiyum said he welcomed the renewed U.S. engagement in the region and President Joe Biden's move last year to rejoin the Paris Agreement. He said that in the past, Pacific island nations had sometimes felt overlooked by larger nations as "flyover" countries. "Small dots spotted from plane windows of leaders, en route to meetings where they spoke about us rather than with us, if they spoke of us at all," he said.

Blinken and the Pacific leaders also spoke about the coronavirus pandemic and disaster assistance. But looming over the visit were the increasing tensions in Ukraine. "We continue to see very, very troubling signs of Russian escalation, including new forces arriving around Ukraine's borders," Blinken said.

Blinken visited Fiji after leaving the Australian city of Melbourne, where he had a meeting with his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan. The four nations form the so-called "Quad," a bloc of Indo-Pacific democracies that was created to counter China's regional influence.
The top diplomats of the U.S., Japan and South Korea met Saturday in Hawaii. The meeting of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong was held to discuss the countries' shared concerns.

"Underscoring the importance of trilateral cooperation as we navigate an increasingly complicated world, the Secretary and Foreign Ministers committed to expand cooperation and collaboration across a range of regional and global security and economic priorities," the diplomats said in a joint statement issued after the meeting.

Among the priorities is the presence of thousands of Russian military forces along Ukraine's border and the diplomats' "shared unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement said, and "committed to work closely together to deter further Russian escalation."


Australia said on Sunday it was evacuating its embassy in Kyiv as the situation on the Russia-Ukraine border deteriorates, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison calling on China to not remain "chillingly silent" on the crisis.

The United States and Europe stepped up their warnings of an imminent attack by Russia on Ukraine, while the Kremlin, jostling for more influence in post-Cold War Europe, rejected a joint EU-NATO diplomatic response to its demands to reduce tensions as disrespectful.

Australia's embassy staff in Kyiv was directed to a temporary office in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine, around 70 kilometers from the border with Poland, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement. "We continue to advise Australians to leave Ukraine immediately by commercial means," Payne said.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2022 - 18:16 | All, Japan, 3/11 Fukushima

An International Atomic Energy Agency mission to Japan pledged Monday to conduct an objective and science-based safety review on a Japanese plan to discharge treated low-level radioactive water into the sea from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

The IAEA task force made the pledge in a meeting with government officials in Tokyo, a day before visiting the plant severely damaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami for inspection as the discharge plan has drawn opposition from China and South Korea, as well as local fishing communities.

The task force will conduct the five-day review in Japan in an "objective, credible and science-based manner and help send a message of transparency and confidence to the people in Japan and beyond," said Gustavo Caruso, director and coordinator at the IAEA's Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.

The inspection is aimed at helping ensure the discharge plan proceeds in line with international safety standards and without harming public health or the environment, according to the Vienna-based agency.

Monday's meeting involved the IAEA team and officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Foreign Ministry, and plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.

Caruso said the Japanese government needs to find the best way to handle the treated water from the standpoint of safety and sustainability, as Tokyo's efforts will be vital for further promoting international understanding on the issue.

Keiichi Yumoto, director general for nuclear accident disaster response at METI, said the government will fully cooperate in the IAEA review.

Tokyo considers it extremely important to have safety evaluations from the IAEA, Yumoto said.

The task force, established last year, is made up of independent and highly recognized experts with diverse technical backgrounds from various countries including China and South Korea, as well as personnel from IAEA departments and laboratories, according to the agency.

The findings from the mission will be compiled into a report by the end of the year, according to the IAEA.

The review will also be reflected in the deliberation of the discharge plan, submitted from TEPCO, by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority, according to Yumoto.

Water that has become contaminated after being pumped in to cool melted reactor fuel at the plant has been accumulating at the complex, also mixing with rainwater and groundwater at the site.

Tokyo decided last April to gradually discharge the water, treated through an advanced liquid processing system that removes radionuclides except tritium, into the Pacific Ocean after dilution starting next year.

Through an undersea tunnel, treated water is to be released into the sea about 1 kilometer off the Fukushima plant from around spring 2023.

IAEA task force members are not expected to work in a national capacity but serve in their individual professional roles and report to Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

In response to the Japanese government's request for assistance, Grossi said the IAEA will support Japan before, during and after the release of the water.

The safety review had been initially scheduled for mid-December but was postponed due to the rapid spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Related coverage:

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Ex-TEPCO execs plead not guilty over Fukushima crisis in appeal trial

Tokyo Electric to build undersea tunnel to release Fukushima water offshore
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

The Azerbaijani Digital Development and Transport Ministry has developed an action plan to prevent the use of geographical maps with distorted toponyms, Trend has reported.

Deputy Minister Rovshan Rustamov made the remarks during the presentation of the Azerbaijani Social Research Center's report on disinformation and hybrid threats to Azerbaijan.

Rustamov mentioned that Azerbaijan is keeping a close eye on Armenia's distortion of Azerbaijani toponyms on maps online.

"As a result of the Azerbaijani ministry's appeals to Google and other companies, thousands of historical Azerbaijani toponyms have been restored," Rustamov said.

He insisted that the public would be informed as soon as possible.

Earlier, Azerbaijani NGO leaders asked UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay to send an expert group to Armenia to assess the current state of Azerbaijan's centuries-old cultural and historical heritage.

NGOs said that by pursuing a policy of both ethnic and cultural genocide, Armenia has purposefully erased all traces of Azerbaijanis, the historical and ancient residents of these territories, plundered, destroyed, embezzled and distorted the Azerbaijani people's cultural legacy. At the same time, ancient place names in these areas were changed with Armenian ones.

We provided a number of precise facts in our earlier appeals to UNESCO. For example, along with other facts, we have emphasized that the Blue Mosque, the Gala Mosque, the Shah Abbas Mosque, the Tapabashi Mosque, the Zal Khan Mosque, the Sartib Khan Mosque, the Haji Novruzali Bay Mosque, the Damirbulagh Mosque, the Haji Jafar Bay Mosque, the Rajab Pasha Mosque, the Mohammad Sartib Khan Mosque, the Haji Inam Mosque and more than 300 other mosques located in Armenia were deliberately destroyed, appropriated or used for other purposes in the early 20th century. Only the Damirbulagh Mosque functioned as intended until 1988, but it has now been completely demolished and replaced by a high-rise building, the statement added.

It noted that over 500 Azerbaijani cemeteries in Armenia, such as Aghadada, Ashaghi Shorja, Gullubulagh and Saral have been destroyed. The tomb of great Azerbaijani poet Ashig Alasgar, whose tombstone was erected in his native village in ancient Goycha district, was also destroyed.
By Ko Hirano, KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2022 - 08:12 | World, All

With South Korea's presidential election drawing near, analysts are watching whether a new leader and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida can put history behind them and move relations forward in the face of an increasingly assertive China and North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

This is particularly the case when the United States is calling for closer coordination with the two allies to deter any attempt to destabilize East Asia such as Beijing's ambition to seize Taiwan and Pyongyang's threat to end its self-imposed moratorium on nuclear tests and long-range missile launches.

With bilateral ties sinking to the lowest level in decades under South Korean President Moon Jae In, ruling party nominee Lee Jae Myung and main opposition candidate Yoon Suk Yeol -- the two front-runners for the March 9 election -- share the need to improve relations with Japan.

However, it is not known whether Lee of the liberal Democratic Party and Yoon of the conservative People Power Party would go so far as addressing thorny, protracted disputes with Tokyo over wartime history and territory.

In the first televised debate involving Lee, Yoon and two other presidential hopefuls on Feb. 3, Yoon attached priority to restoring ties with the United States and Japan that have deteriorated under the Moon presidency.

Yoon is also calling for resuming so-called shuttle diplomacy with Japan involving the two countries' leaders making reciprocal visits to each country, a practice that has been halted since 2011.

Criticizing Moon's diplomacy as being too pro-China and pro-North Korea, Yoon said that if elected, he will meet with the leaders of the United States, Japan, China and North Korea in that order.

Lee was ambiguous, saying he would decide on the order in a way that is most beneficial depending on circumstances of the time.

Last November, Lee demanded Japan offer a sincere apology to Koreans mobilized for wartime labor, an issue related to the country's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

He also condemned Tokyo's claim to a pair of Seoul-controlled islets in the Sea of Japan, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea.

Lee Seong Hyon, a visiting scholar at Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, says presidential candidate Lee is expected to engage in a balancing act between Washington and Beijing, and that he "would remain firm when it comes to history issues with Japan" -- a foreign policy outline similar to that of Moon.

Lee Seong Hyon said in an email that the Democratic Party nominee has repeatedly indicated he could be "pragmatic" in dealing with Japan, meaning that a Lee administration would handle history and territory rows separately from a plan to boost civil exchanges and economic cooperation between the two neighbors.

Park Jung Jin, a professor of international relations at Tsuda University in Tokyo, agreed, citing Lee Jae Myung's request for a meeting, if elected, with Kishida and call for future-oriented cooperation with Tokyo during Dec. 27 talks with Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Aiboshi.

"Whether Mr. Lee or Mr. Yoon wins the race, it will be an opportunity for Seoul and Tokyo to reset ties," Park said in an interview. "Mr. Yoon, known for his pro-U.S. policy, would approach the Kishida government more proactively than Mr. Lee."

"But I find it hard to be optimistic about the outlook of bilateral relations, at least in the near term, given that the comfort women and wartime labor issues have become so politicized in the two countries," he said.

Moon effectively nullified a 2015 agreement his predecessor Park Geun Hye's administration struck with then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government to "finally and irreversibly" resolve the issue of comfort women, a euphemism for those who suffered under Japan's military brothel system before and during World War II.

As Abe's foreign minister at that time, Kishida played a key role in reaching the landmark agreement with South Korea, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said to have been involved in the process behind the scenes when he was deputy secretary of state.

Tokyo-Seoul ties took yet another hit after South Korea's Supreme Court in 2018 separately ordered two Japanese companies to pay compensation to requisitioned Korean workers -- rulings Tokyo dismissed as being in violation of international law.

While Moon has been seeking to resolve the comfort women and wartime labor issues based on the will of victims and their kin, Japan maintains all issues concerning properties and claims related to its colonial rule were "settled completely and finally" under an agreement the two countries signed in 1965 alongside a treaty that normalized diplomatic relations.

With the two sides repeating calls on each other to take steps to address the disputes, Yoon said he would not exploit historical tensions with Japan for a domestic political gain -- in a veiled criticism of Moon -- and that he would try to resolve the rows, together with economic and security issues, in a comprehensive way.

Yoon stopped short of providing details. But analysts say issues that could warm up ties include South Korea's planned application to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, Seoul's import restrictions on some Japanese food products and Japan's export controls on semiconductor-related materials to South Korea.

"Whoever wins, it will be positive if Mr. Kishida shows a goodwill gesture to the new South Korean government such as supporting Seoul's bid for a TPP membership," said Lee Seong Hyon, who doubles a senior fellow at the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations in Houston.

Such a gesture, he said, would lead to the lifting of the import curbs South Korea slapped on some Japanese agricultural and fishery products in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Lee suggested Tokyo also invite Seoul to join the Quad grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the United States in non-military fields such as COVID-19 vaccine cooperation, clean energy and cybersecurity, and gradually widen areas of engagement.

Tsuda University's Park said he does not expect a policy shift by Japan before this summer's House of Councillors election because any rush by Kishida to deal with his new counterpart in Seoul -- who will take office in May -- would risk backfiring or making itself an electoral issue.

Related coverage:

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Moon expects next South Korean gov't to improve ties with Japan
KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2022 - 23:22 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

The number of people in Japan recovering at home from the coronavirus has topped 500,000 for the first time as the recent surge in infections driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant continued to put strain on the health care system across the country.

Authorities have been requesting those with milder symptoms to recover at home as concerns grow that hospitals will run out of beds for COVID-19 patients at a time when Japan's booster shot program is still in the earlier stages.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said the number of people recovering from COVID-19 at home totaled 543,045 as of last Wednesday, increasing by 100,000 from a week earlier.

Japan confirmed 60,142 new cases on Monday, with Tokyo reporting 10,334 new cases, 1,877 less than the week before.

The occupancy rate of hospital beds for COVID patients was above 50 percent as of last Wednesday in 20 prefectures across Japan including Tokyo, with the western prefecture of Osaka topping the list with 81 percent of beds in use.

But Osaka on Monday put off a decision on whether to ask the central government to declare a COVID-19 state of emergency for the prefecture following a slight decline in the number of new coronavirus cases.

Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said more time is needed before he decides whether to seek the declaration, saying, "I would like to assess the situation a little longer."

He also said whether to extend the quasi-state of emergency currently in place is up to the central government.

The weekly count of new coronavirus cases in the prefecture had been increasing since mid-December, but it turned to a slight decline last week, according to the Osaka government. As for the daily count, the prefecture reported 7,997 new cases on Monday, down from 9,008 a week ago.

Still, its occupancy rate of hospital beds secured for serious COVID-19 patients stood at 36.3 percent as of Sunday, near the 40 percent threshold for the prefecture to request a state of emergency declaration.

The Japanese government's top COVID adviser, Shigeru Omi, said last week the speed of infection spread in the country is slowing but the number of new coronavirus cases may stay high or decline only mildly.

Earlier in the day, the top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, said the central government will decide whether to extend 21 prefectures' quasi-emergency expiring on Sunday based on the level of strain on medical systems and expert opinions.

But Matsuno said the government will be cautious about issuing a state of emergency for Osaka, saying "a careful consideration is needed" about imposing stronger restrictions.

Currently, 36 of Japan's 47 prefectures are under a quasi-state of emergency, under which governors can ask restaurants and bars to shorten business hours and stop or limit the serving of alcohol.

The measure for Osaka and 20 other prefectures including neighboring Kyoto and Hyogo as well as Hokkaido is scheduled to end on Sunday.

Okinawa Prefecture is not expected to seek an extension of the measure, deeming infections in the southernmost island prefecture have already peaked.

The quasi-state of emergency has already been extended to March 6 for 13 prefectures, including Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures of Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa, while Kochi Prefecture newly came under the measure from Saturday.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2022 - 22:41 | All, Japan

A Japanese government panel on Monday recommended abolishing the current 100-day remarriage ban for women after a divorce, in line with scrapping a century-old Civil Code provision that determines legal paternity.

Under existing law, only women face a 100-day waiting time to remarry after divorce. Critics have been seeking a review of what they say are outdated and discriminatory rules on remarriage and legal paternity.

Following the recommendation of the Justice Ministry's Legislative Council to Justice Minister Yoshihisa Furukawa, the government now aims to pass the proposed landmark changes to the 1898 Civil Code possibly sometime in fiscal 2022, ending in March next year.

The Civil Code states that a child born within 300 days after the mother's divorce will be presumed as the child of her former husband, while a baby born within 200 days of marriage will be presumed as the child of the current husband.

This provision had been in place to protect the child's welfare by swiftly determining the child's legal father.

While the provision on legal paternity referring to "within 300 days of divorce" will remain intact, the panel's proposed changes would give an exemption to cases in which a woman has remarried at the time she gives birth. In such cases, her child would be recognized as the child of her current husband.

Under the existing provision, the claims for legal paternity by the former and current husband would overlap if the woman remarries shortly after divorce and gives birth after 201 days or up to 300 days.

Because such claims would no longer overlap, after the changes are made, the 100-day remarriage ban on women would also be scrapped.

The current provision on legal paternity has been reviewed mainly to stop a growing number of children from having no family registry, which puts them at a disadvantage in availing a range of health and other services.

Of 825 individuals without family registry as of January this year, about 70 percent constituted cases whereby mothers did not submit birth notifications because of the current legal paternity rule, according to the ministry.

Many women have opted not to submit notification of the birth of their child with their current partner to avoid having their former husband recognized as legal father of the child.

Some of them have fled from domestic violence of their former spouses or were still under divorce proceedings but have conceived a child with their current partners.

The proposed amendments to the Civil Code also include giving the mother and child the right to file for court arbitration to deny the presumed legal right to her former husband. Currently, only the husband is allowed to do so but there are cases where gaining his cooperation proves difficult.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2022 - 12:06 | All, Japan

The Japanese Embassy in Kiev said Sunday most of its staff will leave Ukraine as tensions have been rapidly mounting over a possible Russian invasion following Moscow's military buildup near the border.

Japanese nationals in Ukraine were advised on Friday to leave the country immediately and informed in an email sent by the embassy that its function will be further limited from Monday since "only a few" personnel will remain in the country.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters Saturday in Hawaii, after holding a three-way foreign ministerial talks with the United States and South Korea, that Japanese people in Ukraine have been asked to evacuate "immediately in the safest manner."

The number of embassy staff to stay in the nation is expected to be reduced to less than 10, including Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Kuninori Matsuda, a Japanese government official said Monday in Tokyo.

The embassy referred to media reports that cited a comment from a senior U.S. official that a Russian invasion could begin during the ongoing Beijing Winter Olympics through next Sunday. Washington has already ordered its citizens to evacuate.

Related coverage:

Biden-Putin call fails to ease concerns over Ukraine invasion

U.S. warns Russia could launch invasion of Ukraine during Olympics

Japan urges nationals to leave Ukraine over crisis
KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2022 - 23:48 | All, Japan

Japan wants Cambodia to hold next year's general election in a democratic way, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told the heir apparent of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday.

In an hourlong meeting in Tokyo, Hayashi and Hun Manet, the eldest son of Hun Sen whose country holds this year's chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, affirmed coordination in addressing the crisis in the military-ruled Myanmar, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Hayashi was quoted by the ministry as telling Hun Manet that Japan will offer as much assistance as possible so Cambodia's general election in summer 2023 and local elections in June this year will be carried out "democratically and in a way that reflects a variety of voices of the people."

Hun Manet, the 44-year-old commander of the Cambodian army, was named the future prime minister by the ruling Cambodian People's Party in late December, following Hun Sen's remark that he wants him to be the next leader.

The party has yet to say when Hun Manet would succeed his father, who has ruled the Southeastern Asian nation for more than three decades.

Speaking at the meeting, part of which was open to the media, Hayashi said, "The Japan-Cambodia relationship is extremely solid, so I believe we can closely cooperate on challenges for the international community including the Myanmar issue."

Hun Manet briefed Hayashi about the situation in Myanmar after traveling with Hun Sen to the country's capital Naypyitaw in January for talks with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

Hun Sen became the first foreign leader to visit Myanmar since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and toppled her democratically elected government in the Feb. 1, 2021 coup.

Hun Manet expressed his gratitude for Japan's contribution to Cambodia's peace and economic development, vowing to make efforts to build stronger ties with Tokyo.

Hun Manet is visiting Japan at the invitation of the Defense Ministry as this year marks the 30th anniversary of Japan's dispatch of Self-Defense Forces personnel to Cambodia as the first case of SDF participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations.

He is expected to hold separate talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi during his stay in Japan.
Afghanistan's former president Hamid Karzai on Sunday urged the U.S. administration to return his country's assets.

"Holding Afghanistan's money on any name is unfair and unjust. That money belongs to the people of Afghanistan ... I am calling on President Joe Biden to return the money to the people of Afghanistan," Karzai told a press conference here.

The United States, following its forces' exit from Afghanistan in August 2021, has frozen more than 9 billion U.S. dollars of assets of Afghanistan's central bank. The move is widely seen as the major factor leading to the current economic crisis in the war-torn Asian country.

U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday which seeks to split 7 billion U.S. dollars out of the Afghan assets between funding humanitarian aid for cash-strapped Afghanistan and creating a trust fund with 3.5 billion U.S. dollars to compensate the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Karzai said the Afghan people share the grief of the American people who have suffered due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, yet no Afghan was involved in the attack and therefore Biden has to reconsider his decision.

Criticizing Biden's decision as unjust, Karzai stressed that all Afghans including members of the present Taliban-led caretaker government take a united stand to get the Afghan money back to their country.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
YAOUNDE, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cameroonian Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute on Monday met with visiting Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations.

During the meeting, the Serbian FM who is visiting Cameroon for the first time, highlighted the importance of further strengthening and diversifying relations between the two nations in future especially in the economic field.

"Actually it is the first one (visit) of a high official of Serbia taking place after 38 years. Both countries are having good traditions of friendship but the chances for better cooperation especially in the field of economy are almost not used at all. The main purpose of this very visit is trying to renovate our relations," Selakovic told reporters in the capital Yaounde after the meeting. 
MADRID, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Spain has been shocked by the news of a triple homicide in the city of Elche, southeast Spain, after a 15-year-old boy confessed to killing his parents and younger brother after a family argument over Wi-Fi.

Police confirmed that the 15-year-old, who has not been named, was arrested on Friday accused of the triple murder, which according to the Spanish press, had its roots in an argument over his poor grades at school.

Local press reported that the boy's mother cut off his access to Wi-Fi as a punishment for his poor performance at school and also his refusal to help around the house.

The teenager took a shotgun and shot his mother dead, before killing his father and 10-year-old brother with the same weapon when they returned home and discovered what had happened.

He remained in the house with the dead bodies for three days before admitting what he had done to relatives, who were growing concerned after not hearing from the family.

Police then arrested the teenager, and he formally confessed to the triple killing at the Elche Police Station where he remains in custody. 
New Delhi:

In a shocking case, a Mumbai cab driver was allegedly raped by a constable of the Railway Protection Force near the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The incident that took place on Monday evening came to light after the cabbie filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police. An IANS report said that not only did the constable rape the cab driver but he also took away the car keys. The accused has been identified as one Amit Dhankad. There are reports that the Railway Protection Force has suspended Dhankad following the assault came to light.

According the police complaint, the cabbie was approached by the accused while he was sitting on a bench at the P D'Mello Road near the near the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Dhankad asked the cabbie to take him to nearby Grant Road, a well-known red light area. When the man refused to take him to his desired destination, Dhankad beat him up and dragged him to dim-lit area near the CSMT. Dhankad brutally assaulted the cab driver. He also robbed the cabbie of some cash and other belonging. He also took away the keys of the cab, the man said in his police complaint.

According to the IANS report, the accused was arrested from his house on Monday night itself.

India doesnt have any data on rapes of males. Meanwhile, the NCRB data shows disturbing, upward trend of crime against women. As many as 3,59,849 cases of crime against women were registered across the country in 2017, continuing the upward trend for the third consecutive year, the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data released on Monday showed. In 2015, 3,29,243 cases of crimes against women were registered and 3,38,954 cases were registered in 2016. The cases categorised as crimes against women include murder, rape, dowry death, suicide abetment, acid attack, cruelty against women and kidnapping, etc.

According to the NCRB data for 2017, which was released after a delay of more than a year, the maximum cases were registered in Uttar Pradesh (56,011) -- the country's most populated state.

Maharashtra recorded the second-highest number of crimes against women with 31,979 cases, followed by 30,992 in West Bengal, 29,778 in Madhya Pradesh, 25,993 in Rajasthan and 23,082 in Assam, the data said.

Delhi, however, saw a decline in crimes against women for the third straight year. As many as 13,076 FIRs were registered in 2017, down from 15,310 in 2016 and 17,222 in 2015, the NCRB report said.

Assam recorded the highest crime rate of 143 in the country in 2017. Crime rate is offences registered per one lakh people. Odisha and Telangana recorded the second-highest crime rate of 94 each, followed by Haryana (88) and Rajasthan (73).

For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Senior Jammu and Kashmir police officer Davinder Singh, who was arrested along with two terrorists -- self-styled district commander of banned Hizbul Mujahideen, Naveed Baba, and Altaf and an overground worker at a checkpoint on a national highway by a team of policemen, has been suspended on Monday. It has emerged that Singh had sheltered three terrorists, arrested along with him, at his residence in Srinagar right next to the Army's XV corps headquarters at Badami Bagh cantonment.

Singh, who was decorated with President Police Medal about four months ago, continued to be grilled by a team of police and intelligence investigators. His office at Srinagar airport, where he was posted as deputy superintendent of police in the anti-hijacking squad, was sealed, they said.

Piecing together the chain of events, the officials said the two terrorists -- self-styled district commander of banned Hizbul Mujahideen, Naveed Baba, and Altaf -- were taken to the officer's home on Friday by a lawyer Irfan, who the police said was an overground worker for terror groups.

Singh reported absent from duty on Saturday, the day he was apprehended by a team of policemen along with the other three at Mir Bazar on the national highway. The DySP had applied for leave from Sunday till Thursday, they said.

Police had carried out searches at his residence here and seized two pistols and an AK rifle beside a large quantity of ammunition.

Singh, whose name had been cleared for promotion as superintendent of police, is also likely to lose the gallantry medal that was awarded to him last year, the officials said.

The DySP is deemed to have been suspended after having completed 48 hours in police custody, they said quoting service rules.

On Sunday evening, his office at the Srinagar airport, where he was posted as DySP in the anti-hijacking unit, was sealed so that no evidence could be tampered with, the officials said.

Singh was arrested at a checkpoint on a national highway by a team of policemen, who were following the case after intelligence inputs suggested that Naveed Baba was being moved out of the valley.

Caught on the wrong side of the law, all excuses by Singh failed to enthuse police officers who effected his arrest and carried out a search at his residence in Srinagar where he had kept Naveed and his associate Altaf, a recent joinee in the banned terror outfit, the officials said.

Initially, he repeatedly claimed that he was trying to win the confidence of the terrorists to catch a 'bigger fish' but could not substantiate the reasons for not following due protocol.

Singh's arrest may have affected the image of Jammu and Kashmir Police but former director general of police Kuldeep Khoda lauded the police force for not hesitating even once in arresting their senior officer.

"It is the JKP which has caught its own officer. They laid the trap as they do for other terrorists and managed to arrest the DySp. No one can cast any doubt on the police force which has been rendering service to the nation especially during the last 30 years of militancy in the valley," Khoda said.

Another former police chief AK Suri said though the incident is an unfortunate one, what is more important that the culprit has been arrested.

"This is not the only case. In the past also some policemen were under suspicion and were arrested," he said.

This is not the first time that Singh has been in the news for the wrong reasons.

In a letter written in 2013, Afzal Guru, who was executed after being convicted for the Parliament attack, explained how "DSP Davinder Singh", the then deputy superintendent of police of Special Operations Group, had asked him to "take Mohammad", a co-accused in the Parliament attack case, "to Delhi, rent a flat for his stay and purchase a car for him".

However, the angle was probed and could not be substantiated with any evidence, the officials said.

The entire operation was monitored by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) Atul Goyal who himself stood at an intersection to intercept the vehicle.

(With PTI inputs)

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By Trend

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov and his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili talked over the phone, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

The concern over the earthquake that occurred in Georgia was expressed during the conversation.

Moreover, the interlocutors highly appreciated the development of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia in various fields and discussed the prospects for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.
New Delhi:

French President Emmanuel Macron raised the Kashmir issue during a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the statement released by the Elyse Palace said. The statement further added that the government is closely following the situation in Kashmir. Two leaders discussed the situation in the region of Kashmir in the spirit of trust and frankness that characterises bilateral ties. In the spirit of trust and frankness that characterises their relations, the French President and the Indian Prime Minister discussed the situation in the region of Kashmir, which France continues to follow closely, the statement released by French embassy said.

A statement issued by the Indian government on Friday after talks between Modi and Macron did not mention Kashmir. The two leaders exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest in bilateral relations as well as regional and global situations, the statement by PMO said. Last week, the government took a group of 15 foreign envoys to Jammu and Kashmir to see the efforts to bring back normalcy in the region after abrogation of Article 370, the Ministry of External Affairs had said.

Also Read: Jammu And Kashmir Police Says DSP, Arrested With Hizbul Members, Will Be Treated As Terrorist

Envoys from European countries were not part of the group.

The French statement said Macron and PM Modi expressed their shared view on the necessity of de-escalation of tension in the Middle East, adding that they agreed to work together towards easing tensions by urging the parties to show restraint and responsibility. The Middle East is witnessing increasing tension after Maj Gen Soleimani, the head of Irans elite al-Quds force, was killed in a US drone strike. Iran retaliated by targeting US bases in Iraq with missile attacks.

Also Read: Jammu And Kashmir: 3 Terrorists Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In Pulwama

It said the two leaders expressed their interest in pursuing the strengthening of their partnership in the military and civil nuclear fields as well as enhancing their operational cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. They reiterated their attachment to the full implementation of the goals defined during Prime Minister Modis visit to Chantilly on August 22, 2019 and Indias participation in the Biarritz G7 Summit, it said. They agreed on the interest in intensifying ministerial visits in both countries in the course of this year, the statement said.

Modi visited Chantilly in northern France in August for bilateral talks with Macron, just before the G7 Summit in Biarritz.

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New Delhi:

Taking a dig at the Congress over the absence of six major political parties namely Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the opposition meet on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday said that the opposition unity on CAA stands exposed. "Apart from Congress, no other major parties went to take party in the meeting. Neither the BSP, nor the Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party TMC were in it. The wind of opposition unity has blown," Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Opposition resolution (against CAA) must have made Pakistan happy. CAA is a chance to expose barbaric treatment of minorities in Pakistan," he added.

Launching a scathing attack against the opposition for protesting the CAA, the Union Law Minister said that the Parliament passed the law after thorough debate for two days, in which every political party participated. There was an open debate in the Parliament for two days, voting took place, everyone also participated in the discussion. It is now being said that the Citizenship Act was passed in Parliament in haste, he said.

The resolution is neither in national interest nor in the interest of security. It is also not in the interest of those minorities who fled neighbouring countries to escape persecution," Prasad told reporters.

Opposition parties, led by the Congress, adopted a resolution on Monday, demanding that the amended Citizenship Act be withdrawn and the process of NPR immediately stopped and asserting that it was all part of an "unconstitutional package" that targeted poor people, SC/STs and minorities.

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New Delhi:

CBSE is going to release the admit card soon for the recruitment exam for 357 posts. The admit card are not released as of now, however, according to reports, the CBSE Recruitment examination for various posts will be conducted in the month of February, 2020. Candidates who have applied for the respective posts need to visit the official website of CBSE, i.e. cbse.nic.in to check and download the CBSE admit Card once it is released.

CBSE Recruitment Drive For Group A, B and C Posts

A total of 357 vacant positions in Group A, Group B and Group C are going to be filled through this recruitment drive. Some of the major posts include Assistant Secretary, Analyst, Junior Hindi Translator and Stenographer.

In order to download the CBSE Admit Card for the exam, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps:

First, visit the official site of CBSE at cbse.nic.in

Then, click on the CBSE Admit Card link from the latest news section once it is made available

A new page will open

Proceed as per the instructions

Download and take a printout of the CBSE admit card for future reference

As notified, candidates will able to appear for the CBSE Stage I exam along-with the MCQ based test and Skill Test. The dates of all these exams will be announced by the board in due course of time. Earlier, the CBSE application process was started on November 15, 2019 and the application process closed on December 23, 2019. For regular updates on the admit card and CBSE recruitment exam for various posts, candidates need to visit the official website of CBSE on regular basis.

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Mumbai:

Congress leader Milind Deora on Tuesday urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to visit Mumbai and hold broader pre-budget consultations with various stake-holders of the economy including small traders and vendors.

The former Union minister also noted that the economy is dangerously close to going off the rails. Deora said recent social unrest in India has dented its image as the socially and politically stable country that is conducive to doing business.

Dont limit policy-making only to the select few: Deora

In the run-up to Union Budget 2020-2021, I urge @nsitharaman ji to travel to Mumbai to interact with small traders & vendors, industry & other stakeholders. Dont limit policy-making only to the select few who can access New Delhi! Deora tweeted.

Once the worlds fastest growing economy, India is coming dangerously close to going off the rails, he stated.

Observing that the government alone cannot find solutions to the deepening crisis, the former MP said the financial capital be better engaged through consultations during such extraordinary times.

By now, Indias Finance Minister should have visited Mumbai to meet with representatives of traditional markets, MSMEs, industry captains and representatives from banking and finance, he stated.

Earlier, corporate leaders on Monday sought initiatives to support job creation besides enhanced spending on infrastructure and policies for agricultural sector as part of their Budget 2020 wishlist. While participating in a debate during a book launch here, TVS Group Chairman Venu Srinivasan sought more focus on job creation in the Budget next month. Similarly, Chairman and Senior Managing Director of DCM Shriram Ajay S Shriram urged the government to focus on agriculture sector, while Hero Enterprise Chairman Sunil Kant Munjal stressed on enhancing spending on infrastructure.

The Union Budget is scheduled to be presented on February 1.
The arrows of Arjuna in Mahabharata had atomic power in it, Dhankhar said while addressing a programme in Kolkata. (Photo Credit: File photo)

Kolkata:

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday claimed flying objects existed during the period of Ramayana and the arrows of Arjuna of Mahabharata had atomic power. It is not in the 20th century, but it was during the period of Ramayana, we had flying objects (Uran Khatola).

Sanjay narrated the entire war of Mahabharata (to Dhitarasthra) not from TV. The arrows of Arjuna in Mahabharata had atomic power in it, Dhankhar said while addressing a programme in Kolkata.

In Mahabharata, it is said that Sanjay, even after staying away from the battle had narrated what was happening in the battlefield to Dhritarashtra, who was blind.

Also Read: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar Asks Mamata Banerjee To Withdraw 'Referendum' Remark

Morever, Dhankar has been at loggerheads with the Trinamool government in the state. Governor Dhankar has been accusing the Mamata government of trying to undermine the authority and functioning of the governor. "There has been effort by state government to undermine the authority and functioning of the governor," Dhankar had said.

Dhankhar alleged that he has not been updated over range of issues despite summons from the Raj Bhawan.
New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered the Delhi Police to look into the Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj traffic blockade. The order came while the High Court was hearing a public interest litigation that sought courts intervention to remove the traffic restrictions, which have been in place since December 15 last year. The court said that managing traffic was the duty of the police. The court said that the cops must work in a time-bound manner on the issue. The High Court also asked the police to keep in mind larger public interest, maintenance of law and order.

Route number 13A, through Kalindi Kunj road, between Noida and South East Delhi and further to Faridabad has been shut since December 15, the day when the protest began at Shaheen Bagh, leading to massive traffic congestions during peak hours. Noida traffic police have advised commuters to opt for Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) flyway or the Chilla Regulator route for travel between Delhi and Noida.

What the plea said?

The petition, filed by advocate and social activist Amit Sahni, sought direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner to withdraw the closure of Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh Stretch and Okhla underpass, which were closed on December 15, 2019 for ongoing protests against CAA and National Register of Citizen (NRC). It was a temporary measure but has been extended from time to time. The Kalindi Kunj stretch is quite crucial as it connects Delhi, Faridabad (Haryana) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) and commuters who use these roads are forced to take alternative routes Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Expressway and Ashram, which is causing hours of traffic jams and wastage of time and fuel, it said.

The plea said children, who take that route, are compelled to leave home two hours prior to school timing. It claimed that the authorities have failed to take appropriate action to give relief to the residents of the locality and lakhs of commuters of Delhi, UP and Haryana.

Violence in Delhi

The national Capital witnessed some of the most violent protests against the CAA in December last year. From Seemapuri to Delhi Gate to Jamia, violent clashes were reported in various areas of the national capital.

The CAA and chronology of protests

The agitation erupted after the Narendra Modi government passed the contentious legislation in Parliament on December 11. Two days later, President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent and making it a law on December 13. The Citizenship Act grants Indian nationality to Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs who fled Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan in half the time of other groups if they can argue they suffered religious discrimination in their country of origin.
New Delhi:

Billionaire Jeff Bezos is in India! Taking out his time on his two-day visit to India, the Amazon founder was seen partaking in Makar Sankranti festival, flying colourful kites with children, decked up in a colourful kurta-pyjama. Bezos, who is in India for a two-day summit for small and medium businesses also shared a video of his visit at the Mahatma Gandhi Rajghat paying homage to the father of the nation.

Sharing his updates on his India visit, Bezos, spending time with kids wrote on his Instagram post,

Any day is a good day when you get to fly a kite. #ThankYouIndia, he says in his latest post. It shows a video of him, dressed in a kurta, flying a kite with children and interacting with them. He even tells children about flying kites as a kid.

The video, since being shared has collected over 4 lakh views and more than 88,000 likes. The comments on the post are flooded with people welcoming the Amazon founder to India.

Prior to his India visit, Bezos, announced that he is making a donation of 1 million AU dollars for Australian Wildfire relief.

Our hearts go out to all Australians as they cope with these devastating bushfires. Amazon is donating 1 million AU dollars in needed provisions and services. Find more about it and learn how customers can help as well. Link in bio the billionaire wrote on his Insta for Australia bushfires that have taken 25 lives, destroyed 2,000 homes to date and killed billion animals.
Bengaluru:

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday threatened to resign when the seer of Panchamasali Guru Peetha warned that the community will leave him, if a BJP MLA from the community is not made the minister during the upcoming cabinet expansion. The chief minister, who is awaiting the BJP high commands nod to expand his cabinet, amid intense lobbying by the aspirants, wanted the seer Vachanananda swamiji and the Panchamasali community to understand his situation.

Yediyurappa pointed out that he has come to power because of the Congress-JD(S) legislators who rebelled against the then coalition government.

The incident took place when Vachanananda swamiji, while addressing an event at Harihara, near Bengaluru, said chief minister, you are a good person, Murugesh Nirani (BJP MLA)has helped you a lot, he has stood by you..if you leave his hands this time, the united Panchamasali community will leave your hands.

Also Read: Karnataka Bypolls: BJP Bags 12 Of 15 Seats, Top Congress Leaders Quit After Defeat

As the swamiji was making this statement, Yediyurappa, who was seated next to him, rose and threatened to leave the stage. If you speak like this I will go away...what are you speaking...kindly pardon me, I will leave, you should not speak like this, if you speak like this I cant work..you can give me suggestions, you cannot threaten me, he said, as the swamiji tried to convince Yediyurappa and asked him to take his seat.

As Yediyurappa acceded to his request, the seer said he was not threatening him but was putting forward the rights of the community. The chief minister, who was visibly upset, was seen talking to Home minister Basavaraj Bommai next to him, who even tried to convince the seer not to continue with the topic.

Nirani, a MLA from Bilgi who was Industries minister in the previous Yediyurappa government, was seated on the stage when the incident occurred. Later addressing the event, Yediyurappa said he was not selfish and was even ready to resign. Vachanananda swamiji has spoken, through you I request him to understand my situation also.

Also Read: After Mangaluru Violence, Karnataka CM Yediyurappa Appeals To People To Stay Off 'Vested Interests'

If 17 legislators (Congress-JDS), few even as ministers, had not resigned and stayed away, Yediyurappa could not have occupied this Chief Minister position. You (swamiji) need not make people raise their hands on any demand, if you tell me, Im ready to listen to you, he said.

Stating that he was ready to take suggestions from the swamiji on all issues, including on how to run the administration for the next 3 years, Yediyurappa said Im ready to bow my head and listen to it, if you dont want Im even ready to resign and go home, Im not someone who wants to stick to the chair.

Further noting that if he says that the financial condition of the state is not good it will become headline in papers tomorrow, he said he will have to wait till March for the situation to improve. I dont have selfishness, Im aware that if the Panchamasali-Lingayat community had not stood by me, I could have not sat on this chair (CM)... but kindly understand my situation also, he added.

Yediyurappa is expected to expand his ministry later this month after discussing with BJP national president Amit Shah during his visit to the state on January 18.

As the chief minister has already made it clear that 11 of the disqualified JDS-Congress MLAs who got re-elected in the bypolls on BJP tickets will be made ministers, lobbying has been on within the party for the remaining ministerial berths. Currently there are 18 Ministers, including the chief minister in the cabinet that has a sanctioned strength of 34.

The cabinet expansion will not be an easy task for the chief minister as he will have to strike a balance by accommodating the victorious disqualified legislators as promised and also make place for the old guard, upset at being neglected in the first round of the induction exercise. He also has to give adequate representation to various castes and regions in his cabinet and also deal with allocation of key portfolios.

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As such Trump appears to be confident that impeachment would be defeated in the Senate. (Photo Credit: File Photo)

Washington:

The Senate is likely to begin the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump on January 21, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday. McConnell's remarks came after Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House would vote on Wednesday and send its impeachment trial to the Senate. The 435-member US House of Representatives, where Democrats enjoy a majority, last month charged Trump with "high crimes and misdemeanours" and impeached him for pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival. Initiated by Pelosi on September 24, the House voted on two articles of impeachment against Trump: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump and the White House have denied those charges. The Senate needs to complete a motion of trial before voting on the impeachment. The trial would be presided by the Supreme Court Chief Justice.

"The House is likely to finally send the articles over to us tomorrow, allowing Senate to take steps which would set us up to begin the actual trial next Tuesday," McConnell told reporters at the US Capitol.

Before that, Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in senators as jurors this week. This is likely to happen before the Martin Luther King Jr holiday.

Pelosi, who had held on the impeachment for about four weeks from sending it to the Senate on Tuesday, told a caucus meeting that she is ready to proceed ahead and a vote on this is scheduled for Wednesday.

The vote by the House of Representatives would be on three things -- transmit articles of impeachment against Trump; name the impeachment managers; and finally provide funding for the trial.

"We expect to transmit tomorrow at some point in time during the day. The Speaker may well announce the managers before the resolution comes to the floor," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

Once the House sends its impeachment trail to the Senate, the upper house would formally begin the process. Prominent among them include swearing in of the Chief Justice who will preside over the trail, and passing of a rules package.

Trump, joined by his Republican party, has accused Democrats of one-sided impeachment proceedings against him.

Republicans enjoy majority in the 100-member Senate. As such Trump appears to be confident that impeachment would be defeated in the Senate.

The White House has confirmed its defence team for the Senate trial.

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New Delhi:

One person reported dead and 15 sustained injuries in a bus-truck collision on Mumabai-Ahemdabad highway near Manor on Tuesday. The injured have been rushed to the local hospital.

Maharashtra: One person dead & 15 injured after a bus & a truck collided on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway near Manor. Injured persons have been shifted to a hospital.  ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2020

In a similar incident on Sunday, a bus carrying 50 passengers collided with a truck on near Chiloi village under Chhibramau police station area of Kannauj district in Uttar Pradesh. At least 20 people were dead in a massive fire that broke out following a collision.
South Africa: Corruption accused Gauteng officials suspended

At least nine officials from the Gauteng Provincial Departments of Health and Infrastructure Development have been put on precautionary suspension following a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report on the awarding of contracts for the refurbishment of Anglo Gold Ashanti Hospital.

The West Rand-based hospital was earmarked for the treatment of COVID-19 patients during the pandemic.

According to papers filed by the SIU in the Special Tribunal, the lease of the AGA Hospital and the appointment of the PSPs and contractors were irregular and unlawful and did not comply with procurement regulations.

It also found that the initial cost estimate ballooned from some R50 million to at least R500 million.

In a statement, the Gauteng Provincial Government said the SIU investigation had uncovered serious irregularities in the awarding of the contracts for the hospital.

The statement added that the provincial government has since received referrals from the SIU to institute disciplinary action against the implicated officials while other referrals were made to other state institutions for further investigations into the conduct of the nine officials.

Three senior managers in the Department of Health and six senior managers in the Department of Infrastructure Development were served with letters of suspension and disciplinary proceedings against them will commence as soon as charges are finalised.

The Gauteng Provincial Government continues to forge ahead with the fight against fraud and corruption and the drive to build a culture of integrity and ethics among public officials, public servants, businesspeople and civil society, the statement read.

The provincial government said mitigating, preventative and other measures have been put in place to fight corruption.

The provincial government has strengthened control systems to prevent fraud and corruption while at the same time it has improved capacity to detect, investigate and take appropriate action including instituting disciplinary action against staff, referring matters for criminal investigation and initiating processes to recover stolen money, the statement said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vu?i?.

"Dear Mr. President,

It is on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Serbia that on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I wish to cordially congratulate you, and through you, your people.

The present level of the dynamically developing Azerbaijan-Serbia relations is gratifying. Our ever-expanding political, economic and cultural ties and fruitful cooperation across different spheres realistically reflect the substance of our relations.

I believe we will continue our joint efforts aimed at comprehensive development of traditionally friendly and cooperative relations and the strategic partnership between our peoples.

On this festive day, I offer my best wishes to you and wish everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Serbia," the head of state wrote.
New Delhi:

UPSC Civil Services Main Exam 2019 Result has been declared. Candidates who appeared for the Civil Services Main exam 2019 need to visit the official website of Union Public Service Commission, i.e. upsc.gov.in to check the result. Earlier, the UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 exam was held from September 20 to September 29, 2019. Candidates who appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Main exam 2019 can check the result by clicking on the direct link that is mentioned below.

UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 Result

In order to check and download the UPSC Civil Services Main exam 2019 result, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps:

First, visit the official website of Union Public Service Commission, i.e. upsc.gov.in

Then, click on the Written Exam Result of Civil Services that is flashing at the right-hand side of the homepage

A new page will open

Then, click on the Civil Services Main 2019 Result link

The UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 result will open in the PDF format

The PDF will include the roll numbers of shortlisted candidates

Alternatively, candidates can click on the below mentioned direct link to check the UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 Exam Result.

UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 Exam Result Direct Link

The next level after the UPSC Civil Services Main 2019 exam is the personality test that will be held in the month of February 2020. The overall marks in the written exam and personality test will determine the selection of candidates. It is to note that candidates will receive the e-Summon letters from Union Public Service Commission from January 27, 2020 regarding the personality test timetable. For more updates and details, candidates are advised to visit the official website of UPSC on regular basis.
Vice Chancellor had said the varsity administration will "explore the possibility" of moving court for registration of an FIR against "police brutality" (Photo Credit: PTI File)

New Delhi:

Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar on Tuesday met Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and urged him to lodge an FIR in connection with the police action on campus after violence erupted during an anti-CAA protest nearby, officials said.

Besides Patnaik, Akhtar met Special Commissioner of Police (Intelligence) Praveer Ranjan and Joint Commissioner of Police, Southern Range, Devesh Srivastava.

On Monday, the vice chancellor had said the varsity administration will "explore the possibility" of moving court for registration of an FIR against "police brutality" on the campus after hundreds of angry students gheraoed her office demanding action against the Delhi Police.

On December 15, violence erupted during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in south Delhi's New Friends' Colony near Jamia Millia Islamia. Protesters torched vehicles and clashed with police.

Police resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. They entered the university campus and cracked down on students.

Meanwhile, a team of National Human Rights Commission officials visited Jamia on Tuesday to record statements of the students who were injured during police action on the campus.

The NHRC had last month sent a fact-finding team to investigate whether there were any violations of human rights during the police crackdown at the varsity premises on December 15.

"After conducting an on-spot inquiry earlier, NHRC has decided to further probe the Jamia university incident. The rights panel team will conduct this investigation from January 14-17," a source in the NHRC said.

On Tuesday, around 35-40 students were present to record their statements with a NHRC team, led by SSP Manzil Saini, to conduct an inquiry to know whether there were any violations of human rights during the incident, varsity officials said.

According to the NHRC, it had received complaints in December alleging illegal detention of students by police and denial of legal and medical access to injured students at the police station, following which it had registered a case and deputed a probe team.

The four-member team of the human rights body headed by a DSP visited the varsity and recorded the statements of students who were either injured or witnessed the alleged police brutality inside the varsity library on December 15, said university spokesperson Ahmad Azeem.

A total of 25 students out of 40 present gave their version in writing to the NHRC team. Before that the team interacted with all the students who narrated stories of last month's "police action", he said. The team will visit the campus again on Wednesday and also on January 16 and 17 for recording statements of the remaining students, employees and security personnel of the university, he said.
The United States had sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@SecPompeo)

New Delhi:

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleged Monday that Iraqi leaders have told him privately they support the US troop presence, despite public appeals for them to leave. This came after last week Iraqs parliament voted to expel the US military from the country. The lawmakers voted in favour of a resolution that mandates to end the presence of military of any other country in Iraq. With almost 5,000 US troops stationed in Iraq, the resolution seeks United States to withdraw its military.

However, Pompeo said he heard a different message in conversations with around 50 Iraqi leaders since the start of the month. "They won't say so publicly. But privately they all welcome the fact that America is still there executing its counter terror campaign," Pompeo said.

The resolution in Iraqs parliament came after a US airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani inside Iraq, dramatically increasing regional tensions. The resolution was backed by most Shiite members of parliament, who hold a majority of seats. Many Sunni and Kurdish legislators did not show up for the session, apparently because they oppose abolishing the deal.

The United States had sent troops to Iraq more than four years ago to help in the fight against the Islamic State group.

Who Was General Qasem Soleimani?

Soleimani was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies. General Soleimani, who headed the external operations Quds Force for the Guards, had wielded his regional clout publicly since 2018 when it was revealed that he had direct involvement in top-level talks over the formation of Iraq's government. It was no surprise at the time for a man who has been at the centre of power-broking in the region for two decades.

Soleimani has been in and out of Baghdad ever since, most recently last month as parties sought to form a new government. Where once he kept to the shadows, Soleimani has in recent years become an unlikely celebrity in Iran -- replete with a huge following on Instagram.

His profile rose suddenly when he was pushed forward as the public face of Iran's intervention in the Syrian conflict from 2013, appearing in battlefield photos, documentaries -- and even being featured in a music video and animated film. In a rare interview aired on Iranian state television in October, he said he was in Lebanon during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war to oversee the conflict.

To his fans and enemies alike, Soleimani was the key architect of Iran's regional influence, leading the fight against jihadist forces and extending Iran's diplomatic heft in Iraq, Syria and beyond. "To Middle Eastern Shiites, he is James Bond, Erwin Rommel and Lady Gaga rolled into one," wrote former CIA analyst Kenneth Pollack in a profile for Time's 100 most influential people in 2017.

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New Delhi:

To help the affected in Australia bushfires, billionaire Jeff Bezos announced that he is making a donation of 1 million AU dollars, an approximation of $690,000 for Australian bushfire relief. "Our hearts go out to all Australians as they cope with these devastating bushfires. Amazon is donating 1 million AU dollars in needed provisions and services. Find more about it and learn how customers can help as well," Jeff Bezos wrote on his Instagram post. His donation of 1 million AU dollars against his $116.7 billion net worth was not seen enough by netizens who lashed out at the Amazon founder and owner.

"Are we supposed to be impressed?" asked one netizen on his donation.

This may sound horrible, but $690,000 is a pittance for #JeffBezos. Thats like me putting $2 into the Salvation Army bucket.

Cheap billionaire. Y  Samia Ali Salama (@SamiaAliSalama) January 13, 2020

Jeff Bezos is worth ~$116 billion. This is approximately 0.00059% of his fortune. If you had $50,000, this would be the equivalent of donating less than $30. And winning headlines for it https://t.co/IzQlCMMozh  Brian Merchant (@bcmerchant) January 12, 2020

This is the equivalent of a median net worth American donating 63 cents condemned another.

Jeff Bezos is worth ~$116 billion. This is approximately 0.00059% of his fortune. If you had $50,000, this would be the equivalent of donating less than $30. And winning headlines for it wrote another.

Other celebrities who have donated to the Australia inferno that took over 25 lives, destroyed 2,000 homes and killed nearly a billion animals are Pink with $500,000, Kylie Jenner at $1 million, Leonardo DiCaprio's Earth Alliance pledged $3 million, Metallica at $75,00000 dollars.

Elton John and Chris Hemsworth also donated $1 million each to fight the Australian wildfires.

RELATED



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Investigators were looking for other members of the gang including its kingpin who hails from Jamtara district of Jharkhand (Photo Credit: Representative Image )

Mumbai:

A gang which duped users of payment app Paytm on the pretext of updating Know Your Customer (KYC) details has been busted with the arrest of three men, the police said on Tuesday. The investigators were looking for other members of the gang including its kingpin who hails from Jamtara district of Jharkhand, said an official of D B Marg police station.

Jamtara is in news currently because of a Netflix film about digital frauds emanating from the area. The arrested men were identified as Narshi Suthar (23), Nandkishore Suthar (26) and Pukhraj Suthar (36).

Anil Shah (73), the complainant, told the police that he received a message from an unidentified number last month, asking him to update KYC of his Paytm account and warning him that the account will be blocked if he failed to do so.

Shah called the number provided in the message. He was asked to download `Team Viewer app' on his mobile and send one rupee to any number from PayTm account, the official said.

Shah followed the instructions, without realizing that the person at the other end -- believed to be the mastermind of the racket -- had accessed his Paytm id and password. Before Shah ended the call, Rs 1.72 lakh had been withdrawn from his bank account.

Police investigations revealed that the main accused then bought Rs 50,000-worth Big Bazar cash vouchers from the amount withdrawn, and sent these vouchers through WhatsApp to Narshi, Nandkishore and Pukhraj. The trio allegedly purchased mobile phones using these vouchers and sold them in Lower Parel and Grant Road areas.

They told the police that the main accused lives in Jamtara.

The gang had cheated hundreds of people with the same modus operandi, they allegedly told the police.

The police recovered at least 70 mobile phones from their possession, all purchased through Big Bazar vouchers. They had Rs 2.22 lakh in total in their bank accounts. A court sent them in police custody till January 20 and further probe is on, the official said.

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New Delhi:

Canadian investigators flying to Tehran on Monday will access the wreckage and black boxes from a Ukranian jetliner downed by a missile strike last week, officials said. We dont fully know what the scope of our investigation will be, Transportation Safety Board (TSB) chair Kathy Fox told a press conference. However, she added, there have been early signs that Iran is allowing the TSB to play a more active role than is normally permitted.

Last week, Iran admitted that it shot down the Ukrainian passenger plane on January 8 killing 176 onboard. Two Canadian investigators were to land in Tehran within hours, followed by two more in the coming days or weeks.

They will also be allowed to visit the crash site and the wreckage of the plane that is being reassembled in a nearby hanger.

We do know what has happened. What we dont know is why it happened, Fox commented before listing off questions surrounding the crash that still need to be answered.

Iran admits shooting down plane

Regretting the crash, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani offered condolences to the families of the victims. Armed Forces internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake. #PS752 (sic), Rouhani said on Twitter. The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences, he said in another tweet.

Irans Foreign Minister Javad Zarif termed the development as sad day. Using a heartbreak emoji, Zarif tweeted, A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed Forces: Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations.

Denial And Admission

Iran had denied for several days that a missile caused the crash. But then the US and Canada, citing intelligence, said they believed Iran shot down the aircraft with a surface-to-air missile, a conclusion supported by videos of the incident. The plane, en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians, at least 57 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians, according to officials. The Canadian government had earlier lower the nation's death toll from 63.

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New Delhi:

Three Army soldiers were killed and another was missing after an avalanche hit their post in Machil sector along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, defence sources said. The sources said five soldiers were trapped under the avalanche.

The Army launched rescue operations and traced four of the soldiers. While three of them were declared dead, another was injured and is being treated at a local military facility, the sources said. Efforts are on to trace one missing soldier.

Last week, an Army porter died and three others were rescued after they were struck by an avalanche along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. The avalanche hit a forward location at Shahpur sector, trapping the porters. Army rescue teams immediately swung into action and managed to pull out the porters from the snow.

Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh experienced moderate to heavy snowfall, while the plains were lashed by rains since Monday.

Authorities in Ladakh had issued a low-danger avalanche warning in various areas and asked people to avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas during the next 24 hours.

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New Delhi:

In a terse rebuke, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Delhi Police during the hearing of bail plea of Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar. Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau slammed the Delhi Police prosecutor while hearing bail plea of the Bhim Army Chief. When the Delhi Police prosecutor objected to Azad's Twitter call of protest at Jama Masjid, Lau said: "Jama Masjid isn't in Pakistan. Why can't people protest" She further said that, "even those in Pakistan have a right to peaceful protest. To protest is a constitutional right. When there is no violence, people can't be stopped from protests."

The Bhim Army chief is seeking bail in connection with violence during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest in Daryaganj area, claiming that the Delhi Police invoked "boilerplate" charges against him and arrested him "mechanically" without following the due process of law. When the public prosecutor said that a permission from authorities is needed to carry out the protests, Lau retorted, What sort of permission are you talking about. Even the Supreme Court has said that using Section 144 again and again is not correct. I have seen people protesting outside Parliament becoming ministers.

The Additional Sessions Judge also asked the police as to what are the proofs against Chandrashekhar that point out his role in inciting violence. At this, the public prosecutor said that the Delhi Police has drone footages that show the Bhim Army chiefs instigating speeches.

The court has fixed the next date of hearing on Wednesday at 2 pm.

The bail plea, filed through advocate Mehmood Pracha, alleged that no specific incriminating role has been attributed to Azad in the FIR, of which the contents were "vague" and based on "conjectures and surmises". It said he was at all times demonstrably making efforts to maintain peace. Azad's outfit had called for a protest march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the amended Citizenship Act on 20 December, without police permission. Other 15 people arrested in the case were granted bail by the court on 9 January.

The court had earlier pulled up Tihar jail authorities for acting in a "callous manner" by flouting laws that safeguard a prisoner's right and asked them to ensure that Azad was treated for polycythemia, a disorder of blood thickness, and taken to AIIMS, Delhi. It had said that despite knowing Azad's condition, he was given ordinary medical care and not the treatment needed to address his ailment.
Tokyo:

Japanese auto giant Nissan is "in no way" planning to end its partnership with Renault, the Japanese automaker insisted Tuesday after a report suggested a divorce was possible in the wake of the Carlos Ghosn scandal. Britain's Financial Times, citing "several people with knowledge of the matter", said Monday that said senior executives at the scandal-hit firm were speeding up work on secret plans for a potential parting of ways with France's Renault.

But in a statement, Nissan firmly denied the claims. "Nissan is in no way considering dissolving the alliance," the statement said. "The alliance is the source of Nissan's competitiveness," the firm said, adding that it will look to continue delivering "win-win results for all member companies." The partnership, which also includes Japan's Mitsubishi Motors, has been troubled since the shock arrest of its former chief Ghosn on charges of financial misconduct.

Ghosn, who last month jumped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon, claims the charges against him were cooked up by disgruntled Nissan executives hoping to block his plans to more closely integrate the automaker with Renault. In a news conference in Lebanon, he claimed the alliance was now on the rocks and directionless. The alliance's new chief, Jean-Dominique Senard, earlier hit back at the reports of a planned split, telling Belgian daily L'Echo the claims had "no connection to the current situation of the alliance".

"The Renault-Nissan alliance is not dead! Soon we will show you why," he said in an interview published Tuesday. "I ask myself, where does this sort of information come from? I am not sure it comes from a place of goodwill," Senard said. Nissan fell nearly three percent Tuesday afternoon.

The 20-year partnership between Nissan and Renault, whose alliance is based on cross-shareholdings without a joint structure, has been badly shaken by the Ghosn scandal. But Senard said the alliance was "nowhere near" the point of collapse and insisted its leaders were busy "recreating its original spirit" and planning future investments.

Also Read: Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter Goes Official In India: Specs, Features, Price Inside

A source close to Nissan told AFP that the leaks probably came from "a few disgruntled souls" inside the company who wanted to "vent their frustration", adding that rebuilding trust between the two firms "will take time".
New Delhi:

Amid tensions over Iran and an impending impeachment trial, theres a strong buzz that US President Donald Trump is likely to visit India in February next month. The back-door negotiations were reported by The Hindustan Times on Tuesday. The latest report by The HT says that officials from both India and the US are talking over the crucial visit. It should be noted that the US President was invited for this years Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. However, he had said that he wont be able to make it to the grand event due to scheduling constraints. Prime Minister Modi had invited the US President to India during his visit to Washington. Trumps predecessor Barack Obama had also attended the Republic Day event in 2015.

While most of the nitty-gritties are still under wrap, Trumps India visit hold greater significance for him in the election year. Also, the case in point is the impeachment trial, which is likely to commence some point in January. General consensus is the Republican-controlled Senate is likely to acquit Trump. However, nothing is set in stone. Or Trump, India visit is linked to a quick trade deal with the Narendra Modi government.

Given the global situation, Trump would like to steer the American economy into better condition. For that, both India and China are key catalysts. While the grand trade deal with China is likely to be formalised by January 20, the pact with India will be more short-term in nature, the HT report said.

Trade deal with China

Beijing's trade envoy Vice Premier Liu He is scheduled to visit the US next week to sign the interim agreement's "Phase One", marking a pause in the nearly two-year trade war between the two sides. "We're signing, as you know, a very big deal among many other things with China probably on January 15," Trump told reporters at a White House event in Washington. Liu will lead a delegation to the US. The "Phase One" of the trade deal, Trump said, is "a big percentage of the deal". "Some would say half. Some would say a little less or a little more than half, but it's a tremendous percentage. It's pretty much all for the farmers, also bankers," he said responding to a question.

Republic Day 2020

Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro will be the chief guest at the 2020 Republic Day parade. Former French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in 2016. In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of United Arab Emirates took part in the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.

The year 2018 was historic as leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations attended the event as chief guests. In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was in attendance as the chief guest. He was the second South African president, after Nelson Mandela, to attend the grand event as its chief guest.

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By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Baku has offered assistance to Tbilisi in the aftermath of a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck southern Georgia on February 13.

On February 14, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke by phone with his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani about the situation in the earthquake zone.

He stated that Azerbaijan is always willing to help if needed.

Zalkaliani responded by noting that the earthquake had no serious consequences and thanking the Azerbaijani minister for his solidarity.

During the conversation, the parties discussed the development of bilateral relations as well as regional issues.

The parties also discussed cooperation within international organizations and upcoming events in the coming months.

Meanwhile, in a phone call with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov expressed concern about the recent earthquake.

During the call, the two officials expressed their appreciation for the development of friendly Azerbaijani-Georgian relations in a variety of fields, and they discussed the prospects for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Georgian media reported that the tremors were strong enough to be felt in Tbilisi and Batumi.

It should be noted that tremors with a force of about 3.5 points were also felt in Ganja, Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan and Georgia are collaborating in a variety of economic fields. The two countries signed a number of cooperation agreements in 2021 as part of a meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.

Simultaneously, as part of the trilateral business forum held in Baku in December 2021, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey signed five memorandums and agreements on cooperation.

In 2021, the two countries' trade turnover totaled $763.6 million, with exports accounting for $661 million and imports accounting for $102.6 million.
The resolution said all chief ministers who have announced they will not implement the NRC in their states must also consider suspend the NPR enumeration which was a prelude. (Photo Credit: Twitter/Congress)

New Delhi:

Stating that the "spirit of resistance has awoken", opposition parties on Monday called for repealing the Citizenship Amendment Act and "immediate stoppage of the NRC/NPR" on grounds that the "package" is unconstitutional and targets the poor and downtrodden.

The meeting, convened by the Congress, saw chinks in the opposition ranks with leaders of about 20 political parties attending it but six major parties -- DMK, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Shiv Sena -- choosing to stay away.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said the protests against the CAA and the NRC reflect widespread frustration and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of diverting attention from real issues such as the economy, her son Rahul Gandhi challenged the prime minister to visit any of the troubled campuses and speak on what he is going to do for the country.

"The CAA, NPR and NRC is a package that is unconstitutional, which specifically targets the poor, the downtrodden, the SC/STs and the linguistic and religious minorities. The NPR is the basis for the NRC. We demand the withdrawal of the CAA and the immediate stoppage of the nationwide NRC/NPR," stated the joint resolution adopted at the meeting.

It said all chief ministers who have announced they will not implement the National Register of Citizens in their states must also consider suspend the National Population Register enumeration which was a prelude.

The resolution also listed three dates -- Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary on January 23, Republic Day on January 26 and Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom day on January 30 -- on which to peacefully and appropriately defend the Constitution and safeguard the secular democratic republic.

"A spirit of resistance has awoken. We urgent every fellow Indian to strengthen this spirit by joining in solidarity to observe January 23 is the birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose," the resolution said.

On Republic Day, people should read the Preamble of the Constitution and take oath to safeguard it. And on January 30, highlight Mahatma Gandhi's relentless campaigns in pursuit of communal harmony.

The BJP, it said, has embarked on a "dangerous course of sharpening communal polarization and attacking democratic rights and Constitutional guarantees of the people affecting millions of people and marginalized communities".

Sonia Gandhi slams Modi govt over CAA, NRC

Addressing the meeting, Sonia Gandhi said the nationwide spontaneous protests by youth supported by citizens reflect widespread frustration and pent up anger. She also alleged that the response of police in UP and Delhi has been "shockingly partisan and brutal".

"The prime minister and home minister have misled the people. They have contradicted their own statements of only weeks ago, and continue with their provocative statements while remaining insensitive to the state suppression and violence that is increasingly becoming commonplace," the Congress chief said.

She said the real issue facing India today is the collapse of economic activity and slowing growth and development affecting all sections of society, especially the poor and disadvantaged.

"The prime minister and home minister have no answers and want to divert the nation's attention from this grim reality by raising one divisive, polarizing issue after another. It is for us to work together and thwart the designs of this government," she said.

Rahul Gandhi dare PM Modi

After the meeting, Rahul Gandhi echoed her and said Modi was doing the biggest disservice to the nation by dividing it and distracting the attention of people.

He said the prime minister should stand up and have the courage to speak to the youth on why the Indian economy has become a disaster and why there is highest unemployment in 50 years.

"Unfortunately, the prime minister does not have the guts to stand in front of the students of this country and tell them so he crushes them using the police... I challenge the prime minister right now, to go to any of the universities, stand over there without his police, without his infrastructure and tell the people what he is going to do for this country," he said.

Rahul Gandhi said the discussion at the meeting centred on the mood in the country with students and people of all religions and communities coming out.

"There is a feeling of anger and fear in our students, in the weaker sections, in the farmers... The opportunity that India had has been lost, let me tell you. We are busy discussing everything except the main issue, which is joblessness and our economic strength. This is being destroyed by Mr. Narendra Modi," he alleged.

Opposition expresses solidarity with protesting students

The opposition meeting also expressed their solidarity with the protesting students in their bid to win over the youth and students. Sources said the opposition is seeking to take the students' movement forward and have lent support to their cause.

Asked to comment on the parties which skipped the meeting, his party colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad said the opposition is together.

"They may or may not attend the meeting, but we are all together and united on the subject and purposes of CAA, NPR and NRC. There is no question of any division," he said.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury agreed and said some parties had not come but had expressed their support.

"The question is not individual political parties, but to save the Constitution," he said.

Parties which attend the meeting

The Congress leaders present in the meeting included Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, KC Venugopal, and AK Antony.

The opposition party leaders who attended the meeting were NCP's Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel, CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury, JMM's Hemant Soren, RJD's Manoj Jha, CPI's D Raja, Loktantrik Janta Dal's Sharad Yadav, IUML's PK Kinhalikutty, RSP's Shatrujeet Singh, Kerala Congress-Mani's Thomas Chazhikkadan, AIUDF's Sirajuddin Ajmal and Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference.

Others present include PDP's Mir Mohd Fayaz, D Kupendra Reddy of JD-S, RLD's Ajit Singh, Hindustani Awami Morcha's Jitan Ram Manjhi, RLSP's Upendra Kushwaha, Swabhiman Paksha's Raju Shetty, Forward Block's G Devarajan, and VCK's Thol Thirumavalavan.

But key parties stay away

BSP chief Mayawati cited "betrayal" by the Congress in Rajasthan as the reason for her party not attending the meeting.

Mayawati conveyed her decision in tweets on Monday and said the participation of the party would have hurt its workers in Rajasthan.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said that his party will not attend the Opposition meeting as they were not informed about it.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been sore about the Congress and Left campaign in the state against her government, had last week RSVPed to say that she would not attend the meeting.

The Congress had expected Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party to depute a representative.

However, the biggest setback for the Congress DMKs absence from the meet, since MK Stalins party has been mounting pressure on the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu to distance itself from the NDA governments move at the Centre.

The Shiv Sena, the Congresss new alliance partner in Maharashtra, have also stayed away from the meeting.

Trinamool Congress was first to voice its protest: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that her party TMC was the first to voice its protest to the Parliamentary Standing Committee against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and none can question its opposition to the amended Citizenship Act.

She claimed that the Parliamentary Standing Committee record clearly states that TMC was the first to air its opposition to the CAB at the committee's meeting and asked the opposition parties who were speaking against her to check it.

Slamming the Left parties and the Congress who blamed her for a "secret understanding" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi without naming them, Banerjee said "None can question or doubt mine and TMC's credentials in fighting against the CAA, the NRC and NPR".

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi:

A Delhi court is likely to pronounce its verdict on Tuesday in a case that pertains to the alleged sexual and physical assault of several girls at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur, which was run by former Bihar Peoples Party (BPP) MLA Brajesh Thakur. It is to be noted that the judgment in the case was supposed to come on December 12, 2019. However, the court deferred the order by a month till January 14, 2020 due to the unavailability of the concerned judge.

Earlier, in November last year, the court had deferred the order by a month till December 12 as 20 accused, who are currently lodged in Tihar central jail, could not be brought to court premises due to the lawyers strike in all six district courts in the national capital.

It is worth mentioning here that the court had on March 20, 2018, framed charges against the accused, including Thakur, for offences of criminal conspiracy to commit rape and penetrative sexual assault against minors. The accused included eight females and 12 males. The Court had held the trial for the offences of rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, drugging of minors, criminal intimidation among other charges.

Thakur, employees of the shelter home, and the officials of the Bihar department of social welfare were charged with criminal conspiracy, neglect of duty and failure to report the assault on the girls. The charges also included offence of cruelty to child under their authority, punishable under the Juvenile Justice Act. All the accused, who appeared before the court, pleaded innocence and claimed trial. The offences entail a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

The court had reserved order on September 30 after final arguments by the CBI counsel and 20 accused in the case in which former Bihar Social Welfare Minister and the then JD(U) leader Manju Verma also faced flak as allegations surfaced that Thakur had links with her husband. She had resigned from her post on August 8, 2018. The CBI had told a special court that there was enough evidence against all the accused in the case.

Also Read: Muzaffarpur Shelter Home: Girls, Alleged To Have Been Murdered, Found Alive, CBI Tells Top Court

However, those accused have claimed that the CBI had not conducted a fair investigation into the case, which has been registered under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and entails life imprisonment as the maximum punishment.

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New Delhi:

Following nationwide protests in regards to CAA- Citizenship Amendment Act, NRC and NPR, good-old netizens of Twitter have taken their time to unearth an old video from the first superhero series, Shaktiman that co-incidentally leans to the much-debated, travelling topic. In the video that is enveloping the twittersphere, we see a policeman asking Mukesh Khanna's Shaktimaan if he has a birth certificate or a school leaving certificate to prove that he's a citizen of India.

Watch the video here:

The NRC or National Register of Citizens is an official record of those who are legal Indian citizens. It includes demographic information about all those individuals who qualify as citizens of India as per the Citizenship Act, 1955. The register was first prepared after the 1951 Census of India and since then it has not been updated until recently.

Initially NRC was only maintained in the state of Assam but on November 20, Home Minister, Amit Shah declared during a parliamentary session that the register would be extended to the entire country.

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New Delhi:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday flew a kite from a rooftop in Anand Nagar Road area here on the occasion of Makar Sankranti festival. The area is part of his Lok Sabha constituency, Gandhinagar. The BJP president was seen flying a kite from the rooftop of an apartment in Kanak Kala Society alongwith his wife Sonalben Shah, Gujarat BJP president Jitu Vaghani and state BJP youth morcha president Rutvij Patel. He also released saffron balloons in the sky.

#WATCH Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah flies a kite during an #Uttarayan programme in Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/cNKhQwiFnt  ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2020

Incidentally, the battle over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) also played out in the Ahmedabad skies on Tuesday, as kites with pro- and anti-CAA slogans faced off against each other.

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On Monday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma slammed Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for seeking proof from the Centre regarding the Indian Army's surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in September 2019. "On the anniversary of the Pulwama attack, the opposition has again disrespected our martyrs by questioning the surgical strike," Sarma said on Twitter, sharing a video of Rao's press conference in which he requested proof.

"They have betrayed the army in order to display their commitment to the Gandhi family. My allegiance is to the troops. I don't mind if you abuse me for the rest of your life "The tweet went on to say that On Sunday, Rao remarked, "I'm still seeking for proof today. Let India's government lead the way (the proof). The BJP spreads incorrect information, which is why people demand it."

Since last week, the two CMs have been at odds over the issue of surgical strikes. The squabble began on Friday, when Assam's Chief Minister, speaking at an election rally, stated, "Take a look at these people's mindsets. General Bipin Rawat was the country's pride and joy. Under his command, India carried out a surgical attack in Pakistan. Rahul Gandhi insisted on seeing evidence of the strike. Have we ever asked you to prove that you are Rajiv Gandhi's son? What right do you have to ask my Army for proof?"

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Manila: S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, met with his Filipino counterpart Teddy Locsin Jr. in Manila on Monday and discussed a range of issues. This is Jaishankar's first trip to the Philippines as External Affairs Minister, and it follows the Quadrilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Melbourne over the weekend.

The Minister took to Twitter to say that he held "We are starting a new phase of our partnership," says Locsin Jr., "and we have had some fruitful discussions." Its foundation is based on the mutuality of national security and development goals "..

The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs said on Twitter before of the meeting that the two officials "would discuss health and security, as well as other regional and global concerns of mutual relevance, especially as governments continue to interact post-Covid."

On November 26, 1949, India and the Philippines formally established diplomatic ties, shortly after both countries attained independence (Philippines in 1946 and India in 1947).

The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations. President Ram Nath Kovind paid a state visit to the Philippines to commemorate the occasion. During his visit, Kovind met with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and held talks with the delegation.

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New Delhi: Muslims in Karnataka insist that the girls of their house wear hijab/burqa to go to school/college and not follow the uniform rules in educational institutions. Describing it as mandatory in Islam, a debate is also being held in the Karnataka High Court. But, in the meantime, he forgot that Indonesia, the world's largest Islamic country, has banned schools from making the hijab compulsory. There were protests all over the country after non-Muslims were forced to wear the hijab, after which these rules had to be made.

In more than 20 provinces of Indonesia, many schools have made the hijab mandatory under the uniform of schoolgirls. This rule was applicable not only to girl students, but also to female teachers. Let us tell you that 6 religions are officially recognized in Indonesia, but 86.7 percent of the population there is Muslim. Now the schools there cannot make any religious dress a part of the uniform. The controversy started after a school in West Sumatra asked non-Muslims to wear the hijab as well. One of the girl's parents started the protest, which spread across the country. After this, in February 2021, strict steps were taken by the government there.

Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Chollil Koumas said that the case of West Sumatra was just visible, but there were many more such cases. He had said that the freedom of another person cannot be violated in the name of religion. The government had taken such a big decision after a video of a Christian girl being forced to wear a hijab. After a video of a 16-year-old girl went viral, the Indonesian government gave schools a month to lift the hijab/burqa-related rules. A rule was made that action would be taken against the schools which did not follow it and they would have to pay a fine. The Indonesian government recognized that this is an individual right and schools cannot decide in this regard. On the other hand, today in Karnataka, Muslim girls in Karnataka are fighting and shouting at their parents for not getting admission in the school in hijab.

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TEHRAN: The Iranian army has established a missile unit, according to Tasnim news agency, citing a senior commander. Commander Kiomars Heidari stated the missile unit has been established in the army's Ground Force.

According to him, the Ground Force plans to update equipment and introduce new gear fit for rapid reaction operations, as well as develop automated and smart ordnance capable of hitting targets at long ranges with pinpoint accuracy. The Iranian Defense Ministry revealed the latest homegrown military equipment on Sunday, including a range of stationary missiles, smart artillery ammo, and precision strike mortars.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) displayed a new ballistic missile named Kheibar Shekan on Wednesday, with a range of 1,450 kilometres and the capacity to move through the missile shield during the landing phase.

Iran's armed forces are showcasing their most recent military developments as the country commemorates the 43rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution victory in 1979.

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ISLAMABAD: On Monday, Iranian Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi arrived in Islamabad for a day-long visit to meet with senior Pakistani government officials and address key issues concerning Pakistan-Iran relations.

Vahidi was met by Pakistan's Interior Minister, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed. Vahidi and his nine-member group will meet Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and hold significant meetings with senior government officials, according to information.

The Iranian minister will meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan and other government officials during his day-long visit, according to a statement released by the Federal Ministry of Interior.

"Vahidi and Pakistani authorities will address matters like as border control and prisoner exchanges," the statement continued.

In October of last year, Pakistan and Iran agreed to form a special committee to oversee the proper implementation of a prisoner exchange agreement. Border management, particularly in relation to cross-border movement of banned outfits and human trafficking, for which the Pakistan-Iran border is frequently used by traffickers to bring people from Pakistan into Iran and transport them to Turkey and Europe via a managed and active network of agents.

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TOKYO  In a letter of formal recommendation for its former gold and silver mine to be placed in the Unesco World Heritage List, the Japanese government effectively disregarded its 20th century wartime atrocities against Koreans, knowledgeable sources said on Monday.

Despite Seoul's strong opposition, Tokyo has launched a campaign to have the Sado mine classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site next year.

During World War II, 2,000 Koreans were compelled to work at the mine as a result of their country's brutal colonial occupation by Japan. "From the 16th century through the mid-19th century, (the Japanese government) promoted (the Sado mine) as having worth of its mining technology and system," a Japanese government source stated.

According to the official, Japan focused on the mine's activity during the Edo period (1603-1867) in the letter sent to Unesco on February 1, with the forced labour issue left out of the essential component.

According to another source at the Foreign Ministry, Japan used the name "Sado island gold mines" in the document rather than "the Sado complex of heritage mines, particularly gold mines" in its own preliminary list of heritage candidate sites in 2010.

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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

President Ilham Aliyev has urged Azerbaijani businessmen to invest in Aghdam and other lands liberated from Armenian occupation in 2020.

He made the remarks while viewing the progress of restoration work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation at Aghdam Juma Mosque, during his visit to the Aghdam region on February 13.

Aliyev noted that very good conditions have been created for businesses and entrepreneurs in the country. The president emphasized that the future development of Aghdam includes, first of all, the construction of residential buildings and job creation.

Therefore, Azerbaijani entrepreneurs should come to the liberated lands and build enterprises and create jobs here. Only in this way can we revitalize the liberated lands. Of course, the state is taking and will continue to take the necessary steps, he said.

Infrastructure facilities

The president stressed that very important steps have been taken for the future development of Aghdam.

The comprehensive measures we are taking to restore Aghdam region will allow us the opportunity to rebuild and create a new Aghdam in a short time. Very important steps have been taken for the future development of Aghdam today, he said.

The head of state noted that the first residents of the industrial park in Aghdam laid the foundation stone of new enterprises to be commissioned in the near future.

There are already five residents and they are starting to work. Thus, the first enterprises of the Aghdam Industrial Park, which will be built on an area of 190 hectares, are already taking their first steps in this area. This is a very important event, he said.

Stating that two substations were opened in Aghdam, Aliyev noted that the number of substations commissioned in the liberated lands has reached nine.

As a result of the operation of the Aghdam-1 and Aghdam-2 substations, the whole region will be provided with stable electricity, he said.

The president also noted that the foundation of a hotel, which will start operating in about two years, was laid in Aghdam.

He added that the residential complex, the foundation of which was laid during the visit, comprised of six buildings will be constructed in about a year and a half to two years, and will contribute to the comprehensive development of Aghdam.

Noting that the foundation of the Aghdam Central City Hospital was laid on the same day, the president recalled that the foundation of school No.1 was laid during his last visit to Aghdam.

So I want to say again that comprehensive measures are being taken- electricity supply, a project of laying gas lines to Aghdam is being developed, drinking water supply, including the repair of the Khachinchay reservoir, which is included in this years investment program, residential buildings, hotels, jobs. In other words, all this means comprehensive development, he said.

Aliyev also noted that the road and transport infrastructure of Aghdam is being completely reconstructed. He stated that the Barda-Aghdam highway and railway are under construction.

I believe that the highway will be ready in about a year. On my instructions, the implementation of the project to build the Fuzuli-Aghdam highway has already begun, he said.

He noted that this road will connect the Fuzuli and Aghdam cities, as well as Aghdam with Fuzuli International Airport.

Comprehensive works

This work shows again that we have started all these activities without wasting any time, after the historic Victory. We have shown political will, we have mobilized all our financial and technical capabilities, as well as human resources, he said.

The president underlined that all this work is done at our own expense, at the expense of our budget, without asking anyone for help and without taking any loans.

Of course, various foreign companies are already heavily involved in this work. The number of these companies is growing. I am very glad that both local and foreign companies are interested in working in the liberated lands, and we welcome that, he said.

Noting that there is great work ahead, he noted that to carry out this work with maximum efficiency and quality there must be a carefully thought-out action plan.

He emphasized that all cities will be rebuilt on the basis of master plans, adding that the master plans of Aghdam and Fuzuli have already been approved.

Religious sites restoration

Aliyev noted that along with all this work, the restoration of historical and religious sites is underway.

The restoration of the Aghdam Juma Mosque is underway. All the studies have already been completed and starting from March, the reconstruction and repair work will begin both inside and outside the mosque, he said.

He noted that at present, eight mosques are to be overhauled, restored and built in the liberated lands.

The Aghdam Juma Mosque, the Yukhari Govharagha, the Ashagi Govharagha and the Saatli mosques of Shusha are being overhauled. The construction of a new mosque has started in Shusha. The process of reconstruction and construction of mosques in Zangilan, Hadrut and Dashalti has begun, he said.

The president underlined that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is doing all this work at its own expense.

This is my third visit to Aghdam after the war. My heart aches every time I come here. Because there is not a single safe building in Aghdam. There is this only half-destroyed mosque with a damaged roof. This mosque was insulted by the Armenians  they kept cows and pigs here. The Armenians have insulted not only the Azerbaijani people but also the entire Muslim world, he said.

Aliyev stressed that all buildings, houses in all villages, all public buildings were destroyed by the Armenians, underlining that this is unprecedented barbarism, vandalism and savagery.

He also noted that bus services have already been organized to Aghdam and Shusha.

Peace agreement

The president stated that there must be a peace agreement between Armenian and Azerbaijan.

This peace agreement must be signed on the basis of mutual recognition of the territorial integrity of the countries, on the basis of the norms and principles of international law, he said.
Srinagar: The politics of the Hijab controversy, which started from Udupi in Karnataka, continues. In this episode, on Sunday (February 13, 2022), former Jammu and Kashmir CM and PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti, connecting this issue with the Uttar Pradesh elections, said that this matter will not stop here now. Now BJP will attack all symbols of Muslims.

Describing the hijab controversy as a conspiracy by the BJP, the PDP supremo said, 'It is not enough for Indian Muslims to be Indian only, they should be BJP too'. Mehbooba further said that, there is a lot of talk about this at the global level and our country is being criticized that there is a dress code. If yes, you can wrap the scarf any way you want. One is for the UP elections and then they will attack our other symbols also.

Along with this, Mehbooba also expressed her anguish over the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed that the way Article 370 has been removed, instead of solving this issue, it has become more complicated. Describing the issue of Jammu and Kashmir as a political issue, Mehbooba said that BJP is trying to make it a communal issue. Mehbooba Mufti's love for Pakistan, which was trying to corner the BJP on the hijab controversy, was once again exposed. He said that one day the central government will have to talk to Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

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New Delhi: February 14, 2019... No Indian can forget this date, it was the same day when a fidayeen terrorist attack took place on the convoy of CRPF jawans moving fast on the Jammu-Srinagar highway and 40 brave soldiers of India attained gallantry. Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack in the Lethpora area near Awantipora in Pulwama district, after which India taught Pakistan a lesson for this 'nefarious act within just 12 days.' On February 26, India had killed several Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists by carrying out a Balakot airstrike. Since the Pulwama attack, there was an outrage against Pakistan across the country.

In fact, terrorists secretly targeted the convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on their way to the national highway in Pulwama. On the afternoon of February 14, 2019, a 300 kg explosive-laden car hit the CRPF vehicle and blew up the convoy. After the terror attack, the jawans were admitted to the local military hospital, but a large number of jawans died on the spot. Within a few minutes of the incident, it began to be condemned all over the world. The name of the terrorist who carried out the incident was Adil Ahmad Dar. Along with this, terrorists like Sajad Bhatt, Mudsir Ahmad Khan, etc. were also involved in the attack, who was later killed by the army. The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in which it filed a chargesheet of over 13,500 pages.

After the Pulwama terror attack, there was both sorrow and anger in the whole country. After losing the brave sons of India, almost everyone wanted the death of the terrorists involved in the attack as soon as possible. The CRPF had also said that it will neither forgive nor forget those responsible for the attack. The CRPF wrote in a tweet that, 'I will neither forgive nor forget.' After the terrorist attack, PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to the martyred soldiers. The mortal remains of the martyred soldiers were brought by a special aircraft of the Air Force to the Palam Air Force area where many big ministers including the then Home Minister and present Defense Minister Rajnath Singh were present. The mortal remains of the martyrs were wrapped in tricolour.

After this terrorist attack, India took revenge within just 12 days. On February 26, 2019, around 3 pm, 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's terror hideouts at Balakot. According to sources, 300 terrorists, who were fed by Pakistan, were killed in the attack. Thousands of kilograms of bombs were dropped on terror targets in this airstrike.

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NEW DELHI: Rear Admiral Saif Nasser Al Rahbi, the Chief of the Royal Oman Navy, met Foreign Secretary Harsh V. Shringla on Monday on his five-day official visit to India.

"Both appealed to the lengthy history of naval cooperation between India and Oman. Informed by the PM's vision of SAGAR, they discussed ways to improve bilateral defence cooperation and marine security "Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated in a tweet.

Defence cooperation between India and Oman has evolved as a fundamental component of the two nations' strategic partnership. Both sides' defence ministers, as well as the Indian Defence Secretary, the Indian Army and Navy leaders, have visited India on a regular basis, with reciprocal visits to India by the three Omani service commanders, the Secretary General of Defence, and others.

The Ministries of Defense of both countries meet annually to assess their relations under the auspices of the Joint Military Cooperation Committee, while the Air Force and Navy hold regular staff discussions that have sparked new areas of cooperation. A big number of Omani military personnel participate in India's ITEC courses on a regular basis.

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South Korea's Education Ministry is considering mandating kindergarten and elementary students to take rapid Covid-19 tests at home twice a week beginning next month, according to officials.

"We're having discussions while keeping several options open, like requiring students to attend school after taking assessments at home," a Ministry official said.

Schools are preparing for the start of the new semester next month, despite omicron's rapid growth, which has just pushed the daily new Covid-19 tally to above 50,000.

Last week, the Ministry said it was negotiating with regional education authorities the distribution of free quick antigen test kits to conduct semi-weekly testing on 3.3 million kindergarten and elementary students for five weeks as a strategy to protect young kids against the pandemic.

Parents have mixed feelings about the proposed test scheme for young children.

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TRIPOLI  Stephanie Williams, the UN Secretary-Libya General's Adviser, has urged all parties in Libya to maintain calm on the ground. Williams made her statements during a meeting with Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli, where they reviewed recent events including the House of Representatives' (Parliament's) recent decisions to pass a constitutional revision and name a new prime minister.

"We discussed the current process, and I emphasised the need of all actors and institutions working within the political framework and, above all, maintaining calm on the ground in the interests of Libya's unity and stability," Williams tweeted.

In a separate discussion with Fathi Bashagha, the Prime Minister-designate, Williams emphasised the importance of having free, fair, and inclusive national elections as soon as possible.

On February 10, the House of Representatives unanimously elected former Interior Minister Bashagha to be the country's new Prime Minister. Bashagha stated shortly after the referendum that he is "sure that Dbeibah's government will hand over power and follow the democratic road." Dbeibah, on the other hand, confirmed that his government will stay in power until elections are held, then pass over to an elected government.

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New Delhi: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday reacted sharply to the question raised by Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao regarding the surgical strike. The Union Minister said that the anger and nervousness of Telangana CM is visible, Huzur's words are seen getting worse after the surgical strike in Huzurabad. We have lost one election now and after that this is the situation, it is clear from this that the ground of KCR and TRS is slipping in Telangana.

Thakur further said that at the time of Uttar Pradesh elections, all of them are remembering the surgical strike. The words of Congress and TRS sound like the words of Pakistan. Whenever elections come, these people do new experiments, some use hijab and some use surgical strikes because they cannot compete with BJP on the issue of development. Let us inform that earlier Telangana CM Chandrashekhar Rao had raised questions on the surgical strike of the Indian Army.

Supporting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on this issue, he said that it is not wrong to ask for proof of Rahul on the surgical strike. CM KCR said that the evidence sought by Rahul Gandhi is not wrong. He said that BJP always does wrong propaganda. In response to a question, he said that I am also asking for proof.

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KABUL  Inamullah Samangani, the Taliban government's Deputy Spokesperson, slammed Washington's "unfair" plan to compensate 9/11 terrorist attack victims with Afghanistan's assets on Sunday.

"US President Joe Biden's latest decision on the handling of Afghanistan's foreign exchange reserve is a quick, unjust retaliation that displays the US extreme degraded morality," Samangani added.

Following the withdrawal of US soldiers from Afghanistan in August 2021, the US froze over USD 10 billion worth of assets held by Afghanistan's central bank, exacerbating the country's economic turmoil and suffering.

Without the Taliban-run administration's agreement, Biden reportedly directed the allocation of 3.5 billion dollars from assets as damage to victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and transferred another 3.5 billion dollars to the Afghans as humanitarian help in a decree published on Friday.

"After suffering a military setback, the Americans are now branding their moral failure by making such an unjust decision. Because Afghan assets are Afghan assets, the Americans cannot pay reparations or provide humanitarian aid to Afghans "Samangani remarked.

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Chitwan, February 14

Fifty-two gharials that were brought up at the Gharial Breeding Centre at Kasara in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) have been recently released into various rivers across the country.

Of them, 12 have been released into the Rapti river and 20 each into the Koshi and Narayani rivers, according to Saroj Mani Poudel, the assistant conservation officer of the Chitwan National Park.

Additional 30 gharials will be released into the Rapti river soon, he says.

So far, 1,657 gharials have been released into various rivers (867 into Rapti, 419 into Narayani, 110 into Babai, 115 into Saptakoshi, 41 into Karnali and 35 into Kaligandaki), he says.

The official says 258 hatchlings have been hatched in seven habitats in the Rapti and Narayani rivers.

At present, 450 gharials including 13 adult ones and only one male gharial have remained at the centre.

Meanwhile, the CNP Chief Conservation Officer Hari Bhadra Acharya has sought the support of all to protect the species.
By Azernews

By Nur Banu Aras

Turkish opposition parties have discussed the agenda of returning to the strengthened parliamentary system in the country, Yeni Shafak has reported.

The leaders of the opposition parties - Good Party (IYI Party) Meral Aksener, Felicity Party (Saadet Party) Temel Karamollaoglu, Future Party (Gelecek Party) Ahmet Davutoglu, Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) Ali Babacan and Democrat Party Gultekin Uysal met at the Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglus invitation to discuss the restoring of the reinforced parliamentary system in Turkey, the report added.

However, it was emphasized that if a transition could not be achieved immediately and a sufficient majority in parliament to change the constitution could not be reached, the presidential government system would be maintained for a time. It was noted that if the president is a member of the opposition, the president has the authority to amend the constitution directly.

Following the 5-hour discussion, the six opposition party leaders announced that a joint statement on the meeting's outcomes will be made public on February 28, 2022.

"We discussed the public presentation of the memorandum of understanding on the new system, and we agreed to share it with our nation on February 28, 2022," the statement said.

The road map agreed upon by the six party chairmen to be announced on February 28 sparked controversy, as the date has long been associated with the military and bureaucracy-led coup against the Erbakan government in 1997.

Kilicdaroglu stated that there is no special meaning in determining the date of the next meeting as February 28.

"Preparations for the next meeting must be made. In that regard, we determined the most appropriate time. We could have left it a week later, at the beginning of March, if we had wanted to. However, because it was anticipated that preparations would be completed by that date, we set it for February 28," he explained.

Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Group Deputy Chairman Bulent Turan stated that it is normal for opposition parties to meet and discuss issues.

In this case, however, the intention is clear: these parties "wish to return to the old Turkey". Despite their ideological differences, these party leaders are united in their desire to depose Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power, he said.

The six-leader meeting was also criticized on social media, with amusing analogies. Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Pervin Buldan was photoshopped into the opposition leaders' "family photo".

"Some people questioned why there is no HDP in this group of six. Let it be known that we do not accept those who do not accept us. When the time comes, we know exactly how to ignore those who ignore us," Buldan emphasized this at the party's provincial congress in Izmir.

"With the exception of one of those six political parties, the sum of the votes cast by the others is not even half that of the HDP... We'll continue on our own path. Our way is the third way, and one day everyone will need it, one day everyone will have to, one day everyone will come to see us, they will request an appointment to meet with us, and no one should doubt it. "We're not such a soft target," she added.

The issue of a presidential candidate was one of the main topics discussed at the 6-party opposition summit. It was claimed that Kilicdaroglu's candidacy did not come to light directly, but that all leaders indirectly pointed to it.

Commenting on the subject, Good Party Deputy Chairman Bahadir Erdem stated that the party was not opposed to Kilicdaroglu's presidential candidacy. However, he emphasized that relevant decisions should be made in collaboration with the heads and boards of the Nation Alliance's parties (Millet Ittifaki).
A 911 call early Friday morning that a woman had been shot at a home by an intruder in southwest Phoenix turned into a barricade standoff where nine officers were injured in a hail of gunfire. Two people inside the house died.

I cannot recall an incident in city history where so many officers were injured, said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego at a Friday afternoon news conference.

Phoenix police said five officers were shot and four others injured by shrapnel at a home near 51st Avenue and Broadway Road. The man believed to be the shooter was later found dead inside the home. A woman inside the home  believed to be his ex-girlfriend  was critically injured and later died, police said.

Saturday update: Officials focus on 'incredibly complex' investigation

Here's what is known so far:

1 of 9 officers still hospitalized as of Monday

Of the nine officers who were injured, one remained hospitalized as of Monday afternoon, Phoenix police said. One additional officer had been hospitalized but was released Saturday, another was released Sunday, and another on Monday.

"All of the injured officers are in great spirits and appreciate the outpouring of support," Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Ann Justus said Monday.

The officer who was shot first in the ambush was the only one who remained in the hospital as of Monday, Justus said. He was shot multiple times and underwent surgeries but was "on the road to recovery," Justus said.

Police ID suspect, woman

Police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Morris Jones, who was pronounced dead at the scene of an apparent gunshot wound.

The woman was identified on Saturday afternoon as 29-year-old Shatifah Lobley.

A motive wasn't entirely clear.

"As we speak, investigators are working to uncover what led to this terrifying act, some of which was caught on tape and on camera by the media. I saw that video and it still gives me chills," Phoenix police Chief Jeri Williams said.

Little was known about both people as of Sunday evening.

An attorney who previously worked with Lobley described her as a mother, hard worker and wonderful person to The Arizona Republic.

Im saddened by her tragic death, Salter said. I was very happy to have know her for the short time I did, under what were difficult circumstances for her.

Morris Richard Jones III was a father of four and a self-described member of the Crips street gang. He had a criminal history dating back to 2004 including gun and drug convictions and had spent time in prison but had never been charged with a violent crime, according to court records reviewed by The Republic.

The Republic has reached out to both people's families for comment but had not received a response as of Sunday evening.

Suspect died of self-inflicted gunshot wound

An autopsy report from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner determined Jones died of injuries from shooting himself, even though he was also shot by police during the incident, Justus said on Monday.

Phoenix police ambush: What happened first

Phoenix police arrived at the home about 2:15 a.m. Friday after a 911 call that a woman had been shot by an intruder and that there were "multiple armed suspects inside the house," police spokesman Sgt. Andy Williams said in a Friday evening news release.

Police later determined there were four people inside the home at the time: Two men, a woman and a baby girl.

Jones invited the first officer inside and then ambushed him as he approached the door, shooting him several times with a handgun, Sgt. Williams said. The officer was able to get to safety as backup arrived.

A second officer on scene returned fire, prompting Jones to go back inside. As police staged outside the residence, Jones fired more shots in their direction, Sgt. Williams said.

Jones got into a vehicle parked in the garage and tried to leave by ramming a patrol car blocking his escape, Sgt. Williams said, adding that the attempt to flee was unsuccessful and Jones went back inside.

Shooting scene near 51st Avenue and Buckeye Road, Feb. 11, 2022, Phoenix, Ariz.

Police called out to the occupants of the home. Video taken at the scene shows a man slowly emerging with one hand in the air, the other clutching a pink bag and holding a baby.

"He's got a baby," someone says in the video.

The man lays the baby and the bag on the ground and obeys commands from the police to walk backward while keeping his hands in the air.

Police said the man, believed to be Lobley's brother, cooperated with investigators.

Sgt. Williams said as officers moved forward to rescue the baby, Jones opened fire and shot four of them. Four others were injured by shrapnel.

The officers backed away and took cover. Jones continued firing shots toward police and an officer returned fire, Sgt. Williams said.

A SWAT team arrived at the scene and used ballistic shields to rescue the baby, who was uninjured. Jones fired shots in their direction.

SWAT officers unsuccessfully tried to get Jones to come outside and eventually used a camera to look inside the home, at which point they saw Jones not moving, Sgt. Williams said. Officers entered the home and found Jones dead and Lobley critically injured. She was taken to a hospital where she died of her injuries on Friday afternoon.

Police later clarified in a Feb. 25 update that Lobley had been found dead inside the home.

Investigators confirmed with family members that the 1-month-old infant is a child shared by Jones and Lobley, Sgt. Williams said on Saturday.

What happened to the officers?

Officials said the first officer to approach the door and was shot had the most serious injuries. He is expected to survive.

The four other officers who were shot had non-life-threatening injuries, and the four who were injured by shrapnel had minor injuries.

The officers' years of service range from one to 20 years.

Nine officers shot or injured. That is an incredibly heavy weight for all of us," said Gallego, the Phoenix mayor, at a Friday afternoon news conference. She said she is incredibly proud of the officers who chose to run into harm's way toward the baby.

"A baby is safe today because of our Phoenix police officers," she said.

She said she went to the hospital earlier in the day and talked to an officer who was about to go into surgery.

"That officer only wanted to hear about the rest of the squad and how they were doing. That is the type of incredibly selfless individual who serves the city of Phoenix," she said.

Where is the baby?

"Its a very young female child, an infant, who is in DCS (Arizona Department of Child Safety) the last time I was updated," Sgt. Williams said.

What happened to the man who brought out the baby?

Police have said the man, believed to be Lobley's brother, carried the infant girl out of the home, obeyed police commands to put her on the ground and cooperated with investigators.

Police declined to clarify the involvement of the man as of Sunday morning because of the nature of the investigation, but did not say he was facing any criminal charges. There might not be more updates on him until Feb. 25, police said.

Where does the investigation stand?

Sgt. Williams said the complexity and scale of the scene cannot be overstated. He said detectives will likely be working through Saturday to process evidence at the scene.

"Its an ongoing investigation. Its incredibly complex. I dont have most of these answers yet," he said at a Friday afternoon news conference.

He said information is subject to change, but that police are investigating two shootings  one of which involved officers and the other involving Lobley inside the home.

Who owns the home?

The owner of the Warner Street home said Friday he was shocked and saddened by the shooting.

Frank DeAguilar of Hemet, California, said he was still trying to comprehend the violence and didnt realize two people had died inside the home.

It is so surreal, he said. The house can be fixed. But somebody lost their lives. It is horrible.

DeAguilar said he owns two homes in the area and both are rented through a management company. He did not know if Jones was a tenant or a relative of one.

I didnt know who those people were, he said. It is a nice place, in a nice neighborhood.  This is a horrible thing that took place.

My heart is heavy right now, he said.

How does this incident compare to others?

The total of nine injuries to Phoenix police officers could possibly be the most to occur in a single incident at the department, the police chief said.

Friday's shooting is likely among cases of the most police injured in one incident in Arizona history. According to a 1989 article in The Arizona Republic, Navajo police said nine officers were injured and two civilians were killed during a political riot in Window Rock on the Navajo Nation.

Throughout the U.S., there have been several cases in which five or more law enforcement officers have been shot or killed in the line of duty by one suspected shooter.

In 2016, a sniper opened fire on Dallas police during what had been a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest. Five officers were killed, nine more were injured and two civilians were wounded. In 2018, one officer was killed and six more were injured in a two-hour standoff with a suspect who held children hostage in a South Carolina home.

Two months ago, Phoenix police Officer Tyler Moldovan was shot as many as eight times during an investigation. He has since been released from the hospital but was taken to another medical facility for rehabilitation.

This is just one more example of the dangers our officers face every day keeping us and our community safe," Chief Williams said during a 6 a.m. news conference outside Banner University Medical Center on Friday.

If I seem upset, I am," she continued. This is senseless, it doesnt need to happen and it continues to happen over and over again."

On Friday afternoon, the chief tweeted that she was proud of the courageous men and women of the Phoenix Police Department.

"While they heal from their wounds, their brothers and sisters in blue will be back out there answering when you call," she tweeted.

Reach breaking news reporter BrieAnna J. Frank at bfrank@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @brieannafrank.

Reach the reporter at anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8072. Follow her on Twitter @anneryman.

Reach the reporter at chelsea.curtis@arizonarepublic.com or follow her on Twitter @curtis_chels.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What we know about Phoenix shooting: 9 officers injured, 2 people dead
* Bond payment deadlines passed on Jan 28 and Jan 31

* Blames defaults on sanctions over delayed election

* Military junta has been in power since 2020 (Adds detail, background, analyst comment)

By Tiemoko Diallo

BAMAKO, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Mali has defaulted on more than $31 million of bond payments, its finance ministry and the West African debt management agency said on Wednesday, as sanctions imposed over elections delayed by the country's military junta took effect.

The defaults add to mounting troubles for Mali, which has experienced two coups since August 2020 and has struggled for years to stem an Islamist insurgency that has drawn in foreign powers including former colonial ruler France.

Mali failed to repay 15.6 billion CFA francs ($26.6 million) in relation to a treasury bond that matured on Jan. 31, the debt agency of West Africa's monetary union zone said in a note to investors.

"It is notable that this payment incident occurs in a context where the state of Mali is subject to sanctions," the note from UMOA-Titres said.

Mali's finance ministry earlier said that the country had failed to meet a debt payment of 2.7 billion CFA francs on treasury bond coupons, blaming the ECOWAS sanctions and those imposed by the BCEAO central bank that administers the CFA franc.

The ministry said the deadline to meet the coupon payments on two sets of bonds had passed on Jan. 28 with it unable to comply with its obligations because of measures that have largely cut it off from regional financial markets.

"Because of these restrictions and despite having sufficient reserves in its treasury, the central bank did not proceed to meet the bond repayment scheduled for Jan. 28," the ministry said, adding that Mali would pay its debts as soon as the restrictions are lifted.

SANCTIONS BITE

The 15-member ECOWAS economic bloc and the UEMOA regional monetary union both imposed sanctions on Mali on Jan. 9 after the military junta that first seized power in a 2020 coup decided to delay a national election.

Story continues

ECOWAS has frozen Malian state assets in its member states' commercial banks and suspended non-essential financial transactions with Mali.

The UEMOA, which has eight member countries including Mali, also imposed sanctions, instructing all financial institutions under its umbrella to suspend Mali with immediate effect.

The junta took power in August 2020, then staged a second coup last May against a transitional government that had been put in place. It said it would organise elections in February this year, only to delay them and propose staying in power until 2025.

The delay infuriated allies including France, which has led an international military mission to fight the Islamist insurgency in Mali. Stung by criticism from Paris that the junta was "out of control", it expelled the French ambassador on Monday.

The junta appeared to receive a surge of domestic support after the sanctions were announced. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets for government-organised demonstrations that denounced ECOWAS and France.

Some analysts, however, warned that the bounce could prove temporary as the impact of the sanctions ripples through the economy.

William Linder, head of risk consultants 14 North, said the sanctions were already starting to hurt, with price rises for a range of items such as salt, cooking oil, bananas and potatoes. Many of these would normally be imported from Ivory Coast or Senegal. (Additional reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly in Abidjan and Karin Strohecker in London Writing by Estelle Shirbon Editing by Kevin Liffey and David Goodman)
A 911 call early Friday morning that a woman had been shot at a home by an intruder in southwest Phoenix turned into a barricade standoff where nine officers were injured in a hail of gunfire. Two people inside the house died.

I cannot recall an incident in city history where so many officers were injured, said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego at a Friday afternoon news conference.

Phoenix police said five officers were shot and four others injured by shrapnel at a home near 51st Avenue and Broadway Road. The man believed to be the shooter was later found dead inside the home. A woman inside the home  believed to be his ex-girlfriend  was critically injured and later died, police said.

Saturday update: Officials focus on 'incredibly complex' investigation

Here's what is known so far:

1 of 9 officers still hospitalized as of Monday

Of the nine officers who were injured, one remained hospitalized as of Monday afternoon, Phoenix police said. One additional officer had been hospitalized but was released Saturday, another was released Sunday, and another on Monday.

"All of the injured officers are in great spirits and appreciate the outpouring of support," Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Ann Justus said Monday.

The officer who was shot first in the ambush was the only one who remained in the hospital as of Monday, Justus said. He was shot multiple times and underwent surgeries but was "on the road to recovery," Justus said.

Police ID suspect, woman

Police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Morris Jones, who was pronounced dead at the scene of an apparent gunshot wound.

The woman was identified on Saturday afternoon as 29-year-old Shatifah Lobley.

A motive wasn't entirely clear.

"As we speak, investigators are working to uncover what led to this terrifying act, some of which was caught on tape and on camera by the media. I saw that video and it still gives me chills," Phoenix police Chief Jeri Williams said.

Story continues

Little was known about both people as of Sunday evening.

An attorney who previously worked with Lobley described her as a mother, hard worker and wonderful person to The Arizona Republic.

Im saddened by her tragic death, Salter said. I was very happy to have know her for the short time I did, under what were difficult circumstances for her.

Morris Richard Jones III was a father of four and a self-described member of the Crips street gang. He had a criminal history dating back to 2004 including gun and drug convictions and had spent time in prison but had never been charged with a violent crime, according to court records reviewed by The Republic.

The Republic has reached out to both people's families for comment but had not received a response as of Sunday evening.

Suspect died of self-inflicted gunshot wound

An autopsy report from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner determined Jones died of injuries from shooting himself, even though he was also shot by police during the incident, Justus said on Monday.

Phoenix police ambush: What happened first

Phoenix police arrived at the home about 2:15 a.m. Friday after a 911 call that a woman had been shot by an intruder and that there were "multiple armed suspects inside the house," police spokesman Sgt. Andy Williams said in a Friday evening news release.

Police later determined there were four people inside the home at the time: Two men, a woman and a baby girl.

Jones invited the first officer inside and then ambushed him as he approached the door, shooting him several times with a handgun, Sgt. Williams said. The officer was able to get to safety as backup arrived.

A second officer on scene returned fire, prompting Jones to go back inside. As police staged outside the residence, Jones fired more shots in their direction, Sgt. Williams said.

Jones got into a vehicle parked in the garage and tried to leave by ramming a patrol car blocking his escape, Sgt. Williams said, adding that the attempt to flee was unsuccessful and Jones went back inside.

Shooting scene near 51st Avenue and Buckeye Road, Feb. 11, 2022, Phoenix, Ariz.

Police called out to the occupants of the home. Video taken at the scene shows a man slowly emerging with one hand in the air, the other clutching a pink bag and holding a baby.

"He's got a baby," someone says in the video.

The man lays the baby and the bag on the ground and obeys commands from the police to walk backward while keeping his hands in the air.

Police said the man, believed to be Lobley's brother, cooperated with investigators.

Sgt. Williams said as officers moved forward to rescue the baby, Jones opened fire and shot four of them. Four others were injured by shrapnel.

The officers backed away and took cover. Jones continued firing shots toward police and an officer returned fire, Sgt. Williams said.

A SWAT team arrived at the scene and used ballistic shields to rescue the baby, who was uninjured. Jones fired shots in their direction.

SWAT officers unsuccessfully tried to get Jones to come outside and eventually used a camera to look inside the home, at which point they saw Jones not moving, Sgt. Williams said. Officers entered the home and found Jones dead and Lobley critically injured. She was taken to a hospital where she died of her injuries on Friday afternoon.

Police later clarified in a Feb. 25 update that Lobley had been found dead inside the home.

Investigators confirmed with family members that the 1-month-old infant is a child shared by Jones and Lobley, Sgt. Williams said on Saturday.

What happened to the officers?

Officials said the first officer to approach the door and was shot had the most serious injuries. He is expected to survive.

The four other officers who were shot had non-life-threatening injuries, and the four who were injured by shrapnel had minor injuries.

The officers' years of service range from one to 20 years.

Nine officers shot or injured. That is an incredibly heavy weight for all of us," said Gallego, the Phoenix mayor, at a Friday afternoon news conference. She said she is incredibly proud of the officers who chose to run into harm's way toward the baby.

"A baby is safe today because of our Phoenix police officers," she said.

She said she went to the hospital earlier in the day and talked to an officer who was about to go into surgery.

"That officer only wanted to hear about the rest of the squad and how they were doing. That is the type of incredibly selfless individual who serves the city of Phoenix," she said.

Where is the baby?

"Its a very young female child, an infant, who is in DCS (Arizona Department of Child Safety) the last time I was updated," Sgt. Williams said.

What happened to the man who brought out the baby?

Police have said the man, believed to be Lobley's brother, carried the infant girl out of the home, obeyed police commands to put her on the ground and cooperated with investigators.

Police declined to clarify the involvement of the man as of Sunday morning because of the nature of the investigation, but did not say he was facing any criminal charges. There might not be more updates on him until Feb. 25, police said.

Where does the investigation stand?

Sgt. Williams said the complexity and scale of the scene cannot be overstated. He said detectives will likely be working through Saturday to process evidence at the scene.

"Its an ongoing investigation. Its incredibly complex. I dont have most of these answers yet," he said at a Friday afternoon news conference.

He said information is subject to change, but that police are investigating two shootings  one of which involved officers and the other involving Lobley inside the home.

Who owns the home?

The owner of the Warner Street home said Friday he was shocked and saddened by the shooting.

Frank DeAguilar of Hemet, California, said he was still trying to comprehend the violence and didnt realize two people had died inside the home.

It is so surreal, he said. The house can be fixed. But somebody lost their lives. It is horrible.

DeAguilar said he owns two homes in the area and both are rented through a management company. He did not know if Jones was a tenant or a relative of one.

I didnt know who those people were, he said. It is a nice place, in a nice neighborhood.  This is a horrible thing that took place.

My heart is heavy right now, he said.

How does this incident compare to others?

The total of nine injuries to Phoenix police officers could possibly be the most to occur in a single incident at the department, the police chief said.

Friday's shooting is likely among cases of the most police injured in one incident in Arizona history. According to a 1989 article in The Arizona Republic, Navajo police said nine officers were injured and two civilians were killed during a political riot in Window Rock on the Navajo Nation.

Throughout the U.S., there have been several cases in which five or more law enforcement officers have been shot or killed in the line of duty by one suspected shooter.

In 2016, a sniper opened fire on Dallas police during what had been a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest. Five officers were killed, nine more were injured and two civilians were wounded. In 2018, one officer was killed and six more were injured in a two-hour standoff with a suspect who held children hostage in a South Carolina home.

Two months ago, Phoenix police Officer Tyler Moldovan was shot as many as eight times during an investigation. He has since been released from the hospital but was taken to another medical facility for rehabilitation.

This is just one more example of the dangers our officers face every day keeping us and our community safe," Chief Williams said during a 6 a.m. news conference outside Banner University Medical Center on Friday.

If I seem upset, I am," she continued. This is senseless, it doesnt need to happen and it continues to happen over and over again."

On Friday afternoon, the chief tweeted that she was proud of the courageous men and women of the Phoenix Police Department.

"While they heal from their wounds, their brothers and sisters in blue will be back out there answering when you call," she tweeted.

Reach breaking news reporter BrieAnna J. Frank at bfrank@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @brieannafrank.

Reach the reporter at anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8072. Follow her on Twitter @anneryman.

Reach the reporter at chelsea.curtis@arizonarepublic.com or follow her on Twitter @curtis_chels.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What we know about Phoenix shooting: 9 officers injured, 2 people dead
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2022) - Altiplano Metals Inc. (TSXV: APN) (WKN: A2JNFG) ("Altiplano" or the "Company") is pleased to announce progress of the decline advance and underground channel sampling of a newly discovered vein system intersected within the Maria Luisa decline (Table 1). The decline is currently being advanced parallel to projected gold-copper vein mineralization in a southeast direction towards historical underground workings in the southernmost portion of the property (Figure 1). The Maria Luisa project is located within the Atacama Region 100 km north of La Serena in Incahuasi, Chile.

Highlights

The Maria Luisa decline has advanced a total of 115 metres and has begun the crosscut to the main vein system expected to be intersected in approximately 15 metres.*

A new near surface high grade copper oxide vein system trending in a N-S orientation with mineable widths was intersected underground during the decline advance.

Underground mapping tested with channel samples ML_L004 and ML_L005 on this vein produced strong results, including 2.50 metres of 1.44 g/t Au and 4.65% Cu and 2.52 metres of 1.17 g/t Au and 0.93% Cu , respectively.

The newly discovered vein appears to be N-S orientated and will be tested in the second phase of the upcoming drill program. Vein sets in this orientation have been poorly understood and not mined historically but appear to have significant upside.

Geological mapping and drill planning is underway to fully evaluate this new trend of mineralization and its potential to add additional mineralized tonnage for extraction.

A seventy-tonne bulk sample from this vein system has been shipped to a third-party processor for recovery of the copper and gold.

President and CEO Alastair McIntyre comments: We are pleased with the underground progress at Maria Luisa where we will soon reach the first access point of the targeted main vein system. We are also excited to discover a new, highly mineralized, copper-gold vein system that has yielded very significant assays in early results. The presence and grade of this vein system supports the significant upside potential of multiple vein systems at Maria Luisa which remain largely unexplored."

Story continues

Table 1: Underground channel sampling results from the Maria Luisa decline

Channel ID From

(m) To

(m) Width

(m) Au

(ppm) Cu (percent) ML_L001 0 1.85 1.85 0.73 0.76 ML_L002 0 0.5 0.5 0.18 0.48 ML_L003 0 3.4 3.4 1.20 0.47 ML_L004 0 2.5 2.5 1.44 4.65 ML_L005 0 2.52 2.52 1.17 0.93





* The decision to commence underground exploration and development at the Maria Luisa site is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with this decision.





Figure 1. Decline and channel sampling locations at Maria Luisa

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4303/113698_033b270d8474dbc4_001full.jpg.





Figure 2: Photos of the Maria Luisa decline entrance

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4303/113698_fig%202%20altiplano.jpg.

Altiplano has generated over US$7.98 million from the recovery and sale of 3.86 million pounds of copper with an average grade of 1.74% Cu (2018 Q1-2021 Q4). Cash flow has been re-invested into equipment, underground drilling, expanding underground development at Farellon, enhancing ventilation to increase productivity and capacity, new underground development and exploration at Maria Luisa, and the commencement of the permitted El Penon fit-for-purpose mill and flotation plant located 15 km from the Farellon site.

About Altiplano

Altiplano Metals is a growing gold, silver, and copper company focused on the Americas. The Company has a diversified portfolio of assets that include an operating copper/gold/iron mine, development near term producing gold/copper projects, and exploration land packages with district-scale potential. Altiplano is focused on creating long-term stakeholder value through developing safe and sustainable production, reinvesting into exploration, and pursuing acquisition opportunities to complement its existing portfolio. Management has a substantial record of success in capitalizing on opportunity, overcoming challenges and building shareholder value. Altiplano trades on the Toronto Venture Exchange trading under the symbol APN and the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol A2JNFG.

John Williamson, B.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this document

www.metalsgroup.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

/s/ "John Williamson"

Chairman

For further information, please contact:

Alastair McIntyre, CEO

alastairm@apnmentals.com

Tel: (416) 434 3799

Jeremy Yaseniuk, Director

jeremyy@apnmetals.com

Tel: (604) 773-1467

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the (TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify any historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the issuer is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The is no current mineral resource at Maria Luisa and further exploration may or may not define a resource estimate (M. Dufresne, NI 43-101 Technical Report, February 10, 2017). In addition, a decision to commence underground exploration and development at the Maria Luisa site is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with this decision. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113698
A recently inked deal to build a nuclear power plant in Argentina is the latest effort by China to engage with Latin American countries using its advanced clean energy technology, part of a broader push to expand its influence in the region.

The US$8 billion plant, known as Atucha III, will use China's home-grown Hualong One design. Located near Lima - about 100km (62 miles) northwest of the capital Buenos Aires - it will be Argentina's fourth nuclear power station and will have an installed capacity of 1.2 gigawatts and an initial life of 60 years.

Beijing and Buenos Aires agreed to cooperate on the project back in 2015, but progress had stalled until the contract was signed between state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation and Nucleoelectrica Argentina on January 31.

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.

Days later, Argentina agreed to join China's global Belt and Road Initiative - the first major Latin American country to do so - with President Alberto Fernandez signing a memorandum of understanding during a visit to Beijing.

Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez poses for a photo with Chinese leader Xi Jinping before their meeting in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: AP alt=Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez poses for a photo with Chinese leader Xi Jinping before their meeting in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: AP>

Meeting Fernandez on Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the two nations should push forward existing hydropower and railway projects and deepen cooperation on trade, industry, infrastructure and investment, according to state news agency Xinhua.

The two nations also agreed to cooperate on green development and the digital economy, as well as in the aerospace and agriculture industries.

Story continues

Fernandez was in Beijing for the Winter Olympics, an event many world leaders have shunned amid concerns over China's human rights record.

Cui Shoujun, a professor at Renmin University of China in Beijing, said joining the belt and road during the Games was a "high profile" move by Argentina that signalled a desire to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with China.

"This was a strategic choice by them," he said.

Experts say that since Argentina aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 - 10 years ahead of China's target - it needs foreign investment and cutting-edge clean energy technology to make the transition.

China is seen as a promising investor and partner. While it is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases it has also become the world leader in renewable energy capacity - solar, wind, hydro - as well as nuclear power and electric vehicles.

Argentina has policies in place to shift its energy use by seeking foreign investment in its wind, solar, small-scale hydroelectric and bioenergy sectors, according to Juliana Gonzalez Jauregui, a researcher at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences. It is also seeking investors to develop alternative energies such as nuclear plants, large hydropower facilities and hydrogen power.

Argentina's move to join the belt and road could help China - seeking to expand its presence in Latin America - take a bigger role in the country's renewable energy sector, Jauregui wrote in a paper on the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace website in December.

China has already made significant investments in the sector. They include the 300-megawatt Cauchari solar plant in Argentina's northernmost province Jujuy, which opened in 2020 and is one of the region's biggest. The Export-Import Bank of China financed 85 per cent of the US$390 million project, with the Jujuy government providing the rest through a green bond.

In the wind sector, China's top turbine maker Goldwind has acquired four wind farms in the southern Chubut province and one in the north at Miramar in Buenos Aires province. All are now in commercial operation.

But some Chinese energy projects have come up against opposition from residents and environmental groups, including the Hualong One nuclear power plant. The original plan to build it in Rio Negro was opposed by civil society groups and the province passed a law banning it.

A US$4.7 billion Chinese hydroelectric project in Santa Cruz, in the south, has also been controversial. The project, being carried out by a consortium led by state-run China Gezhouba Group, has been widely criticised for its negative environmental and social impacts. In December, the financing agreement was suspended and work on the dams has been halted, The Diplomat website reported.

Antonio Hsiang, a professor at La Academia Nacional de Estudios Politicos y Estrategicos (ANEPE) in Chile, said environmental issues were a big problem for Chinese investments in Latin America.

"You've seen a few successful cases but there are far more failed projects because of local residents' opposition," he said.

There is also pressure from the United States as China seeks to expand its influence in Latin America, a region the US sees as its "backyard".

"There is clearly a pressure and threat by the US since 2017 - in some cases explicit, in some others implicit - not to deepen ties with China," said Enrique Dussel Peters, head of the Centre for Chinese-Mexican Studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

"For third countries and regions ... they will have to be increasingly pragmatic regarding specific OFDI [outward foreign direct investment] and infrastructure projects: from 5G to highways, ports, airports and energy-related projects."

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.
Rating Action: Moody's affirms the Aaa ratings of Denmark; maintains stable outlookGlobal Credit Research - 11 Feb 2022Frankfurt am Main, February 11, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has today affirmed the Government of Denmark's Aaa long-term issuer ratings, Aaa senior unsecured bond ratings and (P)Aaa MTN programme rating. Moody's has also affirmed Denmark's Prime-1 (P-1) short-term Commercial Paper rating. The outlook remains stable.The key drivers for today's rating action are the following:(1) Denmark's very strong fiscal position has been maintained during the pandemic and is in Moody's view sustainable in the long-term;(2) Denmark's economic strength has been resilient to the pandemic shock and is supported by its wealthy and highly competitive economy;(3) Denmark's institutional set-up is in Moody's view one of the strongest globally resulting in forward-looking policies which address the country's long-term challenges.The stable outlook reflects Moody's view that that downside risks to Denmark's very strong credit profile are predominantly external in nature and effectively mitigated by the country's very strong, forward-looking policy effectiveness as well as very high economic and fiscal resilience.Denmark's local and foreign currency country ceilings remain unchanged at Aaa.RATINGS RATIONALERATIONALE FOR THE AFFIRMATION OF THE Aaa RATINGSFIRST DRIVER: DENMARK'S VERY STRONG FISCAL POSITION HAS BEEN MAINTAINED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND IS SUSTAINABLE IN THE LONG-TERMDenmark entered the pandemic with very strong fiscal metrics and has maintained its large fiscal buffers. The country had a sizeable fiscal surplus of 4.1% in 2019 and general government debt was with 33.6% of GDP at its lowest level since 2008.[1] The fiscal balance turned into a deficit in 2020 because of the pandemic shock and the pandemic-related support measures. The fiscal deficits registered 0.2% of GDP on average in 2020-21, the smallest level among all advanced economies rated by Moody's. [2] Moody's expects the fiscal deficit to turn into a surplus of 1.2% of GDP in 2022 as pandemic-related support measures phase out and a tightening of traditional fiscal policy measures takes place.Debt-to-GDP increased by 8.5 percentage points to 42.1% of GDP in 2020.[3] Roughly half of the increase was driven by an increase in reserves, on-lending and financing of social housing and Danish debt-to-GDP remained below the median of Aaa-rated sovereigns (45.1% of GDP).[4] Because of the robust economic recovery and the return to fiscal surpluses in 2022, Moody's expects the Danish debt-to-GDP level to decline to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 which positions Denmark favourably among Aaa-rated sovereigns. Apart from Denmark, the debt-to-GDP ratio among Aaa-rated sovereigns only falls to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 for Norway (Aaa stable), Sweden (Aaa stable) and Switzerland (Aaa stable).Denmark's debt affordability metrics also improved despite the pandemic from an already very strong position. The interest payment-to-revenue ratio decreased to 1.0% in 2020 from 1.4% in 2019 and an average of 2.4% over the past decade.[5] This is lower than the Aaa-median (1.3% in 2020) [6]. In January 2022, Denmark issued its first green twin bond under its green bond framework which further diversifies the country's investor base.Over the medium-to-long term, Moody's expects Denmark's prudent fiscal policies and relatively low debt levels to be sustained. Denmark's general government debt ratio has not exceeded the Maastricht criteria of 60% of GDP since 1999, and Denmark shows a high compliance with national and EU fiscal rules as signalled by the compliance score of 84% on the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact over the period from 1998 to 2020; the third highest in the EU only behind Luxembourg (Aaa stable) and Sweden.[7]The long-term fiscal sustainability is supported by the implementation of the pension reform of 2011 that links the retirement age to life expectancy which also supports labor supply and therefore potential growth. According to projections of the European Commission, the total cost of ageing will remain broadly stable and only increase by 1.5 percentage points between 2019 and 2070 to 27% of GDP. Healthcare and long-term care spending levels will rise by around one and three percentage points, respectively, by 2070 as the population ages, whereas public pension spending will fall continuously from its current level of 9.3% of GDP to 7.3% of GDP in 2070.SECOND DRIVER: DENMARK'S ECONOMIC STRENGTH HAS BEEN RESILIENT TO THE PANDEMIC SHOCK AND IS SUPPORTED BY ITS WEALTHY AND HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ECONOMYDenmark's economy is highly competitive generating very high wealth levels and trend growth of 2.1% over 2016-25F[8], in line with the Aaa-rated median. Economic strength is supported by the economy's high diversification, high education levels, well-developed physical and digital infrastructure, high technological advancement and a very flexible labor market.Against that backdrop, the economy proved to be resilient to the pandemic shock. This is highlighted by a relatively mild GDP contraction of 2.1% in 2020 compared to the Aaa-median (-2.7%) and a rapid recovery resulting in GDP already surpassing the pre-pandemic level since the second quarter of 2021.[9] The economy's resilience has benefitted from rapid progress on vaccinations rates. As of end of January, 81% of the population was fully vaccinated and 61% had received vaccine booster doses.[10] Strong household income, flexible labor markets and exports consisting of non-cyclical goods such as green tech and pharmaceuticals have also supported Denmark's economic resilience as pandemic related support measures and sizeable automatic stabilizers inherent in the tax and transfer systems kept the supply side of the economy intact.Given the country's large fiscal buffer, Denmark continues to possess the ability to apply sizeable, effective countercyclical fiscal policy if needed in the case of a resurgence of the pandemic shock or other shocks to its economy.Moreover, the pandemic has had no negative impact on Denmark's potential growth amounting to 2.2% in 2021-25 according to Moody's estimate compared to an average 2.0% over 2019-20. Main driver of potential growth is labor productivity, but hours worked will also contribute in light of the further increase of the participation rates of older workers as the pension entry age increases, being linked to life expectancy.Moody's expects the further reduction of greenhouse gas emissions out to 2030 to continue to have only a small negative impact on economic growth. Denmark is a forerunner in climate policy and has cut emissions by 36% between 1990 and 2019 which is roughly half of the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission by 70% in 2030 compared to 1990 levels.[11] Denmark's well designed climate policy governance resulted in a decoupling of greenhouse gas emission from economic growth. While emissions were already reduced significantly between 1990-2019, this was not disrupting economic or employment growth.THIRD DRIVER: DENMARK HAS ONE OF THE STRONGEST INSTITUTIONAL SET-UPS GLOBALLY RESULTING IN FORWARD-LOOKING POLICIESMoody's views Denmark's institutional set-up as one of the strongest among all sovereigns rated by Moody's. The country's institutions are characterized by the high quality of legislative and executive institutions, a strong civil society and high-quality judiciary, as well as strong fiscal, monetary and macroeconomic policy effectiveness. Policy formulation and implementation is predictable and forward-looking which is, for example, reflected in the 10-year policy plans that successive governments have presented over the years.The quality of legislative and executive institutions in Denmark is very high. This is reflected in Denmark being positioned among the strongest countries globally in the Worldwide Governance Indicators for government effectiveness and regulatory quality. Moreover, the actions and well-designed support measures in the context of the pandemic also support Moody's view of quality of Denmark's legislative and executive institutions being very high.Moody's assessment of civil society and the judiciary is also robust as Denmark actively supports civil society engagement with freedom of speech guaranteed by Article 77 of the 1849 constitution and has a robust legal framework that complies with international standards and effective access to justice. Law enforcement in Denmark is highly predictable and consistent. This is shown by Denmark's favorable position in the Worldwide Governance Indicators for rule of law, control of corruption as well as voice and accountability. In addition, Denmark is ranked first among all countries both in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index and the Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International.Danish public finances are supported by a sound fiscal framework and a high degree of fiscal policy effectiveness. The sustained commitment and broad consensus to preserve strong public finances results in a track record of maintaining prudent fiscal policies and relatively low debt levels and a high compliance with the various national and European fiscal rules.Denmark's stable and long-standing exchange rate peg since the early 1980, initially against the deutschmark and then against the euro, underlines the very high credibility of monetary policy. The fixed-exchange-rate policy has provided a solid anchor for low and stable inflation expectations. The central bank of Denmark has an agreement with the European Central Bank (ECB) to keep the krone within a 2.25% band around a rate of DKK 746.038 per 100 euro, although in practice it sticks to a much tighter range.[12]RATIONALE FOR STABLE OUTLOOKThe stable outlook reflects Moody's view that downside risks to Denmark's very strong credit profile are predominantly external in nature and effectively mitigated by the country's very strong, forward-looking policy effectiveness as well as very high economic and fiscal resilience.Denmark's proven track record of managing external shocks and proactively addressing long-term challenges, in particular demographic and climate change, underscores its very high resiliency to external shocks. In the recent past, the economic and fiscal resilience as well as very effective policymaking was shown during the pandemic.ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONSDenmark's ESG Credit Impact Score is positive (CIS-1), reflecting low exposure to environmental and social risks, and like many other advanced economies, very strong governance and capacity to respond to shocks.Denmark's exposure to environmental risks is low across all categories. Its overall E issuer profile score is therefore neutral to low (E-2).Denmark has very low or low exposure to most sources of social risks, with widely available and accessible high-quality education, housing, healthcare and basic services. Like many advanced economies, Denmark faces demographic change through an ageing population, but Moody's views the long-term economic and fiscal pressures as comparatively limited, given past labor market and pension reforms. Overall, Moody's assesses Denmark's S issuer profile score as positive (S-1).Denmark's very high institutions and governance strength is reflected in a positive G issuer profile score (G-1). This is underpinned by the government's high credibility, transparency and consensus on key fiscal policy goals and macroeconomic policies. It also reflects the professional and well-staffed public administration and Denmark's very strong scores in global surveys assessing rule of law, voice and accountability, and the control of corruption. Coupled with comparatively strong government financial strength this supports a very high degree of resilience.GDP per capita (PPP basis, US$): 59,136 (2020 Actual) (also known as Per Capita Income)Real GDP growth (% change): -2.1% (2020 Actual) (also known as GDP Growth)Inflation Rate (CPI, % change Dec/Dec): 0.4% (2020 Actual)Gen. Gov. Financial Balance/GDP: -0.2% (2020 Actual) (also known as Fiscal Balance)Current Account Balance/GDP: 8.1% (2020 Actual) (also known as External Balance)External debt/GDP: 151.2% (2020 Actual)Economic resiliency: aa1Default history: No default events (on bonds or loans) have been recorded since 1983.On 08 February 2022, a rating committee was called to discuss the rating of the Denmark, Government of. The main points raised during the discussion were: The issuer's economic fundamentals, including its economic strength, have materially increased. The issuer's institutions and governance strength, have not materially changed. The issuer's fiscal or financial strength, including its debt profile, has not materially changed. The issuer's susceptibility to event risks has not materially changed.FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGSWHAT COULD CHANGE THE RATINGS DOWNDenmark's Aaa ratings are at the highest level on Moody's rating scale. The Aaa ratings would come under pressure if its strong fiscal metrics were to record a multi-year and material deterioration with no indication of a reversal. In particular, a significant erosion of Denmark's long-term fiscal sustainability caused by taking back reforms would be credit negative. While Moody's views the ratings resilient to an external economic shock, downward pressure would emerge if an external shock would be accompanied by a collapse of house prices and the materialization of significant contingent liabilities from the financial sector on the government's balance sheet.The principal methodology used in these ratings was Sovereign Ratings Methodology published in November 2019 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1158631. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.The weighting of all rating factors is described in the methodology used in this credit rating action, if applicable.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: YESFor additional information, please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.Regulatory 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 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.REFERENCES/CITATIONS[1] Statistics Denmark 05-Feb-2022[2] Statistics Denmark 05-Feb-2022[3] Statistics Denmark 05-Feb-2022[4] National Statistical Offices 05-Feb-2022[5] Statistics Denmark 05-Feb-2022[6] National Statistical Offices 05-Feb-2022[7] EFB Compliance Tracker Dataset 05-Feb-2022[8] National Statistical Offices 05-Feb-2022[9] National Statistical Offices 05-Feb-2022[10] Our World in Data 05-Feb-2022[11] OECD Economic Surveys of Denmark 2021. OECD (2021) 05-Feb-2022[12] Danmarks Nationalbank 05-Feb-2022Please 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. 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They joined IRA Financial Trust eager to build a nest egg in crypto. Instead, some users told CoinDesk their retirement accounts were drained, frozen and locked  with little explanation of what happens next.

Its been nearly one week since an apparent security breach threw IRA Financials clients into crisis mode. With $36 million of their retirement savings in limbo and no full explanation from either IRA Financial or Gemini  the crypto exchange owned by the Winklevoss twins, Cameron and Tyler, and custodian where their crypto was held  theyve begun organizing a response to cryptos latest hack.

Users, appearing to count in the dozens, have begun reaching out to news organizations and regulators, wanting to know how they lost possibly millions of dollars on Feb. 8, when an apparent bad actor began withdrawing funds en masse from Gemini. IRA Financial Trust is one of a handful of firms that run their retirement account services atop Geminis institutional trading and custody suite.

The apparent victims tell CoinDesk they are trapped in a knotty morass of incomplete facts that only confound a fraught situation. Even basic details  how many accounts were breached, who (if anyone) will cover their losses  remain unclear. Some receive occasional terse email updates from IRA Financial while others are forced to call every day, users tell CoinDesk.

Whats clear is this: Around 5 p.m. ET last Tuesday an account labeled Benjamin Choe'' began withdrawing bitcoin, ether and U.S. dollars from user accounts. One user said he lost 13 ETH, 1 BTC and thousands of dollars in a matter of minutes despite multiple account security layers, like two-factor authentication.

Gemini says it was not hacked; IRA Financial Trust has acknowledged an incident occurred and is investigating it, telling CoinDesk in an emailed statement the suspicious activity affected a limited subset of our customers with accounts on the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange.

Story continues

We are working closely with third-party forensic specialists to determine the nature and scope of this incident, a spokesperson from IRA Financials hired crisis communications firm told CoinDesk.

Crypto IRAs

The incident is one of the first high-profile exploits to hit crypto retirement accounts in the U.S. Appealing to tax-savvy bitcoiners, this cottage industry has for the past few years hawked products in partnership with top crypto brands. For example, Directed IRA also works with Gemini; Kingdom Trust serves a number of competing products.

IRA Financial, a South Dakota Trust company, has told clients since 2019 that their retirement savings would be safe with its institutional accounts on Gemini, a crypto giant which operates under the New York BitLicense, the toughest digital asset regulatory regime in the U.S.

Tricky U.S. tax laws make setting up these institutional accounts far more complex than retail customer fare, especially in the retirement space. For starters, you cant wholly control a self-directed IRA yourself. It has to be run through a third party like IRA Financial Trust that can attest your account is following IRS rules.

That didnt bother lucidBTC a member of a Telegram group where Feb. 8 hack victims have gathered to strategize. A former Silicon Valley tech worker, he told CoinDesk he signed up for IRA Financials product specifically because it had partnered with Gemini, a company hes traded with for years.

Deploying two-factor authentication and setting a list of whitelisted withdrawal addresses, he assumed his retirement crypto would be safe with Gemini. Statements from IRA Financial bolstered that view.

You have total control over your cryptos, IRA Financial CEO Adam Bergman said in a May 3, 2021, video walk-through of Gemini IRA account onboarding, which included linking the IRA Financial and Gemini accounts together. In a later video on crypto insurance, his company assured viewers that Gemini is regulated and insured against theft, so your cryptos are protected.

We got in a car we presumed was safe, lucidBTC said in a phone interview. Gemini was the car, with safety belts, airbags and anti-lock brakes. And IRA Financial was the chauffeur. But the chauffeur fell asleep at the wheel and hit a tree.

Now he and others in the Telegram group say theyve lost over $2 million in crypto and cash.

How can a financially regulated thing like a retirement account just move my money without any authorization? he said.

Suspicious activity

Dozens of users began seeing unauthorized withdrawals on their Gemini accounts, victims told CoinDesk. One user, Jacob, who declined to give his last name, said he lost $20,000 in fiat to an account he did not control. Others described losing bitcoin and ether in full coin increments.

In an emailed statement, IRA Financial said it was investigating the scope of the breach and was attempting to recover funds. It said it had notified law enforcement. The company gave no details about the incident.

IRA Financials post-hack emails to customers have been equally mum.

But a memo distributed to customers on the morning of the breach hints that even hours before the hack, IRA Financial knew something was amiss.

We have reason to believe that there are some bad actors posing as IRA Financial employees looking for crypto account-related information, the email read. It warned users to remain wary of phishers.

Nearly 24 hours later IRA Financial gave a terse update:

Late in the day on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, we believe we were targeted by hackers. To protect your assets and data, we took immediate actions to suspend access to your IRA Financial/Gemini accounts.

Those defensive mechanisms appear to have been too little, too late for dozens of customers.

Almost my entire Roth that I've had for over 20 years was stolen, said one victim who had invested much of it in bitcoin and ether. Two other victims said they were locked out of their accounts; they cant even see the damage. The full theft is likely well under $50 million, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Crypto tracing company Chainalysis confirmed the hack involved $36 million in cryptocurrencies.

Corporate response

Geminis emails to customers provide a somewhat clearer picture of what went down.

Although our investigation remains ongoing, the facts discovered to date indicate that transfer requests were made by utilizing properly authenticated accounts controlled by IRA Financial Group, which were used to execute asset transfers to another account, the firm wrote late Sunday night. At the time, these requests complied with IRAs approval processes and appeared to Gemini to be legitimate, authorized transactions. To date, our investigation has found no indication of any unauthorized access to your account resulting from any security failure or breach of Gemini systems.

This finding would place the blame entirely on IRA Financial. It would also, in Geminis telling, absolve it of any responsibility to cover the loss with its own insurance policy. Gemini advised the customer to ask IRA Financial about its insurance policy.

By sheer happenstance, IRA Financials Bergman went in deep on the issue of crypto IRA insurance just last month.

Are crypto IRAs insured? he asked viewers on Jan. 28. Were insured, Bergman said, referring to cash deposits covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). He later implied that Gemini was responsible for covering the crypto deposits themselves.

IRA Financial's YouTube account took a harder stance in the videos comments section:

Technically, only cash is only FDIC insured at a bank. Gemini is not a bank, so the cash is technically not protected by FDIC insurance. However, the cash will likely not sit for long in your Gemini account, as you will be buying cryptos. Gemini is regulated and insured against theft, so your cryptos are protected.

IRA Financial Trust did not respond to questions about whether it has crypto insurance.

UPDATE (Feb. 14, 23:36 UTC): Adds hacks estimated value.
SUDBURY, ON, Feb. 14, 2022 /CNW/ - Frontier Lithium Inc. (TSXV: FL) (OTCQX: LITOF) ("Frontier" or "the Company") is pleased to announce company management will be participating in BMO Capital Markets' 31st Global Metals & Mining Conference from February 27 to March 2, 2022, in Hollywood, Florida. In December 2021, BMO Capital Markets co-led a $12 million bought deal private placement of Frontier shares.

Frontier Lithium Logo (CNW Group/Frontier Lithium Inc.)

Trevor Walker, Chief Executive Officer and President will present at the "Battery Materials Panel" on March 1st and be available for one-on-one meetings throughout the conference. Trevor will highlight Frontier's recent drill program results, planned exploration for 2022 as well as test programs and studies supporting Pre-Feasibility Study for highest grade lithium resource in North America.

About Frontier Lithium

Frontier Lithium is a preproduction business that is targeting to become a manufacturer of battery-quality lithium materials to support electric vehicle and battery supply chains in North America. Frontier owns the PAK Lithium Project which contains one of North America's highest-grade, large-tonnage hard-rock lithium resources in the form of a rare low-iron spodumene. The project continues to have significant exploration upside with potential to increase the lithium resource. The Company is a pure-play lithium development opportunity with the largest land position in the Electric Avenue, a premium lithium mineral district located in Northern Ontario.

Forward-looking Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and those actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's registered filings available at sedar.com.

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SOURCE Frontier Lithium Inc.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2022/14/c6199.html
NEW YORK, February 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GetSwift Technologies Limited ("GetSwift" or the "Corporation"; NEO: "GSW"), a leading provider of last mile SaaS logistics technology and services, has reported its financial and operational results for the fiscal second quarter of 2022 which ended December 31, 2021.

Key Second Quarter and Operational Highlights

84% quarter-over-quarter increase in revenue from customer contracts

Revenue reached a new record $13.3 million for the quarter ended December 31

First fiscal half revenue totaled $20.5 million vs. $19.8 million for the full fiscal year in 2021

First fiscal half revenue exceeded prior guidance estimates by 3.3%

In the process to secure enough capital funding to continue operations in the short term

Exploring strategic opportunities and other options for the longer term

Management Commentary

"Our growth accelerated in the second fiscal quarter of 2022, thanks to continued adoption of our products and services by major businesses that require affordable, scalable, and secure solutions," said Bane Hunter, CEO of GetSwift.

"We saw an 84% improvement in revenue from customer contracts over the prior quarter, building on 64% growth in the prior quarter. Total revenue for the quarter was $13.3 million, driven by robust Communication Technology Services (CTS) sales," Hunter continued.

"The CTS business segment continues to produce revenue growth driven by SaaS software needs in the market due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there has been strong global investment in the connectivity and infrastructure industries, driving solid sales for the Technology Subscription Services ("TSS") business segment," Hunter explained.

"Availability of workforce continued to be a challenge in the quarter due to the pandemic, including both in employee turnover and remote working arrangements resulting in churn in some business segments," Hunter further explained.

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"Despite numerous challenges the Corporation is continuing to seek means for increased shareholder value. In order to reduce any short term risks the Corporation is in the process of securing enough capital funding in order for it to continue operations in the short term and for it to explore strategic opportunities and other options for the longer term. Although there are risks with capital availability, management believes that under the current structure and sufficient capital funding in place it can continue optimizing operations and achieving revenue growth as it has during the six-month period ending December 31, 2021," Hunter concluded.

Preliminary estimated financial results and financial outlook set forth above are as of the date of the financial statements of the Corporation for the interim period ended December 31, 2021 and related managements discussion and analysis and are subject to the completion of the Corporations financial closing procedures for the applicable periods in fiscal 2022. This data has been prepared by management and is the responsibility of the Corporations management and audit committee. The Corporations independent auditors have not expressed an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. Such estimates are preliminary and subject to a number of risks and the Corporations actual results of operations, which could differ materially from these estimates. See "Disclaimer Regarding Financial Outlook" below for additional details.

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Revenue for the second quarter of 2022 totaled $13.3 million. This compares to revenue of $5.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.

Total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were $9.1 million as compared to total operating expenses of $2.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.

Total comprehensive loss for the second quarter of 2022 was $7.5 million, as compared to a total comprehensive loss of $5.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.

Cash used in operating activities for the three months ending December 31, 2021 totaled $3.8 million, holding flat from $3.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2021.

The information provided in this news release should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Corporation for the interim period ended December 31, 2021 and related managements discussion and analysis, which are available under the Corporations profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About GetSwift Technologies Limited

Technology to Optimise Global Delivery Logistics

GetSwift is a technology and services company that offers a suite of software products and services focused on business and logistics automation, data management and analysis, communications, information security, and infrastructure optimization and also includes ecommerce and marketplace ordering, workforce management, data analytics and augmentation, business intelligence, route optimization, cash management, task management shift management, asset tracking, real-time alerts, cloud communications, and communications infrastructure (collectively, the "GetSwift Offering"). The GetSwift Offering is used by public and private sector clients across industries and jurisdictions for their respective logistics, communications, information security, and infrastructure projects and operations.

GSW is headquartered in New York and its common shares are listed for trading on the NEO Exchange under the symbol "GSW". Additional information regarding the Corporation is provided in the Corporations annual information form for the year ended June 30, 2021, which is available under the Corporations profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this news release and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the Corporation, to the future outlook of the Corporation and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the Corporation. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

Forward-looking Statements in this press release include statements related to future guidance regarding revenue and other financial forecasts for the remainder of the Corporations fiscal year, continued or expected use of the Corporations services, and intentions with respect to capital raising transactions. Forward-looking Statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Corporation's expectations include, without limitation, continued use of the Corporations services, sources of the Corporations revenue, the potential for additional tax expenses in future periods relating to historical filings, short- to mid-term expectations regarding the likelihood of the Corporation making capital calls under the Amended LDA Agreement (as defined below), limitations on the ability of the Corporation to leverage the LDA facility in the future, the timing of judgments relating to the civil proceedings in Australia, the incurrence of legal fees in relation to defending the civil proceedings involving Corporation or its subsidiaries, judgments relating to any civil proceedings involving the Corporation or its subsidiaries, the timing of future hearings related to the civil proceedings involving the Corporation or its subsidiaries, compliance with any settlement agreements entered into by the Corporation and the likelihood such agreements will be approved by courts of competent jurisdiction, estimates of the useful lives of assets, provisions for impairment of inventories, the ability of the Corporation to continue as a going-concern, the effect of a change of control on the Corporations material contracts, the Corporations dependence on key personnel, the Corporations ability to achieve or maintain profitability, the ability of clients terminating contracts with the Corporation and the impact thereof, short- to mid-term expectations regarding the sources and quantum of revenue, ongoing costs and obligations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, the Corporations need and ability to obtain additional financing, the Corporations ability and intention to develop the GetSwift Offering (as defined below) and other intellectual property, the Corporations dependence on the GetSwift Offering to maintain operability and functionality on third-party operating systems and the likelihood of changes to such platforms, the Corporations dependence on suppliers and skilled labor, growth-related risks such as capacity constraints and pressure on internal systems and controls, the likelihood of reputational harm to the Corporation and the impact thereof, and the impact of pandemics, including COVID-19, on the Corporation, applicable regulation, and global commerce, and the other risk factors set forth in the Corporations managements discussion and analysis for the interim period ended December 31, 2021 and the Corporations annual information form for the year ended June 30, 2021 under the heading "Risk Factors".

The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Corporation to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any Forward-looking Statement. Any Forward-looking Statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Disclaimer regarding financial outlook.

Revenue estimates and other financial outlook referenced in this news release is provided for the purpose of providing additional information regarding the cyclicality of the Corporations revenue and managements current expectations with respect to revenue derived from contracts with customers in the short and medium term and may not be appropriate for any other purpose. The Corporation currently expects that its final results of operations and other data for fiscal 2022 will be consistent with the estimates set forth above, but such estimates are preliminary and the Corporations actual results of operations and other data could differ materially from these estimates due to the completion of its quarterly review procedures, final adjustments, and other developments that may arise between now and the time such consolidated financials statements are released and/or closed out. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information and financial outlook is based on managements current expectations in light of existing market conditions and that such statements are subject to a number of risks described above and in the risk factors set forth in Corporations managements discussion and analysis for the interim period ended December 31, 2021 and the Corporations annual information form for the year ended June 30, 2021.

GetSwift Limited Condensed interim consolidated statement of financial position December 31 June 30 2021 2021 $ $ ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 1,459,868 7,276,107 Trade and other receivables 17,589,100 5,438,149 Prepaids 2,359,039 2,520,151 Inventories 5,869,200 1,860,062 Total current assets 27,277,207 17,094,469 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 3,469,053 1,598,650 Deferred tax assets 43,994 35,735 Goodwill and intangible assets 9,602,058 11,140,009 Other non-current assets 883,388 1,137,412 Total non-current assets 13,998,493 13,911,806 Total assets 41,275,700 31,006,275 LIABILITIES Current liabilities Trade and other payables 23,336,726 10,590,902 Line of credit 6,174,236 482,342 Contract liabilities 41,014 79,481 Warranty provisions 547,018 557,540 Employee benefit obligations 10,391 65,997 Lease and other current liabilities 592,558 457,246 Total current liabilities 30,701,943 12,233,508 Non-current liabilities Deferred tax liabilities 706,987 858,220 Warranty provisions 352,359 283,680 Lease non-current liabilities 1,891,488 612,493 Total non-current liabilities 2,950,834 1,754,393 Total liabilities 33,652,777 13,987,901 EQUITY Share capital 82,332,552 82,332,552 Other reserves - 1,364,063 314,409 Accumulated losses - 78,136,517 - 69,910,131 Non-controlling interests 4,790,951 4,281,544 Total equity 7,622,923 17,018,374 Total liabilities and equity 41,275,700 31,006,275

GetSwift Limited Condensed interim consolidated statement of loss and other comprehensive income Three months ended December 31 Six months ended December 31 2021 2020 * 2021 2020 * $ $ $ $ Revenue from contracts with customers 13,270,959 5,281,042 20,482,164 12,791,994 Total revenue 13,270,959 5,281,042 20,482,164 12,791,994 General and administrative expenses - 7,428,432 - 3,813,354 - 10,489,176 - 10,992,840 Employee benefits expenses - 2,445,315 - 2,552,318 - 4,167,088 - 4,782,904 Operating expenses - 9,050,987 - 2,757,145 - 13,141,288 - 7,278,495 Share-based payment expenses - 23,367 - 37,121 - 40,204 - 62,153 Total expenses (18,948,101) (9,159,938) (27,837,756) (23,116,392) Other income 224,595 952,549 321,764 1,191,645 Other losses - 3,543,774 - 4,342,082 - 548,408 - 5,866,166 Loss before income tax - 8,996,321 - 7,268,429 - 7,582,236 - 14,998,919 Income tax benefit (expense) - 140,821 158,719 - 134,743 41,048 Loss for the period - 9,137,142 - 7,109,710 - 7,716,979 - 14,957,871 Other comprehensive income Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss: Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 1,608,753 1,690,173 - 1,718,832 7,324,036 Total comprehensive loss for the period - 7,528,389 - 5,419,537 - 9,435,811 - 7,633,835 Total comprehensive loss for the year is attributable to: Owners of GetSwift Technologies Limited - 7,813,473 - 5,008,893 - 9,945,218 - 7,421,417 Non-controlling interests 285,084 - 410,644 509,407 - 212,418 - 7,528,389 - 5,419,537 - 9,435,811 - 7,633,835 Loss per share for loss attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the company: Basic/diluted loss per share** (0.30) (0.24) (0.25) (0.50) * Comparative figures will differ to previously issued financial statements due to the change in reporting currency. ** Reflects the retrospective application of the 7:1 exchange ratio

Three months ended December 31, 2021 Three months ended December 31, 2020 Six months ended December 31, 2021 Six months ended December 31, 2020 $ $ $ $ Cash flows from operating activities Receipts from customers (inclusive of GST) 223,307 7,058,262 4,527,376 11,073,865 Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of GST) 3,108,943 (10,844,734) (5,687,968) (25,798,353) R&D tax incentive received - 4,735 - 162,617 Income taxes paid - - (355,760) (355,760) Interest paid 26,538 (9,834) - (19,648) Interest received (4,756) 20,333 - 74,410 Net cash (outflow) from operating activities 3,354,032 (3,771,238) (1,516,352) (14,862,869) Cash flows from investing activities Payments for property, plant and equipment (365,063) (2,428) (687,076) (140,790) Net cash (outflow) from investing activities (365,063) (2,428) (687,076) (140,790) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from issues of shares - - 489,859 Proceeds from borrowings - 422,078 - 422,078 Financing costs for LDA facility - - - (300,000) Restrinction for letter of credit - 558,442 - (991,564) Proceeds from line of credit 2,585,864 - 5,811,544 2,106,751 Repayment of line of credit (5,927,148) (1,702,261) (6,293,886) (2,670,507) Principal elements of lease payments 287,763 (18,882) (5,677) (67,021) Net cash inflow from financing activities (3,053,521) (740,623) (488,019) (1,010,404) Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (64,552) (4,514,289) (2,691,447) (16,014,063) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 4,693,788 11,505,108 7,276,107 23,300,583 Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 2,454,853 441,522 2,499,429 145,821 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 7,084,089 7,432,341 7,084,089 7,432,341 * Comparative figures will differ to previously issued financial statements due to the change in reporting currency.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220214005296/en/

Contacts

For further information regarding the Corporation:

U.S. Investor Relations

Chris Tyson

Executive Vice President  MZ North America

Direct: 949-491-8235

GSW@mzgroup.us

www.mzgroup.us

Company Investor Relations:

investors@getswift.co
By Trend

The Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will consider an invitation from the authorities of Turkmenistan to take part in the observation of the forthcoming early presidential election on March 12, if it is sent, said Ivan Mushket, Director of the International Institute for Monitoring the Development of Democracy, Parliamentarism and Observance of the Electoral Rights of Citizens of the IPA CIS Member States, Trend reports citing TASS.

According to him, the organizations observers have already monitored the electoral processes in Turkmenistan in the past.

Mushket added that the organization is also ready to share with the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Turkmenistan developments in the field of improving the electoral process.

On February 11 during the extraordinary meeting of the Halk Maslakhaty (Peoples Council) and Milli Gengesh (National Council) of Turkmenistan, Berdimuhamedov said that road to public administration of the country should be given to young leaders.

He instructed the CEC of Turkmenistan to start the preparations for holding early presidential elections to be scheduled for March 12.

The nomination of candidates for the country's presidential position started on February 14.
Industry Research

Pune, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global 18650 Lithium Battery Market Analysis and Insights: The global 18650 Lithium Battery market was valued at USD 6346.1 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 7091.9 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 1.6% during 2021-2027.



Global " 18650 Lithium Battery Market " Research Report gives an important analysis of available states with the best statistical data points, certified emotions, definition, meaning, SWOT analysis, and the most recent advancements globally. Estimates are also provided based on an appropriate set of assumptions and practices. The study considers the income created by this report's sales as well as the advancements achieved by distinct application areas. The evaluation report investigates and gives data based on advertise segments such as geologies, applications, and industries. The study gives a dashboard overview of major organizations like Panasonic(Sanyo), Samsung SDI, LG Chem, Sony and others, covering their effective marketing methods, market participation, and recent breakthroughs in both historical and contemporary contexts.

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About 18650 Lithium Battery Market:

A lithium-ion battery or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge and back when charging. Li-ion batteries use an intercalated lithium compound as one electrode material, compared to the metallic lithium used in a non-rechargeable lithium battery. The electrolyte, which allows for ionic movement, and the two electrodes are the constituent components of a lithium-ion battery cell. Cells with a cylindrical shape are made in a characteristic "swiss roll" manner, which means it is a single long sandwich of positive electrode, separator, negative electrode and separator rolled into a single spool. The main disadvantage of this method of construction is that the cell will have a higher series inductance.

Panasonic(Sanyo), Samsung SDI, LG Chem are the leaders of the 18650 Lithium Battery industry, which take about 80% market share. Asia-Pacific is the major region of the global market, which takes about 70% market share.



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Corporate profiles include important information such as company reviews, products, and services, financial data sources, as well as current programs and developments. Overall, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the 18650 Lithium Battery global market, which will help industry players, equipment manufacturers, and current players looking for expansion opportunities, new players as they grow older. Finding opportunities with other partners to support their strategy makes their business based on current data, and future prospects.



Target Audience of 18650 Lithium Battery Market:

- Manufacturer / Potential Investors

- Traders, Distributors, Wholesalers, Retailers, Importers, and Exporters.

- Association and government bodies.

List of Key Players in 18650 Lithium Battery Market Report are:

Panasonic(Sanyo)

Samsung SDI

LG Chem

Sony

Wanxiang(A123 Systems)

Hitachi

Tianjin Lishen

Hefei Guoxuan

Dongguan Large Electronics

OptimumNano

DLG Electronics

Zhuoneng New Energy

CHAM BATTERY

Padre Electronic

TO UNDERSTAND HOW COVID-19 IMPACT IS COVERED IN THIS REPORT

A recent study by 18650 Lithium Battery Market provides an overview of market segmentation by product, application, and geography. The study also contains an in-depth examination of the industry's growth drivers, restraints, supply and demand risk, market attractiveness, BPS analysis, and Porter's five force model. The study then investigates the market's development state and prospective 18650 Lithium Battery Market design all over the world. Similarly, it categorizes the 18650 Lithium Battery market by type and application in order to completely and comprehensively investigate and uncover market features and opportunities.

On the basis of Product Type, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share, and growth rate of 18650 Lithium Battery Market types split into:

LiCoO2 Battery

NMC/NCA Battery

LiFePO4 Battery

Others

On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share, and 18650 Lithium Battery market growth rate with applications, including:

Power Banks

Laptop Battery Packs

Electric Vehicles

Flashlights

Cordless Power Tools

Others

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Key inclusions of the 18650 Lithium Battery market report:

COVID-19 effects on growth figures.

Statistical analysis pertaining to market size, sales volume, and overall industry revenue.

Organized mentions of major market trends.

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Figures showcasing market growth rate.

Advantages and disadvantages of direct and indirect sales channels.

Insights regarding traders, distributors, and dealers present in the industry.

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Get a detailed representation of the 18650 Lithium Battery Market.

The assessed growth rate, together with 18650 Lithium Battery Industry size and share over the forecast period 2022-2027.

Major Points from TOC:

1 18650 Lithium Battery Market Overview

2 Market Competition by Manufacturers

3 Production and Capacity by Region

4 Global 18650 Lithium Battery Consumption by Region

5 Production, Revenue, Price Trend by Type

6 Consumption Analysis by Application

7 Key Companies Profiled

8 18650 Lithium Battery Manufacturing Cost Analysis

9 Marketing Channel, Distributors, and Customers

10 Market Dynamics

11 Production and Supply Forecast

13 Forecast by Type and by Application (2022-2027)

14 Research Finding and Conclusion

Detailed TOC of Global 18650 Lithium Battery Market @ https://www.industryresearch.biz/TOC/19794579

Section II: Global Primary Lithium Battery Market Analysis and Insights: The global Primary Lithium Battery market was valued at USD 2774 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 3733.3 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during 2021-2027.

Primary Lithium Batteries are primary batteries that have metallic lithium as an anode.it is one of the most popular primary battery. Primary Lithium Batteries Lithium batteries are widely used in Industrial, Medical devices, Consumer Electronics and among others.

The most common type of lithium cell used in consumer applications uses metallic lithium as anode and manganese dioxide as cathode, with a salt of lithium dissolved in an organic solvent.

The Primary Lithium Battery market covers Lithium/Thionyl Chloride Battery (Li/SOCL2) , Lithium/Manganese Dioxide Battery (Li/MnO2), etc. The typical players include Hitachi Maxell, SAFT, EVE Energy, Panasonic, FDK, etc.

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According to the Segmentation of types, all the market of Primary Lithium Battery can be divided as Lithium Iodine Battery (Li/I2), Lithium Manganese Dioxide Battery (Li/MnO2), Lithium Oxide Battery (Li/CuO), Lithium Polyfluoride Carbon battery (Li/(CF)n), lithium thionyl chloride battery (Li/SOCl2), lithium sulfur dioxide battery (Li/SO2), and etc. The first main kind is Li/MnO2, it holds a comparatively larger share in global market, which accounts for about 47% in 2019. Another main kind is Li/SOCL2, for many companies, Li/SOCL2 Primary Lithium Battery is attractive because of the market consumption need in the future. The Li/SOCL2 share the 40% market share in 2019.

List of Key Players in Primary Lithium Battery Market Report are: Hitachi Maxell, SAFT, EVE Energy, Panasonic, FDK, Duracell, Vitzrocell, Energizer, Ultralife, Wuhan Voltec Engrgy, HCB Battery, Varta, EnerSys Ltd, EEMB Battery

On the basis of Product Type, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share, and growth rate of Primary Lithium Battery Market types split into:

Li/SOCL2

Li/MnO2

Li-SO2

Others

On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share, and Primary Lithium Battery market growth rate with applications, including:

Meter

Smoke Detector

Security

Automotive

Medical Equipment

Industrial Control

Others

The evaluation also focuses on worldwide corporate executives in the Primary Lithium Battery global market, covering firm history, product photographs, and descriptions, licensing, production, price, pricing, pricing, and contact information. The structure, volume, and value of the Primary Lithium Battery market are examined at the global, regional, and company levels in this report. This research analyses historical data and future prospects to summarize Primary Lithium Battery worldwide worth.

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Five Important Points the Primary Lithium Battery Market Report Offers:

Benchmarking : It includes functional benchmarking, process benchmarking, and competitive benchmarking

Market Assessment : It involves market entry strategy, market feasibility analysis, and market forecasting or sizing

Corporate Intelligence : It contains custom intelligence, competitor intelligence, and market intelligence

Strategy Analysis : It includes analysis of indirect and direct sales channels, helps you to plan the right distribution strategy, and understand your customers

Technological Intelligence : It helps you to investigate future technology roadmaps, choose the right technologies, and determine feasible technology options

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global Primary Lithium Battery market performed in the previous years (2016-2021)?

What is the forecast assessment of the Primary Lithium Battery market for 2022-2027?

What are the major drivers in the historical (2016-2021) and forecast periods?

What are the major constraints in the historical (2016-2021) and forecast periods?

What are the major demand indicators of the Primary Lithium Battery market?

What is the degree of competition in the global market?

What are the major events and developments taking place within the global industry?

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Major Points from TOC:

1 Primary Lithium Battery Market Overview

2 Market Competition by Manufacturers

3 Production and Capacity by Region

4 Global Primary Lithium Battery Consumption by Region

5 Production, Revenue, Price Trend by Type

6 Consumption Analysis by Application

7 Key Companies Profiled

8 Primary Lithium Battery Manufacturing Cost Analysis

9 Marketing Channel, Distributors, and Customers

10 Market Dynamics

11 Production and Supply Forecast

13 Forecast by Type and by Application (2022-2027)

14 Research Finding and Conclusion

Detailed TOC of Global Primary Lithium Battery Market

About Us:

Market is changing rapidly with the ongoing expansion of the industry. Advancement in technology has provided todays businesses with multifaceted advantages resulting in daily economic shifts. Thus, it is very important for a company to comprehend the patterns of market movements in order to strategize better. An efficient strategy offers the companies a head start in planning and an edge over the competitors. Industry Research is a credible source for gaining the market reports that will provide you with the lead your business needs.

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NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Citizen , the leading international advocacy organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty, has announced that industry leader Liza Henshaw has been elevated to the role of President after six years as Chief Operating Officer; Caralene Robinson has assumed a permanent position as Chief Growth Officer; and Lee Rolontz' global role will expand as she takes on the position of Global Head of Broadcast and Original Content. The announcement comes as the organization closes out an unprecedented year of global programming in support of a bold policy agenda, while addressing the most urgent global issues of the past two years.

"Every year, Global Citizen sets impossible goals to further our mission to end extreme poverty. We are only able to accomplish this work through the tireless effort of our leaders and our incredible teams," says Hugh Evans, Founder and CEO of Global Citizen. "Liza is the perfect choice to preside over critical business functions as we expand Global Citizen's international presence and set forth an ambitious policy agenda for 2022. We are also delighted that Caralene will bring her business acumen, creativity and passion for storytelling to Global Citizen. And we are fortunate to have Lee overseeing broadcast and original content programming, further expanding our reach to new audiences around the world."

"I look forward to continuing to work with global citizens, corporate partners, world leaders and philanthropists to end extreme poverty," says Liza Henshaw. "More than ever we all need to come together to protect our planet, defeat poverty and demand equity."

In her new role as the organization's first President, Henshaw will be responsible for leading the mission, vision, values, and strategy of the organization across four continents, along with overseeing expansion plans in key global markets, and leading revenue-generation programs, including corporate partnerships, foundations and individual giving. She joined Global Citizen in 2016 as the organization's first Chief Operating Officer, where she has been instrumental to building a world-class executive leadership team, identifying areas of expansion and diversifying funding opportunities to achieve record growth. Henshaw previously served for over 13 years in leadership positions at the Environmental Defense Fund, including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Development Officer and Chief Information Officer.

"I'm excited to collaborate with Hugh, Liza and the entire team at Global Citizen," says Caralene Robinson. "This is an important moment in history and the actions we take now are vital to protecting the planet for future generations. I'm also honored to be working with a first-class team of creatives to grow our audience of global activists and put the spotlight on the most urgent issues of our time - utilizing my experience in service of this critical mission to defeat poverty and protect the planet."

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As Chief Growth Officer, Robinson oversees the creative, content, marketing and owned media team. She also serves as Executive Producer on complex projects. Robinson's vast body of work as a marketer and content creator demonstrates her passion for shedding light on underserved and marginalized communities. Her prior career experience includes Coca-Cola, Sprint and Viacom, where she was most recently EVP and CMO of VH1 and Logo. As a content creator, she has amassed an award-winning body of work highlighting a range of subjects including mental health, gender equity, domestic violence and the LGBTQ+ experience. Robinson has a BBA in Marketing from Howard University, and an MBA in Marketing/Finance from NYU.

"Global Citizen produced incredibly successful campaign-driven global broadcasts during the pandemic; there is no end to what we can achieve now that the world is opening up once again. I am so excited to create new streams of content and amplify our broadcasts and reach across the globe to achieve our mission," said Lee Rolontz.

In the newly created position of Global Head of Broadcast and Original Content, Rolontz will be responsible for overseeing development, production and broadcast of live events, specials and serialized content across all platforms worldwide. She previously served as Global Citizen's SVP of Event and Broadcast leading on the creation and production of all tentpole events. She brings over two decades of content creation and production to the new position. Before joining Global Citizen, Rolonz was EVP of TV Development and Production at iHeartMedia, where she oversaw all long-form content development and production. Prior to iHeartMedia, she held senior management positions at Viacom's Vh1 and Vh1 Classic, most recently as EVP of Original Music Production and Development where she revived legacy brands like VH1 Divas , Storytellers, Unplugged, and created new original tentpoles and series. Before VH1, Rolonz created and was president of Automatic Productions, a wholly owned film and video production subsidiary of Sony Music. Rolonz began her career as a freelance music-video and commercial producer and is a graduate of Brown University.

ABOUT GLOBAL CITIZEN

Global Citizen is the world's largest movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty now. With over 10 million monthly advocates, our voices have the power to drive lasting change around sustainability, equality, and humanity. We post, tweet, message, vote, sign, and call to inspire those who can make things happen to act  government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens  together improving lives. By downloading our app, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards with tickets to concerts, events, and experiences all over the world. Global Citizens have taken over 28.4 million actions since 2009. Today, these actions, in combination with high-level advocacy work, have led to over $35.4 billion being distributed to our partners around the world, impacting 1.09 billion lives in the fight to end extreme poverty. For more information, visit GlobalCitizen.org and follow @glblctzn.

CONTACT:

Global Citizen Inquiries: media@globalcitizen.org

Media Inquiries: Sunshine Sachs on behalf of Global Citizen, gc@sunshinesachs.com

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-citizen-promotes-liza-henshaw-to-president-caralene-robinson-joins-executive-team-as-chief-growth-officer-lee-rolontz-elevated-to-global-head-of-broadcast--original-content-301480933.html

SOURCE Global Citizen
IndexBox, Inc.

In 2021, the average annual soybean price soared by 43% y/y to $583 per tonne. This year, soybean prices were expected to remain relatively stable, but shortages in supply are likely to spur their growth.

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Soybean prices are challenged with supply risks, a recent report from IndexBox shows. According to World Bank and USDA data, the average annual soybean price (U.S Gulf Yellow Soybean #2, CIF Rotterdam) amounted to $583 per tonne in 2021, increasing by 43% compared to the previous years figure. Despite World Bank predicting the price to pick up 1% y/y to $588 per tonne this year, lower stocks due to poor weather in Brazil, Argentina and other countries may drive price growth.



Global soybean production is expected to reduce slightly by 0.6% y/y to 364M tonnes in 2022 due to lower outputs in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, China, Canada, Indonesia, Vietnam and South Africa. Anticipated production increases in the U.S., the EU, Uruguay, India, Russia, Ukraine, and Mexico will not fully offset the drops in other countries.

Despite the harvested area in Brazil, the leading soybean producing country, expanded by 4% over the last year, drought reduced yields sharply. Brazils soybean production is expected to fall by 3% y/y to 134M tonnes.

Global Soybean Exports

In 2020, global soya bean exports rose significantly to 173M tonnes, picking up by 11% against 2019. In value terms, supplies soared to $64.1B.

Brazil (83M tonnes) and the U.S. (65M tonnes) dominate the soya bean exports structure, together making up 85% of total exports. Paraguay (6.6M tonnes), Argentina (6.4M tonnes), and Canada (4.4M tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

In value terms, the largest soya bean supplying countries worldwide were Brazil ($28.6B), the U.S. ($25.9B) and Argentina ($2.2B), with a combined 88% share of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the U.S. (+38% y/y) recorded the highest growth rate concerning the value of exports in 2020, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

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About IndexBox

IndexBox is a market research firm developing an AI-driven market intelligence platform that helps business analysts find actionable insights and make data-driven decisions. The platform provides data on consumption, production, trade, and prices for more than 10K+ different products across 200 countries.

For more information, please visit

Website https://www.indexbox.io

Twitter https://twitter.com/indexbox

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/IndexBox

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/indexbox-marketing/

Companies Mentioned in the Report

Viterra, Cargill, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus Company, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Dupont, Sodrugestvo, Kerry Group, Now Foods, Burcon Nutrascience Corporation, Sotexpro SA, Farbest Brands, Wilmar International, CHS Inc., SLC Group, Olam International, Rusagro, Yug Rusi, Anderson Exports, Grain Millers, Mtk Ltd, Aciassystem, Br Global Import Export Corp.

Sources

World - Soya Beans - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

World - Soybean Oil - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

World - Crude Soybean Oil - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

World - Refined Soybean Oil And Its Fractions - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

World - Soybean Oilcake - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

CONTACT: Contact Information Mekhrona Dzhuraeva Editor media@indexbox.io




TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2022 / Gratomic Inc. ("Gratomic", "GRAT," or the "Company") (TSXV:GRAT)(OTCQX:CBULF)(FSE:CB82) discloses the preliminary (simplified) Process Flow Diagram (PFD) for its 100% owned Capim Grosso project, located in the mining friendly jurisdiction of Bahia State of Brazil.

Following the announcement of the results from initial metallurgical tests performed on trenched material (see press release dated February 7, 2022 here), the Company's technical team has initiated preliminary engineering for the project, which will include completing a mass and water balance process flow diagram (PFD), and process design criteria (PDC). This engineering design will facilitate the development of preliminary operating and capital expenses (OPEX and CAPEX) for the project. The Simplified PFD is shown below:

As Gratomic proceeds with the current 5,000-meter drilling program, the Company will continue to conduct new tests with the drill core samples, in order to optimize engineering design for the flotation circuit and factor in the requirements to process the material at depth.

Armando Farhate, COO & Head of Graphite Marketing and Sales, says: "Our technical team is moving at a very quick pace to fast track the engineeting process of our Capim Grosso project, without overlooking quality and technical criterias."

"We are very proud to be true to our vision of agility, out-of-the-box thinking, and return to shareholders and stakeholders. The speed we have been moving in the Capim Grosso project is good evidence of that," stated Arno Brand CEO & President.

Gratomic wishes to emphasize that it is undertaking an initial exploration drilling program at the Capim Grosso property along with preliminary metallurgical testing. Gratomic emphasizes that no Preliminary Economic Analysis, Preliminary Feasibility Study or Feasibility Study has been completed to support any level of production. No mineral resources, or mineral reserves demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on the Capim Grosso property. Gratomic continues to move the Capim Grosso property forward and as part of its business plan, expects to obtain a National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects technical report to help it ascertain the economics of the Capim Grosso project.

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Risk Factors

No mineral resources, let alone mineral reserves demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on the Capim Grosso Property. The Company is not in a position to demonstrate or disclose any capital and/or operating costs that may be associated with the processing plant.

The Company advises that it has not based the preliminary process flow diagram on even the existence of mineral resources let alone on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit.

Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved.

Qualified Persons

Mr. Oliver Peters, a Principal Metallurgist with Metpro Management Inc., is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Mr. Peters is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.

About Gratomic

Gratomic is a multinational company with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada. The Company is focused on becoming a leading global graphite supplier and aims to secure a strong position in the EV (Electric Vehicle) battery supply chain. With the continued development of its flagship Aukam project and further exploration on the Company's Capim Grosso property, Gratomic sets itself apart by seeking out unique top-quality assets around the world. True to its roots, the Company will continue to explore graphite opportunities displaying potential for development.

Large quantities of high-quality vein graphite have been shipped for testing to confirm its viability as an anode material. Gratomic is confident that the test results will provide a unique competitive advantage in its desired target markets. The Company will continue to update the public on the status of these tests and will provide results as soon as they become available.

The Company has formed a collaboration agreement with Forge Nano. With its patented ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) coating, this cooperation with Forge Nano is a key element to support Gratomic's strategies towards the value-added phases of production of graphite for anode applications, namely micronization, spheronization and coating, making Gratomic graphite a preferred choice for use in lithium-ion batteries.

For more information: visit the website at www.gratomic.ca or contact:

Arno Brand at abrand@gratomic.ca or (416) 561- 4095

Subscribe at gratomic.ca/contact/ to be added to our email list.

For Marketing and Media information, please email: info@gratomic.ca

"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

Forward Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com)

SOURCE: Gratomic Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/688586/Gratomic-Discloses-Preliminary-Process-Flow-Diagram-for-its-Capim-Grosso-Project-in-Brazil




New joint venture will extend network reach and resiliency by leveraging SESs satellites in both geostationary and medium earth orbits, including O3b mPOWER

LUXEMBOURG & MUMBAI, India, February 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jio Platforms Limited ("JPL"), Indias leading digital service provider, and SES, a leading global satellite-based content connectivity solutions provider, today announced the formation of a joint venture  Jio Space Technology Limited  to deliver the next generation scalable and affordable broadband services in India leveraging satellite technology. JPL and SES will own 51% and 49% equity stake in the joint venture respectively. The joint venture will use multi-orbit space networks that is a combination of geostationary (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellations capable of delivering multi-gigabit links and capacity to enterprises, mobile backhaul and retail customers across the length and breadth of India and neighbouring regions.

The joint venture will be the vehicle for providing SESs satellite data and connectivity services in India, except for certain international aeronautical and maritime customers who may be served by SES. It will have availability of up to 100 Gbps capacity from SES and will leverage Jios premiere position and sales reach in India to unlock this market opportunity. As part of investment plan, the joint venture will develop extensive gateway infrastructure in India to provide services within the country. Jio, as an anchor customer of the joint venture, has entered into a multi-year capacity purchase agreement, based on certain milestones along with gateways and equipment purchase with total contract value of circa US $100 million.

The joint venture will leverage SES-12, SESs high-throughput GEO satellite serving India, and O3b mPOWER, SESs next-generation MEO constellation, to extend and complement Jios terrestrial network, increasing access to digital services and applications. Jio will offer managed services and gateway infrastructure operations services to the joint venture.

As Covid-19 has demonstrated, access to broadband is imperative for full participation in the new digital economy. This joint venture will be a catalyst for connecting the unconnected areas within India and the region to the full range of digital services, offering access to remote health, government services, and distance learning opportunities.

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Akash Ambani, Director of Jio, said, "While we continue to expand our fibre-based connectivity and FTTH business and invest in 5G, this new joint venture with SES will further accelerate the growth of multigigabit broadband. With additional coverage and capacity offered by satellite communications services, Jio will be able to connect the remotest towns and villages, enterprises, government establishments, and consumers to the new Digital India. We are excited about this new journey combining our massive reach and customer base with SESs innovative leadership and expertise in the satellite industry."

Steve Collar, CEO of SES said, "This joint venture with JPL is a great example of how SES can complement even the most extensive terrestrial networks to deliver high-quality connectivity, and positively affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people. We look forward to this joint venture whereby we can play a role in promoting digital inclusion in India."

The joint venture also aligns with the Honble Prime Ministers Gati Shakti: National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity initiative to provide integrated and seamless connectivity by implementing diverse infrastructure. It will also accelerate the achievement of the Connect India goals in the 2018 National Digital Communications Policy and the Digital India programme by expanding broadband connectivity to Indian citizens across Indian geography.

About Jio Platforms Limited

Jio Platforms Limited ("Jio"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, has built a world-class all-IP data strong future proof network with latest 4G LTE technology (through its wholly owned subsidiary, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited). It is the only network conceived and born as a Mobile Video Network from the ground up and supporting Voice over LTE technology. It is future ready and can be easily upgraded to support even more data, as technologies advance on to 5G, 6G and beyond.

Jio has brought transformational changes in the Indian digital services space to enable the vision of Digital India for 1.3 billion Indians and propel India into global leadership in the digital economy. It has created an eco-system comprising of network, devices, applications and content, platforms, service experience and affordable tariffs for everyone to live the Jio Digital Life. As part of its customer offers, Jio has revolutionised the Indian telecom landscape by making voice calls for Jio customers absolutely free, across India, to any network, and always.

About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the worlds only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the worlds leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SESs video network carries over 8,500 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220213005068/en/

Contacts

For SES:

Suzanne Ong

External Communications

Tel. +352 710 725 500

suzanne.ong@ses.com

For Jio Platforms Limited

Jio.CorporateCommunication@ril.com
Equality Florida, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and the Human Rights Campaign will hold a press conference to discuss Governor DeSantis Slate of Surveillance Bills amid public outcry

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., February 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Equality Florida, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and the Human Rights Campaign will host a press conference at the Florida Capitol on Tuesday, February 15th at 9:30 AM to discuss a slate of bills moving through the Florida Legislature including the "Dont Say Gay" bill. The event comes as national outrage at the onslaught of extremist legislation grows, prompting a rare statement from President Biden condemning the moves in Florida. Speakers will include representatives from each organization, lawmakers, and Floridians directly impacted by the bigoted bills from across the state.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220214005698/en/

WHAT: Press Conference by Equality Florida, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and the Human Rights Campaign WHEN: Tuesday, February 15th at 9:30 AM WHERE: The Florida Historic Capitol Building, front steps (Apalachee Parkway side) 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399 VIRTUAL ACCESS: https://equalityflorida.zoom.us/j/81587263544 WHO: Speakers to include:  State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith (he/him), HD 49  State Representative Anna V. Eskamani (she/her), HD 47  Ebonni Chrispin (she/her), Legislative Affairs, AIDS Healthcare Foundation  Ryan Wilson (he/him), Assoc. Regional Campaign Director, Human Rights Campaign  Jon Harris Maurer (he/him), Public Policy Director, Equality Florida  Janiyah Davis-Hines (she/her), founder and President of the Social Justice Institute: Student Association  Todd Delmay (he/him), Hollywood, FL resident and father  Kaylee Sandell, Leon HS Student

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Floridas LGBTQ community. Through education, grassroots organizing, coalition building, and lobbying, we are changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. www.equalityflorida.org

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.6 million clients in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. Domestically AHF provides services in 16 states including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare

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The Human Rights Campaign is Americas largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220214005698/en/

Contacts

Brandon Wolf; Equality Florida Press Secretary

971.678.5707; brandon@equalityflorida.org

Imara Canady; AHF National Director of Communications & Community Engagement

770.940.6555; imara.canady@aidshealth.org

Yunny Seo; Human Rights Campaign

978.333.6019; yunny@precisionstrategies.com
Oryzon Genomics, S.A.

BIO CEO & Investor Conference 2022, New York



Epigenetics Symposium  From Genes to Chromatin to Therapeutics

BioMed Event 2022, Paris

Barclays Global Healthcare Conference, Miami

MADRID, Spain and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oryzon Genomics, S.A. (ISIN Code: ES0167733015, ORY), a public clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging epigenetics to develop therapies in diseases with strong unmet medical need, announced today that its management will give an update on corporate progress at several international events in February and March.

Oryzon will participate at the BIO CEO & Investor Conference 2022, to be held in New York and virtually on February 14-17. Dr. Carlos Buesa, Oryzons CEO, and Dr. Saikat Nandi, Oryzons Global Chief Business Officer, will hold one-to-one meetings with pharmaceutical companies and global investors. During this event Dr. Buesa will present a corporate update on February 14 at 11:00 am ET. Click on link for more info about the BIO CEO & Investor conference

Oryzon has been invited to participate at the Epigenetics Symposium: From Genes to Chromatin to Therapeutics, hosted by the Cancer Epigenetics Institute and the Fox Chase Cancer Center, to be held in Philadelphia and virtually on March 2. Dr. Ana Limon, Oryzons Senior VP of Clinical Development and Global Medical Affairs will give a short talk as part of a session with leading industry members discussing epigenetic-related therapies. Click on link for more info about this Epigenetics Symposium

Oryzon will also attend the BioMed Event 2022, which will be held on March 8 in Paris, France, where Dr. Buesa will present a corporate update. Click on link for more info about the BioMed Event

Executive directors of the company will also attend the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference, to be held in Miami on March 15-17. Dr. Buesa will present a corporate update on March 16 at 16:20 ET.

About Oryzon

Founded in 2000 in Barcelona, Spain, Oryzon (ISIN Code: ES0167733015) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company considered as the European champion in epigenetics. Oryzon has one of the strongest portfolios in the field, with two LSD1 inhibitors, iadademstat and vafidemstat, in Phase II clinical trials and ongoing programs for developing inhibitors against other epigenetic targets. In addition, Oryzon has a strong platform for biomarker identification and performs biomarker and target validation for a variety of malignant and neurological diseases. For more information, visit www.oryzon.com

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About Iadademstat

Iadademstat (ORY-1001) is a small oral molecule, which acts as a highly selective inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme LSD1 and has a powerful differentiating effect in hematologic cancers (see Maes et al., Cancer Cell 2018 Mar 12; 33 (3): 495-511.e12.doi: 10.1016 / j.ccell.2018.02.002.). A FiM Phase I/IIa clinical trial with iadademstat in R/R AML patients demonstrated the safety and good tolerability of the drug and preliminary signs of antileukemic activity, including a CRi (see Salamero et al, J Clin Oncol, 2020, 38(36): 4260-4273. doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.03250). In a still ongoing Phase IIa trial in elder 1L-AML patients (ALICE trial), iadademstat has shown encouraging safety and efficacy data in combination with azacitidine. Beyond hematological cancers, the inhibition of LSD1 has been proposed as a valid therapeutic approach in some solid tumors such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), neuroendocrine tumors, medulloblastoma and others. In a Phase IIa trial in combination with platinum/etoposide in second line ED-SCLC patients (CLEPSIDRA trial, finalized), preliminary efficacy results have been reported. In total iadademstat has been tested in four clinical trials in more than 100 patients.

About Vafidemstat

Vafidemstat (ORY-2001) is an oral, CNS optimized LSD1 inhibitor. The molecule acts on several levels: it reduces cognitive impairment, including memory loss and neuroinflammation, and at the same time has neuroprotective effects. In animal studies vafidemstat not only restores memory but reduces the exacerbated aggressiveness of SAMP8 mice, a model for accelerated aging and Alzheimers disease (AD), to normal levels and also reduces social avoidance and enhances sociability in murine models. In addition, vafidemstat exhibits fast, strong and durable efficacy in several preclinical models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Oryzon has performed two Phase IIa clinical trials in aggressiveness in patients with different psychiatric disorders (REIMAGINE) and in aggressive/agitated patients with moderate or severe AD (REIMAGINE-AD), with positive clinical results reported in both. Additional finalized Phase IIa clinical trials with vafidemstat include the ETHERAL trial in patients with Mild to Moderate AD, where a significant reduction of the inflammatory biomarker YKL40 has been observed after 6 and 12 months of treatment, and the pilot, small scale SATEEN trial in Relapse-Remitting and Secondary Progressive MS, where antiinflammatory activity has also been observed. Vafidemstat has also been tested in a Phase II in severe Covid-19 patients (ESCAPE) assessing the capability of the drug to prevent ARDS, one of the most severe complications of the viral infection, where it showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in severe Covid-19 patients. Currently, vafidemstat is in two Phase IIb trials in borderline personality disorder (PORTICO) and in schizophrenia patients (EVOLUTION). The company is also deploying a CNS precision medicine approach with vafidemstat in genetically-defined patient subpopulations of certain CNS disorders.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains, or may contain, forward-looking information and statements about Oryzon, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, capital expenditures, synergies, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally identified by the words expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates and similar expressions. Although Oryzon believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Oryzon shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Oryzon that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the documents sent by Oryzon to the Spanish Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), which are accessible to the public. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Oryzon. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Oryzon or any of its members, directors, officers, employees or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to Oryzon on the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, Oryzon does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Oryzons securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of Oryzons securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Oryzon or the selling security holder, as applicable, that will contain detailed information about Oryzon and management, as well as financial statements.

IR, US IR & Media, Europe Spain Oryzon Ashley R. Robinson Sandya von der Weid Patricia Cobo Emili Torrell LifeSci Advisors, LLC LifeSci Advisors, LLC / Carlos C. Ungria BD Director +1 617 430 7577 +41 78 680 05 38 +34 91 564 07 25 +34 93 515 13 13 arr@lifesciadvisors.com svonderweid@lifesciadvisors.com pcobo@atrevia.com

cungria@atrevia.com etorrell@oryzon.com




Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Panama Canal AuthorityGlobal Credit Research - 14 Feb 2022New York, February 14, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has completed a periodic review of the ratings of Panama Canal Authority and other ratings that are associated with the same analytical unit. The review was conducted through a portfolio review discussion held on 9 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.The credit quality of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP, A2) reflects the distinctive position of the Panama Canal as an infrastructure asset with a unique geographic advantage and business model. Despite the coronavirus pandemic and US-China trade tensions, the ACP's operational and financial performance has been strong, supported by the recent expansion and a new tariff scheme. Long-term challenges arise from changing supply chains and water shortages.The ACP's credit quality is also underpinned by the robust institutional framework, corporate governance and international treaties that ensure its operation without political interference from the Government of Panama's rating (Baa2). The credit profile reflects a long operational history free of political interference, and ACP's policies that ensure the maintenance of prudent business management. However, Moody's views ACP's creditworthiness cannot be completely de-linked from the current stresses facing the government, economy and population of Panama.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 methodologies used for this review were Privately Managed Ports Methodology published in May 2021 and Government-Related Issuers Methodology published in February 2020. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of these methodologies.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. Adrian Garza Vice President - Senior Analyst Project & Infrastructure Finance Moody's de Mexico S.A. de C.V Ave. Paseo de las Palmas No. 405 - 502 Col. Lomas de Chapultepec Mexico, DF 11000 Mexico JOURNALISTS: 1 888 779 5833 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). All rights reserved.CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS AFFILIATES ARE THEIR CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY MOODYS (COLLECTIVELY, PUBLICATIONS) MAY INCLUDE SUCH CURRENT OPINIONS. MOODYS DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT OR IMPAIRMENT. SEE APPLICABLE MOODYS RATING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS PUBLICATION FOR INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ADDRESSED BY MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS, NON-CREDIT ASSESSMENTS (ASSESSMENTS), AND OTHER OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODYS PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. 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MOODYS ISSUES ITS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLISHES ITS PUBLICATIONS WITH THE EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH INVESTOR WILL, WITH DUE CARE, MAKE ITS OWN STUDY AND EVALUATION OF EACH SECURITY THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE, HOLDING, OR SALE.MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS AND IT WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR RETAIL INVESTORS TO USE MOODYS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS OR PUBLICATIONS WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. 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However, MOODYS is not an auditor and cannot in every instance independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing its Publications.To the extent permitted by law, MOODYS and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entity for any indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information, even if MOODYS or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by MOODYS.To the extent permitted by law, MOODYS and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability for any direct or compensatory losses or damages caused to any person or entity, including but not limited to by any negligence (but excluding fraud, willful misconduct or any other type of liability that, for the avoidance of doubt, by law cannot be excluded) on the part of, or any contingency within or beyond the control of, MOODYS or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers, arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information.NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY CREDIT RATING, ASSESSMENT, OTHER OPINION OR INFORMATION IS GIVEN OR MADE BY MOODYS IN ANY FORM OR MANNER WHATSOEVER.Moodys Investors Service, Inc., a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moodys Corporation (MCO), hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to Moodys Investors Service, Inc. for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,000 to approximately $5,000,000. 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Ocwen Financial Corp.

Plan to host more than 55 regional borrower outreach events in 2022

More than 90 borrower outreach events completed since start of COVID-19 pandemic

Third consecutive year partnering with NAACP for annual outreach series

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PHH Mortgage, a subsidiary of Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE: OCN) and a leading non-bank mortgage servicer and originator, announced the renewal of its partnership with the NAACP to host more than 55 regional virtual and in-person borrower outreach events for PHH Mortgage customers who are having trouble making their mortgage payments. The outreach events will be held in multiple locations across the country, with the next events to be held in Florida and California.

PHH Mortgage expanded its partnership with the NAACP at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to conduct virtual borrower outreach events nationwide and assist the increased number of struggling homeowners. Since that time, and through 2021, the organizations have completed more than 90 borrower outreach events across 28 states to help homeowners in need.

The virtual events provide attendees with information regarding mortgage assistance options and feature speakers from a local HUD-certified counseling agency and PHH Mortgage. After the event, homeowners can schedule a virtual one-on-one meeting with a housing counselor and PHH Mortgage Home Retention Agent to discuss their unique situations and receive information about mortgage assistance options available to them.

In-person borrower outreach events may be held when deemed safe and in accordance with CDC guidelines. In-person events provide the opportunity for homeowners to meet one-on-one with HUD-certified housing counselors and PHH Specialized Home Retention Agents to discuss their mortgage assistance options.

As the pandemic lingers, many homeowners continue to struggle with their mortgage payments. PHH Mortgage remains committed to assisting these borrowers by creating positive outcomes for its customers through its partnership with the NAACP and local and national HUD-certified housing counseling agencies. It is just one way we continue to help borrowers get through these difficult times, said Tamara Gifford, Director of Community and External Relations at Ocwen.

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The NAACP appreciates the valuable partnership with PHH Mortgage. Our 2021 accomplishments, during the pandemic, successfully demonstrated that continued use of a new platform to conduct virtual events works. These events allowed us to assist an even greater number of struggling homeowners. Maintaining homeownership continues to be our goal. We look forward to expanding our partnership in 2022, said Dr. Jamie Riley, Director, Inclusive Economy at the NAACP.

Since March 2020, PHH Mortgage has helped more than 200,000 borrowers with mortgage forbearance due to financial hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the financial crisis, PHH Mortgage has helped more than 1.5 million U.S. homeowners avoid foreclosure and forgiven approximately $19 billion in mortgage debt.

For a list of dates and locations of upcoming events, please go to www.ocwencares.com/events.

About Ocwen Financial Corporation

Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE: OCN) is a leading non-bank mortgage servicer and originator providing solutions through its primary brands, PHH Mortgage and Liberty Reverse Mortgage. PHH Mortgage is one of the largest servicers in the country, focused on delivering a variety of servicing and lending programs. Liberty is one of the nations largest reverse mortgage lenders dedicated to education and providing loans that help customers meet their personal and financial needs. We are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands and operations in India and the Philippines, and have been serving our customers since 1988. For additional information, please visit our website (www.ocwen.com).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dico Akseraylian T: (856) 917-0066 E: mediarelations@ocwen.com




Bloomfield, NJ, USA / London, England --News Direct-- QX Global Group

Together QX Global Group and Chazey Partners will provide end-to-end Business Transformation, Digital Services & Intelligent Automation, and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) for Fortune 1000 companies and public sector organizations, including higher education, across the globe.

QX Global Group, a Top 100 Business Process Outsourcing company, announced the acquisition of an 80% stake in Austin, Texas-based Chazey Partners, a world-class management consulting and advisory firm specializing in business and digital transformation. The Chazey Partners team brings decades of experience in implementing and operating world-class business support and shared services organizations around the globe, with expertise in Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Together, QX and Chazey Partners will work to deliver innovative solutions that cover transformative consulting, digital services, and business process outsourcing, customized to meet each clients specific needs.

At QX, we have always focused on enabling transformation of our clients businesses using our unique 3P approach of people, process, and platform, and we are thrilled that the addition of Chazey will allow us to help organizations solve their most significant barrier to growth  digital adoption and business transformation at scale, said Frank Robinson, Group CEO of QX Global Group. Adding Chazey furthers our vision to provide integrated, end-to-end solutions to help our customers take advantage of the latest operating models and emerging technologies. I am also delighted to officially welcome Phil Searle onto QX Global Groups Board as Chief Transformation Officer.

Chazey brings to the QX Global Group management consulting and advisory services with a global reach. Founded in 2006, Chazey Partners has demonstrated consistent and significant growth, with global representation in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ireland, Turkey, and India. Chazeys consultants provide advice, support, and implementation expertise, covering strategy setting, business case production, program management, process optimization, technology enablement, training, and change management.

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Since founding the company, we have significantly expanded and evolved Chazeys solutions to help numerous businesses and public sector organizations achieve operational excellence by transforming their business operations, said Phil Searle, CEO and Founder of Chazey Partners. With QX, we have found a shared passion for empowering our clients to achieve world-class performance. By joining forces with QX, we will augment our near-shoring and offshoring capabilities by opening new Centers of Excellence (COEs) in India and Latin America. This is an exciting new chapter for Chazey Partners, our employees, and our customers.

The partnership of both trusted brands comes at a time when enterprises across the globe are adjusting to the post-pandemic world. In this environment, Chazey Partners is at the forefront of offering needed transformation solutions, helping enterprises optimize business operations and adopt the latest technologies for sustained growth. The QX-Chazey partnership will enable all clients to achieve a faster return on investment and add more value to their customers and employees.

Barbara Hodge, Global Digital Editor at the Shared Services & Outsourcing Network (SSON), said, This marks an exciting and timely development in the shared services and outsourcing space. SSON has collaborated with Chazey Partners for many years, and I am pleased to see such a highly respected group in the field of business transformation push forwards in extending its services to provide enterprise customers with the more holistic solutions they need right now.

Adding Chazey Partners transformation capabilities to QX Global Groups BPO services, drives an end-to-end solution that connects consulting, digital and business process outsourcing. This aligns perfectly with the move to integrated business services, digitalization  driven by intelligent automation  and data analytics, that we are seeing across the shared services landscape. Its also consistent with service providers moving to a one-stop-shop solution for business transformation and digital needs.

I am delighted at this news and look forward to engaging with the new partnership.

For QX Global Group: Corbett Keeling, London, and J. Sloan & Co, Dallas, Texas, provided corporate finance and transaction advice for QX Global Group; BDO LLP provided Due Diligence support across all entity geographies; legal support was provided by Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.

For Chazey Partners: Sett & Lucas acted as transaction advisor, and Jackson Walker LLP provided legal support.

About QX Global Group

QX Global Group is a leading provider of business process management services. With over 17 years of accounting and recruitment process outsourcing experience, we help our clients unlock business value by improving process efficiencies and automation in the accounting and recruitment functions to enable business transformation. We have offices in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and India.

About Chazey Partners

Chazey Partners is a practitioner-led, global management consulting and advisory services firm. We bring real-life, practical, hands-on experience, empowering clients to strive for world-class performance, through Business Transformation, Shared Services, and Intelligent Automation. We help businesses and public sector organizations achieve operational excellence in the provision of mission-critical business services, including Finance, Human Resources, IT, Procurement, Contact Centers, Marketing, and Facilities Management. For over sixteen years, Chazey Partners has helped clients implement successful service delivery solutions; in the US & Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and Asia.

Contact Details

QX Global Group

Vishal Kurani

+44 20 8146 0808

vishal.kurani@qxglobalgroup.com

Chazey Partners

Leigh Knowles

+1 855-692-6229

LeighKnowles@chazeypartners.com

Company Website

https://qxglobalgroup.com/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/qx-global-group-acquires-management-consulting-and-advisory-services-firm-chazey-partners-223050212
By Azernews

By News Center

Turkeys Yeni Shafak daily has criticized the opposition efforts to change the countrys presidential government system to the parliamentary one.

Those who want to strengthen parliament's role should stay away from issues such as the coup, memorandum, bribery, threats, blackmail and the usurpation of the will of the deputies. Parliament would be very powerful then, the newspaper said.

The article emphasized the importance of the verb empowerment in the face of weakness and counter-attack. Turkey adopted the presidential government system following a constitutional amendment that went into effect with a popular vote in 2017. Following the June 2018 elections, the new system's first government was formed.

Opposing the constitutional amendment in Parliament, the opposition led by the Republican People's Party (CHP) urged the public to vote "No". However, a "Yes" vote was cast, and the change was implemented. The opposition, led by the CHP, was unable to digest the constitutional amendment and immediately began looking for a way back.

The "strengthened parliamentary system" was the concept they invented for the return. Because Turkey has been harmed by the parliamentary system on numerous occasions, the opposition attempted to replace the term with a "strengthened parliamentary system" to avoid reviving bad memories.

Throughout its history, the Turkish parliament has been subjected to serious attacks. There has always been a group that cannot digest the will of the nation, dating back to the 1950 elections. With the coup of 1960, this group carried out the first attack on the parliament.

Following the 1961 elections, they threatened the presidential candidate if he was elected by the deputies and showed him his grave in the cemetery.

Despite the intrigues of the 1965 elections, Justice Party leader Suleyman Demirel won a large majority in parliament, but the party was not permitted to elect a president. The previous day, the chief of general staff, who had retired the day before, was elected president with the alleged free will of the parliament.

Demirel, who gained a landslide victory in the 1969 elections, had to leave the office in 1971. The Parliament, which gained its alleged freedom after Demirel's departure, declared Nihat Erim (who left the CHP of his own free will) as the Prime Minister. In 1973, when the Parliament was choosing the President, warplanes were making joyful demonstrations over the Parliament building.

Demirel, who won a landslide victory in the 1969 elections, was forced to resign in 1971. The parliament, which allegedly gained its freedom after Demirel's departure, appointed prime minister Nihat Erim (who left the CHP on his own free will). When the parliament was electing the president in 1973, warplanes flew joyfully over the parliament building.

As an advocate of the "strengthened parliament" system today, the CHP refused to allow the parliament to elect the president in 2007 and instead went to the squares to lay the groundwork for the coup.

Those who claim to be strengthening the parliament do not need to work themselves to exhaustion. They only need to make one promise. What were the factors that weakened parliament in the past... Let them promise not to bring up issues like the coup, the memorandum, bribery, threats, blackmail, and so on.
Jamie and Brian Getz, co-owners of the Hub & Spoke coworking space, stand in the front office area of their Morton business on Dec. 31, 2021.

MORTON  Braden Bisping works for a South Carolina-based company.

The 25-year-old Morton resident was hired in June as a software engineer, but he's never been to the company's offices in Charleston.

Bisping is a remote worker, one of thousands in the company.

Sitting at a rented desk near large floor-to-ceiling windows at the Hub & Spoke coworking business at 115 N. Main St. in Morton, Bisping works for Black Baud, an IT company that does donation processing and financial tracking for charities and not-for-profits.

Business is so good at Hub & Spoke that owners Brian and Jamie Getz are renovating the space at 117 N. Main adjacent to their current area, expanding the business's square footage from 1,000 to 3,000.

A waiting list for office space

The husband-and-wife team owns the entire building at 115 and 117 N. Main, which is across the street from Morton Village Hall in the village's downtown business district. The former tenants at 117 N. Main moved out in August.

"We need the additional space. We have a waiting list for our private offices. We have four private offices now. We'll have six when the new section opens," Brian Getz said.

Talent attraction: Young professionals are key to growing Peoria. Here's how the city hopes to attract them

Bisping has been a Hub & Spoke dedicated desk member since August, after giving Hub & Spoke a try and finding he was "super productive" there.

Braden Bisping works at his dedicated desk in the Hub & Spoke working space on Dec. 31, 2021.

"I wanted a desk near the big windows so I can see the sun when it's out," Bisping said.

"This is a perfect spot for me. Working from home or a coffee shop isn't for me. I'm an extrovert. I like to be around people. And I need flexibility for when I work."

Hub & Spoke opened Aug. 7, 2020, a few months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that brought with it sharp growth in the number of remote workers. Some reports suggest more than 35 million Americans could regularly work remotely by 2025.

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Besides dedicated desks and private offices rented to Hub & Spoke members on a monthly basis, Hub & Spoke offers amenities like a water cooler, complimentary cold drinks and coffee, a black-and-white printer, webcams hooked to computer screens, high-speed fiber internet service, varied desk heights, ergonomic chairs, use of a conference room, lunch menus from nearby restaurants, and bicycle parking.

A kitchen is being added in the renovated space.

So what does Hub & Spoke mean?

"We came up with about 20 ideas for the business," Brian Getz said. "We finally settled on Hub & Spoke, with the hub representing the central office and spokes representing satellite offices."

Coworking is a growing trend, amplified by COVID

Brian Getz said he first learned about coworking spaces in 2014 when he did freelance digital advertising and lived in Colorado.

"I rented a desk. I used it religiously from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday," he said. "I needed discipline and being on a schedule."

His and his wife and the couple's two young boys moved to Morton in 2019 to be closer to family.

Growing population: Why Peoria and Bloomington-Normal battle for residents, and who's winning lately

After Getz's digital advertising client laid him off in 2020, he said, it was time to switch gears in his career and plunge into the coworking business by renovating a former real estate office at 115 N. Main.

Brian Getz walks through the construction area where more renovated Hub & Spoke offices will be added.

His timing was perfect.

"Coworking was a growing trend before the pandemic. I believe it will be more prevalent in the future," he said.

"People need a place to be productive at work. It's not easy sometimes to work from home because of kids, dogs, unreliable Wi-Fi. ... Productive people need a place to be around other productive people. We're all social creatures."

Hybrid approach offers best of both worlds

Heidi Baumann, a Bradley University management and leadership professor, is doing a research project on remote work with law professor Tanya Marcum.

Their early research verifies Brian Getz's thoughts about remote work, which Baumann said has been a factor for longer than many people think in American life, pointing to traveling salespeople.

Here's what the Bradley faculty members have uncovered so far:

"Remote work increased through the years, but only slowly because managers were leery of losing some control," Baumann said. "Then it exploded  except for those considered essential workers  because of the pandemic.

"Employees now seem to like a hybrid approach of home and office work because it gives them the best of both worlds. People tend to feel isolated at home, and work more hours. Plus, they don't move around as much, which affects their health."

Remote workers are attracted to coworking spaces, she said, because people at them can still socialize in an office environment even if they work for different employers.

Brian Getz said Hub & Spoke has about a dozen members. Most work for a company, he said.

Hub & Spoke also offers what are known as hot desks (first come, first served) for walk-ins.

While business hours at Hub & Spoke are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, members can use the space 24/7.

The conference room available to customers of Hub & Spoke on Dec. 31, 2021.

Getz said he's been talking with representatives from The Nest coworking business in Peoria to possibly put together a reciprocal membership arrangement.

Connecting Illinois: How important are Peoria Amtrak surveys for future rail service? And what will it cost us?

Hub & Spoke received a $10,000 business improvement grant from the village of Morton last year to help cover the $41,545 cost to remove and replace the exterior facade in the new space.

Washington artist Gina Perillo has acrylic paintings hanging on the walls at Hub & Spoke to provide more of a workplace ambiance. The paintings are for sale.

"I haven't sold any of those paintings, but I love that my art is hanging in such a beautiful space," Perillo said.

Steve Stein can be reached at 248-224-2616 or stevestein21@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpartansSteve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Morton coworking business Hub & Spoke is growing with high demand
- Innovation addresses key consumer concern around convenience, speed and ease of preparation simplifying daily life in frozen chicken category

- Marinated frozen chicken which goes directly from 'freezer to oven' will hit shelves in the second quarter of 2022

- Range includes frozen marinated whole chicken, in three local flavors, as well as the exclusive pre-marinated frozen tender whole chicken

DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seara, a food brand that is completely committed to high quality products, is set to launch Seara Shawaya, a first-of-a-kind innovation in the frozen foods category at Gulfood 2022, running from 13 to 17 February. The brand with presence in over 150 countries is part of JBS, the global leader in protein-based food.

Seara Shawaya - Chicken for Roasting line (PRNewsfoto/Seara)

Seara Shawaya  Chicken for Roasting is the latest innovation from Seara that seeks to fill the gap where no added value products are offered. Developed with the Middle East woman in mind, the product offers variety and novelty while addressing key consumer needs around convenience, taste and quality. On-site, Seara's chef will present the 'freezer to oven' halal product for tasting, giving visitors and potential customers the opportunity to taste the delicious flavors while noticing the ease of preparation.

"Following the company's commitment to innovation and quality, we are proud to present our new range Seara Shawaya, the novel solution in the frozen poultry category. Roasted chicken has long been a favorite among the population in this region, and we are glad to be offering this new category that promises to meet the consumer's need for convenience, taste and speed of preparation, tailored to local tastes and flavor preferences. Tested during researches among consumers in the region, the product guarantees to simplify the daily lives of women today, who juggle multiple roles with a greater demand of their time than ever before.", said the company representative.

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Frozen Halal Whole Chicken is the biggest category in Retail and Food Services. Served also in Rotisseries Restaurants or at Supermarkets, roasted chicken is a consumer favorite and Seara's Shawaya Chicken will be the First Frozen Marinated Whole Chicken from Seara ready to be cooked straight from the freezer to oven or air fryer. For those who want to spice and flavor themselves their poultry, Seara also presents the First Frozen Tender Whole Chicken, which is the ideal solution as it comes already pre-marinated with brine so that chicken is tender and juicy, guaranteeing the juiciest chicken breast as preferred in the region. "With the motto 'we marinate you enjoy' Seara Shawaya puts the GCC Consumers at the forefront of their innovation", complemented the company.

Available in four options, being three delicious flavors of Hot Curry, Kabsa and Italian and one plain alternative Frozen Whole Chicken Tender, Seara Shawaya Range is set to hit shelves in the 2nd quarter of 2022. The Seara Shawaya range brings more choices and variety to the already well-established portfolio of Seara products in the MENA region.

The new range will be available in selected stores and supermarkets in the GCC. For information on Seara foods, recipes and more, please visit: https://www.searafoodsme.com/.

In addition to this launch, the brand will showcase a new portfolio of over 120 products produced at two local plants in the UAE and KSA, taking into account the importance of Middle Eastern culture and cuisine. The new range introduces a complete halal portfolio of Seara breaded chicken, chicken burgers and beef burgers, minced meats, sausages, meat balls, frozen vegetables, frozen seafood and frozen fruits, among others. All the new products will be exhibited at the trade show, strengthening the strategy of Seara of offering the region innovative, high-quality products.

About Seara

With more than 60 years of expertise, Seara is a Brazilian food brand that is completely committed to high quality products, offering a large portfolio in the In-Natura meats and Poultry segments (frozen), as well as prepared and industrialized food solutions. Seara Alimentos, is part of JBS company the global leader in protein-based food production. Seara is present in more than 150 countries (such as China, England, Kuwait, France, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United States and United Arab Emirates), and it has international certifications for excellence in production, such as BRC (British Retail Consortium), SWA (Supplier Workplace Accountability), Global GAP (Global Certificate for the Agricultural Chain), Swiss Law, ISSO 14001, Halal Certifications, Certificate of Conformity (ESMA Halal National Mark), among others.

About JBS

JBS is global leader in protein-based food production. With a global platform diversified by type of products (poultry, beef and lamb), the Company has over 250,000 team members in production units and offices on all continents, in countries like Brazil, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and China, among others. In Brazil, JBS is the country's largest employer, with over 145,000 team members. Worldwide, JBS offers an extensive portfolio of brands recognized for excellence and innovation: Seara, Swift, Pilgrim's Pride, Moy Park, Primo, and Just Bare, among many others, which find their way every day onto the tables of consumers in 190 countries. The Company is investing in correlated businesses like leather, biodiesel, collagen, personal hygiene and cleaning, natural wrapping, solid waste management solutions, recycling, metallic packaging and transport, with emphasis on the circular economy. JBS conducts its operations allocating priority to high quality and food safety, while adopting the best sustainability and animal welfare practices across its entire value chain and, in March 2021 it assumed the commitment to become Net Zero by 2040. This means that JBS will zero the net balance of its greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the intensity of the direct and indirect emissions and offsetting all residual emissions. JBS was the first global company in the protein sector to take on this commitment, with the intention of feeding people around the world in an increasingly sustainable manner.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1745374/Seara_Shawaya_Roasting_Chicken.jpg

Cision

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SOURCE Seara
Virtual Investor Conferences

Company invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend real-time, interactive presentations on VirtualInvestorConferences.com

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Feb. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Silver Tiger Metals (TSXV:SLVR and OTCQX:SLVTF), based in Sonora, Mexico, focused on El Tigre Historic Mine District, today announced that Glenn Jessome, President and CEO, will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on February 15th, 2022.



DATE: February 15th, 2022

TIME: 2:00 PM EST

LINK: https://bit.ly/3gBMKj0

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights

Silver Tiger Intersects 3,083.4 g/t AgEq Over 0.5 Meters Within a Broader Interval of 6.6 Meters Grading 345.1 g/t AgEq in the Sooy Vein

Silver Tiger Makes New Discovery Intersecting 7,807.7 g/t AgEq Over 0.6 meters within a Broader Interval of 5.1 meters Grading 1,029.5 g/t AgEq

Silver Tiger intersects 4,375.5 g/t AgEq over 2.6 meters Within a Broader interval of 15.1 meters grading 1,051.0 g/t AgEq in the Benjamin Vein

Silver Tiger intersects 82,827 g/t AgEq over 0.5 meters within a broader interval of 17.5 meters grading 2,608.4 g/t AgEq in the initial drilling on the Seitz Kelly Vein

About Silver Tiger Metals

SilverTiger Metals Inc. is a Canadian company whose management has more than 25 years experience discovering, financing and building large hydrothermal silver projects in Mexico. Silver Tigers 100% owned 28,414 hectare Historic El Tigre Mining District is located in Sonora, Mexico. Principled environmental, social and governance practices are core priorities at Silver Tiger.

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The El Tigre historic mine district is located in Sonora, Mexico and lies at the northern end of the Sierra Madre silver and gold belt which hosts many epithermal silver and gold deposits, including Dolores, Santa Elena and Las Chispas at the northern end. In 1896, gold was first discovered on the property in the Gold Hill area and mining started with the Brown Shaft in 1903. The focus soon changed to mining high-grade silver veins in the area with production coming from 3 parallel veins the El Tigre Vein, the Seitz Kelley Vein and the Sooy Vein. Underground mining on the middle El Tigre vein extended 1,450 meters along strike and was mined on 14 levels to a depth of approximately 450 meters. The Seitz Kelley Vein was mined along strike for 1 kilometer to a depth of approximately 200 meters. The Sooy Vein was only mined along strike for 250 meters to a depth of approximately 150 meters. Mining abruptly stopped on all 3 of these veins when the price of silver collapsed to less than 20 per ounce with the onset of the Great Depression. By the time the mine closed in 1930, it is reported to have produced a total of 353,000 ounces of gold and 67.4 million ounces of silver from 1.87 million tons (Craig, 2012). The average grade mined during this period was over 2 kilograms silver equivalent per ton.

The El Tigre silver and gold deposit is related to a series of high-grade epithermal veins controlled by a north-south trending structure cutting across the andesitic and rhyolitic tuffs of the Sierra Madre Volcanic Complex within a broad silver and gold mineralized prophylitic alteration zone developed in the El Tigre Formation that can be up to 150 meters wide. The veins dip steeply to the west and are typically 0.5 meter wide but locally can be up to 5 meters in width. The veins, structures and mineralized zones outcrop on surface and have been traced for 5.3 kilometers along strike in our brownfield exploration area. Historical mining and exploration activities focused on a 1.6 kilometer portion of the southern end of the deposits, principally on the El Tigre, Seitz Kelly and Sooy veins.The under explored Caleigh, Benjamin, Protectora and the Fundadora exposed veins continue north for more than 3 kilometers. Silver Tiger has delivered its maiden 43-101 compliant resource estimate and is currently drilling to update its resource estimate and publish a PEA.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACT: CONTACTS: Silver Tiger Metals Steve Low (902) 492-0298 ir@silvertigermetals.com Virtual Investor Conferences John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 johnv@otcmarkets.com




SINGAPORE, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Swiss Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) and Elevandi, today announced the launch of the inaugural Point Zero Forum, to be held on June 21-23 in Zurich, Switzerland. This in-person event will provide a platform for global leaders across the public and private sectors to drive the meaningful exchange of ideas and knowledge to advance FinTech and Web3.0 in the digital economy. Key topics of discussion include advances in Decentralised Finance, Embedded and Open Finance and Sustainable Finance, implications for policymakers, and opportunities for FinTechs.

The three-day Forum is organised in cooperation with the BIS Innovation Hub, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the Swiss National Bank (SNB). The Forum will also be supported by Finance.Swiss, Milken Institute and Switzerland Global Enterprise.

The inaugural forum will be jointly opened by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Heng Swee Keat and Switzerland's Federal Councillor and the Head of the Federal Department of Finance, Ueli Maurer.

Mr Heng said,

"Digital technology has tremendous potential to change the world for the better, especially through finance. To unlock this potential, we must find new ways to collaborate, and partner one another to tackle key global challenges and ride the new wave of opportunities. Singapore and Switzerland have worked together to organise the inaugural Point Zero Forum, bringing together global technologists, financial institutions and regulators. Through this Forum, we can add to the global FinTech momentum and strengthen the global movement for innovation and change."

Mr Maurer said,

"As one of the world's leading and innovative financial centres, Switzerland is an ideal host to bring international financial market and supervisory authorities together with new players from the world of FinTech. Switzerland has long maintained an intensive financial dialogue with Singapore. Together, we are committed to open markets, international competition and constant innovation. The Point Zero Forum is intended to help ensure that innovation in digital financial technology can flourish and thrive in a secure framework for the benefit of all."

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First speakers, with more to be announced, include:

Heng Swee Keat, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies

Ueli Maurer, Switzerland's Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Finance

Thomas Jordan, Chairman of the Governing Board, SNB

Urban Angehrn, CEO, Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)

Ravi Menon, Managing Director, MAS

Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President & CEO, Women's World Banking

Ralph Hamers, CEO, UBS

Philipp Rickenbacher, CEO, Julius Baer

Joanne Hannaford, Chief Technology & Operations Officer and Executive Board Member, Credit Suisse

Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO, FTX

Dr. Gabriela Maria Payer, Vice-Chairwoman, Sygnum

Ben Zhou, Founder & CEO, Bybit

Jos Dijsselhof, CEO, SIX

Stefan Klestil, General Partner, SpeedInvest

Jo Ann Barefoot, CEO & Co-Founder, Barefoot Innovation

Jason Thompson, CEO, Partior

Dr. Darian McBain, Chief Sustainability Officer, MAS

Eric Lim, Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB

Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer, Zurich Insurance

Teana Baker-Taylor, Chief Policy Officer, Chamber of Digital Commerce

Oliver Bussmann, CEO & Founder of Bussmann Advisory, Former CIO & Group MD of UBS

Dr. Iwa Salami, Reader (Associate Professor), Centre of FinTech, Department of Law & Criminology, Royal Docks School of Business and Law

Pinar Ozcan, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Oxford University

Point Zero Forum guests can choose to discover the Switzerland FinTech Ecosystem through an additional day of tours to innovative companies and labs to learn about the latest developments in Web3.0 and Zug.

Point Zero Forum is an invitation-only forum for senior leaders from government and regulators, financial institutions, technology companies, digital asset and blockchain networks, academia and investors. To register interest, or to nominate a guest please visit www.pointzeroforum.com .

State Secretariat for International Finance

The State Secretariat for International Finance represents Switzerland's interests in financial, monetary and tax matters not only vis-a-vis partner countries but also in the competent international bodies. It is committed to good framework conditions to ensure that Switzerland can have an innovative, interconnected and sustainable financial centre and business location that is among the world leaders. The State Secretariat is responsible for implementing the financial market policy of the Swiss Government.

Elevandi

Elevandi, which means to 'lift up' or 'raise up' was set up by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), to bring together the global public and private sectors to advance FinTech in our digital economy. Elevandi is building the future of finance by connecting businesses and people, insights and ideas. Our flagship product is the Singapore FinTech Festival alongside fast rising platforms including the World FinTech Festival and Point Zero Forum.

SOURCE Elevandi
PRAGUE, Feb. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Solek Group, an experienced vertically integrated developer, owner and manager of solar power plants, through its Chilean subsidiary SOLEK Latam Holding SpA has signed a framework agreement to develop, build and sell solar projects in Chile to BlackRock's Global Renewable Power Fund III (GRP III). As part of this transaction, SOLEK will also oversee the operation and maintenance services for the projects and Aediles Capital Inc. will oversee Asset Management on behalf of BlackRock Global Renewable Power Fund III.

SOLEK signs deal with BlackRocks Global Renewable Power Fund III (illustrative image)

"BlackRock is a leading investor in renewable power globally, which means we are entering into a relationship with a stable and renowned partner who will create a long-term outlet for our services. This is an important strategic step towards establishing cooperation with leading infrastructure investors, who are key to the further growth of SOLEK Group, not only in Chile but also in other countries," said Zdenek Sobotka, founder and CEO of the SOLEK Group.

The deal enables SOLEK Group to develop up to 28 individual photovoltaic power plant projects with an aggregate capacity of up to 200 MW. The firm will take care as well of their operation and provide regular maintenance and prompt professional servicing. Each project will be constructed and connected under the Chile's PMGD/PMG (distributed generation projects) programme, which is one of the pillars of the country's strategy to become carbon neutral by 2050. Solar power plant projects with a total installed capacity of 90.5 MW are already under preparation phase of construction. These projects also serve regions with high demand for electricity due to growing populations and a developed mining industry.

"We look forward to working closely with Solek experienced and active team in Chile," said David Orellana, Aediles Capital Inc. Partner.

"Large investors of this type can fully appreciate the long-term and stable return on energy investments. For us, it is also an expression of trust in the long-term conceptual work of all SOLEK Group teams," added Zdenek Sobotka.

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ABOUT THE SOLEK GROUP

SOLEK HOLDING SE is a leading renewable energy company with a focus on solar energy. It was established in 2010 by Czech entrepreneur Zdenek Sobotka. The company is headquartered in Prague and has built power plants in four countries in Europe and South America. SOLEK currently employs 210 people of 15 nationalities.

SOLEK HOLDING SE's business strategy consists of designing and building photovoltaic parks as well as owning and operating them. To finance its activities, the group primarily turns to capital markets, where it successfully issues corporate bonds with stable yields.

For more information visit www.solek.com

ABOUT AEDILES CAPITAL INC.

Aediles is an Independent Sponsor, Platform Manager, and Advisor for sustainable energy and infrastructure investments. Aediles originates, invests in and manages renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the Americas. Aediles is supported by local & regional operating partners, and a senior advisory board based in Canada, Europe, Latin America and the USA. For more information: www.aedilescapital.com

Photo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744842/Solek_solar_power_plants.jpg

Logo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1744843/Solek_Logo.jpg
A view of Denison Street in Providence after Thursday night's standoff with police.

PROVIDENCE  The 30-year-old son of a man who fought police in a gun battle was charged Friday night with assaulting a television reporter as she worked at the scene of Thursday's crossfire, the police said.

Joshua Maclean assaulted WJAR reporter Joanna Bouras just after 5 p.m. on Denison Street, according to Providence police Cmdr. Thomas Verdi.

Verdi said Maclean yelled and swore at Bouras as she recorded, and that he pushed her with enough force to cause her "to fall into a concrete wall." Maclean will be charged with simple assault, he said.

WJAR news director Scott Isaacs said Friday that Bouras was not injured in the incident.

Verdi added that Maclean was wanted on a 2012 warrant charging him with failure to appear in court. Maclean had pleaded no contest to driving under the influence, according to court records.

Early Thursday morning, Maclean's father, 61-year-old Scott Maclean, was involved in a domestic disturbance that brought Providence police to 25 Denison St. around 2:30 a.m.

More: Police standoff with gunman: 'I've never seen something like this' says Providence commissioner

More: Providence man charged with attempted murder of police officer

More: Drive through Cranston recently? The police probably took a picture of your license plate. Here's why

Police officers retreated from the house with some of the father's relatives, including adult children and grandchildren, when they learned the man was heavily armed.

During a lengthy standoff in the Charles neighborhood, they were unable to talk to Maclean. Introducing pepper spray to the house failed to get him out, according to Verdi and Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare.

Around 6 a.m., they say, Maclean opened fire on members of Providence's Special Response Unit, which is a tactical team. Members of the team barraged Maclean's fighting positions.

During the confrontation, part of the house erupted in flames. Later, Maclean was found dead in a second-floor bedroom, the police said.

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Verdi said he could not comment Friday on various details, including the types of weapons Maclean fought with, how he died and whether he was shot during his battle with police.

His death is the focus of an investigation by the Rhode Island State Police and the office of Attorney General Peter Neronha.

"All further updates related to this incident will be provided to the media next week," said a police spokeswoman, Lindsay Lague.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Reporter assaulted by son of Providence gunman, police say
(CSE: TRG)

VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 14, 2022 /CNW/ - Tarachi Gold Corp. (CSE: TRG) (OTCQB: TRGGF) (Frankfurt: 4RZ) ("Tarachi" or the "Company") is pleased to announce plans for an initial field exploration program on the La Texana property in Sonora, Mexico. The Company has the right to earn a 100% interest in La Texana as part of its option agreement with Minerales de Tarachi R.L. de C.V. (see press release dated March 27, 2020).

About La Texana



The La Texana concession is 300 hectares in size and located within the Sierra Madre Gold Belt. This section of the Sierra Madre is host to numerous gold deposits and active gold mines along a northwest-southeast trend. La Texana is situated midway between Agnico Eagle's La India mine and the undeveloped Tarachi Deposit.

Map of Tarachi Concessions in Sonora, Mexico (CNW Group/Tarachi Gold Corp.)

Satellite of La Texana Concession Area (CNW Group/Tarachi Gold Corp.)

Exploration at La Texana Concession



The company expects to commence fieldwork on the La Texana Concession within the month. The fieldwork will entail detailed geological and structural mapping and rock sampling of the entire concession and take approximately 45 days to complete. The goal of the exploration program is to assess the area's potential to host mineralization similar to neighbouring deposits and identify future drill targets. This will be the Company's first exploration program conducted at La Texana.

Deposits in Close Proximity to La Texana Concession



The La India mine occurs in an area of intrusion-related alteration dominated by volcanic-hosted high-sulphidation epithermal-hydrothermal gold, silver and porphyry-related gold deposits. These deposits may be present as veins and/or disseminated deposits and/or breccias. The La India mine is best characterized as an area of several high sulphidation epithermal mineralization centres recognized in the region.

The Tarachi deposit is a large low-grade gold porphyry deposit with satellite epithermal mineral occurrences discovered in 2010. The gold system at the Tarachi deposit has been classified as a wall rock gold porphyry deposit, comprising sheeted veins that deposited gold within the wall rock outside the source dacite porphyry intrusions, suggesting that it has the potential to grow into a much larger deposit.

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Chipriona is a polymetallic deposit host to gold, silver and zinc resources contained within structurally controlled veins, stringers and breccias. All deposits mentioned are projects owned by Agnico Eagle.

About Tarachi Gold

Tarachi Gold is a Canadian-listed junior gold exploration company focused on exploring and developing projects in Mexico. Tarachi acquired the Magistral Mill and tailings project in Durango, Mexico in 2021. Magistral includes a 1,000 tpd mill and access to a tailings deposit with Measured and Indicated resources of 1.26 million tonnes at a grade of 1.93g/t Au. The Company expects to bring the asset into production in early 2023.

The Company is also exploring on their highly prospective mineral concessions in the Sierra Madre gold belt of Sonora, Mexico in close proximity to Alamos Gold's Mulatos mine and Agnico Eagle's La India mine.

Qualified Person



Lorne Warner, P.Geo, VP Exploration and Director of the Company is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS



This news release includes certain "ForwardLooking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forwardlooking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: future exploration programs, development of mining assets, acquisition of additional resources, future production, future cash flows, and the completion of drill holes; and receipt of assay results.

Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, timing of completion of reports and studies, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Tarachi, future growth potential for Tarachi and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold and other metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Tarachi's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect Tarachi's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and Tarachi has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Tarachi's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although Tarachi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Tarachi does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Tarachi Gold Corp.

Cision

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2022) - Thunderstruck Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AWE) ("Thunderstuck" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Australian Businessman Ian Gandel has made a strategic investment into Thunderstruck Resources and looks to play an integral role in the company as it continues to advance its Fijian precious and base metal assets to bring value to shareholders.

"We are humbled to have attracted an investor with serial success such as Mr. Gandel. His investment confirms the view that Thunderstuck and Fiji are on the radar of some big players. The strategic relationship, whereby Mr. Gandel will attain a 25% stake in the Company post raising, is one that looks to benefit all shareholders going forward." Thunderstruck President and CEO Bryce Bradley commented. "Adding a proven company builder at this stage of the company's life cycle is invaluable. We look forward to Ian's active involvement as we continue to efficiently grow Thunderstruck through drilling, strategic partnerships and the addition of accretive Fijian land packages."

Mr. Gandel is a successful Melbourne based businessman with over 20 years experience in the exploration and mining sectors. Currently, Mr. Gandel is Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Alliance Resources Ltd (Gold & Iron Ore), Alkane Resources Ltd (Gold and Copper) and Australia Strategic Materials Ltd (Rare Earths and critical metals) and has helped grow them into market capitalizations of Aud $31 million, Aud $485 million and Aud $1.2 billion respectively.

Outside of the resource sector, Mr. Gandel has also been involved in the construction and real estate development of some of Australia's largest shopping centers and previously with the building of the well-known Australian Priceline retail drug store chain.

Ian Gandel, Chairman of Gandel Metals Pty Ltd, stated: "I am delighted to be involved with Thunderstruck, which I view as a highly prospective company. Fiji has an abundance of mineral potential and lies only a four hour flight from Sydney. Exploration success could result in a large uplift in shareholder value from the current low market capitalization, and importantly, would augment Fijian stakeholder value. We regard local community involvement and ESG values most highly. My team in Australia is looking forward to assisting the capable Thunderstruck geologists to unlock the potential of its projects in Fiji."

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The Company is also pleased to announce that in addition to his investment, Mr. Gandel will join Thunderstruck's Advisory Board, along with his highly experienced colleague, Anthony (Tony) Lethlean.

"We welcome Tony Lethlean to the Thunderstruck family. Tony and Ian have worked extensively on projects together, and Tony's corporate and geological expertise has proven invaluable to the success of their projects. We too look forward to drawing upon his technical proficiency, as I am sure our land package has more hidden gems than we currently see." Bradley continued.

Mr. Lethlean is a seasoned geologist (BAppSc) having worked on the Golden Mile Kalgoorlie and many other global mining and development projects. He holds non-executive Directorships in both Alkane Resources Ltd and Alliance Resources Ltd. Prior to this, Mr. Lethean was a top mining analyst with Australian based investment banks including CIBC World Markets. He is currently a Director of Corporate Advisor Rawson Lewis.

Terms of Investment / Financing

Ian Gandel (together with his associates, "Gandel") will, directly and indirectly, enter into a subscription agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") for such number of units (the "Units") of the Company as represents approximately 25% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company following completion of the investment and concurrent private placement (the "Gandel Investment").

Including the Gandel Investment, the Company has arranged a non-brokered private placement for the sale of up to 35,714,285 million Units at a price of $0.07 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to CDN$2,500,000. Each Unit will comprise one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase a further common share at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of 5 years. The warrants are subject to accelerated exercise provisions such that if the closing price of the Company's common shares exceeds $0.30 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may give notice of the acceleration of the warrants' term to a period of 30 days following such notice.

Proceeds of the placement will be applied to our 2022 exploration and drilling programs on the company's prospects and for general working capital.

The Offering remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, which in respect of the Gandel Investment will include the requirement for approval from 51% of the Company's shareholders for the creation of a control block in the Company to be held by Gandel. The Company currently anticipates it will seek such approval via written consent.

In connection with the strategic investment by Gandel, the Company and Gandel will enter into an investor rights agreement, whereby, subject to certain conditions, including time and ownership thresholds, Gandel will have certain rights, including the right to appoint one director of the Company.

In addition, Gandel will have a right to participate in future equity issuances to maintain his percentage ownership in the Company for up to 15 years. Additionally, for a period of two years (which the Company in its sole discretion can vary), Gandel will also agree not to (a) commence a take-over bid; (b) acquire the Company's shares, or direct or indirect rights to acquire any of the Company's shares; (c) make, or in any way participate in any solicitation of proxies to vote the Company's shares; (d) make any public announcement with respect to, or submit a proposal for, or offer of (with or without conditions) any business combination, amalgamation or merger or similar transaction involving the Company.

On completion of the Offering, a copy of the investor rights agreement will be available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Stock Option Grant

The Company's board has granted an aggregate of 600,000 stock options in accordance with its stock option plan to various insiders, advisors, and consultants, with each option being exercisable into one common share at a price of 0.115 cents per share for a period of 10 years.

About Thunderstruck Resources



Thunderstruck Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company that has assembled extensive and highly prospective properties in Fiji on which recent and previous exploration has confirmed zinc, copper and precious metals mineralization. The Company provides investors with exposure to a diverse portfolio of exploration stage projects with potential for zinc, copper, gold and silver in a politically safe and stable jurisdiction. Thunderstruck trades on the Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX-V) under the symbol "AWE" and United States OTC under the symbol "THURF."

For additional information, please contact:

Rob Christl, VP Business Development and Investor Relations

Email: rob@thunderstruck.ca

P: 1-778 840-7180

or, visit our website: http://www.thunderstruck.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Although Thunderstruck believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Thunderstruck's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Thunderstruck undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113774
DUBLIN, February 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Global Luxury Handbag Market (2021-2026) by Type, Distribution Channel, Material, Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Luxury Handbag Market is estimated to be USD 71.84 Bn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 97.05 Bn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 6.2%.

Key factors such as a rise in per capita income, the evolution of new offerings, and the rise in internet penetration boost market growth. Rising product innovation and changing fashion trends are key opportunities in the market. With the increasing working women population, the manufacturers of luxury handbags are developing handbags fortified with mobile holders, laptop sleeves, and key holders that provide a luxury feel without compromising the quality. The demand for men's luxury handbags is increasing as they have identified luxury handbags as a lifestyle product. However, the high cost of luxury handbags is major.

The Global Luxury Handbag Market is segmented based on Type, Distribution Channel, Material, and Geography.

Countries Studied

America (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, United States, Rest of Americas)

Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe)

Middle-East and Africa (Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Rest of MEA)

Asia-Pacific (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.

Story continues

Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Luxury Handbag Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using IGR Positioning Quadrants, Infogence's Proprietary competitive positioning tool.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Overall Rise in Per Capita Income and Increasing Working Women Population

Evolution of Retail and E-Commerce

Rise in Internet Penetration and Social Media Influence

Restraint

Higher Cost of Luxury Bags

Opportunities

Rising Product Innovation with Changing Fashion Trends

Demand for Men's Luxury Handbags

Challenges

Availability of Alternatives

Companies Mentioned

Burberry

Loeffler Randall

Prada

Furla

GANNI

Giorgio Armani

Gucci

Hermes

Kate Spade

Longchamp

Louis Vuitton

Louvreuse

Macy's

Michael Kors

Mulberry Group

Polene

Ralph Lauren

Rebecca Minkoff

Richemont

Samsonite International

Valentino

Vera Bradley Sales

Yves Saint Laurent

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/echz1v

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220214005490/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
A New York man was arrested Sunday and charged with driving intoxicated at speeds of nearly 120 mph in Stafford County, authorities said.

Stafford Sheriffs 1st Sgt. B.W. Collins was on Interstate 95 about a mile north of the Courthouse exit when he saw a northbound Toyota Camry being driven recklessly at 6:38 p.m., Sheriffs Maj. Shawn Kimmitz said. He said the car was cutting off other vehicles while going 118 mph.

Kimmitz said the driver slowed to between 60 and 70 mph after Collins turned on his emergency lights, but didnt stop for another five miles after Deputy E.E. West joined the pursuit.

Karim Brown, 46, of Bronx, N.Y., was charged with DUI, eluding, reckless driving and drinking while driving. He was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

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By Trend

U.S. F-22 fighter jets arrived at an air base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday following a spate of unprecedented attacks in Abu Dhabi by Houthi fighters in Yemen, the U.S. Air force said on Saturday, Trend reports citing Reuters.

In recent weeks, the Iran-aligned Houthis have waged a string of largely failed strikes on UAE targets that have triggered Emirati and U.S. air defenses and have even seen American troops based there briefly taking shelter.

The jets arrived at the UAE base as part of a multifaceted demonstration of U.S. support after a series of attacks throughout January threatened U.S. and Emirati armed forces stationed at the host installation, the statement said.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense ordered the rapid deployment of the fifth-generation aircraft in coordination with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE, said a statement by the United States Air Forces Central.

It will join a range of joint, coalition and allied and partner combat air power capabilities already based across the region.

The airmen and F-22s are deployed from the 1st Fighter Wing, located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, the U.S. Air Force said.

Last week the U.S. general overseeing Middle East operations told Reuters the U.S. will help the UAE replenish interceptors it uses to knock down incoming missiles.

The recent Houthi attacks have thrown a spotlight on so-far unsuccessful U.N.-led efforts to broker an end to the war in Yemen, which since 2015 has pitted the Houthis against a Saudi Arabian-led military coalition that includes the UAE.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and caused a humanitarian crisis.
A Prince William County teacher who lives in Stafford has been charged with assault and battery for allegedly spitting on a 14-year-old student earlier this month, police said.

Eselyn Maheia, 46, of Kelly Way in Stafford was charged Friday and released on a summons. The charge is a misdemeanor.

According to Prince William police, the charge stems from a Feb. 4 incident at Fred Lynn Middle School in Woodbridge. Police said a teenage boy was suffering a mental health crisis and was restrained by school staff, including Maheia, to keep him from harming himself or others.

During the incident, police said, Maheia spat on the boy. The spitting was reported by school officials to Child Protective Services, which began a joint investigation with a school resource officer. The alleged incident took place in a classroom during school hours, police said.

Maheia, an autism support teacher, has been placed on administrative leave.

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A Burke man was taken into custody following a seven-hour standoff that ended Monday morning in North Stafford, authorities said.

Stafford County Sheriffs Maj. Shawn Kimmitz said the incident began at 11 p.m. Sunday when deputies went to Garrison Woods Apartments for a reported disturbance. Kimmitz said the investigation indicated that following an argument, a woman, her 11-year-old child and a dog were assaulted. Neither the people nor the dog were seriously injured, he said.

The woman and her children left the residence and called police. As deputies began arriving, a man barricaded himself in the apartment.

The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Steven Obajolu. Kimmitz said Obajolu was already wanted by Virginia State Police for a sex offender registry violation and by Alexandria authorities for a felony probation violation, Kimmitz said.

Obajolu repeatedly refused to come outside after being contacted by deputies, saying he had a firearm and would not go back to jail, the Sheriffs Office spokesman said. The SWAT team broke through the front door using an armored vehicle to send a robot into the home, and drones were flown into the house through windows.

Kimmitz said the suspect eventually threw the robot and a drone out of a window, damaging the equipment.

According to Kimmitz, authorities deployed tear gas in the apartment shortly before 6 a.m. After a second dose was administered about 20 minutes later, the suspect came out of the home. His eyes were flushed out at the scene before he was taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Obajolu was charged in Stafford with unlawful entry, two counts of assault and battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and animal cruelty.

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The strife over Spotsylvania County school carryover funds continued at last weeks Board of Supervisors meeting, but a public hearing has been scheduled for next month.

The supervisors had delayed setting a public hearing twice before picking a date at last Tuesdays meeting. After several speakers, including three School Board members, spoke critically during public comment time about the supervisors handling of education funding, the board unanimously approved the March 8 public hearing.

The previous School Board had approved a spending plan for the $14,600,711 in carryover funds, but a new School Board majority is now in place and the plan is being reworked.

Some speakers during last weeks meeting, including School Board member Dawn Shelley, criticized Supervisors David Ross and Tim McLaughlin for meeting with two other School Board members to discuss the carryover funds.

Some of those speakers thought those private discussions were a violation of the boards bylaws. But supervisors can meet in small groups without public notice as long as they dont constitute a majority of the board.

McLaughlin and Ross defended their approach. Ross said there is a pay compression issue in county schools, noting that veteran teachers should earn more than new educators.

Id like it fixed, he said.

Ross also talked about the meeting he and McLaughlin had with School Board Chairman Kirk Twigg and Vice Chair April Gillespie, which he described as a starting point.

I think its been done in the past, he said of meeting with a few School Board members privately to talk about issues. It wasnt a negotiation. It was, Oh, my gosh, for the first time in a long time were trying to work together for the good of the county. Theres nothing wrong with that. I think it should be applauded.

Ross said he is backing Twigg and Gillespie and what they want to do.

McLaughlin said the meeting with the School Board members was needed, especially with the new majority, because there are millions of dollars beyond the carryover money the school system has in the upcoming budget.

He said it is the supervisors job to determine the best way to spent taxpayer money.

Going back and looking at numbers is the right thing to do, he said.

Under the previous School Board plan, insurance and post-employment benefits trust funds consumed the bulk of the schools spending plan, accounting for $10.4 million of the carryover funds. The plan also called for $1.45 million to provide pay raises to bus drivers and $700,000 to provide a raise to custodians.

About $4 million would go toward $1,000 staff bonuses. Another $173,000 would fund instructional costs, such as summer Governors School and a literacy and math curriculum for English language learners, and the remaining $30,000 would go to the human resources department to fund initiatives that support teacher retention.

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KYIV -- Born during the Afghan-Soviet War, Jawed Ahmad Haqmal lost five relatives in the 19791989 conflict that turned his homeland into a smoldering ruin of a country.

But now the 33-year-old former interpreter for the Canadian military in Afghanistan is horrified by the possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

That's where Haqmal, his wife, four children, and six other relatives have been stranded since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August.

And given the White House's recent warnings that Russian could invade invade Ukraine any day, Haqmal is quite worried about his fate because of his work with NATO in his homeland.

Haqmal told RFE/RL in a central Kyiv hotel where he awaits the decision of Canadian immigration authorities to let him and his family enter that he is worried how Russians might view him -- if they invaded Ukraine -- because of his ties to the transatlantic security alliance.

He showed documents proving they had already been approved for immigration and said there seems to be a bureaucratic backlog preventing him from getting the final papers he needs.

There are no security concerns [about me or my family]they just don't have the ability to process this case, Haqmal said sitting cross-legged on the floor of his hotel room amid the smell of Afghan spices and saffron tea.

Officials with the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv and in Abu Dhabi, where his application was initially processed, refused to comment on his situation.

The Canadian Privacy Act ensures that there are appropriate safeguards in place to protect the personal information gathered by the government of Canada, they said in an e-mail in response to RFE/RL.

All that is left for the family to do is wait in idle desperation, as the Canadian Embassy evacuates its staffers and nationals, including military instructors that have trained thousands of Ukrainian soldiers.

But the Haqmals are not among those being evacuated.

I feel my family is not being treated humanely because no one seems to care about us, he said.

After the fall of Kabul, Canada pledged to accept 40,000 Afghans, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has so far allowed fewer than 7,000 to enter the country.

The Haqmals left Kandahar in May and spent five agonizing months in Kabul, where they received emergency Canadian visas.

But departing Canadians couldn't evacuate them. Instead, they left Kabul aboard a Ukrainian military plane on August 28 amid harrowing terrorist attacks on the airport and received 15-day humanitarian visas to stay in Ukraine.

Those visas have long expired.

Haqmal and his two brothers leave the hotel -- which is paid for by the Globe and Mail, a Canadian daily newspaper -- only late at night fearing a police check that may trigger their detention and deportation back to Afghanistan.

Haqmal's children, who are aged between 2 and 10 years, have no winter clothes and can't play outdoors. His wife, Waranga, is five months pregnant, and his elderly mother and sister-in-law suffer from tuberculosis.

He has used up his limited savings, has no work permit, and depends on donations to survive.

An interpreter for Canada has become a beggar, Haqmal said bitterly.

The entire family spend their days and nights in three tiny rooms living like prisoners, he said.

Everyone is worried; everyone is getting crazy [about the possibility of war], he said as twilight thickened outside the hotel.

Passersby walked to nearby Independence Square, where violent months-long protests prompted pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych to flee for Russia in 2014.

The uprising, known in Ukraine as the Revolution of Dignity, created a power vacuum that Moscow used to illegally occupy and annex the Crimean Peninsula and back separatists in the southeastern Donbas region.

The resulting war has claimed more than 13,200 lives and uprooted millions. The Kremlin has refuted claims it has a hand in the conflict that it calls a civil war despite evidence of Moscow's involvement.

In recent months, Moscow has amassed more than 130,000 servicemen near the Russia-Ukraine border, on occupied Crimea, and in Moscow-friendly Belarus northwest of Ukraine.

And Haqmal knows all too well how a Russian invasion can change a country.

Growing up in Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city that once hosted a huge contingent of Soviet troops, he witnessed the civil war that ended with the first Taliban takeover of most of Afghanistan.

Kandahar was the Taliban capital in the 1990s, and the terrorist group Al-Qaeda established one of its largest training camps, Al-Faruq, near the city.

When U.S. and NATO troops invaded in 2001, ending Taliban rule, Haqmal became an interpreter. But his duties were far more important than just translating.

He was a cultural adviser, Jeremie Verville, a platoon commander who carried out counterinsurgency operations in Kandahar in 2009, told RFE/RL.

We didn't know all the details and subtlety of the culture, [so] he was able to guide us through different situations that could have escalated if we didn't have this information, he said.

Haqmal also deciphered coded phrases the Taliban used when radioing commands to ambush or attack NATO soldiers.

He said he saved the lives of Canadian soldiers on several occasions, including one when Haqmal impersonated a Taliban commander in a radio conversation to cancel an attack on Canadian forces.

But all of those long-ago events seem to be irrelevant for Canada now, Haqmal said.

They just used us and now they've forgotten us, he said. I am totally broken. There is no hope left.
The brother of a Pakistani social media star who confessed to killing his sister in one of the country's most notorious honor killings on February 14 was acquitted and is expected to be freed after serving just a few years of a life sentence.

Muhammad Waseem was arrested in 2016 after his sister, Qandeel Baloch, was found strangled in her home near the city of Multan in Punjab Province. The 26-year-old had posted what Waseem called shameful pictures on Facebook.

The murder drew nationwide condemnation in Pakistan, where hundreds of women are killed every year by male relatives over perceived damage to the familys honor. It also resulted in changes to laws covering honor killings.

Baloch became famous for her suggestive and defiant posts on Facebook and used her fame to build a modeling career. Waseem said at the time that he had no remorse because his sister's behavior was "intolerable." He initially confessed to the murder but later changed his plea and was convicted in 2019 and sentenced to life in prison.

Sardar Mehboob, a lawyer for Waseem, said on February 14 that he had been "fully acquitted" by a court in Multan after his parents sought his release.

A lawyer for the siblings' mother said she had given her consent to pardon him.

She welcomed the court order, telling reporters that her slain daughter cannot come back but I am thankful to the court, which ordered the release of my son at our request."

Islamic law in Pakistan at the time of Baloch's murder allowed a victims family to pardon a convicted killer. The law dealing with honor killings was later amended to say that no one could be set free based solely on a pardon by a family member. But it is left to a judge to determine whether a murder is a crime of honor, meaning killers can theoretically claim a different motive and still be pardoned.

Waseem is expected to be released later this week, Mehboob said.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
From 2021: Writers Jennifer Mulson and Terry Terrones debate the status of 10 popular romantic movies.

Casablanca (1942)

Terry: The most beautiful woman in the history of the world was Ingrid Bergman; no one can convince me otherwise. Seeing Bogart have his heart torn out is gut- wrenching.

Jen: This movie gave us great lines and cinematography, but for Bogie to let his lady love fly off in the plane struck me as a lifelong bachelor happy for an excuse to stick to his noncommittal ways.

Say Anything (1989)

Terry: I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen. Every guy can relate to John Cusacks Lloyd Dobler because every guy has gone after the Diane Courts of the world and gotten our hearts stepped on. We just wish it would work out for us like it did for Lloyd and Diane.

Jen: John Cusack, Id have totally made out with you in the back seat of a car in high school. And the hilarious dialogue I can still recite today? This one stands the test of time.

Moonstruck (1987)

Terry: Can Cher turn back time and turn this into a decent film? Sadly, no. I still cant believe Cher, who is 18 years older than her love interest Nic Cage, won an Oscar for this.

Jen: This is my favorite film of all time, probably. The cast is the definition of charismatic. And the gorgeous scenery and memorable lines, to boot. Go take a nap, grumpy Terry.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Terry: Jen wouldnt know a good Valentines movie if it hit her in the pachanga, but at least we can agree on this one, which we both ranked about the same.

Jen: Terry, Im glad to see you have one iota of taste left. Has anybody not tried, at least once, to run and jump into somebodys arms ala the sexy lake scene between Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze?

Ghost (1990)

Terry: The pottery industry owes a giant debt to this movie for making it seem like a sexy activity. The late 80s and early 90s owe Patrick Swayze a giant debt because he was so damn cool.

Jen: I appreciate how this movie made a lusty moment out of throwing a pot while fully clothed. I also might not mind having a ghost for a boyfriend. Or being Demi Moore for a day. Or a lifetime.

Somethings Gotta Give (2003)

Terry: Too schmaltzy, like every other Nancy Meyers film.

Jen: How many movies do we get about older people falling in love? And especially a younger man pursuing an older woman? Not many.

The Notebook (2004)

Terry: Im not crying during The Notebook, youre crying! If this film doesnt make you turn into a blubbery mess of tears and snot, you probably need psychiatric help.

Jen: I applaud the inspired casting of Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, which also resulted in a real-life romance. I mean, how could it not? They sizzle on screen.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Terry: Everyone can relate to being with someone thats a bit out of their league and then that person finally realizes they could do better. Thats why its so funny to see Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) turn into a mud puddle and end up with the right person.

Jen: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell and Russell Brand are on top of their comedic games. And any film that can work a vampire puppet rock opera into its storyline is OK by me.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Terry: I bet you $20 that after about five years Harry (Billy Crystal) wouldve eventually lost it after Sally (Meg Ryan) had, for the 1,000th time, taken 15 minutes to order a salad. Relationship over.

Jen: This movie is perfect. The wardrobe choices, the autumn scenery, the way Sally swans into the bedroom post-first coital session while Harry lays there, eyes wide in abject terror.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Terry: Youll fall victim to one of the worlds classic blunders if you dont love this film. It has it all  fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, miracles and true love.

Jen: I felt meh about this back when everybody quoted its dialogue all day long. I always thought I was missing something, but after a recent rewatch, Im still meh.

Contact the writer: 636-0270
Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently announced findings from a study that "will fundamentally change how backcountry search and rescue operations are supported by the state," according to a recent news release.

The study is "incredibly valuable because it allows us to be proactive and look to the future to create a more sustainable system for all of Colorado," Jeff Sparhawk, director of Colorado Search and Rescue Association, said in the release.

The nonprofit all-volunteer association encompasses nearly 50 all-volunteer teams across the state tasked with saving lost or hurt explorers. The 111-page study found those teams, on average, respond to more than 3,600 incidents every year  reportedly more than any other state.

About 2,800 unpaid volunteers are called to those missions, the study's authors found. From surveys and interviews, they determined first responders collectively gave 500,000 hours of their time annually, and individually paid $1,587 every year out of their own pockets toward gear, gas and training. Those are annual costs that altogether amount to about $4.4 million, according to the study.

Lawmakers last year directed CPW to conduct the study to explore funding solutions, along with concerns related to workers' compensation, retirement, government immunity and mental and physical health. Researchers calculated more than two-thirds of Colorado's search and rescue volunteers were at risk of burnout.

Coloradans love our mountains and open spaces, but increasing backcountry visitation is, unfortunately, pushing the volunteer responders to their limits and outpacing available funding, Sparhawk said in the release.

Teams have historically been financed and reimbursed for some costs by local sheriff's offices and donations. That's along with the SAR Fund, which state legislation created in 1987.

Today, the fund-managing Department of Local Affairs distributes about $500,000 a year to counties with revenues from hunting and fishing licenses, vehicle registrations and Colorado Outdoor Search and Rescue cards that giving-minded Coloradans buy for $3 a year, or $12 for five years.

The study suggests the SAR Fund's management shift from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which operates as an enterprise. Researchers suggested more money will open up with CPW, which, unlike DOLA, is not subject to Taxpayer Bill of Rights limits.

With funds treated as "enterprise cash," the study reads, "there will be a greater opportunity to direct new resources to (backcountry search and rescue programs)."

The study also points out the SAR Fund is projected to grow by five times with the 2023 rollout of the legislature-approved Keep Colorado Wild pass, a state parks pass that drivers can opt to add when buying vehicle registration.

CPW is better positioned to manage bigger funds, the study suggests, pointing out the agency's long-going $140 million trails grant program, "robust education and marketing departments" and staff positioned around the state.

Among recommendations, the study advised Colorado Search and Rescue Association, County Sheriffs of Colorado and other organizations and officials convene to find "centralized administrative support"  "to identify which agency or group is best to provide support in key planning and administrative areas."

On their own, the study found search and rescue teams struggled to make time for budgeting, grant writing, recruiting and long-term strategizing.
By Trend

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has arrived in Japan on Monday to visit the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and inspect Tokyos program to discharge large amounts of water, which is said to be radiation-free, into the ocean, the Kyodo news agency stated, Trend reports citing TASS.

The delegation will include some experts from China and South Korea that are expressing concern over Japans plans. On Monday, the IAEA experts will hold talks at the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and on Tuesday, they will start inspecting the nuclear power plant.

Currently, over 1.25 mln tonnes of water have been accumulated in steel tanks, and there is practically no space left for their further placement. Last year, the Japanese government allowed to start dumping water into the ocean. It is said to be almost free from radiation but still contains tritium, which is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen.

In December 2021, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., the operator of the Fukushima plant, launched construction work as part of this program. From the spring of 2023, it is planned to start dumping water through a tunnel stage by stage over the next 30 years. Overall, the IAEA has approved this program, planning to monitor the process on a regular basis.

On February 4, the Russian and Chinese presidents, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, expressed concern over Japans plans to discharge water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. Moscow and Beijing emphasized that the disposal of radioactive water must be handled responsibly and agreed with the neighboring states and global organizations.
Chief James Maxon is no longer with the Fountain Fire Department after his employment was terminated Friday, city officials announced Monday.

The City said Maxon's termination is pending an appeal, but did not provide further details.

Although we do not share details about personnel issues, we can confirm that James Maxon is no longer employed by the city of Fountain as of Friday, Feb. 11, 2022," the city said. "We are grateful for the accomplishments of Chief Maxon during his tenure here and wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Maxon was placed on administrative leave in mid-December and Battalion Chief Ryan Torres was made interim chief at that time, the city said.

Court records show that Maxon filed a civil lawsuit against Torres as well as Tyler Lowe, a firefighter at the department, and Nathan Mascarenas, a captain with the department who Maxon fired after an independent investigation determined Mascarenas harassed women and made racist comments, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit accuses Torres, Lowe and Mascarenas of defamation, defamation per se, civil conspiracy and tortious interference with contractual relations, alleging that the three men tried to convince women in the department to make "unfounded allegations of sexual harassment," according to the legal complaint.

The suit also claims Mascarenas posted comments on Facebook aimed at Maxon, quoting song lyrics and linking to news articles about sexual harassment, that elicited likes and comments from other members of the department, the complaint alleged. It also alleged that Torres provided Gazette news partner KKTV with false information about Maxon.

Maxon and his lawyer declined to comment.

"The allegations against Mr. Mascarenas included many false statements," said Jack Donley, an attorney representing Nathan Mascarenas. "For instance, he was not fired from the city of Fountain, he did not make the statements that are alleged or otherwise defame Maxon, and we will be defending this claim in full because it has no validity in full.

The Gazette was not able to reach Lowe, Torres or their attorneys immediately for comment.

Maxon came to Fountain with 26 years of fire service and emergency medical experience and previously served as chief of the Sandoval County Fire Department in New Mexico. He joined the Fountain Fire Department in March 2019.
Dubai is set to meet for real and for the first time the worlds first humanoid robot citizen, Sophia, at the largest smart conference for internal auditors, the 20th Annual Regional Audit Conference (ARAC) running from March 7 to 9.



Sophia will conduct an interactive session AI in the Internal Audit Profession about the future of Artificial Intelligence on the second day of the ARAC hosted by the UAE Internal Auditors Association (UAE IAA) at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) under the theme of: Revolution and Transformation of IA.



Sophia became the first robot citizen of the world after Saudi Arabia granted her the citizenship in October 2017. The organizers facilitated Sophias presence at the smart conference as a symbol of the future of artificial intelligence.



We are proud and glad to present Sophia here in Dubai for the first time to highlight the inevitability and urgency of technological innovation in all professions. It is in line with the UAEs achievement as the first government in the world to have a ministry of Artificial Intelligence. We chose the conference theme Revolution and Transformation of IA to fascinate the minds of internal auditors around the world, said UAE IAA Chairman of the Board Abdulqader Obaid Ali.



The challenge before todays internal auditors is the technology disruption, and those who fail to keep abreast will become irrelevant and obsolete. They should be ready for the future and become digitally savvy in this era of Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain technology and Robotics. This conference will enable them to embark on an educational journey, rich with insights on what the internal audit profession could look like in the next 20-30 years, he added.



The conference provides an opportunity for attendees to receive 22+ CPE credits to boost their professional development.



Participants will have the opportunity to learn from more than 40+ international speakers, leaders and authors who will share their experiences, best practices, trends and case studies in 44+ sessions conducted by some of the biggest names in the field of technology.



Special attractions are some high-profile speakers such as Terry Cutler, CEO, Cyology Labs Canada and Ethical Hacker, who will conduct a session on Insider Secrets to How hackers are getting in, and why.



Jordan Belfort, American author, motivational speaker and former stockbroker, will talk on 5 Key Elements to Becoming a World Class Closer.



The objectives of the conference include: Gain strategies, tools, techniques and leading practices for positive outcomes in practice and career path for internal auditors.



UAE IAA, a non-profit organization, was set up in 1995 along the lines of its parent body, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA Global) which has 200,000 members from more than 190 countries and organizations. The UAE accounts for about 45% of the total number of internal auditors working in the region, estimated at about 7,000 auditors, of which 22% are Emiratis.  TradeArabia News Service
On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the forced internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans at the onset of World War II, Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah is getting backlash for holding up the creation of a national historic site at a former internment camp in rural Colorado.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, says he has the support of 99 of the chambers 100 senators to pass the Amache National Historic Site Act, which would make the remote southeastern Colorado landmark a national historic site eligible for additional preservation assistance.

But his bill, co-sponsored by Colorado Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper, failed to pass by unanimous consent last week due to a lone objection from Lee, who opposes adding new federal lands without adequate funding and in the past has advocated for swaps to prevent expanding federal land ownership.

Senator Lee does not object to this specific historical site. He does object to any increase in the total amount of land owned by the federal government as the federal government fails to adequately care for the land already in its vast holdings, Lees spokesman, Lee Lonsberry, told The Associated Press.

A similar House bill, sponsored by Colorado Republican Rep. Ken Buck and Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse, swiftly passed last year, and Bennets Senate companion may still advance for consideration.

The dispute comes amid a broader reckoning about race in U.S. history as Japanese Americans strive to spread awareness about the gross injustices committed by the U.S. government against their community during World War II.

The Amache site is less than one square mile (2.4 square kilometers), Bennetts office and the Prowers County Assessor said. It contains remnants of barracks, latrines, mess halls, military police structures and a cemetery.

Lee has been one of the Republican Partys most vocal opponents of the expansive power that federal agencies have to manage public lands in Western states.

He supported the Trump administrations 2017 decision to shrink the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, two national monuments in Utah. And last year, he opposed the Biden administrations decision to restore Bears Ears original borders. In a 2018 speech in Utah, where about two-thirds of land is managed by federal agencies, he said his long-term goal to transfer federal lands to state control.

Camp Amache is owned by the town of Granada and already listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its current designation qualifies it for preservation funds, but designating it as a National Historic Site would make available additional federal funds through the National Park Service.

Calling the Japanese American internment one of the most disgraceful chapters in our nations history fed by racist fear, Bennet said in a floor speech Feb. 3 the bill intended to honor people who never gave up on the United States of American even as it was interning them on their own soil.

Japanese Americans were held in 10 camps in California, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, Arkansas and Colorado, expelled from their homes near the West Coast under an executive order by President Franklin Roosevelt issued on Feb. 19, 1942. More than 7,000 people were interned at Amache  the camps unofficial name, after a Cheyenne chiefs daughter  between 1942 and 1945.

According to the National Park Service, a cemetery, reservoir, water well and tank and trees planted by internees remain at the site, which is managed by a non-profit, the Amache Preservation Society.

Lees stance has drawn outrage from numerous organizations, including the Japanese American Citizens League and the National Parks Conservation Association, which advocates for the National Park System. The citizens league, its local Southern Colorado affiliate and other groups plan a Day of Remembrance on Feb. 19 that will, in part, demand passage of Bennets bill.

The initiative not only serves as a healing tool and an acknowledgement of wrongdoing by our government, but it allows individuals and out country to move forward to a better way of being, said Shirley Ann Higuchi, chair of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation whose parents were interned at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in that state.

She noted that her own father, William Higuchi, went on to become chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Utah; another detainee, Raymond Uno, became Utahs first ethnic minority judge.

A lot of Japanese Americans contributed so much to Utah, and its a shame that in some quiet way they cannot be honored, Higuchi said. They have quietly contributed to our country and its unfortunate they cant be supported by someone from their own state.

Both Bennet and Lees offices said the senators have spoken about how to add the remnants of the Amache-Granada War Relocation Center to the parks system.
This years International Property Show opens at a time when Dubai real estate market is witnessing tremendous growth driven by supportive economic reforms that have helped to hasten a rebound from the coronavirus-induced slowdown last year, said its organisers.

To be held from March 24 to 26, the IPS is an annual mega-property event which began in 2003. Dubbed as the ideal property sales platform, the event gathers 100+ top notch real estate exhibitors from 20+ countries and 10K+ visitors in Dubai every year.

Going forward, IPS will be the exhibition platform of choice for all real estate matters in Dubai, embracing both local and international top players within the industry.

The three-day event will draw local and international exhibitors who will feature their industry projects and services with the aim of achieving economic growth for their country and region.

It provides a platform for attendees to explore the leading industry projects of local exhibitors that will notably boost the real estate industry in the country and showcase Dubais status as a world-class destination for real estate, trade, business, and tourism, said the organisers.

The interactive 3-day event will utilize the latest innovation to offer huge real estate opportunities for its visitors through the numerous offerings organized by the Dubai Land Department, in collaboration with the organizing committee of Strategic Events and Exhibitions.

IPS President Dawood Al Shezawi said: "The significant increase in property price in UAE and Dubai to be specific is a clear indication of tremendous efforts the government is putting in support of the industry. The year 2021 ended on a high note with apartment sale prices in Dubai increasing by 14% and villa prices increasing by 37%."

When investors are looking for an investment opportunity, there are factors that they look into that will be a driving force for them as they make that decision. Dubais real estate market, comes with such benefits and advantages to potential investors. This alone is an opportunity to utilize as an exhibitor at the IPS, stated Al Shezawi.

The platform comes along with several benefits to the exhibitor including getting maximum exposure to 20K+ high-quality visitors; high level conference; exclusive deals and lucrative offers in addition to

experiencing fast, smooth and secure transactions and meeting thousands of local and international investors, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Editor's Note: This is part two of a three-part series on Mason City's first "Trial of the Century."

As the night of Friday, August 30, 1901, slowly blended into the early morning hours of Saturday, August 31, Mrs. August Linhoff, Lena by her Christian name, sat quietly alone in a cell in the new Cerro Gordo County Courthouse.

Just hours before, Lena Linhoff had been arrested for the murder Edwin Bromley, who lived next door with his wife, 3 children and Mrs. Charles Kettleson, an elderly boarder.

By early Monday morning, Mrs. Linhoff had been sitting stoically on the bunk in a cell in the Cerro Gordo County jail for the better part of three days. Or so it was reported.

It was said that she had not spoken, except for a five-minute private conversation with her attorney, John D. Glass. Glass, a long-time Mason City attorney, and senior partner of the firm Glass, McConlogue and Witwer, was hired by August Linhoff shortly after the shots had been fired.

From that moment, Attorney Glass took control of the narrative and the 1901 version of "story spin". With the community rapidly dividing in their beliefs between Lena Linhoff's guilt or innocence, strategizing the best defense money could buy was commenced before the smell of the gunpowder dissipated in the humid August air.

John D. Glass had been an attorney here for over three decades and he knew Mason Cityans and what brings them together and what drives them apart.

Trusting the pioneer consistency of the 7500 people who called Mason City home, the silence of the newspapers and the nature of and the pandemic spread of gossip in any community throughout that non-tech media age, the defense team watched as the public developed and invented a Mt Everest of "reasonable doubt".

On Sunday September 1st, before a local Magistrate, Lena Linhoff, accompanied by her husband and three children, and her lawyer J.D. Glass, pled not guilty to the charge of Murder in the shooting death of Edwin C. Bromley.

To the astonishment of at least one-half of the citizens of Mason City, Mrs. Linhoff was released on bail in the amount of $6000 dollars bonded by her husband, her attorneys and C.H. MacNider, president of First National Bank.

The Linhoff family's legal journey was just beginning and would be wound tight and omnipresent, hanging over the head of not just them, but the whole community for well over three years.

Yet, Lena Linhoff would never spend another night incarcerated in her longevity of 89 years. She would grind and suffer and be abandoned by friends and family alike, but that is not a "spoiler" nor a denouement. It is a sad, dramatic example of a life not well lived. There is no happy ending for the Linhoffs or the Bromleys.

A preliminary hearing set immediately for Tuesday, September 3, 1901, commenced over the mild objection of County Attorney D.W.Telford. You see, Telford was convinced that the verdict for an event witnessed by a dozen or more, regular, hardy and hard-working folks one and all, could never go against him.

He also failed the first and most important tenet of a trial attorney; never ask a witness a question that you do not already know the answer to.

John Glass had been busy. He not only kept his finger on the pulse of local sentiment regarding guilt or innocence, he was masterful at pulling the right strings, just the appropriate amount, at the right times.

Glass also held a couple aces in the hole, and kept that information in a very tight circle that did not include his client, her family or the prosecution.

The first ace was the creation of a legal Dream Team. Nearly 100-years before the O.J. Simpson trial news coverage nauseatingly cliched the term, John Glass brought on as co-counsel the most prominent criminal trial law firm in North Iowa.

The firm of Blythe, Markley and Rinard, joined the defense and a more high powered and influential team, not only in the practice of law, but also in the high society of those times had ever been seen.

The second ace in the hole also "Witched" the improbable and near impossibly deep well of another ace on the "Flop" and one more on the "River" and made a guilty verdict for murder inconceivable.

Next: Mason City's First Trial of the Century-Chapter III

JW Sayles is a Mason City resident and maybe Iowas own Samuel Clemens in the making? You be the judge. Opinions are his own.
February is Financial Aid Month and Danville Community College is celebrating by hosting Free Application for Federal Student Aid workshops throughout the month, and giving away HP Laptops to three lucky student winners.

Every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and every Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the whole month of February, we will be hosting FAFSA Workshops in Wyatt 109 on the DCC campus, said Sharon Harris, project director for the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center. No appointment is required to participate. Students can stop by anytime during the specified window and complete a new FAFSA or renew their existing one for the 22-23 academic year.

Students who complete or renew their FAFSA will be entered to win one of three HP laptops, courtesy of the DCC Educational Foundation.

The Educational Foundation is pleased to support DCCs efforts to assist students in completing their FAFSA, said Shannon Hair, vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the DCC Educational Foundation.

FAFSA workshops offer assistance to students who have questions about financial aid or who need help filling out the FAFSA form. Students who are interested in participating in a FAFSA workshop should stop by Wyatt 109 on the DCC Campus on Tuesdays or Fridays, no appointment required.

For more information, call 434-797-8577 or email eoc@danville.edu.
A bill blocking school boards from mandating masks in schools is headed to Gov. Glenn Youngkins desk, a major win for a governor who campaigned on promises to dial back COVID-19 mandates even as the pandemic continues.

Senate Bill 739 cleared the GOP-controlled House along party lines Monday in a 52-48 vote, days after clearing the Democrat-controlled Senate with support from three Democrats.

The bill would ban localities from requiring students to wear masks, and from punishing students whose parents opt to send their child to school without a mask.

The new law could take effect in less than a week. The Youngkin administration said the governor intends to tack an emergency clause onto the bill once it reaches his desk; such a clause would need just a simple majority vote in each chamber to take effect, according to the clerks for the House and the Senate.

The legislation is the latest development in a heated debate nationwide over masking requirements in schools as the COVID pandemic continues  a debate that has split Virginia localities.

In late January, the Danville School Board unanimously voted to continue requiring students to wear masks at the citys schools. Pittsylvania County, on the other hand, allows parents to opt out of face coverings for students.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend masks in schools, some public health experts have thrown into question how effective face coverings are at preventing the spread of COVID in schools. (Studies show medical-grade masks remain effective in large-group settings among the general population.)

Conservatives argue that absent data showing overwhelming benefits in schools, it should be up to parents to decide if their child should wear one, asserting that masking is emotionally taxing on some children. Republicans say their legislation reflects the broader will of the public as the nation enters the third year of the pandemic.

School shutdowns and masking seem prudent responses to an unknown threat. But much has changed since then, said Del. Amanda Batten, R-James City. Most Virginians and Americans, and certainly all of us in this body, have resumed many of our normal activities. Based on our comfort level, we choose whether or not to wear masks.

Yet our children here in Virginia remain masked in schools. Their words are muffled and theyre unable to see the faces of their classmates and their teachers.

Democrats unsuccessfully proposed several amendments to the masking legislation, including one that would nullify the law in the summer of 2023.

On the floor, they argued that the law would prevent localities from adapting their rules to a changing pandemic. The omicron variant, which is responsible for the ongoing surge in cases in the U.S., was unknown just a few months ago.

Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, who proposed the amendment in the Senate to ban local mask mandates, said Youngkin could use his emergency powers as necessary if circumstances change.

We should be thinking about, what are we doing to ensure as many kids are in school learning to the best of their ability? said Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico. I would hope we would add some flexibility in here so that if the worst case scenario happens, and I hope it doesnt, we are able to keep kids in school.

Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said: We are saying that no matter what is happening, we are taking away this local authority. Regardless of how you feel about masks, or how you feel about COVID, or this current political situation, you are permanently putting this into the code that we are taking this authority away from the localities.
Richmond was featured in The New York Times on Wednesday as one of five cities going all out to celebrate Black History Month.

The article features Virginias capital, Philadelphia, Cleveland, San Antonio and Portland, Ore., as places that have made it a point not to overlook the trauma and triumphs of Black history during the monthlong celebration in February.

Although the city still has a ways to go to overcome years of overlooked history, Richmond is taking incremental steps to address its sordid history and embrace its legacy of Black culture, the Times reported.

As the former capital of the Confederacy, Richmond is a city that is taking steps to both reckon with the racism of its past and share the rich legacy of Black history, and culture that has often been overlooked, wrote Shayla Martin of the Times.

This past September, Martin continued, after more than a year of protests supporting the removal of Confederate monuments, the city made headlines when a statue of the Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, was removed from Monument Avenue. ... While the new home of the statue is still unknown, the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, a site that explores the Black experience in Virginia from enslavement to the present day, will work with other area institutions to decide where it will land.

Mending Walls RVA, Hamilton Glass public art project that strives to bring artists and people of diverse cultures together, is featured prominently as one of the reasons to visit Richmond during Black History Month.

Glass said its great to see the world recognize that Richmond is trying to write a new name for itself and for Mending Walls to be brought into the spotlight.

Its amazing to see the project growing and getting outside of Richmond, he said.

Behind the scenes, Glass says Mending Walls has gone out and spoken at events out of state to organizations and cities trying to adapt some of its values. He said hes most excited to see how Richmonds influence will have a ripple effect all over the country.

Hopefully when people see that article and go and research the project, they understand that Richmond is changing, Glass said. Were at a pivotal moment, trying to find this new identity for ourselves and not just been known as the former Confederate capitol.

The Times article shows a mural created by Noah Scalin and Alfonso Perez. Scalin said he found out about the news while scanning LinkedIn.

Sometimes my work gets shared, and I say, Oh look thats cool, Scalin said. But when I saw this, I think I said, Wait, this is a big deal.

Scalin is well-known for his Webby award-winning Skull-A-Day blog. Hes also exhibited installations in Times Square, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Mutter Museum and internationally.

The mural titled Together We Rise was a collaborative effort between Scalin and Perez, an artist born in Colombia who moved to Richmond in 2015.

Perez has worked as the art program director with the Sacred Heart Center and as co-director of the RVA Thrives Art, Reconciliation and Civic Advocacy, connecting African American and Latin American youth with public art.

Scalin says the work depicts two people, back-to-back, supporting each other up to overcome the trauma of the past, present and future. He and Perez talked about the opportunity to represent their two cultures; Scalin, whos from Richmond, and Perez, a Spanish-speaking immigrant.

Since neither of us are Black, we felt like there was a big responsibility and opportunity for us to ask ourselves what our views are, how we can be allies, how we can further the conversation, Scalin said.

Together We Rise is really about how two people of different cultures and backgrounds and collaborate, connect and support each other, Scalin said. Growing up in the shadow of the statues, Scalin said hes glad Richmond is stepping out of its past and celebrating its diverse culture and community.

To have things written about this city and what is now, because often times we talk about the shadows of the past, but what Richmond really is, is a really diverse community that has a lot to say, Scalin said. It just makes me really proud.

The Times article features a host of activities happening in Richmond this month.

For instance, BLK RVA, the Black History Museum and The Valentine museum are offering guided tours of historical sites in the city. The Times also mentions some of Richmonds Black-owned businesses and institutions to visit during the monthlong celebration.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney responded to the article saying this is yet another way Richmonds artists are elevating the citys culture.

This acknowledgement highlights the rich history and rich culture thats still alive and well in the city of Richmond, Stoney said in a statement. And its made possible thanks to the artists, artisans and advocates who call Richmond home and elevate that culture and history 365 days a year.
Toyota Motor Corp. is wasting no time getting started on its mammoth project at the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite that will become the largest single private economic development investment in state history.

Grading has begun at the site for the companys electric car battery factory, said Darrell Frye, chairman of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners. Frye was a leader of the Toyota recruitment campaign.

Leaders of Toyota announced two months ago they had picked the megasite during a Dec. 6 ceremony that drew Gov. Roy Cooper and a slate of state and area dignitaries. The megasite is in northeastern Randolph County near the town of Liberty.

Toyota will spend $1.29 billion on the project. The company will create at least 1,750 jobs. Eventually, the operation could grow to 3,875 jobs and $3 billion of investment.

Frye said Toyota began preparation for the factory on the 1,900-acre site immediately after the announcement.

You wouldnt recognize the site now, Frye said. Theres a line of earth-moving equipment, and they are building pads. Its going very well and they are making good progress.

Construction on the first building in the complex could begin as soon as June, he said.

During the recruitment process for the Toyota factory, area leaders provided a wealth of information about the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite to the company.

So when we had the announcement Dec. 6, Toyota was ready to go the next morning, Frye said.

Toyota also is gearing up for its workforce by coordinating training programs with area community colleges, Frye said. The company had a group of officials at Randolph Community College earlier this month to discuss training opportunities through the area community college system.

Toyota was pleased with the progress and the plans for the training, Frye said.

Toyotas commitment to the Piedmont already is paying dividends by creating leads for county economic development recruiters because of the notice the project has generated in business circles, said Mike Fox, president of the Piedmont Triad Partnership.

Its a confirmation that our region is primed for growth, Fox said.

Economic development agency professionals and chamber of commerce executives say they are hearing from business representatives who were prompted by the Toyota announcement, he said.

Some of the potential users of megasites in our region have picked up their activity, Fox said. I think youve seen a definite pickup in interest.

Area business leaders and elected officials spent close to two decades coming up with the concept of the megasite and bringing a range of interested parties to the table to make the site a reality. The Greensboro-Randolph Megasite was a finalist for other projects, such as a joint Toyota and Mazda car factory several years ago that ended up being built in Alabama.

Frye and Fox said that they and other leaders in the Piedmont never lost faith that the megasite would land a once-in-a-generation project.

I like to say that the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite is the overnight success 20 years in the making, Fox said.
RTHK: Canada police arrest 11 for 'cache of arms' at border

Canadian police said on Monday they have arrested 11 protesters with a "cache of firearms" blocking a border crossing between Coutts, Alberta and the US state of Montana, where they are demonstrating against Covid health restrictions.

Three trailers were raided, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement, after it learned of "a small organised group within the larger Coutts protest... that had access to a cache of firearms with a large quantity of ammunition."

"The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade," police said.

Rifles, handguns, body armour, a machete and "a large quantity of ammunition" was seized, the RCMP added, pointing also to a failed attempt by a large farm tractor and a semi truck to ram a police car the previous day.

The crossing between Coutts, Alberta and Sweet Grass, Montana has been clogged by protesters for several days, in solidarity with a demonstration in Ottawa now entering a third week.

The demonstrations started with Canadian truckers calling for an end to mandatory vaccines to cross the border into the United States.

But its demands now include the lifting of all Covid-19 health measures and, for many of the protesters, for the toppling of Trudeau's Liberal government. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Saudi Exchange today (February 14) welcomed the listing of East Pipes Integrated Company.

Founded in 2010 in Dammam, East Pipes Integrated Company is one of the leading pipes manufacturers in Saudi Arabia.

The offer price range has been set at SR80 per share and as approximately 6.3 million shares will be offered during the period, representing 100 percent of the total offer.

East Pipes Integrated Company CEO Mohammed Al Shaheen joined Saudi Exchange CEO Mohammed Al Rumaih and other members from the board of directors to celebrate the listing.

Lauding the Saudi listing, Al Rumaih said: "We are delighted to welcome another successful listing on the main market of the Saudi Exchange. The addition of East Pipes Integrated Co. increases investments opportunities to local and international investors."

"Im confident this listing is another milestone in our journey in becoming the most active and attractive market in the region, as we continue our commitment to further develop the Saudi capital market," he stated.

In alignment with the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP), Saudi Exchange is committed to working alongside the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to improve procedures and simplify requirements for companies looking to list in the Saudi Capital Market.

This builds on the Exchanges vision to elevate its position locally, regionally, and internationally, as a lucrative destination for investors and issuers.-TradeArabia News Service
Mecklenburg Countys only death penalty case is no more due to COVID-19.

On Feb. 10, 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.

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 delays related to COVID-19.

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.

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.

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.

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.
A joint legislative oversight committee is scheduled Tuesday to review staffing, inclement weather and COVID-19 protocols for long-term care facilities.

Those big-picture topics come before the Health and Human Services committee at the bequest of committee co-chairman Rep. Larry Potts, R-Davidson, and in response to the investigation involving Thomasvilles Pine Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center.

The committee also will receive behavioral health services updates from state health officials at the 10 a.m. meeting.

However, there is a possibility the meeting could be postponed to allow legislators to focus on the next attempt at redistricting maps.

State and local officials have released little information about their investigation into Pine Ridge, where two residents were found dead and two more were sent to local hospitals in critical condition on Jan. 16.

The committee will not address the Pine Ridge investigation specifically, said Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, and a committee co-chairman.

DHHS tells us they will not have completed their investigation yet, but we needed a preliminary overview, Lambeth said.

As of Friday, the proposed agenda included:

An overview of the states healthcare facility immunity law;

Hospitals challenges with COVID-19 patient capacity, staffing levels and patient visitation policies; and

Long-term care facilities challenges with COVID-19 resident capacity, staffing levels, inclement weather policies and staff inspection and monitoring processes.

Potts said that while the committee wont be able to focus on the Pine Ridge issues, everyone knows there was a calamity of errors that we can address in generalities.

We want the investigation process to work as its supposed to.

But, we can become more acutely aware of what goes (on) inside those nursing homes, how they are run and what level of staffing is necessary to serve all of their residents, Potts said. We want to know how it happened so we can help prevent it from happening again.

According to a Jan. 18 Thomasville police report, responding officers determined there were three staff members to care for the 98 patients at the Pine Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center at 706 Pineywood Road.

One licensed practical nurse and two certified nursing assistants were at the facility when investigators arrived Jan. 16.

The N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation is reviewing whether Pine Ridge complied with staffing requirements, a move prompted by the welfare check by Thomasville police and other local first responders and medical personnel made at the request of residents.

DHHS has said that neither federal nor state law prescribes a minimum staffing ratio for nursing homes.

In its statement, Principle Long Term Care did not say what health issues the two residents who died may have had, nor did it discuss the conditions of the two residents who were taken to area hospitals.

Principle added that its medical director has indicated the deaths were medically unrelated to any staffing issues caused by the winter storm.

Also, in its statement, the company disputed that it was the welfare check by police that revealed the resident deaths. It has been implied that the deaths of these residents were discovered when EMS crews arrived at the facility on Sunday evening. That is not accurate. Our staff began making arrangements with local funeral homes well before EMS arrived at the facility.

Pine Ridge has a one-star overall health inspections rating, which is classified as much below average by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The rating is based in part on the most recent inspection on June 17.

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WILMINGTON  During his worst moments on the trail, when hes trudging uphill in the rain with days before the next town to resupply, Luke Bennett imagines having a warm cup of coffee and pancakes at his parents house.

Its just something simple, a situation where I was at maximum comfort, he said. And when I think about it, especially in a difficult situation, I could almost escape into that memory and feel it again, like it was right there happening.

For Bennett, 22, running and being outdoors are crucial parts of his life, providing him with challenges, rejuvenation, a mental outlet  and a life-long passion. Since he started running cross country in middle school, Bennett has logged more than 20,000 miles on trails.

Now, hes using his passion to give back.

In March, Bennett will travel nearly 1,200 miles across North Carolinas Mountain to Sea Trail, from the Outer Banks to the Great Smoky Mountains, documenting the journey to raise money for the North Carolina Wildlife Federation.

Bennett, an Oak Island resident, has lived all across North Carolina, but said tackling the Mountain to Sea Trail will truly allow him to appreciate the state hes lived in his whole life.

I figured this would be a great way to really understand where Im from, and it just seems like a good challenge, he said. It stretches the entire length of North Carolina, and it goes through the coastal region, the Piedmont region and the mountains. So its going to be neat that it wont be the same terrain every single day. Its going to vary drastically.

Throughout his journey, Bennett will be taking pictures and videos documenting the sights and sounds of the trail, and highlighting issues that threaten habitats and wildlife.

Bennett was originally going to attempt to break the record for the fastest time to complete the Mountain to Sea trail, but decided to take his time and appreciate the journey instead.

That would have been a real logistical nightmare, he said.

Bennett was planning to have a crew follow behind him with supplies that would lighten his load and keep his spirits up as he raced through the trail.

Now, he plans to camp out most nights but will also stay with trail angels along the way and with family as he passes Durham. Hell stop in towns every few days to resupply at the nearest grocery store.

Its kind of just like get to the next grocery store and then go from there, he said.

Bennett said an underrated aspect of hiking is the mental challenge. When hes on the trail, he listens to audiobooks and podcasts  anything to distract himself.

Your legs, they adapt reasonably quickly, Bennett said. Its mostly just the monotony of walking every day and the boredom that comes along with that can really chip away at people.

But after years of experiencing the highs and lows of cross country running, Bennett said he embraces the challenges and is hoping the Mountain to Sea trail will humble him.

When I get on those really challenging trails with really difficult terrain, it just kind of makes me feel really small, he said. Like maybe I havent really conquered anything and that theres a lot more to look forward to, I guess.


July 26, 2021

Media Contact:

Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-3536

Charles Gischlar, Deputy Director, Media Relations, 410-767-6491

Top 10 and Bottom 10 Skilled Nursing Home Facilities in Maryland Ranked by Staff Vaccination Rates

Maryland Department of Health also announces 26 facilities that did not submit data required by state

Baltimore, MD  The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced the top 10 and bottom 10 nursing home facilities in the state ranked by percentage of staff with at least one dose of a vaccine against COVID-19 and highly contagious variants. MDH also announced 26 nursing home facilities in the state that did not submit staff COVID-19 vaccination data as required by the state. On May 4, 2021, the Maryland Department of Aging launched the Skilled Nursing Facilities Vaccination Dashboard, which weekly publishes data on residents and staff vaccinated against COVID-19 at each of the skilled nursing homes and congregate care facilities in the state.

We have made tremendous progress vaccinating Marylanders who reside and work at nursing homes and congregate care facilities, but our work is not done, said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. We are grateful for everyone who is vaccinated and it is imperative that facilities encourage staff who are still unvaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to ensure that they and our elderly loved ones they care for stay safe.

Marylands older adults utilize the services of nursing homes not only for long-term care, but often for rehabilitation care. said Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Rona E. Kramer. If the public doesnt have confidence that nursing home or long-term care staff are vaccinated, their choices for care support will be limited. Our older adults deserve to be comfortable accessing all of their care options, including the full array of services that Marylands nursing homes provide.

Top 10 skilled nursing home and congregate facilities in Maryland

ranked by percentage of staff with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

Kensington Healthcare Center = 100 percent

Manor Care Health Services - Chevy Chase = 100 percent

Crescent Cities Nursing and Rehabilitation Center = 100 percent

Maryland Baptist Aged Home = 100 Percent

Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center = 98 Percent

Edenwald Retirement Community = 98 Percent

Maplewood Park Place = 97 percent

Autumn Lake Healthcare At Cherry Lane = 97 percent

Rockville Nursing Home = 96 percent

Vantage House = 96 percent

Bethesda Health And Rehabilitation = 95 percent The Lutheran Village at Miller's Grant = 94 percent

Post-Acute Care Center = 94 percent

Bedford Court Healthcare Center = 94 percent

Carriage Hill Bethesda = 94 percent

Collingswood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center = 93 percent

Ingleside at King Farm = 93 percent

North Arundel Health and Rehabilitation Center = 93 percent

Manor Care Health Services - Potomac = 93 percent

Shady Grove Nursing and Rehabilitation Center = 93 percent

Carroll Lutheran Village = 93 percent

Layhill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center = 92 percent

Forestville Healthcare Center = 92 percent

Wilson Health Care Center = 92 percent

Bel Pre Healthcare Center = 92 percent

Manor Care Health Services - Ruxton = 91 percent

Arcola Health And Rehabilitation Center = 91 percent

South River Healthcare Center = 91 percent

Sligo Creek Center = 91 percent

Manor Care Health Services - Largo = 90 percent

Manor Care Health Services - Bethesda = 90 percent

Autumn Ridge At North Oaks = 90 percent

Frederick Health and Rehabilitation Center = 90 percent

Summit Park Health And Rehabilitation Center = 90 percent

Glen Meadows Retirement Community = 90 percent

Bottom 10 skilled nursing home and congregate facilities in Maryland

ranked by percentage of staff with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

Cumberland Healthcare Center = 41 percent Sterling Care at Frostburg Village = 44 percent The Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Stadium Place = 45 percent Dennett Road Manor = 46 percent Elkton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center = 48 percent

Autumn Lake Healthcare at Chesapeake Woods = 48 percent

Calvert Manor Center for Rehabilitation and Health = 49 percent

Autumn Lake Healthcare at Denton = 49 percent

Coffman Nursing Home = 49 percent

Oakland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center = 51 percent

Calvert County Nursing Center = 51 Percent

St. Joseph's Ministries = 54 Percent Crofton Convalescent Center = 55 Percent Future Care Sandtown-Winchester = 56 Percent

Williamsport Nursing Home = 56 Percent

Skilled nursing home and congregate facilities in Maryland

that did not submit data on staff vaccinated against COVID-19

Heritage Harbour Health and Rehabilitation Center Autumn Lake Healthcare at Pikesville Chestnut Green Health Center Blakehurst Holly Hill Healthcare Center Maria Health Care Center Inc. Maryland Masonic Homes Ltd. Patapsco Valley Center Powerback Rehabilitation Brightwood Campus Autumn Lake Healthcare at Alice Manor Caton Manor Manor Care Health Services - Roland Park Northwest Healthcare Center Copper Ridge Fairhaven Inc. Westminster Healthcare Center Laurelwood Healthcare Center Ellicott City Healthcare Center Autumn Lake Healthcare at Chestertown Althea Woodland Nursing Home Manor Care Health Services - Wheaton Regency Care Of Silver Spring Llc. Villa Rosa Nursing And Rehabilitation Llc. Bayleigh Chase Inc. Peak Healthcare at The Pines Anchorage Healthcare Center Snow Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

For the most recent Maryland COVID-19 data, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov.





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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.

Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/MDHealthDept and https://www.facebook.com/MDHealthDept.
John Roy Price, senior domestic policy adviser for President Richard Nixon, will discuss his new book The Last Liberal Republican: An Insider's Perspective on Nixon's Surprising Social Policy at a Feb. 23 dinner and book-signing at the Montana Club.

The event, which Price said will be more of a back and forth discussion than a speech, is part of the Montana Clubs Library Collection series.

Price, 83, said in a telephone interview that the book culminates from events he was involved in 50 years ago in the Nixon White House, and thought if he did not write the book soon or he might not be able to do it.

Price had been part of the more liberal and progressive wing of the Republican Party and was part of Nelson Rockefellers presidential campaign when he was recruited to serve in the Nixon White House. He was there from 1969-1971, before Watergate prompted the president to resign.

"It was a real pivotal time I sat through as a youngster," he said.

The book is by University Press of Kansas, June 2021.

Price offers detail on the extent to which Nixon and his staff straddled a precarious balance between a Democratic-controlled Congress and an increasingly powerful conservative tide in Republican politics.

He said Nixon, much like Republicans Thomas Dewey and Dwight Eisenhower, was moving toward big tent Republicanism and completion of a safety net for Americans who did not have opportunities that a lot of us have had.

Price joined Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and later John D. Ehrlichman, in the Nixon White House to develop domestic policies, especially on welfare, hunger and health.

Price also said watching Republican efforts to pull down the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, brings Nixon, who had wanted universal health care, back to mind.

Richard Nixon proposed covering preexisting conditions 40 years before the Affordable Care Act, Price said, adding the president, who wanted to hear opinions from everyone, had a whole array of instincts on his part and that resonated with me.

There was serious intellect at work on policy sitting at that desk that I came to respect, he said. "He had a basic sense of courtesy and empathy. I would see it in little ways."

Price said the Republican Party until the fairly recent past had serious policy development and a sense the federal government had a role to play to assist people on the margins. He'd like to see that return.

Lets at least look hard at the policy questions and the social science that may help us get some answers, he said. Lets not be pinned down like Gulliver. Lets get back into policymaking.

Price recalled Pat Buchanan, a special assistant to Nixon who had tried to get Price fired, once told him: We (the hard right) are winning the political battles but you (punching his finger into Prices lapel) are winning the policy battles.

Price, who has re-registered as an independent, provides unique perspective on the presidency of Nixon, who lamented he would be remembered only for Watergate and China.

And he is pretty much right, Price said.

Price and his family divide their time between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Livingston, Montana.

He is a co-founder of the Ripon Society, a public policy organization that was founded in 1962. It takes its name from Ripon, Wisconsin, the town where the Republican Party was born in 1854. One of its goals is to promote the ideas and principles that, according to its website, "have made America great and contributed to the GOPs success."

The Feb. 23 event begins with socializing at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 per guest.

To register, go to: https://montanaclub.coop/events-purchase-page/the-library-collection-february-23rd.

For more questions, call 406-442-5980.

Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.

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DECATUR  A 27-year-old Decatur man whom police accused of repeatedly punching and then wrestling with his 73-year-old grandfather remained in the custody of the Macon County Jail Sunday.

A sworn affidavit from the Decatur Police Department said the man had attacked his grandfather on the night of Feb. 6, punching him twice in the face and hitting him once in the back of the head before the two of them went to the floor and wrestled there.

The affidavit, signed by Officer Klinton Babb, said the grandfathers 71-year-old wife witnessed part of the attack in the basement of her home.

(She) advised she heard (her husband) yell for her from the basement, Babb added.

She stated she observed (her grandson) punch (her husband) one time in the face. She said (they) then began to wrestle on the floor. She stated (her grandson) possibly struck him again.

Babb said he noted red/blue bruising to the grandfathers right cheek.

Questioned about what happened, the grandson is quoted as telling police he was the victim after his grandfather got close to his face and was cussing.

Babb added: (He) advised (his grandfather) then began acting like he was going to get a firearm. He advised he then smacked (his grandfather). He said his grandfather got a dumbbell he advised he pushed him away, but he kept coming towards him with the dumbbell. He said he then punched (his grandfather.) He advised he was defending himself during this incident.

Police didnt buy the story and the grandson was arrested on preliminary charges of aggravated battery to a victim over 60 and committing domestic battery while having a previous domestic battery conviction.

A check of Macon County Circuit Court records shows that the grandson pleaded guilty to a charge of domestic battery in 2018 and was placed on conditional discharge for 12 months. He was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation at that time.

He is now being held in jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, requiring a $2,000 bond to be freed. If he makes bail, he is ordered to stay away from his grandfather and the mans home.

All preliminary charges are subject to review by the state's attorneys office.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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DECATUR  Police report that a 17-year-old Decatur girl was shot and wounded at 5:16 p.m. Saturday.

Sgt. Daniel Wise with the Decatur Police Department, speaking Sunday, said the victim was taken to hospital with a wound he described as non life-threatening.

Wise said the girl was riding in a car when the shooting happened at the intersection of North Charles Street and East Pershing Road. Wise said it appears the shot came from another vehicle driven by a man, but he added that the victim had told police she didnt know for sure.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to contact them. Call (217) 424-2734 or Crime Stoppers at (217) 423-8477.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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CHICAGO - During the pandemic, Brittany Pierre began wandering her neighborhood, taking photos of interesting buildings and other Chicagoans.

She had taught herself photography decades earlier, and decided she wanted to start selling her art. But while she could bring in around $40 for each of her shots, it came only after she first paid $30 for printing and framing them.

Meanwhile, she was falling behind on rent.

I wasnt making anything, Pierre said.

Now, a year after scraping by and being late on bills, she has profited so much from selling her photography as NFTs that she is now able to help others afford to find themselves similar sales.

The first time I paid my rent on time, consecutively, my landlord was like, Did you get a new job? she said.

NFTs, short for nonfungible tokens, are a one-of-a-kind digital item that someone can own, from videos to photography like Pierres. NFTs have garnered interest in the art-collecting world as a way to ensure ownership of something that could otherwise be easily duplicated.

Pierre, 36, began shooting photos years ago, when she lived in Houston and did not have a car. She spent a lot of time walking, which gave her time to appreciate small details and streetscapes.

I was always walking, I was always observing, she said. When you look through a camera, it kind of gives you a different perspective of the mundane.

Shed first been inspired by seeing Life magazine images of Gordon Parks photographs of the Black experience.

In Houston, after Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017, she went out with her camera, photographing things like flood-soaked photos and everybodys discarded lives on the side of the road.

After 15 years there, she moved to Chicago in 2019, having visited her former hometown for the Taste of Chicago and feeling drawn to the creative community and the architecture she loves. Thats kind of where my eye would go, she said. She loves, for example, the Wrigley Buildings ornate design. Its just really beautiful.

But it was during the pandemic that she regularly took her camera outside. She felt trapped in her home, trying to work remotely as a service coordinator at a car wash.

Instead, she found herself going on walks and looking through her lens, shooting what she saw as she walked around her Ravenswood neighborhood.

I said, You know what? Ive got to do something to get my mind off of things, she said.

One day, self-described doom scrolling, she saw that Elise Swopes, an artist she respected on Twitter, had sold an NFT for far more than Pierre was making with her own prints.

She thought, OK, I need to find out what that is, and I need to do it, and I need to get on it right now.

At the time, like many, she wasnt entirely sure what an NFT was. She taught herself through YouTube videos, Google and asking questions of others already in the community online.

Now, she helps explain the acronym, and also helps other creatives get involved so they can have more control and profit from their art too.

An article last fall in the School of the Art Institute of Chicagos magazine examined NFTs and their impact on the art world, including former alums creating NFTs, and the $69.3 million artwork that sold at Christies in 2021 by the artist known as Beeple.

Delinda Collier, a professor of art history, theory and criticism and interim dean of graduate studies at the School of the Art Institute, said NFTs have increased opportunities for artists to control the outcomes of their work and have contracts and contractual relationships be more transparent.

My hope is that NFTs can change the balance of power in the art world to benefit artists to the extent that artists can have more control over the sales and ownership of their intellectual property, she said.

Collier said it can be a steep learning curve, but many are helping artists learn to use these powerful tools. They discuss them in class.

Colleagues and people online helped Pierre understand the NFT world, a generosity she seeks to replicate. After she was given an invitation into one of the marketplaces, her first NFT sold in May 2021 for about $250. Her work ranges from streetscapes featuring textured details of buildings to portraits and black-and-white scenes from the L.

My mother was very giving with the little that she had, Pierre said. She wants to help uplift Black artists and offset inequality that communities of color face. She has helped dozens of women learn about NFTs, hoping to boost the percentage of women on marketplaces. People have to pay fees to get into marketplaces, so she helps people pay those, as others did for her.

The most important thing is making sure were seeing a different route for Black creators, she said.

With a recent photography project, she photographed portraits of people, often Chicago creatives, splitting the profits with them so they could afford to join the marketplace and make money there.

Since starting to sell NFTs, shes been profiled in a recent CNBC story highlighting how she was able to make more than $109,000 in 2021. Her business has grown again after the publicity, she said.

Formerly unable to pay bills or afford a car, shes now buying a Tesla. I never thought that could happen.

The biggest change, she said, is simply choosing how she spends her time. When she was struggling to make rent, she was only thinking about her next meal. Now, she has more creative bandwidth and feels more freedom. She recently started painting again.

And before, she was focused on getting her work into a gallery, thinking that was the only path to prominence. Now, she can choose her price and where she sells.

Were not starving artists anymore, she said. I get to set my own standard now.

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CHICAGO - Tomorra Watts is grateful she walked over to her brothers house for a cigarette Saturday afternoon in their Roseland neighborhood.

After chatting with him, she stepped outside and spotted a fire truck speeding down their street and realized there was smoke coming out of her home.

Watts, 50, went back inside and told her brother that her house was on fire.

I dont know what happened, she told reporters. All I know is I hope the fire people that got hurt is safe. And Im glad that I was not there.

Watts lost almost everything in the fire, which began about 3:15 p.m. at a single-family, 1-1/2 story frame house in the 200 block of West 112th Place.

It also left several firefighters with non-life threatening injuries and included a flashover that erupted while crews were battling the flames, causing a Mayday emergency call.

I dont have nothing, Watts sobbed as her brother gave her a hug.

You got family, thats all you need, said her brother, Bernard Watts.

When firefighters got there, Watts had already left before it went bad, but firefighters burst inside to battle the fire, said Chicago Fire Dept. spokesman Larry Langford.

She broke down in tears while speaking to reporters.

Look at my house! she said, leaning into her neighbor and sisters arms looking across the street at her home.

You guys dont know how hard Ive worked, said Watts, who has lived there for about six years. When I moved in there I had nothing but a TV and a bag of clothes.

But Watts, who is usually always home, said she was grateful she had decided to leave her house when she did.

All the windows in her house in the residential, tree-lined street blew out in a rapid expansion of fire, meaning that a flashover was likely, said Langford.

A flashover occurs when theres something in the air that gets to a temperature where it actually combusts, Langford said.

With a flashover, usually theres smoke that suddenly turns to flames and that is similar to what we think of as a backdraft, Langford said. Its an influx of air. Its a lot air coming and through and fire just erupts rapidly.

The situation also included a shock wave of some kind that caused the rapid expansion of fire. It was not an explosion, however, Langford said.

It was extremely dangerous for firefighters, causing a Mayday call, which elevates their response and means a firefighter is in danger or isnt accounted for.

As of 5 p.m. six firefighters and a possible seventh were injured, four of whom were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center and the rest to Little Company of Mary in Evergreen Park. None of the injuries were life-threatening, Langford said.

Angie Williams, 56, who lives across the street from Watts was in her room sewing when she heard a loud bang outside.

Her daughter, 26-year-old Jessica Williams, was trying to take a nap but kept hearing emergency trucks pulling up across the street. Jessica ran to the upstairs window to see what was happening.

The roof was filled with flames and smoke, Jessica Williams said.

Around 5:30 p.m., the fire trucks had left and fire inspectors walked through the home, the light on their helmets on as they photographed the damage.

There was no indication yet what caused the fire, which was extinguished and the alarms called off by 4:45 p.m., but the Office of Fire Investigation is looking into it.

With a Mayday, you dont know what youre dealing with until you get your hands on the firefighters, Langford said.

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Prince Sultan University (PSU) and VMware will launch an Innovation Centre that will enable students, researchers, and businesses to experience cloud, modern apps, and security solutions, supporting Saudi Arabias digitisation agenda.

For this they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Innovation Centre is equipped with VMware software and resources to give students, researchers, and businesses hands-on experience with transformative digital solutions for app modernisation, cloud, networking, security, and digital workspace.

The MoU was signed under the patronage of Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Saudi Arabia.

The Innovation Centre, which is expected to start operating in the first half of the year, will help foster a culture of learning and build real-world information and communications technology (ICT) skills, while providing a valuable resource to research projects underway at PSU by expanding access to VMwares solutions.

The Innovation Centre will also be used to demonstrate the benefits of VMwares solutions to local customers and partners, with the aim of helping accelerate digital transformation amongst the local business community.

Dr Ahmed Yamani, president of PSU, said: The Innovation Centre is intended to spur innovation, research, and learning at the university, and amongst local businesses and partners that are interested in embracing a cloud-first approach. By helping a diverse range of people and organisations gain experience with VMwares solutions, the Innovation Centre will play an important role in furthering Saudi Arabias digitisation agenda in line with Vision 2030.

The Innovation Centre will be equipped with the full range of VMwares solutions and will showcase disruptive technologies like edge computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, machine learning and Kubernetes. By experiencing these technologies, it will help users to build digital foundations and embrace the next wave of innovation.

Saif Mashat, country director, Saudi Arabia, VMware, said: Were proud to collaborate with Prince Sultan University for the Innovation Centre. VMware is committed to education and knowledge transfer, and I believe that this initiative will help give young people, researchers, and businesses the knowledge they need to innovate and develop their digital transformation plans.

VMware is dedicated to empowering educators in Saudi Arabia. In June 2021, PSU and VMware started discussions to build a Regional VMware IT Academy to support youth digital skills development in line with the aims of Saudi Vision 2030.

VMware IT Academy works with a global network of educational institutions to provide students access to high-quality learning certification opportunities and hands-on lab experiences with VMware technologies.

VMware provides a free curriculum and materials, with the goal of helping students jump-start their software careers. In the past year, VMware IT Academy partnered with more than 2,400 institutions in 93 countries, reaching more than 48,000 students.

VMware is helping to develop ICT education and skills as part of its VMware 2030 Agenda, a decade-long commitment to address critical challenges facing the global community.

With its technology leadership and expansive global reach, VMware is dedicated to driving tangible, measurable impact focused on three outcomes: Trust, Equity and Sustainability. VMware firmly believes that technology will play a critical role in building a digital future that is equitable, accessible and inclusive for all. -- TradeArabia News Service
CHICAGO - Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx was elected in 2016 as a reform candidate, knocking out incumbent Anita Alvarez after harshly criticizing the way she handled charges in 17-year-old Laquan McDonalds fatal shooting by on-duty Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

One major change could make sure police are truly being held accountable, Foxx said on the campaign trail: Special prosecutors  not Cook County assistant states attorneys  should decide whether to bring criminal charges against officers allegedly involved in such crimes.

There is an inherent conflict of interest because of the intimate relationship between the prosecutors office and the police, and to suggest that doesnt exist is disingenuous, Foxx said at a campaign forum in January 2016.

Van Dyke has since been tried, convicted, sentenced and, as of last week, released from prison. But one of Foxxs most prominent campaign promises has not come to pass.

Cook County prosecutors in her administration have never sought the appointment of a special prosecutor in a police shooting case. And in at least two instances, Cook County prosecutors have said they opposed bringing in outside attorneys to reinvestigate police shootings, saying their office had already reviewed the cases and determined charges were not appropriate.

While Van Dykes case was handled by a special prosecutor, that decision was made before Foxx took office. A group of activists petitioned to take the case out of Alvarezs hands, and after Alvarez lost the Democratic primary to Foxx, she withdrew her opposition to their effort. Then-Kane County States Attorney Joseph McMahon was appointed to prosecute Van Dyke in Alvarezs stead.

Ultimately, the barriers to getting special prosecutors in each police shooting case were logistical, rather than philosophical, Foxx told the Tribune. And procedures involving charging decisions in those cases have evolved in Cook County since the Alvarez administration, due to structural changes within Foxxs office as well as changes in Illinois law.

When Foxx began her tenure, if prosecutors wanted a special prosecutor, they would have to petition a judge in each individual case and allege a legal conflict of interest; it would be up to the judge to decide whether the conflict existed and a special prosecutor could be appointed.

In appointing a special prosecutor, a judge must determine if other public prosecuting agencies are willing and able to act as special prosecutor before turning to private attorneys.

In an interview, Foxx told the Tribune that she envisioned the state attorney generals office handling the charging decisions and potential prosecution of police-involved shootings, which is the practice in some other jurisdictions. But then-Attorney General Lisa Madigans administration said they did not have the resources to do so, Foxx said. After current Attorney General Kwame Raoul took office in 2019, his office said something similar, according to Foxx.

Annie Thompson, a spokesperson for Raouls office, said she could not confirm which conversations may have taken place, but said that their office gets referrals on a variety of matters  not just police shootings  when claims are made about a states attorneys possible conflict of interest.

Whether a true conflict of interest exists should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the mere fact that a states attorneys office has worked on matters with a police department does not mean an actual conflict exists (for instance, we work with the Chicago Police Department as well), Thompson wrote in an email to the Tribune. Our decision to take up a matter referred by a states attorney involves evaluating our capacity to handle the matter and determining whether an actual conflict of interest exists.

A judge could also seek to appoint a prosecutor from another county, but those prosecutors tend to be reluctant to engage in a police-involved shooting in another jurisdiction, Foxx said. These are incredibly difficult cases, complex cases.

Another option would be appointing private attorneys on the taxpayer dime, and finding attorneys with the expertise to handle those complex investigations might be difficult, Foxx said.

Its not enough to say all right, to ensure you that we are not in cahoots with police, we can let someone else do it, we still need a thorough investigation with lawyers who are trained in doing these types of investigations, she said. And right now we still dont have a system in place that would give that confidence. We would still be waiting for someone to pick it up.

Foxx said her office has been communicating with state legislators and Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office in hopes of coming up with a statewide solution to ensuring that independent agencies examine cases of police violence. That could potentially include putting together a panel of qualified private attorneys who could be tapped as special prosecutors in those cases, she said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Pritzkers office said the governor is open to all policy ideas to make the justice system work more fairly and ensure that all Illinoisans can believe in the system.

Our office has had preliminary conversations with the states attorney over the past several years, but we would require many more stakeholder conversations before settling on a recommended approach, Jordan Abudayyeh wrote.

Meanwhile, internal policy changes and state law has changed the way Cook County prosecutors handle charging decisions in police shootings.

Since a new state law took effect in 2018, when the Cook County states attorneys office declines to charge an officer in a shooting, the Illinois Office of the States Attorney Appellate Prosecutor takes a second look at the case to determine if they believe charges are necessary.

If you dont trust what Im doing, theres another body that can look at that work, Foxx said, noting that her office pushed for the change in state law.

And in 2019, the team of attorneys who prosecute police misconduct was moved out of the normal chain of command in the special prosecutions bureau. Instead, the law enforcement accountability division reports directly to the first assistant states attorney, who is Foxxs second-in-command. That way, prosecutors who rely on police to make their cases are more separate from the prosecutors deciding whether to bring charges against officers. LEAD is tasked with reviewing all claims of officer misconduct, not just shootings or fatalities.

A prosecutor from the accountability division is on call 24 hours a day to be notified of police shootings, and typically within 72 hours of an incident, prosecutors meet with COPA and representatives of other investigative agencies for a debriefing, said Assistant States Attorney Lynn McCarthy, who heads up LEAD.

Foxx acknowledged that the unit needs more staffers; as of this month, there were seven attorneys.

They also have brought in outside experts on use of force to consult on whether charges might be appropriate, Foxx said.

The LEAD website posts lengthy memos detailing why prosecutors declined to charge in a police-involved fatal shooting. Most of the cases also include the second look decision from the states attorney appellate prosecutors office, explaining why that agency agreed that charges were not appropriate. While some 40 memos are available online, the list is out of date; the most recent police shooting for which a memo is posted occurred in 2019.

Cook County prosecutors have brought some charges against police in on- and off-duty shootings in recent years; within the first few months of Foxxs administration, Chicago police Officer Lowell Houser was charged with murder in a fatal off-duty shooting and Amtrak police Officer LaRoyce Tankson faced murder charges in an on-duty fatal shooting. Houser was later found guilty of second-degree murder; Tankson was acquitted.

More recently, Chicago police Officer Melvina Bogard was charged last summer for an on-duty February 2020 shooting at the Grand Avenue Red Line station. Video of the lengthy and public struggle on the platform went viral; Bogard is awaiting trial on felony charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct.

And after nearly a year, the office has not yet announced a charging decision in perhaps the highest-profile police shooting since Laquan McDonalds: The death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo last March.

Prosecutors declined to comment about specific cases, but noted that charging decisions in police shootings can take time in part because so many agencies are involved in the investigation, including the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the Illinois State Police for forensic work, and the Chicago Police Department. The review also includes input from families of the individuals involved in the shooting, according to a statement from the office.

Its a lengthy process because of how thorough it is in working with multiple agencies, McCarthy said. It involves a lot of time to make sure we have all the materials from various agencies.  Because of the seriousness, obviously were going to be as thorough as possible.

If Illinois were to take charging decisions out of the hands of local prosecutors altogether, they would be following in the footsteps of other jurisdictions around the country.

In New Jersey, all fatal police shootings are investigated by the state attorney generals office. That office also must bring the results of each investigation to a grand jury, which will decide whether charges are appropriate.

The New York attorney generals office also handles investigations and prosecutions of fatal police shootings in that state. As of last year, California law requires the state Department of Justice, not local prosecutors, to investigate and make prosecuting decisions after police fatally shoot an unarmed citizen.

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Its not masks that those rebel Canadian truckers are against.

Its not the COVID vaccines or boosters one, two and three, either.

The truckers (who reportedly are 90 percent vaxxed) and millions of like-minded citizens in the democracies of North America and Europe who are blocking highways and marching in the streets are protesting mandates.

Theyve finally risen up in anger after two years of being forced by their governments and flip-flopping public health bureaucrats to wear masks indoors and outdoors, even when it made no scientific, medical or common sense.

Blue State politicians and their liberal media glee club cant  or wont  get it through their thick, authoritarian, partisan skulls that being against mandates is different from being against masks or vaccines.

The Democrats have spent the last year bashing and shaming anyone opposed to mask or vaccine mandates, vilifying them as insurrectionists, terrorists and anti-vaxxers.

Even worse, theyve accused them of all being Trump voters.

But the rebellious truckers in Ottawa and the angry parents who disrupted the traditional morgue-like atmosphere of school board meetings in Virginia are not insurrectionists.

Theyre freedom fighters.

Many of them are the same essential workers who stayed on their jobs through the first year of the pandemic and kept our government-crippled economy from completely going down the drain.

The truckers, cops, health workers and a lot of other sensible vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans from flyover country who are protesting dont belong to the laptop class.

They havent been able to work from home in their PJs for two years. In millions of cases, they werent able to work at all.

Its no wonder that the frustration and anger of workers over forced vaccinations has boiled over into the streets.

Everything our politicians and their public health experts did or told us to do to flatten the curve or defeat the virus didnt work.

Not the masking, not the social distancing, not the hand-washing. Not the lockdowns. Not the school closings. Not the mass testing.

The new and advanced vaccine we were promised would save humankind from extinction and return our lives to normal by last fall turned out to be a bust  and a danger.

The vaccines not only dont protect you from getting the virus or transmitting it, the data shows that a very small percentage of people who get vaxxed have had serious adverse reactions.

None of these limitations of the vaccines is new.

Weve known for a long time that masks are virtually useless against COVID and the vaccines are not the miracle jab Dr. Fauci and the Biden gang built them up to be.

Even the Democrats and their parrots in the media now realize its time to surrender in the botched war on covid, but its not because the science or the data has changed.

Its because the politics of COVID has changed  in the last week.

Democrats in Blue States now are falling all over each other calling for the end of mask mandates because they realize a majority of Americans have had enough of the failed Fauci-Biden campaign.

Its time to conduct the sensible COVID policy we should have conducted in the first place: focusing on helping the vulnerable and letting the rest of us get on with our lives.

That means kids under 15 should not be forced to be vaccinated, masked, used as medical guinea pigs or allowed to be political props in photo ops for phonies like Stacy Abrams.

In other words, we Americans have suffered enough. No more mandates of any kind. Better yet, Lets go mandates.

Michael Reagan is a columnist for Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate.

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Leaders of the Virginia Coalition of Small and Rural Schools continued to advocate for more funding to repair and replace dilapidated schools statewide Monday.

Speaking during an education funding press conference in Richmond, speakers from different state advocacy organizations urged the General Assembly to expand funding for school buildings, behavioral health for students, greater teacher pay, revised Standards of Quality and literacy intervention.

For the coalition, which includes all of the public school divisions in Southwest Virginia among its 80 members, the theme of buildings is a familiar topic.

Among the key issues and challenges our work seeks to influence is the urgency of finally addressing the ever-increasing number of crumbling and dilapidated school facilities, Peter Gretz, superintendent of Fluvanna County Public Schools and vice president of the coalition, said. We believe the ZIP code in which Virginias children are born should not be the deciding factor in whether or not they get to learn in high-quality, modern facilities designed to meet the instructional needs of the 21st century  a century we are almost a quarter of the way through.

Last fall, the coalition invited state lawmakers to tour a number of older, run-down school buildings and learn firsthand about the needs of divisions across the state.

Last year, the Virginia Department of Education issued a report that found more than half of the states 2,005 public school buildings were more than 50 years old, that many of the oldest, most run-down were operated by the states poorest school divisions and that Southwest Virginia had an overabundance of older schools in need of repair or replacement.

Among the coalitions goals is to advocate for distributing a $500 million allocation toward school repair and construction in the states proposed budget.

There has been a tremendous amount of progress. Specifically we are so grateful for the work to establish $500 million in state support for school construction that is currently in the state budget, Kretz said. That is the first investment the state has made in addressing school facilities since 2009. To be sure, it falls very short of addressing the $25 billion recognized as needed, but it goes a long, long way in developing the first and powerful step towards fixing this. We are here today to advocate for the protection of those funds and maybe even the addition of more to address this desperately needed result.

Kristy Somerville-Midgette, superintendent of Brunswick County Schools and secretary of the Coalition of Small and Rural Schools, outlined her districts struggle to fund construction of a new school.

Brunswick is a system of 1,500 students in Southside Virginia with more than 90% of its students living at or below the federal poverty level, she said.

In order for students of Brunswick County to be competitive globally, they need to be able to access adequate resources. So our School Board and county Board of Supervisors worked together and made a tough decision for us to get a new facility, she said. Tough because in an economically depressed community, this is a major burden on the taxpayers. Although appreciative of the countys contribution and sacrifice, we really need a greater level of state aid to fund construction and renovation.

Brunswick didnt even rank among the 10 school systems with the oldest median age for facilities in the state. Bland, Patrick, Floyd and Grayson counties all had a median age of buildings greater than 75 years old.

The city of Bristol ranked fifth in the state, with a median building age of 70, while Lee, Russell and Wythe all ranked among the top 10 oldest median age for their school buildings.

Among bills the coalition and other education entities are supporting is one offered by Del. Israel OQuinn, R-Bristol, Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, and Del. Will Wampler, R-Abingdon.

House Bill 563 would establish the School Construction Matching Grant Fund and program for the purpose of awarding matching grants, on a competitive basis, to local school boards that demonstrate poor school building conditions, commitment and need. The bill permits the state Board of Education to transfer sums from the Literary Fund to the School Construction Matching Grant Fund and for the Department of Education to use such sums to provide matching grants.

A proposed House substitute would rely on the gaming revenues generated by the states casinos rather than tapping into the Literary Fund.

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Anita Isenhour is not subtle about her love of cats.

Along the sidewalk leading to the front door of her home in Hickory, a few cat statues and outdoor decor hint at it. Inside, there is a bigger collection.

In the entrance to her home, a lighted, mirrored china cabinet tells the full story. Its shelves are covered in tiny trinkets  from Christmas-themed cat knickknacks to a tiny book of cat poems. She has a tall cat statue in a tuxedo and a small candle in the shape of a cat, which she said she will never light.

She estimates her collection of cat decor reaches about 2,000 items. Its no wonder her former co-workers called her the cat lady. The 82-year-old retired from her job in advertising but hasnt stopped collecting.

Isenhours love for cats started when she was young. Growing up on a farm near Hickory, she used to play with the barn cats and dress one up in doll clothes, she said.

She moved into her current home in Hickory in 1971 with her husband, Dean. A few years later, a neighbor planned to get rid of a Siamese cat, so the Isenhours took it in. It was the first cat Isenhour had in the house.

When asked how many cats shes owned since then, all she can say is, Oh, gracious. She cant count.

My favorite sign is one that says, Cats are just little people with fur coats. Its true Isenhour said.

Her last two cats, Motorboat and Snowflake, passed when they were 16 years old. Though she doesnt have cats she calls her own, she sometimes cares for neighborhood strays.

Isenhour also has her collection to keep her company.

It started in the 1970s, she thinks. When she and her husband went on trips, like a bus tour or a visit to their timeshare in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Isenhour bought a figurine, mug or trinket of a cat. It grew from there.

Her husband, an avid thrift-store shopper, started bringing home items he found in stores: cat pot holders, cat salt and pepper shakers, cat posters, cat mugs and cat planters.

Then, friends and family caught on.

Once people know you like something, theyll keep giving it to you, Isenhour said.

The collection took off from there. A neighbor gave her a concrete cat statue for her to paint, a family member made her a ceramic cat in a pottery class and friends picked souvenirs with cats on them.

It isnt limited to the china cabinet; in every nook and cranny, there is cat decor. Cat lace curtains shade a window in the bathroom, paintings hang in the hall, a fireplace mantle in a bedroom holds a dozen figurines. They all bring Isenhour joy.

One sign hanging in her kitchen seems to sum up Isenhours happiness succinctly: I love my life because it is littered with cats.

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Digital dermatitis, commonly known as hairy heel warts, is a hoof disease that can have tremendous consequences for the milking herd. Those impacts can be even more detrimental when digital dermatitis is introduced earlier in life.

During a Cornell University Extension Healthy, Hardy Heifers webinar, University of Wisconsin-Madisons Dorte Dopfer discussed some of the long-term problems that result when heifers become infected with digital dermatitis.

A heifer that has a quiet lesion precalving will suffer from claw confirmation changes all of its life, the veterinarian and professor noted. She explained that these changes can create blocky claws, which can affect mobility and result in weight loss. Reproduction is also impacted, as Dopfer said infected heifers stay open an average of 25 days longer than noninfected herdmates. Heifers with digital dermatitis also produce 660 to 880 less pounds of milk during the first lactation due to reoccurring lesions.

The chronic consequences of digital dermatitis are not limited to the feet. They are expanded to much more, Dopfer said. We havent even begun to truly estimate the economic losses associated with digital dermatitis, particularly when it comes to precalving heifers.

She acknowledged that heifers are often housed in older facilities, which may include overcrowded pens, inadequate ventilation, and a dirtier environment. These situations, plus defective or worn-out flooring, can weaken the interdigital space and open up an opportunity for infection. Additionally, she said that heifer pens may neighbor sick cow or dry cow pens, where heifers could come into contact with animals affected by digital dermatitis.

Prevention is a key element in digital dermatitis control. Dopfer advised farmers to identify the age group or pen of heifers where they find the maximum prevalence of digital dermatitis and calculate back 60 to 90 days. This is where prevention should start, she said.

Efforts to prevent the disease include pen walks to inspect feet and maintaining good records. Keeping heifers clean is also key, as Dopfer said leg hygiene in heifers makes a big difference.

Footbaths designed for heifers are also useful. Dopfer said to ensure they are the right dimensions, especially in length. Keep them clean so that they do not become a manure bath with too much organic matter in the solution. Scraping the alleys at the footbaths entrance and exit can help keep the solution cleaner. As for that solution, Dopfer said to be certain it is mixed at the right concentration and maintained at the appropriate pH level.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2022

February 10, 2022
In your February 2022 issue . . .

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 12 MONTHS, the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program did not make a payout as milk prices climbed to a $21.80 All-Milk price. On the cost side of the equation, premium alfalfa hay fetched $253 per ton; soybean meal, $400 per ton; and corn, $5.47 per bushel. That yielded a final feed cost of $12.27 for a $9.53 per cwt. margin.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18 IS THE FINAL DAY to sign up for the DMC program in 2022. While program payouts appear to be slim in the near term, the health pandemic showed dairy farmers that market conditions can turn on a dime. Sign up at local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. In 2021, DMC paid out over $1.1 billion, or $58,000 per dairy farm.

A $22-PLUS ALL-MILK PRICE could be in store for 2022. Propelled by tight global supplies of dairy products, Class IV futures continued to move up, reaching a $22.40 per cwt. average for February-to-December contracts on the CME. February-to-May Class IV contracts had a $23.35 median.



WHILE CLASS IV HAS BEEN THE MARKET LEADER, Class III cheese contracts traded for a $20.90 average on the CME for the months of February to December. Those values were up a full 40 cents in the past month.

MILK PRICES WERE LIFTED TO A $9.20 MIDPOINT by New Zealands Fonterra Cooperative. After converting kilograms of milk solids to hundredweights, that would net $20.83 per cwt. with a range from $19.96 to $21.31 for farmers in the worlds leading dairy product exporting nation.

DECEMBER MILK FELL 5.5% in New Zealand. Many point to poor weather and reduced feed quality as culprits for slowed milk flow. However, one cannot overlook labor. With the country in a virtual lockdown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a shortage of immigrant labor. Special government permission recently allowed 200 of the 1,500 requested dairy workers into the country, still an 87% shortfall.

PROPELLED BY BACK-TO-BACK TRADING SESSIONS where a six-product bundle rose 4.6% on January 18 and then 4.1% on February 1, dairy prices climbed to the highest levels since 2014 on New Zealands Global Dairy Trade. Butter approached $2.90 per pound; Cheddar, $2.60.



GIVEN STRONG DEMAND FOR FAT, butterfat prices leapt past protein in Januarys U.S. milk checks. Butterfat values were $2.96 per pound; protein, $2.36. In December, butterfat was $2.29 and protein $2.60.

MILK PRODUCTION SLIPPED 0.4% in November and 0.1% in December across the United States. That also led to the tightening of butter stocks. The top two dairy states, California and Wisconsin, grew milk output.

U.S. DAIRY EXPORTS REMAINED ON PACE to post a record year of shipments despite the port congestion and lack of willing shipping carriers. At 105,000 metric tons, Mexico imported a record level of cheese in 2021. The U.S. held a 75% market share, according to Mexican Custom reports.

BALANCING MILK SUPPLIES AND PRODUCT DEMAND was a challenge even prior to the pandemic. That led to a number of cooperatives and processors creating base programs to moderate milk flow. Based on our estimates, about half of U.S. milk is currently under some form of a base program, shared Zack Bowers of Ever.Ag.



WHILE MOST BASE PROGRAMS LIMIT milk pounds, limits seldom exist on solids. This market condition, along with strong demand for butterfat and protein, are among the reasons component levels continue to climb.

BUTTERFAT VAULTED FROM 3.68% TO 4.04% from 2010 to 2021 in the Upper Midwest Federal Milk Marketing Order. During that same 12-year horizon, protein percentages climbed from 3% to 3.17%.

THE DRUMBEAT FOR FEDERAL ORDER REFORM has been gaining momentum after USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack shared he would consider a proposal should the industry present a unified plan. IDFA released the industrys first working paper on modernizing U.S. milk pricing.


" " Guest Trisha just told you she's not leaving your house. How can you get her OUT? Gary Burchell/Getty Images

It was supposed to be just a few weeks. That was the deal. Your college friend Trisha was blindsided by her husband filing for divorce and needed a place to crash until she could find her own apartment. She's always been a bit of a mess, but you couldn't turn your back on a friend in need, right?

Now "a few weeks" has turned into eight months. In the beginning, she at least pretended to browse Craigslist for cheap sublets and part-time work, but now she doesn't do much of anything, unless binge-watching Netflix can be considered a full-time job.

You finally work up the nerve to ask Trisha to leave. Your place is just too small and your boyfriend thinks she's a leech, eating all your food and never offering a dime for groceries, let alone rent. You break the news gently to Trisha; she has to be out by the end of the month.

And then she breaks the news to you: Nope, she's staying.

"This situation is more common than you might think," says Janet Portman, an attorney and executive editor at legal website Nolo. "And the law isn't terribly helpful to the people who are doing the kicking out."

Technically, getting rid of a freeloading friend should be a cinch, says Portman, the co-author with Marcia Stewart of "Every Landlord's Legal Guide." House guests who have overstayed their welcome have no legal right to stay at your property. Nobody wants to call the cops on an old college friend, but a house guest who refuses to leave is trespassing, which is a crime.

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Guest Vs. Lodger Vs. Tenant

The problem, says Portman, is that police are extremely wary of forcibly removing someone from a property if there's even the slightest chance that they aren't a guest, but in fact a tenant. Because dragging a tenant out of their home without a court order is called a "self-help eviction," which is illegal and the tenant can sue both you and the cops. A tenant could also sue you if you throw their belongings out of the house or change the locks.

All your freeloading house guest has to say is that they've been helping pay for groceries or watching your dog when you go away for the weekend (whether or not it's true). Even if there's no written lease and no rent has changed hands, they can claim that they are a tenant or a "lodger." A lodger is someone who rents a room in a home where the owner also lives. Tenants have their own standalone unit.

If Trisha is staying in your guest room and convinces the cops that she's providing even minimal help in exchange for a place to stay, she's a lodger. And evicting a tenant or a lodger is a civil matter, which means the cops won't touch it. Congratulations, you're a landlord now!

As Trisha's unwitting landlord, you have to follow state law for evictions, which can vary. In California, where Portman practices, you first need to give Trisha a "notice to quit." This is an eviction form which notifies her in writing that she has 30 days to voluntarily leave the property. You'd probably want to have an attorney draft this document and give you instructions on how to serve it. What happens next depends on whether Trisha is a tenant or a lodger.

If a lodger in California refuses to leave after 30 days, they can be kicked out without going through a court-ordered eviction process, because after the 30-day mark, they are officially trespassing. At this point, you could call the police.

But if a tenant won't budge after 30 days, a California landlord has to file a lawsuit in civil court for an eviction, which can take additional weeks to finalize. Assuming you win the case, the cops can then be called in to remove the good-for-nothing from the premises, forcibly if need be.

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'They Were Scammers'

All of this costs money. A savvy freeloader might do everything in their power to prolong the process to make it as painful and expensive as possible.

"What often happens is the homeowner pays the guy to leave," says Portman. "And believe it or not, there are people who pull this nonsense."

Portman remembers when a gas line explosion in San Bruno, California left thousands of people homeless in 2010, and big-hearted neighbors took in the displaced, only to be shocked when months later the rescued house guests refused to leave without a payout. Some turned out not to be real victims at all.

"They were scammers," says Portman.

The best way to protect yourself from the emotional and financial train wreck of evicting a house guest in court is to put something in writing from the start. It's awkward, yes, but it's really important for the friend to sign a statement certifying that they are indeed a guest, not a tenant or lodger, that they are not paying rent or providing services in exchange for lodging, and most importantly, that you, the owner, can ask them to leave at any time.

"I can guarantee you that most people are not going to want to do that, though," says Portman. "They have a gut feeling that this person is trustworthy, then it goes south and that's how lawyers make their money."

Editor's Note: Each situation is different and laws vary from state to state. The article shouldn't be construed as legal advice.

Now That's Worse As a New York couple found out in 2018, evicting a grown child is even more painful and embarrassing than evicting a house guest. They even gave their son $1,100 to get moving, but that didn't work. Taking him to court and getting an eviction order was the only solution.

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Originally Published: Jul 12, 2018
Australians are known for a love of mobile phones and obsessively scrolling their socials, but new figures suggest were well behind the global curve when it comes to turning those talents into useful workplace digital skills.

Just 26 per cent of Australian workers consider themselves very prepared for workplace digital skills, according to the newly-released Salesforce Global Digital Skills Index (GDSI)  well behind the 40 per cent of global workers and 44 per cent of US workers that said the same thing.

The overall global average score for digital readiness  based on preparedness, skill level, access, and active participation in digital upskilling  was 33 out of 100.

By contrast, Australias overall score is 21  putting it towards the bottom of a range of scores stretching from 15 to 63.

Thats a dismal showing for a country with higher smartphone penetration than nearly any other place on earth  and more than 1 in 3 Australians buying new phones last year alone, according to Telsyte.

Cultural technophilia hasnt, however, translated into business skills: While certain countries feel more digitally ready than others, the analysis notes, there is an urgent need for global investment to close the digital skills gap and build a more inclusive workforce.

Australias digital skills gap yawns bigger than most

This problem was evident across the GDSI, which surveyed 23,000 workers across 19 countries and identified yawning gaps  wider in Australia than in most other countries  between the skills workers have and the skills they believe employers will want in the future.

Although two-thirds of Australian Gen Z respondents said they had advanced social media and web navigation skills, for example, just 26 per cent said the same about data analytics  a core business skill in which more than half admitted still being at the beginner phase.

Australian workers were also less advanced in using digital communication and productivity tools, with just 37 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively, citing advanced skills in those areas  well below the 46 per cent and 43 per cent global average.

Everyday skills such as social media and web navigation dont necessarily translate to the core workplace digital skills needed by business to drive recovery, resilience, and growth, the analysis said.

Indeed, just one in three Australian Gen-Z respondents said they feel very prepared with the workplace digital media skills they will need over the next five years well behind the global average (44 per cent) and peers in the UK (50 per cent), Singapore (44 per cent), and United States (40 per cent).

Baby boomers were in an even worse position, with just 15 per cent feeling very prepared with the workplace digital skills theyll need in five years.

Interestingly, Japan  long-known as a hotbed of technology innovation  was the lowest-ranked of all 19 countries surveyed.

Stunting the digital skills agenda

The findings  available as a series of interactive charts  suggest that unless training and engagement change dramatically, most Australians will struggle to translate their love of personal technology into valuable workplace skills including collaboration technologies, digital administrative tools, encryption and cybersecurity, project management, and data science.

That bodes poorly for the innovation agenda of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who recently fronted the National Press Club reiterating his goal of making Australia a top ten data and digital economy by 2030.

The governments commitment of $1.6b in funding to support Australias Economic Accelerator  what Morrison called a stage-gated, competitive program designed to attract projects with high potential  reflects its desire to pump funding into purposeful innovation.

Yet making the jump from personal knowledge to economically productive, business-relevant endeavours will be hard: 85 per cent of Australian research is rated, officially, at or above world standard, he said, yet we continue to underperform, frustratingly, in achieving commercialisation outcomes.

The Salesforce research confirms that the gap between capabilities and results remains a bugbear of Australias education-industrial complex  and that overcoming it will require an ongoing commitment to engaging workers in relevant training and upskilling programs.

Theres a gap between the frontier of innovation and the skills necessary to use those innovations, said Peter Schwartz, chief futures officer and senior vice president for strategic planning with Salesforce.

That in itself is not new  but what is new, is the scope of that innovation, how widespread it is, how it has diffused in every aspect of life. It is hard to do almost anything these days without some form of digital interaction.
Could AI soon do the work of a programmer? Image: Shutterstock

A new programming AI system from DeepMind, Alphabets experimental AI research arm, can perform complex coding tasks better than the average programmer and could lead to the AI that can change itself.

AlphaCode was trained using open source code from GitHub and was put to the test solving abstract coding problems from the competitive programming platform Codeforces.

These are tests of programming nous that typically involve solving an esoteric programming problem from a qualitative description.

Its a difficult thing for an AI to differentiate AlphaCode from OpenAIs Codex which can interpret natural language requests into written code.

AlphaCode performed in the top 54 per cent of participants in coding competitions held on Codeforces late last year, which is quite a feat for a machine that first has to parse the complex description of the problem written in natural language before it begins coding.

Going from what the problem is to how to solve the problem is a great leap that requires understanding and reasoning about the problem, as well as a deep comprehension of a wide range of algorithms and data structures, the authors of a recent paper about AlphaCode wrote.

This leap is a significant difference from previous works, which tend to explicitly specify what to implement.

AlphaCode was trained on 715GB of code in most major languages like C++, C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and PHP.

DeepMinds researchers hinted what AlphaCode could lead to down the track including what the authors describe as advanced AI risks such as an AI system that is able to re-write its own underlying code.

Coding capabilities could lead to systems that can recursively write and improve themselves, rapidly leaning to more and more advanced systems, the researchers warn.

Yes, this coding bot could lead to the singularity  a hypothetical moment when an AI system quickly makes changes to itself in what philosopher Nick Bostrom has described as an intelligence explosion that could lead to a superintelligent, and not necessarily benign, AI.

Professor Scott Aaronson from the University of Texass computer science department described the paper as absolutely astounding but isnt sold on the idea of AlphaCode leading to the singularity.

Judged against where AI was 20-25 years ago, when I was a student, a dog is now holding meaningful conversations in English, he said in a blog post.

Its not obvious how you go from solving programming contest problems to conquering the human race or whatever, but I feel pretty confident that weve now entered a world where programming will look different.

Other risks identified with AlphaCode include intellectual property concerns as the researchers note that there is debate around whether it is fair use to train an AI on publicly available code like GitHub, even if the data is filtered for certain licenses.

There still remains the decision of how to credit and use peoples code, even with permissive licenses.

Breakthroughs in automated coding could also lead to a glut of programmers, the researchers warn, although they said the effects of automation could be overstated since writing code is only a portion of the job.

They also note that other times when coding has been automated, such as through the development of integrated development environments (IDE), have only moved programmers to higher levels of abstraction.
McLaren Dubai, represented by Performance Tuning, part of the Khalifa Juma Al Nabooda Group of Companies, has completed the first customer delivery of the ground-breaking McLaren 765LT Spider in the United Arab Emirates.

This highly collectible supercar was handed over to its discerning customer from the transitionary sales facility, which has been fully operational since December 2021.

I would like to congratulate McLaren Dubai on completing the first customer handover of the track-focused McLaren 765LT Spider in the United Arab Emirates. This highly desirable and exclusive supercar has been a great success for our brand and all units allocated to our global customers including in Middle East and Africa are spoken for. I am confident that this limited-volume car will thrill and delight our discerning customers in the region as we continue to build momentum and achieve further success with McLaren Dubai, said Mohamed Fawzi, Market Director  Middle East & Africa, McLaren Automotive.

I am honoured to personally handover the first McLaren 765LT Spider in the United Arab Emirates, following the successful start of our operations and the launch of our transitionary sales facility. I would like to take an opportunity to thank our first customers and we look forward to building on this solid foundation as we progress with the year, Juma Khalifa Al Nabooda, Board Member, Khalifa Juma Al Nabooda Group of Companies.

The McLaren 765LT Spider was unveiled in July 2021 as the brands most powerful-ever convertible supercar aiming at bringing the highest-levels of driver engagement to the McLaren LT experience. This limited-production supercar features a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 765PS and translating to the best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 598PS-per-tonne and 800Nm of torque. The 765LT accelerates from 0-100 km/h in only 2.8 seconds, with 0-200 km/h achieved in 7.2 seconds. The specific example handed over in Dubai features a stunning Silica White paint theme, as well as the MSO Clubsport Pack, which reduces the overall weight of the car and increases on-track performance with a portfolio of performance upgrades.

The limited production run of just 765 examples of this car have been fully allocated to customers globally.

McLaren Dubai has been officially appointed to represent McLaren Automotive in Dubai and Northern Emirates in December 2021. The new Retail Partner is currently operating from a transitionary sales facility situated on Sheikh Zayed Road. A dedicated, state-of-the-art sales and service centre is currently under construction at the same address and due to open doors for business in the first half of 2022, said the statement.  TradeArabia News Service
CHAMPAIGN  A woman has been arrested after a weekend shooting at a mall in Champaign that left a man injured, authorities said.

Police were called just after 2 p.m. Saturday to Market Place Mall after learning a man and woman had been in a dispute inside the building near the food court and moved to the parking lot. The woman allegedly fired one shot and hit the man in the leg and he was hospitalized.

The woman was taken to the county jail. Authorities have asked Champaign police to do further investigation before deciding to file charges.

No other injuries were reported in the shooting.

State's Attorney Julia Rietz said the woman has a firearm owner's identification card and a concealed-carry license and told police that she was acting in self-defense after a dispute.

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Cheesecakes by Alex has satisfied the collective sweet tooth of Greensboro, North Carolina, for two decades now, all thanks to Alex and Vera Amoroso (and, well, Veras mother  more on that later). And this family-owned community pillar has celebrated accordingly, with the opening of a second location in Winston-Salem, sister city of Greensboro. Located in the bustling arts district, Alex describes the location as a place they have always felt comfortable  as though it was where they should be.

Alex grew up in the food industry, entering it the hard way by mopping floors at age 15 and slowly working his way up, running multiple kitchens and working as a sous chef for many years. For him, it was all about the savory side of things. Baking was just something that was added to whatever we did, he explains.

His cheesecake obsession began one fateful evening when Veras mother had a hankering for something sweet. Alex found some cheese and crust in his fridge and decided to bake a cheesecake. But he wasnt happy with the final result. Motivated by his losses, Alex baked cheesecake after cheesecake, until he had achieved perfection, which he describes as: Sweet, but not too sweet. Melt-in-your-mouth velvety, not heavy. The perfect marriage between cake density and fluffiness, with flavors that expose themselves in layers.

After encouragement from friends, Cheesecakes by Alex was born  and soon took on a life of its own. Ive written so many business plans for restaurants, but I could never have written one that explains what happened with this business, Alex says. It was just one of those things  the right product, the right place, the right time.

Alex and Vera decided to lease a space to bake cakes at night. Alex worked his 9-to-5 sales job, and then baked with Vera until about 2 or 3 in the morning. The space was not retail, but customers came knocking anyway, asking for a slice of the celebrated cake.

From then on, Cheesecakes by Alex was fueled by customer demand. Customers wanted to buy directly from the shop, so Alex and Vera invested in a cash register. When customers said they wanted to stop by in the morning, the bakery started serving coffee and bakery treats.

About four months in, Alex quit his job in sales to pursue his cheesecake business full time. The response I got from the cheesecake really sealed the deal for me. I enjoyed making it, but I really enjoyed when people ate it, Alex says.

With blueberries from their farm and dairy from a nearby creamery, Cheesecakes by Alex sources locally whenever possible as they create their iconic flavors. Not sure what to order out of the 20-plus flavors available daily? Alexs personal favorite is Key Lime, while Veras is an espresso-inspired flavor. Customer favorites include the NY Style, White Chocolate Raz and Butter Pecan. Have a craving for something not on the menu? Chances are, theyll listen to your suggestion.

Alex now reflects on the crazy growth theyve experienced: It started out with myself and my wife. Now we have roughly 35 people on staff, including my son who runs the kitchen, and two trucks. Its just amazing and its nothing you could really expect to happen. Its built from 100% community support  they embraced us from the beginning and took care of us.

For more information about Cheesecakes by Alex, visit cheesecakesbyalex.com.

This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept to production and distribution. For more information contact sales@brandavestudios.com.
A firefighter with the Advance Fire Department lost everything when his home erupted in flames, according to the fire department.

At about 9:40 a.m. Saturday, crews responded to a fire on the 100 block of McDaniel Road at the home of auxiliary Advance Fire Department firefighter William MacDonald, reported WGHP/FOX 8, the Journal's newsgathering partner.

MacDonalds son was home with a friend when the fire started. They were in the basement and heard a sound upstairs. When they went to check, they saw a fire on the porch.

Both were able to escape through the back of the house by the time firefighters got to the scene. They then called 911.

The parents were not home when the fire broke out, but they went home after receiving a smoke detector alert on their phone.

The fire was under control within a half hour, but the home was destroyed.

Its unclear what caused the fire.

The Advance Fire Department said in a Facebook post that the family is in need of everything. The fire department says someone will be at the fire station at all times to collect donations for the family. AFD is asking for new and gently used clothing, cash and gift cards for big box stores, grocery stores and restaurants.

A GoFundMe has also been set up to support the family.
A joint legislative oversight committee is scheduled Tuesday to review staffing, inclement weather and COVID-19 protocols for long-term care facilities.

Those big-picture topics come before the Health and Human Services committee at the bequest of committee co-chairman Rep. Larry Potts, R-Davidson, and in response to the investigation involving Thomasvilles Pine Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center.

The committee also will receive behavioral health services updates from state health officials at the 10 a.m. meeting.

However, there is a possibility the meeting could be postponed to allow legislators to focus on the next attempt at redistricting maps.

State and local officials have released little information about their investigation into Pine Ridge, where two residents were found dead and two more were sent to a local hospital in critical condition on Jan. 16.

The committee will not address the Pine Ridge investigation specifically, said Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, and a committee co-chairman.

DHHS tells us they will not have completed their investigation yet, but we needed a preliminary overview, Lambeth said.

The proposed agenda included, as of Friday:

An overview of the states health-care facility immunity law;

Hospitals challenges with COVID-19 patient capacity, staffing levels and patient visitation policies; and

Long-term care facilities challenges with COVID-19 resident capacity, staffing levels, inclement weather policies and staff inspection and monitoring processes.

Potts said that while the committee wont be able to focus on the Pine Ridge issues, everyone knows there was a calamity of errors that we can address in generalities.

We want the investigation process to work as its supposed to, Potts said. But, we can become more acutely aware of what goes inside those nursing homes, how they are run and what level of staffing is necessary to serve all of their residents.

We want to know how it happened, so we can help prevent it from happening again.

Background

According to a Jan. 18 Thomasville police report, responding officers determined there were three staff members to care for the 98 patients at the Pine Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center at 706 Pineywood Road.

One licensed practical nurse and two certified nursing assistants were at the facility when investigators arrived Jan. 16.

The N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation is reviewing whether Pine Ridge complied with staffing requirements, a move prompted by the welfare check by Thomasville police and other local first responders and medical personnel made at the request of residents.

DHHS has said that neither federal nor state law prescribes a minimum staffing ratio for nursing homes.

Among the investigating agencies are the State Bureau of Investigation, Davidson County District Attorneys Office and Davidson County Social Services.

Potts said Pine Ridges short-staffed status during the incident wasnt surprising given it seems to be hard these days to gain adequate staffing for a nursing home.

Its a difficult job that requires more pay to be able to find adequately skilled employees and staff levels, Potts said.

The owner of Pine Ridge, Principle LTC based in Kinston, issued a statement Jan. 24  more than a week after the residents were found  saying the disruptions to our staffing (on Jan. 16) were created by the combination of hazardous road conditions and the rampant spread of COVID across North Carolina.

Pinnacle said that we are cooperating fully with state officials investigating this situation and taking meaningful steps to ensure that it does not happen again.

Few answers

In its statement, Principle did not say what health issues the two residents who died may have had, nor did it discuss the conditions of the two residents who were taken to hospitals in critical condition, one to High Point Medical Center and the other to Thomasville Medical Center.

Autopsies are being done at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on the residents who died.

Principle said its medical director has indicated the deaths were medically unrelated to any staffing issues caused by the winter storm. The families were notified by our staff at the time of death.

The statement did not say how the medical director came to that determination.

Principle also said All of our residents are currently receiving the medical care and support they need.

The company said that the deaths of two residents in Thomasville were mischaracterized.

It has been implied that the deaths of these residents were discovered when EMS crews arrived at the facility on Sunday evening. That is not accurate, the company statements said. Our staff began making arrangements with local funeral homes well before EMS arrived at the facility. Hazardous road conditions prevented the funeral home from immediately traveling to Pine Ridge.

Gov. Roy Cooper said Jan. 18 that these reports are deeply troubling and need to be investigated thoroughly.

The health and safety of patients, particularly those in long-term care facilities, are critical.

One-star rating

Pine Ridge is listed with a one-star overall health inspections rating, which is classified as much below average by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

CMS said health inspection star ratings are based on each nursing homes current health inspection (which took place June 17) and two prior inspections, as well as findings from the most recent three years of complaint inspections and three years of infection control inspections.

Pine Ridge ranked below average for staffing levels but above average for quality of patient care.

CMS said the facility has had 12 complaints over the past three years with nine citations reported, which is three above the average in North Carolina for a long-term care facility.

Most of the complaints centered on patient care, particularly whether patients were receiving the care assigned by their doctors, including appropriate and timely medication, and whether their patient records were being updated as necessary.

Other complaints addressed the quality of food, the length of scheduled breaks for nursing assistants, and lack of documentation that the facility was addressing complaints in a timely fashion.

DHHS said federal and state regulations require nursing homes to have sufficient staff (particularly nurses) with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to provide nursing and related services to assure resident safety and well-being.

Staffing levels also are dictated by resident assessments and individual plans of care (that) consider the number, acuity and diagnoses of the facilitys resident population.

In a February 2018 recertification report for Pine Ridge, DHHS found that the facility did not have an adequate emergency preparedness plan. Nursing homes are inspected and re-certified by the state each year.

Long-term care facilities must have an emergency preparedness plan  utilizing an all-hazards approach  that complies with applicable local, state and federal requirements.

The plan did not include facility- and community-based risk assessments, which included missing residents, the facilities resident population and a process that included collaboration with local, regional, state and federal officials, according to the report.

The plan did not have any policy or procedures regarding the emergency plan, the provision of needs for staff and residents, evacuation, sheltering of residents and staff that remain in the facility and the transportation of medical records.  The plan failed to have a training program.

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Fahad Express Travel& Tourism, a leading travel company in Oman, has announced a new multiyear preferred GDS (global distribution system) agreement with Sabre Corporation, a leading travel technology company.



Under the new agreement, Fahad Express will be exclusively using Sabre Red 360 to deliver highly personalised offers for its customers, by deploying intelligent and consultative services and features. Furthermore, it will continue to benefit from Sabres automated exchanges and refunds to drive operational efficiency and excellence.



We are excited to extend our longstanding relationship with Fahad Express as its preferred GDS partner, said John Matthew, Oman Country Manager, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. Online travel is playing a significant role in the industrys recovery, and we will provide the technology and tools to allow Fahad Express leverage this growth and excel in both online and offline travel.



Fahad Express Travel and Tourism will use Sabres marketplace of more than 400 airlines, 750,000 hotel properties, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car and cruise providers, to sell customized travel packages from suppliers around the world.



We have been successful in building a brand that delivers the perfect balance of quality, reliability and service in the offline space, said Juliet Irwin, General Manager, Fahad Express of Travel & Tourism.



Our partnership with Sabre will see us work together to empower the travel industry in Oman and transfer our expertise to excel in the online space. We will leverage Sabres technology and solution to transform our business and advance our offerings for the online travellers.  TradeArabia News Service
Gov. Pete Ricketts and a number of business spokesmen said Monday that pending legislation to reduce Nebraska's individual income tax rate is key to attracting and retaining workers, families and businesses in the state.

"We need to be competitive," Ricketts said during a news conference with Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and representatives from one small and one large Lincoln business.

Nebraska's comparatively high state income tax rate currently is an incentive for families to leave the state, the governor said.

An income tax reduction bill (LB939), introduced by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, is awaiting first-stage floor consideration in the Legislature, with a number of proposed amendments pending.

The proposal would incrementally reduce the top income tax rate for individuals from 6.84% to 5.84%, providing parity with the top corporate income tax rate.

The impact on state government revenue would rise incrementally from an initial reduction of $62 million in fiscal 2022-23 to $363 million in fiscal 2026-27, according to estimates.

"If we continue to control (state government) spending," Ricketts said, the state can continue to deliver tax relief.

Some $548 million in additional property tax relief is being provided now through a refundable income tax credit on property taxes paid to support public schools, the governor said.

And the Legislature, with his support, is now accelerating elimination of state income taxes applied to Social Security benefits, moving the timetable up from 10 years to five years, he noted.

Slone stressed that the proposed income tax reduction will affect teachers, farmers and young people.

"It's not just a tax break for the rich," he said.

Scott Gubbels, executive director of tax and renewable energy services for Nelnet, said the income tax reduction could be "a game-changing move" that would incentivize growth, investment and residency in Nebraska.

And that in turn, he said, would expand the tax base.

Adam Kavan, owner of Kavan Custom Construction, said the proposal represents "a big step in the right direction" in terms of incentivizing people to want to live in Nebraska and, in terms of his small business, "allowing us to make strategic investments."

The proposed tax reduction would assist more than 60% of Nebraska families, Ricketts said.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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A decline in COVID-19 patients has given hospitals some relief, but staffing issues are still a cause for concern.

On Friday, the number of COVID-19 patients in Nebraska hospitals dropped to 469, the lowest level since just after Christmas. The number had risen to 496 by Sunday night, but that's still down more than 20% from a week ago.

"Numbers in the state are certainly headed in the right direction, and we remain hopeful that they will continue in that direction," said Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association.

The decline in hospitalizations has followed a sharp drop in COVID-19 cases as the surge caused by the omicron variant has eased over the past several weeks.

For the week ending Friday, statewide cases totaled 3,836, an average of 548 a day. That was almost half of the previous week's total of 7,535 cases. The statewide test positivity rate is now below 11%, down from 27% a month ago.

Cases in Lancaster County fell to 809 for the week that ended Saturday, the lowest weekly total since the week of Thanksgiving. The number of COVID-19 patients in Lincoln hospitals, which fell below 100 Friday for the first time in more than two months, was down to 87 on Monday.

Jim Ulrich, CEO of York General Hospital, said the Four Corners Health Department, where he's located, had 928 cases in a week three weeks ago but had just 106 over the past week.

"Certainly it's been welcome to see the downturn," he said.

The hospital now has no COVID-19 patients, after having as many as five in a day a month ago.

That may not sound like a lot, but York General only has 25 acute-care beds, and currently is only able to staff about 15 of them, Ulrich said. Even without the COVD-19 patients, the hospital is still within a patient or two of being full on a daily basis and is still seeing people who are very sick with other ailments such as influenza, he said.

Ulrich said the hospital has about 30 open positions, including 16 for nurses, making the problem more one of staffing availability than bed availability.

He said he's hoping to hire enough nurses in the coming weeks to get to 16-19 staffed beds.

"We'd love to get to all 25, but we're just not there in our staffing right now," Ulrich said.

He also said that it's not just a shortage of staff that's a problem but also the well-being of existing staff that is a concern.

"It's not the fear of the unknown that maybe we had at the beginning of the pandemic, it's just the wear and tear of that and a little bit of COVID fatigue," Ulrich said, although he noted that things appear to be getting better.

Mike Hansen, president and CEO of Columbus Community Hospital, said he could think of only one day through the pandemic where the hospital didn't have at least one COVID-19 patient, and that constant patient load has taken its toll.

"Staff are tired. Staff are fatigued," Hansen said. "What keeps me up at night is worrying about my staff's mental health."

Despite the steady decline in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, they are still taking up a significant number of staffed beds statewide. According to the Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 dashboard, 12% of adult hospital beds and 20% of intensive care beds in Nebraska are still occupied by someone with COVID-19.

"The general public doesn't recognize probably that we're still in this battle," Hansen said.

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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A 34-year-old man is dead after Cass County Sheriff's deputies responding to a report of an assault shot and killed him in his father's home near Alvo, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Andrew Stratton was believed to be in the basement of the house at 23418 Alvo Road, northwest of Alvo, when deputies responded late Sunday night, after Stratton's father reported his son had struck him in the head during an altercation, according to a State Patrol news release.

Authorities believed Stratton was "possibly armed."

Before troopers responded shortly after 11 p.m., sheriff's deputies had already entered the residence and begun negotiations with Stratton.

The release said a trooper arrived to the sound of gunshots coming from inside the home. The trooper went into the home and joined deputies in attempting life-saving measures on Stratton. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators found a bow and arrow and long knife in the house. A patrol spokesman said the weapons were found nearby, but said the agency hasn't yet determined whether Stratton was armed when he was shot.

The patrol's Special Investigations Team is investigating the incident. Its findings will eventually be reviewed by a grand jury, as required by Nebraska law.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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A federal judge has denied a defense motion seeking to move U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's case from California to Nebraska.

His trial now is set to start March 15.

Attorneys for the longtime congressman are expected to argue at trial that the investigation was a "political witch hunt."

Chad Kolton, a spokesman for Fortenberry, said: This case was a set-up from the beginning and never should have been brought. It is vital to get this injustice corrected at the earliest possible opportunity."

He said when California suspended jury trials the motion to change venue to Nebraska became necessary.

"With California courts now re-opening, the judges ruling is consistent with our top priority to have a jury hear this case and clear Jeff Fortenberrys name as soon as possible, he said.

A grand jury in Los Angeles indicted the Nebraska congressman in October on allegations he lied to federal agents investigating an illegal campaign contribution at a 2016 fundraiser in California.

Fortenberry has pleaded not guilty to two counts of making false statements to federal agents and one count of seeking to conceal the source of $30,000 in conduit political contributions.

His trial initially had been set to start Tuesday, but last month, jury trials were suspended in the Los Angeles area, where the case is being tried, because of COVID-19. They resume next week.

At a hearing Friday, defense attorney John Littrell made it clear Fortenberry's attorneys wanted a trial as soon as possible, but also argued that the case should be moved to federal court in Nebraska.

At the hearing, Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. seemed unconvinced that it ultimately would result in a quicker trial, given that a new judge would have to get up to speed on all the motions he's already heard.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Har called it "forum shopping."

In his order, which was posted to the court's online record system Monday, Blumenfeld said, though the docket in the District of Nebraska is less congested than in the Central District of California, it is difficult to imagine a Nebraska court would be able to handle all outstanding issues and bring the case before a jury in two weeks.

"Given the existing uncertainties, the court cannot say that defendant would receive a trial significantly sooner if the case were sent to Nebraska," the judge wrote.

Blumenfeld previously rejected a number of other defense challenges to the charges, including an effort to get the indictment dismissed because it wasn't filed in Nebraska or Washington, D.C., where the statements were made, and to disqualify one of the prosecuting attorneys.

But he has yet to rule on a flurry of motions that followed.

The case stems from an investigation that started in 2015 and focused on a Nigerian billionaire, Gilbert Chagoury, who financially supported prominent members of both political parties.

Chagoury is said to have directed the donations to Fortenberry because of a shared interest in protecting Christians from persecution in the Middle East.

But it is illegal for foreigners to donate to U.S. political campaigns.

Attorneys are set to meet with the judge again later this week.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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Lincoln police are searching for at least two alleged shooters and any potential victims after a fight near 27th and Holdrege streets evolved into a reported shootout Friday morning.

Capt. Todd Kocian said neither party reported to be involved in the incident were at the scene when officers arrived shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Witnesses told investigators that a 29-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy had agreed to fight in an alley near the intersection amid an ongoing dispute, Kocian said.

At some point during the conflict, several shots were reported to have been fired between the two.

Investigators later found shell casings from two firearms in the alley. But they haven't found either suspected shooter nor any gunshot victims, Kocian said.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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Rubi Quinones moved into the Vine Street Apartments a year ago with her husband as both worked to complete their Ph.D. programs in computer science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Many of the 52 units at Vine Street Apartments were occupied by other UNL graduate students and their families as one of three family designated complexes maintained by the flagship campus.

The space was larger, many of the utilities were covered as part of the monthly rent payments, and the location was close both to campus and to the UNL daycare, where Quinones and her husband, Ashraful Islam, send Camila, their one-year-old daughter.

Quinones and Islam recently notified UNLs housing office that they planned to stay in the apartment after graduation as they hunt for jobs, but on Friday learned the university will be discontinuing its family designated housing units by June 30.

In an email, Charlie Francis, UNLs director of University Housing and Dining Services, informed the residents the university had decided to sell two of the complexes  one at 33rd and Starr Streets, and the other at 2224 U Street  and repurpose the Vine Street Apartments near 23rd and Vine streets.

After careful consideration, Francis wrote, weve determined that the university is unable to make significant investments in infrastructure over the next few years, to keep the properties known as Colonial Terrace, U Street Apartments and Vine Street Apartments available to students.

The news left Quinones and others in the family designated housing  many of whom are international students limited to where they can work and with few connections to the community  feeling anxious and betrayed.

We moved here for the stuff (UNL) sold us, Quinones said Sunday. We uprooted everything to move here and now they are kicking us out.

On Sunday, in a common space between the twin Vine Street Apartments, residents from all three complexes gathered to organize their thoughts and make a plan of action ahead of a meeting scheduled Monday by UNL for the affected students.

Some suggested enlisting the help of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, the student body, as well as the Graduate Student Assembly, or other student-led groups on campus that have the ear of the administration.

Others recommended asking for an extension on the June 30 move-out date to allow students time to finish their masters and Ph.D. programs, or to ask for compensation and help in finding new accommodations.

An ad hoc committee with leaders from each housing complex formed, gathering emails and other contact information to open up communication lines moving forward.

But the late notice and organizing for action left several residents feeling hopeless.

Oleksiy and Haifaa Al-Saadi, who have lived in the Vine Street Apartments for nearly a year with their two-year-old daughter, Aria, said Fridays notice left them feeling deflated.

Haifaa Al-Saadi is pursuing a masters degree in educational psychology; Oleksiy Al-Saadi is in the middle of a Ph.D. program in computer science. The couple is due to welcome their second child, a boy, in June  the same month UNL expects them to be out of their apartment.

They care so little about us that they are kicking us out in a few months, Haifaa Al-Saadi said. They didnt give us a solution, they didnt guide us anywhere. Its just, Sorry, this is hard to tell you. Thats it.

Working on a graduate student stipend, Oleksiy Al-Saadi said he makes just enough money to cover the couples rent and sending Aria to the UNL daycare at the former Whittier School.

Most of the people living here are doing their masters or Ph.D. he said. They dont party like undergrads. They need a safe place with a lot of kids.

In a statement, Francis said Lincolns rental market has expanded significantly since the family designated housing units were built more than 50 years ago.

While we remain committed to providing meaningful learning experiences in our residential communities, we are confident that there are a number of residential communities able to accommodate our students with families, Francis said.

Will Taylor, who lives in Colonia Terrace with his wife, Katie, and their two children  ages 2 years old and 8 months old  said the options are limited, however.

There are not very many places in town we can go, let alone in our price range, Taylor said in a phone interview on Sunday. That was one of the main draws to family housing  we could actually afford it.

For Brad LaMotte, a first-year graduate student in technical direction at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film who lives at Vine Street Apartments, the options away from campus are also limited by mobility.

We are a one-vehicle family. One income, LaMotte said. There are many factors of our current living situation that absolutely favored and met our needs.

After the news broke on Friday, Taylor said several families in the unit have gathered to talk about whats next. Most have expressed anger and frustration that they werent told about the potential for the complex to be sold earlier.

The NU Board of Regents approved a plan Friday morning to put Colonial Terrace, located near East Campus, up for public sale. A UNL spokeswoman said there are no hard plans for the other properties at this time.

Neither residents of Colonial Terrace, nor those at the Vine Street Apartments, said they were told any kind of sale was in the works. The first they heard of the plan was the email from UNL Friday afternoon.

There are students who have dissertations and theses to defend, some are supposed to have kids being born when theyre moving, said Taylor, an Idaho native who is enrolled at the College of Law and is also pursuing an MBA. This kind of throws everything into an unnecessary amount of difficulty.

The big question for Taylor is whether the buyer will let the current residents of Colonial Terrace stay put and at their current rental rates.

Hes not optimistic, however.

There are some rumors flying around that this unit, the whole street actually, is going to get torn down and a new unit is going to be built, he said. We just want to know if our building is going to exist in a few months.

LaMotte said his family has started looking for alternatives, but said the situation wasnt looking too promising.

And, of course, we will be in competition with our neighbors for the next budget-friendly place to stay, he said.

Quinones said she has familiarized herself with the contract she signed with UNL to live in the Vine Street Apartments. Most landlords only have to give their tenants 30 days notice; UNL provided the students three and a half months.

They are completely legal in what theyre doing and we get that, Quinones said. Its just very stressful when you dont have control over a situation.

She said shell push the university on the fate of their housing deposits, and for compensation for the time, trouble and expense of moving out before many had planned.

If they want us out, fine, help us move out, she said. Be the university we thought that they were.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS

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One teacher was sent to the hospital after a fight at King Science & Technology Magnet Center in Omaha on Friday.

A large fight occurred about 2 p.m. at the school, located at 3720 Florence Blvd., said Officer Phil Anson, a spokesman for the Omaha Police Department. The fight resulted in a teacher being assaulted and then transported to the Nebraska Medical Center with unknown injuries.

In an email sent to King Science parents, Principal Jane Laughlin said the fight occurred in a hallway, and several police officers responded to the middle school. A school resource officer sprayed mace while responding to the fight, and students were checked out by health professionals.

Please be assured that the safety of students and staff is our top priority, Laughlin said in the email.

Anson said numerous students will be cited on suspicion of either assault or disorderly conduct for being involved in the fight.

Earlier on Friday, another fight was reported about 11:30 a.m. at Benson High School, 5120 Maple St.

The fight involved eight students, and officers called to the scene were able to break it up, Anson said.

According to an email sent to Benson High School parents by district officials, the Benson High School resource officer also sprayed mace into the group of students to break up the fight at that school.

After the fight started, school administrators, school security officers and our school resource officer immediately began working to deescalate the situation, according to the email.

After multiple verbal warnings, the (security resource officer) administered mace to get the student altercation to stop, the email states. As a precaution, EMTs and the school nurse were called to look over any students who may have been maced.

School officials said in both emails that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken regarding the fights at Benson High and King Science.

Both incidents are under investigation.

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OMAHA  A 27-year-old Omaha mother who gave birth to a baby boy outside on the sidewalk in 15-degree weather Sunday could face criminal charges.

The woman, who was found a block away, refused medical treatment just before the baby was born.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Monday his office plans to file a request in juvenile court to declare the newborn a ward of the state, pointing to the mother's alleged abandonment. Authorities are continuing to investigate from "a criminal standpoint," he said.

"It's not a safe haven case by any stretch," he said. "Thankfully, these witnesses were around and took care of the baby before medics arrived."

Nebraska's safe haven law allows parents to leave children at a hospital within 30 days of their birth without fear of prosecution.

Kleine said he is still gathering details about the baby's health and how far along the mother was in her pregnancy. However, he said, the fact that the boy was left in extreme cold for about five minutes just after birth could lead to a child neglect or intentional abuse charge, he said.

A person with the mother called 911 about 30 minutes before the woman gave birth, reporting that the mother was having abdominal pain, Kleine said. The mother refused an ambulance transport from the Omaha Fire Department, and medics then left, he said.

The woman then delivered the baby near 24th and P streets and left the infant on the sidewalk, Kleine said.

The woman and the baby were taken in critical condition to the Nebraska Medical Center. As of midday Monday, both were still patients in the hospital, but officials did not release their current conditions.

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Rep. Don Bacon rebutted claims that the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot was legitimate political discourse, saying on Friday that violent protest is never legitimate.

His remarks, made during a legislative update with reporters, came a week after the Republican National Committee censured Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, the two Republicans serving on the Democratic-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot.

The RNC resolution accused the committee of leading a persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse  words that drew outrage from Democrats and firm pushback from several GOP senators. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized the resolution, saying the RNC should not single out members of the party who hold different views from the majority.

Bacon, a three-term Republican congressman whose House district includes Omaha, agreed.

I believe that the RNC comment was unwise, Bacon said. We should be a big-tent party. The statement surely suggested that what happened on Jan. 6 was legitimate discourse, and its not. Violence and violent protest is never legitimate.

Bacons sentiments echo those of some Republican senators who have said the RNC resolution creates further division within the party. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said the RNC has said that it wants the party to be unified, but that was not a unifying action. Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama said the GOP should be a big tent.

(The resolution) makes us look backwards, Bacon said. The merits are wrong, and its not sound politics, either.

Bacon, a retired brigadier general, also spoke on the rapidly evolving tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The Biden administration on Friday escalated its dire warnings about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying it could take place within days.

Our intelligence folks have briefed us, and they are pretty convinced Russia has made the decision to invade, Bacon said. We could see the largest ground war in Europe since World War II. As a person who studied war for most of my life, Im very concerned of what the future could be here.

The U.S. will not send troops to Ukraine for any purpose, including to evacuate Americans who remain in the country, President Joe Biden said. In a Thursday interview with NBC News, Biden urged U.S. citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately and said there is no scenario in which he would send troops to help Americans escape the country because of the potential for conflict.

Bacon agrees that troops should not be sent to fight the Russians if they invade, but he is not opposed to bringing in an airlift to evacuate U.S. citizens if the military decided that it was appropriate.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraines Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing Crimea, then backing a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed over 14,000 people.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.

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HASTINGS  Bringing children joy through song long has been a career for Thomas Michalek of Hastings, making him well-suited to lead a national organization promoting music education.

Michalek, Watson Elementary School music teacher, soon will become president of the Organization of American Kodaly Educators (OAKE), a group that supports music education in schools.

Dave Barrett, interim principal at Watson Elementary, said Michalek is deserving of the position.

Hes an amazing music teacher, Barrett said. Kids love going to his class. Hes one of those hidden gems.

Michalek is past president of the Plains States Kodaly Organization, which covers mainly Nebraska, and past regional representative to the national OAKE board.

He was elected president of the national board last year. Starting in March, he will serve two years as president-elect followed by two years as president. After his term expires, he will complete another two years as past president to help transition to a new president.

Although the added time commitment and responsibilities gave him pause, Michalek said he is at a point in his life to be able to take it on. His wife has offered her support, and their daughter is going off to college.

He said OAKE has provided a great deal of professional development to him during his career and serving as president will allow him to pass that on to younger teachers.

I felt it was my opportunity to give back, he said. I am fortunate to have developed leadership skills through my career. I can lend my organizational skills and empathy skills to the organization.

All through high school, Michalek knew he wanted to be involved in a career in music.

He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1991 with a bachelors degree in music education and earned his masters degree in music at UNL in 1997.

He initially thought his career would be focused on instrumental music, but a perceptive professor suggested he try his hand with elementary students. She encouraged him to apply for his first teaching job, teaching general music to students in kindergarten through sixth grades in Bellevue.

My love has been elementary music, he said.

He taught in Bellevue for 12 years and then Millard for three years before moving to Hastings. Hes been with Hastings Public Schools for 16 years. He also taught instrumental music on the side to keep in touch with that part of his musical interest.

Michalek received his Kodaly Certificate from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2001. The certification required two weeks of training each summer for three years.

Zoltan Kodaly was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, pedagogue, linguist and philosopher in the early 19th century.

Michalek said that Kodaly was unsatisfied with the quality of musicians at the time and began research into how children were being taught music. His research inspired a new way to teach music to children through folk songs.

In the 1960s, several Americans went abroad to learn about the Kodaly method. They returned to the United States and began disseminating what they had learned.

The Organization of American Kodaly Educators was founded in 1975 to promote Kodalys concept of Music for Everyone through the improvement of music education in schools. Today, the groups mission is to support music education of the highest quality, promote universal music literacy and lifelong music making, and preserve the musical heritage of the people of the United States of America through education, artistic performance, advocacy and research.

In practice, Michalek said, the Kodaly method uses folk songs from around the world to introduce music concepts to students incrementally. Instead of simply teaching about music, the goal is to foster a deep appreciation for the art form by providing positive experiences.

Its based on singing and joy, he said. The kids have a ball, while we gradually and subtly explore music concepts. The main emphasis has to be joy.

To that end, OAKE offers professional development through four workshops each year. Michalek has taught such certified programs though the organization in the past.

As the groups future president, he sees his role as one of advocacy and dissemination of information as well as connecting chapters across the country to one another. He said he previously thought hed like the opportunity to be the national president but didnt think it would be at this point in his life.

It feels overwhelming because of the strong tradition of this organization and the artists who have been in this position in the past, he said. I feel it will be richly rewarding. This can hopefully help me to influence educators of children in much bigger ways.

Michalek said hes thankful for his co-workers and Hastings Public Schools for allowing him to serve in this capacity as the duties will require some professional leave.

The Hastings program for K-12 is extremely strong and has a rich tradition of success, he said. Im lucky to be part of such a strong team here. I love teaching here and being a part of this community.

For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Hastings Tribune.

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Emirates, a major international airline, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, to explore codeshare, interline, and joint holiday package opportunities.



Adnan Kazim, Emirates Chief Commercial Officer, said: Maldives is one of the most popular leisure destinations in Emirates network and we are very pleased to be exploring a partnership with the nations local carrier. A codeshare and interline agreement will immensely benefit both carriers. For Emirates customers, its enhanced connectivity to and from the Maldivian archipelago. For Maldivian travellers, itll ease access to our extensive network of more than 120 destinations, via Dubai. We look forward to continue strengthening our partnership and to offering customers a seamless travel experience.



Ibrahim Ameer, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Maldives, said: Emirates' impact to the Maldives' tourism industry is significant, with the airline ranking first in terms of international passenger traffic. The possible partnership between the two airlines will benefit the Maldivian economy and strengthen economic ties between the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates.



Mohamed Mihad, Maldivians Managing Director, said: The opportunity to explore a partnership with the largest airline in the world brings about endless opportunities for Maldivian. The growth prospects that could follow such a partnership is key when we look to expand our operations and develop partnerships that will allow us to position ourselves in the post Covid aviation industry. The interline and codeshare arrangement being explored would enable both Maldivian as well as Emirates to enhance the connectivity and expand on the service offerings.



The two carriers are reviewing a codeshare agreement that will enable Emirates customers to conveniently book and connect from Male to more than 15 domestic destinations and the international destinations served by Maldivian.



Emirates and Maldivian will also explore opportunities to cooperate on their respective tour operating arms, to offer customers tailor-made packages including hotel stays at world class resorts and exclusive tours.



Emirates launched operations to the Maldives in 1987, and the airline currently serves the island-nation with 28 weekly flights, playing a vital role with supporting the countrys trade and tourism recovery. The airline was recently crowned as top carrier in the Maldives, connecting 265,000 passengers to the island-nation from top markets including, UAE, UK, US, Russia, and Germany.



Emirates currently has codeshare agreements in place with 23 airline partners and two rail companies. The airline also has an interline agreement with over 115 airlines and rail companies. - TradeArabia News Service
HERSHEY  A love for drag racing started with a chance meeting for the Fletcher girls, Alliana, 17, and Terralynn, 9.

Terry Fletcher, their dad, took the family to the Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado, in 2019. They met Mike Salinas, a NHRA Top Fuel racer with Scrappers Racing who has won numerous national titles.

He stopped us on the way out because of Terralynn, Terry said. He wanted to give her a piston, which shes still got to this day.

Salinas talked with Terralynn about his own girls, who are also racers, and told her she should think about doing it as well.

That was in July, Terry said. In August, Terralynn came up to me and said, Dad, Ive been thinking, and thats where it started. We got her in it.

Alliana was hesitant when her dad and mom, Bobbi, asked if she was interested in racing as well.

I didnt want my parents spending over $5,000 to put me in something I never tried and not enjoy it. So I told them I wasnt going to do it.

But her parents didnt give her the option.

My dad said, No, youre going to, threw me in a car, and it became my passion, Alliana said.

Her dad said Alliana has attention deficit disorder. Racing gives her a respite and helps her to focus.

I like the peace that comes out of it, Alliana said. I mess a lot with myself mentally, and when Im pulling up to the (starting lights) tree, you literally cant think of anything else.

A lot of people wouldnt say its peaceful because youre going 85 mph within an eighth of a mile, but its literally the most peaceful thing I could do, and I just love doing it. Its a mental game.

Terry said Alliana found a niche that she truly enjoys.

And Im surprisingly good at it, Alliana said.

But Terralynn was the first to get started in drag racing. Salinas gave her the encouragement she needed to give it a try.

What made me want to race is that I have courage, Terralynn said. I knew I could do it from the start, and Mike Salinas told me someday I might get in one of those cars. And here I am in one of these cars.

Terry bought a car for Terralynn, and they practiced up and down the street next to their house in Hershey. She had to get a racing license, which includes a medical checkup among other intense steps, like driving tests and demonstrating familiarity with the track.

After going through the process, the girls joined the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League. It offers kids ages 5 through 17 a chance to race half-scale dragsters in a controlled environment at the NHRAs 130 member tracks throughout the United States and in Canada long before they can obtain a state drivers license.

Terralynns first race was at Kearney Raceway Park.

I dont remember who I was going against, but I was still learning how to turn onto the track, so some people helped me, Terralynn said. I dont know if I won or not, but I felt really happy that I started doing it.

Terralyns engine is about 17 horsepower and Allianas is about 52 horsepower. Allianas top speed is 85 mph and Terralyn said the fastest Ive gone is 62 mph.

According to Terry, the engines are based off the Briggs and Stratton flathead engine, which is a single cylinder. The bore size is different in the two cars.

Its just a lawn mower on steroids, Alliana said.

The girls race at the Julesburg Dragstrip most of the time. They like the competition and camaraderie that is found there.

The sportsmanship is huge, Bobbi said. Win or lose, these kids are out there every race giving knuckles, wishing good luck before the race. After the race, they get out of their cars and give high fives, knuckles.

This season, the girls are signed up for the Western Conference Finals that will take place at Bandimere June 24 to 26. Racing teams will come from all over the western United States as well as Canada and Mexico.

Last season, the girls competed at the Division 5 finals at Bandimere and performed well.

There were 69 cars in my class, and I placed sixth, Alliana said.

Bobbi said it was her daughters first time racing at Bandimere. Terralynn finished third out of about 20 cars.

In September, the girls will compete in the District 7 finals in Las Vegas.

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RACINE  The man accused of shooting five people before killing himself as police closed in early Sunday in Downtown Racine has been identified as John Wesley Brown, 50, of Racine.

The Racine Police Department identified Brown in a release Monday morning. All five people he shot, one woman and four men, are in stable condition and are recovering, the RPD said.

Police said they responded to the area of Seventh Street and Park Avenue at 1:52 a.m. Sunday for reports of shots fired; there, they encountered an armed party and saw several people running north on College Avenue. Police said that officers chased Brown and when confronted, and after several minutes of negotiation, he turned the gun on himself.

On Sunday, the RPD said that the shooting appears to be domestic related.

Gun violence

The shooting was either the 49th or 60th mass shooting in the first 44 days of 2022 in the United States, depending on your definition of mass shooting, according to crowdsourced databases.

Mass Shooting Tracker (MassShootingTracker.site) considers Racines shooting the 60th of the year so far; it defines a mass shooting as a single outburst of violence in which four or more people are shot, including the shooter. The Gun Violence Archive, which only recorded 48 mass shootings in the country as of Saturday, has a more restrictive definition. It defines a mass shooting as when there are four or more shot or killed, not including the shooter.

The number of four casualties is derived from the FBI definition of mass murder being four killings in one incident.

Reactions

A handful of local elected officials issued statements following the violence. Among them were Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, who said: I am shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic gun violence that transpired in downtown Racine last night. Im sending healing thoughts to all those affected by this horrible incident and praying that all those injured are able to make a full recovery.

Others who issued statements are Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.

As we await more details on yet another act of gun violence, my heart goes out to the entire Racine community and all those affected by this tragedy. We shouldnt have to live like this. We need to confront this epidemic head-on, Godlewski said in a tweet.

Barnes called for reform to gun laws in Wisconsin and the U.S., something he and Gov. Tony Evers have advocated for since taking office in January 2019, particularly in the form of requiring universal background checks for firearm purchases. Barnes tweeted Sunday: Im devastated to hear about todays shooting in Racine. My thoughts are with the friends, family, and community affected. And I want to thank the first responders on the scene. This happens far too often, we need to pass common sense gun safety reforms now.

The victims have not been publicly identified.

On Monday morning, another Democrat running for U.S. Senate, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, tweeted in support of gun reform: Absolutely gut wrenching to have another shooting. Praying for a speedy recovery to those involved and the Racine community. Gun safety legislation matters. When is enough, enough?

Each time a mass shooting occurs, the Mass Shooting Tracker tweets details of the shooting, preceded by the phrase Americas gun psychopathy continues.

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SOMERS  Black History Month recognizes the history and contributions African-Americans have made to society.

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 900 Wood Road, invites the public to join the university as it celebrates Black culture, engage in critical conversations and honor the legacies that prevail today. People can stay connected to the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs on Facebook and Instagram to learn about upcoming events including informative workshops, guest speakers and musical performances.

Guest speaker Calvin Brown Jr. was UW-Parksides guest speaker on Feb. 8 to help kick off Black History Month. Brown is the executive producer of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. His career includes writing and producing for shows like A Different World, Moesha, The Real Husbands of Hollywood and more.

Mosaic workshop

Hidden Stories, an in-depth mosaic workshop on the hidden stories of African American history, takes place from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, in Molinaro L111. Participants will learn why hidden histories are problematic and what people can do to tell more inclusive stories.

Trivia Tuesday

A Black History Month Trivia Night will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, in the Walnut Room of the Student Center. Participants will answer questions regarding pictures, quotes, and music from black cinematic films. Trivia winners will receive prizes.

Black Business Expo

A Black Business Expo to support black-owned businesses in the surrounding area will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, on the bridge in the Student Center. Vendors will sell products varying from skincare items, hoodies and sweets.

MLK Celebration

The 23rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration honors the life and legacy of King. People who attend this noon concert on Friday, Feb. 25, in Bedford Hall will hear the University Chorale, Jazz Ensemble and other artists within the campus community. The celebration continues with a reception at 1 p.m.

Essence Ball

People can register for the fourth annual Essence Ball to be held from 5 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Student Center ballroom. This formal gathering consists of a keynote speaker providing dialogue that captures the essence of the Black Student Unions mission.

Exhibition

A Celebration Shrine exhibition can be seen through Feb. 25 in the Foundation Gallery in the Rita. This installation features community-sourced objects assembled to pay tribute to those whove fought for social justice, and those who inspire people to become better versions of themselves.

Book discussion

UW-Parksides faculty Joseph Benson and Doug Singsen will discuss their book, Bandits, Misfits, and Superheroes: Whiteness and Its Borderlands in American Comics and Graphic Novels. from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, in Bedford Concert Hall.

The Rita anniversary

The Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities staff at UW-Parkside invites the public to celebrate its 10th anniversary semester, packed with arts and cultural events for all ages.

The culminating event, Sunday at the Rita: A Celebration on Sunday, takes place from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24. There will be a reception and award announcement for Together Again; a Parkside Range concert; English and communication student videos; a technical theater demonstration from the production, She Kills Monsters; two Foreign Film Series screenings of Another Round; and open labs and studios.

Together Again is UW-Parksides second survey of contemporary artists working in Racine and Kenosha as the kickoff event for the celebration of 10 Years at the Rita Tallent Picken Center for Arts & Humanities. This all-media exhibition will be juried by Shana McCaw, formerly senior curator at the Charles Allis and Villa Terrace museums, and now creative director and co-founder of Current Projects in Milwaukee.

For more information, go to uwp.edu.

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BURLINGTON  At an age when many politicians are riding into the sunset, Tom Vos is saddling up for another rodeo.

The 75-year-old father of Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is back on the ballot April 5, asking voters to return him to Burlingtons non-partisan city government.

With no opposition in a race for alderman, Vos is virtually assured of winning election and re-joining the Burlington City Council, where he previously served for nearly four decades.

Vos says he has no specific agenda, other than that he still feels passionate about public service. And he remains committed to Burlington, where he grew up, ran a business and raised a family.

I think giving back to the community is an important thing, he said, adding with a laugh, its certainly not for the money. Burlington aldermen serve two-year terms at a salary of $3,600 a year.

Before calling it quits in 2018, Vos had served in City Hall for 36 years, representing neighborhoods in Burlingtons west-side Third District, generally between Milwaukee Avenue and Park Avenue.

His colleagues elected Vos five different times to the leadership position of City Council president. He also served on the plan commission, finance committee, health board and airport commission, among others.

Tom loves the city, said Bob Miller, who served as mayor from 2000 to 2008. And he loves doing what he can to help the city.

Miller recalled working with Vos on improvements to city properties, recruitment of new businesses and public recreation upgrades. Vos always was cost-conscious about city funds, and he never let political considerations get in the way, Miller said.

If theres one thing Tom is not, its a political creature, the ex-mayor said. Its not a matter of conservative or liberal; its a matter of working for the city.

Vos, who ran a home improvement business in Burlington, was first elected to the City Council in 1982.

His son, Robin, graduated from Burlington High School in 1986, and after college the younger Vos got involved in politics. He worked for a state legislator and a congressman, then got elected to the Racine County Board.

Ten years later, Robin Vos was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly. Today, he serves as Assembly speaker representing District 63, R-Rochester, and is considered Wisconsins most powerful Republican.

Tom Vos said his interest in Burlington government and Robins interest in state government rarely intersect.

We try not to talk politics, he said. If we do, its pretty generic. And it never gets heated.

Not everyone in Burlington is a Tom Vos supporter.

Joel Jacobsen, a political activist, ran against Vos for aldermen unsuccessfully in 2004. Jacobsen later got elected in a different district and served one term on the City Council.

Acknowledging that Tom Vos is a hard worker in city government, Jacobsen said he wishes newcomers would step forward to serve, rather than Tom Vos coming out of retirement.

More recently, Jacobsen ran as a Democrat trying unsuccessfully to unseat Robin Vos in his state Assembly district in 2018 and again in 2020. Jacobsen noted that he got 45% of the Burlington vote in one of his Assembly campaigns.

Obviously, the Vos name in Burlington is well known, he said. But there are not always people who are in full agreement with either of the Voses.

Tom Vos decided not to seek re-election as alderman in 2018 because he wanted to spend more time helping with TS Food Packaging, one of his sons private businesses.

Newcomer Steve Rauch won Vos old seat in the Third District. After two terms, however, Rauch has decided to step down this April.

Seeing nobody else come forward, Vos decided to get back into city government. He approached Mayor Jeannie Hefty and asked if she knew of anyone else interested in his old aldermanic seat.

Hefty said she will be happy to have Vos back on the City Council.

He is very level-headed, always thinking of the community as a whole, she said.

Among current issues before the City Council, Vos said he opposes draining the troubled Echo Lake, and he supports plans for redeveloping the St. Francis Friary property.

He is unsure whether he will serve one aldermanic term or possibly more. He has no plans to become council president again, although he said he would do it, if asked.

Vos said he always told City Hall officials that he would gladly return to public service if he could be of assistance. He looks forward to bringing his experience and perspective to the citys current challenges.

Of his age, he said, he feels much younger than his 75 years.

My mind is sharp, and thats why they call me a lot from City Hall, he said. Looking ahead to the next two years, he said, I think its my time.

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1. Yes. Raising the bar for future developments will boost the citys housing market.

2. Yes. It will help in newer areas, but more needs to be done to change Killeens image.

3. No. The new standards will just slow down homebuilding and drive away developers.

4.No. The ordinance will do little more than drive up the price of new homes in the city.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say what the effect will be until they have been in place for a while.

Vote

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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. High 83F. S winds shifting to ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 70F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Omans Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has inked an agreement with Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran Group) for the management and operation of Bahla Fort and Oasis in the Governorate of ADakhiliyah.



The agreement was signed by Ibrahim Said Al Kharusi, the ministrys Undersecretary for Heritage Affairs, and Mohammed Salim Al Busaidi, Omrans Chairman of the Board of Directors, reported Oman News Agency (ONA).



As per the agreement, Omran Group will manage Bahla Fort and Oasis for a period of 15 years, including the internal and external areas of the site.



Al Kharusi said that Bahla Fort holds a unique place in Omans rich history as it is the first historical landmark in Oman to be included on the UNESCOs World Heritage List in 1987. The site is considered as one of the main cultural and heritage destinations that attracts visitors and tourists from across the world.



He added that this agreement will aid the growth of the tourism industry by being a key contributor to the national economy. Based on the position of Bahla Fort as a unique cultural and historical landmark, the collaboration with Omran Group is a step that will further support the management and promotion of major historical and cultural sites. It will attract more visitors from Oman and beyond.



Al Busaidi, Chairman of Omran Group said that this agreement embodies the successes accomplished by the Omran Group in managing and operating many heritage, geological and environmental sites. The Group plays a strategic role in creating new tourism experiences and products in collaboration with the private sector. The objective is to maximize the economic and social returns as well as innovatively promoting the cultural and natural treasures of Oman.



This collaboration is expected to improve the operational aspects of the historical site. As a result, the Omran Group will collaborate with SMEs in operating operational the Bahla Fort and Oasis facilities, which is in line with the group's efforts in boosting In-country value (ICV).



The operational scope of this partnership will entail providing tourist experiences of the fort and the area surrounding the oasis through the development of facilities and services, as well as incorporating the rich heritage and cultural characteristics of the Wilayat of Bahla, Al Busaidi added.
KEARNEY  When Carma Womeldorf was just eight years old, she couldnt tell twins Allen and Alvin Edwards apart. Well, she said, exasperated. Ill just marry them both!

Thats exactly what she did.

In her later years, she said she had three As in her life: Allen, Alvin and Alzheimers.

Allen was her first husband. Alvin, nicknamed Al, was her second husband. Carma married him after Allen died in an accident. Alzheimers was the third A and the final chapter in their unusual love story.

Identical and inseparable

The story begins on Feb. 23, 1931, the day Allen and Alvin were born on a farm six miles south of Dallas, S.D. Their mother told them apart by the small wart on Als left knuckle.

Like many identical twins, they developed their own language. They always dressed alike. They attended a one-room school. We were inseparable growing up. All of my early experiences were as we, not I, Al said. That included meeting Victoria Carma Womeldorf, known as Carma, in Sunday school when they were 5 years old.

As teenagers, the boys and Carma formed a trio. Allen and I liked to go to the show on Sundays in the summer if we could get a ride to town, and wed see Carma and her friend Sally, Al said as he reminisced not long ago. Wed go to the movies and then get ice cream. Wed sit across from them at the ice cream parlor.

A strange feeling

Carma was the only girl Allen ever dated. Their romance began in 1945, when Allen was a high school freshman, but Al often tagged along on their outings. Wed ride in the pickup. Shed sit between us and listen as the two of us talked, Al said.

After graduating from Dallas High School in 1948, Al attended South Dakota State University. In 1951, he left college and joined the U.S. Marines. Carma and I went on very different paths, but we stayed in close contact, he said.

She and Allen married in 1948 and had two daughters, Linda and Marci. In February 1953, Allen died suddenly from a severe blow to the head in a farm accident.

Al, then stationed with the Marines in California, had a strange feeling that afternoon and declined an invitation to go off base with friends that evening. I waited in the barracks, where I received the call that Allen had passed away, he recalled. Within six months, Carma had lost her husband, her father and her grandmother.

A new life

Al stayed in close contact with Carma, and one year later, on Feb. 21, 1954, just two weeks after his honorable discharge, he married Carma and became a stepfather to Linda, then 6, and Marci, not quite two. Al and Carma eventually had three children of their own: Janice, Tom and Genelle.

After their wedding, they moved to Manhattan, Kan., where Al resumed his veterinary studies at Kansas State University. Tuition was $124 per semester. They rented an apartment for $27 a month. Carma, an excellent bookkeeper, typed theses for foreign veterinarians and babysat as she raised her small children. When Al graduated in 1959, he did carpentry work to pay off his single $400 college debt.

He then joined Dr. Harold Seversons animal clinic in Winner, S.D., just 26 miles from where he had grown up, but within a few years, he was eager to establish his own practice. The Marine Corps had given me backbone. Im a tough Swede. I wanted to be on my own, he said.

Life in Ainsworth

In 1962, on a Saturday drive to Ainsworth, they met an Ainsworth veterinarian who was eager to retire. On the spot, he sold them his practice, so they moved 80 miles south and took over his practice. Eventually, Al built a new clinic. He learned to fly, too.

I bought a Super Cub in Ainsworth. I had just two lessons, but I had flown quite a bit with a friend, he said. His first landing strip was on an 18-acre alfalfa field next to his clinic. I had clients 50 miles away across the Niobrara River. Id put skis on the plane in the winter so I could land on the Sandhills, he said.

Later, when he built a new vet clinic outside of town, he used the runway from the old World War II airport.

Life was busy. He built an indoor arena because his children were active barrel racers who showed calves and horses at 4-H events. He wrote for a veterinary journal and spoke all over the Midwest. Initially, he turned down a job offer from Kansas State. I was having too much fun. I loved to fly, and we were getting busier. I had two people working for me, he said.

A move to Kansas

But finally, after 13 years in Ainsworth, he accepted a job at Kansas States veterinary college. He taught while earning a doctorate in veterinary pathology. His research earned him an invitation to speak to the World Veterinary Congress. Carma went along. Al said, I dont leave home without her.

Carma assisted with his clinic in Ainsworth while raising a family and doing bookkeeping. In Kansas, she worked part time in a high-class dress shop. She was also an expert quilter and painter.

Al traveled extensively as part of his job, but never alone. Carma always went with him.

She rode a camel in Egypt. We saw wildebeests in Kenya. We went up the Nile. It turns out Prince Philip of England was on our boat, and Carma danced with him in a circle dance. No cameras were allowed, he said.

Retiring in Kearney

Sixteen years ago, after retirement, Al and Carma moved to Kearney, where two of their children lived. They joined Golden K Kiwanis and took to the road in their mobile home, spending winters in Yuma, Ariz., or Florida, and summers in the Black Hills or Alaska. Carma researched every destination they visited.

Weve driven all across Canada. Weve been to 50 states. We drove to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and whale-watched in Alaska. In New Zealand, we stayed at a place where they generated electricity with the tides. One other place we stayed cooked with thermal heat, he said. Thermal heat, in fact, provided energy for the entire town.

He and Carma also came to Kearney to see the sandhill cranes for 20 years.

Alzheimers intrudes

In 2012, Carma was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Life slowed down, but their love did not. In recent years, they moved to an assisted living apartment at Kinship Pointe Northridge. They each had recliners so they could hold hands while taking a nap. If Al wore khakis, Carma would, too. When she got a bright red walker, he did, too.

In her last seven weeks, Al and his five children took care of her in their apartment. She was under hospice care for the last three weeks of her life. She never slept alone. She knew she was safe, Al said.

She passed away right after the minister had prayed over her. One sister talked to her on the phone. We were all around her. It was wonderful, he added.

He is grateful that he was able to keep her in their apartment as she declined. I had friends who lost their wives, and for the last two years, they could see them just once a week in another facility. That just tore them up. We were all here, he said.

Their love was so amazing, daughter Janice Powell said.

Added daughter Linda Edwards, They will go on being a pair forever, like Romeo and Juliet.
In an increasingly competitive environment, an Omaha senator wants to give Nebraskas governor a new incentive to lure and retain businesses  a pot of money to use at his or her discretion.

State Sen. Brett Lindstrom introduced Legislative Bill 729, which would create a fund within the Department of Economic Development that could be used for economic or infrastructure development that would help land a high-impact business project or facility or to keep a business already located in the state. A high-impact business is one that is expected to create a net benefit to the state, through jobs and investments, compared with the cost of the incentive.

Assuming a project meets the necessary requirements, including thresholds for jobs and salaries, the governor would have the discretion to award the funding.

This is just another little extra thing that the governor can put on the table and say lets do the deal, Lindstrom told the Legislatures Revenue Committee last week.

Asked whether he would support the bill, a spokesperson for Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said the governor had no comment on the proposal. Ricketts is in his final year in office due to term limits.

LB 729 would create the fund  it wouldnt allocate any money into it. State dollars put into the fund would be at the discretion of the Legislature. Lindstrom also didnt put a cap on the amount of money the governor could award for individual projects.

Lindstrom, a two-term lawmaker who is also a Republican candidate for governor, said he was inspired by a similar program created in Oklahoma in 2011. Since then the program has awarded about $14 million to seven companies, according to Lindstrom. That resulted in the creation of 3,500 jobs and $3.4 billion in investments by those companies.

Most of those incentives went toward construction. For example, it awarded $3 million to General Electric for construction of a new facility in Oklahoma City. It also awarded $1.5 million to Macys for employee training.

While one of the investments led to the creation of jobs earning a salary bellow the average annual pay in the state, a 2018 report by a commission created to evaluate the program concluded it had a net positive return on investment for Oklahoma.

A 2018 study that looked at a similar program in Arkansas was less conclusive.

The study, published in Review of Regional Studies, found no evidence that the Arkansas program increased employment or business establishment in counties with a project that received subsidies.

Business incentive programs are not new in Nebraska. For more than a decade the state had the Nebraska Advantage Act, which provided tax credits and exemptions to companies that reached employment and investment thresholds.

Lawmakers eventually questioned the effectiveness of the program. In 2018, a committee of lawmakers called for ending the program a year earlier than its original expiration date in 2020.

That was replaced by the ImagiNE Act, which provides various tax credits based on the number of jobs created, the wages for those jobs, the type of business, the amount of investment and the location of the business. The ImagiNE Act faced a tumultuous journey and at one point was used as a bargaining chip by rural senators seeking property tax relief. It was ultimately folded into a compromise bill passed in 2021.

Jennifer Creager with the Greater Omaha Chamber told the Revenue Committee this past week that there were discussions about creating a discretionary fund similar to Lindstroms proposal around the time the ImagiNE Act was drafted. However, given that governors have not historically requested the fund and concerns over transparency, it was taken off the table early in the process of crafting the act.

Creager, who also testified on behalf of the Lincoln and state chambers and Nebraska Bankers Association, spoke in support of Lindstroms bill, adding that it could allow the state to be more nimble when responding to economic development opportunities.

Lindstrom said that is the goal.

To me there is one extra step that other states have that we dont and thats a governors closing fund, he said, referencing a shortened version of the funds name.

Its ultimately something to make us competitive.
How many car insurance companies can you name off the top of your head? We bet its fewer than 10.

In reality, more than 2,400 car insurers in the nation are vying for your business. Yet, most drivers prefer to buy from a household name. Nearly 60% of respondents to a recent survey said they were more likely to buy a policy from a company theyd seen an advertisement for, according to Expertise.com, which researches and reviews top service professionals.

But these insurance giants may not always offer the cheapest car insurance or the best customer experience.

In fact, in 23 states, the cheapest car insurance rates werent from one of the nations largest carriers, according to NerdWallets rates analysis.

Here are three more reasons why you may want to take a chance on a lesser-known insurer.

Fewer ads may mean cheaper rates

Big-name insurers dont become household names by accident. In 2020, the four largest car insurance companies in the nation spent over $3.75 billion in advertising, according to consumer data provider Statista.

In contrast, many lesser-known carriers dont spend as much money on ads, which may offset the amount you pay for car insurance, explains Robbie Moore, executive vice president of Blanchard & Calhoun Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency based in Georgia.

Still, theres no guarantee a smaller carrier will have cheaper rates than larger brands. Shop around with multiple companies, both big and small, to find the cheapest car insurance for you.

Better customer service

Although you may have doubts about working with a company youve never heard of before, you shouldnt assume a lesser known insurer will provide worse service.

In fact, several smaller companies had fewer customer complaints in the last three years than the biggest names in the industry, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC.

In addition, a 2021 auto claims satisfaction study from consumer research group J.D. Power found that, out of the eight insurers that received above-average scores, only half were among the nations largest carriers.

Smaller brands will often go out of their way to earn  and keep  your business. When you're going through a claim, they really take the time to get to know you, and it's a very personalized experience, Moore says.

The same (or more) coverage

You might expect a company youve never heard of to offer fewer coverage options than a big-name insurer, but this is generally not the case. All auto insurers have to sell minimum coverage by law, plus they typically offer standard coverage like comprehensive and collision insurance, which cover repairs to your vehicle.

Some smaller companies may even offer coverage options or perks that household names generally dont provide. For instance, some carriers include free extras like accident forgiveness or pet insurance with a standard auto insurance policy.

"I think they know because they are smaller and because you haven't heard of them, they're not going to win your business based on name recognition, Moore says.

Is a smaller company right for you?

Despite these advantages, a lesser-known insurer isnt always the best option.

If having a tech-friendly carrier is important to you, consider sticking with big-name brands. A larger company may boast higher-tech offerings than its smaller competitors. You may want to check out an insurer's app and website before committing to a company.

In addition, a smaller provider wont always sell policies in as many locations as a larger brand. Because of this, you might need to switch carriers if you move out of the area.

How to choose a car insurance company

Ready to switch, but dont know where to begin? Heres how to get started:

Always research a company before buying an insurance policy. Confirm it has the coverage you want and any extras youre looking for, like accident forgiveness.

Check a companys financial strength to ensure it can pay out your claim should you have to file one. You can find a carriers financial strength using a rating firm like A.M. Best.

Look at customer complaint records on the NAIC site.

Consider using an independent insurance agent who can connect you with both national carriers and local insurers. These agents work with multiple providers instead of a single company. Independent agents generally work on commission and only sell policies from the companies they partner with.

Kayda Norman writes for NerdWallet. Email: knorman@nerdwallet.com.

The article Why You Should Consider a Smaller Car Insurer originally appeared on NerdWallet.

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WASHINGTON  Heres a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

House votes

Sexual harassment arbitration: The House has passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (H.R. 4445), sponsored by Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Maine, to bar arbitration agreements that prevent a party to the agreement from filing a sexual assault or sexual harassment lawsuit against another party to the agreement. Bustos said employment agreements that force employees to go to arbitration to settle such cases were unjust legal traps used against workers. An opponent, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said the bill was more likely to benefit trial lawyers than workers, due to encouraging costly litigation while blocking arbitration. The vote, on Feb. 7, was 335 yeas to 97 nays. Yeas:

Kind D-WI (3rd)

Homeland security purchasing practices: The House has passed the Promoting Rigorous and Innovative Cost Efficiencies for Federal Procurement and Acquisitions (PRICE) Act (S. 583), sponsored by Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich. The bill would require the Homeland Security Department to annually publish online a report on agency measures to improve its procurement systems. The vote, on Feb. 7, was 426 yeas to 5 nays. Yeas:

Kind D-WI (3rd)

Postal service changes: The House has passed the Postal Service Reform Act (H.R. 3076), sponsored by Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y. The bill would establish a health benefits programs for Postal Service workers and retirees while ending a requirement that retirement health benefits be prepaid, and establish new budget and service reporting requirements for the Postal Service. Maloney called the changes an effort to fix some of the serious problems that have been looming over the post office for years and threatening its financial stability. The vote, on Feb. 8, was 342 yeas to 92 nays. Yeas:

Kind D-WI (3rd)

Continuing appropriations: The House has passed the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R. 6617), sponsored by Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., to extend funding for the federal government though March 11. The vote, on Feb. 8, was 272 yeas to 162 nays. Yeas:

Kind D-WI (3rd)

Gender and visas: The House has passed the Global Respect Act (H.R. 3485), sponsored by Rep. David L. Cicilline, D-R.I., to have the State Department enact visa-blocking sanctions against foreigners accused of sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity discrimination. Cicilline said: This bill protects LGBTQI people from murder, torture, and other forms of violence. An opponent, Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., said: The bills broad language has the potential to sweep in nonviolent conduct and impose visa restrictions on individuals engaged in that conduct. The vote, on Feb. 9, was 227 yeas to 206 nays. Yeas:

Kind D-WI (3rd)

Senate votes

D.C. Superior Court: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Donald Tunnage to serve as a judge on the Washington, D.C., Superior Court for a 15-year term. Tunnage has been a civil rights trial attorney at the Justice Department since 2009. The vote, on Feb. 7, was 54 yeas to 39 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

D.C. appeals court: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Loren AliKhan to serve as a judge on the Washington, D.C., Court of Appeals for a 15-year term. AliKhan has been the Districts solicitor general since 2018, was previously its deputy solicitor general, and before that was a Justice Department lawyer. The vote, on Feb. 8, was 55 yeas to 41 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

Ambassador to Germany: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Amy Gutmann to serve as U.S. ambassador to Germany. Gutmann had been president of the University of Pennsylvania since 2004. The vote, on Feb. 8, was 54 yeas to 42 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

Asia financing: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Chantale Yokmin Wong to serve as the U.S. director on the Asian Development Bank. Wong was a senior official at the Millennium Challenge Corporation during the Obama administration, and was on the board of the Asian Development Bank during the Clinton administration. The vote, on Feb. 8, was 66 yeas to 31 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

International development: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Scott Nathan to be Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Nathan, a longtime executive at the Baupost Group investment firm, was an official in multiple roles during the Obama administration. A supporter, Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said Nathan would help the agency to be competitive with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, to promote renewable energy development, and to support COVID-19 recovery, and, at the same time, to recognize and grapple with the complexity of these challenges. The vote, on Feb. 9, was 72 yeas to 24 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

Export-import bank: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Reta Jo Lewis to serve as president of the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Lewis, currently a senior official at the German Marshall Fund, was a State Department diplomat during the Obama administration, and before that a Chamber of Commerce executive and private practice lawyer. A supporter, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, called Lewis the leader we need in the fight to help U.S. manufacturers compete globally. The vote, on Feb. 9, was 56 yeas to 40 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

Federal appeals judge: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Leonard Stark to serve as a judge on the U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Stark, a U.S. district court judge in Delaware since 2010, was previously an assistant U.S attorney and private practice lawyer in the state. A supporter, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said of Stark: His expertise in adjudicating patents combined with his experience hearing appeals will be an asset to the Federal Circuit and to our industrious, inventive nation. The vote, on Feb. 9, was 61 yeas to 35 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

Treasury lawyer: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Neil MacBride to be the Treasury Departments general counsel. The vote, on Feb. 9, was 61 yeas to 33 nays. Nays:

Johnson R-WI, Baldwin D-WI

Maritime commissioner: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Max Vekich to serve on the Federal Maritime Commission for a term ending in mid-2026. Vekich, a former Washington state legislator, has since 2004 been an official at Puget Sound port groups. The vote, on Feb. 10, was 51 yeas to 43 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI; yeas:

Baldwin D-WI

Along with this weeks roll call votes, the Senate also passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (H.R. 4445), which had passed the House in a roll call vote earlier in the week.

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The Wisconsin Supreme Court could soon rule in a lawsuit brought more than a year ago challenging the states ability to release information on businesses linked to COVID-19 cases.

The state Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in the case, filed in October 2020 by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the states largest business organization, after the state Department of Health Services announced plans that summer to release information pertaining to positive COVID-19 cases at businesses in order to comply with public records requests from media outlets.

My client requested these records almost two years ago now, the government custodian agrees that the records should be released, and yet the plaintiffs have been able, without ever proving yet that the release of these records would be unlawful, to delay that release for over a year and a half, said attorney Thomas Kamenick, president and founder of the Wisconsin Transparency Project, which is representing the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in the case.

WMC, along with the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce and New Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, filed the lawsuit in Waukesha County Circuit Court to block release of the records after DHS announced plans to release the names of more than 1,000 businesses with more than 25 employees where at least two workers had tested positive for COVID-19.

Wisconsin businesses said releasing the information to the Journal Sentinel and other media outlets that requested the information, including the Wisconsin State Journal, would have severe impacts on companies already struggling through the pandemic.

The associations member businesses are at great risk of reputational and financial harm if these records are released, WMC attorney Scott Rosenow said.

A Waukesha County judge issued multiple restraining orders in 2020 preventing the state health department from releasing the information. The Fourth District Court of Appeals eventually reversed the lower courts decision last April, prompting WMCs appeal to the state Supreme Court.

The business groups also allege the information they want blocked is derived from diagnostic test results and the records of contact tracers, and that such information constitutes patient health care records that must be kept confidential.

The only thing I hear you talking about is medical records and I dont see where WMC has any right in medical records, conservative Justice Patience Roggensack said to Rosenow. I feel your pain for your members in not wanting to release the documents, but I dont see where WMC has a right to have a declaration made about medical records.

Clayton Kawski, an attorney for Gov. Tony Evers, said the requested information was gathered through statewide reporting during the early months of the pandemic and only entails the names of businesses and total number of cases at each establishment.

These are not personal health care records, Kawski said.

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LANCASTER IN STYLE, PART 23: SPANISH COLONIAL REVIVAL: 1915 -1931

If there was confusion regarding the architectural differences between the styles of English Cottage and French Eclectic, there will be no confusion when it comes to identifying Spanish Revival.

The popularity of this style can be traced back to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in San Diego. The nearly 4 million attendees enjoyed a grand display of Mediterranean-inspired architecture highlighting its charm and character spread over 640 acres of land. Previous worlds fairs and expositions featured only Beaux Arts and Neoclassical architectural styles. The visitors enthusiasm spread quickly to the East Coast and became an attractive alternative to the more traditional styles of Colonial, English, Dutch and French.

The Exposition introduced America to the simplicity of smooth stuccoed walls, low-pitched barrel-tiled roofs, graceful arches, decorative wrought iron and strategically located pops of color. While completely in character with the regional architecture of the Southwest, West Coast and Florida, Spanish-inspired architecture in southcentral Pennsylvania was an anomaly of huge proportion.

The most recognizable design feature of Spanish Revival architecture is the distinctive low-pitch terra cotta barrel roof tile. This 3,000-year-old method of shedding rainwater was developed by the ancient Greeks and refined by subsequent cultures and continents from around the world. A close visual second to the barrel-tile roof is the use of textured white stucco walls with colored tile accents and motifs.

The use of arches over windows and entryways is also a signature Spanish Revival detail, as are heavy wooden oak doors with oversize iron strap hinges. Exposed rafter tails or decorated roof brackets are common as are wrought-iron balconies, stair railings, window grills and gates.

Interestingly, Lancasters very own architect C. Emlen Urban did very little Spanish Revival architecture in the city, limited mostly to residential designs. However, Milton S. Hershey convinced him to design all his major Hershey commissions in Spanish Revival, including the Convention Center, the Hershey Theatre, Hotel Hershey and many workforce houses.

On the other hand, Urbans protege, Henry Y. Shaub, was quick to embrace the style for both residential and public work  most notably the 1927 George Ross Elementary School.

Lancasters third leading architect, Melvern R. Evans, excelled in Spanish Colonial Revival, as evidenced by his work in the original School Lane Hills development.

Although the velocity of Spanish Revival slowed down in Lancaster County during the 1940s, it never came to a complete halt. It remains a niche style among certain homeowners.

Why was Milton Hershey so enamored with Spanish style architecture?

Hershey did extensive travel to Cuba for the sugar cane purchases and most likely enjoyed what he saw.

Did Urban travel to Cuba with Hershey to see Spanish style architecture?

We have found no evidence that he ever visited Cuba.

What is the difference between Spanish Colonial Revival and Spanish Mission Style?

Spanish Mission Style has very little decorative detailing.

This column is contributed by Gregory J. Scott, FAIA, a local architect with more than four decades of national experience in innovation and design. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. Email GScott@rlps.com.
A Chester County man pointed a gun at a clerk inside a Salisbury Township convenience store and demanded she give him money, then ran away with more than $5,000 in cash, according to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office.

Kenneth Frederick Byrd Jr., 61, of Downington, pointed the gun at the clerk while robbing a Sunoco store in the 7100 block of Division Highway on Jan. 8, the DAs office said in a news release Monday.

Byrds case will head to the Lancaster Court of Common Pleas following a preliminary hearing Wednesday heard by Judge Raymond Sheller. He is charged with felony robbery and misdemeanor simple assault, terroristic threats and possessing an instrument of a crime.

The clerk identified Byrd during the hearing, saying she could not forget his eyes, according to the news release.

Jonathan Patrick Chieppor, Byrds attorney, declined a request for comment Monday.

The clerk told state police she was counting money from a lottery machine behind the counter while preparing to close for the evening when a man matching Byrds description entered the store wearing a gaiter-style face covering and went into the restroom.

The man exited the restroom and approached the clerk behind the counter as she was placing the money into a safe, pointing a gun at her and ordering her to give me the bag, the DAs office said. The clerk then handed the robber a bag containing around $5,500 in cash.

Surveillance footage showed the robber walking with a limp and driving a red Honda Civic that belongs to Byrds girlfriend.

A search of the Honey Brook address where Byrd and his girlfriend had been staying uncovered $2,715 in cash in an upstairs bedroom and a blank gun resembling the one used in the robbery in a full paint can in the garage. A gaiter-style face covering similar to the one worn during the robbery was found inside the Civic.

Authorities believe Byrd also robbed a Honey Brook Express in May 2021.

Judge Sheller set Byrds bail at $150,000 in a preliminary arraignment Jan. 25. He remains in Lancaster County Prison, unable to post that amount, court records show.

Byrd will be formally arraigned March 11.
Saudia Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Huawei Consumer Business Group for a partnership that includes adding the Saudia app to AppGallery; Huaweis official distribution platform.



Saudia guests will now be able to book and plan their flights between Saudi Arabia and their chosen destination from the convenience of their Huawei smart devices, bringing users a richer and more engaging range of functions conveniently to their fingertips, reported Saudi Press Agency (SPA).



CEO of Saudia Airlines Captain Ibrahim Koshy said: We are delighted to announce the signing of our MoU with Huawei. This agreement further enhances our capabilities to develop and deliver exceptional digital products to our customers. We are continually striving to push the boundaries of innovation to ensure our guests enjoy high quality experiences and our partnership with Huawei is testament to our success with our guests.
When: Penn Manor school board meeting, Feb. 7.

What happened: The board agreed to consider increasing income limit for the districts property tax relief program to $35,000, making more people eligible for rebates.

Why its important: Business Manager Chris Johnston said the program, which was launched during the 2006-07 school year, is intended to provide tax relief for low-income residents 65 and older.

Details: Johnston said the current income limit is $30,000, and rebates from the district are up to $650. So far this school year 204 rebates totaling $68,764 have been paid to eligible taxpayers. Johnston said income limit was raised from $25,000 to $30,000 in 2020 in anticipation of tax hikes to fund the high school renovation project. The 2020 increase in income limit added 37 people to the program, he said.

Quotable: I love the program. Its something we can do to help our low-income senior citizens, school board member Nickole Nafziger said.

Whats next: The board will take action on continuing the program and increasing the income limit at its Feb. 22 meeting.

Recruiting and retaining employees: Johnston; Phil Gale, assistant superintendent for secondary education; and Jerry Egan, assistant superintendent for elementary education, presented ideas for recruiting and retaining employees. Johnston said the recruiting and retention issues are not unique to the district; theyre being felt by school districts and businesses nationwide. Gale said staff members at all levels are taking on additional responsibilities such as cafeteria duty or classroom aide to cover unfilled positions. He said while thats something that can work for the short term, its not ideal and puts a strain on daily operations. Johnston reached out to other school districts in the county to find out what theyre doing. Some of the ideas include increasing pay for existing staff and starting pay for new hires, providing referral incentives for existing staff, free lunch for substitute teachers, and paying higher substitute teacher rates. Additionally advertising for positions could be reworded so theyre more easily understood; examples are changing paraprofessionals to classroom aides or LPN to health care assistant. Advertising could focus on benefits of working for a school district such as no weekends, no holidays and no evenings.

Whats next: The board requested that Johnston and Gale provide some recommendations to be considered during the Feb. 22 meeting.

Commencement: Superintendent Mike Leichliter said an outdoor commencement is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1, with rain dates of June 2 or June 3.
International security experts have warned that internet attacks by major world powers on other governments could lead to a real war. But they say it is not easy to define what kind cyberattack would be considered an act of war.

President Joe Biden said in July that if the United States ended up in a war with a major power it could be as a consequence of a cyber breach of great consequence. Biden made the comments to leaders of the U.S. intelligence community.

Tensions are currently high between Russia and members of the NATO alliance over a possible conflict in Ukraine. Russia has deployed more than 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine. U.S. and NATO officials have expressed concern that Russia may invade Ukraine.

Some Western officials have also warned about the danger of Russia possibly launching harmful cyberattacks against Ukraine or NATO allies. But experts say there is no clear line for how severe a cyberattack would have to be before it resulted in military action.

The rules are fuzzy, said Max Smeets, director of the European Cyber Conflict Research Initiative, to The Associated Press. Its not clear what is allowed, what isnt allowed, he added.

The U.S. and other NATO members have threatened to put economic restrictions on Russia if it sends troops into Ukraine. But it is less clear if such restrictions would be put in place if Russia launched a serious cyberattack.

Currently, arms control treaties do not provide detailed guidelines on how state-backed cyberattacks should be dealt with. It can also be difficult to quickly identify who is behind such attacks. Criminals and independent attackers can also work together with governments, making it harder to target specific blame.

In 2015, major world powers and others agreed at the United Nations on a set of 11 voluntary guidelines for international cyber behavior. But those guidelines have mostly been ignored.

Ukraine has blamed Russia for a cyberattack last month on Ukrainian government websites. Experts say the damage from that internet attack  which affected servers at several agencies  was not considered serious.

But cybersecurity company CrowdStrike recently said on its website it thinks such attacks are likely to continue as Russian President Vladimir Putin tries to delegitimize trust in Ukraines government.

Michele Markoff is the deputy coordinator for cyber issues for the U.S. State Department. She said she thinks it will require, what she calls, muscular diplomacy to end such immoral and destabilizing behavior.

But it is unclear how such diplomatic efforts can be effectively carried out. Unlike nuclear arms, cyberweapons cannot easily be limited in treaties and they are difficult to identify. Violators are also not likely to be held responsible by the United Nations, since Russia and China both hold veto power on the Security Council.

NATO approved a new U.S.-supported policy last year. Under the policy, repeated lower-level cyberattacks could be enough to activate NATOs Article 5. The article states that any attack on any of the alliances 30 members is considered an attack on all. But NATO rules are currently not clear on exactly what kind of cyberattack would be covered under Article 5.

Serhii Demediuk is with Ukraines National Security and Defense Council. He told the AP the U.S. and other NATO partners have been helping Ukraine set up a separate cyber military organization.

In November, Ukraine said it had discovered an eight-year spying operation by agents of Russias FSB security service that involved more than 5,000 attempted cyberattacks. Ukraines state-run news agency said the goal of the operation was to gain control over important infrastructure.

This month, American software company Microsoft said the cyber operation is ongoing. It said it found evidence of attempts to break into Ukraines military, judiciary and law enforcement systems. But Microsoft said no damage was discovered so far.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

consequence  n. the result of an action or situation

breach  n. an action that breaks a rule, agreement or law

fuzzy  adj. confusing and not clear

allow  v. to permit

delegitimize  v. make something seen as not valid or acceptable

destabilize  v. to make a government, area or political group lose power or control

infrastructure  n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country or area

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COVID-19 vaccines are saving lives but they cannot stop new versions of coronavirus from appearing. This has led scientists to ask the following questions: Are more shots needed? Should changes be made to existing shots? Or should new vaccines be developed?

Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes is infectious disease chief at Brigham & Womens Hospital. He told The Associated Press, We need collectively to be rethinking what is the goal of vaccination.

Kuritzkes said, Its unrealistic ... to believe that any kind of vaccination is going to protect people from infection, from mild symptomatic disease, forever. If the goal is preventing serious illness, he added, we may not need to be doing as much fine-tuning of the vaccines every time a new variant comes.

As the virus changes or mutates, there is no way to know how bad the next variant will be. Already a sub-strain of Omicron with its mutations is spreading.

Jennifer Nuzzo of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security suggested the immediate solution is getting todays shots into more arms. This step, she said, will reduce the opportunities for the virus to mutate

The immune system

The job of blocking infection falls to antibodies, which form after either vaccination or getting COVID-19. The antibodies are ready to fight back the next time a person is exposed.

But there is a problem: Mutations change the appearance of the spike protein that covers the coronavirus. That is why Omicron was able to break through that first defense. Also, the immune system is not designed to always be on high alert, so the antibodies that fight off infection decrease over time.

Thankfully, a part of the immune system called T cells helps prevent an infection from turning into severe illness. The protection T cells offer lasts longer because T cells recognize other parts of the virus that do not mutate as easily.

Issues with boosters

In some countries, people are getting a third shot, and in some cases, a fourth shot, to fight against decreased immunity and new variants. These shots are sometimes called boosters.

The booster further strengthened protection against serious illness. But research has shown that protection against symptomatic disease from Omicron is only about 70 percent  not as high as 94 percent against earlier variants.

Dr. Paul Offit is a vaccine expert at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. He said that endless boosting just to keep antibody levels high is not a public health strategy that works.

Developing new vaccines

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have two of the most effective vaccines against the coronavirus. The drug companies say they are now testing Omicron-specific boosters in some American adults.

However, it is not clear if health officials would drop vaccines proven to save lives for new ones in hopes of reducing breakthrough infections. Drug-makers can combine two different kinds of shots, but they would have to prove that the mixture works against the virus.

In the United States, the National Institutes of Health is spending about $43 million to develop so-called pan-coronavirus vaccines. The hope is to have one vaccine that can protect against more than one kind of coronavirus. Pan means all.

One idea is to have the shot send spike proteins from four to eight different versions of the virus rather than one as in todays vaccines. But NIH infectious diseases chief Dr. Anthony Fauci said it will take some time to develop such a vaccine.

Another idea is to create COVID-19 vaccines that can be squirted into the nose. The nasal vaccine can form antibodies ready to fight the virus right where it enters the body. This kind of vaccine is harder to develop than injected vaccines but several companies, including Indias Bharat Biotech, have started research.

Protection varies around the world

The difficulty with any possible change to the vaccination strategy is that only 10 percent of people in some countries have received at least one shot of vaccines.

Additionally, some approved vaccines do not provide as much protection against Omicron as those from Pfizer and Moderna. For example, Yale University researchers found no Omicron-targeted antibodies in the blood of people given two shots of Chinas Sinovac.

It means that any change in vaccination strategy must be dealt with locally.

Im John Russell.

And I'm Ashley Thompson.

Lauran Neergaard reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for Learning English.

How well do you understand the story?

Quiz - Scientists Raise Questions about Future Vaccine Strategy Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

symptomatic -- adj. medical showing that a particular disease is present; relating to or showing symptoms of a disease

fine-tune -- v. to make small changes to (something) in order to improve the way it works or to make it exactly right

strain -- n. a group of closely related plants, bacteria, or animals

strategy -- n. a careful plan or method for achieving a particular goal usually over a long period of time
The India Pavilion at Expo2020 Dubai has surpassed the one million footfalls landmark, with the number of visitors to the Pavilion standing at 10,07,514 as on February 13.



Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, who had inaugurated the India Pavilion on October 1 last year said in a tweet message: A million hearts beating out for our billion dreams! Its a proud moment as the India Pavilion @EXPO2020Dubai marks a new milestone in footfalls. The New India journey has captivated the world #MillionAtIndiaPavilion.



Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, said: The India Pavilion has been one of the key attractions at the EXPO2020 Dubai and received great interest from visitors from all over the world. The Expo has given us a great opportunity to showcase Indias prowess in key growth sectors and its vibrant cultural diversity.



With participation from central ministries, state governments, corporates, cultural organizations, and startups, Expo 2020 Dubai is helping the nation explore new areas of collaboration for Indian entities and position itself as a global economic hub. So far, the India Pavilion has witnessed over 800 B2B, G2B and G2G meetings with investors and various international collaborators.



Presently, the India Pavilion is hosting Andhra Pradesh Week. The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is projecting its strong governance, strategic locational advantages, robust infrastructure, thriving industrial and business ecosystem, skilled manpower, and immense potential for growth across key sectors. The state week will also be hosting a plethora of crucial government engagements with industry leaders, business organizations, and one-to-one meetings with an intent to bring more investment to the state in key growth sectors.



The India Pavilion has also hosted many states like Kerala, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, who have successfully showcased their lucrative business attractiveness along with rich cultural heritage and have garnered investment opportunities from leading global investors during their participation.



Key sectors such as Health & Wellness, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), New & Renewable Energy, Space, Urban and Rural Development, Oil & Gas, Textile, Knowledge and Learning, and Tourism have held respective weeks to highlight the growth and investment opportunities in these areas.



India Innovation Hub and Elevate pitching sessions for startups, at the India Pavilion is also helping in building on Indias strength as the third-largest incubator of unicorns and has displayed innovations of over 300 Indian startups so far. The platform has captured the attention of Indian as well as global investors assisting the startup ecosystem bloom.



Additionally, the Pavilion has showcased the cultural diversity of the various participating states by displaying their products and cultural performances. Key Indian festivals such as Navratri, Dusshera, Diwali, Christmas, Republic Day and Basant Panchami were celebrated with great fervour by both Indian and global visitors.



In the coming weeks, the India Pavilion will witness participation from states such as Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Key sectors such as Agriculture, Food and Livelihood, Information and Broadcasting, Energy Conservation, Environment & Sustainability, Tribal Affairs will also exhibit their potential and endless collaboration opportunities to the world, at the India Pavilion.  TradeArabia News Service
Want to indulge your love of chocolate while supporting chocolate producers with sustainable practices? Check out these seven companies offering delicious, eco-friendly and ethically produced treats.

Two-time recipient of best-in-world recognition at the Cocoa of Excellence Awards in Paris, France, Lydgate Farms is not only producing some of the nations most delicious chocolate, but theyre doing it in an environmentally-focused and socioeconomically-conscientious way. Fifth-generation farmers hailing on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the brother and sister duo uses organic fertilizers and regenerative practices to grow sustainable cacao trees.

Chocolove makes organic and Fair Trade-certified chocolates with cocoa beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance-certified farmers.

The Colorado-based companys products are also made with GMO-free, kosher and gluten-free ingredients. A member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Chocolove is also dedicated to minimizing palm oil cultivation.

Theos bean-to-bar business model includes annual third-party verifications, stable pricing and business-impact transparency.

Founded in 2005, Theo was the first organic, Fair for Life-certified chocolate maker in North America and continues to advocate for the use of sustainable and healthy ingredients.

Redefining quality and sustainability standards in the chocolate industry, bean-to-bar chocolate maker Beyond Good works directly with cacao farmers, cutting out the middlemen. This approach provides 100% transparency in the chocolate-making process and allows farmers to earn significantly more money. The company sources and produces chocolate in Madagascar and has started developing a supply chain in Uganda. Beyond Goods products are Direct Trade-certified, USDA Organic, kosher, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free and soy-free.

A Fairtrade-certified company, Endangered Species supports independent cacao farmers and their families in West Africa by paying Fairtrade premiums for cacao harvests. And with a commitment to supporting conservation efforts around the world, the company donates 10% of their annual net profits to organizations like the National Forest Foundation and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. All of Endangered Species products are certified gluten-free, Non-GMO, kosher and Green-e made, and the majority are also vegan-certified.

Stone-ground organic cacao beans are at the heart of Tazas unrefined, minimally processed, organic products. The company maintains in-person relationships with growers and adheres to environmental and fair labor practices. Taza Chocolates is a Direct Trade business and publishes an annual transparency report.

Honeymoon Chocolates was founded in 2016 and specializes in bean-to-bar craft chocolate sweetened solely with raw honey. The brand was started because the founders, Cam and Haley, wanted to help stop the decline of honeybees in America and address the decreasing supply of cacao nationwide. (Cam and Haley also wanted to help consumers to remove refined sugar from their favorite foods. You gotta love that!)

Not only does Honeymoon give a portion of its proceeds to support honeybee research, it also purchases directly from beekeepers, which allows it to support apiarists and local economies. Another reason we love Honeymoon? Its packaging is 100% compostable  which includes sugar cane labels and sustainable paper stock wrappers.

Get Honeymoon Chocolates in the Feast and Field Shop:
Dan Ehlert was missing phone service, Rick Horton didnt want to miss a flight, and corporate-style customer service had missed the mark.

Ehlert, 42, of Cambridge, thought hed found a decent deal on phone service last July for his painting and remodeling business: $239 a month for five cell phone lines, plus a tablet.

Then he started getting his regular bills  of between $500 and $600 a month, he said.

Ehlert said that when he complained, Verizon Wireless told him to just pay the minimum due on his bill and it would get the billing error worked out. So thats what he did, he said, but over the ensuring months the error remained in force, and after paying about $1,300 total in minimum payments, Verizon still hadnt sent him an accurate bill and was contending he owed $2,331.71.

Calls to the company and visit to its Janesville store didnt help, he said, and Verizon shut off his service in mid-October. In mid-January, Ehlerts father called SOS hoping for some help for his son.

SOS emailed Verizons media folks on Jan. 25, a Tuesday, and Ehlert told SOS he received a call from Verizon the Friday after. A Jan. 31 email from the company to Ehlert says his phone lines were reactivated and the company had provided courtesy credits totaling $1,899.19, bringing his balance due down to $532.52.

Verizon spokesperson Chris Serico told SOS on Jan. 31 that it had come to a satisfactory resolution with the customer but because of privacy laws, it couldnt be more specific.

Ehlert said the company wasnt more forthcoming with him either, but said there had been a miscommunication and apologized.

Horton, 64, of Dodgeville, said he and his spouse and daughter had tickets to Las Vegas on Sun Country Airlines for March 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic was breaking out.

So they canceled their trip and the airline issued them vouchers for about $1,300, he said.

I have subsequently tried calling and emailing the company to determine the current value and expiration date(s) of our vouchers, he said in an Jan. 25 email to SOS. Almost every time I call the number listed on their website ... there is an automated message saying all lines are busy. The two times I have been able to get through, the automated message says the wait times are lengthy but if you leave a call back number, you will be placed in a queue. In both instances I did not receive the promised return call.

SOS received a response from Sun Country spokesperson Jessica Wheeler on Jan. 28, two days after bringing the matter to the companys attention. The details of his case would lead me to assume his vouchers have expired, she reported.

By contrast, Horton said that in a most interesting coincidence of timing, a Sun Country representative called him Jan. 28 and said our vouchers were intact and that we had until 4/27/22 to rebook.

Wheeler had asserted to SOS that her employer emails customers with vouchers 90, 60 and 20 days before they expire. Horton said hed never received such emails.

Send us an SOS Since September 2007, SOS has helped save Wisconsin State Journal readers more than $190,243.66 and solved hundreds of problems. You can send an SOS using any of these methods: Email: sos@madison.com Online form: http://go.madison.com/sendSOS Phone: 608-252-6198 Mail: SOS, Wisconsin State Journal, P.O. Box 8058, Madison, WI 53708

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Jean Cudnohfsky couldnt believe how brazen the thieves were who tried to steal the catalytic converter from her Toyota Prius as it sat in the driveway of her house at 10:30 p.m. one quiet Sunday in December.

I thought something like that would happen in the middle of the night when everyones asleep, said Cudnohfsky, a retired librarian who lives in the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood on Madisons Near East Side.

Cudnohfskys adult daughter heard the commotion and alerted her. As her daughter called the police, Cudnohfsky walked out onto her porch to disrupt the thieves.

Right after, Cudnohfsky went to East Madison Toyota and spent $350 to get a shield put over her catalytic converter.

I thought, I dont want to have to worry every night about whats going on out there, she said.

Catalytic converters have been the target of thefts in recent years because the critical emissions-control devices contain precious metals including rhodium (worth $18,450 per ounce as of Sunday) that is almost 10 times as valuable as gold ($1,866 per ounce). They also have palladium ($2,255) and platinum ($1,030).

Congress passed the Clean Air Act of 1970, which created air-quality standards and led to a requirement that all cars have catalytic converters.

There is now a huge demand for the metals because China recently implemented stricter vehicle emission rules.

The prices of precious metals have increased because of low mining production in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic only heightened the trend.

Depending on the broader world or the national market for these materials, converters can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars, said Madison police Midtown District Capt. Jason Freedman.

He said theres a market for somebody to steal a converter and sell it to another party, who puts it on another vehicle that doesnt have one.

But the biggest issue is the stealing of the converters and theyre scrapped for precious metals that are involved in their construction. So these converters go to recyclers or other businesses that can essentially tear these down into their base components.

The trade publication Repairer Driven News said a catalytic converter can bring a thief up to $1,500.

Late last month seven Missouri residents were indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to transport thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines as part of a multi-million-dollar business following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, joint, law enforcement probe.

A scourge of catalytic converter thefts on a breathtaking scale had a significant impact on the Springfield community over the past two years, U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said in a statement. Not only were numerous individual car owners victimized, but several non-profit organizations and churches were also victimized. We worked closely with our law enforcement partners to shut down this criminal conspiracy and bring those responsible to justice.

Hundreds of cases

Madison police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said her department had nearly 500 cases of catalytic converter thefts last year.

Cases can include multiple catalytic converters being stolen. For example, she said, one car may have two converters, or thieves will go in and clean out a fleet of vehicles. These situations would only generate one case.

The Dane County Humane Society had two catalytic converters stolen from its vehicles parked in its lot on Feb. 2. Less than two miles away, on Feb. 7, suspects stole three catalytic converters off vehicles belonging to Alpine Insulation.

Fryer said the Police Department has an officer working with the City Attorneys Office to stiffen the punishment for businesses buying stolen catalytic converters.

This is not a problem that is going away, she said, adding that arrests in these cases are hard because people will say the converters were removed from a salvaged vehicle and officers cant go back and track them down to a specific vehicle.

Other states have mandated that people who purchase catalytic coverages require the seller to include the VIN and title of the vehicle the converter was removed from, she said. This is likely a law change requirement, she said.

Under a proposed state law, anyone selling a catalytic converter to a scrap dealer would need to be 18 years old and would have to show identification and proof of ownership.

If a scrap dealer doesnt comply with the law, he or she could face a $1,000 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

Damages costly

On average, after going through hundreds of reports, these types of thefts cause around $1,500 in damages, Fryer said. This does not include lost wages or services to a business that has their vehicle inoperable for a period of time.

When thieves cut off catalytic converters, they can sometimes damage oxygen sensors, she added. Madison police crime analysts have read reports of some cars needing $2,000 to $2,500 in repairs.

Julie Laundrie, the Police Departments public records custodian, said the data isnt exact because the crime is recorded as theft of car part and officers arent required to enter what part it was.

But records show that in 2019 there were 16 such crimes. That number jumped to 125 in 2020 and 499 in 2021.

Freedman said historically the thefts have been driven by a handful of people who eventually get caught. Its more organized now and its not always local people.

Its organized crime across a region of several states, he said. So, their ability to be more prolific over a short period of time has increased.

A November report from the Highway Loss Data Institute shows that the second-generation Toyota Prius is 40 times more likely to be subject to theft claims than the average vehicle. In 2020, the theft claim frequency for the 2004-2009 Toyota Prius was 58.1 claims for 1,000 insured vehicles.

More precious metals are needed for the catalytic converter in a hybrid because of the hybrid engines heat demands.

In the past two years, Eric Powers of EV Powers Hybrid Battery Service and Repair, has installed about 75 shields, mostly on Priuses, at a cost of about $325 per car.

Shield is deterrent

He said the shield acts as a deterrent, like having a bike lock on a bike. They go look down a row of cars in a neighborhood, and if yours doesnt have (a shield), theyll hit your car.

Powers, who lives in Sauk City but works out of Sector67, a membership-based community workshop on Madisons East Side, has four Priuses, and put shields on all of them except one that had a less valuable catalytic converter.

They shouldnt have wanted to steal it, and I live three blocks from the police station, but they stole it, he said.

Cars can be driven without their catalytic converters, but Powers said theyre extremely loud. Being a mechanic, though, I was able to fix it that day because I already had a converter ready. I had a shield ready, but for most people, theyre going to have to wait to get the parts, and driving around is loud and scary.

It can take one day to three weeks to get a catalytic converter part in, depending on make and model of the vehicle, said Sven Kroner, owner of Applegate Auto. Besides Priuses, he said he also sees Ford Econoline vans because their catalytic converters are easy to get off.

Mark Conroy said when the catalytic converter was stolen in December from his 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV on Madisons Near West Side, it was so loud he couldnt drive it.

It was scary because I didnt realize what had happened, Conroy said. I got in my car after it happened and my car was making this insanely loud noise and I had no idea what it was. Im not mechanically inclined. I never have been.

After he drove a block without it getting better, he got underneath and looked, and said from the front wheels to the back of the car, the whole exhaust piece was missing.

I knew exactly what had happened because it happened to a friend of mine before, Conroy said.

SUVs can be targets because they sit higher off the ground and are easier to crawl under.

Conroy faced $2,700 in repairs, but said he was lucky to only have to pay a $500 insurance deductible. His insurance also has a rental clause, so he was able to get a rental car during the week his car was in the shop.

Tim Jacobson, of Monona, had the catalytic converter from his Honda Pilot stolen when it was parked at the Dutch Mill Park & Ride on Madisons Southeast Side last June. His wife parked her Prius in the same lot, but hers was left untouched.

Jacobson said he was surprised to learn the Park & Ride didnt have cameras. He said he called the state Department of Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the lot, and was told it cant afford cameras at park and rides.

The Madison police were very helpful with their report and they responded within a few hours, Jacobson said, which was helpful for getting his insurance payment.

Having cameras at the park and rides makes sense and would be money well spent, he said. It seems like a prime spot for this crime to happen.

Steve Theisen, a manager at the state DOT, said the department has heard reports of stolen catalytic converters at park and ride lots.

We direct people to contact local law enforcement. Local law enforcement routinely patrol the lots, often for parking violations, he said.

In regards to cameras at the park and ride lots, WisDOT does not install cameras due to maintenance and operation costs, Theisen said.

Jacobson said hes not interested in installing a shield because the cost would be similar to what he had to pay out of pocket after insurance. He said he and his wife usually keep their cars in the garage.

That was about the only time, he said. So, were kind of tentative on keeping it in a public spot overnight anymore.

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The Wisconsin Supreme Court could soon rule in a lawsuit brought more than a year ago challenging the states ability to release information on businesses linked to COVID-19 cases.

The state Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in the case, filed in October 2020 by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the states largest business organization, after the state Department of Health Services announced plans that summer to release information pertaining to positive COVID-19 cases at businesses in order to comply with public records requests from media outlets.

My client requested these records almost two years ago now, the government custodian agrees that the records should be released, and yet the plaintiffs have been able, without ever proving yet that the release of these records would be unlawful, to delay that release for over a year and a half, said attorney Thomas Kamenick, president and founder of the Wisconsin Transparency Project, which is representing the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in the case.

WMC, along with the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce and New Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, filed the lawsuit in Waukesha County Circuit Court to block release of the records after DHS announced plans to release the names of more than 1,000 businesses with more than 25 employees where at least two workers had tested positive for COVID-19.

Wisconsin businesses said releasing the information to the Journal Sentinel and other media outlets that requested the information, including the Wisconsin State Journal, would have severe impacts on companies already struggling through the pandemic.

The associations member businesses are at great risk of reputational and financial harm if these records are released, WMC attorney Scott Rosenow said.

A Waukesha County judge issued multiple restraining orders in 2020 preventing the state health department from releasing the information. The Fourth District Court of Appeals eventually reversed the lower courts decision last April, prompting WMCs appeal to the state Supreme Court.

The business groups also allege the information they want blocked is derived from diagnostic test results and the records of contact tracers, and that such information constitutes patient health care records that must be kept confidential.

The only thing I hear you talking about is medical records and I dont see where WMC has any right in medical records, conservative Justice Patience Roggensack said to Rosenow. I feel your pain for your members in not wanting to release the documents, but I dont see where WMC has a right to have a declaration made about medical records.

Clayton Kawski, an attorney for Gov. Tony Evers, said the requested information was gathered through statewide reporting during the early months of the pandemic and only entails the names of businesses and total number of cases at each establishment.

These are not personal health care records, Kawski said.

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An open letter to LGBTQ kids:

Kermit the Frog famously observed that its not easy being green. But if he thinks thats hard, Kermit should try being you. Having avocado-colored skin has to be a breeze by comparison.

To be you, though, requires dealing with active-shooter drills and masking mandates while navigating family dynamics, lunchroom politics and the awkwardness of living in a new body growing, spurting and otherwise misbehaving in all sorts of embarrassingly creative ways. And thats before you get to the LGBTQ thing and all the complications it brings.

Even more difficult, some of you live in Ron DeSantis Florida.

As youve likely heard, the governor has thrown his weight behind the so-called Dont Say Gay bill now advancing through the state Legislature. It says a teacher may not encourage discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.

As critics have noted, the vague wording makes it theoretically possible to restrict discussion of LGBTQ issues not just from young kids but from any kids. What do age appropriate and developmentally appropriate mean, after all? And who decides?

President Joe Biden has blasted what he called a hateful bill. I have your back, he said.

This note is just to say that I do, too. I can only imagine how isolating and lonely it must feel, in the awkwardness of your adolescent years, to have a governor declare your sexual identity so abnormal it cant be discussed in school  just when you may need to talk about it the most. If theres some teacher you trust, he or she would now be breaking the law if you confide in them.

But this tactic is not unusual. In fact, silencing is now a routine Republican stratagem. In various ways and settings, GOP members have sought to restrict talk about everything from abortion to guns to climate change to the theory of evolution. In 2012, Michigan lawmakers exiled a Democratic colleague from the statehouse for using the word vagina. And lets not even get started on African-American history.

This is just another page from the same playbook. Cowards sticking fingers in their ears rather than face realities they cant deal with.

Im sorry the world is like this, but it is. So I need you to take care of one another. Maintain the courage to be your authentic, individual selves. Find the community that values and validates those selves, that accepts you as you are.

The good news is, youll find most of the rest of us there with you. As for those who arent, well, you need to recognize that there are some people whose approval youre not supposed to have or want, whose rejection you should wear as a badge of honor. Ron DeSantis, for one. He hobnobs with Islamophobes, cant bring himself to criticize Nazis, bashes undocumented immigrants and told voters not to monkey this up by supporting his African-American rival. If this guy liked you, could you still like yourself?

Not if you are who I think you are.

And if you are, you will not let this insulting bill stand unchallenged. Youll take to social media and, if youre of age, to the ballot box. Youll impose campaigns of economic withdrawal on those who support laws like this.

In other words, you will raise your voices and make haters hear you. Thats your only option when people try to impose silence on you:

Speak louder.

Pitts Jr. writes for the Miami Herald: lpitts@miamiherald.com.
From Kenosha to Superior, from Green Bay to Platteville, from La Crosse to Menasha, communities all over Wisconsin provided absentee ballot drop boxes for the November 2020 election.

Due to the COVID pandemic and concerns about timely delivery of ballots by the U.S. Postal Service, municipal clerks in communities large and small worked tirelessly to make voting as easy and safe as possible. Many of those municipalities were already using drop boxes for utility bill and property tax payments because they were accessible, safe and secure.

The drop boxes were an important part of a heroic effort by municipal clerks to oversee one of the most successful and largest-turnout elections ever in Wisconsin. It should have been a moment to celebrate those clerks and thousands of election workers for their efforts.

When will Wisconsin Republicans end their attack on municipal clerks and citizens wishing to vote? What is it about drop boxes that threaten Republicans? Why are they trying to restrict and eliminate drop boxes, which have been used by many citizens, regardless of party, to conveniently cast their ballots?

Sadly for our democracy, legislative Republicans want to make it as difficult as possible for citizens to vote.

Republican attacks on our democracy, municipal clerks, election workers and drop off boxes need to stop.

John Finkler, Middleton


Tone of voice was found to be the most common expression of aggression apart from sound and visual effects

Snobar | TwoCircles.net

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NEW DELHI  Aggression was observed in more than 50% of 185 news shows in India, a media monitoring report by the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI), has revealed.

The findings are based on the monitoring of 185 news and talk shows across 31 television channels in 12 languages between September 19-25, 2021.

A media monitoring report named Staging Aggressive Masculinity released on January 31 by NWMI as part of a larger collaboration with the Goethe Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, Delhi, has revealed how the hegemonic and toxic masculinities are performed in news media, especially on television in India.

Toxic masculinity combined with right-wing, hyper-nationalist, majoritarian ideology was evident in the discourse on social media. Anyone critical of the ruling establishment was branded anti-national and subjected to verbal assault by online trolls. Online violence sometimes included increasingly real threats of offline violence, the report noted.

The report revealed that the tone of voice was found to be the most common expression of aggression (76.76%), while supporting elements such as sound and visual effects signifying aggression occurred frequently, too (60%) on Indian television news.

The report uses dimensions of dominance, and sexism, to analyze what it calls the present toxic and hegemonic masculinity in news media.

The report is based on the monitoring carried out by NWMI volunteers who monitored the journalistic performance of masculinities on prime-time television news and talk shows in multiple Indian languages, including English.

News channels performing hegemonic masculinity

On September 20, during a big bulletin on Republic TV news channel, the male anchor dominated the female host, the report pointed out. The female hosts body language is like that of an obedient student. The female host was not given the slightest opportunity to make her own comments on the news. She is in the programme to just read the news and open the floor for the male host to give his comments, the report said.

Similarly, on September 28, a Doordarshan Malayalam show featured a male anchor and four male panellists. The report observed that the anchor was seen challenging the panellists and exerting dominance through his body language and tone. He pointed his fingers at the panellists, and his body language was aggressive sometimes, the report stated. It was also observed that the anchor sometimes tried to exert dominance over the panellists viewpoints by paraphrasing their comments and interpreting different conclusions.

Aggression in the coverage of Taliban takeover of Afghanistan

The report pointed out that the coverage of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan across several television channels was aggressive in both news visualisation and the concerned journalists performances on various talk shows.

The majority of channels utilised loud, aggressive music, as well as raised voices for the voice-over while presenting the news, the report notes.

Reports coders observed that Zee News ran a talk show named The Great Game of Afghanistan that was designed to be sensational, the report said. They also noted that the audio-visuals deployed in the show included triggering sounds of bombs, smoke and the cries of frightened people.

Similarly, Republic TVs coverage of this media event can be taken as an exemplification of aggression and dominance in a talk show format, the report points out.

The Debate, a talk show hosted by Arnab Goswami, known for his very particular brand of aggressive presentation, included several instances in which the anchor, as well as panellists used, raised voices, speaking over each other and interrupting others during the show, the report noted.

Anjana Om Kashyap, an anchor of the popular Hindi talk show Halla Bol, also displayed several signs of aggression during her reportage as well as her interaction with panellists, it said.

The report noted that in several episodes that were centred on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Kashyap adopted a hostile stance towards panellists who were framed as representing pro-Pakistan views.

Snobar is an intern with TwoCircles.net. She tweets at @snobar19
TWIN FALLS  A fundraiser is being held for Jared Giles, who suffered serious injuries from a fall in the Snake River Canyon on Dec. 6.

During a hike with his daughter Hallie along the canyon near his private property, Giles lost his footing and fell approximately 80 feet suffering multiple injuries. Hallie was able to hike out on her own, to call for help.

In a statement from Giles and his wife, the couple praised their daughter by saying Hallie was amazing and because of her ability to stay calm, access the situation and get emergency help to them, she saved Jareds life. The community has been wonderful in recognizing her bravery and good decisions.

The Twin Falls Sheriffs Department shared a post on Facebook, saying Giles daughter Hallie was presented with the Lifesaving Award by Chief Aaron Zent of the Rock Creek Fire Department for her heroic actions that led to the rescue of her father. Along with this award, she was given challenge coins from the sheriffs office, Rock Creek fire Department, SIRCOMM and Magic Valley Paramedics. Its rare for civilians to receive these coins, but when they do, it represents overcoming a significant and adverse situation.

The injuries Giles suffered from the accident led to a three-and-a-half-week stay at the hospital, split between St. Lukes and the University of Utah, but he was able to return home just in time for Christmas. He came home with 10 broken bones and his right foot and ankle amputated.

Our family is getting used to the new normal, the statement continued. We have more good days than bad because Jared has an amazing attitude. Yes, there are hard days but those of you that know Jared know he isnt afraid of hard things. Jared is the kind of person who is always willing to lend a hand and is willing to provide service to anyone in need.

Now as his medical bills are starting to add up, the community is giving back to Jared and his family by hosting a fundraiser.

The Jared Giles Benefit Fundraiser page was started Jan. 9 on Facebook, allowing the community to see updates on Jared as well to donate items for the live and silent auctions that will be held at the event by Musser Bros Auctions.

Local businesses and other community members have been generous enough to have donated items such as tickets to the Utah Jazz vs. L.A. Clippers game, wine baskets, gift cards and much more.

The fundraiser will also have a BBQ dinner catered by Matts Good Catering, homemade fries by Lamb Weston, live music by Idaho 75 and a no-host bar by El Cazador.

The Jared Giles Benefit Fundraiser will be held at 5 p.m. Feb 19, at the Twin Falls County Fair Grounds, merchant building 3.

Tickets can be purchased for $10 a person or $15 a couple and can be purchased at Select Source, Whiskey Bent Trading Company, Community Builders in Murtaugh or you can email jaredsbenefitinfo@gmail.com and Venmo the money to purchase tickets as well. If you would like to make a donation, you can email jaredsbenefitinfo@gmail.com

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BOISE  Idaho has about 170 pediatric primary care doctors  to care for about 450,000 children.

Thats why the state ranks 50th in the U.S. for pediatricians per capita.

But amid Idahos rapid growth, health care leaders have a plan to recruit and train more health care providers. One major missing piece of the health care puzzle will be filled, starting next July: a pediatric residency program.

The Pediatric Residency of Idaho is a partnership between the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho and St. Lukes Health System.

Residencies are post-graduate training programs for doctors who have completed medical school but, before they can become licensed physicians, must complete three or more years of training under the supervision of more experienced attending physicians.

There is not a pediatric residency that exists between the Pacific Coast and the Minnesota border, FMRI pediatrician Dr. Perry Brown said in a news release announcing the program. Brown spearheaded the residency after leading the family medicine residencys pediatric training section. He will serve as its director.

There are pediatric residencies in Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. But the upper Mountain West and Great Plains states are a vast, empty pocket, completely void of pediatric residencies, he said.

Idahos pediatric residency program will start small, with four residents per year. It may add more spots in future years.

Some of that will depend on how popular it is  which, I expect it will be exceptionally popular, and people will be really interested in coming here to be trained, and to live and to stay, said Dr. Kenneth Bramwell, system medical director for St. Lukes Childrens.

St. Lukes Childrens in downtown Boise is a pediatric hub for Idaho. The next nearest childrens hospital is about 350 miles away, in a different state.

St. Lukes expanded a few years ago to add a childrens pavilion to the hospital campus.

But the residency wont be attached to just the hospital. It will be the first pediatric residency based out of a community health center that serves patients regardless of their ability to pay. The FMRI programs clinics often serve low-income and refugee patients.

A large share of Idahos children arent simply going without medical care  theyre seen by family doctors who are trained to care for people of all ages. But Idaho needs more pediatricians, Bramwell said, because theyre specialists in the health of tiny humans.

This is not meant to denigrate the care that family physicians provide, because they provide a great service as well, he said. But if your entire focus is on people who are, in essence, 17 and younger, you are able to catch (unusual growth or development) earlier, because youre just an expert in childhood development.

Idaho has about 170 pediatric primary care doctors  to care for about 450,000 children.

Thats why the state ranks 50th in the U.S. for pediatricians per capita.

But amid Idahos rapid growth, health care leaders have a plan to recruit and train more health care providers. One major missing piece of the health care puzzle will be filled, starting next July: a pediatric residency program.

The Pediatric Residency of Idaho is a partnership between the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho and St. Lukes Health System.

Residencies are post-graduate training programs for doctors who have completed medical school but, before they can become licensed physicians, must complete three or more years of training under the supervision of more experienced attending physicians.

Photo of Dr. Perry Brown speaking to Family Medicine Residency of Idaho residents

Dr. Perry Brown speaks to Family Medicine Residency of Idaho residents. Brown will be the program director of Idahos new pediatric residency. (Courtesy of St. Lukes Health System)

There is not a pediatric residency that exists between the Pacific Coast and the Minnesota border, FMRI pediatrician Dr. Perry Brown said in a news release announcing the program. Brown spearheaded the residency after leading the family medicine residencys pediatric training section. He will serve as its director.

There are pediatric residencies in Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. But the upper Mountain West and Great Plains states are a vast, empty pocket, completely void of pediatric residencies, he said.

Idahos pediatric residency program will start small, with four residents per year. It may add more spots in future years.

Some of that will depend on how popular it is  which, I expect it will be exceptionally popular, and people will be really interested in coming here to be trained, and to live and to stay, said Dr. Kenneth Bramwell, system medical director for St. Lukes Childrens.

St. Lukes Childrens in downtown Boise is a pediatric hub for Idaho. The next nearest childrens hospital is about 350 miles away, in a different state.

St. Lukes expanded a few years ago to add a childrens pavilion to the hospital campus.

But the residency wont be attached to just the hospital. It will be the first pediatric residency based out of a community health center that serves patients regardless of their ability to pay. The FMRI programs clinics often serve low-income and refugee patients.

A large share of Idahos children arent simply going without medical care  theyre seen by family doctors who are trained to care for people of all ages. But Idaho needs more pediatricians, Bramwell said, because theyre specialists in the health of tiny humans.

This is not meant to denigrate the care that family physicians provide, because they provide a great service as well, he said. But if your entire focus is on people who are, in essence, 17 and younger, you are able to catch (unusual growth or development) earlier, because youre just an expert in childhood development.

The pandemic has only underscored the importance of pediatricians, Bramwell said.

Oddly enough, one of the things that pediatricians spend a lot of time doing is helping families understand vaccines, and helping (them) avoid the illnesses that used to kill our grandparents that have largely been wiped from the face of the earth because of vaccines, Bramwell said. Thats certainly one area where pediatricians, I think, are really critical for the health of society 

How will the pediatric residency work?

Boise is home to the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, a three-year residency program that trains doctors in clinics and hospitals, in urban and rural areas.

St. Lukes will supply the hospital, supervising pediatricians and pediatric specialists. St. Lukes also committed $1.7 million to support the launch of the program. The Family Medicine Residency of Idaho will supply faculty, including several pediatricians, and the framework for their education similar to what theyve already done with family medicine, Bramwell said.

Its hard to predict how many pediatricians the residency will ultimately bring to Idaho, Bramwell said.

On average, about 50% of residents stay where they are after the program ends.

Well have sort of a conveyor belt of new young doctors that we, hopefully, can convince that this is a great place to live and be and raise a family, he said.

But the other thing  thats maybe a little more immediate  is they will have to set up a home clinic where each of these four doctors and their supervising or attending doctors are watching their care. And that clinic will open up thousands of pediatric appointments that currently do not exist, he said.

The appeal of working as a doctor in Idaho

Bramwell said he tries to be up-front about some of the challenges of practicing medicine in Idaho. While housing costs used to be rock-bottom, attracting young doctors, theyre now high and rising.

And theres a cultural resistance, sometimes, to traditional medical care.

We tend to be at the bottom of every measurable outcome, whether thats vaccines or seatbelts or number of doctors per capita, he said.

But its a place where physicians can make a difference  giving testimony to a legislative committee, or speaking directly to elected officials, or forming partnerships with relative ease.

When physicians come to Boise to interview for a job, they fall in love with the place, Bramwell said.

Thats what it was like for Bramwell himself. He came to interview for a job as a pediatric emergency physician in 2002.

Halfway through the interview, which was two days long  which is really long, but thats what it is  my wife and I went for a walk, Bramwell said. And she said, Well, I hope you like the job, because the kids and I are moving here.

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Idahos Republican Legislature and Gov. Brad Little couldnt move fast enough to hand out income tax breaks to wealthy families and corporations that dont need it.

They got in just ahead of a report that shows where the money could have been better spent.

Last week, the Office of Performance Evaluations outlined the status of Idahos public school buildings. Hiding in plain sight is Idahos dirty little secret: the Legislature has shirked its constitutional duty in that regard, in large part because the Idaho Supreme Court in 2005 looked the other way.

Now, according to OPE, the cost of bringing school buildings simply to a level of good, not perfect, is $847 million. And thats just for the 77 school districts that responded to OPEs survey. If you extrapolate the findings to cover all 115 school districts, the price inevitably climbs to more than $1 billion.

Among the dozen school districts where the OPE study dug a little deeper, it found 20% of the school buildings will need to be replaced within the next 10 years.

Nowhere is it more difficult to build or maintain schools than in the Gem State. It requires bonds to win a two-thirds majority. Most states, including Idahos neighbors, require far less.

In the last decade, only 41% of school bonds cleared that standard  while 81% received at least a simple majority.

Idaho helps local school construction only on the margins. For instance, it subsidizes interest payments for poor districts and allocates state lottery profits toward district building needs.

Thats far less than most states, including Idahos neighbors.

And the state relies on an outdated model of marshaling resources for school building needs. This formula estimates costs at $81.45 per square foot when the full replacement cost is $350 per square foot.

All of which leaves Idaho students attending school in less than ideal circumstances.

Says the OPE: At $1,080, Idaho spends less construction money per student than any other state in the union  and only one other state, Tennessee, spends less in construction money than Idahos $6.82 per square foot.

If youre a property taxpayer, youre feeling this burden the Legislature is heaping upon you.

Thanks to the machinations of then-Gov. Jim Risch, the GOP-led Legislature in 2006 eliminated a statewide maintenance and operation property tax levy that more or less treated schools equally. He replaced it with less stable state revenues generated by a sales tax increase. The results: As state lawmakers cut back $1 billion in support during the 13 years that followed Rischs folly, local property taxpayers picked up $1 billion in new supplemental property tax levies. The average supplemental levy is now 35% higher than it was when Risch passed his tax shift. Between 2007 and 2020, the overall annual collections increased from $99 million to $214 million.

Common sense would suggest somethings got to give. And in the case of Idahos schools, it would be declining support for school construction bonds backed by higher property taxes.

But OPE could not say one way or the other. One possible explanation is that supplemental levies are so pervasive across the state that you cant isolate their effects on school bond elections.

What you may see out of this is a better accounting of what Idaho schools need. The state has not conducted a full assessment since Cecil Andrus was governor in 1993.

But then what?

Wheres the money coming from?

Not only has the state handed out $600 million in income tax breaks, but Little now proposes to drain $200 million more in ongoing funds, plus another $200 million in one-time dollars from the state account that supports public education, and spend it on transportation.

Talk about a once-in-a-generation opportunity squandered.  M.T.

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In Sudan, another civil society figure has been arrested: Mohammed al-Fekki was arrested by security forces on Sunday, February 13. He had been a member of the Sovereign Council that ruled the country until the October 25 coup, while two other former members of the institution suffered the same fate last week.

The government continues to target the most influential members of civil society. According to a senior member of his party, the Unionist Alliance, Mohammed al-Fekki was arrested by security forces while driving and taken to an unknown destination.

Mohammed al-Fekki was the youngest member of the Sovereign Council, the flagship body of the transition, until the coup at the end of October, when he had already been detained for several days. He was also a member of the commission charged with recovering property looted by former dictator Omar al-Bashir.

Two other representatives of the same body were arrested this week: Wagdi Salih and Khalid Omar Youssef. The institution had conducted multiple investigations into cases of corruption and embezzlement involving members of the former regime.

However, since the coup, many of the supporters of Omar al-Bashirs regime have been rehabilitated by General Abdelfattah al-Burhan, the strongman of the current regime.

The head of the armed forces spoke on Saturday, February 12, for the first time since October 25, denying any political aspect behind the arrests, saying they were linked to independent judicial decisions.
The United States approved $400 million in aid to Burundi on Friday, Burundis foreign minister announced, less than three months after the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Bujumbura.

The announcement comes three days after a statement by the European Union on resuming its direct aid to Burundi, suspended since 2016, a decision criticized by several NGOs denouncing the perpetuation of massive human rights violations in the country.

In a message on Twitter, the head of Burundian diplomacy, Albert Shingiro, reported an agreement with Washington allowing financial support to the government of President Evariste Ndayishimiye in the field of sustainable development.

A package of 400 million dollars [for] agriculture, health, education, good governance, environment, private sector he added.

Also on Twitter, the U.S. Embassy in Burundi confirmed the signing of a five-year agreement with the government of Bujumbura to promote health, humanitarian assistance, economic growth, and the rights of all Burundians, without specifying an amount.

Welcoming an upturn in Burundi since the election of Mr. Ndayishimiye in May 2020, the United States had lifted in November the sanctions it had imposed in 2015 against eight leaders of this Great Lakes African country then shaken by a violent political crisis.

That year, the announcement of incumbent President Pierre Nkurunzizas candidacy for a third term, considered illegal by the opposition and which he eventually won, had plunged the country into a serious political crisis, marked by summary executions, disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and sexual violence targeting dissident voices.

The violence left at least 1,200 people dead and forced some 400,000 Burundians into exile.
Two Malian soldiers were killed early Sunday in northern Mali in an attack on their post blamed on jihadists, the army announced on social networks.

The Niafunke post was attacked at around 2:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) by an armed terrorist group, the army said, using a term commonly used to describe jihadists.

The toll is two dead on the FAMa (Malian Armed Forces) side and five dead on the assailant side, it added.

These are the first casualties announced by the Malian army in its ranks for some time.

Meanwhile, the Malian army has claimed responsibility for the deaths of dozens of jihadists and the destruction of several of their bases since launching an operation called Keletigui in December. These statements describe the jihadists as increasingly on the run, seeking evasion with Malian forces.

The jihadists have caused the death of hundreds of national security forces in Mali and in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger since 2012, and have expanded their operations to include these countries.
Denmark announces that it will partially suspend its development aid to Burkina Faso due to the military coup and to Mali after the forced departure of its military from the country.

The decision was made by the Minister of Development, Flemming Mller Mortensen, who announced the suspension of its aid to Burkina Faso and its neighbor Mali. However, he said that the Danish government would continue to support humanitarian and civil society projects.

This decision is linked to the fact that Burkina Faso has experienced a military coup that put an end to the regime of Roch Kabore, consecrating the advent of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR) headed by Lieutenant Colonel Sandaogo Damiba. Yet in a speech to the nation, President Damiba had assured the international community that his country would respect all its commitments.

As for Mali, the decision follows the expulsion of the Danish contingent that was supposed to reinforce the ranks of the European Takouba force.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Long-term survival data from the first prospective, randomized biomarker validation trial in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer being treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy before surgery will be reported at the 2022 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (GU ASCO) on February 18, 2022.

The results are from the S1314 clinical trial conducted by the SWOG Cancer Research Network, a cancer clinical trials group funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Primary results of the S1314 study were published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research in 2021 and reported an association between a gene-expression biomarker called the COXEN GC score and a tumor's pathologic response to chemotherapy. The new findings being presented at GU ASCO are results of a prespecified secondary analysis of S1314 data that looked for associations between COXEN score and how long a patient lived after starting treatment (a measure known as overall survival, or OS), and between COXEN score and how long a patient lived without their disease getting worse (known as progression-free survival, or PFS).

The work was led by Thomas W. Flaig, MD, a SWOG investigator at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and vice chancellor for research at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center. "The work on S1314 was a tremendous collaborative effort across many institutions," Flaig said, "and it provides important information on patients being treated with preoperative chemotherapy for bladder cancer."

The S1314 trial enrolled 237 patients with muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer that had not spread to other parts of the body (had not metastasized), all of whom were slated to have surgery for their cancer.

After they enrolled in the study, patients were assigned at random to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapythat is, chemotherapy before surgeryon one of two treatment arms. Patients on the first arm were treated with a combination of two drugsgemcitabine and cisplatin (GC). Those on the second arm were treated with a dose-dense cocktail of four drugs: methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (known as MVAC). All patients had surgery after completing chemotherapy. Doctors examined the tumors removed from patients to determine whether they had shrunk in response to the chemotherapy.

The COXEN score (short for co-expression extrapolation score) is generated by a test that measures the expression, or activity level, of a specific set of genes in a patient's tumor cells. The COXEN test is tailored to each treatment. Roughly speaking, it attempts to predict how sensitive a tumor is to a specific drug or to a combination of drugs.

The S1314 trial used a separate, treatment-specific COXEN test for each of the two treatment combinations. These two tests were called COXEN GC and COXEN MVAC. Before the trial started, researchers identified a specific cutoff score for each testscores above that cutoff were considered favorable, scores below it unfavorable.

The trial was designed to determine whether a better COXEN score was associated with a more favorable response to chemotherapy. The goal was to determine whether the COXEN score could serve as a potential biomarker that could then be validated later in a prospective clinical trial. The primary trial results had shown that the COXEN GC score could predict pathologic response to chemotherapy among a pooled analysis of patients from both the GC and MVAC treatment arms.

In the secondary analysis reported at GU ASCO, the researchers found no significant association between the COXEN GC score and OS or PFS in the GC treatment group, nor between the COXEN MVAC score and OS or PFS in the MVAC treatment group. However, when they looked at the COXEN GC score values for both treatment groups combined, they found that the score was a significant predictor of overall survival.

Flaig emphasized that much more remained to be learned from S1314. "There is very little prospective data in this setting," he said, "and beyond the COXEN analysis reported here, samples and patient outcomes from S1314 are being used to facilitate the evaluation of several additional biomarkers."

Explore further Finally, a tool to predict response to chemotherapy before bladder cancer surgery

Provided by SWOG Cancer Research Network
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), is a rare cancer often diagnosed only at an advanced stage. A comprehensive analysis of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects of over 2,200 patients in Europe now provides a valuable knowledge base for raising awareness and managing CCA to improve outcomes. This study is reported in the Journal of Hepatology.

In 2015, the European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma (ENSCCA) was founded with the aim of setting up a pan-European-wide interdisciplinary cooperative network to address the CCA problem at basic, translational, and clinical levels. Its first initiative was the creation of the Clinical ENSCCA Registry in 2016 to describe in detail the natural course of CCA in Europe, determine potential risk factors, improve the current classification system, investigate early and non-invasive accurate tumor biomarkers for diagnosis and to estimate prognosis, compare the effectiveness of therapies, and select patients for clinical trials.

"CCA is a rare cancer, but its incidence is increasing worldwide, and we need to stop treating it as an orphan disease," explained lead investigator Dr. Jesus M. Banales, Professor Ikerbasque at Biodonostia, University of Navarra and CIBERehd, Spain. "Although CCA constitutes a major challenge for clinicians, scientists, national health systems, and society, there is a lack of coordinated multidisciplinary pan-European studies. We therefore used the ENSCCA registry to gather vital information."

In the most comprehensive international observational study to date, investigators evaluated the natural course of histologically proven CCA in more than 2,200 patients who were diagnosed between 2010-2019 and whose details were included in the ENSCCA registry. The data were contributed by 26 referral hospitals in 11 European countries. At diagnosis, 42.2% of patients had local disease, 29.4% had locally advanced disease, and 28.4% had metastatic disease. They compared general and tumor-type specific features at diagnosis, risk factors, biomarker accuracy, as well as the similarities and differences between the three CCA subtypes based on the latest World Health Organization classification according to their anatomical origin (intrahepatic, perihilar, or distal), and a comparison of patient management and outcomes.

The results suggest that the location of CCA tumors along the biliary tree is associated with different risk factors and tumor features. Diagnoses need invasive confirmations by biopsy or cytology, as blood tests for tumor biomarkers show low sensitivity in early stages. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative therapy, although cure is unlikely with involvement of resection margins or lymph node invasion. Investigators noted that chemotherapy increased patients' life expectancy compared to patients receiving best supportive care. They also noted that deterioration of the patient's performance status (ECOG), the presence of metastases, and increased levels of the tumor marker CA19-9 independently affected the outcome.

A comparative analysis of risk factors of the three different locations of CCA tumors revealed some potential lifestyle-related risk factors such as alcohol excess, smoking, overweight/obesity, diabetes, etc. These are highly prevalent in Europe and could predispose at-risk individuals to the development of CCA.

"In conclusion, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects of the complex CCA landscape," commented Dr. Banales. "The results showed that CCA is mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage, a significant proportion of patients fail to receive any cancer-specific therapy, and the prognosis is dismal. Therapeutic options are limited. Accordingly, awareness campaigns and education programs aimed to prevent lifestyle-related risk factors and new techniques for early detection of CCA in high-risk populations are urgently needed in order to decrease cancer-related mortality. Our findings represent valuable knowledge for future comparisons with new targeted therapies and the design of next-generation personalized clinical trials."

CCA is a highly heterogenous and aggressive malignancy responsible for around 2% of all cancer-related deaths globally each year. It is often diagnosed when it is already advanced, making it difficult to treat successfully. Currently it represents approximately 15% of all primary liver cancers and 3% of all gastrointestinal cancers worldwide.

World Cholangiocarcinoma Day, February 12, 2022, was established by the Global Cholangiocarcinoma Alliance (GCA), which has united to establish a global voice about CCA through community collaborations. The GCA has a shared vision to raise awareness of CCA to improve prevention, survival, and quality of life of CCA patients globally. globalccaalliance.com/en/world-cca-day

More information: Laura Izquierdo-Sanchez et al, Cholangiocarcinoma landscape in Europe: Diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic insights from the ENSCCA Registry, Journal of Hepatology (2022). Laura Izquierdo-Sanchez et al, Cholangiocarcinoma landscape in Europe: Diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic insights from the ENSCCA Registry,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.12.010
Fig. 1. Attitudes about vaccines stratified by latent class. Credit: DOI: 10.1007/s10900-022-01064-w

Identifying adults who are ambivalent about vaccines early in a pandemic and finding community leaders who can help spread reliable information within their communities could help reduce vaccine hesitancy, according to a new University of Michigan study.

"These findings have important implications for public health messaging and planning. Fence-sitters are probably the people who are easiest to target for certain health promotions." said Abram Wagner, a research assistant professor of epidemiology at U-M's School of Public Health and lead author of the report, which looked at changing attitudes towards traditional vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccine among US adults.

For their analysis, researchers used data from the COVID-19 Coping Study, led by U-M professors Lindsay Kobayashi of the School of Public Health and Jessica Finlay of the Institute for Social Research. The longitudinal study seeks to understand how the pandemic-related control practices and policies are affecting the mental health and well-being of older adults.

The study followed adults 55 and older living in the United States on a monthly basis from April 2020 through May 2021. It included data from 2,358 participants, and while the survey was not designed to be representative of the U.S. population, it provides actionable data for pandemic preparedness policies, the researchers say.

Wagner said they were interested in this age group because older adults have a higher risk of severe illness from SARS-CoV-2.

"At the time we were conducting this study, whether they would get the COVID-19 vaccine was not necessarily a given," said Wagner, who added they wanted to see if there was a relationship between what participants thought about vaccines in general and whether they would get the COVID-19 vaccine specifically.

Researchers first categorized each individual as an acceptor, ambivalent or rejector based on their attitudes towards vaccines at the start of the vaccine rollout. They compared these groups by sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age, race, among others) and risk reduction behavior such as mask wearing and social distancing.

At the beginning of the study, researchers identified 88.9 percent of the respondents as vaccine acceptors, 8.6 percent as vaccine ambivalent and 2.5 percent vaccine rejectors. By the end of the study, 90.7 percent of acceptors, 62.4 percent of the ambivalent and 30.7 percent of the rejectors had been vaccinated. Other key findings included:

The vaccine-ambivalent were more likely to be Black and Hispanic. A CDC study had previously shown that vaccine rejectors tend to be white and of lower socioeconomic status.

While the respondents' attitudes towards vaccines varied, all groups expressed concerns over new vaccines and having potential serious adverse effects.

The study supports previous research that shows the ambivalent feel strongly about protecting others.

Lower uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among the ambivalent shows the "wait and see" approach seeks reaffirmation from community members.

Understanding why some might hesitate to get the vaccine and identifying those who are ambivalent early on could help come up with strategies targeting these specific populations, Wagner says.

"The next time that we need to introduce a new vaccine into the population, we could quickly identify who these fence-sitters are. We followed them for a period of time and there was a strong relationship between their hesitancy in how we group them and their actual behaviors," he said.

Also relevant for future pandemic preparedness, Wagner says, is focusing on who is delivering the message.

"It might be that we have to work through people outside of the health care system," he said. "Doctors and nurses can be really important people for introducing something to a community, but we found that not everybody is going to believe messaging from them.

"There are other community leaders that could help communicate like religious leaders, political leaders or even business leaders. I think it'll be important to kind of think carefully about who's delivering the message."

More information: Abram L. Wagner et al, Vaccine Hesitancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Latent Class Analysis of Middle-Aged and Older US Adults, Journal of Community Health (2022). Abram L. Wagner et al, Vaccine Hesitancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Latent Class Analysis of Middle-Aged and Older US Adults,(2022). DOI: 10.1007/s10900-022-01064-w


From politicians to academics, Americans who speak against Hindutva face harsh backlash, protests, and violent threats.

Pieter Friedrich | TwoCircles.net

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UNITED STATES  When US Senator and then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders criticized then President Donald Trumps failure of leadership on human rights for having dismissed the issue of the February 2020 anti-Muslim pogrom in Delhi as up to India, it was not long before a senior leader of Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) openly threatened interference.

How much ever neutral we wish to be you compel us to play a role in Presidential elections, responded BJP National Secretary BL Santhosh to Sanders on Twitter. Santhosh deleted his Tweet within hours, but the message was clear: any international criticism of affairs in an India ruled by the Hindu nationalist BJP would prompt a harsh backlash. The incentive for such backlash was equally clear considering top BJP officials were implicated in instigating the 2020 violence.

Threats against Sanders, however, are far from the first time that critics of Hindu nationalism  and the movements actions  have faced such backlash. As American awareness and, consequently, criticism of Hindu nationalism (or Hindutva) spreads, attacks on critics correspondingly escalate. Politicians, academics, journalists such as myself, and even prominent interfaith bodies have endured pressure, censure, and protest for years.

One of the most recent and sustained onslaughts occurred in September 2021, when faculty from over 50 mostly US-based universities organized an online conference called Dismantling Global Hindutva (DGH). In reprisal, they faced everything from denunciations to death threats.

Ram Madhav  a BJP General Secretary and former spokesperson of the partys ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) paramilitary  denounced DGH as nothing but a front to attack Hindu religion and culture. Leading up to the conference, branches of RSSs international wing, the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), were among its most vocal opponents.

HSS-UK vehemently condemned the conference as anti-Hindu/anti-India, while HSS-USA claimed that discussion of the religious-nationalist ideology of Hindutva would amplify Hinduphobia, encourage Hindu hate, and incite violence against the minority Hindu population.

Yet the only violence  or threat of it  occurred against conference organizers and speakers. Death and rape threats forced many to withdraw from the event. One shocking email even warned organizers: If this event will take place then I will become Osama bin Laden and will kill all the speakers.

More than 1m emails were sent to the presidents, provosts and officials at universities involved in the conference pressuring them to withdraw and dismiss staff who were participating, pointing to an organised campaign by groups in India and the US, reported The Guardian. At Drew University in New Jersey, more than 30,000 emails were received in just a few minutes, causing the university server to crash.

The backlash was a concerted, somewhat coordinated effort among the many arms of the global Hindu Right, Dr. Rohit Chopra, an organizer and professor at Santa Clara University, told me. When a million emails are sent to universities in protest, so much so that one universitys server crashed in a few minutes, there has to be a coordinated effort and one engineered by an entity with significant resources. Whether that was the RSS, the BJP IT cell, a Hindu Right organization in the US, or some combination thereof  we dont know. But just as politicians in India claim riots are spontaneous when we know they are engineered for political gains, there was nothing spontaneous about this backlash.

In fact, the backlash against those who speak against Hindu nationalism  or, in one case, simply disassociate from Hindu nationalist outfits  has a long history. One of the earliest waves of pushback against Hindutvas American critics began in 2013 just as the BJP mobilized its election machinery in India to make Narendra Modi Prime Minister.

In September 2013, the Council for a Parliament of the Worlds Religions (CPWR) withdrew from a Chicago event organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA). One reason was VHPAs association with Indias VHP, which is the religious wing of the RSS. Another was co-sponsorship of the event by Overseas Friends of the BJP (OFBJP), the BJPs international front which, in 2020, registered as a foreign agent in America. Yet another was the involvement of BJP speakers at a time when the partys candidate for Prime Minister, Modi, was still banned from entering the US.

CPWRs disassociation provoked an outcry. In a coalition letter issued by American Hindus Against Defamation (a project of VHPA), signatories accused the interfaith body of lack of understanding and respect which jeopardized the reputation and credibility of CPWR. Insisting it was now necessary to heal relations with the Hindu and Indian community, they demanded a public apology.

The few national signatories to the letter included HSS-USA and Hindu American Foundation (HAF).

In December 2013, HAF launched a major campaign to block US House Resolution 417, which was not only perhaps the most significant congressional attempt to warn against the violent agenda advanced by strands of the Hindu nationalist movement but also affirmed Modis ban on entry to the US. Every congressional representative who backed the resolution received a visit from HAF, revealing a staffer in one such office. He added that HAF was definitely trying to undermine anyone in Washington who is critical of Modi.

Incidentally, HAF had only three board members at the time, including Rishi Bhutada. He joined HAFs board in 2012, the same year that he became Vice-President of Finance for a large industrial corporation founded by his father, Ramesh, who is vice-president of HSS-USA.

The same month that HAF, with Rishi as one of its top leaders, began working to block a congressional resolution critical of Modi, Ramesh spoke at an OFBJP rally in Houston, TX. We are not only for BJP, but for a strong India, and we consider Narendra Modi and BJP to be strong vehicles for the same, said Ramesh at the rally. In early 2014, while HAF was still campaigning against H. Res. 417, the senior Bhutada was organizing US-based call-centres to urge Indian voters to support the BJP and even inspired and encouraged a team to travel to India to campaign directly for Modi.

Modi was elected and the resolution failed, but HAF did not forget one of its initial sponsors: then-Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to US Congress.

In 2016, as Ellison was being considered for chair of the Democratic National Committee, HAF voiced concerns, saying they were disturbed by his legislative activism against India, citing H. Res. 417 in particular. Their complaints compelled him to join a conference call with them (as well as, among others, HSS-USA and VHPA); remarkably, he caved on his concerns about Modis role in the 2002 Gujarat Pogrom, calling it a closed issue.

The only other congressional representative reported as on the call was then Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who later made Indian headlines in 2018 after publicly withdrawing from the World Hindu Congress (WHC) in Chicago, an event hosted by VHPA.

To protest the choice of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat as WHCs keynote speaker, several young South Asian activists  mostly women  infiltrated the conference to raise a banner and chant anti-RSS slogans. They were swiftly assaulted, spat upon, and even choked by attendees. A year later, VHPA filed a lawsuit against them seeking $500,000 in damages.

Meanwhile, Gabbard had long faced allegations of close ties to Hindu nationalist outfits like HSS-USA, VHPA, and OFBJP.

In a January 2019 op-ed, she denounced such allegations as religious bigotry and attempts to foment fear of Hindus. In March 2019, as she ran for the presidency, she repeated that tactic when I questioned her at a campaign rally about her direct interactions with the RSS itself. Dodging the question, she said, It is this kind of attacks that are rooted in religious bigotry that we must stand together and condemn.

Yet Hindu-American Congressman Ro Khanna seemed to disagree. In August 2019, after I published a comprehensive investigation of Gabbards Hindutva links, Khanna affirmed the article on Twitter as important, adding, Its the duty of every American politician of Hindu faith to stand for pluralism, reject Hindutva, and speak for equal rights for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhist[s] & Christians.

Khannas simple statement soon made him yet another Hindutva critic to face targeted backlash.

In September 2019, HAF hand-delivered a coalition letter  including signatures by HSS-USA and VHPA  to his office, demanding he retract the Tweet. In October, 25-30 alleged members of HSS protested him (as well as myself) outside one of his constituent town halls. By months end, local businessman Ritesh Tandon announced he would challenge Khanna. Boasting that his father was a strong RSS person, Tandon admitted he was largely motivated to run by the congressmans anti-Hindutva position. In contrast to that position, Tandon spent his first month on the campaign trail in frequent company with former OFBJP President Chandru Bhambhra, attending a VHPA event, and even meeting with BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra.

Although Khanna refused to reverse his statement, Congressman Tom Suozzi succumbed to pressure when he faced backlash in August 2019 for a letter expressing concerns about Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, including that the Modi governments move could embolden Hindu nationalists to engage in acts of violence and discrimination against Indias minority religious groups.

The outcry was led by Jagdish Sewhani, who pressured Suozzi to attend a community meeting where Sewhani lectured the congressman about his tone and tenor, claimed it hurt Indian-Americans, and demanded he withdraws it.

Yet not all local Indian-Americans shared the outrage. As one local community leader noted, A group of people with vested interests attacked him for his letter. Perhaps he meant Sewhani, who has reportedly served as a coordinator for HSS as well as on the National Executive Committee of OFBJP, of which he is reportedly a founding member. Allegedly an intimate associate of Modi, he not only organized US-based efforts to support Modis election but personally reports travelling to India in 2014 to serve as part of Modi-Jis campaign team and participate in brainstorming sessions.

Despite the vested interests  that is, the crystal clear pro-BJP bias  of those pressuring him, Suozzi issued a public apology.

Other members of Congress who have dared to speak up about the Kashmir issue have also faced backlash. In 2019, after Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal  herself an Indian-American  introduced a resolution on Kashmir, she was accused of having betrayed her community, HAF denounced it as an anti-Hindu, anti-India resolution, and Indias External Affairs Minister refused to attend a congressional meeting because she would be there. In 2020, after Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib introduced a similar resolution, the Bhutada family sent her challenger a surge of campaign donations.

Attacks on critics of Hindutva, however, have, in some instances today, passed beyond peaceful pressure and protests.

One of the most ominous incidents was in late 2020. Dr Vinayak Chaturvedi  a noted scholar on Hindutva who is writing an upcoming book about VD Savarkar, who popularized the term  was on the phone with his octogenarian parents when they told him armed police were outside their home. Police reported they had received an anonymous tip that Chaturvedis mother had, in a Zoom call, been witnessed shooting a person. The elderly couple, it turned out, were victims of swatting: a malicious tactic to weaponize police against innocent people by falsely reporting a violent crime.

Considering his parents had previously been harassed due to their sons work on Hindutva, Chaturvedi concluded that the swatting incident has all the traces of the invisible hand of the Right that is no longer interested in intellectual debate.

Scholars who conduct research on India are also aware that they are being monitored on their campuses here in the United States, Chaturvedi later noted. American organizations that propagate Hindutva and are sympathetic to Modi, the BJP, and the Sangh Parivar have trained their scrutiny on the American academy.

Dr Audrey Truschke of Rutgers University is among the most prominent and regularly outspoken American academics to criticize both the Modi government and Hindu nationalist ideology. The outcome has been a nonstop onslaught of death threats. For more than five years, I have received hate mail from Hindu nationalists or Hindu supremacists nearly every single day, she said in 2021. I have been the target of so many death and rape threats that I have lost count. Even her young children are routinely threatened.

As a journalist focused on Hindutva, I can identify at least a little bit. Ive been physically assaulted while protesting Modis 2015 visit to America, roughly manhandled by Gabbard staff while protesting her, repeatedly attacked in print by HAF, protested (as mentioned) by HSS, regularly threatened with violence on social media, and faced attempts to dox not only myself but my family.

India has no doubt become quite dangerous for visible critics of Hindutva since 2014, Dr. Chopra told me. I should emphasize that it is people on the ground in India combating the vile ideology of Hindutva who deserve the bulk of praise and support. They are on the frontlines.

He adds, The backlash will also continue in the US, unfortunately, but it is also heartening that academics, journalists, and critics of the Hindu Right here are standing firm and pushing back.

Yet the sentiments of the Hindu Right says Chopra, do not trump constitutional rights, democratic principles, the principle of free inquiry. Although critics of Hindutva in America may continue to face escalating attacks, they can stand strong and take courage in the protection offered by the rule of law  something which Hindutva critics in India (who are often also its victims) cannot, unfortunately, currently rely upon.

Indeed, as the violence of Hindutva continues to grow unabated in India, its critics in America  particularly considering they are both legally and physically in a far more secure position  have a duty to continue to expose and oppose the Hindu nationalist movement despite the backlash.

Pieter Friedrich is a freelance journalist specializing in the analysis of South Asian affairs. He is the author of Saffron Fascists: Indias Hindu Nationalist Rulers and co-author of Captivating the Simple-Hearted: A Struggle for Human Dignity in the Indian Subcontinent. He tweets at @FriedrichPieter
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The EU on Monday stood by its refusal to lift patent protections on COVID vaccines, just days ahead of a summit with African Union countries who see the issue as a priority.

Since October 2020, India and South Africa have led calls at the World Trade Organization for the temporary removal of intellectual property protections for vaccines, treatments and diagnostics in the fight against COVID-19.

Proponents argue this would boost production globally and help address the glaring inequity in access between rich and poor nations.

The members of the African Union have pushed to include the demand in the conclusions of the joint EU-AU summit that starts on Thursday in Brussels.

"The African Union... urges the European Union to engage constructively towards the conclusion of a targeted and time limited waiver," said the AU proposal seen by AFP.

But a number of wealthy countries hosting large pharmaceutical companies have opposed the move, saying patents are not the main roadblocks to scaling up production and are crucial to innovation.

"We think that intellectual property should never be a brake (to vaccine production)," said Franck Riester, the trade minister from France, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

"At the same time, we do not want to call into question a system of intellectual property that allows for innovation and that has made it possible, in particular, to have vaccines very quickly in the case of COVID-19," he added.

Riester was speaking after holding talks with his EU counterparts on the matter in the French city of Marseille in which WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also took part.

Okonjo-Iweala in January said a deal at the WTO on easing restrictions to manufacturing vaccines was weeks away, possibly in time for the EU-AU summit.

But on Monday ministers said they hoped for a WTO accord no earlier than June.

Irish deputy prime minister Leo Varadkar, whose country is home to several big pharma groups, said it "is very important that we're willing to make compromises and that we're willing to make sure that vaccines are available in all parts of the world".

"But what we want to avoid is this pandemic being used in a way by some countries to undermine innovation or undermine intellectual property," he added.

Explore further WTO again fails to agree on Covid vaccine patent waiver

 2022 AFP
(HealthDay)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it will postpone an advisory panel meeting that was slated for next week to weigh Pfizer's COVID vaccine for use in young children.

The FDA took the step after Pfizer notified the agency that it would like to wait until data is available on a three-dose regimen for children aged 6 months to 4 years old, Pfizer said in a statement.

The FDA had planned to review a two-dose regimen at a Feb. 15 meeting of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting. This committee provides crucial review of the data behind vaccine applications.

The application now "will wait for the three-dose data as Pfizer and BioNTech continue to believe it may provide a higher level of protection in this age group," Pfizer said.

"This is also supported by recent observations of three-dose booster data in several other age groups that seems to meaningfully augment neutralizing antibody levels and real-world vaccine protection for Omicron compared to the two-dose regimen," the company added.

During a media briefing on the postponement, FDA officials explained their change in strategy.

"Given the recent Omicron surge and the notable increase in hospitalizations in the youngest children to their highest levels during the pandemic so far, we felt it was our responsibility as a public health agency to act with urgency and consider all available options, including requesting that the company Pfizer provide us with initial data on two doses from its ongoing study," said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

"The goal was to understand if two doses would provide sufficient protection to move forward with authorizing the use of the vaccine in this age group. The [new] data that we saw made us realize that we needed to see data from a third dose in the ongoing trial in order to make a determination that we could proceed with doing an authorization," he said.

Marks also noted that the speed with which Omicron spread also speeded up the collection of trial data.

"Think about what's happened in the past month. I don't know whether anyone could have really predicted what happened real well. We had days when we were getting above three quarters of a million cases a day of Omicron, and we started to see a tremendous number of children affected by Omicron," Marks said. "You could imagine that if a clinical trial were going on, any clinical trial, not necessarily this one, where someone was looking at outcomes, one might see information coming in very quickly."

Pfizer first announced in December that a two-dose regimen didn't generate a strong enough immune response in some children.

"The decision to evaluate a third dose  for children 6 months to under 5 years of age reflects the companies' commitment to carefully select the right dose to maximize the risk-benefit profile," Pfizer said at the time.

The FDA had planned to go forward with a review of the two-dose series out of a sense of urgency, but the postponement should also reassure parents, Marks added.

"We take our responsibility for reviewing these vaccines very seriously because we're parents as well. In looking over these data, I think parents can feel reassured that we have set a standard by which we feel that if something does not meet that standard, we can't proceed forward," Marks said.

"Rather than having any issue of causing anyone to question the process, I hope this reassures people that the process has a standard, that the process is one that we follow, and we follow the science in making sure that anything we authorize has the safety and efficacy that people have come to expect from our regulatory review of medical products," he said.

Explore further US urges Pfizer to apply for under-5 COVID shots

More information: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on

SOURCES: U.S. Food and Drug Administration media briefing with Dr. Peter Marks, director, FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research; Pfizer Inc., news release, Feb. 11, 2022 Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on COVID vaccines and kids SOURCES: U.S. Food and Drug Administration media briefing with Dr. Peter Marks, director, FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research; Pfizer Inc., news release, Feb. 11, 2022

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As of February 8, 2022, the cumulative number of COVID-19-related deaths globally is close to 5.8 million. With more than 2,300 COVID-19 deaths per million people, the United States, Belgium, Italy and UK have recorded the highest number of fatalities, followed by Spain and France (with about 2,000).

At that time, France's per-million total of COVID-19 deaths was 14% higher than the average for high-income countries (1,740)but this was not always the case. The difference peaked at 113% on May 1, 2020 and gradually narrowed thereafter (80% in June, 2020; 50% in December, 2020). Once the first wave of the epidemic had passed, that would seem to indicate that France managed the health crisis better than other high-income countries, but without making up for its initial shortcomings.

France did indeed try hard, increasing its health budget by 8% in 2020 (compared to 2019) producing a 30 billion euro deficit for the health sector (20 times higher than 2019).

France's performance therefore looks debatable given the quality of the French health care system and the relatively high share of GDP it dedicates to health care expenditure. In 2019, this amounted to 11.1%, a similar rate to Sweden, Canada or Japan, but behind the US, Switzerland and Germany with 16.8%, 11.7% and 11.3% respectively.

So what happened to a country which, according to the World Health Organisation in 2000, provided the "best overall health care" in the world? There are three possible explanations: the health of the general population, health care system performance and specific responses to tackle the pandemic.

A population more vulnerable to COVID-19?

Age and comorbidities are the main determinants of COVID-19-related deaths. Could residents of France be on average more likely to develop severe or lethal forms after infection with COVID-19 than people infected in other OECD countries?

First, France ranks 9th worldwide among countries with the largest proportion of +65 years old (20% of the population). Next, 38% of the French population aged 18 and over are living with at least one chronic condition versus 35.2% in OECD countries.

Because smoking is associated with a higher vulnerability to infectious diseases, the high rate of French daily smokers (24% versus 16% in OECD countries) could also be a contributing factor. Finally, at 65 years old, the French may expect to live one healthy life year (HLY) less than the Germans, and five HLY less than the Swedes (OECD).

Universal, generous but centralized public-hospital care system

Another explanation for the higher French mortality figures may come from the health care system itself. Dating to 1945, the French health care system is based on a so-called Bismarckian approach (an insurance model related to salary), combined with goals of universality similar to the Beveridge model of Britain's NHS developed over the past 20 years. It is highly regulated in terms of the price, quantity and quality of care.

Statutory health insurance (SHI) is compulsory and uniform for all French residents. In 2000, SHI was extended to all legal residents through universal health insurance. Benefits covered under SHI and health care expenditure are defined at the national level. Moreover, complementary health insurance (CHI) supplements SHI for 96% of the French population. After all reimbursements, the average out-of-pocket payment in France is one of the lowest among OECD Countries (9% of current health care expenditure, behind South Africa with 7.7%). However, clear social disparities exist, especially in terms of access to specialists, medication, dental and optical care.

As far as primary care is concerned, the French healthcare delivery policy is not based on primary health care or public health. In this respect, the proportion of health expenditure devoted to ambulatory care is low compared to OECD countries (about 22% of health expenditure, and on average six physician visits, mainly to GPs). In addition, the number of doctors per head of the population is lower in France than the OECD average, with respectively 3.2 and 3.6 practicing doctors per 1,000 people.

Since the mid-2000s, France has pursued a policy of reinforcing primary care. It implemented a patient enrolment system (the attending physician has acted as gatekeeper since 2004) and referral and diversified payment methods (physicians and specialists are mainly paid via a fee-for-service system). France has promoted and developed cooperation and multi-professional practice, in particular in health centers and clinics, and more recently, territorial coordination.

Finally, the French health care system is a centralized public-hospital care system built around the management of chronic diseases. Even if ambulatory care is increasing, hospital expenditure still accounts for almost half of all health care expenditure.

The initial health system response to the flood of positive COVID cases was therefore focused on the public hospital, leaving out private actors (such as clinics and self-employed physicians).

The number of hospital beds and flexibility of use are key factors in addressing any unexpected additional demand for intensive care. In 2019, the number of adult intensive care beds per 100,000 people in France was very slightly higher than the average for OECD countries (16.4 vs 14.1) but far behind Germany (28.2) or the U.S. (21.6). As a result, the French public hospital system became extremely congested.

Underinvestment in health prevention and medical research

The health crisis has laid bare weaknesses in the French health care system which have increased pressure on hospitals.

First, the French model is characterized by an underinvestment overall public health and long-term health strategy. In 2015, institutional spending on prevention represented 1.8% of current health spending, compared to 2.8% in OECD countries.

However, in 2007 France developed a very ambitious protection system against pandemics by building an agency called Eprus. Initially, substantial stocks of FFP2 and surgical masks, respirators and oxygen cylinders, equipment for analysis laboratory and accessories were available. For financial reasons and political choice, however, its budget was drastically reduced from 281 million euros in 2007before the H1N1 crisisto 25.8 million euros in 2015, meaning that by early 2020 strategic stocks of masks and equipment were very low.

Then the pandemic exposed the limits of a centralized decision-maker and high level of bureaucracy in relationships between the Health Ministry, the regional health agencies and health professionals, which do not allow a fast and differentiated response according to different heterogeneous territories or populations needs. Measures adopted to limit epidemics may be more effective when defined at a smaller, more localized level, as in Germany (Lander).

Another reason stems from the lack of coordination between primary care and hospitals, public and private stakeholders and health care (handled at regional level) and nursing homes services (depending on a smaller administrative entity, the departement). In 2020, care-home deaths amounted to 43% of all COVID-19 deaths, most of them occurring at the beginning of the crisis.

In addition, the low level of investment in innovation and medical research has hampered the French system's ability to cope with the pandemic. For instance, in 2020 the share of adults treated by a doctor via a remote service since the start of the pandemic is the weakest in France among OECD Countries (23% vs 45%).

Finally, the failures of the Pasteur Institute and Sanofi to develop their own vaccine have made France totally dependent on the international market.

Rolling back the epidemic in a climate of suspicion

Starting on March 17, 2020, and continuing for eight weeks, France imposed a strict national lockdown similar to the one in Italy to counter the initial wave of the epidemic.

That year, the "test track isolate" strategy advocated by the government was only partially effective. First, even though screening tests were delivered free of charge (by October 15, 2021), there was a severe shortage due to difficulties in supplying machines and detection kits and to the rigidity of the French system.

Mass screening programs were conducted in several countries due to the many asymptomatic forms of the virus. On May 31, 2020, when in France there were 10 cumulative COVID-19 tests per 1,000 people, there were already 25 in the UK, 51 in Germany and 58 in the United States.

There were also delays in implementing patient follow-up through tracking. Isolation, which is highly dependent on population density and the role of individual freedom in the existing political system, was not implemented either. These shortcomings in the identification, follow-up and referral of COVID-19 patients heavily affected the hospital system.

The lack of available masks and communication mistakes, combined with declining trust in governments and defiant behavior that spread during the first weeks of the pandemic, especially when it came to complying with sanitary rules and, in the medium term, vaccination adherence.

To conclude, the quality of France's healthcare system and the exceptional involvement, innovation and cooperation of health workers were able to offset a significant part of the high French death rate recorded at the beginning of the health crisis, which stemmed mainly from the country's public health deficit and the centralisation and lack of flexibility of the French health system.

Explore further France sees record 271,000 coronavirus cases in single day

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Tess Robinson sat in the lobby of the spa at her resort in Negril, Jamaica, waiting for a manicure and pedicure appointment. That evening at sunset, she and her boyfriend of seven years, Josh Oiler, were finally getting married.

COVID-19 had already derailed one wedding date. This time, the couplewho live in Norwich, Ohio, and had both been married beforedecided to treat themselves to a private destination wedding.

As she waited, wearing a T-shirt with the word "bride" splashed across the front, Robinson started to feel queasy and shaky. She thought maybe she was dehydrated.

She drank some water but that didn't help.

A stabbing pain started in the middle of her chest. It got worse. Then it turned unbearable.

Yet Robinson recognized this pain.

A month earlier, she felt it multiple times during one night. It only subsided when she crouched on the floor and put her head to her chest. When the problem never returned, she and Oiler dismissed it as indigestion.

Robinson had experienced other bizarre sensations in the past six months. They were so different and so random that they seemed unrelated.

It began when Robinson, a florist, would raise her left arm. She'd feel a sharp pain in the area around her collarbone and shoulder. Sometimes the pain kept her from raising her arm at all. She also occasionally felt nauseous.

Robinson went to an orthopedist, a chiropractor and a massage therapist for her arm. All had different theories. The orthopedist suggested she see a cardiologist, which seemed unnecessary for a 36-year-old in good health who had never smoked. There was, however, a bit of a family history. Her paternal grandmother had a major heart attack at age 53, followed by several smaller heart attacks and strokes over the next two decades. (She lived to be 77.) While Robinson included it in paperwork for her primary care physician, she never thought about it during this time.

Still, Robinson asked her physician for an electrocardiogram. A month before the wedding, the results were normal.

Back at the Jamaican spa, the manicurist came to get the bride-to-be.

By this point, the pain was so intense that Robinson started to cry.

"Don't worry," the woman said, handing her a lemongrass-scented washcloth. "You're just nervous on your wedding day."

Robinson said wasn't the case, then got into the crouching position that had worked when she felt the stabbing pain in the middle of the night. It didn't help.

A resort nurse was summoned. A doctor was summoned from two hours away in Montego Bay. Oiler was called.

"Your wife is having chest pains," a spa attendant told him.

The doctor's portable EKG showed Robinson was likely having a heart attack. He gave her morphine for the pain. It made little difference.

He ordered an ambulancebut only after Oiler's credit card cleared the $900 charge.

Then came another delay. The ambulance was slowed by a holiday festival that filled the streets with partiers and traffic.

EMTs gave her nitroglycerin tablets to dilate her arteries and improve the blood flow to her heart. She was admitted to the hospital only after Oiler put another $6,000 on his credit card.

Emergency room workers cut open Robinson's "bride" T-shirt to examine her. Yet they lacked the expertise or equipment needed to confirm a diagnosis. That would require an ambulance to Kingston or an airlift to Miami. And either of those would require more upfront money.

In need of advice, Oiler connected with a cardiologist in Zanesville, the city where both he and Robinson worked. He also started an online fundraising campaign that would eventually gather almost $44,000.

Because the flight to Miami would take about as long as the drive to Kingston, they opted for a flight. It cost around $18,000 and wasn't covered by their travel insurance.

By the time Robinson reached the Miami hospital, three days had passed since the onset of pain at the spa. As she and Oiler outlined the various painful episodes from the last six months, a doctor said, "Google 'symptoms for heart attacks in women.' Yours are classic."

A cardiac catheterization procedure confirmed a heart attack. She had a 99% blockage in one of her heart's main arteries. Doctors were able to open it with a stent.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States and kills more women each year than all forms of cancer combined.

Doctors struggled to explain the source of her problem. Their best guess traced it to a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure. (From previous marriages, Robinson has two daughters and Oiler has a son and a daughter.)

Two days after receiving the stent, Robinson left the hospital. The couple took their time driving to Ohio in a rental car.

Robinson started cardiac rehabilitation a week later and went three times a week for four months.

"Seeing my strength from the beginning to the end was an amazing change," she said.

Still, Robinson felt depressed. She withdrew from others. She felt sorry for herself as she struggled with her new identity: heart attack survivor.

There's also the identity she lacks: Married.

Although the couple started wearing their rings, they've yet to exchange vows.

They don't have a date. But they do know where it won't be.

"Jamaica was so beautiful," Robinson said, "but we decided to never fly international again."

Explore further Women's heart attack symptoms vary

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Disease and health are the result of a complex interaction between humans and their pathogens. Genetic factors that partly determine host defenses sometimes differ significantly between people and populations. This is shown in a publication in the American Journal of Human Genetics by researchers from the Netherlands, Tanzania and India. More genetic and immunological research in non-European populations will provide a better and more complete picture of how the human immune system works.

You never become ill on your own. It always involves a combination of host and guest, the human being infected by a virus, for example. The course of such an infection can vary greatly. One person may become seriously ill from a flu virus, while another may hardly notice it at all. How does that work exactly? What makes someone clear up a viral infection without a problem while someone else gets seriously ill? To a large extent, the explanation lies in our immune system, which can vary enormously from one individual to another. But there can also be clear differences in the immune system between different population groups.

Immune response regulators

To gain more insight into these differences, Collins Boahen from Radboudumc and his colleagues focused their research on the role of genetic factors in regulating cytokine production. Cytokines are an important and early link in the coordination of immune response. Like directors, they determine the immune system's response to invading pathogens. The group of cytokines includes interferons, interleukins, chemokines and tumor necrosis factors. All these different factors make the cytokine response a complex one, which can also vary greatly from person to person and from population to population. "Variations in the cytokine response determine not only the risk of infectious disease," says Boahen, "but also, for example, susceptibility to inflammation and autoimmune disease."

Tanzania

Cytokine responses in the Western European population (Caucasian race) have been studied many times. What is particularly lacking are data on cytokine responses in populations from other geographical areas. Together with Blandina T Mmbaga, director of the Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute in Tanzania, and her colleagues Godfrey Temba and Vesla Kullaya, Boahen investigated how these responses occur in healthy Tanzanian adults of East African descent. "In doing so, we also looked at the underlying genetic variations that may influence cytokine responses," says Mmbaga. "In other words, are there genetic differences between populations that cause some to respond differently to infection than others?"

Genetic and immunological differences

The research fits within the Human Functional Genomics Project (HFGP), which investigates how genetic variation in human DNA affects physiological processes, with a special focus on the immune system in health and human disease. Boahen says that "the research shows that both genetically and immunologically, there are clear differences between the European and African populations. Genetically, for example, we see small variationscalled SNPsbetween the two groups that affect the production of cytokines. Put more simply, we see significant differences in the genetic basis for cytokine production in people from Tanzania in East Africa and Western Europe."

More focus on non-European populations

The results of this study, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG), point to the need for more research in non-European populations. This is the only way to gain a full understanding of the diversity of the human immune system. Vinod Kumar, last author of the article, therefore argues for the inclusion of underrepresented populations in genetic research to enable new discoveries about differences in health and disease both between individuals and populations.

Explore further Study finds relationship between immune pathway response to influenza and genetic ancestry

More information: Collins K. Boahen et al, A functional genomics approach in Tanzanian population identifies distinct genetic regulators of cytokine production compared to European population, The American Journal of Human Genetics (2022). Journal information: American Journal of Human Genetics Collins K. Boahen et al, A functional genomics approach in Tanzanian population identifies distinct genetic regulators of cytokine production compared to European population,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.01.014
Neural crest cell with magnified embryonic heart. Credit: Mani laboratory

A genetic disorder in PRDM6 causes patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a congenital heart defect common in premature infantssuggesting a potential target for the treatment of congenital heart diseases.

Each year 3,000 newborns in the United States are diagnosed with PDA. Infants who are born premature are at greater risk for PDAs. The ductus arteriosusa temporary blood vessel that connects the aorta and the pulmonary arteryallows blood to flow directly from the heart to the aorta during embryonic development. The vessel normally closes after the birth when smooth muscle cells contract.

"The disease is caused by a defect in a region of brain that is called the neural crest. This part of the brain appears transiently and is important because cells in this region behave like stem cells and contribute to the skull, bone, and cartilage of the face and most importantly the heart," said Arya Mani, MD, the study's senior author and a professor of medicine and genetics at the Yale School of Medicine.

The study appears in the journal JCI Insight.

The Mani laboratory in the Yale Cardiovascular Research Center analyzed gene expression data in mice. The researcher team focused on PRDM6, an epigenetic modifier which regulates gene expression. Using RNA-sequencing, Mani and colleagues in the Department of Medicine and Genetics discovered that PRDM6 gene regulates neural crest cell (NCC) differentiation and migration.

Cardiac NCCs (CNCCs) are essential for the cardiovascular development of an embryo. These migratory, multipotent cells are part of a network that produces melanocytes, neurons, cartilage, and connective tissue in humans.

To test whether decreased PRDM6 was associated with impaired cardiac NCC differentiation, the authors used an in vivo imaging technique called fate mapping. Smooth muscle cells and NCCs were marked with a colored dye and monitored throughout development. This allowed the research team to study cell behavior and genetic characteristics in the developing embryos. The technique demonstrated that decreased PRDM6 expression impaired their migration and differentiation to smooth muscle cells. Using single cell RNA sequencing they were able to show that the upregulation of CNCC specification gene, Wnt1 is causing the cardiac defect. The increased levels resulted in impaired migration, which could be reversed by inhibiting Wnt1.

The authors suggest that their findings can be applied to other patients with congenital heart disease caused by epigenetic dysregulation, such as those caused by alcohol or folate-deficiency during pregnancy and possibly bring scientists closer to addressing an unmet needrestoring function to damaged cardiac tissue for millions of patients with cardiovascular disease.

"We gained insight into how environment, such as drug toxicity, or lack of vitamins may cause disease. In a sense, we have insight not only to how disease happens when PRDM6 is deficient, but how many congenital heart diseases occur and can be prevented or cured either by manipulating Wnt1 or by supplementation of nutrients and vitamins that are necessary in mothers and avoiding alcohol or drugs that can impair epigenetic regulation," said Mani.

Explore further Understanding congenital heart defects, one chicken at a time

More information: Lingjuan Hong et al, Prdm6 controls heart development by regulating neural crest cell differentiation and migration, JCI Insight (2022). Lingjuan Hong et al, Prdm6 controls heart development by regulating neural crest cell differentiation and migration,(2022). DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.156046
Figure 1. Microneurography and blood pressure recordings. (a) Schematic illustration of averaged MSNA inhibition in response to a series of arousal stimuli. The right inset presents the distribution of mean post-stimulus MSNA burst amplitudes observed in each study participant, presented as both synthetic mean bursts and a dot plot. Inhibitors are defined as those displaying an average post-stimulus reduction in mean burst amplitude (MSNA inhibition) of 30% or more following the first (unexpected) stimulus in each train (red). (b) The average mean arterial BP (lower left) is presented as a function of cardiac cycle number relative to stimulus presentation in Inhibitors (red, n = 7) and Non-inhibitors (blue, n = 8), error bars represent standard error (SEM). The stimulus train begins at cardiac cycle 1, indicated by the black arrow. BP in response to arousing stimuli in Non-inhibitors is significantly higher as compared to Inhibitors during cardiac interval 6 (*p = 0.021). Credit: DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05910-8

Minor everyday rises in blood pressure due to short-term stressors can be linked to a brain area that controls conscious and learned motor skills. This discovery, presented by University of Gothenburg researchers, paves the way for a chance to influence the rises in blood pressure and, in the long run, prevent hypertension.

In roughly half of all people with hypertensionpersistently high blood pressure (BP)there is no known cause. One plausible theory is, however, that hypertension might be the result of a long period of many recurrent BP peaks. Hundreds or thousands of micro-stress events may occur dailythe telephone ringing, a car horn sounding in the streetwith BP spiking every time as a result.

For nearly 20 years now, a University of Gothenburg research group has been investigating how this kind of micro-stress affects nerve signals to our muscles and the throughput (perfusion) of blood in their vessels (muscle vasculature). In half of the over 150 men included in the group's studies to date, the pattern of their reaction system leads to BP peaks, while for the other half the reactions taking place in their bodies do not bring about any change in BP.

Ultramodern brain-imaging techniques

The latest results are published in Scientific Reports. For the study, 20 men aged 1945 were examined. The experiment involved triggering a response in the nervous system with unexpected electric shocks that emulate the sudden and/or stressful stimuli to which we are exposed daily. The researchers combined two measurement methods. In one, a traditional research technique called microneurography, very thin needle electrodes are used to probe the signaling in nerve fibers (specifically, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, MSNA) directed to the vascular bed (blood vessels) of the muscles. The other was a modern brain-imaging technique known as magnetoencephalography (MEG).

For the first time, the researchers can now link the increased susceptibility to micro-stress to a reflex-like signal in the brain. The brain area (the "rolandic area") that activates the signal controls several conscious brain functions. This finding opens the question of whether the BP peaks may be learned and could therefore also, with training, be eliminated.

"We see a surprisingly strong connection between the peripheral autonomic vascular reaction, which takes place subconsciously, and a reaction patternone that was already previously well knownin a part of the brain where emotional impressions and motor skills undergo conscious interpretation. This raises questions about how independently the 'autonomic nervous system,' as it's called, really works," says Mikael Elam, Professor of Clinical Neurophysiology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.

Long road ahead to clinical use

The idea that the discovery might come to be used to prevent hypertension is not unrealistic, but much research remains to be done.

"If we can develop ways of boosting the signal-to-noise ratio, in the future it may be possible to extract the relevant brain signals from a regular electroencephalogram [EEG], which is available in every Swedish hospital today. That would enable us, at an early stage, to identify people who react with BP spikes before they develop hypertension. Many other opportunities for preventive measures and research would then follow," says Justin Schneiderman, Senior Lecturer in experimental multimodal neuroimaging at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.

Environmental factors decisive

Interestingly, our environment seems to matter more than our genetic code when it comes to which reaction pattern we develop, and thus whether we experience many daily BP spikes or not. An earlier study by the research group on identical twins showed that basic activity in the twins' blood-vessel-regulating autonomic nervous systems was very similar, while their stress-triggered reactions diverged.

"One may speculate that, today, many people have learned to suppress the primitive fight-or-flight response, since it's not that relevant in modern society. It's an impulse that prepares us for action, by reducing the vasoconstrictor nerve activity and thereby increase blood flow in the muscles. In terms of long-term health consequences, it might be beneficial to preserve the old flight-or-fight impulse in response to sudden stressors," Elam ponders.

A wide-ranging collaboration

The research group hopes to be able to facilitate studies at the population level, monitoring large groups of people over a long period. This would enable investigation of, first, whether individuals with reaction patterns that cause many peaks in blood pressure during the day are indeed at increased risk of developing hypertension later in life and, second, whether influencing this reaction pattern is feasible.

The research that maps the biological processes and signals controlling autonomic regulation of our blood vessels is taking place in a wide-ranging collaboration involving the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Chalmers University of Technology.

Facts about hypertension

Hypertension (chronically high BP) is the main treatable cause of illness and death worldwide. More than a quarter of all adults in Sweden have hypertension.

The risk of developing hypertension is affected by many different factors, including obesity, smoking, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease. In about half of cases, however, an underlying explanation is lacking.

It may take up to some 15 years to develop hypertension, a condition defined as sustained systolic BP of 140 mmHg (millimeters of mercury, a unit for measuring blood pressure) or higher, or diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher.

Hypertension elevates the risk of several dangerous illnesses, such as heart attack and stroke, and of premature death.

Explore further Nine out of ten patients with high blood pressure need more treatment

More information: Bushra Riaz et al, Brain structural and functional correlates to defense-related inhibition of muscle sympathetic nerve activity in man, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Bushra Riaz et al, Brain structural and functional correlates to defense-related inhibition of muscle sympathetic nerve activity in man,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05910-8
MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (American Heart Association News) -- Tess Robinson sat in the lobby of the spa at her resort in Negril, Jamaica, waiting for a manicure and pedicure appointment. That evening at sunset, she and her boyfriend of seven years, Josh Oiler, were finally getting married.

COVID-19 had already derailed one wedding date. This time, the couple  who live in Norwich, Ohio, and had both been married before  decided to treat themselves to a private destination wedding.

As she waited, wearing a T-shirt with the word "bride" splashed across the front, Robinson started to feel queasy and shaky. She thought maybe she was dehydrated.

She drank some water but that didn't help.

A stabbing pain started in the middle of her chest. It got worse. Then it turned unbearable.

Yet Robinson recognized this pain.

A month earlier, she felt it multiple times during one night. It only subsided when she crouched on the floor and put her head to her chest. When the problem never returned, she and Oiler dismissed it as indigestion.

Robinson had experienced other bizarre sensations in the past six months. They were so different and so random that they seemed unrelated.

It began when Robinson, a florist, would raise her left arm. She'd feel a sharp pain in the area around her collarbone and shoulder. Sometimes the pain kept her from raising her arm at all. She also occasionally felt nauseous.

Robinson went to an orthopedist, a chiropractor and a massage therapist for her arm. All had different theories. The orthopedist suggested she see a cardiologist, which seemed unnecessary for a 36-year-old in good health who had never smoked. There was, however, a bit of a family history. Her paternal grandmother had a major heart attack at age 53, followed by several smaller heart attacks and strokes over the next two decades. (She lived to be 77.) While Robinson included it in paperwork for her primary care physician, she never thought about it during this time.

Still, Robinson asked her physician for an electrocardiogram. A month before the wedding, the results were normal.

Back at the Jamaican spa, the manicurist came to get the bride-to-be.

By this point, the pain was so intense that Robinson started to cry.

"Don't worry," the woman said, handing her a lemongrass-scented washcloth. "You're just nervous on your wedding day."

Robinson said wasn't the case, then got into the crouching position that had worked when she felt the stabbing pain in the middle of the night. It didn't help.

A resort nurse was summoned. A doctor was summoned from two hours away in Montego Bay. Oiler was called.

"Your wife is having chest pains," a spa attendant told him.

The doctor's portable EKG showed Robinson was likely having a heart attack. He gave her morphine for the pain. It made little difference.

He ordered an ambulance  but only after Oiler's credit card cleared the $900 charge.

Then came another delay. The ambulance was slowed by a holiday festival that filled the streets with partiers and traffic.

EMTs gave her nitroglycerin tablets to dilate her arteries and improve the blood flow to her heart. She was admitted to the hospital only after Oiler put another $6,000 on his credit card.

Emergency room workers cut open Robinson's "bride" T-shirt to examine her. Yet they lacked the expertise or equipment needed to confirm a diagnosis. That would require an ambulance to Kingston or an airlift to Miami. And either of those would require more upfront money.

In need of advice, Oiler connected with a cardiologist in Zanesville, the city where both he and Robinson worked. He also started an online fundraising campaign that would eventually gather almost $44,000.

Because the flight to Miami would take about as long as the drive to Kingston, they opted for a flight. It cost around $18,000 and wasn't covered by their travel insurance.

By the time Robinson reached the Miami hospital, three days had passed since the onset of pain at the spa. As she and Oiler outlined the various painful episodes from the last six months, a doctor said, "Google 'symptoms for heart attacks in women.' Yours are classic."

A cardiac catheterization procedure confirmed a heart attack. She had a 99% blockage in one of her heart's main arteries. Doctors were able to open it with a stent.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States and kills more women each year than all forms of cancer combined.

Doctors struggled to explain the source of her problem. Their best guess traced it to a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure. (From previous marriages, Robinson has two daughters and Oiler has a son and a daughter.)

Two days after receiving the stent, Robinson left the hospital. The couple took their time driving to Ohio in a rental car.

Robinson started cardiac rehabilitation a week later and went three times a week for four months.

"Seeing my strength from the beginning to the end was an amazing change," she said.

Still, Robinson felt depressed. She withdrew from others. She felt sorry for herself as she struggled with her new identity: heart attack survivor.

There's also the identity she lacks: Married.

Although the couple started wearing their rings, they've yet to exchange vows.

They don't have a date. But they do know where it won't be.

"Jamaica was so beautiful," Robinson said, "but we decided to never fly international again."

American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org.

By Diane Daniel

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MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Mobile health apps can help older Americans but only about four in 10 use them, and those most likely to benefit are least likely to take advantage of them, a new survey reveals.

Health apps monitor everything from calories and exercise to blood pressure and blood sugar to help users manage chronic conditions or achieve health goals.

"Now that most older adults have at least one mobile device, health-related apps can provide an opportunity to support their health-related behaviors, manage their conditions and improve health outcomes," said Dr. Pearl Lee, a geriatrician at Michigan Medicine-University of Michigan who worked on the poll report.

But this phone poll of more than 2,100 Americans between 50 and 80 years of age found that only 44% had ever used a health app on their smartphone, tablet or wearable device.

Respondents who were least likely to have done so included those in poor health and those with lower levels of education or income, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

People with incomes over $100,000 were nearly three times more likely than those with incomes under $30,000 to use health apps (43% versus 15%). Those with college degrees were more than twice as likely to do so than those who had not completed high school.

Half of those who never used a health app or who stopped said they have no interest in doing so, the findings showed.

Many apps can be useful to seniors, according to AARP and Senior Living.org, an organization for older people and their caregivers.

In all, 28% of respondents in the new poll said they currently use at least one health app. One-third said they use an app to track their physical activity, while smaller numbers use apps to keep tabs on sleep, weight, nutrition or blood pressure, to guide meditation, or manage mental health and stress.

One-quarter of current users said they have shared information from their apps with their health care providers, according to a news release from Michigan Medicine.

Among respondents with diabetes, only 28% said they use an app to record their blood sugar levels while 14% use an app to log their medications. Nearly half of respondents with diabetes said they would be interested in using an app in both ways.

The poll also asked participants about continuous glucose monitors, which people with diabetes wear on their skin to monitor their blood sugar over the long term. The monitors can connect with mobile devices to feed readings into an app.

Only 11% of the respondents with type 2 diabetes said they use this type of monitor. Another 68% had heard of them, and more than half of those said they might be interested in using one, the survey found.

"People who describe their health as fair or poor  the people who might be most in need of the kind of tracking, support and information a good health app can give  were significantly less likely to use such apps than those who say they're in excellent, very good or good health," said poll director Dr. Preeti Malani, an infectious disease physician at Michigan Medicine with training in geriatrics.

"Health providers should consider discussing the use of health apps with their patients, because one-third said they had never thought about using one," Malani suggested.

More information

SOURCE: Michigan MedicineUniversity of Michigan, news release, Feb. 9, 2022

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MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Edibles. In adults, they can be used recreationally or to help manage pain, nausea and anxiety. But these THC-loaded products, often sold as gummies, cookies and brownies, have fueled a four-year increase in the number of emergency calls for young children who mistakenly think they're yummy treats.

In 2021 alone, the New Jersey Poison Control Center assisted in the medical treatment of more than 150 children who ate cannabis edibles. Of these, nearly 100 were aged 5 or younger.

Nationally, there were 187 exposures to marijuana edibles among kids aged 12 and under in the United States in 2016, according to data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers. By 2020, that number had risen to more than 3,100 -- with a majority of the children aged 5 and under.

"Pediatric cannabis edible exposures are on the rise nationwide," said Dr. Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. "From 2019 to 2020, we observed a 370% increase in calls, and we received an all-time high of over 150 calls in 2021. So, it's clearly going up."

Another expert agreed the problem is worsening.

"We definitely have no shortage of children who get into parents' marijuana products. Its usually children 2 to 6 years old. It almost always involves edible products that are shaped like brownies or cookies or other things that children might reasonably think are good to eat," explained Dr. Eric Lavonas, toxicologist at the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety in Denver.

"The children will come in very altered and unable to communicate with their environment, often throwing up," he said. "The biggest danger is to make sure it isnt something else and that the child doesnt become dehydrated.

There are common misconceptions that you cant overdose on THC and any amount is safe to consume. But too much cannabis can result in unwanted physical and mental side effects ranging in severity. And when compared to smoking cannabis, the effects of edibles are often delayed, which can lead to unintentional overconsumption, posing a real danger to children.

A study in the journal Pediatrics last October compared the incidence of children accidentally consuming cannabis edibles prior to and after cannabis products were legalized in 17 states across the United States and in Canada in October 2018. The researchers discovered a significant increase in the incidences of children under age 11 accidentally consuming cannabis edibles and requiring emergency medical attention during the post-legalization period.

Interestingly, the researchers also found that although ER visit rates increased from pre- to post-legalization of cannabis, the rate of change remained the same between the two periods. This indicates the incidences of children accidentally consuming edibles has continued at a steady rate, suggesting this problem existed even before cannabis was legalized.

Even in states that havent legalized cannabis, the authors noted increased access to medicinal or illicit forms is widespread, which may factor into the rising numbers of kids ingesting edibles.

"These products have become more accessible and available as the majority of states have access to legal medical and/or recreational marijuana," said Kaitlyn Brown, clinical managing director at the American Association of Poison Control Centers. "Edible cannabis products can be very appealing to children due to the appearance and taste of the product. There has been a large increase in cases since 2016."

Unfortunately, children, unlike adults who consume edibles, are at a significantly higher risk for severe side effects from cannabis. These health effects can include difficulty breathing, loss of coordination, drowsiness and seizures. Children may even need to be admitted to an intensive care unit in extreme cases.

For example, a toxicology research report, published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine in November 2017, describes a group of birthday party attendees who unintentionally ate THC gummies. Of the 21 people, 12 were children who had to go to the hospital.

"While potentially deadly effects are fortunately very rare, they are also preventable," Calello said. "A visit to the [ER] can be frightening for children and parents. So, safe storage and packaging of these products is a small way to prevent a potentially big problem.

The experts at Rutgers offer these tips to help keep edibles secure and away from children:

Store edibles (or any cannabis products) the same way you would medication -- in a secure/locked place out of sight and reach of children and pets.

Pay close attention to edible potency (THC concentration).

Limit the amount of edible products in the household at a given time.

Only purchase products containing cannabis from licensed, reputable sources.

More information

Visit the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse for more on marijuana.

SOURCES: Diane Calello, MD, executive and medical director, New Jersey Poison Control Center, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School; Eric Lavonas, MD, toxicologist, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety, Denver; Kaitlyn Brown, PharmD, DABAT, clinical managing director, American Association of Poison Control Centers; Rutgers University-New Brunswick, news release, Feb. 3, 2022



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Hazra Shifa is a higher-secondary student at the government pre-University (PU) college of Udupi, Karnataka which is at the centre of Hijab row in the state. Shifa was one of the Muslim girls who were denied entry to the college premises and has since missed all her classes. In this interview with TwoCircles.net, Shifa narrates how the controversy started, the atmosphere at her college, and her hope for the future.

Basil Islam | TwoCircles.net

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Can you briefly narrate how it all happened?

After passing my 10th standard, I took admission to the government pre-University (PU) college in Udupi, Karnataka. At the time of admission last year, my mother asked the college authorities if I was allowed to wear a headscarf on campus. They said that students at the college dont wear headscarves and they wont be able to give me a separate rule. We agreed to it. However, soon afterwards, when I started attending classes (without my headscarf), I saw that some of my seniors were wearing headscarves. I was shocked to see this. I felt discriminated against. If senior students could wear it, why cant I?

When I asked one senior student about how come she is wearing a headscarf while we are disallowed to do so, she recounted how wearing a headscarf was not easy for her, and how she was harassed at the college. She told me some teachers would pull the scarf off her head and ignore her questions in class because she was wearing a hijab. It seemed they (teachers) didnt care about imparting education.

For us juniors, we thought that if senior students can wear hijab, we should be allowed to do so too. We approached the college authorities and put forward our request to wear a hijab. They didnt agree. Instead, they asked us to sign a paper saying we agree to not wear hijab to classrooms. We didnt agree to this. When we checked the admission guidelines, there was no mention of restrictions on wearing the hijab. It was compulsory to wear the uniform though.

There was also a clause in the form restricting religious activities inside the campus but the authorities conducted occasional Pujas (a Hindu worship ritual) and other religious events inside the campus. We didnt object to these religious activities at any point and supported them. But when it comes to our religious rights, I dont understand their position. Why are they not supporting us? Why are they not standing up for our rights?

It all started in September last year. On one occasion when some of us wore hijabs to the class, we were pushed out of the classroom. We were kept out of the classroom for the whole day. From that day onwards, the administration and teachers started discriminating against us. They will point fingers at us and insist that we shouldnt greet each other with salaam (Islamic greeting) or speak in our mother tongues, including in Urdu and Byari. This, they said, was done to promote an English speaking atmosphere on the campus, although the rest of the students and teachers spoke in Thulu or Kannada all the time. This kind of discrimination was going on for a long time.

So you were disallowed to wear hijab from September last year?

Thats right. We were not allowed to wear Hijab. In December 2021, we sent our parents to meet the principal and seek permission to wear hijab. The authorities didnt pay any heed to our parents requests. The principal simply ignored them.

Were you ever allowed to wear a Hijab inside the classroom?

Only once. On December 27, 2021, we started wearing headscarves. I had lab practicals that day. I went inside the lab room and attended classes. The very next day, authorities asked us to bring our parents to meet them. After this one instant, they didnt allow us to wear hijab and they pushed us out of the classrooms. Since December 28, we have not been allowed to go inside the classroom.

What has been the response of your classmates?

Initially, all of them supported us. They wanted us to protect our rights. We were happy that they understood and stood with us.

However, on January 1, there was a meeting convened by Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat, who is also the president of Udupi government PU colleges development committee, with the faculties and administrators of PU college (pre-university college/pre-metric). Our headscarves were the topic of that meeting but neither the principal nor the MLA didnt allow us to attend the meeting. Only parents were allowed to be present there. During the meeting, MLA Raghupati Bhat declared that if you (Muslim girls) wear Hijab to classes today, then tomorrow our students (Hindus) will wear saffron shawls. The saffron shawls came into the picture from that day. After the MLA gave this statement, the very next day, some students started wearing saffron shawls to colleges.

It is very disheartening to hear that some of the students have started to complain against us that they are getting distracted because we are wearing Hijab. They are saying that their education is getting spoiled because of us. I dont think that is true. We are the ones who are thrown out of classrooms, we are the ones who are getting discriminated against, we are the ones who are facing police, we are the ones who are denied education. They are attending classes inside. So, how are we distracting them?

What do you think about students marching wearing saffron shawls and raising slogans against Hijab?

It didnt happen on our campus. It happened at other colleges. Those protesting against Hijab are going against their friends and the right to education. I want to appeal to everyone through this medium that we shouldnt make communal strife out of this. We all are equal citizens of this country and we should live together.

Have you ever been prevented from performing prayers on campus?

Yes. One day, we were offering namaz by the stairs as there is no prayer room on the campus. One of the lecturers stopped us and took us to the principal. The principal warned us to not repeat this on campus. He said that if he sees us repeating it, he will throw us out of the college. This happened twice.

Following the controversy, were you told to study at other colleges?

Yes. The Udupi MLA told us that if you want to study without Hijab, then you can do it here, or else Ill give you TC [transfer certificate] and then you can go to other colleges. I dont think it is a solution. We should be able to live together and study together. Education should not be segregated. We must be able to understand each other better and only then can we put a stop to this madness. If there is a conflict between us wearing Hijab and the school/college dress code, then they [authorities] should think about changing the rules, not us. They should not throw us out of the classrooms.

How has your life been impacted by the Hijab row?

I have lost my peace of mind. I think about exams, and want to study, and when I open my textbook, I am not able to concentrate. I am distracted by public threats, abuses and comments made against us. I had never imagined that I would face this at this stage in my life. I never thought it would get this worse.

I wish our demands would be accepted positively and we would be allowed back into the class soon. Its my sincere hope.

How have your parents responded to this controversy?

Naturally, our parents are concerned about us because of the threats made against us, and about our future. But amid all this, they are our greatest source of inspiration and support. They tell us to go ahead and fight, and it is our fight to win as we are fighting for our rights.

Basil Islam is an independent journalist and researcher based in South India. He tweets at @baasiie
MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Giving dark chocolate to your sweetheart on Valentine's Day may be a win-win emotionally and physically, an expert suggests.

But it's important to keep any potential health benefits in perspective, noted Lizzy Davis, an assistant professor of nutrition sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

"What is healthy for one person may not be healthy for another," she said in a university news release. "However, remember that chocolate, in its purest form, comes from a tree. For this reason, there are some health/nutrition benefits to chocolate."

Dark chocolate is the healthiest kind of chocolate, according to Davis.

"Some of the health benefits are that it contains antioxidants (specifically flavanols), which have been shown to have a relationship with lower blood pressure, risk of stroke and coronary heart disease," she explained.

Davis also pointed out that some research suggests that magnesium in chocolate may explain premenstrual cravings , and pregnant women might crave chocolate for its iron.

However, she emphasized that you should not use chocolate to get your daily intake of these nutrients.

As for its emotional effect, Davis explained that chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which contain tryptophan and phenylethylamine, chemicals connected with improved mood and happiness. They can also make you feel energized.

"These are even coined the 'love drug' because they mimic the emotions a person feels when experiencing love," she said.

Davis explained that the differences between dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate have to do with the amount of chocolate liquor they contain. This mixture of cocoa powder and cocoa butter is chocolate in its most concentrated form.

Davis said dark chocolate has the most amount of chocolate liquor, with the addition of some sugar, while milk chocolate has some of the chocolate liquor with sugar and milk.

"On some fancier chocolate packages, you will see a percentage, which represents the percentage of chocolate liquor to these 'other' ingredients," she said. "Interestingly, white chocolate contains only the cocoa butter with the addition of milk and sugar, but does not contain the other component of the chocolate liquor and cocoa powder."

More information

For more on chocolate and health, go to the American Heart Association.

SOURCE: University of Alabama at Birmingham, news release, Feb. 11, 2022

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Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
As New York City forges ahead with its recovery, the pandemic is leaving lasting imprints, especially on city roadways: less room for cars and more space for people. As the COVID-19 outbreak ravaged New York City two years ago, one of the worlds most congested and bustling metropolises found itself transformed into grids of mostly deserted streets and sidewalks as businesses shuttered and virus-wary denizens shut themselves in. Now the city is drafting new rules that would allow eateries to make outdoor dining permanent, although the policy is being challenged in court. The city is also announcing plans to close off even more streets to vehicles on Sundays so pedestrians have more room to roam in warmer months.
Late last week, Lee's Montana State News Bureau reported on problems with state agencies stonewalling requests for information from the legislative auditors office. While few Montanans are familiar with the functions of this office and the vitally necessary duties it carries out, make no mistake that without it the checks and balances between the legislative and executive branches of government would be severely crippled and Montana and our citizens would suffer the pitfalls of government running itself  which was never envisioned in our Constitution and should never be allowed.

In a nutshell, heres the way it works. The Legislature writes the laws and appropriates the money for the operation of the executive branch, which is defined in our Constitution as the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and state auditor (Article VI, Section 1). Executive branch officers are charged to follow the law and keep the public records of his office. The governor is specifically charged to see that the laws are faithfully executed.

Given the sheer size of government, one could credibly wonder who keeps an eye on what actually happens after the Legislature leaves town? And in that regard, it is the legislative auditors office that is charged with investigating and answering exactly that question for our part-time citizen legislators.

When youre talking about more than $6 billion in the current Montana annual budget, Montanas taxpayers have every reason to expect their legislators to follow the money and see that it is spent efficiently, effectively, and importantly, in exact accordance with the Legislatures specific appropriation priorities. Hence, the vital necessity to obtain accurate information on state agency operations and expenditures.

But given that our individual branches of government dont always see eye-to-eye, its not unusual to find state agencies stonewalling investigations into their actions. As the Billings Gazette pointed out in an editorial highly critical of the Gianforte administration: "And we are frankly livid with the administrations obstructionist interpretation of public records laws. Not, it should be said, that the previous administration was any paragon in this area." As the editorial accurately noted, stonewalling Legislative and public media information requests is not a partisan issue  unfortunately Republican and Democratic governors both do it.

Getting back to the current controversy, whats worth noting is that the problem is getting so bad the legal counsel for the legislative auditors office told an interim committee: "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 and suggested it was time to consider an enforcement provision in law to compel agency cooperation.

As Billings Republican Rep. Tom McGillvray told reporters: "If the audit division is auditing an agency the agency should comply with what they want." What was shocking was the comment from Democrat Kim Abbott, House minority leader, who seemed to downplay the need for enforcement, saying: "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."

When it comes to the Legislatures critical oversight in the checks and balances of government, cordial relationships have nothing to do with ensuring state agencies are following the law and spending taxpayer money as directed by the Legislature.

That Abbott downgraded that foundational responsibility to Montanas taxpayers to cordial relationships is unacceptable for any legislator, let alone one in leadership. Make no mistake, the functions of the legislative auditor are absolutely necessary  and its time Rep. Abbott got a clue about agency compliance.

George Ochenski writes from Helena. His column appears each Monday on the Missoulian's opinion page.

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The following charges were served on Sunday, December 26:

 Paul Eugene Morgan Jr., 48, of 98 Elm Street, in Morganton, was charged with one count each of felony second-degree kidnapping, felony breaking or entering into a place of worship and misdemeanor violation of a domestic violence protection order. He was transported to the Burke County Jail.

 Paul Thomas Marsh, 51, of 2411 Mountain Hermon Heights, in Hudson, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of simple assault, breaking or entering and communicating threats. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a 48-hour hold.

 Earl Jason Stewart, 58, of Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor second-degree trespassing and littering. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $500 secured bond.

The following charges were served on Monday, December 27:

 Dontayzha Michelle Peterson, 23, of 1805 Bristol Creek Ave., in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of second-degree trespassing, possession of stolen goods and resist, delay or obstructing a public officer. She was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $10,000 secured bond.

 Tyrone Lamonte Carpenter Sr., 47, of 626 First St., in Morganton, was charged with felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance and misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $7,000 secured bond.

 Leroy Dale Frye, 54, of 2349 Liberty Church Road, in Hickory, was charged with three out of county misdemeanor warrants. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $1,500 secured bond.

 Dennis Ray Yates, 42, of 8805 Spring Meadow Drive, in Hickory, was charged with two misdemeanor counts each of failure to appear or comply. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $2,600 secured bond.

 Dustin Ray Yates, 21, of 8805 Spring Meadow Drive, in Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

 Courtney Vess, 30, of 1940 Leah Drive, Trailer 19, in Hudson, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. She was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $500 secured bond.

 Matthew Scott Hall, 34, of 1298 Washboard Lane, in Morganton, was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor open container of alcohol. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

The following charges were served on Tuesday, December 28:

 Holly Renee Saulman, 43, of 108 Hamp St., in Morganton, was charged with felony forgery by uttering and felony obtaining property by false pretense. She was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond.

 Dustin Allen Reeves, 32, of 111 Azalea Drive, in Rutherford College, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of failure to appear or comply. He was issued a $3,500 secured bond and released.

 Eric Michael Salmela, 51, of 4661 Cindy Ridge Road, in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of assault on a female, communicating threats and domestic criminal trespassing. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a 48-hour hold.

 Jimmy Frank Peeler, 41, of 7012 Rhoney Road, in Connelly Springs, was charged with three felony out of county warrants. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond.

 Travis Dustin Buff, 41, of 3414 Flat Gap Road, in Valdese, was charged with misdemeanor larceny. He was served with a criminal summons to appear.

 Amanda Jo Johnston, 32, of 1004 Hicks Chapel Road, in Marion, was charged with misdemeanor second-degree trespassing. She was released with a written promise to appear.

The following charges were served on Wednesday, December 29:

 Antonio Ailon Garcia, 43, of 214 Carolina St., B, in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of driving while impaired and driving while licensed revoked for impaired revocation. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $2,500 secured bond.

 Jason Roger Chester, 44, of 2615 Setzer St., in Connelly Springs, was charged with an out of county misdemeanor warrant. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $2,500 secured bond. His court date was set for Feb. 17.

 Randy Lee Snipes, 51, of 5664 Rainhill Church Road, in Morganton, was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $5,000 secured bond.

 Randy Lamar Moore, 41, of 4395 Bost Johnson Ave., in Valdese, was charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired. He was granted a custody release and his court date was set for April 22.

 Donovan Preston Goode, 24, of 102 Shady Rest Road, in Morganton, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of failure to wear seatbelt, hit and run leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage and driving during revocation. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond. His court date was set for May 20.

The following charges were served on Thursday, December 30:

 Jorian Alexander Tate, 30, of 313 Morehead Street Ext., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $5,000 secured bond.

 Nicholas Lee Pearson, 27, of 107 Branch St., in Morganton, was charged with felony failure to appear and two counts of misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under an $11,000 secured bond.

 Joseph Adam Norville, 41, of 2285 Jessie St., in Morganton, was charged with felony larceny by financial transaction card and three felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $20,000 secured bond.

 Miranda Elizabeth Jackson, 36, of 1090 Hunter St., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. She was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $60 cash bond.

 Heather Renae Robinson, 42, of 3189 Wiltshire Drive, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault. She was issued a $500 unsecured bond and released.

The following charges were served on Friday, December 31:

 Jorian Alexander Tate, 30, of 313 Morehead Street Ext., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor consuming alcohol on premises having off-premises permit only. He was cited and released. His court date was set for March 3.

 Joseph Edward Shell, 36, of 3183 High Peak Mountain Road, in Valdese, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was issued a $500 secured bond and released. His court date was set for Feb. 17.

 Coty Shane Taylor, 34, of 906 Jamestown Road, in Morganton, was charged with four out of county misdemeanor warrants. He was issued a $1,000 secured bond and released.

The following charges were served on Saturday, January 1:

 Brandon Christopher Mason, 26, of 8116 Beverly Hills Drive, in Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $20,000 secured bond.

 Rusty Allen Williams, 35, of 45253 Andy Way, in California, MD, was charged with misdemeanor driving while impaired. He was granted a custody release and his court date was set for April 1.

 Steven Daniel Arney, 31, of 701 1/2 E. Meeting St., in Morganton, was charged with felony assault inflicting serious injury or with a deadly weapon. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a 48-hour hold.

 Joshua Randall Person, 37, of 3855 Scott Road, in Morganton, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of failure to appear or comply. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $150 cash bond.

 Christian Carpenter, 22, of 5831 Kaylas Ridge Road, in Connelly Springs, was charged with one count each of misdemeanor failure to appear or comply and communicating threats. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $500 secured bond.

 Quincey Allen Johnson, 54, of 1805 Bristol Creek Ave., in Morganton, was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond.

 Charlotte Berry Beam, 52, of 2335 U.S. 70 W., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. She was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

 Matthew Lee Hatley, 28, of 107 Wrighton St., Apt. B., in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor failure to appear or comply. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

 David Allen Proctor, 34, of 119 Myrtle St., C, in Morganton, was charged with misdemeanor injury to personal property. He was transported to the Burke County Jail and placed under a $500 secured bond.
Extended warranty for second-hand cars in Spain



The new warranty periods aim to protect drivers in Spain against hidden vices

Royal Decree-Law 7/2021 has now come into force in Spain and, closely following the European Union directives on consumer protection, means that drivers who buy second-hand cars can enjoy an extended warranty period.

Before the change, vehicles purchased privately in Spain came under a maximum guarantee period of six months; this can now be extended for up to a year as long as the contract doesnt specify otherwise. However, its important to note that there is no obligation for private sellers to guarantee this minimum.

In the case of dealerships, a minimum of one year warranty is required by law, and this period can be extended for up to 24 months.

During the stipulated one or two year timeframe, the seller will be responsible for any repairs that arise from so-called hidden vices  faults that develop after the vehicle was purchased and werent expressly listed in the contract.

Marco Conde, CEO of Motoreto, explains that before the new Guarantee Law of the European Union came into force, if a breakdown occurred during the warranty period, the buyer would have to somehow prove that it had been caused by a problem that was present before the purchase of the vehicle. Now, during the 24-month warranty period in the case of dealerships, vendors will be responsible for any failure that occurs, as long as it was not previously reflected in the contract.

While the decree could be seen as good news for buyers who would otherwise have to fork out for costly repairs on top of the purchase of the vehicle, the new rule is expected to bump up the price of second-hand cars by between 10% and 20% as dealers implement a buffer to protect themselves against possible claims.

Image: Archive
ARCHIVED - Transmission rate of Omicron plummets in Spain



It now takes two infections to pass Covid to just one other person in Spain

At the height of the Covid pandemic when the majority had yet to be vaccinated, coronavirus was up there with the measles, the most contagious disease of all time. Back then, one person with the virus was capable of infecting more than 15 others, which explains the staggering transmission rate experienced a couple of years ago.

This sparked the emergence of the instant reproductive number, the now infamous Rt of the pandemic, which has now plummeted to just 0.73 in Spain, meaning that it would actually take two infections to pass Covid on to another person. This is the best news possible and indicates that this country has exited the slowdown phase of the sixth wave and has entered into a new transition period.

Of course, Covid history has taught us that nothing is certain, and it is almost impossible to predict whether this transition will bring us to the end of the pandemic or merely to the beginning of a new wave.

Also of interest: Spain to allow unvaccinated Brits aged between 12 and 18 to enter

The situation is particularly promising in Catalonia, which has been plagued with skyrocketing hospitalisations in recent weeks. In this community, the Rt had dropped to 0.63 on Thursday February 10, its lowest figure of the entire pandemic, even compared to April 2020 when the country was on lockdown.

Nationally, the latest data from the National Epidemiology Centre (CNE) indicates that the rate has fallen to 0.73, meaning that it would take 100 people with the virus to infect 73.

Essentially, anything below Rt 1 is a good sign, as it indicates that fewer and fewer people are getting Covid.

Before the weekend, the cumulative incidence rate in Spain continued its decline to 1,566 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and the number of daily infections is also steadily decreasing.

Despite the encouraging data, many experts warn against celebrating the end of the pandemic too early, which could result in another explosion over Easter.

Image: Archive

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ARCHIVED - Worst bird flu outbreak in the history of Spain



More than 260,000 farm birds have been culled in Spain so far this year

The rapid spread of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian flu is leading to the worst outbreak of its kind in the history of Spain. So far, it has been detected in six poultry farms and in 12 natural areas, and in recent days, new outbreaks have been detected on turkey farms in Sevilla , Huelva and Valladolid.

The latest cases will result in the culling of 133,000 birds, adding to the total slaughter of 269,000 in the first few weeks of 2022 alone.

What is bird flu and how did it get to Spain?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the H5N1 strain is sweeping across Europe and North America, while Asia and Africa are being hardest hit by H5 and H7.

First detected in Chinese geese back in 1996, avian flu is a virus that is highly contagious among poultry. The disease is brought to Spain by infected migratory birds which deposit droppings and drink from water sources in areas where poultry are farmed.

The good news is that to date, the avian flu appears to be seasonal, and as the weather warms up, new outbreaks should become less likely in Spain.

Can humans contract bird flu?

Although cases of avian flu in humans have been reported in the past, it is rare, but as has been experienced with the Covid pandemic , the experts have warned that animal influenza viruses are constantly changing and have the ability to mutate and infect people.

According to the WHO, the main risk factor for human infection appears to be direct or indirect exposure to infected, sick or dead poultry, or to contaminated environments such as live bird markets.

Crucially, scientists agree that there is no risk of contracting the virus through eating animal products, as there are no data indicating that A(H5), A(H7N9) or other avian influenza viruses can be transmitted to humans through well-cooked poultry meat or eggs.

Image: Archive
Republicans try to out-Trump each other with tough border rhetoric ahead of election
Service members take part in military exercises held by the armed forces of Russia and Belarus at the Gozhsky training ground in the Grodno region, Belarus, Feb. 12, 2022.
Amazon has launched new job advertisements through which it is recruiting South Africans with a matric or higher to work from home.

All the advertised positions are for customer service associates to serve Amazon clients in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Amazon highlights that job applicants must be South African citizens or have permanent residency.

As these are work-from-home positions, jobseekers can live anywhere in South Africa as long as they have a fibre Internet line at their home.

The Internet access requirement from Amazon is strict and include:

You must have an existing uncapped or fibre optic Internet line with a minimum download speed of 10Mbps and upload speed of 5Mbps.

ADSL/LTE/Airfiber/Wi-Fi connections are not eligible for this position.

Applicants must upload proof of their fibre account, which clearly shows their physical address, for verification.

Applicants with no proof of fibre Internet access will be rejected.

The good news for successful applicants is that Amazon will reimburse their Internet expenses up to a stipulated amount.

Other requirements include customer service experience and the ability to work overnight shifts, including weekends and public holidays.

Applicants must also have intermediate computer knowledge and must be able to navigate the Internet, use email, and chat with customers via web chat tools.

They should have excellent English communication skills and the ability to connect with people at all levels.

Amazon is advertising fixed-contract, seasonal, and permanent work from home positions, listed in the table below.

Amazon work-from-home jobs in South Africa Job Contract term Job details Fixed Term Work from Home Customer Service Associate Seasonal/Contract Role Job details here Full-Time Work from Home Customer Service Associate Permanent Job details here Work from Home Customer Service Associate People with Disabilities Fixed Term Job details here

Apart from the work-from-home positions, Amazon is also advertising over 240 posts in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

These positions include 63 operations, IT, and support engineering jobs, 59 software development vacancies, and 22 solution architect posts.

The company is also looking for customer service agents, human resources professionals, sales, advertising, and accounts management employees.

The recruitment drive is part of the companys rapid expansion in South Africa. Amazon is building a large new office in River Club, Cape Town, as part of this expansion.

Industry speculation further suggests that Amazon is shopping around for warehouse space in South Africa.

The company could be looking to enter the local ecommerce sector, but this has not been confirmed.

Now read: Big news about Amazon in South Africa
A buyout team comprising of Mara Phones South Africa management has made a proposal to the companys lenders to turn the company around rather than auctioning it off for parts.

This is according to a statement issued on Monday by Mara Phones South Africa managing director Sylvester Taku.

The Management Buyout Teams turnaround proposal is currently under consideration with the lenders, and we strongly believe that our proposition will herald a new era for our local smart devices manufacturer, Taku said.

Our intention is to re-start operations in Durban as soon as possible, with our valued and loyal staff and build a proudly South African smart devices company together, with local ownership and leadership at the helm, and a dedicated and skilled local workforce.

The management buyout teams statement follows media reports last week that Standard Bank and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) had put the Mara Phones assembly plant in Durban up for auction.

President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the facility in October 2019 with much fanfare, punting it as a state of the art facility that would help create thousands of jobs.

Mara Phones announced at the time that it had raised R1.5 billion in funding, including loans from the IDC and Standard Bank.

The company would use half of the money to set up the assembly plant, while the remainder would ensure its continued operation.

Mara said the facility could assemble 1.2 million smartphones for the domestic and regional market and already employed 200 workers at its opening.

At launch, the plant assembled affordable smartphone models such as the Mara X and Mara Z.

However, last week the IDC told BusinessInsider that less than a third of the money was raised ultimately  R429 million.

The IDC was the senior lender and approved R238 million in debt facilities, and it said the shareholders could not raise their full contribution.

It decided against injecting further debt funding into the business when it missed production targets after resuming operations when South Africas Covid-19 lockdown restrictions lifted.

The IDC and other lenders put the plant up for sale to recoup their investment.

According to Mara Phones Global, the factory failed due to a lack of uptake of its products, fewer government tenders for its devices than it had anticipated, and the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Mara Phones Global CEO Chris Corsi and founder Ashish Thakkar said the ambitious plan to launch a facility in South Africa was untenable due to the pandemic and lockdowns that followed four months after opening.

Taku, who was promoted from Head of Growth to Managing Director on 1 January 2021, said that he established a team to solve the companys financial woes in July 2021.

That was when Mara Phones South Africas shareholder failed to capitalise the business and pay its debts as they became due.

The teams goal was to find a turnaround solution and ensure continuity through a management buyout.

Since assuming our new roles, we have been working tirelessly to restructure and turnaround the company and have been co-operating with those most affected, including creditors and staff, Taku stated.

We are particularly conscious that, whilst all creditors are important, employees and small businesses have suffered immense personal hardship over many months, he said.

The management buyout team promised to do their utmost to make the best possible restitution under the circumstances.

In the opinion of the Management Buyout Team, the South African government, telcos, creditors, banks, and the independently owned and operated Mara Experience Store franchise as well as the wider industry in general, have extended the venture a great deal of patience and support, for which we are appreciative.
South Africas most popular smartphone brand is Samsung, according to data from Statcounter Global Stats.

Statcounters mobile vendor market share data for South Africa in 2021 shows that Samsung has the top spot in the country with a share of 47.6%  three times higher than that of Apple.

Huawei takes second place in South Africa with 25.4%, followed by Apple with 15.8%.

Global market shares tell a different story. Apple takes the top spot globally with 29.24%, while Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei have shares of 26.93%, 11.52%, and 7.19%, respectively.

Samsungs popularity in South Africa can likely be attributed to its more affordable smartphone offerings.

Where prices for Apples cheaper iPhone SE smartphone starts at R9,699, Samsung has far cheaper options available.

Huawei also offers a selection of budget-friendly handsets.

However, Huaweis newer smartphones do not have Google Mobile Services, making it difficult to compete against Samsung.

Google was forced to suspend business with Huawei in 2019 after the United States imposed stern limitations on its technology trade with China.

While Huaweis existing devices at the time could keep their access to Google Mobile Services, the Chinese manufacturers new devices were denied access.

Despite these headwinds, Statcounters data shows that Huaweis market share in South Africa has continued to climb.

While the iPhone SE offers better hardware specifications than most of Samsungs cheaper Galaxy A handsets, lower prices tend win out in nations with high levels of unemployment like South Africa.

Samsungs cheapest model in this range is the Galaxy A03 Core, while the one with the highest specs (and biggest price tag) is the Galaxy A52s 5G.

The Galaxy A03 Core is currently available for R1,699 from Samsung, but retailers have offered the smartphone for R999 during recent sales.

In comparison, Samsung sells the A52s 5G  which offers up to 8GB of RAM and a 6.5-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate  for R8,999.

Several of Samsungs Galaxy A handsets are compared in the table below.

Samsung Galaxy A series Specifications A03 Core A02 A12 A22 A32 5G A72 A52s 5G OS Android 11 (Go edition) Android 10 Android 10 Android 11 Android 11 Android 11 Android 11 Display 6.5-inch 1,600 x 720 PLS TFT 6.5-inch 1,600 x 720 PLS IPS 6.5-inch 1,600 x 720 PLS IPS 6.4-inch 1,600 x 720 Super AMOLED 6.5-inch 1,600 x 720 TFT 6.7-inch 2,400 x 1,080 Super AMOLED 6.5-inch 2,400 x 1,080 Super AMOLED Refresh rate 60Hz 60Hz 60Hz 90Hz 60Hz 90Hz 120Hz Processor Unisoc SC9863A Mediatek MT6739W Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 MediaTek MT6853 Dimensity 720 5G Snapdragon 720G Snapdragon 778G 5G Storage 32GB 32GB/64GB 32GB/64GB/128GB 64GB/128GB 64GB/128GB 128GB/256GB 128GB/256GB RAM 2GB 2GB/3GB/4GB 2GB/3GB/4GB/6GB 4GB/6GB 4GB/6GB/8GB 6GB/8GB 4GB/6GB/8GB Rear Camera 8MP 13MP + 2MP 48MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP 48MP + 8MP + 8MP + 2MP 64MP + 8MP + 12MP + 5MP 64MP + 12 MP + 5MP + 5MP Front Camera 5MP 5MP 8MP 13MP 13MP 32MP 32MP Connectivity Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.2 Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.1 Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 Cellular LTE LTE LTE LTE LTE/5G LTE LTE/5G Biometrics   Side-mounted fingerprint scanner Side-mounted fingerprint scanner Side-mounted fingerprint scanner Under-display fingerprint scanner Under-display fingerprint scanner Battery and charging 5,000mAh 5,000mAh 5,000mAh 15W fast charging 5,000mAh 15W fast charging 5,000mAh 15W fast charging 5,000mAh 25W fast charging 4,500mAh 40W fast charging Dimensions and weight 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (211g) 164 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (206g) 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (205g) 159.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (186g) 164.2 x 76.1 x 9.1 mm (205g) 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm (203g) 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (189g)

Now read: Xiaomi unveils Redmi Note 11 smartphones
A driver led Napa County sheriffs deputies on a vehicle pursuit Saturday night that reached triple-digit speeds before his arrest in Contra Costa County, authorities reported.

Nicholas Rashad Salaam, 31, of Oakland was detained at 10:16 p.m. at the end of a chase that had begun on Highway 29 in American Canyon, according to sheriffs Sgt. Kyle Eddleman. Salaam was booked into the Napa County jail on suspicion of evading public safety officers, a felony.

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Deputies went to a parking lot in the 3800 block of Highway 29 (Broadway), attempting to detain Salaam in connection with an investigation by the Napa Special Investigations Bureau, when he drove off in his Mercedes-Benz, Eddleman said. The resulting chase continued south through Vallejo surface streets and then onto Interstate 80, at speeds exceeding 100 mph, and a California Highway Patrol air unit assisted in the pursuit, according to Eddleman.

After the chase continued into Contra Costa County, officers laid down spike strips to disable the Mercedes, and the car was stopped and Salaam arrested at Willow Pass Road and Franquette Drive in Concord, near Highway 242, Eddleman said.

Salaam was released from the Napa jail at 11:20 a.m. Sunday, according to booking records.

Police: Two arrested in American Canyon after Yountville jewelry theft, vehicle pursuit and search A burglary in Yountville Thursday led to an American Canyon Police vehicle pursuit and an on-foot search, and ended with the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of the stolen items, police said.

Saturdays high-speed pursuit was the fourth in eight days to begin or end in American Canyon.

On Thursday, a reported vehicle burglary in Yountville led to a chase and crash, followed by the arrests of two men by American Canyon Police after a foot pursuit. Both suspects were booked into jail for investigation of grand theft and evading law enforcement.

A Feb. 6 chase that started in American Canyon resulted in a crash in Richmond of a stolen Honda and the arrests of two men, according to police. Two days earlier, two other suspects were arrested after American Canyon officers pursued a stolen Acura into Vallejo, where it crashed, the department said.
Sheringham church to host Fairtrade event

St Andrews Methodist Church in Sheringham will be hosting a coffee morning next month in aid of Fairtrade Exchange. Tony Rothe reports.

The event, from 10.45am to 12 noon on Friday March 4 has been arranged as part of Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from February 21 to March 6 nationally.



Jean Parton, a member of the Fairtrade for Sheringham group, explains: Sheringham is a Fairtrade Town of which we are all very proud, thanks to the hard work of Brenda Smith and others over many years. To ensure we stay a Fairtrade Town, we need to demonstrate that Sheringham is still committed to flying the flag for fair trade not just locally but across the world.



Jean says that several new business outlets have recently opened in Sheringham, and if any are able to use or sell Fairtrade products, she would love to hear about them.



Profits from the sale of Fairtrade goods are distributed worldwide. Jean quotes the example of Joshna, a small time farmer from Bangladesh, who has been able to build a road from her community to market saving a five-hour walk around marshland. The journey now takes just ten minutes! All because she received financial assistance from the charity Fairtrade Exchange.



The coffee morning will be held at St Andrews Methodist Church on Cromer Road in Sheringham. Fairtrade goods will be for sale, and it is hoped there will be some Fairtrade cakes and biscuits to taste. The coffee, tea and sugar used will certainly all be Fairtrade. Everyone is invited to come along and learn more about Fairtrade, as well as perhaps meeting new people.



For more information, contact Jean Parton at jeanparton24@gmail.com or phone 01263 821600.

Visit: SheringhamMethodist.org.uk .



The picture of St Andrews Methodist Church is courtesy of Tony Rothe.

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.

Tony Rothe, 14/02/2022
Pashinyan to Morawiecki: This year we mark 30th anniversary of Armenia-Poland diplomatic relations

No new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia Central Bank leaves refinancing rate unchanged at 9.25%

Demonstrators demanding PM Pashinyan's resignation block Sevan-Yerevan motorway

Police: 117 demonstrators apprehended in Yerevan

Kansas National Guard leadership visiting Armenia

Armenian member of Turkey legislature says he was thrown at table of wolves

Italian PM slams Lavrov for his 'Hitler' statements in interview with local television

South Korea and US plan to start air force exercises on May 9

Police special forces apprehend Armenia ex-president Robert Kocharyans son

Police: 70 people apprehended from Yerevan streets

World Press Freedom Index 2022: Journalism as a profession is humiliated in Armenia

Newspaper: Armenia ruling party MPs are worried

Borrell speaks on possible disconnection from SWIFT of new Russian banks

Cyprus becomes first EU country with full 5G coverage

Police apprehending participants of civil disobedience actions in Yerevan

State Department: Deepening US-Armenia cooperation in nuclear energy will strengthen bilateral relations

Kim Kardashian wears Marilyn Monroes historic dress to Met Gala

Peaceful disobedience actions resume in Yerevan early morning

Mirzoyan: Armenia appreciates US support for developing energy sector

Blinken underscores US commitment to help Armenia, Azerbaijan find sustainable peace, prosperity

Eurozone economic sentiment falls much more than expected in April

Apple faces big fine

Armenia ex-president joins discussion in France Square

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

Police beat reporters, obstruct their work in Yerevan

European Commission may relieve Hungary, Slovakia of embargo on Russian oil purchase

Resistance Movement to continue large-scale civil disobedience actions on 3 May in Yerevan and regions

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
US National security adviser Jake Sullivan issued a stark warning Sunday that the United States believes Russia could launch an invasion of Ukraine this week, but is still holding out hope diplomacy can prevail, CNN reported.

Sullivan told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" that Russian forces are positioned so that an invasion could take place before the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which end on February 20.

"We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day nowthat includes this coming week, before the end of the Olympics," Sullivan told Tapper.

He added, "The way they have built up their forces, the way they have maneuvered things in place, makes it a distinct possibility there will be major military action very soon. And we are prepared to continue to work on diplomacy, but we are also prepared to respond in a united and decisive way with our allies and partners should Russia proceed."

Sullivan was speaking a day after President Joe Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of "swift and severe costs" if he were to order an invasion of Ukraine.

Sullivan will hold a series of briefings with lawmakers on Russia and Ukraine on Monday, a White House official confirmed.

The US has estimated that Russia has more than 100,000 troops near the Ukraine border, with thousands added just this week, according to an administration official. The US on Saturday moved some of its forces out of Ukraine and ordered the evacuation of most of its embassy staff from the country. Sullivan said the US Embassy in Ukraine is "ready to complete the drawdown ... should that become necessary."

Sullivan on Friday had warned Americans in Ukraine to leave and said that military action could begin with an aerial bombardment that could kill civilians.

He reiterated those calls to Tapper on Sunday, saying that a military attack would likely begin with missile and bomb attacks.

"Those are never as precise as the armyany armywould like them to be. We don't even know how precise the Russian army would like them to be," Sullivan said. "Innocent civilians could be killed regardless of their nationality. It would then be followed by an onslaught of a ground force moving across the Ukrainian frontier. Again, where innocent civilians could get caught in the cross fire or trapped in places they could not move from. So that is why we are being so clear and direct to American citizens that while commercial transport options are still available, they should take advantage of them."

The national security adviser declined to weigh in on whether he thinks it's become more likely that Putin will order troops massing at the border to invade neighboring Ukraine, instead pointing to "an acceleration of that buildup."

"I'm not going to handicap what will happenI cannot sit here today and predict," Sullivan said. "What I can do is make sure we are preparedand we are prepared. We are prepared to respond immediately and decisively, flanked by our allies and partners, if Russia moves forward. We will defend NATO territory, we will impose costs on Russia and we will ensure that we emerge from this as the West stronger, more determined, more purposeful than we have been in 30 years, and that Russia ultimately suffers a significant strategic cost for military action."

If Russia does invade Ukraine, Sullivan said, US intelligence points to the possibility of a false flag operation as pretext for invasion.

"We have information that we have gathered through intelligence that indicates that there is active planning for this, and it's not just the United States saying it," Sullivan told Tapper. "We have our NATO allies stepping out and saying it as well, because they've been able to review that intelligence, assess its credibility and reach the same conclusion we have reached. So, I do think the world should be prepared for Russia staging a pretext and then watching a potential military action."

Sullivan defended the US administration's decision to sound the alarm on any potential false flag operation. The US has been releasing intelligence "to stop a war," Sullivan said, not start one.

"Our view is that we're not going to give Russia the opportunity to conduct a surprise hereto spring something on Ukraine or the world. We are going to make sure that we are laying out for the world what we see as transparently and plainly as we possibly can and share that information as widely as we can," Sullivan said. "That's what we've done. That's what we'll continue to do."
The experts of the American analytical agency J.D.Power have studied the US car market in 2021 and made a rating of the most reliable cars in 2021. The first place has become a sensation for the market and dealers: the Korean brand KIA appeared on it for the first time.

About 30,000 owners of 2019 cars were surveyed during the ranking, each of them describing the problems they had experienced with their cars in the last 12 months.

The first place belongs to South Korean company Kia: these cars experts have counted an average of 145 problems for every 100 cars.

The second place - 147 problems per 100 cars - a brand Buick, which is unfamiliar to the Russians.

The third place - 148 problems per 100 cars - South Korean Hyundai.

Fourth and fifth places - Genesis (155) and Toyota (158).

Leaders of the anti-rating:

Land Rover SUVs (284)

Ram (266),

Volvo (256),

Alfa Romeo (245),

Acura (244).
Indian authorities have abolished the mandatory seven-day quarantine on arrival in the country for foreign tourists from Monday, a government decree reports.

Now, tourists entering the popular beach country for seven days are required to engage in self-monitoring - to go to quarantine in the case of suspicious symptoms. In addition, the requirement to take a repeat PCR test on the eighth day of stay in India will be abolished.

According to the decree, citizens of 82 states are freed from PCR testing if they have a certificate of vaccination but Russia is not included in the list.

It is reported that before arriving in India, tourists should register on the Air Suvidha portal and upload the necessary medical documents in the application form. All travelers are also advised to install the Aarogya Setu app.
On Monday the first sitting of the inquiry commission of the National Assembly on the circumstances of the 44-day war was held in Yerevan.

MP from the opposition bloc I Have Honor Tigran Abrahamyan said that the opposition will not take part in the work of the commission. According to him, the current government has in fact admitted that it bears full responsibility for the consequences of the second Karabakh war. "And under these conditions, the implementation of the work of the commission, and moreover, headed by representatives of the current authorities, cannot be unbiased. The clarification of the circumstances of the 44-day war remains one of our priorities. But we think that its work should be launched only when the government resigns," Abrahamyan said.

In his turn, Gegham Nazaryan, an MP from the opposition Armenia bloc, said that they will not take part in the work of the commission either. Another member of the same bloc Gegham Manukyan said that an objective investigation is possible only when it is trusted to the opposition, and not the ruling political force, which is guilty of unleashing this very war.

After these words, the opposition members stood up and left the room where the discussion was taking place.

Such behavior angered the commission members representing the ruling Civil Contract party.
The president of Azerbaijan has noted the conditions under which, in his opinion, a peace agreement can be signed with Armenia.

"Of course, a peace agreement must be signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This agreement must be signed on the basis of international norms and principles of law, on the condition of mutual acceptance of the territorial integrity of the [two] countries...But the Azerbaijani people shall never forget about this atrocity. No one shall forget...," Ilham Aliyev said this during his trip to the Aghdam region of Nagorno-Karabakh, AzerTac reported.

Also, the president of Azerbaijan expressed confidence that the work currently being done by his country, "including in military construction, will further strengthen the country and become the response to the revanchist forces that have arisen in Armenia."

We [i.e., Azerbaijanis] are on our land. We have returned to that landshedding blood at the cost of the lives of the [Azerbaijani] martyrs. We stand firm on these lands and will live here. Karabakh is Azerbaijan," Aliyev added.
The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, will be summoned to the National Assembly (NA) committee of inquiry into the 44-day Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) warin the fall of 2020. Andranik Kocharyan, chair of the aforesaid committee as well as of the NA Standing Committee on Defense and Security, and an MP of the ruling majority "Civil Contract" Faction in the NA, stated about this at Mondays press briefingat the NAof the representatives of the ruling Civil Contract Party.

According to him, the PMs attendance to a meeting of this committee will be mandatory.

"[It will be mandatory]; this is Nikol Pashinyan's wish. The parliamentary opposition, in fact, has lost the opportunity to ask questions to the PM on topics of interest to them. The duration of the meeting was not limited. They [i.e., the parliamentary opposition] would have had the opportunity to ask Pashinyan any question," added the head of this inquiry committee.

And asked whether Pashinyan's accountability in the defeat in the aforesaid war will be noted in the conclusion of this committee, Andranik Kocharyan said that the answer to this question will be given by the results of the respective work being carried out.

To note, the parliamentary opposition factionArmenia and "With Honor"had come to Mondays first meeting of this committee, but soon leftin fact, boycotting this meeting.

As reported earlier, the opposition Armenia and "With Honor" Factions of the NA had released a joint statement announcing that they will not join the parliamentary committee of inquiry into 44-day war because, in their view, the incumbent Armenian authorities cannot objectively investigate their own actions in this regard.
YEREVAN.  The participation of extra-parliamentary forces in the work of the National Assembly (NA) committee of inquiry into the 44-day Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) warin the fall of 2020can be ensured only after a relevant legal decision. Andranik Kocharyan, chair of the aforesaid committee as well as of the NA Standing Committee on Defense and Security, and an MP of the ruling majority "Civil Contract" Faction in the NA, stated about this at Mondays press briefingat the NAof the representatives of the ruling Civil Contract Party.

As the pro-government lawmaker noted, no extra-parliamentary force is currently included in this inquiry committee.

"Of course, they want to participate in all this, as there is a corresponding platform. But the legal level where these wishes can be realized will be decided by the [NA] Standing Committee on Defense and Security. The participation of extra-parliamentary forces in the work of the committee of inquiry will be ensured only after the existence of a relevant legal decision," Kocharyan explained.

To note, openly pro-Western political parties supporting the activities of the incumbent authorities are included in the "format" of the extra-parliamentary forces in Armenia.
YEREVAN.  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia received Toivo Klaar, the visiting European Union (EU) Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia. Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, was also present at the meeting, the Prime Minister's Office informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The PM highlighted the continuous development of Armenia-European Union relations and the joint efforts in that direction. Nikol Pashinyan stressed that the agenda of democratic reforms continues to be among the priorities of the Armenian Government, adding that the commitment of the Armenian authorities to the process of democratic reforms is inviolable. The interlocutors discussed issues related to the process of works in the direction of implementation of the EU's 2.6 billion investment package for Armenia. In this context, the effective implementation of the 80 million package in Syunik Province was particularly highlighted.

The Prime Minister praised the efforts of the President of the European Council Charles Michel to strengthen mutual understanding and stability in the region.

The situation in the South Caucasus region after the 44-day Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) warin the fall of 2020, steps taken to defuse the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and ensure stability were touched upon during the meeting. In particular, the sides exchanged views on the meetings mediated by the President of the Russian Federation in Sochi, the President of the European Council and the President of France in Brussels, as well as the results of the quadripartite videoconference on February 4 and the implementation of the agreements reached.

The entry of the UNESCO mission and international humanitarian organizations into the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone was highlighted, taking into account the threatening statements made by Azerbaijan against the Armenian cultural heritage and the steps already taken to destroy a number of Armenian monuments.

The need for the full resumption of the peace process under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship for the lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the intensification of the Co-Chairs' activities were also emphasized.
Europe has found itself in an extremely dangerous situation due to tensions around Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.

Nevertheless, "there is no signs that war is already a done deal," she said on German public broadcaster ARD's program Tagesthemen.

The talks with Russia, she said, are about how we can ensure security together. It is also necessary to talk about what steps can be taken in the field of disarmament and about greater transparency on both sides, Baerbock said. Military conflicts are the worst thing for all of us in the heart of Europe, the minister added.

The West is ready to continue the negotiation process at any time and there are attempts through all channels to "keep Russia at the negotiating table" but if the conflict can not be avoided, Moscow will face tough economic sanctions, the Foreign Minister assured.

Annalena Baerbock said that an attack on Ukraine would have "incredibly large consequences and consequences for Russia."

On Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz starts a visit to Kyiv, where he will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before holding talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow tomorrow.
Negotiations on the nuclear deal in Vienna have not reached an impasse and the sides are discussing key issues, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

His remarks came during a press conference on Monday.

"There is no stalemate in Vienna. Negotiations will continue as before. Talks between the delegations continue," he said.

"We have started serious work with all countries in the region and outside the region, regardless of what is happening in Vienna,"Khatibzadeh said. Iran has made its political decisions for many years and has remained in JCPOA and we are waiting for the response of Iran's initiatives from the Western parties," he added.

On Sunday, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, wrote on Twitter that the work of reaching an agreement in Vienna was becoming more difficult.
In about ten days, the specialists will start conducting instrumental studies on the two sections to be restored of the Armenia-Azerbaijan railway, on the basis of which a plan will be developed. Artashes Tumanyan, the head of the Armenian working group of the railway restoration programand who is also an adviser to the Prime Minister of Armenia, stated about this on the air of RFE/RL Armenian Service.

"Moreover, not only the members of our working group, but also the specialists of the Russian railway will take part in the work of that group," Tumanyan added.

However, it is not yet known on the Armenian side as to when the respective construction will start. According to the Armenian PM's adviser, in order to start that work, the relevant agreements reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan need to be specified in a document.

"It can be bilateral, or a third party, too. But at least the two parties must commit to doing that because those infrastructures must join, must work together," said the head of the aforementioned Armenian working group.

Tumanyan noted that it will take just a few months to restore the Yeraskh section of the Armenia-Azerbaijan railway, whereas three yearsin the Meghri section, where a 45-kilometer railway will be built.

As per the Armenian premiers adviser, it is not clear yet for Armenia as to how much this work will cost.

"But it does not end with that alone because there are also adjacent structures; for example, customs points. It is not the railway; but if we do not have all those infrastructures, we will not have a working infrastructure," Artashes Tumanyan concluded.
An official with a joint Turkish-Armenian group said ongoing Ankara and Yerevan talks can be called "normalization"more realistic than reconciliation that could be considered too ambitious because the 2009 protocols did not bear fruit, Anadolu Agency reported.

Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC) Vice Chairman Noyan Soyak told Anadolu that one of the foremost reasons for Turkey in not establishing direct talks or starting a normalization process with Armenia was due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

After a cease-fire between Azerbaijan and Armenia was realized through Moscow mediation, it started the process between Turkey and Armenia that was not a much unexpected development, said Soyak.

South Caucasus is a very important and neighboring geography for Moscow, Soyak said, referring to the aforesaid conflict.

"Having its regional disputes with Georgia in Caucasus and Ukraine in the southwestprobably Russia wouldn't like to have another continuing conflict in the rest of the South Caucasus, which might have further weakened Russia's influence in the region," he said. Russia plays a grandiose role in Armenia in many ways.

Moreover strategic industries, including defense, energy, railway, and transportation sector, a large part of finance and communication infrastructures in Armenia are under Russian control, he said.

Russia's influence over Azerbaijan, although it is not as visible as the case in Armenia, can also not be denied, according to Soyak.

Russia is the second-largest military supplier to Azerbaijan, he said.

The biggest military supplier to Azerbaijan is Israel, which gives a glimpse of the idea of Israeli interests in the conflicted region, having a long border to Iran in the south," he said.

According to Soyak, the US has always been in favor of improved relations between Turkey and Armenia, borders opened and diplomatic relations established.

"But when we consider present relations between Turkey and the US, this subject may not be seen as one of the priorities, but maybe a supporting side act," he said.

Also, Soyak expressed a view that the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations could help reduce tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the long run.

Some senior bureaucrats in Baku privately suggest that Turkish-Armenian normalization [of relations] might even help smooth their own post-war relations with Armenia by showing the benefits of shifting from a war footing to an everyone-wins focus on trade. Therefore, we can easily say that Bakus approach to the normalization process is diverted 180 degrees, Noyan Soyak said.
The Mossad spy agency helped foil 12 plots to carry out terrorist attacks against Israelis in Turkey over the past two years, Israel's Channel 12 reported.

According to the source, Mossad's ties with Turkey's National Intelligence Organisation, have strengthened in recent years despite strained diplomatic relations between the countries.

Most of the announced terrorist plans were linked to the Islamic State terrorist group and targeted businessmen and other Israelis in Turkey.

The announcement came a day after Turkish media and an Israeli businessman living in Turkey announced that an "Iranian plot" to assassinate him had been uncovered. It also followed recent reports in Turkey of 16 alleged Mossad spies being charged.

Channel 12 cited Turkish media reports that a delegation of senior Israeli officials had visited Turkey in the past few days.

Allegedly among them was Mossad chief David Barnea, who allegedly personally oversees intelligence ties with Turkey.
EU antitrust authorities are likely to intensify the collection of information on Gazprom's activities in Europe, Reuters reported, citing a source.

Last month, EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said she had sent a request to gas companies, including Gazprom, for restricted supplies after accusations that the Russian gas giant was withholding additional production that could be run to lower rising prices. Gazprom denies such allegations.

The EU competition commissioner has not yet made a final decision on the next phase of the investigation, the source said.

The European Commission declined to comment, saying the investigation was ongoing.

Gazprom has said that the Russian gas company supplies gas in excess of its contracts when it has requests.

Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, said last month that Russia was contributing to Europe's under-supply of natural gas.
The EU is preparing several responses to any further moves by Russia to destabilize Ukraine, but Brussels does not know exactly what Moscow plans to do, an EU official said, Reuters reported.

He said US talks with Russia were not yielding a lot but that dialogue with President Vladimir Putin was still open through the leaders of Germany and France.

The official, on condition of anonymity, said the tougher the EU sanctions against Russia in the event of a military invasion, the harder the blow to the EU if Moscow responds.

He recalled that 40% of EU gas comes from Russia and that the bloc is in talks with Norway and Qatar, among others, to increase energy supplies if necessary.

The official also said the EU is considering how quickly Russia could switch its energy supplies to China if it cuts sales to Europe.

He said the EU was also preparing for the arrival of refugees if Russia invades Ukraine.

The source added that the EU was awaiting a decision on further macroeconomic support for Ukraine.

Some in the EU wanted to impose tough sanctions to prevent any Russian attack but others said it would amount to an escalation of tensions and the EU should react later if necessary, the official said.
The German government plans to ease coronavirus restrictions amid falling cases of coronavirus.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the heads of the federal states are due to meet on Wednesday to discuss possible easing of restrictions.

Possible steps include lifting the requirement for shoppers at non-essential stores to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result, Reuters reports.

The project also includes plans to increase the number of people allowed to participate in private indoor gatherings to 20 if they are all vaccinated.

According to the project, in the second phase of easing, nightclubs will be able to reopen, and unvaccinated Germans will be allowed to visit restaurants from March 4.

The requirement to wear masks indoors and on public transport remains in place.

A German expert panel said the government needs to make plans to ease restrictions given the current wave of infections is expected to flatten in the coming weeks, but warned against easing restrictions too quickly.
An Israeli protest column, inspired by demonstrations in Canada against coronavirus restrictions, drove along the main highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Reuters reports.

Dozens of cars headed for the parliament building in Jerusalem. Other protesters stood at highway intersections as the so-called "freedom convoy" passed by, some of the vehicles flying Israeli and Canadian flags.

Freedom doesnt look like this, read one of the posters depicting a masked girl.

Outside the parliament building, protesters blew horns and beat drums and called for the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions.

In recent weeks, Israel has lifted the requirement to show proof of vaccination in restaurants, cinemas, gyms and hotels.

But masks are still required in public spaces, including schools, shops and healthcare facilities.

Freedom Convoy'protests have begun in Canada In Ottawa, they were led by truckers who opposed vaccinations or quarantines for cross-border drivers. Similar protests were held last weekend in France.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has spoken separately with the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers and still believes, "from his own analysis, his own hopes,", that there will be no conflict, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The United Nations has no plans to evacuate or relocate out of Ukraine any of its more than 1,600 staff - of which 220 are foreign staff and more than 1,400 are Ukrainian - UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also said.

During phone calls with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, Antonio Guterres expressed "serious concern" at the escalating tensions.

"He welcomed the ongoing diplomatic discussions to defuse those tensions and underlined, yet again, the fact that there is no alternative to diplomacy," Dujarric said.
Canada police arrest 11 for 'cache of arms' at border

The arms and ammunition were found in three trailers at the Coutts, Alberta blockade. Photo: AP

Canadian police said on Monday they have arrested 11 protesters with a "cache of firearms" blocking a border crossing between Coutts, Alberta and the US state of Montana, where they are demonstrating against Covid health restrictions.



Three trailers were raided, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement, after it learned of "a small organised group within the larger Coutts protest... that had access to a cache of firearms with a large quantity of ammunition."



"The group was said to have a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade," police said.



Rifles, handguns, body armour, a machete and "a large quantity of ammunition" was seized, the RCMP added, pointing also to a failed attempt by a large farm tractor and a semi truck to ram a police car the previous day.



The crossing between Coutts, Alberta and Sweet Grass, Montana has been clogged by protesters for several days, in solidarity with a demonstration in Ottawa now entering a third week.



The demonstrations started with Canadian truckers calling for an end to mandatory vaccines to cross the border into the United States.



But its demands now include the lifting of all Covid-19 health measures and, for many of the protesters, for the toppling of Trudeau's Liberal government. (AFP)
New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI/NewsVoir): World Auto Forum (WAF) Awards 2022 were held virtually recently. WAF Awards, over the years have become synonymous with platinum performances across the Automotive & Mobility segment. One of the most coveted awards, they follow a 7 - steps process, setting high benchmarks in the industry. WAF Stars, as the 154 WAF award winners are known in the industry, for the last 9 years, have all gained great recognition, and moved on to bigger, better roles and opportunities. WAF Awards follow an innovative 7 - steps process: Selection Parameters by WAF First Members - The Top Industry Leaders, to make them relevant Research by IIT Delhi - Unbiased and Neutral Highly Experienced and Distinguished Jury No Sponsor Partner allowed on the Jury Independent Observers at Jury Round - To ensure Selection Process Compliance Reference Checks during and after Jury Rounds Awarded only when all Jury Members are unanimous. No partial voting considered. This year, four jury rounds were held and winners decided after deep discussions on the research data presented by the Team at Department of Management studies (DMS) IIT Delhi. Months of research went into collating relevant data, analysing it, doing reference checks and finally presenting it to the Jury for awards selection. External Observers to the awards ensured that the selection process was duly followed. Anuj Guglani, CEO, World Auto Forum & Senior Partner, WAF Ventures explained, "We started these awards 9 years ago with the sole aim to recognize and reward the Best people behind Best Cos & Products. Initially focussing on OEM's, WAF awards have grown, not just in stature but also in expanse. Today, we include the entire Auto & Mobility industry across all 7 Categories. Last 9 years, we are proud to have nurtured and evolved the 7 - Steps Selection Process at WAF which powers the reward and recognition of the Best Performing Teams & Leaders across the Industry." Meet the WAF Awards 2022 Jury that comes with years of rich industry experience: Nikunj Sanghi | Former Chairman, ASDC | Past President, FADA | MD, JS FourWheel Motors Dilip Chenoy | Former Secretary General, FICCI | Former DG, SIAM Anupam Sanghi | Senior Corporate Lawyer | Competition Law Expert Dr Akhil Prasad | Country Counsel & CS Board | Boeing India Puneet Kapur | Head, LeanExcell S Ramaswamy | Managing Partner, Medha Advisors | Independent Director at Auto Cos Avik Chattopadhyay | Co-founder, Expereal Anuj Guglani | CEO, World Auto Forum | Senior Partner, WAF Ventures Our Observers ensured that there was complete adherence to the selection criteria and the process remained transparent and unbiased. Meet the WAF Awards 2022 Observers who come with valuable insights: Atul Arora | Co-founder, Wiserfeed Harsh Vashist | MD, Sparsh Group | MD, Satyam Group of Companies Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India commented, "We are extremely delighted to be a part of the 9th Edition of the World Auto Forum annual awards. It is one of the most respected platforms that recognizes innovation and initiatives undertaken by OEMs and its leaders in the automotive industry. I would like to congratulate all the well-deserved winners for their exceptional contribution towards the automotive sector and especially for the quality service initiatives towards customers in the year 2021 - 22." Gaurav Gupta, Chief Commercial Officer, MG Motor India said, "The industry has been working towards adapting to the challenges that the last two years have brought and is moving towards gradual recovery. Companies are collectively playing their part to emerge from the impact of the semiconductor shortage and supply-chain constraints. We at MG stand by our commitments and have been focusing on meeting the market expectations. I hereby congratulate all the winners of WAF awards and commend the reflection of industry's determination and perseverance." Presenting the winners of the WAF Awards 2022, ideas & people that carve the future of Auto: 1. Leader of the Year 2021-22 Manufacturing Sector - Arvind Goel, MD & CEO, Tata AutoComp Systems Services Sector - Sandeep Gambhir, MD & CEO, Orix India 2. Best Innovation Adroit 2.0 - Adroit Auto - a Subsidiary of Shriram Automall Nissan Intelligent Ownership Subscription Plan - Nissan India Sales & Marketing Dept Digitisation and Personalisation in After Sales - Hyundai Motor India After Sales Dept Tanuj Pugalia, MD, Gallops Motors remarked, "WAF awards have always been special and something to be excited about. We have been proudly associated with WAF since its inception. WAF awards bring in recognition to the significant yet unsung heroes of the automobile industry. Not only do they encourage, but they also enrich each one of us with the best practices and the latest innovations in this industry thus making us break new ground towards new ideas and sharpen our abilities. I wish all the participants the very best, and sincerely applaud their contribution to the industry." Sunil Mehra, General Manager for Abbott's Rapid Diagnostics business in India expressed his thoughts, "At Abbott, we believe that talent must be recognized and encouraged. Congratulations to all the WAF award winners and wish you a great future ahead. We are happy to work with the World Auto Forum in an endeavour to create a healthy and agile workplace. Abbott is committed to creating products and technologies that help more people than ever achieve better health, around the world." Mohd Muzammil Riyaz, Promoter, One Moto India said, "Our association with WAF has been quite recent yet we feel that their transformative and innovative initiatives have been crucial to the sustainable auto industry. Time and again, WAF awards have ensured to reward innovative leadership in the Automobile sector. Onwards and upwards is the instinct of WAF." No great initiative can sail through without the support of people and companies who believe in the idea. At the World Auto Forum, we feel proud and privileged to have the very best of companies as partners on our journey to bring the entire Auto Industry together. We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to each one of them. Meet our partners: OEM Gold Partners: MG Motor India | Volkswagen India Gold Partners: Gallops Motors | One Moto India | Abbott Partners: Focus Engineering | Motor Uncle Media Partners: Patriot | WAF TV Virtual Events Platform Partner | Exposim The WAF awards are presented by World Auto Forum, an organization that connects the entire Automotive Ecosystem across 125+ countries through varied and regular audience engagement programs and activities. You can network with the Industry Top Leaders at WAF at waf.bz. #WafAwards22 | #WAFStars | #WAFAwards2022 For more information, please reach WorldAutoForum.com This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Japan, India's fifth-largest investor, has contributed over USD 36.2 billion in cumulative investments since 2000, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry informed on Monday. The Ministry said that the key sectors of Japan's investment are automobiles, Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM), Medical Devices, Consumer goods, Textiles, Food processing, and Chemicals. Currently, there are 114 Japanese companies across the JITs. The Neemrana and Sri City industrial townships host a majority of the Japanese companies. Companies such as Daikin, Isuzu, Kobelco, Yamaha Music, Hitachi Automotive etc. are the marque Japanese investors which have set up manufacturing in these townships, the ministry said in a press release. A Joint Meeting was held between India (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)) and Japan (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)) for the annual review of progress under Japanese Industrial Townships (JITs) in India. "DPIIT and the States presented the developed land and infrastructure readily available for Japanese investors in these townships. Japanese companies were invited for field visits to the JITs to attract investments," they said while adding that the DPIIT reviewed the status of Japan Industrial Townships (JITs) with METI, in a virtual platform in view of the COVID-19 situation. The Embassy of Japan in India and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) also participated from the Japanese side. From the Indian side Officers from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Embassy of India in Tokyo and representatives of State Governments and Invest India Participated in the meeting It may be noted that Japan Industrial Townships (JITs) were set up pursuant to the "Action Agenda for the India-Japan Investment and Trade Promotion and Asia-Pacific Economic Integration" signed between METI, Government of Japan and DPIIT, Government of India in April 2015 to take steps to develop "Japan Industrial Townships" in India especially in the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) regions in order to facilitate Japanese investment to India. "Japan is the only country that has dedicated country-focused industrial townships across India. These Japanese Industrial Townships (JITs) offer facilities such as special Japan desks for translation and facilitation support, world-class infrastructure facilities, plug and play facilities, residential clusters, and special incentives for Japanese companies. There are ready to move in facilities and fully developed land available for allotment in these townships," the Ministry said in its release. During the meeting, as per the Ministry, it was highlighted that the Government of India has announced various schemes to attract investments and improve the ease of doing business in India. "The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme announced for 14 sectors received numerous applications. Japanese companies have also applied for these PLI schemes and have received approval. The National Single Window System - an initiative by the Government was also showcased to the Japanese side. This one-stop digital platform -currently has 20 Central Ministries and 14 states/UTs that have been onboarded. The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) encapsulates infrastructure development across key sectors (such as energy, railways, roads, irrigation etc.) in India with investments of USD 1.4 trillion planned between 2019 and 2025," the release informed. The Ministry further added that the emerging sectors that are new opportunities to attract Japanese investments into the JITs and India were highlighted along with showcasing the opportunities for investments in the Information and Communications Technologies, Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles, Drones, Robotics and Textiles sectors were showcased.Japan side highlighted the importance of India and Japan's partnership that will further expand through the "Memorandum of Cooperation on India - Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership" and the ongoing Supply Chain Resilience Initiative. (ANI)
The filing of a draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) by Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has created a "positive buzz in the air" and the public issue will be a very positive development in the history of the country's largest insurer, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. Addressing a media briefing after the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) board meeting, Sitharaman said, "I can see after the announcement, the reception, there is a buzz in the air." Moving one step closer to initial public offering (IPO), LIC on Sunday filed draft papers with the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Responding to a question on the timing of the IPO given the current volatility in the stock markets, the Finance Minister said, "a big decision like this is never a knee-jerk reaction. It is done with consciousness." As per the DRHP, up to 31,62,49,885 (31.62 crore) equity shares will be on offer through the offer for sale (OFS), representing 5 per cent of the equity stake of Life Insurance Corporation of India. DRHP, also referred to as offer document, is the preliminary registration document prepared by merchant bankers for prospective IPO-making companies. Among other things, it lists reasons why the company wants to raise money from the public and how the money will be used. It also gives details about the risks involved in investing in the company. Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said in a tweet on Sunday that the proposed IPO will be a 100 per cent offer for sale by the government and there will be no issue of fresh shares by Life Insurance Corporation of India. (ANI)
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 14 (ANI/PRNewswire): The digital-first ecommerce brand in the home & kitchen appliances segment, Geek has achieved this laurel within 3 years of its existence in the Indian market. Geek is one of the only 2 brands in the Electronics and Appliances category showcased in the list of first 100 Brands released in December 2021 as part of YourStory's 'Brands of New India' property. The premium appliances brand, Geek has set its eye on the Indian home appliances market primarily through ecommerce. Geek's exceptional craftsmanship, technology and consumer convenience extend to its entire range of products - automatic electric pressure cooker, air fryer oven, induction cooktop, vacuum cleaners, rechargeable mini fans, humidifiers, smart locks, air purifiers etc. Apart from its own website, Geek is also available through leading ecommerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, CRED, TataCliq, Meesho, JioMart, Paytm, Udaan, Pepperfry etc. Story behind this ranking Geek brand smartly identified market gaps left wide open by traditional brands and products like the electric pressure cooker and aims to bring innovative product ideas to the Indian market. With digital advertising focus, the brand Geek has garnered 14+ million engagements and 4+ million consumers on Youtube. This was supported by a new brand campaign for Geek RoboCook, "Pressure Off, Robocook On." Since its launch, Geek has built a robust Influencer ecosystem by collaborating with over 600+ influencers and home cooks on social media, resulting in immense brand reach and affinity. Geek prides itself on relentless customer delight with focus on top quality, warranty, customer support and engagement through social conversation. Geek's Future Plans India's kitchen appliance industry is estimated to be INR 28,000 crore and is poised to grow at a whopping 12% CAGR over the next 5 years. Geek has achieved no less than 300% in top line growth in just their third year of operation in the country. "We want to revolutionize the way Indians cook. Our vision is to convert every traditional pressure cooker in Indian households with the smart automatic electric pressure cooker - Geek Robocook," says Murugan, Founder, Harkin Global Solutions on occasion of Geek's stellar performance in the Indian market. Co-Founder Prathap has this to say on the brand's future in India, "Geek plans an aggressive capture of product categories like Air Fryer, Air Fryer Oven, Electric Pressure Cooker, and Vacuum Cleaners for health-conscious consumers in the Indian market." Harkin Global Solutions plans to augment the business in the next 2 to 3 years with an investment of 15 to 20 million dollars which will be used to setup a production base in India, hire new talent-pool and to create a pan India retail sales infrastructure. YourStory Article Link: https://yourstory.com/awards/500-challenger-brands Download YourStory full Report: Download Link YourStory Company Listing: https://yourstory.com/companies/harkin-global-solutions/amp For further brand / product details, do visit: https://www.harkin.in/ Geek Appliances, based out of New Jersey, USA has its presence in 5 Countries - USA, Canada, Australia, China & India across 3 continents with digital first focus in all the countries of operation. Geek is the leader brand in most product categories in ecommerce in all the countries it is present in. This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 14 (ANI/NewsVoir): QBIX ACADEMIA founded in the year 2007 today cleared a milestone and announced its completion of 14 years in the industry. The organization is primarily into providing overseas education opportunities to Indian students and trains and assists them in the fields of IELTS, German classes, University guidance, SOPs, LORs and visa counseling support to name a few. With QBIX ACADEMIA students do a lot more than study abroad. They learn new languages, build their profile and portfolios and above all, create a community of QBIXians worldwide. Today QBIXians are presenting themselves in many international universities and offer unlimited support to new members throughout their journey. This reduces nervousness, anxiety and overwhelming challenges for new students and gives them a helping hand in a foreign land. Speaking at the occasion, Balukeshwar Nath Agrawal, Director, QBIX ACADEMIA Stand overseas said, "Finding the personal qualities, secrets of each student and knowing their strengths to lead them towards the correct destination and course, is our organization's vision. During the entire counselling process our mission is also to connect each of our student to other QBIX student's and make sure that they spend good time together and make new friends. Treating each student as our family member and spending good time through discussions and exploring innovative ideas to get admission is our secret which leads us towards success. This uniqueness has helped us have a long term and friendly relation with our students." Our company majorly deals in giving counseling to choices available in abroad universities, and not only targeting any specific destinations or set of universities to promote their respective courses. With our vision, we have helped various backgrounds of people ranging from Engineering, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Economics, Arts & Design, Architecture, Business, Law, physiotherapy, Medicine etc. Every student at QBIX has benefitted from our counseling services to finalizing their study destinations such as Germany, USA, Canada, Sweden, UK, Ireland and many other European countries. It's our strong vision even if student comes with any specific destination requirement, we should inform them the associated challenge of visiting this destinations and also making them aware on other best possible choices in different locations, so that they can make fair decision for their career and develop their understanding. With strong belief on preparing students to be independent and represent India in such way, so that after landing in abroad they should be treated with respect we have so far completed successful 14 years. Few of the services that QBIX ACADEMIA offers its students is as under: Spreading general knowledge of abroad education as whole. Networking with students and help them to go with preparation. Helping them to be independent from the application process itself. For further information, please log on to www.qbixacademia.com This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 14 (ANI/Mediawire): The Zarine Manchanda Foundation is now one of the most talked about and prolific charity NGOs in India. The Foundation, led by its young, glamorous,inspirational and charismatic Founder and CEO Zarine Manchanda, has been praised in coverage by virtually every influential and respected media outlet in India. And its dedicated, relentless efforts in helping Mumbai's and India's poorest residents have resulted in numerous prestigious awards for Zarine as philanthropist and social activist, confirming her status as a rising media star and celebrity. This includes her receiving the Nelson Mandela Peace Award, which conferred a doctorate degree for Zarine, as well as two National Awards, one of which was presented by the Governor of Maharashtra. For Zarine, these accomplishments are testament to her bold vision for her Foundation, which she opened three years ago. "The progress has been amazing; it has far exceeded my expectations. We have grown so quickly. And it is gratifying to know that our efforts have led to multiple awards and such extensive media coverage. How does Zarine Manchanda explain this extraordinary success? "As CEO, it's always about the past, the present, and the future. The past shapes the present; and the present guides the future." Taking a look back, Zarine opened the Foundation in 2019. As the daughter of a prominent minister in Himachal Pradesh, Zarine has her own political ambitions, and thus decided that establishing a charity NGO to serve the poor would be the strongest way to raise her profile and build a political base. Explains Zarine: "I left the Princess Life" in Himachal to move to Mumbai to pursue my dream of cracking into Bollywood. Despite my best efforts, success was elusive. At my lowest point I made a dynamic life and career change and opened my NGO as I have my own political aspirations." The Foundation's office is in Aarey Colony and initially ZMF focused its efforts on the slum cells and even the remote tribal areas of Aarey, regularly administering food and clothing donation programs. ZMF's website shows thousands of photos and videos of such programs, showing Zarine's rock star status amidst throngs of people, mainly mother and children. Says Zarine: "Yes, I am humbled at the love and affection I received at each program. My goal is to reciprocate those feelings for those who need help the most. That is my life's mission and purpose" She goes on to explain, "We held over 100 programs in Aarey but then COVID struck, and we were prevented from hosting such large gatherings. So, we changed course and after some time we started programs in Andheri, even using the parking lot of my society building to host programs." Zarine and her staff had to coordinate those efforts with Mumbai Police, as sometimes the crowd was too large. "I even had to deal with complaints from neighbors, but I was determined to carry on and help the poor" who stood in long queues for food, milk, juices and other donated items. This steadfast commitment caught the eye of the media in 2020, and soon Zarine and her Foundation were media darlings not only for their focus on continuing to programs despite COVID, but also for other newsworthy compassionate acts of kindness. This included ZMF purchasing a special computer for a school for blind children in Uttar Pradesh that answered faraway prayers for help. By March 2021, Zarine was a media celebrity. In commemoration of International Women's Day, FEMINA magazine featured a profile on Zarine. In recognition of her privileged upbringing and her relentless focus on helping the poor, Zarine was dubbed "Princess of the Poor, poised to be India's Mother of Millions" - in homage to her inspirations: Princess Diana and Mother Teresa. At present, the Foundation continues to administer regular programs in Andheri and Aarey. In December, ZMF received its 80g certificate, which now allows the Foundation to receive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donations from profitable Indian companies, as required by law. Says Zarine: "We are delighted to now have 80g status and are grateful for the efforts of the Charity Commissioners Office in arranging the same for us on an expedited basis." As to the future, then, Zarine explains: "I believe in my heart that the Foundation will grow to be one of the biggest in the world. Now, with 80g in place and a queue of companies ready to donate CSR funding, we can immediately pursue our plans to ramp up operations and expand our footprint. Through mobile medical clinics, free medicines for the poor, operating a canteen to provide free food to those who are most in need. Plus, old age homes, schools, orphanages and hospitals." I want these undertakings to bring state of the art facilities to those who cry for help, for those who only have hope or have lost hope. We as a society must do better to treat the poor with compassion and dignity, to provide meaningful opportunities to help train and educate the poor, to provide life's basics that the rest of us sometimes take for granted. This is my goal until my last breath." To know more about Zarine Manchanda Foundation, Visit our website http://www.zarinemanchandafoundation.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zarinemanchandafoundation/?hl=en Video to be embedded-https://youtu.be/b2eUud6IT5w This story is provided by Mediawire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Mediawire)
New Delhi [India], February 14 (ANI/NewsVoir): Dr. Sumer Sethi, Founder of Delhi Academy of Medical Sciences (DAMS) shares tips of Medical Career Aspirants and welcomes new fledglings to the medical fraternity. "You shouldn't have come into this profession." "Oh damn, I should've gone for engineering." "I am studying for exams, while all my friends from other fields are partying... this is not fair." How many times do we hear these words? A lot of demoralizing talks stem from not only the media and seniors but it is going to come from you too. Hence, at the very beginning, I want to sit you down and reassure you that: Yes, it is going to be a long and tedious journey but every bit of it will feel worth it in the end. Medical profession cannot be valued by salaries and numbers and that is where it gets confusing. Every little smile or a mere "thank you" from patients enriches you. I promise you that there will come a time when you will look back and think: I am proud of what I have done and choosing medicine WAS the correct decision. Mindset matters Medical profession is a journey,but it is not about any destination.It is like swimming in the ocean, but you're not swimming to reach the shore, you're swimming to just be in the ocean and enjoy every moment, with the magnificent view and the beautiful water. Medicine is not an end point-oriented game. Instead, it's a journey, massively rewarding one, full of knowledge and life touching events. It is not school anymore where we fixate on getting things over with. "5 years of MBBS. 3 years of MD. 3 years of DM,"- these checkpoints are crucial but we should learn to look beyond it and sow the seed of a mindset that learning is going to be a constant companion. Even after 20 years of graduating, acquiring knowledge to update ourselves regularly will remain an integral part of life. Medicine is not a movie that ends in 3 hours.It's like a web-series that continue for seasons. Balance the madness: Learn to balance from the start itself! No shortcut around studying: To be a great doctor, you need knowledge, empathy, and skills. But first, to build knowledge, we must study diligently and there is no way to escape it. Relationships- Quality VS Quantity of time invested: Your dreams, studying and patients are going to take a significant chunk of your life, leaving behind only a morsel to spend with your loved ones. Hence, the quality of that bread crumb is going to matter a lot. Bothmental and physical health are important:Refrain from indulging in short term dopamine rush with substances. Let us be responsible and help others instead of falling prey to substance abuse ourselves. Choose standard books always: NEXT & USMLE-explore your opportunities "If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough." - Don't be scared of dreaming big. You may encounter people who will judge you for wanting to soar high.But I believe there's space in this world for every kind of person and just go for it. Dream high and soar high. How DAMS can help: 1st Year Tuition Classes on EMedicoz App DAMS is a 21-year-old institution and has been helping medical students realise their dreams for the past 2 decades.For first year students, we recommend 1st Year Tuition Classes. Demo videos are available on DAMS YouTube Channel. Highlights of the course: LIVE classes Two way and interactive Join classes in the late evening after college hours One-and-a-half-hour discussion Teaching of global standard LIVE classes recorded for repeated reviews/ access anytime anywhere Separate doubt solving sessions for crystal clear concepts Regular class tests to check progress Why this course: To democratize medical education: This course has been built to bridge the gap between A-grade med schools and peripheral colleges-so, now, you can graduate from anywhere in India and still be at par with the best medical schools. Whatever your future goals turn out to be, whether you want to go abroad or you want to study further in India, with strong foundation and basics, everything will seem within reach. Avail a whopping 50% off 1st Year Tuition Classes with coupon code: WELCOMEDOCTOR(valid till 28th February, 2022) Lay foundation for integration: There are two types of integration- Horizontal integration: Correlation within the same Prof. Example- correlation of cardiac anatomy with cardiac physiology. Vertical Integration: Correlation with other Profs. Example- cardiac anatomy/ physiology integrated with cardiac medicine. In first year, you are aware of only one side of things but are oblivious to the relevant clinical knowledge which gets revealed only during succeeding Profs.Hence, you alone cannot start integrating from first year itself. This is where you need reliable mentors and teachers who can guide you accordingly. Examples of vertical integration: The reason I am emphasizing on the anatomy of ankle ligaments is because in the final year you will see in MRI how a sprain affecting this structure looks like. Why am I telling you about cruciate ligaments in the knee- it's because later on, you will learn that it's frequently torn in sportsmen. New medical curriculum in India: Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) This is a paradigm shift in the approach to medical education where horizontal and vertical integration will both be a key player.It seeks to ensure that students are able to develop the competency required for patient management. So, keep yourself abreast by integrating concepts from the very first year! There will be times when you will doubt yourself, your career choices and the weight of responsibilities, patient care, your dreams, your relationships might all seem too. But don't let it wear you down. Remind yourself that you ARE stronger than you think. Look back and see how far you've come! Don't forget that by studying MBBS, you're already living the dream of millions of aspirants. When you feel demoralized or demotivated, always go back to the reason why you chose the field. It was the challenge that called out to you, so, don't be scared to take it on now. All the best! Key Takeaways: MBBS is a journey and 'studies' is your constant companion Learn to balance studies with love, life and laughs Studying standard books will give you an irrefutable edge Dream big or go home DAMS 1st Year Tuition Classes will give standard teaching that will help build a strong foundation CBME is a new initiative that is based on integration of subjects Always look back to the past with gratitude and look forward with enthusiasm This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 14 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Bharti AXA Life Insurance, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises, one of India's leading business groups, and AXA, one of the world's largest insurance companies, has been Great Place to Work-Certified in India (from January 2022 to January 2023) for its sustained efforts in living up to its mission of "#DoTheSmartThing". Driving innovative people-centric practices across inclusion and diversity, prioritising employee learning, growth, and well-being, as well as being consistent in delivering the brand promise to their customers, Bharti AXA Life Insurance has diligently invested in its people and workplace culture. Thus, building a strong network of over 33,266 advisers across 254 branch offices pan-India, committed to the core purpose of simplifying insurance in a complicated world. Measuring, assessing and understanding sentiments of its teams through the pandemic, the organisation has exhibited a positive impact in simplifying customer management and feedback through award-winning digital innovations like its M-Smart app. Right from emphasising the importance of prioritising employee safety and well-being to continuously offering development opportunities to its workforce, Bharti AXA Life Insurance has rolled out various programs through its in-house Bharti AXAcademy to upskill and accelerate the potential of its people, thereby enabling the organisation to achieve a 99.08% claim ratio backed by a relentless commitment to its people-first culture. Commenting on the company's achievement, Jai Balan, Head-Human Resources, Bharti AXA Life Insurance, said, "We are honoured with this certification. It ascertains our faith that we are creating an organisation that cares for its people, maintains transparency in communications, invests in their holistic development, has leadership that is empathetic and ensures that each individual is given the opportunity to maximize their true potential and accelerate their growth and career with us." Over the years, Bharti AXA Life Insurance has registered steady growth and performance, while expanding on its suite of customer-centric products and facilitating seamless services. The company plans to expand its strategic partnerships and by increasing its distribution footprint across the country, it also aims to meet the rising bar of higher service standards for all its stakeholders, internal as well as eternal by providing a sustainable and impactful brand experience. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture and The Great Place to Work Certification is considered the gold standard in identifying and recognizing Great Workplace Cultures. Since the last three decades, the institute has surveyed over 100 million employees worldwide and has served businesses, non-profits and government agencies in more than 60 countries. The Institute's research shows that great workplaces are characterized by great leadership, consistent employee experience, and sustainable financial performance. In India, the institute partners with more than 1,100 organizations annually across over 22 industries to help build High-Trust, High-Performance Cultures designed to deliver sustained business results. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 14 (ANI/PNN): India's leading compact cotton yarn manufacturer and one of the fastest-growing multinational textile companies, SVP Global Textiles Ltd, has reported a net profit of Rs. 41.23 crore for the Q3FY22 ended December 2021, as against a net profit of Rs. 33.29 crore in Q3FY21, a growth of 23.87%. EBITDA for Q3FY22 was reported at Rs. 94.66 crore (EBITDA Margin 23.27%) as compared to EBITDA of Rs. 84.81 crore (EBITDA Margin 22.89%) in Q3FY21, a growth of 11.62%. Income from Operations for the Q3FY22 was reported at Rs. 406.69 crore, growth of 9.75% over previous fiscal's same period income from operations of Rs. 370.55 crore. EPS for Q3FY22 was reported at Rs. 3.26 per share. Financial Highlights (Consolidated) The company plans to be a fully integrated Textile Company from Fiber to Fashion with forwarding integration into fabric and garments. The company is also setting up a 4,375 MT per annum green-field facility for Technical textiles at Jhalawar, Rajasthan, with a CAPEX of Rs. 100 crore. The company has recently changed its name to SVP Global Textiles Ltd from SVP Global Venture Ltd. Commenting on the results and performance, Maj Gen OP Gulia, SM, VSM (retd), CEO, SVP Global Textiles Ltd, said, "In spite of challenging business environment post-Covid, company has reported steady performance during the quarter across all segments. All our expansion plans are going as scheduled, Oman Plant is running at optimum capacity, and our foray into technical textiles is also going as planned. We are confident of achieving 25-30% growth in revenue post completion of the expansion plans. Economy and business activities are picking up momentum, and we are confident to post better growth numbers in Q4 FY22." For the nine months ended December 2021, the company posted a net profit of Rs. 121.27 crore (PAT Margin 10.17%). Income from Operations for the 9MFY22 was reported at Rs. 1192.95 crore, growth of 30.79% over previous fiscal's same period income from operations of Rs. 826.37 crore. EBITDA for 9MFY22 was reported at Rs. 279.11 crore (EBITDA Margin 23.4%). EPS for 9MFY22 was reported at Rs. 9.59 per share. Established in 1898 by Shri VallabhPittie, SVP Group is engaged in the manufacturing of polyester, polyester & cotton blend, and 100% cotton yarn across 3 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Jhalawar (Rajasthan), Ramnad (Coimbatore) and Sohar (Oman). The company has a 125 year legacy in textiles and has the vision to become a world-leading, fully integrated textile company in manufacturing yarn, fabric and garments. The order book of the company currently stands at over Rs. 5000 crore. SVP Global is among the top 2% Indian Manufacturers with technology less than 5 years old and output of 153-154 grams per spindle per shift, which is the highest in the industry. Company's manufacturing facilities are equipped with the latest technology automated machinery equipped with Artificial Intelligence and IOT capabilities from Blow Room to Windling. SVP Global is accredited as an approved supplier for leading brands, including IKEA and Zara. Certifications from OCS, GOTS, BCI, OEK-TEX, STD 100, Fair Trade, SUPIMA Gold and ISO. SVP Global Textiles Ltd https://www.svpglobal.co.in/ Established in 1898, by Shri VallabhPittie, SVP Group is primarily engaged in manufacturing of polyester, polyester & cotton blend, and 100% cotton yarn across 3 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Jhalawar (Rajasthan), Ramnad (Coimbatore) and Sohar (Oman). Moving up the value chain, the company has augmented its product mix to manufacture 84% compact cotton yarn and 16% traditional yarn currently. Dynamic leadership of Mr. Chirag Pittie, Director, with a futuristic vision, focused strategy and decision making along with the senior leadership team has put SVP Group in the spotlight of the World Textile market. Company has recently commenced commercial operations at its textile plant in Sohar Free Trade Zone in Oman with an investment of USD 150 million (around Rs. 1100 crore). Company has set up 1.5 lakh spindles and 3,500 rotors facility to expand production of compact cotton yarn. With the completion of expansion at Sohar, the total operational capacity of the company has increased to 4,00,000 spindles and 5900 rotors. Expansion in Oman offers many strategic, operational, financial and logistics benefits to the company over a long period of time. Company has a vision to become a world-leading, fully integrated textile company in manufacturing yarn, fabric and garments while achieving leadership position in the compact cotton yarn. Company is also setting up a 4,375 MT per annum green-field facility for Technical textiles at Jhalawar, Rajasthan for with a capex of Rs. 100 crore. SVP Global is equipped with most modern state of the art Artificial Intelligence based machines. It is among top 2% Indian Manufacturers with technology less than 5 years old which provides output of 153-154 grams per spindle per shift, which is highest in the industry. Company's manufacturing facilities are equipped with latest technology automated machinery equipped with AI and IOT capabilities from Blow Room to Winding. Company's manufacturing facilities at Jhalawar and Oman are certified Green facilities with Zero Effluents and Zero smoke. The company has also set up a 5.4 MW Solar capacity captive power plant in India to reduce power costs. The order book of the company currently stands at Rs. 5,000 crore equivalent to next 2-3 years of revenue. The company has all the major Global certifications such as Global Organic Textile Standards, Better Cotton Initiative, Organic Content Standard, OEKO-Tex STD-100,Fair Trade, SUPIMA Gold and ISO. Company is also accredited as an approved supplier for leading brands including IKEA and Zara. It currently employs more than 3500 people across its manufacturing facilities. Corporate Film: https://youtu.be/bciHacOoQ-c For further details, Please contact: Gopal Modi / Rupesh Panchal ColdCoco Consultancy 9099030184 / 9925023103 gopal@coldcococonsultancy.com rupesh@coldcococonsultancy.com This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
"14th Feb, 2019! My heartfelt tribute to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. I also salute the family members of these martyrs," Kher tweeted.

He also added "Never forget never forgive" hashtag to the tweet.

Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into their bus on February 14 three years ago in Pulwama. (ANI)
The first teaser for Amazon's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' has finally arrived during the Super Bowl, giving a first good look at the upcoming prequel series, which brings the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth to life. The minute-long teaser for the show, which has been set thousands of years prior to Peter Jackson's six feature films adapted from Tolkien's novels, opens with footage that shows a closer look at Middle Earth, as a voice asks, "Haven't you ever wondered what else is out there?" The words appear to be spoken by a harfoot, an ancient ancestor of hobbits, played by Markella Kavenagh. Further, icy mountains, ravaging storms and dangerous monsters are all teased in the captivating new footage. Amid these shots of scenic spectacle, there are glimpses of young versions of two familiar elven characters from Jackson's movies, Galadriel and Elrond, as well as new characters for the series such as a dwarven princess named Disa and an elf. According to E! News, 'Rings of Power', which reportedly had a budget of over USD 450 million for its first season, is sure to expand the Lord of the Rings world we've come to know and love. As the title already gives it away, this show will shed light on the forging of the rings. Showrunner Patrick McKay told a magazine, "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." As per The Hollywood Reporter, the ensemble cast includes Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman and Sara Zwangobani. The debut season of the show will premiere on September 2 and will air in 240 territories around the world. New episodes will be rolled out on a weekly basis. (ANI)
As per Variety, the veteran director-producer died in his sleep on February 12 in Montecito, California. The cause of his death is not known yet.

Born in Czechoslovakia and raised in Canada, Reitman made his first major impression as the producer of 'National Lampoon's Animal House' (1978), the madcap, wildly successful frat comedy that introduced 'Saturday Night Live' star John Belushi to big-screen audiences.

His success was later followed by directing comedy films 'Meatballs' and 'Stripes' starring Bill Murray.

His hard work continued to open doors and even helped him earn two Oscar nominations after producing and directing 'Ghostbusters' in 1984. The movie grossed nearly USD 300 million worldwide following its release.

It has since generated spinoffs, television shows and a new film, 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife', which his son, Jason, directed last year.

Reitman's other notable credits in his celebrated career include 'Kindergarten Cop', 'Junior', 'Beethoven', 'Old School and Six Days', 'Seven Nights', among others.

Reitman's more recent directorial efforts included his last feature, 'Draft Day' with Kevin Costner, rom-com 'No Strings Attached' and 'My Super Ex-Girlfriend'.

In 2009, he co-produced 'Up in the Air', a comedy-drama starring George Clooney as a peripatetic corporate downsizing specialist. Directed and co-written by his son Jason, the film garnered an Academy Award nod as best picture and collected the Oscar for best adapted screenplay.

Reitman is survived by his wife Genevieve, his son Jason, a director, and daughters Catherine, a TV actor-writer-producer, and Caroline. (ANI)
Taking to his Instagram handle, the 'Love Aaj Kal' director shared a picture of him along with the iconic star and confessed he used to hope for her "ghost" to show up while shooting at her old bungalow.

He wrote, "i can't get over that my picture appeared with Madhubala!!!! I have shot nights at her old bungalow hoping for her ghost to show up. Happy B day eternal Madhubala!!"

Proclaimed as 'The Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood', late actor Madhubala graced the Indian cinema with her art and beauty.

The classic actor featured in some of the best timeless classics such as 'Amar', 'Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi', 'Mughal-e-Azam', 'Barsaat Ki Raat'.

Madhubala was a gifted actor and was known for her beauty, personality, and sensitive portrayals of women in films.

Born in Delhi on this day in 1933, Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi was raised in a town located near the Bombay Talkies film studio. She appeared in her first film at the age of 9, billed as Baby Mumtaz.

Her first major role, at the age of 16, was as the leading lady in the 1949 film 'Mahal' opposite Ashok Kumar. She died at the mere age of 36 leaving behind her dazzling career. (ANI)
The makers of the much-awaited film unveiled the song on Valentine's Day on Monday.

Composed by Anirudh Ravichander, the upbeat number is sung by Anirudh Ravichander and Jonita Gandhi. The lyrics of the song are penned by SivaKarthikeyan.

The film, touted to be an action-thriller, is directed by Nelson Dilpkumar and bankrolled by Sun Pictures. The release date of the film is yet to be announced. (ANI)
Detailed notification in this regard will be issued on Monday.

The curb that will be lifted include mandatory COVID-19 testing facilities at airports, railway stations and hospitals.

Besides, night curfew will also stand withdrawn.

"GoA shall withdraw all COVID-19 compulsory testing facilities at airports, rly stations and hospitals wef Feb 15. Also, all restrictions incl night curfew, social-religious gatherings including other curbs shall stand withdrawn. Detailed notification on Feb 14," Sarma tweeted.

Assam's fresh COVID-19 cases continued to drop with 79 people testing positive for the infection on Sunday.

The positivity percentage is 0.83 per cent. Four people succumbed to death on Sunday due to the infection. The recovery rate in the state is at 98.56 per cent. (ANI)
SR Laddhar, who is contesting from Gill constituency in Ludhiana district, was injured and rushed to the civil hospital following the incident.

One of his car's windows was broken in the attack.

"We got information that during canvassing unknown persons attacked him. We'll take his statement and investigate accordingly," said HS Chhetra, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Central.

Giving details about the attack, personal assistant of the BJP candidate, Jatin, said that they were returning from Kheri village when some people started sloganeering, stopped their car and attacked them.

"We had gone for a meeting in Kheri village. Some people came and raised slogans against our party. When we were returning, they stopped our car and attacked us," he said.

Assembly elections in Punjab are scheduled for February 20. The counting of votes will be done on March 10. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public rally in Jalandhar on Monday ahead of Assembly elections in Punjab. Congress is the incumbent government in the state. Assembly polls for electing 117 assembly seats in Punjab will be held on February 20. In the 2017 Assembly polls in the state, the Congress had won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats and ousted the SAD-BJP government which had been in power for 10 years. On January 5, there was a lapse in the Prime Minister's security when he was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozpur, Punjab due to the road being blocked by some protesters. (ANI)
The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is the incumbent government in both states.

In Uttar Pradesh, where elections will be held to 403 assembly constituencies in seven phases, began voting for its second phase today. The first phase was held on February 10.

While Goa will see all of their 40 assembly seats going to polls in a single phase. Voting will be done at 55 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh.

The voting will be held in nine districts of Uttar Pradesh including Saharanpur, Bijnor, Moradabad, Sambhal, Rampur, Amroha, Badaun, Bareilly and Shahjahanpur. Total 586 candidates are contesting in the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

As per the set norms, the campaigning for the elections in these states ended on Saturday (February 12) at 6 pm, marking the start of a 48-hour-long silence period.

In the Uttar Pradesh elections, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is contesting from Gorakhpur. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya will contest from Sirathu.

In Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will contest from Sanquelim seat.

Assembly elections in Uttarakhand will also begin on Monday at 8 am.

Besides Uttar Pradesh and Goa, the counting of votes for the Assembly polls of the five states including Punjab, Uttarakhand and Manipur will be held on March 10. (ANI)
With people lining up for the polling, Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and his wife Reetha Sreedharan on Monday cast their votes at the polling booth of Taleigao Assembly constituency in the coastal state. The polling for 40 assembly seats in Goa began at 7 am and will end at 6 pm today. "People are casting their votes here peacefully which shows the success of our democracy. I hope maximum people will cast their votes today," the Goa Governor told ANI. A total of 301 candidates from different political parties are in the electoral fray in Goa. The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is challenged by Congress, Trinamool Congress and Aam Admi Party (AAP) in a multi-cornered electoral contest in Goa. Notably, this is the first electoral fray for the BJP without Parrikar. However, Utpal Parrikar, his son, is seeking to carry the legacy of his father in the Panaji Assembly constituency as an Independent candidate. After the BJP refused to give him the ticket Manohar Parrikar represented the Panaji Assembly seat. He had resigned from the BJP after Utpal Parrikar was denied a ticket from the Panaji Assembly constituency. The Panaji Assembly seat has its own importance in the electoral politics of the state. Former Union Minister for Defence Manohar Parrikar, who had represented Panaji, had been a three-term Chief Minister of the state. The intense poll campaigning by all the political parties for 40 Assembly seats in Goa concluded on Saturday evening. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is contesting from the Sanquelim constituency against Congress' Dharamesh Saglani while the BJP candidate from Margao seat, Manohar Ajgaonkar has been pitched against Congress nominee Digambar Vasant Kamat. Goa Assembly has a strength of 40 members out of which the BJP currently has 17 legislators and enjoys the support of legislators from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), and three independents. The GFP and MGP each have three MLAs, and Congress, on the other hand, has 15 MLAs in the house. The counting of votes in Goa will take place on March 10. (ANI)
With the commencement of polling in Goa, the voter turnout in all the 40 Assembly constituencies of the coastal state stood at 11.04 per cent till 9 am, according to the Election Commission of India. Sanquelim from where Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is contesting the Goa Assembly elections witnessed the highest percentage of voters' turnout of 14.32 per cent till the time while 14.26 per cent of people cast their votes in the Priol constituency. Mandrem recorded a voter turnout of 12.91 per cent while around 12.81 per cent of voters participated in polling in the Sanguem constituency, as per the Election Commission of India. Meanwhile, Sawant also cast his vote earlier today and expressed confidence in his victory from the Sanquelim constituency. The polling for 40 Assembly seats in Goa began at 7 am and will end at 6 pm today. A total of 301 candidates from different political parties are in the electoral fray in Goa.The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is challenged by Congress, Trinamool Congress, and Aam Admi Party (AAP) in a multi-cornered electoral contest in Goa. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is contesting from the Sanquelim constituency against Congress' Dharamesh Saglani while the BJP candidate from Margao seat, Manohar Ajgaonkar has been pitched against Congress nominee Digambar Vasant Kamat. Goa Assembly has a strength of 40 members out of which the BJP currently has 17 legislators and enjoys the support of legislators from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), and three independents. The GFP and MGP each have three MLAs, and Congress, on the other hand, has 15 MLAs in the house. The counting of votes in Goa will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Urging people to vote in the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, he told the mediapersons in Rampur's Dhaniyapur, "I appeal to everyone to cast their votes. Till now, a few people looted votes on the tunes of 'communal geet par secular sangeet."

Naqvi was present at a polling booth in Rampur where he cast his vote for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh elections 2022.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Minister Jitin Prasada also cast his vote at a polling booth in Shahjahanpur for the second phase of Assembly elections.

"I can say confidently that the BJP is going to return to power in Uttar Pradesh with 300 plus seats. Trends for the first phase of the elections show that the people have voted for the BJP. Today in the second phase people will bless the BJP again on the basis of the work done by the state government," Prasada told the mediapersons.

The second phase of polling for the state Assembly polls began today.

Altogether 55 Assembly constituencies are going to the polls in the second phase covering nine districts of Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha, Sambhal, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Budaun and Shahjahanpur. (ANI)
Making a reference to a similar statement made earlier in a rally in Uttarakhand, CM said, "I went to Uttarakhand and had delivered a speech...No one else is needed to work on ending Congress, both siblings will do that themselves."

"I appealed to people there that don't make Congress a burden on the people of Uttarakhand," he said.

Earlier in a rally in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal, Yodi had said, "Congress is completely submerged, and wherever there is little existence, both brother and sister are enough to push it down. So it should be left to its fate."

The polling for Uttarakhand Assembly elections is taking place in a single phase on Monday.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
"Government of India to ban 54 Chinese apps that pose a threat to India's security," sources said.

The 54 Chinese apps include Beauty Camera: Sweet Selfie HD, Beauty Camera - Selfie Camera, Equalizer & Bass Booster, CamCard for SalesForce Ent, Isoland 2: Ashes of Time Lite, Viva Video Editor, Tencent Xriver, Onmyoji Chess, Onmyoji Arena, AppLock, Dual Space Lite.

Earlier in June last year, India banned 59 Chinese mobile applications including the widely-used social media platforms such as TikTok, WeChat, and Helo keeping in view the threat to the nation's sovereignty and security.

The majority of the apps banned in the June 29 order were red-flagged by intelligence agencies over concerns that they were collecting user data and possibly also sending them "outside".

This action came after 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese soldiers were killed during violent clashes in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh amid border tensions with China.

Later in September, the Government of India further blocked 118 Chinese mobile apps stating that they are "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state and public order".

However, China opposed India's decision to continue the ban on Chinese mobile apps and said the action is in violation of the World Trade Organisation's non-discriminatory principles. (ANI)
"Heartfelt tribute to the brave jawans of @crpfindia who upheld the sovereignty of the country by making their supreme sacrifice in the cowardly terrorist attack of Pulwama. The nation will always be indebted to your sacrifice. Your bravery will continue to inspire us to root out terrorism," Shah tweeted from its official account in Hindi.

Meanwhile, tribute is being paid to CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Lethpora.

"We remember the 40 CRPF jawans who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack in 2019. We aim to maintain peace and harmony in the region," DS Chaudhary, Additional Director General (ADG), CRPF said.

The attack on the CRPF convoy took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, 2019 in which 40 personnel were killed.

A suicide bomber had rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus. The convoy had 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.

Days after the attack, the Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out multiple aerial strikes at JeM terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot, killing a "large number" of terrorists and destroying their infrastructure. (ANI)
Confident about BJP forming government once again in the 70 member assembly in Uttarakhand, he said, "All our schemes have provided a shield for the people of Uttarakhand. The public knows very well who can work for the development of the state. I'm sure that the Uttarakhand public will bring BJP on 60+ seats."

State Governor Retired Lt Gen Gurmit Singh also cast his vote on Monday.

"I'd like to appeal to everyone to use their voting rights; voting turnout should be 100 per cent. The elections are being held in a proper, unbiased manner," said Singh after casting his vote in Dehradun.

Meanwhile, former union education minister and former Uttarakhand chief minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank also visited the polling station in Dehradun with his daughter Arushi Nishank to cast their vote.

Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister and candidate from Chaubattakhal assembly constituency Satpal Maharaj cast his vote at a polling station in his assembly constituency.

Uttarakhand reported 5.15 per cent voter turnout till 9 am for the 70 members Assembly elections on Monday, according to the Election Commission of India.

Voting also began in Goa and parts of Uttar Pradesh going to elections in the second phase on Monday at 7 am. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Bahujan Samaj Party National Spokesperson Sudhindra Bhadoria on Monday hit out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his "elephant of Behenji" comment saying that it is against Dalit, backward and deprived sections of the society. In an exclusive interview to ANI, Yogi Adityanath had said, "Behenji has pointed fingers at my (Gorakhpur) 'math'. I say this again and again. The ration being received by the poor today used to be consumed by the goons of SP earlier. The 'elephant' of Behenji (BSP chief Mayawati) has such a large stomach that everything is less for it." Reacting to it, Bhadoria, while speaking with ANI, said, "It is very sad that the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is commenting in this way about the Dalit, oppressed, deprived and poor people who have supported the country on their shoulder." "The elephant symbol was given by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. Kanshiram gave strength to the exploited people and Mayawati ji gave them promotion," he added. Further, Bhadoria alleged that the BJP has snatched the right of livelihood, while "Behenji (BSP chief Mayawati) continues giving strength to these sections." Rejecting the claim of the Chief Minister regarding 'Thoko Raj' and improved law and order in the state, Bhadoria said that during the tenure of Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, crime was at its peak in the state. "The tenure of Mayawati ji as a Chief Minister from 2007 to 2012 was the only period when rule of law prevailed in Uttar Pradesh. There was no injustice against the Dalits, exploited and deprived sections. The law was protected. If there was any injustice, the accused was sent behind the bars," he said. (ANI)
Uttarakhand reported 18.97 per cent voter turnout till 11 am for the 70 members Assembly elections on Monday, according to the Election Commission of India. The polling in the hilly state started at 8 am and will end at 6 pm. The prestigious Haridwar Assembly seat reported the highest percentage of voter turnout at 22.41 per cent followed by Nainital (20.63 per cent) and Udham Singh Nagar (20.54 per cent). The BJP has fielded sitting MLA and party president Madan Kaushik from the Haridwar seat. He's challenged by the Congress nominee Satpal Brahmachari. Meanwhile, Almora reported 15,04 per cent, Bageshwar 16.60 per cent, Chamoli 17.58 per cent, Champawat 17.88 per cent, Dehradun 18.80 per cent, Pauri Garhwal 16.46 per cent, Pithoragarh 14.96 per cent, Rudraprayag 19.39 per cent, Tehri Garhwal 16.61 per cent, and Uttarkashi reported 16.79 per cent. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Governor Lt Gen (Retired) Gurmit Singh, former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Minister Satpal Maharaj and AAP CM candidate Colonel (retired) Ajay Kothiyal cast their votes. Senior citizens and specially-abled voters were seen reaching polling stations to exercise their voting rights. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to retain power in the hilly state while Congress is hoping for a comeback. Both the Congress and the BJP have battled political instability in the state in the last two decades after it was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000 during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure. The BJP's task is twin-fold-- beat the anti-incumbency and also the electoral trend of the incumbent government voted out in the state. Uttarakhand, incidentally, has seen 11 Chief Ministers in the last two decades. The BJP has pitted fielded 11 cabinet Ministers and the state unit president Madan Kaushik. Incumbent Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is contesting for the third time from the Khatima Assembly seat and is facing Congress nominee Bhuwan Chandra Kapri. Losing the last three elections in a row, Congress veteran Harish Rawat is now contesting from a new Assembly seat Lalkuwa. The new entrant into Uttarakhand politics, Aam Aadmi Party has fielded candidates on all 70 Assembly seats, with its Chief Ministerial face being Ajay Kothiyal. Voting also began in Goa and parts of Uttar Pradesh going to elections in the second phase on Monday at 7 am. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday slammed Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for asking proof from the Central government over the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in September 2019. Sharing a video of Rao's press conference on Twitter where he demanded proof, Sarma said "On the anniversary of the Pulwama attack, the opposition has again insulted our martyrs by questioning the surgical strike." "In an attempt to prove their loyalty to the Gandhi family, they have betrayed the army. My loyalty is with the army. Abuse me all your life, I don't care," the tweet further said. Rao on Sunday said, "Even today, I am asking for the proof. Let the government of India show (the proof). The BJP makes false propaganda that is why people are asking for it." The two CM's are engaged in a row over the issue of surgical strikes since last week. The row started on Friday when the Assam Chief Minister addressing an election rally said, "Look at the mentality of these people. General Bipin Rawat was the pride of the country. India conducted the surgical strike in Pakistan under his leadership. Rahul Gandhi demanded proof of the strike. Did we ever ask you for proof of whether you are Rajiv Gandhi's son or not? What right do you have to demand proof from my Army?" Following this, the Telangana Chief Minister urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda to sack the Assam CM for his comments on Rahul Gandhi. Hitting back at KCR, Sarma took a dig at Rao saying, "I believe that questioning the Army whether they have carried out the surgical strike or not is the biggest crime. He (Telangana CM KCR) got agitated by my comment on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi but not by Rahul Gandhi's comment on our Army." The Indian Army had conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in September 2016 after 19 of the Indian Army soldiers were killed in the base camp in Uri. Meanwhile, India today is observing the third anniversary of the Pulwama attack where 40 personnel were killed in an attack on the CRPF convoy that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, 2019. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to respondents on a plea filed by Tamil Nadu, challenging the order of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court transferring probe into the girl suicide case to CBI. The SC also said that investigation will continue as per Madras High Court's order. A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M. Trivedi asked respondents including the victim father to file a reply in the matter. The Court also asked Tamil Nadu Govt not to make it a prestige issue, hand over all the documents related to the case to the CBI and the probe agency needs to also probe the allegations of forced conversion. The apex court said that it might not be appropriate for it to interject in the investigation of CBI. Tamil Nadu government has filed an appeal in Supreme Court challenging order of Madurai bench of the Madras High Court transferring probe into the girl suicide case to CBI. Recently the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered that the probe into the girl suicide matter will be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The order came on the plea filed by the girl father. The case pertains to a 17-year old girl from a poor background, who studied in a Christian Missionary School in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district and was allegedly being forced to convert to Christianity by her school. Allegations of torture after her refusal to convert were also raised by the girl. According to Police, the victim had consumed poisonous material on January 9 and had succumbed ten days later. (ANI)
The security forces eliminated the module behind the Pulwama attack led by a Pakistani national Kamran within 100 hours of the attack, said Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd) who commanded 15 Corps in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir when the 2019 Pulwama attack took place. He also said that the terrorists were scared of dying to an extent that no one wanted to lead after security forces' operations against Jaish-e-Mohammed. Speaking to ANI, Dhillon said, "The security forces eliminated the module behind the Pulwama attack led by a Pakistani national Kamran within 100 hours of the attack. After security forces' operations against Jaish-e-Mohammed, their terrorists were so scared of dying that nobody wanted to take the leadership role." "We have intercepts where calls from Pakistan would ask terrorists to take a leadership role but they would refuse," Dhillon said. On February 14, 2019, a terror attack was carried out in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir by a suicide bomber resulting in the death of 40 CRPF personnel. The suicide bomber, identified as Jaish-e-Mohammad's Adil Ahmed Dar, rammed his vehicle into a bus with the CRPF convoy. Dhillon also asserted that Pakistan Army, ISI, and terrorist organizations work in unison, so one can cross LoC without active participation and guidance of the Pakistan Army. "Pakistan Army, ISI and terrorist organizations work in unison. No one can cross LoC without active participation and guidance from the Pak Army. We apprehended Pak nationals on LoC in Gulmarg sector who were brought into LoC by Pak post opp our post," he added. (ANI)
Abilene, KS (67410)

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday released a video purportedly of the surgical strike conducted by the Indian Army in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and slammed Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for questioning the actions against the terrorists. "Dear KCR Garu, here is the videographic evidence of the surgical strike by our brave Army. In spite of this, you question the valour of our Armed forces and insult them. Why are you so desperate to attack and malign our Army? New India will not tolerate insults against our Army," tweeted Sarma with the video. The video shared by Sarma comprises screenshots of maps, satellite images and cut shots of various videos. Rao on Sunday had said, "Even today, I am asking for the proof. Let the government of India show (the proof). The BJP makes false propaganda that is why people are asking for it." The two CMs are engaged in a row over the issue of surgical strikes since last week. The row started on Friday when the Assam Chief Minister addressing an election rally said, "Look at the mentality of these people. General Bipin Rawat was the pride of the country. India conducted the surgical strike in Pakistan under his leadership. Rahul Gandhi demanded proof of the strike. Did we ever ask you for proof of whether you are Rajiv Gandhi's son or not? What right do you have to demand proof from my Army?" Following this, Telangana Chief Minister urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda to sack the Assam CM for his comments on Rahul Gandhi. Hitting back at KCR, Sarma took a dig at Rao saying, "I believe that questioning the Army whether they have carried out the surgical strike or not is the biggest crime. He (Telangana CM KCR) got agitated by my comment on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi but not by Rahul Gandhi's comment on our Army." The Indian Army had conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in September 2016 after 19 of the Indian Army soldiers were killed in the base camp in Uri. (ANI)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached immovable and movable properties valued at Rs 56.81 crore belonging to Rajasthan's Udaipur-based Chartered Accountant Bharat Bomb and their other associates in Syndicate Bank fraud case amounting to Rs 1,267.79 crore, the agency said on Monday. The attached properties are in the form of agricultural land, plots, shops, offices, flats, Fixed Deposits and bank accounts. These properties were attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. These assets belong to Bharat Bomb, one Shankar Lal Khandelwal and others. The ED initiated a money-laundering investigation on the basis of the First Information Report (FIR) registered and the charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation against the officials of the erstwhile Syndicate Bank (now Canara Bank) and others. During the investigation, the ED said that it was revealed that from 2011 to 2016, main fraudster Bharat Bomb in collusion with the bank officials defrauded erstwhile Syndicate Bank to the tune of Rs 1,267.79 crore. "The modus operandi of the fraudsters included getting loans sanctioned in their name or in the name of family members and fake cheque discounting purported to be issued by the shell companies controlled by Bharat Bomb. The loans were never repaid by the fraudsters," said the ED. An investigation by the ED revealed that proceeds of crime generated out of the fraud were transferred by Bharat Bomb to various bank accounts operated and controlled by him, through a complex maze of transactions for placement, layering and integration of the tainted funds. The ED said that Bharat Bomb invested these tainted funds in immovable properties in the name of himself, his family members, associates, employees, tribal persons, fictitious firms and companies. Earlier during the investigation in the matter, the ED had so far issued four provisional attachment orders towards cumulative attachment of assets worth Rs 478.66 crore. Additionally, a seizure of Rs 2.25 crore in the form of a Demand Draft was also carried out. With the present attachment the total attachment in the case stands at Rs 537.72 crore approximately, the ED added. (ANI)
Addressing a public rally in Mauranipur, Shah said, "PM Modi has laid the foundation stone for the defence corridor project in Jhansi. The defence equipment built here will help us teach Pakistan a lesson."

Slamming political dynasties, Shah wondered why Congress could never work for the welfare of the people of Uttar Pradesh.

Shah said, "Parivaarwadi' parties can't do good for the State and the country. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi...can Congress work for the welfare of the public of Uttar Pradesh?"

Shah also hit out at the Samajwadi Party for promoting political dynasty. "Mulayam Singh Yadav went to Uttar Pradesh, and since he couldn't find any successor he made his son succeed him," he added.

The Union Home Minister attacked the SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and said that he captured the land of the poor through goons and mafia in his five years tenure.

Lauding Yogi Adityanath-led state government, Shah said that the Chief Minister vacated public land worth Rs 2,000 crore, which had previously been encroached.

"Akhilesh ji made 45 people of his family occupy different posts. Modi ji took 45 schemes to your doorstep," he added.

Voting for the second phase in the UP elections is currently underway for 55 Assembly constituencies covering nine districts of Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha, Sambhal, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Budaun and Shahjahanpur.

The counting of the votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
As per data available on the State Election Commission's website, the party has made a clean sweep of the civic body polls.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee congratulated the people of Asansol, Bidhannagar, Siliguri and Chandanagore on voting for TMC candidates in the Municipal Corporation elections.

Taking to Twitter, Banerjee said, "It is once again an overwhelming victory of Ma, Mati, Manush. My heartiest congratulations to the people of Asansol, Bidhannagar, Siliguri and Chandanagore for having put their faith and confidence on All India Trinamool Congress candidates in the Municipal Corporation elections."

"We are committed to carry forward our development work further with greater zeal and enthusiasm. My sincerest gratitude to Ma Mati Manush," she added.

Meanwhile, the BJP has moved Calcutta High Court and has demanded Central forces for the remaining Municipalities Polls in West Bengal, scheduled for February 27. The matter will be likely be heard by the court on Tuesday.

The civic polls were earlier slated to be held on January 22, 2022. However, the High Court postponed the elections for 4-6 weeks, citing that the third wave of COVID-19 had hit the state and that the life of the residents of the state would be put to threat if the elections were held. (ANI)
Weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach incident in Punjab, former president of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Sunil Kumar Jakhar on Monday alleged that Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's scheduled visit to Hoshiarpur was cancelled by the Centre. Addressing a public gathering in Hoshiarpur, Jakhar said, "Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi was scheduled to come to Hoshiarpur but it's shameful that the Central Government cancelled permission for him to come here." "If the Election Commission of India does not take cognisance of this, I will understand that these polls are a farce, sham," Jakhar said. The Congress leader said the Centre should shed some light on the incident. "A few days back, the Prime Minister said that when he came to Punjab, he wasn't allowed to visit Ferozepur and there was a threat to his life. Today, when Charanjit Singh Channi is being stopped from coming to Hoshiarpur, I request PM Modi sahab to shed some light on it," he said. Prime Minister's Ferozepur rally earlier had to be cancelled after a major security breach with his convoy stuck on a flyover after the agitating farmers had blocked the road. The BJP is raising the issue of the security breach of the Prime Minister in the ongoing electioneering in the state. On January 5, Prime Minister's convoy was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. Assembly polls for electing 117 assembly seats in Punjab will be held on February 20. The results will be declared on March 10. In the 2017 Assembly polls in the state, the Congress had won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats, ousting the SAD-BJP government, which had been in power for 10 years. (ANI)
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday informed Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur that a snow sculpture would be introduced in Ladakh in the winter season as a tourist attraction, which will also create job opportunities for the locals. The Minister shared the information with Ladakh LG in a meeting with him. Mathur later sought the support of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) from Singh for this outdoor snow art, which has gained currency in the cold climes of the world. The LG said, once this art is stabilized, Ladakh will start the Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in the coming years. The concluding ceremony of the First Ladakh Ice and Snow-Sculpture Workshop 2022 was held on February 11. It was organized by Kangding Snow and Ice Sculpture Association in association with Ladakh Police at Sangtakchan near Tsogsti on the way to Chilling. The LG attended the concluding ceremony and said, "I see no logic in leaving Ladakh in winters. This is the time to earn here." In his meeting with LG, Singh thanked the Ladakh Administration for taking a decision to start the commercial plantation of "Leh Berry" from April-May this year. The CSIR under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology is promoting "Leh Berry" which is an exclusive food product of the cold desert and also a means of wide-ranging entrepreneurship as well as self-livelihood. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ladakh in May 2018, Singh said "the PM had strongly advised for widespread cultivation of sea buckthorn, which is also the source of "Leh Berry". He said, CSIR will also develop harvesting machinery to be used by local farmers and self-help groups, as currently only 10 per cent of berry is being extracted from the wild sea buckthorn plant. The Minister said that local entrepreneurs will be provided gainful employment through farming, processing, and marketing of about 100 odd products from sea buckthorn plant-like jams, juices, herbal tea, vitamin C supplements, healthy drinks, cream, oils, and soaps in a completely organic manner. Mathur also informed that commercial cultivation of three medicinal plants will begin this spring season at a height of above 15,000 feet. This also includes "Sanjeevni Booty", locally known as "Sola" which has very high life-saving and therapeutic properties. Singh conveyed to LG that the Department of Atomic Energy will set up facilities in the UT for Gamma Irradiation Technology for preservation and shelf life extension of fruits and vegetables. He was happy to note that for the first time huge quantities of Apricot were exported to Dubai. The Minister complimented CSIR for organizing four training workshops, two each at Leh and Kargil for the treatment of diseases of famous Pashmina Goats. Charthang in Ladakh has over 4 lakh animals mainly pashmina goats, a very rich source of livelihood. Singh told Mathur that a high-level team of senior scientists from CSIR will visit Ladakh this summer to evaluate the Zinc Fortification project for Pashmina Goats, Sheep, and Yak as Ladakh is mainly an Animal-based economy. He also said CSIR is also contemplating starting a Geo-Thermal Energy Project for warming and cooling systems in a Zero-net energy program by linking it with Solar Power. The LG thanked the Minister for having responded to the Union Territory government's request for training of officers and staff by DARPG, which already conducted two extensive training sessions. He also requested for posting of more AGMUT Cadre officers in Ladakh in view of the new centrally sponsored projects and schemes having been initiated. Lieutenant Governor also conveyed to the Minister his acknowledgment of the constant support that the Union Territory government is receiving from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for every small or big issue. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid heartfelt tributes to former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj on her birth anniversary and recalled her association with his mother. In a Facebook post today, the Prime Minister said, "Right now I am returning from Jalandhar after carrying out a rally. Today is Sushma ji's birth anniversary. I suddenly remembered an old incident related to her, so thought I would share it with you." "About 25 years ago, I used to work at an organization in the BJP and Sushma ji was on an election tour in Gujarat. In my village in Vadnagar, she came and met my mother. At that time, a daughter was born in our family to my nephew. Astrologers found her name after seeing the constellation and then a name was decided. The family members had also decided that they will do as they are saying," the Prime Minister said. "But after meeting Sushma ji, my mother said that the daughter's would be named Sushma. My mother is not very educated but she is very modern in thoughts. And the way she pronounced the decision to everyone at that time, that too I remember till today. Tributes to Sushma ji on her birth anniversary today," the Prime Minister posted on Facebook today. Born on February 14, 1952 at Ambala in Haryana, Sushma Swaraj graduated from Sanatan Dharma College, Ambala Cantt. and obtained Bachelor of Law degree from Punjab University, Chandigarh. She was also conferred Honorary Doctorate by the Agriculture University, Kanpur. In 1973, she started practice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India. Sushma Swaraj entered public life at a young age and won election to the Haryana Legislative Assembly at the age of 25 years in 1977 and became Cabinet Minister for Labour and Employment in the State Government of Haryana. She was again elected as a member of Haryana Legislative Assembly and became the Cabinet Minister for Education, Food and Civil Supplies during the period 1987 to 1990. In 1990, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha and in 1996, as a member of the 11th Lok Sabha when she became the Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting. In 1998, she was again elected to the 12th Lok Sabha and held the portfolio of Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting and also for Telecommunications as an additional charge. In October, 1998, she became the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi. Thereafter, in April, 2000, she was again elected to the Rajya Sabha and became the Minister for Information and Broadcasting from September, 2000 to January 2003 and then the Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs from January 2003 to May 2004. In April, 2006, she was re-elected to Rajya Sabha. In 2009, she was elected as a member of the 15th Lok Sabha and became Leader of Opposition from December 2009 to May 2014. In 2014, she was elected to the 16th Lok Sabha. She served as Union Cabinet Minister for External Affairs from May 2014 till May, 2019. (ANI)
Lalu Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav sought Y category security on Monday after some people allegedly created ruckus at Tej Pratap Yadav's residence on Sunday. The former Bihar Cabinet Minister wrote a letter to the DGP saying that he has received death threats. In a letter, Yadav wrote, "I currently live at 2 Stand Road Patna. In the past, I have been a Cabinet Minister in the Bihar government. Thousands of people come to meet me every day and from time to time, I have to go to Naxal areas of the state and other areas to solve the problems of the people. In the past, there was a ruckus at my residence by some anti-social students. Death threats were also made. Therefore, from the point of view of security, the Bihar government should be ordered to provide Y category security." A group of people on Sunday evening allegedly broke into Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav's residence in Bihar's Patna, allegedly assaulted his aide Srijan Swaraj and also threatened to kill him. Srijan Swaraj is the vice president of Youth RJD. (ANI)
Taking note of the hijab incident in a school in Mandya city, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday slammed the BJP-led government in Karnataka and said that the incident has left a particular community humiliated an alleged that "this is what happens when 'fundamental rights' are suspended". "This is humiliating a community, this is what happens when fundamental rights are suspended, where is my Dignity. Is this not an attempt to make us Z Category citizens? Power is not eternal. BJP must remember. Tum zameen pe zulm likh do. Aasmaan pe inquilab likha jayega," tweeted AIMIM leader today. This tweet by the AIMIM leader came after a user on Twitter in his tweet alleged that students of Rotary Educational Society School in Mandya were allegedly forced to remove hijab while entering a school. "Students of Rotary educational society school Mandya remove hijab when they were asked to, to attend classes. Most schools have enforced the ban on religious clothing earlier ordered by the Karnataka HC," a Twitter user posted. The Hijab protests in Karnataka began in January this year when some students of Government Girls PU college in the Udupi district of the state 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 Udupi 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. Meanwhile, 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. The Karnataka High Court on Friday uploaded the interim order passed in the petitions challenging the Hijab ban in colleges in the state. The hearing of the petitions will continue on February 15. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Congress leader Yashpal Arya, while casting his vote in Kaladhungi assembly constituency on Monday said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is better as opposition, not good enough for running the government. Yashpal Arya said, "Bharatiya Janata Party is better as opposition, not good enough for running the government. I have joined the Congress to establish a government in 2022." "In Congress, members of the legislative assembly hold meetings, there are observers and high command's decisions, on the basis of which the Chief Ministerial candidate is selected. If Harish Rawat has said that Uttarakhand deserves a Dalit Chief Minister, then I welcome his opinion", Arya added. After Charanjit Singh Channi from the Dalit community became Chief Minister of Punjab, Rawat had said that he "intends to see a Dalit CM in the upper caste-dominated Uttarakhand". Rawat praised Arya, who is also from the Dalit community. "I have also been the President of the State Congress, I have also been the Speaker of the Assembly, I have also been the President of the Youth Congress. Therefore, if the party gives me any responsibility then I am ready to accept that it", added the Congress leader. Arya said, "The people are fed up which the Bharatiya Janata Party. It will now reap the fruits it has sown in the last 5 years. Bharatiya Janata Party sowed a Babool tree in Uttarakhand." According to him, the Congress government will be established in Uttarakhand with full strength after the election results are declared. "Who will win and who will lose, it will be clear on March 10, but according to the trends we saw, there is a huge number of people asking for a change", added Arya. Yashpal Arya is contesting from Bajpur, one of the 29 constituencies in the Kumaon region He had won from Bajpur in 2017. (ANI)
Marylands mask mandate for workers and visitors in state buildings will be lifted next week, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Monday.

Effective Feb. 22, masking would become optional inside places like Motor Vehicle Administration locations and other state buildings. Some localities in Maryland, such as Baltimore City, still have indoor masking mandates.

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Masks will be strongly recommended in state buildings for those who are unvaccinated against COVID-19, Hogans office said in a news release.

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Later Monday, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. announced that masks would no longer be required in county buildings starting Feb. 28, and mandated coronavirus testing for unvaccinated county employees would come to a halt.

[ How are Maryland COVID cases, vaccinations and other metrics trending? Here are the latest numbers. [GRAPHICS] ]

The state announced Jan. 3 that it would resume requiring mask-wearing inside its buildings, as the omicron variant of COVID-19 surged. Back then, the seven-day average positivity rate was higher than ever before, climbing toward 30%.

Monday, the rate was 3.77%, and 751 people were battling their COVID-19 infections in Maryland hospitals. In January, as many as 3,462 people were hospitalized with coronavirus at once.

Given the dramatic declines in our health metrics, we are now able to take another step toward normalcy in state operations, Hogan said in Mondays news release. In addition, we continue to offer paid leave for state employees to get their booster shots, which provide critical protection against the virus and its variants.

The General Assemblys presiding officers said Monday they plan to continue requiring masks in the State House legislative chambers, as well as in offices and committee rooms in the Annapolis complex.

State officials did not immediately answer questions about whether congregate facilities such as state correctional institutions were included in the governors directive.

In a statement Monday, Patrick Moran, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Maryland Council 3, opposed Hogans decision. AFSCME is the largest state workers union in Maryland.

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Governor Hogan continues to lead Maryland based on polls and not public health, Moran wrote. Maryland still has over 750 people hospitalized and people dying every day  including two AFSCME Council 3 members in the last two weeks.

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The governors decision endangers front-line state workers, Moran wrote  especially those in congregate care facilities with no opportunity to social distance.

Just like the Federal Government mandates people wear seatbelts, even if some people dont like them, the Governor should continue to require masking in State facilities, Moran wrote.

Last week, Hogan asked the State Board of Education to lift a mask requirement for Maryland schools.

The board has said COVID-19 transmission must be moderate or lower for counties to consider voiding the mandate, or there must be an 80% vaccination rate in schools or their surrounding communities.

Currently, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that COVID-19 transmission in all Maryland counties is considered high or substantial.

Baltimore Sun reporter Pamela Wood contributed to this article.
The Supreme Court was on Monday informed that Kal Airways Private Limited and media baron Kalanithi Maran were not agreeable to two proposals to settle their dispute with SpiceJet on payment of interest in connection with a share transfer issue. A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli, after being told about the views on the proposals listed the case for hearing the arguments on March 2. At the outset, the apex court inquired about the view of Kal Airways and Maran whether they were agreeable to the two proposals of SpiceJet to settle the dispute. In its first offer, SpiceJet proposed that it would pay Rs. 300 crores towards a full and final settlement of the dispute or secondly, out of the Bank Guarantee of Rs 270 Crores deposited with the Delhi High Court, airlines will give Rs 100 crores for now and an order will be passed by the top court asking the High Court to expeditiously decide the case related to the arbitral award. Senior advocate Maninder Singh, who was assisted by Karanjawala and Co, told the top court on behalf of Kal Airways that it is not possible for their clients to consider the offer proposed by Spicejet. The bench inquired further whether none of the two offers proposed by SpiceJet is acceptable to Kal Airways to which Singh replied in the negative saying that as per the Arbitral Award itself Spicejet has to pay them Rs 920 crores. The apex court was hearing the appeal of SpiceJet against the November 2, 2020 order of the High Court asking the low-cost airline to deposit around Rs 243 crore as interest in connection with a share transfer dispute with its former promoter and media baron Kalanithi Maran and his firm Kal Airways. On November 7, 2020, the top court had stayed the High Court order asking SpiceJet to deposit around Rs 243 crore as interest in connection with the share transfer dispute. SpiceJet and its promoter Ajay Singh were asked to deposit around Rs 243 crore as interest payable on Rs 579 crore, which the High Court had in 2017 asked SpiceJet to deposit under the 2018 arbitration award in the share transfer dispute. (ANI)
Attacking the Congress ahead of Punjab Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the party spoke in the tone of Pakistan and doubted the Indian Army's credibility over the surgical strike while adding that his chopper was stalled in Pathankot to facilitate the movement of Rahul Gandhi referring him as 'Yuvraj'. Addressing his first public rally in Punjab ahead of the state assembly polls, Prime Minister said, "They demanded proof of surgical strike from the Indian Army. They were speaking in the tone of Pakistan. During the 2014 elections, I was made the Prime Ministerial candidate. I had to visit Himachal via Pathankot. They (Congress) stalled my helicopter in Pathankot because their 'Yuvraj' (Rahul Gandhi) was going visit in another corner of Punjab. My two programs were then canceled. They have been misusing the power for 50 years." He accused Congress of humiliating former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and said the party wanted to run the government with remote control. "We respected federalism. Former Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh worked in coordination with the Centre according to federalism. Congress removed Amarinder Singh when it could not run govt with remote control," said Prime Minister Modi. In a scathing attack on the Congress, PM Modi said the party can never work for the betterment of Punjab as the family that controls the Congress avenges old enmity against the state. "The family that controls the Congress party avenges its old enmity against Punjab. As long as Congress is in possession of that family, the party can never work for the betterment of Punjab. Entire Punjab is witness that we formed SIT to investigate the 1984 Sikh riots and helped its victims. But Congress has always sprinkled salt on your wounds by giving big posts in the party to the accused of riots," he said. "The BJP government contests elections based on its work. Some people who do not have any record of work come here to spread lies. They talk about making Punjab drug-free. But these people themselves are experts in opening liquor shops in mohallas. The history of Congress is that it can never work for Punjab. And whoever wants to work, Congress creates thousands of obstacles," said Prime Minister Modi. PM Modi said that the Congress party is falling and those who fight among themselves cannot give a stable government to Punjab. He said Punjab needs a government that works seriously for the security of the country. Referring to the drugs issue in Punjab, Prime Minister said, "Imagine you have a bungalow, a farm, a car, a good life...everything is there. But if your son is addicted to drugs then what will be the use of this property of yours. We need to create an environment to fulfill the dreams of mothers and sisters for their children. I have to repay my debt to Punjab. We will leave no stone unturned for the youth of Punjab, for the de-addiction of Punjab." PM Modi said the trade and business in Punjab are under the seize of mafias. Exuding confidence in the victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming state Assembly elections, Prime Minister said New Punjab will be full of opportunities and free from debt. Punjab will go to the Assembly polls on February 20 and the counting of votes will take place on March 10. In the 2017 Assembly polls in the state, the Congress had won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats and ousted the SAD-BJP government which had been in power for 10 years. (ANI)
Questioning the government order which prohibits wearing headscarves, senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the petitioners, on Monday, told the Karnataka High Court that leaving it to the college committee to decide whether the hijab is allowed or not is totally illegal. A bench of the three judges comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi was hearing the various petitions challenging the ban on Hijab in educational institutes in the state on Monday. Senior advocate Kamat apprised the Court that a government order said the wearing of hijab is not protected by Article 25 and it left it to the College Development Committee to decide whether an exception should be made for hijab. Advocate Kamat said that wearing of hijab not protected by Article 25 is not correct and leaving it to the college committee is completely illegal. During the hearing, an advocate made a mention of an application to restrict media and social media comments on issues as elections are going on in other states and to postpone the matter after elections. The Court said that if Election Commission had made this request or some authorities then the bench could consider this. The Court said it cannot restrict media. Meanwhile, the Court also asked if an essential religious practice is absolute or susceptible to regulation by law. Advocate Kamat replied that as far as core religious practices are concerned, it is under Article 25 (1) and that it is not absolute. Advocate Kamat clarified that if core religious practices harm or offend public order then they can be regulated. The Court also asked if everything stated in Quran is an essential religious practice. The advocate said, "I am not saying that." He further added that he did not want to go deeper into essential religious practice and reiterated that wearing scarves is essential to the practice of the Islamic faith. Advocate Kamat apprised Court that the petitioners in this case since admission were wearing headscarves and going to colleges for the past two years. Advocate Kamat said the petitioners said that they will cover head with the same colour of uniform The Karnataka High Court will continue hearing on Tuesday various petitions challenging the ban on headscarves in educational institutes. The Hijab protests in Karnataka began in January this year when some students of Government Girls PU college in the Udupi district of the state 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 Udupi 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. (ANI)
Everyone should abide by the High Court order, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai while speaking to media persons after attending the Business Advisory Committee meeting of the State Assembly. Amid the ongoing Hijab controversy, the High court on Monday resumed hearing on the petition challenging wearing Hijab in colleges. The Karnataka High Court stated that this decision comes under the ambit of article 25 and it is not legally sustainable and also asked the media to be more responsible. After the High Court gave its final judgement, few incidents were reported in the city. Citing to that incident, CM Bommai said, "Schools up to the 10th standard have reopened today. A few incidents have been reported from various districts. A meeting would be convened to discuss the lacunae and standard operating procedures. School management, principals and the parents have the responsibility of obeying the High Court order. It will create a conducive atmosphere for the High Court to deliver its final judgement. We should maintain restraint till then." Primary and Secondary Education Minister Bellur Chandrashekharaiah Nagesh said that Pre-University colleges and degree colleges will reopen from February 16. (ANI)
Slamming the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Congress over their remarks on surgical strike, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday said does new experiments over issues like hijab or surgical strike as it cannot compete with BJP in terms of development. Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister said, "Telangana Chief Minister is furious and nervous. After the surgical strike in Huzurabad, he has been speaking like this. If this is the condition after loss in one election, it clearly shows that ground beneath KCR and TRS is sinking in Telangana," "Words of Congress and TRS sound similar to that of Pakistan. Whenever elections come, they do new experiments with issues like hijab or surgical strike, because they cannot compete with BJP as far as development is concerned. Questioning surgical strike shows the mindset of KCR," Thakur added. Meanwhile, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy also criticized Telangana Chief Minister. "I strongly condemn the irresponsible statement of Telangana Chief Minister against Indian armed forces. The fact that this came in on the eve of the anniversary of the Pulwama attack shows insensitivity, irresponsibility, ignorance. That is unbecoming of a chief minister," Reddy said. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi recently raised questions over the surgical strike, seeking proof from the Army. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao defended Rahul for raising questions over the surgical strike, claiming that the "BJP spreads false propaganda". Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday sought proof from the Central government over surgical strikes carried out in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in September 2019. "Even today, I am asking for the proof. Let the government of India show (the proof). The BJP makes false propaganda that is why people are asking for it. The BJP is using surgical strike politically. The Army is fighting at the border. If anyone is dying, it's Army personnel, and they should be given credit for it, not BJP," said Rao. (ANI)
In a milestone achievement, over 1.5 crore youngsters aged between 15-18 years of age group are fully vaccinated in India. In a tweet today, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, "Young India is fighting the pandemic with full vigour. Over 1.5 crore youngsters between the 15-18 age group are fully vaccinated now. #SabkoVaccineMuftVaccine." Notably, the vaccination drive for those aged between 15-18 years commenced on January 3 this year. India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 173.38 crore (1,73,38,16,302) today. More than 40 lakh (40,40,596) vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm today, the Health Ministry informed in its official release. More than 1.72 crore (1,76,27,475) precaution doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries (healthcare workers, frontline workers and over 60 years) for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight. The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination started on January 16, 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on June 21, 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through the availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain. As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs. (ANI)
Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police arrested an absconder on Friday for duping two Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). According to the Delhi police, the accused was identified as Amit Agarwal, 40, a resident of Migsun Green Mansion, Surajpur Site-C, Greater Noida. There were two FIRs registered against him in 2018. The Delhi police informed that the FIR was registered on the complaint of Sachin Oberoi, authorized signatory of India Factoring and Finance Solutions Pvt. Ltd. He alleged that the director and officials of the company, Genius Minds Pvt. Ltd., had approached the complainant company seeking trade finance assistance in the form of a factoring facility. The Delhi Police further added that according to the complainant, the accused directors introduced their company as having huge turnover in business and gave misleading representations by furnishing fake invoices of the alleged debtor so as to induce the complainant company into granting huge amount as loan and thereafter complainant company approved the trade finance facility in the form of Factoring Facility of Rs 11,58,30,072.74. The complainant further said, "Later on, the accused directors Abhishek Agarwal and Aditya Agarwal raised invoices in the name of approved debtors namely American Embassy School, PNB Metlife India Insurance Co. Ltd., Fortis Healthcare Ltd., Optum Global Solution (India) Pvt. Ltd., and Just Dial Ltd. but during the investigation, the said bill/invoices were found to be forged." The accused persons also have duped another NBFC company namely Pinnacle Capital Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (PCSPL) to the tune of Rs. 3.14 crore. The Delhi police further said, "After receiving the complaints from both the companies, an enquiry was conducted and it came to light that the officials and directors of Genius Minds Pvt. Ltd. presented false, fake, forged and fabricated bills/invoices in order to induce the complainant companies to fund of huge amount to provide factoring Finance Facility and have duped huge amount." The Delhi police also stated that during the investigation, it was revealed that the accused Amit Agarwal, a Senior Manager, accounts in connivance with accused persons Aditya Agarwal and Abhishek Agarwal, directors of the accused company 4 Genius Minds Pvt. Ltd. induced the NBFCs for funding of huge amount to provide Factoring Finance Facility and after obtaining Finance Facility from the complainant company with the intent to cheat them. Delhi police further added that the directors of the accused company also cheated State Bank of India, MG Road Gurugram Branch by using the same modus operandi and mortgaging the same properties situated at CR Park and Greater Kailash-I area Delhi. Delhi police said, "During the investigation, efforts were made to trace the accused Amit Agarwal but he was absconding and changing his whereabouts. Meanwhile, accused Aditya Agarwal, Abhishek Agarwal, and Amit Agarwal were declared proclaimed persons by the Court of Metropolitan Magistrates, South East, Saket Courts, New Delhi in both the above cases. A raid was conducted on Thursday and on the basis of technical surveillance, accused Amit Agarwal was arrested on Friday in both the cases from Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)
The single-phase Assembly elections in Uttarakhand, Goa and phase two of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls concluded on Monday. The Election Commission of India expressed gratitude to all stakeholders especially to the voters for their enthusiastic and fearless participation in the election process today. The Commission particularly thanks PwD electors, senior citizens, and service voters for taking part in elections honouring COVID protocol norms. As per the Election Commission, while Uttarakhand recorded 61.58 per cent voters' turnout in the Assembly elections, Goa achieved 78.94 per cent voters' turnout while Uttar Pradesh recorded 62.99 per cent voters' turnout. Polling was conducted peacefully in 36,823 polling Stations spread across 165 Assembly Constituencies today, in the states of Uttarakhand, Goa and for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh. The elections were conducted for single phase election in 40 ACs in Goa, 70 ACs in Uttarakhand and for 55 ACs in Uttar Pradesh's second phase of their Assembly Elections. The Commission has laid great emphasis on ensuring proper arrangements at the polling stations. Voters set an example of COVID appropriate behaviour following due protocols of sanitization and social distancing. Nearly 2.95 crore General Electors including over 5 lakh first-time electors, spread across 36,823 Polling Stations were registered to exercise their franchise across 165 ACs in the three states. The number of Polling Stations has increased in view of the fact that the number of voters per polling station has been reduced from 1500 to 1250 keeping in view of the social distancing norms. As part of the Commission's initiative to provide a comfortable experience to women voters, 334 All Women-Managed polling stations were set up across the 165 ACs. As a major push in conducting free and fair elections, live monitoring and webcasting mechanism for more than 50 per cent of polling stations including critical and vulnerable polling booths was put in place to ensure a safe and secure atmosphere in polling areas. Commission, CEOs, DEOs, Observers could watch live streaming and keep a close watch on these polling booths. Webcasting arrangements were put in place for all 1722 polling stations in Goa, 5828 Polling Stations in Uttarakhand and 11,448 polling stations for the second phase in Uttar Pradesh. There were a total of 1,519 candidates contesting in this phase across Goa, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh which included 158 women candidates. In this phase, over 2.19 lakh PwD electors and 4.67 lakh 80+ electors were registered to vote across 165 ACs. As an initiative towards inclusive and accessible elections, the option of postal ballot facility has been extended to PwDs, Senior Citizens above the age of 80 years, COVID-19 suspect or affected persons and persons employed in notified essential services. The Observers were specifically asked to oversee arrangements for facilitation of these voters. All the Polling Stations were directed to follow COVID-19 safety protocols. Accordingly, it was ensured that the Polling Stations were sanitised one day prior to poll, and the facility of thermal scanning, hand sanitisers, face masks were also made available at the Polling Stations. Proper arrangements for social distancing were put in place. Nodal Health Officers have been designated for State, District and Assembly Constituencies to oversee COVID-19 related arrangements and preventive measures during the entire electoral process. The last hour of the polling was reserved for the COVID affected or suspects voters and voting was ensured with all covid appropriate protocols at the polling stations. All Polling stations have been equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) of drinking water, waiting shed, toilet with water facility, adequate arrangements for lighting, ramp of appropriate gradient for wheelchair for PwD electors and a standard voting compartment etc were made available at all the Polling Stations. All arrangements like transport facility, volunteers assisting Persons with Disability and senior citizens have also been put in place. As part of ECIs commitment for accessible elections, Volunteers with Divyang Dolis, NCC Cadets were deputed in Uttarakhand for assisting movement of PwDs and senior citizens to the polling stations. In Goa, certain polling booths were set up in an eco-friendly manner giving the message of clean and green India. During this phase, EVMs and VVPATs were used successfully in all 36,823 polling stations. As per standard procedure all these EVMs and VVPATs had already undergone First Level Checking, Randomisation, Commissioning and undergone mock polls during FLC and commissioning in the presence of Political Parties/Candidates agents. Today before the start of the poll, each of the EVMs and VVPATs again underwent a mock poll in every polling station in the presence of polling agents of the candidates with minimum 50 votes and the results of EVM were matched with the result of VVPAT slips and shown to the polling agents. As part of innovative measures, polling parties in Uttarakhand were equipped with special backpack bags to keep them handsfree and help them trek on treacherous routes in districts like Chamoli. Since the date of notification of Election till Poll day of second phase, record seizure of Rs. 224.71 crore has already been achieved in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa. The seizure figure, which includes seizure of cash, liquor, narcotics, freebies etc upto the poll day is more than the total combined seizure of Rs 203.78 Crore in the entire General Election to Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa LA 2017 including all phases. 2400 Flying Squads (FS) and 2654 Static Surveillance Teams (SST) were operationalised to check movement of cash, liquor, drugs and freebies in the three states. (ANI)
TPCC president Revanth Reddy has lodged a complaint against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for making indecent remarks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Jubilee Hills police station. The Congress leaders lodged a complaint with Jubilee Hills Police Station ACP Sudarshan. Working president Anjan Kumar Yadav, AICC Secretary Sampath Kumar, PAC Convener Shabbir Ali, AICC National Spokesperson Dasoju Shravan and others were also present. Congress leaders have filed a criminal case against Himanta Biswa Sharma and demanded his immediate arrest. "Assam CM's remarks are humiliating for a woman, Why did the Chief Electoral Officer of the National Election Commission not order the arrest of Himanta Biswa Sharma" asked Revanth. "BJP should remove Himanta Biswa from the post of Chief Minister. But the BJP is supporting the remarks of the Assam CM." The TPCC president added, "Some say it is an insult to the Gandhi family, but it is an insult to the women of this country. An FIR should be registered against our compliant immediately." According to him, the Assam CM should be served notice immediately. "It is the responsibility of the police to arrest the Assam CM." Revant said, "KCR should set up a special team to arrest the Assam CM. He should discuss with jurists if necessary. We are giving 48 hours to the state government and the police. If they do not respond, we will besiege all the commissioners and SP offices on February 16." "I will siege the Hyderabad Commissionerate", said Revanth. "Before this situation arises, KCR should conduct a special review and take action in terms of the police and the law. We will also complain to the Women's Commission. If the police do not respond, we will go to the court", said Revanth. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday targeted the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government alleging that it "lacked courage" to respond to Pakistan-backed terror attacks. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government conducted an airstrike at terror target in Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack. "During SP, BSP-supported Congress rule, any Tom, Dick and Harry would enter India from Pakistan and behead our jawans. The government did not have the courage to do anything. On the other hand, after the Pulwama attack, Modiji conducted an airstrike across the border," he said at a rally here. He said defence corridor project in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi will help India "teach a lesson to Pakistan". Slamming political dynasties, Amit Shah alleged that Congress could never work for the welfare of the people of Uttar Pradesh. "Parivaarwadi' parties can't do good for the state and the country. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi...can Congress work for the welfare of the public of Uttar Pradesh?" he asked. Amit Shah also hit out at the Samajwadi Party "for promoting political dynasty". "Mulayam Singh Yadav couldn't find any successor, he made his son succeed him," he added. The Union Home Minister also targeted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. "When loot money is caught, Akhilesh feels the pain. Piles of cash were recovered in a raid on a perfume businessman of SP. Akhilesh said it was a political raid. Let us assume it was a political raid, but what was his relationship with that businessman?" Amit Shah asked. He alleged that Akhilesh Yadav captured the land of the poor through goons and mafia in his five-year rule. "When Akhilesh was in power, around 200 farmers died due to drought and starvation. Over 300 cases of suicide were reported. When BJP came to power, it started the India-Israel Bundelkhand water project to tackle the problem of water scarcity," Amit Shah added. The second phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls was held on Monday. A total of 55 Assembly constituencies covering nine districts of Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha, Sambhal, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Budaun and Shahjahanpur went for polls today. The counting of the votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)